YEAR NEW CHINESE HAPPY


Oh my goodness, the laughing baby in blue in the YouTube video is super-duper-uber cute, lah! His laughter is just so irresistibly infectious. Hohoho! I've replayed the video a gazillion times, but his X-factor has never failed to rub off on me.


Anyway, everyone's having CNY or Happy Chinese New Year or the likes as their blog entry. So, I decided to be special, and thus the innovative blog title for this post. =)

it's already the second day of CNY. And, as the years go by, I realized that such festivals do not excite, or have the usual euphoric effect, on me the way it used to as a child. Dressing up in little girly frocks and having Mum pigtail-ing my hair with red ribbons seemed so exciting. I could remember the bubbling excitement, and being hardly able to contain the enthusiasm over the relatives I'm about to meet.

And as I learned, as one ages, one begin to wonder what's so exciting about the so-called "exciting" things of the past? In contrast to Christmas - an occasion of angelic voices and smoothing melodies, when the night is silent, when the night is holy, when all is calm, and when all is bright - we are unceremoniously bludgeoned with a jarring cacophonous noise of dong-dong-dong-qiang, dong-dong-dong qiang which some, incredulously, call it music. How this amazing feat is achieved is arrantly mystifying; it's got to be crowned as the eighth Great Wonder of the World. This is so unlike the music at Christmas, which have a somewhat calming, and possibly sedating, effect on many.

Anyway, what brightens me up these days whenever I - a student whose full-time job is to study and job description can be effectively summarized as SS (Study and Score, not Social Studies, you nerds) - think of CNY is definitely the amazing drawing power of the red, hot, seductive, and bewitching ang pows ($$$!!!).

And not forgetting, the delicious prawn roll crackers (hae bi hum) totally concuss me left right and center - as it had done in running succession for the past 21 years. Oh! My! Goodness!
HAE BI HUM, HERE I COME!!! !!! !!!

I'm hopelessly and senselessly addicted. Somebody save me.*grins*


Anyway, what's it with oranges and bak gua, among all things?! I don't like them one bit. The former is either too sweet or too sour, when the latter is definitely too oily and hard to chew.

Why can't it be D24 durians and coffee buns? Duh!


Before I end off, it's such an opportune time to show off my modest literary prowess by wishing you guys a joyous New Year Quick Happy, One Road Smooth Wind, Horse Arrived Work Done, Step Step High Rise, Year Year Got Fish, Heart Think Work Done, Million Things As Wish, Dragon Horse Sperm God, Early Birth Expensive Son, Gong Xi Fa Cai, and Hong Bao Na Lai!!!


My Chinese good, bah? *preens brightly*

=)

Sneezing Panda

Sneezing Panda. Haha.

Laughing Baby

So contagious a laughter! Haha!!!

Laughing Baby

HORIZONTAL EXPANSION IN (cm)squared.


Since today is the last day of the week pertaining to the one-week term break, Princess was in no mood to mug and ended up skipping the last lecture of the day; having decided to catch the multimedia webcast instead. Not without any valid reason, of course. I mean, come on, you can't expect me to wait 4hours for my next lecture, can you? Especially on the last weekday before Chinese New Year, right right??

=)


Anyway, I ended the 2hours long Nation-building in Singapore tutorial at 12pm, and headed straight home after that (yes, boring mundane life, I know). While on the way home on NEL, I stopped by Sengkang and popped by MacDonalds; having decided to purchase some set meals back to surprise my younger brother, Dad, and Mum. So, there I was, queuing up dutifully behind the counter, when someone suddenly planted herself in front of me. Turns out to be Yi Jie, who happened to be at Compass Point with some friends. Such a pleasant coincident.


Anyway, I think I'm expanding horizontally (the revolting horror!!!). Gosh, I've been gorging like a pig these days, and I foresee even more food for the next few days to come. Gosh gosh gosh~~~ DIET!!! I WANT TO SLIM DOWN!!! !!! !!!


A friend got infected with scabbies, so I'm keeping to myelf and limiting any physical contact for safety's sake. Self-imposed quarantine, I guess. Today is Friday, and tomorrow, Saturday. But I'm feeling so physically-deprived already. I WANT TO HUG OR HOOK MY ARM AROUND OR TOUCH SOMEONE!!! ANYONE!!! Grrr...! Already, there are some random itchy bumps, but I think they look more like insect bites. Courtesy of mosquitoes, I guess.

One week down, and 3 more to go!!! Whee whee!!!



