Ramblings...

Life is characterised by hitting the books; though, not too hard, wait they cry (someone once said)...



Yes! Exam preparation is a mundane process, and i cannot wait to get it over and done with. School life has its highs and lows, and exam time is perhaps one of the lows, because it ain't exciting preparing for exams!



However, being ever an optimistic person, i am glad that i am now in the here and now; preparing for my exams, because this only means that the summer vacation is just around the corner! Yay!



I have plenty to look forward to! I simply cannot wait to go for church camp, hiking at Ophir and the highlight would be the global immersion programme, off continental Europe in the most cosmopolitan of cities; London!



Life is pretty good, i must say! I am leading a very stable life filled with the little things that perk me up as i go day to day preparing for my exams.



I reached the stage whereby life is truly fulfiling, and what i want to do is to bring a smile to another person! We all need a little loving that's what they always say......



Cheerios!

Life on the fast lane...I wish!

(They feed it well, it grows tremendously fast! Amazing!)
March 2007 (Using my digicam)

April 2007 (Using my Sony Ericsson hp)

Yes, i have watched this baby grow! Both occasions, i was on my way to Parkway Parade (one of my fav' shopping malls, apart from my all time fav' Paragon)

Went with my parents to Parkway Parade last Saturday, and this image (the 2nd one, the 1st one was in March) is what i got while travellng on the Benjamin Sheares Bridge at 90km/hr...turned out pretty fine!

The Singapore flier, touted to be the largest ferris wheel in the world when it is completed, will trump the London Eye!

Yes, Singapore must be number 1 all the time, good for us! No?

And, I strongly believe that our dear Government deserves to be paid top dollar for the wonderful work they have been doing. Singapore, is indeed a fine city, and i am proud to be part of this great little city.

I am no government sympathiser, in case you are wondering, i am just being pragmatic and objective! Singapore has come a long way, thanks to the great efforts of our leaders and also you and i who have been toiling hard to ensure her success.

Kudos, to all Singaporeans! Oh, yes! I so want to catch the NDP this year....call me along, ok?

Supermarketing Exploits

Dear all,

Life's been pretty good on my side, a tad predictable i would say, nevertheless, now is not the time for living life on the edge. This is because i am in the midst of preparing for my exams, which incidentally, is 2.5 weeks away!

Time flies... but still, i managed pay a visit to a place that always has a cathartic effect on me. Yes, you can say i am doing it to relieve myself of the stress attributed to the pre-eminence of my exam, but, i am taking things easy, i guess its because i am somewhat on top of my revision. Things are getting on find. No sweat!

Nevertheless, i could never resist the urge to visit a supermarket and simply buy stuffs that catch my fancy.

Here you go... While waiting for my parents...
I Visited Tierney's Gourmet at Serene Centre; Bukit Timah... a rather small and neat supermarket that sells mainly western food stuff that i reckon, cater to the big expatriate crowd leaving in the area (in the vicinity of the Botanical Garden; Cluny Road entrance)

My supermarketing exploits rang up a bill of $25; well, subjective as to whether that is a big amount, but considering the smallness of items i bought, i thought that was quite a sum! Haha...though, some would disagree...well, so much for mama and papa doing the groceries most of the time. Its time i do my bit! Will be living on my own when in London, hence, i will have tons of opportunities to do my grocery shopping...hmm...Camden Market, Harrods?? Haha....

Stuff bought:

(Background) 1 Pack of Carbonara Pasta and Mushroom & Herb Pasta

(Centre) Parmesan Cheese Sprinkle, Oreo's Wafer Sticks

(Foreground) 1 Can of Spam, 1 Bottle of Anchovies in Olive Oil, 1 Tin of Liver Pate and my ol' time fave' Nutella

There goes my supermarketing exploits.... thats all folks!

Wanderlust Part 1

When: Lunch, Today; 17 April 2007

Where: Swenson's at Holland Village

What: Spring Chicken topped with cheese shavings, and herbs atop sweet potato (the orangey stuff you see at the base of the chicken) and spinach in pesto sauce.

Verdict: Yummilicious

Value: Real value for money; generous portion and great tasting meal.

Highly recommended...

Today's escapade is part of my wanderlust! Time to hit the books...

Pre-Exam Wanderlust

Updates...

Dear one and all,

Yeah, someone is requesting for updates, so here i am.

Well, currently life is pretty much quieter. This is not to say that i have nothing much to do, on the contrary, i am in the thick with preparations for the final showdown.

My first paper is slightly less than a month away, hence, i am totally devoted to nothing but hitting the books and attending consultations. Need to do well, in fact, i am aiming to get marks in the Upper 2nd Class range. It should not be a problem for the essay-based subjects such as Organisation Theory, Business Management and Marketing, but the same cannot be said of Accounting.

