A Small Peace Called Imagination...

Hanguk, annyonghi kyeiseo!

2005-08-14T15:37:00.000+08:00

It's been such a long time I haven't written blog. Had too much fun in Korea till I didn't have time to update my blog hehe. I just came back from Korea yesterday nite, and still staying at my friend's room till my hostel waiting list is approved.

It feels like only yesterday I just arrived in Korea. 6 weeks passed so fast. I went there at 2 July and came back yesterday after all-night long farewell party. I really love Korea and I start to miss Korea.

I like the people there. Koreans are really warm and friendly although I've just known them for a while. They show me around, even invited me for dinner and stay over at their house. I've made some good friends during the exchange program. Sung-Hwa, my classmate in Korean economy class, who I stay over with and we had so much fun chatting, cooking (she taught me some simple Korean food recipe), playing with her dog and watching Korean DVDs. Ji-Hye, my classmate in International Marketing, who sometimes have coffee together with me after class and hang out to shopping center. Se-Yong, the "crazy" n funny guy whom I met in the buddy program and hang out with to some jazz cafe. Bryan, the "big" Korean guy who loves drinking n dancing very much (Koreans love drinking very much but I usually only tried a few sips of their Korean wine called Soju). Yaera, my buddy, a pretty n tall (171 cm!) Korean girl who's really good at singing and can speak English, Korean, French, and now learning Mandarin. Su-Kyong, my other buddy, who's very nice and can sing very well too. Hyon-Wook, my group leader, who's been very helpful, and didn't mind taking all the hassles to organize a lot of trips. Paulo, an Italian part-timer journalist who always smiles everywhere. I've also made some good friends with other NUS students who came together, such as Esther (my lovely Singaporean friend who converses really well in Bahasa Indonesia and we often gossip about "gebetan"), Meiqi ( a really cute and funny girl who we often tease), Ridwan (my good Indonesian friend, who has made tons of friends there, some Koreans even said he's welcomed to be their university student haha), Jia Xiu, Liqin, Yirong, Kevin, Alvin, Jimmy, Steven, Wendy, Li Wen. I've also made some other acquintances, such as Chinese girls (Jolin, Summer), Chinese guy (Ike), Koreans (Chong En, Larry, Kristin, Peter, Daniel). I'm really really glad to know them all and I really miss the times we've all shared.

The food in Korea is also nice, though many of them are spicy. Bibimbap (rice mixed with veggie), Bulgogi (very tasty beef with some special chilli sauce), Kimbab (sushi with some egg, ham, cucumber- my usual lunch), Kimchi (Korean spicy n sour veggie), Ramyon and nengmyon (instant noodle and cold noodle), Bultak (a super hot n spicy chicken put on fire), Kalbi (a delicious meat barbeque), Tobukki(something tastes like a rice cake), some street snacks (such as fried sausage covered with french fries in a satay stick). Their tidbits and ice creams are nice too, esp I like butter waffle biscuits,fried chicken biscuit, Papingsu (mixed fruit yoghurt). Actually their white rice is also special, coz it tastes like Japanese rice which is really nice and no wonder if it costs 1000 won per plate (about S$2). Btw the food there cost about 3000-6000 won.

I love the places too. Nightmarkets such as Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, and Nandaemum are shopping haven for females. I also went to the parks such as Seoul Forest Park and Olympic Park which have fresh air and green scenery. Theme parks such as Lotte World and Everland have nice view but the rides are not as exciting as I expected to be. I also took Han River Cruise and saw the beautiful night view. There are a lot of kids playing fireworks beside the river. Went to a jazz bar called Club Evans and I liked it, quite cozy ambience and good jazz music. I also took one day trip to Gyeongju, a city outside Seoul, visited several historial places such as palaces, tomb, museums, and temples. Watched some Korean performances such as Tokebi Storm, Nanta n some dances. I miss Anam street, the street I always pass everyday from hostel to school or food places. The school is also nice, it has old European style architecture and the class is so comfortable (each of us has comfy sofa, which actually induces sleepy mode haha). The dorm, CJ I-house is newly built and it's like a hotel. It has aircon, bathroom, furnitures, room phone (mine was 3290-0197) and they also provided pillow and warm blanket.

There are so many things which I can't mention one by one. Every day has been a truly unforgettable experience. The friendship, the joy, the laughter, the excitement I've enjoyed everyday are some of the things which I wish I could repeat. I especially remembered the last day in Korea when me, my buddies and some of our friends organize our own "party". Stayed awake the whole nite ( I only went back to my room at 6am in the next morning), went to bar, chitchat, karaoke, eating pig spine n drinking soju, and lastly watching Fantastic Four when two of my buddies fell asleep in the theatre. I guessed they might have been very tired but they forced to stay awake whole nite coz its the last night we gathered. I'm really touched. I wish I had longer time to spend together like that. But of course time flies and the hands of time never turns back. The next morning I took a flight back to Singapore, and it feels strange that when I heard the announcement that the flight has just landed in Singapore, I feel this emptiness and missing. Of everything. My buddy said the last night was like a dream. How I wish I didn't have to wake up from that dream. Or at least, let me have the same dream at another time...

Dance with My Father- Luther Vandross

2005-05-18T01:11:00.000+08:00

Back when I was a child, before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high and dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around 'til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved
If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
How I'd love, love, love
To dance with my father again
When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way, I would run from her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me
Then finally make me do just what my mama said
Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me
If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
Cause I'd love, love, loveTo dance with my father again
Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I'd hear how my mother cried for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me
I know I'm praying for much too much
But could you send back the only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But dear Lord she's dying
To dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream
----

I just heard this song played in the radio. Everytime I listen to it, it reminds me of my childhood. The cheerful n happy childhood. Nothing to worry. Just play and play. Nagging mom and dad. Angry if my wish not fulfilled. Laughing noisily if I'm happy, crying loudly if I'm sad. I miss those times. The beauty of childhood. The innocence.
Sometimes I miss my mom. If I could turn back time, I wanna thank her and tell her that I love her. But people usually only treasure something much better when they have lost it, don't they? Well, I just hope one day she can see me from somewhere and be proud to have me as her daughter. That this is me, the daughter she has taken care of and has now become "somebody". That all the things she has done to me is never wasted. I know the journey to be that "somebody" is still long, and I'm still walking in the midst of it.

Okay... now updates of my recent life. Vacation already started since last week. Already started my HYP, but I dunno yet which topic I'm gonna research on. My supervisor has thought of 3 areas (m-commerce, virtual community, online shopping) but he hasn't decided yet which one is for me. Hopefully it's decided soon so I can start doing proper research, instead of looking at scattered ideas. My friends are going back to their hometown this week. I wanna go home too! But I think I can only go back next month. I wanna play with my baby brother n sister, wondering how they look like now. Usually babies grow very fast. And I wonder if they still recognize me haha. I'm soooo looking forward to go home.

