My Class and the Holidays

My holidays are crap. I think its a term break because you are given a week before you eventually 'break down' trying to finish your assignment. I am like constantly on my heels doing readings and discussing project work. But heng yar heng yar... I got a great class to suffer with me... we even went on some exclusion with a story teller professor, a BBQ that really was great fun... and a new beginning to the semester.

Some of you know I was suppose to go Bintan with my level 4 coastal module professor... but no trip is planned unless you get the departure timings right... in this case we didn't. Well many of us wanted to complain because we felt super disappointed not being able to 'tour' Bintan's coastlines. Please lor, I had to wake up at 6 just to be at Tenah Merah Ferry Terminal by 8... damm. But it was fun waiting for my professor to employ his 'bang table' strategy in order to get us on a ferry towards to Bintan. While waiting for Prof Wong, we made jokes about the people at the terminal... the green shorts 'sissy'... the ah lian mother... yellow crcos lady and our classmate's 'scandals' haha. well

'Bintan' Tour Group Picture
Before knowing we were not going Bintan that is...

After the official 'announcement' that we were not able to cross the seas and head towards Bintan, we made a sudden change of plans... the class 'outing' was changed to Ubin... damm right from glamorous to back door holiday... haha...

but then again... Ubin was like ultra fun. It gave me a chance to know more of my classmates and a chance to know more about class gossips. A saturday afternoon and a ride along the last 'rustic' space of Singapore is sure to be filled with entertainment, moments and jokes... come on lor, my Prof at 65 and his flotation device could complete the trail with us... haha. O yar, salutes to my Muslim friends... I respect your determination to complete the trail with us even though you all were fasting. I think the best part about Ubin is traveling by boat to and away from the island. It always gives me that 'return to postmodern' Singapore feel. Would like to go Ubin to cycle one more time...

My 'gayish' Mates

My Class

Then there was the class chalet... well I went late... due to com lab duty. A BBQ could be one of the best place to know your classmates. We talked a lot of trash, got a chance to drink beer with some mates, had an opportunity to get to know the names of some of my classmates... it felt like some 'adult' outing cos everyone was in their twilight hour of university yet we still manage to organize some BBQ. The BBQ also featured an opportunity to plan/reflect on the next class outing haha... Sometimes I wish honours year wasn't so taxing... then I could spend more time enjoying the final year. damm. For now i can only strive to be like the tree below... thriving in an environment it wasn't suited for...

Thriving among the salt - Lesson taught by Nature

Beehoon Before Soccer Does Not Go Together

I am back. How I know that? I started making people laugh again. Yes guys laugh at me. haha.

We had our 4th football game this week. And once again, I never fail to make others laugh. Something always happens when I play. Examples: I almost hit the blardee soccer post trying to score/ I chip the ball over the fence... its not my fault, I was just trying to get the ball... and if you realize I was using my left foot. haha.

But was more 'enriching' or funny to my friends was trying to play football with breakfast in your tummy. In today's case, beehoon. It end up with feelings of beehoon wanting to come through your mouth... Hey, I am sure you all 'tasted' that feeling before. Haha.

The purpose of this post is to highlight, there are many lessons you learnt when you are young that you (i) should remember... like after a meal do not run around. It may lead you to a bad tummyache for a day, just like mine. Bleah.

Life - (Readings + Deadlines) = Not Much Time for Social Life.

I decided to drop a fast post to tell you guys, I am not dead yet. Haha.

I manage to make it past some gloomy days. At the same time, I picked up some fun and lessons as well. I will try to post soon. Tomorrow there will be an update at least. For now lets reflect on the equation. And cherish the moments with people around you. I enjoy it when you guys are around. Damm the readings and assignments.

Trying As Hard As I Can

I think I am still bitter inside. As much as I want to forget her, I am faced by a resistant force.

No, it is not one that tells me to remember her. It is one force that reminds me of all the bitterness. I am still very bitter about it. And I just don't know what to do about all these negative thoughts.

These thoughts, I believe are the resultant of a very bad break up.

But I know what doesn't kill me, only makes me stronger. Hopefully, I can get through tonight and tomorrow I will live to fight again. With a stronger will.

