7 minutes worth of Happiness

2011-11-27T18:28:00.001+08:00

I haven't wrote in this blog for a while, but not for lack of things to be thankful of. For one, it's been a relatively smooth transition back to Singapore from London over the past few months, and judging from the mess I've made from the desk of my room, I would say I've probably settled in, although the penny only dropped a while after.

A lot of things that I was uncertain about in the months leading up to the move, especially those pertaining to my near future were in flux. And now, lot's of things have come together in a rather pleasant way - a way in which I can look forward to.

More than anything, the feeling of new-ness and familiarity is most comforting. And for every new friend (like this cat from downstairs) I have many more things that I hold still in my heart from London. I suppose, and much to my relief, that a lot of the things I was worried about, such as losing my friends, the things I loved to do, and myself in the process were unfounded.

Buckyballs

2011-10-04T22:23:00.004+08:00

we all know antibiotics was discovered by pure accident. another beautiful accident is the 'buckyball'. for those of you who are as inapt as me in chemistry, buckyballs is a nickname for a particular allotrope of carbon. if that still doesn't ring a bell, think of diamonds. diamond is an allotrope of carbon, so is the carbon in your body and in your pencil lead. so when i say that the buckyball is an allotrope of carbon, it means its essentially the same thing as diamond and soot, ash, etc, they are made up of carbon but have different forms due to the difference in molecular structure.

buckyballs are recent discoveries. in 1985, scientists fired laser at carbon and found carbon molecules arranged in beautiful spheres like soccer balls and hence the nickname.

so what is the big deal you might ask. just another random cute thing isn't it?

yes and no.

much of the buckyball is still unknown and hence scientists haven't really figure out how to use the buckyball. but the fact that a new allotrope of carbon has been discovered is a big deal. why? think about it. as i've said earlier, carbon, be it diamonds or pencil lead are all essentially, carbon. their difference lies in the structure of the molecules. so with a totally new structure found in the buckyballs, yes, it means a whole new world of uses for it. its such a big deal that this accidental discovery caused the scientists, professors Kroto, Curl, and Smalley to be awarded the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

it is said that the buckyball have uses in the semiconductor industry. but whatever it is, such symmetry and such order found in pure accident is truly a sight to behold!!

for people

2011-09-12T14:35:00.002+08:00

I think I was born a bit of a loner, so it is quite rare that I feel thankful for PEOPLE. not just friends, but people in general: family, friends, acquaintances, and people that I just see around. Haha. The last few weeks would have been a very lonely journey, if not for the friends I suffered with, the friends who put up with both my whining and my disappearance while I am off suffering somewhere, the family members who also put up with my treating the house like a hotel and my grumpiness, people i bumped into in the library who start conversations and return a little normalcy into my life every time, faceless strangers in the library who always kept me company. Everyone who reminded me that life does not exist in a bubble. I have a feeling I will continue to need these reminders in time to come.

Name them one by one

2011-08-22T22:41:00.001+08:00

I'm grateful of the future. And that I have one. No matter what.

onion plant!

2010-12-21T18:56:00.005+08:00

this is one thing i am really grateful about.

last year when i went to thailand, a particular market was selling onion bulbs to plant. they looked like the normal onions you have in the kitchen. except they came with different coloured tape on them telling you what colour flowers will bloom from them. specimens of the mature plants were on display and they looked really pretty and had several huge flowers on a single stem. i immediately got attracted to the pink flowers and decided to buy one. dad bought two red ones as he thought of growing them and giving them to my ah ma when they bloomed.

first few days when i watered the bulb, it turned a ghastly green. i was worried that the bulb was growing MOULDY instead of growing. but we decided that its okay to be left alone for awhile more and before we knew it the bulbs sprouted leaves and grew rapidly.

the leaves grew long and thick like a pretty crown which somewhat reminded me of a pineapple plant. however there was no sign of flowers for several months.

we just watered waited. and occasionally my mum and i would speak to the plants. lol.

then a few months back the leaves started withering and the plants looked like they were dying. i wasn't happy about it and my dad spoke of throwing them away. we threw the smallest one away thinking we were growing it for nothing.

we wanted to throw all away until one day we found something that sprouted from a particular bulb that looked very different from the leaves. for starters it grew upright, resembled a stem and had a thick bud forming at the top.

the thick bud opened and revealed many smaller flower buds inside. each at different stage of growth. lol! and within days a pink flower bloomed. today the second flower bloomed. i've counted and there are 4 more beautiful flowers on the way from the main bud.

i am just so happy. this is like a full cycle. we bought the bulbs last year during christmas. and this year during christmas, the flowers are blooming. i am just really really grateful that the flowers bloom. they are beautiful!

Zhong Guo!

2010-09-19T02:19:00.004+08:00

Even though things did get lonely at times, Shanghai was a blast and I met some wonderful people who treated me as their own. I also got to see my parents, and got to be a kid again for a few days, and also everyone that I cared about sent me some awesome birthday wishes via phone, email, facebook (even though I couldn't see them) and msn. So I'm thankful for my six weeks in Shanghai, and wouldn't give it up for anything. There are many things in Shanghai that I am thankful for, but will post them separately because I have been neglecting this blog.

sorry to bury your post deb. but im jealous about your biking because i'm packing my room :(

3 hours (and a bit more!) of happiness

2010-09-16T21:46:00.002+08:00

met up with Schezn, a good friend from JC, yesterday and we randomly decided to go cycling. we had lunch first at Soup Spoon where I managed to get my LAST 2 STAMPS and therefore redeem my FREE GRANDE BOWL OF SOUP, and FREE DRINK... :D and when we went to East Coast the uncle at the bicycle rental gave us 2 hours free which meant $6 for 3 hours!!

...and since we got the bikes for 3 hours we adventurously (and/or stupidly) decided to try cycling to Changi, and we literally had to RACE non-stop towards the end on the way back because we were going to be late (we were 20 mins late anyway, in the end). but it was SO AWESOME and the uncle didn't charge us extra HAHA.

and i kept falling down and making a fool of myself but it was so fun i wouldn't have wanted to spend the afternoon any other way :D

oh my friend

2010-07-10T18:23:00.003+08:00

...the coffee machine. I am so grateful for the coffee machine at the office of WongPartnership! it's the one treasure we have for sure. Not that I've been working so hard that I need the caffeine. But it is so sleek and efficient and dependable and delivers good coffee every time. I had 4 cups yesterday (I'm such a slacker I just take up coffee breaks at any possible time). I'm sure I'm not the only one who is thankful for it. On good days or bad days, everyone in the office can at least depend on good coffee.

Except the intern who sits next to me, who doesn't care for the machine's Standard cup of coffee but insists on drinking the Espresso. Well he can shoot his Asspresso up his Ass that's all I can say.

here's what i've been grateful for recently

2010-04-08T09:21:00.003+08:00

... Friends, in law school.

over the last few weeks I've been doing a lot of group work in school and as much as I would like to like everyone, there has been one person who has infuriated me a lot. A lot. The worst part is, I could always get along with her previously, but that may be because I have never talked to her on my own, in one shot, for any longer than fifteen minutes. :|

So, OK, there will be people that I find infuriating in law school. Consequently there will definitely be people that I absolutely cannot stand when I eventually start working. which is why I am so, so very grateful that I have found the few friends I can keep company with for longer than fifteen minutes.

Things I'd Never Say Anymore

2010-04-07T12:40:00.006+08:00

"YOU DON'T LOVE ME!'

Recently a close friend accused me of not loving her. I got so angry that I wanted to list down the reasons why she was so wrong about it. I wanted to list down all the stuff I did for her on a regular basis, ongoing stuff and sacrifices that SHE KNOWS about. Stuff that stamps "I love you" all over the place. And yes, the number of times I actually SAID the 3 words to her.

But of course, I didn't since I was simply so shocked that I didn't even know where to begin refuting something as dumb as why monkeys can't churn out shakespeare works even if they banged at the keyboard for infinity.

It would have really sucked if not for the fact that MY love for her was not based on HER love for me or HER knowledge of MY love for her. So in other words, my love wasn't contingent on HER.

Okay the point.

The point is, I myself have accused people of not loving me out of spite or when I feel neglected and the other party doesn't seem to want to give me MORE attention for very good reasons. And now that I've been the target of such an accusation, I don't think I would want to say that to anyone anymore whether it is true or not.

Because if it is true that the person does love me, I would be ungrateful to say otherwise. And if the person does not love me, telling the person that would not change anything.

Afterall what really matters is that when all the fleeting feelings simmer and die down, love, responsibility and commitment kicks in and keeps the relationship going.

Now that is TRUE love. Thank you God for Your love.

Forgotten miracles?

2010-04-07T12:40:00.003+08:00

It is a well known fact that I utterly lack discernment when it comes to human relations and that I think that most people are nice and uncapable of any evil. In a way it is true as those evil ones are already locked up in prisons, but sometimes there are many underlying politics amongst people which I am not even aware of and hence become an ignorant fool.

It is not utterly bad to not know everything. Because really, you don't need to know many many things in life to be happy. In fact, sometimes not knowing something, and hence acting ignorant disspates anger. e.g. I didn't even know I was offended!

Whatever it is, no matter how much stupidity thats left in me, I must really thank God that while I've been cheated several times along the way (i still think its my fault, and not the cheater's), I am still in one good piece after 21 years of existence.

And along the way, you get sympathy votes (people become less mean because they don't view you as a threat) and really, you get to see see who cares for you (and smack you on the head for being so dumb).

p.s. i pray for wisdom everyday.

5 years old!

2010-04-05T10:52:00.000+08:00

i scrolled to the bottom of this page today and realised that this blog was five years old! Considering our age, this is truly an achievement and something to be thankful for.

and to the two of you: i am truly fortunate to have you in my life.

i am speaking so formally now because i'm in the middle of reading academic articles.

Eat, Sh##, Sleep

2010-03-22T16:46:00.002+08:00

Pastor mark once said that you should be grateful if you are able to eat, sh##, sleep everyday.

No biggie.

2010-03-17T02:38:00.000+08:00

Plans

March
study
out
parties
facebook
midweek bible study on last day of march

April
study
revision period

May
exams
parties

June
work at silkair

July
work at silkair
catch eclipse with seowling

August
work at silkair

September
school with all the essay subjects!

how exciting. really! okay but one thing at the time. i really need to get off facebook.

oh dear

2010-03-07T23:09:00.002+08:00

my 21st birthday party photos are a disaster. i look sweaty and horrible.

its embarrassing to be the ugly female lead of the evening and you are portrayed as an awkward girl who can't even keep her eyes open for photos.

okay but thank God in real life i don't think i look as bad. HOPEFULLY NOT.

the sisterhood of the travelling book

2010-02-23T19:42:00.002+08:00

wouldn't it be kind of cool if there was one book that passed around to each other in turns throughout the year, like the sisterhood of the travelling pants?

we would read a person a passage from the book, either selected at random or not, and then record their response to it. We will also keep a notebook where we keep all the reactions to the book, sketch or photo of person optional.

if we collect enough notes on enough books we could try and convince the esplanade library to buy the collection and put it in the underground walkway between citilink and the esplanade.

CNY

2010-02-17T12:25:00.003+08:00

I have lived to see my cousin's kids -- the next generation!

emilyn

2010-02-09T18:12:00.003+08:00

On the straits time obituaries I found a bible quote which cheered me up greatly after I was depressed over how ugly I think I am thanks to the facebook photos tagged by various friends.

Psalm 139: 14

I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

[Let me not insult God because I am made in His image!]

yeah

2010-02-08T22:06:00.002+08:00

today i bumped into my NJ schoolmate Agnes who is VERY VERY FUNNY and all the more funny because she is one of those people who are funny without trying (or intending) to be funny. it turned out she was taking the same bus as me so we shared a very random but very funny bus ride as she attempted to give a very long answer to a very simple question that i asked.

so it was quite a good thing that I decided to go straight home instead of queuing (? queueing?) at the ATM and lingering at the small spread of used books outside the NUS central library, since i bumped into her at the bus stop.

and so it was quite a good thing that I decided to go down to NUS central library to borrow a public law book which: (1) I don't actually really need, and (2) could have been transferred over to the Law library so I didn't need to travel to the kent ridge campus. But (1) I reserved the book at the start of sem when I thought it would be important, and (2) I didn't know how to request such a transfer.

it all goes to show that Providence does exist and sometimes I do make the right decisions because I think a very random conversation with a very random ex schoolmate was the very thing I needed to wake me up from my crazy thoughts of what I am and what I need to be and how I have to appear.

In the end, I just like to laugh.

in the end, I will do what I gotta do.

Lilies of the fields

2010-01-27T14:45:00.002+08:00

Chinese New Year is around the corner and I still haven't got anything new to wear.

Why? Because my wardrobeS are bursting at their seams.
Why? Because i've got too much clothes in all wardrobeS.
Why? Because i bought too many in the past.
Why? Because i thought that when i look good, i'd have more friends.
Why? Because i'm superficial too. Sigh.

I know I should give them away. But i've got a feeling that the Hati people won't get any of my clothes somehow.

However, if a stranger comes and knock on my door and needs my clothes, I'd give a lot of my stuff to him/her including my favourite dress (if its a her) from Lynette which i haven't worn yet.

Okay the point is.

I am blessed with many clothings.
Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:27&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=malachi%203:10&version=NIV
Now I it is my turn to become a blessing by giving up some of them.

Happy New Year! (2010)

2010-01-04T00:41:00.003+08:00

To my surprise (I began this year almost in pieces I think, trying to make sense of the potential expanse of time before me) this year has worked out a-ok!

to quote emily from A Softer World,
"For every unwanted pregnancy there was a fortuitous tumble down the stairs, and for every human trafficking police sting operation there was an incompetent handling of the evidence!"

Which only serves to remind us that things work out, either because we are God's sims or because sooner or later we learn to deal with our new unexpected outcomes and move on or make lemonade.

I'm so thankful that I got to meet up with you guys this year. Sometimes I think you're the reason I'm still sane (Or am i?).

So Happy New Year the two of you. And here's to more lemonade.

random outburst, sorry

2009-12-05T02:43:00.002+08:00

thank you for sharing,

thank you for being in my life,

even if I never showed it, even if it was little,

thank you.

