Chinese New Year 2011

The transition from 2010 to 2011 was extremely fast. Just today, I looked back to the new year of 2010, and now today, we're at 2011, the rabbit's year.

The past few days were really relaxed, going from place to place, seeing my driving skills improve tremendously within just 2 days, when back in January, I still had to wait for the road to be clear without any obstruction before turning out from a minor road, I needed to make many tiny adjustments while parking, I did not even dare to park in a parallel lot, I had to drive in a car park extremely slowly, making sure I had perfect clearance on both sides before I went up or down the slope to the next deck in a multi-storey car park. In just 3 days, I got those skills to near perfection, with help from family, relatives and friends. Driving more than 220 kilometres over three days, spanning a total of 7 hours on the roads, to 13 destinations in 3 regions.

On Thursday, we went to visit our grandparents in the morning. I was very unsure of my skills back then, and my judgement was rather poor. In the afternoon after lunch, we started on our visiting. Grand mother's place first, followed by my aunt, then off to Plaza Singapura with another aunt, uncle and cousins to catch The Green Hornet. That movie sure gave me some motivation to drive at night I guess. Thanks to the driving at Plaza Singapura, I became more comfortable manoeuvring in tight spaces. We ended the night by visiting my second uncle's family.

I travelled to nearly every corner of the Eastern region of the island from 1.15pm on Saturday, getting lost in Bedok before eventually finding my way back home at 12.18am.

This week, it's back to studying. On the way home the night before many things went through my mind. What about now, later, today? What's going to happen over the next few months, years? What will I do? How would I do it? Where should I go? I felt as though I had found my calling, as though I could see my life right ahead of me. It felt as though, I was in some time machine, driving through time, into the future and back. However in the morning when I woke up, I felt as though everything that happened was just a dream, that it never happened, until I looked at my phone, realising I had forgotten to reply a few close friends the night before.

I had been feeling worried about absolutely nothing for four days now. I have no idea what's going to happen. I met someone who sounded like you, which made my heart skip a beat, but the feeling's still there. At least the twitching in my left eye ended, which I feel might be the fact I met my former form teacher's cousin at home today when she came to visit.

Day 28 — Someone that changed your life

Another tough one. This year, I attended many activities, each with many people, and all of them, changed my life.

I don't know who to start with, so instead, I shall write one to the 2010 YEP team. Being a simple person, I'll just make something general so there shall be no secrets about anyone(as if there were any to hide).

Honestly, I don't know everyone very well. All of us do know a lot about each other, though to me, nothing beats all that without having gone through something with everyone. We all had.

You guys taught me new things in life, many of which are things I did not know were unnecessary. I'm the kind of person who likes to be there for everyone, and where I can't help, I'll be at my worst. Through photography, I have achieved it, though there were times I was tired and wanted a break, but, you guys always come first.

I liked to travel, so much it did not occur to me that I was able to take initiatives to gather like-minded friends to do go on morning walks with me! Even now, I'm planning for a short trip within the island.

The company with everyone, was a great escape from the stress of studying. There was lots more to just the simple stuff we did over there, since there was the administrative work, and the foundation laying for us to do what we went there to do. Lots of effort put in, many times the reward we harvested, though the fruits of our labour was shared with not just us, but the people as well.

Though the place did not change much within the year, travelling with everyone, has shown me that the place might be the same, but the environment does change. No matter where you go, each time you went back to the same place, you can be assured of a different experience, better or worse. That's what makes me like travelling so much. To like the place is one thing, but to embrace what the place has in store, is another.

I guess, as much as I would like to travel, I should do it on my own, or with a group of friends. There's only so much the school can do for the students. Shortly after our return, I registered for another YEP, but decided to withdraw as a student leader, simply due to the fact that I wanted someone else to feel the great joy we all felt during our journey. I wanted to pass a stack of paper and a pen to someone, so that he or she, could write a new chapter into his or her life.

It's more than a year since we all met for the first time, but I'm glad, and amazed, we are still closely knit together as great friends, and I'm sure, we will always stay that way.

4 More Months

4 more months to live, as a Polytechnic student. A week had passed, and it's November. It feels like I had just started on my first semester. I decided to keep the knowledge, discard the attitudes I had towards learning. Start from scratch, and hopefully, accelerate, and take off to what could be a nice finish to my three year journey.

The past week seemed to be an introduction, felt some intensity, but still manageable. Monday felt like a holiday when it shouldn't, since we were struggling to get back on our feet to re-route. The other days, we were making some progress, finally. The real challenge, begins tomorrow. Within a month, I'll need to gather enough momentum through lots of effort, if not, I'll start losing speed the same way I did for the past 4 semesters.

The night before, I celebrated my first Halloween night with the Toasties. Quan, Yee Tat, Hafiz, Dennis, Danial, Zarifah and I went over to Kim's place for dinner, movie and a computer game, all in the name of horror. The journey there wasn't that bad, with the start being kind of nice, when I saw people, young and old, families even all dressed up for a Halloween Celebration at an International school nearby. I realised I was going to be late when I passed Ang Mo Kio Hub at 7pm, when I was supposed to be meeting the group in another 30minutes! I asked a friend for help, so that I could gauge how late I was going to be, and I found out only 10 minutes before I arrived, which was at 7.30pm(without her help). That was, before she disclosed the amount of time I had to travel from my current location that evening till I arrived at the interchange.

Bought dinner after meeting them, and we walked 5 minutes to her home. We watched Mirrors, a movie I heard earlier this year at the loft, if I'm not wrong, Melissa was re-telling a movie to a group of us, and that particular movie fitted everything she described! 10.30pm, we went to take a trip down to a hotel, for a cyber night walk.

The journey home, I was wondering if I could make it back without being overly suspicious of my surroundings. Things went rather fine, and I took the unlikely last 147 home last night at 11.40pm, 10 minutes after the last bus had departed for Clementi. 2 hours and 20 minutes later, I got home. That's when the real fear got to me. Last night, I took a bath in the bathroom which had the smallest mirror, and slept with the lights on. Hopefully it won't be the same tonight. I had never watched a horror movie before, and that was my first.

Anyway, I had a dream this morning, where it was somewhere in December, during the common test period. There was a werewolf 'virus' loose in campus, started by an unknown person. Each day, a close friend of the werewolf would be hunted down right after the paper. Just observe, a group of students running down that slope each day in school. Shortly after, that stretch of road becomes completely deserted, and you hear a long, loud howl. Shortly after, you could hear slow, loud panting from a human, except you could expect it wasn't human. Once it spots someone it recognized, it charged forth, claiming its prey.

On a Thursday, one of my classmates was IT. We had a paper the next day, so we could be sure that the 'virus' was here to stay, at least till Sunday. There was a cure, but I woke up before I could learn what it was. For the paper, I left the moment the paper was done, and since I had a second paper in the afternoon, I stayed at the co-op stall in the new building. It was red, so I had the thought it would be safe there, at least. Oh and for some reason, the werewolf would strike only 5 minutes after a paper had ended, and each time, it ran down the hill. However, no one knows how or when the victim would revert to his or her normal self after that. A short description would be it had a nice coat of dark grey, white and black fur (imagine a German Shepherd dog standing 2 meters tall) and once it started running, one could hardly trace it with his or her own eyes. All it took, was to be bitten or scratched, to become the next IT. A group of friends came to join me soon afterward. Since the group of us stayed around the same place, we decided to meet there at 4.50pm, and regardless or whether anyone was late, we would leave at that time. I left the room at 4.30pm with a few others. Foolishly, we all walked down the hill, since I told them I was going to the new block 73. I met my friends there, and while my friend was paying for a drink he bought, another friend who was there with us, started to morph. Everyone dashed out. One of my friends looted a few snacks and bottles of drink before we made it out to the main road. I woke up when I noticed IT charging to the bus stop.

It's November tomorrow. Barely a month to go. I don't really care if it'll become a reality. I just want to do what I can, with what I have and know...

First Camp of my First Polytechnic CCA

Today I just attended the first camp of my first CCA in the Polytechnic. Kind of a bad time, as I'm recuperating from a bad sore throat. Met up with Yee Tat and Kim outside the library to help them with the printing of stuff for the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Student Toastmasters Camp 2010, the first Toastmasters Camp in Ngee Ann.

It was the first time we planned a camp together, and it was also the first time I was part of the organizing committee of a camp. I was doubling up as the media crew and first aider for the camp.

So far the first day went well, though there was a major hiccup with the accommodation, but other than that, everything else went really well! My final Semester Vacation at Ngee Ann Polytechnic is coming to an end in less than 2 weeks, and I feel as though my motivation is increasing at breakneck speed under increasing acceleration, as I make it to the start line for my final sprint.

If only...no, I can do it.

SG "Tour"-Day 5;2010 (Pasir Ris)

The tour was kind of a last minute plan that I came up with this morning. Here's the actual deal for today.

I wake at 9, head to school from 10 to 11am for a module experience interview for the School of Interdisciplinary studies, before I head home to watch my fingernails grow.

I did the first part of the main plan. Many muscles in my body were aching the moment I woke. Somehow, I was still able to go about doing the usual stuff almost without any difficulty, except walking. The impacts of the 5 hard landings on the standing broad jump mat the day before has caused some injuries to my legs. I went off to school, and the interview went rather well! Claire, my compere, was surprised my tutor wasn't Ms Adelaine, as she was the one who had recommended me to go for the interview. My tutor for 1COMT was Madam Rosita, who taught and helped me in the module almost 2 years ago.

At 10.45am, I was done. I rang up my mum, and arranged to meet her at my Grandma's. Met my dad and the 3 of us went for lunch till 1pm. When I arrived at 11.40(after a 30-minute bus ride on board SMRT 61), my mum asked if any of my friends had asked me out during the holidays, then she asked about John and Jon. Jon returned the reply I sent him asking if he was free later in the afternoon or tomorrow morning earlier this morning. I had thought he stayed at Tampines, so perhaps I could go for a walk with him around the whole of Tampines(thanks to the photograph of the flat I took earlier on Monday during the Exco meeting). Instead, he told me his home was 5 minutes away from White Sands at Pasir Ris. Thus, it was decided we would be spending approximately 3 hours walking around Pasir Ris.

I rushed home, changed my clothes, packed my laptop, hard disk, and my camera and lens before setting off, all within 10 minutes. I left home and boarded the 1.46pm SMRT 106 for Clementi Station. As I was short on time, I decided to take the train instead. I had to make a total of 2 to 3 transfers if I had to take a bus there, which could last anywhere between 60minutes and 3 hours.

After passing Kallang, I noticed the designs of school uniforms of some schools in the East had the same design as some schools in the West(Alright. Random observation).I arrived at Pasir Ris at 2.45pm. At 3.10pm, we set off, our first stop, Pasir Ris Town Park. I had no idea why I wanted to go walking around. I felt as though something had been planned, so all I had to do was to get it going. What's more, my legs were still hurting, but when we walked, I practically felt no pain. Wow. What's more, I had been standing the moment I left home.

I'll let the pictures do the talking on the sights I saw with Jon. We talked about many things, school, colour schemes of the flats, possible costs, differences in accessibility by public transport between old and new estates, just to name a few.

At 5.45pm, as planned, we went on our ways, I would embark on my longest bus journey yet within the city state, while Jon would return home to prepare for a dinner with his friends later that evening.

5.46pm I ran for SBS 88, but missed it when I thought passengers were still queuing for the bus, and the moment I started walking, the bus left. I realised the queue was for another bus service! For some reason, all the bus services I had to use to travel around, always had to be at the extreme end of the Interchange(especially for SBS services).4 minutes later, another double decked bus arrived, and I boarded it. 88 was bound for Toa Payoh Interchange, the interchange closest to home without taking the train. I started uploading the photographs into my computer the moment the left Pasir Ris. Somewhere along the way, I looked out the window. I saw the void deck of a yellowish flat, with the table I saw in a dream not too long ago. I continued looking out. One by one, I started to remember places I saw in my dreams. Within the minute, dreams and thoughts flooded my carefree mind, akin to titanic waves of water gushing toward after breaking free from a collapsed dam. That, was really scary. At the moment, I had the strong urge to alight from the bus to take a cab home. Shortly after ward, I turned off my laptop the moment the uploads were done, and I took a nap. I woke up at Ang Mo Kio, and the first thing I saw, was a real life crime scene. I had thought it was the mock up by mediacorp. I was wrong. Officers were placing number cards beside fragile traces of evidence and the area was cordoned off. Even passer-bys and residents were looking on with great curiosity! That, was the first time I saw the real thing.

I did the usual, thinking about many things, like what I usually do on long bus journeys, ultimately reaching no conclusion or answers to those thoughts. 80 minutes after leaving Pasir Ris, I arrived at Toa Payoh at 7.10pm. The moment I got up, I fell back onto my seat. My legs were hurting once again. Badly. But, how was that possible? Perhaps, I had walked too much for one afternoon. Perhaps, someone out there was playing tricks on me. I simply thought, 'it was all pre-planned. I just had to make things happen.'.

I walked slowly toward the last berth(yes, again) where SBS 157 was. There was a queue where I lost my footing while trying to evade two passengers who wanted to queue behind a girl I was walking past. I brushed hard against her bag(hope it did not cause her any injury), and left quickly as I saw the bus reverse from parking. I eventually caught the bus.

I slept through most of the journey back to Bukit Batok Interchange, on the bus bound for Boon Lay Interchange. I arrived at the bus interchange 50 minutes later at 8pm. I missed SMRT 106 as I could not run for the bus. I waited instead, and boarded SMRT 77, bound for Marina Centre, at 8.10pm. I reached home at 8.20pm, a grand total of 150 minutes after leaving Pasir Ris! That has got to be the longest bus journey I had ever taken!

Till now, I still have the feeling that everything that happened today, was pre-planned. I simply did whatever came to mind, without thinking so much.

Just A Coincidence?

This afternoon, I saw a different view on an opinion of mine, that sometimes, it's simply a coincidence that certain things happen. You go out on the streets, and you meet someone by chance. You get involved in something simply because you were there seemingly at the right time and at the right place, whatever the reason might be. What would you do, if you received something unusual that's a gift that's given to you, for seemingly picking the right choice, and doing what you view as the right thing?

Went to watch The Sorcerer's Apprentice at Jurong Point with Andy, Randall and his friend this afternoon. We had wanted to watch Inception, but we decided to switch to that movie as Andy was afraid he might fall asleep during the movie in case he did not understand the plot of the 2-hour long movie.

It's kind of predictable as for any other movie where the main character gets bestowed a power, and uses that power to achieve something after having self-doubts before accepting his/her fate and stepping up to the task, not forgetting the main dish: duels. Lots of it.

In our present day life, everyone wants to live a simple, normal life whilst accomplishing tasks and feats that would set them apart from the rest. However, only a small minority would dream of doing something many wouldn't do, since it's said that "leaders don't do different things, leaders do things differently". If you're leading a simple, scheduled life that's average and enjoyable, would you do something to make it better? Taking small steps, yes. Making one giant leap to achieve greatness, most would stop, procrastinate, and think at least twice. Working one's way to the top to earn a 5-figure sum, or biting that bullet to buy that potential winning lottery ticket that's worth a dollar, that could make you a millionare in one night? It's your choice. However, whichever path one chooses, there's no turning back, although it is possible to change the future, with the right set of decisions made at each junction in life, to return to the other path one could have taken much earlier on.

Whether one could ever change the future to enjoy what he could have enjoyed if he/she had taken the other route, it's all at the mercy of time, and the decisions of others. The end result of that route, is a miracle, the best result fate could reward one who makes the right choices. The more decisions one make for a miracle to happen, the greater and more valuable the miracle would be for the individual, and possibly, two or more individuals who might or might not be related.

However, what makes a miracle, truly seem like a miracle? Some associate it with luck, a coincidence. That's what make a miracle special. Even winning the lottery, might seem a great deal, simply because the many balls in the machine are pushing each other, generously inviting their numbered pals to take their place. Whichever ball gives in and takes the spot, provides a ticket containing its number the chance to win a prize, provided a certain number of digits held by its other ball pals accept their places in the remaining spots.

In the end, it's still about decisions, feelings, timing, ethics and people. So does something happen because it's a coincidence? It's just so difficult to tell exactly how things happen, because the Earth doesn't revolve around a single human, being or organism.

Back as Promised

2 weeks have passed. A week of examinations and a week of intensive preparation.

Won't be expecting good grades for the examinations this time, as I planned and did things in such a way that most things happened at the right place, at the wrong time. On Friday, went with the team for their immunisation at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, before leaving with Marcus and Shen Faye at 3.15pm.

The week after was fully occupied. Monday to Wednesday, I attended a standard first aid course, which was kind of like a refresher course, as my certification had expired 5 years ago. Tuesday night was spent totally on packing my bags for a camp the next day, and for the up-coming overseas trip the coming Monday, so I did not study for the first aid test. On Wednesday, found out that I was not going to be part of the orientation camp in April. On that same day, met Koon Teck to collect the First Aid kits and some stuff that would help us during the 14-day trip to Dumaguete City in the Philippines. Passed the course with 28 out of 30 for the theory, and cleared the practical and CPR test. Attended a pre-trip camp after that. THat's the first time I attended a camp for the purpose of bonding with team mates, getting to know the stuff we're going to do there better, all in preparation for an overseas youth expedition programme. Went to play pool with Danial, Iqbal, Mel and Hui Yin that night, before buying supper for some of the others back at the apartments.

On Thursday, ran 10 rounds at the stadium, before heading back to join the rest in preparing for the Cultural Nite performance. Had lunch with the team, and left for our pre-trip community service, which seemed like what a team would do in the I&E in Action Module, under the Community Pathway. Had a strong sense of deja vu once again during the briefing by Melinda at the centre, when I remembered the scene where we were all standing round her as she gave the briefing. Can't really remember when I dreamt of it, and what happenedin that dream, except for that briefing scene.

Today went to get some stuff to pack for the trip. In the morning went to Yio Chu Kang to meet Jacy to collect her package for her kids, before heading ome for lunch. Went out to change money and purchase some stuff to use over there for the 14 days, and went home for dinner. Joined some friends for dinner at Brewerkz till 9.30pm before heading home.

Shall complete the packing and final baggage checks later in the morning, before returning to sleep the afternoon away till 4pm. Tomorrow, hopefully I'll be able to do a short post before heading off for 14 weeks. Would only be able to post again after that.

I'll be on my way back soon. Please wait a little longer...

The Tiger's Turn

Happy Chinese New Year to all.

Three days of pre-exam break has ended, providing a clear mind for the last 4 papers, the first in two days. Making this short, for each year it's more or less the same(minus the different things that happen each year, good or bad).

First Day, a visit to the temples, movie at Lido followed by dinner at Revenue house, and ending off with the first two visits of the year with cousins. Caught Percy Jackson ad the Lightning Thief at Lido at 4.30pm. It was a great movie from start till the climax, afterwhich the thrill just died off with the producers trying to rush the ending of the film in the last 30 minutes. The whole film lasted for more than 2 hours, inclusive of air time for the ads. Went for a Japanese dinner after that, ending off with a visit to my grandmother's and uncle's homes, just like last year.

Second day, I fell very ill, but managed to recover in 5 hours. 4am I woke feeling extremely weak, shivering violently, my throat sore, running a high fever. First thought, damn the timing. Somehow managed to fall asleep again, waking 2 hours later at 6am. Before that, was having a weird dream, of how I was having a photography class with some of the people I knew, at the now-gone block 73 lecture threatre. It ended off when I started worrying about forgeting to complete and submit my photographs on the last lesson. If not for the air conditioner which made me shiver so badly, I was going to have a really bad panic attack that morning. 3 hours later, I woke again, but it fet as though I was dreaming all night long. I had no fever, the air conditioner was running, but as usual, I wouldn't feel cold(the temperature was alway set at 25degrees), I could walk normally around the room. It felt like a dream, until I drank a glass of water. Sore throat. At least it was better than fever, and being unable to walk around, eat, drink or do anything for the rest of the festive season. Went to the market to getsome drinks with my father before heading home. Cousins from my father's side came over for lunch, and stayed till 4, before we went over to my cousins' place for dinner, before continuing on to visit another cousin's home.

The third day. We did not really go anywhere yesterday, for friends and relatives came to visit. The only day I really had some time for some revision.

Something new this year, I was doing the driving most of the time on the second and third day. On the first day, I drove with my uncle to the Revenue House, and on to my Grandmother's home after dinner. On the second day, I drove to the market and back, and later on in the afternoon, I went on my first drive with my cousin, my first time driving with someone who was also a probational driver(for it meant less stress for both drivers when it came to driving from point A to B in terms of travel time). On the third day, I drove my parents do dinner and back.

Today's the fourth day, and it was also time I started studying for the examinations again. Just 8 more days and I'll no longer be at level 2. This year is definitely going to be better than last year!

So much for thinking random thoughts. Whatever comes to my mind, comes alive in daily events, sooner or later. Lately, I have been able to 'see' things from a different perspective, that I doubt most would not be able to. Give me a movie scene, and I could imagine the cameraman filming the moment and the director directing the actors in their actions and lines while looking at the product of the efort they put in fr the particular scene. Give me a photograph, and I could imagine what happened shortly before and after the photograph was taken(I have never been told if those events have really happened, so I can't be sure if the images I imagined are 100% authentic). I can't wait for June.

January's Brush

The closing week of each month usually carry the most memorable moments. First long distance run of 15km in 2010,running the longest project marathon, completing 2 interviews that were running consecutively at 2 different locations, and ending off with a short reunion with camp mates.

The second year, is where relatively short timeframes for projects to be completed are implemented, either you're revising yur stuff, or you would be rushing to complete the last paragraph of a section in the report so that you could continue on the next section, and in turn complete and submit the project in time.

The last weekday of January, was a rather agonising day, where I noticed seconds lasting nearly as long as hours, and hours as long as a day. I had barely completed the final touches to our project, which was due for presentation that afternoon. In addition to the presentation, I was due for an important intervew, in which I was playing for extremely high stakes, with the probability of making it through being 11/20. Who wouldn't want to be part of a 2-week, heavily subsidised trip to another continent at the other side of the world? It's great thinking about the reward waiting on the other side of the pasture, but the path leading to it, is filled with countless mines and traps, threatening to stop me at my first step.

Fast forward to 3.50pm on Friday, I was about to get ready for a presentation, when a call arrived. It was my turn for the interview, when I was just about to get ready for the presentation. My mind, was filled with nothing but a white void. The walk to the Student Services Office seemed like an hour, when it took only 5 minutes. I felt as thouh I lost my voice upon arriving. 5 minutes later, I was invited into the room. For once, I felt traces of my voice return, only to realise that, I was unable to think clearly on my feet, which caused much panic. On the inside, I was calm, but on the outside, I was contanly tiking of what I should add on to my statement to make it better. Constant clashes led to a breakdown, and I simply paused. 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and I said a sentence or two to complete what I wanted to say.

In just 2 minutes(maybe more), I was touching the cold, metal handle of the doors which would return me to the comfort of my friends. I did not turn back, but kept moving forward. The same, cold, dark feeling which I felt inside me on my first driving test after commiting my first immediate failure mistake, returned once again, this time bringing with it double the agony. In your local drama, staying in the 'cell' for less than 5 minutes is akin to receiving the death sentence. For me, it meant brushing wih death and returning to life. It's just an experience like no other. If it wasn't my time yet, I would be receiving that golden ticket to board that plane. I have made the choice within those 2 minutes, to prove myself. It's now up to fate, to decide which path I should take at the crossroads in June. With no regrets, I shall now leave it aside for the timebeing, lest the ticket really did manage to find its way to me.

Back in the classroom, Yingfeng was concluding the presentation. There were only a couple of mistakes, but overall, he did really well.

Had a great evening letting the pain go with Cardus, Jaemeng and Jorge at Dhoby Ghaut that evening. If not for them, I might still be lying in bed, penning down every little regret I had, right after I left the room. After a great night(withut drinks, of course), I felt as though nothing had happened.

Just yesterday, went on a 6km run with Hongpeng at East Coast, revisiting part of the 42km route I ran back in December. I completd the run at my average time of 35minutes. Went home, slept the afternoon away, and drove my third return journey to dinner via expressway.

Today went pretty well, with lots of stuff being settled. Reached home, went for a short 4km run, with a feeling I had never felt before. With every step, I felt as though I was gliding on air. Never fel so great before. Wondering whether it was the reduced weight of my stomach(had my dinner only after the run), or it was the run I had the previous day which provided the boost. Completed the run in 22minutes.

Lately, I had been dreaming of stuff, which could happen on the same day I had the dream(which could freak me out at times), and thinking of random people at random times, and seeing them appear in front of me just a couple of seconds later.

Tomorrow, it's time to return to the books and projects.

"Journey" To The Past And Back

In the past week, my mind and subconscious travelled back in time. On Monday, I dreamt of me being 14 again, going to a polytechinic which looked like a secondary school.

During the rest of the week, my dreams were somehow filled with images of the past, showing what the future would be like if I made the choice to take a different route at each junction back in those days. My waking life over the week was miserable, filled with nothing more than sheer regret. It's the same thoughts of "Why didn't I have the courage to make the move back then? Why didn't I sign up for it? If only I hadn't done this, if only I had done that."

Wednesday, I had a dream, as a result of too much video games. Found myself in a boss fight with 2 other characters. One girl, and a knight. The knight refused to accept me for some reason, which I forgot what it was after I woke. The fight took place at a small village, defeated the boss, and moved on to a cave, where we fought off monsters. Somehow, we ended up at school, and fr some reason, we made our way to the SDAR office. There, for some reason, the knight finally accepted me, and things started happening at a fast rate. A girl(not the one I started out with), rushed to me, passing me a small, A5 sized ring binded booklet, its cover made of recycled paper. Along its left side, was 2 words spelled in capital, and 4 digits, in olive green colour. On the right, were 4 photographs, presumably from a tour. She said that she was there to pass me the booklet on behalf of a Dr. __________ (it's an Indian name). On it was a note, which was a message written to her asking to pass the booklet to me, his name was at the bottom of the note. I fell into a daze as I saw the cover page and flipped the booklet open. I woke after that. That evening, I wrote a message, which might not mean anything to the recipient, but it helped me let go.

On Friday, I went to Pizza Hut with the peeps from N4. On the way back, I 'saw' the girl who passed me the booklet in the dream I had on Wednesday. She asked for directions to the school, and ran off. So, in the dream, she passed me a booklet, while in person, she asked for directions. Weird.

In the evening, went to Kismis field for the ME fun day. The tug of war lasted 5 seconds, with us petite friends, losing to a bunch of muscular students. It wasn't demoralising at all, in fact, our bonds got stronger. Then came the relay. It was funny to meet the same opponents, but it was funnier to see how we reacted to one another's ways of completing his leg of the relay. Rushed off to meet Zheng Yan and Zihao for the barbeque at Toa Payoh.

We took 157, and arrived at 7. Someone said Ryan would be late, but she never mentioned which one. As a result, both were. Nearly the whole class was there that night, and it was a night worth remembering, although there was no stayover due to a low response. Went for supper at King Albert Park with Zheng Yan, Ryan Ng, Jing Hui, Chiahua and Gekshan. At 12.45am, Jing Hui and Ryan Ng accompanied back home for the night, after we saw Chiahua, Gekshan and Zhengyan off halfway during the journey.

In the morning, they left, and I headed off for Lakeside at 10.15am. I reached at 10.35, and met up with Zhong Rong and Zijie(Yes! I finally met him in person!). Zhong Rong gave mr Liew a call, which gave us the reassurance that we could crash the secondary 1 CCA Open House without any complications. Went on a tour, and noticed the changes in the school(not physical changes though). At 12, went to Jurong Point for lunch with Andy, Zhong Rong, Zijie and the juniors. Had a nice time getting to know them a little over lunch. 1pm, we went to take a group photo. Before that, a few more joined in. A strong sense of Deja Vu. Many thoughts ran through my mind at the time, and that, prompted me to tell someone something later that day. Whatever the dream was, don't think it would be appropriate to describe it here nor what I felt due to sensitive issues(leave me a message if you are serious about it).

Took the train home after taking the bus back. Finally, I could catch up on my sleep. That night, was probably the best night I had that week. Regrets that I had back in old school that I kept close to me, I finally let go that dreamless night.

Sunday, I had my first driving experience on the expressway. It was no different than driving on the road, except that with low mental stamina, I found it hard to concentrate, to maintain the vehicle's course within the lane, for it was always moving toward the right. Even as I kept to a speed of 60km/h which made things easy for me, I found myself starting to become mentally tired 15 minutes into the drive on the way home. It's better to be physically tired, than mentally tired, for the consciousness of an average person is way stronger than the physical strength of the strongest person alive.

So many things happened in a week, I found myself 'travelling' to the past and back, through gatherings and re-visits. On Monday, I opened my eyes to a whole new future. I am starting to let go of the past regrets which have, and will continue to prevent me from doing some things in the future. Only by letting go, would one find more roads to choose from. Looking forward with no regrets, is better than looking back and wondering if the choice made was the right one.

And A New Decade Begins

Leagues later, 2009 has become yet another completed chapter in the history book. 10.10pm on Friday, on 1st January 2010. A quick look back at 2009.

First 'adventurous' journey home from Merlion Park on 1st January 2009, on foot, which lasted 5 hours. First camp and sparring competition. My first overseas trip with the school. Started on my driving lessons in March. Formation of a new CCA. CCA orientation camp. Went on neighbourhood photo-taking tour in Bukit Panjang, Chua Chu Kang, Taman Jurong, Rivervale, Sengkang, Tampines, Kembangan, Siglap, Pasir Ris, Loyang and Changi. Downfall of a great friendship with friends whose faces I have never seen before. Got my third phone on Saturday,5 September. My second, and very likely, my last sparring competition. One star kayaking course at Pasir Ris Beach. First leadership camp in school. First Marathon, completed in 6 hours 50 minutes due to unexpected circumstances. Night cycling around the Eastern Park Connector Network on Sunday, 27th December.

2009 has been a year where countless lessons were learnt, and many fond memories forged. Met many great friends, learnt ways of finding out who was true, and who was not.

The past year was filled with more hardship and sorrow than happiness. Pressed badly for time due to many commitments and the lack of proper time management. Lost many things I held closely to compared to the bonds and memories I gained.

The last week of December 2009 has been a great one. Saturday,26th December, went to my Primary school teacher's home for a primary 5,6 class gathering after our last gathering 2 years ago. It was difficult indentifying some of us, as everyone of us had changed. Spent a day gaming, taking photographs and having dinner and supper together.

A day later, went out for night cycling and photograph taking tour of sights seen along the Eastern Park Connector Network with three friends(after the first attempt in September failed due to torrential rain and time constraints). With that, I have become more aquianted with the Eastern part of the country, though some areas are not the safest places to be after midnight. Monday, reached home, packed, headed back to school for a last minute meeting.

Tuesday, had my driving instructor on his last day at the school. Wednesday, rushed to complete part of a project in school before going to the bus stop to meet some friends, beore heading off to Toa Payoh. That day, was the first time we had more than 10 volunteers helping out, delivering food to the senior citizens in the town. The night before, I had a dream of myself with a friend, helping two girls in finding their direction. It did not dawn upon me unil later that afternoon at 4.45pm, that I would be meeting them, though their looks were slightly different from the images I 'saw' in the dream the previous night. Met 2 new friends, and a former room mate at the previous camp. we completed our area in 45 minutes, before heading off to the HDB hub for dinner.

Thursday, went for my last driving lesson before the new year. Did not have much major problems, except for the minor mistakes that I never found out. In the evening, went for a 9 kilometre run that lasted 55 minutes, before watching a disappointing countdown party on television, and keeping watch of a blue moon from 1 till 4am.

Today, rushed part of my project, before continuing to Orchard Cineleisure with family to catch Avatar 3D at 1.50pm. It was a great movie, currently the best movie I have ever caught at a cinema. The graphics, cinematics and plots were espeially stunning. I had two dreams of the plot over a span of three days, which kind of gave me a short preview of the movie. Went shopping, before heading over to Jurong East for dinner after going home.

2010 began with a bang like the previous years, however, I have a gut feeling, that this year, things would be unimaginably great. Miracles would unfold. I don't know how, but I just know it, that 2010 would be a year that is filled with more pleasant memories compared to previous years.

2010, I see you. Top 3 resoultions(I'm still thinking of more to fill in). Finding you, because I just haven't met you yet. Finding my first GPA of 4.0. A chance to travel to places I have never been to.

We Came, We Ran, We Conquered

Sunday, December 6. The first time I completed 42.195km in one shot. Wasn't that bad, though there were moments.

We woke at 3, and left 40minutes later. The lights weren't on, so I wasn't able to notice the colour of his bag. Took a cab down to the baggage deposit point at the War Memorial Park. Just after we were on our way, we were at the 37km mark of the race. It was kind of like a preview of what things would be like hour later. We were rather early, so we put our stuff down, deposited our bags, and he left his phone there in his bag. First thought. What's the best way to keep in contact should the worst case scenario occur(separation)?

The first 13km was breeze. We completed the first 10km in 47minutes! That's my new personal best. At 14km, I started to feel a minor symptom of heat exhaustion. I felt some numbness in my body. Immediately, I told him we had better stop at the next water point. We did, though that caused problems for him and myself later on. I took a mint to consume. It helped a great deal! Within minutes I was ready to go, but sadly, he started having cramps. 15km, the first runner was on his way out of East Coast Park. We were barely 100 meters into the park. That was the worst part of the run. The East Coast stretch covered 15kilometers alone,with lots of slopes, bends and turns. We started running again after that water point, but since he was pushing me on, I decided to just keep up with him. But, after we passed the 16km mark, it was his turn.

For us, the real challenge came prematurely. At the 22km mark, it was the start of the mental war. It was fine, until he felt really unwell at the 29km mark. Since there were 2 medics, 2 officials, and another 5 volunteers at the water point at Station 16. Dropped him off there, more than an hour after our walk. I continued running, and met a friend along the way, joined him for another 5 minutes, before carrying on the race against my own time. I was aiming to complete the run in under 6 hours, with the expected time to be between 4 hours 30 minutes and 6 hours.

Since my engines were rather cold after that long break, I started feeling pain in the chest after running 2km after the 30km mark. I stopped, walked a little, and carried on at the 35km mark.
This time, the stitch arrived. I walked another 2 kilometers, before I was back on form. The 37-kilometer mark. It was fine until after the 38km mark, when my left calf had a mild cramp that lasted for less than a second. It felt like a rubberband that hit me lightly. I started walking a little, before running again. Turning into the F1 Pit area, I started walking again as I felt the second warning sign of a cramp. This time, I felt two rubberbad-like hits on my left calf. Fearing the worst, I walked the next 2kilometers. Walking along the building, I had a sense of deja vu. Some time ago, I had a dream of being part of a tour group I was with, at some building where there were lots of shutters with numbers on top of them. One of the shutters was halfway down, similar to what I saw in the dream, along with some music. The atmosphere there was similar, minus the marathon event. I came back to the flier. It's the 41-kilometer mark! I made 2 calls, one to my dad, which happened to be diverted back home(and I found out my brother had just gotten his new bike), and one to my mum, who was already waiting at the finish line since an hour ago. Alright, the last 1.195, I'll give it a sprint. I saw the timer counting away, with the time being 6 hours, 50minutes and 15seconds. I increased my speed, completing the run in 6hours, 50minutes and 28seconds. Physicaly, I felt really bad after that, but mentally, it felt I was at some grand celebration.

Anyways, today was a really bad day. I had 3 near accidents owing to my slow reaction(I wanted very much to cancel the training, but as it was less than 48 hours prior to the training time when I logged into the system, I decided to just go ahead with it. $60 for a session. If they would refund me the cash on the spot, I wouldn't mind cancelling it), all similar to one another. Other vehicles were wanting to enter my lane, but I kept going at constant speed, not noticing them, forcing them to make dangerous moves that could cause a fatal accident. But it was a good experience, although it would be best I did not repeat it again.

School, was a nightmare, when we were informed last minute that part of our plans could not be approved owing to some communication breakdown. Today, my team and I found a class that had the exact opposite gender distribution of one of the classes in our course!

I just hope tomorrow could be a better day. And I still think, the guy who won himself a place in the finals, would be doing the country a great deed by giving it to the girl who was more deserving of the position, but was eliminated for the wrong reasons, though it proves that miracles do happen.

I had yet another weird dream the night before, but it's a little personal to be posted up here. One thing, if that could happen in real life, it would be a miracle.

Shingaboomz 1st Outing @ Marina Barrage

I'll have to type fast. I have yet to complete one more tutorial that's due the first thing after lunch. Maybe I'll refer a little?

Woke up at 7.45am, had breakfast, changed, packed my camera, sandwiches, and left for the floating platform at Marina. The journey was alright, but I was getting worried about the worst case scenario at the Standard Chartered 8th Anniversary Race Pack Collection. Queues as long as an MRT train. However, I got there rather early, at 9.20am(even by taking my time). I was surprised. I was 7th in line. 10 minutes later, it started to drizzle a little, and we were let in for shelter. Another 10 minutes later, the counters were open. Something I wasn't expecting was the cheers of the volunteers at the counters as we were brought in. By now, the queues were getting longer, but not as bad as I had expected. The whole process for me, took FIFTEEN seconds! I passed her my IC, before she went in. In a jiffy, she was out with my race pack. Checked the number and name, confirmed it, and I went in search of the verification counter. I was congratulated by an official, who said I was the first to get my race pack. WOW! He directed me to tun to my left, where I passed my chip to a volunteer to verify it, before heading off. The rain had stopped.

I went to the bus stop, took a peek at the contents, before placing the whole pack into my bag(seems like it has gotten smaller this year compared to last year), and unpacked my DSLR. At 10am, I began on a long walk toward the Marina Bay MRT Station. If I was walking in the right direction, I would arrive at the station at 10.50am. Along the way, I stopped at the Merlion Park to help a tourist couple get a shot of them with the Fullerton Hotel in the background, before moving off. So far, so good. OK, so I'll make a left turn into Marina Boulevard. I walked on until, I came to a guard house at a T-junction. On the map, it was the shortest possible route toward the train station, and I was almost halfway there! Considering that only tipper trucks and concrete mixers were passing through, I decided to use an alternative route, which would cause me to arrive at the station, at least 40 minutes later, at 11.10am. Since it was the first outing, it might not be a good thing to be late, for I'll never know if the bunch of them would be the kind who would stick strictly to the 11am meeting time. I headed to the Raffles Place MRT Station, took a short tour of the underground shopping mall, before taking a train to the destination at 10.45am.

I arrived at 10.50am. There were less than 5 others at the station, none of whom I knew. It's alright, maybe I'm too early, as always. I went up to the ground floor, and was greeted with the best surprise! I saw the same building I was near earlier on! So, I spent about a dollar, just to complete a distance I could walk in barely 20 minutes, by taking a train? Went to take a little walk around the small concrete 'island' that was surrounded by roads and construction sites. It was 11am when I went back down to wait, and shortly after Shen Faye arrived. Just as I made a call to Jaemeng later on, Angsiang also arrived! I found out he was already there when I arrived, just that he was waiting at the platform(only that I walked too fast to have noticed him). I made a call to Lionel, only to find out that he was waiting for us at the Barrage! Oh my. Jaemeng arrived at 11.45am and Jorge came soon after at 12pm, just moments before we boarded the shuttle bus. That was when I found out he, too would be taking part in the full marathon the next weekend.

One there, we took even more photographs, not forgetting to meet Lionel who was waiting there alone for the past 1 hour! We went to the rooftop, to set up our picnic spot at a corner. It was getting really hot after awhile, so we moved into the shelter. We played Blackjack, except that the loser does a forfeit of truth and dare, while the winner asks the questions. Lionel was the only one who got out unscath, while everyone of us lost or won at least twice. Of course, there were secrets being revealed, and hopefully they wouldn't leave the place. Shen Faye left some time later. Lionel left shortly 10 minutes after Rachel arrived, by taking the long way up. More photographs were taken, before we went for a round of Frisbee, and were greeted by a passing shower.

At 4pm, Cardus was on the way from Vivocity after getting the kites. We took photographs, ate, drank, talked, lazed around and went for some Frisbee for an hour, before Cardus arrived with the main dish, desert and 3 kites. So, we celebrated Rachel's 17Th birthday (if I'm not wrong), followed by dinner, served by Cardus. I simply love the pasta he brought for us, even without the sauce, it was damn good! Flied kites till 7pm, before Rachel left for a family gathering after taking lots and lots of photographs.

Just as we were about to leave, I met the members from the Photography Club, who were having their outing there! Like Jorge who knew he had friends who were at the Barrage on the same day as it was a coincidence, mine was similar. All I knew was the club was having an outing on that same day, but I never expected them to be there too. If I had known, maybe I could have joined them for 30 minutes, before going back to join the others with the celebration and photo taking after Cardus had arrived.

We went to Frolick at Serangoon for supper, via Toa Payoh, as Lionel was back to join us! Along the way we took even more photographs, so that we would not fall asleep. Once there, the yogurt looked really tasty! The temptation was almost irresistible! We talked about exotic food and overseas trips, as well as possible plans about where and how the next outing would be held. Angsiang, Cardus, Jaemeng and I took a bus back to Ang Mo Kio, to the usual bus stop, the same way the camp ended for us. Angsiang walked to the MRT station, while Jaemeng accompanied us to wait for the bus. There we talked about the people from the camp, as well as plans for the next outing. The bus came, and we reached Bukit Batok Interchange, where I managed to catch the last bus home.

I uploaded more than a third of the 900 photographs taken that day, before having the best sleep since the term started. I went on a visit to Dreamland from 2.30am till 11.30am this morning, dreaming only 1 dream, of how that day would be like, if all 11 of us were present for the outing. A dream like that, felt too great to be true.

Tomorrow's going to be a long day, and I have completed only half of what I was supposed to have completed a week ago.

Photo albums that are up on facebook:
The morning walk from the Floating Flatform to Marina Bay MRT Station
First Outing at Marina Barrage(11am to 5pm)
First Outing at Marina Barage(5pm till 7.45pm)
First Outing at Frolick(Marina Barrage to Serangoon via Toa Payoh)

Photographs would be uploaded to Picasa over the weekend.

21-11-09

Finally started revising Calculus again after a long time. Less than 3 weeks to go, and I have yet to start on the actual revision. Falling behind for SOM and ED as well. Here I go. Next week till the week before Christmas, I won't be online between 7.30pm and 10pm on weekdays for revision. Weekends, well, have to see how it goes.

The morning started well, and I remembered almost everything I dreamt about, but wanted t wait till this evening before recording it in here. By now, it's a little too late, as I have forgotten most of te stuff that happened in the dream. I remember 4 things. Driving lesson(I had missed a lesson during the weekend in that dream), it took place somewhere on a weekday, I 'met' Germaise somewhere, and I 'visited' a few places I dreamt of some time ago. This morning I was able to remember almost everything, but once it was the afternoon, I had forgotten lots of it.

Went to IMM with parents to collect my brother's cake at 1.30pm, we took part in a cashback event at 2pm(and received a $50 Red Apple voucher), and reached home at 3pm to cut the cake. Set off with my cousin, parents and brother to Toa Payoh to drop off my cousin at the swimming complex before heading to Orchid Country Club to collect my brother's 2 bowlig balls, and continued on to Kallang to get his 2 'new' balls. Went to Bukit Merah for dinner, before we came home.

Took lots of pictures today. Most were blurred(as the were taken through the car window), some were ok, and a few were nice.

Tomorrow, it's back to revision, this time, re-writng my own notes for ED.

CampTCP5 '09-Day 3(The Moment I Confessed To The World)

"Attended a camp with a friend, at a school on a Friday. Booked in at 4pm, had activities till late, and we had the best night walk ever. Pitch black environment, used torches(those used in medival times) as torchlights and the monsters and ghosts, were real. We even entered the bridge of a space ship!

The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation. For some reason, the both of us were down to help with the area cleaning, and when we got back, we were dismissed.Here's the weird part. A girl and her father, came to us, asking for a friendly match. Alright. This match is something that would never happen in real life. Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened. They controlled water, we controlled fire. Behind them, was a boy who could control air. We sneaked up to him, told him our plan, and we got down to it.

However, we were never successful. Until when we finally managed to carry out our plan, the girl suddenly ran to the washroom, and came out soon after, only to throw out. Someone threw a roll of toilet paper out as well, and out came the cleaner, angry about the mess she made.

We just let her let lose her anger and she walked away. I went over to her with her father. He asked if she was fine before bringing her home. He thanked us for the time and took her home.My friend and I stayed there for awhile to help with the cleaning, before going off. We went to the bus interchange together, before going our seperate ways. Went to wait for the bus, before, I met her again. Asked where her father was, she only said he had to rush back to work after something cropped up. Offered to accompany her home, and the dream ended when we boarded an SBS bus.

Here's the weird stuff. A camp at a school? A super realistic night walk that was out-of-this-world. A girl who I had seen in 4 dreams, including this one. The first sighting was in March this year. A bus insterchange that was fully air-conditioned.

Some traits. 160 to 165 in height, sky blue tee with some sliver lines and white shorts, shoulder-length hair tied up with a black band and, neither too thin nor plump. This might freak some out. Aged between 14 to 16(though I think it's more likely to be between 15 to 16).Weird eh?

Discussed this with Jon, and we both agreed it was weird with lots of weird stuff, though some parts might just become a reality. Honestly, I hope this dream doesn't come true in any possible way. As for that girl, I don't know if someone like that really exists in the real world, an even if someone really exists, I have nothing to say, other than, how was it even possible for me to dream of someone I have never met in real life? "

That night, the final conversation started with me poping the question,"I just remembered something. Have you guys ever dreamt of someone you have never met before in real life?"

Cardus said he did, and he had a nice experience in that one(for more, just ask him). "Well, I also did, and that dream was this camp itself! Almost everything came true." That got Dax and Gary excited. I wondered if Philip was still awake, as he was acting kind of drunk although he as damn sleepy at the time. I told them about the three scenes that happened earlier during the day, as well as the team mate I saw a total of 9 times in my dreams so far. They went on asking me if I could do an introduction the next day, before I gave in and turned in for the night.

I slept for 2 hours, before going back to pack my bags and prepared to head to Ourspace. Breakfast that morning was similar to the breakfast I had back in the Philippines, but I did not have the appetite to eat much. As expected, they called me over, and asked who she was(although they only knew her name). I told them, and was relieved they let it rest after that.

"The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation."

Session 6. The Moat Game. The ultimate test of our teamwork. Apparently, in my dream, we finished it in under 15minutes. However, during the actual activity, we were at it for 185 minutes! Throughout, there was something that was missing in the game plan. Cooperation among the sections. Had a short lesson on that, before we went back to the same place we first gathered at, for lunch.

The closing ceremony was grand with all the good food at the buffet, though I liked the closing ceremony we had the night before we left the Philippines more. As expected, there was the prize presentation.

We had out final M&M session. Before that, I had wanted to use the same move I used 2 years ago during the Graduation Nite Dinner, which was to tell her in person just after everyone else had gone off. That day, I did not. That's when I disclosed the dream to them. Finally, I told them 2 things I had wanted to say the night before. The first, was a brief overview of the things I did and experienced during my 7-day trip to the Philippines. The next, was the dream, which I was hesistant to tell at first. "Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened."

"Alright, this is going to sound very freaky, and some might get freaked out. Has anyone watched the TV programme Flashforward before? It's because I can, kind of see the future in my dreams. And there's one that came true. Ok, Since March till Friday night, I had 9 dreams of the same person. I'll tell you about the person later. The first two I saw were just shadows, but for the third, I dreamt of this camp. Almost everything in that dream came true, and on Friday when I joined the team, I was freaked out as well. I dreamt of me running from someone, the grid game, the campfire and the moat game. As for the person who I saw, is among us, is a girl, and she is..."

The girl who I had dreamt of for 9 times, was Belinda. I got the results I had anticipated. On the inside, I was cursing and swearing. 'Why? Why did I have to go around scaring people off like that? Yes, no doubt anyone would find it really cool and interesting, but, won't it cause unnecessary harm to some?'

At 4pm, Cardus, Gary, Dax, Jaemeng and I left for Ang Mo Kio Hub via SBS service 74. We went to buy tickets to My Girlfriend Is An Agent, before going to the arcade and went to meet Cardus' friends. Had western dinner, before going to watch the movie. At 10, we went to the Air conditioned bus interchange to help Cardus purchase his bus concession, before we offered to accompany Jaemeng to her place, before we went to the bus stop, since it was along the way. After boarding the bus, we had a little talk about how they were going to give Jaemeng a surprise this evening at her home(wondering how it went), and discussed about the possible reasons about of all things, I 'saw' her more than 5 times.

There you have it. The third dream I had. On a side note, although most of the events in the dream revolved about the same person, in real life, the same events took place, except each time it was a different person. There were small portions which did not occur fully in real, but were linked to some of the events that took place. Thus, this dream, to date, has one of the highest accuracy rates I had so far, with roughly 90% of the events I dreamt about happening during the camp.

Today nothing much happened in school, and apart from that, I'm not really in the mood to study, and I'm too tired to type on. Got lots and lots of catching up to do tomorrow.

Experience Drive-16

Directional change and parallel parking. The directional change is easy, however there is the need to turn the steering wheel as soon as the car starts reversing. I had problems finding the right timing to turn the steering wheel at first, but once I managed to get the timing, the car would fit into the lot nicely, right in the middle. Before that, I had problems with early and late turning, which required for additional corrections before I was done with the item. Moving out, still causes a little problem. I usually turn the wheel too fast, causing the car to mount the kerb.

The parallel parking is, a problem, that I am still trying to perfect. Moving into the lot is smooth. However, the tough part is, how the heck do I ensure that the car is straight, in the middle of the lot? Moving ou is smooth as well.

Today went to school for briefing for the Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM) practicals. Found out that, as a group, we were going to construct an F1 car(it's just a mini model), and race against other groups from other classes on Thursday, 11Th February 2010.

At 10, went with Jian Hui, Amanda, Hamzi,Jenere and Janna to Palza Sing. for lunch and get gifts for 2 friends' birthdays. Who, they'll find out tomorrow. Reached home at 4, got changed and went out for a run at 5. Intended to do a 15km run again, but after the second kilometer, I started having problems. A pretty bad stitch, gas in the stomach and a dry throat prevented me from going on properly. Walked every few hundred metres, and I gave up after passing the 9-kilometer mark. Took the shorter route home and rested. Good thing it's only the first week of school. Along the way, I thought I saw someone who looked like her, again. Anyway, I guess it might be time I stopped thinking too much unnecessary thoughts which might cause me unwanted trouble and stress. This semester's not going to be easy, going by the modules this semester.

Experience Drive-13

Learnt about overtaking and being overtaken. However, since I was moving at the same speed as other vehicles on the roads, there weren't chances to overtake any other vehicle. Overtaking is just like changing lanes, however, it's only temporary, for after overtaking the vehicle, one would have to return to the original lane once again. Till that day, I have never went beyond 60km/h on the roads.

Yesterday, went to Wei Fan's place to celebate her 18th birthday. Met up with them at Lakeside MRT Station before we went to her place via the same canal we used to run at back in those days. After some time, her current classmates arrived. Among them, there was one, who looked almost like her, except that, her hair was longer than the one I "saw" those nights. Up in my head, which said,"It might be her ya? You never know when might be the next time you might meet someone who has a resemblence that close."

However,my heart said,"Hey, it has happened once. Don't let it happen again. Ok? You saw her picture for the first time the other day, right? The girl you met online and dreamt about for 5 consecutive times, only to lose contact with 10 months later and find out that her looks are exactly the same as the one you saw in your dreams back in January this year. Be patient. Wait. The other girl you saw for the sixth time on Thursday, you might just meet her in person when the time is right. Don't give up."

There were only the few ofus who were able to cook and prepare the food at the pit. Though the light conditions were not as good as expected, and I did not help around much, we still managed to do a great job preparing food for everyone there. The night ended when we took photographs together and had the cake cutting ceremony.

Anyways, it's less than 10 hours to the start of the new school semester. been a long holiday, with lots of happenings, both good and bad. I'll remember the good, and take the bad home as valuable lessons learnt. Tomorrow's the start of a brand new day. Lost some friends in the past, but I'll be sure to meet new ones in the future.

Perhaps, That would bring me a step closer to finding you? I don't know how, but like Jon said, I get the feeling that the day we met is drawing closer ith each passing second.

