liunique

Today, I took time to look back, so I flicked back to first posts (the first of the surviving posts following my previous trimming) of this webspace. I took screenshots one of the posts, then I hit delete. For other posts, I just hit delete.

I decided to let this webspace begin with two posts written in 2006. The first depicted one of the funniest moments to have hit the household, and the second was a year-end reflection.

When I opened this webspace, I labelled it as a “webspace for things that bring a joy to my life”. Its primary purpose was to pick up the bits and pieces of life that amuse, inspire and humour me. I made it a point to snap a picture that would represent the subject matter of the post - much like the way my Eldest Cousin records his concise weblog. Either preceding or following the picture would come a short light-hearted snippet that captured moments of pure, unadulterated joy. Time passed. These snippets did not cease to occur, in fact I believe they increased in number. However, the time I had to capture these memorable moments faded away. 

The post written on the eve of the New Year of 2007 summed 2006 up in just over 400 words. Once again, everything was captured in a short extracts, but unlike the Life’s Like That, this post looked at life from a bird’s eye view. The little incidents were put away, but the simplicity of life was retained. This new view caught the big events in a way that brought gratitude, reverence and confidence. 

Nowadays, this blog is filled with reflections, lessons and thoughts. Gone are those fragments of life. These days, its about happenings on a macro level. Gone is the simplistic perspective - now everything seems intertwined in a complex twist.

Co-Pilot and I agree that we have spent more time thinking about life issues over the last year and a half, and this has its share of responsibility for the changing style of this webspace. The experiences that we have had to go through have contributed to this, and I am pleased to know that I have developed in this respect. Yet, despite this, there are times when I wish for a childish streak to return to replace the twists and turns of life into something more simplistic, and an innocence to develop a guileless, idealistic perspective. 

This reminds me of the words,“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” - a call to be hungry and foolish simultaneously, a call to maintain a delicate balance between the two, so that we can go down life’s journey with the lessons, emotions and memories of work and play, and as seen from both the eyes of an adult and a child. 

Hence, it is also today, that I looked back, and with great innocence remembered the number, 2.77. A number, which to me, brings up one of life’s great questions, What If?

My head says yes, but my heart says no. 

It is neither an ethical nor moral decision. The difficulty of this choice is well and truly beyond my comprehension. Some have asked me to say yes, and I understand why I should. It would benefit me in the near future, and eventually the long run. Yet, something tells me no, and I cannot explain why.

The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was packed. The crowd cheered, some jeered, but most just made noise to contribute to an atmosphere that would only be considered appropriate for an intense combat sport such as this. As the booming voice of the announcer echoed across the arena, the eyes of the masses directed their keen attention to the ring (commonly and ironically labeled as the square circle). It would be in this ring where all the action will take place. The action that the crowd were waiting in great anticipation for, would have tolerance for neither cowardice nor retreat, instead they would celebrate a battle of strategic physical assault, offensively purposed defence and a result that crowns the winner with supremacy and glory. However, only one man will attain the pinnacle of this skirmish, only the victor will attain the fame, reputation and honour that is at stake in this contest. The other would receive the dim end of the limelight - attention that he would by no means enjoy. 

Out of the depths of the roaring crowd emerged the two fighters. They shouldered the colossal evidence of their past successes, and they carried on their faces a distinct face of confidence and an unmistakable air of determination. Yet, beneath this façade of fortitude, is a heart synthesised with circumspect and respect, for they are mindful of the monumental challenge that lies ahead. Highly skilled and renowned fighters, both enter the ring unbeaten. One must note however, that the fighter in gold has survived a dozen seasons of turbulent examination, while the younger boxer in red and blue, stepped into the ring for just his eighth appearance. The juxtaposition is obvious to all. The resolute face of the veteran is strewn with long scars and glaring cicatrices while the face of the younger glistens under the radiant shine of the spotlights.

Each fighter takes his place in their corners as they take their final instructions from their ringside team. Each team comprises three members – the trainer, the assistant trainer and the cutman. In victory, they are unsung heroes. In defeat, they will be the only ones in the arena who will give the loser the undivided attention, to put things in perspective, and provide the encouragement and advice that will get the fighter back on the path to victory. Though the fighters today have never experienced the role of his team in defeat, he knows how crucial they are to him. Only he will comprehend the impact of their presence on his performance. Only the fighter himself really understands.

