for HE always KNOWS

for HE always KNOWS since he was the one who planned it all.....

Brian & Kel are friends whom I got to know through Kim around 6 months ago but I am glad that we click instantly. For Brian, we are both hard-core ManU fanatics so not much more is needed to be said as to why we connect. For Kel, it was definitely the Japan trip that fostered the bond for the many joy and laughter that followed.

We had a small CNY gathering at Brian's house just hours ago, together with another friend of the two boys. The thing I like about us youths is you are always open to getting to know new friends. Though Kim & I do not know Brian & Kel's friend, we just mingle and had "totz" lots of fun. It was Wii followed by Monopoly in the card fashion. :)) Simply awesome.!

Through the gathering, I found out more about myself and also the rest. Basically, Kim excels in the Wii games that requires a lot of coordination and also practice. Kel & me suck at Wii games but we excel at gambling and card games per se. It just suddenly struck to me that the devil lives in me once again. That I really pick up anything related to gambling, cards, etc. in split seconds. Like I learn how to play 13-Ki, Texas Holdem Poker, etc after someone went through it once with me. Another good example would be me watching the tv aboard the cruise trip 4 years ago together with Jan, Omma, Lionel, & I and learning Bacarat from the tv. Also, I was totally unaware of the rules of the "Banker-Player" game but all it took was for me to observe people in the casino in Genting once and subsequently in Australia and I kinda mastered all.

Moving on to the topic of friends. There are certain things in life that do not require deliberate attempts to make it better. And I believe it is especially so for friends. Some people try very hard to win friends over or make friends with certain people. They give in, compromise, accommodate, and please others as much as they can, stretching their own mental tolerance. Eventually, they end up with nothing but just dissatisfaction with themselves and the others. Over the years, I have learnt that sometimes tries can be unfruitful. So I stopped doing that ever since the day I stepped into the Polytechnic.

If that someone is meant to be your friend, good friend, best friend, etc. he or she will be and always will be. Just like how I can be acquainted with Omma, Jan, & JY and eventually becoming buddies. And for all the stupid things that we have done to be acquainted with XMM, Toshio, etc. were simply fruitless. In NUS, I couldn't motivate myself to make new friends and all the friends that I have made came to me naturally. They are all people who walked into my life unexpectedly.

WaiTeng, a casual neighbour in my hall who eventually became my tennis buddy, lunch buddy, and a possible future travel companion.

Pauline, an acquaintance in a Math module, who eventually became my Econs buddy and confidante.

Monica, my exchange room-mate, who eventually became my regular lecture buddy and encourage me all the time while I was doing my thesis.

Kim, exchange mate, who is one of the few whom I can share about everything in my life and my NIE-buddy to be.

Kel & Brian, who are random project group mates but are future colleagues and soccer buddy respectively.

And for all these friendships, I did nothing to earn them. It was God's gift to me. :))

People like Shawn & Linken whom I have only known for 3 weeks while in Yuhua Secondary, people unaware of how we met would totally have the impression that we have been best friends since our previous lives. We feel comfortable introducing our own friends and family members to each other. Seriously, how many of your friends do you actually introduce to your family members?

When I look back, I think of the many others (I will not name names here) whom I fought so hard to maintain the friendship but failed. I really question myself, "Why did I bother to try in the first place?"

Tonight was such an awesome gathering and I cannot find any reason to not blog about it. :))

Random conversation on bags

My mom and I were having a random conversation over the no. of bags I've bought over the years. Now, I can say that I will not buy bags as frequently as I used to. All the dollars spent on the numerous bags that I have bought is sufficient to buy me my current one I think!

Somehow not looking at bags, with the exception of LV ones, is a sub-conscious behaviour of mine. LOL! I'm contented with owning 2 LV bags, one for work and the other for casual use. Everything was deja vu of the wallet conversation 4 years ago that in the next decade, I'll not buy another wallet. Indeed, I haven't been browsing for wallets ever since I bought my very first LV one. I guess it's a simple logic..

That if you are contented with what you have, you wouldn't be in search for a better one. Cause the one you have right now is already the best that you can have.

It should apply to other things in life too, the immaterial wants. :))

CNY

Chinese New Year is the time to ......

Take a break from work,
Take a break from school,
Take a break from the hectic schedule that we are all subjected to,
Take a break from isolation,

But it is also the time to .......

Take a break from sleep,
Take a break from being healthy (drinking alcohol, soft drinks, eating all the goodies),
Take a break from the Computer, laptop, or internet,
Take a break from hogging the tv for regular dramas,

What a great occasion CHINESE NEW YEAR IS!

DL

In my final semester of study, I thought all was gone and passe for me.

Never did I expect to see my name back on that sacred list which others felt is Mission Impossible. I was totally caught in surprise. Nevertheless, I am really really glad that I made it back again! :))

RF

Goodbye 15. The 2010 season begins with salute to the unquestionable. Congratulations, Roger federer, on grand slam no. 16, a stunning fourth australian open and taking tennis history further than it's ever been.

-RF-

If I could relive my life again.....

The J1 Orientation and Touch Rugby training today left me scrambling for memories, Memories that should have been precious, vivid, and countless yet I felt empty after the whole event.

First let's talk about touch. I wonder if I ever mentioned this in my blog but anyway, no harm reiterating the point again. (Being a teacher really makes one naggy.) I have always wanted to be part of a competitive sports team. It need not be Netball, instead it could be anything else like Badminton, Tennis, Volleyball, etc. I never fulfilled that dream of mine. Back in Secondary school, I was invited to join the newly set-up Badminton team but all it took was one statement from the coach to deter me from being a member - performing 100 push-ups during every training session.

Then when I finally went to the Polytechnic and had plentiful of chances to compete in a sports, I quit when I couldn't get into IVP Netball team on my first attempt. However, that definitely was not the main reason why I left. Rather, it was the lack of companionship that saw me drifting away from training blah blah blah.

So when I saw the girls training today, I realise how much of a loser and quitter I am.!

Second, it's orientation camp! Since young, I have never been a big fan of camps and orientation. I cannot decipher if that aversion was acquired or in-borne though. My first camp was in Primary 5 and it was definitely a BAD BAD BAD experience. I was a transferee so I had little friends to begin with back then. In a camp, the bond is a miraculous power that motivates campers and leaders alike. If you have a close bond with your fellow campers, I am pretty sure you will leave the camp lingering for more. Unfortunately, I left the camp dejected and disdained any future alike activities. Basically, the lesson I took home from that camp was - CAMPING SUCKS!

However, when I look back at those days now, I realise that all it take was just a little more tolerance to tide me through the adjustment phase and yet I was defeated by my own lack of mental tolerance. It is only now, after I quit being a student, then I discover that I would have loved to be an active camper. I love all the bonding activities that take place in camps, the singing and cheering sessions, etc. but I missed out all the fun owing to a convenient excuse - I don't wish to go because I have no companion. You reap what you sow. So now, I have no memories to take home with me either. :))

I know I can't turn back time and I must have gained something in return of giving up camping.

325 post.

That's the tally for the number of posts that I have penned over the past 2 years.

Lately, I find myself questioning my own beliefs and values. Time immemorial do I recall myself doing that. It seems like I have found my footing in life and never have I been so clear of my path and directions. However, it just takes a few comments and statements to cast aside whatever that I held true to.

The Europa experience definitely gave me a new outlook of life and brand new perspectives globally and domestically. To make a judgment call as to Europe made me discover my inner-self or transform me into someone who merely daubs on an Asian appearance, I simply can't.

Back in Europe, I had the liberty to voice out my wants and opinions freely to the extent that I felt myself overdoing things. Now that I am back in Asia, I try so hard to keep myself in check and struggle with containing my own views. Neither am I trying to be critical of people or whatever that they are doing nor am I actually enjoying being placed under scrutiny whenever I vocalize my thoughts. I just felt everyone should be heard when necessary and appropriate. Anyway, how do you DEFINE "APPROPRIATE?"

A norm will always be a norm. When everyone voices out like you do, you appear normal. But when you are the odd soul who verbalizes your thoughts while everyone else has their mouths shut up, you are seen as ABNORMAL. I swear that I hate to whine, hate to complain, hate to make comparisons yet I am engaging in all these things that I hate to my inner core. I am simply whining too much these days, and sometimes I really wish I can play ignorance as a card in this game and jet off to faraway land. I don't exactly enjoy whatever that's being scaffolded right now and my active participation is indeed ironic! Whenever I have opinions about something, I find it hard to contain to myself. I simply need to relate it someone else and honestly, I hate myself for being the me that I am. The art of silence is one I have yet to master, to keep the long story short.

I really wish I had some insights into why I am in this shit. I definitely didn't sign up for all these shit!

The presence of some people unquestionably added bitter icing on this rotten cake. The day I got the phone call 9 months ago was an omen of the things to come today. But what did I do about it or rather what could I have done about it?

Pretentious is the thing I can't tolerate yet having a heart of gold is something I hold in high regard.

Having found the pundit of your life, and of who you are is a fortunate thing. I am glad I found at least two in my life, one 7 years back in a small little restaurant by the name Ben, and the 4.5 years ago in a reputable public accounting firm by the name Augustine. :)) I need to learn to be contented. :))

Take Me Home United Road

2 Sweet Victories over the weekend, Federer + ManUnited.

Sunday was a full day of Sports action!

ManU beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to sit comfortably in 2nd place, and a point behind the leaders Chelsea. It will be really nice to be able to win the Premier League for 4 seasons in a row, ain't it?

Last weekend, I caught a match with Brian @ the ManU Cafe @ Boat Quay. It was a really joyous occasion as we upset Hull City at home 0-4 and Rooney scored all 4 of the goals. All of us there were singing right to the tune and beat of "Take Me Home United Road" outside the bar at 1 a.m. I never foresee myself doing that in Singapore at least. It is common per se in United though. :))

This is my favourite chant among all the United Songs, much more than Glory Man United. I had picked it up when I went to Old Trafford almost 2 years ago. The chant is actually being sung to the tune of Take Me Home Country Road by John Denver. I am missing the Old Trafford pitch, missing the chanting and rowdy fans around me, missing the game, missing Europe.

Two versions, first for the upbeat lads like me who love a faster tempo and the second goes the ballad style.

The full lyrics go like this but at matches, we usually chant to Chorus I only:

Verse A:

I was born to be United,

Daddy told me, when I was just a baby;

When I was five, I went down Warwick Road;

Now I'm addicted to the only place I'll go

Chorus I

Take me home,

United Road,

To the place I belong,

To Old Trafford,

To see United,

Take me home, United Road

Verse II

All my memories,

Bobby Charlton,

Georgie Best and Cantona,

They came to us from heaven;

And at the Nou Camp in 1999,

On Matt Busby's birthday,

Oh it was party time

Chorus

I watch the Reds,

I feel the noise,

The crowd is roaring;

The Stretford End is singing

And the fans are going wild;

And when I'm gone I get a feeling

That I should've been home yesterday,

Yesterday, oh!

Love United Like WE all DO :))