My dog can't walk as per normal, or at least just one of them. Mum insisted on a new bed recently and like all mums that complain to their husbands, managed to get one. Its really high and now the dogs can't jump up onto the bed. Ken-ken learnt how to though, when we pushed a stool beside the bed and she used it as her stairs. Pepper didn't, but we brought her up anyway. I didn't see what happened but pepper jumped off the bed and currently, she's walking on 3 feet.
If you've ever watched the Bruce Willis show "The kid", where a group of boys bullied a dog walking on 3 feet called tripod, that's exactly what's happening. It's really cute but after awhile, you start to feel the hurt as well. Hopefully when mum brings her to the vet she'll get better.
That's her. Simon says put your right paw up.
I.C.U.
Oh, at dad's 50th celebration, i got to drink my favourite mix.
Redbull with vodka
And i suddenly started to think. Redbull keeps you really awake, while vodka with its alcohol content can get you a little whizzy. But put them together...TA-DAH! The vodka balances with the redbull and its a normal drink. hahahaha. Really nice anyways.
Till then.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Have ubin to you been?
Today was spent ubin with church mates for a cycling event. Fun under the sun, not so great a pun. I remember praying for good weather lest we all got drenched while cycling. It rained just after the event ended. And God, being ever-generous, gave us what felt to be more than one sun up in the sky and my nose looks something close to rudolf's now.
Moving on, things went well. My group was great and i'm sure all of us had great fun. Not just cause we walked away with a starbucks voucher. haha. Isa had an injury though, not sure how it happened but it seemed quite deep. I'm sure it'll get better. =) (DUH.)
Great job yellow!
Stole some photos from Fion's blog.
We were supposed to capture a great view of the quarry behind us, but one step back and we would soon be seeing the great view from changi general hospital.
Fini
Rainbow spotted on ride back (Its really faint but if you look properly, it's there)
Happy happy happy
Ever wondered why people actually called the rainbow, rainbow? I just did.
Notice rainbows always appear right after the rain. Maybe the rain was proud of its performance, and after its magnificent display/discharge, like any other theatrical performance, took a bow, in 7 different colours.
Rain - bow. How? Wow.
50 : 50 : 50
After Ubin was Dad's combined celebration with Uncle Allan Yong Jr. and Uncle Kim Soon. All of them turn 50 this year. Held it at tropica and so many people were there having fun together playing games, cutting cake (which had literally 50 candles), chit-chatting bla bla bla. The theme was "Hawaii Five-O". Which also meant "Hawaii 50". The highlight of the night was something really different, when wives presented their speeches to their husbands (the birthday boys). It was hilarious watching them expressing their feelings in their own sweet yet not so subtle ways. The parents in church still know how to have fun. haha. I'll post the pictures up as soon as i get them, hopefully videos of the speeches. haha.
It's great to see everyone get together like that, children, youth and adults, especially when you can bypass the generation gap sometimes. And its times like these, when you realise you never ever want to leave this family church. 50 years old and still having a celebration like this to remind you how much people around you love you. Turning old isn't all bad. =)
Got dad a bike with sis. He's so much into biking now. Maybe after a year or 2, he'll finally go for that abortion and rid himself of the belly. hahaha. Hope you like it. No, you better like it, it burnt more than a hole in my pocket.
Part of joel's speech to his dad:
Congratulations dad, today you unofficially join the over 50 club. Now your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
Also, you can now Trust your friends with your secrets because they can’t remember them either. Stop trying to suck in your stomach if wearing tight fit shirts. Have enough wax from the birthday candles to wax your whole body and even have excess. Confidently step into an antique shop and say, I remember this
Trust him to come up with that.
Till then.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Holler Holidays!
It's finally over. Semester 2.1. Everything has been racing past so quickly since the poly life started. I can still remember the first day of year 2, coming to class and realising the class only had 3 guys (no joke). But exams are over and done with and that's something to be happy about.
Now comes the dreaded period of finding a job knowing you have holidays until the 20th Oct, and the thought of not finding any! Sometimes i wonder whether it has got to do with myself, after having high paying jobs, somehow, $6 an hour just doesn't seem appealing anymore. Beggars can't be choosers though. In the business world, what's someone without a diploma looking for a job?
