Event: It's Free Starbucks, But You Gotta Pay

Today, Starbucks was having Christmas Open House and anyone could have any drink on the house. 5 to 7pm. Sounds good? But they're also collecting any contributions to the Salvation Army. I would love to have a warm mug of green tea latte free (especially since the Espresso card doesn't cover it), but I am swearing off any caffeine until my upcoming marathon is over. Thus I wasn't in the mood to contribute anything since well, I don't really want to drink in the first place. And I think that it would just plain suck if you queue up for like, 30mins to an hour for a free drink, then you walk away without giving any contribution. And I think that happened for quite a few outlets.

I would support Starbucks and its causes next time, when I get my pay that is.

By the way, I need to look for ways to increase viewership like seriously.

Food: Vegetarian@E Hub

My friend recommended this small stall/shop called Yummy Green at E Hub (Downtown East) which sells purely vegetarian food. It's mainly japanese themed and I had the tonkatsu cha udon. Nice!

Tech Speak: Chromium OS

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-google-chrome-os-and-run-on-a-real-computer/

Most of you should have heard that Google Chrome OS has been announced. Nothing's confirmed yet, and I have yet to use it too. But I saw some screen shots, and it's quite pretty.

This link contains a guide to boot your PC using Chromium OS, which is still a relatively young project. It seems that the main issue that Chromium may not like your network adapter. Ooh, a new OS with an attitude. I like.

I'll try it soon, then I'll update here.

Ramblings: I ish goot in moi ang moh

chui noe ur engrish makes moi sick? it ish nt impressive at all. if i hv 2 read engrish rike dis, i will faintz wan.

Pardon, I had to refer to some forum to write like that. Not born with such a talent. Gosh, the headache it gives me.

Event: Gym Is In Session

I went to Safra Yishun's Energy One gym on friday with a friend. Yeah it was paid per entry, $5 plus, silly I know, but I just wanted to try it once. Apparently there's quite a number of facilities there.

Upon entering, the lady gave us 2 towels and a key. Actually I thought we looked like complete newbies cause I didn't even know how to tell her that I wanted "per entry" at first. After paying, I went inside, totally not knowing where is the locker and what to do etc. But well we did figure it out. There were a bunch of lockers outside the toilet so we wanted to change into our gear before locking things up. After walking back and forth the one and only toilet which says "for EnergyOne members only", we decided that it's the only toilet and we have to go in either way. Inside, we realised that yeah that was really THE toilet. There were larger lockers which I supposed were meant to put our baggage and the lockers outside were meant for things like water bottles. The shower cubicles and steam room was inside the toilet in another room as well.

For the gym, I did my regular sets, mainly with the dumbbells. There were quite a bit of dumbbells available, ranging from 1kg to 10 kg in intervals of 1kg, as well as 12,14kg dumbbells etc. However I must say that the space for the dumbbells and in between the machines were pretty small. The dumbbells section was like half the size of Sengkang Gym's. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the gym.

Then we decided to head for the pool. For me, I really only wanted to try out the jacuzzi. Surprisingly, there was a warm water jacuzzi right outside the exit of the gym. I really enjoyed it, the temperature is just right, though the jets were a little low for my liking. Too bad, Tsun Wang says its too hot (what nonsense, hot is good), and it has a weird smell. So after a while we went to the normal pool's jacuzzi. The jets were strong, the pool's scenery was good. Unfortunately I was all out of strength by then and couldn't swim no more.

The last part was the steam room. I really thought I will be able to take it, but I was so wrong. The heat wasn't that bad, but breathing in all the steam was intolerable. I threw in the white flag after 5 mins. There was this weird old guy talking to us inside. He asked us where we came from, what were we doing then (like, just ORDed yada yada). So I told him, I was from a SIR unit. And guess what he said?

"真的吗?你不像是个会吃苦的人"

roughly translated to "really? you don't look like someone who can take a tough life"

I went "HUH!?".

Sidetrack, but hello? My unit is not just any SIR unit. I bet you my life was hell and I pulled through just fine. And I didn't eat snakes most of the time, if you know what I mean.

Frankly the steam room was great, though I guess the enjoyment of a steam room has to be cultivated. Anyways then we went out and into the showers. The showers were warm too! There's free soap provided as well.

Overall, Yishun Safra felt a little CMI (cannot-make-it) in terms of appearance but its facilities were decent. Good things I experienced were the warm jacuzzi and the warm shower. Many people may say that it's not worth the money. I guess I won't go there regularly, but a nice treat to jacuzzi once in a while should be good.

Take note though, you only get to use these facilities if you pay for the gym. If you go to the pool only (which is free for Safra members), you only get to use the pool and the cold pool jacuzzi.

Tech Speak: Image Swirl

Google just came out with a beta image search function called the Google Image Swirl. It has a pretty interesting interface. Looks like cool stuff from Google again.

Note: Demo only apparently, not everything can be searched. So far I've tried the Esplanade, lightning, rain (it actually showed a series of Korean or is it Jap artiste Rain's photos as well), and Starcraft II

Sights And Sounds: It's The Flooding Time Of The Year

It's raining. It's been wet. It's Singapore's so called Autumn season. It's irritating.

