As you guys know, the latest, most talked about club in the happening scene is Avalon. It is situated beautifully along the river just right outside Marina Bay Sands. Yup, the atas integrated resort in Singapore.
So, I was there for a fashion event. Robinsons and mioTV teamed up to do a little style transformation. MioTV now airs US series 24hrs straight after it's being aired halfway around the world, time backwards. And Robinsons? They bring you fashionable pieces as if straight out of the US TV series. Examples are like Gossip Girl, The Mentalist, Nikita to name a few.
Anyway, enough of the yabber dabber. See some pictures!
As you can see, it was a super crowded event that night! Only managed to take a few pictures of the fashion show. Dying to see more upstyle pieces? Check out Robinsons in MBS now. :)
Since I've got my blog, I think it'll be a better idea to post whatever pictures or videos I've got over here, rather than flood the walls of FaceBook with my Mobile Uploads. Plus, it's really been useless trying to tweet photos while I'm on mobile data mode. I was initially thinking of doing frequent videos and hope for a reception. But with 3 more papers coming up this week and the next, I guess I could just start with the "photo(s) of the week" section.
At least, this shit is over and done with. Unreasonably long reports bundled with tedious printscreens of draggy procedural commands for your beloved computer. Not the typical assignments I could've rushed through with at the near end of the term since this crap was coming in weekly from the very beginning.
Sorta managed to spoil myself silly with cravings for the spices again. The night of my final class(Monday) for this term, I went down to Nando's @ Bugis for the 3rd time with my classmates to have a 1/2 chicken meal(inclusive of 2 sides). The price is equal to that of the Espatada, i.e., $21.90 but I found this more filling, although the Espatada looks more colourful with the peppers. First day of revision(Tuesday)! We thought it'd be a good idea to head back to Novena(like we did back in Advanced Diploma) and carry out our group revision there. Who knew the MacD's had sealed all their plugs! SELFISH. We didn't last long on our laptops and had to call it a day after we were done with the hard copies of our work. At least I spammed the coupons for lunch and dinner, managed to get a free sundae and 6-piece nuggets! ^_^
And then I tried my luck on the toy machines that stood opposite from where we were. Obviously, I didn't catch anything or I'd be having a picture of the prize instead of this impressive line of machines...
Oh, and if you're wondering who is this "we" I keep referring to, it's my classmates & I. It's at times like these during the school term, I'm rarely caught hanging out with anyone else other than them...
The weather's been a killer since last month with days switching between burning heatwaves and chilly thunderstorms... Singapore may very soon turn its concrete jungle into a concrete desert if it gets too intolerable even for the plants. Thank goodness this beautiful orchid plant my mom bought for home survived. The strawberry plant in the kitchen? Not so lucky.
PS: Fortunately, I've cleared my IPPT window for the year and can peacefully enjoy mooncake festival without having to watch my diet. If I hadn't, I'd probably be heading down to camp 3 times a week by now and have to juggle between exam revision and 1 re-module. Sobs. It's hard enough balancing my time as it is. Sigh, guess I'll have to withstand this period and pat myself on the back once it's all over.
I have the car on most nights. I am stronger than your average local man. I'm not exactly Mr. Center of Attention. I like to wear tight stuff. I have a girlfriend. I sleep at sunrise & still make it in time for school. My mom always wonders why I'm up so late. I've got a handful of reports due in a few days. I still need to spread my time evenly between family & friends.
Just wanting to share with you guys my attempt on cooking eggs with melted cheese. The bottom's a little burnt because of the cheese... It's not bad but leaves you thirsty. Will try the scrambled version next time.
PS: I am still pondering on what I should do with this blog. I obviously need a change in the layout. Perhaps I'll start doing weekly updates or even go for a vlog style. If you're still following, just leave me some comments in the box on the right. Thanks.
Back and no bullshit. I've been away cos I've been playing with my new HTC Hero ALOT(and school =P). And when I say ALOT, I mean I need to charge the damn phone every night. That is saying something, considering HTC phones have the longest battery life as compared to other big names, especially those named after fruits. =) It's the best birthday present I've ever gotten thus far! Thanks again, Mommy.
