Jason Khor

MI ADIZERO adios2

2012-02-15T23:50:00.001+08:00

The Narrator

2012-02-14T22:50:00.001+08:00

There's something about the buildings, not newly painted nor shiny, even a little torn but there's a lot of grit. Character. Of entrepreneurship, of hard work. Businesses from nowhere, a fruit stall, a food stall. Sometimes there are kids rolling around playing in the sand, kids who have never touched an electronic gaming device, but they seem satisfied and really really happy. The people here living in the moment. I don't know if it's the fact that they don't have things to compare themselves to, while Singapore itself is, dare I say, one of the most modern and advance cities in the world. The contrast is so steep. We're constantly aspiring trying to save for a bigger house, a bigger car, with both eyes set on career progression. These people live from day to day. Then there's the concept of space... Which I think crowds hamper the mind's ability to be at ease and to relax.

So we escaped, the group of us, and found peace in fireworks, dinner, mahjong, literature, and most importantly, each other's company.

It's dark. It's humid. The air is still, it feels like I can't breathe. My chest is tight. it's dark, not dark enough that I can't see, but dark enough to make it uncomfortable to read. The lights, painful white fluorescent, not harsh, but hurts to look at. The tiny tv is in the corner playing some generic science fiction movie, with men and big muscles, like these two muscle men sitting in a corner, with their ipad out and watching shows. Just that they were dressed in beach wear and the men on tv were dressed for war. I'm sitting beside the aisle, with music playing in my ears, just enough to distract me from the slightly unpleasant rumbling of e motor of the boat. I hope to reach land soon but I've no idea where we are. It's dark outside and the only way I could judge our speed was by the sound of the waves crashing against the ferry's body.

The engine came to a stop. The crashing of waves diminished. We arrive. Finally. Back home.

Whitney Houston

2012-02-12T20:52:00.002+08:00

Whitney's body of work goes back to before I was born. Needless to say, I'm not that familiar with her, except for the most important of songs - I Will Always Love You and I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

I started listening to music late in '97 and it was only in '98 that I witnessed the triumph of the massive single taken off The Prince of Egypt soundtrack - When You Believe. I liked the song but I was 11 then and I was even more unappreciative of ballads than I am now. Although given that it was more of an anthem than a ballad, I did enjoy it a hell lot.

Then came Heartbreak Hotel, It's Not Right But It's Okay and My Love Is Your Love - smooth, rich RnB. The Greatest Hits was released in 2000, which brought about the release of Could I Have This Kiss Forever with Enrique Iglesias, which I thought was nice but bland; and If I Told You That. IITYT, produced by Darkchild, was modern and sexier with its beats. Combined with the constant playful tinkering of ivories, George Michael and Whitney had great chemistry in the duet - harmonising, teasing, playing off each other, going at each other... It was beautiful, beautiful piece of work.

According to wikipedia, there were releases from the Just Whitney era but I have no recollection of any of the singles. Fast forward to 2009, I Look To You and Million Dollar Bill were released. I remember being glad that she was back, even discussing with friends on facebook and hoping that she'd get on track. I was at the clubs and they were playing her songs. We partied and sang.

When I found out about her death this morning, I didn't feel anything. I don't think anybody could have said they were surprised. She's been on a downward spiral for quite awhile now. So when night fell, I went on youtube and listened to the songs that were familiar to me. I was shocked at what I felt next - the beautiful, beautiful voice came through my earphones and my heart sank with the realisation that she... was gone.

Social Media Overdose

2012-02-06T23:18:00.003+08:00

I must confess that I'm overwhelmed by social media. I'm not consumed by it because I know I can live without it. Just that I'm caught up with it. I'm on Twitter all the time and it keeps me connected. I like how I am without it, but I like how I am when I'm on it! I seem to know much more than I would. And facebook as well, though that's to a lesser extent.

Also, I do feel an obligation to reply people on various platforms and even in my earnestness to do so, I still miss out on messages here and there.

But today I learned that I need the quiet. I need to get away from it all. I need to stop multi-tasking. Social media is all about what's happening now. More often than not it values immediacy over content, skimpy headlines over depth. I need to let my brain take in one idea at a time. And then shut it off when I feel like I need a break.

I do appreciate this sense of being super-engaged, speed-reading, thinking through many things at once. But I don't know if it's part of growing older, or maybe the fact that it's supposedly more sensible, or that maybe I'm tired and I can't engage in this hyper mode any longer.

For my sanity, I'll shut off more often. Decrease the frequency. Breathe. Pick up more magazines. Look out the bus window, think my own thoughts. Daydream.

And relax. The pressure to know more is on all the time, at work, at school, during travels. It take conscious effort to do the right thing at the right time.

Fighting Fit

2012-02-02T23:22:00.002+08:00

I'm the fittest I've ever been since I ORD-ed.

I haven't tested it out. I'm sure my results would be the same if I were to take my IPPT. But I feel stronger. It wasn't the same as when I went to the gym for a year. I did grow in size then, although not noticeably. And I don't think I'll never step into the gym again.

It's just that now, I'm more interested in making a fitness a lifestyle. Pumping iron in an air-conditioned environment doesn't appeal to me that much any more. I'd rather be outdoors. I enjoy running because of the cardio effects - I always feel more pumped up after a run. Really deep breathing, a clear mind, the pulse of my heartbeat in my veins. I enjoy doing some small static exercises after that - chin-ups, push-ups, crunches. Going back to basics, being more functional, more agile and training my body to handle its own weight.

So yes, my fitness is the best the best that its been in years. I've been more consistent in my exercise sessions. I've been consistently pushing myself.

And as for my physique, that's still questionable. Youth is a miracle drug, something you can't get back. But with that comes a bit of maturity, knowing that how I look is not as important as the fact that I'll be able to climb a mountain when I need to.

It's nice being a little old.

Right Direction

2012-02-02T00:01:00.002+08:00

January kicked off 2012 beautifully. I didn't make hardcore resolutions to follow, but I made a couple of mental notes. I wanted to relax more. I wanted to exercise more. I wanted to focus on my work. I wanted to keep in close contact with my friends. I wanted to be a better person. I wanted to go on adventures. I wanted to be more spontaneous. I wanted to be happy.

And in general, I think I've got all of that locked down. New aspirations guided the formation of new habits. The new focus on new goals excited me. Being surrounded by inspiring people is quite exciting. Being surrounded by so much love from friends and family alike - amazing.

This is going to be a year of adventure and discovery. I've always wanted to do that, but this time I'm going to put my money and my time where my mouth is.

I've also done more reading, weaned away from reading about fashion to the environment, to things going on around in the world. The packaging is good but I've got to take in one step further and have depth. What do I stand for?

Music, exercise and nature are the three big themes this year. Haven't been too big on the music front, but I'll catch up when the music industry wakes up from its snooze-fest. Exercise - signed up for lots of runs as of now. Urbanathlon, Sun Down and a few U-Sports runs. Nature - just came back from Bintan and there's definitely going to be more, even if it's exploring Singapore.

I'm glad the year started off well. A good direction set in place for the rest of the year.

The Keppel Bay Run

2012-01-23T14:42:00.008+08:00

This could possibly be my favourite run by far. Different terrain, going uphill and downhill... it's quite challenging. The sights are just breathtaking, making the effort to conquer the distance worth it.

I'll roughly run through the route - we started off at Vivocity and climbed Mt Faber. That was already a rather challenging start! We ran past the Jewel Box and made our way to the Henderson Waves, followed by these amazing metallic structures that made us feel like we were running in the canopies of the trees. It was a maze - down, left, right... all the way till we hit Hort Park. From there it was a right turn to Labrador Park, before running down the glorious, gorgeous Keppel Bay, and back to Harbourfront. You can take a look at the full route map here.

Maybe it'll be sexier to share it in photos. So here it goes:

Up, up here we go! The view of the cable cars from Mt Faber never gets old.

The Jewel Box. Epic, expensive food that I haven't had the opportunity to try.

The picturesque high-rise housing estates.

Firus and Ben on the Henderson Waves.

That zig-zag metallic tree-top dash!

A route that's popular with runners, obviously.

Really loved running through this structure. Can really feel the height of it. Really relaxing.

Seemingly endless...

Hort Park! Really nice place, but we didn't have time to go in.

Architecturally curvaceous.

The boardwalk at Labrador Park. Running through a bit of mangroves...

Hit a resting point. Sipped from the water cooler.

Firus and I. He plans the route. I shoot the photos.

Somewhere near Reflections at Keppel Bay. No idea what this building's called though. But it was a work of art against the sky.

Marina at Keppel Bay.

Reflections at Keppel Bay

I think it has the potential to be as iconic as MBS.

Caribbean at Keppel Bay. Okay they really need to come up with more interesting names.

The Marina again. Really reminds me of The OC.

The signboard marking the straight road back to Vivocity.

It was a fantastic experience. I'd run this route a couple more times and focus more on the environment around me. This being my first time, I went a bit nuts taking photos with my phone. I love how running is a great way for me to explore places I don't often go, speedily.

Kinda tempted to spend half a day covering this route, walking, with a DSLR. Should be quite interesting!

adizero tempo

2012-01-22T00:06:00.005+08:00

I really like the new pair of adidas running shoes that I just bought - the adizero tempo.

I started running seriously in army. I used Brooks, the brand of army shoes that wasn't New Balance. Recently though, I've become more committed so other than getting myself new adidas running attire, during the fourth Saturday morning run with Firus, I got myself this pair of shoes. We went to the adidas store at The Cathay. Shopping there was fun. We spent a bit more than an hour in there and the staff really knew their stuff!

I've always thought of the basic stuff as sufficient, but the adizero tempo improved my running experience. Took it out for a run with Derek last Thursday during our circuit training. The arch supported my flat foot. They're relatively light and were comfy enough for my wide feet. There's also a bit more bounce in my step - really helped when we were doing the 100 counts of jumping jacks.

Last of all, it's in my favourite colour - red - just in time for CNY!

The Ban

2012-01-16T23:03:00.002+08:00

I'm going to stop buying clothes. All clothes. Anything that can be worn. Includes cologne and watches. And necessities like briefs and socks. Or even sporting apparel. That's the one that really killed it for this month!

Target: 2.5 months. Go big or go home. We're in the middle of January. Two and a half months would effectively bring me to 1st April.

I'll be able to save a lot of money by then. I'm subconsciously cutting down on eating at restaurants too. Maybe the money will go to bigger dreams, greater adventures. I don't have enough space to put all my belongings as it is.

Oh, and what makes me think that I can resist the sales and the new seasons of clothes? If anyone catches me buying anything /wearing anything that you're confident I've bought after today, from now till 1st April, I'll give you double the amount of money I've spent on that item.

Let's bet on it.

The Bay Run

2012-01-15T13:15:00.002+08:00

Firus and I went for a 10km run yesterday around the Bay. Awesome sights - from towering buildings and towering trees to cool blue bodies of water and red hot bodies of runners (okay this one don't have lah, kidding). Gardens by the Bay is still heavily under construction but one senses that when it's done, it will be nothing short of world-class, reinforcing the image of "Garden City".

By the end of it all I was panting like a mad man and I haven't felt this exhausted in the longest time!

Just wanted to share the route which started opposite Fullerton Hotel.

CBD area - looming banks.

Lau Pa Sat... right?

Waiting at the traffic light.

Down Marina Boulevard. The nice part, that's not under construction!

The other face of MBS.

Finally hit the Marina Barrage. The first time both of us were there.

Didn't manage to enter to see the sights. Went straight across this bridge.

And along the Marina Bay Golf Course till we hit ECP! Running alongside traffic.

The park.

Turning into Marina Promenade, went past the Flyer and then the Esplanade before finishing where we started!

A Game of Shadows

2012-01-09T23:20:00.002+08:00

I like everything about this movie. The two lead actors were powerful. They dug deep, brought on the comedy proudly and the characters to life. Chemistry between them was abundant and it showed. You believe that they'd be willing to die for each other.

Action sequences... fantastic. Often interrupted by surrealism. What you see is not exactly what happens. Sometimes you're in the character's mind. But you'd expect nothing less from Guy Richie. Fast and furious, sometimes violent, yet never gory. Just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Set against Europe in the 1900s. Slightly heavier accents than most people are used to, with witty dialogue to match. A gem, I say. With a smattering of French and German, kind of like salt and pepper for the already solid movie.

Mystery was ample, befitting of a detective movie, which is possibly a lost form. Nowadays the arcs are so predictable. This? I was guessing till the very end. Clever. Very clever indeed. Enough reason to pay the price for the weekend ticket.

I'm motivated to hunt down every movie that Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law ever made. And watch them cos they are brilliant. In my list of top 3 actors, it'd probably be the both of them and Ewan Mcgregor. Looking forward to more movies from the 3 of them this year.

A great first movie for 2012.

New Direction

2012-01-07T17:03:00.004+08:00

It's a new year and it's headed for a new direction. I'm no longer new to having a full time job. I've got a fixed income and gotten used to the responsibilities of a working adult. It's nice to have financial security and go in search of something more in life. An adventure perhaps.

