If you found out

If you found out very specifically that you had EXACTLY 24 hours left to live. To the second, what would you do? You are very sure that there is no hope of rescue and in fact, these 24 hours are a gift when your body will not fail you in any endeavour you might have. You will not feel ill in any way till the alloted hour is up. How would you spend these 24 hours?

I think this would be a very interesting question. The manner one would spend the precious moments left will definintely change with the years. What I choose to do with my remaining time now will not necessarily be the same if I ask myself the same questions 5 years down the road. This shall be my little project then. Every 5 years I shall ask myself this very question again, on the end of the year. Let's see, what happens. And so... on with this year's... ending notes.

I find out at 7am in the moring:

1. As any normal human being would, I will need some time to reflect when this news is broken to me. Time to think back on how this short life has passed and what I have managed to do these past 23 years. At this point in time, I think I will not let anyone know of my impending departure. I do not wish for anyone around me to treat me differently just because the end is nigh. Sorting out my piority and getting myself into the right frame of mind to do this last rite of lifehood.

time left: 23 hours (8am)

2. I would have breakfast with my mother and talk to her over the meal. Ask her how is work, business and the guys chasing after her. (My mom is not one for lack of suitors, known that since MRT first rolled out in Singapore) Do the dishes and then send her to work. Talk to her again on the way to Mandai in the car. Times have been tough for everyone in the family and it helps everyone to know there's someone who still bothers.

time left: 21 hours (10am)

3. Getting home from Mandai, I would call my financial planner and ensure that all my assets are in place. Having made sure of that, a check with the company's lawyer to make certain that my will is drafted and properly handled. At this point in my life, I have no family to care for and as such, I will be leaving half of my remainings to my younger sister. There is the added clause that she will only be able to use the money for the following reasons: To finance her own education, a HDB flat, medical fees and/or those of her children (my nieces and nephews basically).

That done, I will be giving $5000SGD each to Ling, Uncle Han, Auntie Heok, Auntie Yang, ML and RB. Ling's just started work and things aren't too easy for her financially. Hopefully a little aid in her attaining financially stability will ease her stress load a little.

Times are hard for my Uncle and Aunties as well. Especially so for my Uncle in New Zealand. Their household has to depend on his wife as the sole source of income at the time being and living in a rented house all the time can't be nice. Hopefully with this little cash he can go and get something nice for the 2 kids, his wife and himself.

Whatever may remain, I will be leaving for my Mom. She doesn't really need the money, but since I can't be around anymore, this the least I should give back to her for all the hard work she's done through the years for my sister and I. Dad, I am not worried about. He has more than the needed cash reserves to retire comfortably in a few years time.

That settles the money. I hope. A will should make things neater. Not like the mess that ensued when my grandmother and then my grandfather passed on. That was ugly.

time left: 20 hours. (11am)

4. I will try to meet Ling for lunch at Mohd Sultan.

Try I say. Why?

It's not a guaranteed thing that she will be able to meet me for lunch. Work is a piority for her right this moment. Not much of a choice there, considering the line she is in. Long hours, commitment and fatigue is piecemeal. All the more so since she just got confirmed by her employer and will be expected to perform up to or even above standards. They have got high hopes for her I think. Workaholic my is my gal's middle name. :) Alchie is her last, in case you were wondering.

Even if she should not be able to make lunch, would still pop by at lunch time to give her a slice of cake in a box from one of the places she likes. Just because. I lie. It is because I would still like a glimpse of her even so. On my last day. Hopefully she won't be irritated at my impudence and demanding ways (which should surprise her a little) and I will get a last hug and smile as she totters back up the stairs she just came down from. Inside the box there will be a chic little card accompanying the cake, inviting my Darling to a dinner that evening that will totally cooked and prepared by me for her, my mom and my sister. The 3 girls in my life.

time left: 17 hours (2pm)

5. Grocery shopping in preparation for the final dinner. Thinking of the menu (might as well indulge myself since I do like cooking) I will probably do my Japanese Hamburgers. The ones that have both pork and beef in them with bread to help hold them together. The braised pork ribs that I recently mastered (they really taste like divine Kung Bah but without the fat from the pork belly). Flash fried broccolli with carrots and mushrooms because everyone I'm cooking for loves them. Especially Ling. Will also cook some Xiao Bai Cai with garlic because I have always liked some leaves in my meal. Will order those cute little cups of tiramitsu from www.tiramitsutra.com for dessert. Will have to start marinating the pork/beef combination the moment I get home if they are to have any flavour after baking in the oven.

time left: 15 hours (4pm)

