Inching

"I love Love, I love being in Love.
I don't care what it does to me."

Things are good, things are bad. One great news is that I received two of my mid-term papers, particularly 'EDS126 - Educational Organization and Sociology" and "CHEM149A - Environmental Chemistry". Well, the first one was essay-based, a 100 marks which makes up 40% of that class. Really thank God and feel elated for getting 96 marks, because writing essay is never something I'm good at. This paper means much more to me, in boosting my confidence in writing, and to feel comfortable with my writing style. For the latter class, I got 41/45 for the mid-term, which makes up 20% of the class. Although I still worry for the organic mechanism class, I'm happy for doing well for the other two classes. Hopefully, the good grades will perpetuates till the end of the quarter.

Another great thing that happened was that I'm starting to be more pro-active about my activities in SD, and do whatever I wish to do here. I gain control of what I want to do. Made me feel better. In a way, I lowered my expectations for others and raised my expectations for myself. Bad thing is that you can't make the world turn for you, can't make everyone like you as a person, but best you could do is to like yourself, to be comfortable with who you are, and how you see yourself. In short, self-confidence.

There were awkward moments too, but I think I shall leave it as that and pray about it.

Heart After You

Create in me a new heart,
One that follows You.
Place in me a deep desire,
to know You as I know.

Set my feet in Your way,
To live worthy of Your call.
Draw me near to You Lord,
Every single day.


I just want to be more like You,
Walk with You beside me,
Lord, won't you be my guide,
Place your heart inside my soul,
A heart that's ever true,
One's that after you.

Two weeks into school

Time flies while you are having fun. I'm sure I did have fun and hope that time passes slowly while I'm at it. I feel that God has opened doors to many possibilities in my life. The thought of how I miraculously take up bahasa indonesia and know my room mate Peter by chance, and coming to San Diego for exchange and eventually get acquainted with many good friends is more than enough to convince me that it is not any happenstance or coincidence. And I know very well it was God's plan that I'm here, exposing me to things I always wanted in my life, the independence and freedom to decide the path for myself, to boost my self-confidence, and to become someone who doesn't live to live up to people expectations, but to do things just because I want to and not obliged to. In one way or the other, I've become a stronger and better person, that I know where my weakness lies, and to know what I want in life. One thing for sure, I've once again, developed the thirst for education and the words of God. Though i know the need for paper chase as the paper is credential and not a proof of education, yet it is important to be equipped with knowledge and skill, which proves to be useful in a long run. Well, I hope I can be less anxious and calculative about some things, and be less judgmental about people behaviors. Indeed, I think my God is great, because He love everyone so much that he sacrificed Himself on the cross.

On my Own

So I was on my own for the past few days, so I had to cook my own lunch and dinner, and go tour around on my own. Hence, on Monday i went downtown to take a look at Westfield Horton Plaza, which feels like an UTC that is stacked upwards into a mall. Then I walked around aimlessly till I reach the Chinese History Museum which is closed on Monday. Tsk, so I walked back into downtown area and came by this grocery show that sell extremely cheap stuff. I saw a box of soyjoy selling at 1.59 USD. Something must be wrong about this shop I thought, soyjoy could not be that cheap. I flipped the box over and to my horror, the soyjoy has expired since March this year, a total of six months overdue! This aroused my interest and suspicion about this place. And so I found out, many things on sale are either expired or going to expire, hence the cheap price. And all these appeal to the homeless and jobless people who roam around downtown area.

As for today, I went to Balboa park again. Other than paying for the SDMA, San Diego Museum of Art, which is 8 USD, the rest, like the Mingei International Museum, Timken museum for the art and Museum of man are free admission. I was intrigued by the art collection in SDMA, especially the oceanic/asian/american art pieces, where I can differentiate between them and tell the culture and way of life by looking at the materials use, and I can tell about the beliefs about the people too. Like looking at statues of Guan Yin when he was still in his masculine self. I like one particular painting called 'the drummer boy' which has a lot of story behind it. In the painting, a boy was carried on the shoulder of another man and was playing his drum. The boy has a wound on his leg. On the foreground I can see some people pulling one another, helping each other, to those that are injured. While in the background, there were soldiers marching. This makes me ponder and imagine about the war times, where the boy has to cheer the troop on as they go on fighting. During times of unrest, people are struggling to get by and survive. This becomes a complete story.

Alright, tomorrow is orientation day =) I miss Peter and Mandy. tsk

You gotta pay me to do that

Went out with a new found friend, David, who is well-traveled, friendly and accommodating. We were supposed to go downtown to catch the exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) at 12.30 pm. To my horror, the express bus 150 does not operate during the weekend and so I would have to take bus 30 which takes an hour or more to get to downtown. Hence I text him and said that I would be very late. A minute later, he called back and said that he could fetch me since he's driving, which is great as it would save time. So we got there, and what a disappointment, I pinned high hopes on MCA, thinking that it would be big and grand, having many exhibits. In the end, we walked to seaport village, which happens to have an art carnival.

We then see the art that we are familiar with. There are many motivated and enthusiastic artists who are selling their work pieces. They are of different forms, metallic sculpture, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, clay figurines, asian-infused art pieces and much more. There are booths that promote theater and musical stuff too. The best part was that, both David and I won a free ticket on the seal tour worth 32 USD each. Fortunately I did not buy the ticket when I visited Old town the other time. So we finished walking around (midway museum) and boarded the final seal tour at 5pm. It was an hour and a half ride, most of it was boring, and cold, due to the chilly strong winds, until the part where we get to see the seals and pelicans in the middle of the ocean, which comes with a fishy smell. So both of us agree that we will not pay to go for such tours, and they have to pay us for us to tour. haha.

Anyway, thanks David for sending me back and inviting me to go Las Vegas with him in October. Hopefully I'll be able to go with him.

Next stop.

Aiyo, I have so much to write down since many things still amazes me. Like why Americans eat more and quicker than I do, how many things are made convenient and automated, how come some things are much cheaper here than in Singapore.

Over the weekend I got to the post office with Jordan, while Mandy and Pete went for their exams. Soon after, I joined them for lunch at a Latin-America All-in-one restaurant cum provision cum clothing store. The food is yum yum and comes in big portion. A pity I din get the chance to take the photos of the big fat roasted pork/bacon, big flavorful juicy beef, warm beans gravy, large chunk of fresh avocado, tender chicken and potato. And a good glass of passionfruit milkshake. After that was a series of 'welcome to america' stuff. We went to big stores so that pete can get his singlet and shorts, it's a wonder how people need to drive from one place to another to shop, unlike a all in one shopping mall concept we have in singapore. nevertheless, the stores are big and we do need to spend much time there.

On Sunday we had brunch at CoCo's and it's my first time to a breakfast place in America. I had a cinnamon roll french toast with scrambled egg and bacon. Yum Yum, top with maple syrup, and had a glass of orange juice. That's an unhealthy pick as compared to Pete's and Mandy's omelet. A series of impromptu stuff begin to happen. Pete and I drove to LA to his parents place which was HUGE and it will take me like half an hour to finish walking around the place. There was over a hundred channels on the television and we had good indian food when mandy came over too. We shopped at the Ralph's nearby and got ourselves deserts - Ben & Jerry's Chunky monkey, which is half the price of Singapore's. After that, I went to Mandy's place to stay, and had the chance to speak with her and her parents. I feel very much at home to speak with her mom in mandarin and we talk about many things, the difference between sg and us, studying in ucsd and asian countries. Seems like people have the impression that Singapore is a clean and green country, along with its strict laws.

The next day, Mandy's mum made us breakfast, toasted bread, oatmeal and eggs. Then we drove back to SD and I helped her moved her stuff into her new apartment, planning out what to do for the next few days.

So on Tuesday, good job for Mandy as she has completed her project! She can have the rest of the days free without going back to school for more lab. So on Tuesday itself, we drove to Balboa park, google maps din help us much, we found the place when we felt like giving up. We had a good look around the place, then walked on to 'extraordinary desserts' for delicious and mouth-watering desserts!. We shared a raspberry/strawberry coffeecake, a warm chocolate cake drizzled with dark chocolate sauce and a lemon bar. After that we were full and skipped dinner. Then we went to target to buy stuff. It is pretty similar to giant in sg.

On Wed, we went for breakfast at Einstein's bagels at the medical center with two of mandy's friends. I had a spinach egg with swiss bagel, with cinnamon sugar. Grace, who goes to the church, asks me to tag along next sunday, and joined them for welcoming week at the beach for bbq on the 25th. Then we got a coupon from Grace, buy one get one admission at Birch Aquarium. So instead of 8 bucks, we paid 6 bucks each. The aquarium is really a great place that we spent a good educational and trigger happy two hours there. We moved on to the La Jolla Downtown and the beaches there. Managed to see pelicans, seagulls and seals there too. Got my feet into the cool blue water and was thrilled by the large up current. Had lunch at burger lounge. Love the beef burger and the fresh cut fries there, great taste and large portion too.

Shopping time as we embarked on a journey to the Las America Premium outlet. I want so many things there and I want to go back again! I bought jeans from hurley and berms from levis. Many things from Gap and shirts from Nike. that place was shopping haven to many sgporeans. I'm sure of that.

Really thankful that Mandy is kind enough to spend time with me and show me around the mandy way, although we only know each other for barely a week. Would do the same if she comes to Singapore then =).

That's for Friday~!

Alright, I need to recap what I did yesterday. It was a mini adventure. I’m not someone who can walk through Orchard Road for hours, I walk hastily and wouldn’t stop for much things. Hence, this trip to Old Town is a new challenge to me.

I left my place around 12ish, right after I had my mozzarella turkey ham mushroom sandwich. I was trying to locate the post office, well I didn’t and so I took bus 150 from UTC to get to Old Town. When I alighted the bus at Old Town, the first thing that I was greeted with was the trolley system and the coaster, which was awesome. I took some photos of them and started with my photography excursion.

Lucky me, the Old Town State Historic Park is just beside the trolley station and so I simply walked in. It’s really like a small town with a central square in the middle, a large grass patch for people to sit on and get some shades from the trees. So it’s Old Town, so we don’t expect to see buildings like those in the city, but wooden houses with big boards and old style handwritings. I suppose this place is developed to be a tourist site, since it has been renovated a few times, and have restaurants and shops in the entire park. There is a trolley tour that lasts two hours, and ticket costs 32 USD. I was tempted to but I thought I should walk around more and maybe I can wait till the Tracy and Qiao Qi when they come here.

I walked here and there, amazed that every single shop amazed me. There are museums all over the place, each telling us a little part of San Diego of the past. One of the first museums I went to was the Stable, telling us how horse carriages were used as an important transport for delivering things through the state. Then I went to a newspaper museum, which was not so interesting. I like the candle shop and the candies shop. The whole candle shop has this thick intense and sweet aroma, which is less artificial than the Body shop, so I looked around and eventually bought 4 honey stix of different flavors, namely mint, cinnamon, coconut and clover. The candies shop sells a whole lot of stuff, from fudges (like 12 flavors) to caramels to chocolate and sweets. I saw some gross lollipop with scorpions and larva inside. *Puke* After that I moved on to the courthouse, to take a look at the sheriff’s office and the mayor’s office, and little jail at the backdoor. I then went to the First school there, which was closed unfortunately. So I moved on to the Well’s Fargo Museum, which is in fact about bank and money exchange during the old times.

I thought it was about time for me to leave and so I went to the Fiesta De Reyes, which is a Mexican plaza, selling Mexican food and many related items, from hot chili sauce to colorful clothing and hats. I went to this penny souvenir stop, where I can make my dime into a souvenir by putting in half a dollar. There were toyshops, tile shops and paintings on sale too.

This isn’t the end of my adventure, in fact only halfway through. Around 3pm, I decided to walk more to explore the rest of the park. I spotted this greeting cards shop that has very interesting punch lines on the card, and an Old town gallery, with great photography and paintings. It was a hot day and I got myself a diet coke and walked on. Then, I saw this beautiful and exquisite Catholic Church. I walked in and sat down, listening to the peaceful songs and read a bit from the songbook. I flipped to my favorite page, which is Psalms 23, and then I kneeled down and prayed. I like the place. It calms me down, ensuring that I don’t walk alone. I walked on to Whaley House, known to be haunted even during the day. ( I don’t wanna pay to get frightened, so I just walked past it)

I got to this wonderful deserted place, where I saw houses, each unique in their own way, as though they belong to different princesses in Disney land. I took some photos there, sat and rested a while and then decided that it’s time to go home. I walked to the visitor’s center and realized that there is a show called ‘Saints and Sinners’ at 6pm and so I think ‘Why not?’ and decided to go have dinner and look for post office at Midway Drive since it is 4.45pm already. It was really out of pure luck I found Midway Drive and many fast food restaurants like Carl’s Jr, In n out, subway and Fatburger. In the end I stick with burger king since it was nearer to the State Historic Park. Of course, I walked back to the park right after the quick and hasty dinner.

I am so glad that I didn’t miss out this show, it’s a show that requires the audience to move around the square with the cast, as they tell us some interesting facts in the old San Diego, like the square used to be a garbage dump and they spent 18 years cleaning up the place, and the deep pits were made in the square so that a bear and bull fight can take place, for the people to bet on. There is also a scandal about a schoolteacher and she got married to the principal of the school. I like the story line and how they get the audiences involved. I feel that I am transformed into another person here, in some ways? During the show there was great humor, and even gunshots! In the end every sinner turned out to be somehow a saint. Corny and dorky it is.

Luckily there was bus 30 (which takes a longer time to get home) when I realized that Bus 150 is out of service after 6.30pm. I got to Ralph’s again at about 8.30pm and did some shopping again, getting shampoo and more food. I got home, got all hyped up for unknown reasons. Jordan offered me to sit beside him and research on how caffeine works, as he was all energetic and alert after eating a caffeine pill before his chemistry test. We spent hours looking it up, and I taught him some mandarin while he taught me how to pronounce ‘theatre’ and ‘the’ in the correct manner. There were some chemical discussions and I taught him about organic chemistry, ring strains, and stable structures (checking aromaticity of compounds). I went for a shower and we continued with the movie ‘Who killed the electric car?’ while Mandy and Peter continued preparing for their exams. When we were done with the show it was like about 2.30 am? We looked up the Internet for more about electric car till it was around 4am when I slept.

Things I wanna do today

I will be going to the post office to send the receipt back to MOE.

I will be getting a phone plan over there.

I will be traveling to Old town to explore the place.

Hopefully I can then meet up with Jordan and go downtown together.

Dependence

I feel lonely, quite a bit, in this distant place where I don't see my family and friends, maybe this is what homesickness is. Things should be fine. Well, I think Singaporeans are adaptable people, maybe a few weeks later I will start to get accustomed.

Just went for a little bike ride to school with Mandy. It was tricky, since I have never rode a bike on the main road before, I was thrilled yet slightly afraid to be riding and following Mandy on the route to school. (I have watched too much American movie showing how people can suddenly get smashed by an incoming vehicle.) I fell twice, first time because I saw a steep slope at the sidewalk and was worrying that I might fall in there. You know, I tremble and buay steady when I feel scared and so I skid a bit. Hope Mandy din mind me there. After that we did a little turn into the student service center which I wasn't too confident about, hence I fell again. Luckily for today, I din shed blood at all, just some little scratches. Nice to have her to show me around, if not I'll be so lost. I like the school. I went to get my ID card already, with the free bus stamp. I went to pay for my insurance at the cashier's office and we had yogurt.

I freaking love the yogurt here. The concept is totally different from yumi yogurt in Singapore. There are like 10 flavours for the yogurt, from chocolate custard, new york cheesecake to plain tart, vanilla bean. Everything is self service. So I had some peanut butter, berries/passionfruit and peach tart yoghurt. For toppings i had M&Ms, cookie dough, sea coconut, jackfruit and strawberries. It's a pretty and colorful cup of yoghurt (shucks I din take photo!) and cost about 3.50 USD? (38cents per ounce) Peter and I agree that this is good stuff that should be sold in Singapore. Surely it would stir a storm.

Right after the dessert treat, we had a little talk, and then Mandy and Peter dropped me at the Icenter where I submitted my registration form, then went to take a shuttle bus back home, and gosh, the chain of the bike came off, I had to put it back and made my hands all dirty, so I had to clean them on the way. And yay I'm home~! Going for a jog then shop for more groceries later, so I can whip up something at the end of the day.

Behold UCSD, I gonna be an incredible asian boy here.. lah..

