Sunday, Jun. 08, 2003

Belong

This Saturday has been quite relaxing. But then again, I have been relaxing too much all this while.

As usual, my older brother and sisters and my nephews and nieces came over to spend the day at my house. So it was very noisy. I was bored most of the time. Decided not to go over to KY's house cuz it's just bloody scorching hot. Just stayed at home surfing the net, watching tv with my nieces in my room, and other stuff.

MTV Asia has been showing a lot of MTV US's Spring Break at South Beach, Miami today. Very cool show, where the American kids and youngsters would have fun, play in competitions held by MTV, strut and swim around in string bikinis for the girls (yum) and bodshorts for the guys. A lot of stupid games they played, but quite creative nonetheless. If I ever go to the US, I would definitely wanna go to South Beach, the beach is just beautiful, and of course the babes there too.

My whole big family will be celebrating Father's Day tomorrow. Actually it's a week early, but the people giving the treat (my third oldest sister and her husband) have decided to avoid the full bookings and crowded restaurants on the actual day. We're gonna be eating at Al-Azhar restaurant. No idea where it is though.

This will be another time for my family to mingle and interact, and another opportunity for me to feel depressed, cuz definitely everyone would be asking me about my luck in my job search. I'm starting to sound like a broken record. No actually, they are starting to sound like a broken record to me, keep asking the same questions, sheesh! My sis-in-law has offered to help me find a job at Perdaus, but it might not be anything relevant to Mass Comm. Oh well, anything to keep me busy and occupied...

Another personal photo to end off this week. Another classic, taken around 5 years ago in our poly's Mass Comm Computer Labs. I'm enjoying myeslf putting all these personal photos on this blog. Very nostalgic and made me reminisce of old times. But if any of you are opposed to me putting these photos (which might include your faces) in here, cuz you feel shy or violated, please feel free to inform me...

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I'll Be There For You...when the rain starts to fall...Front row from left, me and Jason. Back row, from left, Mona, Lauren, Susan and Kok Yong.

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Can't really remember when exactly this was taken. I'm positive it was during Poly Year 1 Semester 2. Haha, all of us looked dorky in there, no offence. I've told Mona this before...back then, I've always thought that this six of us, we would be like Friends, and our friendship dynamics might turn out like that famous six of that favourite tv show of mine. I was Chandler, KY was Ross and Jason was Joey. Meanwhile, Lauren was Monica, Susan was Rachel and Mona was Phoebe.

The six of us hung out together quite often in Year One, and we got close. Don't ask me how I associated which Friends characters with any of us. Back then, it just felt right. I really thought we would really turn out like Friends, but then again, it's very rarely that reel life mirrors real life. We all are still friends, but not really like the Central Perk gang.

I know what you're thinking. Such personal wishes and thoughts show how influenced I am by television and that I watch too much of it. Not to mention, a sitcom at that. But I think the reason is not because I'm a huge fan of Friends, that I wished my life would mirror the show. But I guess it's because in life, I've always yearned for friends and people who I can feel I belong to. And back then, I thought I found it in this five, much like the show. I was growing up back then, I still am.

I'm grateful that I am still good friends with this five, although in our own ways, different from the show. But do I still feel that I don't belong, or have I actually found somewhere I belong? You tell me...

posted at 3:31 a.m.

Saturday, Jun. 07, 2003

Transfer

KY and Jason came over to my house in the afternoon.

Went for my Friday prayers and they came over around 3 plus. KY transferred some of our poly assignments, some 70s and 80s music MP3s and a PC game called Pirate's Cove from his computer to mine using that pen-drive he bought yesterday. I think it's a cool invention, lol. Now with this, he doesn't need to get broadband, he can just ask me to download for him the things he want and he can transfer them over to his comp with this invention. Well, I know that's what friends are for, haha.

He also downloaded a bunch of other stuff from my Kazaa, mostly PC games like Scrabble, Risk and Monopoly and stored in his pen-drive to transfer to his computer. It's easier for him to obtain those old PC games cuz of my broadband. Those games took around an hour or less on internet, whereas it would take days on his dial-up connection. And he also stored some of my MP3s. Also he showed me how to play the Pirate's game he transferred to my comp.

Meanwhile Jason watched more Anime cartoons on AXN and we played with him Magic once again. I know it's just a decent card game, but I find it frustrating that I don't even have good luck at my own house, keep losing at this game to him. No luck on my own turf, ridiculous.

KY and Jason stayed at my house till almost 7pm. Took dinner with them prepared by my mother, mee goreng with chicken wings.

KY asked me to stay over at his house tonight or maybe tomorrow. I'll have to see first, very tired and a bit lazy to even step out of my house. Plus he asked me over so can play Scrabble or Risk with him on his computer. But, what for, since he has helped me download those games for my computer...

I think I'm more keen on an afternoon of badminton with him, since we're so free. And it's been awhile since I've played badminton, it'll be a good workout and KY doesn't really play it, so maybe this time I can thrash him, haha. Come to think of it, I don't really have badminton kakis, even though this is one of my favourite sports. But problem is neither of us have rackets, so looks like I have to borrow from my brother-in-law...

posted at 3:19 a.m.

Friday, Jun. 06, 2003

Finding Nemo

Watched Finding Nemo with KY just now.

He had a job interview at Raffles Place so I met up with him at Suntec after that. Watched 5pm show there, but he almost didn't make it cuz his interview went on for quite awhile and he reached there a few minutes before the show started.

I bought the tix 2 hrs earlier and hung out at Tower Records while waiting for him. Even got to listen to the whole Madonna's new album for a preview. I like quite a few tracks in there, and even was contemplating to buy the CD since there is a 50% discount. But decided against it, better save my money for other more important things.

Eventually KY decided that the movie was his treat since he was late. Fine by me. After the show he bought a pen-drive which is cool cable thingy that can be used to transfer 256mb of files from one computer to another. He's planning to use this pen-drive to transfer the stuff I downloaded for him on my computer to his.

Disney and Pixar have another masterpiece on their hands. I really really love this show. Not sure whether it's better than A Bug's Life or Monster's Inc, but at this moment, I think it's got the upper hand. Great, heartwarming storyline, great dialogue and jokes and the animation is really beautiful.

As for the characters, like Ting, my favourite is also Dory, the bluish-yellow fish voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. She's freaking hilarious with her short-term memory, and the scenes with the turtles and also the sharks are cool. And it really looks like it's set in Sydney and Great Barrier Reef. The computer drawing and animation look so realistic!

Anyone who's planning to skip this show this summer, better re-think that decision. This show's not to be missed.

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This year's Disney/Pixar blockbuster, Finding Nemo.

posted at 2:10 a.m.

Thursday, Jun. 05, 2003

Miss World Peace

Jason came over to my place in the afternoon. KY wanted to come over too but he was too tired from helping out his father at the market.

Played Magic with Jason most of the time. What can I say, luck wasn't on my side this time around. He thrashed me a lot of times. I could only squeeze out three wins. Hmm, maybe there's a better chance of me winning when it's multi-player, but not when it's one-on-one. Also tried playing the Larry Suit 7 game that I helped KY download off Kazaa. Cool old PC game, but we just couldn't figure out how to continue from the second stage. Weird, and maybe the game had gone bonkers on us!

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Samples of the card game that I've been playing with Jason and KY.

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Jason also watched some Anime cartoons on my AXN, which I should have taken advantage of since I got SCV. I mean, I had AXN for so long, but I never tried to watch the Anime cartoons they show every weekday evening. Maybe now, if I have the time, I'll try to catch them more.

Jason stayed for dinner, forced me to watch the stupid Ripley's Believe It Or Not show (which I can't stand) and also caught the start of 2nd telecast of Miss Universe 2003 for awhile. He left my house around 10.30pm.

This year's winner for Miss Universe is Miss Dominican Republic. She looks damn gorgeous. Out of the top 5, she definitely is the best. I also think Miss Japan is quite cute. And for a second consecutive year (if I'm not wrong), the winner has jet black hair. Can't remember the last time a blonde won. But I still prefer last years' winner, Miss Russia. But why was she replaced by Miss Panama, the actual runner-up? Did Miss Russia break any rules after the coronation? Anyone knows what happened to her? But one thing's for sure, Miss Russia was one hot foxy lady!

Just finished watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Musical Episode. That's one of my favourite episodes from this show. Cleverly scripted, choreographed and directed, Joss Whedon is a genius. I think Tara, Giles and Anya are the best singers out of the bunch. The rest can't really make it. Spike has an edgy rock voice. While Buffy has quite a sweet voice...

Buffy: "Life is hard, and we all play our part, we sing a happy song, so let's all sing along..."

posted at 1:46 a.m.

Wednesday, Jun. 04, 2003

Pray

Didn't do much today. Another bumming day for me, nothing's new. This is getting too routine...

Ch 5's new 4-Part docudrama, True Courage, chronicling the stories behind the Singaporean victims of the SARS epidemic, although just a half-hour episode, was really heartbreaking to watch. It was so sad, especially the story about the surgeon who paased on. It really breaks my heart watching this show and watching the re-enactment of the tragedy that the families of SARS victims had to go through. I couldn't stop tearing...honestly. Too heartbreaking.

It's just sad that this world has to face this terrible disease. I consider myself lucky and grateful to God for keeping me safe. And I pray that this epidemic ends soon. And pray that my family, loved ones and all my friends are safe from this disease. Amin, Ya Allah, Amin.

Despite Singapore being taken out of WHO's list of SARS countries already, it's really not much cause for celebration in my opinion, considering the many lives lost and affected due to this disease. Sigh...

