Psychedelic Paradise

2007-01-04T21:54:00.000+08:00

Alright, I know. A new year has come but somehow, I just don't feel any difference. The same old worries and frustration from 2006 seems to stay and refuses to leave my mind. I just don't know what to do. I agree that these problems are all my fault and that I can choose to remove them but somehow their roots have been etched in my mind for a very long time that I can't seem to solve it.

2006-12-23T23:25:00.000+08:00

2006-11-27T22:39:00.000+08:00

FINANCIAL RETROSPECTION

I passed the theory test and can't wait to begin my driving lessons. Just blew my bank account by spending a huge some of money on the practical lessons which does not include the fees for the driving tests. Got to start saving up. There's just so many things I want to get after I complete my service.

1) Overseas trip (probably to LA)
2) Laptop
3) iPod Video
4) Electronic Drumset
5) More clothes
6) Personal maintainence

Saw this on Youtube. Thought it was funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbbxuGzIzLg

2006-11-24T20:13:00.000+08:00

RVing AWAY TO SEATTLE GRACE!

That would be exactly 2 months 24 days or just 85 days since I visited this website to drown it with all my emotions, words, thoughts and philosophy. I have been spending the last few days watching Grey's Anatomy Season 2 and I must say it's getting more exciting, more intense and more emotional. I even have thoughts of directing a season of Grey's in the future (If I get the chance too!). Even the soundtrack is amazing! Juz hoping to get my hands on Season 3.

The most crucial thing to me now is that I'm gonna take my basic theory test for driving tomorrow. I feeling really stressed out and anxious this moment. Yeah, I know. I'm having a relapse now - my paranoid alter-ego is taking control over me now just like it did during JC days. Now, is that a medical condition requiring attention from the interns from Grey's? If that is so, I would like Dr Izzie Stevens to treat me! *smirking away* Anyway, I'm just curious. How come there ain't any psychiatrists in Seattle Grace. It would be great and exciting to have some patients with psychiatric disorders in Grey's - adds to the excitement!

Just can't wait for the day I get my driver's license and here I come Baby Porshe!

2006-08-31T21:12:00.000+08:00

THE DAY

Okay! I went back RJ to see some of those teachers who taught me . Apparently Ms Tang was on course so she was not around and we decided to give her a call and wish her, leaving the bottle of merlot we got for her in her pigeon hole. The same went for Ms JasTan, who scurried away after some celebrations in school. We saw her in her car and Gab and Glenn tried to give chase but how fast can a couple of quads, hamstrings and glutes (i'm not sure if they are developed. haha! That certainly isn't the case for me) overcome the power of the engine of an automobile.

Met Mr KevLow and apparently he wasn't Odac teacher-in-charge anymore. He had been promoted to ADH of Leadership! Even Ms Teh whom we met later was ADH of Biology this year. The amazing thing is that almost all the teachers in Odac were promoted to ADH - tang, teh and low! Spend time recollecting those expeditions (especially the one in India) we had and Mr Low mentioned that our batch was the luckiest as we were the only batch that got the YEP (youth expedition project0 and the chance to do our CIP in India which I felt was a spiritually-fulfilling and eye-opening experience. Junyang later told me that we were lucky not to be born a year later.

After that, we left for Novena to have lunch at Vines Restaurant. Gab sneakily told the manager that it was my birthday and at the end, my dessert had ice-cream and some fudge with my brownie and a candle and a sign. Wow! I'm so touched!

Thanks to Glenn, Gabriel, Junyang, Shawn, Raymond, ZhenChang and YeeOnn for spending my birthday with me and even relenting to go to Vines despite the fact that some wanted to go Fish&Co. I appreciate it a lot.

Also, thanks to JasHo for remembering that it's my birthday and like that rather munchkin-ny greeting! haha!

Finally thanks to mum and dad. without you, there won't be this day.

Okie! I'll cut the crap! I noe this sounds like my acceptance speech at the Academy Awards...haha! Hope that comes true one day....

Wanted to surprise my family after dinner - decided to do a sideways. Bought a small bottle of cabernet and we celebrated...

I'm 19th.

2006-08-30T20:23:00.000+08:00

THE CELEBRATIONS

Since Nas and Gerald had to book in tonight, I decided it was best to celebrate my birthday with both of them before they had to return to thir respective 'abyss'.

Met them in town and we decided to do some shopping - I needed a new belt and perhaps some new clothes. But the problem was there was no sale around so much of the apparels were pretty much costly. But I did succeed in getting my belt and a few accessories. =)

After that, we proceeded to have lunch and catch 'Lovewrecked' at lido. Silly it may sound but there wasn't made choice in the movies that were being screened so alas, 'lovewrecked' was the chosen one. The funny thing was that we had to draw lots between 'lovewrecked' and 'the break-up'.

I bought 2 rather interesting acting books at Borders and as I walked by Marks and Spencer, decided to get some gifts for my teachers.

2006-08-27T23:35:00.000+08:00

I'M UNDER THE SEA

Felt really great and full after a sumptous dinner at Jumbo Seafood @ WaterFront (Indoor Stadium). The setting for the restaurant was just by the river which gave it a rather serene and breezy ambience. It was great time for me to spend with my family. Anyway, this was a pre-birthday treat for my family and the great thing was that the place was not crowded. Oh btw, do u noe that the paddle of the crab has hairs too....Interesting discovery..hehheh! (i dun think u can see it from the picture!)

Ooo..I feel like spongebob..."Mr Crab!'or maybe Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean...

That's the sign at Waterfront..

2006-08-26T21:46:00.000+08:00

"PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT FLIGHT SQ XXX WILL BE DEPARTIN' IN 10 MINS TIME. THANK YOU."

Met the class at the airport to send Mandy off to New York, US. How envious I was! This was the third time in 2 weeks that I visited the airport. Too bad it just wasn't me flying away.

Anyway, I guess I will be missing those moments where Mandy never failed to amuse us with her zeal and enthusiasm.

After that we left for PS to watch a movie and following that we had a rather good chit-chat session at Macs.

2006-08-23T23:23:00.000+08:00

MUNCHING AWAY

Hey! I'm finally promoted. That means higher pay and I can get the stuff that I want to get for my upcoming birthday...haha!

Perhaps the most fulfilling event that has happened today is the meeting with my munchkin gang at Holland V (oh btw, it's munchkin - without the 's', and not munchkins). Had some fun and refreshed our knowledge of playing the game.

The best part of the game was the revenge that I had planned all while. I was sabotaged by Jasho and Junyang and when the opportunity arose I exacted my revenge! Haha! I'm so vindictive and vicious!

Anyway, saw some nice munchkin merchandises such as the t-shirts. Maybe, we munchkiners should get the t-shirts.

2006-08-22T23:30:00.000+08:00

A MOMENT LIKE THIS

While organising my documents on my comp, I happened to stumbled on the photo montage video that Nic and I so desperately sought to complete before Farewell Assembly last year. Feeling bored, I decided to take a look and so many memories flashed back as I recalled and missed those evanescent moments.

Most of my friends might have realised that I used to say in J2 that I wished to graduate as soon as possible and I remembered them telling me not to rush things over and that they would prefer not to graduate at all but enjoy the fun-filled and memorable college experience. Now, as I think about it, I do feel kind of bad and guilty that I even thought about graduating. Perhaps I was very short-sighted - thinking about the freedom and fun after As (including prom). Come to think about it, I felt that I wasted my break after As, not doing anything productive at all! For my friends they felt concern over the future (such as NS for the guys) as well as the demands and expectations of an adult in the working world.

Now that most of my friends are going away (with Sherry and Bonita who just started their American phase for a week or so), I kind of felt the desire to travel too...

2006-08-05T14:46:00.000+08:00

Dulce Et Decorum Est
Wilfred Owen

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of disappointed shells that dropped behind.

GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime.--
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,--
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

2006-08-04T19:05:00.000+08:00

PANDA-MANIA

Saw some really nice pictures in national geographic and discovered my love for pandas. I realised that they are actually really cute!

2006-07-30T16:18:00.000+08:00

SOMEBODY PLEASE BREAK MY MONOTONY!

I just realised that I've been slacking away the last few weeks with no posts at all. I must admit that I've been rather lazy. Another point to take note is that so far nothing ostentatious and interesting has happened in my life - a dictated life with scheduled booking-ins and -outs as well as having all my friends being busy that much of my book-outs in the past month was juz me rotting in front of my computer and re-watching movies. So far, there hasn't been any really interesting novels comparable to that of Dan Brown's or Harry Potter. Have been wanting to get the play The History Boys but apparently it's not released in Singapore yet. Have been reading my friends' blogs and realised that many of them have got their driving license that makes my face turn green.

Until yesterday, my life undoubtedly has been shamefully boring. Decided to watch Lake House and I thought that the notion of corresponding to someone 2 years ago (or vice versa) was a rather interesting concept. It's been a long time since I watched a movie of the romance genre and I enjoyed it though it was quite irritating to keep changing your perception from 2004 to 2006 and back again.

Met Gerald and Nasser to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: The Dead Man's Chest in the evening and I was quite disappointed with the ending - kinda like how Fellowship of the Ring ended which made you want to watch POC 3.

After that, took a cab to Elvine's house for class gathering. I admit that since I entered the army, I must have been rather generous to cabbies by patronizing them, but take a look how far in Elvine's house is! It's great to have the class gather together, more so since many of the girls are leaving for other countries in August like Yunqin, Sherry, Mandy and Jasho. Gonna miss all the fun that they have brought us all. Sob! Feelin' nostalgic now. I just hope that in the near (and far) future, we can all still meet up again somewhere and sometime and not break the bonds of fellowship that we have sub-consciously and painstakingly built up the last 2 and half years or so.

When I arrived, we played Mafia for a while and after some people left, we decided to play some water-consuming game initiated by Yunqin and it goes like this: Each number on the card represents some water-consuming related action and each one in the game picks a card and follows what the number represents. The process carries on until all 4 Ks are out. What was amusing is that everyone rushed to the toliet before and after each round. We played 2 rounds and after that we did various activities and eventually, everyone fell asleep...

Woke up at 8.15am and left with Gabriel to the main road. We parted and I reached home just in time for breakfast and church. After church, went to Bugis Junction to get a haircut and get a pair of jeans and here I am now in front of my PC.

2006-06-24T23:46:00.000+08:00

FUTBOLL!

Went to Jasho's place after I reached home to spend time with the class watching soccer. I actually met up with Jialun and Gabriel at Yio Chu Kang MRT and hitched a ride from Jas' dad to her home. Max, Sherry and Nic were there when we arrived and we went upstairs to watch teh World Cup. The matches were kinda boring with no interesting moves by the players and all of us started to fall asleep and eventually half the match ended and we took a break for a while. We had the liberty to consume some chips before the rest arrived. Haha!

The rest joined us sometime near the end of the second half of the match and while waitin' for the 3am Switzenland vs Korea match, we stoned for a while, contemplating what to do. We decided to watch She's the man and I was lucky and did not need to spend money to watch it in the cinema(which I initially intended to do) .

We soon feasted a some roti pratas and enjoyed some green tea (is that an appropriate combination?) and some Milo-Dino. Chatted a little bit and we decided to go up and watch the Swiss vs Korea match. Some of us soon got bored of the match with the exception of Mandy, with her higher-than-usual exuberance and inexhaustible dynamism and energy. The cause of this phenomemon - betting.

Gradually, people decided to retreat into their slumber and around the second half of the match. I was forced by my eyes to abandon the match.

We woke up around 8 am and like our usual selves sunk into our stone mode and eventually left for J8 to eat breakfast at Macs. We then left for college to play basketball and left at about 12.30 pm proceeding to supermarket but returning empty handed.

2006-06-09T22:09:00.000+08:00

NO MORE! YEAH!

PSC rejected me! Haha! Like I even wanted the scholarship in the first place with all the bonds and pressure and the fact that I will have to face people like those in the Interview board for 6 years of my life. I dun care!

2006-05-27T23:48:00.000+08:00

THE X-FACTOR

Watched X-Men: The Last Stand today and I thought the ending was seriously crappy and kinda dumb. What I really enjoyed about this movie was the main issue raised in the plot - If you were a mutant, would you take up the cure to be normal?

Found this and I thought it was rather interesting:

YOU ARE ICEMAN

You tried to live a normal life, but it just wasn't possible
A bit of a slacker, you rather tell jokes than cultivate your powers

Powers: turning self and others into ice, making ice weapons, becoming nearly invisible

Which of the X-Men Are You?

2006-05-20T23:30:00.000+08:00

THE QUEST FOR THE LIBERTY GRAIL

Managed to book out on Tuesday afternoon for PSC Scholarship Psychologist Interview at Raffles Hospital. Thought I might be a little out of sorts considerin' the fact that I had very little or in fact NO sleep the night before spending the night out digging and digging my own grave - the trench. Thanks to those smart alecs from World War I who created the Trench Warfare, that every soldier around the world today has to dig trenches.

Anyway, the interview went fine and it was interesting as the psychologist was amicable and lively. Did not stumble during the interview except when she asked me who my role model was. I spent like 3 mins thinkin' and a whole list of political leaders sprang up in my mind like Gandhi, Bill Clinton ( minus the scandal), Winston Churchill to name a few. Somehow I wanted someone different and unique (not a political leader) to be my role model but couldn't think of any. We then skipped that question.

The psychologist kept cross-refering to the report of the psychometric test I took last year and she said my interview responses were fairly consistent with those of the test report except that she kept pestering me about the issue of whether I tend to play up or down.

Just managed to catch Da Vinci Code. Much of the details were cut short. Thank God! I felt that Tom Hanks' and Audrey Tautou's performances as Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu weren't that impressive. I must say that both Ian Mckellen and Paul Bettany stole the show as Sir Leigh Teabing and Silas.

Yeah, I noe there's all the controversy over The Da Vinci Code and as a Christian I shouldn't support it by watching the movie. Furthermore, we have the Catholic Archbishop calling for a ban of the movie. But seriously, I think that the whole story is fiction and even if Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, who gives a damn except the historians. What's more important is that he is still God and all these facts and historical inquiries are so unnecessary. I can't see how marrying can affect the divinity of Christ. Come on, if he felt the pain when he was scourged and crucified, it shows the human side of him rather than the divine side of the Lord. Then using this argument, doesn't this simple experience of suffering make the Lord more man than God? I seriously think that whether Christ is married or not does not matter at all, what's more important are his teachings and philosophies as well as how we lead and live our lives as a moral and happy person. Whether Judas was asked by Christ to betray him as told by the Gospel According to Judas is not important at all. I personally think that there is insufficient evidence to support the claim as proposed by Dan Brown in his novel, but his writing and little facts like the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio and a little stuff about symbology has made the book an interesting read, at the expense of making the information inside a plausible truth. I honestly think that there is no need for a brouhaha over this, but this controversy provides the opportunity to spark an interest in finding out more about religion in many people which I feel is a plus point. I read an article in Life on Wednesday about the different locations for shooting the movie and the dean's verger of Lincoln Cathedral (the church used as a substitute for Westminster Abbey) said "The book has been a springboard to learn more about our faith." in response to allowing Ron Howard and his team to shoot in the cathedral. Perhaps the connections of Christianity with many well-known european artworks as well as it's rich history has allowed it to be exploited in Dan Brown's novel. Honestly, I think a ban of the movie will not work at all. A ban will spark even more controversy and people will be curious to discover more about the movie which will backfire the ban. If there should be a ban over the movie, why not go straight to the source and ban the book as well? Furthermore, I have not heard anything disastrous such as the number of christians in the world declining following the release of the novel or people claiming that I'm a member of the Priory of Sion. The issue has made christianity seem like a sensitive and close-minded religion. I guess, the Da Vinci Code controversy is an excellent example of how art is a very powerful tool and this makes it very interesting. Anyway, this reminds me of a GP topic I attempted last year : " 'People should fear art, film and theatre.' Do you agree? "

Unlocking my crptex now ...

" In London lies a knight a pope interred. His labour's fruit a Holy Wrath incurred. You seek the orb that ought to be on his tomb, That speaks of rosy flesh and seeded womb."

2006-05-11T22:41:00.000+08:00

THE FUNCTION OF EDUCATION Jiddu Krishnamurti

I wonder if we have ever asked ourselves what education means. Why do we go to school, why do we learn various subjects, why do we pass certain examinations and compete with each other for certain grades? What does this so-called education mean and what is it all about? This is really a very important question, not only for the students, but also for the parents, for the teachers, and for everyone who loves this earth. Why do we go through the struggle to get educated? Is it merely only to pass some examinations and get a job? Or is it the function of education to prepare us while we are young to understand the whole process of life? Having a job and earning one's livelihood is necessary - but is that all? Are we being educated only for that? Surely, life is not merely a job, an occupation; life is something extraordinarily wide and profound, it is a great mystery, a vast realm in which we function as human beings. If we merely prepare ourselves to earn a livelihood, we shall miss the whole point of life; and to understand life is much more important than merely to prepare for examinations and become very proficient in mathematics, physics, or what you will.

So, whether we are teachers or students, is it not important to ask ourselves why we are educated or being educated? And what does life mean? Is not life an extraordinary thing? The birds, the flowers, the flourishing trees, the heavens, the stars, the rivers and the fish therein - all this is life. Life is the poor and the rich; life is the constant battle between groups, races and nations; life is meditation; life is what we call religion, and it is also the subtle, hidden things of the mind - the envies, the ambitions, the passions, the fears, fulfillments and anxieties. All this and much more is life. But we generally prepare ourselves to understand only one small corner of it. We pass certain examinations, find a job, get married, have children, and then become more and more like machines. We remain fearful, anxious, frightened of life. So, is it the function of education to help us understand the whole process of life, or is it merely to prepare us for a vocation, for the best job we can get?

