Auntie Foo and the Level 6 Neighbours

Haha, thats you Geri! Welcome back!

Its good to see friends come back. Such as Geri. Seldom get to meet her so its great to catch up with her today. Went to 85 to feast on sting ray, carrot cake, chicken wings and Bar Chor Mee. We always end up eating junk food every time we hang out haha. And there is so much rubbish and stuff to share with Geri, but I think I have to cut down on the crazy/ pointless jokes. Cos it might irritate Geri haha.

Its great to have friends around you during the examination period. There will always be meal buddies and guys to buy food for those preparing for papers. People who will ensure stay awake, sometimes resorting to water guns... punk you with jokes and pranks... ensure you speak properly and most of all, which I will remember, drink with you and play Texas Holden till you sort of remove the examination pains and blue. These are the Level 6 Neighbours... Who have made this examination period rather memorable and enjoyable. Too bad I only got to know them much better this semester, hopefully we get more drinking session and poker sessions.

The second paper is down. Thats good, 2 more coming up next week. Once I am done with that, play time will start. Haha.

Then again, it also means exercise and dieting... been putting on some weight recently. Turning into a rolly polly. Damm... My training routine is hay wired due to the examinations. Everyday as I studied in hall... all I can dream of is jogging, swimming and cycling. I think I am going to enjoy this holidays so much... Going to be rather alone, I would like it that way.

"The moment you drink alone,
you know you truly turn alcoholic"
Don, 2007

Hopeful Vs Hopeless

A binary? Or a Dichotomy? Or a Dialectic?
Honesty I am not trying to explain the title of the post.

I am just trying to express how lost I feel. I really don't know why.
I can't seem to 'screw'/squeeze anything into my brain.

Getting tired by the moment... It seems that my brain
is like a saturated sponge... but no matter how much I try to squeeze
the ideas don't flow out.

Oh. No they do. But they are impure and dirty.
Damm...

The Pinky Show?

Who or what is the Pinky Show?

I have not really been able to grapple what the Pinky Show is about, I watched only 1 video... but I am seriously amazed at their presentations (in form of videos) on current pressing world issues. Check out their website. (I seriously don't know if they are offended that I link them)

http://www.pinkyshow.org/

I believe this site is suitable for everyone to get a Left/radical perspective on world issues... some rather controversial such as is the Iraqi War Legal or Illegal. They have views from experts and done research on these topics yet presented it clearly so normal people like you and me can understand their message. And what I like about it is they share opinions on what can be done...

So yar, when you have free time go and watch their videos and read their articles... they are amazing.

Furthermore, they are Cats! haha... like uber adorable Cats... anyway cats are my favourite animals as well haha.

Brain down but a fruitful Sunday

Spent the entire afternoon and evening in Sheares trying to study. I work as hard as I could and I felt it wasn't such a bad session. Although, I am still going to work at full steam and to the best of my abilities... sometimes the heart is weak... and the process sucks.

In many ways, this semester has made me discover what I really want. I cherish my remaining times with my class, friends and pals... more then the grades... didn't seem to be that way in year 2 and year 3... but for now, at least, that is confirmed. I am more willing to enjoy the day with my friends then study haha. But then again who doesn't... yet not many people, who would practice rational thinking, will actually do it. But I think I am more irrational now days... but then again... I think I have to play catch up as well... cannot slack until I can turn a total deaf ear.

Today was rather fun, I spend time with the Level 6 Guys... I think more then ever, I am accepted here as a permanent resident. Gross video clips, Bloopers and Southpark... I think these make your day interesting rather then all dull... And someone is going to get punked... haha. I am not sure how life can be without Sheares... even though I am not a member of it formally I think I will miss this hybrid hall life of mine.

Well its close to 2... my brain is really drained and I can't absorb anymore... I wish time would pass faster... get this over and done with... then I can move ahead with life and get my things done.... ISM, Project White room, preparations for Christmas... Birthdays around the corner... and most importantly exercising... I miss my free time. Damm.

The Dream

I just woke up from a dream.

It was a good dream. It felt as though many things came back. And flash backs keep constantly bombarding my mind. Maybe the things we are unfamiliar to, are the ones that become dreams.

Now I am awoken. I feel lost. I didn't want the dream to end. But truth is, it has. So now I have to get back into life as it really is. Maybe this holidays I really have to spend a lot of time thinking about reality and whether dreams can be real as well. Cos it is painful to wake up from a dream you wish never ended.

Alantis the seafood place

On Wednesday, my family and I celebrated my dad's birthday. I guess the term 'my family' is rather unfamiliar in this blog... cos I never mentioned them most of the time... what if they google their names and it links to my blog... haha

Wasn't such a great day... didn't study much and I was rather tired. So I woke up after lunch feeling gloomy... and what make things worst, Senior Mr Tan, the supposed birthday boy, wasn't at home when he was suppose to be ready to leave the home for dinner... he went for his traditional Chinese medicine treatment. We were suppose to be at the restaurant at 7 but at 655 he was still not home... so I had to call the restaurant and make another change for the reservation... the second time around. Anyway thanks to my brother, who was at the restaurant on time, we manage to order the dishes through the phone... for one of the few times I actually thank him. haha

Well I was rather worried about the bill... cos Senior Mr Tan didn't have the menu with him but he order a lot of food stuff over the phone... and I was to use my card to pay first, cos it had a discount at the restaurant, hence I was worrying even more...

But the evening turned out to be a great family dinner... I think my family dinners and other family occasions have entered a generation change... I felt my parents were really old during dinner and that my time with my family now, mirrored the past, when I was still a child, where I felt I was in my dad's position and my parents were in the shoes of my grandparents... I know the previous point sound confusing... but I really don't know how to explain it better...

I look forward to family gathers more then the past. As compared to when I was a teenager and everything else other then studying and family gatherings seemed more interesting. I think sooner or later, I will spend even more time with my family... surely some of you know why and feel the same as well... Time isn't gonna wait for you. As it is, our parents ages have, sadly, confirmed this.

Happy Tunes - 'Things Will Go My Way' - The Calling

Things sprung out of hand sometimes. We are never in control at times... then you begin to think this happens most of the time. Especially when your down. I know there have been some friends plagued by the same mishap I experience moons ago. Well Don't worry cos things will go your way sometimes. They do. Come on lar lets be positive... cos only when you start to be positive then things go your way. If not, even when things go your way, you always think something negative happen.

This happy tunes issue probably will not sound too happy. Cos the song 'Things will go my way' sounds 'downhill' and all bluey at times but I believe everyone bounces back. Friend, it isn't that bad, believe me. Scream to the song if you want. It helps.

I came to tell you
How we've all began
Nothing seems to work out right
I'm broken down again
So hold me now
And say it's not forever
Maybe someday
In time

Things will go my way
Things will go my way

I've pushed to get through
The crowds in twisted zone
Just to find I'm right back here
Doing what I'm told
So take my hand
Don't let me surrender
'Cuz maybe someday
Yeah, in time

Things will go my way
Things will go my way

For all the lives
I've tasted
Just looking for the truth
For all the dreams I'm chasing
What am I to do
With everything against me
The answers are all wrong
Open now, I'll find out
It was working all along

So hold me now
And say it's not forever
Maybe someday
In time

Things will go my way
Things will go my way
Things will go my way

For all the things
I've tasted
Just looking for the truth
For all the dreams I'm chasing
What am I to do
With everything against me
The answers are all wrong
Open now, I'll find out

Things will go my way
Things will go my way

Things Will Go My Way - The Calling

Still same old Doreen

Met Doreen yesterday. She still smiles like the same old friend I knew. Thats good.

I think she is still stubborn. haha. Don't get me wrong, I think she rocks that way.

