THE BEAUTIFUL SIDE TO EACH PERSON
Going to catch a movie in town tomorrow, followed by a Penang buffet spread at the White Rose Cafe in York Hotel. This will be our last chance to meet up for weeks. George's flying off to Phuket for 3D2N this Wednesday, followed by Bangkok for another 3D2N, before coming back to Singapore. To add on, he'll be heading down to Bintan (more traveling??!!) a week later. And, to make things worse, he'll be leaving for his further studies in RMIT University in Australia somewhere in February.
Gosh, some people get to do all the traveling. *green*
I'm going to miss him dearly - a dear old friend since my Secondary school days. It's amazing that despite us not being in the same tertiary institute upon graduation from Secondary school, our friendship has not staled for the past 6 years.
Anyway, I find that the human nature can be so fascinating. Too often - just like organizing paperwork systematically - we have this innate habit to classify people a tad too readily. Flirt. Quiet. Slacking sloth. Nerd. Amorous Casanova. Motormouth. Goody-two-shoes. Jerk. Mummy's boy. Kiasu. Immature kid. Gentle, demure Missy. Foul-mouthed teenager. Know-it-all. Rude. Blabber. It's so very wrong; but we still do it nonetheless.
So, I find it simply wondrous and amazing when people exhibit behaviours or qualities that are totally unexpected of him/her.
Imagine a big-sized, foul-mouthed, and fearless teenager being totally loving and gentle to the parents.
Imagine a charismatic, confident, and poised man - coupled with a strong leadership role at work - being totally tender and soft to his wife.
Imagine a 7-years-old little girl guiding her Grandma by the hands and cross a busy road.
Imagine a strong-willed, career-minded woman being submissive and gentle to her spouse.
Imagine a wrinkled and wizened old couple taking each others' hands, and gazing into each others' eyes deeply and lovingly.
Beautiful. Simply breathtaking.
It's just like finding a wild mushroom sprouting out somewhere on a grass patch. Spotting a red rose in the middle of a sea of white ones. Leaves being carried by the wind, and the wind gently caressing your body.
So unexpectedly pretty. Such awe-commanding beauty.
Couple all these with their quirky interests that never fail to amuse everyone and raise a couple of eyebrows. Perhaps it's an obsessive superstition against the so-called "unlucky" number 13. Or it's the habit of blotting roti pratas with tissue papers before eating. Maybe it's the weird routine of going to the washroom at 12pm sharp. Or maybe it's the strange mandate of using a particular brand of pen and absolutely nothing else. Perhaps it's how they cringe when you call them by a nickname they do not like so much. Maybe it's the way they wriggle their eyebrows or roll their eyes. Or it's the way their laughter sounds. Or maybe it's their fascination with how planes manage to stay up in the air. Whatever.
Isn't it all absolutely beautiful, amazing, and fascinating? Each and every person is so uniquely different. And personally, I'll lit up whenever I observe even a small, tiny, weeny spark of unexpected beauty in people. It's just like finding a pearl in a gargantuan mass of sand. Or it's like spotting tingly, shimmering, and glittering stars in the night sky; blinking mischievously at you amidst the darkness.
And many a times - when I see some forlorn-looking people who feel lousy about themselves, or when I know of people who feel bad about whatever things they blame themselves for committing - I just feel like taking them by the shoulders and shake them real hard. I want to envelope them in a big bear hug, tousle their hair, and exclaim, "Can't you see how unique and special you are? You're so beautiful and mesmerizing!"
But of course, our society and culture do not permit me to do so. Either they'll back away a few feet alarmingly and cast me a weird, suspicious look; or they'll simply cart me off to the Institute of Mental Health.
Monday, 18 December 2006
Sunday, 17 December 2006
LEAPING TERRORIST LIZARDS
I know that lizards don't leap (who in their right mind will insist they do?). But in my dream, they did.
In that disgusting, revolting dream of mine *shivers*, this particular lizard that's twice as disgusting and thrice as revolting is leaping from the left wall to the right wall, in a zig-zag manner. Left, right, left, right, left, right, zig, zag, zig, zag, zig, zag. With each approaching leap, I shrinked back in terror until I backed into a corner. Die! No where else to run, liao! So, I awaited my doomed fate in jaw-dropping, heart-thumping, legs-shaking, eyes-popping horror. Leaping Lizard took a last and final leap off the left wall, and flung itself gleefully in my direction. The last thing I remember before jolting out of my supposedly blissed sleep is the brown, scaly underside of Leaping Lizard looming towards my face.
I guess the lizard scare episode I had 3 days ago attributed to the leaping lizard dream this morning. On Thursday, I arrived at Xu Bin's place for Cell Group Meeting. Slipping out of my slipper, I stepped forward and reached for the doorknob with my right hand. To my shock and terror, nestled comfortably in the middle of the doorstep and only a few centimeters away from my pretty feet, is a disgusting LIZARD! Oh my gosh!!! The filth!!! I jumped a few metres into the air and hastily, scrambled to the top of the staircase; as far away from the filthy lizard as possible. This smart chick of a princess here (i.e. yours truly) then whipped out her mobile phone and called for SOS. Alvin Heng opened the door and, for a moment, casted me a what-on-earth-are-you-doing bewildered stare. I shrieked even more and yelled frantically, "Don't! Don't step down onto the doorstep!!!" Gosh, what if he frightens the damned lizard and send it scurrying towards my direction? The horror!!! I gestured for him to look down at the doorstep and, upon realizing the source of my ahem, distress, stooped down, picked up the brown, scaly filth, and flung it out of the corridor.
I don't feel sorry for the lizard at all. No kidding. Orbi-good ah!!!
I hate close shaves with lizards. I guess my biggest living nightmare, till today, is having to share a lift with an ADULT LIZARD. What the!!! What on earth is a lizard doing inside a lift anyway? How on earth did it even get there in the first place??!!
Another close, dreadful encounter I had was at Expo. Having just finished service, we adjourned down to the Food Court to fellowship. A few of us reached the eatery first and proceeded to find an empty table. After having managed to get a nice, long table, the next task was to find enough empty chairs.
"Si Lin, nah. I've found one." Kelvin Lim passed an empty chair over for me to arrange it around the table.
I reached out with both hands, and before I could grab its legs (luckily!!!), I caught something brown scurrying across the seat, and towards my direction.
I dodged sideway just in time, and the loathsome creature landed on the spot where I stood a mere moment ago.
Of course, the accompanying piercing and high-pitched yelp I let out earned me some attention. People in the vicinity turned around and looked, trying to locate the source of the commotion. I was thrown a dirty look from a woman sitting nearby, while a Brother seated at the table behind smiled to himself before ensuring me that he had seen the lizard escaping into the gutter.
How could Kelvin Lim throw a lizard at me???!!! So mean!!! *rages*
And, of course, I simply refused to sit anywhere near the chair which the lizard had occupied earlier.
Anyway, the reason why I overslept today must be due to the stupid Leaping Lizard. Was supposed to attend Sunday service as I could not go for yesterday's, but ended up being very late for it. I had 7 missed calls and 1 missed SMS on my mobile phone, mostly courtesy of Kelvin Lim. As a last resort, Xiao Wei called my home number.
"Si Lin? You just woke up ah?" She asked.
"Ya... Why? What time is it already?" I croaked groggily.
"It's 10am"
"Orh, okie." *yawns* "Then... What time is the service ah?" (pardon me. My brain was only beginning to start up.)
"10am loh."
"Orh... okie." *yawns somemore* "WHAT??? 10am, and now is already 10am??"
"Yes. Can you hurry wash up and make your way down?"
Oh man, she is so sweet and nice. I mean, if it's me, I'll berate the person upside-down, rage at him/her, and start my own preaching tirade about Time Management and Personal Responsibility.
Xiao Wei is such a nice person. Heeheehee!
Anyway, it's not entirely my fault that I overslept. Leaping Lizard shares half of the blame. Hummmph!
I know that lizards don't leap (who in their right mind will insist they do?). But in my dream, they did.
In that disgusting, revolting dream of mine *shivers*, this particular lizard that's twice as disgusting and thrice as revolting is leaping from the left wall to the right wall, in a zig-zag manner. Left, right, left, right, left, right, zig, zag, zig, zag, zig, zag. With each approaching leap, I shrinked back in terror until I backed into a corner. Die! No where else to run, liao! So, I awaited my doomed fate in jaw-dropping, heart-thumping, legs-shaking, eyes-popping horror. Leaping Lizard took a last and final leap off the left wall, and flung itself gleefully in my direction. The last thing I remember before jolting out of my supposedly blissed sleep is the brown, scaly underside of Leaping Lizard looming towards my face.
I guess the lizard scare episode I had 3 days ago attributed to the leaping lizard dream this morning. On Thursday, I arrived at Xu Bin's place for Cell Group Meeting. Slipping out of my slipper, I stepped forward and reached for the doorknob with my right hand. To my shock and terror, nestled comfortably in the middle of the doorstep and only a few centimeters away from my pretty feet, is a disgusting LIZARD! Oh my gosh!!! The filth!!! I jumped a few metres into the air and hastily, scrambled to the top of the staircase; as far away from the filthy lizard as possible. This smart chick of a princess here (i.e. yours truly) then whipped out her mobile phone and called for SOS. Alvin Heng opened the door and, for a moment, casted me a what-on-earth-are-you-doing bewildered stare. I shrieked even more and yelled frantically, "Don't! Don't step down onto the doorstep!!!" Gosh, what if he frightens the damned lizard and send it scurrying towards my direction? The horror!!! I gestured for him to look down at the doorstep and, upon realizing the source of my ahem, distress, stooped down, picked up the brown, scaly filth, and flung it out of the corridor.
I don't feel sorry for the lizard at all. No kidding. Orbi-good ah!!!
I hate close shaves with lizards. I guess my biggest living nightmare, till today, is having to share a lift with an ADULT LIZARD. What the!!! What on earth is a lizard doing inside a lift anyway? How on earth did it even get there in the first place??!!
Another close, dreadful encounter I had was at Expo. Having just finished service, we adjourned down to the Food Court to fellowship. A few of us reached the eatery first and proceeded to find an empty table. After having managed to get a nice, long table, the next task was to find enough empty chairs.
"Si Lin, nah. I've found one." Kelvin Lim passed an empty chair over for me to arrange it around the table.
I reached out with both hands, and before I could grab its legs (luckily!!!), I caught something brown scurrying across the seat, and towards my direction.
I dodged sideway just in time, and the loathsome creature landed on the spot where I stood a mere moment ago.
Of course, the accompanying piercing and high-pitched yelp I let out earned me some attention. People in the vicinity turned around and looked, trying to locate the source of the commotion. I was thrown a dirty look from a woman sitting nearby, while a Brother seated at the table behind smiled to himself before ensuring me that he had seen the lizard escaping into the gutter.
How could Kelvin Lim throw a lizard at me???!!! So mean!!! *rages*
And, of course, I simply refused to sit anywhere near the chair which the lizard had occupied earlier.
Anyway, the reason why I overslept today must be due to the stupid Leaping Lizard. Was supposed to attend Sunday service as I could not go for yesterday's, but ended up being very late for it. I had 7 missed calls and 1 missed SMS on my mobile phone, mostly courtesy of Kelvin Lim. As a last resort, Xiao Wei called my home number.
"Si Lin? You just woke up ah?" She asked.
"Ya... Why? What time is it already?" I croaked groggily.
"It's 10am"
"Orh, okie." *yawns* "Then... What time is the service ah?" (pardon me. My brain was only beginning to start up.)
"10am loh."
"Orh... okie." *yawns somemore* "WHAT??? 10am, and now is already 10am??"
"Yes. Can you hurry wash up and make your way down?"
Oh man, she is so sweet and nice. I mean, if it's me, I'll berate the person upside-down, rage at him/her, and start my own preaching tirade about Time Management and Personal Responsibility.
Xiao Wei is such a nice person. Heeheehee!
Anyway, it's not entirely my fault that I overslept. Leaping Lizard shares half of the blame. Hummmph!
Friday, 15 December 2006
A SOLID-PROOF REASON FOR BLOGGING
"Dr. Roger Sperry received the Nobel Prize for his research that revealed that the brain is divided into two halves and each half is responsible for a variety of skills. The right brain, for example, provides spatial awareness of three-dimensional shapes, giving us the ability to see the "whole picture". Artists, musicians. and other creative people tend to be right-brain dominant. The left side is a lot more disciplined. It handles logic, language, math, analytical abilities, sequences, patterns, and details. Engineers, scientists, and other technical people think of themselves as left-brain dominant. Simply visualizing what you have done during the day is a great right-brain activity. You are imagining the people you have met, you are seeing an overview of the day, and you are recreating the experiences. Writing down what you see is a left-brain activity, as you form the words to analyze what you have seen, identify the structure of the day, and record some of the quantifiable knowledge that you have gathered. By writing down your experiences at the end of the day, you are exercising many of the same brain skills that are involved in creating and retrieving memories."
Excerpted from Memory Power: You Can Develop a Great Memory - America's Grand Master Shows You How by Scott Hagwood
Loaned this book from the community library while I was on my way to Poh Lin's house on Tuesday, and I thought that this passage is interesting. I mean, I've known all along that there are two halves in the human brain, and one half is more of "logic", while the other emphasizes more on "creativity". But yet, I never knew that writing a journal is actually a good activity to exercise both sides of your brain.
Ought to blog more.
=)
"Dr. Roger Sperry received the Nobel Prize for his research that revealed that the brain is divided into two halves and each half is responsible for a variety of skills. The right brain, for example, provides spatial awareness of three-dimensional shapes, giving us the ability to see the "whole picture". Artists, musicians. and other creative people tend to be right-brain dominant. The left side is a lot more disciplined. It handles logic, language, math, analytical abilities, sequences, patterns, and details. Engineers, scientists, and other technical people think of themselves as left-brain dominant. Simply visualizing what you have done during the day is a great right-brain activity. You are imagining the people you have met, you are seeing an overview of the day, and you are recreating the experiences. Writing down what you see is a left-brain activity, as you form the words to analyze what you have seen, identify the structure of the day, and record some of the quantifiable knowledge that you have gathered. By writing down your experiences at the end of the day, you are exercising many of the same brain skills that are involved in creating and retrieving memories."
Excerpted from Memory Power: You Can Develop a Great Memory - America's Grand Master Shows You How by Scott Hagwood
Loaned this book from the community library while I was on my way to Poh Lin's house on Tuesday, and I thought that this passage is interesting. I mean, I've known all along that there are two halves in the human brain, and one half is more of "logic", while the other emphasizes more on "creativity". But yet, I never knew that writing a journal is actually a good activity to exercise both sides of your brain.
Ought to blog more.
=)
Thursday, 14 December 2006
GOING TO BE A NUN - SOON
I don't know what's wrong, but I think nostalgia's going to fully devour me someday soon. Maybe I've got too much free time on my hands and thus, had sift through the entire contact in my Friendster's list. Seeing the names of my primary school, secondary school, and polytechnic school friends popping out left me falling hook, line, and sinker into the abyss of nostalgia.
Anyway, it's to my greatest surprise to find out that one of my secondary school classmate, currently aged 21, is already happily married. She's a year older than I am, and we got acquainted when she was retained in Secondary 3; and somehow, ended up in my Secondary 3 class. We've never got beyond "Hi" (come to think of it, I don't think we've even said "Hi" to each other before), and the word "superficial" to describe our friendship, or rather, the lack thereof, is an overstatement. She's a nice and pretty girl, but in a neighbourhood school that's peppered with... well... belligerent youngsters, I doubt we even have a common friend (classmates excluding) due to our very different clique of friends.
So - being the usual, typical woman hailing from Venus - I sifted through her testimonials and discovered that she's been married since 2004. Now, I've absolutely nothing against marrying young. If you ask me, I would very much prefer marrying young to marrying late. In fact, I hope to get hitched before my 25th birthday, you know? Can you imagine having a 10-years-old son in your twilight years? I hope not.
Come 2007, I'll be 21. Only a mere 4 years away from the deadline. Man, I ought to step on the accelerator hard. Real hard.
It's strange how people around me are getting hitched left, right, and center. And it doesn't help that each time I'm chatting with a friend on MSN, the inevitable question - to which I'll always reply that I'm (still) single - will pop up. As predictable as the weather, the comeback sentence would be something like, "Why?", "Sure not?", "You too demanding, is it?", "Don't bluff, lah", "I intro to you, lah" and etc.
And the universal phenomenon - more often than not - kicks into full, overgear mode during family gatherings - birthdays, weddings, death anniversary, Chinese New Year. After getting the basic courtesy over and done with (read: What am I doing, am I studying, and if so, studying where and which course. Yawn!), the dreadful question will rear its ugly head. And my parents are not making it any better. My Dad loves to budger me to bring my Significant Other home to let him evaluate; see can pass or not. And he enjoys teasing me, saying that he demands at least S$1million for the bride price. Please lar... He thinks his daughter is Britney Spears, meh? Anyway, sometimes I'll make a cheeky comeback of my own; saying that he can forget about both the bride price and "boyfriend evaluation", as plans to elope is already underway. Sometimes, before I leave home, he'll inquire what time I'll be back tonight; to which I'll simply quip, "Not coming back, liao. Don't bother to wait up for me. Eloping, you know?"
And no, in case you're wondering, I'm NOT homosexual. I'm VERY much straight, that I know very well, thank you. In fact, I make a promise to myself at St. Valentine Day every year that this will be the last and final V. Day that I'll be spending alone. I've made the promise for 4 years in successive running and sickeningly, it has not come to pass even once. Now, I believe making that kind of promise is a form of curse by itself, and will not be making it again this year round.
But well, it's not such a bad thing being single, you know?
At least I have all the time to myself and am able to do what I want anytime I feel like doing.
At least I don't have the additional distraction and thus, have the luxury to fully concentrate 101% into my studies.
At least I don't need to bear with the hassle of putting the Significant Other's feelings into consideration.
At least I don't need to spend money on movies, dinners and celebrations.
At least I have the freedom to go where I like to go, do what I like to do, cut my hair in whichever style I like it, dress in whatever way I like.
At least I don't need to invest my time in a boy-girl relationship.
At least I can still enjoy the feeling of being wooed.
At least I can still crap as much as I like and laugh as hysterically as I want.
At least I don't need to sit on the couch and watch football (a.k.a the most boring sport in the world) with anyone.
At least I don't have to bear with any heartaches should any conflicts arise.
Whee whee!!! See! The advantages of being single!!!
Yeah, right. Who am I kidding?
I don't know what's wrong, but I think nostalgia's going to fully devour me someday soon. Maybe I've got too much free time on my hands and thus, had sift through the entire contact in my Friendster's list. Seeing the names of my primary school, secondary school, and polytechnic school friends popping out left me falling hook, line, and sinker into the abyss of nostalgia.
Anyway, it's to my greatest surprise to find out that one of my secondary school classmate, currently aged 21, is already happily married. She's a year older than I am, and we got acquainted when she was retained in Secondary 3; and somehow, ended up in my Secondary 3 class. We've never got beyond "Hi" (come to think of it, I don't think we've even said "Hi" to each other before), and the word "superficial" to describe our friendship, or rather, the lack thereof, is an overstatement. She's a nice and pretty girl, but in a neighbourhood school that's peppered with... well... belligerent youngsters, I doubt we even have a common friend (classmates excluding) due to our very different clique of friends.
So - being the usual, typical woman hailing from Venus - I sifted through her testimonials and discovered that she's been married since 2004. Now, I've absolutely nothing against marrying young. If you ask me, I would very much prefer marrying young to marrying late. In fact, I hope to get hitched before my 25th birthday, you know? Can you imagine having a 10-years-old son in your twilight years? I hope not.
Come 2007, I'll be 21. Only a mere 4 years away from the deadline. Man, I ought to step on the accelerator hard. Real hard.
It's strange how people around me are getting hitched left, right, and center. And it doesn't help that each time I'm chatting with a friend on MSN, the inevitable question - to which I'll always reply that I'm (still) single - will pop up. As predictable as the weather, the comeback sentence would be something like, "Why?", "Sure not?", "You too demanding, is it?", "Don't bluff, lah", "I intro to you, lah" and etc.
And the universal phenomenon - more often than not - kicks into full, overgear mode during family gatherings - birthdays, weddings, death anniversary, Chinese New Year. After getting the basic courtesy over and done with (read: What am I doing, am I studying, and if so, studying where and which course. Yawn!), the dreadful question will rear its ugly head. And my parents are not making it any better. My Dad loves to budger me to bring my Significant Other home to let him evaluate; see can pass or not. And he enjoys teasing me, saying that he demands at least S$1million for the bride price. Please lar... He thinks his daughter is Britney Spears, meh? Anyway, sometimes I'll make a cheeky comeback of my own; saying that he can forget about both the bride price and "boyfriend evaluation", as plans to elope is already underway. Sometimes, before I leave home, he'll inquire what time I'll be back tonight; to which I'll simply quip, "Not coming back, liao. Don't bother to wait up for me. Eloping, you know?"
And no, in case you're wondering, I'm NOT homosexual. I'm VERY much straight, that I know very well, thank you. In fact, I make a promise to myself at St. Valentine Day every year that this will be the last and final V. Day that I'll be spending alone. I've made the promise for 4 years in successive running and sickeningly, it has not come to pass even once. Now, I believe making that kind of promise is a form of curse by itself, and will not be making it again this year round.
But well, it's not such a bad thing being single, you know?
At least I have all the time to myself and am able to do what I want anytime I feel like doing.
At least I don't have the additional distraction and thus, have the luxury to fully concentrate 101% into my studies.
At least I don't need to bear with the hassle of putting the Significant Other's feelings into consideration.
At least I don't need to spend money on movies, dinners and celebrations.
At least I have the freedom to go where I like to go, do what I like to do, cut my hair in whichever style I like it, dress in whatever way I like.
At least I don't need to invest my time in a boy-girl relationship.
At least I can still enjoy the feeling of being wooed.
At least I can still crap as much as I like and laugh as hysterically as I want.
At least I don't need to sit on the couch and watch football (a.k.a the most boring sport in the world) with anyone.
At least I don't have to bear with any heartaches should any conflicts arise.
Whee whee!!! See! The advantages of being single!!!
Yeah, right. Who am I kidding?
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
BABIES...
I honestly think that babies are oh-so-awfully cute; especially if they're mine to begin with.
Went to Poh Lin's house yesterday and as usual, had an enjoyable time with her. I think we'll fall head over heels in love with each other pretty soon. Lol! Anyway, Jing Che - her little toddler brother - totally charmed me off my feet. It's pretty hard to believe that it's been 8months since I've last seen him when the last time I was there to print my Major Project stuff. And now, 8months on, the lively and adorable boy is so much more stable on both his feet, and keeps running around bubbily.
I remember reading a newspaper article written by a columnist some years back who mentioned that a baby's brain is not unlike a bank. You'll get back what you've put inside years later - plus interest.
But you know what? I think that the human mind - especially and particularly a young child's - is just like a sponge. Good or bad, right or wrong, saintly or evil, the young mind just absorbs everything readily; irregardless of whether is it beneficial at all in the first place.
Children is such a wonderful and amazing blessing that's to be treasured dearly. And yes, I'm going to have at least 3 dozen someday. 2 dozen of them will form 2 separate teams, and have friendly matches with each other. The remaining dozen will form the U-21 talent. My Significant Other and me can take turns being the referee.
Yeah, right! Your head!!! 3 dozen... I'm not a sow.
Anyway, Jing Che's getting so thin. He has shrinked remarkedly and looks less chubbier. I suspect that Poh Lin's getting a little sicko and is starving him or something. Heeheehee! Kidding!
Enough of gushing about babies and my maternal instinct. Apart from those coo-ey cutesy pudgy chubby weeny little babies, I have yet another soft spot - watches. I have no idea why, but pawing the window panel and drooling at the glittering watches on display seems to be my favourite pastime.
I realized that at times, I can be such a procrastinator. My watch has been spoilt for ages, and till now, I've yet to get a new one even though I keep reminding myself so. I only realized how long I've put off purchasing a new watch when I had my examinations recently. Students need a watch to remind them of the ticking time bomb; especially so during examinations, you know.
And I'm such a fussy person when it comes to purchasing my own stuff. Either it's that the style does not appeal to my liking, or during the rare times when I chanced upon one which I really like, the price does not agree with my budget. For watches, I only wear those with silver chains secured with a metal clasp. It should, preferrably, have a long rectangular face. The reason behind my strange liking for rectangular-faced watches is that I've always figured that my face is already round enough; I don't need a round-faced watch to further accentuate it.
Yes, weird thinking, I know.
I'm just a weird princess, I guess. Lol.
It's the time of the year again. Just like for the past couple of years, I don't feel even a twinge of the Christmas-y festive "feeling". But yet, someday, I wish to have a white Christmas for at least once in my life. I yearn to experience the feeling of snowflakes caressing my face and cheeks, and I want to make snowballs and hurl it at somebody just for the fun of it. Anybody.
Whee whee!!!
I honestly think that babies are oh-so-awfully cute; especially if they're mine to begin with.
Went to Poh Lin's house yesterday and as usual, had an enjoyable time with her. I think we'll fall head over heels in love with each other pretty soon. Lol! Anyway, Jing Che - her little toddler brother - totally charmed me off my feet. It's pretty hard to believe that it's been 8months since I've last seen him when the last time I was there to print my Major Project stuff. And now, 8months on, the lively and adorable boy is so much more stable on both his feet, and keeps running around bubbily.
I remember reading a newspaper article written by a columnist some years back who mentioned that a baby's brain is not unlike a bank. You'll get back what you've put inside years later - plus interest.
But you know what? I think that the human mind - especially and particularly a young child's - is just like a sponge. Good or bad, right or wrong, saintly or evil, the young mind just absorbs everything readily; irregardless of whether is it beneficial at all in the first place.
Children is such a wonderful and amazing blessing that's to be treasured dearly. And yes, I'm going to have at least 3 dozen someday. 2 dozen of them will form 2 separate teams, and have friendly matches with each other. The remaining dozen will form the U-21 talent. My Significant Other and me can take turns being the referee.
Yeah, right! Your head!!! 3 dozen... I'm not a sow.
Anyway, Jing Che's getting so thin. He has shrinked remarkedly and looks less chubbier. I suspect that Poh Lin's getting a little sicko and is starving him or something. Heeheehee! Kidding!
Enough of gushing about babies and my maternal instinct. Apart from those coo-ey cutesy pudgy chubby weeny little babies, I have yet another soft spot - watches. I have no idea why, but pawing the window panel and drooling at the glittering watches on display seems to be my favourite pastime.
I realized that at times, I can be such a procrastinator. My watch has been spoilt for ages, and till now, I've yet to get a new one even though I keep reminding myself so. I only realized how long I've put off purchasing a new watch when I had my examinations recently. Students need a watch to remind them of the ticking time bomb; especially so during examinations, you know.
And I'm such a fussy person when it comes to purchasing my own stuff. Either it's that the style does not appeal to my liking, or during the rare times when I chanced upon one which I really like, the price does not agree with my budget. For watches, I only wear those with silver chains secured with a metal clasp. It should, preferrably, have a long rectangular face. The reason behind my strange liking for rectangular-faced watches is that I've always figured that my face is already round enough; I don't need a round-faced watch to further accentuate it.
Yes, weird thinking, I know.
I'm just a weird princess, I guess. Lol.
It's the time of the year again. Just like for the past couple of years, I don't feel even a twinge of the Christmas-y festive "feeling". But yet, someday, I wish to have a white Christmas for at least once in my life. I yearn to experience the feeling of snowflakes caressing my face and cheeks, and I want to make snowballs and hurl it at somebody just for the fun of it. Anybody.
Whee whee!!!
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
MY LOVED ONES
Had quite a full day yesterday. Had originally arranged to meet Poh Lin at 12pm at Orchard MRT for a job application. At 11pm, she SMS-ed to inform that she'll be late, as she had overslept, and whether can we meet at 1pm instead. The ever-so-obliging and sweet (Heeheehee) princess here agreed readily, and seeing that I still have about 30minutes to spare, decided to take a short nap. This was then followed up by an SMS from me at 12.30pm, requesting for a second arranging of meet-up time as I've overslept this time round. Gosh, we're such a like-minded couple. Haha!
At the Human Resource room, while we were filling in the application form, that dear girl asked a funny question. Halting at the box which indicates "School", she inquired,
"Ehhh... School, as in now?" She looked at me questioningly.
"Nonono..." I muttered back sarcastically, "15 years back, while you were still in PAP Kindergarten."
I say, isn't she cute? Haha!
Following which, we ventured off to Far East to have our lunch - Hainanese Chicken Rice - recommended by Poh Lin. The food is nice, the chicken is fragrant, and the price, reasonable. And I remarked it seems like we're eating Chicken Rice whenever we lunch or dine together. The first time we had eaten together is at her place, when I went over to print some stuff for my Final Year Project. And now, our second time eating together, at Far East this time round and Chicken Rice again, no less.
We then moved over to Scotts, found ourselves a cozy, comfortable cushioned sofa, and chatted. We chatted easily, and without noticing, 3 hours had passed. It's really a luxury chatting like that - without giving a hoot about time or nagging worry about exams or tutorials or assignments or similar rubbish - and communicating heart-to-heart and sharing our own opinions.
At 7pm-plus, we finally drag our butt off the sofa, and strolled over to Plaza Singapore. We sat at a bench outside PS, and chatted again, while waiting for her sister, Poh Min, to arrive. During our chat, I had a slip of the tongue. Instead of "Grandpa's Birthday", I said "Grandpa's wedding" instead. Of course, needless to say, that girl had a good laugh over this.
After this, I left at 8pm for HarbourFront, where I had an appointment with some dear cliques from Temasek Polytechnic; Serene, Ian, Kelvin Tan, Qun Jie, and Li Huey. The first four were dining at some Hong Kong restaurant when I arrived. And man, I tell you, Vivocity is WAY BEYOND huge. The information I received is that the restaurant's in Level 2, and I thought that it's easy enough. Afterall, how hard can it be locating a restaurant in a mall in Singapore?
And so, I wandered around Vivocity, taking random left turns and right turns and left turns and no turns. 15minutes later, the stupid restaurant is absolutely nowhere in sight. Finally, I conceded defeat and called for SOS. Kind Kelvin Tan came forward and led me to the stupid restaurant.
I really think I should start bringing a compass and map along with me everywhere I go. I need to navigate my way around. Right, Poh Lin? Haha.
10minutes later, Li Huey called my mobile to inform that she's reached HarbourFront. Passing over the phone to Kelvin Tan, I urged him to fetch her as, not being a local and having a renowned atrocious sense of direction that's nowhere better than mine, she's bound to lose her way too.
Hearing this, Qun Jie quipped chippily, "Just because you can't find your way doesn't necessarily mean that others will too, you know?"
!!! !!! !!! *fumes* I'm crushed. =(
At 10pm, the restaurant was closing its shutters, and we were forced to leave. Adjourning to the open-air balcony, we stared into the silent sea and assumed catching up on old times. I guess I've never really gotten over my phobia for height. Looking down from the edge of the high balcony, I suddenly felt woozy and had trouble keeping my balance. Perhaps all I've managed to conquer is the overhead bridge. At least nowadays, I don't cry on overhead bridges as I often did when I was young. *beams*
We found a dry spot somewhere near the pool, and just sitted there and talked. Seeing that I've dipped my feet into the shallow pool not unlike a couple of visitors there, Ian tried to scare me about how dirty the water is and how my feet will rot. Undaunted was I, that is, until I spoted something black floating in my direction. I withdrew my feet hastily to the peals of laughter.
It's really enjoyable chatting with old friends and catching up on each other's life. It seems unbelievable how fast time fly, and that it has been 6 months since we've obtained our diploma certificate, and 3 months since the guys enlisted into NS. Having just had their Passing Out Parade (POP), and currently on a 1 week block leave while awaiting their posting, the guys are the main reason for our get-together.
Qun Jie, a Biotechnology graduate majoring in Veterinary Science, is a really nice and even-tempered guy. True, he's a little on the soft side and thus, is more vulnerable to getting teased. But it's all just purely for the fun of it. Bespectacled and sporting long hair which poke out in all direction possible, he has long earned the nickname of "Mad Scientist" because he REALLY (no exaggeration) looks like one when he's in his laboratory coat. Regrettably, I'm not the smart aleck who coined the nickname; though admittedly, I'm the one who harps on it the most and tease him as frequently as time would permit.
Serene, another Biotechnology graduate majoring in Biomolecular Science, is one of my clique of female friends in school. Attached to Ian since year 1, it's amazing how our friendship remained and maintained through the passage of the tertiary years.
Ian, Li Huey, Kelvin Tan, and me, are Biomedical Science graduates majoring in Biomedical Technology. Ian is one big niceguy. Coincidently, he was my cousin's classmate in St. Gabriel's before he became mine. He's one of the most entertaining in our group. Li Huey - my Ai Ai - is of course, my best buddy in Poly. It's nice meeting her again after 6 months, and knowing that she's settling down well in her job at SGH. Kelvin Tan - a Mr. Kiasu lookalike (and yes, I'm not kidding or exaggerating) - is an affable man. Sometimes, we'll bump into each other on the bus to school.
I really miss those times in Temasek Polytechnic.
It's really nice meeting up these mates again and catching up on old times. And it's funny how that once, our conversations centering around school work most of the time, have now evolved to the topic of NS. The guys have loads of stories to share. And their humour only makes it more interesting and entertaining.
They told of their adventures (as well as their misadvantures), and the hilarious stories in their platoon. They talked about how the officers would sneak into their tents at night in a bid to steal their rifles. Ian further shared this story: he was, in a particular morning, elated and hugely relieved to find his rifle still safely by his side. That is, until having fall in at the parade square, and at the commands of his officer, he and his platoon mates opened their rifle only to find their blanks missing. He also told of how once, after his officer had accidentally kicked the tent pegs in the dark and consequently waking up everyone, had pretended to be a recruit from another company.
The idiocy, really.
We also talked about their days in NS, and what they hoped to get posted to. Among other things, we also chatted about gays and ghost stories in Tekong. The creepy stories spooked me totally; I've never been much of a Xena warrior at heart. Qun Jie and Kelvin Tan were complaining about this particular sissy whom they both happened to get acquainted with. And the guys were ravishing about how beautiful the stars are in Tekong, especially Qun Jie. Never failing to grab a golden opportunity whenever I see one, I took this chance to snub Qun Jie.
"Judging from the ecstatic face of yours and the faraway look in your dreamy eyes, you must have had a whale of a time counting stars with that gay of yours, right?! Admit it lar. I knew it!" I jested, and he, in turn, rolled his eyes at me.
Hearing how slack the last few weeks of BMT had been for the guys, I felt slightly disappointed. YES, I had expected NS to be eat-dirt tough, no less! NS is, afterall, supposedly to be a molding place where boys become men, what! Must be tough, you know, eat-shit tough. If not, learn what?!?! Having heard how they had slacked, I lamented indignantly, "Sigh! You guys are wasting my Dad's tax!"
Without skipping a beat, Kelvin Tan added grimly, "Mine's worse. My Dad pays the taxes to send me to NS!!!" True enough, and fair enough. I've obviously lost my case of argument.
Not forgetting, Ian further related this story which happened in the shower. Now, there are no doors to the cubicles, but thankfully, there are at least partitions. Ian talked about how this particular guy who had forgotten his towel. Gamely, he called out, "Hey! I've forgotten my towel. I'll walk around naked, hor!"
And he did just that - prancing around in the toilet with nothing on - to the wolf whistles and cat calls, and exclamations of "So big!!!"
The group of us laughed at this. After pondering for a moment, I murmured innocently, "Well, Ian, you should at least be thankful that no one let out a startled cry, 'Hey!!! How come it's standing??!!'". The group laughed even harder, and Li Huey tsktsk-ed at me mockingly.
Sometimes, I can be so crappy when I want to. *Grins*
We departed from Vivocity at 11.30pm to catch the last train home. Honestly, I'm going to miss them all dearly.
Had quite a full day yesterday. Had originally arranged to meet Poh Lin at 12pm at Orchard MRT for a job application. At 11pm, she SMS-ed to inform that she'll be late, as she had overslept, and whether can we meet at 1pm instead. The ever-so-obliging and sweet (Heeheehee) princess here agreed readily, and seeing that I still have about 30minutes to spare, decided to take a short nap. This was then followed up by an SMS from me at 12.30pm, requesting for a second arranging of meet-up time as I've overslept this time round. Gosh, we're such a like-minded couple. Haha!
At the Human Resource room, while we were filling in the application form, that dear girl asked a funny question. Halting at the box which indicates "School", she inquired,
"Ehhh... School, as in now?" She looked at me questioningly.
"Nonono..." I muttered back sarcastically, "15 years back, while you were still in PAP Kindergarten."
I say, isn't she cute? Haha!
Following which, we ventured off to Far East to have our lunch - Hainanese Chicken Rice - recommended by Poh Lin. The food is nice, the chicken is fragrant, and the price, reasonable. And I remarked it seems like we're eating Chicken Rice whenever we lunch or dine together. The first time we had eaten together is at her place, when I went over to print some stuff for my Final Year Project. And now, our second time eating together, at Far East this time round and Chicken Rice again, no less.
We then moved over to Scotts, found ourselves a cozy, comfortable cushioned sofa, and chatted. We chatted easily, and without noticing, 3 hours had passed. It's really a luxury chatting like that - without giving a hoot about time or nagging worry about exams or tutorials or assignments or similar rubbish - and communicating heart-to-heart and sharing our own opinions.
At 7pm-plus, we finally drag our butt off the sofa, and strolled over to Plaza Singapore. We sat at a bench outside PS, and chatted again, while waiting for her sister, Poh Min, to arrive. During our chat, I had a slip of the tongue. Instead of "Grandpa's Birthday", I said "Grandpa's wedding" instead. Of course, needless to say, that girl had a good laugh over this.
After this, I left at 8pm for HarbourFront, where I had an appointment with some dear cliques from Temasek Polytechnic; Serene, Ian, Kelvin Tan, Qun Jie, and Li Huey. The first four were dining at some Hong Kong restaurant when I arrived. And man, I tell you, Vivocity is WAY BEYOND huge. The information I received is that the restaurant's in Level 2, and I thought that it's easy enough. Afterall, how hard can it be locating a restaurant in a mall in Singapore?
And so, I wandered around Vivocity, taking random left turns and right turns and left turns and no turns. 15minutes later, the stupid restaurant is absolutely nowhere in sight. Finally, I conceded defeat and called for SOS. Kind Kelvin Tan came forward and led me to the stupid restaurant.
I really think I should start bringing a compass and map along with me everywhere I go. I need to navigate my way around. Right, Poh Lin? Haha.
10minutes later, Li Huey called my mobile to inform that she's reached HarbourFront. Passing over the phone to Kelvin Tan, I urged him to fetch her as, not being a local and having a renowned atrocious sense of direction that's nowhere better than mine, she's bound to lose her way too.
Hearing this, Qun Jie quipped chippily, "Just because you can't find your way doesn't necessarily mean that others will too, you know?"
!!! !!! !!! *fumes* I'm crushed. =(
At 10pm, the restaurant was closing its shutters, and we were forced to leave. Adjourning to the open-air balcony, we stared into the silent sea and assumed catching up on old times. I guess I've never really gotten over my phobia for height. Looking down from the edge of the high balcony, I suddenly felt woozy and had trouble keeping my balance. Perhaps all I've managed to conquer is the overhead bridge. At least nowadays, I don't cry on overhead bridges as I often did when I was young. *beams*
We found a dry spot somewhere near the pool, and just sitted there and talked. Seeing that I've dipped my feet into the shallow pool not unlike a couple of visitors there, Ian tried to scare me about how dirty the water is and how my feet will rot. Undaunted was I, that is, until I spoted something black floating in my direction. I withdrew my feet hastily to the peals of laughter.
It's really enjoyable chatting with old friends and catching up on each other's life. It seems unbelievable how fast time fly, and that it has been 6 months since we've obtained our diploma certificate, and 3 months since the guys enlisted into NS. Having just had their Passing Out Parade (POP), and currently on a 1 week block leave while awaiting their posting, the guys are the main reason for our get-together.
Qun Jie, a Biotechnology graduate majoring in Veterinary Science, is a really nice and even-tempered guy. True, he's a little on the soft side and thus, is more vulnerable to getting teased. But it's all just purely for the fun of it. Bespectacled and sporting long hair which poke out in all direction possible, he has long earned the nickname of "Mad Scientist" because he REALLY (no exaggeration) looks like one when he's in his laboratory coat. Regrettably, I'm not the smart aleck who coined the nickname; though admittedly, I'm the one who harps on it the most and tease him as frequently as time would permit.
Serene, another Biotechnology graduate majoring in Biomolecular Science, is one of my clique of female friends in school. Attached to Ian since year 1, it's amazing how our friendship remained and maintained through the passage of the tertiary years.
Ian, Li Huey, Kelvin Tan, and me, are Biomedical Science graduates majoring in Biomedical Technology. Ian is one big niceguy. Coincidently, he was my cousin's classmate in St. Gabriel's before he became mine. He's one of the most entertaining in our group. Li Huey - my Ai Ai - is of course, my best buddy in Poly. It's nice meeting her again after 6 months, and knowing that she's settling down well in her job at SGH. Kelvin Tan - a Mr. Kiasu lookalike (and yes, I'm not kidding or exaggerating) - is an affable man. Sometimes, we'll bump into each other on the bus to school.
I really miss those times in Temasek Polytechnic.
It's really nice meeting up these mates again and catching up on old times. And it's funny how that once, our conversations centering around school work most of the time, have now evolved to the topic of NS. The guys have loads of stories to share. And their humour only makes it more interesting and entertaining.
They told of their adventures (as well as their misadvantures), and the hilarious stories in their platoon. They talked about how the officers would sneak into their tents at night in a bid to steal their rifles. Ian further shared this story: he was, in a particular morning, elated and hugely relieved to find his rifle still safely by his side. That is, until having fall in at the parade square, and at the commands of his officer, he and his platoon mates opened their rifle only to find their blanks missing. He also told of how once, after his officer had accidentally kicked the tent pegs in the dark and consequently waking up everyone, had pretended to be a recruit from another company.
The idiocy, really.
We also talked about their days in NS, and what they hoped to get posted to. Among other things, we also chatted about gays and ghost stories in Tekong. The creepy stories spooked me totally; I've never been much of a Xena warrior at heart. Qun Jie and Kelvin Tan were complaining about this particular sissy whom they both happened to get acquainted with. And the guys were ravishing about how beautiful the stars are in Tekong, especially Qun Jie. Never failing to grab a golden opportunity whenever I see one, I took this chance to snub Qun Jie.
"Judging from the ecstatic face of yours and the faraway look in your dreamy eyes, you must have had a whale of a time counting stars with that gay of yours, right?! Admit it lar. I knew it!" I jested, and he, in turn, rolled his eyes at me.
Hearing how slack the last few weeks of BMT had been for the guys, I felt slightly disappointed. YES, I had expected NS to be eat-dirt tough, no less! NS is, afterall, supposedly to be a molding place where boys become men, what! Must be tough, you know, eat-shit tough. If not, learn what?!?! Having heard how they had slacked, I lamented indignantly, "Sigh! You guys are wasting my Dad's tax!"
Without skipping a beat, Kelvin Tan added grimly, "Mine's worse. My Dad pays the taxes to send me to NS!!!" True enough, and fair enough. I've obviously lost my case of argument.
Not forgetting, Ian further related this story which happened in the shower. Now, there are no doors to the cubicles, but thankfully, there are at least partitions. Ian talked about how this particular guy who had forgotten his towel. Gamely, he called out, "Hey! I've forgotten my towel. I'll walk around naked, hor!"
And he did just that - prancing around in the toilet with nothing on - to the wolf whistles and cat calls, and exclamations of "So big!!!"
The group of us laughed at this. After pondering for a moment, I murmured innocently, "Well, Ian, you should at least be thankful that no one let out a startled cry, 'Hey!!! How come it's standing??!!'". The group laughed even harder, and Li Huey tsktsk-ed at me mockingly.
Sometimes, I can be so crappy when I want to. *Grins*
We departed from Vivocity at 11.30pm to catch the last train home. Honestly, I'm going to miss them all dearly.
Sunday, 10 December 2006
NEW BLOGSKIN
Yep. In case you guys have failed to notice yet, I've just uploaded a new blogskin. I know I'm supposed to sound excited and upbeat, but I seriously can't bring myself to add any exclamation marks at the end of the sentence.
I absolutely love my previous blogskin, especially the artistic graffti. Of course, the roomy space in which my blog entries are published is a major bonous factor..
And judging solely from the fact that it's been with me and served as my main template for as long as I've started blogging, it's way beyond obvious that I dearly adore my previous blogskin. And, needless to say, I was less than pleased when some troubles were encountered while uploading my blog webpage. Nonetheless, holding onto the hope that it's only temporary hiccups with the web server , I guessed it will get back into working condition within a few days. However, after visiting some other blog webpages and encountered hardly any problems, it doesn't take long for me to realize that only mine is affected, and that optimism at this point would be a form of foolishness.
And, by a stroke of luck, I discovered the crux of the problem. It turns out that my entire template code are lost. Deleted. Emptied. Blank. And don't ask me how. I have no idea.
And so herein - the birth of a new blogskin. Ta-daa!!!
I suppose it's a good thing too; losing my previous template code and uploading a new one. I realize I can be such a creature that's ridiculously given to routine. Give me a routine ritual and I'll be only be too glad to comply and not get sick of it easily. Sure, I may whine and complain like a princess; but it's only for the heck of it.
And, proud to say, I'm pretty taken by the new blogskin (of course! I spent hours sifting through the various variety of blogskins www.blogskins.com has to offer, and finally chosen this particular one, ya know? Tell me you love it too, or risk your neck!). And with the passage of time, I'll most probably grow to love this blogskin even more. Afterall, hasn't it been said that love can be nurtured? Heeheehee!
Let's see. Purple's my favourite colour, and the lady posed in the blogskin is oh-so-super dropdead pretty. Isn't there a folktale which goes that pregnant women should keep posters of adorable, chubby babies; so that their own baby will grow up into a likewise one? Hopefully, the same principle applies here. Perhaps by gazing and drooling at the gorgeous woman in my blogskin, I'll gradually possess half of her well-chiselled features over time. Keeping my fingers crossed. Heeheehee! Heeheehee! Heeheehee!
Am I smart, or what? Hah!
Yep. In case you guys have failed to notice yet, I've just uploaded a new blogskin. I know I'm supposed to sound excited and upbeat, but I seriously can't bring myself to add any exclamation marks at the end of the sentence.
I absolutely love my previous blogskin, especially the artistic graffti. Of course, the roomy space in which my blog entries are published is a major bonous factor..
And judging solely from the fact that it's been with me and served as my main template for as long as I've started blogging, it's way beyond obvious that I dearly adore my previous blogskin. And, needless to say, I was less than pleased when some troubles were encountered while uploading my blog webpage. Nonetheless, holding onto the hope that it's only temporary hiccups with the web server , I guessed it will get back into working condition within a few days. However, after visiting some other blog webpages and encountered hardly any problems, it doesn't take long for me to realize that only mine is affected, and that optimism at this point would be a form of foolishness.
And, by a stroke of luck, I discovered the crux of the problem. It turns out that my entire template code are lost. Deleted. Emptied. Blank. And don't ask me how. I have no idea.
And so herein - the birth of a new blogskin. Ta-daa!!!
I suppose it's a good thing too; losing my previous template code and uploading a new one. I realize I can be such a creature that's ridiculously given to routine. Give me a routine ritual and I'll be only be too glad to comply and not get sick of it easily. Sure, I may whine and complain like a princess; but it's only for the heck of it.
And, proud to say, I'm pretty taken by the new blogskin (of course! I spent hours sifting through the various variety of blogskins www.blogskins.com has to offer, and finally chosen this particular one, ya know? Tell me you love it too, or risk your neck!). And with the passage of time, I'll most probably grow to love this blogskin even more. Afterall, hasn't it been said that love can be nurtured? Heeheehee!
Let's see. Purple's my favourite colour, and the lady posed in the blogskin is oh-so-super dropdead pretty. Isn't there a folktale which goes that pregnant women should keep posters of adorable, chubby babies; so that their own baby will grow up into a likewise one? Hopefully, the same principle applies here. Perhaps by gazing and drooling at the gorgeous woman in my blogskin, I'll gradually possess half of her well-chiselled features over time. Keeping my fingers crossed. Heeheehee! Heeheehee! Heeheehee!
Am I smart, or what? Hah!
Wednesday, 6 December 2006
NOSTALGIA
I'm feeling a tad nostalgic all of a sudden. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I passed by Kovan - the area which I spent the first 16 years of my life on earth growing up in - on Monday. To top it off, I dropped by my Student Internship Programme (SIP) attachment workplace and paid a visit to my former colleagues on Tuesday.
Or maybe it's simply thanks to the sudden, overwhelming free time that I have to myself now that examination period is history. With the cessation of the busy-ness of everyday life and hectic preparations for the damned (!!!) examination papers, bitter-sweet memories of my growing up years come floating back not unlike a dear old friend come visiting.
And I remember the foolish - albeit in the name of innocence - things I've done as a child, the wrongs I've commited; both delibrately and unwittingly, the funny and witty words I've said, as well as the clumsy and hilarious events that cast me the unflattering role as the protagonist.
I remember Cai lao shi - Mr. Chua - my Chinese teacher in Primary 1.
A gentle, wizened, kind, and endearing elderly man he is. He would always, with a little smile on his lined face, look on at me kindly while I, on the other hand, was totally immersed in trying to complete my zhuo ye before the bell goes off. No, not that I'm racing against time to hand in the assignment before the class is over, but more of completing my homework in school rather than doing it at home.
And I remember how he would conduct story-telling competitions during class lessons, as well as the little gifts he dishes out for all the participants; with the most grand one obviously going to the winner. And of course, it helps that I am - more often than not - the one who bags it home.
Regrettably, as I advanced on to Primary 2 and so forth, we grew more distanced. At times when our path crossed along the corridors, and with his hands trembling slightly due to old age, I wondered does he remember this kid whom he had once liked dearly and taught.
If things can be reversed, I will not allow time and distance to succeed in reducing the both of us into strangers. He is definitely a teacher whom I would have loved to keep in contact with. But sadly, with 13 years passed on from then till now, I doubt he's still walking around on this earth anymore.
I can still remember how he looks like. I regret not knowing him better.
I remember Hafizah, my greatest buddy from Primary 4 to Primary 6.
I recall the times we spent together on the monkey bar, as well as the mischiefs we were up to in our younger days.
The both of us used to cheat in examinations using the most traditional and original method ever.
And there was this incident when we "lost" our school bag -and after much frantic tears, overturned trash carts, and emptied garbage bags - only to learn later that the disciplinary mistress had taken it away due to a misunderstanding.
While waiting for our remedial lesson after school, we would always spend our "lunchtime" racing each other along the corridors, with the other party taking the timing with a stopwatch. Till today, I'm amazed that not a single teacher had caught us red-handed.
I remember Song Koy, my good old friend in my primary school days.
I had absolutely no idea of his existence until one fine day when Mrs. Chiam, my Primary 5 Form Teacher, paired the class up in a boy-girl sitting arrangement to deter us from chatting during lessons in a bid to prepare us for PSLE.
We started off fighting like cats and dogs, but the enemity ceased with the passage of time. He often save my skin from Mrs. Carol Kao - my Primary 5 Science teacher who possesses a super-short fuse and whose wrath I would rather not incur - by surreptitiously tapping our desk or elbowing me when I spaced out during Science lessons, and hence rescueing me from a potential hideous fate of death. I would, in turn, save his scalp from Mrs Chiam's "Scalp Nails-massage" torture by letting him copy my English assignment.
We graduated from primary school, only to find ourselves enrolling into the same secondary school and, by a strange twist of fate, went on to become classmates for the next four years.
Song Koy. My good old friend-cum-classmate from Primary 5 to Secondary 4.
I remember Xiao Hui, another dear old friend whom I've similarly been acquinted with since Primary 5 to Secondary 4.
We used to live a few blocks away from each other, before I shifted to Punggol 4 years ago. The both of us often lunch together after school at an S11 coffeeshop near our place. We adore the Ban Mian over there, which is absolutely divine, and would spend the next 2 or 3 hours chatting over our delicious bowl of Ban Mian. Otherwise, we would hang out at Kovan Heartland Mall, which is a stone throw away from our house.
Upon graduating from secondary school and entering into different tertiary institutes, we drifted apart. The unenthusiastic responses and uninterested replies to my SMSes and attempts at small chats made it worse. And our friendship staled.
I would love to have an opportunity to catch up with her again over the same bowl of Ban Mian, even though the stall has changed hand and the noodles do not taste as terrific and heavenly as before. It is not about food, but the company and bonding between friends. And after devouring our Ban Mian, we could take NeoPrints like we used to. I wish.
I remember Li Huey, my best buddy in Temasek Polytechnic, and now a Medical Technologist in SGH.
She is diligent and conscientious, humble and amicable, quiet and innocent. The discrimination between Malaysians and Singaporeans never crossed our mind, and did nothing to affect our friendship in any way. We got acquainted during the first few days in our Semester 1 of Year 1, and quickly became fast friends. It's heartening to have a firm friendship throughout a tertiary education, a place where it's all "Hi"s and "Bye"s.
We both enjoy serenity and tranquility, but yet can be crappy and rowdy at times. And of course, our common liking for quiet makes us the best mugging buddy. We would spend hours in TP Library after school and study together - just the both of us. We even have our own favourite cubicles in a particular area in Level 5, which we gave it an endearing term of affection - "cosy corner".
Apart from being study-mates and good friends who chat about anything and everything under the sun, we also keep each other sane. We encourage each other when the stress is on, and bring each other back to earth when we were getting slightly paranoid. At times, our conversation goes... ... ...
I'm disappointed. I sleep too much and waste too much time, you know? I haven't got time to study (insert module name).
Me too! There's so much things to do! 24 hours do not seem sufficient anymore. What time did you sleep, anyway?
4am.
Don't be crazy. You're pushing yourself too hard and getting paranoid. Sleeping at 4am means that you barely had 3 hours of sleep. That's hardly enough.
Yep. Sometimes I'm the paranoid one, sometimes it's her. And the other party would keep the paranoid one in check. It's nice and gratifying to have someone giving you a reality check and keeping you from going to the extremes.
I remember my first Cell Group Leader, Adrian.
As a newborn Christian at age 18, he's the first who left me awed in the Power of the Holy Spirit. Ministering to me and speaking secrets which I had honestly thought were mine alone to keep, I had my very first experience of the Greatness of the Most High. And I was, and still am, deeply amazed.
I remember Wei Ting, a former cell group member and a sister-in-Christ.
I recall her sharing her Bible with me during my very first service at Easter 2004 in Indoor Stadium, and volunteering to accompany me to go up to the front in response to the altar call. But I was afraid of going up front and said my Sinners' Prayer at my seat instead.
I recall her sending an encouraging SMS before the commencement of a particular examination paper in TP, which ends with an affirmation of love, "... God's with you, I'm behind you! Jia you!!!".
And I will not forget the timely encouragement she has given. After a particular crying episode during a healing service, she came up to me, looped her left arm around my shoulders, gave my left arm an assuring squeeze, and said earnestly, "You know, I feel that God really loves you a lot. A lot."
The mature Christian knows that God loves everyone equally. But to a baby Christian which I was at that time, it really is a comfort to think that I'm somehow slightly more special in His Eyes.
I remember Aunty Siew Cheng, a colleague I befriended during my SIP attachment.
The motherly love that she has showered on me during my 5-months long attachment really touched my heart. I remember the herbal tea which she brewed for me when I was down with a persistent cough. Knowing that I shun sugared drinks for fear of gaining unnecessary weight, she was mindful to add only a couple of rock sugar to the herbal tea.
I also remember the hairband she bought for me during lunchtime when I forgot to bring mine to work (we need to tie up our hair in the laboratories), and the packed lunches she treated me to whenever we worked OT on Saturdays.
Going for make-up cell for 5-months has, looking at it in another way, a bright side to it too. I remember the times when Kelvin blessed Poh Lin and me cab fares home from cell group meetings, and him teaching me to learn to accept blessings and not to take things too far. Neither have I forgotten the well-meaning advices he dished out when I need a second opinion or help. And of course, it's definitely during these cab journeys home that fostered and catalyzed a fast bonding of friendship between Poh Lin and me. We used to banter and drone on and on and on; from the instant we board the cab until one of us alight it. We're chatterboxes, I guess.
I remember the times when I have trouble to even understand my university A-math lectures, and Jun Ming has never rejected me whenever I asked him for help. Not even once did he decline. The fact that I don't even have O-Levels A-math foundation makes the task even more daunting, but yet he teaches ever so patiently and explains how the steps are obtained or derived.
I remember Pei Hua comforting me when I lost my wallet 2 months back, and lending me her shoulder and shirt sleeves to "cry on" over MSN.
And I also remember urgently printing some of my Final Year Project documents at Poh Lin's place, and the dinner at her house afterwards.
I remember Ting Rui cheering me on in MSN when I truly felt demoralized over my studies, that I'm so foolish to take on such an impossible task. Speaking words of encouragement and refuting my self-limiting mindset, he injects confidence into myself once again.
I remember Xiao Wei, my current Cell Group Leader, and all the things she had done for me for the 1 year plus and counting. She has done more than most, if not all, which I've mentioned thus far.
I remember Xu Bin, a current cell group member and sister-in-Christ.
I don't really know how our friendship advanced from a normal, superficial one; but I'm very much certain that she plays a huge and enormous part. I'm aware of the times she's tried to bring our friendship up to a new, higher level. And guiltily, more often than not, she's the one who initiated it the majority of the time - despite the fact that at times, my responses are all but enthusiastic or eager. But yet, it did not unfaze her.
I remember the book, Travelling Light by Max Lucado, which she blessed me with out of the blue. And on the first page of the book, was written a personal message of encouragement and affirmation. I also remember the white shirt, white pants, and white towel she brought from home on my water baptism day. And neither have I forgotten our very first twosome fellowship at the Noodle Hut at Harbourfront Center, when we chatted animatedly and had a wonderful time talking heart-to-heart.
I've always enjoyed fellowshipping when her two-to-two, sharing our heartfelt sentiments and honest opinion regarding things that are part of the everyday life.
I remember Kelvin Lim, another current cell group member and a brother-in-Christ.
I remember how he would "nag" at me - even up to this day - to be careful on my way home late at night, and to SMS him to let him know that I've reached home safely.
And I've always been thankful for the drinks he has treated me to. Sometimes it's because I'm struggling financially, at times it's because I want to tighten my belt, or sometimes it's simply because I am not hungry and don't feel like eating. But yet, he would; more often than not; ensure that I at least drink something.
And I've not forgotten the time when he purchased a Crispy Coffee Bun for me. I was attending a Bible Study class straight after our weekly Saturday service, while the cell group was having their dinner at the coffeeshop opposite our church at Jurong West. I joined the cell group after my Bible Study, and Kelvin produced a Coffee Bun out of nowhere and said, "There, your favourite, right? I walked past a confectionary just now and saw it. Eat it, you've not had your dinner yet."
I also remember the time at my void deck, when he lent a listening ear while I blurt out whatever I've been bottling up inside. He gave more than a mere listening ear, but also sound advices, heartfelt encouragements, and sharing of personnal similar experiences.
It's undeniable that our lives are all peppered with little acts of love and kindness along the way which would have otherwise be overlooked if one takes it all for granted. It is not only about people rallying around when a loved one passes on, nor is it only about the friends who remain even when you are declared a bankrupt etc.
Sure, nothing beats having people who cares about you unconditionally when you're in the worst patch ever. But those who have always been there during your ups and downs, doing little things which might not seem as touching or significant, are not to be overlooked or written off just like that.
Life is full of little mercies, and it's these little mercies that link the significant jigsaw pieces together, forming a beautiful protrayal of life.
Give thanks for the little mercies.
I'm feeling a tad nostalgic all of a sudden. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I passed by Kovan - the area which I spent the first 16 years of my life on earth growing up in - on Monday. To top it off, I dropped by my Student Internship Programme (SIP) attachment workplace and paid a visit to my former colleagues on Tuesday.
Or maybe it's simply thanks to the sudden, overwhelming free time that I have to myself now that examination period is history. With the cessation of the busy-ness of everyday life and hectic preparations for the damned (!!!) examination papers, bitter-sweet memories of my growing up years come floating back not unlike a dear old friend come visiting.
And I remember the foolish - albeit in the name of innocence - things I've done as a child, the wrongs I've commited; both delibrately and unwittingly, the funny and witty words I've said, as well as the clumsy and hilarious events that cast me the unflattering role as the protagonist.
I remember Cai lao shi - Mr. Chua - my Chinese teacher in Primary 1.
A gentle, wizened, kind, and endearing elderly man he is. He would always, with a little smile on his lined face, look on at me kindly while I, on the other hand, was totally immersed in trying to complete my zhuo ye before the bell goes off. No, not that I'm racing against time to hand in the assignment before the class is over, but more of completing my homework in school rather than doing it at home.
And I remember how he would conduct story-telling competitions during class lessons, as well as the little gifts he dishes out for all the participants; with the most grand one obviously going to the winner. And of course, it helps that I am - more often than not - the one who bags it home.
Regrettably, as I advanced on to Primary 2 and so forth, we grew more distanced. At times when our path crossed along the corridors, and with his hands trembling slightly due to old age, I wondered does he remember this kid whom he had once liked dearly and taught.
If things can be reversed, I will not allow time and distance to succeed in reducing the both of us into strangers. He is definitely a teacher whom I would have loved to keep in contact with. But sadly, with 13 years passed on from then till now, I doubt he's still walking around on this earth anymore.
I can still remember how he looks like. I regret not knowing him better.
I remember Hafizah, my greatest buddy from Primary 4 to Primary 6.
I recall the times we spent together on the monkey bar, as well as the mischiefs we were up to in our younger days.
The both of us used to cheat in examinations using the most traditional and original method ever.
And there was this incident when we "lost" our school bag -and after much frantic tears, overturned trash carts, and emptied garbage bags - only to learn later that the disciplinary mistress had taken it away due to a misunderstanding.
While waiting for our remedial lesson after school, we would always spend our "lunchtime" racing each other along the corridors, with the other party taking the timing with a stopwatch. Till today, I'm amazed that not a single teacher had caught us red-handed.
I remember Song Koy, my good old friend in my primary school days.
I had absolutely no idea of his existence until one fine day when Mrs. Chiam, my Primary 5 Form Teacher, paired the class up in a boy-girl sitting arrangement to deter us from chatting during lessons in a bid to prepare us for PSLE.
We started off fighting like cats and dogs, but the enemity ceased with the passage of time. He often save my skin from Mrs. Carol Kao - my Primary 5 Science teacher who possesses a super-short fuse and whose wrath I would rather not incur - by surreptitiously tapping our desk or elbowing me when I spaced out during Science lessons, and hence rescueing me from a potential hideous fate of death. I would, in turn, save his scalp from Mrs Chiam's "Scalp Nails-massage" torture by letting him copy my English assignment.
We graduated from primary school, only to find ourselves enrolling into the same secondary school and, by a strange twist of fate, went on to become classmates for the next four years.
Song Koy. My good old friend-cum-classmate from Primary 5 to Secondary 4.
I remember Xiao Hui, another dear old friend whom I've similarly been acquinted with since Primary 5 to Secondary 4.
We used to live a few blocks away from each other, before I shifted to Punggol 4 years ago. The both of us often lunch together after school at an S11 coffeeshop near our place. We adore the Ban Mian over there, which is absolutely divine, and would spend the next 2 or 3 hours chatting over our delicious bowl of Ban Mian. Otherwise, we would hang out at Kovan Heartland Mall, which is a stone throw away from our house.
Upon graduating from secondary school and entering into different tertiary institutes, we drifted apart. The unenthusiastic responses and uninterested replies to my SMSes and attempts at small chats made it worse. And our friendship staled.
I would love to have an opportunity to catch up with her again over the same bowl of Ban Mian, even though the stall has changed hand and the noodles do not taste as terrific and heavenly as before. It is not about food, but the company and bonding between friends. And after devouring our Ban Mian, we could take NeoPrints like we used to. I wish.
I remember Li Huey, my best buddy in Temasek Polytechnic, and now a Medical Technologist in SGH.
She is diligent and conscientious, humble and amicable, quiet and innocent. The discrimination between Malaysians and Singaporeans never crossed our mind, and did nothing to affect our friendship in any way. We got acquainted during the first few days in our Semester 1 of Year 1, and quickly became fast friends. It's heartening to have a firm friendship throughout a tertiary education, a place where it's all "Hi"s and "Bye"s.
We both enjoy serenity and tranquility, but yet can be crappy and rowdy at times. And of course, our common liking for quiet makes us the best mugging buddy. We would spend hours in TP Library after school and study together - just the both of us. We even have our own favourite cubicles in a particular area in Level 5, which we gave it an endearing term of affection - "cosy corner".
Apart from being study-mates and good friends who chat about anything and everything under the sun, we also keep each other sane. We encourage each other when the stress is on, and bring each other back to earth when we were getting slightly paranoid. At times, our conversation goes... ... ...
I'm disappointed. I sleep too much and waste too much time, you know? I haven't got time to study (insert module name).
Me too! There's so much things to do! 24 hours do not seem sufficient anymore. What time did you sleep, anyway?
4am.
Don't be crazy. You're pushing yourself too hard and getting paranoid. Sleeping at 4am means that you barely had 3 hours of sleep. That's hardly enough.
Yep. Sometimes I'm the paranoid one, sometimes it's her. And the other party would keep the paranoid one in check. It's nice and gratifying to have someone giving you a reality check and keeping you from going to the extremes.
I remember my first Cell Group Leader, Adrian.
As a newborn Christian at age 18, he's the first who left me awed in the Power of the Holy Spirit. Ministering to me and speaking secrets which I had honestly thought were mine alone to keep, I had my very first experience of the Greatness of the Most High. And I was, and still am, deeply amazed.
I remember Wei Ting, a former cell group member and a sister-in-Christ.
I recall her sharing her Bible with me during my very first service at Easter 2004 in Indoor Stadium, and volunteering to accompany me to go up to the front in response to the altar call. But I was afraid of going up front and said my Sinners' Prayer at my seat instead.
I recall her sending an encouraging SMS before the commencement of a particular examination paper in TP, which ends with an affirmation of love, "... God's with you, I'm behind you! Jia you!!!".
And I will not forget the timely encouragement she has given. After a particular crying episode during a healing service, she came up to me, looped her left arm around my shoulders, gave my left arm an assuring squeeze, and said earnestly, "You know, I feel that God really loves you a lot. A lot."
The mature Christian knows that God loves everyone equally. But to a baby Christian which I was at that time, it really is a comfort to think that I'm somehow slightly more special in His Eyes.
I remember Aunty Siew Cheng, a colleague I befriended during my SIP attachment.
The motherly love that she has showered on me during my 5-months long attachment really touched my heart. I remember the herbal tea which she brewed for me when I was down with a persistent cough. Knowing that I shun sugared drinks for fear of gaining unnecessary weight, she was mindful to add only a couple of rock sugar to the herbal tea.
I also remember the hairband she bought for me during lunchtime when I forgot to bring mine to work (we need to tie up our hair in the laboratories), and the packed lunches she treated me to whenever we worked OT on Saturdays.
Going for make-up cell for 5-months has, looking at it in another way, a bright side to it too. I remember the times when Kelvin blessed Poh Lin and me cab fares home from cell group meetings, and him teaching me to learn to accept blessings and not to take things too far. Neither have I forgotten the well-meaning advices he dished out when I need a second opinion or help. And of course, it's definitely during these cab journeys home that fostered and catalyzed a fast bonding of friendship between Poh Lin and me. We used to banter and drone on and on and on; from the instant we board the cab until one of us alight it. We're chatterboxes, I guess.
I remember the times when I have trouble to even understand my university A-math lectures, and Jun Ming has never rejected me whenever I asked him for help. Not even once did he decline. The fact that I don't even have O-Levels A-math foundation makes the task even more daunting, but yet he teaches ever so patiently and explains how the steps are obtained or derived.
I remember Pei Hua comforting me when I lost my wallet 2 months back, and lending me her shoulder and shirt sleeves to "cry on" over MSN.
And I also remember urgently printing some of my Final Year Project documents at Poh Lin's place, and the dinner at her house afterwards.
I remember Ting Rui cheering me on in MSN when I truly felt demoralized over my studies, that I'm so foolish to take on such an impossible task. Speaking words of encouragement and refuting my self-limiting mindset, he injects confidence into myself once again.
I remember Xiao Wei, my current Cell Group Leader, and all the things she had done for me for the 1 year plus and counting. She has done more than most, if not all, which I've mentioned thus far.
I remember Xu Bin, a current cell group member and sister-in-Christ.
I don't really know how our friendship advanced from a normal, superficial one; but I'm very much certain that she plays a huge and enormous part. I'm aware of the times she's tried to bring our friendship up to a new, higher level. And guiltily, more often than not, she's the one who initiated it the majority of the time - despite the fact that at times, my responses are all but enthusiastic or eager. But yet, it did not unfaze her.
I remember the book, Travelling Light by Max Lucado, which she blessed me with out of the blue. And on the first page of the book, was written a personal message of encouragement and affirmation. I also remember the white shirt, white pants, and white towel she brought from home on my water baptism day. And neither have I forgotten our very first twosome fellowship at the Noodle Hut at Harbourfront Center, when we chatted animatedly and had a wonderful time talking heart-to-heart.
I've always enjoyed fellowshipping when her two-to-two, sharing our heartfelt sentiments and honest opinion regarding things that are part of the everyday life.
I remember Kelvin Lim, another current cell group member and a brother-in-Christ.
I remember how he would "nag" at me - even up to this day - to be careful on my way home late at night, and to SMS him to let him know that I've reached home safely.
And I've always been thankful for the drinks he has treated me to. Sometimes it's because I'm struggling financially, at times it's because I want to tighten my belt, or sometimes it's simply because I am not hungry and don't feel like eating. But yet, he would; more often than not; ensure that I at least drink something.
And I've not forgotten the time when he purchased a Crispy Coffee Bun for me. I was attending a Bible Study class straight after our weekly Saturday service, while the cell group was having their dinner at the coffeeshop opposite our church at Jurong West. I joined the cell group after my Bible Study, and Kelvin produced a Coffee Bun out of nowhere and said, "There, your favourite, right? I walked past a confectionary just now and saw it. Eat it, you've not had your dinner yet."
I also remember the time at my void deck, when he lent a listening ear while I blurt out whatever I've been bottling up inside. He gave more than a mere listening ear, but also sound advices, heartfelt encouragements, and sharing of personnal similar experiences.
It's undeniable that our lives are all peppered with little acts of love and kindness along the way which would have otherwise be overlooked if one takes it all for granted. It is not only about people rallying around when a loved one passes on, nor is it only about the friends who remain even when you are declared a bankrupt etc.
Sure, nothing beats having people who cares about you unconditionally when you're in the worst patch ever. But those who have always been there during your ups and downs, doing little things which might not seem as touching or significant, are not to be overlooked or written off just like that.
Life is full of little mercies, and it's these little mercies that link the significant jigsaw pieces together, forming a beautiful protrayal of life.
Give thanks for the little mercies.
PRINCESS SWINGING BACK INTO ACTION!!!
The #1 tell-tale sign which strongly indicates that it has been quite a while since you last blogged is when prior to keying in the password, a momentary pause is required to recall what on earth does the asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk represent.
Geez!!!
Examinations are officially over and done with (good gosh!!!), and honestly speaking, after having ploughed through the merciless killer papers, I've never felt or thought of myself any more dumber.
Maybe I am, in the first place, not cut out for studies at all.
1 down, and 4 more semesters to go. How comforting the thought!
Geez
The #1 tell-tale sign which strongly indicates that it has been quite a while since you last blogged is when prior to keying in the password, a momentary pause is required to recall what on earth does the asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk-asterisk represent.
Geez!!!
Examinations are officially over and done with (good gosh!!!), and honestly speaking, after having ploughed through the merciless killer papers, I've never felt or thought of myself any more dumber.
Maybe I am, in the first place, not cut out for studies at all.
1 down, and 4 more semesters to go. How comforting the thought!
Geez
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