Mental as in mentally ill.

2009-01-20T02:38:00.001+08:00

Hello Everyone!

Been busy with loads of sch stuff, as usual. not much motivation to blog. Gosh, even this sentence sounds like it came from any other blog. Anw, did these 2 vids at the spur of the moment. Warning, it's purely for entertainment. =)

- Marvin

2008-11-25T13:55:00.005+08:00

From Ngee Ann Poly @ Ourspace

Decided that I needed some inspiration and a fresh environment to write, so I head back to my alma mater to chill. =) Anyway, I filled up a new playlist that i labelled "Now". every song actually has some pretty meaningful symbolism to me. haha. Shall talk abit about some of them.

1. 梁山伯与茱丽叶 - Ok, damn hard to type in chinese. Shall not. =)

Clement and Choyting sang this song during Stagewerkz 2007. We were in LT68E helping them to practice, and Choy was having a little problem getting the harmony, haha.

2. All out of Love - Olivia

I can't recall when's the 1st time I heard the song, but I vividly remember Clement and Matthew singing this during one of the mass dance practices in Red Camp 4. Cheryl and I performed this in the atrium of NP during Alumni's opening too.

3. The Call - Regina Spektor

Watched Narnia, and Sam and Hueichin were so hysterical over the boys in the movie, highly amusing. I thought the song was really nice. Thereafter, Elvis chose this song for USC FOP 2008 video. Then Alex got me the OST a month or so ago. haha.

4. 不能说的秘密 - Jay Chou

Dingren sang this for Stagewerkz 2007, and won the competition too. Remember singing this song like mad with Clement in NP (LT51a or b) when we were helping Choy prepare for her competition. And of course watching the show "Secret" with the guys. I think at Cathay Cineleisure, the ex-Neoprint level.

5. 我一直都在 - two chinese girls, lol

This song's taken off the OST to HanaKimi (I think), and I was watching the serial online when I was in Chengdu, China for my attachment on 2007. Listened to this song alot when I was roaming the streets over there.

6. Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy

Junwei sent me the whole album by them (oops), and I thought this was a very meaningful song, then I realized that Sam liked this song too! I think Sam and I started to share music thereafter, haha.

7. 一眼瞬间 - Ah Mei and some chinese dude

Ah. Disastrous song. Sang with Choy at student plaza awhile ago. Totally horrible. haha. First heard this song at Yi Fang's place, when Jenn told me it's a very nice song. Sang it with Jenn at Cash Studios numerous times. Haha, also sang it with Cheryl. A super-hard-to-sing-if-don't-minus-key-song.

8. 瞳をとじて- Some jap dude

Some guy from Celine Jessandra Music School sang this song in Stagewerkz 2007, and Clement decided to kope their -1 version. He actually practiced this song quite abit, and sounds pretty good singing it. In the morning prior to Mobbers@Orchard, he was serenading the SLs with his rendition of this song in the atrium, haha.

9. Christmas Song - Alvin and the Chipmunks

Watched the movie with Apache people after Red Camp 4, and the stupid song got stuck in my head. Then keann had to go buy to album. haha. This song reminds me a lot of the times when Azizah, Shafik, Keann and I hung out, eating Long John Silver and all, while planning for Apache Camp last Dec.

10. 菊花台 - Jay Chou

Ok. This stupid song. I wish I never sang it. Caused me SO much trauma thereafter. haha. It's like after every event, some silly dude (read: mainly alex) will just shout, "Marvin 菊花台!" As though my name is synonymous with that chrysanthemum song. grrrr.

Alright, shall study. Hopefully my next blog entry aint 3 months later again. =)

- Marvin

2008-08-03T23:20:00.004+08:00

Moving In

I've officially moved into NUS, thus beginning a new phase of my life. Alex and Hueichin helped me to shift some stuff in, haven't fully unpacked yet though. =)

Feeling the typical mixed kinda feelings. Well certainly I'm quite excited about living alone and doing new things, but I guess it's inevitable that I'm worried about the unknown. Oh well, enough of emo talk, heh. While Alex and Hueichin were here, we played around with photobooth, haha. So passe rite? Here are some of the pics we took.

Thank you guys for accompanying me! Really appreciate it. alriteeee, gonna go surf and stuff. Have an enjoyable week to come. =)

- Marvin

2008-07-29T01:03:00.002+08:00

i
29th July 2008

Gosh, it's a difficult date to remember. Lol. Anyway, this entry is for a special friend on this special day. Some famous guy once said:

"Love, the concoction, is probably 1-part sweetness and 9-parts bitterness."

True, perhaps. But no one said that the 9 parts of bitterness would last for a longer duration than the 1 part of sweetness. For all you know, the 1 part sweetness is like a super duper concentrate of cane sugar extract, the kind which leads to emotional diabetes. =)

Plus, you can probably obtain bitterness from various sources, but the last time I checked, sweetness in life comes only from love, whatever its form. (be it kinship, friendship...etc)

so... All the best!

p.s. I'm never the kind who only believes in the conventional "best".

For him, who always sees things this way.

- Marvin

2008-07-27T09:19:00.004+08:00

i
Thank You Everyone

I'm very appreciative of everything that's been bestowed upon me. It's kinda overwhelming, but I'd stay grounded to reality still. =)

To:

My Family & Relatives - Thank you for always believing in me, placing such strong faith in me that I feel unworthy at times.

My Confidantes - Thank you for listening to me whine, complain and lament all these while. Otherwise, I'd have become a hermit long ago.

My Directors, Lecturers & Staff (NP) - Thank you for all the opportunities. Prior to entering NP, I would never have dreamt that I'd still have a chance to pursue my dreams.

My Friends - Thank you all the support and concern. I'm not exactly the most sociable person, and I'm thankful for all of you who have stood by me all these while.

This comes from the bottom of my heart.

p.s. I'm NOT trying to be politically correct! haha

- Marvin

2008-07-15T00:37:00.002+08:00

l
Pre-Camp (and whatever else) Jitters

I've noticed that people enjoy blogging the very night before a camp. Guess Marvin's no exception, so here he is on blogger, barely 7.5 hours prior to meeting up at Pasir Ris MRT Station. =)

I'd be away for an orientation camp from Tuesday to Friday. For those who are interested, it's for USP, a programme I'd be undertaking in NUS. Pretty interesting, go take a look if you're keen to find out more.

http://www.usp.nus.edu.sg/

Alrite. For those who're aware, wish me luck. For the rest who don't, well wish me luck too.

- Marvin

2008-07-08T01:17:00.002+08:00

i
It's all the same

1. .

2. k

3. =)

4. fuck

5. 01:22

6. Alcohol

7.

This was supposed to a super lengthy post, which believe-it-or-not, I've came up with the words for it even before I got myself out of my bed in order to post.

But here I am, sorely lacking the courage to verbalise my innermost thoughts, while all semblances of coherence continue to elude me. (It's time like this when I suspect that absolut or kilkenny's may be my best friends.) Or so I thought.

This could yet be my most lucid moment of all.

- Marvin

2008-06-27T22:21:00.004+08:00

i
Room Cleaning

I finally got down to clearing my room a few days ago. Afterall, I'm gonna be living in somewhere different in a month's time, thought it's only fair for me to toss the stuff I don't really need anymore. Threw away 8 garbage bags worth of stuff! Ok, I'm exaggerating, haha. Interestingly, as I was rummaging through my drawers and stacks of papers from god-knows-what-module/era, I found some stuff. =)

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this. Prior to studying in NP, I've actually been to the campus some 11 years ago! I actually do remember the occassion, was some enrichment course. Pretty fun, we played with some plasticy compounds or smth. Well I was never the science/chem kind of person to begin with.

This was my name tag in Catholic High. For those who aren't aware, Cat High adopts a "different-color-for-each-batch" approach when labelling us. So for those in my batch, we were "yellow". The batch which came in when I was Sec 2 were "green", followed by blue then red. And when I graduated, the incoming Sec 1s were yellow again. 4 year cycles. Useless trivia, yes. =)

This was certainly memorable! I think some of you may know that I used to do radio broadcasting back in Cat High. This was actually an article in the Straits Time featuring us as the pioneer Radio Broadcasting Station among Secondary Schools. I know it reads "History Program", but we did much more than that. I was reprimanded for playing Savage Garden's "Truly, Madly, Deeply", because it contained this line "...and bathe with you in the sea". WTH.

This is me in the picture! haha. Eons ago I know. Well anyway, that's my grandma. She passed away some 8+ years ago. Miss her "sometimes bland, sometimes too salty" food, miss her nagging, miss her funny remarks in teochew. Miss her.

Found alot more stuff actually, shall leave that to another time. Can't wait to start studying again! =) Take care people. TGIF!

- Marvin

2008-06-25T11:29:00.003+08:00

i
Questions & Answers

Some girl from NP called me to "interview" me, or so she said. I was seriously in a half asleep mode when I was replying her. But I thought the questions (and my answers) were pretty laughable. Here, have a go. =)

Q: What kind of sandwich would you bring to a deserted island?

Marv: Bacon Cheese from NP's campus deli.

Q: Which celebrity would you want to have a one night stand with?

Marv: Since I just watched Sex and The City, I'd like to be Carried away.

Q: So that's Sarah Jessica Parker? Would you want to marry her?

Marv: No.

Q: If you just won 1 million dollars and you have only 1 day left to live, what so you think you'd do with the money?

Marv: Given my character, I think I'd end up spending the 24 hours thinking about how to spend the money, and end up not spending it at all.

Q: Who are the 5 people you'd like to meet in heaven?

Marv: (I just read Mitch Albom!) 1. God. 2. My Grandma. And I'd leave it to the first two to help me arrange the other 3 meetups.

Q: Lastly, what song would you like to be played at your funeral?

Marv: Auld Lang Syne.

Q: Would you like a live band to play it?

Marv: Nope, the Sex and The City version would do, haha.

So here it is. =)

Enjoy.

- Marvin

2008-06-25T00:23:00.004+08:00

i
Sex, Labels, Love and The City.

I really thought it was a very insightful show, though I must say I was horrified at the scenes containing frontal nudity (both female and male! *gasp*) Wasn't prepared for it, haha.
When the hall lights went up, I took a look around and found it hard to miss the fact that the majority of the audience were females, and the few males around were typically accompanied by their significant half. And there I was, watching Sex and The City with Mr Pinky Boy. I'm not complaining though!

Well anyway, a thought just crossed my mind as to why the show is so appealing to the fairer gender. Here are some reasons I thought were pretty straightforward.

1. The Clothes (Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and the endless parade of haute couture)
2. The Witty Dialogue (bitchy comments and what nots)
3. The Sex

For point number 3, I can almost hear the disagreement as I type it. But hey, it's true! While we know that the proliferation of the internet has led to the widespread availability of online adult material (it simply means "porn is easily obtainable online"), it's a different thing watching female celebrities spout lines about the male anatomy freely. That's liberating. Not to mention watching it legally in your favourite Golden Village or Cathay Cinema, that's also liberating.

To sum it all up, I think most girls would certainly have enjoyed the show for these reasons of mine.

1. It talks about living it up.

A walk-in wardrobe fully decked with designer clothes and shoes. Which girl wouldn't want such a lifestyle, even if it's only for a day? Heck they even talk about websites which allow users to rent designer handbags for a week! Talk about e-commerce.

2. It talks about liberation.

Everyone of us dream about taking off to an exotic mexico resort for a 5-star holiday. But in reality, most of us are stuck in 5-sq feet cubicles, complete with our very own never-empty In Tray. Watching the show allows one to dream, even if it's just for awhile.

3. It talks about growing old gracefully.

It's getting so cliche to talk about youthfulness these days. Let's face it, we're all gonna get old one day, though I'm probably one step ahead of you guys in that race. It's amazing that at 50, one can still boast of such beauty, even though it is a hollywood movie afterall. Girls and women alike love the idea of seeing that it Is possible to be attractive at 50, even though the show did mention regular botox sessions in the fine print.

4. It talks about L.O.V.E.

The movie somewhat opens with these lines:

"People come to New York City for 2 Ls. Labels and Love."

'Nuff said.

Maaan, even though I aint a girl, I wanna fall in love (with style) too.
New York City (or wherever else Love and Labels co-exist), here I come. =)

- Marvin

2008-06-22T23:06:00.007+08:00

i
MOBBERS@Orchard - 25th Jun 2008

This coming Wednesday, do drop by to join us. Lotsa fun-filled activities like mass dancing and performances await you! Here are some pictures from the previous MOBBERS @ Orchard.

MOBBERS@Orchard

as part of ‘Music in the City’

Ngee Ann City, Civic Plaza

Wednesday, 25th June 2008

7pm, 8pm.

(should be done by 9.30pm)

Wear RED CAMP tee, YLA tee and badge (if lost nvm), jeans and COVERED SHOES. Or even any colored tee (red, green, yellow, blue or white)

See you!

- Marvin

2008-06-21T22:46:00.006+08:00

i
Alex.

Everyone, meet Mr Pinky Boy, otherwise known as Alex Tai or Alexus, haha. We kinda thought Pinky Boy was an apt nickname after Clement remarked about the pink shirt which fits Alex to a T. =)

Anyway, I've been wanting to say something to Mr Tai. Somehow verbalising some stuff just aint so easy for guys. So Mr Tai, don't scroll down so quickly like you'd normally do when reading my blog! This one's for you.

-----

Hey Bro, it's been an amazing 3 years and 1 month, give and take a few days. I know that you know this is a "thank you" post, but it's not just that. Ok maybe it is, haha.

Thank you for the first time we conversed in BLK 56, LMS Class, approx 9.30am?

Thank you for somehow clique-ing with this old uncle 7 yrs your senior.

Thank you for believing in me always, even when I told you that the green-coloured Sour Apple Candy Tape aint sour. -grins-

Thank you for being by my side as we both fought countless battles to start BA_COMM, where we both got to experience a whole new world.

Thank you for the all the additional birthday presents (poster + video) for 2006.

Thank you for the all-so-heartwarming (failed) birthday surprise in 2007.

Thank you for being there on 15th December 2005, when the world came crashing down on me for the 1st time. The trip to Malaysia truly helped to take my mind off stuff.

Thank you for being there on 27th February 2008, when the world came crashing down on me yet another time. I think I would have died if you weren't by my side all these while.

Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

Thank you sharing with me your stuff. Don't stop.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be part of your life, so that I have the chance to be by your side too when you need it. Truth be told, I think I'd never be able to repay you for everything you've done for me.

Thank you for being my best friend ever.

Thank God I found you.

- Marvin

2008-06-17T23:55:00.004+08:00

i
Toys Are Us

I went to the Toys'R'us at Forum today with Clement. Mr Ow was looking for one of those miniature car models for his younger brother aged 12. Met some ambassador juniors after that at Marina Square. A particular conversation felt quite interesting.

Others: What did you guys buy?

Marv: uhm, Clement bought a toy car.

Girl 1: ew, I don't like cars, I'd prefer barbie dolls.

Marv: That's because you're a girl!

