Friday, May 30, 2008
I regret. I regret stopping to ask about your life at the traffic junction.
Burden. This word is sticky to me since the day I was born.
Burden. This word is sticky to me since the day I was born.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Georgia's 21st birthday at Essential Brews. This girl is one of the best things that happened to my life, I always tell her. The first time I ever knew this girl existed was at bondue camp 06. She became a famous freshie overnight by dancing like a total hottie at a club during one of the camp's activities. I heard many things about her. And then she re-appeared, this time more proximate in my life. In my Leadership & Teambuilding and Business Communication classes. Snatched the limelight spot immediately on the first lessons, of both classes, of course. Speaking so confidently than anyone else I knew of, she got almost everyone talking about her and her style of talking. I was thinking, "This girl is definitely going to pin an A+ down with Tom Estad. Boo for everyone."
Georgia was the one who brought lemon meringue muffins over to my little cottage house to welcome me in the neighbourhood. BAH of course I don't live in Pennsylvania or something. What I mean is that she took the first step to come into my life. She came up to me and told me something like this, "Athena, I want to say that your speech was damn good, and I really, really, seriously, admire the way you speak in class, because it's something that I cannot accomplish. You know the way I present, it's like maybe the audience feel like I'm stepping in their space, over their boundary, because sometimes people just want to be comfortable in their seats and listen, but somehow I can't make them feel like that, and you are one person I know that has been good at it." Quite a mouthful, isn't it? She does say a whole lot of things to you.
I was pretty taken back, because my impression was that Georgia was the first girl I knew in university, to be the most charismatic and confident female whenever she does her in-class presentations. Overhearing her conversations with classmates further reinforced this impression that this girl was definitely not one to hide her feelings and she could express her thoughts very well, so much that I couldn't find anyone else I knew to compare with. And there she was,with brightly lit eyes and a sincere face, telling me she admired me. I wasn't sure what to do except say thank you.
Then I organized a cycling out with my COMM101 group mates, and I asked Curren (who is a good friend of Georgia) to ask Georgia along as well. I rented rollerblades and I was blading so slowly that those people cycling were miles ahead of me, and poor Curren had to hold my hand and blade at my snail-sluggish-turtle speed as well.
Georgia came much later, rented a bicycle, and seeing how exhausted I was from the stupid blading she agreed to switch activities with me. Means she wore my blades and I took her bicycle. Her feet was too small for my blades, she didn't mind wearing my socks, she didn't mind she was tired having reached Singapore from Bali a few hours ago, she didn't complain about the inconvenience of wearing a dress, she reassured me and told me to take her bag and cycle off.
When we were done with cycling, everyone else wanted to go home or had to go somewhere. Only Georgia said she wanted to chill and I was free for the afternoon so we both headed to a coffeeplace at Parkway Parade. She paid for the meal without one ounce of hesitation. Didn't even look at me to pay my share and continued talking away. That was the first time I got to know Georgia in person, her past, her present, her life, her ideals, her dreams and she became my friend, and a very special girl in my heart.
Georgia told me there are three categories of people in SMU: 1) People who know her and love her, 2) People who know her and hate her, 3) People who don't know who she is. And some people are judgmental, they know who is she, but don't know her personally, and they say she's a bitch blah 3x because they heard yada 3x. Georgia asked me what was my first impression of her, and I told it to her, right down to the core of the apple. I said that I didn't really like it when she ended her sentences too often with "and what not" and I actually thought she was kinda bimbotic. When someone is honest with me, no matter where their intentions come from, I still appreciate that honesty and I do reciprocate it.
I don't know exactly what people think of Georgia, but I'm more than ready to defend this friend of mine and the relationship I share with her. She is brutally frank and honest (can be good, can be bad, depending on how you look through the lens), she is big-hearted and generous, she loves her family very much especially her daddy, she understands what kind of person you are by mere observation, she gives the person she's listening to 100% undivided attention, she is readily supportive when you need it. The only thing I can complain about that she can be totally irrational when it comes to love. But she knows what she wants out of life. She's that kind of friend who can tell my boyfriend that she doesn't like him, and she knows I'll be laughing away if she pretends to be close to my boyfriend.
May this birthday brings endless blessings to you and your life (even though it's already fabulous with me around); while you have grown to be a lady, remember that it is your own qualities and honesty that earn you the respect from your loved ones and bring forth all the love in the world. You may continue to send me sms-es at 4am in the morning provided you spend more time with me.
Georgia was the one who brought lemon meringue muffins over to my little cottage house to welcome me in the neighbourhood. BAH of course I don't live in Pennsylvania or something. What I mean is that she took the first step to come into my life. She came up to me and told me something like this, "Athena, I want to say that your speech was damn good, and I really, really, seriously, admire the way you speak in class, because it's something that I cannot accomplish. You know the way I present, it's like maybe the audience feel like I'm stepping in their space, over their boundary, because sometimes people just want to be comfortable in their seats and listen, but somehow I can't make them feel like that, and you are one person I know that has been good at it." Quite a mouthful, isn't it? She does say a whole lot of things to you.
I was pretty taken back, because my impression was that Georgia was the first girl I knew in university, to be the most charismatic and confident female whenever she does her in-class presentations. Overhearing her conversations with classmates further reinforced this impression that this girl was definitely not one to hide her feelings and she could express her thoughts very well, so much that I couldn't find anyone else I knew to compare with. And there she was,with brightly lit eyes and a sincere face, telling me she admired me. I wasn't sure what to do except say thank you.
Then I organized a cycling out with my COMM101 group mates, and I asked Curren (who is a good friend of Georgia) to ask Georgia along as well. I rented rollerblades and I was blading so slowly that those people cycling were miles ahead of me, and poor Curren had to hold my hand and blade at my snail-sluggish-turtle speed as well.
Georgia came much later, rented a bicycle, and seeing how exhausted I was from the stupid blading she agreed to switch activities with me. Means she wore my blades and I took her bicycle. Her feet was too small for my blades, she didn't mind wearing my socks, she didn't mind she was tired having reached Singapore from Bali a few hours ago, she didn't complain about the inconvenience of wearing a dress, she reassured me and told me to take her bag and cycle off.
When we were done with cycling, everyone else wanted to go home or had to go somewhere. Only Georgia said she wanted to chill and I was free for the afternoon so we both headed to a coffeeplace at Parkway Parade. She paid for the meal without one ounce of hesitation. Didn't even look at me to pay my share and continued talking away. That was the first time I got to know Georgia in person, her past, her present, her life, her ideals, her dreams and she became my friend, and a very special girl in my heart.
Georgia told me there are three categories of people in SMU: 1) People who know her and love her, 2) People who know her and hate her, 3) People who don't know who she is. And some people are judgmental, they know who is she, but don't know her personally, and they say she's a bitch blah 3x because they heard yada 3x. Georgia asked me what was my first impression of her, and I told it to her, right down to the core of the apple. I said that I didn't really like it when she ended her sentences too often with "and what not" and I actually thought she was kinda bimbotic. When someone is honest with me, no matter where their intentions come from, I still appreciate that honesty and I do reciprocate it.
I don't know exactly what people think of Georgia, but I'm more than ready to defend this friend of mine and the relationship I share with her. She is brutally frank and honest (can be good, can be bad, depending on how you look through the lens), she is big-hearted and generous, she loves her family very much especially her daddy, she understands what kind of person you are by mere observation, she gives the person she's listening to 100% undivided attention, she is readily supportive when you need it. The only thing I can complain about that she can be totally irrational when it comes to love. But she knows what she wants out of life. She's that kind of friend who can tell my boyfriend that she doesn't like him, and she knows I'll be laughing away if she pretends to be close to my boyfriend.
May this birthday brings endless blessings to you and your life (even though it's already fabulous with me around); while you have grown to be a lady, remember that it is your own qualities and honesty that earn you the respect from your loved ones and bring forth all the love in the world. You may continue to send me sms-es at 4am in the morning provided you spend more time with me.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
So it was family BBQ last Saturday to quietly celebrate Uncle Thomas' birthday at Jie's place! A long stretch of photos here, for the lagged audience who do not have a Facebook account (like get a life) but it's not a big deal anyway new sites will keep coming up like Friendster is miserably abandoned.