Give me a day and I'll learn more

I've learned plenty today, much thanks to Bill and Jordan. Well, Jordan is my housemate who is taking lower division chemistry now. He was nice and helpful to recommend his bicycle to me, which would be a convenient way of getting around La Jolla. So we were intending to ride from our place to Ralph's, but just a 100 m ride later, one of the pedal of the bicycle dropped out, and I panicked and scratched my toe on the road. There was some bleeding but it doesn't hurt, so it's fine, the sad thing is that I had to push the bike back to the garage, and take bus instead, which cost me 2.25 USD per trip. It's interesting how people communicate here, as back in Singapore, we never greet the bus driver nor we say thank you or what when we alight, everything is about being quiet, trying not to get attention. Well, I greeted the bus driver and said thank you when I alighted, incredible. Thankfully and fortunately, a man whom I meet on the bus told me that I could take the bus for free if I get my student ID and a yellow sticker from the transportation department. He showed me around the supermarkets and theaters, telling me the differences in prices and the things available in different supermarkets, and how he feels that values of American have shifted, as they are willing to pay more for less, seems like spending money is like a thing to pass time. I got introduced to Thomas, who wears a colorful shirt and has an interesting hairdo, Bill says that he is an icon around this area and Thomas said, "go ahead and click me." So we chatted for a while and we parted a while after that, as I return back to Ralph's. Coincidentally, Jordon happens to be there and asked if I wanted to have dinner with him, which I did, so we had chicken and salad from the salad bar, (well, that was his treat and it's a much appreciated friendly gesture) and we went on with grocery shopping. I got myself a gallon of milk and a box of cereal. And then, I used his student card to take the free bus ride home. Well, he highlighted the lonely planet book about places I should visit and lent me a dvd just in case I get too bored. Now I have another one now from Peter.

I realise that people here, they don't just walk past someone they know, either pretending that they don't know, or simply say 'hi' or wave hand, and quickly get away. When they are not that busy, they stop and talk a bit. When they are not free, they would go 'how have you been?' or 'how is it going for you?'. There is no longer a thing called 'hi-bye friends' here. People here make connections. After discussing with XT, I think it would be good that I put behind what I am and the habits I have in Singapore and get accustomed and adapted readily into this large melting pot. Maybe after that, I will start to enjoy the beautiful things America has in store for me.

For tomorrow, I'll be going to school to get my ID card and the yellow sticker, and probably move around the campus.

偶然

在人群中，在你我的身旁，甚至在我们的身上，出现许多的遗憾和早知道。

若我有先知的能力，问我是否希望能够去弥补遗憾，驱除早知道，我不愿意。

有人会问，如果早一点认识自己身边的另一伴该会是的很美好的事。这样一来，就有更多的时间培养默契，享有二人世界，只羡鸳鸯不羡仙的日子。

但是，可曾想过，每一样事情的发生都有准确的时间，人物与地点。只要错过哪一个，事情的后果将回不一样。如果早一点认识，但对彼此不来电，没兴趣，那也只不过是浪费时间。所以，我从没想要去思考，为什么没早点做这做那的，而是如何把握，珍惜眼前所拥有的时间，好好的跟另一半相处。毕竟，人与人之间的关系是很微妙的，世界那么大，偏偏就遇上了在生活里出现的各式各样的人，不是吗？

我想借这个机会去好好认识新朋友，还有这个陌生的环境。更重要的事，我想多了解自己。

First post from SD

I know, it's crazy. I still can't believe that I'm here. I went out for a walk just now at about 11 am, in shorts and a running tee, to explore La Jolla and the places around here. Only then, I realize how small I am in this big place. Singaporeans are spoilt brats, I get to know this when I found out how eating out is not that affordable here, and people do go marketing and cook their own meals.

I had lunch at Westfield UTC eatery after walking and looking lost for an hour. I must have looked stupid, thinking that I finally saw an oasis in the midst of a desert, or something along that. I walked in, looked around, and to my surprise and delight, chinese food is available, at a corner I see Pho and Vietnamese cuisine, but wait a minute, a bowl of Pho for 8 USD? I could have 4 bowls of this if I go Vietnam. Finally I settled down with a lamb/beef kebab flatbread with a cup of diet coke. Not too badly priced, 7 USD and the portion is real big. Halfway through the meal I thought I was really full, and so I observe the people around me (sound like some stalker or something). So I saw this dad and his two sons, having burger king, and another two kids who are having lunch together, and they tried to join two tables together. So the boy instructed the girl to push the chair while he pull the table. Both of them looked cute doing that. Finally I finished my lunch and moved on. Took some photos of the iceskating place right in the middle of the eatery.

From there, I continue my little asian boy's adventure. Looks like I have under dressed myself here. I accidentally crossed the street and saw the executive square, having big firms like ernst & young, with people wearing formal wear there. I walked back to UTC and shopped around. I went into Macy's, A & F, and GAP. And relieved to see Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's, shops that I'm familiar with. Even seeing Chinese along the way brings me some sense of relief which I can't explain. Perhaps I am still adapting to this place (few hours after waking up, I felt tired and wanted to get back to bed because it is freaking wee hours in Singapore). Anyway, I see products that I consider cheap, like Levi's jeans silvertab selling at 32.99 USD, perhaps the most 50 USD, which is much cheaper as compared to 100 over dollars back at home. Other goodies are like CK jeans tees for 30? Or even Guess? Oh well, I wasn't in the shopping mood yet so I merely looked around.

I gotta go to the supermarket one of these days, and also around the campus to see what goes around the school.

Sidenote

Just after I completed a mile, it started raining, and so I went to buy stuff for breakfast tomorrow instead.

At the cashier,

Cashier: 这个现在有promotion。*holding to pringles*

Auntie: ya lor. 我上个礼拜买两个，一个要四块多 (now S$2.80)。我吃完了，被我儿子骂，所以我又来买了。

Me: *roll eye*

And when I stepped out of the supermarket, the Sun came out again. -_-

惑

What is monogamy?

How to fight fire in a wok?

I just saw this from the television. This caught my eye simply because it is a chemical thing?!

Problem: A wok of oil was heated and the surface of the oil caught fire.

Hypothesis 1: Use water.
Reason: Use water to fight fire, isn't it what we have always know?

Alright, this is wrong. If we use water, we die faster. Upon addition of water, the water will be evaporated due to the high temperature and become water vapour. Unfortunately, oil, being organic will then be attached to the water molecules and try to escape together (hot air rises), which helps the fire spread rapidly and cover more area. So whoever using water to fight fire with oil will be courting death.

Hypothesis 2: Use the wok cover.
Reason: It acts like a shield.

And yes, we should use the wok cover to cover the wok to prevent air (especially oxygen and hydrogen) from entering the wok, and hence combustion stopped. The effect can be enhanced by adding a wet blanket to cover up the wok, which helps in bringing down the temperature.

Jungle trail

It was a two week long high key at a particular secluded part in Singapore. I was lucky to be invited for it. There was free food that you could collect with the scan of a green card. Every few days, there is even a survey to see if the food are up to your liking. Something worth mentioning is the comfortable spring mattress, which comes with a larger-than-bedsheet blanket and super thick pillow. Not forgetting 8 ceiling fans and 6 standing fans (even though only 2 worked). What can be better when most of your other friends are also members of the organization, and it was great to hang out and chat with each other. Alright, other than that I didn't have a good time. I spent the first week thinking why my deferment was not approved, and how come I was made to do things that they can do by themselves. Thankfully, I was in sane because of the One up there, placing someone to show me how to handle this and ensuring me that bad times will pass. Then came the second week including a three day one night stay in Lim Chu Kang, especially designed for those with green fingers. From there I earned myself some pricks and minor cuts, dirty and stinky uniform, and a watermeloned face. I am thankful that the two weeks passed with minimum traces.

事过境迁

Just some updates about what has been happening.

A JC class gathering which will lead on to another one in July since there was only a handful of us that night. The food was good, and although we haven't seen each other for some time and have become a bit too busy with our own lives, we still manage to talk and joke.

Then there was a MJ session with Jon and gang, which makes me wonder if I will be blacklisted, by some form of luck, I won again. After that was a family dinner. We had chicken rice and later we went around the west area looking for durian, but to no avail. In the end, we settle for card playing at grandma's with grandma till late night.

And yesterday, i spent the whole of it with my sister, emptying my wallet. We went for KTV and dinner. Bought her some t-shirts and a pair of slippers for birthday, and also a birthday cake. Then i was disturbed when i saw hands coming through my window and waving ytd night, as her friends bought a mini-cake and wanted to surprise her and celebrate for her.

Oh ya, I am no longer working at the tuition centre, and just doing some flexible assignment work at home. And now, it is more of planning for the upcoming trips, and trying not to spend too much on unnecessary stuff.

And thank god for placing many people whom I love in my life.

The entropy of life

The inconvenient and inevitable truth explains that one can only age with time, which is an irreversible process. The system in our body attempts to keep things in balance, through complicated processes in the nervous system, digestive system, the citrus acid cycle, concerning the ATPs and all. Entropy is a measure of disorderness in a body, therefore having a linear relationship with the amount of disorderness. In this case, in the way that our body system responds, in keeping things in order, the amount of entropy in a body should be decreased, and suggests that we should not age. Unfortunately, the other processes happening simultaneously in sync with those entropy decreasing processes are those that increases entropy, at a greater extent, outweighing the former. As a result, entropy increases and all things grow old.

Recently this amount of entropy caught up with me. While I stood up swiftly after squatting down for some time, I felt slightly dizzy and needed a few moments to regain balance, which hasn't happen to me before.

Well, my conclusion to this is more positive than being sarcastic. The time is ours to take, since whether or not, time still passes. Since we cannot decrease entropy (at least for now), we have better made the entropy increased be worth it, by learning and infusing more, seeing the world and all, which is a reason why I encouraged MJ to take up Urops as well.

识时务者为俊杰

Some people just fail to understand.

When people grow older, they tend to think deeper into things and result in more unwanted problems, which could have been avoided. And hence, we walk in circles, like a dog chasing its own tail, in a never-ending process, which makes you stop listening to those who care, shutting yourself out from the world.

Well, I don't care about those who did, as long as I do things my way, and I don't regret.

I believe that people are born innocent and uncorrupted. Though some hearts can be deceptive. I am contradictory, an oxymoron.

I just want to be ME.

Life in Technicolor

When I stop and ponder, I realize that I am just another paper chaser, fitting into the norm, working my way through problems. But hey, ain't life supposed to be like this? Some people want to make it big, pursue till the end to seek what they want, while some just enjoy the little things in life, going through daily lives as a commoner. I happen to be the latter, as most of the time, I love to sit at the back seat, looking at how things progress. I like things to happen slowly as I enjoy process rather than the result. And yes, it would be good if it comes with results too.

I have been working and studying for the past weeks, and it had never been more meaningful for me to enjoy doing laboratory work again, even if it takes pains to synthesize and analyze my products. I see that I was going through motions for the last two years, trying hard to complete the practical work and examinations without understanding much theories hidden within. Only this semester, I do my own research, exploring Chemistry with a whole new perspective. I am proud of myself for doing that, and I do hope it shows in the results too. However, I already learnt much about myself and more about what I do not know.

I confidently feel that time was well spent, whether it was with my love ones, earning my bread and butter, or juggling with lab reports, I've accomplished so much more, in dealing with problems decisively, and to be more vocal and expressive. It feels enriching and wholesome. Hence, life is in technicolor, decided by our attitudes, and not how much we have physically.

With that, I look forward to the adventure of my own, and will have the best of both worlds when that time arrive.

Spreading your bread with honey

Life has been sweet. I was busy working, busy doing my lab module, busy planning for the coming trip, and busy with knowing myself and coming close to what I yearn for. It seems that I am heading there and I am thrilled. (Okie I don't sound like that but I really am, maybe because I din have enough sleep and i have an ulcer which hurts badly)

So things are going smoothly, and so, bread and honey just comes to mind, bread as the usual common stuff and the honey which makes ordinary becomes extraordinary. I love life alot.

Beginning

To tell the truth, I enjoy going to school during this period of time. Two days of lab a week, with lab reports to prepare, starting from reading journals and textbooks, I find it much more interesting than normal lab time, as I am given ample time to make sure that I understand the lab fully and make my lab report look better. Beside going for lesson, I managed to secure the job at the tuition agency and am starting work tomorrow. This will give me more experience and income for holiday and shopping.

So today I bought 2 new shirts (the last time i buy clothes was during chinese new year) to pamper myself, met up with ivan for dinner, and managed to chat with him. And yesterday I got triply chocolate cornflakes from Mark & Spencers' as a surprise present from CK, which makes me look forward to breakfast everyday. During busier times, communication and understanding become a vital part of maintaining relationship between people, and even though it may look hard, I believe that whatever that you can overcome is truly yours.

P/S: Eat breakfast everyday!

Post Exam Activities

Once the appalling examinations are over, I began on my Post-exam activities, starting with a chalet organized by Roy at SAF Holiday resort. It is a refreshing start to see some old friends and trying to know some new friends, whom I have not seen in real person before. It is embarrassing to admit that I tend to know and talk to people more on the internet than meeting the person out of my little Apple. Okie, I have digressed. Anyway, the chalet was not too bad, since I get to try my hand at Mahjong, and play Bridge, and talk with some very busy people. LOL. I took a walk at Tampines with Jon and KS the next day, and set foot into Uniqlo which was a total let down. I can only say that it is as overrated as Dai Yang Tian, and the only product that I recommend to buy are the boxers and trunks? Nevertheless, I quite like the experience at the Eastside, made me believe that I was in another place altogether, and it is quite a shopping haven all on its own.

I met up with HK, SY and Anli for dinner and Minds' Cafe, which was pretty fun, despite the cold which I caught, from having lack of sleep during the chalet. I had tissue by my side 24/7 that day. Good to know how they are now, regret not having more time to talk to them, maybe during CK's birthday party will I be able to catch up on HK's TW trip and SY's examinations.


And there was Clara's 21st Birthday celebration, at her place in Jurong East. Her home is cosy and neat, and I can easily concussed as I bury myself underneath loads of cushions in the living room. It is just lacking of a fireplace before it transform into a cottage. I had a wonderfully fun time with the Chemistry major friends, playing Asshole Big 2, to see who is a better card dealer (and that's WJ, who is the 1st generation of asshole, and apparently not so much for Huilin's unique snail style dealing) and we decided to stop when we finally overthrow the long-reigning king, Irwan. I enjoyed the sinfully tasty Botak Jones catering, as I gnawed into those beef burgers and sausages which made Gary go insane. On top of that, there was my favorite pineapple tarts. The celebrations ended when not more than 10 of us gathered to play 'Psychiatrist', which was a Q&A, digging people innermost secret, like taking electron from the innermost shell instead of the valence shell. (lamed)

The highlight for the week was having dinner at Hainan with CK (I got to eat Beef Stew!) and watching 'A Madwoman's Diary', which features Li Xie, whom I got to know from Dua Dai Ji. As I have predicted, the show talks about 2 women, each talking and enacting their own stories, like sharing woes and joys with the audience (it's a blackbox theatre production), while the political stuff (only at the end then CK told me that Li Xie was playing a politician. However, my conclusion that the argument from this play is pretty one-sided, weakly pointing out that people should not compromise easily to their circumstances and allow others to control them or else, it leads to undesirable misfortunes. I was touched by the goat's story, because of so much emotion built up before that scene, when I imagine how traumatized and pitiful a woman could feel, to give birth to a stillborn baby. I guess the way that part was portrayed was layered and easy to comprehend and feel uncomfortable with.

And then is Mothers' Day, and it began with a family dinner (zhu chao) at Jurong West, and then Karaoke session at Chervons. I was amazed by how well my sister can sing, and the way she hits the high notes, every song feels like Christmas carols. LOL. Sally was lucky, we made a spin at the Jackpot room and she won $500 from it, and hence she footed the bill for most of our expenses for that day, including pizza delivery treat at Sarpinos, karaoke and also paying for what I lost in the Jackpot room. They give out money in bulks and they eat money real fast. Alex and I lost $40 together in 10 min. Ka Ching! It all ends well with watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and having a little game of mahjong, which I got sponsored by Angela for this week's allowance.

And now, it is time to get to Jurong Point to X-men the Origins movie, which almost everyone who was interested have watched. All these before I settle down and start special semester.

SPEED - S.P.D.

How can I ever miss this spectacular PV? Kudos to SPEED for yet another magnificent performance.

