And Life Goes On?

It's time to move on

2010-07-22T20:58:00.000+08:00

I'm moving on....to another place...so from now on, I'll be writing at this place http://sitikotup.vox.com/.

This place is just getting to stale for me.....So look for me at the above link....

2007-07-10T22:42:00.000+08:00

Again no words, just a collage of some of the pictures. Been busy and will be busy for the rest of the week. So, most prob will post more and talk about it on the weekends. Now, I'll just post the pictures and be off to return to my lesson plans...

The start of something new

2007-06-20T22:53:00.000+08:00

The start of the madness went well...I think. Met a few familiar faces here and there and somehow it made me feel like competition is really great ya...Anyway, Next week is the start of the Enhanced School Experience and I really am worried yet excited. The "what if"s questions start popping out in my head but no matter what, I'll stay true to what I believe in and do whatever I can! Gambatte! Although I've passed the school, I'm not really sure of the culture and atmosphere of the school that I've been assigned with. Hopefully I'll adapt. Haha, I don't sound that optimistic is it? Well, let's just say that I blame it on the layout of the university. It's so freaking confusing and directions are really sparse, I can tell you that!!! It really makes me ashamed of how I took NUS for granted in terms of the signages and all. I mean, I really have to rely on gut feeling on which busstop to alight---that's sad right? Oh well, hopefully it'll get better tomorrow. A full day of talks tomorrow. Heard from a senior ( basically she comes in with an honours degree in geog) that I made friends with on registration day ( let's just say lost souls gather together...yes, I got lost on my first day!) that the talks would be the usual stuff and it would be a tiring boring long day. Hmm, oh well, got used to it already.

Oh and I heard around that out of the 50 honours students who are graduating this year, only 3 got 1st class! Like what?! I thought that batch had a lot of potential 1st class people...and only 3 got it?! Heard also that Geog Thought is hard....don't mean to scare my fellow friends out there...just that according to sources, the content is just not as straight-cut as it is. So do well for that module or should I say modules ya people?! Since, you need to pass it in order to move on. I'm sure you all can do it!

Ok da, I'm off surfing. Haven't been feeling that well lately, It's the flu bug and basically I have just started on the fever and blocked nose stage....sigh, hopefully I don't accidentally fall asleep during class tomorrow. It'll be embarrassing since it'll be in a seminar room.

Yasin Bungalow, Trikora Beach, Bintan

2007-06-19T01:23:00.000+08:00

No words yet...just pictures...although a sore throat is not a good reason to explain the lack of description...just that I'm not at my best form, so the mind is not thinking that well....will talk about the trip later....for now, hope the pictures can give at least a vague picture.

1st day....

Look at it in sequence...tt's how the tide came in..changing the dry land into a beautiful sea

Our own private beach spot near the bungalow

Last night, barbeque night!

Dawn of the last day

Off we go exploring the rock "island" that seemed unreachable during high tide...all it took was the morning dry "wetland" to reach those beautiful rocks. Wong Poh Poh would be interested in this place!

2007-06-09T23:31:00.000+08:00

My youngest brother is in hospital. Nothing serious really, according to the doctor. So far, he's in under observation. It is all because of the blood found in his urine. If not for the fact that he just came back from camp yesterday and has a sore throat, we wouldn't have really found out whether the blood in urine is ok or not. I hope it's nothing serious...I believe it is nothing serious.

But the whole experience reawakened a familiar experience that I want to avoid having. It made me think about my late father. I was there when the news was broken to him. I was there with him in the first hospital visit that started that whole experience.

Now, I am here when the doctor told my brother that he should go to the hospital to get his condition checked. I was there when he was admitted in.

No matter how I try to think positive and be calm about it, that fear is always at the back of my head. That insecurity will always haunt me. No matter how I try to forget, memories of pain and tears tug my heart. Memories of how I question the meaning of life and why one has to suffer such pain.

I know that I should not dwell too deep into it, but it's easier said than done.When a member is missing in the house because of an illness, it brings unease. It's just a different atmosphere, no matter how normal we want things to look like.

Hopefully, he gets discharged tomorrow with no grave matter to report about. I just am not ready to face another similar experience all over again. Not anytime soon, not ever....

Cool And Soul

2007-06-08T23:04:00.000+08:00

I'm still in love with the boys...and the more I read about them and watch them, the more I love them. Watching other groups, I cannot help comparing and when I start comparing I see why I love them. They really are appreciative of their fans and really are polite to them and really do take the fans' interest to heart. And when they do anything, they work hard to give their best; even if it means going out of their comfort zones. Their songs are always inspiring and together with the inspiring lyrics comes the sincerity that one can sense from their voices. Alway love and look forward to the translations of their lyrics. Always find deep meaning of friendship and strength in their songs. Thank you for the music, Arashi!

2007-06-08T22:36:00.000+08:00

Weird things always happen to my family. Seriously. I mean, how many people find a bird flying into their homes at night and then somehow refuse to fly out? Not to mention, the house phone seem to have problems only when my mom is calling her friends or relatives. Like huh?

Anyway, I haven't been blogging not because there's nothing to talk about but more of being lazy to say it all out. In summary, in June, I'm broke because

1) Arashi's album is coming out and pre-ordering was a heart attack nightmare! I didn't know the pre-order was up until about 12 hours after they sent out the newsletter. And it was out of print by the time I knew about it. Damn, I thought it was like the same situation like the AAA dvd and was berating myself for not logging on in the morning. However, surfing around forums and all, I found out that it was out of print 30 MINUTES after the newsletter was sent out! Like 30 freaking minuates! That's freaking fast! But it shows that Arashi is becoming more popular neh! Anyway, managed to get my pre-order after CDJapan decided to provide a 2nd-run. Didn't take any chances and immediately clicked it like mad! Haha, and it's a good thing too because the next time I logged on, it was sold out again. Can't wait to get it! 11 JULY!!!

2) Just found out that I have 1 month school experience before the NIE training. I mean, I know about it but I totally forgot about it. And here I was thinking and even planning with Sharifah to have a short trip to Bintan in July. It's a good thing the person reminded me today about it. SO, basically, we're planning to bring forward the trip to next week. Hopefully planning will be ok and we'll be off next week. But it also means, more spending, more money flying out...

3) And because of the 1 month issue, it basically means I have to get proper clothes. Like, not those for going out kind---something that I was planning to do in late June and early July. While the Great Singapore Sale is on, it's still money flying out! And it doesn't help that I haven't really received my May pay yet, what more my June pay.

Haiz, money out fast such that the money coming in doesn't stay long enough to warm itself in the bank...Whatever it is, I'm consoling myself of the fact that it's just one of the few times I actually do spend my money in large amounts...I think

2007-06-02T23:44:00.000+08:00

I'm thinking of a change. Like moving to another place to blog. Getting sick of Blogger. Anyway, I just bought my mp4. Yay, 2 months' pay is well worth it! Seriously.

Suffering from AAA fever

2007-05-29T23:12:00.000+08:00

Got my AAA on Saturday.
Skipped my tuition so that I could watch the whole 5 1/2 hrs of it
But because of the screams I made and the loud volume which I purposely put on, could only watch the Taipei concert.
Next day, watched the rest and as usual screamed and gushed.
Lucky for my limited Chinese, I was able to understand their MC segment.
Jun looks good in purple.
He looks sexy every time he winks at the camera and when he licks his lips and when he sticks his tounge out.
Sho look ravishing in red.
His rap is as cool as ever and his smile---faintz ***
Ohno is sooo kakkoi with his dance moves and his honey sugar voice
Nino is great as the performer that he is
Aiba is still as baka and kawaii as ever
Wants to watch again but it's not that possible because everybody's at home.
Will wait until I get my MP4 and will transfer it there so that I can watch it again and again.
I'm really very extreme with this DVD.
Did not let anybody touched it, not even a little. Don't want anyone to contaminate my precious baby.
Went to the extent of hiding it in a safe place which nobody could, so far, guess.
Simply hate people touching my precious stuff, especially after my sis borrowed my HYD dvd without my permisson.
Call me selfish or a b****, I don't care.
My S$120 and 2 months wait is so worth it!
Now, if only I can attend at least one concert.
Even if it means going to Taiwan...

2007-05-24T22:24:00.000+08:00

I'm alive...although I'm dying inside...

Tomorrow's the day and I'm feeling scared.

Been busy this week handling the admin stuff, what with visiting the bank.

Despite the fact that I've been staying at home and just warming the house up, I always go broke by the middle of the week.

Why? Because I've been participating in online auctions...and so shop shop shop all those dvds and cds that are hard to get.

Sadness...but I don't regret those spending sprees because most of them are limited editions. So, I'm excited because next week is mail delivery week!

Dealing with the registration for NIE made me feel that registering for NUS was somehow more simple and manageable. Somehow, everything seem so messy and all. Haiz, maybe because it's the anxiety pang that makes me a little muddle-headed.

Anyway, on the bright side, I finally got my Debit card - which you can guess will lead to more online spending. And I finally got the GST Offset package done up. SO more money...more spending?

Still have to wishes left on the wishlist. An MP4 and a new handphone. So far, the plan to get them is still on the right course. By end of the month, my pay should cover the other half of the cost for the MP4. Takes 2 months of pay to have this one, so it better be available. Or better yet at a good discount especially since the GSS is on. The handphone will only materialise in September....when the plan is up. The model should be much cheaper by then.

So, all the best for tomorrow. Busy day again for me. Off to the Bank again to get the BG done and send the registration envelope. Haiz, so leceh....

Happy dream despite the heat

2007-05-15T22:31:00.000+08:00

I had a wonderful dream; something that I have not had for a long time. It wasn't anything special but it sure put a smile on my face when I woke up. Usually, I would be like a grumpy bear which is normally considering it is an afternoon nap. But really, I woke up feeling happy and satisfied.

What was the dream you ask? Well, it was me and some other guy just joking around and having fun. Basically we were laughing and just playing together. Although the background scene was weird - It was a Whitney Houston concert. I mean, I'm not really a fan of her and it's weird that we manage to joke and play around without other people noticing us. But whatever...I mean, I felt happy even though I don't even know who that guy friend was. He was faceless, as in I didn't see his face, just that he's of big, sturdy built--like a sportsman-kind. I hope it's like those kind of dejavu thing where it happens in the future. Ok, maybe background should change and I don't care who that other person is. At least, I want to experience the same kind of experience.

Speaking of dejavu, I think that it is really true for me. I do feel like I've dreamed about many of the mundane and special experiences before it happened. And the thing is, a lot of these experiences are dreams that are from many years ago. Meaning that I dreamed them when I was in my early teens. Weird huh? I thought maybe they are coincidences but really, I'm beginning to believe that this is true. I mean, these experiences are not like near similar types...they are exactly as what I've dreamed of before. I wonder what it says about life.

Somehow, thinking about dejavu experiences, I think about Philosophy. Yes, that detestable module that brought me down to the ground like a heap of shapeless mass. But really, despite the hatred and disgust I have for the module, it was amazing that i could remember that there was some link between Philosophy and dejavu. I can't really remember the details but it was something about how we live our lives over and over again and that's why we have dejavu experiences. Right? Maybe I'm wrong, I don't really care.

Woah, haha. I'm surprised. Wanted to talk about that happy dream and transcended to Philosophy. Haha, weird. But whatever. At least my mood has improved....

Growing up

2007-05-15T10:34:00.000+08:00

When you receive a letter from the CPF board, you know that you are now officially at that age where responsibilities are beginning to get serious and there no more asking others to help you out with it.

Oh well, take it one at a time and persevere on. Anyway, even if one has 'grown up', one can still depend on his/her support system to back him/her up.

On a side note, been seeing on friends' blogs and having conversations about commencement and taking photos in the studio. Well, not sure if I'll do the same. I mean, my mom was asking if I want to do so. You see, while I'm not against taking studio photos, I just feel like it's a little fake and cliche. Haha, I don't know la, I feel like doing something different. Like maybe instead of you taking a family photo in a grad gown, why not take a photo with your friends in the grad gown---one formal and the other informal. Haha, ok, I'm just not in the right frame of mind right now. But it sounds fun doesn't it?

Anyway, been doing nothing since the end of exams but read and watch movies/dramas online. Sometimes, I do feel like I am wasting time. But somehow, I feel like during this period I need to do such stuff. I mean, when else can I get such a period to waste away.

but I wouldn't call this period purely stress-free. Got tuition to contribute the amount of stress and frustration I need. If there's one thing I hate when I teaching is to have toys on the table. I mean, you are there to study, not play. I can't tick off the kid just yet, coz I need to talk to the mother first---somebody whom I haven't seen since the first meeting due to her working shifts. Really, the kid is getting on my nerves simply because he thinks that I'm going to provide all the answers for him. Hah! No way, that's not my style of teaching. The more you say you don't know, the more I'll ask you about it. This is something that I've learned from having 3 other siblings and dealing with their nonsense. And I hope by the end of the month he gets the drift that I'm not there to provide miracles and give him all the answers. But I should not complain, after all I'll face more of such people in the future. For now, I'll just find ways to change that attitude of his and fast since it's nearly the middle of the year already.

Oh well, back to watching dramas online now. Ciao!

We Can Make It!

2007-05-07T10:43:00.000+08:00

I love their songs and the latest song is also the best. I love it when they wear formal outfits and the military outfits just makes me go "kyaa!". So cool and just sexy everyone of them! Especially Jun and Sho! Oh, I'm beginning to find Ohno and Aiba more adorable and talented especially Ohno with his paintings and sculptures. Nino is still ok-ok for me, altho many would disagree and say that he's talented and cute( He acted in Letters from Iwo Jima). Anyway, it's so nice to watch them individually. Colours are so happy and bright and cheerful!

Online Videos by Veoh.com

beating heart, gushing faces, stupidly spontaenous

2007-05-07T10:21:00.000+08:00

It's been a little over a week now since I've finished the exams and as I've told many people I had refused to go out of the house with the exception of the zoo on Saturday. And I enjoyed it in the best way possible. It's me and the Internet and the access to all the videos and pictures of my favourite guys. But really reflecting on what has been going on in my life, I seriously wonder what kind of teacher (insyaallah, I will be one). Why that doubt? Well, you see, I want so much to attend an Arashi concert and they are having 33 performances in July-August period. I was like bummed out to know that it's hard for overseas fans to go as you have to go through soome balloting system and have to be in JE fanclub and so on. So, a few days ago, there was the news that it may be possible for Singaporean fans to reserve tickets and go through the balloting process without having a valid Japan address. I was freaking ecstatic and was ready to go. My siblings reminded me that I commence duty in June and that I have school even if I managed to win the ballot. Me? I DON"T CARE! I was so serious about going to Japan, even if I know nothing about navigating around the place. But on hindsight, I was proud of myself because I was daring enough to think of traveling even if it means doing it alone in another country without any prior knowledge. I mean, I've always been timid about doing stuff alone and all, to have such thoughts must have been something really new and it shows how I can do anything if I'm serious about it.

But then, my rational mind took over me after a night of thinking (thankfully) and decided not to go and register for the reservation in the end. Though I did it with a very heavy heart ( I was in a depressed mood the whole of next day), I guess it's for the best since I must now think of the responsibilities I have. Oh well, I just wait until they have a performance somewhere nearer so that it'll be easier to go. Haha, it never ends does it! Or I can wait until next year and in the mean time find out more and gain more knowledge.

But ultimately, the whole thing made me think that I may not be the conventional teacher and most probably the a crazy one. But I don't care, this is me and this is how I've become. Idealistic, gushing fangirl...

Anyway, me and Sharifah made a promise that next year we'll go on a proper holiday; either to Japan or Taiwan ( you can guess who wanted where and for what reasons) and use the period to save up and learn more about the places...We can make it true! ( haha, only Arashians will understand)

2007-05-02T09:57:00.000+08:00

How cruel can life be? VERY! Just found out that those in the JE Fanclub gets 4 TIX EACH!!!! Oh I so want to be in it! But the catch is that you have to have a legitimate Japanese address....How cruel can life be?! I mean going to a concert is so far fetched now what more attending the concert on Jun's birthday?! Oh the misery...I can just imagine all the fans celebrating with Jun on his happy day....SOBZ!

2007-05-01T23:57:00.000+08:00

His royal highness-MatsuJun. Call me fangirl or some idealistic idiot but I love looking at his face every day. Makes my heart flutter. I wish to be in Japan to attend their concerts. But then getting a ticket is hard, what more being there....Haiz....

2007-04-27T00:29:00.000+08:00

I don't know why but I feel like crying....Maybe it's coz of the stress of today...or maybe it's something else...

Fight Song

2007-04-19T00:17:00.000+08:00

I'm not being biased or anything but don't you think this song befits its title?

