A wonder, no wonder

Moments like these

2010-03-10T20:01:00.000+08:00

Got a seat on the MRT - check
Stared at stupid kid staring at me on MRT - check
Shoved pushy old lady on MRT- check
Shoved pushy old lady, twice on MRT - check
Shoved 2 annoying PRCs on MRT- check
Class ended before it started - check

Best day ever! :D

The Rabbit

2010-03-03T18:16:00.001+08:00

With the blazing fast worklife, blitzing fast studylife, projects, deadlines, assignments and mugging. Life never seems to end. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and just relax. Managing time to meet deadlines, complete assignments and projects is all fine and great. What's important is that we find time for ourselves as well. We should be like this little guy.. And take a well deserved time out once in a while!

- Posted from The Als' iPhone

A reflection from Sentosa

2010-02-19T19:51:00.001+08:00

Sometimes you wish Singapore stood still to give you the chance to reflect and enjoy moments which make your life worth living:

(yes. I took that photo from my iPhone)

- Posted from The Als' iPhone

Chinese new year

2010-02-14T06:53:00.001+08:00

It's funny how many interesting people you can meet while having a nice long walk at East Coast Park. People actually getting drunk, making merry, and well, some just totally chilling out. So many family traditions happen on Chinese New Year that it's amazing - whether you're Chinese, Indian, Malay or otherwise.

CNY's a time for families, or what's left of a family to get together to remember the most important thing: at the end of the day, blood is thicker than water. I have my own traditions too. I believe in overnighting for the sake of my parents. Chinese believe if the children overnight to past midnight, he parents will live longer. I believe it's a time for me to remember what I have and have not. To appreciate what and how I have. Valentines day just made me reflect doubly hard then.

Anyways, a good start to the Chinese new year. Here's a big "cheers" to everyone reading, wishing you all the best for you and your family!

Remember.. If The Als comes to visit, please give bigger hong baos! Thanks!

- Posted from The Als' iPhone

Remembering how bored I can be

2010-02-06T18:20:00.003+08:00

I went through my miscellaneous folder the other day which houses my past and more importantly future blog material which I can potentially write about. I was planning to write about how bored I was at Zouk on wednesday due to.. well, you'll find out. But also, the stuff inside got me thinking of how bored I can be sometimes and what I do when I really have too much time on my hands:

Oh and by the way, how can I leave Ari out of another blog entry? Especially with such an EPIC moment:

Hmm by the way, Mambo on wed wasn't as fantastic with the DJ totally spoiling the party one time too many! It was a sad day for mambo fans as Mambo King walked out at 2am, just 2 hours after arriving. Not done yet, the DJ was horrible for the night as he managed to totally kill off the high of the dance floor with a Backstreet Boys song. SO many classic "must-have" mambo songs not played, horrible filler songs, "hips don't lie"??? Ah well, cheers to better days at Mambo. At least the cute bartender chick was chatty heheh

The mambo crew

The Als is worth $24.80 today!

Today's Song: David Guetta & Akon - Sexy Bitch

MRT Watch: People seem to step on my toes (literally) more often than not this week. I should get spiked shoes...

Confucius says: Grasshopper, Mambo is like water. YOU NEED IT TO LIVE. =P

In totally unrelated news: My blazer hunt that lasted 3 months has finally come to an end!!!

Mambo @ Zouk = Happiness!! (Or drunkage)

2010-01-29T04:18:00.001+08:00

Well well. Having the good idea of Wednesdays and Thursdays off with no school really opens alot of doors. (A lot of mambo doors heheh). Having gatherings with the old gang on mambo nights were especially fun, no matter the number, 2 or 20. Hey! It's mambo after all. If you're not there for the music and the dancing (and maybe sometimes girls, let's be honest) then what are you there for? Unfortunately I don't enjoy the Phuture styled GGG "Guys Grind Girls" type of clubbing. Well, I'm not there for that reason.

Then again, the big 1 for 1 promo till midnight @ zouk is ALWAYS welcome. LOL

So anyways, The Als' Mega Mambo Marathon lasted till 4am when Zouk closed last night..uh.. this morning I mean. It made more sense to wait out another 2 or so hours until the trains started at some obscure McDonalds in the city rather than cabbing home like some idiot. Not a bad night indeed! Considering we danced from 12 to 4am, and spent close to nothing on drinks! (Complementary drink coupons are a lifesaver) Total damage? $30ish for a night well spent. I should do this more often!

Hugeeeeee line of cabs outside Zouk as far as the eye can see at 4am

MRT - 6am. It's amazing that it's CROWDED. Holy crap. How many people actually go to work THIS early??? Note the electronic signboard at the top of the MRT hasn't started working yet!

The Als is worth $25.00 today! (Entrance fee cause Jo's not online now :( )

Today's Song: ALL THE SONGS FROM ZOUK'S MAMBO JAMBO ALBUM YESSSS

MRT Watch: 6am in the morning and it's packed? Wow. I never knew people went to work this early!

Confucius says: You must welcome new things into your life in the new year: New clothes, new vision, new attitude, new happenings! (Not so much newater.)

In totally unrelated news: 93rd min. Goal. Rooney. Hey, Man City. Suck on that.

New Year, Old Reality

2010-01-10T10:14:00.002+08:00

Seconds ago it dawned on me that I'm hitting the big 2 - 5 this year.

I'm gonna be 25. What. The. Hell.

(I'm an old man now.)

WARNING: OLD ASS

25

YOU OLD SHIT.

25

YOU'RE OLD. NO MORE MEI MEIs

25

YOU ONLY CAN DATE OFFICE LADIES NOW

25

OR OLD WOMEN

25

THAT'S IT SIA

The Als is worth $540.10 today!

How much I'm worth

2010-01-04T00:49:00.002+08:00

Apart from the usual TOTALLY UNRELATED NEWS and such... I'm gonna be adding how much I'm worth today according to the utterly random, all knowing, all powerful Mojo - Jolyn Mo.

Let today be the first of many:

The Als is worth $47.90 today!

The New Year brings forth new challenges!

2010-01-02T00:17:00.001+08:00

Welcome the new 2010!

First off the bat, would absolutely love to wish everyone a brand spanking new and fruitful 2010 ahead!

Highlights of 2010 would include:

The Als completing my degree from SIM-UB in July
The Als entering the workforce as a professional (woohoo MONEY)
The Als going to Bangkok with the crew, FINALLY, for the longest time since the Red vs Blue riot started..
The Als going to Genting (next week) with the crew, our maiden trip together mwahaaha

Well then, it's looking like an interesting year ahead for yours truly. Heheh.

Also, as promised, pictures from the M'sia trip with the boys:

First day's lunch was a feast at Tony Roma's

The very, VERY, nice 5 star hotel which we were bumped to for no extra chargee..

Malaysia is infested with doughnut joints. (Thankfully!) Krispy Kreme doughnuts?? Holy shit! Best doughnuts in the WORLD!

Hmmm.. Didn't know DD had a restaurant there....

Cu Cha restaurant. AWESOME.

Ba Kut Teh, Malaysian style.. complete with pig intestines and tau pok

Yuan Yang Hor Fun, Malaysian style which OWNS the SG one.

SG uses bee hoon. M'sia uses deep fried bee hoon. Awesome!

And finally, my true love: Fried radish cake. I have to have this the next time I go to KL. Holy shit good!

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Well, having been there done that, just last week I went to Marina Barrage with the crew, for a kickback and well, just a simple picnic. Turns out that Jolyn suggested we go to the awesome Singapore Museum for a totally free entry (for students only) Egyptian exhibition. Damn cool!

Picture quality due to overcast cloudy skies AND a sad, sad phone.

Awesome Egyptian stuff. Interesting!

Exhibition was about the Egyptians' quest for immortality

The Ankh, representing life.

Today's Song: Celebration - Kool and the Gang

MRT Watch: Packed. Packed, packed, packed.

Confucius says: Happy new year Grasshoppers!

In totally unrelated news: Portsmouth FC are geared for their 3rd takeover of the SEASON. *Cue laughter*

God blesses

2009-12-24T04:04:00.001+08:00

Plane ticket to KL: SGD$20
Airport transfer: RM$8
Monorail ticket: RM$1.20
Lunch at Tony Romas: RM58
3 Star Hotel stay for 2 nights: RM$250
Finding out that the 3 star hotel pushes you to another 3 star hotel because it's renovating: Damn.
Finding out that the original 3 star hotel lied about renovations: ANGRY
Finding out that the original 3 star hotel bumps you to a 5 star hotel: IRRITATED
At no extra charge: HAPPY
And breakfast included by mistake: ESTATIC
(God blesses His people heheheh)

Buy underwear: Mission Complete!
Buy shorts: Mission Complete!
Buy soccer/sports equipment: Mission Complete!
Buy undershirts: Mission Complete!
Buy slippers: MISSION FAIL
Buy t-shirt: MISSION FAIL
Eat like there's no tomorrow: Mission Complete! x1000

Holy crap. What a KL trip! =D
(Photos on the way)

Today's Song: Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down

MRT Watch: KL's monorail is hella crowded and apparently, they don't let people out first. Chiong your way out! Grrraaahhh

Confucius says: Grasshopper, man who take sleeping pill and laxative on the same night will wake up in deep shit

In totally unrelated news: Tiger Woods. Oh my. 1 woman reveals her secret affair and 934875934875 more come forward.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-18T15:12:00.000+08:00

Fans are raving. Ranting even that I don't post often. My sincerest of apologies! It's been a mad rush for projects and assignments come the end of the year and, as usual, it's been a whirlwind of planning and prep for the year end christmas celebration in church as well. I've been holding back on writing cause the off worldly powers have conspired to have me misplace my data cable for my phone, leading me to have no pictures to use heh.

Well, good news and bad news. Bad news is that the cable is still missing. Good news is that I realise my new USB insert card reader can read my micro SD. Which kinda means pictures! Hooray for you! Haha
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Looking back, having moved house like a month ago, I appreciate the new place pretty much! The balcony in the new place is simply WHACK and I love writing/doing work down there because the wind is essentially FREE, it blows from late afternoon to early morning. View is well, okay, if you like looking at landed properties, but it's quiet and inspiring! Some pictures from moving:

Holy shit messy.

The scary looking muscular movers broke a light =/

On moving day I had my Chinese B O'levels. My room, being as messy as it was.... turned out the best place to study was....

Digging through my room enearthed some... treasure. $80 dollars worth of treasure

Snowy! LET ME EXPLAIN. I promised my cousins when I was young I would keep this as long as this cat was alive. Until today, my cousins and I keep our cats! So don't judge me! (left eye kinda falling out)

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Spending free time during the hols included going to MINDS cafe for the second time in my entire life. Was quite fun there, didn't get to try the really wild games, (most of them were taken) but we did try truth or dare jenga.. Which kinda went pretty long considering the damned tower didn't fall for FOREVER..

Kindly note the height of the box. THAT's the original height. We went nearly 1.5x the height! Look at the bottom of the tower. Shitty!

Sucks to be Shireen in that picture. LOL
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Went to a 1 day Kukup trip with the GEL youth group some time back. Was a kickback, pretty relaxed and pretty fun though! The kelong visit was the highlight man. There were these archer fish? Damned cool. One sniper took a cheap shot at Ian and shot him in his ear as he was walking by. Hahaha. Stupid fish. This funky looking horseshoe crab thing? Looking like some prehistoric dino crab. But the biggest (literally) attraction was this MONSTER jellyfish which I dare say is as big as my torso. (Yes, bigger than the belly)

HOLY CRAP

(note the big sized fishing net next to it for comparison)

Failed arty farty shots by Nokia E71

Oh by the way, when we reached the kelong, we saw Channel 8's (insert male actor's name) and Phyllis Quek filming there for some serial. The one where the guy is some gambler bum who's married to Patricia Mok? Yeah. Had to be silent for like AGES.

Today's Song: Red red wine - UB40 (WELL, I need to SKA once in a while!)

MRT Watch: Insecure men on the MRT open their legs big when they sit down. Yes that's right. I'm secure with what I have between my legs so I don't need to over compensate by opening my legs wider when I sit down in the MRT! Bloody idiots. Buy viagra.

Confucius says: Grasshopper, if football is played with the foot and handball is played with the hand, then basketball is played with the basket.

In totally unrelated news: The world is coming to an end if Singapore can flood like this:

(taken outside SIM)

Ultimatum. Your ultimatum.

2009-11-26T21:20:00.000+08:00

This past October and November have brought new experiences and drama that have really brought me many invaluable experiences and lessons learnt. Working different projects, one in the dramatic Victoria Theatre, going out, celebrating birthdays. So much to talk about so I anticipate this is going to be a pretty long entry:

I was asked to do media and stage at a kindergarten’s graduation. Yes, I know, I know, old news. But this first time-event for me was interesting indeed! I had to do the opening slideshow video for the parents. After 2 nights, sifting through 4300 high quality, large file size photos, narrowing them down to about 2500, and further narrowing them down to 400. Resizing and converting all of the 400 selected photos, one by freaking one. I was also tasked in doing backdrops for each individual performance item as well. Man. lest' to say I cut it close with all the media being finished just 4 hours before the graduation. (Which in turn, meant only 2 hours of sleep... Which, of course, didn't help much at all.

