I recently finished reading The Lovely Bones (thanks Yan for lending it to me :)).

It started off fantastically, but got a bit draggy in the middle. No comments about the ending - I don't want to give anything away. ;)

I love the author's idea of heaven. According to the narrator, your simplest dreams come true and people with similar wishes would appear in your heaven. But they might not be there all the time, because (I think) there can be no other person with exactly the same ideas of heaven as you. So they go back to their own heaven sometimes. The main character made a friend there because of this overlapping heavens phenomenon. It's a bittersweet concept, I think, because it so aptly describes how one will always have companionship, but ultimately, one is alone.

I wonder if I'd see any or all of my loved ones in my heaven, if indeed it worked this way. I really hope I would, or it wouldn't be heaven at all.

The protagonist sometimes saw her mother as herself - not just a mother, but an individual too. It's so easy to forget this about my parents sometimes. I guess it's partly because I take my family for granted. I wonder if my mum's ever felt the need to just be herself, and shed her motherly role. I guess she has. When we were little, she often wished aloud that she could escape when she was stressed. Three loud and smart-mouthed kids are no joke when they're fighting all the time.

I particularly like the first thing the girl did upon her return. Wise choice, I might have done the same myself. ;)

Recently, a bosom buddy asked me what I have to 期待 in life.

At the time, I couldn't think of any satisfactory answers. But perhaps they weren't satisfactory because they're all small things.

But to me, they're all pretty powerful stuff nonetheless.

我期待：

• the next amazing conversation
• the next epiphany
• the next time a great book makes me cry
• the next good movie that moves me
• the next hug
• the next visit from my muse
• the next S.H.E album
• Our national treasure's next album
• the next dream come true
• the next KTV session
• the next song that speaks to my heart
• my next byline
• my first book
• the next time a man stirs my heart
• the next stormy day
• the end of my FYP
• CNY
• the Animorphs relaunch in May
• Playing Pokemon on my DS
• the next time I find the words to express what I feel - whether written by my own hand or another's

• the next TW trip, so I may use my favourite passport cover and 悠游卡 ^_^
• the next "wow, so that's what this word/saying/expression truly means..." moment
• the next time my anticipation bears fruit

Last night, as a dear friend turned twenty-four, I had an epiphany. It came as I sat on my bed, mulling over the conversation I had had with her and my bestie earlier that night.

When I was younger, I tried my best not to take life too seriously. Everything was a joke, as life can be sometimes. It was a good philosophy. I guess somewhere along the way, I changed and some things became not so funny anymore.

"你看的事情多绝对，绝对没有容许犯错的机会" - 距离 （陈绮贞）

Last night, I realised this change in me. I think I should start taking life with a pinch of salt again. Give myself, and others, space to make mistakes. Then hopefully, a more relaxed mindset would make happiness feel at home in my heart. =D It is a cherished visitor, and instead of blaming it for being late or absent, I should furnish my heart so that it's in optimal condition for a long-term stay.

Came across a quote that Becky had shared on her blog, from Fuck Yeah, Literary Quotes. I loved the name, so I went to check it out. I might read it from time to time to find new books to read. :)

Here are some of my favourites so far:

I told her tea bags were just a convenience for people with busy lives and she said no one is so busy they can’t take time to make a decent cup of tea and if you are that busy you don’t deserve a decent cup of tea for what is it all about anyway? Are we put into this world to be busy or to chat over a nice cup of tea?
‘TIS, FRANK MCCOURT

Me: Indeed. I stand corrected!

It is funny how you do not miss affection until it is given, but once it is, it can never be enough; you would drown in it if possible.
THE SWEET FAR THING, LIBBA BRAY

感同身受!

When you’re struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it’s just as hard as what you’re going through.
DEAR JOHN, NICHOLAS SPARKS

"Perspective. Yes." - Hermione, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part I)

Unexpected intrusions of beauty. That is what life is.
HERZOG, SAUL BELLOW

I'm gonna try to see this beauty.

The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will.’ Consider nothing impossible, then treat possiblities as probabilities.
DAVID COPPERFIELD, CHARLES DICKENS

It's not too late for a New Year's Resolution.

Labels: notes to self

Updating my photo wall... :) It's not complete as I haven't printed out some of the other photos, but this'll do for now.


Also added a little something to always remind me of the sweetness, of what it means and how much. It works! I always feel a little buzz whenever I see it. :D

Step one: Arm yourself, preferably with something useful to do, for the wait so that silly passers-by have one less excuse to shake their heads and go "mindless fans wasting time".


Two: Arrive at venue. Be slightly annoyed at all the clueless passers-by wondering aloud at how come there are so many people, and whether or not it's HIM/HER/THEM. Follow the queue, your shock growing with every step as you realise that it may never end. Exclaim at how impossibly long the queue is, with mixed emotions - dread at the thought of the long wait, and pride "Of course. It's HER/HIM/THEM!"

Three: Try in vain to stop your excitement and calm your nerves when the target is in sight. Take loads of photos, even though all of them will have someone else's body part in the frame. Like so:



Miss 田 looked super happy today (usually she's started stoning with an absent-minded smile by the time I get to her - it's a tiring job, maintaining a smile for several hours while your hand slowly breaks), though there was no smiley face on my autograph like she'd said she would draw on happy days. Still! Her grin was infectious, and I experienced several minutes of euphoria. =)

Today's pics are a huge improvement from the last time I went to see Hebe on her own, in 2008:



Four: If you're still a greenhorn or a brave soul, think of what to say during those precious few seconds when he/she is signing and holding your hand. I gave up two sessions ago.

Five: Be on cloud nine, examine the autograph and curse the pen if it was running out of ink, and thank your lucky stars if it's not smudged.




Six (optional): Take a new "family photo" for your now-expanded collection.

My future shrine needs a lot more work. I could add in all the other CDs, DVDs, books, other merchandise and even magazine covers, but they're not signed. Just looking at these measly few still makes me smile, though. ^_^

Seven: Never retire. (I hope)

Labels: idolisation

Thanks to dear Bell's generosity, little old me, 一个何德何能的小歌迷, got to watch two shows for free. ^_^ Thanks again!!! For the afternoon show, I also had the privilege of watching it with Bee, Yan and Fang beside me. =D The company added quite a bit of magic to the already awesome show.

Once she sat down, Bee exclaimed, "Sure can zoom one la!" I had been slightly worried that my camera's 10x zoom might not be enough. Heehee.

There were two million troops ushers around, and they were damn hardcore - I was warned about the no-phototaking rule right after I took a picture of the stage before the start of the afternoon session.


I actually squealed when I saw this when looking through the photos on my laptop. A usable picture! I'd expected all 330 (omg that's her birthdate, ok obsessed fan moment over) photos to fail because using flash would have given me away and night mode meant blurry pictures.

I looove that kickass chair and those red shoes. I want that chair in my own house next time.

I just needed to take a proper picture of her in that chair, so I had Bee and Yan help me keep a lookout, and though the usher still managed to stop me after like 5 pictures, it was a valiant attempt, so thanks girls! :D


It didn't take long for me to melt into a puddle of happiness and contentment. It was all I could do to let her voice - that clear, amazing voice - enter my ears and explode forth from my heart, be engaged by her every confident expression that so perfectly reflects the lyrics. Sometimes I felt that even if I closed my eyes, I could still 'see' her expressions in her voice - that alternately playful and flirtatious tone in 超级玛丽, that sense of wonder and hope in Die Alone...I could go on forever. 耳福,心福,幸福!


Another usable picture! This is from the evening show, in which phototaking was allowed, only you have to turn off the flash. What a waste. We had damn good seats for the afternoon show - the very first row in our category, and right in the middle. It was right behind the VIP section. 感恩！


I totally bought the right camera. This was taken from my seat during the evening show, which is three rows from the back of the theatre. Zoom zoom zoom. YEAH!!!


The stage lighting was beautiful.


This is probably the best picture I have.





Notes to self (the lyrics are from To Hebe).



For her wife - "You're Beautiful". She changed the lyrics so that she will always be with her. 念力FTW!!!

Kudos to all the people backstage who worked their asses off to make this happen, and of course Hebe for shining throughout two shows on the same day. I'm also super thankful to be blessed with clear vision today (on some days I only have 90%-clear vision).

One of my favourite parts of the show was when she sang 情歌, my favourite song from her idol, Sandee Chan.

It's on loop as I type this. ^_^ Think it might continue to be for the next few days. Being treated to Hebe's rendition today triggered a relapse addiction. I remember round one fondly.

She said it's a very touching song, which is not how I interpreted it. I'm so looking forward to the day that I can understand the lyrics. =D

"你是我一场好梦
明天一切好说" ^_^

Happy bunny shall now hop off to dreamland with a grin on her face.

Labels: idolisation

It is New Year and I haven't finished blogging about my xmas outings. I'm here to change that, in line with my resolutions to be less lazy and write more!

Here we go!

26 Dec 2010



I received this cool guitar ice tray with stirrers. Prepare to see some interesting ice cubes the next time you visit my house!



Remember their faces. These three girls strip my wallet every time we play mahjong (some more than others). My reputation as a sore loser is testament that their company is well worth the ego stomping. It really is rare to meet such 臭气相投 people at a most unlikely place - a temp job, many years ago, to fill up the months before entering university. Happy times.

KTV 王道: 唱得陶醉 =唱得好!!

The food was surprisingly not bad, but of course my steak got too tough once it became cold. Order the curry mixed fry thing if you're hungry, it's damn worth it.

Love going to KTV with them because they always make up for the ego stomping by exclaiming whenever I attempt a more difficult song, so I emerge from the room with a 爽 grin on my face every time. ^_^

27 Dec

Met YT to do up a very belated present. After that, we went to 我爱台妹, a stall near Bugis Village selling Taiwanese-style fried chicken, to grab a bite. And OMG was it heavenly. Totally lived up to all the anticipation (we'd wanted to try it for quite some time). After she went for her driving lesson, I ventured into the very crowded Bugis Village to grab the $5 camera pouch I'd been eyeing since my poly days. Love it!


After getting my star buy, I contemplated whether to go home to finish doing my christmas presents or work on it at Cat Socrates. I decided on the latter in the end, because it's only an empty house waiting for me anyway. I always feel especially lonely when my parents are on holiday (which is particularly often this year).


I didn't regret it. I really liked the music they were playing, by this female local singer called, I think, Juliet Png, and my heavenly Earl Grey tea and the whole ambience made me feel very at ease, happy, and contented just drawing lines and cutting paper. Maybe it's not what you do, it's where you go. :) It was a pretty magical night. Cheers to learning to enjoy spending time alone in this wonderful cafe - one of my favourite accomplishments in 2010!

I stayed till ten minutes before their closing time, so that the staff wouldn't have to come over and begin the unpalatable task of asking me to leave without sounding impolite.

28 Dec


More gift-exchanging, this time with Bee and Cheryl. I reached our meeting place much earlier to accompany Cheryl, and had a very rewarding heart-to-heart talk which triggered many important realisations. :)




I unwrapped Bee's gift to find...


...a magnetic whiteboard with a fake corkboard background hahaha. It's a highly personalised gift and I love it - always thought it'd be cool to have a whiteboard to write stuff on, like how 直树 in 恶作剧之吻 and the best friend from The Social Network did equations on their windows. I've decided to use it to display inspiring quotes and for my guests to leave loving messages to me, hint hint. ;)


Also pinned onto the board was a letter folded into an origami heart - so intricate that I had to ask the Master herself to fold it back when I was done.


Besides the whiteboard, Bee also got me a lock, a handphone keychain and a bookmark.


Cheryl got me a The Little Prince calendar, which I absolutely adore. I'd been contemplating getting one of those when I saw them in a shop some time ago.

Cheryl got her own personalised whiteboard from Bee, and a calendar with a selection of her 2010 blog entries, one for each month, from me. I'm very proud of this very 有灵魂的 gift that is meaningful on so many levels. I told her that the posts are lessons from herself, to herself, to remind her of her abilities. I also meant for it to be a summary of the year. The calendar flips backwards to reflect her tendency to dwell on the past.

And, of course, I hit the bullseye with it - she was moved to tears. You owe me thanks for not putting up the pics, gal. ;p


During the dinner, Cheryl mentioned that Bee and I could be a couple because we have matching phones, phone covers and cameras. Haha!



That day, I realised that 姜真的是老的辣. There's just something about friends you've known forever...sometimes they know just what to say. Bee wrote in her card, "Thank you for just being you". And Cheryl reassured me that even though she might not laugh a lot or seem like she's having fun during our meetups, our friendship is simply much more than that.

Bullseye.

31 Dec

不要被我电到

I knew it was a good day when I woke up to find that my hair had styled itself during the night.

Bee, KC and I decided to celebrate xmas and New Year together this year. And we chose the only place that won't be crowded during the festive season - my house.

Our companions for the night.

Pictureka is a board game that's kinda like Where's Wally - you have to find certain pictures within one minute.


Although it might as well have been Monopoly, by the way KC was owning us. One card equals one point, and her deck of winnings was thicker than the game deck!


We moved on to a less taxing and fairer game - Winnie the Pooh Monopoly Junior, which, incidentally, is what I got from KC at our xmas gift exchange last year.

Apparently, in a kid's world, going for lunch is akin to being thrown in jail, because that's what the game creators replaced it with.


Found a hilarious typo.


Halfway throughout our Monopoly Junior game, our dinner - a curry chicken bun from Golden Pillow 933 (haha, damn festive right! =p) finally arrived like two hours after our call.



The disappointment didn't stop KC from keeping the eco-bag it came in, though ;p. Waste not, want not!

After the unsatisfying meal, we watched my White Chicks VCD while waiting for the clock to strike twelve. It's still damn hilarious even though I've watched it several times.

When it was nearly midnight, we proceeded with the present exchange.





My loot included a very useful bag organiser (you put all your important stuff in it so that when you change bags, you only need to transfer the organiser over - no need to worry about missing things) and a Tigger plushie from KC, a 败犬女王 DVD and an electromagnetic sticker for my phone from Bee. Mine is the rightmost one, a sailor because I apparently look like one in my grey striped shirt. Heehee! Amazingly, I find it very cute even though it is girly.

Guess what's the main focus in this picture.

Christmas 2010 is probably one of the best xmases I've ever had, not only because of the fantastic presents I got but also the grand times I had with my friends, and the simple happiness I felt everyday. I enjoyed working on the presents because it was a very purposeful and meaningful way to spend my time, to the point that I was a bit sorry when I finished them because I'm going to need something new to work on. Ever since the exam period, I've had more time than I know what to do with, to the extent that I've been robbed of the pleasure one usually feels when doing what you've always wanted to do in your free time. It's quite a horrid feeling, but an interesting experience nonetheless and one battle I'm determined to find out how to win.



Speaking of presents, I also got this extremely cute robot ice and chocolate tray from Grace!


And this cool Madagascar metal bookmark, which JY got because she thought of me when she saw it.

Thank you!

May 2011 be full of such fond memories and days to remember. =)