Carpe diem

Life

2011-06-15T10:28:00.002+08:00

it has been a whirlwind of sorts. since coming back from pandaland a year ago, life has been nothing short of a frenzy.

Perhaps I finally realized that I do have the control over my life and its going to be what I make of it. Its really that simple. Nothing else matter except yourself.

Get up on your ass, face your fears and things will just start to roll. Dont say I never share :)

Its been a good ride thus far. Had my heart broken but its ok, nothing a good night's sleep can't cure anyway.

Heads up and you will see me fly :)

A Ponder

2011-05-16T10:30:00.002+08:00

The memory is still vivid, I remember we were cruising along an expressway and the taboo topic popped up. I was stunned and did not know how to react. What struck me the most was this sentence: A person cannot make any mistake, one wrong step and thats it.

Is that true?

Thank you universe

2011-03-09T00:15:00.002+08:00

I never thought that I would feel this satisfied after a lesson. Usually, at the very most, I would be happy that I have sat through a funny and engaging lesson and thats that. But this week and the last, I have witnessed firsthand, what it is like to have a passion. Passion so strong it burns and lights the space so all those around can bask in its warmth and comfort. I feel honored and humbled. Honored to be given a chance and humbled that I am learning to emulate that fervor for life and for teaching. With them as guides, I know I can :)

Strange compulsion to record this

2011-03-02T18:40:00.002+08:00

Sound: (knock at the door)

Me: (opens door. Looks at creature wearing a t-shirt that reads “fear of failure”, the shirt is covered in bloodstains.)

“You?!?”, I exclaim, “I thought I was done with you.”

“Apparently not, since you seem a bit flustered.”

“Shit, is it that obvious? Listen, I know now that comparing oneself to others is silly. We all have different life paths, so it is a futile act to compare one with another. Each human is here to learn different things and progress in different ways.”

“So why am I here then?”

“Because I still have those days when my confidence takes a nose dive?”

“You’re human, it happens.”

“You might as come in. We should probably sit for a while. But only for a day or so because I have work to do and I’m anxious to get back to it.”

“Why don’t we go for a long walk instead.”

“Sounds good.”

it spoke volumes to me and what i was/am going through. thank you keri s, i love your works :)

Goodbye and hello

2011-01-03T10:15:00.004+08:00

its now day three into the new year and as the saying goes, the leopard never changes its spots, so yea i am late again, in trying to size up just what 2010 really meant to me.

ten things about 2010:

1) new friendships forged and old ones strengthened. really glad to have found people whom i can seek solace from in times of f r e n z i e d frustration. or when i am shopping alone and really need a second opinion and know that they are but only an email/sms away. feels good where i am now, friends-wise.

2) b-less. its has been two years, i think, cos i cant rem exactly when the cut was truly made. sometimes i look back and regret upon the decision made but its just the weakness getting to me. because i know, with all my heart, that that was the right decision. i am thankful for the love that has been showered upon me in those times but i also knew that it was time to move on.

3) completing the course in china. prior to beijing, i really was dreading the two years, to the depth of my souls, if i may, and really thought that i wouldnt be able to cut it. but i did. we all did. i am extremely proud of us, though sometimes i think of the competition (undercurrent/not) and will still feel stick to the stomach. haha. thats why i chose the other way out, one that i am happy with and that others beg to differ about. take that. the convocation(s) were bittersweet endings cos stre lingered on most of our minds.

4) which brings me to this, yuppssss i can has a tcm license. woohoo. dont think i deserve it but still happy with the lil card of affirmation nonetheless. just dont come to me for consult anytime soon ya.

5) flew to europe with my ahma! frankfurt-stuugart-paris-chamonix-geneva-interlaken-london. oh what would i give to go back! bring on the road trips again please :)

6) took a lesson on forgiveness. the two years that i was away, much happened. now instead of all money and love (yes i was frivolous) i pray for peace and closure, wrt the issue. it can only do us good. not to say that i have succeeded cos thats far from the truth but everyday i am trying.

7) am now more comfortable in my own skin. its taken me all of 24 years to get to where i am now but well they also say, better late than never.

