Come Here For Free Brain Haemorrhage

Because the world needs a bit of cheering up.

2007-08-29T17:42:00.000+08:00

There are not many things capable of bringing a smile to my face when I'm feeling down and blue and exhausted after a hard day's work.

Kittens however, never fail to brighten up my day.

Listening to: Ready For Love by Cascada

4 weeks.

2007-08-27T12:52:00.000+08:00

It's hard to believe that I've been here for 4 weeks. 4 weeks full of ups and downs, and having to deal with all the crazy nonsense that comes with handling a bunch of boisterous rowdy lower sec students. At least time seems to pass quickly.

And at least I finally seem to be moving on. Though I can't help but miss certain things about the sort of life I led when I was still an undergrad.

4 weeks. I could get used to this. But will it really be something I'll want to do for the next 3 or 4 years? Hmm...

Listening to: the mrbrown show on my school-provided laptop

I don't know why...

2007-08-20T00:32:00.000+08:00

But I have this feeling that maybe I've been single for far too long.

A note to say that I'm still alive...

2007-08-13T20:31:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm still alive, and beginning to adapt to work. It was a real pity that the National Day holiday went by all too quickly.

Tragically, I'm finding less and less of an urge to update my blog, hence the lack of updates. Let's just say that I've become quite a chronic workaholic, trying my best to plan lessons and mark assignments that I've had very little time left over to formulate my thoughts and write them down over here. And yes, some of you might have known that I was planning to set up a new blog dedicated to writing about my escapades at work, with the necessary security features of course, but at the moment, I guess that project is on hold for the time being. And there was another little side project which I was planning during the holidays; unfortunately, that too shall have to be put on hold for a while.

But I guess I'm just too tired to really dedicate myself to blogging the way I used to when I was still an undergraduate. When I come home, I usually find myself dozing off from sheer physical and mental exhaustion. Plus my brain usually ends up feeling a little fried after all those hours in school, hence you'll have to forgive me if the quality of my writing seems to have declined recently. I have newfound respect for working individuals who still find time to update their blogs regularly; hopefully the time will come when I will be able to strike a balance between work and blogging.

Dance rehearsals are going along quite fine, although I have to admit that I suffer from the serious problem of forgetting the choreography every week. It doesn't help that every Sunday sees me having 7 straight hours of dance rehearsals, from 3 pm to 10 pm. And yesterday was really draining, what with us staying until past 11 pm. Thank goodness for Trey, who sends us easterners back home every week.

It's a wonder that I manage to get out of bed every Monday morning and drag my tired, aching body to school. And Monday's my busiest day. I can't help but feel a little sian every weekend, knowing how my entire Sunday is more or less completely spent on dance when I could be doing other things. But oh well, I set myself this challenge, and I am not going to quit, not when I've gone so far and invested so much sweat, blood and effort.

Last Saturday was a milestone for me, for various reasons. It was the day when months of toil and labour finally paid off, and I got the chance to be a part of Rag one final time. Holding Rag at the Padang was a very novel experience, even if it was a real logistical nightmare. I sliced my fingers on the edge of the metal bars I was holding as we were carrying the props around. I didn't realise that I had so many cuts until I went home and took a cold shower, and the cuts sure made their presence felt very strongly.

Well, despite an impressive float and what some say is one of the best dance performances that the faculty has ever presented, we didn't win anything once again. It was upsetting to see so many of the others breaking down and weeping. It's heart-wrenching, feeling the anguish of those who have put in so much, who have earned the respect of our competitors and rivals, only to see all our hard work come to naught simply because of the subjective decisions of 3 judges.

I might not have contributed much to Rag this year, but I felt the spirit all the same. Seeing all the familiar old faces from previous years of Rag, plus a whole bunch of new faces, I can only hope that Arts Rag in the future will continue to aspire to soar to greater heights, that the future generations of Raggers will keep trying, no matter the results. The people will always change from year to year, but hopefully, the spirit will never fade away.

This year's Rag was special in its own little way. Though my involvement and commitment was much less compared to that of previous years, I had a pretty respectable number of friends from my Arts Camp OG committing themselves to Rag. Ever so often, we'd suddenly find ourselves having a mini OG gathering. And I'd guess it was good that I decided to come back, partly because it did help maintain the friendships I'd built with the freshmen during Arts Camp. In a way, perhaps the bonds I've built with my OG from the past 2 years of Arts Camp will serve as the final thread linking me to my crazy fun-filled days in NUS.

Besides Rag, I also returned to make a couple of special guest appearances for O Week. It does feel good that I've offered O Week an experience that only I alone can offer, in the form of a Mambo Jambo-inspired mass dance. It is great for the ego to have freshies walk past you and suddenly they smile and call you "Mambo King". Heh. And it was great to see so many of the seniors having so much fun, whose enthusiasm helped raise the spirits of the entire camp. Perhaps they knew that this was definitely the last time they would be having a Mambo Jambo mass dance. I wonder if next year, the Arts Campers and O Weekers will speak of the memories they had when that crazy senior returned to teach them Mambo Jambo moves. Oh, and the thrill of dancing Mambo Jambo at Palawan Beach? Priceless.

But besides the ego boost of performing Mambo Jambo in front of a couple of hundred people, and the satisfaction that comes with teaching that same couple of hundred people how to do those same moves, I guess O Week just wasn't that compelling for me this year. Which is a good thing, if you look at it, since it is helping me to cope with not being involved in FOP anymore. I did try to immerse myself like I did with Arts Camp, but it was difficult, considering that I was a complete stranger to the freshies, and it somehow just lacked the same feel as Arts Camp. I attended only 2 days of O Week, both days when I was supposed to be leading the mass dance, but somehow I didn't feel like I was missing out on a lot. Que sera sera, I guess. The sooner I can turn my back and walk away, knowing my time has passed, the better.

Speaking of turning my back and walking away, I knew that the moment I bade farewell to my fellow Raggers that Saturday night, I had finally brought my long and emotional FOP journey to a close. It wasn't easy, deciding to return for one final time, but as I told Michelle, I've had no regrets doing so. Perhaps I just wasn't quite ready to say goodbye just yet, but now that I've completed my final Arts Camp, my final Rag, and continued my Mambo Jambo legacy for just one more year at my final O Week, I can turn away, knowing that I have left my legacy, that the effects of my contributions will continue to manifest themselves in the coming years. Who knows how many freshmen and seniors are there, whose experiences and memories of FOP have been enriched by my presence?

Anyway, enough talking about FOP. As for work, I'm beginning to settle into my new life as an educator. I'm still finding it a bit of a challenge, particularly in dealing with the demonspawn whom I'm supposed to help in their development into useful and responsible members of society. True, some of them can be rather endearing, but I have to remain on my guard at all times, otherwise they'll trample all over me.

It's great that my fellow colleagues are all quite friendly and ever so helpful in aiding a newbie in need. Really, I probably would have been half-mad and contemplating quitting if not for their assistance. While I haven't really formed a clique like some of the other teachers have, I do spend a fair bit of time just chatting with my fellow newbie teachers and my HODs (who have rendered invaluable assistance time and time again).

Things are probably going to get quite stressful for me in the coming weeks, because of all the afternoon remedial sessions I'll be having. There's quite a bit of catching up to do, because 2 of the Sec 1 Express and 2 of the Sec 2 Normal (Academic) classes are quite far behind in covering the Geography syllabus. Plus I received word that my upperstudy will be leaving the school come the end of August, so I'll be taking over her Sec 2 classes. Oh woe is me, considering how I loathe those 2 classes, or rather, certain students in those 2 classes. At least the Sec 1 classes are still manageable and easier to bend to my will, even if they may be quite immature.

Those ruffians in the Sec 1 Normal (Technical) class I'm teaching are beginning to get quite endearing, even if it is all but impossible to get all of them to settle down. (Unless they're all in the computer lab) After the hard approach in my first week, I've tried a somewhat different tack, trying to be firm but friendly. Though I'm still letting my upperstudy take charge of the class, while I facilitate, I do wonder how it would be if I had to manage them on my own. I've received word from one of my HOD that I might have the option of being taken out of that class when my workload really increases in September, and while that might be a good thing (7 periods a week is no joke, and you know how anal I am about proper discipline and proper usage of English), I do wonder if I might be better off trying to make a difference to those who need guidance the most. For they don't deserve condemnation, even if it's all too easy to succumb to that. I just wish that I didn't have to deal with 40 of them simultaneously.

Oh well, before I prattle on and on, I guess I really ought to start preparing for tomorrow's lessons.

Listening to: Forever by N-Trance

This crazy little thing called love...

2007-08-04T21:31:00.000+08:00

How do you ask a friend what went wrong with his or her relationship?

How do you bring up the topic, without appearing to be prying into another person's personal life?

And how do you find the right words to say and ask, when both parties are friends of yours?

Where it comes to discussing my friends' failed relationships, I keep my distance, knowing that all I can offer are my own personal observations. I prefer not to ask them what happened, choosing to let my friends tell me their story on their own volition without any prompting on my part. Naturally, I regret to say that even when it comes to my closest friends, I still remain ignorant about the circumstances which caused their relationships to fall apart. When with other friends, who bring up the subject, I try my best to abstain from taking part in idle speculation, considering that I was the unwitting victim of idle speculation in the past.

Romantic relationships have been a major element of my life in NUS. Besides the close to 8 months when I had a girlfriend, I have largely been a bystander, watching and observing from the sidelines, seeing the joys and pains as other friends fall in and out of love. Talking about these relationships has been an important aspect of conversation with friends in my various social circles within NUS. Perhaps I'm just not the person who concerns himself with being intimate and knowing his friends inside and out, but I do not really delve into personal details of my friends' lives, even among those whom I consider to be really close friends.

This year has been a year of great upheaval where my friends' relationships are concerned. While a close friend of mine managed to find happiness, after a fair bit of drama over affairs of the heart last year, this year has seen a number of friends dealing with heartbreak. What makes it even more saddening for me is the fact that for a fair number of these failed relationships, I'm relatively close friends with both parties involved. It is difficult to bring up the issue, especially when I value both of them, and remain not quite sure of how to react should I speak to one of them and hear negative remarks about the other, as is inevitable when discussion of failed relationships occurs. It is true that being privy to juicy personal details can be fun, and makes for good conversational topics when with other mutual friends, but at the same time, I try my best to respect my friends' right to privacy regarding the trials and tribulations in their own personal relationships.

That does not mean that I do not grieve when I learn that yet another couple among my social circle has split, due to reasons that are vague and ambiguous to me (they always are). For me, learning of friends getting together is always a joyous discovery to me. Subsequently finding out that the same relationship has crumbled away is always a tragic discovery that I always dread. One part of me always wants to personally ask the people involved what happened, another part of me tries to refrain from succumbing to curiosity over affairs that are strictly none of my own business. Yet it is a delicate balancing act. How do I express my concern, offering my condolences, perhaps provide a shred of solace if it is needed, without overstepping myself and turning from concerned friend to nosy gossip?

I do wonder sometimes if perhaps I expressed greater interest in the intricacies of my friends' personal lives, I might be better prepared to deal with relationship woes, or to lend a more active hand in the healing process, rather than consign myself to being a mere dispassionate observer. A friend of mine, whom I'd always felt loved his girlfriend a lot, seemingly suddenly broke up recently after a few years. I've found it extremely difficult to even attempt to ask him what went wrong, or to ask him how he's been coping. And then there's all this talk going around about the apparently purely platonic relationship between him and a close mutual friend of ours. To me all this gossip is simple idle speculation, though I would be lying if I said there wasn't a tiny little grain of thought within me that asks: Could it be true? But how do I bring up this topic, without the risk of permanent damage to a wonderful friendship, or without inviting a punch to the mouth should I let slip something that I will regret saying?

And then, just not too long ago, I discovered that yet another two friends had parted ways. Once again, I find myself lamenting that yet another relationship has met a tragic end, wondering just what transpired that would lead a pair of people who were apparently so happy together suddenly decide that things weren't working out for them in the long-term. And then I just happened to read something which made me think that perhaps all was not as cheerful and rosy as I had perceived things to be, though of course, considering how averse I am to finding out more about my friends' personal lives, maybe I was never in a position to understand how their relationship worked in the first place.

These were but two of the most recent breakups which have affected friends close to me. It is at this point that I recall that I had another pair of friends who were together for more than three years, but who broke up earlier this year. And then I had two Honours classmates who were a couple, at least until the beginning of this year. Recently, I spent an entire night up with a friend, and we started talking about all our mutual friends, including a particularly convoluted relationship between three of our friends; suffice to say that two friends were together for some time, broke up early last year, and by the end of the year, the girl eventually got together with another friend. Though it's been a long time since all those events occurred, to this day I don't quite know just what exactly happened, which perhaps speaks more about how much I know about even my so-called closest friends.

Juxtapose all this heartbreak against the tale of another friend of mine, who's been with the same girl for eight years, and who finally plans to pop the big question at the end of this year. Sometimes it's just more than a little strange, to witness relationships that appear to have been going strong for several years, suddenly fade away.

But anyway, just asking, how on Earth do you bring up the topic to a friend without earning a slap to the face?

Listening to: I Begin To Wonder by Dannii Minogue

A return to the good ol' days

2007-08-03T23:52:00.000+08:00

Well, I still haven't gone crazy yet, though teaching certainly is a challenging experience. Honeymoon's over too, considering that from next week onwards, I'll actually have to teach classes on my own, instead of just sitting in and observing how the other teachers handle the classes I've been assigned to.

Anyway, today was a particularly enjoyable day for me, for many reasons. I finally had the time to return to campus, and relive the memories and experiences of Rag and O Week. I did drop by O Week and Rag yesterday evening as well, and I really had a fun time.

I finally got the chance to watch a rehearsal of this year's Arts Rag. I'm actually quite impressed that they managed to get so many dancers this year. Where building the float is concerned though, the Raggers still have some way to go, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that in the week leading up to Rag, more will have been completed. I am of course, feeling a little guilty for not having dropped by back when I was still free to go every day, but I'll definitely find the time to help out next week, up to and including Rag Day itself on the 11th of August. The dance is actually quite nice, though still a little raw, but given a lot more practice, it has the potential to look really great.

The main reason why I had dragged myself all the way back to NUS was because I had returned to O Week by special invitation, to teach and perform Mambo Jambo for what is definitely the very last time. Seriously, the thrill of taking charge and watching hundreds of people perform Mambo Jambo along with you is one that is truly hard to beat. Yes, I know I probably mentioned at the O Week finale last year that it was my last time taking charge of the Mass Dance, but well, it's hard to resist the urge to show my stuff and keep the legacy I have left behind going for just one more year. It was great to see all those familiar faces, ranging from folks who were freshies in Arts Camp and O Week 2005, to those who had come in just last year, to old fogeys like Chong Han, Hock, Bobby and Fangling; as for the freshies and the seniors who did not recognise me, well at least they know who I am now. It's my 5th O Week, even though I'm returning this year only as a special guest, but seeing all the OGs cheering away sure does bring me back to all those crazy days that are no more. And it's a great feeling to enter the LT and see so many faces light up in recognition. And of course, the inevitable question that comes after that, "Are you here to teach Mambo again?" As someone told me, "Mass Dance just isn't the same without you." I guess in a way, this is how I've left my own legacy, helping to make O Week a resounding and entertaining success in my own little way. It does help inflate the ego a little, when I think of how future generations of Arts students will speak of that old guy who came to O Week one day and taught them Mambo Jambo dance moves.

Still, in a way I guess it is a good thing that I'm gradually beginning to adjust to being just an observer, a bystander to the proceedings, content to just sit back and laugh at the crazy antics, and think back on how, just not too long ago, I was doing the same crazy nonsense.

But what made the thrill of teaching yet another batch of freshmen how to Mambo Jambo so much sweeter was because of all the friends I got the chance to meet up with; folks like Lionel, Jasmine Tan, Victor, Yuen Mei, Jianwu, Michelle, Jasmine Ling, Joshua, Yiwen, Carol, Chuan Seng and so many more. Even Xiaofen came back, as did Germaine and Adeline, which truly made my day after O Week ended for the day and we had dinner at Fong Seng and chatted about so many things; Alina managed to join us for a few short moments.

Another thing that truly made my day so enjoyable was seeing so many of my fellow RaRa people, whether at O Week or Rag. Poor Eu Ming couldn't get the chance to slack for what is probably his last O Week; he was made the poor OGL once again. Jasmine Ling's helping out just for fun, and joining him are freshies Lixin and Jingxiong. Most of the OG though has committed itself to Rag, which really makes me glad. Shamala's leading the dancers, Gillian, Rachel and Minghui are dancing, and Alvin and Sabrina are helping out as techies. It's good to just hang out with them and chit-chat and gossip, something that I've missed terribly now that I've moved on to a new phase of my life.

It's interesting that we've got links between last year's Rotana and this year's RaRa. Wes is back for O Week. And as luck would have it, Yiwen is in Eu Ming's OG as a so-called 'fresh freshie'. It always tickles me to explain the unusual circumstances regarding Yiwen, considering that he joined Arts Camp last year, where he won the Best Male Freshie award for R House, and was a freshie councillor in last year's O Week, when he's coming into NUS only this year. And here he is as a freshie; seriously, how many people can claim that they were Best Male Freshie a year before they officially matriculated, and joined O Week as fresh freshies after having participated once before as freshie councillor? Usually, scenarios like this involve some form of temporal paradox or a rip in the space-time fabric. I expect the universe to collapse upon itself at any moment.

Alas, as much as I wanted to stay, refusing to acknowledge that I have to move on with the times and let go, I had to leave eventually. I think my emotional attachment to Arts Club, and FOP in particular, is just so strong that I cannot just disengage myself completely. At least, not just yet. It was particularly telling when I bumped into Tyler sometime after 11 and he asked incredulously, "Ivan you're still around?" I admit, I was so extremely exhausted, and in dire need of rest and a bath, but I was having such a great time that I was loathe to leave. Perhaps next year will be different, and I will feel less compelled to bother myself with FOP, after yet more of the familiar people have graduated.

Still, it was great to be back, at least for those few hours.

Listening to: Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer) by Dreamhouse

Blogging from the workplace...

2007-07-31T14:50:00.000+08:00

Second day of work...

Well, I haven't gone stark raving mad yet, though I am somewhat dreading the day when I'll have to take on a class all by myself, instead of sitting in and helping to maintain some sense of discipline and sanity, which is what I've been doing yesterday and today.

The classes are... manageable, I would say. So far, I've met 3 classes, one Secondary 1 Express, one Secondary 2 Normal (Academic), and one Secondary 1 Normal (Technical). And they are all dysfunctional in their own ways. While the Express class is pretty alright, they do have their problems, particularly with the social dynamics among some of the students. Others are quite bright, but with extremely short attention spans. But it's nothing compared to what I see in the Normal classes.

Suffice to say that I am not surprised that there seems to be a widespread stigma attached to students in the Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streams, if the students I've observed are typical examples of Normal stream students throughout Singapore. In some cases, it is pretty justified. They can be quite a rowdy and boisterous bunch, or simply don't even care about the lesson.

But it is a good thing that they're a little intimidated by me, for now at least. Must be the way I just glower at them while I silently walk around the class. And when I see them misbehaving, I walk straight up to them, put on my most serious expression, and tell them politely but very firmly to cease their nonsense. So far it's quite effective, but I guess it's because I'm a very new person to them. The Normal (Technical) class has had a taste of how loud I can be if I choose to raise my voice, which works at getting them to quieten down nearly instantly. I suppose all those years of learning to project my voice in 6 years of English Drama, plus all that cheering I've done at the countless orientation camps I've participated in, really have come in quite handy. I might want to start to stock up on Strepsils though, if I have to do this more often.

The thing is, I try to be a warmer and more approachable person when dealing with the Express class. And it is quite challenging to have to switch personalities, like today for example. After two periods of being as stern and as serious as possible in the Normal (Technical) class, I then had a period with the Express class, where I had to put a softer touch to my reprimands.

Well, that's the students. Where it comes to my colleagues, they're all pretty nice and friendly, and have helped me settle in pretty well, particularly my HODs, who've provided me with so much material to help me plan for future weeks when I take over classes. And there's a small group of fellow new teachers, and I've bonded pretty well with them. The nice thing about the Staff Room is that it's air-conditioned, and a really soothing place to seek refuge from the maddening crowds outside. I've got a pretty nice little cubicle, which is a little bare at the moment, but I suppose the clutter will eventually build up. I know that I'm already stocking up on Coca Cola and Red Bull, considering that my body hasn't quite fully readjusted itself to waking up early in the morning. And my favourite bit? Every cubicle has its own power sockets and LAN point. Brought my own laptop to school today, and though the connection speed is nowhere close to that of NUS, it is acceptable. Hey, that's the whole point of this blog post, for me to let off some steam while hammering away at my laptop in the Staff Room. Ah yes... nice air-conditioning, warm, friendly and approachable colleagues, Internet access... I could get to like this.

Listening to: The school bell

An all too brief update.

2007-07-30T01:17:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm back from my ICT. Thank goodness it wasn't as miserable as I'd feared, and at least I did manage to finally pass my IPPT. Maybe all those dance classes did help.

Speaking of dance, my entire Sunday is more or less spent entirely in the UCC dance studio, rehearsing and preparing for The Next Wave. Oh well, that's what happens when I make a request to be slotted into items with weekend rehearsals.

I need to go. I officially begin teaching later, and I need my rest. So it's goodbye for now, I'll try to update as and when I can, but I suppose I need to take a look at my priorities.

Adieu. Time to move on to a new phase of my life.

Listening to: A Little Respect by Erasure

Not again...

2007-07-23T05:45:00.000+08:00

Once more, I find myself having to wake up at such an insane hour, just so that I can make it to Sungei Gedong Camp before 7.30 later. Yes, it's the dreaded return for a week of ICT once again. Argh such wretchednesss... I could have started my teaching career today, and gotten my first pay in a few weeks' time, but no... SAF still somehow manages to ruin my life with its annoying choices of dates for ICT. Sigh...

Here we go again
Same old shit again
Up and down this avenue
Six more days and I'll be through! (Hopefully)

P.S. For those of you who have been waiting for proper blog posts, I apologise. Blame it on the SAF. I doubt I'll have much free time to blog from the pathetic Armour Training Centre computer cluster this time around.

Listening to: Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now) by Bob Sinclar

Mad About Mambo Jambo: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

2007-07-18T21:17:00.000+08:00

This has got to be one of the signature songs of the 1980s, and a timeless track that's still going strong after all these years.

If you think that Pete Burns, the lead singer of Dead Or Alive, has some gender issues in the video posted above, you haven't seen the videos for the 1996 and 2003 versions of this song.

This is him in 1996:

And this is Pete Burns in 2003:

Apart from its two newer editions, various other incarnations of this song have popped up, from an awful rendition by Thalia, to a just slightly more tolerable version by Jessica Simpson. Then there was the enjoyable remix that used the song as background, combined with the vocals of Dannii Minogue on her hit single I begin To Wonder:

Personally, my favourite version, apart from the original 1984 classic, has to be the one done by Gigi D'Agostino:

Watch out here I come

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

If I, I get to know your name
Well if I, could trace your private number, baby

All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your lovin' arms
I want some, want some

I set my sights on you
(And no one else will do)
And I, I've got to have my way now, baby

All I know is that to me
You look like you're having fun
Open up your lovin' arms
Watch out here I come

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

I got to be your friend now, baby
And I would like to move in just a little bit closer

All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your lovin' arms
Watch out, here I come

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

I want your love...
I want your love...

All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your lovin' arms
Watch out, here I come

You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round...

- You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive

A new phase...

2007-07-18T04:03:00.000+08:00

Well, it seems that I've been posted to teach at Damai Secondary. It's a good thing that it's just a 15 minutes' bus ride from my home, though I do kind of wish that I could have been posted to one of the many secondary schools in my neighbourhood. Oh well, it could have been worse.

I guess it's really the end of an enjoyable holiday for me. I do have some regrets with not having really made full use of my time, as I have a lot of things left undone or incomplete. So much for tidying my room, backing up my hard drive, going out to explore more of Singapore's wild places, and not to mention finishing up the billions of unfinished and unwritten posts I have saved to my drafts.

On the other hand, I have had a number of fulfilling moments, among them volunteering for the Naked Hermit Crabs, and taking part in a really enjoyable final Arts Camp. It's a pity that I couldn't get the holiday job I was seeking, but it doesn't really matter now, considering that once I commence work, my monthly salary will exceed any amount of money my bank account has ever contained. I just wish that I didn't have to get my first pay packet so late (damn you, SAF!).

In other news, I'm feeling really extremely sian about my upcoming ICT, which starts next Monday, and which is also the reason why I begin teaching on the 30th of July. Otherwise, my teaching career would have commenced next week, and I wouldn't have to wait too long to get my pay. Really impeccable timing, but then again, the SAF has always had a long history of screwing me over. -_-

Well, I really ought to try and change my sleeping habits.

Listening to: True Love Never Dies vs. Airwave by Flip & Fill vs. Rank 1

It's been too long since I've returned...

2007-07-17T16:16:00.000+08:00

Headed back to campus yesterday, for a bit of reminiscing, and to visit my juniors who're hard at work for O Week and Rag.

I joined the O Week pre-camp at LT10, and looked for Chong Han. A pity that Julie can't return due to her hall Rag commitments, but Ker Ching will make a great partner in crime for Chong Han. Heh. Once again, R House has two male House ICs, two years after Beng Chong and I led Rojak in 2005.

Tien Kuan did not strike me initially as the sort who could speak to an entire camp the same way people like Carol, Xu Zi and Steven could, but I don't know most of the 27th MC that well, and besides, I'm in no position to dabble in their affairs. I'm a little concerned that a lot of the old seniors will be gone, seniors who would no doubt have helped to carry the spirit and energy of the camp, but hey, I suppose it's just the old fogey in me who misses the good ol' days. At least Hock, Bobby, Chong Han and Shu Ning will still be around. Funny how so many people I once saw as freshmen have stepped up to the challenge, and filled in the shoes of those who preceded them, creating their own legacies. I'm happy that I've had my own legacy, one that might survive for a couple more years or so perhaps. Would the seniors of future Arts Camp and O Week speak of Ivan, that twisted old fogey who was also the Mambo King?

I was initially a little disappointed when I didn't see any of my freshies from this year's Arts Camp among the councillors. A number of the senior councillors recognised me, and they were quite happy to see me. As for the freshie councillors, I'm sure more than a few of them were probably thinking, "Who is this guy?" unless they remembered me from Arts Camp. I didn't see anyone from Rotana though. Eu Ming's probably returning, and Wes is confirmed, but I wonder if Germaine, Adeline, Yiwen and Tom will be coming back. Would be an interesting situation if last year's Rotana could combine with this year's RaRa to lead an OG together.

A few of the folks from the Organising Committee spotted me as well, and I was happy to see Carol and Chuan Seng, among others. Ah yes, it's nice to still see a few familiar faces, even if their number steadily decreases every year.

Ker Ching said he missed my Mambo Jambo antics, and to be honest, I am a little sad that I really have to keep my distance this time around. Now that I'll be employed during the actual O Week, there's no way I can commit myself the same way I have done every year since I was a freshman. No last-minute caving in the same way I did with Arts Camp. No Mambo Jambo-inspired cheers like what we had for RaRa, though perhaps if my freshies manage to return, they might conceivably continue my legacy of the Hardcore Cheer and Mambo Cheer. I wonder when will be the next time Arts Club has a resident Mambo King.

I will miss the cheering, the friendships that are formed, the highs that come with doing absolutely crazy things on the beach or in campus. I'll definitely miss the fun of leading cheers, of helping to rally the house whenever Chong Han needed a rest. I guess once you've been a House IC once before, it's just second nature to step in anytime you feel your energy and voice is needed to help boost morale. I will kind of miss seeing all the attractive young ladies who join O Week (yes, I admit that it is a minor perk) . But I'll most definitely miss the thrill of teaching and performing Mambo Jambo in front of hundreds of people.

Somehow, I guess it is a good thing that I'm not really feeling the attachment to O Week this time around. Though I probably will return from time to time in the evenings to see how things are, this is the most I am going to invest in this year's O Week. After all, I do have to move on, and acknowledge that while I probably have played a part in helping make O Week an enjoyable experience for many over the past 4 years, things still go on with or without me. Chong Han and Ker Ching should be able to handle things, and I was quite impressed with how close-knit and friendly this batch of councillors are, and that quite a large proportion of those who were present yesterday were freshmen from this year's Arts Camp.

I guess it's the cynicism and weariness that has set in after so many years, seeing how O Week always turns out. Sure, it's still fun and memorable, but seeing a pathetically small handful of freshmen returning day after day does not work wonders for the morale and energy. I remember how after all the hard work and effort that so many of us senior and freshie councillors had put in, only a tiny bunch of freshmen came back on the last day, on the day when it should have ended with a high, but to me seemed to conclude with a whimper. I remember seeing the pathetic size of the entire R House for War Games, and thought to myself, "Screw this, I'm heading down to Rag". Though I did have fun, particularly during the Mass Dance segments and on Sentosa, I just did not quite have the same attachment to O Week that I once had in previous years. In a way, it is good that I'm feeling even less attachment this year.

I don't blame Eu Ming for completely giving up on trying to maintain any semblance of integrity of Rockstar, the OG we led for O Week. It's hard work trying to keep in contact with so many groups of friends, and it's an even tougher job having to set aside time for all of them. It's sad, but sometimes, one just has to ditch those groups for whom the bonds and ties were never that strong to begin with. I am happy that Rotana and RaRa still remain quite close, even though the age gap between the freshmen and I is so great.

A while after my arrival, the O Week people moved off to SRC for some games. I was feeling a little lazy to travel all the way, and particularly because I also wanted to go visit the Raggers, I left and headed to LT11. The Raggers were quite surprised and pleased to see me, and I tried to make myself useful, helping with twirling strips of aluminium.

It was my turn to be surprised when a whole bunch returned from can collection, with a bunch of my RaRa freshies among them. Sabrina, Li Xin, Li Shi, Alvin and Jing Xiong actually came down for Rag!
I was so touched, especially with how they were so enthusiastic about the whole affair, and considering they did not need much pushing and encouragement on my part in the emails we sent out during Arts Camp. Looks like Jasmine Ling was right; every year, one OG from R House becomes the Ragger OG, and it looks like RaRa will be it this year, what with so many of our freshmen around, Gillian and Shamala dancing, and with me promising to come back and help as and when I can.

While I worked, I chatted with Xinyu, and later, we were joined by Alvin Teo, and the 2 of us chatted about the generations of Arts Club people, and all the memories we shared. He went off on his rants a few times, but then again, that's Alvin.

I left for a short while and headed down to the Geography Department. Finally managed to bump into David Higgitt, who passed me a CD of photos taken in the Maliau Basin. Yes... my plans to produce more videos is underway...

I was pleased to see so many of last year's freshmen taking part in Rag this year, and a pretty respectable number of freshmen as well. Great to see Kenneth, Applie, Xinyu, Nicholas, Victor and Brian, as well as seniors like Alvin, Guanjie and Lionel. Even Paul and Jasmine, who like me graduated this year, showed up for a moment or so.

We went out for dinner in the evening, and had a nice meal at a seafood restaurant in Clementi. Though once again, I was the oldest among the entire bunch, it was a comfortable time, chatting and making crazy jokes with familiar faces. Squeezing into the back of a lorry brought back so many memories, especially what with the hellish traffic and driving that left a lot to be desired. Heh. At least we made it there and back safe and sound with no casualties.

I guess it's a little sad that I won't be able to invest that much time and energy into Rag this year, especially now that my own freshmen have committed themselves to it. Though they have expressed interest in O Week, I have a feeling they'll somehow choose to concentrate their energies on Rag in time to come.

By the time we returned to campus, it was getting a little late. I decided to return to check out the O Week people, who were trying out Night Venture. I did feel a little out of place; most of the people I recognised were busy with planning, and Chong Han was nowhere to be seen. Turns out that he had a fun time playing a ghost. Ker Ching told me that sometime in the late afternoon, when they were waiting in LT10 after returning from SRC, the O Comm played Mambo Jambo music. Must have been Carol. And damn, could have been an opportunity for me to make one final impression on this year's O Week, though it's probably just the attention whore in me.

I left at 11, and finally headed for home. It was a day spent reliving my innumerable FOP memories, days of youthful energy and enthusiasm, and though I am happy to finally move on to a new phase of my life, my heart is heavy. For that spark has been rekindled, giving me the itch for O Week and Rag once again, even though in truth I cannot return as a participant, only as an observer. For my time has passed and it is now my turn to take my place among those who have left their own legacies of Arts Club.

I was originally intending to return to school today, just to drop by O Week pre-camp, and perhaps teach them my crazy cheers or have some fun doing Mambo Jambo moves in Sentosa, but by the time I woke up, it was already afternoon and not worth the trip.

I'm happy that I returned for Arts Camp, allowing me to depart with at least this final memory. At least I can hold on to my memories of this year's Arts Camp. As for O Week, it probably won't be the same without me, and more than a few people will probably miss my presence, and my Mambo Jambo antics. But they'll do fine. As for Rag, I'll try to come back whenever I can. And I'm definitely going to be there on 10th and 11th August.

Listening to: I Begin To Wonder by Dannii Minogue

Musical Mondays: Let U Go

2007-07-16T12:00:00.000+08:00

I've been to all the familiar places
I've been running like a sentence never begun
I've been looking for a way to let you know
I've got nothing left to fill the spaces
I've got nothing but a centre coming undone
I've been doing circles and it shows

I've been to all
I've been to all

I've been to all the familiar places
I've been running like a sentence never begun
I've been looking for a way to let you know
I've got nothing left to fill the spaces
I've got nothing but a centre coming undone
I've been doing circles and it shows

Every cloud in the sky
Every place that I hide
Tell me that I
I was wrong to let you go
Every sound that I hear
Every thought that I fear
Tell me that I
I was wrong
I was wrong to let you go

Let you go
Let you go
Let you go

It's the little things that make you crazy
Like the thought of someone touching your skin
I can see you everywhere I go
You could be inside a sea of faces
It could be a rumour of your grin
Swimming in the river as it flows

Every cloud in the sky
Every place that I hide
Tell me that I
I was wrong to let you go
Every sound that I hear
Every thought that I fear
Tell me that I
I was wrong
I was wrong to let you go

Every cloud in the sky
Every sound that I hear

Let you go

- Let U Go by ATB

Sexy Sundays

2007-07-15T14:36:00.000+08:00

Rie Mashiko

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Leave A Light On

2007-07-11T22:23:00.000+08:00

I think this song is particularly appropriate, at a time when I'm trying to move on, to leave the sweet memories of my past behind, and to seek a new future. And yet, if and when our paths cross once again, I can only hope that the passage of time would not have diminished the friendships we once shared.

This song is dedicated to various friends, who have been invaluable companions during my 4 years of study in NUS, and who are too numerous to list down. It is thanks to your company and encouragement that have made my tertiary education so much more memorable, and so much more worthwhile beyond mere academic achievement.

Take my hand
Tell me what you're feeling
Understand
This is just the beginning

Although I have to go
It makes me feel like crying
I don't know when I'll see you again

Darling leave a light on for me
I'll be there before you close the door
To give you all the love that you need
Darling leave a light on for me
'Cause when the world takes me away
You are still the air that I breathe

I can't explain I don't know
Just how far I have to go
But darling I'll keep the key
Just leave a light on for me

Yes I know
What I'm asking is crazy
You could go
Just get tired of waiting
But if I lose your love
Torn out by my desire
That would be the one regret of my life

Darling leave a light on for me
I'll be there before you close the door
To give you all the love that you need
Darling leave a light on for me
'Cause when the world takes me away
You are still the air that I breathe

I can't explain I don't know
Just how far I have to go
But darling I'll keep the key
Just leave a light on for me

Just like a spark lights up the dark
Baby that's your heart
Baby that's your heart
Baby that's your heart

Darling leave a light on for me
I'll be there before you close the door
To give you all the love that you need
Darling leave a light on for me
'Cause when the world takes me away
You are still the air that I breathe

Darling leave a light on for me
I'll be there before you close the door
I'll be all the love that you need
Darling leave a light on for me
'Cause when the world takes me away
You are still the air that I breathe...

- Leave A Light On by Belinda Carlisle

Musical Mondays: Forever Young

2007-07-09T12:00:00.000+08:00

The end of another chapter in my life. But the next chapter is still a blank page, with hints of words yet unwritten, of new adventures still to come.

Perhaps I'm not quite ready to let go of these memories just yet. The past 4 years have been colourful beyond my wildest imagination, full of joy, sorrow, laughter, tears, pleasure, pain, with the corridors and walls of campus bearing silent witness to it all. Scenes of love that has come and gone, of friends found and lost, of joyful reunions and tearful farewells. If the walls could speak, what tales would they tell?

Events of the past week helped ease the transition, helping me maintain and fortify the bridge between my undergraduate years and my future life as a working adult. Perhaps I am quite different from many of my fellow peers, having made a large number of friends and acquaintances from all different levels, thanks to my loyal involvement in orientation activities. It's ironic how gatherings can make one feel so old, yet at the same time, when one is caught in the moment, laughing along at a joke or fondly reminiscing on a shared memory, the age gap is momentarily erased, and one can almost believe that time has hardly passed at all.

Yet other events occurred, which only served to remind me that my time as a crazy undergraduate has passed, that it is now time to shoulder the burdens that come along with being a full-time member of the workforce. Events which signified the end of my NUS days, and those of many of my peers, and symbolised the end of an era, yet at the same time heralding the start of an unknown future.

As we continue to journey on life's long, winding and sometimes torturous paths, may we always hold these memories close to our hearts, and may we never lose that spirit and fire that help bring meaning to life.

Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while
Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?

Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music's for the sad men

Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders we're getting in tune
The music's played by the mad men

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever young

Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later they all will be gone
Why don't they stay young

It's so hard to get old without a cause
I don't want to perish like a fading horse
Youth's like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn't happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
We let them come true

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever young

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever Young

- Forever Young by Alphaville

Just a short note...

2007-07-08T04:31:00.000+08:00

... to let everyone know that I'm still alive. I'm in the process of creating a number of somewhat overdue posts, including -

i) My recent (and absolutely final) Arts Camp, and review of my most memorable moments of Arts Camp over the years.
ii) Recent OG outings, times when I feel so young, yet at the same time I am reminded of how old I am compared to most of the other people I hang out with at these outings.
iii) I watched Transformers. I swear, when Optimus Prime first appeared (in truck form), all the grown men in the audience excitedly began whispering amongst themselves. Considering that I am a semi-Transformers geek (somewhat thanks to my friend Heng Yip during NS), expect a mega-review coming up.

Oh, and in other news, I have officially graduated from NUS. Whoohoo! But it also signals a new era of uncertainty for me as I try and find a new sense of direction in my life. A post on my commencement coming up as well.

Remind me to do a short review of my latest change in handphone.

Plus throw in a bunch of other random and miscellaneous posts, reminiscing about my NUS days, my thoughts on why this year's Live Earth concerts are way overhyped, plus the tragic fate of Sentosa's coral reefs, and you can see that once again, I am beginning to get a little overwhelmed where it comes to updating this space.

Then when you consider that my Sundays are now pretty much gone because of dance practice for The Next Wave, and other matters such as outings and gatherings, I shall really have to wait and see if it is ever possible to actually blog about all those topics I've mentioned above. Oh, and then there's the ideas I have for a couple of videos for the Honours class.

Oh well. Time to head to bed. I'll be out of the house for practically the whole day later. I'm now a busy busy man...

P.S. Oh yah, Val, if you're reading this, I really am a pig. I keep going out and eating good food but I keep forgetting to take photos before I dig in.

Listening to: So Young by The Corrs

Sexy Sundays

2007-07-08T04:19:00.000+08:00

Sayuri Ohtomo

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Together In Electric Dreams

2007-07-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

This song has special significance for me, particularly during this period of time. Last week was my final Arts Camp, a fitting (and tearful) end to so many years of selfless and wholehearted commitment to Arts Club and FOP, while this weekend, I will finally be graduating from NUS, and bidding my beloved Geography Honours classmates goodbye as we go our separate ways on life's winding paths.

Though I like to think that this is not a final farewell, I have to acknowledge that usually, such matters are out of my hands. In any case, I'll always treasure these memories.

I only knew you for a while
I never saw your smile
'Til it was time to go
Time to go away
(Time to go away)
Sometimes it's hard to recognise
Love comes as a surprise
And it's too late
It's just too late to stay
Too late to stay

We'll always be together
However far it seems
(Love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams

Because the friendship that you gave
Has taught me to be brave
No matter where I go I'll never find a better prize
(Find a better prize)
Though you're miles and miles away
I see you every day
I don't have to try
I just close my eyes
I close my eyes

We'll always be together
However far it seems
(Love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams

We'll always be together
However far it seems
(Love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams

We'll always be together
However far it seems
(Love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams

We'll always be together
However far it seems
(Love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams

- Together In Electric Dreams by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

It's back... =(

2007-07-02T23:46:00.000+08:00

Caffeine withdrawal headache has returned. I guess it really was a bad idea to drink all that Coca Cola during Arts Camp last week, even if I did need that caffeine and sugar boost. Now that I've been caffeine-free for the past couple of days, I think my body is rebelling once again.

At least I'm not in a situation like this:

Why are the nearest 24-hour convenience stores and vending machines still so far away from my block...

EDIT 1.00 am: I forgot there was a vending machine at a nearby neighbouring block. So when I went to walk Bailey, I stopped by and got myself a can of Coca Cola. Well, headache's gone now.

Listening to: I Move On by DJ Fierce

Musical Mondays: Forever

2007-07-02T12:00:00.000+08:00

I'm all alone in bed
And I can't sleep I'm feeling blue
I try to close my eyes
But all I'm thinking of is you
Baby only you

I cry my eyes out baby
Wondering what I have to do
I look inside my heart
I know for sure this love is true

Day by day, heart to heart
I hope that we will ever be together
Will it be me and you
I dream that our love will last forever

Hold me tight in your arms
I know we have the strength to stay together
Walk with me hand in hand
I promise to be there forever
Forever

I'm all alone in bed
And I can't sleep I'm feeling blue
I try to close my eyes
But all I'm thinking of is you
Baby only you

I cry my eyes out baby
Wondering what I have to do
I look inside my heart
I know for sure this love is true

Day by day, heart to heart
I hope that we will ever be together
Will it be me and you
I dream that our love will last forever

Hold me tight in your arms
I know we have the strength to stay together
Walk with me hand in hand
I promise to be there forever
Forever

Forever...

- Forever by Dee Dee

Sexy Sundays

2007-07-01T23:44:00.000+08:00

Hatsune Matsushima

It's so hard to say goodbye

2007-06-30T19:03:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm home.

Arts Camp was loads of fun. There were the usual ups and downs, but seeing how the freshmen were really having a great time and making friends was worth it.

The finale was very emotional for me, even more than last year's. For seniors and freshmen alike, many of us were crying at the end of it all. Leon's videos always somehow manage to stir up the emotions.

For people like Hock, Chong Han and Giang, whom I've known since our Raphaus days in O Week 2004, it's been wonderful to have had you as company on this journey all these years. For others, like Jasmine, Xiaofen, Shuning, Leon, Josh, Carol, JJ and Chuan Seng, whom I got to know in 2005, having you around was comforting, even as this year, more old friends were replaced by unfamiliar faces.

Every year, I come back to Arts Camp, asking myself, why am I doing this? Today, looking all around me, seeing the friendships that had been forged, the immense pride and satisfaction on the faces of the O Comm members, the tears we seniors shed as we hugged each other, I think I understand.

To my fellow councillors of RaRa, young and old alike (haha), thank you for being there to help in the task of making the freshmen feel comfortable and at ease, and for going along with the crazy (and hardcore) antics of someone who doesn't want to grow old just yet.

To Euming and Jasmine, my 2 fellow old fogeys in RaRa, your experience was truly invaluable. Having the both of you around made it so much easier for me to get into the mood. And I'm sure we could all rest easy knowing that as long as one of us was around to take care of the OG, everything would be fine.

