After a few hours of tweaking the code, I’m finally satisfied with how my blog looks…or so I think. I decided to switch to a free theme because I realized I was missing out on all the functions of WordPress with that self-made theme which lasted for a long time already. I guess I will find time some day to make a new layout which is widget-ready. Lots to learn, lots to do.

Today I learnt that spanking new phones with all the bells and whistles were not made for tech dinosaurs like my parents. It works out for my dad because he’s contented with just a simple phone that has call and text functions. However, for tech dinosaurs like my mum who wants the latest technology, it’s a whole different story.

Last May, my phone plan was up for re-contracting so I got her the Samsung Galaxy Spica — an Android phone. I think I was more excited than she was and in my mind I was thinking of all the wonderful things the phone could do. But, I failed to consider one thing. Yes, the phone can do “wonders,” but I never considered the needs of a tech dinosaur. The first problem came up when I called home a few months later and asked her about the phone. She said she was still using her old phone because she didn’t really know how to use the new one. *smack to forehead*

Well, now that I’m home for good, we decided to explore the new phone together. She told me that her contacts from her SIM card could be ported over, but not all the numbers were transferred. Say she saved two numbers under one name. Only the first number got ported over. To make things worse, I discovered that the contacts weren’t transferred straight away — as in put in SIM card, on the phone, and there, all your contacts are there. No, with this phone, you needed to click an option to import the contacts. Fine. The problem came when you did this step more than once. It created copies of the same number under each contact. When I wanted to delete all contacts to save the hassle of having to edit each contact one by one to remove the duplicated numbers, it didn’t have that option! So what now? Do I have to edit each contact for 200+ contacts?

Now, we wouldn’t have this problem if we just stuck to doing things the phone was made for in the first place. The phone is designed not to have that delete all function because you’re supposed to sync your contacts with your gmail contacts. Hey, it’s an Android phone. So duplicates will be removed easily via gmail. But hello, the needs of tech dinosaurs like my parents are different. They do not trust having sensitive information like telephone numbers stored on the computer, let alone the internet.

So now, I have to scour the internet for information on how to delete all contacts without having to hard reset the damn phone. Next, I’ll have to look for an app that allows contacts to be saved into the SIM card because the phone doesn’t have that option. It was made to store all contacts online remember?

Next time you want to get a phone for a tech dinosaur, remember that his/her needs are different from yours.

I can’t believe it. First we got Carl’s Jr., then we got Quiznos, now there’s even Church’s Chicken?! But it doesn’t even beat the taste of KFC! So how come so many USA food chains are opening in Singapore?!

I was flipping through today’s edition of TODAY and saw this…

Yes, it’s called Texas Chicken in Singapore. I saw the logo and was like “hey! I know this logo!” Hurhur…

No, this blog is not dead yet. At least it was for a long long while. I have since graduated with a B.S. in Advertising with honors (proud of that!) I’ve completed my graduation trip to L.A, Hawai’i, Macau, China, and HK. I’ve packed a little of my room and stuff. And now…I’m officially unemployed.

I’ve finally come to the point where I can no longer be that irresponsible little kid. It’s time to really step into the “adult world” where I earn my own keep. I can no longer give the excuse that I want to study so I can escape having to face the responsibilities of “adult life.” Well, that’s unless I wish to follow in the footsteps of my professor who proudly declares that he has managed to stay in school all his life. To be honest, grad school is an option but not for now. I’m not ready for that yet.

Stepping into the “adult world” also means that I have to consider my future. The boy and I have decided to look for an apartment. Housing in Singapore is VERY expensive and we have come to the conclusion that both of us will need to work in order to finance that. Yea well, life’s like that. *sigh*

So, how does it feel like coming home for good after 4 years of living in ‘lil ol’ Chambana? Weird. Have to readjust to the population, the weather, the habits of people… Heck, I even have to readjust to sharing my life at home with 3 other family members. Not that that’s a bad thing. It’s just that I have changed. I’m more assertive towards what I want in my life and my future. These are changes that my family members will need to get used to.

Still got a list of things to do. Need to get crackin’ and stop procrastinating.

“[some mumbo jumbo] la cinco peso!”

After hearing so many street vendors yelling that on the streets of Mexico City, it’s stuck in my head now.

