SingNite!!!

SINGNITE!!! Yes, finally, the pics from the formal dinner and dance night held in Manchester for ALL Singaporeans in U.K. are in. It wasn't a stuffy puffed up event, but more like a social gathering for everyone to have a chance to dress up and have a nice evening together in a relaxed atmosphere. Frankly, despite the cheap wine and horrendous food, I enjoyed myself immensely that night. It must have been the wonderful company I had throughout.

The boyzz

Me n Clifford

Yuan

Some pics at reception before the dinner

Left to Right : Me, Ling, Yovita, Brian

Was sssssssooooo happy that Ling agreed to be my date for the night, even though she was quite reluctant to do so. Can you tell I was just elated and overjoyed? :P



I kid ;P I was absolutely thrilled she came. The fact she enjoyed herself in spite of her earlier reservations made it all the better!

Nice shot of Brian and Cathleen

Shu Mei and Kristie

Our dear Emcees for the event, Sujatha and Clifford

Qi Lian and Kuan Ching

Sebez with the gals

Lay May with Yuan

Shu Mei and Alec

Aaron and Tracy

Brian, smile, show some teeth! Like Yovita

CHEERS!

OOOHHHH~~ Mask neh...

Mei Xuan with Alec... why the boys always dun smile.. even me...

Ling and Clifford smiling nicely together

Clifford, Philemon and Zhi Wei

Me with Best Fwen Shu Mei and Angry Fwen Brian. Hahaha~~

Clifford n me again

Group Hug!

the usual suspects

Table shot

Smile!

That's it! Everyone looked different, didn't they? :) Pat, look, I found someone who turns as red if not redder than you after drinking! However, she doesn't throw it all up afterwards like you do. Thank goodness. XP

Bear Hug, Anyone?

You Are A: Bear Cub!

Bears are strong and independent creatures who roam in the forest in search of food. Bears are usually gentle, but anger one and be prepared for their full fury! You're big, you're tough, you won't back down from a fight -- classic attributes of a bear. Intelligent and resourceful, though lazy at times, you are a fascinating creature of the wild.

You were almost a: Monkey or a Duck
You are least like a: Chipmunk or a GroundhogWhat Cute Animal Are You?

Good Old Fashioned

What is it about a good old fashioned snail mail that just warms your very being? In today's electronic age, the plain fact that someone took the EFFORT to post you something is very endearing.

Yes, Xin Hui and Laura, you are recognised as well in this post. You can now go gloat and be 'HAO LIAN' for a while. Hehe :)

One More Day!

To... the weekends.

To... the trip.

Why do I feel so excited? I am like a small boy again. *grins*

新年快乐 - Happy Lunar New Year

Yes yes, CNY has long passed and it's now already the what, 10th day? At least this post made it within the 15 days limit, didn't it? :P First, a general shout out to everyone, wishing you all good health, good times, good fortune, good food and good company :)

Remember the dedication I mentioned previously? I've decided to take this festival to give thanks to a few special people who have been there for me in this short 23 years of my life.

Mum - The very fact that you brought me into this world despite the difficulties and trials you must have faced at such a young age proves how much Sis and I must mean to you. I am eternally grateful for all the sacrifices and hardship you've had to endure for our sakes. Mere words can never describe the love you've shown us. Hard love and all. Haha. Thank you for developing this sense of self and independence in me. Thank you for the discipline and moral values.

Ah Gong & Ah Ma - My paternal Grandparents. Even thinking about them now brings an ache to my heart and a slight mist to my eyes. Both of them have passed within a year of each other and I miss them terribly every year for the past 6 years. They essentially brought me up as a child under the roof of their household when things weren't very rosy at home. Etched into my heart are images of my grandma labouring at the wok to whip up a feast for the family, my grandpa's back as he sent me to school on his puttering motorcycle, the morning prayers as my grandpa waved the joss sticks, the cursing and swearing of my grandma driving (boy can she swear, learnt every single vulgarity in the Hokkien dialect from her I think! :P) I miss them. Ah Gong, I am in University liaoz. Thank you for the daily prayers. I don't think I can ever forgive myself for not being by my grandma's side when she breathed her last, but to quote myself - "Letting go doesn't mean giving up the memories" So, yeah, Ah Gong and Ah Ma will always be here inside even though it still aches to think of them as no longer around.