Well, tough work having to set up the projector and do image tests, shuttling between 2 floors just to keep adjusting the image settings between the laptop and the projector, 2 floors below. At the end, I would say that it was a pretty cool experience working in such an environment!

___________________

Speaking of tough work, I think the construction companies for HDB estates have been working too hard. Too hard until… well… this:

___________________

I do realize that I still have to blog about my house moving. More to come when I find my USB to actually transfer the photos into the computer. Heheh! Until then.

Today's Song: Looking Up - Paramore

MRT Watch: People need to be educated on why a holding pole is called a holding pole. Because it’s for HOLDING. Not leaning. HOLDING. H.O.L.D.I.N.G.

Confucius says: Grasshopper, life is a long journey that we all must walk through. I’m the smart one. I take the MRT.

In totally unrelated news:

There are many cockroaches near my house’s side gate. WHAT. WHAT ONLY. WHAT.

Tottenham 9 – 1 Hull City. WHAT. WHAT ONLY. WHAT.

After I get my N71, M1 announces they’re releasing the iPhone. WHAT. WHAT ONLY. WHAT.

Then, Starhub announces the same thing. WHAT. WHAT ONLY. WHAT.

At the end

2009-11-17T13:33:00.003+08:00

I got me thinking about a few good things recently. Inevitably, it raised the question: how sad life would be if we all actually took everything for ourselves and didn't care enough about others around us. Just look at the european and western societies for example. They're invariably less happy as a collective society as compared to us. They think only inward, only to themselves. me first, they say. It doesn't really matter about you, what about me?

I recall the classic east vs west incident when my English cousins came over quite a few years back. we were eating lunch when our food all arrived. Seeing how my family shared samples of our food, my aunt asked her English husband "Kev, you want some of my fish?" to which my uncle replied curtly, "no! Why? What's wrong with it? You ordered it, you eat it". Well, needless to say a discussion on asian vs 'western' manners followed but that's the point.
We all live in an asian society after all. Like it or not, the culture's shackles of a collective thinking and a collective happiness is of more importance and priority over one's self. certain things are still best left unsaid. Which is why I absolutely hate it when a certain lecturer keeps gloating about how well he's being paid and how our expensive school fees are paying nicely for his living suite. Yeah, all that and he still treats us like shit.

__________________________________________

Moving on, just a thought: ris low is o.v.e.r. She's still trying to thrust herself into the spotlight by "shingz". Epic fail. No matter how much you BOOMZ and SHINGZ or VAERTGOULKORZZYYZZ, ris, it's over. nice try, next please. Please proceed to the trashcan together with all the past 1 min Of fame has-beens

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I know it's been old news, but soccer fans (especially the Liverpool ones) would recall the horrors of the kid that threw the beach ball on to the pitch, causing a deflection which resulted in a goal. Well.. good news. here's the kid for those of you who want to find him and bash his face in:

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Thinking back on what someone said to me once, kids these days have broken tradition in their own way. We can't reach out to them like how our parents reached out to us or even how our grandparents reached out to our parents. This is why: A long time ago, people did not have technology. They bonded together over games and activities, just like we do today. However, there's a slight difference:

Yesterday: Marbles

Today: PSP Party.

Today's Song: Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne

MRT Watch: Ladies, if you wanna have your little congregation in a crowded MRT, get a table at a coffee house. Don't hop from row to row shaking hands with friends. Fidiots.

Confucius says: The path to righteousness is straight and narrow. I think it's time for road widening.

In totally unrelated news: Singapore said in 2007: Bye bye National Stadium.
November, 2009: Singapore 1 - 3 Thailand. Venue? NATIONAL STADIUM.
2 years on, still NOT demolished.

Teaser post!

2009-11-13T08:54:00.001+08:00

It's been more than a glorified 2 weeks! So much to talk about:
-me working media and stage at Victoria Theatre
-new turtles
-chinese B O'levels
-moving house
-finding money
-reflections
-thoughts
-pictures!

Definitely, there will be plenty to come in the next few days!

Jamie Yeo's long lost sister.

2009-11-03T18:40:00.001+08:00

I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER. I FOUND HER.

I THINK I FOUND HER. JAMIE YEO'S LONG LOST SISTER!!!

Ari.. aren't you flattered now?

Time warp, life leech and.. Geez, I'm starting to sound like a dota character.

2009-10-12T20:18:00.003+08:00

Are we really THAT busy? No, really. Think about that a sec. Somehow, alot of us claim that we're busy, we have no time, we can't do this and that because there isn't enough time. But thinking about it, we actually do. Instead of doing critical things like studying, taking out the rubbish, cleaning your room, meeting that friend, cough*blogging*cough, etc. What we're really doing is lazing in front of the tv, bumming around, surfing useless webpages (NO, SHUT UP. SOCCER IS IMPORTANT) and playing useless games.

We take the easy way out half the time. We make excuses. We blame it on other things and other people. We tell ourselves (and others for that matter) that this or that's not important enough for you to handle right away. We blame it on other people, saying that they're taking up too much of our time. Critical assignments which we put off till too long tend to end up kicking us in the cornhole. Damn essays and writing. At the end of it, we take easy ways out: Put in less effort, pump in more empty lines, or, best yet, leech other people's ideas and work and call it our own. (Which can be illegal boys and girls!) Get your own damn ideas. Get inspired. Read a book. Watch TV. Eat doughnuts. Chew your toenails. Watch paint dry. I don't care what you do, get your own damn ideas.

No matter how much we whine about it, essentially, 24 hours goes on the same for each person. Financial planning? How about Chronological Planning? A life skill that we really should be learning as we go on in life, it's important to budget time for ourselves, our family, friends and well, if it's applicable to you, most importantly, God. (In whatever form you believe in). Like a very nice quote on Matt's shirt yesterday: "Give God what's right. Not what's left".

__________________________________________

By the way... NEW Miss Singapore World!

Miss Pilar Arlando! Pretty, eloquent, angmoh! Steady.

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Yes! Moving right along to the I.R. - Idiot Report.

P, p, p, p, painful face.

Yes, yes, idiots are everywhere. Just like today when one poor sec school kid promptly smacks himself face first into a glass door. I won't say where this happened because IF I do, it's incredibly easy to guess where the kid is from and well, let's just say I don't want to attract more attention to him than he already did.

Remember Mr. Lonely?

Mr. Lonely, quite a few months ago felt really lonely so he decided to play around by himself. *nudge nudge* He decided to use a toy, a.k.a. a plastic mineral water bottle and well, let's just say that when Mr. Lonely became Mr. Happypants, something got stuck somewhere, needing a critical emergency operation to remove the waterbottle before Mr. Lonely became Mr. Eunuch. Moral of story? Don't. Use. A. Plastic. Bottle.
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Oh and by the way, I do want to brag (sorry! HA) about the total nonsense AND work that I've done on Photoshop the past few weeks:

Done in 10 minutes:

K.I.A's new slogan

Done in 30 minutes:

The founding members of K.I.A

Done in 1 hour:

Brand new logo, designed and drawn from scratch for project

Please kindly note the increased quality of ~~nonsense~~ work with more time taken.

Today's Song: How far we've come - Matchbox Twenty

MRT Watch: Before entering Kallang station tunnel: Bright sunshine.
After exitting tunnel at Redhill: Overcast skies with pouring rain. Nice. *#&^@&*

Confucius says: Grasshopper. When I told you to get on the coach, I meant for you to get on the tour bus. I didn't mean for you to hump your badminton coach!!

In totally unrelated news: This is a global blog! Steady sia. I've had quite a few visitors from the US of A, one from Sweden, one from France, one from Canada and even one from Iran!

The Scourge of Singapore

2009-10-04T02:58:00.003+08:00

My, my. Where do I begin? I called it. I freaking called it. Ris Low was gonna start some major chain reaction and I called it. I pride in being on of the first few to actually write about her even before the whole wave of newspaper and tv coverage came. (Yeah, like that's something to actually covet) Anyways, I'm glad I started the ball rolling with the "inside scoop" among my circle on friends, "early innovator", the early minority who are "in" before the rest of the people are. But ah well. Turns out that Ris Low, Miss Ris Low, our wonderful, excellent, EPITOME of Singaporean single ladies (all the single ladies, all the single ladies) has done in herself once again. Where do I even start?

Something..... you know...... BOOMZ
First she starts by insulting every little bit of the engRish language by yammering on about her bigini and her kahki green. I don't care that her chinese language is fluent and well spoken. I don't care if she can speak 10 languages other than english. English is the first language here, the most recognised, live with that fact. If we wanted a chinese/malay/tamil speaking Miss Singapore, we would have gone out and hired foreign talent like Singapore ALWAYS does.

Community Ambassadress 2009, Miss Lumiere Ambassadress 2009, Miss Best Dressed 2009, Miss Dazzling Eyes 2009, Miss Photogenic 2009, Miss Crowning Glory 2009, and Miss Best in Catwalk 2009 and finally Crowned Miss Singapore World 2009
Apparently she SWEPT the field at the Miss Singapore World pagent, bagging 8 (READ: 8!!!) awards, including eventual crown. Give me a break. Notice how all the awards were for her pretty face and none for "Miss Eloquent". If she bagged all those awards, I shudder to think if the rest of the contestants were really THAT bad.

Yellow Ribbon Project
Ris Low should be really glad that the government has been stepping up their yellow ribbon project publicity recently. The campaign talks about giving ex-convicts a second chance in life and to unlock the "second prison". Well. Good for Ris as she's been convicted of credit card fraud. 24 months probation.

Bipolar Disorder
Well, apparently Ris has been diagnosed for Bipolar disorder relating to Kleptomania. (Mental disease that causes a person to repeatedly steal things). This happened after being convicted and the whole saga started to spiral dangerously out of control. What next?

Miss Singapore World 2009 no more
Well, credit to her. After initially refusing to step down, she finally has. Not that it's a victory for anyone or anything like that, more so, it's more like a relief that Singapore will not be MISS-represented (excuse the pun) at the Miss World pageant held at South Africa.

4 weeks to find a replacement
Apparently, news reports say that ERM will take 4 weeks to find a replacement. Well, I can do them one better. Off the top of my head right now, I can think of at least 10 girls (I'm serious.) who are better than her and can more than represent themselves and Singapore. I took 45 seconds. ERM needs 4 weeks.

At the end of it all...
What's my point? At the end of this, what do I really want to get out of it? Well, my point is that this saga's over. Time to finally leave her alone. Time to get on with your damn life. She wants to change, she wants to stop. So, enough ridicule, we've all had our "fun". Ris, if you do happen to ever read this, I wish you nothing but the best in your life from here on end cause things can only get better from here on end when you're at the rock bottom.

P.S. Take english lessons baby.

Today's Song: War Machine - AC/DC

MRT Watch: 7.30am trains are the worst. Even sardines in a can have more room.

Confucius says: Man at airport who go through gantry sideways is going to Bangkok.

In totally unrelated news: Tips on becoming a better "free sample grabber":
1) Don't laugh uncontrollably when you go take the samples.
2) Don't poke and poke and poke multiple pieces of food on your toothpick. Poke two, three pieces in one shot
3) Don't walk around with crazed look in your eyes and toothpick(s) in hand
4) Don't hide behind people and giggle when you get your free sample
5) Pretend to be interested, then take your food, then casually walk away
6) Don't run away cackling in triumph when you manage to grab a bunch free samples
7) You have 2 hands, but use only 1 toothpick. Not one hand, one toothpick.

Ari, I hope this helps! Our very own lovable mooncake free sample yau gui

Another 300 mad men.

2009-09-15T00:58:00.003+08:00

It seems late nights have spurred my creative side. (Either that or my psycho side)

Mark, you've been keeping fit, running marathons and playing sports. Keep it up!

I've made a picture of what you'd look like by the time we graduate:

Rockin' abs man.

Today's Song: You are not alone - Michael Jackson

MRT Watch: BREAKING NEWS: Young punk gives up his seat to old lady. SINGAPORE CAN BE SAVED AFTER ALL!!

Confucius says: Man who cut himself while shaving, lose face.

In totally unrelated news: I can totally be your flamingo!!

300 Mad Men.

2009-09-13T19:42:00.007+08:00

Short entry this time round..

I was on Facebook the other day and my good friend Jonan posted this:

I looked at it for a moment and I realised and I posted. I thought it would be really funny to see King Leo holding an M16... and I think I might be a little bored:

Damn..

