Symphony of Modern Humanity

your time has come; and it's time to leave.

2011-10-12T15:30:00.000+08:00

I'm referencing old posts: http://welcome2theplanet.blogspot.com/2007/01/design-by-apple-in-california.html

Today marks the end of my first Intel core Macbook. Well I never really told my friends I had a mac in form 4, but they figured anyway.

So when Steve Jobs left, my macbook probably got into a depression, despite fighting computer cancer for 2 years, and it left. It might want to turn on again in the future, but for now, nope.

So that message came up every time I restarted the computer. I stopped doing so after 5 times. I think I have to let it go.

This is not unboxing, this is a burial.

Pretty original white Macbook, property of Julia Cheam

1st January 2007 - 12th October 2011

moments in growing up.

2011-10-02T00:28:00.000+08:00

As I've mentioned before I'm not comfortable with keeping this space alive. Well unless I'd like to do a nice darn long post. The internet world has changed. We have microblogging. I use that alot. Since I don't write long ones so well. I like the colourful mosaic of my tumblr journal. So i'm sticking with that. But today is historical. Since I have a photo like this:

from: http://welcome2theplanet.blogspot.com/2007/09/democracy.html

Okay I admit I missed taking the photobooth-and-new-CD photo for hello hurricane.

So we shall have a photo like this:

Welcome2theplanet has grew with me for many years, and has mellowed down in recent years. Thanks to microblogging and social websites. But I like writing long paragraphs without many people giving a reaction to it. Its a reflection I'd like to review later on when I've grown older, and for people to accidentally stumble on.

But here's a 'historical moment' writing: my favorite band I grew up listening to, and the friends around that somehow was connected with my adoration for these favorite boys of mine. :)

http://hidden-history.tumblr.com/post/10890054274/1st-october-2011-so-i-was-early-peh-yee-and-cal

Cheers, October 2011 !

2011-09-12T01:09:00.002+08:00

will be back when I can do a nice, long, sweet looking post when I finally get my perfect vacation. Or when architecture stop taking so much of my time. Till then.

might be sinclair's most important post ever.

2011-08-16T03:09:00.003+08:00

Met this guy in DATUM:KL. Last guy to speak in the conference. Blew the crowd away. He was on TED anyway, won the TED prize in 2006. Might be my future self.

http://www.cameronsinclair.com/index.php?q=node/81

My tea with Tutu
Submitted by Cameron on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 15:33.
Many, many moons ago, long before I decided to dedicate my life to humanitarian work I got through life thanks to a couple of talents. One of them was singing. A skill and a change meeting that led me, then ten years old, to unknowingly have tea with Tutu. A moment that may have had subconsciously changed the course of my life. Hisannouncement to retire today reminded me of that chance meeting.
In the early 80's my family had moved to the United States armed with green cards and a dream of a better life. Coming from South London that wasn't hard. I was good at two things drawing and singing. Thankfully the former paid off in the long run. My parents, trying to adjust me to life in the states, put me in a choir where I sang weekly. As a ten year old I slowly made my way to the front of the singers and ended up singing solo.
One day a man came to speak to our church and for the first time in months I was wide awake and focused during the sermon. Coming from Europe I hungered for international news. Here was this man, small in statue yet larger than life, pushing a moral sense of urgency about injustice and equality. He opened up, first quietly, then with restrained passion, then with conviction I had never seen before. 'If you see something, say something' was his refrain again, again and again. I didn't hear a passage, a gospel, nothing. This was a moral compass pointing to an issue happening at this very moment. He let rip about issues I'd only read about- injustice, suffering and the need of immediate solutions. This was global, this was a collective, we are all part of these issues. I looked around to see people relaxed listening as if the nightly news was on but for me, this scrawny kid with a funny accent, THIS was the most important thing I'd ever heard from an adult.
The service ended and people shuffled out the back. I, with a sweet tooth, made a b-line for the post-service coffee and biscuits. To my amazement I saw him sitting alone quietly tucking into homemade cookies. Thinking to myself 'if you see something, say something', I went up to him and started talking, telling him I was from the UK, had missed what was really happening and started firing rapid fire questions like a pint sized Bob Woodward in the basement of a DC car park. ‘Why?’ I kept asking. Before I knew it he leaned down slowly and rested his hand on my shoulder and he said ‘my child, it is because we are all one family.’
A few weeks after this tiny and small moment in my life, I was still thinking about him. This man left alone after giving the most powerful speech I'd ever heard. What was wrong with my town, what was wrong with the people that attended my church. Was their something wrong with me? Wack. The New York Times hits the breakfast table. It's him, the guy. He's on the cover. I'm met him, he put his hand on me and told me we were a family. The headline proclaimed 'Tutu wins Nobel Prize'. Wow I thought, he must have known what he was talking about and for years he was left dormant in my memory. As I went from one episode to the next in my journey of life I was left with a reminder, 'if you see something, say something'.
Last year I was at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The group I am apart of, the Young Global Leaders, was holding an event on dignity with Desmond Tutu. After the event we met again very briefly. I didn't tell him the story. I didn't introduce myself. I, now taller, put my hand on his shoulder, bent down and said thank you.
This is just my personal story take it for what it is. However, in a time of great need, more than ever if you see something, just say something. Happy retirement Archbishop Tutu, you've touched a lot of lives without even knowing it.

2011-06-21T09:48:00.004+08:00

this is our one in every 6 months project. When the hour is right, we happened to be looking decent, we'll just pop a question: wanna take some pictures with the webcam?

:)

2011-06-14T20:54:00.006+08:00

Snoozed for an hour again. Nevertheless I had time to enjoy an onigiri + coffee for breakfast. One chapter left for Esther. Supposedly its the second last week of the bible-in-a year-thing, but I'm not so sure whether I can stuff in a whole lot of deut and chronicles the following week.

Esther is quite a hero(in) ! Same goes for Paul, David, Joseph. My favorite heroes. They should make a blockbuster out of their adventures.

I got out the house, not very awake. Got my floating soul to school though. Group mates were already there, one more left to full strength ! I Must say I love my Design Thinking Workshop group mates. Kipling ! We had much chemistry. Never was in such a dynamic team before. There was a good balance of people. All optimists, bursting with ReallyCrazy ideas and full of laughter. I had a good two days with them. Gareth and team led a good DT workshop. (oh yes it beats RYLA's inspirational workshops Hands-Down. We had impromptu laughter Yogas where we did not have to stand in a row and Fake out laughs- as we did in RYLA. Glad to have the chance to be part of the Masterplanning team!

Last week we had 3 days of Revit training- 2 for me on Monday and Tuesday, for on Wednesday I headed back to get my I.C. and passport renewed. Dad was cool enough to accompany me for 3 quarters of the day waiting in the immigration complex. Had double mamak sessions with dad during the process. Went back in the evening to meet TA group mates. I salute them for such a drive in carrying out projects. Thriving real hard. Sometimes I get afraid of the culture.

Thursday and Friday we had Masterplanning lectures, background of chinatown lecture, plus Lorain shared her NUS masterplanning project in onenorth- it was during the Millennium era, it was Rad! With The Matrix and crazy futuristic theories the world was into that time, Dolly cloned etc, ideas were crazy to the max. Zaha Hadid won the project in the end. The fly-through video was, well, rad, as expected.

We went down to 3 areas within that 2 days- Bugis+thieves market, Little India, and Chinatown. It was pretty fun, going there being a tourist. Snapping pictures of our observation of activities and people and what makes them use a space was quite a joy! We stopped for egg tarts and nanyang coffee on the way.

Friday evening I left for JB. Had to make this sacrifice for friday night worship practice- Saturday morning had to be back in Singapore for TA. Yeap. Can't be lagging behind with these guys. But sometimes I need a breather. So friday evening I made that trip back. That Friday night had to drop by funeral before Tim picked me up to church. Was a cell member's brother who had passed on. I thought funerals could be beautiful. For us, as christians. The only reason I'll cry will be because the person will be missed. Until I reach the other side, I'll be carrying on without this freed soul. I was looking into the chinese song lyrics. They were beautiful. I thought if I could copy down these chinese poems I'll get back into the chinese writing mode. I've lost memory of many chinese characters. The coffin was perpendicular to the opening. The end of it was facing us. It was the conventional. I thought of designing funeral sets. Why can't it be parellel to the opening? I would also like pastel colours.

Anyway Tim's blue car picked me up not long after. We went to church. I was glad to input some advice on how the band should play the songs. I love em jams.

So it was, the morning trip into singapore. Alarm screwed up my morning. I woke up late. Nothing could ever get right if your alarm screwed up. Every schedule is pushed back a little. Mum was really nice to offer me a drive into my Singapore room. But she kept making wrong turns. Little more absent minded these days. I hope she stays well. It was raining when I reached school. The weather was decent. Mich and I planned the 'central park'. We had late but such a good lunch. Half a spring chicken. Was so good.

So I decided to spend the evening with my family, to travel back in the evening even though Jon dropped a call to tell me how bad the immigration was.

But I got home in an hour and a half! Was glad. Had early dinner with family. Got home and watched Kung Fu Panda with dad! :)

Next morning we played for the worship service, Tim leading. Was great. Second service was always done better for some reason. Perhaps it was easy to reason, we were sure of things after running through the first service.

So 3 people told me 'Nice playing'. I feel appreciated for the travel backs ! But most importantly, I enjoy playing music in this setting.

That evening, mum sympathized with how I needed to make trips for all these activities. Wonder where I got the courage to say, "You think my life's hard? No my life isn't hard. There are kids out there in worse conditions."

Today was a good day.

We finished DT workshop. Gareth ended with "You are now qualified design thinkers!" I just love how people can form teams that can work together well. The two days was pretty fun!

Wanted to get a bag from Bugis junction, so in the evening I went around town. Saw a 40-something guy going over to the seriously disabled man selling tissue paper at the MRT, putting arms around him and talking to him. On the way back I decided to give him a dollar and shared some love. He couldn't speak. But I guessed he did hear what I told him.

Went over to Orchard road. I wonder who ever does these things? Walking orchard road alone? I went window shopping. Wanted to buy down some shops. But I don't think I'll ever do that even if I had the ability to. I want something more that the fancy clothes and lifestyle. So I went to get DQ Ice cream instead. Happy kid. Strolling in this expensive streets licking a vanilla ice cream. But I was lucky enough to have discovered 3 buskers. They did a beatles cover. They were very good! I threw them some change :)

Oh yes I was in sf tee today. feels good.

Guess that sums up two weeks of life !

Great week ahead!

2011-06-06T00:33:00.006+08:00

Hola amigos.

So the last entry was in late april, concerning the switchfoot concert. Skipped the month of May entirely!

As expected, couz and I having massive PCD (no, not pussycatdolls; its- Post Concert Depression) until today. It subsided a little, but still, when we talk about it we go crazy and I smile likka stupid fool- to myself/computer screen. Thanks to the oh-so-efficient LOBH site, we get non stop updates concerning the guys, their activity, and the upcoming new album Vice Verses.

Just can't get my hands on it ! We are speculating that it'll be out late august or september. Might dig out my old CD player so I can pop it in and listen to it straight. Plus, we are guessing that a single will be released in July.

Anyway.......

After the concert my group and I work towards JC1 submission, which was the case study on SANAA's Rolex Learning Centre.

Our class had some drama happening in the middle, the girl in the middle came over to our group (and now she has left on her own). Other than that, I've had pretty good group mates, and I'm thankful that all of them are so motivated- which eventually give me some drive to do better :)

Then.. I had music theory exam on one saturday! Woooo how I'm so glad that it's over! One less worry for the weekends! 8) Now I'll just have to hope I get a pass~ :)

After JC1, other than putting our case study boards together, we had a 'dance' workshop. We were't dancing at all, but had these little exercises to study the relationship between space and body. Closing your eyes and using your other senses, making structures out of your bodies a and walk around blindfolded etc.

So after that we had a Primer project where we had to come up with a modular sculpture (yes. Modular. Again.), that is an outcome of our space-time-body exploration/study. So it was, lots of discussion, headaches and more discussions are a couple late nights. It went pretty well, as the lecturers saw the process and effort we put in. Kinda happy! Cos I guess we weren't very experimental with materials (which I wished, we were seeing how other groups did) but hey, using only One type of material, One module with variations, that's was it. My group mates were pretty careful about adhering to the rules given to us though, that's why. Some suspend it midair.. it looked good, but in which didn't really follow the instructions? But I really admire the perseverance of my groupmates :)

Lecturers are pretty great this year, after going through one term of year 3. So first sunday of the term break. Here I am, waiting to start more projects this 3 weeks before we dive into our school project. No holidays this time, and the same goes for the september semester break. Plus december term break wouldn't be great either, followed by the non-existent CNY break. There's a study trip to Italy in September, though I can't go this time because dad won't pay for it. He says we'll go backpacking when I graduate... we'll see about that! I guess I won't go for trips until the finals years of my studies, when I know I'll get graduating and getting a job soon and that my reserves can be spend on some luxuries.

So parents just came back from church camp; roomie went back on thursday evening so naomi came over to bunk in for 2 nights. We went walking around some malls on Friday, we bought stuff (food, to be specific) from NTUC, had some Koi bubble tea, bought dinner back and watched Forrest Gump. 8)

I wonder why I haven't watched it earlier! It was a 1994 movie when Tom Hanks was looking so young and handsome :) Heh. It was a great movie, and pretty long too! Gotta watch it for yourself. Plus I need the movie soundtrack. Such awesome classic tracks.

Anyway, I got my haircut. Overall length bout 2 inches shorter and some bangs ! ;)

Revit training for the whole day tomorrow. Hope I stay awake and absorb as much as I can x)

Cheers!

The LIVE Sound.

2011-04-29T22:30:00.039+08:00

You know recently, I've got a couple of Dream-come-true events. It might not even be a big biggie to anyone else, it to me, it is. What kind of dreams that came true? They are the one unspoken, a little lingering wish in the heart, quietly singing out and reminding you in little phrases or images. Dreams that you don't cling on to tightly wishing for for it to happen NOW. They are the ones that came from the past. The ones you thought you have forgotten about.

well first, it was Architecture school's Shocking year 2 results. - that I prayed for a year ago.

Oh, the cello. It was only a desire, I 'know' that it was just a fancy and I wouldn't get to play on one until I earn my own money and decide to get one?
Ipod. I wished. I didn't quite ask. And then dad comes saying during christmas, "I know the desires of your heart."
Designing a performing arts hall/building. Since 2008. 2011 I get to do it.
Getting into a year 3 school work group that is responsible enough to get stuff done. No, I got not only responsible peeps, I got great buddies that I learned from so much already since school started 2 weeks ago.

Striking up a conversation with SF guys.

Taking a photograph with my hero.

And it happened, yesterday night. Massive. I didn't thought of the 'dream' since 2004; I just thought, well, good chance indeed, if there's a meet and greet session with the FOTF pass cousin got us.

That's why this certainly needs to be written down, in as much detail as I can remember.

Around February, cousins sends me a gtalk message; "JU! SWITCHFOOT IS COMING TO SINGAPORE DID YOU KNOW THAT?!"

NO. OF COURSE, WHERE WAS THAT EMAIL SAYING THEY WOULD COME LIKE IT WAS 3 YEARS AGO?

Why of course, YES to it. I miss the live atmosphere, it was a total thrill to be there in 2008, Expo. Great hall, but it wasn't filled. I the atmosphere was electrifying for all I could remember, and I wasn't quite satisfied : Bad footage, was not totally in front (I'm rather short so people blocked me) JEROME'S PICK. I bet he threw it at me. Something small DID hit my arm. Blur, worrying about going back to JB late etc- I didn't search thoroughly enough and the girl beside me got it. She showed me the guitar pick, in her hand. Had a terrible personal-dissatisfied-hangover in school the next day, thought the concert went massively well. And yes, you can read about the concert experience HERE.

Alright. Let's start.

I was starting to count down 15 hours before sound check, at 4pm.

Morning, I get a nerves right, get my stuff, get tickets, get FOTF pass, get ipod and what not's. I get to school for AP lecture, I get my coffee, I get all hyperactive, I try to continue work, I talk to couz, I do work, I get all jittery, I walk to MRT, I signed up for Rotaract out of impulse, I wait for train, I met couz on the train, we gave each other dreamland faces and laugh on the way to city hall. We went to marina square, wanting to get the samurai umbrella sword for Tim. Then after much consideration, we did not get it. They'll need to get it on the plane and I'll be depressed if they left it for someone else. lol! So nearing 4pm, we got ourselves outside rock auditorium. Not many were there yet, so we talked, listened to the sounds coming from within, waited, anticipated until this man came to brief fotf-ers concerning the soundcheck.

They were to play a new song from their record, and recording devices weren't allowed.

New song! NEW SONG!

That means we get a secret preview of an upcoming track in the record.

True enough, by 4.45 we went in the hall, bags and stuff to the side of the hall, turn you head, yes.

The familiar sight, the golden hair, the sound, the sounds, the guys on stage, testing out sound quality.

So.

The 20+ of us got in the middle of the hall (WITH SEATS, YES NO KIDDING) the front ones occupied the third row, I leaded the second row, couz said Drew was pointing at both of us when we walk across the second row! Like:

8D

We got seated. Jon in the middle, tim on his left, drew on his right, chad and romey at the back.

"Hello guys how' ya doing!"

I gave two thumbs up and a big smile.
The others said 'great~!'

"This feels like a theatre show. Well grab your popcorns and enjoy the show!"

"Any questions?"

"That's mr nickels at the back. he's the one in charge of sound system... see chad at the back there, that ice cream device *laughs* yeah that's what he speaks into so I can hear it in my earphones"

“sorry for the delay yeahh had to deal with our equipments and gear at the airport there... didn't get much sleep, downed 3 cups of coffee”

"Well we have trust right. You and I both. We're gonna play a song for you... it's a track from the upcoming album.. and we're not quite there yet so.. I'll trust you guys not to record and put it up on the internet okay?"

"Its called Somewhere I belong.. the last track in our new album."

*this really deep and intense amp sound emanating*
Song starts playing in an average speed, major key, Chord I and IV of the key following each other, 4/4 time, 2 bars of intro, jon starts singing in a gentle statement.

The repetitive chords 1 and 4, jon's voice, the deep bass, the steady drums and guitar rhythm, the harmonization: it was the sound of a calming perfection. It speaks rest. Until 3 quarter down the song suddenly the relative minor chord vi sank in and the words paused for a second. The melody resolved downwards after that, it came to a conclusion, and then it ended in chord I, sustained guitar sounds, fading to an end.

The lyrics were something like this:

Voices start shaking

Voicing a generation
Finally waking up this side

Until I die
I’ll sing these songs
On the shores of Babylon
Still looking for a home
In a world that I belong
Where the weak are finally strong
And the righteous right the wrong
Looking for a home
In a world where I belong
A world where I belong
This body’s not my own
This world is not my home
…the day I die

I want to hold my head up high

I want to tell you that I tried

To live it like a song

When I reach the other side

I want to stare you in the eyes

And know that I’ve arrived

In a world where I belong

Where I belong
Yeah
Where I belong

Well, I love how there are scripture references in the lyrics. Well, since scriptures are beautiful, refreshing, profound verses, this is new has the character of it. It was enough to make me close my eyes, just listening, the music was good enough for one to just soak in without any visual distractions. They weren't moving around much too, focusing right into the music.

I look on my left where couz was, we smiled at each other, probably saying the same think without speaking “can't believe we're here, 20 strong audience, previewing this fantastic new song in front of the people who have been inspiring us through their music since many years back. Eyes wide open, couldn't quite believe the moment.

We applauded, I nod in complete approval.

“well thank you, thank you guys. Thanks for being here.. do you guys have any questions? Requests?”

Girl from the back : “will you guys be playing songs from vice verses tonight?”

“well.. you've got to ask my brother tim over there *laughs*”

*drew strikes a chord*
*tim plays a riff*

“that sounds like something from our new album”

“bullet, guys”

They start playing that nasty cool riff from bullet soul's opening. Darn, private rock concert y'all. The Live sound was Perfect. It wasn't noisy, the atmosphere is ready for a rock concert. Was So amped, wanted to jump on the seat already- but the singapore crowd was being quite civilized and robotic so i scrap the idea.

“You're a kid with a bullet soul

ARE YOU READY TO GO.
Are you ready to go.”

Bullet raked up all the adrenalin inside of me. YES I'M READY TO GO. Hah.

Two songs, they played for soundcheck which we were part of it. Jon took off his guitar, he came down to us, started up a chat with the front row guys. Tim and the rest followed suit.

Went to the side of the hall to grab our cams, and there was chad and drew at the right. Bodoh fix chairs were in the way, so we had to detour to the left side where there were less people around timmy. :D So we hanged around until the others left, and got the chance to talk to timmy! :D I guess we hadn't prepared much to say, just too stunned that we actually GOT a moment to come up close with them.

Told him we wanted to get a samurai sword umbrella for him, just worried bout the securities and stuff.

“well that'll be interesting! Just got to see how we'll get through the airport immigration”

couz said asked about their pacific tour, and commented that it must be tiring and about the effects of jet lag.

“yeah.. its quite tiring, haven't got much sleep.. after singapore we're going to jakarta, then manila, and finally kuala lumpur. I guess when we're tired we play better. ”

I asked him whether they'll be playing songs from their older albums.

“umm any song requests?”

“Chem6A!” I said.

“Ah chem6a! Alright *smiles*”

Asked him whether I could get a picture with him, “no problem!”

He initiated a handshake “thanks for coming!”

Signed my sketchbook too!

I wonder what my reaction was, but was probably too shy and excited all the same time, never imagined this moment.

Went over to jon, people were getting his autographs, I took my ipod out, he signed the back of it “Jn”. He signed J, then turned away to answer another person, I thought he was done, when he turned back to finish the 'n'. Couz snapped us a photo, and then was about to go, when he placed his hand on my left shoulder, looked me in the eye saying “hey thanks for coming” :)!

Couz said Jon even asked her for her name, snapped a picture and said thanks.

This really tells me they're really, really nice and down to earth, humble guys.

Walked past the second row when romey past by. We said hello and shook hands!

“Hi I'm jerome,”

naturally i replied “hi! i'm julia”

“nice to meet you julia”

:D!

Well, there wasn't quite a need to introduce himself as jerome, right. He's Switchfoot and of course I know he's romey! And then there wasn't quite a need to introduce myself either, right? XD I just love the fact that these guys take the effort to come down, talk to us like normal people, very warmly, without any air of fame around them.

The coordinator the said, 5 more minutes guys, and I would need to steal these boys from you.

Headed over to drew, he was talking to another fan, while I 'sneaked' up to his left and couz wanted to snap a photo, but he wasn't looking over. He found me on his left, placed his arms around and initiated a pose! XD

He looks like my best friend here! XD

“nice specs!”

I said “you've got to same type too! :D”

“same, same! :D”

And then we left the hall.

Was dazed. Really dazed.

Went to the person with “host” landyard and asked him why are there chairs in the hall. He said that's the arrangement... so yeah. I was bit pissed with him, its a rock concert for heaven's sake, why are there chairs?!! He changed the subject by telling us go get our free ice cream at the counter. Whatever.

How can we enjoy ice cream after we've met people better than ice cream?

I was still all in a dazed. Got my butterscotch vanilla though. Sat down and wonder what happened just now?? Surrealism.

Went down to souperlicious, had some food, it was BROCCOLI soup, but i was found stirring it round and round, unable to eat anything much because of the terrible excitement. Ipod now is worth more than a million, it has Jon's signature for heaven's sake.

So after that we waited. Waited for the next big moment to happen. Couz was pretty honest about her dslr when security checked her bag, when they didn't bother to check mine! Should have just dunk in my bag and I'll walk through like nothing's wrong 8D Well she had some debate about the camera and the counter guys, while I found a SF sticker lying on the floor, finder's keepers; headed over to the merchandise booth where they were selling macbeth shoes and tee shirts. So when I've decided what design I wanted to purchase, they ran out of S, so I got two M sizes. I didn't quite mind the size, it fitted okay, but back in school JT was complaining why he didn't get an S, and said that sf guys where tees that are fitting. Lol! That guy cracks me up.

Back to the scene, couz got back to me saying she had just walked away after the stupid manager can't find any excuses to get her dslr and was unsure of how things will go. So we still had it with us, just that we were avoiding that bald manager. x) So we queued, and we were in right in front of the line, thinking we could get seats right in front- but singaporeans being singaporeans, we headed to our assigned “sistic numbered” seats. Couz was really disappointed become of the massive speakers blocking our view. We were in front, but Right at the side of it. Well I still had hope that we would be standing in those empty spaces when the lights go out ! True enough, I dodged in front when the lights dimmed. Securities didn't bother much, yet- because it was the opening bands. But the crowd did came forward. Who would stay in their seats for a rock concert?!?!