8) after numerous trips to the orthodontist(s) and dentist(s) i finally got on my braces! i will embrace this journey with all my heart. abit emo, but hey this is my dear teeth we are talking about!

9) cant think of anything fancy to add. will update later!

10) see (9)

THANK YOU 2010! You have been good to me, not all good, but good enough! BYEBYE!

stre-d :)

2010-10-31T15:48:00.002+08:00

寒窗苦读,为了它。　

okie granted, i did not spend a great deal of effort (no staying up past midnight sitting by the oil lamp whatsoever) on this last lap that would nicely wrap up my varsity life, not as much as the others anyway, i still hoped fervently that it would be enough to tide me through. and it was, indeed.

i think gratitude alone is not enough, so i will see to it that i really do put some of what i learnt over the past five years into practice, as a full fledged physician. someway somehow somewhere.

to have to receive the news while q-ing to get into the haunted mansion at the zoo was quite an experience by itself altogether. like: okies now the jitters are all coming frm thoughts of gg into the GUI mansion.

halloween was enjoyable, minus the missing money.

but today was just plain bleh, the earlier part of today at least. so lemme go out and get some fresh air.

right some wrongs baby :)

now that i am back..

2010-10-22T18:27:00.002+08:00

and the stre is over;
two of my very good friends have left for beijing (again);
i am constantly quarreling with my mom;
someone calls too often and i would like to know why;
hope for her to find peace and solace (same person in the previous sentence);
i hate to think that we are suffering due to someone's misdeed;
wants to find my balance, soon.

I is for...

2010-08-11T04:43:00.002+08:00

ingenuity, irrationality, irrelevance...

and most significantly (for now at least) I N S O M N I A.

so i have taken to early (its was 3am for goodness sake) youku-ing and reminiscing about the days in europe. It was really a trip like no other :) I am all drenched in nostalgia now thinking about it. Ahh so fun!

Happy Birthday

2010-08-09T20:27:00.002+08:00

Every August feels festive because of National Day.

I remember last year in the embassy in Beijing, yl went to highs and lows with me to get the goodie bag changed to a pink one. For that I am forever thankful :) Fond memories for keep. Loved the camaraderie that unites us all and ... the food -- yums.

Today, national day was a simple affair, at home with momma and the teevee. HAHA we were so guai we really stood up at 20:10 and recited the pledge! I wanted to concentrate on reciting the pledge but ma kept talking to me. roll eyes.

It feels good to be home :)

YAHHHHHOOOOO :)

2010-07-28T19:14:00.001+08:00

We don't need no reason to order yummy indian food for lunch in the lab :) but if push comes to shove, then in no specific order whatsoever, we were celebrating : the love of good food, laurie's eminent departure (its a sad thing really), my graduation (finally) and perhaps the arrival of tutti (2months earlier that is).. and this is not an exhaustive list.

(butter) naan, tandoori mushrooms, chicken curry and mutton, briyani, chipotle fries and lotsa horror stories about pets (if you count lizards as pets), boys and their mischeives, laughter, and bursting seams...

the crew :)

the crew : in red :) best gift ever bbb! good job :)

and i bid this post farewell with an ugly picture of myself.

its been five arduous years of (psuedo) mugging and many struggles. BUT we survived!

Now, I am really looking forward to the next phase of my life :) :) :)

of kites and laughter

2010-07-18T09:41:00.003+08:00

"If you are a hundred years old, how come you are still so beautiful?"

Got me LOL-ing.

That certainly does take the cake :)

a good place

2010-07-16T19:38:00.002+08:00

Thank you universe, for bringing me to where I am now. I have learnt so much in the past two years, trying to reconcile with my existence and trying to be less unhappy.

Fact is, its really easy. All it takes is a different angle.

Nothing the good ol' chinese idioms havent taught us.

Peace and contentment :) Metta.

Smiles aplenty

2010-07-12T19:08:00.003+08:00

As I look back upon the two years that has passed us by, I cannot say that I am not proud.

I have always thought that, as a cohort, we seemed to have the odds stacked against us. From the skeptism which we faced in year one, to the obstacles that we had to climb over in the days leading to Beijing, all was not easy.

