Tuesday, November 30, 2004
I feel like a glutton. Sunday I attended a wedding dinner, so ate a whole lot. Yesterday my cousin gave the guys who helped him with his wedding a big treat at some restaurant at China Square. It's one of those ala carte buffets, and the 7 of us ate the portions of about two and a half times of what I would get to eat at a wedding dinner. I think we had about nearly 30 dishes (including desserts) in total. Looks like whatever weight I might have shed while jogging has been regained rather easily. Sigh.
Anyway, I have a good opinion of Tung Lok restaurants right now. The food tastes (mostly) great, and the service is good. Although expensive...
My invigilation duties are finally over!!! I am now officially having holidays! Woohoo!
Anyway, I have a good opinion of Tung Lok restaurants right now. The food tastes (mostly) great, and the service is good. Although expensive...
My invigilation duties are finally over!!! I am now officially having holidays! Woohoo!
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Back at last from my 2D2N p6 camp. I'm really, really tired. First night was alright, but the kids have a lot of energy (too much, I say!). Didn't sleep well at all, even though we had nice and cosy sleeping bags in a cold air-conditioned room, because I stationed myself near the door that separates the guys from the gals, and the gals' side had the toilet. So I was awoken several times at night by the kids moving back and forth.
Second day was terok! We had this amazing race thingy (sort-of lah) that involved us walking from Bukit Merah central to top of Mt Faber, and then to World Trade Hawker Centre. With most of our barang-barang. It's a looooooong walk. Worse, one of my boys has some handicap in left arm and leg, and I carried his stuff for him. So it made my climb a whole lot harder. At Sentosa we also had to walk. So now as I sit here typing this, my butt aches like mad.
But...praise the Lord! God was extremely merciful with the weather. Before the camp, all the leaders were so worried that it will rain, and the kids can't go to Sentosa. (I think after the long walk, they probably would not have minded the wet weather program...heh.) We prayed very hard, and God was kind. It rained on the first night, when we were sleeping, almost to the morning, then it stopped. The sun was blazing all the way till evening (now I look like lobster) and was cloudy when we returned. Weather was fine all the way till today when we played our final game of captain's ball showdown among the groups, and when the whole camp was over, and I was on the bus home, it started to pour. I think God really loves the kids a lot. He held the rain for a good day and a half, and when we are done, He let it rip. Good thing I reached home when that happened. Contributed to a nice nap.
My kids had a great deal of fun. I am glad that they seem to have forgotten their PSLE defeats and had fun.
Second day was terok! We had this amazing race thingy (sort-of lah) that involved us walking from Bukit Merah central to top of Mt Faber, and then to World Trade Hawker Centre. With most of our barang-barang. It's a looooooong walk. Worse, one of my boys has some handicap in left arm and leg, and I carried his stuff for him. So it made my climb a whole lot harder. At Sentosa we also had to walk. So now as I sit here typing this, my butt aches like mad.
But...praise the Lord! God was extremely merciful with the weather. Before the camp, all the leaders were so worried that it will rain, and the kids can't go to Sentosa. (I think after the long walk, they probably would not have minded the wet weather program...heh.) We prayed very hard, and God was kind. It rained on the first night, when we were sleeping, almost to the morning, then it stopped. The sun was blazing all the way till evening (now I look like lobster) and was cloudy when we returned. Weather was fine all the way till today when we played our final game of captain's ball showdown among the groups, and when the whole camp was over, and I was on the bus home, it started to pour. I think God really loves the kids a lot. He held the rain for a good day and a half, and when we are done, He let it rip. Good thing I reached home when that happened. Contributed to a nice nap.
My kids had a great deal of fun. I am glad that they seem to have forgotten their PSLE defeats and had fun.
Friday, November 26, 2004
It just had to rain today. I was there invigilating, looking out the window and thinking to myself that it hasn't been so sunny for some time, and I planned to jog. And then, it poured. With the sun still brightly shining! *shakes angry fist at sky.
I met up with my G12 leader Adrian in the evening. This week has been great. Met up with my blood brudders and talked about a great many nostalgic things. Met up with shups yesterday, and that was nostalgic too. By the way, the pool games were exciting! And shups is outright scary when she's on form. It felt wonderful to catch up with her again. Just like old times. And my G12 leader too. Talked about a great many things. Got him worried at some point, but yeah, he can deal with it. Hehe. Looks like this month is catch-up-with-all-my-good-old-friends month. Who did I miss out? Hmmm...
Will vanish for the next 3 days. Running a camp for my p6 sunday school kids, so won't be blogging or *gasp* online! I hope they would recover from the PSLE results by tomorrow...
Please don't rain on Sat. We are going to Sentosa. *bows head in prayer.
I met up with my G12 leader Adrian in the evening. This week has been great. Met up with my blood brudders and talked about a great many nostalgic things. Met up with shups yesterday, and that was nostalgic too. By the way, the pool games were exciting! And shups is outright scary when she's on form. It felt wonderful to catch up with her again. Just like old times. And my G12 leader too. Talked about a great many things. Got him worried at some point, but yeah, he can deal with it. Hehe. Looks like this month is catch-up-with-all-my-good-old-friends month. Who did I miss out? Hmmm...
Will vanish for the next 3 days. Running a camp for my p6 sunday school kids, so won't be blogging or *gasp* online! I hope they would recover from the PSLE results by tomorrow...
Please don't rain on Sat. We are going to Sentosa. *bows head in prayer.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Yesterday's invigilation had an interesting character. There was this girl who had the goth look. The deep black eyeshadows, pierced lips, heavily highlighted hair and stuff, but I think she dared not put on the lipstick. The examiners were remarking that there were two girls actually who are like this, and they can't do much about it. Halfway through the paper, she put her head on the table, and dozed off. I went by and woke her up by tapping on the table, whereupon she gave me a frustrated look and said, "I wasn't sleeping." Yeah right. If she wasn't sleeping, she would have responded earlier when I tapped her wrist with my ball point pen. Second time it happened, she told me, "I'm almost done with my paper." In my head I was going, "Done with, or done for?"
I came home for a nap, and quickly went for a jog. The extremely dark sky made me jog much faster today, and I managed to make it home before it poured. Phew...but my mum seemed disappointed...because it's her birthday! And I promised her I'd bring her to Orchard Road for a meal. I told her we should wait till about 6 and see if the rain stops, else I'd go downstairs and buy something for dinner.
The rain did stop by 6. I brought her to Crystal Jade kitchen (at Taka). Same as last year, minus the girlfriend. I had a bowl of rice, we shared 3 dishes, and I had another 4/5 bowl of porridge. I am one bloated and contented man. Heh. There was this man and woman seated at the table right next to us, who were talking fairly loudly (justifying my hearing their conversation). I found it amazing how much information I could gather about the woman just by listening. Only about the woman, because the guy was obviously conversing to probe information. The funny thing was that the woman (who apparently studied in USA) had a genuine accent, and the guy was speaking with a very contrived dunno-from-where accent, and quite clearly talking about things in an attempt to impress her. Sorry, but I happen to like psychoanalysis, so people-watching is fun.
We reached home fairly early, and around 10 plus I had a phone call from Shups! She happened to be at Lavender (through some insane whim, walking from Parklane to Lavender), and we decided to have supper. Actually I couldn't eat anymore, but I helped her out with her herbal chicken a bit. Then out of another whim, we went to play pool. At first I felt quite guilty going there, because when we reached there, there was nobody at all in the parlour. I think the counter girl looked rather peeved we came in at midnight. I felt bad just playing, since it's like she couldn't leave because of us. Fortunately (for my conscience) a group of PRCs came in and opened 2 tables, and I felt better. Incidentally, I think one of the girls in the PRC group look like Uehara Takako from Speed. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you obviously don't know J-pop at all, so too bad.
We left at 3 am! Therefore this time at which I blog. I love my cue. It is a good cue. I think it's no longer cursed...
I came home for a nap, and quickly went for a jog. The extremely dark sky made me jog much faster today, and I managed to make it home before it poured. Phew...but my mum seemed disappointed...because it's her birthday! And I promised her I'd bring her to Orchard Road for a meal. I told her we should wait till about 6 and see if the rain stops, else I'd go downstairs and buy something for dinner.
