J.C.W.Q. - bLoGgEr

Duxton

2010-01-29T21:23:00.002+08:00

That's right, the time my family has been waiting for...

It took us 5 years....

Today was the day we....

Move house! Haha, yep, I can't really explain how I'm feeling right this very moment. But i can tell u, the view up here is simply ... SENSATIONAL! I'll post some of the pics on facebook and hope the next few days will be free from too much hassle (in moving endless crates of things, that is)

Yesterday was the last day i stayed at my old house. It was coincidentally, my birthday as well. To me, reaching the "20" milestone has brought both cheer and gloom for me. I'm happy that I am one year closer to adulthood, but at the same time, yesterday was a reminder that my youth... is slowly but surely, leaving my grasp.

Well, just a random idea popped out just now. I'm going to create a new link purely on my past journal reflections, quotes and poems. This idea came to light while i was packing my stuff yesterday, and while rummaging, I glimpsed upon my old books and collections. Well, seeing all those momentos gave me the inspiration to start this new "blog", but hey, THIS blog will still be my main blog, just that I can have the other "blog"aka journal as something to reflect upon.

Well, I got to eat my dinner now. Will update more soon.

Cheers,
W.Q.

Moments in Taiwan 2009

2010-01-12T09:07:00.005+08:00

This may be such a late, late post, but hey, I might as well type them out since i got some free time now. This was during the 3 week stay in Taiwan, between the 31/10/09 to 21/11/09. Boy, such are these memories which are going to be unravelled and for me, recapped once again. Some of the posts are journal reflections which i had wrote inside the camp, while others are the ones i will be writing now as a recap of what i had done. Well, here goes nothing...

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1/11/09
It's the 1st day of November, 2nd day in Taiwan. I'm starting to get used to the environment here, thanks to the acclimatization programme for today. Just the day before, I was still in Singapore, saying my goodbyes to my family and friends, and can't help but wonder how Taiwan will be like. For the past 24 hours, my life has been a blur. From the moment I stepped onto the plane from EVA AIR, watched movies within the plane, took a 3 hour bus ride to camp (with a cool free 8-course dinner at a local restaurant) till now, it really has been unimaginable and surreal.

So far, I've managed to unpack all my things in my duffel bag, and despite the short time of serenity, both anxiety and excitement can be felt as I look forward towards the next 2 weeks of outfield. I'm writing this very journal because I feel that this is a once in a life time opportunity and one of the few times that I will have enough free time to lie back and think about my life here in Taiwan.

Recapping more vividly what happened yesterday, my group had proceeded to board the EVA AIR airplane for a 4 hour air flight to Taiwan. While heading towards my destination at Taoyuan International Airport, our time was spent in the coolness of the air conditioner, using the interactive TV in front of our seats to watch "The Ugly Truth" and "Julie and Julia". Upon reaching T.I.A., we proceeded to a local restaurant for dinner, before a 3 hour bus ride to Meilin Camp (MLC), with "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" as entertainment awaited us. We reached camp at around 10:40pm before calling it a day.

A few things I've observed so far. Perhaps it's during the winter season, but first sunlight appears apporximately 6 a.m. while last sunlight occurs around 5 p.m. Night temperature is approximately 20-22 Degree Celsius while daylight temperature can be real HOT! (Think Singapore weather)

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7/11/09

It's almost one week since we reached Taiwan, yet it seems like months since we left sunny Singapore. It really has been both fulfiling and enriching to be able to enjoy (and suffer as well) the conditions and activities that we were involved in. During this short yet busy 1st week, we were involved in activities such as Terrain Reading March, Section Battle Course, Platoon Battle Course and Exercise Longstride.

The activities mentioned were memorable in many ways but the most memorable was probable Ex. Longstride. We spent 2 days and nights to find 12 checkpoints and travelled more than 100km with our load bearing vest (LBV) and fieldpacks, topped up with 2.5L water and 1.5 day ration. The weight would probably have stumped any normal being, but for us, 7-month trained soldiers, it was the perfect exercise to test our physical strength and mental endurance. Armed with maps, protractors and wits, we tackled the steep noors, the treacherous roads and the unrelenting sun (as well as the chill at night). We sweated, had heat rash and experienced leg cramps, yet felt a sense of accomplishment each time another checkpoint was discovered. The exhilaration from completing this navigation exercise is simply unimaginable, upon completion of the final test and checkpoint.

During the exercise, we had the luxury of experiencing 2 aftershocks of earthquakes, visited a number of amazingly beautiful temples and slept under the clear and sometimes starry night. It was definitely an experience worth remembering. The aftershocks was probably the defining moment of the week. We were walking in the suburbs and being in front of the group, I began noticing aloud humming sound, like that of a really loud air conditioner. As I looked around, I thought I felt dizziness as the ground felt shaky. then when I turned back and saw the confused expressions of my teammates, the shock began to sink in.

"Earthquake! Get down", I shouted as i got to my knees, covered my neck and got into a fetal position. My friends did the same and what after seemed like eternity, the aftershocks finally subsided. If I wasn't wrong, the aftershocks only lasted for about 20 seconds and the earthquake which happened in the not so near distance measured only 4.6 on the Ricter Scale. Particulalry after the aftershocks, I was in a slight shock because right at that moment, I really expected the whole ground to open up and swallow me whole. I had never experieneced an aftershock so strong, and that was followed by another aftershock which occurred after another earthquake of 6.1 on the Ricter Scale (which thankfully we were sitting down outside the premises of a temple by then). At that moment, I was really fearful of my life and was literally thanking the heavens for sparing us from any possible tradegies. Thus, I really started treasuring my life more dearly ever since that escapade, and really wished I was back home in the safety of my home. But the thoughts of completing the checkpoints quickly to get more rest spurred me on, and somehow, I managed to finish the whole activity in one piece. Right now, my hopes are to be able to withstand and thrive under the conditions of Exercise Warrior, which will be my final one-week test before R&R awaits! :)

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16/11/09

It's finally over! The 7-day challenge has come to a fitting end! All the gruelling tasks, the long walks, the unpredictable weather ... it had probably been the toughest outfield challenge that I have ever faced. Since I'm unable to elaborate too much on army issues, I will relate my experience based on the feelings of both euphoria and lowpoints. Personally, I feel a sense of achievement in being able to complete all my missions (well...most) that i was tasked to do so. Each time i completed a mission, my mind will keep telling me, "Just one day less to R&R". The urge to enjoy my time in ROC gave me strength to continue on, and the lessons learnt are like fuel used to keep ther fire in me burning.

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18/11/09 - 21/11/09

Things that I have done or associated myself to during my 3 day stay as a "tourist" in Taiwan:

921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan - in remembrance of the largest earthquake which occurred in Taiwan on 21/09/1999
Lamundan (pit stop)
Tai Yan Bing, also known as Sun Biscuits at Lin Xin, Fu Tang Bing Dian - bought at 140 NT
Ximen - Good Ground Hotel as accomadation
Ay-chung flour rice noodle since 1975
Panon - ji pai or known as chicken cutlet
Red-in-Green Mini Cakes (mung beans & green beans)
Pineapple Mini-cakes - spent 1000 NT
Ma-la huo buo - steamboat
Shilin Night Market - bought 2 sweaters, 3 T-shirts
Taipei 101

These are the main highlights which i had done during the 3 days and 3 nights there. It was an experience worth reliving all over again and i certainly hope for another R&R again!

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Overall, Taiwan had been a new experience that will certainly be in my mind for a very long time. Along with Genting Highlands and Pahang in Malaysia and Sydney in Australia, this is the 3rd country I've been to overseas. I certainly hope that I'm able to visit a new country in the year 2010. The past few years had certainly been tough and difficult, but things are starting to look brighter at the moment and I hope that I'm able to enjoy more activities that I'm exposed to in the amazing year of 2010. At the same time, I will not forget my resolutions, and certainly hope that with each passing day, I'm able to take one step closer towards achieving my goals.

Well, this has certainly been a very LONG post. Haha, guess it's gonna take some time before my blogging mind gets back on full gear. Nevertheless, this post has been fruitful and I hope that I'm able to share with my fellow followers any updates that I come across soon.

Best wishes,
WeiQuan

Resolutions 2010!

2010-01-01T00:47:00.003+08:00

1. IPPT gold - Stay healthy by keeping fit!

2. Staying positive!

3. Learn driving!

4. Participate in a marathon!

5. Learn how to play the guitar!

Personally, these are visions that i really wish to accomplish by the end of this year. Also, there is one more wish that I hope can be fulfiled. I really hope to be able to go travelling this year, after my family has settled down from shifting to the new house. 2010 is really going to be an exciting year ahead, and i hope that I can really enjoy and learn from the experiences that await me. To all readers out there:

HAPPY NEW 2010!

Cheers,
W.Q.

2009!

2009-12-29T20:00:00.003+08:00

Well, this is it. A year of anticipation, trepidation and decisions has finally come to a fitting end. For me, 2009 has been so fruitful, yet saddening at times as i brood over what has happened for the entire year, including the period of absence leading to this post.

2009 has been the year when i enlist into the army. To me, the army has had many defining moments, both painful and successful, which had occurred to me. From BMT in Yankee coy, where i had my first taste of life as a recruit and where i first thought army wasn't such a bad idea after all. Then came, Kilo coy, where i enjoyed 8 weeks in sispec before enduring another 13 weeks in Golf coy. Then came 2 weeks of CPC, before I'm back to where i came from- Pulau Tekong.

My 6 months of training may seem like such a breeze from what i have just summarised, but who says life ever IS easy. From my toe-nail surgery to countless cases of diarrhoea, to even my 7-day SOL, life has never been smooth sailing for me so far. That's why when I enter Tekong, I sincerely hope that I can lead the remaining 13 and a half months with more ease and less haste.
Being a commander has its privileges, but along with it has its responsibilites. Yet, with each passing day, i just tell myself, "One more day has passed, one less day to go".

For this year, I'm not going to write anything about my top 10 defining moments. This is not because I am not keen on revealing anything, but rather, it is the lack of time and interest to relate most of these defining moments, which is mostly related to army.

Well, perhaps it's a lack of time, or a lack of interest, or maybe both, but i got to go now. I sincerely wish everyone who's reading this all the best for the new year 2010 ahead! May we enjoy renewed vigour and lots of good luck and good health always!

Ciao,
W.Q.

Movies I have watched in 2009

2009-08-16T17:26:00.005+08:00

Well, these are the movies I had watched in the exciting year of 2009.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Ice Age 3)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
UP
Where Got Ghost
G-Force
The Ugly Truth
Julie and Julia
The Proposal
Taken
Sex Drive
Flushed Away
Redline
Avatar
Sherlock Holmes

Well, these are the movies i could remember so far, and boy these movies are sure memorable and interesting in many ways. I haven't added all the other movies I had watched in HBO or channel 5. But hey, u know, i will always add on when i can remember more.

Ciaos,
W.Q.

UP

2009-08-15T23:16:00.003+08:00

Haha, I'm finally back! It has probably been eons seen i last posted here. So I felt pretty guilty when i checked my blog and found it to be pretty.... stale. Lol. So i decided to do a short post here, to update everyone about myself as well as to quell that guilt within me. :D

The disney pixar movie, UP, had been my fifth movie screening for the past 2 months. It was a feel-good movie, with many humorous scenes and quite a few flashbacks of the protagonist when he was young. Along with his sidekick (a boy scout), a talking dog and a colourful bird, he managed to save the day. The movie had taught me something: While the protagonist was so keen on fulfiling the wish of his wife, he did not realize till towards the end of the movie that what his wife truly wanted him was for him to lead his own life (adventure) to the fullest.

With a good feel, better message and superb cast, this movie had certainly been a movie worth watching. Adding to the fact that i had watched this movie at the Grand Cathay (my first time watching a movie there), it had certainly been a wonderful experience for me!

Well, this is probably going to be a very fast one week for me, before i head back to PLC for my ASLC course. But i guess that this break is going to be a meaningful, and hopefully, productive one. With luck and probably some effort, i should post again pretty soon. So till then, I will say, "Thumbs UP with UP!

W.Q.
^^

PLC

2009-06-21T21:28:00.003+08:00

Yep, This will be the place where i will reside and train in for the next 8 weeks. Also, known as Pasir Laba Camp, it's the training ground for all SISPEC cadets to be trained for BSLC.

(In case the following words may seem foreign and alien to you, let's just say that I'm now entering the next phase of army life: training to be a sergeant)

Yep, i did not actually want to blog today, but was inclined to do so, for my blog would remain like some locked-up, dust-ridden journal if i continued to let in lay in its ruin. Haiz, the one-week block leave had been a welcome relief from weeks of boring and tiresome training, but somehow the one week of flu and fever had all but ruined most of the block leave.

Still, it wasn't such a bad break, as my cousins did visit me before i was unwell, and i managed to squeeze in 2 outings in the past 2 days. Friday was spent eating buffet at Sakura and watching "The Taking of Pelham 123" with Han Liang, while i watched another movie, "I Love You, Man", with my Leo group yesterday. These outings just serve to remind me that freedom is so restrictive yet seductive, and i often yearn for more of these breaks at the end of each day.

Well, pardon my english, for 7 months of not touching my books has caused such a drop in my writing standard. Guess i got to hit the books soon, and i guess i'll have lots of free time for the next few weeks. I heard that training at PLC is tough, but the breaks are long, well-deserved and maybe a little bit boring. So, i really hope these 2 years can pass by quickly... let's just say 1 year and 8 and a half months left.

"Here we go again, same old shit again..."

The night beckons,
for me to sleep.

Gone

2009-04-13T22:08:00.003+08:00

Yep, that's the title for this post, a post which has been long postponed. A day that I've waited so long, yet with a sense of forborne and fear. I really wanted to post this not because i wanted to update this blog, but rather, this day has held a special meaning to my life: another transition, another crossroad....

Here i am right now, sitting in front of the white screen, my head glistening from beads of sweat and the lack of hair (that's right, I'm botak!) and fingers typing furiously as fatigue begins to crawl into my mind. For the past few days, I've been slowly but surely packing my bag with full of necessary inventory required for the 9 week BMT. From clothes to basic necessities to more clothes, my trusty red bad just sags at the mention of these items. To think that i will recieve much more when i enter tomorrow...

The place may be located just a few miles offshore at the east of singapore, but boy, it seems like I'm about to travel to some god-foresaken area far, far away from home, and exposed to the harsh reality of military training. With rigourous training and lack of luxuries within reach, what lies ahead of me may seemed like a nightmare that is waiting for me to be in. The star actor of the show.... Oh boy, how anxious am i, I really cant wait for the transformation of the outcome. 2 weeks ... it really seems endless huh?

Well, all these talk and no action, but i guess i'll be facing lots of action in the coming 2 weeks...wait make it 9 weeks... or u can even say 2 years. Well, depending on how you see it, it can seem either like a blessing or a curse. Deep in my heart, i just want to breeze through it all without any troubles or worries, but hey, who says life deals you an easy hand all the time. Of course, with IPPT and the horrors of endless training, i can expect all this to be a huge load in my mind. Well... we shall see...

I dunno how long I'll be out of action, but if you are seeing this, u sure won't have to wait as long as the last time! Thus i shall end my post on a note:

"Sometimes you don't have to find the road, the road finds you!

5 months since the end of A levels, 2 years to the end of army! ^^

Trepidation

2009-03-02T14:19:00.003+08:00

Well well well, what do you know? After 3 months of absence, I've decided to make a revival of my blogging lifestyle. I guess nobody really missed me, judging by the tagbox. Haha. But anyway, my main purpose for this entry is not only for the sake of updating, but rather, a brief outlook of my lfe currently and what future's in store for me.

Sad to say, the past 3 months had been rather monotonous, as i was either doing household chores, exercising, or spending some quality time with my family. With each passing day, i know how little free time i left, so rather than brooding over boredom or uneasiness, i might as well vent it all out on my blog. Well, i can say that the number of days that i really went out to socialise can virtually be counted with my 2 hands (quite pathetic huh?) Still, i did not exactly regret how i spent my time, though deep down in my heart, i really wished i was working or mixing around with my buddies.

I know it seems pretty lame to be drowning myself in one's own sorrow, but for the sake of veting my pent-up emotions, i'll just go on blabbering. Ever since i attended the NTU talk last month, my heart and mind has been feeling relatively uneasy. I knew that i had tried my very best, and that no amount of anticpation is going to change the outcome.

...Anyway, just a random note: The original titleof this entry was "crossroads", but i decided to change it to "trepidation". Don't ask me why, i just felt like doing so...

Back to reality. As i was saying, my A level results are currently weighing pretty heavily on my mind. Each time i try to conjure so formula on my total score, or anticipate the final grades, my head start to tremble, and i will close my eys shut for a while. This uneasy feeling hasn't seem to abate in recent days, and only seems to grow steadily in strength. Even now as i'm writing on, my fingers grow cold at the thought of the outcome. 4 days! Even the O level collection day does not seem to match this in terms of anxiety and stress level. Even though my friends have told me to chill, and wished me the best, i just don't feel so sure about myself. For the first time in my life, i actually dread the very day.

This sense of worry seems to heighten further, hours after i was reflecting the cycling trip i had with cheng ying and chia how. The question posed by CY was simple yet definitive: "What are your plans should u ... not do well... " Even with all the confidence i mustered in answering that question, deep down i knew that bravado was gonna fade somehow.

My answer?

"We'll see by then, we'll see..."

Its amazing how I, together with the hundreds of thousands of other students. await this very day with such patience and endurance. The big test may be over, but the bigger outcome awaits...

Scolarships, application, courses...how all these seem so easily said, yet, it could only be possible with excellent grades.

How life will be such a maddening rush as soon as my hands grasp the oh-so-important slip of paper...

How my destiny will change upon receving this very slip....

How am i going to fare? Oh god, i really want yet fear to know....

I don't know why, but all the words that i wanted to relate in this blog seems to vanish as soon as i think of this. Man, I've got to get a grip! But this feeling just doesn't seem to go away. I will write more as soon as my head clears. Maybe i'll feel better to explain that 3 months of absence. Then again, maybe not.

Anyway, for those awaiting the results too, i wish you all the best! Don't fear like me, or you will feel worse off. Haiz, how i seem to effortlessly encourage people, but fail miserably in doing so to myself.

A level collection, University Open house, training, then NS...

What a life!

Till then...

Katekyo Blogskin!

2008-12-02T01:14:00.002+08:00

New blogskin! Yippee!

Since i did not feel like sleeping yet, I decided to change my blogskin. Well, it seems that setting up this new blogskin soothed my nerves a little. Hope i won't feel emo for the rest of the night!

For all of you out there, Happy Holidays and remember that regardless of any situation that threatens to derail our emotions, must always remember to have FUN k?

Well, I think I'm feeling slightly better...

Prom!

2008-12-02T00:04:00.005+08:00

WARNING: The following post may contain things that might make you emo (well, it made me emo alright), so read it at your own risk.

After such a long period of absence, I finally had the mood to blog about something meaningful in my life. Lol, but yeah, I'm back to clear the cobwebs off my blog...so i shall begin...

Prom Night! Yeah! Supposedly, it should be one of the coolest days of my life! But somehow, this day (yesterday) did not seem like such fun as i had anticipated. Well, i had waited for eons for this day to come, and when it finally did arrive, i felt a sense of reluctance to face it. Why so, you may wonder; the thought that my life in TJ had come to an end had bothered me rather than thrilled myself, and i was afraid of what lies ahead for me.

So anyway, the first half of my day was an agony of waiting for the hours to pass, and i even found time to sleep for a couple of hours. So much for waiting, as i ended up oversleeping and left house at 6:15 p.m. The bus trip was another forgettable incident, as i did not realize that bus 36 was a loop service until it took me around the entire orchard area before i finally reached my destination. In short, i took a DETOUR!!! Ended up reaching Marina Mandarin at 7:30 p.m.

Well, i can't really say that the atmosphere was bad, as the place was lively and familiar faces were chatting away, and taking pics of each other. I tried my best to keep up my social presence by wandering around different tables at times, to chat with old friends and take some pics. The food was not so much of a memorable experience, as I can't think of any food which i thoroughly enjoyed. The games played was satisfactory at best, as the games somehow seem too long and draggy, and i felt a little tired of hearing the fat host trying his earnest to entertain the crowd. well, he wasn't that bad actually, maybe it's just me all the while.

Throughout the 3 1/2 hour episode, I was trying my real best to be happy and cheerful to all those who i see. The long and tiring bus trip did not really ease my nerves, and meeting up with friends whom i may perhaps never see again just isn't something that can be shrugged off with a smile or a laugh (in my case). I don't know why, but i was never good in handling farewell scenes, as seen by the prom night earlier. As the programme wore on, my heart felt heavy with sorrow, sadness that is due to the inability to describe one's feeling. Yes, something like that sort of sadness. Even as i was seating together with several of my classmates (Dennis, JiaYi, Deborah, Seow Peng, Tanglin...even Cheng Ying), the sight of them makes me feel sad. Sorry if you fellows misunderstood what i meant, but it's not your fault k? I guess this prom night is a night that i want to forget, but i can't. For all those who did not realize why i left so abruptly, this is the reason: I was feeling sad.

After writing so much, i guess that all these pent-up emotions are finally released. For all those who managed to read till now, I thank you all for being there with me spiritually, and being a listening ear to my rants and woes. I guess that writing anymore will just make myself feel worse, so I'm gonna hit the hay and hope this uneasiness will pass by.

Btw, am i seeing things, or is my blogskin missing? If you see a plain white background, pls tell me! I think i'm gonna have to change it real soon.

One last thing: to all those people acquainted to me during prom night, i thank you once again for being a part of my life. No matter how sad i'm feeling right now that we may have to part someday, i guess the memories are here to stay. All of you will be remembered!!!

(If you guys got take any photos with me, feel free to send it to me k? Either via email or facebook. Thx a million!)

October!

2008-10-01T22:24:00.004+08:00

Wake me up...when September ends...

Happy Children's Day! Selamat Hari Raya Puasa! (Sorry if the latter is miswritten)

Now, for the topic of today...

I really hate to say this, but...

I'm putting a TEMPORARY end to blogging!

Yep, i really don't know how many people actually see my blog, but hey, just want to thank u guys for being there for me, in one way or another. Even if you are reading this right now, i really appreciate how you could use some of your time to peek at my oh-so-dusty blog...

Well, not sure if i got it right, but it's like 32 days to A levels. Gosh, that's almost like a stone throw away from now. And the buzz of Prelims had barely begun to settle down. Well, to all those A level students out there: Give it all you got! It's the final stretch! Gogogo!

Not sure I'm in a real good mood to talk about my Prelim grades here right now. But yep, the main thing about today's post is that, like many other fellow bloggers taking the A levels this year, I'm attempting to put an end to all my computer activities. Note: attempting. Man, i really got to stop staring at the com, its eating up revision time and worse, it's killing my brain cells...

But anyway, after the A levels are over, I will publicize this blog again. Yeah! So many things for me to do after A levels. Haha, playing, cycling, bball, lan, outings, changing blogskin...LOL. I'm gonna live life to the fullest after this entire fiasco is over! =D

As for now though, it's time for me to sleep, and wake up to 31 days left to A levels.

Push yourself!
The pain is temporary,
but the gain is forever!

Till then (end of A levels),
Cheers!
W.Q.

Over

2008-09-21T09:35:00.002+08:00

All i can say is... it's over!!!! Like, OVER!!!

Haha, hmm, i dunno why i do not have really much to write about, even though i thought i would have a whole list of things to say about the Prelims and stuff. Man, I think i only fared a little better for Prelims as compared to JCTs this year, which was horrendous. Yites, i think i'm scaring myself here, but well, the truth really sucks sometimes...

Anyway, this is probably the last few days i can really slack or rest. What, like less than 2 months to the END of A levels? Which means less than 50 days to the start??? HAHA, a reality check man!

I dunno how to say, but I've come to a point when exams and tests are starting to becoming the daily norm, and a constant source of both motivation and (sadly)reminder of the huge gulf that i need to improve on. Well, when the results are released by next week, starting from tomorrow, i guess i will be sentenced to 2 months of mugging imprisonment. Less time on computer? Which means no time to blog? NOOoooo!!!

Well, i still have a tiny streak of optimism, and i guess i'll share with all those out there who is struggling (or acing) the exams in one way or another. With courage in heart, and perseverance in mind, let's just go on all the way! 2 more months!!!

4 months to NS...

Haiz...my life's been mapped out for me for the next 2 years...

yay?

Confused...really confused...

