Cogito Ergo Sum

need to look forward

2011-07-24T21:27:00.002+08:00

Here's some of the things I'm looking forward to in the near future;

9 Aug; Finally, NDP's close. Being with the performers following them from holding area to rehearsal to stage has this intoxicating atmosphere. Their enthusiasm alone is a joy to be part of.

Mid Aug; Hoping to get that trip to USS up, along with that complimentary MBS stay.

Late Aug; Possible HQ Branch cohesion, day trip across the highway to play paintball and go-kart.

8 Sept; Driving practical P:

11 Oct; Departure for Taiwan

7 Nov; Finally, arrival back to Singapore

In between that somewhere there'll be route marches in East Coast Park for the men to get their CSB qualification. Marching there will be some consolation to the fact that Ben and my batch were the last ones to POP from Tekong.

I had plans for a vacation in Koh Samui, drawn up to 75% completed and researched, when it had to be cancelled thanks to ATEC Evaluation exercises in December. I've since given it up, but all these apartment rentals in Europe at awesome prices with the fun of communal living are tempting. They beat hotel stays at any rate, I'll hope to do one of those in uni, seems like it'll complete the university experience.

a year already

2011-07-18T12:50:00.002+08:00

I know I'm 7 long months away from ORD, and I've got two more rotations and an overseas exercise ahead. Still, this lull of NDP work and the posts by Mark, Ben and Joseph have encouraged me to put the 1year plus army experience in writing. Initially I felt like following some format, taking cue from their posts, but that wouldn't have done justice whatever we experience since it's to each a difference experience altogether.

I can safely say that up till now, I have no hate for national service. Perhaps just the duration, but that's only when my plans get cancelled and long term plans are derailed because of some training. I usually tell enlisting friends not to bother about adjusting before going in. Don't bother exercising, don't bother cutting down your shower time, etcetera. The fact is, when the parents leave the island waving off to you, nothing much can prepare you for what's next. I had a rough idea of what to expect thanks to the conscientious notes from Joseph compiled into a notebook. Rations to choose, discipline to have, marching orders to understand, among other things. It's the 'isolation' and the 24/7 supervision that draws the first blood. I'm thankful for the several vacations overseas prior to enlistment that left me with memories to distract most of the down moments.

Being posted to Whiskey was a decent surprise. The sergeants recognized me as I dragged the duffel bag still in my civvies, to 'everything out'. I got the usual 'eh, you look familiar', and it wasn't long before one spec asked me why I got posted to BMT again. So there I was, following in Joseph's footsteps of toilet IC. I recall one day when some guys ran up to me wishing me good luck, they found a turd in the middle of the toilet floor. Thank goodness it turned out to be a lump of brown coloured toilet paper, pretty convincing stuff, but I never found out where that brown colour came from. The PTs made me realise how terrible my fitness was. Luckily my determination caught me up to speed with my peers.

From each passing weekend I began to realise what Joseph told me about preferring to laze at home rather than to chiong out meant. Seeing recruits out in town for their weekend but yet so tired triggers a 'been there, done that' in all of us. Then came field camp, and the realisation of heat rash, freezing nights and sorely blistered boots. I'm glad to have had a great platoon to tide over the 9 weeks. Getting caught for wet tissues at the end of the field camp though, landed me my first guard duty. On hindsight it wasn't so bad actually, the ammo dump was a quiet place and my buddy was a nice guy to chat with. I remember the static and the interference from the nearby 300m range scared the both of us when it comms-ed through. It wasn't much help that stretches of the route weren't lit.

When it came the time for SIT-Test, I wanted to step up. I didn't have a yearning for OCS, it was for SCS. I didn't have the discipline to be an officer and I think I still wouldn't. When dusk fell, a few of us spotted young boars, their mothers lurking about watchfully. Damn, those things were cute. During the first night of SIT-Test, (was it only two days?) the commanders turned us out. Some rubbish was left around and they got us all in SBO in push ups, sit ups and the like. The whole company was barely awake, and people were muttering things like 'just own up lah' In the end a couple of people owned up, and past 2-3am we were dismissed. It turned out to be a ploy anyway, the commanders had planted the rubbish and planned to tire us out. I wonder if it's the usual treatment.

From there on commanders night, recruits night, all was smooth sailing. Seeing the new poly batch come in gave us that 'lao jiao' pride that every nsf will come to feel at least once. When we pop-ed, my parents were overseas and Joseph was off sailing, so my family wasn't there. It was a smooth affair and I know I slept early and damn well that night. Getting my posting to SCS a week later was a high point, and from thereon, army life got much better. As for that, another post too.

One thing I know about my BMT sergeants was that each had their own idiosyncrasies. The ang-moh PC with his accent and orders, the slack sergeant with his perpetual slouch and tilt of his head, the ultra nasal and anal HCI sergeant, everyone's typical yet unique lines. I wondered what mine would've been like if I went to rifle coy instead of HQ in 1SIR.

munchies

2010-06-14T17:54:00.004+08:00

Every book out has pent up cravings. Got my fix this week from the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. And then there was extra cheese. Frankly though, at $6.40 total for a-la carte, compared to the $2.30 for a double cheeseburger with extra cheese,

IT'S A TOTAL RIP OFF.

I didn't rage that, it was just meant as an outright disclaimer. The QPC, as so affectionately termed by the staff, is exactly the double cheeseburger. Except with a lil more beef. I'm paying $4.10 for perhaps millimeters wider of beef patty.

Shame on you, Ronald.

Gonna get bubble tea later on for craving; part 2. Had this drink below, from the rations pack, and it's concentrate, no doubt, but it was awesome. Couldn't find it in the Cold Storage at Siglap, but I'll keep looking for it though.

Just finished the SITEST on Sunday, that's the last I'll see of outfield. For BMT at least. Shouldn't be too hard from here on, it's IPPT and SOC and that's about all the high key events done. Three weeks left, time flies, man.

I've done Remedial Training for lessons I've skipped before owing to injury, been confined (for bringing wet wipes to field camp) and gotten guard duty. Experienced every kind of punishment save for SOL, man I've got to be smarter.

Hoping to catch A team next week. Awesome show I caught on tv quite often when I was tiny. A comment by the original Mr. T, B A Baracus, made me a bit disappointed though. He said last time in the show they didn't do any intentional killings, it was all vigilante justice and no blood spilled, and it was more wholesome. Times have changed. wow I sound old.

got me high

2010-05-30T11:37:00.002+08:00

It's the fourth book out, the one prior to the dreaded field camp. The next book out's prior to the SIT Test. It's gonna be a hectic two weeks, and when it's over, it'll 7 weeks down, two weeks to go. Time sure flies, and so do the lives of your civilian friends. Playing catch up is hard, and sometimes sucky too :\

On a lighter note, I got a place in NUS's Real Estate course, man I was on a high when I read the results online. Finally, no lectures on retaking, no stressful weekends burned listening to having to look for alternatives. both my older brothers are in NUS, and Joseph's going to NTU, I think my parents must be proud that we all made it. Then again, I suppose the only one they had to worry for was me.

And yeah, Real Estate was my first choice, and many seem to have a narrow view on that title, but I'm thrilled. I think I'll further specialize under the Financial Law route.

There's an early book in today at 5:35, but at least we had a long weekend thanks to Vesak Day. I think NS dulls down certain parts in your life, I see it evidently in this post, and sometimes conversations with those not enlisted ):

oh book out day

2010-05-16T11:52:00.002+08:00

I had a list of things to do before enlisting. Some stuff that I may/may not have already done before, but mostly just for the fun of it. Gotta try to finish it even though I'm in already but I'm not optimistic ): 32 things in all. Not all of them were my ideas, it was drafted about one plus month back, no way it's gonna be left uncompleted.

[] = done
{} = somehow done/unable

ride a motorcycle

[point at the moon] – ouch!

[have a date] - :B

high five a kid – I’m bad with em, I don't see any particular triumph I'll be making with them.

pick a coin from a fountain – this should be easy, but I doubt so in sg, heh

[mend something] – sew what?!

climb a tree

[give a coin to a busker] – Don’t Look Back in Anger

[spend the night in a hotel room] – two trips, actually.

buy a lottery/scratch card – SOON!

have breakfast in bed

do three charitable things – two down, one to go.

{learn to play a song on the guitar} – sub pass

[consume something awful] – whiskey blows

[night cycle] – eerily quiet

bury something

[pee in somewhere public] – no not public toilet-public

[watch five movies] - ju-on/adventureland/scary movie 4/kickass/the informant

go to universal studios

[eat The apple tart] - mmm

[Ride an ATV] - monster fun :

[Jump on hotel beds] - always more fun with friends :P

[Buy something off the streets] - indie wristband

{Ask for a malaysian girl's number} – meant to be done when I was there, ugh

do a sea sport

play tennis on a grass court

buy a nice bottle of cologne

[Sneak into somewhere] - heh heh heh

[Be atas for a day]

Register for driving

[Get dirty] – all clean stuff, don’t stray

build something

So I booked out from my confinement period of a deathly long 17 days, and had a kickass weekend spending upwards of 150 in two nights. Totally worth it though, there's no way I'm going back to camp feeling like I didn't maximize my book out. Whiskey Coy, Platoon 3, Section 4, same as my brother, only the batch that's after him. What are the chances of such coincidence? Heh.

stay away

2010-04-22T23:52:00.003+08:00

I spent two hours in the cinema watching The Bounty Hunter tonight. So that you will never have to, I never wanted to walk out of a cinema this bad before.

whatcha say

2010-04-22T15:16:00.003+08:00

K, I can't sing for nuts, but there's this one song, the only song that has that kinda effect on me for the longest time. When it comes on the radio or just randomize-plays that song on the mp3, there's that awesome uplifting effect. Got spammed on the radio about a few months after I was addicted to it, but that was fine, didn't bother me like other fad songs cuz this was too good. Had an addictive tune and lyrics I couldn't understand that easily. Hey Soul Sister.

The newest government related debate in the papers now; scrapping or diminishing the percentage of the Chinese language subject in PSLE. And then O Levels. Utter bullcrap I must say, my Mandarin personally sucks, I scrapped it in A Levels with a Sub-Pass, but we absolutely cannot let the future generations have a shittier command of the subject than us right now.

We've held much pride in our country for having bilingualism since beyond the days of gaining independence. The importance of the multi-ethnicity and cosmopolitan nature of our country calls for the basic ability to grasp two languages.

I detest those deluded artsy students who tell others, 'oh I suck at Chinese, he-he, I'd prefer learning French/German..' I'm not one to talk very much, I don't acknowledge my roots as well as others may, and wouldn't speak much Mandarin if I can help it, but at least I do not renounce it. It's demoralising, when the Westerners are embracing Mandarin, while we Chinese are ignorant, if not disgusted by our own language.

I put in effort, not to just escape to CLB (Chinese Language, Basic) and took my normal CL A Levels twice just to pass. I struggled and hardly liked studying for it, but I did it anyway. Don't ace everything and throw Mandarin aside, it's disgusting! I'm not rage-typing, just giving my sentiments. Balls up and pass your Chinese exams, don't go running to the government to tweak it for you.

I would actually like comments on this, if anyone begs to differ.

so we wait?

2010-04-20T17:08:00.002+08:00

So I checked, I wasn't shortlisted for the interviews for the Architecture and Industrial design course. Some people apparently can skip it and go in, but I highly doubt I was that good. Having confidence isn't they question, is more of not deluding myself.

If I can't get in, I think I'll be really bummed. Already finding out I wasn't in the list got me this sinking feeling. Then I headed out for lunch nearby and got my army specs done.

Something last night left me feeling really insecure.

Dang, 8 days left.

10 days and less

2010-04-18T13:15:00.003+08:00

Some guy in the papers today wrote a column about how he was nearly mugged by a possibly armed drug addict, but refused to give her $3 because he was sure she was going to use that cash for drugs.

He said he'd never fund a drug addiction, or anything the least bit harmful to someone in an addiction.

Quite bad a summary, I know, but I was decently surprised at his conviction, I think few people, myself included, will stand that strong for values, risking personal interests, much less for life.

Still have yet to get the pictures form Mark and Joseph, but Joseph's already posted up most of the nice ones.

across the causeway #3

2010-04-15T22:20:00.002+08:00

Yet another holiday and another wad of cash gone. Flawless, man it'll set the bar high for any future holidays. Picture post when I get the photos.

ain't no better reason

2010-04-09T01:21:00.002+08:00

Waiting for a lift to go play pool now, and I realise my blog hasn't got posts without pictures. I wonder if I'm reliant on them to make the posts interesting. No?

Anyway I'm counting down the days of freedom, and while so many on facebook are talking about their Passing Out Parade, I've yet to go in. Feels like I'm some kid, but heck that, the whole year up till now has been a blast and it's got to end somewhere with the mud, fatigues and rifles.

I'm planning the whole trip to Malaysia, ATV quad bikes, paintball, go karting circuit, reverse bungee and all that's in between. I must say, it's quite satisfying to see it all fall into place, and it's good to put email to practical uses. Otherwise it just gathers dust with the funk junk.

Leaving on Monday C:

Across the Causeway #2

2010-03-28T12:48:00.030+08:00

Leaving so abruptly reminded me of the last trip I had to Malaysia with the class, straight after the A's. Sabrina's dad was gonna drive us up to KL while he was there on his business trip, so that morning we had to head to her place under the torrential downpour. Kinda dampened my mood in the morning already :\

We left around 9, made several stops along the way for food, business stuff and toilet breaks, finally arriving around the evening. Felt kinda lazy to go out after though, even though we were cooped up in the car for so long.

Pavilion I think, we went there first, but there wasn't much to buy there, it was more or less atas stuff. I got a shirt there though, we took this just outside the mall. I didn't notice there were so many Arabs in Malaysia till then. Makes sense though. There was some street music thing going on while heading back, the pink woman in the left of the picture below, she was on drugs or something. Dancing like in a trance, man she musta been high.

Her dad had to work the next day, so we were dropped off at Mid Valley Mega Mall for the whole day to shop. Carrying their shopping load was nothing compared to Singapore. Man the bags nearly made a full semi circle stacked in one hand.

That night we arranged to meet with Yong Zhi, an ex colleague from Citibank, he was there on a short trip too. Got to Zouk at around half past eleven, after the girls spent eternities (yeah, plural) on deliberation of what to wear, and whatever else it was that got a beard on me growing.

Oh and we got off some pictures before we left.

I couldn't sleep after we got back, neither could I for the first night. In contrast to how easily I slept for all three nights in the December trip we had to the same hotel :\ ended up feeling really crabby the next day, when we spent the whole day at Berjaya Times Square.

We were supposed to ride the stuff at Cosmo's World, but we didn't really feel up to it. Met up with Yong Zhi again for breakfast, then he had to leave for Singapore shortly after. Tried Wendy's for lunch for the first time, and some survey the staff asked us to participate in had us left with 4 burgers each.

As it is I didn't have much appetite, the sight of 12 burgers just turned me off. Dang I feel bad for not having finished it, but how could I possibly.

Sabrina's dad drove us through the causeway again, back home, but we made several stops along the way, most of the time being spent at Melaka. Was that spelt right? By then I had exhausted all my cash, including having owed Sabrina a tidy sum. Didn't think I'd buy that much there.

The famous red thingy I see so often of pictures in Melaka, in the backdrop.

Jonker's street, with all the kick-knacks, clothes and souvenirs. We waited there till dusk to see the night market, and had the chicken rice balls that that place was famous for. Wasn't that fantastic though.

Second time overseas with friends, and really owe alot of fun/convenience to Sabrina's dad, driving us around and knowing the place so well.

Think I'll be going back there again with the guys soon enough, paintball, ATV, reverse bungee, go karts and whatever else that'll be adrenaline pumping. Hardly the shopping, heh.

Surf and sand

2010-03-16T20:42:00.004+08:00

K, so one of the weekends they decided to go to Sentosa, meet up somewhere away from work for once. I, for one, kinda hate Sentosa, but I shan't elaborate on that. The weather was quite nice htere, those sort that it's just about to rain but it just hangs overcast and blows constant breezes. My, was it crowded.

Anyway, I joined em late that day, managed to play some games of frisbee before we headed to Vivocity for dinner. Ah, yet another place i didn't really like. That place, that Harbourfront area just doesn't feel welcoming.. We settled on Thai Express quickly, surprising since usually with groups that meals don't usually get settled so fast. So it's great they're all an easy going bunch.

Ah I forgot who won this one, but it was a stalemate for an awfully long time. Timothy on the left, he went to police in NS, kinda convinced me to try for it. It's the 9 months officer training thingy that has me a bit uncertain though.

That's it then, we headed home afterward, many of them being girls with curfews :\

Oh right, I'll be headed to Malaysia from Tuesday to Friday, won't be updating till I get back!

The very late CNY

2010-03-16T19:27:00.006+08:00

Chinese New Year feel on our 5th week, wait, at least if memory serves right. No bonuses from our supervisor, heh.

The vending machine nincompoops not having the cola refilled for the last three weeks was particularly infuriating, wasn't anything else good to drink. The F&N Groovy Grape just tastes so wrong on so many levels.

Druggies on Tap Tap.

Our red themed CNY Monday, at the lobby entrance of the office. It's surprising how much the air conditioning temperature can vary within that office space.

And then there's Sabre, years and years of filing of Citibank Client signatures that span all the way to the start of Singapore's branch. A whole room full of it. And stacks upon stacks to file, it's a boring nightmare that every prospective Citi staff or temp has to face at least once. But it's fun with the right company. Then again everything is.

Headed over to the River Hong Bao thingy at the Marina Bay area just nearby, after work. Packed with aunties, uncles and tourists, not really a place for teenagers I'd think. We wanted to ride the Uncle Ringo rides there, but by the time we wanted to return on the next week, they packed up and left already, darn moving circus.

That's Liting, Sabrina and Eddy, Eddy who's still working at Citibank, but now for a much higher rate of $10.50 an hour.

Had a two reunions at our place for family, and two visitations out. The money disappeared faster this year than any before, despite not being significantly more than the previous years. I just have the subconscious urge to enjoy myself more though, since I'll be going in for enlistment soon. That means that urge to pinch at my savings too. Ah- more like yank.

Mad-hat Monday

2010-03-16T19:12:00.006+08:00

Mad Hat Monday for week 3 of Citibank, I bought a pirate hat from a nearby party shop for a neat $5+, it's still sitting in my room. We're hoping we'd meet for Halloween and make use of it again :D

So we came to work itching to put it on, and some perm staff there were expecting another themed Monday, surprisingly. The dark clown below, man he hasn't seen a day of joy, this guy. Heh. Thankfully Yong Zhi got something more fun so I wouldn't be the odd one out.

Murderous court jester.

Sabrina reminded me of those vintage advertisements where the lil girls in the winter would wear these horridly fashionable winter caps. Cute though, heh. That's Edwyna next to her, who knows lotsa places for good food, wouldn't have struck me as a foodie at first sight :\

That ain't my hand, you know I don't pose like that.

Timothy on the right, with his styled hair in lieu of his mad hat.

This fountain has lots of Citibank photoshoots cuz it's so convenient, just downstairs. Right next to Harry's bar, where there're tons of smoking Citibank employees all day. Thank goodness for the perpetual breeze or not it'd be all Vietnam down there.

And so concludes week 3 of Citibank, halfway to the end of the contract and still busy doing lists. This is only about half the temp staff in the picture though, the rest didn't really participate, plus we didn't know em as well yet. Ok at least I didn't.

Suit Up monday

2010-03-13T22:44:00.006+08:00

Got the photos from Sabrina, and got off my lazy butt to update this. Got kinda moody around the day of the results, but I guess I'm pretty much over it, nothing much to do except suck it up and apply! More on that later, but there're some wayy overdue photos from my work at Citibank.

Really great time working there, here're the themed Mondays, starting with the second week Suit Up Monday, thanks to the awesome How I Met Your Mother series.

Bickered all the time with this girl in the centre, heh Sabrina says it's cuz the stars don't align for us. Turns out I was born on the same day as her, and in the same hospital too. Hope I kicked her hard in her cot.

We ate Pho that day, and these few girls kept thinking we were really gonna be munching on fur, we didn't bother correcting them, heh it was funny seeing the look of disgust on their faces.

Awesome pictures, haha! My suit buckled in the middle there, but cool nonetheless, the henchman on the right left for Australia before we completed our contracts, played tennis pretty well. K next update slated soon. really!

the high points

2010-02-14T01:08:00.008+08:00

Yeah, I know, it's been too long. But it's kinda hard fitting in time for blogging when I work. And awesome work, it is. So where did I leave off, right, got a box at the art republic, have yet to redo the interior, dang I'm lazy to do it. Got most of the stuff to display, but it's all the way at Novena, inconvenient, mannn...

So after the tiring 8 day job of Stationery Island, (heh so much for the service sector, what more for dining) I had a packed week of going out, good break. Checked my transaction history recently (DBS iBanking, man how come so few people sign up for this, it's good stuff) and tsk-ed in disgust. Outgoing in the last month was $1050, incoming was $200 short. Got another job anyway, thanks to Sabrina.

She got me along for a Citibank temp job, in short I've cleared lists upon lists of customer background checks, e-mailed em and answered 3 calls for Citiphone. Been at it for.. the 4th week now, and it's gonna be a pain to leave when the contract is over.

Got to know some really friendly people there, there were 15 plus other teenage temps.

That guy first from the left is one of our supervisors. The other rightmost guy left sometime ago, funny dude. It'd be pointless naming all of them, so to summarise, they make me look forward to work every morning.

Timothy, 3 years my senior, he just left us this Friday, heh got lots of good advice for NS from him, plays good tennis too.

The pantry has a kickass view of the Flyer, Marina Bay platform area and all that around, can be quite calming watching all the cars and all the people from 10+ storeys (spg?) up. Took this on Friday too, that's the Flyer's cabins in the background, white un-balanced.

Really owe it to Sab getting me along on this, it's been a swell four weeks. I'm hoping we'll all head to the Uncle Ringo theme park nearby that set up around the Marina Bay stands, heh closest we'll get to amusement parks for now. Everyone whom I've asked about Escape theme park before never had anything good to say about.

K, so I did a card and a notebook for orders for my blogshop from my colleagues, earned $10 from em both. Not much, but I do it (honestly) for the interest of it P: the one below for valentine's day.

We (being the parents and Ben) went for Joseph's enlistment day thingy last Saturday, crap they got it good with their Chinese New Year excuse from confinement completely. Here's Joseph with hair, pouting like a vengeful teenager. Whoa, didn't realize it then, but look at that picture and all those baldies, why so eager to shave, man.

Muh bro's given me lotsa advice for enlistment and such, glad he'll be able to provide me those heads-up, man without him at home now isn't so bad, me working and all, but when my contract's over, it's gonna be quiet.. ):

K so I did another card, I saw an ingenious card design on the web, tried to make it and challenge myself. So here it is, not an original idea though, and augh I don't know why I made it. I've got absolutely no one to give it to. Bummer.

Last night's dinner was on the roof deck with a perpetual cool breeze, good spread of food, wine and a starry sky as the night drew closer.

K here's the spread, it's a bit messy, but it was goood. So were the prawns. And the shabu shabu beef, ah I didn't eat much abalone. I like the stuff, but I can't appreciate it as much as others I guess. Here, Joseph's jarhead picture. Recruit Tng!

Beefy goodness.

Mom, Gabriel, recruit j h tng, and dad. It's a chore eating up on the roof deck, but with a good long meal, dessert and chatting afterwards, sure makes it worth the trouble. Such dinners are rare, there's always one of us missing from the dinner table every so often, and we'd leave the table as soon as we're done, so these meals are hard to come by.

Well I'm done here, got a scrapbooking lesson I'm hosting on the 21st, $10 a person, and everyone I've been asking says it's too cheap for the things I'm teaching. Ah, I'm not confident yet, plus it's a passion, not a job, so I'll see how it goes and write about it when I'm done. Happy Chinese New Year then, it's about time I turned in.

Reeling in the ang pows tomorrow!

updates

2010-01-13T11:00:00.002+08:00

Fantastic, I got a box space at The Art Republic to advertise my blogshop and the stuff I make, it ain't much but at least it's free, and I've got to use their materials to make my stuff. Yeah my vocabulary isn't exactly very wide, heh.

Get a small allowance from them to buy materials and got to change the layout once a month at the max, so it fits, more of a sideline project. Hoping there'll be more traffic on that blogshop, gotta find new areas to advertise. Wonder if I can hop on to Berlin's.

Went to Labrador park with the faily, ok well 2/3rds of the family on Sunday, for the first time. At sunset too, whoa amazing place. Picture's are up on Joseph's blog, stunning ones too.

blue collar mister

2010-01-02T22:34:00.002+08:00

Ok, so tonight makes it the second day at work, an 8 hour job at some shop which sees a 90% female patronage. Of course, that last bit wasn't relevant. (or was it...)

Everyday earns me $44, and everyday I just countdown to pay day at the end of the month. It's not that boring, but it isn't that fun either. Plus I work six days a week. Think I'll never wanna step into the shop ever after my months are done. Should be doing two months of it.

Learnt how to operate a cash register. It's not as easy as it looks, but you get the hang of it, the learning curve plateaus quickly..

Fresh outta stuff to say. That's it then, heh.

day tripper

2009-12-30T20:22:00.010+08:00

Went out with the other twin yesterday, visited Ann Siang Hill and the Marang Trail at the Southern Ridges.

No pictures, I didn't bring my camera along for this one. It'd be nothing compared to his DSLR, he was snapping away. Ann Siang Hill, just off Tanjong Pagar's Amoy Street food centre, was some artsy street with boutique outlets here and there. Was looking out for BooksActually, and came across some other shop, Woods in the Books. All ready botique-ish, fancy and of course, expensive.

Some robot that Cheryl bought at Mint Museum of Toys for $12 or 15 was $22 there, didn't feel like buying anything else after comparing Cavallini & Co. They've got really nice products, but they all retail at high prices ):

Marang Trail was off Harbourfront MRT, and all the teens heading to Sentosa en route were kinda intoxicating. Felt like flaming the lot of them. I hate Sentosa for some reason.

If Joseph's not gonna be uploading the photos, I will. Hmm. Gonna ask him now.

There we go.

the burnt tip of a fan blade. We went into this abandoned house at the back alley of Ann Siang Hill. Kinda cool, these places are unique since you get so few of them in Singapore. Broad daylight, but the place was still kinda creepy. There was feacal matter all over this room, its like someone came here and had a dumping party. All in various stages of decay.

cracked, rusted, creaky.

SEE, that dude could've taken a dump in here not the living room of that house. Dumb hobo.

Wonder what this was here for, didn't look like it was gonna undergo renovation anytime soon.

the rooftop. had quite a view, but in the afternoon sun,w as nothing spectacular.

I wouldn't trust me feet on that, rusty old ladder.

Heh, wonder how that even started growing. But made a really nice photo, would've been better close up.

up to the second part of the roof. Gonna have dinner there someday, heh was thinking of packing some food from nearby and eating up there, sunset over the CBD.

Ann Siang Hill, with these rich looking people all about, ang mohs here and there, made me feel outta place. Joseph said it looked like some pseudo artsy fartsy place, kinda agree with him on
hindsight.

Some structure of some Marine restaurant thingy. Looked so dilapidated, wonder when was the last time someone patronized this restaurant.

So I went around to the back to see if I could climb in. With the proper shoes I could, somewhere with those air-conditioning condensers to give a base, but ah I didn't wanna dirty my Von Dutch's. Gotta send it for cleaning already.

It was humid in there man. Just wanted to get out. And we really needed some exercise, heh. Just some 'hiking' and we were tired already. I was dying for some air-conditioning. Dang NS.

So this is the last of em, some construction works on the way to Vivocity to get my air-con fix and head home. Interesting trip, would've been better had I been more prepared with a bottle. And the other pair o' shoes.

Nothing on for new year, I'm gonna be home. Cheers to y'all out there :D

Werk

2009-12-30T00:39:00.002+08:00

Oh right, and I got a job! $5.50/hour job at Parkway, some salesperson/cashier, ah not really too sure, but it starts on the 1st of January, 12 to 9pm (ugh) but I need to put back all that cash I withdrew ah ):

Enlistment will be somewhere in April, CMPB has yet to confirm my vocation. No SCDF PLEASE!

Japan 09

2009-12-22T10:08:00.026+08:00

Malaysia and back, prom, then off to Japan with the family. Hectic three weeks of December, but all that jam packed stuff was kinda fun, never a dull moment. Had a potluck the day after Prom, for Jun De's enlistment. (haven't gotten my notification nor my PES status :\) SQ618 outta terminal 3 on a Wednesday morning at 1am, dang.

I caught All About Steve and two other movies that I'm too lazy to recall. Should've slept like the rest of them, but I just don't like sleeping on vehicles. Nope to coaches, cars, planes.. Hmm never bene on a cruise yet. They make me drool, and I wake up feeling even more tired than refreshed.

Sunrise on the flight there. Dang Joseph with his DSLR, made my digital cam seem like some lousy polariod. I'm guessing he's updated his blog with the pictures..

6 and a half hour flight catching the sunrise on the Pacific.

Sunrise frozen in time.

So we got to the hotel kinda early, being a morning flight, so the rooms weren't ready yet. We decided to head out to the Osaka aquarium, world famous apparently. There was this Ferris wheel nearby that reminded me of my previous trip to Japan with the school, where they had this really colourful one, against a clear blue sky.

The main building of the aquarium.

Very first display to get you interested. Always wanted a picture like this, taken from below, of fist swimming above and the light shining through. But ah this isn't exactly how I'd want it to be.

5 Storey high escalator that ascended at quite a steep angle. Go up to the top of the aquarium and the tour led down.

Sea otters! But my camera ain't fast enough to capture the movements, heh they were really cute. Furry, and they swam incredibly fast.

That's Joseph there in his white parka. KNEEL! heh heh

One of the divers was probably made to wear this, hilarious when he swam by, I waved to him. He was swimming in a huge multi storey tank with sharks and all.

This little kid here, digging into the bin. Where're his parents man.

Squishy and spineless oc. I kinda like these two pictures. Dang the octopus looked really gross, the skin was saggy and wrinkled like some bag of scrot-

Kingler. Or whatever that pokemon was called. This crab was tall mind you, easily half a metre.

Took a break at the cafe inside the aquarium, I had cold milk there. Heh. Like Meiji. Then took a look out the window, apparently it was situated near port, and I'm to lazy to zoom in on this image, but that ship in the bottom centre of this image above looks like a landing ship. Higgins boat or whatchamacallit.

The end of the tour was really brilliant. Saving the best for the last, hordes of jelly fish of all species. Ah I'm gonna continue this post on another day again. wayy behind on the blogging, wanted to talk a bit about the ex council outing, tomorrow's gonna be the potluck for Shermaine's departure and Brandon's birthday. Ah shucks it's late though, had a long day today. Stoppin for now..

Back. So the jellies, man they were mesmerizing. I'd probably be there for much longer if it weren't for the fatigue and the runny nose. They purposely darkened the rooms and set in these lightings that glowed with the Jellyfish.

Couldn't take a lot of still shots, in fact all of them are blurry cuz my camera just doesn't have that kind of shutter speed (at least that's what I think I need)

This one had reallyyy long tentacles that were kinda wispy.

Imma see if I can make a ribbon outta paper with this pattern, kinda nice.

Forgot what this animal's called, but its unique to Japan if I'm not wrong, cuz they had plush toys and all sorts of knick knacks with this animal on it. Funny looking, frankly, looks like a cross of a bunch of animals together. Huge head too.

Never seen anything like it before. Make some funny snorting noise too.

Ah, forgot the name of this penguin too. they had this petting zoo of something, somewhere in that room. Got to touch sting rays, tiger sharks and some other marine creatures, man they felt creepy. They were either really slimey, veltvety or rough and dry. Rough and dry was the odd one, it's in water, so having that kinda outer cover seems misplaced.

Heh heh, stupid KFC, can't escape. If it's not after some class activity, it's somewhere else. Didn't get anything there though. We stopped by the neighbouring building after the aquarium (where that Ferris wheel was) to look for a bit of food and souvenirs. Nothing much there though.

But we did see cheap BB guns, but if you were gonna smuggle it into Singapore then might as well go all the way, Tokyo Marui, baby!

Couldn't see anyone in the cabins, as far as the eye could see. Not very well used :\ wonder if the running costs justify it. Looks like an expensive structure to build.

On the way back we saw this European looking building, kinda had this french vibe for some reason. The Japanese seem fascinated by French stuff. The goods they sell, the shops they name, lotsa things seem to have French influence.

Joseph's butt and a purple flower. Enchanting stuff there.

Ferris wheel in the distance on the subway back. Napped on the way back, resulting in my drooling. Charming.

I went looking around the hotel area for a bit, and saw this bar, and on the outside there was this lamp. Looked creepy to me for some reason, when I took it in B&W.

We headed for the BB gun shop that Joseph looked out for on the internet prior to leaving. FIRST airsoft, carried ranges of brands, and it was our first trip to an airsoft shop too. Racks upon racks of assault rifles, handguns, shotguns, sub machine guns, rifles, and accessories. The G3's not in view, but damn it's a bigass assault rifle. Modified P90s in the left side of the picture down there.

Haven there. Packs and packs of 6mm pellets waiting to be sold. Their firepower's usually underestimated by those who think these are kiddy stuff. Should link that video of the target practice with a whole watermelon.

So anyway, here's Joseph's eye candy for the weeks leading up to the trip. It was on discount, so it came up to about $200, he deliberated for wayy too long.

Prettiest thing I've seen in a while. Tried the rifle range there, using a M16 carbine and some other weapon of which name I've forgotten. Awesome stuff, made my day.

We headed back later that night, stopping by at some non-descript restaurant that turned out to have the best udon on the trip, among a bunch of other dishes.

Osaka castle, visited on the next day. Nothing much to see, it was refurbished and all, making it kinda cold and more a museum than a castle.

Yeah that's it. Subway.. Augh I've been dragging this blog post for too long already.

Off to see the Todai-Ji temple, one of the UN world heritage sites.

Ohana

So the guide at the tourist booth told us we'd be better off getting a taxi to our destination than the bus. The sums worked out, so we hopped into a cab (which are aplenty in Japan, cuz hardly anyone pays the exorbitant charges for em) and the flag down rate was S$10+ already

Do the sums if you're interested, kinda tired to bother to look up the conversion rate. The taxis there are all pretty much willing to take 5 persons though.

Muh pop.

Heh heh, silly. So anyway there were deer roaming about there, that's what this place was famous for. Free roaming domestic deer, Roku-chan, was the mascot. Roku, of course, meaning deer. They got kinda agressive when they saw the deer biscuits though. They'd chiong to ya.

Got out of the taxi and there were deer just outside already. The males have their horns trimmed off. reminds me of that animated movie, open season.

Deer poop looks like cat poop. Interesting insights.

There's Isaac.

And again.

There, see his horns? Or whatever's left of it. One kept following me, without me knowing, until I stopped and it bumped into my rear :o

Free range venison!

Finally entering the Todai-Ji temple, with one of the most impressive Bhudda statues, or so it said, I've no clue.

Saw this on the large doors, tilted at an angle, obviously not meant to be a heart but took it anyway. So then we walked around, nothing much, bought one of those charm things and it said I'm a person with half luck. I gotta wait for my luck to come, it's not immediate, gotta wait kidna long, and I'll have to sacrifice along the way, or something like that.

oo spooky. reminds me of the happening. Lousy movie man, that one, really dipshit plot.

hanging lanterns as we headed for the main shrine. Or something like that. This is what you get when you do your posts late. You kinda forget alot of stuff, damn.

So you're supposed to tie up your charms like that on tree branches. Dunno what the belief is to doing that though.

That ain't mine. I kept mine, souvenir.

Some multi level pagoda. Man I've got nothing much to say about all this holy stuff, sorry.

Heh heh heh funn santa. Wanted to try an make him for christmas cards, but by the time I got back from Japan, I hadn't time for Christmas cards..

Took the Shinkansen to Himeiji the next day, to see the castle, and dang was it a grand one. We've been to castle dotted across Europe before, but this was the icing above all castles we've been. Interestingly, this castle was so well fortified or formidable that it had never undergone attack in the centuries that it stood guarding Hemeiji, and the Osaka region.

Me, dad, mom, Isaac and Ming Yuan.

Castle grounds.

I like the artifical lighting I put in this one, kinda makes it a bit mysterious. No?

I told em to go stand there, it'll look nice. They didn't really think so, but I still do. Like the contrast. But should've zoomed in more.

Ta-dah. Himeiji castle. Had little holes in the wall structure every now and then, that was used as bunker holes to shoot from or throw stuff down to. Of course, there were the proper defensive positions too, but these holes all about made it such that any one place could still have some minor defensive vantage points. Just look at that steep wall scarp.

Ok overkill I think. So then we left around 5, when it was supposed to close. No lights around the castle area so they couldn't keep it up all night.

Went around the shopping streets, bought some stuff and took the Shinkansen back. Never realised how fast it really was until we saw one go by while waiting, passing the station as an express. dang, there was this little shockwave like thing as it came by, then it was a friggin fast blur and it was gone in seconds. Curious, wonder what the speed of it is in comparison to an aeroplane.

Some really famous shopping street with lotsa food stuff, dang forgot the name of it. Lousy memory. Anyway dammit I'm tired and thank goodness I'm at the end of the post. Gonna update regularly as much as time permits, promise, but for now, no more man. this took what, 9 days after to complete. Hmm, not as bad as the Australia one I think.

Maybe it has to be done there then it won't be so badly finished. Here, some walkway in that shopping street that had photo frames hung all over, save the floor. Interesting stuff. Vintage pictures of what the place used to be like decades back.

DONE. sigh. Sorry!

Across the causeway

2009-12-05T19:18:00.021+08:00

Perfect way to end the A's, and I didn't realize it sooner. 10 of us and the long stretch of causeway from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. It was a bit too soon, but the timing had to be in order to fit in for the prom shopping. Dreaded prom actually. Dang shopping.

We met at Golden Mile Complex, I met up with Danial and Faizal prior, not knowing the way there by MRT. We were the latest in the end but at least the other passengers we shared the coach with were later. Turns out they were NUS students, Berlin was listening in on coversations, heh heh.

I packed light, along with a silly mini tripod that I ended up using only twice during the entire trip.

The 6 and a half hour journey, without any landslide. Monsoon had gone, to bad for that ominous prediction, huh.

Nothing mush on the way there, two stops with shabby maintenance, the start of what became to be long and tiresome complaints, and Sex and the City, the movie, on Dedrick's iPod. We reached the central city and everything was new to me, the last time I went there, I was too wee a little lad to recall a thing.

Took taxi's to our serviced apaprtments, The Nomad Suscasa. Not bad at all, for the low price of around $140 for four nights with breakfast, I think it was a steal. Almost backpacking rates, or maybe it's just cuz it's Malaysia? From right, Berlin, the only girl on the trip, Dedrick, Ahmad with a really square face that I didn't notice till this picture, and Danial.

HAHA

We unpacked and settled down, having some deliberation about the room allocation. In the end I took the room with Berlin, and Kenneth, Brandon and Jun De took the other room, they were two room apartments. The other five to room 922. Home sweet home to be, 923.

We left for KLCC not long after, and soon found it to be out of our budgete range, and just like any town shopping mall here. Ate at A&W. The guys: there's no A&W in Singapore, we have to eat here. I don't fancy fast food. But ah well. We're on holiday. Just went with the flow.

It drizzled afterwards, so I couldn't get a good shot when we went outside to take a picture. Anyway, in blur, Jun De, Arif, the main organizer (whom we owe lotsa thanks to, heh), Ahmad, Faizal and Kenneth.

Brandon bought some music cd's there, never saw anyone who collects music cds and dvds like him as that strong a hobby.

Room 923

Berlin's bear. Pinky. It looked really cute-funny on that seat, really laugh out loud moment. That's the living room in the apartment.

Faizal lugged his Playstation 2 Prtable or something, all the way to KL, with two controllers even. Played that capcom street fighter thing or whatever its called. Surprisingly fun! Heh we played for teams, 5 on 5.

That night, the first, didn't get much rest. Couldn't sleep, was drifitng in and out of sleep, woke up not refreshed. We were set for Berjaya Times Square for the second day, free and easy shopping. Had breakfast at the hotel bistro and headed out on a really cheap private hotel shuttle there.

Transport there is cheap, private transport can be cheaper than public transport, oddly so. And I didn't know just about no one uses the meter there anymore. Here we are in the morning, all ready to leave. Ahmad and his antics.

For her guy. Shopping there was kinda dead in the morning, since it was the morning. So we headed over to the indoor themepark pretty early, allowing us queueless rides and immediate thrills :D

The supposed tame ride that left me with an aching arm for the next day. Haha, I'm outta shape, haven't exercised in a looong time. So happened to sit next to Arif for most of the rides, heh he was commenting about how they wouldn't be any pictures of him since I'm always snappingt he rest not sitting in our car.

The DNA mixer. left me nauseas as heck, heh the rest were no kick and adrenaline pumping, but this one mixed me up wayy to much.

Not in picture was me wanting to sit down and realign my stomach. Jun De, Arif, and Dedrick.

We tried one of the stall games there, it's almost impossible to win this one, and no that wasn't the sour grapes in me, heh. We didn't get anything. But at three rounds for three bottles and a weighted CG on them, I didn't think we'd win anything anyway. Dedrick got closest to winning, taking aim here..

Space rocket! At a 20% discount that we got from the Popular card (Danial so happened to bring his) the rides were wrothwhile. Maximized, we came back for a second round later in the day.

Broke for lunch and met up with the three who didn't go to the theme park. Ate at Kenny Rogers, where due to neglience, Berlin and Jun De ended up not paying for their meal. Haha, they really gotta do something about their management.

om nom nom

Second round of the rollercoaster!

WE took some kiddy rides afterwards, the nausea came back quickly for me. Arif has a stomach of steel, man he can take all the rides with that enthusiasm, all with a plain 'that was fun' heh heh BOS. Dedrick took everything too, without the nausea.

Who knew spinning the teacups in that carousel could bring on that nausea so fast. Tilting our head while spinning at the speed we were at was so stupid, it was hilarous. instant dizziness and disorientation.

I kinda like these two shots. Kinda like those nostalgic feelings that it incites.

On the phone with brandon there, where're we having dinner P: This kiddy ride was some train that snailed around the kiddy side of the theme park. Good for the relaxing of that built up nausea. Choo choo.

Into the haunted cave, haha he looks so serious here like he's about to freak.

The christmas decorations at berjaya times square mall. Had gelato there, Fruity Gelato, dang their apple and starfruit flavour is awesome. Back to the apartments after that, I was tired on all of the nights, went to bed before most of the rest. Not sure why, when I could sleep late back home I as pooped there.

Not like we did really intensive stuff too. Just holiday energy for me I suppose.

Berlin slept on the single on my right, there's Jun De crashing our bed playing his favourite on Danial's iPhone. Tap Tap. And below, selfish me. No, I don't like people sitting on my bed, much less lying on it, and definitely no use of my pillow. The bed's like the sanctuary ah, can't just lie in it with dirty clothes, augh.

Haha so they all crammed on Berlin's bed, but nah that's just a facade, they wallowed in my bed like a pig when I was in the toilet or other times, dang.

Day three! Left for Genting at 8am I think, rushed breakfast. Slept for most of the ride, and there was nothing much to see on the way either. The cold wind was a refresher for the hour plus ride, then we got onto the cable cars.

Got separated, gosh the people over there are more kiasu than Singaporeans, push and shove. There're more than enough cable cars to go around but they wanna pick theirs before it even gets in the station, dammit wish i could shove them off.

Got on a car with Jun De in the end, and some other noisy Hong Kong gamblers, yakking away about chips and cards. The cable car just seemed to go on and on, but the way back was much nicer. Seeing the wire stretch all the way downhill in front of you is like a ride itself, heh heh.

Cloud went kablooie

Off the cars and got the tickets, 44RM each. The indoor themepark looked kinda pathetic. We headed out and took the first thing that was open and that we say, some water log ride. Then headed to what turned out to be a puny circuit of a roller coaster.

Good warm up, short and no big turns.

In the end we didn't have neough time to ride the bigass rollercoasters like the corkscrew, space rocket thingy and some others. Was looking forward to the Pirate ride thingy too, some scary ride thing, but ah, no time. Queued too long at that silly Bumper Boats.

Windy!

Corn cups while waiting for some rollercoaster. This was was kinda short, augh why didn't we have time for the longer ones..

Bumper Boats, damn the class had some aggro on me, every bumper thingy, they'd target me, just for the heck of it to see my expression. But this, dang, got me wet. Jeans, cardigan, top and SOCKS.

Waits were wayy too long, they and their stupid 'maintenance break', maintenance my rear, they were probably relaxing in one corner. Skipped lunch that day, we wanted to try as many rides as possible.

Ahmad, ah, first to be enlisted, whatta shame.

Arif, surprisingly not at the front of the car this time. The ride reminded me of the simple rides you can set up in that theme park game I had last time when I was younger. So linear, really short lived fun. Cosmo's World's roller coaster >>> all the rides here, save for the go cart and the space shot.

Highly disturbed.

Waiting for the Go Carts. This reminds me of some scene in some movie, could be a scene from L4D 2 too.

It rained halfway while waiting, but we stayed on anyway, wanting badly to try the Go Carts. Well worth the wait in the end, but Berlin didn't pass the height requirement, lol, after all that queueing, bad luck.

haha, Danial looks damn kiddy here, cute. All cars are equal, but some cars are more equal than others. Damn that book got into my head, must've read it easily four five times. But yeah, the cars weren't very fair, So happened I got one of the faster ones, ended up outlapping. Would've been more fun if it had been on a level playing field.

Speeding away for his dear life, heh. Ahmad got one of the slower cars, so despite his driving license, couldn't get very far, lol.

WHEE!

This reminds me of that song from Aqua. Goodbye to the Circus. Damn that's an old band. Youtube it!

This one's a bit scary.

Space shot, best ride of the few we tried. Took it twice even.

It went up about.. 8 storeys I'd estimate. Then it fell faster above g, crap those few seconds were heart pumping, all my insides still several metres higher than where we fell.

Took the cable car back soon after, to catch the 7pm coach back. Dedrick lost his spectacles there, so we frantically searched for it before leaving. Couldn't find it in the end though, $200+ specs :\

The ride back was the best part of the trip, the scenic view and the sunset was perfect timing, I took lotsa shots of these. Unusually good mood back there, they said I changed momentarily, no more complaints. Hard to find anything to gripe about when the scenery was that stunning.

A macro shot of the window and the glow reflected off the water droplets.

Looks like jewelry to me.

4 cabin mates, we split into 5 and 5.

I know I keep repeating this, but at least people agree with me. Jurassic Park, no?

On the coach back, talked for a bit before dozing the rest of the way back. Ahmad wanted to get acquainted with the two hot girls sitting in front of us.

Long exposure of some car, pew pew!

Chinatown was the next stop, figured we clear it before we miss the opportunity. Most of them found stuff to buy, but I only got a tiny bag for a gift thingy. Helped bargain a bit, but these people have been around the area for years ah, hard to squeeze em tight unless you're a local.

Back to the hotel, where they played capcom and mahjong. I was kinda knocked out though, I think the first to turn in. Dang I was so tired that night, I didn't brush my teeth >< first time I didn't brushbefore bed in a really long time, say.. a decade? ):

Took some pictures before turning in anyway, here's Pinky and her cruel owner D:

And the Brain. Jun De sat on him one night, poor guy. wonder if he brought it along to BMT, haha!

Found this tee at Factory Outlet Store at Berjaya Times Square, we went back there for the last day, get last minute stuff we had second thoughts on buying earlier. Looks cute dunnit? Heh I think its really funny for some reason. Like the Snapple bottle with pink lemonade flavour, the little falling lemon says oh chute! I don't know about you, but it tickled me good.

Our last meal in Malaysia, At Manhattan's Fish Market, dang the food there was cheap, and good too.

Wiped plates clean, then we took the public bus back home. The bus tickets were really nice, funny thing to say, but really.

I was the one underneath on the first night already, man, hefty stuff.

The view from my bed and Berlin's. The room opposite, lying somewhere in the arctic region.

The next day, homeward bound, on a local coach service that was actually better than Grassland Express. Cheaper too, I think. This last shot, man they abused my wrapping paper. Yes, I bought wrapping paper there.

Now that you have seen this, you'll know if your wrapped present has had been touched by Brandon and Faizal in bad bad ways. Shame on them.

This post took quite a while to put up, been really busy. In the good sense, busy. Been looking for a job though, I need that extra cash. Until now they haven't told me the enlistment date into NS and I don't wanna be stuck with several months without any cash when all my friends have gone in and I can't shower myself with stuff I wanna buy.

Got some christmas present wrapped up already, ho ho ho.

Maybe I'll upload the prom pictures when I get back. Leaving for Osaka tomorrow night, another hiatus, see ya!

last day

2009-10-17T13:20:00.007+08:00

The last official day in TPJC

Ok this has been delayed for long enough already.. Finished the second last paper of the A's yesterday, took the time for granted, but ah, it's over already. The last day was several weeks back, had a lil performance and all, and whoa it felt really nostalgic. Two years gone by, fulfilling and a roller coaster ride of experiences.

The night before. Dad bought some strawberries, tried to go for an artistic shot, but nah not what I intended came out. Plus they were a lil mushy and some were spoilt, left in the fridge for too long ><

Took the shot below on the way to school in the morning, no more 5.40am waking up in the morning :D One last afternoon paper ont he 30th and we're free from JC, about time!

Didn't get this shot centred in properly, couldn't see the viewfinder when I put it on top of some hydrant. Still, managed to get me in on the right, heh.

He and his twisted thoughts perpetually on his mind. He's been fermenting a pair of dirty smelly socks in his bag, and intends to bring it to Prom.

We had a concert later in the morning, just in time to cancel out our physics lesson (: The sub I hate the most. Then econs.

I like this shot :D the Auditorium ceiling. The orange glow's kinda calming. Not during lectures though.

Mr Khor. Tell me he looks like Carl Fredrickson from Up, haha. Except of course, not that ang moh.

They threw me down and made me have my turn later, damn, ribs hardly felt the same, heh. Thrice in JC, but heh not as bad as come others.

Vicious stuff, heh. That was me below.

Everything goes wrong when it's like that with Cheryl, and Shi Yi let go too quickly, haha, plopped down with a really audible splat sound. See the angular velocity of her air in the picture below! Circular motion in paper 3 wasn't done very well ):

Oh yeah, happened to be faizal's birthday that day. What's this cartoon character, forgot :\

More updates soon, felt a bit lazy to type much seeing as this was long ago..

Half the classis going to Malaysia for the holidays, a short 4 and a half days thing, semi-looking forward to it.

recreation allocation

2009-09-29T22:07:00.004+08:00

Took a long trip by bus to Ion Orchard with Cheryl and Xr today. Unplanned destination, but totally not wasted P: aside from the branded goods above the ground floor, the layout, shops and all were good in variety etc. One ice cream outlet at the ground floor that I'd like to try next time though.

Lotsa photo opportunities along the way but dang didn't bring my camera along cuz I didn't think I'd need it today. kikki-K was spiffy, first outlet in Singapore and outside of Australia. Would wanna go there again, got a $10 voucher for $50 purchase but I don't intend on spending that much. Good lunch at this ramen restaurant downstairs, really friendly head chef there who treated us to a side dish.

Orchard Central in contrast, totally linear design, boring and uncatergorized retail outlets, and their basement wasn't centralized on food, which should really be a standard >< Wouldn't wanna go back there really. Headed home after that, and I tried my doing a photoshoot for models, heh, constantly inspired by rachel's photoshoots. Didn't really turn out well though, it was only my room anyway, not a very versatile backdrop and no wardrobe.

My room kinda looks studio-ish in mono P:

Only one picture above of my attempts, the rest just didn't look very good. I liked the lighting in this shot, plus it kinda has a tomboyish innocence to the photo. Comments, it's my first shot of the sort! :D

F1

2009-09-27T16:39:00.009+08:00

So mark and ben were kind enough to give us two of the three spare tickets for F1 last Saturday. Except they called us during dinner and we had to rush inhaling our food then bathing. The rush was well worth it though, awesome night, first time at F1 heh.

Called Yi Chen to come along but he had some dinner thing. Didn't sound too interested either, shame. Mandb's cousin picked us up just at the front gate, convenient stuff. Went to Eunos then got to City Hall MRT. There was some anticipation but I must say, I didn't have much of an interest in racing to start with.

By the time we got there it was around 9, race began at 10 so we walked around a bit. Apparently the tickets we got were $300+ a pop :o Electrico were doing a short gig so we went to have a look. Sat there for a good bit.

I like the bluriness of the shot. Takes away the horrible shake of my camera and makes them appear completely in the spotlight.

Swissotel in the background and two other buildings. Found the music ok-ok, not fantastic but wasn't lousy either.

Went to the Padang afterwards, got this nice shot of the city. This whole place would later be really packed when Travis performed. Like, really packed.

Funny huge lamps around the place, odd looking to some extent.

There was this vintage car display by some rich mens vintage car collector group or something. Man, reminded me loads of Mafia. Awesome game, ahead of it's time.

This one looked alot like the Fletcher or something, in Mafia, the one the mafia dudes would drive around in. Saw this vintage semi-race car several weeks back around the upper east coast road area, open top, slim and all. Whoa really nice. Told a friend to look, he was like, meh..

This one looked really reminiscent of Archie comic books, the really old ones, for some reason. Reggie or some rich kids would drive around in these while Archie had his rickety jalopy..

Interesting looking horn there, at the left side of the windscreen. Not a good angle but I couldn't go past the barrier, and the surrounding night was making all my pictures blurry. Flash stank with the pictures.

Sweetest ride of all. Heh the white body just made it look more regal. The gloss on all of them, just swanky.

Wasn't race time yet. Went by the Esplanade, the last time I went there was for Panorama, school performace. Man it's been too long since I've been to town.

Ok I must say something beforehand. You've already seen all of the cars that were on my camera. Those vintage ones. The F1 cars were too darn fast for my shutter speed. I did lotsa stuff. Multi shot, resting it on still surfaces, everything I could think of but all that appears is a blur of light.

See the blur of red light at the left hand side of the image above? That's the car. Really, the camera just wasn't good enough. If you've got any suggrestions to what else I could've tried, feel free to lemme know P:

There see that bump of white light to the left of the guy standing, wearing white, with black hair? Thats your car :\ darn fast, but totally visible to the naked eye.

Macro at infinity, I'm beginning to like these images. Gives you the sense of making out your own sharp image, defining borders. It's somehow more soothing. Like hues.

The race itself was over pretty fast, we headed to Travis's concert before the races ended. Was exciting, no doubt but it got repetitive easily. Of course, its not like a trap would suddenly wham in the middle of the track, or there were mounted weaponry or something. Woulda spiffed it up I'm easily bored ><

The Travis concert was really something else. Got closer for the bass, the caucasians easily equalled the number of Singaporeans there.

Blurry mannn...

The bassist, I think, don't know his name and too lazy to check it out. He climbed the supporting metal scaffolding thingamajiggy, heh cool stuff. Lead singer tripped backwards on the speakers too :P awesome mood anyway, forgot all about studies and worries. Nice music, but would've really really wanted to go for FOBs concert, was running through my mind the whole time Iw as there ><

Bzzzapppp green pew pew :D

ended around.. 12.30, mandb's cousin treated us to drinks, much appreciated, had a parched throat. Rushing from home, then around city hall and the track, whoa it was warm.

Headed back afterwards, took this below, the bottom of the bridge that was part of the track. Like the shape of the bridge from below. Sleek.

The end of the support of the bridge from underneath too. Shape looks suggestive haha. Or is it just me. Nope, I'm pretty sure that thought's in your head now >:D

The CBD :D I'd wanna have someone to take in the forground, at the corner of the picture, focused, and blurred in the background, think you can see what I mean.

Ben and Joseph. Or mark. Heh can't tell from here. His cousin kept commenting about how it was a mirror image when the four of us walked side by side. Get that so often, meek laughter whenever that comment comes by. Just like the 'if I hurt you will Joseph feel it' hardy har har.

But nah not criticizing him. Only natural to come up with that comment heh I bet it itches others to ask.

Back to the grind. Thanks to mandb again, great night.

Another birthday

2009-09-26T14:28:00.006+08:00

Another pictorial update here, but first. Results results. Dang, I was more confident in my maths
paper this time but that didn't help. Got a U grade of 39, man that really sucked. Looking at the paper, certainly better than the previous major semestral assessment no doubt, but still sucky nonetheless.

GP and geog, H1 subs, weren't much better but the majority did about Us and Es so my E and D wasn't that horrible. GP was much better than the flop of my SA, geog went down though, as usual I felt little need to study for it just as everyone else.

Haven't gotten back the other subjects but you must be quite bored reading this about now. So enough with the horrible results.

Shi Yi's birthday will be tomorrow, so we got some presents early. Not like I'm really close to her, but didn't mind spending 3 over hours wrapping the stuff at all. Chipped in presents P:

Cut out the rabbit with an art knife, everyone thought I used a stamp for this, awesome :D It wrapped a leash for rabbits. I had no idea they sold such things, heh cute.

This covered a wedding planner, man I love the wrapping, retro-ish. Cut out foam sheets and coloured paper stuck on top for the names and her arrow thing-y. Got the wrapping from Prints, which is having a 30% storewide sale thill the end of September, gonna head down there and get another of this wrapping and some other stuff P:

All in all :D hope she liked it heh.

Brought my camera to school for no reason on friday, just maybe hoping to snap something on an ordinary day. Got Mr. Khor in his spiffy new checkered shirt that we got for him for Teacher's Day. Amongst an Up magazine, pencil box for his markers, and an FHM magazine haha.

Can't recall why he was doing this but sure will be hilarious next time when I look back on the photographs. He was wearing jeans too. Must've been one heck of a good morning for him man. Heh.

Went to watch The Ugly Truth and Inglorious Basterds. Took a picture of the cinema hall for fun. Ugly Truth was really predictable, but I still it wasn't as bad as I thought, the ending scene with the hot air balloons, whoa that was stunning. It was like the photos below which Phyu Phyu showed me.

Inglorious Basterds was good, pretty good, but long. At 160 minutes, surely not the best thing for after a day of school. Some parts were a bit draggy but I suppose that's just me and the inability to appreciate something more artsy. Nice twist though, 4.5 over 5, but really. Watch the time ><

Right, and I did this treasure map two nights before the physics paper, really bored and lacking discipline. Intended for Shi Yi initially but halfway through I didn't see why I would intend it for her. Hardly any link. So I carried on making it and gave it to Cheryl.

Used tea to colour the paper, then burnt the edges. I like the compass :D Zoom to see detail!

Off to do a GP essay. Ought to be doing much more..

Cya around

Prelims've been over for 3 days now.

2009-09-19T18:53:00.017+08:00

Prelims were over on Friday, big whoop but the A's start in roughly 50 days. Gonna be hard finding whatever momentum. Anyway, for the big break, didn't post anything plus I can't recall any particular stuff worth a big post, so I'll just write off the pictures I took.

Uploading bug's gone, phew.

So below, made something for Erdiah's birthday, can't recall how far back that was. Chanced upon something that she'd like so I got it and made a simple bag.

One night I got bored, so I went around the house taking some pictures. Learnt some stuff about ISO, aperture, and shutter speeds, but the camera wasn't spiffy enough to have alot of manual functions and adjustments.

Here's the light outside the corridor of our rooms, I like the glow. That hourglass like figure heh.

Oh. Reminds me of Green lantern.

Lotsa people think this picture's from some hotel. Joseph's bedroom though. Lamps and beside tables from Ikea, they look kinda nice, fits the whole look. I wanna have a queen size bed too :\

This is behind the TPJC hall, saw this one too many times the past two weeks, going in there to take the exams just about every day, ugh. I like the blurriness of this image though.

Another one outside the hall, A single red pipe, dunno where it leads to but sure is nice against the white wall. Don't like thsoe footprints though, spoil the image. Like purely red against white.

Right, Olivia asked for my help to take some pictures for National Day, each class is supposed to submit some class photos but our class didn't bother. Helped her class out anyway, never really worked with someone in trying to get shots.

The paper aeroplane in both the shots have their top half in red. Red and white. No stars and no moon, but rah Singapore anyway.

It's a flagpole, my mom couldn't make it out, initially she thought it was a woman, thought that was kinda hilarious :D

In the end I decided most of the shots. Gotta be at the clicking end of the camera to know what is better. They kept asking for shots that were too difficult to capture or against light and such. My camera now doesn't have great adjustments for shutter speeds, multi shots and what not, so I tried whatever worked.

This one above, I thought worked out pretty well. Fun helping them take the pictures, usually I always snapped stuff on my own, but imput is always helpful. I looked back at old school photos the other day. A flip into the past for a while.

One thing really noticable is the skirt length changing as the years go by heh. In primary school they were unbelivably long, and then to secondary school and up to JC, heh. But that aside, nostalgia pangs are good once in a while. Kinda reflective.

Doing econs in the library. Think it was a friday, and we were just waiting to get out of the school gates. I like the blurred lighting with these macro shots, boring picture but I wanted to try and get the effect of the balled-lights.

Oh right. So National Day, didn't spend it at home or out watching the parade etc. Worked with Cheryl, Brandon and Xiu Rong at Home Fix. Cheryl's aunt offered us a job, promoting Dylon fabric paints. I don't think I've much of a problem promoting and presenting as long as I know my stuff and like it, that was my...

Third job that I've done. First one was real cushy, office job shredding old documents with Hong Xiang, best paying and most carefree job heh. Boring, cooped in a room shredding all day, but at least we could chat in there. Then the second one was at a wet market. Helping out Olivia's parents the two day before Chinese New Year's eve.

That one was really tiring, heh and I had no idea what to expect, having not been to a fish market in years. But it was a new and interesting experience, stayed over at her place too since it was a 5am to 12pm job.

Back to Home Fix, I was at the Marina Square branch with Cheryl, so on the day of the parade we could hear the 21 guns and the fireworks, so close to the parade yet so far. Fun though, we just drew and drew all day on tee shirts and such. Tyrannical kids who splashed paints and stuff. Earned $77 from that two day job, took no time in spending it. Don't even recall where the money went.

Don't remember when this was too, lazy to check the date stamp on the photo. Berlin's pencil box on reddish-purple colour accent.

me in monochrome P:

All in the same day, these few. Here's Jun De making some odd origami.

My pen from Nikkei corp, got it since that time I was working with Hong Xiang at his mom's office.

Berlin and bubble tea. Think the few of us went to watch a movie after that school day.

My first attempt at long shuttre speeds, don't bring my camera out much, so didn't try these before. A simple attempt at the road down the hill that I always walk up, and down later to, and from school.

I especially love this shot. Taken at my roof deck of the lights in the city and the districts leading up to it. The colours are vivid without any artificial saturation.

Made a card for Samuel for Yun Ni's birthday present. Or was it something else. Heh can't recall.

Birthday cupcake.

Some evening after a heavy downpur, went up to the roof deck to take these photos. This panoramic one is especially nice I think, cropped it till it got like that, didn't stitch images, too lazy for that. I wanna save up and get a gooood DSLR.

Golden willows, up on the roof deck too, but against the sky they look more of something outta a temperate country than Singapore P:

Oh, then recently Yi Chen had to get a present for someone. Volunteered to wrap it so I met him, got a book, went home to wrap it. Good catching up with him, good to know it's still easy to chat. Joseph hadn't expected him, so I left him to chat with Chen till I figured out how to wrap it.

Finally came out with something new, Envelope style. Google wrapping methods and you'll get really boring results. So I tried experimenting on my own, took about an hour, but well worth it.

Tried again when Joseph needed me to wrap something for a friend of his. Yet another book, so practice makes perfect P: Made one for Phyu Phyu on my third try, kinda perfected by then already, she put up a picture on her blog but I guess these two are easy enough to figure out if you'd wanna try.

Nah I don't think anyone would bother making this. I'm the only bored person who finds creativity and entertainment in doing these things.

And... the last bored triparound the house taking pictures. Should get out more often, but it was the exams anyway, I'd look to anything for guilt-free entertainment. We've got these slippers at ever point of exit of the house. The pool deck, the roof deck, the front porch, the back kitchen, you get the idea.

This uncle of mine mocked my dad for being a clean freak, hate that uncle. Any way to reduce the effort of having to clean up the house is a good effort. Nothing wrong with slippers for the outside. He'd never know cause he's a chauvinistic guy who believes housework is left to the maid and the wife.

High ISO, which I didn't really understand the concept till recently, made this picture look better rather than a more crisp low ISO. The flower pot on the deck before the pool. Don't really go into the pool often cuz it's freezing. Ok not that bad, but it's perpetually cold. Normal pools are warmer, it makes swimming in there a constant effort to stay away from shivering.

Outside the power room, near the front door. heh the fruit bowl and the painting, classic.

Curtains at the dining room. Really can't think of much else to say.

Well that's all for the photos. Meanwhile I've been watching the OC and finishing up the Office. Never got down to follow up with 90210, but the OC seems more interesting. Or maybe cuz I left 90210 a long while back and forgot where I left off.

Either way, gotta find time to get back down to work. Wanted to participate in this competition, photography for the centenary fire station. Can't find anyone to go out with me there though ): Was thinking of going on my own later today.

stupid upload

2009-09-11T16:34:00.008+08:00

Short break till next week's whole buncha heavy H2 papers, so i'll just take this time to upload photos and fill in whatever needs to. Man, it's been looong. The prelims end next week, by which I ought to be killing myself mugging, if not there goes university.

Eh why won't the damn photos upload. I had this problem like. a month ago. I can't write stuff without pictures. I'm impaired without em man. is there some problem with blogger. ass. Oh there we go. took bloody long. Oh man. that was just one photo. what's up with blogger.

ok seriously i'm not being impatient it's taking wayyyy too long. one picture mind you.

Oh this one's somewhere down the hill where I live, at the back alley of some houses. The moment I saw it I was like ho, that'd make a nice photo. But it was in the day, it looked much better in the evening when I saw it the first time.'

grumble mumble

Long term leave

2009-07-26T19:20:00.000+08:00

I know it took quite a while to get this up, and by now you'd already know, but I'm gonna undergo an intensive mugging period due to my horror inducing results.

Sorry, but you won't have to check back for a while.

Got stuff to write, but dang there's just this nagging feeling of guilt when I'm online.

Cya in a long time ):

hindsight

2009-07-03T02:01:00.007+08:00

I don't think I woulda prepared much more than I already did, had I considered the tremendous guilt I may be facing imminently after the papers. I just haven't got that discipline, dang it's gonna be hard in 2~3 months. So done for ><

Still, the exams are through and its that huge relief that negates the guilt. Watched Transformers and Ice Age, and intended to do some cycling too :\ wonder if I can get it done, only one day left to the short break, tomorrow. That's Youth Day, which, for some reason I had the inkling we don't celebrate anymore.

Joseph: Its youth day on the 5th of July right?
Me: We're not youths anymore, you must be delusional.
(One day later)
Me: My bad, we do.
Joseph: Yeah I thought so, stupid.

Dunno what made me think I was so old already, dang. Snuck into another hall last thursday after watching a movie, turned out to be Ice Age; Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Whoa luckily I never paid for that movie, was a real waste of time in my opinion. Milked and dried out the concept of Ice Age that they had to return to the jurassic? Tsk tsk, shame on them, wayy too repetitive.

Watched Transformers with the guys on friday, finally for once, we sat down to a good n proper restaurant meal. Ironic that it involved waiting a good 45mins for the food to come, so we ended up rushing to GV opposite. Product placement was still evident throughout the movie, but at least it wasn't as blatant as the trend has been. Or compared to lousy Jack Neo movies.

Here're some ordinary yet different, pictures of the gloom today, or just around the house. I'm just tired, so I can't be bothered to find a relation of them to anything I was typing about just now.

what a view I get from my room

(the neighbours, currently rented out to a buncha caucasians)

(#2 and #5 by Joseph, tinkering with my camera)

Yawn.. 'night

patience

2009-06-20T14:17:00.007+08:00

Made this box for Hong Xiang's present, present not in picture though, for obvious reasons. Took over 6 hours to complete the whole thing, the box is a perfect square of 21cm. 2 rolls of double sided tape, 1 roll of masking tape, and lots of other materials. And patience. Till school reopens then, so sorry we didn't have the time..

I told myself how far I dived was going to be how much I'd come to find myself gasping for breath. It's asphyxiating, and it's the only thing constantly on my mind. Patience? This wasn't meant at all.

wow

2009-06-20T14:04:00.003+08:00

He should be shot. for so many reasons. I won't take those words back at all. Tolerance, gosuckyourself

scrap that to do list

2009-06-13T11:17:00.002+08:00

Finally, I got about editing the template so now the archives are up to date. Haven't got the rest of the poems up till now though.

Finished prison break, so now there's little excuse to be surfing or watching anything online, since I really need to get down to work ):

Played tennis at Bedok Reformative Training Camp, I think that's what BRTC stands for. Ahmad's dad, being prison staff, get perks there for the booking of the recreational facilities, up on a hill and really secluded, despite the tampines traffic down below that's all overshadowed.

I think I'm going to have to keep this laptop real soon before the June holidays are over and I realised it was spent 75% in front of it..

and the arty farty

2009-06-05T11:43:00.006+08:00

Christian Lacroix filed for bankruptcy barely a few days before his exhibition premiered in Singapore. I must say, TPJC runway has added some interests in me, fashion, for one, albeit still on a tiny scale, has had a growing intrigue. Shermaine told me bout this exhibition so she accompanied me to go see it before Panorama. Went to replace my ez link card shortly before, a relatively simple process.

Digressing, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, I must say I think I subconsciously followed this texbook example to the step. Losing my wallet had the reactions of it all and only after I came to accept the loss, I noticed the reactions of my were eeriely followed. I just hope that now there's no malicious intent for the use of my lost IC. Oh look, I'm back at bargaining. Odd.

Anyway, the exhibition was much smaller than I had hoped, but going to the National Museum was interesting for a change, I was under the impression I hadn't been there before, but it was seemingly familiar, like those dreamy images you tend to associate with deja-vu.

The facade of the Museum, I'm uncertain if this is considered under the Victorian era architecture, but it's charming, the concrete colonial architecture.

I didn't take any pictures in the exhibits, they didn't have much relevance to my theme, so it was a bit of a disappointment. They should've stated in the advertisments that it was going to be limted to his opera couture works. The decor did look nice though, heh.

Ahmad, Brandon, Shermaine and I headed for a quick bite and drink before hurrying off to the Esplanade. Some tpjc people dressed up to the nines, as if ready to go for prom, it's not like as if there was gonna be a ballroom. I hadn't been in any of the theatres there till that night, so it was kinda good an excuse to finally go inside one, heh.

Time in there seemed to go by pretty fast, and our class was unluckily allocated the very first row. And I must say, I thought the audience would be more mature at this age, being in a JC, but the uncalled for laughter and clap-alongs just numbed the performances. Still, I think the $15 spent on the tickets was a good move, thanks to Shermaine who got the class going.

Had a quick and warm dinner afterwards, and headed back shortly after since some of em wanted to catch the last trains home. I hoped to stay out longer but when I got home, the fatigue from the afternoon took over, so just as well we all headed back earlier than intended. 'Sides, some wanted to go clubbing and that ain't my thing. Don't find the fun in it, guess I'm just not that sort.

Wanted to get this picture for a long time, heh finally got the chance too. If I had a tripod, Would've taken a panoramic shot, but this'll do fine.

My dad says my camera's devoid of human beings all the time. I think that's untrue. Its just devoid of me. I dunno, I don't see myself as photogenic, and any hint of camwhoring makes me shun away from the triggerhappy cameraman. Just gimme New Zealand. Lotsa comments return about how I'd react when I grow up and see so few pictures of myself.

Honestly, I guess different people, different interests. I don't need to see my growth progress and how I looked everyday. I've got some here and there already, so that's good enough for me. I just go chasing after those deviantart worthy photography. mmmm... I think in future I'd wanna have some coffeetable books of photography, and frames of black and white, sepia, colour selective and normal coloured photographs all around my home. P:

One week wasted, heh not much time for procrastination.

90% o rly

2009-06-01T19:54:00.003+08:00

9 out of 10 wallets returned in a Reader's Digest article several years back. Ugh I'm really worked up about this loss. It's day four of the loss, and still no news. Plus my parents came back from Taipei last night, and I've no idea how I'm going to break it to them, since the payment for the replacements are not going to be cheap.

Where have the 9 out of 10 gone then. My impulse to whip out a wallet for any purchase has diminished. Partly, obviously due to the lack of the object, and the other, that subconscious. I don't like carry money around without a wallet, where am I gonna get a replacement.

Even if I do clinch the top prize $300 for TPJC runway, Its a long way for making the payment, and the guilt. Did I mention the surmounting guilt. I'm seriously miserable. No mood to mug. Completed my Chinese A levels today, manageable, but throughout, this phone was ringing from the bags nearby.

I wished so hard it was mine. Wished that it was Joseph calling to tell me I've got mail from the Police. See, they send a letter to your address if it's recovered. What would anyone want to do with my IC, either it's some lucky human trafficker, or some sick, mindless nut.

Completely my stupidity on losing it. Say you found something like my wallet, $6, cards and meaningless stuff to a stranger. What'd you do. dammit I'm all too sure you'd all return it. Curse that f*** who took it. Really pissed.

priceless security

2009-05-28T19:53:00.002+08:00

I just lost my wallet this morning. On a bus.

As I woke up and rushed off the bus realizing I had reached my stop, I forgot the wallet placed loosely below the flap of my sling bag.

Feel really shitty now.

NRIC replacement (first time) $100
EZ link card replacement $18
Money on-hand $6
Laguna Golf membership card $10.70

The sense of security lost is pricless. And the agony of using 55c coins for bus fares too. If I go out over the weekend there's no way I can verify I'm a student, I'm gonna have to pay adult fare. Which is ridiculous compared to the concession rate

I'm praying whoever took it is the least bit compassionate. Bus service found nothing, in 14 days I'll have to report a loss if I don't find it. I'm feeling realllyyyyyy in the dumps now.

the week. yes, that's the title.

2009-05-22T19:53:00.011+08:00

Eventful few days, worth blogging, and in need of updating. The girls final match was on March 12th, if I'm not wrong, Temasek JC, no epic showdown as we were out of the running already, but kinda worth going, cuz it was near home, plus I could catch up with Esti. She was in my group for the Pre-U Seminar, president of the student's council from TJC.

She takes H3 History, gosh she'll be a living textbook if she aces her exams. The team eventually lost 1-4 if I'm not wrong, but we left for dinner at east coast park anyway, glad to get the nationals over and done with. Second time our batch made it to the second round, wonder if it's been like that for all our girls batches, they've always had a far better shot than the guys team.

Hadn't gone to the Lagoon food centre in a while, so it jogged some memories, and the view certainly looked an all to familiar sight. Here's part of the team P:

Had a walk around the beach afterwards, the day was kinda like the official stepping down, but due to the swine flu and stuff, the teacher in charge didn't organize anything. School rules, ugh.

Anyway, I'm really glad with the work done for the outfit on TPJC runway. I knew it was gonna be momumental work, being the first time, so glad I got some help. It's not fully done yet though, so once I'm done I'll upload photos. Tried it on Xiu Rong already, darn it fits so well, I felt a surge of confidence when she put it on. Top prize of $300, ohman I so could use that, I need new threads :D

Joined another competition too, I love TPJC photography competition. Yes, cheesy, but anything photography related, and with such a small competition base of TPJC, I'm all for it. The photo's submitted for competitions in other catergories that I've seen before, by TPJC students, really..stink. To say the least.

Here's something along the lines of what I'll be submitting, but I'm altering some bits. Painstakingly cut the hearts out myself, top prize is some book voucher (wow, betyoudidntseethatcomin) of $80. Book vouchers? I thought we've gone past that since horrible secondary school popular vouchers already. But ah, if it's popular I've just the thing to buy.

And the highlight of the week, TG(It was)F! Service learning, headed by Shermaine. She planned this really well I must say, to come up with the concept, the management, liasing with the school.. Glad it was her who planned it, and not have some shoddy last minute bring-kids-to-the-zoo/birdpark thing.

Basically, it's educating primary school students about recycling, and the renewable environment. 3 parts, first an assemble, several weeks back, then the practical proojects, last friday, next the AAR, next friday. Can't remember how many it was, but she managed to round up lots of hours for us, so no problem for our CIP. Here're some pictures..

Tennis mate Jun De, Samuel, Kenneth (currently on a bulking-up frenzy) and Brandon. Plain simple Brandon. Nothing much, just your average simpleton, mr cellophane, actually. Haha I know you'll read this.

Doctors can make you wanna genetically engineer your kids to create any little tyke, just the right amount of good looks, smarts and weight. No need to tell you, you'd already know, but my stand;

Thoroughly disagree withpreimplantation genetic haplotyping, gender selection and genetic engineering of babies. It's just messed up and sick. Imagining creating Sims for reality. Unless they're cases like mother-son genetic diseases specific to gender, it's wrong, period. Singapore's stance on its society has more often than not been right, this is no exception.

More kids :D Hong Xiang numbering them in groups.

And icebreakers!

So we made stuff out of recyclable materials, mostly sourced ideas from art attack, and I must say it went pretty well. In fact, I enjoyed my time there, it's been way too long since I've been with kids, much less for over 2 hours. Refreshing to see the simple things that'll tickle them, the attention span and all the half-shy, half-over enthusiasm that they alternate in between.

Here's Shermaine concluding the session, and shortly before, Kenneth made them all sing a birthday song for Jasline, heh their voices in messy combination was entertaining.

Primary school kids work well in black and white photos, tried and tested, as to why, I've no idea.

Danial's group with their door decoration, that art attack dude always does the paper marche so easily, its as if he's cyborg. Danial's group had the nicest art project imo.

Took a class photo outside the art room afterwards, feeling very fulfilled, if that's a proper term. Nothing beats a good 'ol jc-primary environmental awareness art project service learning. Yes.

Couple of us went out for dinner later at Tampines Mall, whiling the time away chatting. When we were about to leave, we noticed the Uncle Ringo funfair at the grouds there. After much deliberation, we gave the bumper cars a go. $3 each, but worth wayyyy more. Hadn't had that much fun in a while, heh thanks to Shi Yi for taking the photos while we were being slammed about.

Paired with Hamzah, man it was a fantastic way to relieve stress. Not that I had much anyway, with my shoddy school work, but still. Some renegade father-son car was have sadistic joy in ramming us at full speed. They looked stone cold I tellsya. Like they bumped cars for a friggin living. WhamBam, they viciously rammed. Then when we left, they went back again for another round of unsuspecting teenagers. dundun dundummm

Ended of the day with a pinkish sunset, used to see lotsa those panoramic across the living room in Lagoon View.. I resembles a J! :D

Went out to school in the mornin for maths, had brekkie at Changi Village, then played pool at Safra Tampines.. what a week.. Oh, won some silly medal on sports daylast wednesday too, but hey a medal's a medal. (even damai's medals were nicer than TPJCs :\)

Marina Barrage

2009-05-08T16:33:00.011+08:00

Yeah I know, it's been way too long. The longest, if I remember correctly? But really, it's been reasonable, with the tennis nationals, three tests, and NAPFA, amongst other distractions like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I just finished watching that movie online, and it really struck a chord. A great movie that I'm glad to have caught in the end. It's a romance genre btw, but don't be so close minded.

Oh, that's right, I found this picture on deviantart, it's doctored, but still, it's a creative piece of photography.

Wow my back is aching alot right now, wonder what's the cause. Anyway, the class minus 4 people, went to Marina Barrage for the learning journey that we're supposed to make once in our JC stay. It was kinda interesting, plus scenic, so I finally could take some nice shots with my ageing camera. I'm pretty tired, so just view.

Kinda put em up for classmates to take pictures from too, anyway.

Here's the entrace, banners flapping against the sea breeze. Blue for water, heh, duh.

The entrace was kinda intimidating, actually, it didn't even contribute to the dam, so what was this towering chunkarock doing there.

Upon entering the main complex, the sheer height of the structure wows you for a moment, even living in a city surrounded by high rises, this amazed me for a a while, so vast and calm. It'd be great to stargaze if it weren't for the bright city lights surrounding.

Berlin, Shermaine, Xiu Rong, Cheryl and Shi Yi. Xiu Rong's gonna be my model for the TPJC runway, and Berlin's a new addition to our class this year :\

The huge fields of the deck made some photos look band-of-brother-ish, with the panoramic scape and people appearing as if they're perched up there.

The green roof, not too green to me, nor does any aspect of it look like it can be environmental, but hey what would I know what its made out of. *yawn.. I'm gonna fast forward.

A proper class picture, still without 4 classmates, but this was as close as we'd get to one I think, sadly..

The dam system is pretty interesting, but really, this weekly accumulation of fatigue by friday's got me. I'm not gonna bother to elaborate on it. Go there yourself :D

sustainable... stuff. sheesh three yawns in one minute.

This lighting was kinda brilliant actually, bubbles and light, nice concept. They had some intriguiging displays and historical timelines that provided insights, but I was more concerned for my dying camera battery that day. It died on me halfway, bad luck.

Ms Helen Choo should pat me on the back for this :D

If you see anyone you'd particularly like to know the name (and perhaps phone number, email, address, favourite movie/song etc..) lemme know, 'else im too lazy to type em all out.

Remember, these pictures are not for you to go 'why so many pictures of people I may not know' well this is for classmates so buzz off! Or oogle. Whichever you please, but don't scoff, heh.

Part of the green roof, we went back up there, and without the security camera, it woulda been nicer.

Flyer, I have yet to ride on it, but I have heard multiple comments on the waste of time that it is.

Yes. That's it. I'm free!

It's off to bed for this aching body, and I promise I'll update more, oh darn this segue really left a layer of dust. I got Gold of NAPFA, I was friggin elated that day.. but I'm tired, so this is it. g'night.

media + audience

2009-04-19T12:09:00.002+08:00

Well I can't find the articles online, but here's a really brief summary of two topics featured within the few weeks in TST that kinda got me.. a little agitated.

The first being a collection of articles, and the similarity and abundance of these articles can show the degeneration of news. I'm referring to the gamut of Facebook articles that are featured every week. Every Sunday's edition takes the cake for the most empty-headed content. Reading it is worse than any article in a tabloid, yes sweeping statement whatevah.

Facebook this, facebook that, what kind of facebook elite school student are you, what are your greatest inner fears, weekly facebook parodies of famous people's walls, it's disgusting, reeking of fluid diarrhoea. Flows straight through your gullet if you lap it all in thinking, 'heh, I'm so cool cuz I can relate to it cuz I have a facebook account, ergo, I'm cool!'

No, I'm not dissing all facebook users, I'm dissing those, the sort who wrote articles like such published in MJC's newsletter, bout how cool he is, and how it can connect geeks with awesome-ly cool people such as himself. Oh, Mr. Socially inept, grow a brain, not another mouth.

If news continues to spiral into viral nonsense of facebook shoddiness, well then it just show's the movie Idiocracy has a point, a very valid one.

The second, being the speak Mandarin campaign that features wee-lil westerners. For one, let me re-establish the fact that I was the only one who got a U grade in my JC for chinese, effectively pulling down an otherwise 100% pass rate. Still, the mental retardation of some gutless Singaporeans can't beat my shame. They trump it with (pride + stupidity)^2. If you havent seen it already, here...

They've got more proficiency than me, darn it all. But unlike the majority public, I was ashamed. Yes. You see, the majority believe that the video is a momumental insult to them. Why must you show ang-mohs, blahblahblah, how can you shame us like this, yaddahyaddahyaddah, stewpid campaign tactic to insult our language!

Ohmygosh how can they be so immature. The fact is all too apparent, admit it and solve it! Little kids with better fluency shows how important the language can be, and the dropping of our langauge should be a disgrace rather than an abomination of the committee for Speak Mandarin Campaign.

I'm putting in exponential effort as compared to any other year I took chinese, took me the last straw of an A level fail to wake me, and I'm hoping it ain't too late. If I can't pass the June attempt, then I'll be forced to take CLB and pass it within about 4 months, 5..

in todays news...

2009-04-10T10:45:00.002+08:00

Meridian JC top performer in project work.

About 95% (95.5%) of Meridian Junior College students scored A's in project work, making the school this year top performer in the subject...

...trumped power houses HCJC (85%) and RJC (92%)...

...the sucess was attributed to the way they 'teach' the subject. "We inspire creativity in the students by exposing them to exciting trends and interesting things companies are doing." A student said "being exposed to new creative trends motivated her group mates and her to look at topics from new angles. Her group scored an A. Quote "I think looking at things in fresh ways gave us an extra edge."....

Temasek JC saw to a controversial huge leap last year when 87% scored As, as the previous year only saw to 7% getting A's.

I have nothing to say, yet so much to. So very much. Contrary to what many believe, this subject is not only moderated externally, they fail to see that it is moderated internally prior to external moderation. I shan't be stupid to write certain things, but I shan't hold back my disgust either.

Tsk tsk, pangsai

I'm not a sourgrape, my whole group managed to get A's too, but darn our school has been fixed at around 34%, and I think that's wayy more realistic. Assuming a cohort of 600, using their A's statistics, a certain JC had only 27 who didn't get A's. Poor 27 huh.

warcgmv##$@!2earrbfw$#eg,mnj^%43gwfc

no, brandon. that's just silleh!

2009-04-03T21:47:00.014+08:00

This is looking to be a good week. My monday started out horrible, arrived late. Had an awfully crammed experience on the two morning transfer buses, plus I finally missed the school stop while the other TPJCians and I ignorantly forgot to ring the bell ><

Still, the GP and Economics results did great for my mood. Had no idea how I managed to, but I scored C and B respectively for both subjects, much better than quite a few. I really slacked off my preparations, and I guess it reflects in my S and E for Physics and Maths. But still, a C and B.. :D

Results aside, here's my preliminary sketch for TPJC Runway. Keep in mind it's themed to Circus Maximus, so I added muses from ring masters and acrobats to come up with this. Still, I'm gonna have to add in elements of flamboyance and glitz. Thinking of getting Joseph's help for the colours on Adobe, colour pencils don't give justice to what I need to visualize..

Took this sometime last week, the weather was cool, just after a rain. I love bathing on days like these, the warm glow bathes your bathroom walls, it'd seem like a resort anywhere with this sunset hue.

So I took the liberty of initiating a CCA tee for tennis, seeing so many get started on theirs, and thinking it'd do better for team spirit, wearing something uniform. You'd be amazed what uniformity can inculcate, if you didn't already realize P:

Painstaking, I tell ya. I shoulda gone with Wah Mee, some brand Joseph got for his CCA tee. Designed, confirmed and rolled out in a matter of a week. Mine had delays aplenty, and problems on their side so often that I had inklings I'd need to switch companies.

Still, the convenience they provided, coming down to school, no deposits and free delivery was really appealing to my laziness. Talk about sales pitch. So here're the three tee's that I've designed for my CCAs, the first two being student council tees, and each for 2007, 2008, and the tennis tee this year, '09 :\

This was actually co-designed by me senior, but I didn't like her taste tbh. I prefer fewer words, pictures yell more on a tee, and I didn't want cheesy leaderships phrases. Still, had to give some leeway for her part.

Below, the second tee. Undertook the whole of this, had the muse of shields and crests at that time, 'specially the one I did for Yi Chen and several others.. it's the second picture down, L for Lee yeah.

Here's the motif on the upper left of the polo, I was suprised at the intricacy of crest, it even had the shadow linings heh. The Damai logo's just below the lower tip of the crest, and at the back of the design too, draped in a scroll..

TadahhhhH! The tennis tee, plain n simple, but I'm so satisfied. It's the prefectionism that made me go bonkers for them to get the right colour. The firm said they had a printing darkening process to alter design colours automatically. I had to compensate for that useless darkening :X

Great, now I have something else to wear for tennis trainings, instead of the cyclical attire constantly :X Imma start designing the second draft of the TPJC runway outfit, and gonna go CHINATOWN (:D) tomorrow aftah school to get materials. My first attempt at designing and making an entire contume from scratch, wish me luckkkk!

TPJC runway

2009-04-01T22:48:00.003+08:00

Jo Jr.'s (heh mark) blog has been relocated owing to some complications.. :\

So I've entered TPJC runway, a fashion design competition including participants from within and external competitors, Hwa Chong JC to be exact. Wait, is that the name, I doesn't seem to sound right. The theme's Cirucs Maximus, i.e. circus couture.. I'll upload my design in the following post, as I'm bloggin' now in haste. Personally, I've seen only two other submitted designs, and they weren't fantastic. But then again fashion's so subjective, what would I know.

The top prize is 300 big ones, second, 200, and third, 100 or 150 I can't remember which. We're to make the designs on our own. Previous year's runways saw to cheap piecings-together of Giordano-like, simple apparel to give an illusion of a dynamic incorporation of different pieces. Cheap. I'll source a picture of the external competitors (dunno if it was HCJC too) winning entry, which imho, woulda won the internal catergories hands down. It dared to be bold, unlike the simplicity of our entrants. This year'll prove different, I have the feeling..

Of course, gunning for nothing other than first, but I wish I could sneak a peek at the other desgins submitted. Dunno how I'll stitch together my piece of work though, from scratch no less. Chinatown, it's gonna be soon. Clothing material haven, I'm told. Don't know why I pursue this competition when I'm not in the arts stream though, but I'm really interested in this, goes to show my lack of critical analysis when it came to streaming.

But then I woulda missed out on my classmates. My class has the most number of tennis members, standing at 4, and one ex member J3 puts it at 5, she's just joined us :) 'part from that, I can't deny that I've been influenced in tiny bits, and perhaps changed somewhat in character, hopefully for the better ?:D

I'll update more often, don't leaveee!

Here's something I penned, comments please!

Your brilliance, like the stars above,
With you,
took little to fall in love.
Your warmth, your touch, holds me transfixed,
Immaculate, thus improbable,
the wound afflicts.

Mayhap across time, your heart will grow fonder,
Persistence restrains,
the reluctance to ponder.
Now solitude, I'm destitute, trapped in a cell.
Distraction, delusion,
naught can dispell.

That which devoured me, just as empowered me,
Sent me along currents,
out to a raging sea.
I knew not where I stood, yet where I should.
Now none the wiser,
Whishing upon stars and hither,
If would were could.

Ah, fresh air

2009-03-26T17:28:00.005+08:00

Holy crepe!

No, don't you go. This blog hasn't accumulated the dust and cobwebs akin to some I know, so it's still.. deemed read-able. At least for now >< size="1">actually, and if you can't tell by now, I'm just looking for blogpost fillers, man it's tough coming up with material.

I won't exactly say I completely hate Confessions of a Shopaholic, but I must say, I'd rather not, given the chance. I dig chick flicks to a good extent, but that doesn't constitute to

i) only liking that genre
ii) being bimbotic, now just where would you get that silleh idea -.-

It's also a new low in materialism and marketting. Sex and the City was bad, but now this movie will scream with superficial Prada loving zombies, coupled with a script that oozes Gouda cheese that infests your brain.. Pardon my negativity, but it could also be linked to promoting of spending in these gloom times. Good for them then. whatever.

Will blog more soon!

why're we here, where do we go

2009-03-03T18:15:00.002+08:00

Had a talk on assembly today, some info on university entrance cut offs and such.. Darn it was scary. But puh-lease, if I don't get off my sedentary butt and kick some revision ass, I've no idea of what to do for the future. Only reason why I picked the straight route, to delay all that decision makin..

Got home quite early today, around 5, cuz the cats and dogs wouldn't stop falling from the skies. Really awesome cool weather though, the pitter patter's kinda melodious in a rhythmic way too.

I composed something two days ago, here goes;

You smell like the drizzle
Your scent, like the dew
You cry with a trickle
Your heart, askew

You smile, with a dimple,
Your cheeks, aburn.
You've a charm, so simple,
Your emotions, I yearn.

Yet you take the heart, that is yonder,
The eyes, that decieve.
The love from another,
Therein, words without relief.

Your eyes, do they falter,
A solitary teardrop cascades.
My heart follows after,
Your facade in my thoughts, pervades.

three weeks, ohmybad

2009-02-27T22:33:00.007+08:00

So there's that long break that took, and now that I've come back, I kinda feel bad. Ah well lets get rolling anyway. Two weeks have passed I think, been really weary all week both weeks, and Valentines Day was a good rest. Stayed home with the company of my computer, good stress relief after a hectic week.

Perpetual 12pm+ turn ins, whoa and I'm not even doing full homework criteria.. I made this card for Samuel, for his girlfriend. Its somewhat therapeutic, makin 'em. Don't know how it's supposed to feel, having some special someone to spend that Valentines Day with.. Frankly, I'm not sour over the lack of attachment, but more of knowing that there may just been greener pastures when that time comes.. ><

The envelope on the card actually opens up, and it says; To:, From who, in there. Neato huh? :D

The bunch of Japan Trip people met up the next week, on a Saturday, with our tour guide coming back to visit us. We had lunch at Shukudo, and I was new to the restaurant, but fine with the concept.. Whoa I spent $24+ there, and it wasn't really a jiving company to start out the afternnon with, after a hot tennis practice.

We split ways afterwards, and I went with Sheryl, Veronika, Amanda, Grace and Xin Hui. Wait, I didn't miss out anyone did I? :X We milled about town for a while, before our numbers dwindled, and it was left to Sheryl, Amanda and I at Parkway.

Had no inkiling it'd be really fun, we had dinner at PastaMania later on, and boy do their pastas still suck, haha! Sitting there for a while, we chatted on such similar frequencies that time passed by quickly. Must say, it was really enjoyable company, and I'm lookin forward to the next outing in March.. (:

Skipping to wednesday, with the few boring assignments and rain denying chances of playing tennis.. We had our Road Run, i.e. Cross Country. The way days start out can really be decieving, and initially I wasn't having an awesome time, but the 38th placing in 350+ JC2 runners was an up.

Cheryl found a starfish whilst seashell hunting, we were at East Coast Park for the Road Run, an annually hosted area. The shells there are like.. 80% battered and chipped, so this was a gem find. Huge pity it was accidentally thrown away by the cleaner later, when we headed to Parkway for lunch.. Kinda ticked at what happened that day by particular people, but lets not bring that up. P:

Just some random scenery shots from the coast, it wasn't a fantastic view, having been so used to it living practically next door, for 17 years.. Still, photography captured it well I hope..

As we headed to Parkway, we crossed the flyover, and a lone Spongebob Squarepants balloon was stuck on a tree. Pretty comical, and I've been seeing that silly character pop up lots nowadays. Vibra-dampeners on rackets, random doodlings around schools benches, and whatnot.. :\

Ok, so 7 of us headed over to my place after lunch, filled and rested. But really really icky from perspiration and stuff. I'm ultra finicky about cleanliness, and to Brandon, I don't think I'm any less clean than ya, I think it's just different degrees of tolerance. I wouldn't lie on my bed with anything other than night clothes, that for one >< style="font-style: italic;">Right?

They had a cold dunk in the pool, whoa felt good after that running and heat. Got chilly after a while though, and time seemed to pass slowly despite our fun. It was like perpetual laughter for hours, Xiu Rong's antics are seriously hilarious :D

Not in picture above, Dedrick and I, who didn't get in just yet.. My pool's forever freezing, but looking at Ahmad, he probably didn't feel the chill. Damn he's big, lol.

Washed up and left about 4pm later, for Siglap centre for chips n such from Cold Storage. Subsequently, they left, and it poured much much more.. Whoa it was an exhausting wed, and today too.

Had tennis friendlies with Meridian, and I wasn't on form, having not played in a week. Yeah, I ain't that consistent yet of course. Lost my first doubles game, barely knowing much about my doubles mate, but at least there were no confusions and sort, etc. Not really too happy at the matches today, but shan't bother to regale it.

An eventful three weeks it's been, my bad not two, and ohman I'm sooooo sorry for the long break. A friend threatened to quit reading if I didn't update by tonight, indeed a good motivation,haha! Well I'm really dog-tired, still having tennis tomorrow morning, and studying out afterwards. Cheerio! :)

fridayfreedom

2009-02-07T00:19:00.004+08:00

Tennis is definitely getting more fun. The anticipation of each training is refreshing, and a pity it wasn't the case for my junior year.. Had the tennis tryouts today with the J1s, started at 3 so I spent the earlier hours playing for other CCA tryouts like badminton and table tennis. I think it's just a racquet thing or a poorer use of my limbs that require external equipment. Whatever it is, it's surely always been a preference over basketball, soccer and whatnot.

Fed the balls to the J1s with some uncertainty today, some juniors with better proficiency really worry me. Still, I've only got 1+ year of experience and I think the improvement was quicker than others. Like this dude with 4 years supposedly, but played the tryouts like a 6months kid.. Then another with 9 years who could've trashed me, I'm sure. Gonna get more competitive, so hopefully this year's nationals won't be so shortlived.

Bathed and left for Yi Chen's place, havin a barbeque for his birthday. It wasn't quite like I'd expected, but enjoyable enough, tried introducing some drinking games, but not quite the desired effect. Still, thoroughly enjoyable while it lasted. Glad we got that F15, good choice it seems :D

So the few of us are stayin over, too late and more of a might-as-well thing. Been a great friday imo, still no studying stimulus. I need a trillion dollar worth encouragement boost to my self disipline..

seems it's back to weekly posts huh. at least it means I'm busying my life? pfft excuses, here's to Chen's 18th, and so many more to come this year..should so try drinking games with that few classmates.

we laugh, we sing, we get things

2009-01-28T13:58:00.004+08:00

We celebrated Shermaine's 18th on Friday, a day early, and the plan went so well, it was awesome :D we didn't do a thing the whole school day, till after tennis. Met up and arranged with her mom to keep her at home, and then popped in quietly.

Her reaction was really priceless, why didn't I capture it on camera, augh! She was so shocked, she cried., and Cheryl hugged her, heh she cried last year too, when we surprised her at Mos Burger. Of course we didn't know her as well then, so this year wayyy beats that celebration.

Quotable funnies :)

Hx: Wrappers are meant to be destroyed, especially when it's made by Joel. Cuz he'll just make another one.

Hx: okok! open the next one.
Sherm: (heheh) why you seem more excited than me.
Brandon: Guess what's inside!
Sherm: Omigosh I saw topshop.. It's not something you got for Joel on his birthday is it?
...
Hx: (*cough) itis!

I don't know how silly that dialogue sounds, but I swear it's hilarious, I can watch that video several times over and still laugh :P

Spent the weekend helping out a friend from the Japan field trip, Olivia, at her parent's stall sellin stuff. Kinda tiring, but really eye opening and interesting. The last time I stepped into a wet market was somewhere in primary school I think. Got a $100 ang bao packet from that, and a bad backache. Met her friend from NY, Xin Yi, who knew Eileen. Small world, huh? Sherm says that too often :\

Then the new year spanning two days was spent sick. A fever and some other stuff, that kept me in bed and the toilet, for quite some time ._. Took in a total loot of $255, with some relatives unrecieved yet, and others, not at all. And then of course, some thinner ones. It amazes me how some people get billion times of mine >< Repercussions of living in a 4 kid family.

So I skipped school today, still having residual bits of the fever and such. I think it was food contamination somewhere, but whatever it is, back to school on Thursday, whattabore. Sorry for the delayed update!

not ready just yet

2009-01-14T18:51:00.005+08:00

It's been a while, busy with tests that I've way too unprepared for. This morning, heading for my maths and chinese topical tests, I forgot to bring my GC, MF15 list and chinese dictionary. Epic preparation the night before of blog surfing, feels really shameless. Haha! (even more shameful that I'm none too concerned about it :\)

Tormenting studies aside, I busied myself with some card makin and such, for chinese new year, and something for Brandon's birthday. Manhattan Portage! (lets hope there's no silly copyright thingy, it ain't for advertorial, and even so, it's beneficial! heh)

This is the reference from google, and below, voila!

Yes, packaging required too. I spent about four hours over two days making this, but brashly proud when I was all done :D

Chinese new year cards for fun. I'm practically doing these for time killers, please take me out of JC.. ugh

unfinished card, and here's an earlier, completed design..

Ok enough of cny, but thank goodness it's coming early this year, ample holiday-ing to transition me back into dreadful JC life. The holidays have been sheer bliss, only to return to intensive examinations. Actually I like going there for company, its obvious what bores me to death there, though. I mean,

Just WHO is gonna need to figure out what secxtanx will be when differentiated 3 times. Or for that matter, the area of a darn field in i, j and k vectors. Haven't they figured out the use of measuring tape? Wish they would leave this for future maths teachers to uselessly teach the next generation.

I'd rather someone prove me wrong and show me why it's useful to learn this poop.. *grumble mumble*

I've been following this blog lately, it's quite worth a read regardless of your time. For your perusa l :)

impending studies and blisters, ouch

2009-01-07T15:21:00.002+08:00

I had tennis training today, at a last minute notification, and whoa it was bad. I haven't played since a week before my Japan trip, so more than a month ago. Worst still, I got new tennis shoes but I got 1 size too small. Oh man it's sore. I got blisters at my ankle, and even if I can get used to it, there're alot of friendlies coming up.

PJC tomorrow, MJC two weeks from now, and AJC coming up sometime soon. I wouldn't know standards, but for MJC which I've played against, I can just say that its gonna be a quick game..

Sigh

Here's a video I did for the Japan trip, I did two, but this is the shorter one. Gonna have to present our trip to the school sometime after school reopens. Reopens, gosh. What a blissful 2 months, how short it was too.. But thankfully maximized, in my opinion.

round up

2009-01-05T13:11:00.005+08:00

Tried my luck at restarting the train of mugging. Seemed like it needed a lot of cranking as it turned out, studying with Cheryl and Shermaine yesterday. got through halfway of integration before watching Taken in the TV room, at my dad's behest.

Not a bad movie, apart from the ludicrous actions scenes that only Steven Segal should've survived. Went for dinner at Sakae later on, with coffee for supper, the former with my parents and Joseph. At least the attempt to study was a start. But wayyy too late, heh :\

Sorry I won't have time to do the tagging like yi chen's/mark's/jake's and joseph's blog. I doubt I'll have the creativity to make it interesting

Movie favourites

-Forrest Gump, for it's musical score, elements of different genres, and the fact that it's based on a true story
-The Mist

-My Girl, the thai version

Best tracks, though it's so everchanging

-Howie Day - Collide (first heard from Scrubs)
-Say - John Mayer
-Fall Out Boy - What A Catch, Donnie (only got their latest album recently from hx)

Best played games don't really mean much to me, how about most desired places of visit?

-New Zealand
-Mauritius
-Japan, again. For the third time :D

Most craved eats

-Anything apple-y (crepes, pies, flambé etc)
-Anything citrus-y with food

-Simple Aglio Olio that's just right (Tomato Express gets it quite right, imho)

Sweetest fruits

-Rambutan, without a doubt
-Mangosteen

-Calamansi

Desirable drinks

-An ice blend of strawberries, pineapple, and a dash of calamansi.
-Milk tea, I can be simple in that area (:
-Frozen Mojito

What I'd grab in an emergency is pretty obvious, so I wouldn't detail, but perhaps items I'd value the most, necessities aside

-My Canon Digital Ixus 75, of which ain't manufactured anymore

-Swiss Army Knife from Switzerland, engraved and bought by my dad in 1991
-My Wilson Tennis racket, although in often fits of rage, it helps me vent my anger heh heh.

Best pastime

-Scrapbooking, although its more of card making
-Cooking, ties with the first I think

-Tennis/badminton

Best display piece? More of item of most sentimental value..

-Dogtag, from Mark and Ben
-Expired passport, filled with quite a collection of stamps from all over
-And somethings that sentiments just can't be measured by, in objects
Occasions requiring immense endurance/patience

-Homework, and all things study related, pretty much obvious
-Scrapbooking
-Long distance running, that I haven't done in a while though

I guess there're always many other stuff too, but here's it for now.

firsts

2008-12-31T23:06:00.005+08:00

2008 was a year of firsts,

the first time I cooked for friends (a 4 course meal at that)
the first time I drank heavy alcohol (and mmm there's something so fun to it, like the sensation of Absinthe down your throat)
the first time I went to church with a friend
the first time I celebrated NDP with friends
the first time I worked (and earned $170.50 in two days :D)
the first time I fired a live round (from a SAR 21, NPCC and NCC would probably scoff though)
the first time I shot friends (at rounds travelling more than 300 feet per second, worth every cent)
the first time I went stark naked into a hot spring with peers. (awesome. I mean the relaxing of course :P)
the first time I went clubbing.

Of course, there were alot more, some of which having indecent content, but these are some highlights. Not as impressive as others I suppose, but I must say, it's been a great run. Guess you know when you were the ones who shared those moments with me, Every year overdoes the next, and I'm hoping 2009 won't fail to promise. Cheers all, and he's to one darn year too close to adulthood ><

lunch n dinner

2008-12-31T16:11:00.005+08:00

No bacon and no fresh mushrooms, so I decided to experiment today with chicken thigh and button mushrooms!

2 servings,
200g Spaghetti/Linguini
1 can button mushrooms
2 chicken thighs, de-boned and sliced
4 shallots
5 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp butter
1 chilli padi

Olive oil
Italian herbs
Parsley
Basil
Salt
Pepper
Lime

I melted the butter in the pan and lathered the sides with olive oil, throwing in the diced shallots and garlic when it started to sizzle. In went the chilli next, plus the chicken slices. The aroma was present already without any marinate. The sliced button mushrooms went in next, and finally, the spaghetti that was already cooked.

Cheryl experimented and it seems like if you put the spices in later, rather than at the very beginning, there's more flavour. Like it's more even-ed out once the mass of pasta goes in. Interesting, to me at least.

My parents made a booking at Casa Verde in the Botanical Gardens for a new year's eve dinnner tonight, and I'm kinda glad they did. It's been too long since we went for a stroll and took meals easy and slow. Plus, they had in mind ample time to soak in the lush greenery before settling down for dinner, something bonding for a change.

For example, I can't even recall the last time we went to town for the day, looking around, or even window shopping :\ So I think it was a great night, family-ish.

Not really soaking anything in for the new year, never really have.

travelbug

2008-12-30T11:29:00.004+08:00

Travel programmes are getting addictive. Japan Hour, Globe Trekkers and Lonely Planet; Best in Asia. Pity I didn't have cable, or not I'd be catching more. I'm not too sure what the job title actually is, perhaps travel journalist? Whatever it is, to have such a jetsetting job with new experiences everyday certainly appeals to me.

Above, the effectiveness of crime prevention in Japan, a collapsible vending machine lookalike. Pretty inconspicuous in times of frantic, I'd say.. There were rooms full of just vending machines in Japan, it's like a mama shop that never closes :/

Cuisines, climate, culture, the immersive-ness may not be complete without a year long stay, but to see different sights everday could probably become adverse if they were to finally settle in one country. Sudden boredom.. If there's something I wanted to do before I die, it'd be to see the aurora australis in New Zealand. Kills two birds with one stone, since the scenery there is supposed to be unrivalled across the globe.

Feed me!

2008-12-27T15:34:00.002+08:00

Hey, in the midst of changing blogskin, I lost some links. I can't dig them out from the old html cuz it doesn't reveal them, so please don't hesitate to write your URLs and I'll link em again (:

delays

2008-12-26T18:11:00.013+08:00

Haven't been blogging cuz every free time has been spent making cards. Christmas cards, that would only be received after Christmas :\ Hope those who get it won't mind, after all, I've spent a good four days making a total of 10 cards.

It's more personal, so I decided not to take pictures of the cards for the blogshop, or this blog too. I did though, just for a sense of teeny accomplishment, take a picture of the finish. But They're all enveloped up. Just wanted to note that man, it really used a huge lotta effort and patience, and lots of materials. Glad to get em done, but wished I could've gotten them done by christmas..

Only 6 here. I made 4 earlier for the cruch till christmas, and I made a different design for each one so none would be the same.. A bit more personal I guess?

On another note, here of course, is new blogskin. Credits to Joseph for the design, and Yi Chen for the coding. Owe them lotsa gratitude, thanks for it all! Still some work in progress here and there, but I'll do it progressively. A bit plain, but more unique and has identity I guess.

Had a short two day stint at Hong Xiang's mom's workplace earlier this week. It was really rewarding. First job experience, and the staff there were very friendly. Most of them were Japanese, it was Nihon Keizai Shimbun Singapore, part of the Nikkei business news corporation. Kinda interesting, and constantly reminded me of the Japan trip.. His mom gave me a lift to the barbeque with the Japan trip people after work on the first day too. Really nice (:

It was pretty okay, cooked and chatted and such, and Chicky brought Jim Beam. Before we put out the fire though, there was remaining Jim Beam. So I had a silly idea of throwing it into the fire. It was really brilliant :D We threw in butter oil too, disgustingly melted. A bunch of other stuff went in, extremely fun, reminding me about what Niki used to like to do to leftover food, haha!

In the end we set it out and chatted for a while, before heading home. Next day had work again so couldn't be up too late. Plus, Brandon, Shermaine, Cheryl, Hong Xiang and I met up after work for a christmas dinner thingy plus exchanging. I never exchanged gifts with friends before, cards at the most, so this was kinda new. Plus I wasn't prepared with gifts, only knowing at the last minute ><

Lately I feel kinda detached, haven't talked as normal to someone for a long time, and it seems like it's been hard trying to, too. It hogs my mind every night I go to sleep, and I haven't got a clue if any thought's mutual..

Not one bit of homework done so far.

Nihon!

2008-12-13T11:06:00.066+08:00

(whoa this took long) Where do I start, there's been so much that happened, it seemed like it ended all too quickly. Perhaps before departure, the few briefings we had. On hindsight, I think it was kind of naive for me to think that without knowing a large proportion of the people, I wouldn't have fun on the trip.

Initially all I knew were Matthias and Reza, the latter being from my primary school, and these were 2 out of the 26 participants. By the end of the trip, I pretty much knew everyone else, and shared lotsa stuff here n there. A really rewarding trip, and a great photo opportunity too. Here goes..

So the first day, or rather, the night before at 10pm, we reported to terminal 3. Matthias was the only one there from our presentation team, having to rehearse before the flight. In the end the rest were so late, we didn't rehearse, but that's okay considering we could do some interaction already.

We checked in shortly after, and I nearly lost my camera, having left it alone at the counter. Luckily the staff handed it to the teacher :\ We had a mini briefing before heading into the duty free area. They don't sell the miniature Absolut Vodka bottles anymore! Augh.

Meridian's band left on the same day as us, coincidentally, and were due to return one day before us. Skipping to the flight, it was an old carrier that forced you to watch the movie as it ran, no stopping, no pausing, no restarting.. I can't remember what I watched, but I caught Nadal on some tennis game.. We arrived in the morning sometime at 8am later.

Soon after, we boarded number 88, a bus from the Rising Sun transport company. I found the immersion very apt and apparant already :\ En route to the hotel, we stopped by the Atsuta Shrine, with the Nagoya castle within the grounds. Dunno if I got that right, my memory ain't all that good.

So this is where visitors wash their hands upon entering, first the left, then the right hand, and if game, a gargle. problem is, it's said that PRCs gargle and spit the water back into the well, rather than into the drain by the side..

Matthias on the right, we were both roomates, but there was only a double room for the last hotel. Other than that, it was 5 to a room for most of the nights, and a single for another. There was epic symphonic snoring for the 5 sharing room, reminiscent of camps.

The typical well wishes and aspirations, tied so neatly. The country seems so prim, it's unusual adjusting back to Singapore..

Bamboo on macro, I used this as a cover to the video presentation to be presented when school reopens.

There're more scenic pictures than people pictures, partly cuz most of you won't know who those people in the pictures are anyway. Here's one I like, above, the orangey golden leaves, day by day trees bacame more barren.

The weather wasn't as cold as I expected it to be, it was probably 14 deg C? Not too sure, but long johns and jeans, with a shirt and a cardigan seemed ample. Until we reached Takayama though, that place was a bit bleak, and much colder. Rustic though, and alot of charm, that place..

I didn't really know anyone yet on that day, but I figured I would sooner or later, and snapped group pictures cuz or not, the first few days would be pretty hard breaking any ice :\

Evening on the first night. We didn't accomplish much on the first day, even though we touched down at 8am. All with the travelling, but going to the hot spring on the first night was really interesting.

Of course, we were all a bit uncomfortable with the idea, even those who were game had their reservations as the time drew closer. Eventually, with the serenity of the surroundings and the Onsen, it was kinda relaxing and nekkid-ness didn't matter much.

There was an icy cold pool too, near the heated one, and it was absolutely freezing. Dipping into the ice pool and the hot pool was amazingly tingling, addictive. It really shoots your senses awake, and according to the teacher, improves blood circulation alot. We hit the sack that night in futons, quite immersed already.

The next morning, we went around sight seeing again before heading to the high school. Forgot where this was though ):

I love this picture, the sunlight streaming through woods. Told Phyu Phyu this was one of the shots I always wanna take, so was kinda delighted when I saw this opportunity.

Reza here, from TKPS. I like the candid-ness of this shot. It was nice catching up since our primary school years. A really entertaining guy with a humbler personality than I thought. Affable (:

Trees which had these bark pieces or wooden sticks tied round it's bark meant these trees had singnificance, in terms of age, among other stuff.

These fish looked so aluminium, it deterred me from trying a sample. Reza tried it though, it's the sort full of bones, meant to be edible..

Animals in their society are so repected, even strays are fed so well. I don't see how, since trash is so hard to find. Who feeds them then? This domestic cat was so pleasantly plump, it walked with a sluggish pace before fixing itself on a stool resolutely, probably waiting for it's next meal.

Not exactly the iconic London post box, but Japan's is similar. I bought a porcelin mini replica of it.

I know, it's inappropriate being in Japan, but I wouldn't know how to write in it Japanese anyway. I often opened the window of the coach, cold winds against my face as I looked out. It was really refreshing, considering I didnt' like to sleep on buses.. I tend to drool when I don't sleep in proper positions.

Dinner that night had udon with cold dipping sauce, one of my favourites. It's kist noodles and sauce, plain, I don't know why I like it that much heh.

The next morning we headed to Takayama, a village that's more laid back, and much much colder, around 1 deg C. Much to my stupidity, I forgot to pack my gloves. My hands were numb as we toured the old folk village, hence I didn't make full use of the admission, hurrying out of it and into the warm confines of the souvenir shop><

5 Sharing again that night, with a spacious room. Hardly a sight in land-starved Japan. The accomodation that night was comfortable, but I fell sick, probably because of the ice pool-hot pool mixing so many times. As a result, I missed the snowball fight. Can't believe I forgot to pack my gloves too, even if I weren't sick, my hand would've frozen in the snowing weather. Such a shame to miss it..

The freezing cold bridge that led to the breakfast area. Certainly a way to perk up your morning.

Takayama morning market. The milk there was rich and creamy, and above all, warm. Fruits like Fuji apples paled in comparison to the local ones here, roughly 13+ cm in diameter, and a price to boot too.

Rest stop with lunch, and a cute baby chair. We were given pocket money of 1000Y for lunch to order what we wanted from meal ordering vending machines. It was more than enough, allowing us to keep the remainder (:

The Sea of Japan if I'm not mistaken. The sea breeze was icy freezing, and I saw Starbucks there too, with Mt. Fuji vaguely in the backdrop. There, the Starbucks coffee actually costs less than normal meals, around $8-9. Makes you think how expensive the food there is, and how hard it can be to put meals on the table.

Macdonalds meals cost roughly around $9-10 if you're curious.

Dinner that night at a restaurant within a shopping mall. From left, Wilson (who know's Cheng Chong :0) Hou Yi, and Dzul. Sat next to Wilson on the flight there, an avid anime/manga dude, I figured.

Reza, and behind, Larrison. The latter being from basketball, whom I mistook to be a bit beng-ish ><>

We stopped by MacDonalds downstairs, and I was kinda impressed with their efficient trash sorting. All customers do it obligingly, zoom in the picture for a look at what goes where. Cuz of that, MacDonalds in Japan needs no cleaners, or at least I didn't see any at the outlets. Tidy country man..

Makes you wonder the labour behind sorting the trash, when in Singapore, we don't separate combustibles from non combustibles..

Clockwise from left, Ms Sukhvinder who's got really spiffing english, Mr Adrian Tan the frequent traveller, Ms Angela Quek the spunky teacher in charge,Hou Yi, Wilson, Dzul, Davin who's Hong Xiang's sec school mate, bubbly Matthias, Larrison who's funnily sarcastic, and Sean, head of the presentation team of ours.

Carrying on, Reza, myself, fiesty but chummy Olivia, cheery Jessica, Li Ying who can be a bit cold (heh), Meng Guan the combini store proprietor, and Chicky aka Jia He, the feet shuffler. This was taken at the garden of the Hamamatsu Castle, where I collected some rocks like I always do every country I go to..

Self explanatory, self service yourself to a lol :D

Everyone's in the picture, but due to the moving escalator, I didn't have time to adjust the lighting before people got off it. Lotsa people here so I won't bother tagging..

Sean here representing TPJC in the arts fest, the exchange of their gift to us. A last minute scrawl of well wishes, but hey at least the pikachu on it was cute..

There're a few more untagged here, the jet setting Veronika with remarkable critical thinking and english. She's on the right of the girl boosted tallest in the picture, Sheryl, both from Hai Sing I think, the latter being a really funneh gal. On her left, Wei Ting, didn't get to talk to her much though :\ so don't know much about her..

Below Wei Ting, the sarcastic but laid back Amanda, Hai Sing-ian too if I remember correctly. Amanda's 2o' clock is Paulina, an eeriely smart girl who topped the physics online questionaire, and is still topping, accomplishing J2 topics. Really friendly, but didn't think she was capable of such physics powah.

Amanda's 8o' clock is Grace, who knows Hong Xiang as a classmate too. Feel like I haven't talked to hx in a loooong time.. Aiyah they're all bubbly, it's easy to get used to. I like her dressing style, simple but looks a bit classy. Finally, on Grace's left, Xin Hui, didn't talk to her much though.. ):

The LED blue laced around the trees at the malls, found it pretty heh.

Animae-to apparently, as it's pronounced. Huge otaku haunt, with nude anime figurine models sold at coin turning machines. The open-ness is surprising, but nothing interested me there so I headed next door to the scrap booking store, much to the comment of some girls already there.. :S I couldn't find Ramune at any supermarket in Japan!! Bugger.

Huge LED shristmas tree that lighted along to christmas songs with alternating patterns. Stunning, and nearby there was a public telescope that allowed you to look at the moon. Only the cloud cover was thick, and we didn't wait our turn for the skies to clear..

We went for a cuppa and a snack at Starbucks and Macs, later on, it was fun to Japan-people-watch, and hear the teachers talk about them.. Like 'look at that girl's heels, so silly, so high just to look good, see, she can't even run in those to pass the traffic light!' Lol coming from another adult that's not your own, chiding, it's pretty funny..

Sun streaming through the clouds the next day. The next hotel had no lift, so the guys lifted bags for 4 storeys, good workout considering there was just eating and sleeping heh.

Tommy Lee Jones, I wonder if he knows how famous he is, his face is on millions of vending machines across Japan, even at the rural countrysides. Its as if it's a manufacturing requirement!

At the harbour to the ferry to Hakone. I've been there before with my family, so this time it was interesting to see what's changed. Pretty much nothing actually, although it's been only 3 years..

On the ferry. A cheeky Japanese tourist had her hand at Mr. Rumbucket's crotch, gleefully smiling at the camera before Olivia and Davin posed.

A stout figure perched at the mast, was a nice angle with the light to cast it darker.

Land ho!

Museum of Western Art, we passed it by the last time I came here, not knowing what it had inside. At least when I returned, I covered the other areas I missed, kinda completes the trip.

I can't remember any art piece names so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

We got into this building that had a huge netted network of suspended rope. It was like a huge kids playground, really awesome. Climbing here and there, finally got to the top and I was estatic, it was so friggin FUN! Jumping here and there, falling and rolling. If I were years younger, It'd be heaven with some friends.

The colour was really nice too, so got some pictures taken there. The best part was, this was all an art piece. We spent nearly 45mins bouncing around, then we had to rush off quickly later back to the bus.

Here's it when I was there, and below is when I was there 3 years ago, with muh family excluding Gabriel. Not much contrast, and I should've taken my photo there!

The sulfurous heat and stench billowing away, soon we were gonna be close up with it.

Here's us in 2005, I'm on the right most, with the road sloping down, so no I wasn't that short heh.

Rushed down for the self timer, here's a colourful shot (:

The fields of orange as we headed next, to the Little Prince Museum. I never finished that book, being the fickle person that I am. Somehow I'd just link that book to Luna Lovegood sorta thing

The above two on infinity then macro, and a spout of bubbles emitting from a fountain at the entrance. Dreamy, and the lack of other visitors meant that the place was kinda free to roam for us. It no longer seemed like Japan, the streets turned french, a rustic beauty that was replicated well.

And the lil' prince himself, 3 ft tall I think. His author-pilot had loads of imagination, and his life story was told in a prop room by room display, where no photography was allowed.

Heh now on the way back.

That night, I didn't bother going into the onsen. The guide was pretty succint about the PRC tourists behaviour, and at this particular hotel, it was swarming with them. they smaoked with thier food, cut queues at buffets, spat everywhere, and finally, knocked my scalding bowl of soup that stinged muh finger.

I didn't need to think what they'd do in the hot springs, so I didn't go. Of the fearless who went, there was much to witness. They spat into the hot spring water, shouted across to each other, smoked whilst in it, and who knows what else they added :X

The next morning, we left the hotel with clear skies, and the view of Mt. Fuji was really spectacular. For some reason it didn't immediately strike me as something magnificent, but as I exited the hotel and climber down the hill to take nicer shots, it was breathtaking. Out in the cold, it spanned panoramically before you, really takes a moment to take it all in.

The bus left shortly after, and as we drove by this extended avenue, the guide requested for a stop, to allow us some time to snap away. A really great opportunity.

We were rushing off already, and everyone was getting pretty much the same shots, so I tried looking for a different angle, and captured this bare tree and the gate with it. Doesn't spoil, but rather accentuates the emphasis on the volcano I think..

On the road off to the next stop, and the song Life Is A Highway got stuck in my head.

Asakusa Kannon temple, back for the second time too! I can't believe we ran into Meridian here, plus Joseph's classmates too! Some malay dude tapped me on the back and exclaimed, Joel?! Kinda surprising, but then again they left on the same day as us. Still, to be there on the same day.. They left a day earlier than us, which was the day after already.

We bought our BB guns from here, I remember, but didn't find any this time around. Some stores had a tinge of familiarity, kinda nostalgic, and reminded me of my parents whom I didn't see for over a week already.. We went into the temple that time though, unlike this time where we just strolled the shopping promenade.

Here's us heading for dinner, most of the guys. From left, Meng Guan, Wilson, Chicky, can't tell the further three, Reza, Larrison, Hou Yi and Dzul.

Matthias in our double room. He was no trouble at all as a roomie, didn't snore nor stink, heh. Nice guy, glad to know him and his famous laughter since DMSS. Yet another cramped room.

The nightlife of Shinjuku, the red light district. The alleys led to maid cafes and sleazy shops, as we snaked our way through the touts and teens, ang mohs amongst the crowd. We ended up at a ritzy looking shabu shabu restaurant. The food was plain and simple, but the atmosphere was nice.

Got stuck with the few I didn't really mix well with though, so found myself a bit out of place. Still, pleasant dinner, and the walk back to the hotel was nice, talked quite a bit on the way and got to know others much better.

The next morning, we headed for the museum of modern science and innovation, and took some skyline-ish shots while on this suspension bridge. Some famous bridge apparently, but the river canal that passed beneath stood witness to the Japanese surrender ceremony back in 1945-ish.

A live feed of satellite imaging flashed on this huge spherical display, and it oscillated as it feeded, the Earth shifting as you stood there watching. Pretty amazing, the technology on showcase there..

Wierd brand name above, and wierd offer below.

The two respectable teachers in charge, neither of whom I knew prior to this trip ><

Deparature the next day was early, wake up call at an ungodly 5.30am. The two on the left in the front row are Jiamin and the tour guide, the former from the arts stream with a DSLR to boot. The tour guide is Singaporean, and comes to Singapore annually for the NATAS Fair. I'm interested in catching it the next time around.

Narita Airport, this time without the 100Y /half hour internet usage computers around. So squeezed off last minute shots before the flight, which was moved froward by a half hour.

Those four said this picture was kinda ugly, dunno why, but I like the tee print so gonna just put it up. Very common print but I guess it's their spur of the moment purchase, cuz silkscreen could probebly do it for under $5.

And now, final departure. There many more photos I got from the rest, but I'll just post mine only, this post took wayy to long, but no longer than the Australia trip :\ Overall, it was a fantastic experience for a really cheap cost of $1240. All meals and tickets included, and a pocket money of 15000Y which converted to about $234 from my parents, it was one cheap holiday that surpassed my expectations by miles.

The few of us have already met up after the trip, hoping for another get together on the 24th soon for a barbeque. I think it's really efficient to get to know new people when you live with them and share entire days together. Like a personality crash course. Really glad I got a chance to go overseas with friends for the first time too, and maxed the overseas funding every student gets a chance at.

Off for lunch now with Joseph, gonna work with Hong Xiang on monday and tuesday at $11/hour at some office job, man he came through and I'm really thankful for his offer. Year's coming to an end, resolutions soon? :P

neu P:

2008-12-02T16:21:00.004+08:00

I'm like 90% done on my packing, but the nagging feeling of forgetting something is even worse this time, seeing as I'm not going with family.

Before I yak about Japan though, I don't know where to begin with yesterday. I headed over to parkway to get new swimming goggles for myself. I stopped by Cheryl's place to drop off something, and since she was in the middle of watching a movie online, decided to watch too. My Sassy Girl is personally, much better in it's Korean version, has a more meaningful touch, and I wouldn't mind rewatching the Korean one. Apparently apart from the American remake, there's a Japanese one.

Anyway to cut the brief short-er, Shermaine persuaded Cheryl to go for the post prom party later that night. I initially wasn't keen on going due to the proximity of the trip, but Cheryl and I decided to go along anyways. It was so last minute, we rushed home and got changed, meeting at Kembangan. Singapore can have a lot of lecherous men, it's kind of repulsive. Never mind if you don't know what I'm referring to.

I had no idea what to expect, it being my first time to Zouk. Or any club for that matter! No idea what to wear either, and where to go, so we tagged along with Shermaine and 5 of her friends, Cheryl and I. Brandon met us and joined us later.

When we finally got in, the atmosphere was really eye opening, I always imagined clubs to be like this, but being there was completely different. I guess people like my brother Isaac will shrug me off as the totally clueless sort, but at least I tried something new. I actually had half a mind to go home while we were waiting outside :S But anyway after a drink and some mingling, we got down and gave it a shot.

I thought it was kinda silly if you went and didn't even try, I bet Mark woulda said 'You might as well make the best of it.' Dunno why but I think he's said sucha thing before. So yeah we got down to the dance floor and tried some stuff (:S) and it was kinda fun. No where near the experienced, but surely the intoxicating atmosphere with the reverberations makes something wanna twitch. If only there was alcohol. And lots of it.

We were at Kembangan at 8, but we left about 2 or 3-ish.. I'll be asking Shermaine for the pictures sometime. Certainly something I won't easily forget, and hope I won't be to tired later for the flight, after tennis this morning too. With the scorching Sun, my tan has gotten really dark, thank goodness I'll be all covered up (and freezing) in Japan..

random shots

2008-11-23T15:08:00.004+08:00

Sunlight pours through the curtains in the morning, I took this while having breakfast. Kinda serene huh? I like the curtain combinations with each room, kinda gives a different feel to each. Speaking of which, the room I visit the least in my house is the TV room :X

At the poolside, the light was this natural colour, not edited. Made me wanna swim, but I was too lazy, heh. I really really need to get a job, I'm broke, and got a phone bill I don't have the cash to pay for :X

bruddah!

2008-11-21T08:42:00.003+08:00

Joseph's back from his trip. Initially I didn't think much of his absence, but after a while, it became apparent. I'm not hot for my two older brothers. So without someone to talk to easily or even a minor debate, it got a bit stale. Had to go out or not I'd be bored, and thankfully had his Half Life 2 gift game to keep me company.

I finished that game after about 7-8 hours of gameplay from 2pm, and it's the longest I've played on a single player game for a while. I must say, the plot is thick and sometimes repetitive, but on the whole, it's an amazing single player.

So Joseph came back while I was still fast asleep, he remembered I collect stuff from everywhere I go, except he got sand, while I usually get rocks. No problem anyway, It's the Middle East, and sand's more unique :) Thanks.

I went out on Wednesdayw ith Cheryl, got a nice rug she picked, for my bedroom. And oh, two small cocktail glasses and a cocktail mixer! There were martini glasses too, that looked quite nice, but were kinda big, and expensive.. Had lunch at Ikea and dinner at Pho Viet, the latter was kinda nice. Haven't eaten there in a while, and the economy has its obvious effects on the servicce industry, quantities were cut down visibly, since the last time I went.

Here's the cocktail glass, I like it, kinda stylish :P That drink in the background's like zesty zapple, nice but very mild..

After the housewarming that night, I took some leftover candles and just bathed in a candle lit bathroom. Don't get any funny ideas, and anyway I've been wanting to do that for some time now, it's really tranquil. The raindance shower coming down slowly in pitter patters, and the glow of the flame dancing against the wooden saucer of pebbles. Mmm, scented candles too, lol.

Think I'll be going to Bras Basah with Joseph today, taking a look for new specs, and he wants the new NFS..

Singlish, redefined.

2008-11-18T19:50:00.003+08:00

I can understand it when there's singlish and teen slang, but it especially bothers me with terms like ton, pon or other dialect stuff.. Still, nothing you can do about it, plus you'd only anger people if you try to change 'em.

What really stupifies me is the, uh, stupidity, when it comes to these people spelling. I can't believe I've actually come across circumstances, but thankfully, they're only two.

Can we go steady? ---> Want to state?
I rebonded my hair---> I rebornded my hair.

Boy, really raises an eyebrow. Sometime in the near future, you may get a message of a class shaley stay-over at east coast park.