English translation
Always being your same old self is good.
It's also a better thing to not say, "Why?"
Will you restart from there again?
This is the thing that really suits you the most.

A person is a person, and you are yourself.
If you try and compare to something else, then you will lose.
In ourselves we have the strength to never lose,
So no matter what type of wall it is, we will break through.

Occassionally, it's good to cry.
And it's okay for people to see your weak spot too.
But, don't get stuck there!
You can still do it, go for that dream you had before.

No matter how many words you say,
Only one word can be the best of all.
The first thing to do is step forward for yourself,
"Do your best" Even being that type of cheap guy is okay.

Even now, you might be worried about something,
Because it might be something that has been dented.
But, somewhere in the future with you,
We can laugh in agreement, we can make that path.

No matter how many words you say,
Only one word can be the best of all.
Come out from under that high place and continue up that slope.

Even now, you might be worried about something,
Because it might be something that has been dented.
After finally taking one step, you could start to walk again, couldn't you?
"Do your best" You see, it's really a suitable reason

Credits go to shin_sawada

2007-04-18T21:37:00.000+08:00

I don't understand Singaporeans. I mean you complain about having to pay 10 cents for using plastic bags. 10 cents mind you, not $10. You want to use plastic bags, then all the more you should pay for it! After all,nothing is free in this world. I'm glad that they took this action. Harsh or not, at least now you finally make your choice. Pay for your responsibility for contributing to the degradation in the world or realise your responsibility to help improve by doing your part. It's hard to start of course but practice makes perfect right? I'm no angel I have to admit that. If I need to get the plastic bag, by all means I'll pay for it. Why make a ruckus and big fuss about 10 cents. 10 cents is too much? Bah!

All good things must come to an end...

2007-04-15T18:54:00.000+08:00

My days in NUS is coming to an end...it has been a quiet yet interesting period. I like quiet because it means that I have not been running around (much) being busy with CCAs. There wer periods (many of them, I feel) where I was at the valley where I thought that all is lost. But the experiences I've gained, the lecturers I've met and the people I interacted have changed me in some ways. It may not be obvious changes but I have to admit that the way I think has differed from that a few years ago. I have indeed learned to make the first move, something I would not even have thought in the past. Geography, despite me complaining of its fieldwork emphasis, has become a part of my life. Little did I realise how much I learned from the interaction with people and I believe that Geography has helped me do just that. I may still be a little shy when interacting with strangers(especially with regards to interviews) but I am certainly now able to talk to the person beside me with ease if I want to. So, now the last hurdle will be the exams. I'll do my best in studying and at least maintaining whatever I have now. After all, nobody wants to have C+ s in their last exams right?

For those doing Honours, do your best ok?! After all, you should not waste all that effort spent building your CAP for the past 3 years. I'm sure you will learn a lot!

A little Retail Therapy

2007-04-08T20:02:00.000+08:00

I went 'crazy' today. Spent about $100 altogether on 3 CDs and 2 manga comics. each about $20. Amazing isn't it. Was a little guilty at first since I've never really bought everything at once but then I realised something. I rarely spend so I guess it's ok to go 'wild' once in a while. Well, I rather spend money on music than clothes. Who did I spend much money on....Who else? A_____. Anyway, off now to listen to my stuff...while trying to finish up on the IT assignment. It's really bugging me coz I feel like I know what they're asking for, yet it seems a little hard to answer. Oh well, concentrate concentrate!

Mae e Mae e

2007-04-07T10:27:00.000+08:00

Love this MV. Always cracks me up when I watch it. It's Sakura Sake by Arashi. The only Japanese boyband that I had liked since they came out. Still remember while people liked SMAP and V6 ( still not a fan of them, don't know why), I was so into Arashi. Nobody understood why I can like them. Now, everybody seems to be talking about them. I love all 5 guys especially MatsuJun and Sho (With Matsu acting as the Science teacher and Sho as the cool Geog teacher, wouldn't this girl be happy and high?!). They're all talented and cute to boot. Haha, it just goes to show that I have a good eye for talent eh? (pat self on the back) Anyway, people who are stressed out, listen to this and I assure you you will be amused.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Oops, I did it again

2007-04-07T10:20:00.000+08:00

I did it again. Just when I thought that I have enough, I accepted another tuition job. I don't know what to feel...Happy or bummed out....Haiz, I think I'm too nice sometimes. Let's hope these kids are not some terrors. Will start in May.

Slowly descending down to Earth...

2007-03-28T21:44:00.000+08:00

Yes, I'm still alive but not really back down on the ground with many distractions coming from YouTube and Veoh. Yes, I'm in the midst of fighting off temptations from watching Japanese dramas online and give my full concentration to the necessary stuff. Anyway, dropped in briefly to say that Sisters Island Fieldtrip was very fun and full of laughter although it was tiring and I was aching all over. Tiring was not because of the search of seedlings but more of because of the climbing of hills and the replanting activities at school. But it was all worth it I think since it's not often that you get to go out on such trips and learn a lot about places you wouldn't visit on a normal occasion. I would like to visit the place again though...maybe we should hire a boat there and have a picnic there or something.

Ok, back to reality of trying to finish up the perfumes and cosmetics project. Seriously, while I doubt the product we created will actually work in reality, the design is so nice....

Oh, during the journey to school today, there was this guy who boarded the bus from the same bus stop as me. He was sitting at the front, you know, the green seats while I was seating at those seats on the sides. Anyway, he seem to catch my eye as in he looked familiar for some reason. Thought at first that he looked like my cousin because of his hairstyle. But the more I looked at him, (I don't like to stare at people, so I took quick glances), it dawned on me why he looks so familiar!

He looked like Wu Zun. Ok, for your information, I like Wu Zun and all but I'm not infatuated until I try to link him to anything and everything. But that guy really looked like him. What's more he was wearing this long-sleeved green shirt and had this moody look that Wu Zun often had in Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu. Ok, he's not an exact replica coz e was a little shorter and not as buff as WZ. But really, how interesting is that? I finally know what it means when people say "Oh you look like this celebrity, so and so...". Dunno whether he was Chinese or Malay coz he was tanned and you cannot really tell.

Ok, talking over. Work now starts again. Tata! Oh, pictures-check the right side.

2007-03-14T23:13:00.000+08:00

Guys who look good when they have their shirts tucked in are generally good-looking to me. Don't believe me? Look at Wu Zun in Hana Kimi when he wears clothes apart from the school uniform...You'll see what I mean.

Bunch of good things rolling in...

2007-03-14T22:45:00.000+08:00

Bunch of good news happening at the end of the day despite the long dreary hours in school today. Thought that today will be a very blue day considering the dreary weather( it was pouring bad). Also, lecture was freaking boring...don't know why I couldn't concentrate today....He seem to be just droning and droning away.

Anyway, got back home and all the good stuff starts to pour in.

For one, I managed to watch the last 30 minutes of Hana Kimi which was rare on a school day ( last week didn't count since it was test week...oh don't get me started on that one!).

Two, "I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected for a permanent appointment to the Education Service as a General Education Officer(GEO) 1.2 (Untrained)" Not sure whether I'll go NIE immediately or do contract training. The briefing will be on 10 April @ 8.45am! Would you believe how freaking early that is! Luckily, it's my free day.

Three, saw an announcement from T.C just now
"I thought I should cut all of you some slack, and give everybody a 2-day extension. This means, all MONDAY tutorial groups are to give me your Group Assignment and Personal Journals (as a "single group") by Wednesday 21 March 2007 (before 6pm; come to my office). All Tuesday tutorial groups do likewise by Thursday 22 March (before 6pm; come to my office). If for any reason, I am out of the office, I will leave a NOTE on my door."

Things just seems to be on the positive side suddenly. I know it doesn't last long, but I'm going to enjoy it. Since there are two extra days, I should be thankful and start doing my essays properly now. So off I go!

Dilemma!

2007-03-11T10:26:00.000+08:00

AHHHHHHHH! Why why why make me face with such a dilemma? 24March 2007. # Hours of make-up lecture versus going to Sisters' Island to collect some seeds to be planted back in school. Normally I would just turn down that offer, but since it's usually open to regulars only and now open to semi-regulars coz there's 3 extra space left....how how? Which shld I go for? Lecture is important right? But then what Uncle Poh Poh say tend to be in the lecture notes....How? How? Shall decide by tonight.....

Still Riding on High

2007-03-04T23:36:00.000+08:00

This is before the concert began...

And after...As you can see our messed-up hair, we really enjoyed ourselves so much that appearance don't matter anymore...The concert was freaking great despite the technical difficulties but it's alright. FOB performed for about 1 hour but not before two local bands performed for 1hr...Ok, one came from Malaysia, One Buck Short I think...don't know who it was but don't care.

Saw Loser was next and they really rocked the house out. Love the guitarist who's so cool with his moves and jumps. He's too cute to boot, and with his guitar moves...it's ultra sexy cool! Anyway, I have a feeling they really brought the house down until there was the technical difficulties, haha!
Saw Loser performing and they're freaking good!...notice the guitarist on the right...so HOT!

FOB started out with a Bang!

And they continued to their excellent form!

Patrick without and with his hood up!So cool and confident! Never did go out of tune...At least not that I notice!

Anyway, the 1/2 or so delay did not dampen the mood...everybody was just so psyched up really! FOB opened with a blast and it was just heaven! Pete Wentz basically did the talking most of the time, intro-ing the songs but the music was great. FOB sound really good live, just like in their CD, which says a lot about their talents! As mentioned, I was at the area where Pete is and hence, explaining the many pictures of him. But I don't mind, I LOVE him! He's like ultra talented, what with playing in a band, managing a recording company and talent-spotting new talents( all thanks to him, I get to hear Panic!)He looked so cute when he tried a fan's red hot heart-shaped shades! So retro and so sporting!

My dear Pete! Just doing his thing out there...He changed his guitars many times during that one hour...strings broke...Can see why? He was doing his classic spinning moves while playing!

His eyes, sigh...need I say more...Love it when he looks at you with that dreamy satisfied smile of his every time he's high!
And a closer although blur look at him...

My heart is melting, every time he smiles and removes his hood

Pete trying out a fan's cool shades(who was from my side of the stage)...He's so sporting and all...

Like any rock concert, it's not complete until you have stage dives...Pete was intro-ing one of his staff...Couldn't remember his name but basically Pete said to remember him coz he's going to be fined or end up in jail in Singapore...Why? Coz he did a stage dive! And you know in Singapore, contact with audience is a no-no! But really glad he did it! It just made everybody crazy! Pete also did a stage dive near to the end of the concert, which was ultra-cool! He was basically singing and sitting on top of the audience and just having the freaking fun time of his life! Got pics of it, but it's a little blur coz he's moving a lot!

He did his stage dive and singing at some parts...the crowd really went crazy over it

It may not be clear but basically his shirt( which was purple) got ripped when he did his dive and basically when he went back up, he was half naked...not that anybody minded! His body is so buff and hot!

But I don't care...At the end of the day, though I don't have that many good pictures of him and the band (many are blurred coz they kept moving around as usual...though Pete tend to slow down a little when he's around our area, pose a little here and there for us...isn't he freaking cool sweet! Sigh). The memories of being so close to him will always be in my head!

Everything was freaking great, apart from all that squeezing and moshing...a lot of that happened...Couldn't really blame anyone coz everyone just wants to get to the front. My sister and I got separated during the process but we had fun. Thank god the guys who were around me were nice gentlemen who looked after the girls around them from this group of head-banging idiots who were pushing people around just coz they're high. I mean, what's up with that? Their pushing around coz many to nearly fall, including me. Saw this cute guy who was beside me most of the time, haha, sometimes couldn't my eyes of him.He looks mixed-blood...Loved his curly hair...haha, sempat seh! But apart from all that moshing and some idiots' behaviour...It's one concert I'll never ever forget!

They said that they'll be back soon, I can't wait!

Infinity on High alright!

2007-03-04T00:23:00.000+08:00

Just came back and had a quick shower....I cannot believe it! The concert was freaking good (although I wanted more of Fall Out Boy). Despite the technical difficulties that delayed their appearance for 1/2 hour. They played it to their best! At first, we were in the middle, couldn;t see anything coz the guys in front were freaking tall but as I slowly moved in front, it began to get fun! ARRRRRGGGHHHHH, I cannot believe it! I ended up on the side where Pete Wentz was always performing...so many many pictures of him...some blur but I don't care...He is sooo cute, handsome, delicious!A girl beside me did an okay sign to him and he okayed back to her and all of us screamed! I so believe that he looked at the three of us and smiled!...AWWWWW, heart melting...So what do you do when some guy...a famous guy smiled at you...you SCREAM!!!!!!!!!! He was so sexy with his guitar moves...and that dreamy look he gives when he got high from strumming the guitar....MY GOD! TO DIE FOR! Couldn't get good pictures of him but the experience and the look he gave...I'll always remember....sigh....$77 was worth it for me...Now, I'll sleep with a grin on my face...will blog more about the experience tml....now need to relax my body (I was straining my neck the whole time) and my voice...which is cracked...like some hag...ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!1

TGIF finally!

2007-03-02T21:08:00.000+08:00

Finally, tourism development essay is over and done with....one done, 3 more to go! heard that LRT proposal is extended to Wednesday- two extra days to do. And the best thing is the weekend is here!

Tomorrow is the my self-declared holiday of the week and I'm determined to spend it outside of home and outside of anything academic-related (ok, maybe not the Career Fair...but still it's nothing to do with assignments and all).

To all, try to get your few hours of relaxation at least ok! Don't always think about work and all!

3 March 2007!!!!

2007-02-25T18:58:00.000+08:00

I'll be seeing you on 3 March 2007! I cannot wait!

Anyway, Friday was a stressful day for me. Had the teaching interview that day which I came to know about only the day before. All because of the long holidays which delayed the delivery of the letters. Some of the interviewees I hear only found out about it an hour before their scheduled time while some did not even get the letter on time!

So, I was quite stressed out coz I don't know what to expect except the usual why do you want to be a teacher and all. Left it to God and my honesty to answer it. Saw an acquaintances whom I've not seen since the last Lit module in year 2 and had a good chat with her. She was surprised that I am a Geog major and seriously had thought that I was a Lit major. Haha, how the world works in the strangest ways.

The interview was ok I guess but I really don't know whether I'll get it or not. No obvious signs. Oh well, we'll hear in 2 to 3 weeks' time then.

Now, I have a paper to finish, a paper where I have been delaying for quite a while. Why did I pick that location, I don't know. It's hard to get the info since it's not as popular with the mass tourists as compared to the world famous shopping areas. But then, it's one of the places that I remember better, although not that very well. Haha, it just goes to show that I have dreams of traveling but have not done so.

Infinity on High...I'm so HIGH!!!!

2007-02-22T23:42:00.000+08:00

I really really want to go...anyone up for it? currently have nobody to go with...

Fall Out Boy - Infinity on High

LATEST NEWS
Internet Booking starts on 29 Jan 2007, 9am.
Other sales channels starts on 29 Jan 2007, 10am.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please note the following conditions:
- Replacement tickets can only be issued for reserved seating.
- No replacement tickets will be issued for general admission or 'free seating/standing'.

DATE

03 Mar 2007
8pm

VENUE

Singapore Expo
The MAX Pavilion

Click for Venue Details

TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)

Standard - S$75 (until 26 Feb, 8.59am)
Standard - S$100 (until 3rd Mar)
Standard - S$125 (at the door)

Please add to above price $2 Booking Fee for tickets above $20 and $1 Booking Fee for tickets below $20. Charges include GST where applicable.

Admission Rules

All patrons must purchase ticket for admission.

* Photography is allowed for this event. No Video recording and Audio recording is allowed for this event!

synopsis

Fall Out Boy's vocalist/guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz, drummer Andrew Hurley, and guitarist Joe Trohman had all been in and out of various units connected to Chicago's underground hardcore scene.

Their breakout album From Under the Cork Tree released in 2005 climbed the Top Ten of Billboard's album chart, spawned hits with "Sugar We're Going Down" and "Dance, Dance." The album went double platinum, and earned the guys a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

Infinity on High is their latest album whose title was taken from a line in one of Van Gogh's personal letters, spearheaded by the song "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race."

Singapore will be Fall Out Boy's one and only gig in Asia. So don't miss this chance to see them in action. Go get your tickets now.

DURATION

Approx 2 hrs

Language

English

2007-02-21T12:38:00.000+08:00

In school and I'm bored. I have things to do but I just feel tired of facing the same materials over and over again....Yahoo Music Radio is my companion...who says that Rock music is not stimulating...It's the only thing that's keeping me awake and focused right now. My brother asked me why I bother coming to school when I have the relatively empty house to do my work. Well, temptation is a great thing especially the bed and the fridge. Been eating a lot during the 3 day holiday mainly coz everyone is at home, giving my mom ample reason to just cook more "rich" foods. So, school is basically my sanctuary away from temptations. In the 2 hours that I have been here, I have done a rough draft (although not a good quality one) of the TD essay and now trying to draft out my J1 for LRT...wish me luck especially the TD one, am stuck on what to write. It sucks when you don't travel often and have poor memory of the area. Going to the farms tomorrow....Hopefully it's not a depressing trip....

