Written in the stars

Tables turned

2011-11-23T01:23:00.000-06:00

The immensity of this feeling is too unbearable. I feel it now, but it's too late. The tables are turned and there's no returning. It's too late...

Where art thou

2011-05-09T23:31:00.005-05:00

Heart,
Not there.
Strength,
Absent.

A swimmer who peaked too early,
finds not his resolve.
Missing the drive when needed most,
for all that mattered.

Torn to pieces,
it's hard to put it all together.
When the cheer is gone,
Crushed,
Broken.

Unstoppable young hearts

2011-03-18T02:12:00.003-05:00

The men in the room stopped in their tracks, dropped what they were doing, and turned their gazes to the television. In those few moments, they were detached from reality, disconnected from the present, and united as one. They were looking at their dreams, their hopes, and their future.

One day, some of them in that room might just be making the next Discovery.

Show.down

2011-01-08T08:27:00.005-06:00

It was time. The curtains were raised. Seated in their carefully chosen positions, they looked almost stately in impeccable garb. Such a veneer of perfection, the last for the night.

The lack of harmony between them was hard to disguise. There was no salvation, and the performance had to continue even as no one played their part. Intermission offered anything but respite from the tension. Untamed and unreasoning, the beasts lashed out at each other backstage. On stage, it was grueling agony without a pretty end in sight.

When performance is such pernicious pain, is it time to part with preciously possessed perfection?

Tart

2010-03-09T01:08:00.004-06:00

Treasure trove restrained -
No longer by my midnight pangs.

Tempting from within -
Unfinished nuggets of buttery gold.

Satisfaction uncontained -
A thousand pieces of sweet surrender.

My heart unlocked -
So warmed by an enduring love.

Life imitates art imitates life

2009-10-05T09:46:00.005-05:00

A scene from the movie The Devil Wears Prada goes something like this...
Miranda: "Emily...Emily..."
Nigel, hovering near the desk of the oblivious new assistant Andrea: "That would be you."

I witnessed such a scene at work last week, involving a greenhorn, a colleague and a not-so-nice superior. Life imitates art imitates life.

Prematurely, thanks for the memories

2009-09-15T17:18:00.002-05:00

"Through the morning cacophony of a school canteen, I caught up with a familiar face from one of the courses attended last year, 'How have you been?...'

The conversation flowed easily and floated around various topics relevant to these 2 years. Out of the blue he mentioned that he was from a certain school. It has become second nature to me to find a topic of common interest, and I could not resist asking if he knew XXX, thereby opening up another avenue of conversation. At that moment of mutual recognition, the sound of a shrill whistle broke the joviality and we parted abruptly. What followed was a collective flurry; the canteen cleared of its users who in lightning speed had formed up in neat, precise rows in the parade square outside.

At this point I found myself seated comfortably against a wall, detached from the proceedings with an omniscient viewpoint. Agents of command, whose primary role was to enforce the novel concept of 'discipline', had descended upon their fearful prey like hawks upon frigid mice. This was not all too unfamiliar, as I was joined by a buddy in recognizing the faces: there was the one with a monosyllabic name on his uniform (Bill), there was the one adept at 180 degree changes in emotion and tone of voice (Ou), goofing around with the unassuming one whose name was spelt 'Jye'... . My buddy and I reminisced the lighthearted moments, having been fortunate to share the trails and tribulations together from one school to the next.

Amongst them an unfamiliar figure emerged. The man looked almost satirical, an air of arrogance hung about him as he trod around with slow, calculated steps. Seniority was evident, not just from his greying mop - the front of his shirt crowded with glistening badges and pins of the highest merit. All it took was a fleeting glance from him before my buddy and I anxiously roused Jin, snoozing nearby. After all, civilians we may be but we were ever-respectful of dignified ceremonies and glorifying parades, having stood in those boots before ; )"

I awoke at 0530, the dream still vivid in my mind. While I still have some weeks to go before my prescribed 22 months come to a conclusion, I find myself prematurely recollecting the memories of these many months past. Not saying that the others do not matter as much, but to those aforementioned characters, you sure made an impact to be representative of each phase of my service, and I thank you for the memories.

exerpt from the closing speech of the ideological disambiguation party

2009-04-16T06:19:00.007-05:00

"...After a meaningful and fulfilling week, it is with much regret that I have to announce that our gathering has come to a close...Before the party began, we set out with the sole aim of unifying conflicting ideologies across our vast organisation...Today, I am proud to announce that the ideological disambiguation party has been a resounding success, having exceeded expectations. Apart from promulgating unified ideologies and aligning ourselves to our ethos to excel, we have broken new grounds and established new procedures...I would now like to thank all of you for gracing the ideological disambiguation party with your most esteemed presence and generous contribution of visionary ideas, which I look forward to implementing for continued success of our infallible organisation!" (speaker receives thunderous ovation) "...Without further ado, let us adjourn to the dining hall for light canapes and vintage house pours..."

All the boys and all the girls are begging to ______

2009-03-28T04:09:00.007-05:00

My friend recently introduced me to a video and I found that I could not resist analysing it with a critical eye...

The video is filled with vivid choreography and suggestive dance moves, but it isn't just another music video. What makes this video stand out is its underlying overtones of indignation and deception. The video begins and ends with a brief mock news flash that blatantly outlines the triumph and indignation of the artiste in producing the piece of work which treads a thin line. The last 'news flash' is ironic, given that the headlines spell out what it is about yet the newscaster does not seem to understand the hidden message. For a viewer who still does not get the message at the end of the video, the end punchline "Doesn't make sense, does it?" is thought-provoking and leads to a closer viewing of the video. Indignant the artiste must be, for the seemingly-innocent song has managed to get past our local censors to be played on air. Indeed I was surprised that a song which spells out an expletive would be allowed on 987. Maybe the censors merely read the lyrics and did not get a chance to hear it.

Deception is another theme of the video which ties in with the song. The artiste, first portrayed in a provocative black outfit, is shown later changing into a nondescript pink blouse and white skirt. She emerges from (what seems like a house of debauchery on the inside) a typical American house with her family and a freshly baked tray of apple pie. This ending reiterates the age-old saying "do not judge a book by it's cover", as the innocent family scene betrays the apparent mass debauchery that goes unnoticed from outside the house.

This piece which has managed to dodge (some) censors bring to mind the case of the Mandarin "Grass-Mud Horse", an innocent video imploring the plight of the titular creature. However, for those who understand Mandarin, the lyrics take on a vile and profane turn. The creators of the "Grass-Mud Horse" video must have been indignantly triumphant that their work has escaped strict censorship, appeared on the Internet and is a statement in itself.

I am sure there are many other examples of dodging censors, especially in our humble island, but there's no need to list them. The point of my rambling, is that there will always be those who try to test the system and succeed. As long as most are kept in check and do not vilify our perfectly uncorrupted minds, we'll be free from evil! ; p

Happy Ox Year

2009-01-25T09:14:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year!
Congratulations and may you prosper!
May you be bestowed with good health!
May you achieve success in 10, 000 endeavours!
May your heart's desires be fulfilled!
May your every step bring you to greater heights!

See if you can guess the Chinese New Year greetings. Have a good one this year ; D

16 hours ago...

2008-11-17T01:51:00.005-06:00

...somewhere over the South China Sea, I find myself torn and twisted. My heart, heavy like an anchor, is dragged along in my homeward journey. I have never been closer to home these 3 weeks, yet for the first time, the closer I get the further I wish to be. Inside me, a deep desire to unchain my heavy heart, dispense with emotion and reality. Already alone, this solitude leads to a further downward spiral. My feelings, pent up in this aluminium can, threatens to rupture in a toxic release. Alas, the implausibility of decompression leaves me in scathing agony, a powerless prisoner of my heart...

A lack of colour in chaotic K.D.

2008-10-29T10:43:00.008-05:00

A single man he roams,
The crowded streets of kitsch.
With yet a heavier heart,
He dives into the dark.
Above the pretentions and the gaiety,
His mind does start to ponder:
The need for closeness and familiarity,
As distance makes his heart grow fonder...

12:15 am, 30th October 2008
HCC, post-K.D. wanderings...

F1RST

2008-10-04T10:19:00.017-05:00

Spotted months ago at HKIA

Finally, the F1 circus had come and gone.

It was surreal, this glamourous and glitzy world-class event in shiny Singapore. Cars were tearing down roads, several times the speed limit, irregardless of lane markings and bus lane timings. It was another one of those (shameless) publicity stunts, where all the dust is swept under the carpet and everybody gives a big wide smile when the curtain goes up and the spotlight is turned on(in this case, ~1500 lights).

Admittedly, Singapore put up an outstanding performance. True to STB's Singapore tagline, the race was unique. Proving our obssession with No. 1s, we staged the world's first night race, incidentally on Asia's first street circuit. Strategically chosen camera angles, well-orchestrated camera zooming, media helicopters busy hovering over the bay...these gave the world the best views there were of our sparkling city-state. Personally, there was hardly a boring moment, being in the thick of the action, hearing the roar of the engines and watching the cars speed by. (Digressing, I was told that the deafening engines could be heard at my house. That is, when the Grand Prix was at the Old Upper Thomson Rd circuit decades ago). The historic race night was the most exciting of all, with all the crashes, overtakings and pit(stop) falls before our very eyes.

28th September 2008 was not only the night Alonso was crowned champion of the 2008 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix. It was also the night that Singapore was given pole position amongst the Grand Prix hosts.

