je m’appelle christiannn

i take taxis a lot an there is a reason why. recently the main topics that taxi drivers and i talk about are the increase in taxi prices and the ever growing ERP. the last 2 taxi drivers i met concluded that this is a money making government, not necessarily one that is for the good of the people. i found it funny that for 2 straight wednesdays that i was at kallang, the carpark attendant came. Michael Wu ended up having to pay $80 in 2 weeks for 2 very expensive bowls game. And its saddening especially for him to lose 20-21 to Gary.

i somehow find it very funny how the government thinks the transport system is going to work out. firstly, they say they do not want many cars on the road. yet for the last few years, COE prices have reached new lows. this i do not understand sorry. and they think ERP is going to help? seriously i find it unbelievably crazy they have just erected a new ERP gantry at Lor 8 Toa Payoh. Every car that is going to enter Toa Payoh (apart from the PIE) has to pay a fee in the morning. I think its ridiculously absurd.

secondly, you want people to take buses and trains. however, we are seeing constant increase in prices. Take for example a trip from my house to orchard mrt will cost me $1.85. If a family of 4 decides to go to town, the combined public transport fare will cost $7.40. On a good day without ERP and jams, I can get to town for less than $9 in a taxi. Even though I am only a EC1101E student, I know which one I will choose based on the marginal benefit theory. I think many share the same views as me. Maybe some certain sectors need fresh ideas, some ideas that are not too bright perhaps.

however i found what the taxi driver who was driving me to school today said shockingly true. he said, you wait, the new young Singaporeans will do something. There is a limit to what a country’s people would do for the government, and if you push it too far, people will rebel. I think this reminds me of John Locke. John Locke said that the government was at the mercy of its people. If the people are unhappy with the state, they can rebel against it. Gone are the days Singaporeans just do what people tell them to do. Many have become increasingly vocal, and soon you will see many are not fooled by the misleading acts some certain party display just before elections. Not that voting for Chiam See Tong will make things better, but it is in a way telling the main one that look, don’t think you will always remain sovereign.

somehow all these issues have an uncanny resemblance to the issues Bowls Singapore and ourselves have been tangled with the past year. it is in a way, scary.

i played a stupid match today, getting myself into all sorts of trouble i could do without. i was down 3-9 and 5-11 respectively and had to dig really deep to churn out an eventual 21-18 win, in which i utter a small little prayer up above, thanking him for guiding me through again two weeks in a row. playing stephen lo was much easier than playing gary goh and I am glad I do not have to hang up my bowls as what lew foong suggested if i lose.

I can really win this thing now.

NUS is proud to announce a new 3 years bachelor programme (4 years with honours) in Mahjong. Students will find ample opportunities in work and pleasure upon completion of this course, especially with the opening of the casinos in 2010. With knowledge of mahjong, they can ’stanleyfy’ the Vegas style casinos, making them feel a little more like home. This course is open to all individuals who have attained good GCE ‘A’ level and Diploma results. Prior knowledge of Mahjong is not required. However a grade of at least C6 in Hokkien, Teochew or Cantonese in the GCE ‘O’ levels is needed to take this course as simple dialects will be required during the game. This programme is scheduled to commence in Semester 1 of academic year 2008/09, and applications for this course will open the week after the release of the GCE ‘A’ level results. All nationalities and races can apply.

NUS is also releasing the modules that is listed under this new programme. More modules will be introduced as the programme moves into depth and when more qualified professionals are employed.

To graduate with a Bachelor in Mahjong, students must complete at least 80 MCs and have attained at a minimum CAP of 3.0. In addition, they must take and pass the following essential modules:

(i) MJ1101E Making Sense of Mahjong,

(ii) MJ2001 Approaches to Mahjong,

(iii) MJ2101 Understanding the Bamboo,

(iv) MJ2102 Understanding the Wan Zi, and

(v) MJ2103 Understanding the Circles.

To pursue honours, in addition to fufiling the above requirements, students must have a CAP of at least 3.5 and not attain any grade below C. Students who have gotten a grade below C but re-took the module and achieved a grade of C and above will be allowed to pursue honours if he or she has a CAP of at least 3.5. Students who want to graduate with first class honours must pursue the thesis project and attain a grade of at least A-. Students who do not wish to attempt the thesis project is still allowed to pursue honours, but will not attain first class honours

Level 1000 Modules

MJ1101E/GEK1939 Making Sense of Mahjong
This is an exposure module and is the requirement for all pursuing the Bachelor of Mahjong programme. Students will be taught basic mahjong skills, including seating, washing, stacking and taking cards. A brief introduction of how to count winds (tai) will also be taught. At the end of this module, students should have basic understanding of mahjong to enable them to play and also to move on to more in depth Level 2000 and 3000 modules. This exposure does not qualify you to play with those tai tais, who have vast experience playing everyday. All other FASS students can read this module as an exposure for Asian Studies.

For this module commencing in academic year 2008/09, we are proud to invite two more than qualified lecturers to take this module. This lecture will be co-taught by Dr. Christian Huang and Dr. Xu Jieqi, both of whom have graduated with doctorates from the prestigious Hong Kong School of High Level Gambling, opened by famous Hong Konger, Stanley To. We are expecting an enrollment of more than 500, and we will look at having 2 separate lecture groups.

Level 2000 Modules

MJ2001 Approaches to Mahjong
This module will deal briefly with various ways mahjong is played around the world. A further emphasis will be placed on how we can effectively prepare ourselves mentally before playing a game and how to ensure we maintain the energy throughout. The Dos and Don’ts of Mahjong will also be taught, including why you should move your ass during the shit (西) round.. This is also a pre-requisite module for students who intend to take Level 3000 modules on Mahjong in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Pai Kow.