To the freshmen of RaRa, it's weird, but even though I can't help but think how old I am compared to you, when we're cheering at Sentosa or at the SRC, somehow I just feel so young once again. Your enthusiasm and friendliness helped keep my mind and spirit going even when my body was on the verge of collapse.

To Chong Han, thanks for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this for one final time. It's been an honour for me to have been in the same house as you for the past 2 years, and frankly, you do a far better job as House IC than I could ever have.

To Julie, you make a wonderful House IC. It was great to see how you managed to keep our spirits up even during those times when Chong Han was away, and I'm sure you really have got what it takes to lead the House, and groom Chong Han's successor from next year onwards.

To Xiaofen, I was never as strong as you, and I could never fully pull myself away like you have. I'm immensely thankful that you still joined us for a few days and contributed your experience and skills in handling an OG. Thanks for being there to remind me that even after all the tears, and the memories, life has to go on.

So I guess my FOP journey has truly finally come to an end.

Listening to: The End by Groove Coverage

No regrets.

2007-06-30T05:02:00.000+08:00

Voice is gone. Freaking exhausted. Puffy eyes, dark circles and huge eyebags. Digestive system's all screwed up. 4 days of crazy cheering, running around like a mad person and doing all sorts of semi-obscene things all in the spirit of fun and enjoyment.

But truly, this is where my heart will always be. The people will always be changing, the programmes will never be exactly the same from year to year, but I'm glad I chose to return and give my all for one final time.

What have I gotten myself into?

2007-06-26T08:36:00.000+08:00

I didn't sleep a wink for the whole of last night. I guess the old excitement plus the fact that I've become used to staying awake all night long lately meant that as much as I wanted to get some much needed shut-eye, sleep eluded me, even as Chong Han, Euming and Jasmine slept next to me.

Joined Euming, Jasmine and the rest of my OG's councillors at Fong Seng; I knew Derek and Shamala from Rag last year, but Gillian and Ryan were new faces to me. And I committed an embarrassing gaffe when I made a disparaging remark about Engineering, before I realised that Ryan was from Engineering. OOPS.

We returned to AS3 and practised some cheers; Jasmine sure has plenty of ideas for original cheers, I just hope we'll have the time to teach the freshmen the cheers, and the opportunities to show them off. Then we all went to sleep, with the 4 old folks, Chong Han, Jasmine, Euming and I finding our own comfortable little corner.

No matter how much I tried, I simply couldn't sleep. Got up a few times, and walked around parts of the faculty alone. Quite eerie at this time, especially since most areas are deserted, save for the bunch of R House councillors sleeping outside Rag Room. I wonder where all the other people who stayed overnight slept. I even managed to sit outside LT12 and compose new original lyrics for a cheer. Heh. I am seriously dying to show off this cheer. The A House people think their cheer is twisted enough, I'll show them what's twisted.

I really must have spent quite some time away, because Chong Han had taken the sleeping bag I'd used for my pillow and made it his blanket. Damn. Now I was missing a pillow, and I realised that even though I'd seriously packed too much stuff this time around, I'd forgotten to bring a small pillow.

We woke up (or rather, they woke up) at 6.30, showered, and changed into our own unique OG T-shirts before heading off for breakfast. Hurrah... trust Jasmine and Euming to have the initiative to have something as unique as an OG T-shirt.

And so, after a sleepless night, I find myself in the Eusoff Hall function room, waiting for the freshmen to arrive. I find myself drinking Coca Cola once more, since I'm feeling quite groggy now and am in dire need of a sugar and caffeine boost. I expect to start to lose my voice before lunchtime. Oh well, I had to be weak and join Arts Camp once more.

And it all begins one more time...

Listening to: The councillors of each OG heralding the arrival of the freshmen with a cheer

And for the final time in my life... (Seriously, for real)

2007-06-25T21:35:00.000+08:00

July 1, 2003. My first ever Arts Camp. Back then, I would never have guessed that it would mark the beginning of a long, fruitful and memorable journey.

I've been a part of Arts Camp every year, except in 2004 when it clashed with my in-camp training. But aside from that, I've returned every year, wanting to feel the thrill and excitement, to be a part of the orientation process and have loads of fun at the same time. Sure, it's draining, and I end up losing my voice all the time, and it's 5 days spent away from home when I probably should be doing a lot of other things, but seeing the friendships that are made over the course of the camp, being a part of all the crazy antics, seeing the sheer joy and exuberance of the others around me, freshmen and seniors alike, is an experience that I simply cannot get enough of.

Tonight, I head for campus, to attend my final Arts Camp. Funny how last year, I thought it would be my final one. Funny how over the past year, whenever anyone asked me if I was coming back for Arts Camp, I'd immediately say no, saying that I was too old for this crazy and tiring stuff, and it was time to move on. Funny how I kept telling myself that it was time for me to let go and look towards the future.

Well, I guess this just goes to show how fickle-minded I can be sometimes.

Time for this old bird to show what he's made of.

Listening to: Here I Go Again by E-Type

Musical Mondays: Sun Is Shining

2007-06-25T12:00:00.000+08:00

Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah
Make you wanna move your dancing feet now
To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand

I'm a rainbow too...

To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand
To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand

- Sun Is Shining (ATB Airplay Mix) by Bob Marley

Oh my.

2007-06-24T23:28:00.000+08:00

The first time I watched this video, I got goosebumps, and could feel tears coming to my eyes. And I don't even like opera.

2 weeks ago, Paul Potts was a complete nobody. Today, thanks to television and the World Wide Web, millions of people around the world now know who he is.

This is my lifelong dream, says the singing salesman

He has been billed as the classic hidden talent, the overnight star unearthed by chance and catapulted into the limelight. The truth about Paul Potts, the modest mobile phone salesman with the romantic soul and the voice of a Neapolitan opera singer, is, though, a little different.

While the three judges of the hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent, on which Potts appeared last week, may have been astonished to discover the quality of his voice, he has in fact been struggling for 10 years on the fringes of the operatic world, looking for an opportunity to show the world what he can do.

Sure, he's nothing compared with what the professional opera scene has to offer. But it's perhaps his story which is most compelling to us, the way the television producers present the tale of an extremely ordinary person, unassuming, nothing much to look at, with a very run-of-the-mill job, who yet at the same time has an extraordinary hidden talent. Makes one wonder when you're on the street and watch the sea of people all around; how many of them are just like Paul Potts, completely ordinary folks, yet with amazing skills nobody knows about?

The People's Tenor Pits the Sniffles Against the Sniffs

What was that audience in the broadcast reacting to? Packaging played a role: the doleful, hard-luck contestant with debts and health woes who unexpectedly pours out beautiful song. (A contestant who has had opera training and some experience with a local company. And he is, after all, from Wales, which has a great singing tradition.)

"At first you think he's going to make a fool of himself," said Melissa Lonner, a senior producer for "Today." "So many of these people go on contests — it's funny. Some of them are a little ridiculous.

"Then he opens his mouth. You hear the voice, and the voice is mesmerizing. You close your eyes and you feel the voice is very accessible. He could be your next-door neighbor."

The semi-final:

The final:

Last Sunday, Paul Potts won the "Britain's Got Talent" contest, walking away with £100,000, and the opportunity to appear at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen.

Perhaps in a world full of pain and suffering, where people learn to harden their hearts and become jaded and cynical, it's the true-life stories like these that help lift the spirits, giving us hope for a brighter and better tomorrow.

Listening to: Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman

Sexy Sundays

2007-06-24T19:00:00.000+08:00

Manami Hashimoto

Goodbye, Thierry Henry.

2007-06-23T23:54:00.000+08:00

Thanks for the memories of the past 8 years. You'll always have a place in our hearts as one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time. While I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing that you could have ended your career with Arsenal like what Dennis Bergkamp did, we can only wish you all the best with Barcelona.

Henry to sign for Barca

MADRID - ARSENAL'S French striker Thierry Henry will sign a four-year contract with Barcelona for a transfer fee of 24 million euros (S$50 million), sources at the Primera Liga club said on Friday.

[...]

On Saturday, Henry confirmed he was leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona.

'I still must pass a medical on Monday but yes, I have chosen Barcelona,' the France striker told French sports daily L'Equipe on Saturday. 'I will sign there for the next four seasons.'

A couple of excellent blog posts regarding the transfer:

Goodbye Thierry, now let's move on.
Thierry Henry: The seven words this Gooner fears he will never live to say...

In recent years, we've said goodbye to Bergkamp, Pires, Vieira. Arsenal has carried on in their absence, but now Henry, the most iconic Arsenal player, is leaving. What does the future hold for all Gunners fans? What's with the talk about Arsene Wenger possibly leaving in the near future as well? Let's keep our fingers crossed, and hope that the new generation of players will be able to rise to the challenge, and bring the club to greater heights. After all, Man Utd and Chelsea need to be kept on their toes.

Va-va-voom. Watching Arsenal play will never be the same.

"I wish I could quit you"

2007-06-22T04:37:00.000+08:00

This post is dedicated to my friends Chong Han and Xiaofen, who complained that I never update my blog often enough.

Sometimes it's just so difficult to move on.

I remember how last year, at the end of Arts Camp 2006, I was overwhelmed by this sense of joy and immense satisfaction. Back then, I told myself that it would be my last Arts Camp. The memories I'd taken from being a part of Arts Camp for 3 years were lovely, but it was time to move on. Time to leave on a high note, to let others with more youth and energy take the helm.

But as final year dragged on, I couldn't help but keep thinking about Arts Camp. People would suddenly ask me if I was going to attend this year, whether I would be grooming a successor to pass on the Mambo Jambo tradition in my absence. Some said that it wouldn't be the same without having me around. Flattering, yes, but I willed myself to be resolute, to acknowledge that it was time to move on, that I was much too old for frivolous fun and games.

hehs!! it will be great if ure coming for arts camp/ oweek/ rag again this year!! :)
- Chuan Seng, 01/12/06 2:47 a.m.

It's hard to let go of something that's been a major part of my life for the past 4 years. I spoke to Chong Han, whom I knew would almost definitely return once more as House IC. He told me that in all honesty, it was best if I just pop by now and then, instead of throwing myself back into the frenzy and tiring myself out.

After my final exams, my mind was filled with thoughts of Arts Camp. Xiaofen and I had mentioned several months back that we would return once more, if we hadn't found gainful employment by then. I tried my best to resist, to succumb to temptation only and only if my beloved Rotana friends could return, and we could relive the memories together as an OG once more. At a dinner, when I popped the question, the answers were noncommittal.

Ivan: Gg for Arts Camp?
- 09/06/07, 9:06 p.m.
ger *Ivan: not gg.. maybe 1 or 2 days?
- Germaine, 09/06/07 11:11 p.m.

I chose to keep my distance from the Arts Club Room, to turn my attention towards other pursuits, to try not to think about the preparations for Arts Camp that were going on. Even when I returned to campus to meet up with friends, thoughts about Arts Camp were shelved away. Thanks for the memories, I told myself. Those were fun and crazy times, but there's a time to bow out when you're still on top. They can't always depend on seniors like us forever, time for them to recruit new blood. It's time to stop caring so much about Arts Club, and care more for my own future. I applied for temporary job openings, knowing that I wouldn't get tempted to join Arts Camp if I was tied up elsewhere in the first place.

Pre camp for arts camp is next monday and tues.. Hope you can make it bro..
- Chong Han 04/06/07 10:46 a.m.

Will try and pop by when I can lor. You house ic again?
- 04/06/07, 10:49 a.m.

I house ic with julie i think.. Try to drop by for the camp k?..
- 04/06/07 10:52 a.m.

Dunno who is julie but i'm sure u'll have fun. Of course i'll drop by. U know how gian i am to come back for one final arts camp.
- 04/06/07 10:57 a.m.

11/06/07 Pre-camp Day 1

I arrive at LT10 sometime in the afternoon, while they're introducing the organising committee. Chuan Seng's the first one to notice me, and waves. I don't know the names of most of the people I see, but it's good to see a familiar face here and there. I spot Chong Han, and sit down beside him. I'm encouraged to see a number of last year's freshmen from Arts Camp and O Week joining R House. Hock and Giang see me as well, and the joy on their faces at seeing an old friend is unmistakable.

I'm introduced to Julie. Oh, she was one of those more siao on freshies from last year. A great number of the people in R House seem to recognise me as well. I guess I really did leave an impression on them, what with my Mambo Jambo antics. But it is the absence of some people that is really obvious; where's my crazy Rotana friends? Where's the seniors like Carrie, Anders, Tommy, Peiyong and Weilong and the rest of the gang who helped make R House such a fun and crazy bunch last year?

Xiaofen arrives a while later; it's been some time since we met up, and we catch up a little on what's been going on since the exams ended. While we chat, Chong Han and Julie settle admin matters. I spot yet another familiar face in a sea of strangers; Charmaine's busy talking to her A house people. Apparently, she's just popping by like us, and has in fact found a job already. Clement Tan joins us, yet another crazy fresh graduate dropping by for fun. It's at this point in time that I begin to feel a little odd. While the others are mingling and socialising, or attending to admin issues, OG allocation and manpower for the various programs, I get a funny sense of being detached, of being a voyeur into a world that I once found familiar, but which has now been shut to me.

OG allocation is out; I spot a few familiar names, folks from the 26th MC like Peihong, Shuning, Carol, Jingjun and Lay Pheng, but by and large nearly all the names I see are unfamiliar. Almost all the councillors are apparently freshmen from last year. Where are all the seniors? When the R House councillor OG allocation is shown, the first thing I notice is the absence of nearly all of my Rotana freshmen. Joshua, Titus and Tom are coming back, but they're all going to different OGs. I begin to feel a little hurt. Oh well, now there's no reason for me to join, I console myself. Eu Ming's returning, but he's leading a bunch of people whom I do not know.

The people are sent off for campus tour games; while the councillors play, Xiaofen and I stand to one side and watch. The sensation of being detached only becomes stronger.

"They're a little quiet," Xiaofen comments. Indeed, they seem a little placid. Maybe they're just tired out from the games earlier in the day.

Giang comes by, leading her own councillors. We spot the good ol' Kormos sword, a relic of O Week '04, the best-looking OG mascot ever in my opinion. I'm amazed that it's survived all these years, stashed away in a corner of the Arts Club Room. I'm reminded of those days; like me, Giang is graduating as well, but her OG from last year managed to convince her to return for one final time. I do not even have that, just that little urge within, constantly gnawing at me, growing and growing until all I can think about is whether I too should come back for an absolute final Arts Camp.

We follow the R House councillors to another station; after the game, they attempt a cheer, which fails to impress me. Is that the best they've got so far?

We return to LT10, to prepare for the briefing for Night Venture. Everyone seems a little passive. Is this the same bunch of people from last year's Arts Camp?

It's time for dinner; the House gathers at the Central Forum, and while we wait, the others try to liven up the atmosphere by cracking lame jokes, an attempt that falls flat on its face. Chong Han does not look amused at all. Xiao Fen and I sit at one corner, commenting on how quiet and dead this new batch of councillors are. Sure, some of them are showing potential to be leaders, but many of them still appear like freshmen to me, not as seniors.

"I'm really feeling the urge to return just one more time," I tell Xiaofen. "Show them what a seasoned lao jiao can do."

"Aiyah if Chong Han asks you, you sure come back one."

"If Chong Han asked you to come back, would you?" I ask Xiaofen.

"Aiyah he can handle it," she replies. She's made of sterner stuff than I am. It's true, I am weak. But unlike me, she still has to keep up the search for employment.

Bobby comes by, another holdover from the old guard. It's odd seeing him now after he's lost so much weight. It's even more amazing that he's returning as House IC of T House for the third time.

Eventually, everyone gathers on the steps of Central Forum, waiting for Night Venture to begin. The House ICs from S House, Hock and Fangling, join Chong Han, Julie, Xiaofen and I, and we just chit-chat, a bunch of old folks amongst all the freshies (at least, in our eyes, they're still freshies). We decide to go try out some of the stations as a big group. Chong Han, being a coward, decides that we shall enter as a formation, with him being right in the middle, and hence safe from any supernatural surprises.

Our little conga line snakes through a pitch-black toilet in AS1 full of 'ghosts', with me right in front. -_- I'm impressed; this is one really scary station.

The AS4 corridor is so eerie, that only Hock, Fangling and I dare to enter. I'm impressed once more at the general creepiness and effectiveness of the 'ghosts' at scaring people. The freshies will love this.

It's getting late. I head for home, tired, but my mind keeps drifting.

The bus ride home is uneventful, but my mind is in turmoil. To return or not to return? To plunge myself headlong into the whirlwind crazy ride that is Arts Camp, or concede that it is time to move on, that my involvement will only be limited to dropping by occasionally as an observer.

It's hard to resist the temptation to join once more. Arts Camp has been a part of me since 2003, and the only time I missed it was because of ICT. Every year has been different and memorable in its own way, and half the fun is seeing how things unfold. It's an immensely satisfying and fulfilling experience to see complete strangers and new faces arrive on the first morning, and gradually, bit by bit, as the days pass, bonds are built, until by the end of the camp, friendships to last at least the next few years in NUS have developed, and everyone is loathe to finally say goodbye. It's even more satisfying to think about how I, as a councillor, help facilitate the process, helping to break the ice, and leading by example. And hopefully, grooming the next generation of student leaders.

It's no secret that I take great pride in my contributions towards Arts Club, especially with regards to FOP. Seeing nearly 200 freshies dancing along while I lead them in my own Mambo Jambo session at the Central Forum, or leading the House in cheering and screaming at the beach, are among the memories that I treasure greatly. And I have to admit, it is with some arrogance that I've come to regard my skills and experience as a councillor.

I recall how last year, I was originally slated to be House IC along with Charmaine in A House. But I declined, insisting on remaining in R House, even if it meant relinquishing the chance to improve on my leadership skills as House IC. Chong Han placed me in an OG that he thought might be a little weak and in need of someone to help show the other councillors the ropes. And indeed, in the end, I'm sure he was happy with how Rotana turned out.

Once again, I find myself thinking that perhaps I should step in once more, take the lead alongside Chong Han and Julie, show the new councillors how it's done. But then, this is where I question myself. What am I doing this for?

I ask myself whether I am trying to prove something. Am I trying to show that despite my age and seniority, I refuse to bow down to social norms and act my age (at least during Arts Camp)? Is this for the sake of ensuring that the freshies have a great time, or is it merely for the sake of showing off and feeling like I'm a valuable asset to the House once more? If I join in once more, is it really because I want to strengthen the House with my experience and creativity, or is it because I really want to hog the limelight? Am I just hard-up to show off my creativity in cheering, even if it means stealing the thunder from the House ICs? Perhaps I am only just trying to ensure that yet another generation of freshmen remembers me, and that next year, when my own sister hopefully joins Arts Camp, that her own councillors will remember my legacy, and speak of me. Such were the questions that weighed heavily on my mind on that long ride home, and they still weigh on my mind even as I type these words.

12/06/07 Pre-camp Day 2

They're heading down to Sentosa to try out the beach games. I meet Xiaofen at Vivocity, then we walk along Palawan beach until we finally meet them, busily engaged in a game of passing fruit around.

The councillors seem a little more energetic and enthusiastic now; perhaps they're finally warming up, or maybe it's the sun and sea. Once again, I can't help but feel like a dispassionate observer.

Xiaofen and I talk to the organising committee, laugh at Jeremy who's still half-buried in the sand even as it starts to rain, and ham it up for the camera. Joshua asks us to say a few words for a video that will be shown to the freshmen.

"Hi! I'm Xiaofen!"

"I'm Ivan! We were freshies once."

"Yah a long time ago."

"See you at Arts Camp."

It feels weird, being a part of pre-camp yet also not a part of it. Xiaofen's visibly having fun chatting with her former freshies. I, on the other hand, have a lot on my mind. It's fun watching the games and antics, but somehow, it just feels so different.

It's time for tug-of-war. I recall this as being the station where Chong Han and Carrie ended up crying, moved by the spirit that our House showed. This time around, when it's time for a cheer, I feel a little let down. Sure, Chong Han and Julie are great, but the energy level and bonding is still somehow lacking, compared to other Houses. S House looks particularly strong; Hock, Fangling and Giang are proving their worth, and the new councillors look like a really close-knit bunch. I begin to wonder whether my presence will make a difference.

The sky is getting dark. Pre-camp is about to end, and spirits are pretty high by now. It's time to end it off with the Arts Cheer, and Xiaofen and I join in without hesitation. But even while we're joining in the cheering, it's difficult to ignore the thought that for all the years we've contributed as councillors, this time around, we're not truly a part of it.

Pre-camp is officially over. Chong Han calls his councillors off to one side, to give them his usual pep talk. I can only hope that in the intervening weeks between now and Arts Camp, that the councillors will step up to the challenge, to understand that they now have the responsibility to lead, and that the success of Arts Camp depends on them. And me too, perhaps.

Not a day passes without me thinking of Arts Camp. Xiaofen has made it very clear that she will only drop by once in a while to observe, and not get herself involved once again. I lack the discipline and willpower. My mind gets messier and messier, as I ponder my motivations for joining, and worry about other things. What about other commitments that I might have, especially with dance? Is it really worth all that time, money and energy running around to the point of exhuastion and cheering myself hoarse? Do I have the cash to spare? And it's not like I'm coming back to continue the legacy of having a Mambo Jambo mass dance.

hey, great to see ya at precamp. anw, i kinda miss ur mambo dance. this year is couple dance and i cant catch up! sianz.. dun wanna dance. haha! miss ur "together 4eva & nvr 2 part"... haha!
- Giang, 14/06/07 11:45 p.m.

Even though I haven't seen it, I'm sure Shamala's done a great job with her own mass dance. Sure, everyone seems to enjoy Mambo Jambo, and I've lost count of the number of people who've commented that they've had so much fun while I led the entire programme more or less on my own. But I can't do this forever, and a little variety never hurt. Too bad no one else came close to taking over my place as the Mambo King of Arts Club, now that I've graduated.

