Spec bumps on the Apple Power Mac G5 lineup

Spec bumps on the Apple Power Mac G5 lineup:

We know Amazon totally let the cat out of the bag
yesterday on the new Power Mac G5 specs, so what Apple announced today shouldn’t really come as a surprise. And yes,
while the high-end is now the dual 2.7GHz G5, its base config is going for more than we expected—$3,000. It’s still
followed by the dual 2.3GHz and 2.0GHz models, which head out at $2,500 and $2,000, respectively; if you’re thinking of
a single CPU unit (really?), you can pick one up for $1,500, lucky you.

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The N91, Nokia's 4GB musicphone

The N91, Nokia's 4GB musicphone:

Ooooo...how about this?

Alright, not only did those leaked pics of Nokia’s new two
megapixel musicphone turn out to be legit, they actually introduced the phone today, which was way sooner than we’d
anticipated. The Nokia N91 is part of Nokia’s new media-centric N series, and apparently they’re throwing down against
Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung and putting a 4GB hard drive in there, an industry standard 3.5mm headphone jack,
support for playback of MP3, M4A, AAC, and WMA audio files, and USB 2.0 so you can just drag and drop your files over
from your PC. Better still, the N91 has 3G (WCDMA) and both built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. Should be out sometime around
the end of the year.


[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in]

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The Nokia N90

The Nokia N90:

Woah, Check out this new flip phone from Nokia! Quite a looker huh
Next up from Nokia is the N90, a tri-band GSM/EDGE/WCDMA two megapixel cameraphone with a rotating camera barrel
that sports a Carl Zeiss lens, auto focus, and integrated flash (no optical zoom?). Should be out sometime in the 2nd
quarter of this year.

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What is Tay-Sachs Disease? (TSD)

Learnt something new today.

What is Tay-Sachs Disease?

THE CLASSICAL FORM OF TAY-SACHS disease (TSD) is a fatal genetic disorder in children that causes progressive destruction of the central nervous system.

The disease is named for Warren Tay (1843-1927), a British ophthalmologist who in 1881 described a patient with a cherry-red spot on the retina of the eye. It is also named for Bernard Sachs (1858-1944), a New York neurologist whose work several years later provided the first description of the cellular changes in Tay-Sachs disease. Sachs also recognized the familial nature of the disorder, and, by observing numerous cases, he noted that most babies with Tay-Sachs disease were of eastern European Jewish origin.

Tay-Sachs disease is caused by the absence of a vital enzyme called hexosaminidase A (Hex-A). Without Hex-A, a fatty substance or lipid called GM2 ganglioside accumulates abnormally in cells, especially in the nerve cells of the brain. This ongoing accumulation causes progressive damage to the cells. The destructive process begins in the fetus early in pregnancy, although the disease is not clinically apparent until the child is several months old. By the time a child with TSD is three or four years old, the nervous system is so badly affected that life itself cannot be supported. Even with the best of care, all children with classical TSD die early in childhood, usually by the age of five.

A baby with Tay-Sachs disease appears normal at birth and seems to develop normally until about six months of age. The first signs of TSD can vary and are evident at different ages in affected children. Initially, development slows, there is a loss of peripheral vision, and the child exhibits an abnormal startle response. By about two years of age, most children experience recurrent seizures and diminishing mental function. The infant gradually regresses, losing skills one by one, and is eventually unable to crawl, turn over, sit, or reach out. Other symptoms include increasing loss of coordination, progressive inability to swallow and breathing difficulties. Eventually, the child becomes blind, mentally retarded, paralyzed, and non-responsive to his or her environment.

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What Age Do You Act?

You Are 24 Years Old

24 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Read more here!

I want!

prod_powermate_b
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

I want!!!!

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Ooooooo... try this!

