Saturday, July 26, 2003
Today was a long day. Woke up at 6 because got 8.30 am lessons at NIE. Then I am supposed to attend some IPPT (the army physical fitness test) briefing at 2, in full (army) uniform. So I thought I'll wear the army boots and home clothes and bring uniform to change. Dug out my boots and...sigh...turned mouldy. Or at least looks worn out. So vanity overtook me and I decided to wear my brand new boots which I got from last ICT (In Camp Training)'s kit exchange (where we exchange old equipment for brand new ones).
My mum asked me to wear old boots because more comfortable but I die die don't want. Guess what? After I left the house, something felt funny inside my boots. As though there's something really sticky inside both boots. As I walked further it felt worse. Like I was walking barefooted in thick mud-only that the mud was inside the boots! But it was too early and the stalls at the army market wasn't open so I can't do a thing about it. What to do? I walked around uncomfortably and hung in there till NIE.
At the classroom I took out the boots and to my horror, the in-sole (the padding in your shoes where the sole of your foot rests on) has disintegrated into some gluey stuff. Quite gross. My socks are basically like soaked with glue. Oh man! I have to wear them all the way till 10 plus at night! Cause after NIE I have to rush to army camp, then rush to church meeting!!! Argh.
The day felt rotten.
The tutorial was interesting though. At least the tutor was. Razor sharp wit. I like...after class did the first assignment from NIE which was groupwork, had lunch then rushed down to Choa Chu Kang to meet a friend whose dad driving him. Went to Kranji camp, wah seh! Whole place renovated and looks brand new...looks a bit like SAFTI with this big parade square! Man, why they upgrade after I left the dingy place? It was great though, having a long time reunion with other friends. Most of us looks the same leh. Only I grew fat in the face. Sigh. Vanity vanity.
My mum asked me to wear old boots because more comfortable but I die die don't want. Guess what? After I left the house, something felt funny inside my boots. As though there's something really sticky inside both boots. As I walked further it felt worse. Like I was walking barefooted in thick mud-only that the mud was inside the boots! But it was too early and the stalls at the army market wasn't open so I can't do a thing about it. What to do? I walked around uncomfortably and hung in there till NIE.
At the classroom I took out the boots and to my horror, the in-sole (the padding in your shoes where the sole of your foot rests on) has disintegrated into some gluey stuff. Quite gross. My socks are basically like soaked with glue. Oh man! I have to wear them all the way till 10 plus at night! Cause after NIE I have to rush to army camp, then rush to church meeting!!! Argh.
The day felt rotten.
The tutorial was interesting though. At least the tutor was. Razor sharp wit. I like...after class did the first assignment from NIE which was groupwork, had lunch then rushed down to Choa Chu Kang to meet a friend whose dad driving him. Went to Kranji camp, wah seh! Whole place renovated and looks brand new...looks a bit like SAFTI with this big parade square! Man, why they upgrade after I left the dingy place? It was great though, having a long time reunion with other friends. Most of us looks the same leh. Only I grew fat in the face. Sigh. Vanity vanity.
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Today is my Commencement (or Convocation) Ceremony...as of last night I was pretty laid back about it, wondering what's all the hassle about. My classmates were appalled that I left my hood unironed...haha...just me I guess. Even as I took a cab down this morning, I was feeling more sleepy than excited. But when I got there, I guess excitement finally seeped into me, seeing my frenzied friends and classmates.
The ceremony itself was rather organized, although somewhat boring, especially when the valedictorian (I think should be the best student of each batch and faculty) came to give his speech. He had an expressionless (actually a bit somber) face when he said, "I am glad and I am sure all of you are also glad to be part of this joyous occasion"...looking at his face, I was forced to think, "Very joyous meh? See your face also sian sian one"...the whole thing finished in half an hour...yeah Chem Eng is a small faculty...and the only fun part was when they dropped a whole lot of balloons into the auditorium. I can see many people having a heck of a time bursting the balloons.
