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In a Moment

2011-09-08T17:12:00.003+08:00

In a Moment

In a blitz I ended my stint with my first job.

Right one the dot, one year of working experience and then I enter the ranks of civil service.

Nah.. nothing big.. I am just one step to becoming minister of education.

Speaking of which , in the midst of my 2 week sabbatical, I made my yearly pilgrimage to Ubin. I actually can't remember if I went last year.. did I? Well Facebook photos say I went last year but was not on bike.

So this year, I went full force, with a different crew, and made my biggest contributions to the environment yet. My new pair of custom made Oakleys.

I said it once and I will say it again, to you who took my Oakleys and pocketed it:
DIIEEEE YOU FREAKING CHEAPSKATE PIECE OF MERDE I HOPE YOU TRIP AND HAVE THE OAKLEYS POKE YOUR FACE AND IT GETS STUCK THERE FOR LIFE YOU GREEDY PIG ASS FACE

Now that I have got that out of my hair, I am on my way to replacing my Oakleys and, and also to get a pair of Ray Bans.

*****
While we were at Ubin, Kenvin was so keen to know about our personal army incredible tales, we just went on and on, so much so that we were caught right in the middle of the monsoon.

I gave them a first hand account of my very own encounter with our HAO XIONG DI.

By the time the rain stopped, we were engrossed in the conversation. As we moved off, that must be the times when I left my Oakleys on the bench. URGH!

I said it once and I will say it again, to you who took my Oakleys and pocketed it:
DIIEEEE YOU FREAKING CHEAPSKATE PIECE OF MERDE I HOPE YOU TRIP AND HAVE THE OAKLEYS POKE YOUR FACE AND IT GETS STUCK THERE FOR LIFE YOU GREEDY PIG ASS FACE

In any case, Kenvin's enthusiasm in knowing more about the tales of army, it actually got me thinking about my next career. They say every school has its fair share of creepy tales. I am wondering if I would get to meet any of them?

*****

It was the last year of my of NS days, and I was the personal assistant to my BSM (Band Sergeant Major). My unit is housed in the infamous White House in Nee Soon Camp, which was name the top 3 most haunted building in Singapore.

That afternoon, when all have went to lunch, I was still busy with some memos, so I decided to go to lunch a little later. The guys had the only set of keys to the office passed to me. They left and I was alone in the room.

If you have been through NS, and have done some office work, you would probably know that we used Open Office, and the computers are linked to the printer via a analog dial switch port. That means if computer A wants to print, the switch had to be turned to "A"

I was using "A". The switch was at "A". "B" was off. There was no "C".

Then, the printed started printing my name in full.
"Lim Chen Guo..."

I checked the paper tray to see if this was a prank. Nope? I checked the print job list, Nope. Can't be "B" because it was off.
The printed start printing again.

"Lim Chen Guo...."

And again...

"Lim Chen Guo..."

I picked up my keys, and dashed out of the office. Locked the doors, left the compound.

I came back sometime later when lunchtime was ending to open the office. I stepped in, everything was untouched.

The 3 printed sheets bearing name, was laid on my table neatly. And all the time no one was in the office.

******

I said it once and I will say it again, to you who took my Oakleys and pocketed it:

DIIEEEE YOU FREAKING CHEAPSKATE PIECE OF MERDE I HOPE YOU TRIP AND HAVE THE OAKLEYS POKE YOUR FACE AND IT GETS STUCK THERE FOR LIFE YOU GREEDY PIG ASS FACE

Amusement Park

2011-04-15T09:59:00.003+08:00

Amusement Park

This is pretty amusing to read:

Original post:
"I am currently 27 years old, a fresh graduate and earning 2.5K a month. I know what it means to wait for more than 3 years just to get a flat. I know how it feels to earn my own money to keep myself alive yet have enough money to give my parents allowance, and prepare for my future.They do not need to go to universal studios, they are fine with a simple meal at home. I know how it feels to have a granny with dementia where attention must be given at all times.

My question to you is, do you know? Do you truly know the needs of the people you are serving? Do you know what it means to be a Singaporean?

If Singaporeans ever give you chance, that is because they believe you will grow under a veteran politician who has served the nation in great ways.

If all else fails, please do consider living life on your own two feet instead of taking tax payers' hard earned money to make irrelevant statements to the public."

Replies:
"Blame yourself Daogei....... my friend 26 years old earning 5.5k a month( Selling Chicken rice), also know what it means to wait for more than 3 years just to get a flat. He also know how it feels to earn his own money to keep himself alive yet have enough money to give his parents allowance, and prepare for my future. He also know how it feels to have a granny with dementia where attention must be given at all times.
But he didn't complaint, not like you. Although he is fresh graduate, he is humble and mind his own business, I respect him and not you."

"Terrance shut up man.. Dont like his story, don't comment can?"

"Terrance be kind, be gracious, Daogei is only making a statement from his viewpoint from his own experience. Everyone is different, he is different. Not everyone is lucky and capable like your friend earning $5.5K a month selling chicken rice. There are many chicken rice sellers who don't even make enough to feed themselves let alone raise a family. So back to Daogei, I don't see him as complaining and I see him asking a very valid question to young politician-to-be "Do you know.... do you really know" and this is such a simple question yet there's so much depth in it."

"Terence, it is clear Daogei wasnt at all complaining. U obviously have a problem understanding basic English. It would b best if u cut the crap n keep ur opinion to urself if u dont like his statement."

"Lol Terrance,
Your response speaks a lot about you. Let me give it straight to your face since you obviously spare no consideration for what Daogei is going through. It's obvious you are the sort who assumes too much and jumps to conclusion.

Why I say so?
1. Did you ask your friend how much allowance he's givning his parents and how often? Did you ask Daogei then and compare? How would you know if Daogei is not giving more despite the fact he's earning less?

2. Do you know what Daogei means by "attention must be given at all times?" or do you simply assume you know? Dementia is the loss of brain function that affects speech, behaviour, judgement, memory and thoughts. A person with loss of speech + memory + mood swings will certainly require more care than a person with just a loss of memory even though both required attention at all times. So, did you even bother to ask Daogei or do you simply assume your friend's and his granny are "the same"?

3. Your friend is earning 5.5k and Daogei is earning 2.5k which is less than half. You are not even comparing apples with apples and yet you complain Daogei is complaining?

Don't tell me your friend don't complain because everyone does at some point in their life just that you may not be around to hear it; or maybe he does not bother to complain in front of you simply because he knows he'll get no sympathies."

"Just me,

Obviously i have problem understanding basic 'england' because i am not 'Ang Mo'. Don't look down on typical Singaporean like me. You go cut the 'crab', n mind your own business."

"Thomas, a moment ago you were Terence and now you suddenly change your identity to Thomas. Why you have an identity problem? Obviously, your english is not so bad but your replies are so childish. Grow up."

"@Terence/Thomas, I suppose u r now suffering from Demetia urself? Mayb u would like to consider 'BORROWING' $ from ur high income fren to get ur medical problem seen to? Mayb then u would CRAP less or better yet, CRAP NO MORE. As a gesture of goodwill, I will offer to buy u a good dictionary so that u can refer to it when u read others posts n comments to find out the correct meaning b4 u misunderstand their meaning n jump the gun. U'r gona thank me one day as u will in the event also improve on ur vocab n standard of "England"."

"Bro "Demetia"? Wrong spelling."

*****
No honestly, I think "Terrence" has a point. I may not be earning 5.5k a month, so maybe I am not so pro afterall.

WOW! I must say, the greatest entrepreneur nowadays are not those people heading SMEs and MNCs, they are your neighbourhood coffee stall owners.

Later during lunch, you go to your CAI FAN uncle and tell them "YOU HAVE SUCH A SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE"!

*Face palm*

For the full conversation, please refer to the following link:

"http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/conscience-clear-tin-pei-ling-20110414-001731-974.html"

What Do I have to Say?

2011-04-14T17:11:00.004+08:00

What Do I have to Say?

I replied to the post on Yahoo! regarding Tin Pei Ling:

I am currently 27 years old, a fresh graduate and earning 2.5K a month. I know what it means to wait for more than 3 years just to get a flat. I know how it feels to earn my own money to keep myself alive yet have enough money to give my parents allowance, and prepare for my future.They do not need to go to universal studios, they are fine with a simple meal at home. I know how it feels to have a granny with dementia where attention must be given at all times.

My question to you is, do you know? Do you truly know the needs of the people you are serving? Do you know what it means to be a Singaporean?

If Singaporeans ever give you chance, that is because they believe you will grow under a veteran politician who has served the nation in great ways.

If all else fails, please do consider living life on your own two feet instead of taking tax payers' hard earned money to make irrelevant statements to the public.

NAH! Here is a photo taken of me when I was visiting the museum. I put it here because I really like it. And no. I do not own Kate Spades, but I own Oakleys. Maybe I should take a Kawaii pose too?

What can you say?

2011-03-27T00:13:00.012+08:00

What can you say?

WOW!

Look at this place. So much cobwebs, so much dirt. Why didn't anyone come and clean up this place?

This place has been left untouched for almost a good 8 whole months. EIGHT??

HUAT AH!

Ok wrong festivity, now Qing Ming, so better be somber a bit.

NOw now.. some many thing shave happened over the past 8 months and I do not even think where to start.

I guess I should talk about work. EVERYONE talks about work. WHAT IS THIS? 5 days not enough?

So I will not talk about work as work has not been so happening because nothing's happening.

Now so what has been happening?

Nothing.

Ok.. So there is really nothing to talk about. SO why am I still writing this blog?

Well.. that's because nothing's been happening.

Divinity

**********
Anyway, this piece is dedicated to Jermine, who so unpatiently kept asking me to update, and when it is finally completed, she said she will read it later.

Awesome.

Throughout these 8 months, I have learnt that the hardest word to say is NO.

We will all like to think to we can do whatever is stacked on our tables. We would all want to impress whoever we want to impress. So we just nod, and say yes.

That nod, is just a spell. And you will see little elves building the piles on your table. It gets higher. And Higher.

Does this seem somehow familiar? And is this a curse of working life?

We all need to learn to say no. So who can we learn this from?

I was at my sister's place. She is now a mother of 3. And so there she was, instructing her eldest girl to do something, and she replied NO!

of course she had to pick up her stuff in the end, but what amazed me was the courage to say No, when she really didn't felt like saying yes.

Courage is lost as we grow up.

We begin to be afraid of saying no.
We begin to be afraid to bear our heart to others.
We begin to be afraid of failure that we stop trying altogether.

Spirited

I stand at a crossroads now.

Do I continue trying? Or do I alight and wait for the next train?

Iron

And yes,
I will talk about work, but that is another story for another day.

Picking up Bread - Part 2

2010-07-16T00:45:00.005+08:00

Picking up Bread - Part 2
Following the trail of bread takes you places where you thought you never been before… but the fact is, you’ve probably been there and have bitched about it.

Like what everyone said, you studied like crazy for four years, lost countless hours of sleep, cried and bled buckets; finally, you go on stage, for slightly under 2 minutes, shook hands with someone whom you have never seen before, took some precious scroll from him leave thestagelistentoboringspeechesandhorriblemusicalperformancesthrownsomehatstake9999999999999999999photos just so you can finally,

Work.

Not that I have found any. Which honestly has begun to worry me a little.

Somehow I am very tempted to look back and reminiscent about these 4 years of study. I decided I won’t. It is pointless because all is said and done.

I’ve always wondered why is it called commencement. After an ultra boring and uninspiring speech by Mr. Trying-too-hard, I am still lost.

So I took liberties to inject my own meaning.

What exactly has commenced?

1. A time of yearning for the priviledges you enjoyed as a student has commenced. No more concession passes for bus and MRT rides. No more cheap canteen food. No more classes to skip. Most importantly, no more room for mistakes. Work is a place for tigers and lions to prey.

2. A time of searching has begun. For most it is the search for a job. For some, it is a search for a partner. For all, it is a search for a purpose. For me, I purpose to not miss school so much. It makes it easier on working life. Not like I am in it now, but while some of my friends are getting ready for school, I am beginning to miss my berms and slippers.

3. A time for PARTYING has begun. Usually this includes a lot booze, good food, and lotsa bitchin.

4. My life has just begun.

I went for an interview today, and they asked me about school. I told them that there are no favourite semesters. There are only memorable and the not so memorable.

Of course everybody will remember the final semester because those are the nearest. But for me other times take a more accessible place in my memory.

Theatre studies. Will never forget “Noraizah, that’s her name right? But she prefers Nora..”

Management Organization. The two free rides on the Singapore Flyer, and nonsensical lines.

OMG. OMG HOW CAN FORGET?

As I pick the trail left behind, I look forward. The picked up bread in my pockets, I am sure will proof to be useful bites in the future. Either ways, it will just end up in my stomach.

All I can hope for now is that society will give me an opportunity to shine.

The future is bright.

"Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run.
There's no hurry anymore, when all is said and done."
~ABBA

Picking Up Bread - Part 1

2010-07-12T15:27:00.004+08:00

How do you pick up the pieces of bread left all over the floor after so long?
I sat at my desk, facing 3 computers with some free time on my hands. So I decided to start typing away for this little website that I have no been updated for the past.. Well.. For a long time.

I just returned from my graduation trip. A short one-weeker in the not so distant Borneo Island.

A symmetrical end.

I begin a new chapter of my life at the foot of the mountain. And I ended that chapter, beginning yet another one, at the foot of the same mountain 4 years later.

A revisit brings back something new.

I cannot help but remember what I said to one of the fellow climbers (not in my entourage):

“We came here 4 years ago..”

“O really?”

“Yeah, I was trying to overcome some fears of mine.”

“So did you?”

“Sadly no.”

Looks like nothing changed. But really?

This time around, we were supposed to try the Via Ferrata, but they cancelled it due to bad weather. So we had to descend from the summit the same way as before.

Well, the vertical walls did not look as intimidating as before, but still, old fears lingers. Funny how I never had problems with Inverters and the Viking Ship, and I was OK when looking down from the Pinnacle.

So right at where I was, at the rest house (also known as Pendant Hut), feeling lousy and complete failure, a girl sitting on the opposite table broke out on tears…

“It was so torturous, I could not breathe, and my legs were aching. It was so steep. I kept slipping, and falling I aborted. I could not take it anymore..”

I recalled that just a couple of hours ago, I was huddling, as in really hugging on to Eugene like a koala, and thinking “God, JUST TAKE ME NOW!”

The wind was blowing us hard.

I think the temperature was hovering between 2-4 Degrees C, and we needed every warmth we could get.

2 hours later, we are back in the rest house, eating hot sausages, and slowly warming up.

Then Weiye gave me a look that read,

“Well, you finished the climb.”

And I did not keep slipping like the last time.

Key lesson number 1: Bright yellow Addidas shoes do not work for me AT ALL!

Key Lesson number 2: It is possible to scale the mountain, with slippers while carrying heavy loads.

And that was about the porters carrying supplies up to the rest houses in the mountain. Kudos and respect to them.

And yes. I DID finish the climb.

(And I am kinda feeling a little withdrawal, which is most probably why I am typing away about it now.)

So a couple of weeks later, I look back and I suddenly realize that it seemed so far away.

It felt like I had already graduated and have been unemployed for 10 years.

Yet, it was only 12 days ago.

And soon, I will no longer be a student.

I wonder what the future holds for me?

Say My Name Say My Name.

2009-08-31T00:04:00.001+08:00

My name is officially Jacobe.

Not Jia Ko-pi (eat coffee). Neither am I some kind of biscuits.

Its pronounced as Ya-Ko-Be, you know like the kobe beef? Get it Get it?

But seriously, just call me Zhengguo the next time you see me.

Now, my water baptism experience is very special in that I got wet even before I entered the pool. Yes. It was raining. God sure does have wonderful ways to make this experience memorable. And I tell, when God says He will rain down, He will rain down. No joke.

To me, water batpsim has always been something that i wanted to do. It is just weird that you believe and trust ina God, but you dare not publicly declare.

But the delay was also due to fact that my old man never approved of the existence of religion in the family. And for some reasons, he believes that once we are baptised, we will lose our future as we are doomed to be pastors. God Bless his soul.

But there will come a day when I need to take control of my life and do something I truly wanted to do. So I spoke to him one last time.

" If you want to go I can't stop you also, but you got to bear the consequences.."

What consequences, I do not know. But I do know, that now I have crossed over, I feel that this new encounter with God have already began His work in my life.

One major event done. I wonder what is next.

I want to thank those people who were there with me today. My cell group, my friends. Wanna thank Chee Weng for standing there with me. Congratulations on your water baptism too.
And thank you dear, for walking into the pool with me.
Thank you my Lord Jesus for being there everyday of my life.

Jogging Shoes From Prada?

2009-08-10T22:50:00.000+08:00

Jogging Shoes From Prada?

I jogged. And Jogged. And jogged. Until I could jog no more, I slowed and I mumbled to myself..

"I would've kill myself trying."

"O CG, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it you want to me to say to you huh?
DO you want me to say poor you, the terrain's picking on you, poor you poor CG.. HMM? Wake up 34, they're just doing their job.

Don't you know you are running along the same routes that carried some of the greatest runners of the decade,
Auntie from 1st avenue, cute dude from your block, hot babe from the opposite block?

And what they did, what they created was greater than exercise, because you live your life in it.
Well not you obviously, but some people do.

You think this is just a workout? This not just a workout. This is a shiny beacon of hope for..lets say a slightly fatter but cute boy living in Bedok with other siblings pretending to go to reservist when he really slacking and reading The Newpaper under the glances of his sergeants in his No. 4.

You have no idea how many legends run through these, and what's worse, you don't even care. Because this route, where so many people would die to run, you only deign to run.

And you want to know why that hot babe living opposite doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold-star at the end of your IPPT receipt at the end of the day.

Wake up, sweetheart."

And after saying all of this, I took one more deep breath, and continued to run until I reached .... no not my destination, but the next bus stop.

I continued walking.

Looking alike

2009-07-31T00:39:00.002+08:00

Looking Alike

One of the things about shifting rooms is that you get to dig up old trash that you thought you lost donkey years ago.

"OH! So that's where my keys went!"
"I was looking for these underwear!"
"WAH LAU, no wonder my wallet was short of $50!" ( I wish..)

And this does not exclude things that you wished had been buried, but yet, fate, like God, works in very mysterious ways. I found my old book of autographs that my old school friends from secondary school and primary school would write in before we graduate. You know? Those books where you would pass around, and then people would decorate the pages and write nice things about you.

Now there are the things that will make you scream:
"ARGGGHHH!! I looked like that last time?????""""

And I found a particular picture of me.. well not just of me actually..
Try and see if you can spot me?

Well another thing that i have dug up are my old Japanese serials.
Actually i have began watching some of them and as a result have slept late over the past few days.

I must say, I have always admired the Japanese, and their dramas.

Unlike Hong Kong's, Japanese serials usually do not last more than 12 episodes, excluding the movies and "specials."
The longest I remember was A-Shin and Heaven's Coin.

Unlike the Taiwan's, Japanese serials do not have cheesy music and theme songs. They usually have customized soundtracks. I personally like the soundtrack from "Overtime" and a few others.

Finally, unlike the Singapore's, Japanese serials does not have plots comprising 3 people gambling over the past 20 years.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the rest sucked, I for one really loved Kim Sam Soon, but I still feel I enjoyed Japanese serials more.

Of course, there are a handful of crappy soaps, but even the crappy ones have merits such as good directing or fabulous artistic camera angles.

Thing about dramas is, once you start, you are hooked. I am sure many of us are still trying to catch Ugly Betty, Prison Break, and Heroes.

I am currently watching this drama starring Toshiaki Karasawa, who is a famous cook working in a small restaurant.

For some strange reason, when I see him , I see Jude. But they really look alike don't you think? The same hamster-ish features, even their behaviour also quite similar. Just that Karasawa is sooo much better looking.

Jude needs to do something about his hair, i think rebonding and some colour would be nice. And o, he needs to shave.

The Thinking camp

2009-07-11T01:12:00.002+08:00

The Thinking Camp

When I was in Secondary 3, I attended an outdoor adventure camp. And that was the first time when i experienced living under a tent, underneath a starry sky.

There was only one thing that I had longed for during those 3 nights out in the open, to be in the special room in which the teachers were sleeping. In the room where the air conditioner was buzzing just a few steps away.

Since that day, I had always wanted to be in that room of the camps. And this was also the case during army.

For 5 days and 4 nights, it rained non stop. The only thing associated with the sergeants and officers that looked inviting during army was their training shed. They looked snugged, warm and totally comfortable.

So you can imagine how I must have felt this time during Freshmen Orientation Camp 2009, I was actually in that coveted room. Only to realise that entry to that room includes paying a price. Not monetary of course, but then again my savings did caved in slightly.

In that room, people sacrifice sleep just so to ensure that the next day runs smoothly.
In that room, people do their best to ensure the best happens for the days ahead.
In that room, people sacrifice finances just to let the people outside have a better life.
In that room, people tear each other down without intending.

At this point in time, I was consumed with trying to strike a balance among making new relationships with the people, helping out with the running of the show, and trying to ensure that everyone's comfortable and happy.

At church you learn, that with leadership, comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes maturity. With leadership and responsibility, people look up to you. Being looked up to, sadly, runs alongside of being lonely. You no longer stand on equal grounds.

This is my last CNM camp as an CNM student and I had not made much friends with the freshmen, honestly. The conversations I made were all sorta official. The announcement kind, or the informative kind.

To say that I have tried my best would be a lie, because at certain point in time, I begin to doubt if the balance is even possible.

This is also the time when my own capabilities have been questioned. Right in the midst of all the preoccupation, old fears and self doubts once again came back to haunt me.

And the question is raised again, as always, have I been biting more than I can chew?

P.S.
Congrats guys, you did an amazing job.

Misuse?

2009-07-02T01:36:00.002+08:00

Misuse

Your failure to comply with an earlier warning has resulted in this block.

Please note that this block is temporary and can last anything from a few hours to a few days. Facebook cannot lift this block for any reason. Please be patient and refrain from using this feature for a few days.

Continued misuse of Facebook's features may result in your account being permanently disabled.

Which of the following links describes what you were trying to do? Clicking on a link will take you to more information on how to use Facebook's features.

Using Applications
Planning an Event
Sharing your Facebook Group/Event Link
Promoting a business, product or service
Chatting with friends

------------

Dear Facebook,

Please get your terms right. I was not misusing the feature, I was merely overusing it.

And for your information, I was not doing anything illegal.

And I can't believe you will block people just because they are over chatting with their friends.

So Facebook is just for us to look at each others' faces is it?

Pleas get this right, without us, these over enthusiastic people, I do not think your site would be popular as it is today.

If my memory serves me right, you guys were facing the dumps some time back, so now that your wings have gotten stronger you decided to take flight?

How foolish.

Even now, you stop me from commenting on a comment on my own status.
The audacity!

God these people!

The Aladdin with a Twist

2009-07-01T02:01:00.002+08:00

The Aladdin with a Twist

The CNMs'09.
The camp you wouldn't want to miss.
For more information or registration, kindly visit:

http://thecnms09.wordpress.com/

What can I say?

I can play any role.

There will come a time

2009-06-23T01:44:00.002+08:00

There Will Come A Time

No matter the number of cups of coffee, the cans of red bull you drink, there will come a time that you will feel the fatigue. There will come a time when all that was powerful and zealous must rest.

I am now in school.

No the holidays are not over.
No I am not doing special semester.
No I am not a mugger.
No neither am I escaping from some dramatic trauma.

NO I certainly do NOT love the school so much that I cannot live one day without it.

I am here planning a camp for NUS students to be.

We are now trying to achieve 80% completion for the planning process of the camp, But as you can see I am blogging. I have 4 people playing facebook games, 1 guy playing an online game and the other 2 watching online video.

We have lost to the claws of the internet.

There is a joke within the committee. At any one point when someone makes a minor mistake, we will jeer at the person "you are so untrustworthy!"

The origins of this joke is unknown (BleahH! Actually I do know, but I do not want to tell. Nanee Nanee boo boo~).

But this has raise certain questions of trust. Remember the saying that people only remember the one bad thing and forgot about thousands of good things that you have done.

In any case, the WHOLE ex co is now playing the darn game!

hahah... and that includes me.

And now we are off for supper after everyone has Gamed over.

I did the Unfathomable

2009-06-18T14:55:00.003+08:00

I Did the Unfathomable

I left an LV in the parking lot.

I LEFT AN LV IN THE PARKING LOT!

At times like this, you must be asking me why am I doing this? That is because I had to travel for almost 1.5 hours just so I can reach FAR East for work assignments. Work assignment that had me struggling to wake up early and travel all the way to the East.

The summer vacation is seeing me how I would be as a teacher.

I remember the night before I took on this part time job, I had a 2 hour talk with my employer and how she was talking her woes and tides and grand vision for the future. Then, she asked me to go down for an interview, and so I took my virgin Kembangan bus ride.

Teaching I begun thus. On official paperworks, I am known as co-presenter. Cool eh?

So why did i leave the LV in the parking lot? Its because the job descriptions of a co-presenter also includes carrying things.. TONS OF THINGS for the main presenter. So much in abundance that I left the LV in the parking Lot of the school.

