Insomnia??

Perhaps it was because we couldn't help but watch "Iljimae" all the way pass midnight to kill off suspense, and got irritated because of the ending. How can anyone stand conclusions where you don't know exactly whether the main character lives or not and you are left to your interpretations although circumstances seem awfully pessimistic? I'll talk about that later.

I digress.

Or maybe it's the coming exams. Or maybe it's the confused thoughts.

Whichever the reason, I am feeling...well, goodness knows what. I can't tell if I'm sleepy or groggy or almost devoid of emotions today. Hit by insomnia and not liking it.

AARRGGHH!!!

Oh well, warm milk supposedly helps, right? I'll get to that.

They swung and swung

Sometimes it is the little things that make you smile. Even food. Have you had your "zhang" this year? It only occurred to me that the festival was drawing near when my Grandma and 'Ah Ye' started calling every family member to come collect "zhang". Uncles, Aunties, even distant cousins.

Straight after college, Mummy and I went to gather our share (and our dinner). Hanging from but two tiny hooks they swung and swung. 15 each was the rule, though this year we were slipped 20. Hehe...

Ever the most delicious "zhang" I've eaten. The same one my friends promoted to 'rice burger' this year.

'Rice burger' or "zhang", whatever the name, all I can but remember is the way they hung upon the hook, swung and swung.

Curve Celebrations

Friday night. The air my nerves would have liked to sense a chill practically non-existent. At least there was excitement. I think I mentioned before that the last time I came to the Curve, it was also at night, and it was exhilarating to see life at night.

What time does the Curve close anyway? Well, Friday nights should account for something, I hope.
TGIF saw a group of nine huddled together for drinks, some nachos, chips and full of catching ups and gossips--- the details I shall keep to ourselves. As if the world had shrivelled and shrunk itself, several (but already quite a number) recognisable faces from our high school strolled pass us. How the world has changed since 5 months ago!
If different groups friendship had their own individual attributes, I suppose this group sends partying vibrations--- crazy and entertaining.

In a good way, of course. There are sure to be adventures popping up in every corner. Like that night, within the 3 hours we spent time there, eyes were already turned at us.

Okay, so it was a double birthday celebration, a signature of TGIF. But there the two of them were, dancing and singing, while we took pictures, videos, and cheered.

"Come on, sing a Jason Mraz song!!!"

So sang we the birthday song, and they made their speech and birthday wishes... and...

Their feared dream came true. Which they then spontaneously proceeded to smear it off the cheeky workers face and ours too. In short, it's a blast to be with them.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS, Melissa and Joanne!!

And the confusion kicks in

In a mere one day, my seemingly planned schedule for after the exams coiled up in a tight, TIGHT knot. If you're reading this, Janice, you probably know what I'm talking about.

Happy? Definitely. I'd like to jump over the sun since the moon isn't up, but I don't wish to fall back to the earth as a gingerbread man.

"Oh, so that's why people prefer jumping over the moon."

Sad? Maybe. Hopefully it's a term break that night.

"I think it is."

Confused? Of course. OOOoo...what to do. what to do. what to do. what to do. what to do. what to do. what to do.

"You know what to do."

What a busy week it'll be.

Get that off my head!! Okay, I should go back to studying Economics.

"What is the opportunity cost of such a schedule?"

I despise you, conscience. Leave me alone.

"Fine. Be that way."

Not a Farewell

Dear Mei Yee,

Goodness knows when you'll be able to read this since you'll be all the way in Negeri Sembilan by now. It's so hard to enter that matriculation yet you've been accepted and we are all happy for you. Now you can break free from Form 6 and enter college as you wish. Biology calls for you! Maybe you'll get more than just frogs. And you even get student allowance!

Sigh. You do know, however, that amidst the joy, a queer form of sadness lingers in the air. All of a sudden we were throwing a rushed farewell party and we never expected it to be for you first. No outings. No bike riding. No telephone chats. For one year. Unless you figure out when your next holiday is. Or at least find a way to book a computer in the lab.

Well, this is to a friendship of six years that hopefully lasts with distance. All five of us.

You know how hard it is to gather a full gang, right(psst psst)? And yet we managed to rope five yesterday.

"So can you come?"~me

"Actually we had plans to go to Times Square...but..."

"It's alright."

"Hmm... is that place far?"

"Yes. Quite. Very."

"How long will she be there?"

"One year."

"Okay, we're coming."

We had a cheerful chat about the past and 2 months ago to get the thoughts off your mind. And I guess we've been bombarding you with the same questions.

