Building my core

Finding John Lim

2011-10-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

We were told to write a self introduction and the immediate things that came to my mind were about "surface" information- what I do for hobbies, fav food yadayadayada... Most ppl can read where this is leading. So I wrote my second self introduction after an initial prompting to dig deeper within and write sth thats worth another person's interest. Well here it is then....

SELF INTRODUCTION

Writing an introduction about myself is different from writing about myself. The latter requires a certain understanding about oneself and I would not say that I truly understand the person that is me. Might be that I'm under-going another major phase of change and thus making that knowledge of oneself elusive. At this stage in my life, there are many conflicting desires and I have yet to reach the stage of answering the question of 'what do you really want?'. I'm 23 now; and not having a goal or an end point in mind is what I like to term myself as- a “late awakened”. To use a metaphor, I'm akin to a ship in the vast ocean not having a destination in mind- Bring on the rough winds and stern waves, I'll relish in their elements!...maybe...

But not “awaken” doesn't mean I'm not 'aware'. Not having a destination does not mean I'm a captain that idles. Thus far, I'm keeping a proper lookout for signs of my goal, and of course of the dangers around me. My loved ones are my able shipmates. But as with the natural order of things, they will grow old and pass on when I may still be inexperienced and uncertain. Do I envy those whom had found the land that holds the hopes and dreams which they strive to conquer? Yes. Will I find my land? I'm sure looking for it.

Might be that the Navy is my calling; thus far the signs are right but I can yet be certain. It still feels like I'm out in the open ocean. But I'm not complaining, there is a different sort of wisdom to be gained by not being too fixed towards something. If my mind is a sheet of paper with a few tentative strokes drawn, I am an artist still trying out various techniques, materials, colors and brushes. If the ultimate content is a mesh-mash of art without a distinctive form- so be it. It is my masterpiece, no one else's.

Hilarious!!!

2010-10-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

These are 2 short jokes from Reader's Digest, enjoy!

A women is brought to court after stealing from a supermarket.

"Mrs Krupnick," said the judge,"what did you take?"

"Just a small can of peaches," she answered.

"There were only six peaches in the can."

"Six peaches...hmmm... I sentence you to six nights in jail, a night for each peach."

The woman was about to collapse to the floor when her husband leapt to his feet.

"Your Honour," he shouted

"she also stole a can of peas!"

One Saturday morning, I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch and slipped into the garage. I hooked the boat up to the truck and backed out into a torrential downpour, so I pulled back into the garage and turned on the radio, only to discover that the weather was forecast to be bad all day.

i went back into the house, quietly undressed and slipped back into bed. I cuddled up to my wife's back and whispered,"The weather out there is terrible." My loving wife of ten years replied,"Can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?"

THE FINAL INSPECTION

2010-08-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

This was shared with us by our Course Commander and it really inspired me. This poem will bring strength to the men and women in uniform working in our sometimes cold and demanding profession and it reminds us that really, at times, we're just human.

THE FINAL INSPECTION

*The soldier stood and faced God,* *
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear..
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
*
Author Unknown~

The Limits of Reason

2010-08-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

A well documented fact since psychologists began researching in the 1960s, is that humans are really bad at reasoning. It's not just that we follow our emotions so often. No, even when we intend to deploy the full force of our rational faculties, we are often as ineffectual as eunuchs at an orgy.

The most compelling reason we succumb to confirmation bias, why we are blind to counterexamples, and why we fall short of Cartesian logic is that these lapses have a purpose: they help us "devise and evaluate arguments that are intended to persuade other people". Failures of logic are in fact effective ploys to win arguments.

Try this logic puzzle: "No C are B; all B are A; therefore some A are not C." Is it true?

(to evaluate its validity requires constructing counterexamples). But finding counterexamples can, in general, weaken our own confidence in our own arguments.

-Newsweek

Lesson on time management

2010-07-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Being a Midshipman, I subscribe diligently to this mantra about time management

"In Life, If you cannot find

the time to do things right,

when will you find the time to do

things over?

So give your best and try to do it right

first time, every time"

-(John Woodie)

Hey! Just Laugh About It

2010-05-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Just wish to share this post to lighten up the spirits.