Girl 2: That's not true, I like cars!

---

By the way, Girl 1 is Hueichin, and Girl 2 is Hazlyn.

Well, that's quite true I thought. Apart from the usual "Guys like robots" and "Girls like dolls", I think the kind of toys we play kinda reflects more of our personality than our gender. Well Hueichin a.k.a Girl 1 actually said she preferred Barbie Dolls so that she could twist the doll's head off. I aint really keen to talk about Her personality: *coughs* violent *coughs*.

As for me, I enjoy playing Lego since young. In fact my mum always encouraged me to do well in studies, using gifts of Lego as incentives. I love to construct castles and palaces, filled with secret passages and other facilities. I guess I really enjoy the feeling of "building" things, the whole idea of starting something from scratch. It's like every castle I built had its own story behind. As I was constructing the buildings, I would start conceptualising, like why the King's bedroom had an adjoining secret escape passage, and why this kingdom has a huge stable for horses. Those were the days...

For those who aint too sure what Lego is, here's a link. I like the medieval kind, filled with wizards and their wands, or knights and their steeds.

http://www.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx

Your turn, what's your favourite toy when you were younger? It's perfectly ok if you name a toy which you still enjoy playing with, as long as it's not one of those lewd kind of toys, haha. Do share with me. =)

- Marvin

2008-06-15T01:19:00.003+08:00

i
Bittersweet, pride and love

2nd post in 10 minutes, lol.

I'm really proud of all my Ambassador & BA_COMM juniors for the 2 camps you guys have accomplished. It's bitter coz I know it's time for everyone to move on, and it's sweet to see you guys doing so well. =) You guys are truly my greatest pride and love.

If it matters, just know that problems, issues and bitching are really unavoidable realities of life. Trust in your right to make your own mistakes, be prepared to rectify them. If you have the love and passion for whatever you're doing, that love and passion would eventually prevail. Against all odds. You may be momentarily blinded sometimes, but the love and passion would be the beacon which would eventually remind you of what you wanted to do all along anyway.

Love and passion ftw. =)

- Marvin

2008-06-15T00:10:00.004+08:00

i
Life is full of complexities

You know, just by reading the title alone, as I was typing it out, I felt the complexity already.

I have no idea what's confounding me. Afterall I'm supposed to be having the time of my life now that I'm holidaying and maintaining my status of unemployment. My friend corrected me anyway, I'm not "Unemployed", since I'm not wanting to be seek employment in the first place. I'm effectively "Not in labour force". Lol to Economics Definitions.

Some recent updates as to what I've been doing:

Nothing.

Ok, nothing is quite an exaggeration. I went back to NP for the following reasons:

1. Talk to the Year One scholars
2. BA_COMMunications Camp
3. Ambassador's Training & Bonding Camp
4. Youth Leaders' Academy Camp Post Mortem

and,

I Swam, I Shopped and I Sure feel broke. haha. I think I sound like an ill-constructed piece of copy inspired by the ION Orchard lines. Lol to advertising gimmicks.

By now the more discerning you might already have realised, I've not talked about anything related to my title. Worse, I don't even seem to be beating around the bush or putting in token effort to do so. Well truth be told, that's the weird way I feel, inexplicablility. Go google. I don't think the word exists.

Some random things about me:

1. I hate "huh"s. (I used to hate "please lah"s more. Now they're on par.)

2. I can't decide if I'm a cheerful person. (Some university professor asked me today why I'm so cheerful. I think I am, yet I don't think I am.)

3. My big face.

4. My love-hate relationship with myself.

The list is probably endless. And to whom it may concern, I think these days I hate explaining myself. Why?

When I explain something very thoroughly, people would either be overwhelmed by the detailedness. Or they'd pick something (besides the main point) and digress.

I'm going into my "marv-shall-stone" mode. Stoned.

- Marvin

2008-06-06T00:12:00.003+08:00

l
Things Changed

Was reading a friend's blog, and I know things really aren't the same anymore. The days of hanging around together, doing stuff together are really over for us. I don't know why I still care after all that you guys have said about me behind my back (I'm still damn impressed with the "bitching chalet" idea). But I do, so here's what I have to say.

When I first got to know back in Feb that you guys dislike me so much , I was at a lost for words. Not that I think I'm too saintly to make people unhappy, but how I didn't realise so much has happened without me (the main lead, apparently) realising. For all it's worth, I cried for one night, wondering what went wrong.

Eventually I calmed myself down, and I really gave the 3 yrs very serious thought. I looked at photos, blogs...etc to scour for every single clue as to when the change occured. I failed. I thought about every single one of you and I wonder, if there was really a scale to measure whether you did more for me, or vice versa, I don't think I've shortchanged anyone. All the sudden phonecalls in need of help, I don't think I've ever turned down a single one of you. The strings I've pulled to help you, I don't think you'd not know. Staying up till god-knows-what-time to work out stuff for you, I really didn't think you'd forget it. But you did, apparently.

I thought about friendships. Even though (as you alleged) I forged new friendships in the different endeavours I undertake, I don't think I've slighted you. Again, if there was a scale which measured like how often you ask us out, and how often We asked you out instead, I think you'd find yourself at the better end of the bargain.

I'm sorry I've been (in)different to you (all) since I've got to know about everything. It obviously can't be the same ever again. I can't laugh at your jokes, talk cock with you, discuss stuff with you, as though I didn't hear about how you tell others how bad I am. I'm sorry, maybe you can, but I can't. I know for sure, if I were the one who hated you so much, I would not have the audacity (or the cheek) to ask for your help or crack jokes with you.

Now that we're all going our seperate ways, I just wanna tell you that I'd never forget all the times that we've shared. From the first chalet (ironical) that we had, the first time we all got drunk, to the first time we stayed in school to do stuff, first camp we had, every single fragment of these memories would stay etched in the deepest echelons of my heart. I believe that everything happened for a reason, and I'd take this as a huge lesson learnt. The last part of my valedictorian speech was really meant for all of you.

We were strangers starting out on a journey

Never dreaming how this would come true

Now here we stand, unafraid of the future

This is the start, this is the start.

May God bless you. All the best.

- Marvin

2008-06-05T12:44:00.002+08:00

j
What's Next!

Alrite, I've been procrastinating this for awhile. Many people have been asking me like where I am headed for now that Poly's really Over. Thought I'd just say it out plain and loud. =)

Next Stop: National University of Singapore (NUS)
Reading: (1) Business Administration [BizAd], (2) Communications and New Media [CNM]
(Double-Degree Programme)

I'd be living in Halls! hahahaha, damn expensive. And yes, I'd be on scholarship. =)
Time I'm gonna take to graduate: I have no goddamn idea.

Commencement Date: 4th August 2008

Yeah, done! haha. And I love my Apaches to bits. <3

- Marvin

2008-06-03T12:54:00.005+08:00

s
Some Positivity in life

I've always been asked,

"Marv, why do you keep doing camps?"

Throughout the 3 years of my polytechnic journey, I have (lemme count) uhm, helped to plan / organize / facilitate at least 12 camps, not counting those which I had simply participated in. No this is not a moment of self-indulgent pride; it's a moment of understanding.

I asked myself the same question repeatedly too, why on earth do I keep doing camps and I think I do have the answer. It's because everyone needs [insert title of post].

Indeed, everyone of us needs some positivity in life, especially the younger ones. Many people misconstrue the intentions of camps, with the myopic ones thinking that camps are just brainwashing and bonding tools. I, on the other hand, consider camps to be the ideal backdrop to try infusing another individual with some positivity.

Let's be frank, almost all of us would have some unhappy things happening to us. Be it family, lovers, friends, work or school-related, wherever there are human beings, there would be interation, and thus there would be room for misunderstandings and conflicts. In a world where success and achievements seem to be denoted by materialistic gains, it isn't very hard to get oneself lost in this interminable rat race. For many, it seems almost inevitable that one day we would eventually become jaded and indifferent to everything. And that, is what I consider extreme negativity.

So I do camps because I've had my fair share of jadedness and indifference. I now know that there are many meaningful things in this world, and I hate to see others gradually losing sight of their sense of purpose. Worse, for the younger ones, to begin their awakening process thinking that the glass is half empty and not half full. Camps provide me with an excellent setting to share with the rest what little I know about being positive in life. Camps allow me to do for others what I have never experienced, and felt lacking.

Hence during camps,

I'd try to get to know everyone.
I'd try to address everyone by name.
I'd try to let everyone explore a different side of themselves.
I'd try to say good morning, good night to everyone of them.
I'd try to encourage everyone else to do the same.

and hope that during the duration of the camp, one can feel a change, and know that life is indeed beautiful.

That said, I've completed my last camp in NP. Just one word to describe it, awesome. It's really nice that the last one is also one of the best.

Well at times, I do feel negative too. Very often in fact. I think everyone does feel lost here and there. So in the midst of all the "help-spread-the-positivity" efforts, do not forget about yourself. You cannot love others well, without knowing how to love yourself. So once in awhile, do something nice for yourself too. I do that all the time.

Strawberry Sundae anyone?

p.s. Please tag and tell me what's the thing that you would do to make yourself happy. Thx!

- Marvin

2008-05-20T23:28:00.007+08:00

h
Cause We Had A Bad Day (or Week)

Everyone's been having problems.

School work, family stuff, work related issues. Hope these unhappy stuff would come to an end soon. Idk, kinda lost for words. Thanks to those who've tagged wrt the 7 words of happiness. Ima go compile it soon when I'm in a slightly more joyous mood. Oh anw, some of us would be singing this Friday at the atrium of Ngee Ann Poly. Drop by if you too are feeling alil melancholic and in need of some music therapy. Meanwhile, take care.

- Marvin

2008-05-08T23:12:00.007+08:00

Marvin to Earth: Yes I'm back.

hello everyone. it's been awhile, yes i'm aware. well anyway, time to reply some tags!

-----

Jac: yessh, here i am with updates!

Kim: That interview went ok. =) yes i love my bag too.

Melv: Alil overdued, but don't think i wanna work in sun and moon. haha.

Zhengyong: Of course I do, just said hi to you in lib on wednesday, lol.

Hueichin: hiiiii, haha

Daisy: Dun mention it, small thing. and thank you. =)

Sammie: Nope work hasnt killed me, but hopefully ur physical abusing won't kill me eventually.

Shawn: I've decided not to blog about whatever I wanted to previously, haha. Booorrring.

Cher: Decision Making Sux!

Clement: Can I say the same? (re-entry into blogosphere) -grins-

Felicia: haha, I won't remind you (overly often) of thaaat. hope u'r having fun in mma!

Jenn: took a break! hows work????

Alex: Stop rawring. Start "working". =D

Ed: no lah. unless u count these replies to tags. haha. glad u'r enjoying school.

All: yes I'm back! or so my the title of this blog entry states. heh

-----

Been busy with many things:

1. working in lib. (yahhhhh, I was working in the lib for 2 weeks, lol)

2. helping out in BA_COMM's Recruitment Drive

3. doing interviews for Ambassadors

4. playing diablo II (it's not old school. it's not childish, or so I claim)

5. uni admission issues. Not gonna elaborate, but if for some obscure reason u'r interested to know more, please ask me in private, lol.

6. preparing some speeches.

7. bumming around.

So now you know why I have not been blogging.

Anyway, condolences to the victims (or their relatives) of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. With so many people dead, injured, lost and homeless, I seriously hope that everyone of us (myself inclusive) can be a little more satisfied with what we have, and not lament, quarrel, or bitch about things which really pale in comparison. While we may not be able to help them directly, being more contented and spending our energy on more positive endeavours would be more considerate.

I posed this question to my friend.

"In 7 words, tell me what's happiness to you."

"chocolate, ice cream, no stairs, no celery"

lol. he cheated actually, since "ice" "cream" could technically be "icecream", hahaha. My 7 would probably be something like this too, with "strawberries" and "lemon" probably. I can be quite obsessed with food too, lol.

But I think if I were to ask any of the people in Myanmar now, their answer would probably be something like:

"food, shelter, warmth, water, family, health, democracy"

Or maybe simply - Survival.

Why don't you guys share with me what's happiness to you, in 7 words? No cheating (of words), and no neccessity for politically correct answers. Cheers!

- Marvin

Retail and Food Therapy

2008-04-03T00:02:00.011+08:00

Retail & Food Therapy

Bought a new bag, like finally. Here it is! Love it.

Went for dinner with Alex and we have a place to recommend you guys! Here, take a look.

Sun With Moon

@Wheelock Place

^Their large menu display along the walls attracted me^

^Alex posing with utensils^

^Alex smiling in a suggestive way"

What we ordered

^Chicken Sukiyaki^

Apart from chicken, it had lotsa vegetables like onions, shitake mushrooms, golden mushrooms and cabbage. There were also beancurd and vermicelli in the sweetish stew.

^Egg to be mixed into soup DIY"

^Notice the difference in the amount of ingredients in both bowls of Miso Soup?^

^Grilled Cod Fish in Teriyaki Sauce^

Damn nice! The skin and outer layer of the fish was slightly charred, given it the unique combination of flavours with the sauce. The fish was so fresh that the layers of cod were peeling off so nicely. The inner part of the fish was tender and moist, boasting great control of the grill time.

^Chocolate Mousse^
I don't normally have much faith in Japanese chocolate confectionary. While this aint the best I've eaten, it's quite good for a Japanese restaurant.

^Dessert Box^
Four-in-one. (From Top Left, in clockwise order) 1. Black sesame with cheesy tofu. 2. Red Bean paste with mochi. 3. Vanilla Pistachio Icecream. 4. Plum-flavoured Jelly with fruits.

^Alex suggested that I work part-time here, haha^

Indulge yourself once in awhile. =)

- Marvin

Updates and Replies

2008-03-30T14:28:00.003+08:00

j
Updates and Replies

Let me start by replying to the fabulous people who've tagged.

Chunhui: I think the rest felt that the question was quite easy. Really, Interviewee number 2 knew all the statistics and figures. I was wondering whether he was a temp staff at CPF Board.

Jac: Thank you, appreciate it. For all you know, he's going to make it into SMU. =)

Jenn & YC: Mine's for School of Economics, maybe business's one is awhile later? Must have faith eh.

Janice: Hope your interview went well!

Azizah: Hey! Nice of you to drop by. Yeah, it is quite funny. How's life?

Ed: Haha, something silly I conclude. I apologized for not knowing all the figures at the back of my hand, then went on to suggest what else I think can be used to help reduce the effects of a growing population in SG, like change in mindset of employers...etc.

Shawn: Sure hope so! You've had Your share of interviews, haha. Navy interview? =)

----------

Some interesting things happened to me in the last few days. The first one was completely unexpected - Cheryl taught me to play the piano. I've always wanted to learn to play, so getting the opportunity to do so was simply breathtaking. Heard of the song "让我爱你" (rang wo ai ni), a duet by Vic Zhou and Big S? Cheryl taught me the chorus, both hands. Well I did learn how to play the tune with my left and right hand, but not together! Only managed to play the first line with both hands. Think I'd be visiting Jurong East St 13 (Cheryl's place) pretty often.

