:: Tossed Salad and Scramble Eggs ::

:: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 ::

Dear Gang,

Bad News - My dear mother wants the house quiet on the 26th, coupled with the fact that shes not very happy we broke her lamp last year. Me and Tat are currently having trouble finding a place, so will need suggestions and fast. Understand that the bulk of you are being mothers to the new recruits (;) enjoy!), so understand you're busy.

3 things:
Thara comings back 25th
Nad won't be joining us because shes in NZ
Reuben, you're invited, msg me if you're coming
Khai, are you bringing your missus? Let me know, need to book no. of seats

msg me ASAP, thanks
Keep festive
Steph

PS: will write about Korea soon, busy w/ essays and wrapping presents

:: Stuffy 12/21/2004 07:54:00 AM [+] ::
...

Austria
Walzer, Wo die Citronen Bluben -Johann Strauss
Brosch!

Currently staying overnight at Heathrow Airport awaiting my flight back to Singapore

This trip was far different from the other two (Berlin, Edinburgh). It was a twelve man strong group made up of Singaporeans, Malaysians and a Portuguese (whom I learnt a little Portuguese from – Obregado!). I got to know some a little better, become acquainted with some and of course, for some part of it, forge new friendships.

Saltzburg and the Sound of Music...

The Christmas Market was magical. It was one of those things that I dreamed off as a kid, when I use to think that Christmas was all about wooden toys, tea-light lit mini glass houses, magnificently decorated Christmas trees, choirs singing carols and of course, warm Gluhwein (hot wine, Austrian style). There were horse carriages trotting around and a dressed up Santa claus with a carriage of his own. I was pretty much glowing when I saw the open air ice skating ring in the middle of the town square, it was somewhat surreal and beautiful, I wish I had my pair of skates with me. If there is one thing I would remember, it would have been the band playing. The town square had four tall towers, and on each tower there was a quartet of wind instrument players set upon it. It was orchestrated in the way that each of the quartet set on the high tower played across each other, both in harmony with each other and in responds to each other, so much so that it enveloped the entire town square with music. Then me and Jan went into the old church to listen to a choir of children singing some traditional Austrian carols. Left for the hostel at about 10am and had to climb up a steep dim-lit hill which was terribly exhausting. As expected, the rest of the group had reached back to the hostel at 6pm. My restless soul would never allow such an early retirement. It is a violation of the traveler’s code.

The Sound of Music tour was fairly interesting. We sang songs from the soundtrack and Rach did a nice imitation of Maria with ‘The hills are alive’. Of course, Radar tried to capture a shot of her on his camera unsuccessfully because he wasn’t subtle enough. After dinner, me and Jan joined the guys who went back to the hostel by train (while the rest of the girls went back by cab because they didn’t want to climb the hill). We had a close shave with the train conductor because we didn’t buy the ticket. He was four seats away before the train reached our stop. Radar and Jan were quite cool about it and Sofian smiled at the conductor and walked on. Me and Gonza stood up and walked quickly to the side – we win an award for ‘most kancheong’. Later, Gonza ran across the tracks to find the train details for the next morning when we had to leave for Vienna. That set Radar running across the track and posing for a picture, which led to me and Jan running across the tracks to pose for a picture and then the rest of the guys running across the tracks to pose for a picture.

Killed time by playing bridge on the train to Vienna...

Later in the day, after picking up the herd, we went to the Maria Theresein Platz. I was much smarter since I realize that I was possibly going to have to bring everyone around. So I planned the route with Jan – First to the Sucession Museum, then to the Maria Theresein Platz to visit the Museums and then the Christmas market at Rathus, then perhaps back to the Inner Stadt for shopping (I reckon, they would quite like the idea of shopping). I don’t mind leading the way, but I never liked the idea of bringing people to places that they may not like going to. I didn’t know them well enough to know what they liked anyway, hence I didn’t see the point in me being appointed tourguide.

After the Christmas market, me, Jan and Warren broke off from the rest of the group to go to Fasangarten and the Schloss Schonbrunn. In all of Vienna, in all of Austria, this was the most beautiful and romantic place I’ve ever seen. It was a sweet surprise and it certainly was what Vienna was described to be in books. The three of us walked around the garden, though it was quite a pity that it wasn’t spring, so the maze wasn’t at its peak and blossom. Then me and Jan raced up the hill while Warren helped us take some pictures. Something funny happened – I was helping Jan and Warren take a picture while they sat on the parapet, not knowing that behind them was a posh restaurant and people were staring at them while they climbed onto it. I was quite happy to be traveling with Jan and Warren. For that moment, I was contented to have good company and a good conversation, carelessly glossing over things about family, perceptions, future careers and five day weeks. Today, I found a new friend. It is true to say that the ambience couldn’t have been better than with the good company I had.

We walked to the Schloss Schonbrunn Christmas Market and saw a ballroom function going on. I told Jan and Warren that it would have been lovely if we saw them ballroom dance and that our fairy godmother would grant us some formal wear to be part of the grandeur. As of now, we were country bumpkins.

At about six-ish, we joined the rest for dinner and then head back to the hotel and played several round of cards over vodka. Had four shots, called Radar a bastard and then apologized for misconduct. Rach and Ade were half woozy, so me and Jan had to make sure they got back to our room.

I said my farewells to everyone in a half-asleep state. At 4 am, everyone left for Prague and I had two full days to myself. Went to the Neue Burg Museum which housed Ephesus artifacts, Musical instruments and Austrian armory. Decided on watching he Scholoss Schonbrunn orchestra in the evening, so as to kill time, I went back to the Christmas market at Scholoss Schonbrunn and had Gluhwein and cake. The Mozart and Strauss pieces were played with perfection in a ballroom hall with singing and dancing. My last day was spent at the Zentralfriedhof Cemetery (group 32A) where all the famous musicians (Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss) are now buried. It was a waste that I didn’t get to go to the undertakers museum since they open at the odd hour of 12 to 3pm. But there wasn’t much to do around Wein since I’ve covered a lot of what I wanted to see. So after some shopping (which wasn’t very much), I went to the airport.

:: Stuffy 12/11/2004 10:34:00 AM [+] ::
...

Berlin Thereafter...

I had four solid weeks after Berlin, and what did I do? Three quarters of it was spent studying for math test and doing multiple essays. A sixth of it was spent learning Tango and Jive with Hub, another sixth of it was spent meeting up with old friends from orientation. And the past three days, I spent attending some entreprenuer workshop. I feel like I haven't even began to start on things yet and tomorrow I'm going off to Austria and then back home. Too fast.

On a few random things...

On Settling down
I only realised that I began to settle down three weeks back when I had a long and leisurely conversation with Jean over dinner at EAT cafe after we hung out at the art centre. Just thought it reminded me of one of those eating escapades back home. One is a misnomer, as anyone would know. Since I came here, I forgotten what it was like to sit down over coffee and conversation and merely lounge around. But this I did the past week with Helen (French nationale) and my Honkie-PRC gang over lunch and conversation.

-------
On Christmas
The Christmas mood just kicked in. Singsoc Christmas party, hall Christmas party and cards. Ladies and gentlemen, I finally got to watch Handel's Messiah by the London Orchestra after two Christmases of not being able to watch it in Singapore - Contentment personified. To my luck, I found a new artcentre concert enthusiast - Leo. French, but doesn't really sound french (I have been dying to ask him why exactly he doesn't have a french accent). And Rach thinks he looks like CK model come Star Wars action figure. Whatever that means, I unable to see why.

Followed Hub, Weiliang and Jun Hui to the Coventry St Mary's Church to see carol singers. It is perhaps the prettiest sight I ever saw of Coventry. Had a good dinner and coversation before heading back. Double contentment personified.

Of course, Candy Canes, bought them for everyone I got to know this past three months. Triple contentment personified. Did you know that finding Candy Canes is the hardest mission to do in the UK? A two hour drive up to Stratford on Avon just to get those.
-------

The most romantic sight ever (in campus)
Last night while I was cycling around campus, the grass started frosting which made the whole field white. It was surreal. When I cycled through the open spaced field which had a path going through it, all I could see was the half moon literally shining over the white field. And then I stopped in the middle of the field and star gazed in the harsh 2 degrees celsius cold. Where was I? This beautiful and romantic dreamland is just outside the Math and Stats buidling. But I was in the middle of the field at one o'clock and I had to field to myself. I felt as if I was in the middle of nowhere. Of course, I thought I was about to get frostbite when I got back.

---------

On last day of term
Was talking to Jan today, our last day on campus, about term ending. Terribly fast, but quite worth it considering we maximised whatever time we had - that is not to say at the expense of what our fundamental focus should be and what we are essentially here for. I haven't done alot, but I have, in the truest sense of the word, learnt alot.

Just asking question like 'You going home for Christmas?' and hearing friends sing Christmas carols around campus does make me think of home and Christmas back home. Of course, I'm still feeling sore that Janice and Jieqi (Mr IT - when Janice asked a friend from Brussels if he could travel with her, the Belgian's responds was, 'sure, bring it along!'. So hes now Janice's new found dog) going to Brussels without me. Did I tell you how miserable I was when Jan and the airforce boys (the Imperial quad) went to Wales for coasteering and I passed up the chance because I was trying to be a responsible student and complete all my essays and portfolios? I'm coming back with avengence when I go gliding in Easter.
-------

:: Stuffy 12/03/2004 10:45:00 AM [+] ::
...

Berlin

Last week was reading week, so aside from only being around campus on Monday and Tuesday, Wenesday onwards was spent in Berlin with Wei, Ade, Jen, Rach and Jan. Girls trip out! Or as Jean would nicely coin it – a couple of seniors babysitting the 1985s. Well traveling with a bunch is different from solo expenditions. In some respects good and in some respects not so good. Of course, we lived in pure luxury of a comfortable hotel, perhaps more comfortable by my standards considering the previous benchmark of 12 pounds a night at a student hostel.

Berlin is unique on its own, and perhaps different from the rest of the European countries I’ve traveled to – and of course as most history students would have known what took place there (I have pictures of the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag, Jewish concentration camps, Checkpoint Charlie, and even Eric Honecker’s Lamp where the communists had their day). One can only imagine – literally – of how Bismarck’s Unified Germany would have stood with all its grandeur, of how Hitler’s Germany would have looked like or how Stalin’s regime would have been fashioned. Imagine because what has past have nothing to prove its existence. The lack of preservation of its rich cultural heritage would be a tragedy to any history student, but more a tragedy to the likes of Bala and Thompson.

I noted however (and this by my own observation) that Germany has become a place for modern artists. Simply because after the fall of the SU, the vaccum created with nothing impressive to mark it by had therefore caused flocks of artists coming into this area and graffiti on the bygone walls of the Communist buildings, the rubble which laid stagnant since the end of the second world war, and the torn down Berlin wall. Memorials are made in the most modern fashion for those who failed to cross checkpoint Charlie and even the victims of the Holocaust. I can’t describe it all in detail because you have to see it to make your own conclusion. I found it funny that East Germany seems alot more pleasant looking than West Berlin which is essentially main up of capitalist concrete.

As usual, me and Jan urban trekkers wanted to move around faster while the rest went shopping. Of which, they spent a full day at the same spot we had been shopping the night before. If you asked me for logic, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. But me and Jan went our way and walked around the whole of East Berlin scoring the weekend market and the shops.

There are a few things to note:
1.Germans are the most helpful race in Europe, the French are the worst (except for Helen and Leo of course). The British? I refuse to comment for diplomatic reasons.

2.German pastries are better than French pastries. Now Jan is complaining that she can’t do her IPPT in time because of my pervasive influence of buying-and-eating

3.German is harder to learn than French or Spanish
Live in Germany if you like concrete



Checkpoint Charlie


Berlin Wall


West Germany


Sachsenhausen Jeiwish Concerntration camp

:: Stuffy 11/14/2004 02:17:00 PM [+] ::
...

My dear reader, you would never have fathom what I did this weekend, and when I do tell my mother, she will probably disown me.

I was 'devastated, absolutely devastated' that my coasteering trip to Wales was cancelled because of improper planning by the London Airforce boys. Coupled with that, last thursday I wanted to watch the Arthur Miller play 'Death of a Salesman', only to find out that it was sold out for all five days. I wasn't very happy that night, and so to fill the weekend vaccum, I started to search for something to do.

When I got back last night (Sunday night), Melvin came bursting into my room asking me if I were alright. And Hub told me never to do it again because it was pure madness. I protested, what could I do? Jan had her weekend commitments (but also because I told her about it too late) and Jun Hui and Rainbow had lessons on Friday. I simply had to go whatever the circumstances. The rest of Singsoc? They were just a plain boring bunch of sad people who seek enjoyment by going to London.

Excerpt from Journal...

So I'm sitting here in Edinburgh Scotland in some obscure cafe waiting for the coach to take me to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness. I am here. In Edinburgh. In Scotland. I arrived yesterday at 12pm after a 5hr train ride from Coventry. I was anxious about not finding accomodation since it was nearing the weekend, but I was lucky that I found some obscure backpackers hostel at Cowgate and paid 12 pounds per night to share a dorm with six other people. I didn't realise I was literally backpacking, alone, in Scotland.

And so I spent the afternoon walking around Edinburgh city. Edinburgh on its own is unique. Up and down the Royal Mile I went. Its streets are made of cobble stone and cars move at a furious pace across the narrow winding streets. Almost every corner of the Royal Mile (or almost anywhere in Edinburgh) has a monument resurrected in memory of something that happened 'at that very spot'. There is an air about the city, a sort of dampness, a sort of oldness layered with history and tradition. When it is early in the morning, the sky is red, and the tall buildings are shrouded in midst - its almost the sort of thing you see in any Gothic literature novel (Did you know that RL Stevenson is a Scott?). If I weren't so ignorant, almost every street I turned into or any alley way I crossed would have a story of its own. If only I knew those stories and its intimate occupants.

***

There is just so much to tell about my 3 days at Edinburgh and the Highlands. The first night, I went on a ghost hunt to the Coventeer's prison where the famous McKinsey Poltergeist was supposed to be documented. Coincidentally, it was also Halloween night. Of course, like any ghost tour, most of it was merely theatrics at play. But I got to walk around the cemetry at night and glance upon the headstones of various Edinburgh serial killers and Scottish writers, mathamaticians (Dear Mich, do you know that the person who derived Logarithims was buried in that graveyard?).

As for hostel life, although my encounter with my inmates were brief, I learnt alot about the life they lead, which is worlds away from mine. Most of them work in temporary seasonal jobs while travelling Europe, their life is always on the go, and not all of them are the young. I spoke to a 40 something year old Canadian women who seemed to have a heart of a youth. We spoke about things and I learnt about the kind of life she lead. We talked about religion and I gave her my Bible (so now I need to borrow Hub's Bible again to tie me over the next month before I get back). There were also two Spanish and one Australian living with me. True, I have experienced the life of a wondering backpacker, but no matter how adventurous I'd try to be, no matter how much I enjoy travelling, I am still very much a metropolitan 'cafe' (as Sarah coins it) Singaporean. For me, this experience is a novelty, and I'm not sure if I would do it every week, perhaps only in a few months time when I grow dreary of Warwick Campus. Maybe to Brussels? That would be interesting wouldn't it?

Dear Mich, when I was in Scotland, I thought of our William Wallace spoof ('they can take our homes, they can take our money...') and then I remembered when we were younger, we had this ambition to play the bagpipes in Scotland. Well, I didn't get to play the bagpipes, but I certainly got to see the kilt, the durk and the bagpipes.


Scottish Highlands (Glenco, Land of Weeping, Three Sisters mountain)


Me and Edinburgh


Bagpipes and the Scottish Highlands

:: Stuffy 11/01/2004 02:03:00 AM [+] ::
...

In other news...

Two things this week

One, Ballroom and Latin private classes just started this week. I was finally able to coordinate my timetable with Hub's. Save for the fact that hes a fast learner, general commitments, time and geographic incovenience are factors which makes it almost impossible for us to practice and perfect the routine. Its such a tragedy we can't go for the competition. Betty our coach is 75 and shes been dancing since she was 5. Shes a remarkable lady for her age, her grace in dancing is balanced with a rough cynical manner which makes you think of one of those cabaret has-beens at a gin-joint. I never realised that putting physical movements to a song can be highly exhilarating, especially when you get the routine nicely fit into the proper continous motions, it becomes a natural swing across the dance floor.

Two, I have been exploring Warwick marshlands with my cycling gang, which sadly consist of only two people for the time being. Me and Melvin (a malaysian who travelled across the causeway everyday for the last two years, just so he could get to Hwa Chong). Orienteering in the marshlands could get quite difficult especially without a map and a compass, it quite reminded me of a Blairwitch setting, coupled with the bad weather.

As for the week ahead, amid the tests and readings, I'll be going to Wales with Janice and the Airforce boys in London (Sebas and Kai). And what we to do? Pay 260 pounds to hike, rockclimb the coast of Wales. It was a decision made in the spur of the moment, not realising that the three of them have undergone BMT. I reckon I'll be clamouring the coast while the three of them waltz effortlessly around it.

I'm coming back on Sunday to prepare for project on Tuesday and then Wenesday I'm off to Berlin with some Singys.

And so till then.

:: Stuffy 10/25/2004 06:43:00 AM [+] ::
...

Insert: Helene and Me, 3 Brits (Tim, Tom, Andrew), 2 Italian (Ceceilia, Aud), PRC (Rainbow)

Last Sunday was a rather relaxed day...
I decided that I shall not do any math, any politics, any economics - not that I've even touched alot the last couple of weeks, but today is Sunday and I just spent an hour finding all the song titles to Henri Salvador's album 'Chambre Avec Vue'.

I brought Rainbow (my PRC flatmate) to church, and then we went to Helene's house for a French meal. It was cordially and marvellously done, French style. Starters of soup, chicken and cheese and wine and of course dessert of coffee and crepe with fried chocolate banana. She does it with so much effort, so much appreciation, so much perfection.

Did I tell you how I met Helene? If I hadn't I must. I followed some of the Singys to Leamington to look around during Freshers week, but Ade, Germ and Ade (there are two Adelines) wanted to go shopping (if you ask me, I'd prefer London shopping) and I wanted to go to the Museum. And thats where I met Helene because Weiliang had invited her for the Leamington trip and she didn't want to go shopping either. I never knew anything about French Impressionists painters and she educated me because she paints as a leisure sport. We started a conversation on art and we took off from there.

We arranged to meet at the Warwick Art Centre two weeks after to play the piano at the studio rooms and exchange musical scores.

:: Stuffy 10/25/2004 06:39:00 AM [+] ::
...

Summing up the last couple of weeks...

Apologies to the flood of emails which I haven't replied, do be patient with me and I'll promise to get them sorted out once I fit the pieces of my routine together. But I'm getting there.

I came back from London two weeks ago, since then lectures and seminars have been a whirlwind of papers, words, and voices whispering a world full of -isms. I shuffled my seminars in such a way that I have my Wenesdays and Fridays free. This week when I went for one of my seminars, I realised that I was the only Asian against the whole EU (one Norweigian, one Russian, one Portugal, one Sweed) and the those who didn't want to be in the EU (namely the local British). I forsee a challenge in the months ahead.

As for University societies and activities, I've taken up ballroom and latin dancing(My partner, Hub and I vowed to dance like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), currently going for private lessons, banking and finance society, economics society, tap dancing and yes of course- cheese and chocolate society.

I have alot to say about everything and everyone, but I must hold my wry sense of an opinion for the time being; till I find the time to sit quitely in my not-so-quite room, till I find the time to sit and feel thoughful.

In other news, I just got my first parcel when I came back from London, a birthday gift which i hadn't the time to collect the week before (but partly because none of my flaties said there was a mailbox until a week after) - a nice lovely fuzzy bear whom I just named after the owner. Special thanks to John!

:: Stuffy 10/14/2004 02:11:00 PM [+] ::
...

On Birthdays

Sometimes I can never fathom what I've done to deserve such a blessing of close company this once every year. I woke up this morning worrying about two things - the fastest way to get to the lecture hall (because I was late), and handing in my emergency form to the accomodation office (because I was late for that as well). So the birthday dinner by the 'Singapore and Thai Federation' nicely coined by Rachael was a nice surprise and a good break from the terrible mess of sorting out my timetable. It was terribly sweet of them to have cooked dinner. And the Thai bunch were even sweeter, they baked my 19th cake.

I think I mentioned somewhere in my last post about the Thai bunch that I met while on orientation. The last time I had a midnight conversation with them, I discovered that in the whole of Warwick, there are only four of them in the Thai society (thats not very many Thais), so for the time being, they've 'mergered' with the Singapore Federation. I quite enjoy their company because they are a quirky lot, afterall, they have one thing in common with the Singys - They enjoy going to the supermarket (TESCO), so much so there came a point in time when I was actually started to question whether I was under-buying my groceries.

On Zhong Qiu Jie

Go on my 'I-think-stephanie-cannot-speak-chinese' friends, laugh with eyes which speak of bewilderment. I spent the past week with some PRCs and actually conversed in Chinese for 3/4 of our conversation. I had a very good conversation with them on Asian politics and their views on 'Lee Hsien Loong in Taiwan' incident. You'll be quite surprise to hear what they have to say for their homeland. They are a nice bunch and very different from the scholarly batch we see around during our junior college days. They are sincere, insightful and above all, the kind you would like to spend a quiet evening just talking about perspectives. I've been spending quite alot of time with them this week, that I was invited to their 'Qing Ming Jie' festival. I brought the Singys and the Italian mob (who brought their other friends along), there were also some Malaysians too. It was a beautiful. We lighted the paper lanterns despite the freezing cold temperature and just stood there. My Italian mob was fascinated with the lanterns and the mooncake and it made me happy that they were. I suppose I took a liking to them for their appreciation for culture. Unlike the Chinese PRCs, they are full of passion for what they speak and feel and when I'm in one of my energized moods and feeling that zestful need to feel loud and merry, I would spent it with them. They quite like singing and blurting out songs every now and then.

I have more to say, but I shall continue another day. As of now, my lifestyle has been a concoction of lectures, playing music and admiring art with my French friend, having thoughtful conversations with the Chinese, loud merriment with the Italian mob and leisurely Singlish conversations with the Singys.

:: Stuffy 9/30/2004 04:11:00 PM [+] ::
...

Warwick

25th Sept - On Food
Spent the day in Rachel's room trying out her new cooker, then we called Hub and Germ over for lunch. Its highly ingenious, we cooked a wartime meal of sweetpotato, rice and bak qua. All in all, I spent a grand total of 10 pounds over 4 days because I've been either living off the campus free orientation food, or living off others. But its entirely not on my initiative that I've been living off others, it just so happened that the food just fell on my lap.

See, yesterday me and another Singy, Sam, broke off from the Singy clique and followed a Paki, a Sri Lakan, a Nigerian and a Somalian (whose living in Paris-Toronto) around Stratford Avon. The Pakistani had a habit of not finishing her food (not even half of it), so me and the Nigerian just finished what she didn't finish, so I didn't have to buy lunch. Talk about rich-poor divide. I didn't have to buy lunch today too because I was helping out Rachel test her new cooker with Thai basathi. I don't have to get dinner tomorrow because the Singy seniors are cooking at their place. I wonder if next week will be just as good. Tsk, I'm ashame of myself for being so parasitical.

On Multiracialism and Globalisation
Its partially a blessing to have a close knitted freshie Singy clique. Everyone knows one another by previous relation somewhere in Singapore, so everyone moves together. On the first day, we acquired a few other non-Singies. which then mutated into an Asian delegate (one Korean, one Thai, two PRCs). The problem with having ten-man Singy clique is intimidation or cohersion of non-Singies since half the time the conversation reverts back to Singy stuff.

Two nights ago, Sam, Hub and I hung out with a bunch of Thais, but our conversation was fairly Asean-centric. It was a comfortable conversation, but not a very exciting one. I learnt that there will only be two Thai scholars in the whole of Thailand, that they must get a PhD and go back to where they came from to be university professors who get paid 200 pounds at most (forgot the Thai Baht conversion, but its 1 pound to 75 Thai baht). They'll be my badminton kah-kees for the weeks ahead.

Perhaps the most exciting conversation I held with was with the Italian mob. I have no idea how I gotten myself associated with them, but they are the most interesting bunch of conversationalist. We talked about philosophy, music, the importance of history and culture (they were quite shock to hear that musicians in Singapore don't get paid much or aren't given much recognition) and how bad British food is. I told them that I did abit of Italian Unification, and I found out that Piedmont was actually pronounced as Pi-die-mon-te. They taught me that in Italy alone, there were various dialects, so 'yes' when said in Rome as si is known as aya in Sardinia (where most of them came from). I learnt a few Italian phrases and they agreed to teach me more Italian in trade for basic Chinese (because you know how basic my Chinese is). We talked about literature because most of them were doing foreign linguistics in English literature. They read John Donne and Shakespeare too, and commented that Donne was such a bore - I agreed. And then they told me about Dante's Divine Comedy, which I must find the time to read about. I suppose it took effort to understand each other, since English wasn't their first language, but it was most interesting how our humour was on the same wavelength. The most important element in any conversation was the ability to laugh and be laughed at. I feel happy with them - maybe I could get free pasta soon. * snicker

On Dorms
Aside from getting my last choice, and having to share the toilet with 17 people, my flat mates have been the warmest. We have a Bulgarian, a Thai, a Honkie British, a Nigerian, bunch of PRCs, a Maurisian, and 3 Singys. We'll probably be expecting alot more over the next few days. But the first night was spent bitching about not getting our first choices, so commonality creates bonding. In due fact, we just celebrated birthdays for both the Honkie British and me (will post up pic soon when I find the fleeting time).

On Web Cams
Joined Addie and Hub in Ad's room and played around with her web cam with Rachel. I shan't say more about our fascination with webcams when abroad because it'll probably be highly irrelevant.


PS: Thank you very much for all the farewell gifts, I sure had fun fiddling with them on the plane. And really felt bad about missing Jon, Xinyi and Kaiping at the airport! Didn't know you guys were coming. Greatest apologies.




And this is funny:-
Excerp from the diary given to me from the gang, i think it was Ruhan's writing

4 pointers for the UK-bound
1. Remember what happen to the guy in 'Super Size me'
2.With great powers come great responsibility - The debit card is to be used with discretion
3.Its good to be proud of your heritage, but thats no excuse for running around Warwick campus in a sarong (don't worry, I've acquired a French bar. , so that'll do)
4. No matter where ou are in the universe, no matter who/what goes where, the handphone does not mix with the toilet bowl

:: Stuffy 9/24/2004 08:07:00 AM [+] ::
...

The seasons are changing
Monologue

"Never will I subject myself to the hours; the hours are made for man and not man for the hours. I treat mine like stirrups, which I shorten or lengthen as I please." - Rabelais


I've never had the luxury of so much time on my hands and when I did, my fear was not making the most of it. I did not take the time to smell the roses; I took the time to appreciate the sights, sounds, taste, touch and smell of a thousand flowers (or at least as many as I could find). And yet how little I understood because there is just so much more to discover.

And therefore, I allowed myself to lose track of time, to be committed to nothing as I allowed nothing to be commited to me. I laughed much, learned much, observed much, explored. I travelled. I rekindled old friendships and made new ones. I put aside my misanthrope perceptions and became much more a philanthropist. I spent generously on myself and on others (and amazingly never went financially and socially dry). I took the time to swing as high as I could in the playground, run through fountains, dance in the rain. I carried on appreciating good food and good company.

Most importantly, I spent time with my imaginary friend Stephanie, whose nature lived not out of routine or responsibility.

On my eighteeth year, I found the time to do these things.

Today, I spent my afternoon staring at central Singapore from 70 stories high. I saw tiny junk boats cruising slowly through the Singapore River, I saw tiny cars moving along the Benjamin Shears, I saw tiny people playing rugby at the Padang. Its the kind of view you would want to see when you take off, airbourne. And when I do, all I want to see from above are the pretty night lights.

*Takes a bow
Exits left

"Theres A Time for Everthing
and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and time to uproot,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to regrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

:: Stuffy 9/11/2004 04:03:00 AM [+] ::
...

And this is what they call Avant Garde...

"Hey Steph! your feet has been viewed over 400 times in 2 days on the Singapore forums.. they like your feet!" - excerpt from Jon's blog.

Of all the spasticity in this life, there are certain things that never fail to amuse me. *laughs


PS: Vai, as promised, got last weekend's photos out on another album, couldn't put it together with the class pics cause of the limited space (30 day account thing). If you do see Sat and Sarah in school let them know and tell them this - As for the pink 'bunny land' tanktop, I'm half assuming it is to be worn with a leather jacket, mini skirt, knee high boots. If ever I do get to that, I'll galavant down Soho, take a picture and send it to you girls with lots of love. Till then, you girls be good.

:: Stuffy 9/09/2004 08:57:00 AM [+] ::
...

Wit Appreciation

I was saucering around Esprit today when I saw a nice blouse with my favourite Frank Sinatra lyrics:

"Fly me to the moon

Let me sing among those stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars..."

And then I was wondering why on earth would someone imprint a whole chunk of words until I ran through the song in my head. It takes a Sinatra enthusiast to know another. Well dear reader, complete the last two lines of the chunk above and you'll get that tongue-in-cheek smug on that face of yours.

Well? Did you?

Inherently witty isn't it?

:: Stuffy 9/08/2004 09:47:00 AM [+] ::
...

Listening to Why Can't I - Liz Phair

3402 (Lei's party ppl),

Photo trading via MSN is terribly time consuming, so I resurrected an album for trading purposes.

Drowsy with vodka vanilla
Steph

:: Stuffy 9/04/2004 11:11:00 AM [+] ::
...

On noble causes
Listening to Walking in Memphis - Mark Cohn

"When a man takes an oath, Meg, he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water. And if he opens his fingers then - he needn't hope to find himself again." - A Man for all Seasons, Robert Bolt

Principles are a delicate thing and just how many are capable of such strong convictions? Sometimes I wonder if I were capable of it and when I ask myself such a question, it hits me like a rhetoric. No. I won't know and I'm not sure. There is no such thing as 'there is no choice', we do have choices but reverting them for what is presently practical deceives us into thinking that there is no other recourse in avoiding the consequences. Then those who boast and fall short of it have fallen short of their being. Its ironic however that those who stand by principles are considered foolish by worldly standards because their idealism leaves no room for rationality. And only after a conclusion (or a demise) of an episode that in retrospect they are seen as people ahead of their time, commendable for their principles and efforts. (Steph’ s blog, Sunday, May 09, 2004 :: )


To pick up where I left off...

I remembered writing this entry a long while ago after reading the play ‘Man for all Seasons’ (and watching the 1960s film version of it). I always thought that such people existed only as figment of an author’s imagination, that they were very much ethereal. And even if they were real, they’ll probably end up being martyred, made popular by folk tale and then immortalized in some Hollywood movie (which again played up their image, turning them into nothing more than a legend).

When I was at one of those indoctrination sessions, I met such people who held strongly to such ideals. It amazed me because I’ve never seen such idealism, such faith (their goals, their love of the game and what they set for themselves), and such courage in its entirety. It was sincere and honest. Thing is, we are of the same age, we have lived the same number of years and yet their experiences were a world away from mine. But different is interesting. I suppose its something that you have to see to believe.

Sometimes I think Deng Xiao Ping’s ‘black cat, white cat’ philosophy applies to me more than Mel Gibson’s Braveheart syndrome. But I’ll never know until I’m put in a tight spot will I?

:: Stuffy 9/03/2004 11:43:00 AM [+] ::
...

Vienna - Billy Joel

I'm not a fan of the 70s, but when was the last time you actually heard a Billy Joel song? Someone tell me, why Vienna?

Slow down, you crazy child
you're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart, tell me
Why are you still so afraid?

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out
You've got so much to do and
Only so many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want or you get old
You're gonna kick off before you even
Get halfway through
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Tonight

Too bad but it's the life you lead
you're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong, you know
You can't always see when you're right.
you're right

You've got your passion, you've got your pride
but don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you crazy child
and take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile
it's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize,..Vienna waits for you?

And you know that when the truth is told
that you can get what you want or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get half through
Why don't you realize,. Vienna waits for you
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

:: Stuffy 9/03/2004 08:19:00 AM [+] ::
...

I've never laughed so hard in my entired life
Listening to Half Life - Duncan Sheik

I think I find absolute glee when I see someone do something really stupid. Stupid is as stupid does. Why is it that even upon the advice of friends (and not one but five), one always seems stubborn enough not to take it. I have been sworn (friend's honour) not to mention names, but a certain individual, you and I both know had this to account for:

"Watch out for the water, the water, the water..."

"Yah I know, I know, I know...(splash knee deep)"

"(between laughters) Well done, now he looks like he pee-ed in his pants..."

Dear Els, you certainly missed a good laugh when you went scooting off to Md Sultan today.

:: Stuffy 8/28/2004 10:52:00 AM [+] ::
...

Piece of Cake
Blue Moon (Instrumental) - Ella Fitzgerald

My discovery last week had terrible consequences on me thereafter. Starbucks had changed their desert menu and I vowed to try everything new on it. I wouldn't have been so emotionally charged to try everything had it not been for that conniving marketing tactic of free samples. Two days ago I had a Vienesse Tiramisu and a Strawberry shortcake. Today I had that Warm Chocolate Cake and a Chocolate Amer. And then -Sh*t!- I realised what I was doing to myself, I was eating two cakes in a day. And all I began with was an innocent muffin in celebration of having no cavaties at dental. Mind you my dear reader, this Green Mermaid must have been an apprentice of the Golden Arch; just as golden fries are addictive, so is every new piece of cake on the menu.

:: Stuffy 8/27/2004 12:26:00 AM [+] ::
...

Female Camaradarie


Picture courtesy of Adeline

"Women, she claims, complain in order to increase their sense of community, they gossip because, like children, they believe that telling secrets is the way to make friends; so they willingly listen to each other's troubles, because their overriding purpose is not to feel alone." - An Intimate History of Humanity, Theodore Zeldin (Interjection - laughs in wry humour)

I will always remember yesterday's dinner as a quiet, relfective one. Partly because we were all too drained from being on military grounds for the past three days, partly because we're all about to go and things will be different when we get back. The sentiments were common.

The first time I said 'those MINDEF girls', I say it now with a different tone, the next time I say it, it will be with a tinge of sentimentality. Well, you girls have been great company, and if theres one fond memory that I'll think of in sodden icy Warwick, it will be five traumatised girls walking down Clarke Quay near midnight after watching Women in Black, and wildly imagining the full moon to be her face. I certainly had fun conjuring up the story for the thrill of it, so much so that me and Anna didn't sleep till the fourth hour of morn (let alone having been at Depot on course the whole day). Thank you so much for the long thoughtful conversations, the communal bitching, the peer appraisal, the gossips.

And after yesterday, I think we now know why we were chosen by the powers that be.

:: Stuffy 8/19/2004 10:10:00 PM [+] ::
...

Looking back

"back down the memory lane, i can still remember Steph and Shit competing their heads off on burger munching at macs, cosying up with the councillors at the council room and debate sessions in school and at Zhan's." - Excerpt taken from Tat's blog.

:: Stuffy 8/15/2004 09:32:00 AM [+] ::
...

Minah-fied

Dear Md. Zuck,

I went three consecutive days wearing a sarong, you should be proud of me. Wearing a sarong is an art, an art which requires much practice and patience. It has been my greatest achievement among other things this week.

In a state of bimbotism,
Steph

:: Stuffy 8/15/2004 07:54:00 AM [+] ::
...

On ME Day
But not quite a day of narcissism...
Listening to She will be loved - Maroon 5


On 'me' day, I spend 'me' time with 'me'. Its days like these where I would sit in a busy cafe and listen to the sounds, admire the sights and lose myself to time. I like the idea of just watching people passing by, listening to snippets of their conversation and then carelessly play a game where I would make a judgement about the kind of person they are by their apparell and mannerisms.

I've always preferred having no plans, nowhere to go, nothing to look forward too and above all, having no social considerations - something not of routine, precision or want. Just merely drifting to wherever I feel like going or doing in the spirit of the moment (zegeist). That is not to say that routine doesn't work for me, but I see it more of a discipline and a chore, and quite often a necessary evil.

The last time I declared myself a 'me' day, I bought myself a pair of new sandals, wore them on the spot, threw the old ones away and quite unfortunately acquired blisters after much aimless walking. Last week on a particular day, I went to the Marina Mandrin lounge and just sat there in the company of a mocha mousse cake, listening to the quartet. Apart from the gentle music (a selection of oriental pieces), I felt happy just watching the elevators move from the highest floor to the lowest, seeing people move in and out of them. They looked much like fairy lights in the dim-lit ambience.

And then I waited in one of the lifts until someone by chance would take me to the highest floor (Note: hotels in our era have high security and poor service). I was quite lucky to have the very first person agree to my bidding. There from a bird's eye view I could see the lounge in which I sat. It looked like tea-light candles in a sea of red carpets. It was pretty.

:: Stuffy 8/05/2004 08:46:00 AM [+] ::
...

100 years - Five for Fighting

I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
15 I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you're wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you're on your way
Every day's a new day...
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

One word - Poignant.

:: Stuffy 8/03/2004 09:48:00 AM [+] ::
...

Ramblings
If there hardly ever is a time to whine, it should be now.

Taking from Wenesday its been concert. pack room. lessons. bbq. course. party. Tomorrow till Tuesday it shall be church. more course. double course. triple course. stage play.
I think I would have enjoyed it better if I saw a point in going for indoctrination courses.

:: Stuffy 7/31/2004 09:44:00 AM [+] ::
...

On Conscience 
God's gift
 
Food for thought, got it while talking to Lionel
 
"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. " - Romans 2:14-16


Dear Khai,
 You remember Shao Wei? I was walking pass Victoria Concert Hall when I saw a bunch of TJcians and he called out to me. Goodness I didn't even know he was in TJ. Double goodness, the boy has grown (in stature of course).
Steph

:: Stuffy 7/29/2004 12:17:00 AM [+] ::
...

Memory is a man's real possession. In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.

I barged into my sister's room to borrow some music discs when I came across a photo frame with a picture we took together eight years ago with a Kangaroo in Sydney. Eight years, I was laughing because we look so different now (as do most things when we look back on them). I was about to ask her why she chose that picture for the frame when I read the inscription on the back of it - a Christmas gift from myself to her five years ago. It shamed me to think that I have no recollection of ever giving it to her. Her, my sister, of which I have no other. Why is that?

Memory. 

"If any one faculty of our nature may be called more wonderful than the rest, I do think it is memory. There seems something more speakingly incomprehensible in the powers, the failures, the inequalities of memory, than in any other of our intelligences. The memory is sometimes so retentive, so serviceable, so obedient; at others, so bewildered and so weak; and at others again, so tyrannic, so beyond control! We are, to be sure, a miracle every way; but our powers of recollecting and of forgetting do seem peculiarly past finding out." - Jane Austen , Mansfield Park 

I never remember the day before with that exact certain emotion, and time which further pulls us away from it distorts that lasting image. And then that image gradually pales and blurs into a thin layer of mist, until one day we simply forget it. Sometimes, it scares me.

:: Stuffy 7/26/2004 11:15:00 PM [+] ::
...

On Hospital Visits
Kilkenny Cats - people who fight relentlessly till their end
  
 I stepped into the ward and I was greeted by an order for an Olio Dome latte. And there I went frolicking off to Paragon just across the street. My primary usefulness for being there was to scratch his back and change the channels whenever necessary. My dad looked as if he hadn't even gone for his muscle correction and I wondered if the surgeons had problems getting him to sleep even with general anesthetic.  
 
My sister and I soon found much delight munching on champagne grapes and Zurich chocolates. I never knew get-well-soon presents were this good. Some kind soul had given my father a box of Teuscher chocolates which I didn't know existed in Singapore, till now. I kept the card, Palais Rennaisance Orchard, I must go there sometime.
 
  

:: Stuffy 7/20/2004 09:03:00 AM [+] ::
...

Super SIZE Me
Written to the tune of Something about You, Five for Fighting
A smart movie, a must see.

Three proven facts from the movie:
1. McCapitalism has outdone itself
2. Detroit has a densely populated area of fat people
3. Most Americans, by the director's account, are stupid (George Bush being the epitome of stupidity)

McDonalds hasn't been all that bad. For one, they contributed to Burgernomics, without which we would not have been able to place a good gauge on cost of living, standard of living and price index/indices that our severly distorted international currency market has forbid us to do so with accuracy. Second to the first fact, picture this scenario - if Mc-fast-foods were non existent, people would need longer lunch times (or at least they could justify so). Because of this, stockbrokers who are the very people that create the foundation of the market will be less efficient, the market would move slower than it already is, which would mean more delays creating disastrous effects for business.

My hypothesis for all this? I believe that America could incorporate the evil of consumerism into their benign foreign policy, turning it into their advantage. With offshore centres becoming easier to establish, America can strategically mobilise McDonald outlets in heavily populated terrorist nations (disguising the golden arch of course). Consumer marketing tactics would be the psychological element in enticing terrorists. Concurrently, US embargo on all exported goods to the enemy state must be placed to ensure that the only source of survival becomes McDonalds meals. These terrorists having no other choice would continue to eat McDonald meals for the rest of their lives, benevolently handed out at discounted prices by the disguised Golden Arch. They will grow fat, have increase physical complications, lower IQ, and ultimately die. The approximate wipeout of terrorism should take at least a decade.

:: Stuffy 7/14/2004 09:07:00 AM [+] ::
...

Listless
Cup of coffee to the person who can tell me what is the female acry for misogynist?

I have lost a sense of routine - it takes me five seconds to recall what day I'm presently living in, and another five to recall what I did the day before. Saved for the snippets of conversations which pops up spasmodically from time to time in my memory, it takes me awhile to remember what I said what to who and where? Whether the conversation was real and who was it with (since conversation can also happen in dreams). The result of this is quite often self repetition, which quite annoys others as it annoys me. I must space out my appointments to avoid this becoming a habit.

My long suffering reader, you need not read the following facts of daily living which are recorded to help me keep track of the past days.

Today is -Tuesday- I played badminton with the MINDEF girls, and a few people from Kaiping's watch. We went for dim sum at Crystal Jade, Anna did most of the ordering, and the guys looked horribly lost and befuddled by the menu, it was like observing lab rats figure out a math puzzle. I went home and slept till six.

Yesterday was - Monday - I played badminton with Kevin and company. Watched Harry Potter with Joyce, Em, Ter and Mark. Thereafter I was given startling revelations which made me realised how dettached I was from reality or at least from the people around me. Perhaps emotional dettachment really is my greatest tragedy. Mark said I had better pay more attention to whats going on, but then again, how much can I actually bother with observations and their implications if they don't quite affect my being. And even if it should affect my being, my reflex is to ignore the consequences in a way that it would not disturb my calm psyche, lest it be a burden. I pray not that I would be schz in due time.

The day before was - Sunday - I went to church as usual, and this I have kept in routine in accordance to counting the days. Went back home early today. Me and Ter stopped for ice cream at the new ice cream gallery just across from my house. We sat like two old men on the park-like bench just outside the store reflecting upon the previous week. OBS Watch outing was at Harry's at the quay. I can't recall the last time I saw a live jazz band play with so much zest and loving it. It was a pretty sight.

The day before Sunday by logical accounts is Saturday. I played badminton with the MINDEF girls and then joined the gang for a beach outing at east coast. Zuck and Sam helped me get my hammock up between two trees. The only thing I remembered from this day was that I was abusively acid tongued and in ill humour, I conjured up a hundred and one jokes about Zuck's 'pun tat jack'(bukan melayu? no translation for that, it sounds funnier in its original term). The other thing I remembered was that Pizza was good.

I stop here because I can't remember what I did on Friday. I'll have to think on it.

:: Stuffy 7/13/2004 09:25:00 AM [+] ::
...

Ridiculous! Absolutely Ridiculous!

Went back to school with Hui Ling to catch up on things. There are three things about the present school that annoys me.

1. The benches under LT1 have all been removed and transfered to the open air grass patch next to the canteen. Because it was raining, all the benches were wet. In place of this, LT1 has an empty space. Whatever for? I remembered that the Indian community always met under LT1. Me and Sarah being 'friends of the Indians' (actually just comprising of our gulab jamun clan - Vai, Sat and Janita) normally met them there during class breaks. I miss that spot.

2. The staff room is now a prison where teachers are given code numbers. High security has it that should a student urgently need to get in touch with a teacher, this code number will have to be keyed into a telephone system where chances of even reaching that particular teacher is not garanteed. No longer can students sashay in and harass teachers either for extra homework or for a leisurely conversation. Mr Thompson said that this is uncivilised, how British! I miss that lifestyle.

3. Renovations have been going on. The room which was initially used for containing anyone suspected of having SARS has been renovated, so much so that the present room looks more like a hotel lounge. Ling said it was for counselling purposes, but I think to myself; why should more money be spent on our deranged kids? They will be better off in solitary confinement. Priorities are important. I say the money should be spent on getting a sufficient supply of toilet paper for our depleting toiletry resource.

Wanted to pop in and play water girl for debate team since competition is coming up this Saturday, but I so was tired, I went back to sleep before going off to Adrain's party gathering.

:: Stuffy 7/08/2004 10:12:00 AM [+] ::
...

Reminiscence


I recall Jane saying something about the passage where Peter walked on water. I use to allude it with the idea of a failing faith, highlighting the phrase where Jesus rebuked Peter saying, 'you of little faith, why did you doubt?'. And then I would say to remind myself not to be like Peter.

But Jane had a differet opinion about it, and after thinking about it I thought it quite right. All of us are Peters and at one point or another we doubt our faith, falling short of our faith in Christ. But the fact still remains that Jesus was merciful to have saved Peter when he began to sink, crying, 'Lord, save me!'. It is that mercy and by that grace that makes God our God isn't it? Then you would give any day to have been Peter; who fell but was picked up by a loving hand.

So which verse had been the more important of the two? I'll let you be the judge of that.

Matthew 14:22-36
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, " You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!" When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.

:: Stuffy 7/07/2004 08:31:00 AM [+] ::
...

"Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last." Sherlock Holmes - The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Today went by leisurely. Spent the morning with the MINDEF girls renewing my passport, then bought pants with Zi Jing and searched for a good laptop. I wanted to go for my driving lessons but it started to rain, so I was stuck at city hall.

And then I did something I haven't done in a long time. I got a book, ordered a Irish cream blend and sat in one of those comfy chairs in a cafe while it continued to pour. This is one time when I would imagine another sitting across from me with a different book of some sort, we would read and then perhaps discuss what we have read in the past two hours or so. However, interruptions while reading should not be tolerated and this is where, when mood calls for it, this other should vanish until of later need.

Some great literature critic would probably have said this before; while reading Doyle's Sherlock Holmes I found it smart that he should use Watson as narrator and not Holmes himself. Had he used Holmes to narrate his own story, the legend would have grew tiresome given his dry and cynical character. The myth of Holmes would probably have not been so strong either.

Dear Mich,
I now know why we were disappointed that Notting Hill was not as romantic as Richard Curtis potrayed it to be. I quote, "laying his hand upon the lady's sleeve with as little sentiment as if she were a Notting Hill hooligan". It puzzles me however that you have chosen to embrace football hooliganism instead.

Your cousin, Steph

:: Stuffy 7/06/2004 05:49:00 AM [+] ::
...

The 'Wall' Obsession
Written to the tune of 'The Feeling of Jazz' by Duke Ellington

I was playing a more complex version of Pictionary (Carem)and Joyln was trying to do a charade of the Berlin Wall. Then I realised that since the Communists have been constantly attacked by the free world, their only resort has been to cower in the corner and build a wall in hope that they may gain protection and assurance. The severity of the fall of communism can be directly linked to how dependent the Communist are on the physical wall built. But I'm sure you can figure out why and how. If you can't, ask Jeeves.

Actually I bet that the idealogical roots of Communism were from the mainland Chinese, since they had the first Wall (The Great Wall of China) to defend themselves against the Mongolians(who could have possibly been more democratic than we would have thought). When Marco Polo first took note of the Wall and what it symbolised, it was communicated back to the Spaniards who had no use for it, therefore handing it down to the European countries until it reached Karl Marx in Germany during the 19th century. Karl Marx who thought that such ideals were brilliant decided to call it Socialism.

Question: Why would my hypothesis have some truth to it? Simply because Socialist/Communist ideals wouldn't have worked out for the benefit of anyone in the 15th century up until the Industrialisation Revolution in the 18th century, spreading thoroughly throughout Europe by the 19th century. So Karl Marx wasn't the original author of Communist/Socialist ideals. It was the Chinese. He just happened to live in a time where such ideals of Socialism and Communism were application.

To further prove my point, such ideals have long since been in our Asian heritage. The political basis for Asia's four economic tigers of the 1990s is essentially Socialism. Even today, under Singapore's Meritocracy, we are still very much Socialists and proud of it. And China, despite moving towards a free market, are still holding strong to their Socialist/Communist ideals. Think of Taiwan, Hong Kong and its political subtleties, you get my drift.

So what did the Russians do? They copied Karl Marx who copied the Chinese. They built the Berlin Wall, Father of the Cold War, Symbol of the revival of Communism, and not the start of it.

:: Stuffy 6/30/2004 08:10:00 AM [+] ::
...

Closure to the month

And perhaps the whole of this month, I have only slept in my bed for an accumulation of five days. Today I'm back from Church camp and it was probably a blessing that I could go because there was a verse somewhere in time during these days that came as a reminder to me:

"Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31 To hope.

A simple verse, a classic verse. A verse I use think of repeatedly a long time ago but became terribly hidden at the back of my mind under layers. And the light of the verse has changed somewhat with my years, and I begin to understand it in the context of God's will rather than my own.

My dear reader, if only you knew that, "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring'."(Acts 17;26-28)

I hope you seek and ask.

:: Stuffy 6/28/2004 02:44:00 AM [+] ::
...

"Poor old cat. Poor slob. Poor slob without a name. The way I look at it, I don't have the right to give him one. We don't belong to each other. We just took up by the river one day." - Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's

I was estatic when I read that Turner Classic Movies was one of the 11 channels on StarHub's new digital channel programme. Hello again my Doris Day and Betty Davis love-lorn starlets, my Fred Astaire dance routines, my Humphrey Bogart "play it again Sam" taglines. Then again, even if I subscribed to the channel now, I would only be able to enjoy it for the next two months. What a tragedy! I remembered three years back when they decided on the accessation of TCM, replacing it with a horrid 24hr round the clock viewing of Cartoon Network.

On another note of estacy, early July is the month of broadway musical songs at the esplanade, I must remind myself to get tickets.

:: Stuffy 6/22/2004 09:12:00 AM [+] ::
...

Drivellings

I must have put back what I have lost the past week. A banana split with Zuck and Ruhan on Saturday, a Gelare sundae with Joel and finishing the rest of whats left of my pint of Ben and Jerry's on Sunday, and of course today, while waiting for Vai to turn up, me and Sarah had Olio Dome floats.

Two things must be done this week to ensure that I have used my time constructively, failing this, I'll just have to push to the next week or the following.
1. To finish reading the last two acts of Hamlet
2. To sign up for driving

I haven't been watching Disney's Silly Symphonies and Merry Melodies for a quite a while, and when I did, it made the rest of my day a little better. Classic cartoons are alot more creative than the present ones despite the overload of slapstick humour involved. Not that I don't enjoy Pixar's animations - I love the graphics. But the simplicity of 2D classic cartoons coupled with the way in which sound effects are created, inline with a background orchestra to set the tone for almost every movement is done with so much style. I hope they show Fantasia 2000 again.

:: Stuffy 6/21/2004 05:06:00 AM [+] ::
...

It was like a Roman Holiday...

My dear Zak, you can eat your laughter when you hear me say that I have just came back from kayaking (eskimo style) from ubin to Changi beach to Sembawang, visibly seeing part of the causeway but not reaching there and then back to ubin. So I was entirely wrong when I assumed it was going to be a residential stay. Aside from the slight sunburn ( I had it worst when 3402 went to Sentosa last year), my fingers have probably shrunken from dehydration and every effort taken to write, hold utensils and type in this blog requires perseverance in its highest degree.

OBS isn't life changing, since I'm going to drift (with no pun intended) back to my life of modernity any hoo, but it was definitely something to remember. I'm probably one of those people who would ask in rhetoric "Why do people climb mountains?". If theres an easier way of getting up there say with a helicopter or a plane, for the sake of convinience and respect for all that mankind has invented, we should just do so. So when I realised that I was going to spend the next five days in the outback, I wanted to call up MINDEF HR and rattle a couple of words to express my bastardization - saved for the fact that our phones had to be surrendered.

The first two days were fleeting, we didn't really do much except hike, climb a man made obstacle course and jog. I suppose I didn't find it such a chore since we could find comfort in bathing in the proper manner. The following three days were spent out in sea rowing aimlessly. We did have a destination to reach, but everything around looked roughly similar, the only thing which kept moving was time. Had it not been for my partner, a musician and a fine conversationalist, I would have, with all intend and purpose, capsized my own boat or drown in my own sweat. Being mutually enlightened on books, music and political ideals; it was as good as a gentleman's conversation. Something I haven't done in a long while. Something I would have ideally like to do at a cafe over coffee with light music than on a canoe out at sea. But even conversation became tedious since more energy had to be use to row and my mouth was invariably wrinkled as a prune from salt water. Nonetheless, the more you talked or in some cases sing, the faster time travels.

But I took a liking to the people in my watch. Quite a pity that we're from different organisation (us being the minority) and most of them are going to the US. If schedule allows, me and my fellow UKers would probably take a road trip to Germany since one of them happens to be studying there.

:: Stuffy 6/18/2004 07:37:00 PM [+] ::
...

Vaidehi Dahling,

I'm so glad you're back from India, we have so much to catch up on I couldn't type it all out in SMS. I'll be away again next week and the week after I don't know if I'm following my ma to Taiwan. I also have a church camp which ends 3 mondays from now. So I really hope that we'll all be free the month of July before Sarah and Sat starts school. Also, I've started up a live journal, which I have no idea how to use. Incompetent, I know, I can't even do a html layout properly without something dumb happening. Sighness. Anyway, we have all decided whereabouts we're going, you must tell me about yourself. Btw, heavensakes, you're blog is pword protected so I have been outdated for quite sometime. (drop me a mail in my mail box please~!)

Stephie (i with a circle and a bimbotic smile)

:: Stuffy 6/13/2004 06:04:00 AM [+] ::
...

"This blesssed plot, this earth, this realm, this England" - The Ol' Bard (Richard II Act II sc i )

First let me tell you about my travels to London...

The day that I touched down at Heathrow airport, it was raining, and this continued so for the whole day. What a way to start a vacation. ( I wanted to substitute this word for holiday, but for fear of ridiculous rhyming, I couldn't)

Spent the day visiting museums, much to Michelle's (my cousin) disdain because I took terribly long reading the inscriptions on almost every object. We went to Mdm Tussad's Wax Museum and there we met Anthony Hopkins, The Beatles, Hugh Grant (which didn't look much like the real thing), Tony Blair, George Bush and the like. Henry VIII and his six wives were resurrected and so did a whole four centuries worth of famous people. Interestingly, they took away the LKY wax figure, possibly because he wasn't worth much in international politics, although he still holds a dangerous sway in Singapore's politics. The chamber of horrors was the highlight for every tourist, they had electric chairs, hangings, figures of serial killers.

The Tower of London was the most interesting and eerie because of the multiple executions (hanged, drawn and quartered) which took place until the 19th century. Much to Mich's disdain again, I took an awfully long time going through everything, but it was a pity we didn't cover everything - I shall make a trip there again when I'm studying in the UK. Sadly, I have been lacking much imagination lately, and I suppose its hard to imagine Queens, princes and noblility being taken away on carts to be executed when all around, all you see are hoards of tourists roaming around with flash photography. The hoards being typically Japanese. Still, it is fairly incomprehensible to understand what it was like for Anne Boleyn to have been kept in the Queen's chamber, awaiting execution. (Anyway, just to let you know, contrary to common myth, she wasn't executed by axe, but by an expert French Swordsman with a sharpened sword. Just to let you know again, no one knows why 'Beefeaters' are called 'Beefeaters', not even the 'Beefeaters' themselves, but, I heard it was because they couldn't spell Beer very well in ye ol' English)

DAY 2

Drove out of London to Windsor - a beautiful place where the Windsor Castle stood in the heart of the small town. It almost seemed that the whole town looked like Disneyland. We viewed the Queen Mary's Doll House, it was lovely in every detail, so much so that if you were a small person (of course smaller than Eng Tat) you would have wanted to live in that replica designed as the interior of Windsor Castle. Even the little toy portraits and books were of fine detail.

Did you know that LEGOLAND is near Windsor, I didn't have time to go there but when I come back next time, I MUST go!

Drove up to Stratford upon Avon - a small town proud to have Shakespeare lived there in 16-whatever. We went to Shakespeare's birthplace. (where The Hoard seemed to have followed, all 120 of them) The garden was the most beautiful that I have ever seen and the interior, a nice cosy cottage which I would have liked to live in. I bought a box of Shakespeare swear words and realised that the bard was actually quite culturedly vulgar.

You leperous, slovenly, creeping, mad-cap, perfidious, three-inch whoreson. (Seven of the sixty swear words in the box)

DAY 3

Drove down to Bath which looked quite like Rome, except neater and everyone spoke English. The Roman Baths were still intact after centuries and it was a pleasant sight. We also went to the Fashion Museum (its anti-Michelle too), but this to my mind was very interesting. They showed real hand-made preserved dresses from the 16th century up to the 20th century; how they were worn and for what occasions. I would liked to have lived in the 18th century and go to court or ball, it would have been a grand sight to see such dresses and suits worn.

Fact: Jane Austen lived in Bath.

DAY 4

Stonehenge was really a wonder. Not being a Mathmatician or a Geographer, I couldn't appreciate the calculations they made on the Stonehenge, although it was interesting to know that they actually told the time of the month in accordance with the sun. The grass which is greener and smoother than the greener pastures of a golf course, with good fortune, the sky was cleared with only the sun shining down onto the stones. If I took away the tourists, took away the fences, just leaving the stones among the fields. It would looked as if I would have been in another dimension distant from what I know to be reality. And what is more, if such would exist, I would imagine Heaven will be far more beautiful than this.

Down to Salisbury and then to Southampton nearing the English Channel. Horse racing event was going on, so the town was filled to the brim. We did manage to find accomodation, but there wasn't much time to roam around the town.

DAY 5
Uneventful.
Portmouth, Arundel and some obscure little town, I forgot the name. Saw more castles, bladi-blah. Drove down further to Brighton to really see the English Channel, walked around abit. Accomodation was full, so we didn't stay long. It came upon me what Mr Thompson said about the English - they love seaside holidays during the weekends, and unfortunately we arrived, day of all days, a Saturday.

DAY 6
Went back to Windsor again because my father felt it better to use another highway into London to beat heavy traffic. He took a wrong turn, and ended up going through Central London instead - the beginnings of the senile old man that he is. It didn't matter because we still went to Windsor but arrived there late.

DAY 7 and beyond
Back to London.

Michelle decided to fulfill her pilgrimage to see Arsenal Stadium and trigger happily bought a barrage of Arsenal souvenirs (Arsenal T, Arsenal bed sheet, Mich did you buy an Arsenal flag?) By now, the whole of UK was displying the English flag. Some said it was for D-Day commemoration, others said it was for Euro 2004. The latter was the more obvious reason.

While Mich was on her pilgrimage, I took the underground to Oxford Circus (full of shops) and walked down towards Leicester Square and Picaddily Circus (more shops) all the way down to the Buckingham Palace and the St James Park. All in all, I walked approx 3km. Went to the Royal gallery to see portraits of royals and plates royals ate on, old clocks and the first pocket watch owned by King Charles I. At about four, met Michelle and we walked around some more.

The next day, I went to the London Dungeon with my Dad. It was recreated to exihibit London's bloody history. The Great Fire of 1666, the Black Death, various plagues, executions (again, the English must be very proud of it), serial killers (this as well), Whitechapel murders by Jack the Ripper. Met Michelle to go to Harrods. You have to go there to believe it. There were things of every kind - no wonder the Queen shops there. The Food Hall alone contains only the finest brands of chocolate (Godiva, Patchi, Leonidas and nothing less), the finest biscuits, the finest Italian ice cream. They had halls for Jewelry alone, Egyptian clothings and jewelry (all of which only covered the first floor), and a whole fourth floor dedicated to children's toys, of which there was a mini convertible with everything a real car had including a motor.

Later in the evening, we watched the musical The Phantom of the Opera. It was my second time after eight years watching it again, and it felt good. I loved the musical and everything in it. The effects, the orchestra, the script, the voices, the stage acting. I would like to see it a third time. I felt as if I was back in Paris 1889, thats how real it looked, thats how real it felt. It was interestingly crowded for a Wenesday night, but I suppose it was a cultural norm, something you don't see at the esplanade. If I had the time, I would have wanted to watch every other musical in broadway on show.

The last day of my trip. I spent the morning at the Globe theatre (anti-michelle and anti-dad so I had to go alone), I went on a tour to see the remodelled theatre of Shakespeare. Of course, the theatre had been romanticised to fit our time, it was more nasty centuries back. They say that after eating an orange it was customary to use the peel as a mask, so instead of smelling the foulness of pee and sweat you smelt the fruit instead. I would have liked to see 'Measure for Measure' but it was only going to be shown two weeks later. Met Mich at Covent Garden and did our last bit of shopping before heading to St James Park to sit on the grass and read our books along the pond. It was pleasant to see people frolicking on the grassy area or sitting on benches talking and gazing at swans.

We headed back to our hotel at about 5pm. Michelle had bought her dinner and wasn't feeling hungry so stayed back at the hotel. As for me, I couldn't bear to spent my last evening in the hotel when there was so little time and so much left of London to take it. I crossed the Tower Bridge to the other side of the Thames river just across the hotel, walked along the Thames to find some good food and perhaps catch the sunset. I stopped by a cheap but fine Italian restaurant. Ordered a pizza and a glass of wine and had a desert of dark chocolate ice cream with cocoa coating. It was a good dinner with the good waiter being my sole company ("madam enjoy your meal, if there should be anything else required madam, just let me know") - I gave him a good tip for serving me well. I think dinners should sometimes be eaten in solitude because it is a good time to reflect on certain things. At other times, when reflections are not called for, it is good to have company. Of course good food naturally tastes better without companionship, I don't know why.

After dinner, the sun was setting at 9pm and it was fortunate that I could see it go west behind the Tower Bridge. It was a marvellous way to end an evening walking along the Thames. I hurried back before dark, lest I turned into a pumpkin as Mich would say. I was about to go to the lounge when Mich got worried and called me (so responsible my older cousin) and instead of going back to our room, we walked around St Katherines Bay just behind our hotel. The night lights were a dazzle, and the grand restaurants there were bustling with a glowing faces and the tingle of wine glasses. It made me think of Christmas. If I were to think back about London in the future, this would have been my dearest memory. We went back to have desert (thats two deserts for me) at the hotel lounge, laughed and talked the night away before twelve, else we turned into something else other than a pumpkin. My dad came back from his company dinner five minutes after us. They had chauffeured the global heads an hour out of London, which seemed ridiculous and then chaufeured them back, which took another whole hour.

I flew back the next day 10th June 2004

The thing I didn't like about UK was the food. I can't understand how the British could survive with such horrid food. The food at the Bar wasn't so bad, cheap too, but anywherelse was "half the standard of Singapore's worst hawker centre" as my father would have put it. I suppose none can compare to the food in Rome, good pizza, good pasta, good coffee, good gelato. The British drink so much that they needn't eat, as for me I live to eat in good food and sometimes with good pleasure.

:: Stuffy 6/12/2004 09:54:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Sundial Dreams - Kevin Kern

I rarely tell you, my reader, the emotional psyche of my well being simply because I rarely am miserable.

Apart from having a terrible fever and cold the last week, the weather has changed quite abit. Its been colder. Till now, I'm still wondering if it is part of my imagination, the atmosphere has changed, and I can't describe it's change. I felt a suddeness to jump onto the train tracks the other day because the atmosphere called for it. Its that same numbness when death is around, or at least I was half expecting it to be. I wish the weather got warmer because it really isn't helping my psyche. I felt like crap and wasted. I feel highly compressurized and bottled and I have lost my appetite. I didn't forget to eat on purpose, I just couldn't eat, and I hope its a passing phase and just part of my illness.

But over this week, I met pockets of friends here and there. Their presence cushioned everything that was becoming wrong. I didn't have to say anything or moan about what I was thinking about because there wasn't much point in doing so. No mortal energy could answer me and it was between me and God and mine to face. Well, I'm blessed with wonderful friends and family who underestimate their own worth in my eyes. Thank you for just being there, and for not knowing it.

:: Stuffy 5/28/2004 09:03:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Penny and Me - Hansons (Hey, penny is the name of my pink round stuffed pig!)

Well, I just ended my career as part-time banker (how pretentious) and on a rather unexpected note. I had a terrible back sprain today, so I had to leave early to go to the docs. I suppose I'll have alot to miss. Orchard Rd, the staff, the customers.
What am I going to do for the next few months? Yes of course I will travel, tag along with my dad wherever he goes. I'm looking forward to my London trip with Mich and my Dad. But after coming back, then what?

:: Stuffy 5/21/2004 03:47:00 AM [+] ::
...

Statues

When I was touring the St Petersburg Catherdral, Vatican, the tour guide said that the difference between the Greeks and the Romans was that the Romans believed in the present, the here and the now. The greeks believed in the ideal, the symmetrical and utopian world, which explains why their statues always have the perfect physical attributes (so to think that they were of a beautiful race would be in severe misjudgement).

:: Stuffy 5/13/2004 07:51:00 AM [+] ::
...

Sense and Sensibility

This movie was long overdued, I finally got to watch it on tuesday. Typically, its just like any other Victorian feminist book, like Emma, like Wuthering Heights, like Jane Eyre. Though I thought Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant looked quite odd a couple considering that in most films, Emma Thompson is normally typecast as mellow, wise feeble forty-something while Huge Grant typecast as having a boyish charm with a gentlemen's wit to compliment. Its almost a haunting foreshadow of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di, what were the directors thinking. I would have thought that she and Alan Rickman would have made a fair and better item.

But the issue of marriage was well evaluated for the particular era. As in any Victorian feminist book, the girl of lower class and status is portrayed as noble and naturally far more superior in the depth of her character than her upper class counterpart, and therefore far more deserving of her man. True, it tests and boundaries of marriage as a social pact, as a point of convenience (what is the latin term? someone tell me, I forget), but more importantly it highlights a hypothetical situation where love is taken into account. Is our society very much similiar? I believe in someways it is, but marriage has somewhat morphed into a less sacred and less sanctified realm.

Sigh. I'm too tired to continue, its 1215. The wet blanket shall have to finish this some other day.

:: Stuffy 5/12/2004 08:46:00 AM [+] ::
...

I was reading my investment fund prospectus for Aberdeen Asian Equity when I came across the legal terms for Suspension of Dealing Section 15.1.7

"Any period when the business operations of the Managers or the Trustee in relation to the operation of the Fund is substandtially interrupted or closed as a result of or arising from pestilence, acts of war, terrorism,insurrection, revolution, civil unrest, riots, strikes or acts of god."

:: Stuffy 5/09/2004 08:50:00 PM [+] ::
...

"When a man takes an oath, Meg, he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water. And if he opens his fingers then - he needn't hope to find himself again." - A Man for all Seasons, Robert Bolt

Principles are a delicate thing and just how many are capable of such strong convictions? Sometimes I wonder if I were capable of it and when I ask myself such a question, it hits me like a rhetoric. No. I won't know and I'm not sure. There is no such thing as 'there is no choice', we do have choices but reverting them for what is presently practical deceives us into thinking that there is no other recourse in avoiding the consequences. Then those who boast and fall short of it have fallen short of their being. Its ironic however that those who stand by principles are considered foolish by worldly standards because their idealism leaves no room for rationality. And only after a conclusion (or a demise) of an episode that in retrospect they are seen as people ahead of their time, commendable for their principles and efforts.

:: Stuffy 5/09/2004 08:54:00 AM [+] ::
...

Van Helsing
Tagged along with Jon, Lionel and Mark.

Sometimes, Epics and Legends are better left to the British to direct because the Americans are too dramatic and typical.

It annoys me. The Van Helsing I know from Dracula has etched an image of a wise, old, fatherly scientist. Van Helsing 2004 is a ripping young rugged adventurer who suddenly morphs into like Tarzan in one of the scenes. Other times, he looked like Lorenzo Lamas. It gets quite complicated when he turns into a Werewolf. Dracula? Well, he didn't look magnanimous and grand, he just looked as if he had it going all wrong for him. It got even more ridiculous when Frankenstein started quoting Psalms 23. But in terms of visual effects and general story plot, I thought it was powerful and dramatically creative, not too bad a show to watch. I think the witch sisters were done in the right way.

Naturally, very similiar to League of extraordinary Gentlemen where all the Victorian characters come into contact together. Alot of what ifs. What if Van Helsing met Frankenstein? What if Dorian Gray met other immortals prettier than himself? If you've read every Gothic book, this could either seem down right stupid or hypothetically creative.

Khairul, I think you'll like it hehe.

:: Stuffy 5/08/2004 08:05:00 AM [+] ::
...

New new new

I got new HP computer which is working wonderfully well. After gallavanting around Simlim with Terrence, I finally decided on getting HP from funan. I even got a new thumb drive. This computer reimaging has been long overdue and I'm finally able to personalise everything into one fine computer. Happy.

So now I can tell you what I have been doing for the past few months.

Last week, caught up with a bunch of freshly booked out army boys who had nothing better to talk about army other than what ghoulish spirits loomed in so and so bunk and in so and so toilet, how impressive. I still think that if I need to make a few extra bucks, all I have to do is squat outside the ferry terminal at pasir ris, wait for the craft to come ashore and eagerly display a whole array of caps going for $5 each.

Also last week, finally managed to catch up with Sat, had a good dinner with her and we talked about future plans. Future plans, that has become a common topic.

Its been five months from the new year and 3 months from the A results, so everyone has more or less decided on where to go and what to do, except for those still waiting for the verdict from NUS law fac which is out in May. Best of luck to Sarah and Sat.

I have been thinking about my exsistence for the past four months. Not in a philosophical way (because that gets you nowhere), but what I have been doing and whether I have been 'constructive' in my own perception of things. So far, I have learnt alot from work, but at the same time, that leaves me less time to saucer around and languish in good food and company. Reminder to self: to keep that in mind before uni starts. I haven't taken my driving lessons as yet. Another reminder to self: To think over about driving and whether I'll find it necessary, useful and costly. I have, however, suceeded in annoying a certain teacher and somewhat rudely delighting in it.

I haven't however had the time to watch alot of movies or meet up often with people because of that barrage of interviews. Now that thats cleared and settle with, and I'm ending work in two weeks, I must reorganise my EZY Video membership card and maximise its potential. I must also travel extensively and London is a good start.

As for reading? I was reading Hamlet half way until I went to New Zealand and then when I came back I stopped and everything else came in one big snowball. Third reminder to self. I also picked up 'A Man for All seasons', a very good book but I would have thought that Arthur Miller would have wrote it. Either that or Arthur Miller must have been very good friends with Bolt.

:: Stuffy 5/08/2004 07:49:00 AM [+] ::
...

At present...

I have just finished a tumult of interviews which have been going on continously week after week. Yesterday I finally came to my decision where to go. I won't tell you just yet what I have decided on, until everything concludes, I am on my way to London next month (trip which I am suppose to take off TODAY) with my cousin and my Dad. So before university starts in the next few months, I'm going to quit my job and find every oppurtunity to travel around, enjoy good food and much gourmet chocolates.

As for learning how to drive? I have to think about it, but I'll probably have to take it before I...

On other things, I am going to get a new computer (HP) for a good 1.6k with everything I need in it. Then I can blog more often and rant more often. So excuse me for my infrequent blog memoirs, I'll try to be more consistent after I've reorganised my new computer.

PS: Thara, would you please email me, I hope you've gotten my previous mail!

:: Stuffy 5/07/2004 06:18:00 PM [+] ::
...

American Idol

They got rid of one of the divas. I can't remember her name, but I remember that she was just another diva, another diva who was praised by all three judges. Those who were dissed by the Simon, Paula and the Randy made it to the top four, now whys that? The first two American Idols contests was based on talent and improvement, but what viewers saw was also individuality. This time, the third contest did not have divas with their own individual personality. They were merely stereotypes. All of them sounded like a mixture of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and any black afro-american diva you can name.

Another conclusion that I can make is that Americans are just fed-up with Simon, Paula and Randy. Don't forget that the very people who are voting probably did have family and friends who participated in the preliminary. People who participated in the preliminary and didn't make the cut and of course, probably held grudges against all three judges. Everyone is fed-up with all three judges because their perception has been deluded by social stereotypes in hollywood -how ironic. The thing is, American Idol was never modelled after stereotypes. True, it is about getting the amateurs and making a rags to riches story infront of the media. But its also about getting quirks like Clay Aiken, who, regardless of his voice, would still have been a loser if not for his makeover. The masses will never vote the perfect, they will vote the imperfect simply because the people participating are part and parcel of 'the masses'. If the votes were given to the perfect, we might as well call it American Idol - the Beauty Pageant.

So not the stark reality. We have the top three participants who are very different individuals. A young fair child with red hair, a hawaiin, a black. They may not be what the judges want, but they are those who will be remembered because they look different. How well they sing may not be a crucial factor any longer. Ladies and gentlemen, American Idol is evolving. It evolved after the Uncut, Uncensored version was shown a few weeks ago. The William Hungs were glorified and that brought the failure of American Idol as it intended to be.

:: Stuffy 4/23/2004 09:40:00 PM [+] ::
...