The rain did stop by 6. I brought her to Crystal Jade kitchen (at Taka). Same as last year, minus the girlfriend. I had a bowl of rice, we shared 3 dishes, and I had another 4/5 bowl of porridge. I am one bloated and contented man. Heh. There was this man and woman seated at the table right next to us, who were talking fairly loudly (justifying my hearing their conversation). I found it amazing how much information I could gather about the woman just by listening. Only about the woman, because the guy was obviously conversing to probe information. The funny thing was that the woman (who apparently studied in USA) had a genuine accent, and the guy was speaking with a very contrived dunno-from-where accent, and quite clearly talking about things in an attempt to impress her. Sorry, but I happen to like psychoanalysis, so people-watching is fun.
We reached home fairly early, and around 10 plus I had a phone call from Shups! She happened to be at Lavender (through some insane whim, walking from Parklane to Lavender), and we decided to have supper. Actually I couldn't eat anymore, but I helped her out with her herbal chicken a bit. Then out of another whim, we went to play pool. At first I felt quite guilty going there, because when we reached there, there was nobody at all in the parlour. I think the counter girl looked rather peeved we came in at midnight. I felt bad just playing, since it's like she couldn't leave because of us. Fortunately (for my conscience) a group of PRCs came in and opened 2 tables, and I felt better. Incidentally, I think one of the girls in the PRC group look like Uehara Takako from Speed. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you obviously don't know J-pop at all, so too bad.
We left at 3 am! Therefore this time at which I blog. I love my cue. It is a good cue. I think it's no longer cursed...
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Once again, amidst the boredom of invigilation, I have been writing poetry again. A colleague who was to take over me in the subsequent shift came by to sit with me. He chanced upon what I just wrote, and read it. Apparently he had taken literature before, and he quite appreciated what I wrote, and found it humourous as it was meant to be. Slightly. He mentioned that there is going to be a poetry recital next year, and he invited me to recite some of my works.
An interesting opportunity indeed. Casually I asked him if he actually has perhaps the contacts of publishers, and he has agreed to go search. I am suddenly filled with the inclination of publishing my poems again. I have put aside that little dream that aspired to get my works published as young as I can, but I realized that credibility is of greater importance. So now, being 26, I do not seem that young anymore, and it should not make my poetry seem like some preamble of some lovelorn fool. Which, then again, I really am.
I just dug out all my previous poems for a brief read. Nostalgic tendency I suppose. Everytime I read my poetry after a long time, I will find it hard to believe I ever produced such work. I don't think I am a great poet, nor do I think my poetry might be passed down to future generations as literature text, but still, it embodies my Age of Inspiration. Not to sound narcissistic, but this is one of the things I get impressed with myself once in a while. And it's moments like these I tell God that all these considered, I think it's a fair deal God gave me talents and took away my looks. Heh.
I want to get these poems published. Just for the sake of recognition of my literary efforts all these years. I don't need to earn money from them. I don't need them to sell well. I just hope to see that some publisher likes what I'm doing enough to take a risk and put my book on the shelf. Is that too much to ask? *nudge God.
An interesting opportunity indeed. Casually I asked him if he actually has perhaps the contacts of publishers, and he has agreed to go search. I am suddenly filled with the inclination of publishing my poems again. I have put aside that little dream that aspired to get my works published as young as I can, but I realized that credibility is of greater importance. So now, being 26, I do not seem that young anymore, and it should not make my poetry seem like some preamble of some lovelorn fool. Which, then again, I really am.
I just dug out all my previous poems for a brief read. Nostalgic tendency I suppose. Everytime I read my poetry after a long time, I will find it hard to believe I ever produced such work. I don't think I am a great poet, nor do I think my poetry might be passed down to future generations as literature text, but still, it embodies my Age of Inspiration. Not to sound narcissistic, but this is one of the things I get impressed with myself once in a while. And it's moments like these I tell God that all these considered, I think it's a fair deal God gave me talents and took away my looks. Heh.
I want to get these poems published. Just for the sake of recognition of my literary efforts all these years. I don't need to earn money from them. I don't need them to sell well. I just hope to see that some publisher likes what I'm doing enough to take a risk and put my book on the shelf. Is that too much to ask? *nudge God.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
I went to this place at Plaza Singapura for high tea today by the name of Lao Beijing. The dim sum there is somewhat different, because it's Northern Chinese fare, but still tastes great. I don't know how many xiao long bao I had today, to be honest. And it works out to be $16.50 per person, which I think is fairly reasonable for the food. But quite a jump from $12.80+++. Now I see why there are so many pluses in this kinda place.
I finally got to play pool with my personal cue again! I've been telling people (as a joke, of course) that my cue is cursed. When I don't actually have my cue, I end up playing pool very often. The moment I get my cue, I don't get to use it. Somehow. All my pool plans got cancelled or indefinitely postponed, somehow, when those times I can bring my cue. The only times I got to play was when the decision is last minute, hence, an absent cue. Two months already ok! It's got to be the cue's fault. Really.
I'm glad I haven't deteriorated that badly. In fact, I was quite accurate today, except for the last game. I'm an easily contented man...
I finally got to play pool with my personal cue again! I've been telling people (as a joke, of course) that my cue is cursed. When I don't actually have my cue, I end up playing pool very often. The moment I get my cue, I don't get to use it. Somehow. All my pool plans got cancelled or indefinitely postponed, somehow, when those times I can bring my cue. The only times I got to play was when the decision is last minute, hence, an absent cue. Two months already ok! It's got to be the cue's fault. Really.
I'm glad I haven't deteriorated that badly. In fact, I was quite accurate today, except for the last game. I'm an easily contented man...
Saturday, November 20, 2004
I was forced to a family function - my eldest uncle's birthday. Although I'd missed church service on many occasions already due to many events, my mum insisted I go for this one, because my uncle dotes on me and my mum. Which is true. All through these years since my dad died, he has been giving us money every month. Not a lot each time, but still, accumulated over more than a decade, it amounts to quite a lot.
I'd thought it would be boring, since most of the people there are from an older generation (read: 40 years and above...way above). The next youngest to me is my 21 year old nephew. Yes, my nephew is only 5 years younger than me. And he still remembers me and my cousin used to terrorize him by forcing him to call us 'uncle' when we were teenagers. It was kinda boring, until we decided to sing karaoke together, along with his two much younger sisters.
Now my cousin has a home karaoke system, but man, he has three files worth of songs. I mean, the guy practically runs a mini karaoke lounge ok! Although he is not as well stocked as a typical setup, I think it's quite extensive for a home system. The singing made it less boring, but as soon as my nephews and nieces (goodness, I feel old just saying that) went off, and my uncles and aunties took over the mikes, I started to vegetate yet again.
But the food was excellent. My cousin's wife is a talented chef. She cooks well, and I remember she made egg tarts before, which tasted like they were professionally done. Anyway, according to my mum, she has the reputation of being the model daughter-in-law amongst my relatives. She manages the household well, cooks well, and is very filial to her in-laws, to the extent of going to pay respects to her husband's grandma on his behalf when he was stationed abroad. My mum was like going on and on about her virtues to my uncle (not the birthday boy...boy?) in the car. I hope those are not her own expectations, else I'll be in for great trouble. Heh. Or rather, my future partner.
I'd thought it would be boring, since most of the people there are from an older generation (read: 40 years and above...way above). The next youngest to me is my 21 year old nephew. Yes, my nephew is only 5 years younger than me. And he still remembers me and my cousin used to terrorize him by forcing him to call us 'uncle' when we were teenagers. It was kinda boring, until we decided to sing karaoke together, along with his two much younger sisters.
Now my cousin has a home karaoke system, but man, he has three files worth of songs. I mean, the guy practically runs a mini karaoke lounge ok! Although he is not as well stocked as a typical setup, I think it's quite extensive for a home system. The singing made it less boring, but as soon as my nephews and nieces (goodness, I feel old just saying that) went off, and my uncles and aunties took over the mikes, I started to vegetate yet again.
But the food was excellent. My cousin's wife is a talented chef. She cooks well, and I remember she made egg tarts before, which tasted like they were professionally done. Anyway, according to my mum, she has the reputation of being the model daughter-in-law amongst my relatives. She manages the household well, cooks well, and is very filial to her in-laws, to the extent of going to pay respects to her husband's grandma on his behalf when he was stationed abroad. My mum was like going on and on about her virtues to my uncle (not the birthday boy...boy?) in the car. I hope those are not her own expectations, else I'll be in for great trouble. Heh. Or rather, my future partner.
