How many of you would turn on the TV, watch survivor and say, “Man, if only I had a chance to be part of it, I would have won!” Well, wait no more, my friend. For the first time in Generation:R’s history, we will be having our first ever Survivor Lockdown! Yes, it is not as big scale as the survivor on TV but the elements of outwit, outplay, outlast holds faithful in our smaller-scale Survivor. There will only be one prize for the ultimate survivor. You all will be locked-down in the church for 12 hours (8am to 8pm), forcing you to bond together, work together while being smart enough of trying to get the cooperation of everyone in your tribe to win the challenges or kick your threat out of the game at the Tribal Council. During the free time, you can chat, strategize, play or just hang out with one another. But during the challenges, you fight for Immunity. You may bring your laptops, Play Station, PSP, book to read or whatever else you might want to do during your free time. But do not forget to also prepare yourself with the champion mentality to win! Here are the details:

Date: 28 November 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 8am SHARP to 8pm
Venue: Gereja Peace AOG Kluang
Price: RM15 (inclusive of lunch and dinner)
Closing Date for Registration: 21 November 2009
Extra Note: for those bringing valuable items (like your laptop or playstation), please list them at the back of the form so we know who belongs to what item. Thank you.

Think you are tough enough? Think you are strong enough? Think you are wise enough? There can only be ONE SURVIVOR…

WILL YOU SURVIVE??

[  Click here to download the form. ]

For enquiries, do not hesitate to ask us. Age cut of limit for this event is 25.

As usual, click the little penguin button

at the end of the post to download.

Enjoy!

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Mr Jones, after retreating to the country with his trusty canine companion, realizes he's lonely. A call from his old friend Mimi cheers him up, and she invites him to join her in the Caribbean. Provided he can spruce up his own wardrobe, bring her some jewelry, buy a house, and raise a massive amount of spending cash. A "helpful" flyer suggests he run his own graveyard to make money, so Mr. Jones grabs a shovel and starts digging.

Mr. Jones' Graveyard Shift is a curious combination of a free-form simulation, tycoon management, and time management game. Customers drive in on the right side of the property. Meet them at the gate and see what kind of memorial they are interested in. At first, most customers want something cheap with just a few niceties on the side. Later, however, you'll get big spenders who demand perfection for their loved one's final resting place. Each day ends with Mr. Jones going to bed and, if you like, depositing cash in the Mimi fund. When morning comes, customers come in and Mr. Jones is back to work. A shopkeeper stops by at the crack of dawn and offers more headstones, flowers, and miscellaneous structures for you to buy. It's a good idea to stock up on everything you can afford, as you never know what the next customer will request.

Personally, I feel that this is an upbeat and a humorous game. Death has always been a depressing subject but this game really makes it light-hearted and takes the depression all away. If you don't mind playing a game about digging graves, Mr. Jones' Graveyard Shift is a superb blend of time management and simulation genres. Because it's so open-ended, it actually scales itself to meet your gaming needs, providing more challenge if you want it, or resting on its laurels while you soak in some casual gameplay. The visuals are well above average and there are plenty of unique items to buy. You'll unearth lots of satisfaction from this lengthy, quirky game! Trust me. I rate an 8/10.

Labels: games review

Hey y'all. I told her that I would be writing about people who impacted my life and wanted her to be on the list, so here it is. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and you intelligent cats and dogs and whatever other intelligent animals who actually read my blog together when your human masters are reading as well (plus point for you in persuading your human masters to visit my blog. A treat for you!). Introducing to you today someone dear to me. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing to you, my dear buddy, Pan Yuan! Yearpz, as I have said earlier, she is one that has significantly impacted my life.

Seeing her online sometimes, seeing her Facebook and whatever else, it makes me reminisce the good ole days. Though my school days were not the best schooling days but is people like Pan Yuan who makes it so much better. I remember the days when she was my deputy president for the squash club. I was someone who wouldn't open up, until this very day, it is so much easier to force a horse to drink or even make a donkey cluck than to have me open up. But she was one of those who established a close friendship with me. I remember the days when she would drive her 4WD or a big car that I thought was too big for someone her stature to drive (looks cute yet comical) and would come and pick me and we would go out for supper and tea and just talk. Or the times I would go over to your place and pick you out and go for supper or even lunch. It was those talks that made me open up somewhat. Through this, a friendship as precious to me as diamonds was forged.

To me, Pan Yuan was always a true girl. To me, she was whom you saw no matter where. Be it in school or even outside, Pan Yuan was Pan Yuan. Yes, there were struggles she faced but she was true. For someone who feels that the world is heavily infested with hypocrites, that was a significant and important find. I can still remember the days when she was still with her red-framed specs (correct me if I'm wrong ya, bud) in her prefect uniform. I remember also the times we used to see who was the first to pay for our food and drinks.

How has she impacted my life? Who I am today is pretty much her impact. She was one the few that really made me open up (though all these few are no longer in touch with me, which is my regret). She made me realize that in this world, not all people are hypocrites. There exist too real and true, sincere people. People who are not prejudiced. People who accept you as who you really are. People who are wonderful friends. People who makes you feel that you're remembered. People who are always there for you. People who really treasure friendship. She fulfilled all that capacity. I remember the days when we used to say "buddy for life". She was one to prove that she keeps her word.A strong lady and a great inspiration. A friend and a buddy that I would not ever want to lose. Just to note, I don't have many buddies. Those I consider to be buddies are only 3 thus far (even that, the feeling may not be mutual. May be only me considering them to be my buddies but not vice verse) and she was 1 of the 3.

Pan Yuan, you have been a great buddy to me. A source of encouragement and support and a faithful and loyal friend who knows no prejudice but acceptance. Truly, you may not know this but you truly impacted my life in measures unthinkable. The Bryan today is significantly shaped by your friendship with me. Those memories of our times we spent together will always remain as a part of me. I don't know about you and how things are now and from now on but one thing's for sure, on my part, you are truly my buddy for life. Be it even one sided or whatever, to me, you will always be my bud and treasured as one. I hope to be one who will stand with you as a buddy and walk with you through life's journey. My only regret is that our relationship was just left at HSBP. Nothing was kept, nothing was nurtured, everything was just left there. I was stupid to not treasure my bud but now I know. But it remains only a regret. I cannot go back into time and rebuild a lost friendship. It was all my fault for not keeping in touch. I can't undo the past but have to live with the future. That is a regret. But those memories we have carved together in our short 2 years of friendship will never be forgotten. May you always have joy in whatever you do. May you always be surrounded by good friends as you continue touching and impacting many other lives. To me, you will always be "buddy for life".

Now, to draw a conclusion as I try to draw myself out from emo-ness (*chuckles*), I would conclude with this story. There was once a man who worked as a treasure hunter. He would travel and search the entire world, brave through the seasons to search for that exquisite and priceless treasure. He would brave the cold winds or the desert storms, stand through the heat or cold, go down the swamps, face dangers and hardships, staring and taunting death in the face yet surviving, all because he had the ultimate goal in mind: the treasure. One fine day, his efforts paid off. Truly, he found the treasure that he was looking for. It was his prized possession. He kept it so nicely, polishing the priceless treasure every now and then. But as the days went by, he started to forget about that treasure as he was caught up with the world of fame and fortune due to his discoveries. People say, as we age, we truly know what our treasures really are. He one day realized that his prized possession was not fame nor glory but rather was the treasure. But to his horror, he had lost that treasure. All that remains is the memories of his glorious days. But that's not all. He realized that the treasure gave him his health and body. In efforts to search for the treasure, his body was undergoing the immense training. Now, all that remains is thankfulness and gratitude as he once again, hopes that someday, when his house is cleared, he would find once again his priceless treasure.

(Note: the hunter is me and the treasure is the friendship between my buddy, Pan Yuan and I)

My final words is to impact more lives, bud. You have unknowingly impacted my life and forged someone who will in turn impact many other lives. You can impact other lives too. One impacted life will in turn impact lives. Is a domino effect that keeps going. But it has to start with one. So, keep on going and moving on strong. You will always be remembered and kept in my prayers. Take care.

Your bud.

(Whoa! didn't expect to type so long. Some more so emo at parts. Haha! but is all worth it as she means alot to me. Everyone, a hand for my buddy, Pan Yuan! Cheers!)

Labels: people who impacted my life

Note: Please click the little penguin or the album art down at the bottom of this post to download
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Chris Daughtry's latest album. Released on 14 July 2009, this is Daughtry's second album so far after his debut self-titled album was released on 21 November 2006. Chris Daughtry was (and is) one of my music influences and thus, I was waiting, asking myself, "When will Daughtry come out with his second album?" Well, the wait is over.

For all you Daughtry fans out there, 'Leave This Town' is out in stores now. Daughtry wrote in his Twitter that the title of this album was taken from a lyric in their song "September". Not only that, many songs on the album have the lyrics about leaving a particular place, for instance "You Don't Belong", "No Surprise", "Life After You" and "Everytime You Turn Around".

