:: Tossed Salad and Scramble Eggs ::

:: Monday, December 29, 2003 ::

To the people that really mattered

Finally, I was rushing through the last of my presents. I had a long day today, but I shall tell you my highlight for the day first.

I always look forward to the annual gang gatherings where we'll either have dinner at a nice restaurant (which is halal) or potluck at someone's house (normally mine), before a round of gift opening and much laughter.

Today was just that. Potluck at my home. Its been 2 years since we last stepped out of Secondary school, and I'm more than grateful that everyone is still together, and EVERYONE turned up today. Lovely. The atmosphere wasn't one of being there for the sake of being there, but rather, an atmosphere bustling with nostalgia and warmth. And I'll tell you why at the end of this entry.

Started dinner just before Shit arrived. Everybody chipped in to cook something up, so there was more than enough food to go around, and still some more leftovers. Then it was upstairs to open presents.

I always love this part. Not just the presents, but the idea that everyone has something nice for someonelse be it something handmade or bought or just something sweet to go around. Today, I've never laughed so hard in my life. There was just too much merriment and laughter, we had to pause for awhile to catch our breath. It was just so funny so see what stuff everyone got. This year, Zuck and Els shared gifts. They got Thara and Nad matching santa claus hats with blonde pigtails. I must put that pic up on my blog soon! I got a picture from Pre U sem taken of me, Jay and Zuck taken quite long ago. Zhan got a pink pillow for them to use when they go over for their risk slumber parties. Oh and Tat got a 'Eng Tat from the Shire' cup. Another short joke to open the new year. I think it was really cool when Els surprised Zuck with a letter. Now I'm wondering whether they were actually twins of racially diversed parents, who have been separated by birth.

Shit's handmade personalized doorknobs were pretty and all of them came with personal messages. Everyone had so much fun reading them because every sentence ended with a ...haha...(don't ask me why). It wasn't really funny, but we almost died (literally) laughing. Sam forgot to take the price tags off his stuff, but oh well, the poor guy has been working 9 to 11, so give him a break. I got a stuff toy!

Ruhan also handmade some stuff for all of us. We've got a budding artist in the gang. It almost looked professionally handmade. I got another photo taken with him during grad night, and its so nicely crafted. Nadiah wrapped home bake brownies for us in pretty orange and yellow paper. Jay, Zhan and Khairul bought chocolates to go around.

Taiwan boy, tat bought everyone stuff from Taiwan. Nadiah got a dustpan for her housework chores, Els got that Hear, see, speak no evil monkey (made in Thailand). Zuck got a poster full of innuendo, whatever for, I do not want to know. And I got another photo frame! The one I wanted to get at Igs Heaven, except that this one looks better. Personal ESSAYS for everyone too, although his handwriting was abit hard to read.

And finally me. Spent the last few weeks in a flurry of double sided tape, magazines and old photos, digging for ideas to personalise everyone's notebook calander. It was worth it. It was worth time. .Personal photos (some at their best and some at their worst) and messages, just what I've always been wanting to do for years. But I suppose, with work and all, I never got down to doing it until this year. And just for me to remember in time to come:

Nad - An oprah winfrey guide to men
Thara - A look at all her boyfriends for the past 6 years
Zhan - A spoof from a Shell advert about all those years crashing his house
Sam - Flying the friendly skies (planes and guns)
Zuck - the shape of things to come
Jay - a bit of choir
Ruhan - scouting
Shit - shit happen jokes (their so funny)
Zhi - comic relief
Els - I almost forgot him...oh man...Cover girls and pictures of himself

Well, the best part was yet to come with Vik's letter all the way from the US. He wrote short messages to everyone, it was so fun reading it out. Thanks Vik, and yes we miss you dearly!