(x) snuck out of the house (do it all the time)
(x) gotten lost in your city
(x) seen a shooting star
( ) had a serious surgery
( ) gone out in public in your pajamas
( ) kissed a stranger
(x) hugged a stranger
(x) been in a fist fight
( ) been arrested
(x) done drugs (panadol counted or not ah)
(x) had alcohol
( ) laughed and had milk/coke come out of your nose
(x) pushed all the buttons on an elevator
(x) been in love
(x) been close to love
( ) been to a casino
(x) been skydiving (parachute counted or not ah?)
( ) broken a bone
(x) skinny-dipped
(x) skipped school
( ) flashed someone
(x) saw a therapist
(x) played spin the bottle (duh....)
(x) gotten stitches
( ) drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour-- or water
( ) bitten someone
(x) been to Disneyland
( ) gotten the chicken pox
(x) kissed a member of the same sex
( ) crashed into a friend's car
(x) been to Japan
(x) ridden in a taxi
(x) shoplifted (hehe...secret)
( ) been fired
( ) had a crush on someone of the same sex
(x) had feelings for someone who didnt have them back
( ) stolen something from your job
(x) gone on a blind date
(x) lied to a friend
(x) had a crush on a teacher (don't we all?)
( ) celebrated mardi-gras
(x) been to Europe
( ) slept with a co-worker
( ) been married
( ) gotten divorced
( ) had children
( ) seen someone die
(x) had a close friend die
( ) been to Africa
( ) driven over 400 miles in one day
( ) been to Canada
( ) been to Mexico
(x) been on a plane
( ) seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) thrown up in a bar
( ) purposely set a part of myself on fire
(x) eaten sushi
(x) been snowboarding
(x) met someone in person from the internet
( ) lost a child
(x) gone to college/ poly
(x) graduated college/ poly
( ) done hard drugs
( ) tried killing yourself
(x) fired a gun
( ) hurt yourself
(x) taken painkillers
(x) miss someone right now

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SEAT Toledo Gold

SEAT Toledo Gold
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Hey fellow Toledo driver!


Yeah, its been a while. Been really busy for the past week and didn't have the time to blog. This week is better cos my bosses are out of town, that means the mice can come out and play! HURRAY! haha.

SEAT Toledo Gold2
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Anyhow, I'm sure many of you would have noticed that there are not many Toledoes around although they all belong the the VAG group (Volkswagon, Audi, Seat and Skoda), think the Seats are the least represented in Singapore. Not to mention that there is also NO dealer....sigh. Anyhow, it was a pleasant surprise for the last couple of days that I caught glimpes of that familiar and wonderful shape. Saw a gold Toledo today and yesterday, saw a white one on Sunday. Its a nice reminder of how shapely the "butt" of the Toledo is. I must say, although we are few, I'm proud to be an owner of a SEAT Toledo!

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New Day

It's a new day
Oh, it's a new time
And there's a new way
I'm gonna live my life
All the old has, passed away
And the new has come
Thank God, It's a brand new day

Lookin' back on yesterday
There are things that I regret
But I put the past behind me
And I never will forget
You have covered my mistakes
And my broken dreams
Now over the horizon
I see the dawn is drawing near
And I realize the sun did rise
Tomorrow's finally here

(Chorus)


Now when I wake up thinkin'
'Bout the things I've done before
Memories I could not escape
Well they can't haunt me anymore
Now I can hold my head up high
'Cause I am not the same
You've changed my whole perspective
And with new eyes I see
I've become a new creation
'Cause of what You've done for me

'Cause of what You've done for me
No, I am not ashamed
This heart of mine is finally free
I'll never be the same

by Avalon

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Do the crime, do the time

For those who drive

Just a reminder..... damn expensive AND EASY to get a ticket...

Speeding:
Exceeding 1 - 20km/h = $130 + 4 demerit points.
Exceeding 21 - 30km/h = $150 + 6 demerit points.
Exceeding 31 - 40km/h = $180 + 8 demerit points.
Exceeding 41 - 50km/h = >$200 + 12 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding 51 - 60km/h = >$200 + 18 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding >61km/h = >$200 + 24 demerit points + Court.
If you wan to be hero and fight the court case yourself, and you lose,
you pay the court charges yourself, which wil add up to your fine. I
guess the court charges is at least $200 and above.


Careless driving = $150 + 6 demerit Points.
Inconsiderate Driving = $170 + 9 Demerit Points + Court.
Dangerous Driving = >$200 + 24 Demerit Points + Court + Vehicle
Compounded.
Illegal Racing = >$200 + Vehicle Confiscate + Court.

Fail to put Seat Belt = $120 + 3 demerit points.
Crossing Double White lines = $130 + 4 points.

Phone and Drive = $200 + 12 demerit point + Phone Confiscate.
Do not hold your hp in your hand when you drive even with loud speaker
or ear piece.

