The time of the year has come in which we look back on what we had experienced throughout the year 2008. I will do a chronology of the main events and my thoughts that accompanied them as follows:

January: Counting down to ORD. Did my share of orientating my juniors on driving and operating the mobile and tower cranes, as well as 3-ton forklift. On top of that I was drilling my direct admin successor on all the administrative stuffs because he is going to take over all my duties. Went out to the wharfs for crane jobs too. Was savouring every moment of crane job, especially operating my most favourite floating dock aka tower crane. I really miss operating cranes because it is hard to have the chance to operate any outside unless one becomes a crane-operator. Despite all these, I still find time to do my clearance, FFI and clear my remaining leave and offs since together with another friend,we will be the first among our batch of STOs to ORD in February.

February: ORD on the 6th of Feb. Finally ORD LO !!! I can say this feeling is ranked the 3rd best in my 22 years of life so far -- below the days when I received my 'A' lvl results and 'O' lvl results respectively. What made it sweeter was that the day itself was Chinese New Year Eve. I received my best angbao finally after 2 years ----- my Pink IC. The feeling of being liberated is beyond words can convey. I guess only those who went through NS will share this feeling. 2 years of NS just whizzed past. Even though at times I whine about it but this experience is unique to each different individual male. I will miss those days, especially during my navy days. The days of working hard, slacking hard, covering and helping each other. All these moments cannot be exchanged regardless of any price value.

March - July: Started work at Toshiba on 3rd March, in which I worked all the work till 29th July. Kind of mundane, but the people there was quite nice except the technician whom I was attached to. Luckily he changed for the better. Started giving tuition to students too, mainly English and Chinese to secondary school level kids. In between this period I took a 5-day no-paid leave in June to attend Arts Camp. Quite fun la I supposed, get to play games, shout and cheered and did all the silly orientation stuffs. Attended Arts Pre-camp for freshie councillors to prepare for O-Week.

August: O-Week started on the 1st week of August. Basically my OG expanded to include those who did not attend Arts Camp. Played almost the same stuffs as Arts Camp and Pre-camp and I was bored. Skipped some days to give tuition and to do personal stuffs such as collecting my lappy etc. However, I went for Freshmen Inauguration Ceremony to pledge myself to be a good student and uphold the values and prestige of NUS (don't laugh). The next time I appear in the same venue will probably be the day I graduate. Surprisingly I went for Flag Day too. What is more surprising was that I actually made the effort to collect till my tin was full. My past experiences on Flag Day were that with a few friends we would exchange a $2 note into 1cent/5 cent coins and throw into the tins. We would then proceed to watch a movie or slack somewhere till it was time to return the tins. This time round was a different story. I found myself smiling silly and repeating the same words again and again to passer-bys till my jaw was aching. Undeniably though, it actually feels good to see the effort paid off.

School started on 11th August and I am officially a NUS undergrad ! Undergrad life is really not easy with the seemingly never-ending readings to be read and printed out. I took 5 modules, in which 2 modules were my second choices because I was outbidded in the CORS system -- something which true-blue NUS students will be very familiar with. Kind of shocked culturally because one may feel that he or she is really mediocre compared to so many academically-abled students around. Depending on how an individual sees it, he/she can be motivated or be demoralised easily. It is kind of sad that our emotions and feelings are to be dictated by whether we are doing well academically or not. Giving tuition to 3 kids on top of the heavy workload drained me out further more.

September: Had a STO gathering in which everybody but one turned up. Caught up with each other and we reminisced our good old navy days over steamboat. Am glad that everyone is doing fine in their respective areas.

October - 3rd December: Still feeling overwhelmed everyday to meet the pursuing deadlines for essays, mid-terms, projects etc while squeezing time for CCA (which I called it an end due to a nagging old injury) and mugging. 13 weeks of school came to end in which the dreaded final examinations came. Everything ended in a flash and holidays beckons.

Rest of December: Had my 22nd birthday on 5th Dec. Oh God, I am getting older. Took the chance presented by the short one month+ break to meet up with various groups of people I would like to meet but did not have the time to during school term. Results for this semester came out on 23rd (they really know when to choose an appropriate date to release). There were messages from mainly dejected souls looking for fellow dejected companions and irritating people who tried to showcase their superior CAP scores. Comparison is inevitable, especially among us -- products of the Singapore education system in which academic results matter a great deal. Deep down in each and everybody's heart there is this burning curiosity to find out how their fellow peers have done despite the fact that we may end up feeling inferior, mediocre or feeling bad for making someone feel worse. I felt both relieved and disappointed. Relieved in the sense that frankly I expected worse results but yet disappointed because I knew that I had not gave my very best effort. A lot of things went wrong this semester and as tempting as excuses are readily available to be made, it is really time to wake up my ideas and prove that this semester's results are not going to determine how the rest of my university results will be. I took heart with an advice that a friend told me, that 'university is a marathon, not a sprint.' I may be off to a jittery start in the first lap, but I must still give in my very best to complete the rest of the laps till the end of this marathon.

===========================================

In retrospect, 2008 saw the transition from end of NS life to the next and possibly final stage of my educational journey. Had my share of joyous and sorrowful moments through ups and downs experienced. These are all part and parcel of life. Oh if anybody is interested to know, I am still single. It is always never meant to be and happiness eludes me just like in the past. I do not know how many more disappointments I have to experience. How does it feel to see someone you are fond of lying in another man's arms so blissfully to the extent it actually hurts inside your heart? One of the most important lessons that I learnt this year is that it requires fate, chemistry, time and an extra effort to love somone. These are haunting words that remind me again and again that Andrew is still not good enough and still far from attaining his goals of success and happiness.

As we usher in 2009, let's embrace it with a forward-looking attitude. We live and understand life better through past experiences, but at the same time, we still have to look forward because there are still many hurdles and obstacles in front of us to overcome.

Goodbye 2008 , Hello 2009 !

P/S: I will be at Rebel to revel the last night of 2008. Join me if you have nothing on ! :D

It has been a relaxing but yet expensive holidays so far. Relaxing in the sense that I have been able to accomplish most of the plans I set myself on doing for this short 1 month+ break. However, most of these activities require some sacrifices financially. Wanted to work but there wasn't any suitable temp jobs. Probably due to the bad economy or perhaps I just didn't look hard enough. Managed to temp for one day though at the Suzuki Cup semi-finals at the National Stadium last week thanks to my agent Crystal's recommendation. I saw my other agent, Shirley on that day too. It has been about 2 years+ since we last saw each other and she still recognises me ! Pulled in a friend to join me and together with 13 others, we worked as surveyors for the night. Pretty slack job. We finished quite fast and I caught a bit of live football action towards the closing minutes. The fans were really hyped up but our national team still lost in the end. ZzzzzzzzzzzZ.

Been out with friends over activities such as clubbing, movies and meals etc. Recently checked out some wonderful eateries with fantastic food. I love exploring eateries/restaurants/cafes that are located in obscure places, or look incongruously modern in a quaint old street or vice versa.


Food Aglore !








Ice-Cream at Island Creamery ! My second time there.

From left-right: Pulut Hitam (my fav), Milo (your fav), Fruit-Cake flavour (X'mas Fav) and Horlicks (Local Fav). Not to forget the delicious mud-pie. We were lucky because it happened to be the last slice !


Plans were nearly ruined and nearly couldn't get to set foot into Amirah's Grill on a particular day. Fortunately in the end a good friend was good enough not to board the aeroplane which others had boarded to fly me out.







Turkish Chicken Kebab !











This looks better with flash. Love the way the chicken was done. Succulent and tender. The Arabic rice was a tad cold to my liking. Next time I am going to order the roasted potatoes instead. Heard that the latter is better.










Our dessert : Basbousa ! It is delicious and I can see why people rave about it on food sites. It tastes like pineapple tarts with the lingering taste of 'Huat Kueh'. Simply heaven. For drinks we tried their fresh mango juice and moroccan mint tea, which are refreshing because they do not skimp on using fresh ingredients. Will be back for more to check out their other specialties in the near future.


Went to Kuishin-bo for a lunch buffet recently with my family. I was rather sceptical initially because I am not a fan of Japanese cuisine, especially their raw stuffs which I still avoid due to a horrible experience when I was young. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the spread offered in Kuishin-bo because they are not limited by just raw stuffs and sushi. Loved the beef and dory fish which are done in Teppanyaki style. They are so tender that it is a delight savouring them. I wouldn't mind going back just for that. Their fried stuffs are oishii too.







Their desserts ! I love desserts and every buffet I made sure I save space in my stomach just for desserts. Love the blackforest cake and cream puffs especially, in which I went for a second helping. The rest are so-so.







Christmas !







Grilled Chicken Foldover Meal Up-Sized, a 6-pc Mcnuggets and a strawberry sundae all to myself. Damn sinful I know, but Pa Pa la Pa Pa ... I'm lovin' it. hahaha

Watched Cape No.7 aka 海角七号 at my ex-colleague's place. I was left wondering what's the hype all about that revolves around this film. The only part I like is the 7 letters written by the Japanese teacher who fell in love with a Taiwanese girl, but had to leave her to return to his country in the end of WWII. Love the soothing background music too.


海角七号──七封情书


第一封：
　　
　　一九四五年十二月二十五日
　　友子，太阳已经完全没入了海面
　　我真的已经完全看不见台湾岛了
　　你还站在那里等我吗？
　　友子，
　　请原谅我这个懦弱的男人
　　从来不敢承认我们两人的相爱
　　我甚至已经忘记
　　我是如何迷上那个不照规定理发
　　而惹得我大发雷霆的女孩了
　　友子
　　你固执不讲理、爱玩爱流行
　　我却如此受不住的迷恋你
　　只是好不容易你毕业了
　　我们却战败了
　　我是战败国的子民
　　贵族的骄傲瞬间堕落为犯人的枷
　　我只是个穷教师
　　为何要背负一个民族的罪
　　时代的宿命是时代的罪过
　　我只是个穷教师
　　我爱你，却必须放弃你


第二封：
　　
　　第三天
　　该怎么克制自己不去想你
　　你是南方艳阳下成长的学生
　　我是从飘雪的北方渡洋过海的老师
　　我们是这么的不同
　　为何却会如此的相爱
　　我怀念艳阳我怀念热风
　　我犹有记忆你被红蚁惹毛的样子
　　我知道我不该嘲笑你
　　但你踩着红蚁的样子真美
　　像踩着一种奇幻的舞步
　　愤怒、强烈又带着轻挑的嬉笑
　　友子，我就是那时爱上你的
　　多希望这时有暴风
　　把我淹没在这台湾与日本间的海域
　　这样我就不必为了我的懦弱负责


第三封：
　　
　　友子
　　才几天的航行
　　海风所带来的哭声已让我苍老许多
　　我不愿离开甲板，也不愿睡觉
　　我心里已经做好盘算
　　一旦让我着陆
　　我将一辈子不愿再看见大海
　　海风啊，为何总是带来哭声呢？
　　爱人哭、嫁人哭、生孩子哭
　　想着你未来可能的幸福我总是会哭
　　只是我的泪水
　　总是在涌出前就被海风吹乾
　　涌不出泪水的哭泣，让我更苍老了
　　可恶的风
　　可恶的月光
　　可恶的海


第四封：

　　十二月的海总是带着愤怒
　　我承受着耻辱和悔恨的臭味
　　陪同不安静地晃荡
　　不明白我到底是归乡
　　还是离乡！
　　傍晚，已经进入了日本海
　　白天我头痛欲裂
　　可恨的浓雾
　　阻挡了我一整个白天的视线
　　而现在的星光真美
　　记得你才是中学一年级小女生时
　　就胆敢以天狗食月的农村传说
　　来挑战我月蚀的天文理论吗？
　　再说一件不怕你挑战的理论
　　你知道我们现在所看到的星光
　　是自几亿光年远的星球上
　　所发射过来的吗？
　　哇，几亿光年发射出来的光
　　我们现在才看到
　　几亿光年的台湾岛和日本岛
　　又是什么样子呢？
　　山还是山，海还是海
　　却不见了人
　　我想再多看几眼星空
　　在这什么都善变的人世间里
　　我想看一下永恒
　　遇见了要往台湾避冬的乌鱼群
　　我把对你的相思寄放在其中的一只
　　希望你的渔人父亲可以捕获
　　友子，尽管他的气味辛酸
　　你也一定要尝一口
　　你会明白
　　我不是抛弃你，我是舍不得你
　　我在众人熟睡的甲板上反覆低喃
　　我不是抛弃你，我是舍不得你


第五封：

　　天亮了，但又有何关系
　　反正日光总是带来浓雾
　　黎明前的一段恍惚
　　我见到了日后的你韶华已逝
　　日后的我发秃眼垂
　　晨雾如飘雪，覆盖了我额上的皱纹
　　骄阳如烈焰，焚枯了你秀发的乌黑
　　你我心中最后一点余热完全凋零
　　友子
　　请原谅我这身无用的躯体


第六封：
　　
　　海上气温16度
　　风速12节、水深97米
　　已经看见了几只海鸟
　　预计明天入夜前我们即将登陆
　　友子
　　我把我在台湾的相簿都留给你
　　就寄放在你母亲那儿
　　但我偷了其中一张
　　是你在海边玩水的那张
　　照片里的海没风也没雨
　　照片里的你，笑得就像在天堂
　　不管你的未来将属于谁
　　谁都配不上你
　　原本以为我能将美好回忆妥善打包
　　到头来却发现我能携走的只有虚无
　　我真的很想你！
　　啊，彩虹！
　　但愿这彩虹的两端
　　足以跨过海洋，连结我和你



第七封：
　　
　　友子，我已经平安着陆
　　七天的航行
　　我终于踩上我战后残破的土地
　　可是我却开始思念海洋
　　这海洋为何总是站在
　　希望和灭绝的两个极端
　　这是我的最后一封信
　　待会我就会把信寄出去
　　这容不下爱情的海洋
　　至少还容得下相思吧！
　　友子，我的相思你一定要收到
　　这样你才会原谅我一点点
　　我想我会把你放在我心里一辈子
　　就算娶妻、生子
　　在人生重要的转折点上
　　一定会浮现
　　你提着笨重的行李逃家
　　在遣返的人潮中，你孤单地站着
　　你戴着那顶
　　存了好久的钱才买来的白色针织帽
　　是为了让我能在人群中发现你吧！
　　我看见了我看见了
　　你安静不动地站着
　　你像七月的烈日
　　让我不敢再多看你一眼
　　你站得如此安静
　　我刻意冰凉的心，却又顿时燃起
　　我伤心，又不敢让遗憾流露
　　我心里嘀咕，嘴巴却一声不吭
　　我知道，思念这庸俗的字眼
　　将如阳光下的黑影
　　我逃他追我追他逃
　　一辈子
　　我会假装你忘了我
　　假装你将你我的过往
　　像候鸟一般从记忆中迁徙
　　假装你已走过寒冬迎接春天
　　我会假装
　　一直到自以为一切都是真的！
　　然后
　　祝你一生永远幸福！

===========================================

喜欢笔者唯美感人的文笔。的确，唯有故事的人才能创作出璀璨夺目的作品。

曾经也有一个作品，虽感动了上天、掳获评审的心，但终究熔化不了伊人的心.

22nd

It was a simple affair. Pumped iron at the gym, followed by a good seafood dinner with my family and clubbing at Double O at night with the lads. They introduced me to this hard liqour drink which I can't remember its name. One will feel himself burning inside as if there are flames raging within and throat was kinda dry after that. But it was good though. As usual I was very red, which is an inherent sign whenever I imbibe alcoholic drinks. That's why I can never drink and drive because I surely cannot escape from the scrutinising eyes of the policemen at road checks. hahaha.

Wasn't drunk though and luckily, I didn't puke. Come to think of it I never had a chance to be a merlion in public before. I guess that's because I know my limits and my friends are not hardcore enough to drink like a fish. Regrettably, we went into the club rather late. Hence, it was not happening enough. Mambo tomorrow night !

Would like to thank all those who wished me. It's the thought that counts. :)

A brand new blogskin !

Actually I was contemplating whether to switch to wordpress, but the thought of deleting this blog and starting everything afresh made me rescind this idea. Too many memories and rants are detailed here and I can't bear to erase them off. Nonetheless, a refreshing change signals a new breathe of air. Love the simplicity and tranquility of this layout. Revolutions and rebellions such as French, Russian, Taiping, Boxer etc are out. Give me a break please.

Since this is a public domain, naturally it will be subjected to a certain degree of scrutinising from just about anybody, be it friends who are concerned with my life or some random voyeurs who just want to kpo. Even though some bloggers may feel that since it is their own space, they can rant out whatever they wish. Personally, I feel that whatever it is, we must be responsible for our own words. Certain issues that may ignite detrimental outbursts can be handled more professionally. It all depends on the sensibility of the blogger himself/herself, but it also depends on the topics and issues which he/her choose to blog. For me, I will still continue my usual style of writing in which I am trying to be more innovative and think of stuffs that are interesting to share with. Too narrative stuffs such as what time I wake up-what did I do throughout the day-what time I sleep etc may easily bored people. Nonetheless, this humble space provides an outlet for me to share my thoughts and feelings over issues that are either experienced by me or by people around me.