Sunday, May 28, 2006
Ok, so I admit it, after countless seasons of American Idol and one Singapore idol season, I've succumbed. I'm hooked onto Singapore Idol 2.
The auditions episode had me laughing, and i found myself watching the catfights of episode 2 with sadistic fascination. Its the first time I'm so actively following a reality show, other than the Apprentice.
I've decided to support Paul Twohill for this season. He's way cool with the hair and the goofy boy next door smile. He sings really well too.
Jonathan Leong was my original favourite but the whole world's probably supporting him already cause of his good looks. And y'know how jealous I can get.
Oh, and I'm hopelessly in love with Meryl Joan Lee. Beauty, brains, and from RJC? Who could ask for more? Hopefully she'll come to Penn or something. Marry me. Please.
he rocked the party at 8:54 AM |
Saturday, May 27, 2006
I'm probably far from the perfect Christian, but I DO believe Jesus is God.
Check out this website, an answer to the Da Vinci Code, (taken from Liang Fu's blog)
In his words, "It's super cute!", but I hope it helps in debunking some common myths lots of people have derived from the book.
I seriously doubt the concepts discussed in the Da Vinci Code, but I also dont support the Church's intention of banning the movie from Singapore. After all, making something forbidden only serves to make people even more curious.
I think it provides the perfect opportunity for us to question some aspects of our faith, get the rebuttals to these alternative schools of thought, and thereby strengthening what we believe in. I thoroughly enjoyed thinking through and discussing the issues raised in the novel with friends, but it's sure not gonna change what I believe in.
Granted, while I watched the movie I heard several people around me who were wholeheartedly digesting and believing every controversial fact presented in the movie. At the risk of sounding holier-than-thou, these people probably have only basic knowledge of Christianity, insufficient to argue against the seemingly "overwhelming" evidence that the movie/novel presents. So do check out the website, or speak to a friendly Christian near you. -grin-
he rocked the party at 12:56 AM |
Friday, May 26, 2006
I've realised that I'm not really a workaholic. I simply immerse myself completely in whichever new activity I undertake, which in this case would be the new job, my new gym membership and dance rehearsals. All in the name of doing things to the fullest? I've always told myself that this is the way to go about living life, but it sure drains the hell outta me.
This week I barely slept 4 hours on monday and tues nights, (a result of gym on monday and dance on tues, both after work, and researching my telemarketing list till 2am), Wednesday was spent gymming and being convinced by young funky colleagues to go for mambo night, which resulted in a zombie-state thursday, followed by a farewell dinner for yonghui with young funky colleagues that night. Friday night was a dinner with a friend, meiting's birthday chalet and chatting with the buddies and watching nolan get high at eugene's place till 630 in the morning.
The good news? Results at work seem to be picking up, though I'm still waaay far from my targets, which is worrying. It sucks to be thinking and working like a perm when I'm only a temp, but that's what happens when you have the exact same job scope, but are waaay low on the corporate hierarchy. Eugene thinks I'm mad for staying till 830pm after work without OT pay, but the reality is that if I dont, I wont be able to get any work done the following day and thus not earn commission.
Ugh. Looks like I got more than what I bargained for. I havent worked this hard for 2.5 years man. The pressure's immense. At least the day passes really fast and most of my colleagues are supportive and approachable.
Oh my goodnes. I cant be living life like this all the time. I'd probably die before 30 if I go on like this.
he rocked the party at 5:47 PM |
Monday, May 22, 2006
As discussed with the guys today, younger girls are so old school, girls of the same age are even staler.
Nono, the "in" thing for the newage metrosexual boy is to get a yummy, good-looking, preferably rich, active lifestyled older woman / sugar mummy. Preferably in a power suit.
Yes, yes, 2 days in a corporate environment and I'm already thinking officewear is just oh-so-attractive. I need help.
he rocked the party at 9:06 AM |
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Just a passing thought,
just think about all the lucky draws you've ever taken part in, what's stopping the organizers from just throwing away all the entry forms and not giving away any prizes?
