Living A Palimpsest Life

Boring Results??

2006-12-26T16:36:00.000+08:00

Back from KL... Not really an enjoyable trip.. Wasted one day visiting relatives and the rest of the other days weren't that great either.. There's probably only a few highlights and exciting moments.. One of them was witnessing the terrible flood that had hit Johor.. Imagine the water went as high as the second storey window of a bungalow!!! Pity the owners of those houses affected man.. All their properties gone!!

Apart from that, the other exciting part was that I rode a 500cc bike over there.. Woohoo!!! Rode a good 60km on that bike which belongs to my uncle... The thrill of riding again makes me feel like owning my own bike again... Also, I just love riding bike without putting on the helmet... That was simply awesome!!!

On a different note, got my result officially this morning... Actually, I had already known my results 10 days ahead of schedule due to a leak... Hehehe... I don't know why.. I just don't feel excited anymore while waiting for my result to be out.. It might be due to the leak but then again, I don't think so.. Guess 3 1/2 years is really damn freaking long and draggy... I used to be excited and would lose sleep while anticipating for my results to be out... Now, I just can't be bothered...

This sem results is ok... Did better than I expected for those modules which I thought I had flunk.. The most important thing is that I managed to maintain my cumulative aggregate point (CAP)... A friend asked me whether I got chance of getting into the Dean's List again.. Well, I'm not really sure but I don't really care lah.. I might sound arrogant but I'm not... These things just failed to excite me anymore... I just can't wait to graduate!!! Oh well, at least there's something for me to look forward to come 3rd of January 2007 and I'm not going to disclose it yet... Just wait for the time to come then...

KL, Here I Come!!!!

2006-12-18T23:16:00.000+08:00

Alright, firstly, I know I haven't been updating alot, not like the first time when I first started blogging... Just don't have the mood lah to begin writing even though there are too many things I would love to talk about (e.g. how X'mas is too overhyped and over-commercialised in Singapore!!)...

Anyway, I will be away for almost a week.. Woohoo!! Going to KL!! I know, I know.. It's only KL.. No big deal.. But it's not really the destination which matters the most for me.. To me, I just want to have a break from life in Singapore and have that 'touristy' feeling once again... And the best thing about this holiday, I'm not spending a single cent at all.. Hahaha.. Thanx Mummy and Daddy!! Lol... Told them that I'll be bringing an empty wallet there and they just keep quiet... Kekeke...

Okie dokes then... Till I'm back... Adios ppl!!!

Two days of cheap fun coming up!!!

2006-12-11T20:17:00.000+08:00

Been busy for awhile doing up my initial research for the honours thesis.. So far, it looks oklah but I couldn't help feeling paranoid that I have started kind of late and I would not have enough time to complete it... The background research is interesting... Have learn many new things about mosque developments in Singapore... Think I need one more day to finish up reading on the materials needed for my introduction and background... After that, I have to read up on the concepts and theories which I might used in the research.. Sianz....

Enough about my thesis (I'm sure it bores you to death)... Going to take a break tomorrow and Wednesday.. Yahoo!!! And the best thing is, I would hardly fork out much money to enjoy myself these two days..

Tomorrow, I will be heading to California Fitness gym.. Got a free two weeks trial.. Hahaha.. Couldn't believe my luck!!! Hahaha... Good gym facilities for free... Where to get such bargains man...

This will be followed by a karaoke session with the SA malay gangs on Wednesday... Jib got a free 3 hours session for three persons and since 6 of us are going, each would only need to pay $3.75 each!!! Those lucky friends of mine got to hear my wonderful voice at such a good price.. Envy them huh?? Kekeke... Then in the evening, I will have to head down to the eastern part of Singapore where my students from Swiss Cottage had invited me to their bbq.. One of the perks of being a teacher: You get to enjoy all the food without paying for them!! LOL!!!

Guess I'm really going to take a hell of a good break for the next two days.. However, I think I'll consciously feel guilty on Thursday and this, hopefully, will push me to speed things up on my research then....

Gone are the Days When They Wrote Good Lyrics...

2006-12-06T23:27:00.000+08:00

I wonder if you know,

How they live in Tokyo,

If you've seen it then you mean it,

Then you know you have to go

Fast and furious (Drift, drift, drift)

What kind of crappy lyric is that... It doesn't take a rocket scientist to come up with that... Generally (though there are exceptions), the kind of songs being produced now are many grades lower than those in the 80's and 90's man... Feel like puking each time songs like for example the OST from 'Tokyo Drift was aired... Even though I do agree with my one of my friend that this song by the Teriyaki Boys is rather irritatingly addictive, it definitely won't have a lasting impact like how most of the classics have..

I was driving with two of my friends in the car and was tuning in to Class 95.. They were playing their weekend special and last weekend was the 90's... Songs after songs, hits after hits, we would go like, "Wow, this is the best song ever!!" And we said that for like almost every song.. Of course that would be followed up by us singing along and reminiscing the past, the time when they made good music and wrote meaningful lyrics... Take for example the MTV that is being displayed now.. Kenny Loggins is a legend man and this song totally touches my heart... Of course there are others (whom I would probably feature over the next few days) such as Babyface, Nirvana, Guns & Roses and Celine Dion...

Pity the teenagers and the future generations as more and more bad music is being churned out daily... The best thing we can do now is to probably request for songs that are produced in the 90's, 80's and even 70's or earlier to be aired more frequently so that the good music will not die!!

Examination Review

2006-12-05T22:00:00.000+08:00

Ahh yes... It's over in the end.. I swear that it was the longest week ever!!! Think this was the worst semester ever for me... Ok let's review all the paper and give my rating for each of them...

29/11/2006 (Wednesday, 1:00p.m.) : GE4204 (Urban Space: Critical Perspective)

The first paper... Felt it was alright.. Only 2 essay questions to be completed within 2 hours.. I spotted the topics correctly BUT the kind of question which was asked was totally different lah... Did Tim Bunnell's section for both.. Pow's questions sucks man.. Why?? It's the same questions asked during class.. What the hell!! I hate regurgitating in exams.. That's why I rather do Tim's parts as that would at least involve some critical thinking and answering...

Overall Rating: 7/10

30/11/2006 (Thursday, 1:00p.m.) : GE4217 (Political Geography: State/Space)

This is the best paper for this sem ever.. The compulsory question came as a surprise to many but I felt that it was kinda expected as he had been mentioning about the big 'P's and small 'P's of Political Geography for almost every lessons... I decided to do something wacky for this exam.. I did a sketch of Osama Bin Laden in the compulsory question.. Haha... The other two questions are aight.. Attempted the questions on geopolitics which happen to be the only topic I understand in this module.. Lol...

Overall rating: 9/10

01/12/2006 (Friday, 9:00a.m.) : GE4101 (Development of Geographical Thought)

This paper is CRAP!!!! Went into the exam not having any sleep at all as I had to cramp my revision... Mathematically, I had like 18 hours to study for this paper.. Was feeling cranky on the bus already.. I decided to gamble for this module.. Tried spotting questions (due to desperate measure) and prepare points for them..

When I reached my seat in the exam hall, I tried to sneak at the questions.. FUCK!!!! The compulsory question turned out totally different from what I've expected.. Luckily I took a peek first before the paper started as that gave me some time to compose myself... As it turned out, that compulsory question is the easiest question as compared to the other two...

Now, I was attempting to do the second question, the hardest among them all, when something happen... BLOODY HELL!!! Someone farted!!! KNNBCCB!!! Even though I do take part in fart wars with my friends, that wasn't the best time for anyone to fart.. I had to remain seated there, in an air-con room.. Worst, as I looked around, nobody seems to be reacting.. I can't react as well coz people might suspect that it's me.. It's one of those psychological shit.. I have two suspects in mind... But really ah... Fuck sia... The smell got stuck right in the brain man.... EEWWWW!!!

Left the exam hall feeling super down.. That was really the worst paper in my whole undergraduate life.. I saw my first class hope went flying out of the window immediately after the paper had ended... Sighz...

Overall Rating: 3/10 (It would have been 4 but the fart make it drop by one notch.. Kekeke...)

02/12/2006 (Saturday, 1:00p.m.) : IT1004 (Introduction to E-Commerce)

After a horrid three days, this paper was simply one which I heck care.. After all, I just need to pass for it and if to be compared with other students, I did quite well for my C.A.... The only hardworking part of me in preparing for this paper was to do up an index list of all the keywords (since it's open book) together with Jib... A stupid structure question and 50 mcqs are the components for this paper... Finish the paper with a smile knowing that a pass is achievable...

Overall Rating: 7/10

05/12/2006 (Tuesday, 1:00p.m.) : LSM1301 (General Biology)

Yet another paper which I just need to pass.. An open book with 60 mcqs examination.. Studying the macro-bio part was easy.. Quite related to Geography but the micro-bio was hell.. All the terms associated with DNA sounded bloody foreign to me lah... The paper was ok.. Like revising for it, the macro part was damn easy while I was practically minimineyminimo-ing the micro part... Should be able to obtain that pass for this module though...

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

And yeah.. That's the end man... BUT, I need to get started on my thesis liaoz.. Lagging like hell... Plus, I'll be doing something else besides studying and doing my thesis next sem so I better make full use of this December holiday... Exams wise, 2 more papers to be sat in the next semester before I graduated... 148 more days to go!!!

Be Back Soon!!

2006-11-28T13:12:00.000+08:00

Exam time is here.. MOANZZ!!! Will be back to update next Tuesday (my last paper!!!) Till then..

Ciaoz!!!

Prata, Coffee and the Morning Papers please...

2006-11-22T12:23:00.000+08:00

Ahh!! How nice it is to have a few pratas and a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper in the morning... This is life man.. Sipping that hot coffee and reading what is making the headlines in the world today... This was what I did yesterday morning.. Life should be like this!!!

Sadly, it was not to be and that moment didn't last forever... Few hours later, I'm at a different place, still drinking coffee though albeit an ice blended one... Other than that, instead of newspapers which I do not need to really think much and just merely browsing through, the reading material now is my notes and academic papers which I have to read thoroughly, conceptualizing them and try to remember the important points... To make matters worse, there's not even any prata!!! Kekeke....

Guess everyone wishes to live the good life... However, there's a theory saying that we have to work hard for it... My question is: How hard do I have to work and for how long??? As I sat at Coffee Bean trying to digest everything fast as there's more waiting for me to read up, I began to look around me.. Damn!!! Almost everyone else is having a good time there hanging out and just chilling with either their friends or family... Me?? All there alone trying to figure out in what ways are the three 'posts' (Postmodernism, poststructuralism and postcolonialism) in Geographical thought similar and different... Guess I could only do this at the moment... SIGHZZZ....

Time for me to stop fretting and carry on for today... To all those having their exams, all the best dudes and babes... May the force be with ya!!! Maybe one day, I could enjoy having prata, coffee and reading the morning papers peacefully....

Double Infecions!!

2006-11-17T21:56:00.000+08:00

Imagine trying to study when your eyes keep tearing... It's damn difficult man.. I woke up this morning feeling a sharp pain in my left eye.. Like as if someone has just punched me... Look at the mirror, nothing there to hint to me of what the doctor had diagnosed later in the evening.. The only thing I saw was just two big, black eyebacks below my eyes... So I just proceed on with the intention of going to school to study....

In school, the situation seems to get worse lah... Tears keep flowing.. Once, I went to the toilet to wash my eyes and three girls who happened to walk past me stared at me... They probably thought why this guy was crying.. Hahaha... Anyway, it was only after lunch when I realized that my left eye started to swell... Shit man... I am sure that it must be due to the contact lens which I wore yesterday... At 5+, I admitted defeat (I always believe in self-curing myself and not consult any doctors...) I decided to go and see a doctor... :(

Luckily the queue was damn short at the clinic... When it was my turn, I was shocked the doctor can still asked me what is the matter.. Is he blind?? Can't he see that my eye is swelling up?? He then went on to proceed and check my eyes.. His next reaction was really shocking... How can a doctor say, "Eeeee!!!"??? He found a pimple under my eyelid in my left eye... Kanina!!! Where's your sense of professionalism?? (Though I do admit that it's not a pleasant sight lah) He then told me the pain in my left eye is caused by both the pimple as well as congitivitis... Kaoz!!!! Double infections sia!!!

Hope the eye get cured soon... It's really damn painful trying to study when you could hardly open your left eye... In a way, studying with just my right eye is like me practising what I am reading coincidentally.. I seem to practice the philosophical understanding of phenomenology, bracketing out to get into the essence of things... Haha..

Allegiance or Outwit, Outplay and Outlast

2006-11-16T18:41:00.000+08:00

It's been a long time since I last catch Survivor, that reality hit series.. I used to be a big fan but now I just don't have the time to do it... However, recently I began watching the new season in Cook Island..

Now why the heck am I talking about Survivor all of the sudden.. Well, don't you think sometimes, life is just like playing that game??? That's exactly how I feel now man.. It's like playing with 49 other contestants... Huh???!! Ok, let me elaborate.. The class have to submit a posting on a question set by the lecturer.. Having gone through one semester of shit, guess we all are tired... This posting is worth 2.5% by the way... Anyway, some of the members, including me, have decided to make a pact not to submit this last round of posting... We decided to do it (or more like not to do it) as a class... Great alliances ah?? Well, not really...

There's this feeling inside of me to break that allegiance.. Haha.. I know some of you might be saying that I'm a bastard... But then again, I couldn't help not trusting many of the class members in staying true to their words... It's impossible for all 50 of us not to break this alliance and start posting (already as I'm typing, there's one entry already... Of course, from the top dawk of the class lah)...

I know I might sound anal trying to make something so trivial sounds so big.. Hahaha.. But in NUS, sometimes, it's really a matter of outwitting, outplaying and outlasting others... On the other hand, sometimes sticking through with your friends matters too..

(P.s. Who says everyone in the class is my friend?? Hehehe...)

Back... I think??

2006-11-15T22:25:00.000+08:00

Alright, I know I haven't been blogging for a fucking long time... Many reasons.... My stupid tag-board needs authentication and I forgot my password.. Haha.. Other than that, been heavily dragged down with tonnes of assignments...

Anyway, ever since the last time that I've updated, so much have changed.. I'm officially not a biker anymore.. Haha.. Gave my bike to my uncle.. So, I'm fully a public transport guy from now on.. Sighz... My sis told me that my blog url need to be changed becoz of that.. Well, not necessarily.. The blue phantom still lives on in my mind.. Hahaha.. Crap!!

What makes me blog again?? Well, suddenly feels like it lah... On a different issue, I have been thinking about my future.. Been talking to many people.. I guess now the path is to graduate next year, go to teaching then perhaps do my masters(coursework) once I'm quite stable in my job.. That's probably in 5-6 years time... I'm also of thinking of doing my masters not in Geography.. Think I need a change in focus... Went to attend a seminar in Southeast Asia department just now.. The department looks damn interesting... Who knows, maybe I'll apply to do my masters in Southeast Asian studies.. But that's in the future... Along the way, there'll be loads of re-orientation of my future.. Anyway, it feels good to be back writing... Yeah!!!

P.s.: You all can't tag anymore.. Hahahaha.. Of course u all can leave a comment if you want to... :)

Unlocked

2006-10-10T18:17:00.000+08:00

It's been awhile since I last blogged.. Been busy?? Well, not really.. The reason for the absence is because my blog was locked by the blogger team because it suspected that my blog is a spam blog.. What the heck sia?? Oh well, after more than a week, they finally unlocked it and now back to the usual blabbering folks!! ;)

The Way You Look At Me

2006-10-01T18:00:00.000+08:00

This is one of those entries where I'll feature a music video.. Think the last one was 'Unfaithful' by Rihanna... This time round, it's 'The Way You Look At Me' by Christian Bautista.. Christian who?? Is he related to Taufik Batisah?? Hehehe.. If that's your reaction, don't worry.. I reacted in a similar fashion also initially...

Heard this song over the radio a week back... When I heard it, I was very amazed by the quality of this guy's vocal.. But I didn't know who sang it... Then, when I was walking around westmall, I saw this huge poster which is raving about this guy's hit single.. I went back home and try to search for the song and what do you know? It's the same song which I heard over the radio..

Apparently, this guy is the winner of a singing competition in the Philipines.. Not bad ah.. Think the region really has a lot to offer to the world's music industry... Just look at the success the Teriyaki Boys has managed to garner (though I really hate that Tokyo Drift song.. ****ing irritating!!).. That aside, enjoy this song peeps!!

Private to Public Transition

2006-09-28T11:44:00.000+08:00

Public transport... How I depended on it before and now, I'm back at it's mercy.. Ever since the accident, I have given up riding as for now and will be taking public transport from now on, at least until I'm done with my undergraduate life... My plans at the moment is that I'll probably get a small bike once I'm in NIE and after earning quite a bit, probably invest in a small family car..

It's been a week and I'm still trying to get used to public transport life.. No more waking up late and still making it on time.. I have to plan my schedule in more detail now... For example, in the past I only took 10 minutes to go to one of my tuition place at Jurong West. Now, it took me a freaking 45 minutes.... Sianz... It's really not easy adjusting back man after almost 3 years of having my very own transport.. Not only do I have to walk to bus stops and mrt stations now, I have to bear waiting for the freaking transport to arrive..

Well, at least I'm trying to cope lah and it's quite good.. I've learn to make full use of the time.. I'll read some of my notes while I'm on the bus or when I don't get a seat, I try to entertain myself by making fun of the people around me...

However, the good thing is that, all of a sudden, time passes by much slower... I know it's merely psychological but time seems to sweep past by very fast when you have your own transport... Another good thing: By taking public transport, I will be walking more now and I think that's good lah since I'm growing laterally quite a bit now... Hehehe...

(P.s: Take a look at the music video which I've featured.. I'm in love with this song at the moment.. Don't be fool by it's English title though.. It's actually a Malay song but with bits of English lyrics in between.. I am hunting for its MP3 now so if any of you have it, can you please kindly pass it to me.. Thanks!!)

What's next??

2006-09-26T16:54:00.000+08:00

Woohoo!!! HADY!!! And so, the second Singapore idol had been crowned.. Just as I had expected, it's none other than Hady Mirza.. Look like it's going to be a busy life ahead of him with records to be smashed and endorsements to be signed... Now that's what his future lies ahead for him.. How about the other idol hopefuls?? With my trusted magic ball (don't think dirty people), I'm going to predict what prospects the other 11 finalists might face....

Norman: Hmm.. Think this guy will go back to his normal life.. No more stardom..

Gayle Nerva: With a face like that, I reckon that she join either the Miss Singapore-Universe peagant or The Newpaper Face of The Year contest.. Of course, she's always welcome to audition to be my baby... Babelicious lah this girl... SLURP!!! Kekekeke...

Emily Kang: One look and I know she has a chance to sign with Channel 8.. She'll probably get roles such as a dance hostess or karaoke lounge lady...

Rahimah Rahim: She could probably joined Suria and be the third daughter of Rahimah Rahim (senior) in the current cooking show-cum-drama serial.. Her screen-name: S00-Buruk!!

Mathilda: My oh my.. Did you see her dress yesterday?? Think she'll follow Olinda's footstep and will be chased by trimming agencies such as Jean Yip and Mary Chia to be their ambassador.. She needs it man.. Haha..

Nurul: She definitely will be hired by Suria.. She'll probably be one of the next host for Krayon (coz of her kiddish voice) or be acting in the next Bara (coz of her 'mina-ish' looks)

Joakim: Kids Central will come knocking on his door but they better do it fast coz a very famous organisation located in Mandai might just sweep him first.. Hehehe...

Paul Twohill: Poor boy.. With so many copy-cats around, he will lose his novelty.. He needs to do two things first... (1) Get a haircut (2) Go for speech therapy...

Jasmine Tye: She should just continue studying...

And last but not the least, Jonathan: He should give up singing and go back to complete his honours years in Political Science.. With the amount of supports he managed to garner and the witty way of sucking up for votes (apparently singing local song in the final to show the real him.. Yah rite!!), he will do well by joining the opposition parties... By the time he could contest for the next election, all the blind girls rooting for him are eligible to vote liaoz...

So there you go.. I know some of you (especially a very close friend of mine) will go like, "Wah, you criticize people number 1 ah!!" Lol... That's life man!! Everyone does it...

Centennial Post

2006-09-22T14:29:00.000+08:00

What do you know?? This is my 100th post.. A lot had certainly happened ever since the first post that I'd put up.. I met new friends, my brother got married, my best friend got engaged, tons of my friends graduated, etc, etc, up to now where the latest being that I'd met with my recent accident...

In the past, I used to go against the idea of blogging.. It's because I'm not for the idea of people writing their personal diary and let the whole world, practically, to see it.. However, I've found that this space could be used for other purposes as well.. As for me, I used this to jot down my reflections and memories.. Also, this space could be used to remind me of all the wonderful and sad moments that I had...

On another note, I just went to the Traffic Police Headquarters just now... It went well... I gave them my version of the story as far as I could recollect... Well hope that everything went well.. I'm quite resigned to the fate that I'll probably get 6 demerit points and fined $200 bucks.. But, I hope the other parties would get the same penalty as me...

I know many of you would have ask me to fight on but I'm tired lah of all these things.. Telling everyone the whole story over and over again is simply tiring.. Furthermore, each time I had to re-tell the god-damn story, I have to remember the whole incident in my mind again.. I just want to forget about the whole thing and moved on.. There's got to be more to life than this... I don't want my life to halt just because of this freak incident... That's probably why I'm very excited to attend the class bbq that I've organised later tonight... Finally, I can do something 'normal'.. But then again, I'm sure some of my classmates would definitely ask me about the incident again over there... Sighzzz....

I'm still alive!!!

2006-09-20T12:01:00.000+08:00

I would like to begin this entry by thanking god that I'm still alive.. I think very few of my friends knew this.. I met with an accident yesterday evening involving my bike and two cars.. It was the worst accident that I had experienced ever..

The whole thing happened all in a sudden.. I was riding along Bukit Batok East Avenue 3 and was on the right hand side of the second lane.. On the first lane, there's this red car.. It was driving straight all along but it started to drift to the left and before I could realise it, the left side of the car hit the right side of my bike.. As it hits me, a voice in me was shouting, "Oh no!!" I think it was my natural reaction to never let go of my bike... The next thing I know, I was sliding on my right hand side of my body, with my bike on me... Think the motion carries me a good 10 metres before it stops... As I hit the floor, the only thing that came into my mind is the feeling that my world is ending.. Even after I stop sliding, I'm still not sure whether am I still alive or my soul has been detached from my body...

A few seconds later, I was sure I'm still alive.. I was in deep pain.. I tried to move myself to the central divider but I can't as my bike had trapped both of my legs.. Three strangers came up to me.. Help me to lift the bike and carry me to the divider.. Those 3 turn out to be the drivers of the two cars... I felt a bit dizzy and quickly remove my helmet.. I was trembling and in a state of complete shock.. Huge abrasion cuts could be seen on my hands and my knees.. The friction between the floor and my leg had cause my jeans to be torn...

The 3 of them started to recount to me their versions of the incident.. In my current mental state, I really thought that I was totally at fault... I began to apologize to them.. But something is not right.. What they had told me don't seem to match to what I think has happened.. I totally didn't know that there was a second car involved.. Surprisingly, the second, silver coloured car claimed that I hit his front bumper first before hitting the red car.. I didn't know that really happen cause I only knew the first point of contact I had was with the red car.. One more thing: If I'm the one hitting his car, how come it is his front bumper which is damaged... Shouldn't it be his back bumper or the sides of his car?

They called the ambulance.. I grabbed my phone and made a call to my parents.. They immediately went to the scene of the accident.. I also sms my best friend, telling him about it.. He called and when I was talking to him, I broke down.. The stress and shock from the incident totally overwhelm me.. But I tried to maintain my composure after 1-2 minutes...

When the ambulance came, it was getting better.. I would like to thank the paramedics who had assisted me.. They did a great job in calming me down... That was the first time I was being carried on a stretcher and also the first time I rode in an ambulance...

During the 6 hours wait in the hospital, I was in great pain.. Could feel the sting of the abrasion... I began to feel paranoid when I could not rotate my right ankle at all... Thank goodness the x-ray showed that all my bones are fine...

That was the whole incident.. I'm sure I have left out alot more parts of it.. The reason that I'm typing this entry is because I need a space to help me straighten out my thoughts.. I have to go down to the Traffic Police HQ on Friday to give my full account of the whole incident... I need to be strong... I need to assert that I'm not to be totally blamed... Those two vehicle owners are rich ass and I have learn also that the girl driving the red car is going to engage the help of her lawyer... I guess it's really going to be a battle (Cars vs Motorbike, Rich-ass private housing dwellers vs HDB kid)... Wish me luck folks...

P.s: I'm sorry if this entry is filled with a horrid brand of English.. My mind is still reeling from the shock of the whole incident...

It rains on me

2006-09-15T14:05:00.000+08:00

Heavy downpour.. Guess that's every biker's worst nightmare... I personally hate it when it starts to rain cats and dogs when I am riding.. Wearing a raincoat is useless.. I will still get drench somehow or rather and it is especially irritating when certain parts of your body gets soaked in water (think the guys will know what I mean... Hahaha...)

Well, it certainly rain on me just now and boy it's one god-damn fucking heavy rain!!! I was on my way to school for my General Bio lecture after finishing a tuition session earlier on in the morning... Initially, it is just drizzling so I just put on my raincoat and pray that it will remain that way till I reach school.. It didn't turn out that way... Halfway through, the rain suddenly gets heavier... FUCK!!!! I can feel my balls floating... The road ahead looks bad so I decided to stop at the nearest bus-stop... Waited for one freaking hour... There goes my good intention of going to lecture... I hate waiting man.. After awhile, I decided to continue with my journey...

Reached school alas!!! My whole body was drenched from head to toe... Ran to the toilet hoping that the hand dryer could do the trick... That piece of shit machine is simply too slow... Last resort man -DARYL!!! Called him and thank goodness he's in the Geo Lab...

At the Geo Lab, there's this huge oven which is used to dry up the sediments that were collected by Daryl and Desmond... 105 degrees celcius!!! Hot enough to dry up my jeans... Seeing that there's no one else around, I stripped down to my boxers and placed my jeans at the door of the oven..

Five minutes on, the situation looks good.. The jeans seem to be drying up when all of a sudden, the lab door opened... AARRGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! Wang Yi Zhen!!! (I purposely spell her name wrongly so that she can't google for it.. Hehehe..) Crap!!! Of all lecturer to walk in, why must it be her... Shit sia!!! There goes my NUS life I thought.. I'm probably going to be suspended from uni... Luckily, my boxer is quite long enough and it looks a bit like the normal shorts... Haha... I don't think she realized anything funny except for the fact that my jeans is hanging at the oven's door.. Lol... I think I managed to get away from that whole damn incident.... Nevertheless, I'm preparing for the worse coz she's a real bitch lah...

Well, wish me luck folks... I just pray that no more shit will happen to me.. At least for the rest of the day... I hope....

S/U Day

2006-09-13T19:22:00.000+08:00

Wednesday... I so not looking forward to go to school.. I have 4 hours of tutorial, lab and lecture for 2 modules which I am going to S/U.. For those who don't know what S/U is, it means satisfactory/unsatisfactory.. For these modules, there'll be no grade.. All I need is an S which means a pass and rumour has it that a C+ is sufficient to qualify for an S...

First up, e-commerce tutorial.. Man, the tutor is god-damn boring lah... Force myself to take down some notes to keep awake.. At the end of the lesson, one of my group mates managed to peep at the grade which my group got for last week's presentation.. A-!!!! Hahahaha... For the amount of bullshit I said during that presentation, an A- is fantastic.. Plus, I just need a C+ remember.. Lol...

Next, General Bio lab... Was given a lab coat.. I looked damn stupid sia when I wore it.. It reminds me of a human condom.. Hahaha.... Anyway, it's the first time since sec 4 that I actually do some lab experiments... Just going through the motion and having fun (of course with the occassional ooohh and aaaahhh due to the amazement of seeing my own cheek cells...) The questions are pretty simple.. Besides, I got the help of my younger sis who is doing a diploma in Bio-medical Engineering and my e-commerce group mates who are life science majors.. Hahaha..

Finally, e-commerce lecture... Its on the topic of advertising online.. Boring sia.. Pretty much have learn that when I did Marketing last year... The funny thing is to see the lecturer scolding the whole class as we totally boh-chup the interactive exercise she had planned... That whole 5 minutes reminds me of my secondary school days sia.. Haha..

Hmmm... After all that, it seems that Wednesday isn't all that bad... Come to think about it, it actually helps to ease my tired mind... Tomorrow, Thursday... Free day!! Well, not really... I have a group discussion for another up and coming presentation followed by tuition at night... Alright, going to do some readings but only after Singapore Idol... HADY!!!! Ciaoz peeps!!!

Touched

2006-09-12T23:35:00.000+08:00

Was doing some research when one of my ex-colleague msn me... He told me to read Monday's Berita Harian.. So I went to search for it and browse through it.. What greeted me on page 10 simply touches me... One of my ex-students in BPGHS had actually written a 'sajak' (poetry) and have dedicated it to both my ex-colleague and me.. It is simply unexpected.. After all, I'm just a relief teacher... Nevertheless, that poetry further spur me on to make teaching my life-long occupation...

To Khairool, if you are reading this, thanks for the dedication (though I can't totally comprehend the whole poetry as his command of the Malay language is simply too good for me.. Hahaha...)

Self or Others??

2006-09-11T23:03:00.000+08:00

Today prove to be something of an accomplishment for me.. I finally got the signature of my supervisor.. That also signals an end to the first stage of my thesis that is to come up with a research topic.. However, due to my own accomplishment, I felt in a way, I had deprived one of my friends' chance of getting the same lecturer to be his supervisor as well due to the quota, imposed by the faculty, pertaining to the number of students each supervisor is able to take in...

Competition... That dreaded 'C' word which is very real in our everyday lives... It seems that the obsession with this word has very much overshadow the importance of other 'C' words such as collaboration, community, co-operation, etc... It is really a dog-eat-dog world out there..

In my attempt to reduce the level of competition in the honours class, I have seem to contribute and propagate further this selfish act... I really hate myself for that.. Why is there a constant need to choose between either self or others?? Why can't every time be a 'we' moment where both self and others are being fused together??

In retrospect, my life has been full of struggles and tussles between these two entities.. For instance, many people I met have always been shocked about the ridiculously low rates that I charged for my tuition services... If I have a choice, I would charge according to the market prices but I do need to think about the socio-economic circumstances of the kids, and their parents, as well... After all, I do share similar circumstances...

Another example would be the drive to attain a first class honours.. Though there is the personal prestige and own sense of achievement, I feel that the main reason that push me to continue and strive to achieve this accolade is to make my parents' proud.. Though they might not know the 'real' difference of a first class from a second upper class, in their own limited vocabulary, they can make the distinction between what is 'first' and what is 'second'... I feel that there is a need of 're-paying' their sacrifices after all these years and the first among the infinite number of steps in accomplishing this is to graduate with a 'good' degree... If I really do have a choice, I do want to stop worrying and being stressed out about my academic results and let nature takes its own course... After all, it's just a bloody paper qualification!!!

Perhaps, a world which is void of competition and the tussles between 'self' and 'others' only exist in the utopian state of the human's mind... Perhaps, it's time for me to grapple with the realities of the 'real' world... Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps....

One Last Cry

2006-09-10T00:46:00.000+08:00

Just finished watching the film 'I am Sam'... It's really a damn touching film.. I rushed home from my grandma's house just to catch it though I had caught it once before... Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Dakota Fanning are simply awesome... Had to hold back my tears cause my youngest sis was watching with me.. Lol...

Talking about crying, I heard this song over the radio when driving home... This song never fails to conjure up my emotional side each time it's played on air... Enjoy it, 'One Last Cry' by Brian McKnight!!!

New specs, new topic

2006-09-07T21:46:00.000+08:00

Just got back from Causewaypoint to collect my new pair of specs.. Yeah!!! Finally, after 7 long years, a brand new pair of specs... Must really take good care of this one coz it cost me quite a bomb!!! Think I look good sia.. Eh no, I mean the specs further enhanced my charm... Hahaha... All I need now is a haircut but at the moment I just can't find the time to do so.... Sighz...

Okok, enough rambling for now... Back to my thesis research.. By the way, I had cancelled my plans of doing my thesis in KL due to the overwhelming commitments I have... Trying to formulate a proposal now for the new thesis topic but I just can't!!! HELP!!! Deadline for the proposal is in 18 days time... ARGGHH!!!

Fear Tamer

2006-09-05T22:45:00.000+08:00

Before I start off this entry, let's observe a minute of silence to someone well-loved by many... No no no... Not George Bush (though I do wish it is... Kekeke...)

Australia seems to be mourning as they lost one of their 'heroes' in modern times: Steve Irwin... A man who is said to be very courageous and adventurous. Someone who is not afraid of the 'wild'....

You might be wondering why do I place both Steve Irwin and George Bush side by side... After all, they are two very different individuals who don't seem to share much similar traits... Think again... Steve Irwin has always been applauded for his ability to tame one of humankind's greatest fear; the wild and the animals living in it... On the other hand, George Bush can also be said to be someone who has (and forever will) try taming another fear which humankind has come to understand; 'terrorists'...

Heroes?? I don't think so... Both are said to be actively trying to deal with the threats faced by humankind's 'others' but these 'others' are just mere social constructions, being formulated so as to legitimize the supremacy of those with vested interests...

Disrespectful?? Out of taste?? That's certainly not my agenda in this entry but I just want to evoke some critical thoughts among those who are reading this... Another issue to think about... Why do Steve's death are being mourned by the whole world but the lost of so many Lebanese' lives are so simply forgotten and not felt??

Growing Old?

2006-09-04T07:12:00.000+08:00

I still can remember all so vividly when Singapore celebrated it's 25th National Day.. Fast forward to today, we have already reached the 41st mark... Guess what?? Next year, I will be turning 25 myself.. YIKES!!! I do not want to wake up tomorrow and find myself being 41... I feel that I am growing old way too fast...

There are times, either subconsciously or consciously, that I would deny that I am ageing.. Who wouldn't right? Five years ago, while serving my national service, friends would ask me what I am going to do in the future. I would normally reply that I'm still young to think about so many things in the future... Now, I would still give a similar answer.. But the truth is, I'm not that young anymore.. 24 might sounds like a small number but if you add one more year and then multiply it by four, you will be a century years old...

Everyday, before taking a shower, I will, without fail, take a look at myself in the mirror.. No signs of wrinkles but my hair simply give it away.. The amount of white hair I could spot keep reminding me of the truth... I AM GETTING OLD!!!! Arrghhh!!! There's so much more I think I can do and achieve in this life... Will I be able to do all that before becoming an old fogey?? Only time can tell...

Holiday Deprivation

2006-09-02T17:33:00.000+08:00

Ever since entering into uni, I had never failed to go overseas for a holiday during the May to August break... This year is an exception.. I missed the feeling of having to weigh my luggage at the airport, flying, checking into hotels, travelling around another person's country and enjoying the 'natural' sceneries which I am deprived of in Singapore.... Basically, I NEED A BREAK from the hectic life in Singapore annually...

I would be rejuvenated and feel afresh each time I came back from overseas, revitalising the energy that had been zapped out of me... This year, no such thing man.. That's probably why I'm feeling like shit when the new academic year started... I thought of going overseas for the mid-sem break but checking the calendar, it coincidentally falls on Ramadhan.. Damn it!!!

Oh well, someday maybe, when I'm earning big bucks.. Only then will I be able to afford to take as many holidays as I want.. Dream, Dream, Dream....

Bad Week!!

2006-08-31T22:30:00.000+08:00

It's been kind of a hell week that I have hardly time for myself, let alone update this blog... The signs were there.. The moment I woke up on Monday morning, I wasn't feeling that good... My stomache just ain't right... I kept farting and shitting man!! Hehe... Anyway, the former isn't that bad after all.. For the first time, I managed to thrash Daryl in one of our 'fart wars'... The score: 6-0... Fun man!!! You all should try it... You will score one goal if you manage to fart at your opponent... But your butt must be in the direction of your opponents and it must be loud enough to be heard... Silent farts would be ruled out as offsides.. Hahaha... Anyway, my first goal (I mean fart) is beautiful man... Daryl and I were in the GIS lab and suddenly I felt that the moment is coming... So I concentrated to make that fart counts... Man, not only is it loud, it smells bad!!! Hahaha... Thank god at the point of release, no one else was in the lab.. By the time someone enters the lab, I was glad that the smell has dissipated (probably all of it has ended up in his lungs... Kekekeke...)

Other than that cheap-thrill event, the whole week was filled with group discussions.. Sianz man... Got 2 bloody presentations next week of which one was only made known yesterday... Haiz... To make matter worse, one of my group members sucks big time man.. Feel like giving him one big punch whenever he made a comment which he thinks is damn smart one.. Doesn't mean you are from business you are much better than me lah in e-commerce... ASS!!!

At least today was ok... Went back to BPGHS to catch the Teachers' Day celebration... The performances were great especially the first band.. Damn impressed by the lead singer man... The food delight was awesome except that every food the students offered to me had to do with chocolates.... Haha... And yeah, the melted Ben & Jerry's ice cream was fantastic...

Think I'm falling sick... It certainly doesn't help that it has been raining and me getting drench from riding for two days straight.. Sighz... Not going to study today.. My brain kind of saturated.. Tomorrow maybe...

On a different note, I just realised that besides my students, there are other people who have been reading my blog... Hahaha.. YES!! I'm refering to you who's reading this now.. Happy reading and stay in touch!!!

Legend

2006-08-26T22:27:00.000+08:00

Was just trying my luck to see whether or not Youtube has the music video of 'Lagenda' by Sheila Majid.. What do you know?? They have it.. This is the song which Hady sang during the previous episode of Singapore Idol...

This song is a tribute to the all-time Malay film-industry legend, P. Ramlee... Almost every Malaysians and Malays would know and could identify this legendary star as being THE best... His films are a hit with every generations; past, present and even future...

Ironically though, P. Ramlee is not really a 'pure' Malay.. He is of Acehnese descent... For those who don't know the current situation in Malaysia, the Malays in our dear neighbouring country do not identify the Acehnese as being part of the Malay group.. The latter is deem to belong to a lower class status and very often being called 'dirt' and 'orang seberang'... Thus, it is funny that they can accept P. Ramlee, who, by contemporary popular Malay Malaysian society definition, is part of the 'dirt' himself...

It's disheartening to see the world being embroiled in such examples of racism... This even exist in this tiny island where 'we' called our 'home'... The PM's speech on embracing certain foreigners only are implicitly filled with racist and class connotations... As Singapore is set to be the centre-stage in hosting one of the biggest event of 2006, it still, in my opinion, fails to play the role of a good host if 'we' continue to possess the attribute of selective xenophobia...

The Importance of the English Language??

2006-08-26T01:24:00.000+08:00

After spending several hours at my favourite haunt studying, reading and thinking through what I’ve read, I felt overwhelmed by the numerous complex vocabularies which came hurtling at me.. Without the aid of my ever-so trusted dictionary.com, I painstakingly attempted to fathom the articles which I was navigating through by proceeding on to the subsequent phrases, sentences and paragraphs, in the hopes of understanding the context of these articles..

Along with many other reasons, my limited grasp of the English language proves to be the hindrance, and a discouragement, to further pursuing my studies (masters or even PhD)… Even though, my command of the English language has drastically improved over the past few years, I feel that it is still not up to mark in order for me secure a job as an academic in higher learning institutions… Comments from lecturers warning me to be wary of using too much ‘Fadzly-ism’ in my writings and to be cautious of ‘phraseology’ are quite common…

Is English really that important?? After all, I’ve been taught, using this language ironically, to be critical about the ‘western’ enlightenment project of which colonialism and imperialism are its most well-known tools… By using the English language, it seeks to further strengthen and solidify the hegemony that ‘western’ thoughts have attained and seeking to sustain… To add on, is it true that the English language is much more superior than other vernacular languages?? Ideas are oft thought in colloquial and ‘local’ terms before translated to English… As a result, meanings are often lost in translation…

However, I am aware of the pragmatism behind the usage of the English language… It is a common and ‘universalize’ tool of communication…There is a need to relate ideas and thoughts in the English language in order to have a wider and extended reach… Besides that, I couldn’t imagine myself writing this blog entry in the Malay language in which the Singapore government has so conveniently labeled it as my ‘mother-tongue’…

This debate seems to be rotating in one complete cycle and looks unlikely to be resolved.. Nevertheless, I think it’s good to ponder about this kind of questions.. It certainly is a food for thought (I so hate this phrase ever since my recent relief teaching stint due to one of the ‘big heads’ in the school who just love to use this phrase.. Hehehe..)… Is the English language really that important and to what level should our command be in order to enable us in proclaiming ourselves as masters of the language??

Votes Casted

2006-08-24T13:23:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was the first time in weeks that I managed to catch Singapore Idol.. What people say seems to be true.. This season's contestants are not as good as the first one...

However, one of the contestants totally stood out.. HADY MIRZA!!! Yeah man.. He's damn good.. Better than Taufik... Unfortunately, Singaporeans (mostly the teenage girls I guess) are deaf.. They are very occularcentric and because of that, fucked up contestants such as that 'monkey' is still around... He sings off tune all the time.. And what is so good-looking about him?? If you take a closer look, his nostrill seems to flare-up and I won't blame anyone who mistook it for a pig's snout...

Let's stop making this contest into a big joke and vote wisely if you want to support any contestants... For me, this is the first time this season where I start to cast my votes... No marks for guessing who I am voting and rooting for.. Hehehe...

(P.S. The music video featured would be dedicated to that 'monkey' if he gets ousted out tonight.. Lol...)

Spot the Shining Object

2006-08-22T19:41:00.000+08:00

Just received the picture taken at the MOE Teaching Award Presentation the other time... Me and my future big boss!!! Kekeke... I burst out laughing the moment I saw it... So, is my pearly white teeth shining or is it being overshined by other reflective object?? Lol....

Mixed Monday

2006-08-21T21:37:00.000+08:00

Second week of school... What a day it has been man.. It was vacillating from bad to good, to bad and to good again...

Was trying to clear up all my readings before the new week began and succeeded - just barely though... Was finishing it while watching Chelsea thrashed the hell out of Manchester City... Woohooo!!!

Tried to get some sleep after that... Damn it!! I don't know why I just couldn't get that all so precious sleep.. Tossed and turned.. The last time I stared at my handphone, to see the time, it was 2 in the morning liaoz.. Crap!!! Only 3 1/2 hours of sleep...

All afresh (not really lah, was hoping that I could still continue with my sleep), I head down to start my bike and head towards school.. Tyres punctured!!! Sighz... So visited the petrol station along the way and get them pumped...

Morning traffic greeted me in a not so friendly way.. Was riding along Upper Bukit Timah Road when suddenly, I saw a whole trail of red lights... F***!!! I hate the 845 a.m. traffic man.. Worst, I have to face it every Monday and Tuesday this semester...

Got into class on the dot.. Then 3 hours of boring lecture... Luckily Higgits cracked some jokes if not I swear I could have continued with my beauty sleep... At the end of the class, I tried to organize a Geography Honours Soccer Team.. So far - only 4 people!! Support people, support...

That was followed by the ever so mundane job of photocopying readings.. Crap sia... $10 gone just like that, from my cashcard, photocopying readings which are only for 2 lectures..

Well, at least the day is over... Headed down then to the school which I did relief teaching at the past two months... Hmmm.. Oklah, don't think can keep this a surprise anymore since quite a number of students saw me juz now already.. Went back there to rehearse with my NIE trainee friends for a Teacher's Day performance.. Yes, yes... We are going to perform on Teacher's Day... It was fun... There's actually an agenda for us to perform but let it remain a secret... Hehehe...

Vacillation... Ended? Nope... Check my mail... SHIT!!!!!! I didn't get the tutorial slot which I had balloted for.. I'm so going to kill the administrators of CORS if I'm forced to come back on Thursday for a stupid 1 hour tutorial for a module which I only need to get a pass....

So there you go... Tomorrow? Tuesday... 8 hours of lessons back to back... The only consolation is that I love 2 out of the 3 lessons which I have tomorrow... But still, Monday is not over... Any more oscillations?? I hope not cause I can't take it anymore!!!!!!

'Villainising': The Important Ingredient in Proliferating Further the Good and Evil Dichotomy

2006-08-19T12:19:00.000+08:00

I know some of you might be thinking why is the title of this entry sound so like the title of a journal or an academic piece of writing? Hehe.. I'm trying to get myself back in the groove and gain back the rhythm and momentum of writing papers...

Lately, the Malay entertainment industry is being shaken by the news about the wedding of Malaysian pop queen, Siti Nurhaliza, with this old chap called Datuk K... She's being labelled as the third party who is so cruel and evil to destroy a happy family... Ever since the news broke free in the press, tongues have been wagging... Here (I mean my own home), news updates are rapid and frequent.. The two sources: The television (of course) and the telephone... How is the latter possible you might ask? Well, it's amazing how my mum, aunties and grandma manage to infiltrate into the latest gossips and lend a helping hand (I mean tongue) in disseminating them.. Kekeke....

Isn't it amazing that no matter how much 'good' one does, it takes just one 'bad' action to totally convert him/her from hero to zero? I am no saint and I am not going to give my moral take on whether is she in the wrong or not... What I am trying to drive at is that, in society, there seems to be a need to villainise somebody or something.. The process of villainising is so crucial so as to maintain the 'common' people's goal of achieving 'social' justice... Through this process, what is defined as a socially responsible act and what is not is being clearly illustrated...

Personally, I feel it's not fair to totally blame Siti on this matter.. News and gossips are always impartial.. They are always being delivered in a manner where it is bias towards a certain perspective... For me, I believe that no person is inherently good or bad... We all have our multiple sides.. As a matter of fact, we all are schizophrenics and are constantly alternating between being Jekyll and Hyde.. We are a product of circumstances which are very place and time specific..

Therefore, let's not be blinded further by this good and evil dichotomy which seek to convince us to believe that there is a sharp distinction between both entities... Let's stop, altogether, villainising people and a good way to start at this moment is to just leave Siti Nurhaliza and her matrimonial choice alone...

(P.s. : I'm not a Siti fan by the way. Just to clarify my positionality in writing this entry)

Sacrifices

2006-08-16T21:26:00.000+08:00

It's the weekend once again!!! Hahaha.. Some of you might ponder what the hell I am talking about coz its only Wednesday.. You see I have no school on Thursday and Friday... Kekekee.. So my weekend starts on Thursday..

Envying me huh?? Well, well... I don't really think it's that great lah... Despite having a longer 'weekend' than weekdays, tons of works have to be done.. Looking at the notes and readings that are required to be done before Monday starts again, I feel that it is simply too impossible to clear all of them man... Plus, I really have to start on my thesis research now coz I need to have a proposal and approached a lecturer to be my supervisor before the 25th of September.. Die sia... On top of all that, I have tuitions and my research job to do, a surprise 'project' to practice and rehearse and lots of other chores which I'm just too lazy and tired to list down...

At least I have start lah to think about my thesis.. I have almost decided to base it in KL, doing on the Acehnese refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.. Feasibility of the research is the most important I guess... After doing some calculations, I think it's time for me to make some sacrifices...

1) No more splurging!!! I have budgeted about S$1K to do my fieldwork.. Looking at my financial resources, it's really time to live on a shoe-string budget until April next year...

2) No more 'lepak-ing' that often.. Time is really running out man.. And there's so many things to do!!! Arrgghhh!!!!!!!

3) Lesser sleeping hours... Sighz.. This is the biggest sacrifice I feel.. Based on past experiences, I'm sure they'll be several occassions that I'm required to stay and ton in school to meet deadlines for presentations and reports...

4) Fewer blog entries.. Haha.. This one I guess not that bad lah...

5) Scouting for suitable suitors... Kekekee... I guess I start my 'hunt' when I go to NIE where they are many 'choices'... Lol....

Hmm.. I'm sure they are many more sacrifices I have to make lah.. That's life!!! Persevere Fadzly, persevere.... One more year (Actually less than a year)... That's all... Come May next year, YAHOOO!!! It'll all be over...

Song For You

2006-08-15T08:21:00.000+08:00

Couldn't sleep this morning so I decided to dig out my Michael Buble's cd and listen to it again after chucking it aside for quite some time now... Fell in love with all the songs all over again... This guy is amazing.. Went to his concert the last time he touched down in Singapore.. Not only was he a great singer, he was an outstanding showman as well... (Not like that stupid guy in Singapore Idol 2 who can't sing at all...)

Just would like to share this song with all of you.. A really touching and romantic song.... Enjoy "Song For You" specially for all of you....

Feeling pooped out/ In deep shit

2006-08-13T21:40:00.000+08:00

Been playing soccer for the past two days after a long time.. Damn!! It's enjoyable man.. But I'm not young anymore.. I pooped out easily sia after awhile... Those kids are really good and full of energy.. Guess I've passed my prime where I can run and not feeling shag so easily...

There's a difference between playing soccer and running long distance.. The former requires lots of stamina.. Need to burst and sprint every now and then.. The latter, I feel, is a lot easier... You just need to build on the momentum... Normally, the first 2km is a warm up before I'll start to enjoy the run for the next 3-4km....

Back to school tomorrow... I'm in deep shit!!! I haven't do research for three things...

1) Haven't start my thesis research at all... Heard that one of the girls in the class has already finish her fieldwork.. OohLaLa... Haha... Crazy sia!!!

2) It's been a long time since I've done any research for my lecturer... Think he's going to fire me liaoz.... Hahaa....

3) Assignments are in and I've totally disregard the requirements to do any research.. Guess I've to crap out something intellectual.. Lol...

The week which starts tomorrow is therefore crucial.. Why?? If I manage to get pass by this coming week, then I think I'll wake up from this slumber.. If not, I think I'm going to sink further into a deeper shit!!!

Farewell

2006-08-11T21:13:00.000+08:00

Class of 206
Class of 201 Part of class 204 (No lessons with them today, so no opportunity to take a class photo...)
Class of 202

11th of August 2006, the day which I bid farewell to Bukit Panjang Government High School.. After 7 weeks of relief teaching, my stint as a relief teacher has ended.. This would also probably mark the last time I'll be holding on to that position, relief teacher...

Goodbyes are always difficult moments for me to handle.. (actually not really... I was happy to leave my work at Singapore Polytechnic.. Hehee..) The bonds and ties which were build throughout the whole period made me want to continue on working there.. However, I have to think of the long run...

I am actually at a lost of words.. Hard for me to express what I am feeling right now.. Guess what was needed to be said had been done earlier on during the day...

One thing for sure, the experience has further assures me of the decision which I had made earlier on to make teaching as my future rice bowl... It has strengthen further the passion I have for the job....

To all my students, all the best in your studies and future endeavour... Who knows, one day, we might cross each other's path again... God bless...

Celebration, Cheering, Competitions...

2006-08-08T22:51:00.000+08:00

Champions of the Cheering Comp: 201!!!

May, Me and Kimberly enjoying ourselves during the concert

It's been 6 years since I last attended a National Day celebration in schools and so I was really looking forward to today's event.. As you can see from the second picture above, I had my face painted with the national colours... But if you look closely, I'd actually painted the crescent moon and the five stars on the wrong side of my face.. No wonder when I walked pass the discipline master, he was staring at me like one kind... He was probably thinking, "What the hell is this young, punk, relief teacher thinking he's doing?" Haha.. Too bad... He can't issue me any yellow, red or what not cards he has for offenders.. BLUEK!!

The concert ended well... 201 (one of the class which I taught) won the cheering competition.. BRAVO!!! Hehe.. Was so happy for them.. But I think my other class, 202, should be given something as well as their efforts were simply superb as well.. But that's competition.. You have winners and losers.. That's secondary I think.. The main thing is the experience gained and the moment which would be cherished forever...

Enough about celebration for the time being.. My 4th year in uni has not even officially start but already I am given assignment to do.. WTH!!! Looking at the class list and knowing the lecturer well (I shan't mention names as I found out he actually blog surf), I have a 80% chance of being called to present my findings.. SHITZZ!!! Must prepare sia...

Oh well, I'll leave that for the weekend... For now, I'm psyching myself up for tomorrow's parade... YAHOO!!! Will probably post pictures which will be taken during the parade tomorrow in my next entry... Cheers!!!

The Most Wonderful Memories

2006-08-06T13:35:00.000+08:00

I am weak without you.

I am disappointed because of the love, that was lost from you,

which is able to respect me.

As long as the eyes are open,

until the heart stop beating.

Even till then,

I am still able to remember you

From you, I found my life

For me, you are everlasting love

When what was written for me is the best for you,

I will turn you into a memory which is the most wonderful in my life.

However, it will not be easy for me to leave my life's experiences

which are being carved forever as the most wonderful memories.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are thinking that I'm so creative to come out with a poetry, you OVERESTIMATED me!!! Haha... The above is actually taken from a Malay/Indonesian song, "Kenangan Terindah" by Samsons, which is my current favourite..

After reading the lyrics, and translating it, the song become much more meaningful to me.. It's something which I could relate to very well... For those kaypoh ones trying to think about the relations of the song to my life, go and figure it out yourselves.. Hehee...

Awards....

2006-08-04T20:34:00.000+08:00

Went for the MOE Teaching Award presentation just now... Made me wear long sleeve shirt and a tie.. YUCKS!!! Hate wearing long sleeve... Anyway, they made me come at 12p.m. when the ceremony actually starts at 3... KUNTZ!!! Have to take half day off.... Not only do I lose half my pay, it's like losing the whole day pay lah coz I got saman yesterday $25 freaking bucks for parking at a lot which is reserved for residents only... KNS man...

Though I got one award, there's one award which I've been hoping to get but fail to... Sighzzz... It's the Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography Award... Went to the top dork of my batch... Oh well.... Tough luck...

One more week to a new semester... I feel kind of lost... How to switch back to student mode?? How? How??

Babies and toddlers...

2006-08-01T00:03:00.000+08:00

Was reading my good friend's blog where he had posted some pictures of his 8 month old daughter wearing her school uniform.. How cute she is man... It's been a long time since I saw her and she seems to have grown all so much.. But her cuteness still remain intact...

Babies and toddlers.. Don't everyone find them adorable.. I couldn't help but to play with these infants and toddlers whenever I see them.. How much joy they bring to everyone's world...

However at times, I do feel a tad sad whenever I see pictures of babies and toddlers.. Maybe I was thinking of how my late younger sister would be like... Also, maybe I was thinking of the cruel fate which some of these kids might have to face due to certain circumstances which arise not due to these toddlers' faults at all. Instances would be when they are being shunned by society as they were borned out of wedlock marriages...

Worst, not feeling ashamed, I would actually shed some tears whenever I see pictures or films of babies being killed or died tragically... Innocent lives gone just when they began to learn and enjoy the world which we have selfishly lived in for the past many years since we, ourselves, were borned...

Pardon me for being so melancholic but I just couldn't help feeling this way at times... On a brighter and more positive note, all these do not deter me from aspiring to be a daddy myself when I do get married in the future... That will be one of those days which I really look forward to...

Best I Ever Had (Errr.... Not Really)

2006-07-29T21:56:00.000+08:00

In two weeks time, it will all be over.. Reversal of roles once again where I'll be back being the student...

What a holiday it has been for me so far... Started off slacking and turning mad doing nothing for the first three weeks.. Then, Singapore Poly came knocking on my door (not literally) and off I went to work at that institution for the next four weeks.. That experience totally re-define the meaning of the word 'boring'... Took one of the day off during that period and started calling 50 over schools.. That's when everything changed for the better... Got several replies back and after a few meetings and negotiations, landed the current job that I'm undertaking now...

I would be lying through my teeth if I said that the experience gained has been the best so far in my life but nevertheless, it's an experience and an opportunity which I felt blessed and grateful for...

In a fortnight, there will be no more markings. Instead, it will be replaced by 17 weeks of mugging.. No more chasing after students for their homework as it is my turn to be the 'prey', constantly being haunted by the never-ending deadlines... However, I shall not fret but instead, I will try and enjoy my final year of being a student as I know I might never get to experience this kind of life ever again...

Time for a Break...

2006-07-26T19:43:00.000+08:00

Just finish a whole load of marking and I think I'll take a good break for the day... What better way to do it then heading down to JB.. Yeah!! Going there for supper later with my two friends, Jeremy and Luther... Jeremy is driving there so I can leave my baby behind.. Never really like the idea of riding to Malaysia... Hmmm.. Must plan to eat what later... Just hope that I won't be zombified for tomorrow's classes...

After tuition just now, went to Jurong Point to exchange for some Malaysian Ringgit.. Freaking hell!!! The exchange rate is damn bad lah.. If only this supper thing is not last minute, I would have taken the time to head down to Golden Mile where they offer good exchange rates man......

Working world aside, it's bidding for modules time... Except for this time, I don't need to bid for any of my Geog modules as all of them are pre-allocated already.. Sianz... I love bidding.... Got thrill man!!! Looks like I only need to bid for my two breadth modules... Oh yeah, one more thing, I've plan my next semester timetable.. If everything goes well and if the two bozzos (Irfan and Jib) do not spoil this plan, I will only have lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday... WOOHOOO!!!! Super duper long weekend... Hahahaa... Can use the four non-schooling days to go to KL where I'm thinking of doing research on for my Honours Thesis... So excited.. Can't wait to start school again...

Alrite peeps, that's enough ramblings for today.. Check out this music video.. 'Blurry' by Puddle of Mudd...

BURP!!!

2006-07-24T20:23:00.000+08:00

Slurping up the brain... YUMMY!!!

So this is how the kids' brains look like!!! Hehe...

Good food!!! Typical of being a Singaporean... For those close friends of mine, they know that I will always order one dish whenever I'm out eating... Nasi goreng ikan masin with extra cili padi!!! (Fried rice with salted fish plus extra chilli padi!!) POWER!!! Up-to-date, the places which offer the best serving are; all Sakura restaurants as well as a stall in Simpang Bedok...

However, we are so used to eating 'normal' and 'safe' food.. For me, I just love to try anything which is edible and quirky... Life is short, we should try everything at least once.... What 'weird' and 'strange' food have been devoured by me?? Let me see....

To start off, I've tried burgers which are made up of deer, rabbit and ostrich meat before... The last time I had a road trip with my friends to Malaysia, I ordered all three at the last pit stop along the second link... Can't blame me for being greedy man... It's not everyday that I have the opportunity to sink my teeth in these meats...

Other than that, mutton brain and tongue soup.. Yummy!!! The best part is the look on my sisters' faces when I stuff the goat's brain in my mouth.. PRICELESS!!! It tastes like the som-som in sop tulang lah (Bone marrow).... You should try it people...

Ok, the most 'wackiest' I've ever eaten are fried insects.. To be exact, fried crickets, fried bamboo worms and .... Hmmm.. I don't know what the last one is called.. The latter doesn't taste nice and when you bite it, you can feel liquid, I think the blood, oozing in your mouth.. Hahaha... The fried crickets taste like fried baby squids really while the bamboo worms are quite similar to soggy fries.... One tip: Dip these stuffs in chilli sauce... AWESOME!!!!

I know, I know most of you are probably thinking that I'm out of my mind... But I think that food are mere social constructions... It's all in the mind.. If you are socialized to feel disgusted at the sight of these food, then you'll think that people like me are out of our minds... Go on!! Try all the 'quirky' food which you can lay your hands on... When you want to put them in your mouth, imagine you are eating your favourite food.. Nasi goreng ikan masin is a good one to start off with.. Hehehe!!!!

Dehydration

2006-07-23T21:46:00.000+08:00

My cousin, Siti, together with my cute little sister, Hidahyah...

My another cousin, Hafiz, probably looking in disbelief at how good I sound.. Lol..

There you have it.. A star is born!!! Singapore Idol producers might be cursing their luck for kicking me out so early!! Hehehe...

Been quite a hot and humid day these past few days.... Every tiny bits of water in my body seem to eagerly try and find their way out of my body.... Though I've been drinking 2 or even 3 times more water nowadays, the throat seem to be dry rather all so easily...

Apart from me being dehydrated, my bike seem to use up more petrol than it normally does.. I don't know why but the number of times I frequented the petrol kiosks in a week seem to have increased.. This despite me not travelling much..

While travelling down the AYE yesterday, my bike suddenly stop.. YIKES!!!! Luckily I managed to bring my bike to the shoulder and fortunately, there was still some reserved petrol left in the tank.. If not I would have to push my bike to the nearest kiosk which I think is about 5km away!!!

Now back to my body being dehydrated... I had an awesome and super Sunday... Went karaoke with my little sis and my other cousins... Great family time!! Was singing too much that my voice was forever relishing to be lubricated... Each of us got one free drink each.. Despite being thirsty (I can assure you that one free drink is not enough when you sing for 3 hours), we don't want to order a second drink as it costs $5.50... Imagine a can of coke for that price!! What a rip off!!!

Aside from that, it's been a terrific weekend.. Back to work tomorrow... Sianz!!!! Five more freaking days to another weekend... Sighz!! Anyway, above are some shots taken during the karaoke session... Enjoyz!!!

(Un)Masking The 'Me'

2006-07-20T21:47:00.000+08:00

Masks... Do not believe anyone who denies that he/she has never wore a mask ever... At all times, we all wear mask(s).. While new mask(s) are being put on each time, older ones are being shed as well.. Just what the hell am I talking about??

Recently, as you all have guessed, some of my 'brilliant' students have managed to make their way to this space in cyber... I do feel a tad uncomfortable initially.. Some aspects of my private life and my inner thoughts could be read from here... But heck... Blogs are after all paradoxical spaces whereby the public and private spheres not only clash, but merge and fused as well... After all, this space was created with the knowledge that it will be available for the 'public' to view...

Besides that, I always believe that you could never make a complete judgement of a person... Why?? Well, like I've said earlier on, we all wear mask(s) at all times.. So how could anyone judge you totally if the 'real' face was never revealed??

However at the same time, there are 'holes' in these masks... Through these 'holes', depending on their size, are where your 'true' personalit(ies) would permeate... I wear different mask(s) when I'm at school, at the hawker centre where I 'lepak' or even at home... If you want to make any judgement of me, well, with great pleasure, please proceed on... But I can assure you that it'll never be complete...

Also, if you are still reeling from the shock of the different personas I undertake in different places and at different times, it's about the right hour now for you to wake up... We are no longer living in the 70's and 80's, where in the American and Anglo-Saxon context, people live with the classical image of having 'clean' and wholesome families living in tiny neat rows of houses in green suburbia, or in local context, where teachers are 'angels' and students are obedient geeks.... Stop wishing and hoping that you are living in an urban utopia... On this earth, never was, is and will there be a society filled with 'Saints'...

Nevertheless, I'm not saying that we are in a world consisting of an urban dystopia either.. All that I'm saying is that, this is 'reality'.. People are never their 'true' self because as social animals, we depend tremendously on these masks for us to continue living another day in society...

So, go ahead.. Hope you do enjoy reading this humble blog of mine... But remember, as much as we love to un-mask other people, we are, simultaneously, masking (and unmasking) ourselves too... Peaceful vibes....

Amazed...

2006-07-18T21:46:00.000+08:00

Another job lobang.... Yeah!! Should I take up the offer?? Hmm.. If I accept this, that will mean I'll be juggling with 4 jobs now... Crazy man... But I think it should be oklah... It really amazes me sometimes that I am able to juggle so many jobs and at the same time having my own free time as well...

Just what job is this?? Well, I'm being asked to prepare the answer key for the new Geography ten-year series for 'N' and 'O' level... Sounds interesting huh?? Yet to discuss with the publishing company.. Think, I'll probably talk to the person-in-charge tomorrow and hopefully by then, I would be able to make a decision on whether I should take up this offer or not...

Need the cash man.. Need to save up... Though the Europe Graduation Trip is not confirmed, I'm not taking any chances.. Besides, I really want to go for a good and long graduation trip before I plunged into the working world... If not Europe, I'm thinking of maybe South Africa... Sounds good rite?? Haha...

On a different note, I love this song man.. 'Amazed' by Lonestar... It might be a tad old but never once did I grow sick and tired of this song.. Enjoy it dudez!!!

Ritualistic Nationalism

2006-07-17T15:34:00.000+08:00

It's been awhile since I've written something very intellectual... I think for today, I'm going to write on something which has been bothering me for quite a long time... The timing is also quite perfect as we are fast approaching our 41st 'brithday' as a nation...

Have you ever thought of yourself as being a patriotic and nationalistic citizen?? To be honest, I seldom do... It amazes me at times when I see people carrying out certain actions and proclaiming that they are being nationalistic... Being a Singaporean is just another identity which I possessed alongside being a Malay, a Muslim, a man, a son, a brother, a Chelsea fan, etc.... Thus, I don't think it's really necessary for me to flaunt that identity and 'show' it to others that I am a Singaporean.. What made me raised this issue?? Hmm.. Let me see where to start with??

Let's start with the singing of the national anthem... I didn't get it how by singing the national anthem loud makes a person a patriotic Singaporean.. So I didn't get it when my school implement this scoring system where a teacher will give scores to each level, depending on how loud they sing each morning... To instill a sense of identity, in this case, a national identity, one needs to know and understand why is it so special for one to be holding such an identity... By forcing people to sing out loud and threatening them with detentions won't instill any sense of identity at all.. The students might just end up singing loud just for the sake of it.. It's just pure ritualistic... Come to think of it, this is practically the same as praying.. People tend to lose the meaning and sacredness of praying as they are being forced to do so.. As a result, just by completing the 'rituals' 5 times a day, some might consider themselves as being a good Muslim... I disagree with that totally...

Another example of ritualistic nationalism is the hanging of flags.. Every year, I would open up my mail box and surely, a national flag is being send to my house... This is so call to encourage my family to hang the flag and hence show the rest of the nation our fervent patriotism... Bull shit man.. Just by hanging a piece of cloth outside my house does not make me a better Singaporean.. I might just hang it there but if I am to treat it just like any other piece of rag, that doesn't make me a 'model' Singaporean..

I'm not trying to say that there is no need for us to portray a sense of loyalty to the nation.. I am glad to be living in this small tiny red dot.. However, for a person to really appreciate his or her identity, one should never be forced.. Instead, there are many other ways, big or small, which one could display this sense of identity...

Alright enough with the intellectual rambling... I just can't wait for 9th of August to come.. Hahaha.. Got a ticket to watch the parade... Yahoo!!!! Trust me, I'm there more so to watch the show and not to display to others how 'Singaporean' I am...

Censorship please..

2006-07-17T15:23:00.000+08:00

Heya peeps.. For those of you who regularly read my blog, you might noticed that some of the past postings had been deleted... Wondering why?? Well, well.... It's because my blog has been infiltrated by little 'creatures'... What 'creatures' you might ask?? Hmmm.. How should I descibe them?? The male species are in all white but the female ones are white at the top and red or I think maroon at the bottom.. Hehehehe....

So from now on, this blog wil be rated as PG and is fit for people of all ages to read.. I'm sorry to disappoint all the 'adult' readers but don't worry, you'll still get your normal dosage of 'RA' materials when you hang out with me.. Kekeke.... Cheers!!!

Tired...

2006-07-15T22:20:00.000+08:00

Didn't know why but I got tired very easily nowadays... Today was no different.. Finished marking about 42 argumentative essays and I'm already feeling damn tired sia.. 24 more to go.. SHITZZ!!!

After marking so many assignments, I began to ponder about certain things... One of them is that students' handwritings can really make teachers go mad!!! I got very agitated when I could not make out what in the world they are writing.. But then again, my handwriting isn't that legible either.. Hehee... Only now then I realized how much pain and sufferings I had inflicted on all my previous teachers.. Lol...

Other than that, I realized how lucky I am... I ain't going to teach english once I'm going to full time teaching.. Yeah!!! It's such a drag man... Thank you MOE for offering me Social Studies instead...

Oh well, tomorrow looks to be a relatively free day for me since tuition was being pushed forward to yesterday.. Also, my mum is not selling kueh tomorrow... Finally, I could sleep longer and not having to wake up at 530 in the morning... However, the number of things to mark plus other work to prepare for next week make tomorrow a not so free day after all.. DIE DIE!!! Only relief teaching... If full-time teaching how?? SIGHZZZ!!!! BILA MAU KAHWIN???!!! Hehehee....

Gay Hairy Beast

2006-07-14T20:33:00.000+08:00

Was bored just now and so I just type the keyword "Mr Fadzly" in Yahoo! Presto!!! I stumbled into one of my students' blog and very soon, I was reading two classes full of blogs... I was busy scanning for my name.. Hahaha..

As I read on and on, I came across various comments about me.. Both good.. and bad... Didn't feel angry about the names they call me.. Some are very hillarious... Some of the girls complained that I gave them too much work unlike their previous relief teacher... I don't care man... But the worst nick I got is "Gay, Hairy Beast"... Ada ke patut they call me that.. Hahaha...

Other than that, I was quite shocked at the kind of stuffs which these 14 year olds are writing.. I think kids nowadays are maturing too fast.. Or should I say that they are just simply too young and green to dwell and talk seriously about certain issues... But then again, age is never an important consideration... Another thing, their command of English is outstanding... Now who says that all the SMS and MSN are destroying the kids' ability to communicate in good English??

Golf platoon 1

2006-07-07T23:02:00.000+08:00

From left to right: Ren Hua, Zaw, Steve, Ming Hui,

Eric, Arvin, Zhiwen, Jun Wei, Felix, Yuan Feng and me....

A meet-up with my OCS pals is very rare.. So when one of the guys prompted a gathering, I made sure I'm free to join and meet up with these guys whom I had spend 10 shitty, tough but certainly fun months with...

How time flew by so fast.. Without me knowing, it's been 4 years since we commissioned from OCS... It's great that after all these years, we still keep in touch and have the occassional gathering.. From what I heard, other platoons did not have such practice... Thank god I was posted to platoon 1 back then...

This time round, 11 of the guys, including me, could make it.. We met up at the usual place, Holland Village, on Wednesday night... One thing for sure, whenever we meet up, we always talk about, reminisce and relive those days when we were still cadets.. Never seem to grow tired out of that... Apart from that, we would start to bitch about those whom made our stay in SAFTI a more colourful one....

Managed to come up with a list of a platoon contact list.. Currently the count is 23.. Hopefully, I would be able to trace back the remaining guys' contact so that in the next meet-up more will turn up...

STOLEN (Part II)

2006-07-01T13:34:00.000+08:00

FUCK!!! I just realised... My thumb drive was stolen as well.. Now I'm fucking PISSED!!!!

STOLEN!!

2006-06-30T18:34:00.000+08:00

Been busy for the past few days which explain for the absence of any entries... Teaching at my current school is alright.. I still prefer the previous school though.. More heart-warming students as well as approachable and friendly colleagues... But as they say, "Beggar can't afford to choose." I'm just glad that I'm given this job...

Today has been quite an unlucky day for me... It all started before I left school.. Went to my pigeon-hole to check for students' submissions.. To my horror, there is nothing there!!! No, it's not that the students didn't hand in their work.. Think some other teachers might have taken those assignments by mistake or worse, some students might be pulling a prank... Though the sec 2 English coordinator teacher assures me that it will re-appear, it does little to ease my worries...

Friday prayers... Nothing could go wrong right?? After all, I did meet up and catch up on the students from the previous school which I had taught.. The conversations I had with them solidify further my preference in teaching them to these new batch of students I am teaching right now... Didn't think of anything when I placed my wallet in my bag which was put at the back of the praying hall...

Cringing for a smoke after a day at a 'no-smoking community', I searched for my cigarettes in my bag the moment I had park my motorbike... It's not there... How could that be?? I didn't smoke at all the whole day and I'm sure I had brought the pack before leaving home in the morning... Somethig is ain't right.. I checked my wallet and my fears were being confirmed... Somebody has stolen my money and cigarettes while I was in the mosque earlier on... WTF!!!! Luckily, he didn't take any of my important cards... Even though it's only $8, I felt terrible coz firstly, it happened in a mosque (see, there's no such thing as a 'good' or 'bad' place) and secondly, I just have this gut feeling that it was taken by one of my ex-students.. I do not want to point fingers or jump into any conclusion but as I retrospectively try to remember the sequence of events, it all seem so obvious... Sighz...

I'm not pissed or even angry.. I'm just disappointed... If it's really one of my ex-students, I will 'halal' both the money and cigarettes which he took from me and hopefully, he will feel remorseful of his action.. If it's any other people, then may you rot in hell fucker!!!!

Unfaithful

2006-06-22T09:29:00.000+08:00

Its been a long time since I had a music video/song related entry.... But this song is just too good not to talk about... It's 'Unfaithful' by Rihanna... The MTV started off in quite a dramatic way... Very drama mama.. Hehehe...

My friend, Lester, was the first one who introduced me to this song.. When I first heard it, I didn't really like it.. It sounded very 'ah-lianish'... Something which Maia Lee would sing... However, when my younger cousins started to play it continuously, I began to like it.. It seems to have a hypnotizing effect... I guess it's that kind of song which grows on you... About the artist, well I have never heard of her before this song hits the charts.. Will she be just another one hit wonder?? We'll wait and see if she's able to churn out more hits or not in the future...

Talking about unfaithful, this is my last day at work in Singapore Polytechnic...YIIPPEEEEE!!!! Leaving the job which seems to be the catalyst in triggering off a series of good fortunes for me... (Research assistant position at NUS, relief teaching position at Bukit Panjang Govt High, MOE Teaching Award, etc, etc....) Great colleagues but boring job.. Sorry guys I have to leave you all but the job is simply too dry for me... Will be taking a day break tomorrow before I start work again on Monday... Bring it on!!!

I'm Loving It

2006-06-20T11:02:00.000+08:00

What a weekend it has been.. It really beat the crap out of me.. But, I don't mind going through all that as in the end, my brother's wedding went about smoothly... I think the fact that I belted out 6 songs during the event made it even more successful.... Lol... Besides that, I had an awesome time catching up with relatives and cousins whom I hardly met, unless during Hari Raya, as well as some of my closest pals... One thing I realized about the Malay community is that almost everyone else is linked or related somehow or rather to one another... It's just like friendster except that this is in 'real' space and not cyber space....

It's Tuesday and back to work... After today, two more days.. WOOHOOO!!!! Spend the whole day yesterday resting, meeting with the heads of the school which I'm going to teach in and spending the rest of the time with the family....

The feeling is simply wonderful having dinner at Simpang Bedok yesterday night with my family, my closest auntie and uncle as well as my brother and his new family... Though the whole thing didn't end without my parents having to complain about the quality of the food and the hefty price they have to pay for that kind of food... As always... Hehehe.. Nevertheless, it's still wonderful.. Family time, just loving it!!!

Sleep-less...

2006-06-16T08:32:00.000+08:00

Red eyes, ulcers in the mouth and a tired mind... They are all symptoms... Symptoms of a person who has caught the world cup fever...

Haven't been getting much sleep ever since the world cup start... I think on the average, I've only clocked about 2 to 3 hours of sleep everyday... But it's worth the sacrifice... I can always catch up on the sleep at work where I've learned the art and technique of sleeping with my eyes wide open... Hahahaa...

This weekend, the body will ached even more... Not only there's more soccer actions, my elder brother is getting married... Everytime I see my mum, she will continue to update the list of things that I'm being tasked to do... So kancheong man she.. Oh well, first time expecting an in-law.. What to do?? Hehe..

Well I just hope that I don't collapsed during my brother's wedding.. Lol... For now, let me catch up on my sleep (while at work).... Adios peeps!!

QUIT!!! It's not easy to be me....

2006-06-13T16:50:00.000+08:00

It's over!! In 1 week and 2 days time, my stint at Singapore Poly is over.. Hooray!!! I finally told my boss that I am going to stop working... My last day will be on next Thursday...

Up next, Bukit Panjang Government High School.. Yeah, it's confirmed.. I'm going to relief teach there when the school re-opens.. Finally, I'll be doing something which I enjoy... Higher salary and shorter working hours, what more can I ask for...

Anyway, yesterday I went out to have dinner with Jib and Raz.. They laughed at me when they saw me coz' I was dressed in office attire... Actually guys, you are right... I do look like Clark Kent when I dressed up like that.. Lol... What more, with my chiseled facial features, I think I do look like....................... Look!! It's a bird.. No!!! It's a plane... No!!! It's S------N... Kekeke....

Bad finishers

2006-06-13T16:38:00.000+08:00

A case of bad finishing had proven to be costly for the Asian and African teams which had played so far.. I believed if these teams could improve on their finishing touches, they would be on par with their South American and European counterparts... Here's are today's predictions:

Match 12: South Korea vs Togo (9:00p.m.)

Blanketed with heaps of problems, Togo looks doomed for a miserable outing in Germany.. The Koreans on the other hand are pressurized to reproduce their brilliant performance four years ago.. However with the unforgiving heat, they might find it rather difficult.. Still, I think the Koreans are good enough for Togo..

Prediction: South Korea 1 - Togo 0

Match 13: France vs Switzerland (12a.m.)

If there's a team which I totally hate, it has got to be France.. These two teams were in the same qualifying group and thus they would be very familiar with each other.. Even though my head says that France will win this, my heart refused to acknowledge that... Remember Senegal 4 years ago? Well, it could happen again...

Prediction: France 1 - Switzerland 1

Match 14: Brazil vs Croatia (3a.m.)

Alright I will not say much... A foregone conclusion...

Prediction: Brazil 3 - Croatia 0

Fadz the host??

2006-06-12T16:29:00.000+08:00

Just got back from my boss' office.. When he called me into his office, I thought I'm in trouble.. Well, I was in trouble ok... But not for loathing around.. He asked me to be the host for a documentary video that the polytechnic is going to produce and market... Yikes!!! How now?? I'm going to quit this job by the end of next week... Shit!! Is it a ploy to stop me from quiting?? But how does he knows that I'm planning to quit when I have yet to voice it out to him or any of my colleagues?? Oh well, looks like I need to dig myself out of this shit hole...

Other than that, lunch today was rather fruitful... Had lunch with Tim Bunnell and he had provided me with numerous ideas on what to do for my honours thesis.. Good advices from him as well... Unfortunately, he can't be my supervisor... Looks like I got to really start thinking and really do some background research already... After talking to him, I think Batam is really a good place for me to do my HT... Ok people, stop sniggering and doubt about my intentions of doing my research at Batam... I'm so innocent!!! (Wink, wink!! Hehe...)

So close...

2006-06-12T15:36:00.000+08:00

The score reads: Mexico 3 - Iran 1... Darn!!! I almost guessed correctly.. But sadly that's not the case... So as it stands, after 8 matches, I have still yet to make any correct predictions... I believed I will get it correct at least once today...

Match 09: Australia vs Japan (9:00p.m.)

Interesting match this is.. Both teams will play more with each other after this world cup as Australia has now officially joined the Asian Football Association.. In this match, I think it will be rather even... Both needs to grind out a result here before meeting Brazil and Croatia next... I guessed Japan might just have that slight advantage of having played in the last world cup...

Prediction: Australia 1 - Japan 2

Match 10: USA vs Czech Republic (12:00a.m.)

From the FIFA ranking, this looks like a mouth-watering encounter.. USA which is fifth in the FIFA ranking takes on the Czech Republic which is third.. However, don't be deceived by FIFA rankings.. Singapore had once shared the same ranking as Wales... But are we as good as Wales?? NAH!!! Petr Cech should be able to ensure that the Americans will not get into the scoring sheet.. Its Czech all the way...

Prediction: USA 0 - Czech Republic 2

Match 11: Italy vs Ghana (3:00a.m.)

The Azzurri looks favourite to wrap up this game.. However, with so many problems occuring back at home before the world cup, would they be able to concentrate fully on their football?? I have yet to make any correct predictions so it doesn't hurt to be more adventurous and predict a rather radical scoreline.. The Italians will suffer a minor hiccup...

Prediction: Italy 1 - Ghana 1

Congratulations bro

2006-06-11T11:53:00.000+08:00

Would like to dedicate this entry to my bestest friend, Najib, on his engagement to his girlfriend of 6 years, Razinah, today...

The two of you better remember that this day won't come if it's not for me.. Hahahaha... If i didn't pester Jib to join me for lunch that fateful day in 2001 with Razinah, then my irritating colleague, they might never know that each other exists.. But then again, if they are really fated to be together, they will somehow meetlah some way or another...

So, let me not steal the limelight.. This day belong to theirs to cherish and remember.. Congratualtions to both of you once again... Up next, NASI MINYAK!!!!!

(The music video is dedicated to both of you!!)

A night of many firsts

2006-06-11T11:08:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, we witnessed a night of many firsts in this year's world cup...

1st Own Goal: Courtesy of Paraguay's Carlos Gamarra as a gift to England.. (But that could not happen without that beautifully taken free-kick by Beckham..)

1st Red Card: Dished out by our very own, Shamsul Maidin to Trinidad's Avery John.. (There should be a second one to Saviola for play-acting and diving.. Then, he will be the first player to be fined for simulation!!!)

1st Upset: Ten men and minnows Trinidad & Tobago holding Sweden to a goalless draw....

Unfortunately, I didn't make my first correct scoeline prediction.. I tell you, this world cup is proving so hard to predict.. Guess Singapore Pools should have hired me... They would win tons of money if bettors hear my advice and bet according to my predictions.. Lol....

But one should never give up so easily.. So let me try again with today's 3 matches...

Match 06: Netherlands vs Serbia & Montenegro (9:00p.m.)

Yesterday, I had highlighted that Ivory Coast is one team to watch out for.. Today, I present to you yet another team which might just hurt bookies' wallets... Serbia qualified for the world cup as group champion ahead of Spain and Bosnia.. Therefore, they are a team opponents should not underestimate.. However, the Netherlands should be good enough to win this tie.. Though Van Basten was assaulted with lots of criticisms for his choice of players, these bunch of young Dutch players prove to be quite a contender for the trophy...

Prediction: Netherlands 2 - Serbia & Montenegro 1

Match 07: Mexico vs Iran

Nothing much to talk about this match.. The middle east teams always failed to dazzle us in the big stage and this world cup is no exception.. In the meanwhile, Mexico's goalie, though grief-stricken, will not be affected that much by the passing away of his father.. In fact, I think that will inspire him further to play well and dedicate the win to his late dad...

Predictions: Mexico 3 - Iran 0

Match 08: Angola vs Portugal

Little known Angola takes on Portugal.. No doubt in this.. Portugal won't choke like Sweden.. (Though I do hope something ominous will happen to Christiano Ronaldo.. Heehehe..)

Predictions: Angola 0 - Portugal 3

Amazing start

2006-06-10T13:54:00.000+08:00

Who would expect Germany to play a more exciting form of soccer and winning 4-2?? Unbelievable... Oh well, I know I got all the predictions wrong... But hey, there are 62 other matches to go.. Hahaha...

Today there'll be three games!!! Unfortunately, I'll have to miss my beloved England playing tonight coz I got to attend Johnny's wedding.. You owe me big time pal.. Haha... Alright without any further delay, here's today's previews and predictions..

Match 03: England vs Paraguay (9:00p.m.)

With or without Rooney, England is going to nick this.. However, they need to be wary because Paraguay is capable of causing an upset.. As long as they don't let their guards down after taking the lead, they'll sail through this match before taking on whipping boys Trinindad & Tobago next.. My prediction will of course be an England win but I think Rio Ferdinand will be England's weakest link and probably be responsible for them to concede a goal...

Prediction: England 3 - Paraguay 1

Match 04: Sweden vs Trinidad & Tobago (12:00a.m.)

A match which many Singaporeans would stay up to watch.. No, no, not because it's going to be an exciting match but because a Singaporean is going to feature in this match in the form of the referee.. Oh yes, our very own Samsul Maidin will be officiating this game.. Other than that, there's nothing exciting about this match.. So, if you aren't patriotic, it's better to catch up on your sleep while awaiting for the 3:00a.m. match.. Sweden looks all favourite to win this...

Prediction: Sweden 2 - Trinidad & Tobago 0

Match 05: Argentina vs Ivory Coast (3:00a.m.)

What a match!! You should wake up to watch this and you have no reason not to since it's a Sunday the next day.. Every world cup, there'll be teams which achieved the unthinkable.. In USA '94, it's Sweden and Bulgaria; in France '98, it's Croatia and in Japan/Korea 2002, it's South Korea and Turkey.. this time round, I have identified three teams which have the potential to achieve a similar feat.. One of them is Ivory coast.. There's just too much hype on Argentina... I believe this would be the first minor upset of the tournament.. The scoreline will be pretty much similar to the one when I played x-box with Najib, me taking Ivory Coast and he controlling Argentina..

Prediction: Argentina 1 - Ivory Coast 1

Round 1.. Fight...

2006-06-09T10:43:00.000+08:00

It's here!!! The world cup starting tonight.. This will mark the start of 1 month of sleepless nights... Haha.. And also beginning today, I will give my previews and predictions on the scoreline of the games played daily... To those who are not soccer crazy, well, I don't care.. Hahaha.. So here goes..

Match 01: Germany vs Costa Rica (11:50p.m.)

Opening match where the host nation will play total outsider, Costa Rica.. Going by the record books, the host nation will always win their opening game and move on to the second round.. So, I don't see Germany having any problems here though there are without influential player Ballack today.. For Costa Rica, a good time for them to show some individual skills and gain more experience.. But don't expect a landslide of goals.. Germans play boring soccer and they will scrap through with a single goal margin win..

Prediction: Germany 1 - Costa Rica 0

Match 02: Poland vs Ecuador (3:00a.m.)

If a re-shuffling of groups are to be made, these two teams definitely won't stand a chance to proceed to the next round.. But now, looks like they have a chance to boost their FIFA ranking.. Poland is a relatively unknown European side.. A good line-up of goalkeepers but based on the boo-boos they made during the friendlies, Poland better hope that their strikers have been practising on their shootings.. Ecuador on the other hand isn't that good either.. Though they qualified from the South America group, behind Brazil and Argentina, most of their wins were in low altitude Quito... But I'm still favouring them to qualify as runners-up of this group, though others would disagree and go with Poland instead.. This match will be exciting and I'm expecting a high-scoring draw, not because of good offensive football but because of leaky defences...

Prediction: Poland 2 - Ecuador 2

Soccermercialization

2006-06-06T09:13:00.000+08:00

Ever heard of the term 'soccermercialization'? Check it up in all the dictionaries you can lay your hands on... I can bet with you that it would be a futile attempt.. It is a term that I coined myself, by merging 'soccer' with 'commercialization', to address on the heightened pace of commercialization of the world cup..

Just take a walk down Orchard Road.. You would be greeted with an avalanche of banners, posters and billboards which are related to the world cup... You think you can seek refuge by going into the shops?? Well, you are terribily wrong.. There would at least be one merchandise which is associated with Germany 2006 in every shop...

Maybe all the hype is in town only.. Jolly gosh!! You hit the incorrect button again.. Even in the heartlands, you would not be spared by the arsenal of images, reminding you about the greatest event on earth that takes place once every four years.. Just pop your head into a mama shop or even walk into your neighbourhood 7/11 convenient stores, which are mushrooming everywhere fast, and you would at least realized that you are not living in a bubble...

All these craze, it's amazing... I mean, it's perfectly normal to celebrate and usher in this awesome event which I'm sure every ardent soccer fanatics had marked out in their calendar.. However, I think the commercializing of the world cup has gone a tad overboard... As a result, none of the memorabilia sold is that memorable as this market structure has almost reached a stage where it could be classified as a monopolistic competitive market...

I must admit that I myself do get sucked in to this craze.. So far, I had bought a sticker album, 2 wrist bands (1 England & 1 Spain) and 2 original jerseys; a red England one and the other, a white Spanish one (I don't normally buy original jerseys...) But I'll probably stop at that as my pocket is quite burnt already..

All I hope is that there would be some form of limitation to the volume of commercialization.. If not, the world cup would soon become just another event for the rich, capitalistic bourgeoisies to benefit from...

Secretary Bo

2006-06-02T14:28:00.000+08:00

Attending meetings and writing minutes.. Totally hate doing that job man.. So when my boss came up to me this morning asking me to attend a meeting and jot down the minutes for it, I was superbly stumped.. What the hell!! That's not part of my job scope.. But who am I to ask him that.. Besides, he caught me by surprise, not allowing any chance for me to rebutt and furthermore, my brain still had yet to wake up at 9 in the morning (despite waking up extra late today and coming to office about 15 minutes late.. hehe...)

So there I was sitting down trying to figure out what the heck I'm supposed to jot down.. It's a meeting with a CHEERS assistant human resource executive.. Throughout the 2hrs long meeting, I tried to keep awake by figuring out what to note down but I can't help it and yawned several times.. Boring man...

One of the staff told me that they the reason why I was being thrown so many things to do is because I am an undergraduate and they ASSUME I should know how to do everything.. What the fuck!!! ASSUME?? Bloody shitters!!! Don't they know better than not to ASSUME things?? By assuming, they are making an 'ASS' out of 'U' and 'ME'...

Sighz... Guess that's enough complaining and bitching as for now.. Better finish typing out the minutes before they piled me up with more stuffs to do..

Hot and Cold

2006-05-31T17:22:00.000+08:00

Having a bad flu during a hot and humid day.. Have you experienced that before? I hate that feeling man.. Your body is perspiring and sweating away like a mad dog but you could not turn on the fan, don't even mention the air-conditioner, because the liquid from your nostril continue to flow relentlessly and will be aggravated further if you try to turn on anything that stimulate any forms of air movement...

Arrgghhh!!! It's been three days now and my condition does not look like it's going to take an about turn for the better... Help me!! I'm desperate now so people please offer me some advice on how I can alleviate this...

'Unblue' Monday

2006-05-30T12:42:00.000+08:00

What a day it has been man yesterday.. It’s my first day of work at Singapore Polytechnic.. Job’s boring and I’m pretty good at making myself look busy all the time so that they won’t offload me with so many tasks to do.. The tasks that had been assigned to me have been relatively easy so far.. But I hate making calls to people.. Felt like an answering machine, repeating a scripted introduction speech to every caller that picked up my call…

Talking about luck, it’s funny how good fortunes, and bad ones as well, come rolling in at the same time.. It’s just last week that I thought that I would remain unemployed for the rest of the school holidays.. But things changed rather abruptly.. Not that I’m complaining.. My favourite lecturer, Tim Bunnell, had e-mailed me asking whether I am interested to help him out as his research assistant.. The pay is good man and listen to this, I can work anytime and at anywhere.. How cool is that huh?? Well, I will get a confirmation from him tomorrow and hopefully lady luck will continue to smile at me..

After a day’s work, I head back to grandma’s place… My cousins had extra tickets to watch Anugerah Skrin.. Without any hesitation, I made the decision to accompany them to watch it yesterday.. It was fun.. And ohh ohh, guess who did I see yesterday at TCS?? It’s none other than Singapore’s very own cowboy.. Man, he really looks damn selenge man.. For those of you who doesn’t know who I’m talking about, you can refer to Najib’s blog… Hehehe…

Whoever said that Mondays always give people the blues.. For me, yesterday is one Monday which isn’t anything like that... Looking forward to next Monday where I’ll be going to watch Skrin again… For now, I better resume my job of calling people before I get caught updating my blog during working hours..

And the winner is....

2006-05-25T19:09:00.000+08:00

Thursday, 25th of May.. What a day it has been.. It's a day when two results were being released.. (1) The result for American Idol season 5 and (2) My third year second semester result

I would say it went well for both.. Was quite happy that Katherine Macphee didn't become the American Idol... She can't really sing that well..

As for my own examination results, well, it turned out fine.. I could finally sleep well... You see ever since Tuesday, I can't seem to sleep well... Even though superficially I might appear cool and not really worried about how the result would turn out, deep inside, I think I was kinda nervous and anxious.. Maybe becoz' of the fact that I didn't really put in as much effort this semester as compared to the previous semesters and I feared that I might be receiving the inevitable consequences of those 'boh-chup' actions..

As the clock strike 3 in the afternoon, there it was, right in front of me, my results, after keying in my matriculation number and password... Felt like my heart missed a beat for a second as I sat there in front of my computer, trying to register the outcome of 1 semester of work (and play)...

SWEET!!! Once it sank right in me, I suddenly realized how I fared.. Let's just say that I did a 'Watford'... Well, hope that I could pull of a 'Wigan' in the next academic year.. If any of you could not understand what the heck I'm saying, it's ok... Let's just say I did better than I had expected...

Oh well, now that this is done, what's next.. As far as I can see, what's looming ahead is another 2 more months of boredom.. This might sound crazy and cranky but I can't wait for school to start again so that I could proceed on with my honours year... Yeah, that'll be nice...

Idol Fever

2006-05-22T12:20:00.000+08:00

It's back!! The second season of Singapore Idol.. Can't help stop laughing hysterically yesterday when they aired the first episode of the latest season.. You know what else is good about Singapore Idol? It brings the family together.. It was fun watching and laughing together with the family.. Sometimes, one of us would go like, "Eh, I know that person!" That's the great thing about Singapore Idol, everyone in the family could relate to it in one way or another cause it's about ordinary Singaporeans just trying their luck at singing... and fame...

Well, though we may laughed at most of the contestants, I think that we should applaud them for their courage, guts and passion.. I tell you, it's not easy going through the audition.. It's very nerve-wrecking.. You can trust me on that as I had experience it before.. Oh yes, I did went for the audition for the first season.. Got booted out of the first round cause my voice trembled the moment I started to sing in front of the judges.. Who knows if I could maintain my composure at that time, you probably won't heard of the name Taufik Batisah.. LOL... I did apply for the second season but due to some last minute family commitments, I could not go down for the audition...

Looking forward to the subsequent episodes and see whether this season contestants could perform better than the pioneer batch.. all the best guys..

p.s. This is the song which I performed at the audition: "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Ronan Keating...

Hammy!!

2006-05-20T17:14:00.000+08:00

Yo peeps, juz came back from the movie with my two younger sis... I tell you, 'Over the hedge' is awesome and brilliant.. You should go and catch it man.. My favourite character is Hammy.. Think he's a squirrel... Though lately the cinescape is being bombarded with a flurry of furry animal shows, this movie is one which you should never miss...

Oh well, many more shows to catch.. Next stop: Da Vinci Code and X-Men 3... Oooohhhh yeah!!!

Jobless

2006-05-18T15:06:00.000+08:00

It's been half a month since the holidays started and I'm still JOBLESS!!! Don't know why I have no luck this time around.. None of the work which I went for an interview has yet to call me up.. Bloody hell!! Somebody please, give me a job!!! Damn it man.. It's damn boring not doing anything.. Wake up every day feeling aimless and thinking damn hard of what to do... Then come the struggle... Whether to stay at home and save money (the figure in my bank account is getting smaller and smaller slowly but surely..) OR to go out and prevent mysef from getting bored..

Two days back, I tried doing some research on the possible thesis topics... After reading 1 article, I totally gave up.. No mood man.. It's the hols and reading academic material is probably the last thing I would want to do...

Oh well, think I'm going to rent myself lots of DVDs and be a couch potato... Hmmm.. Maybe I should finish up watching "Everybody Loves Raymond".. Yeah!!! That's what I'll do.. Ok folks, heading down to videoezy now for some free DVDs.. Hehehe... Ciaoz!!!

Stop it!

2006-05-16T09:23:00.000+08:00

I hate it when people jump into conclusion.. Stop it damn it... And also, stop thinking that you are always right fucking hell.. Your hypothesis is a possibility but it's not necessarily THE reason.. I know my life better than anyone else and I think I'm the best person to steer it in whatever direction I feel is the best... So stop thinking that others have to live their lives according to what you think is best.. BINGIT!!!

Before it's too late......

2006-05-14T08:59:00.000+08:00

Mother's Day, a time for many people to show their love, care and appreciation to their mums... But why do we only choose to show it only on this day? Why not in every other day? Oft, we always take for granted the ones that have taken care of us ever since we see the first light...

Yesterday, it dawns upon me how easily one can lose either one of the two people who is responsible for introducing us to this world.. Life is that short as well as fragile... We seldom sit down and reflect on this until something tragic and drastic happens... By then, it might be too late for us to alter the situation... Thus, before it gets to that point, let's show the appreciation, love, care and concern that our parents deserve, in more ways than one, be it how small this gesture is..

To Aliah, be strong my friend.. I will continue to pray for your father's condition to improve... Amin...

Life as a Palimpsest

2006-05-11T23:22:00.000+08:00

According to dictionary.com, a palimpsest is a manuscript, typically of papyrus or parchment, that has been written on more than once, with the earlier writing incompletely erased and often legible.

If you think about it, life can really be liken to a palimpsest... It would be re-written over and over again but earlier writings are still legible.. But I would like to add on that even though earlier writings might still be visible, they are never in it's original, complete form.. Some parts are being hidden and obscured from the naked eyes.. It's these hidden parts which become one's 'secrets'...

Should these missing parts be unearthed?? Imagine if you do manage to unravel these hidden 'truths' of your loved ones, will you be able to handle the 'truth'?? I think for most people most of the time, they simply can't.. Guess sometimes, things are better left the way they are.. Call it ignorance but think about it, even if you do manage to dig out the 'truth', that 'truth' is not an innocent and complete 'truth'.. Each 'truths' are being fused, blended and meshed with other 'lies' and this process is ever-going... Therefore, the quest for the ultimate 'truth' will never be achieved as the 'truth' is nothing but just mere myth or even a fallacy...

Depressing indeed it may sound but I think that's life... I'm sorry if this entry might not make sense to any of you but something just happened in my life.. I discovered a 'truth' about one of my loved ones that it made me think whether is it worth spending time digging for it and finding it at all because after knowing the 'truth', it makes me feel like a god-damned fucking shit...

Panini Sticker Album

2006-05-10T21:42:00.000+08:00

The kid in me is still alive!!! I don't know about all of you but when I was much younger, I was so crazy about sticker albums... You name it from World Cup to Malaysia Cup to Mask to Street Fighter, I had it all before.. Me, my elder brother and elder cousin would have an album of our own and would swop among ourselves any stickers that we were missing... Ahhh... Those were the days... I would even secretly dug up all the coins that I had saved in my piggy bank just to buy stickers..

Well, it's been a long time but guess what?? Panini, the company well-known for its sticker albums, is back.. It's the FIFA 2006 World Cup edition.. I didn't waste any time upon knowing that it is on sale.. I went to get one.. But the search was a tiring one.. Unlike last time, only a few shops are selling the stickers.. Guess it's no longer a fad for kids these days with all the internet and x-box... It is not even sold at 7/11 and Popular Bookstore.. Luckily I found out that San Bookstore is selling them... Ahhh... My saviour...

Come on guys.. I know most of you used to have such sticker albums before.. Let's relive those childhood days and we could even swop stickers among ourselves... LOVELY!!!

Chick(edi) Magnet

2006-05-09T07:43:00.000+08:00

Primary school science... That's where I learn about the fact that a magnet has two poles - North and South pole - and that like poles repel whereas unlike poles attract... It seems that the law is applicable to us human beings as well.. Man always attract woman and vice versa... That's probably why I am such a chick magnet.. Lol... Just need to flick my fingers or give a huge and charming smile and girls will come flocking to me like bees to honey... Haha...

Unfortunately, the person who discover this magnetic law failed to account for certain anomalies... Likewise, honey sometimes attract other pests such as flies as well...

Ok, let me get straight to the point... I don't know why but sometimes, trannies got attracted to me or at least try to flirt with me.. Urrrggghhh!!!!! Shit man!!!! I can remember three of these unpleasant accounts, one of which happened just 2 hours ago!!

The first one is when I was at Bangkok.. I was outside a club playing table-tennis with my friend after deciding to take a break from all those loud noise and dancing inside.. Then from nowhere, this tranny came up to my friend and told him that (s)he wanted to play against me... Well, since technically (s)he was a man, I decided to serve up a smash.. (S)he was shocked by the speed of the ball that (s)he screamed... What happened next was totally bewildering and shocking.. (S)he offered me a ciggy and asked whether I wanted shim for the night or not.. Oh man!! Disgusting!!! I politely rejected shim in Thai and scooted of from the scene of the crime immediately...

The latest incident was just now while I was selling kueh.. Two trannies, one wearing blue and the other one wearing black, came to buy the kuehs from me... This is the conversation I had with them...

Bo: Ya, nak beli apa?

Black Tranny: Saya nak nasi lemak...

Blue Tranny: Epok-epok ni berapa?

Bo: Semua $1.. Standard price...

The trannies giggled which make my hair stand...

Blue Tranny: Standard price?? Hehe..

Black Tranny: Abang ni kinky ah.. Hehe.. Standard price...

That's it man.. I felt damn uneasy.. I quickly gave them their change back and fortunately, other customers came so I diverted my attention straight away to the latter...

Sighz... Wish that I could 'de-magnetized' myself away from these people... I mean, they are after all human beings and I don't mind interacting with them normally but the limit is definitely being trespassed when they start to have other 'funny' ideas.... SCARY!!!!!

Fortress Assumption

2006-05-05T07:40:00.000+08:00

It's scary to see that the design of certain buildings could encode and reflect society's imagination about the people locating in them.. I went to Assumption English School (AES) yesterday to apply for relief teaching yesterday.. For those who does not know what AES is known for, it is oft being portrayed as a school filled with juvenille delinquents... The fact that Boys Town inmates are being send there for their secondary education does further damage to the school's reputation of being a 'bad' school, trapping them permanently into being categorized as the society's 'other'....

AES is just like a fortress, well at least superficially in my point of view, from what I could see based on its aesthetical appearance which greeted me when I entered the front gate of the school... Why do I say that? Firstly, I have to pass through not just one security guard santry post but two.. Can you imagine that?? Why do you need two man??

Then at the front of the school is a huge canal and from the driveway, there's a somewhat like overhead bridge which has to be crossed... It reminds me of a moat and, just like many other anglo-influenced fortresses, a drawbridge respectively...

After crossing that, a super steep staircase need to be negotiated before anyone could finally reach the school lobby and its general office... I wonder whether the tall and steep staircase serves to remind the students of where in society there belong to and the long and arduous journey they have to undertake to reach the top because of their social position...

Maybe I'm reading too much into the material landscape of AES but you should go and have a look at that school coz' its very much different as compared to the other schools in Singapore, at least in its physical structure wise... Also, I think that the school is being designed in that manner not so in keeping intruders from infiltrating into the school but to act as an 'Alcatraz' for the students in that school, preventing them from going out of the 'fortress', 'polluting' the 'pure' public place... How depressing is that??

Pink Attack!!!

2006-05-03T15:14:00.000+08:00

Went to fetch my lil' sis today.. What greeted me when I reached the front gate is really a sight.. It seems like a sea of little girls carrying pink bags!! Argghh!!! Lucky my sis juz changed her bag.. If not, how to identify her from afar...

That made me think about why little girls just love the colour pink?? Is it natural or is it something they have acquired from their parents, family and society during their growing up years?? Hmm... I think if I have a daughter in the future, I will not let her use pink bags man.. I think it's good to stand out rather than blend in with the rest.. After all, my (future) girl is special what, just like her (future) father... Hehehe...

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

2006-04-30T06:36:00.000+08:00

Before carrying on with the celebration, let's give a 1 minute of silence to the total demise and complete annihilation of Manchester United.. The Devils have been exorcised... The 1 minute starts now.....................................

"Eeeeeezy, eeeeeezy, eeeeezy..." Absolutely wonderful.. TIGA - KOSONG!!!! Being at Chijmes last night where we, the Chelsea fans, were being outnumbered, but totally not outgunned, is definitely a moment I will cherish forever...... Two seasons in a row.. Ahhhhh!!! LOVELY!!!!

C'mon u Man U fans, let me hear those voices... I am expecting a cacophony of excuses and comments from the red sections.. I have learn that part of enjoying victories is to listen to the opponents' cries... FANTASTIC!!! But I would say that the sight is still THE most important sense that humans are being blessed with... You can call me occularcentric man but when you see those faces of the Man U fans during and after the game, it is TERRIFIC!!! PRICELESS!!! They're damn sore that I guess if you let go a rally of slaps across both sides of their face, they won't feel a thing...

Some people say the race is going to be tighter next season... But looking at last night's match, I beg to differ.. I think what will happen next season is that Chelsea will definitely have to clear more space in their trophy cabinets to make way for more accolades to come in the future...

Now that the Premier League is all wrapped up, it's time for the World Cup... I'm ready man, armed myself with England's t-shirt and cap, subscribed to the world cup channel and found more kakis to watch certain matches together at the local pubs... "Come on u England!!!"

For now, let's celebrate the victory(ies) and let's sing together now everyone to this famous song.... "We are the champion, my fren.... No time for losers cause we are the champion... of the world..."

Top 10 Worst Nightmares

2006-04-29T08:17:00.000+08:00

Was listening to Vernetta on Class 95 the other day and then there's this segment of hers where a listener listed down his top 10 worst nightmares.. I thought about it and come up with a list of my own as well... Here it goes.....

10) Seeing my (future) mother-in-law in a tight-fitting, red colour bikini..

9) Losing all my contacts in my handphone...

AND

8) I do not remember my girlfriend's telephone number...

7) While surfing for porn, discover that my girlfriend doing a 'Tammy'....

6) Get caught at the causeway trying to smuggle............ RAMLI BURGER....

5) Getting my marriage pre-arranged by my parents

AND

4) Realizing that the bride is.................. ANITA SARAWAK....

3) Studied damn hard for the examination but found out that the paper was yesterday....

2) Realized that I transfered my progress package money to another person's bank account...

And since the hot topic at the moment is about the general election, my worst nightmare is.....

1) Get caught............ Voting for the opposition.....

So there you go... How about yours then?? What are your top 10 worst nightmares???

Unstoppable flows

2006-04-28T12:33:00.000+08:00

Living in a globalising world where time and space are being compressed at an amazing speed.. Flows of capital and human crossing socially constructed borders are rampant...

Haha.. Not going to bore you with these academic stuffs that I have to deal with intensively over the past few days... But the opening is somehow related to what I have to talk about in this entry...

Running nose... What a funny name? The nose didn't run, but what is running, or should I say flowing, is the hingus (I don't know what it's termed in English)... It's fucking irritating.. The flows of hingus that come gushing out, sometimes trickling down, your nose are unstoppable..

Fell sick the night before my third paper.. Terrible man... U know how your head feels so light when u having a flu.. Damn!!! Can't think properly.. As a result, I don't know what the hell I wrote for my last question...

The worst time to have a running nose is perhaps when you are riding.. Both your hands are placed at the handle bars that there's none left to stop it from flowing.. Guess what happen then?? Hmm.. I let you all think bout it but let's just say that the driver besides me need to use the windscreen wiper when it's not raining.. Lol...

Nevertheless, this ain't going to stop me from accomplishing what I have planned for in the days to come.. It's 'live' soccer match at Chijmes on Saturday (Come on u Chelsea!!!), dinner with friends on Monday and BBQ on Tuesday night.. Of course in between I will study lah for my Wednesday paper... Hope the flows will stop soon...

Anyway, I just love the starting to the song "Everything you want" by Vertical Horizon... Kind of hypnotizing...

Temporary Goodbye

2006-04-18T18:03:00.000+08:00

Yo peeps, due to the up and coming examination, I guess I won't be updating my blog for this and probably next week.. The amount of materials I have to cover is too daunting that I can't afford to idle and update my blog..

Well, let me update on what had happened since my last entry... Hmm.. Nothing much... The chalet from Friday to Sunday was alright.. The bbq on Saturday was the only highlight of the whole event.. However, that Saturday started off like fuck... My bike got overheated halfway while I'm on the PIE.. Damn it man!! Got to stop and wait for almost half an hour to let it cool down.. After dat, went straight to a bike shop and guess what?? The maintenance costs me 200 bucks.. FUCK!!!

Anyway this might come as a surprise to some but I'm going to sell off my baby before November this year.. Part of the reason is that the maintenance cost is way too much for me... Also, I need to start saving money if I want my plans to go to Europe for my graduation trip to materialize... Sighz... Looks like it's the public transport from then onwards...

Oh well, enough updates as for now.. It's back to the pile of readings that I have to finish.. Wish me luck for the exam folks.. I need it more for this sem than any of the other previous sem... Ciaoz!! Xxx!!!

Enjoy the mtv from the pussycat dolls.. They sang it right man... I do wish my girlfriend is as hot as them!!! Lol!!! MEOWWW!!!

Transition...

2006-04-13T07:27:00.000+08:00

The blowing of the 24th candle... What does it mean?? Another year had passed and a brand new one approaches... The 23rd leg of my life was filled with lots of trial and tribulation.. But amidst all that, there are several moments of joy and jubilation as well... What I have truly accrued from the past 365 days are experiences which I am glad to have garnered and will always cherish them...

As I transited to, and prepared myself for, the next 52 weeks of my life, I thought to myself how blessed I am.. Having a loving family who would rally behind me in whatever task I embarked on as well as friends who would stand by me even in times of adversity... In the coming year, I hope to build new relationships with 'strangers' whilst not forgetting the familiar ones whom have been the pillars of my life...

Thank you all coz' without a single one of you, I will never become the person I am now...

One week gone so fast...

2006-04-11T00:43:00.000+08:00

The week that had just passed went by so fast.. I felt damn guilty... I didn't start on my revision at all.. I guess it's oklah... Firstly, I deserved the break and secondly, I think I should spare the time to entertain my frens from Loughborough...

The rugby sevens on Sunday was awesome!! Thx Fan for the free tix... What made it even more fun was that me, fan and wenqi went there with the Loughborough guys.. Man these guys really add more colour to the atmosphere.. All the banters made the atmosphere a carnivelous one.. I love it especially we outcheer and outdo the French fans... Just hate the French...

School wise, the assignments are slowly being returned to me one by one and the results are oklah.. I shan't complain about the results.. For the amount of effort I put in for my studies this sem, I think the results are terrific...

Hope that I could start on my revision this week.. Other than that, there's something to look forward to this week.. Not becoz it's my birthday or the chalet but something else.. Something which only those in the know knows... Hopefully everything will turn out fine...

HIVs, Condoms & A Whole Lot of Betting!!!

2006-04-08T13:52:00.000+08:00

Mullet (Neil), Simon, Dave and me at
Raffles Hotel after the Turf Club Trip...

Dave, Mullet, Rebecca, Simon and Redders at Chinatown...

Mullet with our winnings on Luckystar!!!

Krista, Cradz, Becky, Jim and TJ at Raffles Hotel...

"We want to take pictures of HIVs and Condoms." That's what Simon and Rebecca said to me when I went to help them out in their project.. I was really thinking hard what the heck they mean and it took me quite a while to figure out that they want to take pics of HDBs and condominiums.. Couldn't stop laughing sia...

Friday was also the first time I actually went to the Singapore Turf Club at Kranji (& first time bet on horses...) It was impressive man that place.. Mullet is such an expert in horse racing that he made me look like I'm the tourist.. Damn suaku man me... For fun, I decided to bet... What you know beginner's luck.. I won the first two races, though it's only a $4 profit for each race... Haha... Didn't get anything for the third one but the fourth one was awesome!!! I put $10 on a horse which is not favourite to win.. I shared it with Mullet and together we have a $25 bet on Luckystar, the number 7 horse for the 8th race of the day... What an adrenaline rush!! Luckystar won it by a nose.. Haha... But, there was an objection by the jockey whose horse finish second.. Damn!! Shit man.. That was a fucked up 10 minute wait for the steward to make a decision about the race eventual result.. Fortunately, the objection was overruled.. Haha... Me and Mullet won $155 altogether.. Yeah man!!

I know that I'm not suppose to bet but it's just for the fun of it.. Anyway, I used the winning money on taxis.. Haha... Well some of these guys are going off today.. For Mullet, Simon and Becky, they will only fly off on Monday... Might be going to the local club for Spurs' supporters tonite to catch the Spurs & Man City game.. One thing these guys teach me is how to have a hell out of fun!!! Will miss ya all guys man...

Hey Mate*

2006-04-05T11:18:00.000+08:00

Loughborough University.. Hardly heard of that university in the UK until I met the group of students which came down for Europe class on Monday... Great bunch of people... During the class, the Singaporean students had to interact with the Loughborough students.. I went to talk with Neil (Mallet) and Becky... It's amazing how fast we could click...

Brought Neil and Becky together with a few others; Krista, Rebecca, Tim, Simon, Dave and Cradz (My friend, Mazuan, also joined us) to watch an S-League match yesterday night as they wanted to watch 'Singapore' soccer.. SAFFC Warriors VS Baliestier Central Tigers.. Watching the first-half made me feel damn embarrassed about local soccer.. Luckily the second-half managed to serve something for them to watch.. It was cool bringing them to a heartlander area and experienced normal, everyday lives of Singaporeans instead of the usual touristy areas... Also, the best part is teaching them 'local' vulgarities... It's funny to hear them say nabei chee bye or butoh in their English accent...

After the match, we went to Wala Wala at Holland V.. T.J. and Fozz joined us as well.. Man, this guys really can drink and not get drunk easily... They simply love that place and kept calling me 'The Legend' for bringing them to that place... They taught me how to play several drinking games and trust me, that's the first time I got high (on Coke and plain water.. Lol..) Though they drank lots of beer, they respect my decision not to drink and I find that simply awesome and cool... Anyway, Wala Wala closed at 1a.m. and when you think they had enough drinking for that day, you're wrong.. This guys are game for more... So we head down to Mohd Sultan to chill some more and for them, drink a lot more...

By the time we decided to call it a day, it's 4:30a.m. already... I went back to their hotel to spend the night, I mean morning, becoz I'm too lazy to go home.. Well, it's really an experience going out with this guys, showing them around and learning much more about them and their lives... We took lots of photos and hope that Becky would send me soon the pics in her camera so that I can keep it for memory sake... I would have brought my own camera if not for someone who returned me my camera without the memory stick... Hehe..

Hope you guys enjoy Singapore and all the best for the report that you all have to write for the field trip course to Singapore... 'Till next time mate*...

*Mate is something which the blokes call each other and trust me, it's very addictive to say that once you're with them...

No more!!

2006-04-03T07:23:00.000+08:00

Woohooo!!! No more assignments for this academic year.. Completed the last group report and submitted it right smack before the clock strike 12 yesterday... The feeling was shiok.. Finally, no more weekends gonna be burn to complete reports and essays.. Thanks Weiyi for putting up with me almost every weekends in completing papers after papers... Here's to many more to come in the next academic year.. Cheers!! Haha...

To digress a bit, yesterday, while preparing for the powerpoint presentation slides, I made a typo error in spelling 'analyzing'... Guess what did microsoft suggest me to change it to?? ANAL SIZING... Haha!! Don't know if you find that funny but it's extremely hilarious to me at that point of time...

Anyway, I shall take a deserving two day break before starting on revision.. Yes, sadly, the exam is drawing nearer as I'm typing now.. Countdown: 22 MORE FREAKING DAYS!!! Lots to catch up as I've neglected all my notes and readings since the mid-sem break...

Like to wish one of my best buddy, Nazri, a happy ahem ahem birthday and also to my the other best buddy, Najib, congrats for having gone thru' the 'traditional process' of ahem ahem... Lol..

Okay folks, I'm goin to listen and sing to my current favourite song "Nadia" (for the umpteen times!!) Can't get the song out of my head... Anyone want the lyrics?? I've juz transcribe it all by myself...

Can I Help You??

2006-04-01T13:50:00.000+08:00

Recently, I read an article in the forum section of the Straits Times about customer service in Singapore.. The reader wrote saying that it's not only the staffs who need to be friendly and courteous in serving customers, the customers themselves need to reciprocate as well... I have to agree with her totally..

Generally, I think that the level of service in Singapore, broadly speaking, has been improving.. There are, of course, some customer service officers who still serve you with such bad mannerism and a smelly attitude like as if you had just taken his/her lover away.. However, I think we, the customers, do need to buck up as well.. I feel that Singaporeans are very rude and demanding most of the times and this create an unfriendly atmosphere... What is wrong with a simple "Thank You" or a smile.. Those actions will really go a long way in making the transaction of the goods and services a pleasant one..

Within the short two to three months working at VideoEzy, I had encountered a fair share of polite and pleasant customers as well as those customers whom you just feel like giving a big, tight slap and spit on their face... It really make my day when a customer talk to you nicely and request for favours politely... I'm more than willing to assist.. But for those chee bais who talked to you as if you are a dog, I would often reciprocate by not entertaining to their requests and queries..

Outside also, when I'm buying groceries or queueing up to buy my food or get postage services for instant, I would often observe people who really try to make life difficult for others... What is your problem man?? You think you have the money you can buy everything including others' pride and dignity?? Normally, I would bitch with the the staff who had just being scolded by the previous customer and console him or her... I would then take the extra effort to wish him or her to have a nice day and thanking him/her for the service.. I feel that would really help in way to make him/her feel better...

I think everyone should remember this: Do to others what you want others do to you.. If you want a pleasant and helpful service, I think you should initiate or at least reciprocate the same thing to the customer service officer who is serving you.. Together, we can make the economic transaction of goods and services a pleasant and warmth experience..

Bye Bye March!! Helloooo April!!

2006-04-01T13:35:00.000+08:00

Yeah, it's April Fool's Day!!! What does that mean?? Time to play some practical jokes and pranks on others?? Not quite.. To me, that means March is GONE!!! Yahooo!!! It also means that the holidays are drawing closer.. Yipppeeee!!!!

Many events and things coming up in April.. Let me list it down...

3rd April : My bro, Nazri's Birthday (Don't worry bro, I won't reveal your age here.. Kekeke!!)

5th April: My favourite cuzin, Raihan's 17th Birthday (Man, she's all grown up..)

12th April: This is important!!! MY 24th BIRTHDAY!!!! (Hint! Hint!!)

14th to 16th April: Chalet cum BBQ (To celebrate my cuzin's, her aunt and my b'day...)

19th April: 2A3 class of 1999/2000 Gathering at Little Bali...

21st April: Irfan's 24th Birthday

25th April: Geographies of Social Life Exam (Sucky!!)

26th April: Gender, Place & Society Exam (More Sucky!!)

27th April: Europe Exam (Do I need to say it??)

So there you go, many reasons to be happy that April is finally here... Ohh Yeahhh!!!

Regret??

2006-03-31T10:58:00.000+08:00

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel you have made the correct decision all along but later on, you realize that it turn out to be the exact opposite?? How would you feel? Would you regret that you have ever made that decision?? Or would you continue to be egoistic and live on, telling yourself that you're proud of making that decision and are willing to face every repercussions which come along with that decision??

Signed, Sealed, Delivered..

2006-03-30T12:03:00.000+08:00

Signed my name on the dotted line today... And so, I had sold my life to MOE... Haha.. Oklah, the briefing I attended juz now was ok... Still need to write them a letter to defer my entry to NIE coz I'm pursuing my honours... Troublesome man...

Anyway, first thing I zoomed in when I was given the contract was the salary.. Money man, money.. Hmm.. Don't know whether to complain or not.. Haha.. But since I'm goin to pursue my honours, whatever reflected on the contract wouldn't count... Nonetheless, I had slowly started to plan my future based on the approximated figures they had given.. Hmmm.. Pening pening!!! Think it's goin to even be more confusing when I have the money in hand... Lots of temptation in this materialist world...

Got back another assignment today.. This time for Europe.. Rather satisfied with the grade.. 15% man... But I think I'll screw up the other two assignments which adds up to 35%.. So at least this one will buffer my grade... Oh well, it's a fourth year module anyway so I don't really expect much from this module...

Okie, got to get ready for class.. After that, goin to pia my last assignment for the semester.. Yippeeee!!!!

Smile!! You're on Camera...

2006-03-27T10:55:00.000+08:00

Smoking in NUS has always been prohibited... However, we smokers don't really care.. We have several crooks and corners where we would take a break and smoke...

Having just finish my assignments, I decided to take a break and smoke.. I was at the library and so I head for the nearest smoking point which is behind The Grinning Gecko... Half-way thru' puffing, I turned to my right and what do you know, there's a CCTV camera attached to a post, disguising itself as a lamp post.. Sheeshh!!! That was never there before.. I quickly shifted to an angle where it is a blindspot for the camera..

Damn!! Why are there so many of such cameras being installed around NUS now?? There's one also installed at the walkway leading to the 'Hell' at the Arts canteen (The place got it's name as it's a smoking haven for smokers in the Arts canteen).. As a result, if I want to have lunch and take a puff after that, I have to choose a seat where I'm being blocked by a pillar from the camera...

Thank god there's no camera installed, as of yet, at the smoking point outside LT11.. If not, it would really make life difficult for us smokers.. But one thing for sure, technology can never outwit humans' agencies.. There would be blindspots where the cameras aren't able to cover... So go ahead NUS.. Install more cameras and waste more money and then increase the fees further... We are just going to have more fun playing hide and seek!!

RX Water my foot ah...

2006-03-26T16:41:00.000+08:00

Ok this is the first time I wrote 2 entries within a day.. What compelled me to do so?? Well, I can't do my Europe essay coz' my mum and two sis are watching this vcd telling about the effectiveness and how good "RX Water" is.. (Read: Brainwashing) and I simply can't concentrate while hearing the absurdities that were transmitted from the telly...

I think very few of you know what the hell is RX Water. Well, supposedly, it is this filter which you fix into your tap and it will purify your water from all chlorine.. It claims to heal anything from high blood pressure, to skin diseases to even heart diseases... Can you believe that?? Everything... I'm sorry but that is simply too much to believe..

I think the person who come up with this idea is very clever though.. Why do I say so? Well firstly, it is easy to claim the effectiveness of this purifying shit because as we all know, water is an essential element in our life.. Thus, his market size is infinite... No need to worry about getting "halal" certification also..

Next, consider this... The producers claim that you are not allowed to sell the water.. You need to donate the water if you want others to try.. So the only way to get this water is by installing the filter into your taps... Clever?? Cunning?? What did I tell you huh... The filter costs S$1K.. Imagine if the water could be sold... Nobody would want to install the filter right since buying the water is so much cheaper..

Next, the main target: Old, Malay and very religious people... How to reach this people? Simple... Just use a few key religious terms such as: "InsyaAllah", "alhamdulillah", "tawakal", "berselawat", etc, etc... Also, add in scientific words like "ions" for example.. Looking at the demography they are targeting, these are the people who we could say are very cautious in embracing modernity and thus the producers of this filter (a.k.a. nonsense) psycho them by conflating religious concepts and notions as well as scientific and chiem terms together with the product.. Convincing and confusing them simultaneously.. Outstandingly smart ass!!

Next, producing vcds (which is irritating the hell out of me as the women in my family repeatedly watch them) with ordinary lay people and even "ustaz" and "ustazah" providing their testimonies to this product.. How touching if you are to watch them.. Some cried, shedding tears as they relate how the water miraculously cure them of their illness... Excellent marketing tactics!!! People always like to see miracles and happy endings..

To me, this thing is pure crap shit... It's like a placebo.. Whatever you take, if you believe that it will work, half the battle would have been won... It's all psychological.. Well, just let wait and see how long this RX Water is going to last in the market.. My prediction: Give it three more months...

In the mean time, I was thinking of buying tic-tacs and selling them as wonder medicines... Anyone wants to be in my vcds to provide their 'testimonies'?? I'll give you some commission.. Hehe...

Sports and Fitness

2006-03-26T07:57:00.000+08:00

Went for a run with one of my student yesterday morning... He wanna train for his up and coming cross-country.. While waiting for him to reach our meeting point, tried to do some chin-ups.. What do you know? I can do 2 times more chin-ups as compared to 4-5 months ago.. Haha... Need to train some more and get the gold for IPPT, and dat includes the $400 incentives that comes along with it..

Think my overall fitness is at its finest ever since ORDing... This despite me smoking so much more.. Think because I'm more conscious about my fitness level (and also my waistline.. Lol...) Well I'm not the sporty kind and my sporting achievement when I was younger was very pathetic.. Juz see the list below the list of honours I had achieved so far..

Secondary School

Inter-class Badminton Silver Team Event (Played and lost all the double matches. Got 2nd becoz' of my singles players..)

Junior College

Carrom Men's Double Bronze (Dat if you consider carrom as a sport...)

National Service

Inter-Company Soccer Runner-Up (Played as the crazy goalie...)

Inter-Company Captain's Ball Champion (No surprise.. The goalie again.. Nickname: "Long Hands")

Pathetic huh?? Haha... The thing is, I always have big dreams.. But as always, they didn't materialize.. But for now, I'm beginning to enjoy running and have half a mind of partaking in this year's Army Half-Marathon..

My goal: To better my personal best timing of 2:00:11 hrs...

As for now, I'm nursing my right foot which seem to be injured after yesterday's run... Hahaha...

2A3 Marche' Meet-Up

2006-03-23T08:49:00.000+08:00

(Left Pic: Lilian, Me & Mike; Top Pic: Jo, Dot & Liam)

It's been 6 bloody long years since I met up with my JC classmates... Finally, we decided to meet up though only 6 turn up... (At least, 1/2 of the guys turn up.. Lol...) Nevertheless, it was fun catching up with them and finding out what they have been up to all this while.. The best part is when all of us try to crack our brains and remember all the people in our class... That activity shows how bad some of our memories are.. Heheh.. Anyway, we have arrange for another gathering and this time, hopefully more will turn up (although there are some we don't really look forward to meet up... Kekeke...) especially our Civics Tutor and Geog teacher, Ms Kat Tan.. 19th April, that's the date and it's at Little Bali, somewhere near to where our school used to be located at... Ohh yah before I forget, thx Dot for the CD!! Love it!!

Prior to the meet up, the Wednesday went by pretty much ok.. Met up with Jib for a 'long lunch break... (his favourite hobby.. Lol...) He showed off his English test result.. As always.. Lol... You owe me a treat bro coz' if I hadn't recount your marks, you wouldn't get the highest mark for the class... Got back one of my own mid-term test result as well... Geographies of Social Life... Was grateful of the result but neither too satisfied nor saddened by it... It was that kind of result which is just okay... Hopefully the other test and assignments would turn out to be better...

Well, what do you know, March is already more than 2/3 thru'... Can't wait for it to continue and marched away (pun intended.. lol..) April, April... That's the month man.. That's my month.. A lot install for that month... Can't wait for it!!!

Almost Here

2006-03-21T18:43:00.000+08:00

You got to listen to this song though the MTV clip did the song a bit of injustice. "Almost Here" by Delta Goodrem (Australian Darling) and Bryan McFadden (Ex-West Life member)... Felt in love with this song when I first heard it... Below is the lyrics... Just imagine me singing Bryan part will add more 'flavour' to the song.. Lol...

-------------------------

[Verse 1] (Bryan)
Did I hear you right?
Cause I thought you said
Let's think it over
You have been my life
And I never planned
Growing old without you

[Bridge 1] (Bryan) (Not in this mtv clip)
Shadows bleeding through the light
Where a love once shined so bright
Came without a reason
Don't let go on us tonight
Love's not always black and white
Haven't I always loved you?

[Chorus] (Delta)
But when I need you
You're almost here
And I know that's, not enough
But when I'm with you, I'm close to tears
'Cause you're only almost here

[Verse 2] (Bryan)
I would change the world
If I had a chance
Oh won't you let me
Treat me like a child
Throw your arms around me
Please protect me

[Bridge 2] (Delta & Bryan)
Bruised and battered by your words
Dazed and shattered now it hurts
Haven't I always loved you

[Repeat Chorus X 2] (Delta)

[Instrumental Break] (Not in this MTV clip)

[Bridge 3] (Bryan & Delta)
Bruised and battered by your words
Dazed and shattered now it hurts
Haven't I always loved you

[Repeat Chorus X 3 (Outro) ][Delta (Bryan)]
But when I need you, you're almost here
(Well I never knew how far behind I'd left you)
And when I hold you, you're almost here
(Well I'm sorry that I took our love for granted)
(Now I'm with you, I'm close to tears, 'Cause I know I'm almost here)
Only almost here

-------------------------------

The Invisible Tuggings

2006-03-20T07:45:00.000+08:00

Looks can be deceiving. What do I mean? Every square inches of me are being stretched and pulled by the invisible tuggings of the multiple identities I possessed. Felt like I’m out of shape, distorted and contorted but still I appeared, to the naked eye, as being untouched and unscathed. A rubber band can either lose its elasticity or snapped. What would be my fate and destiny then? Wanted to scream in pain but the voice just won’t come out. It’s trapped within. Locked up inside. The world is oblivious to it. Even if a small whimper managed to find a crack and escape, it won’t make much of a difference.

More than 20 hours since I had my last wink. 10 more hours to pull through. But can I be assured that it’s only 10 more hours? Can I be sure that the other invisible tuggings aren’t lining up behind this current one, waiting to chew off whatever is left of me? The eyes wanted to close but the mind had other ideas. The body seems to side with the latter. Why? Superman? I don’t think so.

Turning 24. A time to be more responsible and independent. But does being more responsible mean taking up all responsibilities, shouldering others as well? Does claiming more responsibilities allow others to throw or even shove it up your face more responsibilities? Does being independent give others the liberty and the opportunity to be dependent on you? Questions, questions, and more questions.

Got a glance at today’s paper. There’s an article about Alfian Sa’at. A great writer and poet. Love his piece entitled “The Racist’s Apology”. Why did I mention about Alfian? Hmm…. Oh yah. His ability to craft his inner most feelings into words. How I wish I could do just that. But I am what I am. Someone who isn’t able to express clearly what’s deeply buried inside into words. As a result: Trapped!!! Grinding my teeth as the tuggings continue while visibly remaining unperturbed and unruffled…

You're Beautiful

2006-03-15T23:26:00.000+08:00

Was going through the list of names in my handphone when I came across this person's name.. I send her a msg and still waiting for the reply... After almost a year, somehow, she's still stuck in my mind.. Too bad she's taken and very not available.. Well, wanna wish her all the best... She's getting married this June... Too late Fadzly, too late..

This song was a hit back then when I first got to know her... James Blunt's "You're Beautiful"... Not so long ago lah... The lyrics in a way describe how I feel towards her... Sighz...

The wait is over...

2006-03-14T22:10:00.000+08:00

Came back from school at 4:30p.m. today and check the mail-box. There it is!!! A letter from MOE. A sudden rush of emotions began to cloud my head.. Happy to receive the reply, anxious to see the content, all prepared for another disappointment. Somehow the simple task of tearing an envelop became a tough job indeed. Shred it apart and unfold the letter. My eyes were scanning the letter at such a fast speed but it came to an immediate halt when it reached this portion of the letter which says, "I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected for a permanent appointment to the Education........"

I GOT IT!!!! Yes!!! Finally, the excruciating wait is over and my prayers had been answered... After four attempts, I finally made it.. I wanted to shout for joy but prohibit myself when I realized that I'm in public space... I thanked god repeatedly... It's really hard to explain how I felt and am still feeling now.. It's beyond words...

Came back to an empty house as my whole family went to grandma's place... Sms the good news to two of my best buddies... God knows how many times I re-read the acceptance letter. Then comes the second good news. Instead of English, I am being offered to teach Social Studies as my second teaching subject. The first one is Geog... Awesome!!! I waited for my whole family to be back before breaking the good news to them in person... During prayers, I was totally overwhelmed by emotions... Couldn't hold back the tears as I 'talk' to god...

I am thankful for what had been given to me so far and what I had achieved but at the same time, I know that I shouldn't rest on my laurels.. I need to try and work harder as there are many more things that has yet and could be achieved... InsyaAllah, with god's will, I will continue to work hard and hope one day, I could provide a good life for my parents and family...