crabby B.R.A.T.

A nonscensical post

2007-02-21T21:50:00.000+08:00

OK, officially, I've pretty much abandoned this blog. But I've been busy with work, but I'm enjoying it.

Anyway, I figured that since nobody's going to read this post, I might as well say...

I LURVE MAKE-UP!!!

Case in point, let's start with the basics, shall we?

the ultimate make-up base:

Ettusais' medicated acne whitening UV base is just absolutely perfect for me. It's light, sheer, and the whitening isn't all that dramatic anyway. I mean, I do get the occasional remark that my face is pretty pale, but I figured it's because I'm a lot more careful with it. =P

But apparently, a new packaging has been released in the market that looks like this:

One word: UGLY!!!!!!!!!

*puipuipui!!!*

Well, I'm gonna skip the foundation, because technically, and fundamentally, everyone should find the right foundation for their skin. I'm using a compact liquid foundation that's got a moouse-y texture, but it's absolutely harmless on the skin. I've been using the same foundation for over a year (NOT the item itself, the type!) and I have no intention of switching brands anytime soon. This is the one item that I will definitely not spare my finances from.

I never had to use concealers until last year when I started work. I started with MAC's, but then I got fed up with confusing my eyeshadows with the concealer because they look the same face-down, and also because it's more yellow-ish, and they don't stay as long as I'd like them to. But Ettusais' medicated acne real fit concealer - another new product in the market - works perfectly. It's not too yellow, it blends really well (I got shade #20. It's also available in #10 and #30), and it doesn't disappear as quickly. Kudos to Ettusais!

Next in line, the eyeshadows:

So far Bloom cosmetics can only be found in selected SaSa stores in Singapore, and I'm quite sad that some of the other branches have decided to let go of this brand. I have found no fault in their products and it's a shame that it isn't getting the publicity and attention it deserves.

Anyway, this is one of my favorite products from them. Although it's not specifically for the eyes (it's just star dust, anyway), I use it primarily for the eyes. Friends who know me know that I use MAC eyeshadows (and I don't even want to know how many of those I have!), but once in a while I become lazy (*sheepish grin*), and if I'm pressing for time, or if a meeting requires me to look better than the current state I was in, I roll these things on my eye like 3 times, blend with a finger, and I'm finished! These things come in antique gold, rose gold, and white gold. I love all three of them, but my favorite is antique gold because they have the most natural and neutral look for the office.

I don't think this is a new product in the market, but Ettusais came up with this interesting thing that was so intriguing that I couldn't resist! Ettusais' liquid eyeshadow is a first for me because I personally believe that people with oily, sensitive skin should stay far and away from these things. But then again, Ettusais is known to be the brand for people like moi, so I decided to get it. Besides, they had a really cute shade of pink that I think could come in handy when the evening comes around, and I have a wedding lunch to attend next Saturday so I need to prepare for that!

I love pencil eyeliners for two reasons: one, they enhance my eyes, and two, they're far less troublesome than those liquid, and even gel ones (no offence, but I haven't found my experience with Bobbi Brown's gel eye liner any more memorable). Clinique has got to be one of the best ones in the market, especially for people like me because there's this tendency for my eyes to bleed makeup, like coming home with black smudges at the bottom of my eyes at the end of the day. I have this in black and blue grey.

Mascaras are a very tricky issue for me. Before I found Canmake's curling jet mascara, I was using this one that was like nearly S$40 in the market, and I didn't know that their shelf lives were only six months tops. Granted, that's still cheaper than my foundation, but until I learn how to stay faithful to one mascara - which is highly unlikely - I'll continue for my search for the perfect, waterproof, under S$20 mascara. So far this one does the job very well for me, and I love how, despite being deep plum, it still looks very natural on my eyes. But then again this brand is also disappearing from the market (damn!), so I suspect that I'll have to hunt for another mascara very soon. I heard Shiseido had this product called Dramatical mascara, but it's no longer sold here. Phooey.

Now on to the lips!

I should add the disclaimer that this lipstick is not cheap. As a matter of fact, nothing from Lancome is ever cheap. Unfortunately, they also happen to carry the best shade I could ever find (and it just so happens that I am completely in love with nude shades). So far the Color Fever range has the best consistency and texture for a lipstick, even better than L'oreal's new creamy ones. I have this in #203 and #211.

Like I said, Bloom cosmetics are an understatement. These are not cheap either - they're like S$26.55 here. But then they also offer 2ml more than what the market usually does, and I heard they last all year. I'm using Amour, Pout, and Sweet Pea. And I love all three of them. And they come in extremely handy when I'm mixing them with the lipsticks, and I have a totally different colour on my mouth.

Trust me, I have more than these. Quite scary, if you think about it. But I think this whole make-up/cosmetics thing is catching up on me. And I love them all!

Updates from the long- lost Brat

2006-03-29T10:25:00.000+08:00

I'm back!!!!

OK, the bulk of my work is done. Presentations and reports are 80% done and over with. Now it's just the exams.

I can't believe it's already Week 13. It does not feel that way at all!

So some updates for you readers...

I PASSED MY DRIVING TEST!!!

So I am stuck with a temporary driver's license while the real thing is still in the works. Will only get it in a month's time. I wasn't sure if I would pass, so I didn't bring my passport photo. Then when I did, I had to spend $6 for 4 of them (and in my glasses and messy messy hair... my mum still doesn't not know about this). Closed the account with BBDC, and the probation plates sitting in the car, and now I can officially drive!

Oh, I will be officially free in 23 days' time. Then hopefully I'll go on a nice holiday OUT OF THIS COUNTRY, where I get to sleep in a hammock in a secluded beach and there is service to bring me drinks and cocktails... sigh...

I have complained before, but I am SO glad that school will be over soon because I am finding my groupmates difficult to work with. 'Nuff said.

Till then!

Hello!

2006-03-11T08:02:00.000+08:00

This is just to let all my Blogspot readers know that...

I'm not dead.

Haha, 10 weeks of school, and 5 more to go! Honestly, though, I'm not sure if I can live with this. Even with 4 measly modules to take, the stress should be lower right? Nooo..., I've got:

1. A group with only 4 people in it while the average was 5-7. And two of them are from China on exchange here, and the other is just really obsessed about makeup and doesn't really contribute much, but still attempts to push her weight around with her yakking if not for me stepping in.

2. My ad campaign for a client is not doing great - we've barely finished half. And it's only a two-member group.

3. IT and the law is no better, because nobody seems to know what's going on. Report is due the following Tuesday. Not finished.

4. And my other group is just a bunch of slackers that's now just attempting to work. 3 projects due, and not a single one is finished. Heck, one of my teammates even said he'd only panick 5 minutes after the thing is submitted, and I'm already panicking NOW!

Kk, no stress, no stress. *BREATHE IN*.

Today is Open House day. As of now, I have sent 4 resumes to two PR agencies and one company that deals with finance. The other resume went to a company that I'm not interested in. Poo.

I'm busier than ever. But if worklife's more stressful, wow. What a whole lot more stuff to look forward to.

2006-02-02T09:48:00.000+08:00

Yes, I know I've been missing in action for the longest time. And for good reason.

It's my final semester. I am NOT going to screw it up!

But I have another blog as a journal for my Social Psychology class. The problem is, I don't know if what I'm doing is the right thing, so I'd like some feedback.

As such, I welcome all who come here (or at least what's left of you people) to see my other blog and give me constructive feedback.

It'll be all the more better if you have some psychology background or something.

Thanks again!

PSYC002 - Social Psychology.

Something is coming... I can feel it.

2006-01-02T08:00:00.000+08:00

Yesterday the church was reflecting on what God had done for us in 2005, and we realized it was a year of double blessings. The church grew by 2,000++ people, our leadership base is growing (but I don't want it to grow in NUMBERS... I want it to grow in QUALITY!!!), we've got 2 new ministries (actually, one was just a renaming of the Young Adults Ministry. But the community service ministry certainly was news to me!), the music ministry's been running around to get this whole Christmas recording thing done (and it was really a miracle when I actually had time to make up for it),.... stuff like that. And it's happened to me too in certain areas of my life. I won't say what because, quite frankly, it's not for you to know, lest you be jealous. Hurhurhur.

For some reason, I have a feeling that something is going to happen this year. Now I know feelings are just that: feelings. And they don't do much. But at church there was a sense of excitement, of anticipation, and a feeling of wholeness and completeness and wellness for the coming year. And it's going to be a year of major revamp for me too: I'll be out of school in April, I'm still deciding if I want to take an MBA in two years', I'll be working (and spending my own money for a change!), and.... well, let's just say I thought I heard Him say that "he" is coming.

At this point, I feel like a Sarah eavesdropping on Abraham's conversation with Jesus when He said she would get pregnant. I'm laughing in my heart. But I don't want to be disbelieving! Sarah conceived, and she had Issac. I had a 40.6degC fever, and I was extremely blessed that my brain cells didn't get completely fried. I'm just going to let it be, and enjoy what the year brings.

And now some bit of news that I need to let off my chest...

SL proposed to Z on Christmas Eve. I haven't seen the batu yet. Z is only one day younger than I am, and she's not even working yet. And she's getting MARRIED?! And my cousin's getting hitched in 2007. In the States.

So Abba has been extremely kind and generous and longsuffering with me (as with the rest of us, but I think especially me!). He's rekindled the fire for reading this year (except that Anna Karenina remains to be finished, even after more than a year of not reading it), and my desire to go deeper into His Book is stronger than ever. I'm hungry. And I'm thirsty. And I feel vulnerable because I know when I'm like this, I'm very open to a lot of things. I've been running around all week (between Christmas and New Year's), sleeping at 3am... there was hardly ever any time to sit down, enjoy a nice cuppa, being with friends (friends that I miss very dearly!), reading a good book, and listening to His Word. I've resorted to playing Pastor P's messages on the CD Player (which I am glad I didn't throw out. The batteries last longer too) as soon as I hit the bed, and the minute I wake up. Very Pastor Mark-ish, I know. The only difference is that my family doesn't know it, and they also know that I also listen to other preachers (Peter J. Daniels, Rev. Buddy Bell, Pastor Gary Clarke, Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest, etc), so I have balance.

Going out with the Missus today. Tomorrow there is school. I'm not excited about that bit, but I do hope something productive comes out this semester!

More photos.

2005-12-31T11:39:00.000+08:00

I think after this post I won't upload any more photos from the China trip. I'm getting quite tired of them myself.

On the way to Hong Kong, the plane already had Christmas decorations up. That was really cute.

All the above taken at Sun Yat Sen's. Just nice scenes (or at least I hope so) that I thought I'd take.

At the site on Zhuhai. We were only right across the river to Macau.

Also at Zhuhai, but this was taken at the site with the woman statue with the pearl on her head.

I can't remember where this place was. Sigh. But they had spectacular shows with lots of gunpowder involved. Very interesting.

My group again. The lady 2nd from the left is our school's director of Career Services.

Same thing.

Ah, the Koi. They flock to wherever the fish food go. I think a few of them got bitten in the process. Sigh.

ANYWAY...

Happy New Year in advance to everyone. :) A lot of things happened this week. My grandparents got baptized on Thursday (which was GREAT, considering it's been a 15-year project from the family). Earlier that day, I finally pushed myself to go to BBDC and my driving is still fresh in my head, even after a 3-month hiatus. Good! And then the night before my cousin, her fiance, our other cousin, and myself attempted to go to Zouk/Phuture. Twenty people down the road they completely shut off the entrance (full house), so we had to join another queue that goes to Zouk only, and that line became twice as long. So we gave up, and met our parents at the Raffles to get some Singapore Sling (which was VERY good, and there was a nice ambience: live band, lots of dancing, and peanut shells littered all over the floor). Then I went back to school on Friday for the exchange student orientation and all turned out pretty well too. My friend and I (with another guy - they're not dating) went to catch Narnia: LWW (and he treated us to the tickets - isn't that nice?!), and it was a very nice show - I got the Holy Spirit goosebumps watching it. Then I got 2 eyeshadows from Red Earth for only $22.40 (20% discount!) and went home. On Tuesday, LM and I went to get a HK exchange student from the Airport. Both of them got along VERY WELL, so I'm thinking of chucking the fellow to LM. She seemed to like it that way anyway.

Fantastic week, but also very tiring. School starts next week for me. I hope I can get Social Psychology on a Monday instead of a Thursday so that I can get a 3-day week for school, and work part-time for the rest. I sent a note to LVMH Fashion and I'm not sure if that's going to get through, but let's see how. Haha.

Ciao people, and have fun at your New Year's Countdown Party!

Pictures - more than 500 of them.

2005-12-26T18:35:00.000+08:00

On my system. From the China trip. Some of them are from a friend's archive. But man, renaming all of them - wow!

So instead of going in sequence, I'm just gonna put up the pictures that look nice. Saves a lot of trouble for me. Hurhurhur.

Some of the folks from Chek Lap Kok International Airport in Hong Kong. Taken on DEPARTURE. Heehee...

The guy in the middle is Eugene. Trying to act smart...

We're at Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Not a bad place, I'd say. Those shades you see there? They broke later during the say. Very sad about that... *sigh*

Ocean Park had a Japanese Garden. I'm taking a picture here with a fellow groupmate of mine. That bag you see there? Is an imitation (Rule #1: any imitation that looks like the real thing is always worth it. I got this one at a quarter of what the original might have cost. DON'T ASK ME FOR THE PRICE. I'LL TELL YOU TO JUMP IN THE LAKE FOR THAT!). That red jacket and sweater you see there? I got them while i was in Minnesota (Rule #2: just because you don't think you'll be wearing those winter clothes again does NOT mean you should invest in those that are cheap, low quality, thin. Especially when you're in those countries with really cold climate - it's always good to invest in GOOD WINTER WEAR. That way you don't suffer).

We're in Guangzhou on a ferry ride along the river (I forgot what it's called). Very COLD. But very refreshing. Despite the polluted air, I enjoyed a bit of solitude on board.

My groupmate and i again. I like her :D

My class has this habit of posing for the picture. It's just so funny. There are more shots, but I've exceeded the limit on Flickr. I don't know what this is supposed to mean. The guy (Elvis) was our photographer (since he's with SMUSAIC. And he takes VERY good shots). How he manages to juggle so many things at the same time is beyond me. But nice guy :D

Again with my groupmate! But we're in Zhuhai and we're very near that statue of the lady carrying the pearl over her head (think Zhuhai's version of the Singapore Merlion).

We were in Guzhen (the city of lights. Quite literally, too. They have the cheapest Swarovski Chandeliers I know). We're standing behind this dragon that I think is only a few hundred thousand renminbi (RMB). And that's my project group, by the way.

I just love this shot. FINALLY a decent picture of me!

See what I mean by habit of posing? This one was in Shunde. One of the gardens, can't remember the name.

This park has a mini-waterfall. I've got such tiny eyes here.... sigh.

I'm very proud of this picture because it means that I can use it as my desktop wallpaper! Haha! Also in the gardens at Shunde.

AAHHHH!!!! LOVE IT!!!

In Shenzhen. Any American must either be elated or sad about this. This is where your jobs have gone to. Haha.

Why does every tree on the roadside look like this?

The Hilton Hotel at Shenzhen. The one with the funny roof. No, we didn't stay there.

Shenzhen's Expo Hall. Still under construction, but I think it's going to be a great place!

Some places of China have these boards up. China is a very collectivistic society. I wonder if they have room for self-thought.

Real estate in Shenzhen. And the rest of the PRD. Saves the time and effort to read the papers.

the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Midea. That company is doing very well. One of the few MNCs in the area, and the only one we ever came across.

How much food we ate at Shunde during our own free time. And still more food came.

At Baolin Temple. I don't know what this is, but it's worthy to be another desktop wallpaper to me.

The stairway leading up to at least 3 temples at Baolin Temple. Long climb. In heels.

The entrance.

At the Guzhen Township People Government of Zhongshan City. Haha.

The building itself.

Remember I said that Guzhen is the City of Lights? That's their pride and joy over there. The King of Lights.

Yup, the King of Lights. Disappointed?

Remember the Swarovski Chandeliers I was telling you about? This is not one of them.

Guzhen really wasn't kidding when it said it was the City of Lights.

There was this amazing antique clock that caught my attention. Actually it wasn't the only one. There were more.

We were visiting Sun Yat Sen's old home at Zhongshan. I miss those sunglasses!

We found this pig in Sun Yat Sen's home. I don't know what's it doing there...

I have MORE pictures, trust me. I don't know if I have the capacity to upload any more of them, but oh well... enjoy what you see here!

Two days after my last, final presentation of the semester...

2005-12-23T22:26:00.000+08:00

... And I'm still busy!!!

I tried going to the gym on Thursday morning, but apparently, even 2 weeks' absence can do a lot of things to your brain, like:

1. Forgetting to bring lock and key for the locker
2. Forgetting to bring gloves for weights
3. Forgetting to bring mp3 player.
4. Forgetting forgetting forgetting...!!!!!

And then I forgot more stuff too, like:

1. Forgetting to retrieve two IPA letters from school for my exchange programme buddies (one due for arrival that same day at 11pm)
2. Forgetting their matriculation dates
3. Forgetting to get more information about administrative stuff, like EZ Link, calling cards, maps, etc
4. Forgetting to even agree on where to meet, how to meet, and what we should look out for (my buddy and I) at the airport, when multiple arrivals just drive me up the wall!

And then I was running around with my auntie and everything, trying to meet all these people at once... I couldn't even stay home in the afternoon and get any rest before heading out for the airport (whoever said that the airport was a good place to shop must've been doing that at Terminal 2, becase Terminal 1 was just absolutely bare!). Fortunately, I managed to get Christmas gifts for Mom and Dad, which wasn't a total loss. I haven't sent my Christmas cards out at all, which is really really late!

And then it's just really funny when I've been the one who's been so, so excited about Narnia, and yet I haven't been the first one to see it! The friend who agreed to watch it with me did it with someone else instead. :S Hm. I don't expect a sorry from her. She hardly does it anyway.

I've also discovered something really interesting. This is my busiest year ever, and yet I feel more energized since my becoming an undergraduate. It's like the juices in my brain just keep pumping, and I actually like that feeling. Like the time when my group report and presentatioin slides were due just 30 minutes before, and we were still not anywhere near the finishing line, and I was panicking and everything... it actually felt quite good. Exhausted and overwhelmed, yes. But it was a strange, new feeling, and I kinda liked it. A lot of people I know will say it's stressed. But I think this level of "stress" that I'm getting is actually doing some good for me.

Weird.

YYEEEEAARRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

2005-12-20T00:57:00.000+08:00

Call me a stickler for detail and order, but for crying out loud, just because you don't know how to do a bibliography, does NOT in ANY way mean that you should just DUMP me a name, and a GENERAL homepage, just so that I can INCONVENIENTLY DIG through all that TRASH and find the relevant information, and put things in PROPER ORDER so that our report doesn't look like MONKEYS wrote it!!!!!

I'm going to finish this stupid report tomorrow.

*FUME*

Joyce Meyer, January 7-8 (or was it 6-7?)

2005-12-19T12:54:00.000+08:00

If you check out the City Harvest Church website, Joyce Meyer will be coming down for their services. I've heard that she's an amazing woman of God. I've read snippets of one of her books, and she's not so bad. If anyone is interested, their services are now at the Expo Hall (yes, Expo Hall. They're oversubscribed again). And there's always the website. =)

If Pastor Greg Laurie ever makes his way down here, hook or by crook, sign me up!

China, Hong Kong, and Clams.

2005-12-18T20:23:00.000+08:00

No. More. Clams.

Thanks to those, I got food poisoning for the whole of Thursday, just as I was about to go out and do some serious shopping.

I had diarrehoa at 6:30am, followed by a slew of stomachaches that followed me right through till 7pm at night, when I started shivering as if I had fits of some sort. That lasted for about half an hour before things calmed down. I took a lot of warm water (which was a very, very BIG mistake!), and then I threw up so bad I went to the office to request for a change in the bed linings and towels. By then I couldn't even keep my focus and my head straight, so I was sent to hospital, where I was diagnosed with food poisoning that gave me a record high of 40.6degC.

Nuts.

It was just so weird having that kind of violent reaction to any food. I'd never had anything as violent as that. Or at least, in memory. But I will definitely NEVER touch clams, oysters, and mussels again... EVER!

Anyway...

I wouldn't say that China was a blast or anything. It did give me a chance to learn more about the great people in class (and the not-so-great ones..., *cough cough sneeze sneeze*). It also gave me a chance to see what the big hoo-hah about China was about. We went to the Pearl River Delta region and visited the companies there to check things out.

In all honesty, while they're doing great, I think they have a lot of issues to settle like:

1. Polluted air - it was like breathing in a smoking area 24/7. Coming back home was like breathing through an oxygen tank.
2. Toilets - While some weren't as bad as I'd heard, they don't even provide toilet paper.
3. Common courtesy - all they do is push and shove. And yell. Very rude.
4. Traffic - Now I know why people talk about the traffic there. It is utter CHAOS. Sure they follow the traffic light rules and everything, but that's just about it. They squeeze into everything and anything that remotely fits their vehicle, oncoming traffic or no.
5. Food - great food, but they could afford something less oily. I feel like I'm carrying a pot of lard in my tummy right now. Where's the sushi?!

And then there's Hong Kong. Ah, the WTO riots. We weren't there, thank goodness. Or we were in the area, but there weren't any demonstrators around at all. We were on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday, and we visited the streets where there were bars and clubs and everything. Very nice night life. VERY nice branded boutiques! There was Nine West, Armani, and the likes. I WANTED to go! But it was already 10 and they were CLOSED.

Hong Kong CBD was beautiful, and all the more so from Victoria's Peak, where we took the tram and everything. The thing was going at a 45-degree angle. Interesting experience. But it was really nice to be at the top and see everything. I'll be it would've been better if not for the BLARDY SMOG!!!

And then came the food poisoning. Sigh.

Oh well, at least I had a lot of time to catch up with a lot of sleep, which I didn't get enough of since we were always out till midnight or 1 in the morning.

Conclusion: China is NOT the place I want to be. Not even for work. Maybe Zhuhai's not so bad, and if you put me in Hong Kong Island, I might consider. Just DON'T MAKE ME LIVE IN MONGKOK AND I'LL BE VERY HAPPY ALREADY!

I should've taken a picture of the toilet to show you how we lived in HK. Oh well. I guess no one would want to show that. Haha!

But the room was surprisingly cozy. I slept well at MongKok.

Sigh.

Give Me a Break!

2005-12-03T14:19:00.000+08:00

To view article, click on the above image.

Quite a offensive at first, because it was so glaring and obvious as to who Aslan personified. The Narnia series is a GREAT collection to exemplify what Jesus Christ is about (although NOT the best). It is also, in my opinion, the least offensive to those who want to just read it as it is. But if you tell me to keep that opinion to myself, well, I'll be!

On the other hand, it was also a personal experience of my own that I was not informed on the interpretation of the series until sometime last year. I did vaguely hear that it was related to Christianity, but not the way I perceive it now. So while it may be a good thing that first-time readers are left to decipher the story on their own, fantasy or not, I feel sorry for them if they never realized how strong a background those stories were written in the beginning.

I wonder what the heart of the author was when he first wrote the books...

Glorious!

2005-11-30T22:17:00.000+08:00

I got a B for my IB class!

What a relief! And to think that I was getting really worried about getting another C for my major. 2 of them, in fact. Not a single one attained an A, but I'm just glad that it's done and over with! Now I can focus entirely on my corporate communications major, which I am truly, madly in love with!

Finally! Good riddance to Finance!!

And to all who have not seen the above (quite understandably, since it hasn't been released here yet), please go catch it! It is a beautifully made adaptation of Jane Austen's novel! I was greatly privileged to buy the novel and receive a pair of tickets to the primere at Shaw Towers tonight (coincidentally, I watched it with my mother, to her utmost delight). Prince 1 has astoundingly huge!!! The theatre could practically sit a thousand people easily, and there were purple drapes hanging all over the place! I wonder how much has gone into its maintenance. But they gave an extrodinarily posh look (I think it might have looked better if the curtains were maroon instead, but oh well) to the place. Unfortunately, the seats were not looked after as well, and the passageways between the seats were so cramped it made walking in between nearly impossible unless you actually stood up.

But aside from the crummy seats, Keira Knightley dd a a MARVELOUS job in portraying Lizzie. While her flat chest was very hard to ignore (no, seriously, it was), her performance was astounding! The music was pleasant, and every character - including Mr. Darcy - did the novel justice.

Well, maybe I shouldn't go as far as to admit that, because I couldn't finish the book in time (I'm still twenty chapters away!!!). But I'd made it as far as the disappearance of Lydia, so I pretty much covered everything. I'm not too sure about the ending, although I would like to think of it just as romantic. But of course, with a book, only the imagination can carry the story to its extremes. Hee!

I also got a call from iShop who said my computer was ready for pickup, and no charges were incurred (and there jolly well shouldn't be any - I didn't pay extra for the APP for nothing!).

So all in all, apart from the strange dream I had last night, my day went pretty well, I must say! Whee to that!

One more thing to mention...

2005-11-30T09:40:00.000+08:00

I got that collection forSGD$43 at Borders.

Now, with the movie and all, the cover has changed to the much nicer one, and the various editions are priced between SGD$63 and SGD$100.

It's amazing what marketing can do for a product that's been sitting there for years and was never paid attention to, isn't it.

THIEVES!!!!

Whoa!

2005-11-30T09:12:00.000+08:00

I just had this amazing dream!

I dreamt that we were in this amazing institution and it was the first day of the semester or something. Apparently the school was holding this huge meeting of the great scientists and thinkers of the world together on space expeditions or something like that, and they had published an encyclopedia about it. Nice, shiny, cover, and very professional! I remember my IE prof was seating a class of about 80 people according to alphabetical order and before class even started properly I was summoned out for some reason because of another group who was doing a play of some sorts, and most of the people involved in that were the folks from church and they were singing the songs from our Mediacorp recording (don't ask!). I started walking around the cafeteria for some reason, and then I found myself being led by this guy on a horse to one of the gates (and it looked very Medieval) and we went in and immediately we were in this extremely narrow corridor. Then somehow I picked up that enclyopedia thing and I actually began to read! Maybe not the whole book, but somehow I think one of the girl groups from out of nowhere wanted to do a presentation to prove one of the theories raised and I got invovled. There were two open display spaces and they were only covered by curtains. One resembled a bathing area and the other room was dark but was lit by a lot of laser beams. And then when the curtains drew I found that we were in another place, and we found ourselves walking in gardens and I suddenly found myself walking with some of the great thinkers (can't remember who...). We walked through about two gates and then suddenly one of them rolled down a slope (?!?) and I had to catch up with him. When I did, we were in another area of the garden with a lot of exhibits that looked very ancient and old and grand. Also medieval, and kinda middle earth too. I started walking along these exhibits, and there was another gate! I walked through that one, and found Gil Grissom from the CSI (this gets weirder. So hang on!). I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was doing some research and thinking on the stars and planets. We somehow landed in a lab or some sort, and I was recalled that I had read something about what he was talking about at that time, and there was a telescope which we asked me to look through, and among the countless stars that I could see, I saw a flying object that I cannot describe. It was shaped like a modern Boeing, but definitely built for space traveling and it looked really out of this world. And then the both of us left the room we were in and reported to the rest of the group (who had by then caught up with us) on what we had seen. And then for some reason we started walking back to the narrow corridor place where a horse was carrying a dead Croatian on his back in a knight's armour made of titanium. He was 30 years old.

And then I woke up.

I KNOW!!! It's such a weird dream! What could it possibly mean?!?!?!?!?!?!

Now where was I...

2005-11-29T23:46:00.000+08:00

I visited the new iShop at Cineleisure Orchard yesterday to surrender my PowerBook for repairs. I couldn't slot in a CD for nuts, and they reported that they found a loose screw in its drive. Imagine that. But I have to tell you, the store was just magnificant, and everything an Apple Store should be. Not cramped, with an in-house service counter. So many gadgets, and so many accessories. The Bose speakers were just fantastic. It sure beats all the other Apple stores around the country. A Mac Haven!

And I'm still waiting for the soundtrack to "The Producers" to be released. I can't believe it's not out yet. Borders doesn't have it either. Sigh.

But I had a pretty intense workout today! I worked on the treadmill for 30 minutes, played with the weights for about another 15-20 minutes, and then did crunches for the last 10-15 minutes or so. Then I spent the next 45 minutes at Spin class, where I was pedalling in the physical, while watching Mike Thomas' hip-hop class next door. He has got the groove! But Spin was extrodinarily trying this evening. I'm not sure why. Haha

Tomorrow I shall be watching Pride and Prejudice with my mother. This is the first time she'd been in the theatres in two years. But I guess it's not so bad treating your mother out to a premiere when you're given a pair of tickets with free seating.

And I finally got around cleaning my room. I had to turn down an invitation to go cycling and pigging out and watching a movie with some friends from the church choir. Which is pretty sad when you think about it because that was pretty much one of the rarest times we actually get together to have fun and not be on duty on stage (which has been replaced with wooden stands, and they are slippery and our shoes make too much noise). But I digress. While the table and the closets are still a mess, the shelves are definitely much more manageable. They're more pleasant to look at.

And I'm actually pretty interested in Aeon Flux. I know it was originally a cartoon produced by MTV (and I've seen it, and I have no clue on the storyline; it's all over the place!), but I thought Charlize Theron was too interesting to resist. It opens this Friday. If my friend C is free we might be able to catch it because we'll be away for half of December and she's only coming back on the 20th. Phooey (on the bright side, I can watch Narnia!!!).

I think I have a thing for grocery shopping. I don't know why, but the sight of the fruits section and the food and beverage corner just drives me wild. Hmm.... I think I need to learn how to cook real food soon.

I'm not looking forward to Hong Kong Disneyland, but I guess I could put my photography skills to good use... There goes $66... sigh. And did you know we're checking in and out of hotels 6 times throughout the whole trip before we settle in a hostel in HK for free and easy? I'm wondering if doing any laundry is going to be possible!

And I don't think I'm bringing my computer along too. Too heavy. But then it seems that none of my groupmates are either. Argh!

Well anyway, it looks like the contents of this post has been extremely random. I guess I'm just making up for the lack of posts in recent days. Truthfully, I shouldn't feel guilty about it. And maybe I shouldn't.

At last, a much needed break!

2005-11-28T19:51:00.000+08:00

Until Sunday, I will have time to clean my room, organize my stuff, watch some movies (I watched Prime this afternoon, and will catch the preview of Pride and Prejudice on Wednesday), catch a musical, and pack for China.

Meantime I'm just glad I've got no deadlines until the next report. For now, I need sleep!

And yes, as mentioned, I watched Prime. The idea is, a recently divorced woman (Uma Thurman) after 9 years is seeking counseling from her therapist (Meryl Streep), and dates her therapist's son (Bryan Greenberg) along the way. The storyline was interesting, though, I have to admit. Can you imagine dating someone who's 14 years younger/older than you? While I personally might be able to enjoy their company, the implications are just too great for me to find any potential relationship going on.

And anyway, like most Hollywood movies, the story line doesn't follow through all the way. And surprisingly Meryl Streep didn't have much going on for her. I actually thought the whole movie was going to be centred around her. So it was disappointing to see two people whose mindsets can be so darn different have sex.

What got me going was this little point that Meryl Streep made, and that is love is work. True commitment means children, home, employment, relations, etc. But that's just about it.

You know, I do remember that I wanted to write something more. But I guess my brain's not working for today.

Rent's Release

2005-11-27T07:05:00.000+08:00

According to the Rent Movie Blog, the movie version will be released on April 20 2006. For other worldwide release dates, Click Here.

I guess that makes sense, since the Asian tour will probably wrap up by then. And after my final term too! Wow.

So excited that I'm actually going to see the show myself in theatre next Saturday!!

But I digress, I must go. My International Banking is just pure crap right now. Sigh.

Creative Thinking and some moments.

2005-11-22T11:19:00.000+08:00

I didn't take this class under prof K.S., but I think he has that impression. Jia lat... (i.e. oh no...)

Anyway, right now I am in the middle of Week 14 class watching the presentations. I should be concentrating, but some of the projects after the first two were quite dull. And there are about 8 to 10 of them to go through, with no break in sight. Sigh.

One of the freshmen resembles this guy I've been trying to scratch off my list. Different surnames, but the resemblance is uncanny. I dare not ask, lest he actually knows the guy and he rats on me, hence throwing off every single effort I've made to avoid him altogether.

But so far so good. I am trying to get my slides for my afternoon presentation to work. I forgot to bring my tea candles again, and I took the chance to try on the pair of white pants my friend had lent me to wear for the presentation. Chances.

So ok, last Thursday was the live recording of the Christmas program the church was doing with the TV network, that will be airing on Christmas Eve, Channel 5 at 8pm. I think it's well done. The problem is I came out feeling really empty about the whole thing, while everyone else was just really happy all around. The work was good, because I've learnt some things that goes on in the process of filming for a recorded show. But honestly, in retrospect, I don't think I would've missed much if I wasn't in it. I feel like I've given so much of myself to it, but there's not really much of "happy" to speak of. I don't know if I'll be watching the thing itself on TV. I've never been a fan of these programmes anyway.

Still feeling very empty from the whole thing. Maybe a little bitter. I haven't been able to share the "moment" with anyone, really. My parents aren't into that sort of thing, so obviously they're not it. Everyone else is in their own cliques, so that's not it either. There's no genuine joy to speak of.

Makes me wonder what's the whole point of it all.

Random Questions

2005-11-17T22:43:00.000+08:00

I'm not looking for answers, but right now I just feel like asking:

1. If God is so pleased with me, why am I feeling so lonely?
2. If emotions are unreliable, then why do we have them?
3. How would you feel if your "close friend" doesn't even speak to you, even when you're in her face, and she talks to somebody else across the room instead?
4. Why do I feel like a doormat?
5. If the project was a success, and everybody is happy with it, why do I feel so lousy?
6. What's the point of giving when you're not appreciated?
7. Why bother?

Lion

2005-11-16T10:58:00.000+08:00

Mysterious, that's what I call You
I'm curious about You
I'm scared and I'm not sure that You are safe
But Your eyes seem to say that You are good

This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me facing tomorrow
Together, I can learn to fly
It feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth
But the Lion is an Angel

Wise eyes, You see the core of me
Your gentleness melts me
And now I know that words cannot describe
The power that I feel when I'm with You

This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me facing tomorrow
Together, I can learn to fly
It feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth
But the Lion is...

Peace and power, love forever
Who am I to stand before You?
I am speechless
But in my weakness
You are here and all is well

You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me facing tomorrow
Together, I can learn to fly
It feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth
But the Lion is...

This is not a dream that I'm living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me facing tomorrow
Together, I can learn to fly
Feels like I'm living in a lion's mouth
But the Lion is an Angel

Is an Angel...

Rebecca St. James, Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia

The Libertine

2005-11-16T08:55:00.000+08:00

This movie is over a year old. Apple.com only just managed to put the trailer up. And it looks really good!

The story behind it delves into the lifestyle and work of the 2nd Earl of Rochester named John Wilmot, who has such a carnal mindset that he promises to shock many people in his time. I haven't read anything of him yet, but he is creepy enough for me. But J.D.'s performance is absolutely stunning and he does excellent work here - definitely better than his role as the Wacky Willy Wonka. I might just catch it if it comes to Singapore. Or is it going to be direc-to-video here? Hmm...

Oliver Twist (2005)

2005-11-15T13:23:00.000+08:00

C and I watched this last night because we could not get tickets to watch "Just Like Heaven" (poo). Directed by the famous Roman Polanski who directed "The Pianist". I'm not sure if he did "Romeo and Juliet" in 1968, but by golly, I think he lived up to his own standards again. Depressing, realistic, painfully real. Sigh.

And I was really hoping to catch a comedy or something to ease the throbbing headache from all those presentations. "The Family Stone" opens next Thursday. I think I will catch that while everyone else is either watching "Harry Potter" or preparing for the exams.

Hurhurhur.

LWW soundtrack preview is now available!

2005-11-15T11:41:00.000+08:00

All songs from the above soundtrack (yes, the one by Harry Gregson-Williams) is now availale for preview, with many thanks to SoundtrackNet.com. The latest version of QuickTime is required though. You may go to the Apple website and download it, or you can try your luck here.

Are you getting excited? =)

The Producers & The Family Stone

2005-11-14T09:39:00.000+08:00

Did you know that Matthew Broderick sings?

(Note: Matthew Broderick is the same guy who actedd in The Stepford Wives, Inspector Gadget, and was the voice of adult Simba).

I just know that over the weekend! Haha!

Anyway, he was in this broadway musical called The Producers in 2001 alongside with Nathan Lane (the same guy who was Timon in The Lion King). And it is funny to imagine adult Simba and Timon (sans Pumba) being in broadway acting like snivelling businesspeople trying to rip people off.

There's a movie version of the show coming out next month (in the States), with Uma Thurman playing Ulla ("Bialystock & Bloom!"), and Will Ferrell as Franz Liebkind. Roger Bart continues to play his role as Carmen (and I can't wait to see that!).

I've also heard snippets of the soundtrack (the original broadway soundtrack), and it is funny. I can imagine the whole play in mind already. Can you imagine the whole play being really chirpy and gay, and everyone's singing "Springtime for Hitler and Germany/Deutschland is happy and gay!/We're marching to a faster pace/Look out, here comes the master race!". It also gets touchy towards the end when both protagonists come to realize that they really are more than business partners in the process (but they are NOT gay!). Half the lyrics sare blasphemous and rude, but funny still. Isn't Mel Brooks a Jew?

Anyhow, I'm going to watch out for this show. And I can't wait to see Matthew B. sing. And imagine the whole "Lion King" thing going on in my head.

Meantime, God kept His promise by giving me 14 hours of sleep last night. From 5pm till 6:30pm. =) Feeling much much better now, after the whole myriad of deadlines last week. Very happy!

"Hiel Hitler!" Funny, that.

Oh, and another movie to catch... a star-studded cast, nonetheless. But I think it has the potential to reflect the conflict between a family and its new addition - an in-law:

I probably would've thought this was another "Meet the Parents", "Guess Who", "Monster-In-Law", or something else. Not quite "Meet the Fockers", but you get my drift. Stars Rachel McAdams (she's probably the reason why I wanna go see this show), Sarah Jessica Parker (did you know she's married to Matthew Broderick? What a small world!), Dermont Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Craig T. Nelson (the same guy who did Bob Parr on "The Incredibles", Clair Danes (she's prettier here than her "Romeo + Juliet" days), and Diana Keaton.

This must be quite a year for me, since I've never paid this much attention to the movies before!

This has been one hell of a week.

2005-11-09T21:15:00.000+08:00

I have 4 straight days of deadlines for term papers, case assignments, and presentations. One. Day. At. A. Time. I just submitted a petty 2-page assignment to my international banking prof. I think he is going to laugh at it.

Lord, help.

Tomorrow I have a meeting with a group mate at 7:00am (yes, 7 am) to prepare for presentation which begins at 8:30am. Yes, we are the first group to present. And yes, we just got started on the slides this morning. And yes, there is still much to be done. And yes, we have a follow-up report that is due next Thursday.

Lord, help.

On Friday, I have a draft to submit on our research topic for Managing Corporate Reputation and External Relations. We are working on corporate governance in Asia and how it affects corporate reputation. I am working on my part (which is the link between Corporate goernvance and reputation) and I still haven't started.

Lord, help.

This Saturday morning is another Chinese presentation. 'Nuff said.

Lord, help.

I was already counting my blessings when I actually had time to sleep. I wasn't planning to since I had so much work at hand. In the end I slept at 2am and woke up at 7. Praise Jesus.

Now I have to wake up at 5am tomorrow. Well done, my dear, well done.

I wonder if there's any chance of me having a 14-hour sleep during the weekend...

Anyway, this afternoon there was a make-up class for K.S' Creative Thinking, and me being the TA had to be there as well. While I did have International Banking at the same time, I decided I was going to have none of the stuff that keep feeling so sad about (especially after that horrid case) so I decided to use Creative Thinking time to decide what to do with the slides for tomorrow's presentation. Sneaky, huh. Hurhurhurr

But anyway just a little reflection on how these classes have been going so far. Yesterday we had an in-class debate, where the motion was "This House Believes that Creativity Cannnot Be Taught". So following the prof's instructions (since he would only be around in the afternoon) I divided them into two and had people to volunteer themselves to be the debators, time keepers, chairperson, etc.

Funny how when you're a senior who's about to graduate, and you come face to face with the freshmen, some of them who are as young as 17 (two of them, actually. But they're from India). When you listen to their conversations, the boisterous talk, the girls giggling and the guys sizing up against each other (well, the Indians, to be precise), suddenly you feel like you're the only person in the room who has any ounce of sanity to keep the room in proper order.

The debate was really weird too. Because while the class knew how a debate goes, arguments were hurled in all four corners of the room, and there was this girl from the floor who just wouldn't give up a fight and so she even started arguing with the debators - almost to the point of offending the other party. Anyhow the debate went on for an hour, I had to come in and say something before chaos abounded, came to a conclusion that there wasn't going to be a decisive winner since there was no common ground to agree upon (at one point they began to deviate from the topic altogether to debate the difference between learning and teaching). Class was dismissed an hour early.

Then today prof held everybody back by almost 2 hours. We started at 3:30pm, he came in at 3:45, and we ended everything at 8:00pm++. I had a friend who recounted an experience of prof having to make them lie on the floor while he recited some pretty interesting things, and tonight I personally got to see it for myself. He'd make everyone find a comfortable spot to lie on the floor, close their eyes, forget about everything surrounding them, and prof made them think about the things they loved, the things they were afraid of, and made them choose to decide that they were going to need to be comfortable in their own skin (the reason he gave was that creativity would only flow if we had the people we loved and cared about to enjoy the fruits of our creativity with us, and when we overcame our fear of certain people/situations). It was very funny, because throughout the whole thing while I was trying to do the same thing myself, my mind started heading back to the One Thing that has sustained me throughout this whole crazy year, and suddenly the whole "soliloquy" became irrelavant to me. It was as if I'd already found my own comfort zone.

Let's just put it this way: what prof asked the class to find, I already found It, the reason being that one you realize that you actually possessed a certain kind of power that no one could ever take away from you, you just don't feel intimidated by the world anymore.

So anyway, enough about my little sharing, because I need to bathe and I need to get back to that awful presentation due tomorrow.

Blah.

Ha!

2005-11-08T11:39:00.000+08:00

Nice surprises for my birthday, even though they were at least a day late.

I got:

1) A bouquet of roses from my projectmate who attends the same church. 5 BIG roses, if you mind.
2) A beautiful necklace with blue crystals from my JC mate.
3) A lunch buffet at Hotel Rendevous with my friend from choir, who learnt something wonderful had happened that morning and we spent a good solid 4 hours talking!
4) Various SMSes and MSN messages wishing my Happy Birthday.

Very sweet! The roses are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. i've got their pictures, so I'll put them up soon. =) Neat!

Sigh, it's really funny when you thank God for your birth into this world - and look what's he's done!

What a Gentleman!

I didn't know that!

2005-11-05T19:25:00.001+08:00

Apparently I share the same birthday as Jadis the White Witch (actually it's Tilda Swinton who plays the Witch Witch).

Funny!

Happy Birthday to me...

2005-11-05T06:04:00.000+08:00

PUI.

Well, as far as 6 hours may carry me, at least. In exactly two hours, I will be in school meeting up with my group, and we are going to have a good time preparing for our first presentation ever - in Mandarin. We're supposed to be presenting on our pre-trip analysis of the Pearl River Delta (i.e.珠江三角洲, or better known as 珠三角). My part's on 新加坡与中国经济概况。(i.e. the economies of Singapore and China). I am totally freaking out right now because I am NOT PREPARED.

I think if there are seats left, I will catch the Sneak Preview to "Just Like Heaven" at Plaza Singapura.

Huhuhu....

So much for Deepavali

2005-11-01T21:22:00.000+08:00

I don't know why, but I've been reading a biography of C.S. Lewis by Roger Lancelyn Green and Walter Hooper (the former being a friend of the man himself). I'd bought it in July but for some reason I hadn't been able to bring myself to read it until now, just as I am in the middle of The Screwtape Letters.

Barely reading halfway through the book (not even a quarter of it, actually) I can't even understand how the English in the last century would write their prose and language in such fluency and beauty that never fails to impress and inspire me to do something that doesn't even cut it. But anyway, Lewis is a brilliant man who should have lived at least another 20 more years. I would have liked to see his reaction to the JFK assassination.

Given his love for nature and language and philosophy, I wonder what he would think if he lived in a time like this. He wouldn't have to record every single detail of his life in a handwritten diary (although that could also be an option today), but have his own official website containing his biography, his works, his accomplishments, his blogs, etc. That would have been interesting to see.

I still love his Narnia series, but there definitely is more of the man than meets the eye. He's fluent in English (duh), Latin, French, and I think Greek. And very accomplished. He subtly reminds me of another Apostle Paul if there ever was one. A genius - one who was able to retort the Christian faith at every angle - gets saved and ultimately is able to argue for the Faith with dexterity and verocity. Now that's quite something!

Now aside from a good book, more serious things to speak of...

My international banking group is practically shrewn up. We have another case presentation tomorrow - the last one we're doing together, thank goodness - and I think my groupmates are really starting to abhor the sight of each other.

This goes back to our first case presentation, which I thought ended so embarrassing I'd rather not talk about it here, because it brings back such horrid memories that I feel like puking up. Even the prof had to step in by allocating us the work. That was how bad it was.

Anyway there's the three of us in the group. We met for the first time this evening. Now at this point the group is fully aware that we are graded individually. One of us was allocated the spreadsheets and the two of us were doing the accounting prinicples and regulations. We both requested to see the spreadsheet, and the spreadsheet person started acting up all defensive - rather selfishly, actually. And we did not understand this at all. While I didn't press the matter, my other buddy decided she will have none of it. And I think they nearly started another squabble. But thankfully that didn't happen.

So we ended about an hour and a half later. But the whole mood was just sombre. I did not like being in that room at all. How do you expect two people who are selfish on one end, and defensive on the other? Double, double, toil and trouble ought to be headed our way if God doesn't intervene!

So now I'm in the comfort of my room. No dinner (cos my Dad ate everything) so we ordered McDonald's home delivery. Pretty efficient! They said delivery would take an hour when they got here about 15 minutes later. Wonderful customer service. Even if it means high fat, high sodium diet for tonight. Haha.

Am I complex?

2005-10-30T21:25:00.000+08:00

Your Brain's Pattern

You have a dreamy mind, full of fancy and fantasy.
You have the ability to stay forever entertained with your thoughts.
People may say you're hard to read, but that's because you're so internally focused.
But when you do share what you're thinking, people are impressed with your imagination.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

You know something's definitely up when...

2005-10-27T14:12:00.001+08:00

...your favorite prof - the one who is the most dignified, the most respected, the only one whom you look up to and are in close correspondance with - sends you a forwarded chain letter.

And your name is the ONLY student among the many names in the list he's sent it to.

And you thought you'd only get these things from friends when you were teenagers or something.

My oh my.

Terry Tate, Office LineBacker (2003)

2005-10-25T14:10:00.000+08:00

I've seen this ad like 5 times, and I'm still laughing. =)

Case in point, who in the world would name their company "Felcher & Sons"????

For those who don't get it, go find out for yourself what "felch" even means.

Find whatever means you can to get hold of this ad. For those who've seen it, I hope you found it funny too. =)

This ad is my hero because there are always the un-cooperative co-worker that needs a wake-up call every once in a good while.

More News From Narnia!

2005-10-24T00:09:00.000+08:00

According to NarniaWeb.com, TLTW&TW will be released in Singapore on December 22, 2005. Don't forget to put it down in your diaries! Mark that day!!!

The 2nd and newest trailer has also been released. Aslan speaks! =)

Hurhurhur

2005-10-23T15:22:00.000+08:00

Guys Like That You're Sensitive

And not in that "cry at a drop of a hat" sort of way

You just get most guys - even if you're not trying to

Guys find it is easy to confide in you and tell you their secrets

No wonder you tend to get close quickly in relationships!

What Do Guys Like About You? Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Haha..... *^_^

2005-10-23T15:08:00.000+08:00

You Are Sensual Sexy

You exude a luxiourous sensuality in your everyday life
Turning heads every where you go, it's all about your sexy attitude.
You're naturally hot - gorgeous in both sweats and stilettos.
Your biggest problem is that your utra sexy self sometimes scares men away.

What Kind of Sexy Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

MMmmmm....

2005-10-23T15:02:00.000+08:00

You are Milk Chocolate

A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds.
You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life.
Also nostelgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.

What Kind of Chocolate Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Cool! That means my man's on my way =)=)=)

2005-10-23T15:01:00.000+08:00

You are a Great Girlfriend

When it comes to your guy, you're very thoughtful
But you also haven't stopped thinking of yourself
You're the perfect blend of independent and caring
You're a total catch - make sure your guy knows it too!

Are You a Good Girlfriend?

I'm with Kirsten Dunst!

2005-10-23T14:55:00.000+08:00

Your Celebrity Style Twin is Kirsten Dunst

More hippie chic than hippie chick.

Who's Your Celebrity Style Twin?

I'm a Classic!

2005-10-22T19:09:00.000+08:00

Your Fashion Style is Classic

You like what's stood the test of time...
Simple, well styled clothes that don't scream trendy
You stay updated and modern, but your clothes stay in style for a while
You wouldn't be caught in animal prints, fake fur, or super bright colors

What's Your Fashion Style?

Are you sure?!?!?!?!

2005-10-22T19:03:00.000+08:00

Does London still have black smog? Eeeww...

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern.

A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.

A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything.

No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Updates from Narnia

2005-10-20T23:27:00.000+08:00

NOTE: everything you see here you can find on NarniaWeb.com. Just so you know, and that the folks over there won't hunt me down for not giving them enough credit.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

The cast of the Pevensie children have age ranges of 9 to 17 (I was actually thinking Peter could've been more like 15...).

Take a close look at the cast:

Skandar Keynes plays Edmund. He's on the far left. Very unique name he's got!

And take a look at their adult counterparts: (remember, they became kings and queens of Narnia for a good deal of time)

Noah Huntley - King Peter the Magnificant

Mark Wells -King Edmund the Just - and he's MINE!

Sophie Winklemen - Queen Susan the Gentle - very pretty!

Unfortunately there was no picture of Queen Lucy the Valiant. Shame.

And this is Tumnus the Faun:

James McAvoy - looks nothing like a goat-legged man to me.9

And Jadis the White Witch:

Tilda Swinton - and as much as I'd hate to admit, she actually looks quite good.

The website's doing a countdown on the movie's release, which is in 50 days'. Sigh. That means we need to add about another 50 days on our side. No telling when it might be here.

But I'm still - if not more - excited to see this movie when it opens here!!!

Wondrous Tuesday!

2005-10-19T08:22:00.000+08:00

Gosh, I don't know where to start! All sorts of emotions are bombarding with each other all around! First I got to be TA for 7 weeks. Then, there was class in the afternoon which really intrigued me so much (I never knew Macbeth was so interesting until yesterday! Very eye-opening).

Until yesterday I'd been struggling with my International Banking assignments. Then during Shakespeare on Film prof dropped a bombshell in that al presentations were on Week 13 - same week as the recording! So I'd been fretting about it, sending emails to the head telling her of my dilemma. After that I went flying to get some ink cartridges for the home printer before meeting Q at the library to talk about the assignments. I grew really nervous about it because I knew I hardly understood a thing about them!

But then to my utmost relief, both of us were actually on the same frequency! (except that she'd already written out her paper and I hadn't). And after Cafe Galilee's freshly brewed coffee (which was REALLY GOOD), my concentration level just miraculously skyrocketed (friends know that coffee doesn't work on me. I can still sleep one hour after drinking the stuff). So we went home after the library closed, and i was listening to C.S. Lewis' "The Horse and His Boy" on the way home. It was FANTASTIC. I hope Borders brings in those Audiobooks. I got so excited about the assignments by the time I got home (it was 9pm++) that I put off dinner and a shower to work on it (haha). And I actually got it done! (although fewer pages than Q). I got it done before midnight before I bathed and ate. I stayed up till 1am. Before I slept, I checked my emails, and my choir head gave me great news that put my head completely to rest. I can't exactly put it to words, bu it was such a great feeling that things were going so well in the end!

Whew! =)

Rush!

2005-10-18T12:31:00.000+08:00

Busy busy busy morning today!

Actually it all started with yesterday, when a friend and I were going to see prof K.S. for an interview with him for our Corp Comm practicum project (yeah, I know, it's so exciting). Apparently he was really busy, so we decided to postpone our interview to another day.

Then I got a call from prof on the way home wondering where we were. So we arranged another day, and then he popped a question.

This question was related to the one I'd asked him two weeks back, about a day in the life of a Teaching Assistant. Everyone says it's fun and stuff, so I thought maybe it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. Only problem is, I didn't know what was going on, so I decided to ask prof about it.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not into the $$$. It's not much, but apparently that's what's been attracting people. I think it's stupid.

Well anyway back to the phone call. He asked me what I got for my Creative Thinking class, and asked if I was free on Tuesday mornings, since he decided to use me as a TA for that class.

Nice.

I already had something else going on!

But it was only a one-time thing so I cut that short (I stayed for the bulk of it), and then shared a cab with another guy from the ISM school (nice guy, I admit), and off I went for prof's class.

So now it's official. I am a TA. And I didn't do anything to get it! I just made enquiries... And I was more prepared to be one next year. Not the next day~!

I'm pretty excited about it, to tell you the truth. Sure it makes life a little busier for me, but at least I'm adding another edge of experience in my life that I can take back with me.

Lord, whatever you've put in my hands, help me use them to glorify Your name. I am humbled by your generosity.

Last Day on Earth - Steven Curtis Chapman [All Things New]

2005-10-16T17:41:00.000+08:00

I pull over to the side of the road and I
Watch the cars pass me by
The headlights and the black limousines tell me
Someone is saying goodbye
I bow my head and I whisper a prayer, "Father
Comfort the broken hearts"
And as I drive away there's a thought that I
I cannot escape, no I, cannot escape this thought
I can't get away

Oh, if this should be my last day on this earth
How then shall I live
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of Heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only thing that remains
After my last day here on earth

If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last, last day here on earth

And if tomorrow comes to find me
Looking in the face of Jesus
Will I hear Him say the words "well done"?

Oh, if this should be my last day on this earth
How then shall I live
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of Heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only thing that remains
After my last day here on earth

If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last, my last day here on earth
'Cause this could be my last, this could be my last
This could be my last day...

Boycott Alert!

2005-10-13T23:31:00.000+08:00

To all shoppers at Suntec City - AVOID THE EVERGREEN STATIONARY BOOKSTORE. THEY HAVE THE WORST SERVICE -

EVER!!!!

And this is definitely not the first time I'm saying this! They used to have friendly staff. Now all they do is grunt and reply so impolitely I feel like smacking them silly. And there's always this bo chup look on their faces that I absolutely cannot tolerate!!!

*NOTE: Bo chup = can't be bothered.

Oh well... you can always get your stationary either at Times the Bookshop (located at where the Espirt used to be), or Carrefour.

HRUMPH!!!!

But does it work?

2005-10-13T15:54:00.000+08:00

There was an Anti-AIDS ad placed along the windows at the Underground Campus. The tagline was: "To be safe, wear a condom. To be sure, avoid casual sex."

But sometimes you get HIV from the person whom you trust the most i.e. your spouse. Or, you get AIDS through any transaction that involves blood. How can you be sure that you don't have AIDS when approximately 60 million people on this planet are infected?

Do you love your partner?

Would you want anything bad to happen to them?

Would you do anything to hurt them?

Will you cherish your partner every single day of your life?

Then don't sleep around!!!

Because it's not about the casual sex. It's about caring for the ones you love enough to avoid it altogether.

I'm going to make some people angry.

2005-10-13T07:23:00.000+08:00

I GOT TICKETS TO SEE RENT!!!!!

*Happy Dance*

Sorry folks, my friend Z and I have booked tickets to watch it after her finals. And we're getting stall seats! (meaning that we can possibly see their faces on stage. Haha!).

I also made a mistake. The show's taking place at Kallang Theatre, not Indoor Stadium. Klutzy me!

And another thing:

Music Inspired by "The Chronicles of Narnia"

I've heard the previews and sample tracks. Nice songs from Kutless, Jeremy Camp, and Steven Curtis Chapman. Rebecca St. James, Jars of Clay, Chris Tomlin, and tobyMac are also featured in this album.

The original Motion Picture Score

This one I think I probably want. ;) Harry-Gregson Williams is the composer. Not that it has anything to do with my ability to buy stuff...

Did you know that Amy Lee of Evanescence is also featured in the credits of this soundtrack? At least that's what I read here.

Ok, I'm off to school. Ciao!

Angry hour

2005-10-11T15:52:00.000+08:00

I don't mind doing favors. But PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me I was going to do it before I get a heart attack! Unless you were in labor, I'd really appreciate it. I don't care what you told the guy to do. At least inform me, can???

Grrr....

Anyway...

Newsweek's Cover Story.

2005-10-11T10:06:00.000+08:00

For anyone who is a true believer in Christ, he or she would lead life as one reflecting the nature of Christ Himself, because the Spirit indwells the believer. No offense, but I don't recall Christ living a life of polygamy, heavy debt, and lawsuits.

Of course, nobody's perfect. The life of the Apostle Paul was not. But through his letters to the early churches he was a true worker for Christ. I wonder if there're any religions based on his letters. Because if so, I wonder how he feels about it. Those letters were meant to direct us to the one who guided him in writing them.

If God were to say anything to anyone, He sends the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Christ Jesus. "...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." [John 14:26]

*Note: This is just my take on that Newsweek cover story. I have NOTHING against those who are actively involved. The men dress very well (although they all look the same with the white tops and black slacks, and the badges on their left breast), and they speak very eloquently. 'Nuff said.

Stupid HMV.

2005-10-10T16:38:00.000+08:00

I went to HMV and found they had the motion picture soundtrack to RENT - with MARK on the cover. I so wanted to get it!

And how much did they price it at?

SGD$64.00.

ARE THEY MAD?!?!?

Some people.

2005-10-10T16:24:00.000+08:00

I don't know what to make of them.

Technically, people who are suffering need our help, right? Man must help alleviate the sorrows of his fellow himan creatures if they wish to seek a more fulfilled life. For God's glory, we must help those who are in need.

But how do you help those who, while admitting that that they need it, haven't been listening to whatever sound advice you've been trying to give?

As much sympathy and sorrow that I feel for them, I cannot help in any way unless they respond. Watching them drown in self-sorrow and self-pity gives me a headache.

Nuts.

Where can I find this?

2005-10-08T09:08:00.000+08:00

I've checked with Borders, HMV, and the likes. That huge Christian warehouse doesn't have it either. And I don't have a credit card, and my family doesn't believe in online shopping.

WHERE CAN I GET THIS?!?!?!?!?

The cat's on the loose.

2005-10-08T07:04:00.000+08:00

The only thing Kiki knows what to do as a cat is that she stays in her basket all day long. The only signs of activity that tells us that she still exists is that she's got her head moving all over the place. Click on the "more" button and a red ball at the end of a fishing rod appears and she starts playing with that too. And still stays in the basket. Hm.

Maybe things would be more interesting if I had a real cat instead?

RENT is coming to Singapore!!!!!

2005-10-07T11:43:00.000+08:00

Thank you Lord for answering my prayers!!!!

In light of the 10th anniversary of this hit broadway musical, Rent is finally kicking off its Asian tour here at the Indoor Stadium!!!

STARTING WITH US!!!!!! HUZZAH!!!!

There's just one difference though...

KAREN MOK is going to play Mimi?!?!

(For my foreign readers... Karen Mok is a highly successful and incredibly popular singer/actress in Asia. She's from Hong Kong. I don't know her all that well since I'm not a big fan of Asian pop.)

The news about her musical debut can be found here.

Get this: Stefanie Sun also auditioned for the role. She got rejected (which, in all honesty, would not have done Mimi any justice if she got it. I would've puked too).

I think this is going to be such an awesome show. I'm looking for company!!!!!

More information can be found on Sistic. The show runs from November 22 to December 4. I can't make it on the last day cos I'll be flying off to China in the afternoon. =P

Honestly, I don't mind even paying a hundred bucks for this show. It's so worth it!

COMPANY, ANYONE!?!?!?!?!?

*I wonder who's playing Mark Cohen. I love him! I wonder if asking Anthony Rapp to play it again will be asking for too much.... Hurhurhur

**Note: this show is rated M18. =P

Food for thought #2

2005-10-06T23:18:00.000+08:00

Last night I was a bit shaken. I was lying in bed, and I was saying my goodnight prayers when I was struck by a thought: what if Christ came back for me right there and then? You know, the rapture thing? I don't know if I spooked myself, because I did get shivers down my spine at that. I've never read the "Left Behind" series, but imagine the implications when the people you know suddenly vanish without a trace, leaving their clothes behind. Assuming that the millions of Christians are true believers of Christ, my my. The economic and social implications would be too great to comprehend. What a thought!

And why is it that the world's idea of "salvation" is so completely different from our definition of Salvation? i.e. anyone who does good goes to heaven, vs. anyone who believes in Jesus Christ goes to heaven. Why is it so hard for people to accept the alternative? What makes people hesitant to believe? Because I know it sounds really unfair: how does anyone who does so much good for humanity will still go to hell if he/she doesn't accepts Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior, while someone else who's sentenced for murder gets to go to heaven when he/she says "I believe"?

Someone said that we shouldn't waste time on the people who response to the lukewarm manner towards the Gospel. I hardly think that means the Lord has given up on them, unless they choose to dissociate themselves completely.

If that were the case, bringing people to salvation has sure gotten a lot trickier.

I guess I'm just tired of people who just don't respond to what should be so clear. Christ is coming for us. The Bible says that when He comes, He comes as a thief in the night. i.e. we don't know when he's coming. And when we are raptured, there will be people whom we love dearly who will not be joining us in the celebration of eternal life with Abba Father. It breaks my heart.

And then there's this whole Mediacorp recording thing. I'm thinking for those who never got selected, I wish they wouldn't be so disappointed about it. It doesn't help them at all! Harboring such thoughts and keeping it only becomes more harmful, and it becomes potential grounds for breeding resentment. Quite frankly, I don't feel a thing after being selected. In fact, things just got a whole lot busier for me. I thought it was just "recording". i.e. dubbing. Sing song. Do the Ashlee Simpson-on-SNL thing. But nooo, we're gonna be on TV. I'm trying to relax about it, but seriously, all that's going to take place in week 13. I.e. TERM PRESENTATION PEAK PERIOD!!! I wonder why I even commited. But I'm going to trust God in this. This is obviously out of my hands.

I'm so glad I've spoken to C about some of the issues I've been having in my heart this evening. Some personal issues have been bugging me lately, and she gave me some really great advice from Scripture. I hardly think she'll be reading this blog, but I'm just so thankfuly for people like her who could be so reliable and trustworthy to share my insecurities with. Thank God for her!

I'm tired.

2005-10-05T23:36:00.000+08:00

On the bright side, I think I'm enjoying those spinning classes. They add a new dimension to my exercise routine. Plus, they've brought me back to the days when I was cycling as a child. Unfortunately, I think I was peddling to the point where my thighs were huge. That's when Mother dearest decided I won't be cycling for the longest time. Oh well.

Anyway, I am TIRED. I'm sleepy. I just got back from church choir practice. We're involved with Mediacorp again for Christmas. Right now we're practicing "Love Come Down" and "Come O Ye Faithful", and believe me, my head is about to explode. We're singing these semi-quarters (or whatever they're called... I forget) and trills and high keys (like, F sharp, G), and we'd been at it for 2 1/2 hours. I AM TIRED.

I think I'll stop here for now. I'm just glad I have to school tomorrow, and I get to catch up with Z tomorrow after she gets off from work. Bonding time =)

I'm changing my addy!

2005-09-30T22:13:00.000+08:00

Yes, I am. And do you know why?

'Cos someone whom I don't particularly want them around SOMEHOW got my URL.

So long, crabby BRAT. And welcome to crabby BRAT's world. (i.e. the URL you're at now. Obviously you must've known, otherwise you wouldn't be here).

This week was at the other end of the spectrum in terms of working hours and workload. I only had 3 classes, and a ReadSMU Debate which I think went pretty well. I now understand why the caterers must be early, even though the event wouldn't end till much later.

And then there's the iPod mini. Remember when I mentioned that I was having problems with it and the adaptor (I think the post's missing, actually, in an attempt to get rid of it for some reason I can't seem to recall). But, I got them back today, both replacing the old.

Yes, they replaced my iPod. So I got a brand new 1st generation iPod mini. Spick and span. Still looks the same to me. Hehe. But it's always good to start things off with a clean slate.

And get this: I didn't have to pay a single thing for it. I'm still under warranty. But I did have the impression that I only got the thing in March, not Feburary. Hmm..

Very sleepy now. Good night, world!

He knows!!!

2005-09-26T22:15:00.001+08:00

Today was not my day. Let's just say that things did not work out the way I wanted them to. And the situation only served to aggravate me further when I could not solve a couple of annoying issues. So I'd been crabby to my friends and to my mom (poor things).

So while I was seething mad and feeling miserable in the bus that I almost missed, I fished out my bible. Now don't ask me why, I just fished it out.

I think the Lord was trying to tell me something because I ended up flipping to Psalm 139, which I'd never read before:

O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.

You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.

You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.

You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!

I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night--

but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!

I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning,
you are still with me!

O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!

They blaspheme you;
your enemies take your name in vain.

O LORD, shouldn't I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn't I despise those who resist you?

Yes, I hate them with complete hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

I think it's just so timely for Him to come down to my level, and sort things out with him. I definitely felt a lot better and calmer after reading all that. It brings me back to earth. If I stayed seething, I don't think I'll be as kind.

Stupid iPod mini.

2005-09-25T22:14:00.000+08:00

It's about 6 months old now, and the adaptor's starting to screw up on me. So until I get it fixed, it will refuse to charge my iPod mini.

And then over this last week, the iPod started to screw up too. Like, the battery literally flattens out after an hour's worth of music. So today I just restored its settings (i.e. every single data in it is permanently erased, I think).

The problem is, it says I have to charge it on ... guess what, the blardy adaptor.

Am going to bring this down nearby for some serious rectifications. Otherwise, I hope I get some sort of compensation, which is highly unlikely.

Shame though, since it did serve me well in the last 6 months. Think I'll start saving for a 20GB, if I'm rich enough....

hurhurhur......

A sudden thought.

2005-09-16T09:53:00.000+08:00

Has anyone ever noticed how, besides television drama (in the US, that is), that comedies with families in them hardly have any mixed-race casts in them? I'm thinking Family Matters, The Cosby Show, and all the other comedies with white families in them. Maybe I'm not exposed enough (since I live on the other side of the world), but most of the sitcoms I see here are purely mono-racial, if not the minority just comes in as a bonus.

Hmm...

Ooohhhhhh....

2005-09-15T21:12:00.000+08:00

The new iPod nano. At least 500 songs [approximately 2 GB worth of music]. S$348 [for the small one]. Nice color screen [I smell pictures!]. Thin, sleek, easy to hide from the eye. Comes in both white and black [sexy]. 14-hour battery life. Which means...

There's no more iPod mini?!?!?!?! *about to sit in the corner to cry*

Oh well, I'm thinking might as well get a 20GB iPod. Or, get an mp3 player of a different brand.

And...

CSI: Miami Season 1 begins next Tuesday, 10pm on Channel 5!!!

*snoopy dance*

In case you're wondering, the only CSI programmes I watch are on cable [AXN, to be precise]. No chance of me catching the latest seasons though. We just ended CSI Season 5, CSI: NY Season 1, and we're halfway through CSI: Miami Season 4. *too slow*....

Another great testimony to read

2005-09-13T09:50:00.000+08:00

Shawn McDonald has a record called Simply Nothing, and I suggest that you take the plunge and check it out. The man has a touching testimony on how his life has changed in a short span of six years.

You may read it Here.

I wonder if Life Bookshop has it...

Some links for you

2005-09-12T22:02:00.000+08:00

I am not against my country in any way. But I just thought I'd let you know that I've found 2 sort-of-hate sites towards this tiny red dot sandwiched between Malaysia and Indonesia (and every other single tiny island in between). They've been listed on the side menu here. They're not hard to miss, really.

I said it too soon.

2005-09-12T19:08:00.000+08:00

Remember in my last post I was talking about "Friend"? She turned up for CG [caregroup] last Friday. Now I really did not expect that, one because she's graduated (so technically she should be in the Oasis singles ministry), and two, all the "cool" people in school are in the Economics CG. So when she turned up, my head went on red alert for no apparent reason. But she didn't disturb me and I didn't disturb her, so technically we were both cool (though I suspect she knows I'm Z's very close friend and there's NO way she's gonna get caught hanging out with me... What is this?! Some kind of Beverly Hills 90210? EW!).

So what's been happening lately? Well, I failed my first driving test last Friday. I was surprised, initally, because my warm up was so good. Even the instructor riding with me at the time had confidence that I would pass this test. But nnoooo, I had to take it during the morning rush hour, and there had to be this dumb kid in front of me cycling in a manner that made me think he was drunk (although it was 8:30 in the morning).

So yes, I failed. So what.

The real interesting bit came on Tuesday evening when I got an email from one of my professors. It was short, but it went along the lines of:

1. Are you free tomorrow lunchtime [Wednesday]
2. There's someone I'd like you to meet [Okay, so it might be good]
3. You and another student are going to meet this person
4. It is imperative that you come tomorrow [.... oohhhkaaayyy....]
5. Please say YES. [Definitely important. Must turn up!]

So I went, missing practically the whole Corporate Reputations class just to meet this "person". I'm gonna say he's a pretty prominent figure at City Development Ltd and we had a pretty nice lunch at Hotel Renaissance just outside school. I learnt that he is an ameteur photographer and his pictures were AMAZING. He goes to all these countries [Barcelona, somewhere near the mountains of Tibet, and some place else] and he takes these wonderful shots that's almost dreamlike. For half an hour I was gushing at the photos he took. That was pretty much all that I remembered. We exchanged contacts, of course [well, actually, I traded contacts with his secretary or something] and they promised to be in touch [or something to that effect].

And then on Friday I received a call from the secretaray. Apparently they were doing a project and engaging this agency to help them promote this new project of theirs. Apparently, CDL was not happy with the outcome, and for some reason they decided to call me and asked me something to the effect of gathering a couple of SMU students to form a focus group session with them just so they could get a couple of ideas from us [reachout ideas, customer perspective, blah blah blah]. And why us, you might be asking? Simply because "SMU is different". As corny as it sounds, some people actually want to believe that! So it's now my job to get these students [should I accept this task, of course], get them down to the Headquarters or something, and hopefully get some sort of allowance just for shooting ideas. I got in touch with the Marketing department, who PROMISED to send more information my way. So far, nothing. I also asked the professor who started this whole thing whether it was a good idea to do it or not [since he engaged us, in the first place]. No answer from him either.

So what to do now, but wait. in the meantime, I am going to ask around and see if there's any interested party who would like to accompany me to CDL when I meet them [note the "when". I did not say "if"!].

Then on Saturday I had to head back to campus for a seminar on succeeding on business presentations by this guy from Bain & Company. He looked like some Homecoming king from his college days, except that he's smart [no offense, though]. In the end, I had the best time in a long while [come on! Who goes back to campus on a Saturday?!] because all the pointers that he gave were so good! But when I thought about them, it actually made a lot of common sense. Truthfully, what kind of presenter are you if you're not sure what you're presenting, to whom you're presenting to, and what desired outcome you want from this presentation! It sounds so simple, and yet so many people screw up.

Then yesterday the choir had an item to sing with the main singers. We did Natalie Grant's "Because of Love", which is taken off a compilation CD on Max Lucado's "He Chose the Nails". It was a really good song, but we spent all of Wednesday night's practice trying to get that song right. I left at 10:30pm because my dad was waiting for me, but I think the practice went on for another hour. But the item went well during service. Too bad Pastor P wasn't around. Instead Hillsong London's Pastor Gary Clark came down to speak to us [Hillsong London, of course, being the European branch of Hills Church, Sydney Australia, and very well known for their Hillsong worship team - one of the best in the world!]. I'm starting to wonder if this whole networking thing is rubbing off on me, cos I think it's cool!

Last Thursday I was at Video EZY" at Jelita and they were having a renovation sale - 5 DVDs up for rent at the price of 2, and I even got to spend up to this Friday to watch them. Nobody gets that kind of bargain! So I thought this was going to be the perfect opportunity to catch all those movies that I'd meant to watch but never got around doing it. So what did I get?

Season 3 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. I'm such a geek. But I just polished "Random Acts of Violence" [i.e. episode 3.13] and that was really good. I heard that "Lady Heather's Box" was really awesome too. We'll see about that.

And has anyone mentioned how interesting the music gets on CSI? Not the theme songs, just those random snippets in one of the segments. For example, in "Random Acts of Violence", when Warrick Brown and Gil Grissom were inspecting a white van in the outskirts of Las Vegas there was an a cappella piece playing in the background, and it was so awesome! Turns out the group was called Bauchklang and I think they're from Austria. The song they were playing was "Roxanne" [which I think came from The Police, back when Sting was still part of the group], They did such an amazing job with that piece. I think I am going to hunt for their record. Amazon.com doesn't have much of it at all. Heck, they don't even have sample clips!

Well that's a lot for a week's absence, I suppose. I've been working on my case assignment that's due Wednesday, and I've got tonnes more to do! So until then! =)

PS: a special shoutout to all who've actually paid attention to this blog. =D

Cool!

2005-09-06T22:27:00.000+08:00

I got to download the latest version of MSN Messenger for the Mac... and now I get to see everyone's display pictures! Yay!

ABOUT TIME!!!!

What to say.

2005-09-04T20:01:00.000+08:00

I know I've wanted to get rid of the extra pounds that are currently occupying the midsection (i.e. my tummy), but I don't think I've had the desire of any sort to flaunt it that way!

Last week while I was "swimming" with my JC friend Z (more like playing with water, really, because we were on the slides and everything at the Jurong East Sports Complex), she filled me in on one of the people we knew from church and was listed on her Friendster list of "friends" (makes me wonder what was the whole point of it all, really), and this "friend" of ours was clad in a bikini and a shawl in the open in the night. And apparently there's more than 1 person talking about it.

Well I finally got around to see the picture (and every other single photo that she uploaded on Friendster, really), and it looks like she's enjoying herself.

This "friend" that wee know does not have a good history with Z. Z told me she's been very uncomfortable with her for the following reasons:

1. "Friend" is in competition mode with her
2. When Z broke up with her ex-boyfriend, "Friend" and him start it off almost too soon.
3. "Friend" is also suspected of hanging out with her current squeeze a little to close for comfort.

I don't have anything person against "Friend" probably because I hardly hang out with her. She is smart and she is nice (depending on who she's hanging out with! So if you don't step on her toes she'll be normal). But then again, I shall refrain from saying too much. She's graduated (and there's a lovely picture of Z's ex smooching her on the cheek at the ceremony) so I probably won't see a lot of her around anyway.

Moving on...

I am thinking of rebonding my hair. Although I have a few out there who don't see a need to, I am seriously thinking of growing out my hair. My problem with it is that when the hair gets to the neck, it starts to grow out funny. And wavy - TOO wavy, might I add! And my fringe is in need of some serious styling too, because I cannot afford to blow-dry it out everytime. And I don't have that luxury either. We'll see how it goes.

Till then!

Week #2.

2005-09-02T19:10:00.000+08:00

Here's an interesting foreign film to look out for:

Nina's Tragedies

The story surrounds a widow who, as soon as she lost her husband to a suicide bomb explosion, found a new man in her life. It's supposed to be a comedy (or tragicomedy, as some would put it), so I'm not too sure. There's nothing humorous about the trailer because I didn't laugh one bit. But I think I'm willing to give this a shot. It's an Israeli film, I believe. The trailer's available here.

Other than that, not much. I added a new blog to my links. Somebody's gonna be a Dad soon!

The family went down to Comex 2005 this afternoon. While I came down from campus, my parents were stuck in traffic for a full hour. They only arrived 15 minutes before me. Well done.

Other than that, nothing much. School's picking up again.

WOMAD 2005 - EVERYONE MUST GO!!!

2005-08-28T00:21:00.000+08:00

Actually the day started with a morning jog. Feet already tired by then.

So imagine when you're going to school to start off the Food Race with the exchange students. Unfortunately I don't know the people in my group, save the one from HK and Sweden and Denmark. The rest were Italians and they just stuck with themselves. Well done.

So anyway so far I've got some really nice pictures:

One of the BETTER photos I've got.

My group. And I don't even know who they are. I wonder if I'll recognize them in school, and hopefully they'll forgive me for the horrid time they had today from the race (trust me, you don't want to know. We spent one freakin' hour trying to find the finishing point - and only 3 of us were left).

Chocolate Kulfi - Northern Indian ice-cream. Tastes like the usual ones in the market.

This is the "Fabric of a Nation" tapestry. It's an annual thing were the communities get together and make this HUGE blanket-like thing to hang as a momentum for National Day or something. I stumbled upon this while I was looking for the bathroom at Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (and I spent about 20 minutes looking for it!)

And finally.....

WOMAD 2005

Whoever misses this annual event [WOMAD = World of Music, Arts, and Dance] is MISSING OUT!!! C and I had such a GREAT time and we were dancing, and that was the only time I actually danced!

One of the greatest groups I'd heard all night came from The Idan Raichel Project. They're a pop band from Israel and their sound is NOTHING like I'd ever heard before. NOTHING like the traditional Jewish music I'd been hearing all this while. This band really brings a new sound to music. Two of the band members are from Ethiopia, and they add a diverse and creative touch to the group. I think I am going to find their CDs. They've released 2 albums already, but WOMAD didn't have them. Nuts.

Anyway...

A Sri Lankan band on their traditional drums and musical instruments. They rock!

This was taken from the Idan Raichel Project concert segment. My hands were shaking. I wonder why.

Lots of things really happened today and my legs really had a good workout from all that working (my feet, unfortunately, strongly disagree. They're protesting now as I speak). And then during the concert I was in the bathroom and my nose started bleeding really badly. I did a really quick prayer in the cubicle and the blood cleared really quickly, but it was long before I realized that I'd clogged the toilet. Oops.

We had SUCH a great time tonight. That was probably the highlight all day.

Let's go next year! Get ready for WOMAD 2006!

Note to self: bring mat, food and drinks, and some comfortable footwear. And wake up late to stay up late (WOMAD ends at 4am)

Stupid book.

2005-08-26T13:54:00.000+08:00

The Tipping Point was interesting. I'll admit that much of it. Basically the book reveals how is it that some companies have a lucky that their sales and brand recognition and success could multiply at a rate faster than rabbits could reproduce. So they came up with e a couple of theories and applied it to a couple of their own selected case studies.

With all due respect, that was genuinely interesting.

On the other hand, WHAT IS IT WITH PEOPLE AND SHEER LUCK??? Even THAT has to be analyzed?! Gimme a break!

Case in point: how on earth would the people of Hush Puppies know that a couple of advant garde trendsetters would actually boost their sales? They obviously didn't know who these people were, and it was purely by CHANCE that these street fashion yuppies picked it up "simply because [Hush Puppies] was out of style". How would you know whether they were Connectors, Mavens, or Salesmen?

I'll put up more of my reviews on Playtime! when I have the time. Right now I'm just pissed that I actually bought this book.

Chio siah!

2005-08-24T10:30:00.000+08:00

Anyone who's got MTV in their houses must have sooner or later found out about the Pussycat Dolls. And anyone who's seen their music video Don't Cha must've seen how incredibly BEAUTIFUL these ladies are!!!

I'm not all that familiar with the entertainment scene in the States, but the Pussycat Dolls are supposed to be something like the modern cabaret showgirls or something in L.A.? I need some verification about that. Wikipedia does NOTHING to simplify it.

The Pussycat Dolls have set another standard for me. I shall ATTEMPT to achieve the fitness levels they've got! (Ayumi's still great though, and her porcelain skin is still unmatched, in my opinioin).

And check out PCD's lead singer Nicole Kea. I think she's Hawaiian or something. For a moment, I actually thought she was of Northern Indian decent, cos isn't that what those people actually look like?

So yesterday I killed myself at Body Combat and Body Pump (I left Body Pump early because the instructor was blasting her music so loudly couldn't bear to stay in. Anyway it was 10minutes to the end of the class). I was punching like mad and working as hard as I could. This morning I had such difficulty waking up because my muscles were postively screaming in pain. But it's all for the PHYSIQUE.

Oh, and I met my very very close JC friend on Monday for dinner two days ago. Beautiful as ever, but her bottom's getting heavy. We're goint swimming next Monday. I think I need to get a new swimsuit. I haven't gone swimming for 2 years straight!

And yesterday official marked the first day of school for me, and class started at 3:30pm (so technically I have a REALLY long weekend!). Well, actually it was my Shakespeare on Film class, so we started 20 minutes late and ended over an hour early. More books to buy (dang). Does anyone have copies of Hamlet to get rid of? I kinda need it. I already got Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.

I also met this Korean exchange student who appeared absolutely LOST, so I kinda offered to get Romeo and Juliet for him since we had to finish it in 2 weeks'. In the end we walked to Plaza Singapura where I saw Denise Keller (she's actually just slightly taller than me... by about, what, 2 cm? But she's really pretty. But it could be the makeup, I'm not sure), and we went to Times the Bookshop to get the stuff. He didn't buy anything in the end cos he was looking for the edition that had the beginner's guide and stuff, and Times didn't have it. So I told him to go to Kinokuniya instead. But he was nice. Lost, but nice. hee..

And I saw the WITCH yesterday at the atrium!!! She was helping out with the ICI Dulux roadshow thing, and she looks as hectic as ever. I actually thought of saying hello to her, but after some consideration, it didn't take long to decide against it. I could have smacked her silly in retribution.

I just found out that my JC friend's boyfriend and I share a lot of similarities: we frequent the loo on a more-than-regular basis, and we love the Saturday morning cartoons. the PPG, to be more precise. It's a comforting thought, though, since it means I'm not the only one who thinks I'm insane to watch something meant for 8 years and above.

Oh, and yesterday's epsiode of CSI: NY was really good!!! Danny Messer was this close to jeopardizing his position as a CSI detective when he thinks that the only way to clear his name was to go it alone. BIG MISTAKE, BUDDY!!! I just hope the show's keeping him for the second and consecutive seasons! He adds such funny colors to the show it would be a shame to see him go...

Okay, so far so good. Saturday classes don't start till next week. Yipee!!!

I think I've reached the CSI Tipping Point in my life.

2005-08-22T13:18:00.000+08:00

This is really unfair. I've been wanting to watch The Island for weeks. And what happens? The show ends its run before I know it!

*fume*

Anyway, what's next for CSI:NY?

Season 2 will begin airing on September 21 or so (in the Sates, that is. So look out for the programme guides on CBS!). Some interesting things are going to happen: Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) will start playing a more active role as he moves out of the morgue and to the field. On the other hand, one of the main characters is going to LEAVE the series!!!! I have a hunch that it might be Aiden Burn (Vanessa Ferlito); one of the major websites mentioned that she was dealing with a rape case in the first two episodes of the season that was affecting her very personally. I just hope it's not Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo - way underrated guy. He must really miss baseball, though). He and Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise i.e. lieutenant Dan Taylor from Forrest Gump) and Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes - did you know she's a second genereation Greek-American? So sexy!) go waaaayyyy up there on my fave list.

So yes, I suppose you can all tell I am a HUGE CSI fan. And last week Ryan Wolfe (Jonathan Togo) debuted in the CSI:Miami series and he was actually really good (yes, I know he's probably been with the CSI team for about a year now, but local channels are not airing the show, and AXN's paying more attention to CSI:NY, which is going to air it's 3rd last episode of the season tomorrow). But then again it might've been pretty awkward to bring in a new character just like that.

And of course, the original CSI always comes up tops. But the closing episode of the season was kinda spastic. I think they just wanted to bring in Quentin Tarantino for the sake of it. And I wish Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) didn't become so uptight in the process. He was more original then. And easier to relate to. I'm not that old, you know!

I am just so annoyed that I actually missed CSI MIA/NY Nonstop!!! That would've been an awesome epsiode! Should I get the DVD series for CSI:NY when it gets here? But that will be so expensive... huhuhu

Where did the restful nights go...

2005-08-20T05:17:00.000+08:00

I was shaken by a dream. Well, actually it should've been two dreams because I was shaken TWICE, and in both dreams I woke up panting and even more exhausted than I should.

I dreamt I went back for class and my prof from my corp comms foundations class gave us an assignment. What is was I now cannot remember, but it was a lot of running around and some sort of desperation that came with it. E.G: I was supposed to look for some shoes in the Scholl's department and the second time I went back there was practically nothing left. (I know there isn't any corelation to this but that's how it came out).

And then the second time round I was in that prof's class (again!) and it was day 2 in class, and for some reason there was a HUGE storm that appeared out of nowhere. This storm had tornadoes and the works and we were just running, driving, speeding. I got into a van that already had the whole class in it (weird) and one of the small fries in class (no, seriously, he only appeared to be something like nine) and he was reversing and moving the car forward and stuff really fast. I got into the car and did a piece of the action myself. We drove to the Scholl department (oh no! It's the same dream split into two parts!!!) and all the shoes are gone, and then we drove all the way up to some hill (very low, though) where one of the people in class got so caught up with herself she completely chewed off her tongue and remained unconscious for the rest of the trip....

Please don't ask me why my imagination is so wild and incoherent. It's almost 5:30am and I'm really tired, but I'm going to the gym to get some exercise before I head on down to Suntec later at 8.

Finally!

2005-08-17T14:03:00.000+08:00

Presentation and test are both over. Officially. And prof actually allowed me to take Friday off! *snoopy dance*

So now I can breathe and sleep early (well, not really, since there's CSI Miami later tonight on AXN.

Oh, and I just realized that we're only 3 months behind on CSI: NY. Next week it's On The Job (the one where Danny Messer screws up big time when one of his bullets was found to have hit a cop. Oooohhhh...).

Rent is due for late November. The lucky people in NY, LA, and Toronto get to see it about 2 weeks earlier. No fair!

Oh, and one of my Austrian buddies finally got in touch with me. Was in Malaysia the WHOLE time. Nice. Now he wants to meet. Charming.

This boredom I'm experiencing must be a sign that I need to take more pictures. Now where's my camera...

Oh my.

2005-08-17T04:07:00.000+08:00

It's 4:10am, and I've been up for about an hour now trying to get focused on my presentation which is due to be over in 8 hours - if I get to present today, that is!

Anthony Rapp is just a great guy, and very talented. With his role in Rent, it's hard to say otherwise. Then on You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, he plays such a convincing loser. And I believe he's played more roles that that (because they're the only two I'm familiar with).

So he's cute (when he was younger, that is), and smart, and talented. Very popular in the broadway scene, I presume? He also calls himself "queer" [practically falling oh so short of calling himself gay, which is pretty much an open secret]. Are most talented gems homosexuals or something? *sigh*

NOTE: I am NOT anti-homo!! I think people all around should be nice to one another. I'm just more comfortable in same-gender relationships finding a PROPER place. What happens if I say I love my girlfriends? If I can't find men attractive enough but I love hanging out with my girlfriends, does that make me a lesbo? Obviously if God had some sense to create you in the world, He would also have enough of it to make sure you had a PARTNER FOR LIFE by MAKING one if you wanted it. Homosexuality, I say, is a matter of personal choice, yes? Because it's not naturally ordained. And God does give people the freedom to choose whatever they want to do with their lives.

If Carmine Giovinazzo [CSI:NY] is gay too, I am going to SCREAM.

Movies!!!!

2005-08-14T19:27:00.000+08:00

[Note: almost all of these pictures were derived from Apple.com. I hope they don't mind since this blog is not frequented by many people. Hehe]

You see that angelic face there? That's Reese Witherspoon! And this time she's some sort of a doctor/surgeon who is overworked, overstressed, and underloved. She gets into an accident and becomes a ghost who learns that her apartment has been occupied by someone else. And apparently she's chosen to haunt him for a bit.

Starring Rachel McAdams a.k.a. Regina George from Mean Girls and The Notebook. It's a suspense thriller. She's targeted by some maniac who threatens to kill her father and everyone else on board a flight to Miami if she doesn't comply with their requests to assasinate a VIP. Suspense is not my favorite genre. I think I'll pass this.

This movie was shown last year in the US, but I think it might've been out here on DVD already. It's directed by a Chinese lesbian, and it's a story about a lesbian surgeon who has this mother who is shamed by the Chinese community in San Fransisco (or something like that) because she's caught pregnant and the father is unknown. Kinda like a mother-daughter bonding thing. Stars Joan Chen. Good acting, I must say. Hooray for the Asian community in the US!

Another Johnny Depp movie! I think I'll want to watch this. I'm not a fan of Tim Burton, and I haven't seen The Nightmare Before Christmas (which I heard was good), but although I thought Charlile and the Chocolate Factory was downright weird, I think this one might be much better. It's more sane. =P

Another leading role for Orlando Bloom, and including Kirsten Dunst! I'm curious to find out how this movie turns out because here, Orlando speaks in an American accent, which doesn't sound as natural as it should. It's like half-Irish, half-American. But I know he tried. =P And Kirsten is PRETTY!!!

All I know is that it's about two very different sisters trying to understand each other through the grandmother whom they've never known all their lives. I just love the poster!

Anyway, just because I put all of that up doesn't mean I'm going to watch ALL of it, because I cannot afford $9.50 for a bloody ticket all the time. All of their trailers can be found at the Apple website that I just gave you, so you can judge for yourselves.

Meantime I will go back and study for my term test tomorrow. I can't remember a thing, even though it's an open book test... *sigh*

Steve Jobs, you are a GENIUS!!!

2005-08-11T19:23:00.000+08:00

Podcast rocks!

[Podcasts are these nifty new functions on the iPod where you get to "download" a radio station into your kinky little mp3 player and you can listen to it all you want. Note: it's NOT a radio in the iPod! It's just a recording.]

Now I get to listen to those online sermons I've been listening to for ages, and now I get to carry the message with me without my laptop! Yay!!!!!

Currently on my Podcast:
1. Greg Laurie's "A New Beginning"
2. Dr. James Dobson's "Focus on the Family"

I am a very happy girl now. =)

Happy Birthday, Singapore!

2005-08-09T19:54:00.000+08:00

We are officially 40 years old and counting. If God has a plan for this country, He won't allow it to fall so easily. That means another 40 years and counting!

Hurhurhur

NooooOOOoooOOO!!!!

2005-08-09T07:48:00.000+08:00

Somebody tell me why they had to kill off a CSI just like that?!?!?

Funny too, how they just simply refuse to include that episode in their official website (I forgot what it was called... was it "Death Wish"?). Why why why...

Stressed?

2005-08-07T14:06:00.000+08:00

"Build for yourself a strongbox,

Fashion each part with care;

When it’s strong as your hand can make it,

Put all your troubles there…

Lock all your heartaches within it,

Then sit on the lid and laugh."

~ Bertha Adams Backus ~

No break in sight

2005-08-06T12:47:00.000+08:00

This has simply got to be my busiest year EVER!!!

I just realized that I hadn't really gotten a REAL break since the beginning of the year. I wonder if it's because of that exchange programme I was on the year before.

Let's recollect for a bit: 6 credits last semester. Then, barely a week after that, summer internship programme. Then another two weeks of "break" where I spent them learning how to drive everyday. And now it's the summer term and I've got a term test and a project presentation due in about a week. And I am still learning my driving at Bukit Batok. Convocation is just two weeks away. We just recently launched Read SMU (where attendence was actually more than what we expected: 140++ people turned up as opposed to the 80 we were anticipating. Praise Jesus!) and I just spent all of last night working on my ICC (Interculural Comms) journal report on Lost In Translation (which is a GREAT movie. Everyone really should watch it!). And now I'm back in the choir and I'm due to go up the platform next Thursday for Bible Study.

And I don't know if I'm going to have a good break at the end of the year too. I'm going for the BSM China trip, which is in early December and there's going to be a post-trip report and presentation, and I don't know if that's going to be presented in Chinese or not, because if it is, I am so going to FREAK OUT!!!

I could really use a massage or something, or maybe a manicure/pedicure treatment. Or spa? I don't know. I'm just rattling off now.

Better yet, I could use a 5-day trip Down Under and just kick back and relax in Sydney or something. Again, I'm just blabbing away.

Anyway, let's talk about Read SMU. It's a programme to get the people in school to go back to reading REAL books on an annual basis. We're starting with Daren Shiau's Heartland and Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. We've got activities lined up for the next two months, and one of them is an essay-writing competition whereby the winner gets to fly to New York to meet the author himself. He's been contacted about the reading programme and I hear he's really excited about it. I just think it's so awesome to me that someone so far away is just as enthusiastic as we are here!

It was tiring for me, and all the more so for A who was in charge of it really, and we're thinking that FK should take the healm once he returns from finding himself in the Tibetan Mountains (no, he's really gone there for a biking expedition and won't be back till Term 1 starts).

And somehow somewhere I was named vice-chairman and co-coordinator for Read SMU. But there's only 3 of us... And all I did was to give my opinion on what's the best for the buffet spread, the collection of the books, keeping in contact with Borders (hopefully we can look to them again for sponsorship for next year's programme!), and designing the posters (which, I must say, I am VERY proud of. Another milestone for me in the world of digital imaging!). The posters were especially a headache because I was notified about it at such a late stage (think Wednesday night - as in LATE night, and the launch was yesterday!), and Photoshop just refused to stay up with me because it kept crashing! Thankfully that problem was solved (after closing every other programme I opened) and I started to get to work. Funny how something that's not as important could give us so much headache... Prof KS was kind enough to allow us to use the staff room's printer (so that's where all the quality printers went to!).

Anyway, the launch was successful, there was no food left at the buffet table (so nothing got wasted!), I lost my pen (darn. And it was such a good one too), and the team had lunch with President Woody Hunter, Darren Hanson fro OCC, and Daren Shiau himself at some Vietnamese restaurant at Chijmes. I was starting to walk funny because the nail in the shoe that keeps the rubber on the stiletto to the shoe itself was starting to show up and walking was more slippery than usual (am I making sense?). But lunch was good. And healthy. :P

And along the way I met this girl N whose brother had already graduated from SMU... one of the very high profilers on campus... No hints! But she's Indian and she's VERY nice. We had a great time yesterday. I think without her my day would've been duh.

Still got one more week of driving before I apply for my driving test. I so wanna pass on the first attempt!

And then after summer term comes the fall semester. Just like that. NO BREAK.

And I was looking at my schedule and I realized that I have a FRIGGIN' FIVE-HOUR BREAK between my classes on Thursday! I think it's really ridiculous. And after that I have to flyto church for duty???? I have to be at Suntec by 7pm, and class ends at 6:45! Hmm.... I think as much as I hate to drop it (cos it's social psychology!), I guess I must if I need to breathe. *sigh*

So I guess Wednesday will be a full day for me... Corp Reputation at 12pm, International Banking at 3:30, and choir practice at 7:30(-ish). Not bad, actually.

Yup, no break in sight.... Help, Jesus....

I really don't know what to make of this day.

2005-08-02T19:48:00.000+08:00

It started really well, actually. I PASSED my FTT [doing the Snoopy dance now ;)], and since I had time to hit the gym before my 12:30pm meeting, I attended Suhaimi's BodyCombat class. And guess who I met?

My secondary school classmate. This ONE guy I did NOT want to see EVER!

Here's the scoop: we first got to know each other in Sec 1 and we were in separate classes. My cohort was probably the smallest the school ever got. So at the end of the year, it was me, him, and another guy who were the tops. We got to be in the same class for the next three years.

While we did appreciate one another's smarts, I don't think we hit it off that well. Cos while some people gossiped about him having the hots for me, I'd thought of this guy later to be SNIVELLING, CUNNING, and SNEAKY. One time he discovered my O Level results before I even knew about it and I was so shocked when I found out how he did it. I'm not even going to say it here, but it sure turned me off BIG TIME.

And then all three of us expectedly turned up at the same JC. Except that he was in the Arts and I was in Science. So not much of contact since then, except for the occasional 'hi's. Then there was the A levels and after that we completely disappeared from each other's radars.

At that moment, I thought I wouldn't have to see him again. Seriously. I was that relieved.

So imagine the surprise - and the utter shock - when I saw him at Body Combat this morning. 4 1/2 years of zero contact, and he actually remembers me!

Why Lord, why......

I later found out he's in his second year at NUS at the SESS [school of econs and social science]. He's bulky at the arms now, like most of the guys at the gym. And he's much taller too [I felt so short... He used to be so scrawny!].

So naturally he asked me how I was doing, and he told me how he was still in touch with the rest of the sec school class we were in ["SF, everyone's, like, going, 'Where's SF? Anyone in touch with her or something? Hur???"]. Funny.

It's not that I don't want to keep in touch. But what's the point if there's nothing to talk about? We have absolutely NOTHING in common! Those guys have NO idea how out of place I felt in those 4 years. It felt like shit. Lonely.

But we exchanged numbers anyway. Just for contacts' sake.

But I REALLY don't know what will happen if he calls me up for a gathering with the rest of the class. The thought of it is already FREAKING. ME. OUT!!!!!!!

Anyway, aside from that, Suhaimi was FUN. He adds a touch of comic relief to the class. So you sort of exercise and laugh. Double whammy for the tummy! =)

Meeting was ok. The normal stuff. Things need to be done. 'Nuff said.

*sigh* Another long day tomorrow. Gotta get through this.

BBBBBBbbbbbbbbBBBBBBBBbbbbbbbb

2005-07-31T17:20:00.000+08:00

We visited my aunt today and found that she bought one of OSIM belt thingies, so I tried it out since I was curious. You know, those things that claims it helps you to lose weight? As corny and phoney as it sounded, I tried it anyway.

Funny thing, really. The belt was vibrating SO wildy, and I think I didn't wrap it around my waist tightly enough, so what should've been 10 minutes lasted 5 seconds, because I was laughing so much. My auntie looked at me like I was crazy.

I still haven't got used to it. But it *might* help, to some extent. It vibrates wildly, and you can laugh. It's a 2-in-1 package!

Last night we had a combined caregroup meeting at someone's house in Siglap (but it was pretty near Kembangan MRT) and I was really fortunate that my parents were going to visit my uncle along the way. So they dropped me off, where I saw people I hadn't seen in AGES, and there were a lot of new faces. Nothing fantastic though, just some smalll talk. I think the Campus Ministry decided that some clusters of caregroups should gather and have a combined meeting every once in a while, so we saw the "overseer", whose name I forgot, but I recognized his wife; I used to think of her as fierce, way direct, curt, forward, you know the rest. Now she's pregnant with his son due this December. Funny though, because he's a LOT nicer than his wife! She was praying in tongues over and above everyone else, but then I guess maybe she was covering up the fact that her father died last week. Touchy.

But at least not eveything came to naught. we had good food, and I got to know my caregroup leader a little more. Plus, I had a really short chat with the "overseer" who told me I was different from the rest in a sense that I was very opinionated and unafraid to express my views, but at the same time I was "restricting" myself. Which is really weird when you sit down and think about it... but yeah he told me if I needed any help with something or some issues he's cool with me approaching him.

At least I think he's nicer than the last one!

My caregroup leader was also nice enough to send me home because we ended really late (like, 11:30pm???) and also because my water bottle was leaking SO badly half contents in my bag were soaking wet. *sigh* Spent the last half hour of my waking day blow-drying my stuff. And listening to some comedy on The House. I haven't checked out Banana Comedy yet, since that was were the standup comedy bit came from, but will check it out soon. I think it's going to be interesting =)

I went running today at the gym and my back felt funny. I hope it's not serious. It's too early to have ostereoerosis... or rheumatism!!!!

I need a life. Very soon.

2005-07-29T12:57:00.000+08:00

I just realized something.

I have driving lessons approximately 3 to 4 times a week. I am taking a summer term that will only end the week before the actually semester opens. I am invovled in Convocation 2005, so in that week we will be as busy as ever. And then there's another project which I'm involved in (although not heavily involved, thank goodness). And then there's the church choir.

Everything that's meant to occupy the in-betweens of my schedule has literally eaten up my in-betweens!

Now I leave at 7:30 in the morning, and I only get home at 6:30pm the earliest. On some days, I end at 11pm.

Lord, I need a break!!!

And then today I forgot to bring my wallet so the only source for food I could access was MacDonald's (pathetic), the fries were BAD. My goodness, DON'T GO BACK TO MACDONALD'S FOR THE FRIES!!! They taste HORRIBLE!!! Obviously no one on board as staff has tried them (either that, or they've grown completely ~~numb~~ immune to it) because they taste darn FUNNY WITH THE AMOUNT OF SALT THEY ~~SPRINKLE~~ SLOSH OVER THOSE MISERABLE POTATO BITS!!!!

*shudder*

Anyway enough complaining. There is work to do, and work to be done.

Grow up!

2005-07-27T23:41:00.000+08:00

Tell me that those who don't practice what they preach are hypocrites, please?

I mean, if you say you're from XXX, and you believe in their philosophy and agree that you're going to commit to it, the minimum you could fulfill is to be obedient? Could you just do that???

If you're complaining that it's too difficult, then GROW UP and GET A LIFE!!! Obviously you weren't listening when the terms and conditions were given to you. May I ask what have you been doing all this time when you promised to commit half your week to something like this and be caught doing the contrary?

YOU'RE NOT HERE TO BE PAMPERED. NOBODY SAID THIS JOB WOULD BE EASY. ISN'T THAT WHY IT'S BEEN MADE SO CLEAR THAT THERE'S READY HELP WHENEVER YOU NEED IT?

NUTS!!!!

Numba 5

2005-07-25T22:21:00.000+08:00

You Should Learn Spanish

For you, learning a language is about career advancement and communication.
Knowing Spanish will bring you tons of possiblities for jobs and travel. Bárbaro!

What Language Should You Learn?

Numba 4

2005-07-25T22:19:00.000+08:00

Your Hidden Talent

You are both very knowledgeable and creative.
You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential.
Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them.
As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Numba 3

2005-07-25T22:18:00.000+08:00

You are dignified, spiritual, and wise.
Always unsatisfied, you constantly try to better yourself.
You are also a seeker of knowledge and often buried in books.

You tend to be philosophical, looking for the big picture in life.
You dream of inner peace for yourself, your friends, and the world.
A good friend, you always give of yourself first.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

2005-07-25T22:17:00.000+08:00

Slow and Steady

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy.

They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder.

It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment.

They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it.

How Do People See You?

It's Back!

2005-07-25T22:14:00.000+08:00

Your Power Color Is Lime Green

At Your Highest:

You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary.

At Your Lowest:

You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in.

In Love:

You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated.

How You're Attractive:

Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room.

Your Eternal Question:

"What else do I need in my life?"

What's Your Power Color?

Schools starts tomorrow... already.

2005-07-24T18:29:00.000+08:00

Busy day tomorrow, it shall be: first, I'll have class in the morning (did it hit you that if you're lazy to spell School of Business and just use an acronym for it, it comes out so S.O.B.? .... never mind.), then I got driving lesson in the middle of the afternoon, then I have to come back to school *again* for Convoc meeting - at a friggin' 7:30p.m.!

No complaints though, IF I get to go home before the driving starts. Class ends at 12 noon. And from what I heard from a couple of people on campus, the professor's pretty famous for ending his first day of class really early. Like, 15 minutes after class starts???

That was two years ago. I don't know about now. =P

So for the next four weeks I shall have classes on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, followed by another daily dose of driving lessons in the afternoon. Then it'll be more Convoc meetings (probably at night - the IC's not famous for having morning meetings, and he's always at least 15 minutes late... but he's VERY efficient), AND, if I'm lucky, I can squeeze in a bit of shopping at Plaza Singapura... something I've meant to do for a while now!

Then I'll have to keep track of the movies that I wanna watch (which I've mentioned before, I think). Next Monday I'll probably be watching The Island with C (and I saw the trailer again today, and I'm more convinced that I should go watch it! It's totally relevant for us in this day and age), and during that same week, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be released. Bewitched will come out the week after (on National Day, believe it or not). So it looks like it's going to be a pretty exciting month!

*Ahem* anyway...

So much for a "break". Two weeks has flown by, and:

1) My room is STILL not clean - there's paper EVERYWHERE
2) I haven't travelled to anywhere beyond Orchard Road for a good holiday (at least a spa or a manicure/pedicure would've been nice!)
3) The only serious shopping I'd done was today when I got myself a new bag for a practice interview I'll be doing with a company for the department of Corporate Communications and HR*weird* and it cost me $37 which I thought would probably last me for about a year before I dump it which is incredibly sad *BREATHE IN*.
4) I've been taking my driving lessons practicall EVERYDAY. You call THAT a break?!

Nuts. =( Looks like I'll have to look to next year for a REAL holiday. I'll make do with the neighborhood malls for the moment.

Nuts.

2005-07-22T16:58:00.000+08:00

..............

ARGH! I CAN'T STAND IT! THIS IS INSANE!!!!!!!!!!

School's not even started and my schedule's already brimming up to the fullest???

NUTS!!!!

.............

Mood today: aggravated. Very much so. I ate so much I'm crabby already. Sheesh.

Xiaxue's hacked blog is in the papers today. I think, for a nasty, unfeminine ~~bitch~~ pottymouth like her, I wonder if she's wondering why on earth did her blog, of all others (excluding the other blog that was hacked), was she the target.

But nonetheless, I will NOT have my blog OR my email hacked. The crazy nuts. Go hack something else! (Like your brains or something for an ounce of common sense.)

I'm still sleepy from my afternoon nap. Nuts.

Yikes!

2005-07-21T17:18:00.000+08:00

Change your passwords while it's not too late!

As you may or may not have heard, Xiaxue's gmail and blog have been hacked into and completely screwed up.

I've changed my passwords. I hope you'll change yours.

Backtrack

2005-07-20T16:14:00.000+08:00

Okay, today marks the day where I finally meet my 4th driving instructor (please see the 2nd last post I published if you don't know what I'm talking about because I will not repeat myself and I need to leave soon).

So, yes, now that I've officially met the four instructors, let me tell you what I think of them:

The Joker: The first one. Initially he wasn't that open but as the week passed he started to be really funny. Last Friday Mr. ~~Joker #2~~ Super-Tanned was teaching me in the circuit about something and we coincidentally met The Joker's car. He started showing a peace sign before ~~choking himself to death~~ acting like he was strangling himself.

Mr. Super-Tanned: The second one I met. Also appeared to be serious. But turned out to be quite a nice man himself. Also the guy whom I see a lot on the training grounds. Nothing special. But really nice. One time I was wrapping up a bend and I needed to push myself to look far ahead into the horizon and the road ahead of me, so I psyched myself by saying, "Far far far far far...", and he gave me that funny look. Hee.

Mr. Conservative: Loves to gamble. Tall and lanky, bespectacled. Never ceases to talk about Toto or 4D (to foreign friends: it's a gambling thing) and I have no clue what he's talking about. But otherwise,he's okay. Yesterday he managed to totally STRESS ME OUT by speeding in the rain. He said I was driving too slow. 4 Demerit points (not now, of course. Thankfully). His previous group was #2 among the other group trainers. HEY, I WANNA GET MY LICENCE TOO, OKAY?!?

The Middle Guy: Moderate. The guy in between the three in terms of... er, quirkiness? Normal, like the average human being. When I first saw his photo I was like, "Huh, nerd." Okay, so I was mean, and I'm sorry I was, because he turned out to be one really patient, nice guy.

So that's about it. Now I need to change because I'm headed for Suntect in half an hour. Ta-ta!

Who Lives Near You? my foot.

2005-07-18T21:08:00.000+08:00

I just re-activated my hotmail account. It's disgusting.

#1: a friend whom I do not wish to communicate with has sent me an email about something which I personally would rather not mention.

#2: Wholivesnearyou.com. What the hell is that? Apparently some guy called Jason sent me an invitation (although I hardly believe it's him). This isn't the first time I've heard of this website. And it's loaded with crap.

Let me see. Who lives near me? A rapist? A serial killer? A pedophile? A nutcase? What's next?

Nuts.

Look me in the eye and tell me I'm cute! ^_^

2005-07-18T16:55:00.000+08:00

"I know Angelina Jolie's legs look great, but could you PLEASE look at ME?!?!"

I was aimlessly walking around Great World City this afternoon when I popped into one of those weird stores and I found the a TY Chihuahua Beanie Baby! His name is Tiny. His was born in China on September 8, 1998, and he cost me ten bucks. XDXDXD

He is now sitting on top of my CDs on my desk.

I can't help it; he's just darn cute!!!!

The side view's not particularly great, but heck, he's still cute!

Well, as long as I'm here, I might as well give y'all an update on my driving lessons.

For those who don't know, yes, I am finally learning how to drive. Took me long enough, huh.

So far so good. I opted to learn my lessons with a fixed group of instructors, which meant that I had to pay surcharge. The system in BBDC is that you can either opt to train with any instructor in the field, or you could opt for a fixed group of instructors. In that 2nd option, there are 3 categories: gold, silver, and bronze. Gold obviously means that you have a higher chance of passing your practical test, so the surcharge is definitely higher. I chose the bronze group. Couldn't care less.

Anyway in each of these fixed groups there are 4 instructors. I've met three of them so far. So far I liked the first two I've been practicing with (which was all of last week) because they were funny and friendly and very nice to me. The instructor today is younger than the other two but he's more strict. How ironic. But he's nice anyway. But he's got cigarette smoke coming out of him so I didn't get comfortable at first, but things loosened up a bit towards the end. I have a feeling that I'll see him again tomorrow. Sigh.

Oh well, as long as I pass it's good enough for me! Much to my relief, I passed my Final Theory Evaulation (or FTE for short). It's what I gotta pass before I actually take the Final Theory Test (FTT), which is in the first week of August.

FREAK OUT!!!!

Anyway, you remember my previous post about some good movies coming out this year? Looks like The Island looks set to be pretty interesting! In a nutshell, the story's about how the rich in America are so capable to afford anything they start developing clones of themselves for some purposes like organ transplant and stuff. So these clones are being housed in a location where they have this lottery system that tells them that they're being selected to go to an island (dubbed as the last paradise on earth) when they're actually being called to their doom (the clones, that is). So when Ewan McGregor's character finds out about it, he and Scarlett Johannson make a run for their lives. Kind of like a day in the life of a clone.

I don't know if it's just me, but ever since I took that literature class last semester, I've become more interested in thses weird shows. Hm.

And Charlie and the Chocolate Factory actually has some great reviews! Nice! I'm definitely gonna watch that!

And in other news: some of you also know that I'll be a buddy to two Austrian students. One is coming down next week. Which is fine. The other one, however, is coming in 2 DAYS'. And that came as a total shock to me because I thought he'd come down later or something (I mean, seriously, why would anyone in their right mind come to Singapore so early when it only takes an hour to get anywhere around the island city?! It's nuts! - unless, of course, you plan to travel around the other places outside this country).

Anyhow I am excited for the both of them to come down. I just hope I don't make a fool of myself.

By the way ,this is a dumb article, but a good read nonetheless, in case you're bored:

25 Reasons Johnny's (Depp) so Cool.

By the way, I think Johnny Depp IS cool. Just not the "cool" this website mentions.

525,600 minutes

2005-07-16T15:15:00.000+08:00

"How do you measure, measure a year?"

And I didn't even know that the song was from Rent. Sheesh. =S Talk about being slow!

Anyway, there is a remake of the musical and it's going to hit theatres in November this year. Anthony Rapp is acting in it too!

And then there's The Producers which will be out at the end of the year, and it stars the wonderful Roger Bart along with Will Ferrell and Matthew Broderick (I). Also another highly acclaimed broadway musical, which I believe has not be performed in Singapore.

So far what we've been getting are Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Fame, Singing in the Rain, and the last one we had was The Sound of Music. I believe we had Rent here as well, but then again I could be dreaming.

I wonder if we'll have any updated ones soon...

Come to think about it, there have been lots of good films to catch this year! I wonder why... I missed Monster-In-Law and Unleashed, and I don't think I'll be watching >Fantastic Four anytime soon. I wanna save some money for >Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Bewitched. The Island looks set to be pretty interesting too, although the posters look kinda cheesy. What's with Scarlett Johnson (or whatever her name was, I can't remember). And why is Ewan McGregor always in the backdrop when he really should be in front?

Well anyway, Rent looks pretty promising. Seasons of Love sounded great, as usual. Haha.

Oh well, that's my opinion of the movie scene here. Just hope that I don't splurge!

Clash of the Titans: NKF vs. SPH DING DING DING!!!!

2005-07-14T19:57:00.000+08:00

Lots of harsh words exchanged this week.

The case: the CEO of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is alleged to have lived his life a little too extravagently for the public to stomach:

1. $600,000 annual salary
2. Twelve-month bonus (?!?!?!?)
3. Travels first class
4. $990 for a gold-plated tap in his toilet or something like that

And NKF is a NON-PROFIT organization.

So when our local tabloids reported it, he sued the reporters for defamation. He later withdrew it on Tuesday.

Not good enough to quench the fire that's already ignited among the local community here.

People are cancelling their donations to the NKF. I pity the people who rely on the NKF for their health.

But seriously, there's got to be more than just the NKF who's meeting the needs of these people, right? Every Satruday when we walk along Orchard Road (or anywhere in Singapore) there's always these students coming up to you for your change in the name of donation to a particular non-profit organization, whther it's for orphans or the elderly, or the S.P.C.A.

I think both sides of the party have their points. The sick need medicine. We able-bodied people need to - and should - help them in every way possible, with the sincerest of hearts.

BUT, if somebody in charge of the system COMPROMISES the trust of the public, even somebody who makes a $12 monthly donation will think twice.

But it's only $12!!!

Sure, tell that to someone who's only earning $1,000 a month. Money's not even the issue here.

Why should we trust our money AND goodwill into someone with NO integrity whatsoever?

Mr. Brown says the SPH should be a force to be equally reckoned with. I agree. The media always has a way to blow things way out of proportion - especially if the news concerns one of your own.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next week or so.

UPDATE (8:40pm):CEO has stepped down. Didn't take very long, did it.

EGAD!!!!!!

2005-07-12T19:44:00.000+08:00

If you haven't seen on the left column, I am currently reading Joshua Harris' I Kissed Dating Goodbye.

And if you haven't seen a copy of the book already, the cover - both front and back - has the picture of a guy. Very suave, savvy, mysterious, kinda makes you wanna know who this guy is. And if you see the back cover... oh man. (I was looking for the picture on Google but there wasn't any).

So obviously I was trying to figure out who the guy was. And then I went to his website and found this:

The man at the back. That is HIM.

Another picture from his website (albeit smaller one):

Then go back and look at the back cover of the book.

Coincidence? I think NOT.

And this guy wrote it when he was twenty-one.

EGAD!!!

And his brother is the same age as I am.

Double EGAD.

The guy's written a million-copy selling book at age twenty-one.

I think I am going to faint.

And what's more, he's actually cute.

*HURMPH*

Oh well, I may have the hots for him on the cover, but he's married (that's his wife there, I think. Ain't she pretty?) with two kids, he's over thirty now, and he's gone botak (Malay for bald).

I hope the pictures I put up here aren't counted as stealing... *oops*

Check this out!

2005-07-12T05:46:00.000+08:00

Found this from Mr. Brown who found it from someone else.

But rather than going through all that mumbo jumbo, I'll just give you the link directly. Just Click Here.

Anyway, just a quick thought about it:

1. WHY bloggers wannna share their SECRETS with their prospective employers is beyond me. The blogging is for you and you ALONE (and a couple of friends peppered with annonymous readers).

2. You blog is your avenue on the Web to rant about anything. so chances of us spilling something is pretty high, unless it's for a specific reason.

3. What is the deal with giving your name away for the people on Google to find you? I personally prefer a certain level of anonymity while sharing my thoughts with the world.

4. To Mr. Tribble. Are you a professor, an academia-related staff, or a student? I may not know the education system in the States all that well, but shouldn't there be a tiny bit of decency to actually tell us your name? Or are you just concerned that the whole Blogging population will come and hunt you down and send headless chickens in your sleep? Hmm??