Oh ya oh ya. I want to add on to my birthday wishlist! Just one more addition. LOl.

I want a cute portable FM radio from action city! =D

two surprises on 28th Jan

1) Nurul asked me to check my email regarding which year I was in. I was quite puzzled why she asked me to do so. Nonetheless, I followed her instructions. OMG. I realize... I am a year 3 now! No wonder, Francesco's (my linguistic prof) class list reflected that I am a year 3. Last Friday, when he put the list on OHP, I noticed it. And I was like "What the hell, I am year 2 la! Not year 3! Not so old." I thought there was some typo error so I ignored it. Right now, I kinda couldn't believe it. ASK said I was exempted from some AUs that's why I am prompted to year 3 now.

Mmmm. I was excited initially. Cos, this could mean that I could get out of NTU faster. After awhile, I realize "MMmm, though I get out of this suffering sooner, I will enter another one (much worse in fact) sooner too." And and, though I feel happier seeing the number increases so fast, my level of sociolgical imagination couldn't match those of the year 3 too! Guess, there is always pro(s) and con(s) for everything. I wonder.. when I introduce myself during class or cca meeting, should I say I am year 2 or 3??

I seriously hope I can get into summer studies. Looking at the situation, I don't have much chance to do it!!! Pray Pray! Hopefully, I did submit the application (cos I did not receive the acknowledgement e-mail that van received).

2) I checked the mails my mum collected from the mailbox and found this letter addressed to me from the ZOO. I found it quite weird. I was thinking they are solicting for membership or it has something to do with CURL. When I opened the envelope, I had the shock of my life. I almost wanted to cry. This is what I saw:

If you have been following my blog faithfully, I mentioned during September after celebrating Kai's birthday that I wana adopt an elephant. I wana do it during my birhday! I have forgotten about it until a few days ago I saw the application form in my drawer. However, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I've to donate $150. But I think I ought to save the sum up and use it for summer studies or ove. I told myself : "Next time ba. I shall keep this form so that I would remember".

This is really surprising. I didn't expect it!! I am touched. The problem is I have no idea who is it from! The anxiety is killing me. WILL YOU TELL ME WHO ARE U? Nevertheless, thanks ya whoever you are! =)

Btw, "my" elephant is 38 year old. Her name is Komali. During September, we watched her performed! She was quite huge; larger than the others. And mischievous too! Haha. I wana go back to the zoo and watch her perform again! =D

dinner with shan shan, zhi bang, daniel and melvin @ billy bombers on 15 Jan' 08

Hell's Kitchen
(Season 2; America)

Channel 5
Friday 11pm.

a b o u t i t:

World renowned Chief Gordon Ramsay put 12 chiefs to challenges and the winner would get to win a restaurant in Hollywood! Think Donald Trump's Apprentice, Boot Camp and American Idol.

l o v e:

The extensive Divison of Labor (DOL). It is easy on the part of customers to order, wait, complain and enjoy our meals, while there's actually complex DOL supporting the foundation of the interaction. In fact, the extend of the DOL dawns on me that what we eat is never simple!

The chaos in the kitchen. Okies, I am sadist. I enjoy the yelling, cursing and clumsiness revolving round the pressure to serve quickly in the kitchen. It is funny to see how blur some of the apprentice chiefs become under pressure. (E.g: Forgot to switch on oven or turn on the stove while cooking, serve cold spaghetti, meat caught in fire...) and how Ramsay and the assistant chiefs reacted ("you forget to switch on the oven, stupid!; Maron, you get out of my kitchen..). Haha.

The Experts (in all senses). Some of the apprentices are passionate and good at cooking and calm at handling Chief Ramsay's insults. While some are doing a good job at pissing their peers. Others are conspiring away.


d i s l i k e:

The excessive cursing and usiage of the F-words. I watched an online uncensored clip on one of the episodes. 95% of Chief Ramsay's curses include an F-Word at minimum. Wow, Hell's Kitchen is another show other than American Pie to learn how to use the F-word so creatively! Gosh. However, I think he is trying to create this highly stressful environment and coach the apprentice to adopt to the pressures. Nonetheless, the swearing is a bit over for me.

w e b s i t e:

http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/


c l i p:

p.s: anyone know where to watch Hell's Kitchen online??

i am darn bored!

Seriously, BORED to my core!

Supposed to start catching up with the piling reading in library but.. my body doesn't wana follow my plan. Rescue me from this darkness. gosh!

I am pinning my hope on the approaching Lunar New Year and birthday celebration to chase away the dullness. Kai and san, jia you planning ar! ><>

okies. I wana draw out my birthday wishlist to feel a bit excited! Lol.

Green's Birthday Wishlist:
Hardness Level One
1) Cute apron or glove for oven.
2) Very pretty, cute and classy water bottle (my nike one cmi! wetting my notes, bag and irints organizer again...)
3) Goldfish
4) Vouchers (Preferably Isetan)
5) CAKES! Cupcakes, tiramisu, mango cake, durian strudel... But no chocolate cake please. Don't know why I will puke whenever I eat it.

Hardness Level Two
1) Excitement, thrills
2) Ring (if you know my size. haha)
3) Digital Camera
4) Amaze me aesthetically

Hardness lever Three
1) Make the school accept my Summer Studies application
2) Find me a husband
3) Find me a part time job


okies! I must pull myself together! To end this aimless purpose, I wana say something meaningful: AH SAN, I WANA GO SHOPPING!

Who are you!?!

We discussed about food preference and allergies during Sociology of Food tutorial. Prof Benjamin was asking about extraordinary allergy. I remember some one tell me that he/she is allergic to rice. I couldn't remember who is he or she. I wonder is the person one of my friends or some one from TV. Help me! I have been thinking about it for the day and still no answer!

I WAS THERE.

Toured NUS yesterday with my guides, Choon Guan and Soon Wei. Wow. NUS is really DA DA DA! I walked till my feet are blistered. And, they are expanding their campus some more! They have another campus in Bukit Timah for the law faulty. And, 2 more campuses at Outram and the fomer Warren golf course (opposite Singapore Polytechnic) coming up! It was an eye-opener. Now, I understand why they weren't impressed with NTU. Haha.

There are a few things that I am impressed about:

1) The Music Library.
Can you believe it?!?! They have a music library!?! A library specially for music? It is coool!

2) The NUS Museum
NUS has its own museum!!! There displays various type of art work ranging from South Asia to China, from past to present, etc. We managed we walked around for awhile and I admit that the exhibition was quite good. It is comparable to those at Esplanade. I hope to go back some day

3) Chancellors!
I told the guys that I would already be super impressed if they brought me to the University Hall only! Not only, is the hall decorated with pretty art works, they have large oil paintings of their present and past chancellors! What the hell?!?! Fine fine that NUS has chancellors! Guess wat, guess what??? THeir chancellors are all big shots!!! They are present and late presidents of Singapore!! Wow! One of the past chancellors this British guy called Malcolm MacDonald. Don't really know who he is, but he is something like the governor during the 1940s for Malaysia and Singapore. Wow wow! Damn zai! How come NTU has no chancellors??

4) Better Welfare
They are more ATM and vending machines around the campus. Even for their vending machines, some have special drinks like Jap drinks and Coffees! And, they have vending machines at their bus stops!! GOOD good!!!! And and, they have a EzLINK top up machine! So convenient! And and, they have a post office!! I mean a POST OFFICE, not a S.A.M machine.

However. there are a few things I don't really like:
1) Library
NUS's libraries are really impressive. They have ample collection of books, and study tables. I think their smallest library will be much better than HSS library lo! But but, I don't like the fact that you need to have a library pass in order to go enter. I really don't see the point. Only NUS students can use the resources, how about other students? That was why I couldn't enter the music library. Cos.. the extra card was returned to CG's friend. haha.

2) The Campus is too big!
At least from North Spine, I can walk very fast to go to class in South Spine. In the case of NUS, you really need to take shuttle bus to go to another side. Have to rely on shuttle bus, which I am not too keen. However, maybe their classes are not scattered around. So, should be okies.

Overall, I won't say that I've regretted going to NTU. I think both universities have their areas of expertise. And, we (the students) have our fond memories and friends which make us feel attached to our university. No doubt, I am proud of NUS. They are doing Singapore proud and make Singapore visible on the world map.

Big THANK YOU to:
1) Soon Wei. Thanks for planning and making the trip so wonderful! Thanks for not letting me walk all the way ar! Haa! And, thanks for waking me when I fell asleep during your lecture. =D

2) Choon Guan. Thanks for planning and explaning stuff aroud! Sorry that you didn't get to do your project! =( hOpe your friends are all right.. Hope you all can finish the project and score well!

swiming with san

Went to the new swimming complex at Jurong point with san yesterday. It is very much like the one @ Jurong East. However, the water for this pool is forever chilling coooold!! And.. there were alot of people. It was kinda hard to swim without bumping into anyone. Then again, this is commonly on Sundays.. SO happy! Finally got to swim with san and tan!! Finally a healthy dosage of fun, joy and sun!

After swimming, we went to visit san's sis and nephew to seek shelter from the rain! Keke. Her sis, ah cai, welcomed us warmly and her husband cooked our lunches! We played the cute BB! And I even got a ride for ah cai jie to JP interchange. What a day!!! Thanks for the fun, ah san! Thanks for the hospitality, ah cai jie and her husband! =D

我有狗屎运!

LOok! This is the banner we helped to decorate yesterday for Arts from the Heart. It was my first time painting one!! All turned out okies. This girl from ADM (Arts, Design and Media) drew all the pictures and wordings! After we completed out painting, she added some magical touches that made the whole painting stand out!! Arts, indeed creates wonders!

( can you feel the difference ? )


________________________________

This conversation I had on last Sunday with this auntie while I was looking after the junks we'd collected from a block at Bishan, lingers in my mind all week. She loved to splurge during sales and ended up not using those purchases. In the end, she had to clear quite a lot of clothings that were new. She said that she made an effort not to go to sales anymore cos she could save thousands from these impulse purchases.

I have a bag of clothings collecting dust in a corner too. Though they don't cost as much as the auntie's, I believe there are a few hundred bucks wasted there. Those clothings no longer fit me, out of fashion or I don't like them anymore. I know it is unhealthy mentally and financially to splurge and buy on impulse but I can't stop the urge. Sales are always tempting us to fall into their traps. Advertisements are always targeting woman and constantly redefining beauty in term of consumption.

I vow to not fall into the prey of over-consumption in the year 2008! I am glad to announce that so far I have not purchase unnecessary or get stuffs on impulse! Thanks to san ( =D ) I did not get any clothing that I would regret buying!
________________________________

Yesterday night was kinda sucky. I hated it when to argue with her cos it is mentally and emotionally taxing. It was easing the tension though. I feel that I can finally move on without that burden in my chest.

I was grateful to have Sab listening to me and advising me! And, she remembers my birthday and wants to celebrate with me if I have no date! And and, i told her about my intention to go for summer studies. She encouraged me to go cos it is a good exposure. I told her money is a big issue. Exchange rate for Euro Dollar is double and standard of living there is higher. She volunteers to lend me money if I don't have enough. All I have to do is to let her know earlier so she could save up! I was very touched. =)

My sister encourages me to go to summer studies too. In fact, she said GIP and Instep (which has a longer duration) is better. I replied that GIP and Instep are more expensive and my grades won't give me a placement. She said just go and try la. Money side, she will take care of it. No matter what, she will dig out the amount! She made this interesting comment. She said that I should just try cos 我有狗屎运!

Haha! Quite true! 我有狗屎运! I i am not the smart, pretty, talented, eloquent, rich or popular. However, I managed to scrape through life and never fall too seriously from grace. I don't know how but I managed to make it into university with my lousy grades. I have some good friends and family to salvage me from my blurness and ignorance. I may not have all but I have the best! Indeed, 狗屎运! =D

Only first week of school??? How come I feel like school has started for a month? Meetings and lectures that stretch on and on makes every minute ticking pass slowly. And the readings are piling up.. Unbelievably, Prof B. has added so many readings. Sob! Ah biao's module has so many homeworks to do. Lagging behind le!! Lol. I swear these days my only excitement comes from watching Huang Jin Lu and Hwang Jin Yi! Nonetheless, spasm of anticipation are lingering in my spine.. Cos... CHINESE NEW YEAR is coming! Yahhhhhhhhhoooooo to all the eatings, the hong baos, the stream boat, and all the Lunar New Year tv specials (hope there will be stephen chow's show).

What's more... Jay's new movie is screening soon! Oh ya. I've been so busy with my days that I have totally forgotten about Jay's concert. The other day, I was listening to his songs. I realized how much I miss him. Mmm. Not entirely miss him, but rather the days of innocence. Those days when I would do crazy things because I did not have much to consider. Kinda feel sad! Cos.. one more week he will be performing and I will not get to breathe the air is contaminated with those he exhales. =(

Oh ya, led a tour group yesterday. I brought Choong Guan and Soon Wei around the campus. Okies. I was late cos I overslept. So sorry guys! They went to my linguistic lecture. After lecture, we went to The Quod for lunch and walked around the campus. Gosh.. I realized NTU really has nothing much to show them. NTU has blocks of grey buildings and nothing much. I struggled to find fountains and statues to salvage NTU's reputation but... to no avail! It's okies to me really. After all, already in here for so long, I am used to it. I can't wait to go to NUS.. The way they described their campus, it sounds like museum to me.. I have to witness it! And, take photo with that "I am here" thing advertised by CG and SW! Lol.

Went to the tuition today. Thought it will be my final session. Who knows, my tutee wasn't there. She has to go collect her bursary. Next week gonna go back again! Sian, the auntie will ask me how come no pass again. @*(#@&$(

Deli Aprecio's Muffin Day

Went to Deli Apprecio's Baking Muffin Day at Chen Su Lin Methodist Children's Home on 5th January 2008. Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home is a Christian home which take in needy, disadvantages or children with special needs. The home has a lot of facilities and the furnishing looks very new!

Mmm. I do not know how to classify my time spend over there. I guess, eye opening shall be it. I did not really have a great time with the kids there (if I compare this experience with those in Philippines). Our group, Snow White, got this girl from Primary 6 and 3 younger boys. The girl was quite a problem. She wanted to be with her friends and was reluctant to mix with the other guys. So, Snow White got some reshuffling cos the boys don't wana be Snow White, the girl wana be with her friends. In the end, the girl and 3 of her friends formed the "legendary" Snow White team.

Why I used legendary? We were supposed to play warm-up game (going around burst balloons). They did not want to join in, saying that they didn't want to play or scared of balloon. Once one girl said no, the others followed suit. In the end, we pulled out of the game. Asked them to listen to some nutrition talk, they sat aside and threw pebbles. Asked them to watch magic show, they escaped to the kitchen and watched after their muffins. We asked them to do this, they made comments back! It was really hard to control them!!

However, girls are girls!! Haha. When we got down to muffin baking, they were very enthusiastic. They did things orderly and took turns to make sure each of them got their turn at every stage. In the end, our Snow WHite Muffin got the best decorated muffin prize!!! Haa. Indeed, our muffin looked, smelt and tasted the best! At the end of the day, I was proud of them!


the home @ Serangoon Garden area


upon entry


we dodging the "paparazzi"


wenqi and daniel


me, melvin and hui fang


we chatting. leaving the couple at their qing qing wo wo!



our supposed Snow White team.


the girls and our award winning muffins!

we all couldn't wait to eat them.


wenqi finishing her muffin.


me eating and wanting more muffins!

Dinner date (Shan shan, Dan and Mel)

Here's a video by dan. Ignore the first few pictures. The pictures at the back are taken from the dinner date on 4th Jan which I could not attend. Btw dan, the music is shala!

(+ my apple strudel +)

While I was rushing to meet ah san, I saw DURIANS!!! Durians strudel popped into my mind!! Suddenly, I had cravings for durian strudel! After, San and I settled ourselves in the optical shop, she got something out of her bag.. APPLE STRUDEL!!!! She wanted to get durian strudel for me but she was afraid that I dont like durian. IT is okies!! I am so happy already that I have apple strudel to eat!!! ><

Tonight's dinner was a junk food feast! We had Munchy donuts and curly fries!! All the transfat but who cares! I enjoyed my dinner and the companion! keke! A time well spent for the last few days of the vacatioN! Thank you ah san! Mmm. Jialat! I haven't even start my second sems of year 2 and I am already excited and busy planning what to do during my 3 months vacation! loL!


the sweetest apple strudel!

Managed to rush home for abit of Huang Jin Lu but thanks to AJ for the updates. =) I lingered around to eat a bit of my apple strudel. Saw this piece of stunning news! MC King passed away sia. I saw him a few weeks ago in Bugis. He looks very healthy, really didn't expect him to pass away. All the talks about death... Suddenly I feel that human being can be so helpless too. We may be able to control our environment, triumph over the animals and even our own kind. Sometimes, the larger force out there make us vulnerable too...

my new year day.

On my new year day, I visited my great-grandmother, with my sister, brother and mother. She was hospitalized due to severe indigestion. Apparently, she had some operations years ago and the doctor screwed up. In the end, her small intestine and big intestine got tangled up and caused a disruption to the system. The doctor said that she might leave anytime. The auntie who took care of her was so sad that she kept crying. =(

Seeing her taking each breath with agony, I wonder would death be a relief to her ?? I couldn't remember how long has she been like this.. but it is at least for 5 years that she couldn't move, talk, eat by herself. She just sits or lays there, waiting to be fed, waiting for her motions to be cleared, waiting for someone to move her. Would it be a relief for her?? Or it is simply cruel to take away a life just like this?? Hope that whichever way it is... there will be no complication.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the hospital trip, the 3 of us went for dinner without mum before we headed head. It has been SUPER long since the three of us last eat out together. My sister treated us to Pizza Hut. I find the festival promotion quite okies but my brother had a hard time!! He ordered the curry baked rice and said that taste disgusting. On our way to FairPrice, he couldn't stand and have to go to the washroom to puke. Lol.

As promised AJ, here is the introduction to my siblings. I have a younger sister and brother. Yesh, I am the eldest and I couldn't believe it too. My sister is a year younger than me and is currently looking for a perm job. My brother is nineteen this year and is doing his final year in Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

my sister and her boyfriend, bernard


from the left, my brother with his good friend.

updates on 24th Dec 2007 to 31st Dec 2007*~ part 3

~ 31st December 2007, Monday ~

Met up with the Kukus today! I think all of us have matured abit, except Chelsy!! She is still as crazy as ever! Lol. She went to alot of place; Italy, France, Germany!! OMG! So lucky of her!! We went to Sab's and Amy's area for fish streamboat. The food is normal but Sab and Amy said alot of people went down there for dinner de. Weird. Keke. Den we walked to Bugis and wandered around. After Chelsy left, we went to the arcade!! Sab and I raced again! She lost because a little boy went and banged her! keke. Then when HuiYi, we went to TCC and slacked.

Overall, it was a little awkward. But it is natural. 1 to 2 years of empty spaces between us, it is normal that we feel weird initially. Hope that the next gathering will be better. Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself. =D

[ finally, sab and i took a nicer picture! ]


[ my Rose Juliet! With ice cream some more!!! I really love roses in my drink!! ]


[ amy and me ]

updates on 24th Dec 2007 to 31st Dec 2007*~ part 2

~ 27th December 2007, Thursday ~

Met up with Ah Ju, Biao Mei (Sheryln), Kelly, Long Qing, Ronald and Ian for dinner. The initial plan was to go to Waruka Pasta but Ronald did not make any reservation. Haha. Sheryln gave him some "music". Luckily, I did not get much scolding when I did not book for TCC on 24th. Keke.

I tried the Unagi Fried rice and it tasted good, like claypot rice with Unagi! Ronald got a Terayaki Don. While the rest tried the paper streamboats. Heard from them that the portion was really small! Later on, the girls tried the tempura ice-cream and the potato cheese mochi. The former was quite okies though the others felt it was normal. BUT BUT... THE POTATO CHEESE MOCHI WAS SUPER HEAVENLY!!! TRY IT, TRY IT!!! At the end of the meal, I was surprised that Long Qing volunteered to treat us. It was so generous of her! We went to walk walk around Esplanade. As usual, we took a lot of pictures!!! How can we not with Sheryln around?? Lol.

[ From left to right: Thong Lun, Ronald, Ian, Sherlyn, Long Qing, Me and Kelly. ]

[ the girls. ]

[ what to eat?? everything seems nice!]

[ paper streamboat. i wonder how come the paper can withstand the heat and soup? ]


[ Ronald's terayaki don ]


[ potato cheese mochi ]

[ the guys. Ronald and Ian slipping their soda while Ah Ju watching them. ]

[ the cousins - Biao Ge and Biao Mei ]

They had 5000 spheres with wishes floating on Marina Bay. There was this spheres with the drawing of a girl and a boy. Damn scary sia. We could see the girl very clearly. Though it is some drawing, we felt that it seemed like some girl head floating there!! Wa!!

[ the head! ]

At the Esplande, there is a display of colorful artwork by YOUNG kids! They are so cute and colourful!! I can't believe it. They are done by the kids. Suddenly, I feel that Singapore's future is sparkingly bright with these creative kids as her pillars of support.

And, I got a very unique card on that day! It is a limited edition card from TL Production. When I first opened the envelope, the card looked so simple and sweet! I turned to the back of the card in anticipation of some messages. But there was none. I felt very puzzled. Then I realized that the hat could be opened! And, the message was hidden there!!! Gosh. So cute!! This is the best hand made card I ever received! Simple, cute, sweet, creative and surprising, all at the same time!!! Thank you, Ah Ju!!

I wana thanks Shu Ting also. She gave me another snow globe during Christmas Eve. When I was tidying up my room, I realized that she is constantly adding on to my snow globe collection. I am so touched that she still remembers... Thank you my dear!

~ 28th December 2007, Friday ~

Met up with Ah Seow to buy his mother's side table at Ikea and explored the wonders of home accessories. When I touched every item, I couldn't wait to decorate my own house. Then, afther everything, we went to fill our stomach with yummy MEATBALLS!!!

Later, Ah Seow dropped me off at bugis and I dropped my handphone while waiting for the OVE'07 people to reach. My heart really ached. There are a couple of serious damages done!! Arugh!

Had Tian Tian Streamboat!! Mmm... Not really a huge fan anyway. Since Jeremy took the initiative to plan it, shouldn't be too fussy then. The ma la soup is damn spicy lei!!! The gathering was also to send Kian Boon to US. Time really flies.. Clarence is back from China also le.. Youth is really scanty sia. Lol.

~ 30th December 2007, Sunday ~

Went to "The Extreme Night" exhibition t Expo with Francis. The exhibition was quite disappointing. There was a limited range of modified cars displayed. And some of those displayed were not really impressive. I would say, it was quite disappointing as it failed to entice one to engage in deeper exploration of the "art". I witnessed something interesting. There were quite a few models posing around the cars wearing skimpy clothings. Initially, when we entered the exhibition hall, there wasnt much crowd gathered around the cars. Suddenly, we realized that there was a huge crowd out of nowhere. Francis said that normally this kinda crowd was attracted by the models rather than the cars. True enough, when the models moved to pose with the next car, the pack followed them like bees attracted to honey, metals attracted to magnets, sharks attracted to blood.

This went on without failed. We did a minor experiment. We went to peek on what was on the camera screen. LOl. Again, true enough!! The people were mostly taking pictures of the models rather than the car! Muhaha. Tsk tsk!! I dunno why the skimpy clothed models must be presented. Benson said it is a must for car show. But I am thinking, "Go there see car or gal??

Outside of the exhibition hall, there was a display of real live action!! Some regional drifters (those who drift?? are they called that??) were doing REAL TIME DRIFTING in the carpark. Yeah!!! Normally, I watched people drifted on TV, in movie and clips, in arcade but never the real action right in front of me!!! This time round, we could hear the roar of the engines, screeching of the tyres, smell the friction generated from the rough contact between the wheels and the road. Every cell in my body was breathing in excitment drawn from the exhaust pipe, the steering wheel, the brakes, the turbo engine.. everything!! OMG! I want to drive. I want to drift. I want to drive and drift!

San, Sab, Choon mei, they are all learning diving now. Sab even got her license! Now Chai Hong told me she has registered herself for lessons!!! I am so envy!! Waiting and wishing for my turn to come!