I've entered dozens of lucky draws and I've never even been contacted by the organizers and informed that i'd won anything before.
he rocked the party at 9:44 AM |
If (by Rudyard Kipling)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts you aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you,
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"
he rocked the party at 9:25 AM |
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Y'know, I've never used the F-word while blogging before, but I guess this justifies its first use:
Fuck. I failed my driving test.
ARAGGH. And you know how it is when people have these stories of failing from stupid reasons, like stopping in a yellow box, or driving against the flow of traffic? (grin) Well, mine's nothing like that. I went through the entire circuit and test route with the tester saying absolutely nothing, and not scribbling anything down, and I finished off feeling very satisfied with myself. Then he brings me to the briefing room and tells me I have all these 2-point mistakes (failing to check mirror before moving off, not using appropriate gear, moving off too slowly, not looking out for traffic...) totalling up to freakin 36 points. Oh gawd. I've never even exceeded 20 points during my evaluations before.
A part of me wants to blame it on an extremely strict tester, who just needed an excuse to fail a first-timer, but another part of me tells me that I probably just suck.
There go my hopes of driving to late night suppers with the guys and chic hideaway bars with the gals before I leave for the US. (my next test date is Aug 14, I'm hoping like mad someone will cancel an earlier date so I can grab it)
Ah fuck. I so dont feel like doing anything now.
he rocked the party at 10:04 AM |
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
A juicy little piece of news given by my S1 when I bumped into him at the gym today:
It's only going to be announced on Friday, but:
1st Commando Battalion has won its 20th Best Combat Unit!
Working till the wee hours of the morning, sacrificed weekends and public holidays, trudging through Exercise Falcon, extending ORD, enduring the scorching heat of Thailand...
It was all worth it.
For Honour And Glory!
he rocked the party at 10:57 AM |
Fill in the blanks? Yes, you perv, its a JOB. Yes, I'm finally employed!
Spontaneously agreeing to Yamwei's impromptu invite to an interview at Recruit Express today, I had the amazing opportunity to take up a position as a "recruitment consultant" with the company, with an office right in the heart of orchard (just 5 floors down from eug's workplace - the job i originally wanted but got pang seh-ed!), exciting job description, commission benefits, 10 mins from the gym, having buddies ervin, eugene and jon nearby, and a chance to wear stylo shirts everyday!
Yaaaayy.. byebye to bored afternoons at home and hello to moneymoneymoney -grin-
To celebrate, i even signed up for a 3 month membership with california fitness centre. Whoohoo! Now, the tough part is making sure I commit..
Now, I just need to pass my driving test on thursday and I could so get a taste of that active, metro life i've always been dreaming about. Haha.
he rocked the party at 9:57 AM |
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Am sorry for the terribly boring/underexposed photos, but I was probably too high to take many nice pictures last week. Nevertheless, the 21st birthday photos are here for your downloading pleasure, in chronological order of friendship, plus whatever I wanted to say that day but was too high to... :)
SJI Buddies (photo not included)
Did we take a photo? Gosh, I must've been too high to remember. But what the heck, you guys have been friends with me for the longest time ever. Through peer support and scouts in SJI, to the coolest buddies after that. Its amazing we're still in contact, esp since I'm such a bad friend-keeper. Thank you for putting up with my nonsense and for teaching me how to grow up. haha. I really respect each and everyone of you, and I believe you'll go really far in life. We've made it this far, let's stay in contact and not lose this wonderful friendship!
The "Cool Clique"
Haha.. how does a bunch of people, with absolutely no common background whatsoever, get together over cereal breakfasts in the college cafe, trips downtown for drinks and movies, in-house bbqs, and become the best of friends? Thank you for a wonderful 1st 3 months in SAJC, it was because of you guys that I didnt go over to VJC, and found and stayed in the best school in Singapore, something I have no regrets about.
The beloved, the wonderful, 25th Student Council.
I'm not exaggerating when I say JC days were the funnest of my life, and its all thanks to you guys. Thank you for the past 4 years of banner painting, council meetings, ushering, late nights doing sai kang, orientation planning, new year parties, clubbing, latenight chilling, birthday parties... its endless. From the babes who'd lend a listening ear to a stressed and frustrated lionel and who'd cook and club with us, to the bruddas with a friendship forged over (ahem) guy bonding, so strong that I seriously think we'd still be in contact when we're fat, old and balding. There's just so much to say to you, my beloved 25th, which I could never put in words. But I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about. :)
SAJC Dancers
You're bound to get close after 2 years of Rapture concerts, a thousand and one college performances, and one (GOLD AWARD) SYF performance! Really enjoyed those long hours in the old SAJC studio, nursing our blistered feet and bitching about our "favourite" teacher. (you know who Im talking about). I believe we worked quite a reputation for SAJC and its alumni, you guys are fantastic dancers, probably better than I'll ever be. I'm honoured to perform alongside you guys at Rapture this August, and will definately miss my favourite dance partners once I head to the US after that. Keep dancing, whether its on stage, on the streets, or in your living room. Because I will, and I'll be thinking of you.
56/04 Cohort Commando Officers
Like what I said, we've journeyed one of the hardest NSF paths in Singapore together, with you guys being there with me right from the start, 2.5 years ago when we had no hair and were terrified of 3rd Sergeants. We went through enough shit to be worthy enough of stories we'd tell our grandchildren didnt we? Just imagine: BMT, BCT, CSLC, Airborne Course, OCS, COCC, and finally emerging as pillars of leadership which 1st Commando Battalion couldnt do without. And if 1st Commando Battalion wins our 20th Best Combat Unit and gets to march on NDP 2006, we'd know that it was all thanks to us.
56/04 Bravo Wing Platoon 2
"We come from OCS, we are the very best.." Thank you for one of the most enjoyable times of my NS, with people I could identify with, confide in, train with, go clubbing with, and talk about life, love and everything else a leader-to-be gets worried about. You guys embraced a misorientated commando who'd forgotten half his infantry skills on my first ocs day, and taught him how to be a leader and a gentleman. Let's continue to meet up for yummy buffets and bbqs!
Xiaoping and Kelly
Kelly, thank you for being my special someone this past year. I have no regrets about our relationship, only happiness that I could share this significant part of my life with someone so loving. I was truly lucky to have you as a girlfriend, just like whoever else you would choose to be your special someone. Thank you for showing me how to treat a girl like how she deserves, for improving my chinese, for fun-filled days and cosy nights, for late night phone conversations, for the bullying and the teh-ing, and for teaching me how to live and how to love. Im glad that you're still my special friend, and you will always have a place in my heart.
Xiaoping, thank you for taking care of Kelly that night, do treat Ben well and stop bullying him so much. -grin-
Flea and Anna
Flea, how lucky can a guy get when he gets to meet a bunch of friendly people of the same age while on tour in japan? Especially one as lovely and easygoing as yourself ahaha. Thanks for being there for me when I was having relationship problems, and lets all go for holiday together again!
Anna the fabolous HWACHONG girl.. haha thanks for coming down even though we hardly know each other. You're easily the most entertaining person to msn with, let's hope our friendship grows yea? And yeah yeah, I know I owe you a paddle pop.
"And Friends are Friends forever,
if the Lord's the Lord of them
and a Friend will not say never,
cause the welcome will not end.
And though it's hard to let you go,
in the Father's hands we know,
that a lifetime's not too long,
to live as Friends."
he rocked the party at 6:45 AM |
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Today I did the most metrosexual activity with the bruddas yet:
We worked out together and went for a BODYPUMP class aaattt... -get this- CALIFORNIA FITNESS CENTRE at orchard! Oh maahh gawwrsh. It was so so so metro man. But strangely invigorating.
Lemme explain how it started. See, eug got his 2 yr membership from his parents for his birthday present. So, he signed nol, ervin and i up for a free 2 week trial membership where we could use any of the facilities and take any of the classes. Since they have hiphop, body combat and other stuff I thought it'll be the perfect chance to penetrate (uhmm.. that didnt sound right now did it) that facinating world of california fitness centre that we always see from the outside but never got a chance to explore.
So nol and i went down to the centre to pick up our trial membership cards, expecting to just pick it up and go, however, it turned into a full-blown tour, body fat test, and sales pitch to sell us a year long membership. That was hilarious in itself. Our over-friendly and very ahlian customer service officer tried alternating between professional sounding english to taiwanese-worthy teh-ness.
One of the priceless things she said:
(in professional sounding english)
"So, our club is open from 6am to 12 midnight, and we're open 365 days a year..
(and in teh-ed chinese)
...suo yi, bu yao gen wo jiang ni men mei you shi jian LOR"
(translation: ... so dont tell me you guys dont have enough time LOOOORR") -with emphasis on the "lor" indeed.
Anyway, we went down today to check it out and try the bodypump class, highly recommended by eugene. And for good reason too! Felt really shoik and sweaty after the class, with muscles burning (no doubt a result of several blissfully slack months).
Ladies and gentlemen, the myths are true: The guys are fantastically good-looking, with perfect complexions, buffed and toned bodies, and a taste for branded metrosexual clothes. I suspect that a high percentage of them are also totally gay. We were on our way to the sauna wrapped in our towels when this hunky guy gave us a hair-falling-down-his-face-dopey-eyed stare. Oh gosh. And though i'm normally alright with changing in front of guys, I was really hesitant to take off my undies in the changing room. Felt everyone was staring.
Still, I cant help but wish I was as good-looking as them. Im not exaggerating when I say about 80% of the guys there fit the image of how I wished I'd look like. We came to the conclusion that the 4 of us are probably one of the ugliest (trial) members they have.
So here comes the dilemma: This is one of the things I've told myself that I'd do because I never had the chance to before. There's a 3 month package which would fit just right before my flight to Penn. If I get eugene's job at orchard, it would make it all the more convenient. However, at $79 a month, (plus a $100 enrolment fee) its a tad expensive and who says I'm gonna be able to commit for 3 months anyway?
Decisions, decisions. My life seems to want to take on so many damn things now, and I just cant squeeze them into 7 days a week. I just cant.
he rocked the party at 9:43 AM |
Monday, May 08, 2006
I believe that its times like these when I realize just how lucky I truly am. Had the best crowd I could hope for, with people whom I thought would've stood me up, people whom I havent talked to for months/years, people whom I thought would have forgotten about me, all coming to share this occasion with me. :)
Sad to say, I got drunk AGAIN, all thanks to my lovely friends from OCS / commandos. -sigh- Apparently, I did/said lotsa things which I would never have said if I was sober. (I'm told that "DOWN WITH THE PAP!!" and "@$%@*!^&" were 2 examples) So embarrassing. Ugh. I shall never have booze around at my celebrations again. (good luck with that at Penn.)
Apologies to anyone I might have unintentionally offended, I'm sure you guys have seen enough 21st birthdays this year to understand me when I say that's not the real me. Forgive?
On the happier side, I'm glad I managed to talk to all my favourite people all over again. (yay! -hugshugshugshugs-) I'm sorry if I didnt manage to spend much time with any one group. Knew it was gonna turn out this way but I just HAD to invite YOU (yes, you!) or it wouldnt be a proper birthday without you now would it? I do hope you guys had fun meeting up and socializing anyway!
Stolen from eugene's blog:
Taken with my beloved 25th Council before alcohol:
And after:
And thank you for the presents!!
This year's presents scream "METROSEXUAL!!" (Think like half of them were from New Urban Male) and I absolutely love 'em. Thankyouthankyou! Apparently, you guys seemed to know about my serious need of a metrosexual bag (i received 2!) and slippers (3 pairs!). Its strange how friends always know what you always want innit?
It IS my last birthday I'm going to be celebrating in Singapore, at least for the next 4 years anyway, and, as drunk as I was, I meant it when I said Saturday night was to thank you guys for the past 14 years of fun, laughter, tears, mugging, partying, leadership, scouting, dancing, chilling, confiding, chionging, tekaning, supporting, and friendship.
Honestly, I've got the most wonderful friends in the world. So thank you.
he rocked the party at 5:17 AM |
Thursday, May 04, 2006
1. So my birthday celebration's confirmed to be this Saturday, 7pm at Tekong Cove, Changi Sailing Club. (Yes, I know the name "Tekong" leaves something to be desired, but its the best place I could get) Those that received the invitation PLEASE dont be late, partly because I have to end by 11, partly because I freakin PAID for you guys, but mostly because I want to spend this special occasion with you wonderful people.
To answer the FAQs, No there's no dress code, Yes its outdoors (but there's a ceiling), Yes you have to BE there at 7, Yes you can stay over if you want. Oh and please dont get the wrong impression, apparantly Hui told me today she thought it was some clubbing thing with 300 people. Its more like a nice cosy dinner with 50 people. And please, PLEASE do not "pang seh" me. I'd be REALLY disappointed.
2. Tickets for RAPTURE - SAJC's dance concert at the ESPLANADE on 4th Aug (in which yours truly is choreographing an item and dancing in 2) - are on sale! For your info, there're only $20 and $15 seats, and yours truly has done you the favour of snapping up the last, yes the LAST of the $20 seats by shelling out $300.
I only have 15 tickets, so please, if you'd like to come watch the concert (support my choreography! Its my first time!) please do physically BUY the tickets from me. Please dont say, "Eh lionel help me chope 5 tickets first" because there are others who really do want the tickets and are willing to pay for the tickets now.. My birthday dinner's a good time to buy the tickets from me!
he rocked the party at 11:25 AM |
So here comes the issue of filling up my days with activities. Barely 2 days after returning from the US (ie 2 days ago), I'd come across a stunning revelation: that I NEED to do something useful with my life these 4 months while I'm still in Singapore.
You see, for the past 2 years I'd always assumed post-army activities would be spent doing aimless things I never had the chance to do while in the army. Here's a list of things I'd wanted to do, and the reasons why I CANT do them now:
1. Travel (not enough money.. esp after the US trip, and a Bangkok trip with council + Australia trip with SJI buddies coming up = NO MONEEY)
2. Learn to cook (I never seem to be at home the same time as my mum.)
3. Learn a new language (humph. I should freakin brush up my chinese first)
4. Study econs at MDIS (but I only have 3.5 months left, so cant do anything substantial)
5. Clubclubclubclubclub (no money, all my buddies working, and sick of the whole clubbing thing anyway)
6. Learn salsa (will only be able to take a beginners' course b4 i fly off)
7. Work out. (too damn lazy)
8. Drive. (test is coming up on May 18th!! ARAGH)
9. Learn to invest (keep falling asleep while reading Investing for Dummies)
10. Chill out with friends (all my friends have JOBS)
Which got me thinking: I just cant spend a whole 4 months doing silly, aimless things, (even though I'd really wanted to just 6 months ago), the kiasu (and broke) Singaporean in me says that I need to fill my days and my wallet with a good, solid job. Something that'll give my days purpose, improve my resume, and at least assist me in fulfilling serial nos 1, 5, 6, 9 and 10.
Me, having worked for a grand total of 0 days in my life, realised just how sheltered I really am. School holidays were always filled with scouts, council, dance and exams, while army came right after the 'A' Levels. I talk about learning and living in the "real world" during my scholarship interviews and university essays, but I'd never really gone out there and lived it outside of a sheltered, controlled and predictable school/army life.
Which is why, out of sheer desperation, I trotted down to Recruit Express for an interview for a Starhub customer service job that works OT hours and weekends for 7 bucks an hour. 7 an hour isnt bad for a first job I guess, but the clash of schedules with dance rehearsals and friend meetups has me worried. I'd honestly prefer an office hours job, since I've got nothing to do in the afternoons anyway, but I dont know where else to look for another good, solid job. (I may be a bit pompous for saying this, but I feel I could do so much better than packing boxes at a warehouse).
And so.. the search continues, while the bank account depletes, making that OT job more and more tempting.
he rocked the party at 10:07 AM |
C'mon, you know I dont usually do silly online games/quizzes, but how was I supposed to resist this one, which so blatantly stoked my already inflated ego?
he rocked the party at 12:14 AM |
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
So enough about the Gomes thing already. You're not fooling any of us. I think harping on such a silly issue is a waste of time. I wish they'd stop bickering and focus on cost of living, education policies and all the issues which actually concern us.
Oh, and dont you think those lorries emblazoned with white flags and blaring "Please vote for the PAP" are really irritating?
Like eugene says, all these campaigning seems just like Singapore Idol 3.
he rocked the party at 3:51 AM |