For some odd reason the group photos taken by the waitress turned out a little different. Sorry about that.

Oh yes, and may your journey there are from there be safe. Take care. Make friends. Have fun. Earn flying colours. Attack with taekwondo when needed. Don't be overwhelmed by homesick. Don't forget too much. Don't forget to give us a call when you get back. *And de-mature--- you're no longer in Form 6(inside joke)*

Besides, it's not a farewell. Not a good bye. Just a 'see-you-later', right?

Well then, see you later...

Paradox

She got the news on Friday. Told us on Saturday. Will have one more outing on today. Leave tomorrow.

I'm We're happy for her. A chance like this doesn't come often--- being accepted into a local matriculation with the course of her choice with all expenses paid. And a spot at a local university. A win-win situation, where she can pave the road to her dreams.

Only that she'll be chasing her dreams far far away from us.

We're happy for her, we really are. Just...sad. Not only the distance taunts us, so does the fact that this means almost no communication until her holidays come about. What about technology, you say? Perhaps, if she manages to find a connection. Sigh.

You know, one thing about high school? Everything changes, and you do expect friends to leave anytime and probably meet after a long, long time.

I didn't see this coming. But you know, I'm pleased, yet it was too sudden so it's sorrowful.

You know, one thing about this? It's a paradox.

Left Eyebrow Twitching

My left eyebrow twitched before we entered the exam hall. I was hoping it meant nothing.

I was literally broiling in my seat as my pen started scribbling and my brain broke into two. Look front and someone had very conveniently written one entire page. Perk my right ear and someone else dropped her book onto the ground (which means she'd just finished a question).

The remedy for my heartache was the lovely ice kacang Pa bought for me, and another funny night at English Matters. Boy, I'll simply miss this place when my time is up. Wait...that means in two lessons time!! NOOOoo!! Now how shall I spend my night?

PS. Someone told me when your left eyebrow twitches it's not a good thing, and vice versa.

To a vivacious cousin

To a vivacious lady,

You're the vibrant cousin

who knows how to keep yourself composed in situations

yet know how to assert youself in others (when disciplining your juniors too!)

Always up-and-ready for new events,

and ever able to boost our self esteem (except when it comes to height)

you definitely open conversations

that we cousins would never have thought of

and making our day with your spontaneous nature.

Today you turn sixteen and

armed with dreams of soaring into the vault of the skies!

May your fiesty spirit shoot you amongst the stars
and may your dreams come true.

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN!!!
~May your year be as sweeeeeeet as sugar, sprinkled with chocolate sprinkles~

Commemorating Motherhood

To THE one and only...

I only wish I could have loaded these photos sooner.
You'll always be the glue that holds our house together...
and the puzzle that completes the family portrait...
and we all know that if we got you flowers, you'd go "How wasteful"

but still grin inside anyway...

So we decided we'd just turn our words into pictures.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MONTH!!

LOVE, the trio

(ps. I did not give myself extra centimetres on purpose...it was hard getting 'ourselves' to stand)

Thank you for everything you've done for us, your ever growing recipe book so that we can have gastronomic adventures, your willingness to lend us your hands and ears(and driving us all over the place), your reprimands, your pearls of wisdom, and your support for our dreams...

Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; A mother's secret hope outlives them all.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

Enjoy the Sweet Side of Daily Lives (Do watch this)

Do you remember those wonderful musicals, where its characters suddenly break into a song or a dance(both Hollywood and Bollywood, I mean) and coax others to join in their little chereography?

And maybe you thought they only exist in movies?

Well, I guess you're wrong. This is my first time posting up a video, so do enjoy the sweet side of life!

Fantasy: "Do Re Mi" of 'Sound of Music' literally breaches the walls that divide fantasy from reality.

Reality: This was a Belgian promotional stunt to find someone to play the leading role of 'Sound of Music' on the 23rd of March 2009. Amazing, eh, after only two rehearsals!

Why can't we have such real-life advertisements here??

Oh well, it doesn't matter. I hope this painted a smile on your face. Have a great day!!

To the little lady

Dear May Ching,

This is to the cousin with the littlest of age (among the 7)

but the biggest of voices.

There has to be a reason why people can't see you as but a 12-year-old,

especially when you're hanging out with us.

For someone still ever the "bi" of the family,

it's amazing how level-headed you are,

and how persuasive you can be,

and how firmly you make decisions.

You know what it means to be together,

cherishing every moment of life.

After all, you're the one roping all us cousins for another round of 'Life' game

and bursting with more and more things to do!