Wall.E

2008-08-29T16:59:00.003+08:00

Movie of the month!
WALL.E

The Best Pixar Movie so far I've ever seen!

Well, I have watched perhaps a few hundred movies...i lost count, but in terms of animation movies, this is one of the best. The simplicity of Wall.E and his good naturedness is definitely both heartwarming and entertaining at times. Watch it for urself!

K-Box!

2008-08-24T22:23:00.003+08:00

After what seems like ages, I'm finally back....the mood to blog has finally returned, and i shall blog for this very last time (I promise myself not to use the computer), and shall return to the blogging world after my Prelims come to an end.

Let's talk about the events that had unfolded today while it's still fresh in my mind. I woke up and prepared my self for a day of entertainment and fun, as my fellow Leos were meeting to celebrate the birthday of one of my friends. The party of 8 (the bday boy Gabriel, Lap Kan, Shan Zhi, Wei Cheng, Seow Peng, Hui Yi and Si Qi) gathered at Parkway KFC for our brunch (Yep, breakfast plus lunch...for me that is). After waiting for everyone to gather, we proceeded to the "K-Box" at Katong Shopping Centre.

There, we had about 5 hours of non-stop pure entertainment as the singers within ourselves were unleashed to bring about lots of fun and nostalgia. I was especially thrilled at the prospect of going to K-Box, even if it's not the real thing, because I don't quite remeber the last thing i really went to such a place. HAHA!

Anyway, after singing countless songs from S.H.E., Jay Chou, JJ Lin...(the list goes on...) , we exited the singing arena, only to be greeted by the wet weather outside. Nevertheless, our spirits were not dampened as we proceeded to the basketball court above the Marine Parade Library. After a lousy excuse to go back home, I brought out the yummy-looking mango bday cake from my house and managed to surprise the bday boy at the basketball court. Haha, we even managed to cake the guy. Ahaha! He was lucky we didn't taupok him! LOL.

The day (more like night) ended off with dinner at the food court at Parkway Parade. As i sat in the bus on my way back home, my thoughts were filled with the events that were beginning to unfold again in my mind. Yet, as i sat there basking in the joy of that memorable day, I know that the joy will only be a distant memory, with the second biggest exam of the year looms closer and closer.

14 days. That's how short my number of days of revision i have left. Not that I'm trying to be a wet blanket, but i'm often not able to translate free time into productive learning. I just hope, and pray that these 2 weeks can be one of the most productive weeks.

Well, this is it then. My farewell post for another long period of absence... I guess it is make or break for me now. I know that these 1 year and 8 months in Temasek Junior College has certainly been the most productive years of my life, and as i lay tonight on my bed, i will remember this school and the wonderful people and friends that i know of. I know i shouldnt be thinking so much about these until grad night, but hey, a little reflection on how these months at TJC had changed my life forever won't hurt. All these will culminate to these 2 final exams, and then our lives, all the people i know and love, will go on their separate ways and perhaps i may never see them again. The irony of education, whereby the friends that encourage and study with you will just be a distant memory once the A Levels are over...

You know, if you're reading these, i guess i'm going into one of those rambling speeches. But i guess in my personal insight, i guess beautiful memories are definitely both filled with joy and sadness. Well, the most important thing i suppose, is to always remember...

I guess i better stop writing, if not i may get other people to become emo.

To all JC students:
BEST OF LUCK FOR YOUR PRELIMS!!!
STUDY HARD AND STUDY SMART!!!
STAY HEALTHY AND NEVER GIVE UP!!!
SHORT TERM PAIN IS BETTER THAN LONG TERM PAIN (you get what i mean huh?)

Adios
W.Q.

Back!

2008-08-10T20:55:00.002+08:00

Haha, after such a long week (or longer?) absence, I'm back. Basically, i feel much better, and i think the past 2 posts have been really dreadful...as if i was undergoing some stage of my life. But anyway, I think I'm ok for now...maybe it's due to the holidays? Haha.

29 more days to my prelims le, and here i am typing away. I seem to lose track of the time i have, and every now and then, there is the fear of stress, and the inability to handle it. But nevertheless, i suppose all these are just part of a big test, a test of strength, a test of perseverance, and a test of one's character.

Haha, i don't really seem to make much sense huh? I guess so myself. But hey, i guess the exams are all part of these tests... One's life can never be free of troubles, if not life is not meaningful. Through these challenges, one learns of the moral lessons, and grow with strength. So, basically, here's my message to all those feeling stressed now:

JIAYOU!!!

I know how tough things can get sometimes, cause i had a feeling i was depressed at one point earlier in my life. But hey, get yourself together, and draw inspiration from the simple things in life, and who knows? You might find the courage or solution to face your troubles and put an end to it!

Haha, i guess I'm either making lots of sense or none at all, depending on how you perceived.

A final note: Thanks everyone who had encouraged me during my emo days. Special thanks to Han Liang and Ploy! Haha! =P

Guess i will update soon...

Confused?

2008-08-01T23:01:00.003+08:00

Someone send me a compass...

I need directions...and fast...

38 days to prelims...as measured by Han Liang...

So many unfulfiled tasks... maybe someone can just kidnap me and send me to Hawaii...

I dunno...i can't even think clearly... Am i who i perceive myself to be?

Life spiralling beyond my control...as if i'm stuck in the middle of the tornado of life, like a tonne of rock stuck at the bottom of a pitless ocean...suffocating...darkness envelopes me...only sleep can stop the pain...

What i've got to say? Got to really find something that motivates me...and...

STOP this CONFUSION!

...

...to be continued...

Silver!

2008-07-27T01:10:00.004+08:00

Omg, i really haven't blogged for ages. Felt like years since i began typing like this. As I'm typing away, all the past memories of blogging came flashing into my mind. I know this really sounds uninteresting, but the very thought that is ringing in my mind now is the reason why i started blogging. Yeah, dun ask me what's that reason, u got to find out urself! ;P

But anyway, since my blog is as good as dead (since i didn't update and no one came to visit), i might as well type a short post today. :/

Hmm, got myself that long-awaited silver for Nafa yesterday! Hooray! Haha, i supposed that was the only cheer in an otherwise mundane and miserable week for me. I really don't know why, but obtaining that silver did not really come as a happy thing to me. Although the matter of going NS later should bring some cheer, but i still felt a slight sorrow at it.

Pardon my English, or my crappiness, perhaps it's just the lack of sleep, but i'm seriously feeling sad. No, not that depressed type of sad. I should say that sadness takes on a whole new definition for me. I don't even want to type down all the miserable things that occurred to me, cos i don't want it to affect the people who i know and treasure most.

Ok, why am i even typing now? I could have been at my table studying. My whole life has been slacking away, either at games or outings, but seldom at the study table. Even at the table, i lacked full focus and often let my mind wander off. Could it be that my lack of focus and motivation is causing all these misery? Or could it be that watching all those around me feeling stressed over their exams be the cause? I really don't know myself.

Btw, sorry for not being able to go for the BBQ, Ibannies. I guess it's my loss for not being there huh? Don't worry, my leg is healing pretty ok. It should recover by the end of the weekend. Another reason to smile? I don't know...

Man, I'm starting to feel really disillusioned over my work. So many expectations, so little time. Everyone is studying so hard, in TJ and elsewhere, but here i am, typing away like i've got all the time in the world.

Yites, I'm really sorry for all those who are reading right now. I know I'm not the type who is that pessimistic (or am i?), so please don't let my mood dampen your spirits. Hey, National day is coming soon! 4 day break man! Haha, a good reason to smile huh?

Man, i really suck at hiding my feelings.

Never mind me, for all you guys out there, don't be disheartened or demoralized by the obstacles that lie in your way. Don't become the next me. Be optimistic, work hard and muster the courage to succeed. Yeah, as a friend, this is all the encouragement i can give; all else lies in your mind. Mind over body!

Maybe it's time i should go read my previous post.
I'm gonna be that eagle!

Learning my mistakes,
Focus! For God's sake!
Time to stay awake,
The "A"s are mine to take!

Motivation!!!

2008-07-16T22:22:00.008+08:00

"It's not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves" -Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to scale Mount. Everest

Yeah, Haha, that was the motivational quote that my biology tutors had enlightened us with, as we began our long and arduous tasks of revision exercises and tests. Another quote which heard a few days later:

"Pain is only temporary, However, If you make the wrong decisions, that pain will last forever."

Yep, u know what i mean huh? Well, if you don't, the pain basically refers to the pain of studying - that pain is gonna last for another 4 months, and after that, it will all be over. However, any moves to stop the pain, is gonna make my life a heck of a pain. Gosh, so much for the pain everyone's facing, have mercy!!! :(

As for today, i knew about 3 good stories that were told from my civics teacher, Miss Aileen Wong. The first was the story of 2 friends, the second was the story of the bamboo and the fern, and the 3rd is the story of the eagle. The stories aren't so clear in my mind, but i'm just gonna narrate it to the best of my abilities.

2 Friends

2 friends, A and B, were walking in the vast desert. After running out of water, they got into an argument over what to do. Friend B then punched Friend A in the face. As Friend A lay on the sand, he wrote, "Today, my friend hit me."

Then they carried on walking. they reached an oasis, whereby both got respite from the heat. Suddenly, friend A was sinking- he did not realize that the oasis was deep. Friend B came to his rescue. As both friends lay on the shore, panting after the narrow escape, Friend A took out a stone from his bag and carved, "Today, my friend saved my life."

Friend B was puzzled. He asked, "why did you write your earlier quote in sand, while you write the latter on stone?"

Friend A looked at him, and responded, " Because by writing the bad things that happen between us in sand, the wind can just blow it away. However, by writing the good things in stone, no wind can ever remove its trace. "

It takes: 1 day to get to know a friend, 1 week to get to understand a friend, 1 month to appreciate your friend, 1 year to get to like or love your friends, but forever not to forget their existence!

Dammit man, this is such a good story, i mean, ok, my narration must have been pretty crappy, but hey, i suppose u understand the gist of it huh? To all those people whom i know or treat as friends, sorry for what i've done, and in return, i forgive u guys for what u did! Well, it does not take a day to change one's perspective, but i 'll learn and mature...

The bamboo and the fern

A man has lost his friends, his family and all hopes of fulfiling his goals in life. He decided that there was only one way: to end his life. He wandered into the woods alone, hoping that the darkness and uncertainty of what lies ahead may consume him.

As he wandered in the darkness, he saw a radiant light. He walked towards it, and there was a man with a bright halo. He thought, "That must be god". He walked over to the saint and asked, "Oh god, do you think i lost it all?" The man with the bright halo looked at him calmly and answered, "Why not i tell you a story?"

"There was once a patch of land, and on the land I planted a bamboo seed and a fern seed. Everyday, i gave them water, sunlight and the best nutrient they can ever get. On the first day, the fern began to grow into a tiny seedling, but there was nothing coming out from the bamboo seed.

By a month, the fern was growing strongly, with flowers in full bloom. Yet there was not a single sprout appearing from the bamboo. I wasn't disheartened, and i still gave both plants equal treatment.

By a year, the fern was in its most radiant growth and finally, there was a tiny, the tiniest of all, of sprout growing form the bamboo seed. I smiled, and continue to give them sunlight and water. The next day, the seedling grew to more than 100m..."
"You got the answer."

Hearing this, the man asked the saint, "how can that be possible?" The saint responded, " There is nothing a task too difficult in this world that god gives to its people. With hope and perseverance, anything is possible." "How high did the bamboo grow after that?" "What do you think?" "As high as it could?" "You got your answer."

Hmm, lets just say this story was inspiring enough for me to put it down. Now let me go on to the third and final story.

The eagle

Did you know that eagles can live up to 70 years? Yet, they have to make difficult decision when they reach 40 years old. At 40, their beaks are too curved, their feathers too heavy and their nails too blunt. They are unable to hunt in that condition

At this crucial stage, they have 2 choices: To die, or to endure pain to live.. The latter involves flying to the highest of mountains....to REST. At the top, they break their beaks against the rock, and allow it to regrow. After that, they use the new beaks to pluck of their feathers, and allow them to regrow Last but not least, they break their nails, and wait for it to grow sharply.

The entire process takes 7 months!!! But after that, they can hunt for another 30 YEARS!!!

The moral of the story: same as the 2nd quote: pain is temporary, to have a better life ahead!

Well, i've reached the end of a very long but interesting post. Photos of this period of absence will be uploaded soon. As for now, I'm really swarmed with work. With tests practically everyday, and no time for a breather. Admist all the chaos, i sincerely hope that i can do better, not for anyone, but for myself and my future, to atone for the disappointment of JCTs.

Let that be a reminder of what happens when one tries to stop the pain...

Reflections

2008-06-27T21:22:00.008+08:00

B-A-C-K!!! Yep, after the enormity (and perhaps disaster?) of JCTs, I've finally earned my few days of freedom, before i'll be sent into a heck lot of remedial lessons, and be plunged into a world of books, tests and definitely more boring lessons ahead.

Haha, guess i should not be so moody after JCTs, what's done is over, and i guess this applies to all who have taken the exams; don't ever regret or feel down by what the results are, it's the process of learning that is most important, and yeah, JCTs...is a GAUGE of A levels. So, for all those who aren't satisfied with one's performance out there, cheer up, and let's work harder and learn from the outcome! =P

Hmm,i guess i can't really write much about the past, cause it was really such a long time ago, but hey, let me post some pictures to sum up what i did for the entire period of absence! The following pictures are of my cycling trips (yes,2) and Air Supply concert.

Destination: Beyond Changi chalet!

The first of 2 awesome views. Love it!

Beautiful, isn't it? Taken from near the coast to the runway. Catch of the day!!!

Cycled till this far (NOTE: it's 5.5km away from the Changi chalet, not from East Coast Macs!!!)

Yep, i was just 2.3km away from Changi Beach Park. ARGHH!!! If only i rode further...what lies beyond...

Changi Airport: Taken from my biking route!

Night cycling a few days later. The following pictures were taken near Lagoon food court.

My sis and I!

Yep, cycling had certainly taken up some part of my holidays, and it appears that the pictures I've taken so far are all about 2 wheels... Hmm, now going over to the Air Supply concert which i had gone barely one week ago (last Sat.)

Pardon for the blurriness, i was sitting pretty far behind, ahaha!

Yep, this was really a small portion of what i did during this period of absence, but yeah, I guess these pictures are a summary of what I've been doing huh? Now, as I'm typing, into the 2nd night of my really short holiday, i'm starting to reflect on the life that lies ahead of me. Now that JCTs are over, Prelims are next, then A levels, then NS...work...maybe U before that? Haha, that's really a sad life for me, but hey, i guess i got to enjoy what little free time i have left huh? That "freedom" that i envision just before i enter into the transition of Adulthood.

So much for my personal reflections... guess i'll spend the remaining part of this short holiday to brood over my future. Man, sometimes waiting can be harder then doing anything...

Send me an angel, genie, or wishing star...give me HOPE!

LEO forum

2008-06-08T20:17:00.011+08:00

Finally, the last of everything, the last of my fun, my holidays, and my freedom. Still, it's something to cheer about, as it was probably the last time I'm representing TJ LEO in something before all of us step down from their respective PDPs (or CCAs) and begin the monotony of studying till A levels are over.

Hmm, the 3 day 2 night event was pretty cool. It's called the 35th Multiple District LEO Forum in Johor Bahru. It was supposedly meant to be held in Singapore, but due to "the high cost of living in Singapore", as mentioned by the organizing committee, it was thus held in nearby JB. We basically got to stay in a five-star hotel (NOTE: 5 stars!), eat good food, mixed with good friends, and of course try to get along with every other LEOs and Lions participating in the event. Some pictures will pretty much tell the story.

Yep, that's my hotel! The Zon Regency Hotel

See? Singapore is just across the other side. Picture taken from inside the hotel! Haha!

Other pictures taken inside the hotel! High-class man!

Outside the hotel, wanted to go in there, but circumstances prevented us...

Vampire(Me) and Zombie(Teng Han)

Glamour Nite!

My Roomates! (Me, Gabriel Shan Zhi and Lap Kan sitting pretty)

TJ LEO OLE!
TJ LEO Guys!!!
Homebound...

Yep, got to rush now, and yes!!! As for today, i got myself a pair of new Puma shoes at Vivocity! Haha, yep gotta rush, let me add a few more photos!

Cool Puma Bike..Look Chia! (*wink)

Shopping at Vivo Giant with my family, me pushing the trolley

New Puma Shoes!!! Mmm-mmm =D

Nice Puma Design behind!

Tired i am,
Sober I'm not,
Where's that hint of motivation?
Or that spark of inspiration?

Runaway

2008-06-03T22:05:00.002+08:00

Yes, this title seems to match how i feel now.

I really don't know what i'm doing for the entire June Holidays. I left only about 3 weeks before JCTs, and here i am, without a care of the stresses and the enormity of what lies ahead of me. I feel like i'm running away from the subject of exams, which is kind of unnerving in view of the close proximity of the exams.

Still, i really want to thank everyone who has made my day for the first week and all the days before today. Without all of you, i guess my life will be pretty dull without your presence. I'm not going to mention your names, but u guys (and gals of course) know who you are huh?

I'm not going to write so much for now, as I'm going to choing my Chem after this. Guess i can't run away from studying after all. As soon as A levels are over, i will begin the transition into NS.
Which reminds me, as I've fractured my left 5th finger, there lies the problem of NAFA. Man, i really don't want to run away from the test of fitness, but this is one test that I don't think i've got any say in it. I only hope that my hand can heal quickly before the start of NAFA. The NS checkup which i had today was quite a relief, apart from the disheartening truth that i will need to go for another checkup on my finger 3 months from now, something that may affect my chances of going into NS late.

Just a random note: the new blogskin (YES, i got a new blogskin!) is also named Runaway.

A song that sort of rang in my ears throughout writing the blog...

Marie Digby - Say It Again
...Say it again for me
Cuz i love the way it feels when you are telling me that i`m
The only one who blows your mind
Say it again for me
It`s like the whole world stops to listen
When you tell me you`re in love
Say it again...

Camp Magica

2008-05-28T21:09:00.008+08:00

I guess I got to finish up what I have promised to do. The 3rd and final chapter of such a busy schedule during the last 2 weeks of the term was definitely the Tao Nan camp held right after Mardi Gras. The camp last year had brought back many fond memories: the kids, the fellow GFs, the camp songs... everything about Camp Hutan last year was fun and enjoyable. Therefore, the bar had been set and now it was time to see if Camp Magica had out-performed it's predecessor.

Duration: 23rd May to 26th May
Location: Tao Nan Primary School
Mission: Camp Facilitator

After the high of Mardi Gras and H.C. investiture during the entire day, I arrived in Tao Nan, full of optimism and spirit. Carrying my entire bagful of necessities, i entered the compound at approximately 11:30pm. Upon arrival, i had realized that the house identity was completed and I had nothing to do. I was slightly dispirited but was encouraged by the effectiveness (or rather, hastiness as i will find out later) of my entire team of GFs and managed to sleep despite the stiffness of the table and only about 4 hours of beauty sleep.

Day 1
Around 5:30 in the morning, i was jolted awake by my handphone alarm. I was totally stunned for a moment. I was actually still dreaming that the holidays had begun and why was i awake in such an early Saturday morning. Then the enormity of the things to come hit me. Immediately, my senses kicked in and I rushed through the morning routine before joining the fellow GFs in their breakfast. I remembered everyone was already looking a little sluggish. Apparently some of them had chose to sacrifice their sleep, something which i was thankful i didn't do. Then at about 7:30, the familiar sound of children filled the air, and the camp had officially begun. We sorted them into their various houses and before long, we were engaged in ice-breakers. That was when i found out something- my group had eleven boys!!!! ARGHH!!! I was pretty spooked at the thought of taking care of so many guys, something which i had not anticipated, as last year i only got 6 boys to take care of. Still, i calmed myself with the notion that i had one extra year of experience and surely, that should be an advantage? Or so it was.

Station games was relatively smooth sailing, with all the kids responding pretty OK with the challenges they faced. This also gave me a chance to see the characters of the kids, and keep track of the playful ones, or the "black sheeps". It was only until lunch time when i encountered my first resistance: A boy named Joel began crying when he couldn't finish the vegetables. U-oh, this was SO similiar to Wan Ying of K5. OMG, i wanted to help him, but I nearly failed to, as the kids around him began asking silly questions and if not for the arrival of Michelle, the House Chief, who brought the crying boy to the table of camp staff, i would not have known what to do.

Then it was Dragon-boating, which was one of my most favourite activity. Initially, the people there had suggested a one GF per boat ratio and if not for a single seat in the front which was empty, I would have been left on the shore. (As i had let Myra, my partner for M1 group to ride on the dragon-boat with the kids) So, i was given an opportunity to seat on the dragon-boat, and it was right in front, on the hull! Haha, that wasn't really a seat available, so i ended up being there. So anyway. i refreshed the experiences of "Ambush" with the kids by telling them to "attack" other sub-groups and very soon, the "war" had blown to it's full proportion. The kids, especially the boys, were totally engrossed with their "battle plans" and i was silently laughing at the simplicity of their "mission". In less than 15 minutes after setting off, i was already drenched and happy, and everyone was like a bunch of wet and cheerful ducklings by the end of the dragon-boating. I guess the exhilaration of making people wet with one's oars and buckets had brought cheer to all the kids and GFs alike.

After that crazy fun of paddling, we returned to school feeling pretty tired. Yet, the day was only half over. Now comes the madness for the GFs: bathing the kids. MAN!!! I NEVER EVER want to bathe 11 kids again! (well, at least let that horrible experience fade away before throwing to me that challenge once again). Imagine having to repeat the same instructions like more than 5 times, of course with the shouting, as everyone was busy asking questions about what to bring. The IRONY is that i was actually shouting the commands of what to bring. Of course, something that is hould have already known: 10 year kids have an attention span of a goldfish, NOTE: ATTENTION SPAN) By the time i got them out of the classroom, my 45 minutes to bathe them had been reduced to half. Worse still, Safwan's group was using the toilet and i ended up waiting outside together with the "soccer team" teaching them cheers, which they had listened with half-enthusiasm and irritation. Then, in a blink of an eye, i was inside the toilet, shouting commands for them to change out of their clothes in like a minute before hosing them all, which also got me half-drenched. The most irritating thing to note was that there was an entire House (I think it was Dolphin)cheering outside, and the door kept OPENING!!! I was like, "Dammit! Stop opening the door, I'm showering the kids, but i sweared some of the kids out there did that on purpose, and i could have sworn that there were a couple of girls peeping at my boys. Pervs!

So anyway, after bathing the kids, which took almost a lifetime, we sat down for dinner. Joel cried again. This time, Myra and i sat beside him and tried to encourage him, but to little avail. The guy just couldn't finish his veg. In the end, there was no more time and we had to "help" him, by throwing away his packet of half eaten veg. Night games began and soon every guy in my group was becoming a pest. Besides Joel, who cried AGAIN for not being able to take part in the basketball shoot-out, Joshua, Justin and RuiChen aka. "Chicken" became the notorious 3, always taking their own sweet time, and never failing to do their part in keeping me angry, either by forgetting their instructions or taking their own sweet time. Oh C'mon!!! They are guys man, army in like, less than 10 years? And they are walking slower than the girls. (I was really starting to admire Myra's position). If i ad been given full authority, i could have let loose the urge to slap them. But of course, this was a camp, and my duty was to protect them, not harm them. So i had to Tahan all the way, although i did remembered screaming at them at one point because they were totally doing their own things and were not united as a sup-group! That, in fact, was the first time in my entire life i shouted at a bunch of kids. I don't even remember doing that to my group in K5. Guess there's always a first in everything. So, i think because of the shouting, a boy named Christopher began crying as he was scared of the entire night and homesick as well. At least, that was a reasonable excuse to cry and he was off to an hour in the Ops room. By the time it was over, i got to keep up the shouting and managed to keep them in one piece into their tents. I remembered entering the shower at around 12am, wishing that the jet of water from the showerhead would just dissolve my entire being. I was TOTALLY shagged.

Day 2
I nearly could not wake up! I was zoned-out, and if not for the parchy throat of mine, begging me to run to the water cooler to take a sip of ice cold water, i guessed i could have just clung onto the bed/table and slept on. Anyway, i failed to cling onto the table, and i was thus making my way towards the tents half-expecting my boys to be up and running like mice on glucose. Well, surprise surprise! At least half the guys had already brushed their teeth and cleared their tents, something that i was secretly proud of. After about half an hour of renewed shouting, i managed to get them down for breakfast at the canteen.

