Went swimming today. I'm surprised that I can actually finish my 1st lap in one go after not swimming for god-knows-how-many-months (swimming noob here btw) And I've actually went shopping which happens in once in 2 blue moons? Realised that Bedok has a lot of poser clothes (not my type) but the clothes there are quite cheap anyway ^^

Went back to Secret Recipe today to return my uniform and collect my cheque. In the end, it was my cheque for January, not return of clothes =X All the colleagues I've worked with during the holidays have resigned already, leaving my manager with a new set of staff. Somehow, I kinda pity her, but I wonder whether she's used to it.

Going back there brought back quite a lot of memories. I remembered my colleague asking me whether I was looking forward to the start of school back in December in which I replied a straightforward NO. Thinking back, I might have been too narrow-minded then. All the school-related things I was thinking then were tutorials, lectures, projects and all those mugging. But that's just one aspect of school right? There are friends to joke around with, lame around with, stone around with and laugh around with. And so far, I think that's what making school life so enjoyable right now (even though there WAS a period of emo-ing ). In a flash, it's already the last week of school. Then you start asking yourself, "What have I done during this 2 months?" - Making a lot of friends and just plain having fun. But are we treasuring this period of joy? Rather, I think we're taking this time for granted, thinking it'll last forever. It won't, so I guess we should, or rather must, treasure the time we have now.

Oh yeah, I ordered Classic Cheese whole cake to be collected on 5th March. Too bad, not for you, JTay =P Gawd, can't wait for it to arrive xD

Life is may be stranger than fiction, but sometimes life can be just a like a play. Somehow, this time I can't put my feelings into words, no matter the number of times I've tried to edit. Sometimes, when a friend has problems, you can only sit and watch, because it is not something you can interfere with. It got me really thoughtful, but for once I cannot write it down here, since it involves too many people. But I guess the overall line of though would be "Can you be contented with just having a platonic relationship, or are you willing to risk it, for hope of something better to happen?"

Interestingly, it doesn't apply to just one particular person, but perhaps some others may relate to it as well. Sometimes I wonder if confession is just a game of probability, even though I disagree all the time. We are talking about the feelings of real life people here, and it feels like an insult to others if you think you can predict their feelings, based on mathematical calculation.

M.A.D and Guitar Ensemble auditions are back, but not going to try for them anymore. If I've decide on something, I shouldn't look back right? Anyway today was a really tiring day. POP sapped all my energy reserved for today. It's not like there's much of a difference, since I'm pretty much stoning during lessons anyway ^^

No idea why I'm blogging, not like anything particularly interesting happened. Just felt like blogging, even though I'm still feelings stoned ._.

People might think that I'm crazy for blogging almost right after I've reached home but it's best to blog when the feeling is still fresh within me.

O2 wasn't VERY fun. Going through 1 orientation is great. Going through 2? No thanks =\ There were supposed to be 2 girls and 3 guys joining us, but became 1 girl 4 guys, the same ratio as those that left. Mei ling, Lin Yi, Samuel and Yunfeng. Can tell that some of them were simply dao, but quite expected lah. I felt the same way during 1st Orientation.

POP (Post Orientation Party) was just as Lin Chen described - Dance, dance and more dance. Okay, there's songs and cheers too ^^ Ares won the best faculty dance, but I believed most, if not all, of us had fun in one way or another. It definitely ended a lot better for me this time than Campfire night 'cos I was all moody >.>

Think I just dao tomorrow lah, can't be bothered to think about schoolwork right now. This is what party is supposed to be about - to forget all your worries and just get high xD

Just one question - Why do girls have it around the same time even though their birthdays are quite far apart? Hmm...

Singapore Airshow 2008 is hot. Well, literally too. Went with Janus and the other HC people. The morning talks were plain boring, but the afternoon exhibition was quite cool. Um I mean hot >.> The worst part of the exhibition is getting in and coming out liao.

People who hasn't got in when the airshow started

The queue for bus to Pasir Ris ._.
Look like paper aeroplanes..
Beyond first-class

Unfortunately, we couldn't enter the A380. Reached home at around 5pm. A wonder how I survived until then, since I didn't have breakfast and lunch at all =\

Anyway last night's dramafest was crappy. I'm not saying the plays, but the live feed seriously sucks. It spoiled the atmosphere totally. It's hard to concentrate with the poor video and sound quality, so can't enjoy it as much as I would have wanted. Nevertheless, I think everyone who participated deserve to be praise for the hard work they have put in, even if Athena didn't win anything. Not the first time I'm quoting this, but Mr Tok used to say: "If you have put in your best effort, then you have succeeded. Winning a trophy or title is only a bonus."

