My Interview With Former Sec 5A students....

Former Secondary 5A students from BNSS,attention please.From today onwards,I will start a new section on my blog where I will do an interview with you people regarding your current and your past life and I will then post it here for everyone else to read.I call this section 'A Conversation With The Blogging God'.

For my first ever interview,I manage to catch up with someone who is not so popular in class but he never fail to let the bad influences affect his studies.He can be considered as someone very helpful,shy and maybe hardworking.If you are still wondering who the hell I am talking about,he is none other than our good old friend,Mr See Wee Tiong.Let us begin the conversation...

First of all Wee Tiong,thanks for taking part in this interview.Now lets get down to business shall we.We all know that it has been a very long time since I have heard from you.So what are you doing now? I mean where are you schooling and how have you been so far?

I am now schooling at ITE College East and taking the accounting course.I am doing fine thank you.

Cool.So how has it been so far? Are you enjoying your new school?

Yeah of course I am enjoying it but I have not really made some new friends.I am still adopting to the environment though.

I see.Is life in ITE more tougher than your time in BNSS? And how are you coping with your studies?

I do not think so actually.In fact,not all the modules are difficult,only some which needs more time to spend and more effort.But since I have studied accounting in BNSS,it makes my lesson much more easier to understand.Most of it are a repeat version of what I had studies and I only need to adopt my english the way it is being ask.

Ok.Let's talk about the recent chalet outing which was organised by our former class.Why did you decided to go back halfway?

I think it is better if I do not answer to this question.

Well I shall respect your request if that is what you want.Moving on,do you miss BNSS? If so,what is the thing you miss the most?

The things I miss the most about BNSS is the class,in particular Sec 4F and 5A and the teachers there of course like Mrs Chan,Mr Lau and some of my chinese language teachers.As for the class,I enjoyed everything apart from some sarcastic remarks made by my friends.

Understood.Now let us move on to a rather sensitive issue shall we.We all know that in BNSS,people always make fun of you.Do you still feel angry towards those people or have u forgive them and forgotten everything about it?

I think it is better to forgive and forget when it is already in the past.There is no use holding grudges and make both parties angry.Let bygones be bygones and it is better to end things this way.

Well said.And I think those people who teased you continuously would have probably done the same too even though you never hear from them apologising to you.Talking about your 'O' level result,were you disappointed by it? If so,are you planning to retake certain subject?

Yeah I am disappointed absolutely! I think I tried my best,but it seems like my best wasn't good enough.And no,I am not retaking it because there is no use trying again if you dont have any determination to do so again.

I see.So what is your plan for the future.I mean after ITE,where are you deciding to go?

Well,Im planning to go to poly and take the accounting course as well as going to as many camps as possible,or joining useful courses while in ITE to learn as many things as possible in ITE that you cannot find outside if I can still apply for further deferment from National Service.

Well,I hope you will succeed in your plans.And lastly,do you have anything to say to your former classmates who is reading this right now?

Hm,I am not sure what to say actually.I just want to tell them to do our best in everything and remember to keep in contact and go for our goal.

Ok thanks for your time once again Wee Tiong.I wish you a very good luck in your future endeavours and take care.Now if you want to be the next to be interviewed,you know what to do.Till next time,wait for my next student!

Why Friendster is rising in Asia...

Ask anyone on whether they have an account on Friendster and most probably they will say yes.Nowadays,there are so many social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook but for most people in Asia,they prefer Friendster.So why is it so popular among Asians then?

Let's do some history checking about how it came about first.The Friendster site was actually founded in Mountain View,California,by Jonathan Abrams in March 2002 and is privately owned while MySpace was first started somewhere in August 2003 and Facebook was launched on February 2004.You may wonder why is it then Friendster is not as popular and not as big in terms of the number of users as compared to the other two since Friendster was the one which started the idea first.According to my research,Friendster currently has over 50 million users as compared to Facebook's 69 million users and MySpace have more than a 100 million users.The downturn for Friendster actually started when they suffered software glitches and slow access times which prompted users to flee to the now hugely popular MySpace and Facebook.Then in 2003,Google offered $30 million to buy Friendster but it was turned down but Friendster did bounce back.

Thanks largely to an accident of geography,it's become Southeast Asia's top social networking site.Asia is home to three-quarters of Friendster's 58 million users,compared to 17% in the U.S. ,and it's the source of 89% of the site's traffic,compared to just 8% from North America.In fact,Friendster is already the most-visited web site in the Philippines and Indonesia,and the second most-visited site in Malaysia and Singapore,according to rankings from web tracker Alexa.And due to the success,Friendster hired a 20-person engineering team in the Philippines in 2006 and and last September,it opened a sales office here in Singapore.The reason for the success is because when the company moved from California to San Francisco,there was a lot of Asian-American Californians who then help to who formed a nucleus that quickly expanded across the Pacific as users invited friends and relatives in Asia to join the network.And it was because of this success that Friendster is now available in many Asian languages such as Chinese,Korean,and more recently Bahasa Indonesia to cater to the huge number of Asian users in the various country.