Today's Song: Snow Eh Oh - Red Hot Chili Peppers

MRT Watch: I notice one thing: WHY. WHY do I smell someone's B.O. in the morning, when everyone "supposedly" has bathed before heading to work?

Confucius says: Man who left his refrigerator running is one who SHOULD HURRY THE HELL UP AND CHASE IT. (Or get psychiatric help)

In totally unrelated news: Suddenly I'm all into card tricks and card flourishes.. COOL!

Your lesson in Alsonism part 2

2009-09-07T22:38:00.008+08:00

Hello my beloved students, your all knowing Master of Alsonism is back to teach and enlighten!

Here are my teachings about life and living that I wisely impart to my loyal students: (and other random tidbits)

- There is no purpose without meaning. I.e., if there is no meaning to life, then there is no purpose for you to live isn't it?

- Does a color exist if there is no word for, or to describe a color? Does the color orange exist if there is no word for "orange"?

- If you start something with someone, be sure you got the moxy to actually finish it.

- "Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr. (ARGHHHH 2 page evaluation on Martin Luther King's speech!!)

- Ever wondered what armpit hair is used for?

- "You are supposed to change the world. The world isn't supposed to change for you." - The Als

- "Opinions are like mobile pones.. everyone has one. Some are really useful, some only look good on the outside, some are useless, some are old and some are modern." - The Als

- What the hell is "BOOMMS?"

- Why do men have nipples? We can't feed babies!

- Why are we called Singaporeans? Why couldn't it have been Singaporlese or Singapolish or even Singaporenese?

- Men have 3 types of tops: Shirts, T-Shirts and Singlets.
Men have 3 types of bottoms: Jeans, Pants and Shorts
Women have: Shirts, t-shirts, halter tops, spaghetti-strap tops, tank tops, tube tops, jeans, pants, shorts, skirts, miniskirts, tube dress, evening gown, sun dress, Capri pants.....

- For those who have watched X Men Origins: Wolverine,

Did you know that Wolverine screams:
WAAARRRRRAGGGHHHH!!! - 6 times throughout the whole movie
VICTORRRRRRR!!! - 5 times throughout the whole movie

- Dogs smell each other's asses for their equivalent of name, D.O.B, address, race and such. Thank God we as humans don't need to do that.

Today's Song: Feeling This - Blink 182

MRT Watch: One carriage smelt like pee today.. I wonder why...

Confucius says: There is a saying, young grasshopper: "Man with bird in hand is worth two in the bush." However, remember young grasshopper.. Man with bird in bush is probably urinating inside it.

In totally unrelated news: Mae Sta Maria! Mae Sta Maria!

A stone cold glare

2009-09-04T02:07:00.005+08:00

It was just recently that something was brought to my attention.. which.. kinda ties up to what I've been meaning to write about ever since it happened.

Recently, Mel and I were on the MRT, as usual, (or "The Tube" as my English cousins call it), and just generally ranting about those not giving up their seats, as usual, to those who need it the most. Mel was making comparisons of the culture in Beijing and how some things could be probably adapted into our MRT culture. After which, some brave soul decides to pip up the stone hard courage to talk to us and said:

"Excuse me, I heard about what you two were saying about Singaporeans and I was thinking about it. I got something to say as well"

Well, having said that, she promptly told us in a hushed tone that it wasn't the Singaporeans at fault with most of these MRT shenanigans. According to her, she maintains that the foreigners are the ones who constantly break the rules so to speak. This surprised me (and even more so, Mel) who told her: "Excuse me, but I think you've obviously been sitting on different trains than us". Touché.

But that's what's really at hand isn't it? It's not the question of whodunnit, foreigners or locals, but it's more the question of how can we improve. The problem in the first place is identifying the problem! Now, I'm not all perfect but I consciously try to own up to what I did and then address the issues as much as possible, so help me God. The curious thing is that this aunty - a living, breathing example of the everyday commuter who suffers the same injustices as the rest of us, can refuse to own up on behalf of the collective Singaporeans who break the rules of social etiquette on the MRT! That's just it. Failure to actually identify the problem in the first place! No wonder the daily MRT commute is always frustrating for most people.. not because of the quality of the MRT, but because of the people around you. The MRT quality's great by the way! Proudly, best in Asia me thinks. Wish I could say the same thing for the people.

Issue is this: People just refuse to own up and take social responsibility. Or simply, people just refuse to own up to reality. It's always "It isn't my fault!". Well, as (former) President Clinton said once "It depends on what "IS" is." My point exactly. It depends on what is! If reality is that you are at fault then there's really no going around it is there? That's the thing. Some people are like that really, who refuse to own up to reality and still persist to live in their own made up fantasy that they're always right somehow, someway. Like MRT aunty. Like someone in each of our lives we have experienced at least once before. Hell, even ourselves even! I said it the last time I wrote, I said it before and now I'll say it again. "It's not my fault" heard that one before? Singapore idol boy, aunty on MRT, and other various infamous people who we've all come across one time or the other. well, I say, one time is one time too many!

Disclaimer
Wait.. I digress. I clarify my last entry was about A BUNCH OF people who:
A) Flood my facebook with status messages (approx. 3 of them)
B) Flood my facebook with game messages about some Farm and some Zoo and some fishing game (approx. 7 of them)
C) Casual bloggers who talk about where they went
D) All examples were metaphors pertaining to me and my experiences. Any and all relation to anything is merely conincedental. If you - somehow - find what I say - somehow - targetted at any one single person or you, then you're a very, very sad individual.

Now, for the benefit of those who think that I'm in no position to comment because of my non-existent street cred.

AND/OR

Those who feel that I'm going all high and mighty, coming from a vaunted position of hallowed values and systems imbued into me.

AND/OR

Those who think that this (and for that matter, the rest of my entries) are direct insult shots to the heart.

AND/OR

Those who think I'm making references to my faultless and pristine upbringing, shamelessly gloating about it and making you feel all crummy inside:

I say two things:

1) I am not in a position to judge and I am not. Problems we are guilty of, me included. I merely comment on issues that surround all of us in our daily lives, me included. If you think I'm judging or directly insulting you or doing a good self-blowjob of highlighting my holy values then it's one of two things:

- You're an idiot.

- You're a sad, sad, defensive, sensitive prick.

2)This.

Today's Song: Sweetest Goodbye - Maroon 5

MRT Watch: New trend: Share priority seats! Share the blame! Share the shame! (more to come soon!)

Confucius says: A wise man no play leapfrog with unicorn.

In totally unrelated news: I found her name! Singapore Idol contestant:
Mae Sta Maria. My prediction: Mae's in it to win it!

Holiday Shmoliday!

2009-08-26T21:03:00.005+08:00

Yes, apologies for the long black blanket of silence! Holidays have been fun filled (along with sleep filled) and there's really too much to do!

If you're wondering why then, the golden silence of my fingers, then the reason is simply, I don't pride myself in boring people with daily updates about what I do every. single. day. Of course, I did have cousins from overseas coming over, went to the Zoo, attended a wedding dinner, yada yada. Thing is, I blog about issues and life! I don't pride myself in blogging daily about how many times I went to the toilet, where I went shopping, where I clubbed, who I kissed and who I didn't. These insignificant things don't really concern me.

That's the real evil about Twitter isn't it? And for that matter, the majority of the "private" (or not) blogs on cyberspace too. Thank God you can actually choose who you want to follow on Twitter. I can't imagine being bombarded on my computer (and more recently, PHONES) with incessant, unnecessary, annoying "Tweets" on the phone saying:
"(name) is at Bugis now!"
"(name) is watching TV! So boring!"
"(name) is feeling sick"
"(name) loves her new shoes!"
"(name) is waiting outside Zouk"
"(name) is bathing his dog"
"(name) is taking a shit"

Oh wait.. here's one more!
"THE ALS DOESN'T CARE" (No I don't have Twitter btw. Good Lord.)

For all of you who've subscribed to the typical-total-twitter-twit (TTTT for short), good luck with your "social life" (note the inverted commas) or lack thereof. It's funny how the bad habits from SMS Fidiots (new term! new term! Fidiots = F. Idiots) carry over to Twitter and blogging in that respect. What do I mean? Here's a typical flow of SMSes an SMS Fidiot would send:

"Hey man!"
"I'm fine, lol. Was just wondering you free?"
"Around 9 or 10?"
"Go club lol"
"At Zouk"
"Me and 3 others"
"Can, let us know"
"Can you call Alex?"
"k"
"k"
"seeya loolz"

Why can't people realise the simplicity of simply SMS-ing EVERY detail and squeezing it into a 1 or 2 page sms? Same thing for twitter and blogging!

Fidiot bloggers are another fancy bunch. Wait a sec, I do understand the purpose of private blogging and all for your own pleasure, to express yourself online. I like reading about the interesting and special things in the lives of friends and family. What I don't want to read is the "I went out to bugis today. I saw 2 skirts and dresses. So nice. I went to eat Sushi. So nice. I went home." -type blogs. Unfortunately, for these people, they forget that other people actually have a life. Blogs are supposed to be interesting and readable, not some place where someone rambles on and on about his/her daily eat-pee/poo-sleep routine and unimaginative nonsense.

Which brings me to... Singapore Idol. For the first time in a while, I'm actually half impressed (also when Olinda was taking part. Season 1) with the decent talent we have in SG Idol this season. The past season (the one with Champ Hady Mirza) was really dull and boring. Jonathan-"rocker"-Leong. Ho hum. Paul-Oilyhair-Twohill. Ho hum. Jasmine Tye? Ho hum. Joakim Gomez? Ho hum. Apart from pretty faces (Nnnoooooooo.... Whyyyyyyy Gayle Nerva?? Whyyyyyyyyy), nothing much talent wise unfortunately. (Notice I said pretty faces, referring to the girls. The guys that season.. ugh) Photo of Gayle below. (Taken off Gayle's official fanblog: http://gaylenerva.blogspot.com)

Nooooooooooo!! Why did you have to go Gayle? Whyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Having said that, interesting to see how several potential talents out there grow and go on to win. I've got my eye out for that girl that came back from Australia. (I've also got my eye out for 1 or 2 guys on the show with annoying attitudes) It seems they both suffer from talking-without-thinkingalitis! I like how Ben explained himself: "I just ramble on. It's not my fault (yeah it never is), it's what I do when I'm nervous." Yeah, blame it on circumstances. "It's not my fault" Hmmm... I've heard that before... Ben's got talent, but he needs to nurture himself into a likable personality.

Ah well.. Prediction time! I'm gonna stick out my neck and say that Aussie-porean girl's gonna win it!

Today's Song: You found me - The Fray

MRT Watch: Thank God that the few short trips I made to Pasir Ris were sane!

Confucius says: Grasshopper, when you notice that all the chips are down and you've reached your end, it's time to stop. Move to another table. Because apparently you suck at poker.

In totally unrelated news: Oh stop denying it! Liverpool miss Xabi Alonso! And poor Lucass.. oops! I mean, Lucas, isn't gonna cut it.
Last season: Liverpool 4-0 Aston Villa
This season: Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa
How the "mighty" have fallen.

The freak, meek 3 week holiday!

2009-08-08T22:29:00.005+08:00

I spent the last week or so shuttling in between studying and more studying. After much slaving over two thick, pathetic books, exams are officially OVER and holidays are now officially IN SESSION! Imagine studying 15 chapters each from 2 books in 6 weeks. Now THAT'S intense. It's like cramming 2 Big Macs (TM) into your mouth at lunchtime. Near impossible but I suppose I pulled it off decently. Now I just wait to be surprised by the results.

Before I go on with other things, first, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Singapore! Being involved for 2 years with the fireworks at NDP has been really special and if there comes a chance for me to work with the commercial pyrotechnic crews for NDP, I sure as heck would want to! I've got 2 year's worth of experience in NDP and I'm a certified Ammunition Technician Specialist I. (Self advertisement)

Now... It's been bothering me that certain people are using their backsides to think. One thing would be the annoying china girl (ACG) on the MRT. Now, don't call me a racist, but honestly, ACG's pastries must be SO SO TIRED because the 2 small boxes of pastries were seated in the priority seat beside her on a decently post-rush hour train. Totally oblivious to all the evil eyes that people were trying to stare daggers with. Pretend to sleep somemore. Pretend to look around. Pretend not to care. I've been thinking we can add more things to what the MRT marshals can carry with them:

MRT Marshals should carry:

1) Cattle Prods - To zap those young, pretend pretend sleep idiots who take the priority seats.

2) Hand Axes - To lop off the legs of those who cross their legs and rub their dirty soles on the pants of the person beside them.

3) Fat, starving 5 year old boy - To eat away food that's put on the seat. Yes, I haven't forgotten you Chicken Rice Woman.

4) Handcuffs - So they can chain those people who lean/hug/buah/lie on the holding poles TO the poles themselves since they LOVE the pole so much.

