Chilli Crabs!

Had a tummy filling, sumptuous prereunion dinner at Jumbo Restaurant in East Coast Park with my family. The chilli crab gravy is simply ....orgasmic. That is, when it's hot.

It has been a good time so far. We had spent the past one month eating dinner together, due to my older sister recuperating at home. Shall be celebrating another finger-licking reunion dinner tomorrow.

Finally managed to skim through reading GIT. The ambitious plan of reading every chapter for biochemistry simply...fell apart -.-'. Guess now I have to go to the library and get some red spots...as usual.

Time to sleep. Another long day tomorrow.

The Night of Vodka

Woke up early in the morning to go all the way to SRC handball court to play against the seniors in captain's ball. Was hoping to get a shot at Haagen Daaz ice cream. Ended up getting trashed in every game with tails between our legs.

Went to YIH to have a simple lunch with my fellow batch mates. Followed one of my friend to Eusoff Hall as he needed to prepare his equipment for a floorball match later. Met Nikhil along the way with his cool funky bleach hair. Ashraf should really take a look at his new...hairdo :D. Initially wanted to take a bus to Buona Vista MRT. In the end, we longpanged another person's car to Tiong Bahru MRT station.

Went home exhausted and tanned, so I took a nice afternoon nap until around 6pm. Wore a simple polo-T shirt and jeans and went to Clark Quay to meet my army friends.

Apparently, there was a V bash event (Verve) organised by NUSSU. Queued up outside The Arena for quite some time before entering the premise. Unlike the richer folks, we ended up standing around a small table, putting our goodie bags (with a complimentary CD, Cleo/Teenage magazine and a couple of vouchers) under it. Met one of my fellow friends en route to the destination.

Since I had zero exp at either a club or pub, we decided to follow the leader of the pack (who had vast xp) and ordered the complimentary free drinks of vodka as well. Geez. Tasted damn frickin bitter. At least not as smelly as beer.

It became quite crowded later. There were a live band performance, some drinking competition, fashion lingerie show (which the den of wolves hooted and cheered) and a lucky draw which neither of us won. If anything, The Arena was more of a pub than a club.

All the preconceived notions of debauchery and wild wet fun did not materialise. At least, not as bad as I thought. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was organised by a student union. I guess it did not want the reputation of NUS to go down the drain. Yeah. After spending so long on trying to make itself known as the "top 20 uni" in the world. The "worst" it came to was lap dancing, in which the president and another guy were stripped to their shirts and belts removed (though the other guy declined to remove his shirt, perhaps due to the fact that he hid a beer belly, which would make many people become Merlion) and the raucous provocative dancing by 3 other girls around their bodies.(again to the lusty cheers of many wolves).

Went out of the pub at around 2230hr. My army biological clock started to tick, hence I declined supper and Kbox with my fellow "kakis" and went home to sleep instead.

K歌之王 II

While most of my fellow batch mates are shaking legs at home today, lim bei (no actually me only) went to school. Tried waking up 1/2 hour later. Ended up 10 min late for a meeting.

After that, the few of us went to the Engine canteen for lunch. Despite what my army friend has said, there are actually quite a number of eye-catching creeps. (although the numbers do not compare with the Arts people, as I realised later). The chicken rice, is fantabulous! Trashes the one at Science canteen completely. Never have I seen such cheap and good chicken rice---all the grains are glistening with chicken stock, adequate meat, even after adding the veggies, it is only $1.90.

Went back to Science to collect my own personal document. After spying through the signature list, I counted 10 others who would be collecting the same cert as me. No prize money (unlike IPPT) unfortunately.

Met Zx later in the usual hideout of the library. After he left, I spent the time exploring the Arts Faculty.

Met Chun Wee in the same lecture! It's been around 6 years since we last met. Quite an interesting lecture, with a mesmerizing lecturer to boot.

Went home and after a short while, my dad and I went to Downtown East to have dinner before supporting my maternal aunt in a Union Championship Singing Competition.

It was like a pugilistic meet. The 12 finalists, including my aunt, belted out a myriad of songs, in Tamil, Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, English and Chinese that impressed the crowd. Different trade unions sent their minions out to support their idols. After a 3hours wait, my aunt got 2nd place! Wow. Didn't expect that to happen.