It's making me wet. Literally.

The bus stop is totally wet...

Look at the water gushing out from the drain

It looks like darkness is consuming the sky...

Brain Storm: Those Words Which Inspire Me

I was ransacking my drawers when I found my Student's Handbook. (like eww, student's handbook? you think you're only 13?) It's kind of like binder and there's a few pages of inspiring stories and the likes. There's this poem thing-y which I really kind of like. I moved it to the back of the handbook so that everyday when I pick it up, it'll remind me not to give up. Kind of cliche but well...

Here goes.

If You Think >>>

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you don't!

If you like to win, but think you can't,

It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lost, you're lost;

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow's will;

It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,

You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger and faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

Tech Speak: Mother Of All WiMo Phones - HD2

HTC HD2 (otherwise known as HTC Leo if I'm not mistaken), will be the new queen of all Windows Mobile phone. Sporting a massive 4.3inch screen, HD2 will be as big as the screen of your PSP. Not only that, HD2 will be sporting the renowned speed demon Qualcomm Snapdragon chip of 1GHz. Below is a video from www.pocketnow.com . Be wow-ed.

Food: Kuishinbo Dinner

When it comes to buffet, nothing beats Kuishinbo. For my ORD celebration with my gang, we decided to give it a good one. Man, in order to eat as much as I can, I even starved myself for 12 hours. I tried to book the table for Saturday on Friday but it was already fully booked, so we had to change it to Sunday.

If you read reviews from www.hungrygowhere.com , you'll realise that most people don't praise it so much. If anything, it's the hokkaido crabs that's worth it. Personally I think there's much more to Kuishinbo than just those, though those are definitely the best. I love the deep fried stuff and sashimi as well. The green tea ice cream taste very much like Starbucks' green tea frap so that'll give me a quick fix on my green tea crave. There's not much of a variety there but hey, everything's decently good, with an amount of above average delicacies around too. If the crabs and these food aren't good enough reasons, then at least Kuishinbo adds some life into dining by having a periodical special and announcing it with their cute "bom bom, 123, we are Kuishinbo~" music. When everyone hears that, they sprint to the counter, to queue up for a special treat that's not usually served. This time we got cheese lobster and iced strawberry with ice cream inside.

Gosh, can't wait to go again. But its a 50 bucks damage to my wallet everytime...

first time i see them serve dorayaki!

that's my favorite soft shell crab

too bad they don't serve mushroom kaminabe today, but I tried beef kaminabe for the first time. didn't try the chicken one though.

Ramblings: Nothing Done

Holy shit. 1 year and 10 months have passed. Then 2 days. Yet not much has been done. I keep yapping at myself to get certain things done, keep telling myself to try certain stuff, but the inner laziness never got down to do them.

I wanted to train more intensively for the marathon by running 10km everyday and more on weekends.

I wanted to pick up japanese from Shaun and Joshua.

I wanted to revise and pick up guitar again from Chi Weng.

I wanted to have more tuition by the time I ORD.

I wanted to start roller blading again.

I wanted to get my resume done up and proper.

I wanted to take out all my wisdom teeth.

I wanted to tidy up my computer content as well as bookmarks.

I wanted to get that Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children jigsaw done.

I wanted to switch back to my original music genre before ORD.

I wanted to revamp my blog to increase view counts.

I wanted to re-do my Google Contacts list so that I can synchronise with my handphone when I get it.

I wanted to watch a lot a lot of movies.

I wanted to pack all my army stuff properly and reorganise my table.

The feeling of laziness plagues me as I have just ORD-ed. You know that feeling? I need to push start my life. Like, soon.

Brain Storm: The Water That Reflects My Body, Mind And Soul (Prologue)

I wonder what my bunk mates are doing now. Have all the people from the other bunk moved over? Are they intending to stay well over the lights out timing again? Are they chattering at my bed area like we always have for so many nights?

After 1 year and 10 months, it has finally ended. Few words can describe this moment. Yet there can never be enough said to understand it. I have ORD-ed. But my friends, they carry on. It might have ended for me, but not so for them. This is a utmost weird feeling. Weird, because I am supposed to be joyous, but I'm not. Weird, because there's a place I want to be, yet I don't want to be. I must say that I am happy. But all of us November ORD signallers, I trust, will say that we aren't as happy as what we want to be, not as happy as what our friends will feel when they ORD. I dare not say ORD is overrated, but I just am not as happy as what everyone say they will.

As I leave the camp, many thoughts fill my mind. I have left a huge part of my life behind. And the greatest impact is to know that they will continue the story, with or without us. When Shang Long and I shouted "ORD LO!!!" at the entrance of 1SIR, it was loud, it was solid, it was happy, but it was hollow. After we left the camp, I felt that I have left something back there. I muttered, "shit i think i left my *** in bunk, wait let me check." Then it was followed by a minute of frantic searching of all our personal belongings. After confirming that we had our stuff, we heaved a sigh of relief. But we both know that the most personal things that we left back there, was the bunk life, were our friends, but we can't go back and retrieve that.

I don't think a single blog post can contain all my reflections and my thoughts. Too many things happened, too many people made an impact in my life. The river had been unrelenting. Now, the water has stopped, the rain has cleared. I shall look into the still water, and retrace back my learning experience.

After giving our hugs to our friends, I quickly told Shang Long to leave the bunk, to head for the civilian world, before I stop and stay, before I do something really embarrassing. I never knew I would have wanted a moment to last a little longer, but I did. I had hope that it will last a while longer, even if it's just a little while longer...

Brain Storm: And Then Freedom...

It's only 8 days from now.

8 days later, I will wake up to find that Chi Weng is no longer beside me, and never will.

8 days later, the first thing I see when I sit up after waking up won't be See Kiat's tiny eyes.

8 days later, I won't have to tolerate noisy nights thanks to Ian anymore.

8 days later, I will be able to walk like a normal human from point to point.

8 days later, I won't have to give a f*** about rank and the likes.

8 days later, nobody will force me to do exercises but myself.

8 days later, I will have to pay for my every meal.

8 days later, I will be able to go for Starbucks every morning.

8 days later, I will no longer hear the lively and cheerful chatter in my bunk.

8 days later, I will no longer have anyone to bitch to, to bitch with.

8 days later, I can blast all my own personal music without having to care about others' taste.

8 days later, I will have internet access everyday.

8 days later, I will have no more beds to prostitute around.

8 days later, my food won't go missing and I won't be robbed of them.

8 days later, I will not have my usual toys (aka Chi Weng, Chee Yong etc) anymore.

8 days later, I will not feel obliged to mop my bunk floor all the time.

8 days later, I do not have to tolerate any weirdness and problematic attitude.

8 days later, I will not have to look at I-just-want-to-beat-them-up faces anymore.

8 days later, I will say goodbye to all my friends who have suffered with me, through thick and thin in these 2 years.

8 days later, I will step out of Mandai Hill Camp, look back, point my middle finger, and never look back again.

8 days later, I will only have memories to keep me company for a long time.

8 days later, I will only have tears to hold back when these times seem precious, if even a little.

8 days later, I will lose everything that I have at that time.

8 days later, I will regain back everything I have lost 2 years ago.

8 days later, I take back my time, my freedom and my pride.

8 days later, I ORD.

Brain Storm: We Are Mortals

A long time ago, I talked about dying with Chi Weng. He was sharing some of his experiences and feelings. We talked about how mortal we really are, where we would go to after we die. Many people say that we only have one life, live it well. We've also heard that we plan our lives and we determine how we live. Yet, these words are such a mockery, because life is so fragile. There's this guy in my company. He just passed away. Motorcycle accident. He's gone now. I just booked out yesterday and within 12 hours, someone told that he has passed away. I didn't know him well but he didn't deserve to die. Nobody does. He wasn't informed. No one told him he was going to.

If you look around you, think about your surroundings, you can truly feel how mortal we are. It's like when we are crossing the road, someone didn't see you and didn't brake in time. It hits and you're gone, it wasn't your fault, but still, you're gone. It's like when you jaywalk across the road, you slipped and fell, the car hits you, it's nobody's fault, but still you're gone. How can we not appreciate every minute?

天有不测风云,人有旦夕祸福.

It means the skies have unpredictable weather, just as humans have unpredictable accidents.

Frankly, many accidents can be avoided. The above examples plainly means you are suay. But after realising how mortal one is, won't you put in more effort to live?

Slice Of Life: Walking In Orchard On A Beautiful Monday Morning

2 weeks ago, I went for a movie (The Surrogates, nice btw) with my pals. That's cool, but here's the catch, it was on a Monday. Now, that's hot.

In the same week, I went shopping for Portable Media Player (PMP) with Tsun Wang. Likewise, it was on a weekday, a Wednesday.

Last week, I went karaoke-ing with my platoon mates on a Monday. That Tuesday I went Yum Cha Buffet with my pals, then a movie (500 Days Of Summer).

Yesterday (a Monday), I went for an evening 5km run. Moments ago, I went to the gym.

These are all signs of something coming. Something big. Something call ORD.

Ramblings: ORD A Woe

Lately, I've seen a couple of people writing down their thoughts on ORD. Be afraid, for their posts are largely about how ORD is a saddening thing. No, they do not have the guts to write that they don't want to ORD, cause it's a widely accepted fact that every single mother's son wants to ORD. But it's still a fact that they are depressed, in some ways, that ORD is coming. Some are worried about the change in way of life, most are more concerned with the tight friendships forged in these 2 years. They're thinking that "life had sucked but with you great pals around, see you guys all day makes my day though people call me f***ing gay shit, but I'll still hate to not live around you anymore". Something like that.