Friendster now has a big plan ahead.It is reaching out to the 210 million Internet users in China,where the company's user base is already "in the hundreds of thousands," according to its President.Friendster may have a tough time staying ahead of its wealthier American rivals,which are starting to look to Asia for growth,as well as formidable local competitors such as Shanghai-based 51.com,which already has 90 million subscribers.Less than 10% of visitors to MySpace and Facebook live in Asia,according to June 2007 figures from Internet research company comScore,but that is set to change.MySpace now operates separate sites in Japan and China,and has plans to launch sites in several more countries this year,including South Korea and India while Facebook is starting to show a rise in the number of Asian visitors in last 2 years or so.

It was an interesting article to read.For me,I dont have any idea which is the best social networking site to join because I only have a Friendster account.I cant remember how I was introduce to it,I guess I just follow the trend then.When I saw my friends having a Friendster account,I wanted to do the same as well.I used to have a MySpace account too but I didnt use it for quite a long time already and I have forgotten the password and username because unlike Friendster,it was difficult for me to find my friends who also have a MySpace account there.For me actually,I think all social networking sites are the same,only different names and different services but the main thing for somebody to set up an account there is to keep in touch with your friends and maybe make new friends as well.Friendster started it and it was a brilliant idea.I do think that in the future,Friendster will be the most popular networking site as compared to the others because they have already set up a strong base in Asia and their next target will probably be in Europe and America whereas their competitors now is just trying to move into the Asian market which is not an easy thing to do,adding to the fact that Friendster has already huge popularity and sucsess here.

Whatever it is,I dont think I am going to stop being a user on Friendster and jump to MySpace of Facebook because I am very content with what they offering to the users right now.I also dont think that I will a new account on social networking sites because it would be confusing for me to look after two different accounts on two different websites.What about you? Do you have a MySpace/Facebook account? Is is very different from Friendster or is it relatively the same? Share with me.

*This report was taken from CNN and the informations was taken from Wikipedia.

Microsoft withdraws bid for Yahoo....

Microsoft bid to buy Yahoo seem to have come to an end,well at least after yesterday's event.If you have been following this news,you would know that Microsoft has recently try to bring in a better offer than the previous one to buy Yahoo but unfortunately,their new offer is still not good enough for Yahoo.

The new deal was reportedly worth to be about $46 billion.Microsoft was willing to pay $47.5 billion,or $33 per share,up from the bid's current value of $29.40 per share,according to a letter from Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer to Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang.But Yahoo demanded at least $53 billion,or $37 per share,according to Ballmer.That would have been nearly double Yahoo's stock price of $19.18 at the time Microsoft first made its bid a little over three months ago.Ballmer also told Yang that taking the offer directly to shareholders would not be "sensible." Now there has also been some talk about a hostile takeover but Microsoft has said that they would not do that.Well it seems like all is over now between Microsoft and Yahoo but many analysts believe that Microsoft conceivably could renew its bid later this year if Yahoo can't bounce back from more than two years of financial lethargy.They think that the company's stock would sink into the mid-teens and open the door for another takeover offer that would be more difficult to rebuff.

When I heard that Microsoft is going to come up with a better offer,it came as nothing surprising.Hey its Microsoft we are talking about,probably the biggest software company in the world and when they want to get something,they will not give up easily.Yahoo on the other hand hasnt been doing too well financially,so you may say it was a good time to bid for it.I thought the new offer is not bad,which is up by $4 per share but Yahoo wants more.I dont think that they are desperate for the takeover to go through because they can still survive without it.The only possible reasons I can think why they are asking for more is because they want to get as much as they can if they were to sell even though they know they are not worth that much or they do not want the bid to go through.I doubt that this will be the end of the story.I am sure that we will hear about it again sometime in the near future.

Meanwhile if you wish to read Microsoft's full letter to Yahoo,you may click on this link http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/03/news/companies/msft.letter/index.htm?postversion=2008050320

*This report was taken from CNN and AFP.

Obama win in Guam...

The tiny state of Guam today went to the polls today in deciding the never ending Democratic presidential nominee race in which my man,Barack Obama manage to win by defeating Hillary Clinton by seven votes.It was a caucuses and not a primary.The count of more than 4,500 ballots took all night.

Neither candidate campaigned in the U.S. island territory in person,but both did long-distance media interviews and bought campaign ads for the caucuses.With all 21 precincts reporting,Obama finished with 2,264 votes, or 50.1 percent while Sen. Hillary Clinton got 2,257 votes,or 49.9 percent.Each candidate picked up two delegates.Eight pledged delegates will attend the convention,each with one-half vote.The territory also sends five superdelegates to the National Convention in August in Denver.According to the latest estimation,Obama now has a total of 1,736 delegates (1,493 pledged delegates, 243 superdelegates).Clinton has a total of 1,599 delegates (1,334 pledged delegates, 265 superdelegates).The next primary will be in Indiana and North Carolina next Tuesday.

Even though Guam is not a big state,I think every vote and delegate matters for the Democratic candidates now as we are looking more and more likely going into the Democratic Convention without a Democratic presidential nominee still to be selected.A win is still a win for Obama and after what has happened to him over the last few weeks or so in particular the Jeremiah Wright controversy.I hope it wont affect his chances of winning the next two primaries very much.The voters should not be confused between what Jeremiah Wright have said over what Senator Obama actually stands for.Recent polls have shown that Obama popularity has decreased over the last few weeks or so but I hope the voters in Indiana and N.Carolina will do the right thing which is to vote in Obama's favor.

Till then,see you next Tuesday where I hope there will be more good news for Barack Obama.

A tribute to fellow Marine Officer,Sgt.Merlin German

Today,I would like to express my tribute and gratitude over a fellow Marine Officer,Sgt.Merlin German who had left us forever just recently.Sergeant Merlin German (USMC) was born in Manhattan,New York on Nov. 15, 1985.He enlisted in the Marine Corps 08 September 2003 and received a meritorious promotion to Private First Class out of boot camp.In April 2004,Sergeant German transferred to his first permanent duty station, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division where he served as a Field Artillery Cannoneer.

While on a mission in Iraq on February 21,2005,he was severely wounded,during an en route to Camp Ramadi when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb.He actually had spotted an IED while standing in the turret at his Mk-19 machine gun.With no time to alert the driver,their HUMVEE was hit on a left side by a gas-fed shape charge explosive.Sergeant German was blown clear of the vehicle,and his fellow Marines helped extinguish the flames that had quickly burned 97% of his total body surface area.He was not expected to survive,but he was transported to Germany and then to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas,which has the U.S. military's top burns unit.He spent nine months in intensive care and underwent more than 100 operations.German moved out of the hospital into his own home after 17 months of treatment.He also founded Merlin's Miracles,a charity that aims to assist burned children and their families which you can know more about by clicking on this link http://www.merlinsmiracles.com/

After a long battle,German died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center of complications after surgery.Sgt.German was 22.He is truly an inspiration to all other armed forces that are serving in Iraq or other parts of the world and it was sad to see him gone.To be able to at least survive such a extensive burnt on his body is already a miracle itself but that didnt let him down.He continued to set up a foundation that aims to help burned children and that I think is a great thing to do.Even though he is the one who needs help,he still want to help others.His loss is a big blow to his family,friends and the country as well but we will always remember his contributions to the country and will continue doing it for him.

As we mourn the loss of another fine and young marine,we should not let his efforts and contributions go in vain.I would like to express my respect and appreciation for Sgt.Merlin German for the extraordinary job that he has done.He truly represent what a marine is all about which is honor,courage and commitment.RIP Sgt. and may God bless your soul. *Salutations*

Trying to avoid paying the fares? Think twice...

Have you ever tried to avoid paying the fares when boarding a bus or the MRT? Well,think again if you are planning to do it the next time you are boarding a public transport.If you havn't heard the news yesterday,there will be a new rule for commuters who are caught not paying or under-paying bus and MRT fares and you are not going to like it.

Starting from July onwards,those offenders who are caught not paying or under-paying bus and MRT fares will face a S$20 fine.Meanwhile,for those who misuse concession cards will also face a S$50 penalty.The Public Transport Council said this move is to stop dishonest passengers from getting away with free rides.Unlike bus services,train services already have existing regulations to deal with passengers who evade fares.The PTC said it will launch an awareness programme later this month to inform commuters of the penalty fee for fare evasion before it kicks in on July 1.Under this programme,posters and brochures will be displayed at bus interchanges.You do not need to worry too much if you happen to make a genuine mistake.Lets say,you accidentally use a children EZ-link card when you should use the adult EX-link card because you appeal for a recourse on the penalty fee.You just have to fill up an appeal form which can be downloaded from this website, www.ptc.gov.sg and submit it to the PTC within 14 days from the date of the imposition of the penalty fee.

