fiery lecturer..

for the first time in my 3 years in NUS, i witnessed how my lecturer got frustrated with the noise level in his class, so frustrated that he chased students out of the lecture hall.. *eyes wide open*.. and i supposed those 3 gals were super embarrassed when the whole class turned to look at them.. haha..

sigh.. the crucial month has begun.. besides the endless rush for reports and assignments, time to start panicking over exams.. oh shucks.. that means more late nights, later late nights.. and perhaps a grouchier me.. haa.. but i can be easily pleased with chocolates, coke and chips.. haha..

and don't ask about me getting a job.. i'm not going to think of that until after the exams.. haha.. i still have plans for what i want to do.. haha.. we'll see..

finishing all those bloody reports are more important at the moment.. haha.. good luck to those on the verge of going crazy over reports too.. haha.. like me..

really random..

deadlines deadlines deadlines.. i'm slowly walking into my grave.. oh well, at most i'll just jump out of it and become a vampire at the end of those deadlines.. muahaha..

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my godson's name is ryzel! haha.. ryan + leizel = ryzel.. haha.. how convenient is that? but the name is indeed one of a kind.. =) can i see him? pictures??

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i'm going to create havoc next week! muahaha.. because.. i'm going to be home alone!! everybody else is going back to malaysia, while i'm stuck here with all the deadlines and exams.. time to stock up instant noodles, chocolates, biscuits, and extra money for macdonalds' delivery.. haha..

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i'm a zombie in training! muahahaha.. arghh.. getting cranky.. this is what deadlines would do to you..

someday..

someday, you'll gonna realize
one day, you'll see this through my eyes
by then i won't even be there
i'll be happy somewhere
even if i cared

i know you don't really see my worth
you think you're the last guy on earth
well, i've got news for you
i know i'm not that strong
but it won't take long, won't take long

'cause someday, someone's gonna love me
the way i wanted you to need me
someday, someone's gonna take your place
one day, i'll forget about you
you'll see, i won't even miss you
someday, someday

but now, i know you can tell
i'm down and i'm not doing well
but one day, these tears
they will all run dry
i won't have to cry sweet goodbye

'cause someday, someone's gonna love me
the way i wanted you to need me
someday, someone's gonna take your place
one day, i'll forget about you
you'll see, i won't even miss you
someday, i know someone's gonna be there

someday, someone's gonna love me
the way i wanted you to need me
someday, someone's gonna take your place
one day, i'll forget about you
you'll see, i won't even miss you
someday, someday

listen to the song here

random

i miss doing the high-5.. it's like the oh-so-natural thing with the filipinos around.. but i think i'll get to do it more often.. =)

and i think i am running low on my chocolates again.. shucks.. and brain cells too..

sigh..

seriously, i think i really need more than 30 hours a day in order to survive.. with so many things to do, i think my shrinking brain is unable to accommodate any more bloody irritating things..

somehow i just wanna sit down, listen to music and stone the whole day.. =(

and i'm getting less and less sleep.. think my brain cells are going to suffer sudden cell death or something..

i want my icebox cake!!!!

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listening to NUSCO's concert songs right now.. somehow listening to own performance is different from the on-stage experience.. don't know if this sounds good.. haha.. but i think we did relatively well.. =)

performing has really becoming a part of my life.. though i would like to try out other forms of performances.. i think my first time performing on stage was during my graduation night of my kindergarden.. haha.. then subsequently i've been performing in my primary school, and some mini-concerts in my music school.. when i got into RVCO, it became a regular thing.. school performances, external performances, competitions.. and it came all the way until now, in NUSCO..

i can't say i'm really that passionate about chinese orchestral music, but i do enjoy playing the pieces.. and i am never that good when it comes to playing solo.. haha..

i think i'm better off singing in my own little world (and also in the bathroom).. =)

no more performance for now..

the NUSCO concert was over.. after the whole event, i was tired, mentally.. after performing for so many years, nothing memorable in particular, though there was disappointment in some aspects.. this could be my last time performing with them.. if i'm set on roaming around, doing overseas volunteer work for a year (or more), that is..

perhaps that could be the explanation to why i took more photos than usual.. but i still hate the bright red costume.. not only it doesn't fit, the design is bad.. grr..

so anyway, here are some pictures.. =)

the strings section!


we were just trying to be funny.. hehe..


the girls with our dear pipa soloist, huiyan! she was really good, i tell ya..


with the guest conductor, mr wong.. i find his belly cute.. haha..


with dai da..


with aditya (su feng).. before i got to remember his name (i still have problems pronouncing his english name), i used to call him my indonesian boy.. because of him, i became the official translator in nusco.. haha.. it can be challenging at times, when i have to translate those long stories by mr lum, from chinese into english.. haha..


with yihui and kathy..


this guy, i really don't know what to say.. cannot stand his cold jokes and lame-ness.. eric, sometimes your cold jokes don't work on me.. bleahz.. but thanks ar, for cheering me up and tolerating with my temper when the need arises.. haha..


with wenhui..


with andrew, sunjing, dai da, eric, wenhui and helen..


thank you, my friends in nusco, for being a part of my life.. i don't know when and how long i'll be away, but if i can still play, i may be back.. haa..

dear cousin..

Dear cousin,

how are you up there? i suppose six years there, you would have grown accustomed to the life, and perhaps made a lot of friends..

any birthday cake for you today? maybe you have got 20 candles on your cake.. =)

things have changed, since you've been gone.. somehow the cousins are not that close anymore.. you were the only one whom i could confide in, share my secrets with.. remember those nights i used to stay over in your house, and we chatted till we fell asleep? gone were the days..

i've never mentioned how much admiration i had for you, despite me being the older one.. you were better than me in sports, and was more active than me.. sometimes i felt that my thoughts were more childish and naive than yours, and it seemed like you were the mature one, not me..

perhaps i was over-protected by my parents (you know how strict they are), i didn't get to have the kind of experiences that you had.. that's why i was often envious of you..

i shall not think about the pain of seeing you leaving us, but rather, reminisce about those happy days when we were kids..

thank you for the companionship.. and i wish you well.. happy birthday..

miss you much,
hui

she ain't heavy, she's my sister..

i was on the bus.. sitting opposite me were 2 little girls, falling asleep during their (maybe a long) ride home from school.. then the elder sister woke up, realising that it was nearing their destination.. she tried to wake her sister up, but perhaps she was really too tired.. the little girl then briefly opened her eyes, carried her bag, and both of them got down the bus..

the older girl then piggy-backed her tired sister from the bus-stop back home..

will you do that too, if your younger sibling is tired and can't walk?

she ain't heavy, she's my sister..

morbid talk..

has it ever occur to you, what will happen when you get old? will you be an active old man/woman who still be able to jog around the park, or down with health problems?

i know it's kinda morbid to talk about it, but the fact is, people do get old.. i admit i'm afraid of getting old, afraid of dying.. i don't think i can come into terms that easily, for an outdoor-loving and freedom-craving me to deal with it.. not at this age..

my family has a history of diabetes.. it hit my dad and my uncles at a young age.. whenever i see my dad sorting out his medicines, i will think to myself, will i become like that too, a few years down the road.. my mum always tell me to watch my diet.. but i would always shrug it off, continuing to indulge in my chocolates and coke, thinking that i'm still young..

some people told me before, that i would get some women-related health problems in future.. i don't know how true is that, but i suppose it wouldn't be a mere coincidence when more than 1 person said that to me, and when those fortune-telling seems to say the same thing.. i think there is some family history to this too, perhaps i ain't told about it, or maybe my family finds it a taboo to talk about it..

and for the past few months, my knees and ankles have been aching more than usual.. sometimes i even feel wobbly while walking.. even my finger joints are getting stiff.. i remembered that during my primary school days, the nurses would always write the same thing in my health booklet during annual check-ups - "drink more milk, three times a day"..

i used to never give it a hoot, but i suppose age is really catching up on me.. i can't imagine the day when i can't enjoy my favourite outdoor activities, when i can't roam around as freely as i want to.. or worse still, when i can't even perform simple tasks or losing the strength that i have.. and i don't wish that to come so soon..

how about you? what is your most feared thought when it comes to ageing?

a long day..

sigh.. i'm really tired.. it was another long day for me.. was in school from 8am, with a field trip to Tanah Merah beach, and then a 3-hour tuition.. only got home at 10pm..

and this week i have to meet 2 deadlines, and then the NUSCO concert.. i'm really dead.. sigh..

and when the bus passed by Changi Airport back from the beach, i wished i could fly away.. anywhere.. a place where i could stop thinking about things..

sigh.. i need more chocolates..

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ryan has a baby boy! i'm now officially a ninay (filipino for godmother).. haha.. show me the pictures of my godson! =)

field trip to Gunng Belumut..

sheesh.. i was really exhausted after yesterday's field trip to Gunung Belumut.. i slept for almost 12 hours straight.. but it was an exciting trip indeed.. how often do you get to go out of Singapore to do a practical? haha..

i had to wake up at 5am to get ready, and was in school by 7am.. when was the last time i got up so super early?



it took us almost 4 hours to get to the forest.. and we were all geared to conquer! creating a stir, i mean.. haha..

so it wasn't your normal sight-seeing kind of field trip.. we were doing our practical.. which means, we were there, armed with equipment, to collect specimens, doing data-recording and measurements.. so who says we were there to enjoy? haha..



we had to do the practical at 2 different streams.. the first one was a little one, water level was perhaps below the knees.. nothing much to describe, only managed to catch sight of some small fishes..

then we had to take the bus up to the inner forest, and then to walk through the forest to reach the other stream.. we had to cross many obstacles, such as big tree logs blocking our path, muddy patches, steep slopes.. this time round the stream was a bigger one, with large, slippery boulders.. and the depth was greater.. many of my groupmates slipped and fell, getting themselves all wet.. haha.. but i was lucky enough.. :D

again, doing the same thing, collecting specimens, doing the measurements..

and then, lunch time!! haha.. yes, we had our lunch at the stream.. sitting on those large boulders, passing potato chips around.. what an ambience.. haha..



me and my TA, eunice.. =)


and then it was time to move out of the forest.. thank goodness there were no leeches.. but i still got some small cuts, by sharp branches or leaves..

i suppose this was the most interesting field trip i had so far.. something memorable before i graduate? maybe..

arghh.. my brain is still stone-ing.. wake up!!

rainy field trip..

the field trip today was an ultimate failure.. haha.. even before we got off the bus, it was already starting to drizzle.. the moment we started walking into the forest at Lower Pierce Reservoir, the rain got heavier.. and it was really impossible to continue walking in such heavy rain..

imagine, walking in the forest, amidst of all the trees, with an umbrella.. what if lightning strikes? haha..

and so the field trip was called off within 1 hour.. and we had to hide in some prata place for shelter.. haha.. but we were all drenched by then.. from head to toe.. haha.. what a wasted afternoon.. and they better not make us go back there again..

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anyway, yesterday's yusheng was the best! haha.. that big plate of yusheng.. more than enough for that 8 of us.. haha.. with extra ingredient - shedded roast chicken!! haha..



and this was what being left after chomping down the yusheng.. haha.. notice that there was 2 pairs of mini-chopsticks and a fork.. not enough chopsticks for everyone! haha..



die lar, this week is filled with 2 term tests, practices, tuition and 1 more field trip to Johor.. i want my new year holiday back!!! give it back to me!!

judy ann..

before i stepped into Astro Farm Elementary School and Day Care, i had heard so much about "Judy Ann".. tricia, bong, remia, and serlu kept mentioning about "Judy Ann", so much so that i was so looking forward to seeing who this cutie was..

it was a long and bumpy ride to Astro Farm.. when we were approaching the school gate, many children were already waiting for us, and seeing our van, they all ran from the backyard to the classroom..

"there! judy ann!" bong was pointing out of the window.. but how could i identify which girl was it, when there were so many children running around.. haha..

but when this little girl with an oversized yellow dress walked into the classroom, i knew she was the "Judy Ann".. it was a bit weird, because all i could do was to stand there.. you know, i didn't know how to speak illongo, and i supposed a girl so young like her wouldn't understand much english..

then when she was quietly sitting at the door, eating the porridge we prepared, i squatted beside her, and just said, "hello, judy ann!".. she smiled at me, and muttered something that sounded like "what's your name?" in illongo..

"yuhui.." (pronounced as yoo-hwee, and that is what i'm known as in Bago.. haha)

then i was busy helping with giving out extra bread and taking pictures.. but everytime i passed by the door, we would smile at each other..

when it was time to leave, she would run to the backyard, waiting for the van to drive out of the gate, and waved at us..

i would always remember how she came running to me after receiving new toys and clothes, to give me a kiss on my cheek.. when will i be back to Astro Farm? i don't know.. but i still hold the hope of being back there again.. =)

so be happy, and healthy.. and i wish for many learning opportunities for you.. =)

bored..

i'm bored.. on the 2nd day of the new year, i spent the whole day playing computer games and eating.. arghh.. and i refuse to do anything related to schoolwork.. what a boring new year.. at least it was slightly better than last year, when i had to call for MacDonalds delivery for my meals.. haha..

my dad decided not to go into Malaysia, because of all the possible trouble that the custom officers may give.. and we would have to "lugi" some ang baos and oranges everytime we get our passports chopped.. i just don't understand.. these officers have no sense of righteousness whatsoever.. they will boldly demand ang baos and oranges from the drivers.. luckily we would always have some $1 ang baos ready.. haha.. but with so many recent incidents of people getting detained in Malaysia because of their passports not being chopped, we decided to play safe this year, and have some steamboat at our grandparents' house instead.. =)

but i miss the goreng pisang along the shophouse near po po's house.. that's the only thing i look forward to, when we visit her in johor.. =(

but anyway.. today was the charter anniversary of Bago!! the festival!! =D

yar, i know i've been saying this for umpteen times, but i really wish that i could be there!! it's kinda a pity, that despite being in Bago 3 times, i have never get to experience their very own festival.. arghh.. timing is always not right..

but i guess it will be a success anyway.. haha.. i wanna see pictures!! many colourful pictures!! =) thanks tricia, for receiving the award on my behalf.. i think i'll only get to see my plaque at the end of the year.. hehe..

sian.. tomorrow's the start of work.. gotta teach tuition.. really, what a boring new year..

new year eve..

i gave up getting new clothes for the new year.. after quite a number of futile rounds of shopping, i gave up.. all the shops are selling similar clothing, and they are all not my cup of tea.. arghh.. forget it manz..

and i was too lazy to get out of the house anyway.. so i did some spring-cleaning of my room instead.. spent almost 7 hours doing it.. got rid of some old stuff that i've been keeping for years (and i have no idea why i do that).. so... less rubbish, less dust in my room now.. haha..

so, wishing everybody a very happy chinese new year! good luck all year round, and money all year round!! hehe..

oh, and all the best to Bago, for the coming festival tomorrow and monday!! send me pictures ok?? =) miss you guys..

valentine's day..

"teacher, today is valentine's day leh.. can end tuition earlier?"

"you got a valentine meh?"

"no lar, but i think you got a valentine mah.."

"if i have one, i won't be sitting here, having my dinner with you on your tuition table.."

happy valentine's day to all the lovey-dovey couples out there, and happy friendship day to everyone!! =D

and what a great way to start the day, with a 8am lecture and a not-so-interesting lecturer.. arghh.. pleeeaase.. you won't get an explosion by mixing dilute hydrochloric acid with dilute sodium hydroxide.. but thanks to temogen, who woke me up with his v day message.. haha..

and then news of my friend's brother passing away came.. joseph, i hope that you are ok now.. you have always been a fatherly figure to me, i know you are strong.. and i hope that things are going ok for you.. =)

thanks biyun, the chocolates came just right in time.. hehe..

and i realised that i didn't really have time to sit down, relax, let my mind settle down, or even have a sip of juice (coffee is bad for a good sleep at night.. haha).. i was running places to places while in school, having tuition.. and my handphone kept beeping and reminding me of all the things i need to settle.. it has become another handy reminder alarm clock for me.. haha..

but thank god a piece of good news brought a nice end to the day.. i'm chosen to receive an award in Bago City!! whee!!! i don't expect to get rewarded, other than friendship and inspiration, for doing all the charity work.. but then, it's this coming sunday, and it's the first day of chinese new year.. i will get killed by my parents if i were to go.. awww.. how i wish i have a clone of me right now..

talking about new year, i have no time to do my new year shopping! arghh.. everyday is so packed, with days ending as late as 10pm.. how to shop? arghh..

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support my performance tomorrow! 7.30pm at marina square.. presenting to you some chinese new year music by NUSCO!! =)

support NUSCO annual concert!! 11 march 2007, sunday, 5pm at UCC.. =) get tickets from me!!

a fieldtrip and a night of cycling..

i can't walk anymore.. my feet are in a terrible state, with one new crack and the old ones deepened.. and my knees are sore.. *ouch* it really hurts.. sooner or later, i may need clutches, or a wheelchair..

putting that aside, the fieldtrip to Little India and the night cycling quest really took those frustrating things off my mind.. i was back to making silly jokes and nonsense for the day.. which was a good thing (i hope)..

and i happened to meet 2 sweet korean girls in Little India.. they are the same age as me, but they have been touring around countries.. sigh.. when will it be my turn?



and then the night cycling.. thank god there was no mishap this year.. =) only came back with some bruises and painful feet, knees and butts.. haha..