I'm happy!

Strepsils and Danzens..

2009-11-15T17:46:00.002+08:00

...my new best friends. :) oh and countless cups of warm tea. cured me of my sore throat and almost-illness, what with the weather like this and me getting caught in the rain even when i have my umbrella (i don't get it either). i'm fine as dandy now, thankfully, and hope to keep it that way till horrible exams end.

My name is Apple

2009-11-04T14:28:00.004+08:00

Recently I went to Lynette's house and got the taste of being a designer. No don't tell me that this is not my first. Because at AEP all my designs were "crap" by his standards (and mine too, honestly. its just that I like to put the blame on Mr Tan :o)

It was quite fun because I got to pick and choose the beads that I want while Lynette did all the stringing them together. It felt like I got the satisfaction of seeing my designs materialise infront of me within 10 minutes

Lynette was a little horrified that I decided to make one of each only, meaning that the pair of earrings you see on the picture are actually a pair together.

But thats the point isn't it? It being different...

Debby, get your ears pierced!

Culinary Breakthrough

2009-10-16T08:47:00.002+08:00

Finally tried the Pineapple rice paste by Asian Home Gourmet that you guys sent me. IT IS HEAVEN! We really need to cook this in December. :D:D:D

And it's so easy! I never thought pineapple rice could be easy!

THANK YOUUUU

2009-10-01T07:34:00.002+08:00

IM COMING HOME SOON :D:D:D

THANK GOODNESS

Surprise!

2009-09-01T23:36:00.001+08:00

I wanted to blog about my exam results and how I think B is the most wonderful letter in the alphabet and the phrase "second upper class" can be made into a chart topping rap song, but I think I should not go on and on about it. Its really no big deal especially since I agreed that results are not going to determine my:

Status
Life
Happiness
Success
God

So. I am going to blog about something that happened quite awhile ago.

I was on 165 reaching AMK mrt station when a school bus full of small children about age 6 to 7 stopped beside the bus I was in during the jam.

I stared at them wondering what they were thinking (i.e. whats for lunch, what cartoons they were going to watch, etc) when a small mischevious looking boy sitting near the back started waving at me.

I waved back.

And before I knew it, the entire school bus went havoc. All the children started waving and laughing and all of them pointed at me speaking to one another. There were about 10 in all.

I showed them my tennis racket (I was on my way to play tennis with Jacynth) and all of them gasped and laughed even more.

It was so cool because for once I know what it feels like to be Obama.

Enjoying God's company

2009-08-21T00:34:00.003+08:00

Everytime I am alone at home or out running errands, I would often crave for another person's company. You know, a real human person other than a substitute like a book or the radio. A real human person that is not around by chance, but rather by choice to spend time with you.

With that Someone, I'd love to talk to her. Tell her about stuff and to hear her thoughts regarding things, current affairs, life in general, school, work or even the weather.

It doesn't really matter. I'd just love to listen and talk.

And to tell you guys the truth, this does not happen quite often especially since my social life is very, very pathetic. I would like to say that its pathetic by choice, but it is not. It was at first a choice, but now its sticking with me even though I don't really like the situation I am in right now.

It is sometimes painful to see throngs of girls talking and laughing at the mall or friends' facebook pictures filled with their friends doing funny poses(and sometimes mine too) and I am missing in there. Everywhere.

Honestly, sometimes it hurts so bad that I am missing out so much fun and excitement and that I am missing out on people's life. I'd just think I'm missing out on life.

Yet sometimes when I do manage to have company it gets rather boring. I find myself bored to death and I regret going out in the first place. I'd crave to be alone there and then so that I would not need to entertain the other party or worry that I am so boring that the person won't ever, ever want to go out with me every again.

I know that I am supposed to enjoy being with myself before others would even enjoy being with me. I totally know that. But how am I supposed to enjoy being with myself when I don't even get a break from myself? I haven't even got an out-of-the-body experience mind you.

Before I figure that out, I certainly do know that I am okay with being alone by myself. I am okay with that. Its just that there might be chances that not being alone is better that is bothering me.

And while I am somewhat forced to be alone, I might as well learn several things along the way:

1. Treasuring God's company (He is always, always with me even when the whole world walks out)
2. Treasuring my own company (I may be the most boring person for all I care, but as long as I don't bore me out its still cool)
3. Treasuring subsitute human company (Books might be the essence of people's thoughts which are what I am interested anyway. So are funny youtube videos. etc)
4. Bettering myself as a person by praying, reading the bible, and trusting Jesus to complete His work in me.

I am feeling better already. Thanks guys.

glorious bite of the whole world

2009-08-18T07:20:00.002+08:00

Indeed blessings come in twos! Haven't had so many posts on this blog in just a matter of days for a long time!

But for now, in this flat in which I live alone, I am grateful for not feeling the need to defend myself and the things I do constantly.

Second chances

2009-08-14T13:29:00.003+08:00

I'm honestly grateful for second chances. Not to mention the third, fourth, fifth, etc.

i should have thought of this sooner!

2009-08-12T23:13:00.003+08:00

what will give you, or anyone, happiness for 7 minutes and more is... going to painting class! it made me feel very amused to be sitting in front of an easel and canvas, and brushing actual paint (not Popular brand poster paint), with classical music in the background. I don't think you actually need to like what you're painting, or even know what you're doing, because either way you will still look like an ARTIST. hahaa :D

it's also a kind of happiness that lasts, because days afterwards when you look at your painting, you remember the brush strokes that you made there, the smeary edges that you didn't blend properly, or dots of paint you dabbed accidentally, and knowing that you made this thing makes you feel quite warm inside.

fish muruku also makes you happy. (I guarantee it)

2009-07-10T23:34:00.002+08:00

Ok this is not really 7 minutes of happiness, but i recently watched the documentary Man On Wire about the tightrope artist who crossed the WTC twin towers (of course before it was crashed by planes) on a tightrope.

You guys have to watch it. It's the singlemost exhilarating and moving film i've watched in a long long time.

Man On Wire!

the story is as much about determination as about friendship and it has the excitement pitch of a bank heist! You'll love it, I promise.

poverty, illnesses and disease.

2009-07-02T16:47:00.003+08:00

I spent about 3 days lying flat on my bed (either that or on the bathroom floor barfing out my guts) because of a bunch of viruses that I can't even see.

Then, I watched in total of 7 movies in 2 days after my recovery. The movies are:

Space chimps
Transformers
P.S. I love you
Stranger than fiction
Pooh
Barbie presents Thumbelina
And I can't remember what.

My friend, Seowling, came to know of my illness and demanded to know why I didn't tell.

I was very glad. Because after posting and announcing to the world that I was on the verge of death (okay, I am exaggerating, but you have no idea what it is like to have an headache, nausea for 3 consecutive days), no one bothered to comment or anything.

So people did care afterall. Grateful man. Grateful.

Thank you God for healing me.

I realised that I didn't want to die, afterall. Not that painfully anyway.

Just watched slumdog millionaire on DVD (from a renting booth, so its not illegal) and I now know that I do want to help the poor.

But to help the poor, I can't be poor myself. So.

God help me.

I can do this. I know I can.

its a little late, but its still fun!

2009-06-03T12:05:00.000+08:00

Distractions

2009-04-30T06:57:00.001+08:00

what will I do without Halfbakery.com?

sometimes the best way to get over something

2009-04-18T13:27:00.002+08:00

i am thankful for friends who don't give a damn when i'm talking/whining about something because it reminds me that the world doesn't revolve around me and i should really move on!!

(of course, i am also thankful for the ones, who do give a damn, because other times i need that)

Speak Good Mandarin Campaign

2009-03-25T12:00:00.005+08:00

Hi Su and Deb, this is the latest speak good mandarin campaign. The best ever!

For deb, in case if you don't understand, the instructions are
1 "clap your hands"
2 "gong xi gong xi" (what we all do during Chinese New Year
3 "where is the light bulb?"

I Still Have London

2009-03-24T20:12:00.002+08:00

When there is a ton of things I need to think about, get over and tear my hair out over, I take a bus ride and then realise that my world may cave in, but I still have London.

A cafe, just for us

2009-02-26T08:40:00.002+08:00

We need to set up a café, just for us. Where we will have an endless supply of the most dense and fudgiest brownies, and the most chewy chocolate chip cookies. A café that never closes, for people who don't want to go home, just sit somewhere in the middle of the night in a comfortable and relaxing environment that won't sell any alcohol but plum wine.

I will provide the ice cream machine, which will churn out the most exciting flavours of ice cream. And in one corner a sinky sofa and a TV set so we can watch Boston Legal, House and other wonderful TV shows on end.

We belong together

2009-02-25T00:56:00.000+08:00

For you, deb and su! <3

I LOVE MICHELLE BRANCH

2009-02-25T00:47:00.002+08:00

That is owen, michelle's daughter.

Finally breathing space

2009-02-12T10:02:00.002+08:00

It's past 2 in the morning and I'm still writing my EU law essay about the free movement of good as if something actually depended on it. Admittedly, I haven't been writing the essay for very long and I'm only halfway through that which has a 1000 word limit. My eyeballs feel like they're about to pop out from computer overuse.

Then I remember that Tomorrow is another day. and I am still on (kind of) vacation, with my reading week.

HAHAHAHA

i'm off to bed in 3.... 2.... 1.

Z_Z

Gifts

2009-01-17T18:02:00.003+08:00

Hey, these are for you guys. Taken during my stay in Perth!

Retirement

2009-01-17T16:01:00.002+08:00

I chucked out all 6 years worth of school notes, exercise books, books, letters from people whom I no longer remember and keep in touch, lousy pieces of my own artwork, odd keychains, autograph books, yellowed rough papers, etc, after I concluded that being overtly sentimental takes up far too much space for me to live properly in the present.

I might regret throwing out one or two items in 10 years time when I have a bigger place to store all my junk, but who knows? Maybe I might even forget what stuff I threw out during these few days of clearing. And for now its certainly rather gratifying to have space to think and breathe again and not trapping myself in the past for another couple of years.

Thank God.

kindof long

2009-01-13T21:03:00.002+08:00

hmm haven't posted in a long time. i think due to a combination of 1)couldn't log in for some reason, 2)too lazy, 3)couldn't think of anything to write. but actually (3) is especially a lousy excuse, because i think i do have a lot to be grateful for.

1. I did decently last sem. which meant that prayers worked.

2. I had a good holiday. in fact i didnt want it to end. :( hahaha.

3. Other people who forced me out of my comfort zone, even if it was just a tinny little step, even if things aren't really much different. First Dwayne for the little holiday cip, then LSIRC for making me co-organise the party (though i didnt do much hehh), then Na'imah for persuading me to go on the HK trip.

4. HK trip. wonderful wonderful place, and the thrill of travelling in general... i think my eyes were opened just a fraction, about a lot of things. its always like that when you travel with people, i think.

5. a good first day of school. yes that sums it up. i was dreading it so much that i was thankful for a good first day back. second day wasn't as good but i won't complain..

6. and then there's friends like you guys. su, talking to you online warms my heart every time. :) von, am so grateful for a friend like you, doing that video especially was one of the funnest things i did over the hols. :)

in truth i think i havent been posting much because often im too anxious about things to be thankful. but now i think i dont necessarily have to be self-contented to be grateful for whatever blessings that i do have.

KO.

2009-01-10T01:48:00.011+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Online+Story/STIStory_210687.html

I can't remember if I did write that article. I think I did, or at least after reading the article I can totally imagine the 19 year old Yvonne writing that.

But honestly, I can't be sure. I checked my email and found out that I didn't send anything on the 27th Feb 2008. So, I really, really don't know.

Its really not that an obvious case when you consider the fact that every part of my name screams commoness: Tan is a common surname. Yvonne is a common name. And Hui Ling is even more common than 3 leaf clovers.

Yes I know that the probability of having the exact same string of names becomes lower, but here is a scary statistic: the number of THLY who joins community club programmes alone hovers at around six.

I think there should be at least 20 odd THLY in Singapore. So wouldn't you agree that it could be any one of them?

In any case if that pod of nonsense was really written by me, then I would congratulate myself for finally growing up in just months.

AHhh. I am finally ready to be 20.

SUPERHEROES

2009-01-02T07:41:00.002+08:00

I saw the video! I love it I love it I love it!

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!

<3 su

sighh i feel so loved.

2008-12-28T08:13:00.002+08:00

i'm very thankful that we three share this blog, which is increasingly becoming a cherished shared space for things and people and places and stuff like that. It's like having a conversation that is not long and intense, but a prolonged and constant one.

my sentences are very long and convoluted today. strange.

What do I hate?

2008-12-17T23:58:00.004+08:00

~~I hate it when people quote me.~~

~~I hate it when people don't quote me out of context.~~

~~I hate it when people quote the most stupid things I ever said in the past 6 years online.~~

Now all my blogs are deleted leaving this and http://roseredwine.blogspot.com with one harmless entry on it.

Whatever.

Deb, Su, can you guys do something about the template? I screwed something up.

Thank God for Jeremy

2008-12-03T05:12:00.002+08:00

I don't know if I've told the two of you about Jeremy, this poet and writer I have recently become friends with. We met first when I walked into a bookstore he was manning, and then again at the bookstore where I went to visit him. Then I (tried to) attend his poetry reading and even though I was late, he forgave me. We talk about everything including coloured rain and buying land on the moon. He sent me this beautiful text message today that said

You know I treasure each moment with you. Let's try for Thursday. Don't work to hard. You are beautiful. X

In this message is a heart so simple and so pure that gives and gives and gives to people around it, and reading it at this time, when I was just feeling slightly frazzled over my (somewhat nonexistent) long distance relationship just gave me the energy that I needed to continue loving others again.

He also said to me

When we love someone we want them to be free.

Jeremy is the meaning of unconditional love.

Edward Cullen

2008-11-30T20:14:00.002+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dompotjTeIA&feature=related

the above link is twilight trailer spoof.
its hilarious.
im thankful. hot tears rolled off my eyes when i was watching.

p.s. you gotta watch the 3 official twilight trailer to understand!

enjoy!

This New Feeling

2008-11-23T02:43:00.002+08:00

Thank God for Waitress

but most of all thank God i am perfectly happy to stay at home and do homework and cook today. this kind of feeling doesn't come to me very often. Most days i feel like i have to do something to prove that i exist.

Edward Cullen

2008-11-22T16:13:00.005+08:00

Okay, yes, as you guys have heard from me: he is a vampire and he falls in love with a human girl and there are many complications because one is a prey and the other is the predator and blah blah blah.

How lame it must be to those on the outside; those who have yet entered the story of fantasy and romance, where true love buds against all odds and touching revelations about the human heart is slowly revealed...

Well, but then I must admit it is pretty lame from a rational point of view.

There aren't Vampires around. There aren't any girl as perfect as Bella (whom I keep picturing as kelsey for some odd reason) and there aren't certaintly that much choices in life on contrary to what the novel portrays.

But it all didn't matter.

I felt the thrills and excitement as though I was on a roller coaster ride with the characters by just flipping through the low quality pages of the novel, torn between reading it fasts just so to satisfy my curiosity about what would happen next and reading it slowly so the right side of the open book is still thicker than the left.

Escapism. From montony.

The days are becoming a routine now with few surprises, knowing that few would message me on my phone, and even much less possibility to have someone actually calling for a mindless chat. Nope. Now that I am almost isolated, the book did not deter me from entering that world filled with conversation and company. Yes, I caught a glimpse of company which is quickly becoming a thing of past as everyone I know is suddenly getting caught up in the whirlwind with their own lives and left me on the ground with all the wreckage around.

Of course its true that I have my own life as well, as I always had. But you don't know the feeling of being exluded when it really isn't my choice. Not that I was given any choice to say

"No, I still very much want to be part of your life."

So Edward Cullen effectively distracted me from otherwise lonely days. Three days to be exact. Wednesday night, Thursday, Friday and Today. I reread the book you see. And now I am reading the latest upcoming book which is the same story, but through Edward's eyes. Thanks Edward.

I am going to be seeing more of him on the 18th December when the movie is released in Singapore.

Besides, I still have three more books to complete the series. Something that I am not sure if i should look forward to. The story has got to end somewhere. And I still have the montony to face.

Besides, books tend to get dull as they progress towards the end when the author is just trying to prolong the story to satisfy fans.

As expected, ~~Kelsey~~, I mean Bella, turns into a vampire, rendering her immortal.

Boring!

Facebook

2008-11-15T11:21:00.003+08:00

With regards to the previous post, yes we were all suspect that its a loan shark attack.

I mean no insanely happy person would come minutes right after me and my uncle left the house, leaving two elderly persons behind and splash bright red nippon paint in a kinda neat straight arc.

I am just really grateful that God protected them. Imagine what would have happened if one of them opened the door.

But just to clarify some stuff. Someone did borrow money. But definitely not us. Two policemen came and the town council people gave us new paint to whitewash. I informed our neighbours.

I prayed over the situation and believe that God would continue protecting us!
Amen.

Big Ear

2008-11-07T17:24:00.002+08:00

Someone poured red paint over my ah ma's house.

Just very glad no one was hurt

and that the paint came off.

Go Clean Green!

2008-10-25T19:10:00.006+08:00

My mum went to Ang Mo Kio Hub today and bought a Japanese Cleaner which uses no electricity and yet works better than an ordinary broom.

My dad doesn't like it since his Tyson Vaccum Cleaner is still the best in the world.

But nevertheless, it is very handy when there's stuff on the floor and don't want to dirty your butt when you sit on it.

I'll also bet that its lifespan is much longer than normal handheld vaccum cleaners, which we no longer buy since they spoil within months of purchase.

So a big Thank You to whoever invented the cleaner. You improved my domestic life!

I did this video enitrely on my Samsung phone and not on some posh Mac, so pardon the bad quality. It looked fine, but seems to be quite jerky on blogger huh? The first part shows that the cleaner can't pick up this huge wrapper on the floor and the second part shows how it pick up bits of newspapers easily.

Credits to:

Shawn Johnson, the world's top gymnast, and my favourite sportswoman in Beijing Olympics. I took that photo direct from TV. It is not mine. I repeat, NOT MINE.

Mum, the best vaccum cleaner model ever,

The main character in the video -- The Cleaner! and last but not least, my Samsung phone which did all the hard work. (Sorry phone, I must have caused you undue stress since you seemed a little slow just now.)

3 things

2008-10-19T23:49:00.002+08:00

"...if there are no questions, then you are all now experts on international law.... or at least, for the purpose of the next assignment."

this week, or past 3 weeks rather, i'm grateful for Professor Robert C Beckman. I think good teachers are hard to find. First a good teacher should be able to show you a glimpse of knowledge and ideas you've never seen before. That's usually not hard since teachers naturally have higher education qualifications than students. but then a good teacher should also be able to communicate those things to you in a way that is inspiring & engaging. that's difficult. so I thank prof beckman for shedding some light on the reasons behind the things that go on in the world, and always with that twinkle in his eye that makes me feel like nothing is really as serious as it seems.

am also thankful to God, for continually blessing me with good things although more often than not I behave like a complete ass to everyone and skip church and then try to justify it by telling people that im just a bad catholic. (which i am.)

and thankful for Yvonne and the phone conversation this week. just, thank you :)

Schoolfriends

2008-10-19T21:00:00.003+08:00

oh my god yvonne I never thought I would hear a hokkien song in these three years, and I stand corrected.

Today I am grateful X 100 for the genius of La Mer moisturising gel cream. It is the best and most wonderful facial moisturizer in the world! The only bad thing about it is that you pay exactly for what you get. which is a lot. sighh.

but besides this more superficial (literally) gratefulness, I guess things are going great in school and I thus have plenty to be grateful for as well. I've found some friends/ company in school that I don't find annoying! They are a bunch of locals consisting of Phillip, Phillip (yes 2 Phillipses), James, Kenny, Jervain, and Charmaine (my cousin). I mean I wouldn't say we are FRIENDS but we hang out a lot with each other.

The thing I like about hanging out with the guys is that even it's okay that we are not close... and there is no urgent need to share deep, dark secrets, and if you don't hang out with them sometimes you can just join the group again, and everything is just fine. I like this no-commitment situation a lot because I just don't want to play the social game that so many schools and cliques have any more.

Perhaps I have grown. :D

2008-10-19T20:59:00.001+08:00

unforgettable

2008-10-19T16:32:00.003+08:00

i am grateful for this show and its beautiful songs which bring very, very good memories.
this show is currently aired on channel 8 4:30pm on weekdays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7lQURxw1Jg

p.s. does anyone know how to put the first video on this blog?!?!?!

Repent Now Before Its Too Late!

2008-10-11T11:18:00.011+08:00

REPENT, FOLKS, REPENT!

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GONNA ALL END!

REPENT!

Did you know that if you do not brush your teeth and floss it regularly, you are at a risk of contracting DISEASES, such as dental cavities, gum disease, WHICH COULD JOLLY WELL LEAD TO DEATH?!

What? You thought that I was going to write about the repentance of sins?

Haha. This entry is all about how thankful I am for my healthy, nice set of teeth and the fact that I have free access to good toothbrushes, minty toothpaste and floss.

Well you see for this past week, I've been experiencing this prolonged pain in my right lower jaw whenever I drink cold water. You might think that it is sensitive teeth that I am suffering from, but it was quite unlikely as only a specific area in my lower jaw hurts. Naturally I was quite worried as such pain usually indicate that whatever is happening to my teeth was already quite serious.

And that could mean that I would lose my tooth, or worse still my teeth! Already I had 4 teeth pulled out just so I can wear braces, so losing one or more means...

Ugly

Food getting stuck in the gaps

Ugly

Unable to enjoy food as much

Ugly

Pain! :(

I started crying.

Like non stop.

For two days before I managed to book an appointment and see a specialist, who told me I was just suffering a mild form of gum infection and gave me some antibiotics to take.

WHEW!

You can imagine how happy the dentist and I were.

But from now on, I decided that in order to show real thankfulness, I want to take certain proactive steps to keep my teeth in excellent condition as long as possible.

1. Stop swallowing my saliva too often and lick my teeth now and then (I am not joking! Unless someone can prove that it doesn't help of course!!!) I found out that saliva is able to gradually neutralise the acids in your mouth which can be damaging to your teeth. It can even cause dissolved minerals to return to the teeth and the teeth are able to start repairing themselves!

2. Brush my teeth after every meals. That means bringing my toothbrush set to school. Well you see, its not enough for the saliva to make the pH rise above critical pH as saliva is unable to penetrate plague which forms right after your meals. So it is extremely important to brush right after every meals to prevent the wee bacteria from having parties, feasting on YOUR TEETH. I recommend Systema toothbrush from Lion which has a patent for their SUPER-TAPERED SOFT AND SLIM BRISTLES. Its the best toothbrush I had so far. I feel extremely clean and comfortable after every use. Just compare the SUPER-TAPERED SOFT AND SLIM BRISTLES (right) with the bristles of a normal toothbrush (left). Just see how SUPER-TAPERED the bristles are. You practically can't see the bristles individually!!!! The price of the tooth brush is rather reasonable too. 3 for $6... reasonable right?

3. Floss my teeth at least once a day. I use to think that flossing is unnecessary and leaves small unslightly holes. And since my teeth look fabulous after braces, why would I want to make small holes between my teeth? BUT FLOSSING IS A MUST MUST MUST simply because it clears plague that even the SUPER-TAPERED SOFT AND SLIM BRISTLES can't reach. That is really important since having cavities at hard to reach places is even more serious than having cavities where the dentist can take action easily. My gum infection is the result of not flossing regularly enough. So flossing once a day is extremely important.

4. Rinising with an antiseptic mouthwash. This point is debatable. Some dentists say that it is important rinising as there are still bacteria in your mouth, like on your cheeks, gums, throat and tongue even after brushing and flossing. That explains why we all have bad breath when we wake up in the morning even though we brush and floss the night before. So its important to rinise to get rid of the bacteria and ensure that as little bacteria as possible actually bothers your teeth. On the other hand, other dentists say that by rinising too often, these bacteria actually get immuned to the mouthwash which can be disasterous. Furthermore, you are killing of all the good bacteria, called fora as well! Some dentists also say that strong antiseptic mouthwash also decreases the sensitivity of your tastebuds. So I am rinising with a gentle mouthwash once in two days in small amounts. Please advice if you know more about this!!

Me, with a beautiful set of teeth.

Thank you God!

why being stupid rules.

2008-10-01T17:39:00.003+08:00

I am stupid.

Lets face it, I am am am am. I don't know whats the capital of America, nor the capital of Zimbawe. Hell, I don't even know what's Goh Chok Tong's full name.

(Sorry Goh Chok Tong. I know Singapore would short of an arm and leg if not for your wonderful leadership.)

As such I am denied of a place in a local university which is very, very embarrassing in retrospect.

I am not kidding you. I am dodging certain people just because I'm in SIM. It hell sucks. But it just says in plain: Yvonne is simply not smart enough to enter a more prestigious universitiy.

Thus, I feel as though I am a sub normal human with just an IQ of 99.

But no, I am not against SIM. In fact, if any of you reading this happen to be from SIM, I would like to declare that the school as done a big favour accepting me even though I am such a noob. SIM has so generously offered me a place even though I deserve nothing but a good tight slap in the face for not joining a polytechnic.

WHY WHY. WHY DIDN'T I GO TO A POLYTECHNIC?!

However, contrary to Singaporean beliefs, this sort of humilation is rather bearable, thanks to understanding parents, and of course, my dear sister, as well as friends who, well, are in the same position as me.

Those people who eventually moved on to better places are too focussed on their next step towards success that I am spared from their Scrutiny and despise. Thank God the world doesn't revolve around me.

Then oOf course there those who know that the Singaporean's idea of a failure may very well turn out to be opposite and I thank them for their encouragement.

But all in all, I must say that I am still very thankful that I have a well functioning brain nonetheless. That, I still have stuff to look forward to.

Like namely, to study hard for my degree and who knows. a first class honours! (Thank you debby and su hui, for not laughing at this wish of mine! :)

I guess 500 years from now, no one would really care what you got, but what you make out of it. I still desire to go to some place that is deemed "normal" but since things turned out this way, I just got to move on and take more control of what goes into my being.

God didn't groom me to be a nus graduate, but one who thinks for herself.

I AM ALIVE

2008-09-24T06:59:00.001+08:00

ok debby. i'm still alive. and for that i am thankful. :D it's not as general as you think. I am living in a city where the drivers are crazy and the wind is so freaking cold. It's a wonder i haven't surrendered. And every day I am here, I am grateful because everyone's prayers must be working!

attempt to resuscitate this blog

2008-09-07T16:06:00.002+08:00

this week I am, of course, grateful for friends.

but yesterday, I was particularly grateful to the driver of the last bus 36 from changi airport to the city, for being late, because otherwise i might have had to spend $717461283832 on a cab home.

also for a half-packet of muruku ikan, which i hastily finished in my oh-my-God argh-ness when i thought i'd missed the last train and bus to anywhere near home.

also to Clement who offered to give a ride home. it's ok man. have fun you kids.

also to Yvonne for the sms(es) at that particular time. it didn't matter what the content was, i just needed to feel less alone than I did at the time.

mmoviee marathon!

2008-05-28T01:51:00.000+08:00

imm back on the 5th. when are youu guys freee

rah miss youall so much

meet!

2008-01-21T15:14:00.000+08:00

OK we need to meet.

when are you free?

i am grateful for

2008-01-14T08:49:00.000+08:00

things that make my mouth/stomach happy.
i.e., MURUKU IKAN (fish muruku), BAK KWA, KUE BANGKIT, etc etc. =D

unfortunately my throat isn't too crazy about these things. =(

TSRocks!

2007-12-17T15:53:00.000+08:00

today i'm grateful for the student room forum.
because while i'm awaiting oxford's decision, it's delightful to know that i'm not alone in my anxiety.

:D

Brad Pitt, you're on the wunders!

2007-12-04T09:20:00.000+08:00

Thank God for Brad Pitt, who's using his millions to help rebuild the lives of the New Orleans people! I knew he'd be tired of being Angelina Jolie's manny, and actually start to do something!

It's news like this that makes me so grateful for people like him, who otherwise are only like pretty, rich boys.

Ellen is going to be so happy!

Yvonne types again...

2007-11-28T18:41:00.000+08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Happy_Day

Yvonne types...

2007-11-24T21:54:00.000+08:00

Honestly, I thought there would never be today.

luck/blessing

2007-11-10T21:03:00.000+08:00

this week i'm especially grateful for sheer luck & coincidence/God's blessing, whichever one you believe in. =)

unfortunately its not related to a level papers at all, cos I dont have a good feeling about most of the papers so far, but I had a good week. so good its almost as if I didnt deserve it, haha. so I'm very very grateful.

hope you guys had a good week too, and have another good one next week =)

2007-10-26T10:47:00.001+08:00

hello you kids. I don't know if you still read this.

but thanks for being my friends even if i dont do well for my As.

and no. im not giving up yet in case i can delay your dilemma. :)

this is going to sound very cliche but

2007-08-13T18:59:00.000+08:00

seeing this blog brings a smile to my face. =D

just a thought: it feels kind of sad when you miss someone, like your friends, but I guess I feel lucky enough that I have friends to miss... it means the friendship must have been pretty meaningful.

and I have to say, I will miss the 2 of you a lot, if/when we go our separate ways. A LOTTT. really.

=)

"You're coming back, old man. Damn it! What on earth should I do without you?"

2007-08-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

'But you're still alive--with a straight fighting chance of coming through. Take the chance, old chap, and stand in with Osborne and Trotter and Raleigh. Don't you think it worth standing in with men like that?'

Journey's End, RC Sherriff

Today I'm grateful I've got the 2 of you to stand in with me. :D

singapore

2007-08-07T00:45:00.001+08:00

it has always struck me as something weird that people feel alienated from this country. I mean, can't you hear the city coming alive? Sure, it's all construction and development now, but things are majorly happening here and now!

is it possible that they don't see it? they would rather participate in someone else's party than the one back here, where all the friends and families are. but there's no place that wants you more than home.

To tell or not

2007-06-30T14:01:00.000+08:00

I think one of the things we take for granted is the ability to tell someone how much you adore them.

Paper cut by Yvonne

2007-05-23T14:03:00.000+08:00

My current life is in a ridiculous state, honestly.

A4 sized papers are piling up virtually everywhere-- on the table, off the table, on the chair, on the sewing machine, cupboards, boxes, drawers, shelves, in various cloth bags that I purchased for a dollar in the bid to save the environment by replacing the plastics (I am still using plastics as a result), in school, at the other house and... well you get the idea.

God forbid. I even found three sheets of very important Economics docoument in another pile of mess which does not belong to me. (It would be unfair to say that the owner is in a mess, but very fair to say he is every bit as messy as me. And since similarities might be the criteria for friends, we are friends, but I reckon that two mess does not make an un-mess, so such a complex social relationship will be left for another entry.)

I still remember those times where I could receive these bleached tree products and deal with them in a decisive-once-and-for-all-manner that could be comparable to a powerful executive who has only two choices to make: the papers go to the respective subject files, or to the (recycling) bin.

These days there are still two choices for the papers that come in my way. They still go to paper files that are just too thin hold them (soon enough), but now the second choice ain't the first time I mentioned it-- they don't make it into the bin (or recycling). Now they are chucked aside at various locations, forgotten until the next time I make a feeble attempt to sort the mess.

So its a vicious cycle I swear. Nothing goes into the bin. Nothing. Not even the ass-wipes that deserve a position where all the used sanitary pads, dead flies bodies, and a couple of assortments of tissue papers with nice gooey slime and boogie are.

Even making an effort at certain aspects/areas, helps nothing. Its just like having Michelle Branch stacked nicely on one corner of the table is fair enough, just that it makes Michelle Branch part of the big overall, complicated mess.

And it is not just about the tangible mess, its the reflection of the real mess of a real fucked up, messed up girl, whose bigger sin is the refusal to
LET GO.

Let go of things in general.

Afterall thin, petty things like worthless papers don't really come across as bulky items even when they stack up on you, against you. Throwing one away does not really mean a space for another and so does throwing two away. Throwing a lot away seems a waste... who knows, you might be discarding their whatever potential. Or worse still even if the potential as maxed out its lifetime, and the date today is way, way beyond the expiry date, you might actually think of them one day...

Somehow you find yourself acutally obsessed about making use of whatever you have, no matter how crumpled the paper looks, rather than letting the new in. Its a kind of fear that might place you in the same scenario as your mom persuading you to discard your childhood bolster.

And a kind of hope that only the father of the prodigal son will understand.

And this kind of fear and warped kind of hope is keeping me in or out or whatever.

But after a few reality checks, I do need space to sleep (the papers make rustling noises that are nothing like the rustling of the wild leaves), breathe (didn't anybody told you that kept unopened books keeps dust too?), study (hell, those papers are not giving me a condusive environment, definitely), and play (I slip and fall on random pieces of old receipts).

I started packing again yesterday and I might continue today if my mood permits. Whatever it is, I am going to make space for myself for the rest of the year. I don't know how, but I am ready to be ruthless and give up trash for new stuff that are still coming my way. (May the Lord splurge wisdom on me while I'm on it for the right cause!)

Its the risk that I decided, that I am going to take because it is a risk that I must take.

I must now come first and not them.

And for that record, I am placing them in recycling bins. Who knows? They might be coming back on some Azone recycled shit.

Keeps the hope coming up.

my class

2007-04-29T00:15:00.000+08:00

I'm thankful, but I don't know what for.

Is it because despite the chaos that is my class, I still have a good bunch of people I can talk to?

Is it because despite the state of my class, there still are people caring for others?

Is it because very soon I'm going to walk away from a lump of people I call my classmates?

Is it because however messy class gets, I have sane friends outside the madness to help me breathe?

It may be because of all the reasons, or none at all. But nevertheless, being grateful that things aren't worse helps me to keep trying.

And try I will.

a little late, but

2007-04-24T19:51:00.000+08:00

last thursday, njc guitar ensemble was awarded a Gold With Honours in the syf central judging, a very prestigious award which has not been in the legacy of our cca for 30+ years. but after 8 and a half gruelling months, we did it.

but we couldn't have done it, without

our teachers: ms ng, ms masnidah - for their unending guidance and encouragement
our wonderful instructor: mr toh - for unwavering faith in us
our conductor: tina - for her inspiring musical direction
our president: schezn - who has been a wonderful pillar of support for everyone, despite all the rough times
all the members, especially fellow excos: for the determination, the enthusiasm, and the commitment
friends: brudders, classmates, schoolmates for all the encouragement and good luck's

and finally, most importantly, we couldn't have done it without God's blessing.

it was one day when I felt so truly blessed that i cant even begin to describe it. everything took place as though according to an invisible plan.

thank You, God, thank you, everyone, for making the effort worthwhile.

NUS Open House

2007-03-22T20:47:00.000+08:00

Acquaintances ask where you're headed.

Fair Weathered Friends prolong the conversation if you're headed the same way.

Better friends wish you the best.

But Truly Good Friends look for, ponder, dread, anticipate the future together.

:D

the best 7 words to hear in the midst of a lousy week

2007-02-04T10:55:00.000+08:00

'we should have our chicken-wing dinner soon.'

Thanks, guys! =D

third friday chicken wing date

2007-01-11T21:35:00.000+08:00

DONT FORGET!

OK my turn to say something abt Sat.

2006-11-14T01:47:00.000+08:00

Yup.

To make up for lost time with God, however, because of The Lakehouse, I shall be going on Wed. before my trip. I think it will be good to devote the trip to God so I can make it good, and survive the "million star hotel" (which actually refers to the million stars in the sky if you step outdoors. very very different from 5 or 6 star hotel).

Thank God

2006-11-12T01:08:00.000+08:00

Thank God that my best friends are not idiots even when they are being idiotic.

really great day!

2006-11-11T19:03:00.000+08:00

thanks you two, and Denise, for the awesome time today. :) should do this more often. :D

The job with no thanks.

2006-11-01T22:25:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I wonder if I am too harsh on myself. The kinds of things I think to make myself feel bad, really makes me feel bad (both sides, the side that is scolding and the side that is being scolded).

Then I see the email. I got into the Model United Nations.

Then I see the progress report. Imagine 100th percentile for GP, Lit and History (OK history was a farce, because EVERYONE is bad at histor, so I am a small fish in a very small pond). That's being scary, and being a total freak, but because there's a book voucher (hopefully) I'm not complaining.

Then I decide I probably should be hard on myself. I become thankful towards myself, if that is even possible.

Church Saturday

2006-10-23T01:18:00.000+08:00

Me: "This is the first time I noticed people praying to the fountain."
Deb: "They're praying to the statue (of Mary)"
Me: "Oh. Makes sense."

Church was good. When I went to church on Saturday it felt good because it felt like I was returning home, and like I was forgiven for all my bad thoughts these months, and the thought that God knows what's going on in my head and heart without me trying to put it into words eases me. There is a peace very deep inside, and from it stems happiness. Plus, it also feels good to see a big crowd going to church, because you know there are people who care about others, and the people they love, and sharing the love. Just like God. There is hope yet, isn't there? :D

So there are things I am thankful for, besides the Love of God as usual.
1. Church mass
2. Novita and Debby for company
3. Congregation

I'm thankful for this blog!

2006-10-05T14:33:00.000+08:00

...haha.

cos even if i haven't talked to them for a long time, and even if i haven't seen them for a long time, just seeing the posts on this blog makes me feel like I'm somehow still connected to these two people who are so special to me. :)

Not just seven minutes

2006-10-03T00:28:00.000+08:00

I am thankful for the Internet.

because I don't have to die waiting to find out what happens in Grey's Anatomy.

Fine. I'm a spoiler junkie

Short but happy day.

2006-10-01T08:30:00.000+08:00

This is going to be one of the rare times that I actually blog about my day. So here goes:

Yesterday was totally wacked.

I woke up at 12 plus with only two things to be done for the day:

1.Buy decadry from artfriend (you know those sticky letters on your files that I gave you guys? i am running low on the letter "a", "c" and "e")
2. Cut my hair, though I have no clue what hairstyle I want this time.

Ate my breakfast, washed up and went back to sleep until 6.

GASP!

I guess the weather was very good for sleeping. It was raining all of yesterday and the sky was forever grey. Makes good artifical kind of condition for sleeping - y'know. slightly dark and cooling.

When I woke up I started playing orisinal and got a high score for the game midnight serenade.

Its kinda ironic because the main aim of the game is to collect the roses that your lover throws at you while dodging flying items like newspapers and glass bottles from your lover's neighbours.

Guess why the neighbours are throwing stuff: I am singing to my lover in the middle of the night.

HAHAHAHA.

[I will upload the pictures soon.]

Then after that I started watching Jewel in the Palace.

This is like the 3rd unofficial time that I am watching the korean drama. I am really attracted to the show. Gives you a fuzzy feeling that somehow no matter how disadvantaged you are for being good, or how much you lose in the process, you will always gain something in return.

Then after a shower, I watched Mean Girls and had a good time learning more about my own gender.

Then I went to sleep.

What a day.

PW

2006-09-12T18:06:00.000+08:00

I am not grateful for PW.
Its worse than all AEP projects combined together!

I am just grateful that everyone else is in this shit together with me.

LOL.

great holiday!

2006-09-10T23:21:00.000+08:00

i think i've had more of a holiday than most other people, so im kind of grateful. i mean, i guess im a bit worried that i havent started studying properly yet, but on the other hand, i really enjoyed my holiday. :D

so just wanna thank:

my brudders! i really enjoyed njrc + study sessions with you all.
(i realise that i have put 'enjoyed' and 'study' in one sentence. but thats the kind of thing only brudders can achieve :P)

my econs class! for the greatt bball game after class.

my PW group! for making today's meeting bearable. and putting up with me. haa

my juniors! for doing a great job and doing IJ proud.

God! for all the blessings as well as the trials.

Blessed week

2006-09-03T17:47:00.000+08:00

Despite the emo nonsense, i still had a very blessed week.

so thanks everyone for making my week fantastic. Of course these people would have to include my beloved brudders, my family and juniors frm IJ, classmates in A8 (that's all you 25 people) and of course, other friends and random others.

Happiness

2006-08-02T21:07:00.000+08:00

Bouquets of
Exploding flowers
In
Tune with the
Songs of Songs
In
My heart.

I am _____.

Spurts of colours
and shooting stars!
A cloud of brilliance
and lavender mist.

I am _____.

Glory to the Lord
The one who saved me
(from my self sufficiency)
The one who created me for
His purpose.

The one who truly loves me
for who ______ I am.

Not just 7 minutes

2006-07-22T02:36:00.000+08:00

perhaps the whole movie + dinner at BK.

happiness is being with friends that love and care for you. :)

that church day

2006-07-06T14:30:00.000+08:00

hey DEBBY and NOVITA!

thanks a lot for joining for church on saturday. and spending a whole day studying with me :P. it really meant a lot to me, and i had a great time. :) the church visit made me feel right again, somehow, even though I remember very little about the message (save the funny part). Most importantly, i asked you guys to come and you did: you were there for me.

"loneliness is the inability to tell someone you've had a bad/good day" --I'm so glad i had the both of you on Saturday!

ok. so thank you, and you.

futbol

2006-07-01T22:19:00.000+08:00

thank you to God and whoever else is responsible for bringing the world together, away from war and strife, every 4 years.. just to watch 22 people on a patch of grass kicking a ball around and trying to get it into a net.

I mean, don't you think it's kind of beautiful the way people look at Germany as simply a thrilling team to watch rather than ex-war dictators. or how the USA is no longer a superpower because (truthfully) they just suck. it's as though the world has stopped moving just for this one incredible game called football.

what's politics? terrorism? power? ..but football I can understand. (well, except maybe the ever-dubious offside rule.) if only everything can be made this simple.

A8 makes my day

2006-05-03T20:07:00.000+08:00

thanks A8 for

a. being my friends
b. asking those questions
c. for all the encouragement
d. for being so fun
e. and real
f. being the best class in SA 06 batch.
g. and all those money-sucking gelare sessions. (loved every single second)

what makes my day

2006-04-07T21:56:00.000+08:00

a pinch of laughter
a handful of smiles
the little things that may seem like nothing but mean everything

so thank you all for making my day today and everyday.