Gundam 00

Below: GN-001 Gundam Exia

Gundam 00 Opening 1






Gundam 00 Opening 2





Overview
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The series is set in the years 2307-2308 AD of the Gregorian calendar. During this time, fossil fuels became exhausted and the distribution of fuels became imbalanced. Humanity must rely on an array of solar power generation systems orbiting the Earth, and supported by three orbital elevators, each one pertaining to one of the three "major powers" on the planet.

The Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations , consisting of the Organization of American States, Australasia and Japan, control the elevator located in South America. The Human Reform League, consisting of China, Siberian Russia, India, the nations of South Asia (excluding the middle-Asian states of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan), Mongolia, the member states of the ASEAN, Papua New Guinea, the Korean Peninsula, and Taiwan, control the elevator located in the Pacific Ocean. The Advanced European Union (AEU), consisting of Iceland, the islands of the Barents Sea, Greenland, Anatolia, European Russia and the entirety of the traditional continent of Europe, control an elevator built in the middle of the African continent.

With this infinite source of energy benefiting only the major powers and their allies, constant warfare erupts around the globe for fuels and energy. The nations that rely on fuel have plunged into poverty. Many believed that solar energy threatened the "promised land of God". The chaos lead to the formation of a private military organization, called Celestial Being, dedicated to eradicating war and uniting humanity with the use of four humanoid machines called Gundams.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 follows four mobile suit pilots termed Gundam Meisters, sided withCelestial Being. The protagonist is 16-year old Setsuna F. Seiei, a quiet, taciturn young man who grew up in the Kurdish Republic, and a Gundam Meister for two years. He pilots the GN-001 Gundam Exia, a high mobility mobile suit effective in melee combat.


My Thoughts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had just had enough of Gundam Seed and all the various sidestories. All the "Emo'ing" by Kira, Athrun and Shinn is making me get all bored. And its about time a new series comes on air. Actually, I was quite slow as Gundam 00 came out almost the end of last year. At 1st glance, I thought "Gundams with a new facelift?! Kinda look sucky! Especially Exia with that V-shaped pelvic plate!" It seems that the only gundam I like in this series is Kyrios as it can transform and still looks decent.

After I started watching the series about a week ago, I feel the storyline is quite unique, as it is set in our real world, albeit in the future. Also, there were many points being drawn to terrorism and stuff. There were new nations in the Middle East at that time and the situation somewhat reminds me of Iraq and Afghanistan. The bus near Saji and Louise exploding, somehow reminds me of the Sarin Gas incident back in the 90s. The different superpowers in the world too, somehow relates to the struggle of power and supremecy in our current world. HRL = China? Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations = USA?

For me, Gundam 00 also brought back some memories of Gundam W. The characters of the Gundam Meisters somewhat seems similar to those of Heero and gang.

So far, I've watch up to episode 20. Can't wait for the remaining 5 episodes to come out, and conclude the 1st part of Double 0. For the 2nd part, I'll have to keep my fingers crossed till about September 2008. Long long cross..

Daybreak's Bell - L'Arc~en~Ciel

Got lots and lots of cuts on my hands from the many dozen server boards that I had to dismantle. Their edges, especially the metal ones, are extremely sharp, and it can draw blood at the slightest graze. Each board talkes about 15 mins to dis-assemble completely. And we've got like almost 200 boards to strip. Wonder how long will this take?

Tomorrow is the day of reckoning for Year 2 Sem 2 in SP. Hopefully all the effort I've put in is enough and I wished that I could get more than just a single "A".

My 24th

Below: My birthday presents from Ah A and Ju. Thanks Bros!

Started the day with a yawn... Obviously I had to work... When I opened my room door, there was this "Flesh Imp" paperbag hung at the doorknob. Thanks to my bros Ah A and Ju for the nice presents! (A fresh Imp Jacket and Tee.) Somehow I feel there is no significant need to celebrate my birthday at my this age. When I was younger, I was so hard-up that people should celebrate my birthday with me. I still remembered that I would hint my uncles and aunties that my birthday was coming right up, so as to get a birthday present from them! Naughty me...

As usual, work was quite monotonous with few events worthy of interest. I just prayed that the 9 hours would whisk by... and it did. I took quick and broad strides home!

Once home, Mom prepared a bowl of Mian4 Xian4 with minced meat and hardboiled eggs for me. I remembered that I was told it is a customary Hokkien tradition for the birthday-person to have a bowl of that. Also, I have insisted that there be no birthday cake as I wanted to keep my birthday a simple one. Partly because it's a Wednesday night and there is work tomorrow. So Pa just got 2 boxes of Canadian Pizza. Simplest birthday this year! There!... I'm officially 24 yesterday!

Today's workload is a killer. "Load" is a killer. Alone, I moved close to 70 cartons of (Qty x 09) laptops, each weighing in close to 30kg. That is like moving 2 tonnes of electronic equpiments. Off the pellets for labeling, repacking and re-peletting for shipment. I even had to voluntarily take overtime to complete the task as one of my colleagues had to go off early to fetch his child from school.

The result a pair of bruised, swollen and bloodied hand and a severe strained back, in which the latter is really painful. Even sitting down results in waves of pain through my head. Too bad, its part of the job and I can't complain and moan to the boss. Just swallow all the shit that is coming without any complains and just do it. SISPEC taught me to Suffer In Silence Please Endure n Carry-on.

Today is really not my day... I just can't believe what happened... All my life's lessons, which really turned me from a spoilt brat to who I am today, all the humilliation I have suffered when I was in my teens, all the anger, all the fury, all the emotions... was plain in my eyes to see... At my age of 24(almost), I feel that I've really look at things in a different perspective, not as a kid, but as an adult. One that is responsible for his words and actions. I think more of my studies, more of working for money, more of finding the right network to build a future career, and eventually for that right moment to get married and start a family and have my very own little ones calling me "Pa". Now, I just feel like I'm a huge load of mess, and I really feel very flustered and frustrated at myself. Unable to say my true feelings, unable to scream, unable to yell. Even if I wanted to, I can't...

God, tell me, is there such a phrase as “好心友好报"? Am I such a bad person? I wish you would just judge me now...

Below: Boss says eat eat! Don't torture ur stomach when u are hungry. I happily obliged...

Today is Valentine's Day, and also the 3rd Day at work. By now, I've already classified lots of laptops and repaired quite a few. Faulty CD ROMS, Change RAMs, Change HDDs, check the specifications, etc, all (almost all) I can do. Actually, this job quite interests me; all the computer and techy stiffs, hardwares and softwares (more on the hardware side). Also, it seens quite slack! Airconditioned environment, can sit down while working, can slack while computer scanning for errors, can go and get new year tidbits to munch on. The only xiong part today is moving individual boxes (About 20kg each!) of 9 laptops from the pallet to the work area, and from the work area back to the pallets.

ITP attachment at Dragon Kee Pte Ltd

Below: U want it, I have it. Hard disk drives from 8GB to 80GB... only lol

Below: The 4 terminals I operated on today to test HDDs for errors.

Below: Although messy, it is actually working!

Below: The bare essentials are connected to the motherboard. Extreme left is the HDD being tested.

Below: Laptops Galore!

There is nothing really nice about the Pantech Industrial Park. At least, I'm given a job that doesn't look quite xiong, and also, on computers. Basically, I'm attached to this computer company to learn how to assemble, strip, repair and troubleshoot PCs and Laptops. Also learn how to program and reformat and stuffs like that. The boss (Mr Ku) was so "Kool" to give me a Ang Bao with $10 inside! Really surprised me!

I spent the entire day checking loads of Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) for errors. Currenly I'm checking the 8GB older models. Each HDD takes between 7-12mins (some buggy ones took 20 over minutes).

Working hours is 10am to 7pm for weekdays and 10am to 2pm for saturdays. Really spoilt my plans to maple for the entire attachment period. Really getting sick stuck at level 126 and not getting better skills.

How I wished I can just shake you and make you snap out of your madness...

Sometimes, being depressed can make you do wierd things...

You may not know it, but others may see it...

After the incident is gone, you'll look back and wished it hadn't happened in the first place...

..and know that at least there are people that do not give up on you...

Through the New Year...

Below: The scene outside Chinatown. With all the deco, the place is really a pleasent sight.Below: Huat ah!! 888

Below: Uncle Ghim Xiang and family. Hardly do they come down from Taiping =)

08/02/2008
---------------
Destination - Chinatown Cherry Bar
Purpose - Melvin's B-Day
People - Melvin, Eric, Samuel, Darryl
Activities - Rave and Puke!

09/02/2008
---------------
Destination - Orchard Road / Paragon / Crystal Jade Restaurant
Purpose - Family Dinner
People - My Entire extended family in Sg. (23 heads total)
Activities - Family gathering!

Destination - Cocoon --> Dbl O --> Boat Quay --> West Coast Park
Purpose - Clear Ah A and Ju's Bottle / Celebrate Con's Bday
People - Ah A, Ah Ju, Jimmy, Jacky, Sharline, Kelvin, Cons, Zhe Ming
Activities - KTV, Dancing, Fun+Fun+Fun

CNY Eve

Below: Pa and Mommy preparing all the good food for ancestors. Mom took a breather!

Below: While the adults settled for mahjong session, the kids just had their fun

Below: Without fail, everytime at K-Box, I'll be singing wei4 le3 ta1. Die, my voice will become sore for few days!

The day started with me going down to visit WeiXian and chatting him up at his workplace near ZOOM. After that, I played maple for about an hour at ZOOM before returning home to help mom with preparing all the food required for prayers to our ancestors. Pa knocked off from work early to help us out. Funny I was tired, so I took a long nap all the way till about 5+6pm before getting changed for the reunion dinner.

Its the same atmosphere every year. Closer relatives like Uncle Francis' family, Auntie Kim's family and Ah Sam's family would gather at Uncle Tony's house for the reunion dinner. The bunch of us older guys now would be quieter and just be contented with sitting at one spot and all sorts of topics come pouring out. THe younger children like Shan, Ting, Kai and Ariel would have their own fun in the playroom and the adults like my Dad, Uncle Ying Kong, Uncle Huat and Da Be would be at the mahjong table swimming!

Later at night, when everyone has parted and going to rest for tomorrow. The bunch of us, Ah A, Ju, Ray, Sam and Uncle Huat went over to Clementi K-Box to sing our lungs out! Crappy voice I have! How I really wish I could sing better! People would ask: "For what?" I'd say: "To put stars in my girlfriend's hearts?!"

Anyway, this is the year of the Rat, and I hope this year would be a really great one for me! Wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year '08! Cheers to the Cheeze!

Rat (Mouse) 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008		Yippee! Rats will have a very lucky and prosperous year. You may even enjoy magnificent career prospects, especially if you were born in 1948 (there may be a promotion ahead). All Rats - especially female Rats - looks like they'll be able to overcome all obstacles and push their way through to fame and fortune. If you're a married female Rat, you'll really be able to help your husband in his job this year. You'll do even better if you ask for help from others. Rats do best when they're in a crowd.
GENERAL		You are ambitious yet honest, prone to spend freely. (I don't anyhow spend!) Seldom make lasting friendships. (That's not me either...)
WORK		There will be many opportunities for you to outperform others and show your talent, especially If you were born in 1948. This is a lucky year career-wise for Rats born in 1960 as well. Everything will go according to plan, and your dreams will be fulfilled - if you put aside your pride to ask for the help of others and heed advice given to you. If you were born in 1984, your teachers may be amazed at your witty and clever remarks! (Amazed at me getting zero marks!) Stay humble (especially male Rats) - no one wants to help an arrogant Rat!
MONEY		The only down side to your year is your financial fortune. Because you are doing so well at work (and in love), you'll be tempted to spend, spend, spend! Try to control this impulse think ahead and save for the future. Rats born in 1936 should keep your eyes on the budget, or risk financial loss. For Rats this year, short-term investments are more profitable than long-term ones. (I'll take not of that..)
HEALTH		Any sustained illnesses will have a chance of recovery. Rats should watch what they eat and pay special care to the liver and kidneys, particularly those born in 1924 or 1972. (*Haiz*, less french fries already...)
LOVE and FAMILY		Married couples will enjoy a close and happy married life. Single Rats, especially those born in 1960 and 1972, will have lots of admirers - and the end of the year (near 2000) is a good time for you to get married. But don't rush - it's better to marry the right person later than to marry the wrong person sooner, but forever. If you were born in 1924, you may feel lonely sometimes. Don't be shy about being friendly to family and pals - they'll enjoy your company.
Compatible in love		Ox, Dragon, Monkey
Not compatible in love		Horse
Compatible in business		Dragon, Ox

WOOD RAT Horoscope Feb 5, 1924 to Jan 23, 1925 Feb 2, 1984 to Feb 19, 1985 Rat People are so charming and attractive they are always surrounded by friends and admirers. They can also be lone tumbleweeds, seldom making lasting friendships. Known as Perfectionists, they never want to lose face. It takes an understanding friend to get them to "put on the dancing plumes." Rat people have vivid imagination and are known for creating extraordinarily magic moments in time. Not surprisingly, the sensitive Rats have the gift of insight and clairvoyance, so you better watch out what you think around them! Rats enjoy being leaders and pacesetters and usually enjoy extraordinary success in life. Hearty Bean Soup is one of the keys to good health for a Rat!! Wood rats don't care about firecrackers and whiz-bam-boom special effects. Still waters run very deep! Somewhat introverted and shy in social gatherings, Wood Rats nevertheless make a big impact when it comes to career, finance, and entrepreneurial projects. A big ego keeps this one focused on the big picture, talking only when necessary to make the next move. The enterprising Wood Rat knows and lives the rules in human dynamics: compromise, flexibility, "playing it by ear," the Golden Rule, and generosity. In the Love Boat, don't expect the Wood Rat to whisper a lot of sweet nothings; again, still waters run deep. They don't need words, they ACT their love, showering affection, kindness, and respect on their loved ones, who love them in return.

Below: Daniel and Dennis starting the fires for 1 of the 2 pits we have.

Below: Seems like a nice weather, but it'll rain later.

What a bad weather for a chalet, at least the bad weather was restricted to the afternoon to early evening times. Jeremy just turned 24, and he invited the entire mortar platoon for a BBQ. Cost of it was a mind-blowing $800! Anyway, happy 24th birthday dude!!