I did the unfathomable.

KTV, celebrating Po's birthday, and reaching home at 3 a.m. and then sleeping at 4 a.m. is a good idea. But not when you have to wake up at 6.30 a.m. to take east train rides.

But alas! the waking up still had to be done. Only, the train ride turned into a cab ride that costs as much as the KTV a few hours before.

I did the Unfathomable.

Happy birthday Po!

Montage (NUSPS photography competition) left a scar on me.

Never had I imagined that i lost to a guy who failed to comply with the rules. Worse, failed to admit that he had. WORSE, to have his father supporting him. WORSE! To have him coming from a top fine arts academy in singapore.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that this will dampen my spirit (you go girl!). But really, I had not had the chance to walk around and take photographs. I think I am lacking practice.

So when's the next go-around-and-take-photo day? Anyone? Po? Wy?

Meanwhile, I will just fiddle around with my EOS 350D, the one snobby NUS students refused to borrow.

Even the Doctors Wear Prada

2009-06-03T11:13:00.003+08:00

Even the Doctors Wear Prada!

During rounds, he taught me how to observe the professor's expression.

"See, one nod means good, two nods means very good. There has actually been 1 smile and that was the intern Darrell in 1995. If there is an error he shakes his head. And then there is the twitching of the eyebrow... which means fatal."

-Extracted from Singapore Medical Association Anniversary Publication

What can possible happen?

2009-05-15T01:54:00.002+08:00

What can possibly happen?

What can possibly happen on a hot day?

Let me tell you.

1. Your brother falling down the stairs while reading.

A long and bone-chilling shriek broke the morning silence. I jumped out of my sleep and rushed out of the room, to find my mother fumbling with the lock and key.

Me:"Simi dai ji??" (Hokkien for "whats the matter?")
Mum: "Your brother fell down the stairs!"

I took the keys from her hands and I opened the gate and walked down the first flight of stairs, only to see my brother at the foot of the flight, on his butt, struggling slightly like a turtle being turned over.

Me: "Wah lau, what the heck?"
Bro: "I was reading Today, then I slip and fell"
Me: "Sia la! You know you should not read and walk right? Some more going down the stairs. So garang for what?"

After we applied ice on the sprained ankle, he managed to stand up, and make it to the doctor's. Thank the heavens he injured his left ankle, and can still drive everyone around. Hiakz Hiakz.

2. Because your brother has a sprained ankle, I have to carry a TV all the way from my house to the car, and then to the service centre.

The TV broke down.
And my brother is supposed to bring the TV to the service centre.
Then he injured his ankle because he was careless.
And I have to bring the TV instead.

If you have come to my place, you would know that my house does not have any lifts. And so I have to carry the TV all the way from the fourth floor, down the stairs, fearing I would suffer the same fate as my brother.

I made it to the car, only to find the TV would not fit into the boot, and so I had to spend another 5-10 minutes trying to fit the TV into the backseat.

Now the TV is at the service centre. And I was thinking of skipping gym, but Jude was already next to me, and he accompanied me to the service centre, so I got to service h... I mean i got to be thankful to him.

3. Your garden will blossom

On a lighter note, my brother's sun flower has blossomed, and it is really pretty. My brother planted them with the intention of giving them to ladies.

I took one for Peijing, he took one for his Girlfriend, and We gave one to our Mum.

But we also have a very pleasant surprise. My brother scattered some random seeds fruits that we have just eaten a few weeks ago.

Out of the corner of the pot, grew a weird plant that seemed vaguely familiar to me.

And then as the plant grew, remnants of my primary school Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) surfaced...

Back then, I was in Science and Gardening Club, and each of us would have a small plot of land. We were given seeds at random and we would be responsible for the plant.

Some were give Parsley, Balsam... But I was given a plant called Sugar Baby.

The picture on the packaging showed a watermelon. But the teacher said the actual name of this breed is Sugar Baby, because at maturity, the fruit is only the size of an orange.

Now this plant looks exactly the same as one on my window ledge. I wonder if we will get to eat the sweet fruit like when I did in Primary school

Stressed..

2009-05-10T23:50:00.002+08:00

Stressed..

This is the reason why you should not teach tuition during exams; you will be at a lost for what to do so as to not make your lessons as boring as your lecturer's, so you start playing weird games and come up with weird questions:

.
.

3. When Samuel has a higher body temperature than Andy, we mean that _____

a) Samuel is Hotter than Andy.
b) Samuel is giving out more heat then Andy.
c) Samuel probably has more heat energy.
d) Andy is lighter than Samuel.
.
.
5. Darrell stands on a top of a mountain that is 365 metres taller the one Andy is on.

a) Darrell has higher kinetic energy than Andy.
b) Darrell exercises more than Andy.
c) Darrell has more potential energy than Andy,
d) Darrell looks better than Andy.

I only realised what I wrote after I returned from dinner, and by then it was too late to rewrite the questions, and I just ran out of correction tape.

But..

LADIES AND GENTLE(WO)MEN, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE LOOOOONNNNGGGGG EXAMS ARE FINALLY OVER!!

Some people dread the examination halls. Its a no wonder. The examination hall is the place where friends turn into enemies, where brothers and sisters and set upon one another.

Its the place where people are busy removing knives from their backs. Knives pushed in by their friends, enemies and lecturers.

So you would've think that they would cancel the examinations due to H1N1. But alas, N*S is all about watching students burn and at the same time digging money from our (parents') pockets.

The Point?

2009-05-02T03:34:00.004+08:00

The Point?

A is a guy from NTU Faculty of Engineering and has not stabbed a professor.
B is a girl from NTU School of Humanities and social sciences, and there are not stabbing incidents there.
C is guy from NUS FASS, and he is not a streaker, flasher, but would like to see one and laugh out loud.

A:Hey examinations are so over!
B: Finally can go out and shop, where do you want to go?
A: Town?
B: Can shop shop yeah~
C: Can don't talk about this in front me..

A & B: heh~~~~

So much for being the student from one of Asia's premier school.

Gosh.. this examination is really too long, I feel like I have been stretched, like butter, spread over to much bread.

I did a mental count in my head and I realize for tis semester, I actually shot 3 videos, and one being over 10 minutes long.
And I am not even doing module that focuses on video productions, but I think I already know how to use the programs.

Ok, this post is beginning to sound whiny, and it is probably going to sound cliche, but I have been questioning about school. it all begins with my overhearing this conversation:

AA*: Your daughter is currently studying at SMU? Exams are over right?
AB*: Yeah. your son? He is in SIM right?
AA*: Yeah, have not even started, he wanted to go and study Nursing at NUS, but could not get in. He was offered though this year, but I told him to forget it, since he is already one year in SIM.
AB*: Yar, if not waste the school fees..

*AA Stands for Auntie A and AB stands for Auntie B

Firstly, I pity the child, study so hard, then finally got the long awaited course, the mother told him to forget it. I mean compare NUS with SIm.. hello?

Secondly, I cannot believe Auntie B just supported Auntie A. Could it be that AB wants to remove competition?

But seriously, then what's the point in studying? Then I begin to think back that Nasser actually was talking about SIM students now have an equal chance in employement.

Now.. then I am wondering, What's the point?

The point is... the point is ....

We really need to figure out where to place Donatella because she is hardly speaking to anyone....

Hear hear, nothing's going on between me and my princess, nor like Miranda and Steven (The Devil Wears Prada).

In fact, it's been two months and we are getting stronger. I know sometimes I kinda get a little shaky, but hey, this is only the beginning, I have faith that we will be closer and stronger.

Unbelievable

2009-04-26T23:44:00.003+08:00

Unbelievable

Time: 1:30 a.m.
Place: Lorong Kismis

He was on the car, about to turn left into the junction just as he always does. Out of the corner of the eye, he saw 2 guys, assumably teenagers, crouching on the curb, next to the taxi.

The two teenagers looked up and saw the approaching car, and then stood up and ran away, into the compound. He parked the car and then walked into the compound and saw the teenagers ran out.

After taking a shower, he felt slightly unease. He walked out back to the road. Then, he heard his car alarm went off, and once again saw the 2 teenagers, and shouted at them and they ran off, away from the taxi, away from the compound.

Before he can reach them, the two of them have ran and disappeared at the junction.

At dawn, the taxi driver walked to his taxi and found THREE door handles badly damaged. No windows were broken, no locks were picked, no property missing, well but badly damaged.

Investigation officers came, took fingerprints and investigations are underway. According to the police, the "tool" was most probably a screwdriver, and thus this was not the work of a skilled opponent.

In addition, this is the second case of attempted break-in on the same day and at the same area. (???)

*the above commentaries were taken from a conversation between the owner, his son and the neighbour, who spotted the two suspects*

Unbelievable, what are people thinking about lately?

You know how I have been complaining about the younger generations, how they have morally degraded? Like for example the way they respect their seniors, be it their teachers or otherwise.

According to my neighbour, these two KIDS look nothing older than 18 years old. And if so, these kids have no sense of considerations at all. Now my dad has to miss one working day so as to send the car for repairs, and that eans less money for me to spend.

How considerate can they get?

Later this after, my dad drove the taxi to one of the workshops. Then he, the technician, and the manager were cursing the balls off the culprits.

Technician: Why would they do this? Was your cash card in the reader? Any valuables or money left lying around?
DAD: NO lah! I bring everything up home with me. Nowadays in Singapore, where got safe?
Manager: YEAH LAH! CHE* B*E! Some more spoil THREE! Might as break the glass, can open the door and go for a spin some more. F*CK!

I am Tan Ah GOu

2009-03-25T22:13:00.000+08:00

E is for Education

2009-02-02T17:29:00.007+08:00

E is for Education

Thump! Thump! Blam!
I stood next to the teacher's desk as she threw my exercise books, pencils and textbooks out of the classroom door. One by one.

If you known me well enough, you would know that my handwriting is atrocious. If you can read one line without asking what a word is, congratulations, you have a future in a clinic.

And that is the reason why my english, chinese character practice exercise book, along with my blunt pencils and dirty eraser, would always end up outside the classroom. Not to forget a humiliating lecture before the book (and all other stuff) flew, and then I would go after them fetching it like a pup.

Now, that brings back memories of the days where the teacher does not distribute back our homework, she THROWS them. She would call out our names and threw the books on the floor and does not give two hoots on whether we step forward fast enough to pick them up. Those who have not done their corrections or have handed in rubbish, would have to collect their books outside.

I remember my class had a classmate who had perpetual problems with handing in homework on time. And the situation escalated when she started to be rude to the teacher and was acting non chalant. It didn't help when my teacher was the discipline mistress. And she gave no room for nonsense (God Bless her soul).

So there was this day, when my classmate hit the roof with the on-going attitude and sob story. My revered teacher stood towering over her, hands on her waist, demanded to see all the overdue homework. While my classmate slowly moved on, my teacher grabbed my classmate's school bag, went out of the door to the corridor, lifted the bag over the ledge, overturned , shook and poured out all the contents of the bag and then released the bag.

Now, my classroom was on the fourth floor. I could almost hear school mates downstairs screaming "its raing textbooks! Hallelujah!". But my entire class was wreaked with fear and remained in silence and obedience.

Now that is what I call Discipline.

Please bear in mind that this was when I was in primary six, which XX number of years away. Back then, teachers were still able to exercise corporal punishment at their will. There were not much problems with class management for teachers who exercised their rights in the correct way.

Recently, I started working as a facilitator for a private company that offers enrichment courses to schools. My first assignment was at a particular Secondary School at the far west of Singapore.

Like all secondary school classrooms, I stepped into a class that resembled nothing less than a zoo cage. The boys were rowdy and barking to each other, some of the girls joined the boys while the other ladies sat down and awaited patiently, or rather, timidly, meekly, mildy.. however you put it, but notice the use of words such as boys and ladies.

I had a hard time figuring out how to quell this team of creatures. I had not much training in handling big classes. But I was not ready to give up. Afterall, I came from a neighbourhood school too, and have seen worse days than this. So I decided to practice "brotherhood". I tried to made friends with the kids, chit chatted and tried to understand the dynamics of the class and a little of the politics that is going on.

I found out that there was this joker in level and he is in my class. You know? Those that talk as loud as a landing aeroplane, walks around with a swagger, and it just happened that everyone knows him. I do. I was once like him.

Now everyone who is in the education business, no matter the nature, would know about this kind of students and might find quelling their exuberance challenging. And so it was, when the form teacher walked by, and this friend of mine just walks out of the classroom, and went and (tried to) joke with the his form teacher. The form teacher just gave him a stern look and walked away, without ensuring whether the student had understood her gesture, or was following her cues.

Do you remember there was once a big commotion about teachers prohibited to use corporal punishment in class. And one camp was arguing that corporal punishment will do harm to the mental and psychological well-being of their beloved children, without realizing that they themselves have gone through the same punishments and have turned out to be perfectly fine, mature, and well-functioning humans?

The other camp was against the notion of removing corporal punishment, saying that Behaviourism Learning is essential is conveying certain values, seeing as these values were all learned, socially constructed to begin with (to know more about Behaviourism and Learning, you can refer to My E-Learning Blog).

I always say that a balance must be maintained, but I still believe in the old saying of "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child."

In any case, I chose to deal with that friend of mine using neighbourhood school style. After the lesson, I called him behind, put my hands around his shoulders, and spoke in the language that only neighbourhood school students understand fully, Singlish, with a higher tendencies towards other languages other than English. Minus the vulgarities of course.

Well he gave me his word, but then again, I think we all know what is going to happen in the next class.

Ridiculously Me

2009-01-17T23:47:00.003+08:00

Ridiculously Me

What makes one one?
What makes you you?
What makes me me?

One potential answer could be: Family.

And if that'd be the case, then my life is probably screwed.

The passing of the matriarch of the clan also saw the beginning to one of the epic dramas of our time: The Kindred Spirit.

Only this time it is unfurling before my very eyes. Every politics, backstabbing, front stabbing, and finger pointing was clear the skilled professional that was amongst them. (duh~ obviously I was not referring to me, I am so innocent, naive and sweet can?)

Now you see, being the nice grandchild of the clan, I tried to ignore, but the disrespect they show was over the top, especially during the rituals which they had so passionately tried to arrange.

I had a discussion with my brother on whether this passing will bring the family together or break the family up. I had hopes. Like God I lived on it. But the family ended disappointing me more than any of the other dramas.

I thank God that the family hadn't had much of a will to talk about, if not I am sure we would be at each other's throat.

I was never proud of my clan and still isn't.

And now, the ridiculous family had made a ridiculous me.

----

Now you see, just when you think you know me, I will tell you I do not even know about myself.

This is ridiculously me.

Just when the school has started, I woke up on Monday morning with an eye red. No, it was not due to excessive viewing of *forbidden* material it was Conjunctivitis, Madras Eye or simply the sore eye. Now my lesson was at 10, I was awoke at 9.30, then saw the eye in the mirror, then I went back to sleep.

The second day, I went to school thinking I was late. So when I reach the supposed Lecture Theatre, it was empty, I panicked and called my friend, and had a realization that the lesson actually begins on Wednesday. Now this has never happened before for the past 5 semesters, so its kind of embarrassing.

And then, as if to mock me, on the last day the week, after I printed my readings, I was about to leave. I stopped the computer from logging me off so I could eject my thumbdrive. Then I stood up, and left, leaving my thumbdrive sticking in the computer.

Nice work.

I think I need a break.

Wonderful start to a new year.

The Passing Of The Matriarch

2008-12-31T10:01:00.004+08:00

The Passing Of The Matriarch
In memory..

Teo Lian (1915-2008)

The Eulogy:

For all the times you spent with us,
They will be recollected.

For all the Words you spoke to us,
It will be heard.

For all the things you have done for us,
It will be appreciated.

For all that we have done to you,
We hope it will be forgiven.

For all that you are,
to us,
to all,

You will be remembered.

Thinking of you, with fond thoughts,

Always.

Buffat

2008-12-28T23:57:00.003+08:00

Buffat

Yes!

I definitely want 2008 to end with a bang.

But certainly not in my stomach!

Can you believe that for the last week of 2008, I actually went for 1 Barbecue and 3 buffets?

Well, the Barbecue was for a christmas gathering, so excusable.

The first buffet was on Tuesday, with Weiye and Yao Zong after we went furniture hunting. To celebrate me and Yao Zong's wonderful date, it was excusable. (Sorry Yao Zong, I had to find a valid excuse).

The Second Buffet was on Saturday, with my ex-colleagues from the clinic Nasser and I worked at for the summer holidays that just passed. Now, this is a gathering that was long overdue. We were supposed to be going swimming months ago, but in the end, there was only Nasser and me at a Sakura Buffet.

So this too was excusable.

Now, the last buffet was just 3 hours ago, when my family (excluding my sister) went on our Sunday family night out, in search for new food haunts. Then my dad, out of nowhere said he felt like eating steamboat. And since we didn't like the rest of the suggestions, we went in search of cheap steamboat places. And so we found this steamboat place along Novena Road, and the result is this:

And I absolutely have no idea how I can whine about the horrendous amounts of food that I have just taken in, and can still pick up pieces of After Eight Chocolate mints in between my fingers.

Now you see the human stomach is a very powerful thing.

According to wikipedia, the human stomach can expand and hold up to 4 litres of food. I know you academicians out there are probable snuffing at wikipedia but this is like 1 a.m. in the morning so cut me some slack.

Anyway, I often wished my emotional capacity was as "expandable" as my stomach. Seeing as my stomach can probably hold up to 6 litres of food, I would very much appreciate my emotional capacity to be just the same.

As I looked back on 2008, I realised many of the troubles that I have stirred up, or have been stirred up is due to the incapability to control my emotions. Those long quarrels I have with my parents and grandmother, those long-haul cold war I waged with my friends, I mean those are just stupid.

I know. I am a stupid person. Please forgive me whoever you are and wherever you may be. I promise to try to make it up to you in 2009.

So now how did an entry on food turned into an entry about forgiveness?

Other than the fact that Pastor was preaching about it during service, I certainly must learn to forgive myself for eating so much this week.

I mean while individually, the excuses were valid, but 1 BBQ and 3 Buffets a week is just crazy!

I mean I will probably repeat something similar during Chinese New Year week which is in about a few weeks time, but HELL!

What are you waiting for?
Better do something man!

Christmas - The Season to be Folly

2008-12-25T01:18:00.004+08:00

Joy to the World - The Season to be Folly

Jingle bells Jingle bells,
Jingling in my face..

I wish..

But truly to the everyone's believe, as each year passes, the christmas mood diminishes. And to proof, I have received 1/2 the the amount of gifts as compared to last year (*hint hint*).

But believe, gifts are the only thing that has diminished. Like what Yao Zong has pointed out yesterday, we seemed to have less Christmas Gatherings this year, well, for one, there was no Blinchiki this year.

But Christmas has not lost its luster in the Tay/Lim clan. Since years before, we started to gather at my sister's place for a hearty christmas feast, then the customary rationing of presents.

I must say the highlight of the night has always been the food, because every year the food would be different. Either catered of cooked at home, satisfaction guaranteed.

Following then, we watch the movie called "Vera Opens Presents - For herself and everyone else".

It is kind of amusing you know, to see a little girl so small but when her hands can separate wrapping paper from gift boxes, very effectively.

But the focus has always been on the feast. This year's dinner was also topped by an Almond Brownie from The Baker's Story. So in actual fact, Santa did come this year for our little celebrations, just that he was little as well.

The only let down was that my brother-in-law was not feeling too well, hmm, I do hope he gets well soon, and not miss this holiday to spend precious time with his children.

In any case, we watched Wall.E after "Vera Opens Presents". And I suddenly realise how apt.

The story of Wall.E, a robot abandoned by humans, can be seen as a derivative of Noah's Ark. And since, Noah is another symbol of a saviour (analogous to Jesus), Wall.E is can be compared to as the saviour.

And he did save the human race, and brought them back to Earth, just when the Earth is ready to sustain life again.

Remember the part where Noah sends out Doves to see if it was ready for the animals and his family to come out of the Ark, so not Eve can be seen as the Dove.

I any case, I confess that this is my FOURTH time watching Wall.E and I am still touched and moved to tears by the movie. Especially when Wall.E's memories were erased and can no longer remember Eve. Imagine having gone through experiences together, but having to find out how the other person has no recollection.

But that is the way of humans. Its like it will need 5 or 10 sweet memories to neutralise a bitter one. And there are often too little sweet memories to go around and so people have to depend on the bitter memories to remember their friends.

"Oh! She's the teacher who scolded me in front of the whole class!"

"Oh! He was the one who cheated on me!"

And no wonder we hate the bitter gourd when there are enough bitterness inside of us.

Most people preach forgiveness during Christmas. And it is also during this time, towards the end of the year, when we realise how folly we have been throughout the year. It is truly a season to be folly.

But that is exactly the point of christmas. Forgive those you can forgive, make peace with those that you can.

Most importantly, forgive yourself, and begin a fresh 2009.

Happy Christmas.

Who's Fault is it?

2008-12-05T12:39:00.003+08:00

Who's Fault is it?

I read with a little irritation about the article.. articles... articlessss published December 5, 2008 on The Straits Times regarding internet addiction on the increase, and yet another article about girls being cheated online. You know the usual, go online, chat with guy, meet up, and either the supposedly young and handsome dude turns out to be a middle aged man with hideous features or the young and handsome chap asked or coerce the girl for sex.

Then the articlesss go on to talk about how parents need to police their kids on internet activity and how Social Networking Sites (SNS) and Online gaming is to be blamed for internet addiction. And then goes to list the different activities that their poor, exploited, addicted and helpless neglects just to play games. Well, the articles also said that Internet addiction can well soon be classified as a clinical disorder just like how China did it previously

If these people would somehow drop by a library and do some research, they would know that there are actually numerous studies proving that internet addiction is in fact parallel to the addiction as listed in the DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling and Substance abuse. Of course one may argue that there are limitations to the research and research itself is a flawed institution. However, we cannot deny the little insights that the research has to offer. Technology addicitons can thus be viewed as a subset of behavioural addictions which features core components of addiction as is listed in Griffiths, 1996. (Widyanto, 2006).

So true enough, Internet addiction can become a problem, and so who is it to blame for their addiction? SNS? Online chatting? Online Gaming? And is it time to start classifying internet addiction as a disorder?

I'd say, do not blame the tools alone, because the people have a part to play too. If in one of the articles you can point the fingers to authority figures such as parents and school and say they need to be responsible for their poor helpless daughters, not making a references to the boys who may also be victims (while since they assume its the boys doing the 'dirty' work almost always anyway), why not say the same for Internet Addiction?

The finger pointing almost always goes nowhere. So now the parents need to watch over their children and their online activities. Only blogging, surfing net for homework is good stuff. Watching video, pornography, playing online games is bad stuff. However has it ever occur to them that perhaps the only way for the child to connect with his friends and society is through the online games that plays? And that pornography is a phase that humans (boys and girls included) may go through because the body has begun to develop sexual desires and that the person has already begun to explore himself or herself?

In addition, the good stuff like blogging, surfing the net for information can also be turned into addiction. The simple act of checking emails has turned into an obsession for some people.

So now I am bar my from using the internet at all and watch minimal TV and no exposure to pop culture. Well unless you are Madonna who of course has her ways to everything, but by over-sheltering my child, I am preventing their growth and maturing process into a discerning adult. Just as is the argument presented when it comes to child advertising. As Belch and Belch pointed out that children must deal with such information in the consumer socialization process of acquiring the skills needed to function in the marketplace (Belch, 2009). So by denying these children of these exposure to these experiences, I am denying these kids from their growth process.

At some point in time, humans have to learn to protect themselves, otherwise, they will be too naive and not learn the time to protect themselves.

So I am not saying that we should let the children play all the games they want, meet all the cute dudes they want (although I don't mind), and watch all the porn they want (I bet there people who love to), but I believe we have the responsibility to give them the education and information they require. They should be educated to the extent that they are aware of the environment, the protection that they should employ to themselves, and also where to find further information regarding online security. And when the child runs into trouble, as much as the parent should bear it all, the child also needs to understand and have a taste of the consequences as a source of deterrence, as well as a learning process for being responsible for his or her own actions.

Of course there always cases where the solution lies in the extremes, like when the poor and naive girl gets raped and becomes pregnant and is infected with a terrible disease, but by then it is already too late.

So yes, the parents need to be responsible for protecting the child, but only sufficient for them to stand on their own feet and take the first few initial steps, and after that they are on their own. Afterall, isn't this the process we all go through?

The Key is balance.

It always has been, and always will be.

References

Belch & Belch, George E., Michael A. (2008). Advertising and Promotion. New York, America: McGraw Hill/Irwin.

Widyanto, Lauren (2006). 'Internet Addiction': A Critical Review. Untied Kingdom, Nottingham: Springer Science.

Companion

2008-11-14T17:34:00.002+08:00

Companion

A Letter to a Friend

A Brace of men,
Met Where all boys went.
Processions had their 2 years Spent,
On each other's countenance they depend.

Distractions spin heads edge
On each other's shoulders they Bear.
Rumours smacked and spanked.
Tracks failed and estranged.

