Wunala Dreaming

Most of you may not know Wunala Dreaming but it is a magnificient piece of flying art, a Boeing 747-400 plane painted in motifs telling the story of Aboriginal Dreamtime journeys. The artwork was commissioned by QANTAS Airways of where-else, Australia which wanted to celebrate the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Down Under. "Wunala" actually means Kangaroo hence the different stunning images of Kangaroos painted all over the plane, representing "The Spirit of Australia"

This is a photograph I shot of Wunala Dreaming, registration VH-OEJ at Changi Village area around a year and a half back. It flew into Changi Airport as Qantas Airways flight QF10 from London.

Anyway, my entry today is not entirely on a toy-like plane. I wanna share with you the lyrics of a song which I found really cool. It's "Dream Boy, Dream Girl" by Rockell featuring Collage.

Dream Boy - Dream Girl Lyrics by Rockell And Collage

Rockell:I still remember the first time you said that you love me

you held me in your arms

and said you never ever leave me

(never ever leave)

to all these promises you kept

but it raised the past when i was well

you made my fantasies come true

my heart belongs to you

you're my dream boy

you show me you love me in every way

you're faithful to me every day

now i know that dreams come true

you're my dream boy

Collage:My friends told me

that i was lucky

to have a girl like you

'cause all the girls i ever had

the love was never true

(love was never true)

you have brought me happiness

treasure the day when we first met

(oh yeah)

never ever gonna let you go

because i love you

You're my dream girl

you don't neglect me in anyway

you make me feel special everyday

now i know that dreams come true

Rockell:You're my dream boy

you get me feel my heart with joy

and i can smile again

cause we found a love that would never end

Collage Rap:You say that im your dream boy

that i fill your heart with joy

well you're my dream girl

you're all i want in this world

you give me the love i need

i know we're meant to be

talk to me...talk to me...talk to me...

Rockell Rap:You hold me in your arms

i feel so safe and warm

when you look into my eyes

you have me hypnotized

you give me all your love

you're all im thinking' of

you made my dreams come true

my heart belongs to you

Rockell: You're my dream boy

(You're my dream girl)

you show me you love me in everyway

you're faithful to me everyday

(everyday)

now i know that dreams come true

You're my dream boy

(You're my dream girl)

you don't neglect me in anyway

you make me feel special everyday

(everyday)

now i know that dreams come true

You're my dream boy

(You're my dream girl)

you show me you love me in everyway

you're faithful to me everyday

(everyday)

now i know that dreams come true

You're my dream boy

(You're my dream girl)

you don't neglect me in anyway

you make me feel special everyday

(everyday)

now i know that dreams come true

You're my dream boy

flying away

Today is 31 December 2005, the final day of the year. And my plane from Zurich has been delayed! Well... I am alright with it since I will be hanging around at the airport when I arrive in Bangkok anyway.hmmm.. I was wondering why flights from Bangkok had been arriving late for the past few days. I thought it might have been a technical glitch in the computer systems at Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok). Now I am beginning to wonder if those flights had arrived late in Bangkok to start with. For those of you who don't know, Scandinavian Airlines, Finnair and Swiss International Airlines operates flights from Europe to Singapore with a stopover at Bangkok. (Yeah, and they tend to be cheaper than budget airlines too if you are interested to fly to Bangkok, trust me.) Hence, I pondered if there are snowstorms in Europe or some harsh weather conditions which delayed the flights on their first leg in the first place.

The previous day and 2nd last day of the year, I had to go down to the Traffic Police department to make a statement regarding the taxi accident which I witnessed on the wee hours of the morning on Christmas Day. I learnt that the man has a son overseas and a rather scarred past. He is also in and out of consciousness and had brain surgery. He is 46 years old.

Though we all want to know who's wrong and who's right but what can it do to help a man whose life is hanging on the line. Hang in there buddy, don't let hope fly away.

Later, as I went to Orchard, that fear of being involved in an accident comes to me each time I jaywalk across the road. It's kinda ironic though, that after seeing what happened to the man, I could still commit the same mistake as he did, knowing full well of the consequences. That's the human in all of us I guess. We tend to fear how Butterfly Death could take our loved ones away from us, but pay little heed to our very own departings. To me, this is one of the greatest flaws of humanity. We could just fly away, never returning, without even realising it.

Nevertheless, the Orchard outing was fun with you guys. Thanks! Hanging out and chilling with your pals and having fun is definately the best reward about being a human.

Well, I guess I better go prepare for my flight later. Catch y'all when I get back! Goodbye. And in the official languages of Switzerland; home to the airline I will be taking later, auf wiedersehen. au revoir. arrivederci.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines

Last night, I read Xiaxue's entry, "Not letting life shortchange you". I feel so much anguish in her, like there's so much pain deep inside which she had hidden. However I was disturbed by her labelling and insensitive remarks on "foreign workers" whom I had felt had toiled so hard to build the fundamental roots, the infrastructure for our cosmopolitan city. So, I decided to write an email to her, here's how it went:

Hello,
I hope you feel alot better letting out your steam. You may not know me but I am a blogder and a reader of your relatively easy reading blog, I got hooked as your style of writing is easier to connect to.

I sense there's alot of anguish and pain in your latest entry. You are certainly entitled to it. However, I don't think its fair for you to stereotype a particular breed of men based on your unfortunate and possibly traumatic experiences. You must understand that every individual is different, and labelling a particular group of people only shows your shallowness and insecurity which may have resulted from your past.
I am sorry too but I have to say you have used alot of strong language and emotions to sway your fans to empathise with your bias perspective. The men who did those despicable actions to you do not represent their colour, religion or bloodtype. Their lack of respect for women only reflected badly on themselves as individuals. Your anguish is understandable but as a blogger, you should have understood that you have incited many of your fans and readers to have a negative approach on "foreign workers" in general, all this is leading to unnessary biasness or racism and eventually, extremism. Believe me, the racial harmony we have in Singapore is too delicate for you to shatter with your looselips.

You are given the choice to dance with who you would like to dance with but that doesn't mean you can propose banning certain areas from certain groups of people. We are not of the Nazi era. You claim that you are not a racist, "it is not even racism" yet so boldly speak of prejudiced actions; "WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY ALL DOING IN ORCHARD ROAD ON CHRISTMAS EVE?","or ban them entirely from Orchard road." I am disappointed in you.

Well, I did observe the situation at Orchard Road during Christmas Eve on a first hand account, which unfortunately you had to hear from gossipers. I did not see any girls being attacked by "foreign workers" though the situation was chaotic. Generally, I did noticed our local youths were the ones who sprayed the foreign workers. Your friends may be right, or I may be right, or we both can be right, or both are wrong. You chose only to listen what you want to listen. You also claim girls are molested, please back your very sensitive comment with evidence please.

About your past, I can feel the guilt and pain that's in you. You know that you have no choice but to move on, either let the experience break you or make you stronger. The men's lack of respect for women should not affect you, it is their loss. It happened, you have to move on with your life. There is no use to incite your readers' feelings against "foreign workers" by retaliating with unjust statements against their whole community. You seem so defensive on the outside, evidently due to your unpleasant past. What they did was an unjust act against an individual, what you have done is it not the same or worst? What happened to the innocent girl before all these happened? Has she died with the experience? Is the glamourous i-am-oh-so-gorgeous socialite who blogs under "xiaxue" just a facade to hide the pain and hurt inside? If so, you know what, those men have won. You must not let them destroy the happy and innocent girl that was before. As I quote from Mariah Carey's "Cant Take That Away lyrics":
"They can do anything they want to you
lf you let them in
But they won't ever win
If you cling to your pride
And just push them aside
See
I have learned there's an inner peace I own
Something in my soul
That they cannot possess
So I won't be afraid
And darkness will fade"
Lastly, it is not fair to label foreign workers as "bangalas". We already have racist terms such as "paki" for pakistanis, "chinks" or "ching chang chong" for chinese, "gooks" for koreans, "japs" for japanese and thanks to you, the racist world have another term to degrade us Asians. And I hope you understand, that men and women, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, are the same. Also, I am sure if local men in a foreign land can get away with illegal crimes, they will also do so, likewise for any nationality on any foreign land.
Your last entry doesn't prove anything at all, except for the prejudiced ugly Singaporean that "xiaxue" has become.
May peace be with you.
regards,
Skycruiser