Ridiculous

I was laughing away (shake head) as I was reading the newspaper, regarding netizens' comments on the final episode of the 'Ping Pong show'. Many feel that it is wrong to show that one of the girls use her body to achieve her goals, both fame and fortune. It also shows that the girl who refuses so, was then made handicapped, as her arm was broken by the baddies. Well, if it is the show, doesn't the scriptwriter has a say to how he or she wants the show to be? In the first place, this show wasn't advertised as some sort of motivating show, and definitely isn't one of the those that claim to teach moral values. If we can't have any bad people in a show, then what's the show about? Of course in this world we are in, there are people who are corrupted and people who are good. People who have lived long enough will understand that life isn't that fair and hence, being morally right in the show doesn't mean you have a good life. For instance, how come no one says that it is very wrong for Yuzhu (Little Nonya), who has been doing good deeds throughout, to suffer an ill fate? (Glad she did, if not dear Joanne would not become Best Actress)

Okie, I have digressed. What I feel is that, a writer should not be restricted when it comes to writing. Period.

Labour Day

Mayday has passed! To many, it is just a public holiday = more free time, like how it applies to me, like more time to spend with people around me, or for plain studying for the examinations. In short, Extra time spent to do things that you didn't have time to do. It seems that public holiday that we aren't interested in are not of our concern, it simply equates to free time. Pretty much apply to our daily life, isn't it?

HallO

FAT is in, THIN is out!

Knowing little is bliss

I was feeling uneasy and a little traumatized by 'Knowing', the movie kai and I watched yesterday. As many would have know, it is about someone who has the ability to predict the date, venue and the number of deaths in a major unnatural disaster, and gets creepier as once it has been predicted, it cannot be altered, which eventually everyone else dies. Furthermore, it links (although it is rather crappy more than informative) with quotes from the bible, reminding people that we are living in the end times, and has to be prepared for the Lord to take us. I would have this show better if it connects to environmental problems that we are facing these days, due to rapid urbanization and the tolls on mother nature.

So in the movie, one of the characters, knows exactly which date she is going to die, and it is absolutely disturbing. Hence, I really think that knowing little is bliss, and to live life and love life every single day is much more important than worrying about things that have yet to come (and I really do that alot).

I have been busy, you know, watching show to entertain myself, and revising for the examinations. Well, I am looking forward to the holidays, more than anything else.

Goodbye Eddie

Always taken as the neighbourhood slut, the one who enjoys the company of men, and the one who doesn't have a true friend from Wisteria lane. However, she is more than that. She is sexy, beautiful, strong and one of a kind. Indeed, no one has seen her devastated or unhappy, but only the part of her that is headstrong, witty, and most of the times, intimidating. However, she has her own worries, from her previous marriage and her only son, which she loves enough to let him hate her for leaving the family, and although she enjoys the company of men, she has always wanted to have someone who truly loves her. Sadly, that didn't materialise as she got married to this revengeful man. Gladly, she spent her days worthwhile when she was alive.

Goodbye Eddie, I didn't realise that you are more than this. You are indeed one of a kind.

That must be a dream

I am wide awake now. Some moments ago I was in the master bedroom, lying on the queen size bed, new and furbished, with my dear. We are living with my family, and everything seems wonderfully fine. Of course, it was a dream.

Following that dream, I was in some place and it was some location where Stefanie Sun was holding her concert and I paid like a whopping 3800 RMB to get in, and I could still remember how I fork out the money from my wallet, thinking if it was worth the money. Oh well.. Too bad I din manage to listen to her sing during the dream.

20 dollars ONLY?

That was what my mum exclaimed when i informed her about the bills. Not long ago, we signed up for the Mio plan, where I will pay for internet, my mum pays for the phone plan, while my dad pays for the residential line. So we are splitting the bill, around 20 dollar each.

This time round, the bill is around 58, so it would be 20 each. And so there my mum was happy that it is much cheaper than what she used to pay. (she choose to believe that 58 bucks was solely for her phone plan at first.)

And then i heard this from my dad, right from his room..

"Of course you think it is cheap lar, no matter i use or not, i still have to pay the 20 bucks."

And so my mum replies,

"One is your son, one is your wife, don't be so calculative lar"

*laugh quietly*

Sedang menjadi orang yang rajin

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,

Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Vanilla Cupcake with Chocolate icing

Okie.. This is a new recipe that i'm trying out. Tastes not bad, but I'm all tired out washing the stuff. yawn.

Realization

Life is colorful, why let small matters distract you from leading a happier life?

Who doesn't have problems? What's most important is how you deal with them, and not how much it will cost you. Stay positive.

解脱

为什么人总是要等到失去后才懂得珍惜？

我一直没什么留意阿桑，只听过‘叶子’和‘野百合也有春天’，觉得感动中带有一丝丝的哀伤与沧桑。直到近期，在电台广播又听到她的歌，接着又听到她离去的消息，有点惊讶。
今夜，我又听了她的歌，不禁叹惜。

事事难料，变幻莫测。世上没有什么事情是绝对的。

我们常常试着充实自己的生命，遗忘了垂死挣扎，努力生存的人。
自我并不是王道。而了解生活与生存的意义，才是懂得惜福的不二法门。

Father and Daughter

After a jog around the neighbourhood, i was crossing the road to get to BPP and I saw this father holding the hand of his daughter, going in the same direction as me. Throughout the journey, both of them were talking really sweet stuff to each other. The dad was playing around, and trying to shake off the daughter hand and said," Don't want you, let go my hand, let go my hand.." and his daughter was holding tightly, she smiled and said,"Don't want, I love you." Young kids, innocent and very cute. Then they were playing alphabet game, when one says a letter, the other must come up with a word that begins with it. So the father started with 'X' and the smart daughter said 'xenophone' (well I bet all kids learn this when they are in kindergarten) Then she came up with 'Z' and told her dad that he cannot say 'Zebra' so the dad says 'Zoo' and laughed at her daughter while she was doing the 'eeyer' look. And her dad asked 'X' again and she tried to say 'Xenophone' but can't repeat already.. (I was tempted to say X-ray to her from the back =X) After thinking a while, she said 'X-ray' (telepathy haha) and her dad was taken aback. (okie.. after that reach BPP le.. So I din follow up.. lol)

Hidden agenda, go see how my sis is doing for her job. My second time doing 'spotcheck' le. Din really want to go and approach her, and I shyly stood around and observe her. Then I bought my dinner and left for home.

Thanks Father

A jog does wonders, feels like me having a conversation with God, thinking through what has been happening and I found the root of the problem. Felt relieved because it can be solved in time. Jogging is the way to go already.

Chaotic VS Peaceful

I am worrying, about many things. I can't set my priorities right, and I seems to be gloomy and unhappy. This feeling seems to be catching up before I actually know it or find a way to deal with it. Things aren't going as smoothly as they are supposed to be, and I screwed it up most of the times, and ended up in guilt and regret. I know this isn't healthy, as I wonder what happen to my good old optimistic self. I know sooner or later, I have to get out of this, so that I can be back in shape again.

I need to differentiate between things that are within my control and those that are not. Those that I can control I keep in mind and will have to try not to keep thinking about it, while those within my control, I have to keep on working on it, to improve the situation. Only when I think out of this straining box, will I find peace and be happy again. Okie, I did try greeting people with a smile today and not let things affect my mood and in everything that I do. (I read something about everyone deserves to be greeted with a smile.)

This is part and parcel of life, and I can only see it as a test to make me stronger, as what doesn't kill me thus make me stronger. I awaits for the time where peace will be mine. (not death certainly) Meanwhile, I try my best to solve the problems.

The Importance of being Earnest

First of all, it is my first time attending the gala event, and also the experience of sitting so close the stage (yes, I saw Ivan's saliva, but that shows how much he is absorbed into his character). Looking at how the show has been packaged, the gentle colours and designed, creating somewhat a soft and tender feel (together with the flower prints), the entire cast in specially tailor-made coats, vests and pants, it made me easy to understand and feel comfortable about the English accent and being a bit intellectual, in the sense that it requires you to catch the words and the meaning in time to understand fully. Well, I would recommend this show because I enjoyed myself, partly because the plot itself is interesting and compact that there isn't a part that bores me, and partly because this show is entirely performed by a full male cast~! The costumes, gestures/body language of the actors can help me differentiat with ease, who is playing the female part, without having to change his voice or go drag. kudos to that. It is also my first time listening to T'ang quartet, after hearing so much about them from my friends. Although I might not be able to appreciate classical music or comment much, the music they played are smoothing to the ears, definitely unlike the types i usually listen.

