Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6/30/2009 03:52:00 PM
"I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays. You can't go anywhere without meeting clever people. The thing has become an absolute public nuisance. I wish to goodness we had a few fools left." - Algernon Moncrieff, The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde
I think Yutian picked the correct quote (See Kevin Leung's FB comment thread) the day before literature paper, esp when people tell you that there's nothing much to mug for literature! :D

Monday, June 29, 2009, 6/29/2009 10:53:00 AM
"It would degrade me to marry Healthcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he is handsome, Nelly, but because he is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton's is as a moonbeam from lighting, or frost from fire." -Catherine Earnshaw, Wuthering Heights By Emily Bronte.
Leave On Absence has left me in McCafe AMK. (: Actually reading WH can be a pleasant pastime, especially when you're not rushing to the examination hall or trying to cram things into your brain just before papers. So much for sitting here BYEEE (: All the best to those taking papers :D
UPDATE: GGTTMM. MY LOA ENDS TOMORROW OH NO! NOT PREPARED FOR LITERATURE AND MATHEMATICS ): HOW NOW BROWN COW.

Sunday, June 28, 2009, 6/28/2009 03:09:00 PM
I said I won't post till the end on CTS but I am not taking CTS already :O
Or let's put it in this way, I am on LOA so my CTS is postponed :O
I am not going to school for the entire week like :X:O:X:O
PS: TAKE CARE! Esp Nghi, Tung, Irmelia, Wenda (:

If only it was that easy to let your love flow..
Friday, June 26, 2009, 6/26/2009 09:09:00 PM
tossing turning topsy-turvy, it got me thinking.
This holiday is coming to an end & term 3 is going to start. It might be a little too late but setting out my priorities for the next 6 months is something I've got to do.

3Resolutions for the next 6 months
(1) Never say die to literature again! (:
I've been making way too many excuses to skive for literature, not having a background what not. I haven't gotten frost bites from the chill of wuthering heights yet, neither have I gone beyond the numerous puns and hyperboles in IBE. Time to mug before new books set in! [Same goes for other subjects, except literature has been the most eyecatching problem]

(2) Set things straight, correct the blunders I fell for.
For the many people who do not get to see my posts on LJ, I believe that I didn't manage to give my best shot this camp. Many flaws displayed but it is also time for change. Please don't take this in a pessimistic manner, I'll just like to improve (: I am glad to know many role models that I can learn from and stories that inspired me to go further. Not only is it that we shouldn't stop volunteering (in whichever area), but to me, my decision to join the upcoming programme is to make it up in various areas. 10 years down the road, at least I will be able to say that I did try instead of giving up at this moment. No regrets then (:
As much as I have ranted on and on about my bene during camp, I think I'll be glad if I can care for her once again. She may not be the most spontaneous bene, but during the campfire, joy lit up her eyes. She was having fun. It doesn't matter to me now (coming to think of it), whether I am remembered but that the camp as a whole, did make her days slightly better. I'll be glad to serve.

(3) Internship, SBM, Ycon and hopefully O'team.
While that means that holidays are going to be massively packed and it signals that I ought to mug whenever possible, I believe it's a year that I should do things I really want to, not neglecting my studies of course. At the end of the day, I don't wish to be graduating with the knowledge that my 2 years were solely spent on studies and not anything else. Let's do something we're passionate about and do it well. If education is merely about textbooks and grades, it would probably be called examinations. Really sorry to Ryl, Jocelyn, Yanling that I won't be able to organise camp with you guys but if you need help do ask ahead (: & yes, same goes to Eugene Chua too. Hope that your project would be a success too! Chief, would join you next time if there's the chance(:

Before I retired from this page, ALL THE BEST FOR CTS! & to all the people who have wished me lots of luck, thank you too! (: I don't think I'll be posting till wednesday because that's when the muggable subject papers end (I have listening on friday-.-) Credits to Cheryl for getting the picture for me & she should have gotten it from Devannvesousa. Thanks (:

Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6/25/2009 11:17:00 PM
Initially, I didn't want to post because I don't have photos with me. However, I am amused by the degree of highness of my fellow QM when we were making lame remarks.