MJ2101 Understanding the Bamboo
Students will study in depth the 9 different Bamboo tiles, including the different combinations, order, and ways we can game.

MJ2102 Understanding the Wan Zi
Students will study in depth the 9 different Wan Zi tiles, including the different combinations, order, and ways we can game.

MJ2103 Understanding the Circles
Students will study in depth the 9 different Circle tiles, including the different combinations, order, and ways we can game.

MJ2104/HY2345 History of Mahjong
This module deals with the origins of mahjong and how it has evolved through the years. Students will also critically evaluate how some changes in mahjong over the years have affected the face of the game. This module is also open to History students who want to learn more about the art of this game.

MJ2105 The Art of Words
After the completion of this module, students will know how to effectively use Dong, Nan, Xi and Bei, plus Bai Ban, Fa Cai and Hong Zhong. Students will also be taught how to effectively combine these words with Bamboos, Wan Zis and Circles. Students should at least know how to play half colour after this module.

MJ2106 Flowers and Animals
This module teaches the goods and bads of flowers and how you should deal with it should they appear at times you really hope they do not. Students will also be taught how you can actually game with flowers alone. Additionally, we will deal with the 4 animals, their history and their part in the game.

MJ2107 Peng Hu and Pong Pong Hu
Students will be taught how to play this 2 of the most important ways of gaming in mahjong. They will also study what to do when sometimes your cards mysteriously change from one to the other. The knowledge of this 2 can effectively help students to attain greater winds in mahjong.

MJ2108/MA2111 Chips and Bets
This module tells you how to count chips and what is the best initial values. This module also teaches you on how you count winds and the type of bets you can play in mahjong, and the cumulative payout when you game. This module is ideal for people who do not know how to count winds and end up shortchanging themselves. Students need only to have basic knowledge of mathematics. Knowledge of algebra or trigonometry is not required and will be of no benefit to you.

MJ2109 Three Legged Mahjong
This module is going to severely benefit gambling ghosts (kiaw gui). Three legged mahjong focuses on various aspects of how mahjong can be played with three people, including the tiles you should remove and how to play 13 ones.

Level 3000 Modules

MJ3101/SC3101 Society and Health
An increasing concern amongst Singaporeans especially with the opening of the 2 new casinos in 2010, this module deals with the issue on how Mahjong affects the society in both good and bad ways. Health benefits that mahjong brings across all ages will be dealt with. This module is ideal for students who needs to be convinced that mahjong is indeed a good thing.

MJ3201/JS3293 Japan Mahjong
This module focuses on Japan Mahjong, its origins and how its being played.

MJ3202 Hong Kong Mahjong
This module focuses on Hong Kong Mahjong, its origins and how its being played. This is by far one of the most common mahjong played around the world.

MJ3203 Taiwan Mahjong
This module focuses on Taiwan Mahjong, its origins and how its being played.

MJ3204 Mahjong in Western Countries
This module focuses on mahjong and its evolution in western countries. A different form of mahjong can now be commonly seen in casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. This module will teach students how they are played, and how the knowledge of Asian Mahjong will help those gamblers who are trying to make a windfall overseas.

MJ3205/IT3215 Mahjong and Computers
Globalisation and improved technology have allowed individuals who cannot fall asleep at night to play online mahjong. This module critically analyses Yahoo! mahjong and all other mahjong websites. We will also teach the mahjong matching game which has even made it into Singapore Airline’s Krisworld. After this module, 19 hour flights to New York will never be the same again.

MJ3301 Jokers
This module deals with the use of jokers in mahjong. This form of play can make mahjong more exciting, and people who enjoy seeing more Peng Hus, Pong Pongs Hus and other big wins will find this module interesting.

Level 4000 Modules

MJ4101 Predicting your opponent’s moves
This module teaches you on how you can tell what your opponent is playing by critically studying the cards they throw. The module will also teach you how to frustrate your opponents and play the correct cards at the correct time. This module is ideal for people who frequently ‘bao’ people because they throw big cards like nobody’s business.

MJ4102 Higher Level Gaming
This Level 4 modules teaches you on more rarely seen games like 13 ones and issues like Men Qing, fishing the last fish in the sea and how you can snatch someone’s ‘Gang’ to win. Xiao San Yuan and Da San Yuan will also be covered in this module. We will also deal with the ways you can further improve your game, making the best out of your cards. This module is ideal for people who have shit luck. After the completion of this module, students will have no excuse to zha hu.

MJ4103 Independent Study Module

MJ4500 Honours Thesis
Students will focus on issues related to mahjong and write a thesis for it. Students will work closely with their lecturers through the course of preparation for the thesis.

this post is courtesy of christian and no reproduction of any of the above material is allowed without the prior consent of the author. reproducing or copying any of the above is a violation of copyright laws and is punishable by law.

i found myself in anaheim, California one december afternoon. and being just a 5 minute walk away from disneyland, i felt obliged to at least walk to the disney boardwalk, even though i was severely jetlagged and hungry. i managed to pop by the disney store, and while browsing, came across a rack selling mickey mouse crocs, and the pink one was the first one that caught my eye. i smiled, and moved on. contrary to what some might think, i actually detest crocs, i think they are just fuggly-looking plasticky china-made lead containing los zapatos (though the mickey holed ones make it just slightly better).

i ended my day with an extremely salty clam chowder in a sourdough. i then retired to my haunted room, watched tv till late and slept till the next morning (with my soul intact).

I received this in my mail lately.

A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to
ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost
control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the
footpath, and stopped few centimeters from a shop
window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, and
then the driver said: “Look mate, don’t ever do that
again. You scared the daylights out of me!”.
The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize
that a little tap would s! care you so much.” The
driver replied, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault.
Today is my first day as a cab driver – I’ve been
driving a van carrying dead Bodies for the last 25
years…