The best thing I guess is that I've never seen my mum so happy for a long long time. It's like even when she was sick (and paranoid about dying) she keeps telling me that all she is living for is to see this day. And now she has! (Now I've got to give her something else to look forward to...) Phototaking was really fun BUT the convocation gown is HOT man!!! Wah seh, I think most of us were drenched on the inside, especially when we were supposed to take class photo outside the hall in the sun! Yikes.
It's a nice day today.
The ceremony itself was rather organized, although somewhat boring, especially when the valedictorian (I think should be the best student of each batch and faculty) came to give his speech. He had an expressionless (actually a bit somber) face when he said, "I am glad and I am sure all of you are also glad to be part of this joyous occasion"...looking at his face, I was forced to think, "Very joyous meh? See your face also sian sian one"...the whole thing finished in half an hour...yeah Chem Eng is a small faculty...and the only fun part was when they dropped a whole lot of balloons into the auditorium. I can see many people having a heck of a time bursting the balloons.
The best thing I guess is that I've never seen my mum so happy for a long long time. It's like even when she was sick (and paranoid about dying) she keeps telling me that all she is living for is to see this day. And now she has! (Now I've got to give her something else to look forward to...) Phototaking was really fun BUT the convocation gown is HOT man!!! Wah seh, I think most of us were drenched on the inside, especially when we were supposed to take class photo outside the hall in the sun! Yikes.
It's a nice day today.
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
I was playing with cow-cat again, as usual. I realized that he's really affectionate ever since the time the kind aunties kept them from being culled and we were separated. Anyway there I was playing with cow-cat, and one of two aunties who regularly feed the cats came by. We started talking and I found out something that made my heart ache a little. She was telling me that cow-cat didn't always have a limp. He was a really energetic kitten. But one day he was sleeping, on his side, so his legs were stretched out and some guy on a bicycle rode over his leg. The auntie said the guy very 'orr sim' (translated: black-hearted, meaning wicked) and I agree totally! Anyway she was one of the kind souls who brought cow-cat to a vet for treatment. Apparently the leg didn't heal completely. (She also commented on how expensive any medical treatment is nowadays...)
There was another auntie who walked past who asked me funny questions when she saw me playing with cow-cat, along the lines of, "You not scared ah? The cat won't bite you meh?", "Won't you get germs from the cat?", "I thought cats only like people who feed it?" It was quite funny as I explain to her about cats. Apparently she is scared of any animal... I explained to her that I've spent a long time with cow-cat and he recognizes my cat-call, so I made a meow, and cow-cat immediately came over to me.
Cat food: $4
Trip to vet: $120
Look on shocked old auntie's face: Priceless
There was another auntie who walked past who asked me funny questions when she saw me playing with cow-cat, along the lines of, "You not scared ah? The cat won't bite you meh?", "Won't you get germs from the cat?", "I thought cats only like people who feed it?" It was quite funny as I explain to her about cats. Apparently she is scared of any animal... I explained to her that I've spent a long time with cow-cat and he recognizes my cat-call, so I made a meow, and cow-cat immediately came over to me.
Cat food: $4
Trip to vet: $120
Look on shocked old auntie's face: Priceless
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
I think I did a fairly kind deed today and was quite happy about it. I was at Bugis mrt station and was gonna top up my EZlink card. I saw this old man staring blankly at the machine. At first I asked him if I can use it first, then when I realized he was totally lost I stopped and helped him out first. Apparently he couldn't read the names of the stations on the machine and therefore dunno which mrt station button to press for destination. Only after a while then I realized that he does know English (a bit), just that the thing is too small for his old-sightedness. So I explained to him about the system, in Hokkien. Interestingly enough, I only found out today how much Hokkien I actually know. I can converse fairly naturally in that language. Guess that's what people mean by 'you won't know until you try'...
So I helped him buy a temp EZlink card. When we were going through the gate he actually tapped the wrong side. So the gate opened up on the lane left of him. By the time he realized and moved over, the gate closed on him. I think when I was calling for him to move to the other lane, the staff at the station control must have heard and opened the gate for him.
Then when we went down the escalator, he was a bit blur on which side to take, and he was telling me the last time he wanted to go Changi Airport he ended up in Pasir Ris, totally lost. So I explained to him how there are two trains, what to look out for in the tv monitor thingy etc...he was apparently profusely grateful at the end of it, and told me I'm a very nice young man, and has good 'jia1 jiao4'. (Must make sure my mum hears of it... ) Because he could tell I was in a hurry I guess, and I spent 15 mins with him explaining.
The interesting thing was that normally I would go to Lavender mrt station since it was nearer to my house. It was just that I was at Concourse, and I just had the funny notion to walk down to Bugis. (Lavender was still a lot nearer by the way, and the sun was killer hot.) I thing God probably sent me there to help this poor old man who was lost.
But here's the sad part. This poor old man already knows some English, and he is finding so much difficulty navigating just the East West line...I wonder what about those old folks who are illiterate in English...how then would they know which button is for which station? Do they all have to be like my second uncle, who memorized the numbers of the stations (like E12 or something like that) they frequently go to? I've heard lots of comments about the NEL being as bad. Now the interesting thing is that SMRT boasts of its blind and disabled friendly stations: why then are the elderly being ignored? Does it cost that much to put up more signs and stuff in the 4 major languages? Or do they think the illiterate old folks don't take trains?
So I helped him buy a temp EZlink card. When we were going through the gate he actually tapped the wrong side. So the gate opened up on the lane left of him. By the time he realized and moved over, the gate closed on him. I think when I was calling for him to move to the other lane, the staff at the station control must have heard and opened the gate for him.
Then when we went down the escalator, he was a bit blur on which side to take, and he was telling me the last time he wanted to go Changi Airport he ended up in Pasir Ris, totally lost. So I explained to him how there are two trains, what to look out for in the tv monitor thingy etc...he was apparently profusely grateful at the end of it, and told me I'm a very nice young man, and has good 'jia1 jiao4'. (Must make sure my mum hears of it... ) Because he could tell I was in a hurry I guess, and I spent 15 mins with him explaining.
The interesting thing was that normally I would go to Lavender mrt station since it was nearer to my house. It was just that I was at Concourse, and I just had the funny notion to walk down to Bugis. (Lavender was still a lot nearer by the way, and the sun was killer hot.) I thing God probably sent me there to help this poor old man who was lost.
But here's the sad part. This poor old man already knows some English, and he is finding so much difficulty navigating just the East West line...I wonder what about those old folks who are illiterate in English...how then would they know which button is for which station? Do they all have to be like my second uncle, who memorized the numbers of the stations (like E12 or something like that) they frequently go to? I've heard lots of comments about the NEL being as bad. Now the interesting thing is that SMRT boasts of its blind and disabled friendly stations: why then are the elderly being ignored? Does it cost that much to put up more signs and stuff in the 4 major languages? Or do they think the illiterate old folks don't take trains?
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
I was on the bus on both occasions when the news about Laden and Laleh (is that the correct spelling?) was announced. I was plugged in then. To the radio of course, not the matrix. That kinda brought the blues into my day. When I first heard about the death of Laden, (I think it was 4 plus?) I vividly remember the press conference that came out in the news. The two of them were so cheerful and optimistic. When they said, "We just want to see each other face to face, not through a mirror", I really felt for them.
I was supporting them in prayer I guess, but alas, God had other plans. I was quite depressed that afternoon. Apparently so was the DJ I was listening to, and all the listeners who smsed in their sentiments. It was a blue blue Tuesday.
I'm still wondering about the reason officially annouced though. Loss of blood? I think many people were very concerned over the operation. Frankly I don't think 'loss of blood' is a sufficient explanation. Nor is 'complications arose'. Are we entitled to only so shallow an explanation of an operation that is major and watched closely by many concerned? I am not satisfied with that.
I was supporting them in prayer I guess, but alas, God had other plans. I was quite depressed that afternoon. Apparently so was the DJ I was listening to, and all the listeners who smsed in their sentiments. It was a blue blue Tuesday.