The Calling of Levi, band from Perth, pretty decent sounding albeit a little too much guitars for my liking. Still, the lyrics caught my attention and the melody and rhythm was enough for me to hum and move to it. Won't be the last time hearing them! Oh yeah, the guitarists were reallllyyy energetic. Its terrible how the security pushed the audience back into their seats, telling them to seat down after the second or third song. The lead singer also said, back in australia they've seen switchfoot live, and we're in for a good show tonight! The crowd cheered! So yes, I guess we all felt shameful that we had to 'sit' down listening to energetic songs while they were jumping around on stage.

The MC came out after they played, apparently a power 98 DJ, he was quite entertaining and funny! Using sf song names, he connected them into sentences, getting the crowd all excited and ready. But unfortunately, really unfortunately we had to go thru another 40 minutes of an opening band- local, and sounded really bad for my musical taste. “The Great Spy Experiment”, they called themselves-It was noisy and they were supposed to play at events like zoukout and probably not suitable for an switchfoot opening band! :S Dance rock, their genre, so it was pretty repetitive and loud, was pretty much a noisy lullaby to me. Yeah, we were all seated, couple of heads bobbing up and down and that's it man. The lead singer tried to make some jokes but it made them look bit cocky to me. “so I bet you guys are here to watch the great spy experiment.. not sweet-sweechfoot right?” half the crowd making audible groans. “come our rock it out with us... in your seats.”

Alright enough of that. If I knew that the security would be chasing us back to our seats after the opening bands, I would not have even bother coming into rock auditorium until 9.30pm. I got the very front row 'floor seats' during the opening band's performance when we were chased back into the side seats when it ended, with a 20 minute interval.. before the lights dimmed again.

Once it dimmed I dashed to the front row 'floor' seats again. Guess I was the most ballsy one. The security was dodged, i was in the middle row, he didn't quite chase me back in to the side seats. And THE BOYS WERE OUT ! The crowd rushed down the aisle, but there was a flimsy barricade which no one dare to cross. There was a void between the aisle and the first row seats, and yes civilized singaporeans who were worried about getting caught by the security stayed behind that barricade and looking a little sad, cause the guys were out and security's being a total asshole. Couz was probably stuck in that crowd because she was a split second later behind me! So the boys started the whole thing with The Sound. (Jon was in red checkered :D )

The Sound:

I don't know how Jon does it, but at 0:37, he walks away from the mic stand, goes round Drew, and then comes back RIGHT ON TIME to stand on the amps singing " The static comes alive........"

Love how he pulls the words "ALIVE......"

1:33 he Grabs his guitar, puts the mic only the stand, puts on the the guitar , hits the pedals, plays the guitar effect SEAMLESSLY. LOL

1:50 Drew jumps on the amp and plays his guitar solo. no need elaborating, did the jump-on-amp as seamlessly as jon did. love the siren sounding stuff drew does 8D

The guitar Sound effects Drew does makes me go wilddd. so crazily awesome! 8D

You must remember, I can really hate electric guitar Noise, but a guitarist that can use it to produce Sound is something totally different.

Jon says "SINGGGG-A-POREEEEE"

STARS INTRO STARTS!!

Stars:

"Its been too long my friends"
Crowd echos Jon's 'stars....'
4:20 Drew and Jon finishes the final riffs

OHHHH...... (in gradually ascending pitch) *intro plays*

Oh! Gravity:

Screamed when jerome played that famous Oh!G. hit-key-riff on the keys! :D

Tim came over to our side at 1:44 and did his famous bass swing 8D

Jon was saying "a long time ago when my brother - here on the bass guitar - back before he graduated from high school, we had a song like this : *chem 6A intro plays*"

But well, when the boys played Gone, they started of with Chem6A intro and a let out a scream! Haha! I requested for chem6A during M+G! :D Drew looked over, point, smile and nodded at me i swear. He was darn near so its gotta me he was pointing at :D LOLL Red checkered shirt was enough to be identified easily, right!

And then seamlessly went into the intro of Gone!

Chem6A intro + Gone:

The famous Live bridge passage from verse to chorus: "this could be rihanna's umbrella, ella, ella, whatever, Gone!" :D

I badly wanted couz to be beside me! She appeared after Gone, when the audience were supposed to put their hands around each other and sway from side to side, and I was alone at the front? Because the others haven't dodged security to squeeze to the front? Zzz. Sometimes I wished I was in a different city where the people were less robotic. :l

Your love is a song:

Jon took somebody's fedora "thanks for letting me use your hat! its a beautiful hat.. can I use it for one more song?"

Harmonica plays. Romey plays live version intro of Your love is a song on keys.

Love how gently Jon comes in with "I hear you breathing in, another day begins"

The whole song was played in a very worshipful atmosphere, the guys stayed at their spot throughout.

Drew was close, eyes close nothing show-ey, I sung-a-long, stole a glance at drew, and I thought I caught another smile from him :)

Tim plays This is your life intro on bass- such a signature opening!

This is your life:

0:21 Jon walks over to my side

1:30 He walks over again.

Remember how they played this song during the 2008 concert- equally conversational.

2:30 Jon comes over, ducks down and head into the mid crowd! AHAH OF COURSE COUZ AND I GO TO TOUCH HIM WHEN HE CAME OVER LOL.

3:13 a kid in the crowd climbs up the chair, Jon lets him sing into the mic when the crowd supposed to sing the echo parts!

4:07 Jon runs back up stage!

5:15 Jon screams into the guitar pickups, giving this faraway voice- signature of This is your life Live version!

Free:

Jon starts with fragments from Happy is a yuppie word.
Drew does this cools effects from the pedal again! Sounds like police sirens.
Love how Chad comes in with the drum beats, like preparing for war march!

4:15 Tims walks over to Drew with his bass!
5:07 Romey hitting those bass drums!
5:27 Drew plays those nasty guitar riffs!
5:58 Jon joins in Romey hitting those bass drums! Everyone makes a cacophony!

Only Hope, Awakening:

"That is Mr Andrew Shirley on the electric guitar"
"You're a beautiful man, andrew shirley," Drew gave a friendly gesture to Jon. :D

"And, closer than ever, for this tour to his homeland in Manila, is Mr Jerome Fontamillas!"

"This next song is a california campfire song, just close your eyes, picture yourself on the beach of california alright"

"We're all singing like this,"

Only hope intro plays. Crowd cheers and sings along well! We know the lyrics :D

It starts of acoustic, spotlight on Jon only. Then drew comes in with one or two notes- just love how nobody's fighting attention to play their instruments. (Because I have enough of jamming sessions and listening to other bands where every musician fights to be heard. ugh.)

3:30 The band comes in, Smooth!

So gonna learn only hope acoustic version. :D

Then jon plays the strumming, band comes in for Awakening, "YEAH EHH EHH EHH"
Totally love the part where the sound jumps in together.

Great line-up, transition from a slow song to an upbeat song!

Awakening rockssssss.

"Yeah singapore you don't look the same" Jon inserted in one of the verses! :D

8:50 Drew goes over to Jon and go jammin'!

Then they switch to a serious mood, anthemic rhythms from chad, deep bass sound emanating.
Meant to live:

Jon sings some tunes about waking up. "We were meant to live....... ('live' with an ascending tone)

Jerome comes up front to play guitar!
Meant to live is a hardcore guitar sounding tune; love how balance it is despite the amplitude of it.

Love how Tim plays the bass line during the the connecting phrase to the bridge.

Crowd sings along loudly when jon stops at 3:22! Jon lifts mic for us to sing at 3:30! We sang continued to sing the chorus until 3:58! :D

Love how the crowd sings along so loudly!

Mess of me intro plays.

Mess of me:

"I am my own affliction.."
Whole band goes energized!

"sickness is myself" and my camera goes crazy. Jumpin'. 8D

Love drew's guitar fill in's. MAN.

Drew comes very near by, lifts his guitar at 2:33!

Then they quieten down, harmonica plays, soft guitars, Romey playing On fire's keyboard riff.

On fire, We are one tonight:

Crowd sings along loudly on On Fire. Just love the mood.
Great arragement of the soft riff on guitar just after the chorus ends.
Harmonica adds so much mood to this song!
At 2.20 Jon and Drew duels with the harmonica and guitar softly.

Chad goes to this steady rhythmic drum beat at 2:50, Harmonica plays this on-the-train-like riff.

"Let me see that sign." *picks up a placard 'we are one tonight' from the crowd*
"We play around the world, playing with families. With families!"

Drew plays signature We are one tonight intro! CRAZYYY.

Camera jumps up and down along with me 8D

5:40 *please slow the evening down* drew comes in with the nice riff there!
6:10 Jon sings "sunshine won't you be my mother" from the Shadow proves the sunshine. Awesome transition+mash up

7:11 the guitar goes rhythmic, crowd claps along.

Jon shouts "YEAH" into the crowd, crowd replies.

7:54 Jon goes into "we are one..." Can hear Tim's backing vocals there!
8:17 "the stars are coming out" and it gets energized again!
8:30 Drew comes really near to play, all smiles here!

Jon says "Thank You!" and the guys go backstage.

24:

Crowd shouted for an encore!
So they came back on stage :D

"Is it okay if we play a couple more songs for you guys."
*Crowd cheers*
"You have no idea how happy we are to be back in Singapore this is a beautiful evening thank you so much for being part of it"
"this is another campfire song"
"I want you to sing it, whether you know the words or not hehe:)"

24 acoustic guitar intro starts playing.

(now I'm gonna sing these softer songs if I ever go for campfires 8D )

Drew and Jerome plays softly accompanying jon in the earlier part, whole band comes in at 3:05.

HELLO HURRICANE INTRO GUITAR RIFF PLAYS.
WOAHHHOHHOHH.
BAND JOINS IN.

Hello hurricane, Dare you to move:

Tim plays the fast running bass line, LIVE :D
(Jumping again during HH's chorus.)
Tim sings harmonizing vocals of HH's chorus, bridge and woahh parts! :D

3:09 Drew lifts up the hand and sings along the woahh backing vocals :D
3:36 Random boy from the crowd breeches the oh-so-useless barricade and shakes his butt on stage! YEAH. I LIKE HOW HE CHALLENGE THE ANNOYING SECURITY :D Couz said drew laughed at it! xD

4:09 the mood changes to a contemplative one. Jerome backs strings, drew plays some notes.

"You're beautiful Singapore we love you"
"I find it crazy to think that, this isn't like my hometown or something you guys are so warm and welcoming and, I feel at home right here."

"This is a song about movement, I want to see things change, inside and out"
Drew plays Dare you to move guitar intro.

"Yeahhh"

Band joins in with a strong rhythmic and guitar beat.

5:20 "welcome to the planet.." Things soften down, drew coming in at end of phrases.
6:26 Drew comes over with his guitar SO NEAR! We wave! JON COMES OVER!
7:20 Jon put his arms around drew!
7:50 Romey comes up front! Full guitars!

8:17 "Singapore where are you gonna run to now..."
8:55 and 9:07 DREW SHAKES HIS HEAD AND HIS HAIR GOES ALL MESSY XD

9:14 all down!

9:52 WE WAVE AT ROMEY AND ROMEY COMES SHAKE HANDS!

10:00 FINAL GROUP PHOTO. Jon lifts up 'we are one tonight' signage. and band waves goodbye.

Then I look at couz, "this is it? so fast?"

Haha:) Good times do really pass by so quickly.

_______________________________________

So Yes. Massive concert hangover alright.

But the more I read about them, listening to their interviews, watching podcasts, MEETING THEM IN PERSON.

They're the most down to earth people ever, for being in such a position. Being in this generation, such an honour to be walking this earth with these guys.

Here are photos couz snapped with my Lumix cam, since they banned her DSLR.

Cheers to the end of a long post!

[Published 12:55am, 15/5/2011- 2 weekends 3 days since the night of the concert! Aha! ]

2011-03-23T23:37:00.002+08:00

well hello again.

Been to work, with much lesser to do since the RI inspection yesterday in Orchard Central. The rest is up to ZR to finish up. I continue with my assigned project: drawings much neater, easier to be understood so I finished it up today. Will be visiting site with Mary soon :)

So. Since there was nothing to rush, I had a pretty sleepy day in the office. Morning coffee did not last more than 2 hours, to my dismay. I found out how to log into twitter, and since I had more time on this project, I discreetly opened a little window at the corner to read updates. Well Fann kept me accompanied with her stories, an hour or so in the morning. I wish life wasn't so mundane as it is now. I need excitement, whatever. Not the work adrenalin, for certain that is.

yet again, ZH thought us something about working in DP: brought us to the shopping mall via the fire escape door. We needed caffeine and sweets. Ha.

The only thing left for me to look forward for the day is the ensemble practice at night. Really, I love playing together. But I guess the situation brings me back to year 2's concert. I was all in a melancholy when we said our goodbyes. I knew that it'll be the last time I'll be little girl among the seniors' batch's section. The last time Caledyne/Hanshan/Valerie sits beside me, Samuel the CM in front of me, and WK behind me. I felt, secured, confidant.

Today was different. What I longed for and look forward to is that group of people whom I've been playing with for the past two years, and have taught me a good deal.

Not to brag, but I am currently the remaining player who was already playing in this section the previous year. And so I have a year of experience. But thanks to not being part of the committee, I am somehow left out. I am not significant enough, I think. I am pushed to the side. The comm automatically takes on the important seats. I automatically say yes and comply. I don't think I have a say. I am better but I don't have enough to wow people. Therefore I am just, there.

Well, the fun part was I got to play the cello in our unofficial quartet later on. First time! I love how the sound comes out and compliments the melody; such a different tone and voice compared to second violins and the inner v1 desks!

Seeing the situation, I really wish to transfer to another section. I look normal outside, but I'm actually unrest. Should I continue this ? I really wonder. I hate fighting for a position, but maybe that's how it works. It does not always works by merit, that I've realized.

3 options:

1. switching section- which I highly doubt they'll allow. They'll say that I am needed in my current section.

2. playing once in awhile as I wish, no more weekly. means i've more of less given up fighting for a better role in this section.

3. completely stop this and do something else. do they really want me back?

4. stay on in the same section and see how things goes. I might get what I want, I might not get what I want. And in the meantime, just bear with it.

I need some guidance.

march 2011 updates

2011-03-22T22:06:00.006+08:00

hello.

I'm determined to write something here and publish it when I'm done- no matter how badly I've composed this entry. In the earlier highschool days, I'll just write what comes to mind, I barely compose and structure posts before hitting the publish button- simply because I didn't care! After I left highschool and my eyes open to things Outside St John and all the principles it fed me, one of the things that I'd realized that was my English and writing skills were no where near decent. I'd try to write structure thoughts properly and then jot it down in paragraphs, but most of the time there's too much going on in my mind- too much till I don't know where to start and structure it. Best thing is, I'm lazy to compose it properly. Even if I do, its halfway done, so they end up in drafts.

So after spamming twitter after work for the ban of it in office grounds, I'd realized that I've been extremely lazy- to structure thoughts. As my thoughts are already all over and it causes me to speak of topics completely out of the discussion, it'll be bad if I can't even put things together in my mind in writing. And if I continue on relying on twitter, I won't be writing anymore. It'll messed up my mind when I don't conclude things and form a definite opinion. It'll add to my confusion as I already am confused.

Well, well.

I've just passed my 20th birthday 11 days ago. As of now I'm working as an intern at DP Architects, Friday the 11th wasn't good to go back at 7pm- wouldn't want to get stuck in the customs! So it was too late when my cousin didn't reply my dinner msg, I headed to the massively crowded Suntec city instead! IT show was on, people were simply crazy; purchasing stuff as if it was the end of the world. (you know, in the end, you'd want to enjoy and indulge in a little more materialistic happiness before you turn into ash) And I'd really wonder why people would queue up so long to sign up for new starhub contracts? Oh. The Materialism i witness, it was downright scary. I have a love-hate relationship with materialism- I'll be telling myself to work hard and earn more money so I could enjoy the benefits of materialism; next I'll be condemning materialism and for myself to think that way.

That was also the day I had a heartbreak.

I hate seeing disasters; it breaks my heart truly. I know, the signs, why would not people believe? After spending 28 bucks on the not-really-needed audio-technica portable speakers, I went back into the room to cry. There's no need to guess why; I'm just downright confused. My dad is a great role model for me to learn values from- and I'd say he was successful in being one- and then I'm thrown into the sea to take my first swimming lessons. The world distracts and defiles your principles so very easily, if you don't have something solid to hold on to. It tells you that you're not fit for it if that's how you live your life, you're boring, you're too good, you're no fun, you don't look good enough, your clothes are not good enough, you aren't smart enough, you're not talented enough. The waves comes crashing in, you shed some tears, but you should realized that you're bounded by a rope, tied onto something immovable, solid, and you should also be holding on tightly to that rope, not letting a chance to let go of it.

So I struggle once in awhile. But I'm bounded by a rope, feels good to know that.

DP Architects.

How did I get in there? I don't know. But I thank God for this opportunity. Many students placed their preference on this firm; and by my own knowledge that I knew I wouldn't get it, I placed my preference for smaller firms nearby my area, completely ruling out this company, located right in the heart of the city of Singapore. When I was told I got to do my internship in this company, I was rather shocked at first! I had no confidence in my portfolio- I knew I've not been doing well in year 2 and my portfolio needs to be worked on- so who chose me for it? Did the computer randomly picked out my name, or did my class teacher (whom I really secretly dislike as all the other students do,) recommend me?

Zhi Rong and I were picked out for internship to this company, and I got to know him during the start of Year 1 during the combined class induction outing. Well, I'd say I didn't quite enjoy his character then, but since we hadn't work together much, I'll leave the judging for later. First impressions are important but don't always work sometimes. Yeap, third week now working with him. I get to know this person more, and I'd say I prefer someone who knows what's the meaning of Chill. I get annoyed sometimes, but I've concluded that this 6 weeks shall be a test for myself.

Well then. The people in DP are pretty great, so far. Haven't meet anyone that I've had a bad impression on. We were brought around the studios on the first day, and it really opened my eye on things! Located in Marina Square, 2 offices at both ends of the shopping mall. And everyday I passed by Synwin several times, its a treat and a torture to see such a pretty shop. When I get a meagre sum of cash I shall purchase new strings for the violin and cello, ABRSM books if I can't find any used/photocopied ones, and a ukulele ! (and then maybe a hardcase for the cello and a new violin) Well, cash! I don't have much now :) Minus the 100 bucks I owe my cousin for the upcoming switchfoot concert!

The digression. Well DPA. I love the bay I'm located in, haven't got so comfortable and cozy since I don't know when! (Hope year 3's studio will be as good. Finally, for the ailment of not having a class studio for year 2!) The people around my bay have been good, Zu Hui- 2 years my SP senior on my right have been entertaining me and teaching me ways to exploit all the little benefits, and have been extremely helpful to us newbies despite being busy with her own work to finish! Admit that I'd be pretty annoyed if one asked me too many questions repetitively, and her patience in willingness to help is something for me to learn! I'd talked to her one day on the long ride home one evening, and well, so far I have good impressions on her. Sharing little titbits and snack is oh-so-common, Hawaiian chocolates travelling into our bay from who knows which faraway back it originated from, to a variety of sweets and cup noodles on Zu Hui's shared food basket always in my reach. And people like me who find joy in getting a Free drink from the vending machine, visits the pantry too often to get more free flow biscuits and Lipton tea. The shared folder is really something! Zu Hui sends me links once in awhile to folders where people share their MP3 files, and its pretty darn awesome 8D I'd realized she played Jazz trumpet in secondary school days, well how cool can it be! Well although they pay the bare minimum, I'm glad to have learn about things in this line as well as making new friends who are pretty good natured.

Okay. Year 2 results out!

I cried because I didn't believe it. I wanted to know just to confirm things, as I've already prepared myself and my parents not to expect things to be like year 1- and then carry on with life and hopefully I'll improve myself in days to come. Year 2 haven't been good, I tried, but I'm forever envious of people who works better than I do, and know its very hard to catch up with them because I don't have a lecturer as caring as those of year 1. I don't take enough initiative. Ends up to be I think I've fallen a bit lazy after I'm tired of things. I barely have the stamina and will to go on when I'm tired. Is that called laziness? :( I wasn't 'happy' with my portfolio because I've seen excellent ones. Always delivering 'just enough'. Stopping work aka. quitting early. Procrastinating. Those are sins of an architecture student, I know I've committed it and I should be facing the consequences.

But no. Given another chance to prove myself better than I think myself to be.

Empat. Betul, Empat. Disbelieve.

I shall not narrate how my intern colleague had a dramatic episode in the office, but I shall take what Zu Hui advice after I told her of my situation and struggle with mediocrity:

"Just take it. God gave it to you. "

Quote daddy:

God defies logic.

Thank you Father God. :)

Guess You kept my little 'silly in my eyes' prayer I said a year ago? And Your faithfulness tells me that You are in control, healed my recent heartbreak, and no matter how heartbreakingly big the matter may be I need not be afraid.

And The Pilot who controls and always saves the aircraft that has failed its own means to save itself in that crashing situation!

2011-02-14T20:45:00.002+08:00

I admit, I have problem conversing with people on a different wavelength/below my (already very average) intellectual ability. I tend to be rude, especially when one is rather a close relation of mine; and less towards a stranger. Also, I very much dislike people who talk too much, especially when the topic does not concern/amuse me; I can tolerate it for sometime, but not long before I get irritated.

Instead, I'm trying to find friends who will not only listen to what you have to say, they are genuinely interested in your life. Not stalkers who judge and form certain opinions of you after knowing what you have to say and think about things. Genuinely Good people, I shall attract you :)

I've also learned to be extremely careful on facebook; as there are people who secretly follows your updates very closely. If I want to pour out some heartfelt opinions, do it somewhere else. If I want to tell the world of what things I've done, do it somewhere else. People judge you on what you think and the things you do. Writings in hard copies should be kept properly, because I've had a sad encounter of having one's diary blatantly flipped through.

Guess that's all I have to say.
Cheers.

Lost ++++

2011-02-09T02:44:00.003+08:00

To think what's ahead of this is always quite a task, very alarming to take a peep at it, in fact.

I must confess, I have not done quite as well in my second year, and I don't like the feeling. There's no doubt that the world looks at your merits (taking bias out of the picture) and that failing isn't an option- although they forever tell you to take your failures as a stepping stone. Who ever remembers the runner up? I don't even know the partners of Rem Koolhaas' OMA. I only know Rem Koolhaas, because he's the guy that pioneered the firm.

So, what are my goals I want to achieve? You should know I'm not Miss Ambitious Career Woman. Every little bit of excellence always take me by surprise; and sometimes you feel guilty of all that that gives you a valuation. I am not worth my school results. Either better or worse, it does not reflect your whole being.

Its hard for me to find my talent; for I have my passions, but none that I find I'm distinctly good at. But how, how can the world function if everybody is exceptionally good at something in brains and skills; because who will take away the rubbish? Who will clean up the used plates? Who will be the one sweeping the streets? Who will twist a soft cone for you at the ice cream counter? Can everyone fly jet planes and conduct orchestras? Who will refuel your engines and built your concert halls?

Where am I standing? What's my coordinate in your masterplan?

Should I pursue this like most of the other people and stop when I need to, pursue it till the very end, or hop onto a mission ship and travel the world with no income?

Its terrifying to be lost in a blizzard, because you're lost in complete white in a monstrous weather; its also terrifying to be lost at sea, because the sea is terribly vast and you can't see the limits with a chance of drowning after you've used up your energy treading water. But maybe I can command the blizzard to stop. And I can walk on water.

When I grow up, I just want to be happy.

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

All that Drama.

2011-01-24T21:45:00.006+08:00

You know, things you anticipated for a long period of time just flashes before you eyes; before you could get another glimpse of it, its long gone. Well all you get is pictures of it.

Its already Monday, yes I anticipated it all, but I wasn't much excited. Running away to play music 3 times a week was my only escape from Prison. I was tired, but at least I had a night off. I didn't play well, but I get compliments. I keep the pretty things, I run away from messy things.

Anyway year 3's will be missed. Marks another year of people coming and leaving oh so fast. That's probably one of the worst feeling ever (besides Regret), of people leaving; we don't get to keep the person, only the memories. That's what you get for being in the group a year earlier than most of the peers your age- people one year senior leaves and you don't really know the people of your batch besides the few who are in the same boat as you are.

Despite it all, glad that couple of friends were so willing and enthusiastic about this concert :) The amount of supportive wishes wasn't expected too, now I know more people are listening to Classics!

Glad that I somehow managed to level up, although I didn't play up to my expectations.

Why have them expectations when it seldom hits satisfaction but only disappointments?

I don't know what's install for next season; all I know that I have to work extra hard for v1 on my part if I want to be part of the next concert. But I don't mind it. In fact I might just be the type of person that loves that lifestyle. Sometimes I feel that its better to sit behind a desk and play all day- more fulfilling than sitting like a robot in front of CAD.

monday morning angst cured by adam levine.

dangg.

Poor Hawker.

2011-01-19T08:43:00.002+08:00

Hawkers might just love the every cent they had cheated you of. (well not all, but generally- especially the Singapore ones)

Within a week I have met 3 stingy+shady hawkers:

At one of the Jurong Point foodcourt stalls that I purchased a bowl of noodles from, I requested for more vege. The first time I politely ask the cooking auntie, she ignored me. The second time I ask her, she changed the subject, "chi de?"/ Eating here? She said. The third time I called "Auntie," Yet Again she ignored. I called her again, and finally, she said (in chinese) "There's a limit to vegetables, its expensive these days."