Thanks to Firus and Derek, who by end 2011, started to give me some inspiration. I've been infected by their passion and determination. From running attire to running routes, they've been there planting ideas in my head. I've signed up for Men's Health Urbanathlon 2012 (19 Feb) and 21km for the Sundown Marathon 2012 (26 May). I've bought myself a new running attire. I'm going to buy a good pair of running shoes. I've been running very consistently with the two of them. It was great retracing familiar paths and exploring new routes. I've gone to the Waterfront, Labrador Park, Marina Bay to Kallang Riverside Park and One-north Park to Kent Ridge Park.

Not too long ago, when I was bringing my French friend around Singapore, I was always amazed by the things that there were to see, share and discover. These runs gave me the opportunity to do that - explore Singapore on foot. All the nooks and crannies, places that have been hidden away till now, always make me feel like I should have a camera with me at all times. My phone has come in handy though!

In the pipeline are plans to run the King of the Road, which will bring me to KL, Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok to cover distances of approximately 17km. The Six are also very likely to conquer Mount Kinabalu in the earlier half of this year, while I plan to make a trip down to Taiwan for 10 days.

It's nice to know that I still want to push myself and I haven't lost the spirit for adventure. I don't want a holiday to get away from work. I want to go to work, taking a break from my holidays.

Through 2011 II

2011-12-29T23:57:00.006+08:00

14 Aug 11. 12:04AM.
Playing poker for the first time at Guofei's place. Won money!

25 Aug 11. 7:15AM.
Three pretty girls. DYT in yellow.

11 Sep 11. 2:38PM.
Emcee-d my best friend's wedding.

13 Sep 11. 7:27PM.
Unforgettable Hari Raya dinner at Ros' place with the Seven.

14 Sep 11. 10:54AM.
Working on the shoot for Behind Every Job 2 featuring NatSteel!

15 Sep 11. 10:40AM.
My first Bulletin! Editor for the first time in my life.

17 Sep 11. 7:51PM.
Red-hot student for shifu's birthday party.

23 Sep 11. 9:36AM.
Healthy lifestyle at NatCafe.

25 Sep 11. 10:35PM.
How chio lah!

3 Oct 11. 8:14PM.
Westlife sang on my birthday. With Edric. Tickets from my sister courtesy of SSC!

14 Oct 11. 2:11PM.
MBS Skypark for the first time, bringing the elderly of St Joseph's Home around.

21 Oct 11. 6:31PM.
Intelligence is sexy.

22 Oct 11. 10:22PM.
2nd time at USS. Both times in the dead of the night. Both times on Halloween. Amazing. Thank you Weetz!

24 Oct 11. 7:17PM.
Ridiculously good Jap restaurant at Ion.

5 Nov 11. 2:30PM.
The gorgeousNess. The Seven went to Group Therapy. Unforgettable yuppie brunch.

26 Nov 11. 3:13PM.
Puss in Boots, IMAX. Elected into the company's Sports & Recreation Club.

3 Dec 11. 10:49AM.
Bryan prawning. An activity with the Society for the Physically Disabled.

5 Dec 11. 5:44PM.
Chilling with Samuel at Sentosa on my day off.

9 Dec 11. 8:26PM.
First time here with Qiao Ping and Joyce, for great Italian dinner.

10 Dec 11. 8:50AM.
First "out-camp run" with Firus, Labrador Park.

10 Dec 11. 12:00PM.
Two of the best performers this year.

17 Dec 11. 10:53PM.
Mouthwatering breakfast at Coffee Bean after an awesome run along the river.

Gimme Something Good

2011-12-29T19:16:00.003+08:00

NTU called me today, asking me to take part in the survey. They wanted to know if I was employed, how much I was paid, how long I took to find a job and whether my education prepared me for my job.

As I answered the questions one-by-one, I smiled. It gave me to evaluate my life as a student and my life up till this point in time. Is the nature of my work related to my degree programme? Yes. The extent your degree programme helps you to obtain your present job. A very large extent. Looking back, would you have preferred a different course of study at NTU? No. Please rate your overall experience as an undegrad in NTU. 4/5.

One chance to take one course in Uni and I chose the one that I've wanted to do all my life. Sure, it's soft-skills, mostly. But that's exactly how the survey evaluated education: the extent that NTU prepared me for written communication, oral communication, presentation skills (are you kidding me I'm in communications). Then there's ability to learn, interpersonal skills, personal effectiveness, working in groups. Of course!

Did my education get me the job I want? Definitely. I was at Fernvale Gardens School this afternoon. It's a school for the intellectually disabled kids and the work they do is really inspiring. And it's part of my job to come up with activities for the volunteering sessions, making sure that it's enjoyable and fruitful for the volunteers as it is for the kids. I feel grateful to be in a position where I can make a difference. It makes me happy.

And I guess this is why my job makes me happy. I get the chance to grow at my own pace. I get to do something I like - communications. I get to go home on time! I get a lot of job satisfaction, especially since in a two-person team, I can see my every effort amplified.

It's luck that the cards fell into place. With my limited experience in life, I've played my cards right. That, and an open heart, an open mind. A bit of quiet confidence and a bit of determination.

And a whole lot of optimism.

Lost Ship to the Lighthouse

2011-12-25T16:27:00.002+08:00

Let us fly
Soar high up in the sky
Hand in hand we go
Heart in heart we grow

Through 2011 I

2011-12-21T00:03:00.008+08:00

18 Apr 11. 11:52AM.
Printed FYP report for submission.

30 Apr 11. 1:17AM.
Thad on ST. Heat of the elections.

3 May 11. 9:29AM.
The moment before our FYP presentation.

3 May 11. 12:35AM.
Done with FYP forever. With the cranberry man.

11 May 11. 10:32AM.
Studying for exams at benches. Avocado shake and a banana. Feeling down then.

12 May 11. 7.04AM.
Henderson Waves with Rex.

22 May 11. 12:16AM.
Favourite chilling-with-friends activity. Possibly with Ivan, Guofei and Samuel.

22 May 11. 1:16PM.
Having lunch at Ricciotti. Rekindling flames.

24 May 11. 5:16AM.
Conquered a hill with Edric.

27 May 11. 7:30PM.
The Seven celebrated yet more birthdays, four years running.

1 Jun 11. 10:10AM.
When I still frequented SAFRA Yishun.

3 Jun 11. 12:43PM.
Somebody's wearing the same sandals as me, in such close proximity!

8 Jun 11. 4:04PM.
Bali with 3 awesome people.

17 Jun 11. 2:57PM.
Forever singing Kbox with the OGLs.

1 Jul 11. 2:51PM.
Signed papers and got employed.

15 Jul 11. 7:26AM.
Shocking factory fire.

16 Jul 11. 5:46PM.
With family at the fantastic Sentosa Beach Resort.

31 Jul 11. 3:26PM.
Graduation photoshoot with the Seven.

5 Aug 11. 9.07PM.
My brother's 21st.

10 Aug 11. 2:44PM.
Got my name card!

I've Learnt

2011-12-13T07:19:00.004+08:00

2011's coming to an end so it's time to look back, reflect. I'm grateful for having the opportunity to grow up, for picking my own battles... something which I have been able to do upon entering university. And in the course of this year, I've gone from being an undergrad to a working adult! More paths to take, more to discover, more to learn.

And maybe it'd be apt to look at what I've learnt this year.

I've learnt that music is not what I thought it to be. I've enjoyed stuff that's less mainstream. It doesn't matter if other people don't listen to the same thing. But that's not to say I've neglected Pop. Was still singing to almost every song that charted on Billboard during mahjong yesterday!

I've learnt that I'm a team-player. I surprised myself earlier this year by being able to pull my weight in the project. It gave me confidence to get things done and was a really great experience because of how tough it was. I'll never forget packing endless goodie bags, or staying up for 48 hours to finish the report!

I've learnt that I'm not the most hardworking person. I'm not the most creative person. Inspiration and effort comes in spurts. With some focus I can channel it and maybe something great will come out of it! I can be hardcore when I need to!

I've learnt that as much as I enjoy sports and exercise, I've plateaued no thanks to the fact that I haven't been very adventurous nor extremely dedicated. But I'm thankful that I've found people who'll motivate me to take it to the next level. I foresee that next year will be more exciting, with events such as the Urbanathlon lined up. Not getting any younger and this will be the most physically fit that I'll ever be. I only have now. And I'm going to make sure that now = my best.

I've learnt earlier on how to manage money and time. I've always been big on planning and scheduling. Packing lots of activities. Purchasing lots of stuff with my tuition money! I haven't achieved it yet, but I'm on the cusp of the next step - prioritising. Knowing that I don't need to have it all. Knowing that doing nothing is sometimes, everything.

I've learnt that relationships are tough. There're people whom I were inseparable with earlier in the year that I don't talk to now. There're new people that I enjoy getting to know. Yes, relationships. Sometimes, it's about being persistent. Maybe being together is never knowing when to let go.

I've learnt that I've a lot to learn. I've been pushing for myself to see the world, to understand cultures, to accept a different way of life, to find out different perspectives, to realise that what I know is not enough. It's important to be like a sponge, to put yourself in the best position to learn - to not get comfortable, to not be overconfident.

More often than not learning is painful and frustrating. But it keeps you on your toes. That's what life's about. And it's that's what I want to continue to do in 2012.

Being Whole

2011-12-09T00:28:00.008+08:00

Before you fall in love, you need to be whole. You've got to have your own hobbies, you've got to take time into your own hands. You need your own friends, you need to have your own dreams.

When you fall in love, you take someone else into your life. It's a duty to make the other person happy, but it's also your duty to make sure you don't lose yourself. You're not there to make the other person complete. And you shouldn't need someone else to feel complete either. You must be able to live with the new rules that you come up with together.

Sure, there is compromise and you might find new hobbies together, having less time for yourself, your friends and even adjusting your dreams to fit two, instead of one.

But relationships are always haunted by doubt, fear and insecurity. One can only overcome that when he has got something to share, when he is whole and not finding a quick fix for the gaping hole in his life. So don't throw yourself at others and more often than not, we're not impressed with people throwing themselves at us.

When faced with love, step forth cautiously and get to know what you want. If there's chemistry, it'll see you through.

Focus

2011-12-07T23:36:00.004+08:00

"Listening to the song Brandon mentioned in my mind, thinking of the article Ros shared on Dhubai in my head, dreaming of the places Dylon wants to travel to... Focus, avoid excess, don't believe all the bullshit you see, sometimes the lie of the truth is the most honest."

Wrote this on my Facebook yesterday and was motivated to blog but the feeling escaped me. So I'll put this here, just to give me a feel of what I wanted to say.

Music's a huge part of my life. Brandon talked about Paradise by Coldplay being so haunting that he had to delete it from his iPod. I heard Ode To My Family by The Cranberries on the bus today. I had shivers down my spine and it felt like I was getting stabbed by glass deep inside but I listened to it anyway. Music moves me in a special way.

The article about Dubai was beyond amazing. I have to read it again! It's what good writing is about - bringing the reader to a new place. Exploring unknown land, new ground. But at the same time, to take a stand. Take a stand against the injustice that's happening around the world and persuade others to do the same. This article was widely shared on Facebook and I guess it deserves a re-read and if I can, another entry.

Dylon wrote, "Seattle, Christina Yang, Space Needles, Miranda Bailey, Starbucks, Dylon, Destination, Trip, Cheap Tickets, 2 weeks, Alone." Culture. TV. Travel. Things that I hold close to me, that make me who I am. And yes, getting to know of different places makes me want to travel there to discover them for myself. And discover myself. I crave the adventure. I want to document, to take photos, to write, to let people see the world the way I see it.

I need to cut down on the excess. Distillate. Find the essence of what I need to become. And work towards that.

Taking Photogaphy

2011-11-29T00:15:00.003+08:00

So I bought a Canon EOS 600D yesterday. It wasn't for myself, but it was for the company. Which reminds me that claiming my money will be a long-drawn process.

I was excited to purchase my first DSLR! Granted, I have limited knowledge and I didn't really know what to look out for. But the feeling of splashing over a thousand dollars on something other than my laptop was incredible!

I've always had a slight interest in photography and it's nice to have a chance to actually develop it in my course of work. My friends exclaimed on facebook and asked why the camera was on company money and I replied, "As NatSteel has decided to invest in my talents as e official photographer... So that I can be a more valuable asset to the company." This is, in a way true! I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to expand my job scope and to learn a new skill.

I've had the chance to fiddle around with my bosses DSLR and had to photograph several activities. I realise that good photography is equal parts luck and equal parts skill, for me as a beginner anyway! Maybe someone with better skill could compensate when lacking in luck! I could get the sharpest image, best lighting - but if the subjects are frowning, the picture becomes crap. Other reasons for all these action / event shots to become crap - someone swinging his arm into the frame unknowingly; people moving too fast; people whose faces look strange in mid-speech. The list goes on.

I've taken 260 photos for today's CSR at the National Museum of Singapore. I know I will only have the resources ((Intranet, Bulletin, E-mail) to showcase 40 of them and I've to pick the best, which would speak more of my skill, than having quantity over quality.