I am the Moon...shady but still gives hope...haha

2007-02-21T01:32:00.000+08:00

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Let's face it, this scares me yet I feel ok about it...scares me coz of the hidden enemy thing and the part about avoiding alcohol and drugs...well, actually I can don't worry about that- since I hate pills and injections and I hate the smell of drunks which immediately translates hate alcohol. what's more considering how Islam forbids it, I'm so away from it. But you know this kind of quizzes just tell you one thing; never underestimate or be so sure about the future...Ok, off to sleep..tomorrow need to go to school and start on my tourism essays...note the plural form

The Jaded Tale of the Grammy Awards

2007-02-20T02:27:00.000+08:00

This is so true about the Grammys...Seriously, I think that the Grammy is just a validation ceremony of the country's acceptance of Country and Pop music...and also the acceptance of people who fit the ideals of what a singer should be. Rock is never really featured in the Grammys and the ones nominated...Hmm, I wouldn't really call them rockers! And most of the bands get the honours only when they're old and wrinkled or dead. So what, I have to wait 50 more years to see the good bands get honoured? And another thing, why get Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood to do renditions of the Eagles? You can easily get any American bands (some of which are really good) to do it. But no, they had to get the two acts to do bloodbath massacre on the good songs...I was just wincing my way especially when hearing Rascal Flatts doing "Hotel California"...Seriously, I don't understand their idea of quality.

Status Ain't Hood «

by Tom Breihan | email: tbreihan@villagevoice.com

posted: 1:36 PM, February 12, 2007

The Grammy Awards: A Running Diary

The new faces of anti-backlash backlash

So the big problem with the Grammys every year is that the show never reflects what actually happened in pop music in the preceding year; it only reflects what the pop music industry wants us to think happened. The artists that do well at the Grammys aren't usually the popular successes or the critical darlings of the previous year; they're the figures who exist at some rarified intersection of middlebrow good-taste preconceptions and commercial dependability. Someone like Norah Jones is a perfect storm for Grammy voters, whereas someone like Eminem will only get his Album of the Year statue when he's fifty and he makes a concept album of Appalachian folk music or something. Sometimes, though, that drive for prestige ends up giving us some deliriously weird moments, like the Jay-Z/Linkin Park/Paul McCartney thing or the utterly insane Sly Stone tribute from last year, and those are the moments that make the show worth watching. This year's show didn't really have any of those moments; it's probably the most boring Grammys in recent memory. But here we go anyway:

8:00: People actually appear to be getting up and walking away from the stage as much-hyped Police reunion takes the stage. Sting makes the obvious choice of playing "Roxanne" and the slightly more questionable choice of wearing a V-neck wifebeater. "Roxanne" might be the Police's best-known song, but it's not quite a pop classic; obviously, what it always needed was an echoed-out "Whole Lotta Love"-esque orgasmo-dub break, and the band is now happy to correct that problem.

8:04: Jamie Foxx makes the inevitable joke about how Snoop Dogg fled the theater when he heard that the Police were opening.

8:06: Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder, possibly the most safe and sleepy choice in a category full of them, win the Best Pop Collaboration award, setting the stage for the rest of the night. Stevie, visibly moved, dedicates the award to his dead mother; Tony thanks Target. That's the Grammys in a nutshell right there.

8:09: Introducing the Dixie Chicks, Joan Baez talks about them like they're Martin Luther King or something. They play a particularly self-impressed rendition of "Not Ready to Make Nice," already a pretty self-impressed (and pretty good) song. The Dixie Chicks did a brave thing when they spoke out against the Iraq war and inadvertently became political lightning rods, and the did an even braver thing when they embraced their status as country-music pariahs, but that story has now become their defining struggle, and that's a shame; they used to be a great pop-country band.

8:18: Prince, introducing Beyonce, looks justifiably smug. Beyonce, who looks and sounds amazing, gives "Listen" the Hollywood Golden-Age treatment. I'd rather hear her sing a better song, but this is still a great way of announcing yourself as royalty.

8:22: Mary J. Blige wins R&B Album of the Year. She talks about how happy she is that people are finally talking positively rather than negatively about her, but doesn't everyone love her? Seriously, I can't remember anyone ever once saying anything negative about her in my presence. She also spends an eternity thanking everyone on her list while the get-off-the-stage music blares; she must not think she's going to be winning anything again tonight.

8:26: Queen Latifah announces the Grammys' pathetic attempt to co-opt American Idol: we can vote on which of three random girls is going to get to sing with Justin Timberlake later tonight. I guess they really think we'll care.

8:32: Whoa, Nelson George directed a movie? With Queen Latifah and Bunk from The Wire in it? Rock critics on the come-up!

8:33: In a weird introductory video-clip, Justin Timberlake blatantly lies and says that "What Goes Around..." is about a friend of his. Whatever, Justin. Onstage, he gives the song the sensitive-artist treatment, sitting at a piano to sing it even though I don't think there's any piano on the actual song. But "What Goes Around..." is still the best Coldplay song since "Clocks," and his performance is hugely satisfying anyway. On the outro, he pulls the same trick he did when he sang it at Madison Square Garden last week, shining a handheld camera in his own face and making goofy faces while he sings. When the camera was all Blair Witch grainy and the images were projected fifty feet high behind him, it was awesome, but it doesn't quite translate to TV, and Justin ends up looking a bit ridiculous.

8:39: T.I., presenting some award, drops his envelope. Whoever wrote his insulting rap-talk banter should never be allowed near a keyboard again. Mary J. Blige wins again; Pink is extremely happy.

8:48: Stevie Wonder gives an enthusiastic and vaguely deranged introduction to the Corrinne Bailey Rae/John Legend/John Mayer Starbucks-counter triple-threat. Mayer, on his watery-bluesman kick, makes a lot of goofy faces; otherwise, about six minutes pass completely uneventfully.

8:50: Mayer beats JT for Pop Vocal Album; I call bullshit.

9:05: Shakira finally cuts through all the pompous reverence to give us the first crass pop spectacle of the night. She shakes her ass gleefully, her backup dancers do the fake-Indian multi-armed Vishnu-dance thing, and Wyclef raps horribly and does a backflip and reveals just how quickly he's going bald. Well, that wasn't boring.

9:09: An overzealous announcer interrupts Burt Bacharach and Seal's unbelievably awkward mutual-appreciation moment. The Dixie Chicks win Song of the Year; "Jesus Take the Wheel" was robbed.

9:19: Gnarls Barkley are dressed like pilots, and I have no idea what movie they're supposed to be referencing: Airport? Snakes on a Plane? Are they just running out of movie ideas? They've got a big choir and a powdered-wig string section helping out on "Crazy," neither of which they particularly need.

9:24: Common makes a teleprompter joke about how everyone's tired of Kanye's bitching; Kanye promptly drops him from his label. Ludacris wins Best Rap Album for Crash, um, Release Therapy, proving once and for all that Grammy voters don't actually listen to rap. (Further proof gets flashed on the screen later in the show, as the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" is hilariously announced as the winner for Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.) Luda thanks Oprah and Bill O'Reilly, which is funny, and he calls Release Therapy a masterpiece, which is funny in a completely different way.

9:35: Mary J. sounds pretty good performing "Be Without You," but she really justifies all her awards when she launches into a barnstorming version of Lorraine Ellison's Northern-soul scenery-muncher "Stay With Me." I can't believe I've gotten this far in my life without hearing this singer sing this song. Totally devastating.

9:41: After not being nominated for a single CMA award, the Dixie Chicks win the Best Country Album Grammy, which should tell you all you need to know about the difference between those two shows. In the acceptance speech, one Chick says something about how hard it is to be without a genre, just so no one will confuse them with an actual country group.

9:49: It's country influences time! Reba McIntire makes sure to point out that Carrie Underwood "respects the past," and apparently one of the biggest-selling singers of the year only gets to sing at the Grammys if she'll do a song made famous by someone who died before she was born. To Underwood's credit, she doesn't look too uncomfortable singing a Bob Wills song. After that, we get an extended Eagles tribute, and Rascal Flatts have an easier time covering a band who probably was a direct influence on them, though that doesn't change the fact that I never need to hear "Hotel California" ever again. Gary LeVox's air-guitar may be a Grammy first, and he sings in the exact same register as Don Henley, which means he sounds like ass. Underwood manages to make "Desperado" sound pretty great, and then she joins Rascal Flatts for "Life in the Fast Lane," blowing LeVox off the stage. It's weird hearing uber-wholesome country stars singing about drugs, even in such a karaoke context.

10:02: In one of those great utterly random pop moments, Carrie Underwood accepts the Best New Artist award from Ornette Coleman and Natalie Cole. I suppose it's possible that Underwood will share a stage with Cole again somewhere down the line, but Ornette? I think it's safe to say that's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Underwood bursts out "I love country music!" and Bridget thinks maybe she's responding to the Dixie Chicks.

10:08: Someone needs to take Christina Ricci to Pizzeria Uno's or something. I don't know why all these actresses think they'll look better if they lose grotesque amounts of weight. Or maybe I know why, but I wish it wouldn't happen; we're turning some of the hottest women of my generation into skeletons. Anyway, she and Samuel L. Jackson are introducing three singers who are all eager to please but otherwise have nothing to do with each other: Smokey Robinson (still sounds great even though plastic surgeons have turned his face into a plastic mask), Lionel Richie (a likably goofy performer at his most likably goofy), and Chris Brown (stomping the yard, wearing a ridiculous skull-mask, and introducing some extremely cute dancing kids). If I were the pessimistic type, I might talk about "Tracks of My Tears" into "Hello" into "Run It" as a time-lapse photo of the decades-long degradation of R&B, but I like all three songs, and Brown's performance is a quick blast of fun amidst all this rampant reverence, so whatever.

10:18: Christina Aguilera, with no introduction, admirably begs and rasps and whoops her way through James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," pulling off a neat gender inversion without overplaying it. The tribute-to-dead-legend bit was inevitable, and I can't really imagine it being done with more matter-of-fact style. Jamie Foxx approves.

10:25: The Academy president comes out, and for a second it looks like he's going to go on another anti-download rant, but no: he's here to introduce a couple of pubescent virtuosos and talk about the importance of public-school music classes. That's definitely the better of the two dead horses, anyway.

10:32: Chris Brown does a pretty good version of James Brown's dancing to cap off the tribute-to-dead-people montage, followed by Danny Ray draping the James Brown cape over a mic stand in a simple, poignant monument.

10:40: Ludacris's "Runaway Love" has always wasted Mary J. Blige, but the version he does here also manages to waste Earth, Wind & Fire. This song is a case study in what happens when well-intentioned rappers reach for social consciousness and end up with three-minute after-school specials.

10:43: James Blunt dedicates "You're Beautiful" to Ahmet Ertegun. Ertegun was a titanically important figure in music-industry history and everything, but he looked something like a well-dressed sea otter doing a Henry Kissinger impersonation; I'm not sure I'd call him beautiful.

10:50: Prince bought an ad to thank everyone who watched his Super Bowl halftime show? Um, you're welcome!

10:53: The girl who won that contest gets to sing Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" with Justin Timberlake, even though neither one of them is remotely well-suited for that song and the pair has no chemistry whatsoever. She also sounds a bit ridiculous singing "My Love" with him; neither of these songs should ever be done as a duet. The girl also has a tough time matching JT's dancing. On the other hand, I can't tell you how happy I am that T.I. has brought back his exaggeratedly snarly facial expressions.

10:58: Tony Bennett is presenting an award with Quentin Tarantino? What the hell? Tarantino uses the phrase "a little somethin' somethin'." He's also extremely excited to read a bunch of song titles. That guy is too much. The Dixie Chicks win some award, and I can't bring myself to care anymore.

11:08: This show is still going on. Chris Rock introduces the Red Hot Chili Peppers as the "best band in the world"; I beg to differ. The Chili Peppers perform in front of a giant spray-painted "Love to Ornette Coleman" banner, a profoundly ass-kissy gesture; I can just imagine the Chili Peppers holding a band meeting to discuss which of this year's lifetime-achievement honorees they'd look the coolest shouting out.

11:14: Al Gore is out to present Best Rock Album and to remind us not to be too happy about the end of that arctic blast. The Chili Peppers' reaction to Al Gore presenting them an award is so funny that it almost justifies their performance. Bridget points out that the drummer looks exactly like Will Ferrell, and I can't believe I never noticed that.

11:23: Don Henley and Scarlett Johansson present the Best Album award, and Henley acts dickish toward Johansson in a way that didn't look scripted. Henley is also way too happy to announce the Dixie Chicks as this year's big winners, something I should've seen coming but didn't. Grammy voters love it when massive pop stars go NPR, and this time they got to make an obliquely anti-Bush statement in the process. I don't want to diminish the Dixie Chicks' courage here, but it seems to me that the Grammys' decision to award this group everything is just as cynical and politically motivated as the CMAs' decision to shut them out completely. Mostly, though, I'm just glad this thing is finally over.

Got my Pita bread, watched many good films...Happy Happy New Year for me, hehe

2007-02-19T23:58:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was basically the day where the food starts running out (since we have 3 hungry monsters living in the house) but because my monthly friend came a little early and on a bad time, I'm in for trouble. I didn't have my supply hence the scramble to try and find the nearest place to buy those pads. Well, 7-Eleven's is quite expensive but it's the only shop that's open. Mom suggested going to Mustafa, which I jumped immediately coz I was desperate...truly!

So we (including my youngest brother) went off to Mustafa on a Sunday in the late afternoon...Goodness, there were so many people really, everybody was just busy getting their supply. Since Mustafa is one of the few big supermarkets open during the late afternoons, I can understand why there's like a mad rush to buy supplies. Even the food supplies could finish at a fast rate. It was packed with people and it was getting frustrating for me, not because of the crowd but because of my mom coz she was grumbling about how she hates the squeeze and crowd. I mean, since we're here, we might as well get what we need.

And we did! COZ I got my PITA BREAD!!So very happy about it. Was telling my mom, of all the places I looked, the place to rely on is still Mustafa. I mean, I wouldn't expect to find Pita bread here but I did. My mom said that it's like because it's bread and look like something that the Indians will eat, namely Naan and all the bread that looks like it. So, now I know where to get my Pita bread...and other things like sliced meat to make sandwiches. Very happy that in the end not only did I get my supplies, I got my wish!

Watched Gubra just now, It's really another good movie by Yasmin Ahmad. Basically it's a sequel to Sepet and it's good mainly coz it challenes the misconceptions and stereotypes that people have. For example, how religious leaders should not be friends with prostitutes and all. I remember that Gubra created a big ruckus in Malaysia because of the attacks that the movie launched and challenge the common Malay mindset. Yesterday they showed Sepet and despite the fact that I have the DVD, I watched parts of it especially towards the end. Loved the movie and now Gubra is in the list of "Will Always Watch" films. The thing I like about Yasmin Ahmad's films is that not only do her films challenge the common thinking, it also aims to be realistic about the issues. I prefer films that have realistic environments, where the dialogue is a mixture of English and Malay...not something where it's only English or it's only Malay. Coz it really relfects the type of family there...not because they want to show off or anything....So watch Gubra if you have the chance...no romance stuff here, I must warn you although there are bits of scenes to show the various meanings of love...which I love so much coz it really means something...

Enjet-enjet semut

2007-02-14T00:44:00.000+08:00

Check this link out...It's hilarious! Based on an old Malay nursery rhyme that both reflects the Malays in Singapore and kind of subtly crticising some of the bad habits...It's a mixture of Malay and English but I think it's understandable...

Enjet- Enjet Semut

Till death, We'll still not part...

2007-02-07T22:58:00.000+08:00

This just tugs the heart and makes you just want to go Aww; especially with Valentine's day (the day for LOVE) is coming soon...

From Yahoo.com

Reuters Photo: A pair of human skeletons lie in an eternal embrace at an Neolithic archaeological dig...

Eternal embrace? Couple still hugging 5,000 years on

Tue Feb 6, 1:28 PM ET

ROME (Reuters) - Call it the eternal embrace.

Archaeologists in Italy have discovered a couple buried 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, hugging each other.

"It's an extraordinary case," said Elena Menotti, who led the team on their dig near the northern city of Mantova.

"There has not been a double burial found in the Neolithic period, much less two people hugging -- and they really are hugging."