Barbie and Ken!
Hello baby Ernest! *baby waves;i'm in a good mood after waddling in the big pool*
This notti boy has a peculiar habit of sticking his thumb in his ears.
My best cousin, Natalie.
Time for pom-pom!
He's sure having fun with all the ladies' attention.
Baby doesn't look too happy. He's like trying to say, "I don't live in Israel, ok?"
He has had his bath. I like to carry babies.
But baby doesn't seem to be comfortable with the way I carry him. And there is he sticking his thumb in his ear. GOSH.*SHAK
*there's a magician at the party down there! i want one of those colourful balloons!*
Everyone is simply adoring this boy.
Back in Jie's house. Randomly, with a big plush Strawberry Shortcake from the 90's.
Birthday boy! Sweet Natalie smuggled in a surprise cake for him!
The whole family (not all present though).
A funny one.
Barbie and Ken!
Hello baby Ernest! *baby waves;i'm in a good mood after waddling in the big pool*
This notti boy has a peculiar habit of sticking his thumb in his ears.
My best cousin, Natalie.
Time for pom-pom!
He's sure having fun with all the ladies' attention.
Baby doesn't look too happy. He's like trying to say, "I don't live in Israel, ok?"
He has had his bath. I like to carry babies.
But baby doesn't seem to be comfortable with the way I carry him. And there is he sticking his thumb in his ear. GOSH.*SHAK
*there's a magician at the party down there! i want one of those colourful balloons!*
Everyone is simply adoring this boy.
Back in Jie's house. Randomly, with a big plush Strawberry Shortcake from the 90's.
Birthday boy! Sweet Natalie smuggled in a surprise cake for him!
The whole family (not all present though).
A funny one.
Monday, May 26, 2008
I'm not happy anymore. For 21 year olds living in Singapore, we shouldn't be thinking so much about things. We should be content to have our family close to us, safe under a roof, making enough to pay the bills and bring the bacon home, that's all. Simplistic, but we cannot ask more in a world plagued with environmental burdens.
We are only this young, our parents need us, and we shouldn't need to choose this way and break our backs. I am reconsidering, I'm not counting on whatever promises made.
We are only this young, our parents need us, and we shouldn't need to choose this way and break our backs. I am reconsidering, I'm not counting on whatever promises made.
Friday, May 23, 2008
I was crying my eyes out two days ago. No one's fault, but things happened at the wrong time and the wrong place. I've been using this as an excuse for ages. Mama says I should have learned long ago and stopped crying because I need to be strong. So just because I've had several guys in my life previously means my heart is automatically immune to heartache from the current guy? That's freaking crap, seriously. But the part about being strong is true. Tiffany and Perryn told me that our tears are precious, and that God keeps many, many jugs of tears in Heaven. Perryn agreed I would have a lot more jugs than her. Bah.
I'm addicted to Jon & Kate +8 on Starhub Channel 70, Discovery Home and Health. If you love kids, this is die-to-watch-for-reality-show. It's about a married couple who has 8 kids in total. The oldest 2 were twins, and the rest of the 6 children are sextuplets (meaning 6 babies were born at one time). It is amazing how they manage the kids. But they're all very cute. My sister influenced me to watch it, and I keep yelling for my mum to come out of her room to watch it, and now my dad wakes up at 5am to watch the programme too. My favourite boy is Aaden, the boy with the spectacles. Simple reason: he cries the least. HAHAHAHAHA.
Wah Daddy is awesome!! He gave me money to do my hair!! As some of you might know, I'm darn sick of colouring my hair and I hate it when I've to spend money to recolour my hair when the black root are showing. So I'm going to do jet black. Yes, jet black like this. Not even dark brown. Ru's gotta get used to my hair being the colour as hers now. I am not going to cut my hair, as everyone knows, but I'm dying to trim it because I want my hair to grow out faster. Faster, faster, faster, pleeeeeeeaaaaaaseeeeeeeeeeeee!