The Interview The girlfriend convinced me to apply for a role in some reality show that should be in production pretty soon. Clicknetwork's Room101. I didn't think they would call but they did and I ended up finding my way through Bugis to a very secluded corner of the fifth floor to some building(why are all media studios so conveniently based at some unheard location?). The interview felt simple and yet a little intimidating, also surprisingly short. Dunno how much of a fool I made out of myself with all those provocative questions on camera. Quite frankly, I don't think I'd be affected(because I'm not much of a talker in the first place) if I wasn't chosen but it'd be an experience to be called up for something I've never done before.
The Anniversary 2 non-leap years we've been together. Sounds so cliche but I'll say it anyway. It felt like only moments but when I look back I see the long road that we have walked together and the many things that happened along the way. There aren't many girls that both family and friends will accept my being with you and even lesser that share the same humour and views similar to mine. You are my best friend and I love you.
We had dinner @ Iluma's Empire State.
IPPT Remember my Zombie/Nerd/Slacker chart? Well, I've pretty much tried staying at the top of the class while maintaining a certain volume of muscles(CNY food as mass-gainers!) to contradict the computer student stereotype. Unfortunately, this pricey trade-in has taken away at least a couple of sleeping hours everyday. I'm not complaing though, now that I'm getting used to it. However, I can't understand why I always wake up with a massively puffed up face, accompanied with eyebags big enough to just be called bags.
Alright, that aside, I'm still not sure if I actually passed. If I had failed the IPPT, I'm very sure that the army would sent me a not very discreet message and call me back for 8 sessions of you-suck training. Still, I'm very certain that my stamina levels have dropped tremendously. Sure, if I were to do all the exercises at my own time, it'll be a definite cinch. All within the hour? Haha, too much, buddy. Another factor I've got to take into consideration is that I've been very dependant on threadmills, so much so that my body will subconsciously expect the ground below to move backwards and I push.
Aris' Birthday One of the many outings had with the girlfriend's class. In a way, I envy their energy. This time, it was at East Coast's Waraku for dinner. It was the first time I've ever had a meal at Waraku and personally, I didn't find it at all special but it was Japanese food after all. =)
Enoki mushrooms wrapped in bacon. MUST TRY!
My main course. I don't remember the name of it because it was too long. I know it was soba with ladies' fingers though.
East Coast Lagoon There was a sudden spark in the idea of driving around in the middle of the night and having seadfood for supper, followed by pool after. For 2 consecutive nights we patronized the food centre for cockles, topshells, oysters, stingray, satay, chicken wings and chendol. Just listing it is making my mouth water. It's times like these that make us appreciate the time spent on earning our drivers' licenses. ^_^
BodyWorlds It's back in Singapore again and Tin, Kev, Amanda & I managed to snag tickets for the last day. I did not find the visit very enjoyable. I preferred the first exhibition better. There was alot of muscle exhibits this time round which didn't look very exciting at all. I did, however, learn alot about the other organs and how big they can swell up to once they're out of the ribcage. There were also exhibits of the anatomy of squid, giraffes and horses but no one really gave a shit about how they look.
This was the halfway point of the queue.
Aunt's Birthday Another birthday in the month of March belonged to my aunt Brenda. Family lunch at Park Royal for an all-you-can-eat-buffet before the adults broke off for Resort World Sentosa's new casino where they utilized all 24 hours of the admission. Hardcore, damn hardcore. At least they won some moolah.
Left: Sashimi from buffet(appetizer after my salad with marshmallow chocolate fondue!)
Right: Can't go wrong with chocolate cake.
My Birthday Oh yeah, you know what time it is. The actual day was on a Thursday and I very much expected everyone to be unavailable in the middle of the week so I had a family dinner instead. Brought Amanda along in hopes that she can finally taste a lobster but in vain, she had to settle for crabs and prawns! Plus I got more red packets! It's like getting an open-ended answer to an open-ended question but with money! $$$
My BBQ The day before was spent last-minute oil-burning for a retest e-paper at 10 in the morning and I could only hit the sack at 5 to maximise my chances of passing. I did pass in the end. I'm very sure it wasn't just pure luck that got me above the 700/1000 passing standard but I'm pretty sure a certain amount of it had a part to play. Come on, for the past 2 exams, I had no idea what 1/4-1/3 of the questions were talking about but I aced them! Some of my friends prefer to assume that some questions carried more weight than others while I preferred to think that I'm AWESOME. That fact alone was enough to keep me awake for grocery shopping despite only having 3 hours of rest.
That's TapTap 2 that we're playing, if you're wondering...
It felt more like a housewarming party, actually. Didn't really bother me since I had a great time.
I would like to thank everyone for coming to the party. My aunts for allowing me to use the place. Tin and Kev for helping me with the preparations. My classmates, TayZa, Meng, Egg, Tommy & CaoLiang for getting me a cake. Stacey and Andrew for the wine. Bryan for the pies. For everyone else I had left out, let it be known that I truly appreciated you being part of the barbeque. And I have not forgotten those that could not make it but still wished me! =D
Twitter hasn't been very generous in sharing its time on me with blogging but I've broken through its attention-seeking and made it to another post here! Lol. Okay, that was just a completely null sentence to make my entry look longer... -_-
The festive half-month is coming to a close and the mood is pretty much dying at this point. Not to say things have been turning monotonous. Rather, you start realizing there were too many tidbits, not alot of people to visit and gambling became the main objective of the holidays. Which leads me to emphasize the fact that I didn't get the chance to follow through with a proper diet or have any luck at cards and tiles. At least I discovered how to utilize Google Maps, probably one of the more useful things I've learnt this month.
Not much else was up outside the CNY. Oh, I totally aced my last paper(and still feeling totally badass about it). My little bro totally hates me fer always appearing like I'm bumming around but still can stand at the top of the class. What can I say. Hard-workers hate geniuses. BACK FROM DIGRESSION. There was also Alyssa's birthday celebration at Butter Factory & Vallent's 21st goin' on at his place fer a BBQ(which was very meaty and alcoholic, dehydration much?)
1st picture(from left): Khairul shuffling, me photobombing.
2nd picture: Me, girlfriend, Vallent.
Good news: I'm next in line to celebrate my birthday(24 years)!
Bad news: I've got less than 10 days to pass my IPPT(I guess this anxiety building up inside me is due more to mental unpreparedness).
PS: I wonder how different I'll appear to be once it hits my birthday if I carry on with my exercise regiment. And I know it's kinda hard to notice from the recent photos but I have red hair now.
Just got home from lunch at Tampines with my mom and I finally managed to start with a little CNY shopping. I was eyeing a pair of Lacoste shoes fer a bit before realising that it was white enough to be considered fer uniformed schools. And the shop called Messy at Tampines One made a good first impression but it just turned out to be a gay techno shop with thin, tight clothes that have been horribly sewed. In the end, I just nabbed two long-sleeved button shirts from Fox over at TM. A little refreshing change in my fashion, says the t-shirt guy. =)
Now I've gotta squeeze in time to browse the malls of Bugis, Orchard & Harbourfront and see what I can come up with before the annual family tree get-together. I need 2 more pairs of new age berms, a nice pair of shoes(preferably leather) and maybe a nice belt with a huge-ass buckle.
PS: Caught up with Boon, EngChye & Alyssa on Saturday fer the movie, Armored. T'was quite a good show but like most others involving crime, had a bad ending. The film wasn't what I particularly wanted to highlight, though. We had quite a bit of fun, sitting down and talking. I never realised how many stories we had to tell. =)
A little past midnight and I'm back home from Simpang Bedok. Supper on a Sunday, you ask? Yes, I now hang out with the guys on Sunday. Considering the fact that I might wanna commit my Saturdays to other activities and the family usually having lunches together on Sunday, the afternoon from 3 till late seemed like a pretty good plan. Still is. =)
Nothing special happened in the first month of 2010 in my opinion other than gaining weight and bearing dislike to a number of individuals significant enough to make me just waste a sentence. Just thought I'd be able to fill you guys in on what's what fer me fer the past 4 monotonous weeks.
