Crossroads & Conundrums

Live Positively. Live Actively (Part IV)

2011-12-09T15:42:00.001+08:00

25 Ideas at Home

If you have use of a swimming pool, do some lengths or dive.
Wash your pet.
Plant a small garden.
Dedicate less than 2 hours a day to television and videogames.
Stretch before and after sleeping.
Do some gardening, or tend your houseplants.
Make household chores fun.
Walk up and down stairs.
Try to make your games active.
Hide things and play treasure hunt with your children.
Pedal on an exercise bike with you read a book.
Tidy your cupboards or that old chest.
Put on music, sing and dance.
Get up an hour earlier to do physical exercise at home or go running.
Do sit-ups.
Forget about the remote control and get up to change channels.
Do flexibility exercises.
Go for a walk after lunch or dinner.
Play hide and seek with your children in the house.
Clean out the storage room or garage.
Get a Pilates ball and do exercises with it.
Make a date with your neighbours to go for a walk or play in the park.
Re-decorate your home.
Paint the walls or doors yourself.
If your have space, create your own gym.

Live Positively. Live Actively (Part III)

2011-12-09T15:34:00.001+08:00

25 Ideas for Your Free Time

Go roller-skating.
Jog through the park.
Spend the day in the country with your family.
Take a walk with your grandparents.
Go for a bike ride with the kids.
Sign up for dance classes.
Teach your children traditional games, the one you used to play and play with them.
Go out to buy bread or newspaper on foot.
Walk to the supermarket a few times a week.
Go for walks around your city and get to know its streets and history.
Walk instead of taking the car.
Travel by skateboard.
Walk the dog.
Use children's parks and parks for adult.
Organise an adventure trip.
Use sport facilities.
Go to museums, to the zoo, to the botanic garden, etc.
Sign up for a sport, get in the habit.
Go and have a walk in the country.
Look for a public swimming pool and do aquatic sports.
Dance to your favourite songs when you go out at night.
Add music to any physical activity you do.
Play paddleball, tennis, badminton, tennis beach or any other racket game.
Build sand castles.
When you visit another city, travel by foot.

Live Positively. Live Actively (Part I)

2011-12-09T15:10:00.000+08:00

25 Ideas for the Workplace

Get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way to your destination.
Park a little further away from the door.
Go by bike in your city or town.
Take the stairs instead of the lift.
Get up to get your coffee instead of having someone bring it to you.
Use an anti-stress ball to move your hands.
Change positive every 20 minutes.
Hold meetings with colleagues standing up.
Get up and walk while talking on the phone. Have meetings with one or two colleagues that are "walking meetings".
Send fewer emails and visit your colleagues' desk more.
Take a walk with your colleagues during lunch-time. Walk down to the nearest restaurant and be active at midday.
Stretch your legs, rotate your ankles and contract and stretch your feet while you are seated.
Do neck and shoulder exercises when you're at the computer.
For your back, move your spine forward, backward and to the sides.
Raise your knees when you are sitting down.
Rest your forearms on the table and raise your body, without getting up.
Relax your eyes by first looking at something close and then at something far away. Repeat this 5 times.
Contract your abdomen for a few seconds once in a while - it will help you maintain better posture.
Change position and weight of your feet if you work standing up.
Walk around the office or hallway while a large file is downloading.
Clean out your office files and cupboards once every three months.
Arrange your workspace so that you have more freedom of movement.
Organise an internal sports tournament for Christmas.
Form a team with colleagues to play a sport.
Form a free time activities group with your workmates.

Social Class

2009-11-15T23:19:00.004+08:00

My day started off by attending a talk with JD on autism. It’s an unfortunate psychological disorder that afflicts people whom I incidentally come across constantly in my field of work. The talk got me pondering a lot afterwards, especially on the specific tools and techniques to better communicate with them.

Then it was time for the BBQ. Ever since I graduated, it’s been two years since us schoolmates met. They used to be a bunch I’m closer with but last night’s interaction felt extremely remote and uncomfortable. The main theme of most dialogues circled around a societal standard – the 5 Cs.

Discussions included the specific stocks to buy, the type of property to own, the best jobs with the best paycheck and even the kinds of girlfriends to woo (among the guys of course), all of which I was barely participative. I was overtly busy with eating and covertly in distaste. Interestingly, a couple whom were getting married was not even in the conversation.

After a fair share of food and catching up, I was off heading to meet JD with a sigh of relief. Perhaps it’s in the chronological sequence of the day’s events – one material and the other immaterial, or perhaps it’s in my inadequacy to become absorbed in the unfortunate mundane of this malevolent fast-paced economy, I am not quite looking forward to their next gathering.

A Paradigm Shift

2009-07-23T18:18:00.001+08:00

Ever since JD shifted department into a new working environment, I’ve been seeing so much more smiles on his face. He’s now so much happier each day as he goes to work that I’m too feeling his renewed enthusiasm and energy in his work. Nowadays, seeing JD’s smile first thing in the morning simply brightens up my day.

I think in Singapore especially, where the teachings of meritocracy is deeply rooted, work becomes essentially central to one’s identity. It is a manifested persona on the societal fabric which derives most of its characteristics from the nature of the job. Hence, there is such inevitable emphasis and persistence on seemingly unimportant details such as one’s job title.

With such huge predominance therefore comes the symbiotic relationship between work and life. With a quality as intangible as emotional well-being, satisfaction derived from one’s job suddenly turns it tangible and a formula of correlation becomes obvious. The eight hours worth of emotional and physical contribution each day is simply too significant to diminish.

Nonetheless, as significant as it might seem, the forces that drive happiness are more than one and that’s another thought for another time. For now, JD’s happy and therefore I’m happy. It’s not yet a perfect equation but I guess that’s just what love is all about.

Back to School

2009-07-14T08:54:00.003+08:00

And so my course' starts this week while JD's follows next. After a couple of years of academic stagnancy, it's time to hit the books again.

It does seem like a huge chunk of burden to add studies into our timetable but I guess after some getting used to, most problems will iron out.

Mini-Concert Countdown

2009-06-13T17:49:00.003+08:00

7 days to the concert and I'm still trying hard to memorise the lyrics (it can be quite confusing). But still, it's such a beautiful piece. I hope I can bring that across.

Anti-Cold

2009-04-27T08:21:00.000+08:00

I still can't believe that with such horridly warm weather I could have came down with a cold once more over the weekends, marking the 3rd time this year.

Starting from today, I shall start on a Vitamin C supplement routine. It's about time I put a stop to it once and for all (hopefully).

Suck Up

2009-04-15T23:18:00.004+08:00

“In tough times, more suck up to the boss”. This article from today’s My Paper somewhat provides an explanation.

At first, this young colleague of mine was producing promising results on the closing reports. He was professional, eloquent and more importantly genuinely enthusiastic in his work. Only a couple months into the job, he has already gotten a few senior staff singing his praises.

