Tiny Thoughts...

Believe -

2006-11-06T22:40:00.000-08:00

Hmm..
Time flies..

It's been a hectic but interesting year..
The final exams are over..
And this semester will end in two weeks time.

In the meanwhile,
I am catching up with the lost time..

Children sleeping
Snow is softly falling
Dreams are calling like bells in the distance
We were dreamers not so long ago
But one by one we all had to grow up.

When it seems the magic slipped away
We find it all again on Christmas day.

Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate.

Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe.

Trains move quickly to their journey's end
Destinations are we begin again
Ships go sailing far across the sea
Trust in starlight
To get where they need to be.

When it seems that we have lost our way
We find ourselves again on Christmas day.

Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate.

Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe.

If you just believe..
If you just believe..
If you just believe..

Just believe..
Just believe..

Nice song by Josh Groban
From the movie Polar Express...
It speaks volume...

.:: Meaningful ::.

2006-10-02T23:22:00.000-07:00

Given another shot at life,
I would seize every minute...
look at it and really see it...
live it...
and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you,
who has more,
or who's doing what.

Instead,
let's cherish the relationships
we have with those who do love us.

- Erma Bombeck

I couldn't help but to steal this quote
from an old friend...
staroftexas
all the best
and many thanks...

Mark 11:24

2006-08-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 12:30

2006-08-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Once More...

2006-07-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

It was a long semestral break..
I lazed around and idled away hours..

And yes..
The break allowed me to catch up on several things..

Back to school once more..
I'm glad to be back..

Honestly..
I love everything..

Simply..
Life is beautiful..

Semestral Break!!

2006-05-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

Hip Hip Hooray!!

Four weeks of semestral break..

Attended some talks on..
Sickle-clawed dinosaurs of the Southern Hemisphere by Peter Makovicky,
In search of Bird's Ancestors by Xu Xing,
Variation and Sexual Dimorphism in Tyrannosaurus rex by Peter Larson..

After all these sessions..
Yeah, I learned about some species known as the Adasaurus..
Sounds cool, doesn't it?

Followed by talks on..
Re-making Language, Re-defining Life by Larry Smith..

Followed by 2 Math Olympaids Competitions..

Followed by..
Sigh..

I need my break..
I really do..
I wish to ice-skate..

Semestral Exams..

2006-05-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

The exams are drawing near..
My preparation ought to be on full gear..

Judging by the piles of files..
Which one shall I start revising now..

Let me pray for God's guidance..

The LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6

After the exams..
I couldn't wait to watch the musical GREASE...
As well as other holiday plans..

Thunderstorms -

2006-05-01T19:23:00.000-07:00

Lately..

We have been getting this..
Unusual run of thunderstorms..

Streaks of lightning..
And flashes..
Accompanied by torrential downpour..

My mom has a strange habit..
All electronic gadgets are prohibited..
As far as I am concerned..

Sigh..
No talking on the handphone..
No practising on the piano..
No plugging on the ipod..

Oh yes..
I've received an ipod nano
A slickly classic black..
A gift from my Uncle Nicholas..

The bug..

2006-04-23T22:38:00.000-07:00

I am down with flu..
I am miserable..

Where did I catch the bug?
A nice guy enquired..

I dunno..
That was my answer..

Haizz..
And despite the flu shot..
I am still vulnerable.

Relief -

2006-04-21T00:15:00.000-07:00

Heaving an audible sigh of relief..

These three silent killers..
Biology, Chemistry and Physics..
The tests had just been over..

Juggling the sciences, arts and humanities..
Math, music and three languages..
Hmph.. not exaggerating..
They were driving me bonkers!!

The therapeutic effect of writing..
Is calming and relaxing..
Cos I'd just stolen a moment..
To post a short story..

This is for you..
ada-timetraveller

Another art of expression..

2006-04-20T23:28:00.000-07:00

Today my mom came home with a picture..

It was sketched in pencil..
In the most child-like manner..

A boy standing next to a girl..
With their arms akimbo..

What captured my attention most..
Were the downturned mouths of the two kiddos..

It was drawn by a six-year-old girl..
From a broken home..

And this is her art of expression..
Depicting her inner feelings and thoughts..

The art of expression..

2006-04-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday..
In the 2-D Arts Room..
I was rushing to finish a piece of landscape painting..
As instructed by the Fine Arts teacher..

We mixed up the acrylic paint..
Palettes tipped and brushes dipped..
Blots and blotches..
Swirls and twirls..

When it was time to paint the background..
I mused, "What colour shall I use?"
GH smiled, "Dark Black"
HY grinned, "Darker Black"
DS chuckled, "Darkest Black"

So finally..
I blended in a shade of scarlet black..
To be quite honest..
Which sent quite a shudder down my back..

With several indecisive strokes and careless dabs..
I touched up that undefined patch..

In a jiffy..
And a quick thrust..
I submitted this mess to my Fine Arts teacher.

Swimming Test -

2006-04-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Phew..

After the countless and endless laps..
My lungs were bursting and burning..
My limps were floundering wildly and madly..
In the icy cold water..

My mind was focused on Jay Chou's song Hei Se Mao Yi..
My eyes were fixed on DL..
No matter how hard I kicked..
He was always half a lap ahead..

One events after another..
I was on the verge of drowning..
And on the brink of death..

Not an aquatic mammal..
Nor someone adept at water skill..
This precious moment..
Now or never..

I managed to complete all the events..
In a dream-like state..
And passed the test..
And obtained a Silver certificate..
At the expense of my life..

Today we saw the swimming coach in the admin office..
We almost couldn't recognise him..
Cos this was the first time we saw him fully clothed..
Hehe..

Japanese Class -

2006-04-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Japanese class has always been fun..

It's been the fourth month since I have taken up this module..
I was contemplating on the choices of German, French and Japanese..
For the third language module.

I was indecisive..
German or French class..
Never did I realise..
After watching some Japanese videos..
My heart overruled my mind..

Yeah, it was a last minute decision..
I remembered..
When I signed up for the Japanese class..

A foreign tongue..
A whole new culture..
A brand new batch of classmates..
And a graceful and sophisticated teacher..

Now, I enjoy my japanese class..
Despite the extra tests and assignments..
Every lesson unfolds..
New knowledge..
And better understanding..

But the best of all..
Is the sharing..
Our laughter..
Our secrets..
Our joy..
Just like a treasure trove..
Locked away in the third language class..

Swimming lessons..

2006-04-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

The weekly swimming lessons would be over soon..
So much for all the fun in the pool..

It was a sight to behold..
Girls and guys splashing one another..
When the coaches weren't watching..
Flirting..

The relays were fun though..
Front-strokes, side-strokes, back-strokes and free-style..
We had them all..

And worst of all..
A swimming test..
Coming up next..
To end it all..

Hectic pace...

2006-03-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

The school term started once again..
And we were rushed into submitting our projects..
Not without much hassles..
New projects were assigned..
Grappling with the shortening days..
I sighed.

Wish we could slow down our pace..
Take a moment to appreciate our days..
Wish we could spice up our hours..
Take a moment to appreciate the flowers..

Feel like picking up "Wuthering Heights" once more..
If I could afford the time for another reading..
Heathcliff and Catherine..
How endearing..

Cute -

2006-03-19T23:42:00.000-08:00

It's all over..

2006-03-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

Who would have believed..
That time flies..
It fleeted..
It glided..
Straight into the abyss of the unknown..
As silently as it arrived.

Anticipation mingled with anxiety..
I welcomed it with opened arms..
Who would have believed..
Before I could spend it wisely..
To stretch it a little longer..
I'm left with nothing in my palms.

Where did my time go..
When did it vanish..

Wish I could trap it..
Hold it and treasure it..
Alas..
I've just wasted it..
And it's all over now..

Twinge of guilt...

2006-03-16T23:17:00.000-08:00

We met at the MRT station..
The 3 guys and me.
Before everyone proceeded to my house..
For the discussion of a project.

We did many things..
Except the project thingy.
DL, CW, SR and I logged on the computer and lappy..
Idling away the afternoon hours.

We sucked on peppermints..
We chewed on fruit gums..
We drank icy root-beer..
We snacked on chocolate fudge..

Watching AMVs and listening to MP3..
Bantering and laughing..

Nobody really cared about the project in waiting..

Now..
The twinge of guilt is acting up..
Procrastination..
I say.

Youth Group - Amazing Race

2006-03-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

Today's message by Ps. Jeremy was "The Wrestle of Life"

At 12 noon sharp, we were assigned into different groups..
Much to everyone's excitement.

My group had only four girls and the guys made up the rest..
And the race began.

We stopped at the assigned stations and did some silly and crazy stuff..
Since we were the youngest in the group among older guys who were at least eighteen years old, we were bullied into performing ridiculous tasks.

The girls wanted to quit when we reached Harbour Front..

Donning his cool sunshades..
And flashing his megawatt smiles..
Ps. Jeremy, the "Tom Cruise" lookalike..
Had no difficulty blending among the adolescents..
Despite the fact that he looked more like a tourist..
Than a youth group's pastor.

The amazing race ended where it started..
At the Joy Chapel.

Over-indulgence -

2006-03-11T23:22:00.000-08:00

Since the first day of the term's break..
I had been over-indulgent..
I must admit.

On the first day..
I re-visited the Asian Civilisation Museum..
Much to my dismay.

I treated myself to my favourite Haagen-Dazs' ice-cream..
Hmm..
Seated by the tall glass windows..
I savoured the Waffle Dream and Melon Fruit Medley..
Watching busy shoppers milling around..
Smiling at the curious children stopping at the techno-fountain..
My lazy afternoon.

On the way home..
I dropped by Marks & Spencer..
My favourite chips and pretzels..
My favourite milk bars and chocolate cookies..
Hmm..
Over-indulgence.

On the second day..
I lazed around..
Had my piano lessons and played duets with my teacher..
Much ado about nothing..
Indulged in watching Westlife's "The Number Ones Tour" DVD..
Till I was all too sleepy..

Over-indulgence..
Once more.

Happy Holidays =P

2006-03-10T00:25:00.000-08:00

Hurray, the holidays are here once more..

After a series of tests, tests, nothing but tests...
The term's break finally arrived.

Yeah..
Let me enjoy the holidays to the fullest..
Let me succumb to my cravings..
Let me sit back and relax..
Let me watch the sunsets..

De-stressing in progress =PPPPPPPPPPPP

Resemblance -

2006-03-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is just pure coincidence..
One might conclude.