World premiere of a race

...
Quickened pulses racing its veins,
The Lion City roars anew.
-Yours truly

Driftwood

2008-09-10T06:49:00.000-05:00

My mind is often awash with emotions. Of late, it has been fear, impeding judgements, overwhelming my psychology. It got worse today. An overbearing fear of failure and worry clouding my mind even before my first attempt at the test. Unhealthy and damaging. It robs me of my apetite, my belly full of fear and my mind full of disgust. That I have spiralled downwards and degenerated as such. Over the littlest, worthless things. Attributed to an immense desire for success to disprove the dissenters. So much so that failure is not an option. It cannot, must not happen...

Alas, so much fuss over a simple test. I get carried away. Like driftwood. Weak, brittle and powerless in a sea of emotions.

A date not meant to be

2008-08-09T04:12:00.003-05:00

Alas, fate is not on my side. It was decided that out of 52 weeks,
the evaluation would fall on this week
the gig would fall on this week
the official beginning of archi would fall on this week
...

Have I been too complacent? Arrogant? Selfish? Perhaps, but whatever the reason, this is punishing. Learning the hard way, that you can't have your cake and eat it. That things can't always go according to your desires. That august 12 was not to be for my friend and I. A date not meant to be.

The Enigmatic Phone Call

2008-07-24T12:29:00.003-05:00

The phone vibrated. It was her. Staring at the screen in silence, a moment of indecisive struggle. Finally, he answered. But it was not her. Instead, a steady, enigmatic voice advised...

Go, give chase to your dreams,
Gallop, like a fearless horse, wild with passion;
Burn, like an inflamed wick, steadfast towards destiny...

Stirred in his heart many a memory. The hopes he held, the dreams he dreamt. So many shattered, lost amongst the sea of failures. He picked himself up, but it was not long before he returned to the floor. It was the baggage that held him back. Baggage which should have long been left behind. Yet they clung onto him, an obstacle in his way. He needs to rid himself of it...

2007

2008-01-05T02:07:00.000-06:00

The year 2007 was a year of several lasts and several firsts. Naming a few from my memory, the first NDP held on water, the first commercial flight of the A380, the first ACS (Independent) prom…the last Kallang Roar in the old National Stadium, the last Zoukout at Siloso. As you can see, not many registered clearly in my memory, for I myself had my own firsts and lasts to cherish.

2007 was my last year in school. My last year in school uniform. My last session proper with the Astronomy Club. My last Aikido training in school. My last swimming competition representing ACS (Independent). (For all my reminiscing, I do hope they remain last). My last International Baccalaureate year…

One of the firsts assessments of the year I remember was the TOK oral presentation. It was somewhat challenging at times finding a valid argument, but amid all the silences, Kenneth and I presented our arguments for and against Euthanasia. The other major assessment I will never forget was our Individual Oral Commentary. Up till July, I had believed it the be the most nerve-wrecking and stressful assessment for the whole IB (belief later challenged in November). Many many months later, the thought of it still makes me go howlhowlhowlhowl. O, me, my heart, my rising heart, but down is a phrase I often think of too, awaiting the perfect moment to unleash this ghost of IOC. Another assignment for assessment for English was the World Literature Essays. I remember spending hours on the 7^th floor of the National Library, at the reference section ~~admiring the architecture of the city~~ doing my readings. Later on, an equal amount of time was spent there trying to grasp a deeper understanding of Huckleberry Finn, isolating myself in Paddy’s psyche, attempting to gain enlightenment (forgive me but this word is just synonymous with Siddhartha) about Herman Hesse’s acclaimed novel. Also due were the TOK essay and the Extended Essay. These were mostly done in December 06, and so I was not bothered by them. CAS was due as well. Likewise, most of it was done last year, except for nitty-gritty documentation. (~~Making up~~ Thinking very very hard and remembering the dates of our activities, chasing our wonderful supervisors and teachers for their autographs, photocopying the sheets in case they do not arrive in Geneva, punching holes hastily and absent-mindedly, photocopying them again because punched holes is no good for binding…)

Finally, such internal assessments were over and it was time to tackle the external assessment: the final final big IB exams. Here goes my Lear quote, O, me, my heart, my rising heart, but down. Very apt in describing my emotions. But as soon as it arrived, it was over. It was sad and happy, bits of both. But mostly happy.

At long last, I had my life back. And how I lived it up; swimming and cycling and eating and drinking and shopping and sleeping and merry-making…

______________________________________________________________

2007 will be remembered as the year I turned 18 (Well, yes, it is the only time that I will ever be 18). Being 18, as a friend wrote, mean I am of a legal age to 1)marry 2)drink 3)drive 4)watch M18 movies etc. Being 18 makes me feel so much older. Psychologically, there is much responsibility, maturity and respect attached to being 18. (At this juncture writer realises he is veering out of point)

As 2007 drew to a close, what’s up? Cab fares and bus fares went up (incidentally, it was around that time that the pay rises of some took effect…). There could not be a better time for my student concession to end and adult fares to kick in. Plus all the late nights out = taking cabs. What a wonderful way to end 2007 and welcome 2008.

Anyway, let us hope that the cost of living does not rise much more (or that we will get as many points as possible, get into a good course with or without scholarship, and land a high-paying job to cover the high cost of living!). Oh glee, results are out in 2 days. (If the writer is not going to lose his dreams, he will at least lose his hair by the end of the week. And he simply cannot express his joy)

oh well...

2007-12-21T15:59:00.000-06:00

Whenever I randomize my songs, the song that plays seem to reflect my sentiments and crystallize my thoughts...

Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside...

I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life...

I am deeply sorry for the misunderstanding. And I wish things would return to how they were before.

As friends.

Confusion

2007-12-11T03:01:00.000-06:00

...over previous clarity, I seek answers to this silence. When absence does take its leave, adorned in green I shall be...

100th post

2007-12-08T12:16:00.000-06:00

So many things have happened since my last posting:
-Finished the life-changing IB exams. Wonderful
-Had a day out with friends at Sentosa. Fantastic
-Checked out T3, toured T2 and T1 as well. Terrific
-Shopped around for prom clothes and winter wear. Tiring
-Went crazy taking photos at prom and chilling out post-prom. Momentous
-Holidayed in the Himalayas, specifically, Nepal. Interesting
etcetcetc

Now I will have to wait for other activities. Certain circumstances do not permit me from proceeding. But I will wait

haunting ioc

2007-10-26T23:08:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures I meant to upload months ago but didn't get round to it. Originals photographed in school during the height of the IOC fever. IOC seemed to be everywhere. See if you can guess the extract and locations of the pictures.

To you

2007-10-06T19:20:00.000-05:00

...and your perverted lifestyle
Please stay away
For I am not happy

Some people are getting on my nerves

Hiss of death

2007-09-30T16:42:00.000-05:00

Constricted serpent grows so long,
Your hurtful toxins bursts all round.
Right here right now you don't belong,
So off you go into the ground.

Happy Mid Autumn

2007-09-26T06:22:00.000-05:00

september solace seeking

2007-09-19T16:34:00.000-05:00

Life feels so surreal nowadays.

Staring out the window. Listening to the rustling of the palm. Admiring the occasional Oriole. Watching the clock. Seconds, minutes, fly by. When, I ponder, did it become so fast?

I wish it could slow. Not stop. Just slow. These days I never have time to reflect, to wonder, to breathe. Who, actually has time? It is all about balance. Like life. Pan Metron Ariston. But me. Never had a knack for managing it. And now. Staring at the clouds, my books call, my dreams awaken me. I wish I could return. To the time before I lost me.

Life feels so surreal nowadays.

Beautiful Beautiful Seed!

2007-09-04T04:15:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to Beautiful Seed endlessly, tirelessly! Every week, listening to one or two more songs. I must say, her songs have been inspiring me to go on for the past few years, and continue to do so! From her new album Beautiful Seed, my favourite has to 'On My Way'. It's about resilience, courage and hope to continue on whatever journeys we may be on, to push on and press on no matter what (sounds like something someone used to say to me, but, oh well...)

For those of you who aren't bored yet here's my account of the concert...

The month began with the highly anticipated Beautiful Seed concert. Booked about a month earlier, I was more than thrilled to be able to book 3 great seats right in the centre of circle 1 at UCC hall. At 8.10pm, Corrinne May humbly walked on stage and opened the concert with ‘Angel in disguise’. This set the tone for the rest of the concert – light-hearted and up-lifting. Like her Christmas concert, little stories and anecdotes would sometimes precede each song. At the end of it, the sold-out crowd was left satisfied and refreshed. Personally, I find ‘live’ concerts very powerful. You can really feel the artiste’s emotions and energy. In this case, Corrinne May’s warm smile truly permeated the coldness of the hall, reaching out to each and every one of her fans present. It was, for the first time, that I really felt what ‘Fly Away’ was meant to convey (only now, despite listening to it over and over again, having the impression that I knew what it was about). ‘Everything in its time’ was certainly pleasing, and ‘Save Me’ was given a refreshing arrangement. It was a beautiful concert, and I left feeling deeply contented, with a sense of peace and satisfaction. Many thanks to the ‘angels in disguise’ after the concert, without whom we'd have to stay till 3am (and walk home from UCC -.-)
I think it's really really sweet of her to speak to each and every one of her fans. How many other artistes care to do that?!
On a separate note, it's been a year since I began listening to my music using iTunes. Just look at the play count for Fly Away: 1000 times, in 365 days. Works out to be an average of 2.7 times a day. Will it be overtaken by the songs from Beautiful Seed? Time can only tell...

Who I'd never be

2007-09-04T03:52:00.000-05:00

Why do you persist in pushing

The mask into my face.

Though living high has been my dream,

I’m sure there’re other means.

Unhappily rich I’d surely be,

For joy lies not there to me.

I thought I’d made it clear already,

My path shall not be written so.

the boy in the garden

2007-05-30T18:27:00.000-05:00

Pacing towards departure. Hesitantly, glancing back. The open welcomes. Wishing to leave it all behind, but his heart disallows. Why. Mere steps away. Freedom. Even if temporal. Peace. Break. Void. Period. But why. Alas, he is recalled. Bittersweet escape that never happened. Or did it...?