Well.. that's my letter, whether she wanna consider it or is too ignorant to think it through, that's her life. Anyway today I was quite happy. I don't wanna say what made me feel that way. Nothing to do with Biman Bangladesh Airlines or bigots or what-so-ever. Just wanna say thanks to that special girl. Thanks! =]
In the evening, I went to the airport today to view planes at night, well and to shoot them at the same time (I mean shoot as in photograph). Me no taliban leh... I was hoping to see Air Niugini and Swiss International Airlines planes, which I did. (And no, there wasn't any Biman Bangladesh Airlines planes... There were some what a particular female chauvinistic sow would label as "bangalas" though.)
Well, it was a peaceful evening as planes come and go. Today most of the flights from Bangkok were delayed, I wonder why. Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air Asia, Swiss International Airlines were all landing way behind schedule. As I was leaving, I saw so many Singaporeans at the Korean Air counter. Apparently, South Korea is still a very popular destination.
Did you know between 10-12 pm is when most of the North Asian flights and European flights depart (red-eye flights)? Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Finnair OYJ, British Airways, QANTAS Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France and not to mention Singapore Airlines all depart at these few hours.
Not to bore you further, I will leave you with some photos I shot.
Below is a B767-319 (ER), registration P2-ANG, belonging to Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea's national carrier.And below I present the tail of the airline that will fly me to Bangkok in two days, SWISS International Airlines! Well... its getting late 1.15am Singapore, Perth, Taipei time and 11.15pm in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I will be off to bed soon. Skycruiser OutZ

Inflight Entertainment

Today my entertainment programmed began with watching King Kong with Kyler at Plaza Singapura. And... He was late! While waiting, i renewed my love for seashells by buying some Freckled Conch shells at Spotlight.
We managed to catch the movie on time, after a quick meal at Long John Silver's. I kinda like the fries there. Well... King Kong is a pretty good movie for special effects and stunts but quite shallow I guess. I mean there's not really that much depth to it, Anne's deep, lovelorn glaze in her green eyes and King charming Kong's almost human-like brown eyes is about as much depth to it.
I guess alot of excitment in the movies revolves around audiences' fears. And as I list from phobialist.com, the director played on the following phobias; Acarophobia (fear of insects that causes itching), Acrophobia (fear of heights), Agrizoophobia (fear of wild animals), Arachnophobia (fear of spiders, huge cavedwelling ones at that), Hoplophobia (fear of firearms, well.. for the frightful natives) and many others such as fear of being trampled on by spooked sauropods and giant crickets and a scary zombie-like native girl who refuses milk chocolate and of course, fear of the giant (and I mean Giant) silverback gorrilla, King Kong. And for you blonde barbies out there, the fear of being tossed away by a shortsighted and confused simian.
I would give the movie a thumbs up albeit the shallow storyline as the scenes in old New York and the magnificient forests are worth appreciating. I wonder where did they get all those actors who played those scary ruins dwellers from. Their piercings and tangled hair and pupils-rotating trance is enough to put any zombie movie to shame.
Well, after the movie, which lasted 3 freaking hours, we walked around Orchard area, and today, the atmosphere was much more relaxing than the chaos that broke out on Christmas Eve (thankfully there was no King Kong on the loose that day). I notice many teenagers are enjoying their last week of their school holidays before they return to school next week. For me, it's my only week of school holiday, how tragic. Well, below are some photos I shot today, during my day of pure fun and entertainment. Below left, what the "bleep" are the two people doing behind me! My guess is that they are *bleep*ing. Below right, nice birdie birdie!

Winging through time

Today, on a rather uneventful boxing day, I was supposed to go catch a movie but decided to rest at home. However my attempt to sleep late was disrupted by my neighbour's third anniversary commemoration of his late relation.

It was a grand event with a chinese-style dinner in the evening. There was alot of noises "cling clang klong", "ching chang chong" (no wonder the prejudiced terms for chinks) as music (I could bearly force that word out) was played, and burning of incense paper (sio kim jua). As usual, I was this rather inquisitive boy or in less pleasant terms, a "kaypoh kia"

Ahem... anyway I watched as they prepared the roast pigs dish. It was interesting to see the piglets on skewers getting barbequed. The pics below shows the fate of nice fat little pigs.










And below left is the done product! Christmas Swine anyone? Below right is traditionally the 1st dish in Chinese dinners, the cold dish, which usually consists of seasoned baby octopi, yummy!










And while my neighbour was feasting, I had a good meal too.