6. I will have to be cruel and stick to this, but I will be only calling 2 people to have a chat with them. I only have so much time (24 hours to be exact) and will be talking to each of this person an hour each. Piority goes to my Uncle Han since it is not possible to meet him in person. Should he not be available, I will move on and call the following people in the following order until someone is free for that hour. Patricia, Bao Guang, Angel, Desmond, Nerissa, Roger, Hui Zhen, Dad and lastly Winnie. Should no one be free, I will go and shoot hoops until these 2 hours are up. Then it'll be time to put the burgers in the oven and start cooking for dinner.

time left: 13 hours (6pm)

7. Time to get everything together for dinner. The burger will already be baking in the oven and I will have to start on the pork ribs first as they have to be braised. I prefer to stand over them over the first 30 mins as this is the most crucial period in the braising process. Once the sauce is properly done and simmering away, I will transfer the ribs and sauce into a slow cooker to let the flavours grow and gain more body on low heat. ABSOLUTELY no more boiling from then on. With 30mins left, it will be just nice to fry the vegetables, cook the rice and take the burgers out just before serving. Stick the 2 plates of vege into the oven, check the burgers are cooked, turn the heat to low to keep things nice and warm and go take a shower before Ling, Mum and Sis arrive for dinner.

Time left: 12 hours (7pm)

8. Dinner will be a quiet affair. With the 4 of us at the dining table, just unwinding from the day. Slowly eating a nice (I hope. Everything should turn out fine. These are tried and tested dishes of mine) home cooked meal and letting the knots ease out of the muscles. Random conversation. Commenting on interesting stuff that might have occured in the day. A nice, homely dinner. Great way to soothe a tired mind at day's end. Time always seems to fly by when at the dinner table.

time left: 10 hours (9pm)

9. Ling and I will retire to my room after dinner. As is usually the case when I am around, I am sure Ling will be stuffed and her tummy satisfied. She can finally let loose and relax for the day. Lying on my bed. Cheekily slipping under covers, knowing full well she doesn't need my permission, but asking just the same. Maybe we'll watch some anime, maybe not. Maybe she'll snuggle up to me in bed and fall asleep. I would be blessed and be able to hear her mumblings and breathing while she slumbers. One Last Time. Kiss her ever moving eyes, closed or not. Breathe in the perfume of her. Feel the warmth of her touch.

Before too long, she would awake and tell me she has to get home. Work on the 'moro you see. I drive her home and kiss her goodnight. And Goodbye.

Time left: 7 hours (12am)

10. I would make a quick detour to Chinese Swimming Club. I am very sure that my Dad will be there playing Mahjong, winding down with the last game of the night, as has been his practice for the past decade or more. A few games of pool, a few shots of whiskey, the kind of things I usually do with my Dad. Won't do anything out of the ordinary with him, lest he suspects. A cop will always be a copper. Talk to him about life and listen to him about his women problems abit before calling it a night. It gets tiring when you have to advice your own Dad. Even more so when he doesn't take it.

Time left: 5 hours (2am)

11. Drive to Jook. Call the boys (ML n RB) out to supper, go 7-11, whatever. Will talk crap with them and have a good laugh. Maybe shoot some basketball, just for fun, nothing that would break a sweat. Being with them is always a laugh. I live in the east as much as I live in AMK. We will finally tire and say our goodbyes, but by then, hours will always have gone by without us realising. 3 hours tonight might be stretching the limit for us, but we've been there and done that. Won't be the first time we "talked cocked" till the wee hours.

Time left: 2 hours (5am)

12. Drive to Upper Seletar. My favourite hideout in the whole of Singapore. I'll climb that tower and let the sight of the water and trees calm my soul. I have no idea what will be going through my mind for the final 2 hours. Never been in such a situation. I'll just... Stone. Watch the waters turn blue along with the sky. All the colours in the world coming to life along with the Sun as mine comes to an end. With the Sun fully risen, I'll send a "Good Morning" txt to my darling Ling to say I love her and maybe, if my maker is merciful, I will breathe my last with the sending of that message.

Time left: zero (7am)

Thresholds (1)

Hello there old friend. It's been a long time, back to visit again?


Yes, it has, hasn't it? I believe it was in secondary 2 that we last met? When your youngest Aunt passed away, wasn't it?


That's how long ago it was? I didn't even realise. So, why are you back again this time? Unfinished business?


Oh well... you know me. My business with you is never finished. Hey, it's not like I want to be here you know? You summoned me. I suppose... It is inevitable from the string of events going on in your life.


Hey hey, I didn't exactly invite you either. You just... Came! Yes, I know my thoughts have not been exactly healthy of late, but like you said, can you blame me for my state of mind? It's just a reaction to the circumstances around me, is it not? Even though I can accept you as part of my life, doesn't exactly mean that I want you to be. I would be more than happy to see the back of you, thank you very much.


And I to show it to you, young Master. You, of all people, should know that the link between us is such that the phrase "Unto death do we part" is a mockery. Either you die or dispel me back into the abyss of your heart I call home. Even then, you know I will return. If only to congratulate you for what you may or may not have accomplished as the bells of time keel out your death toll. I exist only because you do.


Be gone then! If your existence is dependent on mine, I demand that you leave me at once in peace.


Alas...It is you who will not let me go.


Blasted creature, you torment me so. For all the raging emotions you stir up in my soul, all actions are also quelled into inaction by your presence. I am impotent to act upon my despair as I drift along with my drained heart. Be gone, I implore you, be gone. Numb are my overworked senses. Tired is my unused body. Restless is my aimless mind.


And tighter does your grip on me ever grow. You watch me - grow stronger, larger and darker as I loom more and more over you - and you despair. You despair and your mute, pointless and mindless sorrow feeds me. It strengthens and emboldens me. You see the source of my power, but yet you still despair. The blasted one is you, insufferable fool.


Silence the mockery you utter. Do you think I am not aware of what you said. By-product of my existence, of course I know what you think. And yet... For that.. a greater fool I am. Helpless to help myself in spite of the knowledge we share. You have me at knife point. This is a checkmate I saw coming and did not avert. I have made you the scapegoat of my suicide, have I not?

I now stand at the threshold. A choice I have to make on the precipice of the plunge. How ironic that the plunge should be into the abyss of my own heart. The halls of your home from which you hail. Funny how my own heart is lethal and treasonous ground.


...to be continued

Echoes in my head....

Words and thoughts I can't exorcise out of my pysche. Meaning and implications that haunt me. Possibilities that terrify me....


"Why are you like this? Can't you give me some personal space and leave me alone?"

Meeting me is more of a chore than your household chores perhaps. A source of irritation I have become. Actions and gestures which only a boyfriend should/would think of doing now trouble you and even angers you.

You are more attached to whoever is texting you on your phone than me when we're alone. Is it really that terrifying and boring to be alone with me now?

3 full days I have been back. 30000 times my heart has cried. 1 weekend gone, 3 left, only 1 real weekend left to us. Has that occured to you this time around?

"you're leaving in 3 weeks. -clings on-"



Heart: I hurt.. why does it hurt so bad?
Soul: Stop beating yourself and the pain will stop.

Tell me what to do.

I wish you would gaze at me like you used to. I wish I could have so many more "10mins". This sense of me inexorably fading out of your life is such an excruciating pain. As though a part of me dies with each passing moment. "I love you" doesn't do it anymore. It isn't enough anymore. These 3 words might be in you, slowly turning transparent and vanishing. You try to form them into words, but they are as lead weights sinking further and further into the abyss.

I miss you. Your simple touch. More importantly, your smile. If dying would make you free of the shackles and chains weighing you down, I would commit love suicide.

This is the worst kind of torture, to be sitting beside someone, but knowing that she isn't there with you.

My arms go limp knowing they may never envelop you again, my claustrophobic darling.

Tell me what to do. Say "frog" and see me Croak and jump.

Love of mine some day you will die,
But I'll be close behind.
I'll follow you into the dark.

I Want...

... somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She'll get my support


She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She'll hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me


I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought
And with every breath
Someone who'll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to stay clear
Out of those things


But when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this make me sick
In a case like this
I'll get away with it
And in a place like this
I'll get away with it

Been A While

Haven't blogged about my cooking endeavours here since.... forever. Came across this recipe at ChubbyHubby, one of the best Singapore based food bloggers around. Worked like a charm. The needed ingredients are remarkably simple, but the care and attention inherent weren't. It was well worth though in the end. It reminded me instantly of home upon the first bite of tender meat. Tastes like.... Kung Bah Pow is the best I can describe it. Sadly, didn't pause to take a photo of it before it all disappeared. Delicious!

Find out how it's done

Ingredients:

Pork Riblets Braised in Vietnamese Caramel Sauce
from Molly Stevens' All About Braising
Serves 2 as a meal or 4 as a starter

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup fish sauce
1/3 cup sliced shallots
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 slab baby back ribs (1.75 to 2 lbs)
sawed lengthwise in half

Why does the problem always come down to CABLE?

Taken from today's papers, Airbus website, ChannelNewsAsia and various other sources:



TOULOUSE, France - The Airbus A380 starts a global journey Saturday which will take in the North and South Poles on the last of a series of test flights before it applies for its air safety certificate.

The plane, which is being tested under commercial conditions, is seeking to gain its airworthiness certificate by mid-December from European and United States aviation safety authorities.

