Hey Peepz!!!

Its been a while! Here's a not so brief update with lots of pictures! A lots been happening! So just let you catch up with my humble life!

Will be in chronological order!

Went to Magma Restaurant to celebrate the end of exams! More like, thank god i kept within second upper, though this semester went way off. Magma is an authentic German restaurant near Majestic Hotel at Chinatown. German food, german menu and lots of german speaking people! Here are the food! apologies I can't remember their German names!


German pretzel! not your Auntie Annes. But one gigantic, piping hot, super chewy pretzel! It was our appetizer.

Pizza! Not your pizza hut or canadian pizza, but authentic european pizza. Heard it originated from Italy, where the crust is thin and crispy and goes through an open-fire oven! This one has sour cream, leek and mushroom. Delicious!

Pork Knuckles! It was HUGE! and super crispy! of course, not to mention a tad fattening! it went *crunch crunch* and *squish* and *mmm!*

And lastly, we had baked fish! wish mustard and potato salad. This and the pork knuckles had some sour vegetable. Wont say it was my favourite vege, but it certainly had a very unique taste.

In sum, I do recommend this restaurant! Best if one among your group is some German-phile who can rattle off the names and even converse with the owners!

Met up with Darren to study. He was going to have some financial exam, and I was going to have my japanese. We were supposed to go to the National Library at Bugis to study. But the guards at the reference section refused to let us go in with anything except a piece of paper and pencils. and the study room was like wtf crowded. Its way smaller than our NUS library or even the study room at YIH. Its like a tiny fraction of our study spaces. and not to mention hogged by pesky students like ourselves. Haha! then it started raining. heavily. irritated we ran to the nearest Macdonalds to study, and where I promptly fell asleep. haha!

Then we went over to Suntec to meet Jon and Dr. Darren. We walked through the esplanade. and then there was some art exhibition going on. So I thought we should take a picture. When i retrieved the photo, on second look, the art exhibition suddenly turned into something obscene... -_-'''. I must admit, I'm pretty embarrassed. But I thought, if its funny to everyone else, why not put it up? of course, apologies for dragging Darren in this! haha!!! We should all just learn to laugh at ourselves!

At Marina Square, I introduced Azabu Sabo ice cream to Darren! I remember Aeron introduced it to me. It was durian and green tea! It was delicious! and memorable. So I thought I'd share my experience with Darren. Because Darren prefers not to take durian (and bird's nest?!), we had sea salt caramel and green tea! It was delicious! I'm still waiting for someone to introduce 60 cents Italian Gelato ice cream to me! hee hee.

After that, I ran over to Peninsular Plaza basement to meet the class at a Myanmar restaurant.


I only had this dessert. Its some cake made of a unique flour and seeds. I have no idea what its called. All I know, it that its sweet and warm! Sorry that I missed you Liza. Catch you again soon okay? and JW had to study for her CFA. Good luck you!!!

Advertising Dragon Lady, Ms Michelle

Advocacy and Solicitor Ms Valerie

The ladies

Lawyer PQ and Mitsui Ben

The Gentlemen.

We headed off to Orchard Road for some late night shopping!!!! Actually it turn out, as expected to be a "let's watch ben shop" night. haha!!! As Ben was scuttling around like an enthusiastic rabbit looking for pants and shoes for his new job, which he painstakingly got after SEVEN rounds. Way to go Ben! ganbattene!

I just have to put up these pictures of PQ. He's just soo adorable with his pouty lips, dun you think? haha!!! He got his letter of acceptance (?) at his new firm. He looks forward with some trepedition.

Good luck at your new job PQ! Hope you are not STILL in your office!

As for me, Im also getting all ready for my new holiday job! I'm interning at the Civil Service College at Buona Vista. That's me on my first day of work! All pumped up! All ready! And I fell asleep at my desk by 2... -_-'''

And I was reminded why I wanted to stay on campus, really. Its to get away from rush hour traffic like this. I absolutely HATE rush hour. No standing space, people refuse to move to the center, people pretending to be sleeping when an old lady is standing right in front, people rushing in before being able to get off. In short, inconsiderate and super STUPID people. Well, private transportation isn't any better. Traffic jams, inconsiderate behavior and environmental pollution. Then again, you have to go Bangkok to know what's REAL traffic jams.

Still, its been a super first week!!! The department I'm working in, deals with teaching and exporting Singapore's (good and superb) model of governance to foreign delegates. And part of their programme involves visiting all sorts of instutions to learn about our welfare, social and economic policies!



On the second day of work, I went to the National Community Leadership Institute. I've often run past there along Kent Ridge Park. Always wondered what was inside. And I found out. Its a learning institution that trains community grassroots leaders, in your CCs, RCs and such.

Inside, there was this Grassroots Heritage Centre, that depicted the history of our well, Grassroots.

This was what the first Community Centre looked like in the 60s. So that's where Dad used to hang out... haha!

This was the uniform worn by the kindergarten kids. Did we use to wear this when we were 5? I can't remember...


This picture, instead of bringing memories of training... All i could think was, "Those are hideous pants..." -_-'''

My Grandma used to have this sewing machine! I remember I used to play with it very often. Of course, I did not make any clothes. But it always reminded me of Disney's Sleeping Beauty where she got pricked by a spindle and promptly fell asleep.
The next day, I went to the Society for the Physically Disabled. It's my first time there. Its somewhere in the Tiong Bahru area. I thought seeing a disabled man on the street was heartfelt enough for me, but to see congregations of them, was almost tearing my heart apart. But it was great to see this NGO doing its been to rehabilitate, train, teach and attempt to reintegrate them into society.