I own a starbucks tumblr which looks tall, but the walls of the bottle are thick so its narrow inside- not really much total volume. I used it for bringing coffee/tea into the studio so I will not get caught illegally eating/drinking and so attracting the rats that they (really) found. It also minimizes the mess done but styrofoam cups and the sustainability of it.

Anyway, hawkers always think that my bottle is extra tall of having bigger volume. They won't fill the bottle straight away until they reason out how much they should charge me or fill the bottle.

The first drinks stlall man used his own styrofoam cup to fill in the drink, then told me to fill it in the bottle myself. It was exactly the same amount. Why waste a disposable cup when you can just give me a little more of that water?

The second drinks stall lady took a look at my bottle and gave me a choice:
1. Pay 60 cents for full cup
2. Pay 50 cents for half cup

I know its only a 10 cents to cause a rise of 50% in drink volume (I don't know what kind of elasticity this is)
But sorry, I won't let you have an extra 10 cents for you let go of more water in that huge dispenser.

She filled up 60% of the bottle anyway, that 10% more probably from me saving her one styrofoam cup. I forgive poor hawkers, for 10 cents might mean a world to them.

December again.

2010-12-22T01:22:00.004+08:00

Twenty second of December, year of 2010. Hello.

I've been doing a decent amount of reading, but haven't been writing. Because I hate writing trivial things on blogs, and I cannot structure my opinions like I used to do, where thoughts are rather sporadic these days. I can be decent today and a monster tomorrow; and what separated the two personalities? Perhaps only a glance of someone's picture, a phrase, or a nightmare that night. I don't know my self so well at 19; I bet I knew myself better when I was 17. I knew what I wanted, I had clear intentions, I had my believes and my principles for living deeply rooted. Today I doubt, I question, and I doubt even more because people around me, they confuse me. You're not wrong to call me disillusioned, dad, because I am.

Have I made all the wrong choices when I had all the freedom to make them when I past 12? I admit, I forced my parents to let me have my way in certain things when I was younger- I refuse ballet, I refuse violin, I refuse to practice the piano, I refuse the dresses my mum bought me. Do I regret it all? Sadly, I do. But those are inessential matters I could do without; choices I made when I was 12 was something I could ponder about- the what if's I chose the other way? What if I had gone to another institution? What if I chose to do something else? Would there be lesser psychological pain when someone or some incident today pierced my ego? Would there be better days ahead? Would there be a different kind, a better kind or challenge that I could pursue today?

I need someone like Hassan from the Kite runner.
I need someone to completely eat up my ego.

I don't hear you, it must be because I didn't even talk to you.

Hello November.

2010-11-17T00:45:00.003+08:00

I'll just leave another Jon Foreman written article link here.

The Drunk and the Hypocrite

Another Christmas coming. Good people are still miles away. What kind of me shall I be this time?

Well hello, its October.

2010-10-06T16:41:00.002+08:00

Somehow, I've unceremoniously started my new blogging habits on Tumblr.
This space have served me well for the younger days, a place where I typed out every occurrence in bad English, and tell the whole world about my life. Its nice actually, to reflect on daily happenings and slowly see your developing opinions over the years, but I must say that I've been lacking on words lately. I've turned into somebody who relies heavily on visual material- although the appreciation for good words have increased. Weird huh.

So, if I come here to post, it'll be a good one; a more reflective post, or simply a bigger experience that deserves a good ol' post to keep my memory alive.

Otherwise, life is on Tumblr. We have short stories and updates there too. :)

I'm sure He took out the colour palette.

2010-09-18T22:56:00.002+08:00

nice stuff. intricate design!

Yo Joes!

2010-09-09T13:47:00.005+08:00

I know, I'm a Year late for this but. Seriously, Awesome action-packed movie :D

Technology & Machinery + Military action + old enemies and the past + bad guys, good guys + a little bit of unpredictable romance = a very good action movie.

The Technology is State of the Art! I can expect so much fun playing with those gadgets and machines, man.

After taking the Nanotechnology module for GEMs the last semester, it really Is the Next Big Thing; it can bring so much convenience, yet so much destruction in the wrong hands.

But just imagine Technology- 'world standards have improved thanks to Technology'

Are we moving on to Utopia, or Dystopia?

"Hey Dead Guys Don't Breakdance!"

Lifestyle Marketing.

2010-09-08T23:57:00.000+08:00

Walked round town the whole day with 2 Swensens firehouses on Ahdada's birthday, and then a movie with Kim, Kelvin & Ben to finish it off!

Thought The Joneses managed to show us how far marketing penetration can go into. This seemingly perfect American family have it all: the cash, the looks, the assets, the charisma, the 'friends' - oh wait, they're hired by the marketing company. Just took my last marketing paper yesterday, so I remember they call this the 'reference: aspirational group'.

If people were to ask me what marketing is about, I'll define it as:

Marketing is essentially the study about human psychology; to study how people will respond in spending their money given all the internal and external stimuli around them.

In The Joneses, they are selling the American Dream lifestyle.

Still, the ending shows us that some conscience spoke to Steve: this lying business isn't gonna get him anywhere.

To be part of this Marketing Unit, you'll have to completely be a humanoid, without a tinge of humanity.

Nice show for the night. Cheers!

Across the table.

2010-09-05T14:52:00.003+08:00

Waiting for something,
something, someone familiar.

Looked down at my shoes,
tugged under the table
neatly,
I was waiting.

Seats round the Table
vacant, still.
there, was Expectation.

something,
Beautiful;
It occupied the empty opposite,

clasped my hands,
I stared,
stunned,
stunning familiarity.

pulse running,
never had this feeling;
but why?
who am I?

nothing to do,
but just looking across,
across the table.
Heart skipped to many beats.

too familiar,
she was.
were we meant to meet again?

focused lost;
expecting worst things-
mum lays her hand,
"lets get a seat on the other table, dear."

Listened;
heart, eyes, still on that table.
uneasy, dad comforts.

to speak, I cannot.
but he understands his son.

event over,
dad took me over;
to The Table.

dad calls out,
for to speak, I cannot.

she turns,
a smile,
a graceful smile,

but she does not recognize;
to her, I was unfamiliar.

sadness;
like a flood.

but the smile;
I walked over.
Speak, I cannot.

offered my hand,
we touched.

thrilled,
it was enough.

turned back,
to run away.

paralyzed.

Gentleman.

2010-08-18T10:52:00.000+08:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/standoff-with-florida-pol_b_685042.html

Replay: My standoff with Florida Police
Jon Foreman

When I'm on tour, I try not to think about home too much. I write songs, write things for the Huffington Post, and watch a lot of Sports Center. Lately, ESPN has been running segments on whether instant replay should be used in MLB games. Blown calls like the one that ruined Armando Galarraga's perfect game brings this controversy to a head. Personally, I see both sides of the issue. On the one hand, life (like baseball) is unfair. Sometimes calls go your way, sometimes they don't. On the other hand, our sense of justice speaks up for the folks who've been robbed of victory of a good play by a bad call.

What are umpires after all? They're just folks like you or me. And yes, like us, they are only human. "To err is human, to forgive is divine" -- and to watch the instant replay on the big screen is pretty great too. I was thinking about how helpful this sort of instant replay would be for real life situations outside of the ballpark. For those close calls in life, it would be amazing to be able to review the tape and change your behavior accordingly. You could see things from a different vantage point, or see something you might have missed before. I'm thinking of one specific moment right now. A moment that still is fresh in my mind. A moment that made me angry and frustrated. I'm thinking about my run-in with the police in Tampa Bay Sunday night (which fortunately/unfortunately was videotaped from a few angles).

The day started off great -- our band played a few tunes acoustic at the radio station, caught a few innings of the Orioles/Rays game, and then played some rock 'n' roll at the local amphitheater. It was a beautiful night and I had a few songs left in me so I decided to play a couple tunes out in the parking lot after the show. I call them after-shows and they're exactly what they sound like. No tickets, no lights, no amplification, just a few tunes for whoever wants to listen. These moments embody much of what I love about music: spontaneous, communal and pure. A few old songs and a few new ones, nothing too planned out -- it's just a chance to see music bring people together.

The after-show had just begun when things got interesting. I finished my second song, a tune called "Against the Voices" (ironically enough), when I noticed flashing lights accompanied by a loud voice declaring the night to be over. Now I'm not a rabble-rouser by nature and I have a healthy respect for authority, but I was really disappointed at the way this was being handled. This peaceably established group of well-mannered kids were not violating any laws I could think of. The officer was yelling as though he had already asked me to leave, referencing telling me "one more song already," but I had never spoken with him before.

Sure, I want to get arrested for rock 'n' roll as much as the next guy, but I couldn't think of any crime we had committed. I couldn't figure out whose civil liberties this officer was protecting. The whole thing felt so silly -- so juvenile on both sides. I had no idea that singing in the venue's parking lot in the middle of nowhere would cause such a stir. I hate that kind of attention. I'd rather just sing these things with my eyes closed and enjoy the moment. I wanted to put this thing behind me, to write the whole thing off. But with ESPN's gentle nudge, I decided to review the tape, to see it from a different perspective.

So I went back to the instant replay on YouTube this morning to see what I could have done better. And after looking at the tape, I would have made a different call: I would have pushed for communication instead of one more song. I wish that I could have pulled the officer aside to hear his thoughts about the situation. I would have asked him why we were getting kicked out. I would have asked him, "Is there a more appropriate place to play one last song?" I wish I would have asked him why he was yelling at these kids. I wanted to understand the situation, to shake his hand and speak like grown-ups rather than being yelled at.

One of my best friends back in San Diego is on the police force. I've heard his stories; it can be a rough job with unexpected stress. The job of the police is to protect and serve the populace -- in this case, the folks of Tampa Bay. His badge is to be respected because of the service he provides to the community. I'm sure this officer was trying to do his best to serve us, but communication was not handled well. He could have explained why we were being kicked out. Surely he could treat the citizens that he serves with the respect that he also desires.

I'm still not sure why the officer wanted the music to stop. We were not the last to leave the parking lot, we were not blocking traffic, and there had been no noise complaints. The only reason he gave was that he wanted to go home. The only other question of mine that was answered was his name: Officer Fisher. I'm sure that if we sat down for coffee, Officer Fisher and I would find a few things in common. Maybe we could talk baseball, or Beatles, or Zeppelin. Maybe we could find some common ground to stand on. Yes, after watching the tape, I have reversed my decision: I would have gone for communication instead of one more song.

Every night, I play a song called "The Sound" and dedicate it to Mr. John M. Perkins, a civil rights leader and a hero of mine. Mr. Perkins believed (and believes) that love is capable of bringing people together from all sorts of backgrounds, no matter what race, religion, age, occupation, etc. Love speaks louder than hatred. Love speaks louder than even our fears. To be able to sing this song every night, I try my best to live it out with my actions every day. Mr. Fisher, if in any way you felt threatened or disrespected by my actions the other night, please allow me to apologize. That was not my intention. I was simply hoping to play a few songs out in the parking lot for some folks who wanted to listen. I'm hoping to close this awkward incident the best way I can. I would love to find out how to do this sort of thing better for the next time we pass through. We all need each other. We all need second chances. We all need to learn from the replay. The umps, the cops, and me.

I've got to say, Jon, you're one of the most inspiring 'famous people' around this globe. Its cool if we get a short replay of certain situations in life, although many of us would wish for a full replay in certain points in life when it gets difficult and ugly. There are always times and situations where we wished for things to be handled differently, where we 'should' have said different things or made a different choice; but well, Jon did 'rewind' and review his mistakes - although the situation can not already be corrected once again, it is possible to learn from it. Postmortem, right?

Good move here, Jon. You displayed the character of an admirable human. There are hardly anyone one left, with all that pride, that would not bulge in with a kick or a punch, especially when you have people (in this case, fans) on your side. Its definitely way harder to get 'kicked or punch'/insulted in front of your fans, but that shows us Humility. He had been in some frustration after obeying the officer, but the ability to forgive is commendable!

Ahh, how I hate living in this dog-eat-dog world. This read gave me a kicked in the ass after I've decided to play monster after reading various opinions of life-after-uni just yesterday - how underpaid certain jobs are, capitalistic world making the rich and richer and the poor get poorer; that I should still stand and believe in good things, they still exist, not everybody is nasty, and its takes a real hero with courage to Forgive.

I'm called to forgive a same man seventy times seven times; so even if somebody cheats me of all my hard work, I'd still have to cry out my frustration, and then learn to forgive. Well, ain't that a real heroic act. I wonder how many percent of me is the heroic side.

Love listening to their songs; reminds me that there are still Good songs around, there still healthy Fun people around, and also there are people that truly Inspire.

He's here!

2010-08-16T23:21:00.002+08:00

Joe is here to promote my Tumblr page. YEAHH XD

Realized I haven't had much to say here since I started college. A lot has change; and I probably dislike blogging what I've done today, yesterday, and tomorrow like some blogs do, unless its really significant I have enough viewpoints on the event, I'll write. Or else, its pretty worthless unless you're releasing some hatred speech or trying to tell the whole world (literally) that you dislike someone.

I prefer to put on what I Love.

(like that guy above yo,)

another reason is that my main interests have shifted. I no longer do what I did in high school, my concerns are no longer the same, I look much further into the future than I ought to; but you'll still see the movies, books, music, all the same.

architectural interests are at : http://thesamejulia.wordpress.com

my likings have grown tremendously. and I reblog more than I write. therefore, use tumblr! :D

scottishbroccoli.tumblr.com

Remember, remember,

2010-08-05T14:00:00.004+08:00

I'm back into Dream Journaling! Since they'd been weird ones lately. Not so epic, just darn nonsensical.

2 concerned my Roomey, since I see her everyday.

Well, Monday night we were talking about how we prefer older, decent guys while I was preparing for my critique the next day. Not actually preparing though, I don't really prepare for presentations lately- I just speak out what's on my mind for the moment, of course sometime missing out pieces of information. So the conversation ended with crazy tear jerking laughters that I'm sure the ears outside our room could have been unintentionally eavesdropping.

When I went to sleep this dream came to me that Roomey brought a pretty young guy into our room, and he was sitting on my white chair. In my mind, I said good job. He didn't look too bad.XD They were talking like normal friends but I perceived it to be her boyfriend. Ha! The next thing I knew I was stalking her at her church (the setting might not be exactly her church, but I knew I walking through Her Church.) I saw Roomey and this older guy, with a beer belly, chubby a little, already had the uncle-like look on the face. While I was behind a column stalking Roomey, some teenager was beside me too (must be on a stalking job as well), told me rumours that they were an item. Oh. Where's the younger guy already. I know we discussed that older guys were better and more matured. But why this Uncle! Was he really such a decent guy? I hope I didn't planted that idea that you had to go straight for an uncle right after the discussion!

That was it, couldn't remember more. hee. Told her the next day, and she told me to dream of a younger guy the next time. XD

Well, nonsensical, isn't it.

2 mornings later, Roomey told me I was babbling at 6 something in the morning, before my alarm rang.

Couldn't remember a thing that happened in my mind that night though.

She said it was annoying, because she wanted to go back to sleep before she really needed to wake up for school.

***

Last night, had another dream.

I was in Church, the one I attend regularly. The building wasn't the same, the old building was still there, with the blue paints and cabin like structures, but the new building wasn't there at all. Instead, that building was an old roman like cathedral, with the ionic columns lined up at the front facade. It was slightly yellowish, not pure white. And it was at night, in the first scene where I was in the top storey, a meeting room, where we were seated at a long feasting/meeting table for the discussion of whether we should add steel beam to hold the roof above us. The beam was not at the building line, but left the roof eave to be cantilevered. Well, the plan was made. I walked out of the building into the car park, where I noticed that the building looks like it was going to crumble down anytime. Gave me some creeps, and I hopped into my dad's car.
The next afternoon they fixed the beam, and we were in the meeting room again. This time, they were discussing concerning the cantilevered part of the roof- it looked as if it wasn't going to hold for long. We agreed on placing another beam across, and the beam would go into the wall. This time they did it straight away, the beam was brought in my some construction workers and they fixed it straight away. The moment it was fitted into the wall, all of us noticed the crack in the wall spreading. All ran out of the meeting room down to the empty carpark. I noticed a column falling and crashing to the ground. We knew there was a service in the ground level, so one or two ran in the crashing building to inform the meeting to escape right away. I was called to run in to inform the people too. Soon people went out, not so frantically. And at last I saw Samjit standing at the door shouting out to me from afar, that everyone's out of the building, nobody was hurt. And then the final scene was the building crashing down.

Nonsensical, right.

Second dream last night was rather disturbing. This time it was Roomey and I together, we walked out of church, I wonder who's church it was, because it didn't seemed so familiar. It could even be in Singapore, because we were walking out the church into streets that seemed to be flanked with HDB's. We crossed the road opposite the church, and notice a weird guy stalking us. He wasn't very big in size, more on the thin side, and was looking on the ground most of the time when I took a look at him. Whenever we changed direction, he would follow us. Now we knew that it was hard to shake him off. Roomey had a toy samurai sword with her, threatening to hurt him if he stalked us. Instead he managed to grabbed the samurai sword from her. We were in trouble. We thought him as Kidnapper. Kidnapper told us to follow what he said or we might get hurt. I wanted to take the risk to escape, run the other direction; but Roomey said we should just follow what he say, because he might really hurt us harder if we tried to escape. So we followed him to a foodcourt located at one of the HDB void decks. We told Kidnapper that we needed to use to restroom, and we went to the foodcourt's restroom, and both of us hid in one restroom, thinking that if we could stay in it long enough, he won't get us anymore. After sometime we went out the rest room, and went back to the foodcourt. To our dismay, Kidnapper was still around. This time, he was sitting around one round table with some ah-beng ah-lian friends, smoking, drinking beer, and playing cards. He asked us to join. We were afraid to leave, yet we didn't like sitting around that kind of friends. Just then, I heard my Roomey's alarm clock song. Went back to dream space and told my roomey: no worries. We're in a dream. We're gonna wake up soon, there's no need to escape.

I just love the feeling that I'm no more danger, that I can return to the real world and I'm perfectly safe, lying down on the bed. (:

I could relate most of the event characters and setting to my real world experiences, like always. I briefly came across the article of Sistine Chapel that night, and have imagine the next church building to be cathedral-like whenever my dad asks me to come up with a design it- no wonder there was a cathedral like building in my dreams, on the same plot of land I would like it to be!

Oh, and the day before I remember seeing a group of people in my studio playing cards, talking loudly and using crude words when the Crit session was over. Could be the people I dislike in my dreams- the ones playing cards, smoking and drinking.

&& I hope I don't dream too much about JGL in the day, I need to be working on reports and projects when I'm awake enough to do it. Although it would be awesome if its a night time dream, like how it was with Li yundi :D

Inception!

2010-08-01T22:48:00.000+08:00

Oh dear. Its time for my to crawl out of my dream world and stop fan-girling over JGL I'm not in a dream. I should be doing something more useful.

But its been darn long since I went fan-girling- which didn't come up to any conclusion other than just a temporary craze. It's too meaningless.

But still, being cute, smart, talented and hot, JGL is simply hard to resist.

XD :D

Remember him acting as a kid in A River Runs Through It, and the features stayed!

Equally adorable in 500 days of summer :3

Anyway, Inception was a fascinating movie, having a team of people on a mission to change a person's mind by going into his dream space. The storyline is easy to understand once you know the rules of how they work; the cool part is totally the anti-gravity visual effects and surrealism, awesome soundtrack, great actions, spiced up with some thrill, and very importantly the Cast :D

I hope this craze doesn't linger long, because I need to get back to reality. There's tons of work to be done. (:

2010-07-15T00:10:00.002+08:00

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord;

my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

A gift last night and the following morning.

Weekend therapy is merely a temporary therapy.

I thank You.

Careful Hands

2010-07-01T15:11:00.004+08:00

Put your coat on, this city trembles.
Keep your chin up, as you untangle God
From cold blood and bruises.

We are X-rays of something broken.
Cursive bloodlines write every forecast:

An orchestration Of dissonance and innocent surrender.
When our color dies,
We will bury the ashes of time,
And we will earn new eyes.

Wrists get tired rewriting futures.
Our bodies beg us to be creatures of habit.
We are creatures of habit.

Only with careful hands
We’ll turn their fangs into feathers and cures.
Only with careful hands
We’ll divide the prisoner
From the pioneer.

Clever beauty,
Umbrellas folding.
In architecture, our lines will measure
A map to find us.
Blue ink will guide us home.

Cranes are creeping, lifting metal,
We will find new ways to settle,
Tipping scales from the killer to its prey.

I can feel the weight around us,
Climbing every rib inside us,
A sanctuary in a lion’s mouth.

Ghosts

2010-07-01T13:01:00.002+08:00

If you listen just right, you can almost hear it.
The symphony of secrecy, love and fear.
search for love, but finding fear.

Like a moth to a flame, we become helpless
To the beautiful ghosts
That true love sheds.

We are all running our very own races,
Set out upon the most dangerous of places.
And through it all, we were left
With a void in our chests,
We're aching to fill.

The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through the mouths from which we speak.

God, will you help us understand the meaning of it all?
Will you send your Angels down to us, at our every call?
Sometimes it seems the world is passing us
Faster than my eyes can adjust.

I can't decide
If I'm living or I'm dying.
So I test your love and I test your love, I test your love.

-Sleeping at Last, 2003

Highschool never ends, just a whole lot more colours besides neon blue pinafores! (:

2010-06-25T00:13:00.007+08:00

Was it Mel or Cal, who brought up the dreadful question and subject: "Don't you feel that we're getting so old? We're almost twenty!" And those hitting thirty might have just flung their slippers at us.XD

Twenty isn't really old in this lifetime, just that the fact that time passing so quickly gives us the impression that we're growing old so very fast. Or rather, we keep complaining about time running so fast is because we didn't think we achieved or done enough in the past fews weeks/months/years/decades. Oh yeahh I've found the secret of it all 8D

Heh. But dang I thought we looked good that day on the 23rd of June 2010. Cal still small as ever, wonder if anybody takes advantage of this petit and sweet friend of mine: because I'll stuff her with fattening agents or transfer some of my unwanted fats over, you know, give her more build and courageous looking 'grrr'. ahah!:D

I realized my world is almost free of adversaries (: So don't you dare pick a fight with me :B

Well headed to Singapore after lunch and chat with Cal, its was Raining heavily, Fann passed the JB customs with an expiring passport, officers on the Malaysian side closed an eye but, still, I don't know how well we can trust those officers seeing them loitering around the CIQ complex with nothing to do. Fingers crossed, rain pouring down the bus windows over the windy snake roads.. some smiles to the Singapore side customs officer and voila! Magico. she got through. :D

Met mel in Ikea, offers simple but very-yummy Food,and a fantastic place to camwhore:D The colours are the most brilliant and well matched furnitures, objects, layouts, showrooms(:

Finally we went to the victoria concert hall to see the very pretty gorgeous talented goddess. Everything we wished we could be eh?

Its okay. Although there's so much I want myself to be,

I'm still very happy being Me (:

Cinderella Story!

2010-06-17T14:36:00.003+08:00

(Geishas are not Japanese equivalent of a prostitute.)

Beautiful scenes, strong acting,

luxurious, ethereal, intoxicating.

& I'm so fond of happy endings. (:

Youthful Days.

2010-06-16T18:10:00.003+08:00

I might have been complaining about the music being too loud, the lights and smoke too thick and distracting, and blaming myself for being such an Old Lady when I haven't yet hit the second decade of life- but I experienced what Freedom and real Joy is.

True Romanticism!

2010-06-14T20:54:00.003+08:00

Good thing was, it was a happy ending :D

Now, where do I find time for the thick book.

2010-06-11T10:09:00.004+08:00

1990 Tim Burton Masterpiece. (:
& Johnny Depp! <3

Tim Burton brought up the issue of physically being different, unusual and isolated from the norm. Why does it matter so much to be physically attractive to be accepted? Where has the heart gone to?

2010-06-01T21:34:00.004+08:00

Realized I haven't blogged in the month of May and now, its the first day in the month of June! There's two posts secretly hiding in the draft section, but I don't think I have enough opinions to pour out concerning the issue of 'why sustainability' and C.S. Lewis books,' The Great Divorce and Out of the Silent Planet - first part of the cosmic trilogy. I've gone through the History & Theory of Architecture module readings, a whole lot of them, underlined the important points to note, but then again - too many opinions, none of them properly penned down. Which is something I have to do soon because it is an assignment to be completed soon. Time passes realllllly fast.(sorry, again) That kid outside my bedroom, who was still crawling few months ago, is now running around the house and learning to talk. And a whole lot taller!

If that kid is growing taller, I think I'm growing wider.

Seems like I come here every beginning of the term to spill out some stories. It is always the time where you sit and reflect on the how the weeks went by which seems like it was yesterday.