Seeing her again is like the best thing that happen since I started revisions. I was rather unproductive in my school work. Need to work harder. But for now, I believe somethings in life are best appreciated under any scenarios. Meeting friends is one.

Despite my unflavourable condition of my cap score, I think I wouldn't give up on chances to be with my friends. Till this moment, as the exams draw nearer, I don't think I wasted my time going out for Dim Sum lunch with my class (one which left me stuffing food into my tummy), meeting Jean for the evening, drinking 'teh' at East Coast with Gan or playing over night lan games with Harriet and Yanhe (I think I won't forget the session cos of the China Kids and their shouting as well as the fact we hang out till day break).

Well, I hope I get to meet my little sis again. The week seems pack with dangers and stress... yet I can see 'bubbling' rays of sunshine within it as well.

The 11th Hour

Okie, if you have been paying attention to the table of contents to your right. You will see some new additions. Notably my 3rd blog: The 11th Hour 59th Second.

That blog will be about green action, what are the debates and questions behind a sustainable future and what we can do to be green! Cools huh?

That reminds me... why that idea? I think it brings me back to last Friday. I went out with Jean, cos she was free and it is rare to spend time during the day with her. Because we didn't had any plans in mind, we did what typical Singaporeans did... watch a movie. haha. Anyway, it was one of those times I got to choose a movie without knowing what it was... we basically went to see the posters of the movies being screened now and just decided to catch what interest us. And there it was... The 11th Hour. The poster surely caught my attention... the tag line was even better... it made me feel I needed to watch the movie.

What added to remembering the movie was as we were buying the tickets, the sales person told us it was a documentary??? Well, we were stunned I must say but I want to thank Jean for being such a sport to agree to watch the movie/ documentary... I hope it didn't bore her, I know I wasn't. Well what was even worst was... the entire cinema had only 10 humans view the film.

For a film with that sort of agenda... I think more people should view it. Seriously, it isn't that bad. Trust me, many times during the film you will ask yourself... what can I do? And the movie does tell you the possible solutions. The film engages you personally... why? Cause it is us, the consumers who impact nature the most... We have a choice to stop it... yes our generation.

So yars. Do something about it. You know what I mean. GO GREEN. Every little way you can. Spread the message, encourage each other. I am sure we don't have to wait for others to force us... because if we wait... we might never have the chance again. I mean it.

Bintan Get Away Finally!

Yes, Coastal Management Module mounted another challenge on Bintan Island. This time we were very prepared not to be foiled by some evil master plan by the Cruise centre vendor or let our Prof spoilt our day by telling us the wrong time to meet haha. But don't get me wrong, I don't hate Prof wong, I swear.

The day started well, I wasn't late... thanks to Violet being around. Haha. The weather wasn't that great, it was cloudy and the seas were choppy thought. And we had to rush for breakfast... why? Because even after you left the company Of green... 'wait to rush, rush to wait' still applies.... and so being 'kan jiong' my Prof hurried us into the terminal. You know what is the worst thing? I was fooled to believe people could 'chimney' on the top deck of the cruise... damm. But it was rather a fun as well as bumpy boat ride.

Boat ride was so bumpy that Rita's face got distorted

Bintan Island seemed to me link a militarized holiday hotspot for Asians. The service staffs and drivers on the island appear smartly cladded in their uniforms... some really giving me the impression we are visiting an army camp. Some had mini badges and stuff... well not only that... they salute to one another...

So what did we do on the island? Well we went about learning all about coastal landforms, habitats, local communities (not those in the tourist areas) and the systems and links within these 3 areas. But apparently, we were not expected by the locals to be there... what do I mean? Prof Wong, didn't mentioned to the locals before hand that we were coming... so it was like... Chinese New Year arrived earlier for the locals... so all their chinese friends came to visit them without prior notice... since thats what people do, house visiting and open houses.

