Last night, the younger brother proudly showed me the display screen of his mobile phone. Set in the background is a picture of a Liverpool player soaring across the field with arms widely spread like an eagle. Stamped boldly across it is the word "You'll Never Walk Alone".
"You'll Never Walk Alone". He whispered in boyish reverence, fueled with fervent passion.
He is crazy overLiverpool. And I've been bombarded enough (brothers! Sigh!) to know that "You'll Never Walk Alone" is the "slogan" of the mighty football club. Man, I can even hum the tune of the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" (just don't ask me for the lyrics).
I glanced at the words showing on his mobile screen, and read it out loud silently. Then, just like a light bulb, a sudden, mischievous thought dawned.
"You know, have you think of it this way before? 'You'll never walk alone'. Doesn't it sound kind of... Perverted? I asked conversationally. "You'll never walk alone. Don't ever ever - not even for a moment - think that you're alone; you're not quite so. It sounds like someone's stalking you, doesn't it? Especially when you're walking home alone dead in the night? YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE. Freaky. Creepy".
He looked at me and burst out laughing - before asking me to shut up.
The word "YNWA" will never be the same for him ever again. =)
DISCLAIMER: If you've not watched Transformers 2 yet, and is intending to catch it, please DON'T read on!
Yesterday afternoon, the whole batch of us caught Transformers 2 at Tampines Mall. It was so disparagingly sad when Optimus PrimeDIED! What makes it worse is that - believing the area to be cleared of enemies - he was calling out to Sam("Sam, where are you?") when he was caught unaware and got stabbed from behind by a sneaky Megatron. OH MAN!
Anyway, I find the movie a little too rushed and action-packed for my liking. For one, I still don't understand why and how Jetfire(the ancient Decepticon who teleported them to Egypt) defect over to the Autobots. Neither do I understand what the AllSpark(the little piece of metal which caused mayhem in Sam's house) is for, how it managed to affect Sam's brain, and what happened to it in the end.
I also thought it's cute; the way Bumblebee cries when told of the news that he would not be accompanying Sam to college. Oh man, I've never thought that the day would come when I would think of robots as "cute".
And, oh yeah, Alice! The Decepticon Pretender who is actually a robot in human disguise. I thought it looks ugly and animalistic; the view of a super-long metallic tongue emerging from a woman's mouth and wrapping around the victim's neck. It's hilariously funny too, how the victim screamed in fanatic horror, "THE TONGUE! THE TONGUE!", while trying to escape from the tongue's tight grasp.
One of the highlights in the movie that I personally find really COOL is the part when the gang managed to locate the Matrix of Leadership. Believing that the Matrix would be able to resurrect Optimus Prime, Sam got the Major to airlift Optimus Prime into Egypt. The Matrix, however, crumbled to dust in Sam's hands (it was kept underground for too long, apparently).
The whole situation seems totally desperate; and the whole idea seems almost impossible; too far-fetched. Airlifting a massive (dead) robot all the way to Egypt. A powerful army of Decepticons hot on their tail. The crumbled Matrix. Everybody's lives on the thread. The only hope: Optimus Prime. The chances of resurrecting him? Practically zero.
Everyone was rendered speechless and utterly discouraged when the Matrix crumbled into dust. Sam, though, refused to give up. "Look! Look around! Look and search! There must be something here. There must be something in here that is able to help us. After all the efforts made, it can't be that we're here for NOTHING! It can't be WASTED! There must be a reason why we're here. There must be something in here! There must be a REASON!"
WOW!
Sam stooped down and began scooping up the Matrix dust into a pouch. Mikaela looked at him and asked,"Sam, would it work?
How do you know it would work?"
Sam stopped whatever he was doing. His eyes - clouded with a mixture of uncertainly and determination (or so it seems to me) - found hers. How is it going to work? There are no concrete plans now. The Matrix is gone. What on earth can he do with a useless bunch of dust? Sprinkle them over Optimus Prime's chest? Blow them over his face?
He paused momentarily for a split second, before making a mental decision and replying in quiet conviction:
"BECAUSE I BELIEVE".
WOW, WOW, WOW!
There are some other parts of the plot which I find particularly meaningful as well, though I can't really recall what are they now.
Other more memorial parts of the plot, I guess, is when Optimus Prime went to look for Sam at his college, requesting his help (for something which I can't remember), only to get rejected. OP expressed his disappointment, but yet respected his decision, saying, "Freedom is the right of all beings".
Another part which I remember well is the part when Sam died, only to - in a dreamlike state - find himself in the presence of the other Primes, who said something to the effect of, "The Matrix is not found, it is earned. And you've proven yourself". They then instructed Sam to resurrect Optimus Prime with the Matrix; for only OP can defeat the Fallen. With that, Sam "woke up" and came back to life, and found the now newly-formed (no longer speckles of dust!) Matrix lying by his side. WOW!
Anyway, the ending is: Optimus Prime came back to life. The Fallen is killed. Megatron is heavily wounded and forced to retreat. Sam and Mikaela didn't get married (no lovey-dovey fairy-tale ending here). And as usual, the movie predictably ends with OP saying the usual bombastic things to the effect of, "Human and robots are connected by their histories".
P.S. Megan Fox is utterly HOT! Perhaps I should start decking myself in short shorts and midriffs or something!
One of my Chemistry coursemate in NIE got "tagged". Thank goodness we're having our holidays now; if not, our whole Chemistry class would be under quarantine too. And fortunately, he is "tagged" prior to the start of Term 3, which is also the start of our teaching practicum. If not, his practicum school would likely be affected too.
AND one of my church friends also got "tagged".
The local community spread is really getting more and more prevalent!
Except for the occasional pain and discomfort, they're recovering well! These days, I've been extra mindful and protective of them (lest they get stepped on); and it's all worth it! At least, I am now able to walk without much pain or discomfort! NO MORE LIMPING!
My only grouse is that the 4th toe (in which more than half of a toe-nail was chipped off)still looks terribly deformed. Grotesque. Powerfully grotesque. Eee-yeeerr!
I doubt I have the makings of a First Aider. Dad was giggling at the cute lil' knots.
Anyway, I went down to campus to collect the gown this afternoon!
Oh my goodness, I'M OFFICIALLY GRADUATING SOON! The convocation is like, what, less than 2 weeks away?!
My goodness. The convocation is on 8th of July, while I'm starting teaching practicum on 29th of June. They're both MAJOR EVENTS! In the midst of daily trivialities, though, I realized that there's one important thing which I've forgot. It slipped out of my mind TOTALLY.
I FORGOT TO FEEL E-X-C-I-T-E-D!!!
Hello, (oblivious) girl?You're starting practicum this coming Monday, and having the long-awaited convocation the following Wednesday!
It was around 3am. We were all taking a break from the cycling. One Fist and ZA were fighting their guts out over a good round of chinese chess; with 5 or 6 other guys looking and aiding on. Ben, TR, Justin, and The Prodigy were chatting on the floor. Barely an arm's length away, Dot, PH, me, and The Master were having our own chat.
I was lying down on my back on the bench, with my head propped up to a comfortable angle by Dot's haversack. Momentarily, I marveled at how funnily unlucky it would be if a bird were to fly pass and defecate squarely on my face. The toes still ache from time to time. I closed and rested my eyes. My senses, though, were still prickly alert; picking up random drifts of conversations at will.
The chinese chess gang were, of course, yakking over the round of game; throwing in bits of advices here and there. Fact is, the onlookers were more of trying to get the players to end the game ASAP so that we can all proceed on to MacDonalds for a good (air-conditioned) break. The Prodigy gang was talking about eclectic topics, ranging from cooking to food to ships to the Navy.
The Master's voice drifted over.
"... Would ask the members, how long do they spend praying on average. Some of them spend longer than I do, and it's great!"
He continued.
"Then comes my next question: 'At the end of the day, what did you get out of it? Any revelations?'
Because, that's the whole point, isn't it? Praying for revelations. Revelations to solve a particular problem. Revelations of how and who He is. Revelations of knowing Him more intimately. Revelations of your life. Revelation of revival. Revelations of anything. That's the whole point, isn't it? If not, what's the use of doing QT or praying?"
I swallowed. The gears in my brain gritted to a slow halt. I drew in a slow breath and furrowed the brows. Albeit simple as it is, that is a good question. I've never quite asked myself this question before; at least, not in that direct manner. What have I gotten or learned from EACH session of spending time with Him? What have I learned? How have I changed? How have I been a blessing to the people around me? Am I consciously taking stock on and keeping tabs on my walk? Self-awareness. Do I have that enough? How am I being molded into His likeness? In what way, exactly?
"... And then, I'll probe further, 'Based on these, what breakthroughs have you experienced or are on the verge of experiencing? Which direction are you moving in? How have things - or you, even - changed?'
Because, this is the way things work. With persistent prayers come revelations. Revelations mixed with persistent actions and hard work yield results. With results, come breakthrough. Praying; revelations; breakthrough. This is how things should progress."
I opened my eyes, and stared into the seemingly endless, black, night sky.
I realized, I've been quite a jerk.
It felt like He just spoke.
In a way, I've been breaking through personally all these while, but yet too blinded to notice and to give thanks for.
On Thursday evening, I went for an evening jog with the younger brother.
On Friday afternoon, I visited Jim with LT; before making my way down for SoS (after taking a shower and have had a change of clothes, of course!).
On Saturday night, after service, we had a CG night cycling; which ended at 7am+ this morning.
3 CONSECUTIVE days of (rather intensive) exercising.
I think my fitness is improving bit by bit. For one, my thighs are not hurting as bad as I had expected them to. I had initially thought that by the end of these 3 days, my legs would be too weary to even stand properly. Surprisingly, however, my butt hurts more; while my thighs feel alright. Tired and sore; yes, but not to the extend of horrible muscles ache and massive lactic acid buildup.
This Thursday is the first time I made a "comeback" after a 4months hiatus ever since I had LASIK in mid-February and the doctor advised against exercising (ok, the truth is, the doc only said to refrain from exercising for a minimal of 2weeks to 1month. The 4months are... Erm... My own... Erm... Initiative... Yeah).
Anyway, it has ONLY been 3 mere days since the "comeback"; and NOW I am out of action again, for 2weeks at least. Why? My bike flew over an unexpected ramp while traveling downhill and I scraped the toes against the pavement real bad. Anyway, this is another story for another day.
The good thing: I didn't lose my balance, fall off the bike, and injure the knees. The bad thing: The toes on my right feet are in a terrible shape now.
The skin tore real badly; and I chipped half a toe nail on the fourth toe. Not a pretty sight. That particular toe now sort of looks deformed and indented. Poor thing.
Gross, I know. And utterly swollen.
Even now, the toes still hurt sharply once in a while. I had a disturbed nap just now because the pain kept revisiting. Walking, even, sends jabs of pain down the poor toes.
No covered shoes for at least 2weeks, I guess! This means I can't exercise for the next 2weeks! Goodbye, treadmill! Goodbye, stationary bike! Goodbye, rowing machine! Goodbye, leg extension machine! Goodbye, leg lifts! Goodbye, evening jogs! Shucks!
P.S. Don't talk to me. My butt hurts. Throw me a cushion!
On Thursday, because the trip to the gym turned out to be a flop, I went for an evening jog with the younger brother instead.
We jogged around the estate. While growing up around 2 BROTHERS subjects one to a lot of ribbing and teasing, the gratifying thing is that they tend to - in one way or other; most of which are, unfortunately, subtle - look out for the only sister. And it's really nice. Throughout the run, the younger brother kept turning around to check whether have I died yet on my progress. Past experience tells me that if I were to take a break and stop running, he would double back and push me from behind, all the while nagging urging, "姐, don't stop, don't stop. Keep running. You're not supposed to break the momentum and walk. Just keep running. Slow also never mind. Just don't stop." - which is precisely what happened the first time we jogged together. After that incident, till this day, I made it a point to - no matter how tired I am - never stop running until we've completed at least one whole round.
So, anyway, ever since I've had my LASIK surgery, this is the first time exercising after a 4months hiatus (hey! It was the doctor's order, mah! He said to refrain from exercising!). We were about to complete the round, and I was - of course - tired like anything by then. The younger brother looked back once again, and I - too tired to speak - gestured to make a right turn into our block. He shook his head, and pointed straight instead; suggesting to take the longer route back. It was a well-intended challenge. I threw him a whiny scowl and put on a tragic expression before murmuring my consent begrudgingly.
After the run, we went up to the apartment. Because I like traveling light, the both of us were stranded outside. We ended up sitting at the lift lobby, waiting for the parents to arrive home.
I thought it was a really nice moment. The both of us - tired to the bones and drenched in our own sweat; it was a yickie but yet - strangely - good feeling (must be the endorphin). I looked at him, and can't help but to feel an odd sense of satisfaction inside. Here is my younger brother - a male, fit and strong, 7 whooping years my junior, and on the school volleyball team. And I just completed a run with him, AND he's sweating and panting as hard as I am!
I looked at him again. It has been quite a good run. Drops of sweat were dripping down his chin; and dripping down my side fringe as well. My whole body felt so wet from the perspiration; I felt like a giant slug.
The both of us were so tired; we didn't talk. Then again, words are NOT always necessary. Sometimes, just doing recreational things together is already very magical by itself.
The parents came home about 10minutes later.
I took a nice, relaxing shower, and bundled up the wet hair into a turban. Laid down on the bed idyllically, angel-spreaded. The cup of iced Milo which I had prepared prior to the run was balancing on my belly. The fan was switched on at low speed, sending caresses of wind which felt so heavenly. The head turban, the angel-spreaded position, and a cup balancing on my belly. Ok, this may not be THE elegant pose of all times, but, hey, it feels so GOOD, and that's what matters. It is a quiet moment of tranquility; bringing along with it a beautiful tinge of peaceful victory. It feels like I just conquered Mount Everest. Ok, maybe, Bukit Timah.
That is, until the younger brother happened to walk past the room, poked his head inside, caught a glimpse of my peculiar position, and asked mockingly,
"OEI! You run until siao liao, is it? Want me to call ambulance?"
The younger brother and I went to Sengkang Sports Complex; which is one of the newest facilities, having inaugurated in mid-late 2008.
The facilities are, of course, spacious; and the equipments, new. Hey! The sports complex covers an area of 4 hectares, boasting an indoor sports hall, a synthetic soccer field, a roof terrace, 12 badminton courts, and gymnasium etc. And the best thing? It's very near to our residence! Goodbye, Tampines!
Anyway, at 3pm, the younger brother and I arrived at outside the gym.
IT WAS SO CROWDED!
Man, don't all these people need to work or study or something?
Grrr!
In the end, we gave the gym a miss. Adjourned to the MacDonald downstairs for an upsize meal instead. Sinful. Utterly sinful.
I've always thought that National Service is good.
Where else is a better place to instill discipline and learn critical skills, and at the same time - other than free food and free lodging - also stand to receive free medical services, free doctors, free medical consultations, free gym facilities, free gym "instructors" and etc? All in all, you get paid to exercise and look good! AND YET STILL GET A SALARY AT THE END OF EACH MONTH? And, not forgetting, NSmen get a bigger pie of the GST offset package, too! Preposterous!
Plus the fact that those who have been through NS would get an extra increment in their salary compared to the female counterpart - for the same amount of workload. Now, I've never really bothered about the sum; because sometimes, in some cases, ignorance is bliss.
On Thursday night however, after PM at Riverwalk during dinner, my bliss got shattered. An extra of $400 per month - for the same amount of workload - is a whole lot of money. It's like getting a BONUS every month!
"Aiyah, it's $400 only. Nothing much, la!" My friend dismissed jokingly (I suspect he was just trying to make me feel better).
My eyes bulged. One thing for sure, if I have this extra $400, I would not be juggling and looking out for tuition jobs right now. Ahah! Now, I need to inflate the figure to make him speechless and win the war in one good swipe.
"$400 a month; that makes it $4,000 per 10 months. In one year, that will be $4,800. In a decade, that will be a WHOOPING $48,000." I concluded, "You give me $48k la, I'll be glad to do 10 years worth of ICT and reservist and whatever on your behalf!"
If I ever hear anyone complaining and lamenting about wasting 2 solid years in NS and reservists and ICT and whatnots, I shall twist and snap their neck like a twig.
Arggh! TSK!Really!MEN!
They justdon't get it!
DISCLAIMER: (20th June 2009) - This blog entry is extracted from a lighthearted conversation with a fellow friend, and is clearly labeled under the category "humour". It is, thus, not meant to be taken seriously.
This guy is one of my favourites in DBSK (oppaaaa!!!).
Kim Jae Joong
And so, earlier on, I was surfing around and by chance, stumbled upon an application a friend imported into her Facebook.
Again, this is the guy.
And this is... ... ...
OUR HYBRID BABY!!! (Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!! SO CUTE, SO AWESOMELY CUTE!!! Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!! Could this be my Fluoride? Oh, my Fluoride!!! OHHH!!! Someone, give me a jab of tranquilizer! QUICK! Now!!! NOW!!!)
Who'll eventually - using computer technology - grow up to look like... ... ...
OH MY GOODNESS!!!
MY DAUGHTER IS SOOO SHARP-LOOKING!!! SHE IS ONE COOL LADY!!!
Saturday the 6th was the day of the matrimony. The weather was sweltering hot bright and sunny, the atmosphere was joyous, and we had so much fun!
I know it's weird; but don't ask why on earth are we taking photos smack right outside the entrance.
The interior of the cathedral!
We got bored while waiting for the ceremony to start, and thus started doing THEnatural thing.
First row of girls...
And the second row...
And now, finally, the last row. The three musketeers!
I like this picture; the similarly-angled tilted heads (I clarify, they were posing for another camera when I surreptitiously took this picture. But still, I think it's brilliant)!
Now, the whole batch of us!
The matrimony has started!
The whole lot of us are ever ready for the camera, as alert as a radar. Anytime; anywhere.
All of a sudden, the three men mysteriously became VERY hot in demand. The girls began clamouring to take individual shots with them.
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!
Oozing the manly charm.
All of a sudden, the three guys got all patriotic for no apparent reasons.
And now, they're superman!
The two ladies popping up in the background have a medical condition. They have an allergy. Sensitivity. To cameras.
Despite all the fooling around, it's a shame to not take pictures with the pretty bride!
All hail the cool and funny and funky bunch of Chemistry batch of Jan 2009!
Mentioned that the weather was scorching, didn't I? After all the eating and photo-taking and fooling around and sweating like slugs, we were literally spent.
Life of a simple individual who likes keeping life simple and discovering joy in the simplest thing together with a simple family, a wacky mind, and a lazy silly dog.
She is free-spirited, jolly, fun-loving, open-minded, emotionally expressive, sometimes unpredictable, occasional pesky, bold, and pretty damn fun!
This is the lady here, and she can be your new best friend.
Family first, then friends.
Lizards should be skinned alive, rubbed in salt and spices, and fried in boiling oil, no less.
Human being should be enabled to teleport, or at least have an internal GPS for convenient navigation.
Mathematics should just stick to only numbers. Algebra is not math; it's alphabets. are Art. And don't get me started on Physics.
She would love to learn the guitar. Already heading in that direction! (= Gave up.
Terribly and shamefully and hopelessly and ridiculously and horrifyingly directionally-challenged is she (don't ask).
Fats and adipose cells should have negative feedback inhibition mechanism, really.
Don't invite her to sun-tanning. She firmly believes that skin is definitely not for the purpose of roasting under the UV-intensive sun.
Her Facts!
She craps substantially, but is subtly pragmatic at heart.
Chocolates keep her contented like a Cheshire cat.
Korean food is the best cuisine.
