i try my best at mediocrity

i am trying my best at being mediocre, stoning my presence into oblivion and keeping my opinions under my breath. so please don't say I don't compromise. i do, though i must admit i don't do it with much flair.

i've got an ego that needs to be tamed at times, an over-dynamic personality that strangely turns to shyness when the limelight is not automatically shone on me, and some very proud but personal goals that I can't share freely in my present work environment.

I'm not complaining. Just that I need the resolve to journey through this in solitude. All, in the name of dreams, money and peace-of-mind to realise the big things to come. Things are not bad. At least at 6pm on work days, I live again.

it's just a job

Someone asked me how I'm getting on at the new job recently. I dun feel much really - very numbed by events around me and I guess it's becos i've seen enough.

In short, everything's ok - it's just a job; nothing too exciting nor stimulating. I've got other distractions that ignite stronger flames and it feels kinda weird how life for me has changed to a point that my 'full-time work' no longer takes centrestage. Anyway, this is a path leading to greater times in the near future. I'll be ready soon. For now, I'll settle for a quiet, steady march towards the conquest.

The 5-Second Rule

All my life, I believe that the food you drop can be eaten if you pick it up within 5 seconds, and this is also provided it drops on a relatively clean surface.

I shared this exceptional pi's wisdom with friends back in secondary school (this was like 16 years ago). Many wouldn't buy my idea, a few took it with a pinch of salt. Now, researches prove me right, and yet it's a knowledge I propagate before any research came along.

What can I say? I'm a genius through and through :p

The 11th Hour

I haven't had so much criticism over a film for a long time. Primarily because I haven't watched enough, not because films are getting better. The 11th Hour just irks the hell outta me and I need to air it, so you know better not to spend your precious money watching. The only reason why I went to watch was because LYu has a free tix and needed invited someone (ie, me) to go with her.

Leonardo DiCaprio assembled stellar appearances ranging from renowned environmentalists (the man fronting the turtle clan left quite an impression - talk about 'turtle power'), scientists to even Stephen Hawking. And they just ranted on and on and on and on and on and on and on (so much longer than Energizer batteries - maybe it's amazing solar power that did the trick) about how the earth is facing its 11th hour - towards extinction of humankind and the species that have lived with us. Problem is, they talked so much, leaving no break in between for you to absorb the message. It's as if the editing machine got a glitch somewhere and it can't fade into silence for a second.

We all know saving the environment is paramount. The climate has warned us. Natural calamities have shaken us. And now the celebs went all out to remind us, through a 24 hour concert 'Live Earth' and now, this film. On a sidenote, I just want to highlight that when it comes to wasting the electricity, the entertainment industry surely does it best. What's the point of the film reiterating the earth in danger for 75% of time, while spending only the remaining 25% to talk abstractly about how we can "turn mankind's darkest hour into its finest"? Oh yes, I forgot, 11th hour is the title and my previous line in quote is the slogan. The emphasis is then of course, mumbling all about how the world is in danger to the effect of numbing you, then expound on what's more crucial - the action to take.

The film blames the government for all the wrongdoings that have been done unto nature, in the name of driving economy development. They talked about how US is one of the world's biggest pollution creator, but asked of the world to collaborate with it in saving its grace (and ours too - don't forget, if the US dies, we die). They urged us to stop crazy consumerism but conveniently forgot to mention how the celebs are the ones encouraging and endorsing it, through their lifestyle of extravagance and waste. Hey, I'm still taking public transport here but for them the ratio of private limo to a celeb is perhaps 3:1 on the average. 3's for the cars, in case you don't geddit. In other words, this film's a pretentious fiasco, all too contrived and ideas too imperialising.

And if I may add, who would pay to watch a film like this? Most likely those who ARE ALREADY concerned about the environment, along with some Leo's fans who simply love to see him anywhere. Then the message is not reaching out to the right people - people who are ignorant about the environmental crisis we are in and need to be awakened to senses.

However, good news to the filmmakers, I'm bought over to the cause. Not by merit of this docu, but all thanks to utilities bills. I could really save some cash, stinging a bit more on electricity and water usage. Environment-saving is a pocket-friendly movement. So this ends my blog. Computer shutting down.

summer in autumn

no i'm not referring to singapore's perennial climate. it's my summer in the month that marks the start of autumn that is also the month when my planet, stars, moon, sun and whatever else in the solar system align!

i'm very grateful that some of the recent misfortunes have been averted somehow, miraculously. tell me, how can I ever lose faith in life when so many signs tell me that i'm being watched over?! like i won't need to pay a cent for the leaking big pipes at home cos HDB said they'll pay, the water heater that refuses to heat up just light up again for reasons beyond me, my dad's hospitalisation doesn't cost me a cent in the end cos medishield can cover it...

And then I wanted to teach part-time and somehow, one assignment after another just came to me. I wanted a MNC job with regional exposure and casual work environment and then the opportunity arrived after I remained adamant in rejecting the 'false starts'. This is as good as it gets. I am grateful and the only thing I can do in return for these is to spread the joy, and contribute where I can.

don't buzz my cellphone asking for my cellphone number

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

I Said No to IBF

This is my final decision. When decision on taking the job hinges upon a mere extra $100 on the salary package, I know I won't be too happy even if I got my way. Anyway, they won't up and I won't budge. Not meant to be, don't want to be, so don't let it be.

I feel weight has been lifted off and true to what XY said, perhaps it's because I stick to my guts. Of course there's still the life pocket money issue which is temporarily relieved with my teaching assignments. And if I may see the signs, those assignments come to me fairly easily because the higher beings know I'll need them till the right offer comes along.

No looking back now, 'cept to keep the faith and keep trying.

The Best is Yet to Come

300906. I packed up and left the attic with the help of friends. It doesn't take a rocket scientist nor a super psychic to figure out why I chose the date. (You mean you dunno??!!)

Changing paths is not easy though not a big deal and it's necessary. I'm glad I have the lucidity of mind to do it then despite I'm still not getting anywhere one year on.

Life over the last year is at best enlightening but ironically entrapping. The long vacation didn't bring me a Kimura but it gave me enough time and space to think through what I need to do next to reach where I want to be later. It's great to have dreams; not very nice when the mysterious hands at work are not cooperating. I've to admit I'm running out of patience, sinking into angst and possibly disillusion. Ok, maybe not this bad since knowing myself, it only takes one big positive thing to send me to cloud nine again.

While this cycle of ups and downs is expected to last a lifetime for hot-blooded folks like me, I couldn't say my thoughts better than Mayday's "我". One of my favourites among my many other favourite Mayday numbers that I cried listening to it sometimes. I'm such a sap.

And how could I end this birthday entry without well-wishes? May the folks at home and friends around me be safe and healthy always - your well-being really means a lot to me. May I realise what I want to do, step-by-step and not missing one. May the career option I so desire happen very soon.

Happy 29th.

我 / 词+曲:阿信


还记得　小时候　作文簿上的志愿
那天真　的幻想　如今都到哪裡躲藏?
走出网咖凌晨的三点鐘　飆过天堂世纪帝国直达战慄时空
看不见的世界裡　我是英雄　
然后回到没有目标的活著　在现实中
oh my god, oh my god who am I ? 我的外号是　嘴上乔丹
oh my god, oh my god who am I ? 座右铭是　我混故我在
也曾开心的耶耶耶　也有失落的我我我
蝴蝶飞出了潜水鐘　我却还在原地停留
留不住时间耶耶耶　总是后悔的我我我
我不要一生就这样　到最后一生就这样　这样的我
这样的　勇敢的我　单纯的我　复杂的我　冷的我　热的我
无聊的我　懒惰的我　总是怀疑的我
讲了不听　听了不做　做又做不好的我
买一个梦　五十块钱的梦　期待五百万分之一的奇蹟降落
从此以后　想要什麼　喜欢什麼　就有什麼
但是我的人生还可以　努力　追求　什麼
Have you ever wanna be a spaceman?
Have you ever wanna be a president?
Or you're still a daydreaming maker?
Have you ever wanna be wanna be wanna be wanna be

warring halves

i dunno how many times i need to go through this ritual of deliberating over choices. and choosing is tough when i'm sadly bound by reality. i know instinctively the offer is not right when i have to kill so many braincells thinking through this...

oh the omni-mighty one(s), pls turn on your most powerful headlights and show me a bright path by early next week. it's all that i ask for as the stars and moon align to mark my earthly arrival.

想通了, 就好

Compromise is sometimes a dirty word but life does not revolve around me alone. My dream is still mine and me to fight for so if compromising now means I get to learn the crafts I've been wanting to learn, go the places I've been hoping to go, and provide for the folks I'm obliged to support, it seems not a bad deal.

However, it's not easy coming round to accept a lesser choice, at least for me. The rational mind constantly fights with the idealistic soul. I'm grateful I could still entertain thoughts of trying out for the ideal. The cleaner uncle at Maxwell Food Centre couldn't. He wore baggy pants not to strut fashionista hip-hop style. He tied oversized shoes over his ankles with rubber bands not for experimental anti-slip soles as thought of by my so creative dad.

Thanks for this occasional life's little lesson. It's one of those reminders I need now and then to wake me from unnecessary despair.

My Top 10 Korean Leading Men: #9

Korean Cutie #9:

Lee Dong Wook

Wooed me over in My Girl

Pi's Sizzling Meter:

His Wiki page here.

Wookie is perhaps one of the few guys I wouldn't mind in cardigan. Starting off as a model, his good looks glams up the television screen, especially in the funny comedic hit - My Girl. Even the dowdy looking Father-Mother show on Channel U now gets a bit interesting whenever he appears :D He's been missing in action from the small screen for a while and the recent bad choices with movie scripts are not helping to move his career. I'm looking forward to another hit from this pretty face. Btw, did I say I think he has sexy lips?

My Top 10 Korean Leading Men: #8

Korean Cutie #8:

Rain (Bi)




Bewitched by his smile in Full House

Pi's Sizzling Meter:


His wiki page here.

Rain has the bod that makes bren (and presumably many other gals) drool. Though I'm not obsessed over flesh and flash - you know those naked top stunts that evoke screams and dreams - Rain lack of typical good look is indeed made up for with his build. His killer weapon, in my case, is his smile. That silly grin he often spots in Full House are toothpaste-ads worthy. To top it up, his hardworking attitude completes a great celeb personality.

I still can't fly

I wish I hadn't had hope, only to be crushed
I wish I could scream, instead of just weep
I wish I could run, but my power was drained

driving miss pipi

I've been cursed behind the wheels. It's amazing how I could have flunked driving so many times given that I really drive quite well... haha.... As usual, I believe it's destined and I'm feeling very zen about the entire attempt and decided that I shouldn't use driving to delay my other development plans. So photography and music - here I come!!! The only hurdle to clear now is landing my stable source of revenue and I'll be off to action on my to-do list.

On a side saga pertaining to driving, I'm disappointed that things turned sour with that idiotic, petty, shortie-fatso. I could go on with this demeaning list but as I'm nearing nirvana, I actually feel sympathetic towards this person who looks anytime a potential victim of bursting arteries. Somehow I also feel delivered having made the decision not to see this fatso anymore and this positivity alone offsets any letdown I might have experienced from my unfortunate test outcome in far greater effect than I've thought.

This coming week promises great excitement as I venture upon events and decisions that can be life-changing. GYM, I hope you'll answer my prayers as recited to you during my recent visit. Macau or Taipei - wait for me!!!

I want to take photos like Ashin

I can't believe how talented Mayday is. I mean I can believe cos Mayday is my idol afterall and as most of you know, me and my 美女friends are not into blind faith. By the way, since I'm on 美女, let me introduce you to the new titles I've bestowed upon some pals. XY is named 亮眼啵蜜美少女, Geok is 亮丽俏鼻美少女, Minty is 另类丰唇美少女. I am........... *drum roll please*................................ 宇宙无敌美少女!!! I know it's befitting, thanx ;p

Back to my very talented Mayday. Lead vocalist Ashin doesn't only write and compose well. He takes great photos too + has great design sense. Monster is good-looking and this is what I consider a talent oredi, and needless to say (but still must say), he's great on the guitar. Masa makes a good bassist + back-up vocalist and of cos, his impressive English that bridges Mayday with music guys from around the world. I'll not elaborate on the 2 married fellows.

Seeing how talented my idols are, I'm very motivated to stretch myself further in realising my potential. Not that I want to boast, I define what it means by "Singapore Got Talent", albeit my crafts being all half-hatched, and waiting to burst out of the cocoon. Once I clear driving out of the way, I'm going to venture into a series of skills-honing programme:
1) photography
2) music classes
3) Korean + Japanese languages
4) tour guide course
5) baking

I'm determined to live my life as fulfilling as possible before I'm past the 'youth' age category. And don't think I'm just writing a space-filling entry. This post got deep meaning ok! :
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE AN IDOL.

Limbo Rock

I am going through a limbo brought upon by my own doings. Honestly, I'm not feeling great. And there are people I carefully avoid cos I've got no freaking mood to entertain. I don't need consolations. I just need a breakthrough to make amends.

Coffee Savouring Never Get this Fun

It's official. My number 1 favouritest K-drama, to date, is Coffee Prince Shop Number 1 or 咖啡王子1号店. In an attempt not to over-raise expectations, I shall try my very best in containing my about-to-spill-it-all urge in sharing what I [heart] about this drama.

Instead I present you 10 generic reasons on why you shouldn't miss it, when you decide to embark on a new show:

1) Eye candies

They should add a 's' to Prince. We're talking about at least 5 Coffee Princes here. This is one drama that's crazy about its 'visual appeal' i think.

2) Chemistry

Not only do the leads have great love chemistry, the cast as a whole shone through with brotherly chemistry, sisterly chemistry, brother-sister chemistry, old-folks chemistry... hahaha...

3) Great Houses

'Oppang' (rooftop) houses get redefined here. It's no longer those crampy attic homes which are cute for the first time and boring next. The 2 key houses featured in this drama got great panorama + to-drool-for interiors. So good, you thought you wanna live in Seoul.

4) Men who can Sing

Maybe a female director made the difference; maybe the guys offered to do it, but this drama shows their happy men singing. And they all sing considerably well.

5) No Wily Foxes

Sometimes you really wanna pull the hair of those vixens in some series, wondering how one can be so evil. This drama has got none of such. And you wonder how then does it keep the narrative interest going? I dunno... it works for me somehow.

6) Cliches that Work

This drama has no original plot whatsoever and it didn't make an effort to hide that. I started with sceptism too, wondering how a 'Hana Kimi' theme can be done better than the Taiwanese's adaptation. But the 2 cannot be put on the same scale. The approaches are different.

7) Great Soundtrack

If Coffee Prince doesn't score with you, you can't fault its soundtrack. Superb choice of music, not just typical Korean pop songs that go "sarangheyo sarangheyo". It has muscial depth, truly.

8) The Coffee Prince Shop

Yes, the very cafe where the key story unfolds! It's lovely where it is. The cafe has drawn such huge crowd ever since the drama catches on. I want a Coffee Prince Shop here too :p

9) Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye

Watch it for them. Eun Hye shows her acting range. If you think she's good in Goong, then you don't know much yet. As for Yoo, he doesn't seem like he needs to act at all.