***Four surgeons were on a lunch break talking about their work.

the first surgeon said,"I think accountants are the easiest to operate on. You open them up and everything inside is numbered."

***The second surgeon said,"I think librarians are the easiest to operate on. You open them up and everything inside is in alphabetical order."

***The third sugeon said,"I like to operate on electricians. You open them up and everything inside is colour-coded."

***The fourth surgeon said,"I think I still prefer lawyers. They're spineless, gutless and their heart isn't there."

***One day Lion summoned all the other animals in the jungle."Each of you must tell a joke," he said. "but if anyone fails to laugh. i'll kill the person who told it. Monkey, you go first." Monkey began,"Two men go into a bar..." when he delivered the punchline, everyone roared with laughter, except Tortoise. So Lion pounced on Monkey and killed him.

***Next up was Elephant. He told his joke and, again, everyone laughed except Tortoise. So Lion pounced on Elephant and killed him. The animal were furious with Tortoise, but no-one dared to move.

***Tiger began his joke, but when he was about one sentence in, Tortoise suddenly rolled over and began kicking his feet in the air, giggling his head off.

***"What's wrong with you?" roared an irate Lion."Tiger isn't even finished with his gag yet!"

"I'm sorry," said Tortoise, gasping between laughs,"but Monkey's joke was simply too funny!"

THE RANDOM TOP 10!

2010-05-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

BAM!!! This blog is being brought back to life, starting with a doze of 'The Random TOP 10'

TOP 10 UnUsUal Things Done

During an Interview

10) A job applicant challenged the interviewer to arm wrestle.

9) Interviewee wore a Walkman, explaining that she could listen to the interviewer and the music at the same time.

8) Candidate replies questions through lip sync-ing with his muppet.

7) Applicant refused to sit down and insisted on being interviewed standing up.

6) Candidate dozed off during interview.

5) Candidate explained that her long-term goal was to replace the interviewer.

4) Applicant interrupted interview to phone his therapist for advice on how to answer specific interview questions.

Third Place:Second Place:

First Place:

My Heritage. Hainan Roots.

2009-10-17T02:34:00.000-07:00

I'm really glad I went along with my mum's side of my relatives back to their Hainanese homeland. It wasn't so much of the physical experience of been there- Hainan Island is not a destination I'll recommend travelling to because there is really little to see and do. What really made the trip worthwhile was the history of my Hainanese roots that I learned during the trip. I shall recount it briefly because the details I understood were patchy at best(I couldn't speak Hainanese so I couldn't comprehend most of the conversation)
Well the fact is, if it wasn't for some divine intervention, I would most probably had been born in a farm in Hainan Island and be a PRC instead of a Singaporean. In the early 1960s when Singapore just declared independence, my grandpa wan't too confident about the prospect of raising the family in Singapore and actually arranged for the whole family; My grandma, my mum and her five siblings (my mum's 3rd among her siblings); to travel back to Hainan Island. Back then no Asians needed or had any passport so traveling was by boat or train or even bus(the family had our own ubin ferry-like boat) and according to my grandma, it wld have taken 3 bloody mths to travel from Singapore to the Hainan Island.
So it was planned that the whole family would be traveling back to the Hainan Island and my grandpa wld stay behind working in Singapore and remit his earnings back to feed the family from time to time. According to my mum, my grandpa was an alcoholic and if things went his way, the family would probably had been left to starve if they were to depend on the money that will never come (even if the money was really sent, the remittance services back in those days will ensure that the money goes into someone else's pocket. So be glad we have Singpost today). Anyway, as fate has it, one night before the planned journey, the WHOLE family was down with fever and my grandma was the most ill. If the trip was to go ahead she probably wldn't have survived it onboard the boat's squalid condition.
So ultimately the whole migration was cancelled because my family was a supertitious lot and they believed that it was a divine warning against the travel. Life now wld had been so much different if they made that trip then. Thank Buddha.

Food for thought

2009-09-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

"...a basic underpinning of the conservative philosophy: human beings become civilised not through the absence of sin but the conscious struggle with sin. Sin is bad; but the true offense is sin in the absence of guilt-an indifference to the notion that there are moral boundaries even worth recognizing"

- Perlstein: Newsweek 'Beyond The Palin'

"Anyone can be angry-that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way- this is not easy"

-ARISTOTLE

KNOW THYSELF

````A belligerent samurai, an old japanese tale goes, once challenged a Zen master to explain the concept of heaven and hell. But the monk replied with scorn, "You're nothing but a lout- I can't waste my time with the likes of you!"

````His very honor attacked, the samurai flew into a rage and, pulling his sword from its scabbard, yelled, "I could kill you for you impertinence."

````"That," the monk calmly replied, "is hell."

````Startled at seeing the truth in what the master pointed out about the fury that had him in its grip, the samurai calmed down, shealthed his sword, and bowed, thanking the monk for the insight.

````"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."

-An excerpt taken from 'EI: Working with Emotional Intelligence'

Closing of a chapter

2009-08-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

In just one day- graduation day- poly life became something of the past when my diploma cert was thrusted into my hands by someone whom I still hadn't got the faintest idea who he was.

A passing of a chapter to another which I anticipate; yet with a sense of foreboding... sounds like an oxymoron but its true. I'm looking forward to army life, yet all at the same time feel an awful sense of dread towards it!

(anyway)

Since this blog serves the purpose of reminding myself of past events, I'll like to list down what little highlights I had during my poly years.

Being an orientation grp leader (OGL) in my 2nd yr- I forgotten the things that happened in 1st yr so I guess I slept well through it. Well, being an OGL guiding along newbies on their first day in school was sth close to being a person holding a torch and trying to melt the ice that they surrond themselves in. After you manage to get them warm up to you and among themselves, you can feel great abt it- I did.
The occasional performances- I guess I was an alright singer but definitely a very bad entertainer. I say so because I realized that I've never interacted with my audiences in all my gigs; which was really bad form if you want to be an entertainer. I go on stage, sing, get off stage, end of story. Regardless of how well I sang... well.. it alway feels so disconnected. Therefore, I definitely wish I did my performances better with some dialouge.
Frisbee- I wanna thank TC for introducing me to the ultimate frisbee team in my 3rd yr. I guess it was a little late in my poly years but I enjoyed it throughly!

Word Digest

2009-05-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

I came across this interesting word while looking up the dic for the meaning of SANGUINE.

The word is SANG-FROID

Yes in the dictionary they added the dash(-) between sang and froid. Interesting ain't it? It is actually a very old French word which literally meant cold-blooded--> Sang(blood) + Froid(cold). Now the meaning: (noun) courage and the ability to keep calm in dangerous or difficult situations. Quite similar to words like composure, equanimity and calmness.

Example: The SWAT police ended the the terrorist siege with deadly efficiency and sang-froid.

My Blog's Birthday!!!

2009-02-21T06:51:00.000-08:00

I just realise that 8 more days and its my blog's birthday!!

...BUT WAIT!!! WAITWAITWAIT!...... My blog was born on a date in Febuary that occurs only once every leap-year~~AHH~~ The dreaded 29th FEB of 2008... *Sob Sob*...sry bloggy.. But you'll have to face the truth and it hurts.. I know. You'll only get to celebrate it once every 4 years....~

Verses of truth

2009-02-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

After exams are all done and rested, I aim to have the determination to begin understanding my faith and building my spiritual self. This is the only journey of discovery that will prepare myself adequately for the pleasant, as well as the unpleasant uncertainties that life brings.

We are hard pressed on everyside, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed;

Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though we are outwardly wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

- 2 corinthians 4: 8-9

I appreciate this Bible verse very much! Thank you darling.

Through others we strengthen, not through "Self"

2009-02-21T05:57:00.000-08:00

The consciousness of self dims the eyes of the mind and hides the truth. It is the origin of error, it is the source of illusion, it is the germ of evil. Self begets selfishness. There is no evil but what flows from self. There is no wrong but what is done by the assertion of self.