Commune close-kept.
Pain and loneliness stand.
The only Bridge at hand,
Is when we stake and step.

In Quondam you catch,
The times we once had.
A Brotherhood that was there,
A Companion never ends.

BRACE

PROCESSION

DISTRACTION

BEAR

RUMOUR

COMMUNE

BRIDGE

QUONDAM

BROTHERHOOD

COMPANION

It has been sometime since i decided to revisit this issue. And through one of my modules in school I am given the opportunity to discuss this issue with him through photographs. But even then, we have still have brought the topic to our mouths, and we have both silently agreed to leave this issue to the photographs and then leave it at that.

But well, we did have some outrageous fun while we were shooting these series. The first draft of the photo essay, which can be viewed here, allowed us to revisit the different places that we have travelled through so far. From Nee Soon Camp, where most of the drama happened, to Ho Kee Pao along Aljuinied Road where the new start begins, and all the way till today.

Now at Ho Kee Pao, when I finished setting up the camera, and was about to begin shooting, the staff approached me to ask me if we were going to shoot the "delicacies" as their "delicacies" could be photographed. Well I supposed the "delicacies" was meant to be eaten right, no? The thing is, why did she have to wait until I FINISHED setting up the tripod, camera, flashlight and wide-angle lens before coming to tell me no photographing of the "delicacies"?

And which fool would photgraphed "cuisines" by blocking EVERYTHING on the table?

Then we moved on to shoot the car accident, and I decided to do the topless shots and so we searched for white walls. The only white walls that were available was at Singapore Indoor Stadium. And o.. Lee-Hom Wang was having concert on that day, and I supposed that was why we were later hauled to the security room, and accused for taking photographs illegally.

And samething, apparently they said that we were caught on security cameras, so why did you wiat for us to FINISH setting up tripod, camera, flashlight, lens, and FINISH photgraphing the series before "catching us".

The security then "politely" asked me to surrender my Canon 350D, the one that snooty students from a particular school that I go to thinks is too old therefore don't want to borrow, and they would detained till further notice.

No. 1: You are not a police officer and so do not have the right to detain my things.
No. 2: As much as the SIS is a government property, there were no signs that says NO PHOTOGRAPHING OF SIS WALLS. As much as I am an NUS Arts student (there I said it), that does not mean that I have memorised the entire consitution. And I don't know if a particular clause states that it was not allowed.
No. 3: If my detained camera has been damaged, would you be responsible? I had not and would not sign any indemnity form and could therefore bring you to court.

In any case, I decided to play soft with the grumpy gaurd and then asked if I(we) could follow him to the guard room, and then delete the photographs in front of witnesses. And so we were brought to the guard. And that Grumpy old guard went on rambling about being lenient for us for he could have turned us to the police. How very nice service. I bet if I spoke with an American Accdent and say that I come from New York, this might not even happen.

In any case, we were at the guard and I was wondering how to show the guard the photos to delete. Well we were not NAKED and we were not shooting Edison, but we were nevertheless topless, and being topless and taking photographs, thats kinda weird isn't it? So anyway, I deleted the photos, and showed them. Then the guard who saw the remaining shots said we took alot of photos at SIS. HELLO.. Do you think the AIRPORT or HO KEE PAO resembles SIS???

I decided not to argue because by then it was already 3 am and we were dogged tired. Then the guard wanted to take our particulars down. He scribbled the information from our IC and we were released.

I seriously think that as much as these guards were doing their jobs, however, is there ANY chance that they could've been any more polite than they already are? And IF I were anybody threatening, I wouldn't wait until I have FINISHED setting up my tripod, camera, flashlight and lens, and FINISHED taking my shots before taking my own sweet time to leave. And what manner of security is it that they have waited till then to approach us.

And by the way, the guard did not even greet us properly, he said "OEI, Do you all know that you all are not allowed to take photos here?!!"

"NO." We both replied.

Wise Guys

2008-10-30T09:08:00.004+08:00

Wise Guys

Now you want to know why I am late this morning for class?

There are 3 reasons.

No. 1.

Have you ever seen someone building a stair way leading from the carpark to the coffee shop and then build a metal fence just so you can block it?

If you want to see it, just take a bus to the temporary carkpark along Jalan Jurong Kecil, opposite the community centre. But no need to fret, I have photgraphs here.

So now, with this fantastic design, people from the carpark has to walk the entire zig zag pathway before reaching the car park (or the coffeeshop). Now as I was eating breakfast, the regular customers streamed in, and quite a number, well almost all of them, whined and then complained about the new fantastic design.

Their dissatisfaction was emphasized when the delivery man carrying baskets full of goods came walking down pathway, saw the fence, frowned, cursed and then continued walking.

Then my mum came up with a theory.

Mummy's Theory states that the fence is there so that when Uncle Sam (Read URA/LTA/etc Summoning people) comes, the obstacles will hinder the drivers from running back to their cars without couples.

Now immediately when the theory has been stated, my brother exclaimed:
UNCLE SAM IS HERE!

Then he stood up, ran towards the pathway, cursed the fence and went on.

Fortunately we did not get a ticket.

No. 2

The pathway was supposed to be for the handicapped. It seems however, that the handicapped only left their house to eat. The pathway was completed with only like one footstep away from the bus stop. And even then that is being fenced up.

Now, if the purpose of the pathway was to serve the handicapped, then why shouldn't the pathway be extended to the bus stop, instead of just leading to the coffeeshop?

There was no explicit theory stating the reason for this except pure ignorance (Read Stupidity). Or rather, poor planning.

I understand from my friends that these scenarios happen everywhere. Now that says alot about the planning process of these public pavements.

As much as I appreciate the efforts in trying to provide for the various communities, but I recommend more thoughts to be put into the planning and supervisions of the projects.

No. 3

Ok, now seriously the reasons mentioned above was not the real reason why I was late for class. I was late because I woke up late. I woke up late because I slept late. I slept late because I was watching Ugly Betty. I was watching Ugly Betty because I was watching ugly Betty.

SO yeah..

And seriously, the traffic condition in the morning is getting from bad to worse. A 20 minute journey is now a 1 hour 15 minutes journey. And that really contributed to the late coming too.

Family Chim-Chim Cheree

2008-10-28T23:26:00.003+08:00

Family Chim-Chim Cheree

KTV was never meant for family. Or does it?

MOst of the time when you say "KTV?", you are either with your close friends, or with a whole bunch of crazy people who have ran out ideas on where to go.

Now, you will never expect KTV to be fit for a family. Much less for a family of 3 generations.

But nahz, I have proof:

That is probably the youngest person you can ever find in a KTV room. He is hardly 1 year old, and already has to endure the singing of his parents, uncles and aunties, and TWO sets of grandparents.

Now of course, with senior citizens around, you can hardly expect them, much less us, to sing Jolin . Now that night, we had all assortments to make up the repertoire. From the famous Hokkien Songs, to the standard must-sing songs (what are they? Go KTV with me next time, and I will treat you to concert).

Now you must be wondering what is the occasion?
Yeah it is my parent's birthday.

Okok, this photo is me on MY birthday, but I don't have the photos for that day because they're still with my sister so just put something substitute firsts. (To marms: see? actually got meaning 1 ok? They are no commercial breaks =P~~)

Now initially the KTV escapade was supposed to be the siblings only. Namely, my sister, Brother-in-law, my brother and me. Now with this combination, then all my Stephanie Sun and screaming Ah Mei can come out. But the point is, we wanted to keep the TWO sets of grandparents occupied with the two kids.

Now this is where demand and supply comes into play. You have 4 demand, and only supply of 2. So either price increase, or black market will break out. If not, then will have meltdown. So to prevent damages to property, and to save lives, we decided that the TWO sets of grandparents should come.

And so they did. And then they sang.

Ok. I know this sounds funny, but I find myself able to sing those songs that they were singing. Some of them I don't even have any idea where I've heard them from. Maybe I heard them when I was in the womb. Some songs got the whole room singing.

Now thats the power of family. CAn't say I haven't enjoyed myself for a while. But this is sure a nice break from all the regular KTVs I've had.

Then, one grandpa ended the night with Jay Chou.

Perfect.

Now back to reality. When to have KTV again to relive this?:

The Bitch

2008-10-02T16:38:00.004+08:00

The Bitch

If you think you have enough of bitching, think again. You ain't see the best.

Well, this erractic raining season, I've met my match. This fella played with me over and over again. So who's the world's biggest bitch?

Weather.

The weather is the bitchiest bitch. The Draggiest Drag.

Don't believe me? We'll see.

One month back, there was this day when it was all sun and heat during the day time. So all through the day, evening, there was no trace of cumulonimbus clouds. So I thought it would be the best time to run. So I went home after tuition and began trotting.

I wanted to try a new route through the park connectors, that would lead me from ITE Bukit Batok, to IMM (Jurong East), to the AYE, and then back to Clementi. Now if you'd believe, I can actually cover that distance, which I did 1 week after, but thats another story for another day.

So anyway I got onto the park connector and then I noticed the great gathering of clouds. But it was not all that threatening as it was only one small area, the sky above me was still clear. Besides, still hot, no wind. NAhz.. the clouds would stay there in fateful Tuas.

Touch

The great clouds, as though answering to my calls, majestically moved towards me. Before I even had the chance to run 400m on the park connectors, the first rain drop came. The first bitching from Mr Weather. So I thought, well, if thats all he can manage, then I still have time to turn back.

Then, He decided to unleash his powers, and the drizzle turned into rain, into downpour, in just mere seconds. So I ran for shelter and I hit the flats. And I weaved through the blocks. I wanted to get home as the rain was never going to stop, so i board a cab.

Damn.

Now, you think He'd be satisfied? Just you wait.

On tuesday, Weiye, Yao Zong and me decided to go for a run. So we got on the park connector (again) from Prince George;s Park (PGP) at NUS that will lead us through Vigilante Park, Haut Park, Alexander Arch, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Henderson Waves and finally reach Mt. Faber. It's a route we ran through before so now worries of us unable to complete.

Lights - View from Henderson Waves

Again, hot day, hot evening, good weather with slight wind when we started. In fact, we ran all the way to Mt. Faber and there was no sign of rain.

We U-turned, crossed Henderson Waves and the first bolt of lightning blasted through the ridges. Now we were scared as most of the route back to PGP was elevated and a great part of it was forged in steel, with a considerable portion exposed in mid air.

But as MEN who had been through tough training in the army, we persevered.

Then lightning struck continuously, and it seemed to followed us. Then, it drizzle, rain, poured. In Mere seconds. Again.

Talk about De Ja Vu.

So we were stuck in this shelter. And it rained and poured.

Now if you think structures in Singapore were built with functionality as top priority, wait till you see these shelters on top Alexander Hill Park and along the way. They allowed huge amount of rain to be blown in from the sides. And a number of the roof panels have holes in them. FOR WHAT?

Now we were stuck there, cold and wet. And we wanted to go home. So me and Weiye started making promises to God. From Weiye Cutting hair, to my losing weight, all you can imagine. But God never waivered.

Weiye: It'll probably rain heavier if you promised to lose weight, because He knows it's not going to happen.

Talk about bitches.

Now we decided that once the rain subsided slightly we would dash through, hoping to dodge the lightnings. Now this sounded like something out of "Band Of Brothers".

And we did dash through the elevated bridges, and the rain got smaller. We reached the next shelter, which was near to Alexandra main road. We decided to dash to the main road, hail a cab and go back. And so we ran out.

Now, the moment we were a little far from the shelter, cats and dogs turned into tigers and lions. Again, Him showing his prowess. Helpless and pitiful, we dashed back to the shelter. And we stayed there. Played with rain, talked about life, surrealism, and made more promises to God.

Now I don't know how long we waited, but it was sometime that we decided to make another dash to the nearest bus stop to take a cab. And we did. Then at the bus stop we waited. and waited. And waited. And Waited. It was 2230hrs (we set out around 1930hrs). No cab came. Then we saw one at the Junction, preparing to turn away, we dashed towards it. Then the sign on the roof of the taxi turned into "on call". We are cursed.

Then we crossed the road, hoping for a change of luck. No such luck. And as if to mock us, several empty cabs zoomed by on the road we just left.

It was not getting any earlier, so we decided to walk the main road, towards PGP and hoping to get a cab. And we walked and walked. No cab. We came to the bus stop at the Pasir Panjang Substation (across Alexandra Distri Park), and we sought refuge there.

Now imagine we had no coins, no cards, no possesions. It's easy if you try.

So we were considering to beg for coins from the people at the bus stop, but they boarded the bus. The we decided to negotiate bus drivers for free rides but they all seemed grouchy.

Then came our saviours, 3 guys carrying fishing gear, drenched but not nearly as drench as us, walked into the bus stop. And seeing as our age gaps were narrower, we decided to approach them for help.

Well, naturally I would talk to the cutest of them all and asked for coins which they gladly gave. We wanted to leave them our contact number so as to return them the money, but they say no need. Then our bus came and we boarded.

Grasping the ticket in our hands, we all made a mental note to carry coins or EZ Link with us the next time we go for a long distance run, and thinking that in the distant future, we could look back on this day and think about the run in the rain and curse the weather.

And I was thinking of the cutie that passed me the coin.

Comrades - The Team that Made it Through the Rain

*"Touch" was photographed by Ang Yao Zong.

I am writing yet not really writing..

2008-09-21T01:01:00.004+08:00

I am writing yet not really writing..

The words are there. Yet they seem to be missing. But being there also requires you to find. Finding does not mean that it can be found. We need to invent discovery. But if discovery needs to be INVENTED by men then what can we discover?

Stupidity can prove other people's intelligence. Yet Intelligence is folly in others' eyes. But the eyes do not really see. They sense. They are part of the 5 senses. So does the eye see or does it sense? It sees and then senses and then talks to the brain. But the mouth should be the one doing all the talking. But then the mouth can also do all the eating.

However when we eat, we are actually exercising so we should not be getting fatter. But being fatter will prove that others are thin. But being fat and being thin are just that people who are thin can control the fat to tell them that they are fat and they need to be thin.

The need to be thin signifies the need to stop eating. But the need to stop eating also means that we need to deny some of the needs. So denying needs equals to not needing needs equals to no needs. So are we needing anything needs? Or are all our needs wants?

Wants are needs that are triggered by emotions. But if our emotions determines our wants, then our wants becomes a need because we think that we need the wants and want the needs, so that our wants will become our needs and our needs will no longer be wants.

But is longer really longer than longer? How long is longer? And how long is longer longer than longer? How much longer constitutes longing?

Longing can mean that it just gets longer or it can also mean that we want something. But the things we want are always there, it is just missing.

And being there also requires you to find.....

I am typing this post but it is not really me. And I am not really typing but I am thinking.

I think its just too much thinking.

Report Report!

2008-08-20T02:24:00.005+08:00

Fatty News Bulletin

Ok. I think none of the people here remember me. I was here some 3 years ago. Still have no recollections? Take a look here.

Anyway I am here to warn you that should you be walking along upper Bukit Timah Road, and when u pass by the Ford Factory Museum and saw a dead rat in the bushes at the side, chances are, the creature was killed by the owner of this blog.

Yes. The big ogre was jogging at 11:30 pm because he had a hearty dinner and was feeling guilty. But you know how lights can be a little dim at that time. So while he was running, a rat cut into the pavement from the road side and was scurrying alongside with him.

The rat knew that it was in trouble as it was trying to outrun the big ogre. But even though he was on fours, the big ogre still outruns it. At this point, the big ogre didn't know whether should he just skip over the little creature or to run behind it.

And before he could make a decision, the little creature swerved to the left, cutting across the big ogre's path.

The big ogre's left feet was already lifted in the air and going down towards the floor. There was no chance.

The big feet landed on the rat. It felt like stepping over layers of soft rugs. Whether there were sounds of bones broken, that remained a mystery because he had his Ipod on and the earphones stuffed into his ears. But then, as if on cue, the song on his Ipod ended. In that short silence, the big ogre could hear the high pitched squeal of the rat.

All through the run, the big ogre was feeling guilty, sad and in shock.

The time now is 2:49 am, and the big ogre has something to say:

Dear Rat,
I know words alone cannot describe the pain that I had caused you and your family members. I sincerely apologize.

AND FATTY! Who are YOU calling a big OGRE?..

....
Opps, I guess I better sign off this bulletin here before the big ogre makes a game out of me.

So thats all from me.

Till next time. Hope ogre lets me talk here more. Maybe not anymore since I keep calling him Ogre. Since that be the case...

OGRE OGRE OGRE HOO HOO HOO!!

=P~~~~~

How could You?

2008-08-13T23:10:00.005+08:00

How Could You?

Okay. Let us face it. We all hate the peak hours traffic. That horrendous traffic congestion will never fail to cause you to be late no matter how early u set off from home. And to top off that wonderful cuisine titled Morning traffic, is the throng of men. Along with the multitude of Homo Sepians, comes the different behaviours.

For one, this woman appalled me. I boarded the bus with the front seat empty. And I of course, took it, albeit it being the most front seat. Then the bus begins to fill as the crowd from the peak hour joins us aboard. In no time the bus is full. I was asleep for some part of the journey. When I awoke, the lady sits next to me, clad in expensive spectacles and handbag.. perhaps clothes..

Standing next to her, is an elderly struggling to keep his concession pass. I stole a look at the lady, she had no intention to move. So I did. I stood and offered my seat to the elderly, he thanked me, but asked his wife to sit down instead. The wife shakily took the seat.

So I was sitting next to the man, and he was struggling to keep balance. i looked down at the woman, she stole a glance at the old man, then reached for her stuff on the floor. I was relieved but happy too soon. She re-arranged the stuff on the floor and then look at the old man with indifferent eyes.

How could you?

At this point, I remembered what I have learnt the night before, actions on their own have no connotations, negative or positive. But fit these actions into the a social construct, you would have concocted an entire different whole new implications. But these implications remain a personal aspect of the truth as they were made based on MY own social backgrounds.

Having though through that, I came to think that this woman, perhaps have some medical problems that warrants her a need for a seat, otherwise some other difficulties.

But nevertheless, I still cannot think think to imagine that she just sat there indifferently while the elderly struggles to keep balance.

How could you?

Then I moved on to admire this elderly's love for his wife. Whether he knew it or not, the elderly surely could not cope with the tipping of the bus, but he sacrificed himself for his wife. The lady, who saw that her man was having troubles, reached out her hand, across the indifferent face of the woman, and held his hands and began to ask if he wants to sit instead. But the man refused.

At this point, I scowled at the woman.

HOW COULD YOU?

****

Some people think that 10 years is a long time. Some people think 1 year is a long time. Some people think that 1 month is a long time.
I think that 1 day is a long time.

When have left some places for a few days, it is as if a whole long time has passed.

But then of course, there will also be cases when nothing ever moves.

O wow, these people still prefer to remain at where they are.

How could you?

And they are happy there.

i guess not in my position to say anything can I?

Dear Visitor

2008-08-06T08:55:00.009+08:00

Dear Visitor

Dear Visitor,

Thank you for choosing Western Australia, Perth, as your vacation destination once again. Please note, that the daily daytime temperature ranges from 13 to 15 degrees Celsius, and 8 - 12 degrees celsius at night. So please remember to bring enough clothing to keep you warm and not just pack your bermudas and forget about your jeans.

We are please to inform you that your request for a beach house, that sits on top of a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean, is successful. Please note that the house will be fully furnished except for toiletries and groceries supplies. Hence, if you do not wish to cater for food, you may purchase your groceries from the nearby town centre and cook your own game.

This is essentially the best option when you have the Queen of Kitchen with you.

We hope your stay at the beach house, which is located at Margaret River, approximately 4 hour drive from Perth City, will be pleasant. It should be as you might be able to see a rainbow at least once a day. Moreover, the mediterranean climate at Margaret River would promise you excellent weather, with an appropriate amount of rain, and sun light.

We also recommend that you take sometime to visit the local attractions such as the Wineries and Vineyards. With the Margaret River running through the Vineyards, the estates make a fine place to dine and relax. Guided tours are conducted, detailing the process of making wines, lots of wine tasting and a menu of fatantastic food, such as Breaded Rabbit. Do remember to pick up some delicious wine with you back home.

Also, do not miss the opportunity to visit The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Standing at the point where two oceans (Indian and Southern Ocean) meet, the historic structure still functions today. Be calmed by the sounds of rushing waves and experience the grandeur of the structure of the light house in the later afternoon sun. Witness the atmosphere of meeting natures of power against the calm and soft air brought about by the lush greenery around the coast.

Before you leave Perth City, you can spend a morning at the lush green fields at King's Park with your young ones, enjoying precious, quality family time. At king's park, trees are dedicated to famous men of Australia. The Park also overlooks the Swan river and the perth city scape. The pleasant weather and climate will promise a nice stroll and picnic at the park.

We know that your stay at Perth will be an enjoyable one.

Regards.

MNO 1001 - Customers Always No. 1

2008-07-20T14:32:00.002+08:00

MNO 1001 - Customers Always No. 1

A: Excuse me, is it alright if you let her try out the system?
G: How about later? The counter is very busy and we need to clear these so that the customers do not have to wait too long.
A: It's ok, she needs to learn the ropes of the system so she will get a hang of the crowd.

I beg your pardon? How is she going to experience or get used to the crowd when she does not even know how to use the system?

C:Ermz.. I think there are enough people at the counter, so for now I think you can just go and help with the filing.

Are you blind? Although there are enough people at the counter, it still looks like it is going to collapse anytime.

Filing took less that half an hour and we were free. So we went on idling mode while the people struggled to keep the counter standing. But no, the counter has not crumbled.

In every industry, if your customers are dissatisfied and leave you, you can prepare to pull your shutters down and close shop. But here at the medical centre of Varsity X, the customers are placed on a lower priority as the staff here think that these students have not choice but to return to the clinic in the future. Which I, as a University student know that I will not return to the school's clinic, albeit the cheap medical charges.

That aside, I have been working at here for around 20 days or so. But it feels like 20 years.

People always say, when you step into the working world, you get to meet all kinds of people. I truly agree.

1. Dr. War-zone.

The room's a war-zone, the hair's a war-zone, the handwriting's a war-zone.

He would rather repair his printer for an hour than see patients.
He's all about systems and finding bottlenecks and solving problems.

War-zone: I think the bottleneck is that the doctors are not seeing patience quick enough.

OF COZ LAHZ! You are treating your printer instead of your patience. I am sure your printer needs Acitomenophen.

2. Mdm Faint.

Aiyah! Die la Die la Die la Die la! Faint liao Faint liao Faint liao!

From the first hour of the day, Symphony "Faint Liao" begins.. and ends... it doesn't end.

But she works and completes her job, I wonder why is she cursing herself?

-.- -.-" -.-"

From this day

2008-06-29T00:40:00.002+08:00

Always on My Mind

Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
Little things I should have said & done
I just never took the time

But you were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine
If I made you feel second best
Girl, I'm sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Tell me, tell me that your
Sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
To keep you satisfied
Satisfied

Little things I should have said & done
I just never took the time

You were always on my mind

~-~-~-

So from this day I'll go on as best as I can.

The Things They Ask

2008-06-19T15:34:00.006+08:00

The Things They Ask

I have been working here for almost 4 years. Well, actually it has only been 4 days. But it really seems like 4 years. I feel part of the permanent staff team, an employee of the company.

Boredom practically conquered the first day. I was trying very hard to look busy, but there was simply nothing we could do. In the end I got chided by Nas for complaining about being free. The second day, I got the chance to be really busy and important. I got to usher and call patient's names.

The third day, Uneventful. Back to boredom.
O NO! On the third day, we decided to play Abba's songs from my Ipod. The disgruntled aunties begin to grumble about Pop music being not interesting and nonsensical. So we decided to bring them back to their younger days. And Abba rocked the office. By 4 p.m., young and old were dancing and moving to the beat of "Dancing Queen".

The Fourth day, that is today, has been quite eventful. We took a break to munch on the Soon Kuey that a very nice colleague bought for us. The morning had been busy as we began our tour of duties at the reception table.
Psst, tell you a secret, Nas was afraid to pick up the phone calls as he was scared that he would said "Gengis Khan" instead of "Gethin-Jones".
In any case, the colleague is going to bring us carrot cakes tomorrow. Can't wait. And the Soon Kuey was really nice by the way, she bought it from Toa Payoh.

Nellie had wanted us to be mysterious but it all fell apart when we danced the moment we were fighting boredom. Well, we did not out ourselves but we were no longer those boring hunky cuties you see on the streets. We are now bright, cheerful, and boys!

You know how people always ask those cliche ice breaker questions?

I seriously think people keep a lost of these question in their wallets, so the moment they are told that they are expecting to be meeting someone new, they will rush to the toilet, take the list out and revise.

And so it was, the small talk session between me, Nas, and the rest of the girls from my new work place. And these points were once again drawn from the list and applied.

1. How old are you (two)?
AS much as there are standard questions, there will also be standard replies. In this case, the reply is, you guess lah!
And then the entire haggling and guessing process starts.
This time round, we made a statement: Men also need to hide their age.
No matter what, these aunties are the expert at guessing age. The hit the nail.

I am 20 and thats final no matter what you said!