Hmm. Will be having a Captain Ball's fight-out in the morning tomorrow. And probably gonna meet my army friend for some clubbing bash organised by FASS/engine later at night. -.-

The Gracious Society

"It will take beyond my lifetime for Singapore to be a gracious society"--Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore.

Today, indeed, I experienced Singaporeans in their full glory. Who says SG people are an ungracious lot? Well, tour with me in my morning adventure to prove you wrong!

Early in the morning, six o'clock....shall not digress further which might lead into a childhood vulgar song. Anyway, I was happily making my way to the MRT station, looking forward to the bright and sunny campus of NUS. After a while, I realised that throngs of people were walking out of the MRT station!

By the time I made my presence felt, there was already a huge crowd gathered at a nearby bus stop. Nonetheless, despite the fruitful time-wasting, the crowd was generally a happy lot! Everyone was walking gaily and calmly to the nearest bus stop. None complained even though they knew they were gonna be so early for school and work. The best way to start the first day of the week.

Finally, the bus had arrived. Everyone automatically formed a straight line to the bus entrances, even giving way to the sick, elderly and the young. (although somehow, I managed to automatically get up the bus without moving my legs. Really). Some commuters gently reminded their neighbours not to push. You could even hear people thanking the SMRT personnel for bringing the shuttle bus over.

The best was yet to be. (When the passengers had finally squeezed up the bus, the bus sensors malfunctioned. Hence they could not close properly). After a fruitful time wasting session waiting for the bus to move, some people even automatically got off the bus! They would rather be concerned about other people being late for work than themselves. How nice. Some middle-aged men even gently reminded the driver, "Oh what the fish. Why the FISH do they get off the bus? Get the FISH up!" (by now you should have gotten the hint). In fact, they liked fishes so much that they kept saying "FISH" under their breath. Some even urged the driver not to move, as they know that safety is of course, more important than them being personally late for work. What is possibly getting fired and scolded by the boss compare to the lives of 50+people at stake?

And hence, after 20 minutes of fierce competition deciding who got to hold the doors of the bus shut , the bus moved. Occasionally, the bus driver would steer his bus straight ahead instead of turning left. He wanted to practise his 3 point reverse turn so badly, I suppose. After 3-5 tries of successful 3 point turnings, he went on to practise reversing all the way back to the junction to turn left again. As well as slamming on the e-brake.

By now, everyone was euphoric. A few more fishes flew in the air, of course. Some even sympathised with SMRT, saying how little they have gleaned off our pockets, hence this performance today; so we must forgive them. One lady (from China, in Chinese) even told someone on the phone, "The bus driver really knows his way! I am sure I know why I am on this bus, and that taking this bus from Pasir Ris to Tanah Merah will surely bring me to Simei CGH!".

We managed to reach Tanah Merah, due to some passengers acting as bus captains, giving helpful information to the driver such as "turn left" (one said) and "turn right" (the other said, simultaneously at a junction), earning a few friendly horns as well as probably, a few polite middle fingers. (ended up turning right, which encountered more traffic lights instead of turning left which would have led to the expressway -.-''')

It even wanted to stop at Expo (again, due to a few blur passengers), before being gently reminded with yet a few more fishes to go straight to the MRT instead.

Waltzed into my lecture 1/2 hour early, as usual. (By the way, the driver said he came from Redhill). I guess he wanted to practise his bus driving skill in the isolated town of Pasir Ris. What a gracious society!

P.S, try to find the few statements that are different from the rest. (...)

Readings

Just finished a set of notes that comprises 20 pages +++. Had to resist the urge of playing DoTA everytime I finished every word, sentence, paragraph and page.

Pressure. Best defined like the time (a long time ago) when Damien, Junda and I had to mug for geography paper (essay!) after a gruelling biology paper essay in the Junior block. And the intensely insane reading through of notes in less than 24hrs for Physio paper 1.

Finally the manga scanlations are out, after 2 weeks of Japanese holidays the authors have taken. A nice reprieve from the real world.

Damnit, one set of my lecture notes contain an insanely large number of pages (100+ ?!). No choice but to devour the ink in the school's CBLC. As of 2nd week only (which haven't even started), my reserve is only 1/2 tank.

Had a long and nice chat with one of my beloved friend. Initially wanted to just spend the lonely night mugging away, until her nick appeared and did not instantly disappear for some time. The opportunity cost was well worth it :) (seldom do I put smilies, was kinda surprised I see AO donning one.)

So looking forward to Monday. Let's see, 2 lectures, one lab. Hmm. Time to put on the damn lab coat again.

Looks like I am gonna have to make new friends from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences during my course of studies as well. Might as well spice up my life. They are legendary for being...hmm...how should I put it, well dressed and beautiful, though I am not sure how true is that. Maybe the makeup and clothes can really transform a person.

Not sure if I had mentioned it before, but miraculously, 3 of us managed to escape from the jaws of tech mob. It was a last minute affair to boot as well; just as I was cursing my bad luck and packing my army field pack, the clerk called to say that he has placed my name on the imaginary holding list. Guess that it was a gesture of good will from him.

Managed to cut down my flossing time from 1 hr +++ to a few minutes. Hopefully, I got do a decent job, if not the dental surgeon (I prefer calling people as what they will be in the future, most likely) will kill me :S. Cannot let her efforts go to waste. It's kinda tough at the start. Really. Very. Especially if you salivate every few floss here and there, dripping all over the table, the keyboard, yourself, your shirt...etc. Sometimes, you might hear an occasional !@#$ from my room, especially when my brute force slides the floss too deep in....and its fricking disgusting. The slime (my own, sadly) might be occasionally stained with gross red food particles. Urgh. The smell is retching as well. Yeah expected. Especially if its 21 years of trash hidden.

One day I would add her to facebook as well :D. Friendster is like...an ancient dinosaur.

Meet The Spartans

Apparently, there is a movie that is a spoof based on 300. I have never watched a parody before, so I wouldn't know. Heard that Epic movie was quite a failure.

Just finished reading up on endocrine. Urgh. Why the *@#$ does a human being contain so many hormones?! The worst part is sometimes the hormones will affect the secretion of another, and there's no logical explanation for it (yet).

Just took a jog at 6. Managed to do one more pullup than I had expected. They say exercise stimulates growth hormone secretion. No harm giving it a try. Now I am just waiting for the 9pm show. The final four episodes should be quite exciting.

The journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step. It has been long since I had that intense feeling after the desert rose had wilted beyond my reach. Now that ken toh and raymond had found theirs, maybe I should start exploring the flowery world. Had a target in mind; but as usual, it comes with challenges. Damn man. Cliques are really...troublesome. Especially if its all XX.

Today saw a random couple making a few rounds around the science canteen, like how doggies walk around their kennels before they eat, while we were discussing about life options. Saw them again at the bus stop, this time holding hands. Big hands over small hands. :S

Strike when the iron is hot. Wish me balls of steel then.

Trailer 1
Trailer 2

Happy like a bird

No lab sessions this week. My lectures are all in the morning, which means no more battling the afternoon z monster (for a few weeks only).

Now my hair looks like Zack's (who looks like Cloud). Ever since the miraculous cancellation of my tech mob (due to the battalion clerk striking my name and 2 other lucky souls off the company list), my hair has been growing.

Was happily browsing through some of my peers' blogs. It's a good thing my name is not there on the links. I deduced the only way they can ever find out about mine is either I am drunk or through Mr duckgoesquack's blog.

Had been a frequent guest of my sister's house. Thoroughly enjoyed the family dinner and the 9pm show at her house.

May I have peach flower luck this year.

Well Spent

Must be one of my most enjoyable holidays to date. Absolutely no obligations to do anything, which makes me free to try everything.

By this time, Eddie, Ivan and Kentoh should be back at the States. I am gonna wake up in roughly seven hours time.

Spent my Thursday meeting up with my JC classmates(DJ, VK, val lau, mel, abin, lam and steph); had dinner at some restaurant and then proceeded to play pool. Went back to campus on Friday to print some notes. Managed to reach the library on time just to print a set of notes before 5pm. Later went to Clementi to have dinner with DJ and Yanfen.

Looks like it's gonna be four months time before I am gonna touch any games. Of course, it is one of my new year resolution. In writing, that is. I would wanna get Heroes V: Hammers of Fate to spend my 3 months of holidays with....