I'm still wondering about the reason officially annouced though. Loss of blood? I think many people were very concerned over the operation. Frankly I don't think 'loss of blood' is a sufficient explanation. Nor is 'complications arose'. Are we entitled to only so shallow an explanation of an operation that is major and watched closely by many concerned? I am not satisfied with that.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Today is both a very good day and a very bad day.
In the afternoon, there was a press conference for Project CRuSH! This was really cool, because now Project CRuSH officially has the backing of MDA (Media Development Authority), which is really great because I suppose that means they recognize and like what we have been doing all this while. But it was really exciting...there was a power trip soon after we got there. Power failure for the whole school! Reputedly, a big part of Katong. Wow. Talk about things going wrong huh? We quickly made preparations for this, and the power was all the way gone. 3 o'clock was an important time, because the guests are due to arrive from then on, and guess what? The power was restored at 2.50 pm! Hallelujah~ *angelic choir in background again.
God always comes through! Although frequently at the last possible moment. I suppose God is a director, amidst his other credentials, since He seems to have a good flair with dramatic timings. Yeah~
Now for the sucky part. I went to watch Incredible Hulk at Century Square, and it's the first time I walked out of the cinema. (Eh not because of the movie, don't misunderstand...wait Ang Lee come and find me to settle...) Let me try to give a description of my frustration: I happily go into the cinema seeing that it's pretty much empty. Only a few people in it. So me and my gf went to our seats. The movie starts. A married couple at left back of cinema brought along a small boy who starts making lots of noise. Specifically he speaks loud gibberish. Incessantly. A married couple seated at the row behind me on the left too also brought a small boy, who is restless and keeps kicking the seats in front of him, ie, my row of seats. Massage chair? Nope, think again.
My gf made a loud shhh noise. Nothing happens. Kids making noise. Parents seem to be enjoying movie. I crane my neck several times backwards to look at them. Sometimes they made eye contact. No guilt shown. Nothing done. Kids still making noise. I calmed down first, thinking that it should be alright. Behind me that row on the right, there's one couple. By the way they speak, it sounds probable that they are PRCs (or China chinese). Was I eavesdropping? Nope. They were chatting at a normally audible volume. If they were talking about the movie, I'm cool with that, but no, they were talking about all sorts of stuff. In between, I clearly heard talk about soccer, to stocks, to celebrities etc. I would have thought such talk is meant for cafes and stuff, not cinemas. I made the ssshhh sound this time, and a loud one at that. No effect. Chatter carries on, and children don't seem to care. Don't their parents shh them before? How come no reaction? Strange. Are the parents deaf or something?
*Ring ring. It was so loud I thought it was part of the movie. But no, it was a man sitting alone further in front. He picks up his phone, and talks in a voice that we seated 6 to 8 rows behind can clearly hear: "Hello? What? No lah. I'm busy. Cannot talk now. Huh? What you say? Oh that ah. Talk later lah. Bye bye. Yeah. Bye bye." At least he had some decency to keep it short. Although I don't see why the handphone wasn't put to silent in the first place.
Now there is a lot of noise already. It's getting a bit frustrating. If I wanted noise when I watch a movie, I'll get VCDs and watch at home right? My gf can't take it. She storms out of the cinema to the toilet. Her slamming the door doesn't seem to register on the loud ones.
After she comes back, we tried watching the movie, but cannot anymore. After the tenth sssshhhhh, we realized that nothing can stop them. My gf wants to leave, and I totally support the decision. We storm out of the place, and I slammed the door as loud as I can in protest.
You know what's the horrible thing? The whole cinema only had the 3 couples, me and my gf and the one solitary man. And the sad thing is, me and my gf only want to watch a movie, we keep the silence, and eventually we were the ones who left. I was that much short of launching a scolding of inconsiderate patrons and parents, but I decided on not making a scene. There are times I really abhor to be named a Singaporean amidst others who exhibit such behaviour. I don't blame the kids for making noise. I only wonder why the parents didn't even try to keep their kids quiet or more subdued. This remains my worst experience in the cinema so far: noisy kids + loud chatters + handphone going off. Can't imagine what else could have gone wrong.