Stick and Stones - Missing The Action

Tottenham Hotspurs 1 - Arsenal 3

A truly entertaining match that featured 2 hometown rivals with great history of competition. The newpaper on Sunday,16th Sep, gave the match a 5 star entertainment rating... Man Utd's win only deserved 2 stars. So did you miss the action? I did... was out when the gunners fired with style and assurance. Damm

Arsenal fans were disappointed to see our team go down during the 14th min, courtesy of a Gareth Bale... we went 1-0 down... but boy was that free kick well struck... the ball swirl from right to left... ended up across the goal line at the bottom left of the goal. Almunia had no chance... Bale is a wonder kid at 18, gifted set piece taker (2 goals in 3 matches for the lad).

The rest of the match was filled with action through out. Despite strong defense from both sides, the offense of both teams manage to post moments of anxiety for both custodians... but boy do the teams need more target and finishing practice. Arsenal fans were given moments of despair when Diaby, Van Persie and Adebayor wasted great one on one chances.

The passing in the match was top class. Excellent stuff.

During the second half, the ambitions to win was turning into desperation and the action between both teams heighten. There were many chances... I can't mention all... so just read soccernet's report to find out more.

The fight for the match finally capitalized in the 65th min, when a well taken cross from a free kick by prodigy Fabregas was met by who else? Adebayor. However Paul Robinson has to carry some responsibility for misreading the cross... 1 - 1, match on.

Arsenal fans weren't to be disappoint with a draw from a beautiful match... in the 80th min, the young Spaniard, Fabregas unleash a wonder shot from 30 yards which Paul Robinson tried to stop... but I guess the spin on the ball was too much for him... 1 - 2, Arsenal fans had been given hope to better their nearest rivals on their home soil.

The comeback was given an ending, worthy of an excellent match, with a top class goal from Adebayor. In injury time, Fabregas sent a pass down the centre, which was met by a wonderful 1st touch from Adebayor and the Togo international finished it will a sensational volley... showing the world what skills he possessed.

The scoreline was 1 - 3 to Arsenal and that is how the match ended. It reflect the action involved and ability of Arsenal to crash their rivals away. Yet that score line doesn't show the effort of the Arsenal defence... Kolo Toure had to be mention for his heroics and Gael Clichy for his last man clearance of the line which would have easily allow Tottenham more goals. The scoreline didn't reflect yet the quality of play involved as well as the wonder strikes.

Well done Gunners! It maybe too early to claim dominance at the top... but surely the young Gunners are proving critiques wrong... Arsenal continues to attack and score without Henry... perhaps done even better as reported by soccernet clearly buring the Ghost of Henry.

Once again, it feels good to be at the top of the league... but the journey is still long, one thing is for sure, Arsene Wenger won't be leaving after a 3 year contract extension. With the wizard at the helm, Arsenal fans are sure to be treated with nothing but action.

'It is nice to look at a league table and see Arsenal right at the top again
and I couldn't fault the consistency of the team in this game.
Even when we went behind, we showed the spirit you need to come back.'

Arsene Wenger, Soccernet, 2007

Hey, It Wasn't So Bad After All... I Think.

I am done with the first draft of my ISM proposal. Any guess what it is about? haha.

Well the worst thing about essaying I think is the Lit Review. Cause if you don't do a good job. You screw your paper up. And I don't want to screw my ISM up... But I am almost done with it. For the proposal that is. The actual thing starts in December.

For now, I think talking to academics about the ISM isn't so scary after all. I think its quite exciting talking to them about your ideas. Cause... after all, they seem to give you much more in return. But I admit, in a 10 min talk, it is just too early to decide who will be your supervisor. This year, it seems that the choosing of your supervisor is left to 'harry porter' style. You can't choose your supervisor. The department will decide who you get... Exciting? Maybe not, but I know at the end of the day, I probably get to know that person better. For now I just hope it isn't one of the intimidating people I have in mind....

Ethics Class

I am now in Geographic Thought B. And the subject at hand is Ethics. Well... I think it is unethical to blog when your lecturer is teaching... but I am not alone

Jon is playing with his ruler and a thread... he is freaking 28 years old. Damm childish.

Joey was doodling just now... and how unethical is he to view me blog. haha

Chong Han is eating.

Aidan is trying to converse with Yuimin.

Well the other classmates are listening to the lecture.

O Break time... so please is it ethical to not pay attention? haha

I Am Grateful For Yesterday

I was down yesterday, I admit. No point hiding but the point is, I managed to walk out of it. I think friends end up to be the solution... when you are stuck in quicksand.

Geri rocks. She does. I think she is a new age modern powerhouse. A good role model and a greater friend as well. Cause she is 100% human and understanding. Joey the Pedalpop Ah Jut, thanks for being more understanding recently... I think assignments are nothing when I have a study-mate/ 'suck cork buddy' like you. I am glad when everyone seems so distance in times like this when we all have our own agendas and matters, I still have the Geo-kids.

O there is MSN as well. haha. MSN helps as long as you are speaking to people who bother with you. Hey, Dao Tao... Thanks lae. For talking to me till I slept. Its not that your boring... But its kinda of interesting that I only know you a bit better towards the end of my university life. Haha.

Ice cream helps too... Little niece, right?

Sport helps too. Especially when you got friends who are willing to come down and join you for whatever fun there maybe. I think Geo Honours Soccer Team rules. Thanks guys for coming down. Especially newest members Yikang and Adrian aka 'De Crats' haha. O yar, I think Tracy is outstanding cause despite her requirement to train with her teams twice a week, she comes down just to play with us. I am proud to have played with her... cause she is really a great player. A titan among us.

Lastly, do you believe when you are down... and all you can think of is that smile. And as much as you hope for it. You actually see it? I hope I see that smile again. Friendships Rocks!

"You're playing and you think everything is going fine.
Then one thing goes wrong. And then another. And another.
You try to fight back, but the harder you fight, the deeper you sink.
Until you can't move... you can't breathe...
because you're in over your head. Like quicksand."

Shane Falco, (Keanu Reeves in'The Replacements')

Redness

I see red today. Can't explain why but flashback brought redness to my eyes today. I feel uneasy. Cause as long as it has been, I still cannot erase it off my mind. Its constantly there. I been trying to suppress it but yesterday, I remembered. And today, its worst. I wish I can forget it... But the greyness is turning red... fiery red. I don't even know why I feel so sore about it. Damm.

Post number 50 -Dua Tao's 21st Birthday!

Happy Birthday OPH!

Just came back from Dua Tao's Birthday... its her 21st! WOOHOO! Didn't get to stay long, cause I had to other thingys to settle so I went late and they left soon after I reached... Yar, I was there for 1 hour only but its feels good to meet so many others who supposedly are still in NUS. I think... this might be one of the last few 21st birthdays I attend... until the younger freshies, the much younger 'little kids'... Dua Tao you are one of the last remaining few 'original freshies' 21st... haha. Seeing all of you all... reminds me of the first ever Arts Camp... remember Skylar? haha.

Its like History stops when friends gather. Time passed very fast but we all never change much. All of us still have that something we keep that is true to us. Like dressing (comment by bobs on Hocky), fear of cockroaches, drinking incidents... and other stories like 'Mayo Le'.. all these always will remain as memories trap in time...

Anyways... Dao Tao... send me our pictures k! so I can place it here... in memory of your party! O yars... Birthdays are great places to meet new friends... example: AJC and a packet of Lays! haha.

P.S. Yes I am getting older... but like Hocky said... we are still young or trying to.

The Midnight 'Bangalah'

Have you ever seen Bangladeshi workers washing cars in the middle of the night? I tried doing that last night, I washed my car at 1.15 AM when everyone else was at home in there bedrooms... I think its a rather tough job due to the amounts of vehicles they have to wash. So if you can afford it... why not help these guys out by giving them more business.

I had to be a midnight 'bangalah' because I over slept and wasted my evening. Manage to wake up only at 745 for a swim then had steamboat dinner with my family. The day was mostly spent on time with my family... went to pick mummy up and went grocery shopping with her. Was so unproductive I didn't construct anything for the ISM proposal... damm lagging again. Today is another to finish work... but once again procrastination is the ISM's worst enemy...

"There is no better motivation then desperation."

A Geography for Social Science or A Geography of Social Science?

Talked to Mingli today about a confusing topic. I found out she faces similar confusions about the subject we pursuit.

