Saturday, June 12, 2010
A day at the Botanic Gardens
A couple of test shots using the DSLR.
A couple of test shots using the DSLR.
posted @ 11:51 PM |
6 comments
Monday, June 07, 2010
Seven weeks later...
I'm finally done with all the exams. Gee, even the 'A' levels wasn't this bad. But despite the monotony and loneliness of these seven weeks, there were things to be thankful for:
I'm finally done with all the exams. Gee, even the 'A' levels wasn't this bad. But despite the monotony and loneliness of these seven weeks, there were things to be thankful for:
- Alonetime. I seem to be contradicting myself, but being alone isn't all that bad. Sometimes I liked to think of the extended study break as going on a holiday alone, away from the affairs of humanity, to see life from a step back. And that now, I'm back from the holiday, ready to face the world with a smile again.
- 张悬. It was a real tragedy that I paid little attention to her music in the past. What's there not to like about her? She's full of 人文气息, very very pretty, has a charming character and voice, and writes the most breathtaking lyrics I've ever seen. Rediscovering this precious ruby during the exam period is the plainly best thing that happened to me this year, and once again I'm reminded that I should probably ditch mainstream pop altogether and go for independent music.
- Chezcake Bistro. Nothing like rounding off the night at this cosy newfound cafe after the very last exam. Great ambience and music, delightful cheesecakes and tea, and good, good company.
posted @ 11:07 PM |
3 comments
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Let go and move on
When I read that the railway station will be relocated to Woodlands next year, what was supposed to be good news (of settling a long-standing dispute) got me a little saddened, because it means there will soon be no longer train rides from Tanjong Pagar. That, and the unique experience of riding along the old railway track that brings me across the country, passing by my own flat and familiar streetscapes of Buona Vista, Bukit Timah and Choa Chu Kang. Just like ferry rides from Clifford Pier, these are very precious memories from my childhood.
Of course, cities must change and develop. Relocating the railway station would free up valuable tracts of lands for redevelopment. For Marina Bay's grander plans Clifford Pier has to cease operations. Well, everything is impermanent anyway, no point being too sentimental about things here.
It's just silly me clinging on to nostalgia, as usual.
As for the much-loved Bukit Merah MacD, I still feel the twinge whenever I pass by the vacant restaurant these days. However, I've moved on since and found a rather pleasant MacD outlet at Great World City which has now become my regular mugging spot (for the CFA exam). None of it's bad really. It's just... different.
When I read that the railway station will be relocated to Woodlands next year, what was supposed to be good news (of settling a long-standing dispute) got me a little saddened, because it means there will soon be no longer train rides from Tanjong Pagar. That, and the unique experience of riding along the old railway track that brings me across the country, passing by my own flat and familiar streetscapes of Buona Vista, Bukit Timah and Choa Chu Kang. Just like ferry rides from Clifford Pier, these are very precious memories from my childhood.
Of course, cities must change and develop. Relocating the railway station would free up valuable tracts of lands for redevelopment. For Marina Bay's grander plans Clifford Pier has to cease operations. Well, everything is impermanent anyway, no point being too sentimental about things here.
It's just silly me clinging on to nostalgia, as usual.
As for the much-loved Bukit Merah MacD, I still feel the twinge whenever I pass by the vacant restaurant these days. However, I've moved on since and found a rather pleasant MacD outlet at Great World City which has now become my regular mugging spot (for the CFA exam). None of it's bad really. It's just... different.
posted @ 2:08 AM |
0 comments
Saturday, May 08, 2010
寂寞考
When in doubt, always title the post using a song name.
And there's no song to better describe my current state of affairs really. This exam period has been the longest ever -- three weeks into the 期末考 and it's still not over yet! My time-out comes this Monday, but that's only before another big exam in June. And yes, it's lonely, with the capital L. I mean, there's the good kind of solitude, one that I always like about exam weeks. But when it drags on for so long and everyone else is already done with their exams and celebrating, flying off to all sorts of cool places for grad trip or other kinds of trips, and you're still stuck here, it's just bad.
On a happier note, two nights ago I texted in to the radio to take part in a silly contest and lo, it earned me $100 of spare cash! Ah well, the things bored and lonely people do.
When in doubt, always title the post using a song name.
And there's no song to better describe my current state of affairs really. This exam period has been the longest ever -- three weeks into the 期末考 and it's still not over yet! My time-out comes this Monday, but that's only before another big exam in June. And yes, it's lonely, with the capital L. I mean, there's the good kind of solitude, one that I always like about exam weeks. But when it drags on for so long and everyone else is already done with their exams and celebrating, flying off to all sorts of cool places for grad trip or other kinds of trips, and you're still stuck here, it's just bad.
On a happier note, two nights ago I texted in to the radio to take part in a silly contest and lo, it earned me $100 of spare cash! Ah well, the things bored and lonely people do.
posted @ 11:49 PM |
3 comments
Saturday, April 10, 2010
No longer early twenties
I should give a speech. But in lieu of that, I leave you with this Buffy quote that nicely summarises just how blah I feel about it.
I should give a speech. But in lieu of that, I leave you with this Buffy quote that nicely summarises just how blah I feel about it.
Joyce: [...] So what'd you do for your birthday? Did you have fun?Postscript: And I have updated the "About Me" section of this blog.
Buffy: I got older.
Joyce: You look the same to me. Happy Birthday. I don't have to sing, do I?
Buffy: No.
Joyce: Well, go on, make a wish.
Buffy: I'll just let it burn.
posted @ 11:56 PM |
8 comments
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
When it comes to the serious stuff...