What is going to happen to all of us when we grow to be men and women? Have you ever asked yourselves what you are going to do when you grow up? In all likelihood you will get married, and before you know where you are, you will be mothers and fathers; and you will be tied to a job, or to the kitchen, in which you will gradually wither away. Is that all your life is going to be? Have you ever asked yourselves this question? Should you not ask it? If your family is wealthy, you may have a fairly good position already assured, your father may give you a comfortable job, or you may get richly married; but there also you will decay; deteriorate. Do you see?

Surely, education has no meaning unless it helps you to understand the vast expanse of life with all its subtleties, with its extraordinary beauty, its sorrows and joys. You may earn degrees, you may have a series of letters after your name and land a very good job; but then what? What is the point of it all if in the process your mind becomes dull, weary, stupid? So, while you are young, must you not seek to find out what life is all about? And is it not the true function of education to cultivate in you the intelligence which will find the answer to all these problems? Do you know what intelligence is? Is it the capacity, surely, to think freely, without fear, without a formula, so that you begin to discover for yourself what is real, what is true; but if you are frightened you will never be intelligent. Any form of ambition, spiritual or mundane, breeds anxiety, fear; therefore ambition does not help to bring about a mind that is clear, simple, direct, and hence intelligent.

2006-05-07T18:02:00.000+08:00

POLITICALLY SPEAKING, ...

There's this brouhaha over the elections. A couple of people I know, had turned up at a number of political rallies or, like in the case of my parents, hover in front of the screen last night as they anticipate the results of the rather intense and 'exciting' elections. Somehow, I've taken up a oblivious attitude to the political scene as most of the policies discussed included upgrading, CPF, blah blah... For me, I more concerned with the education system and the arts scene in the country.

Though I've just graduated, I still feel rather empathetic towards my fellow little brothers and sisters in the country who still have to endure another gruelling few years of dictated and exam-orientated education. I understand that there is no other way to gauge a student's academic comprehension but through the traditional method of tests and examinations. Perhaps, there is a need to change the mindsets of the people and the teaching methodology in schools. There is a great focus on grades and end-products rather than the process and values acquired in the course of study, so much so that almost every student studies (or mug for that matter), just to get a decent grade or in the case of over-achievers to get an extremely excellent result. I feel that education should extend to the product of acquiring knowledge needed for a person to function and succeed in society with a more hands-on appraoch.

Just wishing the best to those still in the regimented education system ...

2006-05-01T15:50:00.000+08:00

ON THE FIRST DAY OF MAY, MY TIME JUST GAVE TO ME ...

I had a fruitful weekend. Indulged in a nite of music and tragedy by watching the musical Westside Story at the Esplanade on Saturday and I enjoyed it. The singing was excellent and the actors portrayed their roles truthfully and emotively. It was my first time watching a performance at the Esplanade and I thought that it deserved a second visit by me. Might consider taking singing lessons in the future so that I can branch out to musical theatre one day and produce another Moulin Rouge!

Westside Story is a modernisation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (one of my favourite plays), just that the characters have different names and the story had a different setting, in New York. The plot and flow of the story was essentially the same as R & J with the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks and the forbidden love between "a pair of star-crossed lovers". The crucial difference between Westside Story and R & J is that only the Romeo dies and the Juliet lives (though she did attempt suicide). The Romeo did not kill himself but got shot.

Met Dhanes, Yus, Peiting and Yaosheng at Marina Square on Sunday nite. Marina Square has renovated and it's totally different compared to the last time I was there. Chat up with them and Peiting told us that she spent her days after the 'A' level examinations on an expedition at Sabah and she went for diving lessons and got her certificate! So fun. Maybe someday I will sign up for diving lessons. Somehow, it just seems that whatever I plan doesn't appear to be executed. Wanted to learn wakeboarding, windsurfing, sailing and an overseas trip after "A's but instead I wasted my holidays away and now I feel that sense of nostalgia everytime I book in and wish I could relive those very days again!

Rushed to Glenn's place immediately after ODAC gathering and there were still people there even though it was late. Bought ice-cream there but by the time I reached, everything was melted and no one wanted to eat teh ice-creram which meant that my money just went down the drain. Maybe Glenn could feed the remains of the ice-cream to his dog....watever. Stayed over and everyone there were playing Spades which I did not want to play at all coz it's like another complicated version of Bridge and I hated the fact that you can't just end the game after each round and there's this retarded part about collating your scores...blah blah blah... In short, the complexities of the card game is inadequate for a simpleton like myself. At least playing Hearts was a much better experience for me, though I admit I have forgotten how to play.

Napping my May Day away ... ...

2006-04-27T21:43:00.000+08:00

NUS, HERE I COME

Mum just messaged me today. I've been offered a place in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS.

2006-04-16T17:10:00.000+08:00

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF IT!

I feel so miserable. No tinge of hope left in me. I'm starting to realise that the optimism I had imposed on myself the beginning of the year is starting to drain away. Not a single bit left. Despondency is what I'm left with.

Nothing spectacular has happened the last 2 weeks during my current stint in boot camp except that I passed my fitness test with a sliver, with my results being my personal best - 234cm for SBJ and 10.50 min for 2.4 km run!

4 weeks have just passed and I have 569 days before I leave and search for my solace else where!

Carnegie Mellon accepted me! Got into the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to read English but got apps cancelled for College of Fine Arts to read Acting! Emailed the Office of Admissions and they said that I could reapply again for CFA when I enter the University.

Waiting for the scholarship boards to accept me before I accept the Uni's offer, but they are taking real long...sigh...

"Suggestive techniques for the marine to use in the avoidance of boredom and loneliness. Masturbation. Re-reading of letters from unfaithful wives and girlfriends. Cleaning your rifle. Further masturbation. Re-wiring Walkman. Arguing about religion and meaning of life. Discussing in detail, every women the marine has ever f***ed. Debating differences, such as Cuban VS Mexican, Harleys VS Hondas, left VS right-handed masturbation. Further cleaning of rifle. Studying the mail order philippine bride catalogue. Further masturbation. Planning a marine's first meal on return home. Imagining what a marine's girlfriend and her man Jody are doing in the alley or in a hotel bed. "
Anthony Swofford, Jarhead

2006-03-26T00:04:00.000+08:00

LAMENTATIONS

My marching is getting worser. My confidence is shattering. My physique is not up to my expectations. Though it's book-out, somehow I don't feel much excitement ( which I used to have) but rather that of drudgery and nostalgia.

Random thoughts: I seriously think I have psycho-motor problems: I can't walk properly, can't co-ordinate my movements, lack the flexiblity and I can feel the tension within myself.

My Diagnosis: Probably rushed to walk during my infancy days and as a result my muscles developed in a perculiar manner which subsequently resulted in abnormal development and hence improper walking style.

2nd, I'm suffering from over-perfectionism and over-sensitivity. I guess I'm probably naive and idealistic.

Why is the world so unfair to me!

2006-03-23T22:28:00.000+08:00

AN INTERESTING READ

Just borrowed this play called Wit from the national library and I really enjoyed it. Felt it was thought-provoking and I was stimulated to think about my life more deeply and how to make the best out of it. A life-empowering piece. Worthy of the Pulitzer Prize it won in 1999 and the numerous accolades it garnered.

Tells the story of a cancer patient who is an English professor and she undergoes experimental chemotherapy. Through the course of her treatment, she ponders on the wonderful poem by John Donne and at the same time she realises the she really desires for the kind treatment and attention from the medical community attending to her which she so refused to give to her students prior to her diagnosis. An apt description of humanity!

Death be Not Proud
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

Perhaps struggles in life are just like death itself.
"One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And [struggles] shall be no more; [struggles], thou shall die."

2006-03-21T12:51:00.000+08:00

NO MORE ADMIN!

I'm feelin' so relaxed now! I've just completed all my scholarship apps and NUS applications as well as prepared the cheque.

Do really hope I got a scholarship so it would give me the opportunity to go overseas and widen my horizons and strangle me out of my naivety.

Waiting for the best . . .

2006-03-14T20:56:00.000+08:00

MUSINGS....

I'm getting rather sick of this blog layout. Somehow, I feel that this design does not bring out my traits and character. It's too mechanical and lacks some element of life in it. In short, I dun think the blogskin suits me. Wish I could change it.

Anyway, I'm feeling kinda down though I'm enjoying block leave now. Have been thinking how to get those blasted legs of my extended and elongated. Somehow the 9 weeks in BMT have taught me to hate my anatomy. Yes, I noe I should be thankful of how I have legs while there are those underpriviledged few who are handicapped. But if u're in my shoes perhaps you'll noe why I'm feeling such depression. First, u have difficulty marching in step with everyone cause they can take wider and further strides when they place their feet down, causing you to not follow the timing given. Second, doing a route march while being in the centre or back will make the person behind u freaking pissed off because your feet will always crash with his. Simply put, he finds you slow and scolds you and tells you to move in front. But it does not end here, as u cut the line, u get people questioning and scolding you for cutting into the line. Third, during sizing up, u stand at the extreme left end of the line (sizing up is the arrangment from shortest to tallest) and if people cannot move into the file, they will shout at you to move more to the left and there's the pressure on you cause you have to estimate how far to move and when to stop too. Falcon Company has been really nice to me but who knows whether my next company will start to pick on me for not synchronising with the rest and causing 'traffic' problems. On another note, not relating to military life, you can never block anyone in a game of basketball and it gets irritating (with yourself of course!) when u never seem to contribute to the team at all.

Spending some time in town hasn't been always pleasant these few days too. Feelings of envy and jealousy well up in me whenever I see some guys with long legs, looking cool and having their hands connected to that of a nice pretty (probably having long legs as well) sweet-looking girl beside them. Somehow, that's a goal that will always be beyond my reach. Sigh...

Hoping for the best to come...

2006-03-13T19:31:00.000+08:00

BASKETBALL

Went back to RJ to meet up with my class to play tennis and basketball. I reached there rather early so not many people turned up but gradually, more people came and I was surprised that some girls who I thought were working actually turned up too.

There was a delay because Gabriel had forgotten to take his basketball when he left his house and had to rushed back home to get it.

After the game, some of us left for J8 to eat at Thai Express and it does bring back memories to those days in school . . .

2006-02-20T18:18:00.000+08:00

BACK ON TRACK

I've been rather shagged the last few weeks after all the training and at the same time busily spending time during book-outs to do stuff I really want to do and that explains the lack of posts.

Due to incessant naggings from a certain friend, I've decided to submit to his plea and update my blog. To be truthful, I'm kinda irritated 'cause he thinks it's easy and fast to type an entry but honestly I don't think so. First, I'm spending my weekdays in camp with less than 24 hours of civilian life and secondly, for me to write an entry that I think is perfect and fit for publication, I take around 30 mins to 45 mins to compose it and subsequently, check the entryfor any errors!

Nothing much happened durin' Chinese New Year except the fact that I manage to do stuff that I had planned to do and had relatives scrutinising my head and commenting on my "M"-shaped hairline (thinking that there is some symbol or meaning behind the shape of the hairline). Then, there was the sumptous dinner at Intercontinental Hotel and photo-taking session.

Juz bookout yesterday night and I felt rather priviledged seeing some of my friends going towards the ferry while I was walking in the opposite direction and boy me, I wanted to laugh!

2006-01-22T17:30:00.000+08:00

"IS THIS THE [FREEDOM] I SEE BEFORE ME, ITS HANDLE TOWARDS MY HAND?"

I finally got my independence after 2 weeks worth of confinement. Finally got the opportunity to do whatever I want. Had an enjoyable time sleeping on my bed (with those extremely comfortable blankets) and the chance to use this machine from which all my blog entries are being processed and published - the computer.

As soon as I got back, I caught the Golden Globe Awards on television as I had asked my mum to record it on tuesday morning (after incessant reminders). Hoped that Ziyi Zhang might garner Best Actress in a Drama for her performance as Sayuri in Memoirs of a Geisha but instead Felicity Huffman (actress from Desperate Housewives) got the award for her performance in Transamerica. I had hoped that Ziyi would win so that it could open Hollywood's mind to the fact that Asian actors aren't just capable of doing only kungfu and playing roles such as waiting tables (a sterotype) but we are also able to explore and exhibit the emotional aspects of humanity. Even though she didn't get the award she was nominated for, at least 2 Asians won awards - Ang Lee for Best Director for Brokeback Mountain and Sandra Oh, a Korean-Canadian, for Best Actress in Grey's Anatomy.

Jessica Alba was one of the presenters during the Golden Globe and she was as stunning as ever. Alba rocks!

On Sunday, after church, went to Newton MRT to meet the class. I noe I was really late until I really put some people, such as Jingming, off. Sorrie.

Went to have some western food for lunch and we guys shared our a bit of coping with our rather regimented lives to our female aquaintances. Was supposed to go Lilian's house with the rest for a while but due to the fact that I had a movie to catch later that afternoon, I had to leave immediately after I ate.

Proof, the movie I watched, was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Auburn and it revolves around the story of Katherine, who like her mathematician father was a genius but suffers from a mental disorder. After the death of her dad, her dad's student, Hal found a mathematical proof which he believed was written by Katherine's dad and he wanted to publish this worthy proof. By a twist of events, Katherine declared that it was her proof not her dad's. The proof turns out to be proving that it was Katherine and not her dad who wrote the proof rather than about the mathematical proof itself. In this process, Katherine tries to cope with her mental disorder with the help of her sister Claire and Hal.

Trully enjoyed this piece of work though it was only one and a half hours long.

"Today, too late, how long do we have to wait?"
Sum 41, Noots

2006-01-04T21:44:00.000+08:00

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED AND THE DREAM

Did a couple of stuff which made me really proud today:

1. Made my ATM Card
2. Got my bank draft for Uni Apps
3. Cancel some additional handphone subscription that was redundant
4. Learn how to use SAM machine
5. Update my POSBank book
6. Read finish Angels and Demons (the 2nd time)
7. Blogging

Anyway, I got this rather wierd dream last night:

I had an elder brother in my dream (which I don't have in reality) and apparently, he came back from overseas. I can't exactly remember which country he came from and according to this dream of mine, he juz returned from his university studies. Started to talk to the rest of my family about his trip and he was really nice to me. I was sort of close to him and I felt in the dream that I had knew him all my life. I started asking him in the dining room about his trip overseas and whether he enjoyed it or not. Then somehow, I woke up. I felt rather strange when I woke up.

I consulted a few friends as to what they interpret of it.

One of them said that maybe I was dreaming in the view of my sister and that "elder brother" was actually myself.

Another said that perhaps I was dreaming of going overseas that I had such a dream.

Curious, I consulted some Dream Interpretation website to see what they made of my dream. Honestly, if I were Harry Potter I would have consulted Sybil Trelawney or read Inigo Imago's The Dream Oracle. Here's what the website said:

"If you do not have a brother and dream that you have one, then he may symbolize characteristics that you need to acknowledge within yourself. The brother in your dream can also be synonymous with a close friend or buddy. Brother also has religious implications and thus represents spiritual issues. Consider also the familiar phrase "big brother is watching you" which indicate that your dream has to deal with issues of authority and oppression. "

After all these comments, I 've concluded that it's the elder brother was jusz part of my imagination. Most people usually dream of what they want in life. For me, since young, I've always wanted an elder sibling to pamper me and to spoil me and for me not to have all the responsibility. So perhaps that's why I had the dream.

Secondly, perhaps the "elder brother" that I had was a transposition of myself, i.e. my character and qualities were personified in another person and that person might be someone I wish to be or it could be me.

I think it's really interesting to have such funny and eccentric once in a while and it's kinda exciting to try to interpret it.

Should sleep now and get another wierd dream....

2006-01-01T22:55:00.000+08:00

1ST ENTRY OF THE YEAR 2006

This is the first entry of the year. Happy New Year to all I know and hold dear to my heart. Okie this sounds so mushy...

Resolutions for 2006
1. Not screw up NS
2. Grow taller (if cannot, then I'll use HeightGrowth pills)
3. Be more friendly and open
4. Keep in touch with my friends

Went to Lucky Plaza yesterday to play pool again and won like 2 games! Yeah!

Was really excited. I bought a new comic: Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol. 2.

Went home for family dinner with my uncle's family. Mum cooked and I had the opportunity to play with my bady cousin Joviana (is this how u spell her name?) She didn't like me initially when I met her the last few days coz she kept dodging me whenever I tried to carry her. But I soon realised that she liked me when I play with her, especially when I make sound effects with a toy car and made it hit another toy with the "voom voom voom" and "BANG!" sound. She was smiling and laughing after that.

During dinner, she kept coming to my seat with the toy car, tugging my t-shirt and giving me that innocent and pitiful look to persuade me to play with her. But I was dead hungry and I wanted to eat first, so I decided to be mean and ignored her! Sorrie.

Played with her a while and I did something stupid like pretending to cry juz to make her laugh. I think she loves my theatrics! Anyway, my sister turned on the radio and the little baby girl started to jump around and kept muttering "Joo joo gaa gaa!" Maybe she should be a dancer next time.

Mum took out some of my Lego for her to fix but apparently, she hasn't learn how to really manipulate her fingers (only knows how to grip and hold stuff). So she kept taking the Lego pieces and give to other people around her. So each of us probably got like about 6 or 7 pieces of Lego from her.

Stop playing wif her and started a mahjong game. Won like only 1 game while Dad won like 4 games in a row. At least better than the ones I played at chalet, where I didn't win a single round! Drank Whisky and Tiger Beer while playing mahjong. Was kinda drowsy but NOT drunk when I ended the game.

Left the house to go to Harbourfront MRT station to take a cab to tee's house for countdown partee! When I reached there, there were 2 groups of people playing Spades. So sian! I mean it's juz a card game, how exciting can it get? Apparently, everyone who were playing were engrossed in it. Played NBA 2006 with Gabriel and JasChua on X-Box. Was like the FIFA computer games.

Later, Sherry wanted to play some fighting game that I don't noe wat it's called. The game was like Marvel vs Capcom except that the characters were different (duh!) and you could choose the setting for the fight. Kept using this hot character called 'Tina' and she always gave some sexy pose after she win the match. Hot!