So this birthday, let this be a toast (because we're still considered 'under 18')

to a year as merry as your cheerful disposition...

All the best of luck in your major exam this year

and know that you already have what it takes.

Hang in there!

Happy Birthday!

~May your dreams guide you to your goals~

And how I agree

Quotes tend to catch my eye --- pop them out of my sockets and all. This one above reminded me of the debate at English Matters. Hehe...

Albert Einstein believed in this mentality, and look where that got him? Splattered across every Physics book available! Knowledge, though as vast as it may be, will limit itself in the end...but not imagination!

More often than not, knowledge comes from imagination, right? Even with their supposed scientific research, the idea that we descend from banana crazed primates first stemmed from imagination. Do they not? Okay, now I sense scientists shrugging.

Cynical people will argue that living in dreams is an act of nothingness. But those on this side of the world would say, "Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions."

So keep your dream alive.

Dreams are illustrations... from the book

your soul is writing about you.

~Marsha Norman~

Boy, quotes are simply amazing.

And no, I won't let you leave this blog without some entertainment.

Random memory to thrill the soul:

"Do you know where I can get pepper spray?"(privacy protected)

"No. You can make it yourself..."me

"I DID! I tried with water and pepper, but they can't mix!"

"Try powdered pepper..."

"I DID! It didn't work. And I even put a little in my eyes and they don't sting!!

"..."

"Well?"

"Why does a guy need pepper spray?"

"Self-protection."

"I have an umbrella."

"Umbrellas are too big."

"I have one in my bag right now."

"It's not the same."

"In that case, I don't know..."

"Yeah, I might as well bring Shieldtox and get it over with."

Boy, they're fun to be with. Fun and funny. Someone announced he ate a WHOLE cake for breakfast, But that's a different story. Have a good day, cheers!

The Bear Says North - Happy Birthday!

A Folktale from Finland
The Bear Says North

One day while Osmo, the Bear, was prowling about the woods he caught a Grouse.

'Pretty good!" he thought to himself. "Wouldn't the other animals be surprised if they knew old Osmo had caught a Grouse!"

He was so proud of his feat that he wanted all the world to know of it. So, holding the Grouse carefully in his teeth without injuring it, he began parading up and down the forest ways.

'They'll all certainly envy me this nice plump Grouse," he thought. "And they won't be so ready to call me awkward and lumbering after this, either!"

Presently Mikko, the Fox, sauntered by. He saw at once that Osmo was showing off and he determined that the Bear would not get the satisfaction of any admiration from him. So he pretended not to see the Grouse at all.

Instead he pointed his nose upwards and sniffed. "Um! Um!" grunted Osmo, trying to attract attention to himself.

"Ah," Mikko remarked, casually, "is that you, Osmo? What way is the wind blowing to-day? Can you tell me?"

Osmo, of course, could not answer without opening his mouth, so he grunted again hoping that Mikko would have to notice why he couldn't answer.

But the Fox didn't glance at him at all. With his nose still pointed upwards he kept sniffing the air. "It seems to me it's from the South," he said. "Isn't it from the South, Osmo?"

"Um! Um! Um!" the Bear grunted.

"You say it is from the South, Osmo? Are you sure?"

"Um! Um!" Osmo repeated, growing every moment more impatient.

"Oh, not from the South, you say. Then from what direction is it blowing?"

By this time the Bear was so exasperated by Mikko's interest in the wind when he should have been admiring the Grouse that he forgot himself, opened his mouth, and roared out: "North!"

Of course the instant he opened his mouth, the Grouse flew away.

"Now see what you've done!" he stormed angrily, "You've made me lose my line plump Grouse!"
"I?" Mikko asked. "What had I to do with it?"

"You kept asking me about the wind until I opened my mouth - that's what you did!"

The Fox shrugged his shoulders. "Why did you open your mouth?"

"Well, you can't say "North!" without opening your mouth, can you?" the Bear demanded.

The Fox laughed heartily. "See here, Osmo, don't blame me. Blame yourself. If I had had that Grouse in my mouth and you had asked me about the wind, I should never have said, 'North!' "

"What would you have said?" the Bear asked.

Mikko, the rascal, laughed harder than ever. Then he clenched his teeth and said: "East!" --

~Parker Fillmore, Mighty Mikko (1922) ~


PS: Grouse is a kind of bird.

Happy Birthday, Teacher Jo! Though a 'be-earlied' song was all we had for you then, I hope all goes well for a deep dark plan next week.

And yes, this story shall remain with me forever.

Anyway, Happy Holiday to all. And Happy Birthday to you, Teacher Jo!