What a Chee Bye Week.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Human Resource is down, Music is down. To tell you the truth I bloody hate studying music. It's just not meant to be read, it's meant to be played! The teacher hard ever touches the damn keyboard. How am I suppose to know what an Augmented or a Minor interval sounds like if I don't hear it??? It would be better if we learn it and know how to apply it. It seems though that is not the point of this course. The lecturer makes it so that we just know exactly what to write in the examination.

I'M FRIGGIN STUDYING FOR THE EXAMINATION AND NOTHING AT ALL.

I'm so pissed off.

Gone were all those funny listening sessions we had during class time.

As Jimi would say it, "That's ok I still got my guitar". I've been playing so much for the past couple of weeks there are superimposed lines from the strings on the finger tips of my left hand. But it's all good. I'm really glad I decided to start playing again.

I want to form a band this year and hopefully play some blues/fushion based stuff. It so hard to find good musicians here in Singapore. By good, I don't mean technically or musically proficient. Everyone has their flaws. But every other damn guitarist here in singapore tends to take the whole art as a competition. It's all about how fast can you play, how many notes can you squeeze into a single measure or can you do this super trick or some other crap like that. Whatever happened to playing nice melodies with passion and soul? Technique is in itself a very hard thing to be proficient at, but it's not a means to an end. It's a mere tool. If you can't even have a basic sense of musical expression and melody how the hell are you going to make technique work for you? Most folks here can't even get the fundamentals down like vibrato. They vibrate an A and there are double sharps or some other in between chromatics somewhere in there. It makes me cringe everytime I think of the sound.
Wake the fuck up.

Maybe the reason for the aggression in my tone is because I have an exam tomorrow. Organizational behavior. I'll be having you for breakfast come ten in the morning.

I have never meant this more than ever. I can't wait for the weekend.

Christopher.

Update Lah Dey!

Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Yes I haven't blogged for what seems like ages. Since friggin wednesday. Shitloads have been hapenning since then. I had 2 project due last week, HR And Organizational Behavior. They totally killed me. I so thought I was going to be totally slaughtered on those 2 subjects, but together with my project mates we did pretty damn well. Almost full marks for both! I guess the kudos came from the presentation. My oratory skills are there.

In other news I've been practicing guitar a lot lately. I mean a lot. I'd much rather stay at home with my 6 and 7 string than go out. I made a little video with the help of my substandard digital camera on the movie function. I have no idea how the hell I'm going to post it here. It's in quicktime format, it's way too big...we're talking 40 megs here! I'll figure out some way and share. I'm also in the midst of composing something right now, it's based off a theme I developed ages ago, but it perfectly reflects the state of mind I'm in right now. As with everything else I play it will include many many many many notes.

Two days since the last time I blogged really hit me. They both revolved around music. I went to the peninsula/excelsior hotel area the other day to pick up some guitar strings. I ended up spending about 3 hours there trying out expensive guitars that I could never afford right now. I played the Steve Vai Jem model in the distressed black finish. Think a messy crummy black paintjob on a rock guitar. I'm in love. I played some other old school stratocasters from japan...in love once again. I tried another amplifier and some other pedals. The notes melted like butter and harmonics jumped out like mad dogs without a leash and their owner gone on a permanent vacation. I'm stoked. The guys at the store were really nice, they let me play as long as I wanted to! One of the few places in Singapore you could probably do that. It used to be very different when I was a kid walking into a guitar store. They had a default "TRY MUST BUY" policy. All that is missing is a friggin sign.

Yesterday after hanging out with Marshall I went over to Sweelee with the initial intention of checking out prices for pickups. KNN I ended up spending 3 hours of my life there. I played the new Andy Timmons Ibanez...and THE EDDIE VAN HALEN NOW OUT OF PRODUCTION WOLFGANG GUITAR! WAH LAN EH. That six string totally wet my pants. I wants! I WANTS!

Anyway I'm in the midst of refurbishing my secret anniversary model tucked under my bed. But it's going to take a hell lot of moolahs. But I'll get there soon.

I went over to Marshall's on sunday with the initial intention to assist her with the cleaning of her room. I ended up staying for dinner and having awkward conversations with her parents. Her mother mistook my name for CHRISTINE for goodness sakes! I'm probably the only guy to have set foot in the house of Kuek with a girl's name. Marshall's got a new niece though courtesy of her sister. She is absolutely adorable. I have a really big liking for children. I don't know why but I just gravitate towards them. Most of them love me though, except for a few who probably think I'm just some big goof trying to steal away their toys and candy.

She's beautiful isn't she?

Her name...Trypheana Sydelle...SAY WHAT???

Yes you read that right.

It's pronounced TRI-FEE-NAH...Strung together it means dainty princess.

Today was a new day of excitement for me. Firstly I had my finals for HR, Human Resource, it was a breeze. I was so bloody damn scared to take the paper. I don't own a textbook. I ain't got the money. It's fucking expensive. And I find it totally illogical to pay 50 bucks for something I'll be using for half a semester. Anyways most of my knowlege comes from listening to Dr Friedman during lecture, I find it much more effective than just reading a bunch of words on paper bound together by a handsome hardcover. I'm notorious for photocopying textbooks. I didn't do it this time. I guess I'll do fine on the paper...time will tell.

The other highlight for the day was the visit from the president of UB! I don't even recall seeing the president of SIM...and now we get the president of UB here! Luckily I had the company of a very fine handsome young man lest I fall asleep in the absence of all my usual peeps too strung out from the exam.

They gave out all these little slips of paper with numbers on them for some lucky draw. I won myself a polo Tee with the UB logo on it. Too bad though, I'll probably never wear it unless I'm severely malnutritioned. It's in a size S. Bloody hell. I was so happy I won something....lucky number 67, but of course the presence of many slips of paper did increase my chances somewhat.

Kota Got a Cap.

Yasu got nothing but he's still smiling.

JANE GOT A PHOTO OP WITH IKU!

Christopher.

The Day of The Necklace...

Wednesday, June 22, 2005
I went about school today with the same routine that I'm so used to every single other day. Wake up at 730am, wait for the heater, shower, put clothes on and make sure my hair is not at in a state of Adrian Pang Type Luan. It was off to music class I went this morning. My classmate Mara however had a new accesory on. It was a new necklace she picked up while shopping at Bugis. She seemed really happy with it, wearing it like it was her newest prized possession. Almost like a bargain hunting throphy acquired in the labyrinth of stalls in Bugis. Here's a visual aid taken by your's truly.

We all have differing opinons with regards to everything. That's just the element of diversity for you at work. Several other classmates shared the same train of thought as me. I likened it to a bunch of blue circular lego bits strung together with elastic cord. But I guess if it works for you then fine. NICE ONE MARA!


However as the day went along, my opinion could stay hidden no longer. I can't help but shit myself laughing right now as I type this entry. I'll come back to the necklace later. In other news I had the presentations for 2 of my most feared subjects, human resource management and organizational behavour. They went pretty well. Thank goodness. I've also become known as the Red Jacket Guy with the Strawberry Milk Tea (with pearls of course) by a certain individual.

OK OK OK BACK TO THE NECKLACE.

When extended this blue thing resembling an octupus' tentacle can strech for probably slightly over a meter. When worn and pulled away by another person and suddenly let go...can cause quite a sting to the wearer. LIKE A PINCH! I did that the whole damn day.

Mara got totally sick of my comments and those around me, she decided to agree.

Not to be left out, I joined in as well.

Ok enough necklace talk for now.

Janetta was such a darling when she sent us home today. Thanks a lot ok! So sorry I almost caused an accident at the newton roundabout. I've got my basic theory test tomorrow at 5. And being oh so caught up in my work I haven't done shit. If I fail it's going to be the biggest Bummer of all time. *PLSDUNFAILKAYTHXLALA~~*

HIT ME NECKLACE ONE MORE TIME!


I actually recorded a video of me spinning that damn thing round my neck like a hulahoop in the wrong place. But silly Mara made the video in portrait format, and held the camera wrongly...hence I am upside down. It took away the whole effect of me trying to look like a red helicopter with blue rotor blades. Instead I will do my best and try to fix it as soon as possible. Or maybe just record another one when she decides to wear it again.

Christopher.

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005
I stayed home today, did all my projects and research papers like a good boy should. I hung out quite a bit with Marshall. Initially I wanted to go to that Yong Tau Fu place at lucky plaza, when I finally found it; it was bloody closed. There's always Nasi Lemak downstairs. Came home slept like a log for damn long, resulting in the cancellation of Marshall's 2 tuition sessions. *LOLWTFTUITION!*

Anyways, there's something about me you should know. I like to scour the net in search of bloody funny videos. I have a somewhat distasteful sense of humour. Chances are, if your church pastor thinks it's bad, I'm probably going to relish it and milk it for all it's worth. I love shitty humour.

Check these out.
http://movies.collegehumor.com/media/movies/dog_bites.wmv
Don't let the title fool you, I'm not going to let you watch some human being getting mauled to death by a dog, just some hispanic lady complaining about her dog.
IT'S FRICKIN HILARIOUS I SHIT YOU NOT!

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/6/19/nation/11262103&sec=nation
SAY WHAT? A 6 LEGGED PUPPY WITH 2 PENISES FOUND??? Malaysia Truly Asia.

http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=hahahomie
The Karate Kid Versus The Ghetto Kid. Guess who won?

http://www.uniquepeek.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=144
The Tom Cruise Facial Money Shot once again.

http://www.uniquepeek.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=125
He sure has something to be happy about.

And now...

My all time favourite.
YOU AND ME POCKY
http://www.glico.co.jp/pocky/cm/pocky1_qt.htm

I could watch this for days on end.

Christopher.

Even though I want to...

Monday, June 20, 2005
Father's day was celebrated with my family at some really crappy restaurant down at Bugis. I don't know what in the world my dad was thinking when he suggested such a place. The food was total crap, and so was the service. Don't ever ever go there, you will regret it, just like an STD waiting to happen. Siam Kitchen, I give you guys a rating of 5 broken condoms. I seriously think there's only one purpose for the crappy food you guys serve.

TO CLEAN OUT THE INSIDES OF MY RECTUM.

I'm never going to go back there again. LOL.

But it ain't so much the food but the company which mattered. I had a really good time. Being caught up in the life of my own, I haven't had that much time to spend with my family.

Daddy and Mommy.

Charm just got her braces, their black in colour! I told her to get them in white but she insisted that they would stand out in the background of her candy induced yellow teeth.

SHACK BALLS!

My very best impression.

Today was also Jane's birthday. I got her a nice little box of chocolates from some mysterious place along bukit timah. I hope you liked it. She and her friends spent the day stealing my watch, I retorted swiftly by taking their slippers and handphones!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE! Would you like some fish with that?

Christopher.

Invisible, Predictable, Desirable, Unforgettable.

I've been going on and on about how I would be celebrating my 24th with THE SUPER BEST FRIENDS CLUB. I speculated very enthusiastically on having the dinner at 126 Dim Sum at Geylang. But Alas due to my fuss pot anal tendencies in the realm of gastronomy, and the fact that I wanted a much nicer place with a better ambience to bring my SUPER BEST FRIENDS to; I chose Din Tai Fung instead. Having gone there for Mother's day with my family as well as countless occasions where I savoured the Xiao Long Baos, my mind was set. No more changing my mind about the venue. The idea of having it at my house came to mind as well but I guess I just wasn't fortunate enough to have any LOLWTFBBQ.

Marshall tricked me the entire time. She was sick initially after straining some funny muscle above one of her ribs. That whole ordel brought about about a bad gastric experience. I thought she would never make it to the dinner. CUZ SHE DIDN'T ANSWER ANY OF MY CALLS OR SMS'ES THE WHOLE DAY. I'm such a psycho friend yes? But in the end she didn't dissapoint. She showed. :)

The food was really good. We ordered a grand total of 30 Xiao Long Baos! A few dan dan mians, some dou miao, xiao chai, and some really crappy glutinous rice dumplings.

I was as full as fug.

Honestly speaking what touched me the most was what happened at the end of the dinner. On hindsight the stem of my whole birthday depression stemmed from the fact that I thought no one would go out of their way to make me happy. Maybe it's due to the fact that my love life as of now is nonexistent, or maybe it's just some weird insecurity that I have in me. But my friends proved me wrong.

I present to you THE BIRTHDAY CAKE TO END ALL BIRTHDAY CAKES!


The initial plan was to get all the staff to come out with pans claging and napkins flying singing a birthday song for me. But due to the conservertism of the staff stemmed from their strict chinese origins it never happened. I was instead serenaded by the voices of my SUPER BEST FRIENDS. More than enough for me. Guys I really loved the cake, but more than that I really appreciate the thought and effort behind it. And hell yeah it's not from Bengawan Solo!

I had to eat most of it, and the super sweet marzipan logo!


After that we headed back to my place for some nice drinking. I brought out my bottle of very nice ice wine, reserved of course for the closest of company! After that and another bottle of red wine...things got kind of dazed.

HUAT AH HUAT RED AH RED AGAIN!

I played guitar for them that night after practicing for so damn long, only to have my high E string break.



Soon after that it was to Zouk we went. I've never got so drunk in my entire life. The wine was already churning in my system slowly making its way to my brain. As soon as I got there, more mind altering liquids came, provided by my pro skater kaki Eric and my long time JC classmate Alvin. Thanks Guys the drinks were awesome.

What happened after that is still a complete blur to me right now. I remember shuffling in and out of zouk between the dancefloor and the riverside to get some air...NUMEROUS TIMES. I got home pretty early and crashed straight on my bed.

Best Birthday Ever!

THANK YOU MY SUPER BEST FRIENDS!

Christopher.

So We Photocopied Our Faces

Sunday, June 19, 2005
My thursday passed with all the usual boredom that all thursdays possess. I guess there's nothing much to add about it. Although I must add that with the addition of the mp3 player that Rambo lent to me, life on the bus in the morning has been quite interesting for me. It funny listening to Van Halen early in my day while observing funny looking characters on the bus.

Anyways thursday came and went, it seems like every single day in the week is just a super long prelude to the weekend. And when it arrives, it's gone just like that. That's my little theory of relativity.

Friday was much better thank you.

I took this little picture when no one was looking...sneaky

The great thing about friday is the fact that I only have one class to attend to and it only lasts for an hour and a half. The shit thing about it...the class starts at 10. Well anyways accounting went pretty fine. My quiz during the lesson however, did not go all that well. I seriously didn't know how to do shit at all. Hopefully it will all be fine.

Hopefully.

Having nothing to do, my friends all decided to go to town for some good lunch. But before that we had some fun with the copier in the library.

Clockwise from the top, Josh and Carynn Awww couple xerox face!, President Jenetta, Mara, and me.

I spent the rest of the day eating Ban Mian and playing Xbox with my classmates.

And taking pictures of Mara in my sister's self made army jockey cap, COMBINED WITH EAR WARMERS!

FUN SIAL!

Christopher.

My Birthday.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Today I turn 24. Seems like a really old age to be. I'm not going to go into the whole self pity crap, "Time sure has passed fast...my life slid by like water...YADA YADA YADA". I'm alive, and I have all reds running through my veins. That which does not kill me only makes me stronger.

My classmates planned something really evil for me today. I thought that after I posted all that mushy nonsense on my class blog, things were going to be happy for me today. But I was wrong. Very wrong. I came to school today on time, sat for my music midterm examination. It went all well! Thanks to the help of my AB Guide to Music Theory, as well as a few Berklee Music Methods which I still kept aside from my teens. I did everything right, all except for some scale naming. My brain just refused to work. I know theory for nuts and transposed everything to my fretboard knowledge of the guitar to name the scale notes. Best right? I can't visualize the keyboard for nuts.

My first prank for the day came in the form of a jacket theft. I left the examination hall and went for a smoke, only to come back and realise that Mandy took off with my jacket. Just when I thought that was the end of practical jokes for the day, my loving classmates proved me wrong. I was led to the benches behind the lecture theater for the pretext of celebrating my birthday. I could sense something silly was up.

Before the Madness, the Calm before the Storm.

Recieiving the fake-o birthday gift.

Shortly after this, I was pounced upon by 5 guys. They tried in the best of their efforts to strip me, but failed miserably. It's been tried before, others have failed before you, including my whole MILAN Platoon. I got wet instead. Really wet.

WET WET WET.

After this we finally got down to cutting the cake.

Bet you can tell what I wished for.

So the efforts to forcefully strip me failed. I'm a good sport. I stripped willingly and donned a Sarong.


What happened next was probably the best part. I walked all the way from the benches, down the hallway, pass the classrooms, and striaght into the canteen!



Bloody nuts birthday of my life!

I love you guys.

Christopher.

I'm a Good Product.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Let me take you folks away from the attention of my new wall and on to the other processes of my daily life. I sat through a mandarin lesson with all my new foreign exchange student friends. It's pretty interesting how their courses all gel together to give them a better understanding of how business is done in Asia. As far as I know it they take courses in Asian Business and Mandarin. It's all pretty hazy, but the idea is there.

Mandarin class was truly amusing. As those close to me might already know, the state of my Mandarin is really deplorable. I'll spare you all my needless complicated descriptions and sum it up in six words. IT JUST PLAIN SUCKS DONKEY DICK. Anyways the class involved the teacher repeating over and over again 2 characters at a time endlessly! I guess that's the only way to learn. But I do admire the willingness of my friends to grasp the language, if it was me and Japanese or some other foreign language, I'd probably be far worse off than them. I've learnt a few phrases in japanese, among them "I'll kick your ass", and "You die!". Ironic as it is, Bad language is always the easiest to pickup.

Class got really boring and we decided to dabble once again in the classicisms of nonsense.

Iku loves his Mandarin. I thought him everyday phrases such as "Would you take a shower with me". The perfect pickup line!

Kota demonstrated the ancient Japanese Art of stuffing oversized bubble straws into his nose. "Would you like pearls with that?"

Kota drifted in and out of sleep. I taught him good when we went for a "short" run that evening. I really enjoyed hanging out with them. Got to meet a few more Japanese students as well as one from Buffalo. If I can remember their names correctly...Donna, Azusa, Saora, Chisa, and some more others that I met for the first time that day. It was fun.

In other bouts of silliness I spotted something very fascinating. From Macdonalds meals to airplanes to fake tits, everything is BIGGER these days. Even Erasers aren't spared.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY! IT'S TIME TO MEET YOUR MAKER OH LITTLE PENTEL!

I can't wait for tomorrow. It's nice to see that even when you're in Qatar you still come here. Come back soon. I miss everything.

Christopher.

IF YOU EAT YOURSELF, I WILL BRING YOU GO FRY KITE!

Monday, June 13, 2005
It was initially my intention to include this quotable quote overheard by Brother Avis and Me the other day at East Coast. It came from a little girl's father encouraging her to hurry the hell up and finish her food so he could take her to fly her post card sized kite attached to a one meter long kite string. What a way with words. Totally cracked me up on the spot.

Anyways I spent my sunday with Marshall. We did our usual spontaenous nonsense. But this time my dream came through. Let me refresh you folks with my post on my LOLLERSKATES. I painted them with the Van Halen paint scheme, with all those random white stripes on the red background. I mentioned that I wanted to do it on my wall. Some of you might have taken that as a joke. But it's true!

We travelled to Queensway when I found out the paint store around my area was closed for Sunday. I must say that Marshall was really nicely patient with me today. For someone who realised together with me that Sunday is the unspoken National Paint Store Holiday, she didn't freak out on me at all, although the occasional poke and smack on the tummy did the job nicely. Well, after hunting high and low for a Ferrari Red paint in Alexandra Market, as well as all the buildings surrounding the area; we finally settled for the paint found at some hardware store in Ikea. It was not exactly the perfect shade of red that I was looking for. I decided to take that instead because Ferrari Red only goes well with Ferraris, not on walls; it would be just way too much.

Calling the process laborious would be a total understatement. It was bloody difficult. I spent the last couple of weeks painting and repainting my wall white just to get the right texture so the paint would not peel off once I took away the masking tape. The process went something like this...

Painting the damn wall white, which I had already done prior to this day. Then carefully and meticulously applying the masking tape to get the right pattern. I made the silly mistake of using scotch tape with my skates, which then caused the paint to bleed in all the silly spots that I didn't want. Getting the tape on the wall sounds damn easy, but getting the tape to be straight is a whole different ball game altogether. Luckily for me I had the accurate combat trained eye of Marshall to guide me. After the taping came the red paint, we waited for it to dry and excitingly removed all the masking tape! That was the absolutel best part for me! Just like unwrapping christmas presents!

Marshall applying the reds...

Things taking Shape.

The Fruits of Our Labour and My Very Fat Looking Arms.

I finally shifted everything back today after school. I also put my two guitar hangers up with the aid of drill. I'm a virgin drill user. It was quite an experience...


EDDIE WOULD BE PROUD!
There sits on my wall 2 of my most prized possessions, the Floral Steve Vai Jem77FP, and the 7 Stringed Steve Vai Universe. The elusive 90th Anniversary model still lies in her case. I'm going to get her fixed up before letting her take her seat on my wall.

FOLKS THE PICS JUST DON'T DO ENOUGH JUSTICE! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT IN REAL LIFE!


I'm so damn happy with the result. The two of us sat there amid the furniture induced chaos just staring at the wall.

Thank you Marshall. I would never have been able to do it without you!

I'M BLOODY LOVING IT!

Christopher.

Is there something you wanna tell me, is there something I should know?

Friday, June 10, 2005
I miss all those times where we were at East Coast, just LOLLERSKATING the day away. I got a treat yesterday in the form of brother Avis. I used to go there so often in the company of THE SUPER BEST FRIENDS CLUB. But now through the complexities of tight schedules and finances, we don't really have the luxury of meeting up every single day. It used to be like that during my three week term break just before semester 4. We went skating almost every single day...sometimes even multiple times in a day. Definately some of the best days of my life. I love that place so much, and this especially so when it's all super sunny. My arms are really tanned right now due to my coyness when it comes to taking off my shirt. I've already said this before, I don't really participate in activities which entail the removing of my upper half; due to reasons none other than my eminent fatness. What this leaves me with are very funny looking tanlines or a very fair looking skin singlet.

I had a really good time yesterday skating around with Avis and best of all taking pictures. I bet you folks know by now that I love snapping away with my cheapo Nikon. I take this baby almost everywhere I go with me, lest this blog would be filled with nothing by my mundane rantings about my everyday boring life. I so want to get a digital SLR. Someone out there please sponsor me.

This is my arty picture for the day, I spotted this lone fisherman type character lounging by the jetty. The backdrop of the sunlight littered sea combined with the backdrop of the condominium littered skyline provided a perfect photo op for me.

I've been to the jetty countless times and this is by far the biggest catch I've seen someone haul up! Furthermore he did it without a fishing rod. Just a little line dangled by the edge of the jetty!
That's one hell of a big ass groupa!

I've seen rainbows before, but they only seem to appear during the days of my childhood. I guess we don't really pay that much attention to all the little wonders that nature provides us with. We were at the jetty, the slight drizzle during the intense heat gave way to the rainbow. It's a perfect one, you can alomst see the whole thing in full force. Nice.

Ok now it's time for the nonsensical pictures that you folks have come to associate this blog with...

Avis and Me, sporting the new top that he and Wan Wan got me for my birthday! Thanks guys, I'm lovin' it.


MOSES WOULD GO, WHY NOT YOU?

We often spot funny looking characters in the park on our travels there...When I saw this guy, that Lenny Kravitz song taken off some Austin Powers movies came to mind.

AMERICAN WOMAN...MAMA LET ME BE YEAH!

I got to meet some really nice doggies, one collie and another really beautiful looking husky. I so want to have a huskey, one of those really majestic looking ones with a nice thick coat and deep blue eyes.


At the end of the whole thing we were both in super SHACK BALLS mode. Bearing in mind the fact that my legs got totally destroyed by Rambo and Iku the day before, LOLLERSKATING never felt so tiresome.

I'm loving it, Avis is feeling the SHACK BALLS slowly creeping into his state of mind.

I've got to go to work now. It's going to be more LOLLERSKATING with Marshall tonight.

Can't wait!

Christopher.

All of My Regrets are Nothing New.

Thursday, June 09, 2005
I super couldn't believe my eyes when I glanced on the sms sent to me by Mara as I laid in bed wasting the hours away when I should have been at human resource management class. I got a whopping 92 percent for my HRM midterm! Holy shit! I seriously couldn't believe it. That in itself was enough motivation for me to get my ass out of bed and down on campus! I studied a far bit for the exam so I'm pretty damn happy I scored.

92 PERCENT BALLS!

I sat through the remainder of the day during organizational behavior with Iku. We arranged to go running after school. I have not ran ever since the last half marathon during last year. All those little dashes after the bus do not count. I met him around 630pm after having ran from my place to novena. By the time I got there I was already almost burned out from the initial run. We ran all in all about 5 km. I survived it, I have to start training soon if I'm going to register myself for the half marathon. Rambo came along with me today, he's still in pretty good shape, very fast runner. I was a pale comparison to the both of them lagging behind at a couple of instances. It started to rain pretty hard when we were running round the Cairnhill area...Iku reminded me of what I said during the day about the foul weather. I came back home and worked out a little more. The gut's gotta go!