I'm expanding horizontally. Let me whine. =(

AMAZING


Today has been a rather funny day. We started our first lecture at 8.00am, and in the middle of the lecture at 8.30am, the whole LT suddenly erupted into laughter. I looked up from my lecture notes, only to realize that a middle-aged Uncle had opened the door to LT27. In his left hand, is something big and red; and in his right hand, is a piece of paper.

He popped his head in tentatively. Dr Seow, my Biochemistry lecturer, beckoned him forward, and the Uncle strode in. Only then did I realize that the supposed "big and red thingy" (which I had initially honestly thought is an umbrella) is actually a bouquet of roses.

It turns out that he's the deliveryman. Gosh! Anyway, Dr. Seow read out the lucky gal's name, and no one dared to go forward to accept the flowers. Dr. Seow called out the gal's name a second time, telling her not to "keep the deliveryman waiting because he must have lots of other bouquets to deliver", and the reluctant (but I bet she's overjoyed beyond words) girl finally came forward to sign off the receipt.

Funny really. Seeing the deliveryman with a bouquet of roses really reminded me sharply of Harry Potter. I forgot which book it is, but there is - for a short period of time - a certain Professor Lockhart teaching in Hogwarts. And the narcissist nutty Professor conjured up some magical elves to add some sense of romanticism in the air which, of course, caused quite a ruckus.

Anyway, we had a 10minutes break at 9.00am. Barely 5minutes after the lecture has resumed, Dr. Seow suddenly exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Whoa!!! Another bunch of roses!" Lifting up my head from my lecture notes for the second time, I saw a fellow coursemate (a guy, of course) walking in through the doors hurriedly and abashedly. He climbed the stairs up to the row where he and his girlfriend were seated, and handed the bouquet to her without much ado. (Come to think of it, how could he do it romantically - especially with 200plus pairs of eyes glued at him??? Haha!)

Dr. Seow was like, "Aiyoh! Give, also have to give nicely, mah!".

Dr. Seow is a real funny guy.
Haha.


Anyway, we had our Nation-building in Singapore Class Test 1 at 6.00pm - 7.00pm today too. Sad really, while all the world's love birds and mandarin ducks are cooing to each other lovingly, we the poor students are tackling some stupid and boring History essay questions on Singapore Studies.

And Dr. Sai was well aware of this pathetic fact too. Before the clock strike 6.00pm, and after having briefed us on the usual examinations rules and regulations, she quipped cheekily, "And I know you guys will hate me for saying this. But, Happy Valentine's Day!!! And you may begin your paper now."

*faints


Anyway, while whaling my 4hours break away (I ended my lessons at 2.00pm!!! And yet have to wait till 6.00pm for a stupid test. Grrr!!!), I made a new friend. She's so amicable and jovial; we were so comfortable with each other that we began chatting like old friends within minutes. It's amazing, really, at how at ease we are in each others' presence.

While we were chatting, something random just popped up. She's majoring in Degree in Social Work, and she mentioned that Economics - instead of Social Work - was her first choice initially. Feeling curious, I asked for the reason behind the sudden switch in major. And her reply is something simple, but yet, profound and inspiring.


"When you've experienced social work, you'll not want to do economics anymore. When you've done it once, you'll not want to stop doing it."



How true. And I'm feeling so charged up and restored again.


Who am I to be crest-fallen? So what if it's tough being an "emotion dustbin"? So what if it's energy draining? So what if it's emotionally-challenging? So what if it's like having twice the burden? So what if I see the contrasting and stark sides of life? So what if the endless, mind-bogging questions of "what ifs" linger in my mind?


I have You by my side.
You'll pick me up like how You've always done, just like how You had today.

You always know the right buttons to push.



You've just spoken. And You've confirmed the prompting that has been in my heart for months. All I need is to pray it through again.

You'll guide.

LOST


There's going to be an appreciation dinner at Tanglin Club tonight. And I truly wonder where on earth is Stevens Road, and how on earth to get there.

How to find my way there, when I'm so hopelessly directionally-challenged 24/7; and when I walked around stupidly in Plaza Singapura on Friday afternoon - from the Basement all the way up till level 6 and to Basement again and up to L6 again Basement and L6 and down and up and down and up again and again and again (you get the idea) - in search of MacDonalds, only to realize (read: friend called my mobile phone) after a good half an hour later that it's located just right outside PS? (!!! !!! !!!)


Lidat how to get to the club in one whole nice nice complete piece, you tell me?

No hope ah, no hope.

CONTENTMENT


Was climbing the hilly "mountain" up the slope leading to the nursing home yesterday early afternoon when I heard a lady singing karaoke. The source of the music is from the opposite institute, so I guess the patients in there are having their recreation time.

The song title is Tian Mi Mi by Theresa Teng. This afternoon's singer, however, was not only 2 beats behind the rhythm; but neither does she possess a strong and sweet vocal that's on par with Theresa Teng's. Despite these facts, the singer never once fumbled. Instead, her singing was confident and powered, with a distinctive clarity that is unique in its own way. Still yet secured. Gentle yet strong. Just like the steady meander of a stream, with a mind of its own, gently cascading its own way down towards a focused destination.

The singing is far from perfect. But then again, nothing has to be perfect and pure in order for someone to love it. Nothing has to be perfect so as to be loved.

The music ended to a big round of enthusiastic applause and loud, joyous and sincere cheers, with an accompanying catcall. Right then, my brain conjured up a simple image of the scene in there. It's beautiful.


Sometimes, I'm amazed at how little it takes to brighten up someone's day.


Perhaps it's just a simple weekly visitation. A 2hours chit-chat. A simple touch. Holding hands. Praying for others. Buying the food that they've craved so dearly for. A sincere smile. A listening ear. Or it's just simply being there physically. Knowing that someone unrelated cares and bothers.

These people don't take anything for granted. They're contented with what they have, and they appreciate every small simple kind gesture from the bottom of their heart.


Sometimes, it's so sad to see how imbalanced and skewed this world really is. On one hand, there are unsatisfiable individuals who keep feeling that they've not done well enough and are kicking themselves hard over it. A higher salary. A bigger home. A faster car. A trendier mobile phone. The latest IT gadget. Another new palmtop. A better boss. A smoother complexion. A slimmer frame. Nicer hair. A couple of inches taller. Bigger eyes. Dainty mouth. A more charming smile. A higher nose. A more prominent cheekbone. Dimples. Better grades.

Does it really require so much for one to be happy and contented? And I'm not talking about satisfaction here. It's one thing to be contented with what you have and be happy, but it's absolutely another to be satisfied.


On the other hand, there are those who take nothing for granted, and delight joyfully in the simplest things in life.


It's sad, really, when you come to think about it. And it truly makes one wonder, what are all these endless pursuits for? And which group of people has a better understanding on the joy and the truth of living?
Definitely the latter.



I'm getting cranky. Million trains of thoughts are cramming in my brain. But it's so hard to be an "emotion dustbin" - in from one side, and out from the other.
I'm human.

4 YEARS!!! THE HORROR!!!


It's the release of the O Levels results tomorrow. And isn't it amazing how fast time flies? The secondary school days - where all the fun are - are still fresh in my mind. Ocean fresh, I emphasize.

It has already been 4 whole donkey years since the day when I was in my white school uniform and seated in the air-conditioned school hall, waiting in anticipation for the Big Moment of truth.

And I remember JAE registration. I recall the dilemma. Should I go after my interest? But where will I go after that? How can I climb higher? Or shall I take the normal route? Should I continue from the first 3 months? Is it a risk? What if it turns out to be totally different from what I expected, or even worse, what I really wanted? What if passion is lost in the long run? What if it turns out that I don't even like laboratory work? What if it's a wrong choice? Which way should I go? What if I regret? I don't want to regret.

Somehow, a decision was made. I figured that if an attempt was not even given, I'll never find out. Besides, I have no wish to spend my time wondering and pondering over would I have been happier had I chose to go after my interest.


Anyway, it's been 4 years. 4 long years.

But yet, it seems like yesterday only.


I miss secondary school life. I miss the unity, the rapport, the inside jokes, the caring teachers, and the entertainment of the class ganging up and bullying and teasing them to their threshold.

And I remember the dumb, once-per-few-weeks "spot checks" after assembly. Fringe too long, must cannot touch eyebrows when flattened against your forehead. Skirt must cover at least to half of your kneecaps. Hair colour must be black and/or a few unsightly strands of white. No coloured undergarments. Hair accessories either black or blue (dark blue! And not any blue!) only. No multiple earrings. Shoes must be white only. No mobile phones. Cannot leave any books under the desk overnight. Blahblahblah...

I miss the days when classmates jest and poke fun at each other. I remember how the guys would (childishly) disturb the girls, but yet, care enough, and are gentlemen-ly enough, to help out when needed.

And most importantly, I miss the sense of belonging.


Those were the days, when school is fun, and a part of you - however vehemently you may try to deny - looks forward to school where the friends are.

Fun. Real fun.