Sunday, Mar. 30, 2003

Epidemic

One of my relatives passed away this morning. But we were not that close to him. Still my mother and my 3rd oldest sister went to his funeral, while I got ready to go for my karaoke session with my SIM gang sans Natalie.

Met up with Kok Yong at Jurong East MRT and took train to Somerset where we were supposed to meet the rest by 1.30pm. On the way there, both of us were discussing about the SARS situation and reading the New Paper he bought. We agreed that the situation is getting very worrying and personally we should take precautions to not go to crowded places like clubs and cinemas. And Kok Yong suggested postponing the Mambo plan this Wednesday.

Besides the SARS situation, he has to take care of his baby niece. For me, though I'm a bit short on cash, I'm quite psyched to go clubbing but I understand his situation. Oh well, I'll just see what the rest say.

When we reached Somerset, Naz was already there, and we made way to Cuppage for the karaoke. Before that I bought some bread at Bread Talk cuz I was starving, didn't take breakfast or lunch before I left the house.

We started the karaoke session earlier, even though Liz and Liping came later. Karaoke was fun actually, but according to the girls I was a bit pitchy at times. I agree not one of my best days for singing...a bit out of pitch here and there. My voice has become more nasal I find after I constantly had sore throat and lost my voice earlier this year. Oh well, I never really like singing karaoke cuz I just can't stand the pitches in the pirated songs.

Kok Yong didn't sing much cuz he had a bit of sore throat, so it was Liping and Liz's day. Well, with regards to my voice for the day, I agree, like Ronan Keating sings, "I say it best today, when I sing nothing at all". However, Naz and me sang a few Malay and Hindi songs. Naz, if I get addicted to Bollywood, I'll blame you. Enough of listening to my sister blasting that at home.

I also sang some Ayumi Hamasaki songs, Surreal and Appears, after realising almost towards the end of the session that there were in fact many of her songs in the Japanese catalogue. We wanted to extend the karaoke hours but the slots were all fully booked.

Weird, we didn't know that they would be crowded, considering that more people are staying at home nowadays as a precaution. Today me and Kok Yong were quite paranoid. We kept going to the toilet to wash and disinfect our hands. This SARS situation is really making all of us worried.

After the K.O.K. session, we went to the nearby John Little to check out the sale (well, actually the girls were, me and Kok Yong were just not interested in the sale). While the girls were busily checking out the shoes, me and Kok Yong excused ourselves to go to Gramophone to check out the DVDs and CDs there.

I bought for myself an old Celine Dion English CD, The Colour of My Love. I know what you're thinking, what am I doing with that horse's CD. It's just for my MD collection lah! Plus it's cheap, a used item at $7.90 only. I'm a fan of her songs and most of the time her voice too...

Naz left us cuz she had to go home, so the rest of us went to Yoshinoya's at Orchard Cineleisure for dinner. I wanted to eat Long John Silver's but it was crowded. We headed to Burger King but seeing that the rest were not that keen with the food there, I gave up and agreed on eating at Yoshinoya's. The food there is not halal, but there is no pork too. Anyways, Kok Yong, Liz and Liping, it's ok, if I'm sinned, you guys are definitely to be blamed.

After dinner, we walked around the 2nd floor of Cineleisure to check out the shops there. Liping and Liz bought identical rings for themselves, and were gushing about them till the cows come home. Meanwhile I met my old secondary school friend Farikh and my BMT company mate, Irwan. Both of them are actually colleagues now and are inviting me to an entrepenurial talk this Friday. I'll have to see first whether I can make it...

I then brought them to that place. That make-out session/sing-along session place that Sha introduced to me. It was a great feeling to be there again. The wind was breezy and chilly at times. We were there talking cock, chatting about stuff, singing and trying to recall songs that we like and singing it together.

That's it! I better brush up on my singing, or don't sing at all. The girls were whining that I was out of pitch, ok, fine, I shan't sing with you guys or for you guys anymore ptui! It wasn't my day they say, but hello, everyone was out of pitch today, even at the karaoke. Whateverlah...I agreelah, I'm out of pitch today!!