Menotti said she believed the two, almost certainly a man and a woman although that needs to be confirmed, died young because their teeth were mostly intact and not worn down.

"I must say that when we discovered it, we all became very excited. I've been doing this job for 25 years. I've done digs at Pompeii, all the famous sites," she told Reuters.

"But I've never been so moved because this is the discovery of something special."

A laboratory will now try to determine the couple's age at the time of death and how long they had been buried.

Evolution

2007-01-29T23:05:00.000+08:00

I love this advertisement- first saw it on the Ellen Degeneres show. It really does show how much beauty is created. Me included, everybody cannot escape from the fact that we all fall for the beauty gimmick. It's just our fascination and blind hope that we'll be as perfect as those creation.

Anyway, the Head of the History Department wants to meet me regarding Film and History. Wonder why? Hopefully it's just to explain about why the marks are revised and not something else...Anyway, must always think positive! Effort always get rewarded, I'm sure.

Have some powerpoint slides to do. I'm feeling tired right now. So, will go to sleep now and wake up early tomorrow. Have quite a long day tomorrow so I think I better sleep early tonight.

Fun Friday

2007-01-27T00:42:00.000+08:00

I'm so happy today...such a pleasant surprise which I did not really expect to have. Apparently they reviewed back the results for Film and History and according to them-

"The Faculty of Arts and Social Science had reviewed the grade you were awarded for the module HY2243 Film and History, which you took in the AY2006/2007 Semester 1 examinations. It has been decided that you be granted B+ for HY2243 Film and History. "

Can you believe it! I mean, I did not even appealed for a review although I had wanted to. I guess they must have reviewed the whole class when they found many people in the module appealing maybe? Or they were surprised that many got poor results? I don't know...but whoever started the chain of inquiry, I really truly thank you.

When I received the letter from NUS, I was like, hmm, what's going on? When I read the letter, I was screaming and jumping literally!Finally, I do feel like the efforts for the semester was worth it!. Now, my CAP is 3.42 instead of 3.37...a good news for me and a bigger ray of hope to do Honours. I'm really glad and this have somewhat rekindled that flame of wanting to do better. So no more skipping of lectures (Ok, I aim to really do this, no more lazy bum!) for the rest of the semester and do my readings dilligently...

Haha, was so excited about the rise that I forgot all about my new tech family member. Will talk about it later... right now, I'm trying to get used to the changes....

I'm SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Laptop Kena Sampuk!

2007-01-18T09:08:00.000+08:00

My laptop kena sampuk (possessed)! These few days, it would suddenly switch off for no reason. That is the least of my problem, I mean, it could be due to some virus or something--which is another thing to worry about. But what scares me is that yesterday, my laptop switches ON by itself! And it doesn't happen once, but a few times! I mean the first time it happened, I was like, hmm, maybe I didn't switch it off properly. Then about 10 minutes later, with my own eyes, it switches on again by itself. Luckily, it's in the day and not at night. Can you imagine how freaky it would be? My mom told me to look for another one as a backup. But I don't want to replace this one. After all, it's been with me for 3 years...that's a whole load of projects and essays done on this computer. BUt the funny things is that when my mom said that it should be replaced, the laptop seems to work fine...hmm, scared ah laptop?

Fate works in mysterious ways-> Bong-ed out today!

2007-01-16T14:15:00.000+08:00

Finally, I meet the venerable Bong that everybody praises crazily about and just worships. I wasn't planning to take any of his lessons considering the 'war stories' I hear of how his workouts are super high intensive. Considering how much of a weakling I am, I think I better stay out.

But fate has other plans and in the end I did take one of his classes unknowingly. Today is supposedly my first Kardiosculpt lesson and as usual the blur blind me just went into the room without even looking at the board to see that the class is taken over by Bong for the day. Sharifah was like going, Ooh, he here! and I'm like going ok, what's the big fuss about; still not realising it's HIM. I enjoyed the warm-up simply because it wasn't your routine one but it was kind of like doing some MTV dance with aerobics moves. And the fact that I could get it the first time and remember the steps made me go, Ok , I like this guy, He's like working magic on bumbling people like me. During the short break before the proper routine, I was telling Sharifah, Hey I like this guy. He's good coz I actually pay attention. Who's he? She was like, It's Bong! You mean you have never seen him before? Hearing that, I was like "Oh-oh" and "hmm, no wonder he's raved so much about" at the same time. The whole session after that was intensive but not as crazy as they say and for the first time, I actually work out while paying attention and enjoyed myself all in one go. Weight were ok, though I have to admit my arms are weak and need more training. All in all, I had fun in this "less intensive than usual for Bong's standard" workout and felt light.

So, my first experience with Bong was fun...still not quite sure whether I'm inspired to take up his classes though...Hmm, let me toughen myself up before I try the real thing. I mean, there is the fine line between working your body out and working your body to death. I don't want to spoil this positive image yet. Let me stick to Desiree for a while more...

Anyway, tutorial registration is hell and I'm still missing one tutorial slot. And my laptop is at it again. This time, it shuts down itself for no apparent reason. It happened also yest. I'm worried. What's wrong with my laptop that it simply has to have some problem somehow. And the frequency of the problems are getting shorter...Hmmm, I don't want to lose this laptop. It's like my uni life!

Right now, I just want to rest my muscles which I think is going to ache a little tomorrow and do those readings. After all, tutorial begins next week and I don't want to create any bad first impressions and have dumb blonde moments.

2007-01-15T00:19:00.000+08:00

Batman I like, Spiderman I can still accept.
Cicak Man... Malaysia's answer to the West's Spiderman?
What for? Don't we have enough idiotic superheroes in this fantasy world already?
Trust them to pick Saiful Apek who's as scrawny as the Cicak (Gekko) to be CicakMan!

Sudden impulses -> Permanent habits (I hope so!)

2007-01-14T23:25:00.000+08:00

Ok, here are some of the crazy impulses that I am involved in right now. They seem to be good activities but what worries me is that it'll be a phase and I'll just leave it as quickly as I have picked it up.

They are

1) Gardening - Currently owning and caring for 1 cactus plant (the other one seem dead), 2 Fortune plants (at least that's the name I think), and a chilli plant. Everybody seem to be eyeing on the chilli plant and somehow some of the chillis seem to disappear every time...hmmm. Anyway, now I'm planning to try growing parsley.As soon as the rain stops, the rain is really killing my cactus and the strong wind would have uprooted the new plants if not for the temporary blockers to protect them. Currently, the plants are painstakingly growing and I salute them if they manage to grow well in this harsh condition.

2) Sandwiches - Call me crazy but I've been borrowing books and since I have successfully created my first fancy sandwich, I'm hooked...Now you know why I'm searching for my pita bread. I mean they're healthy and considering that I'm going here and there, it's more convenient. Anyways, you'll feel more full when you eat the stuff yo make.

3) Baking - Again, books are borrowed (and accumulating fines as usual) and slowly trying out the possible recipes. Haha, my mom was criticising saying ( in bad translation) that REAL cooking I'm not interested but for baking I can go at arms length

So hopefully I'll keep these sudden impulses. After all, maybe after this, I'll pick up on proper cooking? Maybe or maybe not? Anyway, I want to watch Tituodao. Anyone wants to watch also? It sounds interesting and the cast seems really good.

personal reflections

2007-01-13T20:36:00.000+08:00

I seem to be meeting some of male ex-classmates from the different levels of institution in the past week and how they have changed over the years. Chee Keong was more vocal than he was in primary school and even in junior college. Murali (can some of you remember him?) looks better now, still tall as ever but not as geeky as seen in secondary school. Both are doing life sciences. Hmm, it's quite weird that quite a number of the male ex-classmates I know are taking life sciences...wonder what's the draw there.

Anyway, seeing them, though I didn't really have the time and material to talk with them, it made me wonder how much I have personally changed. Have I changed? If yes, is it a lot? To me, I feel like I haven't changed at all. Saw a neighbour just now and she said that I have shrunk in size; width and height. While that may be taken as a compliment, the shrink in height got me worried, hehe. But maybe she confuses me with my sister like a lot of the neighbours have; who knows. Some have said that I'm more vocal now. Well, I believe that I'm still the quiet one as ever.

But then, whether I have changed or not, I'm still here and still moving on. As long as I'm happy and doing what's right, I should not worry about what other think...right? Hmm, it seems some things never change. I'm still as insecure as ever.

Will you people just SHUT UP!

2007-01-10T23:45:00.000+08:00

Saw Eme's post about Hooked and went to the e-newsletter since I haven't been there for a while. Saw the article on the "Things We Will Miss About NUS" and they mentioned about how they will miss Fong Seng. Guess what? I've never been to Fong Seng, much less eat the pratas beside. How sad is that? I'm determined to eat there at least once this semester. Anybody up for it?

Anyway, school started this week and on Monday for me. It was pure blues not because I was reluctant to go to school. It was more of the mood being marred by some inconsiderate people. It was perfumes and cosmetics lecture and boy was it a big class---500 plus people!! And it was super noisy. The lecturer had to strain her voice.People, I know it's the first day of school and you have not seen your friends for a century but have some respect for the lecturer! The lecture is not your chatting session. If you are not interested, then don't attend. Simple as that! There are others who want to learn you know. I cannot understand people who talk during lectures. I don't mind if it's just some comments or short quips but to talk to each other the whole time. Can't you do it outside lecture or something? What was worse, I even saw somebody having a telephone conversation, with the normal tone of voice(not whisper or hushed). Seriously, urgh! I'm going to sit in front tomorrow. Hopefully, it'll be better.

My lectures seem to start around 12 and end in the afternoon, prompting me to try to schedule my workouts before or after. Hopefully, I stick to the routine. I know I'll do those after school, but the ones before...hmmm, the thought of waking up early often makes me think twice. But I'm going to 'force' myself, motivate so that I'll continue to be interested! Need to lose that thighs!..Haha, no lah..as long as I become more healthy, I'm happier!

Anyway, anyone knows where I can get fresh or frozen pita bread? Been trying to look around for my supply, but can't really find a consistent one. tell me ya! Anyway, after spending two school days at Science, I'm finally excited to go to school! Why? Because I'm finally going back to Arts! It's tourism stuff for me for the next two days, I hope it's freaking good to continue to carry this uplifting mood!

New year, new beginnings?

2007-01-02T21:26:00.000+08:00

A new year, a new beginning? Maybe. I believe we chart our own beginnings and endings because we always have a choice to draw out our own lives and paths. The long holidays ( 4 days long, mind you) was full of tv programmes that excite me and made me think of the past and also about life. I love Romi and Michelle's High School Reunion. What it says about your school experience is true - You maybe the forgotten people in the school but if you think positive and live your life positive, it does not matter if you are at the bottom level of the school chain, you still enjoyed your school life. It also makes you think about human relationships. I mean, having a lot of friends and being popular in school does not mean that you have lifelong friends. To me, the hardest thing is to trust people completely thus the lack of ability to have spontaneous conversations with strangers. I don't know why, I would just shut up when I'm in a foreign environment. There have been opportunities in the past year where I'm forced to be brave..well, some success, some failures. But at the end of the day, I know that I'm improving.

This year's resolutions would be to lose the weight that have been gained ( I lost it before and gained it again all because of the lazy side kicking in) and to be more proactive and active in other activities. I need more socialising because if I want to be less shy, I need to talk to people.

School starts next week and I'm kind of nervous. If RE1803 cannot be taken, most likely I'm taking intro to cybercrime. It's at night and it makes me nervous since it ends at 9pm and by the time I get home it would be...This is where my mom would nag about me not taking driving lessons...I mean, what's the use of the skill if you don't have a car to make use of? Are there any other choices? so far, not really? anysuggestions anyone?

2006-12-30T23:46:00.000+08:00

So Saddam Hussein have been executed. While I do think that he is a very cruel man with all the torture and deaths caused, I do feel that he shouldn't have been executed today. Of all days, why today. According to the time difference, it's Aidiladha there already. To be executed on such a holy day just brings out many misunderstandings and also reveals the lack of understanding about other people's culture and religion and the lack of sensitivity. I don't know, to die by hanging is cruel enough but to do it on Aidiladha, it's just cruel. What's more, he was hanged before Subuh. It's just a little insensitive coz after all he is still human and there should have at least be some form of understanding and compassion. Evil should not be returned with evil because at the end of the day, you will have nothing but hatred, not peace. Even now, with Saddam executed, Iraq is still in such chaos and mess...In all this, it really shows one thing. Timing is always very important because timing provides messages whether it's the wanted or the unwanted message.

Wasn't that the Gaucho bag?

2006-12-22T00:57:00.000+08:00

Would you believe that I saw an almost similar design of the above bag at BATA yesterday. The above is the Christian Dior Gaucho Bag retailing at $1995. I didn't see how much the one at BATA costs but I'm interested in getting it. Can you imagine how people will mistake the BATA one with the expensive Gaucho bag? There's brown and the reddish brown, the last time I saw...

Singapore Garden Festival...

2006-12-21T20:57:00.000+08:00

Hellooo!

So this week I went to the Singapore Garden Festival TWICE. The first was with my younger bro while the next day was with the rest of the family. And I never do get tired of it. I strongly suggest that everyone go and look at all the displays especially that in the 6^th level. $3 of a ticket price is more than worth it since the experience of happiness and exhilaration is just immense. LOADS of photo-taking going on - So I suggest going in with a full battery and empty memory card coz you will just be tempted to take photos of every display. My favourites were the Penshioner's Garden, the Bali Thai and Cool Celebration displays (or what I call the dream snowy Christmas garden party which can also double up as wedding party). The 4^th floor is the Orchid display but it does not bring as much excitement as the garden displays. Oh, look out for the Ngee Ann Poly display at the 4^th floor. So cute. See if you can spot all 12 bears. So I suggest you all go to the show @ least once. The rainy day will make it all worth it. I tell you, you will spend more than 2 hours there. I even bought a small chilli plant from the place.

Garden Christmas Feast

the crowd fav, Penshioner's Garden. The Idyllic country house

Bali Thai Sabaay sabaay getaway...I like...

the ultimate garden party, my personal fav...haiz, one can only dream...

Ngee Ann Poly display. Imagine all those plants were grown single-handedly by the lecturer. See if you can spot all 12 bears

Look out for the Love Potion terrarium...Not for sale...I wonder why...

Oh, check this out, the only moving display of the festival

Hairy Stinky Situation

2006-12-17T23:45:00.000+08:00

It's a hairy and stinky situation, literally! Yesterday was a day of horror and headache as two stray dogs abandoned by their stupid mindless owners were going up and down from the 5th to our 9th floor and just peeing and pooing all around.Luckily, when they were going about creating havoc, I had (fortunately) just gone out to the library. Received an sms 30 min later from my bro that there was some dog who was creating trouble. I thought that it was just the senseless barking that we always hear. Little did I know that my sister, who on her way up to our home, was chased by the bigger dog and was terrified out of her wits since she had no where to escape. Luckily, my 8th floor neighbour (Sangeetha's family) opened the door just in time to let my sister in and stay there while they tried to get rid of the dog.

So, there we were(my brother and I) armed with 2 dozen eggs and self-raising flour and our umbrellas (we're making cake tomorrow) making our way up. Thankfully for us, the police were already there and got the situation kind of under control. But while we were safe in our homes, the dogs escaped again and went up and down, peeing and pooing. Heard that the 7th floor neighbour suffered badly coz they went into the home and into the rooms and did their business and fought with their dog ( the incessantly irritating yapping dog who barks throughout the night). But the 9th floor (US!) suffered the worst coz the dogs hang out at our floor PARTICULARLY my house corridor. So imagine the smell and the closed doors and windows since the smaller dog is capable of squeezing its way through. The neighbours were locked behind closed doors in fear for the children since the dogs looked dirty. One of the kids even saw the dogs eating the plants and drinking the drain water.

Finally, the dog pound came and took the dogs away. I kind of feel sorry for the dogs coz of their abandoned state. Heard that the dogs belonged to some family living at the 5th floor who have just moved a few days ago. How could they be so cruel as to abandon the dogs just like that just because you are moving! I mean, apart from the potential disease and harm they can bring, imagine how you would feel if you were abandoned just like that. The dogs must have been very malnourished, they looked dirty and hungry. My mom said that their green poo clearly shows how malnourished they have been. What's more with the heavy storms these few days, imagine how cold ad sick they can be. Cruel owners! Seriously, these people deserve to have the same fate that they put on their pets.