we like to make fun of our dear friend, ryan, for his small eyes.. haha..

with some regulations to follow, we had to wear helmets..



which the picture reminds me of this.. haha..



but anyway, the night cycling was quite a feat, knowing that we cycled for 33km (based on waipeng's speedometer) for almost 6 hours, with stops in between for good food.. heh.. we weren't so concerned about the points and the games, but we just wanted to have fun and explore around places.. but then hor, i really want to complain.. the clues for the various checkpoints were so lame! my goodness.. "7023 set in stone beside the lake house" actually means this..



and the "rosy orb on the head".. alamak.. but oh well, we did had fun.. over the lame clues.. haha..

but i really need some rest, for my feet at least.. and you will see me walking like some freak with 2 big bandages in school tomorrow..

happy day..

happy happy birthday to tricia and papa! =)

it is becoming a yearly thing, to call back to Bago on this day, other than to wish them, but also to get to talk to the rest of the people.. of course it would be impossible to speak to every single one of them, but at least i know i will hear many familiar voices.. =)

tricia and papa, don't worry, i'm fine here.. =) though i misses all of you, and i know you miss me too.. haha.. take care of yourselves.. tricia, hope that your cough will be gone forever.. and papa, i wish you the best of health, and i'll bring you more food (and potato chips.. hehe) the next time.. =)

and tricia, go get a date soon.. remember that i told you that you will get married in a few years' time? haha..



i really miss the mornings that i sat outside of the house with papa.. sometimes we just kept quiet (i think i was just stone-ing, or my mind was flying around) but i like papa's company.. i like the way he called out to the "Ta-ho" man and bought me the beancurd.. =) and with him around, i would have to eat whatever he asked me to.. haha..

and ton-ton refused to sing "hawak kamay" to me.. boohoo..

moments ago, i received temogen's texts.. good to hear from him.. i miss all the nice chats with him.. i look up to him as my elder brother, and i always learn something from him.. =) kaibigan ko, ok lang ako, at masaya din.. sana, makita kita muli, siguro sa Bago, o siguro sa Singapore dito!! hehe.. miss kita! =) hope that your wishes will come true, and i'm sure they will.. dahil maniwala ko na siyempre mangyari ang wishes mo.. =) haha.. i hope i phrase it right..

i miss all of you!!!! muacks muacks muacks!!

endangered species..

i now truly believe that i'm an endangered species.. =D.. after today's first tutorial for psychology, i truly do.. haha..

well, it is always believed that people see and process faces with the right hemisphere of their brains.. i.e. they tend to notice and see the left side of the faces and process the information with the right hemisphere of the brain..

but today's test proved that i don't do it that way.. as in my brain doesn't choose to do it that way.. haha.. or rather, i don't purposely control it.. haha.. i broke the record, out of 36 photos, none of them i process the left side of the faces.. that means, i process the right side of all the faces, and which means, i work with my left hemisphere of the brain.. haha.. even my tutor was doubting me, and thought that i was dozing off during the lesson.. haha..

so, i'm truly an endangered species! haha.. so i should be protected! wahaha..

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my secondary school's classmate is leaving for Denmark for an exchange programme.. and over dinner i was hearing so many plans of friends going to places, travelling around the world for holiday, for studying..

where am i? where will i head to? what kind of path that my future will lead me to?

monday blues..

i think i will oversleep on every monday, and i think i will need to take a cab to school every monday.. who likes to have lessons at 8am, on monday?? arghh.. and it's 8am to 6pm every monday.. 10 freaking long hours.. my goodness..

one of my favourite lecturers, Prof. Benito Tan, is one of my lecturers for this semester! yeahhey.. although he will only be guest-lecturing for a few lectures, but i think it's good enough, at least i know it's not some other sucky lecturers.. haha.. and his philippino accent.. ooohh.. reminded me of my dear friends in the lovely city of Bago.. haha.. his "actually", "back", "rank" and my favourite - "fungus" (he pronounced it as "foong-goose").. haha..

but i don't like my TA.. serious, i really don't like him.. he doesn't understand what we are trying to say, and same goes for us.. we don't understand his questions, and he doesn't understand our answers.. and he likes to drag the lesson, and talks non-stop.. he can only understand our answers if we phrase them in his words.. and i mean, word-for-word.. arghh.. i can't imagine i'll have to see him for the next few practicals.. arghh.. what happened to all the other good TAs? why is my good TA from the last semester not teaching us this semester?? why???