Not blog-ger but blog-guy!

Tests tickle.

2009-08-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

Tests-tickle.
(GET IT??)

On Monday, a few of us went to the coffeeshop opposite Thomson Medical to eat the best Beef Hor Fun in Sungapore. Fun hor hor fun. Oh, and did you guys hear that Paula Abdul was withdrawing from the season of american idol? Damn, i wanted her to be judging me. HAHA. There was mention about a deal not being reached. I honestly believe paula would never have wanted to leave idol (who would), but pride always plays a bigger part in the media doesn't it. Or maybe this could after all be another one of their superbly well planned marketing gimmicks (like the bad blood between seacrest and cowell) to draw even more viewers. Who knows?

Yesterday was spent at school, with dinner at Changi V followed by drinks at bark cafe. With Niki being part of the group, it's no surprise that we've got pictures.

The ride.

When we hit Changi V, the 3 of us guys got really interested in this really huge ant nest.
The girls went through the typical motion: "See, scream, cringe and walk off".
Us guys stayed though, relieving that "playful boy" sense that i guess will never disappear.
As you can see, it wasn't any ordinary ant nest. They look mutated, X-ants.

Not all of them have pincers like this. But this shot was captured when we tried provoking
it with a twig. Damn. Potential photo award winner.

To Bark Cafe

I'm not going to be the one to set the timer the next time round.

Girls have their moments

Daron's attempt to write his name, not too bad if you compare it to the next picture.

Which was my attempt to write my name.

Every girl has that secret dream to be an angel.

Adriel's star.

And we managed to snap some Polaroids as well, with Vmay's and YanJun's.

I said the one who looked uglier in the picture would get to bring it home.
Niki, "I LOOK UGLIER!!"
What Niki would do for a picture.

More Polaroids

And more.

AND MY FAVOURITE PICTURE OF THE NIGHT. READY?

....

.....

........

..........

If only. HAHAHAHA. (Note, This is in no relation to my title)

The exam mood seriously hasn't gotten into me, considering the fact that i haven't started studying for any paper despite them starting tomorrow. Die. I better start soon, i still want my....

A!!!

Till then.

Floor the Brake, we need a Break.

2009-08-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

Floor the Brake, we need a Break.

Today, after service, 4 of us guys had a "Boys' day out" watching 'The Hangover'. Namely Lem, Warren and Glen. Lovely. We actually contemplated taking a neoprint together. It's always nice to go out with just the guys once in awhile to talk about everything under the sun; because some things just can't be brought up with girls around.

Caught 'Public Enemies' with A, D, Rach and Siew on Friday. I nearly fell asleep, but the never ending sudden use of bullets never failed to jolt me out of sleep. Not so exciting, but then again, it's a true story, which makes it all quite cool suddenly.

This was before the movie, dinner at 'Foo House' with some of the other marketers after Frisbee.

On Friday, the marketing cohort had to go and attend a talk about further studies. And if you know what i mean, these talks never fail to cause you to start thinking about the bleak future, where everything's heading and where you will be next time. Then there's the entry requirements where you start to fret over grades; and not forgetting the extra-curricular activities (all those without a CCA say Amen now). I always have this habit of freaking myself out about my next institute of study, always keeping the fact in mind that your school forms part of you.

But i've also come to the realisation after much thinking, that God has never forsaken in me in making such major decisions. Be it the Primary (which is a top school now btw), Secondary (which was my 5th choice, ^&*!&#) and the Polytechnic (which i actually chose cause i was one point away from my personal cut-off to go JC). As a few of us recalled our secondary school days, adriel pointed out that he would never want to change anything (in terms of the schools). My sentiments exactly. The experiences, the friends, and even the teachers (lecturers please be reading this now and start increasing my marks). I wouldnt give it up for anything. I have never regretted any of my decisions to any school. And it is God's faithfulness that actually allows me to believe my next level of study will be just as great.

I know fully that when i am about to enter the workforce, i will be able to look back to the very enriching education i had and wish the wish every working adult wishes, to still be studying.

Till then.

HAHAHA

2009-07-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

HAHAHA

This advert's been going on for quite awhile and i have no choice but to post it up. Seriously, it's hilarious. You know something that makes you laugh non-stop though others don't find it that funny? This ad is it for me. hahaha. Damn, cadbury has good marketers. CADBURY, HIRE ME AS YOUR INTERN.

In any case, i just came back from worship practice. The whole thing looked like a failure from the start. No bassist could make it, no keyboardist, just the drums and 2 guitars. But God does work wonders, this Sunday's worship is going to be great. There's a saxophone too. Beat that.

Till then.

Systems back online

2009-07-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

System Back Online

With the projects and presentations finally done, i decided it was about time i entertained this page again (lest i regret in future with lesser stuff to read up on). It's been a long time since i last logged in that i had problems trying to remember my password on blogger, logging in successfully only after like 3 attempts. For a moment there, i honestly thought blogger had kicked me out of their database and that i had to move on to like livejournal or something. Thankfully that wasn't the case. And in case you were wondering, no i haven't been using twitter which could be the reason for the lack of update.

Basically, some pictures to tell the story.

This has got to be my favourite-st picture from the wedding

This comes in as a close second.

Then a picture with the skillful ben and rach.

This was mambo night, can't remember when, but the "whole" TP was there.
"Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down!"

Not forgetting the drinks

This was the kelong trip right after mambo (literally, leaving like 2 hours after coming home) where i got like a million bedbug bites from. Thank God i decided to wear underwear to sleep or things could have turned out worse.

At the kelong (The sun was treacherous)

Snorkel Snorkel Snorkel

And all the hype that was going on since the start of the year, the musical itself.
It was such a success and we couldn't have done it without the help of everyone.
Late nights, rehearsal after rehearsal, early saturday mornings to record the tracks, and who could forget ARS!
Glory to God.

The "everyone" of 17 year old virgin

The friends who came along

Drum setup on actual day

A few days later on July 7th, i was forced to turn 19. Some friends came over with a really innovative cake as you can see. No doubt it was a cake; CARROT CAKE.

The picture we took at the carpark before we left for supper.
It was the first time Niki drove i think, and rach taking the other wheel as usual. The guys here suck (including myself), more and more of the girls are getting their licenses while none of us guys have one. Times are seriously changing.

Teochew porridge buffet for nuo's birthday like 2 days later.
Nuo: "7th, 9th, 21st. All odd numbers so you won't forget. "
July Babies Ftw.

Blurrrrr.

Down to kallang macs after the buffet (Yea what pigs. No we didn't eat again. But i would have considered if there was shaker fries then. Damn it, they should so make it a permanent item on the menu right?!?!).
I like how rach tries to give an illusion she's in the air, and nuo doing her run-jump pose with such enthusiasm.

This was the Business school awards ceremony.
That's our course manager in the middle, and my mum peeking out on the left.

Then came Adriel's 19th, which was such a great surprise. RIGHT?!
Thai express seriously does birthday dinners really well. A present is included for the birthday boy so there is no need to get him anything else.

Why there isn't a need for the new black. Marketing Brotherzxzxz siol.

So, life for the past month or so. July's been great, despite it being a scare as i looked at it on my planner back then in June. The musical, the project submissions, the presentations, the tests and the birthdays which i thought would have to take the backstage. Thank God everything's over, but thank God it happened as well. End of July, hello August. My planner says end-sem tests and semestral exam. My optimistic side speaks church family carnival, national day, and allowance for the new month! HAHA.

The band is finally doing something productive at a high def studio that God blessed us with. It honestly isn't easy having to commit to things like school and church, and at the same time hope to do something with a band despite it being something you love, cause no matter what, it has to be secondary compared to all the other commitments. But on the other hand, i do believe passion supercedes all of those. Then comes vision, which the whole band has to look towards. Brings about a whole new bag of problems. Still, do expect something. =)

The studio where they gave me 10 channels for a simple 4 piece setup.
3 channels for the bass drum. Should have gotten a picture of the really complicated mic-ing.

And the fatigue that set in.

I suppose that's all for now. Oh wait, have you guys seen the latest cadbury advert? Omg, when she takes out the balloon, the expression on her face together with her twitching hands to make that sound, hilarious. I go crazy right there and then.

Till then.

The sequel

2009-06-16T06:35:00.001-07:00

The sequel

Blogger's probably considering to close me down to open up for more users after my lack of updates. If the tags are actually truee....Haven't been much into the mood of penning down my thoughts or rather, typing them down and i blame my laziness. Of course that only accounts for 0.02% of the reasons why, apart from the crazy lack of time i have been having nowadays.

I finally decided exactly what cymbals i want, but that would mean also knowing exactly how much i would have to fork out. It's the holidays now, and other than taking a break, i have been trying hard to fill every free day i have with work at faceshop, in hope of gathering up a big enough bulk of cash to pay for my cymbals.

The band's doing well, arranging some stuff for our songs and earnestly hoping we can squeeze out enough time to record some real demos. Having to attend school seriously dampens the whole hobby of making music. After a whole day at school having to listen to supposedly useful lectures, cramming to meet project deadlines and not forgetting the tests, the energy left for a jamming session at night seriously takes its toll. But that's when the band comes in, having fun together (stupid drag me to hell show, stupid show, stupid show), stuffing ourselves with late night suppers, and who could forget the feeling of making good music together. Everything somehow becomes worth it after that. Rachel Lewis left for L.A. today for a 6 week summer study. Enjoy.

This never fails to make me laugh.

One other thing that's been taking up most of my time: THE MUSICAL. Having to record all the tracks and having a small role in the musical is no joke. So, for all the effort, do come and attend the musical. I'll probably be asking you to buy a ticket from me when i see you, it's only $5. All the songs are self-composed and arranged (they will be good i promise), the dances, the script (not the band) and everything else.

3rd July, 7.00pm, Hinghwa Methodist Church: The 17 Year Old Virgin

Kelong trip on thurs till sat. Finally, a much awaited break from the stupid hustle, bustle, and rush of Singapore.

Till then.

Some-marie

2009-05-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

Some-marie

I've got many things to say so yes, this should work.

I'm happy because:

- I got a new phone not too long ago
- I passed my FTT on the first try
- I secured my internship
- It's fri now, and that means the weekends
- There will be a kelong trip in the June holidays
- We are nearly done with all the songs for the church musical that's happening in July
- My drumset will be arriving
- I'm alive

I'm sad because:

- One of my favourite pants has a nearly irreversible split
- The weather is making me perspire alot
- Mid-sems are just around the corner
- I'm sitting down and not running
- NAPFA's coming and i can't pull myself up
- Kris, the one who shouldn't win, won
- The drumset will only arrive in about 6 months
- Cymbals are expensive
- I just got news that an ex-classmate had passed away

Life has been pretty routine recently with school, but the usual dinners and suppers are really helping to make school life have a life. The band is coming around, struggling to record as many demos as we can to give ourselves some credibility. Then again, we don't know whether we want to be credible cause not being credible, would mean being in-credible. Hmmmmm. Ah well.

Till then.

Thou shalt not steal.

2009-05-08T05:09:00.000-07:00

Thou shalt not steal.

As my parents left home for cell earlier just now, my maid asked why a bike was missing, leaning on to the perception that maybe i took it when i left home. Alas, it was not to be as we soon realised the bike had been stolen, with fragments of the lock left on the ground. As much as i was shocked, i was actually raging quite a bit inside, which was something i haven't felt in a long long time. Putting aside the fact that i contributed to the cost of the bike, i was really unhappy over the fact that someone stole the bike. And mind you- we stay at like the top floor, where there isn't a lift landing, so the fella probably was eyeing the bike sometime ago.

At that time, i just wanted to do something really severe to the person who had taken the bike, but there was of course no way. And that feeling sucks, it's as good as having a whole happy meal staring in your face when you're starving without being able to do anything, while someone cycles the happy meal away. I've actually tried searching forums for people selling a wheeler bike just so i could get some leads, so csi. Thank God i'm using an external keyboard from my laptop, cause the primary keyboard would probably have died the way i stomped onto the keys with my fingers. I suppose i should give up though, someone who can't afford a bike probably can't afford a computer, much less internet. Oh wait, why not steal a computer and tap into someone else's wireless.

I managed to slowly cool down after a while as i failed in finding any leads at all (CSI is a lie, probably only 20% of cases attempted actually get solved). Which got me thinking, why people would actually steal. I don't claim to be perfect, and for one, certainly doesn't boast a clean slate. I admit to stealing from my own parents (not a very small sum), the school bookshop, mamashopssssss, supermarket and bla bla bla back in the day. It was fun though, but you know what i thank God for? I thank God that he gave me a conscience so after i stole, the joy would last for a min or two, then the guilt would set in, or much rather creep in. Also, for the fact that i have been past that phase.

I definitely could afford the things i stole, but the thrill of having my heart beating really fast as i anticipated the storekeeper's move and having to make a quick dash from the mama shop was indescribable. And so was the guilt, as mentioned. I'm not perfect, but i know what it feels like to resist temptations, and i know that simple happiness (if you would call it that), that you get when you know you managed to overcome a temptation. And that actually happened not too long ago, as i made a purchase with the cashier failing to count the exact number of aluminum trays i got: That would mean paying about $4 lesser from the normal bill. And you know how tempting it is when that happens, but as one of the many super long seconds in my life passed, i was glad i told the cashier about the mistake as i lifted my head up high like i owned the world, with a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart.

My mum said something like this once, "Would you rather keep your soul, or sell it for ________ (insert thing you stole here, which for me was $4)?" How cheap i could've been.

So, to the certain someone who stole the bike, i know you sold your soul for maybe much more than $4 which could be worth it from what you feel, but i hope your conscience isn't killing you right now. Even better actually, if you're somehow miraculously reading this, don't worry but feel free to tag on the tagboard, i won't bother checking your IP address or whatsoever cause you probably tapped onto someone's. I do hope you enjoy the bike, which was actually a birthday gift to my father that he can cycle so freely, rather than a stolen bike i wouldn't even dare take a pedal on. But remember not to be cycling around the area, cause if i do see you around, i would gladly take the bicycle back from you. Here's to your bright future ahead with a bike you can call your own! Careful when you cycle across the road. =)

Till then.

First 3 letters of mar-cus shout mar-riage!

2009-04-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

First 3 letters of mar-cus shout mar-riage!

The recent nights have been thankfully slotted in with half hour jogs from an unknown source of motivation. However though, i vow never to stay up too late again as my stomach doesn't respond too well to such late hours. I had just gobbled down a packet of instant bee hoon and the guilt, just like the motivation but stronger, is constantly crashing down from an unknown source. Nevertheless, that bowl of bee hoon tasted really really good, i guess it's the forbidden fruit theory.

So, Sat was the big day for the wedding. And i must say, that to watch your friends, or possibly people you know personally getting married is something so different. Something tugged at my heart while they walked down the isle together, and not because i was dismayed i didn't win the bride's heart (never had the intention), but rather, it was a happy tug, that they were willing to put their lives together. As i watched, i knew this wasn't one of those cases where the word marriage was misused, which is ever so common nowadays. And that makes marriage beautiful.

Matthew 19:4-6
“Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Back in the day, when i was young, naive, stupid, childish, (and every other word similar to the meanings), i remember making a statement something like this- "I never want to get married", and i could still remember saying it as i was on my way home at the corridor. Besides the risk of loneliness, higher chance of mid-life crisis and not having any kids to take care of me when i'm old, i still couldn't believe i would make such a statement to give up something so special.

A few reasons i learnt from Saturday spurring me on for marriage:

1) I want cute flowergirls and pageboys to help me out.

2) I definitely have to know what it feels like to see this: My nearly wife and father-in-law walking down the isle. I bet it's indescribable.

3) And of course to hold her hand in front of all the people that matter while she glimmers in white.

4) I also want to rely on world class musicians for worship (HAHA) as i thank God for the best/worst years of my life ahead.

5) Then at dinner, i want to be able to give out lovely gifts to the guests.

6) As they sit down on really nice tables to share the joy with me.

7) Surely the guests must enjoy their dinner with really really nice music..hahaha.

8) Then i want to exit from the back with this smile on my face. Yes, this priceless smile of happiness. Or maybe cheeky-ness.

9) More importantly, to wait for this moment of the night. hahahaha.

10) Finally, to know i have friends that are genuinely happy for me.

11) And to grab a really nice picture with them.

12) Then when the day's over, to proceed back to the hotel room when everything ends, because i'll be really really really tired.

DISCLAIMER: No picture.

And just a few more pictures from that day, hahaha.

Oh yes, I RECEIVED A QUOTATION REGARDING THE DRUMSET, and i'm smiling.

Till then.

Fear not.

2009-04-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Fear not.

With the holidays still close onto my back, school really hasn't started for myself. Everything seems to be so "comfort zone" since there are so many people in class i already know. Even the cds class isn't spared, 2 of the 7 people in class (yes, 7) happen to be my good friends.

So yes, we got quite a "cool" outsider for a tutor for our entrepreneurship class. With a really long history in the line of business and being a MENSA member, he gave us a talk he claimed would make all the school fees worth it. Putting everything aside, one thing he mentioned did make sense, and A mentioned it- The similarity between fear and excitement.

When your hands feel all sweaty, your heart starts beating double-pedal-ly, your senses are heightened but you still get jolted by anything and you feel really tense. All these symptoms relate to both fear and excitement, and thus it is up to yourself, your perception and paradigm on things to truly overcome fear.

Bottom line: I am excited for this Sat, not scared, not scared.

And i am not happy that my quest for the drumset is looking quite bleak. RAWRRR.

Happy twen-thin aikes.

Till then.

EGG-CITED

2009-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

EGG-CITED

So today, while chilling with a few friends, we pounced upon so very random issues, somehow reaching a point where we talked about the size of a human egg.Some of the girls thought it was the size of a human egg, some a quail egg.

I like that honestly prevails in this group of friends. wahahahahaha.

David and Leanne's wedding is happening this saturday, big occasion. I suppose such huge occasions never fail to wake you up about how fast life is zooming past. It wasn't too long ago that i was teasing them (or at least it felt like it wasn't too long ago) and suddenly, the big day arrives. Which forces you to start questioning what life has in store for you, what the future holds. And the fact that i'm a year 3 student now isn't helping.

Thankfully, the big occasion arrived at the perfect timing- when school is just starting. And rather than taking each day as it comes, i've promised myself to make this sem worthwhile and not waste any time fooling around since it's my last year in Temasek (Even though my timetable is forcing me to considering the "2" day work week i have) and just to make sure my future has a well built diploma to fall on.

My first step: To have an organiser. Not only to have though, but to use.

Till then.

Drum-matic

2009-04-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Drum-matic

Easter just passed. And i like the fact that easter is called easter, it's like an occassion all ready to be celebrated by/for the east siders. And celebrate we should, considering the new mall that just opened at tampines. I'm proud to be an easter. Imagine how bad it would sound if you said "wester". Tampines is becoming the orchard with the crowd never failing to appear itself everyday. Everything is available a bus ride away. Everything's good, except for the fact that the people at tampines just don't have the east side look anymore....if you know what i mean.

Sunday is also a day i like, cause if you just say it out loud, it could be "son-day". Poor daughters don't get a day to celebrate. There's mothers' day, fathers' day and sonday. Grandfathers and mothers don't count cause they probably had a chance to celebrate father/mothers' day.