Left to eat roti prata at some shop near tee's place. The roti prata was not as good as the ones I ate at Jalan Kayu. I got a gastric pain after eating. Must be the amount of alcohol I've been drinking the past few days.

Went back to tee's house and I was damn tired so I took a short nap for about 1 hour then I got up and prepared to go coz I needed to go to church.

Was really really tired in church and I wanted to sleep durin' the priest's sermon. Sorrie...I know it's a new year and I should listen to the preaching to get New Year Blessings, but I'm really sorrie. I'm really tired...Please forgive me Lord...

Went home and had a long nap even forgoing lunch. Woke up like 5 pm, then Dad fetched me to my aunt's place for barbeque. This is the 3rd time within less than 1 week that I have had a barbeque. The first being ODAC BBQ at MayJean's place on Tuesday. The second being the Class BBQ at the Chalet on Wednesday. And the Family BBQ today. Honestly, I'm kinda sick of barbeques. Initially I was kinda excited of barbeques coz I have had no bbq for a very long period of time but the sudden influx of BBQs with less than a week of interval is killin' my appetite.

Helped out a bit for the bbq. Then my aunts started to ask me about my NS enlistment and I was kinda suffocated by this cloud of questions and comments, not knowing which one to respond to. Some comments were comforting while others made me rather tremulous.

Anyway, should be going off to sleep now......after not having enuff sleep for the last 5 consecutive days and keeping a whole stomach of chickens wings from the 3 BBQs...

Zzzzz...

2005-12-30T00:58:00.000+08:00

S03E CLASS CHALET @ NSRCC

Time seems to pass inexplicably fast. Soon it would be the end of the year. Sigh! Anyway, I juz had my class chalet. Checked out like a few hours ago. Feeling rather tired and exhausted now...

Day 1 (28th Dec 2005)

I had met Gabriel earlier that morning to go to the hospice and after having lunch at Junction 8, we went down to NTUC supermarket to buy additional stuff for the chalet (leaving Yaosheng all alone to go home by himself, since we went together to the hospice). Bought a couple of stuff like ice-cream (which no one ate except me and Jingming) to the chalet. Spent like 53 bucks for all these miscellaneous stuff. We then left the supermarket stuff at the cashier for safekeeping coz i wanted to go to the Sembawang shop to get my Fantastic Four DVD. They had the expensive ones so I decided to check out at SAFE to see if they had the cheaper version. They had so I bought it! Yeah! That means I can check Jessica Alba out in Spandex tights AGAIN!

Paid the stuff from the supermarket and took a cab down to NSRCC from Bishan...sigh! I wondered what the cab fare was like durin' the journey... Felt kinda tired and bored during the trip to NSRCC as I slept really late the night before and woke up really early that morning. Gabriel was listening to his Creative Zen player (with all those boring music) that it would be no surprise that I was really bored.

Took like 30 mins to get to NSRCC and after that we checked in to the bungalow unit 32. Being inside one of the bungalow units gives me memories of being here the last time the class had a chalet at NSRCC. Went through the inventory of items with the NSRCC staff and Glenn's mum, who kindly consented to help as to book the chalet. After Glenn's mum and the NSRCC girl left, Gabriel and I were left behind and we got so damn bored, so Gabriel played his stupid Jay Chou and Westlife videos. I wanted to fall asleep. The BBQ caterers then came to deliver the food and stuff and after preparing them, we decided to butter the corn (juz like what I did the night before at ODAC BBQ!) While doin' that, we were both watching some tennis match.

Some more ppl came and we decided to start the BBQ as ppl were starving and thanks to Tee, Natalie, Yunqin and Sherry, we got the fire started and some food cooked.

Later more and more ppl came. Thanks to Bonita for bringing her guitar and providing some entertainment for us. Apparently not many people ate the chou mian and fried rice so we kept it for the next day.

Ms Tang came later and she brought some sweets (I think it's Chocolate Eclairs) She then told us a bit about her trip to Australia and that she might be HOD of Chemistry next year! Congrats! Maybe we deserve a treat from her!

Later that night, Glenn's parents came and brought MORE drinks for us and they were really really nice. The whole fridge was packed.

At the end of the BBQ, Nicholas and Junyan were damn nice to help us clean teh place up and even to mop the floor. I was impressed.

Later I was damn shagged that I went to sleep...

Day 2 (29th Dec 2005)

Woke up at 11 am the next day and I was really tired. Ate a few pieces of bread and played some rounds of mahjong. Jas Chua then joined us and I tot she would be saling but she did not planned to. Stopped mahjong and decided to finish reading my Da Vinci Code (the 2nd time!). Basically, we were waiting for Tee and Caroline to come back so that we could do sea sports together. But, they missed the bus and so we decide to go ahead without them.

At the sea sports centre there, we realised that the it would be really cheap for members and so we decided to wait for Glenn to come the next day to get the cheaper rates. Played some catching ( okie! i noe it's childish but it's fun) at the playground there and soon after we found out that it was no fun anymore, we went back to the chalet.

Nicholas had asked Junyan to buy some food back for those who ain't clubbing at all. Watch some programs on TV and waited to go wif the rest to ChinaBlack to club.

Hitched a ride from someone else's car (Thanks to Julyn) to Tanah Merah MRT station. Had dinner at Lido and after that had some drinks of Henekein (is that how u spell it?) and then we waited for Junyan and Glenn to sell their tickets at the door before we got in.

Met some of my SJI frienz there like Malcolm, Daryl Ong, Chee Khoon, Emil and Darren! They all seemed to have grown larger after 2 years. I feel so ashamed of myself.

After the whole dancing and drinking thing, I was really tired and the fact that I did not have any good sleep the previous 2 nights made things even tiring for me. I was lethargic and exhausted. I think I dun want to club until a very very very long long time.....As it is both time- and money- consuming! Wasted $28 on clubbing already.....could have spend that money on something else....

We took a cab back to the chalet and after chatting for a while, I slept until 8pm coz I had to wake the rest up to tell them to prepare and to check out at 10 am.

Day 3 (30th Dec 2005)

Well, all things must come to an end. Wanted to sleep some more but had to wake the rest up at 8 am to tell them to move out and pack up fast.

Waited for like 20 mins before the NSRCC staff person came and checked us out after running through the inventory. Almost lost one towel but found it in the Kitchen coz someone had used it as a floor rag. Whoa! Well disguised Hand Towel!

Stoned for a very short while at the bowling alley and after that Max gave some of us a lift to Tanah Merah MRT station and the rest hitched another person's car (Thanks to Julyn again!) to the nearest MRT station but ended up at Pasir Ris MRT station..

Took the train all the way home with subsequent interchanges...

Epilogue

Probably missed checking some emails now...so I better check now...

2005-12-26T23:18:00.000+08:00

SEAFOOD...

Cleaned my room in the morning.

Watched 2005 MTV Movie Awards in the afternoon.

Went out for dinner at a seafood restaurant. The funny thing was that the restaurant was called "No Signboard Seafood Restaurant". Wow! I can't seem to find the restaurant! Okie...that was juz lame. Nvm.

Anyway, I juz loved the seafood, especially the scallops and crabs... I'm still drooling now even though it's juz a mere thought of the food. The disappointing thing was that there were no shell creatures to eat like cockles, oysters, mussels, blah blah...

2005-12-25T03:04:00.000+08:00

WE WISH U A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yeah! Christmas juz passed like 3 hours ago! The day that I wished would come had just come, making me feel exhilarated! Had a rather different setting for a countdown. Was in Lido Cinema with Tee, Hamster and Glenn doing a countdown.

Started off the day by meeting Glenn at Orchard MRT station. He felt kinda bored after his rather slack BMT training so he wanted to go out. Played a few games of pool at Lucky Plaza, where I lost all games.

After that met, Hamster and Tee at Wisma Atria. Hamster wanted to buy a handbag for his mum (So filial!), so we all followed him around the departmental stores. Finally after treading around most of Orchard Road, he decided to get one at Isetan.

At the same time, we all decided to watch Chronicles of Narnia. For me, it was the second time but not to b a spoil sport, I relented to watch with them.

It was interesting to note what happened during the time the movie was screened. During the scene when Aslan entered the tent with Jadis the White Witch, there was this kid about 4 or 5 years old that said really loudly and innocently "Mummy, why the lion go in?" He sounded really cute and everyone seated around him, including the 4 of us, laughed. Oblivious to the fact that we were all laughing at him, the kid went on to ask the same question again louder and persistently, not knowing that he would garner a second round of laughter from a larger audience!

Was like 11.58 pm by the time we left the theatre and while we were in the corridors, we did a countdown and yeah! it was Christmas!

Proceeded to Orchard Boulevard where there was a whole group of people spraying some white foam ( to imitate snow). We picked up some discarded foam cans (that were used by other people) from the floor and tried to salvage as much foam as possible and sprayed at other people. It was so fun! The result of the rather weak sprayings to others from our pathetic cans was an even stronger and much more powerful spray from them! Poor Glenn and Tee! They were the worst. They were drenched (coz the foam melted) and white at the end. They each decided to purchase a new and unused can. They then attempted to spray at both me and Hamster. Luckily both as us ran away. I was rather fearful and I ran so far away. Decided to come back in the end and I was found! Arghh! Got a full blast from their cans! I've been hit!

Glenn decided to spray at one guy. But unfortunately for him, that guy retaliated by spraying back at him, but he was armed with 2 cans not 1! To make matters worse for poor and already-soaked Glenn, the spraying by that person attracted the attention of other passer-bys, who out of fun, wanted to join in and alas! Glenn got sprayed by about 15 people, all armed with at least 2 cans! Perhaps, Glenn probably deserves it! Who asked him to be so itchy-handed! Haha!

Rushed for the last train home and yeah! Ready for Christmas dinner...Hope Santa comes soon...Hohoho!

2005-12-08T04:50:00.000+08:00

PROM @ RITZ CARLTON on 7th DECEMBER 2005

OK! This entry is about what happened yesterday coz I spent the whole night and wee hours of this morning out:

The day that I and most of my peers have been waiting for have finally arrived. It's Prom! Yeah! I'm so happy.

Must say that I've bin waiting for this day for a really really really long period of time ever since the time I was rushing to get tickets (or maybe before that!).

Woke up at 12 noon and I had a really late breakfast (not brunch). After reading the papers and feeling rather bored coz there wasn't any news that caught my attention. Initially I had wanted to watch "Prime" with some of my classmates but apparently, no one wanted to watch so I stayed at home. I had borrowed some teen flicks so I tried to choose one that was about prom to get the spirit of prom. So ended up choosing "Not Another Teen Movie". It was suppose to be a parody of all the teen flicks in the late 1990s like "American Pie", "The Breakfast Club", blah blah blah. Was suppose to be funny but I didn't feel any humour in it. Ate a late lunch while watching it.

By the time the movie ended, it was already 3.45 pm and I had a meeting at 4.30 pm with Gabriel and Junyang at Orchard MRT station to get to SuperCuts to get our hairs done. There weren't many people there so we got worked on immediately. Took like about 45 mins before we were done and I guessed the people spent more time washing our hairs rather than styling it. I recall that I got my hair washed like 4 times! After the cut, I thought that perhaps we could save more money by not getting our hairs wash! I felt that there were very little change in my hair juz as what Glenn had told me during the dinner: "I don't see any difference!"

After that it was kinda early and we went to the basement of Tangs to get some stuff to eat. Felt a bit hungry as I had only wanton noodles for lunch and so I got some sushi to eat.

Intended to take a bus to Ritz Carlton but I made a mistake between 700 and 700A. I didn't noe that there was a difference between the 2 buses so we ended up landing at Colloyer Quay by taking 700 instead of "Opposite Ritz Carlton" as claimed by the bus guide at the bus stop for the bus 700A! How frustrating and embarassing!

So we walked from Colloyer Quay, opposite One Fullerton through Esplanade to Ritz Carlton. The view was paranomic and it was cooling as the wind was blowing and we could sort of see the sunset. On a positive note, by passing through Esplanade, we realised where DXO was. So that's how saw something in an optimistic manner. So there's no fretting over a trivial mistake.

Reached the hotel at 6.45pm instead of 6.15 pm and since we had not changed into our formal Prom attire, we went in to the hotel in t-shirts and eveyone, donned in their handsome suits and beautiful dresses, were staring at us with those "are-you-supposed-to-be-here?" eyes and we were sort of hesitant to get in. Tried desperately to search for a restroom so that we could change and we finally found one. Felt kinda relieved to have found one. Finally, we were like everyone else.

Took a couple of photos before I registered and proceeded to the Grand Ballroom. We had table 18 and 26 which were considerably close to the stage and were together. Thanks to me of course for such excellent tickets! (Pardon me for my self-flattery).

Everyone looked really different and the girls looked transformed from their usual self. I nearly ,and at certain situations, totally could not recognised them. Amazing how modern cosmetics could change a person's outlook.

Sherry won Dance Queen. Congrats!

After while, everyone got tired of the food and teh happenings on stage that prom was soon turned from a dinner to a mass photo-taking session where everyone moved all over the place and ignored the MC and the performances and bands. Felt really bad for them...

Wanted to make my money worthwhile so I returned to the table once in a while to check on whether they had any new food.

The whole prom ended like around 12 midnight and almost everyone proceeded down to DXO for a dance cum alcoholic funtime. Loitered around Ritz Carlton for a while for MORE photo-taking in the Ritz Carlton. I mean, how often do you get to go to the Ritz Carlton with your friends all formally clad? No rite?

Hence, we reached DXO like at 1 am and we heard that we had to leave at 3 am. Paid $15 for the entry and got a drink..dun noe what's it called and how to spell it even if I knew what it was called so I wun write it here!

A pity after I drank me drink, that the girls took my cup and whoosh! It was FINISHED! Sigh...

Went for a dance with the rest of the class and sooner than we knew, the whole crowd were driven out of the club...

It was drizzling and we were left clueless as to what to do. So we stoned for a while until the remnants of my class decided to go to CHIJMES as they might have a bar and soccer-fans like Glenn. Nic and Jasho could watch the match between Manchester United and some other English team...

So the girls cabbed there while we guys walked to CHIJMES. At our destination, we realised that the bar was not screening the match so we juz stoned outside the bar...waiting for God knows what.

After some time, we decided to go home with the exception of Nicholas who walked all the way to Swensens at Crown Prince Hotel to meet with Shawn and his friends who were playing card games.

Took a cab back home and reached like within 10 mins as there was no jam and now after a nice warm bath and in my SOBER state (despite drinking half a glass of Vodka. I dun think that it's really so strong!), I'm writing this entry as my memories juz swam back to what happened 12 hours ago...

2005-12-05T21:32:00.000+08:00

FUN AND GAMES

Arranged to meet Nicholas, Max and Junyang at 9am at Pasir Ris MRT to go to Gabriel's place to play B-ball. But I took the stupid bus 21 and I ended up reaching the MRT Station at 10.15 am. Poor Junyang had to wait for 45 mins as Max and Nicholas left for Gabriel's house earlier at 9. I regret taking the bus.

Played basketball for about 3 hours before we stopped and I got in a few great shots and really enjoyed the game.

Before changing from our really smelly clothes took a nice dip into the pool to get afreshed. 'Bin a really really long time since I got in the pool and got a stupid cramp a while later and had to rest...

Had some roasted pork rice for lunch with the rest while watching "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle". Honestly, it was not really that humorous and it's really that lame...

2005-12-02T20:23:00.000+08:00

STUDYING AGAIN is TIRING (SAT II)

Sigh! Tomorrow is SAT II and I've to study again. Lost the drive ever since A Levels ended a week ago and I find it really difficult to sit down and attempt at least 15 questions. I find that I start to leave my seat after trying out about 6 questions. Losing the discipline...

2005-11-30T22:09:00.000+08:00

VINES IS "JUZ LIKE HEAVEN"

Went to watch "Juz like Heaven" wif Junyang and Gabriel today to kill away some boredom at home. Was not say a really great show but the ending was rather touching and the 2 protagonists lived happily ever after...

After that, proceeded to Gramaphone to see some CDs coz Gramaphone was opening a new outlet in Scotts Shopping Centre and they had a sale so we wanted to see what's good to get. I left empty-handed.

Took a train down to Novena to meet Glenn to go to Vines Restaurant to eat some great Western food. There were not many people there judging from the fact that it was a weekday. However, we had to wait for quite a while for them to serve my food. Ordered 6 oysters but wanted to keep them till the end (always saving the best for the last). Was told that they only served the main course till I had finished the oysters aka Appetizers, but I juz told the waiter to hell away wif such a practice and to serve us our main course. Had Sirloin steak that came with a set meal and I really had a great time feasting on the nice beef and savouring the marine taste of my favourite sea friends - oysters.

Had a really great dinner.

2005-11-27T22:07:00.000+08:00

MAHJONG AGAIN?

Today, my aunt with my cousins came to my house and they started to play mahjong (which I haven't played for a very long period of time). But somehow I didn't feel like playing coz I was more interested in my Lord of the Rings game. After sometime, my character started dying in the game and I decided to stop playing and try out mahjong. Was quite embarassing for my first round coz I accidentally forgot to draw one tile so I kinda had 12 tiles in the middle of the game. Yeah, I noe when Shawn Lee reads this, his gonna call me a 'noob'

For the next consecutive 2 rounds, I won by playing the game in a simple manner. oblivious to all the cheem mahjong terms. But I still won, so who cares a damn about those terms!

After my third round, I didn't feel like playing a stop to read my Chronicles of Narnia which in my opinion is so boring and I'm like struggling to finish it. I think Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are much nicer to read. Narnia is an easy book but I juz didn't like the style of the writings. Sorry C.S.Lewis!

2005-11-25T23:53:00.000+08:00

THE A LEVELS ARE NO MORE

Yeah! I'm so happy! There's no more exams for me for a very long time. My last paper Chemistry juz ended like 7 hours ago and I feel like dancing, punching, shaking and jumping for joy. I'm so exhilarated!

