19 Springs. 19 Summers. 19 Autumns. 19 Winters.

I'm 19 today. It's Burns Night. Another year goes by. It's really been a wild ride this past year. I've made so many new friends, and seen so many new things. Life; it never gets old.

Big thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday, regardless of how y'all did it.

Semester's winding down. A few more assignments, a few more tests, and I'm done. Then, I go into holiday mode. Hopefully our class can put together a proper outing before we go our separate ways. I'd like that.

And a song for everyone, because it's a wonderful world.

Ham & Cheese

My Class Is Awesome!

But I bet y'all knew that already. But I'll say it again. MY CLASS IS AWESOME!

Why am I rather high at the moment? Blame the fashion photography on Tuesday, which allowed me to ham it up in front of the cameras. Heh heh. I think I really count as the boisterous bruiser trope. Let's bring up a checklist, eh?

1. Part of an ensemble band? Check.
   
2. A Large Ham? Check!
   
3. Might inadvertently send someone flying across the room? Check.
   
4. Might buy them a drink after picking them up? Check.
   
5. Big, Loud & Scenery-Chewing? Check!
   
6. One man wrecking crew/army? Check.
   
7. Mighty Glacier pulling Tank duty? Check.
   
8. Preference for Big F***in' Guns & other over-sized weaponry? Check!
   
9. Not exactly the brightest spark? Check.
   
10. Can be played by BRIAN BLESSED? CHECK!
    

There we go, the boisterous bruiser. BWAHAHAHAHAA! CHISWICK! FRESH HORSES!

But seriously, this year has started off great. And it just keeps getting better. Jan's party tomorrow, and a church costume party next Friday. I shall attend as...*drumroll*...The Spirit! And yes, I found somewhere to rent a trenchcoat.

Before I forget. Note to self: Projects dues soon.

Happy Holiday Hindsights

Right, it's been three weeks into my holidays, and I'm doing pretty well. Err, except for the numerous cuts and bruises on my left side, and the muscle ache all over my body. Heh heh, business as usual on the football pitch.

Big thank you to Andes, Arthur, James and Ivan for a wonderful time at Crystal Jade. I was feeling a little down that day, so major props to you guys, for being inviting me to one of the best dinners out I've ever had with friends.

This is my last two days working. Yes, I actually got off my arse and got a job. Pretty cool, huh? I'm an intern (no, not interned in a prison), at a law company downtown. I'm quite the happy camper! I've learned a lot during my nearly-a-month at the company, and experience like this is always welcome.

Anyway, plans are still afoot for a 1C04 gathering. I'm just not sure what to do. I mean, the cost of booking a chalet seems a little restrictive when we could just crash at someone's place and have a blast, but who's got a house to take us? And I'm not sure we can hang at Sentosa til the next morning.

Monday's party was AWESOME! Sadly for some of us, Pamela and Janilyn couldn't make it. But still, there was good food, and great company. What's not to like about that? Bonus points to Arthur for the ample supply of root beer and ice cream. Yes, I'm a root beer addict. Nothing wrong with that! =)

I'm really looking forward to Rahman's party. It will be great to see the GOB network, and reacquaint myself with a particular hermit crab. If he sees this, yah boo sucks to him, cos I'm feeling rather irrepressible at the moment. I wonder if my extra-strong, extra-sweet cup of tea had anything to do with that.......Nah, not important.

Why do I seem to be such a klutz around girls, especially good-looking ones? Gaaaah, I blame 10 years in a boys' school. But if I hadn't gone there, I might've never met The Wild Bunch. So I guess the benefits outweigh a little social awkwardness? Yep, it was worth it. Once again, I had an argument with myself and won. I'm a VERY happy camper!

Another benefit of being at a law company, you learn such interesting things while doing research. Like how I can own a REAL sword when I'm 18, as long as it's for display purposes. Wow.... I can finally get that 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword I've been eyeing since I was 15. IDEA!!!

By the by, damned playlist.com seems to be afraid of the record companies. Never you mind though, I still have Groove Shark!!!

Cutting Close To The Line

I'm not that complicated. People are my friends until they stop being my friends. How does that happen? Well, first, you've gotta do something that really pisses me off. Then, you've got to refuse to admit it, or be completely unapologetic about it. If you don't know what it is, I would probably tell you. And if you don't like something I'm doing, will you for fuck's sake have some goddamn bloody guts and tell me to my face? Don't bloody skulk around in the shadows and poison the well, step up and take a fucking swing. We might both actually gain something out of it, even if it's only a black eye and a bruised ego

Some people might know what I'm talking to, some people might not. If you aren't exactly understanding why I'm so pissed, come talk to me, and I'll tell you.

Now then, apologies are in order for some people.

Firstly, to Lee Cheng and Na'im, I am extremely sorry for not giving you a fair shot in the beginning. At the start of the school year, I will admit I was not exactly happy to have you guys in the marketing group, and didn't expect too much effort. But you have both worked extremely hard, provided invaluable knowledge and experience to the group, and proved me wrong. Without all of this, we would probably have fallen apart from stress. Please accept my sincere apologies for having misjudged you both.

Next, to Eudora Shin. I am sorry for the way I so spectacularly lost my temper on Friday afternoon. I did not understand that you were just cracking a joke, and completely blew up at a small remark. Even though it was a long and trying week, there was still no excuse for losing control like that. As assistant class chair, I'm supposed to be more in control of my temper, and I failed. I am truly sorry.

Finally, to the Gang, sorry for not meeting up with y'all more often. I am more busy than I anticipated this term, but maybe now I can stay in touch better, yeah? I hope you guys understand. Thanks for being such great friends. Brothers For Life!

By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY WJ! Yes, you big lug, you're finally 18. Time to live it up a bit, no? Welcome to the club!

PS. A big thanks to everyone who made this week such a success. I love y'all for it.

Second Verse, Same As The First

The new year has become just another year. The holiday euphoria has worn off, and I believe we can all go back to the comfort of the familiar. Routine, habit, ritual and practice. It had to come sometime, but believe me, I wish it never would.

Imagine. By the end of this year, we will all note the drop of another grain of sand in our hourglasses. Will we truly be "another year older, another year wiser"? I certainly hope so.

So far, so good. Things have been going along very well. I'm still working, probably til end Feb. However, I am on vacation...now, what should I do with said vacation?

Goals...ever so simple, and yet, so far away from achievement. Oh well, here goes nothing.

1. Stabilize weight at 90kg
2. Learn to play my electric guitar
3. Get into my course of choice
4. Be nice to people.
5. Ask a girl out properly, without somehow pissing her off or frightening her away.
6. FACEBOOK!
7. Celebrate my birthday.

Okay, that's all from me. Targets haven't changed too much, I guess. Second verse, same as the first.

It Ain't Over Til It's Over, And It Ain't Over Yet

Yeah, I know. Title's a real mouthful, ain't it? But hey, it reflects life at the moment. Crisis points have been reached, and they are passing. I am growing stronger and more confident. I like my class much better now. I still want to change course. I wanna rock!

Business is about to pick up. I am reaching the end of the semester. Crunch time. The day of reckoning. Blah blah blah and all that horseshit. I have projects unfinished. I have no classes on Monday. I have much more to say, and not much is related to school.

FFB team has been set. That's right, I ain't a free agent no more. Yessir, I'm a team player now. No more lone wolf, cos I'm running with the pack! I have no idea of the team name, but I'm fully confident of its players. We have the meanest defense this side of Ngee Ann, and I'm their newest addition! Clear The Way!

I finally convinced my dad that I should change course. Now he's all for it, but he ain't as sure that FSV will be a good option. He leans more towards another engineering discipline, due to his belief that engineering builds discipline and trains thought process. I think he's right, but thing is, I don' t want to be an engineer. I want to be something else. This is not my call. It may be a stepping stone, but not a call. I'm sure that there will be further developments, so I must try to keep this blog updated. Moving on!

My school library really needs to wake up. I mean, half the movies I've already seen, and quite a chunk of the music is either boring John Lemon crap, U2 soundalikes, emo piss-shit, and some obscure stuff nobody, not even me, has ever heard of. And a third of their listed available movies are missing or damaged. That really is a shame, y'know? Just when I want to see a good movie, it ain't there. Oh well. Such is life.

National Day's on Friday. Oh, wait, BRYAN says it's on Friday. Not me. Geez, that guy must never read the newspapers, watch TV, check his watch or his phone. Anyway, I'll be going back to my alma mater. Saint Andrew's. Gee, just saying alma mater makes me feel like some old man. Hmm, I shall go back and piss all the sec ones off by telling them how in my day we actually used ink on paper.........actually had to write notes, actually had to queue up in the canteen.......okay, enough with all that old fart nonsense. Little hand says it's time to rock 'n roll.