And on Thursday (27th March '08) night, I went for....

KT Tunstall's Concert!

@Suntec City

Went with Junwei and Kim, and I must say it was great. She was so sneaky, calling it a night after an hour or so of performance. I was so shocked when she thanked everyone and walked off the stage. I told Kim I'd stab her and get my money back if she was really going to stop there and then. In the end, an entire audience on their feet, cheering and screaming brought her back for an encore for another 30 mins or so! She's one of the few singers who can really sing live. You can read more about her here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kt_tunstall

Her official website:

http://www.kttunstall.com/

Here are some pictures Junwei took with his camera.

Hope everyone's enjoying their lazy sunday off!

- Marvin

SMU Interview

2008-03-26T11:40:00.006+08:00

j
SMU Admissions Interview

Venue: School of Economics
Date: 26 March '08
Time: 0930

I just came back from a nerve-wrecking experience. Quite interesting though. I reached the campus at 9.10 (not kiasu, I was told to arrive by 9.15), and I felt like a tourist, haha. I was looking out for signages to lead me to my destination.

Well anyway, when I reached the waiting room, I was greeting by deathly silence. I couldn't even tell the difference between the staff and the interviewees (a.k.a like me), 'cause no one was talking. Then someone came up to me and gestured me to take a seat. I don't know if I was being paranoid, but I thought there was an air of hostility. Timecheck: 0915.

A lady asked for my original poly result slips for verification. Dutifully, I produced all six of them and she began checking diligently, or so I thought. But she was checking my original 5th semester results against a photocopy of my 2nd semester's results, lol. And she actually ticked against her checklist. If the atmosphere wasn't so tense, I would definitely have told her the error (joke). =)
Timecheck: 0922.

Suddenly, a familiar face appeared at the door; Vanessa from my own diploma/school. She was quite friendly and as we talked, others started joining in and guess what, 6 out of the 8 candidates were from Ngee Ann, but 4 of them were from Engineering. Vanessa said something which took me by surprise.

Vanessa: Is this your first choice?

Marv: Yeah, you?

Vanessa: Nah I wanted Business, everyone wants Business. Econs is like a 2nd choice.

Marv: (lost for words)

Some of you would be aware that I chose Economics as the 1st choice for all of my Uni applications, UK ones included. I've been bugged by quite a few people (lecturers and friends alike) as to why I did not gun for a better (read: more lucrative) degree like Law or Business. Oh well, I remain steadfast in my choice. Timecheck: 0933.

Finally, we were ushered into this cramped room and asked to take our positions for a Group Interview. Here's the layout, and I'm Interviewee Number 3.

Our first task was to introduce ourselves in order of position. I was getting ready for a typical:

"Hi I'm Marvin, a student from Ngee Ann Poly, Business Studies specializing in Marketing."

And then Vanessa (who is position number 1) started doing a 3 minutes introduction including why she likes SMU and Economics. I was seriously like, wth. I decided Not to conform (completely), and I talked for a minute or so. After the 8th interviewee finished talking about herself, the Chief Interviewer said:

Interviewer: Now I will pose a question to all of you, and you will answer in order of your positions."

Marv: (Nods head earnestly)

Interviewer: What do you think of the newly announced CPF Life Scheme for the elderly of Singapore?

Marv: (Stunned)

I thought they were going to ask about stuff like the sub-prime crisis, Beijing Olympics, oil prices, or maybe worldwide inflation. But CPF Life scheme?!? I thought that was rather micro. Anyway I gave my $0.02 worth. But the interesting thing was what some others did, in particular Interviewee No. 7.

Interviewer: (turns his attention from No.6 to No. 7)

No.7: Let me ask you first, do you contribute to CPF?

Interviewer: (raises eyebrows, hesitantly): Yes I do.

No.7: And do you use your CPF for any purpose?

Interviewer: Yes, to finance my housing loans etc.

No.7: You see, that's the problems with Singaporeans! That's why you need people like me, Financial Advisors to help you out.

Well you see, Mr No.7 is a Malaysian citizen who took MOT (Marine and Offshore Technology) in NP. More importantly, he is currently working as a "Financial Advisor", or so he declared. For heaven's sake, the interviewer has a doctorate in Statistics, I think he can do his math on his own, thank you.

Mr No.7 went on to explain to the interviewer how the (mis)usage of CPF funds to finance housing loans, kids' education school fees and buying property would ultimately result in him not having enough money for his old age. While I do see some merit in his arguments, I found it overly extreme and one-sided. Afterall, there is a limit to how much you can use from your CPF Ordinary Account, and financing a HDB loan or your son's university fees can hardly be considered a frivolous form of expenditure. You'd have to borrow from a bank otherwise, which would pose another set of opportunity cost wouldn't it? He's an ok person (I think), just thought he was rather rash.

After the entire interview was over, I think the interviewer felt that some clarification was in order so he explained to Mr No.7 that he's done some planning, and he's quite sure he won't end up that bad. Haha.

I thought it was pretty amusing, the whole experience. I don't really have alot of confidence in interviews anymore due a very bad experience which I won't talk about today. Hence I'd leave it to God since I've tried my best. To those of you who have gone/are going for interviews, all the best! =)

- Marvin

2008-03-24T11:17:00.013+08:00

j
Uniquely Singapore

I met a couple of friends up for lunch last week in the CBD area, a.k.a Raffles Place, and boy was I in for a shock. I had no idea that its SO congested during lunch time. And I hear it can be worse. Guess what, the huge crowds weren't the greatest shocker. Check out the pics!

^The queue for Subway sandwiches was at least 25 people long^

As I walked into one of the underground foodcourts in the vicinity, I witnessed a phenomenon I've only previously heard about.

The Tissue Paper Culture

For the benefit of some those who aren't sure what I'm talking about, the "Tissue Paper Culture" is a protocol among Singaporeans, used to chop (or reserve) a place in some hawker centre or foodcourt. From my observation, it's Most apparent amongst the working class, hence you'd see this more in CBD area where everyone seems to be rushing like mad. By the way in the picture above, it's just One packet of tissue paper. Mind you, it's considered tame amidst the efforts of others. Look at the how innovative Singaporeans can be.

^Paper Bag Chopping^

^The WHOLE area is like chopped, with umbrellas, tissue papers and flyers!^

^As if one umbrella isn't enough^

^Even seats located at more deserted corners weren't spared^

^This one even more power, use a fricking flower lah^

The experience was so amusing. Suaku (or ignorant) Marvin has never seen something like that. A pack or two here and there in a hawker centre, yes I've seen that. But something as widespread as this, no. The amazing thing is that Everyone abides by this unspoken rule. Seeing tissue is as good as seeing the person! I guess this is how orderly we Singaporeans can be.

Mischievous me was quite tempted to flick away a packet of tissue and seat down, haha. When I was taking one of the photos, the owner of one of the packets of tissue came back with her food, and there I was with my camera still in my hand. Damn paiseh I tell you.

Initially I found it very atrocious that something like this is happening. On second thoughts, is it really that bad? Many working class peeps eat alone (too busy to make friends in office perhaps?), hence it's kinda hard for them to wait for a place and buy food simultaneously within the short lunch break right? Moreover if one went ahead to buy food without a place, he or she may just end up eating his/her laksa while standing. In an unorthodox way, this culture of chopping seats does provide a useful system. So, is the Tissue Paper Culture good or bad?

Meanwhile, bring a few more packets of tissue when you head for lunch in the CBD. =)

- Marvin

Greatest Love of All

2008-03-19T14:41:00.005+08:00

Greatest Love of All

I know I mentioned that the next few posts were going to be on the autobiography, but yeah, something else felt more important. I got to know that a close friend's mum was recently diagnosed with cancer and she's currently undergoing chemotherapy. It must be tough for the family and words cannot convey my concern. Felt relieved when I knew she was in stage 1 (and not any later) of the illness. Truly hope that everything would be fine for them. I pray to God that she would recover soon and emerge stronger from the ordeal.

Hearing about this reminded me of another similar predicament. Not too long ago, I witnessed how another friend's mum (Florence) succumb to the illness after a 1 year fight with cancer. She wasn't so lucky; she was in the 3rd stage when diagnosed. I saw how she became weaker by the day and gradually lost her will to live. To most of us onlookers, yes we feel sad and sympathize, but the truth remains that we're not the actual victims. We can never fully understand the extent of their pain and suffering, the battle they are waging both physically and mentally.

Florence had lung cancer despite never having smoked. After the initial trauma of realisation and acceptance, she gathered her courage to undergo treatment. For those of us whose knowledge of chemotherapy is restricted to what we see on tv, trust me it's at least 10 times worse in reality, and probably 20 times worse if you're the person going through it. The perpetual state of nausea and enfeeblement is enough to bring the strongest-willed person to his/her knees.

But yet Florence persisted. Her love for her husband and 3 children kept her going. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, her eldest son was only in his second year of uni studies. She was the sole breadwinner of the family as the father was quite useless in my opinion. She really wasn't ready to leave them behind helpless and defenseless. I could see it in her eyes every time I talked to her that she has so much she wanted to do for them. She wanted to see her eldest son graduate. She wanted to see her second son start having direction in life. She wanted to see her youngest daughter grow up. On the night she passed away, for the first time in life, I felt the emotion of "cannot let go" or as the Chinese say "放不下" in someone so immensely. She was clearly on the brink of death, but she just couldn't allow herself to go. All of us called out to her to let go and that her kids would be fine. Eventually she did.

And that's the love of a mother for her children, a selfless form of love that is truly the greatest of all.

My mother is a saint I tell you. And I think almost all mothers are too. She works so hard even at her age just to make sure that her children need not worry about financial issues and can concentrate on their studies. And useless marvin still wants to study at 27. She cleans the whole house and cooks for us without complaints, and I rarely even lift a finger to do any housework. Sometimes I feel like an utter idiot. I can spend so much time doing stuff in school, with friends and group mates, but yet I rarely help her out in her chores. She has done so much for me but what have I ever done for her?

Sometimes it's so ironical what things we can do for our friends, and not for our parents. We go out with our friends all the time, chip in to get presents for them, talk to them about their problems and stuff, but we don't do any of that for our parents. Heck, we even lose our cool and get impatient with them if they start nagging a little, though we can stay on the phone to hear our friends/girlfriends/boyfriends lament about seemingly petty stuff. Is this really our love for our parents? Well maybe this checklist would help put some things into perspective.

When's the last time you:

1. Sat down with your mum and initiated a conversation.
2. Asked her if her day was ok.
3. Bought her a mother's day present.
4. Bought her a birthday present.
5. Took her out for dinner.
6. Went to catch a movie with her.
7. Told her stuff going on in your life.
8. Took time to accompany her watch tv.

When's the last time you talked to your mum for more than 5 minutes?

I'm not trying to say that if you have been doing all of the above, you truly love your mum. Or the converse. But if you're not really doing any of these things, I think it's quite likely that your mum can't really feel your love for her. Mothers are human too, they need concern and signs of assurance to know that they're doing a good job taking care of you. Consider this, isn't it absurd to claim that we have "no time" to accompany our parents when we can like just "hang out" in town, watch the crappiest of movies simply because our friends wanted to?

I'm not sure about you, but I'm going to stop finding excuses for myself. It's true, I don't think I show my mum my love for her enough. I don't want to wait till it's too late to realise that I ought to have started earlier. You know what I mean. Parents aren't immortal, they don't live on forever. So to all you people out there who love your parents to bits, don't just keep it to yourself,

Show them you love them.

Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston

- Marvin

Autobiography 1/3 - BA_COMMunications

2008-03-17T23:43:00.005+08:00

i
Autobiography -
i
BA_COMMunications
i
I went back to Ngee Ann Poly today to clear my pigeon hole, and boy was I overwhelmed with nostalgia. I saw many freshies-to-be happily lugging their newly purchased laptops all around the campus, examining displays and signages to find their way around. This sure brings back tons of memories during Matriculation 3 years back.
i
Talking about "3 years back", I've experienced a great deal throughout my course of study. It wasn't all smooth sailing, as the journey was filled with all sorts of extremities. From exhilarating moments to downright depressing realisations, I think there are enough on the menu for you to choose from. I believe many of my counterparts would share the same sentiments.
i
Therefore I shall begin to pen an online version of my autobiography. I will share with you various aspects of my poly life, like my academics, friends, and of course my non-academic activites. I shall begin with BA_COMMunications. What's that you ask? Read on.

i

----------

Introduction

"What the hell is bacomm?"

I've at least heard that statement 100 times.

BA_COMMunications is an interest group which originated from the School of Business and Accountancy in NP. It's not pronounced as bar-comm for heaven's sake. It's bee-ay-comm.

The BA part represents School of Business and Accountancy, and the COMM word is short for COMMunications, hence the varying upper and lower cases. No, this is not a case of twit language (a.k.a. tHIs iZZZ sO fArrnie larhzz <--- that's twit).

In short, we love to act, sing, and talk.

Allow me to bring you through the various "First-s" of BA_COMM.

Chapter 1 - First Meeting

Some day in July '05 during a tutorial, my tutor approached me and told me that she was the advisor of the Debating Interest Group, which she explained with quite a degree of embarrassment was on the brink of complete self-destruction resulting from the utter desertion by its own members. She wanted to start something new, so she asked me if I was keen to spearhead (yes she used that word) a Current Affairs Interest Group (that's what we were supposed to be). Hesitantly I agreed, but I asked if I could get some my close friends (then) to be part of this founding batch.

I got Alex, Catherine, Clarence, Judette and Joel together, and 6 of us attended the 1st ever BA_COMM meeting. We each gave our view on how the Interest Group could possibly grow and what direction we could head towards. It was interesting how most of us had the same passion for performing. In August '05, BA_COMMunications was officially added into the already-huge list of Interest Groups, with me as the President.

Chapter 2 - First Event

I could remember the joy and excitement I felt when my advisor told me that the management wanted us to do a short skit for an award ceremony. It was so funny how something so small really brought so much happiness to me. The skit centered around the theme "Dreams do come true". We practiced so much, over at Judette's home and in the classrooms of block 72. Eating down-to-earth food like beehoon and fishballs with them never felt tastier as I experienced an all new bond in creation.

Together with Erika and Glenn (yes Glenn Choo my classmate), we did a weirdly interesting play about Prince Charming (Clarence) and the maid (Catherine), and Alex was a good friend. Erika was the narratorish person and Glenn was the priest who ordained the union of the Prince and his maid. The performance ended with Jude and me doing a horrible (my part) rendition of "At the Beginning" by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx. Trust me when I say that it was horrible. I tripped over wires, sang the wrong lyrics (repeatedly) and sang badly on the whole. Urrgh. Nevertheless, I thought we managed to convey the message "You must dare to dream for dreams to come true" to the audience in a very simplistic and heartfelt manner.

