Samuel

2009-12-01T22:52:00.002+08:00

Welcome to December!

Christmas comes Early

2009-11-22T19:18:00.003+08:00

The Christmas Tree is out!

Fantastic Mr. Dahl!

2009-11-21T18:48:00.003+08:00

Woke up early this morning to help at the parents seminar in Ngee Ann. Was feeling all grumpy and irritable. It's a Saturday morning and I'm supposed to be sleeping in! Ahh, the simple pleasures of extra sleep. Anyway it turned out much better than expected, when we got released early and we'll be getting $20. Extra money never hurts my pocket.

Watched Fantastic Mr. Fox at night with my parents and Lydia. As the title implies, it's fantastic! I really like the animation which looks like a massive flip-book. There was a scene where Mr.Fox was asked why he was trying so hard to outsmart the farmers and steal chickens and he said (something like).

"Because I have to prove that I'm so fantastic that it would awe all the animals etc."

In a way I can relate to this too, there are times where I try so hard to be the best in order to impress others. What I learnt from the movie was that as long as you are doing what you do best, there is no need to impress others. Pretty impressive I say!

Forget and not Slow Down

2009-10-29T16:08:00.004+08:00

The first thing about Relient K's latest album - Forget But Not Slow Down is it's intensity. Gone are the days of singing about Pirates that don't do anything. Instead this album explores the breakdown of a relationship and it's consequences. However there is always a tempo of optimism laced into even the harsher songs. The second is that it is definitely the one of the most creative albums I've ever heard. My favourite song is "Savannah", which also happens to the most peaceful piece in the album. It captures the image of living in the grasslands. Give it a listen!

Back To School

2009-10-19T15:46:00.004+08:00

The mood the day before school is always terrible. All holidays come to an end, except maybe at the end. Living the poly days is that it's like living in a mood swing. One minute you're cramming like your life depended on it, the next your as free as a lark with too much time to spend.

Today I saw a job vacancy poster outside a pet-shop. Man, I wanna work at a pet-shop! Why did I only see it after all the holidays are over. Anyway... going back to school should be a good thing. The rust on my brain is starting to accumulate.

The subjects this semester are basically a bunch of calculators, so I'm just praying for a numeric mind.

An apple on the teacher's desk a day is going to keep the bad grades away!

2009-10-14T22:22:00.002+08:00

Fencing camp! Learnt new moves. Made new (okay, better) friends. My neck's a bit stiff now so my head is kicking back.

He Gives and Takes away

2009-10-09T18:37:00.004+08:00

He gives and takes away,

But my heart will choose to say...

Lord blessed be your name.

Curse of the Cameron!

2009-10-02T19:47:00.008+08:00

Waking up at 5am after countless days of sleeping in is really a torture, but well... it's for a worthy cause!

My bags are lightly packed and I'm kinda drowsy at the first part of the journey there. The bus makes regular stops at restrooms and right now, my iPod is my best friend in the whole world. A bum burning ride of 12hours finally ends and we arrive at our destination, Heritage Hotel @ Cameron Highlands. It's a quiet little haven with pretty window views and a small fountain garden. Frigid winds accompany us to our room and after dinner we all just konk out and sleep.

The next day, we visited a bee farm, a tea farm and a cactus farm. It's really interesting to see how they make the various stuff. The constant drizzle constantly changes my hair-do, if I have one, but it's refreshing to get away from the scorching sun in Singapore. Flowers are popping out left and right and you don't even need to stop to smell the roses. You can move.

Bee farm

Tea farm

Cactus farm

~~~

Wednesday was spent trekking/climbing in a jungle. The mud is everywhere and after a few steps our shoes went from designer to designed. Plenty of thrilling moments and rocky climbs. Nothing too challenging though. Haha! Good thing I learned ninja when I was young, so a few shrubs and pebbles proved no problemo. When we reached to top we had our lunch, which was pizza... great. Only trouble was our hands were filthy from the climb, so we were practically feeding ourselves dirt. Still tasty though.

At night we had steamboat and then we shopped around the town, but I didn't really buy anything. Rest and played cards the rest of the night. I'm a great murderer.

Time really flies when your having fun, or really tired. Boarded the bus, and it's a 12 hours journey back to Singapore. Just when we got used to the chill. Stopped at this huge shopping mall which was twice of Vivocity or anything Singapore has. Didn't buy much cos I realised I'm a poor man. Then it's home sweet home once more.

Had fun!

Paperthin Hymn

2009-09-27T21:14:00.001+08:00

You never know what temporal days may bring

So laugh, love, live free and sing

When life is in discord

Praise ye the Lord

Hello Panda.

2009-09-21T18:01:00.004+08:00

Yes I'm not very photogenic.

Turning 18 isn't the life-changing bombastic experience I thought it would be. You know you expect some kind of radical revolution to happen, but really, the only difference is that now I'm liable for my actions.

Not to be pessimistic and gloomy, but when most people hit 18 their all about the alcohol and movies. Me- I just realise that if I was to be brandishing a kitchen knife and a guy walks in and slips and falls onto the pointy edge I would go to jail. Sian.

We're all growing up a little too fast, but with what little maturity age brings, it teaches me to start treasuring my friends before it's too late. Yes most of the time I'm too caught up in my own world and I'm almost on the verge of becoming a hermit. In my heart I know I care, but usual guy thing... not going to say it.

The church youth surprised me as I lay asleep in the morning. Sneaky people! Played card majong, played pool, played LAN. All in all it was a fun day, and I wouldn't have had a birthday any other way than sharing laughters with good friends.

Lose Some, Gain Some

2009-09-19T23:46:00.007+08:00

The first thing that grips your heart when you discover that you are missing something is the feeling of plunging. It's like your heart is falling into a gaping maw, and suddenly you're panicking and your body is tearing itself to bits.

It was on my journey to the swimming pool when I felt a emptiness in my pocket. It felt odd, as if my pants was too light or something. My hand instinctively reached and touched the pocket where I usually placed my wallet.

It wasn't there. My heart sank like a sampan in a tsunami.

It wasn't in my bag either, after confirming that for like the millionth time. Where could it be? Pacing back and froth from where I had started to where I was (it was a really long stretch) only increased my frustration. Calm down, calm yourself and think - my mind was trying to convince the body which was ignoring him.

Usually when I'm in trouble I would pray something like "God, if you would be so willing would you help me to find so and such". But this time I was in despair. Every 3 steps I took was accompanied by a "God HELP ME!" and then I would slowly open my eyes, half expecting it to appear in front of me.

Frustration slowly settled into defeat, as an hour passed and there was still no sign of it.

By that time it was getting dark, so I dejectedly made my way to the Jurong Police Station to file a report. I had never walked so low in my life.

Police stations are always intimidating, so I intended to make a quick report then get out.

"I'm here to report a lost wallet, with IC inside..." I didn't even finish my sentence when the policeman gave me a smile and produced my wallet from the drawer, as if from thin air!

He must have thought me crazy as I kept closing my eyes in rapid bursts of "Thank You, Thank You God. You are truly amazing."

There it stood. Right in front of me. But then another problem came. Due to a weird police protocol, I was told I had to collect it from their logistics centre on another day. It was right in front of me! But I couldn't take it. Not even my keys.

That kinda bummered me for awhile again, but as I walked home, I realised I had much to be thankful for and that it was really God answering my prayers. If it was one thing I gained through the loss of my wallet, is that He listens when we are in need.