10) Miss It Only to be Left Out

With its humongous popularity, you won't want to be left out once the folks on our shore go into coffee-whiffing mode. This is Korea's highest rated mini-series to date, beating the records set by Goong. And surely, some magic is brewing within?

* Screen caps courtesy of Javabeans.

Fellow CP addicts who drop by, drop me a line too! :D

Why Why Love, why like this?

Sometimes, my own words can be foreboding. The plot development for the last 3 eps of Why Why Love just downslided the way my excitement plunged.

SPOILERS AHEAD

As though a last ditch effort to prove the series' worth as a more serious and in-depth drama, the writers took a turn towards the last few eps to throw in really cliched sob stories. I've got no problem with worn-out ruses but there's always better ways of handling the narratives. Despite closing all the loops that it created right at the start of the drama, the whole effort is contrived and lacking in mastery. Shan't say more but I'm contemplating to auction off my VCDs while pondering over if the first 70% part of the drama makes it worth keeping.

My Cuties List is Taking a Break

Seriously with Coffee Prince filling my head all the time over the last few days, I can't imagine myself gushing over other men for now. It's kinda exciting that I'm catching this super hot Korean drama almost 'real-time' as it airs in Korea. Thank gawd for internet and computer, it's gotta be the greatest invention of all time!!! Thank goodness for fan-subs, they gotta be the most generous people around!!! Thank all those kind souls for uploading as soon as they can, I wonder how they find all the time and bandwidth!!! I can't wait to rewatch the entire series again after I've landed my hands on the VCDs. CP is such great dope that I've neglected my love for Why Why Love - I can't believe I'm not a tad excited that the VCDs are finally all out :S

I'll do a rank and review of my Top 5 Korean dramas after CP ends its run on 28 Aug and I'm crossing my fingers that the last 3 eps live up to expectation so that my love for it thus far comes full circle to a great finale. You know lar, there are a lot of sucky endings these days that spoil it all - especially those TVB dramas. Ask XY, she knows best.

Btw, I'll like to warn all potential antagonisers that I've got a few pet peeves so try not to push the wrong buttons with me these days when I'm not in the best of moods:

1) Don't take me for granted as a walking encyclopedia. Yea, I'm resourceful but dun ask me something as though I should know and expect answers like I should be responsible for knowing. I REPEAT, I'M NOT PIPIPEDIA.

2) Don't ask me anything only to refute what I think or insist on your opinion. When asked, I always try to give my 1/2cent worth. You can take or leave it but you shouldn't doubt the 'quality' of my answers. I normally tell it as how I see it, whatever that falls short is an issue of your own expectation or preference.

3) Lastly, respect my likes and dislikes but I dun need any superfluous 'sucking up' by trying to identify with my likes.

Wun name examples of incidents here. I'm not touchy-feely, just testy over how lacking in consideration some people can be.

My Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: #7

Korean Cutie #7:

Cha Tae Won

Laughed in-between tears for/at/with him in My Sassy Girl.

Pi's Sizzling Meter:

His Wiki page here.

Sure he's not the best looking lead around but I will not give Tae Won a pass cos he is why I started on Korean movies and dramas. His cutiness is in his way of making you laugh with his effortless honest, sincere (and sometimes 'toot') look. His off-screen persona completes him as one of the best guys you could possibly ask for - dedicated, down-to-earth and endearing. Heard that he had a fine showing in his latest drama despite the poor ratings.

My Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: #6

Korean Cutie #6:

Jae Hee

Made me grin silly in My Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang.

Pi's Sizzling Meter:

His Wiki page here.

This Kenji Wu lookalike is the reason why I pressed on with the draggy Chun Hyang and he was why the otherwise average drama becomes a little above mediocre. There's so much of him in the show - you get ice-cream for your eyes watching him transform from a high school boy to become a prosecutor, wah, lovely styling ok! He hasn't got much big break since My Sassy Girl but I'm looking forward to see more of him.

My Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: #5

Korean Cutie #5:

Joo Ji Hoon

Caught my eyes in Goong.

Pi's Sizzling Meter:

His Wiki page here.

Ji Hoon stands tall, very tall in fact at 1.89m! What is this?! Korea has an industry full of NBA-qualified leading men...I wonder what they eat over there. Honestly, Ji Hoon's acting in Goong is not fantastic but he has a well-produced drama to thank for. You'll really grow to love this block of wood who looks wondrously befitting in the entire set. Quiet guys can be quite charming. And you know we gals fall for "oh, how he opens up to you because he so loves you" kinda fluff. I know too well... -_-

Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: #4

Korean Cutie #4:

Kim Rae Won

Enchanted me in The Attic Cat.

Pi's Sizzling Meter:

His Wiki page here.

Lai Lai (as I fondly call him) is one cutie that XY has stood by despite the emergence of better, cuter and handsomer cuties. I swooned over him in Attic Cat though he was quite a jerk with intelligence being his only redeeming quality. Until he realised that he has fallen in love with the female lead of cos. But somehow, I kept getting attracted to such crappy guys. Oh I'm such a crap @_@. Starting early in the entertainment business has a way of speeding up maturity and Lai Lai is showing signs of 'ajuhsheeness'. I'm just hoping he doesn't beef up further to look like he's taking part in Mr Universe. Look out for his new works in Gourmet. Much anticipated apparently.

Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: #3

Korean Cutie #3:

Hyun Bin

Went gaga over him in: My Name is Kim Sam Soon

Pi's Sizzling Meter:

His Wiki page here.

Great looking face with lean swimmer's bod, Hyun Bin is to-drool-for. And who can resist that gruff confident charm in Kim Sam Soon, his best drama to date? Then, I sought solace in being a real life Sam Soon who is a little more endowed, a tad untidy and not-too-feminine ~ you know it gave me hope that I could be liked by someone this cute. Apparently the dream went on for more than a year and there's still no sight of someone who's at least 50% near the standard of Bin. Maybe I need to get a life, a reel life.

My Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: #2

Korean Cutie #2 -
Lee Seon Gyun



Melts me in Coffee Prince.
Pi's Sizzling Meter:


His Wiki Page here.

I proclaim him my (and prolly fellow kopi princess XY's) fave ajuhshee for now! He makes that pair of Paul Smith specs look so sexy and re-asserts how geekiness can be oh-so-cool. Add that whiff of musical talent and SNAGginess from his Han Seong's role in Coffee Prince, he is the man you'll want to hug when you see him lost in his confusion.

My Top 10 Korean TV Leading Men: Intro + Number 1!

After a series of bimbotic posts gushing over dramas and all those fluff (and bluffs yea?), I guess I've sealed my status as a lame tv junkie, most capable of in-depth discussion over shallow subjects such as how 'mud-looking' Mingdao is undeserving of mentions alongside the league of real heart-throbs like say Joe Cheng. My personal bias I know.

Anyway, I'm not about to set justice to my seemingly superficial engagements since serious discussions are best left to the aspiring lifelong-academic. I am continuing my mindless pursuits and shall present you my Top 10 lists of men. The pluralism in the italicised is intentional and not a case of bad grammar. I am the ignitor of the idea to come up with our list of Top 20 cuties. Whatever you see here, and maybe here, were started after conversations with me. However, the varying forms of lists that eventually surface(d) in their blogs were entirely to their own credits.

Now I present you my 1st of the 10, in no order of preference cos I really like them when I was at the height of madness at the point of watching their respective dramas. The degree of liking fluctuates from time-to-time. Such is the caprices of my heart but I take real-life relationships seriously ok!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Korean Cutie #1 - Gong Yoo


Makes my heart throb in Coffee Prince.
Pi's Sizzliing Meter:

His Wiki Page here.

I theorise that most of these Korean cuties have looks that grow on you despite the doubts you might have initially. There are exceptions, of cos, such as Bae Yong Joon. I shan't elaborate.

Gong Yoo has a 'kiam pa' face but it takes a heart made of the strongest alloy not to melt when you see him agonizing over his 'homosexuality' as the drama progressed in Coffee Prince. Such fine showing of emotional nuances and all his little moves that drive you nuts! Like how he bit his lips to savour a kiss, with all that puppish expressions. I guess I would be cheated of all my money if a cutie guy trickster stunted that on me...hahaha... But what really works for me about Gong Yoo, is his portrayal of a man with kidultish ways and conviction to pursue his love(s). OMG, I'm giddy again from reminiscing those scenes.

Oh, and guess what, we're one year apart - me and Gong Yoo! It's a match ok cos a lot of these cuties are irritatingly at least 3 years younger than me.

The First Shop of Coffee Prince

Life is a series of fortunate events, with one more major issue to settle before I can sprint on full force for the next peak. More on this later. Got much at hand to do.

A quick one to intro those who haven't heard about this latest K-drama hit from me. I like it very much and rank its watchability in the league of My Lovely Sam Soon and Full House. The narrative was done in a subtly different way from the usual K-dramas I've seen and I thought the pacing is brilliant.

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince: Yoon Eun Hye was good as tomboyish Eun Chan and the two male leads just grow on me. The guy with the nerdy specs can be quite a turn-on too...hahaha!

The 8th episode has just been aired in Korea and the series should end in late August. So DVDs should arrive in-store some time in Sep / Oct I suppose. I'll get them for keep (despite having been following this on Tudou) or friends can get me TS' vouchers for my birthday ;-)

Btw, I've given up on the Jap show I mentioned earlier after the first ep. No time! The day passes real fast when you're in a routine. It's usually work, home, dinner, 1-hour of online teevee, then get down to my readings, then maybe a bit of blogging and chatting, then zzzzz by 2am...

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows

* spoilers ahead

For me who boarded the Hogwarts Express in year 2001, 4 years after the first book was published, it has been a worthwhile journey of spellbinding fiction enriched by reel characters whom many of us have endeared ourselves to.

The finale of Harry Potter was no less a magnificent adventure that begins right from its book cover. The hype surrounding its launch was befitting and definitely deserving as JK Rowling went on to tell the story with such delicate mastery and pulsating punch.

I leapt in celebration of a friendship trinity that completes Harry's valiance with measured intelligence and selfless loyalty. With this, I pay tribute to Ron and Hermoine for sticking it out and showing us the purity of what true friends means.

I ached in piognance for the tenderness of Snape's love for a woman he could never had and how he had braved his fight in solitude, urged on only by the magnitude of this love that engulfs him.

I am heartened that the faith we have placed in the wisdom of great Dumbledore was not broken, albeit suffering a slight taint that proves him human.

And yes, all the characters who have made this wizardry world sheer magic:
Fred and George whose humour belied bravery so lifting,
The rest of the Weasleys whose simplicity and righteousness made them great,
Sirius whose charismatic brashness provided Harry with such godfatherly love we wish he never lost,
Hagrid whose rough appearance is softened by his gentle ways,
Neville whose past held him captive but emerged stronger to claim his own victory,
And many more whom my limited list can't seem to aptly eulogise - Lupin, Luna, Kreacher, Dobby, Tonks... and many more whose acts exemplify admirable courage, faith and love.

I'm sure it won't take long, that I revisit each and everyone of them and venture on this journey, all over again.

A Muggle's Conquest

I completed the journey, at 2pm today.

It was almost effortless, despite the hustle-bustle that delayed my embarkation till 7pm in the evening yesterday. I know. The book must have been charmed with an eyes-fixated spell to keep me going.

The events unfolded in my head like how the boy-who-lived could see he-who-must-not-be-named's wrath rupturing through his mind, as I devoured every word sprawled over the 607 pages.

When the conquest of the finite chapters drew close, my emotions surged to applaud a fantasy that will be immortalised.

i mean something to someone

"I'm so happy to see you even if it's only a glimpse!"

i am ... speechless in the goosepimple way.

ok, thanks. I'm honoured to know I made you happy, just by letting you catch a glimpse :p

love letter

dear pi

o genki desu ka?

so you read that sammi cheng wrote herself a letter and read it out loud at her concert, then you heard Tank singing Dear Tank to himself as a form of reminder and encouragement and decided to do likewise? you shameless thick-skinned copycat! ;p

heard that you've been roughing it out a little recently. things ain't too smooth but they're sure picking up, aren't they? if you could have it your way, the route is now paved to lead you to the ideal 1FTC + 1PTL career combi. so pray your 10000 watts cosmic superpower is making good connection with good heavens. and remember to show your thanks for those who've been patient with you, those who have bought you nice food with their hard-earned cash, those who tried to make things work for you just becos u gave them a call, those who accompanied you while you were bored at home, those who called you up just to see that you're ok and those who never questioned and doubted the decisions u made even when they were not the wisest. you've been lucky.

now as mystery still fills the air on what's next for you, remember to take LY's advice on not wasting your psychic power trying to make the green man on the traffic light appear (cos it will eventually appear!!!). bear in mind that PROVIDENCE CONNECTION takes priority. 心诚则灵; 相信和坚持必会有出奇不意的收获.

cheers
永远爱你的音

Proposal Daisakusen

I chanced upon Operation Love while surfing through one of my fave Tudou's lists. Didn't expect this to arrest my heart and activate my tear duct. It's supposed to be a light-hearted romance comedy. Then why the hell do i feel moved many times throughout just 1 ep?

The Japanese style of story-telling does have a way of saying much with little words.

Let me follow through the serial and share a little bit more another day. I need to hit the bed for another day of Operation CTRL C + V.

running out of time

It dawned upon me yesterday that I'm about to max my 3-month limit, as at end of this month. It's kinda scary but I've done all that I could. I mean some miracles gotta take place somewhere in the process, so that I can move on to embrace change and live the dreams.

If the talk and belief on universe conspiracy are all true, I now earnestly ask 老天爷,您忙完了吗? 忙完了可以在最近聆听我的心声吗? Then, 聆听后可以帮忙召集众神灵大显身手,使尽法宝让我如愿以偿吗? I'll map out the route thereafter, and of course with 老天爷's intervention every now and then.Must now increase my cosmic superpower to 10000 watts so that Laotian can connect with me soon.

By the way, the fengshui at my temp office is jinxing me. Fall sick on my first day at work but I saw it coming lar. I mean the building has a musty feel that no air freshener can hide. And the whole building looks so dim! It's one of those that sunlight doesn't penetrate through cos there's no window :(

The Universe Conspires

Ask, believe and you will receive. Thus I summon my cosmic superpower and what do I get? My (not-so) long-awaited 换换爱VCDs Part 1*!!! Hahaha, my greatest regrets to fellow Taiwanese fans who are at best now at episode 5 of the drama while I'm leading the way at episode 12. Ok, ep 12 on VCD is prolly ep 8 of the Taiwanese broadcast but still!!! Then again, there's not much more I can gloat over cos I'm now agonised for being stuck at a cliffhanger as I wait for Part 2 of the VCDs to complete the drama. You scheming, bloodsucking VCD peddlers!

* Now available at all leading DVD/VCD stores. My advice is wait for the complete set to be out unless you're an impatient monkey like me :p

The Frog Prince

Thanx to Sister Choy's strong recommendation, I embarked on watching that supposedly phenonmenal Prince Turns Into A Frog (王子变青蛙) that took Taiwan by storm and won my Malay friend's heart by hynopsis (so I suspect) recently. As my friends would know, I'm pretty much anti-QJL, mainly because they have an (old) boy band that can't quite decide if they are a 4, 5 or 6 member group. And that's not all, the stars under the QJL stable are just not quite 'there'. I shan't go into elaboration on what I mean by that since the philosophy of karma keeps ringing in my head. Anyway, the biggest problem with QJL lies with their boss and his iron-fisted management combined with cock-eyed misjudgement.

Now, back to the Frog Prince. I really think that it's Taiwan's top rated drama by sheer stroke of luck. Storyline is cliched and said to have been uncannily similar to K-drama Save the Last Dance. Its saving grace is the generally good production, scripting and impressive supporting cast. The leads are just....well....lacking in overall image direction and plain dowdy in style though Qiao-en impresses with her natural acting. My 3 fave characters from the show turns out to be...

From left: Qiao-en (Tianyu), Tianyu's mama and Tianyu's didi

Tianyu's didi speaks with a farnie accent cos I think he's ABC but he's really quite cute and shows potential to blossom into a hottie! What disturbs me a little is the near-cock-eyeness of 2 actors from the drama:

1) Ming Dao (aka 动力火车's brudder) ~ ok, his is not so bad. But once the camera caught him in one of those 'intense gazes' scenes, I can't help noticing how close his 2 eyeballs move towards each other.

2) Whatever Qiao her name is lar (they seem to have many Qiaos in QJL) ~ Oh gosh! Either her eyeballs are damn big and that's why they always look like they are about to 'langa' each other, or she's got a lazy eye problem lor.

(Ignore Shaowei on the right please. He can't really act, not exactly good looking but is lucky to be above 180cm to merit him a place in 2 different (old) boy bands named after some numbers.)

By the way, the wardrobe of the cast sucks and I dun blame the actors. If the character played by Mike He in Why Why Love thinks Rainie Yang dresses like Ah-Soh, the wardrobe crew should really take some cues from QJL Production on how to look really 俗. Even the styling on Meteor Garden filmed 7 years back looks trendier than this Frog Prince drama done in 2005 lor.

Overall verdict: 3 stars - worth watching on Tudou but forget about buying the VCDs lar.

* * * * *

p.s.: Intro to the Pipi Rating System

From now, I'll start rating shows according to this scale -

0 star: It's so bad, I feel ashamed for having watched a single second of it. (Example in this category: 炮制女朋友)

1 star: I only bother giving it 1 star to save myself the embarassment for having watched more than 5 seconds. (Example: 恋上你的床)

2 stars: Barely passed the grade. Watch it only if you have a soft spot for something or someone in the show.

3 stars: Watchable production but not worth your investment on the VCD / DVDs. I rather squint my eyes silly watching it on the small screen of YouTube.

4 stars: Eye-candies passed, production passed, entertainment value passed; what more can we ask from a near-perfect show?

5 stars: Oh-My-Freaking-Gawdly good show! So awesome you can watch and rewatch and rewatch...!

放空、放松。放手、放逐。

If there's one thing I can be proud of during these times, it should be how much patience I have for my situation. And how at peace I am with things. While there are feelings of uncertainties sometimes, I'm still coping fine. I guess my 'future projection' psyching works very well for me.

So for that someone who told me how worried you are over your current circumstances, I must say you need to work on positivity. Cos I think there are far more others in worse state.

Have faith. If you have a religion, then trust that your almighty will sort it out for you. For those without spiritual support, there's always the 'chicken soup' tales of how wrongs will be right if you never give up.

Something about Nothing

I've been quite clueless and inspirationless over what to write about these days. I can't even put in words nicely how I'll gush over Mayday (and more Mayday). Nor can I pen that "10 Things Friends Should NEVER Bao-toh on Me" article just yet till I feel I've regained my wicked stroke of genius. So this is what you get from a useless once-in-a-bluemoon good writer like me today - a mere update of sorts.

I've been reading quite a bit of onedayinmay. Absolutely fantastic blog by a Mayday fan based in Canada. She writes well too! Check out her other sites, such as a Mayday lyrics translation site and her travel adventure in East Asia blog. I'm in awe of her translation, I mean that sort of dedication and background researching is deserving of my 'kowtao' ok!

While I haven't regained my writing prowess, there are quite a few who lined up to ask of favours such as looking through their cover letters and resumes and better yet, help them EDIT and IMPROVE. Seriously, I gotta start charging for this man. It's getting on my nerves. These are favours I do good frens (maybe as per Bren's suggestions, I shall start issuing PRIVILEGE CARDS to those who are entitled to seek my 'professional expertise' freely). How shall I charge the rest? Suggestions welcome.

I've also been spending time catching up with Asian popular culture. This is perhaps the ONLY arena which makes me champion among friends now. What do you expect of a jobless bum who can only pray someone has some sense to spot her talents and recruit her soon? Anyway, I'm done with Taiwanese drama Summer X Summer, featuring my fave drama cutie for now ~~ JOE CHENG! He has a dog named PP in the show and he said PP has a special place in his heart.....hahaha......*dreamy eyes*. Lead actress Wu Xiong did a passable job but her lazy-tongued Chinese irritates me quite a bit. That said, Joe's L and Rs are all in a mess too but he more than made up for it by looking good and acting cute. HAHAHAHAHA!

I've also finished Corner with Love. 小猪can act, production is good, script is well-written but.....the lack of raw bursts of energy sometimes makes it less memorable than say Hana Kimi, It Started with a Kiss, Meteor Garden etc etc. I guess I always prefer dramas with school setting. Being young is so fun! Corner with Love is adulty love. I'll say worth watching though it gets really draggy towards the last parts. However, the classic hokkien poem in epi8 more than make up for any dragginess! As for Summer x Summer, it's a light show that's worth catching too despite its less ideal ratings in Taiwan! Not draggy and 2nd lead Ruan Jing Tian looks great.

Now I'm heels over Why Why Love 换换爱 (dun ask me what's with that crappy English title), with the very diabetically sweet duo - Mike He and Rainie Yang. You'll swoon at Kingone's new look too! I give his makeover 2 thumbs-up compared to his image in Devil Beside You. This is fun to watch and it drives me nuts that I can only catch it once a week on Youtube since this has started airing in Taiwan only on 3rd June! TS - pls bring in the DVDs quick!!!

If you'll like to watch the above 3 shows I've mentioned and you're leading a pre-prince Cinderella life like me, I recommend u watch them free on Youtube, Crunchyroll or VEOH. I am very grateful to fans from around the world who uploaded the videos (some even subbed it!) and actually made a boring life like mine very colourful.

I can't believe Taiwan has so many hot cuties guys that even a VERY GOOD LOOKING one has to make do with being a 2nd or 3rd lead in the dramas. Look at pathetic Singapore. Our cutie actors population is in such sorry state that we're still talking about 'saving' Christopher Lee from further imprisonment. Oh yes, even a more decent looker like Chris is imported lor!

Heads-up on what's up for me:

1) I've taken the unofficial role of Bren's singing competition coach. She's gonna sing "Eyes On Me", her best song when we did a run-through during the last KTV session. Everybody cheer for her!

2) Free meals awaiting me. Yoohoo! *Muaks* to all those who have collected bonus, found new job or simply feel like giving me a treat :D

3) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows akan datang. The final instalment of the 7 books. Finally, our journey with Harry, Ron and Hermione is coming to an end. You know this mixed feeling of excitement and wistfulness that you're nearing that something you've been looking forward to and it'll also mark a closure to a chapter? :(

Woah........! My something about nothing has added up to quite something! Maybe the blogging bug is back.

寻找五月天 . Finding Mayday

I present you the link to Mayday's designated designer...tadang!!! ~
http://www.wretch.cc/blog/no2good

More Mayday links!
http://www.miniworld.com.tw/user/imayday
http://www.my-mayday.com/ (Check out the article on '换换爱' - I confirm + guarantee wanna watch this new romance comedy featuring Mike He and Rainie Yang!)

And here's where you can catch Mayday in Jump 离开地球表面 concert:
7th July - Guangzhou, China
20th & 21st July - Taipei, Taiwan
7th Oct - Tokyo, Japan
20th Oct - Shanghai, China

Drop me a mesg if you are a fellow Mayday fan dropping by. Cheers!

heartbreaker

You stupid idiot. Call me dunno for what. I was trying so hard to avoid u oredi ok. Some more dare asked me for things. Some more can chirpily intro me to your gf, then asked me to talk more to her. I'm not an entertainer ok. I repeat I'M NOT AN ENTERTAINER.

Sorry, you prolly feel nothing's wrong but I got my selfish agenda and if that agenda can't ever be fulfilled I dun think I can act very normal cos somewhere inside feels farnie. Pls pls stay away from me. I've oredi stopped nearing you so do me a favour and leave me alone. Till I'm truly immunised.

J.U.M.P.

Joy
我不喜欢为五月天演唱会做观后文章, 因为我无法形容那种发自我内心的喜悦和感动. 但还是要为昨天的绚丽作点笔记啦!

Utopia
六个月的期待换来三个小时的甩, 跳, 喊, 乐. 怎一个'爽'字了得? Jump没带我离开地球表面但有带我穿越现实生活的苦闷,进入超high空间!

Magic
能和那么多位一样喜欢五月天的朋友在一起真的很神奇! 舞台几个动作就唤起统一反应, 很厉害!

Prince Ashin
阿信有意或无的放电眼神,看了会脸红...啊哟...很过分, 老天怎么可以把那么多长处,才华和可爱聚集于同一个人的身上?!!!

现在要怎么形容那精彩过后, 感觉空虚的心情落差? 要赶快找工作...哦不对,希望工作赶快来找我. 因为我要赚钱去看更多五月天演唱会, 而且要买最最贵的票ok!

Chain Reaction

where there's light, there's shadow
where there's shadow, there's fear
where there's fear, there's obstacle
where there's obstacle, there's conquest
where there's conquest, there's defeat
where there's defeat, there's struggle
where there's struggle, there's courage
where there's courage, there's victory.

~ co-written by LYu

Tell Me

be forthcoming with me if u're unhappy
dun make me feel bad
dun make me feel weird
I hate to be misunderstood

so dun sweep it under the carpet
maybe it'll do us good
if we shout at each other about it
if we come clean about it

Things that a woman who's too free does

When time is on my side, I wasted it away doing personality tests which I dun quite need. I've done all that are necessary and I've understood myself enough I think. Anyway, this reading is quite prophetic. It's like 90% me!

> > >

You are a wanderer. You constantly long for a new adventure, challenge, or even a completely different life.

You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but your head is in the clouds.

Your near future is all about change, but in very small steps. The end of the journey looks far, but it's much closer than you realize.

< < <

But someone enlighten me pls - isn't it paradoxical to say I'm a wanderer and at the same time a grounded person?? Oh I know - I'm a wanderer who moves thru the ground! ;-)

For more tests that read you literally from head to toes, inside-out and upside-down, check out: www.blogthings.com

Before I Turn 30

I'm not in the best of moods recently. Last Friday, my system went cranky and I ended up having bouts of diarrhea, nausea attacks worsened by a fever that gave me cold feet and a hot bod. So that lasted through the weekend. The good side of things was an uncalled-for detox that flushes waste out and refuses an excessive intake of food. I had only 2 meals for the last few days and can't eat more than 1/2 bowl of solid carbo cos it gives me bloated tummy. I certainly hope this leads to weight loss. Maybe, I'll turn anorexic again ;-p

An unexpected guest also joined in the detox party. My dayima arrived, causing some upheaval within, on top of detoxing waste blood. Now I dun know if it's the cramps that's twitching or the bloatedness that's pumping discomfort on the walls of my stomache. Ok, whatever.

This post is supposed to be on what I want to achieve before I turn 30. And the most important step to achieving all the rest that I want to achieve, starts with (as advised by ol' wise Minty).............................TADANG!!! ~ Keeping the same job for the next 2 years!!! This bears no significance for a lot of people but it means a lot to me. The safest route to upping my savings start with having a stable income since I don't forsee myself striking toto anytime soon. With better savings, there are quite a few things I wanna do and I shall limit the list to just 3 feats:

• visit Japan
• learn a musical instrument
• pick up tour guide or photography course.

And I still have my 'Before I turn 29' list to complete, which is first and foremost passing my driving *gasp*...

Before I go, some photos taken during days on the run:

The photos that kids from Born Into Brothels had taken really put me to shame. There were so much colour and stories to tell in each of the images. This docu incidentally marks my first "solo" cinematic experience.

p/s for Bren: stop calling me Blueberry 嘴巴! It's all your fault that I paraded around Vivo with blueberries all over my lips!!

Machi Didi

My mamahood started 21 years ago on this day when a new bundle of joy arrived at home. I was 8 then and didn’t even know what labour pain feels like (anyway, I still dunno). But I picked up what a mum with a new born ought to know – preparing milk, changing diapers, cleaning the baby’s butts after poo…ok, before this entry turns out to be a Mother’s Day tribute to myself, let me introduce you to the F5 of the exceptional Chee family – my one and only DIDI who is everything his jiejie is not.

Under my care and upbringing, Didi has tasted all that nature has to offer, from poo to urine and the papayas plucked from the tree that flourished with the fertilizer that his rich excretion provided. While I’m sorry that I mistakenly served my poor Didi his virgin piss to quench his thirst on that fateful day many many years back, I must admit I’m not exactly remorseful that this has become a perennial joke amongst the Chees and our friends. Brudder, Jiejie knows you won’t be angry ;-)

The one thing I was really sorry about to this day was the one time I shouted through your ear while smacking you with the rotan for irritating the hell outta me when I was trying to catch some sleep. If your hearing was not as good as a result of this incident, Jiejie says A VERY BIG SORRY and bestows upon you an eternal amnesty for all (well, almost) the wrongdoings that you might make along the way.

I’m also apologetic for having ever doubted our blood relations. You can’t blame me cos you are everything against the family trend – you are skinny no matter how much you eat (do you know how exasperating that is for me?), you are ‘normal’ by normal standards with no nutty idiosyncrasy that your pa, ma and jie displayed and you don’t look like anyone of us – you are good-looking that even the aunty from 9th floor thinks you are F4 standard and the photographer of our family portrait thought you look like a rich brat from ACS! This said, I’m not suggesting that your jie pales in comparison with regards to the looks department. :p

This sounds clichéd but time really flies. I thought it was only yesterday that we pillow-fought, raced against each other with me proclaiming myself the champion all the time cos my legs were indeed longer than yours back then, watched Forrest Gump at Chinatown Point cinema together (and you asked me so many questions after the movie cos you didn’t understand) and shouted at each other every time I tried tutoring you that ma decided to send you to tuition class instead. Today, you walk faster than me, talk lesser than me, eat more than me and still shit more productively than me.

Now that we are both grown-ups, you beat me to several things like having a girlfriend (yes I know you’re attached ok) before the right guy can find me and I dare you to marry before your ah-jie settles down. You had won a prize at an open design competition when I had landed zilch despite being so talented. You bought me such an expensive gift during my last birthday when I haven’t gotten you anything so expensive to date (even on your 21st hatchday) cos I’m embarrassingly out of job again. Best of all, you stay firmly grounded and reliable unlike your sister who is in constant airy-fairy pursuit.

Happy birthday WeeWee! Thanks for being the brother that you are. You know I love you so. It would have been unimaginable to go through the last 21 years as the only child of this unbelievable family.

GREEN with envy?!

I don't mean to own the colour that belongs to Minty or even XY but according to a certain personality test developed by a Ritberger, I am characterised by the hue that the incredible hulk dons.

Most part of the analysis is nothing new to me but some readings caught my attention, especially when it explained my current 'in-between jobs' (yet again) predicament so eloquently. As I've mentioned, I've never wanted to keep hopping; it's an innate personality obstacle I just can't seem to overcome :p

"Greens are perpetually curious and always receptive to change. In fact, change is a necessary part of their lives whether it's at home, job, mate, lifestyle or image. Change is their middle name and if their life feels like it's in a rut, then they'll change every aspect of it."

Gosh, I hope by saying change is necessary part of my life in terms of MATE doesn't imply that I'm capricious to the point of being unfaithful.

Then there's a part of me that I've been analysing for a while now and the reading confirms it:

"Unlike other personality types whose natural tendency is to resist change, greens welcome the opportunity to experience new things, meet new people and learn new skills. The risk that greens face is that they're so open to anything new or unconventional that they may spend their lives flitting from one thing to another, never staying with one thing long enough to master it.

Greens have so many talents that it is difficult for them to choose one to focus on. For a green, why choose one thing when you can have it all. It's not uncommon for a green to approach midlife wandering why they've not reached their true potential. Part of their frustration results from the fact that they never stay with anything long enough to reap the rewards. Greens' lives usually read like a series of short stories with many different scenarios, each one its own adventure."

See everybody, I know I got so many talents and the problem is finding one that can sustain my interest long enough to really delve deep into it!

As for my interpersonal relationships and interaction, I know now why I always attract the 'socially-neglected' or the so called 'non-mainstream folks' (think Shawn D, K from XP, some primary skool mates and the stalker back in CGS days!):

"Greens are driven by the need to be liked and that need is so strong that they're vulnerable to attracting people who are needy or abusive."

And of course, all of you have known that I can be really sweet-tempered and a real bitch at the same time, because:

"Greens are the chameleons of the personality world. These usually gentle, amicable people often surprise others by becoming openly aggressive and hostile when they feel they're being taken advantage of or are not being appreciated as unique. This behavioral change throws other types off because a green will suddenly impose their wishes on others, telling them off or openly seeking revenge for perceived abuses."

Students or folks with lack of confidence need also to rub the dynamism from me as...
"Greens have the capacity to motivate and make others feel they can accomplish anything and they tend to take on a fearless persona. They love to be the centre of attention and lead others by their enthusiasm."

Please excuse me when you feel I speak without thinking. I can't help it, it's in my genes that "extroverted greens tend to think out loud and need input and direction. They'll openly seek emotional counsel from people when trying to make a decision."

In summary, the analysis actually compared my personality type to a car (well...I'm not too pleased with this cos it totally sounds unimaginative):
"The green's world is filled with optimism, dreams and fantasies. Their role is to create and learn. Greens are involved in life and respond to it with emotion and enthusiasm. In the automobile, the greens would be the rich leather seats, the eight-speaker sound system and the convertible top - the fun stuff!"

What are your thoughts on me being a GREEN?

My grandaunt prayed for me

I quote, verbatim, from the grandaunt who prayed so sincerely for me just before I left her house just now:

"In the name of our father jesus christ, please bless Ah Imn at her job with good salary and may it be stationery. Please protect her from the evil spirits and demons. Thank you oh lord. Amen."

I nearly burst out laughing when she prayed for my job being 'stationery'. Yea, I need that. Why are people around me so prophetic these days? And if you don't know, my grandaunt (por-por's elder sista) has been bedridden for 2 years now, and a lot of times she goes into delirium (today she claimed she has bought another bungalow for the family). So she makes damn alot of sense in this customised prayer for me, u know?

By the way, I'm not a big fan of jesus christ but this is nice lar.

Things I’ve Left Behind

One pair of flip-flops that was placed adjacent to mine

Two roomfuls of pride that once resided at the attic

Three keys that led to the space that I proudly call my own

Four storey of climb that never really helped slim me down

Five months of sporadic work at places which couldn’t hold me back a little longer
. . .

Pi the Libran

Charming Libra - the seventh sign of the zodiac.

Libra stands for harmony, fairness, equality, and balance. You are considered to be the most civilized and polite member of the zodiac, because you always display an even-tempered and composed attitude.

Your ruler Venus - the planet of love, sex, and beauty - influences you to strive to create harmony, to express and show affection, and to accommodate and please others. Its romantic, sensual, and seductive energy makes you a suave and relationship-oriented person. Libra is the second of the air signs, giving you the ability to stand back and look impartially at all matters, always seeing and considering both sides before arriving at a decision.

You are sociable, tactful, and have great empathy for others, which makes you a much sought-after mate, especially since you are so refreshingly energetic, loving, and honest. Your sign rules the seventh house of the horoscope, the sector associated with other people who act as your mirror. Therefore, it describes the nature of your relationships, both business and personal, as well as your experiences with marriage and partnerships.

Your sign's mode is cardinal, meaning that you actively try to improve and work on your relationships by reaching out, making compromises, and inspiring trust in them.

Your strengths, dear Libra, lie in your diplomatic approach to dealing with others. Your strong sense of fairness makes you the perfect mediator and peacemaker, because you always manage to stay objective and consider all points of view before making a decision.

But even you have weaknesses, dear charming Libra! For example, you can be frivolous and decadent, and place value on the superficial. Sometimes, especially when you are indecisive, you can be vague, shallow, and insincere. In certain situations, you are tempted to define "fairness" to your own advantage.

* * * * *

I consider myself very Libran, exhibiting about 80% of the true libran characteristics.

Out of the Poos Pit

Me wif all the rare good folks of the Poos Pit

Haha I purposely dress up for today! Pweety r........ight?

Mutiny on a Bounty

I know by now the rate at which I move in and out of a job is giving the false impression that my actual profession is perhaps job-hopper and not a communicator :p

Eh, please don't be misled ok! Job-changing is hellalot of pain. Imagine going through the search process all over again, worrying over the bread-and-butter issues, having to know new people, and adapting to a whole new work culture. It's really not easy, I'm sure you know. With age catching up, you think I enjoy this? No way! But as usual, those who know me enuff know that it's hard for me to just make do. Making-do is not me. I'm a Go-getter, and that's why I'm a go-getter who has achieved nothing much till this day...hehe..

For the purpose of updates, I've tendered (with no exact plans next except to wait for a more suitable job). Not that I thick-skinned but my resignation triggered off a mutiny of exodus. The company lost nearly 50% of my team. My designer tendered. My direct boss tendered too and he was there for barely 1.5 months. GDI! He broke my record ~ I was there for 2 months ok! Leaving the job by end of the year was something at the back of my boss' mind but me leaving caught him off-guard and he expedited his plans. You know why? Cause my absence will have resulted in his loss of a defence line. See lar, for all the nonsense I am, I'm such an important person to so many people ok!

The remaining team will be facing a hostile take-over by a woman I've so fondly nicknamed the "hyper-ventilator". I must give her thumbs-up for her long-windedness (yes bud, you are not the worst) and thumbs-down for being such a stress ball, or a ball of stress to be correct.

I'll be leaving behind a good team but f**ked-up organisation as a whole. Good luck to my mates who have made my short stint a little bit more bearable. My relationship with that puddle of water shall remain purely as customer-seller. I'll win them BIG one day.

The Pals Checklist

I've been thinking for a while now, on where I draw the line and set the standards on who qualifies as pals. My standards are as capricious and erratic as me myself. While the quality of friendship is not defined by time, there's no way I can deny that my best pals are those I've known for the longest.