Note: my sub-group is always the last one to reach any destination, and NO! It's not because i have the most guys in my group! Apparently, TJ's quote of "If we go alone, we go fast, if we go as a team, we go far" is definitely true in this aspect huh?

The Amazing Race got off to a sizzling hot start, and i mean literally BURNING HOT!!! I was already sweating only like 10 minutes into the start of the journey, which in addition to the unbelievingly stubborn boys and the never-ending road from one station to another, I was totally dehydrated man!!! The worst thing was, the kids have no sense of discipline, and every 3 minutes, i have to stop them and shout at them. I guessed i earned the nickname "DEVIL" or "TYRANT" by now. Even the smallest and cutest boy in my group, Siew Wyne, also got moody with Justin Jnr, and i had so many roles, ranging from facilitator, to "father", to "caretaker" to "punisher" to "peacemaker". I tell you, the list can go on, but i'm really keeping my words toa minimal. Anyway, the whole event ended with a cheering competition, which i half-screwed up when i forgot my words while leading the sub-group with my cheer. MALU! ARGHHH! Still, the humidity and stiffling heat was soon replaced with welcoming coolness when everyone made their way back to school, aching legs and all, to have their lunch.

After lunch, it was Rock Climbing and Abseiling, whereby i spent 3 boring hours getting the kids to support their fellow friends as each of them attempted their climb one by one. I guessed the other GFs were responsible for making the entire house seemed like watching a soap drama. Imagine the sight: About 6 GFs sitting in a row sleeping on their hands, while the kids in front were totally feeling bored and listless. I tried to do my part to liven things up, but apparently, one's Man action in this case cannot really make much of a difference. I was so thank ful when the whole thing was over, although showering the kids was also another episode that i did not wish to repeat in the blog.

Then after dinner (another forgettable episode), it was CAMPFIRE NIGHT!!! YEAH! HAHA, i must admit that this was one of the highlights of the entire camp. However, as compare to the previous year, it was a little disappointing as the camp songs were done a little hastily and the kids had little time to learn the songs. Still the camp performance was pretty good for Fierre, my house. Here's how it goes:

All:
1,2,3
Stand up (Clap x2)
Be Proud (Clap x2)
Say your name (Clap x2)
Out loud (Clap x2)

GFs: I say we say who's the best!
Kids: FIERRE, FIERRE!
GFs: I say we say who's the best!
Kids: FIERRE, FIERRE!

GFs(kids echo): Early morning late at night,
Fierre House charge out to fight!
All together as one,
We will win the war tonight!
Altogether: We will win the war (x3) [With fingers clasped and stomping]
Whoosh!

GFs: Oh it was SAD,
Kids: so SAD!
GFs: Oh it was SAD,
Kids: so SAD!
Altogther: Oh it was SAD that the BIG ship went Down to the bottom and Ignus, Kretor and Viento all go down, it was SAD that the Big ship went down!

GFs: Fierre, are you ready?
Kids: Ever ready!
GFs: Give me one clap!
Give me 2 claps!
Give me 3 claps!
Altogether: Lets BURN their house down!
[Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Stomp, Clap,
Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Stomp, Clap,
Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Stomp, Clap,
Stomp, criss-cross, whoosh!] FIERRE!

Haha, I'm so proud of this cheer! It's like the best cheer i ever done with just a 2 hour preparation, including teaching the kids and all! It was so cool! Haha, partially, it's the H.C. spirit and orientation fever that hit me during that short spate of time, but i swear that being able to lead the kids in cheering for their house is something that i deeply enjoyed, albeit with sore throats and husky voice. The rest of the night was pretty much a blur, and the only other enjoyable thing was being able to sit down after a long day's work and playing a few games of Bridge (with Hilary, Suzanne and Bobby) with my brain began to shut down and the 3 of them telling me to sleep (cos i was losing the next 7 consecutive games with all my partners- cool record huh?)

Day 3
Finally, Monday arrived and i was really waiting to get out of there. Telematch began after breakfast and area-cleaning, which was HOT!!! I mean, the weather was scorching, and the kids were COMPLAINING, and I was SHOUTING! Then the inevitable came, i LOST my voice. Arghh, until now, my voice is just starting to return to normal. So anyway, the last day was pretty much a blur, as i was really tired and waiting for the entire thing to finish and apart form the super yummy lunch buffet that the camp organizers treated us to, as well as a few photos taken with the other friends I made with the camp, i reached home and SLEPT THE DAY AWAY.

Now, I'm really uber tired, so i'm not giving any excuse for ending of the blog post so abruptly. I will give my special thanks for all the people who had made my camp enjoyable and of course, memorable in both good and bad lights. So, all these writing has made me rather shag, as if i'm going through Camp Magica all over again. Well, let me recap them all in my sleep tonight. Till then, TATA!

By the way, I'm testing the font size to large, hope some of u can see better. But seriuosly, I'm tempted to change the blogskin altogether. So I'll see about that.
Some photos:
M1!

Kids and me doing some dance

What's left of Iban!

H.C. Investiture/ Mardi Gras

2008-05-28T00:56:00.003+08:00

Duration: 23rd May
Location: TJ
Mission: nil

Haha, i guess i'm really getting lame over the "duration, location and mission" thing, but hey, what's wrong with that? So, i suppose 23rd May can be the highlight for the entire term, cause so many things occurred that was definitely impressionable and memorable.

The morning kicked started with the preparation for H.C. investiture. In the blink of an eye, it has been one year and I'm now the senior and the one handing down the baton to the 16th house committee junior. It is ironical that i was standing there, pinning the badge of my fellow junior, when just a year ago, i was the one whose collar had the badge been pinned on. So, anyway, everything turned out pretty ok, and at the end of it all, it was nice to see everyone as one House Comm, singing to the college anthem and doing all the various cheers. It was pretty nostalgic, and i even got a cookie with my name on it! Now that's what i call "touching".

After half a day of pretty boring lessons, it was the start of Mardi Gras. Receiving the new red T-shirt was one thing, being able to see the entire performance was definitely the highlight. The task was simple: Be a volunteer for Mardi Gras for 2 hours, and after that, u get free excess to everything and anything u want to see. Of course, this doesn't include food and other games, but hey, the show was the highlight after all. Not only that, i got to see many old friends of mine, both past and present. From the 4Rians of Sam. T., Abhishek, Zia, and Sam L., to the Ibannies- Hil., K.Q. and Jiayu- I was certainly glad to see them participating in this mega school event. Of course, the performances was the SHOW man! From Harley motobikes thundering into the school (i counted at least 20 of them), to the mass dance performance from both the teachers and us, Mardi Gras had turned out to be worth the time and money!

Gosh, my brain has really disintegrated into matter and i'm thinking like a snail on medication....so that's like...super, ultra slow. But hey, not bad, two post in a spate of 2 hours. How's THAT for a record?

Too tired to write on, let sleep bewitch my mind and take over my world...that is, until daylight is out...

H.C. camp

2008-05-27T22:51:00.003+08:00

Well, this is gonna be the first of quite a lot of posts for the day. Yep yep! Basically, it's kind of like the start of everything, the start of my busy schedule and the start of a number of posts for the whole week, so here goes nothing.

Duration: 16 May to 18 May
Location: TJ
Mission: Camp facilitator

Well, that's kind of like a rough idea of what's the whole thing about. Hmm, the annual camp was meant to be a test of endurance and stamina of the newly elected H.C. candidates, and to see their true characters in the face of obstacles and hardship. Man, it was certainly the most hiong camp i ever see. Admittedly, i did not attend last year's camp, and secretly, i felt thankful for that. If i had gone through the entire camp, i may have had a different perception of life. If i ever survived the camp in the first place.

Anyway, at 6pm on 16 May, the torture began, well...mainly the juniors were the one receiving the suffering inflicted by the cruel and "evil" seniors, but hey, if no one becomes the bad guys, how can we conduct the boot camp?

First was the warm-up. We got the juniors to unpack everything in their bags and began asking them to do meaningless spot checks, confiscating all their luxuries (mp3s, hand phones, etc). We even got them to run around, and give them ridiculous deadlines to pack their stuff...imagine having only 1 min to pack everything. After like half an hour of shouting (i mean like SHOUTING), we succeeded in instilling that fear and submission within them, or so i supposed so.

Then it was the night walk. Man, the thing about the night walk is, it really is a walking in the dead of the night! In addition to the entire walk in the Tampines Mountain Bike trail, i also got the walk of my life- the walk from Tampines all the way to TJ. Something to note: When walking such a long distance, always remember to drink lots of water and WARM-UP. I have the dubious achievement of not doing both and i ended up being both dehydrated and fatigued, and it was only the first night!

The next day, I got an excuse to escape from the madness of conducting the camp when i went to help out in college day. Together with Chia (happy?), we spent 2 hours carrying boxes of certificates and other prizes to and fro from the stage to the HOD of Arts room. Man, i swear i walked like 10 times in all! When i got back to the H.C. room, the Amazing race had already begun and i ended up sleeping in the H.C. room for like 4 hours!!! That turned out to be a breather, as the night was gonna be long and energy sapping.

Basically, that night was camp fire and all the juniors were involved in sharing their talent in cooking and performing for the seniors. That turned out to be one of the highlights of the entire camp. Besides the ridiculous games like passing seaweed using one's mouth and limbo, there were also songs played with the guitar from Lighthouse (is it "You and Me"? i forgot le) and other lame performances. As for the food, it was satisfactory, albeit a guy ended up with food poisoning (because apparently his house won the "Best food but most unhygienic cooking" award). So yep, that was pretty memorable. And of course, who will forget the P.T.? Dragon pumpings, crunches, hanging by the monkey bar and of course running! Everything was pretty much a blur, but i know that night, or rather that early early morning, i had only like an hour of sleep. Now THAT sets the record!

So, before the sun had even set out, i was given the role of accompanying the fellow juniors on our morning P.T. jog! Great, except the fact that, i was carrying their haversack bag and it was like 7kg? I was practically jogging behind them all the way to East Coast, and by the time i reached there, the sun was already blazing! In the end, there was more P.t., only difference was, the setting was in the waters by the shore of East Coast as well as Bedok Jetty. Well, they say that hard work does pay off, and everyone was rewarded with ice-cream at the end of the P.t., i guess it was scant consolation for all the aches and bruises they had received during the camp.

Well, i didn't manage to attend the elections, but for all the 16th H.C. members, i salute u guys and gals for having withstood all the tests that we the seniors meted out to you! Good job done and j.y. for the year ahead!

Alas, Post No. 1 is done and it's already close to one? Should I continue? I really don't know...

Chorophobia!

2008-05-06T22:26:00.006+08:00

Yep, the long overdue post is finally here. Yes, it's none other than the megahouse function, held just barely a week ago.

CHOROPHOBIA! Also known as the fear of dancing. This year's megahouse function had promised to be one that is fun, exciting and basically, a test of the strength and unity of the house committee. Held last Wednesday, the theme was basically: To dance! Yep, it definitely seems ironical as compared to the title, but its the twist that is aimed towards bringing out the Elvis in everyone.

About 2 months back, i was designated under Decor Committee, and boy, I was so glad to be in the committee! I had past experience working with the Decor Committee during S.C.I.P., and therefore, this gave me some advantage towards running for the committee. It was nice to see the other Alpha people, Meiyi and Safwan, who were together in the same committee, along with others like Angela (Highlights Committee ldr for CNY) and Wenshan (knew her through LEO). I will mention the others real soon.

Anyway, it was until about 2 weeks before the actual event did we begin to make preparations. Initially we had the problem of finding black cloth to decorate the entire hall, but after careful consideration along with some practical analysis, we decided to replace the black cloth using our house banners replaced with black trash bags. It may seem easy, but it's definitely not! It took the entire team over 3 days just to scotch-tape the trash bags onto the banners, and this also included spray-painting the bags with star shaped stencils using silver spray paint. Our objective was to create a starry night background to match "dancing in the moonlight". Ingenious!

As the focal point of the Decor team was to create the black and white star background, we started hanging them up during the entire morning and afternoon prior to the start of the event. It was certainly challenging to tie the banners up at the second level, which we managed to do so by attaching the ends of the banner to half-filled bottles before tossing them over the second level. Bravo! It took close to 2 hours throwing and tying, carrying and balancing the big, black rolls of cloth (and trash bags) and when it was finally up, it had the makings of a night background. There was only a slight problem: the trash bags were translucent at some parts and it did not turn out to be as nice as it was preciously predicted. As this was discovered at the backdrop of the evening sun, we prayed that everything would go smoothly as night approaches.

Anyway, that was just the foundations. We had silver confetti covering the entire floor of the hall. And the two things that added a dazzle to the decorations. The smoke-box and the spherical disco light. It was amazing to see the latter, as this could only be found at real nightclubs. Something i found out, the disco light was sensitive to sounds (or beats rather) and can change its course of rotation and even light intensity, adding a whole new dimension towards the settings and background. After the 2 things were added on, there was only time left to wait for the event to begin.

An hour later, decked in our all-black attire, we began to see how the function unfolds.
At first, when the clock struck 7pm, and there was barely 30 people, we got a little edgy as the thoughts of a poor turnout unnerved all the fellow H.C. members. However, as time passed, the crowd began to grow, and soon the entire hall was bustling with activities. Being the Decor Comm., we had the dubious honour of being free, as our job scope was temporarily rather light. We ended up helping the Pub Committee in the crazy frenzy of topping up ice in pint sized hard plastic cups. The sight was really stressful, and i sort of sympathized with the Pub "bartenders". The moment the cups are filled with "vodka", it was immediately lapped up by the thirsty revelers and the empty cups are sent to be washed before its re-iced and topped up with more drinks. This endless frenzy kick-started at about 8pm and was still going on an hour later. Well, i suppose that the Decor team deserves some applause for the contribution for helping the Pub Comm. Decor Baik!!! :P

The approximately 3 1/2 hour function was a rousing success, with the main objective of getting TJians to dance being achieved. With the introduction of the awesome, funky street dancers from NYP, it got the groove moving among my fellow TJians. Soon enough, when the crowd was given the freedom to hit the dancefloor, they willingly took the challenge to their stride. Man, the songs were good, and even got the latest song such as Low from the movie Step Up 2. This was when the smoke machine came to good use. We positioned the smoke machine towards the disco light and soon enough, the projections became clear and the settings became much suited to that of the real nightclub settings. There were also the accompaniment of games such as Pull-up Challenge and Dizzy Sumo, which got the crowd in a frenzy cheering their fellow schoolmates along. Seeing them enjoying themselves was certainly a sight to behold, and deep in my heart, i knew that the event had certainly exceeded expectations. There was even an incident whereby the DJ apparently played a song deemed too dull by the crowd, and they began to chant "Change song!!! Change Song!!!" Haha, their wish was granted and they all danced the night away.

Alas, when the time read 10pm, the event had to draw to a fitting close. Even so, the crowd were still reluctant to leave the hall and posed for more snapshots of background made by the Decor team. SWEET!!! Finally, when everyone got everything cleared up from the hall, the decor team took a few photo shots, before the debrief and the long night home.

The 15th H.C.'s last mega house function was certainly the best among all those held, and i couldn't help but replay the moments where the dance moves, the starry background and the "alcoholic" drinks took centre stage. Once again, I would like to thank all the H.C. members for making this event a SUCCESSFUL one, especially DECOR COMMITTEE. In no particular order, I thank Teck Kian, Sze Sian, Chun Kiat, Safwan, Meiyi, Wenshan, Desiree and Angela for making the Decor team such a fun and cool team to work with.

Once again,

S-U-C-C-E-S-S!
DECOR DECOR is the BEST!!!

Gap year

2008-04-23T10:56:00.002+08:00

Well, i guess this post is mainly about one of my dream and aspiration.

Recently , i have read in the newspaper about a term called "Gap Year". Yeah, basically, it applies to those mainly in the US and UK, where college graduates (usually those of the age of 18), take a year off, literary, to travel around and out of their country. And i mean it, like just drop all the burdens they are holding and just travel around the world, free from troubles. Of course, this applies mainly for those who are well-off, but hey, who says that Singapore can't do the same thing. Man, sometimes i think that the transition for guys in Singapore is too rigid and stringent, from school, to NS, to Uni, to work and the when one finally can take a brek, they find out that they are well past 60.

NO!!!!! I don't want this to happen to me. I want my freedom, i want to be able to explore the unknown realms of the world, from the deep corners of the ocean to the highest point of the earth; from the most remote villages in the world to the urban skyscrapers of US/Japan. In short, i want to travel. And i bet everyone else i know may have thought of just travelling. I know home is where the heart lies, but sometimes, it is necessary for one to set out beyond the safe boundaries of home, for one to really know where one's heart truely lies. All these talk about academic pursuits, job pursuits, even monetary pursuits, just seem like an endless pursuit, with the process pratically endless and the hunger for more pretty stressful and harmful.

Yeah, that was sort of my dream when i was young: to be a globe trekker. Not those boring jobs of being a doctor or lawyer. Well, unless these jobs bring me around the world, i pretty much want a job that brings me around the world. maybe become a wine taster?

haha, guess I'm dreaming again...

PW!!

2008-04-12T23:55:00.002+08:00

AAA!!!! YEAHHH!!!!!!!

Haha, just to show a little enthusiasm there. My batch of TJians certainly outperformed our predecessor, notching the biggest surprise! From a lowly 7.1% A rate from our seniors, we attained a whooping 87.2%!!!!!! WAHAHAHA! If only all exams are like this, TJ will own everyone. HAHA. 99.2% of the 750 student cohort attained an A-B grade which was pretty reasonable (only 6 people got C).

Yeah, for all those out there who did not get their desired grades, i'm really sorry for being so in-sensitive here k? But for all the rest out there, yeah! GRATZ to u all!

Hope we can do even better during the A levels in 7 months time! :P

Experiences

2008-04-07T09:16:00.002+08:00

ALOHA! Back, back, BACK! Man, i swear people think my blog has died or something. Haha, I've really not been touching my blog for the past 2 weeks. It's not because my interest of blogging had waned, but rather, I've really been swarmed with work, and i guess that work isn't really a pretty cool thing to talk about in a blog. Yeah. Anyway, this weekend had been a blast for me. Outing with half the Iban group, Bishan A.R.K., and of course lan and pool at night. How cool can that get for a weekend? I mean, with such a tight schedule, this is the best i can get, before the monotony of another week with tests and lectures hit me so hard that i lose conscious.

Hmm, last Friday night, got to meet up with the Iban GFs for dinner and chat. we met at Mandarin garden before heading over inside to ThaiPan to enjoy a meal of butter squids and other tasty delights. We chatted about work (mainly about the MJ's tuition scenario), school and of course, each other. It was really heartwarming to see them again cos everytime i do so, i will be reminded of the good old times of Camp Hutan. Seeing them again sort of relieved me of my present worries and made me forget about all the stress in school. Anyway, after dinner, we walked all the way to Neptune Court before we entered inside and chatted for another half an hour at the playground. It got to be the weirdest scene ever, seeing 7 teenagers standing on top of the "castle" and chatted and chatted and chatted. Did you know there is a mini bird park with flamingos and other exotic birds just around Mandarin garden? Or that's just what Kianyan and Linda said. haha, I gotta check it out myself, i mean - Not 1, but a few flamingos!!! where else can we get to see that? Haha. after we got bored (or for Sean's case- tired), we proceeded to the nearby 7-Eleven. Never in my life had I expected such a reply- "Shall we go drink liqour?" God, I was speechless at that suggestion. They proceeded to buy Hooch and some other alcohol. God, I think i was the only one there who had yet to taste anything alcoholic (apart from the beer which i had a few sips during CNY before i gagged and sweared never to touch again). The moment i tasted in, it was....Hmm... u can say both strong and "Wow". I don't know man, but i remembered i took quite a big gulp from the 8.8% alcohol bottle. I nearly fainted- LOL, not from the effects but from the first sensation of the beverage. In the end, i guessed i survived in all to recount all these. Still, i could remember the only other vivid thing was KianYan sort of being self-remorseful for introducing me to one of the 7 sins, and i couldn't help but smile at the end of it all. These meetings with the Ibannies are always full of surprises and entertainment. Iban BAIK!!! =P

The next morning, i woke up pretty early and the after-effects of that sinful beverage didn't really seeme to have an advers effect to me (Phew). Destination: Bishan Junction 8, Level 3, Open Plaza. I set off at 10 a.m and believe it or not, ireached there at 10:40 a.m., like 50 mins early. i mean, i didn't expect such a journey on bus and train could take such a short time. I ended up "hanging" around till the actual time, which was by then buzzing with activities. The Open Plaza itself was especially busy, with swarms of TJians busy making last minute preparations. The theme; Acts of Random Kindness aka A.R.K. and our job: to publicize and spread the message of being kind-hearted to the general public through colourful and simply-designed cards. It was so cool when afternoon came, and everybody wore the orange shirt that was provided. (Just a random note: I got 4 orange T-shirts- Tj made and proud of it!) We got down to business and sorted out the cards and pasted identification stickers on it. While doing so, we got a beatboxing performance by out very own TJian, Ryan. Man, he's good! And once everything was ready, 2 hours of card-giving and message-sending began. It reminded me so much of collecting-money-in-those-metal-tins scenario, minus the need for collecting money. Even so, the free cards didn't really had an attractive effect on the masses, as they were mostly busy with thier own stuff and shopping. Still, this was half the masses, and the other half responded pretty well to our efforts. Very soon, our efforts pretty much paid off, and i could see a constant flow of people entering the Open Plaza. Seems that the mobilization of the propaganda team worked! In the end, everything worked out pretty well, albeit a little sore throat from all that presuasion. Only one thing: I didn't get to see Paul 2Hill perform!!! ARGHH!!!

Last of all, i went to Simei to have a mini-gathering with the boys from 4R. Actaully, it was just 5 boys in all (including me) and it was a far cry from the 10+ people that will normally congregate at the KFC outlet before proceeding to spill some guts at the Lan outlet. Still, we managed an hour of fun, before we got kind of bored and ended up buying butter popcorns (note butter again-now i'm getting kind of seek of it again) and Ben & Jerry's ice-cream before proceeding to Abhishek's house for pool. Haha, i pretty much suck at that game, but hey, it's the gathering that matters. hopefully there will be more people for the next outing in....2 weeks time?

Haha, time really flies by when one is so engrossed with doing what one likes. Ok, until then Hola!

Visions

2008-03-17T11:04:00.004+08:00

Back! Haha, wow, that was such a long period of absence! Well, Guess it had something to do with getting over with the disappointment of A levels.......NO LA, JOKING! Well, the March holidays had been filled with studying for March Common Test (MCT), as well as (attempting to) complete all the holiday assignments given. So much for holidays... :(

Anyway, I've gotta stop being so depressing, it really affects people sometimes. Like the time I got my Chinese A levels. Ok la, enough le! Sometimes it's such an irony that when we look forward to all the happy things in life, but in our quest to achieve it, all the misery often gets into the way. Haha, felt ironical to me anyway.

To cheer things up a little, my school did particularly well for the A levels, that today, we got half day off! Haha! Such consolation, considering the fact that today is such a long day, and it happens to be the first day of school! However, our school didn't do that well for GP, with only an 11.8% GP distinction for the senior batch! haiz, just hope I can get the A too! Yeah, also, there's gotta be another holiday this friday! Oh yeah! Sometimes, it really is lucky for me to be living in Singapore, as we get to enjoy all the holidays that are reserved to all the various different races and religion. Haha, just the thought of a 3 day holiday makes me feel so happy! Haha, guess it's necessary to make up for the lack of holidays during the March holidays.

Just a little randomness from me, recently, I've been having those weird dreams during my sleep, not sure if it's due to the stress earlier during the week, or a premonition of something to happen. I don't know, sometimes it would be my friends with me, sometimes it was my family, but there was one dream involving my Chem teacher as well! Omg, but the settings seems so familiar though i couldn't quite figure out where it is yet. At one point, I even dreamt myself with another unknown person running away from a man who was wiping out everyone around the building using his finger. Makes me think of Sylar of the show Heroes. Haha, maybe it's just me, but these visions are so vivid that i will wake up feeling the shudders. Personally, some of my visions had been those of the future. For instance, just recently, i dreamt that i was taking the MCT at the left side of the Audi, and guess what, it happened at the exact spot. Well, I didn't really realized it until halfway through the paper, when i looked up to stretch my neck, and suddenly, i realized my dream flashing back to me. Man, that got me stoning for about a minute, before the realization of what little time i had left hit me and got me back to my questions.