Things I learned so far in/about Mexico:

• The only way to get onto the metro is to push. Like just fuckin’ shove yourself into the metro no matter how crowded it is. Graciousness gets you nowhere…NOWHERE.
• Don’t be shocked by people selling stuff or begging for money in the metro itself. Just beware of those selling music cds, they are armed with backpack speakers that blast spanish tunes out LOUD.
• Cross roads like in China. Green man, cross. Red man, also cross. Just make sure you look out for cars.
• Drive like a hooligan. Remember, be AGGRESSIVE. Cut lanes, weave in and out of traffic, drive like there’s no tomorrow.
• Whoa…like check out those pirated cds/software.
• Police do not care if you’re selling pirated stuff or jaywalking.
• Mexican couples like to engage in PDA anywhere and everywhere. Queuing up for KFC, waiting for the metro, halfway through a meal, even while walking down stairs. Sheesh, get a room please.
• Street vendors run on energizer batteries. They never tire.
• If you don’t look like a Mexican, you will be stared at like a caged animal at the zoo. Trust me, Mexicans will even turn back to stare at you after you pass.
• Most Mexicans think Singapore is part of China too. Well done.
• Some street vendors must have seen a lot of Japanese tourists because as long as you look Asian, they think you’re from Japan. Do not underestimate the powers of a street vendor. I heard one saying 「高くない。」 (referring to what he was selling) to us. That means “inexpensive” in Japanese.
• You need to know Spanish. Not everyone in Mexico can speak English. You won’t die if you don’t know Spanish, but it’ll be a little easier to know a bit.

By the way, can someone tell me why the Aztecs/Mayans/ancient people like to have friggin’ steep steps to their temples/dwellings? I almost died climbing up and down the Piramide del Sol at Teotihuacan. Miss a step and it’s goodbye to you…happy rolling down the stairs to your death.

As requested by Nad, here’s the Old Spice ads to have a good laugh over. Some things just don’t die…

Not going to post all the video replies to tweets, just the finale.

Even Grover was inspired by the Old Spice guy.

This kid needs to grow up and understand that things don’t just fall into your lap without working hard for it.

信じられない。 He really needs a reality check. I dislike kids who think that they can just run to the States or some other country (probably on their parents’ money) if they don’t make it in the exams in Singapore. It’s like taking the easy way out. I’m sorry, there is no free lunch in this world. You choose not to work hard, you bear the consequences.

Hello boy, the SAT is only ONE component which the colleges in the States consider during the application process. They do look at your academic results, which in your case is the O’levels. So don’t act so nonchalant about getting a zero for the exam.

And what about not needing to work hard for the money? You need to work hard in ANY job to earn your pay. You think that celebrities don’t have a hard life and all they need to do is be glamourous? My dad says that even being a tai tai requires hard work to keep up with appearances and I agree with him.

Sometimes I think Singaporeans lead too sheltered a life to be grateful for what they have. I also like to think that some people like to talk big and act like they know it all when they haven’t even seen the world.

Was talking to Prof. Vargas today and he brought up the Old Spice guy and how people liked the character so much that they got persuaded to buy the products. Hmmm…seriously, I don’t think I’m like most people who get persuaded to buy something just coz I like the ads for it. Just like how I find the Discover ads so funny, not like I’m going to get a Discover card now am I?

Anyway, just for entertainment, here’s the series of ads. Have a good laugh.

Probably flunked my Stats exam. I think the only good thing that has happened this week is tonight’s dinner with Christina and Stephanie. Ok…maybe the “loot” I got from attending the talk by Mary Kay Haben and the Stats homework deadline got extended to Monday. Just when I thought I could enjoy a breather from exams and homework, another problem falls into my lap. Great. Like major FML right now. Oh well, I guess we are all great problem solvers. Our mission in life is to solve problem after problem.

On a brighter note, here’s a kinda happy hippie song. There’s something about this song that attracts me. Not sure what. The woman has this weirdly annoying tone, but somehow it doesn’t really bug me that much. I remember I heard it somewhere and then one day while I was working in the Buzz office, it was played on the radio and Annaka was singing along to it. From then on, I really wanted to know what the song title was. And of course, Annaka helped me identify it. Yay. The mtv reminds me of the ’60s-’70s hippie period. It’s titled “Home” by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros.

“Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my ma and pa, not the way that I do love you…”

Note: Found out later that it was used in that viral video of the guy that walked across America.

Yes, I got a spanking new blog and no, I’m not ditching this one. I just wanted to encourage myself to write more. I think I used to use this place to give boring everyday updates of my life. Then as I got older, I found it more and more boring. Finally when I entered college, I wrote only occasionally. Each time was just a rant or a random video. I finally understand the importance of giving your blog a theme. So ok, this blog will still be my ranting ground and place to share my thoughts. The new one will be to write one blog post a day with the help of Plinky. And the third is a blog at the217.com where I share my thoughts of life as a Singaporean in Champaign-Urbana.

Then there are the blogs for class…ok, not going to those since those are just for class requirements.