Saturday, May 26, 2007
Twenty-Three And Going!
Before I forget... Besides the birthday cake that I got from my CCA-mates, I was once again pleasantly surprised by my wonderful friends from my school mates. Rose, MH, Yen and Carrousel showered their birthday blessings and a gift fit for my feet (no pun intended). They got a pair of brown Havaianas for me.
The story goes: Jd, Edwin, Yen and me were having dinner together at cineleisure, when shortly after finishing her meal (which she couldn't finish and I was left disposing of it for her because I can't bare to see food being wasted) she excused herself to get something for her sister. So the 3 of us were left to our own devices while waiting for her. We decided to head for Heerens (she said she was around there) and there we met not only her, but Carrousel as well! What a surprise. What a coincidence that Yen and Carrousel were together all of a sudden. Anyway, Carrousel with no apparent and logical reason, ask for my fashion advice. Hur hur. She actually asked me for FASHION advice:
(The following dialogue may not be the exact representation of the real scene. But the Feeling is there)
Carrousel: Eh, you think this pair of flip flops nice for-
John: Me to wear, is it?
Carrousel: -my brother...
John: Oh. Ok I think erm...
Carrousel and Yen giggled.
Then at that point I felt something was amiss. Why would they ask me about fashion in the first place? I have a knack that something is totally wrong.
John: For your brother? Are you sure...
Carrousel: Yarrr... Then you think for you meh!
John: Eh... Well... Okay lor... I think your brother... Erm... Should be... Okay lah...
Then Yen and Carrousel just laughed.
Carrousel: You want or not!
Yen: Aiyoh!
John: Oh...
The rest of the story is redundant. The point is, that pair of flip flops is in my possession now and forever. By the way, I've to give thanks Jd and Edwin who waited so patiently while I was being blissfully surprised by Yen and Carrousel. Also thanks to Rose and Mh for the gift.
So that's another surprise of the year for me besides the cake. Hur hur.
Oh great, an entry for 26 May 2007.
I'm not here to boast, although it may seem like I am.
I thought today's Runteam meeting was just the start of another 3 month process of brainstorming and mind-wrecking, yet adrenaline rushing, preparation for SMU RunAbout 2007. Indeed the meeting was as I had expected. But what I didn't expect was something the guys did which I thought was really touching and worth remembering.
We were just beginning to start the meeting in the GSR as the last member entered the room with a Polar Confectionary box. I was wondering if it was meant for us to share... Some puffs or pastries perhaps (I was thinking with my stomach). Then one of the guys asked me out to discuss some stuff. I thought it was weird at first: what was so secretive that we couldn't say it in the room? Maybe some confidential documents... Conspiracy...
Anyway, while we were talking, 2 other members came running out of the room, presumably to the toilet. I thought they looked serious and apprehensive. Then again, my friend continued to ask me some stuff regarding last year's SMU RunAbout event.
Eventually we decided to return to the room. From outside, the room was dark. Who could have switched off the lights. Why off the lights? For what?
Upon entering the room, everyone (7 of them) shouted: SURPRISE! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you... (the song)
On the table was a cake with lit candles. I thought it was meant for my friend (who talked to me outside) and so I just went along with the SURPRISE thingy... Then I realised that they were all looking at me, pointing at me, saying: "It's you lah". I was caught by surprise.
What the hell! Then the same friend who led me out said: "This week, right! Ha ha ha!"
Hmmm I thought I would be touched to tears. But apparently my nerves got the better of me and I didn't. Not even red eyes. Instead, I was dumbfounded momentarily. Gosh. The cake looked delicious. Mango fruit cake. Hur hur.
What a night. I can't help smiling to myself and everyone. I was truly touched.
Thanks to: Wayne, Augustin, Zhongyi, Kwang Sheng, Geraldine, Wei Chuan and Geng Hui.
Summer module is ending! I've been looking forward to it for so long. But I think I will miss Karen. She's such an entertaining lecturer. But then I'm more concerned about not having to study for another 3 months again. What a relief...
I have so many things that I want to do during the holidays, considering it's probably going to be my last. How sad. And I'm starting to worry about my career prospects again. Ugh. So many things to worry about. Life is so unfair. Sometimes I wonder why we exist. We are born into this world that was created out of some explosion, then we work our lives to stay alive, and we die when our bodies finally wear themselves out and give way to gravity. What the hell, right?
Anyway I just changed my phone and service operator. Nokia phones are quite user-friendly and easy on the eyes but I really cannot remember their product quality anymore. I hope this new phone can last me for as long as I have no intention of changing to another. The previous phone lasted for 2 years straight and I still miss its idiot-proof functions and hardiness.
On something entirely different, MJ's off to Hong Kong this morning. I think he's already touched down as I'm typing. Our farewell dinner last week was very successful! Too bad we didn't really take any photos - which no one suggested and I wondered why only after we parted that night - for rememberance. But no matter, we can have a welcome-back dinner again. (So please think of where to eat, Carrousel and Yen) Hur hur.
Think I better go read up on my storybook now.
These few weeks have been pretty exciting! Apart from the normal drudgery of attending lessons, I've been to the Night Safari just on Friday and watched Spiderman 3 on Sunday.
It's been years since I've been to the zoo! It's like going to an entirely new place all over again. I was probably too young during my first visit to the zoo to remember ever been there at all. After all, the location is extremely remote. The first thought that struck me upon discussion of the visit was: HUH? But seriously I was rather curious at what I'd see at the zoo. It would be really interesting to go there again, considering that the only thing I ever remembered about the night safari was taking the tram... But in the end the trip was breath-taking, albeit exhausting, because we walked instead of taking the tram. I didn't realise that the trail would be that long. On hindsight it was really cool to see real wild animals on-site rather than on TV. Night safari donn't allow any flashes from cameras... But it's so dark in there that we could hardly take any decent photos except at the entrance. Sigh.
Spiderman 3 was fine: action-packed and adrenalin rushing. There were more enemies this time - three, in fact. Some people I've asked thought that 3 enemies were confusing while some commended the film. I think for the average Joe/Jane who just want to catch a decent show, it's worth the buck.
Lately I've been going to HK cafes for meals and I'm starting to wonder if it's going to be my staple eatery for now. The last time I was craving for KFC (the entire last semester) nobody wanted me to suggest any place to eat at all. Anyhow, I had dinner at XW HK cafe again. Luckily Edwin and JD were cool about it. Hur hur. After the movie, we had supper at Cafe Cartel! It was JD's idea. He was craving for that Eastside Brownie or something. The sweetness and chocolatey taste still lingers in my taste buds now... I think everyone of us was a little off the scale mentally because the 3 of us had nuggets, cheesecake and a peach ice-cream sundae apart from the brownie for supper. Extremely unhealthy (My IPPT is coming up soon, you see). But their blueberry cheesecake is pretty good. Not too dry or sweet. After supper it was photo-taking session until we finally parted.
Agnes, Ian, Eric and SW went for the Phantom of the Opera at the Esplanade. According to them the show's great! I heard that the show was a sell-out for the month. Too bad I didn't go with them... Then again, I don't know how to appreciate musicals so that's okay.
As I end off, the project work left unfinished is beckoning at me at the back of my mind, on the screen, on my desk - everywhere.
The summer holidays are killing me, for now. I am struggling - and determined - to get through the summer module despite my perpetual distraction with the TV and other unworldly interests (music, slacking, eating, dreaming, etc.). To add on to my misery, what can be worse than a public holiday smacked on a Tuesday. I feel like it's Sunday all day long. No mood to do anything related to school - just want to slack, laze, dream some more and watch TV programmes (plus mahjong).
My parents just visited the vegetable and pet farms in Lim Chu Kang and Choa Chu Kang today. How exciting. My dad apparently became quite besotted with a Kings Charles Cocker Spaniel puppy when he called back to ask me some information about it. I thought he was going to buy a puppy (finally!) but I know I shouldn't deceive myself. Following that I received this stupid MMS of that stupid puppy. I was wondering: What is his problem? He's so excited over some canine puppy like he's going to buy, which everyone else in the household knows he won't, home within the next 5 minutes. And FYI this isn't the first time; previously it was a Maltese, before that a Jack Russell and Golden Retriever. How embarrassing. Obviously I couldn't care less about it and returned to flicking the channels on cable.
Ironically, I feel quite comfortable staying at home on a public holiday and lazing (yes, that word again), watching TV or listening to some Joao Gilberto or Hotel Costes. The image of throngs of crowds squeezing for walking space on Orchard Road totally turns me off. Just at that point of time I suddenly felt like going to the beach. Maybe it's quite breezy today...
Sigh! IPPT is looming around next week. Darn. Thinking of it makes my stomach churn. I wonder if I can still make the cut for it and earn some cash awards (Silver/Gold). Scary. Hur.
Run, not to run...Yes. I shall set my legs to work now. Labour (Day) on!
P.S. Today's my 1st Anniversary working at that chocolate bar.