Anyone who wants to be Earnest?

Yah I got myself another sister

Posers! -_-||

Disclaimer

The taste of the wonderful dinner was not horrible. I need to clarify or else someone's name will be smeared. Hee.. Culinary skill 颇受好评 one lei, how can I say it is bad? Seriously, I enjoyed the meal very much and am really looking forward to the next one. =X

Oh yes, it is just one more month to the exam period and I am certainly tired out somehow by the attacks of the lab reports and mid-term tests and can't wait for the next long weekend which is during the Good Friday period. Okie, it is not that bad actually, just that I need to get in touch with things I miss doing, like enjoying a good jog, doing window shopping, baking little things for my loved ones, or even having a good quality rest, as I refused to make myself a study machine, who simply does studying and nothing else. What a fulfilling university life har?

I would like to thank M.J for praying for me, that he would put me on the top of his praying list, he has always been a trustworthy friend. I remember the times where we used to crack lame and boring chemistry jokes, having long jogs together after school, and talked about things happening around us. And because I told him some of my problems with dealing of family adminstrative matters and how I am lost somehow into the direction where God wants me to be, he thought of me right when the church asked him to pray for a friend. What I am trying to say is that I treasure the sincerity of such a friend, even though we might not be doing many things together like we used to be in the past, yet I want to keep this loyal friend of mine. I am thankful to God for placing many good friends in my life, not only that my life has been enriched, I do hope that I play a part in helping them in times of need, or simply be a blessing to people around me.

Currently, I enjoy what I do, and is contented with what I have. Hence, I strive to keep them by my side, especially the ones whom I love.

Backpost

Taste aside, simple yet meaningful dinner, cooked with lots of love and a little struggle (hehe). This is not something that can be bought by money or anything in the world. I am fortunate and blessed enough to be able to have this.

By the way, every time I mention that it has been a while since I last blogged, and every time I say that, and I have lost track of how precious time has been spent away. I assumed that most of it went into lesson time and revision time for mid term test, which the weird thing is that I am still having mid term tests 2 weeks after the mid term break! I'm not complaining, since there is ample time to revise.

By the way, I've been to Jason Mraz' concert and it was awesome! I am a part-time fan who only have listened to some of his songs and hence some of the songs that he performed during the gig was rather new and never fail to amaze me. A track like 'Mr curiosity' kept me memerized by his wide vocal range, a while ago he was lively and dancing to his upbeat songs, a while later his voice was sexy and appealing (but now I think CM2132 prof has a sexier voice)

Lame

J= me, W= WJ

J: i got the module =)

W: yea
wenjin and chin wei nv get lei

J: yar i heard
can try to appeal lor

W: i think v hard
cos got limited lab spaces

J: so i ask him to apply for sem 4 oso
see how lor
maybe got ppl last minute withdraw
as for wenjin hor

W: true

J: i think he shld just take any UE for special sem
cos he can take the lab during the sem

W: he cannot
he got the forensic mionor also

J: breadth or wad lei?

W: cos our minor mod is on mondays
clash

J: orh..
then he oso apply for sem 4 lor aiyo..~

W: he got ict
haha

J: ...
sux..
aiya.. go for sex change
solve problem le

W: LOL

J: go in may for sex change
then can take sem 4 le

W: lame

I might have gone crazy..

But I didn't. The week so far has been weirdly horrible, that everything seems to crash and I have to clear the mess. However, my conclusion is that some of them are my own mistakes and some simply are just things beyond my own control.

The following is something rather personal and you wouldn't like to hear me rant about it. My mum quit from her job 2 weeks ago and so she should be very free, since she doesn't have to go to work anymore. However, the house still pretty much looks the same, where the same means dirty as ever. I was happy when I overheard her told her friend over the phone that she will have to be a worthy housewife and take care of the house and cook meals. However, for the past 2-3 weeks, she only cooked porridge once for lunch. The rest of the days for me were spent eating from hawker centres, food courts and restaurants, and it has been taking its tolls on me, falling sick and spending lots of money. I handed her 2 stacks of clothes and she only ironed one piece which I needed for last Saturday, and hence I have decided to iron the rest later in the day, as waiting may take me forever. It is not that I hate her or dislike her. I am upset and disappointed about how things turn out this way, to the extent that I call it dysfunctional. From my point of view, being a full-time student and able to perform in studies and able to be financially independent has been a feat. But besides doing that, I have to handle the things in the family, applying for CPF stuffs, clean the house and wash dishes as there is no one else doing it. Did i mention that I'm the one buying groceries and it got depleted rapidly. It is to this point that I feel that I have been taken for granted in the family. Thankfully I am not emotional yet.

As for my sister, she is going to spend the whole of the post O-levels doing nothing, other than roaming Orchard and her friends' places, for all i care. I have run out of ideas of what to deal with her, since she is such a heavy spender, and apparently she doesn't have much to get herself prepared for the new school term, how come she doesn't learn that money doesn't come easy. I was so heart-broken when she simply told Jac that I have money when Jac told her that she will have to cancel her phone plan. (and yes, I really think that things have been going in her way by manipulating, and at the expense of those who care for her.) And hence, from now on, I shall not give in until she realise what she has been doing, which means I'm washing my hands of her, to make her learn. She hasn't learnt that if you want something very much, you have to earn it and not wait for it to be bestowed upon you, not everyday is sunday right?

Well, you may think that hey, they are your family, and you guys are related by blood and you shouldn't do this or that. But I have been taken for granted and I have definitely tried my best in doing many things till the extent that I am feeling so exhausted not over my studies, but over miscellaneous matters which I don't know WTH am I so bothered with. Maybe I asked too much out of myself, that I wanted to make sure that things are going well in the family, and it is making me break.

I hope my mood will lift later, when I meet CK for dinner.

SO fast?

It suddenly occur to me that 2009 is slipping away so quickly that I wasn't able to recall what that has been happening.

"Imagine your life as a masterpiece unfolds. Living life every second of every day as a work of art in progress, taking form in every breath you take."

Ponders..

As I am writing this entry, I’m actually on my way home from Yishun. Since I’ve brought my laptop out so as to show my tuition kids some photos of the marine environment and the organisms living in it, I might as well use it to do something during this journey.

I was rather intrigued by what CK spoke about, talking about having a fan base and how people worshipped their ‘idols’ just because of how well they looked. So I suddenly recall this show, which I have watched recently. In brief, an idol of a popular boy group in Taiwan was asked to blow his breath into a plastic bag for a ‘lucky’ fan to breathe. Well, the fan was felt ecstatic about this rare opportunity and inhaled rapidly when the breath was released. However, the breath was extremely smelly and so the fan thought that she has been tricked into sniffing some foul gases. When it was confirmed that the gas she has inhaled was truly the breath from her idol, she then changed her comment and claimed that the breath was heavenly. Well, my conclusion is that love is blind, to an extent that we lost our minds into justifying things without much thinking. It is from my idol, how can anything related to him be bad? ‘I think, therefore he is.’ is how I felt about this incident.

So, here’s the question., ‘what we all that is living in this world so shallow?’ Are some actions or we able to condone things that we don’t usually accept that against our principles? Where shall the threshold lie then?

As for myself, I think there is always something that is in us that is much more interesting then what is on the outside. Before you know a person, you might be greeted by the physical looks, like how attractive and how alluring the person might be. Although it might be pleasing to the eyes to see an attractive person, is that all you can get out of another person? Don’t we want to know how the personality and attributes of the person is like, his or her likes or dislikes, what he or she thinks about certain issues, what goals and ambitions he or she may hold and what he or she aims to achieve? Or do we simply stop at stage one?

If a pop idol just remain the same and thinks that he or she can continue to gather fans, think of F4 and what happened about shining across like a meteor. It flashes, and left without a trace, and there goes the end of their careers too.

Okay, I’m alighting soon and I’m getting dizzy and slightly nauseous from all this typing. Tata.

A Brownie Affair

I came up with the craziest idea yet, while doing nothing since tuition was postponed last minute. I might want to set up a brownie blogshop. However, that requires some planning(and some procrastination + delay). This would be a good chance to force myself to bake again and regain my long lost baking skills. Hope it become formidable again.

I need to stop procrastinating for many things.

Anyway, i learnt 八仙过海，各显神通 today, and realise it isn't of much use in daily life. =(

Khoon, We're proud of you!

On Friday night, CK, Sy and I overcame the almost endless flights of stairs to Old school, for the Random Blends exhibition by the department for New Media NUS, where we were greeted with loads of Khoon's photos on almost every wall. His work looks good, with a great blend of colors representing the societies, and his expressions, about the different emotions that one may have, which are all intertwine with each other. At the end of the day, we are trying to find out in reality, which is the real us? So we had an enjoyable time, looking at many artistic shots.
A closer look at the work
Okie.. we need to camwhore.
Khoon explaining to the guest what his work is about.
Group shot (ASH)

谚语 － 一天一句

Bought myself something today so as to improve my command of Chinese language. Not only do I want to be proficient/fluent in the language, I want to speak with better vocabulary too. These books are small and handy, hence I shall buy the other series when I'm done with this one.

Let's take a look at the first one:

八九不离十
解释：十分接近实际的情况。 （very close;about right)
造句：从你脸上那慌张的神色，就能让人猜个八九不离十了。 (well I don't like this example.)

How about.. 我认为事情就是这样发生的，不然也八九不离十了。

Set you thinking.

This weekend has been eventful and fruitful. First, I went for a play called 'dua dai ji' which talks about big news that happened in Singapore that concerns the lives of the masses. And yes indeed, when the play touched upon the topic of foreign talents, i found this very familiar as I can feel the pressure and the seriousness from this matter, especially being a NUS student and is often surrounded and feeling threatened by their presence in school. However, I soon realised that this was unavoidable, even though some of us don't like it, as we felt that our territory has been invaded. Looking on the bright side, the locals should seize this opportunity to learn from the foreign talents and to become stronger and better to meet the standards to be able to fight with the talents, instead of letting things happen as it is. In no time, this place that we call home will no longer be home to the locals.

On the other hand, I do agree with CK that this place has been made too easy for people to adapt, to the extent that we are rather spoon-fed and will be easier contented with where we are and what we have. With this type of mentality, it will restrict us from thinking what is the 'should have been' but just stay at what has happened. As a result, anyone will have no problem settling in Singapore, and getting citizenship here. All and all, in the past we had merger, which was an affair between 2 nations. And now, although we are independent, merger is still around, just that it was secretly hiding, the merger of the people from different lands.

And for today, i caught 'The curious case of Benjamin Buttons' with CK. It was a long movie that wasn't boring. It contains many parts of Benjamin's lives and how he has grown from an old baby to a young boy again. Well, I think it is intriguing as I was trying to apprehend how the characters in the show felt at a certain point during the show. For example, how Benjamin felt when he knows that Thomas was his father. I was touched by the scene where he brought his dad to view the sunrise. Life is imperfect, and full of regrets from mistakes made. And even for Thomas, it was that he shouldn't have given his son away. And so i guessed that the reason why Benjamin was being kind to his father was to remove some of the burden that his dad was carrying, to make him feel better also. And in life, everyone has their own roles to play and never should one feel awkward or doubtful about themselves, and should be able to accept what they are given with. As the saying goes," you can't escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading today". I'm sure this show and taught me something valuable.



This is a song that reminds one of the good and bad times of his or her past. I think these memories are here to stay, we learn from mistakes and remember the precious moments, for they mould us into who and what we are today. To me, the past is important as a guide to remind oneself of finding his or her true self, direction and purpose in life. Everyone has his or her stories right? =)



A meaning song. The lyrics tell the story of an old man, thinking about his past, and how his life passed him by in a flash. Treasure what we have.

我坐在床前
望着窗外回忆满天
生命是华丽错觉
时间是贼偷走一切
七岁的那一年
抓住那只蝉
以为能抓住夏天
十七岁的那年
吻过他的脸
就以为和他能永远
有没有那麽一个世界
永远不天黑
星星太阳万物都
听我的指挥
月亮不忙着圆缺
春天不走远
树梢紧紧拥抱着树叶
有谁能听见

有没有那麽一朵玫瑰
永远不凋谢
永远骄傲和完美
永远不妥协
为何人生最後会像
一张纸屑
还不如一片花瓣
曾经鲜艳

有没有那麽一张书签
停止那一天
最单纯的笑脸和
最美那一年
书包里面装满了
蛋糕和汽水
双眼只有无猜和无邪
让我们无法无天

有没有那麽一首诗篇
找不到句点
青春永远定居在
我们的岁月
男孩和女孩都有
吉他和舞鞋
笑忘人间的苦痛
只有甜美

有没有那麽一个明天
重头活一遍
让我再次感受
曾挥霍的昨天
无论生存或生活
我都不浪费
不让故事这麽的後悔
有谁能听见
我不要告别
我坐在床前
看着指尖已经如烟

I want to live in YIH

Yep, this place is great. It has ample space for me to rest my legs and study for many hours in air-conditioned areas. The place is not crowded like science canteen during lunch hours and definitely have more interesting (both good and bad) food than other canteens. Well, most importantly, i can concentrate on my revision there. Hence, I want to live in YIH and I am wondering how much is the hostel fee.. Haha =)

So here's what has happened over the past week, I felt tired and horrified by school and was disgusted by how much time I have to delicate to school and yet get not so good grades for some modules. Hence, I fell sick, had a very bad sore throat that woke me up 3 times every 2 hour throughout my sleep. It was so painful that I can't swallow my saliva and has to let it stay in my mouth. Then i realise i can't gather strength to spit the saliva out and hence I let it drip out. -_-|| Went to the doctor and it cost me $55 for the stronger antibiotics. So painful for both throat and wallet. (I am so glad I am alright now and I'm still trying to get more sleep.)

V'day came and went. It was a happy one, having able to spend a lovely day freely, enjoying myself with company, and of course, delicious food =) (well, that isn't the only thing that is enticing)

Recess week is here, and I will be camping in YIH for most of the days. =x

旋律

爱情像一首旋律。
时儿优美动人，扣人心弦。
偶尔节奏较快，动感十足。

一首好的旋律不能没有副歌，不然就暗淡无味，枯燥乏味。
它也不能一直重复副歌，演奏的人不觉得累，听的人都累了。
一定要从中取得平衡，才能创作出有高低起伏的旋律。
这样一来才会绕梁三日，让人想要重复聆听的冲动。

祝大家找到自己喜欢的情歌，情人节快乐！

妈妈与妹妹

My mum is funny. Knowing that I was having a cough and sore throat, she tried to offer me half a can of her coke when she saw me resting at the sofa. Later at night, she came back with MacDonalds for supper and asked if I want some. Oh my tian, if I really ate them, I can't imagine how sick I can be. CK said maybe she was looking for partner in crime, in which i totally agree.

My sis is funnier. She fell sick after going out till late nights for consecutive days. Hence I brought her some panadols and a glass of water when I heard her 'moan' my name from her bedroom. I handed her the white round tablets and then she looked at me.

Sis: Are these for fever?
Me: Yes, white color and round one.
Sis: Aren't panadol for fever pink in color?
Me: （暗笑）You think you still kid ar, want to eat pink color one.
Sis: （Sick but still 暗笑）Orh.. (swallow tablets and gulp the water)

I've been hiding.

No, I'm not. Just that I was sick for the past one week, due to sore throat and cough, which I haven't recover from. I made myself sleep more, has been so long since I made myself sleep before the clock strikes twelve. Darn those pineapple tarts and ba kwa, for tasting so good. Oh well, I wasn't disciplined enough to shun them. My bad.

The good thing about sleeping more, perhaps one of the many good points, is that I have been able to dream, since I haven't had dreams, or at least those I can remember for a very long while. So here I am, sharing 2 of the dreams that I had recently excitedly.

(1)Driving a lorry.
It was at night, around bukit batok area, I was driving a lorry with my sister beside me, and I was parking skillfully into a parking lot in the heavy vehicle carpark. (And in the dream I know that I don't have the license, but I still carry on driving). Then my aunties appear and ask me to drive them back. And so 4 or 5 of them boarded my lorry and I drove as if I have been driving since the day I was born, sending them back. And then my alarm clock rang. (Such a tiring dream)

(2)In Bed.
I was in bed, *dirty stuff* and then don't know why I realise that I cannot stay at home and then was walking around looking for a place to sleep. And I was again in Bukit Batok. weird.