She has a soft spot for alcoholic drinks. Thank God she has a low tolerance for alcohol. So she can't drink much. Damnit.
LASIK!!! Someday!!! Yes!!! LASIK!!! Done!
Going onto 21 and dreading it with all her guts. Already hit 21. Tragically sad.
An ardent seafood lover.
She's blunt and straight-forward. Yes, quite.
Her first, serious ambition was to be a journalist, reporter, or an author.
At times, she's indecisive and takes eons to come to a decision, and tends to sit a tad too comfortably on the fence. Putting it in a nicer way, she's a neutral and democratic sweet little darling.
She believes firmly that the pen is mightier than the sword, and that words can kill.
When overjoyed, she'll be hyperactive, jump around like a bunny rabbit, and grin stupidly all day.
When hungry, she'll yak and chatter even more. Just like a broken voice recorder.
When upset, she'll be quiet, gloomy, and have no appetite.
When stressed, she sleeps. Escapism, they call it?
She raises her right eyebrow when she's amused.
Whenever both her eyebrows are furrowed for whatever reasons, don't push your luck.
She can be quite opinionated - especially towards things that she's concerned about - even though she seldom voices them out.
They say she's stubborn. Hey, she's not! NOOO!
Words of affirmation are not her cup of tea; they always make her feel compelled to measure up to expectations. Give her words of encouragement instead.
She wears her emotions on her sleeves, and she's in a love-hate relationship with it because it is both a pro and con to be able to be read like an open book.
She would love to visit S. Korea (done!), New Zealand, and Bora Bora someday!
She strongly advocates open and effective communication, and believes that the sun should never set upon an argument.
It is her belief that love ULTIMATELY wins.
Her Likes!
Dogs are man's best friends.
She finds men who wear cologne simply irresistible. It catches her attention.
She loves to indulge sinfully in dark chocolates.
She totally digs black pepper seasoning.
Elegant silver-chain watches - with rectangular faces - totally mesmerize and captivate her.
She simply loves to laugh; she is LOL personified. They say she has quite an unique laughter.
In her humble opinion, Coffee Buns, garlic bread, sushi, rice dumplings, Taiwan sausages, sotong, onion eggs, and Tiong Bahru Chwee Kueh should rule the gastronomical world.
She loves to read. All kinds of books; in particular self-help books and non-fiction books.
Yes, She positively adores Nicholas Tse and Andy Lau. MOST OF ALL, DBSK!!! They're just so handsome and dashing and charming and confident and gorgeous and poised and charismatic and mature, can?
Martin Smith has the world's pair of most beautiful and soulful eyes.
She loves mushrooms with a fervent passion.
An avid fish-lover is she. Not breed or rear them, mind you. She simply loves to EAT them - steamed, sauteed, fried, braised, grilled, raw. Whatever.
She Abhors!
Sharks Fin soup, Hor Fan, Bak Gua, sour plums, prunes, oranges, and anything sour. She has never touched those stuff since young.
Never ever ever ever call her "Lin" - unless you are her Grandma - because it just simply irks her to the core.
She does not like suspense. SURPRISE is one thing, SUSPENSE's totally another.
Lizards are the most disgusting and filthy creature ever to strut the Earth.
Mathematics should be abolished and uprooted. Totally and completely and unceremoniously. Chinese and Physics come in a close second and third respectively.
Albert Einstein is her nemesis; her arch enemy. He's the root cause of her misery.
Don't pull or tug her hair. She'll bare her razor-sharp teeth and snap her jaw at you.
Never ever touch her cheeks unless you're someone special to her. Yes, not even a poke or a light stroke.
She gets irritated when people imitate her wonderful and melodious laughter.
Most importantly, respect her if you treat her a friend, yes. Basic respect and courtesy at least.
FATS!!!
Her Wishlist!
Smarter Smarter Smarter Smarter Smarter Smarter Smarter Smarter Wiser Brighter Clever Wittier Taller Slimmer Prettier Lovelier Sweeter Cuter Richer Hmmm... That's all for now, I guess. I'll add on when I've thought of more :)
Posts
