Sentosa!

Super shortened version due to computer reset 2 hours into my blog typing. :(

Went Sentosa with Secellites on Saturday. Had a "photohunt" of some sort where we need to take photos of items/places from a list of things. Teamed up with Rachel and Cheryl - 2 clowns, and it was really fun. After everyone had returned from the game, we went kayaking and I'm now officially very burnt. Havent been this red for years, cos I've become pretty whitish. Actually havent been this white since as long as I could remember. But tanning is good. And so is Kayaking into Indonesia. Haha.

Okie shall leave you to the photos. Complete collection in my photo album on right menu as usual. If you don't know the password just ask! :)

Our first photo stop. Supposed to look fightened by Merlion.

Reaching out for the Sky Tower (next to Merlion from where we were).

Covering our ears from loud Dinos and Volcanoes.
Look at Rachel's expression and use a bit of imagination. Haha

Needed to take a photo of goalkeeper in the field.
Once again, use your imagination. I like this photo a lot!

Cheryl trying chinese dance in front of the Musical Fountain.

Pointing to some geometric obstacles at Wondergolf.

Cant remember if we were suppose to act cute
or look spastic with the cable cars.

Feet off the ground at Ferry Terminal.
The other groups did jumps. We saved on time. Hoho

Since we needed to eat fries for one photo,
might as well eat at Burger King.

Congratulations to the 10,000,000th visitor!
No lah, we need a photo of a visitor at the Arrival Centre.

Rachel finds a SUPER PINK bus. Not part of our hunt.

Sentosa's famous monkey.
So famous, I've never heard of it before this game.

Cheryl finds a new pet! Not part of our hunt either.

Oooh.. Making faces at the faces in Ruin City.

Rachel kisses the shark for biting Cheryl's hand. How nice..

Fort Silosa was closed, so this was as close to
the cannons as we could possibly get.

Acting cute with Japanese tourist. Unfortunately we couldnt find kawaii girls.

Acting cool in front of Delifrance next to Siloso beach.
I feel bad for blocking Rachel. She hardly gets so sporting for a photo. Haha!

We hijacked a buggy!! Just so we could win the game.

Desperate to get a photo of the "Southest bridge"
But erm.. wrong bridge in the end. Ah well.

This was the footwear arrangement for my team. Teamwork!

Waaa very tired after kayaking. Tried kayaking a double kayak by yourself?
Not fun at all.. especially when you're overdue to return it (by 20mins).

But still.. The entire day was awesome!

Wait til you are older

Just finished watching "Wait til you are older", a show starring Andy Lau and Karen Mok, just about 5 minutes ago. The show has got me moved, and I'm feeling all sensitive/ sad/ thoughtful/ happy and heartbroken all at the same time. It's a pretty shallow movie and badly pieced together really, but it attempts to bring out a handful of themes, although not very successfully, hits home with an emotional guy in the midst of a cold lonely night. A couple of spoilers if you intend to watch the movie, so my sincerest apologies.

Firstly, it tries to relay a message to those who live with the common thought of "I've got time". Andy Lau basically ages at accelerating speed through the show. From a boy who wants to grow up really fast cos he wants to leave his family, to a frail old man who finally wishes he could turn back the clock. There were a couple of other shows with such a theme, and to be honest, everyone one of them hit home with my heart. A very cliche message I should think we'll all agree, and to be honest many of us fall into the category of the countless who have at one point in their lives never lived for the present, but for the future. I mean we had always wanted to be like this and that, or to attain this and that at some certain point of our lives but we all live in the present. And truth be told, that's just about all we have now. Dreams are noble, yes and goals are vital. But consider the many copperstones around our feet now, though not as glittery as the streets of gold we have visioned in our dreams, they could very well be the start of the path that'll lead us there. Hope the best for the future, but reserve our vitality only for the present, take the steps we can take now and who knows what tomorrow brings?

A second theme of the movie was the idea of "judging". Andy, the young boy, used to think his father's second wife (his stepmother) was a vixon. He blamed his father's unfaithfulness, and his stepmother's immorality for the death of his blood-tied mother, who had committed suicide when he was at the tender age of 4. Hence he grew up bitter at his family, except for his half-brother who was much younger than he was. He hated his father, loathed his stepmother and took every opportunity to run away from home as his father would coax him home thereafter by giving him money, which he would stow away in a container for the one day he could save up enough to flee his family forever. For all his life after his mother's death, there was never one day he had joy in being in that household and he resented everything that the family embodied, his closest companion being an old broken toy his late mother had gave him long ago. Andy, the middle age man after coming in contact with a strange rapid aging substance, returns to that house under the pretext of being his father's new found acquaintance in an arcade game centre, founds out a heart wrenching truth. His late mother was the real 3rd party in the relationship between his father and "stepmother", and his father had kept that secret all these years from him to shield him from the painful truth. Not just that, but his stepmother, who had to put up with Andy's nonsense and abuse quietly all these years, had always tried to accept him as a legitimate son and not as one from an adulterous affair. Andy feels ashamed, heart broken and remorseful for the many pains he had caused his father and "stepmother", and hopes to return to the family to put things right, as the young good son his father had always hoped for. All this while he thought the world was against him, that his family had rejected but the truth was that it was their love that caused him to be shielded from what could be detrimental to his young mind.

A final theme of the movie was as the title suggests "wait til you are older". This is one that I can't really say I fully relate to, being just 23 years of age (though I keep saying I'm old). What qualifies me to say a line like "wait til you're older"? Each course of life has it's own meanders, the slows and quicks, the bends and straights, down flows and upstreams. What's there for anyone to say "I've been through all that there is to life"? There's plenty of hope for what comes tomorrow; however, like the first theme potrays, there's plenty of action needed today! I give thanks everytime I open my eyes for a brand new day to live for. I thrive for the fact that the obstacles I face today will be the stories I talk about tomorrow. What does not kill us, makes us stronger. A very paganistic way of speaking, but conceptually very logical provided if what does not kill us physically, does not kill us emotionally or mentally either. Now, in the middle of my youth, many problems not uncommon to people of my age (or eras past) are poaching my time and energy. A job, a degree, a girlfriend and for some, a pet. If I could, I would like to sing one day,"I faced it all.. and I stood tall.. and did it.. my way." Which brings us back to the first theme, and I reiterate - who knows what tomorrow brings? :)

All bout Joel

JOEL WAS ON THE PAPERS TODAY!!!

Did anyone see? I'll post a pic of the article for those who had missed it. So proud of him! Hehe.. Jia yo wo!

Cell Dinner Day

Funny day lah today. My cell group went for cell dinner at Subway in United Square and it was really fun. After the "bread breaking" (which was delicious btw), we took a walk around United Square which was hosting some Toy'R'Us Halloween fashion show - for kids. They were really cute, we saw some pirates, wonderwoman, batman, and (surprise surprise) witches. Turns out they were having some Halloween costume sale behind the area and we popped in to take a look. Saw a little maze they had made, and curious as we were, we ventured into the dark gloomy labyrinth. Okay lah, really exaggerating cos it was a pathetic maze and I must emphasize.. very little. I had to bend over to scamper around inside. Joshua got pretty shocked when he saw some fake spiders and webs in the maze, and ran out the way we came from. The rest of us, unwavered, continued through the mysterious bends of the maze. I think we all looked pretty funny, and retarded. Cos the maze had no covering, meaning it was open top and some curious folks were looking from above wondering what the heck these dumbos are trying to do in a KIDS MAZE! Anyway, we made it out in like 15 seconds.

We decided to take a look at the Toy'R'Us costume bits on sale after the disappointing challenge of the maze. Basically tried almost everything on display, from the rubber fake hairstyles to rubber masks and wands, sticks, brooms we could get our hands on. Took a lot of FUNNY pictures, but I must find a way to get them from Rachel's mobile. Geesh, I had a whale of a time there! Wahaha.. Unfortunately, the kids' halloween fashion show ended halfway through our display exploration and the display section was suddenly flooded with kids (and their curious parents). I think we had plenty of stares while fighting with the kids to try the costumes on. Haha!

Gotta get my hands on the pictures. In the meantime lemme share a pic. Not sure if I should classify it as funny, or erm unfortunate. But I had a good laff anyway. Hoho.

The battle begins

No, it's not that I haven't recovered from the LOTR lovey doviness. On the contrary it's exam time again. :( Ah well, nothing new, nothing startling. Just another busy semester in school I guess. Have just about 4 weeks to the start of the big E. Gonna be hard work this semester, the lectures are a mess, and my brain is a mess too. Haha.. Well, if anything good comes, it'll be all that I have to look forward in the short span of the holidays. Might plan a trip or two overseas. PLUS no more exams for the next 1 year! Will be working at Credit Suisse (Industrial Attachment) from Jan-June you see, which means no overseas then and no Bible Camp (it seems). Ah piang eh.

I bought myself a singlet today. Guess what, it's the first singlet I bought that I'm NOT required to buy. Erm, cos school and army requires us to get singlets. Compulsory. So what does it mean now that I've gotten me-self a singlet? More exercise loh. Hope that motivates me somewhat. Hehe Hoho Moohahaha.. Expensive man, I think I got cheated. $12.90 for FBT singlet from Nanyang Supermart. Gotta find some time to get some pictures, otherwise the blog gets awfully boring.

Guess who I found in Friendster? Haha.. Click here to see.

Ogay, time to hit the notes the books the whatever. Say "NO" to DOTA! Yay..

Saw this at Jonnie Wonnie's blog. Decided to give it a go. Funny how they derived some silly conclusions from animal questions. Quite true though. Haha..

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

The Return of the Chink

I've had many moments lately poking fun at my Indian friend Arjun (or Raj I call him, his alter ego). All friendly, but really fun. Okie, I can't reveal a normal conversation cos I'll probably stand the risk of getting sued, or JAILED! But wait, before you think I'm racist, let me state that I'm not! Cos Arjun is from India, and I'm being more nationalistic than mono-racial-idealistic. Okie just kidding.. Anyway he calls us "Chinks", a lesser nickname for Chinese anyway.

I GOT TO WATCH LOTR: RETURN OF THE KING LAST NIGHT! And boy, was it a blast! 4hr 10mins of nonstop movie madness. The extended DVD edition went an extra 50min compared to the theatre release. So you actually get to see how Saruman died, Aragorn conversed with Sauron, Gandalf fight the Witch King and how Aragorn persuaded the undead army. Bits and pieces that bring the wonderful story to a complete and mind boggling end. No wonder I felt the theatre release was kinda weird with missing parts all over the place. Peter Jackson was probably trying to crunch the epic into a 3.5hr timeslot, but what a joy to watch the complete reel.

Anyway, more good news. Got a call from Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) yesterday regarding the results of my interview last Friday. Thank God I got the offer. Well, not that I'm totally estatic about the offer, it's kinda far, but I guess it's a good opportunity for anything that might come my way thereafter. I'm talking about working prospects in case you're wondering. I've never intended to have an Engineering job after graduation. CSFB is a global investment and banking company, quite a remarkable one at that. :)

Ahmad (Philip our driver), Arjun and I went to NYDC at Holland V today. Pretty early in the evening, so hardly anybody there. Got baked rice! Nice nice, but I overate there. Overdose of chocolate too. Had the Double Chocolate dunno what Cake set with chocolate icecream. I think will die, of over eating and fattiness. Was totally bloated after finishing the goods (shared) and drinking half a cup of water. I suspect the cake expanded in the tummy. We were talking about chocolate, and the effects of it likened to endorphine, which basically makes a person happy or feel like falling in love. It was quite funny, becos I think I could come up with better jokes high on Chocolate. Arjun was at the end of that, as usual. Hiak hiak.. Anyway love is quite a scary thing, dun like it. I'll be fighting hard to keep the gaffer at arm's length, unless another overdose of Chocolate kicks in. Haha.

Waiting..

Waiting for my laundry to be done that is. I've approx 10 mins more before they're done, so here's some quick words to pen down. Some people's exams are finished, lucky blokes. Mine is coming in 34 days time, and lots to study til then!

My stress days are slowing down at last, what a month it's been. One more obstacle on Wednesday, have an assessment on our Database laboratory work in the afternoon. We're expected to come up with a psuedo-Casino database for the Casino operations and the supervisor will basically try to crash our system for assessment. Honestly, so far it doesnt look too promising, so I'll be in the lab later at 8.30am to beef up the system for the inevitable.

Lost slightly more than 2 kg's over the last 2 weeks. Been taking some weight management supplements you see, not quite those extrim "cha-cha-cha" lah, just some low calorie protein supplements. Of cos must go exercise, but I'm a bit lazy plus I ain't got all day to work out too. But the routine push ups and sit ups been good thus far. Gotta lose some off the thighs now, hard though. Fats dun burn in specific places, they go according to the genes. Working out the thighs only means more muscles there. Maybe can try those electro thingy. Hmm..

Ah, I've an EAT LIST now. Some eaten already, and the rest should come soon after. I think I deserve those man, after putting myself through some tough routine to keep my health and throat in order. Time to relax, and stuff a bit. Hehe

- Laksa [EATEN]
- Char Kway Teow [EATEN]
- Char Kway Teow, Thai version [EATEN]
- Chocolate Ice-Cream [EATEN]
- Billy Bomber's Chocolate Shake [EATEN]
- Indomie Spicy Mee Goreng
- Roti Prata [EATEN]
- Chicken Baked Rice [EATEN]


I'm a little upset now, cos I finally bought a LOTR: Return of the King Extended Edition DVD set to complete my collection after 1 year today. And I cant watch them now cos my laptop DVD reader has problems. !@*&#!(*@^! Grrrr..

Ooops, time to pick up my laundry. Just nice :)

The long awaited sequel

Work, church and school has had been piling up a sleep climb up to now! I'm gonna crack man! Not that I already havent been showing signs of cracking up, I've been making dumb soap jokes, falling sick and doing badly in my church ministry. It has come to this, and it'll continue until next week I think, when the deadlines are past and my commitments in the worship department are coming slowly to a halt in time for my exams. I'm dying really.. Sharing in 4 Secell meetings non-stop. Leading worship 3 weeks out of 4, of which the 4th I was assisting. Planning for Youth Camp before my exam preparations start underway. Lots of youth burdens to carry. 4 reports in 3 weeks. 1 Business plan presentation. 1 interview at Credit Suisse First Boston. 3 Lab assessments in 2 weeks. Miscellaneous ECA work and documentations (handover). And some monetary issues to think over.. waaaaa.

I need a secretary, or a clone. Positive.

I had a great time with my Business Plan report and presentation though. Pretty smooth sailing, thanks to some great groupmates. Ladies and Gentlemen, our company, FILOCA Inc. "Bringing the best in security to your fingertips" - We produce new-age Travelcases and Bags with Fingerprint Security. Which means, only YOU can open your bags!

Filoca Inc. Logo

Four Kings, eating in Canteen A..
So much for successful businessmen :(

We're serious about our business,
can't you tell?

The whole company (almost).
Jon, Kim, Arjun (CEO), Myself and Philip

Alright, I've got to get back to my reports. Another report and lab assessment due tomorrow. Sounds a lot less happening than reality, but not quite in a mood to blabber now. I seriously need a break man, from everything.. HK disneyland or something. Haha