Experience Drive-9

In the past few lessons, we have always stayed on the left lane. But in that lesson, I finally learnt to change lanes, meaning we could use the second and at times, the third lane for driving. From 6.15 to 7, we were practicing lane changes and right turns very slowly, since it was still bright. Once it was dark, we went on a leisurely drive around the area.

One thing I had trouble with during lane changes. Acceleration. As you move inward toward the centre divider of the road, your speed has got to increase as well. I do accelerate, but the rate at which I accelerate is too slow. When the instructor asks me to accelerate faster, it was to the point it felt almost as if you were in the seat of an aircraft on the runway about to takeoff into the air.

Right turns are slightly more tricky than the left turns, as you have to give way to 2 directions of traffic, instead of just 1, as well as the skill to turn according to the curvature of the junction. Every junction has a slightly different curvature. For some, you don't have to turn the steering wheel alot. For others, you might need about half a turn of the wheel. Other than that, the technique is more or less the same.

Anyways, just came back from an evening out with slightly less than half of the Cebu team. Had a great time catching up with one another,though there were only 10 of us. Went to a ramen stall near Tanglin, before seeing off the girls from NJ at Orchard MRT, and we went on to Ngee Ann City for our desert. All of us had 2 scoops of ice cream each. And it was only around 10 before we set off for the MRT station and headed home. Hopefully we could meet again, the 26 of us, after the examinations are over in December?

SG "Tour"-DAY 3 (Tampines via Pasir Ris, Loyang, Changi, East Coast Park,Telok Kurau, Kembangan, Bedok)

To students studying in government schools, todays a holiday as it's Teachers' Day. Here's wishing everyone who has taught someone at least once in their life, Happy Teachers' Day!

I obviously overslept again, since it was already the holidays. I woke at 7.30am instead of 7.15, changed, packed 2 sets of spare clothes, a towel, camera and lens, and left for Tampines MRT Station. Boarded 106 at 7.50am, and arrived at City Hall MRT Station only at 8.45. Successfully avoided the morning train crowd by boarding the train there. Reached Tampines 35minutes later at 9.20.

Met up with Jon and WM before w walked to Sunplaza Park to rent our bikes. Estimated time we would complete was 6 hours, from 9.40 to 3.40pm. We wre told that, if we were to rent the bike for a whole day, it would be the same cost(whole day rates from 9 to 6pm) of $18. We started off quite well, until we reached the chalets at Changi. Lots of humps and slopes, which slowed us down alot. Jon became tired after that, and we were slowed down greatly.

Stopped at Changi Village for drinks and a 20-minute break before we continued toward East Coast Park. The sky started to become overcast as we entered the route that ran along the airport runway, and it got really windy. I stopped many times to take shots of planes, and was still able to catch up with them. The sky became more overcast as we cycled on. It was only when we reached the Changi entrance of the park that it started pouring, badly. The rain drops felt like tiny niddles pricking our legs. Stopped at a shelter, waited for the rain to subside before we continued on to the nearest sheltered fast food outlet for lunch. It was really cold. From that point, I was unable to take any photographs for fear it might damage the camera.


After lunch, we continued on, via the Singlap Park Connector. More relaxed, slow cycle to Telok Kurau. We made a small detour due to on-going construction work at a junction. We were stunned when we reached the pitstop, as, it was closed. We reached the pitstop at 3pm, 40minutes ahead of schedule. However, we had to move on in case we could not reach the next pit stop before the closing time at 6pm. We passed Sean's place that afternoon, and if only there was enough time, we might just have been able to knock on his door, rest fo 30minutes before moving on. Had walked along that stretch of park connector three times before, but this was the first time we were actually cycling on it.

At 3.30, we reached the Bedok Park Connector. it ran all the way to Bedok Reservoir Park. This route was extremely challenging for us. Numerous steep hills, rough cycling surface, lack of directional signs which confused us, and a overhead bridge that did not have a slope. So, we were forced to carry our bicycles across the expressway,not push them across like we had been doing since morning. At 4.15pm, we made it back to the Tampines Park Connector.

The remaining route was relatively easy, on level ground. No slopes or humps to cycle on. The directional signs finally returned! At 4.35, we made it back to Tampines MRT Station, and 10 minutes later we returned our bicycles, an hour and 5 minutes behind schedule.


Total distance covered on the park connectors alone, 31 kilometers.
The distance covered in the parks was unknown as none of us kept count.
Total time taken, 7 hours, 5minutes.


Great achievement for all of us, and we plan to go on this trip once again in December, when their A Levels are over. This time, we'll start off from Telok Kurau Park, and I'll take more photographs as long as the weather would be in ur favour.

Went to Tampines Mall after that for dinner. before that we went to a new Japanese fashion shop. They were having a sale, and the items there were unique and unlike the usual stuff Giodano and Hang Ten were selling. 7pm, we all left for home. We went to Pasir Ris to look at the new safety feature, before taking a train back. I alighted at Bedok, and took 196 back to clementi, before taking 106 back home. The Clementi Bus Interchange is beggining to become my regional Bus Interchange to the Eastern part of Singapore!

You might wat to check out Jon's and WM's blogs, as well as this site for more pictures!

Entering the 13th Week.

The weekend was rahter eventful, thankful the competition was cancelled till further notice. Friday went to Ang Mo Kio for Steamboat with the founding members of the Videography Club, to celebrate a birthday. Yes,it's late, but Happy Belated Birthday Violet. Still partially legal, but you're almost there. Met at 5.30, but we only started at 6.30 when everyone arrived. Had a hard time making up our minds where to go next, and finally decided on playing pool. As I did not have time to get a gift, I decided to pay the full rate for one of the two tables we used. Left really late, and I reached home close to midnight.

Saturday, I started revision for the final examinations, though I did not really do much.

Sunday, it was out to help prepare for as well as attend Chi Kai's Farewell party at Zhong Rong's place. Met Xue Li, Gabriel, Wei Xiang, Jun Jie, Kwan Wei, Ying Xiu, Chie Heng and some others(sorry I can't remember everyone) at IMM. We managed to get everything we needed in a mere hour! Wow. We arrived at the pit close to 5pm, after climbing over and crawling under two sets of barriers before arriving at the condo's gate. Everyone had changed. That evening was great. The food was just enough for everyone. There was exactly half the class who attended(minus Sean and Vignesh who are already overseas) the barbeque. Finally met Miss Lim after one long year. As usual, I am 'too shy' to speak. Anyway, it was a great gathering, and I managed to catch up with all the scandals going around, and catch up on lost time with everyone there that night. Siang Lin if you're reading this, your dream was kind of right. I had a bad outbreak shortly after the common tests were over, but now at least I have about 2 to 3 left on my forehead. Anyway, when we left at 10, I felt as though I was still in holiday mood, as though there was no school the next day. Just before the remainder of us parted ways, we met Mr Liew and Chun Hui at the MRT Station. It's been a long time, but, I still think they look just the same.

It's been a long long time since I heard the rumbling of MRT trains and walking along the long path to school. The school(just opposite Zhong Rong's place) really brings back lots of memories. Perhaps, that place, was just the perfect venue to have our class gathering. Seperated by the school by 2 fences, 2 cycling and running paths and a canal,and that was also the place where Chi Kai has been, and would be staying till this Wednesday when he flies off. So, 2 friends are already accepted into university. One in Australia, the other in San Fransisco. In a year's time, my turn to register would arrive. Everyone's changed, but it doesn't end here. Live goes on. To the near future, where we would all soon meet again, all 46 of us.

Today, Left for home immediately after school ended, due to my lower back injury. It's been there for more than a week. But today it was so bad I can't run for that long when we were late for the last lesson of the day at 3pm. Alright then, off I go.