I finally made myself jog! Two days in a row somemore. Although, it was about a week behind the day I wanted to resume jogging...heh. I was thinking that this month and the next are terrible for jogging because of the rain, but these two days, I picked the hour right after the rain stopped to run, and it's perfect. The weather's cool, the air is dry, and the only thing is there's no sun at all. I'm turning paler by the day...
The other day, my colleague was running through a checklist of eligible and unattached women in my department, pausing to recommend some, and asking my opinion of them. While I appreciate her concern over my current detached state (since getting together is getting attached, I suppose to break up is to detach?), I find it strange that the selection of someone to pursue is so clinical to some. Should it be about listing down all the possible women, and picking the seemingly best to pursue? I know some of them are 'good catches' and all, but to me, this is way too rational to do things, especially regarding affairs of the heart.
I know. I can date all of them, then every week I eliminate one like Singapore Idol, until I'm finally left with one winner! Duh right? If I were to love again, let it hit me like a train. Hey, I rhymed without consciously trying!
The other day, my colleague was running through a checklist of eligible and unattached women in my department, pausing to recommend some, and asking my opinion of them. While I appreciate her concern over my current detached state (since getting together is getting attached, I suppose to break up is to detach?), I find it strange that the selection of someone to pursue is so clinical to some. Should it be about listing down all the possible women, and picking the seemingly best to pursue? I know some of them are 'good catches' and all, but to me, this is way too rational to do things, especially regarding affairs of the heart.
I know. I can date all of them, then every week I eliminate one like Singapore Idol, until I'm finally left with one winner! Duh right? If I were to love again, let it hit me like a train. Hey, I rhymed without consciously trying!
Thursday, November 18, 2004
I'm starting to write poetry again. I realized that other than the occasional sonnet about God I would write for my pastor's webpage, my last dated poem actually would have been in 2002. Which means that in the span of almost 2 years, I couldn't write anything at all. As I said to my blood brother before, sorrow makes a far better muse than happiness. Happiness is a good thing, but it paralyzes the creativity that sorrow forces the mind to explore, so as to express something latent.
Coupled with the fact that invigilation is outright boring, and I do nothing but stand there (or sit, if I get to invigilate in a classroom), and think. If I don't feel inspired, I contemplate. Mostly revolving around, "Is there something wrong with me?" I'm not a perfect person (sorry, Hoobastank) obviously, and I want to do something about it, if I can. Not for the sake of anyone specific, but merely for the sake that a year down the road, I can look at myself and see some positive change.
A friend was quite right in pointing out that I express myself better in writing. Somehow in front of the keyboard, or with a pen in my hand, my thoughts are more lucid. A year is coming to an end. I don't usually believe in New Year resolutions, but I think I would give it a shot. As Bridget Jones put it, the last in the list would be to keep these resolutions.
Too much time, too much boredom, and a man thinks himself to idiocy.
Coupled with the fact that invigilation is outright boring, and I do nothing but stand there (or sit, if I get to invigilate in a classroom), and think. If I don't feel inspired, I contemplate. Mostly revolving around, "Is there something wrong with me?" I'm not a perfect person (sorry, Hoobastank) obviously, and I want to do something about it, if I can. Not for the sake of anyone specific, but merely for the sake that a year down the road, I can look at myself and see some positive change.
A friend was quite right in pointing out that I express myself better in writing. Somehow in front of the keyboard, or with a pen in my hand, my thoughts are more lucid. A year is coming to an end. I don't usually believe in New Year resolutions, but I think I would give it a shot. As Bridget Jones put it, the last in the list would be to keep these resolutions.
Too much time, too much boredom, and a man thinks himself to idiocy.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Finally went down to get Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The book has been recommended to me a gazillion times by various people, so I guess it's about time, especially since there's a discount in many bookstores this season. I think I can sneak a read during invigilation. Hehe.