Actually, I think it is true for most people, stay in personnels I mean, to feel some sadness. Whether it's due to uncertainties or depression due to not having bedside f*** buddies anymore, I think it's valid, though some people do express it albeit too aggressively and emotionally. I can't say I won't feel overwhelming sadness or that I won't be too emotional, but the thing is... There's still 20 days, and they wrote those stuff when there's still 30 plus days. A bit more endurance and patience shouldn't hurt, you know?

ORD posting is up and coming...

Ramblings: 101 Things I Dislike About Communal Living

1) Having to tolerate smokers (i absolutely hate the act of smoking and whoever does it)

2) People singing, especially when they have their earpiece on and becomes oblivious to everything around them

3) People who have absolutely low EQ

4) People with retarded smiles/faces/expressions or whatever you call those things

5) Thieves

6) Sharing toilets with people who have no sense of hygiene

7) People who walk around with less than enough clothes that causes eye sores

8) People who spill stuff or dirty the table and don't clean up after themselves

9) People not contributing to the area cleanliness

10) Liars, especially big, fat, utterly ridiculous liars who think their tall tales are actually even a tiny bit believable

11) People whom think they are likable

12) Egoistic people who think they are always right and want things done their way

13) People using phones late into the night, talking loudly, disturbing my precious sleep

14) People playing games late into the night

15) How easily my stuff gets dusty as the fan is switched on almost every single minute

16) How cram the table is due to sharing

17) Being unable to do my own decorations around the entire area

18) Not able to blast my favourite music

19) People slamming the door all the time (so barbaric)

20) People not closing the door after themselves (uncivilised)

21) People who borrow stuff from me without asking

22) People who don't return things after borrowing

23) Absolutely disgraceful mandarin speaking

24) People who vent their anger on me (ok, I'm guilty of this too)

25) Annoying sh*ts who repeat every sentence I say

26) Greedy pigs who ask for food from me all the time

27) People doing distracting things which diverts my attention from whatever I'm doing (imagine a couple next door banging, gosh)

28) Cold water for showering (for my community at least)

29) People who spit on the floor. Totally gross

30) Lack of privacy in whatever I do

31) People flocking to my room/bed without invitation

32) People sleeping on my bed when I'm not around

33) People sharing my lock password

34) Not being able to be as messy as I would like to be

*To Be Continued

Brain Storm: Psst! That Guy's A Freak, Actually I Think You Are Too

I went for a mini gathering with a bunch of guys just now. At first a even smaller group met up for lunch. Seriously, guys gossip too, they just prefer to call it discuss, and that's what we did. We discussed about a couple of people in our circle, how weird they are, how disgusting they are or how great they are. It's not necessarily have to be about bad things when we discuss about stuff. Then we met up with more guys, we discuss about the same people, with more content and input, or we change the discussion, especially if we were talking about those people.

See, its always the same. I had the same experience a long time ago, all the way until present time. A talks to me about B, how B sucks and how she totally hates B. B talks to me about A, how A is pretentious and how he despises A. B doesn't know that A discusses about him with me, and I don't let both sides know. Then along comes C and she tells me that she's totally disgusted with both A and B. The worst part isn't what to say, since I'm friends to all of them. The worst part is having to wonder if A talks to C about how I really suck and if C discusses with B about how disgusting I am and how B tells both of them that I am totally pretentious.

I have people coming up to me and tell me that I am a arrogant piece of thing and my ah-beng-ness and egoism needs to be dealt with. But I'll never know if they say more than that right? Like once, I had a trusty friend who told me that this group of people were discussing about what an emotional person I was. I can't tell whether that's a normal gossip or a malicious discussion, not that I really care. And maybe they're saying how they can't stand how short I am. Now that will really get me worried.

Brain Storm: Time, It Will Not Wait

Did you see that guy? He's fit, he can run very fast, he has a cheerful attitude, he's smart, and he can play the violin. God knows what other talents does he have.

There's this other guy, handsome, bulging muscles, tall, extremely intelligent, knows a lot of musical instruments etc.

Yeah I made up the second guy but don't you think such people exist and sometimes we just happen to walk past somebody who seems to know a lot of things, do a lot of things or have a lot of assets. Everyone's given 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, yet some people have accomplished much more than the others, it just makes me wonder what went wrong and what have I not done.

As I advance towards ORD, I ask myself, how did I spend my time all these years? How come these people know how to play guitar but I don't? How come these people can speak japanese but I can't? How come these people know so much current affairs but I know none? How did all those freaks get gold for their IPPT, where did my training go? How come those people give so much tuition that they're rich but now I'm struggling with my finances? How come some people have so many things to do, they never seem to be at home when I am?

Where did my time go?

Tech Speak: Googling Videos

Below are 3 videos from Google I just viewed which I find interesting. The first one is about love for Gmail. Google asked everyone to chipped in a bit of video, anything as long as it includes the picture of the Gmail logo. The final product is the combination of them all and I must say its quite nice. I'm so disappointed that I didn't see this advertisement if not I would so make a good one. Anyways that said, if anyone of you is still using hotmail or whatever gibberish-y thingy, it's a good time to change. The reason why is shown in a Google Theatre video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBbmiQhuAhU . I know there have been reports of Gmail having downtime. But don't fret such small things, the gibberish-y stuff are far worse.