After the papers, my classmates and I went down to Orchard to watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I know that this was the second time I'm watching the show. But don't you all think that this is the best film of the four, even though I enjoyed the third book the best. Compared to the third film (which was a disaster especially in terms of acting and special effects), the fourth one was better.

We thought we could get tickets at Cineleisure but to no avail as they went all out of stock. So we rushed to Lido to get the best timings but similarly we were too late. There were other shows too but their timings were inappropriate so in the end, we ended up watching HP at lido at 9 something.

Prior to the show, we wanted to get something enjoyable to feast on, so we decided to go Fish & Co at Wheelock Place but it was long queue for us so we changed to somewhere else - Crystal Jade at Shaw Centre. We waited like 20 mins before we got in.

I feasted on a rather sumptous Wanton noodles and I must say that the soup was indeed delicious (long time since I enjoyed such a delicacy!)

After a long period of "intense" studying and mugging, I feel that we all rightly deserved such a meal and more to come provided that there is a free flow of cash...

After the movie, took a cab back home and I forgot, there are still people who have Biology 'S' paper on Monday....hihihihihi....or should I say Good luck!

Finally it's over and I'm enjoying every minute of it!

2005-03-26T12:18:00.000+08:00

CTs are OVER!

So glad the CTs are over. Yeah... Can't wait to celebrate this new-found freedom. Kinda drunk when I'm writing this.. From over- celebrating I guess... Nvm.

Went to watch Hitch wif class people on Thursday. Damn funny. Den went jamming. $15 for and hour and they let u use the equipment there. So good.. Anyway, enjoyed myself very much that day. So fun. Must go there again. Tot it was closed initially coz the studio owner was not there.

Wish it would always be that Thursday afternoon....

Aye !

2005-02-10T21:56:00.000+08:00

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Damn happy that CNY is finally here....Good time to relax after the obnoxious SPA, and tightly scheduled BTC and nite hike. Thank God it's finally all over.

Went to see Finding Neverland on Monday wif Junyang and Gabriel. Looked very much like Moulin Rouge and Phantom except that no music and singing. Was really highly inspiring and made me want to complete my little novel that i tried to write on Kelantan trip and did not managed to complete it. (ODAC ppl will noe wat it is about.) Johnny Depp was really good with his Scottish accent and it's damn nice to speak like that.

Anyway, was really glad that we had steamboat on Tuesday night and wow! There was cuttlefish and beef..... It's been like a year since i last ate steamboat and I really enjoyed it.

Honestly, I din find this year's Chinese New Year really spectacular and I really felt it to be like the previous year and that. Funny I really did care so much about the amount of money I collected. Wondering if that's a sign of my maturity....Hope so...(with a grin)

2004-12-25T09:45:00.000+08:00

A CHRISTMAS LESSON
Tom Krause

"Is there a purpose? Why are we here?"
A little boy asked as the yuletide drew near.
"I really do hope that someday I will know
the reason we stand out here in the snow,
ringing this bell as people walk by,
while thousands of snowflakes
descend from the sky."

The mother just smiled at her shivering son
who would rather be playing and having some fun
but soon would discover before evening was done
the meaning of Christmas
the very first one.

The young boy exclaimed, "Mother where does it go?"
"All the pennies we collect - every year in the snow."
"Why do we do it? Why do we care?"
"We worked for these pennies,
so why should we share?"

"Because once a baby - so meek and so mild
was born in a manger - so humble the child
the son of a King - was born in this way
to give us the message
He carried that day.

"The present God gave the world on that night,
was the gift of his son to make everything right.
Why did he do it? Why did he care?
To teach about loving
and how we should share."

"The meaning of Christmas, you see my dear son,
is not about presents or just having fun
but the gift of a father - his own precious Son
so the world would be saved
when his work was all done"

Now the little boy smiled - with a tear in his eye
as snowflakes kept falling from out of the sky -
rang louder the bell as the people walked by
while down deep in his heart
at last he knew why.

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Bartolomeo Esteban Murillo

2004-08-30T23:42:00.000+08:00

LAST 16-YEAR OLD ENTRY

Yes...yes.. I noe a lot of you ppl want me to update my blog and no it hasn't died yet. It's just that I've bin kinda busy with other stuff too.....

Anyway, this will be my last 16-year-old entry....The subsequent posts will be 17th year old entries.....Must say that really a lot of events have been happening to me and being 16th is not that really easy as I try to fit into society and get to understand the ups and the downs of life as well as changing mindsets and philosophies.

Jus a crazy bit of intro.......

Sixteen: The greek spelling for the no. "six" is actually "sex"......so probably being sixteen is jus being sexteen....Probably that's why that's the legal age for .... .... (u noe what i mean lah!)

Sixteen: The search for identity and survival in this place we call earth...... Striking a balance in this world....the yin and the yang.....forces of nature.....Newton's 3rd Law and Murphy's Law...sigh..... So many thing s to juggle.....

From the lst time I became 16, i.e. 31st August 2003 to now, must say met with 'O' Levels and eventually the transition from secondary school to junior college.....so big changes in my life.....

Sixteen: Still pondering with the question of 'What is the meaning of life' and 'What is life?' Presently, still searching for it's meaning......will get the answer....may not get the answer...

Sixteen: Maintained old friendships and found new ones too.....Hope this continues to stay the same and will probably get an enlargement in my social circle....

Sixteen: The time to get to watch higher-order films : NC-16 films....Expand artisitc and at the same time...hem..hem.....sexual knowlegde...

Sixteen: A period of exploration, creativity and innovation: Made new discoveries in my life.... learnt how to create a blog and designed blog, manipulating and using it...and at the same time, propagating it....anyway, created 5 blogs in total....so consider it an achievement.....

Sixteen: JUS a year away from being seventeen ......smiles......jus a few minutes more and then........

I'LL BE SEVENTEEN
......a milestone to the wonderful age of eighteen and finally, independent twenty-one......

WISHES
Peace in the world (who doesn't?)
More holy and hardworking (God-loving Mugger perphaps?????)
More obedient ( not teacher's pet and mummy's boy )
Grow taller (not as tall as Yao Ming)
And much much more pleasant dreams to come .... ..... for me to live happily ever after.....

2004-03-21T22:01:00.000+08:00

A NEW TERM BEGINS.........

Yah yah yah! I know I know....haven't bin blogging for not only 1 week but 1 school term: 3 months. Without further ado, i guess u know what my entry will be.....it's about school. So I won't be posting any entry until the next time.

2004-01-15T21:46:00.000+08:00

SCHOOL LIFE BEGINS......

Haven't bin blogging this week ever since after Orientation cos official lessons had jus began and the fun so diminished.... So here's an account of wat happened for me...

Monday

Today, timetable that we used was the old one issued to us so we sort of had a lot of free braeks in between, we had no tutorials and best of all ended school at 12.30 pm. Had Chemistry lecture first and the lecturer was this guy and he spoke as if he articulated every single word. Sort of a lamer and kept commenting about sleep and had a session called the 'Yawn break' so that we could take a 'nap'....and he kept describing that we should not sleep during lectures coz the LT seats were 'sinister'. The table that was attached to the chair was sort of flexible and kept on falling over when there is a large weight against it.....

For Biology lecture, we had this lecturer called Mr Nah who was kinda old and I tot "Oh God! Is he like Lim Siew Mei? Will he go in a monotonous pace?" Well I was proven wrong.... He's very lame and corny and kept telling a stupid jokes that was laughter-proking. Y? We all laugh at the lameness not at the joke itself.... While teaching us about the proteins, he half way stop and asked us.."Is it like this? I'm not so sure myself...emmm..emmm..." and he suddenly asked us later on..."do u all understand this and do u know about this?" We all replied "No!" and guess wat he said? "Good! That means you r able to sit for your 'A' levels now! Because u said 'know'!" Lame rite?

After school, had class lunch at Ghim Moh market and went home to get changed to go to the Immigration building at Lavender to take a passport photo of myself since our Civics tutor was eager for them.....

Tuesday

Tuesday was the same as Monday except that the lessons were different had same number of breaks and same time we were released.......

Wednesday
The real official lessons with tutorials and lectures started todae but one thing i was looking forward to made me survived thru those boring lectures (especially the physics lecture). It was CCA Feste!

Had Chinese during the first 6 periods of 20 mins/period. Honestly, I must say that Ms Fong, our CL tutor was sort of ...emm....eccentric.. She was kinda funny in the sense that she was quick in changing her emotions..Initially, she was angry, scolding the class for being late then suddenly, she started saying things like (in Mandarin) "All of u need not worry about class because u r all my precious and my darlings and i love u all. For those who do badly in my class, u are fortunate to be my extremely precious darlings." Sounds like Gollum rite? She then spend the rest of the lesson taking about philosophy and that we should be our own master and not led anyone be the master. She also said that if we decided not to take Chinese after 'AO' she would not mind cos she respects our decision and choice.

After a series of lectures and tutorial, the lessons came to an end. So finally, CCA Feste had began. There were a series of booths and boards of the various CCA groups. I wanted to join both Band and the Raffles Players (Drama), cos I guess I had developed an interest for the performing arts: Music and Theatre and Dramatic Arts respectively. Initially I was kinda worried that the training days for Band and Players would crash. I approached the ppl at the players booth and they said that u could join if u participated in Drama Feste. So I signed up for it and am currently waiting for the audition... After walking about 12-15 rounds around the school compound, I signed up for the following: Band, Players, Bowling, Interact Club. Was an exhausting day for me.....

2004-01-09T21:01:00.000+08:00

ORIENTATION DAY 6...... EVERYTHING THAT HAS A BEGINNING HAS AN END

Missed the earlier part of school today so that I could have some time to recuperate from the dreadful illness that I had contracted..... Went to the doctor in the mid-afternoon to get another MC for absence from school. After taking my medicine and having a short nap, I felt good was ready to set off for school for Orientation Nite or known as 'O' Nite.

Left abt an hour before we were supposed to reach school. The journey was kinda tiresome but after the rest I had, I really felt good and excited for the event in the evening.

When I reached school, Zong Zhen, my OG mate was there. Apparently, he had came with Benny from somewhere. He had bought toilet paper needed to wrap ourselves up to prepare us for some costume contest between all the different OGs. My OG decided to dress up as mummies. I manage to dress Benny up first from the upper torso and the legs, until the remnants of my OG members arrived. They had came back from Elvine's house after school. The moment they saw Benny, they started to laugh at him... Eventually, we managed to wrap Benny up into a mummy. Due to the large no. of members, we couldn't afford to wrap everyone else... I felt that our group did not prepare for this..

At the hall, there were the contest and eventually another OG won. They had dressed up as some hooded figures with light sticks and resembled some tribal ppl...

After that we had Ja'xoras' Idol which was a performance by some OGLs to imitate the American Idol. I felt that the ppl snag well and it was entertaining and hilarous... After that, we proceeeded to the netball court for the campfire. Here, we danced the soleila that we were taught and the rain dance. Later, our OGLs performed the sun dance and 2 more other dances. We sang the Batch Song that was composed especially for us by an OGL that was talented in music.. Honestly, it was pretty nice.

The 'O' Nite unfortunately came to an end and my OG met at a corner in the school for sharing and reflection time. We discussed how our lives and impressions changed from the time we entered the school to the present moment when orientation came to an end.....as well as the aquantiances we had made.. We then exchanged hugs, handshakes and positive commetns....It was an inspiring and touching moment and I tell u it brought tears to our ends. What my OGL, Matthew said did struck me. "Orientation does not end here. It still continues and dwells on." which was backed up by Ivy, our other OGL, " Until today, my OG still meets in the morning." I really must thank God for the fellowship that I had made.

After the reflection, we decided to go to Elvine's house for some pizza party. We took a long walk from school and took bus 7 down to the bus stop outside his house. We walked in there. Some ppl wanted to stay overnight at his house. I did not cos I really miss home. I love my bed!

We had a variety of pizzas and there were garlic breads and he ordered KFC chicken for us to eat. Wow! After that, I shared a cab with Zong Zhen and Benny all the way home......

2004-01-08T22:20:00.000+08:00

ORIENTATION DAY 5...... THE QUEST IS ALMOST FULFILLED

Went to school for lessons. sigh... Had class ice breakers. Was not actually feeling at all was sort of giddy and unable to balance myself. Anyway, during ice-breakers, was not concentrating at all so I forgot most of my classmates name. Managed to try to pay attention during math lectures......after the break went to see Ms Tang for blue form to get dismissed earlier. She told me to take care of myself. So nice rite?

Bio lecture was sort of boring cos they started introducing everyone in the department. After that, I immediately took a taxi home and rested. In the evening saw the doctor. He told me that my giddiness was due to my sinus. The pressure difference had caused my ears to get some problem so he prescribed some sinus medicine.....went to rest... wish i would be well to attend Orientation nite tomorrow.......

2004-01-07T20:51:00.000+08:00

ORIENTATION DAY 4...... AMAZING RACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME

Today was very exciting cos we had the Amazing Race. In fact everyone in my OG was excited about it despite getting home late last nite. Me included.

Incidentally, it was Ivy, my OGL's birthday. I guess the girls had got something prepared for her. In addition to the balloon our group bought for her, the girls made this chocolate sponge cake that was incredibly nice to it and kinda spongy! Hahaha! Thanks girls, it was nice! They also made this card that was designed beautifully, with a caricarture of Ivy and it was freaking nice. We sang 'Happy Birthday' to her before setting out for amazing race.

Our first location was a a picture of a hill and the words 'Sn'. Everyone started to say Sn was tin and tot it was Bukit Timah hill. Then we had a problem.. We knew that Bukit Timah Hill had a quarry but it was a granite quarry not a tin quarry so it could not be Bukit Timah. Some ppl then tot it was Mount Sinai cos the hill represented 'Mount' and the Sn represented 'Sinai'. But we were in Mount Sinai so how could it be in school. We decided to get additional hints from our OGLs (who was not allowed to help or lead us but were only allowed to hand us the clues after each destination but were allowed to give us hints to our next location provided we did a forfeit) So we took the gamble and asked for a hint. He said 'Nature Reserve" Immediately we decided to go to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The forfeit, we were to hold a partner's hand until we reached the bus stop. A boy with a girl, in pairs. I held my partner Beverly's hand as part of the forfeit. Along the road, it was a funny sight. Everyone was looking at us awkwardly as if there was some problem with us. The look on their faces made Beverly and I laughed! Hahaha! Martin, a fellow OG-mate suddenly commented that Bukit Timah was "Tin Hill" in Malay. Wow!

We took the bus but then we missed the bus stop and had to cross the road to take another bus back to Bukit Timah hill. The bus took very long to time. We had to race against time.... Tick....Tick...Tick..... At the foot of the hill, we ran up at fast speed and according to our OGL, we had to count the no. of steps from the foot to the summit of the hill. At the top, we took a photo and immediately proceeded down the hill.

We had a short break to use the toilet and rest before we proceeded for the next destination. The clue was a map of China and particular province was missing from the map and in addition there was a Chinese sentence which was incomplete. This proved not so difficult for us cos we got Chinese scholars in our group. The moment they saw the clue, it was "ling ji yi dong" and they straight away derived at "Guilin" so obviously we had to go to 'Little Guilin'. We took the bus to the MRT station and then reached 'Little Guilin'. I tell u that it was a fabulous sight. Caught sight of a couple of egrets (a kind of bird). Anyway here, we had to play this game. All of us had to hide behind this huge rocks scattered around. 1 person entitled to hide behind 1 rock. No sharing of rocks and we had to spontaneously come out from behind of the rock one after another. No 2 persons can come out at the same time or else the game had to start again. So, we planned to have a timing system, each person would have a number assigned to him or her. And each person had a particular timing before he or her could come out from behind the rock. So for example after Matthew, our OGL said "OK! Start!" we counted silently for 5 seconds then the 1st person would come up and after 5 seconds from the time the 1st person stood up, the 2nd person would come up and so on. I was no. 5 and I counted, 1,2,3,4,5(to give a break time after Matthew said we could start) 1,2,3,4,5 2,2,3,4,5 3,2,3,4,5 4,2,3,4,5 and ok, I count stand... After 4 tries we succeeded and we proceeded with the next clue. It was 2 words. Jade Hill. We tot of Emerald Hill, but decided it was not. Finally, someone said that Jade in Chinese was "bi" and so it was 'bi' (jade) and 'shan' (hill) which was Bishan!

We took a long MRT ride until we reached Bishan... Here was the special part. As part of the programme, Matthew was allowed to lead us for first time to the new campus at Bishan. We walked from the station to the new school which was in the process of completion. Here we wore this yellow helmets and Matthew led us through the partially completed building. It was mainly white and i was enormous. There were quite a no. of classrooms and we were led to this huge LT that was able to accomodate 200 ppl and was very much like a cinema and Matthew even told us that there were going to put a screen on the huge wall, making it resemble a cinema! Cool! I soon found out that the new campus was going to have 2 drama theatres! Whao! Besides that, students had their own lunch and that the staff room was located at a block, away from the classroom block at a considerable distance. Isn't that amazing? There was going to be a new track and the soccer field was made of synthetic grass.........Incredible rite?

After the tour, we went to a nearby food centre for lunch and after that read the next clue. it led us to Plaza Singapura so we took the train down to PS. In the train, I witnessed a highly entertaining "drama". Apparently, 2 women were fighting. I managed to catch a few words. This lady was shouting "Bloody inconsiderate!" and the other lady jus walked away to another compartment of the train. From wat I heard, the lady that walked away had jus placed the other woman's bag on the floor from the seat so that she could seat. Displeased, she started bickering and so the quarrel broke out....Sigh......***

At PS, we suppose to go to Carefour and find 10 things that amounted to a hundred bucks exactly. After 5 mins of searching, the girls managed to get it. All of us guys were like....'WOW!' I really can't believe it.