I've taken a liking to Blackjack Madness on Facebook. It's really addictive and you don't lose any real money, plus you get bonuses everyday. My rank is up to BJ Pro now, so suggestive. =P
Bah, I'm just bored. Perhaps I'll get an early rest and head to the gym tomorrow to confirm my extra weight to be muscle mass.
PS: With my webcam running now, I should experiment on vlogging. All this Peter Chao craze is giving me some influence.
With the final e-paper accomplished a mere 4 days ago, marking the end of the first half of my Microsoft Administration course, I can finally sink to a relaxed level and let the 2010 fill me up inside. What's good about this year? All I can think of is games, man... Specifically, I'm anticipating the English Version of Monster Hunter Tri will be out exclusively fer the Wii just after my birthday.
My break is already 40% in and I'm still kinda aimless other than learning how to use the Hunting Horn(in Monster Hunter), toning fer a 6-pack(as in the abs) & shopping fer more t-shirts over here, here & here. I do have plenty of downloaded videos waiting fer me to watch but I'm not really in the mood. I'm guessing all that practice on the computer has probably fried the little part of my brain which allows me to enjoy fun stuff. -_-
Omg. Have I... Have I become boring? No, I dare not think it. I'll just call it my post-school-exhaustion-phase.
............
Who am I kidding. Looking back now, I think I'm kinda sick of how I'm living. Time to get healthy!
PS: Spent over 200 bucks on comics because I haven't been collecting in a while
My first time overseas in years and the first without family. I was a virgin at this and it felt pretty exhilarating to travel independantly with friends. Obviously, from the photos, you readers can tell that I went with the girlfriend and her classmates.
There was alot of walking involved and I even had a minor tan! You can view photos of the vacation under my profile! It'd sure save me time on logging about the trip. =P
PS: Other than the weather and pollution, I'd say the place is a sight fer heritage-digging lovers. Hotel standards could be a little better though. And I couldn't stand having to watch the movie channel with violent or vulgar scenes being cut.
Kev's finally back fer good to complete his degree in Singapore and the gang was there to greet him fer a long catchup with lotsa oily food. Looks like things will go back to how they used to be, perhaps with a little more outdoorsy version of him rather than the caveman we all know.
How things used to be...
If you really must know how things used to be, I was never really one of the bad boys in secondary school. Back then, I was a frameless-spectacled prefect with hair gelled so flat, it was shameful even to type out in description. I'm surprised as to the number of female friends I acquainted myself with by carrying a look so embarrassing. My closest friends were the ones my parents were proud of me having. Yer usual A students with a decent air about them. However, something went sour along the way and I took a separate path. I don't even remember why I don't talk to them anymore. Well, I was never a good boy to begin with as well, if that helps the case of belonging.
Now, I seem to have been profiled as a fallen angel by others who once knew me as the boy with the tie. Sure, the guys I hang out with are practically the opposite side of the coin from the ones I was stuck with before graduation but I personally find them a comfortable group to be around.
I'm not trying to justify a reason fer being with a so-called gang of bad boys. It's just that a while back I kinda spoke to a coupla individuals who were wondering which rock I'd been under and I was quite taken aback by the fact that I was actually missed! Perhaps I'm worth more than the amount of credit I give myself. =) Heck, now I'm not even sure if the friends I split with even remember why we don't keep contacts.
Oh well, I'm not saying I don't care anymore but I'm sitting in a very cosy social spot right now and I can't really be bothered to fix something that could possibly not be broken. Besides, I still do have possessions that keep my memories of my older friends. That's enough conscience on my part, in my own opinion. =P
Okay, I've decided to rev up and give it a go. What's new again, you ask? Other than the fact that Facebook and Twitter has almost pulled me away from blogging completely, it's pretty much same old, with exams here, there and whatnot.