A Dream Is A Wish...

Due to a myriad delays and distractions, I have to give Tessa her birthday gift on Friday or Saturday. I pray it does not rain. It would ruin everything, again. I have to get a rose as well... I wonder what color I should get? The classic red rose? The graceful pink rose? The passionate coral rose? Or the beautiful burgundy? I don't know. Suffice to say I have to look at my budget, as I hear roses are dreadfully expensive these days.

Well, a dream really is a wish. I guess my dreams are pretty modest compared to most, but I think that with setting targets I can achieve something. Out of sight, out of mind and all that, eh?

On another note, Congratulations to the Region 3/4 Captain's Ball team for winning the 2008 Youth Championships! (And doing it without any substitutes, and no lunch to boot.) All in all, we scored more than 10 points per match, and restricted our opponents to a paltry 4 points per match! A jolly good showing for a team that never trained together(unlike some other eager beaver teams I could think of), never had much expectations, and were generally seen as either cannon fodder or dark horses. We are the little team that could. The Few. I Salute You!

Let's see, now... my back, shoulders, arms, legs and hip all feel like a throbbing mass of pain, but DAMN! It was worth it!

Far Away - A Special Dedication To Tessa On Her 17th Birthday

This time, this place
Misused, mistakes
Too long, too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving
Hold on to me and, never let me go.

24 Hours, Or So

In a day's time it's Valentine's Day. A Hallmark holiday marked by the giving of flowers, cards, chocolates, and other interesting gifts. In my case, just a card, I think. I'm stuffing all money into the bank, to be removed at a later date. My friends are all on hiatus, I believe. Most have not updated their blogs or talked to me too much. Not exactly the best way to maintain friendships, but I guess it will continues like this for a while. I wonder where I'm headed? I guess my ultimate fate is in someone else's Hands, for now. Not the way I planned it. But still, it's my choice, now I must live with it. I guess now all I can do is write about it.

1 Necklace, 17 Flowers, 17 Candles, 1 Love,
forever yours.

17 Years, 237 T's, 18 O's, 6205 Days, 1 LIFE.

It's Been Great. 17 years on this good earth, 17 years of life, love, tears, joy, laughter and all life's little wonders. I've made many friends, fought a few enemies, lost loved ones, seen people come and go in the revolving door that is life, and I'm the better for it. I've fallen in love, become a young man, survived many a date with destiny, walked away from so many things and embraced so many others. I've had regrets, moments of insanity, but also taken my chances, and seen flashes of brilliance. To all who have impacted me and given me life, friendship, and love, I Salute You, I Appreciate You And I Love You. May the days of your lives be kind, warm, long, and full of the blessings you have bestowed upon a fool such as I. God Bless Us, Everyone.

Music Soothes The Savage Beast

My MP3 player has finally given up the ghost. Kicked the bucket. Retired permanently. Hopped the twig. Asleep forever. Died.

Well, that was sad. But realistically, I couldn't expect it to last forever, now, could I? What with the kind of people in my house, gadgets and sources of entertainment are usually goners. If they were alive, all entertainment sources assigned to my house would have to be the tough and hard-as-nails kind of endurance, otherwise they would need to be so fragile that they are irreplaceable.

Good news though, my birthday's on the 25th of January, so I will go down to Audio House tomorrow to check on the prices, and hopefully get a new MP3 player. Could anyone give me an unbiased analysis of the Zune, Zen and iPod, and tell me which I should get? Thanks guys. Goodnight!

Brand New Day

It's a whole different ballgame now. 2008 has started. A Happy New Year to all my dearest friends and family. In the past few days, my party came and went, and so did the movie marathon night at church. This New Year has left me in a slightly more reflective and lucid mood, if only because I have a cold.

I guess my party could be considered a moderate success. Once calls started coming in the last time about cancellations, I had downgraded my attendance expectations to around 10+ people. At highest count, there were 19 people at the party, not counting my brother and myself. To me, that was a success, even if I had to spend money and time on it. I hope everyone had fun, and I hope that everyone enjoyed the food and company.

The New Year's Day movie marathon was fun, because we didn't stick to the rules. Got to Yishun, and then Xuan Yang, James, Arthur and I went straight for the Lord Of The Rings Room. I don't know, but I think we had a hunch no one was too interested in watching LOTR. After a few arguments, and some negotiations, we finally setup Xuan Yang's computer, and watched Stardust, and Kingdom Of Heaven. Meanwhile, the rooms and corridors outside degenerated into chaos, everyone monkeying around and messing up the place. Ain't that great?

