Thoughts

I read Deborah's recent blog post and I must say I was surprised by her revelation.

But it also reminds me of the sad truth we face: we live in loneliness.

We surround ourselves with friends and loved ones, but in the end if we still remain alone it kind of defeats the purpose. It's like an irony - you have so many friends but yet you remain in solitude. It contradicts your outward looks.

But hey, who really knows the real you?

Is there a cure to this?

Updates

Just realized I haven't actually reached 500 posts.

Cheated!

Never mind. This means I can prepare a nicer retrospective. LOL.

The 500th Post: A Quick Retrospective

So I finally have 500 posts published in this humble blog. What started as a little endeavor to create a blog about life and everything in between has led up to this.

February 2007 was the time I joined Blogger, while February 18th 2009 was the very first post on this blog. Well, technically it wasn't the first blog post I did. Another blog had preceded this one, but it's existence is now a blur of the past.

But in any case, this is my blog. And it will always remain so.

I posted much about Life as I see it, the experiences I went through, and of course - and inevitably - a copious amount of complaints and all. It was merely a humble beginning as I went through the rigors of change. In that time, I hadn't become the much-enlightened person I am today. So in hindsight, it's something like an embarrassing past to look back to.

But I digress. Experience makes us stronger, as a friend quoted.

As I look back on all I have gone through, as this blog continued to grow, I can't help but feel like I've come a really long way. It's been quite a harsh journey - full of ups and downs that get my blood boiling - but I'd say it's been a good one. It's an evolution of the me I once knew, to become something better in whole.

So yeah, I should congratulate myself for pulling through up till today.

And thank you, dear readers. Though a small contribution you played, it will suffice nonetheless. While many bloggers are beginning to phase out of blogging and into the world of "micro-blogging" (i.e. Twitter) I'd settle down with continuing this blog even if I'd be the last one left on Earth.

At the moment, cheers to everyone.

On another note, Sports Day came and went today. Head on Facebook to check out photos, thoughts and the like about the day. =)

Updates

Bloody virus had me to redo a whole new FB account.

Sigh. Curse these cyber punks!

Anyway, it has come to my realization that my 500th post is so very close. I think I'll do a little commemorative post about my life so far and the progress of the blog.

Somewhat.

Cheers all.

Updates

I came back home yesterday to find out my grand-mum was admitted to the hospital while I was in school. Seems she had another blackout episode while out with my mom.

Thankfully, she's OK now. Hopefully she should be able to be discharged from the ward today. Depends.

I can't help but feel anxious about her well-being now.

Updates

Tiring day after marching. Phew.

Gonna get myself some rest. Hopefully, we can get our marching done soon so that we can strut our stuff in Sports Day.

Cheers for now.

Thoughts

Expressing oneself is difficult. While we wish to be heard in the midst of the crowd, not a lot of people actually appreciate it. Being self-centred, they tend to absorb themselves in the belief that no one but them is correct. And most times, not a lot of others actually pay attention. Both reasons are among others on why the world isn't what I hoped it would be.

I daresay that we actually pay heed to the matter, what with all the other stuff we need to focus on.

Me, I'd say communicating still does seem hard. It's not that I can't. It's more of a worry of "saying something at the wrong time in the wrong place". But that's not all. There are probably more reasons as to why I find it hard to communicate. Don't get me wrong, you guys are great people. But, I have to admit there are times when I wonder if we're ever actually REALLY listening to each other. Myself included.

And communicating about ourselves - that's another story. I can tell you I always approach my friends when I'm in doubt or troubled. The advice I get is sound, but most times I always wonder if there could be a better answer waiting out there. But one has to keep looking, or else he may not find it.

And it's not surprising if people misunderstand me. It's normal to, just like how I misunderstand others-  whether by accident or otherwise. I just have to go on and hope an action would make them change their minds.

Life goes on, though. We had best make use of the time we have left.

Cheers for now.

Updates

No marching on this beautiful day. Sad.

Many of the class people couldn't make it - either they were preoccupied, sick or forgot. And then some.

So what's next? After this quick 'makan time,' it's game on!

Cheers for now.

Entries

Cry

Though you cry a river

The dilemma remains

Unsolved

As it continues

To taint

And spread its poison

It weakens you

I can see how it affects you

Your words

Your emotions

Your thoughts

They begin to betray you

They begin to change

Under the influence

Of this strange toxicity

This contagion

Haunts Man

Since the beginning of Time

Because of it

We have become

Estranged

Separated

Segregated

Denigrated

Persecuted

From the rest

Cry

Cry a river you may

This blight tears at you

It drains your life

It adds your sorrows

It adds your fears

It adds your tears as well

Cry

I cried before

Many times, last count

The plague overwhelmed me

I narrowly perished

I thought myself lost

I thought there was no hope left

No hope at all

But guided I was

By a bright light

As bright as a star

(Please do note

It is not God which I speak)

And I began to see

What others do not

Though of course

Old habits die hard

But nevertheless

A man must embrace change

Change is constant

Is it not?

Cry

I know not why you cry

But I understand your fears

And your doubts

Even if I know nought

Of anything that haunts you

Cry

I cannot cry for you

But a shoulder I can provide

For you to cry on

Though the plague yet consumes me

And threatens my very life

I cannot let myself

Stand with arms folded

And watch my dearest friends

Collapse to the ground

I cannot sit still

If they falter

Though the plague yet consumes me

I need to stand firm

Trust in myself

Trust in my faith

And mayhaps

The cure will come to me

Cry

Cry no longer

I shall be there

All you need to do

Is ask

And so I pen it all down

Seeking the cure for this disease

Seeking it within

And without

To cleanse and rid of it

Once and for all

Such is my belief

This epidemic shall come to an end

Its end

Adele's Someone Like You

I heard

That you're settled down

That you

Found a girl

And you're

Married now

I heard

That your dreams came true.

Guess she gave you things

I didn't give to you

Old friend

Why are you so shy?

Ain't like you to hold back

Or hide from the light

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.

I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded

That for me it isn't over

Never mind

I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

"Don't forget me," I begged

"I'll remember," you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love

But sometimes it hurts instead."

Sometimes it lasts in love

But sometimes it hurts instead,

Yeah.

You know how the time flies

Only yesterday

It was the time of our lives

We were born and raised

In a summer haze

Bound by the surprise

Of our glory days

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.

I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded

That for me it isn't over.

Never mind

I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

"Don't forget me," I begged

"I'll remember," you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love

But sometimes it hurts instead."

Nothing compares

No worries or cares

Regrets and mistakes

They are memories made.

Who would have known

How bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind

I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

"Don't forget me," I begged

"I'll remember," you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love

But sometimes it hurts instead"

Never mind

I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

"Don't forget me," I begged

"I'll remember," you said

"Sometimes it lasts in love

But sometimes it hurts instead"

Sometimes it lasts in love

But sometimes it hurts instead

Updates

Here I sit in this CC up in JJ, flooded with people from all over the city, And even from other places.

But oh well. Not really my concern.

Hopefully I'll have another story published here soon.

Cheers for now.

Stand Up And Fight!

Got problems? Everybody faces one or more every day.

But trying to share them to a friend or loved one? To us, that's a herculean task.

What really prevents us from sharing our deepest - and sometimes, darkest - secrets, mostly those involving ourselves? Is it our ego? Our selfishness? The very fact no one can be trusted? Is it really hard to be honest with another to find a solution to our problems?

The way I see it, having others come to terms with our problems might not seem a plausible choice. Like I said, everyone has problems. Even if we wanted to shed light on our internal crises, could they be of help? As There is a quote: "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle." There are some times when reinforcements may not be the sole reason a battle is won. In the end, the good fight has to come from within.

I admit that I can't help approaching my friends for answers to my questions. I do it often, because the answers I provide are inconclusive. My peers may just provide me with the details I need to get on the right track. And I can tell you now that I don't always come clean with my own family. They are already burdened with other matters revolving around the family.

Up to one point in my life, I've been doing a heck load of griping and complaining. I was a pessimist those days. (And I still think I haven't resolved this fully) But it dawned on me that everyone is fighting a battle. It's not always about myself. (Though I can tell you I still have difficulty in trying to turn old habits around. Kinda like teaching an old dog new tricks) If I had kept myself from expanding my horizons, I may have become an introvert.

So I try to change. It's no easy task, but one needs to try.

But problems are a part of life. As much as I hate to sound like a hypocrite (or something else), it's inescapable. And not to mention a crucial piece in our self-development. Don't laugh at that. It's true. Ask any successful person and he/she will tell you they had to go through numerous learning experiences or opportunities of growth to reach where they are now. What they don't mention is that they never use the term "failure" to describe their experience.

Shouldn't we change our attitudes to problems?

While I don't deny some problems may be too much to handle, or may be too sensitive to be shared, at least have the perseverance and the willpower to stand up to them. If you really can't make it on your own, then by all means hesitate not to ask a friend to help you.

Shouldn't we be standing side by side through hardship?

I leave that final thought to you. Cheers all.

Updates

Friends of Sekolah Abdullah Munsyi, Penang! (I do hope I didn't misspell the school's name! If I did please do correct me)

If you're reading this, once again, I thank you for coming to St. Michael's and sharing information throughout the day's activities. Hopefully we can develop a strong bond of friendship and unity amongst each other through future visits.

I hope that you will have a fine journey ahead of you this year and in the coming days.

Cheers!

Snapshots

Three neighborhood doggies -  Mom, Pop and Sonny - a.k.a. Datuk T (they are a trio after all) come by my house once in a while for some nice food. Whenever we can we always give them what we have at the moment. Here are a few shots I took of them.

Meet Mom.

And Dad.

And Sonny boy in front of mom.

Isn't he adorable?

And together they are Datuk T!

Snapshots

Here are more photos from the 1Murid run. Cheers!

Xinh Guan and his diabolo.

Sandy Dandy.

OMG! It's HAW TUNG!!!

Jia Kai says peace!

Ramzali, ever so enthusiastic.

Debbie and Brandon =)

Neoh promotes 100 Plus.

Rock star Yean Kit!

Cindy smiles.

Two cool cats, Mark and Neoh.

Updates

Just yesterday was Jerry's birthday. And unfortunately, I couldn't celebrate it with him that day itself.

Mood: AARGH!

Well don't worry, Jerry, we'll give you a mini-party this Friday to make it up for yesterday. (Much akin to the post-birthday dinner with Sandy, Zed, RJ and Kendra some time after my birthday passed)

Jerry's been a good friend of mine since we met back last year. He was still part of LSS3 at the time, but despite moving over to the Arts stream, we still manage to have good conversation whenever we meet. It reminds me of how I built a strong friendship with ol' RJ in a short amount of time when we were in Form 4.

Ah, memories.

To miss celebrating Jerry's birthday yesterday really got me down, but still making up for it the best I can this Friday will be good enough for me. And I hope it will be good for him, too.

Happy belated, dude!

Shots From 1Murid. 1Sekolah, 1Malaysia

Guang Yong and Shassi pose with the "billboards" that promote our G6 stall. Fly over here, yo!

Wisma Milo replica.

Our welcome sign!

Even Mrs Yee patronized our little stall!

Our junior Council members in action.

Tihn Chern promoting the T-shirts and bags we were selling.

Ashiran stole the show with his "Buy 5, free me!" lines.

Our (sold out) 100 Plus cans!

Another bid to get people to buying our non-consumable products.