Maybe I'm taking this a bit too seriously! It's fun, but at the same time, it's my job.

Mixing business with pleasure.

Someone Like You

2011-11-28T01:00:00.005+08:00

For some reason, now I know, inexplicably, that I am tied to you. That I cannot run away, not that I want to. There's something that pulls us together even when we're apart; that we'd stay to face each other, even when it's hard. Only when you've been pushed to the brink and tested that you really know how much you want it. It's not easy to find someone who makes you so happy. Often, the same person will also make you very sad. Yeah, you know that cliche - take the good with the bad? The bad's not easy to swallow.

Despite it all, you're still here. You're not going anywhere. So it's only fair, to say:

I don't think I'll ever find someone like you.

那些年，我們一起追的女孩

2011-11-21T22:55:00.004+08:00

I was really surprised that the first shot was that of an apple. Was it a coincidence or was this Taiwanese film conscious about its title being translated to English? What kind would it portray?

As it went on, curiously enough, it brought out that tone - quirky, innocent, carefree, friendly mood - that the Taiwanese were well-known for. Despite talking openly and rampantly about sex, it wasn't very sexual (ahhh, Hollywood). Despite being emotional, it wasn't melodramatic (ahhh, Korean films). It made me miss Taiwan - the people, the mood, the food. Just like the movie, never overproduced, never extravagant, but always rich.

Many moments got me laughing out loud. There were the ones that were obvious - the physical comedy. There were the cultural bits - Jay Chou's opening seconds of his ping pong track. Then they are those that catch you by surprise - this really is what I think, this was how I felt, that was once me - and I'd let out a mangled laughter. That of surprise, bewilderment and being touched.

It was a film that was really grounded in Taiwan, but its story-telling is not as masterful as it could have been. It was lacking that final "kick". And as friends rightly pointed out - what's with that lengthy flashback?!

But still littered with beautiful moments, its a movie not to be missed. My favourite line from the movie goes: 人生本来就有很多事是徒劳无功的啊。

Such Brilliance: The Prelude Pathétique

2011-11-19T08:22:00.006+08:00

“When I look back on my life, it’s not that I don’t want to see things exactly as they happened, it’s just that I prefer to remember them in an artistic way. And truthfully, the lie of it all is much more honest because I invented it. Clinical psychology tells us arguably that trauma is the ultimate killer. Memories are not recycled like atoms and particles in quantum psychics, they can be lost forever. It’s sort of like my past is an unfinished painting and as the artist of that painting, I must fill in all the ugly holes and make it beautiful again. It’s not that I’ve been dishonest, it’s just that I loathe reality."

-Lady Gaga – ‘Marry The Night: The Prelude Pathétique'

This is what art represents. Couldn't have said it better.

2011-11-09T23:34:00.002+08:00

Friday - Met Ruiqi and had a cheapo dinner at McDonalds, Marine Square. Hung around, talked nonsense. Good conversation; cigarette smoke. Bought some cute snacks. Looks like doughnuts with toppings. Delivered them to a surprised someone who was feeling down. Only to find that said person wasn't down because of a healthy dose of South Park!

Sat - The sexy six. Who used to be seven. But one of us was in France. Thus we headed for group therapy, at Group Therapy. Listened to good stories about Cambodia and played with a cute ring. Exposed to different accents, different languages. Planned for outings overseas. Sometimes it's nice to dream. Sometimes we aim for something more realistic, like steamboat on the 25th. Went for a walk... Duxton is a cool place. So is Ann Siang Hill but the Fred Perry was ridiculously expensive. Saw some hidden treasures, a hidden bookstore. Wondered how they made money. Wondered why we'd be back again. Headed to town for truffle fries, but a bad surprise, there were no fries. So we, demoralised, realised that we should continue our YUPPIE lifestyles at DOME, with salads, normal fries and a pot of green tea. Rushed back home and rested, but went out again to meet the cousins at Fish & Co. Disappointed cos we didn't sing Kbox but excited to watch The Adventures of Tintin. Brilliant story; transcends time; magic happened etc etc.

Sun - Brainspoil. Good food. Good stuff all the way. Started with Dim Sum at Toa Payoh, till I was full beyond words. Cycled at East Coast, nice physical activity to burn the fats. Stalked a few nice specimens, well, only one in red. Tired and then disgusted that Mcs did not have milkshake so we had Milo instead. Went past Tanjong Katong - omy the Porteguese Egg Tarts. Smelled brilliant, kidnapped them home and they tasted brilliant too. Hung around, waited till 4, not 4pm, till there were 4 people and we had curry fish head, before playing mahjong. Won a few, lost a couple, won 2 bucks in the end.

Mon - Woke up in the morning... and spammed the McDonalds hotline for breakfast with the family. Spammed good shows, new episodes of Glee, some of Modern Family and most importantly, 2 Broke Girls. Rolling with laughter. Perfect humour. HAHA. Amazing stuff. And that moved on to some aerobics and acrobatics. Which moved on to a gory, gory movie - Drive. Yes Ryan Gosling. But I think gore is not really my thing. Too much shock factor, doesn't really advance the story in my opinion. Has its merits though. Sat in a van, a couple couple. Went for some spicy Thai food, sweat like I was watching porn. Guilty! Cos it tasted good. As good as the beancurd we had after at Old Airport Road. Sinful! But brilliant. Good times, relaxed, happy...

And that's how my weekend went.

Vision Board

2011-11-01T22:46:00.002+08:00

"If you can't see it, you can't hit it!"

I had a good laugh watching 2 Broke Girls. It's a rather amusing sitcom - super crass, but never bordering on tasteless. They're the anti-Gossip Girls, dressed in crappy clothes and hilarious, but equally crappy personalities!

So one of them creates a Vision Board. A Vision Board is a board where you place pictures of your hopes and dreams. You see it every day. It gives you direction. It gives you inspiration. It gets you up in the morning. It's got to be huge. The board's got to be huge. The dream's got to be huge. You can't put like, a picture of a hundred-dollar bill. You've got to put a picture of the cupcake shop that you're going to own.

It's an amazing and really fun concept. Everyone loves to dream. Making that board gives you a chance to do that. There's a bit of arts & crafts. A little bit of design. It's basically goal-setting, that's what it is. And it provokes the subconscious. You see it every day and it'll bug you into thinking, "What do I have to do, to get what I want? To be where I want to be?"

I'll make a Vision Board one of these weekends and post it up!

And it reminds me of a tweet I tweeted this morning: Happiness means different things to different people. Chase what you need not what you can't have.

In Time

2011-10-30T23:47:00.004+08:00

I've said it once on Twitter and again on Facebook. The premise is amazing. What if you wore your riches on your wrist? What if your riches were, simply put, the hours, minutes, seconds, of your life?

In Time explores all this and more. The execution wasn't masterful enough, despite the very good big idea. It flirted with political and economical issues but never really got into the meat of it. Certainly not Avatar or Inception, but as an action-movie, it was entertaining enough. I got a little tired of the chase sequences... there's only so much running I can take, despite the the fact that Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake looked good running.

It was great to see other familiar faces on screen as well. Olivia Wilde, Matt Bomer, Alex Pettyfer all had fleeting but impactful roles.

I can't imagine living in a society like that. Where people have to die just so others can be immortal. Where you live from day-to-day and bank your hopes on what you can achieve in one day. Imagine the adrenaline flooding your system, heightening your senses for fight or flight all the time, just to stay alive!

One sobering thought though - we all have that clock ticking on our forearms. Just that our reality is a bit more exciting - we can't see the numbers.

Food and Friends

2011-10-27T00:57:00.002+08:00

Just putting down some thoughts on the blog always seems to make me feel happier. Even if I don't ever read them again, even if they don't make sense. Even if I read them again and they don't make sense!

Got to know two new friends yesterday and the four of us walked to Selegie to have pasta, before walking to somewhere around Orchard Central and having Coffee Bean at Starbucks. It was both interesting and inspiring to finally meet them when I've known them for so long. It was more than I expected and was impressed by the both of them.

Wonderful breakfast today with Rex at Chong Pang Market. Parking was a nightmare, no thanks to it being a public holiday. Had the awesome chee cheong fun with char siew and shrimp fillings. I can't wait to go back there... super cheap food, but deeply satisfying. It's always different to have something that's not typically western. It satisfies... as strange as this sounds, my "cultural hunger".

It was a short but fulfilling Deepavali holiday.

It's nice to have a job and be comfortable. Things are constantly changing, sometimes quietly so. It's nice to be engaged and challenged and not become bored... or jaded. In life, in love, in friendships, in experiences.

A Regime

2011-10-23T22:15:00.004+08:00

It's hard getting back on the horse. The 18th of October just passed. That marks my third month in my first job. I haven't got any one to compare with really so I'm not really sure where my performance lies.

But this is not about that. A different lifestyle, transitioning from student to working adult, takes some getting used to. I stopped going to the gym altogether and have gotten a little pudgy. I've spent time socialising, having rich dinners, wonderful talks, chilling out, hour after hour just sitting around.

I've started on a slightly healthier routine. I'll eat at home more often. I'll be more active whenever I can. I think it's the small things. As I was telling another friend, some people look like the jobs they do. It's what you do daily that contributes most to who you are, how you look.

Another friend made the effort to look better and get into tighter clothes. Firming up, slimming down - it's lots of hard work, resisting temptation, eating differently. But it works! And seeing him take charge of his appearance and body was very inspiring.

And so I've been making some effort. Eating lesser of the unhealthy stuff. Pounding the pavement - the new route is awesome and exciting. Up from 3km to 5.2. Getting back to the basics - chin-ups, sit-ups and dips. I feel tired but it allows me to sleep easy at night.

Especially a night like tonight. Will Young's making me emo.

Breakfast at Dempsey

2011-10-20T23:12:00.002+08:00

Come On

2011-10-11T23:43:00.004+08:00

He's like a magician. I can't pinpoint his charm. But it's magic. I bought his first album and then followed the rest of his singles with interest. He brought it all back with the latest album, Echoes. (Also thanks to shifu of course!)

There's something about his voice. It's mystical and breezy and slightly hollow. He uses it well and never tries too hard. Always emotional, often pleading. Sometimes hopeful. Comforting. There's a style in his music that he keeps to, such that he doesn't work excessively to vary the sound on each album. They are slightly different, held together as one with his voice.

With Echoes, it's a little less happy than the previous ones. If you really get into it, it's a lot heart-wrenching. Sometimes it feels good not to dwell in the sadness of the lyrics. Sonically, it's gorgeous. Still with plenty of piano, but a lot more hard hitting. Contrasted with his wispy voice... it's just perfect. Perfect for every occasion: for a sunny Cafe del Mar, emo rainy nights, ridiculous 80s dancing, hour-long foreplay...

Taking the time to find a new smile on my face. Wondering how, I'm back here now again...

You Can Never Chase A Feeling

2011-10-10T23:49:00.006+08:00

You can't chase a feeling.

Don't get me wrong. Yes, I believe that people can choose their emotions. Happy. Sad. Angry. Desperate. Peaceful. These are the general kind. More often than not I'm able to snap myself from one emotion to another, if I will myself to. Trying to feel inspired, empowered, motivated... sometimes it's just a state of mind.

But you can't chase a feeling. You won't be able to get back... the feeling you got the time you were cheated on, the kiss with that particular person, the time you did something nasty in school, the innocence of first love, the unexpected encounter at the club, the friendship that rested precariously on becoming something more, the time you felt helpless and alone or the time you listened to a certain album and traveled down a certain bus route for a certain period of time for a certain job. It would only ever be possible to get a shadow of that intensity, of that emotion, in nostalgia... after coming across a familiar object, an old song, a beautiful place.

You can only choose to do what you do and hope for the best. Hope that things will turn out right, that you'd be satisfied with the outcome. You can't chase a feeling. Not the feeling that a romcom gives you, not the feeling that a novel evokes in you, not the feeling of a lover you let down long ago.

It's unrealistic.

You can only be you, get on with your everyday life and watch it unfold.

You can never chase a feeling.

Trust what you feel, don't hide from what's real. Every word I say is true.

25

2011-10-05T23:12:00.006+08:00

Turning 25 was great. I mean, the partying? The independence? Being where I wanna be? It was the best birthday ever. I celebrated, and it's not over! Someone commented that it's like Chinese New Year. I'll have you know it's bigger than Chinese New Year!

But there's really a kind of satisfaction, knowing that I'm where I want to be in many aspects of my life. I've got what I want, what I need. I'm surrounded by wonderful people. I like who I've become. I'm more confident, more comfortable with myself. I got a job. I'm not broke. I'm healthy. I work hard. I wish I had a bit more time, but I make the most of the time I've got. I still love music. I love dancing. It's nice to know that I didn't change dramatically, that I've grown up and my passions have grown up with me. They've refined and been redefined!

The weekend that just passed was really happening. One surprise birthday song, well-executed. To some, maybe it's just tradition. But now, I cherish the fact to be able to do it every year, even more so when it's just once! It's great to be surrounded by wonderful, good-looking people that I was so lucky to have the chance to know. Porcelain, by Moby. 2 nights of clubbing followed... the music, the lights. The music especially! The dancing! The alcohol! The rush! The high! Once! Twice! Three times! Then there was a cosy lunch with a colleague before a surprise end to my 25th, on the 3 Oct - Westlife in concert! The screams! The music! The dancing! My singing! Their singing!

So yes, it's nice to celebrate that I've found the things in life that made me happy.

We celebrate... just cos we can.

Westlife: Gravity Tour

2011-10-04T23:00:00.006+08:00

The only Westlife CD that I ever bought was the "When You're Looking Like That" single. I was all for upbeat tunes, I was the kid who was anti-ballads. I was fond of Westlife but I was never a huge fan. They were formidable and were insanely popular. As I always say, you don't argue with popularity.

Back in Singapore for their fourth concert yesterday, it was the first time I've seen them live and I promise that I will watch them when they're back again. They were that good.

Of course I've to thank my sister for giving me the tickets and Singapore Sports Council for giving her the tickets. And Edric for being game and going with me.

You see, Westlife appeals to a certain kind of audience. They no longer have a huge teen fanbase. Their biggest hits were definitely in the past. They started the concert with really nostalgic tracks... They did World of Our Own, My Love and Seasons in the Sun. They weren't overly choreographed and looked delighted to be performing. In the past I'd have brushed them off as an act that you'd hear on the CD but never want to see them on stage. I take that back. They were like The Warblers, but better. Amazing stuff.

They did a medley of covers, Viva La Vida, Only Girl (In The World), The Time (Dirty Bit) (WHAT A CRAZY/CHEESY DANCE THEY DID FOR THIS) and ended it off with Bad Romance. Unexpected. My mind was blown.

They ended with What About Now, an awesome track, which was their own, but maybe Daughtry did a slightly better job of it, and then Uptown Girl, which I thought was a waste. No Swear It Again?

They looked as charmismatic as ever, and there's a certain magic about a band that can stick together since the release of their first single in 1999. They have my respect and I'll be a Fool Again if I don't attend their concert the next time they drop by Singapore.

Learning On The Job

2011-09-25T18:51:00.003+08:00

People close to me probably know that I'm very good at pushing blame. It's a defence mechanism. It happens naturally. I don't even think about it. Most of the time I'm not even aware.

But ever since I started work, this mechanism doesn't really work. When you're entrusted with a project, you do everything to make it happen. Whether you foresee the problems, or not; whether you can solve the problems, or not; whether you feel threatened by the problems or not; it's your job to make things happen. Or even better, make it a success.

I've been forced to be more responsible. When things go wrong, I'll puff my chest out, look as unfazed as I can, step up and accept that the mistake is my fault, that I'll learn from it and try my best to ensure that it doesn't happen again. It's tough to be this grown up but I think it's a good learning experience for me. I'll never be able to become better, gain the necessary skills, if I focus on the positive and don't find out what's wrong.

Sometimes I discuss the issues with my boss. I hope I don't come across whiny though!

Finding solutions to problems is my job, regardless of the job scope. It's how I plan to excel at work; it's how I plan to excel in life.

Averages

2011-09-22T00:06:00.004+08:00

I've to constantly remind myself life is about averages. There're extreme highs and extreme lows, but seldom are things defined by them. From performances to relationships, it's always through consistent hard work, constant commitment, continuous courage to carry on, whatever the endeavour.

You've had a bad day, you've done something badly, you've treated someone wrong... but if your intentions are good, you've had more good days than bad, you do more good than bad, you treat people how you want to be treated, then yes, you're on the right track.

To myself, and you all, don't be consumed by emotions. They can be the biggest motivation and the greatest restriction. It's easy to overreact and to overthink. It's easy to be easily affected by what goes on around... to be really happy and really sad. When push comes to shove, stay stable, stay strong, believe and push on.

You'll be who you want to be; you'll get what you want; you'll be happy.

As Fast As I Can

2011-09-19T23:04:00.002+08:00

Took a different running route today. Didn't even plan to run, just felt that I had to.

It was refreshing, possibly more so because it was new and spontaneous. I ran past the Sport School and beside the express way. Up the slope, down the hill. I haven't had terrain like this since I was in the army! One foot in front of the other, on and on. It's a longer distance than I usually conquer too. The route was amazing... just enough light, smoky, mysterious, romantic, atmospheric. It was quite deserted too. Even took a few wrong turns to where there were no paths, and had to cross the fields.

Was absolutely drenched at the end of it all, with blood pumping furiously through every vessel, to every muscle. I just felt amazingly awake and so alive. Alone and alive.

And free.

Raya at Ros'

2011-09-18T17:24:00.003+08:00

We take every chance we get to meet rather seriously. We take every chance we get to meet and have good, brain-spoil food to celebrate tradition, even more seriously! We've developed our own traditions. Now Chinese New Year would not be complete without going to Melvin's house to have curry chicken. And with the exception of last year, we've been going to Ros' place for Hari Raya.

And so we were excited to invited over once again this year for amazing food and it didn't disappoint. All the anticipation! All the salivation! It was worth it! We sat there for close to two hours, wiped out the food on the table and even some of the goodies.

We talked about a future wedding, potential jobs. We teased about future babies, potential boyfriends. We planned future get-togethers, potential drinking sessions. We wanted to get some sparklers, but it was drizzling outside. After all that, we sat around, a little quiet after being so stuffed.

Then, we took a photo to remember the day by. Shared it via Whatsapp. At the end of a hard day’s work, it’s just great to have something to celebrate.

Do It All Again

2011-09-11T23:18:00.003+08:00

Another weekend passed and as with every weekend, I'm doing something I've never done before.

I was the emcee for Mak's wedding. The feeling was amazing, knowing that I contributed in some special way to his big day. I was a bit overwhelmed by emotion during his second march-in... I don't know what came over me but I was just very happy for him. In the morning when he had to fetch his bride, he had to read 10 commandments and he did so with great sincerity, something that moved me greatly.

Watched Glee 3D with the gang and a special guest. Hopefully this guest has a place in gatherings to come. I'm not too fond of 3D. It does nothing for me. The experience of being immersed in a film doesn't really come from technology. It all boils down to basics and I'm not a fan of the glasses too. It was something I wouldn't have watched if not for the gang... the shared experiences - the laughing, the singing, the clapping, the leering, the perving - was what made it more fun than it would've been.

The coming weeks will no doubt be the peak of the year. It gains momentum in September very often, just after shifu's birthday. I don't know if it's coincidental, but last year I fondly remember those parties, my own birthday, Halloween, more birthdays, Zoukout, Christmas and then New Year!

It's only going to get more insane from here.

Voice of a DJ

2011-09-06T23:16:00.003+08:00

So I was emceeing yesterday and I was freaking nervous. I didn't know my material that well and it was the first time that I did such a ceremony. I think I've lost a bit of emceeing groove. The last time I did it was last year... for a wedding.

I'll be doing it again this Sunday... for a wedding.

Anyway I took quite a bit of time to warm up. I know that obviously I a was shaking like a leaf on stage. But I was at least more confident of how I sounded. At the end of the entire thing some of the bosses and the CEO came up and told me that I had a nice voice. I'm quite happy... maybe I'll even do some emceeing for fun in the near future!

After this stint I'm going to try to be a DJ.

My Ideal Weekend

2011-09-04T10:32:00.005+08:00

My ideal weekend would start with an early morning commute to Sentosa, alone. Taking the tram into the island with the rays of the rising sun shining into the cabin. I'd drop off at the beach station and walk to Palawan Beach and then I'd go for a run, down to Tanjong beach, make a turn and head to Siloso and then back to Palwan again. It'd be 11 and I'd chill at Cafe del Mar with fried chicken wings and ice-cold beer while watching hot bodies stroll by. When I become bored I'd take out August Man and flip it. If something catches my eye, I'd read it, but not too seriously.

At noon it'll be too hot to stay around, so I'd make my way home to wash off the sand but the brown of the tan would still be on my skin. The awesome chicken rice or sliced fish noodles from the coffeeshop downstairs would make for a good lunch. I'd pack it to eat while watching Hawaii Five-O. After that I'd hide in the room under the sheets with someone special and we'd laugh hysterically while watching Modern Family.

Then the outside world would be cool and dark, shifting gears into mysterious and sexy, and I'd change to something revealing and classy. We'd head to town for shopping and dinner at Watami. After that we'd catch a movie, some thing that's a bit humorous but has a serious take on life, not only with big name actors that sell, but with a brave story to tell.

When I'm back home I'd be happy and sleepy. I'd whatsapp a few friends to tell them about my day and then, I'd wish the world good night.

Working on Work

2011-08-31T23:33:00.002+08:00

I read yesterday that you're never as good or as bad as you think you are in your work. It's always a sine curve of ups and downs and you're usually somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately we don't always think like that and sometimes we're more emotional than we'd like to be.

I know I'm more emotional than I need to be.

So I've acted like quite the bimbo today. And then I also made a mistake that I wanted to slap myself for. Sure, it was tentative and not confirmed, but I should've prepared for it. But I didn't. So I can't wait to go to work tomorrow. So I can make it good.

It's easy to get frustrated but I think focus is the key. I just need to focus on the solution, on coming up with solutions, suggesting the solution, executing the solution. I used to find excuses or push the blame. But when it comes to work, if it doesn't work, you're supposed to make it work! Regardless! So no matter if the factors are internal or external, I've got to take it in my stride. I don't think any boss appreciates being told of the difficulties and problems and not having any solutions.

Thankfully nobody's pointing fingers yet. The easiest way to make a problem go away, is to solve it.

We Must Respect Tradition

2011-08-30T23:10:00.001+08:00

Beginners

2011-08-28T13:25:00.004+08:00

I like how the movie is constructed. Constantly flashing back and forth, showing parallels. Sometimes we never really change. Sometimes we're just products of our past experiences. There're patterns that we can never really escape. Maybe it's fate.

Once again Ewan McGregor stole the show. He chooses his projects wisely and it's a joy watching him on screen.

I like how the movie seemingly goes nowhere. It doesn't come up with a fixed premise right at the beginning. Instead it chooses to show a slice of life, real and raw experiences. It's not something that everyone can relate to, having a gay dad, dating an actress who can't stay in one place... but the storytelling was so artful, effective montages made of stills and a voice-over, contrasting generations but showing that life has pretty much the same stuff in-store for all of us.

It's the decisions we make that make the difference. And we continue learning.

Because: "In love, we are all beginners. I would shift that a little. In life, we are always beginners." (Weetz, 2011)

Fernvale Gardens School

2011-08-23T22:47:00.005+08:00

Last Friday I was at Fernvale Gardens School for the intellectually disabled, doing CSR. It was organised by the teacher-in-charge, myself and two of my colleagues.

I used to think that CSR was more lip-service but I couldn't have been more wrong.

We spent about 2 weeks before preparing the games and getting prizes. When we went down and were given the chance to interact with the kids... it was amazing and it made everything worth it. Most importantly they had fun and really enjoyed themselves, which was something I didn't expect. My experience with kids in general is that they can be difficult, regardless, and very particular about what they like and what they don't.

I guess they had fun because the volunteers went out of their way to engage them. I thought that maybe for some it'd be their first time, and like me, maybe they'd be a bit apprehensive. But they were amazing - every bit as nurturing, helpful and fun-loving or more, than I expected them to be.

I enjoyed a great afternoon with them, my colleagues and the kids.

I realised what I wanted to see in myself and what makes me happy.

Horrible Bosses

2011-08-20T12:22:00.003+08:00

Horrible Bosses is a good cheap thrill.

The three very likable main characters plot to kill their bosses. Thankfully they weren't douche bags or it'd fall into the rather overused, trashy, brocom category. Their bosses though... were more horrible than "horrible" could begin to describe. Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell were so horrible that if they were my bosses I'd plot to kill them for real too.

Also, 2 of the leading actors are called "Jason".

It was funny, tight, and the coincidences were believable. It was clever at parts. I think I like it better than Bridesmaids. Slightly too much toilet humour in that one. Memorable, but still, toilet humour. Literally.

The most disturbing thing (or the best thing, depending on your point of view) is that Jennifer Aniston was reduced to a blown-up sex doll. They probably surveyed 100 of the world's horniest men and asked, "What is your ultimate Aniston fantasy?" This list, of course, includes her saying, "Slap me in the face with your ding-dong" and wearing a doctor's coat with no shirt, no bra. Also eating a banana like that.

Final verdict: Very watchable for a huge number of reasons. Every one can imagine having a boss they'd want to kill.

Not Malay Siol

2011-08-15T22:37:00.004+08:00

"Haha, it's a full moon today! Time to watch some Teen Wolf!"

"Hahaha... Shouldn't you ask your lover out to gaze at the moon? And hope for Chang-e son to come down and talk to u? Chang-e got a jade rabbit or something lor."

"HAHA OH MY GOD. You are fucking funny."

"Sometimes I wonder if I am Malay."

"Everyday I wonder this."

"Idiot. You aren't supposed to agree with me please."

"BUT I DO."

Work-Life Balance

2011-08-14T14:19:00.002+08:00

The cycle seems kind of endless. I start the day early. I hate waking up. I hate the travelling. The work's good, surprisingly! Many things in life are about choice and this is one of those things that it'd be wise to choose wisely. The last few hours pass quicker than I imagine and before I know it, I'm out of the office. Time is spent travelling. Most of the time I meet up with awesome friends. Other times I'm teaching tuition. Very rarely, I go straight home. In fact this has possibly only happened twice!

I think I'm in need of a lot of sleep. When I finally get back home I don't even feel like doing anything. Granted, maybe I've to chill a little on my social life. But I can't even find time to do much household chores, save ironing my clothes! I wish there were more hours in a day.

This Thursday marks 1 month of starting work. I hope to get into the groove of things and not only do well in my career, but outside of that as well!

Convocation Speech

2011-08-01T22:41:00.003+08:00

Congratulations to our valedictorian, Trinetta, for giving us one of the best speeches in NTU history. Double congratulations, for getting us in the news and giving us a graduation that was the most talked about, by netizens and the mainstream media. 2 days of coverage!

Most importantly, a big thank you, for giving us an awesome memory and a mad story for us to tell and to look back on for years to come.

You used to be just the girl hiding at the benches on the third floor. Now, you're nothing short of legendary.

The First Weekend

2011-07-24T23:26:00.003+08:00

"Powerpack your Friday nights. Step on it and accelerate to the max! Dinner, movies, drinks and clubs. Chiong. Then Sat pace a little, chill and glide on. Then come Sunday, unwind and recharge and sail out on the momentum of the weekend high." Weetz, 2011.

Friday evening kicked off with meeting the interns from my internship at SPF. We met the rest of our department who were prawning with moderate success at Hai Bin! But it didn't really matter, as we sat down and gossiped and caught up with each other. It was fantastic seeing them all again. Made new friends and reconnected with old ones. I was particularly happy that we got along brilliantly despite not seeing each other for a year. Also met my junior from CS and I was glad to know that he was doing well interning there. Heineken, prawns, conversation... a warm fuzzy feeling.

Saturday was spent earning money instead of spending it! Tuition went well though. I see it as nurturing the next generation in my own little way. Poisoning them with my slightly unconventional and un-teacher-like views while explaining how to write a narrative and how to do QA for Chemistry. I've been doing it so long, it's almost effortless in a way.

Sunday. Bridesmaids. After letting it all sink in, maybe it isn't that funny! There's a lot of toilet humour, but female-style, so that's something that I've never seen before! But the rather original script and solid comedy-acting by a stellar cast made it a very enjoyable experience that was worth its weekend ticket price. The inclusion of Hold On at the end was wonderful! I am almost inspired to start tuning in to Class 95!

And then I did something that I've never done before. I went to sing karaoke. Alone! The feeling of being one with music and lyrics, of the entire body being an instrument - incredible! 2 hours, uninterrupted. I was partly inspired when listening to Jolin's discography the other day and I realised how much I missed singing and how Chinese lyrics could express emotions and thoughts in an incredibly beautiful way. So I spent the evening alone but connected! Connected to a world of composers, lyricists, singers. A solo concert for an audience of one - myself!

And that's how I spent the first weekend upon starting work.

I'm so going to regret sleeping late just to write this entry.

ICT 2011

2011-07-21T22:53:00.004+08:00

It's true that Twitter and Facebook have been taking my time away from blogging. Sometimes you put yourself out there and when it comes to actually writing an entry, you're all out of juice.

But this entry is not about that. It's about my in-camp training last week. There's plenty of things I hated about it. I hate that I sometimes have to push on, even when my head is about to burst. I hate that there's a lot of waiting.

But I love sweating it out. I love the physical exertion, the physical activity. I feel like I'm exerting myself, really feeling it, like the body and mind are one. It's the feeling of a hard day's work... when I was inside that contraption, setting it up, and my singlet wetter than it'd ever been and sticking to every part of me, and me rushing against time, against my physical limit to get the bar into its fucking position. There's a strange sense of exhilaration.

And I'm a bit of a different persona in camp. My normal usage of vulgarities went up about ten times. Because, as we all know, bitching is a coping mechanism. And what better way to bitch than with the familiar people that I'm glad to see whenever I go back. Going through all that shit again somehow builds a bond that's not affected by time. It's memorable alright.

Also, I passed my IPPT!

Maybe the most exciting parts of life doesn't always have to be good. Maybe the worst parts of it might end up being the ones that you look back most fondly on. I go back year after year, the dread never decreasing. But I appreciate being outdoors, facing the sun, with the men that I've come to know for almost 6 years. We've all grown, we're all different, yet we work well together.

If only I didn't have to spend so much money cabbing to camp.

Six

2011-07-07T23:02:00.005+08:00

I push myself to the limit. And I always feel a little superhuman after taking off the mask. Sometimes that feels kinda cool, like I've done the impossible. Other times I swear that it's the last time, that I'll never do it again.

Most of the time I do it because I don't have a choice. There's a bit too much relief at being alive at the end of it all. All the heat, suffocation and perspiration.

6 more days to go. And after that 6 more to go.

Giving Up Too Much

2011-07-05T21:05:00.003+08:00

There used to be a blog which wrote of wondrous things. His entries were filled with imagination, one I could never hope to match. The words were poetic, flying off the computer screen with the bubbling enthusiasm of a toddler trying to walk. Reading it always left me with a fuzzy feeling, like I've just been hugged.

More often that not I sit in front of the computer with my eyebrows furrowed, thinking hard. What can I say that I have never said before? Am I funny, serious, inspiring? What's my style? I feel like a writer in a mid-life crisis. And I question this rut!

Maybe it used to be easier writing when I didn't know the power of words. Twitter made me realise that with 140 characters, I could tell a joke. With 140 characters, I could be succinct. A tweet could be so much more immediate because of the time it takes to read it.

If I had twenty-four hours left in the world, I'd tell my loved ones that I love them. And then sit in a corner with a great book, with my mind and imagination, creating the greatest Universe in my head. It wouldn't matter that it wasn't real because everything comes to an end.

What Kylie Means

2011-06-30T12:27:00.003+08:00

I first got acquainted with Kylie in 2000, with Spinning Around. Since then it's been hit after hit and she has built her reputation with her touring and more often than not, interesting music videos!

I bought her first tour DVD, Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour (2005) in which she performed songs that I was unfamiliar with. They went on to become my absolute favourites - Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (1988), Hand On Your Heart (1989), Shocked (1991), What Do I Have To Do (1991), Confide In Me (1994). She brought them all to life on that tour... along with some indisputable global sensations like Can't Get You Out Of My Head (2001).

And so armed with slightly more than 10 years of anticipation and knowledge of Kylie's work that spanned almost 24 years, I was finally able to witness her, live, on her Aphrodite World Tour at the Singapore Stadium last night.

Indeed, she was incredible. And incredibly enough, she could possibly have pulled off an acoustic set if she wanted. No doubt, she's no Adele, but she more than competent with her singing. She had an ah lian part where she came out with her feather boa and mini-shorts for a rousing I Should Be So Lucky during the request segment. She also did a ballad where she sang, "if you don't love me anymore..." and the audience kept screaming "we love you Kylie!". Having seen other videos of this on youtube I feel that the Singapore crowd was really disruptive and warm and enthusiastic... it was amazing!

But the highlight for me was a slow-jammed / jazz remix of the already slow, delicious and tantalising, Slow. It got slower, nastier with her vocals positively dripping with sensuality, purring, growling... and then it went down, down, down, down, down and burst into its pulsating, massive, electro sound of the original.

My mind could not handle such wonderfulness in musicality.

Needless to say, the set design and costumes were extravagant and the feast for the eyes. So were the dancers. I will leave you with more photos, here, courtesy of Weetz. Can't wait for the DVD of this tour, which is slated for release later this year.

One of the few artistes to have hits spanning the 80s, 90s, 00s, and now 2011... She was really magnificent and seasoned. I hope I get the chance to see her live again!

Writing

2011-06-23T10:24:00.003+08:00

I think writing gets harder as you get older. It's the one thing that doesn't get easier. You expect more out of yourself. To string words that flow together, use the simple to convey the complicated, paint a picture, set the mood, express emotions... You want to be witty and humorous. You want to be impactful. You want to be understood.

For me writing is so much more than taking note of achievements and milestones in life. It's an analysis of life in that moment, something like a time capsule. A good piece of writing is one that has cultural and emotional relevance. Possibly something like this.

This week, inspiration is particularly evasive, possibly because I haven't been up to much. Sitting around at the computer, teaching tuition, barely working my mind. Friends have been returning from graduation trips. It would be great to catch up with everyone and hear their stories.

Need to stop procrastinating. And start writing. Anyway the number of people reading this blog is one-fifth of what it was at its peak. Guess I won't be wasting too many people's time if it turned out to be crap.

Glad You Came

2011-06-15T10:02:00.004+08:00

This is my summer anthem.

It starts off with a rather heart-felt declaration of "my universe, will never be the same" and then the beats kick in and it's a non-stop party till the end.

I love the lyrics and the way they rhyme. I like how it's simple and the mood's just fine. I mimic their accents everytime the song hits the pre-chorus bit:

Turn the lights out now
Now I'll take you by the hand
Hand you another drink
Drink it if you can
Can you spend a little time
Time is slipping away
Away from us so stay
Stay with me I can make
Make you Glad You Came.

The track has a bit of Ibiza vibe and their video? Fantastically summer-y, messing about in the sun and the sea.

Watch The Wanted's video for Glad You Came here.

The current brit-pop group to listen to, alongside the legendary Take That.

Romanticise

2011-06-13T00:38:00.004+08:00

I think I am too romantic. Romantic, not in the popular definition, but being "imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry etc".

I'm easily influenced by the things that I come into contact with. The movies I watch, the books I read and the music I listen. As with all great creative works, there is a strong element of fantasy, based upon drama, building moods and atmospheres. Clubbing looks really good in music videos, but aren't that great half the time. Instability, troubles, good looks and money make for good TV... but possibly not real life.

I like the notion that I'm the star of my life. I like the notion that love conquers all, makes one feel alive and special. I like the notion that every conversation is witty and leads to some important consequence later on. I like the notion that the good guys will have a happy ending.

Sometimes I even think that there'd be music in the background at some critical moment. Like a cool soundtrack for all the cool moments for all the cool things I've done!

But reality is a little different. Things don't last forever. Sometimes you aren't the most popular person in the room. Sometimes it gets quiet. Sometimes it gets lonely. Sometimes you're by the beach, but it's not a big party. Nobody breaks into song, like they do on Glee.

It's great to indulge in fantasy and fiction. In fact we do it so often we expect these elements to appear in real life.

I know I do, but I'm slowly learning to realise that it isn't like that. My life isn't TV. When I was in Bali, with Lyon, Pamy and Stanley, there was a moment when we were at the beach, where we just laid there. Not on deck chairs, but on towels. No magaritas in our hands, possibly a bottle of mineral water. Our sunglasses weren't Tom Ford. We weren't having interesting conversation. There was no music in the background. The waves weren't crashing dramatically. They were just there.

It would have made for a terrible movie, or book, or TV show.

But such peace, serenity, company and comfort makes for a good life. That moment has been etched into my memory. Nothing happened... but I loved it. I'm learning to embrace it. Maybe my life won't be as glamorous as I thought it would. But it doesn't matter. I'm happy.

X-Men: First Class

2011-06-03T22:34:00.002+08:00

X-Men: First Class is my favourite movie this year. Thus far, of course.

There's a lot of baggage in history, but it doesn't weigh this movie down. Familiar, but with a twist. Gone are almost all the actors from the previous X-men trilogy, save for perhaps Wolverine, who had one line that cracked up the entire cinema. I was unfamiliar with this story too. I entered the cinema with only a vague inkling of the history between Professor X and Magneto.

It was great to see the movie mine the various back-stories of individual characters and throw them into a new narrative. It was all weaved in very well. Every turn a surprise. I guess therein lies the source of a good movie, or a good story even... real characters. The ensemble cast was great and everyone was likeable on screen. Quite surprised by the appearance of Lucas Till and especially, Nicholas Hoult of A Single Man. A bit too pretty boy for Hank, but his acting's convincing still!

And the visual effects and action scenes didn't disappoint either. The final boom boom pow show-down? Nice.

It was also brilliant hearing the closing song performed by Take That. The music is glorious, in line with the recent sound they have explored on Progress. Synths, one-note bass, wonderful lyrics... grand, and epicly so.

I hope for its sequel to be even better.

Your Rules

2011-05-31T00:01:00.004+08:00

"Guard that commitment you have. And by the same nature, you must abide by those boundaries.

When you are on the train tomorrow, listen to Lady Gaga and ask: what exactly makes Jason, Jason. What are your rules, what are your boundaries and what are your principles.

Whatever happens you need to be able to face yourself and say: I have conducted myself well."

And to be able to live with the reflection on my mirror.

If

2011-05-29T00:21:00.001+08:00

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

- Rudyard Kipling

Singapore's Summit

2011-05-24T23:51:00.005+08:00

I read today that Sitting is Killing You. And thus, I was motivated to get off my butt, away from my computer and up Bukit Timah Hill.

I kid. I already made plans to climb to Singapore's summit before reading that article, but it makes so much sense. We weren't made to sit down for long hours at a time and not even spurts of exercise changes that fact! (I hit the gym in the morning too.) I hope all the small things add up - walking, not sitting while on the train, extended periods of outdoors like these...

I underestimated the climb to the top. And it amazed me when I saw an elderly couple make their through the trails. I think they'll live to a hundred!

My legs. They are killing me. I hadn't exercised much during Feb and Mar and now I'm paying for it!

I'm going to indulge in this lifestyle - freedom and the great outdoors - for awhile before I start working. Then it'll be a whole different ball game.

Cheers (Drink to That)

2011-05-23T21:39:00.001+08:00

My friend and I were chatting a few days ago and we came across the term "best friend". How do you define it? What constitutes a best friend? Do you have someone to call your best friend?

I learned very early on that it's hard to have one best friend. Everyone's different and you just find that you enjoy different things with different people. The chemistry's different with different people. You talk about different things to different people... and different people fulfill different needs.

My take is that a friend is someone who would support me through my nonsense. It's difficult not to judge, especially when I'm not very sensible even at the best of times. So to me, a friend would simply be someone I feel comfortable talking to when the going gets tough.

I don't view friendships as transient but they're certainly hard to hold on to! They take a lot of time and effort and sometimes even with that, you just grow apart, for no reason. Priorities change, opinions differ, throw in a conflict or two and sometimes... sometimes you find it easier staying at home staring at the computer.

Perhaps it isn't that complicated. It doesn't matter if we're friends for a day or a year. Just as long as we've crossed paths, made each other smile and made a moment in life happier, we're friends.

Cheers, I'll drink to that.

Rebirth

2011-05-23T00:20:00.007+08:00

With her performances of the track and her arrival in the vessel during the Grammys, Gaga challenges the audience's idea of what it means to be "Born This Way". Is birth finite or infinite? Does it happen once or over again? Can you be reborn?

In the interview with Fuse, she also mentions that one has to honour his creativity or "it will tell you to fuck off and it won't come to dinner any more!"

Then it struck me. I haven't been honoring my creativity. I feel uninspired. I haven't been writing. I haven't been creating. I haven't been working hard at mining the ideas that came to me. And now they won't turn up when I need them to.

So the solution is this - a rebirth. A fresh start. Which was why I changed the skin of the blog. For a clean slate. To represent a new era and new ideas. It's a return to a passion and a lifestyle, to be sharing thoughts. I find that I learn more about myself when I sit down and go through this process of writing.

May this (new) journey be a rewarding one.

Era

2011-05-15T00:50:00.003+08:00

It feels like a new era in Singapore politics. WP won a GRC. MM and SM announce that they will not be in the up-coming cabinet.

It feels like a lot of frustration. Studying for the last paper. This Internet & New Media is abstract. I guess it's my fault for not attending the lectures but these slides - they are not understandable.

It feels like music is coming alive again. Especially with Lady Gaga. Born This Way. Judas. Edge of Glory. Britney's fantastic Till The World Ends is being followed by I Wanna Go. Kylie is coming for a concert in June.

It feels like something new is in the air. A lifestyle change because someone has promptly made his presence felt.

It feels like a different stage in life. I'm going to graduate. I'm going to find a job. I'm nervous. It's scary. I still don't know what I want, but the difference is that I'm going to have to take action! Not sit around waiting for things to happen!

And maybe you're right after all. There's no happiness in the future, only in now.

Rejuvenated by the Sun

2011-05-12T00:54:00.002+08:00

Went to Cafe Del Mar last week. Finally a bit of sun, sand and sea. A great prelude to Bali in June! Can't wait.

Your Criteria

2011-05-05T23:37:00.002+08:00

I'm not here to tell you who to vote because that is clearly the job of the candidates.

However I feel the need to say this: Vote on who you think is best for the country. Vote for the country's interest. Vote because the policies will have impact on your fellow countrymen. The people you see every day, your family, your friends, the man on the street... Singaporeans will be affected by your vote. Vote logically and vote because you feel that what you're doing is right for the nation.

We can all believe different things and that's what makes a democracy. To me it's fine that we disagree. In fact, maybe it is the most interesting thing that we should disagree - we have no idea how the polls will turn out. It is the choice of the majority that will prevail.

But the most important thing is to think. Do not take what you hear from the Opposition at face value. Do not accept everything you read about the PAP from the Straits Times. Hopefully by now you'd have attended rallies, read widely, watched videos, discussed with your friends... the conclusion however, is entirely your own, and whichever you decide, so long as you have done it with thought and you are convinced that what you are doing is right, I am convinced that your vote means something to the election candidates and to the nation.

Do not vote on petty things. Do not base your vote on only emotions. Do not just base your vote on rational thinking. Reject all that is limiting. It is not good enough that the country has money but no heart. It is not good enough that the country has a heart but starves to death.

So make your best decision, a decision you can be proud of. Make a decision that you know will make your country a greater one for everyone around you. Make a decision for the future you want to see.

Make a decision for the nation and you only need to account to yourself. That is my greatest wish for all those voting this election.

Working On It

2011-04-26T22:22:00.002+08:00

Too many distractions, too little thought, too little time.

3 more classes. 1 more project. 1 more presentation. 3 more exams.

4 years of school, I'm finally graduating. No more whining, about silly things like why NTU is so far. It's just that so far, I can't decide whether I'm prepared for the working world, where it's more cut-throat and competitive. And I'm not competitive, sometimes maybe even a little stiff, when it comes down to work.

A friend commented that I'm very happy-go-lucky. Yes, that's exactly what I am, I realised. That I have the ben qian so I just do whatever makes me happy and that I don't take things seriously. I don't know what I want and time is running out because I can't say "I don't know" forever.

How accurate. This is my problem.

That and building castles in the sky. Putting in a lot of effort into creating a fairy tale. When it flops I have nothing to fall back on.

So maybe it's time to play a little less and work a little more.

HTC Desire

2011-04-13T01:20:00.003+08:00

It's like I've been locked in the storeroom for the longest time and now I'm finally out and seeing the light for the first time!

Maybe it wasn't the time to get a smart phone two years ago, but two years later, I've got from early adopter to laggard. Or maybe I wasn't even early adopter to begin with!

It's gorgeous and shapely, this phone. It's black and sleek. I'm still trying to get used to it though. But it is a mighty nice phone. I haven't been this happy to acquire a material possession since... I can't remember!

Now I've finally gotten a phone, with a plan. I plan to rule the world with this phone. It's everything that I've ever desired! But first maybe I'll buy it some clothes so it won't catch a cold and maybe a mask to protect its handsome face.

It's not the drugs talking. I wish I was having some. A little lack of sleep. And a whole lot of FYP.

5 more days baby.

To A Beautiful Day

2011-04-11T00:59:00.003+08:00

It sounds very nice to struggle. Ooh, I worked really hard for this. I put in a lot of time and effort for that. Against the odds, I conquered this and I achieved that. I'm brilliant because I didn't give up. I'm determined and it got me this far! And so glorious it is to finally be where I am.

But some things are sweet because they're easy. Like how being yourself makes your friends happy. Like doing things because you have the freedom to. Like listening to music you like. Like smiling. Like not doing anything. Like dreaming. Like doing something you're good at. Like eating nice dessert.

I think I'm beginning to find that for some things, there's no need to try so hard. If it's out of reach, maybe it's not meant to be. If it doesn't feel good, maybe it's not right. If you can't get it, you don't need it.

What you don't have you don't need it now
What you don't know you can feel it somehow
What you don't have you don't need it now
Don't need it now

First Extraction

2011-04-07T22:11:00.005+08:00

I was waiting nervously until my friend sms-ed me three scenarios for me to fantasize during the tooth extraction.

It was the strangest experience. I've never been under anesthesia before. I've heard of the long needles and the funny feeling of your teeth being removed, but you aren't able to really feel it. I was really apprehensive, but it went smoothly. I spent the next couple of hours with gauze in my mouth. (Of course, I changed it a few times!)

I took the gauze out to have dinner and it was the most wonderful sensation! The tooth that I have always detested seeing in the mirror, the tooth that I've always been so conscious about, on the left of the roof of my mouth, was gone! Every time I opened my mouth wider, or tilted my head higher, I was so uncomfortable that people would see that tooth, that it would be caught on camera. It happened a few times before and every time I saw it, I would cringe.

And now it's gone!

All bad things must be like this offensive tooth - extracted.

Lifestyle Change

2011-04-04T23:02:00.002+08:00

There are those lifestyle changes that are exciting. Starting something new - a new job, getting a new house, a new car, a new University, a new friend, a new hobby.

Then there are lifestyle changes that are painful but necessary. Losing a loved one, coping with sickness, dealing with a broken-heart...

Breathe.

A new chapter, a new life, a new start. This is where those painful and necessary changes can lead. To independence, to happiness, to maturity.

Just that they are difficult. It takes baby steps. I need to remember to breathe, instead of holding my breath and hoping too hard that the pain will go away. There's this bitter taste in my mouth now. Combined a little with this feeling of being stabbed. And having to deal with it. And not knowing how to.

How do you deal with loss? When does it start to feel better?

Who can I stab to make it feel better?

It's really out-of-character for me. Feeling like this. Blogging like this. And I've been out-of-character.

Click that switch, make everything alright. I gave a good fight.

Breathe.

And look forward.

Embracing the Future

2011-03-27T02:29:00.005+08:00

I visited the dentist this week.

The dentist happens to be my granduncle, whom I've never met.

I dislike visiting the dentist because they never have anything good to say about my teeth. When I was younger, the one in school always scolded me. I dreaded lying almost horizontally with my mouth open, feeling vulnerable.

It wasn't different this time. My teeth are a mess so I'm sure by opening my mouth, I would already be a dentist's nightmare. If there's one thing I hate about how I look, it's my teeth. I remember standing on stage and someone took a photo of me from below. I could see a tooth stuck awkwardly behind my top row of teeth and every since then I've been conscious about opening my mouth really wide, or cameras shooting from below while filming video clips.

A recent example would be the one I did for Put Your Heel Down. It's my own nightmare looking at my teeth.

The dentist cleaned up my teeth and chided my inadequate brushing technique. I took an X-ray of my teeth, twice, because the first time the assistant didn't load the film. They got a mould of my teeth. The material that I sank my teeth in tasted like minty chewing gum. When I turned, I could see my X-Ray held against the light and indeed, it looked scary. My wisdom teeth were horizontal (if I understood correctly what I was looking at) and the dentist mentioned that I would have to remove them sooner or later.

But before that, before he puts the braces, he would have to extract at least 4 teeth. This will happen on the 6th April. And I need to bring 1.6k along as a downpayment.

I'm not looking forward to this entire process. It sounds nasty. But hopefully with every visit I will become less insecure about my teeth.

Can't wait to finally get this started and then, out of the way.

Stream of Consciousness

2011-03-25T22:51:00.002+08:00

So I sat through an hour of lecture by the great Lady Gaga. Actually learned a lot, felt inspired and felt my brain being stretched. She said many things - some took awhile to make sense, others were funny, while the rest was enlightening. She talked about art, about messaging, about promotion, about branding. She spoke of breaking free from the past, not living life in regret, fighting the "darkness" and finding your "specialness". It was really inspiring.

Went to Far East Movement's Free Wired Tour at Wavehouse last Thursday. I enjoyed myself tremendously. Their music was great and they were entertaining. It's my first time to a beach gig and I quite like the atmosphere. I was so crazy that I bought a $38 FLY LIKE A G6 T-shirt! It was lots of fun.

Music is a huge part of my life and this week I got a chance to do a recording for Lyon in the school's studio! Pamy sang it and I just popped in to provide the backing vocals. If you're curious you can download it here. It's just a rough one I think and Lyon is still working on it. I downloaded it and after multiple listens, I quite like it! Kudos to the composer.

I can't wait to sing at Kbox. Think it will happen soon with the OGLs or Ryan, possibly next week.

Another thing that I'm looking forward to next week - King Kong Jane's gig at Home Club next Friday.

Despite music being the one thing I love the most, I'm a writer at heart.

Celebrate!

2011-03-21T21:47:00.004+08:00

It was 8:10pm. I woke up to the the alarm of my handphone, those annoyingly cheery alarm tones and then, flashes of lightning. For the first time I was slightly afraid and I cowered a bit under my blanket but still everything lit up and I felt invaded and vulnerable. I checked my phone again and saw Colin's MMS - King King Jane ascended to #4 on the HMV Charts.

I stared out the open window at the sky defiantly, wistfully. More than six months of hard work ended yesterday with the Go Red For Women Picnic Day at Sengkang. It was unreal. When it ended, Amos' mentioned that it was as if it didn't happen. I agreed. We knew it happened, we were aware that it was carried out but it was so unreal. We didn't feel any different physically or mentally. We were still the same, but the momentous event happened.

There were many moments. The sponsors who were there saw engagement with their brands, which was fantastic because they did something interactive and integrated well with our event - Gardenia's huge bread mascot and Amore's Stretchfit demonstration. Kite-flying was successful in terms of number of attempts. It was heartening to see so many people running like crazy to get the kites off the ground despite the lack of wind. Can't complain when it didn't rain!

My moment happened when King Kong Jane took the stage. I had just seen them at Esplanade the night before and here they were at my event, playing a 30 minute set. It was special. I could finally show my friends why I liked King Kong Jane. It's not just because I am friends with Colin. It is all because I am friends with Colin! He mentioned that the event was not just organised by the Singapore Heart Foundation, but also 4 NTU students, his juniors. He told of how we slogged for the event and that he understood because he had done an FYP before. He said that he was invited by his "old friend Jason".

For four years I've been seeing King Kong Jane take the stage in NTU, in polys, at Suntec, at Raffles Place, at Timbre and just like their album which has risen to new heights, they were performing at new places, at the GRFW Picnic Day, at Sengkang!

QQ and I were there together when this took place and we were very moved. A bit wanna cry. After these many mentions of my name, my family stood and applauded loudly after their set. The crowd was appreciative too... I saw people around me, unfamiliar faces, happy and clapping.

Till now I still feel it, how touched I was at that moment. It was crazy. Colin has really went out of his way to do so much for the event, for my team. Amos, Ruiqi and I listened to a copy of the newly-bought and signed album in Amos' car on the way back home.

Thank you, the three of you... we brought our ideas to life.

Thank you, my family, for being there in full force.

Thank you to the people of SHF for all your hard work.

Thank you, the 6 of you, for being there and bringing friends.

Thank you to all the CS people who turned up to help at the event - we really couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you to the CS people who came down to support our event - it just wouldn't be the same without seeing all the familiar faces.

Thank you Stanley for being my programmer. But I minus some marks cos like me, you were also running around everywhere!

Thank you Weetz and Firus for being possibly the only friends outside CS to come down for me.

Thank you to all the sponsors who made the event possible and our goodie bag valuable.

Thank you to all the people who didn't come down but SMS-ed me and wished me luck.

Thank you, if I forgot to thank you, for your support.

Qiqi tweeted that "Happiness is surely only short-lived." But Weetz has taught me that there should be things to celebrate! Celebrate often! Celebrate success! Find things to celebrate, to be happy about.

And King Kong Jane's success has brought me such happiness and given me things to celebrate! Pages in the newspaper! Album on the charts! Celebratory gig at the Home Club on April 1st!

Celebrate that the event is done! Celebrate that FYP is about to end! Celebrate that my friends came down for me! Celebrate the fact that on the 20th of March, all the people who mattered came down - it was a celebration of relationships that we have with the people in our lives.

From the four of us - Thank you all.

Too Busy To Blog

2011-03-15T22:50:00.002+08:00

In what is the worst drought of blogging in many years, it must be this.

If you're reading it, thank you for dropping by. For caring about what I'm up to.

I promise to write as soon as 20th March is over.

Love Your Heart.

Till The World Ends

2011-03-05T11:17:00.002+08:00

Nowadays I look in the mirror and I think, "Who is this?". Not that I don't recognise myself but I don't recognise myself. It's kind of silly - I've been busy with work - school work, FYP work, tuition work. Sometimes I enjoy it, sometimes I hate it. And before all this will end, I should decide on what work I'm going to do after I graduate. Which is kind of silly if you think about it. How does the majority of the people decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives? How do those strategic people start planning how they want to proceed and excel in their routes when I am here as clueless as a person without a clue?

Finding happiness is hard work. Accepting happiness is hard work. Knowing what you want and finding out how to get it... is beyond hard.

In other news, while thinking of what to wear for Put Your Heel Down at Zouk tonight, I am at a lost as to what to wear. Which is ridiculous. There needs to be another sale at Topman and I need to buy some clothes. This is all.

I can't take it take it take no more. Never felt like felt like this before. Come on get me get me on the floor. DJ what you what you waiting for.

Go Red For Women Campaign Poster

2011-03-02T12:44:00.002+08:00

Gad Savvy

2011-02-24T10:27:00.003+08:00

Gad-Savvy FYP by students of WKWSCI!

The 'Gad-Savvy' campaign aim to raise awareness about adverse effects of gadget over-dependency by providing useful tips and symptoms, as well us avenues to seek help for those at risk. This initiative kick-starts the level of awareness in Singapore in light of the rising trends of exponential increase in ownership and usage of electronic gadgets.

These guys manage to make the news today. Page 6 on ST, one page in front of the Finance Minister too!

Acting for them in the video was really fun. Possibly my last video ever and with people that I've constantly had the blessed opportunity to work with for the past 4 years.

Since it's the season of FYPs and it'll be good publicity any way, I will be spending the entire month blogging about FYPs. Possibly tomorrow, starting with my own!

My Personality Report

2011-02-23T13:23:00.003+08:00

So I'm searching for a job and I did a Personality Report on Jobs Central last night. I am shocked. It is rather true. Would I hire myself?

At a Glance

• Does not like too many work demands, prefers to work at own pace.
• Takes time over tasks, sees deadlines as flexible.
• Expresses emotions and needs attention. Tends to be concerned with own opinions and feelings.
• Faithful, trustworthy and devoted in long-term relationships.
• Concerned with prestige, recognition, rank and reputation.
• A good supporter of others.
• Practical, prefers to build on ideas rather than generate them.
• Expressive, eloquent, artistic or sporty.
• Needs clear and thorough instructions, slow to act when uncertain.

While at Work

Putting in a lot of effort to meet the demands of work is not Mr khor's preference. He does not like to rush around doing things and may feel demotivated if work constantly encroaches on his personal life. Although he does not like excessive work demands, Mr khor may still be prepared to put in extra effort if it is on a short term basis.

Time is not a major priority for Mr khor. He is probably often late for appointments and may keep people waiting. He sees deadlines as flexible and takes his time to do things. He is not time-conscious when planning or organizing activities. Mr khor may feel stressed and demotivated when he is rushed, and may not deliver results on time.

Mr khor generally will persist with work until it is completed but may at times not complete his tasks.

Mr khor is able to produce work that is moderately high in quality but he may at times be careless.

Mr khor is an emotional person. He finds it difficult to conceal his feelings. He is likely to seek attention from others. Mr khor is passionate, romantic and warm, and needs to be with people. As his emotional needs are high, he is often the 'taker' in a relationship. He tends to make decisions based on his own feelings and opinions.

Although Mr khor is usually a sympathetic person, he may at times be selective about being involved in the personal problems of people.

Mr khor is friendly and outgoing when he is with friends although he may at times prefer to be quiet.

Mr khor is the sort of person who forms long term bonds and attachments. He is faithful, trustworthy, and devoted in such relationships. He tends to be trusting, dedicated and protective towards those he loves. Patriotism and sense of duty is a significant aspect of his character.

Mr khor is moderately serious about his responsibilities and selectively takes ownership of his work.

Mr khor is concerned with position and status. He cares about how people view him. Prestige, quality, rank and reputation are important to him. He is likely to be brand-conscious and would attach significance to status symbols. He takes pride in his appearance.

Mr khor is at times able to engage people to accomplish his objectives.

A good supporter to the people around him, Mr khor does not desire to lead or influence people. He is uncomfortable taking charge and does not feel the thrill of challenge in leading others. He prefers to responds rather than initiate. He looks to others to provide direction and does not naturally want to persuade or motivate others to take a certain course of action.

Intellectual matters do not interest Mr khor. He is more concerned with practical issues than abstract theories. Mr khor prefers to talk about useful and workable solutions than discuss hypotheses and concepts. He is more likely to build on ideas rather than generate them.

Mr khor puts in effort to plan ahead some of the times. He may at times not be as detailed in his planning.

Mr khor has a flair for words and is creative. He probably has multiple language ability and expresses himself very well. Not only is Mr khor eloquent, he is probably also artistic and/or sporty. He is demonstrative and dramatic.

Everything Feels A Bit Better

2011-02-20T01:02:00.004+08:00

Sometimes when you are down you have to be in a crowded place, surrounded by people and numbed by alcohol. Yeah, sometimes I feel like that.

Today I tried something a little different. Turning on emo songs by Texas, Rachael Yamagata and Lee Ryan. Walking in the park, sitting down on the bench, staring into the sky. It was dark and kinda scary but it was peaceful and cooling and calming. I was alone with my thoughts, grappling with my feelings and trying to sort things out in my head. And it was good, surprisingly. It all came together in the end. I felt better. My steps were lighter, despite the boots!

I like how I'm learning every step of the way. Everything feels a bit better.

Chingay 2011

2011-02-16T21:49:00.004+08:00

When we stepped in just in time, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - BOOMZ.

Huge-ass flag.

Those pom-poms stained my shorts. But everyone loved them.

Resorts World Sentosa!

Singapore Zoological Gardens. The one before this by the Indian community was a peacock. Cock. Cock.

Acrobats. Very exciting. This small boy was fearless!

Japanese Association of SG.

VEA. Also known as very-enthusiastic-aunties.

UNISIM!

I truly even forgot that I took this photo. But looks nice.

Energy was at a crazy high when PA's Youth Movement came out. Pop songs at full-blast!

And then the lights got turned off. Exciting!

Chuan liu bu xi!

Hope of the future.

Dragon.

Elders "handing over" to the youths.

Balloon thingums flying in wild abandon!

Baby you're a fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirework...

... come on let your colours burst!

whitehot_surfer.

mytaintedmind.

Thank you Sha for tickets to an unforgettable evening.

FYP

2011-02-16T09:45:00.003+08:00

One of the things that I learned on this FYP is that being right is not always the most important thing. Especially in the case of communication. More often than not the objective of communication is building relationships. But then again, not everyone sets out to build relationships. It's got to be a two-way thing and possibly, there's no need to be too overly-accomodating.

Being right is less important than doing the right thing.

I realise that I have a lot to learn. I know what I'm supposed to do when it comes to work. All the principles, the theory, the objectives. Sometimes they just are over my head. Sometimes it's much easier to talk about it and then when you start doing it... it's like wrestling a bunny with the strength of a 1000-pound giant.

I've learned a lot this semester and it has barely even started. It's really the toughest one yet.

CNY's 2 Days

2011-02-10T22:09:00.002+08:00

Day 1

Day 2

Dose of Optimism

2011-02-09T11:03:00.004+08:00

Sure when I'm in the right company, I like to complain and whine, just like anybody else. There was a time that I used to keep a tighter leash on all that nonsense, but it's just a way of interacting with everybody. More so I like to be optimistic and hopeful and look on the bright side. I try to make people smile.

Most importantly I think it's important to dig deep and make the effort to be happy. And when you're happy, people gravitate to you because of the good stuff. Because of all the happy.

I'm still some way away from this. I'm not trying to be someone else but I want to be that guy. After all, life is design.

A Rabbity CNY

2011-02-04T02:34:00.002+08:00

House In The East

2011-01-30T15:27:00.002+08:00

It's nice to have a conversation that's about boundless energy, boundless passion, boundless youth and boundless potential. It's exciting to have to plan and get to and get through a new phase. It's fun to dream about endless possibilities. It makes a gloomy day like this not so gloomy.

I think about what I want to achieve and what I want to do. What I believe in and what's my philosophy. I think it's easy for people to label each other as hypocrites when in reality all we're trying to do is find out what we stand for.

And at the end of the day it's all about a bit of magic. An experience unexpected, incredible, mystical and happily unbelievable.

Show Me How You Wanderlust

2011-01-28T10:40:00.002+08:00

Meiji's Birthday!

Rounding Up

2011-01-25T22:10:00.003+08:00

This was the meal that we had to round up Kim Vy's two-week stay at our place. My mom whipped up a fantastic dinner, some stuff that I've never seen before. And some kinda stew, when she's more used to making soup. She's very camera-shy and specifically told me not to upload photos of her, even when she's in the background!

We had a fantastic, memorable meal, of French wine and French cheese. There was a bit of drama when the cork-screw got stuck and broke halfway and we had to get another one to get the cork out.

2 weeks and he had a whirlwind tour of Singapore. And I had a taste of France.

Awesome

2011-01-21T01:07:00.002+08:00

You're so awesome because you see me as more than I am. And because of that I don't look at myself the same way. And because of that I work hard to be that guy. And that's why I will be a better person. That's why I am a better man than yesterday, every day.

Older and Wiser

2011-01-18T23:41:00.004+08:00

The one thing that's fantastic about getting older, is becoming wiser.

I was with an old friend yesterday. He looked as young as I last saw him. I, on the other hand, have aged visibly. Thankfully I still don't look my age but if it accelerates I might actually look 30 by the time I become 30!

He directed me in a play (that was meant for public eyes) and made me jump through hoops there were challenging and unexpected. I did lots of things that were out of my comfort zone and looking back, it changed my life.

It was strange too, looking back and knowing that I was a rather different person back then. We like to believe that we make the best decisions at that moment but there really isn't any other way to find a better solution until you've made mistakes, or gone through a tough time. I would have done so many things differently. I would've been more confident of myself. I would love myself more. Hahaha... shit this sounds like a confession. I would learn how to take opinions in my stride. I would have tried harder.

And all that... I can't differentiate if I'm talking about my acting in the play or my life in general. They're all so blurry and kind of meshed together... my work and my life!

I've always told myself I will stop acting. This is the last time. That's the last time. But I've done a short clip for Nessie/Jacq/Mel's FYP. I got the opportunity to cameo as an undercover cop being a student beating someone up for Lyon/Pamy/Wenxu/Danielle's FYP. On Friday I will act in Christine/Zhenwei/MingXiu/YiLing's FYP for their campaign.

After 8 semesters in CS I think I can compile a showreel of my (crappy) acting. I quite like the idea! That I've done fun stuff and it's something to look back and have a good laugh about.

Kinda like life. Just go in there, get your hands dirty. You might be bad at it. But it could be fun.

Being A Teen Again

2011-01-16T22:12:00.004+08:00

I've been pissing my parents off, telling them that I will not a get a (proper) job until 2012.

Of course I'm not completely sure if that's what I will do. But I'm considering it.

My parents tell me that I shouldn't waste time. Get a head-start. The economy's good. It might not be the same six months later. If I find a job, I might get a small bit of bonus by the year's end. The beginning is always important, they say, and getting a good start might possibly be everything.

But I don't want to jump straight into working life. I've got the rest of my life to work! I want to figure out I want to do. I want the chance to try stuff, maybe make some mistakes along the way. I know where this rebelliousness comes from. Possibly from my parents making all the decisions for me growing up. Which is great because I'm somewhat sheltered. And quite happy. And it's quite selfish but all this time, especially the past 4 years, I've been rebelling just because I never really did before.

And learning, like I never learned before.

I'm sure they're not holding it against me but they like to bring up examples. Examples of accountants who had gotten jobs 6 months before they graduated. Of times when I should've secured a scholarship and learned something more useful and maybe more valuable. It's only natural for them to worry about money I guess. I guess people don't talk about such things but it's always on their minds.

I don't regret it though.

With more time comes more experience and more wisdom. I just want the chance to find out what the future holds, on my own.

Interns and Josh

2011-01-14T00:07:00.002+08:00

Hold It Against Me

2011-01-12T00:23:00.002+08:00

The seventh era has begun.

I liked it the moment I heard it. She's not gone in a totally different direction, but she's pushing pop perfection to another level. It is signature Spears, those vocals, those spoken bits, that attitude... It is a whole 3:50 of wonderful.

The way the bass thumps to a pace that is described as the "closest aural representation of literal fucking that exists" is totally mind-blowing. The way it plays hide-and-seek throughout the song - mind-blowing. The way it sounds so dirty when it drops - mind-fucking-blowing.

The lyrics are more school yard chant than epic poetry but one line saved the entire track from total lack of imagination in this department.

"If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?"

It has rendered other songs unnecessary for the next week at least.

I haven't read a bad review of this song. It's possible that no one dares to give it a bad review.

It's Britney Spears.

Results Announced

2011-01-11T00:10:00.003+08:00

O-Level results were announced today! "Bobby" did decently, scoring A1, A2, B3 for E Maths, A Maths and English respectively. I told him I was happy and proud of him. He wasn't really satisfied as his L1R5 was 15 but he didn't get anything less than a B3 for the rest of his subjects. Okay, fine, he got B3 for the rest of his subjects! But I think it's great and I'm sure he'll do better in the future. It's all uphill! I'm really glad that I got the chance to teach him, that it was always great fun and his antics were always entertaining. He's a great kid.

YH got A2 for his E Maths. A bit disappointing because he's definitely A1 material but there's still this year, when he'll be taking Os with another 2 of my students.

My last O Level student was about 4 years ago, and she got C6 for A Maths. Considering she always got F9 all along it was quite achievement.

However, I'm glad I finally have some grades to brag about / show off my brilliance.

I need to not enjoy teaching so much. I fear I may get stuck with it for the rest of my life.

Love and Other Drugs

2011-01-07T00:25:00.004+08:00

I like how humour is found in vulnerability and truth. I like how there's nakedness in the display of emotions.

I like how sex is affirmation.

I like how they were flawed, not in the usual ways. I like that it was uncertain and there was tension and that it was sweet but not cliched. I like clever conversation. I like that the film focuses on the explosiveness of human drama, conflicting needs and immense passion.

I like the small tremors and insecurities. I like the hot bodies and the horrible brother. I like the sorry doctor and the bitter receptionist.

I like this movie very much.

I like the title. A title that suggests that Love is possibly the greatest drug of all.

And She Told Me

2011-01-03T00:29:00.003+08:00

My Grandma said, in Hokkien, that when looking for a mate, "Doesn't have to be rich, or good-looking. Just find someone who is honest, has a good heart and true to you."

I will remember this! Happy Birthday Ah Ma!

Masterpiece

2010-12-30T00:10:00.003+08:00

One day left to the turning of a page, a beginning of a spanking, brand, new year.

For the past couple of years I've always had the analogy of a year being a canvas. You paint it, admire it, experience it and at the end of the year, you keep this painting, or toss it away, or choose to keep working on it. After all that's how some of the greatest paintings were made, layer over layer, year after year.

This year has been a good one, a canvas worth keeping. I've grown up a whole lot, yet managed to remain the youngest of all!

I've found my comfort zone, but also stretched myself a bit, doing many things out of this zone.

Travelled so much this year. To Malaysia - KL and Kota Kinabalu. To Indonesia - Bintan and Jakarta. To Thailand - Phuket. Not forgetting my recent round-the-country tour of Singapore! So much to learn, to see, to do and I've changed so much from seeing the world, interacting with people of different cultures, experiencing different lifestyles. My priorities have shifted. I see that the quality of life is more important than the quantity of money. It's about the company. It's about the frame of mind. Being happy is being in the present and enjoying it.

I've embraced parties - celebrations in music and alcohol and events - Singfest, YOG Opening Rehearsal, F1 Grand Prix, Halloween, Zoukout. But the one thing that made people come together in a huge way this year was the FIFA World Cup. We went to each others' houses; we went to bars; we went to The Singapore Pools! For a piece of the action and excitement of soccer - a sport that I like every four years! It creates a fantastic atmosphere where people put down everything, stay up late in spite of work, spend ridiculous amounts of money on cable and betting. Rationality takes a back seat and passion takes over!

There were inspiring movies from Hollywood blockbusters like The Social Network, Iron Man 2 and Inception, to Singapore's Sandcastle, Korea's Mother and Taiwan's Monga. I also found out how to train a dragon, who is Salt and a single man by the name of Tom Ford made what is possibly my favourite movie this year.

There was no shortage of inspiring artistes either. Scissor Scissors, Robyn, Adam Lambert, The Wanted, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Eminem, Rihanna, Ke$ha and Far East Movement are my Top 10. All captured my imagination, spoke the words I felt but couldn't say and were huge inspirations. From the sexy Any Which Way, to the seductive All the Lovers, the inspirational Not Afraid to the flyest Like A G6, the emotional Wataya Want From Me to the boyband ballad Heart Vacancy, the phone ditties of Telephone and Call Your Girlfriend, and the triumphant club-banger Only Girl going against the anthem We R Who We R... All of them stood up, stood out, loud and proud, shoulders above the rest as the soundtracks of my 2010.

And relationships! Every time I mention this I will always remember a somewhat ghostly echo of a friend saying that relationships are the only thing of real value in the world. This year, I've held on to the very few friendships which have lasted more years than I care to count and made numerous friends along the way, more than I can count. I feel happy for these connections that make me feel that I'm not ever alone and there are people whom I can count on. And also the idea that the strength of friendships are just as important, if not more, than the number of friends one has.

All of you have changed me one way or another, sharing your thoughts, believes, passions and that, to me, is the greatest gift of friendship. It's so much more than company. It's influence and knowledge and growing and learning.

For that I am grateful. Bring on 2011. It can only get better!

Adventures of Kim Vy

2010-12-29T09:24:00.005+08:00

Bedok Reservoir Park - The Forest Adventure - Tampines Ikea - Night Safari - Grandparents' House - Chinatown - Hermit Crab

Touring My Own Country

2010-12-26T00:18:00.002+08:00

Admission

2010-12-19T23:55:00.003+08:00

I've got to admit, after travelling around Singapore for the entire week, there are some things I am grateful for.

1. Weather
Despite complaining that it is too hot, it rains too much, it often sucks etc. it's been a pretty good weather week. We've experienced cool winds, cloudy skies, shy drizzles and sunshine. We could of course still complain that it is good but far from perfect but compare this to the blizzards that are happening in Europe that are keeping planes on the ground, I am happy for our temperamental tropical weather.

2. Transport
Sometimes the air-con is not powerful enough. Most of the times it is too crowded. When I wait for more than 4 minutes I would like to grab an SMRT staff, shake them violently and deliver my classic line, "What fuckery is this?!" But ok we've gone from having only the green line and the red line to having NEL and the Circle Line. Didn't use to have stops at Lorong Chuan, at Harbourfront, at Promenade. It's now convenient to get to NYJC, Sentosa, The Singapore Flyer. So fun!

3. Safety
Sometimes we leave our stuff unattended. Most of the time we walk home after midnight, from the MRT to my house. It seems late, but the roads aren't deserted. There're towering HDBs with thousands of inhabitants. You know you're not alone. The pavement's brightly lit... It just feels safe. Strange, but true.

4. Food
Is so powerful. I have no words. Fantastic. So many types. So much variety. Nom nom nom.

This Rollercoaster

2010-12-18T10:49:00.004+08:00

Kim Vy touched down in Singapore on Monday from France and its been a rollercoaster since. Balancing Exams, FYP and seeing Singapore drove me crazy.

Yue and I were late when we met KV and he panicked a little. We went to Bugis for McDonalds breakfast and he put his luggage at my place. We then went to Causeway Point to look at the Canon Ixus 130 before making our way down to Funan the IT Mall, where he got it for $42 cheaper. Rule of thumb being the higher you go, the cheaper the price. There was also so Warcraft tournament happening and he was amazed. It was like the geeks had been let out to a prime public space. Dinner was a cosy affair with Qiqi and Melvin at the food court of Raffles City. The two of us then walked to the Esplanade with the city skyline in front of us and The Singapore Flyer spinning leisurely. Of course MBS was the structure that still takes my breath away. We continued walking past the floating platform, home to the National Day Parades and the recent opening and closing of the Youth Olympics, through the Helix Bridge and into the vast, sprawling mall that also housed the casino. We didn't make it to the legendary Sky Garden because it was closed.

Tuesday was simpler. I was studying in the morning and he was on the Internet. I went for Forensic Science exams and we met Ros on the MRT Platform. He made his way down to Newton, Dhoby Ghaut and Orchard, while I struggled to solve a murder. I met him at Ion Orchard, my favourite shopping centre in Singapore. We had dinner with Melvin at Watami, a place I've been increasingly familiar with despite the ever-present queue.

Wednesday was the French exam and so the two of us went down to Cafe del Mar to study. He bumped into a naughty French boy who ran away from his mother and he went up to tell him to go back to his mother. We settled in one of those small hut things that I've never chilled out at before, ordered the Mixed Basket and Iced Coffees. I spoke as much French as I could, dug out exam papers, dug deeper into the language and understood more than I ever could because I had a personal French tutor! I rushed back to school for the exam while my sister took him to the Luge. They saw the musical fountain and shopped at Vivocity while I wrote about a week-end in Paris, in French, before mugging my brains out for Media Law.

Thursday morning - media law. I wasn't that relieved when the paper ended as my FYP team and I had to meet with a sponsor and then the client. It turned out well though and possibly our work would not be in vain. It was drizzling a little as KV and I went down to Lorong Chuan to visit my alma-mater - Nanyang Junior College. First time I took the train there, first time I saw the MRT station less than a stone's throw away from my school... and it was looking grand. Walked past Zhonghua, took a photo of it and sent it to Ros. Continued walking, this time tiredly, to the 136 bus-stop and caught a bus to Chomp Chomp. KV ordered the food and I was ready for a surprise. I was thinking it might come in the form of something exotic, maybe even an oyster omelette. He got duck rice, kinda safe, and Kang Kong, also safe though it was a bit spicy. When the plate full of chicken wings came my jaws were on the floor because he ordered 10 of them! For the two of us! Then we went to AMK Hub to buy a mattress and durian puffs. Going to Geylang for real durians is definitely on the cards.

Friday we went to SAFRA Yishun, he went to the pool, I went to the gym. We went to Northpoint and said hi to my aunt and Romanian uncle and thereafter my optometrist cousin. It's almost like he's living my life. My friends don't even meet my relatives! I went to town for a meeting and he found me in Raffles City and said hi to Ruiqi, Amos and Qianqi. Had dinner at HK Cafe, drank at The Loof and strolled to Dhoby Ghaut, listening to Pimsleur's French I along the way.

This is Discovering Singapore for him as much as it was for me. One more week to go, possibly stopping by Geylang, Night Safari, Little India, Chinatown, the Causeway and HortPark. Possibly also prawning, more drinking amd Christmas with my relatives.

This is turning out to be a one hell of a holiday.