Menu

Soup du jour, Oriental style duck
Assorted panfried vegetables
Steamed rice
Glass of water

Well... having some quiet time to myself, I could reflect on the year that's almost over. Thinking about my busy year; how it all seems like distant memories yet only like yesturday when it happened. Thinking about all the events good or bad, and how they changed my life, past or present, or more importantly, my future. I would have to say this had been one of the fastest years for me, speeding pass before I could halt. Thinking of the new friends I made and old friendships rekindled, special shoutoutz to Yi Xiang, Stanley and Kyler as well to all my classmates, you guys been real great! And Warren, times may be tough but the tough gets going aite? Below are some of the gifts I received this special Christmas. Thanks alot Jolene, Daniel and Kyler! Well.. I just wanna take all you guys who might be reading this that I treasure our friendship. Do enjoy your final days of 2005 before we embark on a new adventure, together!

"If only I could turn back the hands of time, 'coz I am winging through it too fast, and I don't know how to stop... "

Flight of Remembrance

It's exactly a year to the day since the Asian Tsunami devastated Asia, raping her of beautiful coastlines and snatching away thousands of lives. I shivered at the thought that a year had passed so quickly and all the lives lost and still, countries hit by the earthquake continue to struggle under its wrath.

The Asian Tsunami was a major earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, measured at 9.15 on the Richter scale, released energy equivalent to the amount used in USA in 11 days. The tidal waves created first hit Sumatra before striking tropical resort destinations such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, catching everyone by surprise. The waves reached as far as the shores of Somalia and Kenya, killing people along its path. Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka were the worst hit but many other countries were affected, with many Christmas holidaymakers being swept away by the tsunami. Among countries with tourist casualties, Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Denmark was badly hit; Sweden being the worst, losing 543 citizens and another 1500 Swedes injured. Other countries with fatalities include Thailand, Myanmar, the Maldives, Seychelles, Malaysia, Germany, Finland, Britain, Switzerland, Austria and France. The total casualty number stands at more than 170 000, with more than 50 000 still missing.

It is sad that these victims are not able to celebrate another Christmas with the rest of us still around today. I guess while we have fun and be merry, we have to hold them close in our hearts and think of them, how they had led the world to unite in rescuing the victims and how we all contributed to assist the affected countries. Many countries also sent different special taskforces and equipment as well as supplies to aid the living, as well as to identify the dead. Companies such as Srilankan Airlines transported aid for free and all its airline staff donated their salaries to the victims, while Scandinavian Airlines converted their planes into air ambulances, completed with stretchers to airlift victims of the disaster. It was heartwarming that the rest of the world together, lent a helping hand to the countries fallen in darkness.

And a year after, the rest of us left are still together. Nothing could compensate the lives taken, but we can embrace the victims in our memories and respect each other. The tsunami has taught us that life is of a fragile and transient nature and we should not take anyone for granted, not your friends, family nor even sworn enemies. Life is too precious, lets not waste it. To the victims: You taught us the meaning of life, and have made the world a better place for us. May you rest in peace.

"Life is ephemeral, love is eternal"

Changi Kukche Konghang

Changi Kukche Konghang is actually Changi International Airport in Korean. Wonder why I chose this title? Read more about my Christmas day.
I woke up in the early afternoon, still with vivid memories of the incident. Didnt do anything much except to update my blog. In the evening, my family and I decided to go to the airport so I can practice some night aviation photography.
Reaching the airport, I was looking around when a bevy of Korean Air stewardesses sauntered in. They paraded in their new sky-blue uniforms, topped with giant hairpins similar to the shape of the infinity symbol, except that one of the loops is open. I counted 12 of them, all fine and smart looking advertisements for Korean Air's new corporate image "Excellence in flight".
After an eyeful of the kimchi beauties, I went to the viewing mall to try my hands on night photography. It was quite a successful attempt and I took a good shot of an Emirates A330. I was quite proud of myself. >_<

Soon, as we were about to leave, I saw another clique of air hostesses from the same Asian neighbour which hallyu or Korean wave hails from. This time, they were from Asiana Airlines, South Korea's second largest carrier and voted best cabin staff 2005. They donned dull grey uniforms but still look pretty. Well, hoped you enjoyed your stay in Singapore and take good care! Bon voyage! Ahnyeoungheegaseyo.