Immediately, we left for the last destination at HMV where we had to find the name of the album and the artist of about 6 sounds. Some we managed to find but did not found the last 2. As it was getting late, our OGL decided that we better get back to school and so we took bus 7 all the way back........

We found out that we were the 2nd! Wow! No lah.....2nd from the back........hahaha!

After amazing race, my OG decided to go out to celebrate Ivy's birthday. We went to NYDC for dinner. i had Spaghetti Bolognese and a cup of Mocha. We presented to her some flowers and sang her birthday songs. The staff of NYDC joined in the fun by ring the bell during the birthday song singing.....

The dinner was fabulous and after the fun, i took a train home.......and sleep...Zzzzzzzzz!

2004-01-06T23:53:00.000+08:00

ORIENTATION DAY 3...... MID-WAY IN THE JOURNEY

I must say that day 3 was one of the slackest day cos we were allowed to leave school at 12.30 pm. Yeah!

We had civics period where we spent time with our civics tutor or simply known as form tutor. For my class, 1S03E, Ms Tang was our civics tutor. She was a very friendly, understanding and kind teacher and was very young, perhaps about late 20s. She came in class and started video-taping us with a video camera and filmed us introducing ourselves and what we wanted to achieve at the end of our education in RJ. She then proceeded to film herself as she told us about herself. She said that she was an RGS student as well as RJ student. She teaches chem and she has interest in photography, adventure and she heads the Outdoor Activities Club. Cool rite?

After civics period, we went to the hall. I met Saravana outside the hall and he told me that his class was a male-dominated class with only 4 girls! So deprived and sad rite?

Then we had this treasure hunt game where we we supposed to find bananas and coconuts. Each banana was worth 2 pts while a coconut was 30 pts. In the end of the game, Levanox (the big group, Afeurys, my OG belongs to) won! 3 cheers!

After the game, our OG gathered to decide what to do after school. Since, eventually all the OGs were to meet at Suntec Fountain of Wealth to perform the dance, Soleila and Rain dance, all groups had their personal outings. We actually planned to go to Marina South to fly kite but this was cancelled as many people were afraid of the unpredictable weather. We decided to eat at Ghim Moh food centre and at the same time decide where to go.

After eating, we decided to go to one of our fellow OG-mate's house. Elvine's house was near Holand village and he lives in Cornwall Gardens. We proceeded first to Holland Village to a party shop to buy some stuff to celebrate Ivy's (my OGL) birthday. Finally, we bought a balloon that read "Happy Birthday Princess!" We then had to walk through a long road through some houses before we reached Elvine's house and I really wondered how does he walk back to his home in the nite. It was kinda freaky!

When we reached his house, we found that it was....it was.....HUGE and big. One could categorize it as a bungalow but I would disagree and say it was mansion! I can tell u, it was freaking fabulously good. There was a garage that had a sportscar inside and I told myself: If only I could own that 1 day..........

He had 3 dining tables and a lawn or garden. At the bottom of the garden was a SWIMMING POOL! It was not jus a simple small kiddy pool. It was approximately the size of an Olympic pool. There was also a small chalet or guest house for guest to stay overnite. Sounds like a resort.

In addition, he had 2 pianos. 1 was a grand one and the other was a normal one. Though it is said that guys dun get jealous eaaily, I assure u most of the guys there were filled with 'Geez! I would really wish to have this!"

There was a pool table in the house and I spent an hour playing pool with my friends. Apparently, those who wanted to play were guys. It does make me wonder, pool is not a physically exhausting activity, so why do girls not engage in it? I guess it must be they cannot hold the cue. I really want to noe the answer.

Right at the corner of his house was a band corner. There was a classical guitar there. But this is not all, there was an electric guitar and a drumset. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying drumming, with occasional demos from Wanling who learnt a basic drumming technique from her friend. Geez, thanks a lot! Overall, i feel that requires concentration and coordination. After much patience and pratice, I managed to get a suitable rhythm. It was very interesting! Wish I could try it again!

We rushed to the Fountain of Wealth and was in time to do teh Soleila and Rain dance. After the dance, everyone started dispersing in all directions. Curious, I asked some OG members and they said that the police were coming as such an assembly was considered an illegal gathering. honestly, I think the government should do away with such a stupid legislature. Why would a school performance be considered illegal? It does not make sense at all! Damn it! Curse the stupid law and police! Really pisses me off! Hey man, it's nite and nobody is working so we are not harassing anybody and since the city district is not a residential area, so we r not disturbing anybody! It's so foolish! Anyway, VJ had their dance at Suntec yesterday nite and according to my friend,who attended to support his friend, no police came. It's so unfair! I hate, hate, freakingly hate the law!

There was soon plans to do a dance at Esplanade. So as an OG we went to Marche to eat dinner. Was kinda reluctant to go there and eat cos it was so ex. But, didn't wanted to be left out so I submitted to peer pressure. Ate a baked potato and drank coconut to fill myself.

After eating, went to Esplanade. When we reached there, the other groups had already their dance and were dispersing. I then walked around I spotted a small group so curiously, I took a look and apparently, an OG was arguing with some security officer. He asked the group whether they dared to disobey him and surprisingly this J1 girl said "yes!" Wow! I was amazed. She does have the guts to rebuked the officer. I guess Singapore should have more people like her who dare to defy orders. Wow! Impressive!

We group soon gathered near the pier, between Esplanade and the sea and we started playing some games and chit-chatted followed by a few photograph-taking sessions by our excellent photographer in my OG, Zong Zhen. What we wanted to capture was the beautiful landscape of the skyscrapers, with the Singapore River and the comaraderie of our OG. I felt that this was one of the best nites I have experience.........

2004-01-05T22:29:00.000+08:00

ORIENTATION DAY 2......THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

This morning, I was not as depressing as yesterday cos I made new friends was looking forward to it. Furthermore, the weekend had given me the time to recharge, becoming mentally prepared for another physically and psychologically challenging week ahead.

Dad took me too school again and found another shorter and faster route to school, so I was like 15 mins early before school starts. As a 'custom', I waited at our Ja'cozy, or in layman's terms, our OG meeting place. I chatted with a few friends for a while and proceeded to the assembly area where the whole school was present.

Here, the national anthem, pledge and school song were sang and said followed by announcements. Then this teacher came up and said that hot water coolers were available. Huh? Hot and coolers? This was sort of humorous and the whole school started laughing at the ironic term. In fact, that day, we were to noe our class posting results.

We were then dispersed to our various OGs in the hall and we watched a performance by the OGLs called a Soleila or mass dance. In fact, we were supposed to do that dance tomorrow.

We were soon taught the school song. After that, there was a few games and finally in the afternoon went to check the notice board for posting results. Found out I was in 1S03E. Unfortunately, I found out I was in triple science class! Darn it! That was my 2nd choice. Instead of physics, I wanted to do E lit. In fact, I guess the admin had misinterpreted what I told them over the phone. I gonna appeal. Found that Max was also in my class and he persuaded me to remain in the class.

After the games were over, we started to continue practicing Soleila and it was arduous and posed a challenge in terms of coordination and keeping with the counts.

Once the whole orientation ended, my OG went to Ghim Moh Food Centre and I ordered a bowl of fish porridge. I chatted with some OG members for about an hour and we dispersed. Took the train home........preparing for the next day...

2004-01-02T22:00:00.000+08:00

ORIENTATION DAY 1......THE QUEST BEGINS

Woke up early today. I admitted that I was kinda reluctant to go to school. I really miss the good ol' nice December break after the 'O's where I could wake up whenever I wanted. Now I have to submit my sleeping schedule to the darn alarm clock! Argh! Got a bad stomachache last night so I had tossed myself around the bed before I got to sleep at 12.30 am!

Took Dad's car to school. Apparently, RJ was so well concealed behind those houses that my Dad would not have bin able to find it without the kind assistance of Mum who volunteered to be his 'Street Directory'. Supposed to reached school at 7.20 am for J1s but I arrived at 7.40 am jus in time for the start of orientation.

I was lost in the hall as I was surrounded by a sea of students. After much seeking, I managed to find Afeurys, my Oreintation Group (OG). My 2 OG Leaders (OGL) were Matthew and Ivy, both triple science students. I found both of them friendly and approachable. Ivy was a very funny person and she keeps toking in German cos she takes German. So there was a lot of 'Vos' this and 'Von' that! Cool rite. I would do love to take a this language in the future, but I'm afraid it's not German cos I hate Hitler! Probably, I will learn French, Italian or Latin.

We were soon entertained by a skit showing the rivalry between 2 groups that we were divided into: Levanox and Kasegon. Then we were introduced by an influx of terminology unknown to us.

Following that, we had ice-breakers such as wacko and the behind the curtain game. Our OGLs had paired us up. One guy to a girl to be each other's buddy. I was partner to this girl called Beverly and I found that she had a cheerful and interesting personality. She always laughs and brightens up my life. Thanks Bev!

For wacko, I was fortunate not to be called out by any of my members. I guess it's because my name is hard to pronounced. Haha!

We proceeded to games such as handball, dog & bone and a spaghetti game. Overall I found these games exciting and a good for friendship-formation. Unfortuantely, I was so exhausted at the end of the day that when I reached home I jus slept............

2004-01-01T21:23:00.000+08:00

ROCKING AWAY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY... ....

To celebrate the new year, I went out to enjoy the nice beautiful 2004 air. And I was rocking! Yea Man! Actually, I did not attend any concert. Watched 'School of Rock'. And I tell u, it really ROCKZ ROCKZ ROCKZ! It was funny and I bet everyone who watched it enjoyed it. It was hilarious and at the same time entertaining!

Finn: Alright look. I've got a hangover. Who knows what that means?
Frankie: Does it means you're drunk?
Finn: It means you're drunk yesterday.

Was about this guitarist Dewey Finn who was kicked out of his band and joined a school as a substitute teacher to teach 4th graders. He started teaching his students rock music and turned the class from classical musicians to rock musicians to participate in the Battle of the Bands. Quite appropiate since I'm starting school tomorrow. Well, I believe Dewey Finn is the kind of teacher every student in the world is dying to have! I must say that Jack Black, who plays Dewey Finn made the movie very humorous. Good Show. What I felt the show was about was talent. That all of us have the potential to do somthing. I felt that was encouraging!

Tomiko: I don't think I can sing. They're gonna laugh at me.
Finn: You've got something everyone wants. You've got talent.

Below is a song that I presume would be good to perform on the first day of school in front of the teachers! Hahahaha!
To watch the music video for this song, click here.

School of Rock Lyrics
Jack Black

Baby we was making straight A's,
But we was stuck in the dark days,
Don't take much to memorize your lines,
I feel like I've been hypnotized,
And then that magic man he come to town,
Whoo wee,
He come spin my head around,
Said recess is in session,
Do you make fire,
And now baby,
I'm alive,
Oh yeah,
I'm alive.

And if you wanna be the teacher's pet,
Well baby you just better forget,
Rock got no reason,
Rock got no rhyme,
You better get me to school on time.

Oh you know I'm better on a roll,
Down to brains,
And got no soul,
Read my head before I can speak my mind,
I've been bighting my tongue too many times,
And then that magic man said to obey,
(uh huh)
Do what magic man do,
Not what magic man say,
Now could I please have the attention of the class,
Today's assignment,
KICK SOME ASS!

And if you wanna be the teacher's pet,
Well baby you just better forget,
Rock got no reason,
Rock got no rhyme,
You better get me to school on time.

This is my final exam,
Now ya'll know who I am,
I might not be their perfect son,
But ya'll be rockin' when I'm done.

2004-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

2004: THE NEW YEAR

It's 2004 and it has arrived. Greetings to all and may u have a wonderful year and glad tidings u will receive. Well, 2003 has past! Gook luck!

Auld Lang Syne
Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne,
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld ang syne.

We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne

2003-12-27T23:28:00.000+08:00

CYCLING & BILLY ELLIOT

Went cycling in the morning. The bike that I rented was kinda screwed up! Firstly, the chain was out of the gear and it was after 300m that I realised that the the chain was not correctly placed. So cycled back with that irritating screech.
It was after the man at the shop had fixed it that I resumed cycling. However, after 400m, I realised that the seat was movable and my butt kept shifting left and right. So got off and pushed the bike back. The owner was surprised to see me. I explained that I wanted a new bike, but he said that the seat was placed to low, so the screw cannot be screwed properly. That's the problem being short. Luckily this was the last time, a problem occurred. Was very windy at the seaside and not many people there, so can cycle freely. Anyway, learned how to cycle without my hands holding the bar. Maybe, one day I'll join the circus! Hahahahaha!

I had watched this very interesting movie on Christmas day which was screened at 9pm. It talks about a boy, Billy, who has a passion and an aptitude for ballet. This angered his kinda macho-stic father who worked as a miner. So Billy had to take his lessons secretly. His ballet teacher wanted to send him to a prestigious ballet school due to his talent. Eventually, his father came to understand his passion and he was enrolled in this ballet school.

I felt that this movie talks about one's passion against one's parents' expectations. Though our parents may have the wisdom and evxperience, I guess that passion is still more important as it is our future that is in our hands, not in our parents hands.

2003-12-25T12:12:00.000+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Anyway, I'll like to wish all not only a Happy and Merry Christmas, but also a Blessed and Holy Christmas! Went for mass early in the morning and found something meaningful that the priest said. We should put Christ into Christmas as without him, there would not be any Christmas. Jus watched Spongebob Squarepants, a cartoon. The cartoon's theme was about Christmas. One thing caught my attention. "Santa has not brought Christmas. You have brought Christmas, Spongebob!" Perhaps, this good season of tidings should be an opportunity for us to spread the spirit of Christmas: Giving. Found this lovely poem and felt it was worth blogging it. Hope you enjoy it as it carries the meaning of Christmas. God Bless!

A Christmas Lesson
Tom Krause

"Is there a purpose? Why are we here?"
A little boy asked as the yuletide drew near.
"I really do hope that someday I will know
the reason we stand out here in the snow,
ringing this bell as people walk by,
while thousands of snowflakes
descend from the sky."

The mother just smiled at her shivering son
who would rather be playing and having some fun
but soon would discover before evening was done
the meaning of Christmas
the very first one.

The young boy exclaimed, "Mother where does it go?"
"All the pennies we collect - every year in the snow."
"Why do we do it? Why do we care?"
"We worked for these pennies,
so why should we share?"

"Because once a baby - so meek and so mild
was born in a manger - so humble the child
the son of a King - was born in this way
to give us the message
He carried that day.

"The present God gave the world on that night,
was the gift of his son to make everything right.
Why did he do it? Why did he care?
To teach about loving
and how we should share."

2003-12-21T22:58:00.000+08:00

REFLECTIONS ON THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING

There and Back Again:
A Hobbit's Tale
by
Bilbo Baggins

&

The Lord of the Rings
by
Frodo Baggins

This was the memoir written by Frodo at the end of his journey and likewise, I have decided to share my reflections of this last movie of the trilogy: The Return of the King.

Friendship

Frodo: Sam, it's getting heavier.
Sam: Come, Mr Frodo! I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get. Come, Mr Frodo!

This line struck me very strongly. It carries the meaning of true friendship and loyalty. Every time, we fail, there will always be a true friend to guide and help us along the way, like good ol' Samwise Gamgee! It does bring up memories of the times where some have come to helped me and I still took them for granted. I am truly grateful for their. At the same time, I hope I can really be like Sam. His fighting, encouraging spirit to motivate his member of the Fellowship, tormented by the weight of the ring, is indisputably admired!

In addition, the part where Sam mentions about bothering to carry Frodo does reminds me about the story entitled 'Footprints in the Sand'. This story is about a man who in a dream was walking with Jesus on the sand. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints. When he saw the scenes of his life when it was the sadest and the most difficult, he saw only 1 set of footprint. Curiously, he asked the Lord what happened to the other set. Had Jesus abandoned him? "No." The Lord replied, "During youre times of trial and suffering, when you see one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." Our Lord is liked Sam, our confidante, when we are carrying out 'Ring', he will carry us.

Before this scene, Frodo being 'conned' by Gollum, asked the framed Sam to leave him.
Frodo: I don't need you anymore Sam, you can go home!

Sometimes in our lives, we had that "Frodo-ish", attitude towards God. Under the influence of 'Gollum', the devil, we decided to tell God that we "don't need you anymore". I guess we should try to appreciate the beauty of the friendship with our creator.

Death

Gandalf: Death is only the beginning of a journey.

This was another important aspect I found of the movie. . Death is Most people tend to perceive death negatively, as a condemnation. Perhaps, as Gandalf said, life is one stage of the journey, death is therefore a gateway to another route. We all, as mortals, are fated to die. What matters is the manner that we die, either in Glory or Shame, in weakness or in strength. I guess that the most important thing is what we do with our lives at this present moment and we live it up to the fullest potential and "all you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." We must treasure this 'time' of our life.

Faith

Aragron: Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor
Gandalf: How do we know Frodo is alive?
Aragorn: What does your heart tell you?
Gandalf: He's alive.

Though this conversation does not carry much meaning, I feel that it has something to do with faith, faith in ourselves and faith in others. Confidence in oneself and in others is essential in motivating. If we do not have faith, then we are bound to fail.

Partings

Gandalf: Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.

The most memorable thing is at the last part of the film where Frodo has to sail to the Undying Lands of Valinor with the elves, Bilbo and Gandalf. The reluctance for him to part with Sam, Pippin and Merry was the most emotional part of the film for me and that brought tears to my eyes and it did relate to my life where there were many partings with loved ones for me through death, graduation and disagreements. Hence that was the most memorable part of the film as it was relevant to my life.

Choice

Arwen: It is my choice. I want to lead a mortal's life.

I guess that movies nowadays carry the message of choice, such as in LOTR, Matrix and Harry Potter. Perhaps, the gift of choice is the most important, yet most dangerous in our lives. Arwen's choice to be with Aragorn had a benefit: She would be happy with her love, yet disadvantage: She has to give up her immortality. In every crossroads, we have to choose a path. In every choice, there is a pro and a con to it. To continue, we need to make a choice, hence essential, yet to face the cons is the danger. I jus hope I would be able to make a good decision in my life.