Self is the beginning of all hatred, of iniquity and slander, of impudence and indecency, of theft and robbery, of oppression and bloodshed. Self is Mara, the tempter, the evil-doer, the creator of mischief. Self entices with pleasures. Self promises a fairy's paradise. Self is the veil of Maya, the enchanter. But the pleasures of self are unreal, its paradisian labyrinth is the road to misery, and its fading beauty kindles the flames of desires that never can be satisfied.

I randomly came across this passage and did a reflection upon my focus in life. What were my motives in pursuing my objectives in life? Am I studying in hope of landing cushy jobs in order to attain a life of comfort and pleasure? Or exercising for a neat body in order to have confidence? All these reasons are only as empty as space and I aim to pursue a higher truth in life- and that is to make my existence matter to the people that matter to me...

L.0.V.E***B.O.A.T

2009-02-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

Rythm to our Dreams

Listen within our hearts beat in one rythm
Over the moon our souls dance through the seasons
Vast oceans, this love has sailed
Even rough winds turns to silk

Bring forth a future that we simply can't wait

Only together will these dreams not break

All in life is but a dream

The one that we shall always be in

Choosing only to see the silver lining

2009-01-28T06:44:00.000-08:00

Woah it has being a wonderful journey thus far hasn't it. The strong; almost tangible feeling of love.. From that very first moment we leapt into the rabbit hole and onto this journey hand-in-hand, we felt that the world is small compared to our devotion.. compared to the future we believe holds the ultimate meaning to our lives.

Three months on and here we are, confronting us were the realities we avoided (or simply were too naive to see)- issues abt our fundamental differences in religion and beliefs. Facing them we question ourselves if this relationship really is a meaningful path to pursue forth. I'm drained when I could not find the answers to these problems, and I'm sure you are too.

We had been nourishing ourselves with the initial supply of the "feel good and nothing else matters" feeling; indulging in what they call the "honeymoon trance". But now that this supply had run dry, we're suddenly brought back to reality and made aware of the challenges ahead- studies, army, differences of both our families' religion and beliefs, and not to mention my inability to provide you with the necessary spiritual support that only one of the same religion can provide you.

I know we are able to take things a step at a time. But with every step we take, we come closer and closer to an impending crossroad in our relationship. That crossroad will demand that we make a significant choice- Will we choose to travel on the same path as one, or will I take a left turn while you take the path that leads right?

Mraz-merizing

2009-01-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

OMG! Going to MRAZ's concert!!!

I'm learning as many of his lyrics as possible!

http://jasonmraz.com/

What's Love? Let's ask a kid..

2008-12-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”

Lauren - age 4

Lets revive this blog with a 42 shall we?

2008-12-08T02:15:00.000-08:00

"Judge your success by

what you had to give up

in order to get it"

To start off, I have to say that i'm one who isn't really keen on doing marathons -42km and beyond- since mid-distance running has all along been my comfort region. But I did mention to my friends that i'll gladly do a Stanchart 42km before being thrown into NS. Its amazing how the saying works, "Be careful what you wish for"... wells...

One faithful afternoon; three days before Standard Chartered Marathon; my lecturer, Mr Martin came and offered me his place in running the marathon. I can't say that I was elated, but it did got me all hyped up... abt what I don't know. You see, I'm a guy that can't really put problems and challenges into perspective- I always believe that no problems are too big a problem.

Before I took over the race pack from Mr Martin, he gave a very sound piece of advice," John, you have to respect the distance". and he added," In any case you can't pass that finish line, can you please pass the bib to someone else"? (The bib has to cross that sensor to validify that you've actually ran the race.)

I can't say this for Mr Martin but I think I did myself real proud with a timing of 5.15. Kudos to me!

Love is an enigmatic journey truly succeeded by few

2008-10-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Love is an enigmatic journey truly succeeded by few. There will be no maps and no rooms for regrets once its embarked upon. Once in a while, the heaven smiles upon a pair and graces them with divine intervention; but the choices fully lie in our hands.