Well for me, the First term of Year 2 started, I made some effort to make some closer friends in the studio, went back to Strings Ensemble to play music that literally made me droolXD (which I was then subsequently transferred to the first violin section), new project came along, read and research much more than the previous year, had some suspicions concerning the new teacher, did not place as much concentration in the marketing module as compared to economics (oh I'm starting to hate projects and prefer reading!), ripped a whole lot of music CD's from the library :D, played some tennis with SPSE friends, had one of two meets with SPPE members, went to CF for bible studies, went back to JB on weekends to continue serving in the worship ministry, and piano lessons D;, preparation for the upcoming Youth Concert, played along with SPSE friends in the freshman orientation camp, attended Cho Yonggi's service in Expo, always visiting Jurong Point shops to check out new promos (oh shoot I'm getting addicted to shopping - something which I despised when I wasn't a Lady(: )

Ahh so much has happened.

Still the clearest event happenings would be last weekend's, where I forced myself to go home to get my sleeping bag, slippers, and attend another band practice for the upcoming Youth Concert in church. Its true that I always have to drag myself out of house when I could be watching a comedy or enjoying the Berlin Phil playing Mozart on Okto in what I call Home; but they say destress is destress, when you walk away from your current work that caused you the uneasiness to something else (like how I remember my Leader went to sleep when the Team had a very tight deadline, 3 to 4 years ago), you'll forget your worries. It does work actually, coming back refresh, sometimes into laziness, but most of the time ready for the work challenge. Well, I headed to camp the very next day after the practice, Strings Ensemble Freshman Orientation Camp which I left halfway last year. Well this year, I lasted another day although not the full camp. It was the complete opposite of the St John Intensive camp I used to attend throughout my highschool life, it was the sort of camp where you make new friends and play whole day. So you see, I wasn't quite in the mood to 'play whole day'. Interim critique was on the following week (this week). I wasn't quite done with my work, but I knew I was (always) on the last of the list, probably the last person who got in the cohort ;D I had some extra time to complete what I was supposed to complete, get my concept straight, and present it. Therefore it wasn't such an irrational decision to go to camp and get to know my interest group mates (: Its always fun to know more people who are willing to know you, therefore your effort on getting to know one isn't at all wasted, its reciprocal. I'm probably 80% introvert. I'd rather avoid the crowd and cook instant noodles for dinner, or I'd rather lie in bed with a good music and a good book instead of circling City Square for the umpteenth time, or rather hide in the room watching a movie on the computer notebook rather than going out in a big crowd to the theater or play the piano or violin for long hours than going out for a drink with a friend. Means I'd rather crash in bed or hide behind facebook rather than attending a camp to make new friends physically. Thanks to technology, many a times I'm either shy or lazy, the reasons I prefer it virtual. :D

Still, I should say I enjoyed the break free from school work for a while. Got some bruises and bites, but its okay. I said it wasn't so un-beneficiary after all, there world has such diverse characters, and I enjoy knowing those different people (well, who aren't proud and is willing to bring up a decent conversation or crack up a joke with me). The maze was a whole new experience, and new classroom game invention! All you need to create the maze is a classroom with desks, cardboard and tape, plan the route, of the lights and voila! You get that claustrophobic, steaming with sweat (only in tropical regions) tunnel made up of tables and cardboard partitions, and in complete darkness. Complete darkness is something I really despise, and I am ultimately grateful I have functional eyes. It probably feels like a blind man, where you have to depend on touch, sound, and other senses other than your vision. I was never able navigate through total darkness before, I was anxious to get out that I followed and discuss with my friend under the table whether to turn right or left, it was cramp for people like us to crawl under the desks, it was filled with heat and carbon dioxide because one too many people entered the maze at the same time, seldom a risk taker, I prefer my cellphone with me so I have a little light to navigate my way through. The next day I found bruises on my elbows and knees. But it was worth it, at this age, a game that still kept me amused.

Now, all that comes to mind are assignments and deadlines. But I wouldn't mind jotting down some short opinions on things that happened once again.(:

2010-04-17T00:09:00.009+08:00

This is the point where my second semester break comes to an end. Yes, That (some say) never ending 6-week long holiday is one that seems to stretch into forever, although that statement only applies to the bored aka boring people:P Knowing I was going to waste away like thrash during the last semester break if I don't find something useful to do, I decided to get a job opposite my right away after Crit week.

Least it made me walk up and down the restaurant aisle non stop for 5 hours, around 3 times a week so I don't go overweight too fast during the long breaks.

But work is work, you can't possibly skip your shift like you skip a class in school. You won't get into trouble, you'll lose the job. So that speaks for another missed out chance to meet my old buddies Properly before all of us run back to our mountain high assignments and project when the term stars all over again. Many run back to the University, while others like me stucked in college. But I'm fine. Somehow hoping this three years wouldn't end so soon because it's Life! (: I don't need to work my ass off to stay on board. Call me lazy, fat, and couldn't care less about my future. I'm just simply too laid back for my own good:D

Carpe diem, carpe diem.

Nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be glad.
&& watching a train passing by, a starry night sky, and ice cream!

Death is one topic often sought after (aside from sex, money and power), the mystery behind what happens next, has been in our ever inquisitive heads ever since we landed Here we could possibly live up to around 80 years on the average, if you're lucky and cross the roads properly most of the time. The bible said Methuselah lived up to nearly a thousand years. Well that's damn cool because you get to watch at least 12 generations grow up and get kids, AND you'll be the one ruling all of them :D But if he doesn't meet death earlier he'll be spending so much time missing people who've gone away earlier. So is it better to fight cancer on earth for ten thousand days, or BAM. Get caught up in an accident where death caught you off guard? (:

Never had any siblings I'd live together with before, but technically, I should have another 2 more siblings. One could have been a brother, another unknown. And its probably something new to many, besides a few primary school friends who was too close for me to be lying to; but I always choose to say, I'm the only child. Always was. Easier that way, because people always react the same way, and I have the generic answer for that.

And then sometimes I'd be envious of those who have a brother or sister to live with (especially on festive seasons), because the only time I'll be worrying about my future is because I'm the only child of this threesome, mum dad and me. And I'm the only one living in this generation, there's no more flesh and blood to relate to. Let alone this clan I'm in that's on the verge of extinction. Haven't met any Cheam's in person outside my famiy circle, only one virtual friend on facebook. And many a times you don't know whether there's really this person on the other side of the cyber planet. Could be just another computer programme like the Architect you see in The Matrix, right.

After being saturated with too much classic language that takes up half the time of reading to understand what the author wants to convey in that sentence, I'll leave Dickens and Austen aside first. I headed to school library the other day to look for my Marketing text actually, but landed on Jodi Picoult's My sister's keeper by chance. Well I think to be a good writer in my liking, you have to be extra observant of things people face everyday and be able to pen them down in Words. Like how an artist brings out an emotion in his abstract art. But sometimes its too abstract for me, so I prefer something easier and simpler to understand like music and dance, or Architecture (It's very practical, actually). Jodi Picoult does it very well, to how she relates to every character, voicing out their opinions and thoughts running through their head by writing in first person's point of view for a couple of important characters, to how she incorporates issues on ethical and moral debate we often hear about. The ending is bittersweet, so better read the last 50 pages alone where you can shed some tears without being caught. (:

Definitely worth a read, if you asked me.
(& the daddy character is a Fireman, and Firemens are Heroes:D )

Ohh, back to school. (:
I won't be around blogosphere when I'm running about in school, that's for sure.
Goodbye, for now!

Jon Foreman 'Possessed by Truth'

2010-03-27T16:14:00.001+08:00

I am in seat 23 E on a flight from San Diego to Dallas. It's a middle seat. I'm trying to remain composed and tranquil; I am failing. As far as I can tell the baby behind me feels about the same way I do. I thumb through the airline magazine (my regular watering hole for current events), until I start to wonder what viscous substance stuck the pages of the magazine together in the first place. I put the magazine back, stretch into the seat, and rub a sore neck.
Out of nowhere, I am struck by a thought. A thought that has boundless implications. A thought that feels more important than the seat belt/life-vest exhibition. So I write the idea on the back of my hand:
"Maybe truth is not something that I can possess. Maybe truth is something which possesses me."
I look at the words now scrawled on the back of my hand. I think it over and look away. The clouds are turning colors, blue, grey, green, purple. The sun is setting off somewhere behind me. It's my favorite time of day. I look back at my hand and read the idea again.
"Maybe truth is something which possesses me."
To be possessed by truth rather than the other way round is a thought that goes against much of what I have been taught. In fact, most of my education has been presented as a growing accumulation of truth. Throughout public school, I was graded on my comprehension of the facts. The higher grades were awarded to those who really owned the material.
The idea that truth has no owner turns the whole arrangement on its head. Maybe the straight-A students were the ones who surrendered to the system. Maybe they became servants and allowed the information to become their master, devoting countless hours of study to prove their devotion. Perhaps I was too devoted to other things in high school; I was possessed by the Pacific, going surfing whenever I could. I would never say that I owned the ocean, but I would certainly say that the ocean owned me. I surrendered to its call and resisted the truth that high school had to offer.
We now have more information than thousands of years of humanity could ever dream of. Without any effort at all, we could know the weather anywhere around the world, the population of Taiwan, or the first lady's middle name (I'm going to look it up as soon as I get off the flight). With this sort of data at our fingertips, we truly possess more facts than past civilizations would ever hope for. And yet, the meaning of it all is just as elusive as ever. I'm still sitting on a plane unsure as to whether the middle seat is occupying me or the other way round.
The idea spins around in my head -- so I look to folks that are smarter than me. I turn my thoughts to Sir Isaac Newton and the physical law most commonly associated with his name: gravity. The basic idea of gravitational pull is simple to understand -- a clumsy step on the stairs could prove Newton right. And yet this awkward fall does not prove that I am now the proud owner of gravity. No, quite the opposite. I might have a bruise or worse to call my own, but gravity certainly possesses me. I am under the dominion of the truth of gravity whether I fully understand the law or not.
I look out at the fading hills and imagine someone driving home from work. He's going bald quicker than he thinks. He just bought himself a car that screams one thing: MiddleAgeCrisisSportsCar. He begins the drive he takes home from work everyday. The traffic lights, the cars around him, the flat tire...these are all facts that he encounters on the way home; this is the data that he is responding to. He is under the influence of the facts around him. It's not determinism; free will is still involved. And yet, rarely will he choose to ignore a red light or slam into the car next to him. He does not possess the facts, the facts possess him and he drives accordingly.
Our market economy is fueled by ownership. The water we drink, the land that we live on, even our ideas are referred to as intellectual property as our world becomes homogenized into merchandise. These products are to be bought or sold -- anyone's private possession for the right price. But from time to time we ask the question: Who owns who? Is the MiddleAgeCrisisSportsCar the possession of a man who's losing his hair? Or is our balding friend possessed by his MiddleAgeCrisisSportsCar? Does he give the car her identity, or does the MiddleAgeCrisisSportsCar with her sleek lines and bright red paint lend the gentleman her personality for a brief moment of remembered youth?
Yes, our possessions possess us far more than we'd like to admit. And yet, even in our capitalist culture, we don't think of our friends or family this way. Outside of the greek life at college, most relationships have nothing to do with money changing hands. Yes, you may possess friends, but you would never call these friends your possession. When we fall in love we fall under the spell of another. You might say that your buddy is whipped, "He is possessed. She owns him." The truth of the one you love is most certainly something that possesses you and not the other way round.
I come up for air as the lady next to me, in 23 F is rubbing the perfume from the magazine onto her wrists. Smelling her wrists. Then repeating. She is trying to keep the fragrance with her, to possess the essence of the advertisement. I feel a sneeze coming on. Yes. Here it comes. For a brief moment there, I possessed a sneeze. No, actually I think the sneeze possessed me.
The stewardess hands me my orange juice. She sees the writing on the back of my hand and throws me a Sarah Palin comment. Dang it. Chris Martin disclaimers were hard enough. I explain that I've been writing things on my hands for a long time. There, good. At least we have an understanding. Now she has the truth. I look back at my hand, even writing this particular truth down on the back of my hand is a reason to think: Do I now have possession of this truth, owning its understanding or am I now temporarily tattooed with this truth, subservient to its reality?
My thoughts drift to religion. These are the truths that people live by and hold dear. In many ways, these are the truths that inspire our best and worst moments. The truths that motivate Mother Theresa and start religious wars. How can this be? How can fresh water and salt water come from the same hose? Perhaps it has to do with this concept of possession. If I view the truth as my possession to keep safe, I might feel the need to protect my faith. But if I am possessed by the truth, perhaps this protection is no longer needed. Maybe I am set free from the need to defend the truth, rather the truth defends me.
The idea of defending an all-powerful deity feels a bit silly when it's put out in the wind like that. And yet, that sentiment seems to epitomize much of what religion has come to mean. After centuries of witch-hunts, inquisitions and holy wars, many are still fighting hard to defend their faith in an omnipotent God who has no need of our protection. Maybe we are still protecting our beliefs as though we were the owners of this truth.
If our faith is to be more than just a lit match in the powder-keg of differing beliefs, what role does religion play in our modern world? What would it mean to be possessed by truth rather than simply the proud owner of a particular denomination? Maybe we could start with the common ground that we all can call truth. In all of the major religions of the world I find the call to protect the less fortunate.
From the Torah:
"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
Isaiah 1:17
From the Koran:
"Spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, for the ransom of slaves, to be steadfast in prayer and to practice regular charity."
83. Section 10
From the New Testament:
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
James 1:27
From Buddha:
"A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity."
The "truth" of loving those around me, the "truth" of seeking justice for the oppressed, the "truth" of a life of service -- these are truths to be possessed by: to be a slave in the service of the kingdom of the heavens, to be the servant of all. If the truths in this life have no owner then we are set free: free from the need to defend the truth, free to be possessed by this truth and simply live it out. Truth becomes much too large for me to possess; truth is the beauty and authenticity which possesses me.
Maybe the meaning of life is not something that I can control, but rather a reality which possesses me. Maybe there is no life guiding "fact" that I can put in my back pocket, as though I were the sole owner of the universe. Perhaps The-Meaning-of-Life-Himself is asking me the questions. When I look at a sunset, when I hear the songs of the ocean gulls, when I feel the warmth of family and friends, I am reminded of a story that is bigger than I am. Yes, this is my story but not mine alone. Truth was never mine alone. Truth is that which possesses me.
Oh and for the record, it's Michelle LaVaughn Obama. But I think that I might have already known that...

Original Post

Famous last words.

2010-03-10T19:11:00.004+08:00

Wouldn't it be awesome if you had a super power. A super power of playing with Time.

Or trade your mortal soul for youth with a portrait of yourself like how Mr Gray did.

She felled into a comfort zone and wished to stay in that alternate timezone forever. Being 18th was such an decent one, that she enjoyed every bit of it. Why of course, the hell of Secondary school was over and done with, being year 1 again - was the reward. Definitely, she did not hoped to go through another bit of sec school in her next life - if there is another, anyway. The journey was almost flawlessly smooth, and she felt like she could indulge in the calmness in timelessness. Of course, she was busy enough, and precisely the right amount of busyness she thought, was Perfect. Perfect that she could handle everything on her own. Never so carefree and independent. Kept all the cool-headedness people always observe in her. Inherited from her dad, supposedly. She was aware of growing into a feminist. Why, she was young, she was contented, she had everything that made her grow in the right sense. She could choose to do anything and everything, only if time and her conscience allowed. She met many people in a single year, probably the highest count so far, unique acquaintances and everything that promotes humanity. She's seen and understand beauty more, now she has her checklist typewritten neatly in her head;

Oh, now she's fallen into the rabbit hole. Shall wait for another ride of her life as she ventures to hit Goliath on his big and bulging forehead - only to make it swell and become bigger and explode like an atomic bomb. Like a Bomb.

I need my portrait painted D:

While I thought that I was learning how to live, I was learning how to die.

March on!

2010-03-01T17:54:00.006+08:00

Yes, officially LAST day to be found in the studio for the first year DARCH students.
Went to school, ready to pack up my models (well at least the smaller ones in a paper bag, all ready) when not a single model was on my studio desk.

I even planned to set up a home exhibition for my own satisfaction.

So for the first time with no worries, we slacked to the max in the studio. heh. Just waiting for lecturers to announce who's to stay for the interview because you might be on the brim of a pass and fail grade.

Well only one guy from 05/06. The others were safe. You may all proceed to the next stage.

So I ran up to the exhibition lounge, searched for my models. Surprisingly, all of my models were there. ALL. Even the massing and the unfinished-roof-rafters structural model. HAHAHA. Glad that they found it decent to be exhibited, at the same time disappointed that I couldn't take it back for my all-planned-exhibit (that eventually will collect so much dust that mum will make it go down the trash can one fine day :/ ), and worried that high chances it will get damage due to the naughty students who find so much fun in tossing tennis balls in the exhibit and studio areas :X, and ultimately happy because I didn't need to carry cardboard models across the causeway all the way home. HEH

I just need to get rid of that affinity towards my models. No models ever last forever no matter how much effort you throw in, eh? One day, every model has to meet its death. :)

Images obviously snapped by my cell phone's camera-secretly. Who would want to get caught taking pictures of their own models on the exhibit shelves hehXD

Very firsts Primer 1 models.

Primer 1 group model.

Primer 2 massing model.

Primer 2 final model.

Year one final project - Final model.

The unfinished structural model. Felt real bad about it actually. And now, one column's down. Who knocked it down, huh?

Anyway, I didn't believe it's already March 2010 when the clock strike twelve.
There's no reason I should get angry on a morning of the first day in March. But I did.
I thought my sensations shut down when that particular topic is raised, I thought it was all a numbing sensation, but somehow it stills pricks my soul. Why, because it ties back to my past.
A past that was bitter-sweet.

Well, it lasted not more than 7 minutes. I'm perfectly happy that I treated myself to lunch and dinner more expensive than usual :D

Cheers!

Almost as happy as a lark.

2010-02-25T00:46:00.003+08:00

The lights are go off, Youtube continues playing on my laptop - a different laptop, but still without backlights on the keypad; a different bed and country altogether; 14 months later with probably another 2kg's with an older looking face.

I remember watching the last Taiwanese drama in December 2008, during the final days of exam when I didn't really care so much to study anymore; today Julia finishes the next - at the end of February 2010 during the final tests of ES, MAT, and Econs, and the final portfolio review. Oh I must say that haipaitianxin amused me quite a fair bit, but it definitely sucks to be BaoZhu. Heh.

It's the end of Year 1! We took some pictures, had free lunch, had extra servings of the free flow ice-cream, reading little sentences of what our batch wrote about 'what is architecture?', had a few laughs with our year 1 lecturers, and I headed off to the school library - thinking that I should get a book since I'm free to input some reading for entertainment purposes.

I met Grace, someone who sat beside me for the Year, but only attending classes randomly - so Michael and I get less table space every twice to thrice a week. Cut the slack, she was rather a nice person. She was rummaging the DVD racks for some movies and invited me to watch a movie with her at the media corner. It was full then, I was lazy to wait for an empty slot, so I headed back to the room - finishing up the last quarter of the drama series I was catching.

I enjoy some entertainment at the end for the sake of celebration, but what kind of entertainment, I usually decide for myself. Anyway, I like how I can cancel one stroke on the wall like a criminal in prison, waiting for the years to go by before he is released. It is the risk I took in 2008 when the decision was made for myself, that I shall go to architecture school after high school - but I shall be careful not to let a career take control Life. I thought that I should treasure youth as it comes only once in a lifetime, enjoy without ruining it. :)

Cheers to the completion of Year 1. I wonder how many classmates will I have next academic year.

CRIT MANIA

2010-02-11T23:13:00.004+08:00

Wednesday Morning Session Critique.

Had to swap my Awesome-Last-Person-On-Last-Day-Of-Crit time slot with Michael with a simple reason of not wanting to get caught up in the foreseen massive jam at the causeway on Friday evening.

After the the major submission on last Friday, I was looking forward to the first ever concert I would be participating in on the following Sunday. Architecture work? Was it as fun as playing music with a group of awesome people who don't swear because of the SSS (Studio-Stress Syndrome). Was it really that stressful for the first year in Architecture school? I thought I've seen worst cases. Anyway, in practices all I get is "Wa. Sit down whole day also can develop muscle on one side of the back." That kind of random nonsense :)

I hope after reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry's concepts of life will not linger in my head for long. I know its bad, but, I'm probably at the best age in life. It's the age where you step out into the adult's world and realized there's so much ahead of you. The age where you could decide what you want to be, how you want others to perceive you, and enjoy that unwrinkled skin and optimum health. Like they say the professional tennis players reach their peak around the age of 25 (except Roger Federer who's still going strong at 28XD). It's the phase where people around you would shape how you would be like in the future, the lifestyle you live with now would probably be stuck with you till you start finding wrinkles on your forehead, and then will the community around you stick around you?

Well, point is, after Friday's submission, I had a random feeling that I was done with Architecture school. What shall I study next?

I'm young, I could do anything I want.

Or to make things clearer, after finishing a year in Architecture school, shall I switch my major to something else?

Why do I like to do everything, and not the determination to complete one thing at the time?

Jack of all traits, master of none.

***

Anyway, I kinda love this part of the whole thing. Some get really crushed, but, Enjoy.

Its a space where your mum sends you to sit in for an hour when you're naughty.

I won't go there to read in front of a wall, I'll probably go there to chant.

Dry kitchens are for angmohs where they do fake cooking. Warm up their maggi mee and stuff.

A kitchen doesn't have to be an enclosed space even though HDB has been doing that for the past fifty years.

What's that yellow strip? Like lemon paste. Eggtart.

Like an army of Frodo and elves. So disconnected. Wow. I'm levitating.

Why is your rendering like a Doomsday scene?

Like handyplast.

What's that orange thing there? Like the room's on fire. Somebody burning alive in there.

You know what is diarrhea? That, is diarrhea.

What's that rectangle doing down there? Is it the client's coffin?

-sarcasm ends here-

lalala-Quit architecture school if you don't want your ego crushed-lalala

Let's call it a Day.

2010-02-08T10:21:00.007+08:00

The day passed really, really fast. Before we knew it, it was all over. Anyway since I'm constantly getting older, my 24 hours always feels a fraction less than the day before. Therefore, a day passes without any feeling that I physically went through it. You must think that I have some paranoia, keep thinking that tomorrow will be the shortest day of my life because I'm the oldest living thing on earth, eh. My friends told me yesterday that I had a paranoia of the bow strings falling off in the midst of playing - no, they were dropping their bows right before the concert startedXD

2010 doesn't really feel new to me, just another day really. Maybe because I'm still tied down on my final project since the second semester of Year 1 - in architecture school. Year 1 hasn't ended yet, but it'll end soon, the end of February. That's when March shall mark the start. I love Spring.

Hectic whole semester it was, with the final submission last Friday. But I've been through it. A whole day in the studio without seeing the sunlight, I rush off to the farthest end of the campus to attend night classes (and now I feel smarter than my classmates :P) Tuesdays the same, only that I normally attend the Christian Fellowship meeting but not for the fourth term - where I'll be rushing off to attend sectional practices, sometimes until 10pm. Wednesday I'll grab the chance to work on the finals the whole-day long. Thursdays the same studio hours, with an exception that I'll be looking forward for the night to come - it's call music therapy.

Well, we had to work it out. The people from the Strings Ensemble are a pretty decent bunch of people, never heard a single swear word before; unlike in the studios where I have to mute off the infinite amount of vulgarities with my earphones. The more often the computer programme screws up, the higher the frequency of vulgarities. Anyway, we had our academics and the upcoming concert to juggle with - such frequent practices and homework in between, very common. Its the final term, all the more work has to be done for our academics - but simultaneously, we strive to get the notes and learn the score right.

I've been marking the concert date on the calendar since September last year, when I was 5 months younger, and then it came, and pass, like the wind. The night was over, before I knew it. I was looking forward to it, never played in a concert like this before, let alone shifted to the first desk because of the player who was not being able to play 0n the day of concert. Felt rather unworthyXD

We knew where we went wrong, probably not to be receiving every word of 'good', or 'beautiful' from Mr Yang for every single piece we played. Still, the audience was gracious enough to have gave a good job, thumbs up. Second violinists, good effort! For the little background of violin playing we have, weren't perfect, but certainly a good improvement since day one I joined the ensemble :) Thanks to ♥all of you who sent me wishes before the event!! Thanks to all my lovely people who attended and supported the event ♥mum, ♥dad, ♥cousin yeelin, ♥roomie shannon, ♥old buddy jon, ♥archi work-shadowing buddy dan, awesome archi peeps ♥ahdada, ♥mandy, ♥yinleng, CF penangite ♥andrew && ♥♥SPSE♥♥all of ya!

Good Night.

2009-12-31T22:46:00.000+08:00

I don't know how many zillion times I've said this, but time does flies - day by day it gets faster, because you're another day nearer to death.

One decade has been really fast. Scenes of my chilhood still vividly floats in my mind, it was then that I was 9, the year of the Millenium.

In this recent decade I've learned much, met many people, did many different things, and things that I did not quite expect, too. What can a nine-year old expect anyway, other than dreaming of becoming an astronomer and playing with my primary school mate when we were supposed to make a house out of cardboard and styrofoam for a living skills project. I must admit too, ostracizing myself from a certain community for a good couple of years and come back realizing, everyone has changed. What have I done?

Anyway

Architecture School changed my day-to-day schedule quite a fair bit. Always believe that if I allocated just enough time to get the text book in my head before the last hour before examination, I have nothing to fret about. But a diary in black and white was essential, noting down dates I should be aware of - and the other unimportant dates I could just... watch YouTube, eh x) Architecture school made me keep a mental diary - why because everyday at everyhour I have different activities and datelines. If a free hour appears, simply means that something has gone wrong in the schedule :P

There's hardly any early-before-6pm day home, actually.

Leaves me little time for writing (anything worth reading) here.

Good night.

Is this the New Year or just another night?
Is this the new fear or just another fright?
Is this the new tear or just another desperation?

Is this what they call freedom?
Is this what you call pain?
Is this what they call discontented fame?

I believed he went travelling.

2009-12-11T00:31:00.003+08:00

Was just running through the opening bars of Chopin's scherzo no.2 before 11pm, because after that I'm forbidden to touch the ivories already- Yeah. December the 11th 2008. Russ went travelling, otherwise he would be singing every time the Scherzo's theme came out. Travelling to places I can't locate, uh-huhh. Maybe in another dimension already, I'm not sure. But do miss him for sure.

If Life's a Train,

2009-11-24T23:50:00.004+08:00

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13

If Life's a train,

We need the tracks, the Faith to believe we have the right tracks ahead.

We need a destination, the Hope to look forward, running towards destined the finishing point.

We need fuel to run the train, the Love to drive us on the right tracks towards the destination.

Heard this today, something which left a greater impact since I'm in love with choo-choo trains ahhaha!

the guardian of truth

2009-11-20T09:46:00.004+08:00

the guardian of truth

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Too fast to be caught.

2009-11-19T22:33:00.003+08:00

I always stick to this notion that when you're 8 years old, 1 year is 1/8 of your entire life; and the same applies to when you're 18 - 1 year happens to be 1/18 of your time living on earth.

Every week having a planned schedule makes everything faster. If my schedule's already mapped out until February 2010, does it accelerate time even more?

Recently I've been borrowing good old movies from the school library. Old movies that were produced before the advent of DVD. The actors were very young then, were giving comments concerning the movies they acted, or directed in. And then I started making comparisons, the little boy in Kramer vs. Kramer is young teenager now with still a flawless skin complexion and elongated face shape, white moustache, beard, and aging lines appears on Mel Gibson's face, Tom Cruise older but hunkier and 'steadier' now xD, Al Pacino with more frown lines than ever, and Dustin Hoffman. Love Dustin Hoffman. He's definitely aged but so what, he acts out the age splendidly.

Its the time of the year when I feel.. umm. Melancholic. The weather's always the same, the raining, the dark skies, maybe flooding even more this time round. I tell might haven told Amanda a dozen times already, but she still reply with an agreeing 'hm.' , that they have snow, but we have rain. And then she continues telling me that "Snow's very cold." "Snowflakes are very pretty and unique". Little things that you already know, but feels nice to hear it again and again. Its probably something we really wish for, but by the time snow really hits the equator, it might be the end of the world.

Last Saturday's youth meet, we started sharing how we past 2009. I shared a short one on how I was kept safe away from bad influence in a whole new 'dimension'. How is it new I do not know, because it was always has been there, just that I wasn't caught up in it; so it was like a new found door, unlocked, because of my age I had received the key to unlock it, or could be because no other doors or pathways were accessible there and then. How I walk through this dimension is my own choice of will and conscience: which I know I cannot walk straight on my own strength.

¹³"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I always find it pleasant to meet someone you know, you are fond of, or someone you haven't met for long - coincidentally. It naturally draws a smile on my face. And well, I need more shots of that these days. The weather is making me feel down, I think. Always the November December Melancholic period - The Dark Skies are Crying. Its cold and lonely. I prefer to sit at home with a good book and coffee, or supposedly sitting in the studio playing Mozart Remedial Music as Shawn states it on his FB page: "Mozart's Healing Ensemble Practice" ahaha.

Its been a week since I whacked out K448. :)

Architecture is a Commitment. It takes damn long to realised your dream.- an MSN status I chanced upon.

Busy, busy.

Got It?

2009-11-09T22:43:00.003+08:00

"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess, of conversing easily with those I have never see before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."

Jon Foreman for President!

2009-10-18T22:35:00.005+08:00

Goodness Precedes Greatness.
I write songs for a living, which is to say that writing songs helps me to live. The song becomes a place where melody and tempo can cover some truly volatile topics. God, women, politics, sex, hatred, disillusionment- a song or a story can be a deeper vessel and more forgiving than most conversations. Poetry can get under the skin without your permission, and music can offer perspective or hope that might have been hidden before. And so the song becomes a vehicle to cover some serious ground.

These days I have a hard time writing a song that feels bright or hopeful. The unemployment rate is edging up even further and spending is down. Foreclosures are way up and stocks are down. Our headlines are full of war, natural disaster, and corruption. So I go looking for songs of hope and stories that remind me of the incredible privilege of living another day. I suppose I'm looking for a hero of sorts. Someone who rises above the situation and does something incredible.

Remember the guy who threw himself on top of the passenger who had suffered a seizure in the New York Subway? As the train was approaching he jumps down onto the tracks and risks his life to save the life of a complete stranger whose convulsions had thrown him into the path of an oncoming train. Incredible. Have you seen Team Hoyt, the dad who pushes his disabled son through all the marathons? They've even done the Iron Man competitions together as father and son, which makes me tear up. Or the story of Mother Teresa, a woman who gave her life to the less fortunate day after day after day. These are the stories that I want to sing about. These are stories of hope.

Such sacrifice, such patience and such goodness is rare and rightly called heroic. But these are not the heroes of our times. Wesley Autrey is not a household name and neither is Team Hoyt. If you want to know the heroes of our society, follow the money, look at the posters on the wall. We pay them seven digit salaries, we put their songs on our playlists, and follow them on Twitter. These are the heroes we emulate.

Let's face it. Mother Teresa doesn't look that good in a negligee. And Team Hoyt won't sell beer commercials to the networks. But when the ball players and the supermodels end up in rehab, we end up asking esoteric questions about what makes a hero. In the movies the good looking actor who gets the girl is easy to point to. But after he gets the girl, then the house, and then a few kids and then a divorce and then another girl. Then what? After all of the special effects are gone, we're left with an aging mortal who looks a bit awkward on the talk shows. Perhaps we've set our goals too low. Or perhaps we've got it backwards.

I would like to suggest that the best parts of our human nature can be seen in sacrifice or surrender. A mother sacrificing her time for her child, a teacher devoting her afternoons to help students off-the-clock. These are truly our most incredible moments as a species: moments of unmerited kindness. Goodness. Virtue. Nobility. Grace. Morality. These are the truly remarkable moments. Perhaps our current economic climate of debt needs a fresh perspective on worth and value. Maybe our monetary crisis indicates a broader loss of perspective.

We live in the land of plenty, the land of milk and honey, where the lottery of birth has given us the advantage of education, of wealth, and of opportunity. Ammon Hennessy puts it this way, "You came into the world armed to the teeth with... the weapons of privilege." A trip south of the border can be an incredible reminder. We are living in the land of entitlement, one of the wealthiest nations in the history of mankind. And yet, money cannot buy us the true wealth of happiness, or peace, or of a deeper form of a meaningful life.

Perhaps the current climate of uncertainty would be the appropriate time to ask the question: what are we aiming for? Our technological achievements as a species are impressive. Our cities, our advancements in flight and our iPhones are all fairly remarkable. But there is nothing heroic about my cell phone. There is nothing sacrificial about it. Where is the song that's worth singing? What is our measure of success? Renown psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl says that "success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as a byproduct of one's surrender to a person other than oneself."

Maybe the fix is not the money. Maybe two and a half hours in a theatre isn't enough time for a hero to be born. Maybe it takes a lifetime- a lifetime like John M. Perkins. John Perkins is a man who devoted his life to those around him in simple and profound ways. He was quick to forgive, quick to utilize resources to help those in need. He has been a tireless civil rights worker who has endured beatings, harassments, and even prison for what he believes. With the help of his wife, Vera Mae, and a few others, he founded a health center, leadership development program, thrift store, low-income housing development and training center in his hometown of Mendenhall, Mississippi. His is a story of reconciliation, of forgiveness, of patience. He endured the suffering, holding on to a cause greater than himself.

John Perkins has is a song I want to sing. A song of a great man, the story of a legend. How do you replicate this goodness? Do you monetize it? Do you subsidize it? No. It's bigger than Washington, it's bigger than Wall Street. And it looks better than Hollywood. His is the story of a hero, a song of hope. His is a story that reminds me of a goodness beneath the system. Though Perkins was a devout Christian, he was quick to point out that this goodness is bigger than stale religion. Mr. Perkins once said that "many congregations do nothing but outsource justice." John Perkins said it right- you can't outsource justice. You can't farm out goodness to someone else. Your life is yours alone. Those decisions are yours to make.

I am the system. You are the system. We, the system of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, choose goodness. Yes, the system is flawed. Yes, the church is flawed. Yes, Wall Street and Hollywood Boulevard are all fatally flawed. Yes, there will always be those who take the easy way out. But that ain't your game. Your choice is yours alone. Goodness precedes greatness. Maybe the mother will always have more power than the atomic bomb. Maybe under the skin there is a song of hope and meaning waiting to break free. Or maybe not. It's our story. You and I decide with our actions. It can be as small as simple courtesy. Or get involved in your hometown. Find out what the local food bank looks like. Look up the local Habitat for Humanity. What is the world you want? You choose it with every breath.

In our current climate of fear and debt I am reminded of what I hold most valuable in this life: the human souls closest to me. We need each other. Human beings will always be the most valuable natural resource on the planet. The human story is still unfolding. We are telling it as we speak. The human song is still weaving its way towards a chorus, through the suffering, through the fear. We need each other. We need heroes. Let your life be a beautiful song. We need hope. Tell a good story with the way you live. What is the world you want?

Source: Huffington Post

What will become of our sleeping beds.

2009-10-15T20:43:00.003+08:00

Dream-journaling.
Again I must stress on how interestingly the human mind works.

It was an afternoon nap, after reading some Tolstoy I fell asleep on the book- not because the story wasn't moving, but because I was reading on the bed lying down after lunch ;)

I was at my cousin's new house in Singapore, again, they shifted? I don't know. But it looks like on of those shop houses I saw at Clark Quay the other day, wasn't a high rise residential area.. And then I think back again it wasn't a residential area before. All I know that the walls had classical clerestory windows and ornate sculptors, washed-white with colourful stain glass- like that of an old church interior. I seemed to like it, because it wasn't a high-rise HDB anymore (which I detested), it was classic! That's when I realised the art scene is very much vibrant when compared to JB. Anyway, as I was loving the new unit they have moved into, I still can't shake off the feeling that it was well, crammed. I thought I had claustrophobia.

Soon I entered a conversation with my aunt. She told me in the near future the standard bed size will be half of what we have now because the earth have run out of land space, and that the proposal is already in the tabloids so it'll happen real soon. I got really frustrated and woke up.

Ah not impossible, if spacey lands like Canada, Russia, New Zealand disappear by floods or whatever calamity, and we are left with Singapore and Tokyo, and the Vatican City.

Unthinkable, dad concluded. He said I'll be in heaven before that can actually happen. :D

Human Traces

2009-10-10T01:38:00.003+08:00

Seldom have I put myself through books of long narrative literature, or didactic ones at least. Not until I grabbed the book by Sebastian Faulks, titled 'Human Traces' from my cousin's bookshelf of.. of philosophy, to some extent. The titles one would expect to find there ranges from the romantic journeys of Nicholas Sparks, popular scientific and historical thrillers of Dan Brown, a couple of religious, New Age looking titles and epic ones like Human Traces.

This book proved not to be a page turner, as I personally prefer to enjoy a good book slowly, savouring each bite and digesting each line completely before moving on to the next; unlike thrillers or fast-moving plots, I prefer to screen through the paragraph for interesting notes because we are always so eager to know the ending. It took some five years for the research and writing of this novel, so why would I rush through a book in five days?

Set in over fifty years from the Victorian era till the World War began, the novel started off with a french boy named Jacques living in a small town Brittany, ever so eager to become a scientist, anxious to dissect a frog, wondering what when wrong with his elder brother Olivier who went 'travelling in his own world' at such a tender age- in which he was also jealous that his brother had known their deceased mother who died shortly after Jacques's birth. The story then shifts to an English village, where Faulks wrote about an English boy Thomas, and his family and he being closest to his sister Sonia who was 2 years older than he is. Thomas being highly interested in literature, Shakespeare's work and the human psychology, and persuaded by his sister, he went on pursuing Medicine in the University in Cambridge. One day, by chance or by fate, Jacques and Thomas met in Deauville and had set their minds to be in partnership in the future of running a 'clinic for nervous disorders'.

So the story advances throughout their lives: the delightful and dolorous events, the travel adventures, the conflicts, the carnal desire, the war that killed many with 'no reason to die', their theory and postulates concerning the types or nervous disorders and mental diseases that had struck mankind; and ultimately, to figure out what makes us human. No wonder it took Faulks five years to complete this: so detailed, so intricate, yet beautifully placed together the idea of humanity, which is probably the essence that absorbs a reader into the story.

Indeed, a masterpiece of imagination.

And never again, I look at them as the social outcast. People dislike them for their peculiarity and for causing them discomfort, stirring up some kind of fear within one; they're different, they're crazy, they're mad. I met a Schizophrenic on the Subway today, I must say, I felt extremely sad for this soul; as his brain waves instruct him to hallucinate, he speaks to his imaginary friend in loud and brusque manner, eventually people around were at shock with his vagaries. I am not surprised to realised that three quarter of the car emptied within 5 minutes.

" ...for quite simple reasons connected to the limits of their ability to reason, human beings could live out their whole long life without ever knowing what sort of creatures they really were. Perhaps it did not matter; perhaps what was important was to find serenity in not knowing."

Ole Ship Magic!

2009-10-03T11:29:00.006+08:00

There and back again, the return of Doulos puts a mark on the timeline of one's life journey. Except that every time we meet this good ole ship, the people on board are different- a new batch of crew comes to live on the ship and the previous batch leaves, usually, in a two year cycle. I'm glad to see it still.. alive and sailing!

It must take a humbling process to commit at least two years to live on board the ship, with no pay at all, nada, the colourful, international crew are a happy, well, and really talented bunch! Recently last night, they took the effort to put on a colourful event, the International Night, showcasing the different cultures they have picked up from 50 countries; at the same time, a silent moment to remember the countries who have been struck by natural disasters, poverty, diseases.

The End is nigh.

***

Oh well.
I've managed to look fat in the various pictures I took with the international crew HAHA; while some were hysterical about an American boy who had Zac Efron hairstyle; I am still scratching my head wondering why Shannon chased the Mascot for a picture like a little girl :3

Shall not post any here x) Initially I had notions of taking pictures of the stage activities, but after jojogaw's right hand and a digital cam appeared in pictures repeatedly- I scraped the idea and sit back to enjoy the show lol. Anyway, interesting stuff, I'm very sure you can search for them on Fb.

"Even God can't sink the Titanic."

"By God's grace, we're still sailing."

They Stole My Dream.

2009-09-30T17:11:00.007+08:00

It was a beautiful letdown.

When I crashed and burned,

When I found myself alone,
Unknown and hurt.

It was a beautiful letdown.
The day I knew,
That all the riches this world had to offer me,
Would never do.

In a world full of bitter pain,
And bitter doubts;
I was trying so hard to fit in,
Fit in, until I found out,

I don't belong here.

We're still chasing our tails
In the rising sun
In our dark water planet still spinning
In a direction no one wins
No one's won.

It was a beautiful letdown

Painfully uncool

The church of the dropouts
The losers, the sinners, the failures, and the fools

What a beautiful letdown
Are we salt in the wound?

Faust, Midas, Myself

2009-09-25T18:30:00.006+08:00

Same dull faces lined up in a row,
Folding her arms, she lets out another sigh, why another day like this?

Their balding heads bobbing to the movement of the car,
Nodding in agreement, "I should fire my boss."

Another fowl smell travels up my nose,
I struggle to get a grip hold of the crowded train's pole

Wondering why must the crowd increase so rapidly
"Get out of my train!", I wanted to scream.

Solely, their aim was the Singaporean Dream.

I looked outside the glass
At golden shores
Golden ships and masts
With golden cords
As my reflection passed
I hated what I saw
My golden eyes were dead
And a thought passed through my head
A heart that's made of gold can’t really beat at all
I wanted to wake up again
I wanted to wake up again
Without a touch of gold
Without a touch of gold

Hello Mr Dentist, It's been more than a year.

2009-09-10T23:42:00.004+08:00

When left in the dentist chair and room alone, I wasn't such a fool to extract my teeth on my own, like Bean :D I don't usually take pictures at the dentist's, just trying out the SE camera phone, actually, after Mr Nok went M.I.A.

Trips to the dentist's allows me to measure the amount of time that has passed, always. One thing that is unavoidable at the dentist's is that no matter how early you reached the clinic, you'll still have to wait a good deal of time before your turn comes.

The scene is so familiar, again The Dentist, the automatic chair and the blinding lights- but what's different is the date and time on your watch. It has been more than a year since the doctor last had bad encounter of my halitosis- okay joking I have No bad breath, I require no mints when in conversation with anyone.XD

I've been to this place too often, since the days of my primary school, up to the first visit since I started tertiary ed, today- the doctor still remembers my name well.

Well, well, dad showed me his photo gallery yesterday after we had dinner- how different were our looks when we were younger! Even Russ and the Hamsters looked young; and of course later on we had 3 sets of an interesting bird species came building nests in my yard after the dog was gone- my dad haven't gone down making a proper photolog for them all, too many, too messy, but would have made an awesome photo montage. I'll make one, when I feel like it this holidays x)

Anyway, I've realised how everyone in my batch have found their new lifestyle after high school, and naturally adapting and perhaps enjoying their college and friends very much after more than half a year already; while some already received their acceptance letters to enter a university?

Noticed how you look older in the mirror?

(I noticed how I couldn't fit in St John pants properly anymore)

Anyway, re-studying music theory from grade 1- this time, properly (don't know what went into my head all these years!). Because finally, I've found a good use to apply them otherwise whacking the keyboard would sound too amateur if SAND decides to pay the worship team another visit, and using more words like ostinato and syncopation- it would be a complete waste of knowledge if I ever have them explaining techniques and ways we could use to improve on near future. I think I only understood that 'hello mr electric guitar, no more than 6 notes in a bar during if playing worship music.' heh.

Some Sherlock Holmes, and then I'll retire for the day, piano lesson tomorrow morning :)

P.S. Hello Hurricane I can't possibly wait much longer for you!

Ice Cream Business.

2009-09-04T21:31:00.004+08:00

Putting aside the topic of Cryonics, suspended animation, induced hibernation, amorphous ice, euthanasia and the Principle of double effect, mind-uploading-

I tell you in the future we will have zombies with no souls warring against each other if people keep thinking of preserving Hitler and reviving him in a 100 years time.
Or we can pop another baby out when we want to, just put an embyro and some million sperms in a test tube, shake it and give an electric shock.

Biotechnology is interesting as it is (I love reading articles of what technology does these days every once in awhile), while crossing the line of moral and ethics-

I think the best use for liquid nitrogen is still the process of making Ice Cream.

Ice cream cures and literally cools emotions quite effectively, I would say, unless you downed some really bad tasting ones eg. organic lettuce and celery (yuck, I can imagine)

If I had ever thought of setting up a business, (besides the ultimate- architecture firm which seems pretty impossible now, but its okay to dream.) it was always the Ice Cream Business.

I've thought of it for a pretty long while, but never learnt anything 'business, marketing, enterprise, entrepreneurship' etc- I think I need to seriously sit down and write out a business plan. Anyone with me?

Why, would I want to set up a business when I'm totally not into the world of commerce?
Simply because I thought that I needed money to travel the world.

Just moments ago my dad showed me a picture of his, a 19 year old young lad standing in front of Ulm Munster- Tallest church in Germany, must be the Gothic Architecture Mr Chieu told us about during the History and Theory lecture a few weeks back. Enormous looking church, especially with a human scaled figure at standing beside it. How wonderful it must be to stand beside a wonder like that.

Then I was reciting again, the story of how my dad and his travel buddy needed to travel from Germany to Italy passing through a small border town in Austria, and little did they know they were required to have a Visa to enter Austria. Left with no other choice, they camped at the train station to get their visa done the next morning. The station master was a kind man- cold and chilly season it was, he brought blankets for the two tourists on their little misadventures.

I may never have a chance like that to tour Europe at 19, but it doesn't matter whether you're 19 or 90, seeing the world outside your home is definitely an experience to grab hold of. That's why I'm planning something you see, planning on simple and workable.

Be it something as successful as this

Or just a driving an ice cream truck playing some really cheerful tunes

Or just what I get in my own housing area.

Maybe just working at a local McDonald's Ice Cream Kiosk would be fine for now

Cyborgs wouldn't sense the joy of having an ice cream cone or Popsicle during a hot day, would they?

So this is what the holidays does to me-
Withdrawal symptoms from not having a project to work on,
I have a newly opened restaurant in Restaurant City.
I'm reading about the founders of Facebook.
I'm also reading up about Cryonics.
I'm thinking about busking with my violin if I could play well.
and I'm thinking of doing Ice Cream business.

But when it comes to the end,

2009-09-02T20:58:00.013+08:00

I feel it,

the days when you wake up late but still tired due to the excess sleep,

staying at home the whole day,
no other souls at home to talk to,
no movies to watch,
no good novel to read,
ever lagging and fluctuating internet connection,

Laziness lying in my bones,

I'm found sitting in my chair 70% of the day munching too much cookies and crisps.

Thinking. Of nothing productive.

There's always such thing as the piano sitting downstairs,
But I was simply to lazy move my ass to grab a pencil and study the Bach piece. Or Debussy's Arabesque.

You know, strange devices and machines often appear in my house every now and then. Sometimes its a Nikon camera flash, a pair of portable USB speakers, a camera RC which resembles a cheap piece of plastic, 2 more new China-brand media players, a printer, a Panasonic media player, a china music player, a camera tripod, a HP desktop, a thumbdrive, a couple more of external HDD's,

today I found a glossy-black box thing lying on the living room floor that resembles (yet another =.=) media player from China.

I checked it out, and it looked like a yet another pair of speakers. It had a brand name "sansui" at the left hand corner, which made me think that its from China. On top of it there was the name 'Chopin'; hmm, they knew how to cop pretty good names, I guess. It had 3 pairs of buttons where you can control the volume and stuff, except that the increase and decrease buttons were in switched positions- mistake, all the more I think its another china item in my house.
Wait, there was a connector for the iPod to sit in, I seemed to recognize.
Excited to finally have a pair of iPod speakers, I ran upstairs to get my iPod down.
Plugged it in, played a track from Hillsong's new album. Panicked a little because the volume was too loud, pressed the wrong button- because in other players, the decrease volume would be on the left hand side. And then I left to the kitchen to get my breakfast.

Well, I was truly amazed.
From the kitchen I could hear the bass sounding really awesome, the vocals sounded extremely crisp and clear. It was a Hi-Fi alright- all so compact you would be completely fooled by its looks. Technology came this far to built 2.1 Stereo Hi-Fi in such a small looking box. State of the art!
Dad said, acoustics is black art- an in between of science and art. =)

Eventually I went to Wiki 'sansui'. It wasn't Chinese, it was Japanese. Ahah. It got me right there.

So I spent most of my day sitting down, sipping tea and listening to music!

Dad says I'm enjoying life too much and I should be doing something more productive before I head to Amanda's aunt's office for some kind of internship-

1. Study Bach's Simfonia before Miss Loke comes for the next lesson.
2. Get a recipe to prepare tea- cakes, cupcakes, pasta, salad, my special chocolate strawberry tea. Ah. Scrumptious!
3. Then get items and materials to prepare tea, call Qing Ling over to bake something really nice. ;D
4. Create a blog for my portfolio.
5. Continue my unfinished work of coin polishing and put them in albums.
6. Create a photo/event/travel log for my dad's unorganised photos.
7. Put down my plans on ways to earn money to travel the world!

***
Yes, something less to worry about-
Crit for Primer 2 was finish and done with yesterday afternoon. It was fine, considering Lord Voldemort didn't say anything nasty after I presented- In fact, he kept quiet. Kim was wrong, I didn't die because 6 lecturers were around and awake for yesterday's crit session. xD

'Arthropoda'

I actually had to wait for week before I could present my work after the submission. But it was fine all the same because I had the time (and guts, some say) to join the family barbeque at Romania Coast (Teluk Ramunia)- as Uncle Boey says it, one day before the great presentation and crit!

After church service on Sunday, around 20 of us packed up and left to the outskirts of town for a overnight outing at the beach.
My very old church family friends were there: The Wongs, The Boeys, The Yaps.
Plus the Meatball factory couple and the Lawyer who called me a suaku because I have never had such a pig prawn before.

Well, food was definitely the main highlight of the outing. Seafood Barbeque for the night!
Amused with Squids.

There were snacks around but we were fed with too much good food that there was no room for snacks. And I felt the sore throat syndrome creeping in the next morning- but I was praying that my voice would stay for the crit next day. Thank goodness, it did stayed and Mr Chieu said I sounded clear during the presentation. Ahah! Thanks to BBQ :D

Tried light painting after Uncle Et taught Chris how to do the long exposure 'XD'

Morning Sunrise. I didn't knew that Chris took a silhouette picture after making a jest about my cellphone camera (in which our faces could be seen pretty clearly).
Because I was wondering which pregnant lady did I take a picture with: most likely it was Naomi holding a jacket :)

Oh, how we've grown, since the Christmas of 1997!

Primer 2 had taught me a great deal and forced me in some serious working modes- got to do some self-study and read-ups these holidays I guess~

Cheers to the end of Primer 2 and Semester break!

Up, Up, and Away!

2009-08-27T01:25:00.002+08:00

What daily dose of media could bring such simple, uplifting joy in our daily lives? That a thought of it brings a little smile that lights up your tired and weary face?

Why of course-
Cartoons, Animations. Wonderful, colourful hour-and-a-half long Pixar movie during your lunch break might restart the engine for the rest of the day ahead.

I have to admit I'm one lagging behind the latest movies and media. But I care not, for pleasures are meant to be enjoyed at your own time.

Maybe too caught up with my to-do-lists recently, I only got to know about the new Pixar movie 'UP' when Mr. Chieu's laptop was connected to the studio projector screen, where the wallpaper was a cartoon dog from the movie UP. He told the class that he had already watched the movie, and some of my friends behind were talking a little about it- apparently many have watched it already- and I just got to know that there was a new animated movie playing in theatres.

I knew I had to watch something happy like that after Primer 2's submission.

Well, I got the chance to watch it with Peh Yee on Wednesday, right after submission on Tuesday :)

I love how the story goes. The foursome- which consists of a grumpy old man with a walking stick with four tennis balls at the base plus a floating house lifted by colouful helium balloons on his back, a little plump asian boy scout working for his last badge for the uniform, a colourful ostrich-cross-flamingo 'snipe' bird, and a dog with a collar that translates dog thoughts into english language. Such a childish theme, yet the story may be very sentimental to the older age group.

Maybe, in my fantasy land- I too will build my little house and tie it to a huge bunch of helium balloons and travel the world.

C'est la vie!

Back Home.

2009-08-22T13:03:00.006+08:00

Just when I thought I could throw in my project submission yesterday and then I can worry no more.

I walked in the studio and find that the whole cohort was upstairs, apparently the lecturer's were to announce something so important.

Really, I didn't know datelines were flexible. They say its for this project only, and then no more, because they see potential in other class' unfinished work. Thus, dateline for documentation - extended.

Can't they fixed the initial dateline as 25th August? From 19th, then 20th, then 25th?

We finished in time, but not the others?

?

They say life's not fair. Uh-huh.

I have one less to worry about, model's in (at least), but not the rest of it.
So much for my sacrifice to not return Home last week.

No matter what, I had promised myself on Thursday to get 2 movies from Michael's HDD for the weekend. Putting submission's expandable dateline aside, I HAD to get some entertainment after 3 weeks of no CCA, 13-hour studio life.

Wildchild, and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button for starters.
Couldn't believe it that I had watched two movies a night and flunked my B:2 piece this morning.
Anyway, I couldn't last anymore longer on the keys so I'd take it slow, chewing guava and watching 2 movies at one go.

Wildchild was one light hearted, hilarious one, displaying the cultural difference between the Americans and the English. The boarding school was very handsome indeed, and I certainly think that the grass is greener on the other side - because it literally is greener! :D

It was still 9pm so I had to play the other movie. Haha!
I was curious to know how one person can be born into this world "old" and die of old age when one is physically young, when the crowd was talking about this movie.
I had no idea. I wanted to watch this even though Cal said it was slow and boring.

Slow and boring for some, as people goes around talking more about Transformers 3 and G.I. Joe a hundred times more than some narrative storytelling of Hollywood.

The time setting itself was a long one, having to tell the tale of one's whole lifetime - which lasted almost 3 hours on the big screen. Living backwards was a very interesting thing indeed, seeing how many people around you age old and die, while you grow younger everyday, uncertain about what you are about to be when you 'become a toddler again'. I realised how one's life is like a bell curve- when you're young or old, you'll need some form of assistance to buckle your shoe, put on a neck tie, or going around town. It's so similar that these two age group of people can clique well. It's only the time you have in between those two periods that you can do whatever you want, on your own. Well, the parts where Daisy's and Benjamin's physical age were far apart were the most interesting- how an old man and a little girl would read and tell stories to each other, enjoying each others company; how an old lady would 'take care of her baby husband' who has dementia and doesn't recognize her anymore.

Daisy: Would you still love me if I were old and saggy?
Benjamin Button: Would you still love ME if I were young and had acne? When I'm afraid of what's under the bed? Or if I end up wetting the bed?

Somehow, its a time-machine like movie (like Secret and The Lakehouse), which is only much easier to comprehend.
I was truly amazed at the make-up artist's job and the computer generated 'phases of human faces' they used to created the different looks of the actors at different ages. It was flawless, I could say, it looked all so realistic as if Brad Pitt would look something like that in his later ages!

Dad was telling me, how CAD was in his days- he would draw a line on the workstation and wait 5 seconds for the line to appear complete on the computer screen. Technology's growth is an exponential one; if you measure it, I guess it probably grows faster than human population.

Hmm.

I've been thinking.
So far in 18 years, how many lives have I influenced or get acquainted with?

"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again. "

90%!

2009-08-15T06:45:00.004+08:00

I really wanted to returned home this weekend.

mumbo-jumbo!

2009-08-09T12:59:00.005+08:00

Mimicking Kim's AHHHHHHHHH.

This week was like a cocktail, a weird sort of concoction. I think I'm feeling the Stress coming in.

Always known for the cool and laidbackness I always seem on the facade, I think something's changing bit by bit. I feel the pinch of work not done. The bad grades. The money wasting away on mistakes and things-should-be-avoided-on. The hunger pang while slicing expensive foam board. The week spend outside home without my family but strangers. The expensive and limiting public transportation. The massive squeeze in the MRT and buses. The very jerky buses. The big, bulky and fragile cardboard model. The absence of a PC computer, printer, and scanner in my residence. The very small and claustrophobic room shared by two pathetic souls. The fuss having no space/place to do my work.

The exasperation of the thought, whether I could meet a dateline with the best I have in hand.

Screw it.
Nobody else gets to do what I do now okay, I'm enjoying the stuff, but despising, dreading the imminent stress. >.>

Why must I coincidentally meet Arthur thrice a week in Singapore as well as JB?

So I watched V for Vendetta for the second time in the week on Friday after banging the keys for awhile.

Saturdays are always too packed for some reason. I guess, on some Saturdays perhaps I should just allow myself to rest at home over a good book, fruit juice, and Music. Classical music like Symphony 92.4. That, is the ultimate weekend I could only wish for.

I was glad to leave Youth meet earlier yesterday, was sweating like a pig under the canopy structure and yawning too occasionally as if listening to balloon pop every 7 minutes was hypnotizing/maybe uncle chris' broken english spoken a little too softly in the open space was downloading more lethargy into me- I was hoping they used the air-conditioned hall actually.
After my parents picked me up I HAD to get fruit juice from the gas station or I might die of dehydration.

And then- the much anticipated Birthday Party! =) =)
It has been long since I attended a real birthday party- I guess the last time was October last year when I got to explore Wit Lyn's mansion and had good food. Eheh.

Wasn't very long actually. Just that Ern Qi's one year old birthday party had balloons, party bag, a very fantastic cake, themed, a very awesome looking cake, and incredibly good food- What I've been longing for during the whole week! x)

Saturday nights are a mystery. No dream can occur during the weekdays for some unknown reason, only on Saturday nights when I'm at Home, lying in on my own bed after the Monday to Saturday's load of work - it'll be an epic blockbuster dream. Last week it was a damn scary one, last night's was an unforgettable sweet one :)

(Li Yundi again in my dreams. Right. omg. Super sweet one this time XD; but is there such thing as smoking UHU glue? :S )

And then the following Sunday I'm most likely to be moody :/

AHHH. I shall return to my den and fret over primer 2 and the days to come before a nice long semester break.

I say I hate Running.

2009-07-29T22:33:00.006+08:00

Running for fitness sake, or achieving your goals bit by bit, seems a whole lot easier to me- when you have no idea how the other Competitors are effortlessly zooming pass you.

Ah. Poly 50 is like sports day. Except that more adrenaline pumping is involved.

Over 100 teams of 10 members per team were sweating it all out today.

I should have trusted my instincts when Leon didn't give me a clear answer that I only have to run 100 meters for 5 times. Yeah. Donkey shitx)

And then 2 days before the race, Leon reminds me about it, when the event was at point of deletion of trashed somewhere at the corner of my head-

And I thought it as an exercise routine since tennis training was off this Wednesday.
If I get tired, I could just stroll along the route, right?

And I had when through zero_nil_nada running practices.

I say I hate running.

200 meters fast 'sprint' of more than 10 times. Gosh. I wasn't prepared AT ALL.
My heart and limbs were burning in the first long 400m already (couldn't find the next relayer due to the overcrowded back lane of the W5A studios)

I say I hate running!

50 laps around, with 3 of 200 meters stations. 10 per team.
I didn't quite like the fact that I was to run more than 6 times of 100 meters Leon had cajoled me into the race.

So there I was, on a slow and steady jog pace while the other muscular dragonboaters etc ran passed me in a blink of an eye.

***

The important thing is, I was running for Christian Fellowship.
I love their company. So many I joined, even though I said I hate running.
And I knew there wasn't much pressure to win the race, like the other teams.
I knew that everyone was just like me.
Somehow, we'll enter and finish the race, together, encouraging one another and supporting each other when we're falling.
Fuji, was providing music at the top of the little hill we all hated to run through.
Guitar + Voice = 2 hours of motivation for practically everyone running the race.

Then we actually formed a circle in the middle of the car park and started singing songs and sharing experiences when the race ended :)

I don’t care what people will say
I’m running after You
I won’t turn back and go their way
Coz I’m running after You
Yeah I’m running after You
I’m running after You
-Planet Shakers, 2003

Races. How metaphorical.

Everyday's a race to finish till I hit Home.

C'est la vie!

2009-07-26T22:54:00.007+08:00

The Week had been exciting. What a stark contrast, compared to my post-SPM holidays, man. School, has started but I'm running around like this.

Tragedy, Celebration, all-in-one.

Sunday, 19th July.
Church, played the keyboard in Children's Church in the morning.
Stole some sleep in the afternoon then woke up to meet Sara and Mercy in the evening-
boarded a taxi to Roost's Cafe to meet Yi Th'ng, Cal, Li Ying and Ser Min for Yi Th'ng's 'farewell' dinner.
Boarded another taxi with Sara and Mercy to Jotic to catch Kakehashi Ensemble's performance organized by Johor Arts Festival. - nice repertoire for the slow Sunday evening, Poulenc, Glinka, Mozart.
Followed Mercy back to Singapore where her dad was kind enough to drop me off Jurong East.

Realized Something was Missing.

Had retired to bed with a mess in my head.
And rise up earlier than intended. Still fretting.

Monday, 20th July.
Still fretting, still holding on to some hope.
Submission.
Aaron receives a call in the studio itself, across my desk.
I trembled, lost my lunch appetite, planning how to disclose this to my parents, searching all over the internet for solutions.

Lied on my desk and settled down for forty winks.

Woke up, rubbed my eyes, got myself together, planned for the week ahead. Emails my mum. Made an e-report to the police. Continued with school work.

Tuesday, 21th July.
Accepted the truth.
Interim Crit day, mine was the last on the list - like always. More work to do now.
Met Joel for violin lesson at 6pm, finished the Beethoven piece before the last piece in book 2; headed to T7 for CF, dinner, home, late.

Wednesday, 22th July.
Woke up early for early CADP class, messed around with 3Ds Max the whole day.
Then decided to run to prayer meet in CF room with QL before my friends drag me out for expensive lunch=p
FC1 instead, but my bowl was yummy and affordable!
Walked QL through my studio before heading to T14 to play some strings, while waiting for the HIV/AIDS talk to start at 3.10pm.
Home, facebooked a little, until QL said: "Let's go for a jog!".
After dinner I started on my presentation speech essay that was to be prepared before tomorrow's OC class. Ah, trains it was, I had lots to learn! But I'm a railfan! =D
It was darn late when I finally finished it, and had some urge to check the SSO website again..

Then, there was the open rehearsal I could attend the next morning.
With only students tickets left.
Life skills programme was 1.30pm the next day. Li Yundi's rehearsal starts at 9.30am.
See how it fits? Then came the planning to get tickets before the concert without missing any classes, tennis, and ensemble practice on Thursday.

Thursday, 23th July.
Woke up a hour earlier so I could walk to IMM to get SISTIC tickets. Checked. I'm GOING TO SEE LI YUNDI LIVE x)
School, some case study until 3.30pm, then I wrote my prepared essay for OC.
Rushed over to the tennis courts for the last elective programme - the test! I think I'd lost some touch after one week of no Wednesday training. Still, I passed with actually the highest score among the elective students of my group- thanks to Wed trainings.=D
Headed to ensemble practice at 7pm, where we played pirates and brandenburg. Again. Nice and fun pieces yet to be perfected.
It was passed 10pm when I reached home, but heck, tomorrow is going to be a fine day.

P.S. Federer posted on FB that he and Mirka had gotten TWIN GIRLS! =D They'll be tennis princesses!!

Friday, 24th July.
Woke up at 7pm to travel to City Hall! Am I a rich kid who goes for concerts before classes? LOL, no, this is Li Yundi's rehearsal. Its exceptional, with a talent so great to be missed out on? Nahh.

Its my first time listening to classical music in a proper concert hall actually, as I've been to places like the RTM auditorium, a blown-up tent in the middle of dataran bandaraya, Jotic auditorium- nothing beats a real concert hall.

I moved into my seat at C4. The left side of the stage, 3 rows from the front.
I was near the violins, didn't actually get the view of the winds and brass from my seats. But heck, this seat is awesome considering the Piano concerto next.

Pretty as the architecture speaks, the acoustics was crisp.

SSO started with Goldmark's Rustic Wedding, a piece written in the romantic period, it contains many variations depicting a colourful wedding. Indeed, there was a variety in styles and a certain freshness it possessed. The conductor Lan Shui went through the piece once, and then picked a few phrases to work on.

Intermission came. The people went out for toilet breaks. The workers stacked up some chairs.

And then they pushed out the glossy, shining Steinway 3 meters in front of me.

My expression then = O.O

I took out my pocket camera from my bag, just when I was about to press the snap button, the security officer beside me said :"Sorry, no taking pictures."

Why not, they're not playing yet. hey.

There was a sound from the Steinway. Since when did Li Yundi came on stage??

He was in a simple black tee, some loose cargo pants and blacks canvas shoes.

His fingers ran through the keys, phrases from the big piece he's about to play next with the orchestra.

Before the intermission ended he was gone from the stage.

A cheery girl came and sat in the empty seat next me. She was trying to get pictures from this angle instead- so I was quick to make friends with her and exchanged emails so she could send me pictures she took today. ahah! =D

The orchestra returned, Lan Shui and Li Yundi walked out to the middle of the stage. The audience applauded. The moment was exhilarating.

French horns flooded in the opening bars of the First Movement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1, followed by the big octaves chords from the piano. Allegro Maestoso!

I wasn't in too much awe of his skills tackling this massive piece, this time round, sort of satisfied with what was played although I admit I heard 5 wrong notes throughout the 3 movements with less musicality than what I've always heard in the recordings. Consoling myself that this is only a rehearsal.. No.1's definitely an awesome piece to showcase his talents, with the variety of power chords to the delicate chromatics filled with expressive dynamism.

I crowded in front of the mid stage with the little crowd there, just for the heck of it after it all ended x) People were snapping photographs of the pianist while the security couldn't quite handle the little 'rock concert' crowd happening in the Esplanade concert hall itself!

I was satisfied (meeting my piano superstar why yes), although wishing for more, I had to return to the studios for the Life Skills Programme - whey the Civil Defence thought our class First Aid, CPR, various lifts and ways to deal with fire and victims. For a moment, my studio turned into a happy clinic! =) St John memories came flooding back too, and I sat and observed what they had to teach us - all in 4 hours, we even get to play, literally play, with the Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher.

After everything I headed home, smiling to myself, what a busy week with hills and valleys along the journey.

Saturday I'm gonna spend the day sleeping, I told myself.

Retired to bed really early with little piano practice for the day.
At 12pm Jon gives a call :"Why so strict...Chris got extra Hillsong ticket wanna go.."

Hahaha. I was sorry, you know how one reacts when they're awaken from deep, good, sleep.
x)
After replying a few messages, I couldn't get back to sleep so soon and ended up online, downloading more albums to my iTunes collection.

Eventually I had to force myself to retire, 'cause the next day IS going to be Long - just when I thought I could use the Saturday paying back lost sleep when Youth meet was off.

Saturday, 25th July.
Again, I forced myself out of bed to practice scales.
And then I lacked time to practice the pieces, as Miss Loke rings the doorbell.

Ah. I knew lesson's not going to be so good, my head's spinning and big eye bags showing up s0 clearly showing my tiredness.
Straight after lesson, Joanna picks me up to church for worship practice.

Then I headed back home, cook myself instant noodles, and headed to customs. Yes, less than 24 hours ago I was traveling in the opposite direction-

Thanks to my curiosity, I sat in the bus more than an hour to reach Queenstreet. I had let 170 replaced my normal yellow causeway link bus to town. Curiosity kills eh.

Expo finally at 6.30pm, I found my buddies, snapped some photos and waited for the concert to start.

My first time at a annual youth conference like this, The Zone Youth Conference 2009 was definitely an event to remember. Having live worship with the Hillsong United band and the whole massive hall singing praises; plus a youth pastor from Seattle who cracked the whole hall up was really, really awesome. Everyone did had a great time there, looking forward to 2010's!

Traveled back with Esther and reached JB at 12 plus. Retired at 1 plus.

Sunday, 26th July.
Morning yet again I had trouble waking up early. Worship leading Children Church with Nao, I had lost my voice a little and had problems singing on the higher keys =p

Soon after church I packed up and left for Singapore, Again, with QL for the last concert of the week: SP Symphonic Band's 27th I Believe in Music Concert.

Bands, they play little or none classical music. Tunes they played were contemporary and Broadway like, or even musicals. Nonetheless, it was very enjoyable, especially when they slot in various unimaginable sound effects. 'Godzilla Eats las Vegas' was my personal favorite!

My salutes for the band, lots of effort from the whole team could be observed despite being so talented themselves! Jazz band's performance was superr awesome too! (seriously speaking I didn't expect them to be that good) =D

Went home, happy, at the same time lazy to start another busy week.

And well, I've broken my personal record, living without Something for a week now.
It's very possible to survive without It.

VIVA to the week ahead!

The Third Tragic Lost.

2009-07-21T22:38:00.004+08:00

Lost,

I despise you.

Why must Insecurity follow a Lost?

Far from Terror.

2009-07-19T12:25:00.003+08:00

So I retired to bed for the night.

Another dream, it was good- but I consciously I knew that it'll be soon time for me to wake up for church before I could round the story up. The good part had yet to begin.

Somehow, I appeared in Switchfoot's tour bus, at night. Yet in another imaginary town, but it was a town where I resided then.

They were playing cards in the corner which was lit up.
I said Hello.
Jerome replied.

Morning came and the bus reached its destination.
A flea market it seems, and I was bringing Jerome around like a tour guide.

Someone informs me the venue of the concert, it was a hotel suite.
There was a little stage, and space for audiences- like an acoustic performance only for friends and family of the quiet town.

The amount present was comfortable for the space, and I there was an opening acts by two bands. In a hotel suite? I wonder why!

Just when SF was about to appear, the alarm rang.

And I know where every single detail of the dream originated from- it was bits and pieces of what I thought during the day. The Human mind is a fascinating one :)

Scream. Then Run.

2009-07-19T01:49:00.002+08:00

I had Twisties Lurve Multigrain Chips at 6pm, then I went for a nap. Waiting for dinner perhaps.

8.30pm my mum comes into my room.

I was consciously dreaming.

Dreaming that various strangers chasing me around an imaginary town.

Walking alone, passing by a stranger, he mumbles a question me in a gruff manner, I walked faster, then I ran, he follows me with flailing arms wanting me to stop, I increased my pace, he caught up, until the 'Zone' was cleared, he continued scolding me in loud tones as I took a peep over my shoulder.

Then came another, a different setting, somewhere in the imaginary town built in my head over an hour.

I know the causes of the Dream, but the purpose not too clear.

I walk Alone.

Poof! There goes my week.

2009-07-12T19:48:00.003+08:00

When I'm busy, time sneaks pass me, leaving me oblivious to the passage of time.

And when I say that I'm busy, it should occur to you that my business does not involve any shopping or sleepovers.

I hope I'm taking Primer 2 more seriously.

Monday, 9 hours in the studio, but free evening. Unless I decide to attend Campus Crusade's meet. I remember writing particulars during the CCA drive. Benjamin slit his left thumb with the penknife today, and had it wrapped up into a white bundle.
Tuesday, 7 hours in the studio, 1.5 hours of violin practice, 1.5 hours of Christian Fellowship.
Wednesday, 7 hours in the studio, 2 hours of Tennis.
Thursday, 7 hours in studio, 1.5 hours of Tennis, 3 hours of Strings ensemble.
Friday, HOME. Piano for 5 hours. Bach.
Saturday, 1 hours of piano lesson, 6 hours in church playing the keys for youth's band and then some mamak and fellowship, and JUST when I thought I was all ready to slack at home watching Okto's programme on the Vienna Orchestra with well-known guest artists~ Fann dropped a call, calling me for Dinner at That's Cafe. Classy one, good food, with good company, ahh. This kind of fellowship can only happen once to twice a year since we're all scattered after high school.
Sunday, church service, lunch with dad and bought some groceries, then we headed to Singapore already. Yes, my rendezvous at Down Town East - Cosfest.

Nothing like my little tranquil/mundane JB, there's too many happenings here all at once that I can't attend the ones I want to.

Like Li Yundi's Gala concert - 24th July. Sold out.
Hillsong United concert - 26th July. Sold out.

Banzai.

This is History.

2009-07-06T02:27:00.004+08:00

6-6

Wow, what a match eh?
We're not even halfway through
a dust storm blows around Roddick's feet

7-7

I only take photographs of the scoreboard
want to take in each moment with my own eyes

8-8

Sampras offers his rehearsed smile
as the page where his record is printed
begins to smoulder

9-9

Someone jokes that Fed's wife
is about to give birth any moment
one more held serve
and we all will

10-10

Both men stare at each other
across the net in disbelief
before the next ball crashes down the line

11-11

A dragonfly buzzes
inches away from the cool glass
it cannot hold back the sound any more
as we finally begin to roar
along with the crowd

12-12

The rest of the tournament
stops existing
we have entered a world
where there are no records to break
the stats on the screen to the side
shrug their shoulders
and refuse to comment

13-13

Unlucky for everyone that isn’t here right now
Unlucky for two men thinking the same thought
"Surely he’s got nothing left?"

14-14

After Fed's 50th ace
Roddick re-cooperates
looks to the scoreboard
he can't believe it either
to avoid getting dizzy he glances back down
at 8mm of ryegrass and creeping fescue

15-14

Fed hits the magic number
we have no breath left to cheer the winner
should the winner ever come
I imagine the game still going
in a hundred years time
before a congregation of skeletons

16-14

Federer jumps up, spins
and roars to the crowd
the greatest ever
two weeks of pent up emotion
finally erupt
the carpet is rolled out for time and reality
to return
and I make for the exit
too exhausted to watch him lift the trophy
to return to a life
of telling everyone
I was there

Fifth set was Epic. 4 hour 16 minutes. 16-14 in the tiebreaker. Man.
Roddick played his heart out, brilliant game he put up, but Roger got it back from last year's drama.
Hurt to see the american broken so badly, but equally excited over Roger's win.

What else can I say?

Wimbledon is awesome.

Legends.

Uh. Oh.

2009-07-04T23:35:00.005+08:00

How can I forget.

It's been a year since I played my Roland digital piano for the last time,

An accompaniment for a very musically inclined aunt Nancy at the Mount Austin Grammar school,

The first time I was excited over the Wimbledon Fever,

The first time I saw you,

When I didn't even realized it was Independence Day.

Why am I so independent that I enjoy having my own time, alone, so blissfully?