Uncle Han, Aunties Heok and Yang - The dear ones who helped my grandparents keep my sister and I in hand and were we ever more than a handful. Thank you for taking us in and treating us with patience for over 10 years in Lor. Ah Soo. Thank you for spending so much of what was the prime of your lives taking care of us.

Uncle Han, you were the only one who taught me what it is like to be a man - a gentleman. In between your sailing days and growing up on your own accord, you still managed to start me off onto the path of the straight and right. From that small first step, I have formed my own moral values and way of living over the years. They may never measure up to yours, but hey you had a 16 year head start! All the best to you and your family in New Zealand. May God shower your 2 kids with blessings and let them grow up filled with love and lofty aspirations for themselves. May you and your wife enjoy each other till the end of days. May your hairline stop receding :P

Aunt Heok, thank you so much for everything. You were like a 2nd mom to us. Cooking, washing, caning and all that. Hahaha. You were always there for us. Your voice never left us too. Nag non-stop. XP I am glad you've found someone in that pilot of yours. Whatever the case, just be happy, alright? Also, start thinking more for yourself and not fret over your younger siblings so much anymore. They should have long learnt how to fend for themselves. Do more things for yourself. Enjoy life more. Relax a little more and worry a lot less. Take that CPF and retire to somewhere else maybe. Get away from it all and I'll come visit you in "nothing" land once in a while :)

Aunt Yang, grateful I am to you for introducing me to God. At a time of turmoil and excruciatingly painful uncertainty, you offered me a place to seek solace in. It most probably is the major factor for my current sanity (well, what's left of it anyway). Thank you for the calm disposition that I possess today. Your courage and persistence in getting Uncle David accepted by the family was nothing but admirable. Hope everything goes well in your new job!


God-Brother Toh Bao Guang - Mr. Electric God (雷神王） himself! Hahaha, private joke. Bao Bao has been shooting down girls with his electric eyes since time immemorial! From neighbours>>buddies>>god-brothers Bao Bao is kin not of my blood but of my soul. We share too many childhood memories to count ever since we met in that spectacular way at our home's playground playing "catching". Keeping in touch even after I moved out of Lor. Ah Soo, it is now 15 years (and counting) that our friendship has gone on. You may never know and I've never told you, but you probably saved my life. Thank you for extending your hand in friendship to me when you did. It is something that I appreciate deeply. Hope all goes well for you, Mr. Deadly Faithful Womaniser. You know you break how many gals heart already anot? So faithful but yet still so attractive to so many gals. Tsk tsk. Hahaha XP Do well in NTU. I know when we next meet, things will be as ever for the 2 of us when we're together. Good laughs and great memories.


Jonathan She Rui Bao - or RB/Vege as we lovingly call him. My buddy from secondary school times. We got to know each other in the Military Band and never ever looked back since. I introduced Basketball and Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time to him, he introduced back vegetables and herbal life to me. Hahaha. Go back Singapore where do I go? JOOK! Because of who? RB and ML! He is someone that I really hold dear and close to heart.

Jason Lim Ming Long - Got to know ML through RB. They were already "Brothers" when I got to know him and entered into the Band Of Brothers Hailing from Jook. Might not have known him as long as I have RB, but he is every bit as tight as RB. Someone you can rely on in dire times. Impeccably good taste in food. Awesome choice of music. Put RB and him together and the night is pretty much taken care of with endless jibes from all 3 of us in all random directions. Even just sitting at a kopitiam and talking cock over teh-peng makes the time fly right by.


Of course, there are others who are very dear to me but I haven't mentioned. People like Patricia, Desmond, Nerissa, Jintao, Brian, Jonathan Siu, Stephen Wei and many many many more. I have had a blessed life in the fact that I've managed to have so many awesome people as my friend. Please do not feel slighted in the least.