Gold, and Red and Blue advance to the middle. The crowd erupts and chants their names. The boxers have ceased to acknowledge the support rendered to them. Round 1 begins.

The bell starts the final round. Red and Blue skips around, evading the weakening swing of his opponent. Red and Blue has clearly been superior on the night, he is certain that victory is nigh. Red and Blue moves in and jabs with lightning speed. He hits his opponent in the ribs with a left, and then moves up to plant a solid right hook into the cheeks. Gold stumbles backwards, but does not fall. He has enough in him to stay up for now, but if he does not put a devastating hit in soon, he may not last till the end. Red and Blue takes the moment to weigh up the situation. With half a minute left, he could choose to go defensive, let the fight go the distance and most certainly win on the judge’s decision, or he could go for the kill and attempt to floor his fatigued opponent.

Truth be told, Red and Blue is tired. His eighth fight in as many months is taking its toll on his body. He knows that at this rate, he will not last a long career. He has to take time away from the sport after this fight, to rest, regroup and restart. He has it planned.

With victory in his grasp, and the job almost complete, all he has to do his to avoid mistakes and run the clock down. He has fought this battle well, and he is content. The three men by the side continue their fervent support, and he is grateful for them. Everything is in place, the only point to ponder is the nature of his victory. Calm and cool finish or a masterful climax? To conserve energy and prevent further injuries, or risk injury to obliterate the gold veteran?

“If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?”

Red and Blue makes his decision. He moves in. Determined to fight on, Gold gathers himself, feigns left, goes right, jabs left, ducks down, and swings a trademark uppercut through his opponent’s jaw. Red and Blue is clearly shaken. 

The Law of High Morale: “When you’re winning, nothing hurts”.

Shaken, but still in control, Red and Blue blocks the follow-up punches. From guard position, he swiftly transfers his weight from left to right, swings his right leg across his body, rotates his hips and his right arm jolts out, sinking a sweet cross into Gold. The left follows with a hook, but it leaves Red and Blue vulnerable. Gold captures the opportunity and flashes a one-two. Red and Blue is now in pain. He has first hand evidence that the tried and tested, well-timed punches are truly hallmarks that has made his veteran opponent the deadly fighter he is. Red and Blue cannot believe his misfortune. None of this would have happened if he had not gone for the finishing blow.

There are ten seconds left on the clock. He can still win if it goes the distance – it is too little too late for his veteran opponent.

“If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?”

He goes for it. He launches two jabs, opens an opportunity, and finds the nose of his opponent with a swift left hook. Gold flails and falls helplessly. KO. The bell sounds. Red and Blue raises his arms in victory. The crowd erupts once more. With exception of the final round, it is the consensus across the arena that it was a deserved victory in which Red and Blue was hardly ever threatened. He soaks up the moment, and acknowledges the crowd’s support. He returns to the corner and bear hugs his trainers. They have made him the fighter that he is, the fighter with 9 wins in 9 fights. He looks comfortably victorious, he appears to have passed with flying colours. But deep down, he has not.

He returns home to waves of congratulatory greetings from family and friends. They party the night away and he enjoys the fruits of a season’s work. He is grateful for the opportunity, the support and the victories.

Despite the celebrations, it is without a shadow of doubt that the last round of the fight culminated the effects his debut season had on him. Clearly, his fatigue affected his judgment, and who knows, another round more and Gold may have turned the tables on him. He is physically and mentally drained. All he wants to do is follow the plan, and leave boxing aside until he is physically and mentally ready to take it up again.

–

There were two men who had placed astronomical bets on Gold for the fight. Gold’s loss meant no food, family upheaval and total disaster. Two weeks of such living was too much for them to bear. Drastic times call for drastic measures. They broke into the house.

–

Red and Blue was practicing his golf swing when they stormed in. One took him from behind, locking his arms, the other slammed punch after punch into his abdomen. They demanded money, and threatened his life. Red and Blue remained undeterred, and lashed out.

Still tired and weary from his season of fights, and totally caught by surprise, Red and Blue was not the fighter that he was in the ring. He escaped once, but they were closing in on him again. He was trained for one-on-ones, not one-on-two, he was trained for combat sport not real-life self-defence. He was mentally focused on mimicking Tiger Woods, and not in imitating Jason Bourne. Most of all, he was tired. He had no energy – he was at the mercy of his assailants. There was no man in black and white to save him. His trainers and supporters could not will him on. Daredevil would not be able to exact revenge. He had to do it alone.

