+ online petition +

Oh hey, my school has entered www.onlinepetition.com ! Haha.. Because of the intention of the current principal to change the name of the school. Read about it in http://www.petitiononline.com/savenh/petition.html .

I'd say this was sort of like an essay practice for whoever that wrote it.

+ less is more? +

As I grew older, I got to know more people. Starting from my neighbours, to classmates in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, junior college, then national service, and some introductions to friends of friends. With a hundred folks in my MSN account, 200 in my mobile's phonebook and a little more than that in my Friendster account, why do I not know who to call when I want to share something with someone?

I realise that I do not keep in contact with alot of people constantly. To be honest, the number of people whom I message relatively regularly may tally up to about 30. That's only like 15% of the contacts I have in my handphone. Likewise, the number of people who keeps in contact with me quite regularly may be around that figure too. Why is that so? Alright, to the second part, it could be because only 20-odd people think I'm worth keeping in touch with, but it could be also due to the fact of the sheer number of people there are in their phonebooks, and a large part consequentially gets sorta 'left in the cold'.

Of course, that's not to say that we shouldn't get to know more people. A wider social circle enlarges your contacts list when you do need them, but how do you maintain strong bonds between ourselves and the extensive list of contacts we have? Hmm. Toughie. It seems quite impossible to constantly be in touch with the several hundred people in your contact lists. Or, should we split the people up into 'friends', 'acquaintances', 'business contacts', blah blah to decide who and how much we should call? But, that makes it sound like we're drawing up a hierarchy for the people we know, which doesn't sound quite right too.

And I don't know if alot of you share the same sentiments as I do, but I don't exactly have alot of very very strong bonds. I haven't really went through alot with anyone in particular. Is that why I don't feel that extremely strong sense of closeness with most of my friends?

Or.. did the invention of the mobile phone and internet reduced the need to really call and meet up with old friends to remain in contact? Some key presses and keyboard presses and a mouse click away is all that's required to 'talk' to someone. In a way this has gradually weakened the links between people since there's no real need to see the other party in person. And also, no matter what the amount of emotions is put into a sms or email, there's still no way it can be the same as actually listening to someone's voice.The existence of modern gadgets and applications however, makes it able for individuals to save more phone numbers without having to remember them by hard. Argh.. It's so frustrating.

Ok, I still don't exactly have an answer if less is more when it comes to friends. But it Is rather true that we shouldn't have too small a group of friends coz a small social circle is simply impractical in today's world. So, my conclusion is, put more effort in showing love to those who you really care about. Speaking of which, My effort probably leaves much to be desired.

Anyway, it's the weekend. Enjoy all.

Lastly, happy birthday to Al.

+ pushup fact +

A study shows that a your upper body actually lifts 66% of your body weight when you do a standard pushup, and if you do a pushup on your knees, 53%.

So guys who can't do a handful standard ones are bigger wusses than those who do double that on their knees. Interesting.

+ today's 4D results +

Check this out.. 0000 is one of the prizes today!
First time I saw this.

+ dolphins anyone? +

Managed to snap this picture of dolphins in the wild, sorry if it's not very clear, I tried my best.. Hah.. Turns out that real dolphins in the sea do not jump crazily high out of the water.. Or maybe they didnt want to right in front of me..


And just a thought.. I think I'll look pretty decent with a nice set of teeth. Ooh, I can see the dentist brandishing a saw, some metal pieces and a huge hammer.

Also, local singer 蔡淳佳's 有你多好 kinda touched me.

Lastly, take a look at this. After looking at what other people did, im more convinced that the pictures I tried to take during the fireworks display were total flops.

+ losing sleep +

I couldn't lie to say I didn't lose sleep yesterday night, but I also took the chance to reflect on myself. And yea, it did help.

So all's still fine. I'll get over it. :)

+ weekend +

It's the weekend again, so enjoy y'all. Sorry for not posting new entries too, coz I've been away. Will be back on the 16th.

Anyway, im reading Tony Parsons' Man and Boy now. Rather nice book. A pretty 'real' book, I would say. Nothing far-fetched like some weird sci-fi meteorite crashes onto earth, causes some mutation kind of storyline, but something that we should be able to feel.

As usual, thoughts run a little wild whenever im away. Funny how being away from home - albeit a mere 40-odd km - could make one feel like he's far away and alone. Hmm.

So, have a good weekend. Cheers.