If you know me well enough, you should know already that if you're my friend, your worth in my heart is immense. Good friends are hard to come by :) Just felt that these few above have stood by me and withstood the test of time. No, don't go "but most of them are your family members..." Because I can tell you now that familial ties carry no weight in the amount of sincerity you put into a relationship with anyone. I should know, because I've seen this sad fact come to pass in my own family.

So, once again, thank you :)

Do You Have The Keys To This Locked Heart?

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Old Trafford Stadium

It's been a while since I've posted any real photos, but not for the lack of wanting to. Circumstances just haven't been the most complying of late. School is pretty much up and running now that the first week is over and we're once more immersed in projects, presentations, tutorials and the like. However, this was a nice wkend as we had "Singnite" on saturday and then a tour to Old Trafford Stadium today (Sunday) No pics from the formal dinner and dance yet, apologies, but I do have some from the tour today. Benefits of having a niffy camera phone :) Without further ado, here are the pics!
Stadium grounds :

Roger, can see anot? MANCHESTER UNITED!!!!!

Walking to the "dug out"

THE Tunnel

Home Team

Press Room







Inside the Changing Room

Man Of The Match

That's it! :) Hope everyone's doing well and do take care of your health no matter where you may be. Loads of my frens been coming down with a bug or other recently. There should be another post from me shortly, I have something in mind that I would like to dedicate to a few special ones. Till then, ciaoz!

Fallin, In This Fortress of My Own

In case you haven't gathered, exams are finally over. Hoorah!

Been feeling like I'm on the verge of falling ill ever since Monday. It's really like clockwork, the way my body operates. Without fail, my immune system seems to take a turn for the worse whenever Chinese New Year or my Birthday approaches.

EVERY

SINGLE

YEAR

Yeah, but managed to fend off this year's evil batch of ill willing germs/virus with paracetemols, vitamin C pills and guzzling water like a camel gone mad. Haha. Felt alot better too after I went to the gym to do some jogging and cycling yesterday, just to sweat the toxins out of my system.

Isn't it weird how my body goes weak specifically at my birthday and CNY.. I wonder why.

Going off on a tangent, I've always had to try to be strong. As the eldest son, brother, grandson. You just seem to have to mature faster and look out for the young un' in the family (namely my sister). It's not a chore, but more like a responsibility. Through the years, however, one wonders if there will ever be another whom you can be "weak" with. Will I even ever allow myself to go soft for a moment?

Grab a machine gun and shoot these defenses down, I don't want to stand alone inside this hill fort anymore.

:)

That was a happy post. And you better believe it! :P

Wanting Some Hurtin'

You are HEAD-BANGING.
Synopsis: This behavior most likely appears at

times of extreme frustration. It may involve

you banging your head on the corner of a

desk, or on something hand-held (like a book,

for example). You are very sensitive

to others, and things

happening around you.
Positive trait: Sensitive
Negative trait: Overly-trusting
Color: Lavender
Emotion: Loneliness
Animal: Mouse
Quote: My power over you grows stronger yet.


What form of self-mutilation are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Closed for Works

Won't be blogging till Februrary I think, I hope and I pray. So this sparsely updated blog will be going under for the next 2 to 3 weeks. Check back again after Chinese New Year (can you smell the sourness? :P)

Time to stick my head in the gas oven.

But,

"

Nobody knows it but you've got a secret smile
And you use it only for me
Nobody knows it but you've got a secret smile
And you use it only for me

"

It's all about Potatoes, Tomatoes, Laughter, Pajamas, Bananas, Oysters which is all EITHER amazing and NEITHER lazy nor random.

I feel like I'm typing in code. :P

For someone who was wondering

meme
n.

A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.




yupz, a whole post just to answer your query.

Meme

I've been tagged by xinhui and so...

ONE - post 5 weird or random stuff about yourself.
TWO - at the end of the post, list 5 ppl you want to do this quiz.
THREE - tag on their blog to let them know and ask them to read your blog for the rules.

1. I can't eat crusteceans eg. prawns, crabs, lobsters, crayfish etc etc

2. I eat and write with my left hand but do sports (bball, racquet sports) with my right.

3. I am borderline germophobic.

4. I don't like shopping

5. I will always be fat.

Ok, the ppl I wana tag are... hmmm... the following!

• Chat
• Ming Long
• Wan.. Nicole
• Ling Yu
• Yuan

I wana read about your quirks soon k ppl! :)

Serenade My Soul

currently on repeat :-

Song:The Humpty Dumpty Love Song
Band:Travis
Album: The Invisible Band

All of the king's horses
And all of the kings men
Couldn't put my heart back together again
All of the physicians and mathematicians too
Failed to stop my heart from breaking in two

Cos all I need is you
I just need you
Yeah, you got the glue
So I'm going to give my heart to you


I had a premonition
A movie in my mind
Confirming my suspicions about what I would fine
You followed me to LA, down to Mexico
Came in through the back door
At the start of the show


Chorus

Oh was a perfect day
Oh in a perfect way
You know, something had to go
You left me high, you left me low
Now as I lie in pieces, await for your return
The sun upon my forehead
It burns, baby, burns, baby, burns
An eye on all my horses
You slept with all my men
I'm never going to get it together again

BAN KAI

Total Eclipse of the Black Scattering Shattered Blades

I am Him

Crossing over into the year 2006, I don't have any resolutions to set for myself, which might be kind of weird. Why? It's because the resolutions are probably goals and targets that I've already set my sights on before and I didn't need a special occasion to remind me to work on them. However, I believe a little reflection would serve me well as a reminder to not lose focus and ponder on matters in general. So, down the time tunnel we go...


I was the mama's boy who refused to have his apron strings cut.

I am the independant soul fending for himself and looking out for his mom's interests.

I am the rebel who hated going to primary school.

I was the shy one... always silent and keeping to himself

I am the one with the warped heart and stopped believing in marriages when they started fighting.

I am the lucky one who realised before too late that love wasn't a farce and does exist.

I am the fat boy who was picked on.

I was the cry baby who thought his tears had dried up the year his mom left for 10 years.

I am the one who broke down at his grandma's funeral 12 years later.

I am the boy who grew up not knowing what a father figure is.

I will be the Father his child will love and respect.

I am the kid who thought he was a fish.

I am the "leftie"

I will be the husband who kisses his wife to bed... and awake.

I am the dreamer who yearns to watch an NBA finals game live.

I am the wretched one who broke her heart.

I am the ex-boyfriend forever wishing her well.

I am the fool who confessed to the same girl twice... and not regret both times.

I am the bitter soul that nearly forgot how to smile.

I am the fortunate person who found great friends.

I am Him

Scary

Isn't it? Boredom is officially the most dangerous thing mankind has in its arsenal of WMD.

Pancakes n such

Here's round two of the damage/toll singapore's taking on my tummy. I am pretty certain I'll be putting on all the weight I lost in manc. Time period for weight lost: 3 months Time period of weight gained: 3 weeks!


A plethora of desserts available when I had high tea with my mom




This was the best in the range. Green tea ice-cream pancake drizzled with almonds and raisins. Had banana caramel pancake too! Sinful decadence..



Was really stuffed after the high tea with my mom, so dinner was pushed all the way to near 11pm for me. Went to a typical Singaporean Hawker Centre, hooray! Teh O Peng Kosong! Haha, standard order for me. Anyway, here's what we, the Jook gang of ML, Chat, RB and Me, ordered


Dumpling soup



Cheese n Mushroom Burger. Good one ah. Ho EH! The beef patty is handmade and not those frozen pre-processed kind you buy from supermarkets. For $3.30, POWER

Cheese Fries~~

From 7-11. It's black, it's white, it's dupa dup bap yeah yeah yeah!

bored and making faces when mom snapped this pic

ML

RB (talking to his dear)

Me and Chat



OKIE, next few targets on my list for my "Dun care liaoz, just eat and get fat" foods I must eat before leaving: Chicken Rice, Bedok 85, Old Airport Road, Joo Chiat and... anything else? Here's a preview of what should come soon :P

Stoopid Boys

Just what is it about some of us that we subject our nerves to such harrowing experiences as the game Fatal Frame II at 3am in the darkness of the deep night, fraying our poor nerves as the eerie atmosphere of the events on screen play themselves out.

Why do I have to be one of the stupid ones who enjoy scaring themselves.