Light... action!

2005-04-21T18:49:00.000+08:00

Finally I already passed TS my practical exam. So relieved!! I've been nervous these past few days becoz of this PE. The PE was quite scary at first. I needed to control my heartbeat when the light is on. When it came to my turn, I was telling myself over and over "Be calm...". Luckily when I already said my first line, my nervousness faded away and I could say my next lines smoothly. I didn't forget any of the lines. Phew.. but I don't know how the judges graded my acting. Anyway, at least I already did my best and I didn't regret. Then when it came to Q&A, I thought it was more terrifying than the acting part. I waited anxiously when my turn was called. Grant Shen asked 4 questions- 2 of them director, 1 to Hale (Edmund), 1 to Mary (Menaka). Okay, so I was not asked any, haha so happy. Then TC asked 2 questions- both of them to the director. I was also not asked. Lastly, Gerald Chew... I'm the first one he asked. I paid my full attention to his question while trying to brush aside my anxiety. But do u know what his question is? I thought he was gonna ask specific acting or scene. It turned out that he asked, "Are you playing as an actor?" Yes, of course I am. I played as Francis Nurse, an old man. Then he asked what do I want (as the character) from the scene. It's sooo workshop type of question. Did he really watch my scene? He looked very exhausted though. Yeah it must be tiring coz the judges must be there since yesterday morning until today's evening.

I'm so relieved (I don't know how many times I've said this since we finished the PE)... Now I can concentrate studying for my other modules, including TS which still has theory exam. I think this TS module has high workload outside of class, but my overall opinion about this module is still as when I chose it. It is fun. I like particularly the practical part despite all of the complaints, stresses, and anxiety. I like my TS group. They are all so fun and supportive to each other. I admit that my lecturer is very good at this field, so are the instructors. Although Gerald is very direct and sometimes a bit harsh, he's very experienced in acting. TC is brilliant in directing and scriptwriting. And for me, I learned quite a lot of interesting things from this module. I learned about theatre, voice projection, acting, body language, psychology and everything is so applicable in real life. For example, sometimes when someone said something, it doesn't mean he/she means that literally, we must look at his/her body language coz there may be some "subtext" or underlying meaning of it. I also learned that acting is not easy. Especially if u have to personalized and be the character which is not yourself. U need research, and truly believe that you're that character. For PE, everytime there are old people passing me by, I look at them, how they walk and behave. It's still not easy to imitate though, haha. But I like it when I learn about someone else's world, personality and character.

I'm gonna miss this TS module, my groupmates and the rehearsals (eight in total). Elizabeth Tan, our dearest director who is very patient, always smiles and has very good sense of art (she directs plays, she also can play cello, piano and guitar!). Rachel Chia, our set director who made such lovely props (including the scary poppet which really turns out to be really scary). Both Elizabeth n Rachel are first year Arts student majoring English Literature. Jeannine Huynh, the costume designer, an exchange student from US whose accent I really like and whose drawing is amazing (like those fashion design students, but she's marketing major). Mark Seow, 3rd yr engine, who is sometimes a bit irritating, coz either he's late, didn't come up for rehearsals while he's the major character, or simply saying too direct things a.ka. almost insulting. And he likes to gossip about gay (have u ever heard that Judge Bao is gay? He also said that our instructor, TC, is a gay) But anyway we still survive him coz he's the most outspoken and the joker amongst us. Next, Jocelyn Tan, Mark's friend since childhood (so sweet!) but she's quite the opposite of Mark, not that talkative and she looks so mature and feminine. Sometimes whenever both of them come or rehearsals together, we think that Joce and Mark actually look good together (sorry, our group consists of 8 girls n 2 guys, so... gossip and chit-chat are the complementary session of our rehearsal) but Mark already has gf so we just forget that idea. Next, Edmund Chan, the priest to which I plead to in the drama, 3rd yr econs student, sometimes we call him "uncle" coz he's the oldest. At first I thought he's very reserved but it turns out that he actually can talk a lot. Menaka, 1st yr JS major, who is a nice girl though a bit shy. But I will remember her scene in the play. She played as a maid who is choked by her master (played by Mark) and thrown to the floor and she cried. That scene is heartbreaking. Next, Shih Yuan, a cheerful and friendly girl. I always laugh when she plays as a boastful court officer guy coz I think she's too cute to be a mean guy. Hehe but honestly she acted well in PE just now. Lastly, Sze Yin, a 1st yr ICM major girl. She's probably the closest one to me in TS module. We have tutorial, workshop and also PE group together. Woah... I'll miss all of them with all their uniqueness. I still recalled that our first rehearsal was very messy and we gradually improved, not only in our drama but we're also closer as we meet more and more. No regret taking TS, u can make new friends.

25% which makes me dying

2005-04-15T00:03:00.000+08:00

I'm supposed to start preparing for exam, but then I'm stuck with my upcoming TS practical exam for next Thursday. Why must it be on Thursday (in the end of my reading week) and not sooner so that I can study for other modules? These past few days and upcoming days are filled with a lot of rehearsals. We've done five rehearsals, and there are 3 more before the PE. The module supposed to be fun, I quite like it actually. But I never expected that the workload outside class is such high. Moreover, it's only 25% for such a heavy workload and much of both physical and mental exercises. Physical in the sense that I need to train my voice and leg exercise in which I need to fall on my knees several times for my scene. Yesterday I just borrowed a medicated oil from my friend (Thanks, Sher!) coz my knees got some small bruises. Mental exercises in the sense that I'm so stressed these few days becoz of this practical exam. I know that I still need a lot of improvement to get into the character I'll be performing, but then I'm still having difficulties to become the character (how do I walk, speak and think like an old man?). The module which is supposed to be fun now makes me feel stressed. And I couldn't concentrate studying for my other modules (which are 4 CORE modules) coz my mind is always stuck with this TS practical exam. Aargh...

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

2005-04-08T23:18:00.000+08:00

Today I watched the play called "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" with some of my groupmates in Theatre Studies module. The play is directed and written by my very own TS instructor, Chong Tze Chien. At first I decided to come just for my curiosity sake. Tze Chien was awarded Life! Theatre Award for Production of the Year a few weeks ago for his previous play "Furthest North, Deepest South". So I wonder what his play looks like. And I never regretted.

Five of us came to watch the play at The Arts House (Old Parliament building). The venue is nice, it has some elegance for those art events. But I never expected that the play itself takes place in the Play Den, which is rather a small room (perhaps only about 100 seats) so all of us sit close to the stage. The seats are on the 3 sides of wall and each side has about4-5 rows. I think my TS practical exam venue resembles this one. It's good becoz the voice projection is better, but it's bad coz everybody (esp. the judges for my PE which comprises of my lecturer and 2 instructors) can look at u closely, even can see your sweat and tears.