I'm addicted to Jon & Kate +8 on Starhub Channel 70, Discovery Home and Health. If you love kids, this is die-to-watch-for-reality-show. It's about a married couple who has 8 kids in total. The oldest 2 were twins, and the rest of the 6 children are sextuplets (meaning 6 babies were born at one time). It is amazing how they manage the kids. But they're all very cute. My sister influenced me to watch it, and I keep yelling for my mum to come out of her room to watch it, and now my dad wakes up at 5am to watch the programme too. My favourite boy is Aaden, the boy with the spectacles. Simple reason: he cries the least. HAHAHAHAHA.
Wah Daddy is awesome!! He gave me money to do my hair!! As some of you might know, I'm darn sick of colouring my hair and I hate it when I've to spend money to recolour my hair when the black root are showing. So I'm going to do jet black. Yes, jet black like this. Not even dark brown. Ru's gotta get used to my hair being the colour as hers now. I am not going to cut my hair, as everyone knows, but I'm dying to trim it because I want my hair to grow out faster. Faster, faster, faster, pleeeeeeeaaaaaaseeeeeeeeeeeee!
Met up with the paowaowao girl last week! She rented a car and picked me up, and we were just crazy ladies talking non-stop from the second I entered the car and got out of the car with my hands full of shopping, filled with updates, gossip and road directions. LOLX.
Chilled at this eclectic style cafe at Vivocity overlooking the sea. I felt grandma-ish, sitting on a red leather sofa and sipping at my caramel latte.
Always fooling in front of the camera.
I'm not really used to seeing myself without fringe. And it makes me look different. Like much more older. I don't like it. But having fringe is darn troublesome; pokes into my eyes, too short to clip it up and stuff.
And we headed to Topshop. And bought nothing for ourselves. But our fortunate boyfriends. Wth. I'm not myself thanks to love. Then we went to Zara. And bought nothing for ourselves. But our lucky darlings again. BAH.
Ikea Tampines was the last stop. Had to buy stuff for boo's car.
Time flies so fast. I told Lyn, when we were in high school, we wrote on rough paper, passed messages to each other so often our classmates got damn annoyed, we hung at Eastpoint, White Sands, Tampines Mall, we tucked out our stupid white blouses right after school, wore Japanese socks with US Master schoolshoes, carried tiny Outdoor backpacks, bought the fugly JNCO baggy jeans and mini tees, had multi coloured pens in our Converse pencil cases, wore ear sticks, coloured our hair, took neoprints frequently, changed to ankle socks when the new fashion hit etcera etcera. We grew up, didn't wear school uniforms in the polytechnic, she had short funky permed hair, I had bright pink hair. Now, she's already gotten her driving license (i'm still not very motivated to get one), is independent and earns good money from playing piano, graduating from university soon and already thinking about her future.
And this is how we looked like last December. (My fringe has grown, but not the rest of my hair). Yeah, a whole lot of folks are gonna roll their eyes seeing what I typed. MUAHAHAHAHAHA.
I love you Lyn! You're a big girl now, and you've got to believe in yourself. I'll always be there for you.
Chilled at this eclectic style cafe at Vivocity overlooking the sea. I felt grandma-ish, sitting on a red leather sofa and sipping at my caramel latte.
Always fooling in front of the camera.
I'm not really used to seeing myself without fringe. And it makes me look different. Like much more older. I don't like it. But having fringe is darn troublesome; pokes into my eyes, too short to clip it up and stuff.
And we headed to Topshop. And bought nothing for ourselves. But our fortunate boyfriends. Wth. I'm not myself thanks to love. Then we went to Zara. And bought nothing for ourselves. But our lucky darlings again. BAH.
Ikea Tampines was the last stop. Had to buy stuff for boo's car.
Time flies so fast. I told Lyn, when we were in high school, we wrote on rough paper, passed messages to each other so often our classmates got damn annoyed, we hung at Eastpoint, White Sands, Tampines Mall, we tucked out our stupid white blouses right after school, wore Japanese socks with US Master schoolshoes, carried tiny Outdoor backpacks, bought the fugly JNCO baggy jeans and mini tees, had multi coloured pens in our Converse pencil cases, wore ear sticks, coloured our hair, took neoprints frequently, changed to ankle socks when the new fashion hit etcera etcera. We grew up, didn't wear school uniforms in the polytechnic, she had short funky permed hair, I had bright pink hair. Now, she's already gotten her driving license (i'm still not very motivated to get one), is independent and earns good money from playing piano, graduating from university soon and already thinking about her future.