2. Where are you currently studying?

I hate this question. I proudly tell them I am from the NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE. I will say this especially loud since I am at nayang technological university. (notice the small caps?) Then when they ask what course I am reading specifically, i tell them and then they will go huh?.

Seriously CNM needs to work on their PR. Agree with me Weiye?

Ok, from here, the conversation moves on to the aunties deciding whether I look like my sister or not. This is where I feel like a small animal (preferably a little bear, a very cute 1) being examined before purchase.

Anyway work is really working out fine. Initially, we thought we will just fade into the wall and become part of it. But as we begin to get a good grasps of the mechanics of the clinic, we begin to release our inner diva.

Quote of the Day: See that girl, watch that scene, digging the dancing queen.

Seriously, What's wrong?

2008-06-08T22:50:00.002+08:00

Seriously! What's wrong?

I have not been to New Zealand, but I would like to visit it. But it seems like I have seen enough, from Lord of the Rings, and the recent Chrononicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian. I swore when the Pevensies saunter through the woods looking for the old Narnians, I was half expecting Boromir to be lying out of nowhere with arrows still stuck on his back.

Better still, the soldiers who threw the Dwarf into the river were actually Frodo and Sam.

I must also admit that the personal combat of Miraz and Caspian, does resemble something from Troy.

And seriously, what's wrong with Movie Makers? Must every movie be injected with some stupid love story? Trust these people to come up with the idea that Susan and Caspian having something between them. I could so feel Lewis rolling in his grave when Susan hugged Caspian and said it would never have been possible, over and over again.

They might as well moved one step further by making Susan pregnant with Caspian's child.

And since when did Peter became a delinquent? Fighting with little children over children's stuff. A few good years of reign in Narnia as High King ought to have taught him better.

The only credit I give to the show is that it had materialized several facets of the story that were otherwise just words to me. But other than the general plot that they have abided to, the rest were rubbish to me, and it did nowhere resembled the book. URGH!

I know you avid supporters of this movie would shoot *insert anything you want" back at me, screaming "thats what based on the novel means". I know I know. And I guess these movie makers do have to make some profits to answer to their sponsors and investors.

But hey, I whined likewise during Harry Potter Movies too. So yeah.

********
Beautiful Sunday

Otherwise not so beautiful. I have been whining about this issue since this morning and I will again.

We were told that we have to reach esplanade at 9 am, just so I can wait for the organiser to arrive at 11 am.

As we all know, in this business, one day you're in, the next day you're out. So the image of the organisation is vital. Excellence is key. And it is exactly this kind of attitude that brings organisations down.

I could've gone for my PassionRun and not waste those $15. URGH!

Other than that, I had a few good laughs. In fact, LOADS of good laughs were shared among the people, especially my section. I am the comedian as I always am. I guess I always will be.

Do not ask me about the music, because I just had a good fight over issues of musical nature. (For more information kindly consult the tag board <--).

Whatever happened, happened. I enjoyed it all to the maximum though.

Only 1 thing remains in my head. Ok.. I am going to talk about the music after all.

Are today's audiences more difficult to please?

Or was the music simply not enough to arouse any kind of interest?

I have to nod my head to the notion that the repertoire was not very tasteful. But I do not think that it was enough to put people to sleep.

But truly, audiences today are demanding more and more from artists. Gone are the days when operas like The Marriage of Figaro staged with simple sets would bring the entire hall to their feet in applause. Now, people demand more than excellence from the aesthetics. And hence, a performance that does not break any records may not interest anyone.

Which is also the main reason why it is so difficult to sell band concert tickets to people. If the band scene do not move, so will the ticket sales.

But I guess, at the bottom line, as long I have enjoyed my music making, I am fine with whatever.

As Dr. KK Seet has so brilliantly lectured that the audience find a failed performance with catastrophically awesome mistakes the best performance ever, a simple affair like ours is never comparable.

And yes, in answering Dr Seet's star question, I would strip for art. IF you want to look at me, I would be honoured to show.

2008-06-03T00:12:00.007+08:00

Paralleled and Un-parralleled (Ver 2.0)

Ok. I know this post has certain issues, so for the first time, I decided to edit and repost:

If you hold for a second and consider the lives of great men of the past, you cannot help but marvel at the legacy they leave behind.

My interests were engaged when I was re-watching "Amadeus", a 1984 film illustrating the last days of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, about The man. The music. The magic. The madness. The murder. The mystery. The motion picture. I think that is enough of publicity.

Following that, I realised that I do not have any of Mozart's great works in my music collection, so I went in search of his music. And then i came across Requiem K.V. 626, the unfinished requeim which supposedly drove Mozart to his grave, literally.

So I began reading Mozart's biography, which reminded me greatly of Ludwig Van Beethoven's life. Similarities in both virtuoso's lives were noticed. One being that both composers died of illness.

Nevertheless, at the critical stages of their illness, the ne plus ultra of their works were presented.

When Mozart approaches his death, he was working on "The Magic Flute", but was mentally occupied with "Requiem". But he never quite finished the latter. Even then, he was able to premier "The Magic Flute" and completed a few concertos.

The entire Ninth Symphony of Beethoven was conceived in days when Beethoven could hear nothing. In the losing his sense of sound, he "hears' music through a special rod attached to the soundboard on a piano, which he would bite, and feel the vibrations of the sound on his jaw to perceive the music.

Faced with the utmost terror of a deteriorating body, these great men persisted.

In my ears, no music created in the 21st century is comparable to these works. These works have stood the test of time, and have even brought breakthroughs to the world of music.

Well, thats not to say that contemporary works are not good enough, because like Weiye said, kids can also hum parts of music from John William's Theme from Jaws, Star Wars, Indianna Jonnes. I for one am a great fan of Hans Zimmer's compositions for the soundtrack of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Nevertheless, Contemporary works have their basis and concepts that were created by the great men of the past, using them to re-create a new work of art. Much like using the concepts of the refrigeration cycle to create air conditioners.

I could still recall Johan De Meij's Third Symphony "Planet Earth", the piece they say is monumental. But can the audience remember a few bars of that monumental, stupendous 40 minutes work? Perhaps with more performances and exposures they could.

Yet, to me, the use of electronic sounds and the intricate musical structure of the work are nothing new. It is yet another product if re-invention.

Of course much attributes due to the musicians and the audience's capabilities. Such efforts may seem to be of different meaning and value to different individuals.

However, we cannot disregard the fact at children as young as 5, are able to hum the first few passages of the First Movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (remember deng deng deng dennnggg?) and Mozart's Eine Kleine Natchmusik.

So where does that leave us?

Has all the talent been released in the past millennium such that fresh ideas no longer exists today?

Have reached the pinnacle of creativity?

Will I hear another Beethoven's 9th?

p.s.
This is to Weiye:
There are alot of "in my ears", "to me". And once again, all these are just my extreme, but personal opinions.
Nevertheless, thanks for the meaningful and thought-provoking discussion.. hmm..

Nothing has changed

2008-05-22T00:43:00.003+08:00

Nothing Has changed

Yes. Exams were like 3 weeks ago and it feels like a million years have passed ever since i touched a book.

They say exams time is a time to get fat fAt FAT! And too right they were. Damn, hate the way these things work. All those chips, chocolates, ice creams, tonics (yes yes.. I always blame it on the food. not the eater). Trust me all ye ladies out there, these things will eventually book a room on your body somewhere, but I digress.

Exams time is also a time to be sleeping late. There is no need for elaboration here. Students do all kinds of things late into the night during exams time, academically or sexually, with the latter being more likely. It's a wonder how NUS students can do so well in their papers when all they do at night is PUSH and MOAN.

ANYWAY, I was saying that exams were like 100000000 million years ago, but I am STILL sleeping at late hours. Like now. Doing what? I seriously have no idea. At first when the exams ended, it was KTV... KTV.. and LOTSA KTV. I have 5 sessions of KTV in 2 weeks. 2 of which was in the middle of exams and the other 3 were late nights.

Edmund has just issued an official note banning KTV for a long time. A long time perhaps meaning a week or 2.

So after KTV galore, my late nights continued. This time, what kept me awake was the Nodame Cantabile and Band of Brothers. Two of which I wanted to watch during the term and went to great lengths in stopping myself in the the indulgence.

So the exclusive and private screening of the last episode of Band Of Brothers was yesterday.

And yes, I have successfully transformed into Bae Yong Joon during Mabel's Japanese Birthday Party. OOps...

What will be next?

SOme changes perhaps?

Like what? Waking up early?

Oh pur-leeesss!

Quote of the day: The early bird gets the worm. The early worm gets the bird.

The Biggest Lie-2

2008-05-16T13:55:00.002+08:00

The Biggest Lie - 2

Some people just do not learn from their mistakes. After

this

advertisement, they have yet the cheek to put up another poster. But at least this time they are telling the truth unlike the previous.

Oh,thats nice. Well the poster says it all. You will never make it to the top.

WHY?

With the bell curve, who starts at the top stays at the top. Who starts at the bottom sinks even further.

With wonderful and awesome lecturers like Ms Fr*nces*ca N*athan (not pointing fingers here), its a no wonder we can't make it to the top. *Can you hear me?... Can you hear me?.......*

AS far as skills are concerned, why don't they do something about some of their lecturers and staff?

And yes, we will prove our detractors wrong because we many predecessors have survived all these ordeal.

ANd yes, the biggest lie in this advertisement lies in the last line.

Since when do NUS support their students? If they do, I wouldn't be whining about this advertisement here.

And yes they support a certain group of people. WHY?

Because they are already at the top, and their purses are bursting with cash.

Thats the NUS difference (??).

Not Born to be...

2008-05-07T00:52:00.004+08:00

This's not me.

I was never born to be alone. I knew it! I was never created to be a lonesome creature.

How did I reckoned? I proofed it today.

I set out the day studying alone in school because I have annoying friends who finish their examinations like yesterday (YES! I am talking about you, you, you). And yes I set out to go for a swim in the late afternoon but let's not get there.

So I went in search for a location in school to mug. The first place I went, the seminar rooms at AS3 (just one of those tutorial rooms) and they were all occupied. Some with bags only. I supposed it makes sense to have the bags studying then take the exams while their owners are off somewhere else.

Anyway, I settled into a room with just one kind soul who is willing to share the room with. I sat and enthusiastically took out my notes and stuffs and began to write. But my enthusiasm and zest began to wane in just 15 minutes. So i decided it is just some attention problem that could be cured as time went on. So I struggled for another 15 minutes and progressed no more than 15 minutes before. So I took out my Ipod and began watching the video clips. The first major wrong choice of the day.

You know that little excuse of "just a little bit more" or " I will start after the next 5 minutes". Those are the biggest jokes and lies of the century. My little bit more and 5 minutes turned into 1 hour. I reluctantly put the poddy down thinking I have satisfied my lust for leisure. My next 30 minutes was in vain.

Next up in the list, I took my novel and began to read. Well you know the story. 1 page turned into 3, 1 chapter turned into 2. Then I got tired.

I fell asleep.

I guess the kind soul who shared the room with me must be either curious, amused or pissed.

I woke up 20 minutes later, and gave up trying. I looked at my watch, screw swimming. I packed up my stuffs and went for early dinner. At the canteen, I sat down, and as I was alone , I took out my Ipod and continued the movie, more like finished it.
Second major wrong choice of the day.

Both wrong choices dispensed the battery of my poddy. And i was left with no entertainment for the rest of the evening.

I found an empty room. So I took out the books and tried again. I rearranged to chairs, and fell asleep.

This time I actually dreamt. How did I know? When I opened my eyes, there was a blanket over me (somehow I was still feeling cold) and Nasser was sitting next to me, reading notes.

"Who's blanket's this?" I asked.
" I sewed it." He replied.
"And you're ruining it by covering me with it?" I exclaimed.
"I walked by, saw that you were shivering, so I decided I'd rather ruin a blanket than lose a friend" He said.
(Insert sound effect: Awww...)
"Now that you are awake, may I have my blanket back. Thank you. NOW SLEEP!"

And then I woke up.. After 1 and a half hour.

I must be curse by the air conditioning. So I packed up my stuff and went to occupy one of those benches outside. But was driven back into the room by the overwhelming heat.

Then, as I was settling down once again, I realised what was amiss. I had not taken my regular dose of caffeine. I walked over to the vending machine, bought a can of coffee. Gulped it down. And just to make sure, I did 10 push-ups when I returned to the room.

And yes, I did finish what I set out to do in the day. But I was never born to study alone, OR without coffee.

Quote of the day: *points to Nescafe* You must be my lucky star~ Madonna

Words from Heaven:
Genesis 2:20
So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

Man was never created to accomplish things alone.

Eve is created so that Adam could have a companion and helper.

All throughout the bible, the heroes of faith had companions and capable helpers.

So the next time you think you can make it alone, think again.

Thats What it Takes

2008-04-04T23:13:00.005+08:00

Thats What it Takes

Ludwig Van Beethoven. Symphony Nr. 6 in F, "Pastorale". That was how long I waited for SMRT 700A today. One entire Symphony was over and the bus had not come. That would also probably be how it is going to take for me to reach my destination. Probably longer.

And no, I hadn't a chance board 700A. Not because it was too crowded. It never came. So I boarded an alternative bus service. I know what you are thinking. Why had I not board earlier? Because the other service routes through busy areas such as Bugis, Newton and Bukit Timah.

And that would probably take Ludwig Van Beethoven, Symphony Nr. 9 in D Minor "Chorale", which is over an hour long.

So I was late for my appointment. I had public transport to thank, which kind of reminded me of a conversation I had with Zhuo Guan a few days back, when we were lamenting about the state of our state's public transport.

But there were more stories about buses that I have yet to share:

Thriller Ride at NTU

Bored of mundane student life?

Never fear, now you can take a ride of your life. Just queue up at the ridiculously long queue at the 179 or 199 Berth at Boon Lay Temporary Bus Interchange and you are well on your way to a ride of your lifetime.

The ~~bus~~ double - decker bus travels at such a high speed that every time it takes a turn, you will experience phenomenal fear that the bus will topple over.

"I swear the bus felt like it was going to fall over to one side" Says Nellie, a very satisfied customer of the Thriller Ride.

Ride Fares are charged at a minimum of $1.40 if you are paying adult fare. It is very likely to increase given that every damn thing in town has its price escalating. But if you are a poor student like me and has bus concession, then the ride is free... well.. almost.. depends on how you see it.

Anyway, what are you waiting for? Dump those boring car rides!

Take the public transport to school and do not give anyone the opportunity to leech you via the ERP system they trust.

Killer Bus at NUS

Find yourself unable to take the examination stress at NUS?

Simply stand behind ISB A2 (Yellow) at 5.45 when the bus has people up to the last step at the Computer Centre bus stop. Then pray for the engine to stall, as the driver struggles to find the biting point to move off, so that the bus will roll backwards.

Satisfaction guranteed.

Quote of the Day: Go Johnny Go Go Go!

Words from Heaven:

Psalms 76:12

He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth.

We are called to be priests and kings.

Priesthood implies a spiritual life that is in close fellowship with God. Intertwine in His glory and holiness.

Kindship is synonymous with leadership.

Kings lead. Not just other people, but they have perfect control over their own lives.

Accountable and reliable.

Princes live in the cover of their fathers. Dependent and childish.

Time to shed of princehood, and enter into Kingship.

Make that decision to take responsibility of your own life.

God can then truly use you to shine for Him in a greater way.

It is time

2008-03-28T03:13:00.002+08:00

It is Time...

Too Honest?
Too Frank?
Too Blunt?
Too Bitchy?
Too Stuck-up?
Too arrogant?

-------------
I did not get the position I was running for.

So to say I am feeling fine is a lie. To say I am not disappointed is yet another lie. To say I will recover from this is.. well another lie. Now I will just get more laughs pointing in my face, more humiliations to go through, more comforts to hear and another failure to bear.

I have low threshold for insults. So when conversations and interactions turn a little personal, I will try to avoid and hide from it. But when things get a little offensive, I defend. You throw a punch in my face, I return one to you.

And that is why precisely I bring myself to go through the process of having people tear me down in public just because I am supposed to showcase exemplary behavior and say the things people want to hear. I got a little too honest, too blunt and very much less street smart. Self defense mechanism kicks in, and I shot back every single bullet I had bitten.

But Hey, Mr Lim Chen Guo, this is an election and votes need to be won. Personal feelings are not supposed to be mixed in. And stupid things are not meant to be said. Gotta drink the sand and sail through the rocks.

So what if a few people thinks that their attention cannot be grabbed by me?
So what if a few people thinks that because I have flaws in my playing means I have nothing to impart to the band?
So what if a few people thinks that because I have do not work through a piece thoroughly means I cannot take a full rehearsal?

Then again, owning up to it, given that out of 51 people, 33 voted against me, I guess these criticisms were a shared value. The consensus is clear. Justice is done.

So all i can do now is to drink more sand in the coming days, thicken my already thick skin and plough through the rest of the field. The road is long and the valley is deep.

Its time grow up boy.
Its time to learn to move on, Lim Chen Guo.

This Good Friday

2008-03-23T19:11:00.003+08:00

This Good friday...

Good Friday. The day the Lamb of heaven crucified on a cross. Nahz.. Not going to preach here (but nevertheless HALLELUJAH!), but going to tell you about a journey I took this good friday evening.

You see, according to the Bible, Jesus descended into the dead (meaning Hell) and then on the third day He rose again (I promised not to preach.. okok.. I'll stick to my agenda).

Anyway, after the service on friday, me and the gang decided to move away from our usual activity of KTV and try something new. So I suggested a steamboat dinner, which would take up considerable time and maybe thwart the usual routine of KTV. So where do you usually go if you want cheap and good steamboat?

(Do I hear Bugis?)

Yes you go to Bugis. However, if possible, avoid the one at Tan Quee Lan Street as it is really quite pricy, the one supposedly with good soup base (I am sure you remember the advertisement with the girl and her thumbs-up). For your info, the advertisement fees for the soup base seemed to be included in the price.

Thats beside the point, we discovered this shop along the main road. The price was reasonable and there was air conditioning. Now that was quite a good buy. So after a 20 minute wait on the queue, we were shown to our table. To preserve reputation of the shop, I decided not to tell you the name of the shop, but the shop is located at 530 North Bridge Road, #01-01 (hehe).

So why I talked about Jesus descending into the dead on Good Friday? I found out after I descended these steps.

At the foot of the steps was the basement level, which is the supposed air conditioned area. Well, lets just say I entered hell in Easter. The air conditioner was not working, and worse, we were ushered to a table in a corner with no fans. In any case, since we are here, we persevere on.

Well, the soup base was quite good. And after our first round of ingredient selecting, cooking, we realised that our steamboat resembled a giant Yong Tau Foo pot. Where are all the poultry and seafood? Me being me, was the only one daring enough to venture into offals, and the only available was the liver. And it was savoury, worth the cook. I pity those guys who always ordered Bah Chor Mee (Minced pork noodles) without the ter-gua (pig's Liver), they have no idea what they are missing.

Well, the seafood came in the second round.Quan Ming and I personally saw to that.

Anyway as the night drones, the temperature rose. In no time, we were drenched. Sweating, and eating the food mostly from the side of the chicken and avoiding the Spicy side. Soon we realised we need to work on the spicy side and so we did.

So one hour and a half had past, and then we could not carry on anymore. But the table next to us, who arrived earlier than us, kept on ploughing the food. In the end, those 2 girls devoured more than we 4 guys did. Respect.

Now, the moment we have been waiting for, ice cream. And by this time, quite a huge number of the customers have left. Or so we thought. They were all at the ice cream queue. I still remembered in my BMT days, I used to look forward to Wednesday lunches as we will given 1 ice cream each. Well, actually us, the obese batch boys, were not entitled to any for the obvious reasons, but I guess the sweet chubby thing did the cookhouse aunties in and we got the ice cream.

Now, after the meal, we left the restaurant and was walking to the cinema booth smelling of Steamboat. No movies to watch. Where to? So by now you thought we escaped the grasp of KTV? YOU'RE WRONG! We were reminded of the $10 KTV in Chinatown and it was too good an offer to reject. So where did we go?

KTV.

-.-"

Quote of the day: Been through hell and back.

Words from Heaven:
Matthew 26:56

(Jesus Says)"But all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Jesus knew why He was on Earth.

He knew his purpose here on Earth and that the cross is where He must go.

But even in the garden of Gethsemane and on Calvary, He doubted God and His destiny. But He knew it must be finished

And for His life assignment, He was rejected, humiliated by His own family members and the very people He came to save.

Even His disciples forsook Him, one even denied Him three times over.

Finding this too far fetched for yourself?

But have you ever tried helping someone but got chided instead?

Have you ever doubted the very reason of your current deeds? Like why are you mugging? Working? Your very existence?

But Jesus hung on, literally. And this is the message of Easter, of the cross. The saving power of Christ and resurrection power can lift up our very spirit and soul.

Feeling heavy and down in your walk with God?

Turn to Him. He'll bear your burdens with you.

Feeling weary and tired of the things He sent you to do?

Turn to Him. He'll give you strength.

Feeling alone? Forsaken, rejected and humiliated?

Turn to Him.

He'll walk with you.

The Biggest Lie

2008-03-14T10:37:00.003+08:00

The Biggest Lie!

(photo taken from www.todayonline.com)
This is the biggest lie of the century!

They have the cheek to put up this poster knowing that the entire campus is generally disgruntled by the bell curve, which is the ultimate statistics.

NO. This post will not continue into another whine about the bell curve.

This poster talks about exploring your interests through the different programs in the university, and that how success in all aspects in life is not just about the degree. The irony of it all - whether you get the degree or not in the first place depends on the statistics.

God, what are these people thinking?

What are you?

2008-03-07T01:16:00.005+08:00

What You are

Some day we Will

Be erased from some people's memory.

Erase some one from our memory.

Cross some person's path and not be remembered.

Cross some person's path and drill a hole in that person's heart and stay inside.

Become photos, remain as photos, stacked up in a cupboard somewhere.

Become a living memory, displayed in a photo frame inside the heart.

***
The dull and mundane, now filled with colours,
The dead and motionless, now filled with action.
The dud and cold, now filled with warmth.

The lonely and abandoned, now has someone to look out for.
The lonely and abandoned, now has someone to look to.
The lonely and abandoned, now has a house to go to.
The lonely and abandoned, now has a place to look forward to.

The sick and wounded, now consoled.
The sick and wounded, now healed.
The sick and wounded, would one day recover.
The sick and wounded, no longer need to fear.

The weaknesses, you made strong.
The emptiness, you made whole.
The valueless, you made worthy.
The sadness, you made happy.

In days to come, we may leave all these behind.
In days to come, we may not bring all these with us.
But In days to come, we just need you and I.

***

A Revelation

2008-03-03T01:33:00.004+08:00

A Revelation

Ok. I admit that this came a little too slow for me. But it just seemed that people have been leaving Singapore. I had been to the Changi Airport twice this month (both on the same week) to see people fly off. In any case, I hope James is reading this blog and yeah I wish you all the best in your studies.

As for Mr Potato, I think we do have overdue programes and activities yet to be fufiled.. Seeing as you are enjoying yourself in Taiwan, I guess we would wait for you to come back (nothing else we can do also what..). Have a nice time in Taiwan and do take care of yourself.

****

Considerations. Something that seemed to be missing in some people's vocabulary these days. For one, when you are queueing up to enter into a Church service, i do not think it is polite and appropriate to cut queue. The consecrated atmosphere had just been divinely intercepted by a not so divine act.

Religion can maintain some social order under some circumstances (Brym and Lie, 2007), this is certainly not the case of what I have witnessed in the staircases of my church while queuing. Eager as we all are to enter the hall to receive sanctification, it is crucial to maintain and uphold social norms. Nono.. Cutting queue is certainly NOT one of them.

On a side note, I just realise I have been talking alot of Sociology the people around me. Nahz.. I think its just because of Amanda and Chee Weng.

****

Homework is piling. I was talking to a friend previously about the mundanes of school life, and we were set off again in discussion about the Circle of Life and How it Moves Us all (THe Lion King, 1994) and I was just waiting for the classic line to appear. And sure enough it did.

ME:
Aiyah its like that one lahz, when you are schooling, you would wish for work. Then when you working, you wish you back in school..

Thus, along with many other people, I began to confess and meditate on this statement. And as the mid term break draws to a close, I thereby declare that my assignment piles is getting lower, but I am damn sure that it will pile once tuesday (my week starts on tuesday ~.~) hits. The pile will start piling.Again.

Here we go again~
Same old shit again~

****
Quote of the day: What recess week?

Words From Heaven:
Luke 14:41
....[Jesus Speaks]"Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the son of man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners."

The most important and crucial moment has come.

Yet, often, we will miss it because we slumber.

Focus!

People who are distracted by wayside things are Fools!

The year had just begun, do not let your eyes wonder.

Concentrate and be vigilant

Happy Valentines'

2008-02-14T18:31:00.004+08:00

Happy Valentines'

The girl stood up to alight. Now is the chance to grab the seat next to her. But what use would that be? Does minimizing the physical distance between us bridge the gap of our hearts? I decided to stay where I am. I made no attempt to move. She had not indicated that she wanted someone to come close to entering her space. Especially not me.

