BS Xmas Chalet

1) The usual gang at our annual BS Chalet

2) Presenting my gift to Benny

3) Receiving my gift from TC (Xingyi's husband) - they got me a shaving kit and a cactus!

4) The gals posing with their gifts

The cactus is indeed an interesting present and i like it a lot. Xy said it is to remind me to remain strong and be able to excel under pressures and tough conditions.

Trip to West Msia

2mths after our last trip to genting, my colleagues and I made our way to Malacca. This time, we drove there in 2 cars.

We had a very nice apartment facing the sea and sunrise. The trip was full of fun and laughter. I guess these pictures say it all....

Our next trip will be Cambodia end of this month.

Russell, you know what i mean?

I am not exactly a Rusell Lee fan, but i am definitely a fan of horror movies and ghost stories.

I remember vividly I was only primary 5 when i first bought the True Singapore Ghost Story book (which was later labelled as Vol 1). It cost $10 and i got it from MPH - Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1. I duno why, but i seem to get most of my childhood books from there, including some tintin comics.

The TSGS book was a hit in singapore then. Everyone in my class was discussing about it, as the stories did indeed send chills down our spines. One of my classmates told me she did not dare to bathe at night, fearing her arms will appear blood-written words (the "I am David" story) while the other gal told us she would always keep a look out at the ceiling as she fear of seeing someone hanging and swinging by a rope.

I didnt follow up with the sequels, until abt 8yrs later, when i was in the army doing my guard duty late one night. A TSGS book (wow, it was already vol 7) was left at the guard-commander desk by one of my men, and i decided to read it. I was all alone at the shed in my super quiet and eerie camp, surrounded by cemetries from Jews, Chinese, Muslim, Christians etc. There was even a rumour that a lady in red was always standing by a nearby drain. However, i didnt remember i felt spooked from reading the book. Probably i was so used to the ghostly environment in camp that i became very immuned to 'them'.

Another 10 years passed, and i was at the International Book Fair at suntec when i chanced upon the MPH booth, selling Russell Lee's entire set of TSGB books. Wow! The latest book was already Vol 15! (in fact, now is 16). I was very impressed as i didnt expect the popularity of this book to last this long. Excitedly, i picked up the latest volume and headed towards the cashier. It took me less than 5hrs to finish reading this book, with great disappointment. Probably my expectations were too high then, but majority of the stories were so fictitious, boring and to the extend of... stupid. I wonder why so many ppl like to use this phrase "Russell, you know what i mean?" in their entries. It makes me ponder if all these stories come from the same writer. The standard of the stories have dropped tremendously, compared to vol1 and 7.

But i didnt give up. I decided to go online to search whether the other volumes are available at the NLB. I personally visited a few libraries (Bedok, AMK, Geylang East, LKC) but was unsuccessful in finding one, even though the online catalogue stated they are available. Finally, i managed to borrow a few of them from Geylang East Lib., and i went back for more. Within a few weeks, i have finished almost the entire collection of 16 books (except for a few). Yeah, i am glad some of them are still very nice, especially the older volumes like 3, 4 and 6. From reading these older books which stories are mostly based on local context, i also get to feel how much singapore has changed over the past 2 decades. For instance, a story wrote about this gal who has to rushed to a nearby shopping centre to make an urgent call - cos there was no handphone back then. Another wrote about "the newly constructed Newton MRT station". Wow....

Lions for Lambs

It was under an almost without choice situation that I went to watch Lions for Lambs last evening. While there hasn’t been many interesting movies to watch lately, the night was still pretty young at 10am to call it a day. The much anticipated Bee Movie is not a choice after reading much negative reviews from online and friends. The showtime for Hero was at midnight which is a bit tad too late. Lions becomes stood out amongst all the not-so-appealing movies.

At 11pm, I wasn’t expecting my brain to function as actively. Afterall, it was a working day and all I wanted is to sit down, relax and enjoy whatever sound or graphic effects the movie has to offer. 10 minutes into the movie, I realize how wrong my choice was. The movie was full of dialogues and debates amongst the lead roles. It must be the first time that I really felt like sleeping midway into the movie, especially when the total number of audience was a single digit in this super large cinema – those who has been to the old shaw will know how big it is (probably 3 times the size of the Cineplex we see nowadays).

But dun get me wrong, it was no doubt a great movie. The director has intelligently but subtle-ly brought across some messages which stimulate my brain to function and ponder. Lions for Lambs – a great movie title which I thought have sarcastically describe the situation on how US army leaders have deployed their young soliders at Afghanistan in opposition of the Taliban troops, at all costs, whatever it takes. It was also closely linked to what Alexandra the Great had ever remarked that he feared more of a troop of lambs led by a lion than a troop of lions led by a lamb.