It will fly from Toulouse, France, where it is assembled, over the two poles and is set to stop in Johannesburg, Sydney and Vancouver in Canada before returning to France on November 30.

It was due to leave at 9:00 pm (2000 GMT).

On Friday, the giant plane returned from 18 days of testing which took it to Asia, with stop-offs at major airports including Singapore, home of Singapore Airlines (SIA).

This airline which should take delivery of the first A380 next October -- deliveries are around two years behind schedule because of electrical cabling problems.

"During these three flights, the plane performed remarkably well.

"There were no major breakdowns, only some faults which we were already aware of.

"Each flight and each landing were on time," Fernando Alonso, vice-president of Airbus's flight testing division told AFP.

"Overall, at the moment, you could say 'move along, there's nothing to see,'" he added, indicating that, during tests, the plane was set to notch up 150 hours' flying time.

"We are a month ahead of the programme schedule," Gilles Robert, former director of testing at Airbus, added.

The plane's first flight took place in April 2005.

The Asian leg took the world's biggest plane, which can carry up to 840 passengers, to Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo as well as the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Peking and Shanghai.

Those on board included pilots from the European regulatory authorities.

At all the destinations, "the welcome was enthusiastic", particularly from clients and members of the public who often "overran terminals to see the plane", Alonso said.

When asked about clients' concerns over late delivery, he simply said that "people were so happy to see the plane that they did not raise the subject with us members of the technical team".

Highlighting the plane's qualities, Claude Lelaie, an A380 test pilot, revealed that in Ireland 15 days ago, the plane took off and landed in 56 knot crosswinds.

Companies in Asia and the Pacific area represent around 30 percent of orders placed -- 44 out of a total 149.

At the end of this latest flight, the giant plane will have completed 17 days of tests in a normal operational environment.

Asked of its chances of gaining certification, Alonso replied that "until the ticket is delivered, you never know, but we are beginning to see the light very clearly".

- AFP /ls

With the grossly large amount of time that passes from the design phase to production, manufacturing and certification, how do designers ensure that the technical aspects of the design keeps up with the advancement made in other fields? Like the wiring/cabling mentioned in this case, vast improvments in optic fibres have led to the phasing out of old fashioned copper wires in view of the data transfer speeds and, more importantly, safety improvements in term of fire regulations. As they scramble now to "upgrade" this plane that isn't even operating commercially yet, the time scale and effort of coming up with a new aeroplane is just mind boggling.

Have You A Song?

You know, the kind of song that sticks by you throughout your life? This song, Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann is one such song for me. I think it came out in 1997, nearly 10 years now since it was first on the radio waves. It made such an impression on me as the words of whoever wrote the text sounded... felt even... so sincere. Yes, those aren't lyrics, but actual words dedicated to a graduating class. I suspect that this is one song that will stay by me for a lifetime. I may forget the title, I may forget the words, but I will never forget this "SONG" of mine. Which touched me in a very implicit way that I can't describe. This is the first time I've seen a video made for the song and, happily, it doesn't take away much of the original feel and effect of the song. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.... and still do.




Everyone Must See This! - video powered by Metacafe






Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
Wear Sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice, now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth;
oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself, and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….
You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind;
the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy;
sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind; the race is long,
and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults;
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…
the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t,
maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t,
maybe you’ll divorce at 40,
maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…
what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much
or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance,
so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can,
don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it,
it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings, their your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard;
live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander,
you too will get old and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse;
but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal,
wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

I read too quickly for my own good

Just finished the book Eragon recently. Yes, the soon to screen fantasy movie of the same name. I just seem to gobble up the books. Ravenously taking in the words as they paint the world depicted by the author. Only acquired this book on saturday and today, Wednesday, I am left wanting to know how our hero progresses in his challenges and, more important, how he makes the choices he is faced with.

The book is a typical fantasy story with Urgals playing the role of Trolls/Monsters in this world. Elves, magicians, knights, swordsman, Kings and Queens fulfill their needed roles as always but somehow I never tire of this. Anyway, here's the book : Link to amazon. I prefer the original cover (which I got :P) than the one done for the movie tie-in

Things I need to get in Singapore

A reminder for myself:


1. A water-proof school bag that I can fit my laptop into.

2. A new set of headphones for my sony ericsson w800i

3. My IBM laptop serviced. The Hard Disk sounds like it's going to explode any moment.

4. 2 Water bottles. One big one small.


...will add to this list as they come to mind.

edited 19/11/06

Cos we all need to laugh from time to time

DONE!!!!

YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's finally over. The monster project for Singsoc, ADnD. It's been a very very very very very very very bad time for me so far in school. Countless projects and coursework to do. Had to ensure that ADnD ran smoothly as well in the same time. At least this takes a load off of my mind. Pictures soon, if I am not dead yet by then :P

The Day Of Handedness

Feeling cheeky, a little devil tip toes across my conscience dropping seeds of mischief in the fertile soil of my mind. Manchester is prime land for sprouting thoughts of random whims - the incessant rain nurtures gloomy ideas to pregnant acts filled with eccentricities.

Today, just for one day, I refused to conform to the yoke of society's accepted norms. Such a small act, walking down the street. You veer in and out of the throng, avoiding any possible confrontation by maintaining that bubble of personal space. The cardinal rule of having a minimum distance around every individual. Walking down Market Street today, I switch it off. The little switch of self-suppression where I adhere to the rule that one always shifts to the right when attempting to avoid crossing paths.

It's amazing how many people get flustered when I shift to the left instead of the right. Even if they don't shift in order to avoid me and walk straight on, many still do a double-take as if struck by a sudden case of the "herky-jerkies".

Not that I care. Today is the day I push my civic brain back and not do things for the sake of others. I will walk how I wish and move in whichever manner that is instinctive. Today is the day that I will not make exceptions and suppress my handedness. Today is Sam's Lefty Day.

I Miss You

I

Miss

You


*I'll smack you if you say you dunno who I mean by you"

Perspective

Sometimes we just forget to look at the beauty surrounding us and it requires someone with a fresh take on things to come along and point it out to us. Have you been taking the things/circumstances, or worse still, people around you for granted? Following photos were taken by a traveller from Japan at Yongfook.com while in Singapore for a few days.

Best enjoyed in large format at *his* site.

电话不接不要被人发现我整夜都关在房间
狂欢的笑声听来像哀悼的音乐
眼眶的泪温热冻结望著电视里的无聊节目
瘫在沙发上变成没知觉的植物

落单的恋人最怕过节
只能独自庆祝尽量喝醉
我爱过的人没有一个留在身边
寂寞它陪我过夜

In A Lecture

Lecturer: "Modern aeroplanes are so advanced they have a pilot and a dog in the cockpit. The dog bites the pilot when he tries to fiddle with the auto-flight systems"

And the whole lecture theatre laughed. Oh Gawd... we're turning into aero-geeks.

The Touch

Saw this at my cousin Angel's blog.
There are so many ppl I wish I could hug right now.

Hands

There are so many secret msgs in this picture, 10 lines wouldn't be enough. Yet, this one picture is enough.

How To Get A Heart Attack

Drive in this city. Check out this video clip

The Video

Tell me that isn't a drive in hell.

Online

Whew, finally. Things over here in UK are looking up at long last. Got my internet connection back online and school adminstration is pretty much done. Only have to confirm my timetable now.

My new address in UK is as follows:

Sam Png,
R2.03
Victoria Hall,
28 Higher Cambridge Street,
Manchester,
M15 6AA
UNITED KINGDOM

Will update more on things here soon. Maybe a photo on how my new room looks like, that would be a good idea yeah?

To Mr Steve Irwin:

I am sure everyone's heard/read about the tragedy of Steve Irwin's passing. This post is a tribute to a conservationalist who stayed true to the cause and did things in his own fashion.

Heard on Class 95fm today that irate Steve Irwin fans were lashing out indiscrimately at Stingrays or Rays of any form as a form of revenge. They seem to think that Rays are now "evil" and should be persecuted for the hand they played in Steve Irwin's death.

Hand? "HAND"?! Only the sick species called "human being" strike out in spite and not for food or self-defence. Such tragic irony. How is that fans of a conservationalist are striking out at harmless animals. If anyone(thing) is entitled to taking a swipe at the Rays, it would be the crocs. They practically just lost their patron saint! You don't see a marine Jihad between Crocodiles and Rays being held, do you?

Mr. Irwin,

R.I.P.

May your legacy live on in your children and the zoo.

Wednesday. Thursday. FRIDAY

Unbelievable. Ten days gone. Just like that.

So the day of my flight approaches. The Boa constricts ever so slightly more.

I can't help it

I know it's morbid, depressing, tasteless and weird.

But every year, I wake up to this date wondering if this one is going to be the last one. 

.
.
.
.

I'm sick.  

countdown: 10 days

Count Down: 12 days

 

The best way to relax while having some quiet time. Taking in the sights of Singapore while sipping champagne. Reflections for the 23 years pass. Dreams for the 23 years to come. Time to say farewell soon my dear ones. 

Try This

go to www.google.com and search for "failure" ...... go do it already...... back? Tell me what you see as the first result and if you're not laughing along with me, you ought to be shot. :P

Of Birthdays and Such

As requested by a few certain friends... things that I might like to receive on my birthday. Really had to crack my head for this, but here goes.