Hmm, I've been typing for quite a while and there's no title being formulated in my head. Well, so much for visions when i can't even think of what to write now. Just to note, everytime i blog, i try to think of what titles to write and what poems to add. Guess it's the spirit of creativity, or the creator-wannabe in me. So this is a little poem i compose, haha!

The freedom I envision,
is all but just a vision.
Computers and television,
are the only means of provision.

Haha! Poet amateur at work! Will write something more interesting than all these randomness. Yeah, wait till i get that new phone of mine(*wink)

;P
W.Q.

Blue

2008-03-09T23:15:00.002+08:00

Staring into the starry night,
Wishing that I found the might.
With darkness and the twinkling light,
Oh! What a beautiful sight!

Crap...that was a lousy attempt in writing a poem, but hey, I was just trying to describe how I felt as I sat on the rocky shores along the coast of the sea, looking out into the endless night, with the waves beckoning for me to stay, and the stars with their glimmer of hope. Yet, all i felt was disappointment and anguish at that very moment, as I recalled those moments earlier that day.

Just 7 hours ago, I was pedalling my bike towards school. It was gonna be a special day that day, and I was feeling all nervous and excited. With my mind filled with the captain's ball competition and the LEO outing later that day, I was also worried about the Chinese A level results. It was really the moment of truth, and it kind of reminded me of the same scenario just 2 years back. At that time, it was the announcement of the Chinese O level results, and I was both bewildered and lost for words, as trembling hands received the pink slip of paper, with my eyes staring at that very letter: A.

2 years later, the scenario was unfolding like that of the past, and as I saw the familiar outline of my school, I pedalled harder. Nothing could ever go wrong, could it? Smiling, my confidence grew as I approached my school, my result, my outcome.

Yet, it was not to be. From the moment the teacher mouthed the word "B", all my hopes crashed to the ground. Like a man whose last move was thwarted in a game of chess, I was speechless with the outcome. Even though I quickly regained my composure and congratulated those who got their deserving As.. Deep in my mind, I felt lost and sore.

The day passed by quickly, and by the time I was reminded about my results again, it was at night, during the LEO BBQ. Excusing myself from the bbq, I made my way towards the familiar rocky ledge and sat there. After a while, I lied down on it and faced the starry night. At that very moment, all those memories came rushing back into the mind. All the expectations I had piled on myself felt heavier with each passing thought, and I simply remained where I was, wishing that all the disappointment would just disappear...

I only felt better today, thus giving me the strength to write all these. I know that the outcome seems pretty ok for most people, i guess. But I'm sure that everyone has their own expectations.. and that feeling if not making the cut will just leave a sour taste in my mouth. I hate to admit, but i really HOPE that i can get over it ASAP, for time waits for no man. March Common Tests (MCT) for Bio and Chem this Friday, and next terms gonna be much more busier... I pray for strength and willpower, with a little bit of luck, to get me though the entire year.

Pain keeps me alive... keeps me going on with life...with pain I FIGHT on!

Undaunted,
W.Q.

Cabbage!

2008-03-05T10:13:00.003+08:00

Yay! Finally got time to blog...I'm currently enjoying a one hour break...haha...I'm really tired with all the juggling of blogging, emailing, PDPing, and catching up with my homework...but hey! It wouldn't hurt to have a little break! Yeah! =P

So you guys must be wondering what's with the weird title name...AHAHA! Hmm...it's pretty simple actually... as part of Delta House Committee's house function, we decided to hold a captain's ball competition! Before the finals are played, there will be a slight twist.. that is, we're gonna use cabbage as the ball! ROFL!!!

So the initial surprise is over...but hey...yesterday some of the Delta H.C. people had some fun trying out the game itself. As the netball court was too small, we ended up playing a weird combination of touch rugby and catain's ball...Boy, it was super fun man! The moment the cabbage mislanded or was thrown with great strength and height, it would "explode" literally, with bits of cabbage leaves sprewn all over the area. Hmm, that should not be the worst of it all, as we ended up smelling like the vegetable itself. I seriously cannot imagine all the hilarity of the finals, which will be held this Friday. Man, I can't wait... :P

Ok...a little of some school updates and stuff. A LEVELS RESULTS IN 2 DAYS! ARGHH!!! I'm SO NERVOUS LA.... really am scared of the outcome....well...there are some who believed tat I can do it (*wink)...but still, I'm really edgy....thinking of it alone makes me shiver...well...let me a little optimistic...All the best for those who are taking their results too this friday! ALL THE BEST!!!

Besides the release of the results and the Captain's ball competition...theres also the LEo outing! YEAH!! HAHA...Hmm...actually, i'm contemplating on skipping it altogether as I need my beauty rest and sleep...but 1) it's at East Coast and 2) it's in the evening....Best of all...I may get to cycle there too! Hmm...all the elements of a fun outing...hopefully... :P

On a random note, this is my 50th post! HAHA! Not bad for someone who's pretty busy... Will blog more about the evnts that are unravelling before me in a couple of days...

"When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life"
-Greg Anderson

Anticipation,
W.Q.

Lost

2008-02-27T20:57:00.003+08:00

Sometimes, amidst all the madness of schoolwork and homework, my mind will drift off towards the past, towards the moments in secondary school, primary school...even Basketball and Iban... those fleeting memories...seem to shuttle in and out of my mind...as I continued the senseless task of finishing all my homework...

Come to think of it, most of my blog post really speaks more of the events that I've been through, instead of the feelings that I felt. So, let this post be one of those exceptions...(since i got nothing much else to write)...

It has been close to two months since I got back into school, but the reality of school life has barely sunk into my life. Everyday, as I trudged back home from yet another mentally exhaustive day in school, I will often think deeply. Of course, not those like day-dreaming kind of thoughts, but sudden images of the past will tend to flash into my mind, as if to remind me of those sane moments that would always be etched within the inner realms of my mind.

Sometimes, I will tend to let those thoughts sink deeper into my mind. Sometimes, during the short 10 min trips to school and back, I will close my eyes and let my mind drift...drift away from the burdens of schoolwork and all, into the world of my own. Sometimes, even as I lie on my bed and say goodbye to another day, I would lay for an hour...sleepless...with my mind filled with all the beautiful memories that i have.

Even when I'm walking along the short stretch of the road towards the side gate of my school, I tend to slow down slightly, to take in the sight of the clear blue sky...as well as the break of daylight.

I really don't know why I'm saying all this, but I guess that i just want to pour my heart out today. It seems to me that in spite of all the hectic schedule that lies in wait to swallow me alive, the constant memories of the past, as well as the beautiful and heartwarming times that I had been involved in, would always serve as a catalyst: To inspire me when I'm down, to be there to cheer me up, fight away my fears, to wipe away any potential tears ...and to act as my guardian angel...to hold my hand and guide me out of the constant threat of insanity and stress...

I really can't wait for all these to be over...I really can't wait to take on the A levels, I can't wait to leave TJ...all beaming and proud...to have achieved my desired results...or maybe i can't wait to get into a university?

Which reminds me...I'm already 18, but the path that lies ahead of me seems so unclear and hidden with unknown adversities...the plethora of scholarships...so appealing yet so demanding... And it only serves to increase my hesitance in my ideal choice...What choice to make? What grades to attain? What lies ahead?

I don't know...for the first time...i feel a little lost...Call me independent, but i don't wish to trouble anyone with my thoughts...so here i am...blogging away...releasing all the worry and troubles that I've stored in my heart... Of course, I feel much better now, but whether the feel-good effect will last, I don't know..

I notice that my post is filled with "I don't know"...

On a random note, I heard that the A level results are coming at the end of this week...OMG... I'm so FREAKKKING nervous about it...not sure...a growing uneasiness seems to be gripping me... although deep in my mind, a voice will ring out : You will do well...I know you will...

Let's see what the outcome is...

From the song "So far away-Staind"

this is my life
its not what it was before
all these feelings i've shared
and these are my dreams
that i'd never lived before
somebody shake me
'cause i
i must be sleeping

Lost
W.Q.

Quote(2)

2008-02-23T20:34:00.004+08:00

"If you wish success in life, make
PERSEVERANCE your bosom friend,
EXPERIENCE your counselor,
CAUTION your elder brother, and
HOPE your guardian genius."

Joseph Addison

Short post today...don't really know what to write...my blogging skills have temporarily deserted me...pray it comes back...haha...

Mentally exhausted
W.Q.

C.O.P.E.

2008-02-17T17:05:00.003+08:00

Another weekend has drawn to a close, but my homework doesn't seem to end here...the endless struggle to complete assignments one after another...really is starting to feel the strain of the workload...the struggle continues...

Anyway, last Friday, it was one of the C.O.P.E. programmes organized by our very own TJ LEO club. the objective was supposed to be to accompany the old folks from the nearby Block 12 at TJ to the Long Beach Restaurant at East Coast Park. 3 hours were spent there...and boy, I felt so glad to see the elderly again. Hmm...I dunno why, but the last time i saw the lively crowd of elderly people were during the lightings at Orchard Road during Christmas eve. To see them again was certainly reminiscence of the good old days, as their friendly banters and good ol' spirit was never unwavering. While waiting for the food, we chatted and joked about each other(mainly the elderly). The main caretaker there- Jimmy, was the resident joker as usual...always speaking in a wide array of languages to taunt the elderly (jokingly, of course!) The elderly beside me, a 82 year old Malay man named Enjom was definitely my favourite elderly to talk to. Gosh, he was such a joy to talk to and of course mainly listen to. Despite the fact that that he spoke mostly Malay and a little bit of English, we had little problems communicating with each other. Guess it has gotta be destiny...ahaha... Hmm, the food is also both delicious and well-cooked. The delicacies ranged from the expensive Shark's Fin to the basic kang kong, from the soft flesh of the steamed promfret to the fried crunchiness of the "Kentucky" chicken...Gosh..all these desciption seemed to make me more hungry...haha.. At the end of it all, it was of course a little sad to part ways, but I was glad that the elderly did manage to enjoy themselves...with the company of the fellow LEO members.

The next morning, it was another CIP-initiated programme. Decked in our colouful array of TJ clothes, we gathered at Simei MRT station. We were supposed to go to Orange Valley Nursing Home, which was situated next to Changi General Hospital. This was like any other home visits, with a slight twist; as my p.d. was sick, I was tasked to take charge along with the President of LEO, Jia Yun...GOD!!!! I was so NERVOUS la...because 1) it was pretty last minute. 2) I don't know half the people going(mostly J1s and TAs) and I was to introduce the games and song...ARGHH!!! Actually, it's not like I'm afraid or what...but all the suddenness in being assigned to do all these in such a short time makes my heart pump with much needed adrenaline...and of course...heightened the tension and anxiety level... After getting into the building, the both of us got into schedule, introducing the Chinese song and of course the number game...MAN, I felt so demoralised when i saw the blank looks on the face of the elders as i attempted to speak (or rather..shout) as loud as I could- partially cos several of the elderly had difficulty in hearing, aka hearing impaired. Luckily, with the silent encouragement of the fellow LEO members and of course my own determination...I got through the initial "stage-fright". Very soon, I was engaging the elderly with slight confidence....and with the aid of a mike kindly given by the lady-incharge, I managed to get throught the entire 2 hours of games, song and some brief introduction of New Year's resolutions...We even got to go up to feed the elderly(as it was their lunch time). Basically, I learnt quite a bit on Communication in CHINESE...something which i had barely done so for the past couple of months... Hmm...let's just say that the home visit was a personal success for me!

Gosh...back to my homework....or should I slack a little while...haiz...the temptations of the Internet... :P

Cookies

2008-02-14T21:40:00.003+08:00

This week has been such a busy one for me....with so much homework and tests to handle...yet i still find time to rest, relax...and of course BLOG!

Just 2 days ago, I got my chance to bake some cookies! Yeah! Basically, it was just to raise funds for Delta H.C., and we had to find things to sell. For all those who went for the Tao Nan Camp that time, did you ever try those yummy coffee, cinnamon cookies that my family made? Haha! That's right! Together with my mum and sis, I spent several hours stuck in the kitchen taking out trays of baked cookies and sprinkling snow powder onto half the cookie...heart-shaped cookies... Y-U-M-M-Y!!! The aromatic smell and the crunchy feeling was wonderful, and when the bittersweet taste melts in the mouth...it simply is heavenly!!! Haha...I'm not trying to boast about the cookie...but I know what food taste nice, and the cookies are definitely beyond my expectations! :D

Today, Valentine's Day and International Day coincided together...which was also dress-down day in my school. It was also the day when I presented the homemade cookies...to be sold to the school community. Today also happened to be my Econs test and gosh, there were simply too many things in my mind. Together with all the well-wishes that I received throughout the day, I was simply kept on my toes as I rushed from one place to another...from classrooms to lecture halls...from homework to Econs test to selling cookies... By 5'oclock, it was all over... and guess what? I sold ALL my COOKIES!!! YEAH!!! I managed to raise about $60 for the cookies!!! WHEE! So much for the hard work, lack of sleep and of course...the dedication!

To all readers out there: Happy Valentine's Day!
And to all singles out there: Cheer up man! Be proud of who you are! I wish u guys "Happy Singles Awareness Day"!

Burned!

2008-02-10T22:28:00.000+08:00

Hmm...a pretty short post for today...cos i doubt i will update this blog for quite a while...

Today, I went to the temple near Paya Lebar. Hmm, it was something like returning Tai Sui at "Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple Association" or something...Well, basically, the year of the rat this year spells not-so-good times for all Horse people. So, in order to pray for peace and safety, I was bundled out of the comforts of home and taken to the sweltering heat of incense smoke and huge crowds of devotees.

3 hours of waiting for a long, long, long queue.(I mean it! Like a few hundred people long) :(

Sweating like crazy....NO FANS!!! :(

Skipped my lunch... no joke! Empty stomachs don't make me a happy person...

Worse of all...halfway through the process...I was "poked" by a burning joss stick! ARGHH!!! Well...I was placing my joss sticks into the urn...and then there was this girl around ten years old who appeared out of nowhere...actually, i saw her joss stick before i saw her...then the intense pain of a burning needle jabbed into the side of my left arm...WAHHH!!! I nearly want to scream la...but god knows why I didn't...in the end...the girl just gave me that innocent look...placed the joss sticks hurriedly and left...I was stunned for a moment...before I realized that a gradual swell was appearing on my arm... Right now, I can see a black dot the size of needlehead on my arm...still hurting la....

Basically, I was pretty fed-up throughout the rest of the trip...but was momentarily cheered up by KFC...guess yummy food still wins the deal huh?

UPDATED blogskin le! Pls inform me through cbox if there is any problems...will REALLY appreciate it!

CNY!

2008-02-09T23:32:00.000+08:00

Ba Kwa, Pineapple tarts, mahjong, bridge and gatherings....that's to sum up my entire weekend so far! =P

Real tired today, after 2 consecutive days of reaching home at around 12am. and 5 a.m respectively...gosh...together with the onset of so much homework...it really makes CNY such a tiresome affair...guess next year i can virtually skip the entire process...so much for NS...

Day 1: Went to my grandparents' house ... gosh....there were like half my relatives there, and of course there were the hongbaos... and the food... One after another...I certainly won't be surprised if i gained 3 kilos that night..Even went to a temple to pray after that...Another one of the social visits...It's not that i dun like going to my grandparents' place, but sometimes, it pains me to see the gradual weakening condition of my grandparents...haiz...if i could turn back time...Anyway, I also went to my eldest aunt's house to visit...ended up playing bridge till 12 with my cousins there...and of course sample those heavenly delights!

Ok...that sounded rather incoherent...if u hadn't know, I was actually triple-tasking...Going to facebook...mass conversation with my 4R classmates...and of course blogging. Anyway, back to day 2...

Hmm, this day is no less busy, I went to my cousin's house- for more bridge and movie watching! Hmm...basically, it was like bridge...then rest...then monopoly...then bridge....then rest...then bridge...then dinner...then movie watching. Mr Bean's Holiday was quite a yawn, although certain scenes were pretty funny. Gosh...I don't really know what happened then...it was like 1 a.m. by then...but i knew that i was woken up around 4 and got dragged out into a taxi before ending up in the comforts of my bed.

Well, basically, i slacked the entire weekend away! Oh man! Now I'm so toast for my homework! ARGHH!!! Wish the holidays were longer....

The only joy was that i FINALLY got a blogskin!!! YIPPEE!!! Hmm, not sure how everyone finds my blog...but it's not a bad shot...considering it was done in my cousin's house yesterday amid all those madness of bridge and TV...special thanks to Geraldine for teaching me how to use blogskin ....LOL...Thank You!

Haiz...got to go temple early in the morning tomorrow...and also study for Bio Spa... Someone give me a break... T.T

Running

2008-02-06T23:15:00.000+08:00

It's the morning of Chinese New Year! Yeah! Technically, I'm 18 years old le...but for tomorrow (the second day of CNY), I will be 19! HAHA! Look like i gotta celebrate another birthday... :P

Anyway, two days ago, I was pretty emo...not sure why...just felt quite unhappy... Hmm...guess it's one of those "off" days... Man...to all Delta H.C. members...I'm so sorry for my attitude...SORRY! Guess I shouldn't be looking so moody during the meeting....really felt bad about it thinking about it now...Even now...as i tried to think of why i felt so emo...I couldn't find any reason...guess it must have been the fatigue of PE and about 12 hours in school...

On a happier note...It was TJ's very own Road Run today! Haha...everyone was decked out in their PE gear....and after morning assembly, everyone headed out to the Sports Complex to prepare for the run. All House Comm members began to tie up the banners and brought along pails and cheer sheets...the Inter House event has just begun...

Decked in my Delta PE outfit, I was all-set for the long run....Haha...actually...it was just 5.2 km...but its still FAR man! Ok... admittedly, the distance wasn't the fearful thing to me...rather, it was the huge number of competitors taking part that make me break out into a cold sweat just minutes before the start of the male category. I was dam nervous...all that adrenaline pumping anticipation gathered into one tense moment. When the flag was brought down, everyone began running, and so did I.

Guess the "Drink 200ml of water 30 min before the race" and "Do more stretching" tips did the trick... Admittedly, I did not even put in a single bit of training for the run, yet I felt pretty good when I ran the route... As there were 2 uphill points in the run, I was still feeling OK when i went past the 2nd uphill point. About 1-2km before the end, my legs starting giving way...

"Just go on...just go on..." I closed my eyes for a while and when I opened, I focused my attention on my nearest runner. My tactic: Use the runner as my pacer...and when I gain enough momentum...I will overtake him to go on to the next runner... Hmm...that did the trick and about 200 m before the finishing line, I began sprinting...1...2....3....I tried for the 4th...but i couldn't get past him...At least I did manage to overtake 3 more people at the last minute...

Got a lowly 133th position...but guess I should be lucky...there were at least 300 runners and only the top 150 would be given a card(signify one's ranking...lol). After a brief moment of resting and panting, I changed to my white H.C. T-shirt and began to join my fellow Delta H.C. members in leading our group's cheer...admittedly...Delta seemed like the smallest in proportion... yet...we WON the CHEERING competition! YEAH! Kudos to them...Though we didn't win Overall champions, I believed that everyone was a winner....well...I mean for all those who at least completed the race... :P

Just 4 hours ago, I had my REUNION dinner! Steamboat! Teriayki Barbecue! Desert after that! Well, that sums up my yummy meal...I'm like full beyond full...but nothing like a good meal makes me HAPPY! YEAH MAN!!!

On a random note...I've exceeded 200 songs in my imeem le!!!!!!!!! YEEEHA!!! LOL...
Recommend me any good songs k?

Last but not least...HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! May U be flooded with Hongbaos!!! And of course to all u readers out there, wishing u guys a prosperous, successful and fruitful new year! Basically, may all good things go your way and be HAPPY and HEALTHY always!!!

Cheers
W.Q.

Touched

2008-02-01T22:38:00.000+08:00

After 15 hours straight in school today...I'm now super-ultra burned out...Yet, I'm writing this entry...well... to thank the many people...who have made an impact in my life...in one way or another..

Last Monday...I finally turned eighteen... It's such a sweet number....and together with the many new things i can do with the magic number, it's certainly a day to remember. Buying and drinking alcohol, obtaining a driving license, entering pubs...the restrictions are certainly less imposed than before...Yet, as i celebrate another turning point in my life, I don't feel smug about it and gloat about it...Instead, I feel a deep sense of sadness...that finally, I'm starting on the path towards adulthood... and away from the simplicity and joy of childhood and teenage life. Gosh, all those days of playing basketball daily, slacking in classes, even phototaking with my class during photoshoot (as i glanced at the pictures of my classmates on my study wall)....all these moments will soon come to an end... Guess all good things DO come to an end...

Anyway, on a happier note, Monday was certainly a day not to forget...Never in my life had i receive so many smses of well-wishes(25 smses!) Ok...that may not seem a lot to some...but personally...I'm touched with the response and would sincerely THANK EVERYONE for wishing me in one way or another...be it sms, just saying "Happy Birthday!" or even calling me...I really APPRECIATE it...Thanks!

As for Thursday, Switchfoot came to TJ! OMG...I mean...U don't get to see a live band in school everyday....only thing is...J2s aren't excused to watch the band! ARGHH!!! I ended up sneaking off to the audi with a few classmates to watch the bands...ended up watching only half and hour of some local band playing some pretty cool music...before i got bundled out of the audi...never got a chance to watch the band in action. :(

Today was CNY carnival! Picture scenes of red festivities and red banners and red decorations.. which matches the red running tracks of TJ and the red tentage...haha....problem is...just 2 hours before the start of the carnival...it got to RAIN.... The approximately $3,000 spent on tentage was literally gone to waste...and the wet weather plan nearly got screwed up...all no thanks to the awful wet weather. Nevertheless, the united and coordinated effort by our fellow H.C. mates managed to save the day! Kudos to them! Anyway, the highlight of the
entire programme was the dunking station, where we got to see our favourite teachers get....what else...DUNKED! To see Mr. Ivan Lim, Mr. Daniel Ng, and Miss Aileen Wong kena dunked was an eye-opener...(partially because i got them to participate...*wink)...to see our DM Mr. Francis Tong kena dunked was the icing on the cake. HAHA! Actually, there was some drama to that scene, whereby apparently, his son, whom I believe was no older than 6, wanted to get dunked with him. OMG! I mean, it was certainly a nerve-wrecking sight to be seated with like half the TJ cohort staring at you, and waiting for the-lucky-fellow's-toss-to-hit-the-target-which-will-send-the-plank-
holding-the-weight-of-the-unlucky-person-crashing-into-the-icy-
cold-water experience...that was certainly no easy feat! But well, they got dunked in the end and everyone got their share of the laughter and cheering. Apart from the 2 hour clean-up, which nearly broke every bone in my body...i guessed I'm rather happy to be back in the comforts of home..

Today's birthday card from Melissa, Dennis and Cheng Ying was certainly the sweetest thing I've received for that day! THANK YOU!!! ;P

Chinese New Year in 6 days...Road Run in 5 days...4 day holiday in less than a week...I can't WAIT! :D

Fatigue
W.Q.

Quote

2008-01-31T17:36:00.000+08:00

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow;
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead;
Just walk beside me and be my friend."
Albert Camus

Outings!!!

2008-01-27T18:22:00.000+08:00

Yep...that's right! It has definitely been a crazy weekend for me today... You can say I took a short vacation away from my studies... and frankly...it was a refreshing respite from the otherwise mundane and monotonous life of school.

Yesterday, Og4 had a SUPERB outing at East Coast. It was the first meeting for everyone since post-orientation ...and everyone certainly was glad to see each other again... The meeting venue was at Parkway Mac's, and I took the opportunity to cycle there. To think about it, I've been cycling there quite often, and that day was no exception. Chun Kiat, Benjamin, Siew Chi, Jing Han, Valerie, Deborah, Fang Xiong, Qi Long and Keng Ee were there by then. After about an hour of waiting, chatting and buying stuff (for potluck), we proceeded to East Coast Park. As everyone was walking, except me (on 2 wheels), we took quite a while to reach the green and blue of the park/sea. Haha!
We managed to find a seat near the skating region, and began feasting on the various stuff that we brought for potluck! From sushi and twisties, to marshmallows and honeystars, the meal was both "exotic" and delicious. LOL! For waiting for the rest to appear, we had a few games of Uno, which i swear was like eons since i last played that game! (To be exact: since primary 6...HAHA) Anyway, by 3 o'clock, Zong Ye, Elizabeth, Stafanie and Jun Xiang had arrived, and all of us took to the wheels (rent bicycles!) except Jing Han, who despite much persuasion, had firmly decided to take care of our bags...kudos to her! Anyway, the gang of two-wheelers began cycling in the direction of Bedok Jetty, with much laughter and wild antics (mostly Zong Ye...ahaha).

Then, "disaster" struck! Along the bend of Lagoon Food Court, Siew Chi and Elizabeth, who were on a double bike apparently crashed and fell. Result of crash: cuts on knees and for Elizabeth, cuts on arm too. Well, I nearly though it was the end of about just barely 15min of cycling when out of the blue, 2 AHS boy scouts appeared to give first aid. Gosh...everything happened in a blur and I too helped along by cutting the gauze and "directing traffic"... along the bend. Lol Everything was back on track within another 20 min and the 2-wheeler gang proceeded. Well, about 6 of us reached Bedok Jetty and boy, it was both HOT and WINDY! Man, that was when I realized to my horror: No suntan lotion... T.T ... Well, on a random note, if you had realized...I wrote "6" people....Apparently, all the rest got separated...some went off to fast and far...while others were too slow and were unaware that we were at the jetty...so everyone were in small groups and only managed to regroup back at the starting area...lol...anyway...all of us managed to cycle until my usual route at Changi chalet. NICE job everyone! By the time the bikes were returned, everyone was skin-baked and thirsty. By then Prishanthi and Bobby had arrived and Benjamin, Deborah, Jing Han, Valerie, Qi Long and Fang Xiong had left.

I was dead-tired, but the outing was not over. The crew of 9 (Elizabeth left a little later) went to the basketball court at Marine Terrace for a game of basketball. (yeah, I brought a basketball... pretty lame idea actually..) Gosh, it was certainly quite fun for me as my basketball years in secondary school was relived... and the experience of playing as a group is priceless. (reminds me of the basketball game we played in school before O nite). Yeah, the ball was tossed, thrown and blocked...points were scored, taunts were made, teams were reformed...and the game was played...to our heart's delight!!! Gosh, I can rank cycling on par with basketball played as a group! And to play both sports in a single day, it was simply exhilarating!!! It all ended at around 6, and although it was sad to part, I was glad that the outing was pretty much a success. Og4 Baik!!! :D

As for today, it was "Old Clothes and Newspaper Collection Day" and the whole school got off to a slow but steady start. As for me, I was a navigator which meant that I had to be stationed in lorries to help carry the bags of old clothes and newspapers. Trinity was my partner and the lorry driver (sry...dunno his name) was such a chatty fellow. After a half an hour wait at a nearby coffeshop with roti-prata and milo, things got off at a blistering pace. Handphones began ringing, sms began appearing and patience began wearing. The 3 of us got from one block to another, clecting the heaps of bags and we barely had time to take a breather before another call or sms will cry out, demanding out immediate attention. Worse still, we had to unload the lorry when it was full, and that was a nightmare. Scenario: try picturing yourself with a whole roomful of old clothes and newspapers...try to sot them out into 2 different stacks...under raised temperatures and dehydration...it was MADNESS! I never felt more "demanded" then that moment, and it was certainly guilty for me to be asking them for more time...when apparently, you have too many blocks to settle. Li Bu Chong Xin- The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.
At around 3pm, everything ended and I got home- smelly, sweating and dirty....definitely not a sight to imagine...lol...

To all that make my weekend so eventful and meaningful- A big THANK YOU!
Cheers to all
W.Q.

Untitled

2008-01-22T22:22:00.000+08:00

Yeah yeah....I ran out of titles for this one...so this is another one of my untitled posts...
Ok...just to briefly run through a few things which i did during these days of absence...

Hmm...on Tuesday, I got to see Hilary before she went to Boston...Haiz... it was rather sad that she had to go...one less cycling partner for me (wink), but anyway, i feel sort of happy for her as well...at least she won't complain that it's boring anymore...HAHA...and bet she liked the present! Regardless of that, I will still CYCLE nevertheless...and hopefully attempt that loop route which I've been eying for quite some time...hehe...

Friday: I got to distribute flyers around Bedok South for the old clothes and newspaper collection, or "Go GREEN Day" which is happening this Sunday. Man, that was definitely a few hours of running up and down stairs...slotting little papers beneath doorways...and of course enduring the sometimes unpleasant glances of these residents (as well as their barking dogs!) Still, it was a relative success for the LEO group and I'm definitely proud to be part of the LEO family!

As for today, I had another round of distributing flyers... and also get to celebrate Jit Teng's Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIT! Haha! The really funny thing is...he got himself a slice of watermelon as the Birthday cake...and I was thinking...hopefully I won't have the same type of birthday cake... Anyway, we also did our cheer video...the Delta cheer video... Gosh...very soon, I will be on Youtube...ahaha...will update you more on that. ;P

Man...Life in TJ has gotta be really boring sometimes...so these little events here and there certainly help to lift the gloom of nail-biting tests and yawn-stifling lectures...

On a totally random note, I will like to dedicate my birthday wishes to the following people. Smile guys...your names have been etched on my blog... something to be proud of huh? HAHA!

Priyanka- 21st Jan
Fang Xiong- 22nd Jan
Jit Teng- 22nd Jan

Yeah! that's about it...I will make more changes to my blog...and seriously..I should get myself a blogskin real soon...anyone can recommend cool blogskin...i will give like.....a million thanks? LOL
;D
W.Q.

Back to school...

2008-01-12T22:26:00.000+08:00

Gosh, this week has certainly been a busy week for me, but since I'm not really in a mood to blog (for God knows what reason...), I will just summarize what i did basically for the entire week.

Monday was the first day I had PE in eons... Basically, it was pure running. That's all...running and running...for the next six weeks!!! God! I'm going crazy over the boring and senseless schedule... but i guess it's part and parcel of Year 2 life. (By the way, it's compulsory for all year 2s to participate in the annual TJ Road Run- held just before CNY). Only good news is I get to exercise regularly before the festive season of eating bak kua and pineapple tarts. Work and eat ratio cancels each other out. T.T

Wednesday: Celebrate Nadiah's Bday , which happened to be on the next day. I remembered rushing from one place to another buying pizza and bday cake before realizing that the bday girl will be late. (that day happened to be PDP exhibition day too). After 2 hours, and lots of discussion regarding the CNY carnival held by the HC, the Bday girl arrived and everything was settled within an hour. By the time I got home, I got this weird feeling that something isn;t right with my body, though I was starting to hiccup for no apparent reason.

Then I got to fall ill...it was no ordinary Thursday. That day, I had Chem test and Econs Project on the same day. In the end, I screwed up my Chem test BIG-TIME and did not even get to attend the presentation of my Econs project. By the time I got out of the college, I was hiccuping and coughing at the same time. Worse, I found out that I had a fever. Actually, it was all because of taking PE that morning that ended myself in the nearby clinic...God...I ended up sleeping for about 12 hours that day. ZZZ

Back to school the next day, surprisingly, despite posting a 38.2 Degree Celsius fever the day before. Managed to survive through the entire day...and even risked playing a light-hearted game of handball and basketball....(Pls dun tell my parents...they will KILL me for doing so..) I actually engaged in the former activity because of LEO orientation, which was meant to welcome the year ones. Man, it was really fun to be playing sports even when I'm ill, which I figured out that the no. of days of sports PE will be numbered as soon as A levels loom ahead.

As for now, I'm still recovering from that multitude of illness that struck me all at once...like bees to a pot of honey... The only joy for me is that I've added all my Ogms in my MSN contacts. YEAH!!! I feel so glad to know then, be it close or not, and I hope there will be an Og outing soon! Of course not forgetting the tests and homework that are lurking in wait...

Haiz...the dramas of JC life...

Sigh
W.Q.

Zenith

2008-01-03T20:30:00.000+08:00

Firstly, for those who haven't seen this....HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yeah...it's my shout-out to all of u!

Zenith- the highest point of something...preferably life? Yeah...that was my perception of the word when i first heard of it! This also happens to be the theme for Orientation 2008, for all those new JC 1 students who await eagerly, with both anticipation and excitement, on what awaits them... it's none other than TJ Orientation-Zenith!

DAY 1
Woke up at 5:30 in the morning...feeling all cold and sleepy... After 2 months of waking up at 9-10, today was the start of another year(of waking up early..in this case). The sleepiness shook off as soon as I realized what's on today. Why, of course today is Orientation!!! I jumped off the bed and raced through everything, to hurry to school.

6:45- After 20 min of waiting for the stupid bus, I finally reached school. Gosh, the dark clouds have only just begun to scatter on the arrival of the almighty sun, and the audi was already filled with orange and pink. Of course that refers to the Orientation Group Leaders (Ogls) and Student Councils(SC) respectively, and boy, it was certainly a scene of chaos and uncertainty. Being one of the Ogls, I was assigned to Og 4, Slithas. Along with Zephron, Panthara and Erypon, the various names represented the snake, wolf, lion and scorpion.

Gosh, the Orientation kicked off with the onset of all the JC-1 students with their colourful arrays of uniform, trotting into the audi, with lost looks and darting eyes. Even with the guidance of the SC and Ogls, it was apparent that the students were lost in their transitions into post-uni. The Ogls all did their part with the registration and cheering, and it was until the Og bonding session that the wall of insecurity begins to break down. Lunch was eaten at the stage opposite school, and amidst the light drizzle, everyone got to know each other better. The excitement level was raised with Mass Dance practices(S Club 7), and throughout the days, it was interspersed with cheers of various kinds-from the hilarious Food cheer to the loud and awesome Unnamed cheer. By the end of the day, everyone was like ultra-tired...but i bet they were starting to enjoy the Orientation- tired or not...

DAY 2
God, i nearly overslept today. [Cold weather + sore muscles= good sleep] Must have been the fatigue from dancing like a madman and cheering like a lunatic...makes me feel a bit like an idiot. Anyway, managed to get to school at the same time as yesterday, albeit a bit earlier...as there were fewer people in the Audi (everyone must have overslept too). Still, everyone managed to reach school by 7:30am and soon, the Audi was filled with those booming cheers that threathened to "bring down the house"! They announced today that Slithas is LEADING! YEAH! I'm so HAPPY for all the Ogms, as they seemed extra hyped-up after that announcement.

The day kicked off with "Zumanji-The Runaway", a kind of amazing race. I took charge of Og 4B, and we traveled all over Bedok South in search of stations and points. Man, despite it being so near to school, it took us the entire 4 hours plus to complete the 8 stations. Nevertheless, some of the Ogms began to stand out from the rest and everyone was STARTING to enjoy the action-packed schedule that awaits all of them.

Also, there was the OG skit rehearsal. Hmm, actually the Ogls only got to know what our fellow Ogms were doing at the very last minute, but I think they were doing some sort of singing. Of course, there was also the intermittent cheering, which really puts a strain on my aching throat. Haiz, I so love ORIENTATION...but how I wish that my throat won't act up on me on the final day (Sat.). I really want Slithas to go all out to win! Slithas Baik!

Day 3
Reached school on time for the first time. God, I was so optimistic at first, thinking that Slithas will still retain the top spot for today. Guess that it was not meant to be. When the results for the first 2 teams were announced for that day, my heart sank. Nevertheless, the Delta Ogls continued to be optimistic, and strangely, this moment seemed to spur all our Ogms on. We started the day with college games, and my Og seemed rejuvenated and much more alive. We breezed through the games, cheering with might and gusto. Boy, I was so PROUD of my OG! The good old days of orientation was relived, and be it win or lose, my Og definitely stood out (in my opinion...ahaha...) Anyway, there was Og skit rehearsal after lunch, and Og 4 sang a High School Musical song. Although they didn't win, the commitment was seen and I felt a sense of pride for my fellow Ogms.

The highlight for the day was definitely the mass dance at Suntec City Fountain Of Wealth that evening. Decked in their beige "Zenith" Tshirts and jeans/shorts, the Ogms were certainly excited about the public showcase. With us Ogls accompanying them in our orange "Zenith" Tshirts, the whole area was soon bombarded with boisterious cheering accompanied with clapping and thumping. Soon, the mass dance began and everyone clearly ENJOYED themselves. After an entire round of dancing (songs from S Club 7, Dhoom, Retarded-Black eye Peas and Speedy), everyone began running around the fountain of wealth, bellowing praises of "TJ Ole" and other house cheers. I even witnessed one of the SC, Kenneth, getting "taupok" by his fellow SC mates. The senseless running(about 6...or more?) rounds around the fountain of wealth was followed by a second round of dancing, and by the end of it all, my muscles were aching with fatigue, my voice was sore with thirst, my body was covered with sweat and dirt...but nevertheless, everyone DEFINITELY had a SUPERB time there!

Day 4
This was the final day of Orientation, but before the commencement of O night, my Og gathered at Bedok Interchange before heading out to the nearby Pizza Hut to enjoy a hearty meal. The close to 2 hour long meal was certainly both fun and filling, as we ate to our heart's content, and chatted about life in secondary school, as well as future life in JC. After which, the whole Og headed to the Sport's Comm. at TJ where we played basketball nearby. It was actually volleyball (deborah brought a volleyball), but the whole group ended up shooting hoops instead. After an hour of friendly rivalry between the fellow Ogms and Ogls, which I admit was both hilarious and chaotic, we rested, changed and headed towards under the Lt to wait for the hall doors to open for O night to commence.

I was tasked with buying dinner for my Og. (because I was Welfare rep in House Comm....dotz..) and ended up nearly screwing up the buying process. I ended up baying $46.20 for a mixture of waffles, buns and assorted breads, which was rather embarrassing (I admit...haha). thankfully, with assistnace from Jing Liang(my fellow Ogl) to take down the price and those who eat, I managed to recover at least 3/4 of the total cost. LOL

Ha...I shall get straight to O night now. The night kicked off with Og performances from the various houses, followed by the Beauty and Talent paegant and Dare-dication. The crowd was constanly made to cheer, but personally, the Beauty and Talent paegant drew the loudest cheers. The most memorable scene for that contest was the Solo dance routine, with the particpants blindfolded. Slithas' representatives, Nicole and Cheryl, certainly danced their way to the hearts of all Slithas' Ogs, as there were screams of delight and shouts of "Go Slithas!". Although both particpants didn't win that round, Nicole manged to be crowned overall female champion of Beauty and Talent paegant. GRATZ to her!!! Then came the announcement of Overall house champion- "...and the winner is....Panthera!!!" Gosh, I was a little saddened with the results, but all the Slithas Ogls spurred the Slithas ogms to cheer for the winners. In my heart, SLITHAS had WON!!!

Anyway, the rest of the night was spent partying with both mass dance and a performance put up by the ITE samba band. I remembered that after the whole thing was over, several Ogms and Ogls of the beloved Og4 went to the nearby coffeshop to eat supper and crack jokes too. It was definitely sad for it all to end...but hey! The memories of Orientation Zenith '08 will always have a place in my heart...

(sorry for the late post...was busy rushing though Econs project and GP homework...) For all Og4 members, a big THANK YOU for making this orientation an enjoyable and memorable one! May your stay in TJ be both fulfiling and enriching!!!

Cheers!
Ur fellow Ogl
W.Q.

Resolutions (2008)

2008-01-01T18:39:00.000+08:00

IT'S A BRAND NEW YEAR!!! 2008, a year filled with anticipation to the very brink...has finally ARRIVED!!! Hope has been renewed, Passion has been re-ignited and of course there are RESOLUTIONS to be made...

Gosh, this is seriously the first time I'm writing my resolutions on my blog. Every year, I keep a mental note of what to do for the new year...only to be swept away by the endless tirade of homework, stress and many other trivial matters that threatens to derail us from our course of keeping to our resolutions............you see what i mean? Even writing my resolutions now is hampered by thoughts of how to make this entry entertaining...gosh...i need to get straight to the point sometimes...haha...

Here we go...

RESOLUTIONS FOR 2008

1) Have More SELF-CONTROL(DISCIPLINE), PERSEVERANCE and TIME-MANAGEMENT

Gosh, in terms of perseverance...I've got to admit that last year has been a year full of half-baked ideas and work. All the half-done revision, all the half-agreed meetings and all the last minute madness (of rushing through PROMOS...by the way...). If I can just dedicate more time towards revising...i may not end up in the sorry state of trying to finish all my revision. Man, it's time for me to pull up my socks...and bring out the full potential in myself...in improving my grades... of course...

2) Exercise MORE!

Yeah, with NS in one year's time...it's really time for me to get those muscles flexing...gosh...i really shun the idea of going to army...but this is the life of all Singaporean males... maybe I may be encouraged to go to NS if I'm much fitter and stronger....so that I won't be bullied...lol... gotta start practicing on those pull-ups...the bane of NS....sigh...

3) Be more PRO-ACTIVE!

THAT'S RIGHT! As I mentioned earlier, NS will begin in like one year's time...so while i still have the time...I have to seriously juggle between my hectic study schedule and all the other meaningful, yet exciting activities that await me to be involved in. Of course, it all boils down to good time-management. But with so many activities all lined up for 2008, I am both excited and nervous for myself...Frankly, I hope that I can manage all these and don't go into a mental breakdown....PLS SUPPORT ME! ...

4) Have more CONFIDENCE

"Hmm, I don't want to write any more resolutions for now... I'm afraid that I may not be able to handle any more of them"........ u SEE what I MEAN??? ....the lack of confidence is hitting me like a baseball bat to the head... OUCH... I really hope that I can build up on my self-confidence...and learn to grab opportunities as they come. Hopefully, I can do it......wait....DEFINITELY, I MUST DO IT!

May all my RESOLUTIONS come TRUE!!!

With inner faith,
W.Q.

People I will Remember, Love and Cherish (2007)

2007-12-30T21:42:00.000+08:00

Haix...its been a year and a half since i started blogging, and this blog has glimpsed many events of my life...both pivotal and memorable... the events aside, I will remember the people who have an impact on my life... In this entry, I have been.... am ....and WILL continue to remember you...

(listening to Coldplay-Fix You)

1. My Family- Dad, Mum and Sis (Oli!)

Of course, what's more important than ur family. "Blood is thicker than water"...the saying is definitely true. Dad, Mum and sis....if you are seeing this... I really am grateful for the love you have shared with me. Admittedly, I have been rebellious this year, and although it will sound absurd to apologize to you guys out of the blue now...I will do so in this blog. I AM SORRY! ..... but besides apologizing... I want to thank you...for being by my side when I'm down...when I'm blue...and even tolerate my nonsense. You are irreplaceable in my heart forever!

(listening to The Beatles-Yesterday)

2. My present 20/07 [Mar-present] -Cadence, Charlene, Cheng Ying, Dawn, Deborah, Dennis, Diantha, Han Hui, Isaac, Jacqueline, Jia Yi, Jie Han, Joshua, Ka Wai, Lubna, Melissa, Nerissa, Neritta, Pei Jun, Randolph, Seow Peng, Sueann, Tanglin, Zong Yao

Frankly, it hasn't been a smooth-sailing time for our class. I still believe that the bonds between everyone has yet to be strengthened... Yet, regardless of the obstacles that derail or cause and misunderstanings...I sincerely want to thank everyone of you....in one way or another....you have been helpful and caring towards me... Of course...the memories of going through JCTs and Promos together...as well as PW....YEAH!!! WE PAWNED IT...ahaha... guess it will be another yeah of tolerance, frustration, and madness....before the A levels are over...well...i wish everyone all the best in their A lvls... :P

(listening to Aslyn- That's When I Love You)

3. Iban- Benedict, Davis, Han Chen, Hilary, Jia Yu, Kang Qi, Kian Yan, Linda, Sean, Xin Huei

HEY!!! U GUYS HAVE BEEN MENTIONED!!! HAHA! yeah... during camp hutan...they have helped me cast aside my troubles and stress of Promos...If I hadn't known you guys...maybe life will turn out differently...so much different.... We had 3 days of madness (screaming and crying kids), fun (hiking, dragon-boating, night walk and campfire) , cheering, singing...and of course...the memories....Even though I'm not from Tao Nan primary myself...I feel like a part of it during the camp... THANK YOU EVERYONE! even though everyone came from different backgrounds...it was Iban that brought us together...and although good things come to an end (the camp...i mean), the memories will always be treasured...hopefully there's another camp like this....and we can repeat these all over again... Iban Forever! (Love Titanic song too... :D)

(listening to backstreet boys- Incomplete)

4. Delta H.C.- Angus, Chun Kiat, Jeanette, Ji Teng, Kenny, Nadiah, Pei Jun, Ryan, Samuel Y., Shaun, Shi Yun, Sze Sian, Xiang Yun, Yvonne

Yo DELTA! Haha...you have been inspirational to me...both in terms of leadership and wittiness.. Next year (I mean next week), orientation will begin and a whole host of other inter-house and intra-house events. Gosh, I'm both excited and tense at the mention of these events... but I really hope that we can make everything a success...besides the need to juggle with our studies and tolerate our teacher's sarcastic remarks...haha... But let's just worry about the BIG event now...may Slithas win Orientation next week!

(Listening to Simple Plan- When I'm Gone)

5. LEO- Seow Peng, Randolph, Zong Yao, Nicholas, Wiki, JItLap Kan, Gabriel, Kah Meng, Teng Han, Sophia...and all the other LEO members...(sorry...running out of time for me....)

"we are all in this together..." that's right... you guys have been loads of fun and joy...I have never loved CIP and voluntary work so much until i joined LEO... regardless of the often last minute preparations we have to made...our perseverance often creates success for our events..just like the recent December Street Camp...Love U guys for ur caring heart...

Man, I seriously want to write much more than these....I've got so many people to thank...like my teachers...my seniors...my class of 20/07 (first 3 months)...and many, many many more.... but time is short....so even if I do not write your names here....deep in my heart...I will thank you and wish you a successful and joyful 2008!

As for everyone who has impact my life in one way or another... I have a few requests for everyone...I know that the year 2008 is filled with many events (and possibly worries and stress).. but if you are reading this...let me give you a useful tip on surviving all the mayhem.

***Take time to RELAX***
I know this sounds ridiculous, but it actually works. When I used to face problems in my life, I will recap the events that lead to it, or better still... think of the happy times I spent with my friends and family. Remember: Life is not filled with just all work...that will make you a real dull person. Shake of those negative vibes...get out of your workplace, play your games or musical instruments, or even have a heart-to heart chat with your fiends...just take some time off (and attention) to relax.

Wait...is this getting off topic? Ahaha...you may think so, but the last 2 paragraphs were written especially going out to all the people whom I care (u guys will know who you are..haha...) 2008 will certainly be a year of choices and outcomes...so just take it naturally and have faith in your choices...Regardless of the outcome, it's a success nonetheless that YOU did make a decision.

Once again...To all the people I remember, love and cherish...THANK YOU SO MUCH!

U have touched my heart...
U have eased my mind...
U have warmed my soul...

With love and respect,
W.Q.

Top 10 Moments (2007)

2007-12-27T20:34:00.000+08:00

That's right, this year has certainly been perhaps the most fun and entertaining year for me, for in terms of school and other external activities. Despite the many downturns that i had faced in 2007, there were certainly many highlights as well, which spurs me on to share with all of you...what else....the top 10 most memorable times i had this year...

(In random order)
The day...

1) ...I got Bronze Swimming Cert
Lol, I know this may sound real silly, but sometimes...it's these moments where you feel a sense of accomplishment...and its these accomplishments that mould your life and shape your future. How the chilling waters and fear of cramping and drowning threatened to derail my hopes of making the cut...yet i persevered... for the sake of my family, my coach and of course..myself and my future. Despite the pressure(to add on that i was the oldest...others were like...10 years old?), the joy of touching the wall...the proud look of my coach...well...that feeling is simply unimaginable!

2) ...I won GOLD medal for Sports carnival
Haha...just like the bronze cert for swimming, this is definitely a "zenith" feeling.(haha...nice word huh? "P) Yet, this had relatively so much difference in comparison to the former. Who says winning something must have the accompanied pressure? Haha...firstly, the game was dodgeball (U DIDN'T SEE WRONGLY..HAHA), only without that huge ball... tennis balls were used instead. Frankly, the entire step-ladder game to the finals was a breeze, and i enjoyed every minute of it/ Apart from the semi-finals, which we fought back from 0-4 down to win 5-4 , the team game was such a joy to play. Teamwork was another difference between the former and this... and it resparked the times i used to play basketball as my secondary school cca. Of course, another reason why it was memorable was the fact that i got sunburnt...like a beetroot..lolz...

3) ...I had Mass dance during last day of PAE
Well, if the first 2 moments were that of joy, the third was a sad one for me. Often, it's difficult to part with people you enjoy working or studying with...and that can be said of the last day of PAE. After 3 months of close friendship forged...it was really heart-wrenching to see these friends that you have just made leave the school just because of a thing called O level results... I could remember so vividly that one of my best friends, Jun Jie, sat at a corner...with tears glistening in his eyes... i remembered it took everyone's persuasion for him to dance the song "Retarded" by the Black Eye Peas. For myself, it was really a melancholic moment... as i nearly wanted to cry my heart out...(I'm serious!) ...but told myself to put a brave front for my then-classmates. That is definitely a night to remember...and until now....i still cannot accept the fact that the class of 20/07 (Jan to March) is no longer there... like a crack in my heart that will never heal... I will remember u guys forever!!! I promise!

4) ...during Dragon-Boating and campfire
How often can you experience both of this in one day? HAHA...not unless you are in camp Hutan. Yeah! that is surely one of my highlights of the year... Dragon-boating gave me those memories of the tough weeks i spent kayaking during my secondary school life. Yet, I felt that feeling of calmness and freedom when i was on the boat in the water. Even the weather and venue was strikingly similar to that of the past. The scenario was etched in my mind as i stepped into the boat with my fellow Iban kids and of course Hilary, my camp group partner. Together with the other Ibannies and their fellow GFs, we splashed, paddled and of course, had loads of fun with the water. We even got to soak our feet in the ice-cool water, and that was quite a cooling sensation! Aha...maybe i should kayak more often...water and I got some affinity..haha...
That evening, there was also the campfire, which i had not have for ages (2 years to be exact). It was so heartwarming to see the kids sing, cheer and act to their hearts delights, which reminds you that there is till a hidden child in oneself, waiting to burst out and join those kids in their rhapsody of cheering... LOVE U IBANNIES!!!

5) ...at Settler's Cafe
Yeah, that was another highlight, as...
1) I had never been inside Settlers...
2) The cool, fun and lovable Iban GFs were there...and...
3) we played board games...

Haha...frankly, the third one was so unexpected right? With online entertainment and the latest gaming consoles fighting to capture our attention, hearts and money...board games have sort of taken a backseat. Therefore, the notion of playing these board games really struck a chord with my heart...the childhood memories of playing snakes and ladders...replaced with Bluff, Who's the Boss?, and Say the word.

Ok la...the third game has got nothing to do with boards...but a card game is still "ancient" compared to PSP and XBOX360 rite? Admit it...haha...

6) ...LOST ended
That struck a different chord in me...the show that inspired me to watch 3 seasons of it...ended so dramatically...despite some critics about it...i thoroughly enjoyed it.The final few episodes revolved around the revelation that there was finally going to be some form of help...which led to a whole series of events....which was definitely unexpected..it was definitely sad to see Charlie, a character in LOST, died in the process of bringing help for his fellow people...and i remembered that night...as i laid on bed...thinking..."Is life and death really pre-destined?" Apparently, there was a guy "who could predict the future" in the show, who predicted that Charlie would die no matter how many times he got saved...and in the end it did. Man...the ending was crap, but the story had certainly came to an end...an end which was regrettably...unforgettable...

7) ...PW ended
After 10 months of...
...Mind-boggling research...
...Hair-pulling deadlines...
...countless hours spent on articulation, pronunciation and corrections...

...the cursed subject is gone! GONE!!! All that remains is the awaiting of results- Not one to be happy with...the fact that personally, i think i screwed up... Nevertheless...it's OVER!!!!

8) ...I became a LEO member
"Leadership Experience Opportunities", that's what it means...and joining it was such a blast! Well, the highlight was mainly singing...with a twist...using sigh language as well... So, 2 weeks were spent learning how to master a song as simple as "We are all in this together"-with highly reduced speed...the tempo was ultra slow....in my opinion...that was definitely one of the most unique experiences of my life.. maybe it should be called- Let's Enrich Ourselves "P

9) ...Internship ended
Gosh, this was really a sad day for me...well...SSC (Singapore Science Centre) had really brought lots of fond memories and learning experiences for me...i will miss the DNA lab, that irritating soundtrack being played outside the lab, the Mac's (where we wait for the gate outside SSC to open), the Segway- (ultra, super, duper, cool, futuristic 2 wheel vehicle)...and of course the people whom i had worked with (and messed around with too..)...ZhengDa, Sanjeed, Mr Adams (J. and Q.) and Miss Florence Francis. Thank you for changing my perspective towards Science in general...and rekindling that long-extinguished passion for it. (By the way, Patrick, thx for reminding me...haha...yeah u still havent forgotten my nickname...lolz..)

10) ...Cycling to Changi chalet
Well, guess what...this was the start of a series of cycling trips I had made, both alone and with friends, both old and new bikes...the day i cycled so far, until my whole body (particularly butt), hurts for days... yet the day too where i relived the moments of riding the bike...feeling the breeze blowing my hair...everything appearing so natural and free...even creating a Zen-like condition within me...gosh...I'm sounding like an idiot...but never mind that...In fact, had I not thought of night cycling (which led to a series of events which ultimately ended up cycling to Changi chalet), I may still have that old bike chucked outside my house...rusty and squeaky...Hmm... Guess I have to thank someone for changing all of that...haha... My thanks to Hilary- for getting me to cycle again...and remind me not to waste that 1 year plus time i have left before i go to NS and shift house...away from the beach... well, I love my new bike as well..

Wow wow wow...guessed I've wrote so much for a night...and i nearly forgot all about today... December Street Camp had been something I 've been waiting for, ever since Camp Hutan ended...and this was really MENTALLY challenging...never mind the physical fatigue i had to endure from chasing after the kids...nor the hoarseness of yelling like a madman... but I'm so DRAINED today...guessed i used up all my karma for today... Gonna post more stuff very soon...as 2007 reaches a fitting conclusion...

Close your eyes for 10 seconds...(trust me...just do it....)

Feeling better? Yeah...All those wordiness must have killed anyone reading it...be it boredom or God-knows what...ahaha...

Cheers
W.Q.

Pre-Christmas blues

2007-12-23T18:30:00.000+08:00

"...2 days to Christmas...4 days to December street camp....8 days to the end of 2007...

Status quo: Homework barely done, revision has not begun..."

Man, I'm so toast by the way it looks... In 2 weeks, school will begin and another year of boring and un-inspiring work load will begin...or so it seems... sigh...sometimes I really think I'm the biggest complainer in the world... I should start looking for some inspiration and motivation ....before the enormity of A levels hit me... so hard that i may just drop dead...for good...

Anyway, for the past 2 days, I have been out and about, going out...enjoying what little time remains...This Christmas weekend is definitely a wet one, with the constant rain and wind as close accomplices. Yesterday, on the demanding request of my fellow classmate, Cheng Ying, I attended a church concert at the Suntec City Auditorium. Actually, I was reluctant to go, as my mum was against me going there. But against or not...I entered the Audi...

Well, it certainly was a sight not to forget. Firstly, there was the people, and boy, it was like thousands of them...all eager to have fun. Never mind the crowd, the moment the emcee began warming up, the crowd became boisterous. Christmas carols were sung, and everyone was singing and (clapping) with passion and might, except me...Wait, I'm not trying to be a spoilt brat or something...but something deep in my mind told me to be neutral about this...so i just clapped politely after the end of each song. After all the gusto, the concert began to my relief. (I wasn't sure if I could stand another minute of the deafening sound) Frankly, the concert was good but i left halfway...to watch "The Golden Compass" with my sister. Haha! That was one movie i wanted to watch since November, as I used to read the story when I was young. Lolz...I SO love the story...the CGI effects are great, the characters are special, and the storyline was well-written. Apart from the ending which was a little abrupt, (due to it being the first of a trilogy series), the movie was satisfying overall, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If everything in life was a movie.....

As for today, the entire family brought 2 special people out for an outing at Vivocity. That's right, they can be said as family- at least for a certain time 2 years back. Still not sure who? Well you ought not to know...

They are of course the girl whom my mum babysitted for close to a year, and her brother. Named Chloe and Conrad respectively, they were certainly lovely! Haha...despite the earlier unfamiliarity, (because we didn't meet for close to a year), we managed to bring them to eat at Mac's, buy them gifts at Toys'rus and buy chocolates at Candy Empire. It was certainly tiring for everyone, but it was so heartening to see the smiles on their faces as we bought them Christmas gifts...makes me feel like Santa Claus...haha....

Well, as i mentioned earlier, the holidays are ending and so are the days left of my freedom...Man, I really wish I could do much more than what I'm doing now...there are certainly so many things that are still yet to be accomplished (listening to "Same Old Brand New You-A1") and with so much stuff to revise...2008 will certainly be a hectic and draining year for me...

Yet, one has to feel optimistic...birthday in approximately one month's time (yay!)... and many more days to prove my worth and accomplishments...hopely I can accompish something before NS... I still cant imagine myself being botak....||-_-

How self-rhetorical... life's a swing...
Lost
W.Q.

Slow Dance

2007-12-18T20:24:00.000+08:00

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done!
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,'Hi'

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere.
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York hospital.

Pre-occupied

2007-12-10T00:15:00.000+08:00

What a day it has been for me today....so many things have happened and coincided... and now I'm feeling both excited and fed-up at the same time. Well...this weekend is certainly crazy and unproductive (in terms of homework...lolz...)

Anyway, I woke up on Saturday morning with a stinging headache that just won't disappear...actually, I had the terrible urge to just pop a couple of aspirins to ward off the pain...but after hearing a report that the chemicals in Panadol does affect your brain(I'm so NOT kidding u), I have tried my very best to steer clear from that white pill. So, I spent the morning enduring the pain while i tried to do my econs essay....

Conclusion: Don't do econs when you have a headache...especially an essay...

After 2 hours and lots of pen-twirling, i gave up and hopped onto my bike to cycle along the coast... Well, to think about it, this is actually the second time I've rode on my new bike and it's definitely a heartening thought to entertain: 1 year plus to ride along East Coast before I'm moving house...the thought of leaving East Coast is definitely a sad one...Anyway, I attempted the ride all the way to Changi (the route using my old, squeaky bike) and ....i nearly succeeded... the heavy rain was my obstacle...and i decided to head back about 100m from that half- point...imagine cycling like 10 km in the rain.....u get SOAKING wet....

The only consolation was that the coolness of the rain seemed to wash away the pain from my head...and replace it with "refreshed-ness"-new word...haha....it also provided a rare chance for me to transverse the world alone...(lol..my world is tiny Singapore..)...And....i finished that dam essay...

As for Sunday, it was another day to remember...it was the 3rd time I've been to the Esplanade (as in inside the contours..) and this time, the trip was meant to bring the elderly from Block 12 of Marine Terrace to enjoy a Chinese Orchestra (C.O.) concert organized by Nangyang Polytechnic.

Haha...by the way, the last time i really watched C.O. was during sec. 4, and that was like CNY? So the notion of watching a C.O. performance had nearly put me off initially...(trust me...all the C.O. concerts I've been to never fail to put me to sleep...)

However, i was wrong this time...well..nearly wrong...This C.O. concert was certainly quite entertaining compared to the others. Apart to the monotonous commentator with her dull and unentertaining tone, the concert was certainly an eye-opener! The gu-zheng ensemble was first, and it was the start of a 1-hour escapism into the world of Chinese music. Although they were the smallest in number (about 8 in all), the music was soothing to the ear, with the occasional sharp halts and rapid play.

Next was the woodwind and percussion ensemble-Boy, this was to me the highlight of the show. With the introduction of a conductor, the concert began to show its potential. The conductor was really an expressive character-As the first song was "Ting O O (sky black black in hokkien), he got the audience to participate...u may wonder... how?

Well...he got the left side of the crowd to shout "Bei Zhi Giam" and right side of crowd to shout "Bei Zhi Cheng", which meant "porridge cook salty" and "porridge cook bland" respectively. It was pretty hilarious when he got the audience to do so, in conjunction with the song and with the C.O. playing and halting for the audience to shout out the porridge quote....it was rather ROFL....

Never mind those antics of his, when it really came to the serious stuff, he really seemed like a guy with passion. When the string ensemble played a short piece by Tony Osbourne named "Sweet and Light", my attention was fixed on the conductor...The way he gesticulates (like a mad man to the untrained eye), his hands moving with the flexibility of a slithering snake (make it 2 snakes... cos 2 hands...haha..) and his body swaying to the music like coconut tree leaves to the wind...it seemed as if he was possessed. However, from his quirkiness and charisma (the way he gets his message to the public), he seemed to be the highlight of the show.

Well, it seemed rather ridiculous...to dedicate a couple of paragraphs to this man...when the actual performers are the cast of the C.O....yet it was with his assistance that they are able to put together a piece of music. Nevertheless, the C.O. also deserved kudos with their outstanding performances and their fluent delivery. When the entire cast come together to perform, it was simply magical. Of course, towards the very end, it somehow felt like abrupt...maybe due to the fact that the boredom is starting to set in... In the end, I couldn't help but stifle a slight yawn, as everyone (me included) left quickly as soon as the show ended.

Ok...if you are still reading...thank you so much for persevering...haha...

Guess what...I got myself a new keyboard/piano. Will be getting it tomorrow...that's not all...i'm getting myself a guitar tomorrow too! WHEE!!! The thought of these musical instruments gives me a sense of exhilaration. However...deep in my heart, I feel a sense of guilt- Honestly, i feel bad that I'm not forking out the money to buy them...but on second thoughts...i ought to feel happy...cos at least finally...they are buying something which I want (it's not everyday that your wishes can come true in just...a month?)

Wah...looking back...i realized that i wrote so much...and it's already 1 am...dotz...i ought to be asleep now....guess I'll hit the hay now... :D

Fading...

2007-12-07T22:21:00.000+08:00

Over these past few days, I have been from one outing to another... and now as I'm typing away, I feel both exhausted and lost...sometimes...i really wonder where are my goals in life....With so little time to spare before the start of another year, i really wonder if i can ever escape from the pressure that awaits me: my schoolwork, revision, expectations as well as my inner demons. Well, in between these long moments of feeling lost and a sense of hopelessness, i still find time, respite and sanity in the outings which i had been over the past few days...

On Tuesday, after HC meeting in the late morning(discussing on what to do for next year's CNY carnival), I proceeded to Settler's Cafe at Katong to immense myself in 3-4 hours of playing a variety (not plethora...haha) of games ranging from "Who's the Boss?", "Bluff", "Miner and Saboteur", "Say the word"...although the games do not ring a bell to anyone, it certainly was a blast for the 7 of us (Davis, Hilary, Jia Yu, Kiang Yan, Linda and Xin Hui). It was really a short getaway from the otherwise mundane holiday I've been having, but i certainly enjoyed every moment of it. After that, we had dinner at East Coast Lagoon Food Court, having Hokkien Prawn Mee, Satay and Chap Kway Teow. Mmm...it was definitely a sumptuous spread! After which, we strolled all the way back to Mac's, passing by the breeze, sand and night...."romantic"-termed by Kian Yan...lol..

On Thursday, I had Econs project meeting with my fellow classmates. Despite the monotony of the subject, it was the fun that was worth remembering. That day, we spent a considerable amount of time doing up the poster needed for our project. It was definitely a long day, but it was something to note as it was another one of these days whereby i get to be with classmates to do something together, even if it means "reliving" the moments of PW.

As for today, it was definitely something to remember. We went to the Bethesda church to do CIP for LEO. We gathered there and decorated the area with the theme of "Merry Christmas" before prepared a game of Bingo for the elderly. The simplicity of the game was definitely a bonus for us, as we had little problem teaching the elders on how to play the game of getting 5-in-a-row. After the game and another sumptuous meal of buffet, we proceeded to bring the elderly to see the sights( actually...lights...) of Orchard. It was really a heartwarming experience for me as personally, i was told that these elderly only get to see Orchard only once or twice a year...especially approaching Christmas. We joked, we laughed, we even sang songs together. For a moment, i forgot the age gap that seemed so apparent...

Sometimes, i really wonder how ironical life is, when the fun moments in life are short-lived...while the unpleasant times have to be endured with little more than a hint of apathetic-ness...

From the song of Daniel Bedingfield-Never Gonna Leave Your Side:

"I feel like a song without the words, a man without a soul, a bird without its wings, a heart without a home.
I feel like a knight without a sword, a sky without the sun, cause you are the one.
I feel like a ship beneath the waves, a child who's lost its way, a door without a key, a face without a name.
I feel like a breath without the air, and everyday's the same, since you've gone away."

This is how i feel...can't wait for the misery to pass...can't wait for the love to come...can't wait for freedom to arrive...

Emo- Listening to songs to soothe my soul...

Internship-Aftermath

2007-12-02T22:31:00.000+08:00

After 3 weeks of waking up early...
After 3 weeks of standing like packed sardines in the MRT...
After 3 weeks of not doing any homework...

Its' Finally OVER!!!!! Sayonara Internship!!!!

Actually, come to think of it, I feel rather emo about it, not because i derive pleasure in torturing myself through countless days of waking up early, but rather the close bonds i have made with my mentors as well as the exhibits. (I'm SERIOUS about the latter!) I remembered on the last day, everyone made an effort to touch some of the exhibits for the last time, and we even joked on how our mentors would hide in the toilet and bawl for the loss of us interns. Man, come to think about it, I'm starting to get real emo....dam....(listening to Robbie Williams-Feel...)

Anyway, the aftermath of internship has been relatively filled with activities. On Friday night, i got my first opportunity to try out my new bike. Man, that was certainly a blast, as this new bike is super-duper cool (and not squeaky too..Ahaha). Just 24 hours ago, my family and i went to the Marina Bay Seafood centre(2 in 1 BBQ Buffet)! Spending $52, we gorged ourselves to our hearts content, ranging from fried chicken wing, sumptuous soft-shell crab meat, crunchy fried wanton, spicy black pepper chicken slices, fresh prawns, clams, mussels, squid and cool red-bean ice-cream. By the time i reached home, I had a stomachache...so much for binging impulsively.

Anyway, today my family and i first visited my grandfather at Eunos, and we had a quick meal with several updates on what's happening to my relatives. Then we headed out to Vivocity, as it was a long time since i last went out with my family. Man, that was Happening! There were score of people, and such a plethora of shops and accessories. There was even some bike stunts organized by the Animal Bike gang (strictly not animals-duh)located outside the shopping centre. The Christmas season is definitely approaching, as the warning chimes of "Merry Christmas" threatened to blow off the minds of the faint-hearted. Man, personally...the arrival of Christmas could only mean one thing...

....MY HOLIDAYS ARE ENDING!!!!

but my homework isn't...

Save me...
T_T

Updates...

2007-11-28T22:14:00.000+08:00

After 3 days and 3 nights, IT IS FINALLY DONE!

I have updated my blog!!!

It's brand new...

.Ok....maybe not...

but i did try to revamp it...

Go check out the new features...

Anyway, on a totally random note, Ive got a NEW BIKE! WOOHOO!

(26 inches...mountain bike...fitted with a new bell...and red rear lights...best of all...under $100!)

Lol...I'm not like kiasu or what, but my parents insist on getting the best deal...so Tada! Got a new bike alas... :P

Will provide more info and updates very soon...

To all who did comment and visit my blog- Thank You So Much! You have been my inspiration! :D

Sleepy

2007-11-20T23:26:00.000+08:00

Fatigued, tired, Insomnia... my life has certainly been one hell of a roller coaster... The end of PW, the start of Econs project, the beginning of Internship, the end of my "true" holidays, and the forestalling of my homework...great....so much for being eventful...

Hmm...let me see...maybe it was MY fault all these while...who was the one who said he was bored? Who was the one who wanted to be out everyday? Who was the one who wanted to spend the holidays meaningfully? Sigh....who else....but me....plain, silly me....

Now, i suffer from sleep-fatigue, and am typing and staying awake so as to keep to my promise to update my blog...Lol...sometimes....I wonder if anyone even sees this....

Anyway, this is the reflections for my internship that I have done not long before i begin this blog entry...pardon the formalities
(WARNING! The following portion contains boring stuff that can put you to sleep...Ignore the white words if you do not want to doze off from boredom...)

......

Well, don't say i didnt warn you...

here it goes...

"Week 1 (12/11/2007 to 16/11/2007)

My first day of internship was certainly memorable, as nervousness and excitement filled me simultaneously. Along with 5 other fellow interns from Temasek Junior College, we undertook the life science course at the Singapore Science Centre (SSC). Located at the DNA Watson and Crick lab, the sight had initially brought those tense moments that we had during SPA (Science-based Practical Assessment). Yet, it was a pleasant feeling upon stepping in. As our mentor wasn’t in, we had the freedom to allow the familiarity of the lab and its surroundings to sink in. Later in the morning, a class of Victoria Junior College students had a lesson on bacteria transformation (genetic recombination) there. We learnt how to use micropipettes to extract DNA samples and other liquids in microlitres. Also, we learnt more about the 2 proteins- the AmpR (resistance causing proteins) and green fluorescence protein (GFP). The objective was to find out whether both proteins would lead to glowing bacteria. After lunch, we also experienced the delicate process of making the agarose gel, which brought back memories of gel electrophoresis conducted during secondary school. These experiments certainly highlighted the importance of DNA and how it can impact on humans in terms of variation of DNA.

Day 2 was no less boring, as we were allowed to handle the light microscope and view the cells of hydrilla, cheek cells, rotifer and learnt more about cytoplasmic streaming. Then, we got the chance to view the “Human Genome”, a section within the SSC. The facilities were certainly flooded with knowledge on genes, chromosomes, mutations, gene therapy and many more and several of them had caught my eye. We even got to watch 2 displays- “Thunder Bolt” and “Tesla Coil”. The former was held at the “World of Energy” at 11:30a.m. , while the latter was held at the Atrium an hour later. We also viewed the exhibits at “Marine Discovery” and “Primary Science Learning Exhibition”. We even had a private showcase of chemistry, or more specifically, chemical reactions. It was certainly amazing to note that sodium peroxide with water, gummy bear sweets with KCIO3 and hydrogen balloon with heat will cause fire to appear. That day was certainly more information absorbing then the day before, but if the galleries had been more interactive and eye-catching, it will certainly heighten my level of interest.

We kick started the next day with a video on bioluminescence and biofluorescence and familiarized ourselves with the bacteria transformation experiment. Today was also the first time we got to take charge in assisting primary 4 students (from PeiYuan Primary) in their DNA detectives (using the microscope). The rest of the day was interspersed with cutting foam into strips, to make into the double helix structure of DNA. By that day, I was quite familiar with the lab procedures, and the opportunity to engage with the primary school students was really both fun and interactive.

The day began with gel electrophoresis with another batch of primary 4 kids, this time from Fuqi Primary School. Through teaching these youngsters, we also got more familiar with the procedure undertaken to create the agarose gel and separating the colour within the dye (think chromatography). After lab work, we proceeded to the “Human Body” to see the various exhibits on display. From the ultrasonic exhibit (testing the hearing range of humans), memory skills and even the systolic, diastolic and pulse rate. After lunch, much of our time was spent on “Discovery Zone”, “Nanotechnology” and “Waterworks”. Before ending off, we did some research on Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and primer design. After visiting the 3 sections of the SSC, I realized that the subject of Science was seriously so vast, and that these 3 sections only covered a small portion of the subject. The few days within the SSC had awakened my long-forgotten passion in learning Science- in an interesting and enjoyable manner.

The final day of the first week started with PCR- also known as Polymerase Chain Reaction. The purpose was to find out if we had a gene, which can be discovered using PTC. First, we gurgled saline to obtain DNA within cheek cells, then using Chelex to extract DNA. After that, the DNA extract undergoes both centrifugation and incubation. The use of PCR had 3 main steps: 1) DNA amplification, 2) Digesting DNA using hae3 enzyme 3) Gel electrophoresis. All the complications were for one simple purpose: to find out whether we are “tasters”, also known as the ability to taste bitter taste. Before ending the week on a high, we visited the Ecogarden, where I went to the treehouse and saw snail eggs and a whole range of species.

The first week had been eventful and generally well paced. I had learnt much and would certainly want to learn more within the next 2 weeks. The “orientation” week had been an eye-opener for me. "

.....

Haha...whether or not you guys read the entire blog or not, it certainly had been a long and tiring week for me...Drained of my energy, soul and strength...how i missed those days where i can just take my bike and cycle along the beach of East Coast...Anyway, i'm getting a new bike soon! And maybe a guitar! WHEE!!!!

So much for being happy...I'm feeling so S-L-E-E-P-Y now.....zzzz.....

*One more thing: I'm gonna revamp my blog...so hopefully it won't look too dull and boring...and if anyone knows how to do blogskin...please tell me...PLEASE.... >.< (haha...that's 2 things...lol)

Ka-tet...