Awakened. Thoughts. But why? Time is of essence, and now is the moment that cannot be. Confused yet longing. Staring into the green. Solace he seeks. Wishing to let go. O, heart...

567648000.9460800.157680.6570.216.18

2007-05-05T08:58:00.000-05:00

He glances. 2007. 365 days. Things changed. Not all.

Life darkens, enlightenment notwithstanding. The conundrum remains, it still evades. Ahead a cliff, beyond which the unknown, as yet.

Sensorial pleasures adequately met – he should be so lucky. But how long more, can he live? The age long question poses even more. A continuous pursuit, a search for balance…

Disjointed

2007-04-27T21:17:00.000-05:00

Mere ignorance it is not.
Let it go I cannot.
Not wishing to know where have you been?
Shall not again ever be seen?

Much ado about nothing

2007-04-03T08:07:00.000-05:00

So you know, or think you do.
A fuss arose, many voids to fill.
All to nought, over what never was.
Nothing of nothing, ever will be.

Brings to mind King Lear: Nothing will come of nothing

Do we all think the same

2007-03-13T04:31:00.000-05:00

Surfing about,
“Emo-ing” around,
Thinking aloud,
Unconsciously bound.
...
Torrents of text, diluting attention.
Dispensing with reality, uninhibited outpouring.

In our search for us, do we all
Think the same?

Crazy at Kino

2007-03-05T04:37:00.000-06:00

After a long week, whatever energy left in me was utilised, standing and walking and kneeling and shuffling, in that crazy evening at Kinokuniya…

So you thought book vouchers made good gifts…

You are right, accounting for the fact that it gives the recipient total freedom to choose his or her book. A good excuse to actually posses that novel or coffee table book you’ve been browsing through at bookstores. The exception, however, is with indecisive people like me. I appreciate gift vouchers because it eliminates the risk of an unappreciated present, but it also presents the indecisive one with the challenge of choosing the best book. After much deliberation, I narrowed down my choices to two astronomy books, and after that still, spent much time whittling it down to that one book to be mine. Hastened by the fact that the store was closing in 10 minutes. So you see how gift vouchers can be a joy and a pain.

So many books, so little time…

Books, books and more books! While Borders has a slightly warmer ambience, the modern and simple décor of Kinokuniya holds a treasure trove of books. There must be millions of books there, enticing readers of varied interests: new age, religion, travel, sports, manga… . I must have spent no less than an hour sussing out the astronomy books. Like a hungry predator, I devoured every book, and had to tear myself away to look to other sections. Paces away, I found myself deep within the travel section, relishing in Lonely Planet guidebooks, down to every itsy-bitsy witty comment there was about a destination. World-weary, I moved in on my next kill: the design section. Here, I once again found myself delighting in page after page of minimalist interiors or avant-garde exteriors. Time just flew by, ignoring my book-binge.

Now I know…

Today I finally understood the rationale behind cafes in bookstores. As time flew by, my mind grew increasingly sated, unlike my gut, which began to growl. And there it was - right in the heart of book haven – Coffee Club. Not only did it offer a respite from the physically draining act of endless browsing, it also offered delicious food and prompt service, highly commendable for an establishment better known for coffee.

When in Orchard…

Decades ago, Somerset Maugham was charmed by the culinary treats at Raffles Hotel and famously said, When in Singapore, feed at Raffles. Today, I was charmed by literary fare like no other, and declare, When in Orchard, read at Kino.

Disappointedly

2007-02-24T02:07:00.000-06:00

Wishing and wanting,

What could be, and never too,

disappointedly.

oh.you.look.so.beautiful tonight

2007-02-13T04:30:00.000-06:00

He picked up the phone, hesitatingly, and dialled the number. The ringing seemed to go on forever. And then it was answered…

His mind, focused on one thing, drowned out the din of the departure hall. All he could hear was the warm voice at the other end. Tear’s welled up as he began to speak…

The conversation was short and simple. Staring out of the window, he replayed the promise over and over, those words etched in his memory. …

He stepped off the plane, greeted by a warm summer breeze. Ahead, a fresh, illuminated path, reward for his diligence. The city of blinding lights beckoned…

hmmmmmm

2007-02-05T04:24:00.000-06:00

Have you recently boarded the new buses of a certain bus company? Did you notice that the view at the front of the upper deck is WIDE AND UNOBSTRUCTED? There isn’t even space to screw on additional stuff. And that’s what I really love about them. Finally, bus trips without the additional noise. Buses are noisy enough with passengers chattering, no need for extra inputs. But I fear though they may install it, because they must have invested a lot already. But then again, they may have recovered their investment already or the contract expired. Either way bus rides can once again be used for meaningful musings uninterrupted by unpalatable, noisy reruns and repeats (or worse, stuff so bad it doesn’t make it to mainstream). Ah, silence on board!

On a completely separate and random subject, Indonesia recently imposed a sand ban, What does that mean for Singapore's IRs? NO SAND FOR SANDS! Hah...ha...uh, funny right...uh..yes......*trails off*....

Raging pool

2007-01-20T20:28:00.000-06:00

Swirling in a whirlpool of thoughts,
Warily struggles away from the epicentre.
Amid vain attempts for calmed elucidation,
Weary one is sucked into the conundrum...

2006

2006-12-30T03:54:00.000-06:00

365 days later, and here we are. Once again at this juncture I’d like to take some time to reflect and ponder upon the past year. Before resolutions are drawn, reflections are made. 2006 can be remembered for many events, and the one that impacted me the most has to be the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) at ACS(I). This is it, those 2 years of preparations and practices in Pre-IB 1 and 2, all boils down to this “show”. The big performance. Everyone is watching us – trailblazers – as we make Singapore history. (In light of recent National Museum of Singapore advertisements…what would you be remembered for? Dr Ong: For introducing the International Baccalaureate to the local education landscape)

How would they fare, compared to A-level students? Would they go further? As such questions loom in the minds of educationists, I wonder about myself. I still am: Would I cope? Would I be able to equilibrate everything? More importantly, would I do well enough to get into my preferred University course, or qualify for a scholarship? Looking back, the answer has been disappointingly negative. Alas, my “EOY miracle” did not happen this year. In its place was the “Mid-course-nose-dive”. It has occurred a few times before: In P3, P5, and Year 3. Those years, approximately the midway mark for the respective course, my results were the lowest. Fortunately I always managed to pick myself up thereafter: One of the top in class in P4; did well and got into ACS(I) at P6; achieved a desirable 37 points for the internal exams at the end of Year 4.

After this year’s academic failures, I resolve to rise above and do well next year. If I do not, I have no other. It is the very end, my very future hinges on it. My dreams: to be fulfilled, flying high? Or to be shattered, shards piercing my heart? We shall see, by the next annual reflection.

I have been rather pleased with myself in other areas of pursuit. After 4 years, I earned the opportunity to compete for the school in the Inter-school Swimming Championships. All my efforts have not gone down the drain, and something good has come out of my acceptance into the IBDP. I remember writing in that personal statement in Year 2, the very last sentence, how skipping the O levels would allow me to bring glory to the school in swimming. Well I did, just by earning the school points by swimming, even though I did not win any medals. Swimming for the school may be no big deal for some, but personally it has been my dream. A dream I hope to take to greater heights in the 2007 Nationals.

Besides the memory of my swimming achievement, I take with me several others from this year. One of them is the memory of my second trip to Shanghai with the school. Shanghai was not my destination of choice, but eventually I made many friends and enjoyed myself learning about “Business and Technology”. The most meaningful memories this year come from CAS activities.

Besides volunteering with GVN, I spent many hours designing and revising designs for the nail clipper project. Later on, I, together with a team of helpful and selfless friends, toiled for hours on end packing nail clippers. Eventually, (and quite miraculously) we managed to deliver all 3000 packages. Above all, the one memory that I will cherish and keep in my heart is that of SYC. A fitting end to 2006, SYC brought together youths of various countries to interact and learn about one another. I’ve made many many worthy friends, both from Singapore and overseas, through exhibition preparations running up to and including that 1-week at RELC. Truly an unforgettable and fulfilling experience. How can Xinling and I ever thank enough the one teacher who made it possible for us to attend SYC: Mrs Thong!!!

At the beginning of this year, I knew I was going to face challenges, but such disappointments were really unprecedented. Unexpected too, was the many good friends I made in December. They have shown me such kindness and graciousness. How can I ever thank them enough! Furthermore, I have learnt much. As a friend has shown to me, one of the greatest things in friendship is not to trust, but to be trusted.

As we bid farewell to another year and brace ourselves for the next (which, of course, is hoped to be better than the last), I leave you with a quote by one of my most trusted friends: cherish what you have and not lament what you do not have…

Farewell Sunburst 2006

2006-12-22T00:49:00.000-06:00

Tears all around,
Bidding to meet again.
Minds illuminated with memories -
Unforgettable Sunburst!

Crimson note

2006-12-08T19:39:00.000-06:00

Hmm these day's I feel less motivated to blog. Lazy me. But anyway, I've been writing some stuff which I haven't uploaded, so here is one of them...

Crimson note
Tired of today sick of yesterday...
Precarious thoughts, of termination...
Thin thread holding back crimson note, wishing not to break.

One of those stuff which I wrote after getting my results. Really helps relieve whatever's inside me...

P.S. don't worry you won't be seeing any crimson note from me...unless......

Post EOYS Pre RESULTS

2006-10-18T11:14:00.000-05:00

Today was the most meaningful day of my post EOYs pre results schedule...but before I get to that let's see what I did...

