A reason for me to stay

Had a lunch with a manager today and as we were discussing about work, I made a casual remark - "Recently, I think I have found one reason for me to stay with the firm." The manager replied: "What is it?" And I responded: "I have found someone that I want to work for." It's amazing how this person would make me want to stay with the firm and work for him. Thank you for guiding me and giving me the opportunity to shine. Like what I have mentioned to you before with my utmost sincerity, I really wouldn't mind working hard for you.

My soul resonates with the music.

As I stepped into Singapore Conference Hall, I can't help but to recollect the memories many years back then. It's 2 am now and my brain is really tired from the long day out but I felt really happy today. I couldn't describe the feeling but coming together with the band people makes me feel really warm. As I was immersed in the music, I began thinking about my life back in NJ. I recalled the first time I stepped into the band room and how Mr Ho wrote my chinese name on the white board. haha. anyway, it's the 10th year since I know quiny & the 6th since I know jh and all.

I am thankful to this group of friends who stayed with me through thick and thin and I certainly do value these people very much. Realized that I haven't made much friends in NTU and that is really quite sad. Alright! it's time for bed. good night guys!

Simplicity is bliss

I almost forgot how simplicity can make one happier with life. Been busy meeting up with everyone and I haven't quite found the time for myself, not yet.

yesterday was a bad day for me but I am glad that it's over. Went to brainwaves for the last time and it struck me that I have taught there for 1 year! Even though the pay is pretty pathetic considering the amount of effort you need to put in, I guessed that I have seen the other side of life. These kids are just so different from the premium school kids. Sometimes, I felt that I am learning from them more than they are learning from me. o well, everything has an end I guess.

next up, I met twl, wx, moses & phoebe for dinner tonight. The meet ups with them never fail to make me take a step back in life and appreciate what life has given me. If one ever asks me what's the greatest thing that NTU has given me for the past 3 years, I could proudly proclaim that it is these friendships that I have made and witnessed that made a difference to my life. Staring blankly at Moses & Phoebe really makes understand that material aspects of living is always secondary in life. They are always there look out for each other and every small little gesture that they make always illustrate how they are caring for each other at every single moment. Indeed, I am always awed by their attitude towards life and selfless nature. I am glad to have met them.

Maybe it's time to reflect on the type of life I desire.

Lost passion found :)

Been working for the past few days and I am always shagged out and fully exhausted whenever I reached home. When I took the bus to work yesterday morning, I plugged in my mp3 player and started listening to band songs to reminisce the past. Familar songs and tunes rang in my head and there are songs that would make me recall certain group of friends that I have most or less lost though with.

As I listened to Fate of the gods, I can't help but to recall my secondary school days and the BBB seniors. They are a legend and they will continue to be one. With memories flashing back vividly, there's a sudden urge for me to reconnect with certain people. The songs Eagle Bend and Feasta Paesana triggered past memories and I always remember exchanging scores with my friend from sji so that I get to play these songs! Gosh. I have lost touch with them totally. Not forgetting, the opening piece for the first live band performance I attended was titled Folklore for Band. This was nycb's Appassionata v concert I think! JC Band life wasn't fantastic but I was so glad that I made the choice to continue playing trombone back then. I really miss the instrument a lot.

Sigh. guess that certain types of memories are meant to be kept.

After my work yesterday, I made my way to POMO for ice cream and I had chempadak and dark chocolate. Their ice-cream is not fantastic and I probably wouldn't go online to purchase such vouchers again next time as much time is wasted going on a trip there just to redeem the vouchers.

Indulging happily in my ic-cream, I entered the National Library wanting to borrow some books to keep me occupied. Goodness, I have been reading since a long time! As I entered into the basement, I was immediately swarmed by a sea of books and for a moment, I seemed lost, not knowing where to start. There was a tinge of happiness lingering inside me as I really enjoyed the carefree moments and the peace entailed within my mini 'library excursion'. After touring a while, I borrowed 2 books - Living their lie by Brandon Ingram & The Mythology of Self worth by Richard Franklin.

I started reading Living their lie the moment I got onto the bus and I was deeply engrossed by the story line. It soon captured my soul and I had managed to finish the book by today. As my thinking matures over time, I began to feel that stories are ultimate ficticious and I could easily pinpoint some of the loop holes and fallacies in the story plot but on the hindsight, this book has highlighted several learning points in life and the author has swiftly delivered what he believed in, contrary to what society would normally expect of us.

Indeed, my bus journeys were much more fulfilling and meaningful. I am looking forward to starting on my second book!

..I'm enjoying my life right now. I really am!

It was a blessing in disguise that my tuition was cancelled today because I had spent it very meaningfully with my dad. I use to remember that when I was young, my dad would always bring me to walk around chinatown, telling me all the stories associated with it.

Being naive and relatively young then, I couldn't recognize all the roads but I remember walking down some historical hill site called Ann Siang Hill. After exploring the area for a few times lately, I realized how the roads and buildings are connected. Since my secondary school days, I haven't got any chance to go visit Chinatown again with my dad.

Today, we drove to Chinatown and there was a traffic jam at Bt Timah despite it being non-peak hour on a Saturday. When we crossed HC, we saw that there was a chain collision involving 3 cars. OMG. I wish that all the drivers and passengers were fine. Anyway, we continued our journey and went to People's Park first. Thereafter, we walked across to the CK are where the market and hawkers are. It's so rare to find a $2 meal and I felt as if I have been transported back into time, when inflation wasn't that high.

After tucking into the delicious wanton noodle and dumpling soup, we went to had our dessert - wen tou xue. An old couple was taking charge of the store and despite their age, I could feel the love that exists between the 2 of them. They have probabaly been through lots of hardship together and it is indeed heartening to see that this old couple is spending quality time together with each other. My dessert costs only $1.30 but I was pleasantly surprised with the it - probably because the people and the surrounding created a warm environment. Not to forget, the old lady added lime on the ice and that freshened me up amidst the sorching hot day.

haha. As I continue to walk along the streets, I can't help but to think that our forefathers' generation who had made Singapore prosper would soon be gone and every bit of historical relic in Chinatown would vanish alongside with time. The younger generation doesn't feel connected to Chinatown at all. o well.

thereafter, we walked to Maxwell market and knowing that there's a very delicious hum jim pang that you can fry yourself, my curiosity got the better of me and I dragged my dad with me to find out more. It was really fun to play with the food and best of all, it tasted really great and it came at an affordable price of 6 for $1 :D yummy yum yum!

Ok, being physically exhausted and mentally drained, we made our way back. Felt really happy today because today's event has been one of my to-do-list for very long already. I really enjoyed the times spent with my dad! =)

Now that I have graduated, I am slowing adjusting my mentally and formulating my goals for the next 3-5 years. Shall write about it some day but before that, there are still some things that I want to complete this holiday and some people that I want to meet.

*loves*

Dedicated to Mr Chiam

As the General Elections draw to a close, I have learnt so much as a Singaporean and it really did make me ponder about my life 5 years down the road. Rising housing prices, influx of foreigners, inflation etc - How are the people of Singapore going to handle the high cost of living in our beloved hometown amidst all the competition?

In this watershed election, things have changed. Some for the better, some for the worse. Despite Potong Pasir being taken over by the PAP, the heroic image and amicable figure Mr Chiam See Tong lives in the hearts of the people. Just watched this video from youtube and my tears flowed endlessly in the middle of the night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX5lxAUci-A

He is a simple man with the heart to serve the people and I salute him for coming out to fight for Singaporean's rights despite the weakening health. He has taught us how to perservere, how to love, how to care and most impotantly, he has awakend the selfless nature of human. Despite living in a first world country, many of us has lost the heart for others as competition creeps in. How often have we done something for other without asking for a repayment? How often have we embraced the world with open arms without any selfish thoughts.

I can't help but to tear again. This man is indeed one of the heroes in the Singapore history.

Thank you Mr Chiam for all that you have done. Although I am not a resident of PP but you have made me learn so much. Thank you for being so inspiring.

Love.

Happy day :)

Met up with COR'09 Committee and had a great time catching up with each other. Many thoughts went through my mind during the buffet dinner that we had at mushroom pot we had at Stadium walk.

I remember the time I first entered into NTU as a year 1 student and these were the people who taught me things and guided me through. Looking around, more than half of them have graduated and in a few months' time it will be my turn. haha. I am so glad to have met nice people in NTU :)

maybe it's time for COR'10 gathering soon!

I miss everyone!Ganbatte yx!

i don't know why but I am always feeling so lonely. I seemed to be living in my own world and I am lost. There are many things for me to do but yet I am not doing any. Everything just doesn't seem to go the way I want it to be.

sigh.

Cny is halfway through and it passed just like that. Somehow, the following phrase keeps appearing in my mind for the past few days.

每逢家节倍思亲。

Simple words but much is entailed inside. I can't express myself anymore. I hate the ugly side of life. I hate talking to people who are so superficial.

I just have a simple wish.. I wish that everyone can be happy around me. I really don't ask for much.

Today is the last day of 2010. So much has happened throughout the year..

As the new year is approaching, it made me realized how things are constantly changing every moment. I didn't quite like school and I still don't like it. Year 2 sem 2 was horrible but I managed to pull through thanks to my friends who stayed with me and helped me out. During the semester I lost someone very dear to me. Everything came too fast but somehow I always feel that he is still around. Family structure has changed and so has the relationships between the people. I can never figure out why some people are obsessed with money and blinded by greed. Perhaps, it is better to nip in the bud and cut all ties before the relationships get too complicated later on.

I am glad that I have met 2 very interesting tutors in that semester that made me learn a lot and mature as an individual. First of all is my AA201 tutor Prof Low. K. Y. I am never good at accounting but he made me think a lot - made me think through the role of accountants in today's society. I remembered that there was once where I didn't do the tutorial as I couldn't understand the question. Instead of giving the weird stare that some professors do, Prof Low guided me through. Though it was a small issue, it spurred me to work harder and I completed all my tutorials thereafter. He is someone that is very approachable and someone that I really admire. Thank you so much for your guidance and I am so thankful that I have attended your class.

The second tutor that changed my perspection of life is Mrs Faith Tan. She's a lovely tutor who has taught me a lot in life. Having been through the corporate world, she shared with us her personal experiences and I figured that what she had described about the harsh reality of life seemed to be a reflection of what I am facing right now. I have met very nasty people in this semester and it's so tiring managing people. Indeed, it wouldn't be surprising to know that there are people who 'sleep' their way up the corporate ladder. *shrugs* As much as I thank her for her wonderful compliments, I can't help but to tell myself that reality isn't as rosy as what she painted. Optimism is good, but it has to run parallel with realism. nevertheless, I really miss her lessons.

To be frank, I didn't quite like going to school this semester because I am constantly on my toes. I don't want people to know me because of who am I and I don't like it when people try to get close to me because they want to leech on me and get something out of me. Why? Why must the world be like this? I have met too many devils this time round and it's really painful being someone I am not. I hate it when I am constantly on the guard, I hate it when I can't be my true self because someone else will take advantage of me. I sincerely pray and hope that my final semester in NTU will be a better semester for me.

Sometimes it is just very difficult for me to fathom what the rest are thinking and the motives behind all their actions. Quoting from one project grp mate I met this sem, 'I don't need many friends. I want good friends.'

ha. what a contradiction. some people out there enjoy meeting hi-bye friends, even though they know clearly in their hearts that these 'friends' are only superficial friends.

Mm.. there has been many ups and downs in this final year of mine. Maybe because I am entering the workplace soon and reality is slowing drawing upon me. I feel really lost during this transition period because I am out of my comfort zone once again. What I truly seek for is just a peace of mind with my loved ones living their lives happily without any worries.

Life is hard, but I will fight harder :)

Thank you to my dearest friends who have helped me in one way or another. May 2011 be a better year for everyone!

wow. I am back here blogging again. Somehow, I needed to pen down some of my thoughts..

Too many things happened and I couldn't really quite remembered what I have done. Ever since I stepped down from COR, my time is freed up but I really don't like the fact that I have nothing to commit to apart from studies. Sometimes I really ask myself, what is the next step I should take. There's always a reason for not wanting to do something and there's always an excuse to say next time. I want to continue using sign language, I really do. What's more, I really enjoy the time spent with my HI friends. Though they can't hear, but some of their lives are so much more fulfilling than us. I can always see the happiness and the smiles on their faces no matter where we are. Even though they may not be earning as much as the rest, they place much more emphasis on human relationships & ties and they are so much more contented with life than us.

ok, back to reality. As much as I hate to say it, but I can't help but to be disgusted with the fact that some people are just so superficial. Mmm.. alright, it's time for me to get down to work again! Graduating in 8 more months and that marks the end of my education, for now.

hello!

I didn't realized that I have disappeared for so long. For those friends who still visit this blog, I just wanna say that I am fine. Thank you :)

Indeed, time has passed really fast and somehow I just can't stop myself from moving forward.

I went marina square today after such a long time and as I walked into Jack's place, the whole place was empty apart from a caucasian old couple. As I flipped through the menu, I ordered chicken and seafood baked rice student set. oh my, I haven't had any 'student meal' for really long.



As I sat there alone enjoying my meal, I seemed to be talking to myself throughout. The baked rice was unique, with fresh capsicum neatly diced and mushrooms nicely shreded. Undeniably, I haven't had such peace and tranquility for a period of time. The oldies that the restaurant was playing were so smoothing that I didn't felt like doing anything, apart from immersing in my little world.

Spending so time alone can really be quite fulfilling at times.. And how I wish life can slow down a little for everyone to enjoy their moment of peace.

finally, as they served me the ice cream, I stared at it for super long. I didn't quite like nuts but their ice cream had chocolate chips which made it tasty. Plus, the nuts were easy to chew..




I spent an hour plus, sitting alone in the restaurant stoning but yet I felt so satisfied and happy having that meal. I can't describe that feeling but I would definitely love to go back there one day during the weekday to find peace once again..

Somehow, I don't really like this semester. Hope that time can pass faster! Just wanna get it over and done with..

Yay!! I conquered 2 quizzes yesterday. It was HELL IRRITATING to have quizzes from 7pm to 9.30pm.. I rather they make us come back on a Saturday morning than to make us stay back so late for the quiz.

Finally, the first week is over. Shag. haha. I wanna go arcade and play!!!!



Thank you for being there all the time =)



the VERY CUTE me!


Steamboat!! wow!! I am having craving for more steamboat..


tutorial friends! last day before recess week and all of us look so SHAG. haha.

Thankful that the weekend is here :))

nice song by Jason Mraz



=)

Lucky - Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat
We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things


Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Oooohhhhoohhhhohhooohhooohhooohoooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music, feel the air
I'll put a flower in your hair
Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh