The auld lang syne of 2008...

This might just be my last entry for the year. I know I've been saying this every year, but everytime we reach the Christmas season which follows up to New Year's Eve, I can't believe how fast the year has gone by. I can still clearly remember what happened last Christmas. It was as though it happened 3 months ago...

I guess the biggest change I had to undergo this year was my enlistment into the army. Now it feels as though it happened a long time ago, because so many things have taken place since I enlisted. But it was only in April this year that I had to wear green...

So now it's 2 more days to the end of 2008. I guess the world in general disliked 2008, mainly because of the economic crisis and especially for Asia, the Mumbai terrorist attacks. But we did see some spectacular events like the Beijing Olympics and Barack Obama's historical win in the US Presisential Elections.

2009, I believe, will be a better year (probably because I've always believed that the grass is greener on the other side). I believe the world will be more accomodating. People will forge stronger relations with one another. We will seek greater peace between each other. And we will start to elevate our mindset, seeing things from a higher perspective - the spiritual side of life.

Well, I don't know if I'm all ready to say goodbye to 2008, to be honest. But 2009 does look enticing, haha! I'll wish you all a great 2009, with true happiness, inner peace, and the purest of love in the making.

Happy New Year...

Merry Christmas, from me to you...

Okay! So I'm back from my stay in camp. Back for the Christmas holidays, of course. Not that I'm given holidays; I had to clear my leaves, for God's sake...

But I'm glad to be back, yes. It's always at this time of year when I feel it's so important to get away from work and just melt in the season of joy! It's a time for giving, ladies and gentlemen. A time for us to spread the love and warmth of Christmas. You know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you're curled up next to a fireplace and it's snowing heavily outside? Boy, I wish it snowed here...

But anyway, it's still Christmas around the world!

"... And so,

I'm offering this simple phrase

to kids from one to ninety-two.

Although it's been said

many times, many ways,

Merry Christmas

to you..."

Killing me softly with its song...

Phew! The past 3 weeks really brought my immunity level down so much. It all started with a running nose, then came the cough symptoms, and a high fever for a finale. How about that, huh?

The fever came just yesterday when I was out with a friend. I was actually feeling cold when the weather was scorching hot. I could actually stand in the sun for minutes at a time without even perspiring. Then the heaviness took over and thank God my friend was kind enough to accompany me to the A & E to see the doctor.

Come to think of it, the fact that I got sick seems to be a blessing in disguise. I was dying for a break all this while, and now that the doctor has given me a MC, I really think I deserve a few days of rest. Work in camp has been continuous and dreadful. No human being can endure this without taking a well-deserved break.

So now I'll go and rest. I'll write again soon...

I paid for my 3-day weekend...

The 3-day weekend comes to a close today. I've had my share of fun - but not without a price.

Friday was spent with my army mates as usual, but it wasn't a normal working day. We had a ceremony in the morning and a dinner in the evening. During the ceremony, we had to participate in some games. And one of them was the good ol' tug-o-war. Since I was so eager for my mates to win, I shouted my heart out - or should I say, my voicebox.

The effects of it took awhile to develop. Surprisingly. I still had my voice during the dinner that evening. It was only the next morning when I opened my mouth to speak, that I realised I didn't sound so good. I was speaking in a low, hoarse whisper, and as I tried to reach a higher pitch, it was as though my higher ranges were all... blown out. Nothing came out of my mouth! This was the first time I ever lost my voice. I still had an eventful day with my cousins. It was a very fortunate day for me as well, just to add.

The next day was Sunday, and again it was a whole day affair for me. This time I was out with two buddies of mine, and we visited the Asian Civilisations Museum. Actually one of us wanted to catch a free performance outside the museum, but we ended up viewing the exhibits inside, too.

So that leaves me with Monday, today. I promised myself to spend it at home, because whenever I have work the next day, the day before must always be a relaxing one. I'm taking it nice and slow now. Some people think it's a waste to spend a no-work day like that; you might as well seize the opportunity and go out and party or do something crazy. But I like it the way it is. Nice and slow now...

So what's left for 2008?

We had to come back to camp on a Saturday. How demoralising. But the good news is that we managed to reach our target. The higher authorities had better acknowledge what we've accomplished. We'll be waiting for our reward...

So what's left is a Sunday for a weekend. I'm going to take it nice and easy again. No point rushing to town and partying like a mad dog and coming home exhausted - not to mention reporting to camp tomorrow as the undead. This coming week will be a repeat of last week, I presume. We've got to complete our master plan, which will last for another 2 weeks.

Funny how the work comes full blast at the end of the year. I mean, come on! Christmas is here! We should be in the mood for celebration. But then again, it's obvious that this year's Christmas won't be as merry as compared with previous years. The economic downturn, and now the recent terror attacks on Mumbai have plunged the mood of the world down in the dumps. What bad timing...

Well then, tomorrow is the 1st of December. A new - and final - month of the year. 2008, you have been an eventful year, indeed...

"Change is coming! Run for your life!"

It's yet another weekend and I'm sure glad it has come fast. The past week was an interesting week, not to mention a stressful Friday. But I'm glad it's over. I think it's time to take it nice and easy now...

Times seem to be changing as we head into December. Lots of changes in store for me. I'm telling myself to see them in a postitive light. Because I've always believed that the universe will never let you down - not at first glance, at least. The universe will always support you in whatever you do. You have to trust in its process. God doesn't forsake his children, does He? Well, that's exactly what I mean. You might think He's making you go through this tough period on purpose, and it's true! He has a purpose for it. And it'll always end up for the better...

It's all about letting go - surrendering yourself - to life, to God. Easier said than done? Yeah, sometimes. Because we always want to be in control. We want to reject these changes that we see coming our way, out of fear that they would upset our routine and we would have to change our way of life. It's an uncomfortable process, don't you think? I hate it, too. But somewhere deep in my being, there's this glimmer of hope that whispers ever so softly, "Hey, maybe this change is for the better. Maybe my life will be smoother. Maybe I'll gain something in the process."

It's hard to think that all changes are for the better. But I have a feeling they all are. Sometimes you might encounter a change that you just want to reject with all your might. You want to preserve your old lifestyle because you've already adapted to it. Life sometimes forces this change upon you because something has to end. And when that something ends, something new - and better - will develop. You see, most of us think that life is always against us. That life just wants to ruin our plans. But why do we see it that way? On the contrary, life wants to improve our situation. It's always trying to find new ways of improving things. If we keep with our usual routine for too long, life will think, "Hmm... why is he wasting time with this routine when he can gain so much more with another one? Maybe I should modify things a bit."

So you see, you have to trust in life. You have to trust in its process. When the old dies away, the new is born. When God closes a door, He opens another. It's a cycle we mustn't be afraid of. It's a cycle we flow along with. It's a cycle we are all part of...

Change we can believe in...

It's been quite awhile, I believe. My computer was down - again. Now that it's up and running, I shall return to my usual rantings about life.

Many events have since taken place. There were a few commotions in my army life, but I managed to get through them. This weekend looks like it's going to be packed, just like the last one. We're already midway into November. Just one and a half more months to the new year. Time sure seems to fly when you're not noticing it. I can still remember this time last year when I was working full-time, waiting to be enlisted into the army. That was one year ago...

Just wanted to bring this up since I thought about it: I'm very proud that Barack Obama has been voted as the new US President. I'm sure he'll make a fine one. The very first time I heard this man speak, I just knew he was the change the world wanted to see. I may sound like I'm quoting, but think about it, he really does know how to inspire an audience and in the process, change what the US people have always held for a long time. The winds of change have indeed swept over the most powerful nation in the world - for the better...

Well then, I've got to end here. I'll write back soon. See ya...

Nutty the Nat.

These few days I can't seem to ignore this irritant on my blog who calls herself "nutty the nat". She probably wants my attention (to feed her huge ego), and as she reads this I can picture her glued to the computer screen with her eyes wide open now that I've dedicated an entry to her. She's probably going to say something like this in my chatbox, "Hmph! Oliver you've hurt my feelings. You are sooooo bad. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" But you know what? I can guarantee you that deep inside this (in)sensitive being, she feels ecstatic now that she's become (in)famous...

That said, I believe it's best to shine some positive light on her, lest she goes into delirium. Not surprisingly, of course, this little irritant here loves to send me junk mail. In one of these, (which I've actually taken the time to read), I came across an interesting quote. I decided to share it here on my blog (much to the delight of the nut herself):

"If you love something, let it go.

If it comes back to you, it's yours.

If it doesn't, then it never was."

Well, suprisingly for someone like her, it was pretty wise of her to forward that e-mail. For that I'll give her credit. But I know she didn't write it, so I'll take back that credit...

Ladies and gentlemen, Oliver has left the building...

What will be, will be...

Just thought I'd write an entry before my 7-day stay in camp. Yes, it's that time of the month again, and I hope it'll be a good stay. The last few days in camp were busy for me. Work load increasing as time goes by. I wonder when it'll start to make a descent...

Come to think of it, we're already halfway through October. Just 2 and a half more months till the end of the year. I'm praying it'll be quick. I want to complete my National Service (NS) as fast as I can. Time seems to be crawling whenever I live day to day...

Well, wish me all the best, then. I hope everything goes well in our world. Che sara, sara...

It's good to be glad again...

I'm feeling glad at the moment. Good thing. I'm glad I've completed my guard duties for the month. Now all I have left is the 7-day stay in camp. But that's not a problem.

I'm also glad that I didn't have to work today. It was cohesion day, and the whole camp had a gathering outside. So the weekend has begun early. Boy, I've missed my weekends. It's time for me to enjoy a full weekend again...

I can't believe I've seen so much of camp these past few days. It's like having no life of your own. What a relief to be able to experience a full Saturday and Sunday again.

I'll sign off here once more. May good things never come to an end...

A quick note I write...

Phew! What an exhausting week! 3 guard duties, with two of them separated by just a day! Impossibile!

Now I'm left with not even a full Sunday for a weekend. With what hours I've got left before the workweek begins again, I try to make the best of my time while also wanting some space for me and me alone!

There's nothing more for me to say. I shall sign off here.

Escapism.

Ahh, one day of rest for the weekend. Saturday. I've got guard duty tomorrow. It sucks, I know. A 24-hour guard duty sucks to the core...

I wish I was dreaming. I wish I could get away from this life. Life in the army, perhaps. Please don't think that I'm suffering. I just want to express my emotions, that's all.

I hate guard duty. I hate guard duty. I hate guard duty.

How I wish I could escape. Escape into another world. Another dimension. Life is a dream. I'm dreaming. I don't exist. I don't belong here.

"How many miles to Babylon?"

"Three-score and ten."

"Can I get there by candle-light?"

"Yes, and back again..."

Wake me up when September ends. No wait, I love September...

Right, where are we? Oh yes, September. Wow. It's my first post for September. How long has it been? Pretty long, huh? Yeah. I had a 7-day stay in camp. And my computer was down for awhile.

Events have happened over the past 2 weeks or so. Things have been stirring up in camp. Minor changes here and there have led to irritating disruptions in our usual routine. Oh by the way, the 7-day stay in camp was quite relaxing, to my surprise. I guess it's because there's no need to travel to and fro, and I get to wake up much later, of course.

Well, October signifies the last quarter of the year. Being in the army, you just want time to fly much faster. I can't wait for this year to end - no, I can't wait for my 2 years in the army to end. It's funny now. Before enlisting, I always thought that my 2 years in the army would be a fruitful time; that I could make the best of it. But now that I'm serving full-time, I can't help thinking what a waste of time it is. Seriously. It's like I can do so many more useful things in these 2 years. And 2 years is not short, okay?

Yes, I'm trying, I'm trying. I'm trying to find ways to make the best of my time in the army. But something tells me that at this moment, presently, things are going to develop very slowly. That I should go with the flow and appreciate every moment of it. That I should stop and smell the roses (if there really are any roses) and give up rushing ahead. As I've said before, I've always believed that the grass is greener on the other side. That's my fuel for pushing ahead, for wanting a better life.

I guess life does knock on my thick skull sometimes and tells me, "Hey, come on! What are you rushing for? Try and enjoy each moment! That's what you're here for." I guess it's right. Just why am I rushing? We're all put here to enjoy the earthly pleasures and to appreciate each moment as it comes. Whether each moment is good or bad, positive or negative, it's all human perception, human judgement. In true reality, nothing is good or bad, positive or negative. They're all neutral. It's how we choose to see it.

We humans have a limited perspective. It's not that we can't see things through a higher perspective, we just forget to do so sometimes. We can all access this higher consciousness within us, to see things as how God and the universe sees them. That things are... just things. We don't have to judge them as good or bad...

Acceptance. Acceptance is key. How the hell am I going to do that, I wonder sometimes. Especially if the situation is bad - at least through human eyes. How the hell am I supposed to shift my consciousness from lower to higher consciousness? It's plain difficult to accept the situation sometimes, don't you think? But accept it we must. I guess we'll just have to rise above it...

And so I shall leave you here. It's amazing how one thing leads to another. Honestly, I never knew how long this post was going to be. I didn't plan to touch on any of the above. It just wanted to be expressed out of my being...

My alma mater's 75th anniversary...

Okay, so it's the end of one week and the beginning of another. Good thing I'm off tomorrow - again, I must say that I deserve it, because I really do. 5 guard duties in the month of August earned me this off day. Pathetic reward, I know, but what the heck...

Just yesterday I attended my alma mater's 75th anniversary dinner. Had a splendid time meeting up with old friends and reminiscing about the good ol' days. Being in the army now, I really miss my secondary school days. Those were probably one of the best times of my life. The freedom, the innocence (so to speak), the laughter - boy, I really cherish those memories...

That feeling of nostalgia everytime I visit the school after so many months strengthens my affinity with it. Almost all students, past and present, will inevitably share a close bond with their alma mater - especially after they graduate from it. The ties we have are strong. The whole family is united. The school's spirit hardly wavers.

I take this opportunity to wish my beloved alma mater a happy 75th anniversary. My hopes are that it'll continue to educate and nurture the young men into gracious adults, with a heart full of integrity and a strong sense of belonging to the school...

Posso vincere...

Thank God I'm off tomorrow. My very first full day off. I can't wait to taste that kind of freedom again, haha! The reason why I chose tomorrow as my off day is because I have to do guard duty on Sunday. So there you go. The downside is there.

Another week has come to an end for me. Days pass like eternity. Time only flies when you're occupied. And yet, I still think there's hope out there. Yes, there is. A change is brewing somewhere behind the scenes. A change for the better. Something has to happen soon enough.

I'm still in the midst of a transition period. A very long one. Nothing has been finalised yet. And when the time comes to finalise it, the outcome will be good. It will be good.

"Non preoccuparti, ascoltami

Avro problemi

Affronto infami ma

Niente mi spaventera

Niente mi corrompera

Niente al mondo

Mi fara scordare che

Posso vincere

E voglio farcela da me.

E voglio farcela da me."

- Andrea Bocelli,

A Mio Padre

I really deserve my freedom...

Well, I just came back this morning from my third guard duty since I stepped into this impossible camp. Guard duty has always been an issue, yes. I wonder why they can't do something about it. Or rather why they don't do something about it...

Thank God it's the weekend. And thank God my Saturday isn't fully burnt. Oh, how much I treasure every minute outside of camp. The army really knows how to fully utilize the 24 hours we have in a day. Talk about time management...

All I need now is some rest and relaxation, some peace and quiet. I really deserve my freedom. I really do...

The death of the old, the birth of the new...

I don't have much to say but since it's been awhile since I wrote an entry, I guess I'll just try my best.

These days have been no different. They can only be more and more stressful. I really wonder if this would go on for the rest of my 2 years in National Service (NS). There has to be something better out there. I've always been a firm believer in the saying, "The grass is greener on the other side".

Sometimes I wonder, "Do I really deserve this? What have I done to deserve this? I don't deserve this!"

But I know it's not a matter of deserving. It's more a matter of learning. I've probably attracted this situation into my life for a reason. There's something to be learned here. Only God knows what...

I don't mean to sound depressed or anything. It isn't as bad as it sounds. But something has to be done. Some change has to take effect - and for the better...

Guard duty nuisance...

Well what can I say? It's the 1st of August and I'm still waiting for some miracle to happen. Things are still up in the air and what's worse, I have to do guard duty tomorrow - on a Saturday.

I guess everyone has to do it some time or another. But there's just something with this camp and guard duty. Imagine, the average number of times a person has to do guard duty in a month is 5. I bet other camps can't beat that.

On a much lighter note, we had a half-day again. But this time we had to pay for it, so to speak. You see, last Friday was a half-day off, which means it was given to us. Today was a half-day leave, which means they had to deduct it from the number of permitted leaves per year. Still, I think it was worth the taking because I'd rather get back early to prepare for tomorrow.

So then, it looks like my Saturday will be burnt. And blimey, it's not just a day-time guard duty. We'll have to do it all through the night into Sunday morning! Sheesh, the thought of that can really bring my spirits down...

How down-in-the-dumps can I go, really?

I've gotten over that disappointment. But there are still things which I'm not looking forward to in the coming future. Life right now is still pretty uncertain...

You know that famous line Jesus said when he was about to be persecuted? It goes something like, "Father, take this cup away from me. But if it is your will, let it be done." Yeah, I feel somewhat like him now. What a lousy feeling...

But probably I'm using a much more drastic example. It's not like I'm being put to death or something. But you get what I mean.

What more can I say? I guess I could mention that we had a half-day off yesterday. That's probably it. Well, I'll sign off here...

Oliver's sad story...

Oliver doesn't feel so good about his posting. Oh no. He actually got what he wanted, but it was cancelled at the last minute. That sent Oliver's joyous mood down the drain. "How could they do this to us?", he lamented to his fellow mates who got the same posting as him.

His friends were equally sad. It was pretty hard for Oliver to get over his regret. During those few hours knowing that his wish came true, he rejoiced like mad. But then the worst happened, and the rest is history.

Today, although it is a Friday, Oliver didn't have the TGIF mood he always had when it came to dismissal time on Fridays. He sulked all the way home. Oliver is trying his best now to be positive about his posting. He did get some relief from a friend who explained that it wasn't so bad after all.

"Only time can tell," reflects Oliver.

Only time can tell, indeed...

Now what?

I've unofficially completed my course. The rest of it now is the posting and stuff. I certainly want to get posted somewhere near my house. And I really want a position which I can handle well.

It's a little scary to think that this is what I'll be doing for the rest of my 2 years in National Service (NS). 2 years can seem a short time, but as I live day to day, it can be as long as hell. But then again, who knows? Vocations can change. Surprises happen all of a sudden. In fact I just had one this past week. I won't elaborate on it, but for a moment there I almost had to make one of the biggest decisions in my life so far. I'm not exaggerating.

But now that it's possibly over, my life has gone back to normal. It's funny how just thinking if I should make that crucial decision can turn my life from carefree to solemn. Suddenly you see people around you living their carefree lives and you being faced with a crossroads. Even crossroads seems to be an understatement.

The mind is a funny thing, I tell you. Our perceptions are the ones which dictate our state of mind. Our emotions are controlled by how we view things, how we judge things. Good and bad; right and wrong; lucky and unlucky; they're just two ends of the same thing. The difference lies in our perception, our judgement.

So life seems to be very surprising, indeed. One moment you think you've settled down, the next moment you're faced with a huge decision. I can't even guess what's going to happen next...

8-5 VS Stay-In

Well well, the past week was busy. But the coming week will be busier, I guess. Good thing I had a "happy hour" with friends yesterday evening. Not the alcohol type, though. Just a good dinner after work...

It's constant studying, this one. Lots and lots of things to remember. Next week will be the major tests and stuff. I just learned of a misconception about 8-5 jobs in the army. Many people, including myself, have always believed that if you get an 8-5 job, you're lucky. And if you get a stay-in job, you're suay. Well, in the unit I'm in, the stay-in jobs are scheduled in a way where you get to stay-in for one night, that means 2 full working days, and the next day you're off. That leaves you a whole day to do what you want.

Now look at the 8-5 jobs. Yes, you get to go back everyday, but how much time do you have for yourself? Those few hours in the evening are all you have to do whatever you need to do. Before long it's time to hit the sack and the cycle repeats itself. So the feeling of an 8-5 job is very tight. You're just burning off the useful hours of the day at work.

I guess that's one way to look at both modes of work. I realised this because the 8-5 job (or course) I'm now in feels like that. Extremely tight. After this it's back to the lecture notes. So I guess I'll see you soon...

Studying is nostalgic these days...

Whoa, what a week it has been. The course I'm undergoing seems to be quite a stressful one, I must say. I know it's still early to judge, but on the day lessons started proper, we had a test the following day.

And as I've said before, I can't mention anything about what I'm learning. Restriced stuff. And because it's so restricted, I can only do my studying on the computer. We can't even print out the notes. So it looks like I'll be very intimate with my computer for the next 2 weeks. Boy, I can't wait to get this course over and done with.

Not that it's all gloomy, though. I'm also very satisfied with the present camp I'm posted to. It's pretty easy-going for an army camp. I guess all Privates deserve that after what they've gone through in Basic Military Training (BMT).

Well, I think I'd better hit the books again - or stay online, for that matter. I'll sign off here, then.

Vietnam, Vietnam!

Xin chao! That's hello in Vietnamese. Kind of nice to be back home again. The holiday was fine. Great that I could go overseas after 3 long years of staying in the country. A breath of fresh air, really.

Vietnam had its highs and lows. But more highs, of course. They're famous for their coffee which, if I remember correctly, is second to South America's. We travelled up to a hilly town called Da Lat which was much cooler in temperature. And probably that was what we were looking forward to: Cooler climates! But if you ask me, Vietnam is not a good place when it comes to shopping. I mean big time shopping. Everywhere you go, the shops all sell the same old things: Herbs, fruits, vegetables, and hand-knitten clothes. Every shop has them! And they're all situated side by side! How competitive can that be?

But I had a good time overall. The service standard there is real good, believe me - especially when it comes to the restaurant staff. It's not an exaggerated kind of service, but a kind that comes from the heart. Something which you can see in their demeanour, and something which Singapore still needs to learn.

And yes of course I have the photos. But because uploading them here is such a nuisance, I've uploaded them in my Facebook profile. I'm sorry if you don't have an account there, but if you do, search for me and take a look. I'm probably the only Oliver Sayson in Singapore, haha! Oh by the way, the photos I selected only feature me. Since it's my profile, I'll censor out my parents, shall I? Haha! How narcissistic can I be...

Finally, I've just got my posting, and it's a little far from where I live, but I'll make do with it. Anyway it's just a 3-week course. I shan't mention the details due to confidential reasons.

So that's about it, then. Pretty summed up, huh? I'll see you soon...

Good Morning Vietnam!

I'll be leaving Singapore for Vietnam tomorrow. Kind of last minute? Well, there's no time to waste. Only 2 weeks of leave before I become a soldier again...

Don't really know what to expect there. It's the second time my parents are going there. The last time they went to Hanoi. This time we're going to Ho Chi Minh City. Anyone know what they're famous for? Besides their beef noodles?

Anyway, I'll be back in about 6 days. I wonder where I'll get posted to after my leave. Till then, it's "Good Morning Vietnam!"

The ending is just the beginning...

It was weird, really. Just last Sunday, the day I had to book in to camp one last time before I became a Private, my friends asked me out a few hours before that.

"Hey, let's go for a drink or something before you book in. It's your last book in to Tekong, you know?"

"Yeah I know that. But you want me to go out in my smart 4? The most dangerous uniform in the world?"

I call it the most dangerous unifrom because it has a lot of regulations attached to it. No walking and talking on the phone; no public displays of affection, just to name a few.

"Don't worry. There's nothing wrong with wearing the smart 4 outside. It's okay to eat and drink in smart 4. If you're going to the arcade in smart 4 then I would advise against it."

"But still..."

"Don't worry. Just come. It's your last book in."

So off I went. We had some tea in Ikea before the time came for me to book in to camp for the final leg of my Basic Military Training (BMT).

I passed out yesterday as a Private. I feel great to have completed my BMT, no doubt a modified one. And now I shall start to savour my 2-week long break. I'll probably get so used to civilian life that when the time comes for me to begin my vocation I would get a rude awakening. Well, I guess every guy in the country has to go through this.

So that completes yet another chapter in my life: My BMT. Like what our Platoon Sergeant told us all when we passed out, "The ending is just the beginning."

Just 1 more day to privacy!

It's just tomorrow! Just tomorrow! I'll be a Private then. Boy, I can't wait to pass out. And to pass out of that offshore island, too. Not that I hate being on that island. It's just that every Recruit passes out of it. Come to think of it, the island itself is not bad. I had this remote idea when I first enlisted that the camp was surrounded by a jungle. I was pleasantly shocked to see a concrete jungle instead.

Oh yeah, the good news doesn't stop there. We'll all be having a 2-week block leave after we pass out. And I'll have my chance to go overseas after a long 3 years of staying in the country. I sincerely deserve some rest and relaxation after what I've been through. Well then, looks like it's all planned out.

Can't say anything more for now. I'll get back to you real soon. Ciao!

A Private in a week's time...

Believe it or not, my Basic Military Training (BMT) will end in about a week's time. Soon I'll pass out as a Recruit to become a Private. A Private, I like that rank. Sounds pretty... private.

Anyway, it's not like I want to stay a Private forever. If I get a promotion, then good for me. Wow, how fast and yet how slow time can fly as well. When I'm in camp, one day seems like eternity. But if you look at it from a big picture perspective, 7 weeks in BMT is really quite fast. In fact it's less than 7 weeks.

So I guess the rest of my 2 years in National Service (NS) will be spent in my vocation, which is clear and yet tentative for now. I shan't mention anything yet. When everything has been confirmed, I'll shout it out for the world to hear. Till then, I'll wish myself the best of luck for the rest of my BMT and my vocation...

My 1 month anniversary in the army...

1 month! 1 month! That's how long I've been in the army now. Slightly more than 2 weeks left before I complete my Basic Military Training (BMT).

Thank God field camp is over. What an experience. Again, we had high times and low times. But what the heck, it's the army...

I've got to report back by 5p.m. today. So my time's running out. Anyway, I can't wait to finish my BMT. All of us can't wait to finish it. It's a phase every soldier has to go through. And a phase every soldier will complain about.

I'll see you real soon. Godspeed to the both of us...

In the army...

And so it goes, and so it goes... I AM BAAACK! Actually it's not the first time I'm back from camp. It's my third time. I didn't have time to write an entry on Labour Day and the last weekend. However, it's a 3-day weekend for me this time because of Vesak Day on Monday. So here I am. Back again.

The dying question everybody wants to ask me: "How's life in the army?" First and foremost, I can't disclose the details here because of confidential reasons. But I can tell you my experiences about life in camp.

Well, the first day was quite interesting. That's when we were all new to army life and were wondering what's in store for us. We got assigned our bunks and beds, and slowly got to know our section mates.

Then as the days passed, more and more things happened. During the first week, we had an endless list of tasks to complete with our sergeants. Mostly the administrative stuff but by day's end, our free time was extremely limited. In the army it's "lights out" at 2230hrs. That's when everyone has to be in bed - sleeping. No talking on handphones or doing other stuff. Just be in bed. Sleep.

As the second week approached, we did have more time for ourselves. If you're wondering why I keep emphasizing on "free time", well, that's what everybody wants: Free time to do what they want! After all the exercises, lectures, and practical lessons, you just want some time to do your own thing and say, "Leave me alone."

It's amazing how so many things can happen in a day. There were times I literally thought that the lessons we had in the morning were part of yesterday's activities. We spend 17hrs awake and the rest of the 7hrs in bed. You can see how disproportionate the ratio is. Leave us alone for a few minutes and we'll have no problem dozing off in a few seconds. That's how tired we can be sometimes. But then again, if ours is already the modified Basic Military Training (BMT), what will the real BMT be like? I keep reminding my mates that we're very fortunate already...

The third week has just passed and I must say that things are much smoother now. Definitely more free time. We've almost reached the halfway mark of our BMT and the next few weeks will be pretty crucial. Just next week we will have our field camp. The outdoor camp every soldier must go through. It'll be an experience, no doubt. After that it'll be the main practical tests of our BMT. Once we have passed, you could consider us graduated from BMT.

So then, this is how life is like in the army. No doubt there are high times and low times, fun times and crappy times. It's all part and parcel of the army. I shall end here. And boy, am I tired. Oh, it's 2230hrs. Lights out!

The army, here I come - again!

Okay. So I have time to write one last post before I enlist tomorrow. I had to write this one because I am surprised that some more people have asked me out this week. I truly am touched.

I had an aunt who took me out to dinner. Then my friends wanted to have another round with me. Not to mention another aunt who wanted to give me a treat today whom I had to turn down because I wanted to take it easy before I enlist tomorrow. To all these lovely people, I thank you. And to everyone I know, it gives me pain to think of how I would disappoint you - if ever the time arises.

Tomorrow I begin anew.

Godspeed once again, Oliver...

The army, here I come!

Okay, so it's just 6 days left before I enlist. I may not have the chance to write one more entry before that so I'll take this as my last post.

The past week was pretty fine, actually. I had old friends calling me out because they knew I was going into the army soon. Thank you so much for that, guys. I'm really touched. During the past few days I did things which were as though I was never going to return home or something. Weird feeling, really. As if those were the last days of my life, if you get what I mean. "Hey, you're going into the army already. Better enjoy now as much as you can", that's what I've been hearing lately. Well, I did what I had to do. I have a motto anyway: One life. Live it.

So, the coming week would be used to prepare myself for the upcoming chapter in my life. Lots of packing to do. And lots of mental preparedness, too. If I don't get back here before the 25th, I'll probably write again 2 weeks later. To all who have supported me thus far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Godspeed, Oliver...

The Victoria's Secret Angels

You know, I never did mention this on my blog but I have to confess, I've been a huge, huge fan of the Victoria's Secret Angels. Ever since I took notice of them, I can't help thinking how beautiful these ladies are. When I came across the photo above, I just had to put it on my blog and write an entry about it. I believe this was taken for some competition to raise funds for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Of course these are not the only models from Victoria's Secret. There are many others who are just as gorgeous as them. What's that you say? You want me to introduce them to you? From left to right, we have Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulart, Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova, and Selita Ebanks.

You've probably seen Alessandra on many Victoria's Secret posters before. In my opinion, she is the face of Victoria's Secret. Her face is synonymous with Victoria's Secret. This beauty hails from Brazil (if my research is correct) and you'll see her around, don't worry.

Izabel has eyes like no other. Those deep, deep eyes really speak to you on some level. She's probably the epitome of a true blue Brazillian woman. And that hair of hers! So wavy and so long. It just makes you want to run your hand down her hair, don't you think?

Ah, Miranda. She's the latest model to be inducted into the Angels 'realm'. Not to mention being the first Australian Angel, too! This sweetheart has one of the most sweetest and smiley faces. In the recent Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2007, when she had to pose at the end of the runway, I thought she gave one of the best flirts ever! A wink and a smile - classic!

Adriana, a.k.a the goddess, has sexy upfront and thrown right at you. This fiery lady has also been the face of many a Victoria's Secret photoshoot and she never fails to keep the temperature up! You should see her in the 2007 Fashion Show when she pumped the crowd up and brought the segment home...

Karolina is one European beauty who hails from the Czech Republic. Those blonde locks says it all. She has been grazing the posters of Victoria's Secret for quite awhile now. And if I remember correctly, Karolina has been into modelling from a very young age of 16, I believe. She stands out, in a way, because all the other Angels are from other parts of the world - and have darker hair colours!

Last but not least, Selita has also recently joined the Angels in their quest to spread beauty to the masses. This model has sass, and also one of the most beautiful faces I've ever seen. Elegant and charming, she looks downright sexy in those photoshoots. She was the one who wore the most expensive bra in the 2007 Fashion Show.

Well then, looks like I've covered the main points. Now you're all set to see the Angels in action the next time they appear in the fashion scene. And to the Angels themselves, keep up the heat!

The West Wing & We Will Rock You

This week began very musically. I attended 2 musicals, one on Monday and another on Tuesday.

Monday's musical was called The West Wing, performed by the students of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Theatre Studies group. It was held at the university's cultural hall and believe me, it was just as good as the poster you see on the left. How ingenious they were. They actually interpreted a Chinese play in English and that's not all - they sang the lines in the tunes of today's pop music. From the Pussycat Dolls to even Queen, they pulled it off spectacularly. I was very impressed and really think they should perform it in front of the general public in places like The Esplanade and such...

Tuesday, as you can tell, was the day to let my hair down. Having bought my ticket 3 months in advance (not to mention I was fortunate enough to get one which was 4 rows from the front and at an extremely cheap price), you could imagine my anticipation the moment I stepped into The Esplanade's theatre and saw Queen's crest embroidered onto the curtains on stage. No doubt it was the loudest musical I've ever attended and whoa, I had a hell of a time. The only setback was, as I was seated 4 rows from the front and as you know, people who can afford seats that close to the stage are usually - I emphasize, usually - rich and much older in age, they are not the kind of people who dare to get on their feet and let their hair down. Imagine if I'm the only one standing up when all the others have their butts glued to their seats. I was very sure the people at the back - mostly the younger ones - were on their feet stamping to We Will Rock You. And I could even see it in the performers' eyes: Why aren't many of them standing up? Are Singaporeans that conservative?

Next time if I ever go for this kind of musical, I think it'll be more appropriate to sit with the younger ones, haha! I can't bear to let the great tunes of Queen go to waste again without stamping and screaming at the top of my voice. There were some patriotic fans of Queen in the theatre, no doubt. I couldn't help feeling proud when everyone cheered at Queen's name. The interesting thing about Queen's music is that once you hear it, you will never forget it. It stays with you, and it makes you fill up with pride whenever you hear it. Oh boy, even now I'm getting goosepimples...

You're booked, Oliver...

Haha, well, it was a good outing yesterday. A few of my friends wanted to have a "pre-enlistment get-together" specially for me. Thanks guys, if you're reading this, I really appreciate it. We went for a sushi buffet, by the way.

So then, the countdown continues. Slightly less than 3 weeks left before I enter the army. Frankly speaking, I think it's a little long to wait. Funny how time slows down when you're counting down to something. But anyway, I guess I have to make the best of it...

This coming week, lots and lots of activities are in store for me. In fact, I have something to attend to everyday. My my, never had such a week before. I'll be looking forward to it. What could possibly happen in ol' Oliver's mundane life?

The facts of life?

What a nice Sunday it is. Cloudy, rainy, my kind of Sunday. Well then, where am I in my big ol' life? Ah yes, tomorrow's the end of March. Wow. It's less than a month before I enlist into the army. But before that, I have a few interesting days to experience. Yup, yup, events are lined up ahead of me. I'll tell you more when the time comes...

You know, I don't know about you, but I always experience certain feelings on certain days of the week. For example, Mondays are always kind of blue - as they say, Monday blues. Tuesdays are kind of like a transition to the middle of the week - neither here nor there, I guess. Wednesdays are alright - midweek, probably in the mood for some fun. Thursdays get even better - however I always encounter either good things or bad things on Thursdays. Fridays, no doubt the end of the workweek, can be a little moody for me - Friday blues? Saturdays are cool - it's like the start of the weekend. And Sundays, albeit lazy Sunday afternoons, are another transition to the start of a new week - it's like you want to have fun, but then you think twice about it because tomorrow's Monday. And it goes on and on, you know? A vicious cycle...

Sometimes I'm dying for a sudden change of sorts. A wake up call, a knock on the head, an epiphany, whatever you call it. It's like I'm just waiting for inspiration to strike. To get out of this mundane life and really live life. But then again, the thought of experiencing abrupt changes to your lifestyle and the sudden change of events can really be frightening. Your whole world can turn upside down. You lose control of your life. You're in a whirlpool of emotions. Scary...

Funny how life plays out sometimes. For me, I usually experience extremes. I'll use the example of luck. When I have bad luck, it's extreme bad luck. When I have good luck, it's extreme good luck. And that's not all. When I have mediocrity, it's extreme mediocrity, too. Ahh well, I guess everyone's life is different. We'll just have to be contented, huh?

I'm sorry if I'm making you feel depressed. Just want to release some old complaints. I'll leave you to it, shall I? See you soon...

Imagine.

"Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today...

"Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

"You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

"Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...

"You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one"

- John Lennon

Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana

Hello, hello! Wow, what a great (and wet) Saturday it has been so far. You know, recently I was trying to find the name of a classical piece that spoke to me so deeply the first time I heard it. I was watching an old film by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro. It's called "Raging Bull" and during the first few scenes - in fact, I think it was one long, slow-motioned scene - there was this classical piece playing in the background. Anyone would have noticed it because there was no talking in that scene, just Robert De Niro boxing slow-motioned in the ring.

It was that music that stirred some deep emotions within me. My God, I had to find it, I told myself. Just a few days back, an old friend of mine called me unexpectedly. He was a fan of classical music and so I happened to mention about the piece I was trying to find. Thing is, I didn't even know the title and composer who wrote the piece. I just knew it was used in "Raging Bull". This extremely resourceful friend of mine searched the net, found the piece, and actually played it from his computer on the spot! I was amazed at how efficient he was, and I am very grateful to him. He couldn't pronounce the title and composer, so he spelled them out for me.

The title of the piece was "Cavalleria Rusticana", by Pietro Mascagni. The name "Mascagni" rang a bell in my memories, and so did "Rusticana". Right now, I'm actually listening to it! Facebook has this music player application and I searched for it there. If you have time, go have a listen. Take note of the second part of the piece - or the 'chorus' after the 'verse'. You'll know it when you hear it. I happened to hear this same piece being used for a foreign advertisement - possibly an Italian advertisement.

Beautiful, beautiful piece. Very touching. I told my friend that it was one of those rare classical pieces which really penetrates into the heart. It's not everyday you find a gem like this...

The countdown gets nearer...

Ahh yes, the stressful week is now over. I can breathe again. Well, everything came full circle on Saturday, and I dare say the outcome is a good one. It ended well, too, with my cousin's birthday celebration at the chalet.

This week, no doubt, it'll be an easy-going week. But now I'll be counting down to my enlistment day. Before I know it, March will end and April will come. In the meantime, I guess I'll have to get the necessary equipment for the army. People ask me if I'm scared of going into the army. Well, I guess every guy who goes into the army will be a little anxious at first, no doubt. But some part of me is also looking forward to it. With every change comes new and positive experiences, too. So it's not all gloomy and stuff...

I just hope I can sustain this attitude when I eventually get enlisted. I'll be keeping an eye out for the opportunities that come with being in the army. Boy oh boy, I've got a whole life ahead of me...

The evolution of Vanessa Chan...

Then...

Not too long ago...

Now...

Oh my God, I am so dead... Yes, Vanessa, I know you'll be shocked at this. I don't know what made me do this. It was a stroke of inspiration. Really.

Well I guess I just wanted to show people how you evolved so quickly. I don't mean to hurt you. Listen, almost 2 years ago you were that goody-two-shoes in the first picture. Aww, so "kwai", huh? Bright-eyed, bright clothes, bright everything...

And then, not too long ago, you started to "let your hair down". I'm very sure society calls that "Emo", right? Just look at that second picture. Fringe covering your right eye, left eye looking sober, as if you were pining for something. Oh, the anger, the sadness. How painful...

Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you, Vanessa today. Everything says it all: Goth. The picture just screams, "Goth!" Black eye-liner, black blouse, black everything. And the pale skin just gives it so much contrast. Wow. I could just picture you in a music video playing an electric guitar in a graveyard setting. Goth...

Oh Vanessa, you grow up so fast! Look at you! My my, what a cousin. Dear readers, I hope you realise just how strong an influence society can have on us. Let my cousin be a reminder to all of us. Bless you, Vanessa...

A tedious week ahead...

Hey there. Nice, cloudy Sunday today. Well the past week was pretty good actually. Everything came full circle yesterday. But I can tell you that the coming week will be one heck of a week. This week will be one of those strenuous weeks where, once again, all my efforts will pay off on Saturday. Whether or not the outcome will be good, I'll have to see for myself when the day comes...

I'll be taking my music theory exam on Saturday. 3-hour long paper, intense brain-cracking. I've made it known to this cousin of mine who thinks I can get a distinction again that the odds of getting one are very slim. In fact, if I can secure a merit for this one, I'll consider myself very fortunate indeed. Getting a distinction, realistically speaking, is out of the question...

But on a much lighter note, thank God there is a function on that Saturday evening. Another cousin of mine will be celebrating her 8th birthday and her parents have booked a chalet for that weekend. So I'll certainly be looking forward to that splendid evening after a 3-hour long brain ache...

Well then, in the meantime, I guess I have to do all the dirty work. It's putting my nose to the theory books and exam papers. Boy, I can't wait to get this week over and done with...

It's clear skies ahead!

Hello, hello. It's a brand new month today. March. Wow. The third month of the year. It all happened so quickly, huh? I wonder what's in store for me this month. According to my calculations, it seems to be an eventful month. Can't wait, then...

What a nice way to start it off. A nice, cloudy, and if I may add, nostalgic Saturday. Some people may not like cloudy weather, but I love it! Cool and breezy, that's the way to go. And it's a simple Saturday for me. Got to go to church in the evening. And my my, I never said this before, but my days are numbered, yes. I'll be enlisting into the army on the 25th of April. Slightly less than 2 months time. In a way, I'm kind of looking forward to it. Want to get it over and done with, you know. Once that obstacle is cleared, I'll be free to follow my dreams. But you know, I have a feeling I'll be able to follow my dreams in the army itself. I'll be very vague here for the moment. But wish me luck, if everything goes according to plan, I'll shout it out for the world to hear!

Having said that, the army doesn't seem to be a big, bad monster anymore. I can make good use of that 2 years, in fact. Not to mention, it'll also look good on my resume. What a surprising start on the road to my dreams. Here's to the future!

Awaken...

Hi there. These few days I just can't seem to get anything out of my head. That's why I couldn't blog. Somtimes... I don't know, it's like something's holding me back, you know? I guess I have my inhibitions. Should I say? Should I not say? I'm scared of what people would think of me, that's for sure. Nowadays I tell myself I shouldn't judge people. I mean, who am I to judge someone when I myself am no clean soul? You know what's the one thing that scares me the most? People judging me, of course. And it's the bad judgements which scare the hell out of me...

But sometimes I have no choice. Sometimes I feel that when something has to be said, it should be said. Sometimes what I believe may go against the grain; I've said many things here on my blog that were contrary to what many believed - even downright controversial. And I can honestly say that it was just the tip of the iceberg. Clearly, not many see things the way I do. But as they say, "Live and let live", right?

Talk about destiny. Everyone's got one. And if I may say so, mine's going to be one hell of a ride. They say we chose our lives before we were born. Of course we don't realise this consciously - we've made a promise not to know. But today in this new century, this new era, there are a certain few who are starting to understand and know the truth. And as we progress towards the future, the world would become more and more aware of these people. In fact, there are a couple who are living among us today. They are here to teach us something. To make us aware of something. Some truth which has been embedded within each one of us - only that we've forgotten about it. They are here to remind us about it...

I shan't go any further. As I said, I would like to keep it at this level for now - the tip of the iceberg. When the time is right, and only when the time is right, the truth shall be revealed. Till then, awaken...

Mr. Bean's Guide To Dating.

I came across this video in one of my friend's Facebook profile. Absolutely hilarious...

Soulmates...

Once again, it's been quite awhile, yes. And I've missed Chinese New Year, too. Well, here's wishing you a happy and prosperous year in the Earth Rat.

Many things have happened since my last post. Thing is, I can't seem to remember all of them. Firstly, I'm glad to say that my music theory exam results have been released, and I got a distinction for that. So well done to me.

I had a couple of nice outings with some friends of mine. We caught up with one another as usual. Time always seems to leave big gaps between us these days. It isn't like the old days when we saw each other in school every single day. Probably even got sick of each other's face, haha! But now it's different. Times have changed...

It's amazing how people come and go in our lives. I'm pretty sure there's nobody who has ever kept the same friends throughout his lifetime. You know the term, "Soulmates"? Yeah, the one people use only for romantic relationships? Well, I don't know whether you've heard, but there is a new kind of reference for the term, "Soulmates".

You see, whenever we meet someone who seems to be Mr. or Mrs. Right, we refer to him or her as our "soulmate". But most people think that the other people we meet - our friends and acquaintances - are just what they are: friends and acquaintances.

Here's the gist: Why can't we also call them our "soulmates"?

I know you're wondering, "Then what do you call boyfriends and girlfriends?" Well, they are also called soulmates. But to be more exact, romantic soulmates.

I've got to make this clear: Not everyone we come into contact with is our soulmate. It's a little hard to explain, but recently I've come to learn that only certain people who come into our lives are our soulmates. These people have a profound effect on our lives, be it big or small. Let me emphasize once again: These people have a profound effect on our lives - sometimes even in very small ways. And you'll be shocked, but sometimes the people who are not that close to you, or whom you don't have an affinity with, are your soulmates. By the same token, even the people who are closest to you, your parents and relatives, may not be your soulmates. But most of the time, from what I've experienced, soulmates will be the people you associate with the most, like your best friends, for example...

Let me explain what soulmates do. Soulmates come into our lives for a purpose. They come to teach us something. And we're supposed to find out what that lesson is and to learn from it. Sometimes, even people you get to know just for a day and then forget about them, are our soulmates and they have something to teach us. Whether the lesson is big or small, we have to learn from it in this lifetime.

It's karma at work. Unresolved karma from past lifetimes will be brought forward into this lifetime for you to resolve. This is crucial for our soul's evolutionary journey. With each lifetime, our souls will progress until we reach our highest potential on our evolutionary journey. And who better to bring about our lessons than our very own soulmates.

It's amazing, isn't it? So if you're just thinking that your boyfriend or girlfriend is your soulmate, think again. Obviously, your boyfriend or girlfriend came into your life to teach you something about love. But let's not forget the other people we meet. They have something to teach us, too.

I think I'll leave you here for now. It's a good eye opener, don't you think? When you start looking at people this way, your relationships become more meaningful. You start to see a pattern in your relationships with people. You start to understand why this-and-that happened, and what you can learn from it. And when you finally do learn the lesson behind it, some burden you have been carrying inside you gets thrown away. You become that much enlightened on your evolutionary journey...

My big, fat Greek exhibition...

Hi there. Well, it seems to be a cloudy Sunday evening right here in my area. The afternoon was hot, and now it's going to rain. How abrupt...

Things have been happening these past few days. A major change has affected my life, but I won't mention it here because I don't think it's appropriate. And if I may say so, even the most trivial of things can affect me in profound ways. I don't usually have that habit of typing the expression "sigh", but here I must. Sigh...

On a brighter note, I visited the museum with my friends yesterday. I hadn't been inside it since it was last renovated. And I have to say that the architecture is brilliant. Very spacious and clean-cut, especially when walking up to the main entrance from the car park. The last time it had a fence around it.

We visited an exhibition on Greek civilization. Statues and busts of Greek Gods and Godesses were all over the place. Some were finely carved while others were no doubt eroded. A couple of familiar names came up: Athena, Socrates, Plato, Aphrodite, Zeus, Eros, Hermes, just to name a few. We were fortunate enough to be in time for a free guided tour of the exhibition. The guide was marvellous; she probably dug real deep into Greek history...

Anyway, it was a day well spent and I hope to experience even more days like this. Ahh, I wonder what life will throw at me next. I'm signing off here...

The truth about technology...

Hey hey, it's been a great Saturday so far. I'm so glad my computer's working again. Kind of miss using it in my own home. You know, technology is such an extreme thing. It can make your life a lot easier, but it can also make your life a whole lot more difficult. Why? Because when your gadget eventually gets faulty, you'll have to find a way to get it fixed. And most of us depend a lot on technology. It's as if we give a huge part of our lives to it. Take one simple example: Our mobile phones.

We store probably all our contacts in our mobile phone's SIM card. And what happens when that SIM card gets lost or faulty? We lose all our contacts. Take yourself back to the old days when mobile phones didn't exist and we had to depend on pen and paper to record down telephone numbers. That little black book was our passport to the outside world, so to speak. All our contacts were stored in its pages, in alphabetical order. And where has that little black book gone today? Most likely we've dumped it out of our lives long ago...

So it's quite a pity, don't you think? It's amazing how we can remember most of our friends' telephone numbers in the old days. Our brains were put to much use in the past, I dare say. You ever heard scientists say that we only use two - or was it three - percent our of brains throughout our life? Imagine what the percentage would be these days. It's like our brain cells are dying while we're still living.

There's no doubting that our brains have a whole lot more potential just waiting to be tapped. If you're a fan of Star Trek, you'd most probably have heard the saying that space would be the next frontier. Someone else I've heard said that mind would be the next frontier. I couldn't agree more.

Well, I guess I've made my point. Sorry if I took you by surprise. I didn't expect to talk about this topic in the first place. Have a great Saturday...

Happy 2008!

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I am so sorry. Look how long I've been away from blogging. We're already in the new year, and I haven't wished all of you yet. So Happy 2008, you guys...

Well, I must apologize because my computer's been down for quite some time now. I'm actually typing this in an internet cafe. As usual, many things have happened since my last post. The New Year celebrations were fun. Had the countdown with none other than my family. On New Year's Day I was invited to lunch with the Brothers back in my alma mater. And then I also had the occasional outings with some friends. In fact just yesterday I was invited to a birthday celebration at Sentosa.

Blimey, it's been almost 5 years since I visited Sentosa the last time. Things have changed there, no doubt. The thing I loved most about it was its accessibility. It's so easy to just travel down there whenever you like! I always had the idea that Sentosa was quite troublesome in terms of entry. This time however I was advised to use the monorail to get into the island. And it was exactly like taking the train. Get a ticket ($3, by the way), tap it at the barriers, and wait at the platform! It's that easy. Of course there are other ways to enter into Sentosa, but the monorail on the 3rd level of VivoCity makes it so easy for people living in the neighbourhoods to travel down to Sentosa whenever they feel like it.

And so I had a great time with my old friend and his family. Another thing I hadn't done in quite a while was riding a bicycle. We rented a bike each and I had the most nostalgic time ever cycling in Sentosa. Not to mention seeing the white, sandy beaches and, ahem, the babes in bikinis, haha! (Hey, it's an attraction on its own, by the way.)

So this is it, then. 2008. I'll have to end here because my time at the cafe is ticking. I hope you've had a great start to the year, too! All the best, then...