Of late, his movement starts displaying signs of ingratiation. Not that I bother to notice, it’s just that I so happen sit outside my boss’s office. His selection of words, the packaging of sentences, the body language and the effort made to walk some 20 metres across the room to reach here simply irks me.

In modern workplace, I don’t deny that some effort is at least needed to PR with your boss. He or she ultimately decides your fate in the company. But what disgusts me is when the person overdoes it to the point of obvious differential personality.

“It becomes a mentality of ‘I not only want to do a good job, but I want to be seen as doing a good job’.”

An Old Friend

2009-04-01T15:48:00.006+08:00

I was on my way to work this morning taking the same path everyday to reach my bus stop. I took notice of a lady from afar dressed in casual red. She was seated on a porch by the void deck which was usually vacant most part of time.

As I was about to pass her by with hurried foot steps, I caught a quick glance of her face and find it oddly familiar. She looked very young but the features on her face were distorted - signs of facial paresis. I halted to take a closer look.

**********

When I was about 7 years old, I had quite a few playmates from around the neighbourhood. Almost everyday after school, we would gather at the playground to do what we do best - hide-and-seek.

One of the closest I've got in the gang were three siblings, one brother and two elder sisters, who lived a couple floors above with their grandmother. 4 years later one day, they moved suddenly and I never saw them again.

That very day, their parents had yet another huge quarrel. They had been quarrelling almost everyday but this time they were on the brink of divorce. In frustration and anguish, the elder sister threw herself head-first over the window.

The plunge did not take her life. She recovered eventually from her injury but the damage to her brain was irreversible. She became permanently impaired in her speech and psychomotor movement with paresis to her face and limbs.

15 years later, her divorced mother decided that her disability was too huge a burden to carry. She was forced to move back to her grandmother's place, back to where it was a couple of floors above mine.

**********

I recognise her.

Getting to Know Myself Better

2009-03-04T13:04:00.007+08:00

Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you meet that person.

The seriousness of your love:
You have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.

Your views on education:
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:
You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying. What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.

Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

Thanks Hao for the link: http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

Temporarily Incapacitated

2009-03-03T15:14:00.002+08:00

It's been JD and work non-stop ever since the start of 2009 until finally this crippling ailment came about 3 days ago. The doc says it could be due to stress at work and hence I'll need lotsa rest and fluids.

With a couple days worth of MC prescribed, it's quite a nice feeling to be staying home on a weekday (minus the debilitating pain!)

GR 6530 U

2009-02-08T16:25:00.001+08:00

Less of a flair for our 2nd anniversary but nonetheless it was a prelude to bigger things to come.

It was a harbinger of freedom and yet with burden intertwined that we will come to embrace come April. Freedom because we can go places we've never been before. Burden because I've just gotten my first parking fine of a lifetime - $30, yikes!

Deeply Touched

2009-01-06T19:04:00.002+08:00

JD just sent me a short email with mere two paragraphs worth of text. Somehow, it touched my heart and made me tear in the midst of all the commotion in the office.

Thank you JD.

Exposure

2009-01-04T01:01:00.001+08:00

As of three hours ago, the number of straights whom know of my sexual orientation just rose 3 points to 4. It seems like a puny number, but yet it feels to me like a big step forward towards gaining acceptance.

"Coming out of the closet", as people would call it is a gradual process. The Cass Identity Model described the entire process to exist in six stages. And the key transitional state is coming-out with oneself. Some people start it young, some later in life and of course there are others whom never will.

There has been so much controversy so to whether coming out is a must-go destination for every LGBT, and arguments to both sides have their merits. I think there may be an in-between: to be both inside and outside at the same time. That way, you live your life to the fullest.

Thinking or Feeling?

2008-12-16T16:26:00.008+08:00

I once came across a study by Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung who developed psychological type to explain the normal differences between people. He concluded that differences in behaviour result from people’s inborn tendencies to use their minds in different ways. As people act on these tendencies, they develop patterns of behaviour.

One aspect of Jung’s theory defined the process and mechanics of decision-making which exists in opposite (thinking and feeling). Depending on the pathway chosen, the conclusions arrived upon can be drastically different among individuals.

This study resurfaced this morning at work and two sentences caught my attention:

People who prefer to use Thinking in decision-making want to mentally remove themselves from the situation to examine the pros and cons objectively, hence "fair" amounts to everyone being treated equally.

People who prefer to use Feeling in decision-making mentally place themselves into the situation to identify with everyone so they can make decisions based on their values about honouring people, hence "fair" amounts to everyone being treated as an individual.

According to Jung, there is no right or wrong for a given psychological preference but to me it does shed some light as to why JD and I often arrive at totally dissimilar decisions for a given situation.

Lens Upgrade

2008-12-09T21:11:00.005+08:00

JD's clumsiness wreaked his Nikon kit lens but in the process surprisingly landed him a far more superior setup.

With the new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens in placed, I foresee us vying for the DSLR on our next shooting excursion.

Burden Self-Inflicted

2008-11-23T19:29:00.008+08:00

Perhaps it was because I had an income, I began to take interest in the micro-management of my family matters during army days. From processes, infrastructure to finances, I started to assume some responsibilities.

Now that I've a larger pay check compared to army days, I progressively become more proactive and will readily devote a large portion of it towards upgrading the standard of living of the family as a whole. I feel that it is necessary because it helps to bring everyone together, keep their daily expenses in check and improve their quality of life.

Then JD made some very interesting observations:

Why am I the only person footing the bills when nearly every family member has an income?
Why am I the only person assuming responsibility if it is truly necessary?
Exactly how proactive are they towards following through the processes you've laid down?
Do they even appreciate what you are doing?
Last but not least, will they do the same for you without being told?

Well, it seems like the selfless part of me needs some gentle reminders from the selfish part of JD.

4D3N

2008-11-12T15:08:00.002+08:00

It's been quite a while since I last wrote an entry. So much has happened this whole time that it's hard to put in words. Life relentlessly throws challenges at you, and besides lamenting, all you can do is to brave it through one at a time.

Mid last month, JD and I managed to sneak 4 days worth for ourselves (thanks to public holiday). I have yet to receive all the photos from him, but a diagram would basically sum up what we had decided to do with that amount of time.

Worried

2008-06-16T08:36:00.001+08:00

05:00 Woke up for the 3rd time to check my phone but still no replies from JD. Been trying to call him since over 5 hours ago. Did something happened to him?

06:10 Still no replies. Perhaps there's some problem with my phone. Tried messaging myself and calling myself. Works fine.

06:30 Decided to call him again, but no answer. Can't sleep anymore, so might as well head to work.

08:20 I'm extremely early for work, feeling sleepy. Then it struck me, he didn't sleep the night before. "Kevin, you're darn darn foolish... He chose mahjong which in turn chose sleep over you".