I've never seen so much hugging and handshaking, I though it was a pretty sight. We hugged so much that we broke my mothers glass lamp stand. We're getting a new one tomorrow at Ikea or Barang Barang. She wasn't angry when I told her about it. Whew. (you know what I'm going to say next, reminds me of that ending scene in Love Actually with all the people hugging)

Dear reader, these are the people whom God has blessed me with. And they have been second nature to me ever since I've known them. I was talking to Jerm last night after class gathering on our way home. I think that it takes two to dance out a waltz and make it beautiful and unforgettable. It takes commitment and effort. Thats what friendship is, isn't it? The ambience was perfect, different all together. But different does NOT mean that it was no less or no more wonderful than any past moments that all of us shared. It is a celebration of friendship in its essence.

:: Stuffy 12/29/2003 10:47:00 AM [+] ::
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Thoughts I should pen down before going to bed

For a long time I've stopped watching and listening. If theres one place I've not been for a long time, thats my roof just outside my window. And for the first time, in a long time, I'm there today. The year-end breeze is just beautiful and I could hear the wind and the crickets. A long time since I last watched the clouds pace themselves across the mass of faded redness. It wasn't a long soujourn, but a long abandonment.

I remember when I was years younger, I use to watch the clouds and the stars when I couldn't sleep. Tracing the constellation with little understanding of what they are or what they symbolised. I now know what some of them mean, but I would rather be ignorant. I'm there today again. Not sleeping but watching. But its not the same. My reflection is a bark of a tree hardened by years of history, of memory. There is still a softness and blemish scars which will roughen in the future. But my brow is heavy, not of age but of tiredness.

I will sleep.
Watching phantoms, watching placid darkness, watching nothing.

:: Stuffy 12/26/2003 11:32:00 AM [+] ::
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This movie really made my day.

I'm currently listening to track 17 on my Love Actually soundtrack. Its so sad. Its the Glasgow Theme by Craig Armstrong (instrumental). I think it was played during the part where Peter's friend (named whatever) showed Juliet his personal tape of her. I think anyone who hasn't seen the movie would have thought it sad, maybe almost to the point of being melancholic. It reminds me of the theme song on the Band of Brothers' soundtrack, except that this one is really sad. Theres really no better word to describe it since sad is the most basic and elementary word to describe an emotion so profound. Its everything. Depressing, gloomy, cheerless, sorrowful, poignant, moving, but most of all; heartbreaking. (especially if you've seen the film).

I was reading the commentary written for the soundtrack itself by director, Richard Curtis, he said, 'Without its music, Love Actually wouldn't work at all, I know - because I saw the film without the music and it was a shocker.So this soundtrack in your hands isn't a few songs stuck together.It's the life and soul of the film.' I particularly liked the film not because its sappy. Love Actually, in two words, would have been quite misleading in terms of its romantic connotation. But the phrase 'Love Actually IS all around' tells you that there are many different facets of the term 'Love'.

Curtis on Love Actually

I'm very haunted by what constitutes being 'realistic' if I had to say to me - The Sound of Music seems to be quite a realistic piece of work. That film, which is accused of being totally saccharine says two things: that good people hated the Nazis, which they did. And lots of people fall in love and love their children, which they do. So there seems to me to be more truth to that, than something thats called a searingly realistic drama, because all over the world, every minute of everyday, people are falling in love. I say no matter how dark the world gets, the actual texture of life has alot to do with love.

General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed - but I don't see that - seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it is not particularly newsworthy, but its always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and strangers. If you look for it, I got a sneaky suspicion that Love Actually is all around.

:: Stuffy 12/26/2003 10:41:00 AM [+] ::
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Christmas day
Went out with Jason and Kevin after first service. Bleah, my class ppl slept late, so most of them went for 2nd service. Watched Love Actually again! This is the first movie I've watched twice, willingly. Its so good that I even bought the soundtrack! I so love it. Kevin went all mushy after the show, he wanted to watch the 430 one. Hah, I saw Elson again! Most frequent person I've been bumping into this year.

Boxing Day
Spent the morning sleeping in before rushing my 29th presents. I am so dead, I hope I can finish in time! Yes, yes I have to get paper plates etc... By the way, Jay and Elson, if you guys are keeping up with my blog, HAVE YOU DECIDED ON YOUR POT OF LUCK? *smiles Tell me on the 28th okay? If not, surprise me.

Met Emerald and Terence for branch at Marine Parade. Its changed so much, very metropolitan and classy. I should hang out there more often. It was great just hanging out and talking about all sorts of stuff that came around. Had dinner with Shit, Tat and Zhi at some italian restaurant, my pasta was terrible, I could only taste the olive oil, which didn't really have much flavour in it to begin with. But I liked Tat's sauce. Pizza was too salty. Sat around Pacific Coffee club waiting for those red velvet seats with no luck.

Shit asked me this question, a very interesting one: Would you go out with a guy younger than you? I'll type out a long opinion on it some day. But really, if its something as far fetch as Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, I think its a little hilarious. Well, that happens only in America.

I finally found a bunch of people to go restaurant gallavanting with. Shit and Tat. We should go restaurant hopping in Jurong and Holland V someday soon.

:: Stuffy 12/26/2003 10:19:00 AM [+] ::
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I'm so happy, we've got an ideal date where everyone can make it. Dinner will be late though, we'll have to wait for shit to pass his drivers' test thing. So we'll start around 830.

DETAILS:
7pm Tanah Merah mrt 29th MONDAY
830 dinner

Potluck list:
Tat - 2 Pizzas (pizzahut)
Shit - Cake
Khairul - KFC Chicken
Sam - MacDonald's nuggets
Ruhan - Drinks (sparkling grapejuice)
Zuck - home cook mee goreng!
Nadiah - cocktail
Thara - curry puffs
Rueben - otah
Zhi - ice cream (to go with Shit's cake)
Zhan - soup
Jason -
Els -

Anyway, heres the invitation list for the 29th Dec MONDAY: 14 people in all.

Elson (coming)
Engtat (coming)
Jason (coming)
Khairul (coming)
Nadiah (coming)
Reuben (coming)
Ruhan (coming)
Sam (coming)
Stephanie (me)
Shit (coming)
Thara (coming)
Zhan (coming)
Zhi (coming)
Zuck (coming)

SMALL PROBLEM, my parents just told me that you guys can't stay over because theres too many people and we'll make too much noise. So if you want a stayover, then we'll have to change venue.

:: Stuffy 12/24/2003 05:06:00 AM [+] ::
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This week has been a whirlwind of events. Met up with Jeanine and restaurant hop with Ming Hui. Haven't seen those two in ages, and it felt great meeting up to catch up on things.

Yesterday. Met Kev and Jason for dinner before going to church.

Was our last Bible lesson with Adrain and Teng Ngan. So sad! Hope i'll see them often in church next year when we're all in YAG. Adrain is getting married and Teng Ngan is uh...riding off into the sunset on his motorcycle. I respect them for their commitment in being a pair of great sunday school teachers who have guided us through God's word this year. Everything ended on a good note as we closed with the final chapter of Hebrews (the exhortation) and went to cafe cartel for supper. 2nd time this year that we ordered the 10 scoop icecream treat. O well, Joel is going in NS right after christmas and jason soon after, so our class is going to be quite small beginning of next year(for a while).

:: Stuffy 12/24/2003 05:01:00 AM [+] ::
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Musings

Reuben, I just read your last entry on starting and ending a novel. Well, I do believe 'too each his own', when it comes to doing things in the manner which works best for us. But I believe that in writing anything; be it fiction, biography, poems or whatever, the best thing to do is to start and follow through the whole novel as if you were reading a novel yourself.

Unless of course you're the kind who read a novel by looking at the start and the ending before finishing off the middle section...well, okay *rolls eyes, but its really no fun. Then again, at least you got somewhere with the start and the ending, so I suppose you have to develope and build upon the plot. But really, the key to a good story with a twist is to be flexible with the way you end it - but who am I kidding, I've never written a full novel myself!

:: Stuffy 12/23/2003 07:21:00 AM [+] ::
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I realised that the only jokes I laugh at is 'shit happens jokes'. Sad, but true.

:: Stuffy 12/22/2003 05:52:00 AM [+] ::
...

I'm so happy, we've got an ideal date where everyone can make it. Dinner will be late though, we'll have to wait for shit to pass his drivers' test thing. So we'll start around 830.

DETAILS:
7pm Tanah Merah mrt 29th MONDAY
830 dinner

Potluck list:
Tat - 2 Pizzas (pizzahut)
Shit - Cake
Khairul - KFC Chicken
Sam - MacDonald's nuggets
Ruhan - Drinks (sparkling grapejuice)
Zuck - home cook mee goreng!
Nadiah - cocktail
Thara - curry puffs
Rueben - otah
Zhi - ice cream (to go with Shit's cake)
Zhan - soup
Jason -
Els -

Anyway, heres the invitation list for the 29th Dec MONDAY: 12 people in all.


Elson (coming)
Engtat (coming)
Jason (coming)
Khairul (coming)
Nadiah (coming)
Reuben (coming)
Ruhan (coming)
Sam (coming)
Stephanie (me)
Shit (coming)
Thara (coming)
Zhan (coming)
Zhi (coming)
Zuck (coming)

SMALL PROBLEM, my parents just told me that you guys can't stay over because theres too many people and we'll make too much noise. So if you want a stayover, then we'll have to change venue.

:: Stuffy 12/21/2003 07:09:00 AM [+] ::
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Nothing smart to write about

I think the actors of Lord of the Rings look weird without their middle earth make up and costumes. The only actress who looks likes shes got pointy ears in real life and in reel life is Liv Tyler. Orlando Bloom is the perfect Legolas, but he looks forsakenly horrid in his other photos without his long blonde hair and clean shaven chin (and of course pointy ears - no, its not phallic). No wonder he never made it big as a star until his makeover as Legolas. The same goes for Viggo Mortensen. I mean he looks like Clay Aiken without his dark shaggy locks, you can't really see the Aragorn in him.

I don't have much to write about these days, and I haven't really given much thought into reflecting upon the year as it comes to a close. Partly because I've been running around meeting people, people and more peope. Partly because I've been sleeping on a 12hr basis.

:: Stuffy 12/20/2003 06:04:00 AM [+] ::
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Its a rainy day today. My toes got wrinkled from playing in the rain. Its a nice feeling to be out in the rain, then down to a hot bath, and finally on the computer with a nice cup of hot chocolate and Nat King Cole crooning 'Silent Night'. Christmas is a week away and I still have 8 more hand made presents to go. I should be able to finish in time.

Met up with Jeanine and Nad for Fish & Co. for lunch. Nad had to leave early, so me and Jeanine went to Starbucks millenia for coffee. Talked for a whole 3 hrs. There was just so much to catch up on; people, friends, life.

Sad, this year they stopped playing Christmas carols. Anyway, I saw Minghui there. Reminded me of the time we studied together for JCT in J1.

:: Stuffy 12/20/2003 05:48:00 AM [+] ::
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Ok, just got off the phone with Reuben. Haven't spoken to him in the longest! I can't remember what was the agreement like when I was talking to Shit and Tat about the invitations, but since he was on the phone, I invited him. Objections no?

Anyway, heres the invitation list for the 31st Dec: 14 people in all.


Elson
Engtat
Jason
Khairul
Nadiah
Reuben
Ruhan
Sam
Stephanie (me)
Shit
Thara
Zhan
Zhi
Zuck


Please msg me if you have any violent objections or any other additional kinsmen to be added to the list. I'll be calling everyone to confirm around next week just before Christmas. Please think of what you're going to bring to the potluck dinner.

Potluck list:
Tat - 2 Pizzas (pizzahut)
Shit - Cake

*this is a first come first served basis so msg me asap

:: Stuffy 12/17/2003 08:52:00 AM [+] ::
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Lord of the Rings - The Return of the Kings

Watched the gala premiere of Lord of the Rings yesterday. The whole family was looking forward too it, especially since it had been a long time since we last went out for something like that.

It was wonderful had it not been for the producers trying too hard to create a little humour. Dear readers, if anyone of you decide to produce or direct your own movie in the future, try not to incorporate humour if you haven't the wit to do so. Most of the humour was of course from Pippin and his other hobbit friend, whose name was too insignificant for me to remember, and Gandalf. Why Gandalf? They should have preserved his dignity and wisdom, but they degenerated his character into an insecure wizard coupled with slapstick humour. But all in all, its a good movie to watch, especially if you've been following the trilogy. The detailed paid to crafting the set makes me wish that I was part of the Middle Earth era - wonder what it would have been like. I should plan a trip to New Zealand one day.

:: Stuffy 12/16/2003 07:43:00 AM [+] ::
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'Sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your name'

Spent the day lounging at Zhan's house with part of the gang, watching them play risk and finishing three tins of Zhan's sister's cookies. THEY ARE FANTASTIC! A whole bunch of them turned up today. *A Note on Zhan's house - Its always been an after school thing back in Secondary school, and the best part is, nobody gets tired of dwelling there. A day care centre especially for the likes of Zuck and Elson. Come to think of it, its quite like the kind of atmosphere you find on 'Cheers' - the place where everybody knows your name.

Got bored after none of the risk pieces were advancing at a menacing rate, so half of us went to Zhan's room and started oggling at Shit's prom photos. Then we started surfing the net on Zhan's cool laptop. I can't believe that there are people out there who have so much time to put up every other JC's prom photos online. Surfed around somemore like a bunch of internet junkies...

Anyway, tagged along with Shit and Tat to watch Infernal Affairs III. I could catch most of what was going on with a little help from Shit since I haven't watched Part I and II. Interesting, especially since this is my first time watching a Chinese film in a cinema. Well, theres always a first time for everything. I must borrow the first two from tat soon. I found it hilarious when the two police departments were just standing there waiting for the inevitable, ie:main actors to shoot each other. Tat said that it was to create an atmosphere of tension and Shit said it was to enhance the helplessness that everyone felt, since the main character had a gun and he was mad. I thought it was just plain stupid to have too many extra actors around in the scene. Too many redun-dees makes it easy to lose focus on the main characters. Its like seeing Neo fighting a gazillion agents. In short, its pure bathos.

Went for coffee at Starbucks after the show. We were all contemplating what to get for gifts for the new year's eve party. Shit and I agreed that we should make something instead of buy something. Its the effort that counts, and its always warm to receive something handmade. I suppose I had better do something like that this year, if I don't, I don't know when I will ever find the time to make something for the following year. There'll be NS for the guys, Uni for me, Nad and Thara. Yep, this is the best year to make stuff - now the only contrain is time. So I hope to start getting down to work sometime this week.

:: Stuffy 12/16/2003 07:37:00 AM [+] ::
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Movie Mistakes

1 Star Wars When the stormtroopers break into the control room, watch very carefully and you will be able to see a storm trooper nearly render himself unconscious by smacking his head off a door frame.

2 Commando One of the most blatant mistakes ever committed to film. The yellow Porsche is totally wrecked on the left side, until Arnie drives it away, and it's fine.

3 The Rocky Horror Picture Show The criminologist describes the events of the movie as taking place "on a late November evening". In the very next scene, Brad and Janet are driving in Brad's car, and Nixon's resignation speech is playing on the radio. Nixon resigned in August of 1974.

4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone When Harry, Ron and Hermione rush to Hagrid after end-of-the-year exams, and Harry is saying something that ends with "why didn't I see it before", Hermione is mouthing his lines.

5 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines One of the most blatant mistakes ever seen onscreen - in the scene where John & Catherine are in the hangar at the runway, the Cessna's tail number is N3035C. When the plane is shown in the air, the number is N9373F. When they land, the tail number has changed back to N3035C.

6 Charlie's Angels When the angels are fighting the "creepy thin man," right before Drew Barrymore lifts up Lucy Liu to spin her around and kick the thin man, to get Lucy's attention, Drew hollers out "Lucy!" even though Lucy Liu's character's name is "Alex."

7 Gladiator After the battle with the Germans, the next morning after the tavern, he is walking in the army camp and he feeds a horse a piece of apple. If you look closely between Maximus and the horse, there is a crewman wearing a pair of blue jeans.

8 Spider-Man In the scene where Mary Jane is being mugged by four men, Spider-Man throws two of the men into two windows behind Mary Jane. Then the camera goes back to Spider-Man beating up the other two guys. When the camera goes back to Mary Jane the two windows are intact.

9 The Matrix In the scene where Agent Smith is interrogating Neo, after Smith has sealed Neo's mouth shut and he is backed into the corner, when the camera cuts back to Smith you can clearly see a reflection in his glasses of Neo still sitting down in the chair.

10 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets At the beginning of the scene near the end of the movie with Lucius Malfoy fuming at Dumbledore in his office, Malfoy's hair is fanned back behind his shoulders. The lighting in the room illuminates the back of his neck, where you can see his real, short brown hair.

11 Black Hawk Down Near the end of the movie when the convoy is heading back to the Pakistan Stadium, a Humvee stops briefly to allow a man to walk across the street with a child in his arms. When the shot changes and the Humvee begins driving again, a crew member or cameraman is seen inside the Humvee wearing a white shirt. All of the men who entered the Humvee were wearing fatigues.

12 Pearl Harbor When Evelyn first enters Pearl Harbor, there is a tall building that clearly says, "Est. 1953." Obviously this is a little ahead of the times.

Some people have all the time in the world...

:: Stuffy 12/14/2003 07:55:00 AM [+] ::
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All in a day's work

With part of the gang this morning over kaya bread and kopi o' at the killiney kopi tiam. It was a good, solid conversation about life, the traumas about 2003 and the people around us. Yes, and for once, not about a soccer match. *laughs, I suppose most of it could be attributed to the dynamic energy of zuck and tat - yappers unite.

I commited sin of all sins from the 'Handphone for Dummies Guide' by allowing my phone to slip unintentionally into the toilet bowl in killineys. Its not working now, so I'll have to get it fixed tomorrow. Made me realised how dependent I am on my handphone. Actually, I was more worried about not being able to keep track of the time, than about the phone itself and its wonderful gadgets - half of which I don't really use. But thats besides the point. Point is, I should start wearing a watch. Point is, I should remember important phone numbers, should it ever happen again.

:: Stuffy 12/13/2003 08:50:00 AM [+] ::
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Curtis on Love Actually

I'm very haunted by what constitutes being 'realistic' if I had to say to me - The Sound of Music seems to be quite a realistic piece of work. That film, which is accused of being totally saccharine says two things: that good people hated the Nazis, which they did. And lots of people fall in love and love their children, which they do. So there seems to me to be more truth to that, than something thats called a searingly realistic drama, because all over the world, every minute of everyday, people are falling in love. I say no matter how dark the world gets, the actual texture of life has alot to do with love.

General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed - but I don't see that - seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it is not particularly newsworthy, but its always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and strangers. If you look for it, I got a sneaky suspicion that Love Actually is all around.

:: Stuffy 12/12/2003 06:54:00 AM [+] ::
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I spent a lazy afternoon sleeping and trying to think of what to get everyone for Christmas. I haven't thought of what to buy yet, but I think I'll have to try my hand at making something. Repeat, Something!

I should start going for my basic drivers' lessons next week. Signed up with Emerald this afternoon. To bad she had to leave so early. How boring. The whole world is busy today. I dont' know if you call it withdrawal symptoms, but its unlikely so. I have quite alot of things that I should be doing, but I'm not doing it. I am degenerating. Starting next week, I better start putting things together and making sure I get down to doing a couple of things.

Like...

Anyway, I wanted to write a meaningful, thought-provoking post, but I lost it while reading some emails. Reminds me, I should write an email to Vik soon.

:: Stuffy 12/12/2003 04:37:00 AM [+] ::
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I've been watching quite a few happy-ending movies. Frank Capra's 'You Can't Take it with You' is heart warming. Then theres Love Actually, another Huge Grant film. The movie is so British, so Huge Grant, and a direct insult at George Bush at that.

:: Stuffy 12/12/2003 04:18:00 AM [+] ::
...

Thanks Leish for sending me the pics. I'll probably upload my photos when I can find someone with a scanner. I'm going to photo trade with tat and ruhan tomorrow.

:: Stuffy 12/09/2003 06:26:00 AM [+] ::
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Fries, Cheeseburgers and a coke

I took away a double cheeseburger plain from McDonalds and realised how desperately they wanted to change their image. 'Special Order' stickers are replaced with 'Premium' stickers, and just for the record, they are in italics. The simple kiddie yellow strips across a plain white uniform has been abolished in place of smart black polo-Ts and colourful bandanas. *note black is synonymous with teenage growing years, a kind of cool gothic look. At least thats what a psychologist told me.

Three words: I hate it.

I brought up this topic while having sushi with Sarah the other day. We agree that McDonalds should stay with its clean family image and promote good family values instead of keeping up with the swanky retail-coffee generation. We HAVE enough Starbucks, Coffeebean, Coffee club and what not, we do not need a Mc Cafe to keep the competition going. In cases like these, the government should just put a ban on the proliferating monopolistic competition.

I don't know about you, but if I have kids (hypothetically), I would bring them to McDonalds for treats. I mean my parents brought me to McDonalds on their 2nd anniversary, when I was a year old. I don't think this new advertising strategy will fail, but its just a preference for the family image, as opposed to the teen funky image.

:: Stuffy 12/09/2003 06:23:00 AM [+] ::
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Met Sabby today for lunch, tried out that new place on the first floor of Wisma Atria. Can't remember the name of the restaurant, but its the one which replaced Breeks. The food there wasn't all too bad, and despite its rather posh and metro-modern atmosphere, the food there is cheap. If any of you have buisiness dates, or just place social dates, go there.

Sarah dear was bored, so met her for sushi.

Theres something I don't get, you've been eating sushi for quite a while, but you're not sick of it yet? Hmm, I had a sushi craving about a week ago, but not right now, though I think sashimi once in a while is good for the health.

Haven't spoken to her - heart to heart - in the longest, and it felt great. Can't wait for Sarita to get back so that we can go sign up for relief teaching.

I'm still in the midst of wondering whether I should take up relief teaching or work in the bank (sales) or work in law firm. My ol' senile father was encouraging me to find out what law is about on Saturday, so he offered me some law firm job. Then on Sunday, he changed his mind about the offer, and told me that the law firm just wanted cheap labour. I'm sorry but I can't help rolling my eyes now. I should give myself a deadline and just decide on what I want to do. I don't mind doing sales as opposed to an admin desk job though.

:: Stuffy 12/08/2003 04:05:00 AM [+] ::
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Did you know that taking up a SAF women's scholarship means that you have to do 3 months BMT. And no, you have to apply as a provisional candidate and take BMT in January before the results are out. If you miss the provisional, theres a second one after the A level results, and guess what, you have to fulfill BMT this year and start studying next year, which is the equivilent of doing a year of NS. I might as well volunteer to do 2 and a half years while I'm at it. This is ridiculous.

I bought two Frank Capra films for $9 each, they were having sale at Tower Records. I've got Clarke Gable's Oscar winning 'It happened One Night' and 'You Can't Take it With You'. Pity they don't make movies like that these days. I should go down to gramaphone one day to pick out more. I hope they have a Christmas sale soon. I finally got John Grisham's 'The Rainmaker'. Didn't buy Chariots of Fire because the DVD wasn't on offer.

:: Stuffy 12/07/2003 03:57:00 AM [+] ::
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In other news, I can't wait to meet you guys (my ol' gang) soon! And YES!! Sam, we must have a gathering at the end of the year before you guys go into army. So keep your 31st free. Hmm...think Ruhan and Zuck are the first ones going in right? Well, we'll meet up and start planning soon.

:: Stuffy 12/05/2003 05:02:00 AM [+] ::
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Camp

Glad to be back from Sunday School Camp. Energy draining, I slept 4hrs on average over the last two days. I'm feel contented after having reconciled some spiritual matters, quite like the way John Donne reconciled his. *beams. We learn so many new things everyday.

I felt old be around younger, and more energetic kids. Spontaneity, you seem to lose it as you get older, and Emerald and Joel (bo) shared my sentiments. Of course, I enjoyed the company of Timothy and Gavin, two very interesting juniors. Ironically, team-bonding took place within our sunday school class. Adrain, Andrew and Terence came by in the evening, so we sat at the canteen and talked for hours on end. Hah! I suppose you never really appreciate things lest it be placed in relative to other things. But I'm glad we bonded well as a class. Teng Ngan was right in saying that we shouldn't worry about YAG next year. I suppose we should just give it a shot right? I couldn't agree with it more when he said that it all depends on your personal spiritual well-being as opposed to the circumstances or the prospects of anything. So don't worry, God is faithful.

:: Stuffy 12/05/2003 04:58:00 AM [+] ::
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Grad Night

I'm back from Grad Night. Everything was just fantastic. Glitter, Glamour and Dazzle.

I got my hair done with Sarita. Special thanks to Kevin who recommended a wonderfully talented hairstylist who made my hair fan-tabulous. Something unique, sophistacated and something that nobody else had, hee~ . The make-up artist however, was another story. First of all, I had problem communicating with her because shes a Hong konger who spoke chinese. Secondly, I annoyed her with constant flinching, I'm sure she got pissed. Now, I am quite bias against makeup artists from hong kong, or any working salon stylist from Hong Kong for that matter. I suppose I would attribute it to bad experience. She plucked out my eyebrows and the pain was so excruciating that I almost fazed out for a moment.

Anyway,

Bimbo mode: People you should try out this hair salon if you're free, shes at St33 (near Ngee Ann Sec), blk201 no. #01-64. Mind you shes no B-grade stylist.


The phototaking was the highlight of the day, we went over to the Ritz Carlton waterfall lounge to take a few pictures. Kinda sad we didn't take one as a class though. I suppose everyone was in a caught up in the frenzy of the moment and it was easy to forget.

The dinner was alright, except I thought, the intervals were a tad too long for my taste. Its banquet strategy: To make sure that you don't go off early until the grad night couple were announced. Probably also a ploy to keep us there with the IRRITATING and NERVE WRECKING MC. I mean, I know that the council was on a tight budget, but we could jolly well cater a 6 course meal, instead of an 8 course with terrible sago desert, then channel the rest of the resources to some agency which offers a better MC. I mean, he wasn't only boring, he was just trying to hard to be normal, so much so he turned out into a ridiculously hokkien rattling Ah Beng. I mean for Pete Sakes! People like that should be eliminated from the face of the earth.

Anyway, after loitering for a couple of minutes at the lobby, we walked to the esplanade. The guys and a few others when clubbing at Embassy and I gave some of the girls a lift home. Well, my parents being the nice and parnoid people that they are, drove all the way to pasir ris and back. Hey I didn't know that Debbie stayed so near me, funny how I never bumped into her before.

Well, I really loved the atmosphere tonight. I loved being with my class, and I suppose this is the last time I'll see so many of you together, until possibly the next class gathering in a month or two. Even then, the guys will be going NS, so it'll probably be really hard to meet up. Of course, I'll see you guys when we collect our A' level results, but thats a different atmosphere altogether, and it'll never be the same as the one we had tonight.

Everyone looked pretty!

:: Stuffy 12/02/2003 11:13:00 AM [+] ::
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Okay I'm back from that PDP screwed up meeting, finally got everything fixed and hopefully it'll go just fine. I hope I'm not being stupendously optimistic about it.

Went to Macs with Sarah and Tat for branch, and discussed Sarah's plans for her musical next year. The story idea sounds cool. I suppose they'll be working really hard over the next few weeks getting props and actors ready. *Snigger, Tat's role is SO him.

Its ten minutes to 1, I'm going to take a nap, have a bath later in the day, and then go down to meet Sarita and get our hair done at a salon. Yes, not forgetting the makeup too. Sarita is bimbotically excited, I'm half way there except I'm too tired now to show my enthusiasm now.

Off to recharge

:: Stuffy 12/01/2003 08:51:00 PM [+] ::
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