Taking graduation photos is rather interesting when you have your sister graduating together with no less than 4 cousins; 2 guys, from NUS (both 1st class, btw), and 2 girls, from NTU.

So it was quite crowded in the studio, with 5 people in robes and square hats, all the other family members, and the photography team of 2. I'm happy to announce that my sister is the most photogenic of the lot. And also the most accomplished, earning $4k per month in US now.

It was quite funny to see the photographer snapping away with his professional gear, and while he takes a break to adjust the settings or change the lens or move the lights, the bunch of us quickly jump forward and snap away with our own cameras and camera-phones.

So after the studio shot we went Esplanade for some outdoor shots. By this time it was getting rather boring, as me and my other non-graduating cousins soon found out. My little sister was having a blast directing the other sister and her friends for their shots, but we guys, we are not really interested in that stuff, so we chilled at Hagen Daz. There were a lot of other graduates there taking photos; I guess Esplanade is a popular spot.

Photos will be up later, if I can find one that I don't look too badly in. Lol.

Went K-boxing on Tuesday night, sort of a final activity together before my sister flies off. Originally I thought it would be a me-and-my-sisters thing, but we ended up having quite a lot of people. After taking a while to "warm up", we soon became crazy, singing all the fast-and-upbeat songs, screaming into the mics and dancing on the sofas. It was crazy. Best fun I've had in a long long while.

Sang non-stop from 8 to 1. Quite damaging to my vocal cords, I'll say, but who cares. After that, went straight to the airport as my sister's friends were already there waiting for her (they had to catch the last train there). We arrived to find them playing Monopoly in the viewing gallery, imagine that. Well we left my sister with her friends, while I went Pacific Coffee to sit out the rest of the hours.

I discovered that Changi Airport is really a rather nice and quiet place at that time of the day. Very little people, very little noise. It was very relaxing to slouch on a sofa and read and sip coffee and nimble on cheese cake.

My sister's luggage was overweight by about 8kg, so she was lucky that she got through without paying the excess baggage fine. Her friend, though, was not that lucky, and her's was only 3kg overweight! Anyway, the checking in was quite troublesome for the US-bound; there was even a little questioning going on, making sure we are not potential terrorists.

Well, I didn't exactly cry. There was a little tearing to be had towards the end, but all in all it was quite drama-less.

One less sister at home. I've not quite gotten used to it yet. Usually it's me and her in front of our computers with the TV on at ungodly hours of the night, so it's quite weird to think that I will be burning the midnight oil on my own for the next 1.5 years.

She better buy me some nice things when she comes back to make up for the $175 I spent on that Roxy jacket of hers. Haha..

Won't be blogging in a long while after this, I think. So don't hold your breath for the next post. Until then, God bless ya'll.

{/10:18 AM}

me

http://tiggerytiger.livejournal.com/4365.html#cutid1

For those too lazy to click a link, I might as well just copy and paste:

------

I just need to rant about this.

Right you have been warned. Hohoho. Anyway, I happened to be blogsurfing this afternoon, and I saw this:
"Visited the choir that afternoon. Wasn't impressed, but they had missing people due to SYF. One thing that particularly irked me was that they practiced the rhythm for the song by speaking the words in rhythm. I have no idea why they subscribe to that. Inherited from seniors? I remember them practicing "El Hambo" by CLAPPING the rhythm, and speaking the rhythm for "Mikyo" as well. I seriously doubt that it helps that much. It feels so unnatural and forced, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at the back at how ridiculous they seemed."

Well I'll have you all know that YOURS TRULY was the one who got them to clap the rhythm for El Hambo. Long story short, and cutting out all the technical details so people won't go o.O, clapping/speaking the rhythm helps sections to move together and basically neaten up a piece, especially if it's rhythmic. I can't help but feel mildly irritated and EXTREMELY insulted that someone who could be considered my "junior" where choir experience is concerned could even deem himself fit to pass judgement on his student conductors, juniors or otherwise. Yes, everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but to say it in such a way that passes judgement on a particular activity based on one's own opinion/experience of the activity seems a little too much to me.

Oh well. Maybe I'm being oversensitive again, and judging someone too harshly. That's entirely possible, but seriously, when I read those words, they certainly seemed offensive, rather than just a mere expressing of opinion.

------

Well then, this is interesting.

1. Hinting at hidden "technical knowledge" is rather amusing. So you think it works. I don't think it does. We can't just agree to disagree? And I thought I was the argumentative one. I don't care for a game of "let's see who's better", so feel free to remain on your high horse.

2. You assume I have less choral-related experience than you. I guess we don't really have to go into the whole "assuming is bad" thing.

3. I was not being judgemental. Trust me, you'll definately know it when I am.

4. I never considered you my student conductor.

A few more points, but I've decided it's not worth my time.

I know I have my fair share of people who hate me. That's fine with me, I don't really give a damn. I never liked you anyway; professionally, personally, or otherwise.

Oh, in case anyone is wondering, that's Cherie's blog.

Expect a more pleasant update soon, on graduation photo taking, k-boxing, and wandering about Changi Airport at 3am.

{/4:42 PM}

me

"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with." - Mark Twain

Indeed C. S. Lewis speaks similiarly, in one of his many books, that joy is not fully experienced unless it is consummated by the act of sharing it.

Last Friday was my unit's anniversary. We are quite a young unit in the SAF, 5 or 6 years old only, I think. To celebrate we had a day off from work (aside from those unlucky enough to be on ops duty, that is), which we spent instead at HomeTeamNS @ Bukit Batok bowling. The bowling was enjoyable enough. It has been quite sometime since I last bowled, so I shall spare myself the embarrassement and not post my results. Suffice to say that while I wasn't the star player of my team, I was not the lousiest either. Sore arms aside, I believe I find bowling more enjoyable than playing pool, not that I play either much.

It was interesting to sit back and note the various different behaviors people exhibit in a team setting. Tells you a lot about the person, the way he behaves when playing a team game. Of course, I'm not particularly interested in knowing any of them better, so it was more of an intellectual exercise.

In a stroke of forgetfullness I left my insulin pump at home, which left me no choice but to leave early, skipping the buffet lunch. Not that I really regret it; I don't think the food was going to be particularly fantastic, and the company not much better either.

Visited the choir that afternoon. Wasn't impressed, but they had missing people due to SYF. One thing that particularly irked me was that they practiced the rhythm for the song by speaking the words in rhythm. I have no idea why they subscribe to that. Inherited from seniors? I remember them practicing "El Hambo" by CLAPPING the rhythm, and speaking the rhythm for "Mikyo" as well. I seriously doubt that it helps that much. It feels so unnatural and forced, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at the back at how ridiculous they seemed.

Senior's farewell is this coming Friday. I'm still undecided as to whether I should go. None of the "old" people seem interested. If I have to go alone, I might as well give it a miss. Miss Lim won't be there anyway. And I have a dinner date =)

Pirates of the Caribbean was pretty nice. Saw it with Honseng and Wenlin at the new Cathay cineplex. Nice theater, comfy seats, only drawback is just the emptiness of the place. Depending on the shops, it could well prove to be more popular than PS. Cathay cinemas are better than GV's, anyway.

Thai Express lunch, Swenson's dinner. Quite an expensive day, I'll say. Feli joined us for dinner after I persuaded her, but I think she felt rather quite out of place. Didn't find my sister's stuff, she's now officially disappointed. But she's not leaving till the 26th, so there's still a little more than a week left for me to procure the item. Curiously, I'm not feeling much at the prospect of her leaving for the US for 1.5 years now, but I suspect that the reality of it will hit me a couple of weeks after she's gone. Ah, boring times ahead with nobody to bicker with at home.

Inspired by a list of "Things I Love" made by somebody else, I shall endeavor to make a similiar one of my own. No doubt mine will be much shorter. Nevertheless, consider this an attempt at "counting my blessings", in a way.

I love...

...God, the Great Lover of Man, from everlasting to everlasting, with whom all thing are made possible and, indeed, made beautiful in the reflection of his Perfectness.

...My Bible, the best and truest book ever written.

...My dad, who, despite me never meeting his expectations, continues to provide and care for me.

...My mom, in spite of all the nagging and scoldings.

...My sister, whom admist all the bickering and fighting I still can find love for.

...My other sister, the one I'll be alone with for the coming 1.5 years, and my senior in NUS to boot.

...My books, whatever will I do without them?

...My organ, which provides me with an outlet for my musical needs (although I still want a piano >_<).

...My computer, without which MSN would not be possible.

...My fridge, which contains my medication, my green teas and diet cokes, my cookies and chocolates.

...My mahjong + table, the official family entertainment.

...My insulin pump, which sustains my life.

...My choir scores, they bring back memories of the good old days.

...My "box", with all the little items of momento, including letters, cards, drawings, CDs, stuff from Bremen 04, from orientation 03, from Cantab 04, from outings with significant people, from Verona 06, and many many more.

...Coffee, possibly the greatest beverage ever discovered.

...Green Tea, the next best thing after coffee.

...diabetic-friendly peanut butter, and the person who bought it for me.

...Jie Hui, who taught me to love Christ.

...Daniel, who showed me Christian living, and inspiring me to better myself.

...Kaiyan, Lincoln, Chris, who were with me in my teething years.

...Qianjin, singer for God.

...Ashleigh, for leading me to Christ, and for half a year of singing together.

