If I get a bad grade, it’ll be your fault for not doing the work for me!

GL: You know our new colleague?

Me: Yarh?

GL: He's a scholar, you know.

Me: Uh-huh... *wondering what he's trying to say*

GL: So after he finishes his Masters, when you become APE (Assistant Principle Engineer), he would have become VP (Vice-President) already.

Me: *sarcastic* Thanks, man, thanks. Thanks for the encouragement.

Sigh... -___-

My upbringing is filled with inconsistent messages.

“Perhaps the greatest faculty our minds possess is the ability to cope with pain. Classic thinking teaches us of the four doors of the mind, which everyone moves through according to their need.

First is the door of sleep. Sleep offers us a retreat from the world and all its pain. Sleep marks passing time, giving us distance from things that have hurt us. When a person is wounded they will often fall unconscious. Similarly, someone who hears traumatic news will often swoon or faint. This is the mind’s way of protecting itself from pain by stepping through the first door.

Second is the door of forgetting. Some wounds are too deep to heal, or too deep to heal quickly. In addition, many memories are simply painful, and there is no healing to be done. The saying “time heals all wounds” is false. Time heals most wounds. The rest are hidden behind this door.

Third is the door of madness. There are times when the mind is dealt such a blow it hides itself in insanity. While this may not seem beneficial, it is. There are times when reality is nothing but pain, and to escape that pain the mind must leave reality behind.

Last is the door of death. The final resort. Nothing can hurt us after we are dead, or so we have been told.”
- “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss

Moms and reason are like oil and water.

Perhaps it's my nature and character as an engineer. Or perhaps it is my job as an engineer which created my character to be so.

Either way, i always believe in being objective. Discard all emotions, gossip and hearsay. Examine both sides of the argument and the evidence. Then make your decision.

That is the reason i fail to understand why people say or do certain things.

The social media and network ran riot with resentment, anger and gossip.

All i wanted to do, was to scream at them, "What on earth are you talking about? Do you even understand what are you saying? Did you even examine the other side of the argument?"

And then to turn around, and scream at the other, "Have you seen this? Have you seen or heard the people's feelings? Why are you not addressing and answering them?"

If you refuse to hear and believe what the other party says, then you are no more arrogant than the ones which you accuse of.

Do you even understand the economics of the world? Inflation and depression always happens in cycles. It is something which nobody is immune to.

The only reason why you are being crowded out of your jobs, is because you have grown fat and contented, believing that you have a god-given right to any job in your own country. Why should the boss hire you when he can hire someone else who is more hardworking and is willing to accept a lower pay? Bosses are only concerned with earning money and profit margin. It makes perfect economic sense to lower your expenses so that your profit margin can be higher.

Give her a chance. When we got our first job or move into a new environment, we had to learn quickly, didn't we? We all made mistakes, but we learn and move forward. So why can't you accept that from someone else?

I believe it's time to go back to basics. A time to reflect on what has happened and how much has changed. Over time, the core values has been desensitised and ignored. If this carries on, so will the decline.

That being said, i do not support them. I only support what is right, what should be done and what has been done.

"To today's Singaporeans, these penny-pinching habits would seem ridiculous and laughable but they form the hallmark of PAP's founding fathers. Thrift was their name. Nothing was more repulsive than waste and extravagance.

(...)

In the political climate of the day when corruption, greed and self-serving opportunism was alienating the masses, PAP leaders were convinced that they had to hold themselves to a high standard of exemplary conduct. One that should equal if not exceed that of their leftist partners, whose qualities of austerity and self-sacrifice resonated profoundly with the impoverished populace.

(...)

The values of the PAP pioneers were so instinctively internalised that they were inevitably embodied in the running of the party itself. Their "waste not, want not" ethos meant that a branch could only afford to occupy a portion of a dingy shophouse or a makeshift wood-and-zinc structure. Decor was threadbare with furniture and fittings contributed by supporters and sympathisers."
- "Men in White: The Untold Story of Singapore's Ruling Political Party" by Sonny Yap, Richard Lim and Leong Weng Kam

I dunno. It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what’s cool.

In view of the coming elections, i promise to vote for the party which lets me shuffle everyday. xD



"Party Rock Anthem"

PART ROCK
YEA
Wooo!!!!
LETS GO!!
Party rock is in the house tonight
Everybody just have a good time
And we gonna make you lose your mind
Everybody just have a good time [X2]

We just wanna see yaa!

Shake That !

In the club party rock look up on your girl
She on my jock non stop when we in the spot
Booty move away like she on the block
What the track I gots to know
Top jeans tatto cause I'm rock and roll
Half black half white diamino
Gane the money out the door

Yoooo!!
I'm runnin through these hoes like drano
I got that devilish flow rock and roll no halo
We party rock yea! that's the crew that I'm reppin
On the rise to the top no led in our zeppelin
Hey!!!

Party rock is in the house tonight
Everybody just have a good time
And we gonna make you lose your mind
Everybody just have a good time [X2]

We just wanna see yaa!

Everyday I'm shuffelin

Shuffelin shuffelin

Step up fast and be the first girl to make me throw this cash
We get money don't be mad now stop hatein is bad

One more shot for us
Another round
Please fill up my cup
Don't mess around
We just wanna see
You shake it now
Now you wanna be
Your naked now

Get up get down put your hands up to the sound [X3]
Put your hands up to the sound [X2]
Get up [X9]
Put your hands up to the sound
To the sound
Put your hands up !!!!!

Party rock is in the house tonight
Everybody just have a good time
And we gonna make you lose your mind
Everybody just have a good good good time

Ohhhhh!!Ohhhhhh!!!Ohhhhhh!!!Ohhh!

The surgeon general should issue a warning about playing with girls.

Personally, i've gone through all the stages before. It's something which i hope will never happen again.

As long as we keep working on our relationship and not take each other for granted, i believe we will be together forever.

You’re the only person I know whose GOOD side is prone to badness.

Buddy, if you think I’m even going to BE here, you’re crazy!

I still prefer Lewis though. xD

"What does your teacher object to about dinosaurs?" "Mostly my drawing them during Math."

"Probably, but we can't be absolutely certain. Once you've decided that something's absolutely true, you've closed your mind on it, and a closed mind doesn't go anywhere. Question everything, Pol. That's what education's all about."
- "Belgarath The Sorcerer" by David and Leigh Eddings

A closed mind is truly a dangerous thing.

I once learned the following:

In general, people always have the following attitude when they receive certain news.
D - Deny
D - Discard
G - Generalise

For example, if we receive news that someone is undergoing some slimming treatment:

First reaction - Deny the news
How can it be? Cannot be lah. Why would she want to slim down?

Second reaction - Discard the good aspects of the news and focus on the bad aspects
Are you sure this slimming program is trustworthy? I'm sure there are side effects. They never tell you, means definitely have side effects.

Third reaction - Generalise the news
All slimming medicines and centres are the same one. All of them have side effects, and your weight sure rebound back.

Which is why i feel that it's always important to have an objective mind. Discard all rumors and talks. Do your own research and find out for yourself.

If you base your decision on rumors and talks, then you'll fall prey to the herd thinking: What people say or do, i just follow.

Are you brave enough to make your own decisions and conclusions?

Or do you want to be a sheep and just follow/believe what other people say?

French author Michel Thayer published a 233-page novel which has no verbs.

"Marry You"

It's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Well I know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go,
No one will know,
Come on girl.
Who cares if we're trashed got a pocket full of cash we can blow,
Shots of patron,
And it's on girl.

Don't say no, no, no, no-no;
Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah;
And we'll go, go, go, go-go.
If you're ready, like I'm ready.

Cause it's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

I'll go get a ring let the choir bells sing like oooh,
So whatcha wanna do?
Let's just run girl.

If we wake up and you wanna break up that's cool.
No, I won't blame you;
It was fun girl.

Don't say no, no, no, no-no;
Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah;
And we'll go, go, go, go-go.
If you're ready, like I'm ready.

Cause it's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Just say I do,
Tell me right now baby,
Tell me right now baby. [x2]

Cause it's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

I’ve got an idea for a sit-com called “Father Knows Zilch”.

Her: I have a small bump on my wrist here. Don't know what is it. See? *shows me*

Me: *declares* Baby mosquito bite

Her: *stares at me*

Me: Maybe the mother was teaching it how to bite mah. "This is where you put the needle in..."

Her: *joining my train of thought* It should be "This is where you bite..."

Me: *agrees* "This is where you bite. First you put the needle in. Then you suck the blood out. Slurp! Then you pull the needle out and fly away."

Her: Then you leh?

Me: Me? They already bite me. See? *shows her the mosquito bites from my ICT* They probably told their fellow mosquitos: Eh! Got buffet! Come, come!

Her: You guys are humans mah. They very long never suck blood already mah, so they all come and bite you.

Me: Eh. Mosquitoes also bite animals lor.

