Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Still having lilac dreams

Just for the record, I'm still besotted. I eagerly await the day I get to dream them again.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Truly Madly Deeply

By Savage Garden

I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath
Truly madly deeply do..
I will be strong I will be faithful
'Cos I'm counting on a new beginning.
A reason for living.
A deeper meaning.
Chorus

I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me...
Verse 2

And when the stars are shining brightly
In the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish
Send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry..
The tears of joy
For all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we're surrounded
By the comfort and protection of..
The highest power.
In lonely hours.
The tears devour you..
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...
Bridge

Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cos it's standing right before you.
All that you need will surely come...

I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly madly deeply do...

This is the de facto love song. With vivid imageries to boot. There's a pirated version of this song on radio now, sung by a female singer. After all these years I still prefer Savage Garden's version and Darren Hayes' silky voice. This was probably the first song I fell in love with, way back when I was still in primary school. And I guess it gives an informal guide for die hard romantics. They can go stand on Mt Faber and go swim in East Coast park. Which reminds me, 14th Feb is coming again. Crap.
Shag can't think

Further proof that I should keep my mouth shut when my mind is addled. Last friday, after another hard day at work, the 3 of us (my male boss and another female colleague) allowed the students to leave the venue first before we started to pack up and leave ourselves as well. It was a trying an emotional day and I was feeling very drained mentally. In addition, I didn't really take a fancy to the canteen food so I had only a little bit of lunch, thus I was also very glucose deprived.
As we were packing up, we started to talk cock amongst ourselves, especially in reference to what happened in the day's programme. We finally got all our stuff together and was about to leave. I carried the heavy stuff like the laptop out of the archaic AV theatre, while my female colleague went to turn off the lights. As the school was a very rundown one, with ageing facilities, pressing the switches resulted in a blue flash of electricity to crackle around it, shocking her but thankfully not literally. She gave a surprised gasp and backed away. My boss, who was behind her, checked to see if she was alright.
"Woah, be careful there." He said
And as if someone else was speaking using my lips and my voice, I heard myself saying, or at least it's my voice, but it would seem my mouth was being controlled by another being. "Don't worry, I know CPR!" And it came out crystal clear in my voice, with a tinge of playfulness in it.
Silence for a full second, before my boss deadpanned, "I don't think that was the point."
Moral of the story: Shag can't think

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Warrior Monk






Friday, January 26, 2007

Lost in Translation

Something rather funny happened when I went for my night Japanese lessons last evening. I came from work, so I was dressed in my long sleeved shirt, a casual beige jacket, jeans, a pair of American cockroach red covered shoes and carrying a black briefcase bag. I was feeling rather tired and my mind was addled due to the long day so when I entered the classroom I was feeling rather dazed already. I sat down and proceeded to take out my files and papers when my sensei (teacher) approached me and started talking to me. She's a lady, in her mid 20s to early 30s, speaks ok English but with a Japanese accent.

Sensei : Zhao Yang-san! Did you cut your hair?
Me: (snapping out of my daze) Err.. Hai! (Yes in Japanese)
S: Very nice! (hands drawing out an outline of a person's body) You look very handsome! You go dating later?
Me: (still in a daze) Err...Iie.. (No in Japanese) I went to work today so I dressed this way.
S: Sodesune! (Oh, like that ah in Japanese) (Puts 2 thumbs up) Very nice! Very handsome!
Me: (Finally coming to terms of what's happening) Hontoni? (Really in Japanese)
S: (still smiling, note:I used a term not taught yet in class but i learned it from watching too much anime) Hontoni!

Well of course I felt rather bucked as someone complimented me on my looks, although felt rather weird as it came from a teacher of all people. Then I thought back to what I wore for the last session. For the previous class I wore my baby blue bathing ape shirt, light brown diesel bermudas, airforce sandals and carried a backpack with straps very tight as I cycled to class. In addition my hair was unkempt, un-gelled and looked like a lion's mane. So I wonder if she was really complimenting me or making a subtle remark about my dressing for the last class.
If anything, this reminds me once again, clothes do maketh a man. If you look like a certain friend of mine who has this babyfaced youthful look, whenever he puts on his sec 1 orientation shirt and cap he immediately looks like a sec 1 kid again. But put him in a collared shirt he looks like a mature young man. Thus one should never underestimate the part the clothes you wear play when people are forming impressions about you.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Lilac Dreams

Lilac dreams,
oh so fleeting.
Flutters the heart,
oh so teasingly.
Sweet scent,
oh so alluring.
Poise and stature,
oh so appealing.
Alas, it would cease to last,
fading away into the harsh sunlight,
all too quickly.

I am so besotted.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Reel Life

I just realised that in 2006, after watching Pirates 2 in late June, the only other movie I went to watch was Flyboys, which was at the behest of dear Brandon. ("Humor the pilot." He said.) I think there was a distinct lack of must-see movies last year.
Anyway, I think most people know that 2007 is going to be a blockbuster year for movies, many of them are sequels or highly anticipated due to their source material, be it comic adaptions or what nots. Also those who know me well I loathe to spend $9.50 watching a crappy movie, but here are some movies I know I'll be in a cinema to watch.
The following list was chosen from wikipedia under the catergory 2007 films so I hope the collective wisdom of all internet users are accurate.

1) GOAL! 2: Definately one to catch with the guys. That means Adrian, yes you are coming too. Don't make us drag you.
2) Harry Potter 5: What can I say, I'm a fan and I like this book for its descent to darkness.
3) Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: Well you can't really argue with blockbusters. Besides the second one was the best summer 2006 movie I watched, and I want to know what happens at the end of the trilogy.
4) Spider-Man 3: I liked the black costume, I like Venom, I liked the cartoons and comics and I liked the first 2 movies. To me, this is a must see. Only problem is to jostle with everyone else wanting to watch it.
5) Ninja Turtles: I think people can see a pattern already here. Nevertheless, this movie may suck but I would think it's a way to regain my lost childhood.
6) Transformers: This is it. This is the one I have been waiting for. I have suffered enough ridicule for my weird interests, and with this I'll have my vindication. Now to find someone who would watch it with me on opening night with me gushing and giving a running commentary.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Blast from the Past

Makes me wonder what I have been writing all this while. Frankly speaking, I'm tired with ranting and raving about things in my life anymore. Maybe I would like to comment on some stuff once in a while, but I guess general laziness to muster an opinion is stopping me from actually writing anything. Plus I'm sure no one wants to listen to the ramblings of sad single 21 year old male and the boring events in his life. Thus I shall provide all my loyal readers a blast from the past of sorts, which incidentally was 1 of the questions for the pioneer PW paper, for those who were in my batch would know it. Anyway, without any further ado, here are some hightlights from a younger, angrier, stupider and frankly more eloquent me 2 years ago.
And Grand Slam Weekend only delighted the neutrals.

Saturday, February 28, 2004

Priority in life

JC life thought process: I need to study hard as
studying hard-> 2-3 S papers-> scholarship-> overseas education at the government's expense-> come back and earn a lot of $$-> a better life

Well, I choose my own path.

Well, I've chosen my own path indeed. I wonder if this mentality is still prevalent in my alma mater. Let's hope it isn't so. Life is determined by the amount of money you make or whether you get a scholarship or not.

Thursday, February 05, 2004

Still hanging on

Life is becoming rhythmic, monday has the mind-numbing exercise of looking at microscopic slides, then a deluge of lectures as the monday blues take over, tuesday ends off better but later with econs s, wednesday training causes me to drag a heavy bag home before I just collapse on bed, thursday the slew of lectures which sap my energy, but the prospect of going home earlier brightens up my day. Friday is tutorial day, where the slackers die a horrible death, and where I always have to rush the chem prac, but after that it is a release from academic prison, before saturday comes with training again, and sunday, the day of rest, degenerates to a day of school work.
I really envy the J1s. They are living that care-free life I had last year, where each day was actually fun. Now, I find myself hurrying to finish tutorials, study for tests etc. There is little time to just relax, read a book, a pleasure I really miss, or write a short story. All my energy is spent on doing schoolwork that all I want to do after that is just crash.

Brings me back to my hectic school days when, well, everyday was crazy and stressful, but now I hanker for those uncomplicated times. And even the best of us are not saved from the common problems like homework, hopeless teachers, BGR, tension with schoolmates and what nots. But yeah I think most of us came out better because of such experiences. Like how today I was telling my grandmother how I was careless and let my Sgt kope my rifle and got 1 x extra for it. I remember how gloomy I felt after that and thought only about it throughout my field camp. But yeah in the huge cosmic scale of things it wasn't a great matter, the fact that I can laugh about it 2 years on is testament to that. So yeah things aren't really as bad as we think they are.

Friday, February 06, 2004

Life through a lens

Reading other people's blogs, some people go clubbing for their excitement. I must first state that I'm no advocate of clubbing, but I'm an advocate for personal freedom so go ahead and satisfy your preferences as that will help reach Pareto optimality. However, I think clubbing is definately not the lifestyle for me, I'm just one of those people who prefers peace and quiet then loud music, plus I can't stand booze, and the negative connotation that clubbing brings is enough to turn me off. Haha, you are most probably thinking "what a sheltered boy he is." but that's who I am. However, I would like to go just once, to see for myself what is it really like, before I get wrong ideas of it and make baseless arguments. But certainly not in the immediate future. Maybe when I am older, much older.

Err, I take my words back now haha...

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

That fine line

Like I have repeated ad naseum, this is not my orientation. I merely facilitated your orientation. Think back over the last few days. Did you really make orientation the orientation you want? Or did you feel it was a big waste of time?
I hope all of you will take at least a few minutes before you sleep at night and reflect over the last week, all the games, activities etc. You will never have a second orientation, so cherish these memories. I’ll always have fond memories of my orientation Zaqaedor, and I hope all of you feel the same of Jaxoras.
This is not the end. This is only the beginning of your wonderful JC life. You will experience the highs and lows of teenage life, of trying out new experiences and being a better person. You guys have a short 2 years, go out and cherish every moment of it.
If you always wanted to try a sport, go do it, and to hell what other people think. My advice to you in RJC is very simple. Carpe Diem. Go out there and seize the day, go out there and live your dream. Not mine, not their, not your parents’ dreams, but yours and yours only. Go out and try new things, pick up a new skill, etc. RJC is a place of opportunity for you to do so. Never forget that.

This is an excerpt of a letter I was supposed to give to my OG during the last night of orientation as I was supposed to be busy attending to something else not very important haha.. But in the end I managed to go to my OG and said something similar to what I wrote. But yeah I do think the concept of Carpe Diem is very important. Live your life the way you want, not what you think the way you should. Big difference there, remember it's always your choice.

Thursday, April 15, 2004

Rain

Quote of the week: "My preference is that Manchester United loses the rest of their matches. But they are facing Leicester, Portsmouth and Blackburn. For those who do not understand what I am talking about, GO GET A LIFE!" Mr Sowden, while econs s lecture, explaining preference maximisation which constitutes welfare may not be fulfilled.

I kinda miss those econs S sessions, even though I was always very tired then. Good humor helps in any situation. On this note, Adrian still hasn't got a life.

Friday, July 23, 2004

Ghosts

I quote from a classmate's blog, "(for common tests) my half-formed stabs in the dark and found As out of them."
I must have gotten the leftovers then.

And that was probably the story of my JC life. Good thing I came good when it mattered.

Monday, August 09, 2004

Claiming back what's ours

I was walking towards kinokuniya yesterday after dinner with my family. Upon reaching the entrance, I saw a boy wearing the new Manchester United jersey. I felt it looked odd, and on closer inspection, I realised why so.
There was no golden lion on the sleeve, just a normal blue one.
Then all the hurt and disgust came flooding back, before slowly being replaced with righteous anger.
This time, we're going to get that golden lion back, and how.
Just you pretenders wait.

Let's hope this comes true come May.

And finally, a post that warrants to be re-posted in its entirety due to its everlasting relevance.

Saturday, September 18, 2004

I-don't-want-to-tell-you-but-I'll-tell-you-anyway

Let me tell about a syndrome that is named after the title of this post. That is just a shortened name of the syndrome and does not accurately reflect its nature. The real nature would be "I want to tell you something but I don't want to be so direct and tell you so I'll drop hints to make you ask me or somehow shift the conversation towards it so I can tell you." It is believed to have its origin in the times when women would fan themselves slowly and claim it's hot to show off their diamond ring. This is especially so when it concerns matters of the heart or achievements.
This syndrome is accredited to mr nicholas tsao wen jie who has been very perceptive in pointing it out and coining the term for it.
Confused? Here are some examples to illustrate this syndrome.
1) Jake is with his friends studying. Jake then looks at his phone and announces loudly, "Oh shit, I forgot to call Jessie! I promised to go out with her today! No she'll kill me!" Then he waits for his friends to start questioning him about his relationship with Jessie.
2) OR Jake sighs and says "man later still need to go buy new clothes. Need to to meet Mr Nathan for the awarding of my scholarship." and then waits for his friends to ask about it.
3) OR Jake receives an SMS and laughs happily and audibly, then saying "hey look at this... aiyah never mind" Having aroused his friends curiosity, they would badger him for an explanation.
4) OR suddenly, out of the blue, Jake asks, "hey do you think Jessie is pretty?" Then when his bewildered friend replies, and asks him why did he ask that question, he'll just dismiss it with a mysterious nothing, before leading his friend on to probe further and then he'll say.
Got a better idea about it? Actually, this syndrome is a good form of conversation starter, but when it gets to more sensitive subjects eg. wealth or achievements they tend to cause resentment in other people who deem it as an indirect way of showing off. Or people would think you're a chronic attention seeker.
Well, I must confess to having fallen prey to it a few times. But hey, it's relatively harmless, and among friends it's fine, as they won't get wrong ideas of you being cocky. Personally, try not to do this so much, but among friends you guys can have a good laugh about it. Besides, by not doing it, there would no longer be conversation for conversation's sake, and life would be so boring.
Reproduced with permission from nicholas tsao.
Are you guilty of this syndrome?


Well there are some highlights of my life in the past. Reading through old entries is quite fun for me, I rediscover old memories and get to laugh at myself. In any case, this is a simple and effective way of writing a longer blog entry haha..

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Sleight of hand

Welcome to the Grand Slam Weekend. Liverpool Vs Chelsea, Arsenal Vs Manchester United. This promises to be a great weekend for football fans. Let's hope the action lives up to the hype.
Started on my japanese lessons this week, so far so good, realise that watching too much anime can be bad because they actually mangle the words as they speak too fast so I have probably been picking up the wrong things. Went to the National Stadium on wednesday night to watch Singapore Vs Indonesia with junseng murugan and fabian. We bought grandstand tickets as it was about to rain, a cedar girl was the ticket seller, and I was rather surprised as I always had the impression that ticket sellers were normally grouchy old men. It was a rather thrilling match, due to Singapore's inability to hold on to a lead and willingness to just sit back and soak up the pressure. The attendance increased from the 5000 people who watched the Laos match to about 13000, see what 11 goals in a game can do. My boss also called me halfway through the match to give me new assignments, so I tried my best to listen to him over the roar of the crowd. Another interesting sight was that of a portly caucasian man wearing a Singapore jersey with the words "ANG MOH 10" printed behind. Nice sense of humor.
Worked on Monday and Friday, was given a nice surprise on Thursday, although I had to travel all the way to Boon Lay to get it. Thanks to you people, you know who you are.
Till next time then.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Thankful

On this special day, I am thankful for all I have.
I am thankful for being able to have enjoyed and experienced fully my 21 years on this Earth.
I am thankful for having a wonderful and supportive family and extended family.
I am thankful for having a group of great friends to share joys and tears.
I am thankful that I can look forward to a future which I can mold.
I am truly thankful for what life has given me, and will continue to cherish all that was dear to me in my 21 years before.
Happy birthday to me.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Local entrepreneur takes over English football club

Reported by Gonzalez Ng

In a stunning move today, a consortium headed by Koh Enterprises announced they have taken over Norwich City Football Club. In a statement released by Koh Enterprises spokesperson, Mr Fernando Ng said that "We are pleased to announce that we have successfully taken over Norwich City Football Club. Our company Chairman, Mr Alonso Koh, will now be the Chairman of the club."
Mr Koh, when interviewed at the press conference in Koh Enterprises Headquarters in Singapore, had this to say. "I have supported Norwich ever since I was a young boy. My friends supported the more glamorous clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle.. err wait sorry not counted. Anyway, my friends could never understand why I would support in their opinion a lousy team. But I have always admired Norwich for their grit and determination, and it was through these values I have got to where I am now as a businessman."
Mr Koh also shared this anecdote with the journalists gathered. "I remember when I was touring Bangkok with my friends, I told them I intended to get a Norwich jersey in Bangkok. One of them, a Manchester United fan, scoffed at me and said that if I could find a Norwich jersey, he'll buy it for me. I searched many shops for it, but everytime the shopkeeper would shake his head and say he never even heard of such a team. Just as I was about to give up, I decided to try one last shop. And there it was, the last piece, and it was from the only season Norwich was in the premiership, but still I had found it. And my friend duly paid up for it, and I knew from that day on Norwich and I were meant for each other."
In England, the current manager of Norwich City Football club Pete Grand was delighted to hear of the takeover. "I hope more funds will be released for me to strengthen the side as we continue our push for the 3rd Division title."
Reaction to the takeover by the Norwich fans has been mixed. Some expressed hope that Koh would be their version of a Abramovich sugar daddy, others were more concerned whether he is an opportunistic foreignermerely trying to turn the club into a money making machine. A Peter Pansley was quoted as saying, "I don't care if he's British or not, as long he gets us going, it's a good thing for me."

New funds spark rumors about spending spree

As soon as the takeover was announced, rumors were about that Norwich City intend to sign Titus Bramble to shore up their defence and pay a record breaking 50 million pounds to Chelsea for Andrei Shevchenko. There are also reports that Chairman Koh may decide to play himself in one of the games. "He fancies himself as the Asian Darren Huckerby." A close source to Chairman Koh reveals.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Remants of another era

J5. I really feel old now.
I think it's safe to say that those who hate their present and are afraid of their future cling on to their past, which is just sad.
I can't wait to move on.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Lethagy

I am tired. Yet I don't want to sleep. I have to get up by 0830 tomorrow morning to go to Clementi for a tuition assignment, and yet I refuse to sleep.
Welcome back, my self destructive tendencies.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Love in the Emergency Room

Inspired by a true story... somewhat.

Director: Cefiro

Starring: Freedom
Alonso as The Protagonist
Eto'o as The Foreigner who is the best friend of the Protagonist
Fernando as The Jealous Third Party
Cherry as the Metrosexual Best Friend to The Girls
Gonzalez as The Extra

Also costarring:
Fifi as The Girl
Y as The Other Girl

Note: All characters are playing themselves.

Episode 1:

The Fateful Encounter

Scene 1: At some damm posh office building

(Alonso walks out of the office building. He is wearing a suit and a red tie, holding a briefcase in his left hand, the other hand is taking out the keys to his damn posh car. On his left ear is a bluetooth ear piece. He makes to open his car and gets in.)

Alonso: Yes, yes. Don't worry, Mr Richards, as long you place your trust in me, I gurantee we will make this project a success! No problem! So when can we sign the contract? Next tuesday! Excellent! I look forward to closing this deal with you Mr Richards then. Thanks and I'll see you next tuesday!

(A gets into his car and starts the engine. He drives out and reaches a junction. Then there's a loud crashing noise and we see a car crash against a lamp post.)

A: Oh no!

(A gets out of his car and rushes to help the driver. We see the driver is slumped against the wheel, blood oozing from her head, unconscious. It's Y. A opens the door and carries her out of the vehicle, running away, before it explodes dramatically behind him. He then lays his coat on the floor and places her on it. She stirs a little.)

A: Miss, Miss, can you hear me? Are you alright?

(Y stirs. We see her looking at A in a kaleidoscope of colours.)

Y (Feebly): James?

(We see her vision blur away and hear the sound of the ambulance siren become louder)

Scene 2: Hospital

(The emergency doors burst open. YH is wheeled in in a stretcher, and all the nurses and doctors are doing their thing, shouting some medical stuff, acting all gan cheong. Eventually we see A, sans coat, tie loosened, clothes slightly bloodied rush in as well.)

Some random nurse: Sorry Sir, you cannot go in!

(A stops. Another random nurse approaches him.)

2nd random nurse: Sir, you accompanied the patient right? Please come here and sign some documents. Once that is done, you can leave.

(A takes a clipboard and starts filling up the form. Away from his earshot, 2 more random nurses walk past him, do a doubletake, then start whispering conspiracally.)

1st random nurse: Hey isn't that guys Alonso Ko? The self made millionaire? They say he is one of the most eligible bachelors in Singapore, and he's very rich as well! Wow, looking at him up close, he's SOOOO CUTE!

2nd random nurse: Ya loh! Wonder if he has a girlfriend... Whoever she is must be very lucky!

(Voices drowned put by the background sounds of the hospital. The camera returns to A, who finishes filling up the form. He signs off with a flourish, then places the pen down. As he turns to leave, he hears a voice behind him.)

F: I would like to thank you for helping that poor lady who was in the car crash. If you hadn't carried her out then, she would have died.

(A turns around to see who spoke to him. Time slows as he stares in amazement.)

A: Fifi? (pause) Wow, it's been a long while...

(Obligatory flashback scene)

to be continued...

Author's notes:
As you can see, I was quite bored.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

New

Happy new year to all of you reading this. In the spirit of the new year, I just changed my computer from that old and cranky one to a new but still rather low end one. Well it works so I ain't complaining much. Also new is the blog template, as I think I got rather bored with the green template.
The days that led to the end of 2006 was fun, dinner with the guys on the 31st was nice, had a very interesting outing on the 29th night, otherwise it was just being stuck at home sleeping the late nights off, reading, helping my mum out, having hearty family meals, completing FFXII finally, fixing the new computer, going for training sessions for my assignments that are starting soon, cleaning up my room, watching Man Utd play stylishly and win, you get the idea.
I don't really have any new year resolutions, as I only had one last year and yet I couldn't even fufil it, which was to exercise more.. In any case, I think I should just live by this mantra, which is not to regret.
Looking forward to a great year.