Upload ImageJust wanna highlight this room where an occupational psychologist works to design special, unique keyboards for the disabled to use IT. This is just a third of what they have. Its really amazing the effort they put in.

On my fourth day, I visited the recently opened Land Transport Authority Museum. A state-of-the art museum delineating Singapore's transportation system, past, present and future. Its like the Singapore Discovery Centre. Only snazzier.

This model shows how the MRT tunnels were built in the shape of cylinder. UK's train tunnels are square. According to the guide, a cylindrical shape allows for a more uniform distribution of pressure from above. Interesting huh?

This museum has this auditorium with cosy seats and buttons. Its for a simulation where you get to "decide" how Singapore's transportation system should be in the future by giving you multiple two-choice questions. Unfortunately (and I say this with a tongue in cheek), that the answers were already predetermined (Singapore-styled). Whatever choice the masses made, there was always a "right" answer. I was chuckling with resignation at the end of the simulation, asking "what choice?"


Then there was this room with four huge touch screen monitors, where you can touch and move to ANY where on this earth and they would zoom in with all sorts of details about the towns and roads! The delegates from Barbados were showing their fellow classmates from other parts of the world where they each came from.

I took a picture of my own home. hee hee.

Met Sunny to get some stuff from him. Haven't met him for a long time. He put on braces! He's straight teeth really makes him look better! People used to say we look alike. In time, we will look MORE alike! Small eyes, straight teeth and sunny dispositions!

The following are random pictures of food! haha!!

Now I know why one of my superiors say, those who enter CSC will gain FIVE kilograms within their first month... On the first day of work, my supervisor asked me to go along with him to entertain Chinese delegates from Dalian. and you know where we had lunch? at a Chinese restaurant at the NTU alumni house where we had a TEN course lunch! Not being used to riches, I was super amazed, and super full! And I got to talk to an official dealing with tourism. Reminds me of someone I miss. :(

And the people just LOVE to share food! This is a Ba Zhang by Ying Sheok's mom.

And Amelia bought EXTRA Chee Cheong Fan! JUST IN CASE someone wanted.

And Amelia was going around the office sharing chocolate-coated raisin from New Zealand! TWICE! and really, who can reject chocolate?!

and do you know what the people there eat for snacks after a big meeting? Tuna sandwich from where? just look at the wrapper. I never even dreamed to stepping in that cafe!

Okay, the following are like random pictures of food.

I finally had some Macdonald's breakfast. I chose McGriddles. Instead of bread buns, its the hotcake buns! its sweet and delicious! I recommend!

Chocolate donuts and Brownies from Taka basement. Like i said, who can resist chocolate?

Do you know the Awfully Chocolate shop at Vivo ONLY sells ONE type of chocolate ice cream, and THREE types of chocolate cakes? Rich, creamy, and sore-throat inducing.

Mommy's desserts!!! The following are green bean soup and sweet potato soup! Mother's love! wah! delicious!



Today, I participated in the Saab City Duathlon! its a 10km run, 40km bike, 5km run. And I did not train at all for it... i was courting death.

Daddy, wonderful Daddy was more than enthusiastic to fetch me to the race site! and he manged to squeeze Speed (my bike) with one wheel out into the back seat of the car! waaa~

the run was grueling! and biking was worse. Small lanes, hundreds of cyclists. I opted to just stick to the left and was content with letting everyone else overtake me. Saw quite a number of "casualties" of all sorts... So i was convinced of just keeping safe.

At the end of the ride, it felt that the 40km was way too short. According to my meter, it stated only 24km. And everyone around me too. We were all puzzled. The route was definitely not 40km. After that, Weikeong (Ms Wen's cousin) told me apparently ALL of the competitors missed a crucial junction to turn left and that took out half of our route. Someone's head from the organizing team is certainly going to roll.

In any case, Weikeong was saying (in jest perhaps) that by the 20km, his legs were already cramping. So it was good that the route was accidentally "cut short." So said the guy who completed the race, coming back as I just started my last 5km leg, going out.


Im just glad I made it out alive. 24km was already pretty bad for my legs. Im wondering what if i really did 40km?!!! I think I ought to cycle more and harder!


Daddy was really supportive! popping out of nowhere and giving me support! giving me that extra boost to run a little faster! haha!!! And thank god he stayed around to fetch me back. If there was no one there, I would definitely not be able to come back home alive!


So ends another race! i may have lost lots of muscle mass and definition from my heydays in DB, but im definitely just as, if not more sporty, adventurous and mentally stronger!

And FINALLY, Happy Duan Wu Jie!!! NUSDB is at Macau now racing! Hope they come back with something worth their while!

Am at work, when I overheard these jokes over my cubicle. Each was asked to a fellow collegued. Followed by moans and hysterical laughter from the one who gave the joke.

If I ever gave these jokes, I suppose I would also break up in hysterical laughter... -_-'''

Enjoy!

What is a zebra?

An animal that escape from jail.


What nails can you not hammer?

Finger-nails.


What does Mozart do when he is dead?

De-composing.


When are cats and dogs most scared?

When its raining dogs and cats.

Wu Jia Hui, 伍家辉, 虽然我愿意



请让我靠近你轻轻对你说
别让我每个夜为你受折磨
是多么不容易才默默放手

为了我就当作这次为了我
别让我因为你被回忆折磨
而空气凝结了我们的脸孔

我别无选择

就算我们之间有什么问题
依然想念着你
虽然被放弃
虽然我愿意

就算我们之间有什么难题
黑夜我还想着你
心碎人孤寂
虽然我愿意

再让我靠近你轻轻对你说
当我说我要你从此好好过
是真的否则我怎么肯放手

为了我就当作这次为了我
赐给我你现在幸福的笑容
别让恨冻结了我们的脸孔
请你做选择

就算我们之间有什么问题
依然想念着你
虽然被放弃
虽然我愿意

First sung by Cyndi Lauper, this song has spun covers by various artists. Here are a few very different variations.

Sarah McLachlan and Cyndi Lauper


Tuck and Patti


INOJ


Quietdrive

"Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?"

"Because it's there."

The full version of Hiroshima Mai's "Regret" Wootz!



Mado no soto no keshiki utsuri kawatte
Kisetsu made ga atashi wo oiteku
Dare yori chikaku ni ite fuan no tameni
Doushite ano toki kidzukenakatta
Anata no sugata ga mie nakunaru mae ni
Tatta no tatta hitokoto “Ikanaide” ga ienakatta

The scenery outside the window changes
Even the season is leaving me behind
I was closer to you than anyone because of my insecurity
Why didn’t I realize it at that time?
Your figure slipped out of my sight before me
I didn’t say the only, single thing I wanted to – “Don’t leave me”

“Anata ga shiawase nara sore de ii” nante zettai ni ienai
Nejimagatta konna kokoro ga
Doushiyou mo nai kurai atashi wa kirai

I can never say “If you’re happy, then it’s alright”
A twisted, crooked heart like this
I hate it so much that I don’t know what to do

Tanjoubi ni moratta ‘initial ring’
Omoi dase ba tsurai dake na no ni
Ima sara wakatta no wa omou ijou ni
“Anata wo hitsuyou doushiteta koto?”

The ‘initial ring’ I received on my birthday
It’s only painful if I remember it
What I knew at this late hour is that this is all I’m thinking about:
”Why is it that I needed you?”

Futari de kidzuita chikasa e kowasu youni
Kokoro to urahara ni detekita kotoba ajikenai “Sayonara”

The two of us noticed the break approaching our closeness
Unlike what the heart said, the words were dull - “Goodbye”

Anata ga sugoku koukai suru
Sonna hi ga kuru koto no sonderu ijiwaru te
Minikui kokoro ga
kinou youni wo motto atashi wa kirai

You regret it greatly
The hurting, unkind hand of when such a day comes
This ugly soul, like yesterday, I hate it even more

had a good laugh with the following mental jelly beans taken from "Practical Intelligence" by Karl Albrecht

Here are some from Steven Wright:

"I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, 'Where's the self-help section?' She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose."

"If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?"

"If you shoot a mime, do you have to use a silencer?"

"Is there another word for synonym?"


Here are some from George Carlin:

"Where is there an expiration date on sour cream?"

"Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song?"

"If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?"

"In California there's a hot-line for people in denial. So far, no one has called."

When you know your relationship (with anyone, your dad, mom, bf, gf, etc.) is going to end, do you end it earlier because you know its going to break your heart anyway, or do you love him/her even more intensely?

Of course, when it ends, it ends. till then, cest la vie. :)

"Trips are not about where you go. Its about who you go with."

from Code Geass R2

This is D-gray man's Ending Theme song.

Regret by Hiroshima Mai

Happy Mothers Day!

As planned, my family and I went out for our rare dinners outside! haha!!! but its fun all the same! here some of the highlights!!!!

One of my favourite soups: bitter gourd!

Mommy likes Potato leaves (literal translation from fan1 shu2 ye4)


Hotplate bean curd for my sister's aching jaws. careful, hot!

Here are lots of pictures of my family! lots of cuteness!

our korean cuteness, Kor and Stella.

the resident cute babe, hobbit. or baby hobbit? or hobbit baby? or hobbit babe?

Matriarch cuteness!

cross-cultural and generational cuteness.

30 over years of loving cuteness.

Father and Daughter cuteness

Mother and son cuteness (1)

Mother and son cuteness (2)

Sisterly cuteness! very ha1-re4 hor?

Here are individual shots with our desserts!

Ann with steamed egg.

Kor with gingko beancurd.


Daddy with hong kong red bean something.

Stella with mango pompelo sago.

Feeding scenes!

Daddy feeding mommy!

Stella feeds Kor!

I wonder who will feed Ann and me. haha!!! herm...

I din know mommy and daddy can be very poserish too! Now i know where the kids get our cute cute genes from!


Mommy and Daddy


the kids

The family. wootz! a sweet ending to a memorable mother's day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

we went out for dinner and desserts as planned!!! then I went to meet friends for drinks. It was a great day that ended well.

The world is really so small afterall.

wanted to put up pictures of dinner, but my sister took home the camera. so I shall post up some pictures of my sister instead!

This was the time when we met up for lunch at engine canteen! She has both big and small eyes! she's so versatile. I only have small eyes. Mommy kept talking about cutting double eye lids! and my friend is also going to do some plastic surgery. plastic surgery is the norm is japan and korea. so i wondered. what's stopping me from looking better than my current fabulous self?

right. money.


This this was when my sister got her wisdom teeth extracted! if you look back at my posts with me in the most unglamourous state with blood oozing out of my mouth, she looks comparatively fabulous!


then again that's my sister i guess! always fabulous.

Pictures of dinner coming up soon! I took like a lot!

(and i sound like an incoherent himbo, that's what happens after i grad...)

Hey Peepz!!!

Exams are over!!!! a mix of excitement and trepidation, anticipation and aimlessness, expectation and nostalgia.

Still, the only way to go, is forward.

So much things happening just after the exams...

Moving out! Dad and Ann came by to help.... I can't believe the number of paper I have. The paper chase led to a paper dump! I'm glad no fire happened!!! haha!!! everyone screams my room is a fire hazard.

Visited Ann at the hospital for her wisdom teeth extraction. Supposed to put a picture up. shall do it soon. she said she was very chatty when she came around from the anesthesia. i think the removal of her teeth freed up more space for her words... haha!!!!

then i went for my crowning for my own teeth. that whole thing costs about $320!!! and thats just the first part. still got the second part. :(

made reservations at a thai-chinese restaurant at liang seah street to celebrate mother's day!!! I hope there will be space later at one of the dessert places. that's my main aim actually. all of us eating desserts together! keke.

now just doing lots of studying japanese and spanish. also watching brothers and sisters I borrowed. i keep tearing... i know. very drama. i wonder why i dun tear at my own life's drama. haha!!! also trying to schedule time to meet as many friends as possible before I leave for Japan.

preparing for my Japan trip, a short holiday out of town perhaps, in-camp training, moving home, my internship at civil service college, training for a duathlon and a triathlon, reading the backlog of books i have, and just transiting into a new phase of life.

sigh, i wish i can figure out a way to make more money, cos I think, I need a lot. haha!!!

Been watching Brothers and Sisters ep. 3. Thought these were nice quotes

"We don't love the people we love because they are perfect. We love the people we love because they are."

"You can't be faithful to anything until you know why you should."

"What kind of loving is it, when you don't give anything to do it?" (paraphrased)

Here's a Welsh Comedian Rhod Gilbert. Found him super humourous! Warning: crude language abound, which makes it all the more funnier. enjoy!

Code Geass R2! Great Anime. Nice OP (02) and ED (Shiawase Neiro) by Orange Ragne

Love these songs.

Sakura Kiss



Love Alliance

One exam down. another one to go. yesh.

I enjoy reading blogs sometimes.

I get to see a lot of hostility, ignorance, foolishness, selfishness, idiocy, close-mindedness, mis-placed priorities, arrogance and stupidity, and then laugh and feel better about myself.

Even my own.

Did you know that Sharon Au went to Waseda's SILS programme?

Its the same one that Im going.

You know what that means?

Sharon Au is my de-facto senior!

Maybe I should call her shi1 jie3!

Been watching Code Geass while studying for my exams! The anime is not bad. lots of fighting, strategy, relationship criss crossing, hidden identities, people dying; and people fighting because of the past to create a better future, and oftentimes each person's vision contradicts with one another, to the point of exclusion.

I'd say it makes for a pretty interesting case study of politics in the world today.

My favourite part (and this is such a himbotic dampener to the seriousness of the mood) is the song! Here are two videos, one is an mv of the movie, and the other is the mv of the actual group. enjoy! The song is called "Colours" by Flow





自分を　世界さえも　変えてしまえそうな
Jibun wo sekai saemo kaete shimaesouna
瞬間は　いつもすぐそばに。。。
Shunkan wa itsumo sugu sobani…
The moment that changes me and the world is always right here with me

隠せぬ苛たちと　たち尽くす自分を　みつめ
Kakusenu iratachi to tachi tsukusu jibun wo mitsume
With the irritation I can’t hide, I look at myself who is exhausted.

迷いながら　悩みながら　悔みながら　決めればいいさ
Mayoinagara nayaminagara kuyaminagara kimerebaii sa
All the indecision, anguish, regrets, I chose to use

君がくれた　言葉ひとつ　戸惑いは消え去り
Kimegakureta kotoba hitotsu tomadoi wa kiesari
Just the one word you gave me and the confusion vanishes

からっぽだった　僕の部屋に　光が射した
Karappo datta boku no heya ni hikari ga sashita
and the light shines into my room that was once empty

見上げた大空が　青く澄み切ってゆく
Miageta oozora ga aokusumikitte yuku
The sky I looked up at was blue and perfectly clear,
とざした　窓を　ひらくことを決めた
Tozashita mado wo hiraku koto wo kimeta
I decided to open the window that was locked
自分を　世界さえも　かえてしまえそうな
Jibun wo sekai saemo kaete shimaesouna
瞬間は　いつもすぐそばに…
Shunkan wa itsumo sugu sobani…
The moment that changes me and the world is always right here with me

満たせぬ日常に　あるはずの答えを　探して
Mitasenu nichijou ni aruhazu no kotae wo sagashite
In the unsatisfying everyday life, I’m looking for the answer that should exist

あさひに独り　柔らかな声に　振り向けば
Asahi ni hitori yawarakana koe ni furi mukeba
Alone in the morning sun, I turn towards a gentle voice

眩い日射しの中　ふと君が微笑む
Mabayui hizashi no naka futo kimi ga hohoemu
In the dazzling sunlight, you casually smiled
とざした　窓が　ひらきそうになる
Tozashita mado ga hirakisou ni naru
And opened the window that was closed
自分を　世界さえも　かえてしまえそうな
Jibun wo sekai saemo kaete shimaesouna
存在は　僕の目の前に。。。
Sonzai wa boku no me no mae ni…
The existence that changes me and the world is here right in front of my eyes…

見上げた大空が　青く澄み切ってゆく
Miageta oozora ga aoku sumikitte yuku
The sky I looked up at was blue and perfectly clear,
とざした　窓を　ひらくことを決めた
Tozashita mado wo hiraku koto wo kimeta
I decided to open the window that was locked
自分を　世界さえも　かえてしまえそうな
Jibun wo sekai sae mo kaete shimaesouna
瞬間を　感じるいまここに。。。
Shunkan wo kanjiru ima koko ni….
I feel the moment, that changes me and the world ,right here right now and here…
光へと　両手を伸ばして。。。
Hikari e to ryoute wo nobashite
Stretch both your hands towards the light

心を吹抜ける　空の色　香る風
Kokoro wo fukinukeru sora no iro kaoru kaze
The colour of the sky and fragant wind lets your heart blow open

I need to look for a new lap top.

I can't be going to Japan with a lap that's dying on me and without warranty.

And I should take this opportunity still as a student to use the discounted prices for lap tops in my school.

Wanna leave this lap top in Singapore for anyone who needs to use it.

Im looking at Macbook. Retail price is $3,494.80. Student price is $2,630.06. Thats like about $900 cheaper. Is it any good?

Too bad my school does not sell Macbook Air. That would be so cool.

One thing i hate about political science, is that I know way too much bad things happening in the world than is good for my poor humanitarian heart. :(

One good thing i like about political science, is that now I know there way way too much bad things happening in this world than to be complaining about how badly Im going to be doing for this semester. :)

Then again the reason why Im probably going to do badly for this semester is because of my political science modules. :(

Its a love-hate relationship I tell you. O_o

remember Jerry, the rat who visited my room? I think it was on a mission.

These adverts tell it all. :)

"Why do people go to war?"

"Because they don't use their words."

I bought something with the good intention of advancing health benefits.

I would feel pretty unappreciated if the first question asked was "how much?"

Hey Peepz! Food update!

Just trying out new places and more and different kinds of food!

See and Salivate! hope to find an interesting place to bring my family out for dinner!

First up! Liang Seah Street. Have been there for dinner consecutively on weekends. Why? Because something has been wrong with my lap top. Darren got it fixed last week. but the new fan could not work. so had to meet him again the following weekend to get it fixed again. hiaz. oh. and he works at sim lim. so naturally eat at bugis lor! haha!


Vietnamese food along Liang Seah Street. The service was fast. the food was cold though. I wonder if vietnamese food is usually cold. The place was relatively desserted. So the atmosphere was pretty cold too. haha!!!

but as i usually say, its usually less about the food, and more about the company. Though I think Darren would think otherwise. haha!


had some korean food! interesting dish. its like a big mash of potato, chicken and other ingredients in a spicy and relatively salty stew. but at least this one was hot. and the place was crowded.


Ah Chew's dessert! I like that place. Nice decor. Always crowded. had some water chestnut with herbal jelly. Its pretty good. Wished it was colder though. You can't see much, cos someone took the picture after I was done slurping it down! but nice anyway.

its a great place to chill out. chances of meeting friends there are pretty high. Met Daniel from my unit and his girlfriend there. something about desserts i'm telling you. If i would open a food and beverage shop, its going to be a dessert place! like cafe with cakes and sweet stuff!


Cafe Cartel at Bishan. The food was pretty good. pretty filling. the atmosphere was rowdy. why? cos Bishan is a student's place. A lot of memories from my days studying there. there is always an indefinite number of kids. even the waiters were students! and they were so busy. I had to call them a few times just to get cutlery. At times I got up to find cups for water. Ah well, and they were pretty worn out. cos none of them smiled. customer service is definitely NOT what you'd expect highly of here.

still, I got introduced to Aunty Amy's Chew Chocolate Fudge Cake. its absolutely sinful! I seldom eat cakes, let alone chocolate cakes. and I must say, this is one of the better ones. Also, the memory that comes with eating that cake is priceless. Strongly recommend this cake!


Ikea at Alexander. Not sure if they are moving out or doing some major renovation, but was glad the restaurant was open. Its been a loooong time I've had their famous swedish meatballs! There was also the healthier oven baked fish and chicken wings. the fries are obviously, well, fried.

I used to walk around Ikea, and always jokingly grab my friends, and go "honey, do you think this bed would fit our decor?" hahaha! like playing masat masat (?). playing house. where we go about pretending we have a home of our own, and we were go shopping to decorate it. still, the family atmosphere there is delightful. until the kids start screaming.

Its been a month of chocolates! I've been eating and getting all sorts of chocolates! These are some of the chocolates i've gotten!


Jade-san went to Hokkaido and had soooo much fun there. she said she brought back alot of chocolates, but her colleagues finished them up for her! she managed to save ONE white chocolate biscuit for me. Well, let me be contented, yar? it was very very nice! Hokkaido white chocolate and butter cookie, if im not mistaken. wah... oishii!!! amai!!! daisuki desu you! hayaku nihon e itte, zenbu chokoreeto o tabetai desu!!!!


Echt gave me one chocolate gotten from a friend who came back from Germany. German chocolates!!!! wahhhh. also another level of chocolates altogether. definitely of higher quality than my usual cadbury. which i attribute it to my expanding waistline.

Still, I wanna go to Germany to try out all the chocolates too!


Star also very nice! got me this special addition, raspberry flavoured meltykisses! it really melts in your mouth. japanese chocolates again. wah. i've tried the strawberry and green tea one. this one is the best. maybe cos Star got it for me, during times of dire stress.

Alan also very nice. always baking apple crumbles for his friends. he gave me three slices! I finished them before i even took any pictures. oops! they really were pretty delicious too! Love the almond flakes and cookie base which give the soft insides a crunchy texture. A sensual experience for the mouth.

***

Its the last week of school. Still have THREE submissions all converged on one day. I really have to get back to doing work. I still have my Japanese intermediate 1 test this wednesday. and my last arabic class this friday. once my submissions are done, i would have only TWO exams with lots of time in between! woot! Still, I got to focus first!

Once that's all over! its going to be a busy busy busy holiday before I go to Japan.

Some of the plans include an internship at Civil Service College, ways and means to get back my 6 packs, meet up friends I haven't met for the longest time, and the many engagements I've declined due to work and other commitments, all sorts of administrative preparation for the trip, accelerating my understanding of Japanese, and i wanna take some courses in Mandarin to brush up, and i wanna learn how to cook! so many things.

and finally, most importantly, and i can hear approving sighs of relief all around me, i will be GOING HOME! hahaha!!! will be shifting back slowly, slowly, slowly. bit by bit. Thank you to my friends who volunteered to help me move house! haha!! i will ask for help if i need it.

all right! that's an update for now! hope everyone is doing fine!

visited my grandma yesterday. she's been a little ill. can't help worrying for her. hope she takes her garlic and milk and medicine and get well soon.

As a school recluse, it was nice to have physically, unexpectedly and pleasantly met a few people along the way. Met Jon, Don and Titus at Borders, met Aeron and Sunny around school, saw Janice at the benches, go waylaid by Roman in the canteen, dragged Gareth to dinner with me, always meeting Di in the library, said hi to a busy busy daryl. then getting occasional messages from the other daryl, keith and felix.

and of course Dad would call me most often! hee hee.

and i hear my work calling me now...

here are few shout outs!

Happy Birthday Gareth! Let's going drinking one fine day. and Clubbing too! oh, and get over it.

To Ben and Shah, work hard for your exams!

To my favourite ladies, JW, val, Liz and Mich, make lots of money!!!

To Air, hope your wrist heals soon!

To Clay, Jia you for your exams in 5 weeks!

To Roman, nice meeting you! and study hard!

To Felix-san, ganbaru-yo! teach me how to dive!

To Keith, dun play tennis le! get out of bed and do your mindmaps!

To Alan, can't wait for that massage!

To small bird, take care of your skin!

To Janice, good luck with your group projects!

To Pang Kwang Haw, 'nuff said.

To Star, register for your course already!

To Daddy, Lean Sigma!

To Mommy, 25 forever!

To Kor, should learn Korean?

To Ann, where can i learn diving?

To Ray, relax, breathe, it will be all over.

To Melvin, we are here for you.

To Kai, jia you for your design and good luck with your stupid lao po.

To Sunny, may you find that someone soon!

To XY, this is your pilot speaking.

To Matt, good luck with your broadcasting job!

To Ms Wen, Hugz!!!

To Jul, thanks for the lap top! waiting for Eugene to pop the question!

To Jeff, jia you!

To Echt, had enough sleep? haha!!!

To Me, end it now, take a bath and get to work! *bish*

im still alive. but barely. HT is submitted. really think i screwed it up. but lets not go there anymore. I'd be glad (and lucky) if I got a B. hiaz.

still have a 100% essay to do. so rushing this. its on NGOs in Japan with regards to foreign migrants. there is so much discrimination going on there towards Filipinos, Nikkeijins, Iranians, women and men. why is there so much discrimination in this world? the idealist would wish the world was beautiful. the pragmatist would say its not practical. can there be an idealistic pragmatist and a pragmatic idealist? east is east and west west and never the twain shall meet?

ah, so many things happening at the same time. yet nothing much is happening. ah. beautiful paradoxes.

am planning, and thinking far ahead. somehow, im losing grip of present reality, of deadlines and exams. perhaps only cos i feel better that way.

i know i havent been home for a super duper long time. my friends chide me for that. and i usually laugh it off. I always feel, its not as if I love my family any less. Sometimes, in fact, I do wish i was home (idealistically), only circumstances make me stay and do work in the library (pragmatic choices). still, somehow, I can't wait to move back home. yet, i can bear to live this room i've carved a nice nest out of for myself. ah more paradoxes.

just quick updates with what else have been happening.

laptop fan crashed. on April's Fools. just after HT and before i started my next essay. spent a day trying to keep calm. i tried to get it fixed at IBM centre at science. but they wont accept it, cos the warranty has expired. to send it IBM at Changi would take two weeks. Im telling you. God was definitely playing a practical joke on me. and boy was it not funny.

Luckily, Darren was so kind as to help me get it fixed at less time and less cost! and Jul, darling Jul was so so so so kind (and only since she's not using hers as she has graduated) as to lend me her laptop. that helped me tide the crisis a little. so i have to so thank her!!! thanks jul!!!

i got it back last night. it worked perfectly. then this morning, it broke down again. so had to call up darren again. went out to meet him. he teststed it at the mrt, and it was spoilt. so he brought it to sim lim. and i went back to school to work. so tired by that time. then he messaged to tell me it was working perfectly again at sim lim. O_o. I think there is some electromagnetic field in my room that prevents my lap top from not working. and its working now. herm... maybe it would crash again tomorrow. choy!

Treated best buddy, Kwang Pang Haw dinner last night after work. he got angry with me for broaching on a taboo subject. sorry!!! must give public apology. if not he will beat my fat tummy. =P

went to the dentist. to check up on the crowning. in the end, he found ANOTHER decaying tooth. now its on the right side of the jaw, due to the ex-wisdom teeth's impact. in case you dun know, the molar on the LEFT side of my jaw went through a series of dental visits for root canal extraction for the final crowning. hiaz. and he also had to get rid of the years of accumulated stains from coffee on the inside of my teeth. he was saying it was very "gao" and he sure was not very gentle. :( but he got them all out. and now the inside of my teeth is very white. i was telling my friend, if i opened my mouth in a tunnel, i could light up the passage way.

just a few questions i've been wandering.

what would you do if you knew your relationship was going to end (for an indefinite, unknown period of time), would you still pursue it?

would your parents forgive you for every sin you commit?

why does only Kwang Haw offer to take photos of me?

why do people who refuse to take photos like to put up photos of themselves?

why do people who like to take photos don't?

why is Japanese so discriminatory?

now that the warranty for my lap top is over, and my lap top is failing on me, should i consider getting a working one before going to japan?

do people who find me in japan in the future, only want to get free accommodation?

how can i finish my essay in the quickest time possible?

if i laid on my deathbed, would i have lived a satisfied and satisfactory life?

why am i so not prolific in my political writings? when all i do is whine about my daily life?

why do some like to walk past, while some others pop in?

why do some say i've "lost heart in paddling" when i've decided to retire from the school team?

how am i going to move back home?

should i take up the internship at civil service college?

when can i work at Kinokuniya? or Borders?

where am i going to get the money for a vacation in germany?

how can i make the people around me smile?

This is a big special thank you to Air for buying lunch for me! and more! Wahahahahaha!

now im feeling sleepy...

sorry for making you late for class.

and hope your wrist gets well soon!

荷花

lotus. and Shiying got it right! *clap clap*

Gabriel Seah: "there is no inspiration like desperation"

how. horrifyingly. true.

Chinese Riddles! Stay tune for the answer!

一個小姑娘, 坐在水中央
身穿粉紅襖, 撐船不用槳.

猜一種花卉

Quick update! today's theme is "I am what I eat!"


Escargot and Katsu Set at Ma Maison at Central. Quaint Japanese-French Restaurant. Difficult to find. but great atmosphere! Darkly lit, pretty good service. Real Japanese waitresses, real Japanese customers. Got Japanese feel! and great "Japanese" company too!


Two sinful dark chocolate cakes at Canele at Robertson Quay. Cold air conditioner, Warm conversations. To die for desserts. But it was WAY too much! Just get one to share with your friends! Dessert is something your stomach will always make room for. But dessert is something better under-eaten than over-.


My usual: yu2 pian4 mi3 fen4 at Holland Village. I miss the fish soup at the Hong Kong restaurant...

Apple crumble at Munchie Monkeys! Dessert is always something I enjoy! especially now that I dun have that obligation to watch my diet anymore! whahahaha!

Healthy dinner to offset the apple crumble! I think its a shot well taken by my best friend, who's always got a good eye for the visual.


Agedashi Tofu at Ministry of Food! recommended by Felix-san.

the food was pretty good. decent prices. oh, one thing i was not too satisfied about was the sashimi salad. for 1 pax, you get TWO measly slices at a grand cost of $3.50. oh, and the old man diagonally across me who was try to listen to our conversations. I love the free flow green tea and the desserts though! woot!


Eat until always wanna sleep! im perpetually feeling tired especially with the rainy weather these days!


Wrapping up a little project I started on. Actually i abandoned it. cos... why? no time.


I got to stop horsing around! and do my HT!

Im always joking now that HT (Honours Thesis) is my new lover, who demands my time the moment i wake up to the moment I sleep. HT always fills my mind, makes me worried, gets me scared, and stresses me out. I have to get through this. by next monday, Im ditching HT. and moving on to a new lover who is going to be called "Everything else!"

Luckily, I got a few people more to thank who has been giving me soooo much encouragement. Jeff has been stressing me out with "So how's your thesis?" so im not going to thank him. haha!

I am going to thank felix-san, my di, small bird, my best friend, RL, Clay and especially echt! For the last week, they have been giving me so much encouragement and listening to me whine and express my worries and my cowardice to tackle the issues most urgent.

I leave you all now, with a beautiful, inspirational poem who accompanies me during my struggles and rough endeavours, and I hope you all too, will strive hard.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Let It Be, by Brook White (Originally by the Beetles)




Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

***

Stole this from Ms Wen's blog. I dun usually watch AI. But I thought this was a great rendition.

Fits the mood for my thesis right now... whahahaha!

1973 by James Blunt



Simone
You're getting older
Your journey's been
Etched on your skin

Simone
Wish I had known that
What seemed so strong
Has been and gone

I would call you up every Saturday night
And we'd both stay out till the morning light
And we sang, "Here we go again"
And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
In 1973
Singing "Here we go again"

Simone
Wish I was sober
So I could see clearly now
The rain has gone

Simone
I guess it's over
My memory plays our tune
The same old song

I would call you up every Saturday night
And we`d both stay out till the morning light
And we sang, "Here we go again"
And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
In 1973
Singing "Here we go again"

I would call you up every Saturday night
And we'd both stay out till the morning light
And we sang, "Here we go again"
And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
In 1973
Singing "Here we go again"

I would call you up every Saturday night
And we'd both stay out 'til the morning light
And we sang, "Here we go again"
And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
In 1973
Singing "Here we go again"

And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
In 1973

***

the lyrics are pretty sad actually... the video's pretty artistic
the sort of love that's lost but never forgotten over the passage of time
the contrast of the past, of retro vibrancy; and of the present, of aged, gray stillness
and everything is slow motion...

Running Away by Midnight Hour

Don't lie and say that it's OK.
It's alright if there's nothing more to say.
So I'm running away.
I'm leaving this place.
Yeah, I'm running away.
I'm running away.

Don't tell me I'm the one to blame.
It's too late for you to make me stay.
No, I won't stay.
So I'm running away.
I'm leaving this place.
Yeah, I'm running away.
I'm running away.

And faster than you can follow me from this lonely place.
And farther than you can find me, I'm leaving
Yeah I'm leaving today.
And I, I'll never let you find me.
I'm leaving you behind with the past
No, I won't look back.
And I don't want to hear your reasons.
Don't want to hear you tell me why I should stay.

And try, and try to understand me
And try to understand what I say when I say I can't stay
I, I'm moving on from this place
I'm leaving and I won't quit running away.

I'm running away.
I'm leaving this place.
Yeah, I'm running away.
I'm running away.

Interesting thing i found out today: according to the bible, God hates shrimps and eating shrimp is a sin. herm.

Shao Nian by Cao Ge and Guang Liang



Reminds me of my own youth. not like that in the video.

just envy how some friendships can be so long lasting. and wonder how some are so fragile.

got to keep appreciating what i have, the friends i know, and the remember the friends i've known.

maybe, like someone told me, friends are those who can pick up from where they left even after 10 years.

Happy Birthday Echt!

世界唯一的妳



曲：曹格
詞：徐世珍 & 永邦

是你 第一眼我就認出來
這是命運最美麗的安排
是愛 讓你略過慢長等待
我們只要現在相愛 幸福就來

恨我來不及參於你的過去
抱歉讓你等待
我願意付出一切交換
我靈魂的另一半

這個世界唯一的你 是我擁有的奇績
對我說的一字一句 都是我們的秘密
緊緊擁抱唯一的你 無可救藥的堅定
就算世界與我為敵
我也願意 我什麼都願意

看開過去所有的悲哀
都只是訓練我為妳 勇敢
真愛 照亮了漆黑的夜晚
尋找了彼此一輩子
再不分開

恨我來不及參於你的過去
抱歉讓你等待
我願意付出一切交換
我靈魂的另一半

I will climb the highest mountain
I will swim the deeper sea

對我說的一字一句 都是我們的秘密
緊緊擁抱唯一的你 無可救藥的堅定
就算世界與我為敵
我也願意 我什麼都願意
我願意付出一切交換
我靈魂的另一半

I will climb the highest mountain
I will swim the deeper sea

就算(要我)上天下地
我什麼都願意為妳
緊緊擁抱唯一的你 無可救藥的堅定
就算世界與我為敵
我也願意 我什麼都願意

***

I totally dig this song! Totally dig the video too.

Love how love is portrayed as a force that crosses all boundaries, all differences, all species.
Love how the colours of black and white play such significance.
One one hand, things are not just black and white and there are all shades of gray.
And yet, some things are just so clear and simple. Like love.
Love they lyrics.

I think Cao Ge just became my favourite artiste!

Besides the fact that thesis is due and he is no where near to finishing,
Besides the fact that we saw each but never talked,
Besides the fact that I need to send mails to friends, but havent gotten down to doing,
Besides the fact that my room is in a mess,

MC is a happy boi this week. why?

MC got to know new friends!

MC finished his Waseda application!

MC is feels more knowledgeable about his research topic!

MC went to Terence's birthday party!

MC talked to friends he's glad to have talked to!

MC finally got a functioning mp3 player!

MC has ended his dragonboat season with NUSdb with a gold and a silver!

And MC is glad to have spent time with:
Ray
Ms Wen
Small Bird
Terence, Jon, Darren, Don, Titus
Todd, CG, Vincent, Denny, Junxiong
Jason, Teddy, Xiangyi, Ah Fu
and echt.

Can hardly wait. :)

happy birthday Aeron!

and Thank you! wahahahahaha! (for the *piak*)

People are getting emo.

Im getting emo. I swear its the stress.

Small bird tells me: "Being emo is horrible! Stop being emo!"

*piak piak piak piak piak piak piak piak piak*