Synaesthesia.

2009-06-30T22:17:00.007+08:00

I guess Synaesthesia isn't a fiction thing Alicia the prodigy (from Jessica Duchen's Alicia's Gift) possessed. What more, they say Franz Liszt had it too.

Mr. Bean: "Hello, I'm Dr. Bean. Apparently. And my job is to sit and look at paintings. So, what have I learned that I can say about this painting? Well, firstly, it’s quite big, which is excellent. If it were very small, microscopic, then hardly anyone would be able to see it. Which would be a shame. Secondly, and I’m getting quite near the end of this… analysis, secondly, why was it worth this man spending fifty million of your American dollars? And the answer to that is, that it’s a picture of Whistler’s mother. And as I’ve learned, staying with my best friend David Langley and his family, families are very important. Even though Mr. Whistler was obviously aware that his mother was a hideous old bat who looked like she’d had a cactus lodged up her backside, he stuck with her, and even took the time to paint this amazing picture of her. And that’s marvelous. It’s not just a painting. It’s a picture of a mad old cow who he thought the world of. Well that’s what I think."

Now somehow got myself /'stumbled' into the World of Art (Paintings, Yes), I had no choice but to study Mr Wassily Kandinsky, and stare at 'Two Green Points" and extract some theory and philosophy behind it.

Never done this before; I thought I would be studying much of Materials & Architectural Technology (MAT) here.

Instead, it was almost Everything.

Back to Mr Kandinsky:
Russian guy, Impressionist Artist, influenced by Theosophy and Music, most essentially - Synaesthesia. Very Cool.

YELLOW
“warm,” “cheeky and exciting,” “disturbing for people,” “typical earthly color,” “compared with the mood of a person it could have the effect of representing madness in color […] an attack of rage, blind madness, maniacal rage.

loud, sharp trumpets, high fanfares

BLUE
deep, inner, supernatural, peaceful “Sinking towards black, it has the overtone of a mourning that is not human.” “typical heavenly color”

light blue: flute
darker blue: cello
darkest blue of all: organ

GREEN
mixture of yellow and blue
stillness, peace, but with hidden strength, passive
“Green is like a fat, very healthy cow lying still and unmoving, only capable of chewing the cud, regarding the world with stupid dull eyes.”

quiet, drawn-out, middle position violin

WHITE
"It is not a dead silence, but one pregnant with possibilities."

"Harmony of silence", "pause that breaks temporarily the melody"

BLACK
“Not without possibilities […] like an eternal silence, without future and hope.”
Extinguished, immovable

"final pause, after which any continuation of the melody seems the dawn of another world"

GREY
mixture of white and black
“Immovability which is hopeless”

soundless

RED
alive, restless, confidently striving towards a goal, glowing, “manly maturity”
Light warm red: strength, energy, joy; vermilion: glowing passion, sure strength
Light cold red: youthful, pure joy, young

"sound of a trumpet, strong, harsh"
Fanfare, Tuba
deep notes on the cello

high, clear violin

BROWN
mixture of red + black
dull, hard, inhibited

ORANGE
mixture of red + yellow
radiant, healthy, serious

middle range church bell, alto voice, “an alto violin, singing tone, largo”

VIOLET
mixture of red + blue
“morbid, extinguished […] sad”

english horn, shawm, bassoon

Realized I've been tad pickier, fussier nowadays, where and when I can't simply pick something without a little more consideration.

Back to school, new Studio 10, unlimited supply of cardboard for this Primer..
Ahahah.

Back to panicking?

Banzai.

Stories from Malaysia.

2009-06-21T23:38:00.013+08:00

tadaima~ back from a tour around west Malaysia, yet again, so typical of my little family of three. It was my cousin's wedding that brought us back to Kelantan, the old, backward 'ulu' sleepy town where the supermarkets have paying counters separating the masculine and feminine.

Of course that's all for show, they don't really follow it nowadays, but the blasting of 5 prayers a days routine carries on, no escaping that in a PAS ruled state.

I love the slow life there, yet I'm missing everything fast, active and happening in Singapore. Funny how I loathed the fast-paced life initially, where people squeeze in the MRT and buses everyday on their way to work- probably wanting to save on personal transportation because owning a car in Singapore probably equals up to owning a gas company in Sarawak.

Somehow, sitting in a sardine-packed car listening to ramblings of senior relatives- in a somewhat foreign tongue, Hainanese that is, my inherited dialect from my dad's side, one which I can only understand the word 'jiak - eat' because eating accompanied my fellowship and blathering is what they do the whole day. They love it, I would love to love it too, but somehow, alienated because of my handicap.

As usual, the drive up to Kelantan would have to pass through Pahang and Terrenganu state before reaching the east-northern tip of Malaysia before crossing the border to Thailand. Pasir Ris to Joo Koon probably takes only an hour and twenty minutes to reach end to end; and if Lee Kuan Yew still possesses the strength to further reclaim land for the inhabitants of the nation, probably another 15 minutes from end-to-end, nothing more. JB to Terrenganu takes a full day's drive- but I love it. Its lovely how the scenery and sun position changes from the morning till the evening. By night, we would have found a quaint chalet by the mesmerizing eastern coast, enjoying the vermilion sunset chewing Keropok Lekor.

That's always the part I love most on my annual journeys to Kelantan. Always the stipulated time granted me to observe, appreciate, contemplate nature and the beauty of Creation. Last year, I spent my time at the beach studying the characteristics of waves. Crests, troughs, wavefront, source, superposition etc.

ripples in the lake.

Spot the camou crab.

Dad, would be on his toes, ready for any movement of wildlife to be captured in his D90. Real Photographers are always in odd positions, positions you can hardly think of- when they are at Work. Mum gets pretty pissed off with this obsession of his sometimes when dad dashes off in the midst of doing something to 'Capture the Moment'. I understand. X)

Then came the day Symphony 92.4 dropped me a message saying that I won the Father's Day dedication and they cannot get through my Singtel line to record my voice to be aired on radio because I was 'out of reach'. True, I was miles and miles away from the island, but absolutely thrilled at the same time because I hardly, or never won anything like this before, let alone on a radio station altogether. Of course I called back. Spoke to the Dj, Shelwin, I think, and then recorded my voice reading the dedication. And then I'm getting a free CD hahahahaha.

Awesomely-mad struck.

And to pay for my time in my uncle's house, mosquitoes bit me so frequently that I'm certain I'm going home with rich legs. Gold coins on my legs, ah God forbid. Free fluctuating internet connection was almost secondary, but at least it helped me kill time having nothing better do to at times- other than tossing a tennis ball on the wall repeatedly, reading Nicholas Sparks' 'THe Guardian' until I fell asleep on the bed too often, or simply too frustrated with my uncle's white, traumatized, nerve-wrecking dog ever. She's a pretty dog, having similar features as Russ- my missing dog, but it hides behind the trees and bushes every time I try to get near and render some 'love' to this over traumatized dog. It was no use though, at the end of my stay at the mosquito-infested house, the dog still has its tail in between its legs, head hanged low, with fear in its eyes. Poor thing.

Uncle's traumatized white dog.
Its rare to get a shot like this without having her hiding in the bushes.

After nearing a week in Kelantan, it was Finally time to move on to Penang Island- Land of the best Hawker Food. Stayed in my cousin's little cosy 'just-married' apartment, rallied tennis with my dad a bit and realized how much physical training I lack having just continuously stuffing my stomach with Kelantan and Penang food. Certainly its an ominous sign that I'll be dead in the next Tennis training back in SP. Group mate says Lunges are now full court + push ups. My St John muscles has turned into fats, no wonder.

~~Mountain King~~ Penang Hill Monkey.

Your long lost poser cousin.

Gotcha! Squirrel dashing accross the overhead cable, taking a peep into the camera lens!

Met up with old-timers, as usual, more food.
Durian in the backseat emitted rather putrefying scent I would say- in that sense, I'm zero Malaysian. I'm no fan of Mr Durian thank you. =P

Rode to Taiping, then KL, catch up on another old-timer who's now inventing some sort of hydrogen/water fueled power generator thingy. Quantum physics involved, I didn't quite understand the electrons turning into gravitons, acting as mass part. heehee. Interesting project though.

And then Home.
How I miss Home.

(and also wished badly for the lost chance to attend the Awesome Campo, so I heard.)

Turned on my radio, and still didn't get the chance to catch myself on radio but the most unlikely person did - Hui Yen. Didn't know she listen to classical. Woots. Form 6 must have forced her into classical to sooth her nerves. Quite plausible. =D

Flip the piano cover and tinkled the ivories, eek, my fingers had become rusty a little.

And I wonder how I could dream of myself, in the busy poly week, I had a notice from somewhere that Mr Yundi Li requested me to play a duet with him. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Surprisingly, I got the score in the midst of my busy schedule, sight read it a bit and realized it was only a page of notes. A few notes, probably grade 5 stuff. And I didn't bother to practice, informing the performance committee I could sight read straight away on that day. Probably Mr Li's master class or something. Then I woke up.

Tsk.

The thought of a well-known pianist, family name 'Li', could have originated from the YouTube video I watched earlier on in the Taiping gardens that day; a video of little George Li playing Chopin's Grande Polonaise Brilliante and I personally thought he would become like Yundi Li when he grows up- then the Yundi Li really appeared in my dreams that very night. The human mind is a fascinating one.

Saturday I took advantage of the laser printer my dad brought back from his office just for awhile, and printed Andante Spianato preceding the Grande Polonaise Brilliante. So dreamlike, a reverie preceding the polonaise; and as easy as it sounds, Chopin's easier pieces doesn't gets much easier with those odd number notes on the melody part, not fitting the rhythmic left hand at all, plus all the tricky ornaments I thought Yundi Li played it as ornate and with much nuance as it could ever sound. What an enchanting piece, enchantingly played! He was 18 when he won The Competition, Eighteen. I feel greatly underachieved.

Just when I thought I had extra money to spend on concerts (Dad's oldest brother rewards me for my SPM ;D), checked SSO's Gala which Mr Li supposed to perform with on 24 July, Singapore, yes Singapore, up and happening, but its fully booked. Fully booked and still more than a month away! T.T Should have known earlier.

Con Fuoco came out of my file, just for the heck of it, the Torrent Etude which I could barely play in the right tempo- simply because I was tired of the Clementi piece I have been playing for monthsXD

Actually, I haven't been listening to piano music, especially Chopin, in high concentrations for half a year or so. So happened my iPod played me a whole list of Chopin the other day on my way back to JB, I couldn't help but enjoy the Music, with wave of emotions flowing in once again, after playing CPE Bach and Clementi for such a long period of time. Haha!

Next on my list for the last week of this holidays before I start on another brain storming, model making, glue tasting, documentation writing, monitor staring et cetera:

Schumann- Traumerei. :D

One page, very ornamental piece. Gee.

Happy Fathers Day,

My impromptu note, sent in 92.4fm, and didn't expect to win anything in the first place. Teehee!

Photo Montage coming soon. Stay tuned.

Alright!

2009-06-07T23:19:00.001+08:00

And now he equals Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slam titles after winning the Roland Garros - French Open 2009, and his very first too! =)

Now I really wished I had cable TV.

Stories from Singapore.

2009-06-05T19:14:00.022+08:00

To go, or not to go: That is a question.

That line was running through my mind at Mach 25 while my head was spinning in the bus on the way home, one and a half hours ago.

And yet I spin myself on the studio chair, trying to rid off the initial exhaustion.
Nothing really happened, I just got dizzier.

Because Astro meet is at 7pm today, and if I had gone back to school after placing my bulky stuff and change my attire in my room, now I would have been in a debate whether the Big Bang really happened and setting up telescopes - Star Gazing.

And then Again, I'll be back home after 10.30pm, dead tired, walking into the house scaring my room mate when she accuses me of being a zombie night after night, chores yet to be done, but that was how it was like for the past 5 days.

So I stayed in the room. Fell face flat on the bed. Cried under my blanket for unknown reasons. Drifted off the dreamland - under Lenny my landlady knocked my room door offering me a sliced of chocolate strawberry cake.

My name was the last in the entire cohort's register, obviously in the last group for this Primer- and while waiting for our turn I was reconnoitering the situation, still, too tired to respond to Michael Chan's ego stabbing criticisms due to his lack of sleep or simply having a bad ~~hair~~bald day, nor lines like:

"The Last call the guy's making before he proceeds to the Electric Chair; and there comes the undertaker"

"Is it for a dog to go in and fetch his bone at the top of the tree bark?"

"Looks like the bird nest that has fallen off the tree"

"Attack of the Termites"

"Anybody have an inhaler here"

"The lorry driver sees the occupants taking a family portrait. And then he says, Smile!"

"Its just a well design mobile toilet"

Never ending insults.
Like when everyone is about to have their term test, today we had a presentation and critique session since its 100% coursework.
So it Finally came, after 4 weeks of trial and error, "Can this be like this, tweak it over here,", "Why is this panel over here, so out of context?", "What's the use of this?", "Why?".

Plus it being a group project, give and take was always important. Like how I managed Yi Th'ng, Fann's and Kelly's hardheadedness altogether. XD
The plethora of character and personalities makes it really hard to make progress actually, having Mr Chieu and Sherry finally unanimous in their opinions that this group (we) had gone through some tough times throughout the process and was glad we managed to come up with something feasible.

And then The End.
Woohoos around, it was term break.
I made my journey to the train station with Sharina, one of my group members, and then sharing our adventure camp experiences, until my bus came.

I realized I'd missed out yet another chance to attend Royal Rangers' National Camporama that is held every 4 years.
In year 2000 - I was 9, and 10 was the minimum age eligible to attend the Campo.

In year 2004 - I was 13, and I was all ready and set to go for this one - until my cousin Yee Yee decided to get married the very same week Campo was held. Fine.

In year 2008 - I was 17, and I waited long enough for a Campo experience. They said Campo's not on this year. O.O

In year 2009 - I'm out from Secondary school, currently studying in Singapore. Last Wednesday I met Wong family to get my stuff that my mum wanted to pass to me through them, and they were on their way to watch the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibit in the Science centre. They invited me to follow, it was a Wednesday, and I supposedly didn't have class- but had to return to school to complete the project. Fine, so there goes another chance. Bye bye Leonardo. I'll make sure I study your life and works one day.

Naomi asks me whether I have Rangers uniform.

Yes, I still have it in my closet.

Why.

"I'm going for Camporama."

O.O CAMPO. THIS YEAR?

WHEN

"Next week."

NEXT WEEK MY COUSIN MAX'S GETTING MARRIED IN KELANTAN >.>

So There goes another Camporama. I'm really getting old already you know.
Thus I'm letting go of my dream of attending Camporama as a camper. T.T

Then I'll hear Amanda asking me again, "Where's Kelantan?" "I want Domino Pizzaa."

Kim goes crazy every time I tell him Domino Pizza, Lasagna, BREADSTIK
And then he proceeds to the Studio Door, spins it at 100mph, "Lets go for Lunch!"
Lunch leader says lets go, we go for lunch.
*Amanda stands by the door, waiting for it to stop spinning and then halts it and scolds Kim*
"Poor door don't spin it like this or else they'll replace it with an ugly door.."

I think the whole class has been loving W5A21C. And the door gets particular attention.
But by the next term we'll be shifting to another Studio once they renovate the place =/
I wonder how often I can steal Kim's Subway cookies?

Tennis and Strings camp was two weeks back, and I managed to return home in JB last Friday. As usual, practiced my piano pieces and then slept for long hours. Sunday I woke up for church, and after lunch I went to Singapore, earlier, because we needed to get materials from Art Friend. Bras Basah complex is a Must-Go. Many shops there sell imported picture books from Taiwan and Japan, plus cheap comics and second hand books. Heaven for those who appreciate all these unique, imported stuff rather than mainstream items like Crumpler for rich bastards Only- hehehe~

So it was the trio Mike, AhDada and I who went to town to get the materials, which afterward Amanda and I who accompanied Mike to go Shopping, can you believe it.
We got Ice-cream and returned home.

Monday, I went to school as usual, early, the walk to my school is always so quiet in the morning- often makes me wonder where the population of fourteen thousand disappeared to.

And then Mel reminded me of the Dinner date on that Monday night itself.
Ate at FC3, treated Mel the famous mango milkshake Kim often goes crazy about, and then brought them JC peeps for a night walk around the school, browse the video collection room, sat around in the library lounge (my first time there, too), catch up a bit on each others life, and when home.

Late.

Tuesday, 2 days prior to submission, I headed to Strings Clubroom after school, played the violin with people with the same interest =) , and then had a lesson with Mr Yang, an SSO member who teaches and conducts the SPSE. =) =)

Went home straight, late.

Wednesday, 1 day prior to submission, I woke up early, played Winterbell repeatedly while waiting for the Wong Family to reach Jurong East, got my things and left to Dover on a train, walked to my school on the far side of the campus and met up with my group mates. Firdaus went out to get hot glue stick and didn't came back until 3. Michael left for French class, I left for Tennis at 3. Model- not done.

After tennis, I rushed home to get my file which I didn't realized - contain the translucent sheet and perspex we needed for the model. Took a bus home, got my stuff, took a bus back, made my way back to the studio, group mates were working on the model, and were about to move to FC5 to continue the work because studio was closing. It was evening, it was late.

As Firdaus slowly completes the model with his acclaimed workmanship during crit, we moved around, taking measurements as he builds it, and drawing section, elevation and plans. Grab a double chocolate chip subway cookie for dinner and continued with the momentum. Crowded as it already was, now there were extra spectators around the table. Model was finally done at 9.15pm. Took the measurements to complete scale drawings and then headed home.

Late. Wednesday, laundry day.

Thursday woke up extra early, headed to school to complete the undone documentation, scanned A3 drawings, photoshopped it, insert them into the PowerPoint, burnt the unto the CD-ROM, double check, 11.45am, last call, we submitted.

In the afternoon we were more relieved, slacked on the lounge chair, Miss Priscilla Tan our oral comm. lecturer came by to inform us our individual presentation outline had to be handed in the next day, Friday, before 10am.

Now finding a random topic to present on is rather tough. You might want to present something you are passionate about, yet worry whether the audience (classmates) would find it interesting. Monkeys as they already are, talking about the life and works of Beethoven wouldn't be too appropriate. My mind was too tired to think about a major presentation topic like that. One Thursday after the term break, we would have to write a thousand-word speech on the topic we had chosen today, and at the end of the semester, present it, and we would be graded. I'll think of it tonight. Mind's blank at the moment for this kind of stuff.

Ah.

Tennis first.

Before that, FC5, Subway cookie first. I knew I had no time for dinner.

And then I realized I've been living with cookies almost the whole week. Ran out of bread so I had to open the emergency Oreo. Went to school still hungry, stole kim's Subway Macadamia cookie.

Sugary. Sweet.

Ate a quarter and then Joshua reached the court. Too absent minded that Thursday morning, I had left my racquet at home and had to borrow Joshua's. Volley, serve, rallied with beginners that were almost impossible to play with, I still had a fun time =)

At the corner of my eye, Mr Chieu and Sherry passed by the tennis courts. Kabin saw. We smiled. We continued volleying.

7pm came, I grabbed my bag and my unfinished cookie and made my way to T14.
Strings Ensemble, more of a String Orchestra actually, something I've been anticipating. I sat on the left side of my partner Chun Hui, Violin 2, and then figured out the Titanic score. Mr Yang came, tuned, raised the baton and went through one round of the score.
Figuring out the accompaniment wasn't as easy as I thought. The only 'ensemble' I've been in before is Convent school's choir, conducted by biology teacher Doreen Chan once in a while or the president of the club. Imagine SE president Chee Ming (who looks so much like Cadet Leader Yong- guy version) conducting. Horrendous. LOL. Apparently they don't choose a skilled member to be president, but I guess one to handle club matters and not the musical aspect of it.

In the choir I was an Alto, which was something like the voice of a viola.
Which was purely made for accompaniment, and it wasn't as easy actually, to not sing what you normally hear and take note of.

Anyway, I got used to the odd rhythm somehow after 2 rounds, and the feeling was exhilirating- especially the ending. This is the Joy and Wonder of playing music together! Spread the Love! <3

Entering the room late at night like a zombie, night after night, it was the last day I had to budge in the room before the term break while my roomy was Skype-ing.

I flipped opened my laptop, staring blank, thinking of what topic I should choose for Oral Comm. Thought I'll lie down awhile and maybe I'll acquire some inspiration... and then woke up at 7.30am on Friday morning, as usual, traveling takes an incredible amount of time these days unlike the days I could wake up at 7am when class started at 7.20am. Mum was my F1 driver, I needn't walk at all except up the small hill up Convent. I turned around facing my laptop, open my blog and then scroll down the list. Orient Express caught my eye that morning, and I googled 'train'. Thus trains, is going to be my topic to research on. Wonder how one random topic will work out? =/

It was 7am, and I had scarce time to get ready: washed up, poured milk into my mouth out from the box, grabbed a packet of crackers and went out. Flats didn't feel as comfortable as my sandles/sports shoes which I have been wearing frequently these days. Comfortable and practical for one who does much walking everyday =.= Reached school, discussed our slides with one member M.I.A. (Missing In Action), lunch at Broadway with lunch leader and company, and then got ready for Crit. Ahh. Crits. Thanks God for 05/06 lecturers like Sherry and Mr Chieu. Miss Jun is okay The other two had serious attitude problems, one in a bad ~~hair~~bald day, another with too many cold jokes that meant insult. Pfft.

Enough of crit experiences. Similar to Simon Cowell shooting arrows into your little pride on stage. Period.

Tomorrow's SPCA flag day for ONOW module.
Sunday I'll worship lead and have fun with the kids. They really love me more nowadaysXD

Some piano freedom.. and
then... holiday with my mum and dad. YAY

CHEERS.

***

For your personal amusement: Photos from my cellphone.

Green man on our first mock up.

Mr Chieu commenting on our variety of informal handwritingsXD

Jia Tong stealing time to sleep in the low cupboard.
Yi Han waiting for the canister filled with cold water to get shot down.
A familiar scene. Canteen. Skit.
Forfeit.

Joshua-made thickened milo and chocolate chips.
Yi Han singing to Nobody Nobody But You. Must be. He could dance through the whole songXD
Chuck Taylor variations. Far right is Lolita version~
SPSE President: 'Hei Ren Lao Ban' in bright green. Nice.
AhDada's Octopuus.
The other Boulevard I walk everyday other than Jalan Sentul.
Grace feels like eating again. Singapore doesn't have a Domino Pizza outlet. I suggest you call in.
AhDada wants Domino.

Kim spreading the love of Meiji Strawberry yoghurt.

Kaoru steals my strawberry yoghurt X(

Look-a-like! Twins! I had problems identifying them in the beginning. Miss Priscilla Tan too.

There. Derek + Aaron = Hikaru + Kaoru
Hikaru obviously the naughty one. Kaoru the more rational one. Heh. Grace doing an interview

Term Break! *drum rolls* taadaa~

X-ing.

2009-05-31T18:47:00.005+08:00

Time.

Why am I ranting about time, again, and again, and again?

Undeniably, it passes fast. I feel the toll; I feel old.

And then I wonder how would my dad feel, after living more than half a century in flesh and blood?

Maybe tomorrow someone might just get hit by a truck or fall down the fourth floor?

Where, would you end up next?

Dan Brown's book are thrilling enough, worthy of public controversy. Clever guy, provoking thoughts of the people. I've been on the train reading one of his titles lately, kills travelling time effectively.

But hey, why is there time for me to kill?

Seems like only last week I was back in Convent after the long electric wait for SPM results, the short triumph over my A's, and then poof I'm about to take my term break.
(By the way, I haven't sent congrats over to my 3, 4, 5 for their straight A's as well, right. CNA07 Rules yo.)

I've been in Singapore Polytechnic for the seventh week.
Worked on models, sticks, corrugated card boards, white glue, strong glue, cutters, butter papers, protractors, compasses, metal and scale rules etc; history and theories, design concepts, ergonomics and anthropometry, environmental sciences, Computer-aided design and presentation, materials and technology, Critiques.

Counter Strike gaming lab behind my row of workstations.

Studio door swinging 360 degrees at 100mph.

Guitar playing and bad singing during lunch hour.

Swearing and cursing non-stop during gaming hour.

.

So I ran to sign up for outside class activities, hoping to meet more people with similar interests.
Tennis club, Strings, Ensemble, Piano Ensemble, Christian Fellowship, Japanese Cultural Club, Astromomy.
Mighty me. See how my entire day/week is spent in school?
I'm searching for a place similar to Convent's sickbay- or maybe nicerXD Somewhere air-conditioned with a piano and some friends. Heehee. At least I don't go partying in Zouk. My soul doesn't belong there.