The second video is about the prowess of Google Docs. I don't use them so much personally, since I'm still not working but I have quite a number of documents uploaded to Google Docs. The ease of using and sharing documents is shown in this funny and lovey dovey video.

The third video is about Google Wave. It's the next big thing, which I believe has the potential to eliminate emails. Imagine a group of friends working on a document at the same time, on different computers. Real time, mind you. You will be able to see changes made to the document real time, and if you're not around, you can play-back changes made to the document by your friends. Its still in invited beta now, and I'm disappointed that I ain't religious to Google enough to get invited. But oh well, do watch the video. It's really awesome. Enough said.

Ramblings: Where Did The 12km Go?

Okay, so now I think it was a waste, it was a pity. That I did not complete it. I should have tried harder, I should have ignored the 2 pieces of shit beside me. I should have, I could have.

Imagine 2 pieces of shit walking beside you the whole time, all eager to abandon you, yet "cheering" you up by saying that you are not putting in enough effort, how motivated would one be? Physical huddles aside, those can be endured, there's only the mind. Constant yap yap yap of negative (and vomit inducing) voices just puts one off.

At the end, look at how many people succeeded. They were stronger, fitter. I was shorter, weaker. But I could have. It was only 12km more.

What a waste, damn it.

Ramblings: Your Language Is Denied

Ever since the Miss Singapore World incident, I'm becoming more conscious about others' English usage. This is a Rambling post cause I only have one thing to complain.

There's this guy in my company, he's told to give a talk about some thing-y. He messed up his pronunciation, grammar and thinks that the Sun gives off sun energy. Now that's really something, considering that he's from a decent, or rather, a very ang moh junior college. So I had this debate with a friend of mine. I said there's no way he's from science faculty since he thinks there's some imaginary sun energy. But my friend says there's no way he's from arts faculty since he can speak no sh*t. Which faculty do you think he's from?

P.S. This is only one example from my company, there's plenty more, like how this guy who asked me "what is et cetera?" and i was totally stumped. For one, i never thought of what etc is since its so commonly used. Et cetera is just.. etc. Anyways this is getting to me, and it's also getting me worried about my own command of English.

Youtube: Taylor Interrupted

Oh man, the poor girl. I don't blame her for being speechless after that. It's her big night and someone has to come and ruin it.

Brain Storm: The Singaporean Language

If you had read the papers recently, you would have noticed the big hoo-hah about Ms Ris Low's ang moh. The chairman of the Speak Good English movement spoke up for her, saying that we don't have the right to insult/reprimand her, since most Singaporeans speak like that too.

"my bigini goes boomz" "leopard preens" "i'm studying still"

The chairman says that he hear such sentences in conversations on trains/buses etc, but frankly, I wonder which trains/buses he took. I don't really hear so much of these on the streets from Singaporeans. Sure, I guess sentences such as "i'm studying still" do pop up every so often, but I must say that most of us youngsters can speak rather fluent English. If you watched the video, you would realise that her speech is choppy, and her pronunciation is flawed. Even though she was speaking Singlish, she had to think for a while before finishing her sentences. It's like she had to process the flawed language in her head first. Isn't that really bad?

The comments for the video are many, and very few spoke up for her. It's true that most of the comments made are written in Singlish themselves (after all, how many of us would put in effort to write in perfect English on forums). However I do think that their points are valid. For the few who spoke up for her, their argument are mainly similar - they all refer back to the words of the chairman. Now, if there is only one reason why I do not watch locally produced movies (mostly produced by the same person, you know who), it is because of how they all portray Singaporean's pride in our culture, one of which includes the usage of Singlish. I am totally disgusted (not just only in Singlish of course). To keep up with the world, it is only natural that we use the language in its correct form. Having our own identity is good and all, but feeling proud about how we changed someone else's language into some weird and awful sounding "thingy" is not. We can't not fault her just because she speaks like our typical Singaporean.

Fine, how about we assume that most Singaporeans do speak Singlish (and oh at least they speak confident and fluent Singlish, not that spluttering speech she gave, i can find aunties and uncles in television interviews who are more confident than her). I think we should start remembering why we started the Speak Good English Movement. Ms Low's position is one which presents her as a role model. Is it too demanding for us to want a role model who speaks good English, or at least good enough for than the masses to look up to? With such a response to support Ms Low in the mass media, Singaporean youths would think that it is okay to speak Singlish since "Ms Ris Low speaks like that and people on the papers say that we all speak like that anyway".

As Miss Singapore World, she will soon be participating in the contest in South Africa. She will be representing Singapore. With such poor command of the language and such confidence and attitude, it will not put Singapore in good light. Can't we have some expectations of someone we are sending to represent Singapore?

Brain Storm: Discrimination For The Shorts

I can't really stand discrimination, especially when I am part of it. I don't really understand the relationship between "short" and "run so fast" when this old f*ggot from my workplace spotted one short guy running pretty fast at a race and said "wah short guy can run so fast".