I caught the Incredibles! And it was...incredibly good! (Lame pun, yeah, I know.) The humour's excellent, although I'm not sure if the kids will understand it. One of the more entertaining movies I've watched in a while though, definitely. The baby's so adorable! Haha...
Now, I was going for dinner at PS, and when I came out of the lift, I looked straight at a boob (accidentally! really!) through a wide V-neck opening. I looked up at once to see the face of who it belonged to, and I was stunned (literally...Huijun can testify to that) to find that it's Jacelyn Tay! Anyway the funny thing was she was shut out of the lift. I mean, there was nobody willing to hold the lift door open for Jacelyn Tay? Must be because she wore sunglasses to hide her identity...
I bumped into my cousin, his wife, and daughter at OG. Her daughter should be 19 this year (goodness, my niece is 19 years old! I'm getting old), and the amazing thing is her boyfriend was there too! She and her boyfriend, shopping with her dad and mom! How cool is that? I have one liberal cousin. Of course, my mum said something quite wise: it's better that they tag along and make sure nothing um...special happens. Quite true. Nothing beats being there to conduct surveillance on the kids.
I caught the Incredibles! And it was...incredibly good! (Lame pun, yeah, I know.) The humour's excellent, although I'm not sure if the kids will understand it. One of the more entertaining movies I've watched in a while though, definitely. The baby's so adorable! Haha...
Now, I was going for dinner at PS, and when I came out of the lift, I looked straight at a boob (accidentally! really!) through a wide V-neck opening. I looked up at once to see the face of who it belonged to, and I was stunned (literally...Huijun can testify to that) to find that it's Jacelyn Tay! Anyway the funny thing was she was shut out of the lift. I mean, there was nobody willing to hold the lift door open for Jacelyn Tay? Must be because she wore sunglasses to hide her identity...
I bumped into my cousin, his wife, and daughter at OG. Her daughter should be 19 this year (goodness, my niece is 19 years old! I'm getting old), and the amazing thing is her boyfriend was there too! She and her boyfriend, shopping with her dad and mom! How cool is that? I have one liberal cousin. Of course, my mum said something quite wise: it's better that they tag along and make sure nothing um...special happens. Quite true. Nothing beats being there to conduct surveillance on the kids.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
What a long day today is. Started with me sleeping late last night - first mistake - and then having to wake up earlier than expected because my second aunt decided to come over earlier, and then we went down to my cousin's place for tea ceremony. 18 dollar cab fare ah! Ok it could have been worse, but heart's still pained.
It was hustle and bustle everywhere. The excitement was nice, but then came the inevitable: "So when is it your turn to get married?" Yes, I am the next male in line. The last male of the cousins to get married. For the record, also the youngest male of the cousins, so it's forgivable...it was agonizing to painstakingly explain to every single relative who asked that I'm no longer attached. The more agonizing part is when they ask why. Doesn't it occur to them that I might not want to talk about it? Argh. Patronizing answer "not compatible" served me well, even though that's not an accurate reason. Who cares, when you have to answer like, oh, a few dozen aunts/uncles/cousins?
So I asked my cousin what he wants me to say for the wedding dinner, since I was the MC. Guess what? He still has no clue! Asked me to improvise. Wah biang eh. So I went back and wrote a draft of the things I should say. Worse that I have to say it in Mandarin and do my own translation. (Had to refer to the Chinese dictionary to get the draft out, but I think I needed it less than I originally expected.) Had to ask his friend about how he met his wife so that I can have something to say.
The best thing was that just now, I went to ask the manager about the champagne ceremony, and how it's supposed to run, and he told me many things that I hadn't prepared for and would otherwise have no idea about! Good thing he has some standard script thing that he passed to me to read, else I would have been surely and most certainly screwed.
I survived the night (in fear and trembling), making a couple of mistakes, but I think people are generally tolerant of a young and inexperienced chap up there, so nobody really gave me hell about it. I have never felt so unprepared in my whole life. Nope, not the exams that I study the day before. Nope, not the presentations I gave without rehearsals. Nope, not the lectures I gave without reading the notes and powerpoint the day before.
Good thing it's over!!! Having said all these, I'm still actually very happy for my cousin. I wish him the best in his marriage. Wouldn't mind having another niece or nephew soon too. Hehe.
