my lifeas itis.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Came across this poem on the net. One of the best ones I've ever found on friendship.
A Tear Fell
by Marge Tindal
I shed a tear today
Silently, I felt it fall
You caught it
shared it
held it
felt it
then
suddenly
it wasn't
so big
after all
Oh well, back to whatever it was i was doing before this.....
still the same.|
7:27 PM
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Have you ever really thought about where you would be ten years from now? No, not just wondered about it, or dreamed about it, but really really try to envision it based on the direction your present is pointing towards to right now? Would all of us be graduates? Part of the bourgeouisie? The hoi polloi? Would we be considered part of the elite even? Or somehow trapped in the bottom rungs of society? Would we be married, with the first or second child on the way, living in our own apartment? Would we even have a job? Maybe an overseas job? Would our families have gotten bigger? Or, God forbid, smaller?
It just seem so uncertain, so many variables and factors way out of our control. Would we be one of those who fight tooth and nail for our salaries, or one of those earning thousands, even while on vacation? Maybe a long lost relative would emerge, dying and looking for inheritants for his vast, business empire. Maybe a catastrophic disaster wrought by global warming will wipe Singapore of the map. Maybe the whole world will plunge into World War III, causing world wide recessions and destruction. Maybe Singapore Idol will make a comeback with real singers.
Maybe...maybe...maybe........
And i can't even keep tabs on my marks right now, much less my fate and future....
As for me, I've always nursed this desire to be a well known singer..... or the long lost relative who is vastly rich and dying and looking to dump his billions (might as well dream big) into the pocklets of his long lost relatives(us) who he hopes he will be able to share a closer relationship with in his last, dying days....
Fine, he doesn't really have to DIE but it would be nice if billions of dollars were to appear in my pockets right now. Or my bank account. My mum will no doubt have me share with my brothers.....
still the same.|
10:14 PM
Friday, August 24, 2007
Your Inner Child Is Surprised |
You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things. |
Urmmm.....ok....so I'm a kid. Hear that people? I am perfectly entitled to eat Happy Meals and rides on the carousel. Now, if only there is some way to shrink......
You Should Rule Mercury |
Close to sun, Mercury has very long days - and is rarely visible to the rest of the solar system.
You are perfect to rule Mercury, because you live for the present - and can truly enjoy a day that goes on forever. Like Mercury, you are quick and elusive. Your wit is outstanding, and you can win any verbal sparring match.
Some people see you as superficial, but in truth, you just play many roles and have many interests. A great manipulator, you usually get what you want from people. And they're happy to give it to you. |
Hmmm....interesting.....wonder what NASA will make of this. Heard it's hot there though so.... I'll pass. Send an agent in my stead or something... property market is doing good now, I heard.
You Are a Prophet Soul |
You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone. Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people. Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run. No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way.
You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle. Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings. A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning. You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer.
Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul |
I see now why these things are addictive. They make you feel good about yourself. And if they don't, you can always redo it and lie.
still the same.|
10:06 PM
Friday, August 17, 2007
Decades ago, long before I was born, there lived seven siblings, Indonesians that were people of Palembang (differentiated from the Bugis, Achenese, Balinese...Palembangese?). If you remember from secondary school history classes, it was a prince of Palembang who gave Singapore its name and who later wnet on to found Malacca. These seven siblings were descended from the
Panglimas, a caste of warriors who were mostly distantly related to the royal line.
In search of a better life, they decided to set sail. They have heard of the colonies of Indonesians who have made their homes in the Malay Peninsular, then under British rule, that were said to be more prosperous than can ever be dreamed of. Setting sail on their
rakit, a seaworthy type of boat, they set sail from Palembang, located on the island of Sumatra, to what is now present day Malaysia. Some descended on Muar, some on Malacca, the rest on Penang. Among those who stopped at Malacca, there was one who became known as Tok Bakar, a blacksmith. His skill as a metalworker was a source of pride for his Kampung, enough to later name the street his workshop was located in after him: Jalan Tok Bakar.