Tuesday wasn't very exciting, nor were we very enthusiastic. Everyone was glad that exams were over, but no on was actually thrilled or over the moon. Washed mood away with dark comedy Scoop. Scarlett J reminded me of Xuanqi haha.

Wednesday was busy, but not very exciting better. Had lunch with Brendan at Marina Square, at Asian Kitchen. It's quite a copycat of Thai Express. Serves Indochinese food, similar decor and same chairs. Plus the Citilink mall outlet is just next to Thai Express. Food was better than Thai Express though. Following that went to get passport extended (all fingers crossed that it's worth it, if you know what I mean) at ICA. Then met Lee for CAS meeting in school.

Thursday was well spent, discussing Aikido matters over Macs breakfast at KAP. Whee more creativity hours.

Friday was uber. Went to URA for some architecture exhibition, then to Vivo for dinner. Somehow Vivo feels like its closing in on you. Not a good feeling to have in a mall. Malls should be comforting spaces that tease $ out of you. Following that went to receive the new scope at the observatory.

Saturday was the last busy day of the week. Shopping for Aikido stuff at Taka art friend, then took the train to T1 for lunch. Then to expo for innovationation. Then to CHC service at hall 8 (or 9 maybe) then to Jurong East for a birthday dinner (and the revelation, but lets leave that for another post). Really went from central to east to west in a day.

TOK focus was a little thought-provoking. The forum was not very organised though. The 2nd day was fun, except for the presentation marathon of more than 2 hours. Good thing the last lecture was light. Very arty. I liked the lectures on art. Except that I wanted to ask Mr Lee something but it came to my mind just as they closed the session. Classic. Always happens to me.

Then came Wednesday. Kogane High School studente visit. Initially was a little nervous. But really there was nothing to worry about. My group was a cool bunch (and trendy too, like the other Japanese there) and friendly. At-sunrice they cooked Hokkien Mee for lunch (not breakfast hehe), while the other student guides and I went to ps for our lunch (horrid ljs). After lunch we really had fun going to town to shop. I tweaked the schedule slightly (with their consent) so they could go see the Merlion. Speaking of merlions, I did not buy those kitschy merlion chocs, but cute white merlion keychains, and the girls screamed (ear-piercingly) in delight upon seeing it. Got notebooks for the guys. So we walked and talked here and there. It was a pity though, that we did not spend more time together. Total time spent only about 4 hours. And I havent finished asking them about Japanese, Japan life etc. Sigh. Wish we'd have a return trip to their school. Or if only we were able to spend more days. After all we're supposed to learn more about each other's culture. Nevertheless we managed to exchange bits and pieces of information on Singapore and Japan, and it couldn't have been better...The original kawaii people!

Lazy Hazy

2006-10-06T11:26:00.000-05:00

Argh I've fallen ill, so hard to study when one does. Was typing a journal entry yesterday, and oddly enough, I began to notice some form and structure. It turned out to be poem! So sneaky. Didn't even let me know it was coming...here it goes...

...
It all makes sense now: the fatigued eyes; the runny nose; the sore throat.
Looking out of my window, everything’s a blur.
The hazier it gets, the clearer I see.
It makes sense now: it’s the haze…
...
Such lazy-hazy days,
The wind has brought to us.
Each time the forests are cleared,
Other jungles just get so blurred.
...

On another frequency, someone tried playing that supposedly inaudible high frequency ring tone and *gasp* to her horror it went noticed. But can you imagine this amusing situation: everyone gets this same ringtone to (purportedly) avoid detection. Then when someone's phone rings everyone will get theirs out 'cos they can tell the phones apart. Haha back to square one, when ring tones were monotone...

Vivacity at 1 am

2006-09-27T04:59:00.000-05:00

Such a long time since I last posted anything. Well I've been busy. Studying. Soul-searching. Sacrificing slumber. "Stoning" serenely. And one fine night while multi-tasking with all of the above, it just hit me...some sort of uncomprehensible euphoria that sprang out of the blue...here's a few verses that the emotion spurred...

...
Fixated upon these illegitimate emotions
...
No explanation for the midnight euphoria
...
Was it the thermodynamics for the elation?*
...
My hungry mind yearns for elucidation.
...

*Plausible: the after effects of an overworked mind. But then again, I hardly think I've pushed myself hard enough

The last 76 years were just pretend

2006-08-27T10:41:00.000-05:00

They've been searching deep down in their books,
Words that they're seeing are starting to get old
It feels like we're starting all over again
The last 76 years were just pretend
And I thought,

Goodbye, Pluto,
Goodbye to number 9th I thought I knew.

Okay I know that was a bad bad tribute to our ex-9th, but anyway, goodbye Pluto the planet, hello Pluto the dwarf planet!

Long day

2006-08-17T07:02:00.000-05:00

What uninspiring hours. Approximately 9 whole hours absorbing absorbing. Next time SC could give out kopiko sweets or iced coffee. Or just give us caffeine tablets.

From this...

To...

Ha just joking we didn't end so late (thankfully). Took the shots some other time ago.

Dire Desolation...

2006-08-10T00:20:00.000-05:00

The way ahead a single

Monolithic structure.

Gazed upon now by a single

Solitude figure.

A highway was not to be

As he ascended the rising plane.

An escalating propensity

For deviation from the sane

...

A mind floating on heaviness

Lost in a melancholic mist.

So distant from happiness

Yet close to his missed.

A lonely occasion

Of dire desolation.

6th August 2006

Full Circle

2006-07-29T11:51:00.000-05:00

12 months and 69 posts later, cosmic-consequence has come full circle! Mucho gracias for your visitations to experience snippets of my universe. Here's to the next year of 69 posts! Meanwhile, here's Andromeda...

Behold Andromeda's dim aureole of light,
An island universe in yonder sky
Whose rays a million years ago took flight
To reach this very hour my wondering eye.
-George Brewster Gallup

>.<

2006-06-20T05:43:00.000-05:00

Mission delayed, opposition missed.
Spacecraft launched, destination afar.
Journey arduous, time ticks.
Completion hazy, success distant.

Sigh...same old me >.<

Musings of a bored mind

2006-06-16T04:12:00.000-05:00

Topshop is almost on groud level, Pizza Walker is a sit-in joint, and OP is situtated across a miserable seawater tank! Well I couldn't help but notice while out shopping...

Anyway, here's an idea for QF's complaint video...ok first, imagine the tune of that "Where-the-bloody-hell-are-you" campaign. Here it goes...(with an Aussie accent)
"We've widened our taxiways and runways...built you a maintenance hangar...saved you some space at the terminal...cleared the airspace...taken the 'roos off the runway...turned on the runway lights...saved you our finest Margaret River wine...John and Geoff are off to meet you at the front gate...so A380, where the bloody hell are you!?!?!"

You get the idea. Frustration over more delays. Just like some local institutions which promised early openings. Imagine, the mammoth was initially planned to be in service in April 2006. It could be airborne, flying SIA's distinguished colours the world over now. But nooo. See, now the medium-range aircraft replacements will come from Boeing.

WoW

2006-06-08T00:33:00.000-05:00

Shaken, was the cup of tomato...ah...pleasure, as lips and tomata bits meet...Speed of sound by Coldplay was playing...looking out of the window, all there could be seen was a sea of stars and stars on the sea - boats, drifting in the South China Sea......And so began the Window on the World OEP to Shanghai...Enjoying tomato juice, listening to music on demand, it couldn't get better...(except that functions worksheet bugging me to be done). The night took off on a bad note, but now everything was flying smoothly...

IB Shanghai Suzhou WoW 2006!!!

2006-05-30T07:07:00.000-05:00

IB Shanghai Suzhou WoW 2006!!!
Anticlockwise from left colum top : The great sphere of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum; 7-minuntes on the Shanghai Maglev; swanky Xintiandi; Jiang Zemin's calligraphy...now did he use Coca-Cola as ink? Hmmm ; Yellow hats at the incineration plant; MALEMAN toilet at Luzhi Water Town; The corridor of Suzhou Nanya hotel 8th floor as we stayed up for our last night...there was food, drink, music, dance...basically, FUN;Unplanned picnic on the bus...on the way to Pudong Airport we just grew hungry and brought out all kinds of tit-bits to share...

And finally, one of our "healthy oil-less" meals which we couldnt have enough of -.-

More pics up soon on my travel blog

Recall TOK...

2006-05-22T08:36:00.000-05:00

...the lectures about knowing by language...the one about ...Eskimos having lots of words for snow

Revelation through the looking glass…

2006-05-10T06:19:00.000-05:00

A moment in time

Which I made mine
A moment in time
I made a find
While all was still
It came to fill
What was my thrill
Long misery kill.

Round and round the endless panes
All seemed to reflect a life on its wane
Then all at once through the looking glass
Emerged a life not to let pass
A life sofastsofreesoindifferent
Yet it was all so, different
From the one I knew
Such moments too few

Never recently felt so well
Gentle warmth inside, I found myself
With few words I bade him farewell
“Pleasure to meet you, who I’d be and never be, me”

10th May 2006

Such a wonderful feeling when you let out something bottled in there. Anyway make a guess where I got inspired. Ironic time and place. But it happened. And in the new IB campus too...

Post OEP

2006-05-02T22:32:00.000-05:00

Finally got down to typing. Was away last week in Shanghai. And I must say, it was almost the best balance of work and play, second only to my Beijing trip. Took thousands of shots, of which a number will be uploaded for viewing together with my travel journal once I find time to do it. Meanwhile, I’m unpacking, working, sorting gifts and pictures. And nursing a runny nose and sore throat. Attributed to the fried and oil-drench fare in Shanghai and Suzhou. Others think its due to the late nights though. Whatever the case, I’m not too enthusiastic about returning to schoolwork. School is bearable (though after this trip I’ve realised that my class is the most tame and serious bunch in the level). And at least I’ve dreamt up a topic for IOP (yes, I dreamt of it!). But there’s still work I ought to do. Sigh. Guess I ought to stop now...
P.S. look out for the Tourism Australia ads on TV! They actually got approved

He does not know

2006-04-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

He glances. The Swatch shows 7.15. He sits smartly at the armchair. He ponders, the obscure silence occasionally broken by shuffling noises from the family busy dressing up. Ponder upon what? It too baffles him. He seems to have everything, everything but satisfaction. No. He is satisfied, he thinks. Then what is it? He does not know…

~

He glances. The Swatch shows 7.30. He sits smartly in the car, on the way to dinner. He should be happy. It is Saturday night. And more too. But no. As the car weaves around town, the outside is a blur to his perplexed mind.

~

He glances. He has arrived. The car door opens, he steps into reality. He hopes they will not sense the ingenuity. He does not know. He does not want to know. Or does he? That too poses a conundrum.

2006-04-01T04:52:00.000-06:00

Hope again

Losing trust,
Uncertainty reigns.
Crossroads past,
Potholes quite a pain.
...
Skim the crust,
Not a smooth terrain.
With some trust,
Overcome this pain.

29th March 2006

Wicked Wednesday

2006-03-22T05:38:00.000-06:00

One whole chunk of non-stop hard-core HL periods. One whole meal of fried food. One cramped muscle. Feeling disabled. Wicked Wednesday indeed. And this just the first week...

Bye-bye Tourism Australia

2006-03-15T05:16:00.000-06:00

Watched Wolfe Creek with Bren. Chilling thriller which foils all plans of Tourism Australia. Then, horror of horrors (-.-) I began to analyse the movie, the plot, the devices, the filmaker’s techniques, the cinematography, the aural effects, the foreshadowing, the motifs, the impact on viewer…then suddenly my mind changes from English A1, to PHYSICS!!! Horror of horrors, thinking about parabolas, speeding bullets, kinematics, and I even tried to figure out why their watches all stopped. Thankfully, this subsided gradually after the movie ended. By now I’m no longer thinking about English A1. Just physics, and a little chem too. Went to kino, then to taka basement for food. So many students in their uniform today! Should have worn my “uniform” too. What a leisurely March Monday afternoon.

P.S. Ayer's Rock is in the middle of the desert, so ulu rightt. That's why it's called ULUru! -.-

Freedom is slavery?

2006-03-14T02:12:00.000-06:00

Squealer took charge today. All the animals toiled, and suffered under the hot sun. But not Squealer. He too was in the heat, but he did less. Why? Because all animals are equal while Squealer is more equal than the rest. And the rest did more for the good of everyone.

Freedom is slavery?

Blistering cold

2006-03-10T02:09:00.000-06:00

Monday was disheartening. Thursday was the year 5 mass outing. I suspect they wanted us out of school having fun while they attended a course or something. Anyway it was cool. 5.1 Genesis chose to chill at Jurong. And cold it was. Blistering cold. Literally. Can't wait to be able to actually ice skate properly la X ) The downside though, was that I burned $30 just on Thursday. And $20 the week before. Must learn to be like thrifty queen, go out and chill yet save $$$.
But in general had a rushed week filled with blue hues. Contempt and regret. But time to be practical, face up to reality, drop all dreams. Chinese B here I come >.<
sigh

ACS Forever

2006-03-01T09:03:00.000-06:00

Finally, a parade from which I am excluded from participation. Rather, I can no longer do so. And I am pleased so = )
Anyway today was fun, watching the parade instead of being in it as usual. After that, went to Citylink Mall...walked about then lunched at Thai Express. Green curry tasted anything but it. Then lots of ACJC girls walked past us...and of cos they noticed the 2 ACSI guys lunching...who'd miss me ; )
Discovered unknown areas of the Esplanade. Will come here next time = )
That's about it. Founder's Day. 120 years of ACS and going strong. ACS Forever = )

Guess

2006-02-27T08:42:00.000-06:00

Guess the girl! Haha... =D

At the booth of the ramlY burgers...

2006-02-23T05:59:00.000-06:00

It was the height of the craze of the ramlY burgers. Hoardes of hungry fans had swarmed the benches, eargerly anticipating their piece of the action. Or rather, ramlY burger...

There go you, your fish burger. Immediately he was mobbed by impatient students. Give me a bite! GIVE me a bite! GIVE ME a bite! Someone even offered to repay him with several job offers of a different kind. It was pandemonium! Hysterical fans, those slowly biting into the protein, fat filled burger, slowly letting the sauce ooze out. Hysterical others, who didn't get theirs or couldn't pass, turned...well, even more hysterical! The scene was absolute chaos. Like monkeys gone bananas going for bananas. It was a sick sight.

Most of us nowadays are sick.

Once More

2006-02-22T05:09:00.000-06:00

Sulky Sunday has left for now;

Veruca Salt is back again;

But grey skies temporarily gone;

It’s not so bad once more.

19th February 2006

In the 29th at the 69th!

2006-02-17T06:01:00.000-06:00

Anything to make me feel alive...is it enough to love, is it enough to breathe...somebody rip my heart out and leave me here to breathe...is it enough to die somebody save me life...I'd rather be anything but ordinary please...sometimes I get so weird, I even freak myself out and laugh myself to sleep it's my lullaby...

Avril perfectly captures my feelings! Especially the last part! Another high day for me for most of the time...some low moments...but overall HIGH...

Loved today's TOK session...about life and religion and death and life after death etc. I'm a fan of thought-provoking discussions. Count me in if you're having one = ]

PE was wasted...no run, so I slacked for nothing = /

Free B & M = / It's one of my favoured subjects...

Then like, also burned my tongue off eating steaming mee sua is a mere couple of minutes...chionged to chem and stayed for french after that...whoa why did they French simplify number-naming for the first 50 or so, then make it difficult? Hmm or maybe from another perspective they made it difficult initially then simplified it? Too bad I had to leave for swimming, for it might well be one of my last lessons X(

Ahh beautiful day!

Stupid cupid, stop picking on me!

2006-02-14T05:28:00.000-06:00

Its love week! Happy V Day to ALL <3
Though of course the expression of love should not be restricted to one day of the year. Do it frequently = )
Glad to report that my pride and humiliation lost last week has been recovered somewhat = )
That's all I'll blog about for now. And here's that cute snoopy pic once again! Have a heart <3
Oh yes if you're all alone this day there's just one thing you need.

Braveheart!

With lots of love, Solar Sojourner XD

Life is like an atom.

2006-02-11T06:59:00.000-06:00

If life was an atom, the past week was filled was many electrons X ( Everything that happened...
First came the last minute chionging. But it was no use. Somethings are possible to chiong for. But not this, for last minute work was of no use. It required constant effort. And so understandably I flopped for this. Then came the horror...I shall not go any further. It's just too horrible. Sigh. Just want to get on with life right now, as I chiong on ahead with the hope of protons!

2006-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Say hi to our white board mascots

Seeing red...

2006-02-01T00:50:00.000-06:00

...and loving it! Red packets as least. Oh gold ones too! X ) Feeling so over-the-top this CNY. Over-the-top dining (literally, at UOB Plaza), over-the-top dressing up, over-the-top snacking and over-the-top slacking. To sum it up, over-the-top extravagance. All that fun. Sigh but now it's time to put all that extravagance behind us and go back to stressful school. Oh well, all good things have to come to an end. I get to keep all the moolah though =D

Luna New Year

2006-01-28T02:24:00.000-06:00

Gongxifacaixinniankuailexinxiangshichengwanshiruyi!!! The year has gone to the dogs!!! Happy Chinese New Year anyway...
Yesterday was slack. Lessons were redundant actually. Didn't really do much. The concert was good, only due to the modern dance. It was hothothot...esp the sc girl...you know who...
Then went to ATS. Met KC on bus, saw Ms N. Then C and I went teacher-tracking...Yuxuan joined us a little later. Took CNY cookies for Jas then left for J8. Had Yoshi, then chatted for a few hours until someone had to go off...

Happy year of the dog!

Centuries from now Luna new year is going to be a holiday on the moon XD

Jan school so far

2006-01-27T06:16:00.000-06:00

School has been kind, so far at least. Teachers are not bad. Well they are trying...
Getting used to school hours. Now that there are longer periods and a more spacious classroom the long day doesn't seem as long...though of course I love Fridays = ) Love our ties? xp

Jan pics (almost)

2006-01-18T06:34:00.000-06:00

Pics taken recently...
6B class of 2001 Gathering
Mini-mini-mini 4F class of 1999 gathering to meet up with Justin before he returned to Canada to do IB too = )
French toast!
...and then there was light. Ok so this pic wasn't taken recently. But nvm... 5.1 Geneis 2006!!! =/

Acsited aren't we

2006-01-07T10:19:00.000-06:00

Initial B was good fun overall. Can tell that lots of effort and time had been put into making it a success…

The rather dull periods were when there were speeches and talks. Necessary, but still I felt very sleepy throughout. And the flag making session was also somewhat messy. Insufficient paint.

Disappointed that the building hasn’t reached completion yet. There’s still so much scaffolding and drilling, the student plaza is far from buzzing with activity, the curtain on the auditorium has yet to rise, the incomplete parade ground won’t be seeing much marching for awhile…I just think that it’s a pity we can’t enjoy spanking new state-of-the-art facilities yet. My guess is April, when everything is finished, with students moving all around rushing to classes and lectures.

Most games were pretty original. Running around in the mud and getting pelted by eggs was dirty fun. Worse than butter hill. The Acsiting race was just that – exciting! Yeah. Tiring though. All the rushing around on buses and trains and meeting other teams along the way. Very “Faces Places Spaces”.

The mass dance made us all happy. Happy yet dissatisfied. But we did it anyway. Everyone dancing together made it better.

The last day was the best, due to the fact that the 4-hour break allowed us to take a breather from the packed schedule of activities. The items were good fun. Watching other groups spoofing, dancing, singing, acting and lip-synching. Distasteful and possibly disastrous was Mina and the pole. Like, all the teachers and the senior admin were watching. The rest though, were within limits, many slapstick side-splitting acts. I expected the concluding act, by the OC, to be some reconciliation between Diddy and LL. Like maybe they didn’t have cereal or French toast? Oh and it would have been fabulous if we were provided with a welcome breakfast of French toast and cereal on day 1. Sorry this post is so jumbled up, but right now random memories of Initial B are flashing through my head. Ah breakfast is over, time to go to school, to studies, to mug >.<

2005...2006

2005-12-31T03:02:00.000-06:00

2005. It’s such a swift ride. I couldn’t even believe 2005 was here on Jan 1^st. And look where we are now. Another year has passed…

January got off slowly. Went to Kluang and had dirty fun. March was Founders Day. Uh, what did I do on that day? I really can’t remember now. In fact now my memories of NCC have been smudged. Though I do remember I got to wear the No. 1 for National Day this year! Fitting finale for my NCC life. March saw Mdm LX, YY, Jarvin and Melvin and I join the whole group of students and teachers for the MOE Sino-Singapore Exchange programme. Honoured and delighted to have been able to participate in it. Forged new friendships and experienced Beijing once more! Familiar, yet different from the Beijing I visited in 1999. First pic below is jialefu, where we went for late night shopping. Haha = ]
Then with May came the Mid-years. I must admit these 2 years I have been doing terribly under par academically. Mid-years were no different. EOYs were a little better though, as I managed to pull through and achieve 37 out of a total possible 45 points. Not bad considering how I flunked tests and papers, but could be better. As always, stand by the school motto “The Best Is Yet To Be”. Uh, heh. June flew by, nothing notable during the holidays. July, 2^nd semester, back to school. ACS (Ind) arts fest was here again. Watched “The Birds”. Committed rash planning error the day before, resulting in a missed appointment. Disappointed. In July the Astronomy Club organised a meteor-shower gazing sleepover, which we rendered fairly successful. Though the skies were somewhat cloudy, we had fun just being together, and catching the occasional shooting star. It’s one of the many activities I helped to organise as Astronomy Club president. The year ended with us Higher Chinese students sitting for the O level exam. Preceding this I attended special classes with Nick, which miraculously helped me. Hopefully I’ll be able to take French next year.

So here I am, looking back at the past year. So many events have occurred, so many experiences I have gone through. I can’t possibly recap everything, for it is beyond my humanly powers. But I do remember its one huge roller coaster of emotions and feelings for me. Never had there been such a year like this. Part of the grand scheme of things I suppose. One of my major lessons was friendship. This year I really learnt a lot about this. Forged, made or broken, at least I managed to gain stuff from it. And especially this hols, meeting up with my best friends Simon and Yuxuan, and Kern Cheh, really made me realise how true friendships can last through many years and still be unchanged. Really miss my friends from ATS. Absence makes the heart grow fonder never made so much sense previously. Though of course, I’m treasuring time with my ACS friends. Oh and, haha, another thing I learnt this year is that gays are very much real people too and deserve to be treated so (Even if they behave differently).

It’s time to move on, time for me to start waking up to cold hard reality, to 2006, to tertiary education, to the International Baccalaureate, to friends old and new…and most importantly, to another fresh beginning, a new chapter in life.

This is it. 2006.

Thank you

2005-12-26T04:40:00.000-06:00

Have you ever imagined what it would be like it the sun suddenly just "disappeared"? If all the oceans froze over? Annihilation? First comes the cold, unfriendly chills at mid-day, then the shroud that never would disperse. Next goes our H2O, solidifying our lives forever. Life falls apart, nothing matters anymore...everything has been lost, and you wish you treasured it before, wish you never had to let go, wish you were grateful...but all is too late...
So while you can, go bask in the warmth of the sun, go savour the goodness of clean drinking water, enjoy the company of family and friends...Live life like you never did, no regrets, filled with happiness. For a start, be grateful for life. That you exist for a fraction of eternity. Then move on, to everything else. The sun the earth the water the people. No this isn't a warning of an imminent threat of the sun just going away. Nothing's gonna engulf it either. But not you. Who knows what tomorrow brings? Tides change, tides rise, tides fall. Be appreciative, before the tide gets you like it did to so many helpless souls a year ago, whose lives were changed by the tide...Thank you

Land of the Lala...

2005-12-25T08:50:00.000-06:00

I hate it man. I just hate it how the game is luring me in. Like a fish lured by bait to a terrible end. Sliced and diced and chopped and garnished and eaten inside out. I hate that feeling. And I attribute it to the media. No connection right? Not quite. Just think, how much we're exposed to the media with our culture. Pop culture. I <3 you, you <3 me, love is everywhere in the media. Nowadays it gets worse, going beyond kissing. I won't go into details, but you know what I mean. Its too much. Ok so its not like we've been in a cave and suddenly get bombarded by such trash. Its all around us everyday, 24/7. No running away from it unless you live under a rock/in a cave. The media compounds those issues. And makes them all rosy and nice too. TV land is, more often than not, filled with happy endings that follow every downfall or unhappy bump in the road. Which girl wants to be left on the shelf at the end of the day, which good looking guy doesn't want a nice girl...all these are for people to fantasize and dream about. Reality is very much gloomier. The media is a good source of entertainment, but the issue arises when it goes beyond being entertainment. When people get misled, to think everything is all nice like in TV land, and they fail to take note of the fact that imperfect people actually exist.

My whole issue about the media isn't really what they release , but rather, exercising one's control. Well yes I recognise that's more of my problem...so I guess no point continuing this rant for the whole world to see. Thank you for reading!

Game of Love

2005-12-16T21:01:00.000-06:00

Starts with a yearning spark,

Or perhaps a chance encounter,

That’s all to get the ball rolling.

You play by the rules,

They’re yours to decide,

Just make your pick.

The ball’s in your court.

Another cursed missed opportunity,

It isn’t to be.

What a hit, the next point is yours.

Or might it be success instead,

That doesn’t seem to be at hand?

To bask in your gain,

It surely lifts you up.

An unfortunate circumstance means otherwise,

A broken heart is yours to heal.

This trivial pursuit,

A play on your emotions.

Is it truly worth your efforts,

To start this game right now?

*Note: Select individuals wishing to view full poem please contact poet...

December Deja-Vu

2005-12-10T04:44:00.000-06:00

Holidays in a holiday in a holiday are over. The school holidays are 2/3 way through. This is my life so far...

The "wedding of the year" in my family happened on the 26th Nov. Ee-Ee Melinda was marrying Uncle Abel. The morning began with Ee-Ee Melinda offering tea to her parents. Following that Uncle Able had to bargain his way in, first drinking milk from a bottle, eating baby food, then "savouring" wasabi ice-cream..finally they let him in after he crooned "Mice Love Rice". Oh bother. The bride, now dressed in tradition Chinese kua for the tea ceremonies. Everyone older than her was offered tea: grand aunties, grand uncles, aunties, uncles, my parents...
When we arrived later that evening at the Grand Hyatt, the ballroom foyer was already crowded with people hobnobbing around, elegantly dressed in evening wear. I wore a brand new blue-striped shirt from Dockers, which I bought from Orlando, and a blue-orange Chinese calligraphy tie, which I bought from Beijing. (I bought and saved it just for prom! But it never was to be for us xp)
Most of the female guests, were clad in the tradition sarong kebaya for this occasion, complete with beaded slippers and ornate pins, while their spouses wore batik print shirts. My maternal family has a Peranakan Nonya-Baba heritage, thus its natural they'd want to wear their tradition garb (IMHO the sarong kebaya is one elegant outfit!). As with all wedding dinners, we began late. The bride, originally dressed in a kebaya to mingle with the guests, was now in a pearl-white wedding gown. To the strains of "You Lift Me Up", the bride and bridegroom made a rather simple entrance, a break away from the traditional dramatic big-bang-loud-music entrance. The Chinese fare served was disappointingly not to high standards. I loved the Shark's Fin soup though. Had two bowls myself =D Halfway through the bridal couple reappeared at the entrance, this time with a change of dress. The usual "yam-seng" toasts. Then back to dinner while the bridal couple made their way taking photographs with guests. Nothing notable came of this occasion, just a simple wedding.

For the rest of the time up till now I didn't do much. Most of the mornings, training. Then my sis and I went to learn bowling. Never had I bowled before, I was really only too happy to learn. It's really easy to pickup, but practicing ensures that you remember the steps. Also, coordination is important.

Last Sunday I attended this Youth General Meeting at the invitation of my friend Nick. He wanted me to have a glimpse of his Soka Association, so I obliged. Theres this large hall where everyone gathers. After Buddhist Soka chantings, the YGM concert began. Hmm I thought only Christian organisations have this stuff, so Buddhist organisations have them too. Guess I'm too out of touch with my religion. An eye-opening experience anyway. After that Nick and I went "towning"...guang4jie1...

Celebrated a few birthdays. First was my cousin Denisa's, a simple dinner at my grandmother's house. Next was my Er-Ee's birthday at J8: Chicken Little movie followed by Secret Recipe Dinner. Last was my god-grandmother's birthday (actually she's just my grandauntie who "adopted" my mum) at Traders. As usual, the glutton in me took over, rushing to pile my plate with everything from the buffet. The best part was dessert, and I greedily took 3 plates of cakes, jelly, fruits, as well as fruits and biscuits dipped in chocolate (they have this fountain of chocolate where you can skew a piece of fruit of biscuit and dip it in the fountain). As if that wasn't enough, I took a large bowl piled high with ice-cream, then another large bowl with a whole mountain of ice which was ice kachang. If you could imagine, the pain that followed this meal. In addition to trying not to spew out contents of my meal, my distended stomach (really it was) was a constant source of gnawing pain. Thankfully, the pain subsided within half an hour while we went to Tangs to shop. Bought a casual shirt from Island Shop for CNY. Just the shirt to keep me (feeling) cool. Well actually I already bought a Polo RL shirt from Orlando for CNY, but its plain compared to this Island Shop shirt.

Last week saw my sis and I tagging along with my mum to shop. Met them at Country Road. While I had already gotten my CNY shirts (and my mum warned me that I would get no more shirts from this shopping spree), it was now my sis' turn. She was on the lookout for Bohemian dresses to flaunt her new blue Nikes with. Lunched at Taka food court (hate eating there...so disorganised and crowded). Headed to Centrepoint. Gosh Times the bookstore has really shrunk so much since it's heyday! Thereafter we went to Paragon, (saw Linus along the way...we noticed each other and conveniently coolly passed without acknowledgement at first) where my mum bought a lovely bag for herself/her sister (she hasn't really decided). My sis spotted a beautiful Bohemian blue dress at Polo RL, but the exorbitant $700 price tag put her off. Went downstairs to Starbucks. They were giving out free coffee in return for donations to Salvation Army. Had a nice vanilla latte and cheesecake myself = )

Hmm, this bowling thing is so deja-vu. 4 years ago after my PSLE my sis was swimming competitively, so I started too since I was free. Now my sis has finished her PSLE and wants to bowl, so I'm joining her since I'm free. Hmm...if all goes according to plan I know what comes next. We'll see then...

Anyway I gotta leave now for another round of shopping! = )

Far Away

2005-12-03T09:16:00.000-06:00

Love this song at the moment XD Far Away by Nickelback...

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

[CHORUS]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

[CHORUS]

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go

Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Hold on to me and, never let me go

...X...?

2005-12-01T09:10:00.000-06:00

Hi. Sigh, I'm beginning to notice a trend. Why is it that whenever I have inspiration to blog about something relevant to this site it's 'cos I'm caught in some kind of dilemma? Yet another tempest is brewing in me. Or should I say, another, tornado spinning...
I've come to that point in my academic life that I can no longer do badly. Like, now or never. And when I hear of other success stories, there's this inkling in me to be like them. I'm already 16. I can't change much. Many mistakes committed, too late now. Lack of talent for art was a problem. But nevermind, I'll try for other areas...
But have I even tried? Pains me. Destroying my very own future. Sigh. What does it take...
Effort! Yes yes, but the same unchanging answer. Sigh...
Uh, interruption, gtg now...with pain I take my leave...

Travel Blog

2005-11-27T03:30:00.000-06:00

My travel blog is up. Do drop by and tag if you do!

411 pix

2005-11-24T05:30:00.000-06:00

411 pix

2005-11-24T04:00:00.000-06:00

Away

2005-11-02T23:00:00.000-06:00

To all loyal readers of Cosmic-Consequence, The Cosmic Blogger shall be away on vacation from 3/11/05 to 22/11/05, thus there shall be no new updates during this period. However should I be able to have access to internet, I may give you whatever updates there may be. 4.11 Class pics will only be up after I return. So sorry been busy packing no time to upload them. For now, I'm off to New York, Orlando, Boston etcetcetc. Take Care and bye for now...

4.11 Stephen 2005

2005-11-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Its been 2 years since we met as a class. Sigh, really gonna miss everyone. Of all 4 years of my ACS(Independent) life, these 2 years have been the most enjoyable. There are just countless memories, just too many. This pic with images taken within the last 12 months show a few. JLoh dancing after mid-year (diagonal top left to bottom right). YY doing impersonation of a certain teacher, singing 'Heal the World' during MsNSilverrajan's period (top centre). CheeSiang shielding his head during a recent paperball fight hey isn't that LamPengKuan bio bk? arh so dat's how cheesiang gets the info to his head...(top right). Yang and Sam...pic taken at a time when few knew (Left centre). Mr Cheong's bio lesson in progress (bottom centre). Bottom left pic is just a random shot...

zOrrO

2005-10-31T09:30:00.000-06:00

Decided to post something about this hot star, one of, if not, my favourite. Catherine Zeta-Jones! Well not exactly all about her, but just that I happened to watch a movie with her in it, so heres what happened before and during the movie. Don't worry though, no spoilers. Except that Elena is a good enough reason to catch it...

After O level HCL, went out with Eggy and Sean. On the way saw someone at staff room. Eeks still so happy one. Er xin. Flightplan wasn't showing at favourable times, so we bought tix for Zorro instead. Whee Catherine Zeta-Jones. Quite a funny movie actually, including cheesy scenes, be action packed or not. Like Elena/Zorro sneaking into a crevice just in time not to get spotted, or that caped-rider-on-horseback silhouette, then riding away into the distance. And that cheesy Spanish accent put up by Welsh-born Zeta-Jones. And btw, that French count failed terribly in his accent. Too English sounding! The humour was still bearable, though it's surprisingly numerable for an action film. Oh and there's this Father, who is SO like that monk from Van Helsing, you suspect both are played by one actor. Lets see, both are pretty blur, both are from religious institutions (both Catholics actually), PLUS both provide humourous inputs. Uncannily similar koped idea? Elena sure provides some treats for the eyes. Nice dressed. Moreover, she gives a new meaning to the term "dressed to kill". Really, one wonders how she can manage to escape savage dogs while heaving that heavy dress and heavy top. Nevertheless, from "air-hostess with the mostest" in The Terminal to Elena with killer looks, killer costumes and killer others, Zeta-Jones never fails to catch my attention. Dang Micheal Douglas...

Worst ever Astro President

2005-10-28T11:34:00.000-05:00

Sigh. I am, I really am. Firstly, I'm not at all well-versed in Astronomy. It's just interest that keeps me here. Secondly, I lack many traits of a good leader. The past year has not seen many changes to the ACS(Independent) Astronomy Club. Insignificant changes. Like new equipment, astronomy lectures. Attendence hasn't increased either, not that we actually take attendence. But really, these 2 weeks have been the peak of my flop. No other time have I shown to be more unworthy of Astronomy Club President...

Sigh. The final lesson, which was my responsibility, was unprepared. I was to give the members a presentation on Life in the Universe, but I didn't make it in time. I wonder if I'll ever make it, if they'll ever see it. After all, today was supposed to be our final official meeting. Which takes us to the top of the flop...

Sigh. Such irresponsibility I have exhibited. Making no preparations for this GG night. What a fitting end for an undeserving president. Everything executed by the most reliable vice-president ever. From action plan, to powerpoint presentation, to printing of notes, to coordinating everything... It was as if he was the President. He really should deserve it. Sigh. I was even late and a member had to take charge of things. How more irresponsible can I get, I really do not know. But I really don't like to push the limits. Sigh. What have I left behind?

Life in Space

2005-10-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

How would you like to live in Space? Before I get my article up here on life in Space, I'd like to ask if anyone is interested in living in Space at all? I mean, out-of-this-world living. Like nothing on Earth. How about Mars then? What if you could DESIGN your whole settlement on Mars?! Mmm now you have the chance to do just that...just drop me an email at this address.

The Aftermath

2005-10-19T03:44:00.000-05:00

It wasn't a near miss. It was a head on. The preparations were clearly insufficient in minimising it's destruction. It began at 8am. The first debris came crashing. It landed on dry land, insignificant damage. Then most of the asteroid arrived half past nine. The gravity broke them into numerous sizes. By now the face of the planet was changed forever. Scars everywhere, the worst was not over. A little more time will tell if the inhabitants are meant to live, and if the planet will change its path. But they could have been spared, had more precautions been put into place. There's much regret and guilt, but I'm afraid it's too late now...

Truth be told I’ve tried my best
But somewhere along the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
And the cost was so much more than I could bear

Asteroid SOYE

2005-10-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

As I’am writing this, I’m being gripped by terrible feelings, guilt, fear, anxiety, despair...

There’s the asteroid and there’s me. Some time ago preparations went underway to guard against this gargantuan chunk of space matter, and the preparations have long been over. Now, it is only a matter of hours of the asteroid’s encounter. Will it be a near miss, allowing me to orbit on as charted out? Or would it be a collision? The latter has 2 implications. 1, I’ll be thrown off orbit, and be forced to take an alternative route. Or, I’ll be broken apart, destroyed, shattered, inexistent, no more path to chart. There is nothing I can do against it. Hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, that bright star in the sky grows brighter and brighter, shimmering like a pearl on a dark seabed. But I know, this short-lived awe and joy after the preparations has to end. But so soon? Not something I foresaw nor had any say in. It’s on it’s way now, drawing closer to me. All I can do I pray that I live through it unscathed.

Guilt, fear, anxiety, despair...

Low quality post, read at your expense

2005-10-16T00:45:00.000-05:00

This first post since the EOYs is centred around my recent gastro experiences (Astro, gastro, gee, that's all that's different) as well as how I spent the last few days. Sounds boring? I suppose. Been busy slacking, no time to do any contemplation, so here goes the entry on me slacking, from my other blog...

It actually began on the Friday after Chemistry. I simply could not do any math. But anyway my mum brought my sis and I to Lao Beijing to reward us for completing half of our papers. It was as if exams were over; even talking about our US trip. Then on Saturday night dad HAD to bring my sister and I to his mother’s birthday dinner. It was an ordinary dinner my sis and I don’t mind going to if not for 2 reasons: 1, My sis and I were in the midst of exams and had to study, 2, my sister was sick. Don’t ask me why, but it was mandatory that we be obedient children and attend the dinner at some restaurant located at Expo.

(Skip forward till Thursday after Adv Maths)

A little down, couldn’t meet up with my friend. >< style="font-style: italic;">At last, now that the EOYs are over, no more leftovers, no more hawker food bought home, no more quick bites at food courts. Finally, return to gastronomical fantasies. Ok maybe that’s exaggerated. But hey I can’t be happier now that we don’t have to eat hawker food everyday…Where was I…aha, that great dinner. Since we couldn’t decide where to eat, we decided to try Le Creparie (please, someone correct me on the spelling) opposite Liquid Kitchen. Yes people, I live near this posh suburban watering hole. Just give me 2 more years and I’ll meet you there. Hmm, sounds like Heineken’s slogan doesn’t it? The creparie is this small shop tucked away in the corner of the building, and only seats not more than 20 people, so reservations are encouraged. Almost like private dining, except that it accepts walk-in diners as long as there are tables. And this once it wasn’t full. The setting is that of an intimate, cosy French family-run restaurant. Like those in France. The kitchen, located approximately in the middle of the dining room, whets the taste buds with tantalizing wafts of what’s to come. I had the Provencale Complete, which consisted of chopped tomatoes and onions, together with an egg, on a galette. A galette is similar to a crepe, except that they are made of different types of wheat. Then came the dessert: banana and cream galette drizzled with thick chocolate sauce. Easily the most sinful part of the meal. And all this was washed down with a little cup of Apple Cider, alcohol 1%. I’m getting to love these alcoholic beverages. Liquid Kitchen here I come…just you wait ;-D But the meal wasn’t just great due to the food. But because we were all in a light mood, and we talked happily about our previous holidays in Europe, as well as my dad telling us how he spent during his stint in France. Europe is simply picture-perfect, unlike the other side of the pond. How I wish I could go back to Europe now, but I’ll have to wait another year. Thus concluded a great meal at Le Creparie. Boy I’m glad my parents love French food. I share this exquisite taste too, and the occasional visit to a French restaurant is nothing short of gratifying to the taste buds.

Next day lunch was plain junk BK. Dinner almost ended up plain and junk too, since we left too late to go for a nice meal of Pasta at Bugis Junction. But anyhow, I still managed to have my fill of pasta at Plaza by the Park. The portion was too small though.

Today we decided to try this new Chinese restaurant near town. Nice ambient, but average food. As usual, the Dim Sum cannot match that of Crystal Jade, plus the food took extra long in coming. Then went shopping! Bought new jeans and a shirt, and I can’t be happier with the jeans I bought XD At home we got down together and watched The Day After Tomorrow, which we found to be full of inaccuracies. And that’s not counting the exaggerated ice age scenario. But it was entertaining with all the mocking at the US.

Hmm for most of this entry I’ve ranted nothing but my gastronomic experiences. Gastronomical treats bring nothing but delight. Hmm who knows if I set up a gastronomically-slanted blog in addition to the astronomically-slanted one?

Immaculately imperfect

2005-09-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

I have just partaken in another meal of vegetarian risotto, Italian no less. I could write loads on the topic of Italian food, but lets just leave that decadence for another time. Of late the topic of human relations have been the talk of the town. This entry shall begin with individuality, and then veer off to talk about human relations...

As you may already know, this world in which we exists in is an unfair one. Some stars shine blindingly, others barely twinkle. Some planets have more moons, some have none. Some planetary systems have binary stars, others just one. There is hardly any fairness, given that different conditions result in different degrees of disparity. But it is this disparity that we take for granted. It is individuality.

If you haven't just emerged from the cave, you would have noticed that we Homo Sapiens, or any other species for that matter, were created with a basic mould. But then the similarity more or less ends there. As individual entities, each of us has different traits. We are unique entities belonging to the same general family. This individuality makes each one of us special. Yes there isn't any denial that some individuals were created differently. But the choice didn't lie with them. Therefore it is baseless to criticise and mock at another's disparity. This diversity certainly adds more colour to our world.

Sidetracking a little, I do not, and probably will never, understand the reasons behind those ubiquitous manifestations of a single form. Its horrific, I tell you, when you every other Tom Dick or Harry sports the same hairdo, same outfit, same guise. But nooo it doesn't stop at the physical manifestations. The same diction, the same choice of words, the same demeanour. Like, stop it duh! What ever happened to individuality? We were born to be unique, not indistinguishable photocopies of one another. Evolution might just take an evil turn and eliminate meiosis you know...

Anyway, that was just a little thought of mine. Back to my point, it’s atrocious how people nowadays view a fellow Homo Sapien as a lower life form. Millennia of evolution and adaptation, and the same species are spoken of, full of contempt. Barbaric, in my opinion. And not just to those who make a mockery out of physical variation. It has come to my attention that a number of Homo Sapiens have been shunned upon due to some natural malfunctions against nature. Ok so I have been guilty as charged. One of those instincts to protect oneself against the unnatural. But after some discussion and contemplation, I realised the foolishness. After all, one cannot be blamed for certain defects in nature. It is only human to err, inhuman to vilify. If we are the same kind, why the condescension?

As they say, treat others as you would like to be treated. Some of us may be different, but lets try to overlook the flaws of nature and view everyone as distinctive, irreplaceable equals. Lets be civilised, mature Homo Sapiens...Just give it a shot, won't you?

The sun will rise...

2005-09-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

...And I will return from this hiatus. This is for the people who haven't noticed that little note I left in the shoutbox. After the dreaded EOYs I'll unveil a new skin, if I can, to complement to content of this blog. There'll also be more insights into the wonderful world of Astronomy! Might as well learn about the cosmos since we're already here in this cosmic consequence right...
Meanwhile, take care rest more study hard mug less. Oh you get it.
Au revoir...

Luna

2005-09-17T11:45:00.000-05:00

It's the Mid-Autumn, when it is of tradition to gather and take pleasure in appreciation of our one and only natural satellite, Luna! I'd pen a poem on this white disc hanging perpetual in the night sky, if only I had the time. Moreover, no inspiration for such poems now that this sickness hath descended upon me. Anyway, I'll leave you with an excerpt from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream...

"Sweet Moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams; I thank thee, Moon, for shining now so bright...Well shone, Moon...Truly, the Moon shines with a good grace"

Ode to misery

2005-09-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

This bug that hath descended upon me,
Who'd ever know it could deal so much harm.

Hitting hard against my skull,
My body's fiery to the touch.

Lingering moments of misery,
I wonder if it'll make ascent.

Plain stubbornness I sought to discern,

A refusal to seek a way out.

Derive from fear of the truth,
Unprepared-ness to face reality.

I'll hold onto patience,
And pray every step of the way.

Time is running out,
Before the cause established.

Till it dawns on me,
A glimmer of hope remains,
That it brings no woe,
For if it does,
Such sorrow that shall penetrate.

My feelings have thus been expressed above. Lacking in orientation and order it may be, but hey I'm no poet. The mess (or mass) of words merely express the misery I find myself in...

Shout sensibly

2005-09-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

A shout box to leave your comments has been put up. Yes, in the vastness of space and time, there is a place to express your thoughts. Care to share? In consideration of those who possess the innate ability to feel, do take time to install a filter between your brain and your mouth. In other words, shout sensibly.

Bei3 Jing1 Tai4 Kong1 Bo2 Wu4 Guan3

2005-09-13T04:00:00.000-05:00

Found these pics I took in Beijing. Its the Beijing Astronomy Museum. Passed by from our hotel to Carrefour for late night shopping. Didn't bring camera, so had no choice but to document this moment in time using a camera phone. Cool new modern annex of glass covering odd-shaped structures next to an old, dingy building which said: bei3 jing1 tai4 kong1 bo2 wu4 guan3

Katastrophe

2005-09-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

Swathed in blue,

A riot of white.

Arriving with a misty hue,

She spreads her blight.

A flick of her train.

A toss of her hair.

All are in pain,

A state of disrepair.

Her task fulfilled,

Comfort displaced.

A war-zone distilled,

She leaves without a trace.

A hubbub of Blues,

Now a scene of agony.

Only time has clues,

To resolve this anarchy.

- Ash-tronomer
Inspired by a recent occurance on this planet

Wasting away...

2005-09-10T03:49:00.000-05:00

Oh how I hate it...Its one of those days. Oh wait, this time it's been a week. Nothing much accomplished. Sigh. When will I ever learn. I'm wasting away, slowly tearing my dream apart, hurtling further and further away from my end point. I can be that bright shining star. But its just the lack of will. If only I travel to some faraway planet, distance myself all worldly desires to concentrate on the tasks at hand...

Same side of the Moon

2005-09-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

S A M E S I D E O F T H E M O O N
Written by Corrinne May

I'm looking out the window
Where we sat to watch the stars
There's a chill within the air
It makes my heart long for your touch
You may be miles away
But as I kneel to pray

I see the same side of the moon
That we'll be looking on when the world turns blue
And know that time and space
can't come between me and you
We share the same side of the moon
And though you'll never see all my tears shine through
I know I can't be that far from you
If we're both looking on the same side of the moon.

I picture you across the oceans
In your corner of the world
I pray the wind will blow my voice
And gently whisper in your ear
Your night may be my day
And though the seasons change

It's still the same side of the moon
That we'll be looking on when the world turns blue
And know that time and space
can't come between me and you
We share the same side of the moon
And though you'll never see all my tears shine through
I know I can't be that far from you
If we're both looking on the same side of the moon
I know I can't be that far from you
If we're both looking on the same side of the moon