But with pure grit, and for me, sheer dominance by the mother figure, we made it.

Beijing was not all a bed of roses. Cultural shocks aside, we had to deal with the mundanities of life, like powertrips and spoilt heaters, you name it, we probably have dealt with it.

Suffice to say, it was a rollercoaster ride that provided us with the highway ticket into adulthood. I say, the fastest way to shake that little baby out to make way for a fine adult is to throw them into foreign land and let them be. Just. Like. That. Never for once underestimate the capacity of the human mind and its natural leaning towards survival.

And survive, we did. With great pride and a graduation certificate to boot. Woots!

To the graduating class of NTU DD programme 2010, we rock!

Paris. After thought.

2010-06-02T21:18:00.002+08:00

My first road trip ever (half hr's drive to JB doesnt count) and I loved it! Truth be told, it wasnt at all smooth sailing. Look, the maze that is the parisian roads meant that we had a hard time trying to locate the apartment, the radiator dried up, the gear box emitted foul rubbery smell and our companion cum appointed driver was a kc spider army man. BUT paris more than made up for all these little nitty gritties that threatened to rob us of our joy. Mont martre was fantabulous and I would love to go there again. It only goes to show that judgement is bad cos prior to the tour, I judged montmartre (they told me it was on a hill and I was dreading the climb). And we even had to trudge pass the dodgy moulin rouge district. But it was all well worth the energy! Now Montmartre tops the list of my must visit places in paris, eiffel tower being a close second. Theres only that much you can do atop the tower right? Its like breath-taking view ok. Period. But I suppose it will be romantic location for the couples? Recommended for night visit, the grandeur doesnt quite surface itself in the day.

Pictures coming up soon!

Gonna pack for the second road trip!!!

Trippin'

2010-05-27T15:47:00.004+08:00

Radler and cookies for breakfast. Happy bobby. This marks the second day of my trip. Yesterday saw us caught in the drizzle after a heavy swabish (sp) meal and being super-duper jet-lagged. Grocery shopping at 3am singapore time was madness. But nothing a good night's sleep cant cure. So up and about we go! Ello, Mr. Eiffel here we come!!

WHOOSH

2010-05-22T22:20:00.003+08:00

So this is what an adventure feels like.

No mobile, minimal amount of rmb, a delayed flight, a thunderstorm-ish landing, a plane that flew off without me and then... a complimentary hotel room :)

What an end to the beijing chapter of my life.

Would love to write more, but maybe later, cos internet is expensive here in the mariott.

塞翁失马

2010-05-14T12:15:00.002+08:00

so the road trip became a non-trip, but in the wise words of a friend, its a good thing that we din make the trip because that would have meant absence for the graduation dinner!

it was a night like no other, passed in a flash, but the memories will be here to stay. bet on it :)

Awesome-ness

2010-05-07T15:44:00.002+08:00

At the end of the day, time remains the best cure :) Looking back at the days gone by, the emotional episodes have become just a fragment of memories. All the experiences are now encapsulated in a tight bubble-wrapped sphere, ready for me to indulge when i am back on the sunny island.

So for now, its the spontaneous road trip and more packing packing packing.

Shout-out: Yl! I didnt realise that you are still reading this :) No worries, photos of you coming up!

WAH

2010-05-01T12:18:00.002+08:00

major upset of April: A patient told me to lose some weight!

Its ok, its Ok. we are on to MAY now anyways so let's bring on the happier stuff!

Besides, I am only always not-so-fat when I am troubled :)

Paradox of love

2010-04-09T08:59:00.003+08:00

It is conditioned to be unconditional.

BUT Love is fragile, and when it breaks, the shards are like splints of glass that pierce through the heart, bringing along immense pain.

"XTT" strikes

2010-03-30T11:15:00.007+08:00

Heres another chibabomb cheenapok pic which I will graciously share, negative comments or not.

I treasure days like these, when i steal time away from work and enjoy the serenity and solitude, topped up with a little tidying up on the side. I think cleaning grounds me. Obviously its the hypochondriac in me speaking.