Kenneth Siah / I ♥RJCO! says: LOL omg. my leg arggghhh
Evelyn♥ says: what happened haha
Kenneth Siah / I ♥RJCO! says: it went lame=(
Evelyn♥ says: LOL not bad ah, you're staying so far away, yet you managed to tickle my toes.
Kenneth Siah / I ♥RJCO! says: o.o who ask u barefoot in your dp

YCampChallenge
Monday, June 22, 2009, 6/22/2009 11:07:00 PM
All I can say now is that I know I could have done a lot better but I never regretted going. I am glad to have my group with me all the way and I never regretted going. Huiting, I'll always remember what you said. (:

& you're going to ask, ARE YOU SERIOUS? Two sentences for a Camp Post. You're right, it's not. Too personal to post here so move it to LJ! friends-only post! Comment to be added:D

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 6/17/2009 11:08:00 PM
I'll be away for YCampChallenge till Sunday & there would be no internet access ):
For contacting purposes, SMS me (may or may not be able to answer calls at times) and I'll do my best to get back to you ASAP, although it'll probably only be during meal times and before I sleep(:

Monday, June 15, 2009, 6/15/2009 10:57:00 PM
Weird Hairdo.
In Amanda's house
I shouldn't have been in this photo actually.
Don't you think Amanda Yining and Alethea look alike? Haha (:
Happy seventeenth AmandaNg!
For photos, look for Gladys and Yanling :D
I didn't receive the rest either Haha. For the 3 pictures above, credits to yanling!

Met Andrina and watched Night at the Museum 2. It was not bad, quite interesting in the front part, but the outcome was somewhat expected Haha. Looking forward to IceAge3 though (: The trailer was funny! :D It's irritating because we're free tickets that expire on 30june but Ice Age 3 is only released on 1July! ( which is the day most of my CTs end, with the exception for LC)


Sunday, June 14, 2009, 6/14/2009 09:24:00 AM

Happy 17th Ashleigh! (:

Overdue post!
Friday, June 12, 2009, 6/12/2009 10:31:00 PM
If you haven't recognised, it's HuiHui and I at CampLions (: An attempt to do a K with our fingers since we were from Kassapa! I haven't got my hands on the group pictures from ZhengYu/ Pearly/ Alvin/ Zeming/ ShiXiong etc though :x Send me if you see me online!

National Youth Assembly
Awesome, I am in the same District Council and Kendra's cousin (with a cool name -- hwachong)! Icebreakers, Scenerio-based discussions, Presentations, Discussions over lunch and I left. Why Why Why? Fret not, I am going back tomorrow :D

It's interesting to find familiar faces around, like RachOon, MChia, Kendra, Yutian, JiaQuan, ErJia, Utba.. and certainly fun to meet new people in the group who have been welcoming and friendly. Tomorrow's going to be a long day though, and hopefully it'll be fulfilling [seeing that I am missing all the fun run sun in Sentosa, it had better be good:]

PCShow
Be prepared to battle your way through the crowd right through CityLink. It wouldn't help you seem any smarter or taller to wear heels. Apparently, I only learnt this after being there for two consecutive days, once with Joey and another with Marc. Dad got me a laptop, following the death of my tablet. Although it wasn't the one I wanted but I suppose it's fine and functional, seeing that the functions are way better than the one I chose. Yeah, I would have wanted one with loud colours like limegreen or purple but let conventions convey it beauty and uses for once (:

FOURNINE
Awesome, meeting up much more with effect tomorrow evening:D
I quote Damien, "why didn't we get these parties too?"
I bought something retarded, Ryl agreed. It's all right, let's see what's going to happen tomorrow :D Yes, I need to mug apart from party and camp! Ryl we are going to be uni roomies and have a massive food storage cupboard in our room! so mug hard for now, though I haven't started yet.
FLAG DAY WITH YMCA
Hougang MRT 830am on a midweek morning certainly felt different from days Alethea and I grabbed cans and zoomed to catch 151 to TohYiDrive Market for FlagDay, followed by relaxing pig out/ mug hard sessions at Ale's house. But that morning, I woke up with one thought in mind -- Let's do our part, while hours can be better spent mugging, a few dollars might not be sufficient for a cool meal, it makes a difference to the people who are on the receiving end. No matter how small, it's an effort that we put in and something minimal we can do for the beneficiaries we're serving (e.g. APSN MINDS etc)
Dragged myself out of bed and I was indeed glad to see the usual smiley faces and my ever-encouraging buddy (who went all out to get donations from bus uncles at the interchange haha). It was tiring but it was fulfilling, just like the whirf of happiness you get when you think you're doing something meaningful. While there were a number of encouraging donors, smiley passerbys, there were this handful who were more than just plain irritating and spoilt a large part of my day.
The common ones are as usual, the people who make a massively obvious detour on seeing you holding that metal tin because neither do they want to put 10cents in nor do they feel like saying no politely or rejecting you with a smile. Really, I won't bite (: Talking about gracious society, I was just telling Joey that maybe it's just a few people who perform ungracious acts and cause the entire nation to be labelled as "uncultured", as seen from a ST article that charm brought to class. However, on second thought it may not be the case. Even though others may be championing for a cause that you can't reconcile with, you don't really have to shun them. There's always the courteous and polite manner around things (:
Aside all the passerbys who I'll like to thank, the many people who I can't put a name to their faces yet, there were two middle-aged ladies who stood out from the mass of people that whizzed past me.
Firstly, there was this lady who upon understanding the VWOs we are serving, actually asked for avenues to reach out to them. It's really heartening to rope in more people to care for others in this timeless dimension. Kudos to you my friend, I hope you find joy in serving others.
Now to the second lady, you really got me thinking. She dropped 30cents into my tin and I thanked her. She then questioned if the funds raised would be channeled to christian causes; I explained that it goes to VWOs to serve their needs etc, rather than going into a church. More questions followed and the final two statements as follows:
Lady: Do funds go to Buddhist organisations?
Me: ... ?? ... (I was wearing a YMCA shirt, nevertheless explains VWO thing again)
Lady: So it doesn't fund Buddhism? Good. I am a christian & am not going to donate to any Buddhists
Me: I am a buddhist but I am doing this for the people out there who needs these funds.
I was honestly really sad. Not so much because I am a buddhist, but more for the people that aren't receiving on the other end because of such perceived differences. There are Christians out there who are very very nice friends, compassionate, generous in giving for the betterment of mankind, genuine. However, this lady totally struck me as one without the intrinsic nature of humans to empathize with others predicament. Think about it, all religions teach us to do good and to help those around us, how much do we really practise what's being taught? Are we not going to give food to a starving person, give a penny to the poor man entrenched in poverty, light a smile on little children's faces.. are we not going to do all these just because they do not share our beliefs?
I don't know about you, you don't have to agree with me, but this is something I can't bring myself to do. My personal take: Serve the people you need to. 30cents, not even enough to ride on the bus with a student concession card. Just give it to those who need it, no matter who they are(as long as we can afford it). She's definitely not typical of everyone out there, so let betterment of humanity be a cause we serve. Despite religious differences, before we talk about harmony, something small like this is certainly within our capacity. We don't have to give up our beliefs(and shouldn't rather) but there are too moments that we shouldn't be that calculative either. In that much we receive each week, this is the time to give.