The very mention of it sends chills down to every guy's spine. For 2 months, every birthday boy cowers in fear, silently hoping that It Which Must Not Be Named will not reach them. They run, and they hide. Some managed to escape to safety, but others could only struggle helplessly as its minions carry them towards their doom. As onlookers watched their fellow comrades being sent to hell on Earth, they are reminded of the fact that their own peaceful days are numbered.

BUT. One man came and saved them all. He gained control of the territory, and announced its banishment from the land for eternity. To aid those who underwent the traumatic experience in their recovery, all evidence of It Which Must Not Be Named must be destroyed. The very mentioning of its existence is considered a treason, and He Who Saved Them All dispatched his Internal Security team to seek out those who wish to cause disruption, and bring them to justice. Therefore, you have been warned. Do not trust anyone, for it may be you who will be banished next.

Seriously, there is something wrong with the school management. "You have two choices: CS session or to be my spy." Firstly, what right do you have to mete out punishment for something we have no idea is wrong? So, you have decided that flag-poling (I'm no Harry Potter, but I dare say it) is banned. But who has mentioned that posting online about it is against the school rules? In the end, we have not done anything wrong. It is YOU who are threatening us even though you have nothing to base it upon. Is this how a teacher with ranking in this prestigious school should behave? YOU are the one who has tarnished our school's reputation.

"Visitors who see this happening will be thinking, 'Is this how Hwachong-ians are like?' " Yes, this is how we behave. Yes, this is how naughty we are. Yes, this is what we Hwachongians are like. Why are you so afraid of visitors having a bad impression of us? If these visitors are given an impression of what we are not, then isn't that equivalent to lying to them? If this is part of being an adult, then I'd rather not grow up.

And Mr Discipline Master, if you have any qualms about me posting this in my personal blog, I'm Chua Woon Yang of 08S6A.

blah midnight and I've just given up on maths tutorial. At least I did try complete some questions >.> Now gottta pia my long overdue kinematics tutorial. Luckily, there's a 1-hour break tomorrow which will be more than enough to cross-reference (taken from Mr How) xD

Listening to The Great Spy Experiment album now. They're really good, just a pity that Singaporeans generally have low interest and exposure towards local bands =(

Thinking back, the wushu trainings I've been to for 9 years (almost a decade) may have been pointless, as I did not understand the purpose of it. I was hasty and only seek to learn new routines, hence losing interest as I was becoming stagnant. "Strengthening of the body" is the true purpose, but I didn't know about it then. I started learning because of interest, continued striving because of interest, and stopped because of interest. If I had known about it earlier, would I have continued?

Wushu, track, piano and many other stuff. Well, mainly those 3 which I've put in years of effort only to stop for a reason such as "loss of interest". Because of this excuse, I wonder how many people I've disappointed. I cannot face my 武术师父, and I cannot face any of my track coaches. How many more will I disappoint in the future? It's a no wonder why I cannot accomplish a single thing now.

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Once bitten, twice shy - something I really need to understand. Too bad, I've deleted my old blog, else I can read through all the emo stuff and remind myself not to let history repeat again.

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Is a simple greeting too much to hope for?

When a ship is sinking, the many small boats leave in different directions. Some boats may land on shore, but others may drift to nowhere.

When a ship leaves the dock, will it return, or will it land elsewhere?

When friends drift apart, it is done so naturally. But is there such a thing as being forced to drift away?

Just a few moments after the last post, it's a joke that I even typed More Than Meets the Eye. Indeed. Even with my weak vocabulary, I can think of a few words that represents my feelings right now.

Facade. Pretense. Bluff. False Front. Sham. Mask. And who can forget illusion? Since that's what I think everything is right now. I can't tell what is real anymore. And to think of what was written in my fortune cookie, I think my life's a joke right now. Everything just coincides perfectly, but all in the wrong way. I'm not gonna jump to conclusions, but nothing can stop the feeling within me right now.

And before you jump into the wrong conclusions, these feelings do not occur only between guys and girls, even if they are perfectly heterosexual.

Just a tribute to my late uncle. I wanted to scan all the newspaper articles initially but my scanner has some problems so will just make do with these =\ I haven't received the photos taken during the funeral though, so it'll be pretty short.

Articles about him after his demise

Look who sent flowers ^^

From today's newspaper Home Pg6

I chanced upon one of my cousins' blog. Read what she wrote about Uncle Edwin. Quite touching, but at the same time quite "innocent". I shan't use the synonym with negative connotation here, but there's always more than meets the eye.

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Forgot the rest of what I wanted to blog about ^^ Besides Nick crashing my school today. Oh ya his initial impression of our school was bad this morning because...

*Looks at Sherwyn and Louis pia-ing physics*
Nick to me: Why your school so mug one?

And fac dance was pathetic. Oh well.