Anyhow, today, i learnt that it is important to make a decision on where to have your lunch, especially when a big group is concerned. I had mine at Ikea, with quite a number of people, or at least bigger than the norm. Realised that Ikea seems to be turning into a restaurant rather than keeping its name as a furniture store? Hmmm. FOOD for thought. haha. We took quite a few pictures, will post them up when i get my hands on them.
Programs lined up: Fishing tonight, Ubin cycling, Dad's 50th celebration with other 2 uncles, sound job at fort canning, A's finally-going-to-happen-party, driving e-trial and a high paying job (i wish)!
In any case, if you're thinking of joining linkin-g park, feel free to and tag on my board and i'll make sure you get in. They're really nice people. Requirement- Have a blog.
Till then.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S
Exams have come to a standstill at this moment. All my papers are over except for one creeping slowly towards me on the 28th of Aug. What a way to spoil the break. But the papers were somehow manageable and I must say God's blessings will never fall short. Of course i studied too (Before all of you start claiming you prayed but things never did turn out the way u expected). Projects were surprisingly not too bad. Hopefully this sem will end with mAny mAny hAppy fAces.
Attendance for JG on sat was great and it really helps when you're up there playing, seeing so many youths praising God with such passion. Somehow, although it isn't supposed to matter no matter how many people are there on the floor when you play, the atmosphere somehow changes. I guess that's why angels in the heavens can never stop singing. They sing together, in a multitude, as one, in unison.
In any case, I've started enjoying myself already with a stay over at ben's house on Fri since we were both playing for service the next day. He recently shifted and i must say the roof over his head really is something. In fact, his roof is much higher than any of ours with it 3 storeys high. His house is so big, it has 2 living rooms (Imagine having 2 places to live in). The toilet downstairs has a urinal. The kitchen is amazing with an island. Too bad i don't have a picture of it. And being the skilled guitarist he is (with the finances mind you), he has a guitar cupboard to himself in his very small room which can fit a bed, a sofa, a study table, a corner to play his guitar, and still have enough room to play hopscotch.
It was my first time there and what can i say, i wished it was true every time i called him "brother". (no ben, i'm joking.)
there's a thirsty hippo at the bottom right corner.
Prove that i really was there.
If you haven't yet noticed, the guitar on the bottom left is fake. This is it. Credits to philip, the wonderful sound guy. He made it for Ben's birthday with cardboard.
In one of the living rooms, not the Fullerton hotel. Note- Each shining stone there is a genuine Swarvoski crystal.
LEMUEL LEE YAO JIE
Anyhow, it was Lem's birthday on Saturday. I know some of you are saying "SHIT. It just slipped my mind."
I've known of lem's existence since primary school. I disliked him then. He always gave me this impression he was one of those havoc boys. Till one fine day, he came to join our church. I don't know how it happened, but that's when i got to know him. We've been best friends since, or at least someone i can relate everything to, and not live in fear in case he pokes fun at me or disagrees or bla bla bla. Ok best friends. I hope he has no regrets having gotten to know me, because i sure don't (shit. he sounds like my wife).
Well lem, over the past few years i've known you.
We've had our unglam moments before, many of it. (What in the world were you doing digging my ear!)
barf
We've been through fire together with our pastor
We had so much fun but really learnt some lessons after that.
We even found our long lost brothers together!
But we've been happy people, happy clowns.
all our lives....
But nothing comes between us, except maybe a chicken
Whatever the case, happy birthday again to you lem. I like you. (lem, i never did like this picture)
Till then.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Father-lee
In the midst of the exams, while studying the reports, its nice to remember how tough it was to complete the projects knowing that it paid off. There were the fun times and of course the stressful times which made this period so memorable. I've never stayed in school till late before until now. School can actually be pleasant at such a time without the hustle and bustle of students running about and lecturers always trying to keep a tight control of issues but never achieving so.
School at its best
Lonesome peace
Reach for your A's!
I hope i never have to see school at such a time again though. haaha.
The classic
Back to work
When the fatigue sets in
And finally, smiles to ease the stress
My dad turned 50 on the 10th of Aug. That's half a century. It seemed so recent when i could still massage for him by walking on his back. Of course to relieve that memory now would mean my dad being admitted into the nearest hospital. When i realised he was turning 50 though, it dawned upon me that he was older than Singapore.
Dinner was at hanabie (however its spelt). Jap buffet, price unknown as covered by parents.