I marvelled at the mysterious ability of my friends to dress up in matching, outfits all done unplanned! I guess it's something otherwise known as female intuition.

I just got off the phone with Brother Avis, it seems like I haven't spoken to him in ages. As if we're already old and grey, sitting at home in our big sofas, fat as hell with remote controls in hand. Anyways I'm going to go LOLLERSKATES with him tomorrow at east coast. It's going to be great fo sho! I haven't skated with him since I have no idea when!

Christopher.

TAKE IT SLOW AND LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Wednesday, June 08, 2005
I paid absolutely no attention today during music class. I occupied myself instead with some essential last minute mugging for my Human Resource Management (HRM) midterms. Yes folks the midterms are here! 30 Percent in weightage each. It seems such a short while ago when the new semester just started and already we are in the midst of the midterm madness. One for one all semester long. Already the Organizational Behavior (OB) midterms came and went. I did pretty damn well for someone who studied in a taxi!

I knew I couldn't do the same thing this time round. To me the OB midterms were a walk in the park. It's mostly common sense, with the exception of a couple of theories; if you pay just an acceptable amount of attention during the lectures you would do just fine. But this time round for in HRM, there was just way too much linkages between all those little intricate processes. This indeed made life very difficult for me since last weekend.

The essay question really threw me off track asking about designing a selection process. But I guess I did fine by linking everything to a solid job analysis.

My prof should be done with the results tomorrow. How's that for efficiency!?!?

*Hopefully I'll do well.*

Today has been a really good day for me. In contrast to yesterday's bout of depression, today went excellent for me. I got back my results for accounting and did surprisingly well. I thought for sure that I would fuck up the last question. But all went well.

What I looked forward to today was taking my newly found friends from Japan for a little Singapore excursion. I seriously felt like a tour guide today, just that I lacked a bus, a funny looking hat and cheesy looking matching name tags for all my tour group members. It's really nice hanging out with all of them. It just further duants upon me the fact that we are all very similar in terms of our youth culture. Initially I felt slightly intimidated, I'm not quite sure why. But I was. However my gripes were proven wrong and everything's really good right now.

Iku and Yoshi on the number 75!

Josh and Carynn doing very poor intentions of ghetto handsigns.
So damn GANGSTA YO!
I'm pretty damn happy with the new friends I've made through the course of this exchange. I just wished there was much more time that they could stay here, it would be nice to take them around Singapore. Most of you would probably say that there's nothing to do here and all, but I beg to differ. You just have to look in the right places. I took them to all my usual sneaker haunts today. Gallery at pacific plaza, leftfoot, surrender, ambush, sidewalk 10 and collage at Far East. I could see the look of glowing glee on their faces as they beheld each and every one of them shoes! I'm very tempted. Someone please make my wallet a little fatter!

I also took them to eat some really nice XXL Chicken Cutlet at the little taiwanese eatery at Far East. You guys love it yes? OOOOOHEEEEESHEEEE NEH!

Iku couldn't contain his excitement.

After that it was to the scotts food court we trodded to. I made Yoshi try the slimey sweet brown stuff that is better known to us as Sea Coconut. I have absolutely no friggin' idea why they call it that. Yoshi enjoyed it nonetheless.

We headed off to a Sheesha place down at prinsep to waste the rest of the night away. Upon Iku's enquiry about Singapore drinking games, we felt the need to introduce him into the wacky world of FIVE-TEN. You love it Iku!

Did somebody call for a fire?

My highlight of the day came in the form of Marshall's new hairdo. I really like it. Really really like it. The short hair accentuates the features that were ever so often hidden by her previous long hair. I feel that she takes every single opportunity to quell my weight loss efforts. She took me to stuff myself with ice cream at bugis. But it's all good. I sent her back to Pasir Ris only to realise that we were on the last train...I am so stubborn. A flag of a taxi and 15 dollars later I found myself in the familiar comfort of my room.

I can't keep up but I won't back down.

Christopher.

Can't you see the pain in me?

Tuesday, June 07, 2005
I got up today all ready for school. I've actually got into my usual routine of waking up extra early to work out a bit, take my long hot singing shower, and to get my usual dosage of half an hour slacking/breakfast session before I head out my door.

Everything seemed so perfect for me, other than my fleeting, wandering mind which customarily plauged me every single time I take my solitary bus ride to school. I have no clue why I think such thoughts during that time of the day. I think about every single damn thing, things that were, would and could be, and just because of some fucked up twist of fate just never was.

Why can't it be easier, why can't it be just a little fucking easier?

I'm still stuck in the very same state that you left me in.

It always seems to hit me right between the eyes more so apparently at the dawn of day.

A new dawn, a new beginning my ass.

I got to school straight on time. Accounting class high on anticipation in my state. I was deceptively comfortable in my element when disaster struck. The damn class was canceled and shifted to monday instead. I had actually already attended the class scheduled for today. Nice work Einstein. I killed the hours having my Kway Teow breakfast with Stef and David in the cafeteria. My displeasure of waking up so damn early in the morning made the time even harder to pass.

Anyways all was well when I started my first class for today. I'm pretty happy actually. There was much more interaction between me and the foreign students today. I'm taking them galavanting tomorrow. I'm not going to take them to all those silly tourist traps here in Singapore. Come on, we all know they ain't worth shit. And furthermore you won't ever catch me at the Esplanade marveling at the brilliant work of artistry which is that of the merlion. Instead I'm going to take them to all my usual hangouts. Not exactly usual, but where I used to hang with my little group of friends during the first few semesters of business school.

Mara made fun of me today in class by drawing a little caricature of me. In it she made ludicrous distortions and silly exagerated accentuations of my arched eyebrows, pointy hairdo and the break out state of the skin on my face. I didn't take a picture of the drawing though...what a waste yes? Not to be left unchallenged though, I exacted my revenge swiftly by producing a drawing of my own...

CHECK DIS!

Pretty Accurate Yes?

I'm just kidding, we all had a pretty laugh and a tickle you until you cry or piss your pants session right after that.


I got a distress call from my little sister Charmaine today.

She needed some assistance in acquiring an Ipod mini for her friend, caroline. They got her an ipod mini for her birthday. It's a collective present shared between all of them. So Sweet yes? Being her big kor kor, I used my psuedo street cred and fast talking hokkien skills to get her one for $320! Not bad right! But on my trip to Sim Lim I got tempted. The new 6 gig Ipod is such a killer, especially dressed in the new blue. I'm stoked! So damn bloody tempting. I want I want.

But then again, I can do without all these worldly material possessions...for now.

At the end of the whole ordeal we were totally tired out. Or more appropriately in my own words, SHACK BALLS!
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
The SHACK BALLS factor manifested itself in Charmaine too...it even gave her a set of vampish teeth! I love you my little sister! :)

I got back my music test scripts today. Scored 24 out of 25...why can't it just be 25 dammit! WHY???

I've got a human resource management midterm tomorrow to fight. As always...

BRING THAT SHIT ON...I'M GONNA BE READY FOR IT!

PSYCHED I AM.

I can't wait for it to end and hang out with all my newly found friends. Join me tomorrow ok Marshall. I'm pretty excited about your new hair cut!

Christopher.

Made in India!

Monday, June 06, 2005
My day carried on with my meeting with Marshall at Little India. Initially I wasn't all too sure about what we were going to do there, I was a little apprehensive at first; but I decided to give it a try. The thing I love so much about Singapore is the amount of diversity we have to offer. It's a melting pot of so many cultures. I know some of you folks might beg to differ when it comes to this opinion, but I really feel that our cultures are all intertwined in one way, if not more. I absolutely love it. I love the whole atmosphere of the place, it's just bursting with activity, good food and GREAT bargains, as I learnt for the first time today.

I studied quite a fair bit of Indian history, I really appreciate all the various origins and influences in the culture that surrounds them. Everything is so detailed, embellished and intricate. We marvelled at all the jewellery and saris. I love it. Jewellery is a really great thing to buy at Little India. All those dangly earrings that you chicks dig so much and end up paying crazy ass prices in town, you can find them here for under 5 dollars!

Marshall picked up enough earrings to last her for the rest of the year.
They're all really pretty.

Awww Yeah You love it girl.

I went back to the same vegetarian indian restaurant to eat. It was initially introduced to me by my Daddy'O. I personally have a preference for Northern Indian food, with all the different Naans, Tikka and Tandoori. But SOUTHERN FLAVA suits me just fine as well. The best bit of the restaurant is the menu. Being non-indian I had absolutely no idea what was being confered, even with the english translations. We had some very hilarious guy with a shakey head give us some very vivid descriptions.

She likened my VIP MASALA THOSAI Dish to a hat.


If you're a regular here on this blog, it either means one of two things. You're really bored and interested in my equally boring life. Or you just love looking at all the silly picturesque moments shared between my friends and I.

Our next stop was Mustafa centre. I've never ever been there in my life. I've heard so much hype about it, having cheap prices for almost every single damn thing you can think of, to the other hype factor which is the 24 hour opening times. And both of them were proven right to me. I would firstly liken the setup to the departmental stores which I have encounted in Bangkok. Everything is in mass quantities, you have to find some sense in the chaos. And when you do, you really find what you're looking for and for a damn good price! Marshall picked up some makeup which cost like 3 for 12 bucks...one of those cost 15 bucks a pop in town.

HUAT AH!

Believe me they have everything there, nike sneakers, ipods, shampoo, food, cereal, chocolates, handphones, sanitary pads, perfume, toilet paper, fresh milk, rice, hifi sets, televisions, and even,

dare I say it...AFRICAN SEA COCONUT!

The journey didn't end here. I still had the task of getting Ting's present and to accomplish that we headed to Bugis. Bugis is yet another place I will be visiting soon enough. There are shit loads of bargains just waiting to be pounced upon! Marshall got hooked up with this sequin belt/scarf that she had been eyeing on at Tangs. It went for 4o bucks there...10 dollars solved the problem in bugis!

HUAT AH!

I probably spent around 4 hours just walking around looking at stuff. I had the most amazing time. Especially in Little India. I stepped on her feet about 6 times in Mustafa itself. I'm just not really good with confined spaces. My day was quelled with a nice coffee at Bugis Starbucks with Marshall having funny tasting and overly fragrant green tea. It's such an irony though, my coffee alone could have got a nice pair of earrings. I spent the whole day buying nice cheap bargains and here I am sipping overly priced, globalized coffee.

Before I forget, I chanced upon yet another Kodak Moment.

OH DUMPLING/BAH CHANG MASTER, GRANT ME THE FULLEST OF HUAT WISHES THIS YEAR!

I'm actually not really certain about the story behind this person. All I remember from my Primary School Mandarin textbooks is that he committed suicide and they threw Bah Changs in to prevent the fish from eating his body...OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

Christopher.

All we need is just a little patience.

Had a pretty good time last weekend. Met up with all them UB foreign exchange students for dinner at Din Tai Fung. The food was heavenly! I am absolutely in love with the Xiao Long Baos there! Seriously. We taught them a couple of terms in Mandarin to make the male students a sure score with the local females, phrases such as "May I take a shower with you", and "You're very well endowed" were dropped. I suppose they will be trying them out with their Mandarin lecturer tomorrow.

I'm taking Iku, Mike and another guy to go check out sneakers and fake-O PS2 games at Queensway tomorrow! As the resident Sneakerlogist, I feel it is my duty to bring these peeps to the best sneaker spots in Singapore. I'll be heading to Limited Edition at Queensway for starters. Ever since they got their Nike SB account they're pretty much the best spot you could go to for sneakers! I am obsessed with sneakers, but my purchasing passion has died down lately. They're just way to expensive for my struggling student expenditure level to facilitate!

My love affair with Xiao Long Baos was further reinforced today after lunch with Dawne! We met up at Holland Village, went to Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao and La Mian. I must say that they Xiao Long Baos are pretty damn good. I'm actually torn between Din Tai Fung and their's. To add to my excitement and glee she got me 2 packs of Mild Sevens from her dive trip in Tioman! Thank you so much!

Today incidently is Xue Ting's Birthday. I got her a cake, shared by all of us in the Secret Gang of the class; while I was at Holland Village. One thing's for sure, I'm never ever going to get a cake from Bread Talk anymore. NEVER AGAIN. I think they're better off sticking to bread rather than branching out into cakes and other delectables. I checked out the provence bakery yet again, and to my shock and horror they are closed! I guess it's first monday of the month then. Live and Learn.


BLOW BLOW BLOW!

Winston and XueTing Aka "SNOW STOP"

Happy birthday Ting!

Mine's coming up soon.

Christopher.

P.S. I got your present while I was out venturing with Marshall...from all of us of course. Hope you like it!

Bread Hunting.

Thursday, June 02, 2005
If you folks have been following the conversations taking place on the tagboard to your right, you would have noticed the discussions going on between me and my Ta Jie Cynthia regarding the delectable chocolate bread at Holland Village. The bread and other really great tasting pastries are available at this place, http://www.provence.com.sg; it's located at holland village. It was introduced to me by Melissa. But here's the craziest thing, there are only 2 outlets in the whole wide world. One in Kyoto and one in Singapore! Talk about randomness.



The chocolate bread is so popular that they often sell out by 12 noon! Everytime we get there, there's just no more left to fill our hungry tummies. This time round I went to the extent of making a reservation for 6 loaves of bread! So right after Human Resource Management we shot down to holland village with the help of Cynthia's formula one driving skills.


MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Happy day. I also got back my organizational behavior test results! I got 88%! W00T!
Considering that I didn't study shit it was a pretty good effort on my part, happiness. It accounts for about 30% of my final grade, needless to say, I'm pretty damn happy with the result. I did my accounting interim test today, it went pretty well; but I'm not so sure I did the incremental analysis correctly. Only time will tell.

I met up with Marshall after school today. Caught the new Star Wars movie. I'm slightly dissapointed with the quality. Growing up in the eighties, I was so fascinated with the whole Star Wars genre. What intrigued me the most was how George Lucas could singlehandedly dream up such an amazing story. I mean it's something to think of a plot and everything but to conjure up an entire empire completed with links, machines, structures and all the cool equipment is really something. My fascination, however died down with the release of the first prequel, episode 1. I just feel the whole vision of Star Wars and what it stood for just eroded with the new episode. It feels so damn manufactured to me.

Anyways it entertained me at least. And I shouldn't be complaining since it didn't cost me any money thanks to my endless supply of movie vouchers! And it was watching it with Marshall that made it all the more worth it to me. I had a great time I really did.

The most fun for me came from just hanging out with her, listening to her poke fun at me from everything ranging from my "BakBak'ness", my vocabulary mistakes, glitches in intonations in my speech, and my lack of a better mandarin.

I wish I could pin point what it is that draws me to her.

I sent her home although she insisted I didn't have to, but I guess I just wanted to. Finally reached the familiar confines of Balmoral around midnight...


I need something eventful today.

Christopher.