Thursday, October 30, 2008

Reflections at Fong Seng

Today's entry was not written by me. Well not entirely anyway.  After a terribly late supper last night at "the land of oil, lard and simple carbs", Nicolas decided to pen down his reflections on the rather meaningful conversation we had about school, life and basically about the choices we make today and its impact on us tomorrow. Prior to this supper session, I had the great fortune of dining with some of the people that I can only dream of being in time to come. With that, I have come to realize that life isn't about hitting the top of the bell curve in school in every single assessment nor is it about accumulating massive amounts of wealth before kicking the bucket. Perhaps its all about being who you really are and being the best you can ever be. Its about making your own road and leading your life to your fullest not for anyone but yourself.  Words don't do justice to the sentiments we felt as we sipped our "tea-ping" along Pasir Panjang Road at 2.30 am in the morning but Nicolas certainly did a mighty fine job in capturing the essence of it all. 

Hello!

I am a person who likes to reflect on things. And after our supper, this was the result of my reflection. Its just to share. so... yup! See ya all in the morning!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is 2:45am now. I just came back from a nice drink with Jason and Jia Jie. It was the best cup of Teh Tarik I have ever had. We talked about many things. It began with triathlon and the aquathlon team. Then we shared stories of our past sporting experience. Eventually we came down to school life. Without joining the biathlon, my school life would be meaningless. I am interested in food science, and I take modules that I am truly interested in. But I hate the mentality that everyone has, that we must get an A. Everyone is gunning for that A. Everyone is mugging and doing everything they can for it. I would like an A. It would be a reflection of the effort I put in. It would be nice. But even if I put in effort, there is always a chance that something might happen and I do not get that result. Shit happens, thats life. I can accept that.

But I absolutely detest it when I am surrounded by people who wants that A at all cost. Its all about the A, its not about doing what we want to, its about doing what is easiest to get that A. Its not learning, its memorising and regurgitating to get that A. There is no meaning in the act, because when I get that A, I can cling on to it and show the world that this justified everything. And when I get that first class honours, I can hang and frame up that certificate and tell the world. "Hey, look at what I've got. Everything I did was for this. All that sacrifices and now I have this certificate."

"Even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat."

It is interesting to note here Jia Jie pointing out that CEOs and the big bosses are not people with great grades. And Jason added that it is all the people with nicely framed 1st class honours certificates who stayed up late and rushed their work. And they will call their boss at 10pm and they will get the reply "can you do it tomorrow?" -slam. I admit, this may not be the case in every single company. But I will place my money on the fact that people up there are not those who furiously copy notes and spend 10 hours doing a lap report for 2 points of their final grades. They are people who have that something else. Networking skills? Flair? All I can say is, they are not people with those dead zombie eyes.

I cannot do that. I cannot tell myself "I am going to sacrifice this time now to get a good degree and start doing what I really want to do after that." Because it will just go on and on, and I will hold my dreams back to save up for a house, a car, and to watch the kids grow up and then I will be dead. I will be dead before even living.

I always look forward to trainings. Because there is when I am with people who train for a cause. We all have our own goals and own reason for donning the tri-suit, tuning the bike, hitting the pool and pounding the pavements. My reason is simply because doing it is makes me feel alive. It is something I find meaning in. Christians go to church, Buddhists pray in temples and I swim-run-bike. Its just that.

Jia Jie, Jason and myself. As Jason said, we will all probably be better off overseas. Where there is more emphasis on sports and people spend their 21 smoking majiana and pot while writing their assignments and drawing smiley faces on their exam papers. Ok, thats not something I will do, but such a concept is just totally unheard off in Singapore.

I want to live the life the way I choose. Here we are, in the middle of the pack. I am imagining being among a huge crowd and we are going to start a marathon. I am rubbing shoulders with those beside me. The horn sounds and people move forward. What can I do?

I am pushed along forward, after a while i start jogging, not knowing why. You know, the whole world can be doing something and they can be wrong. And the hardest thing to do is to believe in oneself have faith in our own action.

"What will you do when the race is run? Turn your golden faces into the sun?"

The greatest thing I discovered today is that I have two more comrades fighting by my side. We fight for what we believe in, or at least we try very hard to. Namaste my friends.

At the end of the day, there will be no cheers, no celebration, no fireworks. The world will carry on and everyone will run by. I will stand on the empty road and watch the sunset. Should I run or should I not. As long as I am choosing the life I choose, it doesn't really matter. The sunset is beautiful, enjoy. There is no victory dance, no one to pat me on the back, no one to say you did the right thing. No one, except my truest friends, will smile in affirmation of that choice.

After writing this, I seached online for that scene after Harold Abraham won the 100m sprint in the 1924 olympics. But I could not find it. From memory, it showed him sitting in the bar with his coach Sam Mussabini. And Sam Mussabine said something like "Today, you and I have achieved something great, but everyone just goes about their damn lives. For us, today is our night! Your and mine!"

The last thing I want to write about is what Jason mentioned happened at the Kona 2008 Ironman. Chrissie Wellington was leading in the cycling leg when she had a flat. Her attempts to fix it failed. Rebekah Keat cycled by and gave her a CO2 cartridge. At that point, she must have did it knowing that she was giving away her gold medal.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheerios
Nicolas

Thanks Nicolas for these short yet powerful words. Time to stop existing and start living.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Cheers!

Year 1 Biathletes who reside on Campus :) 

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Short and Hard

Great ride today. At least my knee's holding up pretty well. Wasabi Fillet-o-fish gets an "ok" grade from me. Nothing Fantastic. I am thoroughly drained but I guess that makes me thoroughly satisfied too. Till the next ride. Back to the damn essay.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Lights out

Thanks Jon for letting me be the hero in your room... My my... did that sound wrong. :) Splinter Cell is a great game as Jon and I have discovered at 2 am in the morning. He knocked off whilst I was halfway in disarming a nuclear missile, in North Korea, which was cruising towards the USN Ronald Reagan in the Sea of Japan. I think I saved the day. Dinner was great, Thanks to both Mr. Z and Mr Ma for the invites. 

On another random note, I feel like writing intelligent articles on my blog. Random Intelligent Articles. I like the sound of that. 

And to my lil'sis, I am really sorry for some of the things I said in anger yesterday. I am sure you'll do just fine. All the best for your upcoming papers :)

And as for tomorrow, today I mean, approximately 5 hours from now, I am going to put the P back in PT, the T back in Time-keeping and the X back in Sexy. Get it? huh huh huh. 

Bah the delusions... Goodnight world and to you too, Ahla Piceh! (Someone help me with the spelling on my tagboard please)

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Twilight Zone

I am sitting right now 9 rows from the front on the extreme right attempting to understand the basics of Macroeconomics. I don't think I am doing a good job... Seriously... She could be singing in German and I swear it'll still sound the same to me. 

But on a lighter note, my knee's doing much better now. Kudos to Magic Lamp, Chinese Herbs and Western Medicine for making it possible. 

The last random point for this entry. A slice of papaya approximately 9 centimeters by 3 centimeters by 2 centimeters costs about 40 cents at YIH, NUS. I can get a slice of papaya 4 times the size at Far East Plaza for the same price. Someone please explain the logic of that to me. 

To stay or not to stay. Brain: Yes, Stomach: No and Heart: No. Majority wins. Till the next entry.


Wednesday, October 22, 2008

And the rabbit hole just gets deeper...

Turns out the knee injury is worse then I initially thought it would be. Its causing me a terrible heartache now too... Oh well... better now then later aye?

Monday, October 20, 2008

Break-down

My knee feels wobbly... oh shucks... I hope it doesn't deteriorate too much :(

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Argh...

Out of a to-do list of ten things, I only succeeded in getting 2 ticks... ARGH!!! Datelines, Datelines, Datelines... oh I hope I have the strength to focus on the things that matter tomorrow... History Assignment, P.S. Slides and Discussion items, Econs Revision and... I can't remember the rest... ARGH!!! The scarcity of time, by far the most expensive of any commodity!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Updates from the West

Its almost two now but I thought I'd slot in a quick entry before I hit the sack. I secured a minor role in my hall production so... hurray to that! As what a seasoned actress, whom I had the great pleasure of making acquaintance with on the set of ANIC, told me during one of the rehearsals, there is no better place to dabble in this then during varsity. The freedom of being a whole other person on stage, basking in that limelight for that 10-15 seconds... simply exhilarating. But as with any other sport, there is a lot of hard work that comes with the package. Training is coming along pretty well, I have not really settled on a fixed training program yet but I guess it is starting to take shape. The company at school and during training have been excellent, as usual, and that definitely goes a long way in making the journey much smoother. That reminds me... the oktoberfest drinking and sausage-fest... :) I'll contact you guys soon. But if you are reading this, do drop me a reminder aye? Till the next entry!!