It was hustle and bustle everywhere. The excitement was nice, but then came the inevitable: "So when is it your turn to get married?" Yes, I am the next male in line. The last male of the cousins to get married. For the record, also the youngest male of the cousins, so it's forgivable...it was agonizing to painstakingly explain to every single relative who asked that I'm no longer attached. The more agonizing part is when they ask why. Doesn't it occur to them that I might not want to talk about it? Argh. Patronizing answer "not compatible" served me well, even though that's not an accurate reason. Who cares, when you have to answer like, oh, a few dozen aunts/uncles/cousins?
So I asked my cousin what he wants me to say for the wedding dinner, since I was the MC. Guess what? He still has no clue! Asked me to improvise. Wah biang eh. So I went back and wrote a draft of the things I should say. Worse that I have to say it in Mandarin and do my own translation. (Had to refer to the Chinese dictionary to get the draft out, but I think I needed it less than I originally expected.) Had to ask his friend about how he met his wife so that I can have something to say.
The best thing was that just now, I went to ask the manager about the champagne ceremony, and how it's supposed to run, and he told me many things that I hadn't prepared for and would otherwise have no idea about! Good thing he has some standard script thing that he passed to me to read, else I would have been surely and most certainly screwed.
I survived the night (in fear and trembling), making a couple of mistakes, but I think people are generally tolerant of a young and inexperienced chap up there, so nobody really gave me hell about it. I have never felt so unprepared in my whole life. Nope, not the exams that I study the day before. Nope, not the presentations I gave without rehearsals. Nope, not the lectures I gave without reading the notes and powerpoint the day before.
Good thing it's over!!! Having said all these, I'm still actually very happy for my cousin. I wish him the best in his marriage. Wouldn't mind having another niece or nephew soon too. Hehe.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Today I was the only 'fortunate' soul to have invigilation. And the best thing is, I was invigilating only one student! I think it's as awkward for that student as it was for me. I mean, if I was the only student taking an exam, I have the invigilator's undivided attention. It's almost like the eye of Sauron roving the horizon only looking for the one ring. Scary isn't it? Haha...
I was supposed to meet up with Isabel, but she has taken ill. I mean, why wouldn't she? Slaving away for a couple of months with minimum sleep...moral of the story? Take better care of yourself.
Tomorrow's my cousin's wedding. So exciting. Hope I don't goof up being the MC. Heh.
Just know as I was going to bathe, I stepped into the bathroom and switched on the lights, and found that I stepped the tail of a little lizard. Argh. With my bare foot. Gross.
I was supposed to meet up with Isabel, but she has taken ill. I mean, why wouldn't she? Slaving away for a couple of months with minimum sleep...moral of the story? Take better care of yourself.
Tomorrow's my cousin's wedding. So exciting. Hope I don't goof up being the MC. Heh.
Just know as I was going to bathe, I stepped into the bathroom and switched on the lights, and found that I stepped the tail of a little lizard. Argh. With my bare foot. Gross.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
I had a super long dinner with my blood brother today. Ok it was dinner and then hanging out, but it was cool. It's been so long since we met up. Lotsa things happening in our lives. Anyway turns out that he got arrowed to be a Presiding Officer for the upcoming election as well! The only difference is that he wasn't as slow to respond to the mail as me, and actually completed what he's supposed to do. I on the other hand missed the training session (hopefully there's a makeup one), and didn't do the online modules in the 2 weeks deadline as I was supposed to.
Cool eh? The letter gave me a website and told me to log on immediately. So I did. That was from home. And I couldn't access the government intranet from home obviously. So I thought I would do it in school. So I brought the letter, and it was buried under tons of other priorities. And there actually was a deadline, except that it's written on the website. My next WITS suggestion would be to put a simple "please log on within 2 weeks of receiving this letter", and I would know the actual deadline.
There was this little cockroach moving around the house. Not the baby cockroach, just half the size of the usual one. It moved out of my field of vision after a while, and in my merciful mood, I decided that I will not leave my game to take some paper and then kill it (I won't stain my hands mind you). The cockroach, on the other hand, decided to commit suicide, and climb all the way through the back of my computer table, and appear right on my monitor! This is outright aggravation, I tell you, so I took some tissue paper and caught it. On my way to the dustbin, I decided to give it a squeeze to kill it.