True Courage was followed by the less-than-spectacular Light Years. What a step down from a heartbreaking true life show, to a typical, formulaic and trite teenage show.

Lucky for me, I still had my Six Feet Under on HBO Asia just now. This show just rocks! The $12 HBO subscription is worth it just for this show...

posted at 1:01 a.m.

Tuesday, Jun. 03, 2003

Bookworm

Looks like I'm not shortlisted for an interview for the Borders part-time shelver position. Damn. Could have use a bit of money now. And Jason and KY was called up for interviews later this week, good for them, but too bad for me. Sigh, if I can't even get a freaking interview for a simple job like this, what are the chances of my luck brightening up soon? Maybe I lack book-keeping/stocktaking/library experience? Crap!

KY went for an injection at Bukit Batok Polyclinic in the afternoon and I met with him after that at Westmall. Went around Westmall, and hung out at the library following his suggestion. Been awhile since I read a book. Can't even remember what was the last book that i read. Could have been Virgin Suicides. Nah, can't remember.

Anyway, I borrowed two books under his account, cuz haha, I still owe the library fine for overdue books. Wait huh, let me find money to top up my cashcard, then I can pay back the fine. Borrowed one of my favourite author's book, A Painted House by John Grisham as well as Roger Lancelyn Green's Tales Of The Greek Heroes from the Penguin Classics. I'm very keen and fascinated with Greek mythology, hence the choice of book. Though I'm not sure whether I will get to finish both books in time.

Meanwhile KY borrowed another travel book (Carribean) and a Frontpage Self-Help book. I swear I always get tempted if I read travel books.

Visited the supermarket for awhile to buy bread and other groceries for my mother. Doing that reminded both of us of our holiday in Gold Coast, buying food and groceries for our stay at the hostel there. We were buying apples, cereals and bread, in almost similar clothes, just t-shirt, shorts and sandals cuz our hostel was nearby. Except over there, we could drop by Surfer's Paradise nearby and the sounds of waves crashing onto the shore was distant. But over here, all we could see when we come out of the mall is bright sun and more high-rise flats. Sianz.

And funnily, we both felt like old grandmothers buying groceries for our families. With huge plastic bags on our hands, lol. But somehow, the big Australian supermarket's name that we went to just slipped my mind. Girls, can help me refresh my memory? What's the name of the huge Australian supermarket? And no, it's not K-Mart, or the supermarket where you buy your discounted undies...

Another downer...Another job that I applied for I didn't get the call. I applied for the job first and even spoke to the person, hoping to be shortlisted. I recommended KY to try apply for the job later too. The person was supposed to call us if we were shortlisted early last month. But she only called today. She didn't call me, but she called KY for interview. Sigh. Good for him, but why is my luck so bad?

I'm a certified loser, lol.

posted at 2:09 a.m.

Monday, Jun. 02, 2003

Issue

KY was intending to come over to my house for awhile, but couldn't make it at the last minute, so once again another Sunday for me just rotting at home haha...

But had a telephone conversation with him in the evening, discussing about how difficult it is for us to get a job now, let alone be called up for job interviews. Out of the the three of us (Jason included), I have the least luck in securing job interviews. I have applied for maybe equal number of job opportunities like them but I seldom get calls. Maybe I'm not as agressive, or my resumes are not effective enough? Sigh. I don't know.

One thing's for sure, I have to work thrice as hard in finding a job. Even though the government is always emphasising on meritocracy, but sometimes it's very hard for me to agree. Cuz there always seems to be a quota, if you know what I mean. I hate to play that card, but sometimes I wonder whether that's part of the reason why it's been harder for me. I hope that is not so, and I really try not to believe that is an issue. Oh well, nothing is fair in life.

On a lighter note, today (Sunday, 01 Jun) is May Theng's birthday. So Ting, just wanna wish you a Happy 23rd Birthday. Reach for your dreams like you always want to, and may you have a prosperous and happy life ahead. You've been a good friend to all of us Ting, so hope you enjoyed the day!

First personal photo of the week: Since it's Ting's birthday, let's jolt our memories with this picture taken at Ting's birthday barbeque in June 1999, four years ago.

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Squatting on the left, KY, and on the right, me. Laughing and standing, on the left, Susan and behind her, Lauren. The one being lifted is of course, Birthday Girl, Ting and the lifter with his face hidden is Jason, while Mona is on the right, helping lift Ting's leg.

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We all looked so happy in the photo, especially Ting. We were trying to take a decent picture together, but somehow we decided to fool around with Ting, and it was candid camera time. No idea on who's the photographer though. I remember enjoying the night away with barbeque food. And some of our friends got really drunk. Haha, but I shall not tell the story of a particular incident that happened there. Too funny and embarassing for that person.

Once again, Selamat Hari Jadi Ting!

posted at 1:18 a.m.

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