Crash landing

[continued] Yeah. so we were waiting for the first bus at the bus stop off Armenian Street, along Stamford Road, opposite SMU. It was raining heavily and I was shivering as the cold bit into my skin. At around 6, there was a man who got out of this white car from the rear door behind the driver, and got on the road. The car drove off when the traffic lights turned green. The man stood in the middle of the road, waved at the few taxis and cars which drove by, as though wanting a lift. All of them swerved to avoid him. He then stretched out both his hands, like a scarecrow and stood still. It was frightening to see him. All I could think of was, "please don't let him come towards my direction." Two buses had to avoid him as he stood still like a statue in the rain.

Then the rain got heavier, and a taxi, the sole vehicle on the road at that time, came straight in the man's path; honking before... knocking the man over. I was shocked. There was a loud sound but it's not like those you hear in the movies with car crashes. I didn't expect the man to be knocked over; let alone see it with my own eyes. Through the rain, I could see the man flung to his right. A passerby immediately ran towards him.

It took me a few seconds before I dialled for the ambulance. I couldn't believe that the man had been knocked down. I did not know how else to help. I didn't dare go to the crash site to assist him. Many people soon rushed to his aid, while he laid on the road. The ambulance quickly arrived and he was quickly put on a stretcher, into the ambulance and driven away, passing me and my friends at the bus stop.

I thought to myself, would I have averted a tragedy had I went to help him off the road instead of fearing him? I also thought how tragic it was, on Christmas Day, the last 7th day of a year in which so much would have happened, that he ended up in that state. Was a moment of foolishness worth to destruct your life? A million questions ran through my head; of which none would make the situation any easier.

As the ambulance sirens roared pass me, I only could hope that he will be alright. You will, right?

Flight of Fantasy

Woke up at 11am.

Played computer and listened to music the whole afternoon while it poured outside.

Thankfully the sky cleared and I prepared to go town to hang out with my friends.

Boarded a bus all the way to Far East Plaza.

That's where my flight of fantasy begun.

I met up with my friends outside Tangs Plaza. I was surprised though there were hordes of people, we could still move freely. I had expected a suffocating anthropomorphic bacteria concentration inside the Orchard petri-dish.

Well we went to Shaw House, wandering around, waiting for Kyler. After which, we proceeded to a Japanese restaurant, Tonkichi within the complex. I like the design of the place. Quite an authentic japanese touch, even with squarish blue and flat cushions for customers to sit on. The waitresses were friendly and polite too. And refills of green tea did not be asked. They were automatically refilled at a regular basis.


That's me looking on Kyler eating. haha.. photo trick actually. he was sitting on the opposite side.
And below is my meal. Grilled pork with ginger sauce. I had a really bitter jelly for dessert.

Looks yummy eh? I felt the prices were a little steep but nothing was better than a good warm meal with friends on Christmas Eve. After the meal, Kyler and I went to explore the magic of Christmas at Orchard while the rest went to watch The Chronicles of Narnia. The place was all lit up and alot of people were wearing cute red santa hats. The christmas spirit was sure grooving to every individual's heartbeats. We didn't miss the chance to take some pics too.














After wandering around in the shopping centres at Wheelock Place. We decided to take a breather on the streets. However, it was a nightmare. There was an infestation of the humankind. People swarmed till one could bearly move. It was quite chaotic actually, as people played with spray cans, squirting foam at each other, squealing and screaming while doing so. And people, with really nice hairstyles; unfortunately wrecked by the foam and gooey stuff passed us by. The doors of Takashimaya were locked too, only people could exit. It was pandemonium. I couldn't have imagined what would happen if something had happened. And so, we decided to stay to the backalleys of Orchard, away from the disorder and the battle cries of Operation Spray Can.

"Every little thing that you say or do... I'm hung up, I'm hung up on you... Waiting for your call, Baby night and day I'm fed up. I'm tired of waiting on you!"














I guess Kyler is not gonna wait for me to caress her bosom.....














.:Lust:.