Chapter 3 - First Chalet

We went Pasir Ris for a little gathering. Most of us got real drunk and we had to walk out to buy more alcohol. Even though there were so few of us, I really enjoyed myself doing all the silly stuff together. Listening to them spout nonsensical phrases in drunken stupor for the first time was such an experience. If I didn't say so then, the chalet gathering truly started giving me the sense of belonging I'd never ever felt elsewhere. It was also after this chalet that I told myself I'd try my best to add value to these people who I'd love to call family one day.

Chapter 4 - First Intake

Within the first few months, we managed to involve many of our friends in this endeavour. From a mere 6 we grew to 20 in a very short time and I could remember all of us getting all excited about getting bigger. Allow me to list these people.

ContactList_281105.xls (In alphabetical order)

01. Chian Yuchern
02. Choo Joon Wei Glenn
03. Clarence Foo Yun Hao
04. Goh Kaixin
05. Kang Ping Song Marvin (yes that's my dialect name!)
06. Khoo Evern
07. Lee Jin Feng (Catherine)
08. Leong Mi Juan
09. Lim Shu Li Evelyn
10. Lim Yan Sheng, Melvin
11. Loo Meiho
12. Low Qiu En (Jennifer)
13. Neo Kin Mei (Erika)
14. Poh Xue Er Cheryl
15. Soh Lay Peng Natasha
16. Tai Zhi Han (Alex)
17. Teo Hui Ying
18. Teo Li Lan Judette
19. Teo Yifang
20. Toh Siew Yee Jane

The names in red belong to those who have for one reason or another drifted away from the interest group. Some wanted to focus on school work, some preferred other CCAs, while others simply joined for no apparent reason in the first place. A few probably felt it was a mistake for them to have joined BA_COMM in retrospect. It doesn't take alot to sense some bitterness in me, but that's for another post in the near future.

Chapter 5 - First COMM Camp

After the initial list of 20, Melvin, David, Gabriel, Shawn, Iwan amongst others joined us. To help bond everyone together, we did a camp for the 20+ of us. Mind you, this was no ordinary camp. It was the first of its kind, and by COMM Camp we mean Communications, like duh. Apart from camp staples like dirty games, treasure hunts and discussions, we had the unique element of BA_COMM within, which means all participants got a chance to act, sing and talk in the camp.

We acted like idiots, literally. Shawn Seet crossed genders to play a very alternative Snow White and the girls were pigs rolling in the mud. We played mind games like nobody's business.
And, we also had our first play as the finale in this camp titled "Campus Idol".

I must admit that the camp was the smallest one I've done. It was for less than 30 people, of which more than 5 were in the planning committee. While it may sound quite hilarious, it was one of the best camps I've ever went for. The feeling of going through a camp both as a participant and as an organizer was weird but fun. I guess the biggest joy came from seeing everyone so much closer thereafter. I would always remember how we labelled Clarence as our "Dust Indicator". He has quite a sensitive nose so if he were to go into the dorms and start sneezing very soon, the room would be deemed very dusty.
i
We played games like murderer for so long even after the camp has supposedly ended. I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to leave them. Neither did many others. I suppose that was truly the love we started to have for one another.

----------

That's all for this post. Stay tuned for more. =)

- Marvin

2008-03-11T23:46:00.004+08:00

Katherine Tate

Some of you might have heard of her. Take a look at the video and tell me if you like this. For those of you who've watched her videos, WATCH THEM AGAIN!

In line with the seemingly alcoholic theme in the recent post, this video is titled:

Not drunk enough - Katherine Tate

Some trivia about this lady, she has her own show on tv - "The Katherine Tate Show". The series has previously been nominated for an Emmy award and numerous BAFTA awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts).

Katherine co-writes her shows, and she has various characters, of which the more famous ones are Nan (a very mean and irritating grandmother) and definitely Lauren Cooper, with the famous catchphrase "I aint bovvered (instead of bothered)". She has performed in special episodes (Must Watch) with famous people like ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair and pop band Mc Fly. She's even performed as Lauren in one of the Queen's celebrations!

If you want to know more about her:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Tate

IMHO (in my humble opinion), this is really an artiste who is talented and worth the watch. Nothing against local performers, I just don't find many reasons to watch local tv anymore.

I spent like one whole day during the exams period watching her. Don't expect many to find her funny the way I do. Enjoy. =)
j
-Marvin

2008-03-09T18:27:00.009+08:00

d
Stayover @ Shawn's Place (8/3/08)

We might as well have called it a drinking session. Ok, we did. =)

^Alex when asked to wake up^

Alex was unanimously voted as the spoiler of the night. lol. He went to sleep at about 3am!! And missed out on all the fun. But he was tired and we love him still, haha.

Allow me to rant about my pre-drinking session ordeals. =)

While I was waiting for Alex to bathe and pack, I went 7/11 to get a drink. And I was so stupid.

Bacardi Breezers typically retail at $6/btl there, so I was naturally very excited when I (thought I) saw a promotion reading: "2 bottles for $5.50". I grabbed a peach, a lime, as well as a packet of cuttlefish (a.k.a 鱿鱼) and headed for the cashier. Imagine my jaw dropping when the cash register read $12.60! Ok, you must have realised by now that it was simply supposed to be a mere 50cents discount per bottle.

To add insult to injury, I rushed off without asking the shop attendant to help uncap the bottles. I felt so stupid as I tried a variety of innovative ways to open them like:

1. Putting a tissue around the cap and pulling with all my might.

2. Placing the edges of the cap against the side of those void deck concrete tables.

3. Knocking the bottle cap against hard surfaces.

4. Not bothering.

Well obviously, none of them worked, hence point 4. Come to think of it, point 1 - 4 happened sequentially. haha. Well anyway guess what, my trusty bunch of keys (and some physics knowledge but don't ask me to explain how) saved the day. =)

We headed for Shawn's place and started our supposed drinking session. Here are some pictures.

^Melvin cutting the lemons for our concoctions^

This was the major twist of the night. We ran out of alcohol at like 4am, and were hard-pressesd to find alternative forms of "punishments". Guess what, we took that term quite literally and resorted to Physical Punishments, such as pushups and leg raises!

^Melvin lamenting his fate^

^Melvin in pushup agony^

Melvin was really quite unlucky I must say. When the rule was to punish the one with the biggest card, he snagged an Ace of Hearts to trump Shawn's clubs (I call it cauliflower). When we were playing "smallest card gets punished", he managed to get ALL four of the twos in the game. It was really funny how everytime he went "Huat AH!", he lost.

I didn't get away unscathed either, having to do like 2+ minutes of leg raises in one shot. Damn, some perverse part of me (please forgive the vodka) wanted to see Alex doing pushups in his state of mobility lah! Ok, one-hand pushups. Maaan.

My arms are still aching now but I must say it felt refreshing to take on a varied approach to stayovers, instead of the usual booze and... booze.

Guys, I think we should do this most often. haha. Anyone else wants to join us? =)

----------

As promised previously, I'd be doing a "Word of the day" kind of exercise here. To keep things relevant, I'd be highlighting useful words instead of bombastic ones which are super "Hey Poser!" inducing.

Word of the day: Sequentially

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sequentially (Click to read on how to use the word!)

j
- Marvin

2008-03-08T11:29:00.004+08:00

Two Seas

Two seas parted by lofty glacial ridges,
The rolling of waves made melodious voices.

By will of man or work of god,
The frosty barrier gradually thawed.

Legend has it that on the day of three,
Aphrodite proclaimed a nature's decree.

"Guided by the warmth of the all-pervading sun,
These two seas shall henceforth flow as one."

- Marvin

2008-03-07T00:51:00.008+08:00

Let's learn English together.

(This is a quite a lengthy post, so go grab a cookie and a drink!)

Let me say this right from the start:

I do not claim to be an English Teacher, nor do I strive to be one.
I do not look down on anyone either.

So what's the fuss about learning English?

It's simply good learning attitude to better oneself.

I've had friends correcting my grammar or pronounciation straight in my face too, in case you're wondering. While I agree that the primary purpose of learning a language is to communicate, I can hardly see any harm in speaking it "properly". And by "properly" I'm refering to conventional standards.

More reasons to speak better English:

1. It's quite embarrassing when we don't understand what our date from some top 5 JC is saying and you have to go "huh?" x 99.

2. Imagine you're in a social gathering and you were aggressively arguing with someone whether the word dyslexic is pronounced as dis-lek-sic or die-slek-sic. And it ends up that you're wrong.

3. Your younger sibling comes home from school and asks you:

Hey kor, how do you spell the word exaggerate?

(Try it. Cover the screen NOW and try spelling the word.

I've seen so many people spelling it with double x's, g's, and r's.)

4. You can't decide whether to use "had been", or "has been" in some paper you're writing.

I'm not really fooling around when I suggested the above situations. They are very likely to occur, and I'm going to confess that I've experienced all of them before. Let's face it, it can be damn paiseh sometimes when we mispronounce some words in front of others.

So, have I got any of you interested by now? Well for those of you who aren't really keen, why don't you follow through and try to spot my various spelling, grammatical or punctuation mistakes yeah? =) here we go.

Three Simple Tips to improve your English, spoken and written.

1. Find out what you do not know.

Make it a point to go find out what a word means when you have no idea what it means, or how you should be using it. For the observant ones, you'd have noticed that I've bold-ed some of the words used in this post so far. Go do abit of searching. You're online anyway.

Try this website if you're clueless where to start:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

For those who are slightly more diligent, keep a little pocket notebook in which you could scribble words which you encountered in the day, say when you're reading news. (That's if you do read news. I know most of us can't really be bothered with reading the papers.)

And ask someone if you don't understand something. Well if all else fails you can ask me, though I hardly consider myself qualified. But hey, I would go find out from someone else if I don't know for sure too. =)

2. Start reading.

Speaking of reading the papers, you don't have to purchase a physical copy of the Straitstimes (although that is strongly encouraged) in order to keep yourself abreast with the latest happenings. You can simply go to (yes, yet another website, haha):

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/

Try to get into a routine. Be realistic, don't aim for the skies. Start by clicking on whichever piece of news you find interesting. If financial and world news sound absolutely alien to you, try local news. I'm sure reading about Mas Selamat can be quite intriguing. Just kickstart the habit of reading. Trust me that as you read more, you'd certainly start forming more coherent sentences. Reading news is like killing two birds with one stone.

This is another online source of local perspectives I frequent:

http://theonlinecitizen.com/

Apart from reading news, which I admit can be quite dry at times, try novels if you seriously loathe current affairs. Here are some authors you can give a go if you enjoy the same genre of fiction books as me.

a. Fantasy: David Eddings, Mercedes Lackey.
b. Politics and Law: Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham

These four are like my all-time favourite authors anyway.

3. Be open to criticism.

Last but not least, don't feel paiseh when your friends correct you. I remember Cheryl was telling me that the word "schedule" is pronounced as ske-jule, and not share-dew. She's like 9 years younger than me, and I stand corrected. There's really no need to feel unhappy or upset. I understand that it can be quite unnerving when your friend corrects you in front of everyone, but try to see the positive side?

On a personal note, to all my friends: Please continue to correct me. =) And for those of you who are already doing everything mentioned above, you should be reading something else apart from my blog! lol

-----

Ok, I know I said 3 simple points, and I ended up writing that whole chunk of stuff. -laughs- I hope the effort I've taken to compose this entry would give you the encouragement to start adopting a more positive learning attitude when it comes to the mastery of this language.

To practise what I preach, I shall attempt to have some novel "Word-of-the-day" or "Quote-of-the-day" kind of exercises here at MTM (Marvinthemental can be quite a mouthful to say/type) in future.

Let's start today people!

ps: do you remember the difference between the words "practice" and "practise"? I think I learnt it in Primary 4 and that sure is a looooooong time ago. =)

- Marvin

2008-03-05T23:51:00.010+08:00

Current Occupation

AND Preoccupation:

Bumming around.

With exams, NIVEA, CCAs and University applications officially over, I have so much time on my hands! (aka slacking, Big Time). Well, not exactly doing Nothing, since I've been enjoying myself quite abit, catching up on movies like nobody's business. I'm not about to start a I'm-such-a-movie-critique-wannabe rating system, so here's a brief recap:

Movies I've watched in the last 2 weeks, or less.

1. Fool's Gold

Bad. Weird. Very Predictable. Couldn't wait for it to end.

2. Leap Years

Refreshing. Different. Excellent Acting (not for Ananda Everingham and Qi Yiwu though). Heartwarming. Love Corrinne May.

3. Juno

Chic. Intelligent. Meaningful. Weird Crowd. Tasteful. LIsten-20times-and-not-bored OST.

4. There Will Be Blood

Bloody, like duh. Excellent Acting. Insightful. Refreshing. Draggy.

5. Meet the Spartans

Stupid. Period.

6. PS I Love You

Not as touching as I thought. Witty. Love Lisa Kudrow.

Lisa: "Are you single?"
Random guy: "Yes."

Lisa: "Are you gay?"
Random guy: "Hell, No!"

Lisa: "Are you working?"
Random guy: "well, not exactly, but..."

Lisa walks away to approach Random guy II.

And, besides movie-catching, I've also been singing abit of KTV. Went K-Boxing with Nic one night till 3, and Cash-ing with Clement, Cheryl, Candy (ALL starting with the letter C!), and Shawn. Certainly enjoyable since the last time I sang was probably in uhm, September? Wanna go soon.

Ok, I havn't exactly gotten back the hang of blogging, so entries are gonna be short and simple. If you want those essay-like "articles", you can try straitstime.online. lol. And if you want to read about those:

Today, I went to the hawker centre at 3 pm. The char kway teow was SOOOOOO nice.
Then we went home.... blah blah blah.

If you're a fan of the above-mentioned kinda blog entries, well i dunno. Mayb you can try alex's blog. hahah, kiddding. His blog is so not like that.

So yes, ask me out.

- Marvin

2008-03-02T23:30:00.007+08:00

Marvinthemental is back

Hello everyone (or no one)!

After a one year hiatus, Marvinthemental is back, and for good I believe! I must admit that I was wanting to re-open the blog on the 28th of Feb 2008, but unfortunately something happened during those few days. Really glad its all over and here I am once again.

Let me begin by saying this. The last 1 year has been absolutely rollercoaster-ish. I can't quite believe that so much has happened. No frills, this inaugural entry (post-revival) is going to be a heartfelt "Thank You" post.

In no particular order (I Really mean it!),

Thank you to:

Alex.

Thank you for being there always. Like really all the time, 24/7 literally. Its been amazing how a chance encounter could be the start of such an awesome friendship. My linguistic ability fails me whenever I try to describe this magic between us. From the bottom of my heart, I really hope that you'd eventually be successful in your very own right. And find the girl of your dreams too. I'm sure she's getting as impatient as you. =)

Jenn.

Hello jenn-jenn! Get married soon. (ok that must sound weird coming from Me. yeah, me as in old me.) I'd never forget those days when we came together to write the words of BA_COMM over and over again, or the days of rehearsals and practices. Thank you for being such a reliable co-worker and amazing friend. The memories of Campus Idol would always be held very close to my heart, and yes, get married soon to Mr Right!

