an Ocean of memories

Fell for Sales TRAP!!! Don't buy Corioliss from mall~

2010-10-16T21:56:00.000+08:00

I think this is the kind of stupidity that I can fall for after being away from human contact for too long, so to speak. Either that, or I am still so gullible that I can fall for sales talk like this!!! @*(*($%&#*$@

Bought Corioliss Pro Hair Straightener for $250 at Jurong Point when the maximum price stated online is $49.99!! http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/CORIOLISS-PRO-FIX-FLAT-IRON-BLACK-/190425419638

Even though I think this product might be a good product, I spent double the price getting it! It’s not like I earn big bucks la~!! How can I still fall for sales talk like this after 23 years of my life and countless experience of falling into sales trap???!!! Omg, I am developing into a gullible, old spinster at the tender age of 23! What should I do to prevent myself from making similar mistakes again~!!!???????

2010-05-30T23:29:00.001+08:00

It's ok if people say that I'm incapable.

It's ok if people think that I'm stupid.

It's ok if I am indeed stupid and incapable.

I really don't care - for, everything I do, I put in my best and get rest my case.

偶像劇

2010-05-26T23:13:00.005+08:00

討厭看偶像劇.
它只會讓我們有不切實際的幻象.
甚麼在深山野林里希望有白馬王子出現它就會出現-真瞎.
偶像劇的劇情多半不切實際.
不切實際的想法, 雖然完美, 誘人,
但看多只會讓我們與現實脫節.

要在現實生活中找尋完美是近乎不可能.
有人說過: "There is no ideal in life, but knowing the ideal gives you something to work towards."
觀看偶像劇是為了秉持我們理想人生的嚮往
崇拜偶像也是為了提醒自己白馬王子的存在 (只是我們看不到)
也只有清楚理想, 才會知道人生的憧憬在哪裡.

喜歡看偶像劇

Life is a Journey

2010-05-18T16:17:00.004+08:00

Credits to John Langdon Ambigrams

The only way to not waste any minute of it is to seize the moment to do what you think is right and what makes you happy (pray that both do not contradict that is)

Carpe Diem.

The mouse potato trap

2010-05-10T09:48:00.003+08:00

TODAYonline Columns In Real Life The mouse potato trap

THERE'S an old saying I love about new media. It goes: "When in doubt, surf the Internet." A cursory glance in public will tell you many people subscribe to this mantra when they're not sure of what to do with themselves.

They log on to the World Wide Web by reflex, the very second they have a spot of spare time. You can see them milling around, glued to their smartphone screens, oblivious to the jostling crowd. You might also notice them nursing cups of coffee while click-clacking on their laptops for hours on end.

Some take the habit much further. Even from home, you can spy them perpetually listed as "online" on your instant messenger application.

I hear the cute nickname for these people is "mouse potatoes".

In their view, it's perfectly normal to have no plans for the day, except to bum around online. And it's not anti-social if you have a buddy doing it, too, right?

Portable devices like netbooks make it more convenient to slack in cyberspace. Nowadays, you can be a couch and mouse potato all at once. To some people I know, it is a mash made in heaven.

They can toggle between channel- and Web-surfing, and dissect episodes with fellow netizens. With video-streaming sites, they can also have marathon sessions of their favourite series.

Still, the practice gets frightening when it crosses the line from time-filler to time-waster.

One of my girlfriends recently renounced her addiction to downloaded dramas. She was sick of going bleary-eyed to work after staying up into the wee hours of the morning, lapping up one Korean soap opera too many.

She was also wrought with self-disgust, the same way a reformed TV addict laments time squandered watching reruns of reruns.

"Inertia's a drug. I don't remember one week from another, or entire months," she admitted.

The last straw was her boyfriend complaining that she had nothing to talk about other than incredible plot twists: "He finally noticed she was a girl in disguise all along and fell in love with her!"

Not to take the mickey out of her mouse potato, but once she snapped out of her lifestyle (more dud than spud), I suspect other people found her more interesting to hang out with as well.

Before that, I would be secretly more keen on catching up with anyone else with real awe-inspiring exploits.

For instance, a close friend of mine travels every few months to tag turtles and hedgehogs. Next up is frogs in Thailand. Another has riveting anecdotes from tutoring underprivileged children.

I remember having a more productive existence before I, too, got sucked into quelling boredom on the Internet. I had a marvellous time teaching a handicapped kid and found time to shoot a full-length feature film.

Much as we love looking at random videos of obese cats and sneezing pandas, it's telling that we sometimes set our instant messenger status to "invisible". This is to block out niggling questions such as "Not doing anything today?"

My friend's rude awakening got a lot of us thinking: Is "online activity" a misnomer? Do we have better things to do with our time? What is the net effect on our quest to live lives that stand up to scrutiny?

Perhaps this is the "e-piphany" we need, the moment of truth that finally clicks about our lives, online and off. And maybe it's time to flip the switch.
__________________

omg, I'm guily as charged. Remember the days, when I was still using dial-up, I spend minimal amount of time on the virtual world. And when I do, it was only to do what was required - searching for information for projects. The rest of my time was spend doing homework and hanging out with friends, offline.

Then later on, came IRC and MSN. Hanging out became more convenient than ever. I no longer have to ask permission to meet up with friends. Online, we exchanged latest gossips in school and entertainment news. I frequented IRC and made several new, faceless friends. I developed an entire social circle online.

Then came email and I was totally addicted to check it constantly for new forwarded emails, videos to watch etc. The university lifestyle also required constant checks of our emails for updates, lecture notes etc. Suddenly, I'm online 24/7 except when I'm travelling.

"They log on to the World Wide Web by reflex, the very second they have a spot of spare time. You can see them milling around, glued to their smartphone screens, oblivious to the jostling crowd. You might also notice them nursing cups of coffee while click-clacking on their laptops for hours on end."

This is so me, and the worse is, I don't know what exactly am I doing online. I am easily distracted by hyperlinks and soon forget my initial purpose of coming online. WWW facilitates multitasking, which also means reduced concentration in work and hence, reduced quality of work. These are just some side effects of internet addiction.

Would addiction to the net be a clinical condition one day? Whatever it may be, I'm not going to let myself be diagnosed with that.

Carpe Diem

2010-05-09T01:38:00.003+08:00

Seize the day. This is my motto for the year.

I had promised myself that I will sieze the day and live my life to the fullest, for this year at least.

Due to some (un)fortunate circumstances, I have been neglecting myself for a long time and I had vowed that I will make it up to me, for this year at least.

I am dedicating this year to me - my road for self-discovery continues.

Hence, I chose to start my working life as a teacher, so that I have time to complete unfinished responsibility, and have time to love myself and accomplish unfinished wishes. (Do not get me wrong, these are just bonuses, on top of my passion of pursuing a helping profession)

Carpe Diem - but there is so much that I want to do. There is so little time available, and money, and mental space, and courage.

I want to continue learning Japanese, but as of today, I've skipped half of the lessons.

I want to get a Class 3 driving license, but it is such a waste of time and money to do so since I already have a 3A.

I want to continue yoga, but I missed the registration date and have to wait for a month.

And of course, I have some crazy ideas, but I lack the guts to do it.

I want to help people, but I sometimes feel that I am being taken advantage of.

I want to write creatively, but I lack the flair for it.

I am such a greedy person, I know. How many things to do I want to accomplish in 365 days, or 8760 hours? Carpe Diem. You would never know when you will fall and bleed to your death in your own place while your family is sleeping in other rooms, would you?

Untitled Joke

2010-04-02T23:42:00.002+08:00

An old man lived alone in Idaho. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, Bubba, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Bubba:
I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me.
Love, Dad

A few days later, he received a letter from his son.

Dear Dad:
For heaven's sake, Dad, don't dig up that garden. That's where I buried the BODIES.

Love, Bubba

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local Police showed up and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.
That same day, the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Dad:
Go ahead and plant the potatoes now. It's the best I could do under the circumstances.

Love, Bubba

Beauty

2010-03-23T22:28:00.006+08:00

The Friday right before the March holidays, I delivered an English lesson to present on a particular topic that seemed to be troubling students with a certain trait that is discriminated by their peers.

Yes - discrimination.

I started off by sharing this song by Black Eyed Peas - Where is the Love and discussed the lyrics with them.

From the short analysis of the lyrics and introduction to KKK, racial discrimination and the reasons behind it, I led them into another form of discrimination that is more applicable to us; thank goodness for our racial peace and harmony for that, for, weight discrimination seemed to be more widespread in Singapore and has more impact on youths today. I took it upon myself to reveal to them the true agony of people that possess weight that exceeds the ideal.

With images of 'beautiful' and 'sexy' celebrities, I required them to reflect on their perception on 'beauty', media influence on their notion of 'beauty', and what are the qualities of their boy/girlfriend or spouse that they look for.

Now, reading their reflection after the March holidays, I realised, many of them are not as superficial as I thought they'd be. Some brought up points about inner beauty, some wrote that the virtues of the opposite gender is more attractive than their exterior. Deep within their exterior and occasional bullying of plump people, they understand beyond the skin-deep notion of beauty that is cruelly but widely portrayed by the media, which resulted in the societal level of discrimination against them.

I have yet to read the reflections of the heavier classmates, but I hope that my presentation have impacted them positively, reducing their negativity towards their size, increasing their long-deprived self-esteem.

There is this one boy whom we know is currently in a relationship with a fellow schoolmate, he wrote that his girlfriend only has the good and no bad qualities - I do not know whether to be envious or count myself lucky that I am out of the stage of naiveté. There is another, who wrote that he hope his girlfriend will be one with great patience and sensitivity to resolve quarrels no matter who was in the wrong. I have yet to conclude, his take on the issue of 'ideal partner', although fortunately, he is more than skin-deep.

Personal Experience of the 'Bystander Effect'

2010-03-21T10:44:00.004+08:00

I was on my way back from Blood Bank at Outram after blood donation when I experienced dizziness and light-headedness on the crowded train. I was leaning against the glass divider between the row of seats and the back door.

I experienced an intensifying sensation of blockage of the ears accompanied with prolong whizzing sound, and the increasing brightness of the scene in front of me. Then, before I knew it, my legs gave way and I was on the floor. I doubt I loss consciousness there, so I am sure that I received no help from anyone in the crowded train. People around me were probably looking at me, why this girl with a bandage fall onto the floor like that. But received no help at all. As soon as I could, I got up on my feet and left the train and rested on a bench on the platform.

What puzzled me, as I bend down and encourage blood flow back to my head was, 'why did no one approach to help someone who fainted on the train?'
Maybe everyone was oblivious of the situation because they were all engrossed in their private activities on the train, like sleeping, reading, listening to music with eyes closed, daydreaming?
Maybe those who did see me was shy and did not know how to render help to a stranger in need, or maybe they thought I was joking?
Or, are Singaporeans really nonchalant towards people in need?

I think, the first possibility is out. The train was very crowded. Someone, especially those right in front of me must have seen me falling to the ground. I think, maybe the most acceptable, and logical explanation for this is the 'Bystander Effect'.

From wikiversity: "When people are in the presence of others, they are less likely to offer help than when they are alone."

Before a bystander is likely to take action, they must define the event as an emergency and decide that intervention is the proper course of action. While making these decisions the bystander may become influenced by the decisions they perceive other bystanders to be taking. If each one of the other bystanders seems to regard the event as non-serious, it changes and affects the perceptions of any single individual and inhibits potential helping behaviour!

5 Steps to helping:
1) Notice that something is happening
2) Interpret the meaning of the event
3) Take responsibility for providing help
4) Know how to help
5) Provide help

In a crowded place, the responsibility to provide help is divided among people who are on the train. Everyone thinks that others should be the one to help. Seeing that no one else offer assistance, especially those closer to the person who needed help, the others would regard the even as non-serious and not provide help. Those who saw me might just be waiting for others to render help, before they offer their assistance.

'Bystander Effect' seems most logical to explanation the situation over here. Because I experienced the dizziness again as I exit from the MRT gantry. This time, I fall near the control station. The officer probably saw me, and because of his responsibility for the situations in the station, he had to come out and take a look. He shook me up, asked if I was all right. Then, I saw some by-standers crowding around, and one of the aunties even came up and offered me medical oil and told me to drink milo to regain my blood pressure (as I explained that I probably fainted due to low blood pressure after blood donation)

At the MRT station, there were fewer people and there were someone responsible of the situation because of his official post. The aunty, seeing that someone went over to help, thinks that it is all right to approach and offer her help as well.

I refuse to believe that Singaporeans are selfish, or unfeeling towards people in need. Many a times, people are just too conscious of the social situation, their 'place' in the society or particular context to stand out from the crowd. We are too sensitive to the eyes of the public and such sensitivity often overshadow our moral values or our hidden desire to help those in need. That is to say, in the absence of public eyes, people are more likely judge the situation based on their moral values and act based on what they think is right.

Introvert self, go away

2010-03-06T00:49:00.002+08:00

' omg! i really wish to get out of my scardycat, introvert self. Since when did i become like that?'

melancholy

2010-01-21T15:11:00.002+08:00

Fate, he can be so playful sometimes...

In his eyes, perhaps our feelings are just toys that he fiddles around...

cheers to friendship

2010-01-03T22:52:00.003+08:00

We were given this Abby Cadabby by Teresa, who went Japan and bought a series of Sesame Street chokers for QLX :) Thank you very much, Teresa, for reminding us that we QLX are like a family that always bring joy and laughter to one another (at least this is what I think of us and Sesame Street)

The scenic barrage, the delicious food (though they became not so delicious when I kept losing 終極密碼 and had to stuff myself with food) and beautiful company made my morning, and the last day of freedom pleasant and optimistic. Did I ever tell you, Tricia, that I think making the QLX ring is one of the best decision ever made?? It is such a fitting object to remind us of the support and comfort we have in the group. There may be changes in our individual lives, be it good or bad, but I hope that the feelings among us will remain as it is, many years down the road :)

*Gotta Poof*

Here's to the girls (and guys)

2009-11-24T01:45:00.001+08:00

"Here's to the girls who couldn't cry to their friends because of how stupid they felt. The ones who held it all in when things came crumbling to pieces again. This is for the ones who couldn't bear to even tell their mom what was going on, for fear of an "I told you so."

We knew that we deserved better the entire time, that we deserved a guy who would call when he said he was going to, one that would come see us when ever he got the chance, one that would really care about us. We just wanted the one that we loved like that.

This is for those days spent trying to hold back the tears, and the tears that turned into anger, then disappointment.
Here's for us girls who finally realized that we deserve better.
This is for those confusing days, when you miss him, and want nothing more than to hear his voice, or feel his arms around your waist.

Stay strong, and remember that relationships are like broken glass, sometimes it's better to leave it alone rather than try to put the pieces back together and get hurt all over again.

Remember the times you cried, and how long it took you to even be able to look at another guy like that.

Think of all the broken promises, and the lies, the manipulation and the tears, the wasted moments and staying up all night wondering where the HELL he was. Think of how your heart used to jump when your phone would vibrate in the middle of the night, and how it fell to your stomach when you saw it wasn't him, and realized that once again, he hadn't called when he said he was going to.

One day, you'll find a guy whose worth all the tears, but he won't make you cry. You may think that you'll never care about someone like you did that guy that you always ran back to, but you will. It's gonna hurt like hell, and it's going to need time to heal, but the point is, it will heal.."

Element song (as in from the periodic table)

2009-11-24T01:20:00.005+08:00

I think someone I knew will be interested in this song :)

Have seen this a few years back. Chanced upon it again and watching this still has the same effect on me. Cheers to friendship~
More over here and here<

Indifference

2009-11-15T23:36:00.004+08:00

How should I be feeling when people are indifferent to my effort to make them feel at home, or my effort to make this work out?

Should I endure and think that they are just shy to express their views and gratitude?
Should I forget it since they might feel irritation instead of gratitude?
Should I also be indifferent and dismiss future attempts to put in effort to interact with them, since all they want might be just for me to leave them alone?

I have never been a good communicator, am never good at expressing myself, neither am I good at reading others. So much so that I always end up being oblivious to any 'sixth sense' of sort that would tell me how others feel about my intentions.

I wish I have telepathic ability that could help me decipher smiles, eye contact, body language, etc.

只羨鴛鴦不羨仙

2009-11-11T22:37:00.011+08:00

自古以來 "只羨鴛鴦不羨仙" 這句話真是一點都沒錯

其實, 如果鴛鴦的其中一位是自己的好友, 一點也不"羨". 我反倒是感到欣慰, 也為他們感到開心!
老實說, 自認小心眼的我并不認為自己是這樣的人, 但看到他們幸福的樣子, 我仿佛受到幸福的感染, 也為他們感到快樂. ;)

希望我身邊的鴛鴦朋友們都能有情人終成眷屬 ;0)

Suffocation

2009-11-10T13:22:00.002+08:00

Craving for a good bowl of Salmon Don. Any recommendations??
Yearning for good places to visit around Singapore Island. Any suggestions??

~Random thoughts while buried in deadlines~

Waiting...

2009-11-09T23:59:00.001+08:00

Chanced upon a friend's blog and was watching her home-made video. It had a storyline that is felicitous to our daily life. Waiting.

I spend more than 2 hours waiting for public transport to and fro school daily. Sometimes when we finally get on, we wait for the driver to bring us to school. We wait at queues to buy our food, we wait at queues to use the loo. "Wait a moment"s when calling customer service hotlines? Waiting to see the doctor? Each day, we spend hours just waiting, doing nothing. These are just waits that are more 'visible' to us.

How about waits that are 'invisible'? Like waiting for first love, true love? (Or some wants to wait for truer love even though true love was just in their faces) Waiting for the boss to acknowledge your achievement? Waiting for promotion? Waiting for yourself to grow up and mature? Even though you are doing something else concurrently while waiting for these to happen, these waits do still frustrate you and make you forget yourself.

Really, what is the point of waiting?? I do not know. Maybe I'm dimmer and need some enlightenment.

Despite not knowing its purpose, I always have this bad habit of wanting people to wait for me. My parents have to wait for me to wait for me to prepare to go out for meals or weekend outings. Friends had to wait because I was always late. It frustrated them, I know, so much so that they stop going out with me. Believe me, I've suffered serious consequence when I caused people to wait. I used to wonder why. But I guess deep down, I did have some idea. Waiting usually happens when you want or need to accommodate others. It's unavoidable I guess, living in a place where interpersonal skills matter as much as breathing and eating. Despite the standardised concept of time, people operate on different clockworks. Hence, there is always a need to factor in 'waiting time' or 'buffering' in every event that requires the participation of more than 1 people. This 'visible' waiting time I call it, causes the loss of invisible minutes when added together, something else could have be done.

For those invisible waiting in life. You don't actually feel it. Not me at least, but when time comes for reflection, which happens out of the blues more often than not, you realised that much time is wasted on waiting, for true love for example, when one could have just pursued his/her love.

Waiting is so passive but yet people do it all the time. There are some 'waits' that can be utilised with the help of technology such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs etc. But there are some 'waits' that are unavoidable and worse, might just end up fruitless.

What is the point of waiting?

what doesn't kill you make you stronger

2009-10-27T00:18:00.002+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

florine 告诉我：

伤口总有愈合的一天。。。
伤口愈合后，会结成疤。。。
疤会让人学会勇敢和坚强。。。

谢谢你！我会记得你的话。经一事长一智，谢谢你提醒我！我会学着克服！

Guilty of this?

2009-10-24T00:28:00.006+08:00

Are you a Facebook addict?

MANILA - Facebook users beware. Psychologists are now probing a new kind of addiction called Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD).

Psychologist Dr. Michael Fenichel, who has published numerous writings on FAD online, describes it as a situation in which Facebook usage "overtakes" daily activities like waking up, getting dressed, using the telephone, or checking e-mail.

"The amazing thing is that, like cellphones, nobody seems to notice the vast amount of time and energy - at work, at home, and now while on the move - people are devoting to Facebook. It has become a given," Fenichel writes in an online post titled "Facebook Addiction Disorder- A New Challenge?"

FAD could be classified under the more broad "internet addiction disorder" or internet overuse.

Academic papers have already posed theories on internet addiction and social networking addiction, and even less, cellphone addiction.

"Like most activities, moderation and integration are key. Those that may seriously label and treat FAD as a behavioral addiction will clearly need to use context in determining if a behavior has become demonstrably harmful to overall social, work, or face-to-face interpersonal efficacy," Fenichel added.

You are a Facebook addict if...

According to Joanna Lipari, a clinical psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles who was interviewed for a CNN report, here are some signs that you are addicted to Facebook:

1. You lose sleep over Facebook. When using Facebook becomes a compulsion and you spend entire nights logged on to the site, causing you to become tired the next day.

2. You spend more than an hour a day on Facebook. Lipari said it is difficult to define how much is too much when it comes to Facebook usage, but that an average person need only spend half an hour on the site.

3. You become obsessed with old loves or exes you reconnect with on Facebook.

4. You ignore work in favor of Facebook. This means you do not do your job in order to sneak time on Facebook.

5. The thought of getting off Facebook leaves you in cold sweat. If you try going a day without Facebook and it causes you stress and anxiety, this means you need help.

According to the same report by Elizabeth Cohen, Senior CNN Medical Correspondent, Facebook addiction is not yet an actual medical diagnosis.

However, the report notes that several therapists in the United States have noticed a rise in the number of clients who get hooked on social networking, to the point of social dysfunction.

Facebook fun

Facebook, launched by the world's youngest billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, has over 300 million users worldwide, half of whom log on to the site every day.

Further, about 2 billion photos and 14 million videos are uploaded on various Facebook pages a month and about 6 billion minutes are spent on Facebook a day, worldwide.

According to Willis Wee, founder of the social media and marketing blog Penn-Olson.com, this is twice as much time that people spend on Google.

The global social networking website allows users to post and share content (like photos, links, videos, and notes), play casual games and applications, and interact with friends and family through messaging and chat. abs-cbnNEWS.com. With reports from CNN.com.

As much as I'd like to deny, yes I'm guilty as charged :(

‘看’

2009-10-21T10:06:00.004+08:00

人心是脆弱的。何必一而再，再而三地以说教的名义重伤它？
何必因为一些表面的事情，质疑人心？人性本善，性本恶，一切看你怎么看。
‘看’，有时候不能用眼睛看。当看不清楚时，不如试试，拿下眼镜，闭上眼睛，用心去看。
说不定，你可以看得更清楚，也不需要再拿着锐利的嘴做人了。

要看，也请你尽早看。不要等到了把人逼上梁山之时才醒悟。到时你将后悔莫及。

Optimism is back

2009-10-11T00:25:00.003+08:00

I've deleted the previous post. What is the purpose of brooding over unhappy things in life. The sooner you forget about them, the better. Why would I need a blog post to remind me like stains on a white shirt.

I've remembered the lesson learnt through the horrendous week. Aiming to do my best is better than striving to do THE best. Instead of motivating you, the stress might just backfire and make you procrastinate more. Knowing that I've screwed mid term and presentations for 2 modules, all the more should I look forward and prepare to do well for the rest of the components which are more doable :)

Actually, it was Chiu Yan who told me that. I'm glad that I have people to whine to when I need and people to give me sound advice at the precise moments. I can't express my gratitude enough to these friends around me. I guess the only way is to be there for them, just like they've been there for me.

I am blessed :)

Still, I think Taylor's Breathe is a great song~! Such talented young girl is a role model to all~

月有阴晴圆缺

2009-10-03T21:33:00.009+08:00

锦瑟李商隐

锦瑟无端五十弦，一弦一柱思华年。

庄生晓梦迷蝴蝶，望帝春心托杜鹃。

沧海月明珠有泪，蓝田日暖玉生烟。

此情可待成追忆，只是当时已惘然。

嫦娥李商隐

云母屏风烛影深，长江渐落晓星沉。

嫦娥应悔偷灵药，碧海青天夜夜心。

水调歌头苏轼

明月几时有？把酒问青天。

不知天上宫阙、今夕是何年？

我欲乘风归去，惟恐琼楼玉宇，

高处不胜寒．起舞弄清影，何似在人间？

转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。

不应有恨、何事长向别时圆？

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

但愿人长久，千里共蝉娟。

Peng's Birthday

2009-10-01T17:04:00.004+08:00

30th Sept was Peng's birthday and they asked me along for dinner at East Coast Park to celebrate her birthday. Even though it was just zi-ca at the hawker centre, I believe Peng had a good time. She told me about all her birthday gifts and how her friends and teachers have celebrated with her in school.

The emo moment came when she thought she wouldn't have a birthday cake this year 'cos of the venue of dinner. So was extremely elited I must say when she found out that there's a birthday cake waiting for her after dinner. How easy it is for children to be happy, I must say.

The emo moment for me came when the father sang birthday song for her. As I was standing opposite him, I could see the emotions in his eyes. At the moment, I was so touched that I almost wanted to cry. Of course, I held back my tears. 'Love in the eyes' was what I saw. He was looking intendedly at his daughter as he sang the song dedicated to her.

I can't help the surge of self-pity which I know I shouldn't feel. Cos I have a dad who is dedicated to being the breadwinner of the family and a mom who is dedicated to serving the husband and help him tend to the family. Have they ever looked at me or us with the same expression I saw on Peng's dad?

Despite of the many things that she doesn't know or aware of, I hope she is aware that she has a father who is dedicated to bringing the best for his daughter and grandparents who also dotes her like a gem.

Happy Birthday, Peng~!

Multiple meanings of 'sorry'

2009-09-22T23:52:00.006+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

sor⋅ry
/ˈsɒri, ˈsɔri/ [sor-ee, sawr-ee]
–adjective, -ri⋅er, -ri⋅est.

1. feeling regret, compunction, sympathy, pity, etc.: to be sorry to leave one's friends; to be sorry for a remark; to be sorry for someone in trouble.
2. regrettable or deplorable; unfortunate; tragic: a sorry situation; to come to a sorry end.
3. sorrowful, grieved, or sad: Was she sorry when her brother died?
4. associated with sorrow; suggestive of grief or suffering; melancholy; dismal.
5. wretched, poor, useless, or pitiful: a sorry horse.
6. (used interjectionally as a conventional apology or expression of regret): Sorry, you're misinformed. Did I bump you? Sorry.

When someone says 'sorry' to you, are they really apologising, or are they expressing their sympathy, or maybe just for the sake of mocking you?

I remembered when I took Advanced Translation last semester, there was a discussion on the meaning of 'sorry' in a particular incident involving the Americans and the Chinese. It was the incident where a Chinese pilot Wang Wei who was killed at the Chinese airbase when an American aircraft made emergency landing into the airbase and collided with Wang Wei's aircraft. The Chinese required the America authourities to apologise for their mistakes, but instead of apologising directly, there was a clear play of the word 'sorry' in the American report and the Chinese translation of the content.

Below are extracted from the 2 articles that the prof shared:
American paper reporting the words of the American authority:
"Please convey to the Chinese people and to the family of pilot Wang Wei that we are very sorry for their loss..."
Chinese paper reporting on American response:
"我们对飞行员与飞行员王伟的失踪和那架飞机坠毁深感歉意..."

For readers who have sufficient command of both languages who have noticed that their is an obvious difference in the meaning of 'sorry' expressed. People who translated the American newspaper article should obviously know enough English to understand the meaning of 'sorry' accurately. So why that mistake on purpose?

From that lesson, I learnt that sometimes, making use of the ambiguity of certain words to create a perception of the real intention of the writer could reduce if not resolve a dispute. Whatever the real intention of the writer, only matters to those who agree with the real intention.

From today's Famous Quotes:
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
Anais Nin

Idolism - new eye candy

2009-09-15T23:35:00.005+08:00

I know I have too many to count these days, but this guy I've liked him since he acted as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera movie. Even though half his face was covered in the movie, I was still attracted by him. His voice - so strong and powerful~!!

Not only that, he's also very charismatic and good-looking!! Graduated with a law degree with talent in acting and singing, some say that he's the next James Bond after Pierce Brosnan! Brains, talent and looks all in one, and I read he's very sociable too! How rare.

I'm so happy that he's appearing in more than one movie this season. Can't get enough of him after P.S I love you and 300!!I wanna watch BOTH - The Ugly Truth and Gamer!!

I need time!!!

Gerard Butler

('GER-ahh-rd' not 'Gah-RARD' like how the Americans pronounce this name)

On the train this afternoon...

2009-09-14T20:49:00.000+08:00

On the train this afternoon, I saw a pair of brothers sitting opposite me... I had my headphones on, but I could tell from the body language that they were very close. Even if they weren't related by blood, relationship wise, they are as good as brothers. The elder brother wore a TPJC PE shirt, I presume he's abt 18. The younger one, wore a primary school uniform. Initially, I was curious to see a TPJC student boarding the train ar Redhill, so I observed his interaction with the primary school kid next to him. With my headphones on, I had no idea what they were talking about. But the little boy was smiling so brightly that I knew it was not because of his bulging front teeth. He was enjoying the company of this elder brother. The elder brother was bending slightly to listen to his brother speak in the noisy train, devoting his attention to him. They must like each other alot. When they finally got 2 adjacent seats, the elder brother handed one side of his earpiece to his little brother. The little boy still smiling blissfully as if he's the happiest boy on the train. If not the entire train, he must be the happiest person in the crowded cabin. Kids, they're so easily satisfied.

Their sibling love is precious and rare. I wonder how they develop such close relationship. Looking at how the elder brother took care of his younger brother, (probably even went all the way from Tampines to Redhill to fetch his brother), how I wish I have someone like that for me too, or at least, hopefully I can be someone like that to someone too.

Always look at the bright side of life

2009-09-11T01:11:00.002+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

Optimism. Something I need but seriously lack. Instead of waiting for a black Tourmaline to absorb the negativity and change my perceptions in life, I decide to take a first step and start looking at the bright side. Really looking. I started with the real mundane stuff: the waiting time for bus.

This is the most frequent, necessary wait for most of us who can’t afford cars. Every morning, afternoon, evening, I have to wait in agony for the freaking bus to appear. The wait is always loooong, fearful (of being late) and even frustrating. As you can see, I always frustrate myself with the endless waiting time and become vexed and bad-tempered because of that. Indeed, the duration of wait could make or break my day.

On Monday I think, I suddenly have the urge to be positive! Of course, a perfect start really helped. That day, I didn’t wait for the bus at all!! First, I arrived at the bus stop just in time to see Bus 81 slow to a stop. Later on, I arrived at Kovan mrt in time to see the mrt decelerate and open the door!

Any NUS student who go to school by NEL knows that the wait for Bus 10 could make our neck grow as long as a giraffe’s. I tried cursing and swearing for 30 mins while waiting for that bus. On this fateful day, I didn’t wait for it at all! It was right at the bus stop when I reached and even though I have to run for it, it was still totally amazing that I waited 0mins. Of course, everything was bright and beautiful that day. I was so LUCKY that day 

Subsequently, waiting for bus becomes decreasing vexing because I kept telling myself that it would come eventually and enjoyed the wait with a book or my Zen instead. Focus on knowing that the bus would come rather than questioning when it will come makes the wait seem shorter and more bearable. Because the wait for my transport still make or break my day, the rest of my day feels brighter and better and more smooth-sailing than before. I’m starting to feel a change in me 

Unclenching your fist

2009-09-09T01:15:00.000+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

"You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist"

Quoted from Indira Gandhi, this quote which appeared in my quote of the day column reflected some thoughts that I have for the past few days.

'Shaking hands' symbolises acceptance while 'clenched fists' represents enclosing yourself, harbouring on negative thoughts and not being able to let go. Indeed, this thorn in my flesh had been there for months and despite my best efforts to ignore it, it was always there to bug me, to remind me of the unbearable memories.

Forgiveness is what this sentence is about, according to my interpretation. In order to embrace yourself and others, you have to first relief yourself of troubles and worries.

Someone from that past incident asked me for my forgiveness sometime ago. At that point of time, I was incapable of giving. Forgive and forget. I could only disguise the latter as the former and hopefully the someone will stop bothering me.

'Time heals all wounds,' Shung had said. I didn't believe. Now I did. I don't think that someone cared about receiving this forgiveness anymore but to me, and I don't care if he does.

This post is just an announcement sort of, to myself, that I am ready to unclench my fist and shake hands with myself again.

Three cheers to this momentous step, and maybe after this, I can bear for my hair to be long again. :)

妈妈煮的菜

2009-09-08T22:30:00.005+08:00

趁着放假，妈妈为我们烹煮了晚餐。
以前总是嫌弃她的厨艺，认为她没有新意。
但是，相隔许久，再次吃到她为我们准备的家常菜，反而觉得格外温馨。
原来，难得的东西真得非常珍贵。妈妈的家常菜其实非常美味。
虽然没有食欲，但是还想把菜吃完。

无比窝心~

My Short Hair

2009-09-02T22:51:00.001+08:00

I know I should be studying and preparing for my lecture tomorrow. But my hand seemed to have a mind of its own. My photo album on FB reminded me that I have been snipping my hair shorter and shorter since last June. I've tried in total, 5 different styles!

Right now, as my weighty hair, stuffy scalp and heavy head, bothers me, I find myself browsing for the next hairstyle.

I love having short hair. Low maintenance and conditioning. I just have to ruffle my hair with some wax when I want some kind of style, or simply with water to keep it volumised. I don't even have to comb my hair.

But the irritation comes when hair starts to grow and slowly goes out of shape, and the messiness no longer look stylish, but untidy. As my hair starts to weigh my head down, as my scalp become stuffy, as my shoulder starts to feel the burden of supporting the new weight, I know I need a haircut.

What is bothersome is also my monthly visits to the salon. It's costly and time-consuming! If only I can find a good one just at my doorstep. Still, the short hairstyles seem to appeal to me more. Any good and affordable stylist to recommend?

Totally random, but I love the leathery smell of my new sofa :)

Best Teachers' Day gift

2009-09-01T20:13:00.006+08:00

1st September, Teachers' Day. I think I might have understood what teachers mean when they say that the best teachers' day gifts are the students' good grades.

Today is the best teachers' day I ever had, I'd say.
Peng passed her Math for the first time during this Preliminary exam and hit her first 70 marks for her Chinese paper :P
Even though the other papers weren't that great~ I am very satisfied with her improvement! I told her that, as a form of encouragement and that these was the best teachers' day gift I had. Of course I didn't forget to remind her that this is not the time to celebrate yet.

Things were optimistic at Nig's and Xav's side as well. Nig improved his Eng and Chi and even topped his class. Xav did not bad for Science and Chinese. Hopefully they do well for the other papers.

The results, made me far happier than the pencil holders that they gave me.
I'm not praising myself. It was really the happiness and sense of satisfaction that I felt when I see that their hard work paid off, and that my reprimanding and tutoring seemed to have some effect on them.

Of course, it'd be best if they can produce this results for PSLE <3>

Qualified for the Driver Seat

2009-08-30T00:16:00.001+08:00

After 6 months of learning, I am finally qualified to take driver's seat. Next, I just have to pass my dad's test and then I can go on the road on my own~!!! Even got my GPS ready. How exciting! :)

ECP KPE PIE CTE AYE, here I coome~!!!

Just Being Philosophical

2009-08-27T01:28:00.013+08:00

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.
Pay no attention to the faults of others,
things done or left undone by others.
Consider only what by oneself is done or left undone.
What we think, we become.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.

With the hormones messing up, I looked for quotes to calm myself down before starting on my first assignment for the last semester in nus. Also read up about meditation. The calming of body, mind and soul might be the remedy for my paranoia mind and elephantine appetite these days. Samatha and Yoga might be a good combination for me.

Surya Namaskar: Sun Salutation. Learnt this yoga movement two weeks back and re-capped last week. we sweated quite a bit in the air-conditioned studio. I felt my entire body stretched and extended after one cycle. If done properly, all parts of your body will be stretched. No wonder the instructor said, "If you remember nothing else throughout this course, remember the Sun Salutation."
Hope you can make it for lesson next week, tricia. If you want to know what you have missed past two weeks, here's a brief description of the movement :)

Breathe

2009-08-25T01:10:00.006+08:00

I see your face in my mind as I drive away,
Cause none of us thought it was gonna end that way.
People are people,
And sometimes we change our minds.
But its killing me to see you go after all this time.

Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

Music starts playin like the end of a sad movie,
Its the kinda ending you dont really wanna see.
Cause its tragedy and itll only bring you down,
Now I dont know what to be without you around.

And we know its never simple,
Never easy.
Never a clean break, noone here to save me.
Youre the only thing I know like the back of my hand,
And I cant,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to.

Never wanted this, never wanna see you hurt.
Every little bump in the road I tried to swerve.
But people are people,
And sometimes it doesnt work out,
Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out.

And we know its never simple,
Never easy.
Never a clean break, no one here to save me.
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand,
And I cant,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to.

Its two a.m.
Feelin' like I just lost a friend.
Hope you know its not easy,
Easy for me.
Its two a.m.
Feelin like I just lost a friend.
Hope you know this aint easy,
Easy for me.

And we know its never simple,
Never easy.
Never a clean break, noone here to save me.

Ohhh

I cant,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to,
Breathe,
Without you,
But I have to.

Sorry (oh) Sorry (mmm)
Sorry (eh eh) Sorry (mmm)
Sorry (eh eh) Sorry (mmm)
Sorry

19-year-old talent singer/songwriter, Taylor Swift. Started writing songs professionally when she was only 14~!! Isn't she amazing? Just look at this lyrics, how we can all relate to it - about losing something or someone very dear to us. Dreamless, I admire people who have found their passion and are living life to the fullest.

I'm Just A Girl

2009-08-20T23:42:00.001+08:00

I might be a little, concerned with my hair
I might need comfort, more than my share
I might seem to follow fashion, but claim that I don't care
My heart is your best friend, when it rules my head

I might want to talk alot, but don't ask me why
And I'll get impatient, if you don't reply
I might always search for something wrong, I want you to deny
And if you love me just stay close, and hold me when i cry

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
I'm not hard to handle, I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl

I don't seek money, but I want your time
Cos I'd give my life for you, when you are mine
And it hurts me more than I can say when you pull away
But if you love me, you should tell me everyday

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
I'm not hard to handle, I'm just a girl

I'm just a girl

You might think I'm too demanding
But you're just not understanding, no

I might like to take advice, but go my own way
And it's when I hurt the most, I swear I'm okay
And it's always when you least expect, I say I want to stay
it might take just a single kiss to steal my heart away.

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
You think I'm an x file, I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
I'm not hard to handle, I'm just a girl

I'm just a girl

A song from Bachelor Girl, an Australian pop band formed in Melbourne, Victoria. Anyone has this song?!

Super Accurate Daily Horoscope

2009-08-20T23:13:00.003+08:00

"Today's New Moon is the beginning of an astrological month. These effects are not just good for today, but for the entire time until the next New Moon. For you, Gemini, the cosmogram today features the New Moon in the Third House. The emphasis of this Lunation is on communication, the acquisition of information, travel to places where you are expected, being a host or a guest, siblings, your neighborhood and visiting. This would be a good day to take care of your backlogged communications, and deal with unanswered messages, emails and letters, and for exchanging ideas. You may feel that you need to express yourself, and you should take any opportunity to do so. Take your driving tests during this Moon."

This last part is soo accurate. I am indeed going to take my driving test during this Moon~!!! Does that mean that I will pass????!! I really really really wanna pass!
I'm going to have my first driving lesson after stopping for a month. Because the slots in Aug have all been taken up 2 days after the slots open~!! Kiasu Singaporean.

Ok, I need my revitalising sleep for tomorrow's challenges~!!! Give me luck, MOON~

----

29 August:

I PASSED MY DRIVING TEST FIRST TIME!!

Infactuation

2009-08-11T14:45:00.006+08:00

Hyun Joong. Thanks to teresa, I've got to know my favourite BOF's F4 actor in greater depth through this reality show "We Got Married". His personality made me admire him more, aside from the initial attraction to his charisma when he played a melancholy tune on a violin in one of the scenes. Being a Gemini too, he too has an unique 'lame' personality of his own, which of course, everyone loves. His maturity, observance and sensitivity towards his wife who is 6 years his senior would make him a reliable husband in real life in future.
In SS501, his leadership quality and sense of responsibility also made him well-loved by all, including reporters and the crew. <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dQllHQtUKAs/SpLLOtzt5xI/AAAAAAAAARc/JTMMB0WTmrY/s1600-h/Kim_Hyun_Joong_%284%29.jpg">

Picnic at Marina Barrage

2009-08-03T23:47:00.003+08:00

It was CY's last day of internship, she was thinking how to celebrate the first day of freedom, and she said she wanted to go to places around sg that we haven't been to before. Marina Barrage came to mind and before long, we were preparing for a sumptuous but healthy picnic at Marina Barrage. I've seen photos of other picnickers and know that it will be a nice place for picnic and fun.

On Monday, teresa, cy and i made and packed food before heading off to the Barrage. It was freaking hot when we arrived at 2pm and we were desperately hoping to find a sheltered place for our picnic. However, it dawned to us that the nice patch of grass that we've seen in photos is actually the roof of the building!! Thanks to some insane people who picnicked outside at 2pm under the burning sun, there was an available bench at the sheltered area. Of course, we immediately went over to ‘chop’ our places, unpacked and began eating like hungry ghosts. After satisfying our stomachs, we finally took a good look at the beautiful scenery in front of us.

Of course, we dedicated our time there with chatters and photo-takings. It was a good time to bond and just to R&R.

June 10 Astrology - True for me?

2009-07-29T02:17:00.003+08:00

June 10 Birthday Astrology
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/gemini.htm

Geminis born June 10 are on an endless roller coaster of highs and lows, which can amaze those who know them well. They are acutely aware of the expectations of others and may often go to great lengths to live up to them. Being at ease with who they are is a trait that they need to cultivate.

Gemini Information
for June 10

You should embrace: Joy of living, moderation, quiet times

You should avoid: Excesses, unwise love affairs, depression

Friends and Lovers

Because they are vulnerable and kind, these individuals often choose friends who are having trouble in their lives. They are somewhat successful in romance, though they are wildly romantic and a bit idealistic. Despite this, they make loyal and loving mates.

Children and Family

Whether from a big or a small family, June 10 people love all the traditions. They are involved, caring parents. They are conscious of the psychological needs of their youngsters and will work hard to meet those needs, creating an atmosphere of trust and friendship.

Health

These people are amazingly vital and active. They have a high energy level and never seem to run down. But only a part of their energy is physical; the rest is emotional -- they are high on life. They can eat almost anything and usually do, but their diet, fortunately, is varied enough to keep them healthy.

Career and Finances

June 10 individuals love to "perform," so they often gravitate to careers that put them in the spotlight. They have good math skills and may become successful accountants or engineers. Yet they are not as good at managing their own finances and usually look to their mate to handle the family's money.

Dreams and Goals

Although they seem secure with their self-image, June 10 people actually need to have their ego carefully nurtured. They have a great many goals and plans yet may not always feel as if they have what it takes to bring them about.

Girl Power

2009-07-23T22:01:00.006+08:00

I love meeting unreasonable people.
Their presence serves well as a reminder to me that reasonable people exist for a reason.

I love meeting unreasonable people.
Their presence provides a platform for impromptu yoga breathing exercises, revision of anger management tactics, and a chance to practise PR skills that I've learnt for some years now.

I love meeting unreasonable people. Their assumptions, while making as ass out of themselves, remind me of the reasons of miscommunication. Their assumptions gave me an opportunity to practise whatever necessary to prevent an argument and prioritise matters.

Today's driving lesson was more than fruitful. With this driving instructor from Ubi Comfort Delgro Driving Centre, don't ask me for the name. Although my fingers are itching to type them out, I know this is not a platform for me to tarnish people; I definitely learnt more than skills of driving a car. I have learnt, also how not to drive myself crazy. I bit my tongue against 'suggesting a comment', even though he ought to know that assumptions and prejudices seldom get you anywhere. I remembered to tune back to my positive attitude of learning and enquired politely, about my errors in driving. THIS, was what he is paid to do.

I have consciously remembered to maintain a smile on my face and pleasant tone in my voice. However, I regretted not having better control of my arm muscle when I closed the door a little too loudly than necessary.

I only wished, really, really wish that I am made of better calibre to show these people what girl power is!

CLA gathering on 18th July 2009

2009-07-23T02:59:00.004+08:00

The long awaited gathering of the chinese elites in MJC '04 (or so i presume). A picture speaks a thousand words. I hope this collage would at least convey the message 'friends forever'.

I had a good time. Did you?

Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years

2009-07-21T11:44:00.004+08:00

How fate can sometimes be so cruel to people who are fated to be, or maybe there's a reason for such arrangement?

Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years

LONDON (AFP) - - A British man and his Spanish former sweetheart have finally married 16 years after they drifted apart, reunited by a love letter lost behind a fireplace for over a decade, reports said on Monday.

Steve Smith and Carmen Ruiz-Perez, both now 42, fell in love 17 years ago when she was a foreign exchange student in Brixham, southwest England, and got engaged after only a year together.

But their relationship ended after she moved France to run a shop in Paris.
A few years later, in a bid to rekindle their love, Smith sent a letter to her mother's home in Spain. It was placed on the mantelpiece, but slipped down behind the fireplace and was lost for over a decade.

The missing missive was only found when builders removed the fireplace during renovation work.

"When I got the letter I didn't phone Steve right away because I was so nervous," Ruiz-Perez told the Herald Express local newspaper.

"I nearly didn't phone him at all. I kept picking up the phone then putting it down again.

"But I knew I had to make the call."
When they were reunited, it was as if time had stood still, said Smith, a factory supervisor.

"When we met again it was like a film. We ran across the airport into each other's arms. We met up and fell in love all over again. Within 30 seconds of setting eyes on each other we were kissing.

"I'm just glad the letter did eventually end up where it was supposed to be," he said, after the couple married last Friday.

CLA Gathering

2009-07-19T03:25:00.007+08:00

I really ought to sleep. There’s my first yoga lesson later. I can’t afford to be tired. It will affect my session. I keep telling myself that as I try to complete the Sudoku on my G900. It has become a habit since I started rotting this holiday.

The images of today’s gathering kept popping into my mind at will. I might as well write about it right? The 11 of us belonged to a unique class in MJC. We are the ‘brave’ ones as some might think, to take up the challenge of learning Chinese in depth. Chinese is the subject that many feared, or even hated in an elite school of ours.

That was five years ago. Today, after National Service for the guys, and graduation for some girls, the group of us met up again, to bond, to reminisce, to catch-up and simply, to spend time together. The five years had seen us through highs and lows physically, emotionally, academically and mentally.

We still ‘lamed’ around and cracked cold jokes; we still poke fun of each other, but the innocence that we once had were clearly gone. Maturity and wisdom are all over our faces. Replacing the baby fats (or whatever was left then), are more defined features, muscles, and even the excess substance prior to developing those.

Changes. The one who changed the most would be Charles I think. Aside from his toned built and improved dress-sense, his trademark ‘xiaowei math test 拿几分?’ competitiveness and bookishness is replaced by thoughtfulness and good-nature. Had I not known him earlier, I might even say that he is charming.

I think Sharon changed quite a bit as well. She used to give me the impression of being self-centred, too straight-forward for her own good (no offense really); but now, she is more mature, considerate, friendly, cheerful, and the list goes on. And she’s definitely prettier.

Wenqi – She has always been well-knowledged about news on the streets, always friendly and always ready to share. From my perspective, she changed most since last Christmas. Perhaps overseas volunteering was a meaningful and inspiring experience for her. Personality-wise, she seemed more focused and clear-headed.

Wan Ling - Although always quietly listening to others, her intelligence and observance can never be undermined. If given the opportunity, she will definitely shine. Private diploma and degree education might not be the best choice for her, but it seemed to me that she is as always, determined to do her best, and will ensure that she is the best. Different from how she was five years ago, she seemed to be coping with stress a lot better now, seeing a right avenue in the Korean stars to relief her stress. The strong career woman in her is silently, but surely emerging.

Rebec - On the surface, she really didn't change much. But over these years, she has developed keen sense of reasoning and an in-depth way of looking at issues which might gain her an upperhand should she give herself the opportunity to show it. From what I can see, she has also developed great knowledge about herself, so great that she knows what works for her best without sacrificing her time for tvb dramas and movies. Self-knowledge is indeed one of the most powerful knowledge that one could obtain, no?

Xiaowei - Her change is obvious. Aside from her acute change in her religious beliefs, her self-confidence among other qualities are slowly but steadily developing. Her dreams of opening a pet shop, has the potential to succeed under her hands, I can tell.

Yong Ann - He might be hiding under his old self, but it is clear that this guy here has changed a lot since ns.

Haur Shen - Seemed to be as per normal. Man of few words as usual. Always want to talk to him more, cos I know so little about him. (Does he have a gf?!)But everytime I try, there just seemed to be nothing to talk to him about. not even laming -_-|| Well, hope he's having a good life.

Night Festival 2009

2009-07-13T03:05:00.004+08:00

This festival is organised by the National Museum. Stretching from SMU Campus Green to the grounds of National Musuem, the festival was an outdoor extravaganza of theatrical performances accompanied by live music and dance. The highlight of the festival and what CY and I went there for was the Loop of Fortune performance by some German performance group.

Despite the current influenza, the performance still attracted a crowd to the space. Not managing to grab the front space, I was vertically challenged to watch the performance, not to mention positioning myself comfortably to get good pictures. Luckily CY there could fulfil the task! Even though I could not grasp the full plot, the lightings, sounds and fireworks display was enough to keep my senses busy! I especially liked the special effects they projected onto the entire front of the National Museum that depicted weeds slowly grew onto the building and ultimately covered the entire neo-classical architecture.

Thinking back, the govt has been promoting our heritage and culture among citizens as well as to attract tourism. From what I can see, the turnout for this event comprised largely of foreigners. Shouldn't we as Singaporeans also play our role well and put in the effort in understanding the country better? As our country age, her heritage and cultural footprints increases. Shouldn't we start tracing these footsteps to deepen our roots, before we lose our footings and trip over our self-centredness?

Heritagefest coming up, anyone interested?

Quick info about Heritagefest:
An annual event organised by the National Heritage Board, this festival aims to educate the citizens on the rich and diversified cultures of Singapore through heritage tours and exhibitions. This year's theme is on knowing more about the cultures of neighbouring countries such as Myammar, Philippines and Korea.

One of the events Expedition H is a heritage trail to bring us to various communities living in Singapore, but the registration for it has already closed. However, we can still visit the Festival hub at Suntec and make a trip down to Vivocity Amphitheatre on various dates to catch the Sound Stories - a (free admission) live concert by local musical talents such as Jack & Rai and EIC to reminisce songs of the yesteryears.

Da Vinci Exhibition

2009-07-06T01:58:00.002+08:00

Although nature commences with reason and ends in experience it is necessary for us to do the opposite, that is to commence with experience and from this to proceed to investigate the reason.

- Leonardo da Vinci

After hiding in my hermit shell for so long, I was finally up and about and getting in touch with activities in Singapore.

My second visit to the Science Centre this year (and for the past decade or so) was to the Da Vinci Exhibition. I was attracted to this exhibition not by my prior knowledge of his marvellous achievements, but merely by the great name of Leonardo Da Vinci and his close association with Dan Brown's novels. My agenda of going for the exhibition was only to take a good look at the (photographed) paintings featured in novels and movie.

Despite so, I learnt a lot more about this great 'inventor, artist, scientist, engineer, sculptor, anatomist, biologist, musician, architect, philosopher'; indeed a genius. Even more unbelievable was that he achieved all that without any formal education!!

Some of the works that I was intrigued in were the true colours of Mona Lisa and the Last Supper; his version of parachute, helicopter and other flying devices (bearing in mind that the idea of flying was foreign and unrealistic at that time). For SY, it would definitely be the musical instruments that he invented such as the portable piano that can produce 8 octaves and the mobile drum that produces multiple tones.

All in all, this exhibition which showcased all his works with copies of his transcript, models constructed to scale, videos to proof that some of his inventions actually do work and a biography of his entire life; was not only an eye-opener, but very inspirational as well.

Yet, both SY and I agreed that the existance of such all-rounded genius is, in fact, quite unbelievable. :)

ktv with qlx

2009-07-04T04:44:00.008+08:00

Never really liked RnB until I heard Ne-Yo... His songs accompanied me through many dark nights. Wished I had sang this song at ktv with qlx. It was a wonderful session nonetheless. (^^,)

buying-shoes analogy

2009-06-30T23:59:00.004+08:00

I was daydreaming on the train just now and out of the blue, thought of Jaslin's love for shoes, high heels in particular. She once mentioned somewhere on her blog about not going out without wearing a perfect pair of shoes.

Indeed, be it for comfort or style, your footwear can really make or break your day. Prior to choosing a perfect shoes for the day, one has to go through a tedious and sometimes disappointing process of searching for the one pair of shoes that suits your needs.

It seemed to me that decision-making in life can be so similar to searching and buying a pair of perfect shoes. On a shopping trip, you may find shoes that are so pretty and suitable but once you tried it on, it might cause you some discomfort. So the question is, 'to buy or not to buy?' Would you buy a pair of shoes that looks perfect but kills or would you choose one that is less pretty, but gives you the comfort you need?

If you're unsure and asks for a second opinion, what you define as a perfect pair of shoes might not be how others perceive. So it all boils down to what preceeds what, in your opinion. Nobody can help you because you will be the one wearing the shoes you bought.

It's too random for a daydream, isn't it?

belated birthday celebration

2009-06-28T15:05:00.004+08:00

To xw, wl and rebec:

I am glad that you all took time off to meet up with me for a belated celebration and even bought me a walnut chocolate cake. I am grateful and deeply appreciate that you all remember me despite your busy schedule. With our different paths ahead, such gatherings might be rare in future and hence, I do treasure every moment of time together with you all.

What I mentioned in the previous post is merely a small episode. Of course I understand that you all are joking about it, but I too realise how embarrassing it can be for me, in your shoes. The last sentence speaks only of a solution to this problem so that I do not impose upon you.

Please do not misunderstand and know that I only mean well.

Take care~

my flaws

2009-06-27T00:14:00.007+08:00

I understand that I have numerous flaws that most people cannot stand. Being late, having bad memory, uncontrollable, uproarious laughter are some of those that I am aware of.

Some of them are indeed bad habits that I ought to kick (which in fact, I am trying to, believe it or not). However, I can't help but feel sad that some friends find it difficult to understand and accept some of the flaws that I, mayhaps, have inherited.

My hyena-like laughter when watching comedy have made some people embarassed to watch such movies with me, in public. Believe it or not, my aunties and mum possessed such characteristic, which led me to assume that I have inherited such trait from them. Anyhow, I don't see what is wrong with laughing my heart out when watching a comedy. The entire agenda of watching a comedy is to laugh and relief stress, isn't it?

Since I don't feel the need to change this aspect of me, it is incredibly fortunate that I feel perfectly comfortable about watching movies alone. :)

絶対彼氏

2009-06-26T02:55:00.004+08:00

"買います。私、ナイト買います。"

もし　あいも　かってできる、いいよね！

Hooked onto yet another Japanese drama while watching 僕の妹.

絶対彼氏 - ハンサム　おとこ　を　みてできる！

Credits: Wikipedia

Crazy already :(

Idolism

2009-06-17T22:51:00.005+08:00

After a week of delightful birthday celebrations, I have to post about this new eye-candy from a recent TVB series I just finished- 突围行动..

〈吴卓义〉

Another handsome, charismatic, young man for me to admire~

“他是活泼不羁的康世熙
他是承天大任的徐子陵
他是用情专一的张君瑞
他是执着正义的王五
他是可爱积极的唐亦风
他是充满斗志的钟立文
他是不甘低头的王启杰
他是帅气能干的童日进
他是雷厉风行的冷凌弃
他是爱恨徘徊的唐问生
他是完美男人——吴卓羲”

Credit: 热爱Ron! 吴卓羲

Not a professional or a TVB fan, but I definitely can recognise budding talent when I see on!! (or maybe I'm just swooned by his good looks. Whatever~ :P)

Hmmm, looking at my previous posts, I realised I've been quite obsessed with cute actors these days, regardless of nationality. lol. It must be due to some information that I found regarding the pros of idolism to certain forms of healing - so far so good. :)

I'm sure you dear friends can stand the sudden but temporary bimbotic behaviour~ :)

My # # Birthday (V)

2009-06-13T00:14:00.005+08:00

It's my fifth birthday post already~!!!
At first, I wasn't looking forward to celebrating my 20th birthday, not even a bit.
However, the traditions with various cliches brought my attention to the precious gifts that were always there. The friends who are like angels to remind me that I am not alone. I am never alone.

Today, my cousins and sis celebrated my birthday with me at Tampines. Aside from savouring sushi and sashimi that I've missed for so long, my cousins bought me a special cake - it's a box of 9 little tiramisu cupcakes from Emicakes. Delicious~!! Thanks, tong :)

On top of that, ting also bought me a oxygen facial mask, which is suppose to slim my face after use~!! Just want I need!! It's really thoughtful of her. (Pretty looks coupled with high EQ, I'm surprised she doesn't have boyfriend yet. I'm sure she has tons of admirers though)

All in all, it was a great time with cousins and I really appreciate their time and gifts today.

My # # Birthday (I V)

2009-06-11T23:25:00.000+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

With sy, it was a simple dinner at Tampines' Kopitiam and a laid-back booze-drinking session at Blue Urban Oasis. Nothing elaborated, not even our attire, yet, we had a good time heart-to-heart-talking.

What was even sweeter was when sy shared this website with me on how to make DIY facial masks and even bought avocado for me to try out this facial mask which is suppose to moisturise the skin. Thanks sy for being so thoughtful and caring (like usual).

Many atimes, reality have forced us to hide our real thoughts and true selves in order to do the right thing. I'm glad that most of my friends are caring and truthful, even though it might sometime hurts...

I only wish this could last forever... ...

My # # Birthday (I I I)

2009-06-11T02:23:00.008+08:00

And now that it had hit, it was even worse than I'd feared it would be. I could feel it - I was older. Everyday I got older, but this was different, worse, quantifiable. I was eighteen.

Stephanie Meyer - New Moon
----

Thanks to QLX, I didn't have to celebrate my birthday alone this year. Cycling with florine in the morning was the best exercise that I had for a long time. Really appreciated that she took the day off to cycle with me. Even though my thighs are aching now, I know it's all worth it. And I also have the mention the Disney mplayer that mao and her got for me. It is really pretty and most definitely practical. 100% useful for joggers like me. 100% suitable for the sporty-look that I sometimes go for :) Thankz for the gift, gals!

The day then continued with a 3-hour karaoke session with her, 3cia and teresa at katong followed by thai express - the restaurant that we went last year. too bad i forgot the orange card that they gave me a year back, which expires exactly today.

The day ended with one round of mahjong, which I of course spent quite abit on entertainment.

I am grateful that at this down moment of my life, I still have friends by my side. I am really touched by the friendship and as I mentioned earlier on, the time spent with you all is the best birthday gift I received this year~!!

Thank you, friends :)
----

This is silly, but it was the exact 'f' word that caused me to lose something dear to me. However, knowing the importance of it, I'd say he made the right choice to choose it over me. WTH, why am I still thinking about it?

My # # Birthday (I I)

2009-06-09T23:32:00.004+08:00

Just a dream, I told myself. It was only a dream. I took a deep breath, and then jumped again when my alarm went off. The little calendar in the corner of the clock's display informed me that today was September thirteenth.
Only a dream, but prophetic enough in one way, at least. Today was my birthday. I was officially eighteen years old.

Stephanie Meyer - New Moon
----

As we grow, so does our network (thankfully). Met up with my marketing mates at Popeye at Changi Airport for a small get-together(Thankful to have met this group of friends before I graduate.)

After Popeye, we wanted to visit the butterfly garden in T3 as stated in the brochure; only to discover to our dismay, that it is in the transit section. Anyways, we did have some very good time taking 'artistic' photos with my digital camera and ky's 'basic professional camera' (whatever that means).

I hope this budding friendship can maintain throughout and more of such heart-warming memories can be formed as we all grow older.

The importance of friendship and its relationship with managing stress cannot be undermined (According to Dr. Robert Sapolsky)

Even so, I reckon I should stop before I get all emotional and mushy. *Tissue please*

My # # Birthday (I)

2009-06-08T12:56:00.008+08:00

"How old are you?"
"Seventeen," he answered promptly.
"And how long have you been seventeen?"
His lips twitched as he stared at the road. "A while," he admitted at last.

Stephanie Meyer - Twilight
-----

It's my 20th birthday again and as part of the QLX tradition, we met up to celebrate :) Thanks to cy, we did something different this year at the Science Centre, and got to know our body and the environment better. The last time I went Science Centre was, about a decade ago. It could be the company, or that this is not the usual school trip that forced us to visit, this Science Centre outing was the best experience I had.

I must also mention the cake that they prepared. It's a chocolate cake from Polar Puffs and Cakes with a unique and pretty surface:

What can I say but that my friends knew me best? :) To receive a Hello Kitty birthday cake at this tender age before being an adult figure to others, is the best reminder that we ought to treasure time as it flows away like the stream.

I really enjoyed myself today. From the visit to the Science Centre, to cutting the pretty cake, to receiving appropriate and suitable gifts, to playing mahjong (and losing money) with my 好姐妹. The time spent together is the most valuable gift the money cannot buy.

At the emotional moment when cutting the cake, I thought, "Wouldn't it be just wonderful if we can still maintain this tradition when all of us have wrinkled hands and rounded figures and kids who are going through life and we are right now?"

Adults always say that the best times to make friends are your schooling days. I am glad that I had not waste a moment of my youth to get to know these gals who all hold a special place in my heart. Someone once said that friendship is not something that we measure by quantity but by quality. On this beautiful Sunday, I have to agree once again that it is so, very true.

I love you, QLX!

2009-06-02T14:06:00.002+08:00

ことしのたんしんはひとりにいわわなければ　なりませんか。

Sciences of love

2009-05-29T02:11:00.009+08:00

Earlier on, I listened to a Radiolab podcast titled 'This is your Brain on Love' which interestingly introduced the chemicals in the brain that produce the different levels of fondness that we humans have for one another.

Now, I found an article that discusses love using math equations!! Can love be any more scientific than these?! Anyway, Tommy, if you happen to read this post, perhaps you will find this article fascinating :) Let me know.

簡単のこぶ

2009-05-27T16:15:00.005+08:00

Credits:　Getty Images

自分を質して：“何を待っていますか？”

今から、自分だけがある、自分を好きなければなりません！

きせきをまってはやめなければなりません。

今から、自分を依存しなければなりません！

頑張って

Gossip Girl Finale

2009-05-27T01:21:00.003+08:00

"Gossip girl here, your one and only source to the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elites"

The 2nd seasons of GG has finally ended. It never failed to awe me with the sophistication, schemes and scandals. I'm always looking forward to their extravagant lifestyles, exorbitant luxuries and their complex love-triangles (multi-sided figures for some). Totally incredible and, ya, too complex to be real. (That's what escapism is all about anyway)

Anyway, I think they ended Season 2 better than they did season 1, with the rich, arrogant, spiteful, 'bad-boy' Chuck Bass confronting his true feelings (finally, since Season 1) and getting together with Blair. A very romantic scene. <3

Well, a gal like me needs love stories, and Ed Westwick is unbelievably handsome~!!!

2009-05-24T23:13:00.003+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

どして、君を忘れた途端に、君は私を見るを許します？

Why do you have to approach me, just as I am forgetting you?

꽃보다 남자 Boys Over Flowers

2009-05-21T00:00:00.013+08:00

One thing good about holidays is the abundance of free time to do things that you like~ After slaving myself for the past 3-month holidays, I am determined to enjoy my last 3-month paradise before stepping into the working world. Watching dramas is the unavoidable item on my list. *winks*

Just finished the korean version of 《花より団子》. In terms of cast and twist in story plot, I think this version is much better than the Taiwanese and the Japanese version.

Director: Jun Ki Sang
Screenwriter: Yoon Ji Ryun

All four main characters are so handsome, glamourous, charismatic and totally fits the bill of rich and eligible bachelors. ( I might as well tell you that I didn't watch the Japanese version because the F4 is not handsome. In this case, looks triumphs over plot because this story is all about an ordinary girl knowing 4 legendary heirs with both looks and money.)

The 180cm build and the natural arrogance make Lee Min Ho (Bottom right) the perfect choice for Goo Joon Pyo (道明寺). His 99% resemblance with the Taiwanese actor Jerry Yan (who casted as 道明寺 in the Taiwanese version) extended the self-centred, arrogant smirk that Jerry had to Min Ho. Together with his superb acting skills, 道明寺 'transformation' from an unfeeling, selfish rich-kid to a sweet and protective lover was the most 'successful' in the Korean version, I'd say. To add on to the fantasy, the story ended with him maturing into an intelligent entrepreneur who brought his family business out of a crisis. Of course, it might be due to the inadequate acting skills on the part of Jerry Yan.

Kim Hyun Joong (Top right) portrayed Yoon Ji Hoo (花澤類), my favourite character in the show. In the Taiwanese and Japanese version, 花澤類 was an introvert who couldn't get over his childhood sweetheart, 藤堂静香. What I liked about this character was his maturity and sensitivity in handling situations, always coming to the aid of 道明寺 and 杉菜. Although not well-portrayed by Vic Zhou, he is the knight in shiny armour to 杉菜 (aka ordinary girls like you and me), despite his autism.
In terms of plot, the Korean version gave justice to this noble character by having him recover from autism and depression from losing his childhood sweetheart. The plot also gave the 杉菜 character a chance to reciprocate his kind deeds by resolving conflicts with his granddad.
Perhaps his slight resemblance with Bae Yong Joon was also why I love Hyun Joong. :)

Kim Bum and Kim Joon (Top left and Bottom left) played So Yi Jung (西门) and Song Woo Bin (美作) respectively and in terms of looks and acting skills, they are so much better than Ken Zhu and Vanness Wu. :S
Of course, happy ending is always favoured when watching drama. Unlike the Taiwanese version, the 西门character got together with Chu Ga Eul, instead of an unrequited love.

It feels good to look at handsome guys sometimes, just to remind yourself that there are always greener pastures around you! I even got a charming young driving instructor today, as oppose to the middle-aged uncles that I see around the driving centre~

~Kim Hyun Joong~ Kim Hyun Joong~ Kim Hyun Joong~ Kim Hyun Joong~

絢香 I Believe

2009-05-03T16:36:00.005+08:00

Another Song by 絢香 Ayaka
Hope she'll recover from her illness soon~
I'll be waiting for her to return with greater works

I believe
作詞: 絢香作曲: 西尾芳彦

この胸の中に隠れてる
不安のうず
目の前にある　自分の進むべき
道はどれか
人に流されてた日々
そんな自分に「さよなら」
I believe myself　信じることで
全てが始まる気がするの
I believe myself　あたたかい光は
まちがっちゃいない　歩いて行こう
I believe

偽りの中でウソの微(え)み浮かべて
生きる人を
幼き自分と重ねて見て
ため息つく
どんな色にも染まらない
「黒」になろうと誓った
I believe myself　信じることで
全てが始まる気がするの
I believe myself　あたたかい光は
まちがっちゃいない　歩いて行こう
I believe

今　目に映る　この広い空も
素直に生きる　この気持ちも
I believe myself　信じることで
全てが始まる気がするの
I believe myself　あたたかい光は
まちがっちゃいない　歩いて行こう
I believe...

Treasure Life

2009-04-26T19:16:00.015+08:00

The cloudy economic climate has resulted in an increase in the number of motivational articles published on Yahoo!. The agenda is obvious, to help all of us brave through the current economic storm, which has no sign, or ambiguous sign of ending soon.

Indeed, in the midst of this economic tsunami, we should still count our blessings. For, the miracle of living lies in the trivial realisation of waking up to see the light of the morning sun and listening to your mum nagging as usual in the kitchen while preparing the day for us.

Counting our blessings is one of the many ways that can help us overcome the current unstable, emotional state of mind that many might be facing. Depression is probably the word that many would use to describe their state of mind this moment. If you are one, I urge you to read this. If you are on the verge of snapping, please, read this.

The news of the self-induced passing of a distant relative had triggered me to pen down this emotional post. Although I am not very close with this relative, it is a dreadful fact that someone whom I shared a bloodline with had chose this path of life. The reason of choice is unknown, but regardless, is it really the end of all problems?

?

? ?

? ? ?

Treasure life, who knows when will be the last time you'll witness another miracle of waking up in the morning sun?

阿里山风光明媚

2009-04-24T15:19:00.003+08:00

阿里山之风光有如陶渊明的桃花源

桃花源记（东晋陶渊明）

晋太元中，武陵人，捕鱼为业，缘溪行，忘路之远近，忽逢桃花林。夹岸数百步，中无杂树，芳草鲜美，落英缤纷。渔人甚异之。复前行，欲穷其林。林尽水源，便得一山。山有小口，彷佛若有光。便舍船，从口入。　　初极狭，才通人；复行数十步，豁然开朗。土地平旷，屋舍俨然。有良田美池桑竹之属，阡陌交通，鸡犬相闻。其中往来种作，男女衣著，悉如外人；黄发垂髫，并怡然自乐。见渔人，乃大惊，问所从来，具答之。便要还家，设酒杀鸡作食。村中闻有此人，咸来问讯。自云先世避秦时乱，率妻子邑人来此绝境，不复出焉；遂与外人间隔。问今是何世，乃不知有汉，无论魏晋。此人一一为具言所闻，皆叹惋。余人各复延至其家，皆出酒食。停数日，辞去。此中人语云：“不足为外人道也。” 　　既出，得其船，便扶向路，处处志之。及郡下，诣太守，说如此。太守即遣人随其往，寻向所志，遂迷不复得路。南阳刘子骥，高尚士也，闻之，欣然规往。未果，寻病终。后遂无问津者。

Spotty braves the odds (P1)

2009-04-11T20:23:00.005+08:00

Credit: Getty Images

Once upon a time in a tiny shoes shop called 'Red Dot' was an unique pair of shoes. Decked in sky-like blue skin and clouds-like dots, many think that he is the ugliest pair of shoes ever.

Days went by and then months. Spotty the shoes laid in the shop, on a wobbly wooden shelf, waiting and waiting for someone to pick him up...

The day finally came when a little boy came into the shop and looked at all the pretty and stylish and shimmery shoes in the shop. Spotty eyed him half-heartedly, knowing that he too, will wander past him and settle on the newest shoes in the shop. However, much to his amazement and glee, the little boy reached out and placed Spotty in his arms. 'Dad, mum! I've found the perfect pair of shoes~'

That was how Spotty found his new owner - Jimmy.

Spotty loves Jimmy and Jimmy loves Spotty. They are inseperable like chopsticks. Jimmy wears Spotty wherever he goes and Spotty of course, willingly go. Spotty was blissful and thought this will be happily ever after, forever.

Of course not, silly. It was not long after when Jimmy got sick of Spotty and visited 'Red Dot' once again. He bought a new pair of shoes. And Spotty? Disposed to the garbage chute as if there was no emotional attachment and happy moments, whatsoever.

Poor Spotty. 'Happily ever after' dashed. For real. Cruelly. Totally wounded and scarred, Spotty cried himself to sleep in the cramped and smelly garbage chute. 'Oo, I wish I don't ever have to wake up' Spotty prayed.

-

Unaware of the passing time, Spotty laid in the garbage chute helplessly, for nothing. waiting and waiting for the day when he don't ever have to wake up again, perhaps...

A dog came by one day and spotted the dirty and smelly Spotty. He approached Spotty for a closer look. Then without a word, picked him up and ran away....

'Do I even care, whatever fate that might be awaiting?'

Proud of myself~

2009-04-08T00:01:00.005+08:00

Haha, I’m so proud of myself~
Couple of months ago, I don’t even know what Adobe Illustrator is, and my knowledge on Photoshop, is limited to blurring photos and whatever is in ‘Filter’. Now, not only do I know the software, I can also draw simple things all on my own!

*Beaming with pride*
I can even beautify my drawings with colours~!!
To Adobe gurus, these are nothing I’m sure!
Nonetheless, I’m proud that I mastered the basics within months~
It was under tough training of course. Forced to design pictogram, poster, photo essay and storybook, I have no doubt uttered the filthiest words throughout the process.

However, at the end of the day looking back, all these efforts are worth it, even if I didn’t score well for the module!
One doesn’t always have to look at the results to determine the worthiness of your effort. It is really, what you gain during the process that matters!
シンーちゃん　とても凄いね！
頑張って

古诗 4首

2009-04-01T00:12:00.003+08:00

蝶恋花柳永

伫倚危楼风细细，
望极春愁，
黯黯生天际。
草色烟光残照里，
无言谁会凭栏意。

拟把疏狂图一醉，
对酒当歌，
强乐还无味。
衣带渐宽终不悔，
为伊消得人憔悴。

蝶恋花晏殊

槛菊愁烟兰泣露，
罗幕轻寒，
燕子双飞去。
明月不谙离恨苦，
斜光到晓穿朱户。

昨夜西风凋碧树，
独上高楼，
望尽天涯路。
欲寄彩笺兼尺素，
山长水阔知何处。

青玉案元夕辛弃疾

东风夜放花千树，
更吹落星如雨。
宝马雕车香满路，
凤箫声动，玉壶光转，
一夜鱼龙舞。

蛾儿雪柳黄金缕，
笑语盈盈暗香去。
众里寻他千百度，
蓦然回首，那人却在，
灯火阑珊处。

声声慢李清照

寻寻觅觅，
冷冷清清，
凄凄惨惨戚戚。
乍暖还寒时候，
最难将息。
三杯两盏淡酒，
怎敌他、晚来风急？
雁过也，
正伤心，
却是旧时相识。

满地黄花堆积。
憔悴损，
如今有谁堪摘？
守著窗儿，
独自怎生得黑？
梧桐更兼细雨，
到黄昏、点点滴滴。
这次第，
怎一个、愁字了得！

势爱

2009-03-30T22:58:00.006+08:00

credits: Getty Images

我恋爱了！

他
灿烂的笑容
开朗的眼神
帅气的外形
高大的个子
宽厚的胸膛
结实的肌肉
执著的角色
痴情的内心
耍帅的个性
可爱的对白
帅气的气质

深深地吸引了我！

我喜欢你！！

汪东城

~进一步认识他吧~

絢香ーみかずき

2009-03-25T00:07:00.007+08:00

Gist of the song well-conveyed with the emotions in her voice. Great vocalist.

ずっと一緒にいた　二人で歩いた一本道
二つに分かれて　別々の方歩いてく

寂しさで溢れたこの胸かかえて
今にも泣き出しそうな空見上げて
あなたを想った…

君がいない夜だって
そう no more cry もう泣かないよ
がんばっているからねって　強くなるからねって
君も見ているだろう
この消えそうな三日月
つながっているからねって　愛してるからねって

冷えきった手を一人で温める日々
君の温もり　恋しくて恋しくて

どれだけ電話で「好き」と言われたって
君によりかかる事はできない
涙をぬぐった…

君がいない夜だって
そう no more cry もう泣かないよ
がんばっているからねって　強くなるからねって

今度いつ会えるんだろう　それまでの電池は
抱きしめながら言った　あなたの愛してるの一言

君がいない夜だって
そう no more cry もう泣かないよ
がんばっているからねって　強くなるからねって
君も見ているだろう
この消えそうな三日月
つながっているからねって　愛してるからねって

三日月に手をのばした　君に届けこの想い

以为

2009-03-17T23:29:00.011+08:00

Credits:Getty Images

刚看了《一切完美2》。这期的故事很感人。讲述一对10年夫妻的故事。妻子害怕丈夫要离婚而想整形，消除脸上疤痕。Alex 觉得事有蹊跷，继续查问，也请Kelly 帮忙。后来发现两人自婚姻初期便出现了问题但选择无视问题。后来三人 - Alex, Kelly 和 Win 决定帮他们沟通，了解对方的想法。
原来。。。

夫妇Kim 和 Patrick 因为10年前Patrick 的疏忽发生车祸，两人的脸都留着车祸的痕迹。
10年来，男女双方都对彼此都有许多误会，但从不沟通，导致问题越来越深，误会越苗越黑。
Kim:
他是因为内疚才跟我结婚。婚后只会埋头工作，对我正眼也多不看。我知道，他是嫌弃我脸上的疤痕，嫌我丑。
只有整形才会让他重新对我好。
Patrick:
我真得很爱她。当年因为她要和我分手，我做出了傻事。这些年，我很想弥补。所以努力工作，想让她看到我的成绩，以我为傲。怎知她怎样也不快乐，天天大吵大闹。我想，离婚对她来说，是最好的。

双方的‘以为’相差十万八千里。还好有Kelly, Win 还有 Alex 帮他们找到心中的钥匙，重新面对彼此。
结局？当然是幸福的。

在这简单的故事中，我领悟到了简单的道理。Patrick 的‘爱她，让她走’的想法让我很感动。
道理看起来很简单。可是，好难做到。明明爱她，却得放下一切感情。
为了让他幸福，让他走。
无私。

———————————————————————————————

Find something to make yourself smile

2009-03-14T01:39:00.006+08:00

My cousin wanted me to upload some activities that I do everyday. "Find something to make yourself smile," she said. Do I look that serious?

Incidentally, I did laugh quite a bit today, during project meeting with my Marketing groupmates. Thanks to crazy Shar - she was totally amused with the iPhoto function on YL's MacBook. She was so amused with it that she insisted that all of us we take a group photo with the Mac for our presentation, with effects.

>lol, makes me wanna get a MacBook as well~

Anyway, amusement seemed to be as contagious as laughing. Soon, all of us were having fun with the iPhoto function. Guys are better at hiding emotions I must say. :P

I realised that being happy can be quite simple, if you are with the right people, in the right mood.

Counting my blessings...

I always remember you

2009-03-14T01:27:00.000+08:00

At every stage of my life, I got to know amazing people who know amazing things. At each stage, we did wonderful things together and crafted great memories together. We went through the highs and lows of life, at that point of time.

As time goes by and we finally reached the fork roads of life. Ahead of us were paths that we will take, separately, as we go on to pursue our different dreams and discover our own defintion of life. And so, we parted.

As we progress in our separate paths, we are re-shaped by endeavours that we overcome. The common identity that we once had together gradually fade away, into memory. Despite the occasional meet-ups on birthdays and new year, the familiarity had disappeared.

Nonetheless, you have left footprints in my life and I am grateful to have met you. Your presence and our memories have shaped me into who I am today. I will always remember you.

Even though I don't contact, even though I don't express myself, know that I still think of you everyday.

I am full of energy and confidence?

2009-03-12T22:24:00.004+08:00

Did a personality test from Yan's blog. It seemed to reflect her well, I thought I'll do it too~

Try it too!

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are not looking merely for a girl/boyfriend - you are looking for your life partner. Perhaps you should be more open-minded about who you spend time with. The person you are looking for might hide their charm under their exterior.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship.
The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.
Your views on education

You may not like to study but you have many practical ideas. You listen to your own instincts and tend to follow your heart, so you will probably end up with an unusual job.
The right job for you:

You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.
How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.
What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.
Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Difficult

2009-03-11T19:41:00.001+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

I find it difficult to tell people how I feel.

Maturity

2009-02-27T23:50:00.003+08:00

Credits: Getty Images

Facebook, a good tool to update your friends about your life, a good tool for friends to know more about you.

Seeing more and more friends getting married at the tender age of 21, and even have offsprings, I have to grow up too..

Grow up!

Abakedabra

MSN nicks in Feb 09

2009-02-25T11:47:00.002+08:00

They are telling my story too~

10 hours ago
YiAn_: wat happens when you are confronted by the memory that you are not ready to face? | Post a note

11 hours ago
YiAn_: recess week: the time for our professors relax after flooding us with work | Post a note

12 hours ago
YiAn_: recess week: the time for our professors to flood us with work | Post a note

18 hours ago
YiAn_: haphazard | Post a note

1 day ago
YiAn_: Samsung + LG: Imagine if Life's good... | Post a note

2 days ago
YiAn_: Samsung: Imagine | Post a note

2 days ago
YiAn_: Twilight's Eclipse is in my house!! can't wait to get my hands on it~ | Post a note

2 days ago
YiAn_: back to normal | Post a note

5 days ago
YiAn_: optimism is the key to better life. stay happy. i will. thankz | Post a note

5 days ago
YiAn_: the pinched up, whithered feeling in my heart... will it ever go away? | Post a note

5 days ago
YiAn_: elbissop | Post a note

5 days ago
YiAn_: m.u.a., but so? | Post a note

5 days ago
YiAn_: And this belief protected him, at least in his own eyes, from the banality of a lost fortune. | Post a note

5 days ago
YiAn_: prepare to spend 6 hrs on translation | Post a note

6 days ago
YiAn_: 暮鼓晨钟当头棒喝 | Post a note

6 days ago
YiAn_: 暮鼓晨钟 | Post a note

6 days ago
YiAn_: say what you will, new hairstyle is a new start!!! | Post a note

Feb. 16
YiAn_: 'look at the stars, look how they shine for you' | Post a note

Feb. 14
YiAn_: happy v'dae to everyone else | Post a note

Feb. 13
YiAn_: Friday the 13th - not so bad after all. | Post a note

Feb. 13
YiAn_: Friday the 13th - not so bad after all | Post a note

Feb. 13
YiAn_: Friday the 13th - as bad as ever... not so bad after all | Post a note

Feb. 13
YiAn_: Friday the 13th - as bad as ever | Post a note

Feb. 12
YiAn_: Friday the 13th - as bad as ever?? | Post a note

Feb. 12
YiAn_: painfully disorganised | Post a note

Feb. 11
YiAn_: ultra busy | Post a note

Feb. 9
YiAn_: 探头往往久违的明月吧。今晚，他可是格外的大而圆 | Post a note

Feb. 7
YiAn_: 该放手了，完完全全，彻彻底底，干干净净地 | Post a note

Feb. 6
YiAn_: 该放手了 | Post a note

Feb. 6
YiAn_: 该放手了 | Post a note

Wide awake

2009-02-25T02:41:00.006+08:00

3am.
Having slept at 4am for four consecutive days, I had been beat in the morning when I went for my marketing project meeting. Two cans of Nescafé cannot pull me out of my drowsiness and set my brain to work. Well, not as well as usual at least.
Now, at 3am, I am positive that my body would thank me if I can put work aside and repay the debts that I have to my sleep. My heart would be thankful if I could forget the memory that confronted me in the MRT today.

The memory. The features of it imprint clearly in my mind. Every cell within me awoke the moment the figure stepped into my line of view, in the MRT train. The strangest thing was, minutes ago, I was just sharing my recent lost ‘fortune’ with my marketing group mate who is going through similar experience that I had with this figure.

The familiarity of this figure set my heart to race, my eyes to blur, and my legs to escape from this iniquity presence. A voice told me to stay put. What wrong did I commit to justify for my urge for immediate escape? I yield to my legs. After all, this wicked figure or even the symbolization of it, had been what I been avoiding.
Confronted by the memory that I am not ready to face, a lowly exit is the only action I was capable of to protect myself from the withered feeling that the presence could induce.

Thank you Shar, for your understanding, and for accompany me while I seek shelter in distance. As the train rushed off, I held back the surge of sorrows and self-pity, and re-buried the memory that the iniquity presence unearthed.

3am. Still wide awake. Emotions unmoved by the snippets of memory that I had knowingly uncovered. Good job. Now cells, go to sleep please.

命里有时终需有，命里无时莫强求

2009-02-19T23:54:00.005+08:00

I always think very little of Singaporean celebrities. As much as I want to give them my support, few met my approval in terms of personality and professionalism. I would, however, like to share this article that I read today about this Superstar runner-up who broke up with her 3-year relationship. Agree with her stand.
Choosing better path for yourself is more realistic than clinging onto something that will never be yours.

Credit: Xin.sg 19 February 2009

A courageous girl in love - Kelly Poon
Snipping the tresses which she has kept for two years, Kelly Poon, now spotting a short funky hairdo, is said to have found courage to breakup with boyfriend of three years, ending the relationship she described as most "realistic".

Kelly met her ex-boyfriend six years ago and they dated for the last three years. Despite having cheated on Kelly three times during those three years, she still held on to the relationship with trust and was silly enough to even sit down for a meal with her rival. The relationship ended in an amicable note when Kelly had to spend a large amount of her time out of Singapore.

"I think I am a courageous girl. To both hold on to a relationship and be so silly, you need courage. Each of us has an angel and a devil who will tell you: hey, you should leave now; you need to let go of this relationship. But many times, you will still persist and try to defend that relationship; I think that really needs courage. So I think when I'm in love, I'm a courageous girl," she described.

"Candid Reminiscences", a hit song in her new album "Smiling Kelly", is about this story of hers.

"I think this (relationship) is most realistic. I gave in many of my "firsts" in this relationship, in terms of emotions. For example, there was the first time I shouted at someone, the first time I cried over a boyfriend and the first time I quarreled with a boyfriend. I'm quite a peaceful person, easy-going and all, but he can actually make me mad and shout at him. I think that's really unforgettable. I'm the kind of girl who will give me a certain timeframe to forget about all unhappiness; this is how we came up with the theme for this album, and "Candid Reminiscences" became the hit song," Kelly recounted.

Before becoming a singer, Kelly was a prestige air stewardess; with the irregular working hours, she had to spend past Valentine's Day overseas with her colleagues.

"I remember some girls will actually receive flowers. Their boyfriends will send bouquets of flowers to their rooms, how romantic! I don't have that kind of experience! For Valentine's Day, I think Paris is still the most romantic. They have this river in the middle of the city district, where couples will sit around hugging and kissing. Though there are many couples and it feels very crowded, the romantic atmosphere is still rich."

Kelly revealed that the biggest bouquet she received for Valentine's Day is one with 12 stalks of white and pink tulips but she has yet to receive any gifts that truly touched her.

"I remember once I went shopping with two of my best female friends and we purposely dressed up and chose a restaurant with many couples in it to wine and dine. The feeling then was a bit like: so what if you have a partner, we single girls can also spend the day together! Haha (Were you girls silently wishing for some single guys to pick you up?) Actually we will think that way in our hearts, but it wasn't outright. Otherwise, why do we dress up so nicely?" Kelly laughed.

For this past Valentine's Day, Kelly was in Malaysia promoting her album. The currently single and available 25-year-old also made public appeal for suitors.

"If anyone wants to date me, it's ok. Just call my company and check out my schedule. My boss actually encourages me to get into a relationship because he feels that love will make one mature. I will not reject any opportunities for a relationship but we still need to see if there are feelings and sparks," she said.

Her ideal boyfriend is a humble man with intelligence and constant desire for improvements. "I'm not very smart so I need a man whom I can look up to and learn from; someone I'll always be amazed over. I'd also very much prefer a humble man who is not very flashy," Kelly revealed.

___________

命里有时终需有，命里无时莫强求

感叹～

2009-02-19T10:57:00.012+08:00

一生中，我们有多少要和不要的东西呢？很多吧？
去追求了多少呢？其中掌又握了多少？

我再说我自己。奢望的、希望的、渴望的、盼望的，不计其数。

去追求的．．．也不少。像学日语、学翻译、学乐器、学人际关系．．．

这些我都略知一二。真正掌握的，屈指可数：０

为什么呢？因为奢望的、希望的、渴望的、盼望的，太多，以至生活没有中心。

缺乏持之以恒之心。

什么都略知一二，一知半解。

想要重拾起并延续之前的技能却发现时间悄悄溜走。

如今的我就快要踏入社会，为金钱做牛做马。

像父亲一样，为家庭、为父母、为朋友、为工作劳碌奔波。

根本没有时间继续追求自己要的了。

我可以不走同样的路吗？我可以改变自己的命运吗？

其实一切感叹都因为听了2005年MJC SYF Gold 之作：Vivaldi Concerto Allegro & Bridge over Troubled Waters。

这可说是我在音乐道路上最有成就的作品了。

怎么把录音放上部落格供大家欣赏呢？？？

Friday the Thirteen

2009-02-13T22:28:00.004+08:00

Credits to Getty Images

There will be three 'Friday the Thirteen' in 2009. One of it is today of course - 13th February.

Today is a hazy day. My driving instructor commented on it when we were along Changi Road. Indonesia is burning their forests, again. He said. The 90 minutes lesson was filled with frustration. For both of us. Third lesson since I started in December, the skills I learnt from the previous two were long forgotten. "I need more lessons" I told my instructor. "Ok" he said. Following that, at the end of the lesson, he assigned two consecutive lessons for me, two weeks later. Wonderful.

Back to my frustration during driving. I ALMOST langa-ed three times today. Thanks to me rusty skills of negiotiating curves, and (even) driving on straight roads. "Straight roads are not straight. There are bumps everywhere" he told me. I know that of course. But HOW to keep straight?! That's my question,W. "You just have to look FaaaR ahead. As far as possible." Of course, if I look far far far ahead, I would be able to fly over multiple bumps that are almost invisible to bare and inexperienced eyes. It's ok, by the end of the lesson, I found out that it's really about 'feeling' your car and experiencing the ride. No thanks to my driving instructor of course.

But of course I have to thank him for stepping on the spare brake on the passenger side time and time again and turning my steering wheel to help me negotiate my turning. I will practice more and pass the practical test first time round, W.

Yep, that was how I spent my first Friday the Thirteen. The next one will be on 13th March, and the third one on 13th November. Have fun everyone.

should there be a second chance?

2008-11-17T01:23:00.005+08:00

Like a cliche drama, I am going to start this post with 'one fine day'. 'One fine day' represents any normal day with a normal weather, meeting the usual people and doing the mundane things.

One fine day, TK, JC and I had lunch in a little hotel opposite the office. As usual, TK and JC were gossiping about school stuff and I was there listening. Half listening. The other part of my brain drifted to a complicated question that someone posted previously. (Ya - that someone was once an important person to me. So important that when e wanted out, I did the craziest things in attempt to keep him with me. That was the past... not so long ago)

Out of the blue (to me), TK mentioned this friend of hers who is dating her ex once again after breaking up for very long. This snapped me back to reality. So I asked, 'Since we are on this topic, would you go back to your previous boyfriends if given a choice?' Both their answers were negative and here's their reasons (something like that):
TK - 'there must had been something that didn't work for the two which was serious enough to cause a break-up. Both must have tried hard to overcome the problem and obviously it didn't worked. Since that is the case, i don't think i want to go back to a r/ship that won't work'
JC - 'r/ship is troublesome. since it had been problematic enough to cause a break up in the first place, why would i want to go back into the same problem?'

Both of them spoke in the same tune. I wished I had shared my problem with you when TK asked. But it didn't felt right at that point of time. If you haven't already guessed, ya - that once-very-important person asked if i still loved him. if i would give him another chance to make things work.

I don't what to do. I took a long time to stop crying for him, to stop having the urge to call him when i'm not suppose to. Really, i'm now at this all-guys-are-bastards stage and at the same time forgetting all my feelings for him. But in the midst of recovering, this question is like eating deep-fried sinful chicken wings while being on diet. Totally ruin the effect.

I have to admit my heart did skip a beat when i heard his confession. But at the same time, i cannot forget how he had treated me when he broke up with me. My reply to him was that i'll give him another chance after his exams, just so that this incident will not ruin his studying mood.

But really, what should I do? If there's a god, or Buddha, can you give me a sign? I have 2 weeks till the end of his exams. thank you.

出去走走

2008-11-16T22:57:00.008+08:00

那天在爸爸车里偶然听到这首歌。眼泪差点流下来。歌词说出了我想离家的心情。
在电视上，常常看到中国的长城，巴黎的铁塔，台湾的风情。。。世界真大。小小的新加坡变得更小了。
小小的新加坡的一政府制，一切都控制。21年来，我越来越喘不过气，我想出去走走。好想好想。。。

爱我的爸爸，你也有同感吗？
爱我的朋友，你们会支持我吗？

陈洁仪 - 天冷就回来

从前对着收音机
学唱旧的歌
我问妈妈为什么
伤心像快乐
妈妈笑着
说她也不懂得
喔　妈妈点点头

天冷你就回来
别在风中徘徊
妈妈眼里有明白
还有一丝无奈
天冷我想回家
童年已经不再
昨天的雨点洒下来
那滋味叫做爱
呜　别在风中徘徊
呜　天冷就回来

渐渐对着收音机
学唱新的歌
我问朋友为什么
做梦也快乐
朋友笑说
他从不相信梦
我想出去走一走
喔　朋友点点头

天冷你就回来
别在风中徘徊
朋友的眼里有明白
还有一份期待
天冷我想回家
年少已经不再
今天的雨点洒下来
那滋味就是爱

现在对着收音机
听自己唱的歌
我的他问为什么
幸福不快乐
我微笑着
说我也不懂得
他想出去走一走
我对他点点头

天冷你就回来
别在风中徘徊
我猜我眼里有明白
还有一丝无奈
天冷他没回家
我仍然在等待
明天的雨点洒下来
那滋味就是爱
呜　别在风中徘徊
呜　天冷就回来

me, myself and I...

2008-11-09T03:27:00.006+08:00

credits: Getty Images

I am Miss Independent.
I am happy to be alone.
I am learning and growing.
I am not jealous.
I am not sad.
I am my best friend.
Me, myself and I.

~A.A~

2008-10-15T23:24:00.005+08:00

AA - Attract Attention? Trying to bootlick? How about Art Appreciation and trying to keep a copy of the past and present of Singapore for the future?

Heartlands - Home and Nation in the art of Ong Kim Seng.

This book is a collaboration of my supervisor KBS and a renowned local artist who won numerous international awards. Was cordially invited to this book launch by KBS to celebrate the launch of this compilation of OKS's paintings of the evolution of housing in Singapore.

From attap houses to HDB (housing development board), OKS have witnessed the change in public housing in Singapore. Let me quote a paragraph of the introduction that touched me:

'I live and breathe, sense and feel, in an estate like so many other Singaporeans. I have had the chance to observe and live through the birth and development of housing estates in Singapore to date. I witnessed the dawn of the HDB, as I was living in a village of attap houses before my family was resettled to a one-room flat in Jalan Bukit Merah (formerly the area called Anson). I personally experienced landmark events including the Great Bukit Ho Swee Fire and the springing up of the first estate in Queenstown. There are a myriad of facets about life in HDB estates that can be discovered, and that deserve to be preserved for posterity.'

Having lived through the period of housing estate evolution, OKS' talented hands tell stories that even a storyteller couldn't describe. A picture speaks a thousand words. In this compilation, there are more than 50 paintings of different housing estates in Singapore - past and present. Who knows what will houses be like after another 30 years?? But one thing for sure is that it will never be the same again.

This book narrates a part of history that is so close to our hearts. In fact, I am blogging in one of the many units in this HDB block. One of the many in Singapore. 30 years ago, our grandparents don't even have a proper roof that don't leak during rainy days. Now, we not only have a proper shelter over our head, we also have proper sewage system, water system etc.

Such development, is it not something that we have to keep and remind the future generations of how much the country have changed??

During Financial Crisis...

2008-10-12T23:11:00.001+08:00

All that money you’ve lost – Where did it go?
By ERIC CARVIN, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Trillions in stock market value _ gone. Trillions in retirement savings _ gone. A huge chunk of the money you paid for your house, the money you're saving for college, the money your boss needs to make payroll _ gone, gone, gone.
Whether you're a stock broker or Joe Six-pack, if you have a 401(k), a mutual fund or a college savings plan, tumbling stock markets and sagging home prices mean you've lost a whole lot of the money that was right there on your account statements just a few months ago.
But if you no longer have that money, who does? The fat cats on Wall Street? Some oil baron in Saudi Arabia? The government of China?
Or is it just _ gone?
If you're looking to track down your missing money _ figure out who has it now, maybe ask to have it back _ you might be disappointed to learn that is was never really money in the first place.
Robert Shiller, an economist at Yale, puts it bluntly: The notion that you lose a pile of money whenever the stock market tanks is a "fallacy." He says the price of a stock has never been the same thing as money _ it's simply the "best guess" of what the stock is worth.
"It's in people's minds," Shiller explains. "We're just recording a measure of what people think the stock market is worth. What the people who are willing to trade today _ who are very, very few people _ are actually trading at. So we're just extrapolating that and thinking, well, maybe that's what everyone thinks it's worth."
Shiller uses the example of an appraiser who values a house at $350,000, a week after saying it was worth $400,000.
"In a sense, $50,000 just disappeared when he said that," he said. "But it's all in the mind."
Though something, of course, is disappearing as markets and real estate values tumble. Even if a share of stock you own isn't a wad of bills in your wallet, even if the value of your home isn't something you can redeem at will, surely you can lose potential money _ that is, the money that would be yours to spend if you sold your house or emptied out your mutual funds right now.
And if you're a few months away from retirement, or hoping to sell your house and buy a smaller one to help pay for your kid's college tuition, this "potential money" is something you're counting on to get by. For people who need cash and need it now, this is as real as money gets, whether or not it meets the technical definition of the word.
Still, you run into trouble when you think of that potential money as being the same thing as the cash in your purse or your checking account.
"That's a big mistake," says Dale Jorgenson, an economics professor at Harvard.
There's a key distinction here: While the money in your pocket is unlikely to just vanish into thin air, the money you could have had, if only you'd sold your house or drained your stock-heavy mutual funds a year ago, most certainly can.
"You can't enjoy the benefits of your 401(k) if it's disappeared," Jorgenson explains. "If you had it all in financial stocks and they've all gone down by 80 percent _ sorry! That is a permanent loss because those folks aren't coming back. We're gonna have a huge shrinkage in the financial sector."
There was a time when nobody had to wonder what happened to the money they used to have. Until paper money was developed in China around the ninth century, money was something solid that had actual value _ like a gold coin that was worth whatever that amount of gold was worth, according to Douglas Mudd, curator of the American Numismatic Association's Money Museum in Denver.
Back then, if the money you once had was suddenly gone, there was a simple reason _ you spent it, someone stole it, you dropped it in a field somewhere, or maybe a tornado or some other disaster struck wherever you last put it down.
But these days, a lot of things that have monetary value can't be held in your hand.
If you choose, you can pour most of your money into stocks and track their value in real time on a computer screen, confident that you'll get good money for them when you decide to sell. And you won't be alone _ staring at millions of computer screens are other investors who share your confidence that the value of their portfolios will hold up.
But that collective confidence, Jorgenson says, is gone. And when confidence is drained out of a financial system, a lot of investors will decide to sell at any price, and a big chunk of that money you thought your investments were worth simply goes away.
If you once thought your investment portfolio was as good as a suitcase full of twenties, you might suddenly suspect that it's not.
In the process, of course, you're losing wealth. But does that mean someone else must be gaining it? Does the world have some fixed amount of wealth that shifts between people, nations and institutions with the ebb and flow of the economy?
Jorgenson says no _ the amount of wealth in the world "simply decreases in a situation like this." And he cautions against assuming that your investment losses mean a gain for someone else _ like wealthy stock speculators who try to make money by betting that the market will drop.
"Those folks in general have been losing their shirts at a prodigious rate," he said. "They took a big risk and now they're suffering from the consequences."
"Of course, they had a great life, as long as it lasted."

Boredom...

2008-10-12T14:25:00.006+08:00

credit: Getty Images

In a previous post, I mentioned that Singapore is a boring place.
Found this on The Straits Times, thought I should share this:

Bye bye, boredom

How does one cope with the mundane? By finding a different angle and applying curiosity By tan shzr ee, culture vulture

Recently, I met a friend, R, who grew up on the following mantra.

'Our parents never allowed us to be bored,' he says. 'It's like a taboo. Only boring people get bored. You have to find another angle.'

The son of two well-known anthropologists, R spent his boyhood in Turkey (picking up urchin language on the way), worked as a builder and cowboy in the United States, read history at Oxford, taught English in Poland, learnt five languages and has since, disgustingly, mastered 15 musical instruments - from the Chinese sheng (mouth organ) to jazz piano and the kazoo.

'You have to mine for meaning in every situation?' I ask.

'Yes,' he says. 'It's fundamentally existentialist. You have to find a new dimension that is interesting.'

Easy for him to say, growing up in such an enlightened environment that has also provided innumerable opportunities for travel and discovery.

But what does the suspension of boredom actually mean, in real terms?

I have been bored many times before. Heck, I have even written a column on why it is such a lovely thing to be a slacker, to be bored, to do nothing - and then rest afterwards.

But proscribing boredom - that is a new one. Forget being born into a family of globe-trotting hippies who promise ever-new adventures just when the current ones are peaking.

How does one cope with things more mundane: an interminable business meeting, a crappy film, waiting at the dentist's without your favourite Peter Carey book, a sullen wife, being trapped in a lift with farting accountants?

You find a different angle - so R says.

Right.

I have spent hours obsessing over different grains of wood on the backs of chairs (thus making me an expert on Ikea stains). I have tried counting the individual strands of hair on a lecturer's fantastic comb-over (lecture was on obscure Indian music).

I have walked out of the cinema (or is that a cop-out?) and lousy concerts (Michael Nyman). I keep a pocketbook of Indonesian phrases and Korean drumming patterns to memorise in my wallet (for lousy cocktail receptions).

I have sighed many sighs. And I have done that uber-surreal thing and attempted to philosophise, deconstruct and academise the bored state of my boredom.

Here it goes:

'So, I'm bored.'

'Is this what boredom means?'

'I am feeling boredom at this very moment, and living the all-human emotion/sensation of existentialist apathy.'

'But in conducting this very useless mobius-strip-type conversation in my head about boredom, I am actually making my state of boredom interesting for myself. Which has caused the transcending of my boredom into a different level of...'

'Curiosity,' R says.

'Curiosity is the antidote of boredom. Very important.'

There are many types of boredom and corresponding ways of beating them, he explains.

There is soporific boredom, which is sometimes a bad thing in my book (for example, the oppressive elevator slush of Richard Clayderman) and sometimes a good thing (for example, playing El Emigrante on transience.com).

This kind of boredom sucks you into an autopilot zone of constant, nonaccelerated movement - 'static speed' and inertia, if you like.

Then, there is boredom that actually co-exists paradoxically with its antidote: curiosity. This happens when your level of curiosity is mild - it is an itch to be scratched, usually combined with an act of denial or procrastination.

A good example can be found in compulsive Internet surfing (of which I am a proud black-belt holder). You are bored. Your attention span is marginal.

But that niggling sense of wanting instant gratification and just that little bit more (in small, accumulating and deceptively harmless doses) pushes your fingers to click-click-click ever-sprawling links and hyperlinks into oblivion.

This particular genus of curiosity-boredom, which functions in an yin-yang sense, is a different blend from the earlier example of boredomtranscendence (turning your boredom on its head and transforming it into something interesting).

I ask R: 'Is it like trying to find boring people interesting - when you look at them as if they were anthropological specimens?'

'Figure out why they have come to be boring?'

'Would that be horribly clinical and inhuman?'

But R is, surely, by this time, dangerously close to breaking his taboo of boredom resistance while valiantly entertaining my existentialist non-conversations about that very subject.

I suddenly have a horrible fear of being trapped in a lift with six farting accountants.

But then, I remind myself, I could always philosophise over the dynamics of squirmy looks and their corresponding un-uttered speech bubbles ('that was you, not me'/ 'rats, I have to pee'/ 'what is the square root of 2.789?'/ 'is she sleeping with XXX?')

Failing which, there is always my little pocket guide to elementary Indonesian and that oh-god-where-did-I- tuck-it-away scrap of Korean drumming patterns to memorise, immortalised on the back of a receipt in my not-so-boring wallet.

Taken from The Straits Times

i am blessed..

2008-10-12T13:52:00.006+08:00

Credit: Getty Images

I have to say that I agree with you xw, that when you lose something, you'll gain something else.

I have indeed gain something. I believe these things will help shape a better me.

Friendship -
Friends. My emotional support. You guys provide me with perspectives that I can never see in this enclosed mind of mine. You guys open me up to the better world. The words that you gave, as realistic as it is, shone new light on me. Thank you.

Sec-school friend. This particular one. Your timely presence provided me with timely advice. You said you suddenly thought of me in your shower. Perhaps it's a sign that you are to shower me with courage to look forward and move on. Thank you.

Colleagues. The two new interns sitting beside me. Your level of maturity, analytical skills, openness and cheerfulness provided me with examples of how to be better. Your presence provided me an opportunity to know how to be better. Of course these are your personalities that I will not steal, but through you, I see how I can be better in my own way. I think you two are angels sent to guide me. Thank you.

Mentorship -
Professional from The PR film. Consistently, you point out my flaws and where should I change. Things that I would not have otherwise noticed. You spent time giving me advice. It is not within your job scope, but you did it anyway. Thank you.

Professor from The University. Consistently, pointing out my mistakes in my writing and kindly agreed to review my corrections. It must have been very time-consuming, but you did it anyway. You said it's your job to, but I believe another in your position might not have done the same. Thank you.

After losing something that seemed to be everything to me, I've gained some much more that would make everything of me so much better. I am blessed.

I want to, under your guidance, (all of you), be better. Be my very best.

Welcome to my life...

2008-10-07T22:54:00.003+08:00

Friends, soulmates, my loved ones,
Lend me your ears.
I come to bury my hatchet, not to relive them
The evil that love brought unto me,
shall be verbally undone.

I am ready.
If you are willing to listen, i will say.
If I am unclear with details, you can ask.
However, I hereby seek your cooperation in the conditions below:
1. You will not to be judgemental
2. You will not unfriend me thereafter
3. You will give your unbias opinion
4. You will still be my friend

utopia

2008-10-06T23:47:00.003+08:00

land of promises
abundance of opportunities
sea of hope
freeflow of ideals

this is what i am crafting
this is what i am portraying
this is what i am hoping

practicality as soil
cruelty as water
elitism as roots
fortune as the fruits

this is what i see. i hope these are illusions.

Lost...

2008-10-06T23:21:00.002+08:00

Initially, i wanted to write about my lost love... but after reading somebody's blog, i feel that there is more important things to look for. my lost self. something that i have always been looking, searching, finding...

for the past 3 years, i thought i have found it, in him... now, i am starting to see that it is a stupid thing to do. logically, of course, everyone will say 'how can you found yourself in another?' but seriously, if you put on your emo-cap. is it really not possible? i had that thought for 3 years.

however, that was the past 3 years. i have many more 3 years to go. in no hurry, i will find myself. not really a pro in treasure hunt. but this is not an excuse that i can give in finding myself.

the real question is how can i find myself? in spiritual growth? in confidence boost? in independent enhancement? all i need is a first step - creating a likable mask on my face...

みんなさま,　あたしに"頑張って"と言いました！

忙里偷闲

2008-09-30T02:22:00.000+08:00

Penned this down months ago - shall typed it here for all!

忙里偷闲
大街上人来人往各自走着
有的像鸳鸯双双对对有的像啄木鸟独来独往

大都会里大家忙忙碌碌
像啄木鸟埋头工作
谁知晓，星星已经为我们浪费了多少时间闪烁？
忙里偷闲吧！往往天上的繁星。它们有好多故事要说。

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix: Renault's Alonso wins

2008-09-28T23:28:00.004+08:00

Fernando Alonso racing at the Singapore Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso - the winner of the inaugural Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix after staying out of the drama that happened at the pit lane.

His 2-stop strategy is probably what brought him the win. Unlike the fate of Massa, Alonso's victory started with the opportunity to catch up when the safety cars came in when Nelson Piquet crashed his car into the wall.

He was clearly out of trouble while many others serve their penalties. Here is the series of penalties that occured:

1. Nelson Piquet caused the first accident with a severe car crash into the barrier
2. 2nd place Rosberg slapped into a 10-second stop penalty for coming into the pit lane before it had opened after the Piquet crash
3. Hamilton served his 10-second penalty for overtaking the safety car in rescue of Piquet.
4. Then came Massa commical error of leaving with his fuel hose still intact. This is followed by a penalty drive through the pit lane at 50 miles per hour

Below describes in detail how Alonso won at the twist of fate:
When Piquet's crash occurred, Massa was leading at the time with Hamilton second but at the restart, Rosberg was in front and Alonso fifth.

But Rosberg was subsequently slapped with a 10-second stop penalty for coming into the pits before it had opened after the Piquet crash.

The complicated scenario saw Toyota's Jarno Trulli in the lead on lap 28 but without having pitted with Alonso second, Rosberg third and Hamilton charging in sixth.

With Trulli taking his first pit stop soon after Alonso amazingly found himself in front just after the halfway mark with a 4.9 second lead over Rosberg.

Alonso came in for his second pit stop on lap 41 and came out still ahead, marginally ahead of David Coulthard and Hamilton.

Remarkably, when Coulthard pitted soon after, he too drove off with the fuel pipe attached, knocking over a mechanic who was stretchered off with an injured ankle.

There was more action to come.

Alonso was cruising with a 23 second lead when Adrian Sutil shunted his Force India into the wall, bringing the safety car out again and wiping out the Spaniard's advantage.

When they restarted with seven laps left it was a sprint to the finish and two-time world champion Alonso made no mistake, writing his name in the record books as the first winner of a Formula One night race.

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix: Ferrari's Felipe failure story

2008-09-28T22:55:00.007+08:00

28 September 2008

The very first Formula 1 night race held in a brand new city - Singapore! After two practice sessions - one of which determined the positions of racers, the actual race revs by...

Felipe Massa, who won in the qualifying race and took the first position for the actual race, continued as first for more than 10 laps. A dramatic twist of fate cost him dearly. Not only did he came in first - from behind - he is also 7 points behind Lewis Hamilton in the championship hunt. With just three Grand Prix left at Japan, China and Brazil, what are his chances of winning?

Dramatic is the word to describe the series of events that led to his final placing.

The Brazilian was in the pits on lap 15 when he was given the green light and drove off with the fuel hose still attached to his car, leaving one of the pit crew floored and subsequently carted off in a neck brace.

Massa ended up sitting in his Ferrari at the end of the pit lane as the crew ran after him and managed to pull the hose free, but it ruined his chances. He was given a drive through penalty and rejoined in 18th place.

Below is a series of pictures illustrating Massa's first night race experience this season.

Felips Massa during the qualifying race, finishing his lap at the time of 1:44.801.

Massa taking the pole position at the start of the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix

How Massa's Ferrari's had an extended arm (the fuel hose)!

It was a miserable night for Ferrari with defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen ramming his car into the barriers with just four laps left.

The Massa drama occurred after the cars came in when Nelson Piquet careered into the wall, causing massive damage to his Renault.

I love me <3

2008-09-28T02:13:00.003+08:00

copied this from xw's blog. these are words to self: jiayou, gal! life is imperfect. there is no need to wish for perfectness in yourself or in others. other's imperfect qualities might just be complimented by your good qualities. or perhaps the better qualities of the not so perfect person can compliment yours. Love yourself. <3

我知道我变漂亮了 - 《一切完美》主题曲
詞/曲：石欣卉
製作：陳達偉

过去的批评嘲讽 (Let it go, let it go)
过去的轻蔑冷落 (Let it go, let it go)
有些人口不饶人
却忘了瞧瞧自己又有什么资格

时刻都善良待人 (let's move on, let's move on)
时刻都做好本分 (let's move on, let's move on)
有些人心思浅薄
绝不是宽容自暴自弃的理由

也许确实也受过言语打击
也许从来也没什么好际遇
千万别将勇气深锁在阴影里
我们又不会妨碍这世界继续美丽

我知道我变漂亮了 (我知道我被注意了)
曾难过曾失落微笑一下就过
外在的美貌容易戳破
内在的美好细水长流

我知道我变漂亮了 (我知道我也豁达了)
不自卑不埋怨就算还差一点点
用内涵弥补一切缺陷
内在的美迷住每个人的眼

时刻都善良待人 (let's move on, let's move on)
时刻都做好本分 (let's move on, let's move on)
有些人心思浅薄
绝不是宽容自暴自弃的理由

也许想说的话总埋在心底
也许想要的爱可望而不可及
竭尽全力争取幸福会看到你
大声说你的真心全世界最动听

我知道我变漂亮了 (我知道我被注意了)
曾难过曾失落微笑一下就过
外在的美貌容易戳破
内在的美好细水长流

我知道我变漂亮了 (我知道我也豁达了)
不自卑不埋怨就算还差一点点
用内涵弥补一切缺陷
内在的美迷住每个人的眼

一个两个不懂丑小鸭变天鹅啊
需要时间比较多
走过了伤痛才看得更通透
不到最后不会懂命运安排了什么

EMOPOST~2

2008-09-28T02:08:00.002+08:00

* PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL *

Energy Booster...

2008-09-28T01:14:00.002+08:00

I will never never tell them this. But my tuition kids are really my energy booster. I am always happy to see them. Being with them gives me joy. Teaching them gives me the sense of achievement.

I know I like kids. But I never knew that I would enjoy their company so much that I actually enjoy teaching them. I do not think I have the passion for teaching. But with them, I truly hope that they can do well in exams and in future, succeed in life.

Whenever I go over to their place for tuition, I would be so tired that I want to just call them and postpone ( actually that's not true.) I would want to give the best to them. Sincerely. I would buy coffee, just so I can stay awake, even though caffeine gives me headache sometimes.

It is really a joy teaching them. I am quite guilty that I am not able to give them more time due to other engagements. But I truly hope that whatever minimal amount of time that I spend with them can really inspire them to work hard, not for me but for themselves.

gossip girl tells...

2008-09-28T00:26:00.002+08:00

I was watching gossip girl this morning. Season II. I was never an American sitcom fan but this particular one, it got me right there. Perhaps it's the novelty of watching about the scandalous life of Manhattan's elites. The glamourous, yet outragous life that they have - it seemed to evoke my inner self, the naughty side of me. Precisely because the real me will never ever have such a life, it is definitely facinating to get to know it from somewhere. But then again, don't they always say, "Never say never?" *Eyebrow rised*

Love, friendship, revenge, jealousy, sex, all documented by one blog. The Blog - Gossip Girl. This particular episode talked about my real life situation! Slightly different - but one that i can so relate to. It sometimes help listening to inner me, doesn't it? Watch it here at time 6:40.

Even if you have met the best guy ever, it might never work. Not to mention what i had was just the opposite. How hard can it be to move on?

I have other best things in life, i'm blessed.

Fashion fades, only style remains...

2008-09-25T23:58:00.006+08:00

Shopped with a new person today. Knew her for some time but this is the first time that we shopped together. it was great, JL!! thanks for shopping with me!

thank you for your opinion.. i'll get the earrings AND bangle as soon as money comes in... haa... you have great fashion sense! are you sure you seldom do shopping?

Bugis is one of my favourite shopping area! With high-end fashion at Parco Bugis and street fashion at Bugis Street, the whole Bugis district seem to cater to the style of everyone! Walked around Parco Bugis with JL today. We were specific and only went to accessories shop. There are 4 shops that sells accessories only! 4, perhaps more! With 4 similar shops to sustain within a mall, this should show how illustrate how crazy Singaporean girls are when it comes to shopping!

Each shop of course, caters to different style. Accessorize has more cutish accessories, Diva has more beaded and exotic style, Aldo - expensive and classy accessories and 77th Street of course - provides new definition of casual street fashion!

Depending on your mood and style, you can create your own fashion with a tinch of whatever! Forget about fashion, create your style - starting with accessories!

Coco Chanel once said, 'I don't do fashion, I am fashion.'

an Ocean of memories

Fell for Sales TRAP!!! Don't buy Corioliss from mall~

偶像劇

Life is a Journey

The mouse potato trap

Carpe Diem

Untitled Joke

Beauty

Personal Experience of the 'Bystander Effect'

Introvert self, go away

melancholy

cheers to friendship

Here's to the girls (and guys)

Element song (as in from the periodic table)

Indifference

只羨鴛鴦不羨仙

Suffocation

Waiting...

what doesn't kill you make you stronger

Guilty of this?

Are you a Facebook addict?

‘看’

Optimism is back

月有阴晴圆缺

Peng's Birthday

Multiple meanings of 'sorry'

Idolism - new eye candy

On the train this afternoon...

Always look at the bright side of life

Unclenching your fist

妈妈煮的菜

My Short Hair

Best Teachers' Day gift

Qualified for the Driver Seat

Just Being Philosophical

Breathe

I'm Just A Girl

Super Accurate Daily Horoscope

Infactuation

Picnic at Marina Barrage

June 10 Astrology - True for me?

Girl Power

CLA gathering on 18th July 2009

Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years

CLA Gathering

Night Festival 2009

Da Vinci Exhibition

ktv with qlx

buying-shoes analogy

belated birthday celebration

my flaws

絶対彼氏

Idolism

My # # Birthday (V)

My # # Birthday (I V)

My # # Birthday (I I I)

My # # Birthday (I I)

My # # Birthday (I)

Sciences of love

簡単のこぶ

Gossip Girl Finale

꽃보다 남자 Boys Over Flowers

絢香 I Believe

Treasure Life

阿里山 风光明媚

Spotty braves the odds (P1)

Proud of myself~

古诗 4首

势爱

絢香ーみかずき

以为

Find something to make yourself smile

I always remember you

I am full of energy and confidence?

Difficult

Maturity

MSN nicks in Feb 09

Wide awake

命里有时终需有，命里无时莫强求

感叹～

阿里山风光明媚

~A.A~