Why do we study Geography? The materials and area of interest geographers embark may lead us to a point when we question why did we do geography in the first place? Is it because we love nature? We believe that humans can change the environment? Sometimes even writing a proposal can get so confusing that we ask ourselves: What is so geographical about my interest. Well I hit that 'wall' straight head on while trying to construct my ISM proposal...

Well, students are not alone. Academics face this problems. People drift out of geography with developments of their research areas. But, people drift into geography as well... I guess where your areas of interest lie is probably the most important thing to decide your academic pursuit. For now, I cannot be certain how geographical my ISM is... but I know that geography is crucial for development of thinkers who think about the environment and human interaction. So fellow geographers stay focus, keep your interest at heart and you probably won't get lost.

"Geography is indispensable to survival. All animals, including American students who consistently fail their geography test, must be competent applied geographers. How else do they get around, find food, mate and avoid dangerous places. "

Yi-Fu, Tuan, 2002

Weekend Gone Again. Where Am I?

Once again i can't figured out where my weekend went to. Sound familiar right? I think a lot of you guys are facing this problem (maybe not Ah Wongs... cos she seem to have 3 or 2 day week and last heard she was having a lot of fun. Carol Wongs! how are you?). I have discussed this issue of increasing pressure and workload with quite a number of people before... we all agree this phenomenon is generally happening across the faculty... regardless of the year currently pursuing. Can't be dragon year kids right? or we have just become too lazy... maybe its just fatigue from being exposed to too much free time during the holidays or just plain too much readings to get done with. If your feeling the same, let me know your reasons. I want to understand your perspective on this increasing pace of school in NUS.

Yar so because of the blardee increase in workload, I have less time to blog on a regular basis. Shitty right? When homework eats into your leisure times.

Last friday... we had our second honours soccer training. In many ways, things look positive for the team. More people are coming down for the game, the girls are slowly adapting to the game and communication as well as understanding has improved . I think we stand a good chance to win the staff match. Well, thats still far from now. But I am damm motivated to play cause I want to break the record that the honours students have been defeated 4 times consecutively by the lecturers... something Prof Bunnell always brags about. I think soccer with the honours class is something that keeps the class together. And yes I admit, I make them laugh the most on the field... but believe me, I wasn't playing well cause I was training my left foot. haha.

Then we had to stay back for Prof Wong's make up lecture and I had to take the bus home. Well... I haven't taken the bus home in a long time and that trip reaffirms I would not want to do it in the near future... why? Cause the wait to transfer to 62 is damm long... I waited 40 mins for 62. It took a total of 2 hours to travel home. Amazingly, I cannot remember how I got thru it during year 1. Well, after I went home, I headed back to NUS to mug... wah lao. sick right?

Saturday... Nothing as exciting as friday... just that I had a cold, no sweat weekend afternoon at Big O, due to an abnormal lack of customers during lunch crowd, sales wasn't so good. O, there was Geography Department's Dinner and Dance in the evening... Though I didn't know many of the people there, I still went to support my friends. Thank gosh Yikang went, cause we had to entertain yourself in many ways but it was good to catch up with Yikang and crap about society and social problems... Yikang do you remember 'to attack XXXXXXXXXXXXX'... haha

Sunday morning was one of those rare times I woke up, ate breakfast and headed down to the void deck to finish my readings... damm no life lar...

The highlight of the weekend was definitely the SYC Singer's concert at the Esplanade... The feeling of listening to a concert and the performance itself was so 'heart settling' that I felt a sense of 'lostness' during the concert. So relaxing I could put my mind off my work... don't worry weiming... I didn't fall asleep during the concert cause of being over relaxed and I am sure we all enjoyed the concert even though you are concerned with the possibility that we are turned off cause it was in Spanish. O yar, echoing Selena... you did have funny eyebrow expressions on stage and you looked quite 'good' when you are not funny... hope your mummy is happy that Selena said you are very 'shuai'. haha...

Too end the weekend... I went back to NUS to mug... Sadness in a happy way... haha

Fun Things I Discovered This week

Thanks to Laremy... I manage to find BrainFall.com , a website which will relay to you what characters you would most likely be in movies or series. The website allow you to 'perk' yourself up. For Fun.