Oh, my mom has again become the number one public enemy of the Town Council as usual! Hehe, when the bigger dog sat in front of our door, she called the town council, they shirked responsibility and told her to call the SPCA. When she called the latter, they said that they couldn't do anything and that she should call town council. When she explained what happened, SPCA said that they'll do what they can but suggest that she call TC again. When she called TC and as usual get involved in an argument with the person-in charge, TC still refused to claim responsibility. I'm not being biased or anything but the TC here really are not dong their job. If they were that efficient, we wouldn't still have our man-made waterfall happening every time there is a huge storm. Anyway, in the end she was fed-up and called the local police post. Not sure who called the dog catcher or who the dog catchers were. Hopefully the dogs will not be put down and will go to better homes. After all, they were harmless and did not hurt anybody, just that they were hungry and scared( resulting in all the pees and poos). I just cannot believe the nerve of such human beings who act like uncivilised barbarians who have no feelings of guilt whatsoever!

I'm turning into a Warehouse sales junkie...

2006-12-15T10:33:00.000+08:00

December is always a fine time because it is the season not only for shopping but also warehouse sales. I tell you, I think I'm starting to become a warehouse sale junkie...looking out for good warehouse sales to go to...there's the URS warehouse sales happening this weekend and there's also the Hang Ten one happening until 4 Jan. We're going to the Hang Ten one next week. But I'm still thinking of whether to go to the URS one. Hmm, we'll see..

Saw an announcement from the Geog Dept. There's a module where there will be a fieldtrip to Sabah during the mid-term break. And it's with David Higgit! I want, but the thing is , it's an Honours module...Haiz, now, it really makes me want to try Honours...

Anyways, my shopping madness continues with This Fashion becoming my new old best friend. So far, I have bought 3 short dresses that I plan to wear with jeans and a jacket which my mum paid for...Hehe, she kept wanting to pay for my stuff but so far, it's only the jacket...I feel bad if I let her pay...makes me feel like a child again..

Just some stuff...

2006-12-11T10:08:00.000+08:00

Your Vocabulary Score: A

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary!
You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

Hmm, one of the few times I do well. Not bad woah?

Hehe...

2006-12-11T10:03:00.000+08:00

Your Brain is 73% Female, 27% Male

Your brain leans female
You think with your heart, not your head
Sweet and considerate, you are a giver
But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Is Siti a Good Girl? Yes, she is!

2006-12-09T10:25:00.000+08:00

My Favourite Kids, Eindrien ( the very very cute boy with the Donald Duck T-shirt), Yun Xuan (my adorable cute yet hyper kid in blue--that's her favourite colour) and beside her is Reuben (The Indian boy who loves to hide under the table but is so adorable with me.)

It's been 3 days of fun and all hard work but I love it (despite the many accounts of impatience and annoyance). It was VSA's Storybook Camp from the 6th to the 8th of December where special kids attend the many art and drama classes. And my sister and I were among the many befrienders present to help out. Basically each of us are attached to a kid( but for my sister, it's 2 since the sisters were inseparable) and we basically babysit them and help them in any ways possible throughout the camp. You know, every person we meet from Day 1, which is befrienders' orientation, asks if we were twins. And when we said no, they said that we looked alike. More surprisingly, everybody thought that I was the younger sister and couldn't believe that I am in university. Hmm, that's a food for thought. Especially the part where everyone's first questions tend to be "Are you two twins?"

Boy, I tell you, I never knew being a babysitter would mean the potential to lose some weight here and there. My body is aching now from all that running and carrying and especially running here and there and up and down the stairs. Everyone says that my kid is super cute. You know looks can be deceiving and she's always running around and especially like to fill up her bottle with water from the cooler and start licking her bottle (that's her habit, I was too tired to stop her from doing that after several times trying to correct her. But she is quite well-behaved except for yesterday. For some reason, she didn't want to listen to my instructions but will listen to others...I was at my wits' end that I actually scolded her...the first time in the 3 days. She thought it was a game initially but when she saw me walking off and did not respond to her for the next few minutes, she started to follow me around and all. Aww, so cute! But overall she was a really nice kid BUT so hyper, I was so shagged and actually slept very early for three days at around 10pm.

There are other two kids- Reuben and Eindrien who were my two other favourites also. They are just so adorable. Reuben, despite his naughty behavior of sitting under the table, is always a good boy with me and I love to ask him " Is Reuben a good boy?" and he'll always respond with a smile and a thumbs-up. Eindrien is the heartthrob of the group I believe. Everybody just loves him because he's always smiling and is such a sweet boy. Even if he makes a mistake, when he gives you that smile, you just melt. He was the easiest to handle I feel because he follows whatever you tell him to do. The only thing is that he's a very affectionate person who loves to hug people. Yes, it seems like a cute behavior but sometimes, some people do not like it you see. I was the mother duck in their play performance and he was behind me. Haha, I don't know what's his fascination, but he keeps hugging me and especially likes to touch and pat my big butt! Keke, I don't really mind since it's his way of showing affection but we are supposed to teach these kids the social norms and behavior so I kind of felt bad sometimes scolding them even though you know that it's their way of showing affection.

The others were also sweet. David, the other boy in the group was indeed the life of the party with his constant need to be disciplined coz he was always saying that his befriender was smelly and kept taking off his socks. Gracia, who in the picture above is standing to my left, is adorable and really listens to you. The two sisters that my sister was in-charge of, are very active and talkative. But they are really great artists and can really draw well. Anyways, you can see the few pictures taken soon.Hopefully we can get hold of the official pictures taken during the camp coz I believe a lot was taken. We couldn't take a lot of pictures coz we were told that the parents may not like photos taken by other people apart from the official photographer. Now, I'm off to continue my relaxing...tata!

Just a thought...

2006-12-03T00:14:00.000+08:00

I like smooth choreography...that's the main reason why I like N'Sync. Their dance moves are like so smooth and cool, it makes you feel like you can do it. That's also the reason why I like watching Justin Timberlake dance. I don't really like him as much as JC Chasez but I'm cool with him and he creates good music. But seriously the choreographer does a really good job especially with the "My Love" music video (see music video section). Timbaland is a maestro I tell you in creating good music. It seems the features and songs he is involved with always are a hit with the crowd.

All is well?

2006-12-02T23:35:00.000+08:00

I have woken up from my 3hour slumber. Thank god that I did not sleep throughout the whole night. If it is so, I think that I'm bound to feel horrible tomorrow. Anyway, it's finally over. Whether it was a good end, I don't know what to say about the paper. I mean the questions seem do-able yet it wasn't. Anyway, it's over and done with and Let's all now concentrate on having good fun during this one-month holidays. Next week is day camp week for me and my sis, at least it seem like a good start to the holidays. Well, I plan to at least try a hand on gardening. Haha, seem wierd isn't it but oh well, I want to try. Since there's a month, I think I can give it some tender loving attention right? Although the weather seem to be unforgiving these days. Hmm, shopping is also in the list. It's nothing really just getting proper jeans and stuff. I'm starting (and hopefully continuing) Amore soon. Hehe, have put on all that weight lost and even more with all the snacking done for the exam fever. Seriously, I need to treat this emotional eating disorder of mine. And last but not least, clear the massive clutter in my room. I dread this really simply because I hate cleaning. Hmm, will do it when I feel like it...that is until my mum starts nagging about it. Tuition is starting soon. I'm hoping that I'll just teach one kid and that's that. It's not that I hate tuition, just that I'm not sure about my future yet and I don't want to make promises that I cannot keep later on. Oh well, more stuff later. Right now, You-Tube time!

Exams ARE a CONSPIRACY

2006-11-29T00:58:00.000+08:00

Saw this on someone else's blog. Freaking funny, must watch! I tell you it just blows your blues away. Speaking of blues, Natural Resource sucks big time for me. 2 pages written for a compulsory question? It's just beyond me. Exams are a conspiracy I tell you, no matter how nice people are!

2006-11-28T02:47:00.000+08:00

Told you that exams are parts of a conspiracy.

A conspiracy to make my life miserable.
THEY are just out there.
Be Careful...

Freaky..

2006-11-26T23:13:00.000+08:00

Freaky. I haven't been studying well this weekend...correction, I don't think I did even study that much. As soon as I got home, we cut the cake bought for the November babies (which is basically everyone except us sisters) and around 8plus, I feel asleep until the next morning. Somehow, nobody bothered to try and wake me up. Today, attempts to study properly somehow was a failure. Sigh, hope tomorrow isn't a disaster...

Exams are a conspiracy!

2006-11-20T15:31:00.000+08:00

a heartwarming story which makes me ashamed of my own individualistic wants...

Secret Santa

A sigh of relief...

2006-11-20T11:38:00.000+08:00

I got my laptop back...so happy!!! Although my precious pictures are totally gone, Oh well...I still am glad that my laptop's back. It's dirty though...hmm, will clean it later tonight.

You are a very sensitive person and you try hard (PERHAPS A LITTLE TOO HARD)

2006-11-17T02:02:00.000+08:00

Saw this on Eme's blog...How true is the results...very true especially about being emotional, trying too hard and creating unnecessary stress! Colorgenics

You are a very sensitive person and you try hard (perhaps a little too hard) to make favourable impressions and to be recognised by your peers. But you have that inherent need to feel appreciated and admired and you are easily hurt if all of your endeavours go by unappreciated or not acknowledged. Stop trying so hard.

Of late, everything seems to be going so slowly - far slower than you anticipated - and this is causing you much anxiety and frustration. It would appear that there is little you can do about the series of events that now seem to be taking place. In spite of the fact that you feel like 'giving up' - don't. Take a deep breath and start over again and you will find that eventually the expression 'All's well that ends well' will have an extra special meaning for you.

You are prepared to establish a particular relationship that is being made available to you at this time. It could be a satisfactory liaison but there could be a certain amount of conflict involved -try to avoid direct confrontation at all costs.

You are an emotional, sincere and impressionable individual experiencing frustration and unnecessary stress. You are carried away by other people's enthusiasm and looking for that idealised relationship, be it in a business or personal situation, which you are able to share with a mutual depth of understanding. You have lowered your defences in the past and you have been hurt, so you are now extremely wary of being exploited. You are still ready to trust people on the condition that they are prepared to offer you proof of their sincerity.

You are being very dogmatic, insisting that there is to be absolutely no equivocation whatsoever about your achievements and accomplishments.

Calm Before THE Storm

2006-11-17T01:51:00.000+08:00

It feels wierd typing at the desktop after 3 years of using the laptop...why am I doing so? Because my little baby chose to crash at this time of all times. SO there goes my wonderful pictures of memories created throughout this year, including my Raya photos. I'm still sore and just missing my laptop, missing the feeling of typing the keys of my laptop.

It happened on Sunday-Monday and the bad luck seem to just hit me throughout the whole day. Having your laptop crash is bad enough, but to get a bad grade for not just one but two papers from two modules is just putting the nail on the coffin for me. It does not help that the weather was just gloomy and dreary especially with the rain. I love the rain but I just hate it when I'm in a bad mood. Call it a love-hate relationship, whatever. I'm glad that my family was trying to comfort me with words of wisdom and the little things they tried to do- my brother even bought me food as a gesture~ something that he usually doesn't do.

But I was amazed how my luck turned around the next day and amazed at how true my mom's words are ( that there's always misery before happiness). Population's grades were good...ok..GREAT!, at least to me and that made my day and made me feel that there's hope after all. I guess this rollercoaster ride of life as my mum calls it just makes me more determined to get that grade. Whether I achieve it in the end is really up to fate.

Anyway, just a reminder...people, back up your hardsik ya...don't be like me, still grieving and hoping for the best for my laptop.

2006-11-03T01:27:00.000+08:00

Maybe I'm tired, maybe I'm protective
Never have I been so bingit about this in my life.

Celamat Hayi Raye Semue!

2006-10-24T09:59:00.000+08:00

Di bulan baik dan hari yang penuh bermakna, ingin ku ucapkan sekali lagi, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Ku pohon maaf jika ada terkasar bahasa ke, tersilap langkah ke, yang mana yang tak baik lah. Mintak maaf eh... Hari ni, untuk ramai pelajar, adalah satu-satunye hari untuk enjoy. Jadi enjoy tau, jangan tak enjoy! Tapi makan jangan sebarang makan; nanti sakit pulak!Sekarang tak boleh jatuh sakit tau; banyak hal penting belum selesai. Anyways, ENJOY!

Untuk peminat-peminat the English Royal Family, I saw this on an ex-classmates blog. Cute kan, I like Prince Harry, think that he's more good-looking!

2 days away from Hari Raya !

2006-10-22T11:56:00.000+08:00

This week has been rather slack for me since it's a breather. Thought that I could use this week to prepare andat least do an essay way before the deadline for once. Haha, fat hope! Although I have been doing my preparation diligently, the problem is that I don't even know the direction that I'm going. Nat Res essay is so vague that I have all the information but don't know how to write the essay. So here I am, in school trying to complete a draft at least. Can't really concentrate at home coz of the Hari Raya prep that the kids are roped in to do. Yeah, the new curtains are up! Love the texture and colour. Though it's white, I like it since it's soft and not too harsh. Did 2 types of Hari Raya goodies this week with my mom. One is of course Betty Crocker's Chocolate Chip cookies which the kids wanted to help in putting into the small cups. Goodness, it was a riot with them trying to help. Note that the keyword here is trying. Basically they were fighting between each other as to how many cups that they should each fill up. I tell you, sometimes I feel embarassed of my siblings; they're already in their teens and they're acting like babies still. Some may say that it just adds to the atmosphere but to me and my mom, it's madness coz you can;t really concentrate. So the next day was bliss for us since the kids are at school and we could finish making Kuih Makmur in peace and even made Murtabak Biskut for buka. I was in-charge of the Murtabak Biskut. It turned out ok to me, juz a little dry all because my mom insisted on using just one egg instead of two but the two young ones didn't want to eat coz it was spicy. Oh well, all the more for me, haha!

Oh school is just piling up all the work and the pressure to do the best that you can is just terrible sometimes and it has in a big way dampened the festive spirit. All that I'm thinking of is how to use the holidays to finish up the papers. Sad isn't it that you are not thinking of celebrating it with your family members but more of how to spend more times with those beloved papers. Haiz, madness is in the air. With the haze going on and the lack of care for one's health, it seems that some of the people I know including me are falling sick. I have the flu and basically I'm in a rut coz the running tappy nose occurs once in a while. Even if I decide to go to the doctor, I can't since he decided to go off on a holiday this week. Aiyoh, talk about timing. Oh talkking about haze, Dr Carl said something quite disturbing in lecture. He was lecturing about the haze and he was describing how the burning of forests occur near reserves for orang utans have affected the animals and that there was a report where the ranger actually hears the screams of the orang utans during the night as the fire burns. It just paints this horrid picture in your mind. He even included along the lines of "Remember that when you are breathing the haze, you are not only breathing the dust and all that's said in the PSI, you are also breathing in dead orang utans". How's that for starting your morning? But what he said was true and it just makes you feel like will all this ever end. Territorialisation and the idea of state sovereignty really is an evil concept to me. The idea of boundaries and the effects of boundaries on people have been immense. Most of the benefits tend to go to the more developed countries.

Anyway, enough of depressing imaginations. Back to work for me. All this outburst has somehow given me some direction on my essay. Hmm, something good coming out from all this depressing madness? Hmmm, such a selfish thought.

My

Add some spice to your life

2006-10-15T00:02:00.000+08:00

In a way, I'm relaxing coz I seem to have nothing better to do than to change the template again. It took me around 30 min to tweak things, so I have to admit I'm doing a pretty good job despite being a very tech-idiot. Anyway, it has been way long since I blogged. What's wrong? Well, nothing. And nothing is the keyword here. Life this past month has been hell, so to speak. A deadline almost every week is a must, sometimes there's two. The coming week is ok, coz there's no deadline. But I'm not resting. Must work work work! Feeling tired lately and not sleeping that well coz even when you are sleeping you are actually dreaming of what you want to write or what you have been writing. I mean, Bruce Lee and racial discrimination...been in my dreams and I tell you, they can be weird.

But with a breather in the coming week, I managed to start my slow mode by going to the Geylang Serai bazaar (not to be confused with the Bugis one) yesterday. It was packed as usual but I feel somehow relaxed despite the busy and hectic atmosphere. Maybe because you are not thinking of anything; just plain shopping. Haha, I think we went a little over in terms of our kuih-shopping...We kind of spent around $100...Haha, I guess all of us have our own preference and some of the must-have ones are quite standard expensive...can't be helped since the quality is there. But overall the stuff is the same as always, just a little getting used to trying to find the stall you usually buy from since everything's changed. But it's all about wanting to feel the atmosphere. I tell you before going to the bazaar, I really did not feel the excitement of Hari Raya since I'm stuck commuting from home to school and back. But, after going there, I feel as least some excitement; though I am not that happy since Mon I'll be in school till late and Wed I have my tutorials...Haiz, the life is getting bleak. And I haven't even added the assignments yet.

So, people, try to find some excitement in anyway you can. You will soon realise how little excitement can rejuvenate your soul and relax you....

2006-09-30T22:35:00.000+08:00

What am I doing here? Well, basically I don't know...ok, I'll create a reason to be here. I'm just dyingn to vent all the bottled-up frustration in me. I'm frustrated that I wasted the whole freaking week just bumming around. Ok, so I did some research here and there. So? The essay is still not written and I am still bumming around. I have two essays to think about and it just frustrates me that i'm having difficulty. Difficulty in what?Well, difficulty in starting and staying in focus! It's draining me and that does not even include the readings that I am not even touching much less downloading. Just tried to look at how much reading I missed and I'm already hyperventilating. Like seriously, just panic attack. Migration- 3wks of readings and they are freaking a lot! Population- Oh you don't say...I don't know when I even stopped.Natural Resource- Didn't even touch it and now paying for it as I look for concepts to plug into my essay. What is freaking wrong with me! And it doesn't help that my tuition kids are making me worry, one especially. Just days before PSLE and when I questioned him last week, he kept saying "I Don't Know". That was the first time I actually nearly got angry at somebody. Oh god, give me some light on how to deal with this. Luckily, tuition is ending like in 2 wks time for most of them. I cannot take that heart attack together with the heart attacks I have already specially prepared for myself. So much for trying to improve, Bah!

Ok, end of venting, now back to slogging....

Cik Siti Pergi Kebun Bunga...

2006-09-23T22:10:00.000+08:00

Right now I'm too tired to even want to update on this morning's hike (yes, it was really a hike rather than a walk) in Singapore Botanic Gardens. But here's something we found while we were waiting for the guided tour to start. Never fails to crack me up every time I watch it. I'm really evil, I know...

New Routine 1

New Routine 2 - A New Member

Hello...

2006-09-19T15:24:00.000+08:00

Been a bad girl, skipped lec today because I just felt lazy. I'm still in denial thinking that I want to skip coz of the piling work for tutorial and deadlines. But of course we know that the main reason is L_ _ _ in caps. Anyways, I did make the effort to do some reading but the thing is it's not making any sense. So, here I am online. Oh well, I'll get back to it soon. Note that soon is a very optimistic yet ambiguous word. I want to go to the Botanical Gardens to take some photos, any takers. But you'll haf to bear wif me though coz I'll be fasting and can get a little wee-bit grumpy.

2006-09-17T22:00:00.000+08:00

It was only digging up holes and planting saplings. Yet, I'm aching on one side and it's hard to cough or move without the need to control my movement. I am so out of shape. Amore, here I come...as soon as I can get my lazy big butt there...

My New Baby...

2006-09-17T21:49:00.000+08:00

So, this is my own camera. Not going to share it with anyone. I will miss using the Canon Powershot. This camera has high expecations to live up to since Canon Powershot was such a good camera to use. But the salesperson convinced me that this is better in terms of sharpness than the Canon Powershot A430. Something about the megaixels. Ok, I'm a little biased coz I like Canon and the camera looks good. But in the end, it's all about the sharpness and after much convincing I took Kodak. So, Kodak...better make me proud.

Canon Powershot A430

Cik Siti pergi berkebun

2006-09-16T22:15:00.000+08:00

Went to the afforestation volunteer work today and all I have to say is that I have been such an urban girl that it was my first time holding a cangkul and doing 'hard labour'. Haha, but it was fun though despite all that 'muscle work'. I had a good partner, Alex from Science. Basically, when we were told to pair up guy-girl each, we kind of like partner together since we were beside each other. He was fun in the sense that he was chatty. So, basically were were talking about travelling in Singapore(he's Malaysian). You know, I still don't think that 1hour was that long despite his insistence that travelling to AMK from NUS is far. Haha, imagine travelling to Pasir Ris from NUS.

Anyway, the 30 of us planted 155 fig tree saplings, about 10 saplings each. Boy it was hard work but it was worth it because you feel involved. I digged only 2 holes and feel guilty for my partner who had to dig the rest. But it was nice though, especially pruning the plants. Learnt that for newly planted saplings, most of the leaves are cut into half to reduce water loss since the saplings are still adjusting to the new environment. Interesting...

Most of the volunteers were foreign students and mostly from Science and Engineering. Felt a little intimidated because I was the only Malay (again) and one of the few from Arts ( the other girl was from Political Science). But alls well I guess as long as you just smile and just be sincere in having conversations.

Ok, I'm trying to get my skeleton for the Urban Planning essay now, will do the draft tomorrow. Need to sleep early because I'm volunteering at the Very Special Arts exhibition at Marina Square tomorrow. Come and visit it, I guarantee that it's worth your time. Don't care about the IMF thing, this is one of the times where you can really shop and go out @ Suntec, Marina area with ease and relaxation. I just realise that I'm taking a risk by having a busy outdoor schedule despite having a deadline due. But then I enjoy these two events ( I'm sure I will enjoy tomorrow). So, people if you are free drop by Marina Square ok?

Ooh, I'm getting a camera of my own tomorrow I think, haha. Though I feel guilty of kind of ruining my brother's one, I have been thinking of my own since the photo essay project is coming up and I have been developing this selfish instinct of wanting my own things and not share with others. Hehe, all because of my sister who have scared me with the way she mishandle anythign she touches. Hope to get a Canon since I have had good experience with it.

The Day The Music Died

2006-09-11T22:09:00.000+08:00

Remember La Bamba? Remember True Love Ways?( I think you will remember the tune more than the title) Now imagine if the people who brought you those hits were still alive...at least longer than the life they had. Wonder what magic they can come up with to dazzle our lives with? Here's American Pie. It was supposedly a eulogy by Dan Mclean to remember 3 great future artists that never came to be. All because of a plane crash on 3 February 1959...maybe it's fate that they leave so soon with the circumstances that steer them to the tragedy. Anyway, here's American Pie, it's a good song actually. I don't understand why they associate it with a crappy movie.

American Pie by Dan Mclean
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.

But february made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.

I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.

So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Did you write the book of love,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock ’n roll,
Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you’re in love with him
`cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym.
You both kicked off your shoes.
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.

I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died.

I started singin’,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Now for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone,
But that’s not how it used to be.
When the jester sang for the king and queen,
In a coat he borrowed from james dean
And a voice that came from you and me,

Oh, and while the king was looking down,
The jester stole his thorny crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.
And while lennon read a book of marx,
The quartet practiced in the park,
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died.

We were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Eight miles high and falling fast.
It landed foul on the grass.
The players tried for a forward pass,
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
`cause the players tried to take the field;
The marching band refused to yield.
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

We started singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again.
So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick!
Jack flash sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is the devil’s only friend.

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break that satan’s spell.
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news,
But she just smiled and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before,
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play .

And in the streets: the children screamed,
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.
But not a word was spoken;
The church bells all were broken.
And the three men I admire most:
The father, son, and the holy ghost,
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died.

And they were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

They were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die."

When I first found out about the real meaning of the song (After watching the movie about Ritchie Valens), I kind of cried because you never knew a eulogy could sound so beautiful. But then, the music he created were beautiful. In a way, it's a way of thanking and wistfully wondering what if...

2006-09-10T21:42:00.000+08:00

Age is but a number. It is your loved ones that make the years you have lived very worthwhile. Happy Birthday to me and everyone who celebrates today!

The week in perspective...

2006-09-09T22:45:00.000+08:00

This week has been interesting in many ways. Well, I begin with Sunday where me and Sharifah went to Sungei Buloh for a 'hike'. It wasn't really a hike coz it was more of a long walk here and there. Spent a good half and hour just looking at the water monitor lizard find food. We were basically just lulled by the silence( with exceptions from some idiots who just cannot keep their volumes down much less keep their mouths shut). Many a times we encounter monitor lizards just moving about and avoiding humans. I'm kind of amazed at my memory of the the mangroves info like how some of the plants grow their seedlings on the trees first before they fall off and ready to grow into a big one. After that, we decided to go to Bollywood Veggies since we were around the area. Well, I think if you want good food, that's the place. Don't bother going to the farm now coz it's a work in progress where most of the plants are still growing. But the food there are really fresh since most of the stuff are taken from the farm and very healthy I would say with the inclusion of vegetables in almost all of its dishes. Anyway, if I were to describe the whole week in this manner, the post would be long. So I'll say the interesting things that have happened to me this week.

1) Do I not look Malay? After a year feeling like I do look like a Malay, the same old questions have come back to haunt me. During the Sungei Buloh walk, two people asked me and Sharifah if we were foreigners and commented that we don't look local. Hmm... And then during the week a classmate asked me if I was Malay coz I don't look like one. The same question appeared on Wednesday when some creepy stranger who was just bothering me also thought that I wasn't Malay.

2) Group project members seem interesting this semester as I team up with new faces and old faces but finally got to know them. One of them is this girl in my Nat Res group whom I thought I find her name familiar. Apparently, we have been taking some modules together (including Cities n region..Eme, I think you will recognise her. She was in one of the gungho groups who kept asking questions). The new people seem nice. Hopefully it will be fun working with them since the schedule is tight in terms of deadlines.

3) It feel weird to be one of the people your lecturers know and 'pick' on you. I guess in a way it's good coz it makes you pay attention and really do think your way through and not just fade off. I think I want to be constructive always and participate. Haha, no worries, won't be that enthusiastic but will try to be.

4) Speaking of tutorial, I made a fool of myself and gave a ditzy daisy first impression to Auntie Peggy for Pop Analysis. Firstly, I had happily signed up for the wrong tutorial, or at least people tell me that I have done so. So I was in the tutorial I wanted although I was allocated the one before that. When Auntie Peggy was marking attendance, she noted that I missed mine. To put it simply, I gave her the bimbotic answer "Is it" followed by "Then how?" and then when she asked if I wanted to continue to be in this tutorial, I said " Is it possible?". Thinking back I was slapping myself so hard. I mean I should have at least gave more articulated answers and be intelligent; not depend on her to solve all my woes. I mean, I'm a uni kid; I should at least be more quick in my thoughts and solutions. Anyway, to add to the ditzy moment, she asked a freaking long question which I kind of lost the first part along the way. Fearing that she will ask me, I asked Eme what she had said. And my fears came true, she asked me and I had no choice but to ask her to repeat her question. Damn, I just felt foolish when she said "Now you're blaming me". Sorry Eme, that she asked you the question she asked. Man, felt so ditzy. But at least I redeemed myself in Nat Res later that day where I did talk a lot and contribute constructively and not be ditzy. But then the relaxed environment Dr. Carl and May created helped.

5) There's another thing that happened when I was on my way home that day. Let's just say it was related to the creepy stranger I mentioned. If you want to know, can ask me. Don't feel like saying it on the blog coz I felt in a way it's not his fault that I call him creepy.

Anyways, I think I maybe overdoing myself. I had signed up for the afforestation program and there will be a session this Saturday. Hopefully this will be interesting especially since I don't think I know anyone there. But hey, anything for new experiences. The days ahead will be busy, busy, busy. I'm swamped with prep for essays and readings especially that of migration. I'm behind by 3 reading, not including the e-seminars. Sad, sad and more panic. Oh, Kevin Dunn looks cute in a vintage way with his suspenders. I mean, he's the first lecturer I see wearing suspenders. His lecture is interesting although he is a little monotonous.

Pics from Sungei Buloh will be up as soon as I get my camera fixed...something wrong with the USB cable..my sister is so dead...

Sayang, yang sudah tu sudah

2006-08-28T23:21:00.000+08:00

What is up with the Malaysian media nowadays? First there was this big hoohaa and the live telecast of Siti Nurhaliza's wedding. Just now, I saw a little bit of the live talk abut the relationship between Mawi and Ina. I mean, what's up with airing your dirty laundry and your private life on air. What amazes me is the number of people who are interested in watching them( don't blame me, I was just channel-surfing, as usual). What has happened to the idea of separating your public and private lives? I know that the media can be used as a tool to set the wrong things right and show the truth through legal means. Still, things are just going overboard. With all these hype created about these stars' private life, it's no wonder that television companies are just willing to produce trashy meaningless shows that just rake in the money. And these stars also...haiz. Enough la. Why are you showing all this? It just makes you look desperate for any bit of attention you can get. Seriously, yang sudah tu sudah. Buat ape nak ungit lagi. He's just not that into you, so just move on.

Anyway on a happier note, I love K-dramas. I used to wonder why is it that people are just so addicted to it. Now I know, it's just so fascinating to see them act. It's like those people who love Bollywood films. I'm not a fan of them no matter how many of the popular film I have watched. But I guess the addiction can be equal to that. So, "My Lovely Samsoon" is on TV. No matter how much I have said to people that I will not watch dramas or movies that is the hype during that period, I have to break that statement for K-dramas. I watched it and I'm like torn for tomorrow. Should I watch CSI or My Lovely Samsoon. Haiz, "trivial" decisions are so hard to make. Anyway, K-dramas make me just happy; it's just a strong drug that keeps me happy. The night before I was watching "Marrying The Mafia" and this morning I was still smiling and just feeling happy despite having to wake up early for school. I was just feeling happy that I actually smiled at the new Caucasian neighbour. Don't worry, I'm not interested in him, haha. He's old and not that handsome-looking. But he did look surprised when I actually smiled at him. Haha, his experience of Singaporeans not really smiling at strangers must have made him seem surprised at my action. Oh well, bottomline is that I'm feeling happy and after watching Samsoon just now, I want to buy the DVD no matter how expensive it is. Seems like it's a good drama to watch over and over. Hmmm, whatever it is, Have a Great Day tomorrow! Haha, now I'm off to try and reduce my overdose of happiness so that I can sleep. Need to wake up early tomorrow. Ciao!

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

Saw Suria Segar just now. Haha, now I have another Western restaurant to explore and more importantly have meals in. It's called "Mad Jack" and the best thing it's at Bukit Timah Road. It's at the place that has the bus stop where those who board 151 will take the bus from. Yesh, the always crowded bus stop. I'm like thinking, maybe we should stop by that place to have a meal before going to school or something. Any takers? I'm dying to try something new anyways.

!st day blues

2006-08-15T09:16:00.000+08:00

It was the first day of school and I am already sick. Haha, I really did not know what happened. Basically, during the day I have been complaining about having headaches; which I suspect is due to the going in and out of the aircon venues. Now, I have full blown flu with the lack of ability to speak much as a result of my scratchy throat.But I kind of have been expecting it because have not been feeling the best lately and my students have been down with different kinds of illness. So, I guess it's about time that I get it. But that's the least of my worries. What worries me is Film & History. Some people have kind of hijacked the group allocated to us and basically we are left without a group to fit in 7 people. Ok, I'm being dramatic. There are some groups that we can fit in. It's just that it's not fair coz we were given that group and now we were "kicked out" of it. And it isn't even our fault. Hehe, emailed the lecturer about it and even suggested to just give us another group that was empty to reduce the hassle. Unfortunately, as of just now,I checked and saw that the group is also filled with people. Haiz, problem problem. Oh well, I have emailed him and we'll just see how the outcome is.Ok, now I'm off to bathe. Haha, I just woke up actually. Hope the long sleep has allowed me to get rid of most of the flu. Luckily for me, today is short for me.

Something something

2006-08-11T23:49:00.000+08:00

The new semester is starting and I am excited. Haha, I have always been excited about going to school since I was young. It's that feeling of a new beginning and as always, the school supplies shopping that never fails to get me excited. Just checked out the people who are in the modules. Hmm, a few people that I am not keen to meet after having bad experiences working with them. I thought that maybe they'll be gone, graduated or something but they're here. Luckily the LT will be big. So hopefully we don't run into each other. On another note, I'm excited to take modules outside of faculty. Hehe, so if you'll excuse me, I'm off to look for the lecture venue. Don't want to be late for the first lecture of the week. You know, people I know are going into honours or are already planning and some even preparing for honours already. Makes me feel gian and really hampa. If I could really turn back time, I would have done my Yr1 Sem2 again. Imagine just 1 semester's results can dash your hopes just like that. Oh well, I'm going to work hard and push it up as much as I can. There's always hope and hard work. This weekend, full of activities related to school or the seven deadly sins, hehe. Ciaoz

Simplicity yet homely. That's the way I like it

2006-08-10T21:40:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was fun fun fun all the way! I guess it will be one of those gathering that I'll never forget. Yesterday was National Day and also the last 4/5 gathering before Mr Kwok flies off to Boston, US. Simplicity yet homely. That's the summary of how the gathering went. It was great to see people you have not seen for a long time. But it just feels like 2000 and 2001 again with all the banterings and convos. Entertainment was as usual provided by Girlbert...oops, Teck Sheng with his stories and opinions which somehow don't make sense at times.His cow song( I am a cow, hear me moo...) and his "Bert" story(the pun of the word makes us laugh) But his stories are really funny at times, so much so that my cheeks were numb by the end of the day. So Eme, you HAVE GOT to send me those videos. I'm really looking forward to it.

On a less hype mode, I was glad to have a convo with Mr Kwok. As usual, he asked me where I am now and the most important question that he always asks. "Are you going to be a teacher?"Beofer, I would just say, I'm still not sure and all the excuses come out. But this time around, I said that I am working towards it. We went on discussing about how teaching will be like, how to prepare yourself to get yourself accepted into NIE. This may seem boring to some but I guess words cannot express the feeling I had inside me. I felt this passion reignited again. The passion to really want to do well and just push my way forward to get what I want. The last time I felt it was in Sec 3 and 4, the time where I just wanted to prove to people that I wasn't a failure and that I can make it. I guess I kind of lost it when I was in JC and it went downhill after Yr 1 Sem 2 when I had the worst results ever. Now, I feel like I want to do the best to try to get Hounours and even if I cannot(which is most likely), I will find other means and ends possible to get to NIE. I was really touched when Mr Kwok said towards the end of our convo,how I should go in teaching coz "(I) have what it takes to be a teacher". I feel humbed yet proud of myself. And that sealed the passion to want to do well. So thank you Mr Kwok for being as usual the cheerleader and motivator.

All in all, I enjoyed the day of reuniting with old friends and old banters, jokes and revelation. The food was good and for the record, me and Shi Hong just bbq the food. Haha, I think the praise for the good food should also go to the company who prepared the marinate and all. I can't wait for the next gathering.

PS. It's a thought that I shared with Eme and Pei Hua when we were on our way home. Isn't it wierd that even now when we are considered adults, we still address Mr Kwok as Mr Kwok and have never thought or tried to call him by his name?I guess the respect is still strong eh?

PSS. Anyway, saw Singapore Idol just now. Why in the wrld is Joakim still lingering around and just killing every song he touches. Can't these fans for once get a grip of reality and vote for the best? The best to me so far? Hady and Jonathan. True crooners.

Oh, I'm ready for it. Come and bring it!

2006-08-10T01:20:00.000+08:00

I cannot get enough of the song that's playing now (If you are hearing the music video). The movie is coming out soon. Will not watch it, but I'll support this band. Yes, I'm back in my punk rock phase again. After drowning myself in pop for a period of time, I'm ready to return to my fav punk rock music.

Anyway, latest update on the upgrading. Another guy came up to convince my neighbours to change his mind. Can these penghasut just get a life? They are not paying and what's more, one of them, the woman is moving out. Why do they bloody care! I'm pissed coz firstly they were rude enough to not ask the people who are directly affected(my family). Like what the hell! The situation was bad that yesterday, a "neutral" party from the RC and a representative from HDB came to explain the troublemakers of 5th floor in great detail Obviously that did not stop them coz one of the "neutral" party was the guy who came up today. Such a two-face *****!He was ready to use his HDB knowledge (he works at the HDB) to work his charm. Like howrude and two-face is that!Why does it matter to you so much?You have access to the present lifts and you won't have to pay a single dime for the upgrading! WE are the ones WHO are PAYING for it! WE should have more say. Just because you are an RC member, you are trying to use this opportunity to PROVE your worth? IS THIS THE WAY TO GO?! Such people makes me sick because they are just plain selfish and just a*******!

I know, I know!Patience, patience...But I just cannot help it. I just cannot believe such people exist. This song is just perfect to show how I'm feeling. The part " It's time to fly/to make the stars align/with the serpentine/lounging in their suits and ties./Watch the whore's parade/for the price you paid, hey." just describes these people. So like the chorus of the song " Oh, I'm ready for it.Come on, bring it."

Cobra Starship - Snakes on A Plane(Bring It)
Times are strange
We got a free upgrade for
snakes on a plane.
Fuck em, I don't care.
Bought the cheap champagne,
we're going down in flames, hey.

Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.

So kiss me goodbye.
Honey, I'm gonna make it out alive.
So kiss me goodbye.
I can see the venom in your eyes.
Goodbye.

It's time to fly,
to make the stars align
with the turpentine
lounging in their suits and ties.
Watch the whore's parade
for the price you paid, hey.

Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.

So kiss me goodbye.
Honey I'm gonna make it out alive
So kiss me goodbye.
I can see the venom in your eyes

So kiss me goodbye.
Honey, I'm gonna make it out alive
So kiss me goodbye.
I can see the venom in your eyes
Goodbye.

Ladies and gentlemen
These snakes are slitherin'
with dollar signs in they eyes
with tongues so reptilian
This industry's venemous
with cold-blooded sentiment
No need for nervousness
It's just a little turbulence.

So kiss me goodbye.
Honey I'm gonna make it out alive
So kiss me goodbye.
I can see the venom in your eyes

So kiss me goodbye.
Honey, I'm gonna make it out alive
So kiss me goodbye.
I can see the venom in your eyes
Goodbye.

Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.
Oh, I'm ready for it
Come on, bring it.

We seem to be losing altitude
at an alarming pace
Midtown downtown
Snakes on a blog
I suggest you grab your ankles
and kiss your ass goodbye.

Much ado about upgrading

2006-08-08T00:17:00.000+08:00

I am amazed at how my quiet block is awakened and taking sides in the debate of upgrading. This happened yesterday where there was a woman,living on the corner of the 5th floor, who went around my corner of the block collecting signatures to petition against the location of the upgrading lifts. For those who have been to my house will know that to get to my corner of the block is a little complicated where you have to climb extra flights of stairs after taking the lifts. So the news of having the lift just beside my house is so way cool. You see the news is much accepetd by my corner. No longer do we have to wait for so long in the early mornings just because the people on the 15th and 18th floor chooses to hog the lifts and just put them on hold while the rest of the family gets ready to go out!No longer do we have to suffer from the stupidity of the lifts that just don't send another lift up even though the other one is busy just because there is a system where one lift has to be on the ground floor while the other makes its service. Like how stupid is that. In the mornings, people go down, not up!

Anyway, I'm digressing from the main story. So, there was this woman who, from what I hear from my neighbour, had been going around my corner since 7pm to collect signatures. She said that she is against the choice of location as the lift would block her view. I really felt like banging her head.I mean, Hello? The only view you have is of the lift on the other side and the staircase. The location she suggest was basically right in front of my door. I was incensed knowing that her reason for the petition is ridiculous. I mean, just because the lift would compromise your amazing view of the other side of the building, you want it to be located right in front of my door.

Here are the reasons why I and coincidently my neighbours on my floor opposes to her suggestion.
1) For the chinese, it is "pantang" (taboo) to have the lift facing your door.
2) With the lift facing my door, I would have to always close my door to ensure security and people not peeping into my house. I mean, it is bad already with my house having lots of window panels that allow people to peep into every time they pass. This had forced us to close one section of our window panels, just so we don't feel like animal exhibits being watched.
3) The lift would be directly facing the kitchen of every household in each floor. Meaning, in case of fire, the corner can blow up considering the free access it has to gas and electric pipelines. Nice isn't it!
4) Since she is on the lift level floor and would not have to pay for the upgrading and WE have to pay, WHY on earth is she so excited and bossy about all this?
5) In the case of fire, my neighbour living on the other corner cannot escape as the fire from the lift would totally block the only escape passage. She even commented sarcastically to the woman "Not to worry, I'll just jump down from here"
6) If the lift is to build where she wants it, it will be away from the staircase, on the other end. Which architect and planner would dare do that?It's like planning a murder almost immediately.
7) Lastly, the location would compromise the present carpark space. Which I feel would just raise the ire of many considering that parking space is already an issue around here. Less of it would just be a war of madness. And also think of how vehicles of emergency like the ambulance and fire engine can have access when the whole area is closed up.

Anyway, the other neighbours were quite pissed at the way the woman was trying to force her ideas on them. Especially when they were keen on having the lift where it was suggested. Interestingly, the woman did not approach our family despite the fact that whatever the decision is, we would be the one involved since the location would be along our family's "property". It turns out she only approached the people living in her corner at every floor and the ones opposite their unit. Talking about having a fair petition. Hehe, another interesting thing was that she thought she could convince my neigbour who lives on the same corner for our floor. However, she didn't know that our neighbour has a loud voice that kind of attracted the rest of us out from our houses to see the going-ons. But what irks me the most is that, my mom asked her what was the matter many times but she just ignored her. I'm like, first you suggest a ridiculous idea without consulting the person who's most involved. Now, you purposely ignore somebody even though she asks you politely. How rude! So I was glad that the neighbours were united for once to go against this troublemaker. And it turns out, the reason why she was against the location is that she uses the place to hang her clothes. I mean compare her reasons against the negatives of the other location. Talk about selfishness. Sigh. Well, our floor is eager to attend the meeting before the balloting. I'm going, just to fight it out!

Creativity in Desperation

2006-08-04T10:52:00.000+08:00

Remember those days where you hate Maths so much and that during tests you are just so desperate to just give that answer. I really do believe that it is during exams where you can see creativity shine. Call it being creative under pressure. Some call it desperation or silly but not me. It's just how your brains work. You just want to give some answer although it may not me the correct one. And amazingly the answers given can be considered creative.Why? Because if you look at it, you will tend to go, "You know, what this kid wrote makes sense". Just look at the following and you'll see what I mean. These are some pictures I found while blog-hopping and they're just hilarious.

I am rich with lessons learnt

2006-08-01T01:24:00.000+08:00

I know that this is an ungodly hour to be blogging but I cannot sleep. That's the irritating thing that I have when I'm about to fall sick. I simply cannot sleep. So basically I have to suffer the urgh feeling of "going to fall sick" and not being able to try to sleep it off. So I decided to make it worthwhile by updating on what I've gotten myself into.

Last Wednesday and Sunday, I volunteered to be an Arts angel at the VSA(Very Special Artists) Arts exhibition at Raffles City. I'm sure it has been in the news whether big or just a small article. But you know, I'm glad that I did take a leap of faith and volunteered. I enjoyed myself a lot and actually learnt many wonderful lessons myself. The number one thing is the appreciation of art itself. While speding the time to be guides and helpers in the exhibition, there was a lot of time spent looking at the arts pieces and just appreciating the beauty of it. There were really beautiful paintings there that just awes me to my toes simply because they can be simple yet catch your attention immediately. Another thing is how it made me grounded knowing that the artists have disabilities of various forms. I guess the saying "disabled does not mean unable" bodes true. I have seen some of the artists in person and I really look up to them. Some of them are very young and yet they have such a great optimism in life that inspires me to be more self-confident. Also, parents play a big role in bringing confidence and hope to the artists. On the day of the official launch, I saw the parents of a young Malay artist I believe was featured in the Malay newspaper. They were calm and just simple. Yet, I saw the look of satisfaction and just the look of pride seeing their son able to pick himself up. You see he suffered from brain damage due to drug overdose. It makes me just melt looking at them.

But the experience today takes the cake of my three day experience. I would not have been there again if not for Jo ( the in-charge) asking if I could help out. I was like, why not? I mean I had enjoyed the other 2 days. And I was glad I agreed. I had a ball of a time, helping out in the arts workshop for the students from MINDS. I made three friends just by chatting with them while guiding them along. The joy of just plain interaction makes me feel warm inside. I guess, to me, it could be just simple interaction but maybe just maybe I have impacted their lives in some ways, although not that big in magnitude. I also saw the real-life action of how the teachers handled any problems and manage to encourage the students to participate. I guess what they did was true. if you want your students to participate, you have to participate yourself. And despite the fact that it was a simple arts lesson, everybody even the teachers enjoyed themselves. And I tell you the teachers have real talent in drawing especially Miss Chu. But their patience really won me over in the way they manage to focus their full attention to each students despite having several calling out for attention.

All in all, I am glad I was brave in just sending that email though there were times, I wanted to lie and say that I changed my mind just because I'm afraid. I guess, once in a while you have to try soemthing new because you never know how worthy that experience can be. I have made friends just by being involved for 3 days and learnt so much real lessons, in all sensory forms. These lessons have changed my perception on life and all those art lessons I receive from Jo just taught me how to look at art. People look at arts as just pictures or they may just rave about the artists. But I learnt that paintings are like poems; you analyse them over and over and you find something new to look at. All you have to do is to look at it with an open mind.

Ok, I guess, I better stop. I think that's enough gushing done. If this bores you, never mind. I just need an outlet on what I have seen. And surprisingly Singaporeans do buy art pieces, not because of charity(that's secondary) but because of the talent. But it's also about affinity and personal taste. It's like a girl and her wedding dress. You know, a girl will just want that dress because it is THE dress, HER dress. Ok, I'm off to continue my pre-flu insomia syndrome.

Had a Bad Day

2006-07-17T22:11:00.000+08:00

Today has been a bad day. I'm serious. And it all started with me falling off my bed. How is ti possible? Well, out of the rush to answer the ringing phone, I kind of hurried down the stairs (mine's a double-decker bed) and forgot there was one more step. So basically I was flying out and landed like a nangka busuk. My shins hurt bad, some bruise forming. Hehe, anyway, somehow I manage to answer the phone and manage to give coherent answers despite wincing my way through. It still hurts though and the rest of the day just continue with the spate of bad incidents. Anyway, as usual when I'm sad. I look for my Zhenya. He sure cheers me up especially with this commercial I found of him. He's just adorable! My shin may still hurt but I'm a happy girl still. Tomorrow meeting another favourite guy of mine. Johnny Depp.Loved him since Edward Scissorhands. Love it when he acts the 'wierd' characters. Don't really like eye candys. The real deal is better.

Anyway, enjoy Zhenya in the following places. Oh, btw, Zhenya is none other than Evgeny Plushenko! So cute!
Chupa Chups 2
Chupa Chups 1

Once Bitten, Twice Still Not Shy

2006-07-10T00:10:00.000+08:00

Uh-huh, I've done it again despite the horrifying results the other time. I went to the SAME hairdresser and faced the same results. I just don't learn at all to stop going there and seek another hairdresser. So now, my hair is freaking short, and I mean short. Shorter than the other time. And I'm freaking out. Although there's a month to recover before school starts, imagine the reaction of my students. They must be thinking I have had some major crisis or something. It's just a disaster. I tried to mess with this new haircut. I take consolation that by side parting it, I look a wee-bit better. I just cannot wait for it to grow out. I know it will look better once my hair grows but for now, minimal movement is necessary. Oh, anyone can suggest any good hairdressers? I don't want to be third-time plain stupid. For now, it's lots of moisturisers and hairspray to just make my hair look decent coz short hair makes my hair out-of-control most of the time.Sheesh...

Seriously

2006-07-05T23:22:00.000+08:00

I am bored seriously. Ok, I know I should be counting myself lucky that I still have my tuition to support me but I need a day job. Anything to get me out of the boredom faced during the day. Also, the experience is important in future interviews for permanent jobs. I did signed up with a recruitment agency before but the person we signed up with seems to go MIA, no news. Haiz, maybe should go to another agency or something? or is it too late since there's only 1 more month. Haiyo, there was this Popular temp job but I'm just irritated. I mean the required lang in English AND Chinese. I mean, hello!I understand that you do sell Chinese books to but that doesn't mean you have to refrain from hiring people of other races also! I kind of tired of such requirements. Such as Chinese-speaking environment. What excuse is that? I heard from a friend that they don't even speak Chinese that often even though they put such notices up. Seriously! Well, I don't care. I'm just going to sign up for it. Like it or not! It's worth a try. If they did for whatever reason call me to ask why I do so. I'm just going to give the same answer as I have just done so. I mean I can manage the English side. Come to think of it. There was this time where I did want to gor for the walk-in interview for Popular but when I saw English and Chinese required I was hesistant. Then I did see a Malay girl working there a few months later. I was like, what?Why didn't I try? Maybe I could be like her.But I found out that such cases usually happen when a staff recommends you for the job. Hmmm, so what? I need somebody inside to get me in just because I cannot speak Chinese? This sucks. I'm sorry if this post hurt anyone. Really sorry but this is a fact of life for people like me who wants to work the shitty work but cannot get it because of the language barrier set up by people which are mostly unneccesary. Oh well. Screw it. Sorry the monthly thing makes things more exaggerated than it actually is...

He's Just Not That Into You

2006-07-05T00:13:00.000+08:00

I just watched a repeat of Singapore Tonight and I am freaking jealous. A Singaporean just got married to the son of an Indian tycoon. OMG! Seriously, $10 million wedding (check it out here). I also want! I mean a handsome husband who's into you and freaking rich to boot. It's almost the same as marrying a royal. Haha, yupz, it's fantasy time. Girls, let's start dreaming and fantasising about the high life. Anyway, I watched an episode of Oprah today and they were talking about women who wants to know if there is a future in their relationship. Hmm, I'm interested in reading the book featured " He's Just Not That Into You". Judging by how the author presented himself and just giving his take on guys makes me interested because he is a guy talking about signs, excuses guys give if he's not interested in you. And Oprah said that the book should be on every single girl's and divorcee's nightstand. Really? Hmm, let's find out.