Oh oh! Something got me laughing real hard that day! The salon owner told Weiz something when she went to cut her hair one day after me. Super hilarious but I shall keep it to myself. I figured the compliments must be sincere?? If he had wanted to sweet-talk, he would have when I was there. Ok, I can do away with my delusion I know.

And to end off, let me share with you a quote by Mr. Einstein himself.

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

Hear that?

SNIP SNAP

2010-03-29T20:56:00.006+08:00

Some locks were felled and some people screamed.

But I like it in a weird kind of way. :) beams :)

Twas a good thing the TTT blocked almost half of my face.

and Yes, we do partake in some occasional indulgent activities.

(@ Haagen daz - Viva Mall, with the usual suspects.)

Can you?

2010-03-25T07:20:00.002+08:00

Here's a quick one before I dash off to paeds.

Read from this mail that pf sent me wrt judgment making. The author explained to us, rather well, how judgement making has made our lives not as pretty as it can potentially be. However, I have, since time immemorial, developed a second instinct to have comments about stuff, things, events, people etc. So to skip commenting, oh that certainly needs working on. My question now, therefore, is whether its ok to retract judgement once it has been made, i.e, can we UN-judge something? Does it not have to same effect as not judging altogether?

*pondering on the way to school*

Happy Chubby

2010-03-04T20:21:00.002+08:00

-建外SOHO. Where I first developed affections for Beijing.

Attachments :)

2010-03-04T20:05:00.005+08:00

Cosy Corner

(where I call home--in Beijing)

Outings with a dear friend

(hopping about with the fisheye--ann siang hill)

Forgive even when its hard

2010-03-04T19:01:00.003+08:00

The hardest lesson that I've had to learn.

It takes a really big heart to forgive someone who has hurt you. For the longest time, I avoided the topic like taboo, as per most Asian families. When finally some of my feathers was ruffled, I took the bait and said stuff that I shouldn't have.

But time past and the hatred that once engulfed me has faded away.

Now I just want those that I care about so much to be happy. :)

初雪夜

2009-11-01T10:55:00.006+08:00

An entourage of 6 stood under the street lamp, past twelve midnight, necks craned as they gazed into the sky (and beyond), relishing the velvety blessings that mother nature was welcoming them with. It was a wonderful door gift for the visitors to Beijing. And as for me, not a tourist, not yet a local, it was beautiful too.

When i was little i wished for a chance to see the snow, to build snowmen, to have serious snow fights with my sis... I was more than happy last night cos I got to do some of that, not all- but enough to feel grateful. Although I wished that my family was here too, this certainly came close.

Thank you universe :)

Ice

2009-10-10T16:12:00.003+08:00

Its so much harder to survive the cold when you are alone.

Sweet

2009-07-31T23:25:00.005+08:00

a conversation at work today:

old man: 她这病啊，好久了，老是犯疼。能用您这个灸吗？

dr z: 行。一盒144元，您要几盒？需要护士替您熏一次吗？一次20元。

old ahma: 不用了，还得浪费纳20块呢，干嘛。

old ahpek: *想了一想* 要吧要吧。

old ahma: 不用了吧。

old ahpek，very insistent: 要吧。要不还弄不好呢。

I melted into a puddle of goo instantly.

They came in matching attire too, how cute :)

Love the old folks here (sometimes, hoho).

Time (and how it flies)

2009-07-10T12:22:00.003+08:00

Oh wow, there goes (almost) one year. You can't fault me for thinking that time travels at lightning speed, because ... well, because it really does. Occasionally, it amazes me, but otherwise, I don't really know what to make of it? Maybe that's why we are taught to just all see ourselves as a puny plankton in the universe. In the grand scheme of things, any misery that we carry with us should only be regarded as impermanent.

Focus on the now, embrace the very present.

***

Two days in exhange for a year (again, almost) of academia. Wow. I am thrilled. That's. A. Very. Good. Bargain. Although, it must be noted that said two days are actually the weekend, which also translates to having no break before the next school year commences. *cue eye-rolling* But they also say, "When in rome ..."

**

Using yl's com right now, killing time while she runs an errand. It has been quite some time since I last stepped in here. Ok, That was, Yet Another time-seriously-flies moment.