And so he did. They tried to pound him, and he put up his best defence. As he soaked it up, he rehearsed his counter-attack in his head as if he were shadow boxing in an empty ring. Finally, with whatever he had, he gave it all. Until they ran and were no more.

Red and Blue had narrowly escaped. What he had in the ring, he found to be absent in the real world. He knew that it was in him, but it was suppressed beneath the physical and mental weariness. He turned down his next two fights to continue his recuperation. With Red and Blue out of the boxing world, his trainers and cutman teamed with other fighters. One of his trainers became a professional, world champion boxer himself. Time waits for no man, certain conditions prevented him from returning and soon the boxing gloves had to be forced into the recesses of his home.

Red and Blue spent time pondering and reflecting. He was grateful and thankful for the chances he had, but he continued to wonder about the ones that got away. Being away from the sport he loved was painful, but he also recognized that life does not simply exist in the ring. Outside of the Millennium Stadium is a former empire that has Buckingham Palace, the West End, The Crucible, Twickenham, Emirates, Lord’s and Wembley. Outside of Madison Square Garden, is a grand city that houses Broadway, Wall Street, Yankee Stadium and the Statue of Liberty.

His time in the boxing ring had taught him much, but his time out of the boxing ring put everything into perspective. As he mapped out his future, family and friends gathered round. Mentors guided him, many Barnabas(s) encouraged him, and he was touched, he was blessed, he was thankful.

He is touched, he is blessed, he is thankful.

Though he lives not in the ring, but because he was once part of it, a part of him will continue to go round and round, never to break out. The crucial thing is therefore not to live in the ring, but let the ring live in you, so that the lessons, values and vision will forever remain as signposts for the journey ahead. 

I have many thoughts that I wish to put up on this webspace, but my mind fails me in producing any piece that is coherent. Sleep must come first. 

I read this, this evening. Awesome piece. It truly hits the nail on the head. Perhaps, it hammers a nail on my head too. These thoughts are classified under the above category. Hence, sleep must come first. 

I have just written something on why sleep must come first, but I have stopped due to the above reason. It is final, sleep must come first. 

I hope I go walking in my sleep. 

—-

River of Dreams by Billy Joel

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To the river so deep
I must be looking for something
Something sacred I lost
But the river is wide
And its too hard to cross

And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and stand on the shore
I try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find what Ive been looking for

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep
Im a searcher for something
Taken out of my soul
Something Id never lose
Something somebody stole

I dont know why I go walking at night
But now Im tired and I dont wanna walk anymore
Hope it doesnt take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is Ive been looking for

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Though the desert of truth
To the river so deep
We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
Were all carried along
By the river of dreams
In the middle of the night

Nadal is now 2 sets up on Federer. Centre Court could now be witnessing the dethroning of a 5-time winner of Wimbledon.

I still remember the time when the King of the Grass court was Pete Sampras. The last I remember watching on television, was that of his straight sets victory over Agassi in 1999. After his final victory at Wimbledon over Pat Rafter in 2000, the title was passed around for 2 years, before Federer began his domination in 2003.

In my mind, I have always felt that Federer was the man to have dethroned Pete Sampras. Firstly, Federer ‘took over’ the domination from Sampras, and secondly, it was Federer who ended his 31 match winning streak at Wimbledon. Sampras has always been my favourite. I love his efficient use of the serve-and-volley. I supported him in his rivalries against Agassi, and I even supported him when he played Asian exhibition matches against Federer. And so, I think that it is for this reason that I have never quite supported Federer in all his years of dominance. I have always gone with the underdogs like Roddick, Safin and Baghdatis on grass or hard courts and Nadal, when on clay.

But today, as I watch Federer face another 3 break points in the 3rd set, I find myself willing him on. Perhaps it reminds me of the exit of Sampras. Maybe it is sympathy at his uncharacteristic expressions of frustration on Centre Court. Or perhaps, it is just because I want to see an exciting 5 set match - because at the end of it all, we just want to see some magic from both sides of the court - just as we saw with Sampras and Agassi.

As I write, Federer has just overturned 3 break points and put 5 points on the trot to hold serve. There is still hope (for a 5 set game).

[edit] Play has been suspended due to rain. Forget match predictions, this is English sport, the rain always wins.

Today, I left at 3. It was the first time since the start of the coffeeshop journey that I had departed so promptly after the end of the day. It felt surreal to leave amidst the buzz of the dismissal of the entire population. It felt like the start again, when the end of the timetable marked the end of the day.

And so, I decided to ride on this wave of dreams, and take a walk in the city. By 5, I had a new sweater in possession, and two new books.

1) The Assault on Reason by Al Gore
2) The Prestige by Christopher Priest

This adds to my long list of books to read - preferably soon. But in any case, getting to start on my Hong Kong collection is something I am glad about.

For some strange reason, when I walked Causeway Bay, Central and Wan Chai, I had the notion that Singapore could match up to the crowd, level of activity and intensity of Hong Kong. After today, all such notions have been dispelled.

A pleasant day of dreams, doubt there will be dreamland again for a while yet.

On the way home yesterday, the conversation led to the discussion of the prestige that would come with being a reporter for the BBC. The conclusion was that it would not only require a great radio/television presentation voice and persona, but such a(n) job/appointment/privilege would demand a significant, or at the very least, a sufficient amount of knowledge on subject matter to convince listeners that the reporter understands what is being presented.

I have been tuning into the BBC since I was 6-7 years old. Back in the years without the ease of access to the internet, I had to turn to the radio to hear of the latest football results. Hence, it has now been etched into my memory that the BBC World Service’s Sports Bulletin comes on at 6.45 am, 7.30 am and 12.30 pm. All these years, I have been unwilling to turn to any other radio service for the news, for the sole reason that I cannot bear to move away from the great voices exhibited by James Alexander Gordon, Ritula Shah, Owen Bennett-Jones, Fergus Nicoll, Julian Marshall…

Although there is hardly any noticeably difference in the coverage of the global headlines, but for me, other presenters pale in comparison to the ones on the BBC. My top reason for this observation is that they do not come across with sufficient understanding of the content they are presenting. For instance, the sports bulletin on other radio stations make repeated mistakes in their pronunciation of the names of footballers. In such instances, they are not necessarily the names of less prominent players, because I consistently hear Thierry Henry pronounced in the same way as my name would be pronounced.

This reminds me of my recent trip to Hong Kong.

When I visited the City Hall Libarary in search for reference materials, I remember approaching the information desk for assistance. Thereafter, the librarian pointed me in the direction of the section I was looking for. Upon looking away from the librarian, and into the direction she was pointing to, it sounded/felt as though the librarian was smiling as she directed me in Cantonese. When I looked back, all I saw was the straight face of a serious librarian.

The audible and soundless beauty of the Cantonese language captured me when I was in Hong Kong. It sounded remarkably different from the variety I hear in Singapore and Malaysia, and I guess it is the reason why others can identify the Hong Kong-ish Cantonese spoken by my parents.

Perhaps the voice of the BBC and Hong Kong Cantonese appeal to me because of my lengthy exposure to the sports bulletin and TVB shows. Perhaps it is part of my larger bias to a selected group of things (eg. Mac, Woodworm Bats).

Nevertheless, I will continue to hope to speak better in both English and Cantonese. After all, I believe that I do have sufficient examples to learn from within the family.

It is a rainy day. The perfect weather for a pleasant, cool day indoors, in the warmth of family and a comfortable home. Thus we find a grandfather and his grandson sitting on opposite ends of the coffee table, with a chinese chess set between them.

Grandfather has just won 2 games against the experts downstairs. He is brimming with joy and confidence from his recent victories. He stands with dignity and this air of satisfaction is palpable. It is evident that Grandfather approaches this game with a determined purpose to continue his winning streak. Not only that, he wants to clean his Grandson out. His sole intent is to have his opponent 湯著只豬.

His grandson is aware of this and stares at the pieces with a resolute face. I have to resist the oncoming onslaught he tells himself. He has confidence in his ability to put up a fight, and possibly sneak a win from a cannon or chariot hidden at the bottom of the board - forgotten with the increasing duration of the game. Although this is a technique taught to him by his current opponent, but he knows it is lethal enough to catch even the master. Albeit the underdog, grandson still has the courage to fight on.

The only difference in their attitudes towards this game is this.

Grandfather’s confidence is running on momentum. Like a rushing river that gushes through the streams, eroding and washing away everything in its path, his mind is set on the absolute elimination of all opposition pieces. He will destroy everything in his path, until there is none left to be destroyed.

Grandson’s confidence was running based on past victories. As he prepares to make his first move, he remembers the time when he cleaned his grandfather out. With exception of the King, not a piece was left of his grandfather’s army. Hence, in the unadulterated joy of his childhood, grandson drew all his big guns back and sent one soldier up, step by step, to deliver the final blow. This memory is what will keep him fighting, knowing that somehow, there is a way to defend and strike back. He has done it before, he can do it again.

The game begins. Grandson cheekily reminds Grandfather of the time when Grandfather was 湯著只豬. Grandfather’s pluck is undeterred. In fact, it has just been strengthened.

Grandson’s inexperience shows. He is moving faster than he should for a game of such intensity. He falters under the preliminary stages and makes a careless mistake that exposes his calvary to the peril brought about by an advancing chariot. This is the start of the first wave.

The second wave begins soon after, with grandfather gathering his pieces from both ends of the board to form a conglomerate of forces that is concentrated on the attack of one wing of grandson’s defences.

The defence is no match for the attacking force. And after the initial pounding, in comes waves three, four and five. The annihilation continues until the grandon’s soldiers, advisor, minister, calvary, cannon and chariot - cease to exist.

將軍沒棋, air 都沒得 air are the words of his grandfather. How true.

Air 都沒得 air is his current state. Grandson was powerless against his determined Grandfather. He had put up a much better fight in recent battles. He had made it a tough win for his Grandfather in the past, and he had pushed his Grandfather to his limits many times before. Not this time. Not today. But why not?

Perhaps it was because of my mistakes, or maybe it was less my weakness, and more my opponent’s strength. Yes, I have not really changed in my play, my opponent has. Now, my opponent not only has years of experience more than I do. Now he possesses momentum, something I do not have.

Momentum. Something indescribable, but unmistakable. Something unforgettable, but easily taken for granted.

Momentum. Some kind of beautiful.

Liunique is returning home tomorrow and I am excited.

I have finally finished reading the autobiography of the once, most powerful woman in business.

Having taken such a long time to complete my reading, there are some portions in the earlier segments of the book that I would like to note down, but have now forgotten, and I will try to one day revisit it and pen it down. But for now, lessons from the final chapters and the epilogue.

“I knew that every leader has a season, and as I sat in that hotel room I realized that my season was perhaps coming to an unexpected and abrupt end for reasons I did not understand. And yet I expected the Board to look me in the eye and tell me why”

“I enjoy doing only what I choose. I am free to say no. I know I will someday again find a cause to which I will commit all my passions. I know I will find a group of people to fall in love with again. But not yet. Not today. For now I celebrate my freedom and the contentment of a smaller, quieter life.”

Not yet. Not today.

Irreplaceable by Beyonce Knowles

To the left
To the left

You can pack all your bags we’re finished (you must not know ’bout me)
‘Cause you made your bed now lay in it (you must not know ’bout me)
I could have another you by tomorrow
Don’t you ever for a second get to thinkin’
You’re irreplaceable
———————————————–

A manager gets fired for leading his side to 2nd in England, 2nd in Europe, after rescuing the team from turmoil following shocking changes at the start of the season.

An assistant manager gets fired days after being told that his position was safe despite the latest changes.

A manager gets fired despite leading his side to three successive titles.

Running along the lines of such ruthless treatment, it could even suggest that he should get the chop.

This makes me wonder about the forward-looking ideals that I have come to be familiar with, because these pieces of news all suggest that the world is a ruthless place. Perhaps this statement is over-simplistic and too much of a generalization in its depiction of reality, but it is something that needs to be carefully considered, because such harsh treatment is undeniably present. It is a harrowing thought that casts a shadow over the ideas and beliefs - that the dots will connect, and that failure is the first step to success.

Which is why it is crucial to have Him, and to have His reassurance, that no matter how deep the pit is, regardless of the prison we are caged in, trusting in His way can bring us from the Pit and Prison, and into the Palace.

All I can wait in anticipation for now, is 7.30pm EDT, June 3rd. Which is 7.30am local time tomorrow morning.

I returned from the 5 day seminar with an unusual and somewhat indescribable sense of quietness. I figured that it was probably caused by my longest absence from home this calendar year. Strangely enough, I have never felt this way before despite being away from home (and country) for a far longer stretch of time in the past.

Thinking further, I decided that perhaps, it could be triggered by ’sending off’ 4 groups of friends over the past 10 days. The first left to build habitat for humanity, and have since returned. The second flew off to the Land of the Morning Calm to compete in a competition of great similarity to the Academic Decathlon. The third and fourth both departed for creative problem solving competitions in the Land of the Free. The third group have gone to the region bounded by Great Lakes to tackle academic-centric problems, while the fourth group have just arrived in the state, where walking is the official state exercise, to participate in problems involving muses and eccentrics.

Each group holds a different yet significant meaning to me. It ranges from being a former participant, to being a part of that family, to having good friends participating in these activities, and it just feels ever strange that, I am not participating in either certain activities, or with this group of friend(s).

However, I do not regret or lament, for the experience I have gained over the 5 days is one that I cherish. The foreign environment has helped me to rediscover and rebuild, albeit not totally, but it carried with it a sense of refreshment. And it makes it more special to know, that the journey leading up to this 5 day experience was one that was bumpy, challenging, but without a shadow of doubt, truly meaningful.

This is what has made May-June so special for me over the last 4 years, because each June has capped off a great time of learning in a place away from the wyvern and from home. The first June ended in disappointment, but it fired up determination. The second May-June tasted success and experienced the joy of family. The third May-June built momentum, created an environment of self-discovery and provided me with encouragement that sustained me for the year. This May-June (or so far at least), tasted setback but has hopefully begun a season with renewed aims to win the race well, and most importantly, with the vision, to keep all the cargo intact.

I look forward to what the rest of June brings, especially the trip home. And finally, I wish the 3 groups who are competing over the coming days, God’s blessings.

I’ve lost my co-pilot for at least a couple of weeks, and its not easy. This compounds the fact that we have been flying different planes for the last 5 months.

And this reminds me of how it was before, which bugs me even more.

上海滩

浪奔浪流
万里滔滔江水永不休
淘尽了世间事
混作滔滔一片潮流
是喜是愁
浪里分不清欢笑悲忧
成功失败
浪里看不出有未有

爱你恨你问君知否
似大江一发不收
转千湾转千滩
也未平复此中争斗
又有喜又有愁
就算分不清欢笑悲忧
仍愿翻百千浪
在我心中起伏够

Many aspects of life summed up in one song, and it feels so relevant, yet so hard to put into words. But it reminds me of a message delivered on the 1st of the month before last - that at the end of it all, when we finish the race, will we protect the cargo and hold on to what is truly important?

From the player with one of the best backhands I have seen..

“It’s the end of a wonderful adventure but it’s something I have been thinking about for a long time,”

It was a wonderful adventure. Rebuilding has been tough, but its a reminder that as this “expert”said, “Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best”.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

朋友 by 谭咏麟

繁星流动和你同路
从不相识开始心接近
默默以真挚待人

遥遥晚空点点星光息息相关
你我哪怕荆棘铺满路
替我解开心中的孤单是谁明白我
情同两手一起开心一起悲伤
彼此分担总不分我或你
你为了我我为了你
共赴患难绝里紧握你手朋友

To you my friend, I salute. And may two forever be better than one.

The new interface on wordpress feels pleasant, and the delay at which I am commenting on this fresh look is evidence of the period of time I have neglected this webspace. This webspace was intended to share the joys that I encounter everyday, but in recent months, everytime I start typing, I end up selecting everything and hitting ‘delete’.

So its my intention to be start rebuilding soon,

in more ways than one.

Those Canaan Days from Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat

Do you remember the good years in Canaan?
The summers were endlessly gold
The fields were a patchwork of clover
The winters were never too cold
We’d stroll down the boulevards together
And averything round us was fine

“You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”

My co-pilot and I discussed this about 4 months ago.
tonight, we discussed this again.

And here I am, willing myself to hold onto this.

whatever befall, still be my vision

Going through bridging over the last week seems to have reaped good returns in giving me a good idea of what to expect for next two years. While fiddling/doodling with the eraser at the back of my pencil, I unintentionally wrote out the two alphabets..

IA

here we go

I return to updating this webspace after a long time of not posting - even during the long holidays. Contrary to what the lack of posts may appear to suggest, my holidays was eventful and exciting, and after two weeks of school, I am still re-adjusting to the routine of school.

Its not the waking up at 6am, neither is it the anticipation of a busy year, but its me missing my year-end holidays with my extended family.

November 2007 saw the arrival of my grandmother, aunt and cousin from the UK. Although I had some work to finish off for the year and could not spend more time with them, I enjoyed every moment of their company thoroughly - from the walks to buy ice cream, to the watching of Heroes, to the cycling at East Coast Park and even the Apple vs Microsoft ‘war’ I have with my cousin.

December 2007, was the first time ever that I have had the opportunity of spending Christmas with the entire paternal family (with the exception of one). Never before had we 7 cousins had the chance of being together at the same time, at the same place. I totally enjoyed our shopping trips to Orchard Road, the brother vs brother wars in the pool, the videos we filmed by the pool, the Sentosa Luge rides, Mahjong, Risk, the funny moments over meals and just the rare chance to talk to uncles, aunts and cousins face to face.

At the end the end of it all, I thank God for the opportunity to rest and relax after a whole two year’s of running. And through these two months, it reminded me of the true importance of a loving, caring and united family.

To my grandmothers, parents, aunts and uncles, my sister, richmond, doyle, bo and the three supermen. Thank You very much.

Muy buena indeed

Everything we’ve learnt, has been quite amazing.

And when you add this in, it makes it even better.

Friday was the first time in a long long time that I did not do any work for the entire day. After the Teachers’ Day celebrations in school, Rene and I went off for lunch and thereafter we proceeded to Gid’s place to play Wii. We were supposed to watch movie at 5pm, but after we got into many rounds of baseball, Medal of Honour and few rounds of Wii boxing, it was already 4.45pm. Tried calling a cab, but for the second day running the call-a-cab hotline failed on me (either could not get through OR all the lines were busy). So we stayed for dinner, played more Wii and eventually went for the movie at 9.45pm.

The Bourne Ultimatum was great. Not simply because of the fight sequences or mass chaos car chases, but more so because of how clever Bourne was portrayed to be. Favourite scene was at the Waterloo Station when he gave instructions to Simon Ross on the phone. Very intelligent.

Happy Teacher’s Day to all the teachers. Thank you very much for all your encouragement and hard work!

And Rene and I agree with him…Crazy little thing called love

After much discussion with Rene, we have reinforced the need to Love what you do. You gotta have it to keep you going.

Curtain has begun to fall. More to come when its halfway down.

I used Vista for the first time today, and I have to say that it is quite decent. However, I still laughed for the first half hour I used it, having found myself getting acquainted to a close relative.

For now, I’ll see you later

As we walked in as an entourage, I heard without a faintest doubt, the loudest applause rendered by an audience to such a guest at such an event. In my 3 years in the institution and 8.5 years in the family, I have never heard such a powerful gesture of appreciation that somone had come to join in the celebrations and thanksgiving.

Later, parents, teachers and students alike took a number of photos with this man, many of whom, just wanted to shake the hand of the man that they knew of by the picture they saw frequently at times like these. Many were excited, a number of them queued, one even looked like she was tearing (thats what it looked like..)

People only react like this, when they see something rare, when they see something special, and thats what this person embodied. It is amazingly difficult to stay in the race for 22 years, while enduring times of failure and despair. And he has done all this during a period of time when he has had a maximum of 13% of the people’s support.

I am also reminded of another story. My primary school teacher received an award, much like the one that 4 teachers received today, she was emotional, for it was such a landmark achievement for her to have stuck to her first call for so long - so long that her boss is the product of her guidance and care.

These people had 20-30 years to make such a difference, and leave such a powerful lasting impression. We have another 5 months, 2 have already gone by..but hopefully there is still time to leave some Time Pieces of our own…

Its been a crazily mad 2 weeks since Rene’s Birthday Bash. Heres an update of what I have been up to - the more interesting things. In between its been school, PB work and little sleep. But its been worth it, now I have a 5 days to take a proper breather before we get started again.

—-
If there is one month that you need to save loads and loads of money for, it is February. On my last count, I counted 12 people who are born in February alone. So after Rene’s, Kevin’s and Wang’s I found out that it was Louis’ birthday.

And so, in a moment of ‘lets get him something quick’, I decided to get a Black Forest cake for him.

Next morning I bring the cake to school, and thats when I found out that his birthday was in another 5 days! But oh well, we managed to celebrate his birthday no matter how early it may have been - yes I am trying to comfort myself for such a disastrous mistake.

—-

Went to watch Multiple Personalities Disorder on Sunday Night (10/2) - the closing night of Hossan Leong’s latest show in Singapore, which was written by Mr Miyagi. Hilarious stuff and it was really worth it.

*Spoiler* (though there probably isn’t a DVD coming out)

The way he imitated different people as the sole actor in the comedy was really really good, and the costume and makeup still amazes me in terms of he managed to do scene changes. Me thinks that if we were to do something like that for OM (if I ever do it again) ..woah..we’d get uber high for style. My favourite was his Richard Simmons and his Kenny Rogers scenes, and the jokes and songs were really fantastically integrated into the whole storyline. Omgosh, it was really really really good, plus he even did a scene with two different characters at once. It felt like it was an obvious way to do something of that sort, but he pulled it off quite brilliantly.

*end of spoiler*

—-

Roar. My toenail has cut into my flesh again. And it really hurts especially after a whole day of wearing socks and shoes, depriving and depleting and toe and wound of air. But I still managed to run my 2.4km and play soccer on Wednesday after PE, so I guess it is not that bad. Thoughts came to my head about being a surgeon when I finish school, after I made an attempt to ‘operate’ on my toe with a nailclipper and a magnifying glass. I think it helped a little bit to take away some of the nail that was getting in the way of me seeing the affected area, at least now I can see the wound created from the territory-hungry toenail. Even though I may have shown glimpses of my prowess in mini-surgeries (yeah right Henry! all you did was just clip off toenail), I think its best we leave it to cool bean ointments like these:

Body Shop Tea Tree Oil and Scholl Toenail Softening Solution for the win!

—-

Prefect Dedication Service was on Monday, and all our hard work paid off on this special day.. It was really a crazy two weeks in terms of what we needed to complete and prepare before the Service itself, and it was amazing how we managed to get everything to come together eventually. Thank God for his strength, sustainance and grace throughout the last two weeks and for bringing us through! Thank You to all who made this Dedication Service such a success, we really appreciate it!

‘Ignite the ACS Spirit’ it is, and I pray God will help us to see this through even through the toughest times.

—-

I have just posted a whole mass of different things that I have done over the last couple of weeks. Apart from the toenail bit of it, all of the other things actually have a common thread in them - they all involve ACSians. Thats an important thing to note, but at 2351 hrs, I think its best we leave that story for another day.

It is in times like this that technology is a real pain in the neck.

Then again, at least I didn’t have to send a telegram 3 weeks before it.

Camp ended on Friday and as part of my rehabilatation (rest) schedule before school begins, my sister and I went out with church friends to Vivo City for a movie. Golden Village there is crazy! Thank God we got tickets online before hand.

Night at the Museum was not bad, really funny at parts overall a nice light movie after a mighty hectic two months. So hectic, I have not even uploaded photos or posted about a wonderful Phuket trip.

So for now, before I leave to go out and celebrate the coming of a new year, I hereby promise to upload all this before school reopens. Otherwise, you will not hear of see anything till 2008 comes round. Seriously school is gonna be busy starting January 3rd. Speaking of busy school, I still have to finish my holiday homework. Thank God for an extra day before school this year!

2006 has been a great year for me, it has been crazy in terms of how busy it was, but I truly Thank God for the opportunities he has given me over the last 12 months.

By God’s Grace, I managed to get the position I wanted in my committee although I was miles (literally) away from where I needed to be.

In the past year, I have gone to China, USA, London and Phuket and its amazing how I managed to get such a chance at 15.

Thank God for granting our deepest desire to get 2nd at Odyssey World Finals in Iowa. After the disappointment of last year, we came back with what many people termed ‘a vengeance’ a purpose to win, and we did it!

Thank God for an opportunity in trans to select the new Prefects. And to get to know petes, mer-man, kev and adders.

Thank God for the holiday in Chicago, London and Phuket to spend time with family.

Thank God for bringing us through EOY Camp, to end the year on an emphatic note.

Thank God for helping me get 41 points for my EOY results, something out of my wildest imagination since I have never studied so last minute in my life.

Thank God for AHA Camp, for the time spent with God, the children and friends.

The list goes on…if I miss out anything I’ll add it in

So 2006, a true reflection of God’s goodness, seriously. The more you think about it, the more obvious it becomes.

Happy New Year! God’s Blessings in the New Year..

We were just finishing lunch, when this conversation comes up:
[part of conversation in cantonese]

Person 1: I really cannot finish it, please help me
Person 2: C’mon
Person 1: I really cannot, I am too full
Person 2: *laughs*
Me: [turns round and bursts out laughing]
Person 1: I seriously cannot finish it

this was what happened..

Person 4: [looks at it] what difference is it gonna make?