Spent all the rest of New Year's Day asleep, watching movies or playing BF2. Great waste of time, eh? Let's see now, New Year's Resolutions, err, my new year's resolution is to... ah screw it. Let's go with a few optimistic goals instead, shall we?

1. Ask ♥T♥e♥s♥s♥a♥ out. Yes, I really do love her, but I want to know her feelings about me. If she has different feelings, I will step back or walk away.
   
2. Learn guitar. My chord changes are horrible, and I need a focused practice time. Also, be a little bit more open concerning other people's music tastes.
   
3. Get into JC. No offense to all the poly people, but I think my style of learning suits JC better. If not, MI, poly, overseas or kill myself (in no particular order).
   
4. Get fit. Yep, you heard this from the lazy bugger himself. Get fit.
5. Keep this blog alive. The last one died a pathetic and miserable death. Once is enough.
6. For once, not lose my wallet, MP3 player, handphone, water bottles, or anything dear to me. That means I can lose my way or my marbles. Haha, lame joke.
7. Not waste more than 3 hours daily on the computer. Well, I said these goals were optimistic, right?
8. Learn to cook a few more dishes. My current repertoire needs updating, I think.
9. See my guy friends find a girlfriend and girl friends find a boyfriend. Seriously, I believe all the friends I have really deserve someone special. You all have been special to me, the guy who started secondary school as a lonely outsider with no social life whatsoever, as you gave me a sense of belonging. I sincerely thank you. May God Bless You.
   
10. Save money. Somehow, I feel as if I have been rather miserly with giving other people treats last year, and so I should save up and bring everyone out more often.
11. Be nice to my teachers, and for once avoid trying to kill them of exasperation and sheer disgust.
12. Update my jokes. I think some of them are wearing pretty thin, or are inappropriate at certain times.
13. Remember ♥T♥e♥s♥s♥a♥'s birthday, and get her a really romantic gift. A diamond necklace good enough? Or should it be silver? Haha, just kidding. But seriously, I Will Remember 10th March, 2008.

Thus ends my optimistic spree. Good night everyone, and here's wishing y'all all the best for 2008!

Roadblock, Or Just A Traffic Light?

Bloody 1am, and I'm supposed to be sleeping. Oh well. Here's a recount of Wednesday's events.

Slept until around 10, then got up, and somehow made my way down to Dhoby Ghaut, to go jamming with Rahman, Wei Jie and Jeremy. Those guys seem to forget that I can't play musical instruments yet, just vocals. Plus, to compound matters, we did not know any jamming studios. But we still went all the way to Swee Lee to muck around for a few hours. Rain started pouring down, so we ran through a little storm and got back to City Hall. Sakae Buffet Rocks! The only problems being that it's GST costs are bloody horrible(especially for students) and bloody hidden. Also, they have this problem of not fixing their coms, so we can't always order by computer. There were also these two tables of idiots in front of us in the buffet line. Typical Beng and Lian behaviour. Talk talk talk, swear in dialect, talk about things in a very inward-looking, non-cosmopolitan way, moan and groan about eating and gaining weight in singlish, blahblahblah. Oh BOOHOO. Don't eat if you don't want to. Sheesh. Never mind, we still managed to down close to 75 plates altogether, making it well worth the $60+ spent.

Got home, Maplestory refused to cooperate. I'm sorry Rahman, it wouldn't cooperate even when I told it that it had to collaborate, or be shot. So I played Mechwarrior for a few hours, then listened to Rascal Flatts until my dad complained I was supposed to be asleep. But I have one major piece of bad, or good, news.

Miss T.W. does not want to go watch Enchanted. She's already seen the movie, with some friends if I'm not wrong. But still, how this ends up depends on me, and I've just decided to view it as a traffic light, rather than a roadblock. I will ask her to watch The Golden Compass, and I will ask her tomorrow. That way, I can bring her to the premiers, or something like that. After all, the early bird gets the worm, if at first you don't succeed try try again, and all that. I am 100% certain I will do it. I won't stop trying, of that I'm assured.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Bryan Ng! Thanks for ten years of memories, and here's wishing for many more! Dias Naomh Aindrea! SA_FOREVER!