A new acquaintance reminded me of an old friend..
They shared so much similarities..
Appearance..
Articulation..
Mannerism..
Reaction..

Coincidental..
Ironical..
That the two aren't acquainted nor related at all..
But to have so much resemblance to each other..
Perhaps, it's a small world after all..

Regrets..

2006-03-03T23:15:00.000-08:00

Our field trip to the Asian Civilisation Museum
Was a complete fiasco.

Things went out of control..

An elite and highly prestigious school..
Its reputation was tarnished
So as to say..
By our wilful way.

P.S. everyone is expected to write an apology note to the curator

I hope this will do..
Here I go..

Dear Mr Curator,

A thousand of apologies..
For the din we created..
Our first visit..
Was really a visual treat..
A hundred and fifty of us..
Crammed into the limited floor area..
Whispers were amplified..
Without the aid of any amplifiers..
Shush...
A hundred and fifty folds..
Is equivalent to a deafening row..

Please forgive us..

Living..

2006-02-27T22:10:00.000-08:00

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.
-Harold B. Melchart

Repose..

2006-02-22T23:55:00.000-08:00

Perhaps..
I have been feeling a little tired lately,
due to tonnes of assignments and projects..
I'm overwhelmed..
and deprived of a good night sleep since the start of the semester..

The camel, at the close of day,
Kneels down upon the sandy plain
To have his burden lifted off
And rest again.

My soul, thou too should to thy knees
When daylight draweth to a close,
And let thy Master lift the load
And grant repose.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
-Anonymous

The time of my life..

2006-02-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

I started blogging after my national exam last year..

During the school vacation from Oct to Dec 2005:

When I was still young and gay..
Some special friends really made my days..
I experienced the best moments in life..

We spent most of our time chatting on the MSN..
We spent most of our time chatting on the phone..
We spent most of our time smsing one another..
We spent our time watching movies..
We spent our time visiting the library..

I miss those friends, those days, those wonderful time..
Most of the events were remembered and published in print..
In my ada-icecreamstix
Those were my innocent days..

summerstrangerwas inspired by a post by staroftexas..
We shared the same sentiment one day..
This bloggie depicts a different stage of my life..
When I was no longer as naive and innocent..
For I'm a little older..
A little wiser..

ada-timetraveller is created out of boredom..
Well.. not really..
I kinda use it for posting some random thoughts..
And now, I am posting a story which I wrote last Nov..
A chapter each time..
For sharing..

This humble story, which was hastily written, was a very meaningful piece of work..
I will always remember those moments..
Those moments filled with joy..
Those moments filled with tears..
Those growing up pains..

Variations..

2006-02-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

Different piano pieces which I mastered at different stages.. induced different effects on my mind and heart, both desirable and undesirable..

Currently, I am struggling to master 'Variations on the Kanon' by Johann Pachelbel..
YM is confident that I will fall in love with this piece.
He is right indeed.
I simply love it.

Some pieces take my mind away to some distant lands..
Some pieces bring back fond memories once lost..

Every piece spins a different story..
Every piece induces a different feeling..

When I play a piece..
I remember someone..
I remember moments..

The Swing-

2006-02-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

On my way to the swimming pool this morning..
I spotted the swing with the blue framework.

The swing had definitely held many fond memories for someone..
It was right over there that they had their first meeting..
It was right over there that they fell for each other..
It was right over there that they confessed their feelings..

He took the route by the swing, just to chance upon her..
He was disappointed when she was no where in sight..
He was heart-broken there and then..

At the swing, she offered to rekindle their relationship..
At the swing, she smiled shyly and spoke with her eyes..
At the swing, she offered him her first kiss..

Yeah, that swing..
That was mentioned many times when someone shared his story..
I spotted it today..
I could have seen the couple by the swing..
Sharing their happiest moment together..
By the swing with the blue framework..

Foolish..

2006-02-19T17:08:00.000-08:00

Some friends thought I was foolish to quit the Astronomy Club for Jounalism Club..

First - it is not easy to enrol into the Astro club...
Second - it is cool to be its member...
Third - Astro members have the privileges to use the observatory for gazing stars and such...

I'm quitting for many reasons..

Star-gazing is cool...
I still prefer writing..
Foolish..
Well..
Let me be..

Promises..

2006-02-11T23:20:00.000-08:00

I know,
This day will never arrive,
The day when those words would be honoured..

Time proves,
I have learned,
I cannot trust those words at their face value..

Nevertheless,
If it is still a promise,
An empty promise it will be..

May I forget..

2006-02-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

May I forget what ought to be forgotten; and recall, unfailing, all that ought to be recalled, each kindly thing, forgetting what might sting.
-Mary Caroline Davies

Awkwardness -

2006-02-10T18:05:00.000-08:00

I chanced upon Siva last evening..
We live in the same neighbourhood and he is one year my senior.

As I was making my way home by the Ginza route, down the slope.. I spotted him.
Now, he is very tall and lanky.
We caught each other's eyes and smiled awkwardly.
Silence.
He looked tired.. I suppose the hectic schedule in school had taken a toll on him..

Now, I begin to feel tired too..
After a hard day's work!!

Whisper of the Heart

2006-02-09T23:27:00.000-08:00

I have watched "Whisper of the Heart" more than three times..

The mastery artworks, theme, music are excellent. A highly-esteemed blogger friend of mine, will definitely give his fullest support.

Quite vividly, I remembered my very first preview of "Totoro" when I was four.. since then, I have been attracted to these Japanese anime.. especially from the archives of Studio Ghibli. XD

Presently, I am taking up Japanese as my third language module, and I do hope it will do some good to me when I watch Japanese anime... that I might be able to understand the spoken language than relying on the English subtitles..

P.S. I'd posted some favourite pics in my icecream-stix bloggie, I guess.. somewhere in the mid-nov last year..
Yeah.. and those were the days..
And I am missing out something these days...
And when I browsed through my other bloggie a short while ago, I realized I had left a huge chunk of me behind, metaphorically, in my dearest bloggie.
I could never recreate those moments, with those special friends and in those places again.

This is reality, teach me please..

Hair colour...

2006-02-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

Well.. after many hours spent in the swimming pools learning the various styles, my hair colour was transformed to a lighter hue.

I had several encounters with the discipline master last year when he suspected that my hair was deliberately dyed... And not too long ago, a Y4 senior was also not convinced that my hair was bleached by the chlorine in the pool.

Someone suggested that I should have it closely cropped... and then avoid the pool for a few months, so as to allow my hair to be restored to its original shade.

That's what I 've done.. hehe !! XD.

Then, the next big blow came when the high school made a shocking announcement that we shall have swimming lessons on every Monday mornings... starting from next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aaarghhh !!!!

Change -

2006-02-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.
-George Bernard Shaw

The young boy who sat beside me..

2006-02-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

I caught the movie "I not stupid" Part II.
Well, it was not a tearjerker but it did induce some stinging hot tears.

Hmm... there was this young boy about eleven years old, who sat beside me that went sniffling (rather audibly) throughout the show. He sniffled and snorted, clutching an obvious piece of tear-saturated tissue ball which travelled from his eyes to his nose and vice versa. I was kinda distracted by his outward display of emotions that I had to admit I cast more glances at him than the big screen.

The movie was another typical Jack Neo's production. His review on our educational system through the big screen is well received again. Cool, man!

CNY muses... (The Eve)

2006-01-31T23:52:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year was ushered ... without any big bang. Woof, woof, tis' the year of the dog. Hmph... I grumbled about attending my third language class on its eve. No one was really in a mood for any language class, in fact. I was not, in anyway, enthusiastic too.

Add on to that, I had my music class right after. YM, my piano teacher is a perfectionist. As usual, he demanded perfect execution from my part, and would jump at any opportunity to make the slightest corrections. Things started to brighten up when he whipped out some cool scores towards the end of the lesson. The carrot and the stick, eh?? Wait, heh... ah ha!!! some really cool stuff and such... Well, those were the incentive and motivation, I guess. =P

We met at my paternal grandma's house for the reunion dinner. My aunts and their maids bustled round the kitchen, preparing for the annual fanfare. Everyone was present except Junior and his wife, Geraldine. Right there and then, I came to know about their marital woes... Sigh.

CNY muses ... (First Day)

2006-01-31T23:50:00.000-08:00

This was the first time... *ahem* that I was asked to babysit two preschoolers.
Oh no, sure die... coz, I didn't have any prior experience in handling any kids lower than 90cm.
Aarghh!!

Fortunately, Kenny and Darren, my cousins were requested to share the task. We gaped at the two hyper-cum-super-active kiddies, or our nephews, to be exact. Vladimir and Nikoli catapulted from the couch, jumped and tumbled from the trampoline, wrestled, punched and kicked each other in the most merciless manner one could even imagine.

"Very violent ah!!" Kenny exclaimed.
"Very xiong hor!!" Darren remarked.
"Stop them lar!!" I barked.

Two uncles and one aunt (Kenny, Darren and I) agreed to put our wits together to tame these kiddies. We failed.

Shortly, Darren was greatly offended when Vladimir called him names. Kenny was more tolerant and I had to endure some difficult moments too.

Help!!!!!!!

Just imagine two preschoolers bullying three teenagers...

P.S. The night ended well when I enjoyed the movie "The Memoirs of a Geisha" heheh...

Today : The Present

2006-01-15T22:57:00.000-08:00

Do today's duty, fight today's temptation; do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them.
-Charles Kingsley

Youth Worship

2006-01-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

I strolled into the Joy Chapel. Feeling rather lost, I searched for familiar faces in a sea of strangers.
The place was packed to the brim, congested with youths of different shapes and sizes.
An usher directed me to a pew, which was already crammed, and there, I spotted some friends.

Praise and worship started.
Everyone praised the Lord to the beat of contemporary music...
Everyone chorused in unison...

After this session, Ps Jeremy Witherow, strode to the pulpit in his most casually gait.
A word for today...

Here we go:

-All men dream, but not all dream equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake to the day to find all is all vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous people. For they act out their dream with open-eyes to make it possible...

-Goals keep us focused and dreams pulsate life and vision inside us which gives us an ability to look beyond our present limitations. They create in us a surge of hope and give us a vision of how things could be if we were to abandon ourselves fully to the dream which lives in our heart...

-It is so easy for us to refuse to never do anything about the negative patterns in our lives because we are in a rut and are comfortable. Even the most gifted person can ruin their dreams if they do not recognise their negative patterns and destructive behaviours and then to deal with them. This is because negative patterns sabotage the good patterns and the good things in our lives...

Besides serious stuff, Ps Jeremy is a man of humour.

Here we go:

"...I met this man who had more degrees than a thermometer..."

"...Two heads are always better than one. When two heads are put together, there's a lot more than just plenty of dandruff..."

And I like his special quote for today.

Here we go:

If you always do what you have always done, then you're always gonna get what you have always gotten.

Cheers to Ps Jeremy!

Bya... till next Sunday!

Happily

2006-01-12T22:33:00.000-08:00

We live in an ascending scale when we live happily, one thing leading to another in an endless series.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Let it rain ...

2006-01-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

Auntie VN was in despair..

SV was supposed to set off on Saturday to Desaru..
His second year field trip in ACS(I)..

They had prepared all the gadgets and gears ready for him...
I, literally, witnessed a fishing net with a 1.5m pole, rolls and coils of strings, pincers, tongs, trowels, towels, rainjacket, bottles of different shapes and sizes, binoculars etc. etc. etc.

SV was not in a mood to go..
He prayed for the rain not to stop..
His prayer..
Let it rain..
Let it flood...

The Lift

2006-01-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

The Higher Chinese class finally ended and everybody heaved a sigh of relief...

"Hey, wait a minute!" Two friends and I yelled as the lift door was closing.

We swarmed into the lift... Despite some of our classmates discouragement.

"What if the teacher comes in at the second level?"

"Then we die lor..."

"No... Won't die one... Later we can hide behind his back... haha..."

We were ready to spring behind a schoolmate when my mentor stood outside, just as the lift door opened at the second level...

OUR WORST NIGHTMARE...

Fading-

2006-01-05T21:42:00.000-08:00

Some memories are melting..
They melt like snow..
I began to feel them seeping away..

What seemed to be the dearest..
Seemed to be fading into space...

Strange-

2006-01-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

The long walk from the old campus,
strangers were walking behind me for the whole 5km,
trailing my steps...

Yesterday, in the auditorium,
strangers were sitting around me..

Today, in the theatrerette,
strangers were sitting right behind me..

Messages

2006-01-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

I received several messages when the clock struck twelve at midnight.
On Christmas eve and New Year eve.

It was exciting to receive all these messages at the same time..
There was one that arrived exactly at twelve,
And one that wished me Merry Christmas on New Year Day.

This week...

2006-01-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

This week, this time, right now, we are supposed to meet up at Esther's house. About twenty-two of us are supposed to be there for dinner. Everything was arranged and fixed until we received a call; that Esther's grandma was gravely ill in ICU. Inevitably, the dinner was cancelled.
We prayed that her grandma would be all right again.

We might miss the gathering with these church friends today; I'm glad that we'll still be seeing one another on every Sunday, a time for catching up with a different group of friends..

Last week-

2006-01-01T17:03:00.000-08:00

Last week, this time, we were at Suntec City. Frantically searching for two pairs of sneakers in time for the new semester, I ended with a pair of Nike and another pair of Reebok. Next, we proceed to the Addidas boutique to grab a trendy sport bag.
Sipping the ice-blended mocca with extra whip cream, ordered in the name of Tidus, I was standing behind some terminals watching some game promoters promoting the latest computer games. I never had time for such games as I had other activities to tie me down for the next hundred years.
Weaving in and out of the crowds, I reached the Cocoa Tree Chocolate Store. I grabbed several boxes of chocolates. Lastly, a logcake and an ice-cream cake from Swensen before we rushed off to Aunt Jo's house in Woodlands.
Christmas dinner at Aunt Jo's house is an every year's affair. Everyone meets up and eats to our fill this time of the year. Gift exchanges and plenty of catching up among friends and relatives.
After dinner, we sang carols as usual. I was asked to play the piano, which was the greatest honour. Fifteen of us, gathered around the piano, sang with voices that reached heavens.
The night was short and after several rounds of dessert, video and photo shootings, we packed and left.
Christmas came and went...

The finished story - Part II

2006-01-01T00:20:00.000-08:00

I began writing my story on the 21st Nov 2005.
I finished writing it on the 22th Nov 2005.

Kudos to Tidus..
Within two days, I churned out a series of events, almost impossible events, into words.
The story was written on impulse, the plot developed too hastily.

Unrealistic.
Too idealistic.

I understand that there is an unfinished story out there, waiting to be finished...
For Squall's sake..

I'm going to generate a second part for my finished story..
For Tidus' sake..

The unfinished story..

2006-01-01T00:10:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Tidus..
And Squall too..

Here they are..
The heroic figures..

When I looked back in time,
I travelled down the memory lane.
Many events happened..
Beyond our anticipation.

At this moment, I couldn't help but muse..
Too much had happened within this short space of time..
It seemed like years to me..

The unfinished story is still in progress...
You mentioned..
I'm glad that you still keep your word,
That's a surprise, I should say.

Today, on New Year Day..
Kudos to Tidus,
Kudos to Squall and his unfinished story.

This is for you :
Anything in life that we don't accept will simply make trouble for us
until we make peace with it.
-Shakti Gawain

Happy New Year

2006-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Greetings!
A good year lies ahead.
The advent of a blessed new year.

Well wishes to everyone..

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice;
it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
-William J. Bryan

Looking Back...

2005-12-31T07:42:00.000-08:00

The year 2005 had been a rather turbulent year..
It was a crucial year where everyone embraced themselves,
In their preparation to embark on a new journey.
Many started well, ended well..

Some friendships were forged,
Some were broken..
Some remained just as they were.

I'm looking back..
Through the looking glass..

I see the many facets of the lenses..
Liken to a kaleidoscope..
It is always changing.

Our days are a kaleidoscope. Every instant a change takes place...
New harmonies, new contrasts, new combinations of every sort...
-Henry Ward Beecher

Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes.
-Hugh Prather

Everything flows. Nothing is permanent.
I learned to accept things as they were..

I was laughing at those posts in my icecream-stix blog..
Those were the days filled with fun and laughter..
Those were the days filled with innocence and joy..
Those were the carefree days...

I shall be standing by the window at midnight,
Inhaling in the cold night air..
Every year, at this time,
Counting down..
Capturing the bright pink flares that lit up in the dark coastal skies..

Shall We Dance?

2005-12-30T20:50:00.000-08:00

I'm watching this Dvd for the 4th time..
By Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez,
and I'm still not sick of it.

Inspirations-

2005-12-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage to action.
-Brendan Francis

One of the reasons why so few of us ever act, instead of react, is because we are continually stifling our deepest impulses.
-Henry Miller

I love Sudoku..

2005-12-30T17:27:00.000-08:00

Sudoku is my latest craze..

We are inseparable..
I have been spending too much time..
I can't take my mind off..
I can't live without..
I can't..
Simply can't.

Believe-

2005-12-29T23:12:00.000-08:00

The song's lyrics, 'Believe'... posted by staroftexas,
Brought back a moment in time...
This song was downloaded to my cellphone, this time last year.

After watching the movie 'Polar Express' during last christmas,
As usual, it is my habit to buy its soundtrack.
In fact, I collect all movies' soundtracks...

The 'Polar Express' movie was screened in Taipei,
During my trip there last year...
I watched.
The 'Polar Express' soundtrack was bought from KL,
During my visit right after.

I was crazy over that soundtrack for want of one song...
Josh Groban's 'Believe'...

The next thing, I searched all over,
To collect all his albums...
His Cds and Dvds...

I listened to his Cds over and over again,
I watched his Dvds again and again.

The next craze was Il Divo's, the world's first operatic supergroup..
Subsequently, I lost track of how many songs I was crazy out there...

Till, I saw staroftexas' post, the lyrics of 'Believe'...
I'm bringing out Josh Groban's stuff right now,
I'm listening to his songs once more..
Just to make me feel the moment it brings...
Last season, this time of the year.

This is for you, staroftexas:

We do not remember days, we remember moments.
-Cesare Pavese

Thoughts that count...

2005-12-29T18:49:00.000-08:00

Someone visited me today. Guess what he brought along..
I stood at the threshold.
I gaped. Literally gaped when I saw the gift..

Struggling through the doorway, he managed to usher his gift to me.

"Hold this," he winked.
I was speechless, my turn now, struggling with the gift.

"Happy Belated Birthday!" he chuckled.
"Special Delivery.." he laughed.

I was sort of surprised.. to receive this belated birthday gift.
My birthday was six weeks ago.

We had just exchanged our christmas gifts last week.
Today, he showed up.. with a gift.
A birthday gift that came 6 weeks later.

Thank you very much,
How sweet you are..
I appreciate your thoughtfulness..

The fuzzy teddy bear with a champagne-coloured bow,
Maple Syrup,
Yeah... that's his name.

Challenge-

2005-12-29T11:59:00.000-08:00

Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.
-Herbert Otto

Each of us makes his own weather, determines the colour of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits.
-Fulton J. Sheen

Beckham, go watch Narnia...

2005-12-28T01:45:00.000-08:00

This morning, I made a trip to the high school to submit some documents..
Aargh... piano and math lessons by YM, would follow right after.

Coincidently, I met YM at the 7-Eleven store near my home. I was choosing some chocolates, and there he was, in a pale-blue, long sleeves shirt and light kaki-coloured pants.
He was standing there, smiling at me.
"Give ya a lift home.."
Music theory, piano lesson, math session and after a couple of hours later, I sent him to the door. C ya again, he said.

I headed straight to the computer and logged on to my high school website to browse through the modules. I might want to edit some of the elective and enrichment modules that I had submitted online. I was frowning at the choices available.

There, right there, Beckham signed in.
So I took my deserved break to have a nice chat..

Hiya, Beckham.
Hahaha...

I was glad that you were there, gotcha!
You are cool..
Nocturnal eh?
Me too, right now...
The bug is contagious, I guess.

Yeah...
You claimed,
You looked dark and tired,
And untidy with that cute huminodun baby..

Yeah...
The baby is indeed cute..
And you look cool..
By keeping your hair longer,
I might be keeping mine too...

I am grateful for your opinions..
Someone smarter and older out there.
Whipping out advices for someone younger,
I respect your wisdom and sincerity, Beckham.

Yeah...
I am thankful for those brotherly advice..
A real big brother out there.
Not the naggy sort, I mean...

You imparted something wise today,
Sometimes, something are best to be kept as secrets..
I learned this from you, Beckham...
I know I have to grow up and face the world.

I believed you got a great time at Sunway Lagoon,
Just by looking at those happy faces..
You deserved that great break,
Before your next semester...

Hiya, Beckham.
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks for listening..

This is for you, Beckham :

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand...
and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.
-Marie Beynon Ray

PS. Go watch Narnia..
Yeah, I enjoyed the show.
When Aslan sacrificed selflessly for Edmund..
The selfless love, the selfless sacrifice...
It is awesome..

Bloggie Trimming...

2005-12-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

My poor bloggie was nearly shut down...
I begged and managed to salvage some of the posts...
All my time, efforts and some very meaningful posts were wiped out...

I had to bear the brunt again..

Not so long ago, I bore the brunt for someone.
I spent some of my savings to replace a CD to appease the tension between two parties..

This time was worse than before..
I felt like a scapegoat..
I had to bear the brunt once more...
For those comments they posted on someone's blog..

Please, whoever is reading this right now, please let the matter drop...
Please stop the discussion..
Please, I beg you...

The next time, my blog will really have to go..

Christmas Day

2005-12-25T13:22:00.000-08:00

This christmas is special..

I was baptised today.
Pastor Daniel prayed a special prayer for me.

We have fun in church..
After my baptism, I proceeded straight to join the rest..
A sort of farewell party for everyone, at McDonald.
We took many pictures and video clips using our camera phones..

We are joining the youth next year.
New friends..
New lessons..
New pastor.

Christmas Eve- Part II

2005-12-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

I saved a friend's skin.
I saved his face.
Someone said I saved his life.

I learned to be selfless,
I learned to be sacrificial,
I learned to be responsible for my actions...

Christmas eve was made special..
When I stayed up to wait for the reindeers..
When I stayed up to wait for Santa..
When I received messages from friends out there...
When we wish one another Merry X'mas.

Christmas Eve..

2005-12-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

Today I forgive all those who have offended me. I give my love to all thirsty hearts, both to those who love me and to those who do not love me.
-Paramahansa Yogananda

Forgiveness is the answer to the child's dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is again made clean.
-Dag Hammarskjold

I can have peace of mind only when I forgive rather than judge.
-Gerald Jampolsky

How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself.
-Publilius Syrus

It is easier to forgive an enemy than a friend.
-Madame Dorothee Deluzy

Christmas Lunch

2005-12-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

Do you prefer that you be right, or that you be happy?
-A Course in Miracles

Some friends were here for lunch.
Edward came far too early,
So the kitchen had another pair of helping hands...

Some friendship problems were causing such a nuisance..
I have no choice but to see some friends in a different lights..
A blog post had created such a sensation..
Whirling around the cyberspace like a hurricane.

At this time of the year, the mood of Christmas..
Let all of us be forgiving..
For all the mistakes and misunderstanding...

Mailing Cards-

2005-12-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

I am sending out cards by the dozens...

I still believe in the conventional way,
Sending them out by posts.

E-cards are out of the questions...

I love writing the cards one by one,
Slipping them into their envelopes carefully.
Complete them with addresses,
There go the stamps in their proper places.

Tangible cards...
Cards that you can touch and feel...
Cards that hold the greetings to everyone...

Give Thanks-

2005-12-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

We must move from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts, to praying about things that are breaking His heart.
-Margaret Gibb

The purpose of prayer is not to inform God of our needs, but to invite Him to rule our lives.
-Clarence Bauman

The wise man in the storm prays God not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do what you can and pray for what you cannot yet do.
-Saint Augustine

There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him.
-William Law

Be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your answers.
-William Culbertson

The prayer that is faithless is fruitless.
-Thomas Watson

A Parable Of Prayer-

2005-12-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

A father and his son, travelling together in a wagon, came to the edge of a forest.
Some bushes, thick with berries, caught the child's eye.
"Father," he asked, "may we stop a while so that I can pick some berries?"
The father was anxious to complete his journey, but he did not have it in his heart to refuse the boy's request. The wagon was called to a halt, and the son alighted to pick the berries.

After a while, the father wanted to continue on his way. But the son had become so engrossed in berry-picking that he could not bring himself to leave the forest.
"Son!" cried the father, "we cannot stay here all day!"
"We must continue our journey!"

Even the father's pleas were not enough to lure the boy away. What could the father do? Surely he loved his son no less for acting so childishly. He would not think of leaving him behind-
But he really did have to get going on his journey.

Finally he called out:
"You may pick your berries for a while longer, but be sure you are still able to find me, for I shall start moving slowly along the road.
As you work, call out "Father! Father"
Every few minutes, and I shall answer you. As long as you can hear my voice, know that I am still nearby. But as soon as you can no longer hear my answer, know that you are lost, and run
with all your strength to find me!"

(Taken from the contemplative prayers of the Hasidic Masters)

Movie Star-

2005-12-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

After my last interview, I was heading out of the church office.
Just as I was turning round the bend, I glanced into the glass cubicle on my left.
Youth Pastor, Jeremy Witherow, was busy typing away.
He looked up and gave me a very warm smile...

JW, who is in his mid-twenties, is a charming New Zealander.
He is warm and sincere.
He got my name right the first day too.
In fact, he has a small resemblance of a movie star...

The movie star pastor...

The Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23)

2005-12-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Greatest Gift-

2005-12-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

This Christmas is special...
It is made special by a greatest gift...
A gift that I was wishing for,
Since a year ago.

I waited, almost impatiently...
I wished, almost impossibly...
I whined, almost innocently...

My wish comes true,
My gift is here...
I received it with open arms...
I give thanks...
To you, O Lord.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6

The Piano's Theme...

2005-12-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

YM made me practised some Chopin pieces...
Followed by The Piano's theme ^The Heart Asks Pleasure First^ composed by Michael Nyman..

This enchanting number has a very special meaning...
To YM, of course...

It was one of his favourite piece...
The link between his ex-girlfriend and himself sometime ago...
They loved this piece so much that YM taught her, how to play the piece on the piano, painstakingly...
She has no musical background...
He taught her the technique painstakingly, patiently...
She struggled to learn the technique, of course, with much difficulties..
She did not master it afterall.
It doesn't matter if she did or not...
The important thing is,
Both tried their very best to reach out, even if it is something impossible...

Acceptance-

2005-12-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
-Reinhold Niebuhr

YM's favourite..

2005-12-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
An hour to appreciate them,
A day to love them,
But an entire life to forget them...

I'm seeing YM regularly that I kind of confused if he is coming for music or math...

I look at what I have not and think myself unhappy; others look at what I have and think me happy.
-Joseph Roux

Changing Course-

2005-12-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.
-Tennessee Williams

Things do not change; we change.
-Henry David Thoreau

We do not succeed in changing things according to our desire, but gradually our desire changes.
-Marcel Proust

Kindness-

2005-12-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
-Mark Twain

I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do for any fellow being, let me do it now... as I shall not pass this way again.
-William Penn

There is nothing in life but refraining from hurting others, and comforting those that are sad.
-Olive Schreiner

Comparisons-

2005-12-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

If we only wanted to be happy it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.
-Charles de Montesquieu

I murmured because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.
-Persian Proverb

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence every one must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.
-Solon

Meaningful-

2005-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you love them.
-Author Unknown

It just takes time...

2005-12-15T15:18:00.000-08:00

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
-Helen Keller

Time brings all things to pass.
-Aeschylus

Sadness flies away on the wings of time.
-Jean de La Fontaine

Snowglobes

2005-12-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

I fancy snowglobes.
Especially when christmas is drawing near...

Whenever I travel during this season,
I would specially look out for snowglobes...
Snowglobes for collection, for admiration, for adoration...

I have a collection of snowglobes from my travel...
Snowglobes that speaks a thousand thoughts.

This season, I have given away one of my snowglobe...
The tiny reindeer sitting in a heap of flaky snow...

Forgiveness-

2005-12-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

Dream of your brother's kindnesses instead of dwelling in your dreams on his mistakes.
Select his thoughtfulness to dream about instead of counting up the hurts he gave.
-A Course In Miracles

Forgiving those who hurt us is the key to personal peace.
-G. Weatherly

Forgiveness means letting go of the past.
-Gerald Jampolsky

Without forgiveness life is governed... by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.
-Robert Assaglioli

Forgiveness is man's deepest need and highest achievement.
-Horace Bushnell

Prayer

2005-12-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

When the knees are not often bent, the feet soon slide.
-Anonymous

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.
-Abraham Lincoln

Giving-

2005-12-14T15:23:00.000-08:00

Simply give others a bit of yourself; a thoughtful act, a helpful idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart, and put it into the other fellow's mind and heart.
-Charles H. Burr

Even if it's a little thing, do something for those who have need of help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.
-Albert Schweitzer

Time

2005-12-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; No sooner is a thing brought to sight then it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.
-Marcus Aurelius

Inspired by Staroftexas-

2005-12-13T18:26:00.000-08:00

The creation of this blog was actually an inspiration from Staroftexas...
Imagine the connection between someone, some stranger across the continents...
Sharing the same thoughts, the same feelings and sentiments.

Today

2005-12-13T11:35:00.000-08:00

The past cannot be regained, although we can learn from it; the future is not yet ours even though we must plan for it... Time is now. We have only today.
-Charles Hummell

This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-Psalm 118:24

Perfection

2005-12-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world.
-Robert Hillyer

All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection.
-William Faulkner

Decisions

2005-12-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

Life is just a series of trying to make up your mind.
- Timothy Fuller

Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it.
-Gordon Graham

The Sleigh Bells Go -

2005-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time for giving, a time for sharing.
I have the habit of preparing gifts during this festive season.
Gifts for those who are special...

As the year is coming to a close, I'll take a moment to reminisce...
Well, the best time of the year, I guess, was after my exams..
I forge new friendships.

Anyway, I'm waiting for the time to pass...
To let everything dissolves into molecules...
Let the nature takes its own course, I assume...

Our Moments

2005-12-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I would almost rather have people take away years of my life than take away a moment.
-Pearl Bailey

Let me tell thee, time is a very precious gift of God; so precious that it's only given to us moment by moment.
-Amelia Barr

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand...
and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.
-Marie Beynon Ray

Keep Going...

2005-12-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Everything's in the mind. That's where it all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it.
-Mae West

Yesterday: The Past

2005-12-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existance.
-Sholem Asch

May I forget what ought to be forgotten; and recall, unfailing, all that ought to be recalled, each kindly thing, forgetting what might sting.
-Mary Caroline Davies