No surprise, it is often the affirmations and pledges that were once so passionately whispered into each other's ears, that so easily turns into blades that sear the heart and soul into obscurity.

In this journey without an end; and without any clear directions; our character, personality, morals and principles shall be our bearings. Sometimes, an obstinate believe that "he or she is the one", is called for, and with lots and lots of faith in the Higher Beings, I will believe in relationships.

Why so cheesy..

2008-10-09T06:12:00.000-07:00

"Opening your front door to the aroma of a cake baking in the oven is one of the most pleasant homecomings imaginable" - Baking with Love

I'll like to think that Buddha loves cheesecake.. yes indeed... and he'll grant me the culinary gift of wiping up DARN-good cakes in the future!

Tried baking a New York Cheesecake on a faithful Saturday... well.. it turned out to be yet another failed attempt which went into my record of 'Bad-Baked-Products'. The record? Only one successful Aloha Cheesecake out of the six attempts.
BUT...but, I relish every baking experience because it is; not simple (I learned that the hard way); but simply enjoyable... Moreover, that faithful Saturday was special because I was blessed with a lovely assistant who really managed more of the baking than I did.

Thank you Elena for the cake!- though it turned out.. not as up to expectations... We'll do better next time =)

Just Joking

2008-09-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

I read this on 'Reader's Disgest'.

How come married women are heavier than single women?
A: A single woman goes home, sees what's in the fridge and goes to bed. A married woman sees what's in bed and goes to the fridge.

Monthly Word Digest- September

2008-09-16T06:59:00.000-07:00

Exams are already a thing in my HEBLF- "History of Events Best Left Forgotten".... Trying very hard to erase this tragic chapter of academic disaster, or throw it down the chute into the deep recesses of my mind; where it accompanies other HNRs- "Have No Recollection"- like when was my first kiss... or the name of my first-love in primary school etc.

Anyway, back to topic- Monthly Word Digest. Since most of us; including myself; are having attachment in big accounting firms, banks and brothels.. I mean brokerage houses...so naturally, this month's word digest shall be related to work!
Introducing...

'SOPORIFIC' (yawnzzz)
(adj)- making you feel ready to sleep.
E.g. Having shredded piles of paper for hours on end, the mechanical noise produced from the shredder had an almost soporific effect on Ivan.

"You know you're getting old when work is a lot less fun and fun is a lot more work." - Joan Rivers

Ultimate Times!

2008-08-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in the midst of my exams; 2 more papers to be exact. Well once in a while, we ought to relax and enjoy the beauty of procrastination.
Anyway, enjoyed 2 very eventful Frisbee events that I'll like to share here- Disc In '08 & friendly against ACJC

Disc In '08 was NYP ultimate's biggest campus event and it sure was a success. Had the honour of being the emcee together with lovely Hayden.

me:"YOYOYO, howya al' me hoMieS doin' this afternoon? This Yo NYP Disc' In 0 8 y0. R ya feelIn me HiGh yO!"
H: John I really don't think its good idea to be going "yo homie". We r suppose to emcee for a frisbee event not a freakin' rap concert. You...
me: wowowo... chill man. I got it all under control. You got to first bring up the mood. Now watch. and learn.
"Come On you Frisbee Playa' WanNabes. You think you r Tough? Then let me Hear SoMeThg From YOU. Let me HEAR YOU SCREAMMM!!" (mike pointed towards crowd)

(silence)...........(cold breeze)..............(crows overhead).......
H: ....waoh......

Friendly against ACJC

It was a premier experience for me. Loved it. Scored once only though. Well lets not get too ambitious here.

PICTURES

Armageddon

2008-08-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

It is 2.23am in the morning. My mind is in constant transition between blankness and consciousness. Amid this subliminal, pendulum-like mental back and forth, the song by Aerosmith from "Armageddon" keeps sounding off in my head...

"...I dun wanna close my eyes... I dun wanna fall asleep.." ...... cause if I do, I'll never finish my revisions for exams.... Its being a long time since I stayed up till such forsaken hours. I think my mind is starting to hallucinate about meteors and large masses from space hitting Earth; I hope one of them hits the school sports hall (where the exam will be held).
(*hallucinating*)
After this post I think I'll proceed to continue hiding under my bed....

Wise Words From A Great Teacher

2008-08-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

"GIVE a kid a smoke, and he'll be happy for a day. TEACH a kid to smoke, and he'll be happy for a whole shortened lifetime."

(smoke)