Tok Bakar later fathered children who later went on to grandchildren and more descendents, among whom is my paternal grandmother. So it appears that I'm descended from the
Panglimas of Palembang, which according to my father, explains my family's generally tall stature because, for apparent reasons, those who are chosen to be warriors are most often tall and well built. I can attest to the tall part i think.
My mother was from a Chinese, Teochew, family that had too many mouths to feed and thus was put up for adoption and later accepted by a childless Malay family. My mother's Malay family was, according to her, the wealthiest in the village, with them being one of the few able to afford a house made of bricks and education for her and her other, adopted brother. She was leter the only one from her village to graduate from high school and later on went to complete her 'A' levels. Then, due to financial constraints after her father retired, she went on to join the CID branch of the police force and later on met my father who was working with airport security. At that time she was already a divorcee, with three children from a previous marriage. Then I was born.
So apparently, I have cousins and relatives who are Teochew and Malaysians who I don't really know at all, save for a few. My father, when told of the tale of the seven siblings by my grandmother, was sceptical of course, until he met an uncle and another relatiove who narrated the same story. And who later onpassed it to me.
I guess I really want to remain attached to whatever history and heritage my family has.
Not sure why I posted this....
still the same.|
2:08 PM
I'm sick. I'm exhausted. Broke. And I need to change my specs. Gah!!!
It's been what i think quite an unproductive few days. Have been feeling out of sorts since...well... since I started JC I think... and my "A"s are not going to miraculously postpone itself. Unless of course, Innova JC becomes the sole target of terrorrists bent on crusading against flood-prone buildings with too much millipedes and too little library space.
I really should be taking better care of myself. But really, I'm not all that convinced I have enough time to exercise. I'm already walking to and fro, and 1km, per day, from my house to schoool and back. Guess it's not enough huh? Should start running then. or mybe I should go run in the morning, hit the tracks. *snorts* hah. my biological clock appear to have an aversion to waking up before 7 a.m. Gaaaah!!! *literally hits the track*
Hmm...teachers day coming.... not sure if the class have enouh funds to afford presents for all the teachers. Some of us have trouble paying for all the notes. I mean, $10 per week is reasonable, i guess, but i can't help but think it should all be paid for along withthe school fees or something. Even textbooks at the beginning of the two years would have been cheaper I think. Oh wait, some DID tell us to buy textbooks. and never referred to them in any way except for, "actually ar, those textbooks are not very good. the ones in the library better."
Hmm....back to my health troubles. I think i should eat more fruits and veggies and vitamin supplements. In fact, come to think of it, my meals have been sort of irregular....but I've never been starved. being and ex-F&N student, i know meals are encouraged to be taken at regular times everyday but I've never actually heard of people falling sick due to irregular meals...
Aah...the weekend is here. More time to practice questions? catch up with homework? revise? All of the above? it seems so.
SIGH........
still the same.|
12:03 PM
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Hmmmm.....attended Mr Chu's bbq today, held for the UK tripees and his tutorial class(33A). His condominium was......woah....I'd definitely want to live in a place like that in the future. I could see it already: me, lounging by the pool, sipping a glass of ice cold green tea and getting a nice tan while babes wade around in....you know... against a tropical backdrop of flora and fauna, once in a while working out at the gym and basically just staring into space, thinking about how rich i am......
anyway, the food was great, of course, prepared by me and a few others....fine, Wilson, Samuel and Aman probably did the same amount of work, maybe more, into getting the food ready. it was really good; no chow tar or bloody chicken served at all. I think our bbq skills get better with age.
Played a bit of basketball, watched ppl played pool(my skills are rather...err...non-existent), played DaiDee(Tai Tee? Dai Tee? Tai Dee? Ti Dy?), gossiped, catched up, met some new people, made fun of friends....all the things you usually do at a bbq.
A great day. After that, we got to see Mr Chu's home. i think it was rather tasteful, simple, classy but not too extravagant. His tiles are the most prominent features I think. Not only were they marble, they were
polished and glazed, to the point where it was so shiny, wearing a skirt, no matter how long, would be indecent. Ok, maybe it wasn't that shiny. But wearing a skirt would still be embarrasing.
Then whil some went home after that, me, Wilson, Albert, Samuel, Jessica, Kristy, Marcus, Gina, Michelle, Dylia, Aman and Shu Duan went for a drink at MacDonalds at Bukit Panjang Mall. Played cards(you shld know what game), talked a bit, drank(Coke) and talked.....then half of us hitched a ride with Gina's father's 7-seater to come back to Woodlands since the MRT and bus services were closed for the night.
There. A summary of what could possibly be the best day of this month.
still the same.|
1:36 AM
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
While listening to Siti Nurhaliza's songs in Youtube, i came across a particular video comparing her to Asia's songbird Regine Velasquez from the Philippines, apparently one of many whoese creators were obviously angry that Siti Nurhaliza was dubbed the best singer in Asia. This was due to, as I perceived it, Siti winning the GrandPrix Award in a prestigious Asian singing competition, the highest honour the competition could award.
Of course, this recognition as "the Best Voice of Asia" irked fans from the Philippines, a country with perhaps the most internationally recognised and eminent singers hailing from Asia, with names such as Lea Salonga, Tony Award winner, the singer who brought to us the much loved 'Reflections' from Mulan(in the movie) and the voice of Jasmine in 'A Whole New World'.
And thus began the squabble, with fans from both sides posting videos comparing the prowess of each singer. Of course, as with all historically silly squables, it escalated indefinitely, withe Siti being compared to other Filippino divas and vice versa with Regine Velasquez.
I admit that I took the side of Siti's fans(I love her after all :). But after a few days, I realise that the argument is getting no where. Fans on both sides are stubborn, both sides beginning to argue and compare just about everything, from GDPs to landscapes to economy to standard of living to language the smell of each singer's underarms(sadly true). Apparently Regine's smells better to the Tagalog speakers while Siti's was preferred by those of the Malayan Peninsular.
As you can see, the argument was more about nationalistic pride than vocals. Even when I said that I was not a Malaysian, they label me as a Singaporean Malay and thus of Malayan blood and thus a Malaysian. If that logic applies, I guess I'm also from China because of my mum and North Indian because of my great-grandmother.
It just goes to show how maniacally senseless things are getting. I've seen both singers and I highly recommend both of them to anyone looking for highly talented, gifted and controlled singers. Each have their own definite style, tone and areas of speciality. I especially applaude Regine for her powerful renditions of English ballads. Siti's (mostly Malay) songs are a favourite among those who understands them, some being a blend of Middle Eastern lements and traditional Malay music (like Balqis and Nirmala). Her Malay ballads are also very commendable. She lacks somewhat in English songs I'm afraid, being a village girl before stardom.
Thus, to both fans from both sides, I do hope you will somehow see that there will be no concession from either side and that the best possible solution is to agree to disagree. Enjoy the songs from your favourite singers and leave others' alone.
still the same.|
10:28 PM
Monday, August 06, 2007
I'm really really tired of studying. I wann go out and......not study. Is that soo much to ask? Well.....considering my whole future is at stake and this is the so-called climax of my education in Singapore....I guess it is.
Guess what. You are now reading the blog of the top scorer for the J@ cohort for IJC Prelim I's General Paper!!!
Haha. I know!!! I didn't expect it either. Me? Lol.......actually, I was kinda hoping for it. Didn't know it was possible though. There are so many out there in IJC that I knew from RS who i thought are worthy masters of the language as well. Even within my own class, there are those(non-RS-ians) that i know will be able to beat me if i rest on my laurels, and if they try their very best. But I am proud of my class. Xinni got third, with identical makrs as the second ranked, in the cohort while Wei Jean got 10th. Natria was also ranked 12th. Maybe the competition will spur me on. I know i got a lucky break because of the essay. The question was simillar to one i had attempted before and I used the same examples, though I added a few new points that were relevant for the question and excluded those that were not. maybe I'll get a lucky break for the A's!!! Nah, shouldn't be telling myself such things. Will only make me
complacent and too reliant on fate.
N ow for econs and math, i really need to buck up. Oh man. Shit. I really DO need to buck up. Especially since i know i have done well for econs before and can do so again.
Oh, the librarian(i'm in the school library) is gonna lock up now. I gtg. 'till next time.
still the same.|
8:33 PM