Her: *thinking fast* But human blood sweeter!

Me: *retort* And how would you know?

Her: *tries to convince me* We eat all the food mah. Got more preservatives and sugar, so our blood sweeter.

Me: Ok. But if that's the case, then they should be having organic blood.

Her: Huh? O.o

Me: Because animals eat plants and other animals mah. No preservatives and other chemicals, so that makes their blood organic.

Her: Eee... But like that their blood not sweet.

Me: But they have to! Must be organic. Must save the earth.

Her: Huh?! O.O

Me: Mosquitoes must also save the earth mah. If everyone dies, then there won't be any people for them to suck blood mah.

Her: *stares at me*

Me: So therefore, in order for them to continue sucking blood from animals and humans, they must also save the earth and be organic.

Sometimes, even i confuse myself. :p

He just does that to show he COULD’VE snuffed me.

I was part of the Recce team, Long Range Support. My buddy was the sniper and i was the one who call for fire support.

My buddy can hit from 800 meters, head shot, moving target. He's very good lah. I always call for the fire support, sure will hit the target one. Once i point the laser, the planes will fly in and fire the missiles. Sure on target one.

Range only 400 meters. So when we go range, the target suddenly becomes very big. We used to have 56 bullets. So, 56 / 56 lah.

We can run and hide for two days continuously from the enemy. We always run and hide. Sometimes we will run, hide and even flank the enemy. The commandos will chase after us, so we keep running. We can even slowly pick off the commandos, until there's only half a team left.

We also like to find and "kill" the enemy. You better don't smoke. If you smoke, i can find you. If you fart and i am downwind, i can find you. If you cook, i also can find you. If you shit, i also can find you.

Our intake will have 30 people. Then we will slowly filter off, until there's less than 10 remaining.

Although we run so much, we take it as fun lah. Finding and "killing" the enemy is fun.

I suppose the end message is this:
Take everything as it comes. Embrace it and look for the positives. Once you do that, you won't find it a chore anymore.

I think football is a sport the way ducks think hunting is a sport.

*exasperated voice* Three-Six to Eight-Three-Bravo, Three-Six to Eight-Three-Bravo. Can you confirm your location?

*unsure voice* Eight-Three-Bravo. I think we are at Echo Zero Seven.

(One hour later...)

*tired voice* Three-Six to Eight-Three-Bravo, Three-Six to Eight-Three-Bravo. Can you confirm your location?

*frustrated voice* Eight-Three-Bravo. Negative, negative. We cannot confirm our location.

*confused* Three-Six to Eight-Three-Bravo. Can you confirm your location?

*repeats* Eight-Three-Bravo. Negative, negative. We cannot confirm our location.

Although we did eventually managed to find our way after two hours, I hate getting lost.

I think we should check into a hotel until this is over.

"I'm sure you can understand that i wanted peace in the world at that particular time.
A newly married man has better things to do than to dash off to curb the belligerence of others."
- "Belgarath The Sorcerer" by David and Leigh Eddings

The real fun of living wisely is that you get to be smug about it.

*kneeling down* Miss Panda Koala Lai, will you marry me?

*gasp* Is this our ring?

*proudly* Yep, it is.

*inspecting it* Wow. It looks very different! It's very nice!

*getting nervous now* So? Will you marry me?

*With a smile almost bursting her happy face* Yes!

(...)

I think you better go home and tell your parents the good news.

*looking a bit nervous* Orh. Ok.

*reading her thoughts* Don't worry. I've asked your parents for permission to marry you already.

*surprised* When? How come i don't know?

*smug* That day lor. During lunch, and when you were in the toilet.

(...)

*curious* So you passed the ring to the restaurant the day before?

No lah. They are more afraid than me, 'cause they might...

*understanding and completes the sentence* ... lose the ring.

I passed it to them just now.

*surprised again* When? How come i never notice?

*smug again* See? Planning. *explains* You enter the restaurant first mah, so your back was facing me. I passed to the waiter during that moment.

So. As it turns out, everything went almost perfectly.

All the preparations were worth it. Just that one single happy smile and a "yes" redeemed all my efforts and everything i've done.

The next step is even bigger and needs even more planning. Let's hope i can do it as flawlessly and as smoothly as before.

Right. Why waste time learning when ignorance is instanteous?

Today my respect for that idiot shot up. Most of us went to college just for a degree. No degree meant no plum job, no pretty wife, no credit card, no social status.

But none of this mattered to him, he was in college for the joy of learning, he never cared if he was first or last.

Being with you, it’s just one epiphany after another.

"Coming Home"
(with Dirty Money
feat. Skylar Grey)

I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming

[Diddy]
I'm back where I belong, yeah I never felt so strong (yeah)
(I'm back baby)
I feel like there's nothing that I can't try
And if you with me put your hands high
(put your hands high)
If you ever lost a light before, this ones for you
And you, the dreams are for you

I hear "The Tears of a Clown"
I hate that song
I always feel like they talking to me when it comes on (come on)
Another day another Dawn
Another Keisha, nice to meet ya, get the math I'm gone
What am I 'posed to do when the club lights come on
Its easy to be Puff, its harder to be Sean
What if the twins ask why I aint marry their mom (why, damn!)
How do I respond?
What if my son stares with a face like my own
And says he wants to be like me when he's grown
Sh-t! But I aint finished growing
Another night the inevitible prolongs
Another day another Dawn
Just tell Taneka and Taresha I'll be better in the morn'
Another lie that I carry on
I need to get back to the place I belong

[Dirty Money - Chorus]
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming

[Diddy]
"A house is Not a Home", I hate this song
Is a house really a home when your loved ones are gone
And n-ggas got the nerve to blame you for it
And you know you woulda took the bullet if you saw it
But you felt it and still feel it
And money can't make up for it or conceal it
But you deal with it and you keep ballin'
Pour out some liquor, play ball and we keep ballin'
Baby we've been living in sin 'cause we've been really in love
But we've been living as friends
So you've been a guest in your own home
It's time to make your house your home
Pick up your phone, come on

[Dirty Money - Chorus]
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming

[Diddy]
"Ain't No Stopping Us Now", I love that song
Whenever it comes on it makes me feel strong
I thought I told y'all that we won't stop
We back cruising through Harlem, Viso blocks
It's what made me, saved me, drove me crazy
Drove me away than embraced me
Forgave me for all of my shortcomings
Welcome to my homecoming
Yeah it's been a long time coming
Lot of fights, lot of scars, lot of bottles
Lot of cars, lot of ups, lot of downs
Made it back, lost my dog (I miss you BIG)
And here I stand, a better man! (a better man)
Thank you Lord (Thank you Lord)

[Dirty Money - Chorus]
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming

It’s either spectacular unbelievable success or crushing hopeless defeat! There is no middle ground! Ok, there IS a middle ground but it’s for sissies

They got a Paramount Marauder this time round. And from the looks of the video, they really wreck some destruction with it. O.o

Dad, how do soldiers killing each other solve the world’s problems?

"Pray"

Oh, oh
I just can't sleep tonight.
Knowing that things ain't right.
It's in the papers, it's on the TV, it's everywhere that I go.
Children are crying.
Soldiers are dying
Some people don’t have a home

But I know there’s sunshine behind that rain
I know there’s good times behind that pain
Hey, can you tell me how I can make a change?

I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray

I lose my appetite, knowing kids starve tonight.
Am I a sinner 'cause half my dinner is still there on my plate?
Oh, I got a vision to make a difference.
And it's starting today.

'cause I know there’s sunshine behind that rain
I know there’s good times behind that pain
Heaven, tell me how I can make a change?

I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day

I close my eyes and I pray for the broken-hearted
I pray for the life not started
I pray for all the ones not breathing.
I pray for all the souls in need.
I pray. Can you give 'em one today?

I just can't sleep tonight.
Can someone tell me how to make a change?

I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and I pray

I pray

I pray

I close my eyes and pray

The problem with the future is that it keeps turning into the present.

So.

Another year has passed.

From single-hood to having a partner. From loneliness to blissful, playful love. From having all the time to myself, to having absolutely no time at all. From carefree thinking to thinking for us.

Much traveling has also been done. To Japan and to Hong Kong. Exploring the different countries and their cultures. We also explore each other's character, and got to know each other a lot better. Perhaps that was the most subtle motive for all the traveling.

What will happen in this year?

Pardon me for being mysterious and cryptic, but i know that i will be extremely busy. This year will be incredibly exciting for me. I hope that i can make this work.

As i lift my leg to make the next step, i pause and think. I think of my life and what has happened. Of the joys i have experienced and the tears of grief i have shed. All of these experiences has cumulated to this major landmark in my life.

My mind is now a whirlwind of ideas, plans and thoughts.

Like playing chess, the next step must be thought through thoroughly, strategise carefully and executed flawlessly.

Wish me luck.

How did you emboss this card? With a screwdriver?

What do you guys think? ^_^