Before I give my views, let us just peak at the 2009 Chart listing to see where this album stands (correct as of time of reference):

Billboard 200 : #1

Canadian Album Chart: #2

Australian ARIA Album Chart : #21

New Zealand Album Chart : #8

Swedish Album Chart : #31

Some nice numbers on the Charts eh? Now, for my personal review, I prefer the album "Daughtry" to this album. No, I'm not saying that this album does not make the mark. It is just that, the style of music takes some getting used to. In other words, it takes some time and listening to the songs a few times before you actually can enjoy the songs in it. Once you have suited your ears to the style, you'll slowly love the music. I would rate a 7/10.

Track Listing:

1. You Don’t Belong
2. No Surprise
3. Every Time You Turn Around
4. Life After You
5. What I Meant To Say
6. Open Up Your Eyes
7. September
8. Ghost Of Me
9. Learn My Lesson
10. Supernatural
11. Tennessee Line
12. Call Your Name

Labels: music review

A woman walks into a jewelry store. Sparkling lights are seen flickering through the glass tables as the jewels reflect the lights.

"I want to see this diamond," the woman told the salesperson. The salesperson, carefully took out the diamond as if it was an atomic bomb, laid it on a velvet cushion and presented it to the woman. The woman picked it up with a pair of tweezers. She looked at the diamond intently, in every possible angle, as if trying to spot a chip or dust on the diamond. The woman smiled. The diamond was a beauty. Every cut made on the diamond was perfect and really polished it and drew forth its beauty in every imaginable way. This was a masterpiece.

"I'll take it," says the woman. With a broad smile on her face, she leaves the shop overjoyed. With the high value of the diamond, she wraps it and stores it in a safe place, safeguarding it and treasuring it. They say diamonds are women's best friend. Maybe its true.

No, I am not promoting jewels. But I liken these precious stones to our friendship. To me, friendship is like the diamond. In the beginning, it may look just like an ordinary rock, plain and seems of no value on the initial look. Time and effort is needed into cutting the stone. If the stone had feelings, it would probably cry out in pain. But enduring it, the outcome is a beautiful and valuable diamond. Like friendship, it often starts insignificant. Friendship needs time and effort to build. Sometimes, friendship may go through trials and rough patches but the outcome: A strong bond of friendship. Beautiful.

How then do we treat friends like these? To me, if friendship is likened to a precious stone, then how we handle and treat it should be how we handle and treat precious stones. Safeguard and treasure it. I would put it in one sentence: "Friends are like precious stones: to me loved, cared and treasured". So treasure every friendship you have. Put in time and effort into nurturing friendship. The value of friendship is incomparable to anything in the world. Wealth of a person is not how much money or assets he has but rather how many lives he's touched. Don't be someone who destroy relationships with doubts and careless words or even teasing for that matter, because every relationship is precious.

I am blessed to have a group of friends and loved ones who are really close to me. I really treasure you guys! What about you?

Send a shout to your loved ones and friends to show you care. Build your relationships today. Don't wait till its too late. In business terms, friendship is an investment worth investing time, effort, money and love in. The returns: immeasurable.

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THIS IS DEDICATED TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN A GREAT BLESSING TO ME: MEI MEI, ER MEI, XIAO MEI, MUI MUI (THOUGH THIS IS A POST ABOUT FRIENDSHIP BUT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW PRECIOUS YOU ALL ARE TO ME), AND TO MY FRIENDS, EVANIA, YU LI AND MANY MORE. LOVE YOU GUYS!

Labels: philosophy

I just checked out the results for the polling on the left sidebar with the question, "What would you like to see more on this blog?" I thank the 12 people who gave their votes on this matter. Results are as follows:

Music Download : 50 %
Game Download : 17 %
A more personal touch as in updates about the blogger (thought and life) : 17 %
General and Current Issues : 17 %

With this in mind, I will then try my very best to blog according to your wants. The polling is still open so if you still have not polled yet, do give your poll so I can blog to your satisfaction. You can also interact with my in my C-box or comment on the posts. Your input is truly appreciated. Enjoy!

Thank you all for voting for me in the "Pimp My Broadband" competition. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes to you. Do continue to frequent my blog and don't hesitate to suggest improvements or stuff that you want me to blog about, or even just to interact with me, whatever it is, may my blog be in your list of "Sites I Must Visit Often". See you around! Enjoy!

*picture courtesy of Er Mei, Rita*