Sunny and windy
When I was a little boy, my mummy asked if I would buy branded goods. Without hesitation, I replied very confidently that I wouldn't. Ironically, ended up being spoiled with satisfaction of un-resistable temptation to own something which costs heavily - I didn't manage to keep to what I said in the past.
To be frank, branded goods are really a gift from Gods in the eyes of many. Particularly, our teenagers. Of course, all thanks to Peer Pressure. What ever the majority has, we must have too! Kiasu ("scared of losing" in Hokkien)? Maybe..
In relevance to this, there was an instance during my JC days when I bought this Billabong bag which costs $98, so that I carry a bag that is able to look good hanging low and bump my butt whenever I walked with the backpack, just like what my peers did. What's more wasteful? I also owned an oversized Billabong stationary case, just like my peers too. Thinking back, it was really a waste of money!
Hang on a minute.. not very convinced that it's entirely due to peer pressure which leads to this obsession with branded goods right? There's another culprit, which later became a part of my examinated-area in economics and marketing at university level.
Perhaps, needless to say, we're all aware of it's presence, sadly, we didn't really know of it's terminology. It's the Snob Effect. We like to possess something to "show off" or extravagantly, make known to others about our wealth and status.
A very good example would be buying a VERTU phone. Yes, we can't deny that fact that the exclusive design and diamonds mounted on the exterior are alluringly desirable. However, come down from the clouds and be rational about the functions of the phone. Personally, I feel you're not paying for the functions but the glamor of Vertu.. and of course, the sight of your friends' eyes popping wide upon the awesome sight of those sparkling shimmers - it's priceless.
HA! I guess one hilarious fact was that it'd have been unsafe and impractical to be wearing our "actual" money notes and big name tags to tell who we are.
Don't believe me? Printed designs.. yes. But have anyone ever saw any designers clothes made of actual dollar notes?
For the rest, I believe it's an "inexcludable" under their image of luxury. In certain cases, it's true that branded goods are brought with intentions way beyond the all-time favourite "nominees" for the cause of branded-purchase (as mentioned above). Consumers may choose branded goods over cheaper alternatives, innocently due to our belief and trust upon the quality-credibility and durability. Take Fujitsu laptop. It's a Japanese-manufactured product (from the birthplace of high and infallible technology). Thus, being one of the most desirable brand in the lap-top arena.
Of course, there are the left-overs in the population who are in between all we've discussed. They make branded-purchases for populace and functions. Honestly, I believe alot of us fall into such category. Simply because there's no clear distinction between buying branded goods for it's quality or external influences.
Let's bring Apple's mp3 player, the Ipod, into discussion. The Ipod is superior attributed by it's design due to the famous sensor turn-wheel; it's "drag and add", "scroll and play" user-friendliness; and also, it's heart-capturing funky and successful advertising.
Not forgetting it's one of the earliest pioneer in selling a product that not only allows listening to songs but also doubling its function as an external drive for storing data.
Of course, for those who are vain, you might realise another useful function that the metallic surface of the back of an Ipod, could be used as a handy mirror. Hehe.
All these qualities of this light-weight portable gadget fulfills most, if not, all the possible reasons why we bought this expensive branded device.
I believe when surveyed, very few consumers would only mention one of the many causes as their sole reason to consider Ipod as an ideal mp3 (currently, supporting even mp4 files) player!
Well, let's converge our discussion. Just simply ask yourself a question. What's the first thing that surfaces in your mind whenever you're asked about "Branded"? Personally, I'd would consider Clothings!!
That's right. Fashion is undeniably a major icon whenever we talked about branded goods. Jay Chou attending a Golden award ceremony, would less likely be wearing a G2000 suit. Just like anybody attending a grand ceremony, we'll tend to desire putting on a handsome blazer from Zara for Him and let's see... maybe a dress for Hers from DKNY? Of course, that's if we have the purchasing power.
Limme present a personal experience... My parents spent nearly $600 to equipped me with a presentable suit from Domanchi for my secondary school graduation prom-night. Why presentable? Because it's unique, it's branded!
But then again, ever since then, it was a hussle to go clothes-hunting. There after, I never liked going for anymore prom nights. Yucks!
Dressing good lifts our self-confidence. It boost our charm and beauty tremendously too. Just like Cinderella, a dazzling ball gown transformed her totally as compared to a shabby maiden's dress right?
Apart from self-confidence, we yearned for the feeling of belonging. To be more exact, to feel accepted. By thyself or others? Well, most probably, we desired to be accepted by others.
In further discussion, I'd like to bring you to discovery of being able to identify ourselves with a certain group or some sort of psyche-comfort (some might argue it is the same as social status..well, I give it to you lah) through ownership or even just by having the same ideal and desire about certain branded goods. Hehe.
Referring back to the possession of Billabong stuff in JC, though silly, it felt good to be recognised with the JC student image. Ha! If ONLY I had realised my JC uniform and our way of speaking were enough to giveaway a JC student identity. Omg.
Well, branded goods are truly expensive. Some are worth buying. Some are really just a waste of money. Some are brought on impulse. Some are bought with hard-earned and long term saving.
Today, I supposed due to economic prosperity and culture variations, parents are more willing to splurge on their children. Omg! Good thing? well, kids are really fortunate. Look at kids nowadays, they are wearing Billabongs when the Y-generation only got to wear during JC and secondary level. Naive but true, it improves our economy through purchases.
Here comes the bad side. Firstly, it's a wastage of money. Secondly, it might be detriment to the up-bring of our present younger generation. They might think it's natural and okay to spend on branded.
Personally, I feel that it's really ruining the fashion industry. Ha. as in, any Tom, Dick or Harry (not Harry Potter oki.. he wears Hogwarts robe and sweaters for goodness..) are now wearing anything they like. Well... it's difficult but imagine. Imagine what if little girls in primary schools are already wearing jewellery from Tiffanys? Or lovers in secondary schools are increasingly exchanging gifts from Guess and LV??
Should such bizarre situation occurs, what prestige are there for adults? Maybe in Utopia or every adults are millionaires ba!
Alot would deem branded goods as acceptance. However, today, it's no longer the case. Grateful to advanced technology and increasing support for innovations and creativity, increasing young adults are contented with cheaper alternatives. Not forgetting, the black markets and shopping in Malaysia or Thailand. The emergence of JetStar has made it possible to travel!
Trends have also allow people to feel accepted even wearing non-branded goods. Some very good example is the "retro" craze. Marketing efforts by merchandise have also helped a great deal. The introduction of "Being true" champaign by Levis recently have made individualism as fashionable too.
Branded or not? To me, it's like I'm sitting on a balancing beam. If you need it, then make the purchase with consideration of your financial ability.
Branded or not? Nobody really cares unless you're mixing with friends who are superficial. Well...as advertised by the Heeren: "Don't let your clothes wear you, you wear your clothes". Of course, it doesn't have to be only subjected to clothes only. Your belongings and those IT gadgets too!
Branded or not? Mohan and I discussed and agreed before. It doesn't matter whether you own a pair of Levis or G-star jeans, nobody cares unless they have knowledge to differentiate it.
Any last words from me? wahaha! Judge yourself. Don't subject yourself to critics and those articles which teaches you want to wear or what to own. Of course, considering friendly advices wouldn't hurt. :D
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
De one with Ending Sem2
Rainy weather
Hi guys, wondering where have I gone to? No worries, Jason's back. Sorry it took me so long because the blog was having some technical problems. Furthermore, the examination battle and preparation suspended me from my "blogging" services since April.
Well.. nothing has changed. Except life's getting bored when it's supposed to be bleaching itself with the excitement and fun colors of countless post-exam cum holiday activities! Pondering why? well, guess it's mainly due to the dreadful change in my course of studies. From next semester onwards, I'll be doing part-time. What to do? it's a major change. Yup. Major change! Supposed Jason will be working!! OMG. Big change sicne I've not much working experience since my maturity.
Anyway, first things first. Here's a brief through Semester 2's examination situation. Apparently, what deemed to be exciting turned out rather disasterious as I guess I've tipped the scale between play and studies. Last semester was different. I wasn't attached.
My first weary battle was with JUST1023. Otherwise known as law. Or more exactly, Commercial Law. The assignment was a hell lot of simple yet demanding standards. Kinda disappointed when I only received a Credit. Sigh. :S
Anyway, the actual exam was really really difficult. There were alot of questions on "vitiating factors", addressing issues involving minor contracts, restraint of trade, illegality and the famous frustration. As usual, there were the "usual suspects": offer and acceptance, and torts with breach of contract. Sadly, my poor-time management caused me to forgo a 10-marks questions. Omg. It's a pity.
Exactly 8 days later, ECONS1025 Prices and markets exam commenced. Despite it was pretty relaxing as I've done these topics during JC and the fact that the examinable topics were within grasp, never did I expect myself to doubt certain simple areas which cause me alot of time pondering and questioning myself whether the nitty-gritty facts were right. Issues such as elasticity. Omg.
Again, time is the opposing enemy. Caused me to loss a 4-marks question undone.
*I wanna cry already*
Another paper which I thought I was confident turned out resigned to the same fate as the previous one. Business Statistics, the only module which comprises of most mathematical skills, left quite a distressing moment during examination. This arrived 3 days after my P&M paper. I got confused between Type I and II error and how to find p-value. Sigh sigh sigh. Thank goodness, I was brilliant to save myself by fishing clues from the MCQ questions to clarify my doubts. Phew..what a relieve!
The last paper was ACCT1063. It was my last, most worried and demoralising module. Not disappointing..it's demoralising. It was different from the post exam relieve feeling when I handed up my last examination scripts. Sigh. Management accounting. Apparently, I did managed to comprehend and did all that were required. All except one 10-mark question on budgeting. Sigh. I swore I've never seen this type of question. It was complex and quantitatively phrased. End up, I landed in a rush situation of typing my scripts (as I've used two answering booklets) and even failed to write the subject title and date. Sigh. Don't even know if I'll be penalised.
Sigh. I'd say, I wasn't as prepared as last semester. Perhaps I was too involved in my just-starting relationship. All in all, the actual opponent was time management itself. Haiz.. if I didn't managed to get 2HDs and 2Crs, there goes my BA with distinction.
Anyway, exams ended. I've been doing nothing but en ride a job hunt online. I'm even considering of moving out from my uncle's place back home so as to live in a luxury of freedom but household-chores-demanding place at home.
As ambitious I was before exam, now it'd only turned out to be clueless. Sigh. Exam period was always like this. One would realised he has so much he wants to do prior exam. Contradictingly, after exams one would discover there's nothing much at all.
This year's delightedly different...
I remembered being passionate about fixing the Mickey and Minnie mouses' wedding puzzle. This was particularly something special. I recall a year ago when I first saw this puzzle, which was only available in 1000 pieces with stain-glass effect, I wanted it very much. Unfortunately, it was sold-out by the time I offered to make my purchase. A year later, I managed to find it in stores again. Lucky lucky!
Anyway, we lack a board big enough to act as a base for the 73cm by 102 cm grand puzzle. Managed to locate it after varying trips to Ikea, Jigsaw puzzle world at Boonlay and even Thompson plaza. Ooo... just wait until I get my hands on the board.
Well..that's all for semester 2. Goodbye... :P
Hi guys, wondering where have I gone to? No worries, Jason's back. Sorry it took me so long because the blog was having some technical problems. Furthermore, the examination battle and preparation suspended me from my "blogging" services since April.
Well.. nothing has changed. Except life's getting bored when it's supposed to be bleaching itself with the excitement and fun colors of countless post-exam cum holiday activities! Pondering why? well, guess it's mainly due to the dreadful change in my course of studies. From next semester onwards, I'll be doing part-time. What to do? it's a major change. Yup. Major change! Supposed Jason will be working!! OMG. Big change sicne I've not much working experience since my maturity.
Anyway, first things first. Here's a brief through Semester 2's examination situation. Apparently, what deemed to be exciting turned out rather disasterious as I guess I've tipped the scale between play and studies. Last semester was different. I wasn't attached.
My first weary battle was with JUST1023. Otherwise known as law. Or more exactly, Commercial Law. The assignment was a hell lot of simple yet demanding standards. Kinda disappointed when I only received a Credit. Sigh. :S
Anyway, the actual exam was really really difficult. There were alot of questions on "vitiating factors", addressing issues involving minor contracts, restraint of trade, illegality and the famous frustration. As usual, there were the "usual suspects": offer and acceptance, and torts with breach of contract. Sadly, my poor-time management caused me to forgo a 10-marks questions. Omg. It's a pity.
Exactly 8 days later, ECONS1025 Prices and markets exam commenced. Despite it was pretty relaxing as I've done these topics during JC and the fact that the examinable topics were within grasp, never did I expect myself to doubt certain simple areas which cause me alot of time pondering and questioning myself whether the nitty-gritty facts were right. Issues such as elasticity. Omg.
Again, time is the opposing enemy. Caused me to loss a 4-marks question undone.
*I wanna cry already*
Another paper which I thought I was confident turned out resigned to the same fate as the previous one. Business Statistics, the only module which comprises of most mathematical skills, left quite a distressing moment during examination. This arrived 3 days after my P&M paper. I got confused between Type I and II error and how to find p-value. Sigh sigh sigh. Thank goodness, I was brilliant to save myself by fishing clues from the MCQ questions to clarify my doubts. Phew..what a relieve!
The last paper was ACCT1063. It was my last, most worried and demoralising module. Not disappointing..it's demoralising. It was different from the post exam relieve feeling when I handed up my last examination scripts. Sigh. Management accounting. Apparently, I did managed to comprehend and did all that were required. All except one 10-mark question on budgeting. Sigh. I swore I've never seen this type of question. It was complex and quantitatively phrased. End up, I landed in a rush situation of typing my scripts (as I've used two answering booklets) and even failed to write the subject title and date. Sigh. Don't even know if I'll be penalised.
Sigh. I'd say, I wasn't as prepared as last semester. Perhaps I was too involved in my just-starting relationship. All in all, the actual opponent was time management itself. Haiz.. if I didn't managed to get 2HDs and 2Crs, there goes my BA with distinction.
Anyway, exams ended. I've been doing nothing but en ride a job hunt online. I'm even considering of moving out from my uncle's place back home so as to live in a luxury of freedom but household-chores-demanding place at home.
As ambitious I was before exam, now it'd only turned out to be clueless. Sigh. Exam period was always like this. One would realised he has so much he wants to do prior exam. Contradictingly, after exams one would discover there's nothing much at all.
This year's delightedly different...
I remembered being passionate about fixing the Mickey and Minnie mouses' wedding puzzle. This was particularly something special. I recall a year ago when I first saw this puzzle, which was only available in 1000 pieces with stain-glass effect, I wanted it very much. Unfortunately, it was sold-out by the time I offered to make my purchase. A year later, I managed to find it in stores again. Lucky lucky!
Anyway, we lack a board big enough to act as a base for the 73cm by 102 cm grand puzzle. Managed to locate it after varying trips to Ikea, Jigsaw puzzle world at Boonlay and even Thompson plaza. Ooo... just wait until I get my hands on the board.
Well..that's all for semester 2. Goodbye... :P
Friday, April 13, 2007
De one with Food, Food, Food!
Predictable rain and sunny skies
Ever since young, I was very fussy with food. Wanna know why? Well, firstly it's partly because of the fact that I was brought up a spoiled-kid. Secondly, my mummy was to be blamed since she didn't cultivate me by exposing me to alot of food when she was expecting me.
Haha. Well.. the second reason is merely a superstitious opinion.
Regarding my eating habits during the young, couldn't really remember much personally. Apart, the most significant types of food I could remember were curry puffs and those green-pandan waffles (those which are getting popular recently) which I recognised as qi-air qi-air ("green green" in Hokkien) since it was green in color.
Not long after, the fast-food nations have already caught up. As a matter of fact, this is even so today. Fast-food... which never spare any chances from earning the delights of children and the cash inflow from their parent's pockets. For some poor kids, it actually burnt their pockets!