Junwei.

From the days of Prince Charming to working our asses off late into the night for SL Camp, I'm really very happy that we had the opportunity to get to know each other so much better in yr 3. It was the random dinner at the HK Cafe (when you came back from Boston) which really infused me with so much enthusiasm and creativity for our CIMS project with the rest. Thank you for all the collaborations and yes, you do look like Timone to me still. =)

Joyce.

My dear president of Ambassadors, amazing co-worker and wonderful friend. I cherish every single opportunity we got to work with each other. All the small (and bigger) stuff we did together was very experiential, and I could only hope you've enjoyed the process as much as I did. I know I've said this before, but thank you for trusting me. I'm sure you'd find your niche in life in the very near future.

Kimberly.

Ah, MCF (a.k.a Maria Courtney Fernandez) the maid from Manila. Thank you for that wonderful TnB we got to plan together. I hope I have not been an overbearing leader. Given your charismatic and warm personality, I'm sure you'd go very far in life. Well of course thats also largely attributed to the fact that you have "Marvin" beside you. =) I wish you guys happiness, always.

Clement.

Hello Mr. often-misunderstood-for-my-gay-partner Clement! You are one amazing dude, and I'm very happy you've found greater motivations in life than gaming and idling. =) jokes aside, I'm sorry how you somehow always end up being at the brunt on my jokes. I truly enjoy those sessions of singing together randomly and aimlessly, be it at LT 51a, Cash Studios, or even just on the roads, haha. Thank you for being a true friend.

Matthew.

I doubt I'd ever forget the day when we all first met at TnB 2006, it sure was amazing. I guess we've all been through some major ups and downs these two years, but hey, things would get better eh matt? Even though I doubt we'd be able to meet up as often in school, I'd always cherish those random lunches and get-togethers. And everything I said to you via sms-es, I mean them right from the bottom of my heart. Take care.

Sam.

Thank you sam. Thank you for all the hugs and support you're always ready to dispense for my comfort, sometimes even without me realising. You have wisdom and common-sense far beyond your years, which I truly hope is something you'd maintain as time goes by. I want you to believe me that you are going to have many many good things happening to you in the years ahead. Smileeee.

Cheryl.

You know which cheryl you are right? And it must have been your idea to ensnare me on the phone. I'm so happy to have met you. You don't always act blur lah, act only. -grins- Anyway, its so nice seeing the different parts of your puzzle (life) slowly piecing together. I'm sure acad year 08/09 would be an equally exciting year for you, though perhaps the 1st half of it might be a little lonely for you in school. Fear not, for theres always citylink after 6! Take care. =)

Melvin.

I'm glad we had the heart-to-heart (albeit MSN) talk recently. From just IS, to BA_COMM, and eventually to NIVEA and CIMS, it was always enjoyable to work with you. And I think nothing brings me greater joy than to see your gradual growth in both character and working capabilities. I'm sure if we set our hearts to it, we would all have many more happy years of friendship ahead of us. Thank you for everything.

David.

My other trustworthy project and CIMS mate. David, I believe in fate, and thus I never doubted why our paths crossed when you first came for COMM Camp 1 back then. Thank you for all the help you've rendered and the trust you've placed in me. It was certainly nice working with you so closely for all our projects, CIMS, and NIVEA stuff in the last year. I couldn't have asked for better group mates. Do take good care of your health!

Eugenie.

Sorry I always seem to make fun of you - Fiona. hahah. You know I also agree with you that thank god we had the opportunity to work together, despite all the random one-sided smacking sessions. Truth be told, I think I would remember your boisterous and cheerful presence for a long time to come. I want you to know that happiness is your state of satisfaction, so yeah, hope for the best but expect nothing. Soon you'd see that somethings arent that bad afterall. =)

Candy.

a.k.a Tang Guo. To be frank, I was damn surprised when I first heard your name in year one. Well anw, I'd always remember the days when we preparing for lights and sound for RED Camp, those cooooold nights up at the control room of convention centre. And no, you're not blur and naive to me. =) I'm sure you'd make a great leader in this coming year, so work hard and help spread the love and joy to everyone else! Thank you for confiding in me.

Edwin.

My dear magic card friend who has been by my side all these years. Thank you for all the company. I know its not really about the cards anymore, but thats exactly the beauty of friendship - it doesnt really matter what we do when we meet up. I can't wait for you to ord, and move on to the next phase of your life. And Ed, you do have a rich and interesting personality, so don't be so harsh on yourself!

My amazing GROUP 3!

Henry, Zizah, Sam, Jess, Janani, Sly, Jon, Bridgette, Cheryl, Huimei, Ant, Qianhua, Nikk, Ira, Raymond, Jw and Kim. From ping-pong balls in TnB to doing duties together, preparing for RED Camp and Open House, its been simply wonderful. I hope the bonds you've forged would stay strong even as the yr 3s graduate. Do not forget this beautiful friendship we all share. Thank you for making my journey in Ambassadors so memorable and yes, Group 3 would always be the best group in my heart.

TB12!

It was really an exciting year working with you guys. I'm very sorry I wasn't able to accompany and work with you guys as much as I would have liked. But nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable experience. I can't wait for our dinner at Vienna, and our $1.2K Chalet in April! haha, take care guys.

Apaches!

Apart from the group 3 ambassadors, I really wanna thank the SLs and RED Campers who have contributed so much to the Best Tribe of RED Camp. The mass dance, video, banner, personal identity and certainly cheers were simply awesome! For those who would still be around for subsequent RED Camps, make sure you guys replicate the same level of infectious enthusiasm of RED Camp 4 eh? Thank you all once again.

BA_COMMunications!

A big thank you to everyone who has accompanied me on this journey as we went from strength to strength, achieving breakthroughs and successes across the years. COMM Camp, TOP, BAsh it Out!, Campus Idol, Stagewerkz, RD and subsequently MOtion and D-Day are milestones we've all worked together to achieve. You may not realise it now, but the personal satisfaction, friendships and experiences you've gained in the process of the events are truly the best intrinsic rewards one can ever ask for in life. While it may not seem so on the surface, the love I have for you guys is something I cannot even begin to describe. I wish all of you only the very best for your future endeavours.

----------

These 3 years have not been smooth sailing all the way. I've made a positive difference in the lives of some, and sadly, a negative one for others. For all the nay-sayers out there, I believe one day you would see the rationale and wisdom behind my actions. Not too long ago, I was shocked and upset beyond description when I got to know that you (few) have been saying (and doing) such things behind me. I know I aint perfect, but I just want you to know that there isnt a single ounce of malice within me in all our interactions and dynamics. I love you all still, and I pray to god that one day, a miracle would happen and things would be better.

Thank you everyone.

- marvin

Marv@China, Chengdu

2007-02-28T01:25:00.000+08:00

hi guys,

this is my photo link. no time to develop captions yet.
http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c385/marvinthemental/

Enjoy your hols! (for those in poly)

Mr. Doctor

2006-10-15T23:43:00.000+08:00

Since time immemorial, doctors have been revered, for their ability to save lives. Well, its not exactly an exalted profession, but certainly a prestigious one.

Most doctors offer a specialised service no other can. If you happen to know a seasoned surgeon, ask him or her, how many lives he had saved. Countless of course, that we probably already know.

What we may not have realised, is that somehow, should the doctor seemed to falters, a.k.a perceived to have made a mistake, hell ensues. People seem to suddenly forget, how much good the doctor had already done.

People seem to forget the doctor once helped changed their lives for the better.

For those of you who do not know, doctors don't earn alot. No idiot goes into medicine to earn money. Most of them began (whether how they became is another issue) with the purest of intentions.

We don't blame a roadsweeper for failing to sweep up some debris do we? Why then, do we levy such great expectations on a doctor? These 2 professions are in completely different leagues, yes I know. They are both humans, are they not? Susceptible to the same pain and anguish we feel.

Let's not be selfish bastards. Try not to ignore the white expanse of paper which bears the little black dot.

Random "L.O.V.E" Questions

2006-10-10T00:17:00.000+08:00

Why do people get attached?

Why do people fall in love?

Do u tell some1 u like him/her when u do?

Do u continue to try if he/she said 'no'?

When does love become an obligation/burden?

Are u trying 2 change some1, or do u juz want the better for the person?

What's the difference between liking and loving?

Wad role does "sex" play in everything, if it does?

Why do people get married?

How do people noe that they dun "have the feeling" for some1? Wad makes the person so sure that it isnt simply a pre-conceived idea?

Wads the difference between a frn and a lover, if not the sex?

Why do people feel negative when some1 they so-called "do not like" does something nice?

Whats chemistry?

so... Whats.. love actually?

i have no idea. thats y i'm single. and rightly so.

Thank you

2006-09-03T15:41:00.000+08:00

alex.

Another Milestone

2006-08-25T16:58:00.000+08:00

Woah, at 11 am this morning, my 3rd academic semester has officially ended!

Looking back, this semester (probably like every other) went by right b4 my eyes. The memories of stuff which happened during March, April are still so vivid. Was it one semester ago when I was at a chalet, waiting for my results in the middle of the night? cliched it may be, it seems like... yesterday.

Well certainly, loads of stuff happened this semester. Academically, CCA-wise, friends-wise, family-wise, hell even Gaming wise (for those of you who know which game i'm refering to). So many things whirled past me, so much so that I failed to fully cherish some of them, before its too late. Oh well, no regrets.

During the past few days, when I was supposed to be mugging, I started thinking about how my next semester should be. How I should balance out my time so that I can maximise its usage. I know most of you know it, and some never stop reminding me, I'm 25 this year. Must plan for stuff already.

Enough of all that melancholic stuff, I should be indulging myself in joyous stuff eh? In about 30 mins time, I'd be making my way down to celebrate BA_COMMunication's belated 1st anniversary! We'd be dining at Mohd Sultan, at dunno which restaurant/cafe which YC chose.
Well for those of you who are still wondering about my constant reference to that name (not all my readers are from NP u see), BA_COMM is an interest group which many of us set up jointly sometime last year. In short, we "act, sing, talk". Pretty much what you'd expect from marv and co. eh?

And did I mention I managed to salvage my Pentium II Acer? hahahaha. Yeah, you guys must be wondering why i bother eh? Well, for nostalgic reasons. -winks- Besides, 3 of my all-time favorite MS-DOS games are still residing inside, and I have no apparent way to extract them, so yeah, its a relief i can still get to play them.

Want to end with a simple "thank you" to god (whichever one), for all the opportunities i've been showered with. I'd continue to cherish all I have.

All you people out there, keep smiling. =_)

19th August 2005

2006-08-19T11:29:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday, BA_COMMunications.
To All.

Angels

2006-08-17T19:07:00.000+08:00

Wanted to share a story which I heard on TV. Everyone of us have different people we value and cherish in our lives, so this is dedicated to "the special someone out there".

Long ago, there lived an angel. Well, like the way most angels should possess a super-ordinate objective, this one strives to bring happiness to those around her. To her, thats more than sufficient to keep her going. Hence, she went around "giving".

So as the story went, many people benefitted from this angel. At the same time, there also lived an acclaimed poet, who had everything he could possibly ask for. Yet, dissatisfied he was, so he sought the help of the angel. Befuddled, the angel could not figure out what gift to bestow upon him. After much deliberation, she finally decided upon the most appropriate gift.

Was it a more sexy wife? Or was it more money for him?

Instead of "giving" anything to the poet, the angel took away everything this poet had ever possessed. Within days, the poet was reduced to nothingness. Devastated, he realised how much he actually lost.

One month after the ordeal, the angel reappeared, and returned everything she had taken away to the poet. The poet beamed with gratitude, and told the angel that he finally understood how important it is to be contented. Somehow someway, by taking away what the poet had, the angel had given him the most ideal gift - satisfaction.

I'm sure most of us recognise how rhetorical this story is eh? Many of us lament and whine (or thru other forms of complaining), that we have nothing. Well, think again.

Imagine now, that you are stripped of all your worldly possessions. Everything. That includes your laptop, mp3 player, game console, tv, bed, even house. Clothes, accessories, and most certainly money. Not a single shred of materialism is to remain.
Then next, remove all traces of kinship, friendship, relationships from yourself. No parents, no family, no friends, no bf/gf, no teachers...etc.

Just like the poet.

New Love, amidst many "?"s

2006-08-13T21:40:00.000+08:00

Yup, the title says it all. Was playing my guitar for the last 2 hrs, hah.

really quite interesting. learning how to read chords and tabs. Many thanks to melv for helping me with understanding how to read.

Currently learning how to play: Behind Blue Eyes.

lotsa pain involved, but somehow feel its worth it, hah.

i guess it happens to any other forms of learning; always more tough initially. Guess it'll get easier as time goes by.
Got to know that another of my friend likes the movie "Closer" too. Iconic to him too, just like the way it is to me.

Currently listening to: Blower's Daughter.

8 months have passed since last december, this year had indeed differed from the previous. How would things be now, had nothing changed? Would I still be enjoying life the way I am now?

Are things turning for the better? Hope everythings different this time!

小聪

2006-08-11T00:25:00.000+08:00

何小聪 was 6 months old.

Mummy and Daddy loved him to bits, just like any loving parents.

Poor 小聪 was often admitted into hospital; Mummy always scolded the maid for negligence.

Daddy was always overseas, but rushes back whenever 小聪 is ill. Nothing assures Mummy more, than seeing Daddy beside her.

One day Mummy rushed 小聪 to hospital, frantic that he's been sleeping for so long.

Doctor told Mummy that 小聪 is unconscious, not asleep.

Mummy kept uttering, "Where's Daddy!?"

Doctors failed to revive 小聪 ; the blood vessels in his brain had exploded due to severe trauma resulting from severe shaking.

Mummy kept uttering, "Where's Daddy!?"

Daddy finally arrived, only to witness the passing of his son.

"What happened?", Daddy asked.

"I don't know! 小聪 was crying, so I told him not to. But he wouldnt listen! He just wouldnt listen! I shook and shook him, asking him not to cry, but he wouldnt listen! So I shook harder... and harder..."

"If only you came back earlier! Then 小聪 wouldn't have slept so long.", Mummy cried.

--------------------------------------

Busy Daddy.

Insecure Mummy.

Dead 小聪 .

Don't allow this tragedy to happen to us. Please.

Is it my Birthday too?

2006-08-09T22:09:00.000+08:00

In this entry, I reminisce like
how the conventional do so casually.

25 summers,
0 milestone.
well at least,
romantically so.

truth be told,
the audacity to experiment subsists no more.
yet the chill of solitude never fails
to encourage.

those enriched by such sensations,
always claim indifference.
while the sea of lone individuals lament
the stark vacancy.

Staring at the spine of a coin
upright
One gains no further insight.
Yet with a mere deviation
opportunities abound.

----------------------------------------
Maybe if it is my birthday, I'd contemplate a new venture, hoping for a change of luck, as so many tend to attribute their success and failure solely to. Maybe.

What you see aint what you get

2006-07-24T01:30:00.000+08:00

People seem to "smile" a great deal more on the internet, where you see lotsa smilies and emoticons all over the place.

This is seriously degrading. It takes so much to smile in life, to have that expression on ya despite the damn nasty things you may be facing. Yet all it takes is a " =) " in substitution, on the virtual platform.

And also, photographs. My friend was telling me, "aww.. see how sweet these couples are in the photos!"
I mean, would anyone take photos of themselves arguing with their partner?

Such things paint an over optimistic picture of bliss in life. I'm an optimist, but a realistic one too. It takes a great deal of observation to distinguish true happiness from a facade.

So the next time you are tempted to feel that someone out there is better off because he looks happier, Don't.

The Call of Love

2006-07-20T00:38:00.000+08:00

I was watching a chn 55 serial, about cake-making. So anyway, theres this rookie cake-making competition yesterday, and the contestants were asked to bake, in accordance to the theme revealed:

The Call of Love

So heres a short re-enactment:

Judge: What cake is this, is it chocolate cake?

Tang Shuang (TS): Yep, made up of 7 different kinds of chocolate, and...

Judge: Do you know that I Hate chocolate cakes, and you dare to use SEVEN kinds?! Don't you want to win?

TS: I didnt noe or care what you liked or did not like. The theme was "Call of Love", so i made this chocolate cake, becoz the person i'm in love with likes chocolate stuff! What better cakes to make him feel the Call of Love?

--------------------------------------------------------

If you've been feeling shy about telling someone how you feel, go tell the person, b4 its too late.

If you're in a r/s, and you feel that its not stable, go Make it stable, b4 its too late.

If you've already broken off with that special someone, but you really miss him/her badly, go tell them so, b4 its too late.

Sometimes, we think too much. Love should be instinctive, not something which could be conceptualized, tabulated.

Where's my chocolate cake with 7 kinds of dark chocolates?

How about you, can you hear your Call to Love?

Sometimes, happiness is simply in front of us...

So many things happening!

2006-05-31T01:40:00.000+08:00

whooo.. frequency of blogging really been lower and lower these days. but yeah, better late than never.

Recent Memorable Events (in no particular order)

ba_comm recruitment drive - so happy that we can now share our passion with so many more frns! for those who helped day and night to make it such a success, thank you. you guys noe who you are!

TOP II - Thx chin for lending me ur jacket! *grins* and guys, i'd work even harder this sem. Thx MJ, HY and KX for the wonderful planning.

TB22 - Very happy that the bulk of class is gearing up for the challenges up ahead, especially the guys. I'm so happy everyones united in wanting to do well.

ba_comm going global - shhh.... still a secret to be fully unveiled.

Da Vinci Code - woah, i tink its breathtaking, simply seeing the lourve museum would suffice. yeah i noe its a far cry frm the book, but hey, at least its coherent! but the fun part was really all the laughter we had. Shawn, wilfred, u guys ah... hehe.

Youth Leaders' Day - Had loads of inspiring moments that day, really learnt quite abit. juz dun really like networking ard still..

Peer Tutoring - I was really pleasantly surprised with the extent I enjoyed the sessions. had my 3rd session 2dae, happy i'm able to pass on and share my knowledge with all of the yr 1s. best thing, some of them are from ba_comm too! they asked me, "how come like so many peer tutors are ba_comm ppl ah? ba_comm ppl like Very drive!" I smiled and agreed.

salt restaurant and anagrams - dunno how come, recently we went to the seafood place below meridien twice. its called the salt restaurant, coz the fries are really kinda salty. and ever since DVC, wilfred and me have been hooked on anagrams. everything seems like an anagram some way or another, heh.

oh... and so many more... cool to do so much stuff, neednt spend time on meaningless stuff. =) alrite, till the next time i update, mayb an anagram for you guys?

PAP: he sins. (thats why you won't have it)

What a wonderful world...

2006-05-04T22:29:00.000+08:00

From young, I was taught that whenever there're any unhappy emotions, people should talk it out.
Whenever there's sth we'd like to say, we should always try to say it in the best way, whereby people would be most receptive towards.
Whenever others have something to tell us, we should likewise be very open towards their opinions.

If so, communication would be so ideal. But it isent.

I'm not saying that the above-mentioned ways are the best approaches. All I'm trying to convey is that interaction is a two-way process.
The cause to unhappiness is a two-way process.
And, the simplest solution to such unhappiness also requires actions from all parties.

Sometimes, we look at what happened, and keep telling ourselves,
"I've already done this this, that that, very good already."

Why not ask ourselves,
"What else could I have done, what more can I do in future?"

Many a times, even though we know very well what we could say to make things better, we don't. Why? Because we claim, "we dun care".

If you really don't care, you wldnt have been unhappy.

So Many Things happening...

2006-04-25T00:08:00.000+08:00

as my title implies, yeah tats hw i'm feeling now.

dun wanna worry so much. juz wanna hav loads of fun either way.

is acting gonna be a permanent thing for me?

wanna reinvent myself. need a breakthrough. god help me.

Me, Ready for my new Academic Year

2006-04-17T02:10:00.000+08:00

Arrggh!! Its been soooo long since I last blogged lah. Terribly bz. But better now. =) New semester's starting!!

Ok, 1st of all, juz update all on wad i've been like doing in the past 2 mths. (not in chronological order)

1. Was bz muggin for exams initially. Happy that i've more or less maintained my results, but sad that i didnt get wad i aimed for... oh well. =) Real happy abt my Japanese Course tho, heh.

2. Bought new trunks, so swam quite abit more after exams! hehe.

3. Did some ambassadorial work for recruitment, but not alot. Quite happy that cat, clar, and me were appointed A.Leaders. Juz alil sad that Judes too bz. else it'd b a perf score. (but girl, u noe hw i feel 4 ya work in church yah? i'd always support ya!)

4. BA_Comm Camp. Well, I'm so happy we've yet another achievement for this lil organization we started. So amazing, been like, 7-8 mths only? the bonds within the grp are really encouraging.

5. Campus Idol 2006. A play we scripted frm scratch. From a simple neo-print!! Juz click on my msn to see the pic, hehe. It was great, everything. Well, in the end, it wasnt like, WOW! but it was a very heartwarming performance. I'm very happy that i perservered. That all of us perservered. I noe that even at the eleventh hr, i was so stressed out, n i wanted to juz cancel it. But when i looked ard and saw all the support i had ard me, the answer was clear.

6. Was taught hw 2 ride a bike on cat's chalet! by many various ppl, heh. sooo damn fun lah! I noe, i'm like hw old and i havnt mastered yet. But i'm learning now! haha.

7. Some domestic stuff. =) suffice 2 say that mum n dad felt things got worse between my elder brother and me. But to me, i felt that punches and kicks were his way of expression. I'm sure he needed a vent for all the pent-up frustrations against me. So better now, than next time. =)

8. Went kayaking with jason. Dunno count anot also, coz kayaked quite briefly. But sometimes its juz the opportunity 2 catch up with an old friend i suppose.

9. Went sakae-ing with edwin. clndt eat alot, haha. but highlight of the day was that i bought "the da vinci code" by dan brown. still reading!! Also saw my dream, "adicolor, $512, sweater"!!!!! ahhhhh, i need 2 strike toto or 4d!!! (ed, if u r reading this, really hope u can get into NP and join me on my learning adventures!)

10. Played maple! Lvl 30 already! hehe, i noe i noe, i always said its stupid n stuff. but its the company n fun! but sadly, not much time 2 play these days.

11. Went Josh's and YC's church for easter celebration. nice place, and a few eye candy, hehe. Nice of u guys 2 invite us, thx a mil! At least, i noe more abt the meaning of easter now. =)

12. Went K-ing quite a few times, fun fun. =) 1st time in my life, we went k-ing from 1 -6 AM! after tat still eat macs breakfast. Happening yah?

13. Went sentosa 2dae, 2nd time in this hols. liking my tan more n more, heh. nvr appreciated the darkers tones in the past. *grins* I suck at volleyball tho, big time. =) but u guys wont mind me rite? *blinks, blinks* then went 2 eat steamboat at Marina Bay. didnt eat enuff prawns... but ok ah!

ok, that more or less sums up my life for the last 2 mths. (somehow feels like i've missed sth out, haha!) bloody hectic! but fun, enjoying every moment of it. Last wk of hols! Sooo much left 2 do still..

Well, juz tot at this pt of time, wld also wanna say a big thank you 2 EVERYONE who helped make BA_Comm Camp such a joy! Tat includes every single aspect of the camp.
I'm happy that the 4 of us (C.I.2006 finalists) got kinda closer? Really enjoy the bond we share. Hope we'd stay this way eh?

(in alphabetical order)
Alex: You'd always b my bro. From the bottom of my heart, no matter what.
Jenn: My lil xiao mei. Yup. hehe.
MH: Tis one ah, nowadays keep acting love scenes with me, disturb!

I luv all of ya, really. If i do/did anything 2 make u guys unhappy, juz tell me yah?

Not long ago, i kinda had a change in my perspective of life. Very happy that now, i'm really indulging myself, doing things i like to do, and not for any individual only. It sounds a lil melancholic, but actually, i tink i've grew 2 realise more of wad i always advocate:

One's happiness is his or her state of satisfaction."

I may have lost some stuff dear 2 my heart, but i think i'm happy in a diff way now. End of the day, its hw much we realise our happiness lies in our own hands. I'm very happy that i'm able to do these stuff i like, and i think tats wad matters most now.

Yup yup, cant wait 2 start sch, start mugging, and start new activities! Who noes wad else might come along the way? *winks*

Why am I so silly?

2006-02-15T15:29:00.000+08:00

Qn: Why do I insist on pursuing the unlikely, or even impossible? Why am I so obstinate and silly?

Ans: Its juz like this metaphorical example:

"Although humans know they'd all die one day, they don't stop living."

And I'm human too.

?

2006-02-12T21:43:00.000+08:00

If u wanna sing,
Sing as though no one is listening to you.

If u wanna love,
Love as though you have never been hurt before.

If u wanna act,
Act as though no one is looking at you.

If u wanna live,
Live as though theres no tomorrow.

loving you (from afar)

2006-02-11T22:36:00.001+08:00

When we were together,
We held hands, we kissed, we came nearer.
If only we could identify the moment,
When everything started feeling different.

So was it you or me who drifted first?

Now that we are apart,
Physically so far apart.
Dare I say I yearn to hold your hand and kiss you once again,
And not recall all the pain?

I know I'd still want you by my side,
Even if its just for one more ride.
But thats my heart doing the talking,
While my mind is disagreeing.

I would still treasure every part of you,
Even though changes in me are what you feel.
I won't let my memory of us mar;
I'm contented with loving you from afar.

- adapted from "Love, unravelled."

2006 - Self Respect

2006-01-31T01:37:00.000+08:00

Actually i've been wanting to blog for quite awhile, abt many things i wanted 2 share with everyone. those meaningful stuff. but then, as days went by, i doubted the purpose of those thoughts anyway; hence the long gap since my last entry. (of coz like every1 else, i was bz too)

This Chinese New Year was pretty different from the rest. =) i did alot of stuff i dont normally get 2 do on new years. Juz to list a few..

1. My aunt's maid's dad passed away on new years eve, so i was talking 2 her abit tat night. (i noe its abit superstitiously inauspicious 2 talk abt such stuff, but tot i shld. Edna, wherever u r, we all want ya 2 noe that we feel ur anguish and loss too..)

2. Spent ALL my time so far with my family. tats quite a change 4 me, used 2 spend it wif my frns alot too. Really enjoyed the extra time i got 2 spend wif my mum n younger bro, heh.

3. Went down to my father's side of the family. been like, 3 yrs since i last went. never could really drag myself down, didnt wanna answer the 1001 embarrassing questions abt my age, and occupation last time. fortunately, when i went down yest, it wasnt bad at all. sometimes humans (like me) juz like 2 imagine the worst!

4. I watched Memoirs of the Geisha, DVD, at my uncle's place. again. but it was real nice. enjoyed the show tremendously. Rather than only gambling. my uncle's plasma tv rox too, heh.

When I was watching, i recalled a line in the show, which alex kinda remembered pretty vividly too. I'm not sure of the exact words, but in essence, i felt that the meaning would be:

"You can't ask for more sunshine; you can't ask for less rain."

Well, for some things in life, you juz gotta let them be. But for everything else, you gotta fight for them. There are simply some things u simply cant force 2 order. In the last 2 mths, i've learnt quite a fair bit abt patience. I firmly believe that:

"Patience contemplates the virtue."

Too many times, i've tried too hard to please the ppl i care for. Too often hav i 4gotten the intricacies of my own emotions. If i cant even respect myself, how can i hope for the respect of others? It would be for my own good, and certain for the better of those i care for too, if i learn how 2 appreciate myself better, and not always wallow in self-depreciation, and 4get my own stuff by immersing into the problems of others.

Maybe it aint too big a deal for many people, but i was pretty shocked tat many ppl who havnt seen me for like, a yr, said i lost alot of weight. Seriously, I'm not happy at all. i'm not obsessed wif my chubbiness, but i'm affected tat i'm losing weight tis way. i went 2 weigh myself, i lost 10kgs since mid dec. well mayb i ought 2 lose the weight, but tat really warns me that my mood does affect my physique directly. Sometimes, people get too obsessed with other people ard them tat they dont really remember their own existence. chessy it may sound, but its really relevant.

I should know what I can do in life. I should know what i can excel in. So why the hell aint i doing those things fully yet? those things r what i Can do, even tho i may not end up doing them as well as others. I shld stop spending time on things i hav utterly no control over. This aint a lament; its another layer of understanding for myself i acquired. I've always hypothesized tat all humans are Very complex creatures. =)

Gonna work and play harder this coming yr. Whichever it is, i want 2 do things not only for others, but for myself too. not becoz i've mastered the art of "selfishness", lol, but becoz i tink i'm lagging pretty far behind, in terms of cherishing myself.

"If you want to love the rest of the world, you gotta start with loving the small and seemingly insignificant entity called yourself."

"Everyone maybe unworthy of somebody else's love, but nobody should feel unworthy of their own love."

Love, chemically explained

2006-01-15T16:55:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered like, how much some1 u used to love has "changed"? or perhaps, how much u seem to notice his/her flaws now?
Ever thought how weird it is that relationships these days cant last, and yet some couples remain happily married?

Well, most of us (myself included) always try to find answers from within, trying to rationalise the issues by going over and over things which had happened. In the next few minutes, take time to understand how our different hormones actually played a part in our emotions, and perhaps you may gain a new perspective.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

A successful relationship could be broken up into 3 stages.

Stage 1

> lust

at this stage, our actions are driven by testosterone and oestrogen. We get physically attracted to the other party (or parties). These hormones get us started in "looking around".

Stage 2

> attraction

this is the love-struck phase. people start doing silly things like losing sleep, losing appetite. we prefer to spend time daydreaming about a new found lover, rather than doing other impt stuff.
a group of neuro-transmitters, monoamines, play an important role here.

1. dopamine (also activated by cocaine and nicotine)
2. norepinephrine (also known as andrenaline. causes sweating, and starts the heart racing)
3. serotonin (the MOST impt chemical for love, the one which gets people temporarily insane. it also causes one to be blind to the flaws of the other party. However, it normally only lasts for 2 yrs, 3-4 at max.)

I guess thats why they say love can be blind yeah?

Stage 3

> Attachment

This is what takes over after the attraction stage, if a relationship is going to last. Sadly, as a personal opinion, few romances last this long anymore. Attachment is a longer lasting commitment and is the bond that keeps couples together when they go on to have children. Important in this stage are two hormones released by the nervous system, which are thought to play a role in social attachments.

1. oxytocin (cements the strong bond between two people. released during sexual activities.)
2. vasopressin (an impt chemical in the long-term commitment stage)

Many people think that sex is frivolous, and it aint impt. actually tats not tru. sex shld not b confused with lust. its normal that people dun feel tat lustful anymore, but lust isent the only component for sex. i mean if tats the case, how on earth do old people do it??

Tats why many couples either stay 2gether for 2-3 months (read: duration of "lust" stage), or 2-3 yrs (read: duration of "attraction" stage), or forever. of cse there are exceptions, since love aint only about chemical secretions.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

That said, I'd like to ask all in love, as well as all who wants to be in love, a question. Do you noe what u really want? Are u wanting to find a lifelong partner? coz if u do, u gotta understand that the hormone serotonin (recap: chemical which makes people temporaily insane, and makes people blind to the flaws of others) can only last that long. no matter who u gonna find, no matter how matter times u gonna repeat the 1st 2 stages, if u dun realise the insufficiency of serotonin, its juz a matter of time b4 u gonna give up.

I'm sad. Not because i see people breaking up. but because people spend their lives looking for something which was always right in front of them. Yet we never noe till its too late eh?

Rain and Sunshine

2006-01-11T21:54:00.000+08:00

Something alil weird happened to me this evening, when i was on my way home...

I alighted from my bus, crossed the road, and was walking towards my block. Weather these days has been pretty wet, so i was silently pleased that i need'nt hafta be hindered by the rain. As i walked into cover, i suddenly heard a rumbling sound (even tho i was listening to music).

Taken aback, i turned around, and to my surprise, it was suddenly pouring heavily! I noe its quite assuming to imagine that the rain waited for me to reach shelter b4 it started, but its at tis kinda time when one (like me, heh) would suddenly assume an imaginary sense of self-importance. Oh well, the abruptness of the rain really caught me by surprise lah. My left foot barely stepped into the perimeter of the building.

Anyway, all those thoughts happened, in like the 2 brief seconds whereby i turned my head to witness the meteorological phenomenon, afterwhich i walked on towards my home.

After switching on my lights, i went on to open my windows. in case no one knew, i hate rooms with bad air-circulation. As i was doing so, i was taking the opportunity to take in the view. The instant i looked out, the rain was already reduced to a drizzle. Within the next 10 seconds, there i was looking at the streams of rain get thinner and thinner, and then all of a sudden, it was no more.

Oh well, anyway, i was really thinking about the common saying, that rain cant keep going on, metaphorically. I must say that anyone with minimal knowledge about precipitation would concur with that on the surface. But i wanna really take the opportunity to tell my friends around me that bad times will eventually run out, like the way rain does.

I noe alot of u guys are going thru various rough patches of ur life, and sometimes, we all really feel disheartened and negative. Patience contemplates the virtue; wait out the bad times. Sometimes if u r sick of waiting, then be proactive to eradicate the bad times. =)

All my 24 years of life, i tink i've been a tad too positive. many frns always ask me, "marv, y u so positive ah?" u noe, i dun find that a gd thing, really. So apart from the saying about how rain gotta stop somehow, i tell myself:

"The sun cant always be up."

I can't be perpetually positive about things, its wrongggggg. So i aim to be moderately positive tis yr. =)

Anyway, to illustrate the point, i've uploaded the lyrics of a chinese song by Jolin (and recently, Wei Jian), Tian Kong a.k.a. "Sky". Well, paying particular attention to the chorus, it really does depict how i'm feeling now. so apt, so nice to find a popular song tat describes the way we r feeling eh?

(if too small can doubleclick on it to large)

Well, for the less-motivated, it can simply mean:

In my sky after your exodus,

I feel like a kite, reaching out for the farthest dreams.

In my sky after the rain,

I continue my search for my fast-disappearing emotions.

Yet I'll remain positive, awaiting the elusive rainbow tats due after the rain.

-end-

MacRitchie Treetop Walk

2006-01-09T20:30:00.000+08:00

Hi guys, i went for a walk at the reservoir last fri, here r the pics! hope u'll enjoy the scenary as much as i did. =)

Garden of my Heart

2006-01-08T10:06:00.000+08:00

Hey guys,

I wanna share with you all the lyrics of a song which I felt really says so much with so little.
It was a chinese song by fish leong, so I did some minor adjustments and rewording, hope you will feel as inspired by it as me.

>>

Time can numb the strongest of emotions.
But memories will remind us of how we once felt.
I have so many recollections, which needs to be revisited.
When a relationship ends abruptly,
It leaves u entangled, unsettled.

Leaving each other doesnt bring us back to where we both started,
Many a times, the lies u tell are probably ur form of concern.
I see your sadness, when you realise I can be truly, unbiasedly, understanding,
At least theres still this brightness amidst the gloominess.

You are the garden of my heart,
Often with roses blooming,
Yet there are the times when leaves dry and fall.

Love is the garden of my heart,
sowed with the memories we once shared,
kept for one season.
Reminding me of my courage,
To keep smiling even when I feel thoroughly wounded,
As I stand quietly in front of happiness.

One day when I forgive all that has past,
I would have given myself the distance I need.
The love I feel will no longer be a wall in front me;
it'd be the moonlight illuminating the path ahead of me from behind.

Memories of 2005

2005-12-31T10:46:00.000+08:00

Hi guys! 2005 is coming to a close. For this final entry, I shall post 30 pics which would walk you down the memory lanes of this hectic year. As the old adage goes, a picture means a thousand words. =) Enjoy.

>> Most Eyecatching Couple!
Alex and Jude.

Most Hilarious

>> Can you spot the two errors??

Most Breathtaking

>> the view from my room...

My Fav. Restaurant

>> Silkroads at Amara Hotel

Most Pro Pool Player (lookalike)

>> Ms Yucherrn!

My 2 favourite Models

>> Unsure of their feelings for each other?

>> professionalism: they decided to put aside their differences, to endorse YAMI Yogurt.

>> Had a tiff thereafter again...sighz...

Best Amateur Xmas Deco

>> Credits: Wording: YC and Mel, Streamers: Alex, Jenn, YC, Mel, Tree: Mel and Me.

>> Tree in progress. Can u spot YC at the bottom-right corner?

Most Drunk During Xmas

>> Mr Chin Wee!!!

Best 1st-Time Effort in selling logcakes

>> Alex with his toothy grin, heh

M A L A Y S I A - 1 7 th D E C '0 5

Most Romantic-looking Display

>> Mr Chicken Little, a.k.a Meiho's BF.

Most Traditional Way of using Chilli Sauce in KFC

>> p.s. the bottles were sticky

Cutest BearBrick Display

>> Dimensions: Daddy bear is about 2 feet tall, while Baby Bear is about... 2 inches tall.

Most Unknown Merchandise of a well-known Brand

>> Anyone knew NIKE sold skipping ropes!?!

Most Innovative Display Shelf

>> Shirts were hung on an automated movable chain, so they keep moving in 1 direction, to show you more in the same space. Cool.

Most Striking (unintended) resemblence

>> Ms Yucherrn again! This pic was taken from the design of a t-shirt, lol. (mayb not Really sooo alike, but well, at least alex and me sense the resemblence, haha)

Most Memorable School Events

>> BAsh It Out (1)! Thx Cat and Clarence!

>> OCOM Presentation

Most fanclub-like event

>> Musical: Moonpeople, at TP. (everyones wearing white, so synchronised) Thx Wanda!

Most anticipated BA_Comm Event

>> TOP Ceremony! Coz its our very 1st event. Thx Jude!

Most Fun IS Tutor

>> Samantha!

B I R T H D A Y S

1st Birthday celebrated in NP (TB23)

>> Meiho's! Am I the only one who noticed how much prettier Meiho is now?

1st out-of-school BA_Commer's bdae celebration?

>> Alex's (Alexus'es. C how troublesome that name is, bro?)

Most heartwarming

>> My aunt, uncle and I surprised my Mum (right). Mum, to me, you're always the youngest!

Most confusing celebration

>> My younger bro, Nic's party at home. There were sooo many of his friends + relatives + my friends. Very smelly too!

Most interesting impromptu creation

>> Bottom: Orange juice, Mid: Green Apple + Celery juice, Top: Watermelon juice.

Most Candid Pose

>> Ms Judette Teo! with 2 dices by the side, lol. (for those who have 4gotten, the 2 dices belonged to part of an extension of Alex's old pencilcase. *grinz*)

F I N A L L Y

The Most Simple, yet Eloquent Picture

>> my 2 best pals. May you guys always be happy.

Happy New Year to All!!!

Regret

2005-12-30T02:28:00.000+08:00

I wished I...

didnt have to raise my voice at you.
never made you angry.
could bring more joy to your life.
had shown greater understanding.
had felt less jealous.
could have more time with you, yet less friction.
didnt have to grapple with new-found facts about you.
was blessed with more patience.
could show you how I truly feel for you, coz sometimes, words are more of an obstacle.

If I could paint you my emotions, it would be a simple shade of love, nothing more complex.

But I dont regret having known you, accompanied you, and loved you. My life would have been incomplete otherwise.

- Adapted from the book: "10 Complex Human Emotions made Simple"

Your Happiness is your state of satisfaction

2005-12-28T14:53:00.000+08:00

Slept late last night, after dota-ing till 3. Woke up at 12 juz now. Had suuuuuch a long slumber. Anyway, was watching the doctor show on Channel 55. It was sad, as usual. But something else grabbed my attention. It was this heated argument between 2 people. For the benefit of those who don't suscribe to VV Drama, I shall re-enact the happenings. =)
(lol, i feel like I'm writing another play...)

Roleplay

For the sake of this blog entry,
Dr A - a cardiologist, who cherishes life
Ms B - a rich, spoilt girl who likes Mr A big time

So this is how the scene went...

Dr A just witnessed his very good friend undergo a complex heart surgery, performed by his own father, the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital. Unfortunately, due to the complications of the operation, the patient had yet to regain consciousness, and it had already been a week. Most probably, the patient will not awaken anymore.

Feeling very vexed, Dr A went to the grass field. Somehow, he fell, and was lying down in the middle of that field, contemplating the event that just passed.

Meanwhile, Ms B, who was also a patient there, was throwing tantrums, refusing to take her medicine. She suffers from heart ailments too. She was trying to evade the nurse who was pursuing her. And she stumbles into Dr A.

(very astonished)
Ms B: Dr A!!!! Why are you lying down in the middle of nowhere?

(showing a very pek cek face)
Dr A: Go away, I'm not in a mood to talk...

(with a typically "san1 ba1" expression)
Ms B: eh... have u been crying??? have you been snubbed by the little chilli padi again???

Ms B knows that Dr A has a liking for a fiery girl, who doesnt really reciprocate his feelings, yet.

(very annoyed)
Dr A: I can't be bothered with you. I don't wanna talk to you. Dr A turns and walks away.

Disappointed at being snubbed by Dr A once again, Ms B shouts out loud.

Ms B: Life is so frustrating! I think i'm better off dead!

Dr A stops in his tracks, turns back, and storms towards Ms B.

Dr A: Do you think life is only about all these boyfriend/girlfriend stuff? You think wanting to die is "fun"? There are so many people out there, really dying, yearning for the chance to live. But here you are, wanting to die over such matters. You know what, go ahead and die, I don't care.

Ms B has a seizure. She collapses.

-----End of Roleplay-----

Seriously, I think the storyline is self-explanatory, for those of you who read it thoroughly (and NOT fast-forward, fast-forward, heh).

So many times in life, alot of us treat life so lightly, so frivolously. Sometimes, at the slightest setback, we say we wanna die. Personally, I am guilty of that too. The thing is that we Always see how serious our problem is, and not realise that theres a whole world out there, with people suffering so much more than us.

Well, this post isent only about "dying"; its about how we can cherish life.

That brings me to the title of this entry: "Your happiness is your state of satisfaction".

How happy you are, is dependant on how happy you allow urself to be, how satisfied you are with the current situation.
Conversely, how upset and sad you are, is also dependant on how unhappy you allow urself to be, how dissatisfied you are with whats happening.

I thought that this entry is quite appropriate now, as I know alot of my friends are going thru particularly rough patches of life. My friends (and myself), I don't belittle your problems. But I hope for all to be happy, and I know, that happiness is ever-elusive.

I plead with you,

The next time you wanna use ur energy and time to be upset, use that effort to help others, who really wanna be happy.
The next time you are so certain you cant be happy, do something useful, by giving others the chance to be happy.
Through which, may you find your new form of happiness.

Back To Books

2005-12-27T21:12:00.000+08:00

Its been awhile since I've touched my notes. I'm so glad I was able 2 study for like, 3+hrs 2dae.

I noe I really need to concentrate if I wanna maintain my results... But its like so hard 2 concentrate these days somehow.

I'll try 2 push ahead. I'll miss the old days tho. I changed my blogskin, but theres like sth wrong with the top right corner. any1 can help??

Edit: Thx JEnn!! the above-mentioned problem is settled.

X'Mas Post (2) - The Power of Pretend

2005-12-27T06:00:00.000+08:00

(This is gonna be a long entry, not for the faint-hearted.)

Who Am I?

I'm now sitting in the Atrium of my school, trying to study, trying to blog. I'm using a Nokia phone, wearing Havaianas slippers, and a Topman Sweater. Is this me tying into my Fujitsu Lifebook?

Is the above-mentioned description really about Marvin? or is it someone who is trying to be Marvin-like?

From birth, we inherit certain genetic traits, as the doctors claim. To a layman (me), I was born with nothing. No knowledge, no wealth. Now, why do I wanna wear certain brands? Why do I have specific preferences? Why do I think I crave for things at times? I look in the mirror and wonder, is this me, or am I juz pretending?

So who pretends?

Everyone thinks, KIDS. They pretend all the time. Boys pretend to be superman, or some other action hero who thinks he saved the world again in 25 mins (duration of most cartoon episodes), while girls pretend to be that pretty model they saw on adverts.

People in the showbiz, we say they pretend all the time too. Firstly, it is afterall their job, to act in a role, to play a specific kind of character. What about off-screen? How often have we read articles about celebrities pretending to be someone they aint, to boost their popularity? You'll hear people on the streets gossiping, for example like, Zoe Tay is Very "dao" in person, Fann Wong keeps trying to "slang" her English...etc.

Yeah you are right. These people are pretending. Whatever their reasons may be.

Who Else Pretends?

So, do You pretend? I'm gonna list down some of the pretentious things many of us are guilty of. Me especially.

1. Talking to people we don't like.
2. Doing things we loathe.
3. Wanting to look cool.
4. Wanting to sound cool.

(pt 3 + pt 4 = Act Cool)

Actually these points pretty much sum up what I'm trying to say,

"Everyone pretends."

How people view pretending

1. Its so fake.
2. Its so hypocritical.
3. The person pretending has inferiority complex.
4. I cant stand pretentious people.

Bingo. Here and there, some of the perspectives would certainly be accurate. Thats y, most of us consider "pretending" to be negative.

How I view pretending

Pretences are inevitable. Pretences are everywhere. I pretend all the time. Don't you? I try to wear things i saw being advertised, hoping i'd look half as cool when i'm the one wearing them. Thats the effect of media. U noe how many pple these days are obsessed with tanning? Anyone realised "tanning" is a fad as well? Years ago, being white was the in-thing. Alot of us pretend to be physically different.

Pretences are a form of defence. So many times, I pretend to be alright, so I thought I'd be less hurt. I pretend to be tired, so that I have the excuse to not think. I pretend to be blur, so I thought I neednt know about things I dun wanna noe. I pretend to protect myself. Sometimes, I pretend to protect others too.

Change your perspective

Don't fall into the easy pitfall, to confuse "pretending", as being hypocritical. All of us pretend at times. Its juz an issue of consciousness. Many of us are simply oblivious to our own pretences. I'm aware of my own too, and I dont deny my identity. If someone were to walk up to me and say:

"Marv, you are always pretending."

I'd reply:

"Yup, I am. So are you."

I'll leave you guys with a simple quote, from Mother Theresa.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

God bless you all. May you have a truly momentous year to come.

X'Mas Post (1) - My Year in a nutshell

2005-12-23T17:34:00.000+08:00

The year is coming to its end, and I was looking back at what I did in the last 357 days of 2005. For those who juz knew me, allow me to glimpse you thru.

Jan - April

I was still working in MOE then, as a customer service executive in the call centre (a.k.a hear people complain, and try to help them with those complaints). Life was pretty weird then, coz i was handling lotsa students who were undecided about which Poly to go (Of coz i said Ngee Ann rite? heh), to go Poly or JC...etc, while yours truly was also at the exact pivotal point of his life. On one hand I was telling people like, "Hey, you must think properly about ur future...etc!", and on the other hand, I have like already wasted 5 years of my life wondering wat 2 do. Yet another distinct irony of life yeah? But for once, I really felt that I was doing things which were quite selfless, when I went the extra mile to explain to the confused youngsters about their dilemma. Its nothing noble, but it really made me a happier person.

Start of May - 23rd May

I went Hongkong with my very close frns then. Really, that was the time of my life. Despite my numerous complaints abt the smelliness, the expense, I truly enjoyed myself utterly. I guess the company made the difference (not the things i bought...etc). I know it is near impossible anymore to replicate the same kinda experience, but I really hope that the chance would avail itself again one day.

When I came back from HK, I was sick, big-time. The kind which made u stay in bed for eternity. Thankfully, I had company, and i recovered b4 sch started.

24th May - 15th Dec

Whenever we are about to enter uncharted waters (like going into a new sch), I guess all of us would be worrying about certain things. Mine were plain; I had no confidence that I could fit into the poly environment, with the burden of my 7 additional years. As many of you call it, generation gap.

Anyway, so far, everythings going pretty ok. I am grateful for all my friends who tolerate my irritating-ness, my bluntness. To many people, friends may be merely companions who happened to share similar objectives at a point in time, in the same enivronment. To me, you guys are people who have certainly etched a significance on the evergrowing memory blog in my heart. Thank you.

For those of you who know me, you'd probably have realised that I dont really like to talk about serious stuff which I'm like very affected by. I prefer talking about happy staff, thoughtful stuff, which would be more beneficial for everyone. Pain and sufferings are part and parcel of one's life, and sometimes, bearing the burden alone helps make the lingering memory last longer.

16 Dec onwards

Made myself busy with christmas celebrations...etc. Went Malaysia, as most of you already noe. =) Yesterday night, got drunk again with Alex, Chin Wee, Melvin, Shawn. All guys night! But I must agree with alex, that None of us shld assume that alchohol is the answer to all problems.It is only a suppresser.

What's on the menu for next year?

Seriously, I know it sounds funny and immature, but I'm not sure how my next year should be at all. I dun really see my purpose, like why m i studying...etc. I guess time will help work that out, but currently, i'm as lost as an over-zealous tourist who suddenly just lost his map. Anyway, Merry Xmas everyone! Make it a point to catch up with people you are missing out on, especially ur family. I hope that your Christmas this year will be a love-filled one. =)

p.s. I'll be blogging again tis Xmas, specially for all who care for me.

My weekend

2005-12-19T17:00:00.000+08:00

Friday

Went to watch kingkong wif 11 ppl. *grinz* big group. quite a nice show, albeit abit expectable, as alex says. Then again, sometimes its also quite relaxing to watch simple shows. Was sitting away from the rest, but i dun mind at all, really! (no worries, meiho)

(I'm in my room blogging now, can hear the background music for "My Date with a Vampire III" outside in the living rm. Damn touching tunes... Still remembered myself catching it on vcds all the way earlier this yr. all 30+, 40 episodes. For those who like thinking stuff in chinese, do catch it! I enjoyed it, but enjoyed the company of those watching wif me too.)

Saturday

Had ambassadors training at 10 am. Rough morning. Really cldnt bring myself to socialise. There must a few new additions to the list of ppl who tink i'm stuck-up. Anyway, the highlight of the day was going over to JB. Really needed a break from SG. Would b uploading the pics soon (when i fig out how...lol), but these were the 10 interesting parts of the trip.

1. Running in rain after we went thru the custom
2. Saw lotsa stuff we thought was nice for girls (irony...)
3. Super nice and spicy KFC (cheap too!)
4. Talking to taxi uncles abt politics, hehe
5. Buying a new bag, and HP casing! (yc says its Very ugly, sighz)
6. Eating "Kuay teow kia", really very nice. the tau kwa (or tau hu, really cant differentiate) real smooth, and the braised egg up 2 standard too.
7. Saw alex's parents' friends in a pub, quite a comfy place. we played 5-10 for awhile. boy, i really suck at anything but 5-10.
8. Tried OSIM Products at alex's place. I-Pamper, I-Squeeze, U-Zap. Any1 else gets the joke?
9. Alex and me drinking and getting high and spouting tons of rubbish, haha.
10. Taking loads of photos!

Sunday

Came back to SG abt 12+, rched hm at 1+. Slept. zzZZZzZZzzzz.
Went out wif alex and yc to buy stuff. ate yumi yogurt. really missed eating it at suntec. Went to play pool after tat. I took some real cool pictures too. YC already has 1 of the nicest one as her display pic in msn, go see! she and alex really like models liddat. Came home, now blogging. =)

Thx alex, for accompanying me tis wkend! I shall be happier.

>>marv

Emptiness

2005-12-16T16:00:00.000+08:00

How often have we felt that our lives are complete?

People always feel like theres something more they want. People who are attached want more time, either for each other, or in sad cases, away from each other. People who are Not attached, want to get attached, thinking that its the panacea to all emotional ailments. How wrong can they be.

I'm always overwhelmed, whenever i'm on the brink of losing someone, something, or some emotions in my life, for good. Don't misunderstand me, its not juz like, losing a closed one. It can be as simple as, losing the joy you used to share with anyone, say a friend. The fear i always encounter, is that no matter what, i'll never be able to replicate the same emotions...

I'm like a historian, not wanting to miss out the details of anything happening around me.

Of coz, if it comes to more severe matters, like really losing a loved one, like your girlfriend/boyfriend, juz multiply the sadness by, say 10. Coz most of the time, it means the persons gonna b out of my life for good, no matter what any1 can promise. Its nobody's fault i guess.. but its real hard 2 like, really keep the person in your life. Its so easy, if its the case that you are the one who lost your feelings/understand that it impossible for u 2 carry on.. But how about the other party, who still remembers, cherishes and wants to honor his/her promises of yesteryears...

What is really true, unconditional love?

I believe that it is the willingness to do anything, absolutely anything, for the other party.
(Not obligation)
And that includes letting the person go, out of ur life. Yes its definitely painful. But why persist if the love you have for others isent mutual? Theres no such thing as fairness; thats a fallacy. theres no real and tangible way 2 measure love; theres no loveometer.

Everyone of us are selfish by nature. Thats a fact. The issue is the extent.

When we prefer to do something with some1 else, thats being selfish. thats a recognition of one's preferences, despite others.
When we choose to do something which furthers our own cause, be it as noble as education, or lowly as theft, thats selfishness.
When we are in a relationship, and there are other things we value more than the person, thats selfish.
But no one said selfishness is bad. its juz... selfish.

When you really feel the immense pain of emptiness, I know you'll agree with me (*winks at MH).

(Haha, this post is purely random. So guys, dun tink so much abt it yah? its juz stuff i may wanna use for our next musical)

>>marv

BA_Comm grows and stuff

2005-12-12T13:33:00.000+08:00

Hey guys! after adding chin wee, shawn, edna, keith, we have 24 members!

Its good to see more n more ppl getting interested in what we r doing, so we'll carry on the spirit. =)

went school 2dae to study wif lex, yc, jane and jenn. covered quite abit of the stuff i didnt understand previously. as i told lex, pretty sure i wont do well 4 this test. will try my best still. =)

sometimes it feels weird, like u've known ppl 4 long, but actually u barely noe them! even like alex (u listening?), feels weird 2 say like, we noe ea other for like... mayb 5-6 mths?? many others too.

p.s. is there any way to speed up the process of friendship?

Happiness

2005-12-11T02:51:00.000+08:00

"Call me Mrs Darcy, only when u r utterly, thoroughly, completely, incandescently happy." - Pride and Prejudice, Dec '05.

What should happiness be? Ideally a complete sense of joy? or a relative lvl of sufficiency.

Its a very meaningful show, but only for those who likes literary and metaphoric stuff. Not 4 the action-seeking moviegoer.

Shld love be about finding some1 who is utterly in love wif u (vice versa), or shld we all settle for stability?

Mayb humans shld stick with frns. Frns are better. Less expectations, , less dissatisfaction, less unhappiness. =(

What Time really is. (Inspired by Alex)

2005-12-04T02:35:00.000+08:00

Unit of Measurement for the water in your bottle: Millilitres

Unit of Measurement for the length of your... ruler: Centimetres

Unit of Measurement for the weight of yourself: Kilograms

Unit of Measurement for the duration of Your Life: Time
(Does that sound correct?)

1. Time isn't simply "Time"

The more common phrases you hear about "Time", would be like, "time can wash away all your pain", "time can heal wounds"...etc. But has anyone ever thought of the significance?

I can no longer recall the 1st time I felt pain, happiness, sadness, hatred or even anger. Who is to be blamed?
At the same time, I tink i can still remember the most recent occasion i felt those emotions, but I'm quite sure time will take care of those memories too, soon enough.

2. Sneaky Time

In terms of the minutes and hours that go by, you can count them. But as time goes by, you lose track of them. Very often, you tend to forget "how long ago something happened". Thats how elusive time is.

3. Time waits for no one

Parents or seniors will always tell you, once time is gone, you cant get it back. Thats exactly how powerful time is. For everything else in the world, if you have the correct skill or equipment, you can capture it. Even light.

Time makes you regret silly decisions you made in folly. By the time you realise your mistake, its usually too late. You cant help but feel that time is there, to mock your disablility to change history.

4. I think Time is God

In more ways than we realise, time doesnt seem that far from godhood. To a very large extent, time chronicles the happenings around the entire universe, every single nano-second of it.

Here we are, bounded to the perpetual "rat-race" of mankind, striving for all forms of excellence. At times, we fall short of targets, fail our objectives, and feel dejected and disappointed. But time is here to soothe those unhappiness memories. Given enuff "time", we'd get over it.

5. What if there was no time?

Unimaginable. Utter void.
You'd lose all meaning in life. Completing assignments within a deadline, say 1 month, gives us the typical sense of achievement, but what achievement would that be if you had an eternity to pursue it?

The world will plunge into a state of stasis. Whatever matter associated with timeliness would suddenly lose their purpose. Metals stop rusting, matter stops decomposing, people stop... dying. Man, thats scary. Hell, I dont even know if life can go on, literally.

6. In the end...

We all need time. We need time to keep track of whats happening, we need time to feel. Unfeeling it maybe, time is omni-present. Whether you are rushing to save a live, or rushing to rob a bank, time is impartial, and it juz goes on and on.

Embrace time. Don't fight it. Theres a reason why we must always be on time.

Why do students (like me) miss/skip 9am lectures?

2005-11-24T02:15:00.000+08:00

Scholastic Reasons (the ones we claim)

1. We don't understand the lecturers
2. We don't understand the module
3. Bus came late

yeah, like real... now for the...

Non-Scholastic Reasons (the real ones)

1. Bad weather (Heavy Rain) - We'll somehow oversleep too yah...
2. Seemingly super narrow roads at Bukit Timah
3. Hunger + nice-smelling food sold near the bus-stop (Must be a combo)
4. Timid Bus Driver, who keeps braking at traffic lights BEFORE tat fricking device turns even Ember!
5. Bad food the night before, especially curry lor
6. Late-night DOTA.

Hey, let me know if you guys can think of other factors we can push the blame on k?

Message of the Day: When something Bad happens, try to blame everything but urself.

BA_Comm hits 20 Members

2005-11-23T08:07:00.000+08:00

Henceforth, 19th of August shall be BA_Comm's bdae!! (it was our 1st meeting...)
BA_Comm is barely 3months old, and we have 20 members!!! from our original 10...

It really feels like seeing your own kid grow up. So currently, it feels like he (or she??) juz doubled its weight!!! *Sighz* I feel that i can understand how a parent feel, to see one's child thru the phase of infancy. Every1 ok wif BA_Comm being a guy?? hehe.

And so my story goes on...

End of the day, i tink i really aint too concerned abt the amt of members we have. I want every1 to grow wif BA_Comm, to learn stuff, try new stuff and b happy with every1. Idealistic eh?

Message of the day: Stop saying u love some1, and juz leave it as that. Try to start by Really Listening to the person. Stop saying u love, love.... blah blah blah.... x 200. (inspired by Jude)

Inaugural Post - What's Next?

2005-11-22T16:40:00.000+08:00

So tired... Juz dota-ed 1.5 hrs (duration of 1 game only) with alex, and he thinks i should pen this milestone, hehe.

So many upcoming events...
Must perservere(nce)? =) (ok, lame joke...)

Wanna learn how to put nice pics, and make my blog look nicer. Any advice is welcomed!

>>mk<<