The movie also reflected on how propaganda was used to brainwash the citizens, and to fuel up the patriotisms in them. It reminded me of the holocausts, how young men were influenced (to some extend, misled) into joining the armed forces, naively blinded by the pride of protecting their nation, oblivious of the dangers they were put in. Many of them died, without knowing why.

There must be more to this movie which I have not absorbed, but the above piece got my attention most. Its not just a great movie, but a very great movie.

Love in the First Degree

This pic was taken from NUS engin (outside the ECE office). I always love this particular scenery, especially during evening time, when the sunset dye the clouds purple and orange.

I was even more fortunate to got myself a room at PGP, with the windows facing the sea, where i could enjoy the beautiful scenery in the evenings. My room at Sheares Hall was just as splendid, facing the PSA port, with the cranes and hangars diligently working on the containers, giving me the encouragement i need as i mug thru the countless nites on my FYP and exams.

As i was driving on the expressway with my friends in my car, the speakers pour out a pretty familiar tune, a song by bananarama - Love in the First Degree. Immediately, i was remined of the dance we had for BS FOC2003, Camp Voyage (by zish). Involuntarily, i began to sway my arms and body recalling the dance steps (yeah, i could remember at least 80% of it) with my car at occasional free-wheeling. My friends were teasing me that the dance steps were so obiang and cnmi, and they couldnt imagine i would dance 'such' dance during my campus days.

"Well, all those who dance with me in BS were not really into dancing, but somehow, we enjoy the process of learning together, laughing at one another, esp at those whom we would nv imagine them dancing, and most importantly, the enjoyment we had dancing alongside together". With this stream of words unexpectedly flowing out from my mouth, they kept my friends quiet. I think zish has done a great job, without him, my BS days would not have been 1/2 as lively :)

Birthday Presents

I told myself not to post too many pics of my niece on this blog, but i couldnt help it. This pic is really funny, with her facial expression and dress ups.

Don't you think she looks like a bandit on her bike?

Anyway, the hat is her birthday present from a neighbourhood auntie, while the tricycle is a birthday gift from none other than her uncle, who loves her to the ultimate!

Wedding Dinners

Wedding bells are busy ringing lately. I see my friends one by one getting hitched, ROMed and march on the red carpet. I even witnessed one of my lady friend transform from a tomboyish lass (7 yrs ago) to a gorgeous stunning looking bride during the dinner. Frankly speaking, it wasnt easy for me to digest, for whatever reasons. I just feel that weddings or marriage is something so distant from me, and definitely not something i would want to look forward to.

Today, I SMS to congratulate another my lady friend who had her big day yesterday. "Juz glad everything is over!" was her reply, which was kind of shocking but not totally unexpected. Ahh.. that reminds me of what Prince Siddharta said when Rahula was born.

Getting married is a chore, especially holding wedding dinners. But if i were to wed one day, i will still proceed on with a grand wedding dinner, not so much for myself, but for the sake of our parents. These ceremonies are so important to them, to answer to their relatives and friends. I guess its the time we do them proud, and it also marks the end of another phase of life to them. To me, it is definitely a must.

But having said much, I would want to choose a different path from what the others are doing. Not being conformed to the societal norm, i actually feel more at ease, more freedom and happier. I know i am contradicting myself, but i am truely satisfied with my life now :)

Photos

The baby and her fat uncle

Mid Autumn Celebration

It has become an annual event for me to visit Labrador Park for lantern festival.

Previously there was only a crab + a taurus, now we have an additional taurus. Yeah, they say that taurus and cancer make excellent friends - i agree.

My niece + my car + dad + mum + her car + myself

Peirce again.....

I am back at Peirce reservoirs again today... this time i brought a friend along who is very siao-on in photography.

I have to thank him for taking this candid shot of me. Without this photo, i wouldnt have known how much more haggard and old i have grown over the past 1 year.

With migraines and headaches attacking me very often in the afternoon, i was often told that i look tired (but i have enough sleep and i eat well). I guess what i am lacking in is spiritual cultivation.

The baby can stand now...

This post is specially for Jane as she wants to know how tall the baby is now.... hahaahaa...

Genting Trip

A super fun genting trip with colleagues over the weekend. My last trip there was 24 years ago.
My fave item for this trip was the SpaceShot ride i took at the theme park. The feeling of suspense when staying high up in the air anticipating the sudden release/fall was indescripable. With our feet hanging in the air without any footrest at 15 storey high, the feeling was a mix of fear, thrill and excitement.

The most memorable part was the crazy screamings along with colleagues, with chilly fast moving clouds brushing against our faces. At that instance, i felt i have completely let go of myself - SHIOK!

Frankly speaking, i have never enjoyed myself that much in my life. I felt i have been so deprived over the past 28 yrs of my life, haha. Or perhaps, its not so much of the place u go, but the companions u r with.