From left (standing then sitting): Azhar Officer (Missing partner: Nadia), Halil, Fish.
Rasyidah, Fadly, Azhar Shrek, Elly, Aisah and Hisham.
The last time we all went out for a Raya outing was back in 2002. Since then, it has been pretty difficult for us to coordinate the gatherings, due to work as well as other commitments.
Until this year, where everything just seems to fall into place.
The lads, when we meet up, will be filled with nostalgia and we can't help but reminisce about our 15-YEARS friendship (wow!! so long already!!). We teased and joked with each other; we laughed at all our stupid nonsenses and we will tell the PARTNERs stories about our past which each of us tried our hardest to forget (everyone did stupid things, we just try not to remember it).
Speaking of the PARTNERs, they are joining us for the first time (and hopefully not the last). Thankfully the PARTNERs are great girls and sociable enough to gravitate to each other, entertaining themselves while us lads entertain ourselves. Somehow I feel the PARTNERs will play a more prominent role in our lives as we grow older. Think this could be a tradition (hopefully) and we should try to make this into an annual affair.
Anyway was chatting with Halil about how me and him are the last two single standing. We feel that we have our work cut out in finding our future PARTNER. She has to be able to fulfill the following criteria:
1) Need to get along with Parents
2) Need to get along with Immediate family members
They want us to show how efficient Singapore can be.
Efficient my sweet little toosh........
Let me tell you about what they will NOT be showcasing in the newspapers.
Let's start with the transport.
SYOGOC (Singapore Youth Oympic Games organising commitee) had told us to take a shuttle bus from Boon Lay MRT station, then clear security, before taking an internal shuttle to NIE.
What they failed to tell us is that we have to take Bus A to Checkpoint A (Nanyang Executive Centre). Alight there. Take Bus B to checkpoint B (Graduate Hall). Clear Security. Then take an internal shuttle service to NIE. Three buses people? Seriously?!! Do we really need three buses? Why can't Bus A just drop us at Checkpoint B? I mean Bus A has to pass Checkpoint B regardless, so as to exit from Jalan Bahar. Does that makes sense to you? After two days of such nonsense; finally they realised "Hey!! Bus A can drop people off at Checkpoint B. We don't need another bus" Like duhh!!!
Next the accomodation of the athletes.
The first series of complaints arrived early. Some of the athletes said the blankets provided is too short for them. Well this is not really their fault. If you seen the athletes upclose like how I had, they sure don't look like youths. Are they really teenagers? They are huge!!! I met this Italian dude, who is only 17, but he is like HUGE!!! The Russian volleyball girlsl!!! And don't get me started on the American basketball team?!! Yikes!!!
But the other major complain, pertaining to lodging was "Why is there yellow stains on the pillow cases?" Ok. I have no idea what happen to laundry. I thought some professional service is handling laundry? Did they accidentally send it to prison to clean the sheets and pillowcases or something? I thought this kind of logistical errors only happen in SAF?
But the coup de la coup has got to be the food.
SYOGOC forbade us to leave our premises and we are NOT allowed to pack food in. To cover for our inconvinences, they will cater to us lunch, buffet-styled, daily at 1230pm at the designated eating locations.So nice right?
But reality bites.
Day 1 ( Tuesday 10 Aug 2010)
I arrived at the dining area, 1235pm, only to be told by fellow colleagues “Food finished liao!!” What? Didn’t lunch just started five minutes ago? Apparently SYOGOC catered enough for everyone, that is, if everyone just eat white rice with two pieces of fishballs, one piece of chicken wing and a serving of vegetable. Excuse me!! This is Singapore, remember? Who in the right mind have just two fishballs, one chicken wing and a scoopful of vegetables? And from a buffet somemore? Are they insane? And they did not have any refills for this shortfall...
But I was cool with me skipping lunch. But I was not cool when I realised that the cleaning uncles and aunties, who came after me, also have to forsake their lunch. They are mostly elderly, for goodness sake, let them have their food. But alas, food is not to be had for anyone at that moment. My heart just breaks when I see the stoic look in their eyes as they went back to work. So I did what any self-respecting Singaporeans do.
I wrote an email to complain.