Hello?! Are you so old you're senile? Short guys can be fast and even I am faster than you, you old faggot. Oops, now I am discriminating against old people and old f*ggots. Then again you deserve it.

Event: Another Milestone In Life

I just came back from Benjamin's 21st Birthday chalet. Its kinda the first one I've ever attended, though I've heard much about the hoohah about 21st birthdays. I guess it is indeed much bigger than the small birthday celebrations I always have with my friends. Afterall, my birthday is supposed to be in fact, just another day. But well, I guess 21st is different afterall. The song singing was cool, cause they rubbed whip cream on Benjamin. Lol, I wasn't part of the fun as I was the cameraman, as usual. During the fun I also saw the brotherly love Benjamin have when he hugged his brother. So sweet. Lol.

The birthday marks the end of a year and the coming of another. It signifies growth in a way so I supposed it should be important. So well done, Ben, for being a year older than me finally. Happy birthday~

Btw the sashimi was really good!!!

Ramblings: Unfair Fairness

If only there could be fairness in this world. But yet, the ideal is not to be, for there is no such thing.

For if there is fairness, I would be as tall as Yong Soon or Eugene.

For if there is fairness, I would be as smart as Leonard or Joshua.

For if there is fairness, I would have as smooth a skin as Chee Yong.

For if there is fairness, I would be able to run as fast as Shaggy.

For if there is fairness, I would be willing to eat as much vegetables as Shang Long.

For if there is fairness, I would be as rich as Wesley.

For if there is fairness, I would have as many offs/leaves as Jed.

For if there is fairness, I would be in 2SIG and not my current unit.

For if there is fairness, I would not be treated like a f$%^ing recruit now, 60 days from my ORD.


There is a limit to everything, my dear brainless friends. There can never be such fairness in life, in reality. You are delusional. That's why you are trapped in that disgusting hell. You won't survive in the society outside, mark my words. To seek for fairness is the folly for all men. Retreat and let things go as it should. Crave not for fame unneeded. Demand for equality unrealistic. There is no glory, there is no honor.


There is no fairness, but there is karma. You just watch.

Sights And Sounds: Movie (The Proposal)

It's been some time since I caught a movie. (actually more like its been a long time before I caught a movie before G.I. Joe.).

Anyways The Proposal is a darn nice movie. Its funny, but I actually looked at it at a very romance-movie point of view as well. It's not well balanced, as in the romance part wasnt very complete but still nice nonetheless.

Brain Storm: Connecting Back To Our Youth

It was more than just a dinner. From 7pm till 11pm, we chatted non stop. There was just so much to talk about, so much to remember. And at the end of every single topic we came up with, we ended with things like "we've grown up" and "man, that was the past, we're so old now".


We're only 20 years old and we've got so much memories. Although it's true that its partially due to 1) I was the only guy with 2 girls and 2) we havnt met for a long time, but just seeing each other reminded us so much of the past. Stupid things, funny stuff, little details we never thought we would remember. But we also realised how much we have forgotten.


I always remember the fact that memories may mislead us. So I guess a good gathering like this would definitely do once in a while, to refresh our memories while its still not too stale. The bad after effect is the oldness I feel in me. Wow, once again teenhood seems like a long time ago.

Brain Storm: Unchanging Proven

Just an add on. Really, some things don't change.


My secondary school friend met my primary school friend the other day.

Primary School Friend: "So how is Wen Qin?"
Secondary School Friend: "Hmm, very arrogant lor!"
Primary School Friend: "So he's still like that ah..."

Brain Storm: Unchanging

One of the lessons that life taught me is that everyone changes, like it or not, at some part of their life. Sometimes even after teenhood (gosh I'm like so old, teenhood seems like a long time ago).

Anyways lately I did a radical (radical to me, that is) change to my appearance. When I appeared before my campmates, friends of a year, they exclaimed out loud stuff like "why did you do this?" and "you look so -censored- now!". However, when I met my secondary school friends of 6,7 years, they didnt comment at all. I was, well half disappointed, its like they didnt notice at all. Yesterday when I met my campmates again, they commented that when they see certain shops like "77th Street", they will go like "this is such a wen-qin-shop". Apparently even though they were surprised that I underwent the radical change, it was still a change thats very me.


So I guess to my old friends, some things never change.

Event: Intense Battle!

Have you ever played War before? I recently took part in one, albeit reluctantly.


At one point, I was up on the 4th level of an empty building. It was urban warfare. We've secured the area, prepared our defenses. But our enemies were soaring in spirit and morale, they were unstoppable. When all seemed bleak, I locked myself in a room. In the less than 30mins that seems mere 5mins, enemies were at my doorstop. They kicked, banged and tried to barged in. I cocked my rifle, ever so intense, ever so ready.







I'm not here to fight it, I'm not here to win it, I'm here to survive it, I'm here to live through it. And so I did. I can only pray for peace thereafter. Please.

Brain Storm: Love Is In The Air... Or Not?

3 days ago, I went for a drink with my friends, and the main topic of the day was love and relationship, our approaches and mindset towards them etc.


Halfway through the discussion, I heard "blah blah blah.. purist romantic, like wenqin".

"Did someone just mention my name? What did you just call me?"


So I've just been labelled a purist romantic, but not that it's wrong.




We talked about a few stuff, like how we know we fell in love especially if some of us fall in and out of love so easily, and whats our approach towards it, and girl's mentality of love and the ladder theory. I find that the ladder theory is especially interesting since it's totally opposing the mindset of a purist romantic like me.

The ladder theory states that a guy has 1 ladder whereas a girl has 2. A guy looks at a girl as a friend first, then as a good friend, best friend, girlfriend, wife, slowly climbing up the ladder. As for a girl, she categorize her friends into 2 groups, friends and potential companions. Once placed on a ladder, it is unlikely for a friend to become a potential companion.

Pardon my lack of experience and knowledge, but dont most dramas depict that a crossover is possible? That has better be true if not I'm doomed like the facebook quiz that says I am. Lol. Love is a sensitive topic, so I shall leave it at that, until I finish reading "Why We Love" by Helen Fisher recommended by Li Yue at least.

Tech Speak: I'm A Hero

I'm so in love with it.

Ramblings: Facebook Woe

Now thats the big big problem with Facebook. Someone adds you. You know that person. No you dont like him/her.

Just ignore, big deal.

Then again I dont think it will amount to much effect, so I'll just add.

If I dont add him/her, he will keep pestering me with requests. (i bet he just anyhow click on the "recommended friends" page)

If I dont add him/her as a friend now, he/she may ask me about it during work or it's highly likely that I'll see him/her in the future at school/work.

These are the few possible thought processes that one would have when someone puts a request and you go "eew". Then there's another group of people who were okay at first, but someone the stars went of out alignment and you think you're starting to hate his/her profile picture and whatever he/she tends to write on his/her facebook.

Believe me, I've been through all the above cases and trust me when I say, I'm not into numbers. I do not go around clicking on recommended friends.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to find out how to put a filter to filter OUT updates of people whom I do not want to see at my Facebook home page. This is but just one woe out of the many.

Oh no, your face is ugly! Argh its making me squirm with disgust. My psychic block isnt working. It's much too ugly! Damn... Argh, must.. find out how.. to block... your.... up.. dates...........

Sights And Sounds: Pierced

Yesterday I saw this cool looking ear stud at Topman. It has a black jewel engraved on it, just the kind I want. But alas, I do not have an earhole yet. Fret not, it will be soon.

This reminds me, a couple of months ago, I was gyming at Sengkang Clubfit gym when I noticed this guy wearing Temasek PE shorts. When I looked into the mirror, I happened to see that his ear stud was on his right ear. As we all know, left is right, right is wrong. So I thought he might have pierced both sides (that makes one bisexual? lol). Then to my surprise, he has only one earhole. After a good 15mins or so, to my surprise again, my stupidity had made me fail to notice that his earhole appeared to be on the right ear as it was reflected through a mirror. It was all along on his left. Tsk.

Food: Soup Spoon

The lunch at Soup Spoon yesterday was fantastic. I didnt expect a "Soup meal" to be so freaking filling. Its healthy, its filling, its not too expensive, there's variety, what more can you ask for?

Food: Durian Buffet

On 28/6/09, a few of my friends and I went to Carlton Hotel's Durian Themed Buffet. "with 10 different types of durian desserts", so says the review. And boy, I was not disappointed at all. At first I thought its easy to become sick of eating so much durian. But the variety was good. Though the actual buffet was quite toned down, it didnt matter since I attacked the dessert most of the time anyways. The shackled Red Prawn durians were really good too. Bitter and sweet at the same time. It's a pity that I forgot to starve myself the day before. The creamy and irresistible durian cake didnt help either. We were all full before we wanted to be. Nonetheless, it was an extremely good deal, considering its a eat-all-you-want high class durian buffet at only $45++. There's a dessert-only variant which cost $18.90. Its quite worth it too but too bad it doesnt have the shackled durians.

Big big durian, wish I can shackle it and eat from within.

Look at all the Red Prawn Durians!

Durian ice cream, one of my favorites

Durian waffle, durian chocolate cake, durian kueh, durian puffs, durian cake, durian pancakes... all dipped into a cup of durian mixed flesh

Sights And Sounds: Red Eyes

Just a while ago, I was at Compass Point doing some shopping. I saw a guy with red eyes. Must be red eye contacts. I don't think he was wearing anything too eye catching cause thats the only thing I noticed as i walked past him.

Pretty cool I must say. Kinda reminds me of Hatake Kakashi's Sharingan (Naruto) and Allen Walker's cursed eye (D Grey Man)

Ramblings: Twisted Logic

There are too many different types of people in this world. And I am not hoping to be always near likable people (to me). When personalities clash, I always tell myself to control, understand and ignore. Thats the new me nowadays, as opposed to the childish and extremely temperamental personality I had a few years back. Indeed I understand that my personality is a little on the extreme side and I have my numerous flaws.