Drink Driving = Up to $5000 Fine And, or jail Term + Licence Suspended

+ Court. For first offence.
2nd time offence = Jail term + Fine + Court.

Making an illegal U Turn when there's no U Turn sign = $70.
Fail to Signal when changing lanes = $70.

Driving at night without headlights or taillights switch on after 7pm
= $30.

No Number Plate = $70.
Obstructed Number Plate = $70.
Obscured Number Plate = $70.
Number Plate Of Unapproved Type = $70.

As for Demerit Point system:
Let's say you have 0 points on 1st January 2005, and you committed the
offence of Failing to Put on Seat Belt. So now, you will have 3
demerit points and this wil last for 1 Year. If during this 1 year you
have no demerit points offence at all, your 3 demerit points will be
gone on 1/1/2006.

But, if during this one year, From 1/1/2005 - 1/1/2006, you commited
another offence with demerit points, your very first offence will be
extended for another year until 1/1/2007.

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What kind of toilet paper are you?

You scored as public restroom toilet paper. That's right. You're the industrial, public restroom kind of toilet paper. You're pragmatic, aggressive, and independent. Sure, you're not as personable as others, but people know you're reliable. You get the job done, even if you rub people the wrong way. public restroom toilet paper 88% quilted toilet paper 69% dead leaves 63% empty roll 63% over-dispensing toilet paper 56% under-dispensing toilet paper 56% paper napkins 44% what kind of TOILET PAPER are you? created with QuizFarm.com

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Ηευ Ψηριστινε, τηισ ονε ισ φορ υοθ

Ηευ ψηριστινε, ρεμεμεβρ υοθ ςερε σαυινγ τηατ υοθ θσεδ το ςριτε το ψοδεσ το υοθρ φριενδσ σο ασ τηε κεεπ τηε μεσσαγε α σεψρετ.
ςελλ, τηισ ονε ισ φορ υοθ. ηοπε υοθ ενξου ιτ ασ υοθ ρελιωε τηοσε δαυσ....:)

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Dating Personality

Hey chrissy, check out my results....haha.

Your dating personality profile: Liberal - Politics matters to you, and you aren't afraid to share your left-leaning views. You would never be caught voting for a conservative candidate. Religious - Faith matters to you. It is the foundation that you build your life upon. You trust that God has a plan for you. Athletic - Physical fitness is one of your priorities. You find the time to work athletic pursuits into your schedule. You enjoy being active.

Your date match profile: Religious - You seek someone who is grounded in faith and who possesses religious values. You believe that a religious person can enhance your life. Athletic - You aren't looking for a couch potato. You seek someone who is active and who keeps her body in top shape. Practical - You are drawn to people who are sensible and smart. Flashy, materialistic people turn you off. You appreciate the simpler side of living.

Your Top Ten Traits 1. Liberal 2. Religious 3. Athletic 4. Adventurous 5. Practical 6. Stylish 7. Wealthy/Ambitious 8. Sensual 9. Shy 10. Romantic

Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Religious 2. Athletic 3. Practical 4. Conservative 5. Outgoing 6. Intellectual 7. Adventurous 8. Stylish 9. Traditional 10. Funny

Take the Online Dating Personality Quiz at Dating Diversions

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Martin Luther's 95 theses

Luther
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

We were talking about who Martin Luther was and what he had done for the protestant church in particular. There was a show that featured his life not long ago. Sadly, it did not make it to the silverscreen here in Singapore, most probably because of the religious theme that it had. Nevertheless, if you can get your hands on it, its a definte good watch