"Happiness in life is all about changing perspective.."

-GTO

Monthly Word Digest!

2008-08-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Being Human beings, we are obsessed with routines. Though routines are important nevertheless; cuz It is what makes us productive, and it is also our most favoured tool in making order out of madness. Because I have no doubt that we rely on routines to function well, therefore I shall also introduce a routine in my blog! Introducing the 'Monthly Word Digest!'
So the word for August is...

'CELIBACY'
(Noun)- the practice of not getting married and not having sex, especially because of religious beliefs.
E.g. Ah Beng sworn a vow of celibacy.

Random Thoughts

2008-07-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

"The more we ask for in life, the more we should be giving."
If every human being adopts this mindset,

in this world where nothing is fair,

it will be a more sane place to live in.

But more often than not, such things are easier said than done.

In this world, there are people willing to give all of themselves without asking for any benefits in return. Altruistic behaviour, is it motivated out of naivety, or some might even say, stupidity? I don't have the answer. But i do know that samaritans and saints are a dying breed (you will never find another Mother Theresa). Especially in a society like Singapore, where everyone is competing with everyone else, who has time for others but themselves? Though i personally feel that this argument is just an excuse used by people who are clinching on too tightly to material well being and short term satisfaction. Artificial.

MUMs are the greatest living beings.

2008-07-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to my mum, because she simply deserve so much more. Everyday I pray for the strength and wisdom to become a better person, so that one day I can take over her burdens and responsibilities. I feel most fulfilled when I share my joy with her. She always has an open heart to accomodate my flaws. She doesn't always know how to express her feelings and my mum certainly has her imperfections. But i love her for who she is and i want to say is a big "thank you"!

ULTIMATE

2008-06-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

First thing first, Frisbee is NOT a canine sport. Yes its enjoyable to throw a frisbee and play fetch with our loyal companions. BUT, when you are talking about ultimate FriSbeE... boy its a whole new dimension of intensity sport we are talking about here.

Full-field hucks (Throwing the disc the full length or beyond the whole soccer field), layout catches/D (Diving your body horizontal to the ground to catch or intercept a disc and landing on your belly...i know..Ouch!), skying (intercepting your opponent's disc by literally "plucking" it from the sky), burning (A sudden bursting sprint into your opponent's territory to score) etc. The intensity and adrenalin involved in ultimate frisbee got me captivated to the sport.

FRisbEE in Sentosa

The choice

2008-06-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

Book Review

'The Choice' by Nicholas Sparks is the latest book I've read that captivated my interest as much as 'Five People You Meet in Heaven' did. Beautifully written; the plots allow readers to imagine themselves being in the role of the two main characters and relive their every emotional ups and downs.

Travis Parker enjoys his job which gave him alot of liberty and comfort to pursue a wonderful and active life- Travelling, boating, barbecues with his childhood buddies- already thirty two, yet he holds no conviction towards a relationship, believing that it would only cramp his style. That is.... of course till one faithful day when his new next-door-neighbor Gabby Holland initiated a "talk" and then on, two lives would inevitably collide to create a wonderful love story about difficult choices that stood the test of courage and love.

Run Forrest Run!

2008-05-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

Just had my eighth dose of my favourite movie 'Forrest Gump' on HD- it never fails to move me to tears even though I already knew the most minute of details like the line that is abt to be said next. Simply beautiful.

Seriously feel that movies these days lack the depth, and are simply laden with effects, raw brute actions and cheap humour just to satisfy a shallow audience- whom i choose to believe we r not. Disappointed; where had the intellectual quality of 'made in America' movies gone to?

Inner Thoughts

2008-05-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

-"IF only every decisions we make comes with second chances. But we are bounded by rules of the universe- Every actions entails a reaction. "

Achieving order in this chaotic state of the world may prove elusive; if not impossible. Mankind has been given too much liberty to filth the world, and our soul begs for redemption and our heart seeks serenity. May I pray we be enlightened to seek a better path that leads to a better future.