"Haven't seen you for a while, you still working at the same place?"
"Yeah I am. So how's school?"
"School's been ok."
"School's still fun for you huh? Work isn't."

That ended that conversation. She seemed reluctant to talk. Was I being passive too? Did my sudden appearance on the bus shocked her till she did not have time to react? Why am I asking so many questions?

"Do u know that i have changed my number" I tried to talk.
"O no, you did?"
"Yeah, my phone blew.. Lost all the contacts.." I lied, I do not know why. But I just did. "Anyway here is my number..."

She keyed in the number, and did not make any missed call to me. I am not even sure if she had saved the number. I guess I fail at making small talk. She put the phone back into her bag and took out her MP3 player. Why though? I asked myself. I think she does not want to talk. Afterall, what we have been through had been my fault.

For 2 years since since the break up and I have not made any move to talk to her. I just disappeared from her life there and then. It is pointless to dwell on what should've been done or what could've been done. It was over the moment I took the stability for granted. I had wasted years of relationship in just that one moment. It had not been easy coming together yet another time, but I failed her...yet again.

Does she still hate me? There was an awkard silence. Though we were not talking, but she had not plugged in her earphones either. I wonder what's going through her mind now.

Soon she shut herself from me using the earphones. I took the cue and put on mine. I scrolled through my library of songs and arrived at Anna Nalick, Wrong song. Continued to scroll and arrived at Celine Dion. Ok, I get her point. It is all really coming back to me now. I wodner what is she listening to? Was she feeling what I was feeling or did she assume that emotional indifference? Why am I still asking questions?

i looked outside the window, to my left, anywhere but her. I did not want to set my eyes on her. I felt guilty and shameful. I felt.. I felt something still there. Lingering. Was it? Its been so long and yet I had not put it down? Was all this at the back of my head undercover, but waiting for the opportunity to sneak up on me. I had no answers.

I had not intended Valentines' to start this way. but I guess it is still Happy Valentines', in its own rights.

Quote of the day:Happy V day.

The Lunar New year

2008-02-04T01:11:00.000+08:00

The Lunar New Year

No One to follow after this year. What is the Mausu kulikukeru doing? So i decided to do 1 on my own this year since I just learnt photoshop. Not without the instructions of Weiye Of course.

The Sequential Difference

2008-01-28T21:20:00.000+08:00

The Sequential Difference

As long as I can recall, I have only 1 phone that lasted as long as its mobile plan, and it is still working now! (A round of applause please!) And that is my faithful Nokia 7610. And in case you were wondering, NO, my new Samsung phone hadn't died, I just brought it back to the service centre for a Facelift, as the paint was peeling all over the place. Compared to Nokia, Samsung had only 2 service centre to my knowledge and in my quest of sending my phone for a surgery, I have spent over 2 hours at each service centre, the first being unsuccessful as the waiting time threatened to make me miss my next appointment.

But the wait for this afternoon was well worth it, and here's why.

I went into the service centre and took a number. There were 13 people before my turn. So based on my previous experience, I left the building and carried out my other errands first. After completing my errands, I went back to the centre and the queue had only moved by 5. That is of to be expected. So I siddled over to the computer terminals at the side and immeresed myself in looking through all the mobile phone models carried by Samsung. And then:

Old Woman:
"Just now the queue number was 13, then 14, then now jump back to 7! There is something wrong with your system!"

Old Man:
"YES! We are catching a flight at the airport and you missed our turn??"

Old Woman:
"How can like that? Next time I won't buy Samsung products, So little service centres and so lousy the service."

I must admit at this point I panicked. Them creating such a din must have some credibility to it. But alas I was wrong. I spotted a much nicer auntie at the side and i approached her and found out that 13 and 14 have never been called. The number had all been called in sequence. And so the two old folks may not have spoken the truth. Nevertheless they decided to continue with their show. When the customer left, they walked to the counter even before she had time to react, and handed her the collection ticket and Poor Counter Girl went in through the door to collect their set and all in good time as drama begins to unfurl. All the time, the crazy old couple was uttering amoung themselves about poor system and substandard services.

Meanwhile, A little commotion in the shop was stirred up as many seeing the Poor Counter girl giving in to the request of Old couple and was a little outraged. Old woman, sensing hostility, turned and face the crowd and persisted that she had seen the number made ridiculous jumps. A man from the crowd holding ticket number 9 was immensely pissed off and began to speak up. And off the 4 of them went blabbering in advanced level cantonese (MAN! I really need to pick up that dialect, proves to be useful.), and hence i lost some part of the story. As they were catapulting each other in cantonese, the rest of the crowd (I was not included, mind you), along with the number 9's wife, echoed "13 and 14 had never been called, it was 03 and 04" in various languages in response to Old woman's claims.

Then just moments before Poor counter reemerged from her hiding, Old man said:

"OKOK! YOU ALL GO FIRST LAHZ"

Number 9 replied:
"WHY? SHE HAS ALREADY WENT AND TAKE YOUR STUFF"

And when Poor counter girl reemerged, number 9 went forward to the counter and demanded he be served next. So much for righteousness. Poor Counter girl ignored number 9 and attempted to get rid of Old couple. Then Old man said:

"WHY DUN U SERVE HIM FIRST THEN?"

The Old woman said the sentence of the century:
"WHY BOTHER NOW? THE PHONE IS ALREADY HERE!"

And so poor counter girl handed over his phone and the Old couple left, first being stepped by the blades of eyes of many. Meanwhile, Number 9 still insisted that he should be served next. And then the Poor Counter Girl, having learnt her lesson, pressed the bell and waited for number 8. I seriously wondered how number 8 would have felt, but I will never known as number 8 never turned up.

And just when you think the episode dissolves as the Old couple leaves, number 10 and beyond held a heated discussion outside the shop, offering a perfect epilogue to the show. Well, I stopped paying attention when a cute dude walked into the shop.

Quote of the day: Never bite more than you can chew.

Words From Heaven:

Psalms 94:1

O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs - O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!

Have a person stepped on your tail lately? A person crossed your path and you will never ever forgive him?

Have you wringing your brains dry on the revenge methods?

Just take a look at how at stories of the judgement of God in the bible.

I am sure if we lift up our enemies to God and bless them in the name of the Lord, vengeance will be in order and justified.

The Pensive Moment

2008-01-26T23:16:00.001+08:00

The Pensive Moment

I took a trip to Pulau Ubin yet again for the second time this month this year. This time round had been different from the rest. To begin with, I had not met with any accident and no blood was shed today. But most importantly, my mind was set into a pensive drill and I kept rehearsing questions after questions in my mind.

The thoughts of flying and liberty. The lingering question that pesters every single person who cared about their position in this vicious cycle we call life.

The question of responsibility. These questions were set off when my friend took the trouble to unscrew the front wheel of his bike so as to prevent theft. How much will you do to uphold the responsibility that was bestowed upon you?

The question of leaving. All exits are thoughtful. Why have we decided to step out of anything??

The pensive moments were broken when we bumped into a little inhabitant of the island. The boy was feeding a cage of rabbits and he turned and saw us three looking at him. So he pointed to one and asked,

"Have you been here before?"

"Yes"

Then he turned to another,

"Have you been here before?"

"No."

Then he turned back to the first.

"Have you been here before?"

"No."

"But you said yes just now!"

"Did I?"

"Did you?.."

The questions that were raised today in my head had left me confounded too. I think its time to take a pensive retreat and cherish some pensive moments.

The Toys That I Play With

2008-01-22T01:46:00.000+08:00

The Toys That I Play With

The time has cone to grow up and leave all those toys behind? Certainly not! While manufacturers are getting all busy and hectic about trying to lure the money out of the parents' pockets, these children are certainly not the only ones that benefit from all these contraptions.

I toyed with my Sister's Wii by Nintendo (now that sounds wrong..) on the Sunday that had just passed. After half an hour of some pity exertion, I was in need of a rest and I was actually perspiring. There was jerking and pushing during the bout of Boxing, swerving and swinging of the controller as though the remote controller was a tennis racket and the make believe bowling.

But out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of this:

Introducing the all new washing machine that finally fits in the color of your wall. This model features regular wash and rinse functions, as well as the high speed spin dry function. And this model is battery operated! Is it on sale at all the major electrical appliance retailers? Nah, you can find this toy at all of the major toy stalls. And according to the parent who bought this, there are other similar appliance. Already I can see how my sister's cash is slowly being extracted out of her account.

But how could I have not known that a force darker that jealousy, power stronger than love (from Moulin rouge) had already overtaken the invention and innovation of these toys. Socialization. I took a look around the play pen of my niece and all I could find are toys like a make believe kitchen, a washing machine, all in hoping to nurture the femininity of the little girl. There were no signs of toy cars, trucks, super hero figures. The only doll that existed was the one of Ariel from the Little Mermaid.

So does the games and the toys we play with when we are young truly has an impact on our lives?

I wouldn't know. I wasn't really into computer games when I was young. But I do have a tub of toy cars currently sitting in my cupboard somewhere. I used to get all excited about going to a car show with my father, and I still do. I get turned on by cars. But what I do remember is that in my estate, there used to be this playground and I would go down and play with my neighbours in the evening. Then there will be this old man who would sit by the side of the playground amongst the maids and the parents with that shiny tenor saxophone, and would started to jam. That was the beginning of my love for music. And until today, the sound of that tenor saxophone still rings in my head.

The Ride..

2008-01-10T23:21:00.000+08:00

The Ride

"Where are you?"

" I am at the train station waiting for the train towards Tanjong Pagar."

"So I meet you at outside Tanjong Pagar MRT right?"

"Nono, train station!"

"Yeah lahz, the Tanjong Pagar Train station right?"

"Nono, not that train, not the MRT! TRAIN as in the zhi-gongg zhi-gongg one"

"O that train, wah lau!.."

So this is the first time taking the choo-choo for me. Ok.. you can carry on laughing at the mountain turtle that I am but I am sure there are people out there that has not taken the conventional choo-choo before. But seeing as now that technology has advanced things much, the KTM train ride was not much different from the MRT ride, except cushioned seats, no crowd, and the speed. But you can still hear the zhi-gong zhi-gong of the rail.

So a few days before my semester break ends and I got the chance to cross the borders of the island into the peninsula for a day of release. Not so much of doing something different as when I was in Singapore, but it is the place that makes all the difference. It is about breathing a different kind of air, albeit more polluted. And most importantly, it about the atmosphere. Its about the festivity, it is about the FREEDOM.

But it is definitely not just about Chinese New Year.

Right smack in the middle of the shopping mall is a stage with large speakers, blasting jarring chinese new year songs. And that music travels all the way up to the highest level of the mall. I am not against them celebrating Chinese New year, but too much is too much. the music from the centre stage clashes with the music from the shops and all of these give me a splitting headache and I ended up at Secret Recipes.

Nahz.. excuses, I just wanna have some cakes at the price you can never get to find at the Singapore outlets, even though the prices have increased.

So school is starting, and then when people asked me in school if i had been overseas during the holidays, I would say yes.

Quote of the day: Cross the Causeway also conisdered overseas what

Words from Heaven:
Matthew 11:28

(Jesus says)"Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The year has just begun, and has all the work load tire you out and threaten to burn you out?

Now you can have a resting place where you are cut off from the cares and the worries of the world.

This paradise, is the arms of the Lord.

When you need a break, you need a break.

If even God needs a break on the seventh day, so do you.

Enjoy your break if you have one, get one if you need one.

Fell To Prey

2008-01-01T22:45:00.001+08:00

Fell To Prey

The first activity cancelled on 2008: Swimming. It was substituted by biking at Pulau Ubin. An annual pilgrimage I make. It was not purposeful, it just happened that I visit that island they call a getaway at least once every year. And every year, I fall prey to the bicycle somehow, sometimes suffering minor injuries such as bruises, or else not so fortunate. Today was no exception. I think it all began at the point of renting the bicycles.

Looking back, I seemed to have very little affinity with bicycles, seeing as the very first peddle on the bike when I was in my secondary school, I fell. And so goes for the subsequent peddles. I thought I was pretty relentless. And the other biking experience following that were always accompanied by small injuries. My only memory of a truly glamourous bike accident wa one when I has moving down a gentle slope, but nevertheless at quite a speed. I accidently squeezed the handles that would apply the front brakes, and the next thing I know, I was flung off the bike, flew forward and landed on my precious butts. The then I caught glimpses of the bicycle, and soon it was pain on my chest as a part of the bike ( I cannot remember which part, or was it the entire thing..) landed. You thought I would be hospitalised? Nahz, I just picked myself up and continue my journey.

In any case, Pulau Ubin has undergone quite a bit of change. For one, there is now a board walk at Chek Jawa Wetlands. Or rather, boards on Metal and concrete walk. I wonder how many wildlife they had managed to massacre while building that. But in turn, they have also salvage the wetlands from being ruined by un-welcomed intruders while offering the community the opportunity to enjoy its many wonders. Then there was this tower that looks out to nowhere. There was also more points to view and take photos of the quarry, which will reopen soon.

Despite all these little modifications here and there, the island has not lost its rustic charms, which includes the small minubuses honking cyclists, the many many many bicycle rental shops trying to rent out those infernal machines, the short yet experience filled bum boat rides, especially if you have Azmi with you.

Quote of the Day: A joyous 2008 to everyone!

Words from Heaven:
Leviticus 26:9-10

For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you. You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new.

Feel like the bad year has already begun on a bad note?

Read the Word of God above once again.

You know what? The Lord, on this very day that you read this word, wants to tell you that even though the year has begun badly, you are still his priceless precious.

And once again, God comes to us and tells us that His covenant with us still stands.

So clear out the trash of the past year, put behind all the hurts and the failures of the past.

For the new year has come, and news things of the Lord will come.

So stretch out your hands to the Lord, and receive your counted blessings.

Sparks are flying..

2007-12-30T21:26:00.001+08:00

God Created fly and forgotten why II
Sparks are flying..

Concert day, and still I feel unprepared. Somehow every concert feels the same way to me. Maybe that is the reason why I am performing up to the mark that I should be presenting. Maybe thats the reason why the expectations of me have been very bleak. Afterall, I am not "fofessional"

But its not all about the performers. In a performance, both the musicians and the audience are actors. While the audience enjoy the show on the stage, musicians at the same time have the opportunity to observe the audience. The way audience award their applause, the way they behave and the actions they commit while the music plays. And as much as captivating certain segments, there will be distractions of sorts. The fact that I have the chance to glance at the audience proves that I am distracted as well.

"I will expect more movements from you later" commented Clement.

If you have seen me in action, you will know what these movements refer to. In any case, less movements usually represents less interest and engagement with the music. And this most commonly translated into badly played music which would result in me enjoying the concert lesser and lesser.

So have I reached a limit that would require me to rekindle my love and passion?

God created Fly and forgotten why

2007-12-20T17:21:00.000+08:00

God created Fly and forgotten why

During the course of this semester, my friends took a module, which presented them with a theme - God Created Fly and Forgotten why- as their group project. In this project, my friends worked out a story book for Children about a character named Tody, who loves baking and bakes wonderful cakes. Somewhere along the way, the love for money overtook the love for baking. So, instead of baking for the passion, he now bakes for the money, and the cakes no longer tasted as delicious as before, and Tody's friends stopped buying cakes from him.

I began to feel Tody's lost of way today while I was sitting in my seat and counting rests.

"Why am I here?" And then I missed an entrance.

"Why am I not looking forward to practices and no longer enjoying myself?" And then I played many many many wrong notes.

I asked a question to some people a long time ago (not in a galaxy far far away), which is a more of a waste, passion without talent or talent without passion? I think, the most pitiful creature around is one without talents and without the passion to pursue the talent the he desires. I love music, and I love my flute, but today as I sat there, as I began playing the notes imprinted onto the page, I realise that I could no longer communicate with the music like I used to, and so why am I still there? I got to the reason that I am only there for the attendance and to please certain people. This is where I begin to refute myself as these people do not need me to please them, and I simply need not be obligated to be part of the ensemble.

So why am still sitting here counting rests? In the story, a fairy came and reminded Tody of his passion and love for the cakes which set him out to bake in the first place. But this fairy do not exist here in the band room, or maybe she does but had already passed her kindness on to other more deserving people. I was left there trying to fit in only to find that I might no longer be a piece of the puzzle. And so, another question arose. Is it because I choose for myself to be excused and excluded or I was squeezed out of the picture or was I ever in in the first place?

So then, where is my place? Is it even right of me to ask for the things that I have so long wanted to have, never quite near to it. And am I adequate enough? Do I have what it takes to play the higher notes? Do I have the authority to decide or is what I am holding to merely a name with nothing attached to it?

Where do I get these answers?

Quote of the day: Hope is for tomorrow.

Words from Heaven:
Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What we can see, we will believe and remember.

What we cannot see, these will be what we need to remember.

So many a times when we go through situations and not able to see the exit, we lose hope.

Such "hope" is better lost as it does not carry any substance and commitment.

Where do I see myself in time to come, the hope I carry, needs to carry weight, that is laden upon my shoulders.

So where is the evidence of this substantial hope? It is in the vision that the hope has imparted to us.

And as I move closer and close to my vision and goal, the tangible becomes more tangible.

The hope, or faith, has materialised.

They Are not Kids..

2007-12-08T23:00:00.000+08:00

They Are not Kids.

This is a story of a Perfectly Fine Young Man (PFYM) being turned into a dog, playing fetch with children on a Company's family day...

Once upon a time, there was a carnival game that was called "Can Smash" which was placed within a park. Little innocent children would approach this game, and try to hit the cans stacked neatly with magic balls and if any of the cans should fall off the stack, the PFYM taking care of the game would grant them a wish. So many children came and try to hit the cans. And PFYM was having fun playing with the children and granting their wishes. The children were also playing happily just as though they were in Neverland before the monster who defiles innocence, MaiCkey JackSIOn was turned loose.

Then one day, a witch by the name of Moooneh sneaked into the park and cast an evil spell on the children and their Mummies and Daddies such that now that when the cans fell, they do not want to have their wishes granted, instead they want prizes and gifts on the spot. So the children became violent and greedy in their hearts that when they threw the balls, they were no longer aiming for the cans in their hearts, but all they could see were the prizes. And all the mummies and daddies will come to their children ad say things like,

"Look, the cans are your enemies! Try and hit them down!"

From then on, all the balls that were thrown, were thrown with such great strength that it often flew out of the park. And now, the PFYM were no longer happily granting wishes, but was busy retireving the balls. And he got so busy, that he did not notice the witch turning him into a dog so that whenever the children threw the balls, he will go after the balls as though they were playing "fetch". This saddened the PFYM very much as he really loved the wonderful and beautiful children but he could not make the children happy except to give them presents.

The thing is, these presents were not from the park and sooner or later they will be used up. And as the presents got lesser and lesser, the PFYM was getting more and more troubled as he did not know what to do when all the presents are finished. Just then, the witch Moooneh came in the form of an ugly fairy and told him that all the children must be given the chance to hit the cans even when the presents are finished. So when the presents are finished, the children continued throwing the balls at the cans. But this time, as the children knew there no presents, so their balls hit lesser cans each time. And the PFYM (who really is a very tired dog now) grew even sadder.

Finally, there came a time when a real fairy by the name of NIGHTIMEGOINGTOCLOSELIAOZ came, and chased the witch Moooneh away. And so the dog changed back into the PFYM, but the PFYM was no longer perfect as he is now tired and hungry. And Because the fairy could not lift the spell casted on the park, so the the Carnival Game had to be closed down and the children had to be turned away. So the PFYM remained sad, tired ever after.

The Moral of the Story: I will never be a games stall attendant the next time. AND Stop calling me uncle! I am only 23 years old, if your child can't see that, I am sure you can right? Idiot.

Quote of the day: KIDS NOWADAYS.

Words from Heaven:
Mathew 18:3
(Jesus says)
and said, " Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

Little children have all the innocence that is required to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Do not misunderstand, innocence does not equate to ignorance.

Innocence is the found in that you believe whatever is told to you.

That is so important because whenever God tells you something, you need to believe it without doubt.

So stop questioning God, believe in what all the He has said, done, saying and doing.

42.195 km.

2007-12-02T21:00:00.000+08:00

42.195 km I have done it

There will never come a chance for anyone to run along some of the most major roads of Singapore, enjoy the cool morning breeze and the company of thousands of others. Flagged off at 0530, the over 6 hours journey was that was worth re-living.

0-1 km
This is one of those sights. Standing in the middle of a running crowd of close to ten thousands, running down esplanade drive.

1-2 km
This is where we begin to enter Marina South area. This and the following stretches are also the area where many people relive their field camp experience. Along the way, runners will fall out of the running track, and saunter into the dark woods and bushes along the way and pee. This my friends is the epitome of civilisation.

Monkey in the bush.

2-3 km
The first drink station, of which I skipped as I feelt my bladder filling up due to the water drunk before the event. This is also where you get to marvel at the amount of rubbish generated for 1 drinking station. And believe it or not, but this time, the Kenyan runners have already completed their 10 km as they whizz past us.

5-6 km.
Talk, laugh and run.

6-7 km
The first U turn of the day. During the U turn, Albert suggested that we took to the pavement next to the main road. So we jumped across the shrubs and landed on the pavement.

"Please use the main road!" says the official. And we jumped back to the main road.

7-8 km
Here is 2 people worth mentioning.

One would be the wheel chair bound lady, whom was applauded over and over again for her courage and determination.

Second would be Spiderman. No, not Peter Parker. Its just this person dressed in Spiderman suit. Which attracted attention of course, and he or she always responded with a raised thumb.

Here is also where I took the first of my many cups of ice mountain (and later 100 plus also) at the drink station.

8-9 km
Talk, laugh run.

9-10 km
Ditto.

10-11 km
Albert and I were wondering where had Spiderman gone for the pas 2 km? But when we entered Shenton Way, the answer was obvious. At Marina, he hadn't any buildings to spin webs. So we were half expecting him to zip above us.

11-12 km
The breeze blowing towards you in the middle of the city was something you could experience perhaps in the movies. But not today. We ran past the first of the many small ensembles (with parade bass drum) and they were playing Livin La Vida Loca, something I played when I was in Secondary 2. But Albert and me being Bandsmen, you can guess the topics that was discussed for the next couple of KM.

12-13 km
Talk, laugh and run.

13-14 km
Ditto

14-15 km
Ditto

15-16km
Ditto

17-18 km

Albert says:
"Toilet break at east coast"

18-19 km
Toilet break + Mentholatum Deep Heating rub. Marathon's best friend.

19-20 km
Talk (getting shorter), laugh (getting less) and run (getting slower)
...
...
...

24-25 km
This is where I start walking for the first time. Albert pressed on.

25-26 km
walk, Ipod and run. Caught up with Albert.

26-27 km
Hungry. Start to speed up running/walking speed so as to approach U turn and power bar.

27-28 km
Walk, Ipod. POWER BAR!!

28-29 Km
Run, Ipod. Albert is out of sight liaoz.

29-30 Km
Stretch, walk and Ipod.

30-31 km

Run, Ipod.

...
...
...
34-35 km
Out of East Coast, Back on the road. Walking and Runinng in between the kilometers.

...
...
Where is the ending point??
...
...

37-38 km
BANANAS!

38-39 km
I see the Immigration building. WHAT?? Thats Lavender, and my ending point is at the Pandang? -.-"

...
..
.
40-41 km
The placard on the side of the road says:
"This is the last stretch. Go for it"

41-end.
All I see is the finishing line.

Finish Time: 6 hours, 23 minutes and 19 seconds.

This would be the right the place to thank the following people:
Albert: You've been a good companion.
W437: For when I run I felt your prayers behind me
Jude, Weiye, Nasser, Yaozong (the gang): The support and encouragement
People along the route: I may not know you but thanks for the support and encouragment. It meant alot to us.

And of course, Jesus Christ my Lord.

Quote of the day: Finisher of 42.195 km.

Words From Heaven:
Philipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Life is like a marathon. There will be times when your muscles ache and you think you can go no more.

There will also be times when you feel like like throwing in the towel. Well I did.

But truly, the sustainment of our long walk on this earth with God, is not easy.

But the strength of the Lord is so great, that it is sufficient for you. And truly, all things are possible with God

p.s.
Nipple abrasion is no joke.

Project Superstar

2007-11-23T00:16:00.000+08:00

Project Superstar

Taken from a poster I saw somewhere:

This a tale about four people, Everybody, Anybody, Somebody and Nobody. There was an important task to be done for the four of them. Everybody was sure that Somebody would take the initiative to complete it.

Well, Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about this as this was supposed to be Everbody's work. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody observed that Everybody would not want to do it.

In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Anybody could have done the work.

My question remains, if it was a task for the team, why could not Everybody do it? And why on earth is Somebody just sitting there and whinning?

This is really the case of project work in school, where the responsibility of the completion of the task rests upon everybody's shoulders but somehow or rather, the responsibility was shifted from everywhere and everyone forgot about the task at all. So if the point in doing project work was to cultivate team work I do not think there is any point driven across some particular characters. For this is an academic project, so no matter who did work or who did not, an end result has to be presented which means some people had to do much cleaning up.