Here are the 95 Theses Martin Luther nailed on the church door at Wittenburg.
1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, "Repent" (Matthew 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.
2. This word cannot be understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, that is, confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy.
3. Yet it does not mean solely inner repentance; such inner repentance is worthless unless it produces various outward mortification of the flesh.
4. The penalty of sin remains as long as the hatred of self (that is, true inner repentance), namely till our entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
5. The pope neither desires nor is able to remit any penalties except those imposed by his own authority or that of the canons.
6. The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring and showing that it has been remitted by God; or, to be sure, by remitting guilt in cases reserved to his judgment. If his right to grant remission in these cases were disregarded, the guilt would certainly remain unforgiven.
7. God remits guilt to no one unless at the same time he humbles him in all things and makes him submissive to the vicar, the priest.
8. The penitential canons are imposed only on the living, and, according to the canons themselves, nothing should be imposed on the dying.
9. Therefore the Holy Spirit through the pope is kind to us insofar as the pope in his decrees always makes exception of the article of death and of necessity.
10. Those priests act ignorantly and wickedly who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penalties for purgatory.
11. Those tares of changing the canonical penalty to the penalty of purgatory were evidently sown while the bishops slept (Matthew 13:25).
12. In former times canonical penalties were imposed, not after, but before absolution, as tests of true contrition.
13. The dying are freed by death from all penalties, are already dead as far as the canon laws are concerned, and have a right to be released from them.
14. Imperfect piety or love on the part of the dying person necessarily brings with it great fear; and the smaller the love, the greater the fear.
15. This fear or horror is sufficient in itself, to say nothing of other things, to constitute the penalty of purgatory, since it is very near to the horror of despair.
16. Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ the same as despair, fear, and assurance of salvation.
17. It seems as though for the souls in purgatory fear should necessarily decrease and love increase.
18. Furthermore, it does not seem proved, either by reason or by Scripture, that souls in purgatory are outside the state of merit, that is, unable to grow in love.
19. Nor does it seem proved that souls in purgatory, at least not all of them, are certain and assured of their own salvation, even if we ourselves may be entirely certain of it.
20. Therefore the pope, when he uses the words "plenary remission of all penalties," does not actually mean "all penalties," but only those imposed by himself.
21. Thus those indulgence preachers are in error who say that a man is absolved from every penalty and saved by papal indulgences.
22. As a matter of fact, the pope remits to souls in purgatory no penalty which, according to canon law, they should have paid in this life.
23. If remission of all penalties whatsoever could be granted to anyone at all, certainly it would be granted only to the most perfect, that is, to very few.
24. For this reason most people are necessarily deceived by that indiscriminate and high-sounding promise of release from penalty.
25. That power which the pope has in general over purgatory corresponds to the power which any bishop or curate has in a particular way in his own diocese and parish.
26. The pope does very well when he grants remission to souls in purgatory, not by the power of the keys, which he does not have, but by way of intercession for them.
27. They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.
28. It is certain that when money clinks in the money chest, greed and avarice can be increased; but when the church intercedes, the result is in the hands of God alone.
29. Who knows whether all souls in purgatory wish to be redeemed, since we have exceptions in St. Severinus and St. Paschal, as related in a legend.
30. No one is sure of the integrity of his own contrition, much less of having received plenary remission.
31. The man who actually buys indulgences is as rare as he who is really penitent; indeed, he is exceedingly rare.
32. Those who believe that they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.
33. Men must especially be on guard against those who say that the pope's pardons are that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to him.
34. For the graces of indulgences are concerned only with the penalties of sacramental satisfaction established by man.
35. They who teach that contrition is not necessary on the part of those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessional privileges preach unchristian doctrine.
36. Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters.
37. Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters.
38. Nevertheless, papal remission and blessing are by no means to be disregarded, for they are, as I have said (Thesis 6), the proclamation of the divine remission.
39. It is very difficult, even for the most learned theologians, at one and the same time to commend to the people the bounty of indulgences and the need of true contrition.
40. A Christian who is truly contrite seeks and loves to pay penalties for his sins; the bounty of indulgences, however, relaxes penalties and causes men to hate them -- at least it furnishes occasion for hating them.
41. Papal indulgences must be preached with caution, lest people erroneously think that they are preferable to other good works of love.
42. Christians are to be taught that the pope does not intend that the buying of indulgences should in any way be compared with works of mercy.
43. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better deed than he who buys indulgences.
44. Because love grows by works of love, man thereby becomes better. Man does not, however, become better by means of indulgences but is merely freed from penalties.
45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does not buy papal indulgences but God's wrath.
46. Christians are to be taught that, unless they have more than they need, they must reserve enough for their family needs and by no means squander it on indulgences.
47. Christians are to be taught that they buying of indulgences is a matter of free choice, not commanded.
48. Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting indulgences, needs and thus desires their devout prayer more than their money.
49. Christians are to be taught that papal indulgences are useful only if they do not put their trust in them, but very harmful if they lose their fear of God because of them.
50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the indulgence preachers, he would rather that the basilica of St. Peter were burned to ashes than built up with the skin, flesh, and bones of his sheep.
51. Christians are to be taught that the pope would and should wish to give of his own money, even though he had to sell the basilica of St. Peter, to many of those from whom certain hawkers of indulgences cajole money.
52. It is vain to trust in salvation by indulgence letters, even though the indulgence commissary, or even the pope, were to offer his soul as security.
53. They are the enemies of Christ and the pope who forbid altogether the preaching of the Word of God in some churches in order that indulgences may be preached in others.
54. Injury is done to the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or larger amount of time is devoted to indulgences than to the Word.
55. It is certainly the pope's sentiment that if indulgences, which are a very insignificant thing, are celebrated with one bell, one procession, and one ceremony, then the gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
56. The true treasures of the church, out of which the pope distributes indulgences, are not sufficiently discussed or known among the people of Christ.
57. That indulgences are not temporal treasures is certainly clear, for many indulgence sellers do not distribute them freely but only gather them.
58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the saints, for, even without the pope, the latter always work grace for the inner man, and the cross, death, and hell for the outer man.
59. St. Lawrence said that the poor of the church were the treasures of the church, but he spoke according to the usage of the word in his own time.
60. Without want of consideration we say that the keys of the church, given by the merits of Christ, are that treasure.
61. For it is clear that the pope's power is of itself sufficient for the remission of penalties and cases reserved by himself.
62. The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.
63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last (Matthew 20:16).
64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is naturally most acceptable, for it makes the last to be first.
65. Therefore the treasures of the gospel are nets with which one formerly fished for men of wealth.
66. The treasures of indulgences are nets with which one now fishes for the wealth of men.
67. The indulgences which the demagogues acclaim as the greatest graces are actually understood to be such only insofar as they promote gain.
68. They are nevertheless in truth the most insignificant graces when compared with the grace of God and the piety of the cross.
69. Bishops and curates are bound to admit the commissaries of papal indulgences with all reverence.
70. But they are much more bound to strain their eyes and ears lest these men preach their own dreams instead of what the pope has commissioned.
71. Let him who speaks against the truth concerning papal indulgences be anathema and accursed.
72. But let him who guards against the lust and license of the indulgence preachers be blessed.
73. Just as the pope justly thunders against those who by any means whatever contrive harm to the sale of indulgences.
74. Much more does he intend to thunder against those who use indulgences as a pretext to contrive harm to holy love and truth.
75. To consider papal indulgences so great that they could absolve a man even if he had done the impossible and had violated the mother of God is madness.
76. We say on the contrary that papal indulgences cannot remove the very least of venial sins as far as guilt is concerned.
77. To say that even St. Peter if he were now pope, could not grant greater graces is blasphemy against St. Peter and the pope.
78. We say on the contrary that even the present pope, or any pope whatsoever, has greater graces at his disposal, that is, the gospel,spiritual powers, gifts of healing, etc., as it is written, 1 Corinthians 12:28).
79. To say that the cross emblazoned with the papal coat of arms, and set up by the indulgence preachers is equal in worth to the cross of Christ is blasphemy.
80. The bishops, curates, and theologians who permit such talk to be spread among the people will have to answer for this.
81. This unbridled preaching of indulgences makes it difficult even for learned men to rescue the reverence which is due the pope from slander or from the shrewd questions of the laity.
82. Such as: "Why does not the pope empty purgatory for the sake of holy love and the dire need of the souls that are there if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a church? The former reason would be most just; the latter is most trivial.
83. Again, "Why are funeral and anniversary masses for the dead continued and why does he not return or permit the withdrawal of the endowments founded for them, since it is wrong to pray for the redeemed?"
84. Again, "What is this new piety of God and the pope that for a consideration of money they permit a man who is impious and their enemy to buy out of purgatory the pious soul of a friend of God and do not rather, because of the need of that pious and beloved soul, free it for pure love's sake?"
85. Again, "Why are the penitential canons, long since abrogated and dead in actual fact and through disuse, now satisfied by the granting of indulgences as though they were still alive and in force?"
86. Again, "Why does not the pope, whose wealth is today greater than the wealth of the richest Crassus, build this one basilica of St. Peter with his own money rather than with the money of poor believers?"
87. Again, "What does the pope remit or grant to those who by perfect contrition already have a right to full remission and blessings?"
88. Again, "What greater blessing could come to the church than if the pope were to bestow these remissions and blessings on every believer a hundred times a day, as he now does but once?"
89. "Since the pope seeks the salvation of souls rather than money by his indulgences, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons previously granted when they have equal efficacy?"
90. To repress these very sharp arguments of the laity by force alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies and to make Christians unhappy.
91. If, therefore, indulgences were preached according to the spirit and intention of the pope, all these doubts would be readily resolved. Indeed, they would not exist.
92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Peace, peace," and there is no peace! (Jeremiah 6:14)
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross!
94. Christians should be exhorted to be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, death and hell.
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many tribulations rather than through the false security of peace (Acts 14:22).

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Numa Numa

Numa Numa
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Okay, call me "swah koo" if you like but I've never it before. But its really farnie to watch. Saw it in the office. Had me in stitches....hehe

Okay you can view quite a few version of the Numa Numa Dance. Personaly, think the fat guy is the funniest but guess we all have our preferences lah. Saw one of Steven Lim, the eye brow plucker. Gross. Don't want to scare you so I've left it out. You can find the Malaysian Numa Numa and download it. Its quite funny also. Haha. Enjoy man, it made my day!

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Ching Ming

Temple
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

I have a question. Actually its a lingering question. Its not my intention to be insensitive or to poke fun at, but rather its a question I always had but never had the chance to ask. So please forgive me if it offends you, because that is not my intention.

Not sure if some of your are aware, but every once a year, the Buddhist (I suppose most of them are because the visit the temple at Sin Ming, near where I service my baby) would make a pilgrimage of sorts to Bishan to visit their deceased relatives. The festival, commonly know as "Ching Ming" is a sort of "tomb sweeping day" where living relatives would go visit the graves or niches (because Singapore is so land scarce, the "dead" also live in high rise buildings) of their deceases relatives. They would bring all sorts of items, ranging from wax candles to joss sticks to joss paper.

In addition, some families would purchase other items like cars, clothes, handphone etc, to burn, in hopes that their relatives in hell would receive them and use them. Here's the burning question that I have. The Buddhist worldview (correct me if I am wrong) is to attain enlightment so as to escape the cycle of life and death. When a person dies, he goes to hell, where there are 18 levels. The souls there would eventually be reincarnated. If a person was a bad person, he or she would return to the world either as a man or an animal depending on the deeds the person did in his previous life. The more good things he did in his previous life, the better his lot would be in his present life. So far so good yah?

Okay here comes the perplexing part. The Buddist would want to first of all escape the cycle of life, cos they believe life itself is suffering. Secondly, if they cannot escape, they would very much like to be reincarnated to have a better lot in life. But here we have relatives who are burning whatever to their relatives, sending it to hell, hoping that they are there to receive it?? Thought they would want their relatives to either have attained enlightment or at least reincarnated into a better life! Seems weird to me, I really don't understand.

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Boys and their toys

Boys and their toys
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Guess this is not the first time you have heard of that phrase. I guess it does not really take much for guys to be excited about the things they are passionate about, especially when the passion is shared by other guys. We call this male bonding. It was a usual Thursday night, Pink Timothy met at Ben's and Eunice's for our regular Bible study session. Craig was suppose to lead but he forgot that he had to celebrate his dad's birthday with his family so he abandoned us.

We would usually start BS after dinner, but that day it felt different. Guess perhaps cos Craig was not around. He's usually the life (or rather the loud sound) of the meeting. Everybody was feeling kind bored and lethargic. We decided that we would just vegetate and watch American Idol instead. Benji and Eric decided to play winning eleven's instead. They played the whole night! Don;t know where they get their energy but it was definitely a good bondign tiem for the 2 of them, especailly when they would sound off in unison "GOAL". Well, boys and their toys lah.

But don't be deceived. Girls too have their toys. I'll let the picture do the talking...:)

Girls and their toys
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

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Towing my Baby

Towing my Baby
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Yeah, thats my baby being towed. Was thinking for a while whether I should send her in on Friday or Saturday.There were a couple of things I had wanted to do for her on Saturday. For starters, she had squealy brakes. That means that everytime I apply the brakes, she will squeal loudly, think some of you might identify it as the "bus" phenomenon. Its the samething when the publc buses brakes at the bus-stops.... high pitch squeal. Ouch.

Also, bought some sports pedals sometime back and wanted to install them. Did not have the time to though. So it was basically a choice between sending the car in on Friday and getting her fixed or send her in on Saturday with all the other additional stuff. But I figured I can't live without my wheels. Not for even a day! Hah! Some people think I'm spoilt... hehe. Think I am, but so what? We are all entitled to be spoilt...:)

Well, finally settled in sending her in on Friday and I got her back during lunchtime. Figured I'll punish her by withholding the additional stuff for breaking down on me. So treat me well my baby!

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Crap! My car played me out AGAIN!

My Seat Toledo
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

When you least expect it, your car dies on you.


Super sien man. After dropping Christine off, I made a right turn and it happened. Yup, it happened AGAIN!
My gear shifter broke. That means I am only able to engage 3rd and 4th gear. Imagine having to move off at the traffic light at 3rd gear!! And not to mention, I can't reverse also....

Sigh, have to call tow truck tomorrow morning and send the car to the workshop and to makes matters worse, I have a deadline tomorrow!
AiYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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Tanjong Pagar Bus-stop

Tanjong Pagar Bus-stop
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Okay, okay, forgive the crappy photo. Its not as if its easy to take a picture when you are caught in a jam. It was raining really hard yesterday. Has been raining really hard the past couple of days. Guess the monsoon season is back again. Rain, rain, rain. That all that happens nowadays. But I digress.

As I was saying, it was raining hard and was stuck in a pretty slow traffic when I passed by this particular bus stop along Tanjong Pagar. It stood out kinda like a monument, people included. Now, what's so special about this bus stop you might ask.
Not sure what's going on you mind, I hope they are good thoughts though...haha. Anyhow, back to the story... this bus stop is very significant to me not because something memorable happened here, neither was it that I met my potential wife here or even picked up $50 from the ground. Haha.

I've been working at my curent job for almost 5 years. Sheesh...that's long man. But still a long way to go before I can retire. For a good 2 years I would actually stop at this bus stop to catch the bus 196 home. Yes, its at this very bus stop! I remembered the times where I stood there, waiting for the silly bus to come and to make things worse, it would be raining cats and dogs, just like yesterday. That's why that particular scene brought back the memories.

Looking back, think I have really blessed and am so thankful for all that I have. I now own a car, and she's a beauty . Am really grateful that I have a car and I know that the only reason why I can possible own a car is because of my heavenly Father and His provision for me. Thanks dad!

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

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Jalan Kayu prata

Jalan Kayu prata
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Sorry, no new toy, only had my trusty Nokia 6230 to take these crappy shots. I don't have a new Ixus40 to play with leh. Know anyone that wants to give me one? Anyhow, prata was good yah? But the next day really concuss man, by the time i reached home, it was almost 2am! hehe. We should do this again sometime.

Alin with her Teh-chino
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Roy and his new toy
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

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Are you a Saint?

Steven Curtis Chapman LIVE
Originally uploaded by pierrefong.

Its really easy to become myopic, especially when you are suffering. The thought of self-preservation or self-centeredness are the usual reactions. I guess, I am no different as I deal with issues that are happening to me. My thoughts have mainly been on myself and only myself. Fortunate for me, God had something to teach me while I was wallowing in myself.

On thurday, we had a combine bible study, Timothy, Jude and Moses met at 31 Sunrise Ave.
Andrew and Sheralyn shared with us about the work that is going on in Central Asia and the needs that the people there have - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We had opportunites to chat over food and also a feast, not only gatronomically, but of a visual nature as Andrew showed us the many vivid picture of the people and the surrounding country - captivating.

However, this was not the highlight of the evening. We sat down together and watched a DVD, a perspective changing, encouraging and awakening DVD - Steven Curtis Chapman LIVE. Basically it was about the testimony of Nate Saints and 4 other missionaries who gave their lives for the Gospel. Nate had left behind a son, Steve Saint. It went on to say much about the live of Steve, his mother and his aunt and the impact the Word of God had on the Huaorani tribe. Words cannot express the short clip that was shown, its a personal experience and an encounter with God, His word, and the tetimony of His saints that really moved me. It made me realise how small i had thought of God and how big I was thinking of myself and my problems.

You can read more about the story of Nate Saint and more about the Steven Curtis Chapman LIVE DVD. My spirit was lifted that day and I thank the Lord for His goodness and the time He takes to correct and comfort me. Thank you my Lord, my God, my shield, my hiding place.

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