1. Pair of comfy and stylish sandals. The kind suitable for wearing out to town. (Ling has claimed precedence and bought a pair of very stylish leather sandals for me. Hehe. Thank you my dear, they're wonderful! )

2. The special box set of Band of Brothers. This is the collectors version that comes in a metallic box. For those in the know, I used to own this already, but I've somehow managed to misplace it somewhere. I was going to get it again, but of course I wouldn't mind if I got monetary assistance in replacing it ;) (ALREADY ACQUIRED BY MYSELF)

3. A pair of shades. Just felt like having something different to wear on sunny days.

4. A tribal wrist band. You know.. those kind that are made primary out of leather, wood and string? (Acquired by the Hooney :P)

5. A few nice books to read. You all surely know by now that I am a biblomaniac?

6. David Tao's new album called Beautiful 太美丽 (acquired by RB)

7. A new wallet. I realise that ML n RB just got me a wallet for Xmas, but the one I am replacing is the wallet I use in Singapore. Thinking about it, this wallet has already been with me for over ... 5 years. It has certainly served me well.

Of course, there's the customary rant (or so you all cruelly say) of how I would LOVE to get that dream car or airplane of mine ;) Haha, most of you must be sick of hearing me going on about those few things mentioned every single year :P I am not saying that these 5 items are the only ones I want for this year's bday, just that they are the only ones I managed to think of after cracking my head on the wall. There's still wx and rb's bday to think about as well.

In a way, I've already managed to give myself the best birthday present ever. Singapore Phillips Cup would be the closest I've come to fulfilling one of my life resolutions to date. Being able to see some of the best NBA players in Singapore, playing for their National Teams was amazing.

The coming of my birthday also heralds my departure to UK once again. If I haven't met you yet, hopefully we'll be able to catch up soon before I embark upon the 2nd year of my university life. In the mean time, take care everyone.

No Turning Back Now

I've signed up for the AHM 10km run. In a way, I am secretly glad that applications for the 21km run closed on the 23rd of July... Don't think I will be able to train up in time to run 21km by the 27th of August. Meanwhile, TRAINING time!!!

Played basketball tonight. Feels good to be zonked out after a session of sports. =]

I am an addict.

Works in Progress

Well, at least the IBM is still working :) Just reformatted now. Now comes the long and ardous process of rebuilding it.

Best Line I've Read in A Long While

"If we can take the calories out for the food, the pregnancy out of the sex and even the sex out of the pregnancy, why not take the harm out of alcohol?"

Help me be a Bookie

No, I am not changing careers and dabbling into the bookmaking/gambling/betting scene. Just feel like getting a few books to read and would like to appeal to everyone who reads this. Please recommend a, in face THE, book you would recommend I read. Lets see if we can make this a list worthy to be proud about :) Here goes, my first input:

1. Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami

2. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (intro by Ling @ 18/07/06)

3. Waiting for Godalming by Robert Rankin (intro by Ling @ 18/07/06)

4. The Dreamers Book 4: The Younger Gods by David & Leigh Eddings

5. Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Dorothy Britton (Translator) (intro by Wanx @ 27/07/06)

6. The Plague by Albert Camus (intro by nai @ 11/09/06)

Why oh Why?

- Life seems to be on hold until she's back

- Can't I go to sleep at night

- Random ideas plague my sleepless nights

- Colours in my life seem somehow... dull

- A hermit I'm changing into

It's Official

Got this in the mail today.

"Dear Zhong,

On behalf of the School of Mechanical Aerospace and
Civil Engineering I am pleased to inform you that you
have passed the first year of your degree programme. I
can confirm that you are not required to retake any
papers during the summer vacation

Your personal tutor will discuss your marks with you
when you return.

In closing, may I offer congratulations on behalf of the
School and our best wishes for the summer break.

Yours Sincerely,
W. H. Craig
Director of Undergraduate Studies"


The exact breakdown of my scores isn't included, but what the heck, at least I know I've passed everything.

Answers

In the sweltering heat of Singapore. Dear old sunny, humid and scorching Singapore. Sustain yourself through the mid-afternoons with a mug of freshly squeezed lime juice after some lip smacking Hokkien Mee at your favourite hawker centre.

Ahhhh...

 

Here's to you my Dear.

Like a flower
Waiting to bloom
Like a lightbulb
In a dark room
I'm just sittin' here
Waiting for you
To come on home
And turn me on

Like the desert
Waiting for the rain
Like a school kid
Waiting for the spring
I'm just sittin' here
Waiting for you
To come on home
And turn me on

My poor heart
It's been so dark
Since you've been gone
After all you're the one who turns me off
But you're the only one who can turn me back on

My hi-fi is waiting for a new tune
My glass is waiting for some fresh ice-cubes
I'm just sittin' here
Waiting for you
To come on home
And turn me on
Turn me on

Thanks to Fifi for this. Saw this in an email before, decided to post it this time around. The teeth brushing one was particularly nostalgic. I'm sure all the marist boys remember that.

Got this from a friend via her blog... Brings back the sweet memories of the good old days... That's why they always say... Young and Innocent...

Signs that you are a late 70s early 80s' baby:

1. You grew up watching G-Force, He-man, Transformers, Thundercats,SilverHawk, Woody Woodpecker, Chipmunks and Mickey Mouse. Not to forget NinjaTurtles, Mask, Smurfs and Voltron too.Girls watched Japanese cartoon like My Little Pony, "Xiao Tian Tian", "HuaXian Zi" etc.

2. You grew up brushing your teeth with a mug in primary school after recess time. You squatted by a drain with all your classmates beside you, and brushed your teeth with a colourful mug.

3. Remember the days when the school nurse, comes with a list for the dentist appointment, the sound of the drilling when your friend has a fillin his tooth.You remember the packets of milk we get in primary school to encourage us to drink more milk. (It is only cost 30 cent per pack)

4. In secondary school, girls go to the library to borrow their favourite romance storybook. In secondary school, girls altered their school skirt to shorten it and guys will go to the school appointed school uniform tailor shop to tailor make their school trousers to the then fashionable "baggy pants"!

5. During primary school days, the teacher will punish you using a ruler to hit your palm. A bowl of noodles soup cost only 30cent in primary school days.

6. When you were in primary school, girls like to go to the bookshop to buy cute stuff such as animal erasers, various shape sharpeners, colourful notebook etc. Hankyu Jaya, Yaohan departmental stores used to be a favourite hangout for families during weekends.

7. In secondary school days, you buy the Bata BM Turbo or Pallas Jazz school shoes. Some guys like to wear those china made ankle high shoes.Some even like to wear those very thick socks with their school shoes.

Internet? E-mail? What the hell is that? So you thought a decade or more ago, your friends don't have pagers or handphones in school. CDs? What's that? Cassette tapes were the norm. Movie tickets used to cost less than $5 last time.

8. The goodies from Mama shop used to be Chickerdis, Mamee , Kum Kum, UFO, O-Ya, Ding Dang chocolate balls with toys in the box, colourful hard "egg", "cigerette" bubble gum, KIKI Bubble Gum, pink bottle of bubbles c/w a small tubes with yellow sticks to blow "more lasting" bubbles that you can pop more air in or slam it on. You never forget 'Ti Kam'.

9. When exams are over, the board games (e.g Monopoly, Donkey, Transportation Comparison Card, Magic the Gathering Cards and handheld brick video games will be all over the class rooms.

10. Your favourite sound is the bell! For it's the homemade ice cream man. The cream that tops Haagan Dazs! And the other peddler you love is the old lady who sells juicy Muah Chee and thick olden syrup rolled in a balloon the tip of a chopstick stick.

11. Another bell is the recess bell, a time to get away from school work and to eat. Another time when there is no bell but all guys will anxiously wait for it...The PJ (Pendidikan Jasmani), PE time (time for football)

12. Your favourite childhood games were playing "gu li"(marbles), five stones, five bottle cover, zero-point, catching, "Pepsi-Cola one two three" and/or "Police & Sentry"!

13. The best thirst quencher of all times is the yummy colourful ice tubes you can buy from provision shops for only 10 cent. To eat them, break the taband and suck while holding the freezing tube!

14. All gals have a girl doll/strawberry shortcake/my little pony/pound puppy, while all boys have a soldiers figurine (combat) or a rubber band catapult that shoots folded paper!

15. Once was the era whereby ice-cream sticks were valuable items, then came the paper aircrafts, chalk fights. Some boys made their own guns from wood, and used 'Bacali' as the bullets. Some even used matches to shoot and burn kids' lanterns during MoonCake Festival.

16. And your favourite holiday was Lunar New Year! New clothes, Ang Pows, shopping, junk food and family outings!

Let's see, the majority of students in universities today were born in1987/ 88.... They are called "youth". For them, they have never heard of the song "We are the World, we are the Children..." And the "Uptown Girl" they know is by 'West Life' but not 'Billy Joel'. For them, there have always been only one Germany and only one Vietnam. AIDS exists since they were born. CD exists since they were born. Michael Jackson is already whitened. John Travolta is always round in shape and they can't imagine how this fat guy could be a god of dance. They believe that Spiderman and Incredible Hulk are just new films. They can never imagine a black and white screen for a computer. They never know what is Atari or 'Game & Watch'. They can't believe a black and white television ever existed and they don't even know how to switch on a TV without a remote control. And they never understand how we can go out without a mobile phone when we were in university...

Let's check if we're getting old...(any of the below hits you, means you are!)

1. You understand what was written above and you smile.

2. Most of your secondary school friends are getting married.

3. You are always surprised to see small children playing comfortably with computer.

4. When you see teenagers with mobile phones, you shake your head.

5. You spend less and less time talking on phone with your friends daily.

6. When you meet your old friends from time to time, talking about the good old days, repeating again and again all funny stories you experienced together.

7. Lastly, having read this mail, you are thinking of forwarding it to some other old friends. You think they will like it too...

Hahaha! Yes! We are getting old too...Brings back old memories huh? - so much for the young ones back then...

We humans

are such wretched things. Here I am in Singapore missing Ling and doing things that remind me of her like burning a whole CD of songs I always listen to at her place.

Also, bought this toilet air-freshener as I have to use it all the time at her's too.


But why are we wretched? Cos in spite of all these little things.. I didn't do the most important thing. Calling to tell her I miss her.

I am a slang!

sam
adj. high-quality but not loud.
"Are you as sam as I am, man?"

schpng
interj. phrase suggesting that someone see something.
"Jackie - schpng!"

Interesting pics I saw

and

This May Sound Weird...

But I love to eat fish. I really do.

Love I mean

Ireland!!!

No, I have not disappeared off the face of the Earth for the past week. Been very productive in fact, if I may say so (conspiring wink to my fishy-eyed darling) Anyway, for those who didn't know, I was on a trip to Dublin, Ireland and it was wonderfully delicious :)
You know you're in Guiness Land when you see this all around you

The Spire.. along O'Connell. You could say this is Dublin's Avenue des Champs-Elysees where all the major high end retailers are gathered.

That's the Spire you see rising into the sky



some random sculptures along O'Connell





What's so ironic about this 2 shots is that the sculpture of "Boxing Rabbit" is facing the monument of this saint. The saint of...

pai seh, I mean Apostle of Temperance

As Buddha said, " Lay down your arms and you will raise the ground you're on into Nirvana"



That's just some random church, but the building beside it is the Writer's Guild. It's sort of like a showcase for all the brilliant writers Ireland has produced. Prime examples are Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift of "Guiliver's Travels" fame, etc etc. Trivia: At least 8 Irish writers have been conferred the Nobel Literature Award. I apologise for the lack of more pictures. This is actually going to occur quite frequently as most of the exhibitions we visited didn't allow photography.

For the visually impaired (like me), that reads : Garden of Rememberance. Think WWII. Need I say more? Excellent place for a breather and just chill after a long hike though :)

Inside the garden









The Dublin Gallery was also in the area. Just beside the Writer's Guild in fact. We did take nearly 2 hours to walk to this building after the Writer's Guild though... simple case of... forgetting it was there :P





Shaddies!!! Ling and Daph succumbed to the glaring sun and bought some nice shades to protect their eyes.

Trinity College in Dublin... one word... POSH











Oh, I nearly forgot, here are some shots I managed to sneak onto my phone :P





Memorial to Oscar Wilde



I agree whole heartedly

The memorial was situated in a park called Mount Joy...



And as it was so warm, we went out in flip-flops everyday!

A snap shot of Grafton Street. A shopping area. Think... Orchard Road this time around.



Are you afraid of the dark?













add that all up and you get this

it seems to have adverse effects on people

even though they would like to claim otherwise of course

in case you can't read that last line, it says "So each copper holds 172,800 pints"

This was taken in Gravity Bar. At the top of the Guiness Brewy. It commands a breath-taking view of the city through its glass walls all round

Daphne

Ling

Me

note: was NOT drunk when I took this pic



Pic says it all



Part of the old city walls







(waves back) I miss you baby

top of the walls



Temple Bar is a colourful quarter of Dublin City which, almost accidentally it could be said, over the years developed a bohemian 'Left Bank' character, while retaining in its cobbled streets and old buildings a charm no longer to be found in many other parts of the city. It now bustles with loads of pubs, bars, restaurants and random knick knack selling stores.

One of the many eataries found in Temple Bar area. Don't ask me about food in Dublin. I didn't have a SINGLE bad meal. I repeat for emphasis. I enjoyed EVERY meal we had in Dublin. The English should be ashamed of themselves...



That's St. Patrick's Cathedral in the distance. He's the patron saint of Ireland.















Inside the Cathedral itself...











We decided to get away from the city for a day went took a train to Malahide to check out the castle there once owned by the Talbot family. It was their home for 800 years!





Do I look like chip or dale?







CIAOZ~~~