Oh well, i still have sufficient time to buck up. Yes, i am pushing all the way... at least i know, there is much to look forward to, after everything at the end of May.

Lets see....internship, summer school, shopping, swimming, tanning, movies, trekking..... yes, those are the things i will be occupying myself with over the holidays!

Care to join me? well, i am only a buzz away! Till then......

Ciao!

Things are looking rosy

Hi one and all,

I have just received an email from OCBC asking me for an interview. The interview is scheduled for mid-week. Besides examination preparations, i am devoting some time for the interview.

This is going to be a very significant event, as it marks my entry into the corporate world of Banking. This is after all my very first interview for an internship at a bank.

I am doing all i can to prepare myself adequately for the interview, i have even decided what tie i am going to wear for the interview session.

I am currently consulting wikipedia (wiki) for information on risk management, as that is probably the area i will be interning in. Additionally, if anyone of you out there has any knowledge on risk management, please volunteer your help. It would be very much appreciated!

And yes, yet another of my articles has appeared in the Straits Times, it is written under LIM THEAN SOO, VERNON (my full name for those of you who don't already know). A little snippet of general knowledge, LIM THEAN SOO was also the name of a very well-known Singaporean writer.

This is the second time out of 4 times that my article has been published in the papers. On the other 2 occasions, my articles were published online at the Straits Times Interactive portal. I have yet another published article on Funkygrad; an online lifestyle portal for university students.

My latest article is about Singapore's burgeoning population and what the government is doing to ensure an integrated and harmonious society.

That's all for now, time to hit the books and also read up on risk management. I am also acquainting myself with some of the potential questions that could be asked during an interview.

Wish me luck, guys!

Warmest regards,

Vernon

Much to be thankful for...

Dear one and all,

Life has been very good, and i thank God for all that He has given me. I have been officially accepted into LSE for Summer School and will be flying off in late June. I will be reading International Political Economy a module that comes under International Relations. Its a move away from the accounting, and business subjects that i am currently pursuing at university. Well, i always believe in doing what i like, moreover, the subject is something i am passionate about and it does have a practical edge to it! I am sure i would have fun doin it in one of the world's most renowned institutions for the study of social sciences.

At this juncture, i am preparing (mugging) for my exams and also waiting for an internship opportunity, i am really keeping my fingers crossed. For now, OCBC has yet to get back to me. MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has turned me down citing that they have a pool of very strong candidates this year, hence, they have to turn many good ones away; me included! I have also applied to DBS, but to no avail, i take it that its a no. Nevertheless, there is IRAS still... oh well, i shall be patient! At the end of my exams, at least i know i have Summer School to look forward to. But i still need a job in June! I will maintain a healthy does of optimism as always.

Anyway, i will be in for a great time ahead, after my exams in May...there really is much to look forward to. Firstly, i will be climbing Mt Ophir with church friends, and it will be my first time trekking overseas. And i will be doing much writing, will probably continue with my Autobiography and will of course continue to contribute articles to the Straits Times. My interview question to Hilary Swank of "Boys don't cry" fame has appeared in TIME magazine! I am really proud of myself, indeed i have found a calling. I am born to write! So many of my articles and writings have made their way to the newpapers, a book, a magazine, a portal...and many others have won me prizes!

I must live up to my name...after all, LIM THEAN SOO was a very famous Singaporean writer and indeed, my paternal grandad sure chose the right name for me, as i am quite a prolific writer and a relatively good one at that. I am not blowing my own trumpet, but having my articles published in the Straits Times and now TIME magazine and of course the Celebrating Libraries book sure bear testimony to my excellent written communication skill. I learnt that its a prized asset by employers, hence, i will continually hone this quality of mine.

I have also recently hosted a major school event; the University Job Fair. I was emcee of 2 particularly high-powered career talks where big-wigs from JP Morgan, Citibank and the likes were present. I am glad that everything went smoothly, one Managing Director even complimented my emceeing skill when he said i was eloquent in my delivery. Wow!...a BIG compliment. Anyway, i believe, i still have much to learn, and i am ever greatful for the countless emceeing opportunities the university has given me. I will press on and one day be able to fulfil my aspiration of reading the news on Channel News Asia. I will surely jump at the chance should they offer an audition! Imagine... hot shot banker by day, broadcast journalist by night! haha...well...

Thats all for now, i guess, i am loving it (my life)...it has been one that is ever fulfilling! I still have many dreams to fulfil.

Thanks for listening to me, my faithful readers!

Warmest regards,

VernonBBQ - My fellow mates from the leadership and personal developmenet programme in University

The Singapore Flyer! Its half complete...you know what? I would love to ride on that someday with my significant other (if i have, lah)!