Happy Chinese New Year! (or issit Lunar?) Anyway, 恭喜发财， 身体健康， 万事如意！ 心想事成！

Chinese New Year seems to have crept up upon us amidst settling into a new term, busying myself with sch stuff, having a couple of public holidays prior to it, driving lessons... Actually, the tell-tale signs were all there... blasting of CNY songs from shops, the 'sudden' attack of the red!, aromatic pineapple tarts baking, buying of new clothes...

New Year to me is a period for eating and more eating. Reunion dinner(s), Bak Kwa, pineapple tarts, Kueh Bungkit (? the white stuff that melts in your mouth! => my fav!), mandarin oranges! You eat when you go visiting cause relatives will stuff you with food, my relatives came over on the first day and my mum cooked up a feast... Sigh.. how not to gain weight?

And with the new year comes a new layout... I think I change my layout like once a year? Now it is so pink! As usual, an SOS call... with my limited html knowledge, anyone can help expand the box? I feel that it's quite concentrated in the centre now.. got a lot of space at the side...

I feel like I'm trapped in a pit... trying ot claw my way up, but after inching up for a few centimetres, I fall back by even more... I can't seem to extricate myself from the sleep-late-wake-up-late cycle... When I sleep early, I end up sleeping even later the next night just because I have to finish something that I put off doing.

I need to get a grip on my life. What is important and what is urgent? Health vs Commitments? Sleep vs Readings?

I dragged myself up earlier than usual to go to school for an sppt @ 9... Needless to say, I happened to be late... It was supposed to be an experiment... So I didn't do it in the end... I'm feeling horribly guilty now... It's like breaking a promise... Maybe I shouldn't have signed up for it in the first place... or slept so late the night before...

And so i rushed ot school only to be told they had started.. So i trudged up to the library... and I've been here since 930.. Am supposed to get some research going on for another thing I signed up for... I think I'm just drowning myself by taking on too many things that I think I cna handle when I committed but the plot is unravelling horribly for me...

Am on a posting spree...

This is the gingerbread man that Claire gave me! :) It lost a leg cause I was hungry. :)

Well.. not a very clear pic.. but this is what is left of gingerbready... Yummy yummy!!!

I finally found a use for my International Econs text...

And no.. it is not for reading up for my econs class...

Ta dah!!!




it props my laptop up so that it won't get overheated up! Hahaha...

Just a thought...

I met an impatient man today...

I just thought, life would be nice if you stopped to sniff the flowers, to appreciate the things around you.

There are much more things to life than keeping a tight schedule and rushing from one appt to another. :)

I was once again a performer today... Yes.. I miss going on stage to perform something that has been painstakingly rehearsed for months.

I miss the jittery feeling backstage, the slight anxiety before we walk onto stage.
The ridiculous, but threatening thought: 'What if I fall when I walk across the stage?'

Tonight, some of them came back. No longer a 2 hour show, but just a 7 minutes piece, hours of rehearsals were put into it. SMU Grand Opening was today... I feel glad that I am actually able ot take part in such an event. The feeling is just great! How the collective cheer went out when we were informed that we were going according to dry weather plans.

The skies have been kind. It had been pouring almost incessantly the past fortnight... Yet, they decided to hold their showers tonight. Being one of the performers, we were mainly sitting around and waiting for instructions. I wonder how the committee must have felt as they tethered along the borders of anxiety, stress and worry.

TOnight was a night to remember. My first performance as a keyboardist. I'm glad I got roped in. Get to experience the arts again... A highly satisfying day. It made all the rehearsals worth it.

Now, as Meiju puts it, time to resume the life of a student...

Have you ever been in a class whereby you are so not interested in what is being taught?
Marxism? I haven't done the readings.. so I dunno what he is actually talking about.. Bleahz... :(

I need to get my life together again. Well, it is the first time in that many terms that I feel the need to read up and prepare before each class. But alas, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Am 3 weeks behind... plus tons of things looming and stuff to do.. *big sigh!*

Ooh.. my prof just talked about the 'Marriage of Figaro' (spelled correctly?) Hahaha.. reminds me of those days... except that nothing much is left except for certain names here and there.

I think gloomy, rainy days are taking its toll on me.. I've been feeling sluggish these few days... And it's always such a good time to sleep. Sometimes, i dun feel like going to school... actually, it's more like everyday.

But all in all, lessons are still so far so good... or maybe it is the company of Friends! Yay!!! They make up for the uncomprehensible greek and uninteresting modules... :) Not to mention, just chilling out with others...

Am behind on some deadlines.. oops.. will try to get it out as soon as possible...

Tennis is back in season! Yay! More things to entertain me and lure me away from my work...

Did I mention, i dun really like driving in the rain. Couldn't really see.. and somehow, I made a few bad judgment today. Tried to squeeze into the lane... and turn into the wrong lane... and tried to cur corners and stuff.. I should learn to be less reckless.

It's been quite a few wet and rainy days... Weather is chilly and nice... that is if you do not have to drag yourself out of bed or even the house to go out/school.

Am significantly enjoying my classes more this sem compared to last. Oh well.. maybe it is just a way of trying to psych myself for the term. International Econs still sound greek. So many concepts to remember. Very simple things that might have been overlooked is now brought back into play!

As for Theory and Analysis of Sociological Theory (T&A), I tried to do the 'short' (according to the prof) readings of 66 pages assigned. I barely got past page 4? It reminds me horribly of my democracy readings which I never really did till just before the exams and stuff. Actually, i think it is even more incomprehensible than Demo. Bleahz...

Now.. trying to do research for some stuff.. been looking at like webpages for like forever...

I feel a headache brewing.

IE = greek? I think I returned all my econs stuff to my econs tutor liao. I only retained snatches of it which I am racking my brains to recall in this first lesson of International Economics. Didn't help that I wasn't that good an econs student also.

Did I mentio how glad I am that I didn't take any morning classes?

Yay! My first post of the year!

Hmmmz... This blog has been going on for almost 3 years! That's a long time given that I tend to lose interest in things easily. I believe the Roylaties can attest to that.

The Hols just came and went.. and me? Too lazy to post anything on New Year's eve, or on New Year's day. I had to do it the day after new year!

What did I do yesterday? Hmmmz.. spent my technically my whole day at Tampines Mall helping my mum. It's been a while since I got down to work with kids. Nowadays, I prefer to spend time in front of my laptop, going out with frens than halping her out. YEsterday, I went there abeit reluctantly at first. But as the day went on, I kinda missed it. It reminded me of the 2 months I spent at United Square.

Actually, I can't believe school starts tomorrow. Technically, I know it starts tomorrow. But it's like I need to pinch myself to remind me of the fact. Hahaha... It feels weird cause it's like I dunno what I have to do.

Tomorrow, my sis also starts at her new school. At least she knows she has orientation, but me? Haiz.. just lessons proper followed by rehearsal! I just don't feel prepared for school. Anyway, it's as if the year hasn't ended at all. Days seem to blend into each other. The good thing is I have a 3 day week. So school and rehearsal on Tues and Wed. Driving on Thurs and Fri. Not bad huh? It's time to get that driving license before my 21st birthday! :)

Christmas came and went faster than I would have liked. A few days on and I'm facing almost the end of 2005. nah.. not gonna do a lengthy recap on 2005 now. Though I think I'll be making some New Year Resolutions...

Cycled in the rain on Tues. It wasn't a choice, but it was nice. The paths were cleared (caused it was raining) and there was just an impulse to cycle real fast. Kind of gets the wind in your face and just this 'I'm the only one around' feeling. Ok... another lousy reason was to try to get out of the rain asap. Yeah.. we could have stopped.. but since we were already wet when it started raining unceremoniously on us AFTER we just finished cycling to SAFRA, we decided to go all out. I mean... we still had to return the bikes what...

Anyway, was supposed to go to school to finish us some stuff and join Fran and Meiju to walk walk the next day... but was sniffling and sneezing my head off so bad, I stayed home. From the pics I saw and what I read, I'm kinda envious. I wish I could have been there. and nothing better than having long talks...

Yesterday was day out with the SN gals... ktv again.. what else? Unceremonious screechings, wonderful harmonizing (shuhui and mabel!!!), dinner out, dessert at nydc. Who says I'm losing weight? Oh.. this I must mentioned! I spent a miserly $6 at Sakae yesterday... I only had 3 plates. Not bad huh? Chawamushi, Tuna mayo Inari and Gyoza. WOuld have been 4 if not for the fact that the Fried Tofu I ordered never appeared. Woohoo!

Good news coming in.. I'm gonna get the money they deducted wrongly from my account back! Stupid hairdressing saloon! Charged me 3 times for the haircut. And yes.. they found the mistake.. blah blah blah.. and the guy tried to convince me to go in for a dye-job or treatment or let them hold the money for me until I go in for another haircut. Managed to convince him otherwise.. I'm gonna get my money back!

Woah... The weekend was just about food, food and more food! No carolling after 4 years. I thought it would be weird. But with the many gatherings and get togethers, this year's Christmas was packed!

Spent the last 2 days with family friends. My mum's ex-classmates. Kinda grew up with their kids, but we don't really talk much. But at the same time, I felt as if I've know them forever. Spending today at home with family. Brother's going back in later tonight.

Christmas is full of surprises. Of love, joy and warmth. Received unexpected gifts, and most importantly, unconditional love. I feel so lucky!

It has been 2 exciting and fun-filled days!

First up! Yesterday went all the way to Pasir Ris... to Sandy's new condo. Long time no see the gassy folks! Hahaha... Put 7 gals at a swimming pool with a camera and we go crazy, thinking we are synchronised swimmers and cheerleaders, not to mention a special ballet solo!!! Bwahahaha! Picts will be up soon.. Promise. Most prob after the bustle of Christmas! and Mabel's bday celebration. Happy Belated Birthday Mabel! :) The only dampener was that I couldn't go for all night ktv.. cause my mummy wanted me to go home to eat tang yuan! Heard you gals yodelled your lungs out! So no ktv next week? Maybe eating tang yuan yesterday was extra significant since my brother happened to book out of army after the 2 weeks confinement thingee. Woah... NS changes guys... No wonder their tagline is "where boys become men!". I can see muscles on his forearms liao... Notch bad...

Today... baked brownies in the afternoon for G1 gathering. which as usual had too much food left over and we ended up playing a game to try to get rid of it. But I think it was more succesful in digging up scandals and courtship stories. :) Hohoho!!! It was so so fun! Can't stop smiling when I think of the karma thingee. 'What goes around comes around'. Fun fun! Miss not being in the same class as you all!

and well, what have I been doing since I came home? ahahaha... Meeting the 7 guys tmr... so I thought I'll write them a note. Except that I din expect it to take so long. I feel as if i just wrote 7 different testimonials. *See I'm so nice~!~ *

I believe most of you have seen it... Screaming headlines, page after page of the 'Home' section of the newspaper devoted to reporting the NKF breakdown. To be honest, I didn't really read the details.. but what I read disgusted me to no end! Basically, the auditors found LOADS of problems, discrepancies and whatsoever between what they told us and what actually happened.

Sometimes, i just wonder... I'm not saying it is wrong to want to be profitable or deny the fact that money makes the world go round. But what I cannot stomach is how many layers of lies, dirt and filth this whole NKF saga has unravelled! An organization set up to help others, funds which you and I donate due to their incessant pleas and out of goodwill to help the less fortunate. and yet... finding out that only a fraction is used for the needy. How can people working there/managing the company blatently turn a blind eye to the misuse of funds??? I think it is a joke. Donations pour in for a reason - to help others -, not to line your own pockets or install gold taps. I understand that not 100% of our contributions will go to the patients. I understand the need to defray costs and other expenses. But it is just appaling how things were mis-reported and misrepresented. The conflict perspective speaks!

And honestly, this saga has rocked the whole boat of charitable organizations having charity shows. It is an undeniable fact that charity shows are not drawing in as much contributions as they had previously. On top of that, the numerous shows a year frankly puts me off. Things just gets increasingly bureaucratic and commercialised. It annoys me!

And yet, naive me still believe in altruism. I believe in people out there who really want to help. People who give selflessly.

Was singing at an old folk's home yesterday. The volunteers there reaffirms the above belief. Visiting old folks home always leaves me saddened. On top of that, residents of the one I visited were actually turned out by their own family! I fervently hope I will never find myself in such a predicament. I want to be financially stable and hope to be with a sound mind and healthy body when I grow old.

I've found a long-lost sister... or rather, that's what some people say. actually, this is kinda influenced by Fran's entry. Feel that I should repeat the story here... People seem to think Fran and I are sisters. We have a 4 mths and 1 week age gap. Possible? Here's a pic of Fran...



and the following is yours truly (and that's my messy table behind me... you can ignore it...) . Yesh.. I cut my hair. Short hor... (yes fran.. I'll send you the photos. Just uploaded them)



So do you think we look alike? Maybe not twins.. but to pass off as sisters?

SO far, a prof mixed the 2 of us up, we got comments/questions asking if we are sisters when we are out together...

WHAT do you think?

Let's not be melancholic anymore... :)

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!

But there's nth much to blog about... or rather, i haven't been getting myself in rather blog-able situations... Well, cityhall was SUPER packed last night due to the late night shopping. Throngs and throngs of shoppers with the shops at Suntec and citylink taking advantage of the later opening hours by offering discounts.

One thing I learnt, I can't really shop during sales. It's just overwhelming. And an increasing level of energy is needed to actually make me start looking for sth I like, then sifting through the clothes looking for the size and finally bothering to join the snake-like line at the changing room before trying it on to see if it is sth I want. And if it is not what I am looking for, then it was a waste of time. Imagine having to do that with people jostling and shoving, digging deep intopiles of clothes. Sometimes, I pity the sales assistant who must surely spend hours after closing time trying to tidy up everything only to end up with another huge mess at the end of the next day. *salutes them*

bleahz... bad term... bad results. averaged a B+ this sem... which to me is kinda on the down side. Believe me, I mean no offence to anyone here so dear friends, please do not take it to heart. It is based on my individual expectations, my own goals and aspirations. To have my grade point drop by 0.12 is quite a shock and perhaps the wake up call I have been longing for.

I am not resentfu, nor am I very upset. Simply put, I don't see what else can be done when projects are long handed in and exams taken weeks ago. I have learnt not to cry over spilt milk. am facing mainly just disappointment.

Abnormal psych, International Econs, Industrial & Organizational Psych, Theory & Analysis of Sociological Theories, Finishing Touch... Here I COME!!!

At the risk of sounding like someone who is not 知足常乐, and having high expectations, I got my first B today. Well, given how much I have whined about that irritating computing module and all the crap, I guess I should not be too surprised... Actually it's like I expected it, and am quite glad it didn't go any worse, but my heart still aches.

Maybe I should have taken it with meiju and bq.. hahaha... LIke i said, I think he is over-rated! wasted my e-dollars to be in a class full of strangers!

暧昧 by 杨丞琳

暧昧让人受尽委屈
找不到相爱的证据
何时该前进
何时该放弃
连拥抱都没有勇气

只能陪你到这里
毕竟有些事不可以
超过了友情
还不到爱情
远方就要下雨的风景

到底该不该哭泣
想太多是我还是你
我很不服气
也开始怀疑
眼前的人是不是
同一个真实的你

暧昧让人变得贪心
直到等待失去意义
无奈我和你
写不出结局
放遗憾的美丽停在这里.