Hell yeah!! I gave the committee a piece of my mind (with support from some colleagues). Apparently many other people complained as well and SYOGOC assured us that they will look into the matter.
Did it improve?
Day 2 (Wednesday 11 Aug 2010)
Fasting season started today so I was not too fussed about lunch anymore. However, I had never seen so many bad-tempered people coming back from lunch before. Even my usually calm boss, Dr Tan, was pissed. When I asked them what happened during lunch, well.... I guess the picture below will be suffice to tell the story:
Yikes!!
That’s not lunch?!! That’s like....I don’t even know what to describe that!!!
Apparently after this episode, an “angry mob” broke security ranks and crossed over the "fortified bridge” into NTU for a proper meal. SYOGOC received yet more complaints and they replied that they will look into the matter once more.
Day 3 (Thursday 12 Aug 2010)
I will keep it short.
Lunch DID NOT arrive. Apparently there were some problems with the caterers and lunch failed to materialise. Once more, the “angry mob” broke through security and entered NTU for lunch. Security forces took no action against such an “angry mob”. Smart move!!!
So that’s the issues with YOG so far. Will these come out in the newspaper? Of course not!!! You will only read the success stories and the feel-good propaganda. YOG Singapore 2010 will be a beacon for future YOG to come...
Many have asked me to explain my project. Here is a brief snippet:
Title
Introduction
Objectives
Paradigm shift: a whole new era
Plants to be used to reduce organic nitrogen. You mean they can utilise whole proteins as it is?!!
Conclusions
The future of Singapore.....
Apologies but I could not divulge my findings, until after the research is over. But all I know is that the local government boards are getting excited over the potential. It's great that they see the value and importance behind my humble work....
The Singapore Junior Water Prize is a national competition to pick a winning team to represent Singapore to vie for the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden.
The Singapore competition is organized by Lien Foundation ( www.lienfoundation.org ) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and supported by the PUB, Singapore's national water agency ( www.pub.gov.sg ) .
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is a prestigious international award for outstanding water project by young people. It aims to encourage young people’s interest in issues concerning water and the environment.
Like the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, the Singapore Junior Water Prize aims to promote awareness and interest in water and environmental issues among young people.
The finalists at the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition are the winners of the national competitions in the participating countries. The international event is held every August in Sweden, and is graced by the H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
GUESS WHO WON?!!!
Well not me personally but the LAB has two entries, one fromNUS HIGH and the other from DUNMAN HIGH, in this competition. And in a feat of pure coincidence, BOTH teams won (Joint Champions).
However, I am much much happier with the NUS HIGH result. I have been working very closely with the NUS HIGH representative, Ms Lim Kai Hui, for this competition. As there were many entries this year, and we had not really fared that well for two other competitions (SSEF and NRP), my expectations were very much lowered. I mean, I am hoping for the best, but I was realistic enough NOT to harbour fake delusions.
But to my pleasant surprise, we actually won (even better, both entries won). So with this win, I guess perseverence and much hard work; slogging for the report, poster (may I add something? A Bronze medal. Not bad indeed. Didn't think I can showcase my creative side and be rewarded for it. LOLs), adjustments on the final presentation slides till late into the night and constant practices, is worth it.....
Anyway with this win, it also means that my current project is THE SINGAPORE PROJECT at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Wow!! My work will be showcased. And it's representing Singapore. How very exciting?!!
And and and....
......if the rumor is true, I might be tasked to be the head mentor for this Singapore team. My gosh!! That's an honor. But that's just hearsay; it might not happen. I mean, Im sure they have someone else to train the budding Singapore team. But if it really happens, then that will be a great honor, and I will definitely work hard to bring honor to the country.
Even if im not the mentor, I really would still like to go to STOCKHOLM to support the team and offer technical/project advice on the project.
So by now everyone knows about the "Little Girl" and many have teased me about her. As this is (I feel) like a running joke, in which, I just take it in stride. Most times, I do not pay much attention to it. Especially when the students and/or colleagues will always say to me, just before they went off:
"Don't go back too late. Later the Little Girl will keep you company"
So recently, as usual, I have been working later, staying back in the offfice to clear up work. But maybe it's because of their constant "warnings" that I do sense that maybe I am being watched. It's like I will feel totally at ease one moment, when suddenly you just get the chills out of nowhere.