2007-11-03T20:38:00.000+08:00

"Long days and pleasant nights"
"May you have twice as many...."

That's right, that's my greeting to you... Actually, I'm dedicating today's entry to about close to an entire month of reading Steven King's Dark Tower Series... It has certainly been a long yet meaningful series and i have not regretted a single bit of reading his books....A master piece!

As mentioned briefly in my previous entry, it is about a gunslinger, Roland, who travels far and wide in search of the Dark Tower. He is accompanied by 4 companions of completely different backgrounds...and they form a ka-tet. On their quest, they encountered various obstacles and their quest is certainly a long and arduous one.

Actually, what draws me to this book is mainly 2 reasons. 1) The life-story of the various characters, as well as the obstacles, are uncannily similar to the struggles a person faces- with kin, friendship and relationship. 2) The Dark Tower Series has an authenticity to it, and its clever storyline, which weaves from past to present with ease and conviction, makes reading both an enjoyable and mind-boggling one. The author even introduces himself as an important sub-character in the story! Unbelievable!

Basically, it all began with the gunslinger chasing the man in black, who told him that the 6 Beams that hold the universe will eventually fall. Before leaving him behind in an eventual cat-and-mouse game, he read the gunslinger's future. The Lady of the Shadows, the Prisoner, and Death he will meet, but the last will not befall on him, rather to the people around him. Slowly but certainly, his companions Eddie, Susannah, Jake and Oy joins him on his quest and faces challenges from Blaine the Mono (riddles, riddles and more riddles!), Wolves of the Calla (snitches, "Riza!!!", plates, Bill the robot, Benny Slightman, roont), Mia (daughter of none), Dandelo(Vampire who sucks happiness), Monfred (Son of both Roland and the Crimson King), Patrick (the greatest artist ever!) and of course the Crimson king himself. Of course, there is todash, ka, nineteen and ninety-nine and many other stuff that pertains to only the Dark Tower Series

The last book was certainly the best of all...but it was certainly a story that ended on a sad note... One by one, the various characters accompanying Roland all ended up dead, and in the end he is the only one to face the near-impossible task of defeating the evil ruler- The Crimson King. Yet, right towards the very end, the gunslinger survived, and so were his band of companions. The story certainly left me thinking of how reality can sometimes be so chillingly full of mysteries and coincidence...and will definitely continue to be a story worth remembering...

I dedicate this entry to the wonderful characters whom i will sorely remember:

To Roland(Will Dearborn) from the land of Gilead...
...for your blue eyes, and inspiration, leadership and wisdom...

Eddie Dean from New York...
...for your jokes, amiable character and unwavering loyalty...

Susannah Holmes New York...
...for the colourful personality and admirable perseverance..

Jake, New York...
...for your bravery and touch...

Oy, Mid-world...
...for being there when all hope is lost...

Another quote which i will remember...the gunslinger's 3 rules...
I shoot with my eye, I aim with my mind, I kill with my heart...
...He who does not do so shoots without seeing the face of his father.

Btw: Check out My Johari and Nohari...pls comment on them...It is under "Linkies"..thx

Disillusioned?

2007-10-30T20:59:00.000+08:00

Chinese A levels are finally OVER!!!

One more week from OP....

Current state of mind: Disillusioned....?

Frankly, the aftermath of Chinese "A"s has not been one of euphoria....but rather the feeling of sorrow... It has been a dream for me to finish Chinese once and for all, and burn my Chinese books with glee...yet when it really did end, I felt a sense of loss instead....all the years of learning this seemingly foreign language has finally come to an abrupt end. Suddenly, I have the sudden urge to learn Chinese songs...emo ones too....

Never mind that, as for today, we had OP practice AGAIN! Haha, actually, we spent like most of the time planning our skit for tomorrow. After like eons, we had lunch at Pizza Hut to celebrate Melissa's birthday. After that, the whole late afternoon was spent at Marine Parade library... reading Stephen King Dark Tower novels... haiz....the best of quiet ambiance and good books! :P

Man, hopefully my days will get more fun and longer.
(Longer days = Longer holidays?)

Haha
W.Q.

P.S. - All the best for OP!

Busy

2007-10-21T16:16:00.000+08:00

It's really been some time since i last updated my blog, and boy, many events have certainly took place during this two weeks. Let me run through the events that have revolved around me...whee..

Hmm...the TJ open house has certainly been an eye-opener for me. Not because i have never took part in any open house before (i mean it!), but this was the first time i was involved in such an event. Haha! It was simply a rush from start till end, as all the "ambassadors" with their cool orange T-shirts gathered around the school premises to bring students and show them how COOL TJ is! Actually, it was rather HOT out there, and i was dying in the heat under the relentless heat of the sun, as we brought the students to the sports complex to show them the sports PDP we offer. Nevertheless, the entire event had been enriching, as we got to experience the joy of showcasing our school. Talk about advertising![Thinking abt PW... :( ]

Anyway, there was LAN outing that night as well. YEAH! that was the highlight of the day...haha... Even though the TJ open house was certainly memorable, playing counterstrike with my secondary school classmates had certainly been much enjoyable. We spent 4 hours at East Point's Raiders outgunning each other and showing who's boss... :P

After that, came the monotony of PW....I can't believe I'm actually dedicating a paragraph for this cursed subject. Bleh! My group and I spent eons finishing one segment of our project after another...like a never-ending nightmare of assignments. Just 2 days ago, our group had just completed and handed in our final WR draft to the teacher and today? I'm busy finishing up the contents for I & R as well as preparing for my 3rd OP trial run...grrr...wait till all these are over...then I will PARTY like a ROCK STAR!!! But on a lighter note, i will like to thank my group members: Melissa, Dawn, Charlene and Zong Yao for the dedication and effortless pursuit to finish the tasks at hand... ALL THE BEST FOR OP AND I&R!!! MAY WE GET THAT A!!!!!!

This week has also been filled with OGL interviews...and i get my first taste of interviewing people!!! MUAHAHA! Lol, actually i just get to post a single question for each group and MAN... my questions are like the simplest to answer. Other H.C. members of mine had told the candidates to perform DARES like getting a tree to cheer, pole-dancing, singing, and role-playing. Now to think about it, I'm feeling rather embarrassed and guilty watching the plight of those poor students...but then again...this is a job of an interviewer...more specifically...a HC INTERVIEWER! Hahaz..can't wait for the OGL camp after Christmas!

On Friday night, i also attended a 2 hour COPE (Community Outreach Program for the Elderly)"lecture" program meant to teach us greater awareness of dealing with the elderly. We even get to learn how to use a wheelchair. In spite of the difficulties faced, I found the wheelchair really fun to use, albeit difficult as well....starting to look forward to the COPE scheme...

As for this weekend, I have been homebound....really am mentally exhausted....hoping that PW comes to an end and the real holidays can begin. Sigh...how i wish i can travel around the world... guess i have to wait till NS...where we will be brought to other countries....to do PT (Physical Training) ARGHHH!!!!!!!! Right now, let me just live one day as it is...and try to shake of that dreadful feeling that NS is in about a year's time...

P.S. If you guys wanna go out, can try to contact me...i REALLY want to go on outings!!! Haha..sounds desperate...but it's true... :/

Aftermath

2007-10-04T21:04:00.000+08:00

Almost 1 week has elapsed since the end of promos, and it has been an eventful week for me. For the past few days, i have this thought within my mind. Even though i have been trying to destress and unwind after the end of promos, I could not help but feel a little lost as well as unmotivated. Could have been the aftermath of this promos that has given me this food for thought? I'm seriously not sure...

I had PW meetings last Monday and yesterday, whereby the group went to our group leader(Melissa)'s house. We spent half the time attempting to work out our oral presentation (OP), while the other half was spent on distractions- playing the piano, drum, msn...to think that all these meetings are all for the sake of a 40 min presentation...As for today, where we had our first taste of the horrors of OP, the feeling has always been hard to avoid and comprehend. After half a day of madness and boredom, it was finally over...but there will be more to come...when will PW ever be over???

2 days ago, i went cycling with Hilary again. Frankly, it was really one of the rare times whereby i can try to unwind and relax. As usual, she kept the trip lively by talking, and even taunted me about Miss Jolie...we went to one of those rocks by the sand to take some photos..it was FUN! Anyway, it's time for me to get a new bike, for the old one is like creaking like man...guess it's getting old...like me...lol. Hopefully, i can persuade my dad...though i think it will take a while to do so...sigh...

Anyway, I have been reading this book...it's called "Dark Tower 3- The Waste Lands" by Stephen King. Prior to reading this, i was totally oblivious to the works of the king of horror novels. Yet, it was this book that has brought a sudden surge within me to start cultivating my long forgotten habit of reading (ever since Harry Potter ended). The story revolves around a gunslinger (someone who uses a gun...OBVIOUS) and his companions, a once heroin-addicted prisoner, a lady who has multiple persona and a young boy whom he shares a deep connection with, as they go in search for their own destiny that lies within...where else...but the Dark Tower... Sounds interesting? Then try reading it, it's good!

Haix, tomorrow is gonna be a long day for me... TJ Open House is next, and the night may be filled with counterstrike and DOTA...fun...but short-term happiness. Still, it will help me to keep my mind off the incoming results of my promos...which i deeply fear...

Wish me the best...

Anxious
W.Q.

My photos!

2007-10-02T12:14:00.000+08:00

Cycling

2007-09-29T12:32:00.000+08:00

Finally, my promos are over!!! I have never felt so happy for such a long time...all those weeks of mugging, stressing and memorizing have finally came to an end. As soon as it ended yesterday, i had many things on my mind: playing my computer games, blogging, watching those LOST tape-recorded shows, sleeping.... but i ended up cycling...haha.

As i typed on the laptop right this moment, my aching legs (and butt..lol) are a constant reminder of the 3.5 hours of riding my bike along East Coast Park. Cycling with me was Hilary, whom i known during Tao Nan camp. Haha...it was actually intended for night cycling, but we ended up cycling during the late afternoon. Boy, it was fun!

We first began at McDonald's area and headed east. It was really enjoyable, as the weather was so windy (you can say chilly..haha). As we cycled, the both of us chatted about loads of stuff...from promos to JC life to secondary school life to camp to movies....It certainly was fun! Hilary certainly talked much (thankfully...as i believe i'm rather quiet... lolz).

There was a wakeboarding scene halfway through our trip, and that was certainly so cool (...maybe i should learn wakeboarding someday..haha) We managed to cycle to bedok jetty and even posed for a few photos...haha...her idea. Then it began to rain. OMG...it was certainly one of the few times i cycled in the rain, and as it got heavier, we seeked shelter. There, we chatted on...she found out about the Mr. Noodle and Miss Spaghetti incident and a bit about the Average-walkers, while i got to know about her school song and a bit about Boston. =P

As soon as the rain stopped, and we got a little drier, we continued. My bike began to make those creaking sounds and i had a weird feeling that my bike will break down. We continued on until we saw this tall structure which was surrounded by flowers. Hil. wanted to reach the top, but it was locked and i told her she could try climbing to the top. LOL. Anyway, we continued further and began gossiping about the kids in camp Hutan and the camp chief(Francis) and even her brother.

Soon, it was about 6:30 when we reach the end (Changi Chalet..is it?) By then, we had even passed by the National Sailing Centre..or whatever it was. Hil. had wanted to go to Parkway, but the trip back took so long...and i bet we were exhausted (or maybe it's just me..lol). Halfway back, we saw a street performance at lagoon food centre...some hula-hoop performance. We stopped by at 7-11 to buy a drink...then i accompanied her further on till we reached the route near her home. By then, it was 8:20pm and i was practically using my last ounce of energy to race back home to have my dinner..lol...

Anyway, this cycling trip was certainly the longest, yet most interesting trip i had...haha. Sorry that u were unable to buy that gift...but the cycling trip was fun...isn't it? Haha...Hope to cycle with you again...if i can first try to persuade my dad to buy me a new bike..lol..

W.Q.-homebound...

Hutan!!!

2007-09-03T21:22:00.000+08:00

"GF: Yo people!
Kids: Wassup, wassup!?
GF: Spell IBAN!
Kids: Alright, Alright
All: I-B-A-N
Action: stomp, stomp, clap
(left) (right)
stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, clap
(left) (right) (left) (right)
[Repeat action]
1st time shout: IBAN IBAN OHH!
2nd time shout: IBAN IBAN AHH!"

This was simply one of the many songs that were sung during the 3 day long camp. It was fun, it was exhausting, it was crazy...most of all... It ROCKS!!!

It started with a plea. Kang Qi, a fellow LEO member, needed volunteers desperately and it had caught my attention. I had participated in many camps, but only facilitated a few camps, most notably sec. 1 camp and SCIP in TJ. This was a totally new twist, and i wanted to try it out.

Upon stepping into Tao Nan School on Friday evening, everything began to occur rapidly.
I had known or seen nearly all the facilitators during pre-camp, except my partner. She was Hilary, and my first encounter with her was a little awkward at first. However, we quickly got along as the hours passed, to my relief (Haha..i won't feel good if i don't get to know her quickly...lol). All the group facilitators (GF) had to scramble to finish their banners and identities . Boy, it was certainly the start of the busy schedule ahead!

My group was IBAN, K5, and it represented the "killer whales" of Tao Nan student. Our group was easily recognizable with its red cloth. Additionally, the GFs were given whistles, mainly for crowd control, as well as to entertain oneself...

That Friday ended in a special way, as 3 of our members had their birthdays within the camp duration- mainly Jia Yu (our house capt.), Kian Yan (GF) and Hilary. A birthday cake was bought, and everyone had fun eating it. We even had cake fighting (well only a few "lucky" ppl was "caked"...haha).

The first day kicked of with much anticipation, as we had a real taste of managing primary four kids Believe me, it certainly felt horrid at first! As soon as we began ice-breakers, they began ranting. " This is boring...", " Can we rest?" and " Can I go to the toilet?" quotes filled the air as i became increasingly fed up with the relentless verbal assault...

The first major challenge began as soon as we started the hike at Bukit Timah Hill. They were simply MAD (Muddle-headed, Atrocious, Disastrous) and it was driving me crazy!!! From simple things like wanting me to hold on to their bottles, to begging me to walk faster, i nearly wanted to drop everything i was attending to and race to my house to hide. U will feel like that when u have to carry several 1.5 litre bottles and attempt to catch up with a bunch of wild and annoying monkeys. Trust me...

Yet, there was a sense of inner pride as i see these youngsters muster their strength towards climbing up to their destination. Through the GFs' constant encouragement, we drive them on to finish the activity. It was even heart-warming to see the kids starting to loosen up and stick to u like u are their best friend. At the end of the hike, i felt warm with love...lol...

However, growing too attached does have its limitations, especially when growing attached means growing reliant. After the hike, all the Iban students (Ibanians) began groaning about being tired and hungry. At first, we encouraged them....but soon we realized that it was futile. Worse still, they are not the only tired ones, as we too started to become edgy... By lunchtime, everyone had morphed from enthusiastic people to mindless, moaning zombies.

After lunch, the moaning was less noticeable, but the enthusiasm was at an all-time low. Everyone was tired after the hike, and i was personally feeling exhausted. Yet, it was time for the station games. From charades to river crossing, from slippery eel to balloon stepping, it certainly required a great deal of energy to overcome these barriers. Then again, primary 4 kids are simply unpredictable. These "species" are known for their outburst of energy, and are capable of manipulating their surroundings. As soon as they found the games enjoyable, they started becoming delightful and energetic. Even after the games ended, they continued pestering me whether there will be any more games, much to my annoyance.

Bathing the kids was one of the highlights of the day, as i had the personal "luxury" of practicing my "shooting" skills. Using only a hose connected to a tap, i began to hose my targets and managed to enforce a quick bath for all those boys within my group. Dinner passed with almost no major hiccup, except the fact that there was this girl called Wan Ying that would cry at the slightest provocation into consuming food. After dinner, night walk was now the main focus, as the unique mix of moaning and enthusiasm resumed. It was a combination of fairies (balloon-headed people or wearing those yellow vests seen by traffic police), fighting ( some seriously weird kungfu skills and gold nuggets (don't ask me why, i don't know!). I was grateful when it was finally over and everyone was given a well-deserved break to sleep. I never felt so motivated to sleep until that eventful day.

Day 2 was no less boring, as dragon-boating kicked off with a bang! In the waters of Kallang, the 3 hour session was simply enjoyable. Armed with oars and sheer willpower, we proceeded with paddling and cheering each other on. Thankfully, the weather was merciful and the sun decided to take a nap behind the clouds. My entire group had loads of fun here, simply because the kids seemed to derive pleasure in splashing water at other groups on similar boats. As for Hilary and I, we endured a couple of hours of splashing and soaking and at the same time, laughed at the heartwarming scenes of the kids enjoying themselves. Everyone came back to school drenched, tired, but satisfied with the outcome.

After lunch, rock climbing caught the attention of all the Ibanians, as everyone tried their hands at reaching the peak of the rock wall. I was particularly bored as the GFs had no major roles here, except to guide the kids into putting on the safety harnesses. While waiting for some kids to finish their climb, we engaged the rest with cheers. Never in my life have i met such overwhelming resistance, as the kids for once held power over the GFs, by refusing to abide by our demands. In the end, it required some expert persuasion as well as rugged hollering to get them to learn the cheers, for the campfire performance that night.

It was simply magical! Despite the rain, which forced the change in venue, the performance went on without any major hitch. Every group had their moment to shine, and when it was our turn, we blazed the area with our booming songs and cheers. Every group was brilliant and everyone was at their limits, but at their best as well.

The last day of the camp was simply the most memorable of all. After breakfast, area-cleaning began with earnest, followed by the telematch. The latter was simply the most memorable part of the camp, as all 4 groups competed for the honour of being champions. It was full of excitement and passion as the kids displayed the passion towards cheering their own groups. (well...most of the kids...haha). Even though IBAN did not win the champion, we felt that we were champions as we had done our very best and the main aim of having fun was achieved.

To end off, Camp Hutan has certainly been memorable for me, as the kids, fellow GFs and activities greatly stirred the desire within me to lead my group with passion and drive. To all my fellow GFs: Hilary(Teach me more camp songs, pro! haha), Kian Yan(love ur chattiness), Davis(cool u are!), Linda(, Kang Qi(thx for introducing me to this camp), Sean(Nice sense of humour), Han Chen(cheerful u are!), Benedict(another joker..haha) and Xin Hui(Love ur N2ness), as well as our leader Jia Yu(Hail Lao Lao)...u guys have been BRILLIANT! Kudos for a job well done! To all the kids in K5: U guys have inspired me to be more patient and enthusiastic.

Benedict- For making me feel like a loser. U are simply a devil! You are loads of fun though!
Jolie- For calling me Mr. Noodle...u are the most cutest girl in the group...(haha...anyone jealous?jkjk)...thank you Miss spaghetti.
Oliver- Ur msn charcter so different from real life...haha
Wan Ying- Finish your food pls!
Yong Xuan- Mr. Laughing gas...keep laughing
Eric- Love ur independent nature!
Marcus- Learn to be fast!
Isabelle- Ur quietness is a blessing to me...in those chaotic moments!
Chloe- For ur perky nature
Nicholas- Love your enthusiasm!
Clarice-Fun to be with!
Rachel- Your friendliness and bossiness will be remembered!
For the rest of u: Can't remember that clearly..sry sry...but u guys are a blessing to me!

To everyone else whom i know, thank you so much for making this camp a success! U ROCK!

Finally, i would like to say: Camp Hutan is unforgettable, the kids are lovable, the activities memorable...and most of all...IBAN is wonderful!! IBAN Baik! =P

Freedom!

2007-06-29T23:36:00.000+08:00

Alas, the exams are over, and here am I... facing the screen and typing furiously about the events that happened during this period of absence...

Hmm...JCTs...this year's first major obstacle, and certainly not one to be forgotten. All those days of mugging (yeah yeah...i admit that i mug...haha! :P), all those moments of trepidation, all those times where i thought it would be the end...and it really is the end ....of JCTs! :D

Freedom has been achieved, but can it last? Well, little can be said for now, as I'm certainly relaxing right now. But in a week's time...everything will be back to normal. The monotony of school, the burden of schoolwork, the endurance of ending late during school days...So, can we really say that there is freedom, when these moments that await us are actually chaining us, chaining us from achieving that freedom we have always longed for.

But if we think again, maybe the lack of freedom is achieving freedom... freedom of a different sort. School may be about academic, lectures and tutorials, all which are not desired, yet there 's another side to this. Without school, would i have known many new and good friends(in TJ)? Without school, will I be still be here, with boundless energy and awaiting to tackle all those deadlines(e.g. PW,haha =P) Without school, will i be what i am today, more confident and optimistic than what i was before?

Freedom...what really is freedom?

...times where you can sit back and relax?...

...or times where you feel a sense a satifaction and achievement?...

Whatever are your views on freedom? That's my definition. Well, you decide...

Quote: Freedom is like a pair of wings, you can use it to flee from adversity...always on the run, or you can use it to discover the world...and achieve something that equates a sense of freedom! =P

LEO

2007-06-08T23:09:00.000+08:00

Back from another camp, back to reality...but the memories of the camp shall be etched in my mind forever...

It may have been one of those many camps that i have been through, but it was still a refreshing experience. For those of us, we first appeared as strangers, and were enthusiastic but certainly apprehensive. To compound to the uncertainty, the number of us who turned up was quite small, and it may have dampened the spirits of those who came for the camp. In truth, i was slightly disappointed and for a moment, I regretted even turning up...

...Never mind the uncertainty, never mind the disappointment... the camp had certainly been better than i thought...

Ice-breakers, games and performances...the 3 things that goes along in a camp...and ultimately bonds of us. From "Concentration" to "Barang Barang" ...from "Tian Mi Mi" to "Amazing Race", we get to know each one of us better. Despite the challenges we faced, we oovercome it though sheer determination and teamwork. Best of all, it fostered a sense of pride towards our own group.

In short, the camp was FANTASTIC! =P

To Shu Ting, our leader, as well as Dennis, Song Han, Aloysius, Sophia, Stella, Verena, Aruna, Jolyn and Li Wen...without you guys, this camp would have been so unlively and boring...Thx for bringing the enthusiam to Group 4 and 6!!! LEO Rockz! (as for ATC...Hmm...no comments...)

=P

Bronze!

2007-04-29T21:29:00.000+08:00

I did it! I finally accomplished something that took me so long to achieve.

All the months of exercise...

All the precious time spent...

All the persuasion and encouragement...

Alas I got the bronze!

U may think it's kinda weird or lame, but it really means something to me. I have overcome a goal in my life. Although it has not been officially certified, but i think i made it...

I got BRONZE cert. for swimming!

While others may laugh, shake their heads or simply be unfazed by my words or achievment...

A personal milestone has been reached....

A quote: Perserverance and Hard Work leads to achievement, but success is determined by one's character!

Yawn

2007-03-30T23:13:00.000+08:00

"Today...U pray...that one day...I may...want to say..."go away"...Lead the way...start the play...need not pay...to be my ray..."

Feeling very tired today...so i will briefly run through what i did today....

Had mass PE this morning...all those warm-ups...all those running....all those push-up...running was fun, and the pain and numbness after all that running made me feel more alive....

G.P....hmm...that was like....super refreshing and engaging...Miss Cheah is definitely one of the best English teachers i have so far.I really hope that her mind-boggling questions, sharp rebuttals and wealth of knowledge can mould me into a better student in G.P.....

AHA! The best thing that happened was the movie which i had watched in Lt1---Hotel Rwanda. That was a really good movie(i shall tell u more next time...)

Yawn..... :0 .... why are my blog entries getting shorter each time?Guess i better write a longer one next time...haha.... :p

Anticipation

2007-03-05T21:20:00.000+08:00

How time has flown... it is already March and approaching the end of the first term of the year. Numerous events have changed my life in one way or another, and in all, have given me a deeper insight towards life in TJ. The way the people there have touched my life and heart in one way or another...this feeling is certainly indescribable!

Ever since obtaining my results, I have felt a renewed sense of belonging and pride towards my new jc. Even though it was sad to hear that there are others who may not be as fortunate as i am, there was little i could do but give my best well-wishes in their lives ahead. Go out and fulfil your dreams, and don't let that little setback overwhelm you! As for all the lucky ones out there who received good news, let's not get too carried away and use the optimism to fuel one's ambition in succeeding in life!

Anyway, tomorrow will be the results of the jc posting(aka JAE). It will also be the last day where all my current c.g. mates will be together for one last time. My heart aches whenever i recall all those exciting and warm memories we share as a cg. How we managed to survive those long and boring lectures, how we managed to study despite the long & hectic hours, how we managed to share all our information(copying homework...) to bring about an end to the assignments at hand, as well as to avoid those nasty backlashes from our civics tutors...cg 20/07...I will miss you forever!

After that day, the rest of the week will be spent in orientation, whereby being a part of the SCIP, i will be greatly involved in trying to bring success to the entire 4-day programme. I can't wait for the mass dance, as i can get to enjoy these moments with everyone else in TJ while i can, before the monotony of schoollife begins to kick in.

Quote of the day: May success follow those who believe, may one reap rewards should one persevre. May O2 be a resounding success!!!

Optimism

2007-02-11T23:01:00.000+08:00

Tired but satisfied, sad yet happy...

This was certainly how i have felt during the past three days, where it has been a total whirlwind of events which happened one after the another...

Friday afternoon had been the big day of my life as it was O level results collection day. I was seriously VERY anxious over my results, and what lies ahead of me. After 4 years of secondary education, that had been the moment of truth. As I clutched my results slip, my mind went blank as i scrambled to see the truth....9 points....my eyes blinked as if i had not seen my marks yet...slowly but surely, I raised my arms in jubilation as I gave a silent "Thank U" to the One above.... my wish had came truth.

The next morning began with fun, slick moves, as all those in SCIP had to undergo mass dance selection test. The songs ranged from RETARDED to DHOOM to S CLUB PARTY and by the end of the morning, I was tired but happy that it was over. The evening was coupled with swimming and shopping(for new clothes for CNY) and it was TIRING!

Barely 7 hours after saturday ended, Sunday began with a BANG! "Go GREEN DAY" was officially kick-started and soon, i was busy scrambling to collect and transport as many bags of unused newspaper and old clothes as possible. It was very encouraging to see everyone actively being involved in hepling one another to make the programme a resounding success! Although i was quite exhausted by then, it gave me a sense of accomplishment to know that the effort we put in will greatly benefit the charities involved.

On the whole, this was a brief summary of how i had felt during the weekend. As for the aftremath of the results, i felt quite sad at the same time, as i could also witness certain schoolmates' hopes being dashed by a single slip of paper. Tears could be seen running down their cheeks...whether or not it was of happiness or disappointment, of pride or regret, the scenario had certainly left a deep impression in my mind. Even though my results were deemed satisfactory for me, i had wondered: Could i bear to scream with joy, when those around me may not feel the same?

To everyone who had received their O level results:
Be proud of what you achieve, for what's done is done, let's be optimistic of the future!

17!

2007-01-28T22:28:00.000+08:00

If u still didn't noe what the number means, now u will know...

If u do, u owe me something....that's right....a BIRTHDAY GREETING!

Ha, I'm finally 17, and i'm still as N2 as ever(in writing the blog, of course...). But somehow, whenever i attend lectures or some other boring lessons, i feel like 70...wanna doze off...zzzzz....

Whoops! Sorry about that, guess i was a little tired... anyway... i guessed i better sum it up, cos i gotta sleep in like...15 min... My birthday wish: May eveybody's life be filled with happiness, joy, laughter, luck, health, wealth, success, freedom, peace...the list goes on...

Anyway, the 'O' level results are less than 2 weeks away...Oh boy, I can't wait to know the outcome..(and my fate....).Seriously, I'm rather nervous about it, but what's done has been done, and now i can only pray for the best. I hope that everyone, including myself, can achieve the desired results everyone is hoping for...

Wishing for the best!

S.C.I.P.

2007-01-21T20:05:00.001+08:00

As i walked towards the bus-stop in the dark and clear night sky, my mind was thinking only of one thing: the S.C.I.P. orientation. Although yesterday's events are over, they will be etched deeply in my mind...

My first thought when i first heard about the orientation was " Dam! Must i really go? I rather sleep at home...." my thoughts rattled on as i stalked off unhappily, knowing that it was unavoidable. Earlier, I was esctatic upon receiving the news that my interview for applying the S.C.I.P. was successful. However, this set of news seemed to dampen my spirits, as i began to wonder what i could have done instead for the weekend.

How wrong I was! The cloud of unhappiness seemed to dissipate upon the start of the programme.Through the icebreakers, i get to know my fellow S.C.I.P. members more closely. Furthermore, i felt rather at ease as a number of temasekians(sec.) were involved in the orientation too. After, getting to know each other, there were 4 games played, namely "Minefield", "Blindfold", "Plank-walking" and "Virus". the names may seem rather ridiculous, but the games had a hidden meaning: That is, to build up on our teamwork, coordination as well as the ability to listen well.

Next on the schedule was "mission possible". It was actually better known as the amazing race, whereby the objective was to complete as many staions as possible using the given time limit...Blah blah....sorry for the boring intro., guess u guys already noe how to play. Anyway, we went to Simei, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Expo., Changi and Bedok...COOL huh? Still, it wasn't the destination that matters. Instead, the games held some significance, as it called for more teamwork, leadership, as well as bravery. That's right, bravery. Dancing the "macarina" in front of a busy road, forming a human train, sincerely welcoming tourist from the airport, asking people to put on lipstick for you, as well as many other silly stuff...was part of the courses in the mission. Even though it sounds rather childish at first thought, it involves lots of courage and i believed it had greatly helped to boost my confidence. "Mission Possible" ROCKZ!

Lastly was the event "Mission Impossible", the main theme was to organise a formal impromtu dinner for some "VIPs", using limited resourses. That was the finale of the orientaion, yet it was the most challenging of all. I was part of the 'Decorations' group and we had to create an island ambience to the place in less than 2 hours. Oh boy, that period of time could be defined as "crazy". Everyone could be seen running all over the place, searching for anything that could be useful for the dinner. At the eleventh hour, everything was hurriedly prepared, aside for a few sudden changes that we have to make to facilitate te dinner. Overall, I conclude that the dinner was a resounding success and despite all the hustle and bustle, it was certainly FUN!

Thinking of all the fun i had earlier, i left TJC that night, tired but satisfied with the lessons learnt and memories shared with all...

Doogashaga!

2007-01-14T22:05:00.000+08:00

As I begin to settle into my new school timetable, the monotony of school life begins to fall in place as well... Listening to the latest hits being belted out in 987FM as i typed out words of thought, memories of the week's events began to appear. It has certainly been both exciting and eventful adapting in the TJ timetable, one wonders what type of uncertainty lies ahead in my 3months in there(for now...as i'm certainly praying for a permanent stay there for 2 years! =D HA!)

The 2nd week of the year was certainly not as busy as the first, yet it was still buzzling with activities...Besides zooming in and out of the audithorium LT(Lecture Theatre...izzit?lol), we had our first taste of what's it like to witness PDP in action. People were busy touting, literally, for the newbies like us to join their PDPs. Just imagine youself surrounded by ten over people screaming for your attention...like...."JOIN DEBATE!!!" LOL!!! (no offense to the debate team...hehe). Anyway, it was definitely a scene out there, and at the end of the day, I 've still have not quite made up my mind...Rather, all the madness earlier had given me a headache...

Sigh, this was the fun side of life...to my horror, i found out that there will be SWIMMING during PE...OMG...this is certainly double nightmare for me as i already have swimming lessons every saturday. Plus this...welcome to NIGHTMARE REALITY.... +....+!! Sigh, sometimes i wonder if i had offended any swimming coaches in my past life...dreaming la... :)

Anyway, tomorrow will be another new week, so I'll be more optimistic towards life. Frankly, I'm glad that i have this blog, as i can relate my feelings, both happy and sad, towards blogging...Hmm, I've this crazy idea recently...should i publisize my blog? I'm prepared to show everyone how KOOL my blog is.... sigh...i've come to this stage when self-praise seems so far from my mind...ha...I'm crazy!LOL(must be the stress...)....hehe...

By the way...DOOGASHAGA ROCKZ! TJ ROCKZ 2!!!

Orientation

2007-01-07T23:11:00.000+08:00

It has been a week since 2007 commenced...and it has certainly been a whirlwind of activity. Although it was only the first week of the year, it certainly felt like a month to me. Orientation at Temasek Junior College (T.J.C.) has certainly been hectic and uncertain... here's the events that happened during the 4 days of orientation...

" Welcome to T.J. ...."the voice of the emcee boomed loudly as we stepped into the auditorium. Faces of uncertainty were visible and aplenty, as we wondered what lies ahead of us. However, all thoughts of anxiety were put to rest when the orientation group leaders(o.g.l.) assumed control of the crowd. (I was in o.g.8 by the way-Dooga shaga!) Through the icebreakers, we immediately lost all signs of fear as the process of making friends began in earnest. To liven things up, the T.J.C. mass dance was performed and taught to us and by the end of the day, I was totally drained of my energy... Upon reaching home, i went to sleep immediately after dinner...

Day 2 was also fun-filled, as there was the Amazing Race, whereby my group travelled around the east of Singapore to complete certain stations and earn points. However, besides the fun of cheering and helping one another, we had to endure the scorching sun, stingy station-masters(lol!) and endless hours of walking...Nevertheless, that did not deter any of us, as we managed to garner as many points as possible. Together with another session of mass dance, it was another energy-sapping day...

The third day was certainly one never to forget, as the past 2 days of vigorous, complex and muscle-aching dance practice could finally be showcased at the fountain of wealth situated at Suntec City. Personally, i was quite surprised when i heard of the mass dance which is usually held annually at Suntec. I had never attended a mass dance before (besides ACES Day), let alone do a mass dance for a school which i have only been for about 3 days... I was shell-shocked. Ha! Despite the initial shock, that definitely did not show during the dance. Everyone partied the night away, and we could have gone on had the rain not interrupted the dance and put an end to the fun and joy...It was a night to remember...

Finally, the last day of orientation arrived. I felt slightly annoyed at the notion of having to go to school on Saturday. Ha, never did i expect the day, or rather, the night to be even more memorable. The afternoon was o.g. bonding time, as the group spent their time at Pizza Hut for lunch, playing games like "Truth or Dare" and other group games.
After that, there was the performance, aka BOND 007 Night. Before entering the hall, we had some face-painting done to resemble like tribesmen on the verge of war. (By the way, our group Doogashaga is the tribe group). We made a spectacular entrance in black and green, adn being the last group to arrive, we certainly made a scene! Then, the performance commenced and we were entertained by o.g. performances, beauty paegant as well as a grand finale acted by our very own clan masters. At the end of the perfromance, our voices were hoarse, our energy drained and our bodies ached, but what truly matters was to witness T.J.C.'s spirit at full force and embracing the power of united T.J.C. It was truly unforgettable!!!

I know that i am being quite long-winded here, but i'm truly proud to be in T.J.C.. I really wish that in 2 months time, i will receive the confirmation that I will be in T.J.C., then i can truly be happy, but no matter what happens, these memories of the 4 days of orientation will always be etched in my mind forever...T.J.....U ROCK!!!

Poems

2006-12-31T14:19:00.000+08:00

Hiya...I'm in the mood for some poems today...hope u enjoy reading them... =D

Caring And Sharing
It seems to me that sharing
is a special way of caring.
If you've got enough for two,
Let someone share with you.
If it's just enough for one,
Take turns and enjoy the fun!

Friendship
Friends are there to heal the wounds,
To pull you out out saddened tunes
To brighten up your cloudy sky
To clear up fictious lies

Friends are there with open arms
To comfort you and block the harm
To keep your secrets hidden away
To entertain you when you play

Friends are there, smile or tear
Friends are there, happiness or fear
Friends are both fun and clever
And the ties that bind will last forever!

Motivation
It's the steady, constant drive,
To the goal for which you strive.
Not the speed for which you travel,
That will cause you to slide across the gravel.

It's the everlasting gain,
Without whimper or complain.
From the burdens you bear,
To the woes which tear.

It's the iron will to do,
And the steady sticking to.
So whatever the task, go ahead,
To achieve the goals that lie in wait!

Friends Forever
Friends are like siblings,
Ready to help you in times of troubles.
Inspiring, intellectual and full of excitment,
Everlasting solutions to solve your predicament.
Never turning back in times of hardship,
Doing your best for the sake of friendship.
Showing your support for one another, giving the best for each other.

Friends support each other with incitement,
Overcoming obstacles through their encouragement.
Ready to comfort you if you fail,
Exhilarated they are, when you prevail.
Value your frineds as much as your family,
Everybody will the be jolly and happy.
Real friends indeed, when you are in need, whatever you do, we are FRIENDS FOREVER!

That's it for now...i still have a surprise later...ha...tonite i mean....anyway...countdown to the NEW YEAR! Yeehah!

Transitions...

2006-12-30T12:35:00.000+08:00

As the saying goes, "Yesterday's memories are golden, Today's moments are cherished, Tomorrow's hope lies in eternity..." This means that in life, besides brooding over the past, worrying over the future, why not we learn to treasure what life has to give us for now and may this motivate us to cherish what we have and do our best...By the way, the saying was created by me...GOTCHA!..=D

Speaking about memories...Christmas this year felt kinda boring to me...I could still remember the dream the night before...where heaps of presents, unlimited Christmas goodies as well as Christmas carols felt so surreal yet real...Yet, the day itself was nothing short of monotonous... Yes, I did manage to sightsee around Orchard, take dazzling photos and soak in the Christmas spirit...kk...i was exaggerating at the last part...more like being soaked drenched in the rain...Ha!

By the way, the title for today is because I, as well as all you post sec. 4 students out there, are entering the transition from sec. school to tertiary education. Sigh, it is quite saddening to leave you guys in TMS to continue my education elsewhere... However, I believe that the memories all of us have shared will never be forgotten...Never mind, let's be positive and enter 2007 with brimming joyfulness and unwavering confidence... =P

By the way, there's a nice surprise for you guys out there for this new year, especially those who i have their hotmail addresses...hehe...treat it as a parting gift from me as 2007 looms near...HA! :D

BOREDOM?

2006-12-12T23:28:00.000+08:00

Yeah...that is certainly how I've felt during the past 2 weeks...whereby life seems to pass by me so silently, so quickly...Everyday, i sat down in front of the screen and began my daily escapade into a fantasy world whereby only slaying demons and completing quest mattered. Each day, I'll contemplate on what future lies in wait for me, what obstacles are waiting to ensnarl me, what challenges bewait my arrival. God... I feel so helpless each time these questions flood my mind.

Time certainly has flown so quickly, for only 2 weeks remain before another year of monotonous schooling begins. Or so it seems... It is to no surprise that pre-u school life is filled with aplenty of surprises in check and many fun-filled activities, all which is meant to promote social-bonding and school-spirit...However, one will not be surprised to note that there will be many that will contemplate on a life free from school, free from stress, but more importantly, free from the chains that are restraining oneself from attaining total freedom.

Sigh...no use feeling so pessimistic about life if this is how life is meant to be... I just hope that some bright things can happen which will definitely brighten my life, and be the shining star in the dark alle of uncertainty...

Apart from all these senseless thoughts, the reason for writing this blog today is that I'm TOTALLY BORED! Lol... that is certainly a big factor for me writing my blog entry today...sigh... after 3 months of blogging, it's quite disheartening to note that i've only received 2 comments in all.(one from my other blog...ha). Even though this is sort of demoralising to me, I am thankful that my interest in writing has not faltered. But still, I WANNA COMMENTS!!!....(Lol...guess i'm kinda desperate here...)

R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.C.E.---Receiving Encouragement So In Life I'll Exceed Normal Circumstances In Life...

Swimming

2006-11-27T22:56:00.000+08:00

As I stepped into the icy cold water, my mind was in a blank as i tried to get accustomed to the coldness. Soon, the sense of coldness was replaced by a feeling of numbness. As i attempted to shake off this feeling, the cold water swept past my body repeatedly...preventing me from resisting. However, under the watchful eye of my swim coach, i reluctantly mustered up my strength as i began the daunting task of swimming lap after lap...

Ha...that sounds a little like a story huh? Guess i was bored with the usual type of writing today...decided to use a little of my creative juices...God....I'm so tired after the swim, guess i had better get used to it. As my mum wanted me to do something useful, she had made use of this 'opportunity' to get me to learn a new skill. Sigh...so much for 'personal development'...ha...

Anyway, it is really exhausting to take up this activity, not only because it's physically demanding, but also mentally challenging. With each stroke i make, my mind seems to beckon me to stop this pointless torture...only my own will managed to hold me back from doing so. However, in order to fulfil my mum's expectaion, as well as my own, I have no choice but to fight back my inner demons...preventing me to succeed in life...(in addition, my ears are sort of blocked...so i can't really hear a thing ...LOL)

Well, i gotta go now...C'mon, if ya want to express what u did these past few days...feel free to do so...as for now...have fun! =D

OUCH!

2006-11-25T23:16:00.000+08:00

Ha...This was exactly how i felt when i swam and bowl in 2 consecutive days...Now my arms are certainly as stiff as logs. (Clenching my teeth as i continue typing...). Well, 2 days ago, just before grad. night, i went to swim at Tampines Swimming Complex. Boy! After the swim, i sought of regret doing so...the first reason was that i would end up with sores and numbness for the next few days...the other reason which i didn't expect was to get sunburnt. You see, i had placed sunscreen on all exposed body except my back. Dam! Now I'm feeling the stinging sensation prickling at the back.

The next day was just about the same level of vigorous activity. I spent 3 hours bowling with my cousin. Due to my 'face' (lol), I endured the pain and managed to complete the hand-breaking task. Ha! At first, i deceived myself that the pain will go away by today, but it seems that the truth hurts much more...ouch! >...<
Anyway, other than the pain, my day was a comfortable and enjoyable one. Even though we fellas know that these holidays are short-termed and will eventually be replaced by those dull and boring lessons, i still hope that i can make full use of the remaining free time i have to enjoy myself. Sigh...the life of a Singaporen student.

Think i have to end this entry soon, gotta help my parents to install that new computer which they bought just a couple of hours ago. Oh please... I hope i don't hurt myself anymore... =0

OUCH! => Only yoU Can Hurt me ! ......juz kidding! =D

MEMORIES...

2006-11-24T00:23:00.000+08:00

That's right, today is a day that will certainly be one to remember...As i typed word after word...memories of the 4 years in TMS began flowing in my mind...it was graduation nite today...

I'm sure eveyone would have fond memories of the day when one's existing journey ends and a new chapter in life begins...For me, it was truly memorable. Before the start of Grad. nite, I spent a couple of hours adjusting my formal long-sleeved shirt, arranging my blue tie and checking my hair time and again...I was nervous, for i've never attended such a party before...(was I? Hmm...)

Upon reaching school, i was amazed with the attire fellow Temasekians were wearing. From the smartly pressed-ironed blazer to the elegant, free-flowing dress, our fellow students excel in the fashion sense.(Can i say we r natural fashion models?) Everyone looked extra-ordinary, and the sight of everyone in their very best was certainly splendid!

After some moments, everyone was seated in the hall. The principal as well as the president of peer support leader(Adam) gave heartwarming speeches to the people. After which dishes were served along with special slide performance from every class. I was especially proud of 4R(my class la!) when it was our turn, even though i think wasn't my face in the slide. This was because 4R in action during the clip brought back wonderful memories of our wild times back then...

Afterwards, there were lucky draws and some games which were held interchangably. The games ranged from ' I Dare U' to the 'Scavenger Hunt', while the lucky draws had many cool stuff which were given away, including an apple ipod and a microwave! In addition, there was the best dressed male and female awards, together with the Prince and Princess Award. 4R did themselves proud by clinching the best dressed male(Adam), Prince of Temasek(Anavil) and Princess of Temasek(Charlene) award. Well done fellas!

Lastly, towards the end of the programme, everyone banded together to sing the school song for the last time. I was close to tears by the end, but controlled myself from crying.(C'mon, Boys can't cry, rite?). Lastly before i left, all my classmates stood together to take a last photoshoot together. After a few more well-wishes, i was on my way back home in the bus.

As i stared into the dark night, my mind was a reflection of how i felt: Calm, peaceful, yet that little tinge of sadness that surrounded myself. Pictures of my classmates and i began flashing across the night sky, serving as a reminder that i will, if not must, never foget the immense memories that all of us share in 4R as well as Temasek...

Thank you, all Temasekians who have inspired and challenged me to do my best!
Thank you, all classmates, for enhancing the resilience that served as the pride of our class 4R!
Thank you, all teachers whose light never fail to guide me to the path of sucess!

Thank you...and bless you all with good luck in your journeys ahead!!! Sayonara...

C.H.O.I.C.E.

2006-11-21T22:30:00.000+08:00

Life is all about choices, if we make them, there is no turning back...There are good and bad choices, but how does one make the correct choice? Well, there's no sure, definite answer, but in life, choices that are made can never be changed...

Why do i say such a thing? Well, it's because of what happened this morning. All Sec. 4 students were given the Pre-U application form, and we were given only 3 days to make up our minds... sigh ...the thought of leaving TMS sure is a sad one...but journeys are made in life...Let's hope that life after TMS can be just as nice, or better, than before...

Anyway, after receiving the form, i was left pondering over the vast choices that i can make... which would ultimately affect my future...I am sure that everyone will face this day eventually. Even though i may be decisive and headstrong over my decision...it is fate that will determine my future...[sigh]...praying that the One above will grant me the J.C. of my choice...

Wait a minute...y am i being so demoralising here? Ha! Sorry if i put u fellas in a delirious mood.. guess i was a little sad at first...penning my thoughts sure help to release my pent-up emotion. By the way, just a little joke... I have been 'forced' to take up swimming...Reason? Because of National Service...[sigh softly]...what luck!

Finally, just want u guys to know that should u see this blog, remember this: Whateve the choice u make... never turn back and ponder over the problems... Instead, be proud of ur decisions and continue to live life to the fullest!!!

C.H.O.I.C.E. --> Choosing Help Oneself In Creating Esteem!!! !=..=!

RELAX

2006-11-20T00:04:00.000+08:00

It's me again....and I'm so Happy! Well, it's partially because it's the start of the holidays...but more importantly...I'm glad that i am leading this carefree and relaxing lifestyle. No homework, no exams, no stress...but plenty of days to rest...Hmm, let me correct myself...only about a month's rest la...

Just to note...I've set up a blog at blogspot too...so it's getting kinda fun and busy for me... The website can be found on my custom list...However, besides a few changes and a different outlook.. the blog entries will still be quite similar..Anyway, just hope u guys can visit that blog too. The website is at http://just-4rian-in.spaces.live.com ...if ya got any problems finding the blog...u can always write in from here...

Hmm...let me give a brief account on what i did today...i spent my morning having breakfast, cleaning up my pet terrapins and playing XboX (Conker). Ha! Sounds..boring huh? After that, my family and i went to Suntec City and Marina Square to 'shop' (haiya...actually, its more like my sister and i accompany our parents out la...family bonding). Luckily, it was not so boring...

There was a musical performance held by the school of music clef..and boy...they play GOOD music!!! The crowd was entertained by their lively performance for close to 3 hours. Their instruments range from the piano to the trumpet, from the percussion to the guitar, from jazz music to rock...After listening to close to an hour, i was close to being inspired into learning how to play those drums and guitars...while my sister was close to falling asleep (from boredom..ha).

Anyway...i chose this title because u guys and gals gotta RELAX. Well, not mean literally sleeping 24/7...but rather slow down the tempo and recharge our batteries... u may never know when u gotta rush again...Finally to all Temasekians...Let's prepare for Grad. Nite!!!

Fun, Joy and Laughter!!! =D

First-timer

2006-11-17T22:55:00.000+08:00

Hi 2 all. This is the first time i'm blogging at blogger.com.... this feels kinda weird. Anyway, i haven't introduced myself. Name's Justin...as u can see from my hotmail...(ha...being lame here...).

Let's see...the main reason y i start a blog here its because i ve just finished my O levels. [ =) ]. After ten years of studying...i faced the biggest test of my life and those 2 weeks of nerve-wrecking, nail-biting moments...whereby i have 2 sacrifice many joys and luxuries...just to complete paper after paper...Day after day, night after night...i sat hunched-back as i struggled against fatigue and my inner demons(wanting me to relax and give up) just to enable myself to come out of this journey unscathed....

By the way, i'm a little apologetical over my emotional outburst...HA!!!....guess i'm just trying to release my bottled up feelings...anyway...the exams are finally over...and its time to CELEBRATE. Well, there's only a slight problem...i don't noe what to do first...

HAHA... That's y i 'm writing this blog...to begin my journey after the O levels...Even though i'm pretty weak in blogging for now... i'm sure that one day...my blog will become well-known..is that wishful thinking....hmm... i'm not to sure myself....