Anyway, about the play itself. The theme is about upgrading. It takes place on 3 different families who stay on an HDB flat. The residents are offered upgrading of their flats. Ironically, the things which need the foremost upgrade is not the flat, not the room, but themselves. Each of the characters in the play. Like what's written on the play's flyer "It's about families who can't make up their damn minds about anything". It's about honesty. It's about families. It's about morality. It's about the devil sides inside each of us. In the first family stays a dying grandma and her grandson. The grandson wants his independent life and feels fed up taking care of her and has no life while he intends to pursue his further study in US. In the second family, a 17 yr old daughter has conflict with her mom coz her mom's boyfriend sometimes seduces her but her mom wanna have someone who she can rely on for the rest of her life after her husband died. In the third family, an old couple in their 60s argue about retirement and their 29yr old daughter who commited a crime and is hunted by police. The result is chaos, heated argument, and weeping in each family. The play ends with each of them gradually "upgrades" themselves.

I like the story plot and how the story is delivered in 3 languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, Teochew) with English subtitles. I've never watched movies or plays where the actors speak 3 different languages. I like the lighting, music and timing which are so perfect and sets certain mood in audiences. The set design is also simple yet so alive. For example, they only use a large paper with a rectangle-shaped hole in the center to symbolize a window, but they make use of it such that we believe it's window. There are also actors who play as ghosts during the whole play, to symbolize the demons inside of us.

The play took about 2 hours. After that we meet Tze Chien on outside. He seems quite glad to see his students come to watch his play (he should give us an A grade hehehe). We congratulated him for winning the Life! Theatre Award and chit-chat a bit. He said he took about 3 months to do the play, including the rehearsal of 3-4 times a week. The play was originally written in English, before it's translated to other dialects. I think he's a genius. I'm so mesmerized with his play, and so are my other groupmates. The way he writes and directs a whole play truly deserve him to win a theatre award. Quick go watch this play if u haven't. Click www.fingerplayers.com for more information. Sorry for promotion here =P I just wanna support my teacher. So proud of him.

First rehearsal

2005-04-07T01:59:00.000+08:00

Today is my first rehearsal for TS practical exam. My group chooses The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I played a guy role (coz there aren't enough guys in my grp, and about 5 girls must play as guys) named Francis Nurse. He's an old (in his 70s), respected and upright man. Yeah that's where the trouble comes from. It's hard to get into the character deeply coz I dunno how to walk, talk or behave like an old man. But my other groupmates who play as guys still maintain their female voice. So do I. Just that I need to project my voice louder, which I did during the rehearsal today. But u know what, my throat is a bit aching now, haha. I guess I must take care of my voice coz there're 6 more rehearsal sessions before the D-day (a.k.a the exam) on 21st April.

Speaking of exams, they'll be coming soon. 21 my first practical exam. Then the rest are on 26, 27, 30 april, 3 and 5 may. Dun ask me whether I already start preparing or not. I haven't touched my textbooks coz thse days I've been drowned in projects. Still got 2 more projects to go. 3266 next Monday (11 April and I haven't finished!) and 4264 next Tuesday. I wonder whether I have enough time to finish the projects (and I'm still blogging here haha) coz tmr I'm gonna have project meeting, Friday and Saturday gonna have TS rehearsals again. So only left with Sunday.

Anyway, good luck for u (there are a lot of u, I guess) who're rushing for the last few projects before the reading week comes!

Past few hectic days (and many more coming..)

2005-03-17T20:14:00.000+08:00

Hm... let's see. What I have done these few days. Very hectic days.
Saturday: From morning 9am till 5pm I helped Open House. Quite tiring coz most of the time only standing in the booth, but got break in between. Moreover, the shirt that I got as a helper is nice, it's NUS centennial t-shirt. After that I spent the whole day doing 4264 project in my groupmate's hostel, we stayed there from 9.30pm till 4.30am!
Sunday: Continue 4264 a bit and edit here and there. Doing a bit of MKT1003 Marketing project. Then last minute rushing for CS3265 tutorial which is due the next Monday. Actually it's a group assignment but none of us have done it, everybody is busy with his/her own projects. So me n Eunice rushed the assignment till 6am in the morning! Yes, two consecutive days of sleepless nights.
Monday: Luckily only got 1 module, so I slept a lot to recover my body which started to feel unwell. Recovered on the next day.
Tuesday: As usual, my busiest day of the week. Class from 9-5pm then BS activity from 6-8.
Wed: TS workshop. The instructor told us that we're gonna have practical exam on 20April in The Black Box Theatre in Fort Canning (never been there before). Oh my.. it's on my reading week. I think my reading week n the week before will be full of rehearsal. Must form a group of 6 for the performance but I have no idea with whom I wanna group with. The drama choices for the exam are not easy, I guess. There are 4 choices, including Shakespeare "Much Ado About Nothing". I think it'll be hard. Quite scary.
Today: Plan to do 66 but dunno where to start. It's due in 3weeks+ but I haven't started. I hate programming, but I can't avoid it coz it's requirement. I think must start doing it anyway..

Life is a puzzle whose pieces u can never complete

2005-03-03T23:50:00.000+08:00

These 2 weeks, a lot of things have happened that make me think what life is all about.
Last week my uncle wanted to have eye operation but he was not allowed becoz the doctor suspected that he has lung cancer. Lately, the laboratory or the doctor said that it was a mistake and it might be tuberculosis. It's still better afterall, compared to cancer. Cancer is like a "death-devil" which can take a life away in sudden. At the same day, one of my friends in Jakarta was hospitalised becoz he got dengue and he lost much of his thrombocyte. I think normal people should have 150,000 thrombochyte level while he's left with 20,000. Most of my friends in Jakarta went to see him in hospital. I could only send my regard and pray for his wellness. Luckily he got better and could already go back to his home a few days ago. Last week, my stepmom's aunt was also diagnosed with liver cancer. Lately her doctor told her that it was a mistake, and it was just a tumor. What? Okay, I feel relieved to hear that. But I mean, are the doctors today becoming more careless and heartless? What if there's malpractice or the doctor diagnoses wrongly, gives wrong treatment and costs a life?

Today, I just received an email from my CCA (NVAC) that one of the kid has died because of leukemia. If u dun know what NVAC is, it's a weekly volunteer activity (every Sat) to train disabled kids. I've been an inactive member this semester (n last semester maybe). I haven't gone to my CCA becoz I've been very busy during weekends doing my projects (no thanks to NUS, especially SoC) or sometimes even if there's no project due to next week, I admit that I'm quite lazy to go to the kids' school at Yio Chiu Kang. Besides it's far, sometimes I feel very tired during weekend becoz of the whole week full of assignments and just wanna rest in my room. But somehow, although I haven't gone to my CCA, I feel saddened when I received the email this morning about the one of the kids who has passed away. She's still young, the road is still long ahead and her mother has struggled for her best. Yet the fate told different story. If u have time, u can read the email below:

Hi all,
It is with a heavy heart to know that Meiling has just left all of us at 1am todayat KK hospital. For those volunteers who have been closely involved in caring forher for the past few months (huixian, liping, xinyi, cuili, clara, roland, calvinand many others) after her diagnosis of leukemia, i sincerely thank you for yourkindness. Just like to pay tribute to our trainee Meiling, the trainee that inspiredme most for my past 7 years in YCK, strengthening my belief that our trainees may beintellectually disabled but they may not be handicapped.

Still remember my first YCK session more than 7 years ago at the old venue YCKcommunity centre. Meiling was about 10 years old that time. Due to the fact that shewas very close to my trainee, Jing Ren (left YCK 4 years ago), i had the fortune ofhaving quite frequent contact with her. Two things i noticed about Meiling was thatshe was a fast learner in dancing and very obedient and quiet. She seldom threwtantrums though she could be quite stubborn at times especially when auntie wasaround. She was also a good swimmer and even participated in competitions in school,thanks to her ever loving mother. Auntie was really a role model parent, who dideverything she could to maximise Meiling's potential. She devised ways to teachMeiling at home to improve her fine motor skills, enrol her in dancing and swimming lessons. Like to quote from her: " Meiling may beintellectually disabled, but i want her to enjoy what a normal kid is doing." With agreat mother, Meiling grew through the years and slowly become a very obedient,caring and lovable kind lady. Besides being academically challenged, there was nodifference between her and any other 17 year old lady.

Meiling left YCK for quite a long while few years ago due to her swimming anddancing lessons, which were also held on Saturday afternoons, but was a regular andvaluable trainee at annual MINDS camp. She will normally hold the female lead roleas she can act and dance well. Still can remember her being snow white and otherfamiliar characters.

She came back to us again after a few years, looking very lady-like, slim and stillas quiet and obedient. Recall talking to auntie, asking her how she was for the pastfew years. Anyone will be touched by the things auntie had done and Meiling hadachieved for the past few years as she grew like a normal kid and behave like one.Really inspired me a lot and hence for those that know me, this is one of my reasonsfor having a dream of a public charity concert for these trainees. The female leadin this dream in the past, present and future will always be meiling and no oneelse.

Sometimes, i feel heaven is really not fair. Who will expect Meiling and auntie, whohad conquered so many hurdles in the past years, to cruelly face a hurdle that nohuman can avoid and conquer in such a fast and sudden manner. Meiling was first hitwith diabetes mellitus just early last year that require her to be put on insulininjection plus a few admissions to KK hospital for poor control and infection. Myfriend, who was a doctor in KK, commented that Meiling is one of the most wellbehaved young lady that he had treated. The nurses also praised and said that ifevery patient is like Meiling, their work will be so easy. A few months later, shedeveloped some rash over her body. In my mind at that time, i really hope it is justdengue fever, but somehow i have this bad feeling in my heart that it might be leukemia as Downs syndrome individuals areunfortunately more prone to this disease. My worst prediction came true and thebattle between leukemia and Meiling with the ever loving support from her motherbegan. More and more complications began to develop, with 2 times changing of herlong intravenous lines due to infection, unknown infection and her last battlestarted one week ago. She started to have diarrhoea and abdominal pain and then losther appetite and so auntie decided to send her to hospital. Unfortunately shedeteroriated and was sent to intensive care a few days ago. Sadly, the battle provedtoo much for her.

Though Meiling has left us, she will live in our hearts forever and i hope that herspirit of ever wanting to improve herself will inspire us to do more to maximise ourtrainee's potential. We should also use auntie as a role model in her selfless andever loving attitude towards her loved ones. May she rest in peace and those she love be well and happy always.

I don't know what to say after I read the email. A piece of my heart screams why life is unfair and sometimes even cruel. But I also think, who can judge whether life is fair or unfair, anyway?

If u're given a choice to see ur loved ones (whether it's ur family or anyone who u love and truly care) struggles and suffers during their life, would u rather see them suffering while they're alive or let them rest in peace although it means u wouldn't be able to see them anymore?

Whenever I hear about some people struggling between life and death, it really reminds me to appreciate life, health and everyone around me. It also struck to me, that somehow my problems become so "tiny" compared to them. I mean, sometimes (or even very often) I complain about my projects, the stress of school life, etc. But when I see those people, I think I'm still much blessed for what I have right now. I thank God that I'm still alive. I still can breath, can see, can speak, can smell, can hold, can walk, can hear, can think, can feel... I have family, bf, and my friends who care about me. I have food everyday. I have shelter that I can stay and sleep in every night. I'm blessed with many other little things that I never really appreciate but yet are so important to make me what I am and who I am right now.

So is life fair or unfair? I think I can never know. Life is like a puzzle that u can't complete coz there're always some pieces of it that are missing. They make u wonder and ask why this happens or that happens. But those what make life life, right?

A small note on Valentine's Day

2005-02-14T22:10:00.000+08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to those who celebrates!
Actually I dun celebrate Valentine much. Usually I just send sms to my friends or give chocolates to them. But this year I didn't buy any chocolates coz no time to buy hehe.

A sweet surprise for me today, my bf gave me a bouquet of roses today through his friend. So touched. Today is only the first day he left Sg again for his exchange but start to miss him. Anyway I hope he enjoy his exchange there. It feels really nice to escape NUS even just for one semester.

This semester my life in SoC won't be much different with last sem. Or maybe even worse. But what can u expect from a faculty or university which has a high standard, right?

Okay. Enough for blogging today. I've still got stack of things to do. Wonder how long my eyes can survive tonight. *yawn*

Portraying the realities

2005-01-20T01:35:00.000+08:00

Today I attended my first workshop (a.ka. practical session) for TS1101E, Intro to theatre n drama. At first I was a bit scared coz I know no one in this module, I registered this module for curiosity sake n for having some fun. It turned out that the workshop was really really interesting.

26 of us, most of them are arts students (of course, they're theatre-major students). Only 2 students are from engine, n I'm the only one from SoC. Maybe they wonder if I took the wrong module =P The instructor for the workshop is Mr Chong Tze Chien. I think he's good at this field. He acts, he directs drama, he writes scripts, book, n TV scenario. I also borrowed his book called "Pie to Spoilt" (again for curiosity purpose) n read a bit, I think he plays with imagination very well n brings the reader to some suspense.

Ok, back to the workshop. All of us did some "warm-ups" today. The instructor asked us to do some exercises. The first exercise is mirror movement, where each pair of us facing one another, one is the leader n another is the follower. The follower must mirror the leader's gesture, but must look straight into the eyes. The leader can use any part of the body to make movement n the follower must focus until he reaches the stage of full concentration n he can "feel" the leader's movement n follow them unconsciously. When both of them reach that stage, the audience won't be able to distinguish easily which one is the leader or the follower. Okay, actually I wasn't able to fully concentrate for this exercise, not mentioning to reach that stage of "feel".

The next exercise which is more challenging is the expression of emotion. Mr Chong sat in one side of the studio (btw it's held in Kent Ridge Guild House dance studio, it's quite small but surrounded by mirror in all four sides) n he narrated a story of which we must express by every movement. The story is quite long, takes about half an hour. There's no script (he also told the story impromptu), so all of us just acted spontaneously. Initially the story is quite simple to act, it portrays the daily life of student, waking up in the morning, taking shower, chasing bus, etc. But when it comes to chasing bus, all the troubles come in. You didn't catch up the bus, the cab driver that u took is very noisy n didn't bother to take a shortcut even when u asked him to. Even there's traffic jam in express highway. U're very late for the class so u didn't bother to attend. U decided to go back home, took a bus, so crowded with people, very smelly n sweaty. Then during your way back home, someone called u. The caller told u that someone that u love has just got an accident. U're running to the hospital, only to find out that a large crowd of people that u know have gathered in front of the room. The person that u love has died. The world has fallen apart ever since. U didn't accept the reality, u prayed u prayed and u prayed. U asked God to give u one more chance. One last chance to meet that person alive. Even if it takes everything that u have, even if u have to do anything to "pay back" to Him. U shed ur tears in all your sadness n panic. But reality is still reality. U could never meet that person anymore. U attended the funeral, u lived as ur life as u used to do but all u feel inside is just an emptiness. Lonely. Until one day when u brushed ur teeth u saw as if that person looked at u from the mirror. When u're crying, that person is also crying. At that point of time, u just knew that u have to be strong coz u dun want the person to cry too. So u lifted up ur head, brushed away ur tears, n accept the life as what it is.

That's the excerpt of Mr Chong's narration for our spontaneous play. When we gathered n sat in a circle, everyone commented of what they think. Most of them said they couldn't really act the scenes coz they've never experienced it. Only two or three students said that they really got into the main character coz they've experienced it before. I knew I saw them really cried during those scenes. Honestly, for me, when those scenes are played, all kinds of emotion mixed up inside of me. I did experience it before so I knew how the main character feels. When one of the students shared her experienced of losing her relative, she said during that scenes she wanted to cry but she held it back. Mr Chong said that usually the beginner actors/actresses or even the professional ones will feel that way. When it comes to scenes which are very close to what they experienced, they may face do either one of the undesirable situations. First, they will be try to make a gap between themselves n the characters coz they dun want to reveal the real story of their lives to the audiences. Second, if they are really involved n become that characters, they'll be too drowned n depressed coz they can't hold back. Hm.. an interesting point to make.

As I said before, I start to enjoy this module. Well, of course enjoy much better... compared to my other 2 web programming modules (??!!). The lecturer is fun n the workshop instructor is very good as well. I like writing. I like reading fiction. Maybe theatre could be my next interest hehe. Who knows.

A new year, should people change too?

2005-01-12T23:14:00.000+08:00

I'm back here in sg again. First week of school but I've got no mood to study. Still missing my holiday. Can't believe it's over so fast. This semester won't be better than last sem, I'll be much busier coz I have 3 modules with projects, some are individual projects. I'll just talk abt my holiday. It's gonna be long, beware!

I spent most of my holiday at home slacking. I just moved to a new house. It's more comfortable than my old house. I have my own bedroom. But it's more quiet coz I used to stay in a noisy house with my cousins and relatives hehe. Now I can't disturb my cousins anymore. I have new sister, though. So now it's four of us including me. My little sister is only 48-days old today. She looks much alike my little brother when he was at that age. Now my little brother is already 1 year plus, he's quite naughty. He always walks here and there coz he can already walk. He is bored very fast, his toys barely lasts more than 10 minutes which after that he just throws away to the floor. But he's cute. When we ask him to laugh, clap hands, kiss bye, he will show us when he's in the mood. He learns walking very fast, but he hasn't spoken a lot. The word he often said are only "papa" or shouting to get attention. He looks very shy in front of people he doesn't know, but when he starts to know u, he won't be hesitate to ask your food or anything that u hold in your hand hehe. Kids are like that, especially boys, aren't they? I dun know how my little sister will look like as she grows older.

Sometimes I took a stroll with my friends to shopping centers or watch movie in cinema. I didn't shop much last time, neither did my friends. Either we dun like the style or we think it's too expensive. It's strange that as u grow older, u become more savvy in one or other way. One of my friends said that she doesn't dare to ask money from her parents too often. Unlike when we were still in secondary or high school. Many of my friends are also taking part-time jobs. They are working after school coz they want to start saving money for future. I admire them coz they can manage their time so wisely, they work without disturbing their school. Their CAP and grades are still the top in their universities, even one of them got scholarship. Oh my dear friends, I wonder how you do that.

I don't meet my friends in jakarta often. I only meet them when I came back during holidays, so it's like once in half-a-year. Usually I and my close friends have "compulsory" gathering in the end of the year. Last time we went to Bandung, the other city outside Jakarta. 12 of us spent three days there, from 31st dec to 2nd jan. Yup, we spent our new year eve there. It's the first time I spent new yr eve with my friends. We played a lot (playing cards), chatted a lot until morning (3 or 4 am), or just singing coz one of my friends brought his guitar. We were just having fun n tried to forget all school projects or other things. Although I know, most of my friends had projects deadline in a few days after we came back from Bandung. Sometimes when we chatted and talked, I realize that people change indeed.

The good thing from what I see in my friends is that they have grown more mature. They have given more careful thought about their future. Like I said before, some of them have started doing part-time jobs. Another friend of mine has pursued his study more seriously coz he wanted to graduate soon, thus he can find a job, get his own salary and gives a good image in front of his gf's parents. Some of my friends have started to budget their expenses, saving for their future. Maybe time has changed people. Well, I dun intend to insult anyone who reads this blog, but when I and my friends everytime talks about that sensitive number called 'age', we just realize that it's time for us to really start to think about what we want to achieve in our life, either it's to deal with friendship, relationship, career, etc. Maybe u think it sounds too old, but time flies so fast, isn't it? One year passes like a month. A month passes like a day.

Of course, sometimes I miss my high school time with my high school friends. As time goes by, fewer and fewer of them are still in contact. I feel lucky coz I still have some close friends who hang out together when we have spare time, like those when we went to Bandung. But most of my other friends in high school have gone somewhere, lost contact, or still in contact but feel awkward coz we were not as closed as we were used to. I understand that many of them are very busy, we barely have time to contact each other, not mentioning meet each other. I remember one of my friends told me, that he loses his trust to his best friends coz one of them has betrayed him. His other friends also become "far" to him, they refuse to go out together coz they said they're busy, refuses to help him when he needs them, etc. Well, I guess it's just simply human being right? People change. He's disappointed when he found out that his friends do not treasure friendship as much as he does. But I think sometimes not only our friends who made a friendship becomes "awkward", maybe it's also us who made the gap even further. Let's ask ourselves, have we ever disappointed our friends? have we ever ignored them when they called us, sms us, msn us, etc? have we often rejected them when they want to meet us coz we're busy, busy and busy?

I start to ponder, as we live a modern life, have people become more selfish and individualistic? As the technology becomes more sophisticated, has life lose its "human-touch"? How many christmas or new year cards did u receive this year? None?

Have human become more "unhuman" as time goes by?

When I watched the news on TV about the terrible tsunami that destroyed many countries in Asia, my tears actually dropped. Is it reminder from God to regret our sin and lead a better life? Aceh, the worst place hit by tsunami, will the never-ending conflicts there cease after the disaster?

It's so scary to know that human life is so fragile, we'll never know whether tmr or the next second we'll still be alive or still be able to meet our loved ones.

In every new year, some people set their resolutions. I guess my resolution this year will be simple, yet not easy to do: Lead a better life.

Another movie today (Warning: This part of blog is censored for my friends)

2004-12-01T01:09:00.000+08:00

Today I watched another movie with my friends, Lydia, Ifon n Nico. We watched The Incredibles. Actually I feel guilty of leaving Sherlin n Maria. Really sorry, my friends =( I also dunno why we suddenly had an idea of movie marathon in 2 days.
The Incredibles is quite okay, I think. It's funny and quite imaginative. There're some scenes whose graphic are nice. But I still prefer Polar Express hehe.
Next time when I go back to Jakarta, I think there're still some DVD movies which I wanna buy (psst.. it's not expensive to buy DVD in Jkt): Bridget Jones 2, Birth, Christmas with the Kranks, and some serial VCDs. Mars is one of them, maybe. Coz many ppl said it's quite nice. My hols will be loaded with movies I guess. But anyway who I'm eager to see when I'm going back are my family (esp my new-born sister n my cute baby brother), my new house, n my friends (so long haven't had reunion with them).

Btw today when I was in Orchard, I met this guy who said that he's from modelling or talent agency, something like that. He asked my name n phone number, but I didn't give him. I didn't really trust him, although he showed his name card. Luckily my friend pulled my hand n just avoided him. He looked so young, maybe JC students. How can I trust a stranger who doesn't look like from agency at all? In Indonesia there're quite a number of liars like that (saying that they're from agency etc), so u just can't trust a stranger easily.

Another Tom Hanks' movie

2004-11-30T02:37:00.001+08:00

Today I watched another Tom Hanks' movie. Polar Express. It's a Christmas-theme animation movie adapted from a novel. This is my rating:
- Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
- OST: 5 stars -> the music arranged by Alan Silvestri, the same person who arranged music for Forest Gump, very niceee orchestra
- Graphic animation: 3 stars
- Actors n actresses: 4 stars (Tom Hanks played some major roles in the movie, other supporting artists I've never heard of their names actually)

This movie is quite nice, I think. It conveys some meaningful messages, such as faith, friendship, and the innocence of children with all their hope and imaginations.
If u ask me better to watch or not, I think I'd recommend u to watch, coz it's Tom Hanks' movie haha. He dubbed several roles for the movie, it's also directed by Robert Zemeckis (the director of Cast Away).

I like the movies played by Tom Hanks coz his movie usually has some deep meaning behind it. Let's see which of his movies I have watched:
1. Terminal -> it's also recently, I like the setting of the movie and how the movie tried to portray a few interesting things in the midst of "boreness" of life .
"Life is waiting"- The Terminal
2. Forest Gump -> my favorite movie ever. It really touches me. Fyi he won Academy Award for the best actor becoz of this movie hehe
3. Cast Away -> the story tells that in every difficulty, there are some way out if we endure n keep trying
"I survive n keep breathing becoz tomorrow the sun will shine again and I'll never know where the wind will take me to" - Cast Away
4. Toy Story 1 & 2 -> he dubbed the main character, the abandoned-toy Woody
5. Sleepless in Seattle -> a sweet n romantic movie
6. You've Got Mail -> another movie which is so sweet...
7. Polar Express -> today!

"Seeing is believing. But sometimes, the most real things in the world are those that cannot be seen" - Polar Express

When rest time becomes so scarce

2004-11-10T01:10:00.000+08:00

I'm fed up with projects. Since the beginning of this semester till this moment I haven't been released from my projects. When all the other students in hostel n school are busy studying for exams (the scene which makes me more stressed) n my first exam is in 10 more days, I'm still stuck with my projects, one more presentation to go, and haven't touched anything for exams at all. Btw my exams schedule are soo "nice" that I finish 5 exams in a week, thanks to some 2 modules at the same day (19 Nov-1 paper, 24 Nov- 2 papers, 27 Nov- 2 papers) . This semester I rarely have a good rest or break (6 time-consuming projects, 3 midterms, 4 quizzes, 4 presentations, short speech exam.... haha as if I could take a break). I think next semester is worse, but dun wanna think abt it rite now.

I've just come back to my room at 11.30pm, just finished another meeting for my project. My body feels exhausted, also had a bit stomachache. To make my mood even worse, there's this guy I barely know adds me in msn. He's from Morocco. He said he saw me n knew my msn from my friend's website. He said he chatted with her before. But my friend said that she doesn't even know this person (maybe that's becoz her website is open to public, everyone can enter). I'm already very tired today. No mood for chatting with a person I dun even know. But then he keeps saying "hellooo r u there?" everytime I take a long time to reply (I'm still doing my project, okay). Oh please... I'm quite annoyed when a person I dun even know insists me to reply his message. I already set my msn status to Busy. Then he said "Ok if u dun like, I'll stop chatting with u." I told him I'm rushing for my project. After that I closed the msn window. Tell me I'm rude, unfriendly, or whatever but I'm not in the mood for chatting with persons that I dun even know. There're a lot of urgent things to do. Rushing for my projects due on Friday n I still haven't prepared for my exams which will come soon (10 days, oh no).

I guess that's my complain for today -_-

How some ppl can have more time than others

2004-10-30T22:19:00.000+08:00

I've been doing nothin in the last one hour. Listening to local radio from Jakarta, but how come there's no DJ?? All DJs are also enjoying weekends? While I'm still here in my room, a lot of projects are waiting for me to do but I just dun have moods to do and tempted to procrastinate. (Oh finally... there comes the DJ's voice in the radio).

A few days ago I met a girl in the friendster. I got the link to her from one of the Indonesian young writers which I already added in fs. Then I said hello to this girl. She's a young writer as well. But u know what, she already started writing a novel. And her first novel is going to be published this December. The second one is next July. She's also a co-writer of a famous scriptwriter for television. And she's one yr younger than me! See what a difference one year gap can make. I'm just an amateur short story writer, sometimes during vacation I write one short story to local magazines in Jakarta. If it's published, I'm very happy. Until now, how many have I published? I guess only two stories. The first one is when I was 13 or 14 yrs old. Then the second one is a few months ago. The other one is a poetry published in the anthology of poetry.com. The in-between 5 years, mostly I just feel no time to write. And no good idea that motivates me to write.

How come some people like that girl have enough time to write a hundred-pages novel? She finished it in 5 months. Wow, that's a great job, isn't it. I always wish I could publish a novel someday or write a script for a movie (hehehe it's my BIG dream). But I just wonder whether I can achieve it. Even now is worse. My schedule in university is very packed (with projectsss, of course). But some ppl said that when u're still young (dunno which age till which age is considered young), do as much things as possible n do what u wanna do, coz u may not be able to do it later. When u realize, it's already too late or time flies.

Tropical beach mode

2004-10-23T18:06:00.000+08:00

I'm listening to OST 50 First Dates rite now
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/50firstdates
The songs take me somewhere out there.

Imagination: I'm in a tropical beach. Surrounded by white sand, palm trees, clear blue sea, and bright sunny day. Some Latin American ppl wearing 3/4 khakis play traditional Mexican instruments and sing swing blues. Some ppl sipping cool soda cocktail from the nearest bar. Some ppl lying on the sand enjoy the sun-bath. Some children swimming, laughing happily n splashing water to each other.

Reality: I'm in my room. Looking at the hundreds lines of Java codes. Wondering how to send encrypted data over the network. "Google"-ing around but can't seem to find anything helpful. Hoping that these 3 weeks will pass as soon as possible...

Yesterday Once More

2004-10-17T22:44:00.000+08:00

Today I went to my friend's bday. Happy belated b'day Lydia! We had lunch in Orchard then we went to watch movie. It's been a long time I haven't watched movies in cinema, more than 1 month I guess. A long time I haven't been to Orchard as well. Maybe only twice this semester. Haha see.. how "isolated" I become this sem.

My friends and I watched Yesterday Once More, starring Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng. It's a very nice movie. Okay actually I like when both of them play together in a movie. They're so compatible in the movies. Last time I watched them playing in Needing You, Love on A Diet, and a few others whose title I forgot.

Yesterday Once More is about the couple husband and wife who are both ex-thieves since their high school. Well, they are still "kleptomaniac" even after they're married. But one day Andy Lau asked for divorce. His reason is because their sharing of the jewellery that they stole is unfair, Sammi asked for larger portion (she's actually quite selfish at that movie haha). Then they divorced although they still loved each other. So it's a stupid reason, rite? But actually... the actual reason is not like that. For those of u who plan to watch the movie, better stop reading my blog here coz I'm gonna reveal the story hehe.

The actual reason is that Andy Lau had terminal disease at that time. Two years later when they both meet each other, they still have their old flame. But Andy never told Sammi abt his disease. Shortcut to the ending (actually there're a lot of scenes before this but I'm just lazy to type hehe): even when he died, Sammi didn't know abt that. Actually I'm not quite satisfied with the ending. It's a bit "hanging". The plot of the movie is quite confusing but overall nice storyline. I didn't expect that the movie is kind of sad-ending coz usually both of them play happy-ending movies. I can't keep my tears from rolling down. I dun really like a movie when the actor/actress died becoz of the disease or they part away because one people died. That kind of movie always makes my tears drop. It reminds me of someone I love very much. My mom. I miss her.

But anyway... u can't ask "yesterday" to come "once more". Better treasure everything that u have now n just do the best what u can do today. Coz when today becomes yesterday, what's left is just a memory and u can't turn back time.

Career quiz

2004-10-13T20:21:00.000+08:00

I've just taken a quiz in http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/careers/

Social
Your results suggest that Social type work might suit your interests and preferences.
Social types like roles that focus on helping, teaching or supporting others and very much prefer working with people to working with things or ideas. They tend to prefer working in teams and like to feel they are doing something useful. Typical roles for social types include teacher, counsellor, nurse, minister of religion, clinical psychologist or police officer.

Artistic
Your results suggest that Artistic type work might suit your interests and preferences.
Artistic types are interested in creativity and art, preferring freedom and independence to following rules and procedures. Self-expression is very important to Artistic types and they may prefer to work alone. Typical roles for Artistic types include artist, singer, designer, photographer, musician, writer and actor.

Conventional
Your results suggest that Conventional type work might suit your interests and preferences.
Conventional types are happy to work within systems and large organisations and tend to focus on accuracy and efficiency, preferring to know what is expected of them. They tend to like things to be organised and predictable and are often involved in roles that involve recording, sorting, documenting and organising. Typical roles for Conventional types include the range of administrative and clerical roles (e.g. in the government and financial sectors) as well as accountancy, banking, bookkeeping, secretarial work and some inspecting roles.

Realistic
Your results suggest that Realistic type work is less likely to suit your interests.
Realistic types generally prefer action to words, they like physical activity and may prefer working with things to working with people. They tend to favour jobs where they can work with their hands or produce things, and often like outdoor work. Typical roles that suit Realistic types are gardener, mechanic, driver, electrician, farmer, sportsperson, skilled trades, labourers and some engineering and military roles.

Enterprising
Your results suggest that Enterprising type work is less likely to suit your interests.
Enterprising types like persuading and influencing people as well as controlling, managing and selling to them. They like to take a lead and are often quite motivated and ambitious but may be impatient and can find rules and detail frustrating. They tend to favour roles such as salesperson, manager, estate agent, supervisor, lawyer, advertising or marketing executive and often like positions that have status and prestige.

Hm... looks like IT is not my field, right?

In between states

2004-10-11T15:08:00.000+08:00

Gee... I dunno what's wrong with me today. This morning I woke up, almost fell down from my bed coz my head was dizzily spinning around. I thought I only dreamt then I slept again for a while. But when I woke up again, it's still like that so I forced myself to get up. Until now I guess I'm between "conscious vs. not really conscious" states interchangeably. Sometimes I feel I'm okay, sometimes I feel very dizzy till the earth is like moving (something like earthquake, dun laugh okay). Lack of energy to do anything today. No mood to eat, ate a few spoons this afternoon. No mood to do my projects n assignments (still tons of them). Maybe I'm too stressed, tired n lack of sleep these days till my brain already complains. How I'm really longing for vacation...

Another boring Saturday

2004-10-09T20:48:00.000+08:00

I wish I could go back to high school time, when Saturday is the most enjoyable day of the week. No need to think about projects, assignments, etc. Can just watch TV/VCD, practice a new song in piano, gather with my family, chit-chat with my cousin or call my friends. Slacking in my air-con bedroom, covering myself in warm banket, tuning in my favorite songs, and reading my favorite novel. Or maybe just go to the mall window-shopping or watching movies in cinema with my friends. What a lovely Saturday.

Now Saturday is no different with other weekdays. Still staring in front of computer like what I'm doing now, thinking of my unfinished projects. Waking up, eating, breathing, sleeping, studying are all done in one place. Campus.

NUS revolves around my life. And this is my life now. There're no more weekends when I can just slack and release all the stress thought. Weekends = weekdays.

Sigh... what am I doing now? Complaining will never change anything. I think I must start doing my project.

Checklist of my "life" this semester

2004-10-07T02:55:00.000+08:00

I've been busy since last week with tons of projects, assignments and midterms. At least all my midterms have finished, now focusing on projects. I think I need to make a checklist. I'm confused becoz there're just sooo many projects.

1. CS4260 - case study, pair of two (finished)
2. CS4260 - Creative Technology 25 pages (draft finished, interview to go, and final proj due 20 Oct, final presentation on 27 oct or 3nov)
3. CS4260 - Streamline Inc. presentation (on 13 Oct)
4. Midterm + Quiz 1 Finance (finished)
5. Midterm Chinese 3 (finished)
6. Midterm CS3235 (finished)
7. Quiz 2 Finance (hm... I forgot, should be in week something)
8. CS3235 Comp Security project (assgnmt 1 paper finished, assgnmt 2 programming due on Nov)
9. JS2225 Marketing in Japan project 6000 words (haven't started, oh no!!! due beg. of Nov)
10. Chinese 3 short speech exam (either 27 oct or 3 nov)

This semester is the busiest sem I've ever had so far. Even my weekends, Saturday and Sunday are spent for ECA, project meetings or project research. But this Saturday is supposed to be the last session of NVAC, so next week Saturday hopefully will be free. I think everybody in SoC is also very busy. All of them sleep very late to do their projects. I dunno abt other fac, but sometimes I just feel that SoC students really has no life...

Happy Mid Autumn Festival!

2004-09-28T18:44:00.000+08:00

Today I went for the outing to a Chinese Tea House organized by my Chinese 3 module. So no Chinese lecture today, and the midterm test which was supposed to be held today, is delayed till next week. Haha happy. Anyway, the trip was quite nice. All of us went to "Tea Chapter" in Chinatown. It's the tea house with traditional Chinese atmosphere. All of us sat on the floor with a cushion (looks like Japanese-type of tatami) then the staff there introduced us to the tea art. Never knew that the Chinese tea tradition could be that meticulous. It needs around 20 minutes to prepare everything (the brewing, etc) before we can take a few sips of Oolong tea. (Yeah a few sips, becoz the Chinese tea cup is very tiny). We're also given a tasty mooncake as refreshment. And btw the lecturer told us that the tea leaf costs 120 bucks! Each of us only paid 4 bucks, though, coz it's mostly subsidized by the Language Center. If u wanna know how the tea tastes, I dun think I can describe. For me, it tastes similar to me with other tea. Hm... maybe I'm not a good tea "taster". But overall, the tea tradition is quite artistic.

Ok so lastly, for those of u who celebrate mooncake festival, 中秋节快乐！Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Btw today is also my 1-month anniv with my bf =)

They Call Me Hey --pt.1

2004-09-27T14:37:00.000+08:00

Have just got an idea to write something. I only have a rough idea, still don't know how the story will develop. I just follow how it goes.

My name is Hey. Well, actually it's not my real name. But people just call me that way. And just to tell you, 'Hey' is just one of other various names that I have. When they are angry to me, they will call me 'Stupid' , 'Damn' or even 'Sh**t'. When they need my help, they will call me 'Please'. When they are happy, they will simply call me, as you know... 'Hey'. As you can see, my name is very flexible and dynamic, it changes according to the condition and situation. My real name? I don't think you need to know. Or maybe I just tell you later as you get to know me better.

Graduation - Vitamin C

2004-09-25T19:05:00.000+08:00

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change,
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be comming back
No more hanging out cuz were on a different track
and if you, got something that ya need to say,
you better say it right now cuz you dont have another day
Cuz we're moving on and we cant slow down
these memories are playing like a film without sound
and I keep thinking of that night in June,
I didnt know much of love but it came too soon
And there was me and you and we got real blue,
stay at home talking on the telephone, with me,
we'dget so excited and we'd get so scared,
laughing at ourselfs thinking lifes not fair...
And this is how it feels...

CHORUS
As we go on,We remember,
All the times we, Had together,
And as our lives change,From whatever,
We will still beFriends Forever...

So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money,
when we look back now will that joke still be funny?
will we still remember everything we learned in schoool,
still be trying to break every single rule?
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that its not goodbye,
Keep on thinkin its a time to fly,And this is how it feels...
CHORUS
la, la, la, la... yeah, yeah ... la, la, la, la
We will still be,Friends Forever
------BRIDGE------
Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow? (somehow)
I guess I thought that this would never end,
AND SUDDENLY IT'S LIKE WE'RE WOMEN AND MEN
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us round?
Or will these memories fade when I leave this town?
I keep, I keep thinking that its not goodbye
Keep on thinking its a time to fly...

Have just listened to Vitamin C's graduation. This song never fails to touch me and remind me of my old friends. Miss my friends, wondering how they are doing now...

A hopeful beginning

2004-09-25T01:15:00.000+08:00

Yeah this is the first time I write a blog. If u think I have nothing else to do, u're wrong. I've got tons of tons of things to do, I wish I had a magic wand to make them disappeared at once. But in the midst of my stressful day, I was inspired by one of my friends. She has just made a blog. Then it struck me, why not make a blog to get a little escape from these hectic activities n a little room for me to throw anything I want. I think I should thank her to let me "steal" her idea hehe.

I used to love writing. At least when I was in high school, I was quite diligent to fill my journal (diary) every other day. Sometimes when I have a "good" idea (well at least, I thought it's good hehe), I would write a short story then sent it to magazines. I was sooo happy when it got published n reimbursed with some penny. I just feel that writing is one of the way to express myself as there are some things that I can't express verbally. That's quite some time ago. Now... I dun even have time to breath. Everyday drowned up with lots of things to do (projects, tests, etc) till I feel like isolated from outside world, lack of entertainment, lack of sleeping, lack of time for myself... That's the risk of being in SoC (my "beloved" School of Computing in NUS). Ask other students in SoC and see who dun agree with me -> those who dun, I'll be glad to share my workloads with them =D

So get back to the basic idea. I make this blog as my so-called escapade for peace (like my blog name suggests). Whenever I feel like wanna write something, either it's just a "rubbish" thing to throw away my stress or it's "more well-written" piece of thought, I'll put them here. I dun know how often I'll update my blog. It depends on my mood hehe. Soo till the next blog, c ya!