Got my Rose

2006-07-03T20:37:00.000+08:00

I got my Rose and I'm a happy girl. Such sweet smell. But I still want my Ralph Lauren. Both of them or at least one of them will do. Went to the library today and kind of went into a bookworm frenzy and ended up borrowing a lot of books. Hopefully I'll be able to finish reading them all ut they sound so good and I read the first chapter of each book before I borrowed just to make sure and I'm hooked.
Haha, but then I have lots of time in the morning. So I guess I can finish them. Hopefully :) But I got my Rose...I'm in a happy mood although feeling a little fatigued because of the monthly thing. Anyway, I'm a little tickled because I posted up the video of my sister's performance at Youtube so that it will be easier to post up on the blog. But somehow my account @ Youtube is now inundated with comments and requests from secondary school kids either saying "Beatty Rawks" or asking me if I have videos of the othe parts of th eceremony. I'm tickled because I just did not expect these videos to be seen by others. But oh well, things will die down..soon I hope. And I got my Rose...Yes, shut up Siti.

SYF- Remembrance of youth and the good old days

2006-07-02T10:08:00.000+08:00

SYF 2006 can be said to be a mini, simpler version of the National Parade. As always I was fascinated by the marching contingent and the parade itself. Haha, always have been excited about parades (the marching contingents, GOHs, the march past, all of it!). But I think the one that takes the cake for the closing ceremony SYF 2006 are the display bands who were vying for the top place. And they were good! My fav has always been Tanjong Katong Sec and they just prove why they are so good. I love it love it love it! The formations are just precise and good (Batman, Superman logos, Pegasus and the final one of Moscow). They got the best display band but I think if the drum major had not dropped his baton towards the end, he would have won the best drum major as well. But all in all it was good.The best drum major went to Deyi Sec. Although he also dropped his baton around the same spot and same time (that spot must be jinxed), he won i think most of the time when he receives his baton after he threw it up, it looked so flawless that it was as if the baton never left his hands. So classy and smooth! My sis performance was ok, not bad. Heard from her that they invited her school to perform at NDP, the teachers are considering it. Haha, Please please please!Let it be a yes. Haha, then I can get free ticket again. To NDP somemore! Who doesn't want seh?! But tak menjadi, oh well. At least I got to sit at the National Stadium once before it closes for renovation. Anyway, here are some photos and clips. Two of them are mine while the TK band performance is taken fr Youtube by someone who filmed the judging.

hmmm, it seems some people don't agree with TK's win. But I don't care I like them.

ok, this is not really clear. Basically it's a bunch of motor planes flying round and round. The only thing that keeps them from flying away are string which the people on the ground are hanging on to.

this is the front part of my sis's school performance. Didn't manage to capture the whole thing because the memory was full. sigh. too bad i guess.

Woo hoo, parades parades. I love parades. Remind me of Sec sch. I miss marching a lot. And the commands. It brings memories!

This is the Suranaree Marching Band from Thailand that performed in th eceremony. They were just so good. My mom kept saying that the way they walked was like as though they had no feetand were just floating on air and gliding through. Seriously, their music and performance was just so good!

Nan Hua High performance.Ok lah but I feel like I saw this @ NDP on TV before .

TK band

Deyi Sec

Bowen Sec

Beatty Sec( The kids in red) and Nan Chiau High( those on bicycles)

2006-07-01T10:20:00.000+08:00

Ok, this is just a thought. There was no incident that triggered this question in my head. If your friends and acqaintances start getting together (you know going to another level of relationship), where does that leave you when you have gatherings and reunions?Would you feel wierd or uncomfortable? I mean much as you feel happy for them, would you feel different? I mean just because...It's a thought.

2006-07-01T01:54:00.000+08:00

Damn Argentina lost. But it was a good game. Very intense. I just want Germany beaten. It is true what they say. Home team always get good ground. Urgh, never mind, another team will beat it. And England too. I want Portugal to beat England. Just because.

Karma Karma Karma Chameleon

2006-07-01T00:46:00.000+08:00

I just love love love this song. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club. Boy George is just so entertaining to watch. He's kind of cute in his own way. One thing, the song is simple yet powerful. I do believe in karma, after all what goes around really comes around. I've seen it many times. It even happens to me. Especially when I decide to do something bad.Oh well, you live and you learn. I've been on the quiet side lately. Only went out on Tuesday to watch King and the Clown. It was seriously a dark comedy. I enjoyed it although I don't think a person who's not open-minded about sex and homosexuality will like it. It's really heavy on that. But what I like is this mystery about what kind of love the two protagonists have. You just wonder; is it passion kind of love or is it brotherly kind of love or is it...there's just many possibilities. And the beauty of it is that there's no explaination, just the audience's own interpretation. I like that kind of technique because it just depicts true life. I mean, would you really know how much of your love is passion, platonic, etc?Anyway, that's the only entertainment. I have picked up swimming though. Swam with Sharifah on Tuesday after we watched the movie and swam again alone on Thursday. But all in all it's a blah week. School is staring in a month or so and I just saw the modules available for geography. WOW, how exciting. There's literally nothing exciting to take. No tourism module at all. I knew about it last sem but I am just hopeful. A little distracted, looking at the live commentary online on the Argentina vs Germany game. It's exciting,they're on draw and it's extra time. I want Argentina to win the game. Just because. Ok, I'm off. Tomorrow is SYF day for my sis. Will be going there with my mum. I don't really care about these things but because it will be my first and my last time being in the old National Stadium before it closes for renovation. I don't mind.

I shopped and I shopped

2006-06-24T22:41:00.000+08:00

I shopped and I am satisfied! Basically I got 2 spags from U2, 2 tops and 2 3/4 sleeve crop tops from This Fashion. So basically, 6 tops that are quite versatile. And they're under $100 altogether. Go to This Fashion @ the Macdonald House. You have to slowly look around though. If you hurry and just breeze through, you cannot really discover much because such clothes that appeal to you are like hidden treasures among the many heaps of clothes. And I bought some makeup, mainly for my sis since she needs it for her SYF. Haha, which reminds me of how guilty I feel despite the stuff I bought because the initial reason we're shopping is to find her clothes for some formal event she's attending soon. It ended up with me buying stuff and convincing her that she can use one of the outfits I bought for her event. Haha, evil and selfish right? That's why I'm a little guilty because I'm like thinking since she's going to use it for just a day, might as well she borrow my clothes for the day and get something useful for me. But now I'm itching to shop some more. I guess I'll do it in stages. Cannot really afford to blow it all at once. It will just not feel fun and satisfying. It's been a surprisingly tiring week for me. Don't really know why since only Friday and today have been my busy days. Hmm, I guess it's the weather that's depressing me. Most of the day, the sky is filled with dark clouds. It's chilly sometimes but it doesn't rain. And when it does rain, it's humid. Freak weather produces freak personality. Just hope next week is a better week since my tuition are all back to night time and I don't have to travel during the hot mid-afternoons anymore.

The Big Hippo Has Finally Gone Back Into River

2006-06-21T19:55:00.000+08:00

Well, I did it. I went for a swim for the first time after 8 years. Yes, the last time I had a proper swim was when I was Primary 6, when I had my Gold cert test. The short brief dog paddle swim I did during OBS in JC does not count as a proper swim. That is under "I have no choice since they made everybody jumpt the freaking high jetty; including people like me who are afraid of heights". Anyway, I was being a nervous wreck and a worry wart as always. Kept saying to Sharifah that I am feeling nervous and worried that I could actually forget how to swim. She kept assuring me that once you learn how to do it, you can never forget it. It's like a second skin. I was unsure. Anyway, slowly but surely we did manage to get into the pool, although I was trying to buy time. And yes, I manage to stay afloat and could swim. Sharifah was like, "See, I told you". Ya, so we did swim some laps.Didn't really count but basically we swam for about 1hour. Enough for us beginners, haha. Especially this big hippo who hasn't had much excercise. It was really refreshing. Hope I'll go back and do it again soon. But now nursing some sore arms, haha. It's been a long time since I did proper exercise. And considering how cheap it is to maintain this habit. I might as well try to keep it. Hmmm, oh well. We'll see. I need exercise anyway considering the very very sedentary life I have right now. And going for tuition every day does not count! It doesn't help that I practically binged today after a day full of activities yesterday and eating properly. Hmm, serious screwloose case.

This chokes me hard because the anniversary is coming soon. It will be two years since he left us. It still feels like yesterday. Check this POSTSECRET website
It really is interesting.

Pushover...Urgh!

2006-06-18T21:00:00.000+08:00

I'm getting a little irritated. You see, somebody was offering me this job whereby you do sales by introducing people or rather customers to products sold by this particular company. Well, the products are good and having been to the warehouse, they are really enjoying good sales. But the thing is I am just not good and am just not interested in sales especially the ones where you have to pull in potential customers to try new products. Such jobs require a big contact base ( something I don't have or rather I am not willing to tap on) and thick skin. You see, when I want to recommend stuff to people, I myself must feel confident about it. But the thing is I don't really know about the products that well. So I just told the person, S, that I don't think I want to sign up as a sales person because I'm more interested in being more of a customer than as a sales person. S was fine with it because bith of us are of the same age and we kind of knew each other from secondary school onwards. You see, the company is invested by her family, i e her father. Now what is beginning to irritate me is that S's family mainly the brother has begun asking the rest of the family to join in the crew. Well, you see, I have told the rest of the family about the thing and it's really up to them whether they want to join or not. But DO NOT, I say DO NOT try to involve me in you sales pitch. So basically, S's brother told my mom to tell me to bring her to the warehouse to show around. Like I have a lot of time! I mean tuition takes up most of the week in the afternoons, which doesn't leave much time during the rest of the day to go out and all. I was telling my mom, I do not really have time now. I had actually invited her the other time, because I kind of expected this to happen. But she was nochalant about it, so I just left the matter to rest. I told her, when I have some free time later, after the kids have gone back to school, I'll bring her. At least I have more time then. Now, what's really getting on my edge is that S's brother passed a message to my brother to tell me to come and see him when I'm free. I so know what this is going to be about and the thing is I have made myself clear that I do not want to be in the sales team. The rest of S's family kind of got that already, but not the brother. I'm just too tired to think of it, so I was telling my brother to tell him that I know what the meeting is about but I am busy these days and hence won't be able to see him for a while. I know that S and her family especially her father wants to help my family out, since they said it directly that this could help earn some extra cash. Ok, I'm not that hard-up but I do understand their intentions. But S's brother is really pushing it which just makes me irritated and plain rimas. You see, the thing about me is that, if somebody pushes me very hard to do something, I'll just not do it. Just like salesgirls pushing me to buy their stuff, I'll just walk out. Simple as that. I maybe a softie at heart but there are limits you know. I don't know how this issue will end up. Most probably, I'll take my mom there soon and just state my position clearly that I'm not interested!

Singapore Girl and Angmohs

2006-06-18T19:15:00.000+08:00

Well, I don’t know if it was a coincidence, after reading blog entries @ STOMP about Singapore girls and angmohs, I had an encounter that brings me upfront with the issue. It so happens that yesterday I agreed to substitute Sharifah for last minute event job since she couldn’t get off her job on time. So there I was @ NSRCC Safra resort manning the big castle bouncer. I don’t understand some people sometimes. Why would you hire a bouncer in the afternoon when you planned activities during the afternoon and that most of your guests will be free only in the late afternoon? By that time, I would already have to pack up right? So, basically I had to extend my time from 5 plus to nearly 6.30 because the kids started playing in there around 4 plus and more kept coming as the hour draws near. Haiz, but I’m not really complaining, especially when I earned $50 for just sitting around and looking at planes taking off for 3hours and working “hard” for about 2 hrs later. Anyway, that was not I was intrigued about. Basically, the event was a company’s Family Day. I don’t know what company because the organiser whom I try to strike a conversation with did not look that friendly. But I guess it must be an MNC or some international company, though small because most of the guests who came were more of the foreigners *** mainly angmohs. So, now you know why I said earlier that it was a coincidence. Being the naïve me, I thought that I would be seeing beautiful angmoh families where the husband is tall and good-looking, wife very foreign but very polished and the children just plain cute and just so cute! Alas, I met with more mixed marriage families than the all-round package. Ok, maybe I was being a little harsh in the way I said that.

Basically, it made me realise that this whole issue about angmohs marrying local woman is more common than I thought. I mean I’m seeing more of such couple in my own housing estates myself. I have no qualms about mixed marriages. After all, wouldn’t it be great to have a husband from another country? Imagine that, hehe! Ok, back to reality. I have no issue with mixed marriages but I have a major issue with this whole idea of SPGs or in general, issue with local women who just put up this act just to get their man ie rich angmoh men. I met with one yesterday and boy was I turned OFF completely! This woman has a gorgeous husband; that I admit. I can’t stand her daughter though. She was jumping around and screaming and giggling with this other angmoh kid, only if they have the whole place to themselves. If other kids especially the local kids are playing, they wouldn’t even come in. I don’t want to comment about that because I know if I do then it’s another whole issue to talk about. Anyway, back to this woman. When the family arrived, my SPG bells were just tolling loudly. Who wouldn’t? Imagine an Asian woman, very tanned, dressed as though she’s in a fashion parade for the best looking mom. Even the angmoh moms who were there did not dress like her; they look as mumsy as her looking fashionable tai tai.

What irks me is her thick, put-on accent which I cannot stand. And she smokes! So here she was going around and giving air kisses to both males and females and just acting plain tai-tai. When I related this story to my sister, she asked me how I knew that her accent was fake as she could really have been living overseas. Well, firstly, she looks very local in terms of her skin colour. But that one I have to admit is a little ambiguous, but what was more convincing that she was local was when she slipped into a local accent when she asked me to help her out with a kid. Ok, maybe you can say that she could have been here long enough to be able to adopt that accent. Umm, I don’t think so! There is a difference in the tone and all when you already have the local tune and when you adopt the tune. It’s really not a problem for me if you want to marry an angmoh man. What makes me tick is the way one tries to act something that she’s not just because she wants to keep up with this image of a hip woman who’s universal and not really local. What’s wrong with being a local? Her husband d was not that much of a good-looker either. I mean there was another couple where the husband is gorgeous although the wife was very average-looking. But I like them especially the wife because she was, on the surface at least, non-pretentious. And their daughter was just freaking cute! I mean she looks angmoh but have some Asian/ Oriental features. They are such a pleasant sight to watch because they don’t really try to attract attention to themselves although people end up wanting to watch them. I think that’s how it should be. But then who am I to comment a lot? After all, I may make mistakes or do actions that people may not like. But this is how I feel about people who just go all out to act the way they are not. Why so? I mean there is a reason why God created you that way and presented you with a particular personality. Why try to be somebody different than who you already are? Ok, enough talking. I’m off to do stuff.

What's Up With Some People?

2006-06-16T23:14:00.000+08:00

I don't know about you people but I really don't think that Xiaxue is that good of a blogger. Yes, she's sensational and all but in terms of content? Hmmm, I really beg to differ. I mean when I read somebody's blog and continue reading it many times, it means that the blog has some insightful content that we can learn about and just reflect upon. I don't neccessarily mean academic issues or political issues whatsoever. It could be just life experiences which makes you think about your own.

Why am I suddenly talking about Xiaxue and all? Well, I finally looked at the STOMP blog website after reading about it a few days ago. Haven't really been online these few days because of stuff. Anyway, apart from the rest, I am impressed with the rest of the star bloggers. I mean, you wouldn't really think that the MTV VJs have much things to write but hey, I was fine with wat they write. It maybe cliche but @ least they speak their mind. The controversial Dawn was also good. I actually like reading her blog because firstly she is well travelled and secondly, although she does sound bimbotic at times, there are also times where you really get that feeling that she does know her stuff and is well read. The guy star bloggers were, I think, fun and enriching in their blog posts. I guess maybe their experienced writng style which veers more to the newspaper and book styles made me more comfortable reading. But their content is still good. Ju Len seem to speak his mind, in the way he dissed Xiaxue about her post. Kway Teow Man in all his mysterious nature is entertaining as he presents his case in a more informal manner, reminds me of Mr Brown and Mr Miyagi. Wonder if they are him? Nick Fang is I think the classic gentleman who sound and looks like one who criticize subtly and just writes like an academic writer. Maybe it's because of his fencing background that makes me think that way.

So after talking about these people, what type of a blogger am I? I don't know but really I don't care. This is how I think inside my head. I don't know, you tell me.