And this is how we looked like last December. (My fringe has grown, but not the rest of my hair). Yeah, a whole lot of folks are gonna roll their eyes seeing what I typed. MUAHAHAHAHAHA.
I love you Lyn! You're a big girl now, and you've got to believe in yourself. I'll always be there for you.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Summers have been murdering me. I dread going to class. I don't participate in class at all, yet I've got to keep my ears wide open to listen what other people are saying just in case my Professor decides I'm in the "hot seat". I've only been in the hot seat once after 9 lessons. At the end of each class, I'm just very exhausted from listening to the presentations and paying attention to the numerous class discussions. I never knew just sitting in class could be so draining. It has got to be the Professor and the subject itself. SOCIAL MEDIA. Haha.
I can only say, Ru and I know so much about IP protection in the digital world, video sharing sites across Asia, Internet filtering, social networking sites, business models, open social, net neutrality, wikinomics, writing for a blog effectively, managing online reputation as an individual and as a corporation and of course, the lovely Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0.
Singapore has yet to truly embrace the new form of digital media, also known as social media, so I can understand why we're learning about all these if we're intending to be relocate in Western countries for our future careers.
So people think with the car, it's much more convenient to travel around without standing the irksome crowds in public transport. I agree. Somehow, I'm still not used to having the car drive me around. It's also different from sitting in a cab. And me being me, I started thinking about why I feel so awkward after the car came. I found the answer yesterday after pondering for three days. Yeah, that's just me. And most of the time, my mind is just filled up about my major project. I realized a few changes:
I don't think all of these changes are life-devastating except item #10. It's just that I feel awkward. And we can argue over him sending me home, because I do not want to wait 3 hours to get a ride and I don't mind squeezing with the crowd in the train.
My uncle is organising a BBQ this Saturday at my sis' place, then I've got to rush to Georgia's birthday celebration at Holland Village, and then meet Pris and Per for late supper. I am so looking forward to Saturday.
Here's adorable Baby Ben. He has an awesome amount of hair for a 4-month-old.
Baby's intensely watching Asian Food Channel.
And I'm gonna take pictures of Baby Ernest this Saturday! Babies are so cute, I wan! =p
I can only say, Ru and I know so much about IP protection in the digital world, video sharing sites across Asia, Internet filtering, social networking sites, business models, open social, net neutrality, wikinomics, writing for a blog effectively, managing online reputation as an individual and as a corporation and of course, the lovely Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0.
Singapore has yet to truly embrace the new form of digital media, also known as social media, so I can understand why we're learning about all these if we're intending to be relocate in Western countries for our future careers.
So people think with the car, it's much more convenient to travel around without standing the irksome crowds in public transport. I agree. Somehow, I'm still not used to having the car drive me around. It's also different from sitting in a cab. And me being me, I started thinking about why I feel so awkward after the car came. I found the answer yesterday after pondering for three days. Yeah, that's just me. And most of the time, my mind is just filled up about my major project. I realized a few changes:
- my boyfriend doesn't send me up to my door step anymore (because there's usually no parking lots left when we get home)
- we don't really know where to go (it's like when you get a car you think you have to go somewhere but Singapore is really small and boring)
- we think a lot about ERP, parking expenses, parking availability, petrol (every god damn thing is expensive in Singapore and our eyes are most fixed on the petrol meter)
- we attempt to go home earlier than usual (to chop a parking lot because there are idiotic people who don't have a season parking coupon but wanna park their car overnight and grab precious lots)
- we seldom hold hands anymore (he's driving)
- I don't meet my boyfriend and accompany him home anymore when he knocks off
- I keep thinking he needs an hour to reach home from town (am still trying to adjust to the fact that he only needs around 30 mins now)
- I no longer meet him at the void deck or train controls but rather pick-up points like bus stops or taxi stand (in some cases I even have to mention the expressway and the exact location)
- I've been seeing Mr. Lamb and D boy a lot more lately
- I'm broke and fat from nightly suppers =(
I don't think all of these changes are life-devastating except item #10. It's just that I feel awkward. And we can argue over him sending me home, because I do not want to wait 3 hours to get a ride and I don't mind squeezing with the crowd in the train.
My uncle is organising a BBQ this Saturday at my sis' place, then I've got to rush to Georgia's birthday celebration at Holland Village, and then meet Pris and Per for late supper. I am so looking forward to Saturday.
Here's adorable Baby Ben. He has an awesome amount of hair for a 4-month-old.
Baby's intensely watching Asian Food Channel.
And I'm gonna take pictures of Baby Ernest this Saturday! Babies are so cute, I wan! =p
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Boo got his car on 7th May. Congratulations to boo boo! And he kept it from me for a week, so that he could surprise me immediately after collecting the vehicle from Borneo Motors. I'm happy for Boo because I knew owning a car was always his dream, and he has worked very hard to achieve this goal. So many times we argued over not being able to pay for the car, and I wasn't in the least bit supportive. Whatever reasons I had against the car, he is going to prove me wrong, and I hope he really does.
Initially he was set on getting a parallel import, the new Honda Fit. But he is aware I don't quite like hedge-backs (I'm not into sports cars), so he got the new Vios Sports edition in Dark Grey. Yes with a proper booth.
Gonna get quite some stuff for the car. Pillows, fleece throwover, shades, air freshener, card holder, ERP cover, wax, car detergent etc. for the car. Man. And boyfriend wants to put some cute stuff on the front dashboard. I'm thinking of something but I can't tell it on my blog. It is NOT going to be stuffed toys for sure.
I really dread going to COMM215 class.
Initially he was set on getting a parallel import, the new Honda Fit. But he is aware I don't quite like hedge-backs (I'm not into sports cars), so he got the new Vios Sports edition in Dark Grey. Yes with a proper booth.
Gonna get quite some stuff for the car. Pillows, fleece throwover, shades, air freshener, card holder, ERP cover, wax, car detergent etc. for the car. Man. And boyfriend wants to put some cute stuff on the front dashboard. I'm thinking of something but I can't tell it on my blog. It is NOT going to be stuffed toys for sure.
I really dread going to COMM215 class.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Happy 9 months, baby. You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
Friends can be weird at times. When I say weird, I mean everything from nice to nasty that isn't the innate profile of that person. What happened to D boy? It's always the girls that piss me off and the guys can't do anything about it. First, it was the fat girl at Boat Quay. Now it's some skinny girl who's trying to bite off your head. Whatever happened to the times you came to visit and have a good meal with us? I am so gonna grill you tonight on your birthday, and if you don't give me a good explaination, I won't ask you out for movies anymore. WAHAHAHAHAHA.
Random thoughts. I live with this principle: If you ever did anything to hurt me and you know or you speculated you did, say something, ask, apologise, explain, whatever, just say something. Don't pretend it's nothing or assume that I'm big hearted to overlook your actions. I won't explain myself anymore; I'll just move on.
I decided I don't like Honda Civic anymore. At Stamford Street, bastard car attempted to do a right turn even when the green man was lighted up without any flickering. And didn't even slow down when he saw that I was approaching and still walking hastily. No wonder this bastard tinted all his windows so no one could see him clearly. I have a good feeling the bastard was a guy because girls seldom drive like that and guys are much more impatient. ULTIMATE BEACH BARRIER FUCKER.
I finally bought the Espirit leather bag for boyfriend! He claims he needs it to put his PSP whilst at work. Kuku banana. And it was only $39.90, half its original price when I last saw it! And boo was so nice to share Mummy's Mother's Day present with me! Mummy must be pleased, haha.
I need to get back to work. Got a project meeting 2 hours later. And class another 1 hour after that. The much dreaded class participation. The great thing is that the Professor has decided to cold-call names and won't let anyone else help that person to answer his killer questions because (according to him), he wants to establish a rapport with the student and guide him through the thinking process. SCARY. And I better meddle with my RSS feeds before he asks the class anything about navigation. Ru just got it from him yesterday. But this baby is so smart and the Prof was satisfied!