Praise God for honest citizens like the person who returned my wallet too!

It's Getting Hort In Here

2009-09-14T22:38:00.000+08:00

There are days when you are bored. Then there are days when you're so bored that you just have to get out and do something stupid. Which is today. So I borrowed Lydia's camera, got on a bus with an eleventh hour Dan, and off we went to get our bums burnt in the sun.

The first impression HortPark leaves on you is that it really doesn't belong in Singapore. The flowers are perfectly aligned, and there is a constantly changing theme as we journey from one end to the other. It starts with places, like Hawaii for e.g. then there are fantasy spots... think Wizard of Oz or Cinderella like fairy-tale villas. Everything just blooms around you and if there was enough time, we would have rode our horses into the sunset.

As the wise old saying goes - put two boys together and they talk about soccer, girls and games. But put two crazy boys together and you get a real good laugh. And some pictures, of course.

Ah-Beng Princes

Jack of Trades

2009-09-10T23:45:00.001+08:00

I am a Jack of All Trades. It is my goal in life to try everything legitimate before I die. If boredom is failure, then I gotta do my best.

The jack of all trades maximizes his number of peak experiences in life and learns to enjoy the pursuit of excellence unrelated to material gain, all while finding the few things he is truly uniquely suited to dominate.

The specialist who imprisons himself in self-inflicted one-dimensionality — pursuing and impossible perfection — spends decades stagnant or making imperceptible incremental improvements while the curious generalist consistently measures improvement in quantum leaps. It is only the latter who enjoys the process of pursuing excellence.

How much better it is to eat something new everyday than to have the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The best way to learn is not by trying to know all about one thing, but by being curious about everything.

You are too complex to catergorize, so don't let labels compartmentalise your life.

You're Dead.

2009-09-06T11:16:00.002+08:00

Went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls today. It's really just a smaall fragment!

Septem-bears

2009-09-01T12:31:00.000+08:00

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful! It's officially September! (Though it always is in my heart). There is no other month where the leaves fall more daintily, and where the wind chills even the most fevered heart. Obviously, you would be saying "oh he loves it cos it's his birthday yadayada..."

But I say NO! And here is why I love September.

1. It rains a lot. And nothing is more fun than walking through the rain (w or w/o singing).

2. It's my holidays. Whats there not to like about that?

3. The clouds go dark like half the day, so it feels like we're living in the shade.

4. It is exactly 3/4 of the year, far enough to feel nostalgic, but still long enough to be productive.

5. When you smile it shines brighter. Proven.

6. September's birthstone is Sapphire. The meaning is clear-thinking.

7. September actually means "seven" but it's the ninth month in the Gregorian calender. Queer.

8. If a bear was born during this month it would be a Septem-bear. Haha!

9. It's my birthday.

My First Concerns

2009-08-30T18:27:00.001+08:00

My first concert. Anberlin. Awesome.

Tensai Avatar

2009-08-22T19:06:00.005+08:00

Blogger has mood swings.

EDIT: YES I FINALLY SOLVED THE BLOGGER PROBLEMS! (Stupid singtel)

I'm a....

And just as a teaser... check out this movie!

Study Camp.

2009-08-20T20:27:00.002+08:00

So my classmates and I had study camp @ Loft. (It's a apartment for Ngee Ann foreign students). woo hoo, can you imagine a camp... where you study? kinda hard to grasp huh. But I did. I studied. Kudos to me and all my teachers. Appreciate ya all!

Had BBQ on last night, which made me get the holiday mode going on.

Chinese Addict

2009-08-15T01:58:00.007+08:00

Technically I'm not supposed to be alive now. The week before exam is when I usually go into full-hermit mode and not go on MSN, Facebook or anything that allows me to type.
Blogger in my home is not working at all, so my blog is dead kinda dead too. Things are getting so quiet that sometimes people start to wonder if I just self-combusted. I guess missed updating a lot this few weeks, a lot of ingenious thoughts flickered through my brain, but I didn't write it down and now I lost them all. Urg. Blogger's block.

Recently I got involved in a heavy dose of Chinese Music. I guess there's something cleaner, smoother about the Pipa to the Guitar, and the "我爱你" just sounds more tender than a "I love you" (but both are good, yeah). Oh yes, how can anyone resist the seductive ways of a duet! I've put up a sample. Addictive. Makes me wish I paid attention to my "老师" in chinese class. Never too late though.

Talking about music. Oh oh ohoh oh I'm so excited!!! Anberlin (yes I know it's a stupid name) is coming to Baybeats this year! My favourite band! Oh! Zomg! Even though it's only like 30mins, I really hope to see them live!!! WOoo . :)( ANBERLIN ROCKS!

Hao Gong Ming

2009-08-09T20:16:00.000+08:00

Time to recap your 好公民 lessons!

The Flag consists of two horizontal halves, red above white. Red symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of men; white, purity and virtue (yes, I know you can't see it). In the upper left corner, a white crescent moon and five white stars form a circle. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise. The five stars stand for Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Going Naked

2009-07-29T19:37:00.003+08:00

Have you ever got that feeling - you see someone and SUDDENLY you remember that you have to give him/her something or you were supposed to do something together, but you forgot!

That was exactly what I felt when I saw Dan standing outside the door all suited & puffed. Oh today is our usher duty? Oh man. I'm wearing a polo...and jeans...

Felt really bad for about 30seconds. Then I thought it through and yeah, I guess this one is really my fault. Asked God for forgiveness for being such a bum.

Then a bizarre thought popped into my mind.

We're all going to the rapture naked.

You Found Me.

2009-07-22T21:50:00.000+08:00

To me, this song talks about how God works in mysterious ways, ways that don't make sense to us as humans leaving us questioning God's abilities. This is a very honest song, not an offensive song as to many people are taking it as. I think everyone has at least once in their lives have questioning God's whereabouts and His hand in the world. However, having said that, if you listen to the song, you notice that God did find him but it wasn't in his timing, on his plan. I think this song reminds us that we, as humans, think that because there is a God of love in this world and everything should be going all tick-a-tee-boo. that's just not the case. We'll struggle, we'll fall, we'll cry, we'll fight, and we'll question, but God always finds us, picks us up and will always accept us with open and loving arms.

*Text stolen, not written.

In Your Face

2009-07-20T21:26:00.002+08:00

In Your Face

Singing In The Rain

2009-07-15T11:05:00.005+08:00

This morning the rain was pouring dinosaurs and Eskimos, and the howling gusts was just so shiok. Felt like sleeping in. Too bad there was school.

By the way, did you know that when there is a downpour & it makes everything obscured - you get a free wish? Lydia wished there would be no school. I wish her wish comes true.

(Will update on less frivolous stuff soon!)

Younglife

2009-06-29T00:35:00.027+08:00

Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!

It's been awhile since I last wrote a thoughtful post,and the really good ones are all cryptic anyway. Right now it's almost pitch black outside, and with only the whirl from the rusty fan to accompany me - my body slinks back into the chair(I need a sofa) and my mind slides into a not-to-distant past. Found myself musing about my friends. Not in any cheeky way of course. Just that little nostalgic way.

So I transported me to a world that you can only see when you shut your eyes so tightly that tiny shapes float before them. It's beautiful.