*

Maybe we should all just graciously accept that we can't stop the wheel of time from rolling forward. What remains more important is that we improve with each revolution and right the wrongs that are committed along the way.

Hmm..

That's all I have for now, gotta fill the stomach!

I had a thought..

2009-07-03T16:42:00.003+08:00

... not too long ago. I remembered that holidays used to be 3 month-long affairs. Days were spent on 6bucksperhour part-time jobs, and nights were occupied by either teevee shows or meetups with friends, and supper of course. Ah, how wonderful. And so I dwelled even further and images began to crystalise, albeit only as concrete as my mind bubble allows. Sitting at the sewing machine table in the shop in front of the telly, laughing together with the family, phototaking trips, Vkitchen dimsum excursions etcetc... Then a voice came about, telling me that maybe I should stop because I am treading on dangerous territory. Sure, memories are meant for fondling, but fondling is to be handled with much discretion.

Grow up, not because you need to; but because you want to.

Here's a shout out to my pal, somebody whom I trust enough to spill my guts out in front of ->>

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PF! Have a smashing one ya!

Its a big HARLOW!

2009-06-25T10:26:00.003+08:00

I am finally back blogging after such a long time! Wahoo. It has pretty much been sheer inertia on my part, nothing whatsoever to do with the great security/sensoring measures of the "motherland", so no blame-pushing (for the time being).

Much has happened, emotion-wise. Trying to cope with the departure of those short-lived comforts of having family by my side, and Trying again, to realise that all feelings of longing and despair is but transient and also that love will not succumb to geographical separation. So for that I am grateful.

The critical period of the semester is hot on the heels! UP UP UP goes the socks! See you soon my dear diary.

And last, but not least, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MEL!
I know you can do it, so there's no room for any lack of confidence!!

p/s: To the dear friend, if you are reading this, don't worry too much ya! You can do it :)

Something to share

2009-04-25T10:03:00.002+08:00

Mother Teresa

Why are they inspiring? She spent 45 years of her life caring for the sick, poor and dying while raising awareness for her organization: “Missions of Charity”. Her work started in India then spread to other parts of the world.

What can they teach? We are all one, you are not alone in this journey of life, and therefore you shouldn’t see yourself as more or less than anyone else.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Lord Buddha

Why are they inspiring? Siddhattha Gotama was thought of as the ‘enlightened one’ and still to this day inspires people with his messages of peace, oneness and living in the moment.

What can they teach? Do not take anybody’s messages as fact. Use what works for you and dismiss the rest.

Only accept what passes the test by proving useful and beneficial in your life.

Credits: urbanmonk.net

It's FRIDAY and here's Project Lotus!

2009-04-17T19:43:00.007+08:00

Here's a shoutout to all those good people still visiting this space! I may/may not know that you are reading this, but still HELLO! I hope you are doing good! Cheers :)

I've decided to embark on a spring-cleaning project of sorts. Every week (or when I can afford the time -- there's always laundry you see??) I am going to jot down something (goals that I would like to do achieve/flaws that I would like to discard etc) and give myself 3 weeks to work on it. And it shall be crowned: Project Lotus

To be frank the amount of stuff to work on is massive and so I foresee this task to be a long long one ... but hey, one's gotta start somewhere somehow right?

The Kickstart: To be grateful.

Holding me together, Keeping me sane

2009-04-07T22:53:00.005+08:00

The above was taken by dear yl, a budding photographer (hah!), after Dharma class one saturday. It captured Spring in the initial days, when the flowers just started to appear. I am loving the colours and the composition of this picture. Good job yl! Mel and me, we were reading the slips of paper that came with the souvenirs that shifu gave us.

Mine read: 快乐，在满足中求。

And this night was memorable too, in its own rights. Old School @ Mt. Sophia was breezy, cool and very laidback. The perfect spot for some r&r. AND there is Timbre too. What's not to love? Singapore is in dire need of more such places. Oh I so need to get my ass back there for some finger-lickin' good pizza man.