And I am hooked on to the band 'The Feeling' ... if you haven't heard them... give it a try. I did and I didn't regret. Just pick it off the shelves of your nearest CD shop at $11.90.

And yes, running season has finally officially begun for me. After being so hesitant. Armed with my ipod and my new oaks that Jon sold me, running has been more fun. Hope we all get to do fun things despite our busy schedules.

Daylight is around the corner...

With regards to my life, this week has been a vast improvement from last week. Many things are turning out fine and I don't feel shitty as compared to last week. However, there still many things that I cannot control. Hope things turn out smoothly for my troubled friends soon.

I started fighting back for my love to contribute in class. Doing my readings faithfully has helped a whole lot. Paying attention for the sake of learning as compared to paying attention for the sake of listening is another change in direction I have came about to adopt once again. Peer pressure and coordination within my friends has probably been one of the more significant factors to my new found drive to do better in class. The most noteworthy reason is Honours seminar and classmates are starting to be interactive and fun in many ways. Hope this carries on.

I am less emotional with regards to my personal relationship. I think slowly I am learning to accept the current situations. As much as I don't want it to end this way, I believe I am slowly accepting the fact that it is the past. Time has slowly heal the 'scars'. Don't get me wrong, I have not completely gotten over it. Its just that I decided to make them sweet memories instead. I believe she would want it this way as well. I am starting to better it this way. The sun is rising as it always will... but the last dawn was a bit long... I thought I never get through it. Hopefully I see the daylight again. Soon.

"People in love get lost and foolish
People in love get everything wrong
People in love get scared and stupid
People in love get everything wrong "
Never Be Lonely - The Feeling

Every Thursday is Coastal Thought Seminar

Prof. Wong Poh Poh, a walking dictionary/Encyclopedia for Singapore Coastal Studies. He lecturers us in Coastal Management (CM) but I always felt he is giving a Coastal Thought... he can go on and on about coast... sometimes overkill.

However, he is one lecturer worth respecting... if you appreciate the coast that is. I never met someone so passionate in his/her field of research before. He has been to thousands of coast and surveyed countless beaches... and captured a whole lot of picture on the way (which he will flash hundreds at a go during class... the excitement starts from WOW to Wow to wow to silence...). haha.

I am in his lesson now... and there are many lesson elements that never seem to stop amusing me.

Firstly... Prof. Wong points with the shadow of his pen... not the pen itself. He can simply point to the transparency but he points to the screen... joey coins him 'shadow master'... sometimes it is so confusing I give up guessing what he is pointing at... to follow the object his pen is pointing at (my brain tells me so cause thats what other lecturers do) or to follow the shadow of his pen (experienced, memory and earlier deduction have pointed this out)

Secondly... I cannot imagine him at the coast... He has a floating mechanism/ floatation device... his belly. Obviously you will never imagine him as a 'coastal guy'. Can you imagine an elder figure surfing the waves? He seeming look like a person who observes surf babes... maybe thats why he has to number/ quality control and separate his pictures into folders.

Thirdly... why is it Coastal Thought on Thursdays instead of Coastal Management? It is because, Prof. Wong not only lecturers, he gives quotes that deserve quote of the day standards... just attend his lessons... you will understand why people sit and listen to this elderly figure.

Okie, I need to stop blogging cause as distracted as I am, I think he emits some form of attraction... in an academic sense that is.

"I am not a pessimist, I am a Positivist"
Prof. Wong on being his theoretical stand

"When is the water going to stop?"
Prof. Wong in reference to Niagara Falls

Meeting the Debate Head

Melisa aka Melo - not a fruit, was the debate head of her JC Arts Society. Thats the fact, well not at first sight. Cause she does not look like one. Well she is not fierce... maybe only cause so far I know her a nice, sweet person. And yar though we were on the same field studies, in Thailand, we talked less then 1% of our entire conversation spoken till date... haha most of our conversations were on 2 occasions, on the plane during our journey back from Thailand and yesterday when we had the opportunity to visit Ice Cream gallery.

It is a fun experience to hang out with Melo, cause she talks a lot. No. Not till the extend you find it irritating. haha.