I am someone who needs to be kept busy. Busyness, in turn, keeps me going and makes for a frightfully productive me. On the other hand, once I get to enjoy a lighter schedule, I slow down and lose momentum and between my procrastinatory tendencies, I find it hard to get anything done at all.
That is why I think, although I hate to put it this way, that having CCAs complements my studies pretty well. The busier I am, the less time I have to study but the more motivated and hardworking I will become. So the first half of this last semester before graduation had been uncharacteristically hectic for me but that's fine. Even when everyone else is faffing about on a two-day week or two-module workload in their final semester, I'm almost unapologetic about it. I'm a busy bee and I get work done.
Problem now is, the busy weeks are possibly over and the decadent feeling of a slow Sunday afternoon is coming back. It's four days into the recess week already and I'm still bumming around. Very soon my brain will turn into mush. I don't know if I should be grateful for the spare time or not.
But that is, of course, just the serious, no-life workaholic in me speaking. The rest of me would rather not be doing any work and plots to spend the recess week away from Singapore and its constipated weather.
I am someone who needs to be kept busy. Busyness, in turn, keeps me going and makes for a frightfully productive me. On the other hand, once I get to enjoy a lighter schedule, I slow down and lose momentum and between my procrastinatory tendencies, I find it hard to get anything done at all.
That is why I think, although I hate to put it this way, that having CCAs complements my studies pretty well. The busier I am, the less time I have to study but the more motivated and hardworking I will become. So the first half of this last semester before graduation had been uncharacteristically hectic for me but that's fine. Even when everyone else is faffing about on a two-day week or two-module workload in their final semester, I'm almost unapologetic about it. I'm a busy bee and I get work done.
Problem now is, the busy weeks are possibly over and the decadent feeling of a slow Sunday afternoon is coming back. It's four days into the recess week already and I'm still bumming around. Very soon my brain will turn into mush. I don't know if I should be grateful for the spare time or not.
But that is, of course, just the serious, no-life workaholic in me speaking. The rest of me would rather not be doing any work and plots to spend the recess week away from Singapore and its constipated weather.
posted @ 2:18 PM |
6 comments
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Doing the Chinese New Year Thing
As usual, CNY was all about overeating and putting on weight, to use the phrase 大肥年 very loosely. And now that most of the festivities are over, it's time to detox. At the same time, I'm thinking about what I would do differently the next time CNY comes by:
As usual, CNY was all about overeating and putting on weight, to use the phrase 大肥年 very loosely. And now that most of the festivities are over, it's time to detox. At the same time, I'm thinking about what I would do differently the next time CNY comes by:
- There would be lots of fruits and I would substitute the goodies with my self-created CNY fruit platter, comprising strawberries and apples which are auspiciously red in colour.
- I would serve red wine instead of beer.
- Be at the park early CNY morning for a workout and to enjoy the peace and quiet before the whirl of visiting madness.
- Instead of the lengthy and repeated telecasts of antiquated movies that MediaCorp has a penchant for screening during CNY, I would let my guests watch 康熙来了.
- To quote 蔡康永 in the above link, "我要冷漠 ... 整年都很冷静，从今天开始."
posted @ 9:53 PM |
7 comments
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A Day of Rest
After running around like a headless chicken for the past week in school, I finally got to cut myself a little slack today and spent the afternoon at windy Marina Barrage. I've always liked open spaces so the Green Roof was my kind of place. And because it's situated against an urban backdrop, the contrast became immediately obvious and that made the openness all the more satisfying. I find it very cool to have this whole place dedicated to kite-flying as well. It made for a very cheery, lively scene.
I guess although I have lots to complain about Singapore and its natural limitations, it's such smart urban planning that makes living here a little happier.
After running around like a headless chicken for the past week in school, I finally got to cut myself a little slack today and spent the afternoon at windy Marina Barrage. I've always liked open spaces so the Green Roof was my kind of place. And because it's situated against an urban backdrop, the contrast became immediately obvious and that made the openness all the more satisfying. I find it very cool to have this whole place dedicated to kite-flying as well. It made for a very cheery, lively scene.
I guess although I have lots to complain about Singapore and its natural limitations, it's such smart urban planning that makes living here a little happier.
posted @ 11:58 PM |
4 comments
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Best of Today
- A lovely bowl of clam chowder from The Soup Soon
- Overeating of chocolate fondue at one of those cannot-eat-must-mingle corporate tea party
- A sudden bout of productive activities in the evening that finally put paid to a three-week holiday backlog
- A good run and the return of my 12km-is-a-cinch stamina
- An offbeat late-night conversation that went something like this:
ME : i will get all the work-life balance that i need
joel: bleah
joel: i've never believed u
ME : have a cat in the house
ME : read books
ME : practise yoga
joel: whatever
joel: bleah
joel: u should have a dog
joel: those big dog
joel: and u'll walk the dog every morning at 7am
joel: and come home for breakfast and u'll eat muesli with milk or oatmeal
joel: or wholegrain bread
joel: and drop by the supermarket and buy groceries (including a french loaf and look very 时尚) after work
posted @ 3:06 AM |
7 comments
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Feel Good Christmas
This festive season has been one of the best for me so far. I'm listening to the music I like, meeting only the select few whom I want to meet, going to places that 很有质感, and having nothing to do with the whole "commercial christmas" crap. Not exactly Xmasy, but good enough for me to appreciate the festivities.
This festive season has been one of the best for me so far. I'm listening to the music I like, meeting only the select few whom I want to meet, going to places that 很有质感, and having nothing to do with the whole "commercial christmas" crap. Not exactly Xmasy, but good enough for me to appreciate the festivities.
posted @ 1:47 AM |
3 comments