~~~

The evening is waning and the sound of snapped wood cracks through the air, there's smiles all around as my Brother and I throw down our makeshift swords and run home for dinner. Sure, there would be times when we get bruised and angry from a misplaced hit, but this, I would never trade for another sport.

"Hey brother, do you remember when we used to play in the outdoors

- 'Till the light was absorbed by the night.

Hey brother, it was an innocent time.

We used to laugh 'till we cried, but we're still boys on the inside."

(I wanna do it again)

~~~

Then there's those late nights and early lights, I never thought it would come to a goodbye. Chilling with best chums, laughing in class, being scolded by despotic teachers and desperately trying to cram all that scrap notes into my brain the day before the exam. Well, technically I'm still doing the same thing now, but yet it still feels so different. Uniform really DOES make a such a difference. 1 Year on, we seem like chopsticks scattered in all directions, no one really know what the other is doing and I'm caught myself between apathy and empathy - I've never been too aggressive in trying to maintain relationships just for the sake of , I believe in a philosophy that I will take each friendship to the best as I can, live and let go, and pray we'll meet in heaven and earth.

(Plus the fact that I'm so detached from MSN, Facebook)

Somehow, my dearest memory happens to be particularly evocative of times spent with the girl-next-fl/d.oor too (hee!), little things like playing snakes and ladders, neopets and just random random random things. Will always remember that photo Aunty Cecelia showed me of kids on the beach, maybe it's the sweetest ever. The words from my favourite band sums it well.

(It's not this)

Are all those days just gone forever?

Wonder if we're gonna ever -

See all our younglife friends that we made, again?

Have we all lost connection?

This life pulls us in all directions...

(But) Memories bring us back to where we've been."

-Anberlin, Younglife.

Welcome, Stranger (Younglife)

2009-06-28T23:46:00.007+08:00

Seeing that it's the end of the holidays, I guess I should stop slacking off and do some work, started with updating this laggy blog. Firstly there is an important announcement to make, we have guest! Miss. Lydia Fong, will be staying at our humble abode for the subsequent two years. Well, I've always wanted to have a little sister to take care of but I guess having a older sister' to take care of me is even better, haha! Have a pleasant stay.

In lieu of this, I have a further annoucement to make - something to make the mouths go all slobbery. Dolly's Cafe is open!

Bed basking in the evening sun. (Before)

The Ivory Treaty, signed and acknowledged.

Movie Review

2009-06-25T22:28:00.007+08:00

Okay I know I should be blogging about more useful stuff but my brain's out for a walk
Umm. Umm, so - went to watch Transformers with the boys and the movie is, bombastic. In every sense of the word. And err... I usually have negative connotations about that word.

"UP".
This movie is coming out 6 August in Singapore, looking really good. Definitely a must watch.

Bustling, Bumbling Bodoh.

2009-06-21T17:54:00.005+08:00

What a week.

Rushing deliriously from one point of Singapore to another and back is one sure way to get sick of travelling.

Started with youth camp, which sadly started the same time as fencing training. So I couldn't go for one. Decided to let training down, there will always be other tournaments but never the same camp again. Amidst trying to keep myself awake (I really really need A LOT of sleep to function normally), I've learnt a whole lot more about true leadership, and had some fun moments like spiking everyone's toothbrush with salt but the trick didn't work out in the end. More challenges present themselves against us as a committee in whole, but I believe God will give additional brain juice to work them out.

There was Basic Life Seminar at every night of the week, which kinda sapped every last sauce of energy outta my body but at the same time restored it with lots and lots of lessons that will carry my through my life. Travelling all the way to Bedok gives me time to sleep in the car.

Fencing Juniors Competition on Thursday and Saturday, where I handed my ass on a platter to my opponents. Two words: Got thrashed. Two more words: Train more. Will get to this once I've gotten some sleep.

This is quite random but try walking around (your house, to be safe) blindfolded for at least 30mins. Gives you a whole new experience, which is kinda indescribable and puts new meaning to the line from Amazing Grace - I once was blind, but now I see. Really, I'm serious. Go do it.

The Riddle

2009-06-18T17:03:00.003+08:00

There was a man back in '95

Whose heart ran out of summers

But before he died, I asked him

Wait, what's the sense in life

Come over me, Come over me

He said,

"Son why you got to sing that tune

Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon

Let an angel swing and make you swoon

Then you will see... You will see."

Then he said,

"Here's a riddle for yah

Find the Answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I..."

Picked up my kid from school today

Did you learn anything 'cause in in the world today

You can't live in a castle far away

Now talk to me, come talk to me

He said,

"Dad I'm big but we're smaller than small

In the scheme of things, well we're nothing at all

Still every mother's child sings a lonely song

So play with me, come play with me"

And Hey Dad

Here's a riddle for yah

Find the Answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I...

I said,

"Son for all I've told yah

When you get right down to the

Reason for the world...

Who am I?"

There are secrets that we still have left to find

There have been mysteries from the beginning of time

There are answers we're not wise enough to see

He said... You looking for a clue I Love You free...

The batter swings and the summer flies

As I look into my angel's eyes

A song plays on while the moon is high over me

Something comes over me

I guess we're big and I guess we're small

If you think about it man you know we got it all

Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball

And I love you free

I love you freely

Here's a riddle for yah

Find the Answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I...

Reflections of a dramatic poet.

2009-06-04T15:41:00.008+08:00

Drama & Poetry - Inflections.
(I'm lazy to update so I just use school work to blog instead)

Never regard your study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later work belongs. –Albert Einstein.

I’ll let you in on a secret… William Shakespeare…

Is not my hero. Einstein is.

I was up in the mountains somewhere in the more remote areas of Thailand, when came the time to pick modules for I.S. Thankfully, there was a computer there with functional internet connection. Functional but slow. As a result, by the time I entered NPAL there were only a few choices left – SEDP, Spanish and something I didn’t bother looking at.

It troubled me for a moment. I come from a science course (Biomedical Science). I think like a science geek (mmm…cells, math, and more math). I could write Newton’s laws in a jiffy, but writing a poem? That was something new.

Anyhow, I decided to try my hand at something new - curiosity may have killed the cat, but it certainly hasn’t got me yet. And so I entered a world of flowers, weird lingo, and bombastic actions! Lessons were fun, and I’ll say poetry writing certainly is a art that is so subtle, but with such huge impacts. Seven weeks passed fast, and despite the work load from school piling up around me, I always found SEDP class to be a escape from the harsher realities. Just like a fantasy haven.

“What have I learnt most?” I hear the audience cheer?

I discovered that sometimes, discovery may not be about finding the missing element of mars or coming up with a hypothesis on the creation of the world. Sometimes discovery is about discovering yourself, what you enjoy, and just a little bit more on the very elusive “me” word.

Anberlin

2009-05-30T01:50:00.004+08:00

The Beauty Of Cities

“ Do you remember when we were just kids
And cardboard boxes took us miles from what we would miss
Schoolyard conversations taken to heart
And laughter took the place of everything we knew we were not

I wanna break every clock
The hands of time could never move again
We could stay in this moment (stay in this moment)
For the rest of our lives
Is it over now hey, is it over now

I wanna be your last, first kiss
That you'll ever have
I wanna be your last, first kiss

Amazing how life turns out the way that it does
We end up hurting the worst, the only ones we really love”

Lepak - Lepak

2009-05-24T09:42:00.005+08:00

From Sand to Salsa

2009-05-11T11:16:00.001+08:00

Day out with class at Sentosa. Fun in the sun!

Attendance.

Feeling Groovy?

2009-05-10T16:21:00.005+08:00

Today in church, I stubbed by knee cap against the pews... and I think I hit a nerve bundle. Took a moment to register but the resulting pain was so excruciating that I kinda blacked out for awhile (I don't know how long), and upon regaining consciousness there was a intense urge to vomit and my blood felt all prickly like needles. It's my first out-of-body experience and there's only one word to describe it.

Groovy.

Mothers for Starters

2009-05-10T15:55:00.007+08:00

As most people know by now, I tend to have quite a lot of feminine traits, like - poetry writing, song composing, having a gay laugh, making stuff from crap and of course having a very gay laugh. It's quite weird lah, maybe cos most guys are expected to play sports (which I do) and computer games (which I do too) and just be loud and coarse(which I'm, erm... usually not). The weird thing, is that I do the stuff that's both stereotypical of both genders.

It would be interesting to explore this more deeply, but I'm lazy so I'll just attribute this phenomenon to being a left-hander, as I do with every thing I'm good or not good at. E.g. I'm good at fencing (haha!) cos' I'm lefty, or I can't cut with a scissors cos' I'm lefty etc. etc.

Anyway, the point is... it's mother's day (yay!) so I made a card for Aunty Dolly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Great Mum

Being a great mum consist of two -

being great, and keeping mum.

That's not the kinda mum I would

exactly want

So I'm glad your not a great mum,

or I'll turn out to be exceedingly dumb.

Being a great mum consist of two -

keeping grades, and being mum.

It's not great, but still your my

only one

So I'm glad you are a great mum,

and it turns out I'm your second

son!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2009-05-09T16:47:00.000+08:00

Before Project.

After Project.

My Swinging Gal

2009-05-01T23:13:00.012+08:00

My Swinging Gal

Right here, grew a strawberry swing,

it's just the type that doesn't fling

me from my swing

On it, did my memories cling,

it's just the type that doesn't sink

me from my dreams

Leaves of green & flesh of red

bees with stings & laughter and cries

Right there, grew a sun-kissed gal,

she's just the type that does get pals

with me and everything

On her, did the guys whistle and wink,

(but) she's just the type that doesn't blink

at me or anything

Leaves of gold and flesh of white

birds with wings & laughter and cries...

Random Thoughts

2009-04-27T18:50:00.006+08:00

My mousey in Immuno lab is quite cute, red eyes and all.

It's freakin. h.o.t.

Poetry class bends my imagination to limits.

Can't stop laughing in Medical Micro.

Sitting with Wet Pants in the bus is really really coooolllddd.

I'm starting to forget thoughts that I would like to blog about.

Hurricane

2009-04-22T23:13:00.002+08:00

Sudden burst of wind! Feels like a incoming hurricane. Crazy weather.

Beautiful Lord

2009-04-19T01:59:00.005+08:00

BEAUTIFUL LORD

When the storm is raging all around me

You are the peace that calms

My troubled sea

And the cares of this world

Darken my day

You are the light that shines

And shows me the way

Oh, the beauty of Your majesty

On the cross You showed Your love for me!

Beautiful Lord

Awesome and mighty

I’m captured by this love I see

Beautiful Lord

Tender and holy

Your mercy brings me to my knees

It’s Your mercy that has made me free

Beautiful Lord

When my sin is all that I can see

Your grace remains the shelter that I seek

And when my weakness is all I can give

Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again

And oh, the beauty of Your majesty

On the cross You showed Your love for me

And I am lifted by Your love to sing!

It’s Your mercy that has made me free!

You’re beautiful, my Lord

Chalet Contretempts

2009-04-16T01:35:00.005+08:00

Chalet is just another word for fun days and sleepless nights. Spent the last week of the hol's mainly with my crazy (in a good way) classmates. Superb entertainment. Especially since I just learnt how to play Mahjong. Really good game, makes me connect with my inner chinese. Spent the following afternoon cycling from Changi Village to E.C.P.

My butt didn't hurt, surprisingly. Metal Body. I think there has been a shortage of updates on this blog but who cares anyway, its my holidays - I'm not supposed to work to have fun.

School starts in two days. Anyone ever felt 'Shiok and Sian' before? Kinda like eating sweet and sour pork. It's nice but it disgusting.

Edit:[ Susan Boyle is a modern ugly ducking tale!]

Confessions of a Shopophobic

2009-03-30T01:33:00.000+08:00

7:00pm

We are visiting so many places and people that sometimes I lose track of who is who, and where is where! Anyway, we crossed the border into myanmar (burma). The streets there are dusty and rough, I was pretty sure the songtiao (taxi) we were taking would fall apart. We visited a chinese school, I really should inmprove my huayu now....

and then a "Wa!" orphanage, whom the kids from the tuition school stay at. At Ta-Chi-Lik, we filmed confessions of a shopophobic (starring me) and just walking around looking at fake gucci, LV and other goods, even the bathing towels were all branded. (although fake)

2009-03-27T00:02:00.004+08:00

9:30pm

With a flick of the hand, they wave their goodbyes. I don't. I really hate having to bid farewell, besides as a formal courtesy. And with that, we end part one of our mission. The other team will be heading back to S.G after visiting P.Abel home. For us, we will spend the next 6 days staying in the embrace of Jehovah- Shamah (the Fong hotel).

Sat in a van for four hours, waltzing to the music of my iPod. We stopped halfway to visit a quaint little hotel for tea and a breathtakingly beautiful orchard, complete with hay dinosaurs and giant panda bears!

The scene of vast padi-fields & hill-top houses is spectacular. Had a Mae Sai burger, which redefines fast food, and visited a 'Shan' youth camp. Went back and ate even more food - phat siew and fried rice. NICE! Woody has started to flutter his wings, so he may be gone soon, which is sad, cause he's such a cute little ugly duckling.

Nor- Kur- Ma

2009-03-26T23:48:00.002+08:00

2:00pm

I was the last to wake up today. Must have been really tired for that to happen (I was told I sleep-talked this night lah!).Today my team of kids "si-fa" blue were really obedient and helpful. We sang Thai and English songs like "Nor-Kur-Ma" and other favourites. Lunch was curry mee and it was so good, I don't think any curry in S.G can or will ever beat it. Just a few mins ago, it started to rain. Up in the mountains, water makes everything muddy to the touch and the thunder comes consecutively, like an artillery barrage. I sure hope the rain would stop soon, cause as much as I love the reprieve from the heat, there are a dozen things to be done and the rain doesn't help!

11:11pm

Took a lovely stroll with the kids down to the river at the fork. At the river, there was a small plank acting as a bridge, and it kinda made me think about swashbuckling pirates. Yeah, I know my mind kinda wanders off all the time......

Illegible Scribblings

2009-03-25T23:16:00.003+08:00

12:40am

The roosters started crowing way before anyone woke up. Grr! Wait til' I get me a slingshot - Pee-Kak! So the kids are awesome fun just yet, oh and we had smelly veg in porridge for breakfast. Bummer!

Pharmaceutical work starts in about an hour. I can't believe I didn't being the camera!

10:22pm

Dispensing medicine, deciphering illegible doctor scribbling, a long walk to the village of colorful hair, and I'm left dead beat! Just before I konk off, I look up at the dark velvet in the sky, sprinkled with glittering jewels... and I'm reminded that God has not only created a world full of life, he created life with beauty too. From the amber glow of the rising morning sun to the shady grey of the smoky evening, it just instills in you a desire to life your head to the heavens and shout "You're right, it is Good!"

Recording Reminiscience

2009-03-24T22:46:00.009+08:00

8:45am

Almost missed the flight today, somehow Dad's alarm didn't go off, and I don't usually set mine either (because alarms wake me up, and I'm really alarmed about waking up). So hustle, bustle, the taximan whistles and off we go.

I'm feeling a bit grumpy over having to wake up so early, and I figure it's cause I'm tend to be princessy when it comes to my 12 winks. The cup of hot chocolate from Spenilli's slapped a smile back on my yawning cheeks. Ate some more breakfast and boarded the flying tub.

Funny thing happenned as I passed through the metal 'lie' detector, I had this bar of 'Kit-Kat' in my pocket, and the aluminium wrapper on it set of the panic lights. Shows how dangerous can chocolate be...

Oh well... the journey to Thailand is going to be eventful, I hope I'll have the patience to record the happenings of each day. Dan's watching videos on his PSP and I have nothing to do on the plane, (besides pestering the air stewardess for stuff) which is why I'm writing now.

10:20pm

Bathing in the Mission House in kinda romantic (or spooky, depending on you). There is no electrical lights so the only source of illumination comes from a green light-stick. Stepped out of the toilet and (did a ninja jump) hurt my leg, minor

injury, but I'll still have to be careful with an open room. There's an orchestra playing in the room as I sleep.

Over the Seas

2009-03-24T05:26:00.002+08:00

IN THAILAND 24/3/09 - 3/4/09

Running the Opposite Way.

2009-03-18T23:35:00.004+08:00

Short update on a long story, fencing trip was really fun. I didn't take any photos, even though I did bring the camera. Just too blasted lazy.

I think I did pretty well, and I really owe it to the big guy this time.

Been listening to the band, Leeland. Awesome. Even though the vocals sometimes sound like the singer is crying.

Attitude Anonymous

2009-03-12T00:02:00.004+08:00

My first M18 movie!

Today I realised that I haven't logged into facebook or MSN for almost quite awhile! That may be pretty shocking yes, and it seems like I have been cut off from the rest of the world. But I've never felt so free. So basically what I'm doing is to conduct a mini-experiment to see how my life would be like without these instantaneous status updates. It's been pretty good so far, and it made me value the good ol' face to face talks, or even a pretty out-of-favour style of talking on the phone. Yeah call me odd, but I can't stand cold hard pixels conducting the warmth of human communication. Heck, even an antiquated art of letter-writing beats typing anytime.

Which is all quite ironic, because I still doing this blog post. Thought I shouldn't let something good die just for the sake of an experiment, so I'll still be updating.

Anyway, there are two major things and two minor things going for me right now. Lets start with the minors first.

Recently I started writing a book, currently at chapter two, and I think I pretty much got the plot and path settled. Oh the things this holiday is going to let me do... gotta love free time.

Second, I would be going to Malaysia from 13-16 March, Fencing Competition. I'm sure it would be fun, although I always miss my bed and booster whenever I go overseas.

I actually think I'm in love with my booster.

For the majors, I watched my first M18 movie today - Watchmen, and it was totally awesome. I remember reading the graphic novel back in Sec.3, and I think Rorschach left a deep impression on me, indirectly affecting my future. This was the book that crafted my curiosity about human nature, and yeah although the movie didn't deviate from the book much, if at all, it doesn't matter to me. Just watching this gritty world in motion is pretty cool enough.

Humanness, morality, compromising values - these are the themes that make grip and don't let go.

Okay, somewhere in between this week, I realised that I'm pretty much compromised in character too. It's odd, like sometimes I can be pretty extroverted and daring, other times I just feel like stepping down and finding a quiet room to unwind. I know that they are both aspects of the same me, but I'm just hoping to be more consistent. Should I join Attitude Anonymous?

Life in Technicolor II

2009-03-06T21:38:00.000+08:00

Smudge That.

2009-03-03T11:41:00.000+08:00

Lemme tell you something, art and craft is SO much harder than I've come to expect. I guess it's something like - you have to do construction to appreciate those blue collar workers. The result was pretty pretty, despite the numerous mistakes and errors. And maybe I felt a little like how Da Vinci felt when he completed Mona Lisa...

Oddly, when it came to the part where I could do something I was better at - writing, I was stumped. All those bottled words had formed a sediment so thick it just wouldn't flow out. So I just moped around, thought for a second and then...closed my eyes and prayed. Prayed to the God who understands all hearts. Prayed to him who reads all thoughts. Asked for forgiveness for a second time, after all, he is the judge. Then I just picked the pen and wrote, and there you have it, another 500word essay. Contents were corny, as usual. But I felt it was different this time. This time, God was prompting me what to say, not me saying what I think I should say.

The result doesn't bother me. Not one bit.

Asher

2009-02-28T22:06:00.004+08:00

PRAY FOR ASHER

Ponchos and Mer-lightning.

2009-02-28T21:44:00.002+08:00

If I wake up half-dead at 6.30am on school days, then I have certainly committed sleeping suicide by waking up at 6.30am on a Saturday morning.

All for a "Fun" camp at Sentosa, our lovely little construction island.

I'm not going to be a enthusiast and say that it was a whole day of fun, but it certainly was enjoyable, at least that's my opinion. "Nitro-crossing" an acid river just like Tarzan except better dressed, well that was the highlight of the day.

Sentosa is really beautiful when you explore the hidden courts and tapestry of it all, a hidden veil of charm between those sandy beaches. Too bad I forgot to bring my camera or we would never have time to play the "geochallenge" game.

A GPS system, a team of strangers, rain that is so flicker minded and running around in ponchos, somehow it still turns out to be pretty OK.

Dinner which my classmates was awesome! Haha, funny. funny.

Guess who got struck by lightning today?

Ballerinas

2009-02-23T13:52:00.010+08:00

Ballerinas

(Ballerinas, ballerinas)

Stanza I

I’m fleeting through this ballroom dance, [7.5]

hoping for a sophomore chance. (with you) [7.5]

The music reaches harmony as the orchestra plays on & on [14]

And I reached here just in time for the melody (of you and me) [12 + 2]

I hear the sound of a hair-pin drop [8]

through the white-noise of backdrop talk [8]

The music reaches crescendo as I gaze into eyes that go on & on [14]

And I picked it just in time, for our hands to be - (just yours in mine) [ 12 + 2]

(Intertwined)

Chorus

You’re a ballerina, oh yes you are [9]

You twirl, and turn, [4]

tuned to the beating of my heart. [8]

You’re a ballerina. [5]

Stanza 2

I’m fleeing from this ballroom dance, [7.5]

begging for just one last dance. (with you) [7.5]

The music slowly fades away, as the orchestra packs on & on [14]

And we paced here just in time… for the moonlight (to shine in your eyes) [12+2]

A song composed for nobody in particular.

Stomach For Loan

2009-02-16T19:20:00.008+08:00

Ling, ring ring... STOMACH FOR LOAN! Need a vacuum for all that unfinished food? Ladies and gentlemen, make some space, for the man who some say is more than a man... Dan the Ham!!!

Now, officially 18 and legal to use.

Movie Marathon

2009-02-16T17:02:00.002+08:00

Completed a Movie Marathon!

Valkyrie is somewhat a history lesson, you start the movie knowing the ending. 2.5 popcorns. Watched "Away from Her" on okto, oh man... awesome. My eyes got a bit teary there. 4 popcorns! Slumdog, just was - wow. Despite the intial objections from Dan, we watched and yes, I think it deserves all those bucketloads of awards. 5 popcorns!

(Today the fan stopped blowing)

Myspace Girl

2009-02-13T20:03:00.008+08:00

The Afters - Myspace Girl

This is just such a zomg! cute song. Just as some additional trivia, this song is based on the true story of how their former bass player met and got to know his wife. It is on The After's album "Never Going Back to OK".

Stupidity is a Language Learnt

2009-02-12T23:39:00.007+08:00

I like acting stupid, it saves me the trouble of having to be.

So, had three practicals in a series, this is the kind of stuff that just get your fingers away from the keyboard and onto the books. I think I blew Chemistry, seems like the chemicals suffer a adverse reaction when I handle them. Biology was better, besides the "gooey" potassium permanganate that got stuck everywhere, (that was such a scare!). Statistics was somehow a miracle for me, basically I didn't study til the very last hour before the test, but amazingly the little bit of info I absorbed proved enough to do the test! Thank God really.

Talking about answered prayer, my computer has just decided to commit hari-kiri, thank you Mr.Virus. Although getting my com infected wasn't my prayer, obviously, it may be teaching me to actually DO what I pray.

~~~

I wish I had the super-power to split myself, like Naruto or Mr.Smith from 'The Matrix'. Practically had to tear myself into three today, the fencing briefing, the last Crusade LM, and last but first in my heart, Aaron kor-kor's birthday, right here at our very famous Dollys Cafe.

The Curious Case of Aaron Bok

A one-man Valentines gift factory. Me!

(Haha, not for girlfriend, for classfriends only)

Singing (Goodbye) in the Rain

2009-02-04T17:52:00.010+08:00

I've almost became immune to goodbyes, but this is one goodbye I'll still flinch to. The van takes the words all away, and the silence in the house goes something like when the aircon in the room suddenly goes off. We've gotten too used to the laughter and chats in the house that when it stops, the silence if deafening. I know that I'll see them again in a month or so, but...

I'm singing in the rain! The latest addition to the electronics family has certainly made it easier. Yes, I'm the proud father of my little green 'squiggly' iPod. Braved my way through the rain all for my impulsive urge to buy a CD. Corrinne May's Fly Away. Those saga seeds does not come with the CD. I just couldn't find a picture of the cover online, so I had to make my own.

Composure

2009-01-30T11:57:00.009+08:00

Wake Me Up

[Intro]

I had a dream, but you woke me up screaming

I was living in fantasy, but now I’m living in reality

You made it a little complicated,

but it’s not half as bad as what I thought it could be…

(wake me up, wake me up)

[Verse 1]

My faith’s a little tattered by the rims,

But it only made it stronger at the seams.

You were leading with your voice,

But now your leading with your hand

So I’ll know exactly who I am,

leaving my distractions to your plans

[Bridge]

(I didn’t hear you the first time when you called, I confess

I didn’t feel you the first time when you touched, I confess)

[Chorus]

So wake me up, wake me up inside

from this endless reign of hate

and the temptations that catch my eye…

Wake me up, wake up these demons inside,

so that I may use your light

and put an end to all of this fights

(I cry wake me up, wake me up deep inside)

[Verse 2]

I know deep inside we’re all running scared

I can tell you I’ll be leading the pack

but when I’ve finally realized

that running from you isn’t wise

because you’re exactly who you are,

and you’ll never be that far…

[Chorus]

So wake me up, wake me up inside

from this endless reign of hate

and the temptations that catch my eye…

Wake me up, wake up these demons inside,

so that I may use your light

and put an end to all of this fights

(I cry wake me up, wake me up deep inside)

~~~~~

A song I wrote on a bus journey home. Bus journeys tend to stimulate my musical side, haha! So far, only the chorus has a tune, the verses are sung in anyway you would want it for now.

All in One.

2009-01-28T12:07:00.001+08:00

My brothers drop by, although all become ah bengs already, still happy to have them. My old maid makes a surprise visit, looking exactly the same as I remember her as a 7year old. Fongs are having a week long sleep-over. School work is piling up, so I better start revising if I still wanna get a 3.5 GPA!

Chinese, Firecrackers and Love.

2009-01-25T18:29:00.007+08:00

Blessed Chinese New Year everyone!

It's the time to stuff our face with fishballs, stuff our pockets with ang pows, and hopefully stuff our hearts with the fellowship of relatives and friends.

So what does CNY mean to you? Some would say, money. Others, ushering in the good luck. Well, to me it's mainly one thing - relations. Knowing that your own genetic family is doing well, it kinda provides a different kinda comfort from knowing how your friends are doing. Again I would sing thanksgiving for being born a 'Cho'. A 9.99/10 dad, a 9.99/10 Mum and a 9.99/10 Brother...what more could I ask for. Both paternal and maternal grandparents and cousins to politely greet (and collect 红包 from). And considering that I may have been a prince if my great-great-great-great-ubergreat ancestor 曹曹 had won the Three Kingdoms war, I have every reason to smile as we say 新年快乐.

(Some random thought just ran though my head) reminding me that not everyone would be home to celebrate the day. The foreign student shouting at her boyfriend last night or those workers in blue shorts marching towards the construction just like any other day. Which then further reminds me of people who don't even have relatives, or ever met them. I know I know someone who havent. Yes its sad, and I'm not going to elaborate.

And while's they may never meet in this life, I'll just pray they would all saved, and in the next, golly would it be one reunion dinner.

Realisation

2009-01-22T18:10:00.004+08:00

It takes a bit of time to actually realise that they are standing in front of me, in real life, not through a MSN picture or email fonts. But when I do, the happiness that wriggles in the roots of my heart just squirms a little more. What joy! To know that you have reliable sisters to depend on. I'll whisper a prayer in my sleep thanking God for childhood friends, or rather, baby friends, knowing that we've grown up together almost all our 20, 19, 17, and 14 years (respectively).

And with His grace and our commitment, I know that we can be together for the remainder of our lives, til eternity in Heaven.

Something Heavenly

2009-01-22T00:09:00.004+08:00

SANCTUS REAL - WHATEVER YOUR DOING (SOMETHING HEAVENLY)

200th Post Anniversary

2009-01-18T23:01:00.003+08:00

The week has been a perfect blend of tiredness, inspiration and some down tempo night karaoke sessions with just me and my computer. There was the childhood laboratory prac with glue and karyotypes on tues! There were late bus journey on thurs where I'm the only person in the bus, I totally love that. There was the fencing competition yesterday although it wasn't much of one for me. But most importantly, there was church today. The stretch of the week make it seem distant, but I'm always glad for this little blue house at Pasir Panjang.

I'll be honest. It has been a tough week, and sometimes I do feel the downs of life seeping into me. A bit of fear here and there, it adds up to quite a bit. Isn't it funny how something significant can turn insignificant in the snap of tongue. Yes, I know I've been harping on the past for the past don't know how long. Maybe its my perfectionism, something in me just can't let things be the way it is, a part of my soul know that it is my duty after all to make wrongs right. But yup, that's just me, all talk and no action. Typical Sam.

~~~~~

I sit on the pews now, feeling a bit blanked out from the lack of sleep. A faint melody floats into my cochlea, phrases of peace and assurance.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."

And then I know if been fighting for nothing. If I'm fighting for acceptance, I already am, if I'm fighting for forgiveness, I already am. After all, the shadow proves the sunshine right?

Serenity Prayer

2009-01-17T23:30:00.001+08:00

~~~

"God, give us grace the accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

courage to change the things that should be changed,

and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other."

~~~

(Specifically, the wisdom part.

Oh yes, if your wondering, the post below IS from a song. Obviously I can't write such cool lines, haha. Twenty-Four by Switchfoot, which is a amazing band by the way. Their frontman, Jon Foreman has a voice that really lets you feel the emotions of whatever he is saying.)

Not Copping Out

2009-01-13T00:06:00.002+08:00

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago.

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Rainbow Paddle Pops

2009-01-12T22:48:00.004+08:00

Does anyone else, ever get the feeling that sometimes we aren't doing enough to be what we could be? I know I do. Maybe its just a fleeting propensity for the past, the continuous strive to improve on one's-self. Basically what I'm lacking is a method of showing the affection to all the people I love (philos), I love (agape).

Bloody culture and norms, the worse thing about being a guy. Show no sign of fear, no sign of doubt, no hint of a false step, we're always in control. Real men don't cry, but is that for real? I know I've shed a lucid teardrop once. And I swore I'll never lose control again, I encouraged myself to be strong and I know I am now. Sometimes we just want to pick up the phone and say "Hi, how do you do?", whether to my best bud or just someone whom I care about. But oddly, the easiest thing to do would be to show a false interest in people, a false humility towards God.

That's not what I want. I believe that every male should be in tune to the emotions of others, but sometimes, it just leads me to dance out of beat. In a culture where men who show moments of weakness are taken down, where sensitivity is taken to be gay - what can I do?

I know I'm neither, but that puts me in a awkward position too. We all want to call that girl and tell her how much we care, but the fear that they will misinterpret it stops us. We all want to call our best friend and help him with his problems, but the fear that it would hurt their pride prevents the signal from being sent. So maybe, (especially) after we've made all those mistakes we made, sometimes hiding the intention to achieve the intent works out just fine.

Men are like waffles, and women are like spaghetti. He solves everything one step at a time, moving systematically from square to square. She connects everything together, linking and winding in infinite complex permutations, one problem affecting the next, to the next, to the next. Something I'll never understand. But differences and all, we still need the heat of God's love to become delicious.

we've come too far, and I won't go back.

On Fire!

2009-01-11T19:45:00.003+08:00

I had my first fencing competion yesterday, and the adrenaline is still rushing today. Overall, I thought I did okay, despite my first match being marred by technical complexities. Made it into Direct Elimination, only to face this huge screaming giant. I lost without further ado.

Hia, I really need to learn how to control my emotions whiles on the piste. On Guard.

Sprinting.w/o.Shoes

2009-01-04T22:45:00.005+08:00

School starts tomorrow. I'll still think I'll prefer the other "short but sweet three words". Well, holidays have been a kick for me, but I better start strumming notes into my brain now. And I don't mean musical notes, but rather the more literal notes! Anyway, spending the last week of my holiday blowing a bike tire, traversing town aimlessly with my best friend til I realise I'm actually broke, or trying to put up a decent act in just two days, which seems practically clueless to the fact that I'm the worst actor since the Razzie awards. (I'm a bad actor because I can't lie well, if at all)

As the saying goes, I really can't act for nuts that nuts eat. It's almost like sprinting without shoes!

I'm Outta Shutters.

2009-01-03T00:11:00.000+08:00

Im Outta Time - Oasis

Crack The Shutters - Snow Patrol

A Better Version of Me (For You)

2009-01-01T01:43:00.007+08:00

September 20, I made a promise. Barely 3 months later, I'm starting to feel the aftershocks of the consequences. Someone even asked me if I knew what I was getting into. I'll be lying to say that it was what I first thought it would be; it's not. I'll be lying to say I wasn't confused by the plans you had for me, and learning that bad things do happen to good people, that really was one of the toughest experiences in all my 17years of breathing. One thing I'm gonna put in my new year resolutions would be make a habit of not make any promises I know I can't keep, whether to man or God - despite the contradictions in this sentence.

[Sidenote: Samuel used to believe that he would never get hurt. He was wrong. But at the same time - he was right too. It was just all about perception.]

Yet, as I got the shivers in my livers standing in front of the congregation(got "lucky" at watch night service today) I realized, deep down, this was what I ask for, and this is what I'll get. Sure it will be tough, no one ever said the narrow road was straight. And yeah... I'll let it be known, at times I have shown signs of all my weaknesses. But somewhere in me - there is strength.
Joel shared a verse - 2 Corinthians 8,9: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." a verse which seems to be building my inner fortress once more, the confidence that I can at least keep this one promise I made to You, even when I've failed others. It's the promise that I'll love You all my life.

And I know I'm being foolish and naive, central tendencies in my dogma of optimism and honesty. I know I can't do it on my own, but I see the hope of a new day; and you know what? It's bright... doh. So although I'm still disappointed at myself, I'm seeing where this is going, almost let a ship leaving the rocky shores into a peaceful ocean. (And to be honest, right now I hardly feel any pain, just typing in the emotions that are months overdue) But for now I'll just hand over control and just cling on the everlasting promise that we love You because You first loved us. Take me to the epicenter of it all, because I'm going straight into the center of your Love.

Precursor to the First.

2008-12-29T01:11:00.011+08:00

With a tinge of sadness, I realise that the focus of prime time advertisements are shifting from Christmas to New Years now! From melodic jingle bell jingles to massive heineken/tiger/carlsburg beer parties where surprisingly everyone is sober enough to raise their bottle in unison, they give me the feeling this year has almost somewhat been like a hurricane that has taken me to my own personal land of 'oz' - that being a land of change. Wooosh! (More about this, next post!)

[Btw, the newspaper lies! They said it was the last episode of 'The Little Nyonya' today when it was obviously not, unless the producers wanted to have the WORSE ending in channel 8 history. Grr. Made me so excited for no good reason.]

Okay personal expectations and new year resolutions aside, I finally managed to catch a movie today! It's almost been like decades since I last strolled down popcorn infested aisles. The movie? One word - beautifulgorgeousplendidcharminggraceful. And that is a word! Okay seriously, it was worth the bum-torturing 3 hours film-time. Beautiful actress (hehe), gorgeous scenery and landscape, splendid storyline, charming little boy and graceful...erm...

fine, i just threw in the last word to make the "word" longer. And to be fair, I did feel some parts were a bit draggy, but overall I'll still give it a... 4/5 stars!

~~~

Hey wait, I forgot to mention the people! Oh noes, I really think I have ShortTermMemory (STM) syndrome. Oh and I probably have AttentionDeficitDisorder (ADD) too, just to make things more exciting. So, yeah... erm, what was I talking about?

People! People whom I'll never forget for sure, Sarah, ChiaYee and Haikel "Shah". Theres a saying which goes something like "the more things change, the more they stay the same.". Irony has never been truer, and I'm just so thankful to God for making them who they are. If there's anything I wanna be, it would be grateful for my friends being who they are.

I'm just glad Sarah is Sarah, ChiaYee is ChiaYee, Haikel is Haikel. Seeing that 2009 is just round the bend, my first new year resolutions could be learning how to accept people for who they are! (Not that I don't already lah, but as with all things, I'm just a inconsistent man crying out for consistency) Hey, I'm sure the world would be a sweeter place.

(Note: My apologies, if the Blog has been a bit stagnant! Been quite busy recently.)

The Christmas Reason

2008-12-25T13:18:00.003+08:00

WE ARE THE REASON

As little children,

We would dream of Christmas morn'.

Of all the gifts and toys...

We knew we'd find.

But we never realized,

A baby born one blessed night -

Gave us the greatest gift of our lives.

(Chorus)

We were the reason

That He gave His life

We were the reason

That He suffered and died

To a world that was lost

He gave all He could give

To show us the reason to live

As the years went by,

We learned more about gifts.

The giving of ourselves,

And what that means.

On a dark and cloudy day,

A man hung crying in the rain...

All because of love, all because of love.

(Bridge)

I've finally found the reason for living

It's in giving every part of my heart to Him

In all that I do every word that I say

I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

He is my reason to live.

P/S. Does anyone know what this label thing is for? It seems like a good place to place my titles

Chutzpah! for Christ

2008-12-24T15:06:00.012+08:00

Christmas is barely tomorrow, and there's so many things to be done... but I'm proud to say I've been wasting my holidays watching 'The Simpsons' and reading design books (illustrations and 'doh' go well tgt)! There are a few more presents to shop/make and I'll never get it done by ever.

I guess I'm still awed by how creative people can be. Anyway, (just a note to myself...) despite the slowdown this financial recession has caused Christmas, it's still the season to be hustling about... the parties to attend, the friends to catch up with, carols to sing - so please just please remind me never to be to b.u.s.y for You. (busy-under-satan's-yoke)

~~~

The class gathering went well, laughing pizza still makes me laugh. Urg, does anyone else just get scared sometimes by the rate at which we're growing up? Its just like how Erns put it: "School brought us together, and school brought us apart.". Maybe I'll just get used to the fact that people DO come and go in our lives, but for now I'll convince myself -- its the impression they make that stays with us forever...

