For the next Go-Kart session, i would like to request for the categorisation to be done by weight.

The ultimate rule in Go-Kart, and therefore, in Life:

Power-to-Weight Ratio is first and foremost.

I learnt this after some very humiliating lessons in which i was being overtaken by two tiny girls in my department.

There was absolutely nothing i could do, but just watch helplessly as they overtook and widen the gap, even with my foot planted against the throttle.

Argh. The shame, the shame.

Oh yes. Merry Christmas, everyone. :)

From a Postcard Memory

Our honeymoon was under such glorious blue skies, in beautiful clear waters and bright sunny weather.

And i got even more uglier than i thought possible: i got severly sunburnt. -__-

From The Republic of Singapore, Women's Charter (Chapter 353), Certificate of Marriage (Section 31).

After months of preparation, our big day is finally over and we're now awaiting our Air Mauritius flight to our honeymoon.

Despite having a wondrous and glorious day, it still feels surreal that we're married. Till now, i can't quite believe that my status is now officially "married" instead of the usual "single".

Being reminded time and again during the wedding dinner that i'm an adult now, i now face my future with a feeling of apprehension.

Nonetheless, i will face it and try my best to be a great husband and life companion. With her support and love,

"i firmly believe that we will have a happy marriage and grow old together."

THAT lesson certainly ought to be inapplicable elsewhere in life.

"I can’t wait until I’m older. There’s nothing great about being young. Being young means you’re still naïve. That’s why it feels like you’re soaring in the sky or sinking beneath the ocean when someone you admire betrays you. Those emotions control your entire life, and can make you lose sight of who you are. 

By growing older, your heart grows more experienced. You grow one step further away from being controlled by your feelings, and are able to keep from soaring through the sky or sinking to the depths of the ocean. That’s what it means to grow older."

- Fifth Squad Vice-Captain, Hinamori in Bleach Episode 239: The Awakening Hyōrinmaru! Hitsugaya's Fierce Fight

Throughout our lives, we have different experiences. Each of us can tell a unique tale of our own lives and how we lived.

Our relationships. Our moment of glory. Our failures. Our work. Our lives.

Each experience molds our character to who we are today. Each experience brings a different facet, big or small, to our character. From each experience, we learn a different lesson and we grow from it.

When we're young, we went everywhere and did everything with an unbridled passion and full of energy. We rush into everything and experience life in fullness. We revel in our pride and ability, while bouncing back from each failure, bigger and better. But through it all, our experiences shaped and mold us into our own individual character.

As we grow older, we become slower and more mature. We become more contented to sit back and live our life quietly and happily. With our life's experience, we treated each and every matter thoughtfully and cautiously. We treasure our family and close friends more than ever.

Each of us can be compared to a diamond. After much honing and polishing from our life's experiences, we shine even brighter than before.

Collectively, we are brilliant.

“No man, in the fullness of his years, should have to experience afresh all the passion that a youngster is capable of embracing. Our hearts grow brittle as we age. Mine near shattered in that onslaught.”

- “Fool’s Fate” by Robin Hobb

I suppose if we couldn’t laugh at things that don’t make sense, we couldn’t reach to a lot of life.

I'll give you another example:
You can turn the traction control off, but it would be easier to launch the missiles from a nuclear submarine. You have push that button and hold it down for ten seconds, then you push those two simultaneously.

And i said to one of the engineers the other day, "Why does it have to be so complicated?"

And he said, "Well, why do you want to turn the traction control off?"

"'Cause it would be fun."

And you could see him thinking: Hhmm. FUN. I must look that up in a dictionary.

"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had." - Eric Schmidt

With the Information Age and social media, sometimes people trust online characters far more than they trust their own family.

As with real life, our words have a profound impact on others, whether written or spoken. With the Internet, this effect is magnified a hundred or a thousand times.

The Internet is a double-edged sword: it can help us immensely with the world's information at our fingertips, or it can hurt us really badly, with the words and actions of "trolls" and bullies.

It can even kill us.

What this game needs are negotiated settlements.

Forever And Always

Verse 1:

She's sitting at the table, the hours get later
He was supposed to be here
She's sure he would have called
She waits a little longer, there's no one in the driveway
No one's said they seen him
Why, is something wrong?
She looks back to the window
Suddenly the phone rings
A voice says somethings happened
That she should come right now
Her mind goes to December
She thinks of when he asked her
He bent down on his knees first
And he said

Chorus:

I, I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together
Forever and always

Verse 2:

She pulls up to the entrance
She walks right to the front desk
They lead her down a million halls a maze that's never ending
They talk about what happened but she can barely hear them
She tries to keep a straight face as she walks into the room
She sits by his bedside, holds his hand too tight
They talk about the kids they're gonna have and the good life
The house on the hillside, where they would stay

Chorus:

Stay, there forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether rich or for poor or for better
We'll still love each other, forever and always

Bridge:

Then she gets and idea and calls in the nurses
Brings up the chaplain and he says a couple versus
She borrows some rings from the couple next door
Everybody's laughing as the tears fall on the floor
She looks into his eyes, and she says

Chorus:

I, I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether happy or sad or whatever
We'll still love each other, forever and always
Forever and always, forever and always

She finishes the vows but his beeps are getting so low
His voice is almost too low
As he says, I love you forever, forever and always
Please just remember even if I'm not there
I'll always love you, forever and always

"Only love interests me, and I am only in contact with things that revolve around love." - Marc Chagall

Here’s a chance for you to proclaim your love for her. Say it.

Dear, I don’t think I have told you enough times how much I love you.

You always make me smile and laugh, no matter how tiring my day was. Even though we had our fair share of arguments and disagreements, we always work things out.

When we got together as a couple, I promised you that I will do my best to make you happy. Each time you cry, I feel a stab through my heart and I ask myself, “What have I done? Why couldn’t I make her happy?” It literally pains me to see you sad and shed tears of sorrow.

Now that we’re getting married, I hereby renew my promise: I promise to do my best to make you happy. I also promise that I will support you and our family, and do my best to make sure that we’re happy together.

This is the finest snowball ever made! Painstakingly hand-crafted into a perfect sphere from a secret mixture of slush, ice, dirt, debris and fine powder snow. This IS the ultimate winter weapon!

#1Nite

We in the spot right now
Ch-checking it out
Packed from wall to wall, going down no doubt
Got girls to my left, drinks to my right
I can tel that this is gonna be one of them nights
(Forever)

Whatever you need is on the dancefloor
Can't wait any more, because it don't last forever
No-oh wo
So turn up the spotlight, gonna tear it up like we got one night

Cause tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving
So right now you better jump, right in
Tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking til daylight

Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night

I got one hand up
The other on you, you
Got me in a spell ya, girl the way you move
Tomorrow ain't real, tonight is our truth

Gonna have you screaming out, gonna make you say, ooh, ooh, ooh

We're falling in love on the dancefloor
Girl, you and me we'll make this last forever
The future is so bright
Gonna live it up like got one night

Cause tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving
So right now you better jump, right in
Tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking til daylight

Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night

Cause tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving
So right now you better jump, right in
Tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving
So let's keep it rocking til daylight

Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night
Cause you know we just got one life, one life, one life
Gotta live like we got one night, one night, one night

"I had only to open my bedroom window, and blue air, love and flowers entered with her. Dressed all in white or all in black, she seemed to float over my canvases for a long time, guiding my art." - Marc Chagall

"'The social system is clever. It shouts when it should keep quiet and keeps quiet when it should shout. Nothing against the models and the intelligent and creative designers, but the system forgot to shout that beauty can't be standardized.'

(...)

'Where are the heavier women in these shows? Where are the young women with less shapely hips? Where are the women with prominent noses? Why, in this temple of so-called beauty, are there no young women with saddlebags or stretch marks? Aren't they human beings? Aren't they beautiful, too? Why is the world of fashion, which came about to promote well-being, destroying women's self-esteem? Isn't that a socially acceptable rape of self-esteem?'"

- "The Dreamseller: The Calling" by Augusto Cury

I kind of resent the manufacturer’s implicit assumption that this would amuse me.

"Invisible"

[Verse 1]
I take these pills to make me thin
I dye my hair, and cut my skin
I try everything, to make them see me
But all they see, is someone that's not me

[Chorus]
Even when I'm walking on a wire
Even when I set myself on fire
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible
Everyday I try to look my best
Even though inside I'm such a mess
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible

[Verse 2]
Here inside, my quiet hell
You cannot hear, my cries for help
I try everything, to make them see me
But every one, sees what I can't be

[Chorus]
Even when I'm walking on a wire
Even when I set myself on fire
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible
Everyday I try to look my best
Even though inside I'm such a mess
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible

[Bridge]
Sometimes when I'm alone
I pretend that I'm a queen
It's almost believable

[Chorus]
Even when I'm walking on a wire
Even when I set myself on fire
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible
Everyday I try to look my best
Even though inside I'm such a mess
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible

You can tell this is a great club because we always get in trouble for following our charter!

I feel pretty sorry for Arsenal now.

8-2.

*shakes head* My goodness.

In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love. - Marc Chagall

They are really quite astounding to watch.

Thanks for recommending and buying the tickets, love. ^_^

Remedial vegetation.

When in doubt, sleep.

Mom never lets me stay up to watch the TV shows I REALLY want to see. She says they’re too educational.

"Moves Like Jagger"
(feat. Christina Aguilera)

[Verse 1]
Just shoot for the stars
If it feels right
And aim for my heart
If you feel like
Can take me away and make it OK
I swear I'll behave

You wanted control
So we waited
I put on a show
Now we're naked
You say I'm a kid
My ego is big
I don't give a shit
And it goes like this

[Chorus]
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you

All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like jagger

I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you

You with them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger

[Verse 2]
Baby it's hard
When it feels like you're broken and scarred
Nothing feels right
But when you're with me
I make you believe
That I've got the key

So get in the car
We can ride it
Wherever you want
Get inside it
And you want to steer
But I'm shifting gear
I'll take it from here
And it goes like this

[Chorus]
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you

All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger

I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you

With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger

[Bridge]
You want to know how to make me smile
Take control, own me just for the night
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this

So watch and learn
I won't show you twice
Head to toe, ooh baby, rub me right
But if I share my secret
You're gonna have to keep it
Nobody else can see this

And it goes like this

[Chorus]
Take me by the tongue
And I'll know you
Kiss me 'til you're drunk
And I'll show you

All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger

I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you

With them moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger

I don’t know what’s weirder – that you’re fighting a stuffed animal, or that you seem to be losing.

YC: So how is the preparations for your November activity going?

Me; *gives him a puzzled look*

YC: It's in November, right?

Me: *has an inkling of what he's trying to say, but i want him to say it outright to prevent any misunderstanding* Just what on earth are you talking about?

KY: Aiyoh. What must you talk like that? Just say wedding lah.

Me: Yah lah. Why must you use some secret code word leh?

YC: You also know ah? Aiyah, then say so earlier mah. *laughs*

Me: *giving him my widest possible grin* What makes you think you're so special that i will only invite you, and not invite the others?

I could see his ego deflating like a tyre with a slow puncture. It's not that i enjoy doing this, but sometimes people tend to overrate themselves and someone needs to bring them back to earth.

Mozart never composed anything, ever! He copied what was written on his soul. - Marc Chagall

"If I Die Young"

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a
Boy here in town who says he'll love me forever,
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls

We hurl through an incomprehensible darkness. In cosmic terms, we are subatomic particles in a grain of sand on an infinite beach.

I didn't really know him that well.

Whenever i visit her, he would always be sitting at the family dining table quietly, watching the television. He would slowly half-raise a hand in greeting, when i called him. I felt satisfied by his acknowledgement and, maybe it's just my imagination, his silent approval of me.

When he entered the hospital, it seemed strange that he started talking to me. Once silent at home, he started asking for my name and we exchanged pleasantries. He seemed a lot better and livelier too.

When we visited him again, he was about to do some blood tests. The nurses were starting to wheel him away. When he saw us, he raised a hand in greeting and, maybe it's just my imagination, smiled. It was almost as if to say: Hello. Thank you for coming to visit me. I'll be back in a while and we can chit-chat again.

That was our last image of him.

It's been one year since he left us. She still feels the loss keenly, as if it were yesterday.

Even though i don't know him that well, i'm still affected by his passing away. I want to tell him that we're getting married and have his blessings to our marriage. I want him to be happy to see that his granddaughter is getting married. I want him to see how happy his granddaughter is.

I want him to attend our wedding.

Grandfather, i hope you're in peace. Please give us your blessing in our marriage. She misses you a lot.

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