New Gadgets

2008-06-15T23:39:00.002+08:00

I just got a bad scolding from my Dad for being late for dinner. But all that is fine because I managed to accompany JD to the PC Show 2008 where he got himself a set of 2.1 stereo sound speakers, an AIO photo printer and an ultra value-for-money notebook PC which he's been eyeing for quite some time. I can see he's extremely happy. I'm gonna give him a call now, and I bet $100 (with myself) that he's playing with his new laptop already.

Waiting To See Him

2008-06-15T05:11:00.001+08:00

Waiting is such a terrible thing to make one do. You can wait several hours but the other person has no inkling the torture you're going through. I remember last September I had a similar post like this, and now it's repeating after about 9 months.

"Kevin, you're darn foolish... He chose mahjong over you".

Time Allocation

2008-06-12T23:44:00.001+08:00

Today I signed up for voluntary work. Partly it's because I feel like doing something meaningful (which I've been wanting to since a year ago). Partly it's because of JD.

I used to allocate loads of my time for him, so that I could work around his busy schedule and that would mean we likely have more time together. Then as time passed, it got abused. He took the move as a right rather than a privilege. In the end, the one getting hurt is myself. So now most of my time shall go to voluntary work, piano classes, family, friends, CO and OTs.

Office Politics

2008-05-29T09:02:00.001+08:00

I'm losing faith with the organisation day by day. The more I walk the ground, the more I realise people holding key positions are sitting on the fence. Either they have lost focus of their primary objectives or they are blinded by the mundane of administrative work, they are not doing enough to ensure benefits of our clients.

Indiana Jones

2008-05-23T00:21:00.001+08:00

This evening we caught the comeback of Indiana Jones, one of my favourite childhood movies. Like its predecessors, audience are in for a fun-thrilled adventure ride with this whip-lashing archaeologist. Already 65 years of age, I can't help but wonder if Harrison Ford could still pack a punch as before in the trilogy. Alas, only 10 minutes into the movie, the pace picks up, and I knew I'm gonna enjoy this movie.

I think both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas did great with this reprise of Indy. It gave fans all around the world the chance to see Harrison Ford under that fedora once more and perhaps the last. The most symbolic representation of this is towards end of the movie [spoiler alert] when a gust of wind landed the fedora before the feet of his son. Jones Jr. picked it up and was about to wear it when Indy grabbed it and wore it immediately.

All in all, I give this movie 5 stars. And I'm sure JD who hasn't caught any of Indy's movies before agrees with me.

After the movie, we made our way home when all of a sudden a fleet of traffic police appeared on the roads. Together they cleared vehicles and pedestrians leaving a long empty stretch. Moments later, an convoy of more traffic police surrounding three sedans whisked past the crowd of curious passer-bys. I start to ponder if I were the VIP, lots of people will have to make way if I intend to go do some private shopping, perhaps say the PC Show...

Misses

2008-05-22T01:02:00.001+08:00

After not seeing JD for close to two weeks. We finally met tonight for a short while.

Vesak Day

2008-05-19T21:56:00.001+08:00

Thanks to this extended weekend break, I get to hang out with some friends whom I haven't seen for a while (two of whom over a year ago) on a Monday afternoon. As per our usual hang-out activity, it was Party World for 4 straight hours.

The good thing about going to KTV with a mix of both genders is that you get to sing duets (I don't mean you can't do that too with a bunch of guys). When there was only half an hour left with still a long list in-queue, we tried to cover the first verse and chorus of his song. I think this is what we call - stretching the dollar.

FHA'08

2008-04-24T22:14:00.008+08:00

Today I got to take some time off to head down to the FHA at Singapore Expo. It was simply culinary meet extravagance. Pictures shall do the talking this time:

Down With Cold

2008-02-21T15:12:00.004+08:00

After a few days of running nose, cough and headaches, I finally decided to take MC today. The whole office has been very thin on manpower lately with staff going on long leave, on course, on reservist, etc. But I was just too sick to head to work.

Then I receive an email this morning. I realise the department has been so reliant on me that I had only took a day MC, but it requires 4 staff to cover my work. I think I seriously need this break to recuperate.

12 Cards

2008-02-18T18:39:00.003+08:00

I finally received the cards today, all 12 of them from JD. To celebrate our 1st anniversary, JD has planned 12 themes for each day starting from The Day. Based on each theme, there's a card with a collage of photos printed on one side and a short write-up on the other. There's also a gift to go along with it.

Each card has been very creatively designed by JD to have its unique meaning to suit the theme. The collage was most probably done in Photoshop. And along with the write-up and gifts, I think JD must have placed tremendous amount of effort into all of them. I think I'm gonna go get a nice little tin box to keep all his cards so that I won't lose them.

Thank you JD!

Apprehension

2008-02-17T04:06:00.000+08:00

Tempers become so volatile that they snap at the slightest disagreement. Conflicts happens every other day only to be resolved by ignorance.

The signs were obvious but I choose to turn a blind eye. Apprehension came to me like a brick on the head yesterday. He no longer holds my hand as he steers his way through the crowded dance floor like he used to. He no longer introduces his friends to me almost as if I'm invisible. He no longer bothers about his promises... The list goes on, but I think I'm ending this entry before I get more upset.

Reflection

2008-02-05T12:24:00.000+08:00

I recall a friend telling me that when a relationship reaches one year, you will get a pretty good idea whether it's made to last. As much as I wanna remain confidently hopeful, I keep a reserve of conservative scepticism. We are just two very identical people with very different ideologies.

Today marks one. I have loved JD with all my heart for 365 days.

A Time for Everything

2008-02-01T16:29:00.000+08:00

There's a time and place for everything. And that's the theme for the upcoming anniversary's celebration. JD is in for a suite of surprises.

I Rather Fail

2008-01-31T11:43:00.000+08:00

Once again JD flared in outrage at me for not applying my licence immediately after the test. I am seriously beginning to HATE it when he snaps at me. And all I can do is remain composed. I wish I had failed yesterday.

Class 3

2008-01-31T00:06:00.000+08:00

After delaying for more than a year due to work and studies, I finally took my 1st practical test.

JD waited at the gates of the driving centre to give me some last minute best wishes before I hurried to do my warm-up. I was super tensed and the instructor made it worse by being as tensed.

After some briefing and waiting afterwards, I was on the road with the tester in the car. He had the strict look on his face which made my heart thump faster. And when I was told to turn back before finishing my test route, I thought I was a goner.

Then I returned to his office where he showed me the result slip. I passed.

Eye Power

2008-01-26T08:28:00.000+08:00

The new My Paper has been featuring submissions to STOMP daily. From pregnant lady waiting to get a seat on train, to hand grenande found in rubbish bin. The pictures and comments show an unfortunate trend - STOMPers more often than not, simply snap a picture and wait for something to happen.

I don't deny that they create awareness. But their lack of actions simply reminds me back in army days where we describe these people as "Cyclops".

Quick Temper

2008-01-24T23:59:00.000+08:00

JD's temper is getting worse each day. I get snapped at almost every little thing. I wonder if he is at all supportive of my job.

Stressed

2008-01-19T01:21:00.000+08:00

My workload is building up to a point that stress is getting to me. Though stress is no new thing to me, the job is becoming more and more draining both mentally and physically. And my biggest concern is how it would affect the relationship on the long run.

Perhaps like JD, I keep wondering: When my contract ends, should I renew? Is all this work worth my time and effort?

Shouted, Scolded & Fucked At

2008-01-13T15:11:00.000+08:00

I wonder who on Earth likes to be treated like that. I'm really a very lousy person to deserve such a treatment.

Timelines Reversed

2008-01-07T09:31:00.000+08:00

It used to be JD's busy and I'm very free. He's busy to the point where I could only see him only on weekends. But now as my workload builds up, he has less work at hand. And like a dream come true, he could meet me for dinner almost every evening for the past week and week to come.

How I wished I could just stop work now and spend more time with JD. Because I know this is but temporary. Once JD gets busy again, we'll have much less time together. What's worse, JD just informed me that he's going to take up his former responsibility. We really need to work something soon but I don't know how.

For now, I'm gonna continue to enjoy JD's dessert - "Fu Zhok". Yummy.

New Year Resolution

2008-01-02T11:05:00.000+08:00

It's a habit every new year that I list down some goals to achieve over the next 365 days and this year's no exception.

1) to get a class 3 license
2) to draw up a more effective savings plan
3) to better time manage
4) to learn cooking and baking
5) to buy JD a *******

Post-Countdown

2008-01-01T12:19:00.000+08:00

JD got so drunk that all plans after about 1am had to be aborted. I was kinda drunk too but luckily still sober enough to send him home before I puke at my void deck then KO on my bed.

What a way to say bye bye to 2007, but anyway Happy New Year JD! (hope you don't get hangover)

The Last of 2007

2007-12-31T10:36:00.000+08:00

And here I am in office trying to clear up as much work as possible, so as to fully enjoy my time later with JD jam-packed with activities. First up is of course lunch. After which is to visit a hair salon to get ourselves looking good.

Next, we'll be heading down to one of my friend's New Year's Eve BBQ party. Then, it's countdown at non other than PLAY with some of JD's friends. And finally, a nice place just for us to spend some quality time together. I simply can't wait for tonight, but for now I shall be getting back to my work first.

The Rainy Season

2007-12-28T11:31:00.000+08:00

Every year this season, I'll have to submit myself to conscription. It has been so many years since I last went outfield and the last couple of days just simply brought back all those memories.

It wasn't an all too good feeling especially in this weather. Your uniform's soaked and your boots are soggy for the entire day, making you shiver non-stop. The only comfort was to look forward to a piping-hot out-rationed meal.

Nonetheless, I missed all the people I used to work with, and it's only this kinda gathering that I get to catch up with everyone. Catch up on old times.

Rat Rat

2007-12-09T14:02:00.000+08:00

This little cutie is one of the anni gifts JD bought for me.

It's super duper adorable, and it's gonna be with me wherever I go the whole of next 2 weeks.

Sweet Surprise/Revenge

2007-12-05T09:10:00.000+08:00

Yesterday night JD made time and was able to accompany me for dinner. After a hasty meal at Far East, he rushed me to leave the place to go some place special.

At first I thought we were going for desert or ice cream at a nearby restaurant or cafe. I was thinking very hard along the way for any of those places nearby when we finally reached Shaw, then I knew I'm wrong.

But still I'm no where near the answer. Until we reached the top floor and I see a signboard that says "Golden Compass Gala Premier". I hesitated because I never thought JD could get hold of the tix.

Then I was wrong again. Someone came along to hand him a pair of tickets and before long, we were seated in the cinema, waiting for the show to start.

This has got to be the greatest surprise since a long time. And I can't help but feel like it's also his revenge to me for doing the exact same thing to him on his bday.

Btw, I think The Golden Compass is quite cool! And thank you JD!

Prima Poison

2007-12-04T09:13:00.000+08:00

I just heard from colleagues that the bakery chain Prima Deli got shutdown after an islandwide food poisoning from their choc cakes. To think of it, I bought choc and fruit cakes from them just a couple days ago for JD and myself.

Thankfully, both of us remain unscathed. And I do hope they pull up their socks when their bakeries start running again after NEA lifts the notice.

Movies Galore

2007-12-03T18:51:00.000+08:00

Over the past couple of months, I realised JD and I watched real lots of movies, hitting a total of 31. (omg, my usual before being with JD is like at most once a month...)

The Matrimony
Just Follow Law
Dreamgirls
Hannibal Rising
300
Mr Bean's Holiday
The Reaping
200 Pounds Beauty
Spider-Man 3
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Ocean's Thirteen
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Transformers
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Paprika
The Simpsons Movie
881
1408
Ratatouille
Day Watch
The Invasion
I Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Balls of Fury
Resident Evil: Extinction
The Nanny Diaries
Stardust
Mr Woodcock
Brothers
Bee Movie
Enchanted
TekkonKinkreet
5cm Per Second
30 Days of Night

= complimentary tickets
= JD's pick
= my pick

Just To Ourselves

2007-11-25T11:20:00.000+08:00

After waking up at about 1pm yesterday (while saving almost $60), we headed off for a short swim where we had the entire pool to ourselves. Hope I'll get the chance to go there again in the near future.

Now I'm off to queue for the Four Leaves durian puffs...

A Night to Reminisce

2007-11-19T08:01:00.000+08:00

This morning I'm very early for work, which explains why I've got time to blog now...

I got to be with JD last night and I felt extremely happy and fortunate. I have always missed the nights we had back in campus and yesterday I had the chance to re-savour.

Strained Fatigue

2007-11-18T22:33:00.000+08:00

JD said that with his new position, he has more time to spare because he has less ground work to do. The opposite seems to be more true.

Ever since he stepped up, JD seemed to have increasingly more work each day. I can feel his stress level mounting and there's pretty nothing much I can do when I hardly get to see him. Even on weekends, giving him more time to rest seem to have no effect on relieving his stress.

All I can do is to suppress my unhappiness and try my best to tide through this period silently.

Day 2

2007-11-13T23:36:00.000+08:00

Today is day 2 at my 2nd full-time job (first is NS). No task has been assigned to me yet so the whole of today was boring. Nonetheless, I learnt something new: office politics is everywhere.

Timely Renewal

2007-11-12T23:06:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, the relationship hit an all time low. Everything hasn't been going very well for the past couple of months and all the unresolved problems have coagulated into a malignant tumour. JD's lack of confidence for the relationship was just as discouraging.

But just when I thought the road ahead was bleak, he made me realised that in that absence of confidence lies his magnitude of determination and devotion for the relationship. I put down all my stubbornness that very moment in a bid to renew the relationship.

Bomberman or KD?

2007-11-07T00:30:00.000+08:00

I was kinda excited to tell JD about my interview today in detail. I wanted him to share my joy. But seconds into the phone conversation, I hear loud laughing and game sounds FX. I realised he was playing Bomberman with his colleagues over wireless PSP and my mood changed immediately.

I got angry because he told me to call him but he seems more concern with his game.

I got angry because he told me he was very tired and wanting to sleep soon, so I rushed through shower and work to call him asap.

I got angry because he insists that he is very good at multi-tasking but in fact his responses become slow when talking to me.

I got angry because this is not the first time.

But nevertheless, I didn't stop him from playing. Instead I decided to vent my anger here then go to bed. JD can play his game for as long as he wants.

1st Job Interview

2007-11-06T23:34:00.000+08:00

After slacking for near 3 months since I graduated, it's about time I give up drama serials and long sleeping hours to join the work force. At first, I was rather nervous and sceptical about my job interview today. I have always been doing freelance since I got out of NS, and that did not require me to communicate with employers. Neither do I have to answer to a superior.

Then midway through the interview, I realised it was almost like back in school when I was running for positions in the executive committee. I'd be standing in front of all the members, trying to answer every question that they eagerly post at me. So long you exude confidence in articulation and provide logical responses, you're pretty much over the halfway point.

Once the interview was over, I called JD immediately. And for that few minutes of conversation, I was smiling very happily over the phone.

To JD With Love

2007-10-31T11:01:00.000+08:00

Ok I'm going to bring over the 5th and last present to JD's place now. Hopefully he likes it, remembers to water it and will take good care of it. I wonder what time is he going to wake up though.

Happy Birthday JD!

KBox Surprise

2007-10-21T23:56:00.000+08:00

It was pre-planned with ZH to go KBox today. JD's bday is round the corner and ZH decided to surprise him with a cake while he's busy singing.

So while JD's occupied with the mic, ZH and his bf arrived with a creamy Chocolate Truffle from Han's lighted with candles. There was the usual fanfare and not forgetting that some of the truffle landed on JD's face :p

The whole evening was sheer fun which ended with JD winning yet another pair of movie tickets in a mystery game. Hopefully we can find time to watch it before it ends.

Birthday Foreword

2007-10-20T11:42:00.000+08:00

After shedding much blood and sweat, my birthday forewords (BF) for JD was finally sent in full. BF is a combination of message and animation. Everyday for the past 5 days at a scheduled time, JD will first receive a pop up message followed by a Flash animation on his laptop.

The message and animation is different everyday. They are intended to convey my thoughts and feelings to JD while he's in camp and I'm very glad to know that he liked them a lot.

So for the last set of BF yesterday, it was a simple...

Happy Birthday JD! (I hope I'm the first)

Making Things Worse

2007-10-19T11:17:00.000+08:00

Last night, something dreadful happened. Even though I saw it coming, I could not do anything because JD applied brute force to the matter. He knew I would give in for his sake. And in the end, I got a terribly scolding from my parents which led to tighter curfews.

Why can't he simply just put up with my limitations till I get a job? Does he really want me to quarrel with my parents again?

Bintan Trip

2007-10-08T10:34:00.000+08:00

Last week was our short 2D1N getaway to Bintan. Even though it was hurriedly planned, it was nevertheless lots of fun. I'll blog about the trip later on once I get the photos from JD.

I Hate Picking Up Coin

2007-10-07T23:57:00.000+08:00

This evening while having Rochor bean curd at Selegie, JD gave me a very huge scolding. He listed out all the things that he couldn't tolerate about me. I never knew those things he mentioned had bothered him so much. I always thought he understood and I intended to argue back and reason it out.

Then he hit a soft spot and that's when I gave up and gave in. I can't even pick up a damn ten cent coin for a plump lady. I just kept quiet and listened. I didn't want to start another argument.

I Hate Cycling

2007-10-06T18:05:00.000+08:00

I finished up work and decided to meet JD for a while just now at about 4.30pm. I decided to try cycling to his place and realised I could reach him in mere 10 minutes. So I told myself that there's no reason for me to not do this more often in the future.

We met at his block and cycled together to the market near my place for ice desserts. Then as we left, I knew JD would accompany me home even though his bicycle requires tremendous effort to travel up slopes. So I chose a long & steep route over a short & very steep route.

In the end, JD got leg-cramp and got very upset with me. He guess he's walking home now. I don't know if I should have picked the short & very steep route. But I told myself that I'm not going to cycle to his place again.

21st Birthday Surprise

2007-10-04T01:51:00.000+08:00

Today is one of JD's friend's birthday. He wanted to go over to his place to surprise him with a Black Forest and insisted I joined him. At first I was very reluctant but the curiosity to see this important friend in person made me agree finally.

I thought it would be very awkward for me but it turned out fine especially since JD's friend was very nice. The mini-celebration ended shortly and I had to rush home to clear work, which is what I am halfway through now. I have to finish this if I'm going to enjoy myself at Bintan later in the afternoon.

Doh! I haven't pack yet.

Post-Lunch

2007-09-23T22:51:00.000+08:00

This afternooon, JD cooked me a nice little after-lunch meal. Here's the recipe for the records:

Ingredients:
1 x drumstick
1 x egg
pepper, sesame oil, oil, butter, sesame seed, seasoning salt, light soya sauce and lots other seasoning.
Most importantly, sweet and tender loving care.

Anyway, there is a nice drink that comes with it. The very authentic A&W Root Beer Float, home-made too. Taste so nice, got the nostalgic feel. Aww... Felt so loved and so sweet! Simply lovely.

AMK Hub Opening

2007-09-22T21:26:00.000+08:00

Just a while ago, there was a sudden display of fireworks right above the AMK Hub. Me thinks those people are real rich to afford fireworks for their grand opening. No other shopping centres on our sunny island get fireworks for their events.

Not forgetting tomorrow that they're having a line-up of artistes performing at their outdoor stage.

Mooncakes Galore

2007-09-18T21:39:00.000+08:00

It's the 8th Lunar month and in a matter of days the mid-autumn festival will be here. Like preceding years, pastries start rolling out their mooncakes weeks before the festival. They come in all shape and sizes, all flavours and fillings. Since the sale window for mooncakes spans only for about 3 weeks, each year pastries never fail to come up with unique flavours to entice more people to choose theirs over competitors.

But this year, trends have shifted. Whatever novelty flavours you can create last year, competitors would have re-created it this year. So now, packaging becomes priority. Simple cardboard boxes will not suffice and instead plywood and tin boxes becomes the standard, all lavishly decorated with elaborate designs.

The cost of packaging of course, gets transferred to the consumers. And I must say mooncakes these days don't come cheap.

SMRT Challenge

2007-09-16T23:17:00.000+08:00

Today was SMRT Challenge 2007, SMRT's version of the Amazing Race (infused with quite a bit of their propaganda) which I took part with JD, JH and ZH. Both fortunately and unfortunately, we came in 11th out of the 100 over teams that took part but we fell short of two stamps needed to complete the race.

Nonetheless, I guess everyone had lotsa fun and most importantly I got to be wid JD. Hope he enjoyed himself too.

GV vs Cathay

2007-09-15T13:08:00.000+08:00

Before we got together, I used to watch movies with friends at GV cinemas. They have outlets all over SG and along with their phone booking system as well as AXS booking facility, it's extremely convenient.

Then after JD and I started catching movies, we choose Cathay. For one you get to pick seats when buying tickets over the counter. The red coloured special seats (which we always pick) are catered for couples. These two-combined-into-one seats are very spacious and unlike most of GV's couple seats, they don't have a gap in between, so it's easier for us to cuddle.

What's more Cathay opened a new cineplex in AMK Hub, right in the heart of our district. So now there's no reason for us to not catch late night movies whenever JD and I feel like it.

1408

2007-09-15T09:30:00.000+08:00

JD has long weekend this week, so yesterday was book-out day. After finishing a meeting with a client at City Hall at about 6pm, I decided to hang around in the area till JD knocks off.

It turned out to be a 4-hour wait. I wasn't really angry at him, just that the wait made my gastric relapsed. And when my medicines didn't seem to alleviate the pain, I had no choice but to have dinner without JD.

Nonetheless, we met a quarter before midnight to catch the movie, 1408. It's based on a short story by Stephen King (one of my fav authors), about a room in the Dolphin Hotel that has witnessed countless bizarre deaths, to the point that the manager decides to take it out of service.

Paranormal debunker, Mike, however, insisted on checking into that forbidden room for one night. That's when the manager's warning says it all: No one lasts for more than an hour in there...

I think horror flicks are pretty exciting to watch once in a while over a Friday night, with JD of course.

Finally it's Sunday

2007-09-10T01:18:00.000+08:00

JD's been quite busy with work for the past week. We hardly had much time to meet up. But after a patient wait, Sunday finally arrived. At first both of us had other commitments, but turns out we had the entire day just to ourselves.

For post-birthday, JD decided to get me a set of formal wear in preparation for job interviews to come. Reluctantly, I let him and in the end the bill totalled close to $200. I bickered over the hefty sum but eventually felt very delighted. Because I needed them and they looked real sleek. Thank you JD!

Time usually moves fast when I'm with JD. Today I felt it was exceptionally so, day seemed to turn night in a snap.

Facelift

2007-09-03T10:44:00.000+08:00

The previous blog design looks rather gloomy. So it's time for a new look, something bright and fresh.

Waiting #4

2007-09-02T11:25:00.000+08:00

I feel JD and I are getting more and more distanced lately. He claims that he is deeply in love but somehow I felt otherwise. He doesn't seem to care about my feelings these days. Or am I too sensitive?

Once again, I'm waiting. Waiting for him to wake up so that we can head off for breakfast together which was suppose to be at 10am. But more than an hour has passed, should I wake him? ... I can't. He slept very late yesterday.

Waiting

2007-09-02T04:05:00.000+08:00

This moment marks the 3rd fruitless wait I have in a week. First was for his sms reply, second was for him to knock off and now is for him to sleep. He should know that I'm waiting for him to sleep. All I needed was one "nite" message from him and I'll call him back immediately, just to give him a kiss which I have forgotten to.

I wonder what JD's doing now. He might be still busy with that other guy's email or he forgot to text me. Either way, I've enough waiting. Muck, JD.

My Birthday?

2007-08-30T23:46:00.000+08:00

It's a rather lonely way to spend my birthday today. I waited till afternoon for a call from my Dad but by about 5pm I realised that my parents actually had no intentions of celebrating it. I expected the whole family to be heading out for a dinner together. But this year, there was none.

Nonetheless, I knew JD would not forget this day. He would knock off from work and he'd ask me out soon. Then the wait lasted till 9pm when I realised he too was not going to. Two of the closest people around me doesn't seem so close on this day.

ttyl

2007-08-28T23:37:00.000+08:00

JD is a very busy person. Much to the point where I might have to wait a few hours to receive an sms reply from him. Waiting is such a torturing thing to make someone do.

All he had to do was to let me know that he's busy at the moment. It takes no more than 5 seconds to type "ttyl" or "busy", both 4 letters each only. But JD would not even spend this amount of time out of 6 hours on me. It's just as good as not having his phone beside him.

Little Hammies

2007-08-27T23:56:00.000+08:00

The hamster that JD gave me two months ago has given birth to two extremely adorable little hamsters - a boy and a girl. It's been two weeks since her birth and the baby hamsters can now see, so she's letting them roam about freely. I haven't named them though, shall leave it to JD. For now, they're ah boy and ah girl.

ah boy feeding on mummy

ah girl roaming around the dining table.

ah boy and ah girl taking a snooze.

Pre-Big Day

2007-08-26T11:07:00.000+08:00

My birthday's round the corner and JD had arranged a series of surprises for me over the past weekend. He had them all well-planned, one after another. Each of them were what I least expected and each of them really showed how well JD understands me. He clearly knew what I wanted.

All my past birthday celebrations were nothing compared to this year's. The past 3 days were filled with mixed feelings of laugh-cry, making it all the more sentimental and will always be in my memories. I know all of it took a lot of his time and effort amidst his busy schedule. I don't really know how to show how much I appreciated it but to love JD even more.

I'm a Loser

2007-08-19T03:30:00.000+08:00

It always gets me happy when I see JD. No matter how caught up or stressed I am with other stuff, once I see him in person, my worries drain away naturally and instantaneously.

But lately, things are going amiss. For the past two weeks ever since anniversary, JD mood swings much too frequently. One moment we'd be laughing and next moment he'd be in a foul mood. The slightest disagreement would trigger his temper which would end up in two ways. Either he start a cold war and shoot me with constant side glances of the eye or start a quarrel and start saying hurtful things.

At first I thought he was very stressed at work due to pressure from his boss. I tolerated. Then this week, everything at work went smoothly. But for the whole of today, his face was black. He scolded me. He threaten to hit me. The worst was him giving me the side glances.

To me, contempt is the worst kind of attitude to show to a person. In my entire life, I have never once did that to anyone. Not to my family, not to my khakis, not even to people I don't get along with, simply because it is a display of utter disrespect, disregard and dislike.

I don't know why JD treats me like that these days. It's extremely torturing. Is it that I'm not doing enough as a bf? Is it that I'm still not up to his standard? Is it that JD don't love me anymore?

I don't know how to resolve the problem at all... just feel like crying right now...

Donuts!

2007-08-13T12:00:00.000+08:00

Last week's 8 Days featured a 4-page special on donut pastries all around SG, detailed with reviews, ratings, addresses and waiting times. I have decided to get a box for JD today but alas, he was one step ahead.

Yesterday at JR's BBQ, he arrived with two boxes of Dunkin' Donuts - one for him and one for me. I managed to catch a snapshot inside one before they're all gone. Hmmm, is he reading my mind?

All Geared Up

2007-08-11T00:05:00.000+08:00

All ready to meet JD to give him a good massage, some good food while watching dvd. But 10 minutes ago he called to say he fell sick and will be staying in camp. A little disappointed but since he's sick, I'd rather he have a good rest tonight. We'll meet up tomorrow then. Hope he gets well by then.

Diving @ Redang

2007-08-05T12:04:00.000+08:00

Just got back from a scuba diving trip with my usual scuba khakis to Pulau Redang. The island's about 45 km off Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, and it takes about 10 hours to get there from SG by land and sea.

Compared to previous dive locations, Redang is much more a paradise with its white powder sand beach and crystal blue waters. Local conservation efforts also ensured protection of corals and hence plentiful of marine life to admire throughout all dives.

I kinda missed JD on the first day there and made a promise to myself - that is to bring JD here during the next diving season. The soft sand is my witness.

The Weekends

2007-07-30T13:54:00.000+08:00

Over the weekends, JD and I caught one play and one movie.

The play, Asian Boys Volume 3: Happy Ending, was meant to be a surprise for JD. He mentioned it a couple of weeks back that he's quite interested but I waved it away due to the price of the tix. Then on Saturday we decided to try out the lifts at the National Library for the infamous cheap thrill. That's when I stopped the lift at level 3, walked towards the Drama Centre, slid our tix to the usher, moved into the theatre and motioned for JD to take a seat. He tried very hard to hide his smile. I had to too.

Then Sunday was The Simpsons Movie. It has been my all-time fav back when the TV schedule for all the cartoons were at my fingertips. Watching it again after so many years brought back all those memories and more excitingly so because it's now on the silver screen. Doing away with my reviews (probably biased), I think everyone (whoever's reading this now) should just go watch it. For nostalgia or just for laughs.

Last Paper

2007-07-28T02:37:00.000+08:00

Yesterday officially marks my last day in school. It's perhaps the last time I'll ever see myself sitting in a hall amongst 200 students, racing the clock to finish an exam paper. Schooling days are stressful days especially in such a competitive culture (exacerbated by the influx of foreign talents). But I know this is but the beginning.

Anyway after the paper, JD and I met for dinner and some shopping around. But not before we 'PDA-ed' in front of Sgt Rocky at the former SAFRA.

NDP '07

2007-07-25T12:57:00.000+08:00

Just received the photos from JR whose DSLR was in JD's hands during one of the NDP rehearsals. Tickets are especially hard to get this year since the grand stand can only hold so many (whoever got tix to the preview or actual parade is super heng!), so we simply parked ourselves by the waterfront that fine Saturday evening to catch a sneak of the parade.

JD took control of the DSLR immediately after I placed it in his hands, and he started snapping away at anything that caught his attention (including his own camera). It's his first time handling a Canon D50, but I think his shots of the fireworks look pretty impressive.

Important Person

2007-07-19T15:41:00.000+08:00

Yesterday evening, I received news that a friend's mother has passed away. I attended the wake and heard that it was due to a road accident. Her mother was walking along the side of the road when a motorist trying to avoid collision with another vehicle, veered into her. Her injuries were fatal.

When I saw my friend at the wake, she was clearly devastated. None of us schoolmates who visited her knew how to console her for it was such a sudden blow. I think it is something that everyone has to go through one stage in life and a wound that only time can heal.

Throughout the wake, I felt that JD is one person that is so important to me at this point in time that I don't ever wanna lose. All of a sudden, I wanted to talk to him, and I did. I rushed home immediately afterwards and we talked on the phone for over an hour. Luckily he has free-incoming...

Kayak

2007-07-17T14:45:00.000+08:00

JD and I went kayaking yesterday afternoon at ECP. The weather was just fine and the waters were mildly choppy after a passing shower. Since it was a weekday, we had the entire open sea to ourselves. We then had this who-gets-capsized-the-most game where JD scored 2 and I scored 1. Then we had a mini-race which I think JD purposedly "put water" and let me win. Argh... All in all, it was a fun-filled day!

And this adds on to our list of common pastimes.

What Tarot Card Are You

2007-07-17T14:32:00.000+08:00

You are The Magician

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,
you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?

Retired

2007-07-13T17:45:00.000+08:00

After weeks of ploughing through my overdue work for the organisation, all of it finally came to a conclusion this morning. At least now that everything is in order, I can hand over all responsibilities to my understudy with no worries.

At this very moment, I feel rather carefree.

Reaching My Limit

2007-07-12T15:32:00.000+08:00

JD makes demands, a lot of them, but he doesn't accepts No for an answer. I would give in to him but there is a limit to it. If this goes on, I'm seriously going to explode very soon. Hopefully that don't happen while the base is so shaky now.

Hong Kong Trip

2007-07-07T11:31:00.000+08:00

It's been almost a week since JD and I got back from our Hong Kong trip. JD promised his blog readers that he gonna put pics in his blog but didn't, so I'm gonna do it for him instead, in a picture + description format.

Day 1 280607

0530 hrs
After catching some shut-eye at his place, we arrived at the airport. My specs dropped out from my bag while I unloaded my luggage. I only realised it upon checking in but it was too late. I found it crashed on the road where we alighted. Anyway JD like me in contacts.

0630 hrs
We boarded the plane, but not before JD did some shopping in the check-in lobby and bought books to keep ourselves busy on board. He read "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom and I read "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. We sort of doze off after about 20 pages.

1530 hrs
After all the arrival procedures, transfers and checking-ins, we arrived at Wong Tai Sin Temple (黄大仙) to pray. I prayed for JD and my family but I forgot to pray for myself. After that JD prayed for two divinations (签) while I prayed for one.

2000 hrs
Having our fill at a 10 course dinner, we headed to the breathtaking summit of Victoria Peak (太平山顶). JD and I took super a lot of pictures there. The place is just so cool (pun intended)!

2045 hrs
A short walk into the mall and we were at Madame Tussands Hong Kong where lots and lots of waxed figurines of famous people are housed (including MM Lee).

2130 hrs
Taking a short transfer, we were at Avenue of Stars (星光大道). We kinda missed the light show so I guess we'll be back again. After that we took a ride on a roofless bus to Jordan and did some night shopping at Women's Street (女人街). JD bought lotsa stuff there. We returned to the hotel at about 1am.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 2 290607

1200 hrs
I kinda overslept and we only stepped out of the hotel at noon for a quick lunch. He got dumpling noodles while I got sliced chicken noodles. The noodles here are almost twice the cost of those in SG!

1330 hrs
Taking near an hour of transports, we arrived at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island (大屿山) to visit the big Buddha. Low-lying clouds shrouded the Buddha at first but somehow cleared after we made our way up the long flight of steps.

1615 hrs
We arrived in Hong Kong's Disney's Land. Though a bit late but we grabbed whatever time we had and took almost every ride that we saw. Of all the rides, JD liked the Space Mountain so much that we took it thrice.

2100 hrs
9pm sharp, street lights dimmed and Disney's Land daily fireworks spectacular sparked off at Sleeping Beauty's castle, Disney's signature landmark. It lasted for a mere 10 mins but it was enough to magically conclude our fun-filled day.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 3 300607

1030 hrs
We made our way to way to Shenzhen at 9am and arrived at our first pit-stop, Shenzhen Xinyu Mineral Museum (深圳市星宇地矿馆). There JD bought one name stamp and two cans of tea leaves. The day continued with JD buying a backpack, a pair of Adidas shoes and a very nice lime green Puma polo tee at dongmen (东门).

1930 hrs
We rushed back to Hong Kong because a local guide told us there would be fireworks at 8pm at the Victoria Harbour. We later found out that he got the date wrong, so ended up walking around in New World Centre (星界中心) and there happened to be a collectors' car exhibition.

2000 hrs
This time at least we were in time for Hong Kong's permanent light and sound spectacular called A Symphony of Lights. Music is being broadcast along the Avenue of Stars while buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour house an array of lights that dances to it. While we admired the show, we wondered how many battery is needed to supply one second of power to all the spot lights.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 4 010707

1300 hrs
Today (Sunday) is sleep-late day so we woke up late. After some packing up and photo-taking, we proceeded to check out of the hotel, but not before I made JD wear the his new polo tee we bought in Shenzhen (he looks dashing in it).

1330 hrs
After some walking about in Jordan while eating cherries, we stumbled upon Yoshinoya and decided to have our lunch there (since it costs as much as any street side food). They serve very nice kimchi as sides.

1400 hrs
We arrived in Central (中环) and toured around the place towards Lan Kwai Fong (蘭桂坊). We were sweating profusely throughout the afternoon.

1700 hrs
JD suddenly thought of paying the TC here a visit to see how the place is like. After some searching, we found the place and popped in for a while. Like their SG counterpart, they have freebies in their lockers in a variety of designs (JD got the brown one while I got the pink).

1910 hrs
JD got the timing wrong and we missed our transfer. We ended up taking a cab to the airport. JD then stopped by Ajisen Ramen for a quick dinner before boarding.

1950 hrs
We took one last picture before boarding the plane back to SG. Love you, JD.

Their Commencement

2007-07-04T22:45:00.000+08:00

This evening was the commencement ceremony for the class of 2007. I arrived half an hour early. I saw lots of my course mates, all of them spread out across the hall in smiles and laughters.

I went forward to shake a friend's hand while I smiled in return, sharing her joy on graduation. Except for a few closer ones whom already knew, she would then promptly pop me a question:

"Hey Kevin, why are you not in graduation gown? It's gonna start soon."

I would give her the answer while continuing to smile. She would attempt to smile back and reply: "Oh I'm sorry.", then proceed to take a photo or two. Then I would move on to the next and the cycle continued throughout the evening.

Two hours past and I find that I can't quite smile any more. I left shortly and headed back to office. It's their commencement, not mine.

New Faces

2007-06-25T22:11:00.000+08:00

When you're governing a student organisation, you become a full-time Public Relations Officer. You project the image of your organisation outward in a positive manner. You befriend people across other departments and organisations to earn understanding and acceptance through a mutually beneficial relationship.

Over the past 2 years, I've come to know many people on campus, especially management staff across the various departments so as to make my job easier as well as to learn from them. Over the past 4 months however, some resigned, some became relocated.

This afternoon when I pass by the different departments, I come to realise that there's hardly anyone that I know now. New faces are everywhere and the office is no longer as lively as I once knew. Undoubtedly, change is inevitable in everyday lives, you've just got to live with it whether you like it or not.

New Term

2007-06-25T00:08:00.000+08:00

First week of school ended. Tomorrow starts week 2 of 4. It is definitely a waste of time to be re-doing a non-core module simply to fulfil the unrestricted elective requirement of the school. But nonetheless, I see this as a second chance. I didn't do very well last semester, so this is to make up for it.

Today started out fine and enjoyable, but ended a little sour. Might be the hot weather.

Moved

2007-06-23T09:34:00.000+08:00

JD said something yesterday night over dinner that moved me. This time round I could feel that he really meant it.

Taking A Day Off

2007-06-21T23:24:00.000+08:00

Last week this day, I gave in. We reconciled. This week this day, I requested for a day off, to breathe and reflect.

Over the past week, JD changed completely. He became such a different person so quickly that I found it hard to believe. He did all the things I liked to do for him. I can truly feel his love now. I'm very touched but not moved. All that JD had said so far since day 1, what's true, what's not, I can't differentiate.

No More Daydreaming

2007-06-12T23:51:00.000+08:00

I held on for 4 months. I endured, I persisted, I gave it my all, I gave him my heart.

And finally last Monday, I felt everything was worth it. I felt it finally worked out. I felt very recharged to head towards building a future with him. I felt very very very happy.

But it was all too short-lived. It turned out to be just another lie, another promise broken, another shattered heart. I felt utterly cheated, utterly disappointed at myself.

Yesterday night, I couldn't help but drench my pillow in tears silently. This morning, I made up my mind to take my heart back. I am not going to let him break it again, ever. I decided to switch off the console, permanently.

I think I finally made it past one crossroad. Painful but relieved.

Game Saved?

2007-06-11T01:24:00.000+08:00

I awoke to find myself in shock and sweat. I had a nightmare. I thought I could put it behind me but the scene from the night before kept replaying in my mind. It was extremely excruciating, like stabbing the heart with a knife... many many times.

I shouldn't have saved the game, I should have switched off the console. How long more can I bear with it? I just want to sleep well for once. Just one night. I think I need sleeping pills.

Holiday Disrupted

2007-06-07T23:54:00.000+08:00

My appeal to retake my failed module during the holidays has finally been approved. My new school term officially starts in two weeks' time. This time round I opted for my home faculty module - Life Science, so that it's a sure pass.

From now till then, hopefully I can finish all my freelance projects at hand, collect my payment and fly off to HK for a good holiday with JD.

It Takes Two

2007-06-06T12:07:00.000+08:00

Something which I read off the net and never forgot:

To love someone is something.
To be loved by someone is another thing.
To be loved by someone you love is everything.

Very unexpectedly on Monday, an end point became a check point. It's like me playing FFXII. After walking for so long, to the point I'm about to switch off the console in frustration, I finally arrived at a Saving Crystal. HP and MP gets recharged back to full.

Ceiling Giving Way

2007-06-03T01:36:00.000+08:00

Today the ceiling of the toilet in my house gave way and a huge chunk of concrete fell to the ground all of a sudden. I went to take a look and realised the metal pilings and the concrete have been corroded, most probably due to the high moisture. Luckily no one was in the toilet at that moment.

My dad took a pail while I got myself a screwdriver and started prying out more of the loose concrete to make sure they are out of harm's way. After near an hour of falling debris and with my shirt drenched in sweat, a large part of the toilet's ceiling was gone and the inner metal pilings were all clearly visible. Seems like I've got to give the town council a ring first thing Monday morning.