我不是你想像那麼勇敢

I like the creativity and how the content matches with the troubled society. Everyone is in search of something they yearns for, something dear to them in which they have lost and something that isn't in physical form.

And hence, it has made the song very touching and filled with warmth at the end.

黑皮牛耳！

Time passes quickly while you are having fun. And tomorrow school gonna start. (okie, this entry isn't about the aiyo-so-stressful-school-sux stuff)

Despite the economic downturn and that the festive spirit isn't very much present, this is one of my most anticipated CNY since I was born. It is not about receiving pocket money anymore, and isn't about gambling (although I played too-too-too much of mahjong). It is about getting around with family and relatives to see how each other is doing, especially for those we haven't seen for a full year. It is a time, where you see the elders in the family getting excited, seeing their children and grandchildren return, in nice new clothes and beams when they see each other. Knowing that their offspring are still getting well is already a good gift for CNY.

My 外公 doesn't talk much, maybe not so good at expressing himself, but he makes sure that everyone in the house get a good full meal at the dining table, hence the whole 2-3 days he was busy with preparing food, and ALWAYS throwing something into the steamboat as he walks past. 外婆 then goes around, keeping things in order and tells my aunties and mum about her plans to go holidays (okie, she needs reimbursement from them). Well, I learnt something which makes a lot of sense when I was at her place. She told my cousin "肚子饱，眼睛不饱", telling him that he should not eat so much since his stomach is already full but his eyes aren't. 阿嬷 will then wakes up normally around the time i was sleeping to do the housework, every CNY is like a major event. Then she will have to visit the market in the early morn to buy plenty of stuff to store.

I enjoyed the vibes and the joys of meeting up during CNY, and truly appreciate how things are now. =)

礼物

终于一天看清楚，能够爱过痛过也是幸福。
风光明媚，还是绝路，都是昨天笑忘书。

每一个人都有一份礼物，就是为另外一的人付出。
能够勇敢爱下去，是最大的礼物。

交换了礼物，我会懂得珍惜。

莫等闲

人都将会有老的一天。无关性别，宗教或信仰，也不管你是男，是女，是高，是矮，富有或平庸，大家所拥有的时间是一样的。

如果有一双健全的腿，就多跑远一点，走多一点。
如果有灵活的脑袋，就好好地利用，别让它变得迟钝。
如果有一双明亮的眼睛，就多看一些，记下美好的画面。

我得要多珍惜我所拥有的一切。＝）

Let's Go Shopping

Heard from MJ that once the economy ain't doing well, fellow citizens will think that it is high time to save and scrimp, hence decided to buy only necessary stuff and not objects of one's desires. This phenomena, on the surface helps one to save some reserves for rainy days but will not only bring the economy down even faster but also closer to recession. As people stop spending, the companies (especially MNCs) will then decide not to invest so much and pump in less money into the distinguished market of the country. And the best way to cut losses is by retrenchment and then people lose jobs. Therefore, during such times, it is highly encouraged for people to go shopping. (Does this make impulsive shoppers feel better about their actions? This is some glorifying moment whereby shoppers save the economy! =P )

Enough of the fair share of crap/fact, I went shopping with the slut (okie.. my bestie) yesterday, and we went from city hall to the flyer for dinner and then to bugis where I got my good buys from. Here are some photos we took along the way.

How anorexia can form..

Continuing from the previous entry. I retold this 'eating takeaway' story to WJ.

WJ: I have been doing that for (count fingers..) 2 years already? then I got sick of the outside food and decided to use hot water to blanch my vegetables and meat. After that I got too lazy and decided not to eat already. Hence, I stop eating.

Me: (shocked) I really hope I am not heading this way.

Thank goodness for CNY, I can eat home-cooked food, spend time with family and enjoy the goodies. =)

'Ask and it shall be given' works on Mums too.

(Provided that you have been a good son all year.)

Had this conversation with my mum early this morning, before i left for school.

Me: Are you going to cook tonight?
Mum: Aiyo, I have been waking up so early everyday for work and will be too tired to cook already.
Me: But i have been eating weeks of takeaways and firstly, they are not healthy, secondly expensive and finally I'm already sick of it. (act pitiful)
Mum: ..(silence)

However Mum and Dad just came back and Mum is cooking Bak Kut Teh right now, and hence I have proven that 'ask and it shall be given' works (at least for my mum). I shall thank her later during dinner.

赤壁之感想

为小乔捏了一把又一把的冷汗。
不禁对曹操的威严，魄力敬佩。
诸葛孔明的才智过人，一个充满幽默感的英雄。
流汗的乌龟和挡箭稻草兄实在太抢戏了！
周瑜边骑马边接弓箭时帅呆了。
胖猪让我有很深的印象，就算再倔强，野蛮，好胜的人，都会有脆弱的一面。面对着饭桶的离去，她也无可奈何，只能责怪这无情，残酷的战火。

人都有自己想要保护的东西，见仁见智，因人而异。

关于自己

其实我应该在写我的另一个作品，但由于有点记不得要写什么，索性就写写一些一直存记在我的脑海里的事情。

我曾想过，为什么自己会对家人比较好？即便是说学校教得好，把孔子对孝顺和君子的理念灌输到我身上，但还是有听说朋友们跟家人的互动并没有那么密切。我当然很爱我的家人，喜欢买一些有的没的布置家里，常常买饼干和饮料来存放在柜子里，这样一来，爸爸能够随时有东西吃。我会打扫房子，扫地，抹地都行。成天苦口婆心地叫妹妹吃少一点，去收拾房间，有时甚至认为自己可以比妈妈还能做称职的家庭主妇。后来想想，自己是不是潜意识中知道可能会有对不起家人的事，所以现在就开始在补偿我将来的’错误‘。因此，努力地做个好儿子，乖孩子和好哥哥。

但我就是我，仍然想做自己想做的事，继续做自己。

The Forgotten Belated.

I din see this coming. That I would get this huge belated birthday present from khoon and sy. I thought this day has been spent in China and left there, hence there wasn't much of a celebration when I came back to Singapore. And soon came 2009 and I have already forgotten about my uneventful birthday. So when I saw sy with a big NUM paper bag it really caught me by surprise. And there inside was a red sling bag with a shoe compartment. It would be a real Attention seeking bag, but I would love to bring it to school soon, hehe, partly because i like the bag and mostly because it is sorta an evidence of this forgotten belated gift, filled with warmth and friendship. Thanks guys, I will remember this that you've given to me. =) hugs.

And i do agree that i lack the vibrancy. ( Yes ASH, it's time for wardrobe makeover). And from no where, I need to start a healthy cum detox diet for a week from now till next week, hopefully I can sustain this for long. Anyway, my English CMI (Chinese just slightly better).

Forgot to go to g2000 to take a look to get some office wear (heard that there is some sales going on) when having dinner with CK just now. Have to go get some tomorrow then.

Connection

I was listening to Jason Mraz again, and how I enjoy his songs since Remedy (back then i was in secondary school). Performing is a very simple way to let go of his frustrations, feelings and sentiments. And hence this song, I'm yours, telling people that time is short and that everyone deserves to be loved.

So I won't hestitate
No more, no more.
It cannot wait, I'm sure.

There's no need to complicate,
our time is short.
This is our fate, I'm Yours.

Sidenote: Sis did okie for her exams. I hope she does find a course that she is interested and they are willing to take her. =)

It's a Sunday and it's know yourself day!

Just got back not long ago, slightly tired. Yesterday I managed to get to Paisley and Cream for English bread and butter pudding and double chocolate cupcake for desserts (been so long since I last went). Looks like the crowd there is still the same (which is none. But that is precisely why i like the place) The prices are slightly higher now yet still affordable. Most importantly, the ambiance, the way the food are served and how the food taste have met my requirements of a good chill out place.

Okie. the title of my entry looks weird. I got to know myself better today. Ever wondered how it feels like when someone looks into your eyes and tell you how he feels about you? Telling you what is so unique that make you different from the crowd and reassuring that you are special. It then becomes clearer to you what qualities you have and didn't know about. Hence, you are able to know more about yourself! =)

Anyway,
Mum:你早上才回来吖 （i sms-ed you yesterday to inform you, you forgot le ar?)
跟瘦皮猴一样还以为自己很壮，可以不睡觉吖。。(first time she said that about me)
Me:有啦，有睡。