When we were talking yesterday, we talked about microbes to humans... Well, the way she speaks is very entertaining and funny... thats why you never suspect she was the Debate Head. Talking about microbes... she made me worried... cause it seems being a Teochew, Admin breather... I am at a higher risk of having lung cancer... why? Ask her lar. O yar do not squeeze your pimples... it may cause death... according to Melo's lecturer.

I don't think anyone would be bored with her around cause there are many topics you could converse with her. Well, I enjoyed the ice cream outing with her so I shall look forward to the next trip we get to go there and more fun talking about daily stuff.

"No. It was more like Malay Society"

A Secret Note On Teachers Day

To all my fellow colleagues to be and teachers who read my blog...
Happy Belated Teachers Day!

A teacher is not only someone who teaches in a school for a living. A teacher can be your parents, and educator, an Ajaan or just simply a friend who has taught you something along the way. So please don't think you can celebrate this lovely day with only school teachers. I certainly don't think so.

Well, last friday, I decided to write notes for 3 special teachers, my Ajaans from field studies, Ajaan Carl, Ajaan May and Ajaan Hanshe. I felt that they have redefine how I interact with lecturers in NUS.

Lecturers aren't people with PhDs and lecture for the sake of varsity requirements... not all, there are some who dedicate their lives to educating us about other ways we should view the world, that would be Ajaan Carl and Ajaan May. I believe they have an agenda by being lecturers... they would hope people redefine what they see the world as, how should we interact with the environment and they want to bring home a message... the world is sick, we have to do what we can to make it a better place, not for us but for those who suffer in other places. For this, I respect them to the max. I can see and feel how they dedicated their lives to bring this message to students who seemingly are too preoccupied with their work load and their futures.

Ajaan Hanshe on the other hand, doesn't seem to be a great 'martyr' for the environment... but she has shown me how 'human' lecturers are. She treats us like her friends... seemingly funny right? I am very happy cause, Ajaan Hanshe actually replied to the little note I slipped under her door... She felt sad that I see her as a teacher cause she inspires to be a passionate researcher whose best friends are books... but I don't see her as that... but more as an educator who willingly helps us with anything including killing time and boredom... I just love knocking on her door and chatting to her haha.

There are too many people I want to thank... but I think I will mention these 3 for now cause without them, field studies 07 wouldn't be possible or such a great experience for me...

Yar, the stage is set. I am going to pack myself and go to NIE in 9 months. I look forward to it. I remembered I had a message that was screen on the awards ceremony but I haven't shared it with you guys. So yar. I think its only appropriate to share it now... so I will remember myself of those inspiring people in my life... who have change this monster into who he is today. To all my 'Teachers', Thank you for teaching me something in life...

"Mrs Lim, you’re the one who taught this young man
what a great teacher should be.
I would never have made it here without you.
To my friends, the road is never tough with friends like you guys.
Mummy and Daddy thank you for bringing me up. I learnt everything from you.
I would never want it any other way but the way you were always there for me.
Thank you all for teaching me the lessons in my life…"

TSPC Appreciation Message

Stick and Stones - The Beginning

This new segment of my blog is dedicated to the Gunners in red... The London soccer club that I faithful support for 4 years... Arsenal. I shall try to discuss each match the gunners play and why I have come to love such a beautiful club.

Arsenal 3 - Portsmouth 1
Thats the scoreline that tells you we are gunning away at all cylinders. Yes, we have a good start to the season. 3 wins and a draw in 4 matches, Second in the premier league losing only to Liverpool on goal difference... too early in the season to boast about? Yes but... there is a lot to celebrate.

Well just to highlight a few invisible points to that scoreline and league placing... the gunners are playing well... especially the younger players. The flanks are well covered... thanks to Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini ... Helb and Rosicky are playing so well I think it is beginning to turn out to be a promising partnership. The only problem happens to be defence. That is obversely seen in Senderos's 'innocent' tackle of Kanu. But thats all in the sport, we can't complain but only hope the defense gets 'beefed' up with the return of Gallas. And for the strikers... I think there is much more room for improvement before we can see Van Persie and Adebayor play at a higher level... currently they are just too indirect and lacking a bit of confidence... but that will turn around soon, I hope. Well, Eduardo is another player who has yet to show what he is made up of. Arsene Wenger, the 'wizard', has much praise for the player but I think he needs to get more games and minutes before we can clearly see the best of him.