I have a mix feeling when I first heard about this news.I am happy firstly because this mean that those offenders who purposely tries to avoid paying the fares or under paying it will be punish because I have seen many cases when they try to 'cheat'.An example would be when the board bus,they will move quickly to the back and tap on the EZ-link machine at the exit door and then they will sit down as if they had done nothing wrong.I despise people like this and to fine them would be a good action.However,I am unhappy because I do believe sometimes,we do make genuine mistake.That was once an incident which involve my mum.She accidentally used a children EZ-link card when boarding the bus without realising it and it was just unfortunate that a bus inspector would be doing a checking on the bus and the children EZ-link card has to be confiscated even though my mum explained to the bus inspector that it was a genuine mistake.Of course the bus inspector refused to believe it and she had to claim back to card from the EZ-link office.No fine was imposed then.

I dont really like the idea of imposing a fine but I think there is no other way to punish the offenders.Anyway,2o bucks and 50 bucks is not that much to be honest,and it is easy to pay your fine.I am just wondering how would they make a decision on whether it was a really genuine mistake because I think almost everyone will write in to appeal whether they did it deliberately or not.Nobody would want to admit their wrong actions.I then thought maybe the bus could install CCTV just maybe on the exit door so that they could play back the video if anyone is trying to 'cheat'.Since they can see the passengers entering from the front,no CCTV is required there.An accurate judgement could then be made in this way rather by just making a decision base on an appeal letter.While that may sound feasible,I think it will require a lot of money and hence,an increase in the bus fares.

Anyway,I would love to hear your views on this issue.Do you think it is fair and do you think the amount of fines are reasonable? Have you ever try to avoid paying the fares? Do tell me.

*The report was taken from ChannelNewsAsia.

Paula Abdul's blunder on 'Idol',was it all plan out or not?

If you had watch this week's episode of 'American Idol' on Wednesday night,you should know what I am talking about.But for those of you didn't know what it is,I will still explain to you.On Wednesday night during the show,one of the judges,Paula Abdul made a big blunder when she tried to explain comments she made during TuesdayWednesday evening’s live broadcast,in which she offered a critique of a performance that had not yet taken place.

The strange episode on Tuesday featured performances by the Top 5 finalists.Each singer prepared two songs for Tuesday’s show,and early in the broadcast Ryan Seacrest,the host,told the audience that the judges would not offer their regular critiques until after the singers had performed both songs.But after each singer had performed a first song,Seacrest reversed course,bringing the performers onstage and asking the judges quickly to critique the performance of the first song.Seacrest then said later after the show on a radio show that the change was made in the last minute by an executive producer of the show as the fifth contestant,Syesha Mercado,was performing her first song.When Seacrest asked Paula Abdul for her comments,she offered her critique on Jason Castro’s “first song,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” then added a comment on his second song when he only had actually performed one song only.

As Seacrest anxiously glanced offstage for help,fellow judge Randy Jackson,who was sitting beside Paula at the judges’ table,gently prompted her to make comments “just on the first one.” Confused, Paula then said to Jason Castro that she thought he has 'sung twice'.After realizing what had occurred,she then explained that she got her notes mixed up and had meant her comments to be about the next singer,David Cook.After the show,Paula Abdul revealed that she had seen part of the dress rehearsal,which takes place about two hours before the live broadcast,and had mixed up the rehearsal and the live performances.Now this incident has cause a big controversy over the show's credibility.Questions are starting to be ask such as whether the judges are given scripted comments to recite about the contestants.However,chief executive of FremantleMedia North America and an executive producer of “American Idol,” said Wednesday that the judges are never given scripted comments,and that she does not believe that the credibility of the show has been compromised.

I have been following the show since its started and what had just happened on the show surprise me a bit.When I heard Ryan asking for the judges to give a quick comment on the performances after the first song,I was surprise as well and even more so when Paula gave her comments for two songs when Jason had only just performed for one song.It was not like it was a mistake on her part,but she seem like she knew how Jason had performed in the second song and gave her comments as such,that is why I am a little bit surprised.One thing we do know now is that the judges do get to watch the dress rehearsal before the actual performances so that they are better prepare to prepare their thoughts after the real performances itself and if it is scripted,it can only be done by the judges itself.I dont think the popularity of the show will go down after this incident but it is definitely one big blow to the show.

Whatever it is,I am still going to watch the show whether it is scripted or not.I mean how can you not like watching Simon Cowell when he is criticising the contestants.Whether it is scripted or not,I dont care.At least the voice of the contestants cant be scripted right? If you are interested to watch the video of Paula's blunder,you may click this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RSMPtO2UcE

'American Idol' is on every Wednesday and Thursday night,10pm only on Channel 5 of course.Only four contestants are left after yesterday's elimination,and Im rooting for David Archuletta to go all the way to the final and win it.