Note: My 'cotton quilt' theory. Life is like a quilt, and the people you meet will each sew a patch of their impression onto the main canvas, be it a messy stroke of disappointment or a thoughtfully knitted patch of care. People like family, friends, lovers... they all will change us just as we change them. Below it all, the base would be our own stitching's, this would be how we learn from lessons, pick ourselves up, interact with people, every little thing we do, we sew. But, you know... the best thing about this all is that we're not forming a scattered pile of emotions, no, - God, who is our artist designer, has something much greater in mind. So no matter how torn and tattered we may see our quilt now, I believe that one day, when it's ready to be presented, the red curtains will roll back and yes... it will be beautiful.

~~~~~

Guess whose back? Back again?

Youth of Nazareth

2008-12-21T17:24:00.004+08:00

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."- 1 Peter 2:9

But you are Chosen. What a amazing promise. It gives me such comfort to know that I'm in the saving hand of God, but made me rethink my outlook on my christain duties - a royal priest? At first though, I was quite amused by this. Second glance, the impact of having a responsiblity seeps in - Duty requires responsibility, and being the most bu-zhe-ren( lacking responsiblity) person I know, its tough. Tough because I know I'm not a perfect person, and I'll fall just like everyone. Heavy, sometimes the burden seems to much to bear. Tired, I admit I had my doubts. But then I realise... it's not about being perfect in a inperfect world, it's about showing people Your love in a indifferent world.

Day 2 was my highlight of the camp, doing what I loved best, exploring (different places of worship). A buddist temple, incense wafing past our nostrils, monks chanting and we're impressed by the seriousness of their worship. An Indian temple with a grand array of murals and carvings. Even a islamic mosque, which was the most engaging visit (to me). We really are so close in certain ways. Gaining some cultural experience, that alongside my ever thankful heart for being Chosen to true faith was the limelight.

So much learnt in camp, so much to apply. Grant me the strength please, because every beat of this life is thine.

Jabberwocky

2008-12-14T21:32:00.008+08:00

It's been a good two days of jabberwocky living. I need a haircut soon! before my keratins start going crazy.

Saturday (Erns/Ly/Jas/Juan/Gin)

The lights along orchard justs soaks into me, just like the neon lamps that line the sleezy streets illuminates that fight between a group of (skinny)rockers and a short man. It's really pretty, kinda like jewellery hung in the sky. Sometimes I wish my chinese was a bit more communicatable, its so much harder to tell jokes when you have to translate it from english to mandarin and back! Or when I only get the punchline after 5mins and start laughing alone. By the way, Aviator glasses are cool, as long as it can fit on your head! Oh, pubs are so overrated. I did not drink!

No photos, cause I forgot to bring my cam. So just ingrain the memories into a portion of our lifes.

Sunday (Dan)

I'm dreaming of a wet christmas. Christmas fever is in full swing again, making me glad for the reminder of the True meaning of christmas once more. And it's not about that fat man who HoHoHo's. Neither was it that purple lady dressed as a butterfly we saw at WCP. Anyway, I'll expand more on this another day - theres a whole pile of clothes that needs to be squashed into my bag right now(& it's alr 10pm!). Two camps! Wow. I feel tired already! Haha.

Will be in fencing camp 14-17, church camp 18-20.

Ned Flanders

2008-12-13T22:36:00.000+08:00

My Alter Ego

For The Motherland

2008-12-11T19:21:00.006+08:00

Sergeant: Recruit Cho, you blur like sotong? How come?!?!

Cho: Dunno leh, Sarge!

Sergeant: Neber mind, see that wall there? 5 seconds go tats the wall and come back!

Cho: Yes Sergeant!!

Catch no ball? Haha it's okay, I also buay tahan type this slang already. So maybe this would be the kind of language my kor kor Isaac is going to hear for the next two years. The bedroom is really going to be empty without you! Commando leh, kanot chao keng already ah...must become chiongster. Rock on, big bro!

(Isaac will be going into the ritual all Singaporean men have to go through, NS. - 12 Dec is the day)

Be Optimistic!

2008-12-07T19:51:00.006+08:00

Steps to be Optimistic

1. Smile like you mean it (Save some face, you know you've only got one).

2. Laugh genuinely. Haha!

3. Get some good friends who make you laugh like you'll never need your voice again and yet still listen to you when you cry.

4. Pray constantly and learn to make wrongs right and move past the past.

5. Listen to good music. It's really important okay?

6. Fall in love with everything. Like nature, studies, chocolate, people, and most importantly... God!

( Btw, when it comes to relationships i'm the dumbest one and i don't mean just with girls, i mean with everyone. But guess what? Being dumb is fun!)

~~~~~

If there was ever was something to be thankful for, it would be for the excess of serotonin (chemical in ur brain related to happiness). I know you'll think I'm crazy and all, but its true.

I'm happy because the wind at the 17th level is frigid enough to freeze a frog, I'm happy for the oreos and milk that accompany me to study or the cadbury milk tray with turkish delights. I'm even happy that my internet has gone all bonkers (I can't even sign in to MSN for more than 3 secs) cause I won't be distracted from studies.

Crud, do you think I need to see a shrink? =)

Clarity, finally.

2008-12-04T16:53:00.007+08:00

Thank you God. Thank you, for the simple savoir-faire which was what I needed all along. It's like taking a step out of a cloud of confusion and chaos and finally getting the full picture. Yes, and thank You that even though the test results said I had an average EQ, you gave me that one short preview of putting myself into the shoes of another. Okay, there's still a lot more to do, but the plan that started this monday spanning to today is setting into motion. It's the best one I had so far. Actually the only one that made sense in the end - having no plan. So I'm done with all those apology letters in my mind that mean nothing, cause I know the best intentions mean nothing when said wrong. And I'll only pray now for the strength to carry the truth into reality. It's really late now, but lets just hope it's not too late yet.

Clarity, finally.

A Coke™ to save "Minnie"

2008-12-03T19:25:00.007+08:00

Exams are looming round the bend, so I've gotta somehow hit the stack of books strewn across my table. It's no easy task really. I've been staring at the motivational posters in my room for ages, but oddly, I don't feel any smarter. Mum's watching TV now, and it made me realise that it has been ages since I last sat in front of the TV for more than 15mins! Crap... I sure miss filling my head with junk. Anyway, to get back on topic, I've just got back my test results for InfoTech. It's a D.
Hate is a strong word, but I really really really don't like I.T. I guess the only thing it's taught me so far is how to mash random buttons on my laptop whiles pretending to look like I know what is going on. Even drama classes can't teach you how to look so composed and yet be so flustered at the same time.

So my mp3 player has officially died on me, and those new chromatic iPod nanos just look, oh so tempting! Wanted to lay hands on that little green one but it was unavailable. Dang.