樱花赏

2009-04-05T14:56:00.013+08:00

Spring is here! (ignore the erratic weather that has turned many of our abodes into real-time freezers fit for storing meat) -- The greens are starting to sprout and flowers are beginning to bloom :) :)

Woke up crazy early on the first day of the "3-day holiday" for these pretty-in-pinks. The flowers were so pretty and the air was just so fresh and clear you wanna take in a few more breaths... until you find yourself nearing the toilets that is. I wanted to capture the cherrypinkies in all their blooming glory, with my lomo lens that is, but in the end, they captured my heart instead.

Just look at the photos. These are but a tip of the iceberg really. They are all credits of wz, who promptly realised, in despair, that her nikon dslr was just a baby lizard amongst all the godzillas of the camera world that also decided to make themselves present that day. Absolutely no opportunity for her to show-off! Haha! Gorillapod also cant find any place to cling on to! I now have a not-so-secret aim to be just like the white-haired ah por who was looking mighty fine carrying a lethal-looking camera with lenses so huge they are almost the length of my forearm! No joke.

And here is me, in my beloved blue leggings, enveloping myself in all the cherry blossomy goodness. Gotta thank wz for taking the picture and also express my utmost apologies for not being able to reciprocate her kindness -- because those pictures that I took of her were just plain crap, thanks to my non-existent dslr skills. What to do, I only own a humble lomo fish-eye. Sorry my friend :(

And to end this post off, I present one of my favourite shot of the day : Sakura carvings

Have a SUPERB SPRING people!

The Story of the Pencil

2009-03-13T10:37:00.004+08:00

It has 5 qualities which, if you manage to hang on to them, will make you a person who is always at peace with the world.

1: You are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to his will.
2: Now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharperner. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he is much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.
3: The pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing, it helps keep us on the road to justice.
4: What really matters in a pencil is not the wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.
5: It always leaves a mark. In just the same way, you should know that everything that you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action.

-Paulo Coelho

Life works in intriguing ways sometimes. In Dharma class last week, when shifu asked us to name a noun that best describes ourself, I used 'pencil'. It got people curious and my reasoning was -- I am an indecisive person (pencil writes things but gets erased all the time). It probably wasn't the first thing that came to my mine but somehow that became my reply.

It is a mere chance that I should come across this excerpt again, one that I copied down from a Coelho book years ago, on a notebook that I have brought here.

At that time, I had thought that the pencil answer was a tad familiar -- and now I understand :)

After a nice hearty (and a lil oily) lunch cooked by myself

2009-01-12T13:22:00.003+08:00

I am reminded of the times when pa would come home around lunch time, armed with food and snacks and (on mondays) a copy of 8days for sy and me (a fight as to who gets to read the mag first would thus ensue, sometimes ending up ugly -- but heck i missed those bickering).

As I peered into the time machine, I realized that it is finally time for me to grow up. I will force the damned tears down and try to my very best not to let the longing engulf me. Afterall its only four more days.

And in paofu's words: Only a 50 metre stretch left! YADA!

考试前综合征

2009-01-10T15:42:00.002+08:00

怎么办，备考受阻了。就因我的心早已飞回小小岛国，不再在课业上了。羡慕室友老是有家人来访，能解相思之苦。我想化泪水为力量，你能帮我吗？

相思（王维）

红豆生南国，
春来法几支？
愿君多采撷，
此物最相思。

First Day of 2009!

2009-01-01T20:54:00.003+08:00

I conquered this by the way!! *pats on the back* and yes, THANK YOU MARI for your craziness pushed us all to our limits.

I figured since its a new year with a spanking new start, a post is but obligatory. Well well. There was no countdown as I was and still am a boring old fart (quite literally since I was suffering from a bout of stomach upset yesterday), and as pathetic as it may sound, I was reeling from the excitement sparked off by an innocent change of status on facebook. It really did buoyed my spirits by a huge bit. I am happy to say that my classmates crack me up sometimes. SO FARNIE CAN!

This morning I trooped down to carrefour for grocery shopping. It seemed the entire neighbourhood also decided to come along. The supermarket was Filled To The Brim with the nationals. They really like the barge/push (whats the diff anyway?) lor so irri. The food had better last me four days man. I am running low on the cash boohoo. and 没人理我 :(.

Ok I better go back to the books/little nyonya. OH YAWN/YEAH.

Till then!

2008-12-28T16:53:00.006+08:00

Chinese Commune post in the works. Don't like the photo-loading process though.

The Eight Happy Days Meme #7 & #8

2008-12-28T16:28:00.003+08:00

For eight days, you have to write about something that made you happy that day.

This gets increasingly difficult as sometimes things are not as rosy and happy as they should be.

#7 (271208)
1) Enjoying the Christmas performance by xq's group. The fabulous dance aside, what tickled me the most was that the cues for the backstage crew were very audible to the audience. "好了灯光可以下了。" I mean seriously!
2) Getting to talk to paofu (and bbb) online.

#8 (281208)
1) Finally a run after so long. Didn't push myself cause I was overall very down in spirits. And you wonder why. But glad I went anyhow.
2) A hearty brekkie of apples and oats. A surprise match there. Tarty apples and yummy oats, with orange jam to boot!

The Eight Happy Days Meme #4, #5 & #6

2008-12-27T10:10:00.002+08:00

For eight days you have to write about something that made you happy that day.

#4 (241208) -- Christmas Eve.
1) Having some quiet me time at home.
2) Talking to family :) :) :)
3) Buying stuff for family (beats spending money on myself hands down!)

#5 (251208) -- Christmas!
1) Shopping at the mini-zoo with mel. Its funny how all the shopping places are called XX园. Weird.
2) Eating McNuggets (was a tad guilty cos its out-of-budget, but hey its Christmas!)

#6 (261208) -- Boxing Day
1) Passable 辩证分析 during internship, although it was for a very generic 鼓胀, but i am happy nonetheless.
2) Received a nice little mandarin orange from laoshi.
3) Cooked a nice little meal. Yums.

The Eight Happy Days Meme #2 & #3

2008-12-23T23:09:00.003+08:00

For eight days, you have to write about something that made you happy that day.

#2 (221208)
1) Going to 建外Soho (again) and having a wonderful dinner at Grandma's Kitchen. Thanks to the generosity of a friend, I got to taste the dishes that I wanted to try but couldn't due to pursestrings that was tight. THANKS MY!
2) Sleeping over at MYWZHF's house and getting a taste of waking up early and taking a bus to school.
3) No more fighting with b (for now) :)

#3 (231208)
1) Getting nice fotos out of trusty snowie (my fish-eye, and also how this blog's name came about). He was terribly bruised during the trip to the commune and the climb up to the 野长城.
2) Having a good time enjoying the performances during the class xmas party.
3) Having a good time eating the nice food whipped up by various classmates. Bliss.

The Eight Happy Days Meme #1

2008-12-21T18:44:00.007+08:00

For eight days, you have to write about something that made you happy that day.

#1 (211208)
1) Tracing out a poem on the 精选古诗钢笔字帖 which i chanced upon at the bookshop in the 市场. Poems and calligraphy combining their powerful forces -- almost like a dream come true for me.
2) Cooking a meal with mel and receiving good comments. Yea, cooking is kinda fun and the brinjal was yummy. Whoever wants to try can let me know, will be happy to be the chef! Bahaha.
3) Talking to 小姑 on msn. Missed her lots and relieved to know that ah ma had been discharged and fully recovered already.

Its 冬至 today. The temperature's gonna plummet, the winds gonna get stronger. But let's fight it! Winter's supposed to be nice, white and fluffy, but I am having none of it Yet.

The Present and memories

2008-11-23T01:56:00.006+08:00

Family and tyrannic sister -1, meek little me -0. So the plans were thwarted. What to do what to do. I am thinking 咬牙切齿 will be my middle name in the weeks (the last I count there are 9) leading up to the much-awaited trip back to islandsunny.

BTW, I have a very funny photo of an innocent little tyke that will (*fingers and toes crossed) help tide me through this trying period. Thanks budd of the decade, you rock.

ps: Said photo shall not be displayed to protect the identity of little tyke in question.