+ fireworks +

Taken yesterday. Too many people and was standing at the wrong spot, thus the poor pictures. These are the nicer ones I could get from what I took. Get the bigger versions from me if anyone wants them.

+ national day eve & national day +

Firstly, our nation celebrates 40 years of independence today!


May Singapore remain prosperous. And improve socially.
This is my Home. :)


-Yesterday-

Lunch at Old Airport Road hawker centre. Had the 'Makansutra' recommended Hokkien Mee.

It actually didnt taste fantastic, some of the noodles being slightly burnt. The gravy itself was good though.


The gourment trying out Mackerel Otah.


Supernova exhibition. By renowned photographer Lance Lee and up and coming graphics designer David Lee. It is on till 14th August, take a look if you're interested. Location: The Substation Gallery along Armenian Street.


mov00337a.wmv
Short clip of Greenridge Primary School Brass Band. There's another clip in my mobile with one spectator clapping and jumping away while the kids were playing, but im unsure how to convert the video into WMV format. Very sorry about it, because it is rather entertaining.

+ charlie and the chocolate factory +


So it wasn't the most fabulous show I've watched, but following Tim Burton's track record of pure magic visuals, dark humour and a certain factor that touches your heart more than a regular movie does. His track record, Big Fish, Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands.. All so good! By the way, this collaboration is his third with Johnny Depp, following Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands. Wow.

Anyway, im feeling better. Phew. Blogging does let me release some stuff.

+ emotions +

People walk on by,
In which does my future lie?
You have come, you have gone,
My imperfections you've adorned.
Now that I have quit dreaming,
Love becomes a distant thing

I've decided. To let go completely. I pretend to be nonchalant about everything, but there was no fooling myself. I do feel very much for you. Attempts to divert my focus didn't work, what I diverted to was actually just more of you. "Well the ex Is a very difficult person to get over" kept sounding in my head as if to wake me up. It was from a third party. I don't have to hear what you have to say then, since someone not involved in the relationship could tell me that.

I would never be seen in the same way as he would by you. Not that I want to be compared in a side-to-side comparison chart. But it's just not possible for me to have you smile from inside your heart. You were a catalyst. I gained drive, gained courage, gained lots of laughter and happiness from you. That is deeply appreciated. So even if the real reason is not the distance between Singapore and London, it's alright. It would've been hurtful to me if you were too direct.

I've lost my dignity, I've lost my pride before. And I've also lost respect from some people. But I don't want to lose all the credit you've given me. Which is why I have to force myself, to pull myself out of this. Because I have been pounding stress onto myself, and the last thing that I want to do is to totally lose control in front of you.

It has indeed been a great pleasure knowing you. Honest. It was a short time, there was no dating. but yet I felt a great affinity to you. You're a gem. It's just that I'm not the jeweller who is able to polish you up.

There is something that I've been (and still) working on that is supposed to be given to you. I'll see if it's possible to pass to you before your return to London.

And don't worry. Happiness will find you. All the best, you have a very very bright future.

Time for me to take a break. I need an overhaul.

+ first-time chef +

So this is how dinner turned out to be.

(Clockwise from top left) Scallops stir-fried with kai lan, tomato soup, deep fried spare ribs, sweet and sour prawns, dark sauce chicken (centre)

And waddya know, all edible (well almost)! The scallops didnt taste good.


Cake ceremony. And no, she's not 10 this year. Number of candles reduced due to conservation plan (yea right).

The food is quite edible, but I doubt I will cook again anytime soon. Mom made a comment while I was cooking.

+ mental block +

Haven't had any posts for the past few days due to mental block. Yes, it's pretty blank.

Then I realized it's not. Im just not in an excitable mood. Nothing special. A plateau of emotions. I know what I need. The butterflies-in-the-stomach, on-cloud-9 kind of sweetness and happiness one gets when he/she has a special someone. Some sugar-coated SMSes, holding hands, big hugs, I love 'em.
Yes, to be honest, I AM lonely.
I don't feel this all the time, but it's especially apparent this week or so. Think im getting old. Or too free. Hopefully the wait won't be too long.

And mum! Happy 50th! You're half a century old, missus.. So for tonight's dinner,

this is what you see at 10am. I'll try to whip up something edible by 7. :)

+ dun eat here +


Ting Heng Seafood Restaurant, off Tiong Bahru Road.

Poor service, not exactly fantastic price, too-salty food, quick only when waiting for customer to pay for the meal. Why eat here?