Thursday, October 16, 2008

ANIC: Memories

Post-Performance Reception

Us harassing one of the ballroom dancers 

Final debrief before the last performance
Shellfish and Xtomic
Part of the main cast
My favourite part of the performance (:

That million dollar picture

Charlie's Angels... I think...

Jeremy the kid on a permanent high

Ken and I on the way home

Thanks for the laughter, the tears and the invaluable lessons learnt about life and friendship. Till the next meet up!!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Mugging

Finally I did it!! I am on my MAC and mugging in the student lounge in YIH... just like a true blue mugger... ah the satisfaction :)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Early Bird Catches the Worm...

Headed out for a swim earlier at around 10 a.m. My strokes are a little bit off and I can't seem to be able to stretch out. Hopefully a bit more practice and drills will get my strokes back in order. I had a quick talk with ZY last night and I do agree that I have been rather complacent as of late, not putting that much effort into my swim sessions. I am going to re-start building up my base again and I'll work from there. 

Kudos to my Geography group too who have been doing a lot of work... well much more than me at least... I'll make up for lost time :) 

Geography lecture at 12 p.m. I am still reeking of chlorine as I hack away at my MAC... I'd best be headed off for a shower now.


Monday, October 6, 2008

Thoughts

Its about half past five now, just a short half an hour break before I head off for my first Biathlon training for the week. One can't do much with half an hour, so I figured that blogging would be the most viable activity to do whilst I while away the time. 

Its now week 2 since the end of the mid-semester break. School work has still been rather forgiving but I do not think I am keeping up to date with my readings. Training wise, things are going according to plan as of now, but its starting to get a bit draining both physically and mentally. The late nights aren't helping too. Perhaps I should resolve to sleeping earlier... in bed by 11.30 in the evening... period. 

Oktoberfest is just around the corner... just thought I'd remind everyone whilst I am here.

Alrighty... time to hit the pool :)

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Training

To buy or not to buy... To change or not to change... oh well... On a lighter note :), Thanks for the company this Saturday afternoon. I'll be looking forward to increased bonding sessions with you guys soon!! 

Friday, October 3, 2008

Gun Lae Gun



ถ้าบอกว่าเพลงนี้แต่งให้เธอ เธอจะเชื่อไหม
taa bok waa pleng nee dtaeng hai ter ter ja cheua mai
If I said that this song is made for you, would you believe it?

มันอาจไม่เพราะไม่ซึ้งไม่สวยงามเหมือนเพลงทั่วไป
man aat mai pror mai seung mai suay ngaam meuan pleng tua bpai
It's probably not melodious, not affectionate, not beautiful like other songs.

อยากให้รู้ว่าเพลงรัก ถ้าไม่รักก็เขียนไม่ได้
yaak hai roo waa pleng rak taa mai rak gor kian mai daai
I want you to know that if there's no love, you can't write a love song.

แต่กับเธอคนดีรู้ไหม ฉันเขียนอย่างง่าย...ดาย
dtae gap ter kon dee roo mai chan kian yaang ngaai ... daai
But for you, my dear, do you know? I wrote it easily.

เธอคงเคยได้ยินเพลงรักมานับร้อยพัน
ter kong koie dai-yin pleng rak maa nap roi pan
You've probably heard hundreds and thousands of love songs

มันอาจจะโดนใจ
man aat ja dohn jai
that's probably impressive

แต่ก็มีความหมายเหมือนๆกันแต่ถ้าเธอฟังเพลงนี้
dtae gor mee kwaam maai meuan-meuan gan dtae taa ter fang pleng nee
but with a similar meaning altogether, but if you listen to this song,

เพลงที่เขียนเพื่อเธอเท่านั้น
pleng tee kian peua ter tao nan
a song that's written simply for you.

เพื่อเธอเข้าใจความหมายแล้วใจจะได้มีกันและกัน
peua ter kao jai kwaam maai laew jai ja daai mee gan lae gan
For you to understand the meaning of it, our hearts will then have a connection.

ให้มันเป็นเพลงบนทางเดินเคียง ที่จะมีเพียงเสียงเธอกับฉัน
hai man bpen pleng bon taang dern kiang tee ja mee piang siang ter gap chan
Let it be a song on our pathways that consist only voices of you and me.

อยู่ด้วยกันตราบนานๆ
yoo duay gan dtraap naan-naan
Together as long as possible.

ดั่งในใจความบอกในกวีว่าตราบใดที่มีรักย่อมมีหวัง
dang nai jai kwaam bok nai ga-wee waa dtraap dai tee mee rak yom mee wang
As the meaning is told in a poetry that as long as there's love naturally there's hope.

คือทุกครั้งที่รักของเธอส่องใจ ฉันมีปลายทาง
keu took krang tee rak kong ter song jai chan mee bplaai taang
Means whenever your love shines through the heart, I have a goal.



มีความจริงอยู่ในความรักตั้งมากมาย
mee kwaam jing yoo nai kwaam rak dtang maak maai
There is a lot of facts found in love,

และที่ผ่านมาฉันใช้เวลาเพื่อหาความหมาย
lae tee paan maa chan chai way-laa peua haa kwaam maai
and in the past I used the time for the sake of finding the meaning.

แต่ไม่นานก็เพิ่งรู้ เมื่อทุกครั้งที่มีเธอใกล้
dtae mai naan gor perng roo meua took krang tee mee ter glai
But soon, I'd just know it, whenever you are near me,

ว่าถ้าชีวิตคือทำนอง เธอก็เป็นดังคำร้องที่เพราะและซึ้งจับใจ
waa taa chee-wit keu tam nong ter gor bpen dang kam rong tee pror lae seung jap jai
That if life's a rhythm, you are as good as the words that is melodious and touching to the heart.

ให้มันเป็นเพลงบนทางเดินเคียง ที่จะมีเพียงเสียงเธอกับฉัน
hai man bpen pleng bon taang dern kiang tee ja mee piang siang ter gap chan
Let it be a song on our pathways that consist only voices of you and me.

อยู่ด้วยกันตราบนานๆ
yoo duay gan dtraap naan-naan
Together as long as possible.

ดั่งในใจความบอกในกวีว่าตราบใดที่มีรักย่อมมีหวัง
dang nai jai kwaam bok nai ga-wee waa dtraap dai tee mee rak yom mee wang
As the meaning is told in a poetry that as long as there's love naturally there's hope.

คือทุกครั้งที่รักของเธอส่องใจ ฉันมีปลายทาง
keu took krang tee rak kong ter song jai chan mee bplaai taang
Means whenever your love shines through the heart, I have a goal.

มีทางเดินให้เราเดินเคียง และมีเสียงของเธอกับฉัน
mee taang dern hai rao dern kiang lae mee siang kong ter gap chan
There's a pathway for us to walk side by side and there are voices of you and me.

มีทางเดินให้เราเดินร่วมเคียง และมีเสียงของเธอกับฉัน
mee taang dern hai rao dern ruam kiang lae mee siang kong ter gap chan
There's a pathway for us to walk side by side and there are voices of you and me.


Thursday, October 2, 2008

Quote of the Week

Discourtesy does not spring merely from one bad quality, but from several--from foolish vanity, from ignorance of what is due to others, from indolence, from stupidity, from distraction of thought, from contempt of others, from jealousy.

Jean de la Bruyere
French moralist (1645 - 1696)


I couldn't have put it any better myself.

Into the Ocean

The cruelest words are best left unsaid,
The most hurtful truths, remain unwritten. 
Subtlety is instrumental in a blatant assault,
Just as a blunt knife inflicts the most painful of cuts. 
Many often confuse the relation between EQ and IQ,
Just as they discombobulate what one wears with who they are.
Confidence does not require a confrontation,
Just as status does not always beget respect.
The best reflection of one lies not in a mirror,
but in the impressions carved in the minds of those around.
To think without discourse is not a sin,
But to speak without deliberation causes a din.
Time is a commodity I cannot afford,
to waste on the intricacies of the petty episodes in life. 
A fifth of a century has come and gone,
Bring on the laughter, the races and cheers, 
I believe its high time I grow up and move on. (: