Thanks for sharing.

Every word. Every moment. Every memory.

When we are together, or apart.

I'd feel, like we are close even when far away.

This is afterall, just making the best of what will happen.

:)

I don't need money for fancy clothes, flashy cars or high-end life styles.

I need the money buy whatever private space, to live the life I want to live.

Oh, and for good books and clear skin.

For those who dun know, I study political science, which is a broad subject. found a humourous way of putting "political systems" across to laymen. Me, included.

FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.

PURE SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all of the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.

BUREAUCRATIC SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and put them in a barn with everyone else's cows. They are cared for by ex-chicken farmers. You have to take care of the chickens the government took from the chicken farmers. The government gives you as much milk and eggs as the regulations say you need.

FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them and sells you the milk.

PURE COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.

RUSSIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk.

CAMBODIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and shoots you.

DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both and drafts you.

PURE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors decide who gets the milk.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors pick someone to tell you who gets the milk.

BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. Then it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows.

PURE ANARCHY: You have two cows. Either you sell the milk at a fair price or your neighbors try to take the cows and kill you.

LIBERTARIAN/ANARCHO-CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

SURREALISM: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

Sometimes, its not what's in the message.

Sometimes, its just the message.

Sometimes, its just the name.

That makes the heart skip a beat, heave a sigh, spread a smile.

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!