Village Tranquility

What students do when they don't pay attention

84 Team! Fire!

Hongster and his amazing 'bird'

Before

After 3 Hours of travelling

Well as travellers often travel around the Island, the villagers probably didn't really mind about us. So we moved about from point to point learning about coastal developments and habitats. We had lectures here and there but not many were taking notes or seriously engaging with the lessons ... that is obvious from the photos and fun we had. But I guess the best lessons in life aren't taught in the classroom... that is what I believe makes Prof Wong an interesting lecturer... yes he is an 'old-school' positivist and he is a bit long winded... but surely with his great field researches and knowledge, he is able to teach/ show us somethings we all were shocked at ....

Nobel Prize Winner and his indigenous knowledge

At the end of it all... I just felt it was an honor to learn from Prof Wong, Singapore only shared Nobel awardee. Yar ONLY k. He is able to draw your passion to the coast on a different level. If My Lee was the 'grandfather' of Singapore. Then honestly, Prof Wong should be given the title 'grandfather' of the Singapore coast.

Mission Accomplish - Bintan Conquered! ... Finally haha

Honours year is hell, Hell Lot Of Fun!

Dawa said that... yar he did... the simple person and every cheering Nepalese. I don't think the honours students out there disagree with me. Especially my fellow Arts and Geography majors.

The exams are here. Yar, it was knocking on the door, now it has caught your attention. Soon it will enter your 'living room' and 'daily space' but then again, dinner is to be serve soon. So entertain that 'demon' for awhile and we all will be enjoying the dinner together.

There seem to be many reasons why the honours year is fun. I don't think I can share it all but lets just do a few.

Firstly, its the fact that I have a class that is united. I think I am blessed in many aspect our class bonded so well. Maybe it is the geography program, maybe it is the fact we have a space to call home... the honours room. Maybe its just the people. But among all these, the humanist nature of class seems to be the one screaming out loud. Everyone in my class seem to be able to agree on one point (that is my personal feeling), we are all similar because of the fact, we seek to understand and change the 'uneveness' of social context... or try to. Many people out of the class seek to do this too... maybe its just because we belong to one honours class and there seems to be this invisible agreement that we share this thought. Its not like you can link to everyone who has this thought out there... the class seems to be some sort like a real 'imagined community'.

Secondly, I guess it has to be the fact that I have freedom. Many of you know what I mean. Being tied down for so long... its only when I have found my own space that I learn how important 'my' time with 'myself' is. I actually get to do things I didn't use to have time for. That doesn't mean I don't wanna get tied down again. I do, but this time around I will ensure I get time off with 'myself' haha. And time with my friends. I know I never admitted to them... but it is obvious... I am so much happier catching up with the rest, those out of school or my daily life. I really appreciate it guys and cousin, for giving me the second chance to continue our friendship... it means a lot lar. And yes, Harriet and Jon, I do miss outings regularly... and, in the past, it was much safer to place your bets that Leon will miss the outings... but its time to reconsider that haha. O Yanhe, thanks for still betting that I will come... but late haha. There are still a lot of you out there I want to thank... but it seemingly is a long list. So thanks for those who help me find my freedom and taking away lots of the pain. Yar, Swi and Co., Selena, 2 Potong Pasir neighbors, that 'you', two sentence back, refers to you all.

And then, there is the fact this is the last year of official academia that I will get. Yar, I am leaving school officially soon. This year, my decisions seem to be geared at having fun. I am doing that, thats why it seemingly more fun. Maybe its just too late that I discovered this, just like what some other friends of mine felt, but I think its really towards the end then you realise this. When you give up you goal to do outstandingly well in studies and put your 'relac jacket' on then you will see the light haha. Not to mention, honours year assignments seem more fun, thought academically more intense. O yar congrats to non-bell curve policy.

Didn't want to be so emo. But I am really running out of time. I am going to lose this feeling soon.

"The right to make and remake ourselves... is ... one of the most precious of human rights"
David Harvey, 2006

Class BBQ Encore! and it ROCKS

The weekend is fast approaching! O My Gosh, my week flew by in seconds. Once again i am lost... too much work too little time.

A big part of the week was concentrated on urban project and little misunderstandings between my friends. Hiya, so negative stuff, don't want to talk about it. I felt that I wasted the last two days, maybe I felt so stress on monday and tuesday I just wanted to rest. Now I feel so well rested, I am actually doing my readings at home. haha

Okie, to the main post. Last night's class BBQ.

I think, everyone had a great time. Yar. the food rocks, so did the company. I got to know my classmates better. Smashing BBq food, beer and WINE! woohoo! We even had mass games such as 'polar bear', drinks in the pool, over-21 conversations, dumping people into the pool... a duet band n guitar... broken specs... haha

I can't possibly mention everyone and everything in detail... so I think I will mention what I enjoyed most. This may sound weird but what I enjoyed most is working with everyone to make this party a success. Many years down the road, we all would forget the people who made the party a success, in replace of them, would be the memories like the laughter, jokes and pictures/ images in our minds. But I think we cannot have had all those memories without the organizers.

Well, I am not the organizer, I merely took instructions to buy some stuff and cleaned up most of the party together with Joey, Ai Zhen, Jianne, Tracy and a few more like Jon and Tomoko. Well... But I think the party would be impossible without Aidan, Elissa and Tracy plus CO., cause I really don't know who helped out. I know it was these few cooks that made the lovely steaks, organized the food and catering ... I think they really knew how to create a storm of a party ... Aidan and Jianne for their recipes for tiramisu and other food stuffs ... wow liao it taste them good k. Elissa and her helpers looked into all the logistics and the fine details like creating a vegetarian spread for Joey and Vai. And lastly, Tracy, the host... I really love your home, it definitely was the coolest home I ever been to... pool side party, crazy dogs... tons of wooden furniture!

I think years down the road, I will perhaps forget the details ... but I will remember cleaning up the place... together with my friends and the people who made the party possible. As always, I love the honours class... but I need to complain... when can we take one proper class photo? haha.

A couple of draws. Not too bad.

Arsenal drew 1 all with Liverpool last week, this week it was the reigning champions, Manchester United... well the match just ended... and yes it went 2 a piece to both side. Yet another draw. But if we clearly analyze both matches... Arsenal isn't is such bad form after all. Why?

In both matches... we left it till late before we equalize... sounds bad? Not really, considering the guys showed enough character to come back while trailing. In the Manchester United match, I would like to highlight how seemingly impossible it seemed when Manchester went ahead for a second time in the 82nd min through their starlet Ronaldo. But when Willam Gallas slam the ball into the goal in injury time, it surely shattered all Manchester United fans hearts and brought justice and fairness to Arsenal.

Second point. We dominated... o yes, the young guns show a couple of old dogs on the other teams how to play attractive soccer and still deliver. This has to be targeted at Fergie's mid week comments on how young players' success must be judge on the trophies they have won. Well, surely Fergie just wanted to dent Arsenal's morale as he wanted to psychologically attack Arsenal with what he has in abundance, trophies and success... but times are fast changing old scott dog... its time for the young to shine, trophies or no trophies. Don't forget, your new youngsters, both Nani and Anderson, have no trophies to their names... isn't that meaning they are not worth praising and encoraging? Doesn't that mean you shouldn't praise your 'trophiesless' youngsters yourself?

Okie time to stop being anti-Fergie. Back to the report.

Yet, in the Liverpool match, it was apparent that Arsenal didn't finish well, they squandered 2 open goals, clearly in both situation a tap would be enough but they ballooned the chances sky wards. Manchester on the other hand, are a great team who take their chances well, very lethal indeed.

So the big matches are over. Now, I guess, if Arsenal plays like this the whole season, there is a chance glory will be brought to the Emirates stadium. So as Arsenal fans, lets support the team and believe this is possible. After all, experts won't disagree that Arsenal was the better team in both the draws.