I thought I'd be staying at Kembangan by now. Apparently, some renovations have been delayed and my mom says we'll probably have to wait another month or two. Sigh. I really really dislike living in a condo. I know this is a blog but don't even get me started. I don't wanna make these so-called people significant enough to affect my daily life. Note to self: When looking fer a house, neighbours are the most vital factor of consideration. Sigh. At least I'll be leaving this dump before my birthday.
Ah, my birthday. The window to my physical fitness test is coming to a close and I'm finding it very difficult to pull myself to the gym on a routine basis, with the exams ending and the festivities calling my appetite. Heck, I just got back from a near-KO gym session by myself. The jawlock I've been enduring fer the past coupla years didn't help maintain my momentum too. I always get this tightening feeling along the base of my skull every time I go fer a run and it gets worse as the time passes. Ugh, just talking about it is making me cranky. >:(
Anyway, all these shit is just small talk. Here's wishing you readers a very Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year.
PS: Resolutions would be getting back to blogging regularly(as well as touch up the template), studying harder than I usually do, experiment on a vlog probably soon and get a 6-pack by February!
Sorry. Just sorry. It's been a long time and I have very good reasons. Exams are always around the corner and my family is busy with house-moving, among other things.
Surely, you'll be seeing more of me once I'm done with packing.
I have about 2 hours from now to feed and walk the dog before heading to my grandma's fer dinner. It's times like this, I wonder if I should take a short nap or have a Final Fantasy Dissidia marathon... Then, I thought to myself, with that and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, I'd pretty much be a lifeless gamer if weren't fer a girlfriend. So, I think I'll take this time to make up fer the loss of many unwritten blog posts.
I just got back the temple. It's the lunar seventh month goin' on and the family was gonna visit Daddy. It's obvious that I still think of him every night. Now I know what it feels like to be one of those characters in the movies with a lost loved one. It's pretty real. It's not something that people can let go, I suppose. Last night, before bed, I kept thinking about how much I disappointed him through my secondary school years with my immature antics. It's the point at which one will feel regret. Now here's the confusing part. I question my character every night before I go to sleep. Did I only change fer the better because of the passing? Back then, if I knew the days were numbered, would I have changed my attitude towards him? Now, I know I wasn't a very disrespectful son, after all, sons love fighting with their fathers. However, it seems much deeper to me now. It wouldn't have been very nice to treat someone differently because he or she is dying. To a man, that pretty much sums up what you call pity, which isn't good. That's my perspective, at least. During his days of consultation, I gave my opinion on the medical treatment and we had a coupla discussions. I always thought that what he planned to go through would make him weaker, not better. I always believed that if you can overcome something without medication, why not? Still, it would later all be up to him. Throughout that period of time, I never once softened my approach towards him. I can say that I was partially trying to hide my sorrow of a then-potential loss. Another part of me was sincerely believing that he would be strong enough to pull through with his stubborn persona. Question 2 points to whether I was filial enough to believe my father was a strong man or I was despicably attempting to just go against everything he said? I doubt it was the latter, although my reflection on our conversations generally points in that direction. I was oblivious. And I was ignorant. I always pondered upon the difference between these two words, which I now understand. I was oblivious, I did not know how much pain he was in(when I say pain, I mean UNIMAGINABLE PAIN). Even back when I was in the army, he gladly obliged to sit in the car with my mom to fetch me to and fro camp, sometimes on late and rainy nights(not being dramatic, it was the monsoon). I was ignorant, I was told of the illness but did not think it to be serious. I defiantly stood by my denying mind, believing that he could conquer it mentally. I was proven wrong. Or was I? I hear chemotherapy is powerful enough to break the toughest willpower.
These are probably answers that I have to look fer all by myself. Who knows when I'll find them. Could be the next few days, weeks, months or years. I replay my life with him everyday unfailingly, sometimes fer remorse, sometimes fer reminiscence. I cannot say that I will not continue to beat myself up and brood over past mistakes with him around or not but not all is bad as I will always remember who's the one who taught me tennis, the one who saved me during my streaming years, and the one who brought in a lost, tiny, golden puppy to the family.