Arghhh! 13 bucks. And my gf rushed down in a cab to watch the show. Goodness. Sometimes it does seem unfair that people who behave badly usually gets away with it while the good ones suffer.
In the afternoon, there was a press conference for Project CRuSH! This was really cool, because now Project CRuSH officially has the backing of MDA (Media Development Authority), which is really great because I suppose that means they recognize and like what we have been doing all this while. But it was really exciting...there was a power trip soon after we got there. Power failure for the whole school! Reputedly, a big part of Katong. Wow. Talk about things going wrong huh? We quickly made preparations for this, and the power was all the way gone. 3 o'clock was an important time, because the guests are due to arrive from then on, and guess what? The power was restored at 2.50 pm! Hallelujah~ *angelic choir in background again.
God always comes through! Although frequently at the last possible moment. I suppose God is a director, amidst his other credentials, since He seems to have a good flair with dramatic timings. Yeah~
Now for the sucky part. I went to watch Incredible Hulk at Century Square, and it's the first time I walked out of the cinema. (Eh not because of the movie, don't misunderstand...wait Ang Lee come and find me to settle...) Let me try to give a description of my frustration: I happily go into the cinema seeing that it's pretty much empty. Only a few people in it. So me and my gf went to our seats. The movie starts. A married couple at left back of cinema brought along a small boy who starts making lots of noise. Specifically he speaks loud gibberish. Incessantly. A married couple seated at the row behind me on the left too also brought a small boy, who is restless and keeps kicking the seats in front of him, ie, my row of seats. Massage chair? Nope, think again.
My gf made a loud shhh noise. Nothing happens. Kids making noise. Parents seem to be enjoying movie. I crane my neck several times backwards to look at them. Sometimes they made eye contact. No guilt shown. Nothing done. Kids still making noise. I calmed down first, thinking that it should be alright. Behind me that row on the right, there's one couple. By the way they speak, it sounds probable that they are PRCs (or China chinese). Was I eavesdropping? Nope. They were chatting at a normally audible volume. If they were talking about the movie, I'm cool with that, but no, they were talking about all sorts of stuff. In between, I clearly heard talk about soccer, to stocks, to celebrities etc. I would have thought such talk is meant for cafes and stuff, not cinemas. I made the ssshhh sound this time, and a loud one at that. No effect. Chatter carries on, and children don't seem to care. Don't their parents shh them before? How come no reaction? Strange. Are the parents deaf or something?
*Ring ring. It was so loud I thought it was part of the movie. But no, it was a man sitting alone further in front. He picks up his phone, and talks in a voice that we seated 6 to 8 rows behind can clearly hear: "Hello? What? No lah. I'm busy. Cannot talk now. Huh? What you say? Oh that ah. Talk later lah. Bye bye. Yeah. Bye bye." At least he had some decency to keep it short. Although I don't see why the handphone wasn't put to silent in the first place.
Now there is a lot of noise already. It's getting a bit frustrating. If I wanted noise when I watch a movie, I'll get VCDs and watch at home right? My gf can't take it. She storms out of the cinema to the toilet. Her slamming the door doesn't seem to register on the loud ones.
After she comes back, we tried watching the movie, but cannot anymore. After the tenth sssshhhhh, we realized that nothing can stop them. My gf wants to leave, and I totally support the decision. We storm out of the place, and I slammed the door as loud as I can in protest.
You know what's the horrible thing? The whole cinema only had the 3 couples, me and my gf and the one solitary man. And the sad thing is, me and my gf only want to watch a movie, we keep the silence, and eventually we were the ones who left. I was that much short of launching a scolding of inconsiderate patrons and parents, but I decided on not making a scene. There are times I really abhor to be named a Singaporean amidst others who exhibit such behaviour. I don't blame the kids for making noise. I only wonder why the parents didn't even try to keep their kids quiet or more subdued. This remains my worst experience in the cinema so far: noisy kids + loud chatters + handphone going off. Can't imagine what else could have gone wrong.
Arghhh! 13 bucks. And my gf rushed down in a cab to watch the show. Goodness. Sometimes it does seem unfair that people who behave badly usually gets away with it while the good ones suffer.