Anyway I was quite glad still, that the day did not conclude too badly. While a million people have been asking why I am doing YCon, let me just answer this once and for all: When I befriend my beneficiaries, their background isn't of my concern. What's most important to me is that my time spent with them can at least be a ripple to push them a step ahead in the right direction. It has certainly the least bit to do with religious faith, regarding it as a separate matter. I know this idea is damn hard to reconcile with, it's okay(I won't blame you even if you call me a hypocrite, but at least that's what I feel). I think it has come this far and that's all that matters. Next week is YCamp and I'll be attached to Bishan Home. I hope it'll work out well (:

10062009
Thursday, June 11, 2009, 6/11/2009 02:19:00 AM
Initially I had this massively long post about Flag Day today but I suppose it can only be done tomorrow because my eyes are closing as I just finished sending out PW survey invites over msn. Meeting Joey tomorrow morning and I don't want to oversleep so bye for now :D Update tomorrow afternoon :D

Not startled, like a lion at sound
Monday, June 08, 2009, 6/08/2009 11:54:00 PM
Not that I am estatic that this is my 700th post, but it's more like I think the past three days have been well spent in LimChuKang. I am back from Camp Lions once again, because there is math tomorrow.

Over the past three days, there were mosquitos and I surely got bitten. Quite a bit of movement around LCK and JP, talks to attend, games to participate in, discussions to join, group presentations and commercial designs.. all these were significantly important to this camp. However, aside the activities and efforts invested, I think my largest takeaway from this camp is yet the friendships forged. The people in my group, Kassapa -- HuiHui YeowCheong Forester HwanLing Daniel Hartono AmandaLow QiYu Xuan HuanGhee ShiHui -- were really awesome. The moments that we ran together in the sun, guided each other, came up with astonishing ideas together, did random stuff together would alwaysbe times that I treasure (:

I really appreciated it that there were friends who specially came across borders to join us here and managed to blend in with us nicely! Cultural differences has got to be tough but you guys made it through still (: Of course, I am not forgetting friends that I've not met in a long while, but managed to take time off their busy schedules to come down for camp [E.g. Marc Alvin SuHiang]! Glad that I managed to catch up with some of them (:

I don't have photos with me now because my phone battery suicided and dad was still really angry when I forgot the time ):

Sunday, June 07, 2009, 6/07/2009 10:46:00 AM
Now you may ask what am I doing here? Aren't I supposed to be in a camp at LimChuKang?
Technically I am supposed to be.

However, having skipped a few or Mr Lee's lessons already, I decided to reintegrate into civilisation for a few hours to go for his class before returning there in the afternoon. Some aspects have been cooler than I expected, others remain baffling.

I kind of regret not studying over the past few days as we're already into week two of the holidays. Most work left undone and I am still contemplating if I should go for Dr Ho's lecture/tutorial/consultation on tuesday since I've yet to embark on math. Econs or sleep for now?