5) A HUGE "THIS IS SINGAPORE" Stamp - So we can stamp "THIS IS SINGAPORE" on to the foreheads of those foreigners to FAIL to realise that this country isn't China, isn't India, Nepal, Uganda, America, whatnot. This IS Singapore and there are social rules and norms to follow.

Speaking of idiots... Apparently celebrities aren't using their heads as well. Take Hayden Panettiere for example. Little HEROES cheerleader. This might be old news to some but I've been wanting to write about this for awhile. I totally can't wrap my mind around how hopelessly... well... I'll let you see for yourself:

Well, yeah. Here's the thing. It's one thing to show a little skin and wear something "sexy". Now, it's another thing to reveal too much. I call it TMI. Too Much Info. Precisely. This? Too much info. Wayyyyy too much info.

Thank you Hayden, I'm sure many prepubescent boys would be very happy to see this but please.. In the words of Pastor Joel, less is more. Seriously.

I've been playing Plants VS Zombies for the past week now and it's been a total blast man. I just got my brains eaten after completing 73 flags (BEAT THAT) in Survival Endless. Trust me, if you think it's that easy to beat, think again. Get as far as I did and find out how hard it is for yourself. Completed Adventure mode twice, have a nice Zen Garden, completed the Encyclopedia, completed the Minigames, completed all Survival Modes and completed all puzzles. Man. I need to get a life. I need a new game to kill time.

Oh, I've been tasked to take control of a media campaign for an upcoming GEL Youth event in September! Hah! I remember sharing today that God had a plan for putting me into SIM and studying what I am now. And this is the first of many assignments that I'll be overseeing and executing. Finally I can get to use some of the nonsense that's been crammed into my head!

Today's Song: Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

MRT Watch: I wait for the day where my writing will change Singapore for the better. I have a dream. I have a dream that one day, MRT Marshals will have the authority and tools (see above) to enforce the law, vigilante style.

Confucius says: Grasshopper, if you want it to snow in Singapore, very simple steps:
1) Go to freezer.
2) Take Ice.
3) Crush Ice.
4) Get friend to sprinkle on you.
5) Laugh in pleasure.

In totally unrelated news: 8 more days to the start of the Barclay's Premier League!! Tomorrow: Manchester United VS Chelsea - English FA Community Shield! GO REDS!

The problem with saved passwords

2009-07-31T00:31:00.002+08:00

One great night of bowling, wrists burning with the fire of a thousand suns just an hour ago. Who ever knew playing around with a bunch of 10 pound balls would be so entertaining?

As you could probably see from the recent post below. I now know the value of NOT saving your silly passwords on your laptop. It makes for interesting reading that people could "infiltrate" your social networks and tell a random girl/guy on your msn list "Hey, I love you!"... or in this case.. post something on this wonderfully entertaining and classique blog. Yes, thank you oh great Chen Yinghuan, for teaching me one of life's greatest and important lessons.. Imagine if it would have been my online banking account. I bet the silly grin on her face would be 10 times wider now. (and pockets much fatter.)

Mass Com Medium module's presentations are finally over! As for Dr. Hung, he dropped a total bombshell by telling us 1 effing minute before the presentation that our time was, in fact, 12 mintutes and not the full 15 as communicated before. Not only that, he also tells us his exact expectations for the presentations. What's up Doc? (always wanted to say that!)

Needless to say, another pristine and immaculate job well done by the team. Shaving 3 minutes off a presentation is no easy feat and we did exactly that with extreme professionalism. (Which is more than I can say for several groups that presented that day.) So, well done and I'm proud enough to declare this publicly! Stuff a fist in your mouth if you don't agree.

One thing I can't get is the level of presentation skills. Not to harp on my own, I'm no expert myself. I'm not saying I'm good. I'm just saying that I try. Despite all of us as a university cohort with at least 18, 19 years of education, still. Still so many people have very low levels of presentation skills. Simple things such as looking at your audience. Not reading everything from scripts or cards. Talking in an audible, clear tone. Hand gentures. Posture.

It's weird that some people in other groups could just meekly mumble something and be unclear of what he or she is presenting. This one girl, (again, I'm not saying I'm anything great) is more concerned with reading from her notes and keeps getting lost in them. Apart from that, the way she phrased the answer to the question posted to her group made her group look bad. But ah well, we're only human. But please, learn some damn skills!

Speaking on skills.. Dr Hung decided to let us know that he has MAD L33T SKILLZ and told us not to challenge his system. He knows our tricks and ain't afriad to TAP THAT YO. Strange fellow that one. He then suddenly goes on to tell us about his teaching awards out of nowhere. Can you spell insecurity please? Despite his anal-ity, I clarify that I do have plenty of respect for the man and what he knows. His works are insightful and engaging. So, please. Less anal = more respect.

Today's Song: She's like the wind - Lumidee

MRT Watch: I *LOVE* how people cross their legs and conveniently dust their soles of their dirty footwear on people's pants next to them. Apart from cattle prods, I guess now I should bring an axe to LOP OFF their ugly feet. Aunty, you got it easy when I scolded you. Next time... CHOP CHOP CHOP!

Confucius says: Wise man is one who register with Singapore Police Force before speaking at speakers' corner.

In totally unrelated news: Michael Schmi's coming back to F1 for the next race? Yes!
Racing until the end of the season?? Yes!!!
Wait.. that means... HE'LL BE IN SINGAPORE!? YESSSSSS!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

2009-07-30T20:29:00.002+08:00

eh alson tan, it's so easy to access ur account la... LOL pls change to a more difficult password k???

happy bowling =)

You're a Racist!

2009-07-20T23:07:00.003+08:00

Thinking back, I feel horrible for grabbing a seat on the MRT just now when someone was clearly sitting there still. It was awkward having to see 3 of us jammed into 2 seats but I really wasn't thinking straight anymore.

I was really tired after an exam, drama during the exam (more on that later), a project discussion and dinner out. I didn't exactly notice there was someone already sitting in the seat that I had zoned in on when boarding the MRT. I feel really bad because I kinda sat on her rather on purpose. She was pretty small sized to begin with.. But still.. I apologise for sitting on half your lap. I'm sorry I failed to give up my seat to A LOUSY PACKET OF CHICKEN RICE. NOT.

It's late, I'm tired and the last thing I want to do is give up my row's center seat to a lousy styrofoam packet of chicken rice. I don't really effing care whether that packet of chicken rice is from some al famosa 5 star chicken extraordinaire shop. I'm tired, I want my damn seat, so the chicken rice can stand up and dance the chicky dance for all I care. Needless to say, if the lady sprawled all over the seat with her lousy chinese newspaper and chicken rice in the neighbouring seat actually NOTICED that people were getting on the train and MOVED, she wouldn't have gotten a 10% crushed pack of chicken rice. I didn't apologise then and I sure am not going to now. Oh, the huuumanity.

Speaking about humanity.. What in humanity's name happened in the exam hall today? It was surreal, bizarre and all that. I'm willing to bet all the money in my skinny wallet that you've never EVER, seen something like that before. Period.

What happened was, 10 minutes into the paper, Dr Hung (who's a Chinese national living and working in the USA for the past 25 years) catches someone looking suspiciously around on 5 occasions during the exam. He then tells her to move to another desk. The crazy girl looks up and refuses to budge, maintaining that she had done nothing wrong.

He issues her a warning (1st warning) and explains that he has seen her looking around on 5 different occasions within that 10 minutes. He tells her to move. Again, she refuses and mutters something beneath her breath.

He warns her again (2nd warning) and asks her to move. Again, same story. (3rd warning) Blatant refusal, she remains silent and ignores him and mutters "I'm not moving.".

Dr Hung insists on her moving and decrees "This is an order. Move now or I won't accept your answer script". (4th warning)

She looks up at him and says "You're very racist you know!". Dr Hung, clearly taken aback and amused, stares at her wide eyed. He chuckles (as do the rest of the class.) Dr Hung's chinese. The crazy bitch's also chinese..

"Me?! Racist?!" He replies. Dr Hung tells her, "This is your final warning. Move now or I'll send you out." (5th warning)

Again, ignoring. Once again, Dr Hung repeats his "threat" of sending her out of the hall. (6th warning)

She counters with a threat of her own: "I'll get you into trouble for this.". Dr Hung fires back: "You dare threaten me? Move. Now." (7th warning)

She moves.. but only to the seat just in front of her. (The seat that Dr Hung wants her to move to is 2 rows away and right in front) She declares martial law saying "I'm sitting here and I'm doing my paper. That's it."

Dr Hung counters and maintains his order to move to his designated seat. (8th warning). She moves to the first seat of her row and defiantly maintains that she's not moving another inch.

Dr Hung insists that that is it. He asks her to leave the hall. (9th warning) She refuses and questions why she can't sit in the place she already is. Dr Hung reminds her that her "final" warning has passed and the issue is over. (10th warning)

She gets up to move and takes her hands of her paper. Like lightning, Dr Hung, YOINK!, grabs the exam question paper and answer script from her grasp. He turns around, tells her to leave the hall and goes back to his seat, exhausted. Suddenly, a change of heart. She begs and begs, grovelling for his mercy. "I'm sorry Sir, I've had a really bad day". She says. Dr Hung ignores her. "Please Sir, please. I'm sorry. I'll sit here now. Please. I'll be quiet. Please, please Sir."

Dr Hung tells her to leave and it takes a threat to call the campus police before she finally leaves. She fires a parting shot, "I'll see that you get into trouble for this!"

Ah yes. Crazy bitch who has been in SIM for 4 years and has the same level modules as I am. Crazy bitch, according to JX, who has been copying other people for plently of other modules. Crazy bitch who has flunked a whole bunch of them. Crazy bitch who accuses a fellow chinese of being racist. Crazy bitch who threatens a professor. Twice. Crazy bitch who's gonna probably get expelled!

Jolyn's totally right. Let's hope she's not some crazy bitch who comes back one day and goes on a school stabbing/shooting spree.

Today's Song: Always - Bon Jovi

MRT Watch: Chicken rice wars. Fat men need to sit with their effing legs CLOSED. Fat tummy but small "instruments", so sit with your legs closed. I'll gladly continue to shake my leg to annoy you.

Confucius says: When wise man tells you to "hit the dance floor", he doesn't want you to kneel down and punch the floor.

In totally unrelated news: I love badminton! =)

Naked without nothing.

2009-07-14T01:06:00.003+08:00

In just an instant, my whole life flashes right before me. Everything starts shutting down. Systems, names, dates, places, times. Friends start missing. Colleagues start disappearing. Time vanishes and reappears. My whole life grinds to a pathetic halt. All because of her.

I just can't live without her. The sudden realisation that she can't be in my life anymore just shocks me. It'll cost too much for me and her to get back together again. For me, I have to give so much of myself. For her, she has to totally change and rewire her brain again. I feel so deeply saddened that she can't be part of my life anymore. Without her, my life has just collapsed into itself, imploding from the inside out..

I took one look at her again today. I looked longingly, hoping she'd come back to me. But well, with one last flicker goodbye, she went black. Alas, it was her time to go. I really wanted to save this... "relationship" but then again, it would have cost me 200 dollars and 4 weeks in repair time. Maybe it's time. Maybe it's time I got a new "HER". Maybe it's effing time I got a NEW DAMN PHONE. Goodbye my sweet Samsung U700. You were pretty.. but also pretty damn bimbotic.

Life has totally turned upside down without the damn phone. I can't call, I can't be called.. What else? Hmmm people asking what I want for lunch and I can't reply and have to go hungry. Mother asks whether I need her to buy dinner in, I can't reply and have to eat instant noodles. I can't meet Mel to go on campus with anymore, I can't call to chat anymore. I can't do anything! Not even check the time. (Yes, my phone IS my watch) Well then. Life has somewhat shutdown all because of one small little piece of plastic and metal that fits into the palm of your hand.

Technology. It's so fused into our lives so much so that when something dies, our physical life dies with it. It's ridiculous! Your phone dies and essentially your social life dies along with it. Your laptop dies together with all your work and files. Your computer dies and so does your work, your games, your stress relief. You can't check Facebook, you can't twitter.. and omg you can't blog. Essentially, blogging or posting items online IS work. Strangely enough, we can't bring ourselves to write a 5000 word essay or write a short paper once a week, but we sure as hell can blog long, poetic entries almost every day.

We need to question the neediness of ourselves on technology. MRT rides without my iPod has become utter torture. Off-days without the computer is hell on earth. What next??? Next thing you know we refuse to leave our house because our automated toenail cleaner broke down.

Today's Song: Pretty, Young Thing (PYT) - Michael Jackson

MRT Watch: Old people have this effect on the MRT: The moment they step in, anyone, even big strong men sitting in the Reserved seats magically fall asleep, instantly! Must be some neuro-toxin pheromone going around.

Confucius says: Wise man knows that, "The Als", Alson Tan, is the answer to all your problems.. for the right price. =P

In totally unrelated news: Someone told me recently that my writing style is like reading erotic poetry. No wonder all my secret admirer love letters were an epic failure every single time...

One big scare

2009-07-10T00:42:00.004+08:00

I woke up to the sound of the repeated "Ooooh Ooooh!-ing" of my mobile phone ringtone. Dragged my limp carcass to flip the phone open to see what damn time of the early morning it was. Well... it felt like it was early in the morning! I flipped open the phone only to find that the clock mocking displaying 2.26pm.. Dammit I felt like hell. AND I haven't been drinking. Nose running like tap I did a zombie-shuffle, a la the late MJ's Thriller video, to the toilet to look at myself in the mirror.

Ah crap. Speaking of the Thriller video, yeah. I looked like one of them zombies. My eyes were pretty glazed over as I stumbled from one position to the next. Well, with a minute of utter silence as I lay back down on my bed, the thought hit me: "Oh fuck. Please don't tell me I caught THAT flu."

That was nearly 12 hours ago. I'm not coughing so that's a good sign.. It's just a cold and I hope I'm not down with something big here. Well, one thing I can use that, IF (choy x1000000) I have it (choy x another 492347), is to go find those people I hate and spread some "love" to them bitches. Eat bio hazard mucus!

But seriously, if I am quarantined (choy x 34895734985) I've already thought of a survival list of things I can do in those 7 days, to keep myself from bashing my head into the wall repeatedly due to extreme boredom:

- Learn how to do a full backflip. Either I'll keep bashing my head on the ground or else I'd still be bashing my head on the wall.

- Memorize the entire bible.

- Study my Chinese. (Wow. I can't believe I thought of that.)

- Watch all the trilogy movies: The Matrix Trilogy, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Terminator Trilogy, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy(I, II, III), Original Star Wars Trilogy (IV, V, VI), The Transporter Trilogy, Ice Age Trilogy, Resident Evil Trilogy, Austin Powers Trilogy, Blade Trilogy, The Bourne Identity Trilogy, Jurassic Park Trilogy, Underworld Trilogy, Spiderman Trilogy, Scream Trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy, Ocean's Eleven Trilogy, The Mummy Trilogy, Stewart Little Trilogy and the Mission Impossible Trilogy. (I'd be brain dead by then!)

- Learn dance moves for ALL the Mambo songs.

- Learn to do the Michael Jackson spin and moonwalk.

- Learn to write with my feet.

- Learn how to unhook a bra with one hand.

- Learn how the sacred, secret Japanese Assassin's art of throwing a toothpick through the skull.

- Learn 20 card tricks.

- Set the world record for longest Hokey-Pokey dance.

- Write a best selling novel.

- Attempt escape from quarantine centre a la PrisonBreak.

You never know.. maybe with that escape attempt, they'll throw me into prison! Then I'd have a real shitty 6 month "quarantine".

Today's Song: Everybody have fun tonight - Wang Chung

MRT Watch: Didn't ride the MRT today. All you lucky inconsiderate bastards dodged one today.

Confucious says: Man who can put fist in mouth is one fucking bored idiot with a big mouth.

In totally unrelated news: My hair gets cut later. Halleujah!
I don't think I have H1N1. Halleujah!
Jesus can change your class bidding and do miracles. Halleujah!

Jump on the bandwagon!

2009-07-07T09:56:00.002+08:00

I guess when you acheive some amount of fame and fortune (I'm not saying I have), there will always be a bunch of freeloaders who try to hop on the train and get a free ride.

It's one thing totally to idolise someone, and it's another thing to copy what that other person does or use his/her face as some personal marketing tool. I find it incresingly disrespectful actually. Obviously these people don't really have much up there that's why they have to hop on to other people's freight train so they can get somewhere in their own personal pathetic lives.

I feel compelled to write after seeing an ad that says "Michael Jackson's IQ is 116. Are you smarter?" complete with MJ's (God bless his soul) photo in the background. Ah well, it's about time we realised that the world is amazing boom-deeana... and full of idiots too. It's all part of life!

Today's Song: Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson (RIP)

MRT Watch: If only men could show more initiative to give up seats, rather than have women give up theirs.

In totally unrelated news: Apparently 'celeb' blogger Wendy Cheng now knows the horrors of hair bleaching. She feels my pain! I'm not alone anymore!

The one day holiday

2009-06-28T22:23:00.003+08:00

My past "semester" ended and I was awarded ever so kindly with a one day holiday just before the next "semester" starts this monday. What joy! I flashed an unbridled smile as I crawled lovingly into my bed (IT'S A BED. NOT A MATTRESS. I DON'T CARE) and fell sweetly asleep.

I woke up with the same mentally challenged smile plastered on my face again. (With a little bit of drool on the side) The clock read 2.30pm, which made me smile even wider and looking more so like a complete idiot. The one day holiday was a welcome day off, considering the ultimate crash course in E-commerce, a combo serving of Psycology research methods, toppings of 5 exams, sauces from 10 quizzes, all crammed into a delightable buttered sandwich of 6 weeks. Kiss my ass.

Freaking lazy friday started off with me waking up uber late and sleeping in. Friday came and went with me catching up on news, tv programming, newspapers, (dammit I forgot to read my book, come to think of it). Well, rest was the order of the day here and I lovely moved my mouse with grace and pinaché, killing virtual soldiers with that classic stupid grin on my face. Man. I love going out, but I love days without programs too! Ah yes, the best of both worlds. (Oh shit, that's a Hannah Montana movie title)

A dedication and a challenge

2009-06-21T15:20:00.006+08:00

Lessons coming thick and fast really thought me about something. It kinda made me open my eyes to notice the inner workings of the media and communications circles.. Not to say I don't have a passion for it, but rather, I do have an interest. Well, times wears on and that interest becomes well.. slightly stronger.

Recently, it's been fashion to die. Rather, it's been fashion for innocent people to die. Been bothered by it and been thinking much for the past week or so.

You do find a new found sense of respect for someone when they do pass on. Attending the wake and seeing the body of a beloved colleague and Sergeant was quite humbling. The fact that most of us can't wrap our minds around was the reason why he passed. Acute asthma. Problem was, that he only had asthma when he was a small kid. 15, 20 years on at the age of 30, past marathons, IPPT and numerous days and activities, asthma never came back to haunt him. Until now.

1SG, now SSG Ang Joo Pin was a beloved colleague, respected Sergeant who took care of PYAD and us. He wasn't part of PYAD but still loved us enough to take care of us by helping out during our stressful operations. We'll miss the times you forced us to play soccer with you, forced us to play ping pong with you and miss doing duties with you. We'll miss you tons.

Now, having said that, it's been coming down to crunchtime really, with exams just a few days away. I've been having the time of my life with this new semester! Found quite a few new places to eat at, yada yada. Also, one new thing I realised these couple of months is never to apologise anymore when it comes to:
1) my rights
2) having an opinion

So yes. All you asscracks on the MRT better watch out! You have an issue with that, that's your problem. So sue me heh.

+1 To pathetic with each passing day.

2009-06-06T14:02:00.003+08:00

Rather "interestingly" enough, a little point to ponder regarding living life popped into my head. As humans, in a totally uncertain situation, in a totally foreign place, we tend to gravitate towards things that we identify with. For example, you're stuck in China, don't know anyone, can't speak Chinese and need food. Then you see a Starbucks. You're most probably going to head toward the Starbucks for food, mind you, instead of the chinese eatery next door.

So that's really it. Social conformity. But then again, is it really the word to use?Explaining:

If you've really thought a little about social etiquette and whatnot, really, what, rather, who makes up these rules and regulations to follow? Who said what we should or shouldn't do? And then again, who says we're supposed to conform to what's decided? Aren't we allowed to live our lives as such we wish?

So why then are we living our lives according to imaginary rules set by some imaginary person? Are we that dumb after all? Well, if you spent your time thinking about this issue for the past hour, I congratulate you... for being a complete idiot. I'll explain:

The issue itself is very simple: Social rules are governed by our traditions, national culture and fucking common sense. Then why are we supposed to follow these rules? Easy. Social reponsi-fucking-bility. We want to live in peace with the person next door as is with the person next door living in peace with us. Well then, problem solved.

But, yes, yes, "we're only human". And being human, we feel, we desire to do differently. Oh the whoop-de-frickin-horror. We still entitled to do whatever we want without really anyone doing a damn thing about it. Interesting! Yes, so we're all entitled, DESPITE THESE "RULES", to act according to our whim. Eat whatever we want, do whatever we desire, talk to whoever we want, say whatever we want. No rules against saying whatever we wish huh? No rules against back bitching, no rules against slander (oh wait, THERE IS.), no rules against doing anything to grab the headlines. Oh wait, one more: No rules against scolding the fuck out of someone for being stupid either! Live with that.

For the most part, I believe I'm unique in my own way. Most of everyone I know can agree that I cannot be substituted. I know and believe that.

If someone wants to believe that they're definition of unique is being a non-conformist, then so be it. Don't take people's scolding as a sign of strong bullying the weak. Please, that's such a grossly immature thought. Generally, the rule is that if you fuck around with people around you, generally, well, they'll fuck with you right back. Ye who fires the first shot better be ready to fight a war. Simple as that. Don't go around staring something you can't bloody finish. Oh, btw, refer to above when I said:

Oh wait, one more: No rules against scolding the fuck out of someone for being stupid either! Live with that.

Acting all "defiant" and saying that you're your own man and this is clearly an act of the strong to bring down the weak? What bullshit. So being the "weak" one, what now? Fight back? Continue doing what you are already doing? No one ganged up on no one. It just so happens that fucking around with 20 people causes 20 people to fuck around with you right back, DOESN'T FUCKING CONSTITUTE ganging up on someone. In the first place, question is why start something in the first place and whine about it after?

After all this time, the message isn't still getting through that thick skull to live life, not "normally", but peacefully with those around you. Every day, it becomes more and more apparent how pathetic you really are. Every day, it becomes more and more comical and laughable at how insecure you really are. Every day, it becomes more and more sad at how dellusional you really are. Good luck to the next 40 years of your life because it's only going to get worse from here on end.

Prostitution at its best.

2009-06-03T02:00:00.004+08:00

Today's bunch of "sweet nothings" and "abalones of wisdom" by yours truly:
(Hold on to them! Teach your kids! Alsonism is the way of the enlightened!)

- If you're satisfied with life, you don't need to satisfy yourself. (Yes, I meant it in the other meaning)

- A prostitute for money and/or a prostitute for gifts and/or a prostitute for attention, still IS, at the end of it all, a prostitute.

- "Money talks". If money could talk, wouldn't it be really scary if you whip out 10 bucks and Yusoff Ishak started chatting with you as you were paying for a burger?

- Confucious says: "Man who put nose into places it doesn't belong, always ends up in jail for sexual assault."

- Singaporeans have paradox: They queue for free things, they queue for good food, they queue to pay for things, they queue to withdraw money. BUT THEY FUCKING CAN'T QUEUE UP TO LET PEOPLE OFF THE FUCKING MRT.

- Why do hokkien curses always target the mother? Whatever happened to the equality between sexes? We need more father-orientated curses. Unify the family unit. Don't leave the father out of your abuse!

- Making "a bee line" for something doesn't involve walking straight toward it. If anyone made "a bee line" for something, they'll effing walk all over the place in circles!! Hasn't anyone seen how bees move??

- A bull in a china shop... HELLO!? THERE ARE NO BULLS IN CHINA!!

- Ever wondered why they still call it the "BOYfriend" and "GIRLfriend"? Well, it wouldn't sound as sexy or cute as "MANfriend" or "WOMANfriend" wouldn't it?

- Contrary to popular belief, Issac Newton wasn't "getting inspiration" under a tree. He was supposed to do work, but he chao keng, eat snake. This gave birth to the first indept Singaporean NSF.

- Men deserve sexual equality too. So as from now on, the following terms will be changed to portray a more "politically correct" standpoint:

Womenstral Cramps
Womenopause
PWS - Pre Womenstral Syndrome
Womental Breakdowns, for cases regarding female patients.
Womandrin, because it's a mother tongue.
Womango, the brand of clothing, because it caters to women, not men.
Womanicure, because mostly only women do it.

However, several terms will remain unchanged:
Manipulate, because it's always the women who psyco the men to do things.
Man-power, because construction workers are mostly men.
(Instruction) Manual, because unlike men, women are impossible to read and dicipher.
Manure, due to popular demand by women all over the world, who refuse to change this.

Teach this to your kids and they will grow up strong and healthy!

Today's Song: Never gonna give you up - Rick Astley

MRT Watch: People STILL don't know how to let people out so they can go in.

In totally unrelated news: Two new inventions are in the pipeline to rival the Push-up Bra and the Underwire bra: The push-up and underwire briefs for men. More crotch clevage, oops, i mean, clevagé

I Courteously Beseech You to be Courteous.

2009-05-31T18:35:00.003+08:00

Now... I don't really get the whole "Please be courteous" thing. If the lovely "Garrmen" has to BEG us Singaporeans so actually be courteous, then this says one of two things:
1) The lovely Government has nothing bloody effing better to do,

or 2) Singaporeans has THAT bad, discourteous and useless.
Before you say anything, I'm telling you, TELLING you, that it's option 2.

How much more do Singaporeans want the Garrrmen to do? How much more inconspicuous embarassment does the general Singaporean public have to suffer before courtesy becomes a way of life? How many more rude foreigners (especially the China-ese) must literally shove people on the MRTs before the beloved Garrrrmen can acknoledge this problem? Oh and btw, how much more PCK - Phua Chu Kang (or Phua Cheehong Kia, whichever you prefer.) do we have to endure RAPPING, OMG RAPPING some courtesy rap!? Aren't you embarassed enough that PCK has become our somewhat national icon?! Next thing you know they'll hack down the Merlion who got headshot by lightning in favour of a bronze statue of friggin PCK.

You know, it's not so much not giving up the seat. Yes, this minor problem can be addressed with more awareness campaigns and all that. The real issue is the daily cases of friggin ASSAULT by ugly China-ese people who literally SHOVE people out of the way to get to seats. They home in on empty seats like savage hormone charged teenage boys in puberty who have been sexually deprived for 6 weeks homing in on sweet young things. It's absolutely depressing that these particular bastard China-ese people who give their own hardworking brothers a bad name. Many China-ese I know have decent manners and work really hard. Kudos to them who try. But these effing uncles who think Singapore is THEIR China, excuse me a sec. It's high time someone punched them in the face for shoving their girlfriend (or for that matter, female friend) aside. Put them on a stake and burn them. Public humiliation AND an execution. What fun!

I bet these UGLY China-ese and UGLY Singaporeans will be the first to contract Donkey Flu. Why? Because they behave just like JACKASSES.

Today's Song: Rin on the Rox's rendition of - Miss Independent

MRT Watch: Someone decided to hit the emergency button today. Twice. Once, prompting an announcement, and the second, DURING the announcement. This caused swift mobilization of MRT staff who "stormed" the offending cabin and did a check. Kudos for the amazing reaction time of the MRT staff. Very impressive and professional. Middle fingers for the IDIOT who hit the button.

In totally unrelated news: She's hotter than the weather. So hot.

Reflection in the dark night

2009-05-29T03:59:00.002+08:00

I stared out the window of the car as lamp posts, trees and dark night flashed by.

I realise deep down I miss her.
Her eyes, the way they met mine.
Her voice, when she said "I'd be forever thine".
Her hair, that sweet smell.
Her lips, that I love to kiss and tell.
Her hands, so soft, so smooth.
Her body, the way she moves.
Her legs, danced her way into my heart.
Her forehead, the area that housed her smarts.

4.00am. Reflective. I remember. I recall. I realise. I miss her.

The Polarized World

2009-05-15T01:57:00.002+08:00

School's started. My lecturers, PROFESSORS, rather, have qualifications as long a list as some African lady with 34958 neck rings. (No offence intended).

Some people find it crazy and some may call it an obsession when someone comes out and says that "Music is my life." You'd be surprised at the power and meaning of music! Just think about it. Somehow, most of us have a few favourite songs. No, I don't mean those hits that you want to listen to over and over. But a song that really speaks to you, a song that sums up what you're feeling at a particular moment.

When you're in love, yeah, you play a whole bunch of love songs and dedicate them to your better half, through 98.7 or something. As if music is supposed to convey hidden messages or outright hints. Well, actually you'd be surprised that music is can influence moods in a big way. Love songs are played when you're in love. (or out of love, for that matter) I know of people who actually get induced into suicide because of songs. Heavy/Death metal. They call it satanic music. Well, not just metal, but other songs as well. My mum's friend killed herself after a divorce and was listening to "I can't live (without you)" by Whitney Houston. So then, what next? Nothing much, point being that it's important to actually sit up and take note of the music you're listening to. Music is more than just arranged noise. It's the key to your soul and for your own sake, the key better be the right one.

Today's Song: Nobody - Wonder Girls (I want nobody nobody but you!)

Mrt Watch: Today is "women smell like cat poo day". Noted, on the way back there was 2 chinese ladies and 1 indian schoolgirl who (1 sat 1 stood) and sat down beside me respectively. Good lord. What have they been doing all day?

In totally unrelated news: Miley Cyrus looks pretty hot in a bikini

I'm socially responsible!

2009-05-07T19:55:00.002+08:00

This new phrase has been coming up very commonly recently about being "socially responsible". I've heard it from 4 different people across 2 days already. Amazing stuff. New fashion, I hear.

Well, yeah we're all talk regarding the swine/bird/cow/dog/cat/moose flu and the never ending whining about recessions but yes, it dawned on me the other day what the phrase "socially responsible" means.

Socially responsible means cooping yourself in a room for 7 days after you've been to some country with the swine/elephant/flamengo flu. Yeah, we've heard enough of that over the media. But what, really? Being socially responsible means being responsible for your actions in social situations. A self proclaiming "maligned" and "misunderstood" individual who claims that he/she is just minding his/her own business and people are attacking him/her for no reason, The Als says to him/her:

Shut it.

Obviously, there is a problem when you mind your own business and someone comes attack you for no reason. BUT. When the things you do by yourself involve being ignorant and offending people first, it's a whole damn different story. Like it or not, in overly sunny Singapore, we're living literally 10m from one another. You can open your own damn mouth and say whatever you want. But when it turns out the words you spew and the actions you choose end up offending someone, don't come whine and grovel, asking for pity and looking all misunderstood and defiant when really, you're just getting what you deserve in the first place.

It's like the kid who stands in the corner of the playground, hurling vulgarities at the rest of the children who are playing. Insulting them one by one. And when finally, some kid marches over and gets into your face, all you do is whimper. And when the back is turned, you start sneering and talking big all over again. Well now, why not just grow a set and settle this face to face instead of hiding behind a computer screen? Yeah, sure, that's easy for me to say when I'm behind a computer screen myself. But I can promise one thing: When push comes to shove, I can and I will relish settling matters face to face.

So. Question: Are you being socially responsible?

Question: Do you have the guts to settle this face to face with whoever offended you?

Stop hiding behind a computer screen and acting tough. Sure, it's easy to act tough behind bulletproof glass.

It's just sad that there are people out there who know nothing about being socially responsible. Or for that matter, socially adept. So I guess the thing for me to thank God this week is that I, for one, and most of the people I know ARE socially adept and responsible. Save one.

Als, out.

Flipping the coin

2009-05-06T17:49:00.002+08:00

Come think of it, the island of sunny Singapore doesn't have much to smile about these days... Swine Flu Fears, Aware Saga, wth happened to the Ming Yi case? Recession, Our Senior Minister's in hospital... What are we to make of these depressing times?

Holidays are in full swing now, I'm enjoying myself so much I ran out of mon-nay. The Cashless Als walks around with nada in his wallet. Well, at least he's been able to sleep and wake up late so far. Actually one thing to be thankful about is the hot afternoons and the rainy evenings. Makes for good sleeping and perfect activity weather. It just got me thinking, seeing how 1 week of the short 3 weeks I (we) have for holidays just whizz by. Makes me thankful that I actually have some form of rest one way or the other. (Exam results for UB comes out 18th May btw)

There's always two sides to 1 damn coin. On one hand we're scared of swine flu coming a-visiting to Singapore, yada yada, nudists, Aware, Ming Yi, recession, blah, attention seekers, blah, poor, exam results. But reflecting the past week has reminded me to be thankful that Singapore is still swine flu free, nudists are in court, recession is a part of life, attention seekers should be executed publicly, to gym more since I'm too poor to go out and exam results are only released on the effing 18th of May.

Life ain't that bad after all. I think.

Chip off the old block

2009-04-26T23:32:00.002+08:00

I had a nice dinner with my Aunt and my Dad just now. Nice little dinner, Dad, as usual was snooping up on me, asking me about school and things at home. Stuff a dad would. My Aunt started probing about my love life, asking me about things in the Als' romantic world. Stuff an Aunt would.

It came to a story about old times where my dad would tell me about his stories about him studying. He and his brothers, the 4 of them, one day went to the swamp to swim, despite my late grandfather telling them not to. He told them to study. Instead they went to the swamp to swim. My granddad came home early, found them missing and went to the swamp to find them. He took their clothes that they left near the swamp banks and left. Needless to say, they trooped gingerly and embarassed behind my grandfather, naked. When they got back to the house, he lined them all up in a row and caned them. He beat my first uncle. Moved on, second uncle. Then came my dad's turn. My dad, looked him in the eye and said "Dad, you told us to go study. I did. Then I went to swim." My granddad didn't believe him and beat him. It was then my dad shouted "I DID. I studied!" and grabbed the cane as it swished downward in mid-air. He caught it and broke it over his knee, as my granddad watched in shock, and as my uncles watched in horror. Well, the belt came out after that and sadly, it was much worse than the cane.

We had a laugh with that story. My dad looked at me and told my Aunt: "You know, this fella also did something similar when he was young". I couldn't remember so he told us the story of me. He told us that I was about 9. He couldn't remember what I did that warranted a caning, but anyway, it came to that. He said, as he hit me with the first few strokes, I took the shots on my thigh, refusing to show emotion. My dad was surprised that I was being this stubborn to not even cry out in pain, apologise or beg for mercy. He hit me again and again, until I turned, grabbed the cane in mid-air and scolded back:
"Who do you think you are?! You think you are Lee Kwan Yew is it?!"
"You think you're the president of Singapore?!"
This took him aback so much that the next day he talked to one of his friends, asking whether he might have overstepped his boundaries as a parent.

Yeah, laughed we did.. But it got me thinking. Through the time I spent with my dad tonight, I realised that I inherited so much of his personality. I remember someone saying to me once: "You know, you're so much like your father that, next time, your girlfriend macham as good as dating a copy of your father." I hated that. But I now understand what he meant. I realised today that I'm as stubborn as he is. I realised that I have a certain rebellious streak in me as he does. I realised that I share many of his beliefs. I realised I'm as outspoken as he is. I really AM a chip off the old block.

This brash, cocky, outspoken, stubborn rebel. I somehow feel great that I'm alot like my father in many positive ways. But at the same time I'm glad that I'm my very unique me in my own way.

Fish food!

2009-04-25T01:27:00.002+08:00

It's effing 1:30am.

I'm sitting on le throne de wisdom. (i.e. the toilet bowl)

I was reminded about something that I realised a few minutes ago while playing this game on my mobile. This game was about this fisherman and he was trying to 'hook' fish with his fishing rod. You hit the key and this hook goes downward in a line to try to hit a fish and then pull it up. It reminded me of what I said to Mark some time recently: "A good fish knows when to keep its mouth shut".

Now and again I think to myself, trying to find the basis and analyse the damn situation and find out what makes this "thing" tick. I realise that this... this.. "animal" is devoid of any socially acceptable mannerisms or behaviours. I find "it" having hidden agendas, having motives for doing things that are totally way beyond the realms of normal. I wonder why can't this "beast" keep its mouth shut? If "it" just ROC-ed (relax one corner) and kept quiet, sooner or later the annoying children poking "it" with a stick will go away. Instead, "orge" had to go open "its" mouth and start talking smack. I think so hard, ponder so deeply and realise.. It's all about the publicity after all. Also, maybe "it" has self esteem issues, just like a CCB (excuse the language). Disgusting, smelly and revolting on the outside, tender and vulnerable on the inside. Hmmmm.. on hindsight, bad example. But you catch the drift. I wondered how much time I wasted coming up with this theory... I glance up at the clock, wincing, bracing myself for bad news...

Oh great! I wasted 3 minutes. Not bad! Not worth wasting my time on ignorant scum of the earth... 3 minutes ain't bad after all! Hmmmmmm.. Ignorant..

Ignorant (def.):
1. Destitute of knowledge; uninstructed or uninformed; untaught; unenlightened.

He that doth not know those things which are of use for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides. --Tillotson.

Powerful stuff. (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary. MICRA, Inc) <- Citation somemore. Power.

Come some think of it, there is no cure for ignorance. Or for that matter, stupidity.

The Als, out.

I'm back! I think...

2009-04-19T18:03:00.003+08:00

Oh okay. A whole sliew of people have posed the question: "Alson Tan! Why aren't you updating!?" It's not my fault! With the influx of exams, project deadlines and such, how could I let everything go and blog in their place? =)

I know that depression has been a sitting and brooding child in the corner of my mind lately. I do realise that it has been unlike me and it's been evident somewhat. I'd just like to dedicate this little piece of cyberspace to those that have been sticking with me, ignoring the depressed looks, talking and also, a big thanks to those select few who have been working so hard to get me back to me again. The irony of that situation: I didn't want to talk about anything to anyone about the matter. However, she called, talked about things that didn't concern me, things that had nothing to do with my situation. I became happier, slowly. Mel's right, how things can change so drastically in a day. "What a difference a day makes" sang Michael Buble. On hindsight, damn right it does. I've yet to find the reasons or find my true identity, but I realise now how much I've come to love being around people I care about.