So who is the best player for the week?

Cesc Fabregas gets the personal pick for the best player of week as well as my favourite gunner. His the top scorer for the team now... a statistic which will tell you vast improvement from the player. His passing is still slick... and what more about his technique and ball control? This young lad plays so well, the ball sticks to him, he runs at larger sized defenders and when he loses the ball, he amazingly picks himself up and calmly gathers back the ball.. A very hardworking player who is slowly (I believe) being the leader in midfield of the team.

It is true that he cannot be compared to the popular, skillful and lighting fast dribbler Christiano Ronaldo of Arch rivals Manchester United but Fabregas gets my backing when it comes to overall contribution of the team.

And come on ... Fabregas didn't come to Arsenal with a 'rock star' profile... He came as a youth singing at 16... become Arsenal's youngest player and league goal scorer, At 19 (2006) Spain's youngest player and player to be named in a World Cup squad in 70 years and being named in UEFA 2006 team of the year. Now at 20, the lad has to shoulder the midfield 'hole' left by a previous Arsenal great, Patrick Vieira (perhaps that is why Number 4 is given to him, Vieira held on to that number in his Arsenal days).

He is doing that job well... at least I believe better then many players who have been tipped to fill in the gaps/roles at other prominent clubs across the globe... were many turn out to be unsuccessful at living the 'legacies' left by their predecessors, Fabregas has out-shined his counterparts. In fact, the lads attitude of being the next captain for the Gunners shows that there is overflowing confidence in this lad and he has great capabilities to take on captaincy. His mates have backed him up on several occasions including the greatest contemporary player of Arsenal, Theirry Henry.

So yar, stay around... I am sure that Arsenal will have an exciting season ahead... We might not be serious title contenders on paper... but we do play the most entertaining soccer on the planet... that might just be the best ever soccer in contemporary sports.

'I think he did brilliantly, not only playing against Patrick Vieira but also Emerson, Camoranesi and Mutu'
Henry on Fabregas's midfield triumph over Juventus, 2006

I Think My Friends Are Troubled...

When you are down... this does not become apparent... or maybe there just happens to be times when your friends need you more. Whatever the scenario, I think a few of my closer friends are troubled. I know cause their day actions tell me so. Little things go a long way to tell you how a person is. Especially if it is seemingly 'dysfunctional' actions.

I don't think I am the best 'institution' to advise them in many ways. Because I don't understand their problems well and I give bad advise... mainly with my own perspective of how I would deal with the problem (Well that isn't bright of me... why? cause I obviously don't think too much with my head due to my emotional 'lob sidedness').

I know all I can offer them is time and my friendship. Thats all I have. Guys out there. Please stay strong. Always be rational when it all seems to head towards 'emotional Ave'. We will walk this out. I believe 'walking together' helps cause you all been there when I needed you most. And that helped. So here I am to help you, be it if you want it or not.

"Ultimately God didn't put us here to be alone"
Kaiting, My Friend

A Sunday to Remember...

I hate Sundays... cause they are the days which my mind wonders of... dreaming and thinking about the past. So most of the time I would find other matters to occupy myself with. The last Sunday was rather bad... I was once again thinking about the past. But it turned out to be great... bad things don't last after all.

Other then letting my mind run wild... I was pretty much occupied with stuff. I went to visit my granny k... like in ages. When I was there... I didn't speak much to her... maybe cause I had nothing much to tell her as well. But I think slowly I will make a bigger effort to visit granny again. And I would like to attempt to converse with her once again.

I also got a lot of stuff done while I was at granny's. I finally manage to get someone to machine mend my favourite bermudas and sew on 'Jack skeleton' on my Timbuk2 for me. That person is my aunt lar. I am quite amazed at her age... she still can sew very well with her poor vision. And I think that she can understand what contemporary culture is... or she can relate what I wanted when I told her how I wanted my berms to be mended.

Well the whole changing point was when I met Jon. I think its been a long time since I met this great pal of mine. Well he just finished the 'Singapore half Ironman 70.3' event and I was rather excited to know how he fared so I went over to catch up with him. When I enter his room... suddenly I just recalled a lot about the past experiences with them. It felt good to be in the company of old friends doing nothing but talking cork... and catching up. To make things even better... Jon sold me a pair of Oakley half jackets that I wanted for very long... exciting right? haha.

I don't understand why but as I walk home... I just suddenly felt that there are a lot more to do... other then sit and think of the past. I have to move on. Too much is waiting for me. And I believe, I am recovering.

yars... the last Sunday can be remembered as a turning point... not in mood but at least in attitude... well there was a big joke that day as well...

As I was having lunch at the coffeeshop in Serangoon with my family... my dad was 'equipped' with his waist pouch as usual... As we walk past a table... I heard 'uncle kopi O zi puay' and as I turn... I saw the auntie putting up her hand... well she obviously mistook my daddy for a worker at the coffeeshop. Haha... anyways my daddy walked up to the auntie and educated her... he terrorized the auntie by giving her a speech about how he got mistaken many times before... haha sometimes its incidents like this... that you will remember for life... good things are meant to be remembered... even from the past.

"Uncle! Kopi O Zi Puay"

Rita's Laughter Kills... and Makes the World Smile

I have a course mate... Rita le tissier... the Southampton Legend (why? cause she wore this amazingly amusing red and white striped dress today...)

when she laughs... everyone laughs? why
Cause
'Smiling Rita, Killer Laughter'
You must hear her laughter man.

A Discovery by Observation

Today I discovered something about my lecture mate joey...
He doesn't use the laptop for lectures because...
He cannot Doodle on the laptop but
He can do it on his notebook/sketchbook

And there he is, at 245 PM... Scolding me
'Fuck You! Don't know how to spell "sketchbook"?'

When dreams become abit too long...

Sleep. Something I still have trouble manging to get enough of. At the same time, it is something I enjoy. But of late, not only am i facing problems getting to sleep, I am sleeping at odd hours and find myself waking up at the wrong timings. Don't get me wrong, I wake up on time for lesson this semester. The problem seems to be that I cannot wake up on time to meet my friends or do anything constructive...

First it was the case of the 'missing Ah Bo Leng'. It happened last Monday which happens to be shitty days for me... I had a long day after sending Carol off and attending Geographic Thought seminar... and then I was suppose to meet Beryl, an irritating freshie haha, and Jeremy, the 'coach'. But then.... everything went wrong... upon reaching home at 630, I went to take an evening nap, hoping to be awake by 8 for the meet up... but I woke up at 1130 instead... yar that is how I missed out on an outing with them.

Then comes today... As usual, work was super busy at Big O. The cakes came late once again... so I had to manage the beverage orders, slicing 6 whole cakes (I had to reheat the knife like 50 plus times. To slice the cakes, you need a pretty heat up knife) and I had to deal with a funny request from my boss, Robin aka 'batman' (but he was very nice and allowed us to sample the new cakes.... check out Big O soon for super nice cakes... haha). So after 6 hours at Big O, you can imagine how tired I felt. I was so tired, I took 45 mins to leave the Big O Kitchen... I was busy sampling the cakes... but most of the time the images of preparing beverages just kind of flash back in front of me. No more Latte or Cappuccino please!

So I went home... cause I realized I had no cash on me and I could not go to Borders to buy Tommy Emmanuel's 'Live One' album... come on, I was so broke I could not afford a game from the Pirated PS2 game stall at Kovan.... so now you know how much my wallet is worth... haha.

Once back home, I went to nap... hopping to wake up at 730 for a swim and followed by super with Gina and Ivan... but you probably guess what happen right?

So here I am at the end of this post... the time now is 250? and I woke up 3hours 20 mins ago... and the sad thing is I cannot get back to sleep. Dammit once again. I think I need to get proper sleeping habits soon. This cannot go on... if not I will be awake at 3am everyday thinking: "How am I going to blardee make use of the day tomorrow without feeling lethargic?"

I wish I had a solution.... At least I am glad i get 6 hours of fragmented sleep a day and my mates praise me for not sleeping in class anymore... haha gone are those days where I slog my hours in school and work after that.... Just so I can meet my consumption patterns in the past. So yar, I hope I fall asleep soon. I just heard the first delivery truck by the way.

'The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep.'
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