Really tired. I wanna sleep soon but I'll lose the current feeling if I sleep now =\ Today's valentine's day is a trip to Mandai. Well, Mandai crematorium. My cousin asked a very valid question: "Why do everyone only cry today?"

It's quite hard to pinpoint to the exact answer, but for one I believe that the feeling of loss hasn't really sunk in before. Seeing my uncle resting in peace is one thing, but I guess seeing the coffin being carried away is another. The same goes for the cremation, even though we didn't get to see the coffin being burnt as with my grandfather's. Nevertheless, the realization that "he's really dead" just crashes into you. Even my cousins were crying, even though none of us were really close to him. For someone who is not relevant to your current life, you may think his loss will not have a strong impact. But then again, this someone has made an impact in your life, no matter how small - and I believe that's what make all the difference. However, I wonder if I'll be able to hold back my tears the next time another of my relatives pass away.

Oh and one of the interesting things people do during funerals: Hitting on a girl. The alleged hitter? My uncle's godson. The alleged victim? My sister ^^ They were chatting casually last night until he asked for email address or phone number then she keep dodging the question. Then today I was forced to sit with her in case he came >.> We were joking that she should have gave him her boyfriend's number or call him to come ^^ Let's see - towering at over 180cm, Aikido blue belt( could have been brown) and looks like a gorilla. Then draw a dragon tattoo on each arm xD But anyway, that guy didn't come today =X

Okay, time to sleep. I mean plan my GP >.> And and and...Happy Valentine's Daty everyone =)

Really tired. I wanna sleep soon but I'll lose the current feeling if I sleep now =\ Today's valentine's day is a trip to Mandai. Well, Mandai crematorium. My cousin asked a very valid question: "Why do everyone only cry today?"

It's quite hard to pinpoint to the exact answer, but for one I believe that the feeling of loss hasn't really sunk in before. Seeing my uncle resting in peace is one thing, but I guess seeing the coffin being carried away is another. The same goes for the cremation, even though we didn't get to see the coffin being burnt as with my grandfather's. Nevertheless, the realization that "he's really dead" just crashes into you. Even my cousins were crying, even though none of us were really close to him. For someone who is not relevant to your current life, you may think his loss will not have a strong impact. But then again, this someone has made an impact in your life, no matter how small - and I believe that's what make all the difference. However, I wonder if I'll be able to hold back my tears the next time another of my relatives pass away.

Oh and one of the interesting things people do during funerals: Hitting on a girl. The alleged hitter? My uncle's godson. The alleged victim? My sister ^^ They were chatting casually last night until he asked for email address or phone number then she keep dodging the question. Then today I was forced to sit with her in case he came >.> We were joking that she should have gave him her boyfriend's number or call him to come ^^ Let's see - towering at over 180cm, Aikido blue belt( could have been brown) and looks like a gorilla. sd

Not my fault. I wanna stay up to do my tutorials but...sigh.. teachers only want the best for us right? So must listen to them:

Have at least 8 hours of sleep the night before (but don't be late for school)

It's not possible for me to have 8 hours of sleep AND not be late for school already, so I need to prioritize.

Sleeping rejuvenates the body, and is healthy for both body and mind.
Not being late for school means less sleep, hence less healthy.
Health > Studying and being punctual.

So which should be my priority? Of course 8 hours of sleep. So if I'm late for school tomorrow, the school should not punish me for taking care of my health right? G'nitez =D

P.S I doubt they are taking down names to commend

My heart has been racing for some reason. No, it didn't go for an early start for Wed's X-country ^^ Neither because Valentine's Day is coming ._. Nor is it because Total Defence Day is coming this Friday -.- And I doubt it's because of tomorrow's essay test =X

In fact, I doubt I'm gonna 'prepare' for it. What have we practised so far? Thesis statements, topic sentences and supposedly introduction -.- Let's see...

Stand - I disagree that I should prepare for the essay test.

Thesis Statement - Last-minute revision for an unimportant test is inefficient and may develop into a bad habit.

Topic Sentence 1: The essay test will not be counted to our final mark.
Topic Sentence 2: Last-minute revision will not be productive and may cause students to misunderstand concepts.
Topic Sentence 3: Revising at the eleventh hour is inefficient, therefore we should not even study so as not to habitualize.
Random Sentence: Staying up late for something important may lead one to become impotent.

Intro - Current trends show that Hwa Chong students tend to revise at the last minute before a test, even if it is not important.

For an individual to become successful, he/she needs to be able to self-motivate, something I seriously lack. Remembering one of the posts I made, I guess it is unfair to compare my inabilities to others. Those people train and practise seriously, while I'm only doing things half-heartedly, thus I'm always neither here nor there. I guess that's why I always think back to the times in sec 2, when I trained with my whole heart and soul, with all the fellow trackers motivating one another. Too bad, running or jumping is no longer one of my interests, thus I cannot go back to Track. But now I think more than I missed the times together, I yearn more for the motivation, whether from friends, peers or coach. Maybe that's why I'm so reluctant to join recreational CCA. I don't wanna look back years from now and think "how much of my life I have wasted?" I want to be able to set a target, and achieve it.

Knowing what I want, it's easier to catch hold of it. But until the time when CCA is compulsory, I'll enjoy the remaining freedom I have =]

If you watched CNA for the flash news below or watched any of the news or read the newspaper tomorrow, you'll see something like "Singapore Chinese Ink Painter and Culture Medallion winner Chua Ek Kay dies at 61." Any relation to me?

3rd day of CNY 9.45am - My father woke me up and told me that my uncle has passed away.

Well, actually according to my cousins, he passed away on Friday night and my parents were there, so I guess me and my sis were a bit late in finding out >.> Can't say I'm devastated by the news, I'm not even very depressed since I wasn't very close to him. Actually, he wasn't very close to any of my cousins either =\ Nothing much to there, my cousins and I hanging around collecting condolence money and crapping about stuff. Oh yeah, there was a family who came for a surprise visit to wish my uncle happy cny, but I wonder who got surprised instead.

Actually I do find the whole thing saddening. I mean, it's inevitable that you will feel sad if someone related to you passes away, even if he or she isn't very close to you. But more than that, we have to wake up to the reality that not everyone will live to a ripe old age. For my uncle's case it was not very, but still quite sudden. He had nose cancer since 3 years ago, but it aggravated 2 weeks ago, then this happened. We don't get to live as long as we want. Then I thought of my father who is only a few years my uncle's junior, I just went "oh shit". But the thing is, we don't know the true value of things until we lose it. But by then, everything will be too late. Just as we don't know the meaning of loneliness until we experience accompaniment, we don't know the meaning of life until we experience death (okay that sounds weird). But that's life, isn't it? We always respond the slowest to the things most important to us.

Then there's the thing I remembered from Tuesdays With Morrie. How many people who came to offer their condolence actually visit him occasionally? What's the point of vising a dead person, when you could have visited him when he was alive? That's just ironic.

If you wanna see how famous he is, just google his name and check the selling price of his art pieces >.> Or you can just read the news article here

Not sure whether it'll be alright to post this up but whatever.

If one of your relatives pass away, even if he isn't really close to you, are you supposed to feel sad? Somehow it feels strange, since right now I'm blogging about it, as if it has nothing to do with me. To be truthful, I don't even feel sad right now, since I'm not so close to him anyway. Is that being heartless?

3rd day of CNY, a can-still-be-considered-happy occasion, my father woke me and said that one of my uncles has passed away.

I wonder how my father felt, since he was pretty nonchalant about it. But just imagine one of your siblings passing away, how will it feel? Somehow, I don't really know

Firstly, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! =)

It's the 2nd day of CNY already. Spent the whole afternoon visiting everyone's house (not everyone actually, only three). It's better than last year since 2 of my relatives (whole family) were at Australia at that time. Spent the whole night re-watching Claymore (actually I fell asleep halfway, my sister finished it) and that's basically the whole day ._. Oh yeah, some of my cousins (some = 12) should still be watching Ah Long Pte Ltd right now. Wanted to join them but got too lazy and I might fall asleep halfway =X

There was something I wanted to blog about but after thinking through the consequences and repercussions, I've decided against it =X So I shall sleep instead. No idea why I'm so sleepy =S

o.O 1 week since I've blogged. Paiseh to those who came and left disappointed, black out at home caused my modem to go haywire >.> Shan't go into boring details. It's been a while since I've last went without internet, so once again I've realised how well I have been using my time >.> To put it simply, I've been wasting my life away while on the internet xD But besides that not-so-surprising realisation, I think I've gained more knowledge with regards to my own social circle, but I think I've known it for a long time, just that I refuse to acknowledge it. Oh, and the fortune inside my red packet today stated something quite interesting but uncannily enough, getting this fortune might be fate.

"The new year will be a good time for you to renew old acquaintances. Look out for someone you haven't seen in a while."

They say quarrels are needed for couples to understand each other better, but somehow during the process, the third party will suffer psychological damage. My mood is kinda ruined right now, and it's only 2 days to CNY.

Played tennis with Jun Jie and Hu Yuan after fac dance, and for a period of time, with Sherwyn. Not surprised at how suck my skills are, considering the number of times I've played in my life (you can count with your fingers!) But it's damn fun anyway xD

Somehow, I think the emo side of me has passed, which means less "thoughtful" posts and more boring day-to-day activities ^^