To her, to Ari, Mel, Mark, Jo, DD: You know you feel the love from Als.

5 people you'll meet in heaven

2009-04-06T04:05:00.003+08:00

5 people who deserve to go to Heaven. (in no particular order)

1) The guy who invented FBT shorts.
The person who invented shorts that are paper thin, indecently short and semi transparent, AND YET worn by every girl out there. Too comfortable to turn down, too sexy to be worn by guys. GENIUS!

2) Lee Kwan Yew
Honestly, I couldn't think of a more influential political power that was instrumental in shaping Singapore for the better.

3) Guy who invented Sprite (and maybe the guy who invented 7-up too)
What in the blue shit hell on God's green earth would I drink without that. COKE?!

4) Sir Alex Ferguson
For creating, building and managing two generations of Manchester United legendary teams of 1999 and 2007.

5) Guy who invented the air-con
Where would we be without it? We'd all be dead, living in the hottest place besides hell: Singapore.

Say that again?

2009-04-05T03:51:00.002+08:00

I shuffled quietly and eased myself into a seat near the front of church tonight. Singing practice. Pah. The traditional "Hi"'s to everyone who noticed my silent saunteering, and within seconds after that, I grew restless. Music blaring from the band having their worship practice session. I looked around, then toward the back. Matthew.

I got up and jogged over to the sound booth where he was doing his thing. I greeted him and sat beside him and asked him what was went on in youth service today. (which I missed). "The usual" he said, and told me that he didn't know what time the singing practice (ugh) was going begin. He looked at me for a second and asked: "You look like shit, are you depressed?". Took me aback for a few seconds as I stared at him. I thought I hid it well enough by looking neutral half the time. I thought I did. A series of "ums" and "ahs" strung themselves together as I ransacked my brains for a evasive answer. I mumbled something about "presentation" and "videos", maybe something about "the cat" and smiled sheepishly. "You know what? Yeah, I think I may be feeling a little low and depressed". To his credit (and my thanks) he didn't probe further. Interesting little gig.

Hope. Faith. These two words I believe are highly over-rated. I hoped that my parents wouldn't seperate. I had faith in my previous relationship. Life just goes to show that hope and faith isn't all that up and up really. Hope fails. Just like faith. False securities? Fat hope and blind faith. Are these things supposed to give us the will to do what we need to do? Or are these two supposed to bring you up to a higher level so that it'll hurt more than you fall?

I've been told we need God to fill this void in our hearts. No matter how much we fulfil our needs, we still need something divine to plug the final gaping hole. (Which reminds me of Maslow's hierachy of needs theory. But that's another story and it also reminds me that I'm studying too hard).

I remember recent times when I asked God to show me how much he cared and I ended up bitterly disppointed. Truth be, I was on my way home the next day and this old lady boarded the MRT. She sat a seat away from me at Aljunied and then started talking to me in Hokkien/Teochew, one or the other. Complete stranger. I took off my earphones and listened to her, thinking she wanted to ask directions as most old people normally do. She just continued speaking to me despite my repeated answers of "huh what?", "I don't understand". I did hear two words which I understood perfectly well: "Ye Su". She was talking about Jesus. She continued babbling about and said soemthing else: "Heart". She tapped me in the middle of my chest while saying "Jesus".

I started praying. I prayed for the train to HURRY THE FUCKING HELL UP AND GET TO DAMN SIMEI. I understood what she might be getting at but I wondered why. Was it God's will to embarrass me in the presence of an MRT carrige? Or was it just my bad luck meeting a psycho old lady who happened to be supposedly Christian? I wondered about the meaning of it all.

I don't know why I'm feeling "depressed". (I hate using that word. Makes me seem mental. Not a good thing to impress girls with) "Hi! You all alone? The name's Alson. I'm slightly depressed and mental". I suppose it could be due to the fact I'm burnt out. The lack of a holiday season, so much, TOO much rather, to do in church. School's getting harder. Responsibilities, duties, assignments, tests, exams, projects. Presentations, videos, slides, items, songs, dances, instruments, shut the fuck up already. I realise one thing, after going out with Huan on wednesday. I was happy. For once, in this decently short period of gloom, I was truly happy. We had dinner, I paid for drinks. (She made me. Ugh.) We chatted, mostly about her and her problems. But still. I was happy.

Led me to think: At least in a quest for a lost soul, there IS a time where I can just be happy doing something. Surrounding myself with things and people that truly make me happy. Huan. Music. Ari. Dogs. Mel. Mark. Double D. Soccer. Threadless tees. Jo. Aaron. Wenz. Suppers. J J. Sleep. I need to sleep.

window washers

2009-04-03T14:06:00.001+08:00

Interestingly enough, there are several important issues that have come up to date. Public raunchy raunchy at the beach(more on that soon), woman gets throw out of the window by husband and won’t press charges because she “can’t live without him”.

Well then. First bullet to come off my firing belt: Thanks a whole lot Rihanna. Your so called kiss and make up tactic with Chris Brown has made you the ultimate poster girl for beaten women everywhere. Thanks to you, you have empowered the men that choose to abuse and manifest their perceived superiority through violence. Thanks to you, you’ve just made women everywhere that much more weak. Spousal/ partner abuse has just gotten its free publicity and celeb endorsement. Well, thanks to you, the woman in Singapore who just got thrown out the window by her psycho husband is not pressing charges. One wonders. She says, and quote, “I can’t live without him”. Oh FFS please. I can’t honestly believe how pathetic some women have become these days. Years of past brought on the issue of women being in this predicament due to their low education status and thus there was this issue of, realistically speaking, being inferior in that aspect to the men. Hence, fine, can’t live without you. With these days of education being widespread and culture becoming more “refined” and modern, you still have these pathetic excuses for females running around telling men they can’t live without them. Yes, that’s despite the fact he threw her out of a bloody window.

Second bullet: Which reminds me, why are some girls just hopelessly attracted and in love with guys who are jerks? Puzzles me to no end. On one hand you have a guy who can offer you stability, security and respect. On the other, you’ve got a jerk who can yeah provide you security, maybe stability but gives you no respect. Well then, logically explain this to me please. So it’s the “bad boy” syndrome – the badder they are the more attractive they become? So, the ugly truth of this is that well, if you’re honestly getting into so many bad relationships, maybe it’s because you can’t pick the proper male material to make LIFE work. Unfortunately, reality is that LIFE IS REAL. Why bother going or getting wildly attracted to a guy who can’t respect you or even give you a good life? Baffling. Love doesn’t solve all problems unfortunately. There’s still the matter of “face”, bills, taxes, living expenses, NOT being beaten up, children, death, the family dog and yeah, new house, wedding dinner, whatnot. The study of male-female dynamics never ceases to amaze me. Seems some women would rather stick to a life of abuse, poverty and disrespect just so they can experience the false high of a “fairytale” marriage. “BUT I LOVE HIM!”. Yeah. Wait until he throws you out of a window.

(NOTICE) Over the next thousand episodes you read, you’ll notice this new feature called “MRT Watch”. This special column will document my journeys through the ever famous Singaporean public transport system: The MRT.

MRT Watch

Spotted: 1 homo, possibly psycho, possibly child rapist
Fashion watch: Homo was wearing a red fishnet “shirt”, jeans, boots and a trucker cap.
It’s interesting to see people like this appearing in the everyday rush hour. Probably going to report to his gay pub/club/spa/massage parlour. The fashion watch just gives gays a real bad stereotype. With a mean looking moustache, aggro beard and cap pulled over his eyes, he screams of “Child Rapist”.

Spotted: 1 psycho uncle
Fashion watch: Uncle shorts, uncle polo
An interesting thing about this man was the fact that his face looked like a combination of a gross lack of sleep and wanting to burst into tears. He boarded a packed bus 184, long bus, walked to the connecting area between the bus and the extra carriage and promptly squatted gob smack in the middle, clutching the pole. Obviously blocking everyone (and maybe a hint of an awfully pathetic attempt at an unskirt), he freaked out a girl (rather pretty one) enough for pretty ol’ her to quickly make her pretty way toward the back of the bus, right into the welcoming arms of the seat next to The Als. Yes, that’s what I’m here for: To protect pretty girls I don’t know from psychotic people I don’t know either. Did I mention the girl was pretty?

It’s not enough to have 4 armed guards walk through the MRT now and then. So many psychotic homosexual child rapists scaring pretty girls! I’m just one man, I can’t save all those pretty girls!

** Disclaimer: Writer has no, repeat, nada, repeat, NOTHING against homosexuals. He has a good number of gay individuals who are great friends with him. Writer is NOT a homophobe.**

Do you want to be my friend?

2009-04-01T02:42:00.002+08:00

Epiphany.

It occurs to me that it's in fashion to talk about friends.

As scarcastic as that may sound, another epiphany.

When things weren't going great recently, I lay in bed and practically gave up on life. I hated it. I asked God for one favour last Thursday: "Show me how much you care." I went home after classes, bitterly disappointed.

Nothing's more irritating than to have a friend turn his back on you. Much less to say, how much more disappointing to have God turn His back on you. I found myself struggling with the very core of what made me, me. Honestly, if I weren't Christian I would have probably come up with some wildly creative idea to end this miserable life as it is. Maybe I'd try coming up with something involving Jurong Bird Park; seems like they need a little publicity. Imagine me. Pecked to death. By parrots.

It's only after thinking through things for countless hours that I realise something about the friends I have. It's only after reading the various blogs that I realise something about the friends I have. It's only after going through life as it is right now that I realise something about the friends I have.

They may not be able to give me the answers I'm looking for. But they sure have made the journey much more bearable. Maybe that's God's way of telling me he cares. Maybe it isn't. I don't know for sure and it's not like I can sms nor call Him about it to confirm for real. "Eh, bro, steady or not? That's was YOU!?"

To who those who care, you know who you are. You know that Als appreciates you. You also should know what Als doesn't like getting sappy so this is actually more sappy than I'm making it out to be.

I guess experiences in life make you treasure the people who actually care enough about you to talk to you. I should be glad I have people to talk to and want to talk to me. (Unlike some people out there)

Meant to Live

2009-03-30T14:06:00.000+08:00

Wouldn’t it actually be wildly interesting to actually count down the days, hours, minutes or seconds until you actually pass away? Wouldn’t that amount of time left just motivate you in some way? What would you do in your remaining time? Would you do everything that you wanted to do?

Now then, come think of it when you realise you had another 65 years to live. Would that motivate you in some way? Or just make it seem like an eternal torture to live your life for another 65 years? In some sense, it boils down to purpose. Our reason for living on. Our reason for coping with the mundane routine of life. Our reason for bearing with the annoying people that annoy you time and again.

After all, what then is our personal reason for living? Why are we so nice to people? I find myself staring into the mirror, unable to recognise the shadow staring back in return. There is no reason to live, nor is there any reason to love. Thinking back on life passed, thinking about all the people I’ve put up with, thinking of the lives i’ve worked so hard to change, including my own. What for? Intrinsic value? Do we just do these things to make ourselves feel accomplished or do we just do these things just to make others look at us in a certain enlightening way? Then again, one must realise that if you don’t ultimately have a meaning or purpose, well, in the words of Agent Smith in the Matrix, we’re better off getting “deleted” instead.

Soul searching essentially is searching, looking for a soul. Your own, in reference. Why bother searching for a soul in the first place if you haven’t lost it in the first place? Unfortunately, it isn’t just that easy to walk around and pick up a soul like how you would with 10 cents. (I’m sure souls are worth a little more than that)

Cynically, some people deserve to be put out of their pathetic misery. Spending their lives actually making the lives of others that much more miserable. If they live to annoy the hell out of people then maybe they should be removed from their purpose. Totally oblivious to the fact that their little “outbursts” or their annoying mindless droning “chatter” bores and annoys the living life out of people. Delusional toward others, toward life. Unfortunately we can’t put them out. Neither do we have the enjoyment of having a “time left to death” timer above their forehead to remind us about the amount of time left we have to endure.

Once you’ve found your purpose, don’t let go. Otherwise you’ll more or less be like this shadow in the mirror that I stare at face to face. I don’t recognise him anymore; neither do I know why he’s there. He’s tired half the time and can’t bear to live life as it is. Until this shadow finds his purpose or the meaning to his life, he will always be a shadow, gliding silently down hallways and paths. Haunting wherever he goes, going through the motions of infinitely boring life.

The hopeless puppy and the sexy kitten. Meow!

2009-03-25T17:09:00.001+08:00

Amazingly enough, this has been my most productive day yet. Project meeting, assignment discussions, lessons and surprisingly, it’s another of those days where I feel that my writing is available to flow naturally.

I feel the injustice for all of us. Manuals range from operating machines, how to count cards, how to hack programs, how to create life, how to create bombs and all that. Endless stuff. Manuals in English that teach us how to speak English. Ironic even. Brings us to one astonishing truth: Some wisecrack decided to write the ultimate manual: A manual for Dating. Relationships. Courtship. The Chase. The Game.

Now generally there are many types of dating manuals. Some touch on the basis of dating, certain universal rules of dating that generally everyone in this modern civilized world seems to follow. (Sadly some people don’t, but that’s another story). Putting things into context, it’s a wonder how people are able to put together a manual on the “hows” of the dating ritual. It’s as relationship forming is all part of some process. Well, I do know that there are different stages in which relationships are formed, that’s a given. More so, who in the hell invented the “steps” to complete each stage? It’s not some adventure game where if you solve some puzzle or if you say a certain pick-up line, and poof, the girl’s yours. What ever happened to attraction? What happened to romance? What ever damn happened to being innovative and spontaneous?

What has happened is that this systemic failure of society (and men, basically) is that men today have lost the ability to surprise their partner, male or female. Essentially we’re seeing more and more men being turned into pre-programmed drones who buzz around women and lack every type of basic social etiquette and manner to actually be friends with a lady. (Let alone get her attraction.) Well, when these so-called “men” get faced with a entirely spontaneous question or a situation, they crack. They freeze. What happens is that so much of the time, women these days are being disappointed more and more. Men rush into relationships and become unhappy. Men sleep with their partners and a few months later, find them “boring”. Men don’t know how to attract. Men have forgotten the art of charisma. Men, sadly, have lost the ability to romance. And men, most importantly, and most saddening, have forgotten the art of chivalry. Ladies would gladly agree I’m afraid.

Now, now, The Als isn’t saying he’s some world’s greatest lover or what not. I’m just saying that at least through LIFE’S LESSONS and experience, I’ve learned how to conduct myself well enough. It frustrating how many men are afraid of failure. Animals learn the mating rituals from scratch with some in-built instinct. Humans are no damn different. However, being that we are, HUMANS, each individual is different. I.E. each woman is different. Live with that, men.

We men try very hard I do have to say. We try everything to see how it fits. How each female would ultimately react to what we do. Some of us flex our muscles in hope of attraction. Some of us joke our way into their hearts. Some cook (good skill to learn my fellow men, hint hint.), some clean, some charm and some chim (sophisticate) their way into women’s hearts. So with that said, women, especially those who are single, and available, please. Please look at the bunch of doe-eyed men sitting and smiling enthusiastically beside you and please. Please give them a hint. A BIG ONE. Men are dreadfully ignorant of hints even though you’re smacking them in the head with one. Please do your friendly neighbouring infatuated male a favour by hinting him please. A simple “I think we should go out” or “Get out of my face perv!” would suffice.

To whoever wrote those dating “guides”: Dating and relationships aren’t some Role Playing Game where you have to solve some puzzle or fight some boss to get to the next round of intimacy. Humans are annoyingly different. The cute girl next to you may be the clingy-est baby monkey you’ve ever seen, and the sultry hottie next to her may be have the simplest needs ever. It’s hard to tell and it’s hard to work out this human to human drama!

Men, take a look inside your pants and note the two “things” hanging around saying hello. Yes! As amazing as that looks and sounds (and smells, for some of you) you have balls! So act like you do!

Ladies, take a good look at the eager beaver sitting next to you trying to get a date with you. Write a note, touch his arm, flirt the hell out of him, anything. Just drop a sign to that puppy dog following you around to either leap into your arms or tell him to go eat some poo. Your choice.

Stand up and Watch the Stars

2009-03-25T10:57:00.002+08:00

I’m rather bemused by human behaviour on the MRT. I should really think about changing the whole title of this to begin with. Study of the human species is so interesting. The scenario plays out again and again without fail: If a person, say, a female had to choose between an empty seat beside a man or beside a woman, 99% of the damn time she would chose to sit with the woman. The men? They do the same thing albeit less frequently. Now then, what makes us this anti-gender socially? Is it once again the notion of the socially (and somewhat romantically) inept Singaporean? Let’s face it. We’re ranked 13th in terms of “Friendliest Country” and ranked in the top ten of that “countries with worst sex lives survey”. I.E. the new daddies and mummies are not making enough of the babies... and inadvertently, not making enough of the love to go around. Well, kind of reasons out why Singapore doesn’t have much love and thus we rank 13th for “Friendliness”.

Leaping Lizards Batman! What do we do now caped crusader? Well, for a start, China ranks 11th (if I remember correctly). Now, if a country, infamously, is remembered for their rudeness and sharpness in their home culture, can rank 11th in the world, what does this then mean for Singapore? Simply, Singapore doesn’t have enough love (and for that matter, sex) to go around. Not enough babies, not enough courtesy, not enough love and in these over emphasized turbulent times, not enough money. Wow.

Well but take heart from all this! We’re actually very blessed with a whole ton of other things. We have no shortage of people with B.O. during rush hour on the MRT. We have no shortage of people who shove their ways into the MRT. We have no shortage of GST refund packages (Hopefully, God willing.) We have no shortage of price hikes, no shortage of stupid citizen “journalists” who post on that website... uh, what’s it called again? Stomp? Change your name to “Stop”. Please. By the way, FYI, journalism involves reporting facts, without bias and whatnot for the purpose of information or what not. Journalism is NOT posting some crappy mobile phone taken picture of a pissed off man in a Subaru sticking out his middle finger and “REPORTING” that he violated your laws of friendliness by taking your parking lot. OH THE HUMANITY! A STOLEN PARKING LOT! OH WHY LORD, WHY? SOMEONE RESERVED ANOTHER SEAT WITH A TISSUE PAPER PACKET! Get over yourself. One thing Singaporeans need to learn: If you have a damn grievance, instead of hiding behind a damn keyboard and computer screen, take it to the person’s face. If you can’t seem to learn the art of embarrassing people in public, then boo hoo for you. Sad. LEARN IT. I would personally take it to everyone but I don’t have the time or the energy to personally verbally abuse all those out there do I?

One wonders why Singapore is such a stable and beautiful place to live in. One also wonders why Singapore has 2 bloody lesbo women streaking down Holland V. Wonders why Singapore has people reserving space and place. (Hi, for those that have never exercised the squishy thing inside their skull, Singapore is about roughly 650 square kilometers. We’re so tiny and have 5 or 5.5 MILLION people inhumanely crushed into this damn place. We're already living on top of one another, so if I feel I need to “reserve” a space, isn’t it only logical? Anyway, back to point.) Wonders why China (and I have nothing against China or her people. I have many China-ese friends) can rank higher than us in terms of “Friendliness”. CHINA! We're oh-so-beautiful, oh-so-stable, oh-so-clean but sadly, not-so-friendly apparently.

We need to start making peace and... uh... sex, NOT war fellow Singaporeans.
Make peace, not war.
Make love, more babies.
Make more GST refund package!

Watch the stars

2009-03-25T01:44:00.002+08:00

Now and again you see amazing human drama that really makes you realise the simple pleasures in life.

Being stuck next to a sweaty office man at rush hour in the MRT, WITH B.O has got me thinking that I enjoy having my space. I enjoy having my fresh, clean air. I enjoy having my $1.60's worth of enjoyable journey on the MRT.

I've learnt how to live and move on from having my legs lopped off.

More to come.

To the greatest lady warrior

2009-03-09T02:11:00.002+08:00

I know I've not been perfect half the time. Rather, I know I've not been perfect most of the time. I sit here with fuzzy memories of our past, yet, I'm haunted with the images from our present.

To the greatest lady warrior I've ever known: I love you. You'll always be in my heart even though you've gone. 4 years you've kept going, yet, 4 years too long, I feel. Each day to think that you're suffering is painful. Although I miss the memories, although I'm haunted by the fact that there will be no more memories to come, I'm happy. I'm happy that after 4 years of suffering, that you're now in a much better place.

I remember the times when we used to make curry puffs together. I remember the time you cooked salty food. I remember the times when I used to grumble at you when you hijacked the television. However, I remember the best that I never visited you when you suffered a stroke. The last time I saw you was 2 hours ago. When you lay in that spotless, white place. You looked as beautiful as you were years ago. 4 years I've neglected to see you because I was a coward. Afriad to break my own heart to see you like that. My last prayer for you is that you please, please forgive me. I've always loved you and will never forget. How I wish I could taste your salty cooking one last time. How I wish I could grumble at you one last time.

To the greatest lady warrior I've known: Thank you for being such a warrior. Through the japanese occupation, through recent times, through the times you always told me to listen to my father when I was a little fucking brat.

Secretly it still aches inside me. The guilt and the regret I'll live with. My last tribute to the warrior that was my grandmother. A hell of a lady. A hell of a warrior. I love you. Always.

Rest in peace Mama, 07 March 2008.

Is it enough?

2009-02-28T01:20:00.002+08:00

Each day goes by as I gleefully take the MRT to the fashion show 90210-styled tertiary educational institute also known as SIM. I brave the hour long commute, I brave the crushing vice made out of rush hour commuters, I brave mental people in the MRT of which I have seen close to 5. Hmmm, come to think about it, I have braved those damn foreigners who disgrace their own coutrymen by behaving like they own the damn place. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate foreigners. I hate RUDE foreigners who bulldoze their way into MRTs and act as if this is China. Yes you damn rude chinamen. Spare a thought for the rest of your countrymen who are here to make a living like the rest of us. Bringing shame to them with mongoloid behaviour on MRTs.

Well, learning has been fun to say the least. And it's a break from the hell that is the rush hour MRT. Results for mid terms have been more than kind so far: I get 31/50 for Nutrition, and score an 80% for statistics. Well now that leaves Interpersonal COmmunication and to take the Organizational Communication paper this coming monday. All I have to say to that is "two thongs don't make a right".

I find myself wondering half the time whether personal effort investments breed great returns. Yeah it's no different from money based investments, you win some you lose some but then again what about effort? If you try hard does it mean you'll get what you think you might? Or does it mean that if you try hard you're just putting more into it and stand to lose out more? Remains to be seen doesn't it?

Here we go again

2009-02-02T23:12:00.004+08:00

A brand new beggining indeed. HAH. Run the mouth and then letting this blog rot for 7 months or so.

So what's been going on with The Als and his warped world? For starters, he realises that the blogging universe is slowly shrinking. It's tough to constantly keep writing and updating. It's one to be a chore, but now that my days are spent wasting 5, 6 hours in between lessons, this one might be a chore I actually adore.

GPA's up, for the first time in my life, I actually CARE about my GPA. 3.2's the score, actually much better than the pathetic 2.1 I slipped by with back in Temasuck Poly. Amazing, Als can actually bloody study!

Interestingly enough, the lack of a writing module this 3rd semester has really deprived me of the freedom and fuel to write. Strangely, the lack of a need to write would make you think that this would actually free me up more to do what I do. Unfortunately, no. Yeah, free time may be one thing, but unfor, I guess me not having an outlet to express what I do best is really killing.

All of a sudden, as much as I chisel a smile on my face and visit friends and visit family, it's all for a show. The actor, The Als. Confession: I've skipped classes for 2 straight days now, which is unlike me. I feel crushed inside somehow. I feel that nothing matters anymore. Somehow, I feel like I've lost the reason that makes me tick day to day. Sooner or later, that ornamental smile will be seen through by someone or two. Don't get me wrong, I truly did have quite a bit of fun this chinese new year, I've also done things that I've wanted to accomplish. I've brought smiles to people. It's like how a little girl once asked her mum: "Mummy, why are we here on earth for?"
"Well honey, to help others!" her mum replies.
The little girl thinks for a moment and says "then mummy, what are the others here for?"

True. What the fuck are the others here for?

The fresh new beginning

2008-05-27T21:19:00.002+08:00

I start to look back on life as it is, taking a look in the rear view mirror. I start to think about all that's happened in the past - happiness, gross disappointments, the high points, heartbreaks and irony of life.

I stepped into a shiny white, green campus and after 3 weeks, I realise. And I congratulate myself. Welcome to your new life. I have met new people, people who are driven, creative, loud (oh my god, finally.) and outspoken. I can't help but think that, even in a class of communications students, all with so much to say, and I'm considered pretty "normal volume". It's amazing too that I've met people who I have quite alot in common with and whom I feel exactly comfortable to talk to and open up even.

I read back alot of my old entires in my blog. It made me smile to some extent and also think back, about the times when I was just so nieve and silly. I've realised alot of things and in some sense, I've suffered enough to enjoy being where I am. Suffered enough to know where I stand and suffered enough to know how it's like to survive.

As I look back, I can't help but smile. I do finally feel at home. With the people I'm with, with the people I talk to and where I am.