So I'm a coupla days late... There's nothing much I remember about the past month or two besides vague memories of cramped up project datelines, retarded Saturday nights @ Greg's and alot of group-study/monster-hunting @ Novena's United Square, not forgetting "slumber parties" with the girlfriend. The most significant occurrance would have to be unlocking the hidden skill within me to master the art of Bejeweled on Facebook. Serene Ng is no longer my #1 on the chart, muaha.
The last week was basically prepping fer my papers, the first one of which had just ended. They say the candle burns its brightest before burning out, I sorta get what it means. I'm FREAKIN' drained. And this is just from one exam. I hope it's a slight side effect from lack of sleep but I guess I can't really tell until all this is over.
School's been on fer two days and I now find myself ransacking the cupboard fer clothes I've not worn in a very long time. I've either grown much shorter or my Converse shoes have a habit of dragging my jeans to the soles. Then again, as ashamed as I am to admit it, my kind of fashion involved oversized running shoes holding up baggy cargoes, all below short-sleeved checkered shirts tucked out. I think I've got to tailor all my bottoms now, regardless the reason, or I'd be walking on my toes, like yesterday, which I did the entire time I was out, to prevent my pants from getting torn. It was good exercise though. I feel it in my calves now.
Caught Wolverine after school re-opened. I couldn't have thought of a better time to catch it. Newly released, on a weekday and you can't get down to a 100% on work just after a major break. It's like putting a new goldfish in the tank, you let the bag sit fer a while. I guess you guys can assume how my holiday was spent now that I'm quoting from TV shows. Anyway, back to the movie. If you know shit about Marvel Comics, I guess it makes fer a decent flick. And Hugh Jackman has probably gotten the hang of playing immortal movie roles.
I didn't want to use tanning oil. I cooked myself in the fierce Sun. I'm in an even worse condition than Ross.
I proudly present the flag of Indonesia. If I can't manage time off fer my own trip, I can at least act like I've been there.
Finally, bought 2 new Wii games today. Well, technically The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess isn't since I got it off the second-hand rack but you catch my drift. And speaking of drifting... MARIOKART IS FUCKING AWESOME. It'll be awesomer in multiplayer, I'd bet.
PS: Unfortunately, Rock Band 2 was not available at my neighbourhood store. I'm still longing fer it. :( As well as anticipating Monster Hunter Tri.
In an attempt to get a little darker, I had gone fishing with YQ yesterday and surprisingly, I got there earlier than him. Okay, I had the car but STILL. I didn't get much sleep and the temperature was just frying me from the inside out. I'm not complaining but YQ was right, the beach by SAF Ferry Terminal is no place fer girls. Not that it's a gay hangout or anything but the place is, fer one, crawling with red ants and "sandflies"(I didn't see any, dude, even while scouting after supper at Seletar Dam). So we didn't catch anything except fer loads of healthy seaweed. Our time and $10 worth of prawns' lives wasted in vain. Well, it was an experience. I still prefer night fishing.
Ugh, so bright.
The executioner.
Waiting room.
Fatality.
"Firing squad." At 1pm, we packed and got drinks by drive-thru at East Coast Mac's before heading home. A late breakfast(Subway Chicken Teriyaki) was enough to keep me up Monster Hunting in Plaza Singapura's Kopitiam with classmates till the dinner plan, which was kinda impromptu. Met up with Khai and Dhaniah at Tampines 1 to try the outlet, Say Cheeze, where they either had very timid waitresses or we were aggressively venting our expressions about problematic people we know. I had 2 main courses, still dunno what's to be surprised about. It was just beef lasagna with Tobasco and mushroom cream pasta.
ANYWAY. It wasn't much of a day despite catching up with so many people. It ended at Starbucks, reminiscing on television serials such as Chuck, which I will be very sad fer if the show is confirmed to be coming to a close. T_T
PS: Bro flies off to Bali with friends in 12 hours. Sigh~ I've gotta go on my own holiday.