This week marks the end of the really long holidays that seemed really long at the start but suddenly becoming so short towards the end. I guess that's how it works. Part of me wanted school to start last week just so i could catch the good friday (every friday's good to me though, they should call good friday the better friday or something) holiday as a school day. You know, a long weekend in the holidays doesn't mean much, but during school, long weekends like these are sought after. Ok, sorry for that weird thought, hahaha. Still, i am glad that i have managed to make use of the holidays very much to its best. That is accounted for the fact that i didn't have too many of those days when i have to sit down wondering what i should do next with jogging and gymming constantly taking the backseat.

Working has been beneficial in the case that i do learn stuff. I work in the logistics department and most of the supply chain management bla bla bla i learnt in school actually surfaced. The "fifo" theory and so on so forth. Beneficial in the other way, is also the fact that i get paid. Which is good, and i have to say that my rainy day has arrived. JIT (just-in-time, another supply chain management theory, i think).

I have been looking for a set since the start of this year putting che-ching aside. Now that i have brought the money issue in, this set really isn't all bad.

WHO AM I KIDDING, IT'S SUPER GOOD.

- The colour's my favourite combination, black and red
- The toms are not mounted onto the bass drum, sweeeeet.
- The set-up's puuurrrrrrfact.
- The price is reasonable (if you put away the fact that we are facing a recession right now)
- The brand's trustable (according to my trusted australian partner daniel. haha)

- And i'm looking for a drumset with all those specs, what are the chances!

I just have to worry now about the money, sound, space and parental issues. A whole new world of problems. I'm still coming for you mr. pdp, watch your back.

Till then.

Monday-ne

2009-04-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

Monday-ne

Recently, the holidays have somehow seemed to be more packed than normal school days, when i have the time to just sit down in front of the computer to get nagged at and finding all excuses to stay glued to the seat. And then maybe to grab my guitar and get all sucked into the mood only to get nagged at again for playing too loud. Or maybe to find myself thinking of what there is to do because i have all the time in the world. School day issues aside, life's been eventful in so many ways. I honestly can't remember much though, and i hate to painstakingly dig my brain to remember stuff when i can't, so i shan't (it rhymes).

Despite working according to government standards (5-day-work-week) at ubi, i have managed to squeeze in time for my social life with family, friends, band and even my cousin (which i'm really glad to be catching up with). Speaking of work, i am honestly thankful for such a job, or maybe even for a job. While most people are frantically looking for ways to fill their pockets, i am blessed with a job that i don't dread waking up for every morning. In fact one that i can even enjoy. "thefaceshop" is THEfaceshop. I just hope everything works out so i can complete my attachment with them.

Well, the clock just struck 12 not too long ago, and it's monday. No i'm not feeling any hint of the monday blues though i have to wake up in another 7 hours when the sun is still half asleep. Today, is actually a monday unique to hope for monday or much rather the exact reason why we chose our name. We celebrate easter not because of bunnies and eggs (i wonder where all that came from but whateverrr) but because Christ conquered death on that very day many years ago. And it is due to that very event that we can now stand with a glimmer of hope in front of us, because Christ is risen. Pushing it all down, that is exactly why there is hope for monday.

So in case you you were wondering if we were some ripoff from the band "hey monday" or something, no we're not. =) haha.

Ok, my eyes are crying out for some sleep right now and they won't give in to gossip girl ep20 which i've been dragging to watch since last week. I'm off to bed.

Till then.

Who doesn't?

2009-03-28T09:23:00.001-07:00

Who doesn't?

I like music, who doesn't?

Kind of explains why apple has been having it's surge of heightening business with its ipods (up till this day) and for the fact that live n loaded has been trying to take over Singapore. Who'd have thought music could bring about bouts of pleasure to its listeners through simple play arounds with tones and words.

Recently, i've been hearing talk of songs that have managed to squeeze through the ear-holes of some people and somehow reach the tear ducts (which is actually not very far away, and ya rach, you make up most of the talk i've been hearing). Which makes me start to think how cool it is that a song a stranger wrote could actually make someone out there get a buzz of goosebumps or tears. We've all had that feeling before, especially when you were 12 and that girl you liked totally didn't bother about you and suddenly backstreet boys' "Shape of My Heart" starts playing on radio only to make you realize every single word seemed to describe how you were feeling. Or when life sucked and Simple plan released it's "Welcome to my Life" single. Hell yeah, welcome to my "great life". I plead guilty for relating these 2 songs and many others to my own life. Although i seriously don't understand why i thought shape of my heart related. hmm.

I remember learning the piano in primary school, with some teacher called miss wonder (no seriously). With a cane hiding at the side of the piano, my fingers were constantly in fear as i struggled to scale my way through the enormously long stretch of black and white keys in hope of doing it perfectly just so i could escape the pain. There was the theory part that gave me a whole new ocean of troubles as well. After less than 5 lessons, i wondered (pun intended) how playing the piano could ever benefit me, and told my folks i had to escape the treacherous lessons. Was i wrong, am i regrettful.

As i grew to love music like everyone else, hoping to get every cd i can from sembawang music centre at century square previously, my favourite cd hangout last time by the way, i wanted to get my hands on an instrument and start formulating tunes which were capable of evoking the similar emotions i had as i stood in the bathroom grabbing my shampoo bottle singing at the top of my lungs to lyrics that somehow got into me without any effort in memorising. The regret of quitting the piano didn't really settle in though. Still there was little tingle somewhere inside that wanted to be part of something, and the recorder the school provided just wasn't going to cut it.

The drums started its appeal on me as i started attending church, with each hit and crash never failing to stir something in me. I watched constantly, and cowardly too, hoping the drummer wouldn't notice my eye on him. Somehow or rather, i can't remember how, i started lessons on the drums in church. Did that suck. So many points in time i wanted to quit as my hands and feet started to get into arguments with each other. But my thirst for being on the stage pushed me on. Yes, i started with that mentality. Stupid.

Almost everyday after school, i would come home excited just to grab my pair of drumsticks, turn on a track and play along with it imagining my bed was a huge drumset. The satisfaction of completing a song without mistakes then, priceless. As i started to get better and mature in my christian walk, i started to realise what the set could really do together with a band ready to worship God. Being on stage wasn't really what it was all about, it was this feeling of being together with a band ready to make good music and much more of being thirsty for something to happen, thirsty to do something to its listeners.

And today as i sat down on the set just rocking out with some people i really love to jam with, i got reminded of that feeling. As much as we want to make good music, we want to make good music that could touch the lives of people. Oh yes, the feeling of hitting every note in sync and in perfect timing together with your band, when the girls start screaming, when you showcase your skills. It's great, but that's for the performers.

It's something totally different though, when you see the people in front of you worship in sync knowing you're are contributing to a small part of that because God has blessed you with such a chance, and that's something else to marvel at. And that feeling, honestly? Indescribable.

I love music, who doesn't?

Till then.

SNORe and reLAX

2009-03-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

SNORe and reLAX

I suddenly realise the beauty of sleep since i started work a few days back. You know, that dreaded feeling when your alarm rings and you look at the clock only to realise it's time to get up when everyone else is still busy dreaming about their whatever. I would say it's 10 times more difficult than doing a pull up (Not that i would know, need to start training. hahaha). And just when you thought getting up was bad enough, your eyes start to drag you back into slumber with any chance it gets. And i have been struggling with that, thus i have decided to bring my speakers with me to tomorrow to work to help shrug that feeling off. You can go crazy alone in a room packing.

MOTIVATION: Money to invest in drumset.

Had a practise/jamming/recording today with the band at church. It's nice to finally see everything working out and the fun together makes it even better. Isaac joined us in our crusade and a great help he has been in helping us to record and finding some openings for us (i think it's bandfest or something, where there'll be much industry watchers.mmmmm). We actually have a performance somewhere in the good friday period performing alongside Olivia Ong. For those of you who don't know who she is, she sang the little nyonya song (don't like that show by the way). And she appears when you search her on wiki, that's something. Yay. Hope hope hope.

I have to sleep now, my bed looks so inviting, the morning doesn't. Goodnight.

Some pictures from the facial day.

Till then.

Time-out

2009-03-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Time-out

So i just came back from a facial at Holland V. which Chanel kindly offered for a price i shall not disclose. No wait, no price. It's quite amazing how girls could go through that sort of torture on a regular basis although the face massage was quite good i would say. I was squealing in pain deep inside as my "mozarella cheese" struggled to find it's way out of my face. For beauty, what the female would give. Timbre after with Niki, Chanel (who kindly told us all about her violent side. Mei mei i hope you're reading this *vommit*), Bernie and Daron. Roasted duck pizzaaaa....

I've been meaning to blog recently but laziness always wins the war despite me winning half the battle of logging in to blogger. And i regret that i haven't, because i can't seem to remember what the life of me has been up to other than blur flashes of the Bangkok trip, the SMU gig (which seriously wasn't much a gig), karaoke, dinner with the band, recording on sat, service on sunday and movie after and then there's today. Oh wait i think i got it all.

Life's suddenly been on an all-time-low recently. The times when you suddenly feel life sucks for you and everyone seems to be having it better. I'm sure you know what i mean. And i can't stand it that i'm feeling this way when i know life for me seriously isn't all bad at all. I mean there's the God, the family, the friends, the band, the home i know i can retreat to, bla bla bla. I shouldn't be complaining should i. Bah, it happens to everyone i suppose.

Get real, you're not indispensable. No, seriously.

Till then.

Phase-book

2009-03-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Phase-book

Facebook is indeed starting to take a fraction of our lives away as it nibbles in to eat your every minute online. I remember telling myself not to be sucked in to such a fad but it's increasing use has forced me in. Goodbye friendster and hello facebook. I'm actually wondering how friendster is doing right now, with a sudden dip of users. They must be all panicky with advertisers leaving, and the recession definitely isn't helping. Whoever thought friendster would be replaced. Facebook better start preparing themselves for such a PHASE (pun intended).

So, i realised my use of Facebook has seriously been intense as i log in ever so often when i'm bored just to check up on stuff and spy on the private lives of people, which turn not so private once they use facebook. I guess that's as close as you can get to gossip girl (bla bla bla just went from "single" to "in a relationship". Even better when it's the other way around.), XOXO. In any case, i'm aiming to curb my use of the website as i got a shock a few days back on what i did. As i was reading a blog, i started to put my cursor over pictures to find out who the people were, only to realise i was at a blog and not on facebook. AHHHH.

10 other ways you can find out that you have been using FB too much:

1) You don't log in to msn anymore but instead, chat over at the bottom right hand corner.
2) You don't send pictures to friends but tag them ever so often.
3) No more messaging or calling for a simple movie of dinner outing, you invite them through the event function on FB. Same for birthday wishes, it's just wall-to-wall.
4) You rush home just to play word challenge and if you aren't at the top, it pisses you off.
5) You are excited to see a huge number of notifications on the bottom right hand corner every time you sign in.
6) 99% of the mail in your inbox is from FB.
7) You update your status every hour accurately.
8) You realise that you are a fan of issues/things that you have never heard of, but joined only cause it appeared on the right.
9) You are excited to be tagged in a note and can't wait to do it.
10) As you are reading this, FB is open in another tab/window.

hahahaha. Ah well. I'd better close my facebook tab and go off to bed soon. Marcus shall be on his way to bangkok in about 4 hours. Yayyyy. Goodbye Singapore.

Till then.

Band-nefits

2009-03-03T06:15:00.000-08:00

Band-nefits

The weekend was great hanging out with the church people, having a failed attempt to catch "role models". Sitting down, chilling and wasting your life away never fails to satisfy. During sunday service, the speaker commented on the worship team being one that worships with songs and not just one that leads songs. And that was a great encouragement. Not that i would expect praise every time i play for service, but a compliment like that never fails to just prep you up for another 10 years of service to the music ministry, if you know what i mean. (=

So on Monday, the band headed down to SAE (School of Audio Engineering) which Yew Jin kindly opened up for us to record an original. Tedious, tiring, draining, consuming, life-sucking work i would say (No, i'm not using a thesaurus). But what the heck, it was plain fun with them, hanging out in the studio doing nonsense and being all fresh to this recording scene. Using the metronome, proper placement of drum mics, layering bla bla bla. If you ask me, it's worse than playing for a live show, aiming for perfect timing and tip-top tones for the track.

Out of the blue, we recieved a call for a gig at SMU Tues of next week at their flea market. We only have God to thank for opening so many doors. To think we actually had to contemplate for this gig due to the rush and business of everyone (rach. hahahaha). Previously, we would probably have snagged up any gig that came up to us and clear all priorities for it as if it were heroine. In any case, we agreed to and we'll be stepping into the doors of SMU next week. Putting the fact aside that our band could get even more publicity at this event, i'm hoping it would help to increase my chances to get my ass into that school in future ("For the fact that i have contributed my services towards this school at poly level, it clearly shows how much i want to be in this school").

The engineer who did it all, yew jin.

The latest people (in the literal sense)

Studio fatigue

The set-up

The stress set-up

the ones who STICK with me through out. (get it get it?)

Toned tone.

Bass

From left to centre: Butch rach

We had dinner and caught slumdog millionaire after. OMG, yes, we had the chance to catch one of the stars right after the show, SALIM! Ok whatever, but the resemblance was uncanny. hahaha. One for the road : Say "Tequila Letika Tequila Letika Tequila Letika....." really really fast.

I woke up at 6 today to head down to a Kelong at Malaysia for a recee. A great place for the church outing happening in June. Somewhere to escape from everything and to just relax. ahhhhhhh.....

Vasity

Missed the chance to head down to live n loaded today to catch west grand due to the trip. Dang. Anyhoo, there'll be more chances.

Kodak moment?

Till then.

Mew-sick

2009-02-27T20:53:00.000-08:00

Mew-sick

It's about time i updated before people start unlinking me thinking this blog is dead. hahaahaa. I probably can't sum up what has been happening since the last post because my memory hasn't been working too well lately but all i can say is that life has been good. Wait, i do remember that my ez-link value seriously dropped like gravity x 10^99999. To think so much money would go into transport in such a small country. Totally can't wait for the 2cents decrease in the fare which will so help to reduce gravity to maybe x 10^999. Seriously, 2 cents? Take about 30 trips and you get one free! ........

My memory swirls down to the event yesterday which was nothing but fun. Glory to God. I know HFM seems quite loseric always only playing for that school but i guess we all start somewhere don't we. HOPEfully (pun so intended) we don't stay where we start though. hahahaha. But SAC so is THE place to start, the girls were rocking out as if we were some band that rocketed in from jupiter just to play for their school. I totally adore the whole culture of that school being open and bla bla bla. If i was a girl (and no i'm not, my hair's just long), SAC all the way.

I have been putting much thought into this whole band issue wondering if it's something we should go head on for. I mean check out the local bands in Singapore, how many do actually make it into becoming a band us as Singaporeans can say we're proud of. Rach (leona) pointed out that with all the hype of local bands going on, there'll be a chance we could look poser-ish. hahaha. But what the heck, pushing all these aside, music stirs me and of it's what i love (so cliche), why not? There's also the point that i've already spent quite a bit on this hobby, so better not waste it. hahahaha. Thus, we're proud to say that this MONDAY (pun again), the band is heading down to record an original at the studios. Eggggssss-sighting. If all turns out well, do listen in. (=

Set-up! (pre)

People (post)

There was talk rach looks just like one of them. She's 21.

Trust aiken to ask them something like that.

Quoting Aiken's blog. Awesommmeee.

For me, it's not the idea of being a rockstar,

I don't need to hit the perfect notes (beats for me),

Or be up there with the best clothes.

I don't play all the chords (beats for me again) on time.

For me, it's about losing myself completely.

It's about standing (lucky i'm sitting) there and feeling time stop,

Where there are no labels,

Where everything else just doesn't matter.

When you can forget about all the pain

Where there is no struggle, no fighting,

And for just that one moment,

I can feel free.

For me,

It's about losing your entire self in the music

And to being part of something that's way bigger than yourself.

And the pricless discovery of something to believe in again.

(Psalm 150:1) Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

Till then lovebirds.

Hor-Lee-Theys

2009-02-17T05:59:00.000-08:00

Hor-Lee-Theys

I've got nearly 3 months of free time haunting me right now and i've gotta say that free time really doesn't do me any good. I'm a person who works with deadlines to meet and dates to follow without which i break down. As you can see, despite it being the holidays, i have been really lazy to even log in to blogger to just type a few words for an entry. It was a miracle that i had actually got down to writing my resume. Now i'm wondering when i would get down to writing my cover letter for the job i'm applying for...

Well, the week has been relaxing, something i have been needing in awhile, just to stay at home slouching in front of the computer or teevee watching whatever there is to watch. I also participated in the occasional pack-up-of-room-when-semester-is-over routine. The one where you have a few plastic bags ready to be filled and start picking out anything from anywhere only to boggle yourself with the decision of throwing it away or not. Then there's the times when you pick something up, remember where it came from and start laughing to yourself, to each his own.

A few things i can remember would be commonwealth-ing with rach just for dinner (ya close your mouth, it's not that jawdropping, Singaporeans do that for food) on her trusty nissan sunny. Sadly the western stall was closed. Thank God the best ou jian was still open. An impromptu decision right after saw D, rach, shir and myself head down to pasir ris for prawning. Supper after. Oh don't you just love the holidays.

Shir snagged the first prawn.

Still the first prawn i think. hahahahaha.

Enough of prawns, the company matters more.

Then there was thurs for steamboat at rachie's place. A relatively cheap one in fact. For 10 people i think only about $45 was spent? "Cheap and good, come to rachie's house for food". hahaha. Nothing much to say other than great company, great time. =) No wait, motto to self is: "quit while ahead".

This is my crib yo.

Steam steam steam.

Hot.

Valentine's day was spent at church talking about nothing else but relationships. Always a captivating topic to talk about. Dinner with some of them after at sunshine plaza for wanton mee (ya the heaviest noodle, one ton mee). Sun for church and soccer after. Dinner with some of the guys yesterday and timbre after which dennis still claims should be rightfully pronounced as "tambre". What say you?

I gotta go change right now for night cycling soon with dan and sam. Dang, i really gotta pull my socks up for the OCBC cycle happening this sunday. 2 months of no cycling really took its toll on me. The holidays would mean more time to get out of this stupid seat and off to the GYM. Ho-huff-so long.

Till then.

FREEDOMM

2009-02-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

FREEDOMM.

Well, as of monday night, i have been released of almost all my duties in school and that means the tests and projects are all over. I guess that at a certain age, you realise there isn't much of a hype once you get rid of all your tasks but just a small blink of satisfaction in your heart that tingles. And of course, i feel it's so much better than that crazy feeling that leads you to jump around the hall and scream your guts out after the last O-level paper was over.

More than that, it's the feeling where you needn't worry about anything under the sun. And i like that feeling, cause that means i can go on to watch the million trillion episodes of TV shows that i've missed out on the past few months, take my guitar anytime i want to play it for hours (i'm telling you, the exam period makes my guitar look like it's the best guitar in the world), and of course, to lie on your bed without worries, oh what i would give for that.

I can't remember any happenings other than niki's party, lifegroup dinner cum games and the most recent on Monday night, aunty anne's surprise. Peeekturees.

Corridor party.

The masses.

And why birthdays isn't always happy.

I got creamed myself too on Monday night with the intention to smash it on the birthday "girl".
It's never wise to be the culprit while others just watch.
Happy birthday "jie jie" anne. =)

The lifegroup dinner saw much food (you can always always depend on the adults for that) and games which were plain funny. Perceptions perceptions. In any case, girls are much much better at interpreting phrases.

So it was the boys/men, VS

the ladies who played like their lives somehow depended on the results.

hahahaha.

In any case, the holidays means i'll have tons of free time to begin thinking up and formulating drumlines for the songs we have
(we = HopeForMonday) before we can move on to the recordings. School's such a drag when you wanna do something with the band but now that we're free, here we come studios. A facebook group page has actually been created. Rather than a fan-base, who wouldn't mind starting with a friend-base first? And if the friends turn to fans, they'll be fr-ans. Geddit? hahaha. So join if you can, and we'll be sure to squeeze out all our juices for some catchy tunes. The more people we have, the more pressure and need we will feel to really do something. hahahaha. =)

I WANT A JOB. Buhbyee.

P.S. Tiny, we open cause we're close.

Till then.

Hope on Monday.

2009-02-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Hope on Monday.
(no pun intended...yea right.)

The holidays are only drawing closer. Amazing how time flies sometimes. It wasn't too long ago when i was still bickering around with friends about how poly was better that jc after the O's and suddenly, i'm about to finish my 2nd year in TP. One more year and there's NS, then there's uni (hopefully) and then there's the whole downhill ride of a working Singaporean. Why in the world did i dream of growing up when i was young, maybe if i didn't, i wouldn't be this old now.

2 birthdays passed recently in the midst of the project submissions and tests. I realised that no presents were bought this year yet for anyone, we totally suckkk. hahahaha. Well, there'll be time after this mon, when everything is over and done with. And then there's the ironing of the band before we head down to the studios. I'm really kind of excited where this band thing will go. If anything ever does happen, DO LEND US YOUR SUPPORT.

Happy Birthday Shir, big isn't always better. (=

Happy Birthday Niki, you're not that unfriendly after all. (=

I heard a joke that i thought was quite hilarious.

Q: Why does the bicycle have to lean on the wall?

A: Because it is too tired. ("two tyred" for those who can't catch it. You're probably too tired yourself.)

Alright i'm supposed to be studying now for the 2 tests tomorrow. IT'LL ALL BE WORTH IT BY MONDAY.

Till then.

JOBLESS.

2009-01-31T07:22:00.000-08:00

JOBLESS.

Well like i said, the projects have been over and of course, it being something to remember, we had to take a picture (even if we had to use our phone). You wouldn't know how difficult it was to get this picture without being found out, constantly looking out in case anyone saw us taking a picture of ourselves handing up our project. In any case, kat managed to with her cam whore skills. The rest of the group wasn't there to join us in our shameful deed though.

It's about time.

Push pop all the way.

Fri saw A, Bernie and myself head down to Kat's house after much decision making falling through. We didn't have any oranges with us and Kat actually went in to grab some for us to bai nian. HOW SHAMELESS ARE WE. hahahahah. In any case, cards was fun. Can't say the same for bernie though...

Oh yes, if any of you here suffer from constipation in any way or are in a hurry while doing your thing, sing "Like a Rose" chorus, the one by a1. If it does work, do get back as Kat claims it works for her. HAHA.

Cycling early this morning and then Cell visitation. It was great having to get together with the cell just to talk and have fun as we hop from house to house to terrorise the parents with our empty stomachs and wallets. Our stomachs did give in though, but the wallets never said no. hahahaha. Fulfilling. Shall post the pictures up if i do get a hold of them somehow.

2 weeks more of dreaded tests before school closes for myself. Suddenly i wonder if i'll be able to handle the free time i'm gonna have. I need a job badly so i won't waste my time and also because Dad has somehow opened up to the idea of a drumset at home. (= That was a hint by the way so if you do have a job opening somewhere in the timeframe of mid feb all the way till late april, DO SPEAK. Much appreciated.

I'm tired. Goodnight.

Till then.

The week ends.

2009-01-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

The week ends.

I was just watching the news and saw this statement by Goh Chok Tong, our Senior Minister.
'The weather is so bad, and we've always said the reserves are for a rainy day. If this is not a rainy day, I don't know what is a rainy day.'
The recession hasn't really taken its toll on me in heavy ways yet, but i suppose it may have for some. And i can only thank God for his providence for me. Hopefully we'll soon move from this time.

Yet again, the feeling isn't so great or hysterical once you realise that all the projects are over despite it even threatening to spoil your Chinese New Year with a deadline. However, it does bring some sort of a relief and achievement that the projects have been conquered. And once i get you (tests) over and done with, i'll be taking bites of 'time', bit by bit as if it were a mega mcspciy.

Chinese New Year

The past 2 days of CNY has been rather fun having to see all the relatives again, relatives that i see only once a year but seem so easy to talk to. Of course there are those that you keep trying year after year to relate to (although you guys are related, get it get it?), but don't seem to get any results. Then again, the red packet solves all the problems.

Come to think of it, what would families be like without CNY, a time to refresh our memories that we do actually have a bed of roses to fall back on should we need. A time where you get together with those bonded to you by blood and everyone is all smiles as you raise that pair of chopsticks as high as possible only to realise all the ingredients have dropped right back into the plate (or most probably onto someone else's hand).

You'd probably have to squeeze your way through to get to the other end of the living room with everyone standing around the tables shouting and screaming. Your body's always a little sticky because it's so hot and the place feels like a wet market but you're comfortable. The kids you would probably feel like slapping when you're in public making all the little noises, choosing only the crackers from the "lou hei" (you guys totally know what i mean) and laughing at everything suddenly seem like little angels whose smiles would easily melt your heart. Not one person isn't happy. And that was my CNY, simple yet so awesome in its very own way, better than a million red packets i would say.

HopeForMonday

Band wise, it seems that things are finally starting to take place yet again with the school invasion tour finding its way to us somehow and our vid was uploaded on facebook by one of West Grand's. We've got a few of our own originals and will probably hit the studios down in Feb when we are all much free-er. In any case, thank God for opening so many doors. Of course, when there are open doors, we have to take a step to walk through. I like what BenC. said once, "we've gotta move on and not remain stoked about that night at SAC's prom". I think he said something along that line and what else could i do besides totally agreeing with him. It will probably take time and hardwork, and i suppose, that's where passion steps in.

In any case, happy CNY everyone. (=

Till then.

Ox-picious New Year

2009-01-25T09:06:00.000-08:00

Ox-picious New Year

Oranges, angbao, cards, mahjong, bah kwa...and of course hot cheongsam girls. hahaha. Who's to say chinese new year sucks with all these. Everyone's probably into that festive mood now all ready to paste their faces with smiles (whether genuine or just for the red packets) for the visitations and hopefully coming back to find their pockets ready to tackle the recession. I for once am not feeling too much of it despite all the talk. I place full blame on school for that. And also due to the fact that the polo i wanted ran out of size (I actually needed a smaller size).

The past week has been quite a bother with presentations and deadlines to meet up with. The ever typical week where it isn't something out of the usual to see students at school at 10pm rushing to keep up. Most of the projects and presentations have been cleared, which is a good thing. Only that our tests begin next week, right after Chinese New Year. Damn.

In any case, school doesn't really need to be talked about here does it. That would mean teachers, school, stress in the day and giving it the chance to ruin your life again at night.

Friday saw a few of us church people head down to the ultimate cliche place of Fish n co to celebrate Pris' 19th birthday. The whole stand up on the chair thing proved to be too much of a conformity, and so we made pris stand on her chair and sing her own birthday song. hahahahaha. A part of me hopes my birthday never comes sometimes.. In any case, Happy 19th Pris. I thank God for a friend like you, and i can't put it into words, just like how i said it this morning during service. hahaha.

HAPPY YOU WERE.

Sat was a long day down at church for 1030 musician prac, jg musician prac then jg service. Tiring but enriching. Rushed home right after service for reunion dinner with Dad's side of the family. Somehow, the reunion dinner this year was much quieter and had a smaller attendance, but still family nonetheless. A good dinner and a time of just catching up with each other, remembering the stupid things some of us did last time, and sometimes even now. hhaahhaa. I shall let the pictures finish this para.

The cousin who i learnt my first hokkien vulgarity with. ********BOO!

The brothers

It was someone'e birthday as well.

The cousin's into photog, really into.

The dogs had their first photo shoot session.

Au natural

Slumber

Jumper

Touted the best picture of the night

Then comes another picture to fight for the title.

Chinese New Year starts tomorrow, alright technically it has already begun. Bai nian to the parents first thing in the morning, hopefully this year strikes better returns. hahaha. Then off to see the relatives whom most i would walk pass and not realise. The only bad part would be the fact that i don't have any new clothes. Dang. Last min shopping really isn't the way to go.

Till then.

Do-mit

2009-01-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

Do-mit

So, while waiting for my hair to dry so i can go get my much deserved rest, i decided i could squeeze in time for one post.

Yesterday saw myself heading down to church for the runway event. Interesting event, something totally different from all others we had, with decorations nicely placed and models walking around. Ok, the models were ourselves. But i would say it was fun, and its hard to be ashamed walking down a runway when you know everyone else there (thank God). Killed a little time after at Bugis with some of the church people and headed down to meet Niki soon after to grab a cab down to Daron's self-planned-cause-everyone-having-projects-too-busy 19th birthday party.

What can i say, other than the fact that you made us all laugh so hard with your moves. hahaha. From the nightmare of you mentioning me being in the same course as you, to this year same class and next year confirm same class.. No regrets though, but i know you can do better for our projects (haha). I probably wrote everything i have to say in your Christmas card and i don't want to be too personal here lest i look un-straight. But cheers to our friendship. (:

Don't ever agree to take a toast with everyone again, your puke stank.

BE HAPPY.

Too bad we blocked your decorations.

A donut party? Why NUT!

I love your wasted face. hahahaha.

Alright my hair's dry. Shall post more pictures up soon when i get every single one.

One more project handed in tomorrow and that leaves 2 more. Neh-ni-neh-ni-boo-boo business people, we're getting closer to our holidays.

Till then.

Ponyo

2009-01-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

Ponyo

At school yesterday, D made an excellent discovery which should go down into TP's book of amazing ways to entertain yourself. We realised that if you look around Biz park (which plays music ever so often), you'll find many people who do actually sing along. We actually saw this guy who was so into it and closed his eyes while singing along. Try it out yourself, look around, and remember, don't start singing cause someone else might be watching you and lose their appetite.

hahahahahaha.

We always find ourselves so easily amused and distracted by things when we shouldn't. If you know what i mean, you'll understand why i have been so easily distracted from my projects with this video.

Click it if you are sure you are not the kind who will have something stuck in your head for the whole day or even when you lie down on your bed attempting to sleep.

One more project will be handed up tomorrow, and that leaves 3 more to go. Ho-huff.

Ponyo ponyo.....

Till then.

Anti-jects

2009-01-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

Anti-jects

PROJECTS SUCK BIG TIME. ARGHH. I CAN'T WAIT TILL THEY'RE ALL OVER AND DONE WITH.

Now that that's taken care of..

Saturday saw myself in church sitting down to a social etiquette class and walking down an imaginary runway thinking i was a model. As stupid as it felt, thank God everyone had to do it too. The night dragged for a little while longer as a few of us went over to secret garden (bet you guys don't know where's that, secret) to see Bimin, who's leaving for Oxford University this Wed (just when you thought doing well for O's was enough).

"Do well, enjoy yourself, and please come back with sex hair. (= "

SOCIAL SUICIDE
(Disclaimer: Does not support liverpool)

Sunday happened to be Rachel Lim's birthday, and since we were on the MRT, we decided to sing her Happy Birthday right there and then when the clock struck 12. The minute from 11.59pm to 12.00am was the longest minute ever. You know, the anticipation to the time when you know you have to do something really stupid and your heart just feels tickled throughout. hahha.

In any case, Happy Birthday rachie. You da bomb. (=
(you do realise you're 19 already right)

Back to the never-ending ordeal of projects....
ARGHHHH.

Till then.

Rest Assured Singapore

2009-01-08T19:37:00.001-08:00

Rest Assured Singapore

Rach blogged faster than me, and i can't stand it cause that's never the case. hahaha. Getting up this morning was quite a struggle. It's been a long time since i got up when the sun was still snoozing away. And i don't feel too good when i get up so early, you know that sort of vommiting feeling, then there's the come out of the toilet feeling super cold, no time to properly sit down on the throne to release what must be freed and having no time to let your hair dry! 730 at pasir ris was a bit too early, but i was up for it (double meaning! get it get it?).

So, upon reaching, you could sort of sense the mood of the potential NS men, apprehensive, worried, unsure what tomorrow would bring and of course, bald. I sort of expected to see some tears here and there, but the boys of today appeared to be able to keep it in very well (or maybe cause their parents could still follow them in to tekong, then we'll see the floodgates wide open).

I realised i forgot to mention that we were there to send BenL off to NS. I guess the feeling of having to go in sucks, the thought of having to do nothing for 2 years but listening to supreriors, no matter how high your rank was. The girls get to take the fast forward route here and most usually overtake us guys. But Jo1 once mentioned that if you add up the time a girl waits for the toilet in her lifetime, it would equal to the 2 years a guy spends in NS, hahahahahahahaha.

You could sense ben's worry today as we talked to him. NS does crazy things to people. He actually mentioned wanting to study for A's now rather than go into NS. Rach: He stuck out his hands and pointed at his callused left fingertips. "You see, this is how much guitar i played last night." i wanted to ask him if he slept hugging his steve vai guitar. hahaha.

Just look at him trying to force out that smile.
Give it up and cry already, i've got tissue in my pocket.

I wonder how it'll be like when i have to enlist and serve the country during the next year. "Still long time la," they always say, and before you know it, i'll be there at pasir ris hoping ben won't be my officer or something considering how much i've laughed at him..

The hair's going.

Till then.

Pro- Project.

2009-01-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

Pro- Projects.

Well, other than the very occasional coughs that i have been letting out, this week hasn't been very eventful cause of the dreaded school. The thought of deadlines, presentations and tests just kills. And the fact that it'll be there to ruin the Chinese New Year isn't that great a thought as well. But something's gotta give, and my course starts holidays like really early compared to the other courses cause we don't have exams. I promised myself early this year (not that it's very late this year) that i would make use of this holidays to work like some workaholic who neglects everything else, earn my share of the economy (ya right) and return it right back to the economy. Yes, LKY, i know you want people to learn from me.

Enough about the holidays, i've gotta work hard for the rest of this semester, which is about a month plus more? And then the smooth sailing ride starts. Here i come "Customer Relationship Management", our relationships just keeps getting deeper.

Long Delayed Pictures from Cameron

The tourists

Source of noise, laughter, and chinese tea.

At the strawberry farm.

Strawberry shortcake.

Bring the harvest in!

The young punks.

Sandwich.

On the rock i stand, POLICE!

200m more.

Nothing but a STEAMboat advertisement

hahahahaaaha.

The club after relegation.

The right

Lawbreaking series.

Do not litter

No sitting on fence.

Walk with care

The family.

The convoy!

The pictures finally uploaded on photobucket. I don't get why everyone's always saying photobucket kicked the bucket (yea yea, cliche we know), but i've never once used photobucket with trouble other than it taking a longer time when i upload bigger files.

Off to finish off more of the projects. Ben's going off to NS tomorrow, and i'll reach pasir ris at insane 8am to see him off. I laugh now, but my turn's not very far away. Dang, LKY, i thought i've done enough.

P.S. I cut my hair so even if you can't see a difference, say you can.

Till then.

'08 +1

2009-01-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

'08 +1

So, everyone's going ga-ga over this new year with the countdowns and everything. Of course, there are those who are unhappy over getting older. I'm not left out in that, 2009 will be my last "teen" year before i hit the big 2. Rather than dragging the fact of growing one year older, i'd look at it that God has given me yet another year, and that should be something to look forward to. Also, i'm hoping that it would not be my last "teen" year, but my first "thin" year. Get it get it?

2008 has passed by so quick, just like every other new year, when you look back at the previous. Many things have happened in so many ways. Just off my head, school's been good, church has been great, friends made, friends drifted, and of course, those that still remain close and i formed a band. It's hard to remember all the great times, but 2008 has surely been an experience.

Here's to 2009, please be my friend, and we'll make it good together.

Pictures from Bernie's 18th

The gang

Makannn

Niki claims the one she took is nicer.

Bernie getting the cake

Halfway there

B.D.A.Y. (Geddit geddit?!??!)

Can't form any nice acronym

How could i forget the Polaroid i won. hahaha.

Leaving the place

Off to playground

Not forgetting drinks (nuo we go get drunk first)

Smile

3 very lucky girls. hahahaha.

"Do whatever you want" shot

"Do anything you want" shot

Niki and miao, its time to stop drinking.

And of course, not forgetting, the star of the show, Bernie Chua.

Eunice

January marks the birth of so many people with the never ending birthdays that slowly creep into your wallet without warning. In any case, Eunice turned 21 on the 2nd of Jan, big number indeed. hahaha. I guess the fact hasn't quite sunk in yet but you can choose to leave the house (thank God it's a choice), be independent, watch R21 shows, enter even more clubs (where you probably would order a heineken and give it to someone else) , play 21 (geddit geddit) and so many other things. Whatever you do, i pray you continue to stay the smiley, bubbly and cheery person you are. It's always fun talking to you, laughing away at stupid things and of course, someone i can talk to about the less laughable things as well. You're 21, don't play play. Cheers to your 21st, ah lian Eunice! Shen Re Kuai Le. (=

Cheers!!

Last night, a bunch of us church people flew over to room full of blues to celebrate Eunice's birthday, and send Lynette off back to Aussie. Shall post the pictures up soon (I realise i have a million to post up). Timbre was too crowded and i'm glad we didn't head there. Somehow, room full of blues feels homey to me. Great music, great company, great drinks, some great food, will equal to a great time. Surprisingly, it was Gilbert's (the lead man at the pub) birthday too. Supper after to fill our stomach. Everything was great, except for the fact that i slept at 4am, and got up at insane 7am today. boooo.

But i'm glad i did wake up, for worship retreat. So much has been learnt, but more than that, the whole program has caused the worship team as a whole to be excited and motivated to see something happen. What more could one ask for?

It's about time i go off to la la land and catch up on the sleep that i have been missing out on. The week ahead probably wouldn't grant the much wanted hours since project deadlines are like less than 2 weeks away. The lecturer mentioned that students don't usually do too well this sem. I think i'm starting to understand why...

Till then.

Ha-Ha-lol

2008-12-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

Ha-Ha-lol.
(niki says ha hello)

Word heavy post.

So, i've realised that i haven't actually blogged since like 10 days ago. Life's been running at quite a pace here and there that i haven't been able to find time to sit down, relax and put my hands to the keyboard. And come to think of it, the days ahead for the new year will be real hectic considering all the project submissions. Dang, guess the poly just doesn't seem to like the Christmas and New year season. Just a little of what's been happening.

Cameron and KL trip

6 families, 6 cars, 25 people (if i'm not wrong, but still a huge group), 2 apartments, very little real beds but a million air beds, jackets and sweaters, guitar (and a baby taylor at that) and carols, really cheap peanut pancake (22cents for one), shopping, eating, shopping, eating, shopping, eating and of course, not forgetting shopping and eating. That should about sum up the whole trip. hahhah. It was fun i would say, celebrating christmas with 5 other families, and leaving singapore to forget the hustle and bustle. Rather than the fun you would find with friends at the usual hangouts, its actually real heartwarming to celebrate it together with people close to your heart, and people you can be real with, like your family. And i'm glad i did. Cameron and KL was one hell of a holiday that i really needed to relax and thank God for the great company. Shall post the pictures up soon when i do get a hold of them.

27th Outreach

So, the whole convoy of cars rushed back together early in the morning from KL to make it possible that a few of us youths could attend this event at church. No regrets. The production was great, the decorations, the flow. Congrats to the planning committee. Despite being a Christian for a really long time and sometimes being immune to sermons (you all know what i mean), the production actually caused me to really think about myself, how i sometimes give in without thought. For the fact that it did, all i can say, is that the production was a success to me.

Somewhere around here, school comes in to spoil the holiday mood. To be exact, on the 29th of Jan. As if school starting wasn't bad enough, they even made this a submission date for one of our assignments. *@^*#!(##*$! Well, its over now, and at least we have 2 days break for the new year. But school starts on Fri again. I'm glad my lecturer thinks the board is out of their mind too when i was sharing with her how i felt, at least the teaching staff still had some sane people. Half a sem more till the holidays. As the ting tings would say," SHUT UP AND LET ME GO!"

Cousin's ROM

Technically, i actually have a 3 day break for the new year cause i didn't go to school on tues as well to attend my cousin's ROM. At 23, and she's getting married. Wow. Not what you guys are thinking of right now, she easily fits into her gown without any trouble at her hips or waist, so get those thoughts off your minds. Its quite unbelievable still that she's getting married, when i could still remember the times we went to holidays together to have fun as kids, all naive and childish, and suddenly, here comes the bride. Reminds you how fast life runs when you don't stop to think. Lucky for us, events like that sometimes cause us to realise and make sure our life, although running fast, runs right. Mmhmm. The growing up stage never fails to draw you closer to your friends, and further from your cousins. We have to make amends to hang out more often cousins, and the fact that you guys stay all the way in Bukit Batok really isn't helping.

Bernie's 18th (Slap yourslelf, it's true, she's finally 18 bitches)

So, 11 of us got together to celebrate bernie's birthday last night, which so happens to fall on new year's eve, the 31st of Dec. We went to this buffet at marina that i thought was really good. You have your own steamboat to yourself (meaning you can dump whatever you want in there without any worries) and there's ala carte orders as well. We ate like kings, mmmmmmmm. And the funny part is that you can make them play a birthday song and present a cake. haha. We took quite a few pictures (because niki came along also). Due to the financial crisis, we gave up the idea of spending money and proceeded to hang out at a playground. haha. A provided the drinks. Oh yes, haha, earlier in the night, we talked about cops coming to check on us and bernie being able to shut them up since she just turned 18. It really happened. hahahah. Talking, laughing, sharing, counselling, encouragement, that were sometimes serious. haha. Cabbed home with bernie, miao and nuo when the night ended. Before i forget, sorry i told the whole world about the tear in your heirloom top nuo, hahahahaha.

Well bernie, we hope you enjoyed yourself, on this very special day. Thank you for all the times you sent me home, being someone i can always rely on, someone i can talk to, someone i can laugh with, and just for being someone that's a somebody. Happy 18th Birthday! (=

Ok that was a mouthful. I shall post up the pictures soon enough. 9 hours and 15min to the new year. Here we come 2009!

Till then.

'tis the season to be jolly.

2008-12-21T04:53:00.000-08:00

'tis the season to be jolly.

Well, as they all say, its about time to update before the blog starts getting cobwebs and collects dust. The holidays have been pretty fulfilling for the past few days and it's hard to believe there's only one more week before school starts again. 2 weeks in the Dec period just makes you wish you were back in sec school to enjoy the 2 month holiday all the uniformed students get.

Camp Majesty

And what can i say besides the fact that the camp was a blast. Thank God for a committee so committed (get it get it??) to making this camp a success and an enjoyable one for the campers. Teamwork makes the dream work. The games were great, worship was awesome (although i only got to sit on the throne all way through), sermons were pinpoint, special night was hilarious and of course, the toilets were incomparable in cleanliness. hahahahaha.

4 days with especially young people (the youths these year consisted of really young people) brings you back to the time when you were their age, when simple things could already satisfy you. And i'm glad i learnt to appreciate the little things in life again, simple friendships, small talks with some tidbits to complete it all. Just when you thought you couldn't wait to grow up, you realise you want to go back to the stress of picking your secondary school.

Of course, not forgetting, "Glory to God".

The campers

Going crazy

Really going crazy

It's difficult, trust me.

GO!!

Gather the artillery.

The equipment which was real hard to transport, but oh so worth it.

Worship

Back to the campers.

And so, after we brought everything back to church and packed up when we broke camp, i headed straight for home to get some rest. When my head hit the pillow, slumber land took over. The whole of next day was not wasted but rather put into good use to get more rest. hahaha. The night was used for writing of Christmas cards and lem staying over. It's always difficult to come up with a list of who to write to when "the season to be jolly" is around. Just when you realise you forget someone, the person smiles and passes you a card. I'm going to go through my phonebook again and make sure that doesn't happen.

I haven't gotten myself to believe that Christmas is coming, in fact just 4 days away. More than celebrating the festivities, its time to remember again that Jesus was born into this world and that's why Christmas is celebrated. The 3 wisemen probably started on the gift sharing tradition that we have today. hahaha.

"Hungry" event

Saturday was an early day yet again with the church people. Split into teams, we went around Singapore to eat the most popular foods. Makes me realise that Singapore has the best food in the world and why i would suffer if i studied overseas. hahaha. Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Chwee Kueh, Pau.....Mmmmmm. The group of people were real fun and we ended up with the 2nd prize, although the feast was actually a good enough of a prize for me.

the group

The group again.

And finally, today! The big day of the skit where i struggled to remember my lines just the night before and changed a whole scene cause i forgot my lines. But it ended well and that's all that matters. hahahaha. I do hope the kids enjoyed the skit, cause it really wasn't easy to put on the whole costume......

I told you it wasn't easy.

Yes, i'm the panda

Master Wukui's shell is funny.

The animals.

Well, i guess that's about it. I'm off to Cameron with 5 other families and my own to celebrate Christmas in about 2 hours, at 3am. Whoopee. I'd like to think of it as a mini church camp, like eunice puts it. hahaha. When i'm back that would mean just one more day till the holidays end. Dang. Time to enjoy!!

Till then.

Fly away.

2008-12-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

Fly away.

The gang from yesterdays dinner.

Sunday, the day of rest.

Sunday didn't really live up to expectations today, the whole day was filled with activities that cumulatively, has managed to tire me out so much. I blame the tests for this; All my hours of sleep were lost there. In any case, camp starts tomorrow, and that's a tad too fast. Up till now, when i am about 7 hours away from the start of camp, i still don't get that feel. Kind of explains why my stuff still aren't packed. Little worries here and there that stuff for camp as a whole will be forgotten. More importantly, i'm excited to see God move in this camp (while i struggle to last for all services in camp sitting on the drum throne).

There's a place we all fall into
A place we think no one can reach
No ropes thrown in, no way out
Behind those smiles, lie so much doubt

It comes to a point
When whatever my posture, my soul falls on its knees
And i hear you say

Hold on, when the night is darkest
Cling on, there's the light we're after
If only you choose to see it
If only you, open your eyes
There's Hope

People say, hope it surrounds you
But you're never, never quite that sure
But a voice, it finds its way to you
Take the chance, or let it pass you by

Broken, whole again
Empty, filled again
Captured, freed again
Fallen, picked up again

Alright, time for bed. Need all the sleep i can get, cause camp will only mark all the sleep i can't get. Out, 15th-18th Dec yo.

P.S. Future me, i'm keeping an eye on your every move from right down here.

Till then.

2 weeks, 14 days, 336 hours.

2008-12-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

2 weeks, 14 days, 336 hours.

Today was plain draining, for the fact that i reached church at 10am and only got home at 11pm. Musician practice for youth camp sessions in the morning, lazing around in the sanctuary trying in hope of squeezing my brain juice out together with rach, leaders' meeting and dinner at Cartel. Thank God we chose to go to the one at Marina, the group was huge. Alright, my church isn't all that big, so recording a strength of 17 is quite a feat i would say. Shawn came along too, and he, he has neh neh pok. He's so buff now, the vampire slayer. David claims he could probably "kiap" a crab gong there in his deep v, and crack it. hahahahahaha.

So, i was talking to will the other day, about blogs, which he's going crazy over now by the way. Many of us start blogging, for so many reasons, like, "Everyone's into it, so i'll do it", " I wanna share my pictures", "My life deserves to be known", "I want the attention". Some reasons are just plain stupid, what was your reason?

Well, my reason, was mainly because it'll be fun to look back. Won't it? I mean, grab your old journal now if you have one, read it. Look at yourself 7 years back. Listen to yourself 5 years back if you have any chance to. And now that your hour of laughter and stupidity is over, wouldn't you wanna see yourself now 10 years down the road? hahahaha. A classic, and imagine the irony when i read this post, and future me, who would most probably be laughing away, starts to realise that current me actually thought about this already.

So, to future me, where ever you are right now (I hope you'll be in a mansion, with a really hot wife laughing beside you now, having to run over to the kids' room anytime should your youngest kid cry cause 8th brother bullied him and while reponding to the pleas of help, pass by a room with my dream drumset. Of course, i also hope to see that you have taken a step to control that weight of yours.), I am sorry but you have just been exposed. In case you are laughing at me right now cause i look so darn stupid to you with my long hair, i want to let you know, that i am laughing first. IN YOUR FACE.
"hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahaahah"
Take that future me, haiyah!

Dang, i just realised you still get the last laugh. Oh well. I tried.

Till then.

Saboteur!!

2008-12-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

Saboteur!!

And the much awaited holidays has finally arrived. So much for all the excitement towards the end of the exams. It always like that isn't it, the very typical "can't wait for exams to be over' feeling and then "BUM!" (hahahaha. rach and bernie if you're are reading this, i really feel like bum-ing now), it hits you, its just the end of exams, you still have a whole rubbish dump of work ahead of you. But of course, it isn't all bad when you remember you have tons of episodes of serials to catch up on.

The week of exams has been a week of discipline for myself, mind over body. Everytime i consider to keep my notes and pretend i'm ready for the test, it hits me that i really want to get my ass into a reputable university be it local or overseas, and i start to go through my notes again. "Come on Marcus, whats a night with only 3 hours of sleep compared to a whole life of nights regretting your decision to sleep and not study". I make sure my brain starts functioning before each paper by being in school 2 hours before every paper to do an individual self revision. Before that sounds super loseric to you, i believe it was worth it, although it seems a little extreme. But it feels good, for the very fact that i do feel a sense of accomplishment. Hopefully the results will exemplify that feeling too.

So, after the paper today, which ended at 12pm, the bunch of us from marketing decided to call the business students just to mock at them cause they still had a paper later in the afternoon. A classic i would say. hahahaha. Just that little tingle in your stomach and tickle in your belly when they get so frustrated you called them just to laugh, and really laugh we did. They say with friends like that, who needs enemies?

Lunch and then to the movies with rach, A, kat, sam and meichin who by the way, is keeping it for her cousin. hahahahahahaa. We ended up watching "Bolt" instead of the almighty, awesome, highly rated, talked about "Twilight" which everyone is going nuts over. And it wasn't bad, not at all. Kat and rach (im going to have to expose you) actually thought Bolt was a show about a hamster. Publicity in this case can be said to be unclear and marketers should work to.......

Ended up at rach's house at night. Seriously, i don't get why everyone is going ga-ga over the 9 o'clock show. Other than the fact that its really funny cause they use the really traditional terms to call each other like nya nya, i find nothing really interesting about the show. Dang. Supper with Bernie, rach and her bro who gave in to following us, at Simpang, which made me realise how much of a spoilt kid i was, owning every kind of toy. "Super soaker, laser somthing (the one you wear a detector and hold a gun), every kind of controller you can have for PS (dance mat, steering wheel)" hahahahaha.

Was it yesterday, or at least one of the days in the week, that i saw these words ptinted on a guy's t-shirt:

"Give God what's right, not what's left."

Wow was all i could say, and not only because of the pun.

Hope for Monday's getting a little neglected. Aiken stepped in and penned down some lyrics for a song. We've got a skeleton. All we need to do now is to feed him till he's as big as me. We'll make it big. GEDDIT GEDDIT!!!! hahahahahaha. 5 songs to record and we'll send them in or audition for baybeats. If God permits, everything permits.

Well, i gotta get up at insane 8am tomorrow to head down to church for musician practice for camp. Considering the amount of sleep i have had for the past few days and the fact that its 230 right now doesn't really help. I'm off to hit the sheets, peace out yo. hahaha.

Till then.

The-cember

2008-12-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

The-cember

Well, the past few days have been kind of mundane for the fact that there was this impression of the tests being really close. Ok its not an impression, its for real. And i remember the words of the lecturer saying that marketing was a non-examinable course. Suddenly tests start jumping out of nowhere. Trust the lecturers to be able to market Marketing so well (geddit geddit). Should have read the fine print somewhere.

In any case, just like everyone else that blogs when their exams are nearing, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE EXAMS TO BE OVER. The 2 week break's fully packed with plans, and not the kind that you think you have but when the holidays really do come, you realise you have nothing to do. I love Dec. Youth camp, trip, Christmas, cousin's wedding and of course, who could forget the new year. That also means a truckload of things to do. Whoever came up with exchanging of gifts for Christmas. Wouldn't be surprised if he/she was starting to regret it.

2009's well on its way to all of us. A new year. Remember celebrating the millenium? Just when i was getting myself adjusted to writing down my dates to end with "2008". So what is it with the new year? I've never actually followed the traditions of writing new year resolutions but i do try starting some things afresh. Somehow, poly just dosen't allow that with our semester's only being in its midway during the start of the year. Of course, there are still things to look forward to. (:

Suddenly i remember that i gotta get back to studying. It's szeying's fault. She just asked if poly exams were around the corner. Bummer.

Till then.

The in-sain rain.

2008-12-04T04:13:00.000-08:00

The in-sain rain.

The monsoon season is definitely making its presence known. From a sunny hot afternoon before i entered the lecture hall today, it turned itself into a monstrous storm when the lecture ended. Then it stopped, and started again. Make up your mind already. The weather sucks, unless you're all ready for a nice nap or have the whole morning to sleep in.

So, Will-i-am suddenly popped out on my bottom right hand corner last night. He claims he had just finished a drawing and sent it to me just to check it out, and sent a few more soon after since i asked. Going through his work makes me feel thankful i never considered going into anything to do with design. hahaha. I thought i had a flair for drawing when i was young.

Back to him. He is considering going into gaming and from my standards, he could be the head of Blizzard entertainment designing sector. He agreed to my request of remembering me when he makes it big. hahaha. Check some of his work out, he started all of them from a scratch, a blank white screen.

Nice.

Nice hor.

Nice right.

Nice huh.

Nice?

Tony Stark.

Alright this one's my favourite.
It looks real, surreal, yet so real.
He claims its not credible cause he copied it from a photo.
"SO WHAT", i say. From a scratch i repeat.

And this, is his favourite. The plain blue sky, with 2 birds. haha.
Looks simple, but i bet it took forever..

I'm off to do what i actually have a chance to succeed in, at least a one in a million. Individual journal due tomorrow, mid-sem tests next week, HERE I COME!!!

Till then.

bee-sy bee

2008-12-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

Bee-sy Bee

The past 2 days in school have been quite a blur. Somehow, there seems to be a million things to complete and so much time. At least that's what i'm feeling, which shouldn't be the case. There are 2 submissions this fri and together with the mid-sem tests next week, it's time to get down to work.

Sucks doesn't it, when the holiday season is so fast approaching, but so are your tests and projects. And despite having a 2 week break during Dec, it would be a sin to keep your mind off the projects. Dang, busy busy busy. In any case, when life gives you a plate of shit, use that shit as fertiliser, grow yourself some plants, rear some cows with the plants and ta-dah, you've got yourself a beef steak.

Just some pictures from the cycling at East coast and the trip to Malacca.

She claims she can't see anything when we ride together.

Shadow

So, everyone's getting their hands into photography, provided their wallet goes in with them.
RachTan tries hard with her semi-pro cam, and i don't think it's all bad. hahaha.

Arty-farty

uh-huh

The typical family at the beach, perfect moment.

Patience holds the key.

Alright lovebirds, stop considering having your next date there.
It looks good but there are rats and sea cockroaches running around, seriously.

And malacca.....

Breakfast

We visited a bee farm on our trip there.
Without doubt comes the itchy feeling of bees all over you.

Who's listening, check out the bees.

rach managed to get this close without a sting.

hahahahaha. I thought this picture was quite funny cause i just realised the man was posing.

The replica world cup trophy.

Isn't malaysian the same as local!?!!? hahahahaha.

Where did i see this brand before.

Even i don't get to dye my hair.

Alright, that's about it. We were supposed to get more pictures but the camera was sadly left alone in the hotel the night we went out, and so coincidentally saw a million great things to get a shot of.

By the way, I LOVE FACTORY OUTLET STORE, it is da bomb. hahaha.

Till then.

On Holiday.

2008-11-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

On Holiday.

So, I've managed to find a little motivation to do some of my work this afternoon. Not much though, but at least it was a start. Headed down to east coast to meet some of the church people for cycling. Short one at that though, real short. But it was fun, and thank God we didn't get into any accidents, despite a few close calls. RachTan tried to get herself into the photography craze everyone's jumping into and i have to say that jump looks quite enticing, not that i have the cash to jump though. hahaha. Shall post the pictures up soon.

Then it was the overnight movie marathon at church. Didn't catch any movies though, since some of us were at the other room with the guitar, blabbering to whatever vintage songs we could remember listening to. Stuff like M2M, backstreet boys, Sclub7, Bardot, N'sync....bla bla bla, you get the drift. And it's funny to know that there aren't any more of such songs in the scene. Shows you how much music can move. Time to start writing down the songs you're listening to now so you can laugh over them when you turn 35.

Left early for home to get some rest before the Malacca trip happening tomorrow, or technically, in 2 hours. Guess the rest will come when i'm in the car. This trip will mark the end of fun till the mid-sem tests are over, or so i say.

I found these 2 songs in my inbox when i came back just now, courtesy pris, and i have decided to upload them. Somehow, they appeal more to me than our live-recording. So yes, this is our band, Hope for Monday's practice session, proudly recorded by Philip and Priscilla Su, with Hinghwa's equipment. The quality's not all great and there could be some rough edges around. hahaha. But do take a listen and feel free to comment. (:

Hallelujah - HFM - Paramore

Bleeding Love- HFM - Leona Lewis

I'm off to kill a little bit more time before the trip. Here i come guitar.

Till then.

No funds, no fun!

2008-11-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

No funds, no fun!

So, Tues saw myself having to bear with the comments from others every time i walked together with kat. To make matters worse, she was my "only friend" for that lecture cause we went in late. Dang. How much more coincidental can this get.

Green and white all the way.

The day was supposed to be a short one, with one lecture and home for some more sleep. But during the lecture, my phone vibrated and i saw this message from Niki, in these exact words, " Marcus, my hse tonight on? :)" Boy, was i excited. hahahahaha. Geddit geddit.

Headed to ben choo's house after the lecture to get a touch of his latest toy, Grestch White Falcon. It's a guitar. Cool stuffff.

Down to Niki's house , exciting. But with the others and only for dinner. Awwwwwww. Anti-climax. Her house tonight on. Of course, outings with Niki, or more like in-tings (geddit) with Niki, you can always be assured of pictures. So....

Gather round people.

Pizza

is

served.

How better to let the food digest than watch a movie rather than taking a walk. hahaha. Ah long pte ltd's good. Local shows do actually have some credibility to themselves. Hopefully they'll make a name for Singapore's productions sometime soon, known internationally like hollywood or bollywood. We could be Pore-lywood. That's copyrighted, right now, tm and c with a circle around.

Beating the theatres hands down.

And where could you find a theatre seat that would allow you to do what i did.

Ah la la la la long long

The tuesdays, without many many otherssss.

Well, so much for telling myself that this shouldn't be happening every Tues lest there wouldn't be anytime left for work and stuff. hahaha.

Wed night was an expensive but worth it one. hahaha. So, the band met up for dinner to grab our recordings from yew jin (pronounced exactly like eugene. haha), just to catch up and also, to celebrate BenChoo's birthday. Our recording didn't sound anything like us somehow, a little digitised here and there. hahaha. But it was cool learning lots of new stuff from Yew Jin about studio recordings. Hopefully we'll be able to record one soon with his help.

We did the cliche-est thing ever and headed down to fish and co. glasshouse for dinner where we waited a million years for our food. Dang. It was really fun though, just talking, laughing, talking and laughing. There were a million birthday celebrations there that night and so we decided not to embarass ben. Seriously, so many that we agreed if there was just one more, the crew would go crazy. hahaha. Imagine singing that same song so many times.... Hearing it so many times is bad enough.

Pictures.

ROCK

ON!

Lem of God and his halo.

Traditional never fails.

Crazy food. C-food.

When you feel paying for service charge is just manners.

The bunch of us strolled down to Roomful of blues soon after dinner. No regrets heading there at all. The music was awesomme, as always. Gilbert and the band, entertainers indeed. It makes you wanna quit music altogether when you hear them, and the fact that they don't even practice before their sets makes it worse! His vocal range is crazy. To think we thought of getting up onto the stage to do one song ourselves. hahaha. Sadly gilbert mentioned it was by law that guests were not allowed onto the stage, before rach actually broke the liquor bottles with her voice.

Great company, drinks, music. LIFE IS GOOD.

Ben, myself, Lem. The trio, haha.

The live band.I guess experience comes with age. hahaa.
They're are crazy, seriously. Catch them if you have the chance to.

Hope for Monday, yew jin.

And of course, how could we forget, BenChoo, finally turning 18.
Happy birthday, hope you had a blast, cause our wallets did..HAHAHA.

Sitex is running, together with a john little sale at expo. I actually went there twice today. Crowds.

The next 2 weeks will be hectic with school. I'm off to take my bath and probably give myself a pep talk in front of the mirror to last the next week. "Marcus you can do it, you are perservering, determined, hardworking.......and crazy to be typing this".

Till then.

A dime for time

2008-11-25T09:28:00.000-08:00

A dime for time

I've finally come to realise that time isn't on my side. A million and one things to do.

- Projects, which haven't really been started on but watching every other group, starts the panic.
- Individual Journals, deadlines are drawing closer
- Exams, that are a mere 2 weeks from now and considering the fact that lectures have become talk sessions, it's time to start worrying.
- Youth camp, which is happening right after the exams, not good cause there are still so many things left hanging.

and these are just some of the more important stuff. There's still christmas presents to worry about and a bunch of other stuff.

The determination is finally starting to set in, it's time to start this semester right (after 5 weeks from the start of school).

Till then.

i SAT on the SUN

2008-11-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

i SAT on the SUN

SAT

Unlike as planned, i failed to drag myself up to go cycling on the early morning of Sat. Other than a few glimpses of Dad coming into my room to try and drag me out of bed, the rest was a total blur and before i knew it, the sun had already taken its place in the sky. So much for time to get active. The worst part was waking up and even having the cheek to have some of the "chai-tow-kueh" he brought home before leaving. And left i did, to church with one too many things to carry. Met lem and we reached real early cause i wanted to get my first hand touch on my new toy, or maybe feet. Dang, the tutorials on youtube didn't help much when i started. hahaha. Much practising to begin to master the double pedal. It's like being totally new to the drumset once again. Managed to make use of it a little during worship, which was fun with ben and lem.

Cell was all smiles as we shared a little here and there and talked about revival. It isn't easy being young is it. Off for dinner then to dau huay. It's starting to become a weekly affair. hahaha. Mount Elizabeth and Gleneagles.

SUN

Played for service today. Sermon was great, simple. Be desperate about your faith. God's a slow God, but God's a god that's on time.

SOCCER, exciting. Amazing what this beautiful game loved by so many can do to people. I guess every man has his own pride to keep. In any case, we won, but it wasn't official because the match was stopped due to the threatening weather. Which got even more threatening when we left the pitch. I thought i was gonna have my first encounter with an accident right in front of me as a huge tree came tumbling down.

Alright, it dosen't look so drastic, but you've gotta be there to feel it. It hit the lexus that was going across. Thankfully nothing happened, another reason to work for a nice luxury car to own when i'm older.

The house is feeling a little quieter than normal, or maybe just a little unusual. The 3 dogs have dropped down to 2. Pepper, the schnauzer that's quite like a soft toy, ready to take all my hits and still sit there looking innocently at me, is hospitalised. She has an infection and is suffering from low blood pressure. Dang, she used to be so active. Dogs start of just as pets, but slowly grow to be one of your family. They say you never know what you've got till it's gone. They're right. At least she's only gone to the hospital.

On a lighter note, i should be heading to Malacca this coming weekend. (:

Till then.

The cobra's venom

2008-11-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

The Cobra's Venom

First of all, Sam totally taught me the wrong stuff, if you read the last post. I now know its DIARRHOEA. hahahaha.

Morning class today was online which meant more time for sleep, but i'm glad i made better use of my morning today. Headed down to BenLim's house at about 11 to journey to Sweelee warehouse at sims drive, which technically was supposed to have a members' sale tomorrow. I figured since they were having a sale tomorrow, they'd probably give a good discount today, considering the fact that i went down with regulars. Ok those were just excuses, i had my heart set on the double pedal already. And when you set your heart on something, nothing really matters does it.

So, on the counter. Iron Cobra-HP900PTW. YAY. Got myself a set of new acoustic strings as well. Church was in need of a new snare, so that was picked up as well with a stand to go along. Ben was totally eyeing the steve vai signature model hanging there innocently, probably speaking to him in some guitar language asking to be taken home. Did i mention that the place was the bomb? A paradise of musical instruments and accessories. A million guitars hanging here, another million there, the drums section, percussions, bla bla bla. Pardon me, it was my first time there at the warehouse outlet. I probably overrated it a bit. The discount was good though.

Lugging the equipment along, i was off to school, all excited and butterflystomach-ish. Lecture, tut and off for dinner with A and D. Hokkien mee, cheaper and better than food republic. haha. Mad bonding time (geddit geddit). 21-ed home but fatigue got the better of me as i sat down on the sofa, and slowly dozed off. The parents arriving home woke me up. Another dinner, where i couldn't eat much cause of the earlier snack with the guys. Thankfully the parents came home late, more time to rest the stomach. hahaha. Dinner was awesome, took a trip to japan for

SUSHI!!!!!!!!!

The new toy.

Snake in a box

It's time to start practising and fully utilise this pocket burner. Also, it's about time to get out of this chair and start moving around to the gym or something. 2 dinners, not good at all. Gotta sleep now, early morning cycling with the father down to marina barrage and back.

Oh, the recording people from the SAC prom has our recordings ready and we'll get it by next week all mixed. Can't wait to get a hear of it.

Till then.

Food Republic-an.

2008-11-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

Food Republic-an.
(Sorry Obama)

Lecture today was off for some reason i'm not too sure of, but anyhoo, that meant no school. Tuesdays and Thursdays never fail to bug me every time i'm in bed, contemplating whether to head down to school just for one lecture, 2 hours, usually lesser. Dang, that feeling sucks, and always results in school winning the gamble due to the fear of missing out on something important.

So, on this thurs, my group members and i headed down to vivo and suntec's food republic to get a glimpse of their so-very-popular themes. You see, our client this sem for most of our projects is food republic, which by the way, isn't a food court but a food atrium, or so they claim. I was impressed though, with the vivo outlet, as we walked around and observed their designs. Down to the smallest details, with intricate designs of the olden times just to get a little closer to replicating the old times. Quite a spectacle i would say. Price-wise, do be weary as you would be paying for the different environment you're in. D would know best.

And how could anyone miss shopping when you're already there? The word "sale" screamed in our faces as we walked around pretending not to care. Of course, that pretentious attitude wore off in less than a second as we hurried to find our sizes here and there. Things don't usually work out at sales though. I didn't get around to buying much, other than a shirt. Was about time anyway.

D had to leave early for his date. Hung around with Sam and Kat just plain chatting and some singing. hahaha. And i have to announce that today, i have finally mastered the art of spelling this very troublesome and problematic word- DIAHORREA. Yes, that's it. Sam thought me, with the very simple way that teachers always used back in the day. Breaking up of the word. Dia-Hor-Rea. In your face.

The group.

Left soon after for musician practise at church. Small band, great worship. Somehow, i figured that the only way to get great music for service, was to care less about the music, but to flow together in worship as a band. And it feels good when the band does it as a whole. Bam!

Off for supper at lavender food square. Thankfully everyone wanted to go for supper or i had to da-pao something home. It was fun. The brick game, obama, bla bla bla. The best part- a ride home. hahahah.

Tomorrow's Fri, then it's the weekend again. I'd have to admit i didn't even feel the week passing by. Week by week, then its the tests again. Christmas is lurking around in the corner as decorations are slowly making its way into malls, mother's christmas presents are all ready (super kiasu) and this e-mail i found in my inbox. Check it out, it's quite hilarious, and true though.

(in the ever popular tune of santa claus is coming to town)

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:

Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise

Recession is coming to town

It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:

Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:

Recession is coming to town

I don't want a recession, it's christmas.

Till then.

2008-11-19T05:43:00.000-08:00

Home-Stay

My mother has been nagging at me regarding the late nights and my absence at the dinner table recently. I sort of realised the part about coming home late so often when i realised i had never seen the "par-sa-ma-lam" downstairs, which opened not too long ago, at its busiest. Just when i decided i should take a stroll in there since it's been a long time, i saw workers taking down the tents and lightings. Dang, the next "par-sa-ma-lam" will probably be another 10 years.

So, i came home for dinner today, Mum said it was western (how to not come home right). Come to think of it, coming home for dinner is the best option yet. Namely, no cost, good food and of course, family bonding. This is my place for dinner, Marcus' place. My name should be jack.

Clam chowder, salmon sticks, steak, potatoes and the veggies. MMMMM.

You should see the potato with the salad cream and bacon bits.

And of course, some pictures from yesterday's dinner.

Christmas hints its presence

<3

Niki, the star we all wanna take pictures with.

see what i mean.

wait,

actually, it was the other way round,

she wanted to take with everyone else. haha.

Brudder brother.

You can never destroy all of us A. hahahaha.

off we go.

M.A.D.

Food republic tour tomorrow for projects.

I'm supposed to be exhilarated now, or at least just now. Ben told me swee lee was having a sale this saturday, i budgeted myself out all ready for my double pedal and quite possibly, new cymbal.

2 min ago, he informed me the sale was only for members. Dang. Hate it when it drops from right up there, to right down here.

Till then.

Out-ting the In-ting

2008-11-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

Out-ting the In-ting.

The plan for ice-cream chef today was sadly cancelled due to the low turnout of people. The company was still good though, other than the constant reprimanding and disapproval from some parties which made life so much harder to live. hahaha. Dinner at Ajisen where niki recommended her Volcano ramen. Dang, i think the chilli oil was spoilt or something, my stomach dosen't feel too good, what came out wasn't too good. Off to starbucks soon after. Talk, pictures. Just a few of the pictures.

M for Marcus

Daron with his flair,

with more of his flair. Check him out at deviantart! (HAHHAHAHA)

So, if i'm not wrong, the O and A-level's have officially ended. Oh, the joy of ending the major exams. I remember mine, on that significant date- 16th of Nov, which come to think of it, was just 3 days back. The feeling to be "free". It's somehow overrated though, when you realise you actually have nothing much to do despite all the excitement in the midst of exams. Of course, the grass on that side is defitely greener than that of having school when others are having their happy holidays.

The uni people are either having or finishing their exams soon and will be having the holiday season like it should be- a holiday without worries. That leaves us poly students struggling with our tests in the 2nd week of dec, and having to worry aboutll our project submissions during christmas. Oh, the agony, the pain. hahaa. What gives. I've been a little worried for school since i haven't been doing much at all. The projects, the IJs, tutorials, nothing. Then again, it's not my fault, there seems to be no direction at all for the work. Procrastination kills.

It's time to pull up those socks and get on with school before the regrets set in when Uni rejects you. Huff puff.

Till then.

Trying to take back sunday

2008-11-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

Trying to take back sunday

Sunday mornings seem to be the tired-est of them all. 9am appoinment at macs for meeting with the outreach team. The mega sausage egg mcmuffin i excitedly ordered is nothing close to mega. Headed down to church soon after for service. That was the last Sun for early bird registration for youth camp. Do register if you're interested to come people. (: Lunch then dessert at macs. No wonder they're so rich, and still want to save money on taking the garlic chilli off, come onnnnnn.

GEDDIT GEDDIT?!?!

Off to settlers yet again with the church people. The lack of sleep seriously took its toll on me this time as i slept most of the time there. I was supposed to leave at 4 with the guys to play soccer but they were nowhere when i woke up. They probably left without me, BROTHERS. On the brighter side, i would've been too tired anyways. Enjoyed the remaining time with the traditional game of uno stacko, always a classic. Lem had to dance on the sofa and shout his name for losing. hahaha.

Home for dinner with some guests. Mum concocted a feast right at home, something close to a 10 course dinner. She would probably make it big in the food business anytime, but says no to it as that would mean she can't look good on her job. Girls grow up not to be women, but just big girls, yea they do.

School today started with a test. Goodness, and a letter writing one that is. Just when you thought getting out of sec school meant you got rid of that. Class was funny, as kat, D and myself studied ways to get higher readerships on our blogs. I conclude that kat is greedy with her views. hahahaha. Got a ride home from the parents.

BenLim said this on Sunday during service-
The dollar is doing less for us nowadays because we do less for that dollar.

So true isn't it. Things are suddenly starting to get so expensive, but its much easier to earn money for an hour now compared to last time. If i remember correctly, macs paid $3+ last time. Goodness, hahaha. You could find a job that pays $10 an hour now without much trouble, and without a qualification at that mind you. I guess its all just a simple cycle, get paid more, pay more. let's just hope everyone's getting paid more though.

Till then.

Early Mourn-ings

2008-11-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

Early Mourn-ings

So, the early morning on Fri began with class, lunch with the people, walking around a little (really) for CCN day and class again. I didn't have that much sleep the previous night of course, due to all the excitement from the event. The funniest part was waking up and actually thinking what had happened was a dream, for a mere split second. Got home after class to get some beauty sleep that was much needed, and to study for BTT!

Yet another early morning today, as i set foot from home at dusk all the way.....to the bus stop. The journey to Eunos was a half conscious one as my eyes struggled to stay open. I will never opt for another 9.15am test ever again. Dang. Lyd said she overslept so i had to kill an hour all by myself. BTT book in hand, i walked over to the hawker centre to have a drink and drill the confirm-forgotten-by-all-drivers facts into my head. I didn't intend to eat, but how could anyone not.

WHEN THE FISHBALL NOODLES WAS ONLY $2.
(seriously, where are such stalls nowadays, they used to be such a common sight)

Hopped onto the cab with lyd and we headed down to what she would call the cursed centre. The taxi driver was nice enough to wish us good luck for our test, not very common these days too huh. Press press press, think think think, hesitate hesitate hesitate, confirm confirm confirm.

YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW HAPPY I WAS TO SEE THIS ON MY SCREEN.

Quickly snapped a picture in all my excitement. As you can see, my hands shake when i'm excited. WOOHOO. Got my PDL as well. Getting your Q number called out is as good as winning 4d. Nearly contracted Asthma and Alzheimer's disease (laugh if you're reading this lyd. hahah).

Headed down to town to have lunch. Soup spoon. Tangy tomato with basil (no matter how gross that sounds) was actually quite good. hahaha. Lyd left for home feeling all tired and that saw myself heading down to church. Message, dinner, dessert, all good.

Rach passed me her thumbdrive today and i've gotten hold of all the pictures of thurs night! I shall post a million up.
Don't mind if i do- pictures speak louder.

So, on the band, we've got:

Vox: Aiken

Vox: Rachel

Guitars: BenLim

Guitars: BenChoo

Bass: Lem

Drums: Myself

Rocking out to the crowd

woohoo!

peektures

peektures

peektures

peektures

peektures

THE CLUBBING SCENE, post gig. hahaha.

Who else but.

Jump for hope!

Step by step.

The unhappy

*CHEERS*

Ok, that's a million. Gotta wake up for church service tomorrow.

Till then.

Hope for Monday; ROCKED OUT

2008-11-13T10:35:00.000-08:00

Hope for Monday; ROCKED OUT

And it's surprising that i've died from the hype earlier in the night.

God is awesome. Indeed.

We got to York hotel and were a little disappointed since we thought the whole SAC was gonna attend their prom. But whatever, the crowd was perfect. (: We dumped our stuff down and went off to relax for awhile taking pictures on the lower rooftop. Sound check. Things couldn't get any better. The whole mix sounded great. Off to change into our shirts since some of the girls were already there, all dolled and made up. And i'm glad we left then to pray as a band, God still deserves the glory.

Dinner! The food was good, and there were like tons of leftovers. The only thing you can be sure of in a girls school's prom i suppose. Next up, A FASHION SHOW, which was nothing close to making us vomit out what we just ate, if you know what i mean. You go girl. West grand went up for their set soon after, boy could they perform. A million things to learn from them. Humble, professional, cool and friendly.

Our set. Time to conquer neveousness. The crowd was awesome! Screaming and shouting along to the music and even dancing. Get this, someone cried while rach sang bleeding love. Yes, cried. hahaha. We did the cliche-est cover ever for a prom, graduation by Vitamin C. But I'm glad we did, you could totally feel the whole "I don't wanna graduate from SAC!!!" thing. And we got asked for an encore for some songs.! For a first gig together as a band, what more could we ask for. But no, God opens doors, and when he does, he likes opening many.

- We got paid even though we told them there was no need.
- Some manager asked for our contact so she could call us next week for other events.
- We got invited by West Grand to play along with them on their school invasion tour!
(You know, the kind where bands go to secondary schools to play)

AWESOME. All in just one night.

We've got recordings for the gig, a million pictures that char kindly took for us, and a whole journey ahead of us. I love SAC, i love the band, and i love God.

Here's a low quality snippet taken by aiken's phone of our practise. Shall post the recordings when i do get a hold of them. And the pictures too.

Rach on bleeding love

With west grand

HOPE FOR MONDAY

How am i going to sleep. I feel the hype again suddenly after typing it all out. AHHHHH!!

GOODNIGHT!!!!

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Till then. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

altogether now

2008-11-12T09:00:00.002-08:00

All Together Now.

I'm glad i wore my Wednesday tee today, because this will most probably be one of the most memorable Wednesdays of my life. Attempting to dare kat or sam to dance on the bizpark table for $2, I somehow became the victim of the whole story. So, for $5, i danced for 10sec happily on a bizpark table that will always be remembered. Ok, i didn't dance, i shaked. But whatever, we're only young once aren't we. I wouldn't mind my grand kids hearing their grandfather danced on one of the canteen tables in school before. Then i'd probably have a head start to looking cool compared to grandma. (:

Headed down to church for prac after school with the band to clear the rough edges and smoothen things out. Things are sounding good. However, rach made us realise that there would be girls leaving early in such proms, and the fact that our set only starts at 1045 doesn't really help. The girls would be walking around taking pictures with friends or making up where ever bad blood was found. Who'd bother about a band? DANG. Hopefully it won't be all that bad. It''s a pre-gig syndrome i suppose, there really isn't nothing to worry about i'm sure.
Is there?

The excitement is kind of stirring up right now as i think about what's gonna happen tomorrow. All the practises, how impromptu this whole decision to play was and suddenly, it's one night before the event. God bless us. There's hope for thurs.

We recorded our jamming session today, with little mistakes here and there that were not re-recorded due to the lack of time we had to use the place. If they do sound decent enough, i shall post them up.

So, i've gotten my hands on Niki's dslr pictures- 792 mb worth of pictures in just one night. To island creamery, to adam road food centre, to rochor for tau huay and to pasir ris for home. With outings like that, resolutions to lose weight are just out of the picture. hahaha.

Just a few more from yannie's 18th which i just received as well. Sorry niki, there's really alot. hahaha.

Island creamery

Cool as ice-cream

Yan ling is BEAM-ing (GEDDIT GEDDIT?!?!)

Tuck in.

Kids' corner.

Rach so tall

The musician and the teacher

If it's that hard to take a picture with me.

WOOHOO!

King kong roar.

Why laselle? I say why NUO-t.

dee- ass- elle- are

JUMP (niki looks like she elevated)

FLY

YANJUN'S 18TH

Who could resist posting this!

Take us birthday girl.

Yay.

D.M.

happy happy happy birthday

It's late. Goodnight.

Till then.

Monday chews they.

2008-11-11T09:10:00.000-08:00

Monday chews they.

The Monday blues in the morning was somehow interrupted by Niki, when i caught her at the bus stop while heading down to school. Which made the dragging of shoes to school much lighter since i could do it with a friend. A small lunch gathering in the afternoon which saw us pon-ning lecture happened. Monday's a tired day. Dang.

Lunch, at design.

I told you, Monday was a tired day.

An impromptu decision saw myself heading down to TM with Niki, Xingyi and D after class. D was awfully generous at Swensens, Niki regrets not bringing her camera, and i was feeling cold.

At swensens

Tues ended not too long ago. Although it was "gelare" day, the group of us decided to head down to Island Creamery all the way at Bukit Timah. Niki brought along the latest addition to her, her DSLR. Everyone's getting into the photography craze. But i've gotta admit it's nice to have a camera like that sometimes. I attempted to look like a "photog" junkie today. Nuo's the best at providing me with such terms. hahha. Shall post the pictures up when i do get them. Niki commented we took too many. When she says that, you can be sure you took too many.

I came back home adding on to the coins that were stacked up on my table and dumped a few dollar coins into my saving box. You see, i started this habit of saving all my coins by just leaving them at home some time ago. I would change them all to dollar coins and chuck them into a metal box which coincidentally says "a dollar a day". As i looked at the box today and carried it in my hands (it was heavy), temptation gave in and i broke into the box to take a kind peek into the coins. I started to count them and took guesses from my parents and sister. Dang. I was expecting at least 300. Only $297 surfaced. But i'm proud to say that i have saved that amount of money effortlessly. Do try it, when you realise you suddenly have $300 one day, it'll bring more that a smile to your face, probably a new bag, shirt, bla bla bla.

Stacks of 10.

Money money money, show me the money!

Linteng sent an email that really got me laughing- Logos gone wrong. I shall share. The pictures speak for themselves.

This was supposed to be "MEGAFLICKS"

Kids Exchange

HHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Tomorrow will see the last practise of Hope for Monday before our first stint at SAC's prom at york hotel. Rocckkk onnnn.

Credits to pris for the banner.

Till then.

And the week begins after the Week-ends.

2008-11-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

And the week begins after the Week-ends.
(geddit geddit)

First of all, i'm frustrated that i have to change my blog banner. Dang.

So, Sat began with leaders' retreat early in the morning, which took its toll on me considering it began at 10. Nonetheless, it was meaningful having the leadership to gather together, putting our heads and hearts as one in faith for the youth group to move forward. It actually felt like a tutorial for awhile when we had to conduct a SWOT analysis on our youth group. haha. We did put our stomachs together as well, enjoying the sumptuous spread of KFC and Subway for lunch. So, i gathered that change had to start from the inside before the problems outside could be solved.

Headed down to peninsula soon after to meet D and prepare for our amazing race station. The contestant at our station had to choose between wearing the ever conspicuous "contrast jeans" or choose to consume some leafy thing with herbs (i heard there was some tobacco). You see, it was Yanjun's birthday and thus the activity. The choices were just plain "unchoosable" to me and it's times like this you're glad it's someone else's birthday. She chose to eat it, a bummer, or she could have been caught having one leg white, the other red.It seems yanjun's birthday's always the hippi-est and coolest among all of ours every year like A said.

After the amazing race, we saw ourselves at pasta waraku having dinner. Which was actually quite worth the price from what i saw. $16 for a reasonable portion of food, and for me, that's gotta be really reasonable. haha. Maybe the experience was good cause we had a whole private room to ourselves, but i'll be heading back. And just when you thought the celebration was such a success already, there was more. If only all of us were born on 8th Nov.. Blindfolded her and headed down to esplanade just for her to be smashed right in the face with a banana cake. haha. And also to watch the video that jess kindly prepared for her with quite a few of us in it as well.

NO, it isn't over. Most of us headed down to siglap for drinks at some pub, can't really remember, but a nice place indeed. Played a variety of games for the losers to drink the opened bottle of johnnie walker. It was entertaining, i think.

It was a sunny and rainy day where i kicked marcus in the balls where it hurt so bad for him but i loved it and he had to drink a whole big tub of baileys which costs $38.80 at DFS harry potter flew but i caught him but he crashed into an aeroplane and died beside yanjun naked.

And so, the day ended.
Pictures

Pot, not bowl.

Lucky we got pot. Potluck, geddit geddit.

Gotta love rach.

Why dinner was great.

Un-camera shy

Girlssss

I thought i crashed the picture. Shiz.

Jess

Un-camera shy again.

Someone's not looking at the camera, tsk.

The cake, still intact.

J.U.M.P.

The people.

In any case, Happy birthday Yan jun. (:
We hope you cried when you watched the video alone at home.
XOXO

Struggling to get up the next day, I headed down to church for service where i played. It's tough playing when fatigue tries to get the better of you sometimes. But when worship settles in, things suddenly start to get better. Camp meeting after lunch has made me realise that time really isn't on our side. Camp is only 5 weeks away. That means exams are 4 weeks away, Christmas is 6 weeks away, and New year is only 7 weeks away! Yes, these facts are real. Time is money they say. But you can only use time to buy money, and not money to buy time. They say...who said?

Headed down to SMU settlers soon after with the church mates for some unwinding and making full use of life. The time with them never fails to bring smiles. Caught sher and zer at settlers, cool job, not so cool pay. hahah. But i guess there's nothing to complain about is there, the place is nice, the job's relaxing and i guess food and drinks are on the house. Home for dinner with grandma. Mum made stingray, mmmmm.

The people

Old school still tickles.

Dig the menu.

Edison chen

Zhe ge shi eunice

Leona

Dee Dee (HAHAHA)

Clockwork

Walk the talk!

That was the weekend. Monday's over for good. It's the worst day of my school week. 9-6. But there's hope for Monday isn't there? hahaha. (:

Till then.

Friday yellows

2008-11-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

Friday yellows

Today marks the first deadline for the projects. School has started, for real. In any case, the week has literally passed in the blink of an eye. Out of nowhere and it's suddenly Fri already. I can only remember one regret this week- Forgetting to wear my wednesday tee on wed.

HFM had our second practise today at church to prep ourselves more for the coming event, which is really coming. The event's next thurs at York hotel. Fast fast fast. We've got only one more prac and it's time to shine. But i'm confident it'll all turn out well, the band's awesome and our God's awesome. So, some pictures of today's prac.

My buddy.

The voices.

The red pouch isn't mine, promise.

The guitarrers. Stripes.

I got a picture with leona lewis!

Wrong pose, dang.

And what are nights without supper! hahhaa. Ok maybe not every night. Ever since rach got her license, we've been hitting places to enjoy late-night delicacies and to admire her awesome driving skills. haha. It's about time i passed! 15th Nov, i'd like to call it my passing date rather than my test date. Super supper!

When you need not bother about the bus fare petition!

Brandon, proud planner (and still planning) of marketing and friends.

Da gang

Shir

RACH OWNS THE WHEEL, while shir makes effort to look sexxay.

OK, it's 330 and i gotta wake up at 8. Only a nightmare will be able to wake me up. hahaha. time to hit the sheets.

Till then.

U.S. and US

2008-11-05T03:50:00.000-08:00

U.S. and US

So, Obama has won the election and is now the first African-American president of America. What is to come for America, what bills will be passed, what laws enforced and what actions taken to the current economic situation lies in a blur for all of us. As much as we say we will not be affected much by what is happening there in U.S.A. , we cannot deny that what is done will indirectly alter our lives.

A new president will never fail to make some smile, but also never fail to cause hardened hearts to grow even colder. No one pleases everyone. However, the fact that Obama had won the elcection by a landslide, goes to show the people have a made a stand, and a stand that has almost their life depending on it.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you we as a people will get there. "There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

- Barack Obama, part of his victory speech.

The speech was said to be a speech of hope, rather than a speech of much confidence. Hope. Sounds like someone's band.

On a lighter note, school still hasn't quite set in yet, but will soon, considering the deadlines in our faces. Supper yesterday night with A, D, Miao, Rach and Shir, without which school life would be so mediocreeeeee. haha. And also, some pictures from Fri night with jas, bern and yannie.

would you like a CUPPATEE

bernie was about to hit jas. no joke.

bernie covering her face with her best selling product, hard disk.

Doing stupid stuff

The company at cartel-
jas, bernie

yannie

where this, became

this.

Lem jus told me something he finds so hilarious he teared.

You know i'm hoping you'll sing along, though it's not your favourite song.

Till then.

Childhood sweethearts

2008-11-02T07:24:00.000-08:00

Childhood Sweethearts

So at church yesterday, or rather during lunch, the topic on childhood sweethearts somehow seemed to arise due to my choice of dials. It's always fun to think back isn't it, on that girl/boy you used to always percieve to be someone so cool, maybe mysterious or just plain jane-ish. How you would look forward each time to see that person again and plan exactly what to do, but when you do meet that person again, somehow you crumble down and nothing falls into place. And when that person leaves, you start reproaching yourself on how much of an idiot you were. Oh, being in primary school, or for some of you, kindergarten (crazy young pervs) was fun, fun, fun.

And now i start to wonder, wasn't it funny how your heart got pumping all so fast, you sweat and you started speaking gibberish when you saw him/her. But it was all worth it wasn't it? For that few minutes when you could see his/her face (HAIR STAND), at least during then.

I'd like to share what i call a sort of standard route a Singaporean kid would follow.

1. No such thing as gender difference, we're all friends. (1-5 yrs old)
2. You now know there's a difference between girls and boys. May find opposite sex interesting. (6-7 yrs old)
3. The opposite sex was the worst choice God had made! Gross! (8-10 yrs old)
4. You start to find the opposite sex really attractive but daren't admit to your similar sex friends. (10-12 yrs old)
5. Don't pretend you don't know what happens from now. (12-x yrs old)

Familiar?

Moving on. The band had our 2nd practise yesterday, which has somehow boosted my excitement and confidence towards the event since the songs are running smoothly and the second opinions were good enough for my standards. It's a miracle we're playing together as a band. Rach and lyd had to mention that a girl's school prom isn't really swayed towards our style of music though. And we can only hope. hahaha. Speaking of which, rachtan has joined us for the event to murder us with her glorious voice. Whoopee. I always wanted to snap a picture or 2 of the band but hype never fails to rob you of your to-do's. Shall do soon.

Rachtan claimed that she got bored studying today and somehow concocted this.

Yes, our band name is "Hope for Monday"

Why?
Yes, there is a meaning behind it. Jesus died for us and rose again on Sunday, "Hope for Monday" is just the not so literal version of the event- representing, victory and more importantly hope for all of us. Indeed.
On a lighter note, our music hopes to reach a level where we can cure a severe case of Monday Blues. hahaha.

Do tag if you have something to say about the name, i would be interested to know. (:

We finally have a band name after wrecking our heads. Now back to what drink starts with "U"....

In any case, here are some of the pictures from Saturday's cell outing at hortpark, which was something i really needed from the suffering of the first 2 weeks of school. hahaha. Hortpark's a nice place. Something different from all the other parks i would say. Get there soon before it starts getting dirty, like all the other parks in Sg. And experience the long treetop walk from there to Vivo. But remember to go with the right company, like i did. (:

Happy!

happy!

happy!

Forbes all the way

The tertiary cell for you

IMH

The best BTT partner, lyd.

Credits to kang for this picture.

Climb climb climb

Lem and i wave

Spiral

Mount faber!

Reader, me and Lem. Haiya!

And we finally reached vivo.

With such friends, who could miss the end year youth camp? Here's the pub video. EVERYONE'S INVITED. Seriously.

And that was the weekend.
I totally dragged waking up for school today, and it wasn't just the typical monday blues, but rather something worse. Well, looking on the brighter side, that goes to show i really enjoyed my weekend to want to fall back into the weekdays. (:

Right now, you're the only reason.

Till then.

Plastic Forks and Paper Plates

2008-11-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Plastic Forks and Paper Plates.
(hahhahaa.)

Fridays and Saturdays are undoubtedly supposed to be the best 2 days of the week. Mine wasn't too bad. Friday night with jas, bernie and yannie. EVENTFUL. Sat with the tertiary cell at Hort Park soaking in nature's gift while picnic-ing.

And that is why shifting my mood back to school, is seemingly impossible. Dang, I need a total paradigm shift. HELP ME.

Edna agreed to send me only a few pics of hortpark now since her SLR takes such good quality pictures, which results in enormously huge files. Shall post more tomorrow.

Sing your heart out!

This is why one should never sing in front of friends with cameras but only in the toilet. Behind closed doors, where the acoustics can only make you sound as bad as something decent. I love singing in the toilet, admit it, you do too. Take your bath now if you haven't, and rock the toilet out! Be sure to turn off your shower while singing though, with the recent PUB charges rising, its time to save some water.

Here i go, scream my lungs out.

Till then.

here i go

2008-10-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here i go.

So, Wednesday afternoon was spent at Safra tampines bowling. Its been an awfully long time since i last touched a bowling ball, lest had a strike. But the experience was fun nonetheless. Daron, Kat and Sam were the company, and make up almost all my groupmates. That means we're gonna have to spend much more time together. haha.

And the pictures...

I had no choice, it was a wednesday.

Behind every successful man is a woman

Dawn yeoh from chinatown

The mates.

And i just realised that i bowl funny

Overused shoes at bowling alleys.

The walk back to school saw the soccer star ronaldo alongside us.

10 years old, interest in bowling, and really with the name ronaldo. Kat and Sam claim he's my long lost brother.

Maybe, possibly, could it be?

Talking about school. I haven't been putting in much of an effort to get back into the mood of studying. Which always sucks dosen't it. The period when you always have to adjust back to that ever monotonous life of being a student, always looking forward only to the weekends and maybe anight or two out with your friends. Where parents are always keeping a lookout during your exam period to make sure you are hitting the books. And not forgetting of course the fact that your conscience sometimes haunts you when you cut some slack. Ok, being a student isn't all that bad. Wait, it is. At least for a poly student. The transport fare has recently been bugging me even more since the poly petition has been circulating around. And it sucks to know that we are charged adult fares when we are not even given a chance to vote during the elections. hahha. Hopefully the petition gets somewhere and they finally decide to stop squeezing our wallets dry. Or i guess i'll have to run for president.

Nothing particularly special happened today in school. The highlight was when the sun set though. Headed down to church with the band to jam and practise for the event at SAC. There's nothing like playing together with a band and roughly knowing what each other will do next from your gut feeling. And nothing beats hearing everyone together and realise that it actually sounds a little better than decent. Beside West Grand, what there is to expect, we'll never know. But i am sure God will follow through after opening that door.

So we headed to supper right after practise since dinner wasn't allowed according to our watches. The ride there (which was seriously not easy to get, an hour wait for a cab) was hilarious. I shall be insane and share it. Do get around to playing this game. Think of a category, such as countries. And follow the alphabets, each person taking his/her turn to name a country starting with that letter. So person A says America, person B says Belgium, bla bla bla. Lastly, go crazy. The taxi driver's black face wasn't a surprise with our roaring laughter.

Talking to eunice is enjoyable, trying to mimic how typical ah lians actually speak and type. She's an all natural. hahaha. i lubxx jiu.


10/31/2008	1:09:43 AM	Eunice	marcus__* mr. ree.	gen qi ta ah lian yi yang
10/31/2008	1:09:45 AM	Eunice	marcus__* mr. ree.	boring la
10/31/2008	1:10:02 AM	Eunice	marcus__* mr. ree.	yao bu yi yang
10/31/2008	1:10:05 AM	marcus__* mr. ree.	Eunice	wah. shou yi ni jiu yi wei ni unique la.
10/31/2008	1:10:32 AM	marcus__* mr. ree.	Eunice	wo jing tian gang gang xue de, unique zhe ge zi. hao yong leh.
10/31/2008	1:10:33 AM	Eunice	marcus__* mr. ree.	yea ying wei wo jiao eunice wo hen u-nic de

teamwork makes the dream work.