Tennis and Strings freshman orientation camp ended precisely one week ago.
Both with supposedly creepy nightwalks where I wished Yi Th'ng would be there to face her deadliest adversary- spirits in her imagination. X)
In Tennis camp I experienced the same thing 5 years back where we would sit on the canteen benches, and students would perform out a skit in a group with the canteen stalls as a backdrop.
Familiar scene, only that it was SP's foodcourt 6; and that I needn't squeeze in the crowd nor buy something cute nor fold a 1000 stars in a curved glass bottle to get my senior's signature; Joshua made Milo of us on Sunday morning, Pei Ying (girl's school team captain) bought us unlimited snacks for consumption. My group leaders and comrades were awesome, probably the only enthusiastic group I've been assigned too since the starting of my term.

Upcoming week would be the last week of the term.
Busy one. Submission and Crit week. Fast eh?
Too fast to comprehend, my time flies Mach 15.

3 weeks holiday, and I would be making full use of it to spent time with my little family.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder I guess?

Then the cycle repeats, back for Primer 2, ONOW projects and the dreaded oral communication presentations, and Julia hopes she doesn't gets up bus 185 instead of 105 at night again.

And also, the need to carry 4 mercury-filled carriers all the way from Jurong East room 15 minutes to mrt to faraway school to mrt to kranji to bus to customs to bus to CIQ to dirty JB bus to 5 minute walk home.

The walk Home is fulfilling. My boulevard, my tudor terrace house, my home with an extra bird nest under the leaves of my mother's potted plants-

Home.

Where's your final destination?

Bach on the Black Book.

2009-05-20T17:28:00.004+08:00

Somehow, Bach's disproportionate figure caricature of Symphony 92.4's car decal ended up on my black book.

Not like that like Bach very much, but after being the last one to find my black book with zero personalisation, I decided to draw something that was right in front of me at that point of time - the car decal on my clear box file. Ahah.

Back in JB for only this week since CCA's haven't officially started - which means I'm still pretty much free from other activities except course project which often gets on my nerves. Is it so hard to work with unenthusiastic people? Hmm. Yes. Hmm. Actually no, if you have enough power- but I don't.

I don't get it.

After 5 hours of reading up on Singapore's water problem and finishing up my group's Environmental Science write-up, I shall enjoy home-cook dinner.

Have a nice Wednesday.

How To: Handle Split Personalities.

2009-05-18T23:12:00.003+08:00

People play masquerade, too much of it.

But this, is the best way to do it.

Go To DMC (And Beware of F's.)
Credits to Amanda! =3

And Kenichi Matsuyama does it Best.
LOLedXD, literally until roomy had to shush me.

Nice one to kill my claustrophobia and paranoia for the day.
Really. Two weeks without the sight of home. Its getting difficult :/

Shock.

2009-05-17T12:35:00.000+08:00

At this point of my life, there's a lot going on, fast-forwarded, but no rewinding.
Means no more chance having sheltered, taken care of 24/7.

Which is also ominous at some point of time, having being locked out of the room for almost an hour, rushing to school on crowded public transport every morning, fast-pacing for 15 minutes to the train station and to the isolated building, encountering a bee chasing me in the HDB flat itself when I was already late, carrying multiple items and bags - while walking at the same time, observing skateboarding in an architecture studio and watching students sleeping in front of the lecturer.

Not to mention living in a HDB box (almost like a Tokyo capsule hotel), a claustrophobic room, with another homo sapien. Something which I haven't been doing since a month old.

What, a quantum leap.

And then I look forward returning to the quaint little tudor terrace of mine, except without Russ around anymore - every Friday evening with earphones in my ear. Noticing that a cashier from F.O.S couldn't understand my simple english, numbers only, followed by a notorious bus driver snatching bus fare from my hand.

And then I fell flat and slept for 12 hours straight, piano, ate Calbee potato chips with CocaCola - actually made me realized that for all these years, I have been surrounded by academically inclined friends.

We'll have Yi Th'ng and Fatin accepting the prestigious JPA scholarship. The 2 people who sandwiched me last year in class, till the last day of school.

Ah I feel honoured a little. Will continue persevering - squeeze my right brain a litle more.

"I wanted to get out of it so eagerly, yet I miss the past so badly; but it'll be a matter of time they grow up and mature, and myself getting used of the surrounding. Let's all move to New Zealand."

Fab Check List of the week:

2009-05-09T15:38:00.003+08:00

1. Walk out from the claustrophobic HDB's, take a sardined trained to Dover station, walk to the farthest, isolated building on campus.

2. Complete 3 models, 4 documentations.

3. Tell Syazni to clean my desk.

4. Go to CCA showcase and collect as many free files as possible, balance it on a tennis racket and sign up for 7 CCA's.XD

5. Have Pizza Hut with high school buddies when down with a flu.

(Photo courtesy of Sharlene.)

6. Listen to Kim/Jin sung blabber out his awesome ONOW answers to the whole class. Ridiculously useless module like Pendidikan Moral, really.

7. Push the power button on the MacBook to finish Photoshop assignment. Stare at the MacBook screen as the file with a question mark flashes across the lovely blue screen. Understand that your Hard Disk Drive had just crashed.

Have Steve Jobs die in your hands.

Frantically, Stranded.

2009-05-07T23:41:00.007+08:00

0650 - QL's (Qing Ling - room mate) alarm clock goes off. She snoozed it.

0652 - I sneezed thrice.

0700 - QL's alarm went off the second time. S

0703 - I coughed.

0704 - Blew my nose.

0707 - QL gets out from bed and get prepared for her class at 0830. I blew my nose thrice.

0720 - QL comes into the room after her shower. She scuffles around for awhile. I cannot get back to sleep. I blew my nose and sneezed.

0745 - QL leaves the room and house. I still can't get back to sleep. Suppose to have another 2 hours of sleep danggg. Sneezed and couple more times.

0810 - I think I got back to sleep. A pretty nice one.

0900 - My cellphone alarm goes off. Stretch. Get up. Grabbed my stuff to the bathroom.

0915 - Back. Sit around in the room. Pushed some things around. Put on the lanyard with a student card and ezlink inside. Felt hungry - went out the room to get a a biscuit and chocolate milk.

Heard the door closed behind me.

0920 - Biscuit and a cup in hand, opened the room door.

Lock.

0921 - Lock. LOCK?

0922 - Are you sure its lock. Plays with the doorknob a couple more times.

0923 - No luck. Serious deep shit.

0924 - Puts down cup and biscuit in the living room. Sees a hairpin nearby. Panic. Puts the hairpin in the keyhole. Try unpicking the door. No luck.

0925 - Uses body weight to slam the door. No luck. Tried the pin again. No luck.

0926 - Pin got stuck in the keyhole. Paced to the kitchen for a rag. Uses rag to pull hairpin out from the keyhole. Tries to pick the lock again. No luck. Slam the door hard twice.

0927 - Went to landlady's room and knock and knock and knock calling her a few times (knowing she's not in)

Cannot remember her number. Cannot remember QL's number. Cellphone in the room dammit. Remember mum's number. Remember JB house's number.

0929 - Tried calling JB and mum using landlady's house phone. No luck. No luck again. Felt like crapping.

0930 - Grabbed the keys for the main door. Decides to ask neighbour for landlady's number.

Neighbour don't have. Neighbour don't have?!

0932 - Stands outside the room door. Should I just go to school? I'm dressed, I have my lanyard, and I have keys to the main door. Felt like crapping again. Ran to the toilet.

0933 - Sat on the lavatory. Bowels are working good. Why are they? Too much adrenaline because I'm locked outside my room? Yesterday I drank Vitagen. QL drank Yakult.

Yakult. Yakult auntie's number is on the refrigerator. I can call her. Landlady order's Yakult from her.

0935 - Looks at watch. Crap. Bus takes 45 minutes if there's a jam.

0936 - Runs around finding for a pen and paper. Found a highlighter. Found a notebook. Tore a blank page out. Copies the number on the fridge.

0937 - Calls Yakult auntie. Tries to explain current situation. Tries to sound calm. Tries to be diplomatic. Tries to be polite and friendly. She slowly scrolls her phone for landlady's number. Slowly. Slowly. She's got it. Yatta. Wrote landlady's number down.

0940 - Puts down receiver and up again. Calls landlady. Landlady says: Oh dear. (Oh dear? Can I get out of this situation??)

Landlady: Go to the 4-tier cupboard opposite the TV and look for the spare keys in the first shelf.

Thank God.

Opens room door.

Found out door lock is into the 'permanent lock' mode. =.=

Grabbed my stuff. Dumps unfinished biscuit into the fridge. Puts on socks and shoes. Locked the main door and went down the block.

Walked to the bus station. Sees 105 from afar. Runs like an idiot with a tennis racket in hand. Bus closes the door. I appear at the door. He opens up the door again to let me in (yes I love the bus drivers there. Service is way better than__) Taps ezlink card. Sat down.

1015 - Reaches school bus stop. Walked to the farthest block (like everyday =/)

1030 - Precisely on time. Tadaaa. Ingenious.

Beautiful.

2009-05-02T20:05:00.005+08:00

Bruce Branit - World Builder.
Seems like technology 40 years down the road - SketchUp/3D Studio Max would be as interactive and 'fun' like this. Life size. Awesome.

Anyway, state of the art, beautifully rendered video clip.

My mamma's beautiful too. Happy Birthday mamma~ and thanks for welcoming home and taking care of your sick child- a night's rest in my own home was enough to bring down the fever! =)

Ideas, anyone

2009-05-01T16:56:00.002+08:00

Tadaima.

Gorrilla eats las vegas.

2009-04-27T22:55:00.008+08:00

Pity pity pity.
If only I had the chance, I would be at least on par with these musically talented people.
That means another lost chance for an experience to the joy of playing music, together.

Too bad, Foon Yew 3's band coach spends less than 10 minutes with the brass players- ONLY Euphoniums & Trumpets, for every 2-hour practice. We practically experimented with the brass thingy we were holding, trying to fart out a decent note. While I managed to fart out concert B flat scale though, the others were still struggling to get a decent sound coming out from the bell.

That, was Foon Yew 3.
Poor school only rely on the Parent Teacher's association for sponsorship and donations.

Better still,
I.J. Convent Johor Bahru doesn't have a band. (Kulintangs, we have.)
I can't possibly imagining them spending (to them, wasting) money on those pricey brass instruments and hire a band coach/conductor- since they were telling us off every recess to safe electricity and water etc etc. Hmmph. What to do. Half-government-sponsored school ma. Tun Fatimah I heard, has an awesome band that competes at National Level.

Me, always, in the audience, at the distance, watching from afar, dazzled by these talents. And when I thought FY 3's band was the most awesome Primary school band in the whole JB, nah. Nonsense. JB isn't that at all developed when compared to its neighbour (Get what I mean). But FY3's band would be my only 'experience' of playing in an ensemble. A rather amateur one, but a real enjoyable one.

Mr. Solo piano, I like it, don't get me wrong, but sometimes its extra fun and entertaining when playing music together. (but yes, I'm aware of the ups and downs as well.)

Well anyway, I happened to follow my fellow Secondary-School-Trumpeter friend to the band room, dazzled by the brass players who were self-practicing (good materials, really) and then got a Cornet, fart out a concert B-flat scale in 5 friggin years, walked out, informed them a dozen times that I was only there to consider whether to join, in which this situation had me decided No, I have no chance in this because they don't take in and teach the newbies, followed a percussionist over to the percussion section, tinkled with the Marimba and Xylophone, talked to some wacky percussionists, watched them settle down on the arranged seats, watched the conductor raise his baton, listened to them tune, section by section, listened to a couple of pieces, smiled, enjoyed, smiled again, exhilarated (Gorilla eats las vegas? =D), entertained, followed through the Mallet's score, listened to them playing the finals bars, some announcements, folded up the music stands, grabbed my bag and A3 file then left the room.

Approximately 10.20pm I reached Jurong East.

Other than getting a free show like that, another recurring dream had came true- I touched a trumpet in 5 years.

How to: Order Subway for the very first time.

2009-04-24T17:05:00.006+08:00

I've heard about it a couple of times, I pass by Food Court 5 everyday on my way to the Studios (like somewhere on recluse island), and then I wonder whether I'll get my Subway sandwich today. KFC and McD's are generally unhealthy, Pizza Hut is over my lunch budget, Food Courts with the local food are good, but it's too stuffy during lunch hour without air-conditioning, or else its located 15 minutes away~

Last day of my first week. Queue was tad long, but since it was Friday, off early, long weekend.. I joined the queue for my sandwich. teehee :D

And good thing there was a queue; or else I would have gone all kelam-kabut. Erm. Maybe also totally loose my face. (Fann's lingo: Memalukan.) As if I haven't loose my face enough for the past two weeks; wanting to alight on the wrong side of the train in front of another student, uttering Ringgit for the millionth time, U-turning at junctions when I got lost in the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering School, going through short-cuts which took me longer than my usual already-long-route simply because I got lost, again, and again, etc etc.

I, having live in JB for the past 11 years, has never stepped into a Subway. I don't know where's the nearest one but I have never seen a Subway in my most common shopping grounds (City Square, Pelangi Plaza, Holiday Plaza). Oh wait. Maybe there is one in Holiday Plaza. Maybe. But in any case it was empty and didn't look very inviting. :/

When I was 9, I remember my dad ordered a Footlong Sandwich like this in New Zealand just before the Shotover Jet Ride. It lasted the whole day. One bite from mum, one bite from me, and then the rest of the sandwich goes into dad's backpack and we would continue our touring activities. I don't know whether it was a Subway, anyway, I only remembered dad had thousand Island for the dressing.

Anyway, ordering a Subway can be pretty intimidating for a first timer. With 5 sandwich artists at the counter working at top speed, asking you what bread, length, fillings, veggies, toppings, plus those who are pro at ordering sandwiches babbling their veggies and toppings like a bullet train, it's pressurizing when you stare at the veggies and toppings can, wondering what its called again. What's that red thing called again? apples? potatoes? No, it tomatos. A simple veg name like 'tomato' can slip out of your mind when you're under pressure when ordering a Subway without having a clear mind or cannot make a quick decision if you haven't decided yet while queing up.

Anyway,

1. It's important to have a friend beside you who already knows how to order a Subway. At least if you're too shy to ask 'how do I order a Subway?' You could at least ask, 'which is your favorite bread?'
-Hearty Italian, 6 inch please.

2. I'm aware Subway sandwich artists usually ask what type of cheese you want, but this one in SP doesn't. So save one step. I'm not familiar with the types of cheese either.

3. Still haven't decided on the filling? Go for the cheapest filling like tuna or cold cut.
- Cold Cut please.

3. Stand closely to the person in front you and listen how they order the fresh veggies. If you're finally happy to see the wide selection of fresh veggies, don't be over excited. Make sure you know what to say and what the veggies are called when the sandwich artist ask you what you want. Don't go mute and start pointing into the glass. Worse, don't go saying, 'the red one, the round one, the black small and round ones, and the shredded ones please.'
- Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, Chilies.

4. For the dressing part, the bottles usually have alphaberts like M, S, H, something like that. Don't go cracking your head on what the alphabert stands for. Just listen closely to the person in front of you order a sandwich dressing and you will get a slight idea of what it stands for. The boards doesn't really show you what dressing you can top your sandwich with, especially if its a small Subway, so learn it at least from the person in front of you before getting yours done.

5. Finally, set or no set, take away eat here, its the easiest part. Either get a cookie or chips. That's it. Fill your empty cup with your own choice of drink at the drinks bar, find a place and dig in!

Enjoy the Oil-less, refreshing, and a meal with lots of fresh veggies. And if you can't finish it in one go, wrap it up and have it later, even on-the-go!

Also, remember to learn all the ingredients before ordering your next sandwich. You might get a one that suits your taste buds completely!

:)

Mum would have a really hard and intimidating time ordering a subway sandwich, annoying the sandwich artist and the people in the queue at the same time.
That's for sure, 100% sure XD

And I shall get chewing gum for Gordon (Gordon: You MALAYSIAN ARH? EHH HELP ME BUY CHEWING GUMM!!) and Elaine; because they were nice enough to drop me off Orchard MRT station, although I should have learnt the way around Orchard much earlier from my JB pro-Orchard Road shopper friends/ or even if not shoppers, they had brought me around a good number of times but I never bother to learn. Never. Teehee~

Fat Malaysians.

2009-04-17T21:38:00.012+08:00

I was observing. First things first.

People walk in and out Singapore like Ants.
Ants just reminded me how Johann Liebert toyed with a line of Ants.

Wait. How come the buses in Singapore starts off/accelerates so jerkily?
Like excessive power, or rather the bus driver stepped on too hard on the accelerator (all buses the same anyway), or maybe, the engine is a powerful one- but it simply jerks too hard during acceleration- Exactly like a Vios.
They use auto bus engines, not driven manually. They don't have proper first gear, second gear etc.
Bad engine architecture.

And I realized manual cars- especially Kancil, is the easiest to drive and to start off with. Although more to learn, but it doesn't jerk forward. Smooth transition from the first gear to the second one and so on.

Oh, actually it does, only if you're terrible on the clutch. Or simply didn't get into the correct gear at the correct speed.. Simply means a bad driver la.

I think I have forgotten how to drive.
aiks.

Heck MRT fare really cost a bomb. =(
(And it isn't even my favorite conventional sight-seeing train!)

$12.65 of my flag day collection at Punggol is definitely not worth my travel fees. BOO

Did I just said I collected $12.65? ahahahaha. Slackest flag day ever. I felt guilty afterwards actuallyXD But what to do? Punggol is deserted. Low population. LoL. And, well, because these people have no one else to compete with, or no seniors patrolling town etc. unlike bloody St John days when we would do 12 hours a day for 2 weeks inhaling fumes and collecting international currency from the customs and immigrations. I wonder how will it go this year since everyone is using touch-n-go's? =P

I remember last year's/also my last year in sec school's flag day- very vividly.

The Incredible Drama.

Principal might just utter this: No flag day for you girls. X(

Also, I remember two years ago, when our St John president proudly walked up the stage shaking hands with the past-principal Puan Mary, receiving the tallest trophy ever.
(And Yi Th'ng wanted her 'Moment of Glory' like that tooXD. But what to do. What to do. Too much drama.)

But I'm slowly getting back, getting less lazier, getting into a better mood, waking up before 7am everyday, walking 20 times more than usual, you get it- I officially ended my post-SPM-Rotting-at-Home-days.

:/

I don't like Mr. Wrecks.
He's scary.

How To: Get a MacBook fan running again + Walk back from Singapore on Fridays/Public Holidays.

2009-04-11T01:01:00.010+08:00

Get a MacBook fan running again
If you had iStat menus on your MacBook already, you'll notice how fast the fan goes as well as the temperature of the CPU; and whether it matches.

If it's 80 degree celcius and fan is going at 0rpm, you can either:
1. Flip the MacBook upside down and crack an egg over the upper left hand corner;

2. Flip the MacBook upside down and put your Milo/Nescafe for the Keep Warm function while you're away;

or

3. Put it under your blanket during cold nights;

or

4. Let it shut down by itself. It's clever; it knows that its overheating so the best way is to shut down without prior notice to avoid further colossal damage to the machine. Plastics might just melt away and serve as an inductor;

or

5. In an open notebook manner, lift the right base with your right hand, (with a gloved left hand) hit the upper left hand corner of the machine repeatedly- like giving a good Thai massage. You'll get the fan running in no time- and you can continue FBing/YouTubing/Skyping on the computer. No hassle. You won't even need to call AppleCare hotline or bring it to an Apple Genius and pay them unnecessary fees. I tell you- they probably will do the same thing. Aiks. I should have patented that now ubiquitous method. Everyone's using it. =(

Walk back from Singapore on Fridays/Public Holidays
1. Walk out of the Singapore immigration, down the escalator and find the whole place jammed pack with humans like yourself, waiting for a pathetic bus that comes one in every half and hour due to the massive traffic jam in the windy F1 tracks ahead.

2. Walk till the end of the line and find yourself at the entrance of the door down to the pedestrian way.

3. Open the door, walk down the stairs. Don't worry if it reminds you of a spiral stairs feature of a lighthouse nightmare- because it simply isn't a lighthouse.

4. Walk through the walkway, into the open air space. Don't worry about the cars, because there's a pedestrian pavement for you to walk on.

5. Look to your left and enjoy the sea breeze. Look to your right and inhale some fumes and laugh and make monkey faces at the people caught in the massive traffic jam- especially those in the 170/160/Causeway link Sardin-packed buses. Literally Sardined. Jammed. Not moving an inch.

6. Walk at full speed if your legs can carry you.

7. Follow the vehicles path and walk along side them; be careful now, there's no more pavement for the pedestrian when it reaches the narrow two-laned F1 tracks. You have to be extremely careful now not to get in the way of the bigger moving objects although you're currently sharing the same F1 tracks with them.

8. If you have a plier with you, just cut a hole through the green flimsy fence and take a taxi and go back home. Saves time and reduces chances of getting hit by a motor vehicle. If you don't have one, you can climb over the fence.

9. Alternatively, if you're not tall enough or didn't happen to carry a plier along, just walk further up and down, up and down, winding up then down again- be very very very careful now, as it gets pretty crammed here, its a bottleneck thing, don't wanna get squashed by a motor vehicle.

10. Make a dash to the pedestrian bus drop off point, take the stairs if possible because its much faster than the overloaded escalator and run into the building's far left scanner machine. All are equally slow actually, but far left is the nearest to the exit afterwards. If the machine barrier opens up with an 'X', just exit. It doesn't really matter actually.

11. Make your way through the imposing new CIQ in 20 minutes, full speed.

12. Wear a good pair of Nike's if you don't want to find blisters afterward and bring an umbrella if you hate sunny days on black tar/raining/storm etc. Because I'd rather walk than wait- I'm sure it applies to majority.

Sublime!

2009-04-08T17:37:00.009+08:00

After hours of unwrapping/peeling/tearing apart 30 cling-wrapped chairs for the awesome new church hall- 1 chair = approx. 12 minutes, do the math; plus a few bruises and blisters on my sored hands (no piano/violin for awhile I guess =/), dusty clothes and quite hungry~

Some soothing music always does the trick.
How should I describe this piece of music..
Magical? Enchanting? Haunting? Bewitching? Fantasizing? Gratifying?

This moment, Addicting.

I must visit Czech Republic one day. On a train- to Prague.
The haunting enchantment of the history-filled city, classical architecture, culture and then the people.
Dvorak is one mysterious fella. Or rather- A Master.

Seems like I want to visit most of the non-english speaking countries in Europe.
Wait till Fann has the money to commission me to build a chateau in Nice, then I can get a nice month off to tour Europe. My dad had notions about bringing me along on a backpacking holiday in Europe where we would visit places by day and travel by night train. Trains! =D
But of course, I wonder who here can beat my dad's record of touring Europe at the tender age of 19 with his earned salary. =.= who. I wished I could.

yay. I'm utilizing this moment to seize lazing time. Ciao.

Character Died Again.

2009-04-06T05:45:00.005+08:00

Ungodly hours for-
Muveee :D

Koizora.

I know. Everything I watch, the others might have already watched it a year or two ago.
Why, well certain good movies comes my way they want to, as I prefer.

Hmm. I'm not sure how to rate this Love Story.

All I thought that was the couple looked real cute together, and Japanese don't have a reading culture- least reading hard-copies, but this, originated from the Cellphone Novel, in which the culture at the same time originated from Japan itself. How contradicting.

Well, the Girl, I thought, was naive in heeding the unknown stranger on the phone.
The Boy, was simply just being a boy! hahahahaha Okay wait.
I adore how he always seem to appear in front of her. It was the other way round- instead of following/stalking, he appears in front.

In good seasons, good things tends to appear in front.

Hahaha cut the crap, what kept me going on was probably the silver headed guy. Pretty interesting character for that silver hair shade.
A strong facade but a gentle inside. heh.

Reminds me of A Walk to Remember, except that the girl in it was pretty much cleverer than this one.

In the end, tragic, and then she reminisces on a train.
Trains. Always lock in a feeling of melancholy and yet the moment is enchanting, somehow.

I must get on Trans-Siberian Express one day.

And I'm wondering whether I'll still have the time and energy for this morbid hobby of watching movies late into the night.
After having to wander around losing orientation in the huge campus last Friday- knowing I'll get lost without a map. That's why I had to be thankful Qing Ling was having a map in hand, and a soul with jelly legs following her around aimlessly~

I need a Segway like Paul Blart's. Or maybe Heely's or a cheap skateboard.

Chotto Matte yo.

2009-04-04T13:31:00.008+08:00

"I have always been fascinated by the changing human face over the course of a person's lifetime." - Jo, Majority of Two.

I couldn't agree more with that statement.

Still, with a sweet smile.

Just 2 months ago I looked like a Seventeen.
Today I realized that my face had metamorphed into an Eighteen (simply, matured, grown up etc.) over the period of 2 months.

Gee. I officially look like my mum now, except with some facial features of my dad.

Or is it just my perception?

Look.
From this

Me in the Bathtub.

To This

With Grace.

To This

Nao, Ben

And This. Last picture of my youth.(Actual date, approximately one year ago.)
Time has taken its toll on my face. =/

Wait. What am I fussing about. Not like I'm old as the Queen. (Although I must admit she still retains natural beauty at a golden age like that. With all the laugh lines.)

XD

Have fun, PKTRians.

Me, going to school soon! *chuckles*