Sunday, December 30, 2007
Note: Summary of entries this year - links provided for your easy reference.
When I decided to revive my blogger life in April, I certainly didn't think things were going to turn out this way.
In the debut entry, I mentioned that I was sick of living my boring life and hope this more colourful new blog can reflect a similar change in my own life. And it did.
As I set out to establish the goals I hope to achieve in life (travel, have my own place), I found a new me. Right now, I'm clearer of how I want to live my life with meaning and who I want /do not want to be.
When i started blogging again, i was able to capture the fun and laughter i had during my time in training. Similarly, this blog became my confidant. I poured out my thoughts on the heartbreak of the year and how i bounced back from it.
There was a period when i felt lonely and the only thing i could was look to past memories for console. Reminiscene was one way i kept myself together. I even had a slight brush with religion as i was looking for companionship. However, after much deliberation, i felt it was best to be a free thinker.
Family-wise, relations were still per normal, lukewarm.
As i moved on to my next posting, i began the process of adapting to a new environment - with new bosses, new tasks and new friends. After finally settling down in my branch, i started to enjoy the whole process of getting to know my colleagues better - through dinner, kbox and even bowling.
Just as i moved from one place to another, i attempted to move on and make changes in my own life. Haunted by the ghost of the past, i struggled. But ultimately, i found the new me - self-embracing, less shy (and no longer camera shy) and maybe looking better. I am finally at ease with myself.
As part of my wish to contribute to the society and live up to my "Aspire to Inspire" Motto, i even got myself a stint as a citizen reporter for library@orchard. From prelude to start to process to product to end, there's certainly a lot to give thanks for this opportunity.
I started to enjoy my own life now, having fun while reuniting with old buddies and meeting new friends. From food trips to movie mania to clubbing, i had a great time.
But life's a bitch. Barricades and brickwalls will always be present. If looking to the past to seek console doesn't help, the only way is to move on.
This year also marks a renewed passion in music for me. With the much-anticipated return of mandy moore (video, album) and spice girls, i had something to look forward to. The featured inspirational songs and movies show how music and movies inspired me. I even created music specials (top 100 songs of 2007, all time fav songs, JPMAS, JMAS) to show my fervour for music.
Like any other year, i have my ups and downs. Sincere thanks to all who accompanied me through the year.
Now that we're at the end of year, it's time for me to evaluate and reflect.
With that I close blogbook 2007 and look forward to 2008.
Wishing You ALL THE BEST in the coming year.
Simply,
Joel
Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road - Reflections 2007
Warning: Extremely long. The first part about my army life is pretty lengthy since I didn't blog from Jan to March. For simplicity sake, reflections are in bold. Read on if you're interested in my life.
Just this thurs, I met up with Yang Sis for our “Christmas” outing. Noticeably (by the goodbye “meat” on her arm and the few additional inches on her waist), she's been gaining a lot of weight within the past few months due to her lack of self-control to resist the temptation of oily, “sinful” food. As we were actively discussing about it over dinner, we both agreed it would be best for her to resume the fitness programme (morning run in the park) we practised last December (didn't realise due to lack of commitment on both sides – sleep was apparently more important).
That was last December, when I was still trying to prepare myself physically for my much-dreaded enlistment into National Service. It was D Day for me. It was the exact moment my father had been talking about for the past few years (especially during Chinese New Year), counting down anxiously as I approach the enlistment date.
Because of that, I started the year 2007 with a truckload of apprehension on my mind. I was facing the cruel reality that I , like all other Singapore males, have to forgo two years of our lives to plainly serve the army. I thought I knew what I was in for before I enlisted. After all, I had a very experienced commando brother who was still serving his NS liability at that time to tell me stories of his army experience. Enlistment meant days away from the comfort of home and my cosy well-endowed room sanctuary, days away from my music (you know how important music is in my life), and even farther away from the life that I thought I could have after 6 arduous and self-sacrificing years of endless studying. 
Unfortunately (as always), it was only when I enlisted on 12 January at the so-near-yet-so-far Pulau Tekong that I realised all those were tip of the iceberg. It was socialisation all over again (don't we just hate it?), physical training and a hell lot of threats, rules and insults notwithstanding. I remembered very vividly that on the first day, we had to carry this large bulky black bag (filled with uniforms, equipments etc) up to our bunks. Unfortunately (told you so), my bunk was located at the top floor – fourth level. Seems easy right? Fourth floor only... But try it with a stupid heavy bag with limited arm muscles and see if you can do it. Anyway, I was the first few to start carrying the bag up and ended up being the LAST one. People even had to come back to help me carry the bag to my bunk as I was really taking a long and hard time. That point on, I knew my one month of training had all washed down the drain. It certainly proved to be of little use considering the muscular foundation was not laid well. To be honest, the foundation was never there – I am still skin and bones after all these years. Even the weather matched what I was feeling – it was raining cats and dogs while I felt like a giant rock hung on my “weak” heart. When I finally made it to my bunk, everyone (13 of them, 1 instructor) was waiting for me, looking at me. When I scanned the room, I saw my biggest nightmare. Almost everyone was tall, if not fit and I was the only pitiful soul who looked like he JUST MADE IT. The rest of the day was left to unpack all the stuff we just received and, of course, to do our much-awaited (though it's only a few hours since we left home) personal stuff. to call back to our parents to report on our well-being. All along in the history of my family, i've been the weakest and the “softest”. I showed no excitement in exercising and keeping fit and I was least interested in arguing and fighting. To put it simple, I was “NUA”. Like tofu if you catch my drift. That why's my enlistment is considered the most worrying for my parents. There was hardly anything to worry for my two elder brothers since one was a basketball captain for the neighbourhood community centre and the other was a “almost” pro-footballer for Home United. Therefore, no matter how much worries I had with me at that time, I had to suppress it and tell them everything is fine when it obviously wasn't. The second and last person I called for the night was Yang Sis. When she expressed concern for me, I began to pour out my worries to her. Tears clogged up my eyes when I did so and I was trying my best to hide my sorrow aka weakness from my bunk mates. I felt alone and away from any possible source of comfort, console and help. After the comforting call, I turned in but couldn't sleep at all with all the uncertainties suspended in my mind. The next day onwards, I was like I was in a totally new realm. I had to wake up at 530am, attend water parades, eat lousy breakfasts before going for boring lectures and confusing trainings. Then it was back to sleepless night after sleepless night. It was obvious I had problems adapting to the new life. I was no appetite for food, constipated, and couldn't sleep for three consecutive hours. During the 2 weeks of confinement, I grew so many pimples I could hardly stand the look of myself in the mirror. That's besides the point I had to face another life-changing experience I swear I will never “willingly” undergo for the rest of my life. Yes, I'm talking about the ULTIMATE HAIR SHAVE. “Weird” is how I look. Caps became my new found accessory when I go out (especially CNY) or even just go down to buy something from 7eleven. Yet, in retrospect, I think the shave was a good thing. It forced to me change and after 6 years of looking like the school-boy nerd, the change was probably much-needed. But I would never want to do it again.    
Before I sound too depressed for my own good from the previous paragraphs, I'm glad to say things turned out for the better as time passes. Before everyone got to know me better (sadly because of the “illegal Mentos/Ricola I brought in and my incompetency as a soldier), I got myself acquainted with Ah Meng. He looked so “guai” (a politician-lookalike I told him) and the least threatening (unlike the rest, all tall, fit and weird) that I thought he was the only one I could possibly talk to comfortably. Turned out he was actually pretty friendly. AND HE LIKES ENGLISH MUSIC! I swear I can connect with anyone who likes English music! haha
Somehow I'm really grateful to him (Be proud of yourself, Ah Meng!). He was the only one I could turn to when I had doubts or trouble (in the beginning). My bed buddies were either too unapproachable, too quiet or too obsessed with polishing his already very-shiny boots. Moreover, he was the only one who offered me help when I was totally drained out digging my own “grave”. Together with him, I knew Jeremy. Funny how a joke between Ah Meng and me that he looks like a cross between a Bear (size/behaviour) and a Racoon (face) can lead us to become good buddies in BMT.
As the weeks past by, as people got to know each other more, time at Tekong past by pretty fast and certainly much more easily. Jokes on “PT IC” and Ah Meng SBJ's were constantly on repeat mode, although it never failed to make me laugh. In addition, I was “coup”-ing biscuits from Big Head, having my daily pre-sleep dose of gossip with the rest on Mr Brown and sometimes Colonel “Weird Face” and feasting on our snack “potluck” after every book in.
After the two weeks of confinement, I was a full-fledged soldier who has thrown a grenade, shot the rifle and did the torturous SOC and I was ready to face the world with the new bald me. Haha... Not that ready actually.
With every book in, there's always a book out (although sometimes the wait is very long, or so it seems). Now that I get to go home for the weekends, I began to realise another fact. While everyone else was seeing their girlfriends or hanging out with their cliques of friends at Orchard, Bugis etc, I was trapped at home, bored, boring and bothersome. The fact that I don't have many friends sank in (real deep) and the existing friends I had (Yang Sis and Fiona) were busy with their own work that asking them out to cure my boredom didn't seem like the right thing for me to do.
Fortunately, during that very lonely period, I got Yang Sis to accompany to buy the mp3 player, iPod, that I have always wanted. I could spent the whole weekend in my own room searching for new songs (inspired by Ah Meng) and arranging my music playlist so that I could bring the best 386 songs with me back to Tekong for that week. Music (sadly) became my best friend. That only made me feel even more pathetic with my empty, friend-little life although I didn't persistently think about that sad part of my own life. I had been doing it for most part of my studying life (distracting myself from it by doing tons of work) and I was certainly good at ignoring it again.
Digressing here. One of the most climatic points of the year also happened during my BMT phase. That's the long-awaited A Level Results!!!
Since completing the painful exams in November last year, I've honestly not thought much about it. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT – That's my new policy this year. I always find myself expecting too much and in the end the reality of it all leaves me feeling disappointed. But certainly, as rumours about the decisive day increased, my anxieties did so too.
After much anticipation and worry, that day came and it was back to school to collect my all-important fate-deciding results. Armed with my cap (extremely important then since I was botak), I entered my college in the afternoon, about 1 hour before the official release of results. Usually by then, the top scorers would have been out. So trying my luck, I went to check it out and as expected, my name was not featured. It wasn't like Secondary School where I was third in school and to be able to find out your results first hand was... cool. Haha.
Well, probably it's more fun this way, waiting like the rest for their results. So as I found my classmates and settled down in the hall, I was anxiously waiting for the results, praying to every single god in this world for my results to be good. If there's a time to help, this is it!
While I was not one of the top scorers in terms of results, I found out during the presentation that I was one of the top scorers among the CCA leaders. Although I don't consider myself much of a CCA leader, considering how little work I do, that honor is still mine to keep (embarrassed). With that, I was totally relieved. Almost all my work paid off. Besides the pathetic B4 I got (which is a grade that borders between can and cannot make it) for my GP, I did myself proud for the rest. Thank God!
The happiness wasn't long though. Soon, I was faced with the dilemma of choosing the right course for myself in university. Somehow, growing up under the shelter of my parents, I've gotten used to them making decisions for me. Now, I am an adult and I had to make important plans for my own future. Although I dread it, I know it's something I have to grapple with for the rest of my life so I better get used to it. Ultimately, after sorting advices from seniors and friends, I decided on Pharmacy, a reasonably good path considering the industry seems to be booming with Singapore's dream to be a medical hub and the simple fact that everyone falls sick – even during bad times.
Anyway, coming back to Army, after nine weeks of BMT, it was finally time for us to separate into our individual units. It was another point of apprehension for me since I chose to go to command school and be trained as a future SGT (instead of leaving to fate to decide my posting). I knew I was up again for another round of socialisation and certainly much tougher training.
Fortunately, I entered a relatively “easy” company where commanders were less strict and training programmes were easily “manipulated” to suit our needs. There, I was reunited with some old platoon mates from BMT which made the transition easier. My new bunk was made up of people of distinctive personalities – some “kiam”/stingy miser, some lazy, some lame and some irritating. But somehow a group of us (Muscleman, Prak, FeiHong, Dom and I) cliqued better. Field camps, navigation exercises in the forest and physical trainings became more fun because of them. Although we bickered at times, we also bonded through all the group activities. It seemed like yesterday when we were having a great time laughing while writing our daily journal entries and chatting in our tents because we couldn't get to sleep.
With that, 10 weeks flew by and I was up for another round of posting to a new place. That was when I reached the lowest point of this year. Everyone dreaded to go to the advanced course and I was one of the “unlucky” ones picked. Now i'm actually very grateful that I got chosen cause I probably won't be able to have such a good time now without it. I always believed that after a real low, the only way was up and it happened to me.
Due to my new found injury, I was suddenly out of training and left to “recuperate”. There I was, transient, in my new company as a OOC, Out Of Course personnel. Loathed by the commanders and treated as their slaves, the OOCs had to abide by their instructions to clean stores, weapons and even be their coffee-boy (although we're quite happy since we get to go to the canteen). Because of all the unreasonable tasks thrown to us to do (the commanders and all were pretty darn lazy to do it themselves), it sort of bonded us together for a common purpose – to avoid those tasks and try to be as transparent as possible. With Ben, Sze, Neo, Diong, Warren, Leo, Qyou, I felt welcomed and somehow I was able to get along with them all. Not everyone of the OOCs clicked though. Many at times we really wanted to straggle each other's throat for pushing tasks to others. Gladly, I was the first out of that bunch to be posted out.
From those past few months of training, what I took away was an experience I will never forget. Truth be told, it was tiring and maybe even scary but it also carried along a tinge of excitement. I never thought I would be one of those NS boys we always see on television (although not as courageous) learning the robes on how to defend our nation and neither did I expect myself to be able to complete it.
Because of how lonely that period was for me (the non-living iPod being my only constant companion), I somehow looked forward to meeting my army mates with every book in. It was like meeting friends on a daily basis, just like how we did in school. Well, except that i have to undergo training as well. It made me realise that I have missed out on the best 6 years of studying life in which I could have made more and better friends. My view that “I could always make more friends later in life” has backfired and left me isolated and dissatisfied. All I could boast about (which I don't) is having relatively good results that probably thousands of people share as well. Since it's too late to regret, I can only cherish the moments ahead and not repeat the same mistake again.
Whether it was a matter of happenstance – the result of domino circumstances, I managed to do so with my new (and hopefully final) posting. Currently stationed in the Manpower Branch of my camp as a project clerk, I was able to get along well with my branch mates. Occasional pool (urgh...) and KBOX sessions were organised collectively as we enjoyed being amongst each other's presence. Our office bunch – namely Joshie, Marc, Ton, Maxim, Loba (& Ron) - were on the same tune and played along well like a harmonious melody.
 
Jokes and sarcastic humor were often cast (mainly on Ton) that certainly helped to make the otherwise stressful and bland office a much more lively and heartwarming place I could finally call my second home. The superiors were generally nice as well, with Ms Chipmunk and Ms Tan acting like “surrogate” mothers in office, providing us boys with food (biscuits, pizzas and KFC) and simply, the often-overlooked niceness. After months of loneliness and “torture” during the training phase, the niceness was definitely much desired and welcomed. It was like from the moment I joined the office, my life changed. I was happier and enjoying myself much more.
When a sudden attachment stint almost separated my pleasant colleagues from me (didn't happen in the end), their reluctance and perceived sadness to “forgo” me honestly touched me. That occurrence proved to me that I actually did make attempts to forge stronger ties with friends. With slightly less than a year with this happy gang, I look forward to any fond memories we might make in the coming year.
As if that's not good enough, an random painting in library@orchard when I went out with Maxim led to much better things. I was no longer spending boring weekends cooped up in my room doing absolutely nothing.
When I posted the picture on my own blog, I would least expect a librarian to find it, much less invite me to participate in their “citizen reporter, library@orchard” activity. It was the exact thing I was looking for to excite myself and occupy my free time.  
Ever afraid to do things alone, I decided to rope in Kenny G, an online friend, I got to know through Fengie, one of my good friends during the first three months of college. Kenny G and I have been chatting randomly through Facebook for about a week or so, especially due to our common situation (his is better) and similar passion for ENGLISH MUSIC! Told you I can get along with anyone who likes English music...
Since he was the president for my college's Publication's club, I thought he would be interested in it as well. Therefore, taking the very big step, I decided to call on this like-minded stranger to join me in the activity. Very fortunately (unusual for a luck-dry person like me), he was just as interested in it as me.
Honestly, I couldn't have found a better person to join me in the activity. He had a flair for writing interesting articles and a even bigger hunger for gossip/fashion magazines (like me!) especially 8days. More than just a tag-along friend in this activity, we became good friends who would go out together (with Fengie and Grace) to shop, eat, sing and laugh till we literally drop. Furthermore, I was lucky enough to be “invited” to his christmas chalet where I had a wild and fun night clubbing and a pleasant BBQ to follow through the next day.
  
With him, I enjoyed the whole process of being a citizen reporter – information collection, writing our entries, and attending the final party. It was the only thing I did that I felt I achieved some sort of satisfaction. I initiated it and I accomplished it. I loved the entry I wrote and I was glad it managed to help the library in ways I never thought possible.
However, looking back on 2007, despite it being liberating and more fun that I've ever experienced, I do feel a bit guilty, if not ashamed, that I achieved so little. While people rushed to take driving tests and attend external language/subject classes to upgrade themselves, I was bumming my life away in front of the laptop and television, surfing through meaningless programmes that only serve to fill my already-quite-empty brain with useless information.
I made friends with the famous “procrastination” and lacked the motivation to kick start my life once again, preferring to lie comfortably in the pastures of my new-found cosy and easy life. I've always been a late bloomer – in growth, fashion, studies and even friendship – and it seems like I'm allowing the trend to continue with the plans of my life. When I've finally applied for my driving license's Basic Theory, I realise everyone around me has either passed both Basic and Advanced Theory and started their practical lessons, or going to take their practical test very soon. It's like i'm always lagging behind, forever trying to catch up. But the worst thing is, I don't even feel like catching up too.
But of course, I realise not everything in life is within my control or up to me to decide. Societal pressure and stress from my parents force me to do the “unwilling”. Well, I might show disdain to submit to such pressures – to drive, be fit, cool or be mainstream – I guess it's for the better. I certainly don't want to feel left out my whole life, thinking I'm different. Although my life philosophies might be incongruent with the “materialistic” and “superficial” world, my actions need not be. I need to try my best to blend in without compromising on my beliefs.
On the whole, 2007 was also the defining year for me since I reaffirmed my beliefs in life. Although not all impending issues are resolved and thought out, I did figure out who, how and what I want to be in life.
I didn't want to be the blind trend-follower, doing what everyone is doing because they think it's cool. Having my own opinion and judgement has and will always be an essential principle to me. I want to do things I am sincerely interested in. I want to be more outgoing and sociable and not sit back and pray for good friends to come my way (cause they seldom do) while I lament to myself constantly about my pathetic life. (still working on that though) I want to live life without being so self-conscious because honestly I don't think people give a hoot about what u do anyway. Why should I let my own doubts/perceptions of how people might see me affect me? I am only obstructing myself if I do so. I will live life like I want to – buy the clothes I like, cam-whore like nobody's business etc – cause the memories are mine to keep and theirs (the rest) to forget.
 
I am no longer ashamed of how I used to be. (at least on my blog haha) It's not called the past for no reason. The matter I'm concerned about is not allowing the ghost of the past haunt me again in future times.
Moving forward to 2008, I am hopeful but yet again filled with apprehension. Will I be able to accomplish what I set out to achieve and will I be able to successfully overcome my disdain and complete what I might not like? Will I be fortunate enough to have good opportunities offered to me to help make my life exciting, fulfilling and most of all, meaningful?
There are many things I hope to achieve in the next year but there are also many question marks and doubts hanging over me on my ability to complete them.
Nevertheless, I hope to restore my faith in myself and believe that I'm better than what I am now – the hopeful, worried, self-conscious soul. I hope to regain the drive I used to possess when I was fervently revising for my studies. I know I can do it if I put my heart to it. It's more of whether I want to do it and whether the opportunity is open for me (this I leave fate to decide).
With every second that passes I'm inching closer to a new year of infinite possibilities and (sadly) impossibilities. But I certainly hope I can find the inner courage and passion to turn the tide around to create more wonderful opportunities and memories in order to live the life I like.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Blogging today is NOT me, but guest blogger and my friend, Kenny G! For undisclosed reasons (Although one of them i must say is my inability to narrate the sequence of events that happened well - Kenny wouldn't agree with me on that), he'll be blogging about our clubbing experience last friday. So read on and ENJOY!
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All my bland life, I have only been associated with the Ministry of Education (public schooling), Ministry of Defense (National [sic] Service) and Ministry of Magic (Harry Potter). Before you decide to stretch your mouth muscles and yawn away..wait, I am excited and a tad proud to add Ministry of Sound to the list..finally
Blame it on Crime Watch and Moulin Rogue , my mindset on Clubbing has always been negative. Mention the C word and images of tattoo-faced buck-toothed ah-bengs with purple streaks of hair bashing the living daylights out of each other, leaving pools of blood and a trail of broken beer bottles. In short, it was all about sex, drugs, alcohol ,fights and smoking. All the 5 deadly sins rolled up into one.
Partially I was influenced by my accidental encounter of a “raunchy” club when my classmates and I entered into the FHM party room, instead of the room meant for our post-prom celebration.
As such, I abstained from anything vaguely related to clubbing as if it was committing adultery. How hard I tried to suppress the thought, I knew deep down that visiting a club was on my “things-to-do-before-i-die” list, visiting as in observing the reasons why clubbing enjoys such a high cool quotient from an outsiders’ point of view and to experience something new and different. It will be the first and the last time that I will be clubbing Hey, I am only 19 years old, if I set so many limitations to my pea-sized mindset, I think I would pass away with a bed full of regrets. So I decided that I will go clubbing for once. 21 December 2007. Ministry of Sound.
Under the guidance of clubbing senior, Melvin, I , together with Clubbing virgins , siewfeng, grace, Kelly and Joel made our maiden trip to the glitzy Ministry Of Sound.
730pm : Normal people dressed down for chalets , but it was the opposite for us. Make-up - checked, Glamorous dresses and t-shirts – checked, fancy hair-dos – checked. The chalet was transformed into the chaotic backstage of the STAR Awards. Style-guru-turned hairstylist Melvin performed instant magic on my dead hair with his nimble fingers and help from hair spray and hair gel. Perched in front of the dressing table with a pair of sunglasses, I felt like as if I was glamazon diva Fann Wong with David Gan doing my hair, while I threw indifferent and icy stares into the mirror. GLAM!!!!!!
750pm- There we have it – Mel- brought sexy back in his Justin-timberlake-sque vest suit, all he was missing were a fedora hat and disco balls. Gracie- a sexy retro disco goddess , in her tent-like dress. Siew Feng went black to the basics in her shoulder-bearing blouse. Kelly channeled Queen Latifah in her figure-hugging top. Joel swelled with national pride in his a red-and-white striped shirt ( NS does give you a sense of belonging??!!) , paired with a snazzy white jacket. And as for me, I looked a cross between a school teacher and a hip pastor – in an all black ensemble of black shirt and pants.
I felt so out of place, dressing to the night in Downtown East, the land of Bermudas and Flip-flops. After a quick dinner of bread, we took a train to Clark Quay, the heart of Singapore’s night life
9pm - Darlings..we have arrived at MOS – which looked rather smoky and deserted save for pockets of people lurking around. I was expecting singapore’s enclave of the cool and hippest to make a beeline for the doors , but they were none to be seen. With nightlife activity peaking at 1am,the night was still young . A shiver went down my spine as I flashed my IC to the jaded bouncer, he scanned my face and gave a lazy nod- that was it. I was about to make my debut entrance to MOS and there was to be no turning back.
9pm-10pm: the entire club was like a ghost town – cold, almost deserted.. where were the sweaty bodies and sardine-packed crowd? Mel showed us around the club as if it was his sprawling villa - a tour around – the disco room, the cage and the arena with a revolving dance floor that looks like a sushi bar.
Naturally, we did not blend into the environment instantly. I was worried stiff about shaking my “un-shakira”-like hips in front of gawking random strangers. The thought of that alone gave me shivers. While standing around, I prayed that the crowd would build up so that we can slip into oblivion, then, nobody would even bother to throw a glance even if I tore my shirt up. So we waited and waited till the clock struck 1030pm: we entered into the almost-deserted dance floor enclosure. Initially , the moves were reluctantly simple which felt like a fish out of water. Very awkward. Dancing around a circle of friends really helps to build the momentum..cos 10 minutes later,we were progressed from swaying from side to side to doing high-fives with each other to thrusting our arms alternately to shaking wildly like a band of babbling baboons.
Yes, we thought that we have reached our climax… aching legs, checked. Clogged ears, checked. Dry throats, checked. Painful hips, checked. It felt was if we were doing mass aerobics in the dark to the tunes of ear-deafening techno-pop music. We took a half-time and proceed to slurp our coke vodkas and whiskeys furiously and of course, cam-whored part 2.
Next, it was Disco-time , baby!! I felt as if I was Austin Powers, minus the chest hair. Under shimmering, revolving disco balls, we twisted to the retro bits of Donna Summer and Gloria Estefan on the para-para sakura- inspired dance pad. the disco songs really made me ecstatic with joy cos I am rather retro in my music tastes…oohhhh I just wanna dance with somebody…
To save our suffering ears from going deaf, we took a much-needed breather and went to Cheers to quench our thirst with something non-alcoholic. By then, my head was mildly spinning cos jolly shandy makes me giddy, let alone vodka. Orange juice never tasted so comforting… after we recomposed ourselves by the banks of the Singapore River, it was back to Clubbing- the sequel.
You know movie sequels are always disappointing cos we expect that they will retain some of the magic of the original movie. But Clubbing – the Sequel was so much better! By then ( 2am) , the entire club was thronged with a wave of humanity with its currents fast and furious – as if they were giving free Hello Kitties for every vodka ordered. It was packed to the prim – so packed that every ounce of oxygen in the air was used up in a heartbeat…Our closely-knitted gang formed a train-line to prevent ourselves from getting lost in the sea of gyrating hips. After much squirming and elbow-pushing, we made it – all the way upfront in the heart of the action – right in front of the DJ’s booth!!! Woot!
The music was phenomenal !!! it had our adrenaline levels surge to an all time high, any higher and we would have gone hyper! It lifted our spirits instantly when Gimme More, Don’t Cha, Say it Right, Please don’t stop the music rang into our ears. Every time the all-familiar tune begun to break out, the crowd went crazy! In the midst of the crowd, I completely immersed myself in the music, sub-consciously shaking every possible part of my body- my head, arms, elbows, knees. It was sort of like an out-of –the –body experience!!!!
It was devil-liciously fun. I felt sinful – in a good way. I felt lighter- much have lost quite a considerable amount of calories from all the shaking and waving. Kudos to Mel for showing your sexy dance moves that can rival Justin Timberlake’s.
That was one night that I will always remember – whenever I feel that my life is sad and bland. Because it was not, for one night.
Lights Surrounding Us
Last Friday, as an opening to the Christmas Chalet Kenny G organised, we (Kenny's Gang and me) decided to go for our first ever clubbing experience at the Ministry of Sound. Since i missed out on that chance on my prom night (and went to some stupid boring pub doing boring stuff with slightly boring people), it was something i really wanted to try at least once before i die.
Since most of us were NOOBS at the clubbing, we took extra care in dressing up and for the gals, making up so that we will look cool enough to enter it. Kenny G said the entrance is based on your looks - which is totally DISCRIMINATING.
 
We arrived there at about 930 so that we could enter at the cheap rate of 15 dollars. The sad thing was the party wasn't even close to starting at that time. The club was generally empty and the rare few were sitting down taking sips from their drinks. Guess they were also trying to tap on the cheap $15 dollar entrance fee? haha
Anyway, since the club was empty, we took the opportunity to cam-whore!
Well, these are the pics:    
After that we went to dance for an hour or so by ourselves. It was kinda weird considering no one was on the dancefloor and everyone else was watching us. Even by 12 midnight the party was just warming up. Tired of dancing by ourselves, we left the club to grab ourselves a drink at the nearby Cheers.
Isn't clubbing supposed to be fun? After the drink, we returned to the club and shockingly the club was now filled with people and the music was HIGH. We managed to squeeze through the crowd and get a good spot near the DJ stand. And we just went wild with the music!  
Club favourites like "The Way I Are" (Timbaland), "Gimme More" (Britney!!!), "Don't Cha" (Pussycat Dolls) and "Promiscuous" (Nelly F) pumped up the hype and everyone was least of all concerned about how silly their "grooves" and "grinds" look. It was all about immersing yourself in the VERY VERY HYPNOTIC MUSIC. haha...
Well, the rest of the time there (we stayed till three, when the party was on its high) was more party and some rest (Trying our our complimentary free drink as we took a breather). haha.
 
We only stayed till three since we still have activities lined up for tomorrow - bbq and escape.
So we took the night-rider back to paris ris. It was a long ride back - 85 stops in all. I dunno how i managed to come back alive. When we finally reached the chalet, it was 530am. After bathing and all, i only managed to turn in at 7am. Craziness.
Well, it was a great experience and a definite eye-opener for me. While i LOVE the music and the "ecstacy" it provided, i don't forsee myself clubbing very often. haha. I''ll go deaf and blind la. hah
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Chalet happenings
The chalet on the other hand wasn't that high. After all, the six of us were tired and probabaly even moody. But we still carried on with the escape trip and bbq.
In short,
High points: Viking ship @ Escape, Playing Uno, Gift Un-wrapping
SIAN moments: Intermittent Raining, Rest Of Escape, BBQ
For More Read HERE
Pictures Galore! (Lazy to write hehe)
Escape:
 
 
BBQ:
 
Gift UN-wrapping:
I received a HMV Voucher - the golden ticket - from Kenny G!
Thanks Grace, Mel, Fengie for their presents too.
 
That's all Folks!
P.s: Thanks Yang sis for the best present! My new WATCH! And Thanks to Kenny G for inviting me to the chalet
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
From 2004's "Your Love Is King", 2005's "Perfect Little Things I Can't Release" to 2006's "Don't Miss the Diamonds Along the Way", coming up with the inaugural Thank You List title has always been difficult. With the end of the year approaching, i was cracking my brains to find the right title. It was certainly not easy to live up past years' title.
2004's Your Love Is King, inspired from UK's first Pop Idol, Will Young's british soul cover for the movie "Love Actually" signifies how grateful i am to all those who've helped me and showed me their support and concern. For the love they've shown me, they deserve to be called royalty.
2005's "Perfect Little Things I Can't Release", taken from Aussie sensation Natalie Imbruglia's album song "Perfectly" describes all friends who've walked the year with me as tiny treasures in my life that i will always cherish and never abandon or give up on.
2006's "Don't Miss The Diamonds Along The Way", a quote from singer song-writer legend, Sheryl Crow's song "Diamond Road", once again brings out my indebtness to the gems of my life, my wonderful and encouraging friends.
This year's title is from ex-M2M bandmate Marit Larsen's "Solid Ground". All the moral support, friendship, comfort, consolation and even "protection" (if there need be) have really uplifted me and humbled me deeply. I'm flattered by the act of concern and i truly am very glad to know all of them. They definitely help me to keep it all together. They are my sense of solid ground.
Of course, as a disclaimer, i probably don't think i can recall everyone's name so apologies to anyone who i've forgotten. I do mean every "Thank You" when i say so. Therefore, please don't think you're not appreciated by me if you're not on the list. Anyone who treats me good i will remember.
Well, here it goes!
1) Yang H
As i've said before many times, you're the best sister i never had. haha. Without you this year i really doubt i'll ever be as happy and cheerful as i would be. Thank you for being my source of comfort when i was in BMT. I remembered on the first day of enlistment i called you on the phone and almost cried. Hearing your voice and having you comfort me was the best thing at that time. Because of that i was able to keep it together and pull through the otherwise traumatic two weeks. Moreover, thanks for the great company throughout the year, calling me out to watch every movie possible, making my weekday nights so more interesting, instead of just sitting in my bed and playing with Facebook. And of course, thanks for treating me like family. haha.
 2) Kenny G
My like-minded friend! haha.. It's been so fun meeting you and experiencing all the "uncharted territories" with you. You never fail to make me laugh with your crazy "diva"-licious antics haha. At least now i can totally be myself and be at ease when i'm with a friend haha (not everyone can tolerate me too haha). Of course, thanks for agreeing to participate in the library@orchard citizen reporter with me. I wouldn't have been as memorable with you tagging along. And most importantly, thanks for introducing me to your group of friends (alot!) esp, Grace. haha. Hope in the future we can get to do more interesting stuff together!
3) Grace & Fengie
Hey gals! thanks for being great company. I think Fengie and i never thought we will end up this way after losing contact for almost two years. But it's been really fun to know you all over again. haha... Grace also, thanks for the fun and laughter you've provided whenever we go out. I think we should call ourselves the Traffic 4. haha. You (i think) likes red, Kenny likes Green and I like yellow! And Fengie is the link connecting us all together to bring colours to our life! Well said! haha...
__________________________________________________
Office
 
4) Joshie and Marcus and Ronald
Now that i'm "moving" over, i'm happy that i'll be working with you two more often now. After all, Joshie you're always so funny with cute-boy-boy behaviour and Marcus with your parodies of Harry Potter and Mocca Ads. haha... Thanks for being great buddies to talk to, especially at those times when the office was so cold and empty. You guys really kept the cheerful mood going! haha. And Ronald, thanks for everything when you're still in office haha. Now i'm THE boy le. sob... haha
5) Tony and Max
Max-Sim-Lim! Hahaha... Always very glad to know that i have friends to talk to in the office. Tony, if you can stop eating and sleeping too much then Marcus won't get so angry haha... You're not HOT, so stop expanding ok. hahah... It's been great collecting mails with you. haha. Max, same thing, great to know that i have a friend who cares about me and tries hard to help me, although i must admit (i'm truthful) it gets a bit "over the line" sometimes. But i do appreciate it. =)
6) Wei You
My table buddy. Thanks for the help you've given me as well as the sharing of IT chim-ology to me. It's impressive that you know so much about IT stuff when i cannot comprehend any terms other than MP3. haha...
7) All bosses, esp Miss Tan and Miss Jen
Miss Tan, you're the office mother and Miss Jen you;re the NSF wannabe. Thanks for taking care of us boys haha. To my bosses, i know i'm not capable - forgetful and "bad at maths" and what not - but i do try my best. Apologise for any mistakes i've made but i'll buck up! haha
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8) Fiona
My xiao mei ah... Must jia you in your studies ok! I know having me as a "tutor" is a bit "mian qiang", sorta like a last resort but i hope i can pass all my methodology in solving problems and luck to get GOOD RESULTS! I guess next year we'll meet up even less but don't forget me ah! haha..
9) Ah Meng & Jeremy
Ah Meng ah... Thanks for being the most "talkable" person in bulk le.. without you i think i'll be so sianz. Really have to thank you for helping me so many times in BMT - esp digging the stupid hole. Stop making jokes about "PT IC" and I'll try to share with you more music ok! Jeremy, it was really funny to have you along during all the "remedial training" for the unfit haha... At least you're not like Meng loh, pass SBJ and then jump worse than the failures during training hahahahahah! Jia you in your studies k! Hope to see you two soon!
10) SISPEC Mates esp Zuohuo, Prak, Weihong and Dom
Can't believe ten weeks just fly by so fast! While being in E coy was good enough, i'm so glad that i even got to be in the same bunk as you guys!!! I really had a lot of fun doing navig (WH and your biscuits ah..), writing diary entries (the super long one esp), and talking during field camps. Thanks for the bitching Dom! haha... We'll never forget Raymond haha.
11) OOC mates
Neo, benny, lau and diong most noticeably. It's interesting that we didn't even like each other then, always trying to push work to each other hahah... Maybe not me and neo/diong. haha.. I seemed to get along with most of you haha... I dunno how we made it through all the late nights just to prepare the maps, long sentries and washing of stores but we made it. Thanks for the company and jokes along the way. It would have been really painful and depressing without the entertainment, even "groping", you guys provided.
12) Yeo
Hahaha... can't shake the habit of calling you by your surname. Guess i'm not the only OOC you keep in contact since there're so many OOC hahah. But really nice knowing you and thanks for the jokes and "nice-ness" you showed me when i was there. haha...
13) Evonne
Love your nice heartwarming messages everytime hahah.. I'm really envious that u travel so much. I know i've said this many many times but you MUST MUST Must call me when u go for a trip after you graduate ok!
14) Germaine
Thanks for listening to my "grumbles" when i was feeling real down. Still miss your bitching in AJ tho haha...Peace out!
And like any other winner in an award show,
14) My parents
Thanks for taking real good care of me when i was in training - tolerating my tantrums, feeding me with whatever "old people" tonic soup to help me replenish energy and basically giving me most of what i ask for! thanks!
15) People who don't like/accept me or laugh at me...
Without you there won't be ME today.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
1) Good music
i love music and i'm glad i found back my strong passion for music once again this year! Call me the MUSIC GURU!!!
2) Presents
I know we should all "give than to receive". But no one can deny how great it is to receive a gift. Especially from people who care about you and vice versa.
3) Clubbing experience
Well, shaking my booty ain't as i thought! haha... More on that soon!
4) Ipod
Definitely the BEST thing i bought this year. From my own money some more! Love it!!!
5) Vcd rentals
I realise i'm quite the movie junkie as i kept renting vcds this year! more rom-com please!!!
6) Travel shows
Since i can't travel as much as i would hope to, these shows do a bit to satisfy my still-yet-to-be-fulfilled desire.
7) Good friends in army
Cannot be more grateful than this. Without them it'll be really hell for me!
8) Mandy's comeback
My LOVE!!! She's finally back! Although not as BIG as i wished it could be, i'm happy enough to see her again, acting and singing.
9) My laptop Without it, i won't be able to blog, find music, and facebook. haha...
10) Cam-whoring
Who says we need to be celebrities to be able to take lots of photos?! We should do it ourselves!
11) This blog
I'm really glad i switched from easyjournal. Cause it allowed me to be more "creative". Not forgetting it helped me to get the "citizen reporter" stint. cool!
12) My current posting
All the little dark clouds following me before the new posting disappeared with it.
13) Shopping for new clothes
I want a wardrobe overhaul! I want shopping sprees! haha...
14) Kbox
Where else can the MUSIC GURU show his skills?!!
15) Citizen reporter stint
Definitely THE activity that made my year much more memorable.
16) People finding true love
Not me tho. haha. Happy for others
17) People who appreciate your work
18) People who help unconditionally
19) Spice girls' reunion
The Spice is back! After making "Headlines" for many years, they're finally back and bigger (size and media coverage)! haha.. Not as spicy tho...
20) Facebook
The ultimate time-filler when i'm bored.
21) People who understand me
22) Fast food
23) Being in enjoyable people's company
24) Pokemon
25) To be able to help people
26) Old people who feel young (while acting their age)
27) Romantic comedies/romance movies
I'm addicted to ROM-COMs!!! Gimme Gimme MORE!!!
28) My new found faith in myself
29) Cable tv
30) Tidbits
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Since I have no exams to take this year, i thought i better find a way to evaluate myself. Call it a prelude to Reflections 2007 (Coming soon).
The scores are in and below are my test results for year 2007 for "MY LIFE" module!
Subject 1: Things i want to Achieve before i Die
- Go to a concert by my favourite singer/band (NOT ACHIEVED)
- Read at least 10 (good) books a year (1 out of 10 - NOT ACHIEVED)
- Visit 15 countries (excluding M'sia) (NOT ACHIEVED)
- Have my own house (NOT ACHIEVED)
- Meet Mandy/Oprah (NOT ACHIEVED)
Grade: Ungraded
Before you/i say "Pathetic!", please do consider the difficulty in achieving some of them. I haven't meet any interested party who wants to go the concerts that i want to go. Visit 15 countries is definitely out since not only do i not have the financial backing and i can't possibly visit 15 countries in a year considering i have work commitments to consider. That's more of a long term goal in my life. With that, having my own house is also out. Meeting my crush Mandy or role model Oprah is virtually impossible since they're on the other side of the world and the farthest i could go was cross the border into Malaysia. Not forgetting the huge amount of luck i must possess before i can meet them. (i'm extremely unlucky).
That leaves me with "reading 10 books a year" the only achievable goal. However, due to my laziness and dislike for reading, that sadly didn't happen. But i did try and i did finish "Tuesdays with Morrie". Poor attempt on my part and i definitely deserve the UNGRADED! This just shows i simply can't die yet.
Subject 2: Health and Fitness
Grade: B -
Considering i was in training mode from Jan to June, and that i attained a Silver for my fitness test, i do believe i deserve at least a B-. For a scrawny "nua" guy like me to keep up with the rigorous training programme(this includes the long route marches, speed trainings and SOC), that's a feat. But of course, my injury showed towards the end and from July onwards, my fitness level dropped from something to nothing. I can hardly do twenty situps without panting. Ya, that's how weak i'm now. haha. But that's always been the case so it doesn't affect me. Just that when people talk about being "bigger, more muscular, fitter" in army, i have to dig a hole and hide my shame for a small moment for fear of being ridiculed.
Health-wise, cookhouse food provided in camp is horrible and has only served to worsen my already poor appetite. During school days, i was surviving on just an apple pie or two a day. Now, i don't even feel like eating sometimes. Don't call me anorexic cause i WANT to eat. I just don't have the mood to eat. But at least i broke the 50kg mark since entering army. Yipee!
Subject 3: Style & Appearance
Grade: A-
The change in hairstyle was inevitable but good. Not the botak hairstyle i spotted in BMT days i mean. The slightly messy but "cooler" hairstyle is definitely better than the dull boring "nerdy" hairstyle during my college days. Not only do i look better, i feel better. =)
I've also added better clothing to my wardrobe. Gone are the days i wear mono-colour shirts and ugly jeans and looking like some worn-out loser kid. I want to be on the edge of fashion and retain my style with some ATTITUDE.
Subject 4: Music
Grade: A*
I'm back in the music scene after neglecting it during my stressful exam period. Not only am i updated with the most current songs, i also managed to discover songs from the past, all influenced by Ah Meng. For a month or so, my ipod was completely full of songs from the 90's - the Brandy, Mariah, Whitney era. Now i claim back my music guru title!
Subject 5: Movies
Grade: A-
I've watched almost all the blockbuster movies this year - Spiderman 3, Fantastic 4, Die Hard, Transformers, Beowulf. Name it and i'm pretty sure i've watched it. In addition, i'm become quite a regular at my neighbourhood's vcd rental stall, renting all the romantic comedies available! Next year i'm releasing a Ultimate Romance Movie Guide so watch out for that!
Subject 5: Happiness/Unhappiness
Grade: Tentatively A-
Based on the uncompleted "Things i'm Happy About 2007" and the already published "Thins i'm Unhappy about 2007", my guess is the numbers kinda much. But since the absolute value of happiness is greater than unhappiness, i suppose the end result is a positive one. Therefore, the A- grade. ;)
Subject 6: Relationships and Friendships
Grade: A-
Meet a whole lot of different people this year through and fortunately a handful of nice people i can call friends. Then of course, thanks to Facebook and Fengie, i got to know Kenny G and Grace. On another note, my love life is still empty and doesn't seem to be heading anywhere soon. But it doesn't affect me. Que Sera Sera.
Subject 7: Mandy Moore
Grade: A-
Although i didn't buy her album (yet), i did a hell lot of promotion for her hahaha. Now much more people know about her and how great she is. Not forgetting that i'm in love with her two singles "Extraordinary" and "Nothing That You Are", both included in the Top 100 Songs of the Year.
Subject 8: Character and Values
Grade: A-
Still didn't swear, still didn't point middle finger and still didn't talk dirty. I'm glad i stayed my true self and reaffirmed my own principles/values.
Subject 9: Environment/Being Green
Grade: C-
*Ashamed* Although i pledged to lead a more environmentally friendy, i didn't really fulfill it. I succumbed to the temptation of bathing hot water every night. Although i did cut down the aircon and taxi rides and took more public transport. A lacklustre attempt at saving the environment but at least a small step. haha
Verdict
Overall Grade: A-
Yippee!!!!!! Pass with Flying colours!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Well, right now i'm so addicted to buying nice cool Tshirts! (as mentioned in previous entry) Sometimes i find it so frustrating that shirts out there do not have enough attitude. They're either boring (Giordano's World Without Strangers - Pls! Full of Strangers!), cheesy or plain D.I.S.G.U.S.T.I.N.G. Speaking of disgust, i find NewUrbanMale shirts the most disgusting. They carry words like "Mister Horny" or "Cock! Cock! Who's There?" which are absolutely tasteless. People who thought of the words should be slaughtered for coming up with such idiotic lines.
Anyway, because i'm tired of looking for nice cool and " smart" Tshirts (shirts with the 'tude), i decided to design my OWN Tshirts! haha... I shall call this clothing line of mine "HEY" clothing line. Simple and bright - just the way i like to be. As a first time, they're not exactly very good but some are, in my opinion, very suitable for music addicts like me! haha.
If i'm good, tell me! Strictly no stealing my ideas!
My first design - the big 8 looks cool. GREAT for 8days fan like Kenny G! haha
Modelled after the England Flag, this T-shirt, although simply, should look good on most people. The red lines are striking and chic don't you think? A must for British fans like me!
The person you see on the shirt is actually Miss Ex-Kfed, Britney Spears! I wish i had a better photo-editing shop (no photoshop) so i can design the shirt better. But main point of the shirt is to show the different colours of Miss Spears overlapping, very nice very cool. Average design i admit. Taken from Timbaland's megahit song "Apologize", the line is familar with most people and striking at first glance. Very suitable for a music fan. Like me :) 
Tell me who doesn't like Robert Indiana's LOVE design? I really like the design. When i found out that British Indie band, Oasis, designed the cover for their single "Little by Little" based on Indiana's artwork, i thought it would be great to put them together. Although the Tshirt is reminiscent of a Hawaiian shirt, one would realise how cool the shirt is once they look closer. hehe, now that's what we call ART. 
"Sound of the Underground" is the first single of British girlband, Girls Aloud. I loved their album cover showing them each with a microphone and thought it would be cool if we have a shirt with a microphone as well. haha. Wearing the Shirt would seem to tell people, "I'm the Sound of the Underground", like some undiscovered music talent. Brilliant. 
Talk about Tshirts with attitude. This definitely takes the cake. Taken from Sugababes' empowering song "Ugly", the shirt tells people to look beyond out faces. If people are superifical to judge you based on your look, then they deserve to be called ugly. 
Inspired from American's Next Top Model, my favourite design would have to be this shirt. haha. Tyra's favourite line on the show deserves a shirt of its own. The shirt is full of attitude and class. Very cool very chic and very me.
Please Don't Stop The Music
Pre-Xmas wishes to all!
Sorry i haven't been updating the blog on my own whereabouts for the past two weeks. Well, work-wise, there's been a series of events that made me pretty moody. Not forgetting, i'm beginning to be a very good procrastinator now. haha.. Well, quite a lot of updates today! I shall reveal all that's happened to me in the past two weeks.
Last wednesday was my branch outing and we went BOWLING!!! I was actually quite excited about it. Bowling is honestly the only sport i can play without sucking at it (too badly). haha. All i have to do is just roll the ball and pray very hard that it hits down all the pins. And i don't have to run and sweat. What's better that that? haha It was definitely a refreshing change after being couped up in the office for a long long time. Personally, my branch mates and i haven't gone out for quite some time since the last kbox outing and i was already itching to have some fun, especially with the impending holiday season (during which i suppose i should be having lots of fun). Plus, Maxim's absence was beginning to make us less cheerful (in plain words - SIAN). So as you can see, the outing was a great chance to stretch my muscles (whatever that's left) and vent out my suppressed frustrations (haha just joking).  The location was chosen to be at Yishun SAFRA since it was the closest to our camp. Less travelling time = more Bowling time! Although we planned to have three games, we stopped after two games since the "older", less fit officers couldn't take the "exertion".
It was really fun i must say. In the first game, i scored a total of 67. Pretty lousy since 50plus Miss Tan scored the same points as me. I should be ashamed of myself right? haha... Well, i pulled up my socks in the second game and improved to a shocking 95! Third highest! Not bad! Seems like i do have some inherent sporty genes... haha At one point, it was Joshie's and my turn to bowl. Since he looked much more prepared than me, i let him go first. Guess what? He striked and everyone else was cheering. Obviously intimidated, i almost wanted to put down my ball and walk away haha... But of course, i didn't. So i breathe in and calm myself down and went for it and i got a strike too!!! haha.. Went it turned back after seeing the strike, i got shocked for the second time because my "future" boss was just behind me screaming her way.  Also, Ms Chipmunk, as usual, was a ridicule. Scoring a 11 points for her first game, 34 points lower than the 8 year old kid on the next lane, it's obvious she didn't know how to bowl. Marc tried to teach her but still zeroes still preferred her. We also told her to aim and then roll the ball slowly. For good or bad, she really followed our instructions. She merely placed the ball and gave it a push of maybe 1 milli newton. The ball rolled r.e.a.l.l.y s.l.o.w.ly... We even had time to take out camera and take a sip before we witnessed the ball hit a few pins. Well, better than nothing right? haha. But before we lost faith in her bowling skills completely, she amazed us by giving a strike for one turn! It was so exciting i tell you. Everyone was saying "strike! strike! strike!" as if it was our ball haha.. When the ball hit down all the pins, we all cheered so loudly i think the whole bowling alley heard us. haha... Then there's also Head imagining Mo Jie (her enemy) in her head so that she can gather enough power. Apparently, it didn't work too well. She was just placed above Ms Chipmunk haha. Forgivable since she has a genuine medical condition unlike Chipmunk who is mentally... Well let's not talk about it.
Marc and Joshie told me they like the way i bowl. Hmm.. Maybe i really have the flair for bowling??? haha... Let's not go too far with my imagination. I'm happy enough to not come out of the two games last. hahah.
Towards the end of the game, everyone became quite restless and so i decided to cam-whore with them hahah... I think i'm getting better at cam-whoring. Even without my own camera, i still could manage to be in most of the pics hahah!
 Well, after an "exhausting" session of bowling, Ms Tingtingting, Ms Tan and Miss Chipmunk treated us to Chongqing Spicy Steamboat at Tanglin Mall, Orchard. They said it's to reward us for all the hard work we've put in in the past few months... SO SWEET RIGHT!!! The steamboat would have been GREAT if not for the two ulcers i had. Even before trying the spicy soup, my lips were already reminiscent of Angelina Jolie's - puffy and red due to the one ulcer on each lip. Thinking i can't leave without trying the spicy tom yam soup, i tried some and it was very painful and itchy! My ulcers were really hurting after than small sip and my hair was itchy like hell. Did i tell you before than my hair itches everytime i eat something spicy? I didn't have this itch before though... wonder why... haha
 
Left with no choice but to drink the less "exotic" Chicken soup, i decided to feast as much as my stomach could fill to compensate for what i missed out on. Tau Pok, seafood tofu, prawns, abalone mushrooms, meat balls, fish balls etc i just took and ate them like potato chips. For a mood eater like me, i'm intimidated by huge servings of food because it makes me feel i can't finish them. Small servings are the best cause i won't remember what i've ate and i don't have the pressure of trying to finish the food.
In between, when we were waiting for more food to be brought in, we cam-whored again. haha.. (told you i'm getting better at it).
 
Well, there were funny moments from it as well. Like how Ms Chipmunk keep talking and laughing so loudly and making the waitress dislike her haha... She also kept talking in such agitated tone that we became so worried that her saliva would serve as additional "flavouring" to the soup. The best part was when the restaurant "entertainer" came in to tell jokes to us. He carried such a thick Hongkong accent like Yan Can Cook that we can hardly make out what he said. He even sang happy birthday songs in English, Chinese, Malay and Indian, stupid actions included. We were all laughing at how stupid he looks. Sadly, he's the only one who thinks his jokes are funny. haha
After 2 and a half hours of feasting, everyone was full and exhausted. Fortunately, i didn;t have to pay a single cent for the bowling and steamboat (all treat!) cause right now i'm very broke from buying all the christmas gifts. haha.
Well, friday i went out with Kenny G (Kenneth, ur new nick!) to shop for clothes. But we didn't really buy much. Kenny G was broke after buying books for his friends as christmas gifts and i was going to Malaysia on Sunday and i didn't want to spend on clothes that i could get much cheaper there. Still, we had a great time together chatting and preparing for Saturday's KBOX!!! Kenny G, Gracie, Fengie and I had been planning to kbox since three weeks ago and it was finally going to happen! haha... After a long tiring walk around orchard, Kenny G and i found a isolated spot in Kinokuniya to rest our legs and brainstorm for songs we could sing at kbox the next day.
Saturday was the KBOX day i've been waiting for! hahah Well, i must say out of the three times i've been to Kbox within the past two months, this is the most fun.  
The best parts were when we sang "My happy ending" (Avril's), "Complicated"(also Avril's) and "Big Girls Don't Cry". The four of us were totally singing out loud and having a hell of a time.
With Kenny G, we are the awesome "882"! haha... We were rocking to the beats of "Lady Marmalade" and "Jump", shouting "More, More, MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It definitely allowed our inner divas to come out. haha. With "Grace Kelly" (Mika) and "Wannabe" (Spice Girls), We showed our "queer" side once again. Shameless but who cares.  
Fengie and Gracie on the other hand, were more inclined to singing the Cheena songs especially JJ Lin's. Though i must admit i don't like chinese songs due to the cheesiness usually associated to them or the singers, JJ Lin's songs are without a doubt of a different breed. They are hummable, sweet (without being cheesy) and mature. But there's always a limit to the number of JJ Lin's songs. The playlist we realised after a while was just filled with JJ's songs and all requested by that fergalicious Fengie! Well, we fought back by requesting many more English songs! haha We sang from 2 to 6 pm and by then i was absolutely exhausted (mouth espeically) and feeling headachy after reaching all the high notes. haha.
After a good night's rest, I was off to Malaysia on Sunday afternoon for a shopping spree! As part of Operation: Wardrobe Overhaul, i asked my parents if they were willing to bring me to Malaysia one weekend for me to buy some cheap nice clothes and being the nice parents they usually are (since i'm such a good son as well), they agreed! haha.. Kenny G desperately wanted to come but his parents didn't agree. Haiz. Well, at first i thought i wasn't going to enjoy myself during the shopping trip since there wasn't anyone with me other than my parents. But after buying a shirt from Body Glove at a mouth-dropping 50% sale, i broke out of my shell. All i know was i wasn't gonna let anyone (including myself) stop me from looking great haha.. Maybe not GREAT but certainly BETTER. So from one shop to the next, i found myself just buying almost one t-shirt each one of them. (in the end i bought 5 t shirts). Pants-wise, i couldn't find the black jeans i so wanted. I'm extremely sick of wearing blue jeans and looking the same in all my photos. Fortunately, on monday while finishing my christmas shopping at orchard, i found black jeans at BOSSINI! At a discounted price too! 40%! I know i sound like some cheapskate auntie but now that i'm quite the shopaholic (for clothes), discounts are really enticing! hahah... After two hours at Johor's biggest shopping centre, City Square, we decided to head to the cheaper and "sleazier" Holiday Inn a short ten minutes drive away. There was this one particular shop we went in which was selling Jeans at "buy one get one free" rates! Being less daring than most people, i was hesistant about choosing the jeans i wanted to try on. But the shop assistants, three by the way (two ah lians and one older lian), really served me well! Too well for that matter. They pushed me into the changing room and keep throwing pairs and pairs of jeans at me and asked me to try them on. Seems like they're really desperate to sell their jeans huh! The funny thing was they kept telling me to try on those extremely "beng" jeans with imprinted skulls and attached chains. When i saw how i looked with those jeans on, i almost wanted to puke. It was like me trying to be eminem. I looked RIDICULOUS. Period. But after a gruelling half and hour of fitting on and price bargaining, i bought two pairs of jeans (since buy one get one free) and a nice cool red striped shirt! haha...
Now, let me consolidate the number of clothes (shirts/pants) i've bought the past month:
Jean: 3 Blue and 1 Black
T shirt: 9
Polo T's: 1
Long Sleeve Shirt: 2
ALOT RIGHT!!! But i think it's money well spent. Time i put away all those kiddy or mono-colour shirts and wear these nice, cool shirts i bought! hahah... Now i'm totally addicted to buying nice Tshirts! haha.. I was so "brainwashed" into wearing polo Ts in my training schools that for some time i just kept wearing polos. But polo Ts are so dull! It's only through Tshirts that i can show some style and attitude! haha...
Well, what a week! i'm now looking forward to this friday! I've decided to join Kenny G and gang in their "class" chalet. Hopefully i'll have a whale of time there as well. haha.
Back with more updates then! Look out for more year-end specials!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
They made it through the year with me. They cried with me when i was down. They consoled me like they were my friends. They made me laugh even more when i was happy. They made me feel so ecstatic that i forgot all my troubles. They allowed me to release my frustrations. They made me feel emotions i never felt before.
They allowed me to find myself. They are my top 100 songs of the year.
--- In order of greatness ---
** - my 2 cents worth on the song, bold - JMPA winners
1) FERGIE - GLAMOROUS *best*
2) JUWITA SUWITO - ALL THIS TIME *touching*
3) MONROSE - HOT SUMMER *wicked*
4) THE VERONICAS - LEAVE ME ALONE *attitude*
5) MONROSE - EVEN HEAVEN CRIES *emotional*
6) SCHUYLER FISK - WHO AM I TO YOU *sad*
7) MUTYA BUENA - REAL GIRL *empowering*
8) MELANIE C - FRAGILE *frail*
9) SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR - ME AND MY IMAGINATION *groovy*
10) NICKELBACK - ROCKSTAR *anthem*
11) BRITNEY SPEARS - GIMME MORE *addictive*
12) NERINA PALLOT - ALL GOOD PEOPLE *ecstacy*
13) CASEY DONOVAN - FLOW *uniquely-good*
14) SHAYNE WARD - BREATHLESS *breath-taking*
15) NERINA PALLOT - PATIENCE *self-emo*
16) TORI AMOS - TAXI RIDE *nonchalant*
17) VAUGHAN PENN - TRUTH *faith-booster*
18) AVRIL LAVIGNE - GIRLFRIEND *pop-cadelic*
19) BETHANY JOY LENZ - HALO *rocking*
20) TIMBALAND FT ONEREPUBLIC - APOLOGIZE *regretful*
21) LEIGH NASH - OCEAN SIZE LOVE *endearing*
22) JON MCLAUGHLIN - BEAUTIFUL DISASTER *heartwrenching*
23) MAT KEARNEY - NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE *self-reflecting*
24) BACHELOR GIRL - BUSES AND TRAIN *under-rug-swept gem*
25) TORI AMOS - SLEEPS LIKE BUTTERFLIES *beautiful*
26) DOLORES O'RIORDAN - WHEN WE WERE YOUNG *alternative*
27) MANDY MOORE - EXTRAORDINARY *feel-good*
28) AVRIL LAVIGNE - HOT *no-brainer*
29) COLBIE CALLIAT - BUBBLY *simple*
30) FEFE DOBSON - DON'T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD *irreplacable*
31) CANDICE ALLEY - BEFORE YOU GO *singer-songwriter*
32) BROOKE FRASER - DECIPHERING ME *self-discovery*
33) NERINA PALLOT - ALIEN *cheerful*
34) TIMBALAND - WAY I ARE *dancey*
35) DAVID MARTIN - SOMETHING IN YOUR EYES *contemporary*
36) THE BIRD AND THE BEE - HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE *adult-serious*
37) SHERYL CROW - PERFECT LIE *obscure*
38) HAYLEY JENSEN - STRONGER *almost-famous*
39) HILARY DUFF - WITH LOVE *rhythmic*
40) LEONA LEWIS - ANGEL *melodious*
41) SIOBHAN DONAGHY - MEDEVAC *hair-raising*
42) RIHANNA - UMBRELLA *overrated*
43) STABILO - FLAWED DESIGN *canadian rock*
44) CHANTAL KREVIAZUK - GHOSTS OF YOU *haunting*
45) MANDY MOORE - NOTHING THAT YOU ARE *mid-tempo*
46) ALEX PARKS - HONESTY *honest*
47) NO ANGELS - GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY *nostalgic*
48) KALAN PORTER - AWAKE IN A DREAM *awe*
49) HILARY DUFF - STRANGER *kinky*
50) CELINE DION - TAKING CHANCES *diva-licious*
51) DELTA GOODREM - IN THIS LIFE *strong*
52) NERINA PALLOT - SOPHIA *story-like*
53) THE CORRS & ALEJANDRO SANZ - THE HARDEST DAY *pop-classical*
54) BROOKE FRASER - ARITHMETIC *lullaby*
55) VINCE GILL FT SHERYL CROW - WHAT YOU GIVE AWAY *country*
56) ALEKSANDER WITH - THE OTHER SIDE *moody*
57) LEIGH NASH - ALONG THE WALL *whispery*
58) KJARTAN SALVESSEN - LEAVING ME *melanchonic*
59) ANTHONY CALLEA - ADDICTED TO YOU *love out loud*
60) BACHELOR GIRL - TREAT ME GOOD *
61) GIRLS ALOUD - CALL THE SHOTS *girl power*
62) MAT KEARNEY - BREATHE IN BREATHE OUT *biologically good*
63) CARA DILLON - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS *sweet*
64) KJARTAN - THEN SILENCE *serene*
65) SCHUYLER FISK - FROM WHERE I AM STANDING *guitary*
66) IMOGEN HEAP - HIDE AND SEEK *alternative*
67) CASEY DONOVAN - WHAT'S GOING ON *dark*
68) IMOGEN HEAP - THE WALK *serious*
69) LUCIE SILVAS - WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF *sad*
70) MISSY HIGGINS - WHERE I STOOD *aussie*
71) HOPE - WHO AM I TO SAY *acoustic*
72) TAKE THAT - RULE THE WORLD *soundtrack-y*
73) MELEE - BUILT TO LAST *commericial*
74) SHANNON NOLL - SHINE *smiley*
75) ASHLEY TISDALE - BE GOOD TO ME *kid-teenager transitional*
76) GWEN STEFANI - 4 IN THE MORNING *tired*
77) BROOKE FRASER - ALBERTINE *deep*
78) FERGIE - BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY *courageous*
79) GIRLS ALOUD - SEXY! NO NO NO *trance-y*
80) THE CLICK FIVE - JENNY *pop-rock*
81) I NINE - SEVEN DAYS OF LONELY *avril-like*
82) NERINA PALLOT - EVERYBODY'S GONE FOR WAR *controversial*
83) PAULA DEANDA - EASY *bling-bling*
84) VENKE KNUTSON - SCARED *angsty*
85) JORDIN SPARKS - TATTOO *delightable*
86) KRYSTAL MEYERS - TOGETHER *almost-metal*
87) PAULINI - SO OVER YOU *beyonce-y*
88) MELANIE C - FIRST TIME *american spice*
89)LEONA LEWIS - BLEEDING LOVE *us-uk fusion*
90) ANDERS JOHANSSON - ALONE *coverage*
91) DAMIEN LEITH - NIGHT OF MY LIFE *idol-ly*
92) MELISSA O'NEIL - ALIVE *clean-cut rock-chick*
93) GWEN STEFANI - SWEET ESCAPE *mainstream*
94) KIMBERLEY LOCKE - CHANGE *adult-contemporary*
95) VANESSA HUDGENS - SAY OK *sugary*
96) ANNA NALICK - IN THE ROUGH *serious angry*
97) MIKA - HAPPY ENDING *clappy*
98) KATHARINE MCPHEE - OVER IT *american*
99) NYLON - CLOSER *cheesy*
100) KELLY CLARKSON - NEVER AGAIN (DAVE AUDE REMIX) *screaming*
P.S: Updates Soon!
Things I'm UNHAPPY about 2007
Things i'm Unhappy about 2007
1) People who follow trends blindly
2) Superfical people
Refer to this for detailed writeup.
3) Selfish people
4) People who can't accept the way i am and keep reminding me of that
i know my differences/flaws so stop reminding me. If they can't stand it, then go away. If not, accept it. (or put it in a VERY nice way to me)
5) Field camps
I don't to get bathe. I don't get to eat decent food. I have to sleep with insects which i hate. I have to tolerate the mosquitoes. Call me a whiner but nobody likes to live uncomfortably. especially when it's not their choice.
6) Weapons
i'm Anti-aggression
7) Fit people who train with unfit people (like me)
They'll just say "training's so slack!" when you're panting like a dog. HIMBOes.
8) Running behind people who don't look like they can run
It's disgraceful enough to run slow or behind most people. It's more disgraceful to run behind someone who don't look even look fit enough to. All those behind me should slap themselves.
9) People who act cool
POSER!
10) People who act/ wayang to get more attention/credits
POSER! If you want attention, then be brave enough to admit it.
11) Bad breakfasts
a potentially good day ruined
12) People who only knows how to preach preach preach
I understand you're passionate about it. But please make sure the listening party is AS passionate as you before you preach. FYI, I have low threshold for preaching and nagging.
13) "friends" who don't trust you
14) "friends" that don't support you
Remind me again. Why did i even call them friends?
15) Protruding nostril hairs
Shouldn't have told Maxim about it. All of you who suffer from it, please do the necessary trimming.
16) People who are ALWAYS depressed
You have issues. I have issues. I try to move on. You don't.
17) Being forced me to do things i don't want to
Refer to this for more detailed writeup
18) Mainstream stuff
i don't like being a clone. Neither should you
19) People who like to fight
Peace out man!
20) People who don't appreciate help and complain
When people help, they doing kindness. So don't you go around bitching.
21) Ulcers, sore throats hurtful pimples
Ulcer make me feel pain every second. Sore throats make me can't talk back to people. Hurtful pimples hurt my ego. But i cause them all. OH i hate myself! haha
22) People who repeat jokes repeatedly
Now it's not funny ANYMORE
23) People who shoot arrows and play taiji
Just do your own work. Stop being an asshole
24) Emo culture
Being emotional is ok. (not overly though) But thinking about death, cutting yourself and wearing goth makeup is SICK.
And the rest:
25) eating the same stuff over and over again
26) my laziness that led to the messiness of my room
27) technical problems with ipod/computers which i don't know how to solve
28) unclassy advertisements -esp the one on smoking
29) break-ups/divorces
30) People who walk super slow and block paths
31) Not being able to buy sth when i really need it
32) Shirts which i like but do not have my size
33) spam
34) irritating shop assistants
Saturday, December 8, 2007
The Jloe Personal Music Awards making its debut this year is a honor parade for MY TOP TEN MOST DEFINITIVE SONGS of the year. By Definitive, i mean these songs really cater to my innate emotions. They either make me smile from end to end (Happy Song Of The Year), cry a river (Ballad of the Year), scream at the top of my lungs ( Emo Song of the Year & Rock Anthem Of The Year) or make me dance like those hopeless attention-craving American Idol wannabes in my own room. In other words, they got to me and got me REAL good.
What sets it apart from it's sister show, the Jloe Music Awards, is that it is completely determined by me, the self-proclaimed and Kenny-coined "Music Guru". While the JMAs are compiled based on my chart knowledge,The JPMAs, like the meaning of the additional word it possesses, means that it is totally unaffected by chart performances and general popularity.
The 10 songs are each strong in their own unique ways. But only One can claim the coveted title of "Song Of The Year". All shall be revealed in this ultimate guide for the modern music addict.
1) "I Love Mandy" Mandy Song Of The Year: Mandy Moore - Extraordinary
Without question, my favourite idol needs to have her own award catergory since she is now in a different league of her own, especially since venturing into the lesser-known waters of what we call "Indie-Folk". Her new and more natural material, a fusion of folk, country and singer-songwriter lighthearted pop, is a far cry from her "Candy" days. This new organic sound from the queen of my heart provides a refreshing and soothing getaway from the electronic pop-cadelic overdose you get from the airwaves every single day. This year, she has released 2 singles off her fantastic "Wild Hope" album and like my royal highness herself, both songs are beautiful. Between the simple, nerve-calming feel-good "Extraordinary" and mid-tempo ballad " Nothing That You Are", the winner is definitely the latter. The song is about feeling good and at ease with yourself by doing what you like and living the life you wants, hardly in line what what most people qualify "extraordinary" to be. Instead of chasing all the BIG DREAMS - running a successful business, rolling in huge amounts of cash, saving lives, be famous or noble - that our culture makes us believe are the only ways to be "Extraordinary", the song provides a more personal meaning to the word. Now, we can just be ourselves and feel extraordinary. 2) "Have You Ever Loved Somebody So Much It Makes You Cry" Ballad Of The Year: Juwita Suwito - All This Time Titled after my all-time favourite ballad, Brandy's "Have You Ever", this Award goes out to any song who can capture the meaning of true love. Like we all know, good things never come easy. But love is more than just good, it's probably (the idea of possibility is brought out here due to my inexperience in love) the best thing in the universe. That is why some of just go through countless heartbreaks before we can find the one we call true love. During this process, love breaks for some of you love-lorn souls out there, but in another space and time, love finds its way into the hearts of others when the angels above shoot their Cupid's arrow at the right couples. That is why on one hand we have heart-wrenching ballads that make us feel like the world is ending and on the other hand, sweet endearing ballads that provide us the timely sugar rush we need. This year's Ballad Of The Year Winner is a heart-broken ballad from Malaysian singer, Juwita Suwito. "All This Time" describes how one, after a broken relationship, decides to carry on with all the memories she's collected all those times. Despite the typical lyrics of "can i journey on my own" and "find a reason to live without you", the song resonates of personal strength and courage to move on even though it is excruciatingly difficult and painful. So touched i was that i decided to make it one of my Blog Title Songs as well. 3) "Watch Out, Bitch" Attitude Song Of The Year: The Veronicas - Leave Me Alone People have their nice days and people have their not-so-happy days. I term the not-so-happy days, my Bitchy days. And it is during such times when you wish everyone can just stop bugging you. Sometimes, the sense of unhappiness stems from idiotic psychotic people who spend their lives making other people miserable so that they'll feel great. When this happens, you feel immerse frustration and you wish you can just retort back by saying "Watch Out, BITCH.". Yet, you know deep down inside you can't besides you don't have the support of their happy-clappy follower crew and neither do you the guts to get back at them. The Attitude Song of the Year is for any song that is fierce, angsty and most of all allows you to express the frustrations you have been suppressing all along. And there can be no other fitting song that "Leave Me Alone" by australian rock-chick duo, the Veronicas. Now you can sing "Leave me alone and stop bugging me!!!" and "Leave me alone you slut asshole!!!" to bring down your FUME-meter, but of course, to the IMAGE of your most hated enemy. 4) "It Made Me Jump On My Bed" Giltter-Ball Dance Song Of The Year: Sophie Ellis Bextor - Me & My Imagination Sometimes i wish i was Morrie so i could dance any way i like and not feel ashamed or self-conscious. I can't and that's why i have to ensure my room is securely locked up when i want to act like popstar. This year, the best song for a great grooving and bootylicious time, goes to british sensation Sophie Ellis Bextor's "Me & My Imagination". The funky beats and fantastic vocals are perfect for a fun night out (if there is one), and the song satisfy my dancing desires just like how Mandy does to me. Opps... i mean MY MUSICAL DESIRES. I can totally dance to my heart's content with this song, imagining i was under this giant glamorous glitterball with all the yellow, pink and green neon lights shining all over me like i'm some famous celebrity. 5) "So EMO It Makes Me Sad For No Reason" Emo Song Of The Year: Monrose - Even Heaven Cries I'm sure there are times in life you feel like everything is against you, you don't get any support from people and you wish you could just get sucked into this black hole and disappear from the face of this earth. While not everyone can understand how you feel, you know there may be songs that can. To me, songs are my ultimate companion. I guess that is pretty much the reason why i'm not clingy to my friends - i find a sense of emotional "friendship" with my songs. "Even Heaven Cries" by one of my favourite girl bands this year, Monrose, proves that not all ballads from all girl groups are cheesy and superficial. It's the best song to listen to when you're feeling down. Capturing what you feel, doubts, sadness etc, this song provides the best console you need. It's like a friend who hugs you and tells you that everything is alright. It's alright to cry, cause even heaven cries. And i believe it cries for you. 6) "Everybody Likes It and Think It's Cool" Mainstream Song Of The Year": Rihanna - Umbrella If there's one particular thing i realised this year, that would have to be the fact that i'm actually not a big fan of mainstream popular culture. I would so hate myself if i happen to wear something similar to what most of the people wear - i believes it undermines my sense of individuality that i uphold very dearly and firmly.This applies to songs as well. Forget about the Chemical Romance, Sean Kingston or even Justin Timberlake - their songs are pure replicates of other songs you hear on the radio - nothing special, nothing "intellectual"/credible and nothing personal. I want Alex Parks, Jon Mclaughlin and Candice Alley, artists that are obscure and hardly anyone around me knows about. Nevertheless, i can't stererotype mainstream songs as i would just be losing out on another good source of music (gems are of course harder to find). But the first ever winner of the Mainstream Song Of the Year is without a doubt the biggest single of the year, in terms of chart peformances (hanging on to the coveted number one spot in the UK for 7/8 weeks as well as the US for also a long time) and media favouritism to this song, which obviously led to the wide acceptance by the general public. Distnctively catchy (ella, eh ,eh ,eh) and rhythmic ( i can sing to it effortlessly haha), this is probably the mainstream song which i can probably the only song mainstream song i can enjoy singing/sharing with friends without cringing (think Sean Kingston and i'll sure cringe). 7) "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" Catchiest Song Of The Year: Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend Ironically, when i first heard this song, i was disappointed. It didn't feel like the slightly emo, punk rock chick we all know. The song was poppy, cute and of course, very commercial. It was unlike the "complicated" days of hers when she could fool around all day. Now she is married and feeling happier than ever. Being one of the very first fans of hers (i bought her first album way before "Complicated" came on air in Singapore, i honestly felt it was a letdown. However, after numerous plays on the radio and my own ipod, i began to catch on to it. I realised i didn't need to have mariah-like vocals to sing her songs. My favourite part would be the rap which i can totally say without missing a beat. "In a second you'll be wrapped around my fingers, cause i can, cause i can do it BETTER!!!" Soon, i discovered the fun in the song and loved it! A must-play song with your own happy-clappy crew to light up the mood. 8) "RAWK!!!!!!!" Rock Anthem Of The Year: Nickelback - Rockstar Who doesn't want to live like a rockstar? You get all the girls, fame and the fortune! Poking fun at the celebrity high-roller luxurious lifestyle of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, my favourite rock outfit, Nickelback releases a wicked track that never fails to hype up the mood. What i think differentiates Nickelback from the other rock bands like Linkin Park (boring!) and My Chemical Romance (emo!) is that their songs are meaningful and personal. While Linkin Park seems to be losing their touch with every album they make (in what they term a "evolution of sound"), Nickelback holds firm in their songwriting capabilities and stays true to their unique Chad Kroeger sound. "Photograph" (my #2 song of 2006) and "If Everyone Cared" are also singles from the rock outfit that shows that they can be sentimental and concerned (about worldly affairs) without coming across as boring or trying to hard. They are the best rock group we have and this song is the epitome of rock. 9) "Put A Smile On My Face" Happy Song Of The Year": Nerina Pallot - All Good People If you ever need a dose of happiness, this song does it for you. Nerina Pallot, after seeming fading into obscurity for many years, finally gets her big break this year. The BRIT award-nominee is a singer-songwriter with immense potential and credibility. "All Good People" is Happy Song of the Year because it provides you with the ecstacy you need and it makes you smile from end to end. Bringing a more optimistic point of view in looking at our world today, the song gives a sense of hope to people like me who is skeptical of the goodness/kindness we see today. It makes you feel good about yourself and helps you abandon all your worries for the moment while you get drunk in the happiness. 10) Song Of the Year: Fergie - Glamorous  Congratulations to Miss Fergie Ferg! The reason why it's Song of the Year is because it can do what all the other songs can do. It's catchy and happy (FLOSSY FLOSSY!!!), definitely feel-good and even captures some sense of sentimentality in it. The flossy flossy song about staying true to yourself even if you become rich and famous sends the same message like J.Lo's "Jenny From the Block" - "Don't be fooled by the rocks that i got, i'm still Jenny from the block". Just MUCH BETTER. In addition, the song is about the glitz and glamour of Hollywood which i'm pretty obsessed about. It brought out every sense of the word GLAMOROUS and changed my opinion of Fergie, the dutchess. Initially, she came across as HOOT-CHIE (kinda slutty) to me with "London Bridge". "Fergalicious" was better but still she still had the "yo mama" trailer-trash look i dislike. But when i first heard "Glamorous", the sound was totally different. It had CLASS and ELEGANCE. That's when i started to like Fergie Ferg. But being song of the year is more than all that. This is THE SONG that inspired me to love music so much more this year. It ignited my passion to discover newer and nicer songs. So without question, Fergie deserves the ultimate honour of having the title "Song of the Year" for her glamourous song! Look forward to JPMAs 2008!!!
You're Superficial, I'm a Misfit. But That's Ok
Know what pisses me off?
When people say they do something because everyone is doing it and it's "COOL". Obviously, it's cool only because everyone is doing it and besides that, there's NOTHING else cool about it.
I'm raising this up because Maxim said that i should try to play the Rubik's Cube because of the same reasoning - everyone is doing it and it's cool. Honestly, i thank Maxim for trying so hard to help me fit into the prototype but it just isn't working. Unless i'm a brainless Barbie, i don't think i'll ever be convinced to do something just because it's a norm. (if i sound harsh that's because of the Monday blues)
I don't want to play pool because i just don't like it. AND I SUCK AT IT.
I don't want to play LAN games/PSP/computer games because i don't like games. AND YES, I SUCK AT IT.
AND I SURE DON"T WANT TO PLAY A RUBIK"S CUBE BECAUSE EVERYONE IS DOING IT! (even though i doubt i'll ever solve it as well haha)
and the list goes on...
I can force myself to try to play (notice "force" and try") but i'll never like them. Even if i master all of them (which is impossible for my "simple" brain), i WILL STILL NEVER LIKE THEM.
NO MATTER HOW MANY PEOPLE PLAY THEM AND SAY IT"S COOL.
Maxim says i'm not willing to try all those JUST BECAUSE i don't want to fit in. OR because everyone is doing it, i won't do it if not i'll be seen as "following the trend".
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who in the world doesn't want to fit in? Ok maybe there are some weirdos in this world but generally, most people hope to be able to blend into their community IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAYS. I do want to fit in, but i don't think it is NECESSARY to force myself to like all that in order to fit it! If i'm doing that, i'm not myself, and the person that people see is not the REAL me. And i hate to be fake and it's not an option.
With regards to the second point, i also don't think there's anything wrong with FOLLOWING THE TREND. But there's seriously something wrong with FOLLOWING THE TREND BLINDLY. I follow the trend... I dress up better because i feel there's a need to since everyone is dressing up better. But i also do it because it makes me feel good about myself since i look nicer. But if you tell me you play pool because everyone is doing it and people tell you that it AMAZES girls, (assuming you don't like pool) then i say you are a FOOL. You have no opinion of your own and you'll live your life FOLLOWING others, chasing what others are chasing. Then can i ask "What are you doing for yourself?"
Then again, there are times i follow the trend even though i don't like to. Just like how possibly i HAVE to get a driving license even though i DISLIKE the idea (i'm getting it for my father, that's ALL). But these are instances in which i do them not because i WANT to fit in (or following the trend blindly because of the stupid reason that "everyone is doing it") but because i HAVE to. Now, it's not a MATTER OF CHOICE. I don't like it, but i'm forced to do it because "everyone is doing it"!!! So even though my actions betray me, i can proudly say i'm not following the crowd BLINDLY.
Well, there's also another exception. Maybe it just so happens that my choice was the same as "everyone's". Though i must emphasize the reasoning behind may differ. For instance (let me think... *AH!*), a lot of people go clubbing nowadays and i would like to go clubbing as well one day. However, most guys want to go clubbing so that they can HOOK UP GIRLS and have a great time GRINDING (*puke*). But i just want to go clubbing to have a enjoyable time dancing and having fun with my friends. NO GRINDING OR DIRTY INTENTIONS in mind. JUST PURE INNOCENT FUN. So geddit?
To be fair to Maxim (i'm not necessarily against YOU and i'm not angry with you but i'm pissed with the comment you made, even though you might not think that way), maybe he thinks i don't even want to give it a try and i reject it based on the disdain for doing what most people like to do. That's wrong AGAIN. Pool, computer games and even Rubik's Cube are things that i've tried before (though just A BIT) and i simply don't like playing them. So i did give a try. And for the fact, even second and third tries.
Well then you might think, what if i don't like everything that people like, even after trying? Although i don't think it's possible to not like EVERYTHING most people do, i think i'll rather die then. To not live a life i like is as good as being dead to me. I hope you all agree with me on that.
To all the blind but "COOL" trend-followers, YOU"RE SUPERFICIAL and i might be a MISFIT.
BUT THAT"S OK!!!
P.S: I might sound angry but i'm not. I'm just firm in my belief and i think i need to be firm in emphasizing it - especially to those who keep pressing me to do what everyone is doing. And of course, a bit of Monday blues.
With Every Haircut
A few months ago, my camp's regimental superior decided to impose a new (another one?!) rule to check our haircuts every two weeks. YES EVERY TWO WEEKS! Like that i have to cut my hair like every two weeks la! Crazy! He thinks we are rich asses is it...
Every haircut at QC is $10. If i go every two weeks, i have to pay $20 a month. In a year, i would have paid, $240! Even if i have alot of money also cannot spend on such stupid haircuts la! If my hair really long, then maybe the $10 would be well-spent to give me immunity. BUT to cut just a few inches of hair, NO WAY MAN!!!
Call me a miser but i really think that amount of money can be spent more fruitfully - like donate to charity (haha.. not really), buy nice clothes & watch movies! Therefore, to save that amount of money, i decided to hand that important but stupid task to my mother. It's important because i NEVER want a GI cut again. It's stupid because to cut my hair every two weeks is just plain dumb.
Well, my mother, in my memory cut my hair when i was much younger. Maybe when i was in primary school if i'm not wrong. That's why i thought it's the perfect solution - i can cut it in my own house, my hair is kept short and MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT"S FREE!!! ZERO DOLLAR!
But even FREE comes with a price haha... To make this clear, i APPRECIATE MY MOTHER"S HELP 100% but I REALLY worry with every cut she makes.
First of all, she is a bit LAO HUA - old people myopia in another words haha... So she would always put on her spectacles for the cut. The thing is, she wears the specs close to the tip of the nose (am i putting it correctly?) like some super old granny who can hardly see. Scares me to death i tell you.
Secondly, because she hasn't cut anyone's hair for a long time, her skills are pretty rusty. Well, but it wasn't good to begin with right?! Every time after she makes a few cuts, she would rush infront of me and see whether she made the right cuts or to check if both sides are balanced. She would go "Can or not ah? See see see!" and it really frightens me. If Robyn's song go "And it hurts with every heartbeat", i would have to sing "And it (my heart) jumps with every cut she makes"! haha... But i shall not blame her for it. After all i'm the one who asked for the haircut knowing what i was in for. Plus, i feel so bad for making her go through this traumatic experience every two weeks (we just ended the second cut) - she feels so stressed that the burden of cutting my hair NICE AND SHORT lays in her hands.
Thirdly, her cutting tools are really just the usual pair of scissors and a comb. She doesn't dare to use the shaver and neither will i allow her to - i don't want to go near the possibility of hearing "OPPS!" when she is using the shaver. The scissors will do. haha... But the issue here is the pair of scissors used is quite lousy - not sharp at all. I complained to her about it today but she said it's actually a NEW one. I just went speechless. Prayers are DEFINITELY needed in such crucial moments.
With that said, i'm still very satisified with the haircut i got. It's not super-stylo but it's good enough. It's short and i STILL LOOK MODERATELY DECENTLY GOOD. Since no one around me are professional hairstylists, i doubt they can spot the "screw-ups". haha...
SO THANK YOU MOTHER!!! NIANG... HAI 'ER(child) says THANK YOU!!! hahah...
In the past, i hardly had to worry about any screw-ups in my haircut. Basically because i had been going to the same barber for the past 17 years. The barbers knew me and knew what i wanted. That's the reason i have been spotting the same haircut throughout all those years. Then, i couldn't care less about how my hair would turn out since my priority was not to look good or cool (and i wouldn;t anyway). Change was definitely not an option because I didn't want to waste time worrying if my hair goes out of shape of not.
But there's also another reason why i went to the same barber and had the same haircut everytime. I didn't want to change my FENGSHUI. haha... I've been doing well in my exams everytime and being the unreasonably and unlogically superstitious me, i think part of it attributes to the barber. haha... I believed that cutting from the same place and spotting the same hairstyle, my results would remain the same - good. hahah... Well, i do have my other weird superstitions but i will not share them here - they are my SECRETS TO SUCCESS!!! haha!!!
But of course, i've grown out of that stupid superstition of mine. FOR THE MOMENT (who knows i might revert back in my uni days? haha). Army made it compulsory for me to change my hairstyle and made me realise how important hair was because i LOOK ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS without hair! haha... I didn't like to look at the mirror when i was in my BMT days and even if i did, i would cover the top of my head and imagine myself with the "hair" i used to have. Now that i have the privilege of keeping my hair slightly longer, i am very much more concerned about how my hair would turn out - even though the variations are limited.
All i can say is, it's a much more HAIRY situation from now on. haha
________________________________________________________
On another note, remember in the last entry i spoke about the VIDEO Tribute to the bloggers shown during the "moving on " party? Ivan posted the video online and Kenny helped me to get the screenshot for my part. (thanks kenny :)
BTW, thanks Ivan for the very kind words. I really do feel very appreciated by what you, jillian and the library has done for me (and the other bloggers).
So before i go, let me show you my "few nanoseconds of mini-fame"! hahah...
Awesome!!!!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
The "Moving On" Party was held yesterday at library@orchard itself and Kenny and i attended the event as INVITED GUESTS! Well, it's not that glam actually - the public is also welcome to feast on the buffet the library catered. haha...
Hungry as we were, Kenny and i went straight for the food. Even with the unusually large crowd of people in the library, we could still find seats in the Kenny-coined "Hogwarts Cabin".
However, the mood as first wasn't as high as what we expected so we got a bit sian just walking about aimlessly. The light singing by the performers wasn't helping as well, seemed to make us more moody. No offence.
BUT you can trust as to make some good moments for ourselves as long as we have our cameras! haha.. CAMWHORING in the library! Here are the results of our photoshoot.
invited   
thank you thank you Kenny told me that one auntie gave me the disgusted look behind my back just before i wanted to pose on the runway! If i know who she is ah..................... *hrmph*
While after taking ENOUGH photos, we decided to go take a drink and listen to the acoustic performances of a duo - Olivia and Nick(?) haha.. Their singing were pretty good, loved their renditions of "she will be loved", "close to you" and "sometimes love just ain't enough". Provided a nice feel before the event was "officiated by the guest of honor. 
Guess what! The Guest of Honor actually thanked us in his speech! Yes he mentioned JOEL (and kenneth of course) you know! Wah, super OMG lah. For a moment, i was so ecstatic - mainly because i feel like i'm OVER-CREDITED for doing just that little few things. hha. But as i've said before, it's always nice to know that people, especially the people high up there, appreciate what you do.
And i thought that the only OMG moment! I was so wrong. After the speech, there was even a tribute to us, the citizen bloggers! My name, JOEL SIM, flashed on the screen!!! Damn happy lah - i never thought such a thing would happen, i really thought we are just coming to witness the closing and nothing else! haha. Thanks to the library! So sweet of them to remember to include us - i really don't feel i deserve such an honor haha...
After that video, i couldn't concentrate anymore le... during which there were some video screening and vip-leaving-their-marks kinda stuff. I just kept OMG-ing. haha...  
Very soon, it was really the closure of library@orchard! The library told all visitors to proceed outside of the library for the official closure. Everyone just gathered outside the entrance, with all the paparazzi snapping away whenever the library assistants pulled the sliding doors, with each one marking the impending closure.  
Kenny and i just joined in the fun and paparazzi-ed! haha...
When the last door closed, we thought we saw the workers at library@orchard gathered together for some group hug. Turned out they're CRYING!!! SO touching... and EMO!!! (in a good way la). 
I suppose i understand what they're feeling. All the days working there, going to work in orchard, serving visitors, the smell, the place EVERYTHING they'll miss! My heart goes out to them...
It's amazing to know that even a library can make such an impact on people. This clearly shows that a library is not just a COLLECTOR OF BOOKS, but also a COLLECTOR OF MEMORIES. I was also emo-fied by the touching scene and i'm quite sure it made me treasure whatever i have right now.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my past few weeks of blogging on the library and i thank the library for the opportunity as well. I must say it was a really nice time there and i will dearly miss my time at the library.
TO ALL THE WORKERS AT LIBRARY@ORCHARD, KUDOS TO YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
Remember
Though it's over, we're still connected together.
Goodbye is not always easy but library@orchard will live forever.
IN OUR HEARTS.
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music.city.soul
jloe is a serious music addict, with an slight inclination towards swedish and scandinavian music. he will always be mandy moore biggest fan, though currently he has a (huge) soft spot for lauren conrad. in his spare time, he enjoys chatting with friends, watching movies, and basically doing whatever his heart tells him to do. Peace.
SONG OF THE DAY: fibes oh fibes - run to you
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