After our friends finished their 3hour movie, they joined us and we played some "sparklers", and the spray cans too. It was a really jolly good time! As you can see:

After the fun, we decided to chill out at the esplanade. Joining us was another of my friend, Stanley and his friends. United, we were an invincible force of super-shagged-souls-out-too-late-on-a-saturday-night. So begun our Long March to the Esplanade from Somerset. My camera battery had gone rather flat so i couldn't take more pictures of the treacherous journey. Anyway, we camped out at Merlion Park upon reaching, for a while that is. As the dark skies grew grey, we decided to head back, to our point of journey, Somerset. Under the threatening skies, we slaved back towards Somerset, only to be caught in a downfall. What luck to be caught in the rain in the wee hours of the morning on Christmas day! We found a bus stop and decided to wait for the first buses to go home for a good rest. However.. our night wasn't meant to end there. [to be continued]

Flying off interCourse

Well.. It's Xmas Eve and to celebrate the vibrant pulsing Xmas Spirit, I have decided to create my original
Skycruiser's 10 Original Reasons Why a Plane Ride is Similar to Sex!

1. It's either a Fun or Bumpy Ride.

2. Both are supposed to get you High at some point.

3. You will need to take off. (your clothes or from the ground or both)

4. Both involves entering a body. (carnal or alloy based)

5. Low mileage don't get you far.

6. Doing it alone is just plain boring.

7. "I assure you, lady, the captain knows what he's doing."

8. All electronic devices which may interfere with the "navigation" should be switched off.

9. Good service is not guranteed.

10. Your first time is way overrated.

hoho... Have a blessed Christmas guys!

Catch the Holiday Spirit

My day began at 5.30am in the morning, when I woke up and began revising my notes for my test at 3pm. Well... smart old me felt that Organisational Behaviour is an easy paper as I deal with human behaviour all the time, and I slacked throughout the whole morning.
Well... and during the test, I got my desserts...... No elaboration necessary.

After that, I went to meet my friend, Kyler to get our hair cut, yeah; before Christmas Eve tomorrow. Well... he was rather pissed that I was half hour late. Believe me when I say I got to take 3 buses and 1 train from school to Braddell MRT in about 1h 45mins.

Reaching the station, I decided to pacify my impatient friend with some candid shots.
And peeps, that's Kyler scaring some poor kitty away....

And Thats me, on an Aztec artwork. Well, not really but its still cool.

Anyway, we had to wait some time before its our turn, apparently, other than us; the rest of the world wanna look good for Christmas too. Well it was worth the wait as I had a terrific hair cut. Below are some pix:






<-----------That's me getting my hair adjusted.






Well.. thats my friend getting his fur groomed =>







What a day at the hairdressers. Another friend, Nic joined us while we were getting our hair done and we all went to get supper together. Not before taking some shots:

That's me ramming into a wall!!! Well, I guess I was fleeing from the evil warlock and his sinister black minion:

And below, is the pic of me before my haircut, and the pic below the pic below, thats after:

Cool ya? haha Well.. It was a really fun day for me. I really can't wait for Christmas Eve. As the Australian Airlines' slogan goes, "Catch the Holiday Spirit"

Well, mate. I sure did.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Going Beyond Expectations

"Going Beyond Expectations", Malaysia Airlines' slogan fits purrfectly in my blog today. Economics turned out to be a relatively easy paper after all, it definately went beyond my expectations, hopefully my marks will too.
Despite this promise, and being voted 6th in ranking for "Airline of the year 2005" by Skytrax, Malaysia Airlines doesn't seem to be doing too well. Consecutive quarterly losses of 280.7 million ringgit in June and 367.7 million ringgit in September have dealt a heavy dent on the airline. Oh well, I guess it's a cut throat industry out there. Stay tough or screw it (or should I say unscrew and dismantle your aircraft it).


I am getting alittle jumpy about my excursion to Bangkok next week. I will be travelling on SWISS International Airlines, which, as I read from today's TODAY newspaper 22 December 2005,
SWISS is Europe's leading airline. Something which I have doubts as there are very strong competitors such as British Airways and Lufthansa. Not to mention smaller rivals such as Austrian. Well... I hope they will provide me with a good service all the same, that magical Swiss hospitality. It would definately be a great experience for me as I had never travelled alone before, to a foreign land that is. (I travel to school alone everyday on buses k! hahaha... ) I will be looking forward to spending the night at the airport. What a great way to celebrate the birth of a new year.

