bring in the new

So yay it's the Lunar New Year, the reddest, hottest celebration of chasing away bad luck anyone can find around town (it pairs really well with the sweltering heat, in fact). A few days back in the land of green, we just completed a major summary exercise, as well as quite some (actually no, it was a lot of) kilometres of marching with various stations in between, so you can imagine how much I was looking forward to this break. Looking at it in the mid-term, I haven't got far to go; a few more weeks and it will all be over. Then it'll be a new environment, with new people, and new things to look forward to. (But then I'll start missing the old, no matter how gruelling it has been.) Hopefully I can finally make time for my family and friends as well. So hurrah for the new year!

Another one down

Returning back home just made me realise how hot and humid Singapore weather truly is. Standing still for only a few minutes, and dripping like a wet pig was something I envisioned but not hoped for. But it is good to be back, save for the nauseating weather back here. The cooler weather over there was great for training, and though it got quite cold at times, I thankfully didn't suffer from chapped lips, dry skin, or the sort. Quite strangely so, as I usually do with other temperate climates previously. Training was quite alright actually; yes, tough at times, but not consistently so, which is an important factor. And the scary thing is, I actually found some parts of it fun. THIS IS NOT ME. IT IS ANOTHER PERSON SPEAKING.

Split personalities aside, it looks like the schedule after the trip will be an atrociously tight one. Suffice to say, it has always been so, but it shouldn't be, not when we're nearing the end of the course (just when I was getting used to the place and the people). What to do, organisational mess-ups.

Where did they all go?

Just a side-rant (Twitter-styled, but not so):

Where did they all go flying/fading off to? What happened to the good ol' PC games (I don't know what they're termed) (and yes that was a dangerous oxymoron) that actually took time (not realtime games like Farmville or whatever uncreatively named games there are) and effort (unlike 'instant noodle' games that are over in like what, 20 seconds?)? Okay yes, those games are still around, but they no longer offer well, in terms of updated gameplay, more user-friendly interfaces, and graphics that could deceive a donkey. Maybe it's my fascination with seeing macro in micro, or maybe it's my God complex, or maybe I'm just really a little kid still enamoured with Lego, but games like Sim City (or any others that simulate control over an establishment) appeal to me greatly, but sadly, there doesn't seem to be that many of such games around, that are actually able to stand up to stiff competition from the influx of more action/gore/violence/thrill-packed games. Games that let us control characters a la Sims don't really appeal to me (because I might as well live my own life well), but I was admittedly interested in the 'Build'-ability that it offered. Recreational architecture - that's what I call it. Probably I'm more of a creative than a destructive force. Yes, that explains it best.

(Yes it's not Twitter-styled because it's wayyy more than 140 characters. What's up with the word limit anyway.)

Welcome 2 Taiwan!

Well would you just look at that. A fantastic, earnest effort to usher visitors into the country, to enjoy all of its nature- and lifestyle-oriented attractions, and really, I would appreciate all of that, except that I can't glimpse even a little of any of it, even after dwelling there for the next two and a half weeks. Eh, no, not really, I'll actually be revelling in what the flora and fauna there have to offer, sometimes even for days on end. But ya, that's not really a consolation worthy enough of being one.

Oh well, the few days before the departure have been rather enjoyable, with the New Year being a smashing excuse for meet-ups and gatherings that really don't have a lot of purpose, save for all-important (I'm not being sarcastic here) (neither there too) socialising and catching up, with people from church, JC, and gasp, my current occupation (not that the latter was much needed anyway, haha). But even as all this happens, one realises everything actually can easily be forgotten and put aside, unless there's an effort to keep them in mind. And so I shall, instead of viewing all of these as merely fun and laughter. Yes, they are that, but also more. They're also opportunities to strengthen bonds and create new memories.

2009 + 1

Yeah it's the new year. If I sound almost nonchalant about it, well maybe yes I am. Yup, it definitely is one of the better things so far, but when one is to fly off to the island off China for non-leisure purposes, especially for non-leisure purposes, you can't blame him ya? Certainly I carry with me a much better perspective this trip around, but I don't doubt it's a sad event, with additional responsibilities, crazy training schedules, and all.

So what happened last year?

The other day (okay maybe last week or last, last week) I met up with K after an astounding six months (no I can't believe how long it was) for lunch at this really purse-enlightening Italian outfit that really was Japanese in disguise. I must go back for more sometime, it's so worth it! Caught up a lot with each other (hopefully this time it should not last for more than six months), and I guess that's about it. I think that's all I'm capable of outside, eating and talking. Well, that's more than I can say for myself.

Went for (another) hotel buffet with the FAMILY, which truly stuffed me. I ate till I literally dropped, but who cares for the bloated stomach when you've attained the knowledge that you've gotten every single cent's worth. That's the Singaporean in me speaking (plenty of that in there).

Confined myself in camp for no compelling reason except that the whole FAMILY was in Taiwan and I only had a day out. But that turned out surprisingly fun, because I could settle a lot of the 'chickenshit' they gave us. I realise that my mindset has been turning for the better recently, even the authorities have realised and commended me (a lot, should I say) for that (and as a result the additional responsibilities). Well, all of this positivity should only encourage me, no less.

One up from 2009!

Back!

AHAHAHA I'M FINALLY BACK! To tell the truth, it wasn't all that bad altogether. I didn't even make any phonecalls back home (because of the exorbitant cost! No really, hearing of past figures of $800 and $1300 really kills all possibility of homesickness), but I still got through. Lodging was, suffice to say, basic, but then again, it was way better than expected. The food was great though... maybe my standards have fallen or I'm getting way too used to it, but I'd rather stay contented that way. I've finally got that long-anticipated badge (actually I wasn't really anticipating or looking forward to it, but more of wanting to get it over and done with), and seriously, it wasn't that tough or gruelling as it was made out to be. I guess all that exaggeration by the seniors was uncalled for, especially since it didn't rain for the first six days of the course though it was the monsoon season... thank God! Basically most of it went smoothly for me - the rations were more than enough, no major (or minor) injuries. I wish I could divulge more but sigh, bound by strict cyberpublishing regulations. The first morning after the course was bliss, waking up in the bunk instead of out in the open, snugly warm under the blanket while the weather outside was still cool and dewy... BLEEEES. R&R, mostly made up of museums, buffets and mindless wandering in the few malls there, was enjoyable enough. But seriously, after going through all of it, you'd feel like anything was possible, like you could do anything. Though I hope this semi-delusional feeling would go away soon and not get me into any trouble, haha.

Up!

No I haven't caught the movie yet, but well I'll be up in the air in a matter of, let's see, 5 hours more. I'll be away for around 3 WHOLE weeks in the Abode of Peace that resides in Borneo. The training there will expectedly be tough and gruelling, but I guess it's all part of the process. Funny how the idea of it all seemed awfully dreadful 5 months ago, but now, with 5 hours left to the flight, it seems almost... alright. I've been through the nail-biting, stomach-churning, finger-tingling, and probably I'll go through all of it a few rounds more when I'm there, but all in all, I'll say it's been an encouraging process of acceptance and acknowledgement. So keep in me in your prayers, I'll be back soon!

Clear!

So the defibrillating attempt was somewhat successful. I figured typing in something would get the job done.

I think this entry would be a far cry from what I expressed in the previous one. Sure, things are still tough, but I guess it only took a little time to warm up to the people around me. I've (thankfully) made many great friends in them, especially my 'buddy' as well as some others who, to no end, find joy in irritating me. Funny how such people can continue to do so, and at the same time be the people you find the easiest to approach. We'd been through some high-key events so far - the ten days I endured without a bath, the five days I stayed awake throughout - and they wouldn't have been at least bearable without company. Finishing one part of the course is definitely something to celebrate, but at the same time we are met with unfortunately premature departures, most to greener pastures. This is one thing that I've been proven wrong again and again, and gladfully so - that I doubted the bonds that form during this transitory period in my life, was a gross underestimation of what the experiences we go through can do to us. Of course, as I know it, there are many systems inherent that do much to impede and distort these experiences - the targets we have to meet, the KPIs we have to fulfill. But these are in the end transient only if we are able to see them so, and are nothing more but arbitrary benchmarks we don't have to force ourselves to live up to. Ahead, there are many seemingly insurmountable challenges, but as it is, I will have to look inward and gaze upward, and then it will be better-going, a constant lesson I've been taught this whole time.

Moving on away from soliloquoy, the night we were supposed to transmogrify into gentlemen mindful of our P's & Q's was, in all my expectations, uneventful and under the bridge. I guess many of them just weren't themselves, probably because they were in the presence of their dates and all. So it's a major cover-up, after all. That actually brings me to the fixation on image the entire system has. The things we are told to do, they sometimes frustrate me to no end, because I just can't figure out a logical reason to them. For the most part, they are only temporary measures to produce superficial results, and at the end of it all, the underlying problem still exists. Okay, I think it's a rant familiar to many in the country, so no further elaboration.

The time off so far has been great, having taken the time to pack off to Bintan and back, just relaxing and gastronomically exciting holiday there. The amount I ate was amazing even to myself; seems like my appetite has expanded quite a bit, probably because of all the physical activity and the overall longing for good food I always seem to possess. Also been out and about with some of them at the beach, where for some it was a good experience to share, and for yet others, it was a time for saying our goodbyes.

to stop the decay

Dusting the cobwebs of my blog, just as how I would area-clean. Well. Back from five weeks of what I would call one of the most up-and-down periods in my short, short life. There were times I was on a high, where everyone was really nice and mostly everything went well - pleasantly uneventful, and then there were times where the lack of sleep, mental stress and the packed schedule tempted me to just keel over and declare this a done deal. But this is just what they would call an 'adjustment period'. It's getting better, and I guess I should just remain positive. Again, most of them in there are really nice and helpful, much more so than the average human, but I can't quite see myself getting close to most of them, except for a dismal handful. The people in charge, they seem to experience mood swings and emotional rollercoasters, and it's only thanks to the current epidemic they're laying it off, but not for long in my opinion. But I will pull through, and it is only through His strength.

as we go on

So before I leave and become virtually uncontactable for a period of time, let me summarise what materialised over the later part of the week.

Thursday: An outing of sorts with YH, ZY and YJ. Hah, the Y's. To tell the truth, I play pool much worse than any of them. Even though I suggested pool. It's like how I love to play games I really am quite bad at. A painfully good example would be Risk. So you know we shared some more about our shared experiences. Really, it's a bit like getting stuck in the past, but I think that's perfectly fine at least for now, because that past really was quite an eventful one. We deserve our conversation's worth of discussion and mulling over it. YH really is an entertaining, top-notch conversationalist, ZY's the penultimate crapper/lamer/joker, and well, YJ has his moments and outbursts (of whatever, I don't know). Oh yes, the 3-scoops-for-3-dollars ice cream was welllll worth it.

Friday: It was supposed to be a major bridge session with B, HM and WY, but the package that day included a movie inspired by card-counters. So apt right, playing bridge right after that movie. Ahaha 'sweet sixteen'. Felt bad I was a little late, but other than that, I quite enjoyed the company, and having good hands for bridge. Turned down a chance at a gathering with some of the section, partly because I don't know how to play mahjong (and I don't intend to learn). Then, went for dinner with YX and SY, as a treat for SY's birthday and the many months of treasured friendship (hahaha). Had some mini lobster thing at a big discount, though I felt that the dish did not do plenty of justice to the crustacean (but neither did we, eating it and all), and then had a good ol' vanilla cone to fill 'er to the brim. After that, we went on a fruitless shopping jaunt for a Father's Day gift. Oh ya and I nearly lost my photocopied ID, having left it at MFM and going back an hour-plus later to get it. Thank God I found it!

Saturday: Had a sub with SY, YQ and HB. Long time since I've seen the latter two. And the former two, have had quite a good time so far compared to HB and I, so that's really... I'm really glad for them, ahaha. After a pseudo-discussion, we adjourned to a board games cafe, and well, played some games lah. Quite fun, especially the Bang! game (my second time playing), and the Ruby Rhino thing was interesting despite the lack of brains (or any effort, for that matter) needed. The Wrong Game was a bit of a let-down, not very challenging, but Blokus revealed the inner cunning in all of us. Like I didn't know, right, hahaha. Then after that, headed off to the COUSIN'S place to discuss about what to do for my maternal grandma's birthday. I'll just say this: "GAHHHH!" Okay.

So, on a totally unrelated note, I know where I'm going off to next. It's bittersweet (seems to be my new favourite word), because while I know many people want in on this, not many get selected in the end, and to some, it seems a prestige. But obviously the flipside is that there's going to be a lot of sacrifice and maybe even different levels of suffering to be had. Oh well, I'm going to take things as they come and cast it all unto Him. And that would be only in a matter of hours..!

back to life as we know it

So on Saturday, K and I went for this carnival thing at SAC, labelled Playmax. I guess it would have been a lot more exciting if you went in a bigger group, but the others K asked along couldn't make it, or could only make it late (and ended up cancelling on us). While I wouldn't say it was roaring fun or anything, it did give us a much-treasured opportunity for fellowship, and to just catch up with each other. Thing is though, at such carnivals, there'd be the quintessential carnival games in all their cheesy glory, but as we made our dutiful turns at each of them, we somehow really tried our best at not letting any of them get the better of us. So what if they were targeted at adolescents, they weren't very simple at all. Then after that we watched a strongman performance plus a slapstick sketch. Saw B and E, and various other familiars there as well. All in all, as an effort to reach out to the community and the youth in particular, I would commend the entire event, though I felt that the high ticket price would be a partial deterrent for some. After that, HM came over to catch up as well, and while they had their value-for-money subs, I ate some donated cookies. Yes, I have been gravely and terribly affected by the recession, haha. And it is then I have realised that it isn't actually entirely impossible to talk to girls about what I've gone through the past few weeks, ahaha.

These are what my keen information-gathering skills have come up with: K has a pretty happening social life. HM has a very, very happening social life.

Tuesday saw me going for the interview and test. Both were reasonably alright, and I guess I managed pretty well. Only thing is that I don't actually see myself in that academic field, so the entire process for me was pretty stress-free. Lunch at the restaurant there was really value-for-money (this term will become more important to me), given the kind of food and ambience for that kind of price - I really enjoyed it with the FATHER. After that in the evening, joined K, WY, HM and B plus J for a short while at the cafe, before following J to meet ZT, V and M. Talked A LOT about our shared (haha) experiences (strangely I'm not bored of it yet), watched some Peranakan play rehearsal, and had some good old vanilla cone.

These are what my keen information-gathering skills have come up with: Ambience is key to food enjoyment, more so than I have realised. ZT can keep his hair. M is still caught up with his experiences, haha, must have been unforgettable. V has somewhat higher levels of myostin (go look it up and you'll know what I mean).

Went out for lunch with the family on Wednesday, exploiting the various discounts and promotions restaurants have come up with because of the recession, er the Great Singapore Sale, I think. After that, caught up with B near her place, where they serve good (as always) apple strudel. I think this was the ultimate catching-up session EVER, we went on for a good four hours, talking about things that truly meant something. It was really meaningful fellowship for me, and hopefully for her as well.

These are what my keen information-gathering skills have come up with: B is a changed person, and I would say it is for the better. (:

Am thoroughly enjoying what little time I have before going back in, and looking forward to the rest of the week.

Pop goes the weasel

So there go nine weeks, gone in a twinkling, a flash of time, seconds - so premature, yet so long-awaited. Perhaps it's true our education system is rather stifling; it's been quite a long while since I felt so different. Or maybe the experience of it all was just so starkly different from everything I'm used to, affecting me so greatly. But while all good things must come to an end, who says we can't procrastinate?

So quite immediately after it ended i.e. the next day, some of us booked badminton courts and well, played badminton. Been a long time since I touched the sport, so was a bit rusty when wielding my cobwebbed racquet. Though, it took only a while before I really started playing, and it was really fun playing with the rest of them, for three hours straight. After that, had some good chicken rice.

Then we went out again the next day! This time, with a bigger gang (admittedly, badminton's not everyone's sporting cup of tea, so.) of people, at Sentosa. It's kind of ironic, in that we already had so much sun, but you know, uneven, ugly tan lines call for such ironic measures. Basically I tried my hand in sports I previously wouldn't touch, like frisbee or beach volleyball, and doing all sorts of myriad crap in between. Operative phrase being 'tried my hand'. They were fun, but I prefer just soaking in the sea, and engaging in meaningful conversation, haha. Oh and we had dinner at ******! (the exclamation mark is not a typo), and I will tell you now that the service there should be banished to the darkest depths of some abysmal abyss. Food was passable given the not-so-value-for-my-hard-earned-money pricing, but giving us the wrong order and being so unwilling to do anything about it just about breaks the golden rule of service: No, it's not that the customer is always right, but, that reason is always right i.e. unreasonable service personnel shouldn't even be working at all. Anyway.

Hopefully, we'll get to see each other again, and given the slim chance of doing so, it is indeed some sort of obese, fat-ridden hope. Nonetheless, it's still worth hoping. We could continue procrastinating and ignoring the deadline presented to us just two days ago, keeping in touch even as we move on in different directions.

reflective half-essay

Okay it's coming to an end soon - for the most of it, it was quite fun, even exciting. Obviously it wasn't ALL good, if not it would be Bali, but other than that, it was seriously much better than expected. I'm not sure how I would be able to adjust to another environment without the people I've been through with so much so far, plus how I still would be detached from my original circle of family and friends for yet another period of time. I feel like I'm writing some reflective essay, and maybe I am, but it's really how other people have put it - I went in not expecting much, yet came out of it bringing plenty.

Many of them, the people I've met and interacted with so much over the few short weeks, they were certainly not perfect. They could do much better with cleaner language, maybe a few pointers on courtesy and etiquette, but who am I to judge. Most of them, I find, would agree that all such good things must come to an end (and a very short and premature end might I add), even as we may not enjoy the routine and regimen of it so much, we certainly enjoyed each other's company as we went through each bit of it, complaining and crapping together. Somehow, a bit of me wishes this would not end but continue on for the rest of the time I have to serve, just remaining on that piece of land up northeast, continuing to do what we do. Pretty aimless, but definitely a lot of fun (it's funny how I find it fun when I'm out, but when I'm in, it isn't really so).

nicely put

It's about time I came back here; previously everything was a mad rush, making me give this a little miss. These few weeks have been full of pleasant surprises as well as a little disappointment, but I guess these pass over me really quickly, because by then, I realise all of these were somewhat expected. So I can't really call them surprises. Then again, they do surprise me. I'm being so vague I think no one else will know what I'm talking about except me. Yes, that's what vague is. I forget.

Okay shall move on to the more tangible experiences I've gone through. Still need to be vague about it due to certain national obligations, but good enough I guess. Over the period, I've been given many roles to play, and certain responsibilities to fulfil. And over that same period, I guess I've learnt an extraordinary amount about myself, and I thank God for that.

I guess as many people know me, I'm very conservative in many very different ways. I shy away from the new and untested, and stick to the routine, often uncomfortable out of my, well, comfort zone. But what I've gone through over the past seven or so weeks, has given me a new confidence in the abilities that I've been blessed with. Not to say they are anything much, but certainly, they aren't nothing either. Taking the lead in an environment with ultra-dominant personalities of course was not easy, but to me, it felt natural, in the sense of hey-it's-actually-not-so-bad-after-all.

I think morally as well, I've kept my ground pretty well. It undeniably takes a lot for one to remain oneself in that kind of environment, where you are bombarded with many different influences in varying degrees very frequently. I still believe that the narrow path is worth taking, no matter how hard it may be.

Ah okay, still very much vague. But at the very least I know what I'm talking about. (:

mini rant

I don't get what's so difficult about letting us off for external appointments that have the potential in deciding the course of our future. It's merely a few hours off and a whole fuss is being stirred up, bureaucratically inflexible much? The whole hierarchal authority thing with the chain of command is surely impeding everything and anything, and that's why so little is being done. I mean, year in and year out, they'll be facing this same problem over and over again, inevitably, so why not make things easier for both sides?

On another note, I think I've successfully lost touch with civilisation. Not entirely, but close enough. Somehow everything seems so different and new to me when I'm out.

BAAACK

Ahahaha I'm back! It's good to be back. Then again, I'll be back THERE tomorrow. Oh well, over the days I was back I didn't have the energy to contact many friends at all, the entire experience really drained me physically. Though, I did eat quite a bit of good food, to redeem all the nasty culinary specimens I was doomed to consume for the period. The hotel buffet I went to just now is probably one of the most worth-it ones I've ever patronised. But only because of the huge discount offered. The PARENTS really do know me well.

On another note, let me recount the good and the bad. Though I'm probably bound not to say much because of certain obligations, let's just discuss the common public conceptions and I'll add in my own personal anecdotes. That shouldn't be against the law, ya? Haha.

Conception #1: People come out of it with a newfound knowledge of profane and vulgar language, and the irresistible urge to practise it.

Okay, let's just be clear about this. There is plenty of such influence in there, I am certain. EVERYONE does it, from the highest to the lowest. I've seen and I've heard, and it's no secret. That being said, I can still proudly claim truthfully that I have NOT been affected as such. No, I am still the same innocent, pure and undeniably mild-mannered little lamb I've always been. You may find it hard to believe, but those who've known me for some time will know that it's not impossible. I have yet to be on the same language wavelength as the others in there, and so far, surprisingly, there has not been any negative backlash. In fact, I think some people think it's awesome. I think it is too.

Conception #2: It's very slack lah.

NO LOR. Yes sometimes there's some time to do stuff, but it's not personal stuff. I've very little time to myself, so much so I've only read two pages of the book I brought. The schedule is very, very packed, and it drains one physically quite a lot, especially because I'm in a special group. In fact the whole thing is pretty rushed - mealtimes are insanely short and there's little time to sit and even be still. The learning and adaptation curve is pretty steep as a result. Maybe it's because I'm not too used to it, I'm quite a slow-moving person after all. Though, the days tend to stretch there, and so, it feels like it has been a very rushed two years in the two-plus weeks I was there.

Conception #3: A lot of people hate it for what it is.

Definitely true to some extent. It does things to people, and people do things to it. But what is sure is that there are some who are made for it. I've seen people who show a true passion for it, and I respect them for that. I can't say I have the same devotion, but I'm just taking things one step at a time. I need more time to adjust, and before that, I hope the system forgives me (so far I haven't got into any mishap!). The people around me have been surprisingly friendly and amiable, and I've made a good number of close friends in just this period alone. Something tells me there are many hidden blessings in disguise, and I will for the life of me dig them out.

It perhaps is one of the most otherworldly (haha) experiences for me so far; everything's really different (I'm being so vague here but that's how it has to be sadly :( ). New resolution: to make the best out of it.

Centennial

It's the hundredth post, and fittingly, it'll look to be the last for quite a while, since I'll be militarily occupied come 13th April. I'll certainly try to post nonetheless, because I've found so many reasons to do it. And I think I'll miss writing here, partly because it's become semi-routine for me. Oh and this may sound lame, but for this post, let me try typing the entire way WITHOUT the use of the backspace function. Just to let y'all see what comes out of it. Maybe it'll be infinitely interesting. Maybe it'll be downirhgt embarrassing. SHUCKS. *points at stupid mistake*

Let's start from Wednesday, shall we? (Ok I gind myself typing rather slowly, but SHUCJS there are still mistakes SHUCKS)(

Ok on Wdnesday I gfinally got my treat from J! I dont understand why so many people look so different. Either that, or they had their entire image overhauled ofr something. Is it to escape the shcakles of the schoolgirl image? Or schoolboy image? But I thought it was in whgat. Anyhow. So we went to T3 for lunch. Oh ya the treat was for my apparent help with her CSE IS. Whether or not my help proved, erm, helpful, I still rightfully got that treat okay. (See this is what happens when I can't backspace or edit - the coherence of the whatever I am supposed to produce just isn't there! THIS ISN'T ME I REPEAT THIS ISN'T ME.) Oh ya and I'm really happy for her! And glad.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAS iT. Another buffet, this time at a downtown hotel. Supposedly for my results i.e. a form of celebration. On a related note, other people TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD to celebrate their resul;ts/graduation from junior college etc. but I get a dinner. Well I guess I still do appreciate it, since I do know how hard it is for my parents to earn money, and that we are alspo not that well-off. And they do know how to please me. A buffet is definitely more than enough. Okay lor, the usual. JUST ATE A LOT. What e;se tp do. I never thought I'd say this though, but I AM getting a ;little tired of eating alot. Oh well, this feeling wouldn't stay for long lah, it's not as if where I am soon going to will pamper me with gourmet cuisine ofr whatever. (My fingers are really dumb they are ot listening to me.)

Thursday night went out with G to IKEA restaurant/cafe at ALEXANDRA HOW FAR CAN YOU GET. It was really funny, because we missed each other two times, while trying to meet there. Probably couldn't recognise each other lah, didn't meet for so long, haha. TALKED LIKE A LOT. And then there was this elderly man (not as much as old as he was weird) who sat next to us (being the kind souls that we are. Actually, no, since he just sat himself down besdie us, I think) and proceeded with his meal. That's okay actually, until he finished his meal, and sat there for I think nearly a full halrf hour NOT DOING ANYTHING. G suspected something was up with the guy, and I of course couldn't disagree. I mean, sitting there and doing nothing, cannot just mean that he's enjoying the air-conditioning right? You know what maybe I do attract weird people. Then we went to a shjopping centre opposite where almost every boutique was a factory outlet!!! EQUATES to branded goods at low low prices. Couldn't fathom why all the outlets were there though. So weird. To make up for my stinky present of a file, I bought the BROTHER a cheap handphone pouch. THAT USED TO COST UNREASONABLY HIGH. So you see the gifts I buy are still thoughful (!), but nonetheless cheap and extremely cost-effective.

Friday morning went for a McDonald's breakfast with the FAMILY minus BROTHER, and for SOME reason, met a few familiar people at the Siglap outlet. Small world man. Too small in fact! Even though those were friendlyt faces. Then in the afternoon entertained SY, HM, JY, C, B at my place. First time having so many people over, and it wasn't even my idea! But ya, it was alright, though I suspect some of them got bored even before playing Risk but I tell you you should have seen their faces during the game. All the strategists were strategising and ONCE AGAIN I'M LIKE THE DE FACTO TARGET WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE LET ME WIN FOR ONCE I HATE PLAYING WITH TJ PEOPLE hahaha. Oh before that let me now credit the MOTHER for the shepherd's pie and a friend for the tiramisu. Come to my house will get good food to eat don't even need to order pizza, how worth it. Well, I do hope they had fun even though Veggietales didn't quite agree with the DVD player. Minnesota Cuke would have tickled them all lah.

Oh and on Saturday I had an interview and test with ***, and I guess everything went rather smoothly, without any major hiccups. But by the looks of the profile of the interviewee population there, I do doubt that it is a place for me to study well in and to basically lead a fulfilling university career. I just can't seem to imagine myself as a student there, but I guess I'll still consider it, even though I might be so disinclined towards it at the moment.

So yes, I'm about to go in this Monday, and in th elast few days I've certainly found out friends and friends' friends who would be going in on the same day as me, which would probably mean that they might very well end up in the same grouping as me. Well, I guess that is probably a little of relief; familiar faces should make things a lot easier. I'll just have to keep reminding myself that this is perhaps an experience which would benefit me a lot more than I realise, and put everything into His hands. Hope to do good!

Shaven and shorn

That's what I am right now, in preparation for the BIG DAY. WHOOOOOO.

To prepare myself for the supposed shock that most guys get that is, when they see themselves in all the bald and shiny glory, in front of the mirror in all its bald and shiny glory. Surprisingly though, I was instead rather shocked, that I wasn't that shocked. I guess there was a bald guy in me after all. Okay lah I'm not completely bald, but close.

My head looks a lot bigger than it used to (which is saying a lot because my head really is the big and round type. Sad but true), and it feels a little lighter as well, as though an elephant finally decided to alight and go on its merry way to Africa instead of hitching a ride on my head.

I won't say I look doobish, but close to that. On the contrary, some people I've met so far say that I look better. To that, I seriously wonder how I looked like to the same people before the hair was gone. I must have looked doobish.

On another note, I am seriously glad Ms K is my referee. I handed her yet another report on such a tight deadline, but she still did it for me anyway WITHOUT telling me off. Thank God for her!

OH ON A RELATED NOTE, I don't get why some universities BOTHER to use online application portals when they can't even get the portals to work properly. I don't understand that at all. Okay so they may want to keep up with rest of the seemingly superior competition (because these universities actually do have proper, working portals), but if your portal isn't going to work properly at all, that whole impression you're trying to give? IT'S GONE, YOU LAWN.

AND ON ANOTHER RELATED NOTE, I seriously hope universities and scholarship providers alike do manage to make the effort to at least contact me or someone in the FAMILY, if anything. Please do not follow the example of *** and call me, drop me a lame voicemail, and leave it at that, expecting me to eagerly dial the number and listen to the voicemail in great, giggly anticipation. At least email lah. Interviews are good and beneficial you know, everyone should have them for breakfast.

Yeah, I think scholarship providers should give EVERYONE who applied the chance to be interviewed. If not for practical reasons such as casting the net wide enough, it should be for patriotic reasons, because the first interview is always the stinkiest. I remember having my first interview (not telling where/who/when), and it stank so bad they fainted. Like seriously, there I was not really quite knowing what to say, giving answers that sounded like they were to the point but after some thinking through I think they knew I didn't know what I was talking about. And I had the weird habit of looking heavenwards when I was thinking, which probably irritated them. I think. *looks heavenwards*

So as I was saying (shaddap I didn't digress, ALL of it was to the sharpest point), if these providers provided more people with interview opportunities, many of us would instantly become more eloquent speakers and express ourselves better (this one I'm serious). Then all of us can become better than some of the angmohs that many Singaporean office workers complain about (all talk no work), because, we, can, then, TALK AND WORK. So see it's patriotic okayrestmycaseIwin.

Side-note: Ah see, no food mentioned in this post. Haha.

PHWOAR #2

It is official. PHWOAR stands for Posterity Happens When Occasions Are Remembered (I'm good at acronyms I know I know I know). Which basically means a post because I need to remember the things that happen to me, even if they seem trivial, because all the little things add up!

Okay last time I blogged was last Wednesday, so let's do a little time-travelling.

When it was Thursday, on the 26th day of March, the boss gave us ALL a treat! Supposedly in my honour some more. Now you can't get that at a huge firm because that'll just be plain uneconomical. So we went for, er, Thai-Indonesian-Peranakan-anything-you-can-find-in-Southeast-Asia-just-throw-it-in food! It was filling, but...

To be honest, my discerning tastebuds could tell that the assam prawns weren't assam enough, the tom yum soup wasn't tom yum (or is it yam?) enough. Basically, the tastes should be sharper and more flavourful. The chef must have had a scolding from the boss, that's what I think. Either that or he is a boring old man.

After work I went home and TOILED till 4am. See later why.

OKAY FRIDAY THAT DAY. My last day of work. Note the lack of exclamation mark because I was sad. That was bad. They specially cooked porridge and brought a lot of side dishes, and then sat me down and made me eat lunch with them, hahaha. (One of the aunties said that I was now all ready for NS, after they had given me enough nutrition already. Which is quite true.) Anyhow after lunch I gave them each a personalised letter that I had TOILED over the night before. They were really quite touched (and rightly so! A lot of effort put in, until I dozed off midway I NEVER DO THAT), some with tears in their eyes (didn't cry lah but can see). So that basically dragged on until the end of the day where they each came up to me and said their goodbyes and gave me some motherly advice hahaha. And I hope they'll make good on their promise to let me know to go back if they've got some good food (yes that's most important and probably one of the things I'll miss most).

OKAY SATURDAY. Ate breakfast with M (no shaddap it's not Judi Dench) at Delifrance. Somehow that place manages to make very little food seem like a lot (and that's saying a lot because I can eat a lot). Or maybe it's because of the free flow of coffee/tea (the MOTHER says that's quite worth it because tea at pseudo-café establishments tend to be overpriced). We talked a lot (yes I only eat and talk don't ask me to do anything else), and well, I'm glad to be of some help at least. (:

After that I went to get a little something for the BROTHER'S birthday. Actually got him two brightly-coloured, screaming Disney files (on purpose because all his things no colour), but the SISTER spied a file she liked after I bought them both and went for lunch with the PARENTS plus her. So now the BROTHER has the file with the Disney babies in all their infant glory. Haha and I actually forewarned the BROTHER that the file was fake, only to let him tell me actually it was the real deal. Okay I feel appeased for the weirdly high price for a piece of flimsy plastic. Oh and I'm so sad I couldn't eat much during lunch because I ate too much breakfast. That's how I get emo, hahaha (okay shall shaddap).

OKAY SUNDAY. So after church and cell group, I FINALLY meet SY and YX for dinner. You know where? It's the Heartland LINE-OF-SHOPS-IN-AN-AIR-CONDITIONED-ENVIRONMENT, that's where. NO it cannot be called Heartland MALL, because it is seriously made up of too few shops and too narrow walkways it becomes a concrete pasar malam. Oh wait pasar malam got more shops hahaha. So I went there and ate from some Hong Kong cafe thing that CHARGES FOR PLAIN WATER HOW LAME CAN THIS GET I DON'T GET THEM. But the food was okay though YX was complaining about the LOUSY CURRY HOW LAME CAN THIS GET SHE DOESN'T GET THEM.

OH YES AND THANK GOD I WENT AND MET UP WITH THEM, REALLY. A certain university required both submission of both application AND supporting documents ON THE SAME DAY and I didn't realise it until then! FIASCO (actually the word sounds quite vulgar). If not for them, I'd probably miss the last boat. And Ms K was also very nice about it even though I informed her late.

On to happier and less stressful things. I got my overdue present! Aaaand, it's a bag with apparently feminine buckles as mentioned by SY. How anti-climatic, bestowing a, might I add, rather expensive present and then whoosh, pouring all the cold water on it, hahahaha. BUT NO, it's not feminine! Where got buckles feminine?! Like that guys cannot wear belts because they have freaking big feminine buckles in the middle ABOVE the nether regions... So it's like imposing its feminity on the symbol of manhood, suppressing it even! *HERRR!* (no it's not a war-cry for feminist, Amazonian women warriors a la "HER! HER! HER!" but the sound that is produced when a sharp breath is drawn a la *HERRR!*) But no, buckles are but unisex accessories, asexual even. So that means that SY and YX know me pretty well, ahaha. Well, the bag is nice, and through my brilliant deductions, I know the general price of the bag, HEEEHEEE. Anyhow, thanks to the both of you! Going to try use it some before going in.

OKAY MONDAY. Ms K got back to me really quickly, it is much appreciated. Spent the day doing applications.

OKAY TUESDAY DITTO MONDAY.

OKAY WEDNESDAY. Today I met SY's paternal side of the family, or more like the one whom paternal is derived from. He chauffeured SY and me to the university to drop off our applications and documents. I got a rude shock over there when I realised the website instructions were different from the words coming out from the admissions officer's mouth. Breakdown in communication much?

So of course I had to tell the truth: that it was their fault. No, really. Anyway that was settled soon after (I hope). Then SY's father brought us for lunch there. It was quite a nice place as well, and I wished that he didn't spend so much on my meal. Even I do feel bad sometimes no matter how appearances may deceive you, hahaha. Anyhow, I especially enjoyed the soup with the pastry hat (don't know what's it called), but wow, was it filling. I think I ate the most there. Oh wait of course I did. Even gladly took leftovers from others, haha.

SY's father's really quite nice, and I can tell he thinks like an engineer (he's one). Don't know why but I somehow sort of admire people who can think as such, probably because I can't think like that really well.

OH YA and I played a game of pool with SY. Even though I won (yesss I won), admittedly SY is the better player. Just that I managed to get well-placed shots most of the time. Oh whatever actually I'm quite good too, hahahaha.

And you know what?! I went for international buffet later on! As if I hadn't had enough food. It was at a nice hotel, which I didn't expect to be upmarket but it looked really classy and modern, much to my surprise, so that was good. The food was good too, with a reasonable spread and lovely presentation. All that only means one thing: I could increase my chances of bankrupting the place. I seriously ate so much that even I surprised myself. I'm so scary, hahaha.

OKAY THURSDAY. MORE APPLICATIONS MORE.

So far that's about it. (:

WAH AGAIN

WHOO got a treat today! One of my colleagues treated me to crab noodles/bee hoon! Y'all know what it is right? A WHOLE crab is placed into some broth with noodles (or they add in the noodles later, I don't know) and simmered to crab noodles/bee hoon perfection! So R (that's her) (that's the colleague) ordered two different kinds (black pepper and er, brothy?), and then we took a bit of each; trying more varieties is good. I didn't expect it but it was really nice! It was either because the crab was really fresh (whole chunky slivers of meat/whole slivery chunks of meat/FRESH MEAT MUAHAHA), or because I was eating for free. Hm. Well I think it was the former mostly lah.

UNTIL I KNEW THE PRICE. Wah, really expensive, at $16++! Okay lah, it's crab and it's really good, but still it wasn't a fancy place or anything like that. But it was really good. The place was packed with office workers. Who said there's a recession?

And R is a professional crab eater. By the looks of it, she eats whole crabs at least thrice a week, which is a lot. Haha no I'm just kidding. Probably every day, seven times a day. The way she manages to get the meat out in aesthetically pleasing chunks is amazing. I've learnt something new today!

Okay so you know I've been through so many harrowing experiences. All of it is traumatising my innocent mind, and it's really too much to take! *squeals*

WELL GUESS WHAT PEOPLE, THEY AREN'T LETTING ME OFF. THE TRAIN IS A SMORGASBORD OF PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION READY FOR SALE. IT'S LELONG TIME THERE I TELL YOU.

Okay here are the circumstances of the accident. So I boarded the train and saw four people sitting on the floor of the train, at the part where two carriages meet (the part which always shifts about whenever the train turns or something). Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) they were of the same race as the previous two couples. Beats me, seriously.

Three were girls (the other is now obviously a guy). Two of the girls looked normal (the other now obviously doesn't). In fact, she looked like a little *gasp* dull in her outlook on life as well. AND GUESS WHAT THE GUY HAD HIS HANDS ALL OVER HER AND YES, SHE HAD A REDDENED FACE AS WELL AND WAS TEARING. AGAIN.

Well this time the guy didn't look smarter or anything, as was the case last time. The guy, he looked to be sixteen/seventeen, but he was studying a P6 maths book. I kid you not. How were his hands all over, you ask. Well, use one hand lor. One hand busy with work, the other hand busy with play.

Haha I don't know whether I'm desensitised or something, but I didn't feel so uneasy this time round. It was more of amusing really. Picture this. The guy (he's King Kong from now on, not that he looks like one, in fact he looks much better, but that he BEHAVES like one) likes to put his arm around the girl, and so he does it repeatedly even though the girl is all teary and red-faced and refusing his King Kongish advances. She starts to tear more, and then all of a sudden, she goes into a retarded fit and whacks King Kong madly, pinching every part of his body she could reach (yes every part now shaddap). He grimaces fakely and puts on this pained look, probably because he wanted her sympathy/concern (?), but the girl BIT HIS EAR. Then he sort of shouted (like some silverbacked gorilla), and everyone looked. Way to go I tell you.

The other two girls laughed like normal girls do, and the teary girl just teared. Here comes the part that takes the cake. I don't know whether it'll seem funny or not, but it sure did just now.

He made a few pats on his shoulder closest to her, gesticulating like a monyet (how animalistic).

"Nar, sleep." (Don't ask me what nar means, it's the sound of King Kong.)
"Sleep lah."
"Sleeeeeep."

Then he SHOVES her head onto his shoulder. See I told you he's King Kong.

The head bounces back up and tears some more.

Shove.

Bounce.

Shove.

Bounce. Shove. Bounce. Shove. Bounce.

She didn't go into some mad, retarded fit again though. I guess she didn't have a chance to because King Kong decided that was that, and went back to his P6 maths.

Okay that wasn't really a public display of affection lah, if I should say so myself. It was just a public display of animalistic behaviour. Better go to the zoo for that. More worth it. Train rides are so expensive nowadays.