De one with Out Loud, Scream & Shout!

Let's get loud

Have the lights dimmed for the silence to fill the brightness chased away by absolute darkness. After 5 seconds, an astounding spotlight reveal itself, bring with it shimming precipitation of silver and gold dust, falling lightly onto a small figure who stands centre-stage.

"Oh.. this is thrilling" he thought, with a racing heart putting sweaty palms to work. The estasy of excitement burnt his glowing cheeks, melting upon interaction with the icy-prick from temporary pride, as well as fright - like the fusion of a solvent and solute. It's nerve-racking to be embraced with attention whenever you make your appearence yet we enjoy being a willing-subject of a crowd's focus.

Yes, that's the leo in action. I just adore this moment as though time itself had decelerated for the nano-seconds reserved, exclusively for me.

It's no use making a grandeur appearence if you can't substain. I can't. My avoidance of eye-contacts, the best companion of perilous shyness, gave me away like the clearing of mist by a hasty gust. And the de facto lead, the soft-voice.

I figured alot of things as I gazed out blankly from the cab's window. Ideas, issues and matters churning like a rotary. And the lightbulb floating above my spikey-hair came to life before it burst and engulf itself into flames. Jason needs to possess another skill. The capability to speak out fcuk*ing loud and confidently, like how highlighters do.

Emo's definately not a channel this time. Enough demagnetising people like static. Enough is enough! Speak up! Be heard! And set the inner-charisma ablazed and glorified!

De one with Joe to Complete My Birthday

Lovely ending

Don't we just hate endings. As we grew older, I guess we learnt to appreciate the process before and after. Pardon my philosophies these days. Couldn't think of better way to add fragrance to my blogies. Just bear with me alright?

I believe in having the best things in life, if they are within my capability or reach. For my birthday finale, my close friend, Ms Clara planned a two-thumbs up movie, cuddled with a first-time dinner encounter, short shopping therapy and warm coffee.

Before movie, we went for a little window shopping. Both of us concluded my shopaholicism had ceased. Can you imagine I purchased nothing after having patronised PageOne, River Island (ok there was this shirt which didn't have my size), NUM and Zara. Frugal lifestyle - spending way below my means!

G.I.Joe ain't favorably commented good without substance. Verified it with my own eyes. There wasn't much of a story line (except the good triumph over evil who tried to take over/cause destruction to the world) but you'll most likely look over this with such heart-thrilling action scenes and mind-inspiring nano-technology prototypes.

The cast were well selected. Channing was handsome, the promoter to intrigue people to catch the movie. What you expect while watching it proved more than just handsome cast. Clara commented "Anna" (Sienna Miller) was pretty. Her face was made for the spects she wore for the role in the movie.. you know..like how Famke Janssen looked in X-men 1. I thought Megan Fox was much of a Venus compared to here (if we run the "beauty cum sexy" test on both Sienna and Megan).

The above aside, both of us felt the most captivating character for G.I.Joe, Rise of the Cobra went to Snake Eyes, the hero who doesn't talk due to a silence vow he made on his teacher's death. I guess he's the real person who can fight. Those slick ninja moves and the fascinating sword moves. Wee.. you just gotta catch it. This is what's called a movie!

We had Italian food, as I requested since I wanted pizza. Modesto. It's pretty good. But I pondered why Clara had to make a reservation when it wasn't really crowded. She totally enjoyed the squishy mushroom appetizer. Nearly killed me. I must say.. the pizza (tomato, cheese and chicken sausages) complemented the "deadly" appetizer. Funny thing was, the waiter only bring us the chilli-flakes and cheese when we each had our first piece of pizza. Weird.

Clara wanted to take photos of whichever that was laid on the table. I was too fast with most of the dishes. So the food pictures end up being cut. Haha.

We had our fill, I insisted we go to Orchard coz I was looking for a mug to buy. You see, the white lovey mug I had was cracked because I had knocked it against while washing in the toilet. Damn it. Now I'm deprived of drinking from a mug. Desperately needed one. Thought I was fortunate to be able to locate one. Turns out the mugs there were all not so friendly-arranged.. all were placed closely with each other, I had trouble exercising so much caution and picking the designs, I gave up. Think it's easier if I get it at Ikea.

Went to NUM at Heeren but Clara made it inevitably short-time for me to decide whether or not to step into the store. Oh well.. look on the bright side, I didn't get to incur any cash outflow. Which is good.

I got my 4th birthday gift. Though the packaging wasn't glamorous. Erm, I just couldn't resist commenting, she didn't have time to shred the magazine, end up roll magazine like love-letters crackers to provide.. (here's the hilarious-climax) cushion for the pair of irresistibly-adorable pair of Chip and Dale pushies. Hahaha. She never fails to buy gifts which made me smile ear to ear. Plus her actions and the back-stage stories.. like she contemplated whether she really wanted to give the C&D to me because it was just too cute to be given away. Damn amusing. What are the chances that you buy presents for others which you'd like to keep it for yourself. Oh boy.. but I must admit, as much comic as the presents contained, it carries its significance of sincerity. That.. was something gifts from a close friend never lacked.

We didn't talk much over coffee or latte so to speak. Perhaps that's what to expect when you put two lethargic souls together. We did conversed over a few.

Received two birthday cards. One from my colleagues who mostly wrote I was too quiet. On this, I felt perhaps they really didn't know me well. I am a chatty person, friendly too. But my voice was soft (I'm those who would lose/hoarse my voice if I strained talking loudly for overly long). Hence, it takes one-to-one interaction and a conducive environment to pick up my talkative capabilities. Ha.

So ya, this year's birthday's definitely rosier. No birthday wishes, gave out expensive goodie bags but I'm contended enough. Hope there are more to come? Wishing all had enjoyed as much as I did. Look forward to celebrating next year's with improved adventures!

De one with Bottomless Pit

So much for love

Of all things, love is something that nobody could control or reckon with. Could it be really the workings of fate? Nah... fate just brings people at some place during some point in time.. often repeatedly. Could there really have been a Cupid who cause people at random to fall for each other?

Could this person be or not to be..that's a difficult question to clarify yourself with. Man.. what's gotten into me. I keep chanting to myself faithfully that it's no rush. Coz doing so just brings forth infactuations which ain't gonna last.

Love is a funny thing. It is a feeling. A passion that's short lived for some, yet otherwise, so powerful for some who got their lives disturbed by it. In any case, receiving love can be a problem. So does rejecting it.

I need chocolates. Life's too dull with that red and gold streak. Mr Emo go away, brush pass me and go and die.

De one with One Year Less Quarter a Century

Transition

Last year's birthday was pathetic I think (sadly). No lovely, romantic dinner. No grand celebration except rushing back from client's place to have a subtle lunch with pizzas. I don't know what's wrong. People all seemed quiet in my presence, unlike the rowdy scene when others were having their birthday. Well, at least at night my granny and cousin celebrated. Oh, and there were alot of cakes.

I reckon there's no hybrid in life. You couldn't have better things without having lose another. Likewise for this year, there were more people spending my special day with me, more presents but less cake and no birthday wish. Haha. Why? You see, my colleagues celebrated my birthday at Glasshouse Fish and Co. Their custom was to have the birthday boy stand on the chair, get the restaurant's attention and request you blow off the candle from where I am standing without bending. So the pressure with the entire restaurant gazing at you and accomplishing the challenge of blowing off the candle (was only successful on my 2nd attempt). All these just make me wanna get things done and get over with. By the time I realise I didn't make my birthday wish, it was past twelve.

Movie with a friend. UP in 3D. Pixar's productions are wonderful, starting off with the touching short animation on the "friendship" between a cloud and a stork before the main heart-opening stories of the loving promise between Carl Fredricksen and his wife, Ellie to live by "Paradise" and the friendship between an endangered bird, Carl and a little scout. It was good. Like dim sum for the heart Except! The spects was heavier than expected. It caused my ears to hurt, largely because I was not accustomed to putting on spects.

The last few minutes after I officially became one year less a quarter of a century was well-spent with my god bro and his dear one. It was a simple "suaning" ("being criticised" in Hokkien) session. The good part was they waited for me as my movie finished 30 minutes late. They got this gold present, beautifully wrapped shimmering cream-colored ribbons. Bad part, got "suan-ed" by my god bro. To make things worst, that friend I had movie with suggested ostracizing me. I couldn't admit I was.. never mind. Retain the pleasant, discard the uglier ones.

Went out to have dim sum with Daddy and cousin @ the Fortunate Restaurant. The service is pretty bad. Trust me. Lemme share what's bad service. Bad service is having to sit and wait for tea to be served, look around, trying to viy for assistance and asking for normal dim sum items such as "zi bao gai" ("paper-wrapped chicken" in Cantonese). Good service, on the other hand, is constantly being pampered with choices, promptly served with assistant, filling of tea cup, and having stuff on the table to eat without time to look up for pushcarts.

No matter how my birthday's were celebrated, certain things never change. Firstly, I am contented someone remembers. It's a day my existence was affirmed. Secondly, I'll think of my mother and unwind the deep-buried misses of the days we used to celebrate my earlier birthdays. Thirdly, the smses I get without having me to initiate. Thanks everybody.

Personally, I feel adding a year to age doesn't mean anything unless we pay attention to the wisdom we've acquired. Apart from the undeirable denial of recognising you're ageing, this year I realised along the pave in life, some people leave, others comes to stay. What's wonderful is to live life and be thankful of the footprints they left behind, like a paint-drop, filling up the chapters in my book of life.

Happy birthday to me.

De one with Ethical Presentation

Done and get over it

Like fluids along the riverbank, it approaches a coarse path and gets cloaked. The same for the blood in my brain, perhaps the flawed workings of anatomy. The spirit is rushing in reaction to my life's schedule. I attempted and failed my IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test). Alright, do admit I hadn't been training. I mean I got this shoulders aching since my injury. Plus, I was sick all the way three days until test date. To make things worst, work and project pressures tagged along. The problem-cluster.

What can I do? Pray for a miracle. Yet I wonder, could it be someone's cursing or doing voodoo on me. Aww.. I truly DON'T WANT remedial training.

Nevermind about today. I recalled on National Day, we were preparing for this ethics presentation on a prescribed case study. Was high on drugs for my influenza. Remember clearly my entire body was heated up. Well, commitment over social-responsibility, I just had to be there. Else, we wouldn't be as prepared today.

Was supposed to have meeting for rehearsal. End up certain agenda called for my necessary absence. Turn up I was late today because I needed to get something for my client (since I'll be returning and expecting my last day there). Reason for the gift? It's because they have been so hospitable and nice to me. Old lady making milo and asking me to drink plenty of water and.. I stayed late yesterday, she had to stay (later than usual) because I was pushing for my audit. Then she brought me a packet of cheese biscuits and hot water because the office was pretty cold (centralised airconditioning.. you know how bad it was).

Despite rushing in a cab, i was 15 minutes late. Felt guilty. During break time, my team rehearsed to let me have a feel of how the flow's gonna be like. When the turn came, all of us were nervous. Or at least I was. Stage fright was something that could only be controlled if I've been repeatedly doing this for a few times. When y turn came, I knew I had to use the mic. To play it safe. The previous two speakers didn't use any mic. I knew roughly what I needed to say but you know.. during the actual, we kinda didn't perform as well as we expected.

The paper (my script) was trembling in my hands. To conceal my flaws, decided it's best to have it placed on the table and spoke on improvision. Never liked eye contact but I tried my best to overcome, looking in the direction of the audience yet not concentrating on any of their faces. At times, maintained eye contact with the lecturer (to get through what I'm trying to explain). So ya.. there was a handful of concurrent actions. Was controlling my speech, sometimes my hand-gestures tend to bring the mic away and I have to bring it back near my lips to be heard. Thank goodness. At the end of the day, we got 7 out of 10. Fair enough for me. But my teammate was pretty disappointed from his despaired expression.

We received feedbacks from our classmates after that. They said I was the wisest. Thanks to the mic. One asked why our words were pink (actually it was red on the laptop screen) when the entire team consist guys. To make things worse, two of us wore T-shirt which read "Brokeback mountain". Hilarious.

Oh well.. what's done is done. There is still a loadful of projects to come and cared for.

So much for striving for a frugal lifestyle, I cabbed home again.. did some weights lifting. Dumbbells actually. Hopefully.. for all the luck in the world, look forward to having a pass by next tues. Else, my worst nightmare will come.

De one with Last Week

Recovery

Received a message from Clara this morning announcing the demise of Loo on his flight to some place 6 hours apart. Despite being dizzy-headed (most probably last night's flu-medicine and the paracetamol to blame), I couldn't help but be amused by the contents. I replied, the way she put it was as though Loo was Kenny died in SouthPark(though I have never watched any episode) and you know, his friends said "there goes Kenny" without any facial expression... like those cartoon characters saying calmly that their friend got blowned away, so random that you couldn't help but sense the inferred joke.

It seemed like only yesterday I was out with this buddy. Last Saturday to be exact. My good friend Loo Wan needed to do some last minute shopping - things on this "peace or hell" list which was crucial to the outcome of his overseas attachment cum vacation at Holland. Still lost? Don't be. He was caught in a dilemma of getting a new camera or just an additional battery for his existing one. Holiday at Europe, taking pictures are too good to be miss, don't you agree?

So we met with my neck still intact..thankfully it wasn't aching so much, just that I couldn't turn as I wished. Sidetrack abit.. ya.. it's been what? 4 days and it ain't healing back then. Went to chinese physician, he said it would take 3 days to recover. My family GP said it will take a week. Today, res ipsa loquitur, it's taking more than 2 weeks. Still aching randomly.

Back to Saturday, we had a sumptuous lunch at Sakae sushi. I mean literally. Two of us tabbed the bill at $90 ought. We tried a couple of new stuff.. like hotplate Unagi (Loo kept telling me it was nice), softshell crab (this being my firsttimer experience), cold salmon dish. There were the usual.. cheese tori, chawamushi, miso soup, 9 plates of gunkan shushi, tuna-shashimi salad (Clara wasn't here, so we did away with her all-time favourite sakea salad..eeewkk.. the jellyfish makes me legs go weak, lol). It was so much the table wasn't enough to fill. So we had to do alot of first-in-first-out eating strategy. Damn rush. By the end of it, Loo didn't want to leave. We came to conclusion it was Clara's fault for not turning up, else we'd be so full. Haha. Anyway, we reminded ourselves of the agenda for today. Only did I pay at the cashier did I realise my card expired. So did my birthday voucher attached with the ex-card. No choice, reapply again. Anymore drama? Loo and I "waged war" on who's going to pay. Haha.. obviously I won. Reason? We both had OCBC card, my membership claimed victory.

It took us a few minutes to plan our route. So we headed to Marina cause he was looking for a Sony shop. Only when we arrived there did we figured my mistake. The "sony" store turned out to be "Creative". Haha. Fortunately, he managed to get his disposable underwear and waistpouch at Traveller's. Pretty ex though. But the undies were selling 20 cents per piece. Provided it last for two days.

We made our way back to Raffles where Loo wanted to browse at G2000. Apparently there was a sale. But no luck. So we headed down to Sim Lim. I tell you, it's amazing.. you could learn so much there. We went to two stores and they taught us what's the pros and cons of a "genuine" Sony battery and a "compatible". You see, the "genuine" Sony battery cost around $54-58 but last shorter than its counterpart. Might be due to certain production cost budget or ISO standards (they wouldn't want the battery to go bursting the cameras). Compatible provides more power at around 40% price cheaper but risk leakage problem which ends up spoiling the camera too.

Besides this, Loo needed a SD-card reader which he managed to get. The former purchase was conclude-less as his brother could get a new battery for less than $20.

I bought a book - "Millionnaire next door" as recommended by Chin Yu. As much as I am enthusiastic in reading it, current life schedule and health doesn't seemed to permit me to. Sigh.

Completing our purchase for the day, we dropped by TCC at Bugis. There was a pretty few "NEW" stuff in their menu. Since our stomachs were still filled from lunch, we had drinks and some light-snacks (ie Vege-quinche and nachos). Ok, so much for light snacks. We had an hour plus chat.. concerning our future, girls and me adopting his children, current friends issue and.. most importantly, I confided all my problems with him. I was expecting otherwise. Or I wasn't pretty sure of the reaction Loo might have to the things I was confiding it. Turns out he was ok with it and even consoled me. Which was unexpectedly good.

It was a Saturday well spent. Friend. Lunch. Shopping. And chat over coffee. Life couldn't get better. And I shall dedicate this blog to my good friend Loo, whom I shall not see the next 5 months, likewise as I've texted.. take care and remember to email us. Have fun and do come back in fit-piece. ;)