So true.

Till then.

You are all of the above.

2008-10-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

You are all of the above.

Sunday saw the importance of belonging to a church, and a church that can make you feel belonged, which is definitely not something achieved everywhere. And this was realised when i stood away from the crowd just for a moment, to appreciate the closeness and the happiness everyone shared together despite coming from so very different backgrounds, and generations. God is good. I'm starting to realise why God sometimes does things we don't seem to understand for his greater purpose. He gives and take away, but only to always ultimately give to us his best. I've always believed this analogy that i read about.

When an animal doctor cages a sick bear from the wild after realising its condition, all the bear can feel is a sense of hatred from being captured. And when multiple injections are at hand, the bear feels even worse. But what it dosen't see is that in time to come, all these are done to help it. In our case, we sometimes don't see the big picture, but trusting in our doctor's hand is our only best option.

On a lighter note, the afternoon was spent on the dry run for youth camp games. It was fun, getting all wet and soapy on a canvas sheet out in the field. What joy water and soap can bring. I shall let the pictures do the talking.

Check out fel's monkey face.

Flip-pers

KICKING THE BUCKET

For children under 12 years only, pulled off.

Strictly no photoshop.

Pass on the shaving cream!

Reader (HAHAHAHA, kang.)

Creamy biceps.

Beard papa.

Vandalism

The backyard.

Fire at will!

Today was spent cycling in Malaysia. Arose before the sun at insane 6am to head down to changi jetty to catch our bum boat down to Pengarang. 13 of us, braving the weathers on our bicycles to reach the destination where we would have our sumptuous seafood lunch. Yet again, we are unsure if we had lost anything or even gained. hahaha. The sun was a scorcher while we were heading back and the chilli padi that was churning in my tummy didn't help much. God was good, only allowing the rain to hit when we reached the jetty.

My arms and neck are a lobster red now. The singlet i wore has given me a nice sports bra tan. And i suppose there's some kind of exothermic reaction(haha, i still remember) going on as my sis could feel the heat when she was closeby.

I shall post the pictures if i can get hold of them. The experience was something different. Cycling in Malaysia. Lengths people would go for good food. hahaha. I managed to get one picture though, at the customs with my handphone.

Defiance at its simplest.

Some ducks need a float.
Some of us need to stop sinking.

Till then.

be right back

2008-10-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

Be right back.

An update to save the blog.

Quite a number of things have happened since the last update, and i regret not posting them up soon enough because i can't seem to remember most of it. Isn't it always so that once life starts getting a little busy, it suddenly turns hectic. And when your program list seems to be empty till next week, nothing happens. Life's starting to get hectic.

On a lighter note, i hate Kallang Leisure Park. Jo3 and i went to recee that location in hope of finding a park. IT WAS A FREAKING MALL. What an issue. haha. Why would anyone want to call a mall a park. Stay with proper names.

I am proud to say that the first week of school has been conquered quite well. Dang, meaning that school really is going to start now. When the tutorials, the work and the projects all start piling up. And sad to say, my flu hasn't quite gone off yet.

The chapel band from secondary school has once again reunited and in collaboration with hinghwa's guitarist, will be playing for SAC's prom. Goodness, and alongside West grand boulevard. God opens doors, sometimes too big though. hahaha. But thank God. Benchoo's message was comical- "Free food, drinks and girls." One month to the performance, with ben having A's and Lem having O's, WE NEED MORE OF GOD BLESSINGS.

And it is at a time as such that you realise how much difference your family, friends and loved ones can make.

Till then.

Careful, its fragile.

2008-10-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Be careful, its fragile.

Well, somehow this day has been round the clock for myself. Things happening here and there. Met Szeying for lunch to catchup and also for her to take a deserved break from all that studying. It was great. Headed down to leisure park after with jo3 right after. Shall talk more about it soon. Came home for dinner, went out with rach, bernie and miao, and then to the hospital with my parents. Life, fragile.

A shocker it was, or maybe still is.

How sometimes we tend to take things so easily till something tragic happens. "You never know what you've got till its gone." Cliche? Probably, but so true isn't it. And when a life is lost, all you can do is sit in a corner, and ponder why you never did what you could have, why you never resolved that issue with whoever, and/or why you were so careless to overlook things you shouldn't have. Lesson learnt you say. This is going to be one tough lesson.

Here goes, Mcron.

I've known you ever since we moved into the same condominium and realised we were neighbours through our parents. From the very first swim i had with you, where we nearly fought because i threw your slipper into the pool. It was green. I thought of how unreasonable you were, but it was all forgotten the next day. To the days where we rushed down to the pool almost everyday just to come back home all wet and dripping without our towels. It was fun wasn't it. We would wrestle to push each other into the pool, where you nearly always won. We would stay in the sauna for a whole 30min and rush out straight for the icy cold pool to prove we were men.We would exceed the 10pm rule and stay in the pool trying to hide from the guards, and when they did see us, shout for them to come get us or we wouldn't come out. But one day in the pool was particularly different, where you revealed to me your going to a church and accepting Christ. Was i glad.

Time went by and we got sick of the pool. It was the tennis craze season where our parents always booked the courts for an hour or 2. Who did i have to talk to if you weren't there? Then there was a time when we were crazy over fishing. Oh yes, we would go to the pasir ris canals coming back with useless little catfish. We upgraded to punggol, but our catch didn't, and i still remember you correcting me with the difference of "pungsei" and "baotou" since i got it all wrong. Boy, were you right. By this time, we were already studying in the same school, where you told me if anyone were to "find trouble with me", you would be there to back my ass. There wasn't, but i knew you would if there was. And this went on. You started on cigarettes, but vowed to punch me in the face if you ever caught me with one. What logic, but what was i to say. And how could i forget the one who gave me the ability to hone my skills on CS. Going over everyday because you had the game and i didn't. Eventually, since you've moved on to tertiary education and NS, we haven't been talking as much. But here and there, there were still little conversations, and help you would eagerly offer when i needed, like the 2 times you offered job openings for me.

Why in the world did i not follow up with your idea of us meeting up to catch up and just have fun. I guess the only thing i can do now would be to retreat and think about that in a corner.

A toast to a friend. Mcron Low.
R.I.P.

Till we meet again.

make or break

2008-10-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Make or break.

Living in a cleaned up room where everything's neatly placed is therapeutic for the soul. Or at least when you look at it from the outside. My drawers and covered up places are still in a mess with the small items and stuff.. I packed my room yesterday to get myself all ready for school which starts next week. Dang. I don't know if i should be excited or anything right now. But in any case, that means goodbye to random days where i realise i have nothing to do but sit at home watching streamed videos and getting nagged at by mum for wasting my life away. Its fun at times though, but 2 days in a row? Can't wait for school to start.

So, Sat again began with the morning cycle with dad and a few others. It would have been a healthy activity for everyone, if we hadn't visited Changi V's amazing hawker centre, which had every possible dish that could allow a break-even with the exercise you just had. Or maybe even a profit. Made my way to church right after to meet ben, pris and phil for tomyum. Yes, in like less than 2 hours after the breakfast. Don't blame me, check the picture out first, courtesy rachtan's blog.

It's along kitchener road. (No i'm serious, kitchener. No surprise it has good food though.)

Played for service, had cell, leaders' meeting and headed out for dinner with the biggest group since a long time in jg history. It was fun. Especially the train ride back home where some guy approached us asking if we were Indonesians. What the.

The usual sun with service (holy communion), fastest speaker in hinghwa history, free lunch, powerhouse, worship fellowship, soccer and dan's house. Oh yes, i got to wear my tee that says "Sunday". I'm starting to regret that i didn't buy the whole week's worth.

Oh, p6 chalet this Thurs, church youths who are interested, do tell.

As i was packing my room yesterday, windows shuffled me down to casting crowns', "does anybody hear her". I've heard it before, but it never fails to convict. Which really sat me down to think why i always hesitated when wanting to invite my friends to church lest something embarassing happens, he/she dosen't feel welcome. Hopefully that hesitation would wear off soon, before i really do regret. Is the church its own or God's? Check the video out yourself. The lyrics are a killer.

(youtube won't let me embed it, loads much faster there though. click here)

She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her

He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

Till then.

now what

2008-10-10T00:08:00.000-07:00

Now what.

My flu hasn't flown away completely but at least i've been able to wake up breathing through my nose, which is quite a feat for myself at this point of time. The week's been pleasant.

Giving out flyers with kang yesterday was funny. After concluding we didn't want to take the overhead bridge since it was too troublesome, kang came up with a nobel prize winner. Too bad they just announced the winners not too long ago.
"Instead of making the pedestrians climb, they should make the roads go up. This way, the pedestrians wouldn't have to go through the climbing."

When i turn 21 and get voting rights, any party agreeing to this would definitely get my vote. That is if i still haven't passed my driving, which seems so unlikely but ever so possible.

After giving out flyers for quite awhile, I've unknowingly started to take flyers from those giving them out. Maybe its just knowing how uneasy it is to be standing there, holding a stack of papers and being surrounded by the tons of people walking pass, only hoping you never saw them. Yes, it sucks. BUT WHO CARES, my pay's good. Which was why i had to check out the fred perry sale at ann siang. Nothing really caught my eye, other than a jacket that starts at 219 but after everything, slashes down to 88. The only thing stopping me- how often will i wear it and not die. Tell me fred, should i get it?

Nuo jus sent her fisheye pics to us and i realised i do have some pictures from my cam. So here's some pictures from the bangkok trip.

How the fishes see Bangkok

Leaving on a jet plane

Who's leaving on a jet plane? (notice budget's limited legroom. the leg had to come up.)

And you never thought they could imitate even this. DUCARE. More like "dun-care".

Get a freelance job right here.

Pretending to like the footscrub.

The people

More of the people

The BROS, with our free coke zero.

To top it all off. HAHAHAHA.

Off to rid myself of my long glorious tresses. Ok, maybe just a trim.

Till then.

fly. FLU. flown.

2008-10-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

fly. FLU. flown.

Just caught the news.
Current debate: Hair grows faster on full moon nights.
Could this have been debated a long time ago? I'd like to think so. The proposition probably came up with the popular tale about the werewolf. EXCESSIVE hair growth on full moon nights.

hahahaahaha.

Managed to finally drag my lazy ass to the gym on fri before heading out for dinner with the church guys at night. We were like a tour group going around sg after dinner. A fri night is the crowd-iest time ever. Timbre, dempsey, holland v and finally, we ended up at room full of blues. No regrets heading there at all. Music was awesome, what more could we ask for. Gilbert never failed to impress. Great guitar player, with a range of 3 and a half octaves (#%#$@!&^*, I know). Check him out at room full of blues!

The musician

Woke up on sat with my nose feeling a little atheletic. The air-con during musician prac didn't make it any better. Terence's message was something real, and i liked that. Dinner with church mates after that. The good part about being sick was that if i had went to lifehouse (which i heard was GOOD), i wouldn't have enjoyed myself that much. Ok whatever. Played for service today and my nose nearly dropped out halfway. Brother LT's sermon was simple, but ever so true- to love. Leader's cell, some street, first family dinner in front of the tele watching "The Island" and now.

Being sick isn't fun, at all. It's at times like these when you think about how great it was to be in the pink of health, where you would promise yourself to be thankful when you do reach that stage. When you imagine how ungrateful you were when every move you made was undeterred by a stinging pain, when your nose could breathe in as much air as you wanted and more, when you could totally enjoy all the food you ate. And you do get well slowly, and seem to always forget all about how you were supposed to be appreciative. Then in due time, you get sick again somehow. The whole cycle repeats itself. Till i suppose one day, you reach a point of being able, only to hope that you could get well again...

You can deceive everyone sometimes, some people every time, but never everyone every time.

Till then.

navigate

2008-10-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

Navigate

Just got back from musician practice and my arms are aching from playing the drums. Doctor says it could be the virus is attacking my muscles too.

I can roughly remember the total happenings of the Bangkok trip in my head right now in many bits and pieces but i'll probably just wait for the pictures before i do a proper post on it. The trip was fun but the last day didn't end too well for some of us. And i thought i was one of the survivors. Turned out i had a mild food poisoning.

Visited the doctor's on wed. The doc was real comical.
(the moment i entered)
Doc: Why did you have to spoil my holiday
Me: What? You open wan what.
Exactly the reason why some doctors are successful and some are not. His handwriting was still the same old doctor kind.

BTT test with lyd on tues wasn't too good. Figure it out for yourself.

My theory: Since ERP isn't really solving the problem of the ever-growing traffic in Singapore, the only way is to reduce the number of new drivers entering the roads. FAIL SOME EVEN IF THEY PASSED.
Lyd: The centre wants to earn more money that's why.

I'm talking to Aiken right now and he's crazy. I shan't post all of what we talked about. Reputations are on the line. Nearly reached the point of heading to St.James to catch Lifehouse with him this Sat but guess not. Hopefully there'll be another chance when they come down again.

I was on my way to persuading him to love math when he shut me up saying that was as good as asking him to love satan. Then i suppose aiken does love some parts of math. Because many of us claim we do not love satan, or much rather, hate him. But somehow, all of us do love some parts of satan don't we? Just as long as its covered up nicely so possibly Mum or anyone else won't see it. That master of disguise, sneaky one.

Dinner with Dan the giant whose back from Aussie and some of the church guys tomorrow. Tell me again why i shouldn't love the holidays.

Till then.

The sun will soon rise, again.

2008-09-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

The sun will soon rise, again.

I must say the conference ended really well. I absolutely fancied Chris Long's message during the Sunday service, Breakthrough in the midnight hour. Shows exactly how i feel sometimes- When you seem to be doing everything right, but everything's not doing it right for you. Paul and Silus had it all going for them- ministry, prayer.. but still ended up in prison. Why? It had a purpose, just like every midnight hour. The jailer and his whole household were saved.
In your midnight hour,
1. Pray and Sing
2. Be careful of your testimony
3. Be aware of natural and supernatural occurences
4. Speak the word of the Lord
5. Get ready to recieve favour from the most unlikely of sources.

Chris Long shared something else- God moment, a time when you just feel God is there, somehow. And i feel so sometimes, when certain lyrics of a song just fit so well, when i read a certain scripture, when i pray sometimes, when i.... You know what I'm talking about.

Donning the rich man city jersey, chris long for you.

Sun night saw crabs on the dining table waiting to be eaten and guests on the chairs surrounding it. My stomach wasn't treating me too well that night though, thus i had to resist another of those crabs after one not so appetising experience with my stomach crying out. Couldn't that pain come at any better a time.

Mon was spent at home relaxing and just enjoying life since the current holidays allow it. It was good but somehow on the other hand, boring as well. I wonder how some people stay at home all the time when its the holidays. Its obvious i wasn't made for jail.

A last min call before my bedtime from A sent us off to Palais Renaissance this morning to earn ourselves a little more before we head off to Bangkok. Being the efficient team we were, we finished the mall (at A's call) and headed off to Shaw for our long awaited lunch at 3. Impromptu decision to catch a movie with A, Mamma Mia. Aside from our self-speculation that we appeared gay, i must say i enjoyed the movie quite a bit. Some of the tunes are still ringing through my head right now, accompanied by images of the scenes.

Proceeded straight to E-hub to meet up with the Bangkok gang, which was quite a failure as 3 of them had to leave early. At least some main stuff like time to meet was cleared. It left bernie, rach, yannie and myself seen at pastamania grooving along to tunes while only rach ate her dinner. Great time talking about skatergal, spring onions, leave home and boss with huge belly.

In any case, life's been good.

Ben the man electrifying his life away.

Lem in action

Myself to da beat.

Till then.

need sleep

2008-09-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

NeeD SLeeP
(mr fuzzy wussy likes beer and not wine)

The lack of sleep has taken quite a toll on me recently that the moment i sit down and do nothing for 10secs, my eyes start to hide themselves to get some rest. Well, so the first day of the conference ended. Chris Long was/is the main speaker for this event. All his jokes were new this time. He's one of the best speakers in a way that he relates to youth so easily by coming down to the extent of making use of the young people's lingo when he preaches, yet still bringing the message across so subtly.

I learnt today that,

1) Playing drums for all sessions of the conference is tiring, both physically and mentally.
2) Your name means something and gives you significance.
3) Great things happen when young people say "yes" to God.
4) We were not saved by good works but much rather, saved FOR good works.
5) Being afraid to sing," I surrender all.." lest God sends you to Africa forever shows your perception of God to be an abusive Father.

6) Man u has changed its sponsor to the federal gov.

On the train ride back with the east siders, I realised just how bad fatigue can get
and why it is important to have 8 hours of sleep a day.

I'd better hit the sheets soon, before i go to such an extent when I take the train tomorrow.
More drumming tomorrow, my very own drumfest.
Bangkok's trip happening this thurs, SO FAST. whooooopeeeeeeee.

Till then.

drummer drama

2008-09-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

Drummer Drama~

I am supposed to be sleeping right now. At least considering the fact that i slept at 5 last night. I don't know why i even got up at 1030. Stayed up finishing up some paperwork for the new found job and somehow after finishing everything, i suddenly found myself unable to sleep. I vaguely remember hearing my sister's alarm before i fell straight into la la land.

$250 per mall. Sounds great but the job's not that easy. But i always fall back on the great part that its a "own time own target" kind of job. A and I are done with Century Square and we should be attempting our next mall after the weekends. Money money money, show me the money!

The past 2 nights have been spent in church for musician practice. Tonight isn't any different. This will probably be one of the few times i'll be playing for 4 sessions in 2 days. It got to the point that i already made notes for the past 2 practices to make sure everything goes smoothly each session. Hinghwa's holding its very first youth conference, whoopee.

I guess its just me and you.

I'm off to meet the guys to settle some guit stuff to make sure their equipment settles at tip top condition.

Till then.

Tell stella i love her

2008-09-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

Tell Stella i love her.

So this morning begun with meeting A at the interchange to head off to our job briefing. Didn't take us long to get there. The briefing finished in like less than an hour and A insisted on going back and not hanging around at least for a meal. In any case, i'll be spending the next few days with him at century square. Sweeeeet.

Mum and Dad picked me up at tampines to head down to Uncle Jeffery's bartender competition which was really cool. It was held at Suntec Galleria, Ooster's Cafe i think. The winner of the competition would get to represent Singapore and participate in the competition in Belgium. PRESTIGIOUS. All the excitement was great. The food was something to talk about too. Beer was free flow, on the house. But i only took one serving of it. Just to make sure i don't have to take the risk of doing things i wouldn't know about. haha. I enjoy taking small sips of it while eating but i don't understand how people could gulp down gallons of that in such a short time. Thank God i don't, or i would start looking pregnant anytime soon.

The event.

Jeff doing his thing.

Glorious food. Mussels, Balls, Balls, Fries.

The Drinks. Great stuff.

The bartenders actually have a thermometer to make sure the beer is served
at the optimal temperature. (Crazy, i know.)

So, this was what he got...

And more! Yes, first prize.

The awesome trophy.

There were jokes about banking in this huge cheque.

Went off to the airport soon after to meet Amanda for dinner. She suggested popeye's despite a cough. Managed to catch up and stuff while i peeled a drumstick for her (hahaah).

Till then.

Waiting for the moon in the afternoon

2008-09-15T01:39:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the moon in the afternoon

Going for a movie soon with a few church guys. Finally, I'm visiting the theaters in a long while. Not that I have always been watching online though, haven't had the time. Going for a job briefing with A tomorrow morning for a job about collecting data from malls. Hopefully it won't be too harsh.

Bangkok trip's happening on the 25th of Sept. And i just realised its really close after calling Jetstar (yes, we're taking budget) to confirm our flight. It will be the first trip for many of us together with our friends. Exciting. Pray for us as Bangkok's still in some unrest.

Ying yan told me 2 really funny jokes yesterday. My kind of jokes.

Qn: What is the tallest building in the world?
Ans: The library. Because there are many stories/storeys.

Qn: What is the strongest type of criminal?
Ans: The shoplifter.

Off to take my bath and head down to town. Thank God its the holidays. I have all the time in the world to watch the latest seasons of prison break, gossip girl and 90210.

Till then.

Blessed be Your name.

2008-09-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Blessed Be Your Name

What more can i say, indeed, God has been faithful despite the faithlessness i have many a times. I have so much to thank Him for. The grades, the family, the friends, etc.

Went to Church in the morning hitching a ride from uncle Marc as my parents were away, walking the kpe walk. I better start hitting the gym again before my parents outrun me. In case you didn't know, they should be part of the Guinness World Record that Singapore is pursuing, to have the biggest number of people walk through a tunnel carrying lanterns. Goodness, records these days, there should be some sort of filter to make sure only records that make sense get in. Seriously. I mean there are records like the fastest time to pluck a turkey, most cockroaches eaten, largest number of naked people in a single location, etc. Not so record-able are they.

Moving on, service was good. Pastor Jon showed the video of Team Hoyte during service again and despite watching that video so many times, my goosebumps still respond to it every time, trying ever so hard to push those drops of tears out of my eyes. Had lunch with Kang, Lem and a few girls. I'm unsure how we ever got to the topic of choking on ice, but kang, being ever so creative, gave a reason why industrial ice always had a hole in the middle..

"That's why there's a hole there, so if you ever choke on the ice, you still can breathe."

Kang's my give out flyers buddy at raffles place. It's a job we really enjoy not just because of the $11 per hour pay (ahahha). Every thurs and fri, kang and i will be seen at the mrt station shouting and giving out flyers. We are working for "headhunt", a company that headhunts executives. What's giving out flyers when you're keeping quiet. That's why we somehow got to the point of shouting which i did with Brandon the other time, saying things like,
" Don't let your boss fire you, fire him! Get a new job",
" Get that Merc you always wanted, quit your job for a higher paying job today!",
" Get a real Gucci today!" and
" Great jobs for everyone, WHY NOT??"
Some ang moh walked past me and responded to the last question though. "How about getting one yourself."

Before rushing off to the soccer match with Riverlife that was just 3 min walk from my house (yes. really.), had some fun with rach tan at 3rd level with guitar and voices. Futile efforts, at least from myself. hahaha. Don't worry rach, we'll get it right soon.

Took vincent's new car down to my house which followed with soccer. The weather was a little fussy, release a bit, then later a little more, then stop, then start. But whatever, the match had to go on. We caught up from a 3 goal deficit to a draw. Great job JG. And i am proud to say that finally, i had a part to play in the climb. haha.

Took a 3 min walk home for a sumptous dinner of pork ribs. mmm. Didn't get a chance for a picture though, its better than Cartel's. Haven't had a family dinner in awhile and it was good.

In any case, praise God for everything. The good times, and even in the bad times.

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your Name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your Name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious Name

Blessed be Your Name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your Name

Blessed be Your Name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
But my heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your Name

Till then.

Saturday the 13th

2008-09-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday the 13th

First things first, all glory to God for the grades i got this semester. Amenn.

Cycling happened this morning with dad and a few others, at unearthly 7 am. I was so close to going back home to sleep when i saw the dark clouds in the sky. If i hadn't already changed, my head would plop right back on to the pillow. Sure enough, down came the rain (and washed the spider out) which ruined all plans to east coast and back. We stopped over at Changi village for prata in the cold weather with teh tarik. Piling on the calories even before losing it, goodness. But i guess it was the weather's fault (Ha!).

Headed down to church right after cycling as i had to play today. Managed to grab some home-cooked lunch before leaving with the family, which brought me to the realisation that dinner with the family has been something so uncommon already. Thus, the financial difficulties experienced.

Worship was great. Its always nice to play the drums and experience God's presence at the same time. After worship was cell, which led to the discussion about honouring our parents. I'm glad that my cell (including myself), understands that no matter what our parents do, they do it out of love. Yes, even the nagging.
We talked about unnecessary questions that parents ask sometimes, which warren forcefully claimed, got on his nerves.

Example: When you just arrive home, your mum goes, "Come home already ah?"

And you realise that despite these questions sounding so stupid, we do ask them sometimes. It's supposed to be a tool used to strike up a conversation. I do ask my neighbour sometimes when i see her going out, "going out ah". Or when my mum's eating, "eating ah". hahaha. I think its fine to ask such questions though, unless you call someone's home number and conveniently ask, "eh? you at home ah??"

Had some fun with tunes after cell which then followed with leaders' meeting that totally coincided with the big match. Had dinner after the meeting and caught a glimpse of the match before heading home. 2-1 Liverpool. Hoorah to own goals.

YES. And now comes the fun part, undry, with pictures and not words (wait, but pictures are worth a thousand words, isn't that supposed to be worse?).

I stole from warren's computer many old photos from "long before your time". And they do make me just smile to myself and sometimes even let out a little laugh when i look at them. It is simply amazing what time can do to you. In the meantime, ENJOY!!!

Hello wet and steamy char siew bao face.
(That was my favourite shirt back then. You like it hmmm, don't you?)

Lemuel is da coolest rocker143. Yes ben. Be happy, you looked ok.
Love the 7/8 shorts alaster. When you can't decide between long pants and 3/4s.

My my my, you've lost weight joel.

We love you lester. Justus, i'm for sueing that barber of yours. Wait, or was it a grasscutter?

Hawaiann flowers always stand out.

We do not know anyone except leanne and pris. (psst, leanne look here, wrong cam)

THE HOTTEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
(Ivan, that's just wrong.)

Guess who?

Just realised i had a picture taken with him. Well, we still love you. No one's perfect.

Till then.

Jobs at Forbes!

2008-09-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

Jobs at Forbes!

Work is finally over! Yes, i was earning some cash over the past few days, not too much, but good enough to fatten up your wallet for awhile and cause a little grin. The company was good. They provided us shirts for the 3 day job, allowed us to cab down in the morning (we had to reach at what, 630am?!?!?!) and provided meals that go beyond any I've been provided while working.

And as the title mentioned, i was working for the recent Forbes conference, if any of you have heard of it. Not until after the work briefing a few days before did i realise that this event was supposed to be something really huge! I mean, Lee Kuan Yew actually graced the event as well, how much bigger can it get. hahha.

And i am proud to say that i rubbed shoulders with the top few CEOs in the world. I realised that wealth, as much as it cannot satisfy and provide true happiness, would be really nice to have! I mean, the place was so full of $, that the net worth of the people there was a 160 billion US dollars. Thus, there were bomb sweeps, high security checks implemented, bla bla bla.

I was supposed to be a mic handler. Which was quite a fun job as you could listen in on the speech, and when someone from the floor had a question, all you had to do was walk to them with your mic and raise your peddle so the PA could turn it on. And i did. It was a common sense job. I was lucky number one, to have to handle the very first question that was asked. A million cameras zoomed in on me and i was on the screen but there wasn't any space around me, so i stood beside the CEO while he asked his question while enjoying the paparazzi and seeing my face on the screen. You cannot imagine how much i tried to control my laughter when i saw my face. It's the times when you can't laugh that things seem really funny.

Example: When singing the national anthem or school song. (I ALWAYS suffer from that)

A really blur picture of the conference as i wasn't supposed to be taking any!

What the CEOs had for dessert

What they get when they ask for water

It's just juice (not justjuice but fresh juice) in a really huge block of ice.
Very common laaaa.

One of their many rides, that's all.

I WANT TO BE A CEO ALSO.

Went over to warren's to overnight after the first day of work so we could share cab the next day (Shangri-la is one of the most hard to get to hotels). Thank God i slept earlier than the both of them (kenneth was there too). Work started at 7 the following day.

This really caught my eye on the way back.
They have all the ideas.
MARKETING.

The next day began with a marvelous breakfast of croissants that were actually not meant for us. But what does it matter, we ate our fill anyway. haha. After the first session of mic-handling, one of the heads barged in as we were taking our breaks (which happened so very often, lovely). I sort of expected it. Ta-dah, they stopped me from being a mic handler cause of my hair. Great. Literally. Because of that, i was on my way to Sentosa Cove to help out with the Gala dinner. I had to follow the DHL delivery man there though, how cool. Lucky i didn't get fired. And i got to work extra hours as well, which meant "ka-ching"!

When i got off the mighty DHL van, i realised sentosa cove was a place with some sort of a rich vibe to it, really. Everything there was prestigious. Good thing i was posted there, i could finally see what sentosa cove was like for myself.

However, because i was in some hot suit (formal wear as i was supposed to be working in air-con-ed shangri la), the job sucked almost throughout the afternoon. They had this "glasshouse" which they stubbornly didn't want to on the air-con because of cost (It was a CEO conference, when does the word cost ever come in) . We had to place standing name cards on each table during the hot afternoon. I finally knew what the greenhouse effect really is about. The "house" was so hot, that under the scorching 2pm sun, when you exited the "house", you would feel a gush of air-con, which was actually just the open environment. Imagine the contrast.

After hell (literally) was over, the night proceeded to be really fun though. It saw faces like Jet Li and Lee Hsien Loong gracing the event. I didn't get the chance for pictures though. haha. Taking a normal picture would be a crime too if any of my bosses saw, thus, i only got a few.

How tight security was.

The walkway which was stepped on by Jet Li.

I like the little lights on the floor, they look like fallen stars.

Went with Rachel to send Avonne off after that.

The 3rd and final day. I took a cab down with my new found neighbours that lived on the same block as me. I have never seen coincidence in such a way, i mean, in the same block, what are the chances?!!? haha. I had to do registration since i was fired from mic-handling. And i did nothing at all that day. Awesome-ness.

I use Darlie.

Cheryl, Lisa, Me.
Cheryl's really funny. She didn't know knives were made of metal.

She blew me.

Warren and Kenneth

Me as goldfish

rachel and
(i forgot her name, one of the staff from hongkong. her office consists of her and her boss only)

Ok i promised to blog this, a conversation between rachel and i.

Me: David's wedding is next year, i think April.
Rachel: You realise we are all getting older cause we are starting to attend our friends' weddings.
Soon it'll be the other older people and then it's time for us to get married.
Me: Ya. (pause) You don't mean it in that way right.
Rachel: Whatever!

(After awhile. We were sitting with a table in front of us)

Rachel: I'm tired, i want to sleep.
Me: I'm tired also, let's sleep together. On the table.

hahaha.

Well, so overall, the job has been really great. Hopefully the pay comes in quick.
Last but not least, the food we had. It was a buffet style each meal. I think the job would have been worth it even if there was no pay! ahaha.

Mom said that breakfast has to be the most nutritious meal of the day.

CAKE

WARNING,

KEEP AWAY FROM SCREEN.

THATS ABOUT IT.
I'm tired. Cycling tomorrow at an insane time of 7am with Dad and i think a few church uncles.
Goodnight, marcus lee jing hao is off to bed.

Till then.

Xiao jie!

2008-09-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

Xiao Jie!!

Today was fasting Saturday! That meant no food, zero calories, zilch, up till dinner time. But it was worth it, because i did pray. And also the gathering of a number of us at 330 to pray together.

In any case, woke up quite early in the morning (considering it's the holidays) to go to church for a recording tryout session with Ben and Philip. It was fun while it lasted, trying out the stuff we could do. And i realised i can't handle the recording pressure. When i'm aware that its recording and when its not. Maybe i was really made to just sit on the throne, and smash away on a set like always.

The end-product wasn't spectacular, but there'll be other chances for us to work something out. And i believe it will.

Waiting in silence

Phil doing his thing

Ben unplugged

Which was followed by prayer meeting and jg. Aunty Lydia spoke today, about the 5th commandment, honouring your father and your mother. Hearing stories about how some kids abandon their parents when they grow up (and they are financially capable mind you) tugs at your heartstrings quite a bit. But what can i say, i'm blessed with a great pair of parents, and what more could one ask for? I believe they had their reasons, but afterall, parents still deserve the care when they reach that certain age, i mean where would we be, if our parents did not........

The commandment stated, "Honour your father and your mother..."

And the reason why God did not use words like obey, was because some people are bound to be asked by their parents to do not-so-good things. But we are to honour them, and that is different from obeying. God's really good with wordplay, so all you people going against the bible, prepare to lose.

After JG was the mid autumn event in church where mum and dad were acting in. As Joy would put it, I did my first act to honour them by buying them "popiah" when they didn't ask for it. hahha. It's funny sitting down watching your parents act, really.

Only managed to get my hands on pictures of mum

Helped out with a few guys at the end of the event to give out an awesome spread of polar cakes and pastry to the kids.

Really awesome

The night was supposed to end very well, till a very unforgettable incident took place while i was giving out the leftover chicken pies. Forgive and forget, forgive and forget, forgive and forget......

It is high time to consider cutting your hair, when an old lady approaches you for a chicken pie, and addresses you as "Xiao jie".

Till then.

Gotta love the holidays

2008-09-04T03:38:00.000-07:00

Gotta love the Holidays

The past few days have been really eventful and i must say this holidays has been really well spent, so far at least. haha. First of all, some delayed pictures of the "Hawaii Five O" party, where turning 50 is something to be happy about!

My hot Hawaiian mum

During the games

The 50 year olds

Waiting in excitement

In your face!

Payback time for the wives

Changing into just one of their many presents

Changing into my present

The birthday cake, with exactly 50 candles.

So on Mon, i had my first job experience ever working for a commercial sound company, Mastertouch. I learnt alot and i'm glad i went for it not just because of the good pay but because at least now i will know how to appreciate the crew's effort whenever i go for concerts! The rain was coming down hard while we were setting up at fort canning but as they always say, "the show must go on!"

I remember my shirt was so wet that you wouldn't be able to see it was wet. Ugh. All soaked in rainwater cause we had to do the lightings along the tent where the water would just drip down on you, and you couldn't move because that would mean you fall from the not so low ladder! But once everything was done, that sense of satisfaction like always, sets in as you look.

The performances were good. Bands like EIC and firefight played that night.

The event, "Glo for youth".

The sound and lighting system.

What you see when you're doing sound.

The turnout and when i finally get to see the lights!

After the whole event was over, it was time to rip apart the stuff and send it back to the warehouse all the way at bukit timah.

The view from the warehouse.

And of course, to get that amazing view, there has to be climbing involved.

The spiraling road up to the car park. It took the truck approximately 4 min to just reach the top! The distance was 1km. Poor driver.

Tues was greeted with dim-sum, dim-sum and more dim-sum, ala-carte buffet. That means you could order as many "xiao long bao", "siew mai", "CHICKEN FEET", etc as you want. And we did. We got a 10% discount for finding a cockroach under one of their bowls. Should have demanded for more. haha. But the main story of the day wasn't the food but niki's obsession for pictures. I mean, pictures are nice but when you see someone like niki, you know your appreciation for pictures just isn't there.

Some things she said that tells you she has a burning passion for pictures.
"Today, my target is 100 or more pictures"
"I think if we lie down on the hotel floor it will be very nice"
"That's not my angle"

Of course without people like that, where would the pictures be. So good on you.

The waitress took this for us. Xing Yi left early.

Girlss

Niki professional self-timer

Yet again.

More

Even more

I like this shot, though my
head looks twice shirline's

Niki says, "nice".

nice

nice

Adriel's gutee looks humongous! (its another person's head)

Disclaimer: Not kissing her finger.

After which, i went over to ben's at night to celebrate his 18th birthday.
(the one with the crystal chandelier and all the money in the world).
Shall post up the pictures soon once ben sends them to me.

And i am on a desperate attempt to alter his fashion sense. hahaha.

Food there was great. Prawns with garlic and cheese. mmmmmmm. A few aunties from church joined forces to whip up a meal even someone who was at a dim-sum buffet earlier in the afternoon couldn't resist. Stayed over at his house and our sad attempt to record some stuff failed due to me giving in to my fatigue. Hopefully there'll be another chance.

Left early afternoon the next day for home for a cycling trip down east coast with the
NAT GEO ADVENTURERS (sorry nuo. i had to say it. hahahahaah). We braved the storms, literally, and cycled down to east coast to have dinner and crash niki, yan jun, vmay, xing yi's class bbq. Rach braved much more than we did though, at the lagoon hawker centre.

Cycling's really nice when everyone has a decent bike, but yesterday, rach mum's bike (those kind you ride to the market or see people riding) was used too. And that made everything alot harder. Thank God we sang songs on the way or anyone on that bike would have died. The trip back was gruelling but anyhow, its fun hanging out with the bunch of them.

Rach, A, Nuo, Bernie

Went cycling again with Dad just now. My legs are seriously killing me.

Oh. Stayover at philip's on thurs for fishing was great. That quiet person always doing sound is actually really wise. hahaha. But thanks boy, we really appreciate you.

Do you want to go to heaven because you want to be with God forever,
or only because you don't wan to go to hell? - Philip Su

His comment on the recent mike G case was awesome as well, using the bible for reference.
If you ever found Mike G to be a hypocrite, a liar, whatever, everyone makes mistakes and i believe he had a reason for it. Leave it to God and don't dwell on it. Whatever the case, if he has ever reached out to you in any way especially through his "life changing story", continue to believe.

Philipians 1:15-18
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so on love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Chirst out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while i am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or ture, Chirst is preached. And beacuse of this, i rejoice.

Good bye everyone, i'm going to bathe.

Till then.

Dalk Can't Wog

2008-08-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

Dalk Can't Wog

My dog can't walk as per normal, or at least just one of them. Mum insisted on a new bed recently and like all mums that complain to their husbands, managed to get one. Its really high and now the dogs can't jump up onto the bed. Ken-ken learnt how to though, when we pushed a stool beside the bed and she used it as her stairs. Pepper didn't, but we brought her up anyway. I didn't see what happened but pepper jumped off the bed and currently, she's walking on 3 feet.

If you've ever watched the Bruce Willis show "The kid", where a group of boys bullied a dog walking on 3 feet called tripod, that's exactly what's happening. It's really cute but after awhile, you start to feel the hurt as well. Hopefully when mum brings her to the vet she'll get better.

That's her. Simon says put your right paw up.

I.C.U.

Oh, at dad's 50th celebration, i got to drink my favourite mix.

Redbull with vodka

And i suddenly started to think. Redbull keeps you really awake, while vodka with its alcohol content can get you a little whizzy. But put them together...TA-DAH! The vodka balances with the redbull and its a normal drink. hahahaha. Really nice anyways.

Till then.