The celebrat-ers. Thats him, the one with the mustache.
Dig-in
Kaminabe! (Name of dish, really)
My sister (my mother, but she prefers to be called that) on right with best friend on left.
What more rather than your family? (and an Awfully Chocolate cake)
Well, over the years, that man of stature has been an authoritative figure that still scares me when he shouts and threatens me with his stare. I realised though he seemed so unreasonable during those times, it was all for the better. He always referred me to my mum every time i forced him to make a decision as i claimed he was supposed to be the man of the house. He was respecting her. Although his favourite pastime was hanging out with his bolster, he never failed to bring me out for an outing or two, just father and son. A time to talk about what guys really have to say. Though i always faulted him every time he wasn't doing what he was preaching, i could jolly well see he was trying his best to be the best example for me. Never failing to rush me into bathing every time i arrive home; Thank God he did that or my room would be filled with every thing unclean. Trying his best to make sure i stayed on path so i don't regret, i can almost hear his prayers for me. What more can i say?
Way to go Dad.
A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow. -- Author Unknown
Till then.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Happy-fied
After picking a really great CDS, or at least after getting a really great CDS, you realise there are some parts of it that still are lousy. But the CDS is great anyway. Today showed a lousy part. 2pm presentation and nothing in hand when i woke up. Reached school at 10am to research on Noh theatre of Japan. By the way, thank God theatre has changed to become so different. If Noh theatre remained, i suppose many of us would say "Noh" to theatre. hahaa. With really great members, we finished up the ppt and had ample time for a sumptuous lunch. Today marks the first time i've eaten with my teacher before class, Mr Sonny. Respectable man indeed.
The presentation wasn't too bad at all for a crash preparation. I saw some of the words on the screen for the first time while presenting and i started to realise how unprepared we were. I learnt many new things from my own presentation though. hahaha. Ben brought his guitar along and class was spent with the guitar singing a few familiar tunes here and there with Nic and the rest. Enjoyable. Jieting's laptop camera is da-bomb. Careful not to bring it onto the train, suspicious article. I want a laptop with a built in camera too! haha.
Cause it starts in my toes and i crinkle my nose...
Bigger than my body
ta-dah
Mirror images can be good clean fun,
till they get a little too fun.
Edah couldn't miss out, it was far from 7.
Hellboy. Hellgirl would probably look something like that.
Scrunched up your face and did a dance
ta-dah again.
Sarah. White is the new black!
Dinner at TM food court with the Bangkok gang. haha. Bumped into rach tan and her family there having dinner together. Going overseas isn't easy. Just when you thought you could start bouncing up and down all the way to Thailand that permission was granted, you suddenly realise nothing's been laid out. Not like the holidays with the family, where everything seems to always fall into place. But when that's over and done with, you realise it will all be worth it.
Its unbelievable that next week marks the last lesson for the semester. For theatre and for the rest of the other classes. Good and the bad, pros and the cons i suppose. The sem has actually been awesome with so many things happening and though there were the lousy times, at least its over. I wonder if i should have followed my interest on marketing or gone on to doing general business. Lin Teng always likes to say he feels a sense of dissonance on the decision. However so, i believe despite these imperfections, if one chooses to be satisfied, he will be.
Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient. - Aristotle
Are you?
Till then.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Gold or God? (or Geláre)
And so, Dr. Andrew Goh spoke on Sun in church. His sermons never fail to intrigue and force many to question. This time, he spoke on the topic, Gold or God? The model answer would definitely be God, but how convinced are we? That was his job for the day and i must say, he did do quite a good job. Mainly, Gold isn't bad, but it is the purpose of use that truly matters. He based his sermon on many quotes, which i'm a great fan of. I took some of them down.
1. More and more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for. -Victor Frankl 2. Experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want. - Dr. Randy Paush 3. Winner of the rat race, is still the #1 rat.
Ultimately, gold cannot bring true pleasure although many of us think so, even myself many a times. One thing he mentioned about our possessions caught me though. If we are unable to walk away from it, we do not posses it, it possesses us. Which was so true, are there some things in your life you can't let go? The world is superficial, be there and be square.
He is no fool to give what he cannot keep; to gain what he cannot lose. -Jim Elliot
The first test for the bulk of end semester tests was cleared today. 5 long questions, 60 min, 1 pen, 1 brain and 1 very sweaty palm. Time was of essence. I have only God to thank that i knew at least most of the points for the paper considering the lack in direction for this test. They expected us to study our report, just when we thought projects could be put behind us. In any case, its over!
Since it was tues, a bunch of us headed down to Gelare. I'm starting to suspect the staff there realise i only go there on tuesdays, oopps. haha. The previous time i went to gelare, i had an unexpected encounter with a lady and her family expressing her discontentment that the restaurant didn't serve any plain water (on the house of course). And today, i was enjoying a cup of plain water that i didn't pay for. I guess complaints really do work. haha. As lyd would say, "Whathell".
Company at Gelare was good. A, D, rach, miao and B. Besides having a time of nonsense sharing, we were planning for our bangkok trip which started out as a thought with rach and A (since don't know when) and is suddenly crystallising to reality. Almost everyone had a funny experience with their parents to get their permissions. But the thing is, all of us can go and now, it is only a matter of planning and of course, BUDGET. Pray that some lobang will offer some super good deal to this group of poor and needy group of students hoping to see the world through the Amazing Thailand, not so truly Asia since it doesn't rhyme.
The people
taken by:
Smartive people
When you are oblivious to the fact that water is served
And finally, why gelare is the place to be on TUESDAYS!
Friction occurs, it makes everything hot. But when everything cools, you realise sharp edges disappear.
Till then.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Reliving relief
The feeling when you're in a difficult situation and think back on the times of normality, when things were easy. At that state of normality, no appreciation was practised. Only when things got difficult did that state seem ever so perfect, but suddenly so far. The feeling when you just sprained your ankle and thought of how it felt like to be able to walk around. Appreciate your current state, or you could wait till the time you're rushing for all your projects again.
Today marks the first touch of freedom, or at least for a weekend from work. Reliving the relief of having at least some time to relax. Projects have taken such a toll over the past 2 weeks of school. Sleepless nights, fears of not meeting deadlines, times when everything that usually seems fine warrants for your frustration, etc. Well, let's just say God has been faithful as he has always been. It is in times as such when real learning takes place, not when you take a seat in the exam hall and attempt your papers. Amidst all this, when everything ends, that's where the sense of satisfaction finally sets in, at a pace you decide.
Small dinners between good friends never fail to allow for personal talks. Dinner with R and A today wasn't any different (RA talk). Which got me thinking how tempting things of this world can really get, sometimes even when you have already experienced God in your life. But how does one curb such desires? Or as some would say, curiousity. That's when friends actually come into the picture. I mean, where would any one of us be without friends. Look at the loner, the outcast of your class/school and I'm sure all of us would understand. Friends make you the person you are. They could curb your desires, keep you from falling, but pulling you down might not be out of their books. But true friends, true friends stand out. Grab one when you see one. True friends stand out because they are few. They know all about you, yet love you still. They hear things you don't say, ask you "how are you" not just to hear you say fine. True friends stab you in the front but make sure you get better.
In any case, make your choice.
Trust your life with your friends, because in some way, they do hold a part of it.
On a lighter note, enjoyable and relaxing moments still managed to creep through in the past 2 weeks. I have finally got around to register for driving! But by the time i get my license, cars would probably be a thing of the past. My btt only happens on the 30th of Sept. What more the rest. Haha. In any case, i registered for driving with Lydia. There's never been a time i had a conversation with that lady without a laugh. Things weren't different on that day, especially on the bus.
This is girl on bus which caught lyd's eyes cause of peanuts in her hand.
This is when you open your spectrum of sight following her beautiful plaids.
The fact that i laughed wasn't that the hair was funny, but the immense shock instead. How could anyone maintain that?!? Good on you sister. Seriously.
So we went on to Ubi to apply. I thought it would be such a biggie but anyhow, we left that place in an instant. Since it was tues, we decided to head off to gelare at downtown east. It was journey to the west later for her. ooops. Haha.
The food
The food again(i'm at the background)
The lady (ooo cake, i love cake!)
The other days consisted of late nights at school and others i cant seem to remember. Pictures are all with daron, who claims i am not allowed to have the latest pictures lest i update first. We actually filmed a video on one thing you can't do in the day at school. I thought it was quite hilarious, I'll post it up, as soon as he does. Haha. Tests are next week. Hopefully i wouldn't dwell to much on the relief which follows, while studying.