You know that funny feeling, the goosbumps at the back of your neck that just seem to creep up from nowhere. Well I have been having that recently. But I always ignored it. I just mouth some prayers, feel at ease for a bit, get what needs to be done, and then call it a day (or night).
So when I told the students/colleagues, they say that perhaps im overworked.
Or maybe there could really be something.
Or Someone.
So they suggested that I put up a webcam, so I can see if there is something (or someone?) behind me. I took it for a laugh but I told them: Ok why not? Let's do that......
And so we did put up a webcam. And I just let it run, you know, just in case.....
And well nothing happens...
For many days.......
Weeks.....
So the webcam was ignored and I soon forget about it.
Until one night, I felt totally at ease when suddenly, this eerieness creeped up.
I don't know why but suddenly I just remembered the webcam.
I slowly reached out to it and turned it on.
But I admit I was chicken shit.
I mean I DON'T want to see anything, but unfortunately im that curious....
So I looked at the PIP and saw...
WARNING: GHOST PICTURE AVAILABLE.
ARGHH!!!
PS: Ok I apologise. The photo is a fake and the whole story is truly fictional. It's just that I was chatting with one of my MASTERS classmate and the topic was on the "SINGAPORE TRUE GHOST STORIES" series. I was telling him that I find most of the stories either too fake, predictable or too gay. I told him that I can do a much better job and that given the time, I can create a truly fictional story and yet creep people out. Well I hope I did that.....
Apologies again if anyone of you is peeing in their pants now....
A PRC freelance prostitute given PR by the government.
Note: The names are fictitious, the venue is a massage parlor at Chinatown, exact location not given for obvious reasons. Readers who do not believe the story can explore the place to find out yourself.
Nick is a frequent “cheongster” (patron) of massage parlors and KTV lounges. He is amazed that quite a number of the masseurs and KTV hostesses from China are Singapore PRs. Brothers who “cheong” frequently will be able to corroborate his claims.
Below is a conversation that Nick had with Jiang Mei, a masseur working as a freelance prostitute in Chinatown:
Translated from Chinese:
Jiang Mei (standing outside the parlor soliciting customers):
“帅哥 (handsome guy), do you want some 按摩 (massage)?”
Nick (entering the parlor):
“Hmm….is Ying Zi around?”
Jiang Mei:
“She went for course sponsored by the government.”
Nick:
“What course?”
Jiang Mei:
“Some skill upgrading course to be a beautician, try me, I promise to give you excellent service.”
Note:Nick subsequently found out that the course is sponsored by SPUR for a diploma to become a beautician. Our beloved government has been spending taxpayers’ monies to sponsor these freelance PRC prostitutes for “upgrading”.
Nick stripped to his birthday suit and the massage session began.
Nick:
“Where are you from, first time here?”
Jiang Mei:
“China, have been here for a few months already.”
Nick:
“Which part of China?”
Jiang Mei:
“江西 (Jiangxi province), heard of it before?”
Nick:
“Not really, how many years have you been in Singapore?”
Jiang Mei:
“Five years already.”
Nick:
“PR already?”
Jiang Mei:
“Yeah, worked as a factory worker in the first year, my company helped me applied for Singapore PR.”
Nick:
“so fast?”
Jiang Mei:
“Got my PR within six months. It is very easy to get, some of my colleagues got theirs in two months only. Just fill up the application form and our company will do the rest for us.”
Nick:
“So what did you do later?”
Jiang Mei:
“Providing special massage? haha…”
Nick:
“Not thinking of going back to China?”
Jiang Mei:
“Must earn money first. Not easy in China nowadays, I earned only RMB2,000 back home as a beautician, can earn more here. Why, you thinking of “包” me?” (包 = to be mistress)
Nick:
“Haha….I am too poor to “包” you.”
Jiang Mei:
“So……do you want to try my特别服务 (special service)? (hands moving down to massage Nick’s crotch)”
Nick (acting blurred):
“Oh…what special service?”
Jiang Mei:
“讨厌 (naughty), you are not the first time here, don’t pretend!”
NOTE:These are terms for some sexual services. Readers who are interested to know what they mean exactly are advised to find out more themselves on the internet.
Nick:
“Hmmm….a bit ex, let me consider.”
Jiang Mei:
“Ahh…don’t be like this, since you are here already, 来爽一爽, I will make you happy, you are my first customer of the day.”
Nick:
“Inclusive of massage?”
Jiang Mei:
“Massage is $30 goes to the boss, I earn only through the special service. Try my whole body package, everything included, guarantee you will be extremely satisfied!”
Nick:
“hmm…..didn’t bring enough money.”
Jiang Mei:
“Don’t bluff me, how much money do you have now in your wallet?”
Nick:
“$100 only, not enough for the whole body package.”
Jiang Mei:
“Then try my blowing skills, 来啦! time is running out, “happy times” are precious, don’t waste it, you are not short of money anyway right.”
Nick:
“You have 套 (cap)?”
Jiang Mei:
“Of course! (strips!)”
END OF CONVERSATION
The above dialogue between Nick and Jiang Mei is REAL and is published here NOT to promote any promiscuous activities. But how these “professionals” can be considered as “talents” is anybody’s guess.
In a recent interview with the National Geographic magazine, PAP strongman Lee Kuan Yew said that it is a “good thing” that Singapore has welcomed so many Chinese immigrants (from mainland China) as they are more “hard-driving” and “hard-striving” than locals.
He forgot to add that new immigrants like Jiang Mei are more “hard-thrusting” too.
So the scene started with me in the train this afternoon; on the way to the book designer place.
It was fairly crowded with not much seats, thus I was happy to have a seat to just stone out.
When the train reach Orchard Station, the guy to my left vacated his seat.
And at the same station, enter these two Malay Girls (which we will call A and B)
So one of the girl A came to sit beside me, whilst her friend B, was standing in front of her.
The weirdest thing happened (and acting totally out of character for me), I stood up and offered my seat to B.
Thinking back, still wondering why did I do that:
I mean, im straddled with a backpack filled with the most heaviest laptop (plus accessories), a sling-bag filled with super-heavy notes; I am tired out from my morning excursion, and yet I still offered my seat to a stranger who is not pregnant/elderly/handicapped? Must be the weather.....
Sorry I digress. Anyway this is what happened next:
*note that all conversation is in Malay, but translated for the benefit of my non-Malay speaking readers*
B: Thanks! That's very kind of you!!
Me: *ignore*
A:*sympathetic* You sure you don't need a seat? You are carrying a lot of stuff.
Me: *out from my stoning* Oh!! That's ok. I only got two more stops.
*By now I finally saw that A and B are pretty cute girls; B especially. Both are about 22-24, fair-skinned, no skin blemishes or acne marks etc. B got the sweetest smile and rosy-red cheeks, and A got gorgeous hair and the cutest button-nose*
A: So where you going?
Me: Chinatown.
A: Oh!! You working at Chinatown?
Me: No. No im not.
Then I went on to explain to them why im going to Chinatown, about the book in progress and when it will be expected for publication etc etc. Don't know why im divulging so much details but both A and B are visibly impressed.
B: Wow!! You publishing a book? That's so cool!! Will I be able to buy it? I will support. No problems!!
Me:*laughs* Thanks!! I hope so. Maybe it will be sold at Popular, MPH, KINO. Or any other good bookshop. *laughs*
Just when I was getting comfortable, alas, I reached my stop Dhoby Ghaurt;
Me: Well this is my stop. It was nice chatting with you both. Please purchase my book once it's out *laughs* Bye!!
So I alighted, feeling chuffed, when I hear someone called me just when I stepped onto the station.
So I turned and A was rushing towards the door.
A: Take my number.
Me: *momentarily stunned* What?
A: Take my number.
Me: Oh ok!!! *clumsily looking for my cellular*
So I did get her number, after she repeated at least three times at least, as it was noisy and crowded and I can't hear her.
Me: Wait!!! How do I save this? What's your name?
A: Sarah (or Farah or something with -ah at the back)
*At this present moment, the announcement "TRAIN DOOR CLOSING peep peep peep" is being played in the background*
Me: What? *I really can't hear her*
And just before she could repeat her name, the door shut on us.
Me. On the outside. Looking in.
She. Still in the train. Looking out.
Separated by a thin layer of glass.
And as the train moved off, she smiled and gestured to me to call her.
I just nodded, smiled, waving back, whilst still standing there in front of the door until the train left the station.
Wow right?!!! I can't believe this happened. Im still giggling to myself now, at how cute this whole thing is. I mean such things only happen in the movies, not in real life. I have a total stranger's number. Yet I don't know her name. And I don't think I told her my name. It feels too fictional to be real. Correct?
I didn’t like James Gray’s film "Two Lovers" very much. But I’m starting to embrace it.
You have one or two of those movies, haven’t you? The movies you frowned about afterward, but years later you were watching them for the fifth time, your enthusiasm growing?
I was expecting something moody with decent performances. What I didn’t expect was a film that would trap me in the middle of several difficult questions.
In case you haven’t discovered it yet:
The film follows Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix), a lost soul still living with his parents (Isabella Rossellini and Moni Moshonov). He’s jumpy, twitchy, and he mumbles like… well, like Joaquin Phoenix in recent public appearances. Even though he looks to be in his mid to late 30s, he behaves as if he’s a moody, bashful eighteen-year-old suffering from an excess of parental monitoring and concern.
And worse, he’s tried suicide more than once, traumatized by the breakup with his fiancee. So for Leonard to find himself caught up in not one but two rushed romances seems unlikely. What young woman wouldn’t be thoroughly spooked by his shiftiness? He looks more like a potential stalker than boyfriend material. (But far be it from me to say it couldn’t happen. I’ve seen women fall hard for some of the most reckless and unstable men I’ve ever met — and suffer the consequences.) Anyway, Leonard gains the trust and admiration of both the level-headed and sweet Sandra (the radiant Vinessa Shaw) and she who will be known as “The Accident Waiting to Happen and Probably Repeatedly” — a flirt named Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow).
So, there’s the setup.
Whatever the case, such a scenario can only end a few ways. Leonard ends up with Option A, or Option B, or neither, or he kills himself. But the ending of Two Lovers, as unimaginative as it seemed at first, has been stuck in my head for days.
And now, I can’t stop thinking about Leonard: about how I’ve actually come to care about what happens to him; how I want him to survive; to be free, living an authentic life of preferences and pursuits; yet to be guided into wise choices so that he won’t mess himself up again. I want him to know passion, but also to grow old with a faithful wife and a loving, supportive family. But I also want him to live with zeal and courage.
And this is it. This is why I know I will come to love this movie. It does what the very best art does:
Two Lovers expresses something that is true about all of us. Face it: We experience the tension between the desire to live a life of authentic passion and the desire to avoid catastrophic mistakes. We want to make choices with wild abandon, but we want to be restricted just enough that we will be rescued from the consequences of our weaker moments.
It’s a fractured world, and any choice, any outcome will be imperfect and leave us wondering “What if?” But which outcome would be worse? Brief, reckless, and liberating bliss — leading, almost inevitably to disaster? Or enduring but difficult love burdened by boredom and responsibility?
This is a perplexing film. But I’d much rather have one of those than a dozen blockbusters that leave me stammering the next day as I strive to answer the question, “What did I see last night?”
So I was feeling pretty down when 2009 came to an end. I was overworked, extremely fatigued, very demoralised, had the worst fever that last for five god-damn days (which knocked me out senseless) and I was agitated that I had to take (and still taking) medications just so I can sleep.
But 2010 starts pretty well (so far).
YP called me up to meet for lunch today and she told me that she got a nice surprise to cheer me from my recent funk. When we met up, I found out that she had baked for me cookies......
I didn't really paid much attention to it until much much later. At home, I remebered the cookies and as I was muching on it while editing on the book, coincidentally, YP sms me if i paid attention to the details on the cookies. I wasn't...
And then I realised:
A smiley face!!!
I was not expecting this and it really caught me by surprise. A very nice surprise.
Thanks YP. It did cheered me up a fair bit. *hearts*
I walked into my regular doctor's office and asked for help. I'm sick of this. I'm sick of my pulsing, tight head. I'm sick of the pounding that seems to be getting worse with each passing day. I'm sick of not sleeping, of feeling like I'm about to have a vertigo attack, of having no appetite. I just want to be able to live my life and to have it back again.
Thankfully the doctor agreed with me. He was wonderfully sympathetic. I got told not to worry about taking sleeping pills. I could worry about getting off them when I was feeling better. He even suggested anti-depressants to get me through this patch, indicating that I might have anxiety panic attacks. How long that might take to get over, well who knows?
So I snivelled a bit, felt grateful to him for letting me feel sorry for myself, accepted the prescription, and went home to hide.
There's a part of me that wants to scream that this isn't fair. Of course life isn't fair. Some people have horrid things happen to them. Chances are I will eventually return to normal and pick up the pieces. Right now though I've lost perspective. In my already fragile state I was completely demoralised.
So sorry, the pity party's still firmly in place here. I just have to accept my current state and try to have faith that things will improve. I still can't quite believe that this has happened, to be quite honest. I'm scared I'll never return to normal. I still want to be FISH. I don't want to be this strange shadow of myself. I need your cyber hugs and good wishes, and hopefully I will soon be able to be updating you with the news of my recovery.
The STINGRAYS went for the Halloween special at NIGHT SAFARI..
-Here is me and Ven about to enter the thingy -
- B-grade tombstone and special effect -
All in all it was a good effort on NIGHT SAFARI's part. It was not exactly that scary but they sure know how to pull in the visitors. I got to admit that it was ridiculously crowded. So the scare tactics was kind of diffused. And since I got mild claustrophobia, I just dont like huge crowds. At times, I felt like its engulfing me and I was in a hurry to get away from the park and find some open areas.
Nonetheless I had massive fun as usual; although I have a tendency to miss out on all the good stuffs, because either I was trying to find my personal space, too busy playing with my camera or I was on the phone (half the time), talking to a friend who was updating me on the VILLA-CHELSEA game, which VILLA won 2-1.*celebrates*
I was abit pissed with something though:
The events seemed to attract stupid teenagers who was all bravado, doing their best to irritate the "spooks" and spoiling the fun for everyone. I pity the actors. Their job is hard enough, sweating in their hot costumes especially in this weather. Now they have to contend with stupid kids who enjoy nothing better than to pull pranks on them. If im one of the spooks, I will take out a real knife and just stab someone. Stab them and then run off into the woods, leaving the victim to scream in pain or die slowly from internal and external bleeding. hmmmmm.....
Anyway we managed to escape the crowds and went to the animal side of the park, which is so quiet and filled with almost no one. It's like a total opposite to the ghost side of the park. How nice!!! Walked around a bit and got to see the animals that were "missing" the last time we went. And you know why?
It's because of ROY. Im not kidding. Each time we went to an enclosure and we see nothing Roy will just go;
"Hey where's the *animal species*? *Animal species* come out!!!"
Lo and behold said *animal species* will come out from wherever it is hiding and basically posed for us. It was amazing and super coincidental. It happened many many times. From the sloth bears, to the leopard; and even the elusive binturong. It AMAZING!!! We even got to see the flying squirrels fly. And all because ROY coaxed it to fly. ROY just went;
"Hey flying squirrel!! JUMP!!!"
And it did. We saw the whole flight. From take off till landing and IT WAS AWESOME!!!! ROY must be able to speak in animal tongue, the way they respond to him. What a cool talent!!!
-Roy and his namesake; depressicornis-
After the walkaround, we decided to stop for drinks and ice-cream and I got for myself a "date"
-Here's looking at you baby-
Pity the "date" was a disaster. She did not talk much, as she was content to just sit and stare at me. I mean, I know the importance of maintaining eye contact and all that, but this is abit too extreme.
And that is where I saw the most SCARIEST thing in the whole zoo. I shit you not!!!! I looked at this and I almost crapped my pants. I'm warning you all right now; this is uber-scary. Look away if you got a weak-heart.......
- WTF?!!!!!-
$4 for a can of Milo?!!!! and COKE?!!!!! ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Paradigm shift: a whole new era
Plants to be used to reduce organic nitrogen. You mean they can utilise whole proteins as it is?!!
The future of Singapore.....
- B-grade tombstone and special effect -
-Roy and his namesake; depressicornis-
-Here's looking at you baby-
- WTF?!!!!!-