*****

The finals are approaching and each and every single day seems longer than usual. It is also at this time that I feel walls closing in on all sides. The never ending complains and whining and nagging that does not seem to make any sense at all to me. But I marvel at the stamina and the strength prevailing. It has all but cause a great distress to my already failing grades. But yes, the show MUST go on.

*****

The empty halls echo my thoughts and footsteps and all I can see in sight are just mirages and images that are very enticing but never meaning anything solid. They are unreal. But were they there trying to confuse me or are they are there without the creator noticing. The hallways continue to echo my negative thoughts to me and I am trapped in its never-ending corridors. As rain lashed mercilessly on the windows, I reconsidered my options and I decide to hang in there for a little while more and try a little bit more. There is still time. Alas, the show WILL go on.

*****

Another hero. Another mindless crime.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
On and on
Does anybody know
What we are living for
Whatever happens
We leave it all to chance
Another heartache
Another failed romance
On and on
Does anybody know
What we are living for

The show must go on
The show must go on
Outside the dawn is breaking
On the stage that holds
Our final destiny
The show must go on
The show must go on

Inside my heart is breaking
My makeup may be flaking
But my smile still stays on

The show must go on
The show must go on

I'll top the bill
I'll earn the kill
I have to find the will to carry
On with the
On with the
On with the show

On with the SHOW!
On with the SHOW!

The show must go on.

(From Moulin Rouge)

*****
Quote of the Day: The Show must Go on.

Words From Heaven:
Romans 8:18
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Deep in our hearts, we all long and pray for things that we desire and yet do not see.

But ever so often these things do not appear quick enough for us.

We are short sighted creatures and lack patience.

Therefore, that which you hope for which is in the will of the Lord will surely come.

Trust in the heart of God even when you do not see the hand of God.

Le Passio de Tango

2007-11-17T12:02:00.000+08:00

Insomnia #2 - Le Passio de Tango

With every step and stroke of the dance they moved with passion and fire. Force emanates through every single fibre of the being. Yes! This is hatred with a passion. This is despise with a commitment. This a place where no mistake will be tolerated. This is life.

Has anybody told you how life would turn out? We live our life each step at a time, testing the waves and turbulence at every intervals. We were made to believe that that we were given chances, but every so often, the mistakes that we made would somehow work against us in the future. Like in any other couple quarrels:

"Remember that time you did this to me?"
"That was hell of a long time ago!"

And that was what it was, people can be forgiving, but they can never be forgetful. So why is it that we are trying so hard to please others when in just one day, all the past mistakes that have made will come against you and overthrow all your past deeds which were good.

I know of taxi driver that drives with a passion. This man works for the survival of his entire family, but more than that, he serves with a great attitude. A man whom was once high and mighty over all others, humbled himself to serve. But in all things, the stories that he had to share were mostly those that were depressing and hurt.

'It was peak hour, there was this congestion on the highway. So I asked my passenger if she would like to take another path, via the minor roads instead, and she said alright. So I told her the route that I was intending to take and I went on. But when we reached the destination, she reprimanded me for taking a longer route and threatened to lodge a complain, which she did in the end."

Well, the complain came through and while investigations went underway. But this taxi driver was rewarded for his goodwill when the investigations came through, it was a negative case.

So while our night workers slog on the road sacrificing sleep for money, let us remember to be kinder to those who are kind to us.

Quote of the day: Jealousy, will drive you, MAD (From Moulin Rouge)

Words From Heaven:
Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.

Ever felt like we are losing a battle over something that was rightfully ours?

Truth is these battles often train us to be stronger in understanding the different natures of the people around us.

For example, you drop a $10 and saw someone picked it up and claimed it his.

That tells you something about the him doesn't it?

So be of good cheer, for when you uphold your integrity and dignity, your house will sure stand at the end of the battle.

Time Of your Life

2007-11-09T00:39:00.000+08:00

Time Of your Life

"A MEI!!.. SIGN ON!!"

"I SWEAR!"

That was Julian for you.

And to Jude, if you ever do read this blog and entry, No, Julian did not do anything.

There was a pinch of Michael Jackson, then some Shakira moves, and then alot of Madonna. But it was a concert worth going.

But halfway in the middle, a technical error may have caused her to fumble a little. A Mei was singing a duet originally performed by her and Zhang Yu Sheng, and the song was supposed to end with her singing to recording of Zhang's voice. Feedback happened. After distortion, all lights were off. But she remained standing. Although she made no noise, but we all knew, she had teared once again.

Fans all around the stadium screamed words of comfort and encouragement. Sociology came alive for me. Collective Effervescence arose and people were plunged into this state of emotional intensity. A Mei tried to sing, but she let her hand down, and the people in the stadium arose in a chorus of encouragement. Then she broke off, without any music, into an Old classic of Zhang. Silence. We tried to follow along, but were muted by the emotions that were emanating from her.

The weight of the emotions was what I carried away from the concert today. The heavy sense of lost and helplessness was what I could identify as I myself went through rough patches just a few weeks back. Although there was a definite rump at the end of the show, where I moved down to the lower levels, that is the more expensive seats, to get a better view and to enjoy a better atmosphere (My my, the people at the gallery were dead), I could still feel the pain.

A concert that touched my heart. More than anything else.

Quote of the day: The Human heart is the deepest.

Words from Heaven:
Colossians 3:14

But above all things put on love, the bond of perfection.

You can do all you can just to top the person next to you.

You can give all you can so as to be the most genourous person.

But without love, all that you have are in vain.

So exercise love in all of your doings.

p.s.
I apologise for the bad photography, was not prepared and equipped to take any photos.

From the Beginning

2007-10-28T01:57:00.000+08:00

From The Beginning

Lights dim, applause sound, but I just could not find anything right..

This is the second time that I was on the verge of tearing. The resonance of the tune raptured from the natural environment and brought us up to another place. With the full enlightenment of the meanings between the stave, I finally caught a full glimpse of what all these dots and lines mean. It was beyond comprehension and I begin to marvel at this art. At some point in the past, not so distant away, I hated it due to the boring stares into the blocks of rests, but I rest my case.

The first time that I was moved, the tunes on paper represented sorrows. Tragedies beyond any human explanation. A simple chorus representing the remains of the tragic event, followed by an elegy sung through instruments, swelled my awareness and brought water to my eyes.

All with the exception of 6 missing notes, right at the last 10 minute, I thought I fared okay. But did I miss something there? I thought I spent a lot of time on that passage and it was up to my expectation the day before. But nevertheless, this was the busiest concert yet.

So if anyone would have come and asked me,

"What is the thing that you would most want to redo in your life?"

I would say.

"The alto flute solo in Star Wars Trilogy, during Da Capo '07"

I cannot apologise any further for this simple mistake.

Later on, Weiye said that he hardly heard anyone commenting that actual concerts were better than the rehearsals. The opposites occur more frequently. I could not agree more. In the presence of nobody, everyone else on stage can do a good job. I always believed that music is a private affair. It is personal. No one can, or for that matter, should criticise on how good or bad a piece was written (unless it was beyond believe, but then again...), how well it was played (then again there are exceptions)or how relevant was the interpretation.

Music, and any forms of art for that matter, is a personal affair. No one SHOULD interfere, except the music maker themselves of course.

However, I decided to make up for this huge mistake, and that turn would come soon.

4 minutes to the end, and the opportunity was re-presented to me again. I had not disappoint myself.

On the returning way, blue and red revolving lights suddenly brightened up the inside of my car. I moved into the left lane and I was told to pull over by the side. I was baffled.

"Sir, kindly step out of the vehicle"

I obeyed. I was directed to the back of my car. I was thinking, am I going to be like those crooks in the movie, where I have to put my hands on my boot while the police search me. Wait a second.. What have I done??

"Sorry sir, just a routine check, may I have your driving license?"

I handed the document over.

"Sir, is this car yours?"

"Yes..err.. actually it's my brother's."

"And where are you heading?"

"I am sending my friend back, then I am heading home."

The courteous police officer clicked some button on his walkie talkie. I could distinctively see him punching in my id number. He scanned through the information presented before him.

"Ok sir, you may proceed"

He handed my license back to me. I drove off.

I seriously had no idea what just happened.

Quote of the day: The beginning or the end?

Words from Heaven:
Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

All of creation emerged from the hands of God

So all of creation's capabilities reflect God's immense power.

So all all that we were able to do is a gift.

And what we choose to do with that gift, decides the outcome.

Do you know what potential lies inside of you?

Does it have to be this way?

2007-10-23T12:25:00.000+08:00

Does it have to be this way?

Do people mature as they grow older?

If you say yes, I beg to differ. I have seen how perfectly mature adults descend to levels as low as childish threats, attention-seeking and totally immature actions. The body ages, but not the mind. Certainly not their mentality. Sure, we have all grown up and reached an age of independence, but that does not mean that you can just turn your back on everything else.

Why can't you just understand that all of us have been fighting all this while? All these struggles and battles amounts to nothing when you decide to just betray everything that we have for this place and take that step out of the door. Sure, you can leave us, but it does not leave you with anything. Sure you can live on your own, sure you do not want to see her again, but what does it proof? It only goes to show that you are nothing but an irresponsible jerk!

Responsibility does not end when you see your children grow and are able to fly from the nest, responsibilities ends the day you lie motionless in your coffin,where you bring nothing into it with you. That is when everything ends. That is why the both of you are behaving like a pair of spoilt children just refusing to give in.

So many times we have been trying to remind you to watch your step carefully, to be more caring, to pay more attention to him, but you never heeded. You think all these will end when you wake up the next morning? FOOLISH! This time is for real and nobody is there to help you, you are on your own. Sure you have tried your best, but is this all the best you can do? You are not even trying. No communication? He does not show any love and concern for you? That is only because you do not open up and communicate in the first place. That is because you chose to keep quiet everytime things happen. And then whats the next thing you do when you cannot hold it anymore? You let it out in incoherent spurts. That is not even close to communication. You might as well throw knives.

Endless days and endless nights. How much more do I have to bear? How long more can I endure all this?

It pains to write something like this here, but it has to get out of me somehow and I am truly helpless. Does things have to be this way?

I Love You

2007-10-20T01:06:00.000+08:00

I love You

There she goes,
Badgering,
As if it matters.
There we go,
Taking it in,
As if we could.

There I go,
Raving,
Like no one heard.
There you were,
listening,
Like no one would.

There we were,
Cuddling,
With tears down our cheeks.
There You are,
Loving,
With Love knowing no bounds.

There she goes,
trying,
Again, like we knew she would.
There I was,
trying,
too, like I knew I should.

As if nothing else matters,
Like no one ever cared,
With nothing in my hands,
Again, I come before you again.
Too, I knew I was loved.

Quote of the Day: He is alive!

Words from Heaven:
Psalms 17:8

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,

We are an apple in God's eyes.

He does not look at what we do, or what we have done or said.

He loves us for who we are, just the way He made us.

Indulge in His love today.

The Epilogue:

I went from anger, to wrath, to rave, to a clear breakdown and then back to working at my assignments all in just 1 single hour. The emotional roller coaster, the epitome of life's ups and downs.

I realised that the most tiring emotional expression truly is that of sorrow. After all that emotional outpour, neither of us involved were able to sustain and we rest was much awaited for.

Through this experience though, I discovered the enormous strength within us, and the non existence of the boundaries of the love that He has for us.

A few Snippets

2007-10-04T23:30:00.001+08:00

A few Snippets

The benefits of Education

The Different Sleeping Positions

SHUT THE FUCK UP

OK.. Whining's over

Quote of the Day: In the end of the day, You are also a NATO lohz!

Words From Heaven:
Isaiah 55:2

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delights itself in abundance

Our time is spent carrying a myriad of tasks and activities.

But which are those that truly benefit the society or for the matter, us?

The same 24 hours have been given to everyone, while some waste it, some cherish it.

Right at this very moment, what are you going after?

Does it add value to your life or to your bank account?

Do not lose the time given to you. Pursue your life goals, not your wallet goals.

Hear and Hear me Well

2007-09-23T21:27:00.000+08:00

Hear me and Hear me Well

Hi...

In case you don't who I am as I may look different from the photo on the side bar, its still me, Nauthiaus Lim Sheng Wei, the teddy of the owner of this block. Come to think of it, I hadn't really do an introduction of myself.Or have I? It was so long ago... And in case you were wondering why I look different, that is because the owner of this had been ignoring my needs. And that is why me and teddy friends decided to skip TV watching to come and whine.

OK! Complain number 1, my owner had turned into a madman reading notes and studying late into midnight everyday for the past week. Then he would wake me up and asked me and complain about how sickening it is to have 2 mid term papers on the same day, how he hated studying but still gotta anyway. Excuse me, but daddy, I need to sleep ok? Winnie is waiting for us in the morning to gather honey.

Complain number 2, the week had been so hot that all of us on the bed are sweating like pigs. And then I had to wake up every so often because the stupid boy just keeps tossing and turning and kicking the blanket away. So anyway, yesterday before daddy went out of the house, i told him,

"Daddy, you know how sometimes i wake up at night and all I see is wet hair? Could you go cut or something?"

"Aiyah! I know lahz!"

So he went and cut, efficient. Only hoped that he would be the same when it comes to feeding me!

Last complain. I think daddy is growing fatter again. He came home looking glum and said some one just called him fat. Although I consoled him but then I think its true.. The bed is sinking deeper each day. Oh no.. Project embarrassment is not really working well.. seeing as he doesn't even bother to update.. Or maybe too ashamed to update even..

So anyway, most of the mid terms are over, he had cut his hair and the only thing left now is th weight problem.. errr...... Well I guess I better end here.
And anyway Let me introduce my friends.

The bear in white is known Xiao Bai and the one is green jacket is Fatty. Yes, Fatty is his name. hmmmm...

So anyway have a nice day.. Daddy's going to kill me if he finds out about this post, he will anyway so I am going ahead and publishing it.

Insomnia #1 - A Long Day is Over

2007-09-21T00:30:00.001+08:00

Insomnia #1 - A Long Day is Over

Droning on and on.. voices that keep repeating its agony grip. It had been going for days, weeks and months and I had been counting. And still at sometimes, the erosion of patience occurs and more soil than anyone could handle would slide down the earth.

Insomnia? I have insomnia? Maybe it is because of the voices that kept on ringing in my head, or perhaps I had been paralyzed with fear, fear of what would or would not happen in the not so distant future. Or it could be the anxiety of tomorrow.

In any case, A long day is over. I repeat, A long day is over.

A Long Day Is Over
Norah Jones

Feeling tired
By the fire
The long day is over

The wind is gone
Asleep at dawn
The embers burn on

With no reprise
The sun will rise
The long day is over

Something to Unwind

2007-09-15T02:15:00.000+08:00

Keep your doors Locked...

My Letter to School:

2007-09-13T17:13:00.000+08:00

My Letter to the School

Dear School:
RE: The Deck overwhelmed by rain; flooding in some areas

I am almost certain that you will agree to my saying that the entire Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) population was looking forward to the opening of the newly built and “ATAS” Arts Canteen (a.k.a The Deck). No more long travels to other canteens, or have our luncheons under the tent age at the car park facilities outside Lecture Theatre 11 (LT 11). The situation becomes stickier when rain begins to lash mercilessly on students sitting at the edge of the makeshift café.

So herald in the new Deck! The state-of-the-art architecture, the luxury of the air-conditioned second storey with Burger King and the spacious environment provide a better location to have lunch after a hard morning of academia pursuits. But it all fell apart when the rain lashed mercilessly, once again.

While the new Deck boasts of its superior ventilation, it had nevertheless failed to keep the rain out of the premises of its shelter. As the rain and wind aligned their powers, the seats along the railings facing the Alumni Guild house and Faculty of Computing were abandoned and drenched.

As the rain continued to batter down, the Muslim stall, which was situated at the corner, was left without any customers as the rain attacked the queue of patrons. It rained relentlessly and began to take over the inner rows of tables, forcing students to evacuate tables that were being consumed by the rain.

In a span of half an hour, the rain had left a quarter of The Deck empty, and the corners of canteen began to flood. Cleaners had to sweep the water out of the crockery clearing point, evidence of the incapability of the drainage system. Not to forget, all this occurred during the busiest time - lunch hour. Most importantly, these problems had not occurred at the Old Deck. Now, after an hour of downpour, The Deck is in a bad shape.

That is, however, not all there is to this wet episode. Walking out of the deck towards AS 1 is a narrow covered walkway that leaks, causing a slight congestion as students lunged and maneuvered their way to avoid getting drenched.

Further down towards AS 3, water overflowed from the drainage systems onto the walkway. Another persistent problem is the incapability of the shelters along the covered walkways all around the faculty. When the downpour gets more intense, rain splatters into the shelters, damaging properties on top of drenching students.

These are just some of the problems observed during this monsoon season. I plead for attention to these matters as soon as possible before the return of the next monsoon. As heretic as the weather can become due to global warming and climate changes, the problem promises to escalate with each returning monsoon. I thereby suggest that the authorities could put in place supplementary installations such as retractable shelter to reinforce the existing shelter. In addition, drainage systems of the school could be covered with concrete slabs so as to prevent the overflowing of the water.

Therefore at this point, while the problems remained unresolved, I can only search for other alternatives. Rihana’s umbrella perhaps? Ella Ella Eh Eh Eh…

Your's faithfully,
Lim Chen Guo

P.s.
For actual publication kindly go to:

Ridge online

http://ridgeonline.wordpress.com/2007/09/01/the-deck-overwhelmed-by-rain-flooding-in-some-areas/114/

I get Knocked Down

2007-08-31T15:21:00.000+08:00

I Get Knocked Down

The ~~dumb~~ dump truck was in the way. I had to move to the other side so as to avoid the stench. I crossed over. The Dump truck moved passed me. I hat to cross over to the bus stop. So I turned, looked to the left and stepped out. I heard a horn sound..
...
The car hit me from the back. I slidded off the bonet and flew a few metres forward. While trying to break the fall, I sprained my left wrist. I stood up and examined myself while the driver continuously cried out words of concern. There was no blood anywhere and nowhere else felt pain except my left wrist. So I picked up my stuff and headed towards the bus stop. Looking out for the traffic more carefull this time.

Funny thing is though, the driver had not gone out of the car, or even show any intention to, as I was picking myself up. How very helpful and responsible. I wonder at what speed she was travelling at. I could not recall seeing her car when I looked to eh left. Where did she come from?

I spend the next three hours during lesson time, tryingmy best to massage the pain away from my wrist and soon the swell came. I gave up another hour later as the pain became unbearable and I went to the doctors at school. And after my wrist had been bandaged, I spent the rest of the day explaining what happened to my left hand to everyone who cared. So thanks all for the concern. Really appreciate it. Makes me feel like Love still exists in this world.

SO here I am, maimed and left with only one hand.

O yea, special gratitude goes out to Jude, Weiye, Elizaberth, Yao Zong and ~~Nas~~ Nellie for helping me out at school yesterday. Really grateful for the extra mile you've travelled for me.

Thank God I am still here, but only typing with one hand so that explains the short entry. And now thinking about what Aler has said and I probably agree: He Definitely has a great plan for me and thats why I only suffered minor injuries. But then it also means that He does not want me at Heaven for fear of the ruckus I'll create. O well...

Quote of the day: Road Safety!

Lessons Learnt so far..

2007-08-25T01:06:00.000+08:00

Lessons Learnt So Far..

#1 - It is not cool to throw cigarette butts all over the place..

In just 3 days, I have 2 friends fined $200 apiece for throwing their cigarette butts. The thing is, they were both caught by Environmental Health Officers (EHO) who were dressed in civilian clothings at the most unlikely places. One was caught while waiting for my other friend outside a shopping mall and the other was caught on an overhead bridge.

So watch it boys, the next time you smoke, make sure u have a legal place to throw your butts. O while you're at it, might as well make sure you are at a legal place to smoke too. Just to be on the safe side. ;p

#2 - You can't beat the rain

My alarm went off at 9 a.m.. I was supposed to be up and out. I took a peep at the window, it was splattered wet. I listen intently to the soft landing of water on the gravel walkway below. As anyone in this situation will tell you, the perfect weather to sleep in. So I am left with 2 possible choices.
1. Get my fat ass off the bed and prepare to get to go out.
2. Stay at where I am, and harness this once in a blue moon experience.

You can't beat the rain, never ever! I went for the latter choice.

Conversely, you cannot beat the prowess of downpour. As percieved from my window the rain was within the "bravable" range, so I went ahead. Armed with an umbrella, I waddled through the storm. But the rain came down harder, my umbrella was totally defeated. I sought asylum under a void deck.

#3 - Polo Tee With Jeans, T shirt with Berms..

The simplest dressing rule laid down by Nellie for me.

#4 - Some9things cannot be avoided..

This is in response to the Albert's tag on his
blog. So now I have to write 10 weird things about myself and then tag another 6 candidates. So here goes:

1. My favourite hobbies are eating and sleeping.

That should come as no surprise. But many of you should know that I when it comes to food, I am not just passionate. The fact remains that I cannot resist food. As for sleeping, I guess sleep deprivation is a common ail for all university students. And for the record, the longest time I have ever slept in one shot is 28 hours.

2. I like night time car spins.

I think night time car spins are just cool. When no cars are fighting for the road with you, all you have is the wind, the car and you. And then u go to some heighty places, looking down at the view contemplating whats next.

3. I often confess I look like Bae Yong Jun

Stop vomitting just yet! I say that only to counter the statements that I look like Kim Jong Ill. And what is the connection between me and Kim Jong Ill? Just ask me for my 11B the next time round, that is if I decide to show you.

4. I like reading, or should I say, re-reading Roald Dahl

I haven't been quite a reader in my childhood times. The first that I complete was titled "Danny, The Champion of the World". And since then, I've been reading.

5. I am one HELLUVA chatterbox

There are occasions that I just can't stop talking. I will go on and on and on and on and on and on.... ok.. You got the point.

6. I am one HELLUVA Jukebox

If you wanna prove this, just jio me for KTV the next time round.

7. I am a lazy bum

Just look at how the comments are getting shorter.

8. I got short term memory

HUH?? Is it?? Got mehz?.... What was I talking about?...

9. I am one scaredy cat but I still love Horror/Thriller Movies

I watch Horror/Thriller movies with my hands always ready to cover my eyes or my ears. But I still go and watch. I wonder why though..

10. I exercise but I am still chubby

This probably just some scientific error. For me, exercise does not mean I will lose weight or at least maintain it, but there are reasons behind this phenomenon. For that, please refer to point no.1

So after this I must nomimate 6 candidates to continue this trend:
1) Mr Weiye
2) Mr Nellie
3) Mr Alec
4) Miss Nilar
5) Miss Carol
6) My dear niece Miss Yang Mui...

Remember, No TAG BACKS!

Quote of the day: DON'T!

Words From Heaven
Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

I think this is more of a reminder to me than to anyone else.

For the past week, I have carried an unwilling spirit within me.

I remember when I was at having lunch, this old man came begging. Instinctinvely I rejected him, but my friends actually gave hime some coins.

As a child of God, I should be the one filled with the most love.

I repent.

For strangers are also people of God. They will become saints and angels just as I will be.

Meaningless Conversations

2007-08-19T01:18:00.000+08:00

Meaningless Conversations

#1 - The All time favourite

"Excuse me, Uncle, can I have "WHATEVER" please?"

"Err.. the Yellow one arhz?"

"Ah.. yah.. anything lahz"

"hUH?? So its the silver can one izzit?"

" NONO, WHATEVER.."

"Yah lah, the Yellow can 1 lahz!"

"AIyah, correct lahz, Anything lahZ!"

" SO which one?"

"WHATEVER!"

"SO ITS THIS ONE RIGHT? THE YELLOW CAN ONE RIGHT?"

"YESSSSS... ANYTHING LA! MY FAULT OK?"

" SO IS IT ANYTHING OR WHATEVER??"

"WHATEVER!"

"THE YELLOW CAN ONE RIGHT?"

-.-"

Another addition to the useless yet entertaining train of advertisements.

#2 - A conversation with a Cryptonian.

"Hello?"

"...%#%&@=*#....$%#@&*%...##$$@&&%.."

"Hello? Hello?...."

"..%#$#Yes..$#$@can$##$..Spe$%$#$%#..."

"Hello?.. HEllo? HELLO?? HARLO!"

"#@%$#%$ err....%$@# yes yes..harlo?.. Harlo?"

"Yar who's this?"

"May I speak to Miss @$#&%#.....(?)"

"HUH?"..

*beep......

I just made contact.

Another semester coming up. Another 15 weeks of exhaustive thinking and activities. What thrills and excitement await me in these upcoming times? When am I going to burst into flames of frustration and when am I going to wallow in absolute self-pity and melodrama? Only time knows the answer.

I had the absolute morning. It all began with a morning run at West Coast Park. And just when we were about to leave, it rained. Then rain turned into a downpour. So I decided to head to school to wash up. I was not alone of course, which made the matter worse. At school, the cleaners picked the most excellent time to spring clean the toilet. And so the sky continued to pour down cats and dogs, absolutely howling.

Then the bulb inside me lighted up, I could use my friend's residence's shower. So I called him up and asked to borrow his Card. And I drove to the building that he was at but was not allowed to drive in. So I bantered and bashed through the rain. When I reached the shelter, the campus security came and said I was blocking the exiting vehicle. So I sauntered back to my car. As I was about to open the door (I was still in the rain), the vehicle snugged its way out comfortably. But I had not got the card. So I bantered back to the shelter. After which,I drove to the main entrance of the residence, there was a blackout. My friend gave the door a slight tug, and it opened. O wow.

Quote of the day: Calling Occupants, of interplanetary craft (From The Carpenters)

Words From Heaven:
Matthew 12:34

(Jesus Says)"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

The mouth is the door to the inside.

If the condition of the heart is clean, what proceeds out of the door is clean.

If the condition of the heart is broken, what proceeds out of the door is broken.

Check the heart regularly for should any repairs be due.

I need to check my heart regularly...

A New Breath

2007-08-05T16:54:00.000+08:00

I opened my eyes. Took in a deep breath. A new day and a new time has begun.

Not that life has changed much, it is just a little different. For one I am out of job. No, I was not given the sack, my contract just ended.

In a working environment, you come into contact with a myriad of different characters, and these characters play an enormous part in shaping your employment experience. My working experiences revolve around irritating clients, incapable Human Resource (HR) managers, wise superiors and very chatty and helpful colleagues. In summary, this employment has actually been one of the least disastrous, so I consider that a slight achievement.

Desk-bound work and routinal jobs are never my calling. I cannot stay at one specific spot for a long period of time, I need to move. Somewhere, ANYWHERE! "Get me out this office!" was the constant and the most consistent scream in my mind. So begins the classroom tactics to make the hour hand move faster. When work begins, I look forward to lunch, after lunch I look forward to knocking off. Not just because it helps time to move faster, but those are the only times when the people around me are not giving me orders, datelines, instructions. Those are friendly and fun times.

My very helpful and nice auntie Geraldine announced that SGS has just sunk into a part of my history. I think a bit, how many of my ex-colleague in my previous employments am I still in contact with? Hardly a few. Some of their numbers are still in my contact list but have inevitably took on a season parking ticket. Some of them I still talk to but they hardly have time for me so I decided to squeeze them out of my schedule. So will the people from this very recent part of my life also become a part of the wallpaper of my history. What remains of this past two months will only be a few lines in my resume. So much of that is true, but its another learning experience for me to carry on the already burden laden shoulders.

But anyhow, I am left with fewer than 20 days before school starts, not considering the time when I spend writhing with agony and frustrations bidding for the modules, to enjoy what's left of this vacation.

Quote of the Day: Take A break, have a ________

Voices From Above:
Revelations 3: 15-16

(Jesus Says)" I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm,and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."

If you undertake a job, with what attitude do you undertake that assignment do you carry?

Is it a very passionate, positive and determined attitude?

Or is it a very laid back, lazy and couldn't care less attitude?

Lukewarmness brings one nowhere. You have no destinations for the journey.

You have no plans for the preparations and mishaps.

You simply let the current of matters push it along.

So when lightning and thunder strikes, the boat is bound to sink.

No man in t he bible succeeded through lukewarmness, but all have been let to destruction.

Lost a passion in your current journey?

renew your passion and attitudes, if not, sooner or later, you will be spat out of the flow.

Noddles #4b - Noodles That were left outside

2007-07-29T20:57:00.000+08:00

Noddles #4b - Noodles That were left outside
Noodles in soup..

Few days ago, at a particular office building in Singapore, a strange incident was discovered. Suspicious looking properties were left along the corridor and the owner was unknown. So I decided to step forward and hopefully earned a little scoop.

Me
Pardon me sirs, but what are the two of you doing here?

Shoe A
Busking in the sun. Hot afternoon, seems good for a tan.

Shoe B
Yeah right, Tanning. We were soaked I tell you! That animal who puts his feet into us got us all wet this morning!

Shoe A
O yeah, but it was not so bad, we had fun in the rain.

Shoe B
Fun? You call that fun? We were left to drown in the rain. And then that stupid animal thought that the air conditioning was able to dry us up but NO! Which Imbecile will leave wet clothes or shoes under the air conditioner and expect it to dry. Now we smell of stale fish!

Shoe A
Thats not too bad, we have become calebrities now. Look at these people walking by and looking at us.

Shoe B
They are just laughing at us and wondering who is the idiotic animal that put idiotic shoes on a corridor and blocking everybody's way.

Shoe A
Why are you always so negative?

Shoe B
And why are you always so positive?? URGH!

.....

So anyway the owner of the shoe was still unknown. And when we returned to the mentioned building at a later time, the quarrelsome couple was not there anymore.

Recently, downpours all around the island has really dampened the moods of many. I consider this time of rain a really huge loss for my part as I was sadly not at home to take advantage of this monsoon weather to snooze. But rain nowadays always bring back a flashbacks or two from the past. So I thought these bittersweet memories should be adequate to compensate or my loss.

Quote of the day: Sing in the rain

Words From Heaven:
2 Chronicles 25:2

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a loyal heart.

Laziness begets lazy work. Stupidity begets stupid results.

The fact remains that we often do things without thinking.

Our physical bodies follow the routine but our hearts and minds were never engaged.

The bible talked of King Amaziah, who was righteous in the eyes of God, but he was distracted and his heart was not one.

He was eventually defeated in war and was assinated.

Works of division always leads to destruction.

So from today onwards, even with the most minor things we do, do it with all of our hearts.

2007-07-17T21:29:00.000+08:00

Noodles #4a – Noodles that were lost but found.
(What looked like noodles..)
That lingering taste will make sure you will never forget the sweet savoury moments. Every single taste buds on your tongue responds, screaming messages of delight and warmth to the brain and the body warms and comforted. Such is what fond memories might be likened to. Imprints on the mind tend to heighten our impressions and experiences to a point beyond recognition. Rcently while I was at work, I had the opportunity to embark on a journey down memory lane.

It all began with this important contraption

Yes. The shredder. Two years ago, while I was still serving the nation, I had to make daily visits to this machine. Documents that were erroneous, unwanted but nevertheless confidential had to go. This practice was not forgotten but reprised. Right now at my present employment, I still make almost daily visits to the shredder. Guess I am still pretty screwed at paperwork. I was depressed, so I decided to seek help, I think I went to the wrong person…

The Conversation that was lost and found:

Yao Wen:
I remember last time when I was doing office duty during my army times, it got so bored that I would take paper from everywhere and anywhere and started shredding the edges, corners and began playing with the shredder.

Me:
-.-"

Yao Wen:
I think its quite fun. No worries, I think now you have the chance to visit the shredder regularly once again, you should make it a habit to turn this practice into something enjoyable.

Me:
-.-"

Yao Wen:
So is the shredder here better than the one at camp? I should think so, Multi-National Company right (MNC)?

Me:
(-_-")

He brought me on a tour to despondency.

After some time of meditation, I realized what was said did actually make sense. I actually do have a lot of fun at the shredder. Pushing the STOP button when the documents are halfway in, tugging the documents out and starting the engine to roll in the opposite direction, all this in the name of entertainment. My colleague is currently attempting to advance her technical certificate and she had been studying vigourously during work. I took a peep and I saw this sentence:

The shredder:

Machine that shred documents into hundred of very thin strips

Now that needs to redefined, according to a text book, revised edition, edited by Dr Law:

The shredder:

Machine that shred documents into hundred of very thin strips and relieves stress due to office-related complications.

Its advantages include:

Disposal of confidential material in an efficient manner

Low-cost

Provides adequate entertainment for bored staff

The lost and found of noodles or what looked like noodles:

Do not be fooled by its appearances. It is as tall as I am from foot to chest, filled with what looked like noodles or vermicelli but it is the apparent evidence of my incapabilities at work. And yes, I think 3 quarters of this is my masterpiece. Thank you for your kind support.

A redefined purpose for the all existing office equipement and it all began with the shredder.

Quote of the day: Monday turns from blue to green.

Words From Heaven:
John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working"

There is no excuse for us to stop work now that this verse had been said.

Even Father almighty had been working around the clock so why should we stop?

What? Your job sucks? What? Your work's too tough? What? Your hadn't had enough sleep the previous night? What? Your boss sucks?

Look at these pitiful excuses and other similar in the eye and banish them!

Laziness will walk you to the path of void.

So get on your feet and work!

Happy Noodles #3 - The noodles that were abandoned

2007-07-08T01:22:00.000+08:00

Happy Noodles #3 - The Noodles that were abandoned
(Please take care of me...)

"Mum... I am coming home.."

"O sweet heart, you have no idea how worried I have been ever since you've left us to fight in the war, I must tell your father"

"But Mum, can I bring a friend to come stay with us?"

"Sure.. that can be arranged, just as long as you both come back safely."

"The thing is, my friend had lost an arm and a leg.."

"O.."

"Its no trouble mum,I can take of him myself, there's no need for you and dad to worry."

"The thing is, he might experience trouble moving in the house, and..and... mum and dad will be working and son you need some rest after these difficult times."

"Mum, I can do it, this friend is very important to.. to us.. well at least to me.. "

"I think its better to leave him in better hands, like a home or something, there he will find the help he needs."

"Ok."

"Come home safely dear, we will be waiting for you"

******

"Hello?"

"Is this Mrs Peterson? This is regarding your son. I am afraid he has.."

"...That cannot be true, He was fine, he even called me and talked to me days ago! What happened?"

"We are sorry for your lost. But I am afraid your son had committed suicide within the barracks. Incidentally he seemed to have been overwhelmed by his lost."

"Lost? what lost"

"He had lost 2 of his limbs during battle..."

******

Left alone. Sitting there thinking about what it would be like when tomorrow comes. Sure its easy to turn people away. Just raise a hand and put it to their faces and push them aside.

Stranded, alone on the table, waiting for the cloth that wipes the table to come and sweep them into the pail along with other comrades from the other tables. Whats been spilled over the table, or dropped out of the plate will not be retrieved and recovered. Lest people follow the 3 second rule religiously, they sit there, abandoned and awaiting for their fate to befall.

Just a week ago, a colleague of mine was asked to leave the company just because they have found a replacement. A very bad way to be repaid. Nobody cares about how my colleague felt about the "disemployment", well, not the management anyway. Abandoned. She will not be forgotten, not by us anyway, for we remember her for her valiant warfares fought with biting teeth.

So who cares about the abandoned?
The abandoned. For they walk alongside with the stranded and they understand the fight they have to go through. But still the battle is for the self only and the noodles stands alone on the table.

The noodle gets wiped off the table eventually.

Pleading for help, we sink lower and lower into quick sand.

The Point Of No Return, The Phantom of the Opera

Past the point of no return -
no backward glances:
our games of make believe
are at an end

Past all thought of "if" or "when"
no use resisting:
abandon thought,
and let the dream descend

What raging fireshall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us?
Past the point of no return,
the final threshold, what warm,
unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point
of no return . . .

You have brought me to that moment
where words run dry, to that moment
where speech disappears into silence,
silence

I have come here, hardly knowing
the reason why
In my mind, I've already
imagined our bodies entwining
defenceless and silent
and now I am here with you:
no second thoughts, I've decided,
decided

Past the point of no return
no going back now:
our passion-play has now, at last,
begun

Past all thought of right or wrong -
one final question:
how long should we two wait, before
we're one?

When will the blood begin to race
the sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames, at last, consume
us?

BOTH
Past the point of no return
the final threshold, the bridge
is crossed, so stand and watch it burn

We've passed the point of no return

Until this point, no one cares about anyone else. Pleading and begging will come to no avail. Finally the curtain will fall.

I do not want to wait until that time has come. So please try and take care of me while I am still safely swimming the plate. Please take care of me, my friend.

Quote of the day: Solitude is pain, soliloquy is the song of pain.

Words from Heaven:
Mark 2:3

The they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was being carried by four men.

All of us are crippled in some ways. Some parts of our lifes are just paralyzed

There is no way we can go unless we are carried.

And so we await our trusted companions to help us through our tough times, but we also need to know that our friends have their own needs too.

So do not just sit on our problems and await help.

While we are helpless, we need to try to be helpful to those we know we could help.

The greatest stain upon our souls is to leave someone in a lurch later regret the help that we did not give.

hands can be and should be stretched out whenever necessary.

Happy Noodles #2 - The Noodles that Should've Filled me

2007-07-06T00:50:00.000+08:00

Happy Noodles #2 – The noodles that should have filled me
(O… I see..)

I glare. He takes another step closer.
I stare once again. He moves backwards.
I continue staring. He moves around me, and stand slightly in front of.me
This calls for a fast decision making process. I take a big step forward.
HE opened his mouth, but I hastily spoke before him.

"Uncle one Char Kway Teow don’t want chili. Take away one, I’ll come back for it."

I turn around, stare at him one last time and strutted away.

There must be something wrong with waiting. People just cannot wait another moment longer. They are always finding other ways to just get a little ahead of everyone else. You see it in the queues for food, on the road and even waiting to use the bathroom. Nobody seems to have any more patience left in them anymore.

Oh.. I see… you only have 1 hour for your lunch. As if I have 10 hours, you’re in a rush, I do not see any reason why I shouldn’t be. You’re hungry, that is none of my concern. I am sorry.

And why did I ordered Char Kway Teow?? I am supposed to on a diet. Err....that was uncalled for.

Speaking of diet, there seems to be an ongoing trend of inflation. O no, not the economic drone, I am referring to people blowing themselves up, pushing their noses higher and higher in the air until you could see every strand of their nose hair (say Eww.. everybody!), thinking that only they are doing the important stuff. But I suppose this self importance is what sustains the human ego mechanisms as well as aid in the upkeeping of our self confidence. We make ourselves feel significant. We believe we have made an impact on the world around us. All this is true but only cumulatively.

Stinking attitude smells a long way though. What makes you think you are the only one exhausted? So what if you have to feed the family? That does not give you any unspoken consent that you could impose your discomfort onto other people. There will come a time when what you have taken for granted will eventually leave you, and nobody would give a shit about your tantrums and squealing. Be responsible for your own life please.

Army of Me,by Bjork

Stand up
You’ve got manage
I won’t sympathize
Anymore

And if you complain once more
You meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You meet an army of me

You’re alright
There’s nothing wrong
Self sufficient please
And get to work

And if you complain once more
You meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You meet an army of me

Army of me..

You’re on your own now
We won’t save you
Your rescue squad,
Is too exhausted

And if you complain once more
You meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You meet and army of me

And if you complain once more
You meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You meet and army of me

Army of me

Photo courtesy of Yao Zong

I brushed shoulders with a twitch of stinking attitude not long ago. On a fairly empty bus on the way home one night, there was this desolate young man who was trying desperately to contact someone but his mobile had just given way. So he had no choice but to rally for help. He stood up and walked to the nearest person he could reach. He asked,
"Excuse me, I needed to call my friend but my mobile had stopped working, may I borrow yours?"

O no, I though to myself, is this some kind of a fraud? Is this guy one of those cheaters on the newspaper?

He approached me and repeated his request.

I repeated an answer,

"Err.. Err.. I am alighting the next stop…"

I really am, but that answer came with a twinge of panic and suspicion and un-believe. I alighted with a slight wave of embarrassment. As the bus drove pass me, I saw a chap much younger than me but much more trusting than me - he had loaned the phone to him. I thought myself stupid. If he were a cheat, he would've had no place to run. Embarrassment has now escalated to guilt.

Speaking of stinking attitude….

Quote of the day: Umberella.. ella ella ella ella ella (ARGH! SHUT UP!)

I know I have not been sharing some revelations over this space, and I then I was reminded that this is my copyright while I was bloghopping, so here goes.

Words From Heaven:
Ezekiel 35:31

"Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquitities and your abominations."

There are so many what ifs, I shouldn't have, I wish I didn't and if I hadn't in this world: "What if my this happened?" "I wish I didn't hurt her..

It is a myth to say: forget your past and move on in life.

The only reason is that some people never learn from their mistakes.

SO i suppose the only way to make yourself learn from your mistakes is to keep reminding yourself of how you were and look in previous situations.

This way, you will be remembered of your past evil ways and the treacherous paths which you have taken to get out of those situations.

So how can you learn from your past mistakes if you cannot remember them?

So do not let your past be your stumbling block, for they are there to help you.

Turn every stumbling stone into a stepping stone

At the same time, be reminded of your evil ways in the past, and steer clear of them in the future.

Transformer - More Than Meets the Eye

2007-07-04T00:14:00.000+08:00

One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall

Happy Noodles #1 – The Noodles That should’ve made you happy.

2007-07-01T01:38:00.000+08:00

Happy Noodles #1 – The Noodles That should’ve made you happy.
(Introduction to Unhappy noodles)

I poured the soup down the sink, so that I could walk over to the stove and scoop up another bowl. Of what use is the soup after the noodles had been finished up? The remnants of the stains of oil afloat the surface of the liquid evidently speaking for itself – it had been contaminated, and will no longer taste like the soup that sleeps in the big pot.

The noodles, the one that was suppose to satisfy and make me happy. Yes, the noodles that I have just eaten. But somehow, satiety was all there was. I felt bloated. As if my whole life had contained insufficient junk, now the noodles that I trust just made me feel worse. I had lived my life as if it depended on just that bowl of noodles. The laughter I caught when I am eating the noodles, words that I spoke to tell other people about the noodles that I am eating or am about to eat, all those I have walked through them, but I was never alone. But this morning, I ate the noodles alone. I sat at the coffeeshop, alone. Eating the noodles, alone. Talking to myself about myself, alone. I talked to the noodles but they never say anything back to me.

The soup, the one that cost me so much time to brew, simmer and cook. But that was all the purpose that it served. Nobody finishes the soup in their fish ball noodles nowadays anyway. So why should I finish the soup that held the noodles? The Soup that I took time to nurture, put in effort to prepare, did all I could to defend and protect. But it was only there so that it could hold the noodles that were meant for it. Why should I feel sorry for the soup that I just poured into the sink when it was meant for was only to hold the noodles?

Now, what of the soup that still lies peacefully and undisturbed in the pot? I have a mindful of plans for it? I could use it to flavor other dishes. I could simply just dump in more ingredients; nurture it further, so that it will be presentable by the time it needs to be shown to everybody. So many potential lying in this pot of soup! I bet a there are many people around me that deserves this pot of soup more than the noodles. So maybe I should save some of it for the future. In the meant, maybe I could just use a little bit of it to hold another bowl of noodles.

It always comes back to the noodles isn’t it? I could not help but to think that the noodles had somehow caught hold of me. It had somehow been encompassed within my being in such a way that my life will somehow turn bleak and bland if I had not eaten a strand of the noodles by day fall. But I always look forward to the noodles. Every bit of time spent eating the noodles, I cherished. It seems however that sooner of later people will just get sick and tired of blowing the noodles to make it cooler. In the end, we all coax and hoax ourselves into slurping, gulping and swallowing hot noodles down our throats. I thought the noodles were supposed to make us happy?

I think this is where I made the mistake. The noodles are happy. They are just happy, but they do not have the power to make us happy. Today, I was told, I assume too much.

The noodles are no longer happy.

2007-06-16T15:14:00.000+08:00

I belong to Everybody

I belong to Nobody! (Transformers, The Movie, Megatron,1986)

You belong to me. I belong to her. This girl is mine. That boy is yours. Haven’t these sentences mean anything to anyone anymore? Who’s to say who belongs to who? Who has the right to claim ownership over another person? What am I talking about? Why am I even writing this?

EMPEROR PULPATINE (to Luke Skywalker)
You like your father are now… MINE.

(Star Wars, Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi,1983)

Seduced by the dark side, Anakin Skywalker gave himself up to the dark side. So now the power of the dark side has nearly overtaken Anakin, or shall we say Darth Vader. He is a friend and yet a servant to the emperor. He belonged to him. So now, what can the emperor do with him? In the end, Vader betrayed his own master and defeated the electrifying or should I say, the electric generating, (ZapZap..) emperor.

So what if I belonged to you? Does that compel me to bow and do to your bidding? Do I not have any choice at all?

As Megatron weilded the Matrix of Leadership of the Autobots, the thought he could make Unicron his slave, but he could not yield the Matrix’s power and the attempt to control Unicron went in vian. But that little hope that he held in his hands, gave him the courage to go against his all powerful master.

The taste of revolt and disobedience had always been, and will always be a powerful temptress. An adventure to behold, a triumph that awaits, when you have overcome your master and crown yourself as King. The sweet smelling aroma that rises to your nostrils when you finally get to call the shots, swirls and swells in your as you enjoy the perks of leadership. Haven’t you been hearing at some point in your life how leaders of Uniform groups in school enjoyed the scenes and times when they had their juniors on all fours at his or her feet? Everybody wants the world at their feet.

Nigel (to Andy)
For he first time, I am actually going to be in control, I get to finally call the shots in my company, I can actually come to Paris and SEE Paris…

(The Devil Wears Prada,2006)

That small bit of freedom and insignificant portion of rebellion comes with a hefty price. With a bit more freedom, comes a lot more responsibility. Are you ready for that?

Emerge came and went. I went and came, and emerged. So much for denying the fact that I belonged to anybody, but I knew I belonged to Jesus my Lord. Which means to say I belonged to everybody, if I had to serve and love.

I am still a little disappointed though, and sore about the results for Talentime. I was on the list but was not called. As I reflected, I came to negotiate that what the people around had been saying made sense t Although I refused to acknowledge their validity, but somehow it made an imprint in my mind as I ran over the images of the event. I was the best wasn’t I? I sizzled like some said, didn’t I? It was the best performance everyone had seen wasn’t it?

But I guess I was just fooling myself.

Forgive me for being arrogant and prideful, but I am just trying to buffer and absorb yet another defeat and failure.

Quote of the day: You have paid the price for your lack of vision
(Star Wars, Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi, Emperor Pulpatine,1983)

Socks and Panties

2007-05-26T15:53:00.000+08:00

Socks and Panties

Over the past two months, I have been asking around this very weird question:

Which is more pitiful, The Socks or the Underwear?

It all started when I came home after a good evening run. I was soaked through. As I took off my socks, poor thing I thought, you (the socks) have to endure my smelling feet and now you are drench in smelly feet juice. Then I proceeded to shower. While I was undressing, another poor thing I thought, you (the underwear or briefs) are also soaked through and through with smelly sweat.. So that got me thinking. I began asking around about the value of these faithful garments.

The underwear or lingerie is more pitiful because it is hidden underneath the clothes, never get to much sunlight, that is with exception to its cousins, the swimwear. It is in its most sorry state when its owner has lost all control over his or her waste dams. So the underwear literally gets all the shit! So people, open your pants, look at your underwear, and say.. aww…you poor thing.

But life is not always a bed of thorns for the underwear, during which 2 becomes 1, the couple begins to kiss, the woman moves her hands up the man’s waist and begins to roll his shirt off his back. The man takes the lead, puts his hands under her clothes and slowly move them up her body, one by one the clothes are taken off. Finally, what is left is the underwear. The woman puts her hands into the man’s crotch and begins to caress it, rub it, love it… OK. Lets not get porny and corny at the same time. In any case, doesn’t a guy look absolutely stoopid and ridiculous in socks during sex? Well.. that’s actually kind of kinki but that’s not the point.

So in any case the underwear that you and I are wearing should be honoured and exalted high above all the other clothes. For the ladies, that brasserie that you have on your bosoms, must be appreciated in its effort in keeping your mountains high and mighty. The brasserie is also one of the few powerful inventions in the world that aids in the noble deed of defying gravity. Therefore, the brasserie should be placed in the same league as aeroplanes and space shuttles. For the gentlemen, here is a revelation. The briefs and mickey mouse boxers that you are wearing not only covers your junior, like a pair of gentle hands cupped, it is the treasure chest that holds your family jewels, the most precious, important but yet vulnerable part of a man’s life. So in whatever case, the next time you choose some undergarments, be sure to show some considerations for the two year old kid that is living inside your pants (Coyote Ugly, 2000).

So peeps, the award for the most pitiful garment of the human race goes to the socks! This pair of twins go through all the mud and the dirt together. Enduring unimaginable smells, this pair of twins build friendships that we do not understand. Socks are also the first garment that we are most ready to discard. And the most important difference, socks range anything from a few 10 cents to perhaps a few hundred? Lingerie and underwear can move from a few dollars to a few grand, add a few more sparkling diamonds, the price of it rockets. So take off you shoes now, take off your socks, put it at your nose, take a deep breath and say, I am sorry to have put your through these lousy and smelly times.

Quote of the day: Women will never understand how men feel about the penis and their partners.

Creative Slapsticks

2007-05-19T09:11:00.000+08:00

Creative Slapsticks

They are avoided, shunned, despised, and looked down. Unseemingly worthless, but are they nonetheless such clichés that they should be forever condemned to the deepest abyss of hell? This is the new age of creativity where the only things that are valuable and valued are works of the innovative. This renders slapsticks aesthetically worthless. But what is creativity if it cannot be sold to the masses? Presently, media consumer demands are becoming increasingly complex (not necessarily demanding). The complexity lies within the paradox of choice…

Why is this post becoming an academic report? In which case, it is not.

Commonplace Creativity #1: The Marketplace

"Haven’t you heard? She wants the house for herself!"
And in doing so, it means that she has to slit a few throats, wreck a few homes and create ahelluva ruckus. Spread a few lies and sensationalize family news. Madonna says the only people you can depend is your family (Jump, Madonna, 2006)… I beg to differ.