But of course, before I get carried away, I better be off to study for my last paper, my last mountain to climb, my final obstacle, my concluding test, my bottom line challenge, my closing hurdle, my.. my... my.... until the end of the year that is. Blahx...
Skycruiser OutZ

Red-Eye Flight

A Red-Eye flight usually refer to an airline flight departure in the wee hours of the morning, at a time where fellow friends on the ground would be zzz.... Most passengers can't sleep at this period, because of engine noise, turbulence etc. And red-eye flights are usually sold at cheap prices. Cabin crew also love such flights as most passengers are quiet and sleepy vs fully awake passengers (not to mention demanding) during the day flights.
However, in my case, it was a bad case of a red-eye fight. Whilst studying diligently (believe it or not) last night for my Economics, I was suddenly irritated by a bout of itchiness in my right eye (Mind you, that's the one eye I have with purrrfect eyesight). Attempts to relieve my poor eye of the prickling feeling left my eye blood-shot. However, only when I glanced into a mirror much later, "Am I shapeshifting to a WereWolf?" That bloodthirsty, watery eye made me wonder if I was going to foam at the mouth next.

Instinctively, I brushed my canines and pounced off to a good night's rest. No way was I gonna have symptoms of a red-eye flight tomorrow morning. You will have to shoot me with a silver bullet first.

Thankfully, the red-eye was gone today, more or less. Now I am off for a howling nasty time at the tests!

Emergency landings

It's 10 days left of 2005 as at today, 21 Dec 2005. The remains of a spectacularly busy year for me. And for the past few days I have been cooped up at home studying for my tests. Having been agonised with with the imagery of test papers and frantic searches within my tortured mind in search of the answers to my formidable challenges, I am "so" looking forward to the 9th and 8th day left of my year, in which I will be facing Mount. Economicsverest and Mount. Organisational Behaphir. sighz... Talk about ending a year with a bang. Bang! I am dead...

Talking about bangs... There seems to be a "bang bang bang" crisis this Christmas with two emergency airliner landings yesturday and today in the United States. Yesturday an Air India flight AI136 using a Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet burst a tire (bang!) while taking off at 8.33pm in Los Angeles International Airport. It was bound for Frankfurt, Germany and New Delhi, India. I was studying hard (who am i kidding) yesturday whilst watching tv and saw the events unfold. It was dramatic! Let me get some images, courtesy from CBS2 website.

As you can see in pic 1 and 2, the crippled Jumbo Jet (circled in green) is pummelling down the runway after dumping fuel over the ocean (wonder how many sea creatures got fried by the hot fuel... Prawn tempura anyone?) to ensure its light enough to land.Bang! Look at the sparks! Talk about Christmas lights as the injured airliner continues to speed down the runway.
After some localised meteor showers at LAX, the plane (plane number VT-AIM, named Sunderbans) finally comes to a halt. A christmas blessing as all 249 passengers and 18 crew are safe. Well, that is after they ran out of that horribly unsafe metal container with wheels (or lack of).

And from the news online, I gathered there was another incident at Boston involving a Midwest Airlines B717 aircraft under flight number 210 with 86 passengers and 4 crew (skimping on stewardesses eh?) on board had problems with landing gear and had to circle the airport to dump fuel before returning to the airport safely.

Sighz.. so much for Emergency bangings (ahem.. landings, pardon moi english). Let me get back to my books... No wait.... I spy on a UFO soaring above my delusions. Code Red! Its an emergency! Come teleport me away from the dire situation that I am chained to. Rescue me.... 'coz I can't claw my way through... (the books that is)

Welcome aboard

It's a week before X'mas. The most joyful occasion, as everyone celebrates their successes and achievements for the year and I.... have 5 days of tests. So... X'mas this year should either be bittersweet for me if I do well in the tests or as I would guess better, a bitterlook plastered on my face. Not studying for tests is nothing, feeling guilty about it is not a nothing. Well, feelings can change, my stubborness lies deep within.
Last night, I was out at town, or should I say Orchard and it was deserted. Well, void of lonliness I mean, people were jolly and happy, and shopping for gifts and chilling with friends; as everyone was, as I quote from my Economics tutor, "winding down at the end of the year". Unfortunately, I would probably wind her out from marking the paper I would be handing in.
Merry Christmas Tutor!
Love,
A student who don't really mean it.

I was showing my Australian friend around the people-flooded Orchard and the Esplanade (talk about a christmas day tsunami). And he told me that, people said that if you take a photo with the Merlion, you will come back to Singapore again. hmm... folklore or a gimmick? I wonder...

Well. Its 6.16pm Singapore/Hong Kong/Ulaan Baatar time. 4mins after my friend departed for Bangkok on SQ068, and I would go grab a bite. Signing off.
Welcome to my life.
Welcome aboard.