Well, I'm Back!

2003-12-17T23:30:00.000+08:00

THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

Woke up at 7.30 am to prepare myself to watch the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy marathon. Intended to go to the coffee shop near my home to eat roti prata but decided to make-do with bread. The marathon was held at Cathay Coneleisure and had to be there at 9am. They had a free flow of popcorn and I had 5 boxes. In fact, I smell of popcorn at this very moment!

Personally, I felt that this was an exciting and interesting experience. Honestly, I haven't bin to any movie marathon and obviously, this was the first one. (Initially wanted to watch the Matrix marathon but due to the unfortunate 'O' Levels examinations odyssey, was unable to participate).

The Fellowship was screened first (obviously!) but I was kinda enthusiastic at first. As time passed, my patience could not take it and honestly half-way thru the Two Towers I kinda wanted to close my eyes. At the end of Two Towers, was no longer that tired as I was waiting to see the Return of the King.

At Cathay, while queueing to enter the cinema halls, guess who I spotted? It was Cheryl Fox, the host for Singapore's Brainest. Apparently, she was interviewing this 2 people from the queue and asking them wat they were expecting to see from the last part of the movie. I managed to catch them mentioning something about being 3D. Personally, I felt she looked funny in real life then on TV.

The Fellowship was screened at 9am and ended at 12.30. The Two Towers started at 1pm and ended at 4.30pm. The Return of the King started at 5pm and ended at 8.30 pm. So yer can imagine how rush I was to get my food and get back to the cinema on time! Wanted to smuggle BK in for luch, but was so 'bloodily' packed and so I went to KFC, Long John Silver. Too bad, there was long queues there. In the end, I decided to go to Orchard Shopping Centre, jus across the road to the 7-Eleven there and helped myself with a micro-waved spagetthi. Smuggled it in!

After the Two Towers, wanted to use the restrooms int the cinema halls, lest I had to relieve myself half-way thru the movie when the tension was high, but unfortunately, there was a long queue stretching from one end to the other! Argh! I really really HATE queues! Infuriated, I left the cinema and went to the toliets in the floor below, relieved myself and then proceeded back up to the cinema!

Then came the highly-anticipated part: The Return of the King! But relax, I won't spoil it for u. I give this movie thumbs up! Felt that this one was the best of the three! Though the fights and battles were exciting, I felt that the emotional impact of this movie is greater than the last 2 and it did bring tears to my eyes, especially thru the conversations between Frodo and Sam reagrding themes of Fellowship, Comaraderie and Perserverence. One thing I found: Gollum is geting smarter! Anyway, discovered 1 thing about the Lord of the Rings movies that does not change. The Return of the King, though exciting, still has elements of philosophy, especially from Gandalf. Well, really felt that this film deserves 5 stars. Hope it does scrapes lots of awards in the Academy Awards next year! Homestly, I do encourage u to watch it, not from a point of a fan, but from the point of a friend. Enjoy it!

Gotta go and check my PAE results!

2003-12-16T20:44:00.000+08:00

STAR WARS & SWIMMING

Watched Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the clones last night quite late until 2 am. Guess this is the 4th time I watched this show. Anyway, watching it again made me feel that Natalie Portman who plays Senator Padme Amildala is getting more gorgeous each time you watch it. Amildala Rockz!

Morning was kinda dull. My Uncle came and helped my dad to connect the new VCR to the television as the old VCR had spoilt and he had helped us buy a new VCR, but no matter what my dad tried he could not connect the VCR. It took my uncle hours to connect. Since my dad was working, he imparted the VCR operation skills to me instead.

After lunch, went to meet my cousins at my aunt's condominium for a swim. Had bin since 2 weeks ago that I last swam and was a good feeling to dip myself in again. It was shiok! Fortunately that weather was fine except for a short drizzle. Thank God I was not struck by lightning.

Was damn tired after I got home. Anyway, tomorrow I gonna watched the Lord of the Rings Trilogy Marathon! Finally after much waiting, we, fans and those non-fans are gonna enjoy the greatest motion picture epic of this year! A test of endurance and patience. I hope it wins the 2004 Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. Gotta turn in now so can reach Cathay by 9 am tomorrow. (btw I require 10 hrs of good undisturbed rest)

Besides that, tomorrow got the release of PAE results. So gotta clenched our fingers tight. Guess I going to check the results in the nite....Good luck!

2003-12-12T17:11:00.000+08:00

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And I looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth,

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perphaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that the passsing there
Had worn them really the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no steps has trodden back.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how ways leads onto way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

2003-12-09T21:48:00.000+08:00

RETURN OF THE KING SOUNDTRACK

Website with rotk soundtrack samples are on the net. Check them out in my links at "Links".

2003-12-07T11:58:00.000+08:00

GOD AND THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE SYMBOLISM

Found this very interesting and somewhat enlightening article from this week's Catholic News.

Bradley Birzer is author of "J.R.R.Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle Earth". He shares with Zenit how Tolkien grounded the myth of "The Lord of the Rings" in Christian reality.

Q: How does Tolkien's Catholicism impregnate his worldview and his fiction?

Birzer: Tolkien wrote to a close friend in 1953 that The Lord of the Rings is a religious and Catholic work; unconsciously at first, but consciously in the revision. Tolkien was a devout and practicing Catholic most of his life, According to his son, Michael (who is a priest), Roman Catholicism "pervaded all his thinkings beliefs and everything else."
Tolkien believed that true Christian should be an artist, not a propagandist. He argued that one should seek the timeless truths, but put them in a new light. The artist becomes a 'sub-creator". The idea of sub-creation being to glorify Creation, never to mock or pervert it. Tolkien rejected the idea of art for art's sake. There was a truth, and the artist was especially gifted to tap into that truth.

Q: What are some of the religious symbols in "The Lord of the Rings"?

Birzer: In "The Lord of the Rings", several religious symbols exist.
My personal favourite is the Elvish Lembas, translated as the "way bread" or "life bread." Even one piece of bread can sustain a person for a day. Tolkien wrote that it "fed the will," and certainly without it, neither Frodo nor Sam would have made the journey across Mordor and up Mount Doom.
For Tolkien, nothing represented a greater gift from God than the actual Body and Blood of Christ. "I put before you the one great thing to love on Earth: the Blessed Sacrament," Tolkien wrote to his son Michael. "There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity and the true way of all your loves upon earth."
Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn each represent the different offices of Christ: respectively priest, prophet and king.
Each of these characters places himself in harm's way for the greater good; each is willing to lay down his life for his brother.
When Gandalf faces the Balrog, he not only accepts death, but he names his master, the Secret Fire. ("I'm the servant of the Secret Fire, Wielder of the Flame of Anor. You shall not pass! The dark fire will not avail you. Flame of Udun, go back to your shadows! You shall not pass!") According to what Tolkien told his friend, The Secret Fire was the Holy Spirit.
There are also several Marian figures throughout "The Lord of the Rings." The most important I think is Elbereth, A Valar or archangel, to whom Sam prays as he thrusts Sting, the Elvish sword into Shelob.
As Tolkien admitted, the Mother of Christ provided him with all of his understanding of "beauty in majesty and simplicity."

Q: In your book, you write that Tolkien's mythical world is essentially truer than the one we think we see around us everyday. Briefly, can you explain your argument?

Birzer: Only since the so-called Enlightenment have intellectuals en masse turned to studying primarily the material world at the expense of the spiritual world.
But man is the "metaxy," the "in between." He is flesh and spirit. To ignore one at the expense of the other is to verge very quickly into heresy; the results of such false materialism are all around us: the gulags, the holocaust camps and the killing fields are their unholy monuments.

Q: Why have you placed Tolkien within the Christian humanist tradition represented by Thomas More, T.S.Eliot, Dante and C.S.Lewis?

Birzer: Christian humanist argues for a continuity of traditions: the Greeks into the Roman, the Jewish into the Christian, and the synthesis of all in the Middle Ages. A true Christian humanist would not only understand the Scriptures and Tradition, but he would understand the "greats" of Western Civilization: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Cicero, etc.
Christian humanist has often arisen as a strong force during some of the most tumultuous times if the Church: during the Renaissance and the Reformation as well as the 20th Century and its terror regimes, mass genocides and overwhelming conformist technologies and industries.
Tolkien, an Augustinian Christian humanist, believed in the sanctity and individuality of all life. Each person, as best expressed in Gandalf's conversation with Frodo regarding Gollum, is born into a certain and a certain place. He is born with a reason.
Frodo: There's something down there.
Gandalf: It's Gollum.
(Frodo looks even more scared)
Frodo: Gollum?
Gandalf: He's been following us for three days.
Frodo: He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dur?
Gandalf: Escaped... Or was set loose?
(From the distance below, Gollum looks up; his large eyes observe the company)
Gandalf: He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself. He will never be rid of his need for it.
(Frodo looks at Gollum in disgust)
Frodo: It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance!
Gandalf: Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo?
Gandalf: Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise can not see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many.

As Aristotle wrote, "Nature makes nothing in vain." Everything has purpose. St Thomas finished Aristotle's thought: "Grace perfects Nature."
Within Creation, therefore, each person has a role, a set amount of time, and a number of gifts. He can choose to fight for God and the common good, he can use his gifts for avarice, or he can ignore them altogether.
Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology, powerfully Christian humanist, argues that we live as a part of continuity and that every being and time and event is vitally important to the whole, to Creation itself.
When Frodo complains of living in an evil, burdensome time (I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.), Gandalf replies "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought."

2003-12-06T22:03:00.000+08:00

WEAPONS AND WARFARE

Found some good pictures of weapons used in lotr.

Weapons of the Haradrim, which include bows, arrows and spears.

A Gondorian blade with ornamental scabbard.

Sting, the blade the elves forged and gave to Bilbo Baggins.
The blade has elvish inscriptions etched into it- and glows
blue in color when orcs are nearby.

Staff of the treacherous wizard, Saruman.

Mace of Sauron, which he uses in the prologue scenes in
The Fellowship of the Ring.

Axe forged and used in battle by the dwarves. Their language,
dwarvish, is inscribed on the handle.

A double-sided axe, also forged and used in battle by the
race of dwarves. Gimli's prefered style of axe.

Anduril, Flame of the West, forged by the elves in Rivendell
using the shards of Narsil. The sword of the King of Gondor.

Delicate, yet deadly elvish blades, used together during
battle by Legolas at Helm's Deep.

Glamdring, the sword of the wizard Gandalf.

Elvish bow, arrows and quiver, which are used by Legolas.

Short elvish blades for close fighting.

The shards of Narsil, the blade of the King of Gondor that
Isildur used to cut the ring from Sauron's finger.

A long and elegant elvish blade as used by Arwen when
she faces the Ringwraiths.

The intricately carved top of Gandalf the White's staff.

A sword, helmet and chainmail as worn by a Rohan warrior.

Shield and battle horn worn by Gondorian soldiers.

Formal battle armor that is worn by the King of Rohan-
Theoden. Includes full body and arm plates, helmet,
shield and bracers. Again, inlaid with intricate horse designs.

Another example of what a Rohan warrior would wear to
battle. The elaborate designs in the armor and leather tell
the story of the man who wears them.

A spear that is carried by the Rohirrim warriors in battle.

2003-12-05T23:40:00.000+08:00

MOVIECITY 2003

Well, haven't blog on since last Saturday, so gotta give u a glimpse of what I did for recently.

This morning, got up early and managed to finish my Harry Potter book 4. By then, it was already 11pm. So mum prepared porridge for me and sis to eat, instead of going to the hawker centre opposite the road.

Following that, decided to go to the MovieCity at Suntec City. Reached there about 3.15pm. Was not very crowded there. I guess this exhibition needed more publicity. Outside the entrance were 4 figures (immobile). One was Dracula, the other was Bruce Lee and the last 2 were Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. They had a Golden Village booth which showed the Making of Matrix Revolutions. I found out that the fight scenes between Neo and Agent Smith at the last part of the movie was computer-animated. The faces were filmed while their bodies were 'faked'. Guess what, they had to do somersaults revolving around a crane to get the elevated effect as seen in the show. Even technicians had to take an airplane up to the sky to test movements at zero gravity. Cool huh!

There was another booth which featured Animation. A man was there showing us how cartoons were being made. The wall of the booth was covered by sketches and paintings. Very nice and interesting. In addition there was the computer to show how the sketches was translated into cartoons.

Then there were a couple of demonstrations which I found very fascinating. There was one which they demonstrated how a person got shot and gets blood over his shirt. Then they was one that shows us what a TCS set in a studio look like. The members from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts did a fake performance with a crew to show us what happen on set. Lastly, they was a briefing on cinematography by this foreign man. He mentioned something that only 3 people can touch the viewfinder or this huge camera, the director, the director of photography and the camera man. After the talk, he invited us to have a look on this camera. Wow! That means I’m honoured since only 3 people can touch it.

2003-11-29T23:42:00.000+08:00

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

Hey! Guess wat for those of u who are die-hard harry potter fans, The Prisoner of Azkaban movie trailer is out already. Believe me or not, Aunt Marge (Vernon Dursley's sister) gets bloated up and floats into the sky. In addition, Hogwarts has her own choir which sings songs which contain lines from Shakespeare's Macbeth: The 3 Witches Chant: "Bubble Bubble Boil and trouble" I advise u to go and watch it. U can excess it through me links on the right. Got some cool Harry Potter pics below:

Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban Poster

Professor Dumbledore opening the new school year.

Aunt Marge gets bloated up and 'flies' into the sky.

Wanted poster for Sirius Black.

Sirius Black with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lupin

Sirius Black in Azkaban

Professor "boggart" Snape in Neville's Grandmother's clothing

In Professor Trelawney's Divination lessons

Dementor's hand

The Knight Bus

Hermione attacks Draco Malfoy

Another Harry Potter 3 poster.

2003-11-29T01:52:00.000+08:00

GRADUATION DINNER - BEFORE AND AFTER

Today, so many things happen that I dunno where to start. I think it would be preferable to start from the beginning of the day.

Anyway, woke up at 11 am. (That is damn late loh!) After left house at 1pm and went to cineleisure for lunch. Found nothing special there to eat. Then went to taka to see what I could eat. Every single fast food outlet: Macdonald's, KFC, Mos Burger and Delifrance were so bloodily packed so I decided to eat later. Eventually went to Kino to see what new things i could buy for meself. Spotted a new LOTR: Weapons and Warfare. Thank God, I brought 20% discount coupon. So took the book off the shelf. Later, I spotted 2 good magazines and bought them too.

At around 2.30 pm, left for Shaw to watch Master and Commander: Far side of the World starring Academy Award winner, Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. Smuggled KFC intot the cinema! Wasn't a bad show after all, but surprisingly not many people were in the cinema. Curious? Basically, the show is about this British captain, Jack Aubrey who was suppose to lead his ship, the HMS Surprise, to destroy any French frigates (belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte) off the shores of South America. The main theme of this movie is about leadership. It is not easy to be a leader after all. You have to exercise balance. You can't exercise too much discipline or authority as it could drive your subordinates nuts. Neither could you exercise too little discipline or it would cause a loss of respect. It was a valuable lesson I learnt from the movie. Overall, I would recommend this movie to anyone who has a fascination with 17th-century naval warfare or those who wish to learn more about how to be a good leader. Caution: to those sickos out there, there is no romance or erotica. I guess that's the problem with this show.

After the show, which ended about 6.15pm ( the movie started at 4.05pm), went to Hyatt hotel for Grad. dinner. Was already crowded by the time I reached there. Before the dinner, which started at 7.30pm, we all rushed to take photographs with each other. Sat with Sara, Stephan, Jonny, Aston, Paul, Peter, Yee Kiat, Gerard, Gaius, Finally after waiting, the main course was served - Regency set, which had popiahs and clams.

We had then to nominate for the Josephian Idol. Our class voted for Zenas, 402 voted for Jiaming and 403 voted Gerald. (I guess that's all I remember). Anyway, the 12 nominees were grouped into 4 groups. 1 of the member had to guess the character and situation that the other 2 members were acting out. Fortunately, Zenas was in the group of finalists! 401 rocks!

Lucky draw soon took placed. The prize was Quicksliver bags. Unfortunately no one from our table got it. Richard and Moses from the table beside us won the bags. (Hey! How come 2 people from the same table got the bag! Did anyone tamper with the lucky draw ticket?).

Then, came the finals for the Josephian Idol. The 6 finalists had to play a simple word game, where they had to complete a sentence with 1 word only and had 2 seconds to decide on the word. They cannot end the sentence. Eventually, 5 finalists were eliminated and David Tseng of 411 emerged as Josephian Idol!

There were performances by a few bands after a few courses of meals were served. The teachers then had to play a game. There were 3 teams led by Mr Teo, Friar Mike and Mr Nathan. Each 3 teams had to have 2 female teachers and 1 male teacher and a leader. The leader was suppose to cheer, while 1 female teacher had to throw a small ball, then the other male teacher had to use his head to hit the ball back and the last female teacher would have to catch the ball and pass back front. In the end, Mr Teo's team won with 21 (10 bonus points for each team because "there were no pompoms" as claimed by Friar Mike). Mrs Tan participated under Friar's team with Mrs Ng and Mr Lui.

Next was an exciting moment. The teachers were supposed to perform a song to us. Mrs Tan was sporty as she sang the first verse of the song, later the chorus was sung by the other teachers. Subsequently, Mrs Ellen Woo sang with a high pitched voice and this was followed by a loud applause by us. Surprisely, the teachers were holding these party face masks! Kinda kiddy!

The final lucky draw was such a disappointment for me. I failed to win the PS 2. Sob! Sob! Anyway, Eddie won some vouchers and guess wat? He was in the same table as Richard and Moses! Now their table had 3 lucky draw winners! Something's really fishy!

There was a guess the number game and eventually an ice-cream competition to see who could eat the most most ice-cream in the fastest possible time. Eugene from 405 won. (Whoa! Imagine if I ate 5 ice-creams within a short time, gorging every cream down my throat and yet had to suffered the severe freezing in my head! I sure to puke!)

Finally, we sang 2 songs one of which was Graduation by Vit C and the other was S Club7's Say Goodbye. ( lyrics below)Then we had the school cheer and Hail Hail Alma Mater. A few acknowledgements concluded the dinner. We had mass photo-takings and took a class photos with so many cameras.

After that, took Dad's car home, I guess today was a tiring day for me and most of my friends. Anyway, the journey for us all is a long long road and I sincerely wish my friends good luck in all your future endeavors. Keep in touch and God bless! Adieu!

P.S. Photos will be uploaded as soon as I get my film developed!

GRADUATION (By Vitamin C)

1 - As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with a tan
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

Repeat 1

La, la, la, la
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la
We will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

S Club 7 - SAY GOODBYE

In the years to come
Will you think about these moments that we shared
In the years to come
Are you gonna think it over and
How we lived each day with no regrets

Nothing lasts forever though we want it to
The road ahead holds different dreams for me and you

Sometimes goodbye, though it hurts in your heart
Is the only way for destiny
Sometimes goodbye, though it hurts is the only way now
For you and me
Though its the hardest thing to say
I'll miss your love every way

So say goodbye
But don't you cry
Cos true love never dies

In a year from now
Maybe there'll be things we'll wish we'd never said
In a year from now
Maybe we'll see each other standing on the same street corner
No regrets

Each and every head is always written in the stars
If only I can stop the world and make this last

Sometimes goodbye, though it hurts in your heart
Is the only way for destiny
Sometimes goodbye, though it hurts is the only way now
For you and me
Though its the hardest thing to say
I'll miss your love every way

So say goodbye
But don't you cry
Cos true love never dies

And when you need my arms to run into
I'll comfort you
Nothing will ever change the way I feel

Sometimes goodbye, though it hurts in your heart
Is the only way for destiny
Sometimes goodbye, though it hurts is the only way now
For you and me
Though its the hardest thing to say
I'll miss your love everyday

So say goodbye
But don't you cry
Cos a true love never dies

2003-11-27T21:36:00.000+08:00

HAIRCUT

Went for a haircut this afternoon. Mum had introduced this new shop. In fact it was a school that trained hair artist and stylist. Guess what? I was appalled that they offered to do yer haircut or hairstyling for free. Cos, we are the students' guinea pigs. HaHaHa. Anyway, I initially attempted to ask the stylist to change my hairstyle. But decided to do away with this idea because I noe nuts about hairstyle and dun wanna make a fool of meself on grad. dinner nite. Furthermore, there was no English-speaking barbers in the 'shop' when I went there. Only 3. One was some Japanese and they other 2 were Chinese-speaking. So got communication problem down there. Another problem was that the Chinese-speaking hairstylist appraoched me and asked me so many questions like: Do u want to cut your hair to half (in Chinese)? Do u want to cut to quarter? Do u want to cut behind? Smooth-sloping? Rough sloping? In the end I jus agree to wat ever she recommended and during the cut, I prayed that nothing will happen to me hair. Presto! After the cut, I look at meself and found out I did not look too bad after all. And I agree it was a good cut. Not that I want to promote that shop, but it's free. So y dun yer jus pop in. This school is at Singapore Shopping Centre (beside ParkMall) #05-03.

For the past few days, have bin going around Orchard looking a suitable attire to wear for grad. dinner. Went with mum and sis yesterday to Taka to look for a cheap and good shirt. Mum wanted me to get a red shirt but I disagreed. I wanted a blue shirt. Furthermore, the shirt there were very expensive. So mum recommended we go to Metro in Paragon. There, nothing was suitable too and we walked to John Little in Specialist Shopping Centre. There was a shirt that I wanted but unfortunately my size was not available (not my fault i'm small built). So we took a bus down to Plaza Singapura to the John Little branch there. thank God, the shirt I wanted was there. Then I had to find my pants, so we looked thru the shops along. Went to Giordano first. Too bad, nothing there was good. Surprising, the salesgirl recommended us to U2 (heh! i tot they were rivals). Went to U2 but nothing special there. In the end, decided to wear me old brown pants at home. The pants and shirt have been ticked off the checklist. So now left the shoes. Wanted to wear black leather shoes, but the one i wore was too small. Mum wanted me to get a brown shoes. Ridiculously, we took a bus from ParkMall back to Taka for dinner first. Then visited the shops in Ngee Ann City. Finally, I found the pair of shoes I wanted and we took the train from Orchard to Dhoby Ghaut to change to take the NEL. It was a very exhausting day! Hew!

By the way, for those of u who have bin offended by the comment i wrote about Asians and Westerners. I apologise if u get the wrong idea across. It was jus a comment of how I see things in an optimistic view. After all, I'm kind of lighter skin too and got carried away by the comment which insulted people who are pale, since some people are pale naturally and nothing can change them. Unless yer r like MJ and can change from black to white lah! HaHaHa!Anyway, hope yer dun have hard feelings. Jus kidding! Sorry! Diu bu qi !

2003-11-24T21:15:00.000+08:00

MATRIX REVOLUTIONS

" Everything that has a beginning has an end", so speaks the oracle.

Today after PAE went to watch Matrix Revolutions for the first time (i noe i very lag. pls don't comment). I found that cine take very long to show the actual movie coz there were a lot of advertisements and trailers before it. Overall, felt that this episode was better than the first 2. The show was very philosophical in content and thought-provoking at the same time.

My Reflections
Rama-Kandra: No. I don't mind. The answer is simple. I love my daughter very much. I find her to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. But where we are from, that is not enough. Every program that is created must have a purpose; if it does not, it is deleted. I went to the Frenchman to save my daughter. You do not understand.
Neo: I just have never...
Rama-Kandra: ...heard a program speak of love?
Neo: It's a... human emotion.
Rama-Kandra: No, it is a word. What matters is the connection the word implies. I see that you are in love. Can you tell me what you would give to hold on to that connection?
Neo: Anything.
Rama-Kandra: Then perhaps the reason you're here is not so different from the reason I'm here.

Well, this conversation between the Indian man and Neo did struck me. Love at times is jus a word if there is no input of emotions and sincerity in it. At times we jus mutter "I love u", but we are not genuine in what we say. In this case, love is just plainly a word, that is a series of alphabets in a particular order. The connection, that is the close relationship or comaraderie that we have with each other, is what matters and determines the weight of the word "love". In this case, love is no longer a word, it becomes greater than a phrase, a sentence or a paragraph. It has meaning and the alphabets become alive. It is now a goal, a determination, something that are ready to die for. I pray that I would really try not to take my friends, family members for granted.

Neo: You helped me to get here, but my question is why? Where does this go? Where does it end?
Oracle: I don't know.
Neo: You don't know or you won't tell me?
Oracle: I told you before. No one can see beyond a choice they don't understand, and I mean no one.
Neo: What choice?
Oracle: It doesn't matter. It's my choice. I have my mind to make [up], same as you have yours.
Neo: Does that include what things to tell me and what not to tell me?
Oracle: Of course not.
Neo: Then why didn't you tell me about the Architect? Why didn't you tell me about Zion, the Ones before me - why didn't you tell me the truth?
Oracle: Because it wasn't time for you to know.
Neo: Who decided it wasn't time?
Oracle: You know who. *She points at the Temet Nosce sign above the door*
Neo: I did. *Oracle nods* Then I think it's time for me to know a few more things.
Oracle: So do I.

This is another conversation that really made me ponder and is the most philosophical of all conversations. The theme of the dialogue between Neo and Oracle is choice. We determine the outcome of it. . One strucking feature is that a choice is decided by us. I felt that this theme of choice is very relevant particularly so because we have to make choices for which school we wish to go after. It is important that we understand the choice and see beyond it. There are full of opportunites for us in this world and this world is founded on the laws of change. Phases of change come into our lives very frequently and there will be a time when we will have to make choices - for the better or for the worst. What is most important is that we do not regret the choice that we make and see it as a gateway to more opportunites. As longer, there "is a single breath" in us, we must not give up our fighting spirit.

The theme of the Power of Belief starts in the first Matrix movie and continues through very strong though Reloaded and into Revolutions. In the first film, the Oracle tells Neo "Morpheus believes in you, Neo." Later in the first film, Neo says "Morpheus did what he did because he believed in something, now I believe in something." Then Trinity immediately follows with a laundry list of things that she believes in. In the second film, the Oracle tells Neo "You’ve made a believer out of me, kid." We see Niobe say "I don’t believe in the prophecy, I believe in Neo". And in Revolutions, there are several more poignant messages about the Power of Belief.

Oracle: He doesn't understand them - he can't. To him they are variables in an equation. One at a time each variable must be solved and countered. That's his purpose: to balance an equation.
Neo: What's your purpose?
Oracle: To unbalance it.

Lastly, Balance is a huge message in Revolutions. Heck, even the idea of a revolution itself requires balance. What happens if you don't balance your tires on your car, or if you don't balance the load in the washing machine? Everything that revolves needs balance, and there are examples of balance spewing out all over the place in this movie. Some examples are: Smith Balances Neo (hard to get any more obvious than that), Commander Lock balances Morpheus, Persephone balances The Merovingian, and so on. In a recent interview with Lawrence Fishburn (Morpheus), he said that the first film was about birth, the second film was about life, and the third was about death. This illustrates that the message of balance is pervasive through all three films. Everything that has a birth, must also have death.

To sum up Revolutions, I think it is phenomenal.

"Action and zis consequence." - Action: I watched Matrix Revolutions
Consequence: I have to write my reflections on my blog.

Since " Everything that has a beginning has an end", well u have come to the end and this blog has no more purpose and will soon be deleted.

P.S. I should be supporting Lord of the Rings, not Matrix.

2003-11-23T07:04:00.000+08:00

REFLECTIONS

Jus found this e-mail. Tot it was very interesting and stimulates us to ponder:

Moving Thoughts

Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the
right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to
be grateful for that gift.

When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often
times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has
been opened for us.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and
swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the
best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it,
but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it
arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll
love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in
their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a
minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love
someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even
that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a
smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart
smile

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you
just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what
you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the
things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials
to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you
happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts
you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of
everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their
way.

Happiness lives for those who cry, those who hurt, those who
have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the
importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile,
grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be
based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of
your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was
smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling
and everyone around you is crying.

2003-11-20T22:48:00.000+08:00

THE EXAMS ARE OVER!

Wow! I can't believe it! It's over! It's over! It's over! (repeated 100 times) It's finally over!
Jus like I said in the previous blog: If the 'O's can come, it can also go quickly too!

The Geog exam ended jus 4 minutes before actual dimissal time. Actually I wanted to hang out in Orchard but realised that none of the shops are opened at all. Damn it! So went home and SLACK for a while. Tried to modify my blog. See the changes?

After that upload a few good return of the kings pictures in a photo album.
P.S.: Jus go to 'Mirror of Galadriel' and click lotr pics. Enjoy!

Anyway found an article in Life! that The Lord of the Rings movie marathon was on. Tickets were on sale today. Having Singaporean blood made me kinda 'kiasu' and being a fan goaded me to want to queue up. But at Cathay Cineleisure, nobody was at the box office!!!!!!

I asked the girl at the box office. She said I could go online to buy the tickets at midnight. (loser right?)

After Cine, went to Sim Lim to see some games. (Jus to compare prices) Found out that all stalls sold them at the same price. Too bad!

Bin having a busy day despite no exams the next day.......Keeps me alive.....

Gotta go and catch some vcds! ..... .......

2003-11-08T19:41:00.000+08:00

COUNTDOWN TO END OF 'O'S

Countdown to end of 'O's: 12 days

So xian! Still got 12 days more.... The 'O's 'have displaced the mirth, with most admired disorder!'

Anyway time seems to pass so fast and if the 'O's have come so quickly, it could also pass by that quickly. Got a number of good things gonna happen after the 'O's, so got some motivation anyway. There's Christmas coming.... Whao!

Still managed to get some good pictures of the return of the king:

2003-10-31T19:02:00.000+08:00

HALLOWEEN

Booo! Was that scary? Anyway Happy Halloween!

Today, I was freaked out by this scary spell book: School textbook lah! The scary thing was that the words kept on coming out of the book and encircled my head. I felt a surge of electricity around me. Whao! Then this head of Isaac Newton came out followed by Hitler's, Chamberlain's, Rasputin's. Scary seah!

Anyway, still continued to studied and studied. Probably kenna affected by the "Bloody Muggers" curse. Despite that, I continued to tell myself that the prelims could come by so fast, then the 'o's will also past very fast.

Too bad, gonna miss the opening of The Matrix Revolution. Heard GV was going to show all 3 matrices in one day. Gonna have to miss this movie marathon. Sob...... Sob....... Nevertheless got some posters displayed:

2003-10-27T19:18:00.000+08:00

PRE-EXAM STRESS

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary... ...

MUG [mâg']
____________________________
n, 1 a fairly large cup for drinking from,
usually with straight sides and a handle;
2 the face of a person;
3 a person who is easily deceived;
verb, 4 to attack or rob somebody violently;
5 to try to learn or revise something

A week more and the 'O's will officially begin. I guess that this week will be an intense week for me. Jus can't wait for 20th November 2003 (end of exams) and grad. dinner nite. After visiting all the open houses, I still not sure of which JC to choose to go to. Well, I after the 'O's I still have a few days to consider which JC to go to before the PAE.

While coming reading my email, I came across this story which was very interesting:

This is a true story that happened in Japan. In order to renovate the house, someone in Japan tears open the wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet. He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.

The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed!

So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, appears another lizard, with food in its mouth. Ahh! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...

Such love, such a beautiful love! Such love happened even with this tiny creature ... What can love do? It can do wonders! Love can do miracles! Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner. Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.

I was touched when I heard this story and started wondering about relationships between family members, friends, lovers, brothers, sisters. As information and communication technology advances, our access to information becomes faster and faster. But the distance between human beings . . . is it getting closer as well?

2003-10-22T20:50:00.000+08:00

BIOLOGY PRACTICAL AND THE AFTER..........

Ah! Finally managed to clear the first hurdle. Thank God! The paper was relatively easy compared to Lim Siew Mei's Bio Pract in the prelims. We were asked to draw a legume (I think it's Clitoria). Following that we were asked to draw the adjacent seeds. Got quite a problem with the word 'adjacent'. I drew the seeds in a straight line cos I thought of "adjacent angles in a straight line." HaHa! Next we were asked "to outline how to investigate the nutritional value of W1. (4 marks)" It was a very awkward question to me. How could they possibly asked us to write out all the food tests within 6 lines? Crazy right? Well, I just describe 2 tests and briefly mentioned the other 2. Hope it's acceptable???

Next came the leaf....(Another leaf......*sigh*). The fact was that this question was easy. They told us how to estimate the surface area of the leaf and how to get an accurate one. Then we were made to " outline how to find the estimate for the surface area" of a leaf that consisted of leaflets. This one stumped me. Must give the figures or not or just write the method out since it was picture?

We proceeded to the LT for quarantined. Here we watched Legally Blonde. It was a thrilling and exciting show especially at the intro (hee hee!) Well for the first thing, I was amazed how Elle Wood (who is the main character ) got into Harvard Law School. What inspired me was that she managed to solve the case by her 'fashion' knowledge. Impressive! Something about not washing your hair 2 hrs after your perm..... I guess it must be fun being a lawyer. Ha Ha! Mrs Chan also bothered to buy some chocolates to eat. (from Marks and Spencer! Whao!) So nice of her.

" The law is free " Aristotle

2003-10-17T23:19:00.000+08:00

SECONDARY 4 FAREWELL PARALITURGY AND CELEBRATION

I'm so damn bloody tired to write this as I had a long day since morning, but I'm writing this so that if one day if I might get amnesia I might not forget this very significant event in my history.

"Today we gather to bid farewell to our seniors, the Sec 4" goes our principal, Mr Lui. Never will I expect that this very day has come and all the memories that I have cherished in SJI will officially conclude here. But to me, the fun and laughter never ends...........

Before morning assembly we had the song "Graduation" by Vitamin C which I will post the the lyrics at the bottom.

For me, the first striking moment I had was that Mrs Tan came to class to give us some cupcakes for us to eat. She bought exactly 34 for us to eat but if I 'm not mistaken, 4 pieces will left behind (wonder who's allergic to cupcakes!) Anyway, I really must thank her for allowing me to have an empty stomach as I only ate 2 pieces of tau sa bao this morning...... There was some photo taking going on around at that time and some were putting up messages into the envelopes at the back of the class. So sweet right? I guess tis was to kill time before proceeding to the hall......

In the hall, I was amazed by the balloons they had placed. "Like funfair" I tot to meself. The theme for our paraliturgy was " WHEREVER YOUR FEET TAKE YOU" I felt that it was a very appropiate theme as in our lives, our feet r our God, our parents, friends, relatives and eventually our spouse. In SJI, I 've really got to thank these "feet" of mine.

On the booklet, it said too:

SJI AND BEYOND
Always open to:
The Adventure of
Life, Hope and Love

As a start to the paraliturgy, we had a prayer session with Friar Mike leading. I guess I must indeed thank this spiritual "feet" of mine for guiding me through my life. After that we had a reading from an excerpt from the novel The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery . A summary: 'This boy drew a boa constrictor eating an elephant and the adults tot it was a hat ( Drawing No.1) Then he drew the inside of the snakes's body (Drawing No. 2). The adults ask him to lay aside his drawings and he then devoted himself as he grew up to geography, history, arithmetic and grammar and eventually becoming a pilot. Eventually he never tok abt boa constrictors again...'

We had a reflection on this story by Bro Mike. Firstly, wat strucked me was his introduction when he said :" Wat is a good story? Well, every story is a good story because they relate to our lives. Some stories tell us about our lives while others show us wat our lives are." He then told us that there is a child inside of us. We need to exhibit this child-likeness and not our childishness. There's a diff. The latter being not responsible. He also shared an anecdote when he attended a wedding dinner of an ex-josephian and a guest (also an ex-josephian)'s wife told Bro Mike that when they wanted to move house, they dared not invite any guest cos there was only 2 furniture: mattress and tv as her husband wanted to watch the World Cup! HAHAHAHA!

After that we had our reflection. We were given a sheet of paper to fold into a star. B4 that, we wrote the names of 4 individuals who have been there to help us. We folded the star and joined there to a string and it was hand on the grill of the gallery. Got a couple of photos.

CF then began his speech to us. He told us that our journey in SJI was a cycle. We first came to sit in the front in Sec 1, then moved to the centre in Sec.2 and eventually to the back in Sec 3. In Sec 4 we moved to the gallery and today we sat in the front again to complete the cycle. Rather symbolic. He also told us to cherish the moments both good and bad in SJI. I could tell that from his tone he wanted to cry but was trying had to hide his feelings (Not sure whether u noticed that at all?) In fact I really missed the good ol' days when the "who" was scouting the school like a phantom.... HAHAHA!

The next session was more exciting and our teachers got to go and sing the song: I hope u dance. It was exhilarating to see them displaying their musical 'talents' Hahahaha. Surprisingly Mrs Tan took the initiative to be the first solo singer. We salute u! The lyrics of this song is below too.

After that was the pinning of badges. This to me was the most significant event of the ceremony. TCP and John Con walked down the aisle of 401 and pinned the badges to each individual in the class and said some words and encouragement. For me this was the most touching moment in my whole school life. Feelings of sadness and desire not to part surfaced in me. I wanted to cry as friar commented before this session that "this is the part where u can see that boys also cry." Indeed it's true. Nevertheless, I did my best to conceal my feelings. I could still recall the words that TCP said to each one of us. " Be a man of integrity and a man for others. Wish u all the best." Every time I think of this I really do feel like crying. Following the pinning, Mrs Tan hugged us. After the pinning, I realized that Mrs Tan was crying too. I realized that Mrs Tan missed us all and we have bin 'one of the best 401' as commented by Gareth in his prayer. Even though, we had bin a difficult class to control, she still showed her love to each one of us. God Bless TCP!

We then sang "We are Friends" again and was led by Zenas, the 'Friend of all friends" and "overnight sensation."

After that we had the farewell ceremony with the whole school community and the awards were given out. I was extremely extremely extremely surprised that Lawrence house had won the House Championship! As Mr Arul commented from "rags to riches" 3 cheers and 3 cheers and 3 cheers for Lawrence! Hip hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurry!

Finally this ceremony came to a close as Mr Alfred Nathan rang the school bell in the hall and the band played the school rally. We walked out of the school hall proudly. I felt like a king, so majestic!

We then proceeded back to class. It was raining. In class, TCP gave back our report book and NAPFA result slips. Thank God I had an acceptable weight. We cleaned up the class and Gareth finally told us to take our envelopes down. Wow! I was surprised that I got quite a number of mail. I was especially impressed by the poem Zenas wrote to each one of us. I really had the true meaning of friendship. See below for the poem.

Then we had the class awards. Well I managed to record it down and will place it below. The results are us follows:

AND THE 2003 401 OSCARS GOES TO............

Mugger Scholar
Soon Kit

Mugger S'porean
Sara

Smart Pants Scholar
Hokito

Smart Pants S'porean
Eddie

Act Cute
Daren

" pon-ten" king
Dwayne

Big Mouth
-nil-

Best Prefect
Kenny

Worst prefect
Gerard

'ON' King
Chris

Slackin' CCA
Johnny

Smelly King
Yi Ming

Biggest Balls (got guts)
Peter

Suck-up King
Aylwyn

Sleeper
Kenny

Quietest
Wee Hsien

Friend of all friends
Zenas

Prayerful
Richard

Kiasu
Johnny

Complain King
Gareth

Shuai!
Chris

Joker
Paul

(Best) Social Scholar
Stephan

Slacker
Peter

After that we had our class t-shirt. Thanks to the splendid design by Ben Wang and the collection of the tees by Richard.

SLACK ['slak]
_________________
adj, 1 loose and not pulled tight;
2 with less business activity than usual
3 not taking enough care to do things correctly
verb, 4 to not work as quickly as you should;
5 401

Finally, the day ended to a close as we were dismissed. We then went around the school to give class T-shirts to teachers: Mrs Tan, Mr Ang, Mr Wong, Mr Con, Mrs Chan, Ms Goh........ I then went with Stephan to take photos around the school for landmarks significant to my journey in SJI.

Soon 24 of us embarked on our journey to Seoul Gardens at Ngee Ann City and we met Mrs Lim Siew Mei and her class of 403 there. We managed to eat our fill that afternoon and it was a wonderful trip down there. I ate about 4 kg of beef. It was most interesting to sit with Peter, Paul and Ching as I could see that the were "excellent" chefs! Ha ha ! Egg soup that spilled all over the barbeque 'pit'. I confess that I took quite a lot of food. Well if it comes to having a buffet, I'm extremely kiasu!

After finishing some cockles, Johnny then came and asked me if I liked cockles. This sparked it all. A challenge. I did not intend for it to happen but too bad, things were heading this way. Johnny, Xiangzheng and Aston challenged to eat more cockles, clams than me. Everyone was shocked by my 'gluttony'. HaHaHa! At that same moment there was also competition between Gareth, Handy and Daryl to see who could eat the most scoops of ice-cream. Gareth won! Well, I guess Seoul Gardens is going to close it's doors to Josephians in the future........

After eating, we walked to the fountain in front of Ngee Ann and Ben approached this Negro to take a photo for us. It was excellent. See my photos. We walked with a heavy stomach to Heeren and paid a visit to HMV for approximately 20 mins. We soon split and I, Gareth and Daryl took the MRT home. I soon left in the NEL all the way home........

Well that is my STORY of the 17th of October 2003. This day has left an indelible mark in my life. I feel that today marks the beginning of a new journey for me and my peers. Whether this day has left an impression on you or not is up to you but I believe that this day is significant for all of us from SJI. It did for me. Well, as Shakespeare said: "All's Well That Ends Well" , my life in SJI has indeed started well, journeyed well and ended well today. I must therefore extend my sincere inexhaustible thanks to you my friends, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. God Bless and Ora et Labora.

GRADUATION (By Vitamin C)

1 - As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with a tan
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

Repeat 1

La, la, la, laÃ¢ÂÂ¦
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, laÃ¢ÂÂ¦
We will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly.

I HOPE YOU DANCE (by Lee Ann Womack)
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Time to lay it Down (by Zenas)

We transversed the time of 10 thousand miles
The stars trailed our paths, the moon illumed our smiles
We heard the chorus of dawn, and laughed at tis sound
And when it came upon us, we realised.... we had to lay it down...

I treaded a path forged in dreams
You sojourned your road of valour
But when we closed this book of wealth
We discovered we were all the authors of its treasure...

Friendship blossoms, swathed in the crystal dew
Yet those who contemplate it are indeed few
When they ran, seeking it out before the day
The blight of gale seized it away...

Perhaps if I could, before it fades
Grasp the glist;ning sparks of light
And paint the ebony in shades of jade
If I just could...and I just might...

Some day, I hope we shall see glided skies
And reflect upon the grandeur of the worlds
And be where I know you truly are my friends
And the night were as the morn, which has no end...

2003-10-15T20:44:00.000+08:00

FRIENDSHIP

Today I was awaken by a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder..... Was 5.45 am........Gotta go to school... I whispered to myself silently lest someone tot I was mad or something.

As I sat my dad's car to school, I listened to the radio and surprisingly, someone wanted to dedicate the song " At the Beginning" (see below entry for lyrics) to his group of graduating classmates from NUS. ( wonder whether his friends would listen to him so early in the morning) This made me ponder on my last 4 years that I spent in school. Was it a time well spent? Did I really gain much experience? Was I happy? Those were the questions that came out from my mind as the song was played on air. Time indeed passed very fast... It is usually those times when we are happy and enjoying ourselves that time seems to pass so quickly like an arrow passing through the air. Yet when we are miserable, desperate and depressed, clinging to the edge of the cliff of life that those horrible moments seem to pass inevitably slow like a crawling snail................ Well I guess this is life..... God made time relative so that we would never take our friends, family, relatives for granted and cherish those moments together. At the same time, He made those terrible moments seemed longer so that we would grow hardier and stronger as we climb up from the abyss to see the light.

While revising, I accidentally came across an assignment in my English file that Ms Goh made us do at the beginning of this year. We were required to reflect on a poem by John Updike and at the same time do a journal entry on feelings coming back to school after the presumably long December vacation. As I read my entry, I felt so guiltly and regretful. The then-me was so full of ignorance, so full of negligence that this is the last year in SJI. In addition, I used to say things like " It's only a long way to go. What for make such a big deal over my last year. Die die still have to take o levels. Go to school so xian! Anyway October still long long way to go. No need to worry about lah!", blah blah blah and other excuses ......... Well now it's already mid-october and I guess I have to eat my words.......

Hence, from today till Friday, i will be dedicating quotes regarding friendship yo my friends, teachers, classmates, principals and even the school cleaners who have in one way or another have communicated with me... Thank You very much...... Hope these quotes will inspire u... Enjoy

"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."
- Euripides, Greek playwright

"... no man is useless
while he has a friend."
- Robert Louis Stevenson

"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with."
- Mark Twain

"I count myselt in nothing else so happy
As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."
- William Shakespeare

"Friends have all things in common."
- Plato

2003-10-07T18:49:00.000+08:00

Post- Prelim Day

It wasn't very nice to wake up early after staying up late last night. At school, I played UNO before assembly. Choy was damn lame, trying to play UNO with 1 card and I got caught for not saying "UNO" when he gave me 1 card. I won't want to play with him anymore.

Then, in class before bio lesson, gareth introduced our class masterpiece, Our Class T-Shirt designed by ben wang. Many people soon objected to having a cartoon of MJ (Michael Jackson) at the back. Personally, I feel that the MJ picture should not be there as people might think that we are MJ fanatics and wish for a trip to NeverLand........ Ha Ha......

In Bio lesson, Mrs Lim (lsm) talked to us about not to be disappointed by our prelim results as it is not the end... still got o levels. Quite inspirating after all. When Mr Ang came, we had A-Math June paper to do. Then we began discussing about how to repair Mr Ang's faulty MSN. Solutions such as reformatting came out.. Funny leh! Personally, I feel that based on Mr Ang's financial situation as a teacher in SJI, he should be able to get a new computer with Win XP!

PE was relatively slack as there was relay..... Too bad there was no 4 x 100m or else I would have ran. Can't run long distances. Anyway the relay by TAF students was exhilarating. Thank God I'm not fat and I would never wish to be one...... Ha hA. Surprising Sara started off with second position with Choy (by the way, Choy is not a TAF member and so it's not fair) Shouldn't we "ACT JUSTLY" ?

Physics was not that mentally taxing as Mr Chin gave us TKGS 2003 Prelim Paper to do. He informed us that the Pope had passed away that morning. I express my grief........

During Chinese period I struggled through my history elective homework on a SBQ about Russia's NEP which the sources don't make sense at all.

As I did my assignments, i saw 2158 students walking around the classroom muttering 2158 essays out. Wonder if they are doing a Gregorian chant.... Ommmm....Ommmm. Even gerard was sleeping and his mouth was moving......So stressed....... Thank God I did not choose to take History 2158 as a full humaniti

2003-10-06T20:01:00.000+08:00

Preliminary Results released!

The day finally. I carried this heavy feeling of heaviness and pessimism as I trudged my heavy footsteps to school. I was surprised that many people were playing cards just before the talk by CF and John Con. Felt very sleepy during the talk cos slept very late last night.

Back at class, we waited patiently for TCP to hand us our exam scripts. Had expected to screw up English, but amnaged to secure aN A2. Damn it. I miss a mark to get an A1. Tracy Goh brought down my Compo from a 31 to 30. If I had gotten 31 score would have been 74.86 which means I'll get an A1.
Tried to beg Ms Goh but too bad......

At least all my subjects are an A. Quite Satisfied Anyway.......

English Language: 74 A2 (Damn it!)
Chinese Language: - A1
Elementary Math: 91 A1
Additional Math: 88 A1
Biology: 80 A1
Chemistry: 89 A1
Physics: 79 A1
Geography: 81 A1
Combined Human. 80 A1

CCA: - A2

No. of Points: 7

THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD

The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need
He lets me rest in fields ogf green grass,
and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness,
bringing honour to his name.

Even if I should walk in the dark valley of death,
I shall not be afraid, for you are right beside me,
your rod and your staff guide and comfort me.

You prepare a banquet for me in the presence of my enemies
You welcome me as a honoured guest.
You annoint my head with oil,
My cup overflows with blessings

Surely all goodness and unfailing love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

(Psalm 23)

2003-10-05T22:22:00.000+08:00

151st Speech and Graduation Day

Ahhh! The day has finally arrived - Graduation. (4 Oct 2003) Indeed time seems to pass inevitably fast. Remembering myself 4 years ago as a pewny little blur sec 1 to become a prospective person and as Mrs Tan says a " promising leader". Wow!

Nevertheless, this day was a busy day. I woked up early in the morning to go cycling at East Coast. Accelerated at immense speeds initially but soon cramps began to surface and I began to slow down. Took a rest at Bedok Jetty to enjoy the pleasant sea breeze.

Following that exhilarating experience, I went home to take a bath and eat my lunch. After my bath, I immediately watched X-Men: Evolution which I had taped earlier. Did a few sketching of marvel action heros on a sketch book.

After lunch, I prepared myself for this evening's graduation ceremony. Embarked from my house at 2.30 to Paya Lebar MRT Station to take 154 to school. At school. of all persons to meet, it was Xena! She "urged" me get the Friday Weekly newspaper as she had collected a stack of 4 weeks worth of issue. Please lah! Chinese paper over already lor!

In class, I was surprised to see most people playing cards. Aston attempted to perform his magic trick before me but Daryl and me managed to see thru his trick. He was abashed! Later Mrs Tan appeared with a stunning bright blue dress. It was amazing. She was gorgeous that evening. The sparkling sapphire blue emitted radiant beams that keep our eyes staring at her for a minute. The quiet TCP was soon transformed to a movie supermodel! The story of Cinderalla! Whoa!

We then began a series of photo taking in class, as all of us gathered at the back of the class. We walked to the hall. Most parents had arrived early and parents were starting to fill up the upper levels. The ceremony began soon and started promptly at 5 pm as we waited patiently. CF urged us to turn off our phones(if we had one).

Soon began a series of long speeches by the principal (Oh God!) Then by the guest of honour, an old boy, some Mr Wong who is a CEO of some SembCorp. Amazing! Maybe someday i'll be one? Thank God, I bought some M&Ms to chew during the speeches to keep awake.

Next, it was 401's turn to receive their certificates. I waited for my turn to walk up the stage. So caught up with my POSTURE (does it sound like someone) that I took gareth's certificate by accident!

Overall, the best class presenter was TCP! She had that posture and body language that was splendid. Any way following that was the presention of awards. My sincere congrats to Ben, Salman, Kenny, Kenneth and others.

It was "exhilarating" and "entertaining" to hear Zenas ('friend of all friends' as CF says) to sing. I guess he could not sleep that night.

After that, we proceeded for the reception. Man! It was so crowded. I can't be bothered to queue for food. I so desperately tried to find teachers and friends to get photos with. Sweating like shit that time.

Took bus with some '01 and '02 people to P.S. for dinner. Unfortunately, Swensens was so damn bloody crowded that we forfeited our dinner there. We then reached the food court to eat. Had beef noodles that tasted like duck noodles! Yuck! Daryl, Max and Paul ordered BANANA SPLIT and we cracked a joke that their banana had splited! Those that ordered the splits tried to feed each other with cherries by smearing the cream all over their mouth. Sick right!

Finally we went opposite to a cafe in Istana park. Was so expensive that i just drank the free water! Whao! Cheap right!

Anyway, I really miss SJI and all the pleasant and unpleasant memories, my friends, teachers and the graduation. Well as " life is journey we want to keep going" , life still goes on.........

Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you

graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the

last day of your life. If you can grasp that , you'll make

a difference.

- Arie Pencovici

Friends

A friend is someone we turn to
when our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure
for our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
with beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the whole world we live in
a better and happier place.

- Jean Kyler McManus

At The Beginning

We were strangers starting out on a journey
Never dreaming what we'd have to go through
Now here we are, and I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you

No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected, what you did to my heart
When I lost hope, you were there to remind me
This is the start...

Chorus:
Life is a road, and I want to keep going
Life is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
At the end I want to be standing at the beginning with you

We were strangers on a crazy adventure
Never dreaming how our dreams could come true
Now here we stand, unafraid of the future
At the beginning with you

~Chorus~

I knew there was somebody somewhere
Like me alone in the dark
Now I know my dream will live on
I've been waiting so long
Nothing's going to tear us apart

~Chorus~

And life is a road and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Starting out on a journey
Life is a road and I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you...

2003-10-02T01:15:00.000+08:00

Pictures from The Two Towers
here are some pics from ttt: extended version. bet u never seen before. so enjoy!

2003-10-01T23:44:00.000+08:00

Pictures from The Return of the King
I bet that's wat you're waiting for. Want some spoilers. Take a look!
Aragorn is totally different
Whao! ARWEN IS SO DAMN BLOODY PRETTY! liv tyler rocks!
what's this CGI doing here????? my precciiiioooouuussss! our precious! Can he be trusted?
invincible this time is an armour of white.
The steward of Gondor
The shield Maiden
the hero!
This is so cool!
Gandalf rides to minas tirith
Aragorn enters the paths of the dead
Rohirrim Charge Across the Pelennor Fields