Gotta go back early today. I'm bringing back a bottle of champagne and gonna celebrate the end on Thursday. Somehow, the euphoria of all this shit ending ending has been diluted. Life goes on, changes have to be made and no allowance from the government anymore. Tomorrow will be the start of our final exercise. All the preparations, so far, are as redundant and extra as usual. My boss is a perfectionist with no clear direction to go, just wants everything to be done. Oh well. Enough of all this griping. I've been doing it for 2 years and 2 months already! lol.

Last stretch of the race is always the most painful.

Just read half the Mac test drivers' blogs over at Today. Most of the comments were rather good and accompanied by the massively aggressive marketing employed by Apple, I feel so drawn towards it (like moths to a flame). My work productivity would not really be compromised because I use a computer mainly for the Internet and Adobe Photoshop. And since photoshop is made for the mac, wouldn't things be sweeter? And the o' so pretty graphics!

In a lengthy debate with my girlfriend (who alludes my being a techno-idiot now to the army), she mentions that marketing creates a perception of a product's superiority so much so that we become blind to many other details. For example, we live in a windows-dominated world and it is definitely harder to get free utility programs for the mac. And of course, Steve Jobs has his own monopoly over the whole Apple universe and thus, it is harder to find third party support, prices are higher and we're all forced to use only his products.

Actually, I'm a very practical person. A handphone is for receiving/making calls/messages, sometimes doubling as sort of a reminder and alarm clock. A computer is used for doing presentations, typing the killer report, making pretty graphics, surfing the net, connecting with others and checking mail. So a cheapo phone and a well-made computer would be sufficient. And yet, I still wanna stand out a little by this sick little consumerism imp screaming within me. Haha. I'm getting a new phone in 3 weeks time (ord loh!) and a new comp in 5 months (school starts!). Till then, I shall just drool at all the nicely designed products.

You are .ogg Even though many people consider you cool and happening, a lot still find that you're a bit too weird to hang out with.
Which File Extension are You?

Mozilla rocks because of the tabs!

[50 Cent]
I'll take you to the candy shop
I'll let you lick the lollypop
Go 'head girl don't you stop
Keep going 'til you hit the spot
[Olivia]
I'll take you to the candy shop
Boy one taste of what I got
I'll have you spending all you got
Keep going 'til you hit the spot

[Verse 1: 50 Cent]
You can have it your way, how do you want it
You gon' back that thing up, or should i push up on it
Temperature rising, okay, lets go to the next level
Dance floor jam packed, hot as a teakettle
I break it down for you now, baby its simple
If you be a nympho, I'll be a nympho
In the hotel, or in the back of the rental
On the beach or in the park, just whatever you into
Got the magic stick, I'm the love doctor
Have you friends teaching you 'bout how sprung I got ya
Wanna show me how you work it baby, no problem get on top
Then get your bounce around, like a little rider
I'm season's fit when it come to this shit
After you work up a sweat you can play with this stick
I'm trying to explain baby the best way I can
I melt in your mouth girl, not in your hands (ha ha)

50 cent - Candy Shop

The explicit in-your-face lyrics cracked me up the first time I heard this song. haha. Is this song playing on the national radio?

Okay at least I feel better now after I counted my ang bao money this year. It's lucky I've got quite a lot of relatives and that I don't have to give those red packets yet. Haha.

Why I just became an honourary member of the blurred.

Today, we all booked out early and in my haste (because I was the only one packing my field pack) I forgot to bring my keys home. And after browsing in the library, I went home only to find my keys missing. I called home hoping that my brother would be in but he wasn't. So I took a cab back to camp and ran back to bunk; all the while having perhaps the worst diarrhea ever. Total cab fare: $18.70

Last week when I got home from dc's chalet, I couldn't find my wallet in the cab. After much rummaging, I figured that I dropped it somewhere so I ran home to get some cash. When I alighted, I found my wallet in the side pouch. So much for calling myself meticulous. Total cab fare: $12.60

I realised this morning that I had my rifle cleaning kit stolen from my sbo, along with all other equipment I keep inside. Total 1206: approx. $30.00

The utter revelation that the army has degenerated me into an idiot: priceless

I should just shut up now.

I don't know why but my stomach has been perptually full since I came back on Friday. I happen to be stuffing myself with so much hawker food that the guilt monster is lurking behind once more. It's rather funny how we always say, I'm gonna start my exercise regime after this happens, I'm gonna stop smoking when I ord, I'm gonna stop eating unhealthy food blah blah blah. They're all lies to yourself because you are a weak-minded, pathetic monkey that has evolved to accumulate as much fats as possible. A lifetime of potato-couching is so much more attractive than running on a threadmill like a hamster.

Ah. I hate being human.

I need to go start my running regime soon.

They live beneath the surface of society; shunned by everyone; freakshows of their own doing and yet they possess a tenacity and self-esteem that could shame everyone. While people drive by to laugh at them, they have found courage to stand up against the world and spit in its face. They knew who they wanted to be and they're just working like everyone else, trying to survive in this cruel world. When your own parents disown you, treat you like you never existed, would you still have the strength to live on? It is through their own solidarity, their recognition of each other's similarity that they move on. Would you be so brave if you were in their size 9 heels?

Respect. That's what we need to show each other.

They aren't jokes to be laughed at; they are, after all, still human like you and I. So why the discrimination?

When it's past midnight and enjoying the bliss of a fan blowing in your face, you will slap yourself and ask the only other person awake why we did not bring in a fan all these months since ours died on us.

Our poor ceiling fans are truly the most burdened creatures in camp. They hardly rest, turning and providing us with the much needed cool in a bunk that resembles more of an oven than sleeping quarters. Even when we're not in, they are there, creaking and still moving. And we always leave our bunk with such haste (especially during book-outs) that they are inevitably forgotten.

Two have died so far, each at both ends of our bunk. The one above me sometimes come to life when we try but it screams with each rotation. Then after 30 seconds of torturing pain, it stops. Our invocation of resurrection failing us yet again. The heat of the past two months almost killed us. We finally went next door on Tuesday and borrowed a small table fan. We must be the most unmotivated and lazy people on Earth since it took us about three months to solve such a simple problem. And we had to borrow someone else's fan. How does one even entrust us with the responsibility for protecting the country? Haha.

11 more working days! We were forced, en masse, to clear half day off today. And all ten of us are praying for the call to stay home tomorrow too. Yesterday, we had a long walk in the most horrible weather in 15 years. Almost took my life when it ended. Then again, everytime I go outfield with a stupid jerry can strapped to my back, I feel like dying but I never do. When I start talking to myself, pushing myself on or day-dreaming of a can of ice-cold coke or an apple, I'm almost there. Yet, I miraculously survive each ardous step, earning some accolades when we're all back in camp. Most of the men think I'm superman. I'm not. My back hurts like mad. Haha.

1 more major event and a whole string of crappy shit before the end. I'm gonna be so lost when the time comes.

If you hadn't seen the new mac mini, where have you been? It's relatively cheap and easily adapted into any room! And of course, you can show it off to all your friends, alongside your newly procured ipod and swanky speakers.

You know it's effective marketing when the whole world raves along with every new product release.

I want the dough to completely rid myself of this windows curse!!!

Is there another security breach to the mandatory update for messenger? Ever since I clicked on 'yes' for the installation of the patch, my computer has been screwing up (more than usual). Argh. I hate microsoft and its inability to come up with better protected software!

Will the mac suffer from such irritating nuisance? If it doesn't, I'm so gonna switch over when i get my new computer.. haha.

Anybody interested in a pair of military Oakley Half Jacket with polarized lens? I've got an extra pair. The same item is being offered by someone else on eBay. I guarantee a lower price than his, of course. =)

Currently planning a remake of the layout for this place. Works are in progress, will probably be making a few t-shirts.

I am appalled at the abundance of knock-offs from threadless being sold at Bugis. My brother actually bought a t-shirt that has the exact same design as found on the site. Well, copying is perhaps a great compliments but this so-called designers who rip other people's works and make money out of it ought to be arrested on something. Where are the intellectual property rights?

Hungry after all that work. I'm gonna down a really cold can of Stella and wait for midnight.

Let's hope the annual bonus from my ang bao money will allow me to get:

1. A new phone
2. A new oakley
3. A car (haha. if only I strike toto man!)

To the fridge!!!

After a day of cleaning, I'm officially not moving another cleaning muscle. Phew. At least my house is at its cleanest for the year! Haha. Here's wishing all a Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Gong Xi! This is like the only festive holiday that I wholeheartedly celebrate. =)

Let's hope this new year is good for me and everyone else close to my heart.

Not proud of something in your life? Confess anonymously to the whole world and maybe it'd make you feel a little better.

I've got to confess...I'm too lazy to clean up the mess I made on the floor or help out with the spring cleaning. Bummer.

Gym tomorrow! I need to move.

Just found a sketch pad that I bought recently. And why did I buy another like 2 weeks ago thinking I had ran out of sketch pads? Hmm.

Trying very hard (maybe too hard) to dislodge all the subconscious goodies that lie beneath it all. Some people advocate the letting-it-flow method but I have learned from reading Stephen King's On Writing that he sets a time everyday to write, and he does just that. No matter what crap he comes up with, he still keeps it. No matter how hard it takes to crap, he still goes at it. And then, inspiration might just come and you get a best-selling novel. Sounds simple. Then again, things that sound simple normally aren't.

I visited SMU today for my matriculation. What a surprise to see so many old faces! I had fun rekindling ties, saying hi and all the patting on the backs. The process took quite a while and by the time I was done, it was almost 4:30pm. The school has a knack for marketing itself (they do practise what they preach), we all got 5 free zouk passes. Gotta find some time to go club! haha.

Went to town after the confusing paperwork and redirecting around. Was stopped by these two girls on the hunt for the new Hugo Boss man. Haha, I was quite embarrassed and I don't even fit the age requirement. Nevertheless, I'm flattered that they thought I was cute. Lol! It's not everyday that girls stop and ask you for your number and take a picture of you. =)