Needless to say the main "culprit" from McDonalds was "Happy meal". It's simply a MUST TRY for every kid alive, with those "tempting" and "irresistable" cute toys with accompanied the meal. Not forgetting, the bubbly, thirst-crunching coke/7-up and the "eat me, eat me!" chicken nuggets and "you sure you don't want to eat me" French-fries! Well.. erhum.. I fell prey to it, don't you deny you did.
Besides Mcdonald, I remember, there was a magical time when I had this delightful breakfast at Burger Kings with my mummy at a building in Shenton-Way, while we were waiting for my daddy occupied with his dental appointment. It was lovely!
Not forgetting the root-beer from A&Ws!!
Later, during my primary school days, the food I took regularly were those which I was exposed to in the canteen. I supposed it's applicable to majority of us. Of course, when I say "us", it refers to people around my era. Hehe. No offence but kids nowadays are rreeeaally even more fortunate than us back then. I wonder do they still bring home-packed food, contained in those plastic containers which those cute cartoons printed on it.
Oki, let's not divert from the blog... Oh, ya! Canteen food. Well, wanna know what I had back then?
HERE WE GO!! My 2nd runner-up.. *drum roll* this 20 cents salty crackers. It in long packets and in it, filled with shapes of many animals. I don't really have collects of what it was called. But it was really really "heavenly".
And now, the runner-up....... *drum roll with cymbal clash*.. It's 30 cents fried egg!! I remember I love eating this during my primary school until one incident, the smelly smelly yolk dripped onto my bag, leaving a mingling stench. Omg. Yuck!
*Fanfare* The best of best was the 40 cents noodles in soup. I remember putting alot of chili in it.. and the guys will challenge who could take the spiciest! Foolish brats.
Beverages and fruits? I discovered my liking for orange drink when I was in Primary school. Also, watermelon was my favourite fruit back then. At 20 cents per plate, it's really delicious when the auntie sprinkled plum powder on it. Unusual right? Paradoxically, it's yummy yummy!
The variety of food diversified during secondary school. Well, let's see... I tried alot more food as my confidence to "experiment" developed with initial stage of adolescence. Ever since Sec 1, I found myself patronising the chinese mix-vegetable rice store the most. There were ocassional visit to chicken chop store.
Of course, my liking for orange soda continued to rule my taste-bud for drinks. The aunty who was the drink-seller knew me so well that she will present me a cup of orange soda everytime I approached the store. Haha. Fruits? nah... hardly have time for that.
Oh barger.. pity old orange soda was knocked off my "bill-board" chart for beverage when the emergence of green tea occurred during my JC days. Ouch! Couldn't help it...being health-cautious was another factor which support the change of preference.
Blame it on me being traditional or conservative in my eating habits. My liking for chinese mix-vegetable sticked with me throughout the two years. With exceptional alternatives to eat chicken chop with fried rice and burger when I'm too lazy to compete with a overcrowded canteen.
"For your private and leisure-reading. None of this entry which follows is by any means, strictly an innocent passing-statement, not intended to conflict, defame or inimically misrepresent the military defence"
Then.. NS changed my taste bud completely. Any food tasted heavenly when I was "captured" or "retained" in Tekong. *Sobz* Oh! For any mothers who are worried for their pre-enlisting sons. Need not worry lah. Army food are much better than it used to be, even when compared to 12 months ago! Ironically, alot of enlistees put on weight despite perceived that they would lose weight with all those strenuous training.
It's worth mentioning, the SFI is providing serviceman with really good food. The premier of all would be the Western.
After being being "retrenched" from NS, my eating habits change pretty frequently, it will remain domain for a period of time until it's taken over by another craze. Inevitaby, the eating place changed along too. Eating at restaurant became common. My favourite restaurant is Swensons. It was the first and an annually-visited restaurant where my birthday would be celebrated with the memorable "firehouse" - the alternative to birthday cake.
Having disclosed my favourite restaurant, I should move on to reveal my life-time favourite dish. Due to my frequent family vacations to Australia, since Fish N Chips was found everywhere.. it was unknowingly adopted as my favourite dish!
Pragmatically, I don't eat Fish N Chips for every meal just because I love it. There are others which I eat as well.. In the gradual accumulated 21 years, the "theory of food against different places and purposes" was developed.
The simple and easy.......
For zhi-cha (outdoor family food), I love hotplate "deer" meat; BBQ Stingray; "baby Kailan".
At hawker centres, I will choose Cha Hokkien (prawn) Mee (which I won't eat the prawn and sotong); Minced Pork noodles (which I won't eat the pork meat); mix-vegetable rice.
At food court, the first dish I will look at will be Japanese food or Korean food. Alternatively, I will try Fishball noodles.
The next range......
Fastfood. My all time favourite is Mos Burger. It was rank #1 until my encounter with Subway in 2006. Oops.
Mac Donalds are so "army". BK is good, I only eat their chicken sandwich, nothing else! Carl's Junior (suffer like hell since I've a small mouth).
The High end.....
When it comes to Western food, I won't mind Cafe Cartel, TCC, Fish n Co, Breeks.
Others, I would eat at selected places for specific variety of food...
For Japanese, I like Sakae (Mohan, too bad you don't eat Japanese food); For Thai, I love Thai Express; Pasta, go Pasta-mania.
I don't really have a taste-bud for dessert. Surprisingly, in 2003, I developed a craze for cheese-cake ever since I watched Initial D movie. Not any cheese cake wor.. only New York cheese cake (those plain type).
Love chilling out at cafes like TCC, Starbucks and Coffee bean (because of you, Honey).
Did I mention BBQ and Seoul garden? Those are strictly for entertainment purposes when I'm out with a large group of people. Hehe.
Well well.. looks like your drool's gonna drip onto the flood! *just kidding*
Oki oki.. that's all for now! ;p
Ever since young, I was very fussy with food. Wanna know why? Well, firstly it's partly because of the fact that I was brought up a spoiled-kid. Secondly, my mummy was to be blamed since she didn't cultivate me by exposing me to alot of food when she was expecting me.
Haha. Well.. the second reason is merely a superstitious opinion.
Regarding my eating habits during the young, couldn't really remember much personally. Apart, the most significant types of food I could remember were curry puffs and those green-pandan waffles (those which are getting popular recently) which I recognised as qi-air qi-air ("green green" in Hokkien) since it was green in color.
Not long after, the fast-food nations have already caught up. As a matter of fact, this is even so today. Fast-food... which never spare any chances from earning the delights of children and the cash inflow from their parent's pockets. For some poor kids, it actually burnt their pockets!
Needless to say the main "culprit" from McDonalds was "Happy meal". It's simply a MUST TRY for every kid alive, with those "tempting" and "irresistable" cute toys with accompanied the meal. Not forgetting, the bubbly, thirst-crunching coke/7-up and the "eat me, eat me!" chicken nuggets and "you sure you don't want to eat me" French-fries! Well.. erhum.. I fell prey to it, don't you deny you did.
Besides Mcdonald, I remember, there was a magical time when I had this delightful breakfast at Burger Kings with my mummy at a building in Shenton-Way, while we were waiting for my daddy occupied with his dental appointment. It was lovely!
Not forgetting the root-beer from A&Ws!!
Later, during my primary school days, the food I took regularly were those which I was exposed to in the canteen. I supposed it's applicable to majority of us. Of course, when I say "us", it refers to people around my era. Hehe. No offence but kids nowadays are rreeeaally even more fortunate than us back then. I wonder do they still bring home-packed food, contained in those plastic containers which those cute cartoons printed on it.
Oki, let's not divert from the blog... Oh, ya! Canteen food. Well, wanna know what I had back then?
HERE WE GO!! My 2nd runner-up.. *drum roll* this 20 cents salty crackers. It in long packets and in it, filled with shapes of many animals. I don't really have collects of what it was called. But it was really really "heavenly".
And now, the runner-up....... *drum roll with cymbal clash*.. It's 30 cents fried egg!! I remember I love eating this during my primary school until one incident, the smelly smelly yolk dripped onto my bag, leaving a mingling stench. Omg. Yuck!
*Fanfare* The best of best was the 40 cents noodles in soup. I remember putting alot of chili in it.. and the guys will challenge who could take the spiciest! Foolish brats.
Beverages and fruits? I discovered my liking for orange drink when I was in Primary school. Also, watermelon was my favourite fruit back then. At 20 cents per plate, it's really delicious when the auntie sprinkled plum powder on it. Unusual right? Paradoxically, it's yummy yummy!
The variety of food diversified during secondary school. Well, let's see... I tried alot more food as my confidence to "experiment" developed with initial stage of adolescence. Ever since Sec 1, I found myself patronising the chinese mix-vegetable rice store the most. There were ocassional visit to chicken chop store.
Of course, my liking for orange soda continued to rule my taste-bud for drinks. The aunty who was the drink-seller knew me so well that she will present me a cup of orange soda everytime I approached the store. Haha. Fruits? nah... hardly have time for that.
Oh barger.. pity old orange soda was knocked off my "bill-board" chart for beverage when the emergence of green tea occurred during my JC days. Ouch! Couldn't help it...being health-cautious was another factor which support the change of preference.
Blame it on me being traditional or conservative in my eating habits. My liking for chinese mix-vegetable sticked with me throughout the two years. With exceptional alternatives to eat chicken chop with fried rice and burger when I'm too lazy to compete with a overcrowded canteen.
"For your private and leisure-reading. None of this entry which follows is by any means, strictly an innocent passing-statement, not intended to conflict, defame or inimically misrepresent the military defence"
Then.. NS changed my taste bud completely. Any food tasted heavenly when I was "captured" or "retained" in Tekong. *Sobz* Oh! For any mothers who are worried for their pre-enlisting sons. Need not worry lah. Army food are much better than it used to be, even when compared to 12 months ago! Ironically, alot of enlistees put on weight despite perceived that they would lose weight with all those strenuous training.
It's worth mentioning, the SFI is providing serviceman with really good food. The premier of all would be the Western.
After being being "retrenched" from NS, my eating habits change pretty frequently, it will remain domain for a period of time until it's taken over by another craze. Inevitaby, the eating place changed along too. Eating at restaurant became common. My favourite restaurant is Swensons. It was the first and an annually-visited restaurant where my birthday would be celebrated with the memorable "firehouse" - the alternative to birthday cake.
Having disclosed my favourite restaurant, I should move on to reveal my life-time favourite dish. Due to my frequent family vacations to Australia, since Fish N Chips was found everywhere.. it was unknowingly adopted as my favourite dish!
Pragmatically, I don't eat Fish N Chips for every meal just because I love it. There are others which I eat as well.. In the gradual accumulated 21 years, the "theory of food against different places and purposes" was developed.
The simple and easy.......
For zhi-cha (outdoor family food), I love hotplate "deer" meat; BBQ Stingray; "baby Kailan".
At hawker centres, I will choose Cha Hokkien (prawn) Mee (which I won't eat the prawn and sotong); Minced Pork noodles (which I won't eat the pork meat); mix-vegetable rice.
At food court, the first dish I will look at will be Japanese food or Korean food. Alternatively, I will try Fishball noodles.
The next range......
Fastfood. My all time favourite is Mos Burger. It was rank #1 until my encounter with Subway in 2006. Oops.
Mac Donalds are so "army". BK is good, I only eat their chicken sandwich, nothing else! Carl's Junior (suffer like hell since I've a small mouth).
The High end.....
When it comes to Western food, I won't mind Cafe Cartel, TCC, Fish n Co, Breeks.
Others, I would eat at selected places for specific variety of food...
For Japanese, I like Sakae (Mohan, too bad you don't eat Japanese food); For Thai, I love Thai Express; Pasta, go Pasta-mania.
I don't really have a taste-bud for dessert. Surprisingly, in 2003, I developed a craze for cheese-cake ever since I watched Initial D movie. Not any cheese cake wor.. only New York cheese cake (those plain type).
Love chilling out at cafes like TCC, Starbucks and Coffee bean (because of you, Honey).
Did I mention BBQ and Seoul garden? Those are strictly for entertainment purposes when I'm out with a large group of people. Hehe.
Well well.. looks like your drool's gonna drip onto the flood! *just kidding*
Oki oki.. that's all for now! ;p
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
De one with Honeymood Getaway
Love-ly
Thursday 12:03 pm, Changi Airport T1, Singapore
My cab arrived to meet up with Honey. In the end, had to wait for a friend named Alderic, who would be joining us on our trip to Taipei. Since it was still early after check in, we decided to spend the time having lunch at this fried chicken store. Geez sorry.. can't really remember the exact name of the store. Honey feedback that the chicken taste better than KFC's. Well.. I thought what was interesting was the biscuit bread. It's really like a pastry bread. Both of us thought the fish was not very nice as everything fell apart when you bite into it.
Before we know it, we were involved in a neck-rush, trying to inform Mindef about our overseas trip. Hell.. it was unexpected. With that, all our initial plans to shop for a puzzle book and order a cup of coffee in the departure holding area were blown. As we were only left with 5 minutes before the flight took off. Sigh.
Thursday 06:40 pm, Taipei Airport, Taiwan
Our Jetstar plane touched down at our destination after 4 hours of boredom. We did "combat" our boredom, by arguing over our arrival time at Taipei.
Well, everything happened pretty fast after alighting from the plane. Before we know it, we were already on "Fly-Dog" coach which took us to our drop off near where our hotel was located. The coach bus was pretty cool. They provide a mini TV screen for every passengers and guess what? The speakers were attached to the neck-rest, extending to be positioned near your ears. Unfortunately, mine was too loud despite me turning it to the lowest volume. Diaoz..
The trip was enjoyable until the coach approached the city. That's when the three of us, cluelessly, in search of familiar roads stated on our maps, desperately locating the right stop to alight.
Eventually, we managed to get to our lodging after some cutting through the streets and an unexpected help from a friendly local. My first impression? It wasn't a hotel. It was a motel. A love motel (to be exact, as stated by Ric and Honey). It's outer appearance looked like those one can spot in Geyland. Ha!
For near hundred per night, our accommodation was splendid! All thanks to my brilliant Honey. Both of us loved the spacious bathroom. It stretches half the size of a typical HDB flat room.. black marbled tiled, consisting of a semi fish-bowl alike washing basin, a glass paneled shower room and a luxurious Jacuzzi (Erm.. We were abit envious of the bigger, oriental Jacuzzi tub in Ric's room). Omg. Our jaw dropped on our first step-in Room 1011!
Via train, we headed down to our first place in Taipei - ShiLin, after much unpacking, showering and admiration of our room. There, Honey got so excited.. for a moment, I thought I was neglected and left behind. ShiLin or commonly known as ShiLin Ye-shi is a very popular place with the tourist and their locals. The layout had alot of resemblance to our Bugis Street (or should I say the other way round). In fact, I would opinion it to be some place similar between shop-houses of shopping centre and our Pasar-malem.
Of course, we tried alot of food. Ric said, don't think the food's fattening and it would deposit in our body. True.. we ate alot of street-food, ranging from some of the more famous MUST-TRY food like their Fried chicken chop, tomatoes with plum-inserted, strawberries with milk syrup... to some amazing discovery like Chou Dou Fu (ie Smelly Tofu) in soup...to some food which are more tradition like egg-waffles, seafood-fin soup and glutinuous rice. That's alot right? Omg.
Honey was looking for exclusive and pretty jeans. Thus, we spent a long time, walking through the maze of complicating streets shops. In the end, we managed to spot one which we liked and purchased a couple jeans. Sadly, I fell trap to a cheat, who sold me a jeans with waistline that require negligible effort to have the entire jeans pulled down my waist.
It was until 1 pm plus which sent us taking a cab where we had a chat with this friendly driver, who talked with a typical Taiwanese local accent. Amusing, I suffered a bit of culture shock. I'm actually in a place where people converse Hokkien as one of their main language and it didn't sound vulgar. Unlike those in Singaporean-spoken Hokkien which sound more vulgar. Oops!
Friday 08:30 am, Everspring hotel, Taipei
After barely 5 hours of inadequate sleep, Honey and I dragged ourselves to have our complimentary breakfast at this Dante's Cafe. It was good. Honey was thrilled with the smoked chicken and ham sandwich.
Happily filled, we headed to Taiwan's most current attraction - Taipei 101. This magnificent building was deemed the pride of the Taiwanese. In which contained approximately 5 storeys of branded shops and near hundred storeys of offices. Since the shopping area only open for business at 11 am, Honey and I took a trip up to the 101th storey where we witness the spectacular view of Taipei in full 4 directions. We even paid for our picture to be taken, our first picture together eh! So proud of it. It comes with a 4R photo, nice back-drop and this certificate which CERTIFIES your visit to Taipei 101. Hehe. To have it more meaningful, both of us own a copy and had it bared our wonderful signatures on it!! Wahaha
Time really passed by fast. It was past noon when we descended via the high speed lift down 101 storeys and scrumbled for an eating place since everywhere were so packed with people. Geez. End up, we had an affordably cheap Japanese curry rice. After lunch, we went shopping again.. I enjoyed it alot. It was heavenly!
Friday 19:00 hrs, leaving Zhi Shan station, Taipei
Came evening, we came out with Ric, to Ximen Ding to have dinner before continuing our mission. Of course, shopping spree resumed after having completing 3/4 of our mission at XimenDing before we call it a day.
Saturday 09:46 am, turning cold in Taipei
Honey and I headed down to a temple at Yuan Shan. In it held stunning statues. First thing we did here was to queue to pray under this enormous floating lantern. Before proceeding to pay our worship to the other gods housed within.
In hope of visiting another street shopping area, we decided to head for Zhong Xiao Dun Hua area where more shopping was possible. Honey was eager to hunt for more jeans, so we embarked on our roam through all the shopping complexes we could set foot into.
Came late afternoon, we met up with Ric and his local friend, Jet. It didn't take us very long before we went on a pursue for satisfying jackets and sweaters to keep us warm in the turning-cold weather. My intuition in the morning was right. Honey didn't allow me to bring my jacket out. I predicted we will need it later.
After two visits to different shops, Honey found a pleasant blue Adidas sweater, which happened to be the last piece of the smallest size. End up, Honey wanted me to wear. I refused. We didn't wear the available sweater at all.
All thanks to Jeff, we managed to complete our mission in Taipei. That was when I bought a perfect White Nike sweater before we found this restaurant to have steamboat for dinner. At first, I was frustrated since the newly bought sweater was kinda small on me. Wanted to have it changed but unfortunately, they only had S and L sizes. They could import from other cities. Sadly, it would require a few days. By then we'd had left Taipei. Left with no choice, I made do with the current S, which kinda fit me afterall. Honey commented that I was being too much a perfectionist.
What occurred later was really unexpected. Our honeymoon took a down-swing. During conversation over dinner, certain responses were wrongly communicated, strife arise between Honey and me. I admit I was throwing tantrum. Honey even mentioned "I really feel like slapping you". Ouch!
Of course, what goes up, must come down. Our tempers were no exception. We calmed the issue and reconcile back in the hotel. Pity thing we forgone our last night shopping that night. *sorry Hon*
Sunday 09:45 am, Changchun Road, Taipei
Was it the cold atmosphere or the fact that it was the last day before I head back to Singapore (as I have lecture the next day), both of us were very quiet. I was thinking, perhaps the solemn between us, was because we were overwhelmed by our pride that we didn't want to communicate us can't bearing to part or might be because, the excitement of being overseas has faded with increased familiarisation with the limiting places of interest in Taipei.
We had our last complimentary breakfast at the same place. Only differences for our agenda were having shopped at Zhong Xiao Fuxing, ate dim sum for lunch and a long trip to the airport.
Sunday 06:53 pm, departure for Singapore, Taipei Airport
Not forgetting our last dinner together in Taipei at Burger King. Both of us were stunned. As if we were in Australia, no packet chili sauce were to be found despite them serving Spicy Chicken Burger in their menu. Funny.
The moment when I was leaving for the immigration area was extremely unforgettable. I fought so hard to contain my tears profusely-gathering in my eyes and the immense reluctance to leave.. Sigh.. As if the situation wasn't worse enough, a noisy commotion between two groups of Hongkongers at the queue broke out. Reason being one party was trying to cut queue.
Gosh.. at that moment I felt very unprotected that my effortless composure was crumpling. You know.. being all alone in the mess where a situation was going on and you have no accompany by your side.
The tension and lonely pressure were just too overwhelming. My mind could only concerned how much I really love Honey... that I would miss my sweetheart terribly. All I could remember was my brain kept screaming how much I didn't want to leave and struggling to hold back my out-flowing tears.
No wonder I never let my parents or friends send me off at the airport ever since army overseas trip. Perhaps, I was using the excuse for independence so I didn't have to deal with the painstaking torture of having to cope with parting with someone I really really love so dearly. Gosh.. it hurts so much to separate with my loved ones...
:: Honey, having came back to Singapore, you are always on my mind.. I miss you so much.. certainly, the tears speaks endless depth of my ever growing love for you. I didn't have the time at Taipei Airport, expressing how touch and appreciative I am, by what you have been doing for me.. accompanying me on my long journey to the airport and even send me off till the gates of the immigration area.
Hope you'll enjoy your trip in HK. I'll be waiting for your safe and soon return. Thank you for your assurance in your sms. I love ya more than words can say... Well.. right now.. I just miss you so much...
Thursday 12:03 pm, Changi Airport T1, Singapore
My cab arrived to meet up with Honey. In the end, had to wait for a friend named Alderic, who would be joining us on our trip to Taipei. Since it was still early after check in, we decided to spend the time having lunch at this fried chicken store. Geez sorry.. can't really remember the exact name of the store. Honey feedback that the chicken taste better than KFC's. Well.. I thought what was interesting was the biscuit bread. It's really like a pastry bread. Both of us thought the fish was not very nice as everything fell apart when you bite into it.
Before we know it, we were involved in a neck-rush, trying to inform Mindef about our overseas trip. Hell.. it was unexpected. With that, all our initial plans to shop for a puzzle book and order a cup of coffee in the departure holding area were blown. As we were only left with 5 minutes before the flight took off. Sigh.
Thursday 06:40 pm, Taipei Airport, Taiwan
Our Jetstar plane touched down at our destination after 4 hours of boredom. We did "combat" our boredom, by arguing over our arrival time at Taipei.
Well, everything happened pretty fast after alighting from the plane. Before we know it, we were already on "Fly-Dog" coach which took us to our drop off near where our hotel was located. The coach bus was pretty cool. They provide a mini TV screen for every passengers and guess what? The speakers were attached to the neck-rest, extending to be positioned near your ears. Unfortunately, mine was too loud despite me turning it to the lowest volume. Diaoz..
The trip was enjoyable until the coach approached the city. That's when the three of us, cluelessly, in search of familiar roads stated on our maps, desperately locating the right stop to alight.
Eventually, we managed to get to our lodging after some cutting through the streets and an unexpected help from a friendly local. My first impression? It wasn't a hotel. It was a motel. A love motel (to be exact, as stated by Ric and Honey). It's outer appearance looked like those one can spot in Geyland. Ha!
For near hundred per night, our accommodation was splendid! All thanks to my brilliant Honey. Both of us loved the spacious bathroom. It stretches half the size of a typical HDB flat room.. black marbled tiled, consisting of a semi fish-bowl alike washing basin, a glass paneled shower room and a luxurious Jacuzzi (Erm.. We were abit envious of the bigger, oriental Jacuzzi tub in Ric's room). Omg. Our jaw dropped on our first step-in Room 1011!
Via train, we headed down to our first place in Taipei - ShiLin, after much unpacking, showering and admiration of our room. There, Honey got so excited.. for a moment, I thought I was neglected and left behind. ShiLin or commonly known as ShiLin Ye-shi is a very popular place with the tourist and their locals. The layout had alot of resemblance to our Bugis Street (or should I say the other way round). In fact, I would opinion it to be some place similar between shop-houses of shopping centre and our Pasar-malem.
Of course, we tried alot of food. Ric said, don't think the food's fattening and it would deposit in our body. True.. we ate alot of street-food, ranging from some of the more famous MUST-TRY food like their Fried chicken chop, tomatoes with plum-inserted, strawberries with milk syrup... to some amazing discovery like Chou Dou Fu (ie Smelly Tofu) in soup...to some food which are more tradition like egg-waffles, seafood-fin soup and glutinuous rice. That's alot right? Omg.
Honey was looking for exclusive and pretty jeans. Thus, we spent a long time, walking through the maze of complicating streets shops. In the end, we managed to spot one which we liked and purchased a couple jeans. Sadly, I fell trap to a cheat, who sold me a jeans with waistline that require negligible effort to have the entire jeans pulled down my waist.
It was until 1 pm plus which sent us taking a cab where we had a chat with this friendly driver, who talked with a typical Taiwanese local accent. Amusing, I suffered a bit of culture shock. I'm actually in a place where people converse Hokkien as one of their main language and it didn't sound vulgar. Unlike those in Singaporean-spoken Hokkien which sound more vulgar. Oops!
Friday 08:30 am, Everspring hotel, Taipei
After barely 5 hours of inadequate sleep, Honey and I dragged ourselves to have our complimentary breakfast at this Dante's Cafe. It was good. Honey was thrilled with the smoked chicken and ham sandwich.
Happily filled, we headed to Taiwan's most current attraction - Taipei 101. This magnificent building was deemed the pride of the Taiwanese. In which contained approximately 5 storeys of branded shops and near hundred storeys of offices. Since the shopping area only open for business at 11 am, Honey and I took a trip up to the 101th storey where we witness the spectacular view of Taipei in full 4 directions. We even paid for our picture to be taken, our first picture together eh! So proud of it. It comes with a 4R photo, nice back-drop and this certificate which CERTIFIES your visit to Taipei 101. Hehe. To have it more meaningful, both of us own a copy and had it bared our wonderful signatures on it!! Wahaha
Time really passed by fast. It was past noon when we descended via the high speed lift down 101 storeys and scrumbled for an eating place since everywhere were so packed with people. Geez. End up, we had an affordably cheap Japanese curry rice. After lunch, we went shopping again.. I enjoyed it alot. It was heavenly!
Friday 19:00 hrs, leaving Zhi Shan station, Taipei
Came evening, we came out with Ric, to Ximen Ding to have dinner before continuing our mission. Of course, shopping spree resumed after having completing 3/4 of our mission at XimenDing before we call it a day.
Saturday 09:46 am, turning cold in Taipei
Honey and I headed down to a temple at Yuan Shan. In it held stunning statues. First thing we did here was to queue to pray under this enormous floating lantern. Before proceeding to pay our worship to the other gods housed within.
In hope of visiting another street shopping area, we decided to head for Zhong Xiao Dun Hua area where more shopping was possible. Honey was eager to hunt for more jeans, so we embarked on our roam through all the shopping complexes we could set foot into.
Came late afternoon, we met up with Ric and his local friend, Jet. It didn't take us very long before we went on a pursue for satisfying jackets and sweaters to keep us warm in the turning-cold weather. My intuition in the morning was right. Honey didn't allow me to bring my jacket out. I predicted we will need it later.
After two visits to different shops, Honey found a pleasant blue Adidas sweater, which happened to be the last piece of the smallest size. End up, Honey wanted me to wear. I refused. We didn't wear the available sweater at all.
All thanks to Jeff, we managed to complete our mission in Taipei. That was when I bought a perfect White Nike sweater before we found this restaurant to have steamboat for dinner. At first, I was frustrated since the newly bought sweater was kinda small on me. Wanted to have it changed but unfortunately, they only had S and L sizes. They could import from other cities. Sadly, it would require a few days. By then we'd had left Taipei. Left with no choice, I made do with the current S, which kinda fit me afterall. Honey commented that I was being too much a perfectionist.
What occurred later was really unexpected. Our honeymoon took a down-swing. During conversation over dinner, certain responses were wrongly communicated, strife arise between Honey and me. I admit I was throwing tantrum. Honey even mentioned "I really feel like slapping you". Ouch!
Of course, what goes up, must come down. Our tempers were no exception. We calmed the issue and reconcile back in the hotel. Pity thing we forgone our last night shopping that night. *sorry Hon*
Sunday 09:45 am, Changchun Road, Taipei
Was it the cold atmosphere or the fact that it was the last day before I head back to Singapore (as I have lecture the next day), both of us were very quiet. I was thinking, perhaps the solemn between us, was because we were overwhelmed by our pride that we didn't want to communicate us can't bearing to part or might be because, the excitement of being overseas has faded with increased familiarisation with the limiting places of interest in Taipei.
We had our last complimentary breakfast at the same place. Only differences for our agenda were having shopped at Zhong Xiao Fuxing, ate dim sum for lunch and a long trip to the airport.
Sunday 06:53 pm, departure for Singapore, Taipei Airport
Not forgetting our last dinner together in Taipei at Burger King. Both of us were stunned. As if we were in Australia, no packet chili sauce were to be found despite them serving Spicy Chicken Burger in their menu. Funny.
The moment when I was leaving for the immigration area was extremely unforgettable. I fought so hard to contain my tears profusely-gathering in my eyes and the immense reluctance to leave.. Sigh.. As if the situation wasn't worse enough, a noisy commotion between two groups of Hongkongers at the queue broke out. Reason being one party was trying to cut queue.
Gosh.. at that moment I felt very unprotected that my effortless composure was crumpling. You know.. being all alone in the mess where a situation was going on and you have no accompany by your side.
The tension and lonely pressure were just too overwhelming. My mind could only concerned how much I really love Honey... that I would miss my sweetheart terribly. All I could remember was my brain kept screaming how much I didn't want to leave and struggling to hold back my out-flowing tears.
No wonder I never let my parents or friends send me off at the airport ever since army overseas trip. Perhaps, I was using the excuse for independence so I didn't have to deal with the painstaking torture of having to cope with parting with someone I really really love so dearly. Gosh.. it hurts so much to separate with my loved ones...
:: Honey, having came back to Singapore, you are always on my mind.. I miss you so much.. certainly, the tears speaks endless depth of my ever growing love for you. I didn't have the time at Taipei Airport, expressing how touch and appreciative I am, by what you have been doing for me.. accompanying me on my long journey to the airport and even send me off till the gates of the immigration area.
Hope you'll enjoy your trip in HK. I'll be waiting for your safe and soon return. Thank you for your assurance in your sms. I love ya more than words can say... Well.. right now.. I just miss you so much...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
De one with Education Saga (Ep 6)
Episode 6:
No kidding. Well.. erm.. Hehe it's abit embarrassing, now that I think back into this part. Well.. back to the question again.. besides the friends and "comedies", there was a time I nearly wanted so much to quit the band.
WHY?
Oh, it was because the training were not what I signed up for. I felt unhappy. Most probably, after having bruised by my senior and feeling I couldn't perform. Thankfully, I persevered and it open my stay to unforgettable moments of intense feelings, skills gained and spectacular, eye-opening experiences.
Wuao.. looks like our guy have been through alot.. We anticipate you'll be doing a separate, in-depth blog about this remarkable part of your life?
Yup.. Oops! Did I just let a cat out of the bag? Hehe. Anyway, it's really too much to fill into this interview-entry. Hmm.
Perhaps mind revealing when our audiences are going to be expecting this special blog?
Hmm.. it's hard to say because I'm kinda tight on my ideas.
Just to let you know, we shall be looking forward to that premium debut. Jason, what other moments you'd care to share with us, through your secondary school life?
Well.. let's see.. During secondary 2, I got abit crazy, thinking "oh well, it's time to do something which I've never done before". In just the right time, a challenge appeared before me and I entered myself into this "Ideas for Going Green" competition.
Eventually, my ideas were selected and before I knew it, a few classmates and I formed teams to represent our schools in this exhibition, presenting and competing for the "Best innovation" and "Best innovative Idea" award. Apparently, one of the teams won the "Best Innovative Idea" Award. Part of the prize was awarded to me and my photo appeared in the school's magazine.
Awesome! I couldn't agree more (smiley)...
*shy-ing*
You did your school proud! What's there to be shy about!! Well, what else did you learn from your term?
Well, I discovered my capability for management (of time) and excellence in studies. During my secondary school, I felt life couldn't be more perfectly organised and better to look forward to.
I remember I overcome my stage-fright. Recall my uncontrollable trembling hands when I have to do a solo presentation in front of a large group of people? However, having performed at a fully-occupied National Stadium of spectators, the nerves got bolder!
Jason, from what we all know. Secondary schoolers had to face puberty. So what kinda effect it had on your life and more importantly, you?
Oh.. puberty was really torturing. Mainly because I had to struggle to cope with increasing peer pressure, physical changes, emotional distress. Yup. It did affect my alot.
Well, not just me. Everyone underwent puberty at that time. Those early matur-ers would start to say rather hurting stuff. During secondary 1 and 2, it was a pretty dark period of my life. I feel very inferior due to my fat appearance, being too shy and soft-spoken for a guy. However, I'm really glad, I managed to pull through, with all those enduring through absolute loneliness.
I remember then I never dared to go to the crowded canteen to eat alone. I'll always hide myself in the library since we were restricted from staying in our classrooms during recess time.
But then again, I've learned to be strong and "befriended" solitary. Most of my projects were done on solo. And guess what? I scored pretty high.
Not diverting... the full swing of puberty came in like when I was ending secondary 2. I got easily frustrated and this constant need in search of love. Omg. It's ridiculous and unpleasant. I'd not wanna talk into that.
The juicy part, which I believe most people wanna know about. Well.. erm.. Masturbation kicked in when I was secondary 1. Oops.. Well.. that's all I have to say; =x
Haha... Oh.. I supposed that must have been a bitter sweet moment for ya, Jason. But we admire you for your courage to face your lonely times. Maybe, you'd like to share with us more about your teachers?
Oh.. teachers..right. Miss Teo, my secondary 1 form and a choir teacher, wanted me to join choir. She's really sweet.
Mrs Tan, my secondary 2 form teacher, commended me of my neat work and good management between my studies and busy CCA. Ironically, to most of my classmates, they detested her. I didn't because I couldn't figure out why.. There was my home economics teacher, who was also one of the band teachers, whom I've left quite an impression with my conscientious work, excellence and magnificent apron (with a prominent cursive embroidery name, which my dear mummy sewn for me overnight).
Aww... that's so great of her..
... Came secondary three, my form teacher was a male. Named Mr Tan. I was very low profile to him. There were a few times he tried to know more about me..nevertheless, unsuccessful!
Then there was Miss Tammy Tan, our literature teacher (when I was in secondary 3 & 4) who possess an exceptionally good impression of me and my skill in art. I remembered she used to tell my class mates that I'd have fit her desired image of "her son-in-law". Omg!
And there was Mrs Kumar, our maths teacher for secondary 3 & 4. She was a bitterly direct, crazily overly demanding woman. We were all so afraid of her wits that recall there was once, I was so tired from practice for our band competition period, that I struggled to stay awake so hard, to spare myself from being scolded.
My first encounter with this radical maths teacher was pretty interesting. Having introduced herself to the class, she suddenly stopped and walked all the way back to the last row where I was sitting. She said I had a very innocent, kind face. Omg. Just wondering how true was that. I don't even noticed myself!
Apparently, Mrs Kumar's existence was a challenge to my attitude towards mathematics. I remembered she commented on the results of band members. Somehow it contained some prejudice against us. From day 1, she triggered my determination to want to prove her wrong flatly, that band members were capable enough to produce better results than others from less hectic and busy CCAs!! Ha!
Oh (surprisingly astonished)
Last but not least, there was Miss Suan. Our beloved form and English teacher during my sec 4. She resembled alot like Bridget Jones. Always cheerful and funny. She knew of my gift for art. That's why she nicknamed me her "Artist". Oops! Other than that, she also commended before that I looked like a korean boy (that was, of course, way before the korean craze). Ha!
Ooo! Korean! Bae Yong-Joon? Kang Don-Won?
I'd apologise for interrupting, did anybody ever said you looked like foreigner?
Ya. There were people who had asked if I was an Indonesian Chinese! Or even pondered me being a Malay due to my really tanned complexion back then! Taiwanese, Japanese.. you named it.. most people say I've a pretty oriental face-features..
You bet.. Please, do continue previously..
More or less, the teachers in Bowen weren't bad teachers. They were hell lot of a passionate and hardworking lot. It's really true, that a school and her teachers doesn't account for the poor academic results. Rather, it was the students. My batch was a diligent batch that year. I recall my sec 4 physics teacher, Mr Selvarasoo, always reminded us, we were the "cream of the top"!
But then again, not being rude. But our former principal didn't gain much support from the students. Simply because evidently, she channeled huge funds in beautifying the school premises with flora and fauna. When she should have spent it on other essentials. Sigh~
Perhaps it's to provide a conducive environment for you students lah...
It's really ambiguous! Oops!
*laughter*
... To be continued
No kidding. Well.. erm.. Hehe it's abit embarrassing, now that I think back into this part. Well.. back to the question again.. besides the friends and "comedies", there was a time I nearly wanted so much to quit the band.
WHY?
Oh, it was because the training were not what I signed up for. I felt unhappy. Most probably, after having bruised by my senior and feeling I couldn't perform. Thankfully, I persevered and it open my stay to unforgettable moments of intense feelings, skills gained and spectacular, eye-opening experiences.
Wuao.. looks like our guy have been through alot.. We anticipate you'll be doing a separate, in-depth blog about this remarkable part of your life?
Yup.. Oops! Did I just let a cat out of the bag? Hehe. Anyway, it's really too much to fill into this interview-entry. Hmm.
Perhaps mind revealing when our audiences are going to be expecting this special blog?
Hmm.. it's hard to say because I'm kinda tight on my ideas.
Just to let you know, we shall be looking forward to that premium debut. Jason, what other moments you'd care to share with us, through your secondary school life?
Well.. let's see.. During secondary 2, I got abit crazy, thinking "oh well, it's time to do something which I've never done before". In just the right time, a challenge appeared before me and I entered myself into this "Ideas for Going Green" competition.
Eventually, my ideas were selected and before I knew it, a few classmates and I formed teams to represent our schools in this exhibition, presenting and competing for the "Best innovation" and "Best innovative Idea" award. Apparently, one of the teams won the "Best Innovative Idea" Award. Part of the prize was awarded to me and my photo appeared in the school's magazine.
Awesome! I couldn't agree more (smiley)...
*shy-ing*
You did your school proud! What's there to be shy about!! Well, what else did you learn from your term?
Well, I discovered my capability for management (of time) and excellence in studies. During my secondary school, I felt life couldn't be more perfectly organised and better to look forward to.
I remember I overcome my stage-fright. Recall my uncontrollable trembling hands when I have to do a solo presentation in front of a large group of people? However, having performed at a fully-occupied National Stadium of spectators, the nerves got bolder!
Jason, from what we all know. Secondary schoolers had to face puberty. So what kinda effect it had on your life and more importantly, you?
Oh.. puberty was really torturing. Mainly because I had to struggle to cope with increasing peer pressure, physical changes, emotional distress. Yup. It did affect my alot.
Well, not just me. Everyone underwent puberty at that time. Those early matur-ers would start to say rather hurting stuff. During secondary 1 and 2, it was a pretty dark period of my life. I feel very inferior due to my fat appearance, being too shy and soft-spoken for a guy. However, I'm really glad, I managed to pull through, with all those enduring through absolute loneliness.
I remember then I never dared to go to the crowded canteen to eat alone. I'll always hide myself in the library since we were restricted from staying in our classrooms during recess time.
But then again, I've learned to be strong and "befriended" solitary. Most of my projects were done on solo. And guess what? I scored pretty high.
Not diverting... the full swing of puberty came in like when I was ending secondary 2. I got easily frustrated and this constant need in search of love. Omg. It's ridiculous and unpleasant. I'd not wanna talk into that.
The juicy part, which I believe most people wanna know about. Well.. erm.. Masturbation kicked in when I was secondary 1. Oops.. Well.. that's all I have to say; =x
Haha... Oh.. I supposed that must have been a bitter sweet moment for ya, Jason. But we admire you for your courage to face your lonely times. Maybe, you'd like to share with us more about your teachers?
Oh.. teachers..right. Miss Teo, my secondary 1 form and a choir teacher, wanted me to join choir. She's really sweet.
Mrs Tan, my secondary 2 form teacher, commended me of my neat work and good management between my studies and busy CCA. Ironically, to most of my classmates, they detested her. I didn't because I couldn't figure out why.. There was my home economics teacher, who was also one of the band teachers, whom I've left quite an impression with my conscientious work, excellence and magnificent apron (with a prominent cursive embroidery name, which my dear mummy sewn for me overnight).
Aww... that's so great of her..
... Came secondary three, my form teacher was a male. Named Mr Tan. I was very low profile to him. There were a few times he tried to know more about me..nevertheless, unsuccessful!
Then there was Miss Tammy Tan, our literature teacher (when I was in secondary 3 & 4) who possess an exceptionally good impression of me and my skill in art. I remembered she used to tell my class mates that I'd have fit her desired image of "her son-in-law". Omg!
And there was Mrs Kumar, our maths teacher for secondary 3 & 4. She was a bitterly direct, crazily overly demanding woman. We were all so afraid of her wits that recall there was once, I was so tired from practice for our band competition period, that I struggled to stay awake so hard, to spare myself from being scolded.
My first encounter with this radical maths teacher was pretty interesting. Having introduced herself to the class, she suddenly stopped and walked all the way back to the last row where I was sitting. She said I had a very innocent, kind face. Omg. Just wondering how true was that. I don't even noticed myself!
Apparently, Mrs Kumar's existence was a challenge to my attitude towards mathematics. I remembered she commented on the results of band members. Somehow it contained some prejudice against us. From day 1, she triggered my determination to want to prove her wrong flatly, that band members were capable enough to produce better results than others from less hectic and busy CCAs!! Ha!
Oh (surprisingly astonished)
Last but not least, there was Miss Suan. Our beloved form and English teacher during my sec 4. She resembled alot like Bridget Jones. Always cheerful and funny. She knew of my gift for art. That's why she nicknamed me her "Artist". Oops! Other than that, she also commended before that I looked like a korean boy (that was, of course, way before the korean craze). Ha!
Ooo! Korean! Bae Yong-Joon? Kang Don-Won?
I'd apologise for interrupting, did anybody ever said you looked like foreigner?
Ya. There were people who had asked if I was an Indonesian Chinese! Or even pondered me being a Malay due to my really tanned complexion back then! Taiwanese, Japanese.. you named it.. most people say I've a pretty oriental face-features..
You bet.. Please, do continue previously..
More or less, the teachers in Bowen weren't bad teachers. They were hell lot of a passionate and hardworking lot. It's really true, that a school and her teachers doesn't account for the poor academic results. Rather, it was the students. My batch was a diligent batch that year. I recall my sec 4 physics teacher, Mr Selvarasoo, always reminded us, we were the "cream of the top"!
But then again, not being rude. But our former principal didn't gain much support from the students. Simply because evidently, she channeled huge funds in beautifying the school premises with flora and fauna. When she should have spent it on other essentials. Sigh~
Perhaps it's to provide a conducive environment for you students lah...
It's really ambiguous! Oops!
*laughter*
... To be continued
Thursday, March 08, 2007
De one with Education Saga (Ep 5)
Episode 5:
Previously on Education Saga...
At the age of 5 years old, Jason got admitted into the a kindergarden at a neighbourhood community centre. In his first stage of education, he learned how to make friends and about being independent. Perpetually, he developed his talent for art and liking to compete in sports, which combined elements of creativity and victory...
Later, Jason received his next phrase of education in Ang Mo Kio Primary School, where he'd learned more about his dislike for prefects, naive "childhood politics" and surprisingly, dwelling shallowly in being in touch with the "bad boy" in him...
If one would bother to look into his childhood, Jason was a rather mischievous boy. At tender age, he got admitted into Tan Tock Sheng hospital in the middle of the night, for spinning himself and vomited out of brutal dizziness...
And then in primary 3, he loved swinging on pull-up bars despite being warned it's dangerous. During an occasion, he fell front-flat when his friend decide to play a trick on him by holding his legs off the ground. He passed out for a couple of minutes...
He loved sitting on two legs of the chair, which resulted him to fall over...
During primary 5 and 6, he hang up with undesirable classmates at playgrounds after school and even went bowling...
For one thing, Jason didn't expect himself.... to get into a gangster secondary school...
Jason, I believe at the age of 13, you'd have the capacity to retain strong memories and feelings about the past. How did you feel when you started a brand new chapter in Bowen Secondary School?
Wuao.. I guess I must have been a bad and playful boy back then. I remember I hate having cheese moved and the whole idea that I had to move out of the cheese-emptied room, in search of the next new rooms. It was often accompanied by a session where I'd sit down with my mummy.
I had to admit mummy was kind enough to help me consider my choices. Unlike others, like my cousin, who didn't have such fortunate caring mothers. Besides, mummy always left the liberty to me, in choosing my course of education. In which, encompasses the institution.
To me, making choices for myself was a real big hasser and headache. Undeniably, it's a painful course in life which parents start to make us learn how to make choices for ourselves. I've only scored 203 for my PSLE, which wasn't brilliant. As I couldn't get into most desirable neighbourhood secondary schools like Anderson, Ang Mo Kio or Mayflower.
When my posting results arrived, I only remember I was abit perturbed that I got into my sixth choice.. Bowen.
Although I've been to the school (for photo-shoot and administration matters) once, I felt dreadful and nervous, attending the first official day at school. My daddy accompanied me to the school with plenty of strangers. He was very concerned with me, kept telling me to take care of myself when I was trying very hard to overcome my nervousness. In addition, I was afraid a parent-presence would embarrass me, as I'm already 13.
Now that you asked, I didn't quite recall much except there was alot of instructions and commanding us to move around here and there. There were a few ice-breakers held in classrooms, those which you have to stand up when it's your turn and introduce yourself to the class. It was ridiculous! I don't even remember how I made new friends back then. I believe, most were by chance... in favor. *wink*
Oh..I remember that, some think it as fun. I think it's dreadful too! I was exploding with stage-fright!
Ya..that's how I feel back then. I was nervous to the core. And partly because I was inferior of my obese appearance.
We've read your testimonials and it reflected that joining the military band attributed obvious significance in your secondary school life.
Well.. undeniably, yes. Being part of the school's most prestigious CCA (Core Curriculum Activities) painted a very vibrant and enriching chapter in my life.
My parents accompanied me to CCA orientation. We had conflicting interest. Mummy wanted me to join NCC (National Cadet Corps - the "childish version" of Army infantry), providing the reason that it would prepare me for nation service. Daddy wanted me to venture my horizons in Boys Brigade (the BB's) and Sports, which I have a hinch that he merely wanted me to fulfil what he didn't join during his time. Hehe. My cousin? She told me to consider NPCC (National Police Cadet Corps - "childplay" of Policeman). Jioto.. none of you were in those two which I mentioned?
*Roar-out laughter*
No no no! Omg...
Phew.. I meant no offences... I mean, seriously.. that's strictly, my way of "nicknaming" these organisational groups. Well, of course, I'm not stereotyping too.
*laughter commotion*
Well.. I hear NCC wasn't really good. They weren't disciplined as they portray themselves to be. They were so desperate to a level which they'd offer you free chicken drumsticks, to lure you into joining. BB's booth was manipulative. Their way of marketing really scares me. It beared so much resemblance to what those insurance companies are doing in public! I didn't want to join sports because I was demoralised with being fat and "I'm just not cut out to be an athlete" labeled on my forehead. Didn't want to join NPCC as I didn't want to be the same as my cousin.
And then... the band played loud and magnificently... to strike my light bulb alight and my eyes bright. Hehe.
Ohh yeah.. believe you care to bring us forth into this part about joining the band?
Perhaps I might say briefly about things regarding being a member in band... I met an incredible good friend, Alan; a girl I fell head over heels for.. and alot of Malay girl friends.
I do remember I was a real slow learner until my senior kinda lost his patience and left bruises on my arm. My sectional leader, Aden, always seemed troubled because I took very long to learn my rudiments and formation steps.
Funnily, people found me adorable instead of being disgusted by my chubbiness. Mainly because I was overly shy. Most particularly, it had got to do alot with this cute cap from Baseball. It had a lion push-toy at the front and a tail on the back. My instructor used to pull the tail in aiding me with my formation steps. Omg.
*blushes*
Aww...
That's so adorable!
There was this band camp during my secondary 1, where they had this "cross-dressing beauty contest". I represented the dancers' group. I think I won something. Ever since, I left quite an impression to them. Gee.. it was really embarrassing!
Omg! A boys' Beauty contest! What a fanatic competition!!
Yeah.. it was absurd..they made us wear fake-boobs and..gosh..
Oh.. no.. You've gotta be kidding me! Haha
*laughing*
Ahem.. well ok.. we've got terribly amusing start... stay tune for more during our next episode!
Previously on Education Saga...
At the age of 5 years old, Jason got admitted into the a kindergarden at a neighbourhood community centre. In his first stage of education, he learned how to make friends and about being independent. Perpetually, he developed his talent for art and liking to compete in sports, which combined elements of creativity and victory...
Later, Jason received his next phrase of education in Ang Mo Kio Primary School, where he'd learned more about his dislike for prefects, naive "childhood politics" and surprisingly, dwelling shallowly in being in touch with the "bad boy" in him...
If one would bother to look into his childhood, Jason was a rather mischievous boy. At tender age, he got admitted into Tan Tock Sheng hospital in the middle of the night, for spinning himself and vomited out of brutal dizziness...
And then in primary 3, he loved swinging on pull-up bars despite being warned it's dangerous. During an occasion, he fell front-flat when his friend decide to play a trick on him by holding his legs off the ground. He passed out for a couple of minutes...
He loved sitting on two legs of the chair, which resulted him to fall over...
During primary 5 and 6, he hang up with undesirable classmates at playgrounds after school and even went bowling...
For one thing, Jason didn't expect himself.... to get into a gangster secondary school...
Jason, I believe at the age of 13, you'd have the capacity to retain strong memories and feelings about the past. How did you feel when you started a brand new chapter in Bowen Secondary School?
Wuao.. I guess I must have been a bad and playful boy back then. I remember I hate having cheese moved and the whole idea that I had to move out of the cheese-emptied room, in search of the next new rooms. It was often accompanied by a session where I'd sit down with my mummy.
I had to admit mummy was kind enough to help me consider my choices. Unlike others, like my cousin, who didn't have such fortunate caring mothers. Besides, mummy always left the liberty to me, in choosing my course of education. In which, encompasses the institution.
To me, making choices for myself was a real big hasser and headache. Undeniably, it's a painful course in life which parents start to make us learn how to make choices for ourselves. I've only scored 203 for my PSLE, which wasn't brilliant. As I couldn't get into most desirable neighbourhood secondary schools like Anderson, Ang Mo Kio or Mayflower.
When my posting results arrived, I only remember I was abit perturbed that I got into my sixth choice.. Bowen.
Although I've been to the school (for photo-shoot and administration matters) once, I felt dreadful and nervous, attending the first official day at school. My daddy accompanied me to the school with plenty of strangers. He was very concerned with me, kept telling me to take care of myself when I was trying very hard to overcome my nervousness. In addition, I was afraid a parent-presence would embarrass me, as I'm already 13.
Now that you asked, I didn't quite recall much except there was alot of instructions and commanding us to move around here and there. There were a few ice-breakers held in classrooms, those which you have to stand up when it's your turn and introduce yourself to the class. It was ridiculous! I don't even remember how I made new friends back then. I believe, most were by chance... in favor. *wink*
Oh..I remember that, some think it as fun. I think it's dreadful too! I was exploding with stage-fright!
Ya..that's how I feel back then. I was nervous to the core. And partly because I was inferior of my obese appearance.
We've read your testimonials and it reflected that joining the military band attributed obvious significance in your secondary school life.
Well.. undeniably, yes. Being part of the school's most prestigious CCA (Core Curriculum Activities) painted a very vibrant and enriching chapter in my life.
My parents accompanied me to CCA orientation. We had conflicting interest. Mummy wanted me to join NCC (National Cadet Corps - the "childish version" of Army infantry), providing the reason that it would prepare me for nation service. Daddy wanted me to venture my horizons in Boys Brigade (the BB's) and Sports, which I have a hinch that he merely wanted me to fulfil what he didn't join during his time. Hehe. My cousin? She told me to consider NPCC (National Police Cadet Corps - "childplay" of Policeman). Jioto.. none of you were in those two which I mentioned?
*Roar-out laughter*
No no no! Omg...
Phew.. I meant no offences... I mean, seriously.. that's strictly, my way of "nicknaming" these organisational groups. Well, of course, I'm not stereotyping too.
*laughter commotion*
Well.. I hear NCC wasn't really good. They weren't disciplined as they portray themselves to be. They were so desperate to a level which they'd offer you free chicken drumsticks, to lure you into joining. BB's booth was manipulative. Their way of marketing really scares me. It beared so much resemblance to what those insurance companies are doing in public! I didn't want to join sports because I was demoralised with being fat and "I'm just not cut out to be an athlete" labeled on my forehead. Didn't want to join NPCC as I didn't want to be the same as my cousin.
And then... the band played loud and magnificently... to strike my light bulb alight and my eyes bright. Hehe.
Ohh yeah.. believe you care to bring us forth into this part about joining the band?
Perhaps I might say briefly about things regarding being a member in band... I met an incredible good friend, Alan; a girl I fell head over heels for.. and alot of Malay girl friends.
I do remember I was a real slow learner until my senior kinda lost his patience and left bruises on my arm. My sectional leader, Aden, always seemed troubled because I took very long to learn my rudiments and formation steps.
Funnily, people found me adorable instead of being disgusted by my chubbiness. Mainly because I was overly shy. Most particularly, it had got to do alot with this cute cap from Baseball. It had a lion push-toy at the front and a tail on the back. My instructor used to pull the tail in aiding me with my formation steps. Omg.
*blushes*
Aww...
That's so adorable!
There was this band camp during my secondary 1, where they had this "cross-dressing beauty contest". I represented the dancers' group. I think I won something. Ever since, I left quite an impression to them. Gee.. it was really embarrassing!
Omg! A boys' Beauty contest! What a fanatic competition!!
Yeah.. it was absurd..they made us wear fake-boobs and..gosh..
Oh.. no.. You've gotta be kidding me! Haha
*laughing*
Ahem.. well ok.. we've got terribly amusing start... stay tune for more during our next episode!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
De one with Chingay
Parade after rain
Wuao.. suddenly, I logged on to type a new blog entry and everything changed.. especially the dear tools which I could have used to make my blog more colourful and various fronts. *Sigh*
Well..nevermind. Hope it wouldn't bite to continue.. Yesterday was "人日". According to the lunar calendar, it signifies the birthday of every chinese.
Honey and I met at Chinatown for 45 mins. Telepathically, both of us were contented despite the short time of meeting as we were bounded by our after-appointments. We left after a short discussion over how our "engagement rings" were gonna be, over ice-tea session at Central's Starbucks.
I then took a train via Clark Quey station before changing to North-south line towards Orchard. Just during onboard the train at Douby Gaut, there was this indespicably selfish plump auntie who refused to move it even there was alot of space behind her. She practically stepped into the train, grabbed the nearest pole from the entrance and stood still. Omg! The people behind me were pushing me in.. the train's crowded too. Left with no choice, I had to squeeze myself through and the auntie just "zhe-r" me. Omg. For once, I feel like slapping her. I mean, she was in the wrong obviously as she refused to move in. The UNGLAMOROUS truth surfaced when she got off the next stop. My goodness, heaven have mercy on her. Oops! I can't believe.. for once I have the frustrating view as my Honey on inconsiderate people like her.
It didn't took long to rain by the time I arrived at Orchard MRT. Mohan was late. Due to his ambiguous sms reply, stating that he was coming by bus and alighting at the stop opposite Orchard, I proceeded to the busstop behind Wisma. Unfortunately, he was stopping at the busstop in front of Tangs. When we finally met, I was already complaining about my awful encounter with the inconsideratee.
En route to PS (Plaza Singapura), I dropped by Le Meridien to purchase some lovely gifts. Shhh! It's a secret!
We visited Manhattan Fish Market, a restaurant both of us have never been to in PS (Plaza Singapura). The food was rather disappointing. It tasted nothing unique. For what I thought it was just shadowing Fish N Co. Well.. both of us reached a concensus that Fish N Co was better. We should have patronised Fish N Co. Ohh.. Mohan came out unglamorous-ly, wearing his slippers in opposite sides.
In search of new clothings to buy and get away from increasing crowd at Orchard, both of us advanced to VivoCity. Sigh. It didn't take us very long before we were back at Orchard again since we couldn't find appealing. In fact, we did. Mohan wanted to get a new tie for his upcoming presentation in campus. We spotted this silvery and blue tie at Zara. Apparently, he didn't want to buy it on the spot since he was financially tight for the moment. I suggested paying for him first in view that the tie might be sold out by the time he make a long trip back on another occasion. He stood firm on his polite refusal. Ha.
On our way back to Orchard, we wanted to catch a movie at the Cathay. However, the timing wasn't helpful as we didn't want to go home too late. Scrapped the idea aside, we headed to Orchard Road where the Chingay parade had just started. As expected, the entire road was super crowded. We did managed to see our President waving at us!
Mohan displayed his 2nd unglamorous thing lah.. he was "woohoo-ing" when the parade's commentator announced for the audience to make some noise. Funnily, he did so even surrounding participation wasn't good enough.
Didn't know we were too distracted or disorientated bypassing the crowd, we over-shot Zara. By the time we realised this, we were cluelessly at Wisma. Omg. Honey's response to our "coming and going back" shopping route, surfaced in my mind again! "We really got nothing better to do". Hehehe. Disappointingly, Zara at Ngee Ann City didn't sell the tie we saw at Vivo. We went to Grammaphone where I finally got my hands on Desperate Housewives (something I'm growing interest in since Friends.) After that, both of us make a stop at Popular where Mohan got a case for his new IMac before proceeded to coffee at Starbucks Suntec.
Chingay.. recall I was involved once in 1999 when I was in secondary 2. It was a band display performance. My first time walking along the entire stretch of Orchard road, the glaring spotlight shining and the crowded atmosphere watching us. Gee.. it was unforgettable, eye-opening, fun..and abit tiring experience since we had to play non-stop drum solos from one stop to the next. There were a total of 4-5 stops!
I was even caught on TV. That very night when I got home, my family said I was on TV. The next day I went to school, my teachers and schoolmates told me so. They commented I looked very serious, stern.. and cute. (Ok, please try not to puke. I'm merely relating others' comments) Guess what? I heard so much commotion about this but till date, I've not even seen the footage. *Sob*
This year, I was there live personally where the parade commenced. What's new? Instead of starting from Tangs (what they normally do), they started from both ends of Orchard road. And there was lighting of fire-crackers.. And the President of Singapore was involved. Outstandingly interesting!!
Seriously, what does Chingay means? Does it means it's a festive for Chinese to feel joyous about? For the past 21 years of my life, I'm still clueless about it... =S
Wuao.. suddenly, I logged on to type a new blog entry and everything changed.. especially the dear tools which I could have used to make my blog more colourful and various fronts. *Sigh*
Well..nevermind. Hope it wouldn't bite to continue.. Yesterday was "人日". According to the lunar calendar, it signifies the birthday of every chinese.
Honey and I met at Chinatown for 45 mins. Telepathically, both of us were contented despite the short time of meeting as we were bounded by our after-appointments. We left after a short discussion over how our "engagement rings" were gonna be, over ice-tea session at Central's Starbucks.
I then took a train via Clark Quey station before changing to North-south line towards Orchard. Just during onboard the train at Douby Gaut, there was this indespicably selfish plump auntie who refused to move it even there was alot of space behind her. She practically stepped into the train, grabbed the nearest pole from the entrance and stood still. Omg! The people behind me were pushing me in.. the train's crowded too. Left with no choice, I had to squeeze myself through and the auntie just "zhe-r" me. Omg. For once, I feel like slapping her. I mean, she was in the wrong obviously as she refused to move in. The UNGLAMOROUS truth surfaced when she got off the next stop. My goodness, heaven have mercy on her. Oops! I can't believe.. for once I have the frustrating view as my Honey on inconsiderate people like her.
It didn't took long to rain by the time I arrived at Orchard MRT. Mohan was late. Due to his ambiguous sms reply, stating that he was coming by bus and alighting at the stop opposite Orchard, I proceeded to the busstop behind Wisma. Unfortunately, he was stopping at the busstop in front of Tangs. When we finally met, I was already complaining about my awful encounter with the inconsideratee.
En route to PS (Plaza Singapura), I dropped by Le Meridien to purchase some lovely gifts. Shhh! It's a secret!
We visited Manhattan Fish Market, a restaurant both of us have never been to in PS (Plaza Singapura). The food was rather disappointing. It tasted nothing unique. For what I thought it was just shadowing Fish N Co. Well.. both of us reached a concensus that Fish N Co was better. We should have patronised Fish N Co. Ohh.. Mohan came out unglamorous-ly, wearing his slippers in opposite sides.
In search of new clothings to buy and get away from increasing crowd at Orchard, both of us advanced to VivoCity. Sigh. It didn't take us very long before we were back at Orchard again since we couldn't find appealing. In fact, we did. Mohan wanted to get a new tie for his upcoming presentation in campus. We spotted this silvery and blue tie at Zara. Apparently, he didn't want to buy it on the spot since he was financially tight for the moment. I suggested paying for him first in view that the tie might be sold out by the time he make a long trip back on another occasion. He stood firm on his polite refusal. Ha.
On our way back to Orchard, we wanted to catch a movie at the Cathay. However, the timing wasn't helpful as we didn't want to go home too late. Scrapped the idea aside, we headed to Orchard Road where the Chingay parade had just started. As expected, the entire road was super crowded. We did managed to see our President waving at us!
Mohan displayed his 2nd unglamorous thing lah.. he was "woohoo-ing" when the parade's commentator announced for the audience to make some noise. Funnily, he did so even surrounding participation wasn't good enough.
Didn't know we were too distracted or disorientated bypassing the crowd, we over-shot Zara. By the time we realised this, we were cluelessly at Wisma. Omg. Honey's response to our "coming and going back" shopping route, surfaced in my mind again! "We really got nothing better to do". Hehehe. Disappointingly, Zara at Ngee Ann City didn't sell the tie we saw at Vivo. We went to Grammaphone where I finally got my hands on Desperate Housewives (something I'm growing interest in since Friends.) After that, both of us make a stop at Popular where Mohan got a case for his new IMac before proceeded to coffee at Starbucks Suntec.
Chingay.. recall I was involved once in 1999 when I was in secondary 2. It was a band display performance. My first time walking along the entire stretch of Orchard road, the glaring spotlight shining and the crowded atmosphere watching us. Gee.. it was unforgettable, eye-opening, fun..and abit tiring experience since we had to play non-stop drum solos from one stop to the next. There were a total of 4-5 stops!
I was even caught on TV. That very night when I got home, my family said I was on TV. The next day I went to school, my teachers and schoolmates told me so. They commented I looked very serious, stern.. and cute. (Ok, please try not to puke. I'm merely relating others' comments) Guess what? I heard so much commotion about this but till date, I've not even seen the footage. *Sob*
This year, I was there live personally where the parade commenced. What's new? Instead of starting from Tangs (what they normally do), they started from both ends of Orchard road. And there was lighting of fire-crackers.. And the President of Singapore was involved. Outstandingly interesting!!
Seriously, what does Chingay means? Does it means it's a festive for Chinese to feel joyous about? For the past 21 years of my life, I'm still clueless about it... =S
Friday, February 23, 2007
De one with Fragments of Family
Heart at contrary to the sunny weather
What's in a family? To many, it's related to home, related to our hearts and in which we find our loved ones. Not just anyone.. it's people who care and mean alot to us.. people we cohabit with at least 10 years of our lives.
However, it's not always as ideal as we impression-ed the word "family" to be. In this pragmatic world, there are alot of families which are far from our common and general perspective. And whatever differs from the norm, it's deemed as abnormal. Therefore, what makes of those which are not in convergence with Family?
That's why broken-families exists. Of course, all of us know what broken-families means. Hence, I'm not going to elaborate what type of broken-families are there. Instead, consideration should be dedicated to why broken-families surface and how directly-involved parties feels. But then how am I going to blog about this? Here are from personal experiences...
What's the difference between "single parent family" and "family with single parent"?
I remember telling my Honey on our first meeting that I was from a single parent family. Honey clarified and explained that only divorce cases caused single parent family. That's a form of broken family. In my case, it'd more appropriated and unambiguous to say I came from a family with single parent.
For those who didn't know, my mummy passed away when I was 19 and serving NS then. She passed away due to heart failure after jogging. Unfortunately, didn't get to see her for a last time as I was in Thailand, fighting assessments for my battalion.
What makes mine a broken-family then?
Well... simply because my existing family is incomplete. Presently, things have changed alot. My daddy's a really selfish person. He cares little for us, chucking my down-sydrome younger brother, Jimson, to my big aunt. Both my brother and I are currently putting up at my petty uncle's house as our granny are there.
As expected, living in other's house, you'll feel bounded by their house rules or "see their attitudes". Good or bad, you have to take it. I was never in good terms with my uncle. He's another selfish, old-fashioned old man who likes to nag for the sake of scolding others.
Due to this, I feel rebellious. Until recently, I've thought of shifting out. Otherwise, die...
I feel unhappy. Because it feels as if my daddy and my uncle are at wars with each other. Not a direct war. It's an indirect war, conspiring-ly using me as a medium. I hate this feeling. Until today, after hearing another round of shu ku (complaining or distress-pouring in Mandarin) from my big-aunt, it occurred to me that my uncle's making my stay miserable, intended to get back at my daddy for making my original place a mess (that's why the petty uncle think it's unfair to have my brother and I, living at his house when we are supposed to live at our original home)
Sigh... I hate this. I supposed uncle used the same unspoken torture on my mummy. That's why she developed stress and signs of hypertension (which inevitably, caused her to strive in jogging, to curb her unfavourable health). Sigh.
And the money issued... sigh. I hate all these. Why should wealth or financial issues be calculated so clearly in a family. Don't you agree, I came from a broken-family?
Fragments of family scarring my heart, forcing me bleed intangibly with blood non-visible.
Even so, the battered and frail heart burns with raging agony.. smeared with intense loss and confusion like salt sprinkled on fresh wounds. O.. the lamentable cold chill breeze of fear, exterminating my hard-earned joy, leaving me with nothing but absolute loneliness as I remain imprisoned in a "broken-family".
Hope the above covered the part of how directly-involved parties feels.
Before concluding, I'd like to include other images... abuses cases... abandon... home-leaving...
When will the rainbow appear in the lives of those hurt... when...
What's in a family? To many, it's related to home, related to our hearts and in which we find our loved ones. Not just anyone.. it's people who care and mean alot to us.. people we cohabit with at least 10 years of our lives.
However, it's not always as ideal as we impression-ed the word "family" to be. In this pragmatic world, there are alot of families which are far from our common and general perspective. And whatever differs from the norm, it's deemed as abnormal. Therefore, what makes of those which are not in convergence with Family?
That's why broken-families exists. Of course, all of us know what broken-families means. Hence, I'm not going to elaborate what type of broken-families are there. Instead, consideration should be dedicated to why broken-families surface and how directly-involved parties feels. But then how am I going to blog about this? Here are from personal experiences...
What's the difference between "single parent family" and "family with single parent"?
I remember telling my Honey on our first meeting that I was from a single parent family. Honey clarified and explained that only divorce cases caused single parent family. That's a form of broken family. In my case, it'd more appropriated and unambiguous to say I came from a family with single parent.
For those who didn't know, my mummy passed away when I was 19 and serving NS then. She passed away due to heart failure after jogging. Unfortunately, didn't get to see her for a last time as I was in Thailand, fighting assessments for my battalion.
What makes mine a broken-family then?
Well... simply because my existing family is incomplete. Presently, things have changed alot. My daddy's a really selfish person. He cares little for us, chucking my down-sydrome younger brother, Jimson, to my big aunt. Both my brother and I are currently putting up at my petty uncle's house as our granny are there.
As expected, living in other's house, you'll feel bounded by their house rules or "see their attitudes". Good or bad, you have to take it. I was never in good terms with my uncle. He's another selfish, old-fashioned old man who likes to nag for the sake of scolding others.
Due to this, I feel rebellious. Until recently, I've thought of shifting out. Otherwise, die...
I feel unhappy. Because it feels as if my daddy and my uncle are at wars with each other. Not a direct war. It's an indirect war, conspiring-ly using me as a medium. I hate this feeling. Until today, after hearing another round of shu ku (complaining or distress-pouring in Mandarin) from my big-aunt, it occurred to me that my uncle's making my stay miserable, intended to get back at my daddy for making my original place a mess (that's why the petty uncle think it's unfair to have my brother and I, living at his house when we are supposed to live at our original home)
Sigh... I hate this. I supposed uncle used the same unspoken torture on my mummy. That's why she developed stress and signs of hypertension (which inevitably, caused her to strive in jogging, to curb her unfavourable health). Sigh.
And the money issued... sigh. I hate all these. Why should wealth or financial issues be calculated so clearly in a family. Don't you agree, I came from a broken-family?
Fragments of family scarring my heart, forcing me bleed intangibly with blood non-visible.
Even so, the battered and frail heart burns with raging agony.. smeared with intense loss and confusion like salt sprinkled on fresh wounds. O.. the lamentable cold chill breeze of fear, exterminating my hard-earned joy, leaving me with nothing but absolute loneliness as I remain imprisoned in a "broken-family".
Hope the above covered the part of how directly-involved parties feels.
Before concluding, I'd like to include other images... abuses cases... abandon... home-leaving...
When will the rainbow appear in the lives of those hurt... when...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
De one with Chinese New Year (2007)
Hot and Prosperity
Happy Chinese New Year! How's the lunar year of the Pig for you? Well, mine's pretty enjoyable though the festive spirit's getting dull annually. So does the amount of Ang Bao ( Red packets in Hokkien) being collected.
Anyway, you must be wondering how I celebrated this festive holidays since CNY eve last Saturday. Amazingly, I spent a magical time with someone really special this year. We met some friends and literally squeezed ourselves through the sardine-packed crowd along the "Chinatown Bazaar". Although it feel rather uneasy with all the perspiring and occasional frustration of being stuck in the abyss of humans, our hands bonded tightly as though undivided as we strive our way through the terrible human traffic!
Well, tradition held that one should spend CNY eve at individual own homes. Begged to differ, I spent the night at special someone's house (Hmmm.. no cheeky ideas hor). So on and so forth..before I know it, I've spent 4 delightful nights staying out. Oops.
In these 4 days, we watched Jack Neo's lastest local production, "Just Follow Law" at Eng Wah, Suntec. The show was hilarious, close to our hearts (especially for those working) and touching. Of course, we knew there were more shadowed areas in the practical government society which wasn't depicted in the film, openly. Nevertheless, the movie never failed to issue some of the "unspoken rules" and the ridiculous attitudes of workers in Singapore society.
What's "CC" in email? It means "cheei ca ching" ("Covering up the mess" or "clean backside" literally in Hokkien). "Bcc"? Better cc.. haha
Other activities included eating alot of Carl's Junior. Omg. Twice in these 4 days period. Haha. Shopping (bought two Levis Tees) and visiting "River Ang Bao" at Marine Bay. Fantastic!!
As I always said, everything is life is balanced. The joy was compensated with the undesirable pain having to stay at home and continue the battle with this bitter old man. Well... feel like moving out.. (well, who doesn't possess such rebellious thoughts before, right?) In my case, however, I supposed I meant it. And intended not to inform anyone, should I decide to shift out.
Oki.. that's all for this blog for those "hungry" die-hard fans for my blogs. Hehe.. just kidding. Wish everyone a prosperous, peaceful and smooth-sailing year ahead!
Happy Chinese New Year! How's the lunar year of the Pig for you? Well, mine's pretty enjoyable though the festive spirit's getting dull annually. So does the amount of Ang Bao ( Red packets in Hokkien) being collected.
Anyway, you must be wondering how I celebrated this festive holidays since CNY eve last Saturday. Amazingly, I spent a magical time with someone really special this year. We met some friends and literally squeezed ourselves through the sardine-packed crowd along the "Chinatown Bazaar". Although it feel rather uneasy with all the perspiring and occasional frustration of being stuck in the abyss of humans, our hands bonded tightly as though undivided as we strive our way through the terrible human traffic!
Well, tradition held that one should spend CNY eve at individual own homes. Begged to differ, I spent the night at special someone's house (Hmmm.. no cheeky ideas hor). So on and so forth..before I know it, I've spent 4 delightful nights staying out. Oops.
In these 4 days, we watched Jack Neo's lastest local production, "Just Follow Law" at Eng Wah, Suntec. The show was hilarious, close to our hearts (especially for those working) and touching. Of course, we knew there were more shadowed areas in the practical government society which wasn't depicted in the film, openly. Nevertheless, the movie never failed to issue some of the "unspoken rules" and the ridiculous attitudes of workers in Singapore society.
What's "CC" in email? It means "cheei ca ching" ("Covering up the mess" or "clean backside" literally in Hokkien). "Bcc"? Better cc.. haha
Other activities included eating alot of Carl's Junior. Omg. Twice in these 4 days period. Haha. Shopping (bought two Levis Tees) and visiting "River Ang Bao" at Marine Bay. Fantastic!!
As I always said, everything is life is balanced. The joy was compensated with the undesirable pain having to stay at home and continue the battle with this bitter old man. Well... feel like moving out.. (well, who doesn't possess such rebellious thoughts before, right?) In my case, however, I supposed I meant it. And intended not to inform anyone, should I decide to shift out.
Oki.. that's all for this blog for those "hungry" die-hard fans for my blogs. Hehe.. just kidding. Wish everyone a prosperous, peaceful and smooth-sailing year ahead!
Monday, February 05, 2007
De one with Education Saga (Ep4)
Episode 4:
Last episode, we ended with a rather exclusive insight into Primary school days in Ang Mo Kio Primary school. Well, I believe our teachers have an impact, be it directly or indirectly, on our results and conduct in school. Undeniable, it's even crucial from our early years which is in primary school where we're growing.
Maybe you might give us the honor of sharing your experiences with primary school teachers, Jason...
Erm.. I was a rather quiet and obedient boy (except the unfortunate incident in Pr 3). Overall, my teachers comment in my report book, describing me as a diligent, responsible and polite student.
There were a few teachers I enjoy attending their classes. For example, my chinese teacher, Mrs Lee, who taught me in Pr 1,2, 5 and 6. My form teachers, Miss Soh and Mr Chew, in Pr 4 and 5 respectively. They dote on me alot. I remember on teachers' day, I got my late-mummy to give Miss Soh a box of jewellery.
Of course, not forgetting, I used to dislike this Pr 3 chinese teacher. Because of him, my chinese grades begun to drop. Thank goodness, Mrs Lee helped me in improving later.
Jason, according to our findings, you were always ranked top 3 during Pr 5 and 6? Wuao.
Gee.. nothing much. During Pr 5 and 6, there were two other foreign students (Indonesian and Hongkonger) who were dominating our class' result. I guess being in 3rd position sorta gave us locals some pride. Hehe.
Certainly hope so...
You mentioned you dislike prefects right? So did you hold any leadership appointments?
Well... I was nominated monitor in Pr 5. Other than that, I wasn't that prominent as a leader.
Jason, you're so slim now.. looking at some of your past photos, you look rather obese when you were 12 years old..
Ya... Sigh.. I gotten fat due to my overseas trips and frequent unhealthy meals from Mac Donalds and Western food. Omg. Hehe. I remember there was once I nearly got into the tuft club (a club to help those to reduce being overweight). I didn't really like that. It was rather embarrassing an troublesome because the club required the members to run around the school every morning (when you are in morning shift and in the evening, if you're in afternoon shift).
You're so different now.. look at you!
*smiley smiley*
Thank you Jason. We're afraid that's all we have for this episode. However, do stay tune for the Saga Ep 5 as we step up to talk about an even more interesting milestone in education: Secondary School life!!
Last episode, we ended with a rather exclusive insight into Primary school days in Ang Mo Kio Primary school. Well, I believe our teachers have an impact, be it directly or indirectly, on our results and conduct in school. Undeniable, it's even crucial from our early years which is in primary school where we're growing.
Maybe you might give us the honor of sharing your experiences with primary school teachers, Jason...
Erm.. I was a rather quiet and obedient boy (except the unfortunate incident in Pr 3). Overall, my teachers comment in my report book, describing me as a diligent, responsible and polite student.
There were a few teachers I enjoy attending their classes. For example, my chinese teacher, Mrs Lee, who taught me in Pr 1,2, 5 and 6. My form teachers, Miss Soh and Mr Chew, in Pr 4 and 5 respectively. They dote on me alot. I remember on teachers' day, I got my late-mummy to give Miss Soh a box of jewellery.
Of course, not forgetting, I used to dislike this Pr 3 chinese teacher. Because of him, my chinese grades begun to drop. Thank goodness, Mrs Lee helped me in improving later.
Jason, according to our findings, you were always ranked top 3 during Pr 5 and 6? Wuao.
Gee.. nothing much. During Pr 5 and 6, there were two other foreign students (Indonesian and Hongkonger) who were dominating our class' result. I guess being in 3rd position sorta gave us locals some pride. Hehe.
Certainly hope so...
You mentioned you dislike prefects right? So did you hold any leadership appointments?
Well... I was nominated monitor in Pr 5. Other than that, I wasn't that prominent as a leader.
Jason, you're so slim now.. looking at some of your past photos, you look rather obese when you were 12 years old..
Ya... Sigh.. I gotten fat due to my overseas trips and frequent unhealthy meals from Mac Donalds and Western food. Omg. Hehe. I remember there was once I nearly got into the tuft club (a club to help those to reduce being overweight). I didn't really like that. It was rather embarrassing an troublesome because the club required the members to run around the school every morning (when you are in morning shift and in the evening, if you're in afternoon shift).
You're so different now.. look at you!
*smiley smiley*
Thank you Jason. We're afraid that's all we have for this episode. However, do stay tune for the Saga Ep 5 as we step up to talk about an even more interesting milestone in education: Secondary School life!!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
De one with Education Saga (Ep3)
Episode 3:
After a few weeks of break, the education saga is back again!
Yup, I must agree that must have been a long break and not forgetting, our patrons must have awaited for the continual installation of the exclusive featured saga.
To provide a background for those who've just tuned in, the last two installations talked about Jason's education journal throughout kindergarten education.
We couldn't agree more that it was pretty interesting plus abit of kin affection and bits of the child's unforgettable virgin taste of victory. Once again, we have Jason here to fetch us more into the next 6 years of education in primary school.
Now, Jason, care telling us which institution were you enrolled into for your 6 years of primary education?
I was in Ang Mo Kio Primary School from 1992 till 1997. From which I graduated with my PSLE of grades 2As and 2Bs.
Apparently, the primary school shifted its building twice. I recall receiving my Pr. 1 and 2 in the previous Mayflower primary school campus (used to be behind Bowen Secondary School at AMK Ave 3). After which, Pr 4 till PSLE examinations were all at the site where the new Mayflower secondary school is located.
That's pretty good introduction. *laughter*
Well, you mentioned you were pretty reliant on your family members back in k1 and 2. How did you cope when you were in Primary 1 or 2 then?
Surprisingly, I managed to stop crying when I didn't get to have my granny by my side all the time. However, my granny and poor cousin always made a trip to visit my during recess time. And we managed to contact each other since the canteen and the outside premises were only seperated by a hall-lengthened gate. My granny told of that I didn't know how to order food from the canteen. Omg. *Blush*
Another thing to include, my granny had to accompany me to and fro school even till primary 5. Remember she'll carry my heavy bag...
Aww...
Ya.. and it was really.. I'm really overly grateful for her taking care of me. I recall my teachers used to complain about the overly heavy bags I carry to school because I was a very Kia si ( Scare of dying or losing in Hokkien) conscientious student.
Well... Haha..what about Pr 6?
Oh.. I found a friend, Qiu Luan, this girl who I would got to school and back everyday. Well... we were good friends.. I know what you're going to ask.. but we were no further than just friends. =)
What about getting your own food? Were there any trouble?
Back then.. Yes initially.. until progressive Pr 2 or 3 onwards, it got better as I adapt to the place.
I remember my pocket money was $1.20. Hehe. 50 cents for curry puff. 50 cents for Yakult drink and the remaining 20 cents was spend on a packet of salty biscuit. Seriously, I don't know why I only stick to eating curry puff. Hehe.
As I advanced into higher primary.. I learn how to order noodles (yellow noodles in soup with lots of chili) and even a packet of fries from the malay store. Ooh..and fruits.. watermelon.. my favourite back then.. with a generous sprinkle of sour plum powder.. yummy!
Watermelon with sour plum powder..haha that's something special..
From our understanding, the concept of having students to join core curriculum activities (formerly known as ECA : Extra-curriculum activities) was introduced during your primary 3 or 4 years. Throughout those years, which ECAs were you involved in? And perhaps, share your experiences and feelings?
Oh. Joined Computer Club in Pr. 3 and 4. I didn't know what else to join since I wasn't a sporty person. It was nothing much. Just learning how to type words into this old version of software which allows us to print out banners on A4 size paper. It was really pretty back-dated.
Then during my last two years, I joined Choir as I was pretty inclined to the Arts and music. Initially, I wanted to join the band. However, the timings clashed as I was in the afternoon shifts. So the only thing left was to land myself in choir.
It was pretty interesting. I can't remember how I got through it. But there's a particular song I hate the most as the teachers rehearse us over and over again, in preparation for a school performance. Omg. The song was.. I think.. Orchid song..
There were others I wanted to join. For example AVA club.
Oh! Not forgetting, I performed well during this Safety Pedestrian Test that I was selected to be a road monitor during Pr. 5 and 6. Haha.
Road monitor.. wuao.. Jason, you had your first victory in puzzle fixing during nursery education. So what achievements did you achieve during your primary school days?
I'll just name a few... Hmm.. I was enrolled in a Hand-writing competition during Pr 2. Think I won consolation prize. Omg.
I scored pretty high for my project for social studies twice during Pr 4 and 5. Primary 4's project I submitted a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles (which was ruined by some naughty kids) with major help from my late-mummy. *grin* Primary 5's project was entirely done by me. It was a hand drawn world map on a styrofoam board. Then I slit standing pieces of paper on which places or significant landmarks of different countries were drawn it. Got the idea from the sticker gift set on my trips overseas back then.
As usual, for arts, I was involved in a few inter-school competition such as representing school in a national arts competition (didn't win *sob*) and mirror-drawing (got consolation prize because all my teammates weren't cooperative) =\
I see.. I see..
Speaking of which, alot of us will never forget the agony, otherwise, most feared event during our primary school years - Immunisation (aka BCG injection). Maybe you may tell us your personal experiences?
It was during primary 1. Omg. I was nervous but amazingly, I didn't cry on twice occasions. Ha!
I could never forget, the atmosphere was very tense as we didn't know what to expect. During my first immunisation, they kept telling us, it will just feel like an ant bite. Well..it turned out to be as described (for me) and after which will be accompanied by a burning effect beneath the skin.
And of course, it was pretty an "eye"opener to see tall and bigger sized boys crying after the injection. Omg. Hehe.
Thankfully, I only had one BCG injection mark. Hehe.
Strong and healthy boy! Haha.
Huh.. no lah *blush* Perhaps it's because of this that I didn't grow tall..
Oh my.. No! It's a mis-perception. Jason, were you ever punished during Primary schooling days?
Oh.. yes! Embarrassingly, during Pr 3, I was given a slap on the face because I was really mischievous. My former teacher told us to keep quiet and she counted down 3, 2, 1 before she takes any disciplinary action. Out of my mind..or for the fun of it, I "parroted" after her counting down. End up, I got slapped.
And more importantly, I DETEST prefects back then. I remember I'll make life difficult for them, make funny faces at them because prefects were impressioned to be snobs and "tripods" (translation from "Sah Ka" in Hokkien meaning Bootlickers). Frankly, I don't know why I dislike them so much. Haha.
Omg, Jason.. can't imagine you as a noti-boy.
Well, it's even unexpected. During Pr 6, I actually mix and hang around playgrounds with those ah Bengs and ah Lians after school. I even associated myself in a "family game" with them. Omg. Now that I think back.. I MUST HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY MIND. Hehehe
... but why you didn't turn bad?
Well.. perhaps it's due to my up-bringing. Must be thankful to my parents and granny.
*tearing in my eyes*
Nan Ren bu Huai, Nui ren bu ai... so were there any girls you like during then?
Err..hehe.. I liked this easy-going and outspoken girl, Samantha.. she was pretty. Well.. it was just mere childish crush. I remember she like the Spice Girls.. that's when I started to listen and kinda like Spice girls back then. Craze...
*Laughter*
Well, it's about time we wrapped up this episode. In our next episode, we will be bringing you insights to Jason's favourite primary school teachers and more - adventurous events!!
To be continued...
After a few weeks of break, the education saga is back again!
Yup, I must agree that must have been a long break and not forgetting, our patrons must have awaited for the continual installation of the exclusive featured saga.
To provide a background for those who've just tuned in, the last two installations talked about Jason's education journal throughout kindergarten education.
We couldn't agree more that it was pretty interesting plus abit of kin affection and bits of the child's unforgettable virgin taste of victory. Once again, we have Jason here to fetch us more into the next 6 years of education in primary school.
Now, Jason, care telling us which institution were you enrolled into for your 6 years of primary education?
I was in Ang Mo Kio Primary School from 1992 till 1997. From which I graduated with my PSLE of grades 2As and 2Bs.
Apparently, the primary school shifted its building twice. I recall receiving my Pr. 1 and 2 in the previous Mayflower primary school campus (used to be behind Bowen Secondary School at AMK Ave 3). After which, Pr 4 till PSLE examinations were all at the site where the new Mayflower secondary school is located.
That's pretty good introduction. *laughter*
Well, you mentioned you were pretty reliant on your family members back in k1 and 2. How did you cope when you were in Primary 1 or 2 then?
Surprisingly, I managed to stop crying when I didn't get to have my granny by my side all the time. However, my granny and poor cousin always made a trip to visit my during recess time. And we managed to contact each other since the canteen and the outside premises were only seperated by a hall-lengthened gate. My granny told of that I didn't know how to order food from the canteen. Omg. *Blush*
Another thing to include, my granny had to accompany me to and fro school even till primary 5. Remember she'll carry my heavy bag...
Aww...
Ya.. and it was really.. I'm really overly grateful for her taking care of me. I recall my teachers used to complain about the overly heavy bags I carry to school because I was a very Kia si ( Scare of dying or losing in Hokkien) conscientious student.
Well... Haha..what about Pr 6?
Oh.. I found a friend, Qiu Luan, this girl who I would got to school and back everyday. Well... we were good friends.. I know what you're going to ask.. but we were no further than just friends. =)
What about getting your own food? Were there any trouble?
Back then.. Yes initially.. until progressive Pr 2 or 3 onwards, it got better as I adapt to the place.
I remember my pocket money was $1.20. Hehe. 50 cents for curry puff. 50 cents for Yakult drink and the remaining 20 cents was spend on a packet of salty biscuit. Seriously, I don't know why I only stick to eating curry puff. Hehe.
As I advanced into higher primary.. I learn how to order noodles (yellow noodles in soup with lots of chili) and even a packet of fries from the malay store. Ooh..and fruits.. watermelon.. my favourite back then.. with a generous sprinkle of sour plum powder.. yummy!
Watermelon with sour plum powder..haha that's something special..
From our understanding, the concept of having students to join core curriculum activities (formerly known as ECA : Extra-curriculum activities) was introduced during your primary 3 or 4 years. Throughout those years, which ECAs were you involved in? And perhaps, share your experiences and feelings?
Oh. Joined Computer Club in Pr. 3 and 4. I didn't know what else to join since I wasn't a sporty person. It was nothing much. Just learning how to type words into this old version of software which allows us to print out banners on A4 size paper. It was really pretty back-dated.
Then during my last two years, I joined Choir as I was pretty inclined to the Arts and music. Initially, I wanted to join the band. However, the timings clashed as I was in the afternoon shifts. So the only thing left was to land myself in choir.
It was pretty interesting. I can't remember how I got through it. But there's a particular song I hate the most as the teachers rehearse us over and over again, in preparation for a school performance. Omg. The song was.. I think.. Orchid song..
There were others I wanted to join. For example AVA club.
Oh! Not forgetting, I performed well during this Safety Pedestrian Test that I was selected to be a road monitor during Pr. 5 and 6. Haha.
Road monitor.. wuao.. Jason, you had your first victory in puzzle fixing during nursery education. So what achievements did you achieve during your primary school days?
I'll just name a few... Hmm.. I was enrolled in a Hand-writing competition during Pr 2. Think I won consolation prize. Omg.
I scored pretty high for my project for social studies twice during Pr 4 and 5. Primary 4's project I submitted a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles (which was ruined by some naughty kids) with major help from my late-mummy. *grin* Primary 5's project was entirely done by me. It was a hand drawn world map on a styrofoam board. Then I slit standing pieces of paper on which places or significant landmarks of different countries were drawn it. Got the idea from the sticker gift set on my trips overseas back then.
As usual, for arts, I was involved in a few inter-school competition such as representing school in a national arts competition (didn't win *sob*) and mirror-drawing (got consolation prize because all my teammates weren't cooperative) =\
I see.. I see..
Speaking of which, alot of us will never forget the agony, otherwise, most feared event during our primary school years - Immunisation (aka BCG injection). Maybe you may tell us your personal experiences?
It was during primary 1. Omg. I was nervous but amazingly, I didn't cry on twice occasions. Ha!
I could never forget, the atmosphere was very tense as we didn't know what to expect. During my first immunisation, they kept telling us, it will just feel like an ant bite. Well..it turned out to be as described (for me) and after which will be accompanied by a burning effect beneath the skin.
And of course, it was pretty an "eye"opener to see tall and bigger sized boys crying after the injection. Omg. Hehe.
Thankfully, I only had one BCG injection mark. Hehe.
Strong and healthy boy! Haha.
Huh.. no lah *blush* Perhaps it's because of this that I didn't grow tall..
Oh my.. No! It's a mis-perception. Jason, were you ever punished during Primary schooling days?
Oh.. yes! Embarrassingly, during Pr 3, I was given a slap on the face because I was really mischievous. My former teacher told us to keep quiet and she counted down 3, 2, 1 before she takes any disciplinary action. Out of my mind..or for the fun of it, I "parroted" after her counting down. End up, I got slapped.
And more importantly, I DETEST prefects back then. I remember I'll make life difficult for them, make funny faces at them because prefects were impressioned to be snobs and "tripods" (translation from "Sah Ka" in Hokkien meaning Bootlickers). Frankly, I don't know why I dislike them so much. Haha.
Omg, Jason.. can't imagine you as a noti-boy.
Well, it's even unexpected. During Pr 6, I actually mix and hang around playgrounds with those ah Bengs and ah Lians after school. I even associated myself in a "family game" with them. Omg. Now that I think back.. I MUST HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY MIND. Hehehe
... but why you didn't turn bad?
Well.. perhaps it's due to my up-bringing. Must be thankful to my parents and granny.
*tearing in my eyes*
Nan Ren bu Huai, Nui ren bu ai... so were there any girls you like during then?
Err..hehe.. I liked this easy-going and outspoken girl, Samantha.. she was pretty. Well.. it was just mere childish crush. I remember she like the Spice Girls.. that's when I started to listen and kinda like Spice girls back then. Craze...
*Laughter*
Well, it's about time we wrapped up this episode. In our next episode, we will be bringing you insights to Jason's favourite primary school teachers and more - adventurous events!!
To be continued...
Thursday, February 01, 2007
De one with 1st February
Sin^2 + Cosine^2 = 1
21 hours ago... Jurong East Entertainment Centre. Sat at the last row and watched this romantic tragedy movie 生日快樂. It's about this couple from different institutions who got to know each other via a hairstylist-friend. The lead male character, Xiao Nan, born in a family of professionals, and popular amongst his peers would send Xiao Mi, was a pursuer of her dream to study music in Vienna and unfortunate with a stigma of being abandoned, a Happy Birthday greeting annually. Both of them got very close however their relationship as far but a flicker stage between best friend and break of.
In the end, Xiao Nan, passed away due to rectum cancer. The movie ended with a very painful truth as Xiao Mi continue to believe that Xiao Nan is married and alive through the continuing messages, which were actually from Xiao Nan's elder sister, under plead of him on his deathbed.
I totally enjoy the movie. Perhaps it's romantic ba and reason why is because of the special accompany. Err hum.
Totally empathise with Xiao Mi's feeling when she feel lost, alone in the street. Reminisces of how panick and frightened I was when I got lost in the marketplace when I was young. And I really dislike having people who stepped into my life, matters so much and leaves..
Tears filled my eyes during the scene Xiao Mi's granny passed away. Really envy her because in such times of sorrow and helplessness, Xiao Nan was there to embrace and comfort her.
Of course, I admire how great was Xiao Nan's undying love for Xiao Mi. He kept the truth about his terminal condition and distort with lies, to make Xiao Mi feel less heartache, compared to the ultimate heart-shattering truth..
Not forgetting to mention, Danny, the one who brought the two together, was a good friend. Close friends will really breakdown upon any mishap to you.. this uncommon fact was effectively portrayed in the movie.
Of course, I like the movie because my most-admired actor (before Jay Chou started filming), Louis Khoo, was in it! Oooh... that admirable tanned complexion.
19 hours ago... Ah Hock Kaya Toast. Telepathically, both of us ordered "Ice Yuan Yang". Ha! Had two mouthful of the cheese toast. It was really delicious. Worth trying!
15 hours ago... At home. The end of prelude with the sms, confessing why I wanted you to stay till midnight...
3 hours ago.. Clementi... Contact lenses and lunch.
3:30 pm... 1st Feburary. The lift...rose blooms... finale =b
21 hours ago... Jurong East Entertainment Centre. Sat at the last row and watched this romantic tragedy movie 生日快樂. It's about this couple from different institutions who got to know each other via a hairstylist-friend. The lead male character, Xiao Nan, born in a family of professionals, and popular amongst his peers would send Xiao Mi, was a pursuer of her dream to study music in Vienna and unfortunate with a stigma of being abandoned, a Happy Birthday greeting annually. Both of them got very close however their relationship as far but a flicker stage between best friend and break of.
In the end, Xiao Nan, passed away due to rectum cancer. The movie ended with a very painful truth as Xiao Mi continue to believe that Xiao Nan is married and alive through the continuing messages, which were actually from Xiao Nan's elder sister, under plead of him on his deathbed.
I totally enjoy the movie. Perhaps it's romantic ba and reason why is because of the special accompany. Err hum.
Totally empathise with Xiao Mi's feeling when she feel lost, alone in the street. Reminisces of how panick and frightened I was when I got lost in the marketplace when I was young. And I really dislike having people who stepped into my life, matters so much and leaves..
Tears filled my eyes during the scene Xiao Mi's granny passed away. Really envy her because in such times of sorrow and helplessness, Xiao Nan was there to embrace and comfort her.
Of course, I admire how great was Xiao Nan's undying love for Xiao Mi. He kept the truth about his terminal condition and distort with lies, to make Xiao Mi feel less heartache, compared to the ultimate heart-shattering truth..
Not forgetting to mention, Danny, the one who brought the two together, was a good friend. Close friends will really breakdown upon any mishap to you.. this uncommon fact was effectively portrayed in the movie.
Of course, I like the movie because my most-admired actor (before Jay Chou started filming), Louis Khoo, was in it! Oooh... that admirable tanned complexion.
19 hours ago... Ah Hock Kaya Toast. Telepathically, both of us ordered "Ice Yuan Yang". Ha! Had two mouthful of the cheese toast. It was really delicious. Worth trying!
15 hours ago... At home. The end of prelude with the sms, confessing why I wanted you to stay till midnight...
3 hours ago.. Clementi... Contact lenses and lunch.
3:30 pm... 1st Feburary. The lift...rose blooms... finale =b
Monday, January 29, 2007
De one with Gruelling again [Emolings]
Lifeless
A thrown away toy in a garage
A dusty record in a dark store
The infinite blackness within
An empty jug lying on the drought-struck land.
Really don't know how to describe what or how I'm feeling. Have you ever feel so drained in life, that you don't have anything to look forward to? Deprived of energy, dreams, hopes and left with despair and absolute loneliness by your side.
This is how I feel.. today.. right now.. Loss? perhaps it's seeking me again. Fine with it.. I've given up...
A thrown away toy in a garage
A dusty record in a dark store
The infinite blackness within
An empty jug lying on the drought-struck land.
Really don't know how to describe what or how I'm feeling. Have you ever feel so drained in life, that you don't have anything to look forward to? Deprived of energy, dreams, hopes and left with despair and absolute loneliness by your side.
This is how I feel.. today.. right now.. Loss? perhaps it's seeking me again. Fine with it.. I've given up...
Sunday, January 21, 2007
De one with Board-games
It just have to drizzle abit to end the day
Boardgames.. it's something that's familiar to everybody. It seems board-games have developed over the century.. from the traditional board-games like chess and othello, followed by the emergence of the dominating Monopoly, Risk till the current Game of Life and even more interesting, Roleplay-fantasy game. Like technology, it's never ending for the production of board-games.
Let's see, what's factors might have account for why board-games rule a moment in time? Well, firstly, I guess it's technology. In the past when technology wasn't adequate in advancement for the birth of electronic games like Nintendo and Xbox, board-games was the best any kid could get. It beared so much an influence that the majority adults and elders are still playing today.
Secondly, I supposed it is due to the characteristics of board-games. In view of the residual proportion of people who didn't like LAN games; access to internet; and uninterested in competitive outdoor activities, board games is an alternative since it fulfils the choice for an indoor, less strenuous, inexpensive, simple and passing-time form of enjoyment. To illustrate, imagine the economical advantage of playing chess over tea, to playing hours of internet games?
Thirdly, perhaps board-games had the capacity to accommodate a considerable group of people. Take for example, the game of Monopoly, it allows up to a maximum of 8 players. As compared to an Xbox which has a limit of 4 players. As such, board-games becames the indeed game as a solution for the fun of more participants!
As expected, some people might argue that board-games ain't as exciting than an immediate and responsive Xbox 360 games. Well, it points down to preference. Personally, in relation to the second pointer above, I feel there's a special form of enjoyment you derived from playing a board-game. Excitement can be felt when you're facing bankruptcy when you experience cash flow problem (state where your cash out-flow through paying rent to your opponents, outweighs your cash in-flow from collection of rent when your opponents land on your territories) while playing "Hotels".
In addition, I always have this primal and "retro" feel whenever I play board-games. It's similar as using a hand-sharpen pencil when you've been using mechanical pencil all along. It certainly is reminiscing!
Monopoly, Scrabble and Fei Ji Qi were my old time favourites. I recall my late-mummy will play on late nights as family get-together event. Well.. it's undeniable that board-games provides the chance and time for bonding moments.
I shall conclude today's entry with one last point. Board-game was one of primary way from which a young taste sense of victory and achievement upon winning... more easily. Hehe.
Board-games are definately timelessness..especially in the memories of our childhood days.
Boardgames.. it's something that's familiar to everybody. It seems board-games have developed over the century.. from the traditional board-games like chess and othello, followed by the emergence of the dominating Monopoly, Risk till the current Game of Life and even more interesting, Roleplay-fantasy game. Like technology, it's never ending for the production of board-games.
Let's see, what's factors might have account for why board-games rule a moment in time? Well, firstly, I guess it's technology. In the past when technology wasn't adequate in advancement for the birth of electronic games like Nintendo and Xbox, board-games was the best any kid could get. It beared so much an influence that the majority adults and elders are still playing today.
Secondly, I supposed it is due to the characteristics of board-games. In view of the residual proportion of people who didn't like LAN games; access to internet; and uninterested in competitive outdoor activities, board games is an alternative since it fulfils the choice for an indoor, less strenuous, inexpensive, simple and passing-time form of enjoyment. To illustrate, imagine the economical advantage of playing chess over tea, to playing hours of internet games?
Thirdly, perhaps board-games had the capacity to accommodate a considerable group of people. Take for example, the game of Monopoly, it allows up to a maximum of 8 players. As compared to an Xbox which has a limit of 4 players. As such, board-games becames the indeed game as a solution for the fun of more participants!
As expected, some people might argue that board-games ain't as exciting than an immediate and responsive Xbox 360 games. Well, it points down to preference. Personally, in relation to the second pointer above, I feel there's a special form of enjoyment you derived from playing a board-game. Excitement can be felt when you're facing bankruptcy when you experience cash flow problem (state where your cash out-flow through paying rent to your opponents, outweighs your cash in-flow from collection of rent when your opponents land on your territories) while playing "Hotels".
In addition, I always have this primal and "retro" feel whenever I play board-games. It's similar as using a hand-sharpen pencil when you've been using mechanical pencil all along. It certainly is reminiscing!
Monopoly, Scrabble and Fei Ji Qi were my old time favourites. I recall my late-mummy will play on late nights as family get-together event. Well.. it's undeniable that board-games provides the chance and time for bonding moments.
I shall conclude today's entry with one last point. Board-game was one of primary way from which a young taste sense of victory and achievement upon winning... more easily. Hehe.
Board-games are definately timelessness..especially in the memories of our childhood days.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
De one with Friends In Life
Raining all of a sudden
Yesterday, I took a quick browse at the horoscope section when reading the newspaper. Under my star sign Leo, it mentioned that love will progress in the right direction. Hmm.. I should cross my fingers this time.. lunch and dinner... hmm.. hoping the spark will rise into a desirable eternal flame.
Ok.. that's not the main issue. Today's topic dawn upon me when I cried twice over a movie which a special person lent me. Sigh. Well... don't bother asking which movie it was. That's not the spotlight today. Hehe... Today.. I'm going to talk about Friends.
I was born an extremely shy guy. Well, thank goodness I'm improving but somehow, I'm still shy towards certain people now. Ermm.. anyway, I had very limited social skills. End up, I grew up independently, having the mindset that friends ain't important. Henceforth, I only made selected friends.
I didn't have specific primary school friends (refer to Education Saga Ep3). During secondary school, Alan was most worth mentioning, followed by Yuyan and Zarina. Later in JC, I made less but closer and lasting friends whom I keep in contact with currently: Tribal Gang, Shu Qing and Shelby. Even such, I kept alot to myself. And it was further supported when I relied heavily on my first relationship towards the end of JC 1. Unknowingly, it developed into an ego.
This ego of living in a world without friends' concern was crumpled towards the end of JC when my life faced an disastrous torture: A break-up. I remember I was completely lost. Couldn't do anything. Hence, it directly affected my A levels and NS enlistment eventually. THANKFULLY, a friend helped me out of my sh*t just a month before I went to Tekong. It was then that I finally realised "a friend in need, is a friend indeed".
This idiom was proven even more truthful during (enhanced) BMT and SISPEC. Most mentionable were my buddy, Wei Jie (my BMT buddy who cared and have alwasy encouraged me) and my SISPEC mates like Kenneth (currently a sign-on in ADF) and Yin Kang (my most close SISPEC mate).
Later, in ASC (Artillery Specialist Course) where I had Mohan, Bo Jun, Jonathan Chua, Ting Lin and 23SA where all the specialists were very nice to me, especially Chin Yu, Guo Xian and my endearing bunkmates (not forgetting my commander 2SG Eddy).
Currently, Zhen Ze, Guang Hui and Andrew in SIM.
Of course, I didn't learn only from my education and NS liability meetings with people. Besides, I learnt alot from my personal human interactions too. Untimately, I sorta got enlightened most from my unsuccessful love relationships. Here's the catch : "Love doesn't last, necessarily. Friendship does, as compared to love."
Indeed, I learnt alot from dating -A-. Friends does matter. Now back to why I cried when watching the show mentioned earlier. The scene where the heartbroken guy was comforted by his friends, each in their own ways, reminded me of how my friends were always there to support me when I was down...
- Yuyan, Clara and Mohan helped me deal with my post relationship difficulties during secondary school, post JC and army respectively. (My bros and friends like Andrew Lau helped me too).
- Alan who went through thick and thin during our strenuous band practices for the entire 4 years.
- Kia Hui, my closest secondary 3 and 4 classmate.
- Shu Qing who encouraged and helped me out of distress with courting this girl I liked in JC.
- Loo Wan, my good friend in JC.
- Guo Xian who look out for me and each other during my first oversea training in Thailand.
- Chin Yu and Mohan familiarised me with places in town and go out watching movies often.
All these moments made me flushed with tears whenever I think of the significant effort, accompany, care all these great friends have showered upon me. Fortunately, I rarely had disputes with the selected friends I've made. Even so they were mere foolish egoism.
The next thing to bring up is the question of whether there were moments when one feels withdrawn from his/her peers. I did. Sometimes, it occur to me whether I shouldn't borther my friends with my troubles when they already had their own. Such event especially when you feel really desperate and there was no one in sight or within reach.
Well, I always console myself in this way. Perhaps God is testing me. In which I should learn to be independent and sort things out myself rather than complaining or easing our hearts full to others. Maybe you could try them.
All in all, the dearest friend I've ever made till date, is an irreplaceable friend named Clara. I guess we understand alot about each other since we share the same temper and the way we feel about things. Oops. Too long liao. To conclude, I feel friends are essential in our lives. I guess, no man's really an island on its own. Simply because humans are emotional creatures and we can't contain all of our feelings inside ourselves. It is even so in the case of overcoming difficulties in life (the story about classic tale of the five fingers on our hand).
Yesterday, I took a quick browse at the horoscope section when reading the newspaper. Under my star sign Leo, it mentioned that love will progress in the right direction. Hmm.. I should cross my fingers this time.. lunch and dinner... hmm.. hoping the spark will rise into a desirable eternal flame.
Ok.. that's not the main issue. Today's topic dawn upon me when I cried twice over a movie which a special person lent me. Sigh. Well... don't bother asking which movie it was. That's not the spotlight today. Hehe... Today.. I'm going to talk about Friends.
I was born an extremely shy guy. Well, thank goodness I'm improving but somehow, I'm still shy towards certain people now. Ermm.. anyway, I had very limited social skills. End up, I grew up independently, having the mindset that friends ain't important. Henceforth, I only made selected friends.
I didn't have specific primary school friends (refer to Education Saga Ep3). During secondary school, Alan was most worth mentioning, followed by Yuyan and Zarina. Later in JC, I made less but closer and lasting friends whom I keep in contact with currently: Tribal Gang, Shu Qing and Shelby. Even such, I kept alot to myself. And it was further supported when I relied heavily on my first relationship towards the end of JC 1. Unknowingly, it developed into an ego.
This ego of living in a world without friends' concern was crumpled towards the end of JC when my life faced an disastrous torture: A break-up. I remember I was completely lost. Couldn't do anything. Hence, it directly affected my A levels and NS enlistment eventually. THANKFULLY, a friend helped me out of my sh*t just a month before I went to Tekong. It was then that I finally realised "a friend in need, is a friend indeed".
This idiom was proven even more truthful during (enhanced) BMT and SISPEC. Most mentionable were my buddy, Wei Jie (my BMT buddy who cared and have alwasy encouraged me) and my SISPEC mates like Kenneth (currently a sign-on in ADF) and Yin Kang (my most close SISPEC mate).
Later, in ASC (Artillery Specialist Course) where I had Mohan, Bo Jun, Jonathan Chua, Ting Lin and 23SA where all the specialists were very nice to me, especially Chin Yu, Guo Xian and my endearing bunkmates (not forgetting my commander 2SG Eddy).
Currently, Zhen Ze, Guang Hui and Andrew in SIM.
Of course, I didn't learn only from my education and NS liability meetings with people. Besides, I learnt alot from my personal human interactions too. Untimately, I sorta got enlightened most from my unsuccessful love relationships. Here's the catch : "Love doesn't last, necessarily. Friendship does, as compared to love."
Indeed, I learnt alot from dating -A-. Friends does matter. Now back to why I cried when watching the show mentioned earlier. The scene where the heartbroken guy was comforted by his friends, each in their own ways, reminded me of how my friends were always there to support me when I was down...
- Yuyan, Clara and Mohan helped me deal with my post relationship difficulties during secondary school, post JC and army respectively. (My bros and friends like Andrew Lau helped me too).
- Alan who went through thick and thin during our strenuous band practices for the entire 4 years.
- Kia Hui, my closest secondary 3 and 4 classmate.
- Shu Qing who encouraged and helped me out of distress with courting this girl I liked in JC.
- Loo Wan, my good friend in JC.
- Guo Xian who look out for me and each other during my first oversea training in Thailand.
- Chin Yu and Mohan familiarised me with places in town and go out watching movies often.
All these moments made me flushed with tears whenever I think of the significant effort, accompany, care all these great friends have showered upon me. Fortunately, I rarely had disputes with the selected friends I've made. Even so they were mere foolish egoism.
The next thing to bring up is the question of whether there were moments when one feels withdrawn from his/her peers. I did. Sometimes, it occur to me whether I shouldn't borther my friends with my troubles when they already had their own. Such event especially when you feel really desperate and there was no one in sight or within reach.
Well, I always console myself in this way. Perhaps God is testing me. In which I should learn to be independent and sort things out myself rather than complaining or easing our hearts full to others. Maybe you could try them.
All in all, the dearest friend I've ever made till date, is an irreplaceable friend named Clara. I guess we understand alot about each other since we share the same temper and the way we feel about things. Oops. Too long liao. To conclude, I feel friends are essential in our lives. I guess, no man's really an island on its own. Simply because humans are emotional creatures and we can't contain all of our feelings inside ourselves. It is even so in the case of overcoming difficulties in life (the story about classic tale of the five fingers on our hand).
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