most, if not all, posts will be locked from november on (:

I realize it's been ages since I blogged. It's been overwhelming - all the mounting commitments, applications, and thankfully an equal amount of outings that I can look forward to. Praise God for his grace in the past week (:

This is going to sound like a laundry list for the past week but let me sort it out if I'm not too washed up after chalet breaks on wednesday. Overnight cycling on Tuesday I think? Am going to be so tired ):

LifeIMPACT camp!
Catching up: AND Level 17 on that awesome arcade game
Shopping for gifts!
Princess & The Frog! (:
Avatar with Teng Wei & Bi Ran! (OMG BI RAN)
PlayOn2009!
Blood Donation 
Battling the Orchard Road crowd ):

And I hope I'm in time to get the Cirque on Ice tickets tomorrow (: Watching on Wednesday evening hopefully!
And GEEZ I'm so going to have to spend Xmas writing apps. 

---
Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears

Daniel's December 'Job'.
And the unfeeling North Pole police officers locked me up - so COLD of them (pun intended).

Anyway, we're 15 days away! :P

"He brought in a team, he brought in inspiration about great products and design that's made Apple back into being an incredible force in doing good things." (Bill Gates on Steve Jobs)

Well if even the head honcho of Windows grudgingly admits that Apple has become "an incredible force" in doing "good things", then why are windows die-hards so stubbornly insisting on the superiority of their operating system? The Mac has flaws no doubt (though I really haven't found one yet, save for the lack of games which I have outgrown), but it has by far been a better experience for me. I hope you're reading this Clement, and not wilfully denounce "the good force" :P

Ah I thought I would never be swayed from buying cameras from Canon, given the reliability and quality photos that the Ixus has given me. But hey the Olympus EP-2 and Panasonic GF-1 look awesomely sexy- compact yet modelling the DSLRs in terms of quality. I just wish these four-thirds came out earlier so more development could have been done on the flash and the viewfinder; or guess I could wait till Q2 next year where the other camera brands come up with newer four-thirds of their own but I hate waiting. The art filters from Olympus seem to produce outstanding creative shots. I don't want my DSLR to look like a DSLR, but I do want the features like the viewfinder that comes with it. Not sure how well the EVF2 works on the EP-2, and it's only hitting the shelves in December. I'm torn between the Canon EOS series and these two models now, though it would have been nice if I had a few more thousands to splurge on a Leica. I bet those German manufacturers learn their economics well: product differentiation, elasticities concepts. How else can they charge easily two-three times the price of a similar model?


DYK: 80/81=0.9876543210 :D

(Sandcastles, Global City, Home For All, Pre-U Sem 08)

I was so sleepy this morning but made the effort to wake up really early so I wouldn't be late for service. Made my day to see someone looked so dreamy and sleepy too :P Anyway the area near my church had this dedicated APEC lane, with one smartly-uniformed warden per cone. And there were so many armed guards within the MRT station that I wondered if a small part of the station actually passed under the Istana where Lee-Obama were having their cozy sideline talk. Anyway, thanks to them my dad refused to give me a lift so I ended running up to Fort Canning. Uncle Tom actually trained Abigail and Miguel to distribute the service booklet- those little adorables were clamouring for 'business' (:

We invited another Pastor to preached today, and yes, was his message stirring! The Truth that sets you free, and guides you to make the right decisions. I do think as a congregation, we shy away from such hard-hitting sermon messages; but to think of it, the pastors and preachers do face this dilemma too: to please Man and say what he wants to hear, or to please God, be the shepherd of his flock but bear the hatred of the sinners. I heard chuckles when he said some pastors with such messages don't get invited back, because the elders & the congregation start becoming uneasy. But yet, I know that the Truth will resound in us when we hear it, and those who are of light would find the strength to follow it, only with it comes the true freedom we need. I really hope he gets invited back in the future.

Yihan and Clement managed to join Joel, Yijia and I for lunch this week. So glad they could "grace" our weekly meal together after such a while so I must mention it (:

Anyway I dropped by Ion Orchard on the way home to check out the "We Are One" project. Donated ten bucks for 5 blue bricks which went towards laying the foundation of the seas around "Singapore". It'll be my fault if Singapore floods in the future :D On another note, I believe the organizers are still badly short of donors. It is a massive project, and $2 per brick will go a long way in making this campaign become a success. If this succeeds, I know that other companies would want to take a look at expanding their CSR like Lego/ CapitaLand/ Mediacorp did. It helps, much like the multiplier effect. I know from volunteering at my meet-the-people sessions that some families really do survive on bread as the staple, and more often than not, they sustain themselves on two meals a day. Sometimes looking at how much my parents spend on snacks for me, I feel guilty that the amount could have gone towards supporting another child who lacks his daily bread. I'm getting naggy, but yeah, lets do the part that we can and put that smile on someone else's face.

I can't believe I fared that badly just now.

8 marks, 6 marks, 4 marks and 7 marks flew away just like that. Not to count little marks here and there that I carelessly threw away. And not like the bell curve is not going to be any help, what with everyone going "wa it's damn easy" right after the paper.

(Edit: Great! 3(d)'s totally wrong since I didn't take into account KI when calculating the rate). 

I need to score full marks for paper 2 and 1. No more regrets, I'm going to own chem.

 

Happy belated 40th! (by a day)
Thank you for teaching me ABCs your way!

On another note, this article was o.O

Class goes a little wild (pre-exams usuals) tonight with a thematic emphasis on "skoh" humour.

Here was my contribution:
Skoh punched a hole in the periodic table of elements.
Because the only element Skoh needs is the element of surprise.

When you can see Skoh, Skoh can see you...
When you can't see Skoh, you are seconds away from death, eyes closed.

Skoh regularly donates blood to the Singapore Red Cross.
Just never his own.

Behind every successful man, there's a capable woman.
Behind every dead man, there's a smiling Skoh.

-- Originals! (: ---
Skoh is a master of colours.
He makes a blue eye goes well with a black eye.

Ris Low didn't win Miss Singapore by accident.
Skoh wanted to market the sound of his footsteps: BOOMZ.

Skoh doesn't need to grow taller.
The world shrinks around him!

Our college didn't need a new pond.
Until Skoh said he wanted a bathtub.

Skoh approached 5 3d orbitals.
3 jumped, 2 were too scared to move!

( More from 6W guys (: )

Admittedly we just ripped some of the Chuck Morris jokes around but I did like my original ones haha! Especially the ligand splitting one (:

The Emmet's Inch & Eagle's Mile
Make Lame Philosophy to smile.

I love that lyrical rhyme to it. Besides, emmets and eagles remind me of daughters and grandmas aha (:

I was struck by the preacher's message today. I saw the Hebrews chapter in a new light, and I'm penning "By faith, and through faith" down to remind myself of what I need to do. I know He'll provide for me, and His provision is more than I will ever need. Your grace truly suffices Lord. 

"And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out"

And oh, In case you were wondering what an "emmet" is, it's actually an ant :D old english is really fascinating don't you think so!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

That's a beautiful quote isn't it! I'm strangely feeling fine, perceivably excited, though the biggest examination in my life is just 3 days away. I'm just so glad I can cast all my fears on Him (:

And right, I'm taking offense at livejournal's choice of ads on my editing panel. It's been running the same advertisement this week. Perhaps it's a tell-tale sign of my posting habits- after all, I was told these ads are "intelligently" tagged to users' input. Apparently they're not as intelligent to suggest things like "5 Tips to Lose Stomach Fat", "7 Fat-Burning Foods", "1 Trick to Prevent Junk Food Cravings", etc. Ack, I'm insulted :D I do crunches and situps every night, each morning- I have you know that livejournal. Agitate me somemore and I'll switch to wordpress soon. But then again, Joy probably has it worse. 

Then again, the ads on my facebook page, amusingly, are links to other social networking sites. With somewhat raunchy, legal, yet cheapening images of females. I think there're many nationalities- Russian, Malaysian, Phillipinoes (almost typed Phillipians), American, etc too. I wonder what MouseHunt has got to do with that, since that's pretty much what ties me to FaceBook.

Anyway (I think) I'm doing well, thank you to those who asked (: Especially those who are overseas, and those I have hardly talked to for months. I recount a conversation last night:  "Good luck for your As next week, don't stress out!".

My classic reply: "Thank you! (:". Pause for 5 seconds,
"Sorry but do you remember where we met?".
(Sounds like a pickup line doesn't it)

Pray for me if you would. I am feeling a little under the weather these days. Guess it's time I got to my studies. God bless! (:

 ( Screen Capture of the Ad )

Two things I learnt: 
1. The little bit on game theory
2. UC Berkely has tons of Asians

The Subaru Challenge is just plain amusing.

Santos VS Anwar now, no breaks. I hope the runner-up is prepared to watch the news from his lonely hospital ward really. If only I had half their endurance in remaining still on my chair.

Even I, who had the tide going out and in before me in the bay, and even watched for the ebbs, the better to get my shellfish -- even I (I say) if I had sat down to think, instead of raging at my fate, must have soon guessed the secret, and got free. It was no wonder the fishers had not understood me. The wonder was rather that they had ever guessed my pitiful illusion, and taken the trouble to come back. I had starved with cold and hunger on that island for close upon one hundred hours. But for the fishers, I might have left my bones there, in pure folly. And even as it was, I had paid for it pretty dear, not only in past sufferings, but in my present case; being clothed like a beggar-man, scarce able to walk, and in great pain of my sore throat. I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both; and I believe they both get paid in the end; but the fools first.

- Robert Louis Stevenson, "Kidnapped - Ch. 14 "The Islet"

The lyrics "with the lips of an angel" stuck today. 

"In February 2008, Karen Armstrong won the TED Prize and called for the creation of a Charter for Compassion to bring together people of different religions and moral codes in a powerful common cause. The Charter launches November 12, accompanied by thousands of self-organized events, services and sermons."

Out of my shortsightedness perhaps, I would have thought TED to tread sparingly over the above issues. Religions and moral codes are, after all, not absolutely absolutes, regretfully. For me, TED has established a credible platform where worthy ideas are spread, worldwide. Some believe, alas, that such platforms are better off in their secular, academic forms. On one hand, I am perturbed by the controversies, criticisms and challenges that would affect the quality of the talks. The speakers, the team, could get defensive. On the other, I sure do hope the success of the charter would prove us wrong.

I went on to think. Given a TED wish, what would an 18-year old Singaporean boy suggest?
Flitting between MouseHunt and LiveJournal, I thought I found the answer for my generation- to create the CultureBook and the ReligionBook that showcase the salient characteristics of individual culture, religion. I believe in hearing the voices of others, and more so, for mine to be heard in a sea of change.

Are such things done on Albion's shore?

It isn't too hard a question to answer for that little boy, lost.

I'm worried, yet at the same time excited, about my oxford Interview tomorrow morning. I know I have done my best to prepare for it, and in a long time, I actually enjoyed reading economics that is not structured simply for grading purposes.

I shall do my best, and will commit the rest in prayer.

I miss you, but I will find you back.

I'm amazed with Shan and Rozz! How they managed to keep a straight face- it's remarkable. I miss the days where xiaxue's b moments dominated clicknetwork but it seems just so possible that the show found themselves a new star who doesn't get tired of the (negative) attention. SHINGZ! (:

I'm no fashionista but hey I'll prefer girls in simple, plain dresses any day.

I simply love the lj banner for Halloween (: just fantastic to see the pumpkin smile at you with an evil grin while you are desperately studying for the biggest test in your life- hitting you in just 2 weeks.

But yes glowing pumpkin aside, the dark castle, the fleeting ghosts and the barren branches of a Spooky Tree are really funky. So, I ponder if the reason why most Singaporeans do not celebrate Halloween was a direct consequence of too many petrifying events in their lives that became numbing. Otherwise, why wouldn't anyone celebrate Halloween, which I would think is the festive most suited for merrymaking? To think of it, here's why we are attracted to particular festive seasons (chinese context; the ones I celebrate anyway):

Chinese New Year: 
- Upholding Traditions
- Family Gatherings (I see my cousins twice a year, at best)
- Opening angpows

Christmas:
- Religious Remembrance
- Exchange of Gifts
- Anticipation of Year End, (spend bonuses)

New Year
- Simply glad to open a new chapter in my life

Mid Autumm Festival
- Delectable mooncakes
- Joy of being a small-time pyromaniac 

This is so random. 
Alas, I suppose the closest I could get to Halloween is the tranquil midnight breeze and my greetings to it.
Hello Wind :D (God this is the lamest thing I ever posted, I swear)

 

My bowl of haagen-dazs macademia ice cream, topped with 3 oreo biscuits at midnight (: