:: Tossed Salad and Scramble Eggs ::

:: Friday, February 28, 2003 ::

Music:

Rise and shine its 11 am in the morning. First day in almost a week i've been online, my cable connection broke down and SCV technicians are just SLOW at responding.

Slept at 3 am this morning, and still feeling very sick. I shouldn't do this too often since I've already adjusted my bio clock to an everyday school routine (wake at 645, come back home at 5, sleep til 630, start work, sleep at 11...and the cycle continues). Yesterday was cool, I was on the phone on a 6 hr marathon. Its like some sort of Phone-calling day or something. First Jeanine called me (about 9), bitched to me about the usual stuff. I found out that shes teaching my sister, which isn't the least bit amusing, of course I'm not going to dig into my sister's affairs, its a waste of my time and effort and I don't intend to blackmail her at this point in time. So not much point. Hope to meet up with her and Ling one of these days, if I can ever find free time that is.
Then Tat called to give me a CNN update on O level results and who got what. I was quite disappointed that not many of them got single-digits (yes I know I'm beginning to sound elitist), so I'm quite worried about nass's standing this year, despite the overall 'better-than-senior' performs they claim it to be. Very pround of Ee orr for doing well, and it just goes to show that hard work does pay off. I think I could still recall how upset he was after his prelims, which gave him a slap on his face and woke him up. Determination and perseverance did him good. Wonder if he'll be coming to TJ...Need to go check with Rueben and see what he got. Hope he stays in VJ (would like to see him in TJ though, theres so much to catch up on). Digression ends -- Talked to Tat about usual gossip and blah, its very educational. What goes around in school, especially since I've isolated myself somewhat from the rest of the community, HAH! this disproves Johnson's philosophy of the desire, and need to be in a community, (if you read Frankenstein you'll know), so much so for Shelley using his philosophy, I shall challege it one day!!...
Then Zhan sms me at a weird, usual for him, hour of 215 (so like zhan *roll eyes) with 'how about catching up ol' fren'. So we did. Most of the conversation was about singapore politics, but its good to know that my friends are still breathing. \

Which makes me thankful that I have friends who want to keep in contact with me, and I shouldn't be mean by not doing anything about it. Sometimes, this drawing a line between work and play can be to my detriment. Come to think of it, majority of the time, my phone bills aren't that high because its my friends who do the calling. Economically impressive, any money-grabbing accountant would give me a resounding 'Well Done'. Potentially threatening, since I could, by my own ignorance, lose some of the most important people around me in that way. It is my philosophy to give back what I owe, and I will when the time comes. Still I should make the effort to contact some of the people whom I haven't seen and heard in a long time.

I'm not upset at my ignorance of what has been going around for the past month. I think solitude is well deserving of my time, (haha Ruhan, that quote book on solitude rubbed off on me!) Yes, by saying this, I just blasphemed the earlier part of my resolution to contact friends I haven't seen and heard in a long time. How usual of my fickleness. I shall have to think on it. Til then, I shall continue to live my life the way I've always lived it.

PS: I'm quite surprised at the degree of seriousness everyone takes at reading blogs.

:: Stuffy 2/28/2003 07:35:00 PM [+] ::
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On boy bands

This is as unoriginal as Hindi movies, except that the palm trees are lacking.

:: Stuffy 2/18/2003 07:57:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:

I'm currently betting on the number of people who would stay in Debate after the NYJC competition.

:: Stuffy 2/18/2003 07:55:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:Ava Maria - London Symphony Orchestra

Comment to Tat. Since you're a frequent reader of my blog.

I have a suggestion for you. In order to sustain your influx of readers from all around the world (ie: your global network of viewership), I suggest that you change your blog topic to something less depressing. I understand that in the world today, tragedy and disaster seem to attract a large variety of audience. However, in the long run, this will no longer act as a viable marketing tool. There are so many other ways of sustaining membership to 'CNN-Tat-inc', a 48hr coverage of the event should be enought to increase your viewership ratings, but people do tend to get jaded after 368hrs of live telecast. Its like 50yrs of Survivor. Furthermore it will also help you get over the recent crisis you are facing at the moment.

Concern friend.
(I seriously do not think you would want her to start discovering things on your blog that she shouldn't quite know at this point of time, given the circumstances.)

:: Stuffy 2/18/2003 07:50:00 AM [+] ::
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On an Evening in Roma - Dean Martin

Cr|t|Z: Classy song


On An Evening In Roma (Sott'er Celo De Roma)
Como e` bella ce` la luna brille e` strette
strette como e` tutta bella a passeggiare
Sotto il cielo di Roma

Down each avenue or via, street or strata
You can see 'em disappearing two by two
On an evening in Roma
Do they take 'em for espresso
Yeah, I guess so
On each lover's arm a girl I wish I knew
On an evening in Roma

Though there's grining and mandolining in sunny Italy
The beginning has just begun when the sun goes down
So please meet me in the plaza near your casa
I am only one and that's one too few
On an evening in Roma

Don't know what the country's coming to
But in Rome do as the Romans do
Will you on an evening in Roma

Como e` bella ce` la luna brille e` strette
strette como e` tutta bella a passeggiare
Sotto il cielo di Roma
Don't know what the country's coming to
But in Rome do as the Romans do
Will you on an evening in Roma
Sott'er celo de Roma
On an evening in Roma

:: Stuffy 2/14/2003 05:48:00 AM [+] ::
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Music: Rhapsody in Blue - Walt Disney Fantasia 2001
Thought: What is the female syn. of misogyny?

My mental psyche is oscillating faster than I can keep track of it. I have not found out exactly what I want, and that has become very annoying...no extremely annoying because I do not have an objective and purpose to carry out. No wait, I do not want any objective and purpose to govern my life. But if I do not have it, then what do I live for?

...Distinct sound from the clarinet in Rhapsody in Blue.Cymbals. Piano fingers playing vigourously. Semitone one up down, up down, up down...hit cords several times. Accelerando, Allegro from trumpets. rit.

Cartoondrawings. Building Silhouettes, 2-D people running around.

:: Stuffy 2/14/2003 05:29:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:

Met Thara and Xiu Hui today. Its funny how despite so many things that have happened in the last four years, we're still somewhat the same, and they've always been 'there'. 'There' in image, I guess things like that never really fade. It made me sad that Thara is leaving this wenesday for Australia, so I guess I wouldn't be seeing her til the end of the year.

I woke up this morning to find a fwd msg from her about friends. (Well most of the time I do receive those, but they seem somewhat impersonal.) I guess this one is different because Thara isn't the sort to sent those. I valued it because shes always been 'there' in image, and theres something about us three which just goes together.Even thought most of what I can remember for sec2 was her running off with Wen Jie and leaving me and Ah Hui with Aaron and gang...lol, oh well, they always say that if a friend is true, he/she'll keep coming back for as long as you can remember. I guess sometimes, reflecting on things like that make me face the fact that I could get out of hand sometimes and wreck friendships. I don't deny most of it has always to do with my fickle nature. (I only realised how fickle I can get when I was talking to Ming Hui and he pointed out that I could change my mind about things faster than lighning) Maybe if I didnt' think too much into things and don't rely on future potential consequences I could better my friendships. I guess thats where Tat comes in and tells me that the emotional nature is part of the human nature and I should pay more attention to it, right? (Personal joke. Well Tat...not that I don't...okay I suppose its your very nature. =) )

But again, its always this narcarssistic view of things, self-centeredness...me, myself and only I. Isn't it delighting to be alone rather than with so many people around? Sometimes I wish classes were like that. Only me and ________tutor. I could probably learn better that way. I think I'm giving myself the impression that I'm veering towards the misanthrope school of thought. Uh...another thought for another day. I'll continue somewherelse in my head. Should be able to figure out a final conclusion by tomorrow morning. Nite'.

:: Stuffy 2/12/2003 07:20:00 AM [+] ::
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On Tuesday, 5th November, I helped Gong gong type out his testimony for the church. He smiled at me and said thank you. That was enough to make me happy.
Last Saturday, 1st February, he passed away peacefully in his sleep. The Lord answered his prayers by granting him a death without any pain.

Teh Eng Ling - (1919 - 2003)
"Surely Goodness and Mercey shall follow me, all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalms 23:6

At the age of 83, I feel that I should give a brief summary of my testimony of my life to all my church friends. A complete summary of my life comprise of poverty, successful career, various ailments and treatments, and my search for the Lord.

The last part of my life; three years ago, the National Cancer Centre operated my colon tumour, no cancer was found. However a year later, X-ray showed 3 cancer spots on my liver, the specialist advised me, in view of my age, my weak heart, my damaged kidney, not to have any treatment and to leave it alone. After losing over 20lbs in the last 3 months, my blood pressure was very low with occasional stomach pain. During my last check up, the specialist mentioned patients with such symptoms usually have about 3 months to live. I prayed to the Lord for a painless and comfortable life for the remaining days to follow. He had taken good care of me up till now, and I have complete trust that He will continue to look after me.

Now for my youth; due to poverty, I had to work at the age of 17 and struggled through my youth, even through the Japanese years with all forms of risks. At age 28, I had a stable job in a tobacco company, where I worked very hard, having to travel to Borneo and even experienced a forced landing in a Singapore Airways, Dakota, in the Sarawak jungle due to bad weather. The Lord had been so merciful to help me through all my difficulties and all my dangers.

However, my health started to give me problems; kidney failure and kidney stones. I realised I needed the Lord, whom I knew when I was schooling in mission school A.C.S. Praise the Lord that my friend, brought me to Bethesda (Katong) and eventually I was counselled by Dr Benjamin Chew. I accepted Christ as my Saviour, baptised on December 8th 1963 in Katong. From then on and even with more ailments, I trusted the Lord. My other ailments were –hypertension, heart problems, gall bladder stones(surgery), colon tumour(surgery), diabetes, heart failure, kidney stones(surgery), ear infection(surgery), colon tumour (surgery) and finally liver cancer.

With all these mishaps however, my career was good and I had the Lord’s blessings. However, due to the effects of all these ailments, I decided to retire at age of 52. Since my early retirement, I have spent 31 pleasant years becoming more involved with the Lord’s people and their activities. I am grateful to Mr Seet Poon Soon for permitting me to be with him when he visited the prison ministry, patients in hospitals, and drug addicts. In 1982, the Lord was merciful and permitted my wife to be counselled by Mr John Lee and she accepted Christ as her Saviour. All these will not happen if the Lord is not merciful in guiding me through my whole life, giving me wonderful Christian children and grandchildren. I am very satisfied with the Lord as my Saviour.

During my life, I have had wonderful relationships with all my family members, all thanks to the Lord’s guidance, who has good control over all of us.

2nd day wake. Aunty Pam gave her testimony of Gong gong. The story she related to the congregation filled me with awe.
When she went out to take a breather at the hospital on Gong gong's last admission, an old man (a patient from the hospital) bid her good morning, and then asked if Gong gong was her father. She told him that Gong gong was her father-in-law. Then the man said, 'Your father-in-law is a holyman?'. She said no, he wasn't a holyman. He replied ' Then he must be a pastor.' Again, she said, no, he was neither a holyman nor a pastor, but he was a Christian. She asked him why he had said such. He said that the night before, he could not sleep, and he saw that the bed in which my gong gong was sleeping in, had angels surrounding him.
Again, he asked 'You don't seem to understand what he says some of the time do you?' For 3 months before he passed, he sometimes went into bizarre moods where he would ramble and his sentences would never make any sense. No one could decipher what he was saying. Aunty pam said , no it was hard to dicipher what he was trying to say. The old man said 'of course you don't, you couldn't, he was talking to the angels, not you. He is indeed a holy man...'
I could never fathom what this old man saw, and for a while it seemed quite unbelievable that this could even happen. The old man was a muslim, but Aunty pam prayed for him. I'm not sure what he believes in now, but I do hope that he believes in Jesus Christ. Miracles like that don't normally get told. But its one of those things that remind you of a Bible story. How the angel appeared to Mary, how the angel set paul free.
Angels...hmm...I'm glad, that if it were true, then those angels must have been with him every step of the way. God did answer his prayers, He certainly did.

:: Stuffy 2/03/2003 07:22:00 AM [+] ::
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