"I think that guy is attached to that guy friend of yours…"
"Are you sure? But both of them denied they are queer…Well, at least one of them did. Besides, he already said he is not interested in him."
"Please, you really believe their blatant lies? Conniving sluts will do anything to safeguard and conceal their lustrous wishes. Not together? I swear!"
And indeed, we are becoming more unbelieving. But are we to blame? If nobody does, nobody talks. Ask me, I know best. Cheap actions beget cheap remarks.

What goes around comes around and goes all the way back around. (What goes around Comes Around, Justin Timberlake, 2007?) No, I’m not talking about retribution here, I am talking about the tendencies of these tales to take a tour around the whole universe and by the time it returns to your ears, it would have transformed into something totally unrecognizable. Such strenuous works of creative juices should be harnessed.

Commonplace Creativity #2: Economic Exchange Activities

A
That was an impressive proposal. You are really capable man...
B
Don’t flatter me; I am just doing the best I can...
A
I know I know, but that proposal seems very familiar to me, like I have seen it before.
B
Really? Cannot be, that was my most honest creativity
A
I see… Only thing is though, I saw an almost identical proposal on my desk several days ago, only thing is it had recently, and most mysteriously disappeared. The last I saw it; it was on the projection screen during the meeting just now.
B
Er……

Honest Creativity indeed.

Commonplace Creativity #3: The Secret Hiding Place.

Phone. Call. Tone. Busy tone. I made a comment recently:
"Nowadays, you do not call people anymore, you call their voice mail"

The number that you are trying to reach is currently unavailable; please a message after the tone. Beep.

Give me a break.
So what excuses can you give this time? What else can you say? What else are you hiding from me? How many knives have you put into my back already?

The tumultuous amount of compilations about our cover and concealment strategies would have easily become a successful publication and outstripped Sun Zi’s Art of War.

Commonly found and locally bred. Creativity at its most primitive form. The commonplace creativity.

Quote of the day: "This is the kind of stuff that sells!

Want to be there..

2007-05-13T01:10:00.000+08:00

Want to be there..

Ended. It has all ended. All that has a beginning will have an end. But the ending is another new beginning.

“Close your eyes… Let us imagine further.. Let us enter into a new world”

The printed stuffs that the printer coughs out are longer known as lecture notes or tutorials for me. They are now called documents, at least for the coming 2 or 3 months. Back to the office and hit the office gossips. But this time round I'd rather not be apart of it. I like the peace and serenity that surrounds my table and I hope it stays that way. Into a new world I enter yet again. A world that is void of lessons and timetables, but is filled with tests and datelines.

"Soon you will find out more about this supervisor of yours..."

I was warned. This man was a little too tough to handle. He had been nice to me though for the past few days, but this is only the first week so who knows what might happen?
But what I know is that if God were to send people to go to hell for destroying Earth, I would have earned the Visa due to the amount of notes printed in school and at work.

"Wait.. A Pink Elephant?!"

Everything and anything is possible inn the virtual world of dramas. How staircases and bottles could talk, how affairs happen within week, and how angels of the heavenS appear as Hamlet and Morpheus.

Anxiety, heightened intensity, all in the effort of waiting for something to arrive, to dawn upon me, nonetheless unwelcomed.

Aladdin asked Genie,
"What do you wish for the most?"
Genie replied,
"Freedom."

Its all so simple. We are all chained, aren't we? To the cares of the world. Will my pockets be empty? Will I be able to complete my assignments on time? Is that promotion for me?

So what am I ranting about? I feel a change in the winds. I want to be there. I want to go where I'd a;ways wanted to go.

"It died..."

It died.
What did??
My internet..
How come?
It just died..
What else did?
My desktop..
As well?
Yes
What else could happen?
I don't wanna think about it
Where do we go for this holiday?
Work..
Nowhere else?
No, maybe yes..
Anything else?
My penis...
What about it?
Nothing, just reading from the scripts.

Began. It begins but nevertheless heading towards the end.

What the hell?? Why am I talking in riddles.. Sheez

A matter of opinion??

2007-05-01T19:12:00.000+08:00

A matter or opinion??

I was giving tuition and I came across this passage in a assessment book which made me think back at all those childhood stuffs that we used to read. Hasn't it occur to you that all those things about queens, dirty girls, pigs and wolves are in fact just a matter of opinion? Quoting my Japanese Studies Professor, Dr. Hislop " What is history and who says so?"

So in the light, I present to you an exclusive interview with the characters of these fairy tales and their personal stories!

Snow White and the 7 midgets.. oops sorry, dwarves

Queen:
I hate Snow White! Not because I am jealous of her beauty (Like I need to). She is naughty and yet lazy. Instead of doing her chores, she often goes fraternising and flirting with those 7 midgets.. or dwarves. whatever. And do you know, Once I was kind enough to offer her an apple while she was working. Instead of expressign gratitude, she sneered at apple and said she only eats Fuji. Then, she actually threw the apple out of the window and called me a scheming and cunning slut. What the fuck? I mus punish the cheap whore!

Snow White:
My stepmother's a complete bitch! And I think she is going schizo!. She often talks to that stupid mirror. She even imagines the mirror talking back to her, telling her she is the most beautiful woman on Earth (I'm Sure!!). Such Thick hide! I think she got all pissed with me and stopped to me when the mirror said I was more beautiful (duh!) than her. Such childish behaviour! What really ilks me is that she keeps feeding me apples! Yucks! Doesn't she knows I only eat Fuji? Call herself a stepmother. I hate THEM ALL!! BIATCH!

Three Little Pigs and the gay Wolf

Youngest Pig:
Haven't you all seen that hideous big bad wolf?? We think he is gay!
In attempt to jio us out, he blew two of our houses down. Hello! We are not playing monopoly ok? And he almost destroyed the third house. Luckily for me, the handsome, charming and clever one, used branded bricks and cement. I think the wolf is really gay and he wants to get to know us. Help somebody!

The wolf:
Excuse me! I am not gay! I only wanted to play with the 3 little pigs. They looked so cute! But they have proofed that are arrogant and obnoxious. Especially the youngest one! So self decieving. And they even call me names. Stupid pigheads! And anyway, I didn't mean to destroy their homes, it was just too ugly. So i just sighed at the work of the architecture and the whole structure came apart. Its not really not my fault that they got substandards contractors right? Silly pigs. Bah...

So the next time you take another trip back to your childhoo books, do take a second glance alright?

adapted from:
READING and COMPREHENSION for primary 4, semester 2:worksheet 2, Zenda Lau, Teachers' production, 2006

Down and Out!

2007-04-20T02:23:00.000+08:00

"Hello Everyone, Me name is.."
"Hold!.. ok try again.."
"Hello Everyone.."
"HOld!"..

I think I spoke this line for more than 6 times before I finally finish one take. I finally know how tough it is to take video shoots. Albeit having the camera eye to help to focus on the main semiotics going on in the scene, still the performance has to be perfected. On stage, mistakes are permissable only because there are hopes of covering, whats more, the audience always enjoy a failed performance more than a successful one?
So besides capture the palpability of the screen, video shots have to be made waiting for the perfect, compared to the relatively controlled environment of the stage. So anyway, the video shoot went on fine though I think I made a joke of myself on film.

By the way, whats with me and the right wheel of my stupid car. For twice in 6 months, I busted the same stupid tyre. First was last year after christmas, where I mounted the divider of the road and bust the tyre and dented the wheel, today, the car went over some shards of glass that was invisible to me and the tyres busted once more.In any case, in both experiences, I managed to change the tyres within 15 minutes and I dare say I am proud of that. So in the future, when I go on dates, and this happens, I am sure my date will be impressed.
Alright, I am thinking too much.

Exams are just around the corner, with the turn of the week, this semester will end, with or without good grades. its all up to me? Perhaps, but this semester was truly tough for me and I do not know why? Maybe I am just not putting in enough effort. In any case, its going to end.. Hope it ends well.

I Look Like Them?

2007-04-07T23:37:00.000+08:00

I Look like them?

Lock her in, Lock us out

2007-04-03T00:02:00.000+08:00

Locked her in, Locked us out

We stepped out of the door, closed the metal gates. He stretched out his hands and reach for the lock. He clicked the lock shut. He locked her in and locked us out. After we bade our farewells, we turned and headed for the lift and the door to the flat slowly moved to close.

We, my family and I, carry out this routine almost faithfully. We would have dinner either at home or outside, then proceed to my Granny's place to accompany her for the night. When its time to leave, we will help her lock the door. Watching my father reaching for the metal lock and clicking it shut, an image often appeared in the abyss of my imagination.

Locks, a symbol of isolation and solitude. Yet every night as we retreat from the ruthless and cruel world into the warmth (maybe not so warm for someone or somewhere) of the shelter of our homes, and click that lock shut, we feel safe and cushioned from the battering of the world against our bare skin. No matter what weapons the world has, that lock will ensure that they stay out of the house. An isolation from the world, we feel protected behind those locks. Those locks that lock the world out.

Couple of years back, I left my house keys in camp. I knocked. I screamed. I made a hell of a ruckus and no one came to door. I decided to do a little math and realise some footwear missing. Darn, my mother had left to do do her grocery shopping. It's alright, I will juz listen to my Ipod carry on my work.... O no.. I left the documents on my desk... ARGH.. Flat batteries. The matriarch only returned after an hour. This darn lock had me locked out.

Some of us think that we do not have control over the locks of our lives. Everyday we are either buying more locks and strengthening the walls that have already so effeciently isolate ourselves in. There are also times, that we are tempted to losen those locks that protect our very lives and those treasures that we have sought to have contained within the safety of our walls. So of us just do not trust the security insued behind locked doors.

That lock on your door, is it locking you or the world out?

Quote of the day: Your lack of Vision will cost you your life.
(Emperor Pulpatine, Star Wars Episode VI, The Return of the Jedi

Words From Heaven:
Matthew 23:13

(Jesus says)“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."

How are towards other people?

So many people hide away their good stuffs so that it belonged to them only.

You treasure these things more than anything other else.

Such is that you hold so dearly to it, but the tighter your grasp, the more damage you make. There will come a day that these treasures of yours shall be squeezed and ground into powder.

So losen those grip, share the goodness around.

Vogue

2007-03-25T01:18:00.000+08:00

Vogue

I know a place where u can get away, its call the dance floor. And here's what it's for. ~ Vogue, Madonna, 1990

The original MTV

Blond Ambition Tour, 1990, Rehearsal

MTVA, 1990
God I hate those Fans! URGHH!

Girlie Show, Australia, 1993

Madonna Re-invention Tour, 2004

Its mid semester again.
Eventful so far? Nah..
Fruitful? Maybe..
Busy? You bet!

---------

So what have I learnt from my modules so far?

B: Why are you sitting in the dark? Turn on the light.
A: NO! The bill was over 5000 bucks this month. We need to save.
B: No we didn't!
A: Maybe actually the month before, this bill was under the covers and we didn't see it? Oh boy, I um, I'm thinking of going. By which I mean, borrowing from Dai yee Long.. You.. you know what I mean?
B: Please Don't.. Leave me this way.. I can't survive, without your sweet love.. Oh baby.. don't l leave me this way..

B turns on the light. The cables caught fire.

To be continued.... maybe not...

A game for life.

2007-03-12T15:00:00.000+08:00

A game for Life

There are certain games that we have enjoyed playing as a child but we gradually neglect these games as we grow up. The one revelation that we have yet realised that some of these games
actually do follow us throughout our walk on this face of the Earth. The grieving fact remains that a handful of us had had our memory failing, and we could not recall the rules of these games. But we nevertheless play these games day in day out.

Lego

Handful need to remember this game, especially using certain facilities like an elevator.

The Informidable Nas Speaks:
"These people really need to learn how to play Lego. The smaller size should wait for the bigger size to enter first, and then try to fit into the remaining space..."

The rules of lego:
You always use the bigger blocks to form the general shape. Following, you use the smaller blocks to either fill the cavities or the structure You do not try to form the foundations with the teeny weeny pieces.

Similarly, when attempting to squeeze a large quantity of communters into the elevator, it is always wise to allow the bigger sizes to enter and fill the sides of the elevator and then try to fill the remaining cavities with the more slender ones. This way,you will find space is not wasted.

Cluedo

We spent half of our lifetime trying to figure what everyone else is trying to do or had done.

Is he attempting to harm me?
Are they attempting to backstab me? Or perhaps.. they have already done it?
Is my girlfriend seeing another guy?
Is my wife cheating on me?

Scavaging for clues to piece the answer, you stoop to the level of crooks and tricking them into confessing their sins. You finally see the truth, but you reject it as you know you have lost the game.

Monopoly

You try to gain as much as possible, and you set traps on your territory and you gloat at people falling apart and giving you all they have. Chances fall over you as you progress, but a bad streak of luck and you end up in a cell. Community Chests knock on your door when your rice bowls have cracked and there's hardly any gruel left in it.

But this is the hard facts of life ain't it?

Which reminds me. I was dining in a restaurant set in the heart of town. There was a good mix of customers which includes executives, well at least they dress like they are. This character entered the restaurant conveniently while the staffs were busy serving, and solicited charity from the customers. He must be pretty blind as he seemed to not have noticed the executives and the adults, but approaches the students. And finally being rejected a good load, he left.

How very clever.

Quote of day: Life's a game.

Words From Heaven
1 Corinthians 9:26

>Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

This race that we are running in, do we know the finishing point? Are we familiar with the route?

This battle that we fight, do we know the price? Are we familiar with the strategies?

The lessons we learn everyday and the games that we play everyday, are the best form of preparations.

Landed yourself in a small ditch? The way that you learnt to climbed out of it prepares you for your next pit.

Found yourself in a lurch and all else around you had broken down? The way you learnt to stand on your own two feet prepares you for your next accident.

So do not despise whatever events that happen around you, major or minor.

For you will walk out of this fog running with certainty and fighting as the one who hits his enemies.

Youth Trampled Under Foot

2007-03-03T22:16:00.000+08:00

Youth Trampled Under Foot

A once glorious and coveted apparel, has been sentenced to be trampled under foot under the arms of Justice of Chinese New Year Spring Cleaning Court.

Doors! Open up! Doors!

2007-02-23T00:43:00.000+08:00

Doors! Open up! Doors!

Pain. Excruciating pain.
Wait. Long-suffering wait.
Edge. Loitering at the edge.
Pain. Excruciating pain.

Wait. Long-suffering wait.
Tensions. Perspiring Tensions.
Tears. Cheek rolling tears.
Wait. Long suffering wait.

Edge. Loitering near the edge.
Release. Unforseeable release.
Embarrassment. Unimaginable embarrassment.
Edge. Loitering near the edge.

Doors. Opening doors.
Opportunities. Seized opportunities.
Freedom. Temporary freedom.
Doors. Opening doors.

Doors.opening doors.
Locks. Red coded locks.
Prayer. Fervent prayer.
Doors. Opening doors.

Opportunities. Seized opportunities.
Obstacles. Forewarn obstacles.
Emotions. Ignored emotions.
Opportunities. Seized opportunities.

Freedom. Temporary freedom.
Territory. Private territory.
Iniquities. Begone! Iniquities.
Freedom. Temporary freedom.

Doors. Opening doors.
Players. Substituted players
Cycle. Repeated cycle.
Doors. Opening doors.

Happy New Year

2007-02-17T18:55:00.000+08:00

Photo courtesy of Wyl

Do Not Mess Around

2007-02-17T18:16:00.000+08:00

Do Not Mess Around

As we have heard before, women are never to be trifled with, this day, on the eve of Chinese New Year, I am fortunate to have experienced that.

The gruel of conjuring sumptuous reunion meals strikes all possible candidates. Simmering pots of stews emitting aroma that seeps through every fibre of your being. The continuous and yet monotonous sounds of chopper s mutilating poultry, livestock and seafood proclaims an eminent time of reunion, reconciliation and most importantly food glorious food!

Amidst all those activity, I have learnt that cooking must be taken at a very systematic approach. On top of that, the world’s greatest chef will tell you that cooking is not only about the foodstuff, its all about the people devouring the dishes. The revelator, my sister’s helper, Racquel.

I was given the honour to work alongside with her for this year’s meal, and I was bestowed the task deep frying dumplings. While at work, we negotiated through the recipes, converse about our experiences. We have to an agreement that the ingredient that must not be missing in dumplings is shrimps.

But cooking is not all about pots and pans on stoves, or trays in the oven. The chow on the table may look like a piece of cake to you. But it could have taken the chef hours of endless and painful preparations.

So that is why I say women are not to be trifled with.

Inside that feeble and petite body (although some of our mums look the least of that), is a bundle-full of hidden powers, or should I say prowess, that may cause our knees to bend and go begging for more. So truly, women CAN control men through their stomachs.

Quote of the day: The greatest Thing You'll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return.

Words From Heaven:
John 13:34

(Jesus says)" A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Ah.. The new year (accordingto the Lunar calender of course) has come and it is time once to renew our love.

Renew our love for God.

Renew our love for our parents.

renew our love for out spouse.

Renew our love for our siblings.

Renew our love for our friends.

Renew our love for our enemies.

Finally, renew our love for ourselves.

Do You Need Money?

2007-02-14T23:23:00.000+08:00

Do You Need Money?

Long and winding it went down the alley. Impatience does not deter us from *liquidity. We have long been convinced and persuaded by convenience. Inconvenice is an obstacle that we all want to avoid. So no matter how long the wait, we will still continue to pursue the quest for liquidity.

Given the rising income-earning capabilities, the volume of transactions are expanding. Thus, demand for liquidity rises. Have people forgotten totally about savings then? Haven't they consider that they will be paying for the withdrawals they are currently making? Or are the banks not offering attracitive compensations enough for people to forgo their current consumption? Recent publications revealed optimisstic Economic outlooks (Today, Feburary 15, 2007). Consumers will thereby be led to think that their future income landscapes will reap benefits from the positivities and hence incur higher spending at this current period. It is evident that the Income effect outweighs the Substitution effect.

What we often neglect, however, is that the price level of our economy does not stay the same. As Milton Friedman (July 31, 1912 – November 16, 2006) had said, inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon. Hence, consumers need to understand, that prices have risen and will continue to rise. There calls for a need for prudency and frugality as interest rates would have escalated alongisde, thereby making liquidity expensive. This does not extend to the extremities of unacceptable austereness. The balance should be, and must be, maintained.

Honestly.. this is not an academic post, its just me babbling because there is a horrendous queue of people making withdrawals at the ATM. I am just taken aback at the length of the growing queue. I later realised that my decision to join into and staying in the queue is a decision I would not have made in the past.
Bah.. Its my turn to make my withdrawal.

*Liquidity - refers to liquid money, or dollar bills.

Unless you..

2007-02-11T22:48:00.000+08:00

Unless you..

Unless you are..

Unless you are Madonna, I do not see the reason why I should wait for you to cross the road in the middle of the carpark. You do realise that there were no pedastrian crossing and there was a multitude of cars waiting behind me for you to cross?

Unless you are blind..
Unless you are blind, I cannot come to terms with you not stopping at the stop line and giving way to me who happens to be on the major road. Have you genuinely passed your basic theory test or you simply cannot comprehend the Stop sign? And do not give me that look of infuriation just because I beeped my horn at you after you have decided to barge your way through anyway.

Just a quick moment on the road, and I am already exhausted. With my father hurling insults at these inconsiderate users along with me, I simple had a relevation that there seems to be a gradual increase in the number of such inconsiderate acts on the roads. And it just ilks me when I see that road communers simply refuses to give way to one another. So i guess the most appropriate interpretation of the public message would be "Courtesy? Pass it on."

"When you have retired in the future, You'd better drive a Taxi, your driving style very compatible!" says the informidable Nas.

I maybe offensive in my driving, but in the least I follow the basic traffic rules. Well , most of the times anyway.
Maybe true, but you can hardly blame me..

Poema...

2007-02-07T23:48:00.000+08:00

Poema

Ghanan Ghanan - From the Movie "Lagaan - Once upon a time in India"

Lord Ghanan has brought about clouds
Rain clouds have shaded the sky
The cloud's drum-like thump is echoing
Look, the lightning is flashing

The clouds set my heart affluter
The clouds set my heart affluter
Black clouds, won't you shower us with water?

Black clouds, won't you shower us with water?
Don't use lightning's sword, shoot water's arrows
Clouds have accumulated, they bring rain

They come spreading
My mind says this stubbornly
Don't walk so carefully

The days have changed, come out of your home
Nectarous water is about to fall

Days of dilemma are gone
Brother, sing the song of rain

Lord Ghanan has brought about clouds
Rain clouds have shaded the sky
The cloud's drum-like thump is echoing
Look, the lightning is flashing
The clouds set my heart affluter

If the rain falls, who will remain craving?
Birds will sing and sit on the wall
If the birds sing, new days will come
Light will smile upon the darkness
In love's rain, body and mind will be drenched
We will see a mirror of water upon the earth

Wherever you go

You will see there

That only here is scenery
That only here is earth
Dressed in a chunari of seven colors
Mount swings upon branches and swing them high
Black clouds, won't you shower us with water?

A pleasant season has come to spread greenery
It has brought the rains with it
This anklet of lightning, this scarf of clouds
Have been brought to adorn the bride of Earth

Branches will wear flower bracelets
Happiness will rain on every home

Buds will now bloom, paths will be laughing

The wind blew, the weather now seems wondrous

Down is the sunlight that burned upon body and mind

Black clouds, won't you shower us with water?
Won't you shower us with water?
Don't use lightning's sword, shoot water's arrows

Lord Ghanan has brought about clouds
Rain clouds have shaded the sky
The cloud's drum-like thump is echoing
Look, flashing

Champaner, Indian, 1893.

A little farming village plagued by a dry season, whose life and death are in the hands of Captain Russell of the nearby British Cantonment. As the clouds held on to their "waters's arrows", the village is becoming more and more inept in paying their taxes as their fields were becomign dry and bare.

Dark Clouds rumble in the distance and rolled slowly towards the village. The farmers continued, even more fervently in Praising the heavens. But only to realize, that the visiting clouds never intended to stay.

The will soon be plunged into battle, but no bloodshed there will be. Triumphs belong to that where true human spirit lay. And the heavens, award their never dying faith and conviction.

How can an epic, overflowing with poetic serenades which contain such beautiful lyrics, being defeated by The Asian Beauties in "Crouching Tiges, Hidden Dragons" at the Oscars?

I Am A Pair Of Vernier Calipers

2007-02-03T22:44:00.000+08:00

I Am A Pair Of Vernier Calipers
I was challenged by Weiye to do the super IQ test and I did it and here are the results:

your IQ score is 1*3

Your overall intelligence quotient is the result of a scientifically-tested formula based on how many questions you answered correctly. But it's only part of what we learned about you from your answers on the test. We also determined the way you process information.

The way you think about things makes you an Imaginative Mastermind. This means you are an extremely talented person, with a wide range of skills. There is little to nothing you can't do if you want to. You're very creative and you can express your ideas effectively through a variety of different means whether it's written or spoken words, numbers, or anything else. You also have a practical knowledge of how things work in the world — you've been paying attention and you pick things up easily.

When we examined your test results further, we saw that you scored on 8 dimensions of intelligence: spatial, organizational, abstract reasoning, logical, mechanical, verbal, visual and numerical. The 3 dimensions you scored highest on combine to make you an Imaginative Mastermind. Only 6 out of 1,000 people have this rare combination of abilities.

NO! I am not going to tell you the results.

The Classic IQ Test & Right/Wrong Job Test

Congratulations!
Your IQ score is 131

Your Intellectual Type is:
Precision Processor
This means you're exceptionally good at discovering quick solutions to problems, especially ones that involve math or logic. You're also resourceful and able to think on your feet.

The right jobs for you would allow you to be Creative and Strategic.

With your skills, you could be earning up to $83,000 per year.

You're a visionary in many people's eyes - able to think outside the box and to come up with your own solutions. You're creative not necessarily in the artistic sense, but because you can expand your mind to do things differently from others.

It might take a while for colleagues to recognize and reward you for your entrepreneurial spirit and abilities. That could be because they envy you, or because they find your ideas slightly rebellious - willing to go against the current.

All in all, you make it hard for people to pigeon hole you. That is why you, more than others, need a job that allows you to play to your strengths, break out of the mold, and truly excel.

Tickle Tests: Put Life to the Test said so...

Vogue?..

2007-01-31T23:19:00.000+08:00

Vogue?..

Beauty is where you find it.
Madonna, Vogue.

A.M.

2007-01-26T23:38:00.000+08:00

A.M.

I am sad, but I can't cry.
I am angry, but I can't fight.
I am tired, but slumber's back turned.

I am sad, but tears I must hide.
I am angry, but wrath I must keep.
I am tired, but sleep is not my need.

I am sad, no one should know.
I am angry, no where to show.
I am tired, no more I hide.

I am sad, happy's a long way to go.
I am angry, docile's a way no-no.
I am tired, I hope my bed says hello.

I am sad, tomorrow's hope's gold.
I am angry, seeking antidote.
I am tired, today's drone's creep.

I am, all that I am.