As a self-check, and to keep myself rooted, I've decided to put up a checklist (among my many other checklists) of how to sort out the psuedo-pals from the real ones. Entry to the privileged REAL pals list is automatic, needs no application and not subject to your approval.

1) Someone who shares my level of crappiness, liking for some songs and preferences for some food is not necessarily a good friend.

2) Someone who (thinks) share my frequency and remembers every bit of the things I've said is a friend but not necessarily a pal. For palship to develop, there must be mutual exchanges and willingness from both sides to let each other into each other's lives.

3) Good friends check on your well-being every now and then. Good friends doesn't let you take all the initiative in planning to meet up or keep in contact. Good friends shares your joy and pain and won't take credit for having made life better for you.

4) Palship is not about befriending a nice good person. It's about hitting it off and a certain degree of attraction / agreement to each other's personality, value systems and background.

5) Palship is as queer as love relationship. It's an equation that is not simply derived or rewarded by compatibility, perseverance and one party's willing intention. It takes two hands to clap and a whole lot of chemistry to make it work, and last.

All the above said, I'm taking some names out of what I'll consider as friends and relegate them as acquaintances. For those who have been nice, my deepest appreciation, but point 2 and 4 still apply. Oh...feelings....you are such an unfathomable thing!

Hostage

I've been released as a hostage. He's attached. Good. I must really move on now. First, me and Joe ;)

to my credit

Talking to XY yesterday gave me an idea to blog about this - a list of things that are invented and made popular by me!

1) the "swear-off my own body part" theory in the form of "Neh-Neh". But I strictly stay off "CB" simply becos my surname should not be something I swear with.

2) the phrase "鸟不垃圾" - it's a wrong use of "鸟不拉屎" which means a place so ulu that even the bird doesn't shit there. I thot my "niao bu la ji" sounds more power and it's used to mean anything that doesn't make sense to me. Example, "这是什么鸟不垃圾的东西?!"

3) the birthday 'any prezzie' voucher. and I'm not talking about cash vouchers from the various retail brands and outlets. It's a self-created birthday prezzie voucher used to stall time especially if you haven't had time to buy present for the recipient. Voucher reads something like "Exchangeable for Birthday Prezzie Worth Up to $80" with terms and conditions that limit to one-time redemption by a certain expiry date.

4) "Lai-lai" for Kim Rae-won 金来元. I think XY doesn't think much of this but it's my pet name for one of our fave Korean stars!

5) the L.O.V.E. catch phrase - it stands for "Looking Out Very Eagerly" and how aptly it summarises our current love life.

More to come.

Quarter one 2007, over.

Sian.

That's one word to summarise my first quarter of the year. All that had happened seems like a big joke to be reviewed today on April's Fools Day.

One wrong move after another but of cos, if life's every decision can be within prediction and control, it wouldn't have been a struggle. As usual, I better watch my mouth. Every word wagged with my tongue is ominous and often has karmic effect. By now, you have all heard about how my bad-mouthing of C having only bookies' bet slips to design had become a curse of my own predicament. And I'm afraid all my passing remarks of people's shortcomings and less desirable aspects would come back to haunt me sooner or later. Dear Omni-being, I know you are forgiving so please redeem all my sins. It's hard to change but I'll...try.

I can't do much from this point forward except wait for an opportunity to my desired career. Dammit! Why life's so difficult? Why life's so materialistically-operated? Is it a sin not to be richer? Meanwhile, I have to watch my spending...but...I'll get myself that Cherry-Blossom fragrance from that place that sells 'immortelle' water to celebrate my landing of new job (if it arrives at all). Shitz! I'm so useless! I cave in to material desires again!

So many things to do, so little money to do them all ~ my tour guide course, my keyboard lessons, my cafe business, my travel plans! Oh the Omni-being, shine more love on me please. And shine more love on all those who are worse off than me. At least I have luxury of having an option to look out for new jobs. Some don't, merely by default of their nationality.

The next time you read my blog, I hope to declare it 'cherry-blossom scented'. You can't smell it but I'll make you feel my joy.

By 18th April

Find a job,
And stop the hop.
Throw the letter,
Move to the better.

Start afresh,
Make a dash.
Give my best,
While having a rest.

Pick up zest,
For next big quest.
It won't take long,
To right the wrong.

something's gotta change

Negative energies beget negative outcomes.
Something's gotta change. Soon.

Pi-brain. Pea-brain?

I've lost a quarter of the year. Searching, hoping, lamenting then searching again. A bit of a dismay at times but still not losing hope cos this is the journey of any great people. And as you've guessed it, I count among one of the greats :p

I've been thinking for a while now that I suspect I've degenerated from the fabulous pi-brain to a pea-brainer (yes, despite being pea-brained, I can still think that I'm a pea brainer). I refuse to think hard at work, refuse to absorb any info that I consider in the category of "for the highly-intellectual", and refuse to put in my best for work. I stubbornly assert that I'm in life vacation mode for at least the next 2 years and I should be ready for the next spur just before I turn 30.

I'm like a plant nearing wither and badly needs to ingurgitate new doses of nutrients. While I liberate myself from the burden of having to perform and give my best in the arena I work in, I wish to gain from what my environment can give me instead. In a nutshell, I'm badly in need of a paid learning opportunity. That's why I thought lecturing will suit me great this time. We can learn loads from the kids!

Onto the next quarter, I hope things will look up. My knots boil down to my internal barrier which I can't cross. Perhaps one of my greatest strengths is my very high level of self-awareness and my weakness' the lack discipline and grit to overcome or make do with situations. I rather move on and pursue what might interest and engage me more. Sorry pals, I've let you down on what I've tasked you to do.

I'm also sure my critics (as if I'm some celeb again) would pin this down as a personality flaw - what's wrong with me? Why can't I hold down a job? But I really have a lot I wanna do and can do well in! I want to retire with a glorious resume that lists entrepreneur, lecturer, part-time lyricist, author, tour guide, presenter/emcee, designer, entertainment beat reporter, part-time singer, volunteer, entertainer, and maybe politician in my colourful career. Perhaps what I want to do is as whimsical as myself and I guess my ultimate pursuit is being happy where I am, to bring joy and some positive effects in making life interesting for people around me.

ps: I realised my blog's "Pi's Picks" (see right bar) lists Music and Lyrics as one of the choices. Little did I expect this to be a title of a movie running in the cinemas now.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Want to be a K-drama Female Lead

Photo from "Which Star Are You From"

1) There'll be not just one BUT TWO very eligible male leads fighting for my love!

2) If I'm not rich, my guy will definitely be!

3) In less than 20 episodes (or 20 hours), I would have gone through the most touching, memorable and enviable love story on earth.

4) By the end of the series, the world's most aloof guy would have opened his heart to me and changed to be a better man all in the glorious name of my love.

5) It doesn't matter that I'm not getting younger and that my figure's plump. I'D STILL ENJOY ATTENTION FROM AT LEAST 2 MEN!

6) My mobile phone subscription will hit the max plan utilisation with the male lead bombing my inbox with SMSes and voice mesgs when he can't seem to find me for the whole day.

7) I would have new clothes to wear every single day and they somehow just make fashion statements that all gals want to be spotted wearing tees over tights.

8) Suddenly my usual brash and loud ways would become so adorable and be seen as uniquely captivating by not only the male leads but also audience who have gotten glued to the box set.

9) Somehow, even if I wasn't supposed to be rich, I wouldn't need to work a lot and I can spend time bickering with my guy all day!

10) Last but not least, marriage is such a romantic affair without having to worry about queuing for HDB flat.

Cast me as Kim Sam Soon Number 2!!!