一个人生活

First time using chinese words as my title. AO, the veteran of the CL, should be able to read these words with ease.

Will be venturing into unchartered territory. Eddie's words are resonating in my head as I type. "95/110 and 110/110 is a world of difference," so said the top melon. His 20 pages of "Racism in WOW" must have Wowed his marker so much that he got full marks.

Mulling through my barang barang as I pay the storeroom a visit. I better find the fax machine soon, if I wish to avert more of these bull!@#$.

Physio notes and tutorial questions are up, as testament to their efficiency. Gonna take out my Marieb bible soon.

Calling up people just to waste 1/2 day in camp is really a pain in the @#$. Really. Especially if your house phone can't be used.

It's a good thing that I ORDed early, from what I heard from the bn clerk, things can only go downhill for NSFs in my unit. Now they had just implemented 5BXs. I won't be surprised if I return to find SOC in place.

Going to my sister's house for some homecooked free food now.

The Lonesome Hero

Monday. Met Eddie and Thng. Tried some Japanese Chicken and Cheese Ball from a pasar malam while waiting for Eddie at Boon Lay. Almost puked. Waited quite some time before the man himself appeared. Later realised that he took a bus instead of driving down. Went to his house, looking for interesting stuffs to bid. Tried to read up on my real estate afterwards. Ended up watching Kelly Clarkson. Zx joined us in the cold room to exchange some files.

Unfortunately could not join the duo for dinner. Had to rush off to my old camp (@#$!) for some briefing. Took a long and lonely journey through the cemeteries, as usual. Apparently, someone shifted house, so somehow or another I ended up as 3IC. TMD.

Tuesday. Went to have free scaling. Chilled out at the library for a few hours reading the damn estate book again, before wandering out to ACJC to wage the war that should not have happened. Feasted my eyes on words like "..Knowledge Based Economy...3 year leases+3" and also on the flower flower world.

Sadly, the security guard was not charmed by my looks. Hence I was not let in. So I rested at the bus stop nearby, occasionally walking around the whole damn campus like a lost dog. Since the guard was not gay, (neither am I) I could only exude my yang aura outside. Only after hours toiling (the butt hurts) at words, looking at buses, babes and sitting down on the same spot, I decided that enough was enough.

Went in feeling confident this time that I won't be stopped. The guard looked at me with weary eyes. I could not give a @#$%. Strolled to the same Jap eatery at the swimming pool and ordered fried rice and coffee. In between sips of coffee, I looked at the pages of my highlighted book and occasionally glance at the field.

This time there were students all around. So after my leisurely meal, I proceeded downstairs to R&R, admiring the table tennis scene.

Finally, the time had come. The exam venue is different from the past. The room was much smaller, and frickin colder by a lot less. By then, people of all shapes and sizes had gathered in full force.

Since the exam fee was reluctantly paid, I gladly used up every single piece of paper that was given to me, to maximise the cost per sheet. Choose 5 out of 8. Hmm. The MCQs, though they were few, were worse than even physio! A greenhorn like me can never guess whether they were trick qns. All of them had either D) All of the above or D) None of the above, which made life hell for me.

Decided not to brave hell but took the easy way out, which is to write as tidily as I could for 5 essay qns. Since time=money, I also happily spend the whole 2 1/2 hrs there, instead of rushing to complete everything within 1 1/2 hr the previous round.

Looks like only Wednesday is my only free day.

Top Melons

Met Eddie and Co. yesterday. Initially thought that zx was tagging along as well, until I met them. Concluded that zx would never go out just for the lame activity of LAN gaming. The co. included ivan, jeonjijhyun86 otherwise known as benjamin and another of eddie's friend.

McMuster is no longer operating at Paradiz. Instead, another operator called GG(U) was in its place. We never went there. Went to a corner LAN shop which had some sort of ladies' night offer...they could play for free from Monday to Thursday.

Depended on Eddie's com to host bnet. Played several games of DoTA, only losing the last one. Randoming all the way was perhaps our downfall.

By the end of the $7 game, we dragged our weary bodies to the nearest Kopitiam. I had Ban Mian; Eddie had yong tau foo while Ivan chose an exotic dish with a long fish.

Departed after the 9pm dinner. Eddie as usual took his bus together with Ivan; I took the MRT (as expected) together with jeon.