Well, but it's okay cause I still have my back up plan - Santa.

~~~~~

Dear Santa,

It's been at least 17 years since you last visited Singapore. Is it too hot for you? Oh, I know we don't have chimneys but maybe if you make an effort to squeeze through our sewage it could be possible though. I'm sure the reindeers will love it here too.

So anyway, this is my wishlist for this year. I think I have been a good boy so far. Okay maybe I screwed up abit here and there but I still think I'm deserving of a present? Please please please. I promise I'll be a good boy next year.

An 8g iPod Nano-chromatic (Green please, I like the color of nature!)
Fencing equipment! I can't take the smell of club jackets anymore...
Cold hard cash (about $1000) would be fine too. I can shop myself.

I'm sure you'll do it right Santa? After all, I'm sure you still remember me as the little brat who sat on your lap at IKEA, 1995 (if memory serves me right) and bit you? Muacks!

Stay Beautiful,

Samuel Cho

Bite My Tongue

2008-11-30T18:21:00.008+08:00

I was going to spell it out in full detail but. I dropped the call before I spilled my guts. But your floor stayed clean like my conscience will be. Cause if you heard anything you didn't hear it from me // And I'm sweeping up the seconds that tick off the clock. And saving them for later when I'm too ticked to talk. And I need some time to search my mind. To locate the words that seem so hard to find // Sometimes I say things that. I wish I could take back. The most crucial thing I lack. Is a thing called tact. And if you're always so intently listening. Then the smartest thing to say is to tell myself not to say a thing // Yeah, I gotta keep quiet, quiet. Don't let it all come undone. Cause if I dare open my mouth. It'll just be to bite my tongue // Yeah, I gotta keep quiet, quiet. (And) listen to your voice. Because the power of your words. Can repair all that I've destroyed // And when I finally do. Let it come from you. The peace of understanding grips my soul. You're the reason I've. Found meaning in this life. So I'll swallow up my pride and give you control. Give it to you.

~Bite My Tongue

Have you had any songs which you can just put into your CD-player and put on repeat mode for the whole night? This is one of them.

Sofya, Miss Maggi Mee.

2008-11-29T17:22:00.004+08:00

Had a eventful evening out with our lovely maggi mee lady, together with the guys. Orchird Road was fabulously decked, I just love this time of the year. Had a good chat after that under block 122 and haha, don't really wanna type too much cos I'm so sleepy now.

Toodles!

Aches and Pains

2008-11-27T12:29:00.006+08:00

Having a sprained ankle has just become the latest addition to a non-stop chain of injuries and accidents that pester my already erratic anatomy. I really think I must have somehow

been slapped on the back with a trouble-magnet (like they do with those "Kick Me!" stickers) ever since the crimson toilet-bowl experience.

Well every dark cloud has it's silver lining right?

The past few days of walking slowly, (including almost losing to a walking stick gang) has had a profound impact on how I view the stress and busy-ness has gripped us all.

By the way, did you know that Singaporeans are the worlds fastest walkers?

According to a study by British Psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, Singaporeans took just 10.55 seconds to walk a distance of over 18 metres (about 4.5 car lengths).

Yay, another number one for our little green city. Not that it's something to celebrate about anyway. Maybe we should stop and smell the orchirds, since there ain't much roses to smell?

Sales Promotion

2008-11-22T23:24:00.002+08:00

*Sales Promotion

Milk tea, what could it be?

Mild aroma, mellow ashened, magnetic attraction wannabe...

A candied surprise, without the rubber inside,

Your chinese calligraphy belies such innate beauty.

Ohhh...milk tea, I love thee.

A poem composed specifically for my new love, Milk Tea! Haha, gosh ever since 7-11 started selling them at $1.50 instead of the usual $2.20, I've been hearing the "Ding-Dong!" bells of their automatic sensors (of which I enjoy abusing too) almost everyday. Hey c'mon, ever had the taste of pure bliss flowing through your intestines WITHOUT THOSE ICKY BITS OF BLACK RUBBER? This hits the spot, dude!

Genesis

2008-11-19T23:51:00.000+08:00

Genesis.

Did you know, right now, nerves in your brain are sending uncountable number of signals that allow your to read this words, hear the music blasting from your iTunes or smell the dinner that mum is cooking right now? Or maybe we don't think a lot about it, but the muscle cells in our fingers are allowing us to simultaneously chat on MSN too; about (20-30 trillion) red blood cells are providing oxygen to every cell; our heart is pumping aprx. 82 beats/min to keep us alive, together with so much more other stuff happening in our body... I'll probably die before I list it all out.

It's just the miracle of life. From the start of the pilgrimage of (50-500million) brave sperm cells, to the forming of a zygote, leading to embryogenesis & morphogenesis, followed by gestation, right to the very end where that little head pops out and starts wailing... each of these steps are more complex then can possibly be imagined - even amongst the brightest scientist. Have any of you ever imagined how possible it is that there can be over 6 billion people, and everyday the population is increasing by approximately 200,000... yet we're all different in every way, right down to tiny details in our gene code?

Something about today's lecture just made me sit in on this chair and think. Think of the wonder that He made each and everyone special, and still has (more than) enough love to spread to all.
This thought that God made us all perfect still gives me the courage to believe in the good of everyone, growing older gave me some defense mechnisms to defend myself from not-so-nice people, but I'll still hold on to my naive innocence for now.

Today is one of those days I'm really thankful for choosing to study science, despite the wars and constant struggles to separate knowledge from Wisdom, I think it has only drawn me closer to understanding more on the wonder that is God's creation - Life.

Haha, I know I hardly ever talk about school on my blog but this is an amazing exception!

So today, during CellBiology, our lecturer played this video for us, discussing childbirth. I had my virgin experience of watching a woman give birth (on video!) and it's not the prettiest sight really. I'm actually still quite disturbed by it...

"For You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalms 139: 13-14

Worry Weather Warts

2008-11-17T19:59:00.008+08:00

Just a quick update on the situation here in Singapore, it's been raining consistently for the past few days and the weather seems like it just won't give up anytime soon. Gotta love it though, there's no other time of the year where you can splash around aimlessly in puddles, or play peek-a-boo with an umbrella, or even just sit at the balcony and stare out into the white mist, just being there alone with your thoughts.

December is my favorite month of the year, and being in November heralds its coming! It's strange how this year started and how it came out to be, but I'm thankful nonetheless. 44 more days to a brand new year and I'm already wondering what God has in store for next year!
Actually I'm downplaying it a bit. I'm wondering what God has in store for my whole future. It's still kinda fuzzy now, and I'm suddenly not really sure if I'll make it into the medical profession or even work related to the sciences, but I'm REALLY sure that whatever may come, it's going to be transcendent.

Yesterday, the boys and myself dropped over to West Coast Plaza, formerly Ginza plaza, had a great laugh, tried make a picnic for ourselves but after realizing that none of us knew what should go into a sandwich, we just settled for Pizza-hut and nominal wine. Gosh, walking around that place... it's almost like threading on holy ground. The concept is really open, snazzy and you can even go fishing at cold-storage!
Just walking on the same ground we used to walk, it just demands a respectful "wow!".
True to the shopping center code of conduct, memories really are ingrained in the walls of places you go to with people you enjoy. Someday we're all gonna sit at a sepia café and sip steaming coffee or tea, not giving a hoot about our studies or girls or basically anything that makes you use more than one single brain cell. And it would be fun, just like it was today. (=

West coast plaza, all decked in Christmas apparel

Life's tough, but God's tougher.

3 things/ Did you ever talk to God above?

2008-11-15T00:36:00.013+08:00

DID YOU EVER TALK TO GOD ABOVE

Did you ever talk to God above?

Tell Him that you need a friend to love,

Pray in Jesus' name believing that...

God answers prayers.

Have you told Him all your cares and woes,

Every tiny little fear He knows.

You can know He'll always hear and

He will answer prayer.

You can whisper in a crowd to Him,

You can cry when you're alone to Him,

You don't have to pray out loud to Him,

He knows your thoughts...

On a lofty mountain peak He's there,

In a meadow by a stream He's there,

Anywhere on earth you go,

He's been there from the start...

So once again, Sunday School songs are making their comeback on my "at least, quite" consistent life radio station. Always loved this song, beautiful and simple lyrics coupled with visions of grand imagery, top it up with a cup of faith and yeah, just that little reminder that God answers prayer.

Well a few things I learnt this week is that, one, heck yeah life ain't no bed of roses, but that's what we're here for, to learn this delicate balance of how to live this life meaningfully til' the day our Creator calls us home. Could that be the reason why Revelations has always been my favourite book of the bible? It's to my innate desire to know how it all ends before it even begins.

Two is I startled on the fact, I can get so immersed in blade repairs that I don't notice the world around me going by (which may come from some leftover D&T training from Sec.Sch) and lastly, that I have a girlish tendency to scream when I get touchèd whiles fencing. Which is really terrible.

New nerd on the block.

2008-11-13T23:41:00.002+08:00

And there's a new neek (nerd plus geek) on the block! Okay, well not really that new, but I definitely feel neekier than ever, all thanks to this amazing new spectacles that I just started wearing since thursday. If I can get a photo of it I'll try to post it up straight away!

Huh?!

nerd

–noun Slang.

1.	a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person.

2.	an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.

No one really says it but, I still somewhat consider myself a multicultural mix between a classical nerd, a geek chic & an urban gentleman. While's not any of that is true individually, but put it together and you may see a faint outline of the man (or boy, depending on what you think) I am.

Ask any of my friends and they'll attest to that!

Neeks ForTheWin (Be proud of who you are)!

Down to This.

2008-11-12T00:09:00.007+08:00

"So it all comes down to this. It wasn't that hard to understand really, now when I look back at it. Honestly, it was just about making making choices in between the fuzzy gray areas of life where there's no right or wrong answers. Just two simple choices - Leave it or Fix it.

I chose one, she choosed the other. It's a cinch."

- Excerpt from 'My Life' by Samuel.C.J.S

Explorer's League Journeys

2008-11-10T23:29:00.002+08:00

- The Explorer's League Times -

Today our journey begins from the dazzling water-works of Marina Barrage to iconic locations at Raffles before finally our final resting place at Cityhall!

It's my E-learning week now and another day of fun in the sun would surely be a great way to abuse it. Obviously, with only Explorer Samuel instincts and Foreman Daniel's faulty GPS system... the journey there itself took more time than anything.

Here's the take home message - 1. Never trust two guys to get anywhere without a map, and 2. guy's REALLY DON'T ask for directions, no matter what.

Fast trucks and blinding lights.

"Are we there yet?""Are we there yet?""Are we there yet?""Are we there yet?""Are we there yet?""Are we there yet?""Are we there yet?"...

Flower power along Marina Boulevard.

Oh, we have found Atlantis! Now where is the toilets?

Foreman Daniel wants to fly!

Going fishing/ Gong beating.

Can you see the Singapore Flyer in the distance?

Oh, you don't have to be jealous.

Come to the springs of life.

Somewhere in Raffles MRT, he still stands proud.

Wave goodbye to the barrage! Bye Bye Boom.

I'm in Lego world...am I dreaming? Somebody pinch my * in heaven!

La lah la lah la lah, la la la la la...(Vestiges of my overly cartooniz-ed Childhood.)

Bridge of Lights.

" ♫ I'm leaning on a lampost at the corner of the street, in case a certain little lady comes by, ♪oh me, oh my♪, I hope a little lady comes by... ♫ "

Looking hindsight on an Iconic objects damages their mysticism.

Now that's a familiar face!

Makansutra Gluttons Bay. It was gluttony indeed with their exorbitant prices!

Bon Appétit!☺

~~~~~

Waiting.

2008-11-09T01:09:00.016+08:00

November 7 2008, quiet time. 'Our Daily Bread' has a way of prompting me in the way I should go. I think I've already summed up what I want to say, now it's about waiting for a right time, if there is such a thing. I'm not the very emotional type really, I tend to think a lot more than feel, but this one paragraph should be able to convey the message to my stubborn head, I think.

~~~

"Time is running out, and I'm just so scared to find out that what if time alone doesn't heal all wounds... forgiveness does?
I'm just so scared that by the day she's flying away, briefcase in tow, (maybe with some letters inside from a moron)... I've still not looked straight into those eyes and said "I'm Sorry."
I'm so scared, oh gosh, so scared that all the trust,hope & friendship that was meant to be locked in a special handshake would just have to wait four years at the airport, maybe more.

I've never lost anything before - and I don't want to lose anything now. Faith, or hope, or love, or peace, or joy, or kindness, or trust, or honesty, or friends, or family. I don't wanna lose anything... not on my life."

Someone tell this is supposed to be normal...

I don't know what to give this title.

2008-11-08T00:46:00.002+08:00

The clatter of the ping-pong ball striking ace gives me a sensation not unlike waking up in the middle of the night to eat the last bit of cereal that was meant for tomorrow's breakfast - So troublesome yet so exciting!
Alrighty, I'm officially head-over-heels over smashing one little white ball across a equally small table. It's lame, but something about the game, the technique and the control just gives it such zest! Or maybe, just maybe...it could be that this game reminds me about all that is good in this world? Playing "around-the-world" with all my friends, or just jumping up and down like a moron...

I've made a new theory!
Life is like ping-pong... sometimes your spinning low, sometimes your flying high and sometimes you're just smashed.
But it's pretty fun most of the time.