My mind wanders, wondering what others will think of someone approaching 25 years of age, running around and cheering with people so many years his junior. This year's batch of female freshmen will be 6 years younger than me. When I was doing my A-levels, they were doing their PSLE. That's how big the age-gap is. Then I begin to think about how awkward it will be if I have to help make up the numbers for the Secret Pal. While I did have a good rapport with Helen, my SP from last year, it did feel a little strange considering that she was a freshmen and I was going 4th year, I just can't help but think how strange it will be if I join, and have to talk to an SP. And I don't even want to think about Speed Dating.

My great dilemma between keeping my distance, and plunging headlong into it once more is no secret, especially to Chong Han and Xiaofen.

Ivan, you can come for arts camp.. I can waive the fees for you if you're really interested..
- Chong Han, 14/06/07 2:57 p.m.

Bro, really thanks for e offer, but i still want to think abt it first. Got a lot on my mind now as to whether i shld move on or add just one final memory, n my true motivations for returning.
- 16/06/07 4:40 p.m.

Back home, I check out the Arts Camp website, and I can't help but laugh at the thousands of questions the eager freshies are asking. I find videos of last year's Arts Camp and O Week, and a smile comes to me, thinking about all the memories of last year. Whatever happened to me swearing that 2006 was the last year of my participation in FOP?

Childish and immature antics, perhaps, but it can't be denied that it was so much fun.

And then, I discover that Joshua has uploaded a teaser video for this year's Arts Camp. Looks like it'll be so much fun once more, but will I be a part of it?

Now that only a tiny handful of the Rotana folks are returning, and will be scattered amongst the OGs, there isn't any really good reason for me to return. And yet, the urge continues to gnaw at me, growing stronger with each passing day. Is it the gloryhound in me that compels me to return, to prove my allegiance and loyalty to Arts Club? What am I trying to prove by being the oldest person in the entire camp? Am I out to seek some form of affirmation or commendation for my 4th Arts Camp, even though I've graduated? Am I expecting some sort of special gift, mention or thanks for my services rendered? If I return, is it because I want to do it for the freshies, or is it because I'm nothing more than an attention-seeking whore for fame?

It's a nice feeling to feel important, to be missed in your absence.

...it does feel a bit weird going into a new Arts Camp without old familiar faces of yesteryears..wonderful friends, peers and councillors such as Xiao Tian Tian, Carrie, Ernest, Clement, Swi Swi, Eric, Gina, Michelle, Bian Bian, the crazy Weiliang, Siew Fan, Ivan Kwan, Jono etc etc..the list is just endless really...

It does take a while and some re-orienting of the mindset to adjust to such a scenario..esp when these are pple tat u have grown up with thru e years..and thru so many camps..

But hey, i think it's really part and parcel of life. =) As i told 鸡蛋头 just now, sometimes we have to leave the beautiful memories of the past in our little jewel box inside our brain, and move on to the present and the future. While there'll always be a special connection between peers of the same level, i really believe that there are a lot of gems and wonderful councilors in the new batch to carry on some of the wonderful traditions of the camp, and to bring in new styles of their own. =)

This will be the last ever orientation camp of my life. And i intend to treasure it to the utmost...i'll like to leave my university life with no regrets, and i'm positive at the end of the camp, everything'll have been worth it. =)

The dedication and commitment that this year's Organizing Com has put in most certainly also warrants a lot of support and it'll be great to see how they feel when they come face to face with the hundreds of freshies at Arts Camp 2007. Really grateful as well, that there are others such as Chonghan, bobsie, 鸡蛋头 and leonie around who help keep e old fogey spirit around. =)
- Hock, 15/06/07 2:14 a.m.

Hock's post stirs up something within. Perhaps it's time to bow out, to have more faith in the new councillors. Why should I care if Arts Camp is a resounding success, or whether it becomes a dismal flop? My time is over, it's time move on, thanks for the memories, but I really have to go.

But even as I try and harden my heart, I can't help but think of the memories I've taken away from previous years. All the joy and laughter, the tears we shed at the end of the camp, the new friendships formed, the messages of heartfelt appreciation, and the immense satisfaction seeing all the smiling faces, and knowing, that I helped make it all happen in my own little way. That's something that can never come from merely dropping by and saying hi to the familiar old faces.

Bro, rumpa bbq tom.. East Coast.. Can you make it? Fenz coming..
- Chong Han, 20/06/07 7:39 p.m.

21/06/07 R House BBQ @ East Coast Park

I hate long bus rides, especially when I have a lot on my mind.

When I finally arrive, Eu Ming and Nicholas are busy at the pit, grilling chicken wings. Plenty of 2nd-years are around, and I still don't know most of their names. Even Hock is here; he's accompanied Jasmine Ling, and we talk for some time. He spoke of how he had to talk to Giang, who at one point in time during pre-camp was quite sian and didn't have the heart to carry on in the absence of so many old friends. He told me how he spent some time speaking to Jasmine, whom Chong Han had been trying to convince to return to Arts Camp. And then, he said something that resonated within me.

"If I don't join, will I regret it?"

Xiaofen, Chong Han, Jasmine, Julie and I go off to one side and chat. Jasmine, who was absent at pre-camp, receives a full dose of comments from Xiaofen and I about how quiet and passive the new bunch of councillors are. Chong Han goes off to collect money from the others to settle the cost of the barbecue. My mind's still in a turmoil. When he returns, I finally decide to put my foot down. Before I end up a melancholic emotional wreck during Arts Camp, lamenting why I did not join even though I was free, I have made up my mind.

"Chong, I'm joining."

There's no turning back now. Have I made the right choice? I'll only find out on the last day of Arts Camp. The night drags on, people start to leave, but even as we're packing up and heading down the underpass towards Marine Parade, talking about the other Houses, chatting about our memories and how time has passed, I'm starting to feel more than a little psyched up already.

And so, for just one last time, I'll be there, a die-hard councillor, enthusiastic and more than a little bit crazy. Apparently, I'm together in the same OG with Eu Ming once again, and joining us is Jasmine. Excellent. We can be the 老老 OG. We may not have the energy and stamina, but we've got the experience and know-how to show the others just what it takes to be a good OGL or councillor. While I still can. At least there's no way I can return for O Week, and let's forget about next year's Arts Camp. At least by then, there's really no way I can make myself return.

26/06/07. Just one more time, a final memento of my years as an undergrad.

Listening to: One More Time by Daft Punk

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Lady (Hear Me Tonight)

2007-06-20T22:58:00.000+08:00

Lady hear me tonight
'Cause my feeling is just so right
As we dance by the moonlight
Can't you see you're my delight
Lady I just feel like
I won't get you out of my mind
I feel love for the first time
And I know that it's true
I can tell by the look in your eyes

Lady hear me tonight
'Cause my feeling is just so right

Lady I just feel like
I feel love for the first time

Lady hear me tonight
Can't you see you're my delight

- Lady (Hear Me Tonight) by Modjo

Musical Mondays: Summer Is Calling

2007-06-18T12:00:00.000+08:00

The summer is calling

Take a trip up to the beach
Let the sunshine in your heart
Makes you feel good, makes you smile
Be free and let yourself go

Take a look up to the stars
They are shining bright tonight
Makes you feel good, makes you smile
Makes you feel like flying away

The summer is calling your name
And it feels, and it feels like in heaven
The summer is calling your name
And it feels, and it feels like in heaven

The summer is calling

Take a trip up to the beach
Let the sunshine in your heart
Makes you feel good, makes you smile
Be free and let yourself go

Take a look up to the stars
They are shining bright tonight
Makes you feel good, makes you smile
Makes you feel like flying away

The summer is calling your name
And it feels, and it feels like in heaven
The summer is calling your name
And it feels, and it feels like in heaven

The summer is calling

The summer is calling

The summer is calling

- Summer Is Calling by Aquagen

Sexy Sundays

2007-06-17T23:51:00.000+08:00

Ayumi Kinoshita

Today shalt henceforth be celebrated as Waffles Day.

2007-06-14T22:18:00.000+08:00

*cue trumpets*

By royal decree from His Highness, Hai~Ren the Kind, Brave and Valiant, He of Infinite Wisdom, Deliverer from Evil, Who Tends to the Sick and Speaks to the Beasts and Birds, and Who hath been Blessed with Dashing Good Looks, Sexy Body and Excellent Complexion, the 14th of June shalt henceforth be known as Waffles Day.

Spent the entire day out with Val and her mum. We had lunch at Big O, where I discovered just how heavenly their waffles were. Mmm... Generous servings of waffles drenched in caramel, with a huge dollop of vanilla ice-cream on top. Just about nearly orgasmic. Now I know of yet another joint that sells great food at an affordable price.

The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around window-shopping, and I made the discovery that I actually look quite good in pink shirts, particularly the ones sold at Zara. Hmm. Wearing a shirt of that colour had never crossed my mind before. Maybe when I start having a stable source of income, I might expand the variety in my wardrobe a little beyond my usual black, white, grey and blue.

Val's mum then went home, and the 2 of us headed to Tampines as Val was meeting her boyfriend there later in the evening. So we went to get more waffles from this neighbourhood bakery that makes nice waffles, and sat outside the library and passed the time just eating waffles and chatting away, something we haven't done in months.

While we were chatting, I became all too aware of how quickly time has passed. Here we are, she getting ready to take on the challenges of Honours year, and I on the verge of stepping into the working world, when it seems as if the memories of O Week '05 are still so fresh in my mind. I still remember the tall lanky girl with the red fringe in Ian's OG, who told me that she was also from TPJC on one of those nights when I wore a TPJC T-shirt. And 3 years later, look how far we've come as friends.

And as we talked about how we've tried to help make the world a better place in our own little ways, I couldn't help but think of just how impossible it seemed, just 2 people putting their passions and interests to good use, in a world of 6 billion (and counting), full of so much pain and suffering that one is hard pressed to decide where to start the healing. I can only hope that just as you warned, that even as I become another cog in the soulless gears of industry and civilisation, that I do not relinquish the values that define who I am right now. And I hope that when your turn comes, that you too will be able to preserve that part of yourself that helps you remain human.

Val during one of those moments when we actually weren't pigging out on sinful food. Dammit, I keep forgetting to take photos of my food whenever I eat out. Whatever happened to my promise to make people feel hungry with pictures of food?

Thanks for the fun day meeting up after such a long time, and thanks to Mrs. Lim for the treat.

*nibbles on new Cadbury chocolate bar*

Listening to: Give It To Me by Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake

Mad About Mambo Jambo: True Faith

2007-06-13T22:21:00.000+08:00

Weirdest. Video. Ever.

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
I dont care cause I'm not there
And I dont care if I'm here tomorrow
Again and again I've taken too much
Of the things that cost you too much

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun

When I was a very small boy
Very small boys talked to me
Now that we've grown up together
They're afraid of what they see
That's the price that we all pay
Our valued destiny comes to nothing
I can't tell you where we're going
I guess there was just no way of knowing

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
The chances are we've gone too far
You took my time and you took my money
Now I fear you've left me standing
In a world that's so demanding

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun

- True Faith by New Order

Musical Mondays: Daylight

2007-06-11T12:00:00.000+08:00

- Daylight by Ferry Corsten

Ok I admit it, I was bored.

2007-06-10T18:00:00.000+08:00

I've been using Twitter for many months already, and I must say that it is a fun way of keeping updated with what my friends are up to, without having to resort to reading lengthy blog posts or logging onto an IM to conduct an impromptu conversation.

Twitter is also a great avenue for people like me with too much time on their hands and who derive pleasure from silly bo liao nonsense:

Composite screenshot showing the depths of my boredom, and the lengths I am willing to go to in order to put off finishing the tonne of unfinished blog posts.

I also realised that if you look carefully at the tabs I had opened in Firefox just as I was happily typing away on my Twitter-spamming spree, you'll notice that Blogger, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter were open, which reminded me a lot of this graphic:

Hee hee hee hee hee... Ain't that funny? Huh? Huh?

Pah. Spoilsports.

Listening to: Seven Nation Army by White Stripes

Sexy Sundays

2007-06-10T16:23:00.000+08:00

Mizuho Hata

Sigh...

2007-06-10T11:47:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, it's the people whom you can't live without that turn out to be the ones you really cannot stand living with.

Beatboxing

2007-06-08T19:29:00.000+08:00

Ah yes, beatboxing. Just how do they do it?

The whole world knows about beatboxing now, thanks to Blake Lewis from American Idol. But there's quite a number of really great beatboxers out there, all with their own style and skills.

FaithSFX from the UK:

Beardyman, also from the UK:

Joseph from France:

Roxorloops from Belgium:

Kenny Muhammad and Rahzel from the USA:

The Koreans are at it too, albeit with some teamwork:

And representing Singapore, we have... Steven Lim?

*I refuse to be held responsible for any injuries sustained while watching the following clips. My own ears haven't stopped bleeding yet.

Seriously... WTF.

Listening to: My Love by Justin Timberlake

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Inside To Outside

2007-06-06T23:12:00.000+08:00

Is it your alluring way
Could you always drown the fire
Keep a check on all you feel
Keep a hold on all your desire
But I feel there's something new
And it's lying in your eyes
There's a shudder running through you
Now I realize

Inside turning to outside
The feeling you can't hide
Is touching a highlight in your eyes
Inside turning to outside
It's gonna be alright
It's running a high for you and I

Like a shadow of yourself
Like a spirit in the air
Looking desperately for help
You've been looking everywhere
My heart is beating fast
Blue eyes are locked on mine
A vision flashes past
Moving me in time

Inside turning to outside
The feeling you can't hide
Is touching a highlight in your eyes
Inside turning to outside
It's gonna be alright
It's running a high for you and I

And we can live in a beautiful world
Hide away under peaceful skies
We can survive on time and a word
Feel the nights passing by

(Inside and outside...)

Inside turning to outside
The feeling you can't hide
Is touching a highlight in your eyes
Inside turning to outside
It's gonna be alright
It's running a high for you and I

Inside turning to outside
The feeling you can't hide
Is touching a highlight in your eyes
Inside turning to outside
It's gonna be alright
It's running a high for you and I

- Inside To Outside by Limahl

Sentosa's little secret...

2007-06-05T05:21:00.000+08:00

I'd like to write another long blog post, but for the moment, I need to go and sleep. For the next 3 days, I find myself having to wake up at 5 a.m. and dragging my tired body to Sentosa. But the joys of discovering the wildlife that manages to thrive just next to one of our most popular public beaches is always a thrilling affair.

First read these:
Sentosa's treasure island of coral
Tanjung Rimau
Cable Car Shore
Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs

And now, I shall let the pictures do the talking instead:

Off I go.

A bad parody of a Linkin Park song

2007-06-04T22:37:00.000+08:00

So far I've been having a pretty enjoyable holiday. I'm trying my best to make the most out of it, especially since this is probably going to be the last time I will ever get to bum around and do nothing all day except sleep and surf the Internet. Unfortunately, due to limited finances, I haven't really had the chance to go out with friends that often, and anyway, most of them have plans of their own.

In other news, my back is starting to peel.

I knew it was inevitable, considering how badly sunburnt my back was after my own little wildlife-watching/sunbathing session at Sentosa last week. But after the redness and pain had subsided, I could at least proudly admire myself in the mirror and remark on how I had such a nice and evenly-tanned back. But alas, the itching began, and now, it's peeling.

I've been having some fun peeling off all the skin, while traumatising my classmates at the same time. I was supposed to meet Siying and Yee Kailing for lunch in campus today. After a lunch of nasi lemak at Fong Seng, we adjourned to the Honours Room. While they were busily occupied doing work for Dr. Wong Poh Poh in compiling maps or something, I myself was busily occupied, with my arms shoved up the back of my T-shirt, blindly picking and peeling at all the skin that was coming off my back. I think I traumatised them with all the bits of skin raining down from me onto the chair I was sitting on. But hey, it is very fun to pick at dead skin and scabs. Though I must admit, it probably is quite gross and disturbing to see someone else doing it and shedding so many tiny little bits of skin all over the place. Consider it my gift to next year's batch of Geography Honours students.

I was amusing myself with trying to peel off an unbroken piece of skin as large as possible, when I got a sick idea for yet another one of those silly pranks that I always dream up but never put into action. I imagined Kailing and Siying having to go off elsewhere for a short while, and when they returned, I would be gone, and there would be a huge clump of flakes of my skin deposited in a neat little pile on top of the maps they had so painstakingly worked on.

Anyway, these are the two largest pieces I've managed to peel off so far. Note the ruler to verify that I am not making this up.

Considering the current state of affairs, whenever I think about my sunburn and how it's peeling off in little flakes, my mind invariably conjures up images like the following:

Oh well, it can't be helped. At least I'm not moulting like a crab or spider and leaving an entire empty skin behind.

After having spent the better part of the past two days scratching, picking and peeling away at my back, I've noticed a disconcerting similarity between all the dead skin I've peeled off, and a certain foodstuff. Let's just say that you might not have the appetite to eat katsuobushi or dried bonito flakes for quite some time.

It's hard to look at a pile of my peeled skin and not notice how it bears a close resemblance to katsuobushi... Could this:

be the true source of this:

Would you still like any extra toppings for your takoyaki or okonomiyaki?

Listening to: Sunburn by The Usual Suspects

Musical Mondays: Summer Sun

2007-06-04T12:00:00.000+08:00

(Summer sun)

Far away from home
The place where I belong
When I close my eyes
I start to realise

Hold my breath
Trying to forget
Feelin' so strong
A new day has come

(Summer sun)

(Summer sun)

Summer sun
Keep me warm
Northern light
Come and dry my eyes

Summer sun

When I'm searching for belief
Have to put myself at ease
Everytime I'm on the run
Find me summer sun

Find me summer sun

Far away from home
The place where I belong
When I close my eyes
I start to realise

Hold my breath
Trying to forget
Feelin' so strong
A new day has come

Summer sun
Keep me warm
Northern light
Come and dry my eyes

Summer sun

Summer sun

Find me summer sun

(Summer sun)

- Summer Sun by 4 Strings

Sexy Sundays

2007-06-03T18:28:00.000+08:00

Mami Yamasaki

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Summer Rain

2007-05-30T21:22:00.000+08:00

Whispering our goodbyes
Waiting for a train
I was dancing with my baby
In the summer rain
I can hear him saying
Nothing will change
Come dance with me baby
In the summer rain
I remember the rain on our skin
And his kisses hotter than the Santa Ana winds
Whispering our goodbyes
Waiting for a train
I was dancing with my baby
In the summer rain
I remember laughing 'till we almost cried
There at the station that night
I remember looking in his eyes

Oh my love it's you that I dream of
Oh my love since that day
Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain
Doesn't matter what I do now
Doesn't matter what I say
Somwhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain

I can hear the whistle
Military train
I was dancing with my baby
In the summer rain
I can hear him singing
Ooh love is strange
Come dance with me baby
In the summer rain
I remember the rain pouring down
And we poured our hearts out
As the train pulled out
I can see my baby
Waving from the train
It was the last time that I saw him
In the summer rain

Oh my love it's you that I dream of
Oh my love since that day
Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain
Doesn't matter what I do now
Doesn't matter what I say
Somwhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain

Everytime I see the lightning
Everytime I hear the thunder
Everytime I close the window
When this happens in the summer
Oh the night is so inviting
I can feel that you are so close
I can feel you when the wind blows
Blows right through my heart

Oh my love it's you that I dream of
Oh my love since that day
Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain
Doesn't matter what I do now
Doesn't matter what I say
Somwhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain

Every night and every day now
Though I know you've gone away
Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain

- Summer Rain by Belinda Carlisle

Island life, love it!

2007-05-29T22:02:00.000+08:00

I've just returned from a trip to Sentosa, where I spent the entire day working on a tan. Well, I guess I worked a bit too hard at it, since my back is now sunburnt. But that's what happens when someone like me goes to the beaches of Sentosa to look at marine life. Sigh... I should have been prepared for this and been more liberal with the sunblock, considering that most of my time would have been spent head-down, looking at all the creatures living on the sand, in the water or on the rocks.

I've been in Sentosa since 7 in the morning, and saw so many things that I did not expect. I've really come to love this particular stretch of beach; it's not too crowded, it's sheltered by a small islet and so the water is cleaner and you don't get a lot of marine trash, not to mention the waves and currents are not so strong, which is a good thing for a poor swimmer like me. But what I love the most is the profusion of marine life which can be seen by anyone, as long as they keep their eyes open.

Most common were the creeper snails, which carpeted the shallow seabed and the sandflat on the islet just opposite the beach; some could also be found at the beach itself. Then there were the hermit crabs, which were easy to find, and were so common that after a while, I just gave up on catching them and set my sights on more elusive quarry.

Fish of all sorts were very noticeable, as were other species of crabs, which quickly vanished into the sand and silt when spooked. The rocks on both ends of the islet were home to marine snails and crabs, and dusky-gilled muskippers were common.

The monitor lizard that I saw prowling the islet early in the morning might have been a highlight of the day, but it was overshadowed by what I found later on, when I investigated another nearby islet, accessible by floating bridge; I actually found starfish and a sea cucumber. Cool...

Pictures coming up when I have the time; for now I need to go and sleep. Ouch I feel the sunburn already...

Listening to: Summersun by 4 Strings

My first homemade video

2007-05-29T04:15:00.000+08:00

I finally stopped procrastinating and did a short video slideshow featuring photos I took during my field trip to the Maliau Basin in February for Catchment Processes & Management. Some of the photos are from Kuo Hoong as well. Enjoy.

I still have ideas for videos to produce, but I need the rest of the lazy buggers in my Honours class to send their photos to me.

Listening to: Time Of Our Lives by Paul van Dyk

Musical Mondays: The Summer

2007-05-28T12:00:00.000+08:00

- The Summer by ATB

Sexy Sundays

2007-05-27T22:00:00.000+08:00

Chinatsu Wakatsuki

Listening to the radio

2007-05-26T21:58:00.000+08:00

I hardly ever listen to the radio anymore. Ever since WKRZ 91.3 changed its programme lineup from an emphasis on trance and eurodance, to becoming just another boring carbon copy of Class 95 or Gold 90.5, I haven't tuned in to that station since, and have instead turned to Internet radio and my mp3 collection.

However, since sometime earlier this year, I have been tuning in to Class 95 on Saturday nights, ever since I discovered this new show called BPM. For 3 hours, the station plays a nice selection of Top 40s and retro, apparently mixed by a resident DJ from The Clinic @ The Cannery.

As I write this, The Sign by Ace of Base has just finished, and earlier on, we had Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley and Lady (Hear Me Tonight) by Modjo. Oh, and now we've got a nice club remix of September by Earth, Wind & Fire. Whoo!

This is really quite a nice show, especially for a Mambo Jambo junkie like me. It's a lot like the Doctormix show this same station used to have, and for someone like me who has a habit of spontaneously dancing in my room whenever a song I like comes on the radio, having a show like this really is a welcome change.

So... if you're into dance music, then tune in to BPM on Class 95, every Saturday, 9 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Listening to: September 1999 by Earth, Wind & Fire

Awesome footage.

2007-05-25T12:44:00.000+08:00

Awesome video taken on safari at Kruger National Park, South Africa.

In short, a small pride of lions stalk and chase a herd of African buffalo. They manage to capture a calf, but struggle with it in the water. The commotion attracts a crocodile, which attempts to claim the calf for its own. The lions drag the calf out of the water, but then the buffalo herd returns and drive off the lions, and the calf returns to the herd.

My goodness.

I can graduate! W00t!

2007-05-25T09:58:00.000+08:00

I just realised that there are three significant milestones to celebrate on the path to graduation.

One of them was the end of the exams, which took place for me on the 3rd of May.

Another one will be the Commencement ceremony, on the 7th of July.

And now, I have just passed the second of three milestones: the release of the exam results.

The moment of truth:

I'm feeling particularly ambivalent about this semester's results. I had expected to do better for Eco-Development in Southeast Asia, and for my Independent Study Module. I did put in a lot of effort for these modules, and considering my intense interest in the subjects covered for Eco-Development in Southeast Asia, and in the topic I chose for my ISM, I am feeling a little puzzled as to what went wrong. I suppose Dr. Savage has got pretty high standards, and I do admit I could have done a better job for both modules. But then again, if I got a B+ for Eco-Development in Southeast Asia, when I participated quite actively and did get quite a good score for my individual essay, I wonder how the rest of my classmates fared.

I expected that I would receive that grade for Catchment Processes & Management; late submission of individual assignments notwithstanding, I think I did pretty alright with regards to the projects and assignments. This still ranks as one of my favourite modules of all time, particularly because of the field trip to the Maliau Basin.

I'm relieved at my score for Remaking the Global Economy. I suppose Lee Yong-Sook must have been quite lenient with all the crap that I dished out during the exam, and for my lack of class participation. I can't help it; she's nice, but the things she covered during classes were really sleep-inducing.

My poor result for Understanding the Universe is probably a direct result of the late submission for the group essay, thanks to the fact that my ISM report was due on the same day (sorry about that, Chong Han), and also because I more or less did not study for the second test (I had 3 deadlines on that day. This module was not high on my list of priorities). I guess I should have S/U-ed the module after all.

Speaking of S/U, this is the one and only time I have exercised this option, for Forensic Science. After the lousy class test, I was compelled to do so, even though it turned out later that I had performed quite well for the essay, and the exam was more than manageable.

But in any case, it all doesn't really matter. My CAP dropped slightly, but I don't have to worry about having to maintain or improve it anymore.

BECAUSE I HAVE GRADUATED! WHOO HOO!!!

It does feel funny that this is officially the last time I will ever need to go through this ritual, of nail-biting anxiety as I log on to check my results. Ah well. My NUS journey is drawing to a close; I wonder how my classmates have fared. And as for those of you still yet to graduate, I hope your results have been satisfactory.

Oh wait, I forget. Your results won't be out so soon. Happy waiting.

Listening to: Celebrate The Summer by Lacuna

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Boys (Summertime Love)

2007-05-23T22:49:00.000+08:00

I have decided as to who was the hottest singer of the 80s. I used to think that it was Belinda Carlisle, but after watching the video for Boys (Summertime Love) by Sabrina, I now think Sabrina Salerno has to be the hottest female singer of that era. I mean, will you just check out that video above?

What's even more unbelievable is that 20 years since she released that single, and after having become a mother, she's still mind-blowingly hot. She does not look like she's nearly 40 years old in these following videos. Seriously, first video's from 2005, the second one's from March this year.

Wow. Now THAT is what I call a MILF. Seriously, first Monica Bellucci, now there's Sabrina Salerno. What's up with all these drop-dead frickin' hot Italian mamas??!

Boys, boys, boys
Boys, boys, boys
Boys, boys, boys
Boys, boys, boys

Sunshine's down
So come to town
Set your body free
Hold me tight
My love tonight
Tell me you believe

Everybody, summertime love
You'll remember me
Everybody, summertime love
Be my lover, be my baby

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good times
Boys, boys, boys
I'm ready for your love

Stay around
The sun goes down
Babe I'm feeling right
Take a chance
With love romance
Have some fun tonight

Everybody, summertime love
You'll remember me
Everybody, summertime love
Be my lover, be my baby

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good times
Boys, boys, boys
I'm ready for your love

(Rap)
Boys and girls in the summertime love
Summertime love on the beach tonight
Say hey, say you, say me, say what
Everybody has gotta car
Don't stop, don't move
I just get your body in the groove
I said hey, I said who
I said me, I say you gotta get in the groove

Boys, boys, boys
In the summertime love, in the summertime love
Boys, boys, boys
Let's summertime roll, let's summertime roll
Boys, boys, boys
In the summertime love, in the summertime love
Boys, boys, boys
Let's summertime roll, let's summertime roll

Everybody, summertime love
You'll remember me
Everybody, summertime love
Be my lover, be my baby

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good times
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love

Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good times
Boys, boys, boys
I'm ready for your love

- Boys (Summertime Love) by Sabrina

Wasted $3... -_-

2007-05-23T22:18:00.000+08:00

Well, that was a waste of $3.

I was supposed to go to Sentosa with some of my former classmates, but the weather definitely put a damper on our plans.

It was originally quite bright and sunny when I arrived there, via the new monorail. Wow, it's a really convenient way to get to the beach; no more having to wait at the bus interchange at Seah Im, then having to disembark at the Visitor Arrival Centre, and then having to wait for yet another bus to take one to the beach. For the same old price, I can get to the Beach Station in just a few minutes.

Alas, the weather took a turn for the worse, and while we were on the tram to Palawan Beach, a heavy downpour began. Though it was brief, the sky remained cloudy as we found a spot to occupy.

The beach did look less than inviting, especially considering all the seaweed and driftwood that was drifting in with the tide, making the water look blackish. True to nature, I spent some time searching for signs of life, but all I could see were some empty nerite shells, and a dead moon crab.

Philip, Chee Tiong, and I played some beach volleyball, until we got tired and then just sat around and talked cock. Shanley and Lai Peng seemed very sian, especially considering the lousy weather, and the only entertainment we had was a deck of cards. I ended up going through one round of the drinking game I had taught some of the rest previously at the chalet, and thank goodness Philip could help me recap the rules of the game.

We eventually decided to have lunch at Sakae Sushi, and while we waited for their teatime buffet to begin, we just lounged around outside, talking about random things. I took some time to walk down to the beach and explore my favourite stretch of beach, just beyond Sakae Sushi and just before Siloso Becah proper. It's a rather sheltered spot, where the sand is fine and the water is clear, and you can practically walk across to the small islet just across. But what I loved the most about this stretch of beach was that it was somewhat more quiet, cleaner, and was full of marine life; in the few minutes I was there, I managed to find a small hermit crab for Chee Tiong to see, and saw the familiar shoals of juvenile targetfish swimming so close to shore.

The weather had improved considerably by now, and in fact I would have loved to take out my singlet there and then and jump into the sea, but it was time for lunch.

Sakae Sushi's teatime buffet has very limited variety, but we made do with what they had to offer. We also ordered our own preferred dishes, sometimes in great quantities; I have no idea how many servings of gyoza and fried tofu we ordered. I indulged myself in whatever I could nab from the buffet line, mostly inari sushi and ebi (prawn), tako (octopus) and unagi (eel) nigiri; a real pity there wasn't any raw fish sushi, my favourite.

We passed the time, alternating between gorging ourselves and chatting. Shanley and Chee Tiong got into some discussion about marriage, and I got quite bored, but at the same time I realised it's a genuine sign that we're not getting any younger.

We seemed really intent on getting our money's worth; we spent nearly 3 hours in there, and passed the time playing the drinking game for real. It's a good thing we had free flow of hot water to replenish our green tea. But at the same time, it's a shame we could only sip our drinks, since it meant that the game was not as torturous as the time we played at the chalet, where we gulped water like nobody's business.

We finally left Sentosa, and while Chee Tiong and Philip headed for home, Shanley, Lai Peng and I went to the Pet Safari at Vivocity to look at puppies. So cute! And after that, we did some window shopping, before we all finally left.

So, it was a real waste of $3, going to Sentosa and not getting to suntan, and instead spending most of my afternoon in Sakae Sushi. It was fun though, and I am tempted to return sometime soon, alone, just to take a look at the marine fauna around my favourite stretch of beach.

The mosquito bites I received during my Kranji Nature Trail/Sungei Buloh ramble yesterday are really starting to itch now. Yikes. Guess I should have worn a T-shirt instead, and should have gone for boots instead of sandals.

Listening to: Hurricane by Alex Megane

Work in progress.

2007-05-21T21:10:00.000+08:00

I've been spending most of my time at home, in front of the laptop. I've been trying to clear my backlog of overdue blog posts, and I am making some progress. Anyway, scroll down and you'll probably find a bunch of backdated posts. I'm still churning out more, and there's still several more blog posts in the pipeline, waiting for me to finish dealing with the older ones in the to-do list before I can attend to them. Gah.

In short, here's a few things I thought I'd want to bring up before I go back to working on the old posts.

i) Here's something I thought everyone should see - the beauty of Singapore's marine life:

It's a teaser trailer from the wonderful folks at WildFilms, a dedicated bunch of people exploring our shores to bring stunning images; it's hard to believe just how much still manages to survive. Enough of people questioning whether Singapore has any nature left; yes of course, you just have to keep your eyes open.

ii) I went to Sentosa on Saturday morning with Ron, Budak, Siyang, Kok Sheng and several others, as part of a final recce trip for the Naked Hermit Crabs programme we have planned for June.

Basically, there's a stretch of shoreline just next to Siloso Beach, that's home to a treasure trove of marine life; seagrass beds, rocky shore, sandy beach, coastal forest, even patches of coral. Sadly, it is more than likely that all this will be disappearing very soon, when work on the Sentosa IR begins. The Naked Hermit Crabs are a bunch of folks organising several tours for the month of June, to allow people to visit and explore this area, and to raise awareness for our biological treasures that far too few people know of; you don't always have to go to Malaysia, Thailand or even Australia to look at beautiful and interesting marine creatures; many of these critters do in fact live right at our doorstep; it's a matter of whether we have the will to treasure and protect what we have, or whether the soulless gears of industry and development will crush the beauty and life, and squeeze every inch of land for profit, and as a final insult, build artificial beaches and artificial coral reefs in aquaria right on the very spot where the real thing once existed.

Those who are interested, do register with us! Visit the Naked Hermit Crabs page for more information, but the basic details are as follows:

Quick details of the walk
Dates: 5 Jun 07, Tue (Family Trail) and 6 Jun 07, Wed (Adventure Trail)
Time: Starts 7.30am for both dates
Duration of walk: Family Trail=1.5 hours, Adventure Trail=2.5 hours.
Cost: $5 per person (does not include Sentosa entrance fees and charges)
Exact details on meeting point will be provided to those who register for the walks

How to sign up?
Just email nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com with "Sentosa Walk" in the subject line and these details
(a) Name and contact of lead person
(b) Number of adults
(c) Number and age of children
(d) Date of walk you wish to join
Please sign up by 25 May 07 (Fri) so that we can finalise details.

I'm not sure if I can make it to help out with the walks (depends on whether I'll be able to find a temp job before I start teaching in July), but if all goes well, I'll be there on those dates.

iii) Before I forget, International Museum Day has started.

May 18-27, 2007

Well it's technically more than a week long, but you can check out the wide range of activities you can take part in at 24 museums island-wide.

Find out more here.

iv) Oh, and I'm working on a little personal project of my own; more coming soon, and depending on how much progress I can make.

v) I'll be going off to Sungei Buloh tomorrow morning, and after that I'll be dropping by NUS to take some photos of campus for keepsakes, as well as check out the progress for Arts Rag.

vi) And finally, to end off this post, here's a couple of photos taken by people I am now insanely jealous of. Those of you who still remain skeptical that Singapore's marine biological diversity is worth conserving and protecting, take a look at this:

Black-tipped Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), Pulau Semakau

Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin (Sousa chinensis), Pulau Subar Laut (Big Sister Island)

Both pictures were taken off Habitatnews; go see the posts reporting these once-in-a-lifetime sightings:

Lovely photo of a black-tipped reef shark at Semakau
Ria says, "Best photo ever," of a dolphin in Singapore waters!

I mean, seriously, how cool is that? Sharks and dolphins in Singapore waters. Kind of also goes to show that you don't have to go to Dolphin Lagoon to watch dolphins jump through hoops to the tunes of cheesy music.

Anyway, it's time I returned to working on my older blog posts.

Listening to: Finished Symphony by Hybrid

My sister will not be amused... =D

2007-05-21T17:00:00.000+08:00

My sister's at school.

I was bored at home.

I was trying to work on finishing my backlog of blog posts, but the annoying drilling going on in the next block was really distracting me and making me unable to concentrate; not to mention that it was giving me a horrible headache.

And so, I decided to fool around with her soft toys:

Watch Bearlie's agony, throttled by the telephone cord, while savagely mauled by a pair of vicious hounds.

See the sheer terror in his eyes, as his mortality becomes all too apparent to him. He struggles and thrashes, fighting for his life, but in vain.

And now that their dark and bloody deed has been done, the hellhounds celebrate.

Rachel, don't hate me for this.

Musical Mondays: Endless Summer

2007-05-21T12:00:00.000+08:00

It feels like paradise
The world is closing in
It feels so right
I start to fantasise
About what we're getting in
'Cause now you're mine
This is our time

It's an endless summer
Boy I want you close to me
In an endless summer
We'll make love and we'll be free
It's an endless summer
Boy I want you close to me
In an endless summer
Now it's time for you and me

Endless summer

My heart beats stronger now
Now you're by my side
I hold you tight
Please let me show you how
We'll grab a ray of light
'Cause now you're mine
This is our time

Endless summer
Boy I want you close to me
In an endless summer
We'll make love and we'll be free
It's an endless summer
Boy I want you close to me
In an endless summer
Now it's time for you and me

Endless summer

- Endless Summer by Siria

Sexy Sundays

2007-05-20T16:18:00.000+08:00

Erina Matsui

Help me make the music of the night...

2007-05-17T17:58:00.000+08:00

I'm off to catch what has to be my favourite musical of all time.

I was thinking that I could live without catching The Phantom of the Opera while it was in town, given how expensive the tickets were, but thanks to my mum, I will actually be there at the Esplanade Theatre tonight. Fortunately there was one ticket left for tonight's show; it's not the best seat in the house, but it'll do.

My sister, who caught it on Sunday with her boyfriend and the rest of his family, told me that it was simply excellent. I can't wait. Although I've known the story for ages, and though I've been listening to highlights from the original London cast recording, nothing beats watching and experiencing it with my own eyes.

Listening to: The Music Of The Night by Michael Crawford

Mad About Mambo Jambo: I Want You Back

2007-05-16T22:04:00.000+08:00

The room has suddenly grown cold
And outside in the street it's raining
You packed your bags and said goodbye
You took my heart without explaining

How could you go
How could you go
We had a love
Most people never know
Ooh stop!
Before you break my heart

I want you back
Don't care what I have to do
I want you back

I want you back
Gotta get it through to you
I want you back

If I can make you see
Only you can fill the need in me
If you walk away
You'll regret it someday
Please stay

This room is full of memories
And shadows of the past remind me
Of all the love I gave in vain
And all the hurt I feel inside me

I want you back
I want you back
We had a love
Most people never know
Ooh stop!
Before you break my heart

I want you back
Don't care what I have to do
I want you back

I want you back
Gotta get it through to you
I want you back

If I can make you see
Only you can fill the need in me
If you walk away
You'll regret it someday
Please stay

(Ooh)
I want you back
I, I want you back

(Ooh)
I want you back
I, I want you
I want you back

We had a love
Most people never know
Ooh stop!
Before you break my heart

I want you back
Don't care what I have to do
I want you back

I want you back
Gotta get it through to you
I want you back

If I can make you see
Only you can fill the need in me
If you walk away
You'll regret it someday
Please stay

- I Want You Back by Bananarama

I have found it!!!

2007-05-15T21:04:00.000+08:00

YAY!!!

Sometimes, I can't help but wonder whether life is a joke, and we are all helpless little pawns in a game. At least this time around, the twisted vagaries of fate have worked in my favour.

I was at Tampines Mall earlier this evening, to go pick up my ticket to catch The Phantom of the Opera, as well as to buy some drinks from NTUC. Just as I was about to queue up at the cashier, what should I see but this:

Yes. I HAVE FOUND IT.

How bizarre. I had blogged about this back when I still harboured a tiny little shred of hope, only for it to give way to despondency and desperation after a number of days of fruitless searching at every newstand, supermarket, bookstore, convenience store etc. etc. Rachel even gave me a stack of Maxim postcards as a form of consolation.

And when William passed me the good luck message he had written for me, I had to laugh; it was written on the back of a Maxim postcard. I love you guys.

But just when I had practically given up all hope of ever getting my hands on a copy, nearly a month later, I stumble upon 3 or so copies left on the magazine rack at the Tampines Mall NTUC Fairprice.

Maybe God really does work in mysterious ways. I am a very happy man today.

Listening to: Mallorca by Loft

Blogger not working!

2007-05-14T21:56:00.000+08:00

Apologies for the lack of updates recently; Something's not right with Blogger lately, and it's really starting to piss me off.

The trouble started sometime last week, when I wanted to write a bunch of new posts. Instead, I was greeted with this every time I clicked on the link:

I thought that maybe it was some temporary interruption in service, and figured that perhaps I would just spend the time updating and tweaking my template a little. But no, what I got was this:

I thought that okay, maybe Blogger's got a new problem with Firefox (even though it is supposedly optimised to work best with Firefox), so I switched to (ugh) Internet Explorer.

Logged in, and what do I get when I try to create a new post? The same:

Ditto for trying to change my template.

And so, the only updates you'll be seeing here involves drafts that were already being worked upon before this meltdown occurred. I hope those Blogger people are working on it; I went to the Blogger Help Group over at Google Groups, and it seems a lot of other people are having the same problem.

I know that Val has also been facing trouble with Blogger, giving her the impetus to move to Wordpress; My sister has also had problems, and she was smart enough to hit upon the solution: posting to her blog via email. Of course, it does have its shortcomings, especially with conversion of text and paragraphs to HTML, but for now, it's what I've had to do lately.

Sigh... Don't worry folks, I'm just spending the time catching up on my ever-growing backlog of posts.

Listening to: Anybody (Movin' On) by Masterboy

Musical Mondays: Mysterious Times

2007-05-14T12:00:00.000+08:00

Life
Mysterious life
Where we're moving around, dancing the rhythm of life

Time
Mysterious time
Where we're counting the hours and days to the end of our time

Where we're feeling the change and we don't know why
Choose one direction just one more time
Don't say I'm thinking too much if you see what's behind

And these are mysterious times
Mysterious times
No trick of the mind
For this moment I feel like we live in mysterious times
If you see what's behind, these are mysterious times

Soul
I feel my soul
For this moment nobody can stop me from flying so high

Real
Nothing is real
In a world of illusion you only see what you feel

And we're feeling the change and we don't know why
Choose one direction just one more time
Don't say I'm thinking too much if you see what's behind

And these are mysterious times
Mysterious times
No trick of the mind
For this moment I feel like we live in mysterious times
If you see what's behind, these are mysterious times

If you see what's behind, these are mysterious times

- Mysterious Times by Sash!

Sexy Sundays

2007-05-13T07:04:00.000+08:00

Well, considering that today is Mother's Day, I thought it would be most appropriate if the star of today's edition of Sexy Sundays™ happened to be a mother herself. And so, I present to you, the Mother's Day edition of Sexy Sundays™:

Kasumi Nakane

She's 'retired' from the scene for quite a while already, gotten married and settled down, and she became a mother just late last year. And to commemorate this special day in my own special way, I thought I'd just share more pictures of the lovely Kasumi Nakane for all you randy buggers out there.

I wonder if her daughter will grow to be as pretty and as attractive as her...

Oh, and I love you Mum.

Back to dance

2007-05-12T20:54:00.000+08:00

After nearly 2 months, tech class resumed today, and what a day it was.

One could readily tell just how long it had been since we had practised; we had not been having tech class since Evocation 2007 ended, not to mention that most of us probably had not been training at home due to schoolwork and exams. The warm-ups alone nearly killed us, and I was already exhausted even before we started on the sit-ups. When we finished with the sit-ups, practically everyone heaved a sigh of relief. My entire body is still aching from all the strain, and I know that I am seriously going to feel the effects tomorrow.

Corner to corner was sucky for me as usual; I still have a really long way to go before my level of technique can be even close to that of the others; no luck with double pirouettes, and chaînés and piqués are still horrible. Ugh... and I thought I had been improving slightly. Looks like it's back to square one all over again.

Learning new choreography was another challenge, but it's one where I always try my best, even though I'm relatively slow at picking up the steps and remembering the lines and accents that Zaini demands. Everybody seemed to have a little trouble with today's choreo; I guess it's the music and the beats, which are so fast that even while I'm counting in my head, half the time I end up losing track of the count and just eventually flail about trying to keep up. Sigh...... someone tell me why I'm still subjecting myself to all this when I'm nowhere near to being a competent dancer in NUS Dance Ensemble.

I thought I was doing pretty okay for the choreo bit; not good, but at the very least I was managing to keep up at some points. But then, barely 10 minutes before tech class was supposed to end, a small disaster of sorts struck.

There we were, a small group of us, trying out the choreo, and as I executed a ball change, I thought I felt something tear below my left big toe. As we quickly finished, and made way for the next group to enter, I looked down at my toe. I hadn't felt any pain at all, but I was a little surprised to see that I had practically ripped a chunk of skin off the bottom of my big toe.

When Kelvin saw it, the first thing he said was, "Ouch...", and then he advised me to go get it washed. The pain and tenderness set in a few minutes later; surprisingly, it did not bleed at all. I chose to sit out the rest of the tech class, and once it was over, I had to somewhat painfully hobble to the toilet to wash my feet. Damn.

Here's a few photos, taken with my lousy camera phone at the bus stop outside UCC:

What made it worse was that whenever the flap of skin hanging off my big toe brushed against something, it would send a huge jolt of pain throughout my toe. Ow...

Somehow I managed to make it all the way home, whereupon I took out my nail-clippers and removed the loose skin that was dangling. Ouch... I've gotten floorburn and abrasions before, but I've never had it so bad. Damn.

What I just don't understand is how I ended up getting injured. It's not like I was doing pirouettes or pencil turns or whatever; it was just a simple quick ball change, something I've done countless times before without incident. Maybe I ought to invest in a good pair of foot thongs.

Oh well, just one more injury to add to my growing list of dance injuries. I wonder if my toe will heal in time for next week's tech class.

Listening to: Perfection by The Butterfly Effect

Rotana outing

2007-05-10T23:38:00.000+08:00

Because I was so exhausted from last night's Mambo Jambo, I woke up quite late, close to 6 p.m. Even I am shocked at how I have become such a slob lately.

I had a fun evening out with some friends from Rotana; it's great to spend time with my favourite OG of all time. It's odd that I've managed to click together so well in an OG where everyone else is either a freshman or 2nd-year, but I always have so much fun whenever I'm out with them. It was a little unfortunate that quite a number of people couldn't attend tonight's gathering though. Dammit; I missed the last gathering as I was overwhelmed with schoolwork and deadlines.

We had dinner at the Glass House outlet of Fish & Co., a place where I have not eaten for quite a long time. The food was good, as expected, but the service was average. It was pretty funny how much water Ivan Tan drank, requiring the staff to come round and refill our glasses quite a number of times.

I had the so-called Best Fish & Chips in Town; I can't tell for sure whether it really earned such a title, but it was quite good. Most of the other guys had the New York fish & chips, which at first glance doesn't look all too different from what I was having, apart from the fact that it comes to your table impaled with a miniature USA flag. It does have a generous cheese stuffing though. Ooh cheese...

Eu Ming had the Swordfish Collar, which looks huge, and is quite unwieldy to tackle with just a fork and knife. I'd probably abandon all attempts at dining etiquette and just attack it with my bare hands and teeth. After he had finally stripped off all the flesh, I suggested that he could bring the bones home to boil soup if he so desired.

It was fun catching up with them, just chatting about our plans for the holidays, revelling in some of the memories we shared of Arts Camp, and the rest extended their congratulations to me for my impending graduation. We had some entertainment while we dined too, from the live band, which was ok, plus a great deal of noise was coming from upstairs. A raucous and boisterous bunch of kids were having a celebration of some sorts, and we learnt that these were members of the NJC concert band, having a celebratory dinner after their SYF performance; it appears they won a Gold for their performance. Ah I see... oh well, let's hope SAJC manages to do better than that tomorrow.

Our meal was disturbed from time to time by the NJC students doing some sort of silly cheer from upstairs, and after a while, it seemed as if they knew only one cheer. Considering that this was after all a gathering of friends from Arts Camp, we kept joking that we ought to go upstairs to teach them some other cheers. But then again, some of those cheers we did for Arts Camp were a little... obscene.

Since we were seated at one corner of the restaurant, right in front of one of the side exits, we had this joke while Jerry was in the toilet that we'd quickly make a getaway through that door, leaving him to foot the bill. Unfortunately, Jerry returned before we could put our plan into action, and he had his own methods, which involved threatening to stab Eu Ming in the foot with a knife (he was wearing slippers) and then fleeing. Hahaha...

We spent some time after that chilling out at the Plaza Singapura Starbucks for free, considering that we only went in to sit for a while and decide where to go next. We then ended up at Peace Centre, where we played a few games of pool. Jerry as usual provided much fun and entertainment with his jokes and constant ribbing.

After this outing, I feel so compelled to go for Arts Camp one final time, to end my NUS experience with a bang. That is, provided many of my friends from Rotana and the other OGs from R House return, and we're reunited as an OG in the same house as Chong Han. It is a little odd to realise that for once, I won't be doing Arts Camp, that my time of active participation in FOP is over, and it is time to pass the torch to the younger generations.

Funny how taking part in Arts Camp last year had the strange effect of reminding me of my age, yet at the same time also making me feel young and carefree once again. Should I return one last time? Not to mention that it'd be so much fun to teach Mambo Jambo once more. It'd be such an experience, and yet, at the same time, perhaps it is best to leave with the memories I already have; every Arts Camp has been unique and unforgettable in its way, and maybe it is best to leave it at that, to revel in my memories of last year's Arts Camp, to wish this year's committee all the best, but I'll be on my way.

Oh well, we shall see.

Listening to: Mr Vain by Culture Beat

Good to be back

2007-05-10T21:48:00.000+08:00

I had a really great time at Mambo Jambo. This was the first time I was going with my classmates, and it's great I have finally discovered someone as crazy as me about Mambo Jambo.

I first met up with Timothy, and bumped into Carrie, Brad and Anders while queuing up; it was great to see familiar friends from NUS, considering that I had missed the previous week's Mambo Jambo. Tim and I managed to get into the members' area, as he had friends in there. We waited there until Paul arrived a while later with his girlfriend. I was greatly surprised when I found out that Paul's girlfriend was Joanne from my PA Camp OG, back when we were still freshmen. I suppose Singapore really is that small.

Gladys joined us soon after, and while she and Timothy went off towards Phuture to get drinks, I headed down towards the dancefloor, and found my usual corner. Ah yes... it's been too long since I've been here.

It was great to be back once again, dancing away on the podium, as familiar hit after familiar hit played on. The real partying started as usual with Tarzan Boy, and as the hours passed, I got into the groove of things, reacquainting myself with the dance moves, feeling that rush of joy when a favourite song was played, and relief whenever I discovered that the moves to some of the songs had not changed in the months I had abstained from Mambo Jambo.

I managed to spot Carrie, Anders and Brad in the crowd, who were joined by Tyler and Bianca. They saw me and waved; although I tend to dance alone, it's always great to see a familiar face in the crowd. Paul messaged me sometime early on during the night, asking where I was. It did not take him and Joanne long to find me, given my prominent location. And so we danced on.

Unfortunately, I did not get to dance to Go West and Blame It On The Boogie, songs that I once thought no Mambo Jambo was complete without. On the other hand, it was great to finally hear some songs that I had not heard at Mambo Jambo for quite some time. Songs like I Want You Back, I Beg Your Pardon and Too Many Broken Hearts were finally played, when the last time I had danced to them at Mambo Jambo was nearly a year ago last July. While I was dancing to I Want You Back, one line popped into my head: "The room is full of memories". It got me thinking for a while, just how the main dancefloor of Zouk has figured in the memories and experiences of so many people. More than 6 years since I first stepped into Zouk and participated in the ritual that is Mambo Jambo, I find myself compelled to return again and again. And extrapolating further, having just finally finished my final semester, that particular line from the song did seem very applicable to the Honours Room.

My skills at Mambo Jambo are still far from great though; where it comes to songs like I Want You, Can't Get You Out Of My Head, or True Faith, I still haven't really quite figured out the steps and still have a little trouble following the others. But at least I have finally managed to get the moves to the intros of Don't Call Me Baby, and Lady (Hear Me Tonight). The sequence of moves has been quite a challenge for me, considering that it is quite complicated, but finally, I think I have sort of gotten it right.

While Paul, Joanne and I were dancing away (at one point in time I managed to convince them to join me on the podium), I got a message from Timothy, who was apparently trapped in Phuture and trying to fight his way out of the crowd. Number one reason why I don't step into Phuture; I already don't quite like squeezing through the crowds at Zouk, and Phuture is just really sheer madness in comparison.

At one point in time, a couple of girls suddenly forced their way onto the podium between Paul and I, and proceeded to take up nearly half the space. I nearly lost my balance once or twice, and their crazy gyrations pissed me off, not to mention that they weren't even bothering to try and follow the actions. Thankfully, they did eventually get off the podium, where they sat below us (I had to be careful and make sure that I did not kick or step on them). I guess they were just drunk. One of them ended up puking on the dancefloor below us; I have never seen the crowd in this corner disperse in such a short time before. Thank goodness there wasn't really much of a mess, though I pity the poor sods who unwittingly found themselves stepping in a puddle of regurgitated booze. The drunk girl then spent the rest of the time just sitting there while her companions tried to comfort her.

Sigh... personally, I don't get why so many people just can't watch how much they drink. I drink only to get high, partly because I'm cheap, partly because I care for dancing more than drinking, but also because I have seen all too many times just what happens when people lose control of themselves and get themselves drunk. And I always watch my limit; if I get a little high, it's always a sign that some dancing is in order to shake off the effects.

Timothy apparently managed to fight his way out of the Phuture crowd, because he came looking for us (guess he finally noticed our obvious location, standing on one of the podiums). Apparently Gladys was drunk, and had spent some time in the toilet vomiting. He returned to Phuture a while later to check on her, and the 3 of us just carried on. If we were needed, they knew where to look for us.

Paul, Joanne and I continued to dance even as the night dragged on, waiting, holding out for the songs we loved. One thing I've noticed is that Mambo Jambo seems to be ending later and later. It used to end exactly at 3, then there were times when it dragged on to 3.30, even nearly 4. It was almost 4 in the morning, and it seemed as if none of the hardcore Mambo Jambo folks were ready to go home yet without dancing to Love In The First Degree and Summer Rain.

And then, everyone cheered in elation as Love In The First Degree started up, followed shortly after by Summer Rain. Finally, the highlights of the night had passed. Paul and Joanne decided to call it a night soon after, while I chose to stay on. Not as if I'd never danced alone at Mambo Jambo before. Just after they left, Together In Electric Dreams began. Truly the song of the night, considering that it was played twice, and quite apt for this point in time, for me and my graduating classmates.

I did not expect the partying to finally end at 4.30, as the night ended off with In The End. Wow, I guess there really are a lot of songs to squeeze into the playlist. I got out, and checked around to see if any of the others were still around. Timothy had messaged me saying that Gladys was still puking outside, but when I went to check, it seemed that everyone was on their way home. Hope Gladys is alright.

Met up briefly with Carrie and the rest, who had just finished supper at the roti prata stall across the street. I managed to chat with them for a while before I went on my way; since my dad was too tired to fetch me home, I decided to just wait till morning and board the first train.

And so I walked to Tiong Bahru, and waited. It wasn't a very long wait, since I had started walking at close to 5 a.m. and the first train was shortly before 6. So I had a lot of time to think while walking, and to stone outside Tiong Bahru Plaza.

Well that was a pretty unforgettable Mambo Jambo session. Considering that I no longer have to worry about waking up on Thursday mornings to head to school, I guess this means that once I have a stable source of income, I can start going regularly... Besides, now that I now know how fun it is to go for Mambo Jambo with Paul, I have a new kaki to drag along.

Listening to: Together In Electric Dreams by Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder

That was fabulous.

2007-05-10T06:47:00.000+08:00

Just had a really fun night at Mambo Jambo. It's been such a long time since I've gone to Zouk, and it was a really great time.

I think Zouk has a habit of ending later and later; Mambo Jambo used to end at 3. Then it began to drag on till 4, and this time around, the music lasted all the way until nearly 4.30. Not that I was complaining, but wow... I guess either the playlist is getting longer and longer (and they didn't play some of the standard Mambo Jambo songs), or they should start playing the good music earlier instead of waiting till nearly midnight.

Waited until I could take the first train, which explains why I'm posting at this weird hour.

Sleep.

Listening to: True Faith by New Order

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Together Forever

2007-05-09T23:49:00.000+08:00

If there's anything you need
All you have to do is say
You know you satisfy everything in me
We shouldn't waste a single day

So don't stop me falling
It's destiny calling
A power I just can't deny
It's never changing
Can't you hear me I'm saying
I want you for the rest of my life

Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know
I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you

If they ever get you down
There's always something I can do
Because I wouldn't ever wanna see you frown
I'll always do what's best for you

There ain't no mistakin'
It's true love we're making
Something to last for all time
It's never changing
Can't you hear me I'm saying
I want you for the rest of my life

Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know
I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you

So don't stop me falling
It's destiny calling
A power I just can't deny
It's never changing
Can't you hear me I'm saying
I want you for the rest of my life

Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know
I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you

Together forever and never to part
Together forever we two
And don't you know
I would move heaven and earth
To be together forever with you...

- Together Forever by Rick Astley

Finally!

2007-05-09T21:40:00.000+08:00

There was supposed to be a class outing to Sentosa today, but alas, it got cancelled when too many people pulled out. Damn. So much for hoping to get a nice tan in time for tonight's Mambo Jambo session.

Yep, you heard me right. Finally, after more than 4 months, I am returning to Zouk, and partake in the timeless ritual that is Mambo Jambo.

I've waited so long for this moment, this true symbol of freedom. Too bad I didn't have the chance to go last week and celebrate with practically the rest of NUS, but it doesn't really matter that much; besides, I'm going with a few of my Honours classmates, and I know Paul is another avid Mambo Jambo fanatic too.

Well, off I go.

Listening to: Together In Electric Dreams by Paul Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

Dinner @ Bakerzin Paragon

2007-05-08T11:20:00.000+08:00

Just had a pretty satisfying dinner at Bakerzin Paragon, where Paul, Gabriel, November and I treated our supervisor, A/P Victor Savage to dinner; after all, we owed it to him, especially since he did have a very heavy workload this semester, yet still found the time to supervise my ISM and the others' Honours theses.

It was a rather informal occasion, and we chatted about quite a lot of things, from school life to the best places to dine, to our plans for the future, and so much more. Dr. Savage is a real food connoiseur, and on top of that he's well-travelled and has seen much, and he regaled us with his tales of his experiences in other countries, and of his younger, more havoc undergraduate days in NUS (which was a LONG time ago).

I must say, the food at Bakerzin is simply exquisite. It's not the sort that leaves you feeling stuffed, but if you're the kind of person who can appreciate the sheer pleasure of eating the perfect soufflé, then this is a place you have to visit.

We ordered an assortment of dishes, from seafood pasta to mushroom bruschetta, and spicy bloody mary soup. We spent more time talking than eating, but it was to our advantage; it gave us time to digest our food, so that when we helped ourselves to the soufflés and panna cotta that we ordered later, we were not feeling so stuffed and could savour the joys of a perfectly light and fluffy soufflé. Taking a bite out of the soufflé was almost sheer heaven; some soufflés in other joints are too lumpy, or too sweet, or too heavy; the ones we had were simply marvellous. Imagine the light layer of foam on top, evenly textured and silky smooth, simply dissolving the moment it touches your tongue, and then seeping into your taste buds and down your throat. Ah...... Nearly orgasmic, I tell you. A pity we were sharing; I'm sure everyone would have loved to enjoy an entire soufflé alone.

I highly recommend the grand marnier soufflé and bailey's irish cream soufflé, and as for the dessert tapas, the raspberry panna cotta and caramel panna cotta are not to be missed.

All in all, it was a great meal, and the price was reasonable; $120 or so is quite acceptable considering how much we ate. Besides, we poor unemployed fresh graduates were giving our supervisor a treat. It's not like we were following what some of my other classmates did; they treated their supervisor to a buffet dinner at the Ritz Carlton.

That's it, I'm definitely coming back to this place in future when I have more cash. Photos coming up if and when Gabriel or Dr. Savage sends them; I'm surprised that November didn't bring her camera, but she just came back from Germany yesterday and it's still in her luggage.

And now Dr. Savage has made me curious to seek out places that make île flottante or oeufs à la neige; he certainly made it seem like an absolutely fantastic dish to sample, though it appears no one in Singapore makes it.

Listening to: To The Stars by Astrada

Well this sucks.

2007-05-07T20:26:00.000+08:00

It seems that my caffeine withdrawal blues are far from over.

I thought my headache had finally cleared, after nibbling on some leftover Meiji chocolate, and after taking two tablets of Pacofen. The whole of yesterday was uneventful and completely headache-free. I was hoping that I had finally shaken off the withdrawal symptoms, and I could go on to have an enjoyable vacation, with reduced caffeine intake.

But alas, today was horrible. All seemed fine at first. But then sometime later in the afternoon, the headache returned with full force.

I tried to take a nap and sleep it off, but the moment I woke up, it was back, so bad that I couldn't even stand up without feeling that painful throbbing in my temples. I was originally supposed to head to campus to attend the VCF Annual General Meeting, but in the end my headache was too bad to entertain the idea of dragging myself all the way to school and back.

In the end, I succumbed. I went to get my hair cut and buy dinner, and at the same time, dropped by the supermarket to get a small bottle of Coca Cola. A few sips, and the headache magically disappeared.

And I think I've figured out why for the whole of yesterday and the day before, my neck was twitching like mad. I guess caffeine does have neurological effects.

It's sad, that even when I no longer have a need for it, I find myself having to turn to Coca Cola for relief.

Well, so much for trying to go cold turkey. I suppose imbibing small amounts of caffeine in moderation should do the trick while at the same time preventing me from becoming too dependent on caffeine. Maybe I should stock up on some of my favourite drinks; lemon tea does contain some caffeine, as does green tea. At least I'm not going to go get one whole carton of Coca Cola or Red Bull to stave off the withdrawal symptoms.

Last week, Lai Peng was saying how I always seem perpetually caffeinated. How true, especially considering how I have cultivated the habit of bringing a can or bottle of Coca Cola with me to the examination hall.

I am such a drug junkie now.

Listening to: La La Land by Green Velvet

Musical Mondays: Now We Are Free

2007-05-07T12:00:00.000+08:00

- Now We Are Free by Gladiator feat. Izzy

Sexy Sundays

2007-05-06T07:37:00.000+08:00

Takako Kitahara

Time for another interesting yet useless factoid...

2007-05-06T02:03:00.000+08:00

Three minutes and four seconds after 2 a.m. on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07.

(Hat tip to Grrlscientist)

Caffeine withdrawal sucks.

2007-05-05T14:47:00.000+08:00

Now that my exams have ended, I have sensibly tried to cut down on my caffeine intake. Which means that since Thursday afternoon, I have avoided drinking Coca Cola altogether.

The consequences though, have been somewhat painful.

I've always had to contend with caffeine withdrawal after the exams, although somehow, it seems particularly unbearable this time around. Maybe it's because I started drinking Coca Cola regularly quite early this semester, and so my body has built up a dependency over the past 4 months or so.

In any case, the effects became really obvious late yesterday night, around 11 p.m. I'd been feeling quite lethargic all day, although that could just be me being lazy. However, when the headache struck, I knew for sure that it was caffeine withdrawal. I tried to ignore the pain, but to no avail. I wasn't keen on taking Panadol, and although I knew a definite cure for the headache, I refused to turn to Coca Cola one last time to relieve me of the symptoms.

I went to bed, and woke up not long ago, only to feel the headache return the moment I regained full consciousness. Oh fuck. And it's not just one of those sissy little tension headaches; it's one of those full-blown throbbing migraines that feel 10 times worse the moment you stand up.

Let's see, here's a list of possible symptoms of caffeine withdrawal... headache (YES), fatigue (YES), drowsiness (YES), irritability (YES), diminished motivation to initiate or complete daily tasks (YES), inability to concentrate (YES)... And now I've found out the physiological processes that explain why I'm getting this freaking bad headache. Turns out that caffeine inhibits the effects of the neurotransmitter adenosine, and regular caffeine consumption stimulates an increase in the number of adenosine receptors. Hence the body's sensitivity to adenosine is greatly increased, with two effects. Firstly, the effects of caffeine are reduced, leading to tolerance. Secondly, increased sensitivity to adenosine, combined with a reduction in caffeine consumption, increases the physiological effects of adenosine, i.e. you get seriously bad withdrawal symptoms.

One of the functions of adenosine is to regulate blood pressure through vasodilation, and so increased effects of adenosine due to caffeine withdrawal causes blood vessels in the head to dilate, leading to an excess of blood in the head, and tada! There you have it, a headache so bad that if clobbering myself in the head with a baseball bat was a proven remedy, I'd do it.

This is seriously getting quite unbearable. I know the best cure would be a large dose of caffeine, but I seriously want to try and go cold turkey. Now I know how horrible drug addicts must feel. Which makes it extremely unlikely that I'll ever turn to other forms of substance abuse; damn, if I already can't stand caffeine withdrawal, I don't want to know how badly I'll suffer under heroin or cocaine withdrawal.

Aargh I give up. I'll go nibble on some chocolate. Hopefully I won't have to turn to drinking Coca Cola.

Listening to: Hole In The Head by Sugababes

The day of freedom. Or in other words, ORD loh!!!

2007-05-04T18:32:00.000+08:00

The moment we had all been waiting for: 3rd May 2007, 11 a.m.

The moment Victor Savage said the magical words, releasing us from our final exam paper, I knew that another milestone had been passed in my short yet somewhat eventful life. No fireworks were released, no confetti, no popping of champagne corks and teary-eyed hugging, and yet, all of us knew the significance of that moment.

One of the first things some of us did after our paper, was to return to the Honours Room, and spend a few minutes reflecting and reminiscing on all that had gone on within those 4 walls for the past 9 months. A place where new friendships were forged, filled with moments of stress and tension, intense boredom, and occasional agony, interspersed and tempered with memorable moments of fun, laughter and entertainment.

Some of us then headed down to the Co-op to try on the Academic Dress. It was a surreal moment, and provided a sneak preview of how we would all look come July.

At noon, we then had a nice buffet lunch hosted by the staff of the Geography Department, a nice tradition that has been in place for a number of years. It has been standard practice for the Honours class to organise a meal for the faculty, and then for the faculty to reciprocate the gesture. It was a time for light-hearted chit-chat, knowing that our struggles had finally ended, and a time for rampant photowhoring. It was a pity that quite a few lecturers and classmates were absent; some were either overseas (like November), while Joyce, sad to say, had one last paper that evening and absented herself from lunch.

A number of us then made our way to Pasir Ris, as we had booked a chalet at Downtown East. Sensibly, I chose to go home first and enjoyed a refreshing 2-hour nap.

A mix-up with the name of our accommodation led to a great deal of confusion. You see, most of us who live in the East associate Costa Sands chalets with the one further inside, next to Aloha Loyang Resort. Most of us, even Ziping, who lives in Pasir Ris, had no idea that Downtown East chalets were also operated by Costa Sands. Which meant that a lot of us ended up travelling further than necessary. I did; I hopped onto the Aloha Loyang shuttle bus outside Pasir Ris MRT Station, got off at Aloha Loyang, walked into Costa Sands Pasir Ris, called Guohong, only to find out that we were supposed to be at Downtown East. WTH.

The night was pretty fun, especially after I'd taught the drinking game I'd learned at a previous Arts Club chalet. I seriously do not know who invented that game, but it sure provided plenty of fun and laughter for Philip, Guohong, Ziping, Ronglong, and I, as well as Limin and Siying, who were our umpires. Bah. They abstained from playing, citing small bladders, yet took great pride in seeing our suffering as we downed cup after cup of water. Wahahahaha... thank goodness we were playing with plain water and not alcohol, otherwise I think most of us would have ended up extremely drunk.

It was quite late when we finally finished, and after a few rounds of Dai Di (bah, thanks to the weak-bladdered wusses who chickened out after one round of the drinking game), some of us were too exhausted to play any longer. While Gwen was happily watched Ellen on Channel 5, and some of the others played mahjong, most of the guys just dozed off on the beds. It was quite amusing to come up with all the gay innuendos, true to this little running joke I have that I have gay tendencies. But eventually, everyone settled down for a few hours of rest, sometime past 4 in the morning.

We were woken up after 7 or so, thanks to Siying, who had been effectively crowded out of her sleeping space by Sabrina. And apparently, she spent the better part of an hour sitting there and watching the rest of us sleep, and she had lots to comment about all that had happened for the past hour. Her incessant chattering was a ploy to make us all wake up so that we could all go for breakfast at McDonald's, and she succeeded. After much grumbling, all of us finally hauled our tired bodies out of bed, and checked out of the chalet.

While at McDonald's, I suddenly realised that finally, four years of studying had culminated in this moment, a simple yet significant scene of a group of friends enjoying breakfast at McDonald's. For once, we no longer had to worry about studies, about projects to rush for or examinations. Instead, these were now going to be replaced by new concerns about finding stable sources of income and employment. But for now, we would bask in this moment of friendship, and enjoy our newfound liberation from the chains of academic pursuits.

And so, four years have come to an end. The journey has been long, painful and agonising at times, yet it has also brought great pleasure, satisfaction and enjoyment. Though friends and companions have come and gone, it has been a wonderful experience to have shared the past year with my fellow Geography Honours class. Knowing that I was not alone in my misery helped ease the pain and agony, and the hours we spent chit-chatting made the experience that much more bearable. And though it was a little painful for me at first, coming to school and suddenly not seeing so many of my friends who had chosen to graduate last July, it was thanks to the presence of these classmates that I eventually managed to adapt, and to find a new place to call home in my final year.

The Honours Room is a place full of memories. I'll always remember the times we've shared. The jokes, the chit-chats where we got to know each other that much better, the field trips, the gossips and bitching about lecturers, and the meals that we shared. Final year would never have been so fun and so much more tolerable if I didn't have all of you with me.

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

- I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan

To Philip, Guohong, Zhan Tao, Ronglong, Chee Tiong, Ziping, James, Kevin, Guoyong, Gabriel, Jiajie, Paul, Lionel, Fadzly, Danial, Ravin, Zhiliang, Timothy, Weiqiang, Xian Han, Xavier, November, Siying, Sabrina, Ee Zi, Lai Peng, Shanley, Limin, Aidilah, Chi Man, Joyce, Cheryl, Siling, Gwen, Gladys, Kailing (Neo), Kailing (Yee), Yan Mei, Michelle, Suriani, Aliah, Dewi, Jamilah, Yanling, Isabel, Juliana, and Wei Yi, thanks for all the memories, and I hope that we'll all have a bright future ahead.

Listening to: I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan

Liberation.

2007-05-03T11:17:00.000+08:00

FREEDOM!!!!!!

It's beyond description, this sort of feeling, knowing that finally, with the end of this paper, I have officially finished 4 years of study in NUS.

Listening to: Now We Are Free by Gladiator feat. Izzy

Not going Mambo Jambo. =(

2007-05-02T23:41:00.000+08:00

Tonight is a very special night for many NUS students. This being the final week of the exams, Zouk will be packed to the brim with NUS undergrads, all out to celebrate the end of the examinations with a bang (Well, except for the handful of poor sods who still have papers on Thursday and Friday). This is traditionally an occasion when it is not uncommon to end up bumping into tons of friends, a time for friends and acquaintances in NUS to get together and celebrate en masse, a night to see and be seen.

Alas, I will not be there at Zouk tonight.

I still have one final paper tomorrow morning, GE4219 Eco-Development in Southeast Asia. Considering that this is a module I have performed reasonably well in, and considering that it covers a topic I am rather well-read and familiar with, it really has been tempting to go celebrate tonight anyway, go home and sleep for a few hours, then head out for my exam. The original plan was to finish studying by today evening, then go home, freshen up, head out to Zouk, enter before the queue got too long, and then spend the rest of the night having a blast. After all, it has been 4 months since I last had a proper Mambo Jambo session.

Sounds suicidal, yes. But it is Eco-Development in Southeast Asia. If it was something else, like say, Development of Geographic Thought, or Remaking the Global Economy, then I definitely would have just tried to bear with it, grit my teeth and slog on, just like I did last semester.

NNB, they really don't want me to celebrate the end of my exams in 4th year, do they? Both semesters must schedule Thursday morning papers for the modules I'm more or less forced to take.

And I have to be an obedient son and a diligent student. If only my exams had ended earlier, then my mum wouldn't have been so resistant to even the slightest suggestion that I might be going to Zouk the night before my final paper.

I could still go next week. But it just isn't the same, dammit. I mean, it's not every week that you find yourself bumping into friends and acquaintances from NUS every half an hour or so while queuing up outside Zouk or while you're on the dancefloor. And for someone who's considered the Mambo King among his peers, it just seems so... wrong that I'm not there at Zouk, celebrating with everyone else tonight.

And so... while everyone is singing and dancing away to Together Forever or Love In The First Degree, I'll be in my room, going through my notes one last time, trying my best to resist the urge to plug in my mp3 player and go through my playlist of Mambo Jambo songs.

I'll be there next week. I HAVE to be there next week. If I don't go I think I might just-

*breaks down and weeps*

Listening to: Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Go West

2007-05-02T21:24:00.000+08:00

Come on...

Together We will go our way
Together We will leave someday
Together Your hand in my hands
Together We will make our plans

Together We will fly so high
Together Tell all our friends goodbye
Together We will start life new
Together This is what we'll do

Go West Life is peaceful there
Go West In the open air
Go West Where the skies are blue
Go West This is what we're gonna do

Together We will love the beach
Together We will learn and teach
Together Change our pace of life
Together We will work and strive

I love you I know you love me
I want you How could I disagree?
So that's why I make no protest
When you say You will do the rest

Go West Life is peaceful there
Go West In the open air
Go West Baby you and me
Go West This is our destiny

Go West Sun in wintertime
Go West We will do just fine
Go West Where the skies are blue
Go West This is what we're gonna do

There where the air is free
We'll be (We'll be) what we want to be
Now if we make a stand
We'll find (We'll find) our promised land

I know that There are many ways
To live there In the sun or shade
Together We will find a place
To settle Where there's so much space

Without rush And the pace back east
The hustling Rustling just to feed
I know I'm Ready to leave too
So that's what We are gonna do

What we're gonna do is
Go West Life is peaceful there
Go West There in the open air
Go West Where the skies are blue
Go West This is what we're gonna do

Life is peaceful there
Go West In the open air
Go West Baby, you and me
Go West This is our destiny

Go West Sun in wintertime
Go West We will feel just fine
Go West Where the skies are blue
Go West This is what we're gonna do

Go West

- Go West by Pet Shop Boys

Newspapers and my dog. Or, my dog's toilet habits.

2007-04-30T15:46:00.000+08:00

There are moments when I actually wish that we had squat toilets at home. I just had one of those moments.

You see, both toilets in my house are of the ordinary sitting type. While I am a staunch supporter of such a mode of evacuating my bowels, the lack of a squatting toilet means that there is no way I can ever train Bailey to use the toilet.

Which means that although Bailey is generally very well-behaved, she does have some pretty undesirable toilet habits.

She's paper-trained, like most dogs living in HDB flats are, and a corner of the kitchen is set aside for her. She is smart enough to go there every time (barring the rare accident), but it does have its flaws.

Picture of my kitchen.

Newspaper is hardly the most absorbent of materials out there, and given that Bailey has a habit of drinking a lot of water, and then peeing copious amounts of it at one go, it means that more often than not, the urine just ends up flowing beyond the newspaper and onto the floor. More often than once, I have seen suspicious-looking puddles near the newspaper, and wondered whether the washing machine is leaking once again, my mum has only just mopped the floor, or whether the laws of physics have meant that Bailey's urine has flowed out onto the floor yet again.

But that's not the worst. It's the shit that bothers me.

Given that my room is the closest to the kitchen, I am usually the first to know when she has just pooped. Most of the time, she comes running into the kitchen, past my room, I then hear her step onto the newspaper, and after a long pause while I hear the shuffling of her paws, she soon comes running out of the kitchen. When I pop my head out of my room to check, there will usually be a few unmistakeable brown lumps strewn about. Apart from that, there are also occasions when the smell wafts into my room. Yuck.

Well, that in itself isn't so bad, considering my pretty high tolerance for all things disgusting and stomach-turning. It's the fact that Bailey has this horrendous habit of shuffling about all over the place while she's shitting. In other words, she'll head for the newspaper alright, but while she's straining and pushing, she'll walk everywhere in the kitchen, and sometimes even wander out into the living room. Which means that there will be lumps on the newspaper, and on the kitchen floor, sometimes all the way up to the refrigerator, right outside my room. And there have been times when there's shit everywhere else on the kitchen floor except on the newspaper. Number one reason as to why when I step out of my room at night, I immediately switch on the kitchen lights. I have had a number of... pretty unpleasant experiences.

Sometimes, especially if she went while everyone else was out of the house, or when everyone was asleep, and it's been sitting there for a few hours, it's hard and quite odourless, which isn't too bad. It's all a matter of holding your breath while you pick up the pieces with toilet paper, and then dropping them into the toilet. What really gets to me is dealing with it when it's fresh. And warm.

Sometimes it seems hard and solid, but try and grab it and it disintegrates into a soft sticky mush, leaving dirty smears on the kitchen floor. Even after trying to pick up as much of it as you can, there's still a disgusting brownish streak on the floor, and the first few attempts to wipe it up only succeeds in spreading it all over the place.

Other times, it's an almost liquid slurry, looking for all the world like a dollop of Nutella or Hershey's chocolate sauce, or sometimes it even takes on the colour and consistency of thick mutton curry.

What I haven't been able to get used to, even after nearly 6 years of living with Bailey, is the fact that when it's barely spent more than a few minutes outside of her, it's still warm. And sometimes, I can actually see what Bailey's been eating, from her dog kibble to even undigested orange pulp, having passed through her digestive tract intact.

Then there are times when Bailey ends up stepping in her own shit, leaving dirty-looking prints all over the floor. If it was hard to begin with, it just gets smushed into little bits like a crumbling cookie. If it was soft, you get smears of dog shit stuck to the floor, and sometimes, even to her paws. And when it's dried out and solidified into a thin crust on the floor, it becomes impossible to remove just by wiping it up with toilet paper. Only with damp tissues or (ugh) scraping with a fingernail can such deposits be removed.

You folks ought to be grateful that I don't have a daily series of pictures of Bailey's shit. That was one thing I was contemplating for April Fool's Day.

Bailey also has this habit of going to the newspaper to shit, at exactly the same moment when we're sitting down to eat. And while we all play our part in cleaning up after her, instead of pretending to ignore the dog shit lying there, I believe everyone in the family, if given a chance, would only be too happy to let someone else do the dirty work. My sister sometimes comes into my room, asking me to clean up after Bailey, because she's about to eat and doesn't want to spoil her appetite. Other times, my mum will be eating, and then she'll holler for me. And my dad's the best. More often than not, he'll just point out that Bailey has just taken a dump, and then carry on doing his stuff while grumbling about the smell. -_- Well, at least it's an improvement from back when he used to deal with Bailey's shit by just covering it up with newspaper. Worked a whole lot of wonders for the smell the kitchen had then, especially since Bailey wasn't that well-disciplined with her toilet habits when she was still a young puppy.

I have gained a great respect for the fact that we humans possess opposable thumbs, if only so that we can clean up after ourselves once we've finished clearing our bowels (well, in theory at least). Dogs, like most other quadrupeds, do not have such a luxury, and they don't really give two hoots about personal hygiene and cleanliness in any case. There have been occasions when Bailey has jumped onto my bed and left disturbing-looking stains on the bedsheet where she sat down. And once in a while, we do have to sit down with a bunch of wet tissues and make sure that you don't get... stuff accumulating around her anus.

Picking up after her is another thing. There's a standard procedure for me; if possible, I just pick up all the pieces with toilet paper and then flush them down the loo. If the newspaper is already urine-soaked, or if the pieces are all soft and mushy, then I just clear and change the newspapers. And of course, most times, cleaning up dog shit also necessitates mopping the kitchen floor, to remove the last traces of dog shit from the floor.

There's a technique to picking up the pieces; what I tend to do is to grab a wad of toilet paper, and then pick up the pieces one by one as if I were picking up pebbles. If there are any stains on the floor, I wipe them up with another corner of the same piece of toilet paper. And sometimes, there are too many pieces, or the lumps are too large. I try to grab as many as possible, but there have been mishaps, such as when a lump breaks apart into small pieces which then tumble out of my hand, landing on the floor with a soft thud. Or when it turns out that the piece of toilet paper proves to be too small, and my finger accidentally grazes one of the lumps while I'm trying to pick it up.

Oh, don't get me started on the fact that Bailey used to have a horrendous habit of eating her own shit. Or those times when she vomits.

But all in all, I take this in stride. After all, this is all part and parcel of being a responsible dog owner. At least Bailey has the good sense to stay away while I'm cleaning up her toilet area.

I believe it is possible to train a dog to use a toilet, but alas, both toilets in my house are of the sitting type, and Bailey definitely isn't as agile as a cat (even if she could jump up onto the seat, she'd probably fall inside). And I certainly do not support the idea of training your dog to hold it in until you bring it downstairs for a walk. And so, until I ever get a house with a garden or front yard, I'll have to just keep holding my breath and training my tolerance for handling dog droppings and urine-soaked newspapers. If there is any consolation, there is the fact that Bailey has definitely peed and shit on the faces of certain public figures I do not like. But then again, she is indiscriminate in that sense.

Ok, I have talked enough about dog shit. Here's some pictures of Bailey herself. Isn't she lovely?

P.S. I think you should be seriously grateful that I didn't put pictures of Bailey's shit to decorate this blog post.

Musical Mondays: In My Dreams

2007-04-30T12:00:00.000+08:00

In my dreams
In my fantasy
I can see
All the things that will be
Rescue me
From my fantasy
In my dreams, in my dreams, in my dreams

In my dreams
In my fantasy
I can see
All the things that will be
Rescue me
From my fantasy
In my dreams, in my dreams, in my dreams

Dreams come in my mind like a hurricane
Nine minutes from thirty in the boogyman
I wake up in the middle of the night
My body sweats, I twist from side to side
I can't stand, I can't stand the feeling
Praying to God and I hope that I'm dreaming
My hands are bleeding, heads are bleeding
Lookin' to my mom and she starts screaming
What's going on, I can't stand the feeling
Turn my heads and I see my face in the ceiling
Each and every night, different faces
I'm the man in my dream in different places
Yes I'm lost and scared of the illusion
My mind is full, full of confusion
My body hurts, I twist from side to side
I wake up in the middle of the night

In my dreams
In my fantasy
I can see
All the things that will be
Rescue me
From my fantasy
In my dreams, in my dreams, in my dreams
(Wake up in the middle of the night)

In my dreams
In my fantasy
I can see
All the things that will be
Rescue me
From my fantasy
In my dreams, in my dreams, in my dreams
(Wake up in the middle of the night)

Dreams
They went into my soul
They give you pleasure till you lose control
I can't sleep 'cause I got fear fear
I got fear of the things that I hear
Who's gonna be the one who helps me from myself
I need somebody, I need help
My body's flyin', body's flyin'
Just be a friend and I and I
Rescue me, rescue me, oh come on rescue me
I'm on a road, on a road to nowhere
I'm on a roll, alone, where's my teddy bear
I can see you tonight 'cause I got fear
Somebody's screamin' loud and clear
I get shot and twist from side to side
I wake up in the middle of the night

In my dreams
In my fantasy
I can see
All the things that will be
Rescue me
From my fantasy
In my dreams, in my dreams, in my dreams
(Wake up in the middle of the night)

In my dreams
In my fantasy
I can see
All the things that will be
Rescue me
From my fantasy
In my dreams, in my dreams, in my dreams
(Wake up in the middle of the night)

(Wake up in the middle of the night...)

- In My Dreams by Darkness

Sexy Sundays

2007-04-29T17:46:00.000+08:00

Azumi Harusaki

Bach to the Beat

2007-04-28T22:48:00.000+08:00

Just came back from a performance by the SAJC Concert Band, as a loyal supporter of a particular clarinet player.

Overall, it was a nice and pleasant experience, which was to be expected, considering the high standards that we've come to expect from SAJC. I did love their rendition of Classics, Classics, Classics! a medley of classical pieces that most of us would find very familiar, even if one did not know the titles of the individual pieces that were incorporated. I did hear too many squeaks from the woodwind and brass sections for my liking, although the band overall did a pretty good job.

But what spoiled the experience for me though, was the somewhat half-baked attempt at adding some variety to the performance by trying to have a storyline, acting, and singing for the latter half of the concert.

Turns out that when I watched last year's concert, I already blogged my thoughts on seeing unnecessary frills which detracted from the overall positive experience:

But the creativity of the students ran riot, it seems.

The music was great, but I didn't like the over the top visual frills. You know, it's really extremely distracting when you're trying to enjoy the music, and you have people prancing around all over the place, or blowing bubbles, or waving cloth. At best, it's unnecessary and doesn't do anything to improve the concert experience. At worst, it detracts from the experience itself, and what people remember is not how well the band played, but how irritating the extra stuff was. It's a band concert, not a friggin' Broadway musical. -_-

I attend a band concert to listen to good music, not for all these silly little stunts, which to me are a little annoying and excessive.

Sure, the SAJC Concert Band plays excellently, but having people walk around in kimonos while the band plays Impressions Of Japan is quite unnecessary. And in fact, IMHO, it only makes the whole concert seem a little... juvenile and unprofessional, more like as if this is some skit put up at assembly for the school to laugh and joke about. After all, this concert was open to members of the public, not all of whom appreciate such antics, especially coming from what is supposed to be one of the best school concert bands in Singapore.

THAT was written last May. It is a little disappointing to see that these are still very relevant for this year's performance.

Don't get me wrong; I'm alright with variety. But I came to listen to the SAJC Concert Band perform, not to see them try to act and sing, and thank goodness they didn't try to dance. And for someone who has had a number of years of stage experience, it really was quite cringeworthy to watch what was going on, both on and off-stage.

Sure, many people in the audience seemed to lap it all up. But these are most probably fellow students and friends of those performing. If I were an ordinary member of the public, would I have enjoyed it? Not bloody likely. Overall it smacks of something fit for assembly in the school hall, not for a school concert held for paying members of the public.

Maybe they wanted to appear creative, to spice up the performance by incorporating some acting, singing, props, and a dramatic element, rather than just playing music. But then, I want to ask: For what? Because frankly, the storyline and acting didn't gel at all with the music, and there were points when I felt that it was all very unnecessary and extraneous. Half the time, I was cringing away and shielding my eyes with one hand; it was already bad enough listening to the cheesy dialogue, I couldn't bear to compound my agony by watching. Even if you really had to do all that extra stuff, I just wish it had been a lot more professional. But then again, this is Bach to the Beat, a SAJC concert band performance, not Bach to the Beat: the Musical.

Maybe I'm being a little too harsh and critical. Let kids be kids, perhaps. But I shouldn't try and be condescending. I shouldn't be excusing them simply because these are teenagers. I should want to be blown away, impressed with the standard of their playing. I believe any CCA group would want to be thought of as being of professional standard, of playing and performing with a maturity that belies the age of its members. Instead, I am finding myself having to excuse their amateurish attempts, by rationalising that it is all just kids having fun with their schoolmates and friends. And by trying to entertain by diversifying their talents, rather than sticking to just playing music, it does somehow insinuate that this is an attempt to distract members of the audience from the standard of the music. But I know SAJC concert band plays well, so I don't see why they should have to resort to such measures.

My sister said that at least their performances were unique. But then again, being unique doesn't mean anything about being good.

Did I enjoy myself? I did, during some of the songs, and especially when there wasn't any unnecessary acting or drama going on, just the band doing what they did best, making beautiful music. But it was marred by substandard acting, completely unnecessary frills that did nothing to complement the music and instead only spoiled my ability to enjoy it, and a completely irrelevant storyline that frankly, is fit only for Channel 5 and secondary school plays.

Next time, please stick to just playing music. And I wish the SAJC concert band all the best for the SYF. I certainly hope they're going to focus on their music and not try and impress the judges with their multiple 'talents'.

Listening to: Copacabana by Barry Manilow

2 down.

2007-04-27T23:52:00.000+08:00

Slightly less than a week less to my next paper. I need the rest, especially considering how Remaking the Global Economy was what I call an "Annabelle Chong", for obvious reasons. Siying and Philip finish their exams today. Hurrah.

Strangely enough, when I was on the train today and using my laptop, I could detect a wireless network when the train pulled into Simei. Of course, I couldn't test whether I could actually use it, since I lost the signal the moment the train pulled out of the station. Would have been a nice experience, if I could actually surf the Net while on the train.

Had a nice filling late lunch at Clementi after the paper, and had some fried spring chicken. I ate so quickly I got quite bloated and suffered from heartburn. Philip and I went back to school to attend some talk by Nigel Thrift. I'm not really into cultural geography, and his topic really ventured very deep into that realm. I was expecting him to talk more about the worlds created by gamers as a new space for expression of emotion.

Philip and I were talking cock, and were thinking up silly questions to ask at the Q & A. Questions that would effectively blend both physical and human geography together, such as this:

"How do you think the GPN framework affects coastal erosion and climate, and what implications does this have on postmodernist schools of thought in catchment management, and how would this influence feminist perspectives in GIS?"

I know, it's complete nonsense. I bet that if we had actually asked something like that, we'd be immediately ejected from the lecture theatre, maybe banned from future seminars. And I was telling Philip that he might find that all traces of his existence would have been mysteriously erased from the records of NUS. So much for graduating. He would suddenly realise that he couldn't enter Honours Room, his NUS e-mail address would be erased, and he wouldn't even be able to log on to IVLE.

After that, I headed down to the Boat Quay area, and had a meal and a drink at the Boat Quay area with Philip and Sharon, one of the graduate students. We chatted about lots of things, from gossiping about lecturers to ranting about the state of local politics, and a whole lot of other topics. It was a nice pleasant way to unwind after the stress of the exam that we had in the afternoon, although I came to realise that I do not like the taste of Chivas. Oh well. So much for being cheap. Too bad the jazz place we went to didn't serve Cuba Libre.

6 days to study for Eco-Development in Southeast Asia. Should I go Mambo Jambo on Wednesday night anyway? Decisions decisions decisions...

But for now, I think I shall go and sleep.

Listening to: How I Wish by Ole van Dansk

This is not good.

2007-04-26T16:10:00.000+08:00

It's quite scary that a fellow dancer from Dance Ensemble actually commented that I've lost so much weight and have become so skinny since the last time she saw me. 0_-

Irregular eating habits, crazy sleeping hours, and stress have really wreaked havoc on me. Heh. I guess after Evocation, I stopped bothering about keeping in shape. And it's funny that I'm skinny rather than pudgy, considering all the Old Chang Kee currypuffs and McDonald's french fries I've been eating lately, or maybe they're cancelled out by the healthy lunches I have regularly, consisting of sandwiches from the Megabites cafe. In any case, I am so going to die when Saturday tech class for Dance Ensemble resumes in May.

That's it, after my exams end, I am so definitely going on a training regime. Is it too much to hope to get a body as toned and as well-defined as that of Gerard Butler? I mean, look at this:

My goodness. Look at those abs, those pectorals, those arms...

Speaking of 300, since I'm still on a high from watching the movie on Monday, here's a spoof of the trailer, World of Warcraft style:

Here, match it to the actual trailer for 300:

Back to studying. Totally no mood to prepare for tomorrow's Remaking The Global Economy exam, even though this is the module I'm most worried about.

Listening to: Just Like You Imagined by Nine Inch Nails

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Just Can't Get Enough

2007-04-25T22:49:00.000+08:00

When I'm with you baby, I go out of my head
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough
All the things you do to me and everything you said
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough

We slip and slide as we fall in love
And I just can't seem to get enough, ahhh

We walk together, we're walking down the street
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough
Every time I think of you I know we have to meet
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough

It's getting hotter, it's our burning love
And I just can't seem to get enough, ahhh

I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough...

And when it rains, you're shining down for me
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough
Just like a rainbow you know you set me free
And I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough

You're like an angel and you give me your love
And I just can't seem to get enough, ahhh

I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough
I just can't get enough...

- Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode

300

2007-04-23T23:30:00.000+08:00

So I finally went to catch 300, and probably just in the nick of time, considering that only Vivocity was still screening it.

What can I say about the movie? It was bloody awesome. Literally.

You know how when you were a little kid, and the world was still nicely polarised into good and evil, and how whenever you watched cartoons or read comics or story books, you were always rooting for the good guy to kick the bad guys' asses? Well, 300 was the perfect show for that little kid who remains in all of us. After watching it, I wanted to go to the gym, go make myself a spear, shield and helmet, and go stab some bad guys. And I'm a pacifist.

I'll leave the cultural and socio-political commentary and nitpicking to others, and just enjoy the show; frankly I am a little fed up of people trying to read between the lines and trying to imbue the movie with discourses and subtexts when all it's trying to do is transplant Frank Miller's graphic novel into moving pictures. The thing about these shows is that often, you're not supposed to think too much; you're meant to take it at face value, sit back, relax, and just watch the blood and gore and flying decapitated heads.

Suffice to say that if you're willing to just let your imagination take wing for 2 hours, to believe in abstract ideals such as freedom and glory and honour, and if you're not squeamish about some nudity and plenty of violence (oh how beautifully the blood splatters), then this is a vastly entertaining movie.

I can just visualise this as one of those shows that they'd show NSFs in camp, to make them feel patriotic and ever willing to lay down their lives for abstract norms and values. After all, dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.

In any case, it's been a while, but I guess that for once, I've finally found a battle scene that doesn't quite draw comparisons with Lord of the Rings. Let me put it this way: Peter Jackson and Weta really truly made it virtually impossible for any other film to top their battlefield scenes. You watch Troy, you end up thinking of how the Greeks rushing the Trojans reminds you of the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Ditto for Alexander or King Arthur. But 300, with its wonderful blend of live-action and CGI, stunning fight scenes and cinematography, brings a whole new dimension to the concept of two armies clashing. Sure, the war elephants and rhinos which make their cameo appearances (and which are quickly dispatched by the Spartans) do remind one of the oliphaunts of Middle Earth, and the grotesque monstrosities of the Persian army wouldn't look out of place marching out of Mordor or Isengard, but I believe that the battle scenes of 300 were distinctive and unique to stand out on their own, without having to appear like they were trying to top Peter Jackson.

And since we mentioned war rhinos, here's a couple of posts by Darren Naish about the feasibility of taming or domesticating rhinos for use in war. In a nutshell: Not very likely at all.

Due to the fact that nearly the entire movie consists of half-naked sweaty men running around and talking to each other, with their well-buffed bodies and waxed chests and showing off their swords and spears, it's hard not to understand why so many people say that 300 is such a gay movie. Not to mention that Xerxes in this show is a heavily-pierced loincloth-clad transsexual (Who does his eyebrows, anyway?). The moment when he places his hands on Leonidas' shoulders? I couldn't help but think, man that is so gay. At least the small handful of women in the show reminded me that even as I was checking out Leonidas' toned abs and pecs, I'm still straight. (OMG nekkid boobies! )

My favourite review of all comes from The Village Voice:

"Delicacies of dismemberment aside, 300 is notable for its outrageous sexual confusion. Here stands the Spartan king Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and his 299 buddies in nothing but leather man-panties and oiled torsos, clutching a variety of phalluses they seek to thrust in the bodies of their foes by trapping them in a small, rectum-like mountain passage called the "gates of hell(o!)" Yonder rises the Persian menace, led by the slinky, mascara'd Xerxes. When he's not flaring his nostrils at Leonidas and demanding he kneel down before his, uh, majesty, this flamboyantly pierced crypto-transsexual lounges on chinchilla throw pillows amidst a rump-shaking orgy of disfigured lesbians.

On first glance, the terms couldn't be clearer: macho white guys vs. effeminate Orientals. Yet aside from the fact that Spartans come across as pinched, pinheaded gym bunnies, it's their flesh the movie worships. Not since Beau Travail has a phalanx of meatheads received such insistent ogling. As for the threat to peace, freedom, and democracy, that filthy Persian orgy looks way more fun than sitting around watching Spartans mope while their angry children slap each other around. At once homophobic and homoerotic, 300 is finally, and hilariously, just hysterical."

The gay undertones have been adequately captured with some slick editing and the addition of a few pretty appropriate songs, as we shall see:

People who have played DotA-Allstars or Unreal Tournament will find this next video quite funny:

(Too bad they didn't add in "DOUBLE KILL!" "TRIPLE KILL!" "OWNAGE!")

And of course, no discussion of the numerous spoofs and parodies of 300 is complete without a mention of the PG cut:

"For tonight we dine in heck!"

Awesome movie.

Musical Mondays: The Sound Of Goodbye

2007-04-23T12:00:00.000+08:00

Every face I see is cold as ice
Everything I touch is pale
Ever since I lost imagination

Like a stream that flows into the sea
I am lost for all eternity
Ever since you took your love away from me

Sometimes...

Sometimes
The sound of goodbye
Is louder
Than any drumbeat
Sometimes
The sound of goodbye
Is louder
Than any drumbeat

Sometimes
The sound of goodbye
Is louder
Than any drumbeat
Sometimes
The sound of goodbye
Is louder
Than any drumbeat

- The Sound Of Goodbye by Perpetuous Dreamer

A Message for Earth Day

2007-04-22T16:43:00.000+08:00

Emphasis on certain parts which I feel everyone should take note of have been added by me.

Mother Earth is sick
Tommy Koh

APRIL 22 is celebrated by the peoples of the world as Earth Day. I hope that Singaporeans will take a few moments from their busy lives to think about the health of Mother Earth. Mother Earth is sick.

The Earth is the only planet with the conditions to sustain human life. The future of humanity depends upon the preservation of a healthy biosphere, with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters and clean air. As the Earth Charter notes, the protection of the Earth's vitality, diversity and beauty is our shared obligation.

We have failed to live up to our obligation. On the contrary, for the past 200 years, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the world, led by the West, has evolved patterns of production and consumption which have caused environmental devastation, the depletion of resources and massive extinction of species.

One of the biggest threats to the health of Mother Earth is caused by the increasing demand for and the use of the fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas, to generate electricity and to power vehicles, plants and equipment.

The burning of the fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide (CO₂), about half of which is absorbed by the atmosphere. This causes global warming which, in turn, leads to a change in the Earth's climate.

Scientific evidence warning us about the impact of the greenhouse gases on global warming first surfaced in the 1970s. Initially, the reaction was sceptical, with many arguing that the case had not been proven. As more evidence was adduced, the reaction was that the threat was remote and there was plenty of time to take remedial action. Recently, due to undeniable empirical evidence, the 2006 report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change and the Stern Report, a tipping point was reached.

There is now near universal consensus that we are faced with an emergency and the probable threat of an ecological disaster if we do not drastically reduce our emission of CO₂ and, wherever feasible, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Singapore, with a population of only 4.5 million people, is only a small part of humanity. However, all countries, big and small, developed and developing, rich and poor, can and should make an appropriate contribution to the common cause.

What can Singapore do? I commend the following 10 suggestions for your consideration.

First, Singapore should set a time-frame, for example, three years, to phase out incandescent light bulbs and to replace them with energy-saving bulbs. An incandescent light bulb uses most of the electricity to produce heat instead of light. I note that the Australian government has recently announced that it intended to ban incandescent light bulbs.

Second, technology has invented an even more energy-saving method to illuminate traffic lights and public places. The technology is called light-emitting diodes (LEDs). I hope our authorities will examine the feasibility of using LEDs.

Third, I hope that the Singapore Government will set an example by adopting a policy of purchasing hybrid, or other energy-efficient and low-polluting, vehicles when it is making new purchases of vehicles. I hope the Government's good example will influence the behaviour of Singaporeans and dampen the enthusiasm for Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and other gas-guzzlers. Driving such environmentally unfriendly vehicles seems to be a status symbol in Singapore. We should change the paradigm and make it fashionable to drive energy-efficient vehicles and unfashionable to drive gas-guzzlers.

Fourth, I suggest that the Singapore Government should consider persuading the Singapore Real Estate Developers Association, the Singapore Institute of Architects, the Singapore Institute of Planners, the Singapore Institute of Engineers and the Association of Consulting Engineers (Singapore) to agree to benchmark best international practice in the design and construction of our new buildings for the efficient use of energy, water and other resources. Unlike other leading cities in the world, Singapore does not have enough 'green' buildings. I applaud the 2005 initiative of our Building and Construction Authority, supported by the National Environmental Agency, to award the Green Mark to buildings based upon five criteria, including energy and water efficiency.

Fifth, the Singapore Government should also persuade the Singapore Hotel Association to adopt Japanese best practices in the efficient use of energy. Japan is the world's most efficient energy user, calculated on the basis of the amount of energy used to produce US$1 GDP. On a recent visit to Tokyo, I was impressed by the energy efficiency of the hotel I stayed in. The good features I observed include the use of energy-efficient light bulbs, the low lighting along the corridors which could become brighter when triggered by a motion detector, the use of one's room key to turn on the power supply in the guest's bedroom and the thermostat set at 26°C as the normal setting.

Sixth, the Singapore Government should consider adopting the United States Environmental Protection Agency's energy efficiency rating system. The USEPA
awards 'energy stars' to appliances, commercial buildings and hotels. Such a rating system would enable environmentally friendly consumers to make informed choices.

Seventh, the Singapore Government should encourage all air-conditioned buildings, offices, restaurants, cinemas and other public spaces to set their thermostats at a temperature which some National University of Singapore scholars have found to be our comfort level, that is, 23°C. At the moment, many of our hotels and restaurants set their thermostats at 15°C or 20°C. I will never forget an occasion when a visiting trade minister from Mongolia, attending a banquet in one of our leading hotels, told our ministers that Singapore was colder than Mongolia.

Eighth, the Singapore Government should encourage all government offices to have an assigned person who would ensure that the office lights are switched off during the lunch break and, at the end of the day, ensure that all unnecessary lights, computers, monitors, printers, fax machines are turned off.

Ninth, the Singapore Government should work closely with the private sector to promote the growth in Singapore of research, development and businesses in energy efficiency; in clean and renewable energy sources such as biomass, biofuel, solar, thermal and photovoltaic cells; in carbon trading; and in green and clean energy funds. The Economic Development Board should target some of the major players in these areas to locate in Singapore. Singapore can play a leadership role in this area. It can also serve as an honest broker between Asia and the West in environmental diplomacy.

Tenth, the battle against global warming and climate change cannot be won by the actions of the Government and business alone. It can only be won if each of us is persuaded by the urgency of the problem and is prepared to make adjustments to our lifestyle, our values and our attitude towards nature and Mother Earth. We can reduce the consumption of energy and emission of CO₂. We can aspire to lead simple lives rather than lives of conspicuous consumption.

When we make purchases, we can look for environmentally certified vehicles, plant, equipment, wood, etc. Most of all, we need to love Mother Earth and do our little part to help restore the balance between the human enterprise and the natural world. The feature of human civilisation depends upon restoring that balance.

Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh served as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for, and the Main Committee at, the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Last year, he was conferred the President's Award for the Environment.

Earth Day

2007-04-22T12:00:00.000+08:00

What have you done to make the world a better place for our children and our children's children to live in?

Listening to: We Are Alive by Paul van Dyk

Sexy Sundays

2007-04-22T10:26:00.000+08:00

Risa Kudo

OMG Bunnies!

2007-04-22T07:40:00.000+08:00

SO CUTE!

Listening to: The Rainbow Connection by Kermit The Frog

Protect yourself.

2007-04-20T02:38:00.000+08:00

This. Video. Rocks.

Remember. Always use protection.

Listening to: One Love by Blue

A call for help

2007-04-20T00:07:00.000+08:00

I've been wanting to get the April issue of Singapore Maxim for quite some time already, not that I'm a regular reader, but simply because it features the ever delectable and lovely Jaymee Ong.

But alas, I've been too busy and stressed out with schoolwork to remind myself to buy the magazine whenever I walked past a newstand, only until this week. But this also happens to be the time when the May issues of most magazines are distributed. And also maybe because it's sold so well, I now have the problem of not being able to find any copies of the April issue.

I've had a thing going for Jaymee Ong since I ever knew a beauty like her existed. Since er, 1998?

It's just so depressing to go to every newstand, supermarket, and mama shop around Tampines and Clementi, hoping that somewhere, some shop still has a few unsold copies of April's Maxim lying around, but instead, all I see everywhere I go is the latest May issue, featuring (ugh) Dawn Yang on the cover. Not that I have anything against her, but she just doesn't push my buttons the way Jaymee Ong does.

Anyone know of any place that still stocks copies of the April issue of Singapore Maxim? If my desperation gets any worse, I might just end up bidding on a couple of copies being sold right now on eBay.

Yes, I know. I'm reduced to a spluttering useless mass simply thinking of getting my hands on that issue of Maxim. I still have a copy of the May 2005 issue with Jaymee Ong somewhere around the house. And I'm still hung up over all the other magazines featuring her over the years, that I didn't grab off the shelves.

Like these few which she modelled for in recent years, after a brief attempt to break into the American market (where she had guest appearances in Entourage and Las Vegas, and had 2 seconds of screentime in Pearl Harbour).

Or the next few, back in the late 1990s, when she first appeared on the scene:

And aargh... never mind. I'll go mad just thinking about all the long list of magazines she's been featured in, including those where she's not on the cover, as well as newspaper advertorials and such.

At the very least, I do have the May 2005 issue of Maxim:

Sadly, I missed the chance to buy the inaugural issue of Singapore Maxim in June 2004 , which featured Jaymee Ong in a really attention-grabbing outfit (or a complete lack of an outfit to begin with) :

As some consolation, I did get the December 2004 issue:

Only because of the little supplement that came with it:

And I did manage to get the April 2003 issue of the US edition of Maxim:

Only because Jaymee Ong was featured in one of the articles.

In any case, yes. I am a big fan of Jaymee Ong, as you've probably gathered by now. I've used this post as an excuse to spam all of you with pictures of the ever-lovely Jaymee. *swoon* Be thankful I haven't gone to the extent of putting in EVERY advertisement or article she's appeared in, or posted clips from the shows she has acted in.

*Hollers* anyone out there got a copy of the April issue of Singapore Maxim?

*****

UPDATE 1.52 a.m.: A friend of mine (who shall remain unnamed) actually asked another friend of hers whether he had a copy...

M says: (1:50:22 AM)
err... yes?
v says: (1:50:32 AM)
oo do u keep it?
v says: (1:50:39 AM)
cause my friend wants to buy it
M says: (1:50:57 AM)
ok... this goes into my wierdest request of the night series...

Listening to: Missing In The Rain by TH Express

What do you do with a chest X-ray?

2007-04-18T22:32:00.000+08:00

I went for a health screening at Raffles Hospital earlier this morning, as part of the procedure of signing my soul away to MOE, and I got to bring home my chest X-ray as a memento. Thank goodness that didn't apply to my urine sample. And thank goodness that I realised that the cap of the specimen cup wasn't closed tightly before any accidents happened...

I headed down to school to get some work done, and I was trying to figure out how to dispose of my chest X-ray. It's a little too big to fit inside my backpack, and I didn't want to go to all the hassle of carrying it home in its little brown paper bag.

I did have the idea of pasting it to the whiteboard in the Honours Room, and then writing an anonymous message, asking people to guess whose X-ray it was to win a prize. But then alas, just as I was about to do it, I realised that my name was up there in one of the corners of the X-ray. Damn.

In any case, I have no idea what to do with this X-ray. It's a very ordinary-looking chest X-ray; I can see my ribcage, clavicles, and I guess that big white thing in the middle is supposed to be my sternum, and the two big black patches are supposed to be my lungs, and that's my diaphragm below that, but besides all that, I can't tell anything else. Oh well. And I was supposed to be planning to take up Diagnostic Radiography at NYP before I decided to come to NUS.

Maybe I could frame it up and do up a gallery of random X-rays, ultrasounds, and stuff, and make up some sort of statement about the whole purpose behind such a pointless endeavour. Perhaps the art critics would love that.

Listening to: Inside To Outside by Lady Violet

Mad About Mambo Jambo: Heaven Is A Place On Earth

2007-04-18T21:49:00.000+08:00

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth

When the night falls down
I wait for you
And you come around
And the world's alive
With the sound of kids
On the street outside

When you walk into the room
You pull me close and we start to move
And we're spinning with the stars above
And you lift me up in a wave of love

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth

When I feel alone
I reach for you
And you bring me home
When I'm lost at sea
I hear your voice
And it carries me

In this world we're just beginning
To understand the miracle of living
Baby I was afraid before
But I'm not afraid anymore

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth

(Heaven...)

(Heaven...)

(Heaven...)

In this world we're just beginning
To understand the miracle of living
Baby I was afraid before
But I'm not afraid anymore

(Heaven...)

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth...

- Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle

Hurrah!

2007-04-17T23:15:00.000+08:00

I got a feeling of great satisfaction and relief, when I finally dropped off close to 10 books at the Central Library Bookdrop. Considering that I have been holding some of these books for close to 4 months already, I am greatly relieved that finally, with the completion of my ISM, a great burden has been lifted off me.

Oh, and something else happened today that was a cause for some celebration. Finally, I have finally managed to sabo someone in the Geography Honours Room.

I popped by the Honours Room sometimes late at night, and saw that someone had left his or her laptop on. It was just a simple matter of changing the screensaver to flash the cryptic message: "I was here! =D"

Oh well, it might not even be one of my classmates, and the laptop might belong to the boyfriend of one of my classmates, or one of the 3rd-years who somehow managed to gain access to the Honours Room. But in any case, 害人101招术成功咯!

I had wanted to take a photo of my handiwork, but I was compelled to make a swift getaway. Luckily the owner of the laptop did not return in the few short minutes I was there.

Knowing that someone could come into the Honours Room at any moment, and blow my cover, I did not stay to change the wallpaper to something from Rotten.com as well. Oh well, sudden changes in screensaver should be enough. A pity I didn't have a slideshow of disgusting or spooky images at hand to use as a screensaver. But at least I did switch off the lights when I left.

It would be real icing on the cake if rumours would now go around saying that the Honours Room is haunted.

Listening to: In My Dreams by Noemi