In PEACE, Hope is of the essense.

Au revoir CERAM!!

2008-05-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

The tutorials were less demanding but not necessary less effective. The timetable was more relaxed. The examinations were much less intimidating. The teachers tend to be more engaging in class. I have to emphasize that we were poly students on an exchange to a university and yet the 3 mths in comparison to our poly semester made me admire their study culture.

Nanyang Poly has much to learn in terms of moderating its modules to better suit the pace of learning and allow time for knowledge seeking and enlightment on our part; in fact all polys should drop their culture of conforming students to rigid and lifeless lecture drills. Singapore's poly education system surely doesn't just revolve around Lecture, Loo and the Library!?....

-CERAM POSTER BOYS OF THE YEAR

The last chapter. - Party Finale

2008-05-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

Heart filled with mixed emotions as I'm writing this last chapter. These were memories that made it all worthwile- the friends from all over the globe that allow me such honour to keep those wonderful treasured moments we had in their company.
I only hope for the best in all they do and you guys will be in my prayers!!

THe LaSt PArTY!!!!

"Ho SEK AH!!"- Hong Kong party!!

2008-05-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

After the sumptous dinner we had together with our Hong Kong lady friends- they were exclaiming "ho sek ah ho sek ah" throughout but the dishes were humble really- we played a little 'Truth or Dare'. I was unfortunately "arrowed" and our dear Daisy was suppose to ask me any questions be it intimate or personal. So those cheeky ladies were discussing away and ultimately, they settled with a very predictatble question which i thought everyone might ask anyone in this mindless game- "When was your "that" first time"?

Hello, I practice chastity mind you.. (Oh-mi-toh-for, oh-mi-toh-for.....lust is empty, emp....)

-GAM BEH!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMM...........

"La Cascade" in the rain

2008-05-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

We were suppose to be very please with ourselves because I initiated that we should introduce our Hong Kong friend Zoey; and her 2 other Hong Kong friends studying in London whom were in France for a vacation and also to accompany Zoey; to a nice restaurant which we frequented- I won't say we ate out alot but we knew a few places.

It was nearing 9pm, we walked for like ages and suddenly it began raining heavily; without umbrellas we were drenched and looked like pathetic vegabonds. For some strange reason we forgotten our directions to the restaurant and the unrelenting weather convinced us to just pop into any restaurant and grab a hot latte... Haiz.. wat can i say... at least the dishes were not bad at La Cascade~ Soorry la Zoey~

-Raw ham with mushroom cheese dip

안녕하세요?

2008-04-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

Thats the basic form of greeting towards a korean buddy- I'm sure many already know its pronounced as "Annyong haseyo?"(informal).

The whole group of us Singaporeans had a great time having dinner with Hong and his family. Now Hong here is our schoolmate in CERAM and guess what, he is a seasoned pilot for the Korean airforce; with high 'dans' in several martial arts, I must advice you, dun play play.

Ya and btw, Hong is convinced that his son will likely grow up to be the CEO of Sumsung after several merticulous sessions of palm-reading... so yup, I kept his contacts- and his son's- you know, networking. We all had our palms read; as for me, he noticed my palm doesn't have a 'life-line'. We were both perplexed over this, though I would love to think of oneself as a walking buddha or sort...

PArTy Like the Polish

2008-04-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

A not-so-direct toast ceremony

Our philosophical polish friend Paul has this to say

"To be, or not to be..."

"You make your own choices"
"I need to get myself a PSP... " (Paul was infatuated with the devise when he tried his hands on Virtual Tennis.)

Paul: "Cheers!!... Hey John, you have to look me in the eye when you toast".

Me: "Why?"

Paul: "Cause in Polish culture, if you don't you'll have 7 years

of bad sex thats why".

Me: "What the!... ok, then lets do it one more time".
Paul: "Too late for that".

Me: "....what........!"

-we later taught our polish friends the traditional Singaporean noisy 'YAM SENG' toast!

Polish Vodka, wine, roasted Tandori chicken, poh piah (I cooked), polish pancakes, sweet and sour pork ribs (I cooked), salads, puddings, breaded fish... How I'm so gonna miss them; Polish are such nice people!- we were all invited to visit them in Krakow and Warsaw.

To London- Back to Civilisation

2008-03-30T04:31:00.000-07:00

Inhaled a deep breathe when I set foot in the airport. After a month of studies in France, it was a much needed break; a break from the slow paced- retirement-like- lifestyle of the French. I was back in touch with civilisation; from the familiar language(English) on signboards to the 24hr convenient stores, to the buses and tubes that ran through every part of London. Well I guess being an Asian, slow-pace doesn't necessarily means bliss.

St. James Park

A resemblance of the Singapore's old parliment building.

Old Trafford. The lair of the red devils.

The 'Eye of London' truly opens after sunset.

The brave cavalry

French Alps Expedition.

2008-03-09T03:55:00.000-07:00

Watching pure white snow flakes descending from the sky is truly....an overated experience. However, experiencing the breath-taking beauty of the landscape that is only possible with this occurance- it transports you to another realm.

Skiing Tips
1. Wear google (I had only my glasses on and it took me 15 minutes to search for it in the snow.)
2. Tuck in your clothes- (Snow went underneath my clothes and stunk my back and my a** when I tumbled and fell.)
3. Hang on to dear life!- (I shall not elaborate.......)

Warm cottage in the midst of all this unforgiving cold.

Ascending into the alps.

Lets Do This!

Snow-capped peaks hungry for worthy skiiers to conquer it.

Shirleen wrapped like a dumping.

Pro-skiier JAGE!!! (He fell more times than i did... That's y i'm pro-of-pros)

Me arriving in my "Ferrari"

My last fall...

My family for four months

2008-03-06T05:53:00.000-08:00

Being roommates, the meaning goes beyond just four people sharing a room. It goes beyond tending to our own affairs and be "considerate" as not the bother the other parties. IT GOES BEYOND CO-EXISTING. Being roommates, it means that we could count on one another in times of needs, accepting one another's flaws, and ultimately build an unwavering bond.

"Strangers are just family you have yet to come to know" (-quoted from The five people you meet in Heaven)

Pics of us in NICE

2008-03-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

In NICE, the streets were naturally cleaner than those back in Singapore- our's are artificially clean becuz of the effort of the foreign cleaners. HOWEVER, be sure to watch out for dog poo land mines that are EVERYWHERE. Our Veenotth managed to step on 3 deep pile of poo-either he was intentional or he was blind- in a day.

The gang enjoying their Kebab.

Jiralda ducks for cover as the waves roared.

Room buddies.

Winnie arrives in white.

To no one's surprise, they had more kebab..~

At the end of the day, it was only left to abled man like myself to carry the load.

Too cold~

It was so cold, I ran amok!

Meeting France

2008-02-29T16:56:00.000-08:00

Nicest region in France- NICE

From: Singapore Changi 31Dec 2255h
To: London Heathrow 01Jan 0710h

An hour before my flight bound for London, I received the prayers, the well-wishes and the hugs and kisses from friends and family. I love them all and look forward to seeing them soon.

4 hours of transition time in Heathrow
1 hour flight from Heathrow to NICE

It was 10°c, vast blue sky- unobstructed, unlike Singapore with all our protruding high-rise flats- serene and foreign. Now here are some pictures to show why NICE (pronounced as niece) is well…nice.

Sitting statues in the city square of NICE

Valentine's Day will certainly be dull w/o the flowers. Arh~ the atmosphere of love...

Nice birds!

Its just you and me by the sea, with the world left behind us.

A father and son moment.

Big wheel of happiness.

Prologue

2008-02-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

What was it, a calling? An urge for a break from familiarity?
It comes a point when life needs a stimulant to break from stagnation. I took the opportunity to engage with a world beyond what I’m comfortable with. I thought I came closer to self-actualization. It’s ironic how little knowledge I had of myself. But then again, everyone knows just how elusive such knowledge can be. We are beings that are easily shaped by the context we are in. Me being in France opened new windows to thoughts and ideas, sights and sounds that seduced my mind and senses. I love such an experience- a feeling that is beyond joy, beyond love, beyond comfort- Hope? Maybe.
Our misdeeds and recalcitrant behavior towards the world are constantly being reflected upon us. Denial is human nature; denial towards the degree of degradation happening to our environment and our society. But hope prevails…cause hope is what I see when I observe an old couple- walking hand-in-hand along the beach- picking up litters during a voluntary exercise. Hope is what I hear when a nine year old says,” can’t we not drive there mum? The playground is not very far. We have to save the polar bears in the North! Teacher said we can help save them by encouraging less driving.” A look of awe hung from the mum’s face. Now ain't that hope?