It went pop. Audibly. No joke. And squirted some brown liquid. Good thing the liquid hit only the paper.
Gross.
Cool eh? The letter gave me a website and told me to log on immediately. So I did. That was from home. And I couldn't access the government intranet from home obviously. So I thought I would do it in school. So I brought the letter, and it was buried under tons of other priorities. And there actually was a deadline, except that it's written on the website. My next WITS suggestion would be to put a simple "please log on within 2 weeks of receiving this letter", and I would know the actual deadline.
There was this little cockroach moving around the house. Not the baby cockroach, just half the size of the usual one. It moved out of my field of vision after a while, and in my merciful mood, I decided that I will not leave my game to take some paper and then kill it (I won't stain my hands mind you). The cockroach, on the other hand, decided to commit suicide, and climb all the way through the back of my computer table, and appear right on my monitor! This is outright aggravation, I tell you, so I took some tissue paper and caught it. On my way to the dustbin, I decided to give it a squeeze to kill it.
It went pop. Audibly. No joke. And squirted some brown liquid. Good thing the liquid hit only the paper.
Gross.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Screwup on tuesday! Someone took my classroom's materials by mistake, and I wasted time hunting down the culprit. Ended up I forgot to take the question papers; actually I was somewhat misled - the Presiding Examiner handed me a stack of paper and booklets, and told me to go to my assigned room. Anyway, I had to ring up my Chief Presiding Examiner to inform him, and he refused to pick up the call! Turned out that he thought it was from a friend, and he was about to start the exam so he didn't answer.
Fortunately the whole episode ended with the paper starting 5 minutes late only. For a moment I thought my head was gonna roll.
Fortunately the whole episode ended with the paper starting 5 minutes late only. For a moment I thought my head was gonna roll.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
I've been on invigilation duty in VJC for the past 2 days. For that 25 bucks a day, it sure is one heck of a boring job. If you get assigned a classroom to invigilate, you can still be seated comfortably, and maybe read a book or something. Me, oh bored-to-death-with-nothing-to-read me, went to attempt a GP essay along with the kids. I'm still waiting for a GP tutor from my school to grade my essay. Hope I pass it. Heh.
It's a different environment from Temasek, but I can see some similarities in terms of facilities etc, and I can tell we are rivals. From what I hear, the changes both colleges institute seem to resemble each other's, once someone starts it first. I suppose when you are bored to death standing in front of the hall, you will start to discuss things you wouldn't normally think of talking about with fellow bored invigilators.
10 more invigilation days to go and I'll be 300 bucks closer to upgrading my phone to 6230!
It's a different environment from Temasek, but I can see some similarities in terms of facilities etc, and I can tell we are rivals. From what I hear, the changes both colleges institute seem to resemble each other's, once someone starts it first. I suppose when you are bored to death standing in front of the hall, you will start to discuss things you wouldn't normally think of talking about with fellow bored invigilators.
10 more invigilation days to go and I'll be 300 bucks closer to upgrading my phone to 6230!
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Thoughts for today:
I've been playing this MMORPG Maple Story, and I realize something that is apparent in all online games. You can always tell who is a Singaporean. A person speaks English, you can't tell where he's from. Heck, even if he speaks Spanish, it doesn't mean he's from Spain. But the moment you see 'lah' and other Singlish terms, you know that guy is definitely Singaporean. There must be a sense of universal brotherhood right? I mean, you can go into any online game, any chat medium, and tell, hey, a fellow Singaporean. Is there any other language that can allow that? No! It's brilliant I tell you. The government should finally welcome the language with open arms.
I've been playing this MMORPG Maple Story, and I realize something that is apparent in all online games. You can always tell who is a Singaporean. A person speaks English, you can't tell where he's from. Heck, even if he speaks Spanish, it doesn't mean he's from Spain. But the moment you see 'lah' and other Singlish terms, you know that guy is definitely Singaporean. There must be a sense of universal brotherhood right? I mean, you can go into any online game, any chat medium, and tell, hey, a fellow Singaporean. Is there any other language that can allow that? No! It's brilliant I tell you. The government should finally welcome the language with open arms.