...Timothy, for making me want to be a better leader.

...Zhiwei, closest friend from 03S20.

...Enid, closest friend from the original 03S20.

...Evan, Mich, Jin, sisters in Christ, for making school fun.

...Sher, oldest friend since primary days.

...Honseng, for the support, and for making choir fun.

...Chinyaw, for the good old days.

...Cheryl, for the cookies and cakes.

...Huacheng, Angela, the rest of the NC committee, for making it possible!

...Audrey, for making me feel young, and reminding me to have fun.

...Natalie, for showing me the way life is supposed to be lived.

...Wenlin, for those food-for-thoughts.

...Felicia, saving the best for the last =)

There's probably more, but that's it for now.

116 work-days to ORD!

{/11:21 AM}

me

10 things

10 Things I Want to Do After I ORD.

1) Go on a holiday.

Duh. I have a few people in mind that I would like to spend a holiday with. And I really hope to catch up with my classmates cause it's been like 1.5 years since I last saw any of them. Location is flexible; I don't really care as long as it's a getaway.

2) Learn Koine Greek. Properly.

Boring as life is now, I don't really have the time to seriously sit down and study it now. My weekday schedule is basically work, go home, eat, dota/mahjong/watch tv, talk on MSN, bedtime reading, sleep. I also don't have the will to seriously work on it for 3 hours a day now. And it's tiring to learn a language alone. I realise that's a lot of excuses right there, but they are all truths! >_<

I thought about asking my few Christian friends to maybe study with me. But I seriously doubt any of them will be interested, so I didn't bother to ask. Time issues aside, the Christians I know are just not interested in "apologetics" or "theology" or "exergesis". Sad as it sounds, they really do think its all about "love". Funny how that is, given their idea of "love" is a rather strange concept back in ANE times.

Greek is a wonderful language. It also helps you remember all those physics symbols, and laugh at everyone who pronounces "3.1412" as "pie" instead of it's proper pronunciation of "pii". My aim is to learn enough of it to translate semi-smoothly with the help of lexicons. Will probably take around 2 years, given my ineptitude with languages. To think I wanted to move on to Biblical Hebrew! Maybe if I can find a partner =p

3) Take up courses at a local seminary.

"Seminary" may not be the correct word to use here, but you get what I mean. Don't exactly have anything particular in mind, but definately something scholarly. Maybe OT history. My "current" theological interest lies in Ecclesiology (church history) and Eschatology (Christian End-times), but I don't think the local schools offer much in either.

4) Read more books.

I actually have quite a large pile of books on my shelves that I have still yet to plow through. Once again time is really the issue here. I try to get 1 or 2 hours of reading before bed, but sometimes that doesn't work out because I'll be too tired, or the subject too heavy to handle at such a late time. Ever tried reading N. T. Wright at 12am in bed? Your eyes literally swim through the paragraphs. I've more or less given up on reading that kind of stuff at night, and just stick to fiction.

5) Revise A levels Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

I don't want to make a fool of myself in NUS! 8 months is time plenty enough to get back into the studying mood, I think. Read up old notes, do some 10 year series, maybe teach a bit of JC tuition. I'm quite excited at the prospect of hitting the books again. Sounds weird (and probably insane to current students), but it's true. =)

6) Pick up a sport.

Yes folks, I am severly lacking in the "exercise" department here. I'm not looking for anything heavy, and I'm definately not thinking of hitting the gym for some iron-pumping. Just looking to run/swim/cycle semi-regularly, and maybe learn something, like skating, or archery, or fencing. I feel the urge to go back to TCHS to jump the trampoline, but I think it'll be kinda weird going back. Not even sure if the old coach is still there!

Yeah. My sedated lifestyle now is pretty detrimental to my health. Yikes.

7) Buy a piano and practice 3 hours a day.

Always wanted this. Practicing on an organ is so frustrating. There's not enough keys, the keys have no touch, there's no sustain pedal, and it screws up my fingering when I play on a piano. I'm not going to go for any lessons, just continue to learn whatever piece I like myself.

That said, anyone has a piano to sell me cheaply? =D

8) Do volunteer work.

Yes you've heard that right. My lack of CIP in my JC days has finally caught up to me. Am thinking of TOUCH, since I've never really participated in any of it's activity even though they still send me regular newsletters of events happening. Maybe serve a church ministry? If I've found a church to settle in by then.

9) Slog for NC.

That's right. Cantabile 07, Aspects 07. Enough Said.

10) Secret.

This item is secret and may not be revealed.

---

Noticed I'm not intending to work for money. Which means I'm going to be utterly broke by February 07. Hence, donations are very welcomed. =D

I leave you with this:

"This day I call heaven and earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him." Deut, ch30, v19-20

{/9:31 AM}

me