From singing, we started to formulate an alternative activity for this Wednesday since we all decided not to go Zouk Mambo. We finally agreed on having an all-night horror movie marathon at either my house or Liz's. Now I have to find Indonesian horror classic, Sundel Bolong, and record Pet Sematary this Tuesday night so we can watch together on this Wednesday.

And I suggested talking about ghost stories since everyone was in the mood. Initially me and Kok Yong wanted to leave earlier around 10, but in the end, we all stayed till 11.10pm. Kok Yong was sharing the majority of the ghost stories, especially the ones he heard about Tekong, while I shared the ones about my old secondary school. It's quite freaky actually cuz it was quite late and dark there and the wind was very chilly. Plus I was holding on so hard, trying to control my bladder. I just had to pee!

When we finally left the place, we walked all the way down Scotts Road and went to a nearby hotel where I relieved myself. And then we all left home, taking separate cabs, me and Kok Yong in one, Liping and Liz in the other.

Now I'm very psyched about the horror movie marathon, but must check with my mother whether she minds girls staying over at our place and check whether me and Kok Yong will be working at the zoo this coming week.

posted at 1:39 a.m.

Saturday, Mar. 29, 2003

Nanana, Nanana, Heyheyhey, Goodbye!

Woke up very early this morning around 6am. Took a shower and prepared myself to follow my mother and 2nd older sister to send my father to the airport.

One of my cousins is getting married for the second time in Jakarta, Indonesia this Sunday. So, my father as one of the oldest male among my relatives and family, had to go there with another uncle and my cousin's parents. Frankly, I'm worried for him. Especially flying during this period of time with the SARS situation and the war happening and protests everywhere. I just wish for him to be safe over there.

My mother didn't go along with him cuz of not enough money. Plus frankly, does my cousin need to find a second wife from another country, and of all places, Java Indonesia? I have nothing against him or that country but can't he come back to Singapore to get married. He's the man in the marriage for goodness sake.

My father's plane departed around 9 am plus. We went to the airport sent by my brother, along with his three small sons (my baby nephews), so he sent us back home after that.

Besides going to the airport and going to the mosque for my Friday prayers, the whole day has been sleepsville for me. After sending my father, I collapsed immediately after reaching home. Then in the afternoon, after getting back from mosque, I slept again till the evening. Shiok!

Was supposed to meet up with Sha and May Theng out in town, but I just couldn't make it cuz it's the first night that my father's overseas and he made me settle some household stuff just now. So I had to miss that appointment. Sorry Sha and May Theng, will try to make it next time yah. But from what I read, you guys enjoyed yourselves, and I think it makes no difference if I were there, haha!

Only managed to catch the last part of Survivor: The Amazon. Too busy with stuff at home. Luckily I recorded it and got to watch it just now.

Tonight in Survivor: The Amazon, finally that pompous asshole Roger is out! Why do I have to wait this long? At least he's not in the jury! And this episode was very fun to watch actually...especially the immunity challenge, where Heidi and Jenna actually strip to be awarded food. Frankly that was pretty damn low for Heidi and Jenna to do that...

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Okay here's some video captures of the stripping done by Jenna and Heidi...

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Overall, the episode's good, what with the merge and the building of a new campsite and all the scheming and of course Roger booted off...Heidi is getting skinnier by the day. And with those implants, she and her body looks even uglier.

I think Jenna is the only attractive girl left now that Shawna's gone...Rob and Deena are clearly the masterminds of this season, but I have a feeling they're in for a huge fall. Survivors can't be too arrogant, oh well, only Richard Hatch and Brian Heidik can pull that off!

I can't wait for next week's episode. My pick to go next week is Dave. Cuz he's out of the voting alliance of Deena, Jenna, Rob, Heidi, Christy, Alex and Matthew. But looks like he's getting intimate with Heidi next week.

We have 9 castaways left, 7 of them will be in the jury. We have 7 episodes left, including a special recap episode (if there's one) and the finale. Although if internet spoilers were to be believed, I already know who will be the final 4. But noone really knows whether that spoiler will work out in the end. In the meantime, I'll watch the show every week with bated breated.

posted at 2:11 a.m.

Friday, Mar. 28, 2003

Spoil Market...Not!

Before class, I prepared my resumes for Ministry of Manpower and NUS and went to my neighbourhood stationery shop to photocopy relevant documents for the job applications, buy mailing stamps and buy big envelopes to put the applications in. Sickeningly, had to go all the way to Bukit Gombak MRT to post them, cuz the roadside post boxes were too small...

Went out of my house earlier to go to Westmall library to return my overdue X-Men book. I think I owe the National Library Board around less than $10 now. All unpaid. Shhh...but I just couldn't be bothered to pay.

Took 61 to school, reached there pretty early around 7pm. There was actually a lesson and Pamela actually taught us for awhile before the rest of the groups delivered their presentations. This time around, Liping and Naz had their presentations with their respective groups. Nat and Liz were absent. Me and Kok Yong had to attend class to pass Pamela our CVs for her job offer. And we were just there for the lesson and watching the presentations. I'm very unsure about getting the job. We'll just see.

I presented my CV in a nice envelope only to be torn open to help Pamela keep Kok Yong and another classmate, Jerry's CVs. Sigh...Kok Yong was saying that I spoiled market with that envelope, but now see what happened...

During break, met my former Sec 3 & 4 classmate, Ong Chan Beng. It's been awhile since I met him, and he's also taking a part-time degree course there. I remember going to his house back then to play Sega or Dreamcast with my other classmates and I was very close with them. We did keep in touch after poly but after I went to NS, didn't see them at all. So we exchanged handphone numbers and I hope I get to meet up with them again.

Went home and watched American Idol 2. As expected, Julia DeMato is the latest casualty. Though she performed better just now than any previous weeks, she still seemed very inconfident in front of the audience.

Strangely, they changed the genre from disco to country rock this week. I don't know why. I would have preferred disco. Country rock's a bit boring. Plus most of them sang country ballads... I'm still rooting for Clay and Kimberley Locke. Please get Corey outta there! This time around the bottom three who got the least votes were Julia, Kimberley Caldwell and Rickey Smith. And the girls cried after they announced Julia's elimination.

But the highlight for me, was when they performed together in a rousing and inspirational rendition of one of USA's anthems. No it wasn't The Spangled Banner, it was another song, but I don't know the title. I'm not American and neither am I happy with how they're (specifically dumb Bush!) handling the Iraq situation, but I have to applaud these final 10's performance of that anthem. Very very good!

posted at 3:09 a.m.

Thursday, Mar. 27, 2003

Act Blur

Boring day. An uneventful day in fact...

Did nothing much in the afternoon, except napping, surfing the net, watching tv...

Watched a bit of C.S.I. and First Touch just now. Alemay was on it. Not much comments for her acting or role, except that she's quite convincing and I sympathise with her character (not her) for having a baby with a heart condition. But this is one of the best episodes so far this season.

Dr Vasoo was really way out-of-line, how could he ask that other couple whose baby is born without a brain to give up their baby to save Alemay's baby (Dr Vasoo is the godfather to her baby). He wanted Alemay's baby to have a heart transplant (of the other baby's). That's for emotional reasons. And I have to reiterate again, that I really admire Vernetta Lopez. She really has immense under-rated talent.

I'm just not sure whether Alemay will appear again in future episodes as a recurring character, with more baby problems, and neither do I know whether I will take anymore of her in this show...oh well, I have to be neutral right.

Talked to Jason for awhile on the phone. He informed me that he's quitting his job by Monday. Even though he's contracted for three months, he didn't sign it. Huh? Well, he's been having problems with the job, according to him it's freaking boring and have no relevance whatsoever to Mass Comm. And he'll try to look for other jobs.

Jason's more determined to find a job, any job, than me now. Fine Jay, I admit, I still have my parents to support me. Blah blah blah. Seems like everyone is using that guilt trip on me. Using it against me, oh well! Well, bro hope you get that illustrator job in the future. Heard Daniel has also quit from his job.

Anyway, once again we had one of those deep converstaions about the state of the world, religion, the SARS situation and life. And that moron actually was so-called surprised that I'm quite knowledgeable or well-informed about the current affairs, or that I know some profound English words that he doesn't. My friend, I'm sorry to disappoint you man. But damn you, I'm disappointed that you underestimated me, haha. Ptui!

Oh well, does everyone have this same opinion of me? I know I'm always blur or floopy or clumsy or whatever. But I prefer to ACT blur or dumb, it's more humbling and endearing, at least I don't go around being Mr Know-It-All or Mr Smart Aleck!

posted at 2:23 a.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2003

Uncertain Future...

Received an online quiz from Liping, Which animal I am in bed? Interesting, but whatever...I did email to some friends though.

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I am a Swan

Very committed, you know how to treat your partner well. You look after their best interests and have complete respect for them. Easy going, you like to be sociable but enjoy your partner's company. You're at your happiest when tucked up in bed with your loved one. You prefer sensual, sexy love making rather than a quick romp, that's the only way to find true pleasure and reach sexual nirvana!

--------------------------------

Contacted Liping to ask her to help me print some of the research materials for our MTV Clone High PR project meeting. My printer's not working so thanks Lips...

Had dinner at home first before meeting Kok Yong to go to Esplanade for the meeting. The both of us and Liping were the earliest. Nat couldn't make it, and Naz could only leave her office by 7pm. While we were waiting for Liz outside a Kodak shop, I took some passport photos for my job application to Ministry of Manpower and NUS. Have been meaning to take them but have always been lazy.

Anyways, was wearing a white t-shirt so in the end I look like an angel in my photos, cuz my white t-shirt blended with the white background of the shop's studio. I look like I have no shoulders and missing a halo above my head. Crap! But still the cost was pretty cheap, $6.50 for 6 photos, in Esplanade of all places.

And yes, Sha, I finally wore your "Oral-Me" t-shirt you bought for me in Thailand today. I like the shirt, but frankly I thought it would be too offensive to wear, but now, don't really care, cuz nobody really noticed the words...well, Kok Yong didn't haha, as expected, but not surprisingly Liping noticed it the first time she arrived. Well, I can count on her for that. As for Naz and Liz, yes they noticed too, and Naz was unusually perverted tonight...

But with that shirt, I wore Mona's blue-brown beaded necklace, to make myself look so-called more hip and ghetto, yah rite! Kok Yong said I looked like typical mat...oh well, now everyone wears those beaded necklaces, be it Malay Mats, Ang-mohs, Chinese and Indian hip hop/black rapper poseurs and especially beach or surfer boys. So, it doesn't matter that a simpleton like me wears it now, does it?

Anyways, the gang had their dinner at California Bistro, while I just sat there and watched. Had to save the money and besides, I already took dinner. However, instead of discussing the project, we chatted and talked cock. Naz suggested going to Sentosa this Saturday for picnic. I was very keen on that idea, but the rest weren't. They suggested going Johore or clubbing, but I can do neither cuz I'm short of cash. Sentosa is to me, perfect, cuz I just want to relax and it will cost me less than $10 for the whole day.

But I suggested karaoke and all of them were cheering for my so-called brilliant idea and calling me a genius. So, that's it, we're going to karaoke this Saturday. To be frank, though I suggested it, I wasn't really keen cuz nowadays I'm quite bored with karaoke...but oh well, I knew they would like the idea so I don't mind sacrificing. And maybe next week, we would be going Zouk Mambo night. Provided Naz can take leave the next day. I'm always on for Mambo, but have to see the cash.

I was craving for another ice-cream, so I ordered California Sundae...and we ended up discussing our project for only 15 minutes. None of us were in the mood, we were too hyped up and distracted...

On our walk back to City Hall MRT, we decided on going to Tioman in May, one whole month after our final exam and module. We were all contemplating of going to Bali or Bangkok, somewhere cheap, affordable and we can relax, but in the end settled for Tioman.

Initially Liping was not very keen on going to Tioman cuz she doesn't enjoy going to beach resorts. But somehow I managed to persuade and convince her to join us, since Naz also can't swim and wants to go there to relax, so now we have set our date to be around late May.

I'm very keen to go there, but like Kok Yong, we are a bit uncertain about our future, whether we'll have any money or job by then or whether we'll be able to take leave. Sigh, I really wanna go Tioman, but I can only plan, the future's still uncertain.

Looks like my plan to go to Perth to visit Mona, Lauren and Susan is not gonna happen. It's already March and I don't have enough money to go there. Sian. If only I'm working and earning money now, I would be able to go to these destinations! Damn it!

Reached home just now. Before I left my house I programmed my VCR to record The Weakest Link but apparently one of my family members was in my room and tampering with my TV and VCR. And now, the show is not recorded. Damn it! I already warned them not to do anything in my bedroom. Now who's the one with itchy fingers?!! Idiots!

posted at 1:06 a.m.

Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2003

"Oh, I Love My Life!"

Woke up earlier today around 8 plus, all geared up to watch the Oscars in bed...the red carpet event was less glamourous due to the war, but still the anticipation to know the winners was inescapable.

Okay, I predicted the winners for 13 of the Oscar categories (out of 24) correctly. *High-fives myself* The biggest surprise for me is Eminem and 8 Mile winning the Best Original Song category with Lose Yourself. He didn't even perform on the show, and he actually won. Besides, this is the first time the Academy honoured a rap song. Granted, I like Lose Yourself, but for it to defeat the Chicago song and even Hands That Built America is shocking.

U2 is clearly robbed. And Bono's performance was just amazing. The part where he belted was just awe-inspiring, tears were welling in my eyes. I admit I really love this song, and of course U2, and it is more deserving than Lose Yourself...

I'm happy that Chicago won 6 Oscars, including Best Picture, ecstatic especially for Catherine Zeta-Jones. Also happy that Nicole finally won a Best Actress Oscar. Quite surprised that Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his role in The Pianist. I clearly thought that Daniel Day-Lewis would win, but Adrien is still as deserving. I was also surprised that Roman Polanski won Best Director instead of my pick, Rob Marshall or everyone's pick, Martin Scorsese. Sadly Gangs Of New York went home empty-handed.

Looks like the Academy have chosen to honour 3 winners who were absent for the show, Eminem (I have no idea why he was absent), Roman Polanski (cuz he is still a fugitive for his 1970s statutory rape charge), and Hayao Miyazaki for Spirited Away's win in the Best Animated Feature category. I'm especially happy for the latter.

One more thing, I love Adrien and Nicole's acceptance speech, but Michael Moore's acceptance speech for his Best Documentary Feature win for Bowling For Columbine takes the cake by far. He's well-known for being anti-gun and anti-war and I agree with him, "Shame on you Bush"!

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Ok, a treat for Lauren, here's some 75th Oscar red carpet pictures. I think you might have seen them already, but what the heck...

First off, from left, the man who derided Bush deservedly on television, Michael Moore and his wife, the woman Liping said looks like she has a tummy in that blue ensemble, Jennifer Garner, and not prominently shown in the show but still gorgeous in my eyes, babelicious Heather Graham.

From left, is this your favourite dress, Lauren? Julianne Moore in leprechaun green, the woman who arguably looks the best at the awards show, at least to me, Diane Lane, and Hilary Swank, in too flamboyant and ugly pink gown, with husband.

From left, one of my favourite actresses, and now, Oscar-winner, Nicole Kidman and sorry, I just have to put her, one of the hottest woman in the world, Halle Berry and finally, Renee Zellwegger in stark red gown.

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Spent the rest of my afternoon, refining my random group's presentation speech, amending and settling some mistakes in it. Chatted with Mona on icq for awhile before memorising my lines for the presentation and taking a nap before heading for school.

We were allocated presentation time at 9.15pm, so my group had a bit of last-minute rehearsals. The presentation went quite alright, although frankly, I think we were one of the slackest group. We had no props or powerpoint slides whatsoever. And some of us were practically reading from the script. Meanwhile other groups' presentations involve elaborate props and powerpoint slides. Oh well, it's over now, I wished we could put in more effort, but as everyone said it's only 10%...

I think some of us thought that there's no need for much fuss over this presentation. Heck, even Kok Yong had to pull off a last-minute improvisation in his role to make the class laugh. If not, they would have gotten bored. Kudos to him...

At the end of the class, Pamela told us that we would be getting our grades next week and every group gets either 9/10 or 10/10. What the fuck? I expected our group to score lesser. Gosh, what am I complaining, except she's too freaking lenient. I asked Pamela regarding the job offer. She said that the zoo is having a major restructuring and that their computers are down. Oh, how convenient! But she tell me to pass her a hard-copy of my CV this Thursday, oh well.

This is the first time my SIM gang are not presenting together (except me and Kok Yong). Nat was very articulate in her group's presentation, while it felt weird watching Liz present in hers. Liping's and Naz's groups turns would be this Thursday. As for me and Kok Yong, well, our turns are done.

Accompanied Kok Yong to McDonald's at Bukit Batok Interchange after class for awhile. He suddenly felt hungry, even though he's taken his dinner before class. As for me, I just had a vanilla ice-cream cone, havn't eaten one of those for a long time...

posted at 3:32 a.m.

Monday, Mar. 24, 2003

Campy

Finally finished the script and formatting everyone's parts this morning. Took around 2 hours to do that. Fortunately it wasn't the SARS, just my usual flu and sinus attack. I think I forgot to take my daily flu medication yesterday morning. Hates it when I have the flu. My whole immune system will slow down and my body is rendered weak.

Went out of my house and took a long MRT journey to Bedok and then reached East Coast Park by cab around 11 am. It was a pretty hot day, but somehow the wind and breeze was particularly strong and violent. So strong that we had to take the tents down much earlier.

I took care of my small nephews when they were swimming at the shore. As for me, I chose not to swim, cuz East Coast waters are pretty dirty. After Gold Coast and Redang, I get very choosy when it comes to swimming at beaches.

Sigh, my nieces are all grown up now. They used to be so small, and I would play silly games with them and at times bully them too. But now they are in secondary schools, talking about the latest pop songs, about girlfriends and boyfriends lah. I love them, didn't realise how fast they've all grown up...

A lot of my uncles and aunts came by. Everyone was mingling. We finally left East Coast Park around 3 plus. By then I got so tired after carrying all those heavy stuff back home that I totally collapsed when I reached my bed.

Just woke up in fact...hmm. Looking forward to the Oscars in the next few hours. Ok, since I've watched all the Best Picture nominees, just for the fun of it, here's my predictions of who's gonna take away the Oscars...

Best Picture: Chicago, Directing: Rob Marshall (Chicago), Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Gangs of New York), Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can), Best Actress: Nicole Kidman (The Hours), Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago), Animated Film: Spirited Away, Art Direction: Chicago, Cinematography: Gangs of New York, Costume Design: Chicago, Documentary: Daughter From Danang, Documentary Short: Twin Towers, Film Editing: Chicago, Foreign Languange Film: The Man Wihout A Past, Makeup: Frida, Music Score: The Hours, Song: Hands That Built America (Gangs of New York), Short Film (animated): The Cathedral, Short Film (Live): Fait D'Hiver, Sound: Chicago, Sound Editing: LOTR TTT, Visual Effects: Spider-Man, Writing (Adapted): The Pianist, and Writing (Original): Talk To Her.

Yes, I'm predicting that Chicago would be the biggest winner tomorrow. Ok, let's see how many of my predictions (out of 24) would be correct. Stay tuned...

posted at 12:30 a.m.

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