I need some loving

2008-11-20T11:20:00.003+08:00

Here I am stealing a breather from the suffocating cauldron aka the school. Life's not been too good recently what with the lack of quality sleep and thoughts that are pushing me towards the other end of the spectrum. I miss home like you can never ever imagine. And no it is not temporary. As I was telling a few long lost friends, the furore brought about by a post on fb was like a blow of fresh air into my fast decaying life. I really enjoyed that night although we were like miles apart but everyone feeling the same way about our elementary sch life, that was FANTASTIC. I really missed those times. Really prove the old wives' tales right. Dun hurry to grow up. Growing up sucks (Although I do think growing tall would be kinda cool. I am stunted fyi, hence the comment).

The mind is an amazing entity and I cannot emphasize this point more. "We are halfway there already,", "Surely we can bring something useful back with us after all these," just floats in via the left ear and exits via the right. Not much effect there all these reassurance from various parties. I dunno but I am pretty sure of what I wanna do already. I just need to convince the parents and all other detractors (re: Youli) that I foresee will not hesitate to hamtum me when I finally figure out how to say my peace.

Going for a stretch now. Out!

:(

2008-11-15T15:39:00.002+08:00

i miss these missies. PF!!!

It has been a while

2008-11-15T15:20:00.002+08:00

Judging by how sporadic my posts are becoming, it is evident that I am either 1) too busy living it up here in the rustic (minus the charm factor) village of 方庄 or 2) cannot be bothered. The scale tips more towards the latter obviously but then again the only time I was mildly religious in my blogging habits was back in the days when I was a bummer and had lots of free time on hands. Now I would kill to be able to bum. Bumming my dear, I miss you so much. Ok, even of crap that I bet will make me cringe when I revisit this site 10 years later.

To Paofu and Bbb: I think I am not as strong as you guys thought me to be. Am still feeling vvvv trapped.

Oh MY

2008-10-03T01:20:00.015+08:00

I really need to find a way to kick this annoying little habit of mine. The typical scenario is that B calls around 10~11pm and I will go lie on the bed while talking on the phone. I then proceed to drift into semi-consciousness and before u can count to ten I am fast asleep. Oh my. And then around 12 plus B calls again and I am awaken either by the ring-tone that has sounded for maybe the third time OR by my own guilt. Then I try to compensate for that by trying to squeeze in a nugget of info here and there and before u know it I feel sleepy again. Tell me that this is normal.
On a crappy-unrelated note ------------------------------->
Isn't this is kinda cool??

i am hoping its PMS

2008-10-01T17:41:00.002+08:00

but i really really wanna go home.

I'll be there for you

2008-10-01T15:18:00.002+08:00

So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's DOA.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.

You're still in bed at ten, the work began at eight.
You've burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these,
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees.

That, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.

No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me.
Seems like you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me.
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with,
Someone I'll always laugh with, even at my worst, I'm best with you.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.

-- What has been keeping me sane from then till now, and you bet it will continue to.

2 pictures and a few words

2008-09-20T22:54:00.007+08:00

living room part 1

living room part 2

Yups, people, that's the living room area of the apartment in which I am residing now. And yups again, its kinda cool and nice. The landlord was a very meticulous fellow, I tell you, who went to the extent of wrapping the legs of the chairs with sponge cloth lest the marbled floors suffer from cruel scratches. I will steal more photos from my friends and housemates and adorn my blog with them all over. But for now, these two pics will have to suffice.

On a side note, its really not easy taking pictures with the jelly blue camera! And THANKS to Jas again for the wonderful gift! Mary has been lamenting non-stop cos she got one pink jelly too but she still can't appreciate its functions yet. Oh wells I say give her more time to prove herself k. You really can web-cam with it right! Man, I was so excited when I first got it to work. Woo baby!

Till then,
Chiaos!

九月九日忆山东兄弟

2008-09-16T19:47:00.003+08:00

王维

独在异乡为异客，每逢佳节倍思亲。
遥知兄弟登高处，遍插茱萸少一人。

Its funny huh this thing called fate.

When I was studying this poem in st nicks all I had to do was memorize the four lines and that was that. But now as I sit in my room in front of my computer, miles away from sunny Singapore, I feel every single emotion that wang wei wanted to convey.

First post!

2008-09-15T12:28:00.000+08:00

Hi everybody! First post in China. Just got my connection the night before, exciting stuffs. I miss home :(

Photos will be coming up real soon.