When a being of weirdness and erm, just weirdness appears, I control, understand and ignore. Though most of the time I find that I cannot control, I cannot understand, and I cannot ignore. So in this situation comes my noise isolating ear piece. Literally noise isolating.

But alas, my ear piece cannot be my absolute solution. For twisted-ness and egoism seek me and annoys the crap out of me. The lack of logic from any sort of human being, be it a older fat crap, a mutated same-age, or a younger male bitch, get on my nerves, make me flare, trigger my explosion.


Spare me, please. If you're not strong enough to repel me with your unlike poles, don't rub against me to create sparks. I ignore you and I don't use my annoying style on you directly, so I EXPECT YOU TO DO THE SAME TO ME, UNDERSTOOD!?

Youtube: 撑腰

Youtube: You Belong With Me

Items: Wild Cherry

Anyone will feel like eating me after I use it.

Event: My Beer And I

It was a beautiful friday night...

My friends and I went for a dinner at Heeren Shokudo as there were some 1 for 1 AND another 15% off for UOB card holders. So we ended up paying around 6 or 7 bucks each for our dinner. Then we went to Raffles City to get my Lotus Original Caramelised Biscuit from The Market Place (featured in Urban). Instead of chilling out at my favourite place aka THE Starbucks, they chose to chill out with liquor. At first the idea was good. Since I don't really like or drink much liquor, my friends recommend that I try Long Island Tea as its sweet.

As we went around finding bars, we realised we're either underaged (need to be bloody 21yo), or underdressed (thanks to a certain someone wearing berms). Then we walked past a few other bars and they took interest in this German bar which only sells beer. So we went in. Big mistake.

I did see a few liquor. But I acted like a hero, attempted to get rid of my hatred of beer since 5yo (due to a trick played by my dad), I tried this German Weissbier mix with Banana Juice, much to the horrors of my friends. It says there it was sweet, so i guess i would like it. Well, I didn't. And I dislike it so much that I didn't want to finish it. So my friends threatened, "either you finish it or you pay for all our drinks." So its either 10 bucks to finish something I don't like, or 40 plus bucks to not finish it. Not hard to guess which one i chose.

So I paid twice as much as my dinner to drink something I don't like, threatened to pay 8 times of my dinner to not drink something I don't like, listen to my drunk friends spouting nonsense about me getting girlfriends and got my post on this incident on fmylife.com rejected. FML.

First beer, last beer.

Random: What Army Did To Me

I had always been a vulgar person since i entered the army. But i really thought that was confined within the walls of my bunk. Until today, when i told some people to leave the room, my friends feedback that i was rude towards them. Boy, i didnt notice that.

Oh wait, i was in my bunk when i told them that. Thats why. Lol.

Random: My Watch And Me

I forgot to bring my watch to camp last week. So for an entire week, i was without my watch, I was stripped of my character as the Watchman.

Who watched the Watchman last week?

No one...

But seriously, I'm a watchman. I get frustrated if I cant tell the time immediately.

Random: 10 Reasons Why I Am The Ideal Husband

Recently, my bunk mates said that I am a good house husband. Here's why.

1) Good and willing to do housework. Won't spare a speck of dust.

2) Spend time and effort to spice up the house.

3) Listens to girls' never ending talking

4) Likes to gossip

5) Huge biceps and martial arts skills makes anyone feel safe

6) Knows how to cook

7) Spends quality time

8) Romantic (Pisces' personality)

9) Supposed to last at least 60 mins on bed (according to a Facebook quiz)

10) Rich (soon enough)

Random: I Fell Down

Literally fell down, thats what i meant. I went to HQ 2PDF's camp the other day. We walked past this monkey bar and my hands were itchy. So i ran and jumped to attempt to grab the bar. Guess what. I barely touched the bar, fell, and landed hilarously on my ass. It was so comical that my friends laughed.

Woes of being short...

Senseless Stuff: Proof That I Grew Up

When I was 14, I rate malls and plazas according to whether they have an arcade or not.

"eeee this mall dont have arcade. we're not coming here anymore," I tell my friends.

Now that I'm 20, I say

"eeee this mall doesnt have Starbucks, we're not coming here anymore."

Event: Long Time No See

I saw Zuli 2 weeks ago on friday on my way to Sim Lim Square. I brushed past her, barely noticing that the beatiful nurse right beside me was her. I practically shouted at her just when she was walking beside me. We spent a good 90 mins talking at the side of the gates at the passenger service area. Talk about good, old times. That made me realise that I really miss my long lost good friends.

A few weeks ago, Xinmin Sec had her Homecoming Day. It was home coming indeed when i headed back to school. It didnt really feel right to go back since there wasnt really much to do. I used to go back with hope of seeing old friends. But as the years pass, I dont even bother looking for them anymore.

Its long time no see, but apart from the really very close friends from last time, it looks like i'm going into a state of "it doesnt matter anyway" kind of state. Tsk tsk.