Wise Taxi Driver

Finally booked out from camp this morning.

Wasn't such a bad thing being confined actually. Had more things to do that at home! Haha. Well I'm saying that cause...

Anyway, I left in time to make it to Melvin's floorball game actually, only in the end I spent about 45mins searching for that damn sports hall. I think the bus driver I asked at the bus interchange pointed me in the wrong direction. In the end the heat of Singapore got to me and I gave up (Sorry Mel!) and flagged a taxi home.

Hmm interesting person the taxi driver was. Mr Kali-something. Haha. I must say, he was very professional. When he asked where I was headed to, he also asked me how did I want to go about it. Me being unlearned about Singapore's highway system I merely told him what I've told other taxi driver, "The best way Uncle!"

Giving me a smile, he patiently went on to clearly explain the route he was going to take. I was quite surprised at his professionalism and appreciated it very much I did. After which he went on his way and offered me the newspaper in front of me with "This belongs to the Taxi Driver" scrawled on it.

Just as I was about to start on the newspaper, he started speaking to me about something which I've forgotten, but then realising I was reading he told me to carry on. After pondering for a while, I decided to put down the newspaper and thought talking to the uncle was a better way to spend my time. And talked we did.

First, I asked him whether he works the late shift and whether he has any supernatural experience to share. Unfortunately he did not but he went on to tell me his take on such things. "It's all in the mind you see. What you believe, your mind will conjure. It's all about belief. For example, when you entered my car just now, it was up to me to believe whether you will pay me or not. And it was up to you to believe whether I will take you to your destination or not. It is beliefs that rules our every actions"

Omg, how often do you meet a wise taxi driver?

Then he switched topics.

"Boy, you have girlfriend or not? Steady on or play play only?"

"Well then you know how to win the heart and soul?"

"Uncle tell you."

Apparently it wasn't exactly something I knew. But he was so sincere about sharing it I couldn't help but hang on to his every word. In short, it was about putting EFFORT into it. Effort into everything you do. Say you planned on giving her this beautiful watch. If you have the cash, you could easily just buy it for her. But compare it to this, a guy who isn't as well off, but he still wants to get that watch. So he puts money into the bank and saves. The girl receives the gifts, knowing he doesn't have the financial capability to get it, she asks him how did he manage. He tells her he saves. And so he wins her heart. The effort. It's THAT that wins the heart and soul.

WOW SO DEEP LAR.

Haha and when we were nearing my place, I could have asked him to stop at the bus stop so he wouldn't have to turn in which will take a longer route, but I didn't. Didn't want him to cut his story short cause of that. I didn't mind paying extra to hear him speak.

Reminds me of another taxi driver I talked to on the way to camp. He was a pro-hokkien person. He spent the whole journey promoting and explaining to me why it was good to learn hokkien. And he was absolutely horrified to know that I couldn't speak it though I was teochew. When I got to camp, he gave me a 50cent discount for being teochew. (LOL not much but hey, how often do you get that? HEHE.)

Taxi Drivers have countless story to share, and we could all learn a thing or two. So next time you get on board a taxi, leave your iPhone/Newspaper/PSP/iPod in your bag and spend some time talking to them. You'll never know, something good could come out of it.

New Magic Beans to Flaunt Your Magic Stick!

Dear Troubled Sirs,

Having difficulty building steam while working those engines? Unable to stand at attention while your partner does his/her thang? (LOL @ "his") Does your banana just seem to freeze there in a limp while you try to stick it?

Introducing the new line of libido-strengthening products from Jack & The Beanstalk Pte Ltd. "Magic Beans (TM)" will surely allow your lady to climb YOUR beanstalk and climb it high effortlessly. In act she'll be so high, she'll be so horn-y for you.

For a price of just US$59.99, you can get a bag of "Magic Beans (TM)"! Purchase 2 bags and we'll throw in a free "Bean-Me Beanstalk (TM)" (basically a deel-doh) worth US$100.00 just for her! However, that's not all! Join our exclusive club of "High Flying Beanstalk Climbers" for a nominal one time membership fee (with lifetime membership) of US$299.00 and not only will you enjoy benefits such as exclusive discounts on selected products from Jack & The Beanstalk Pte Ltd, but you will also have COVERAGE (Yes! Insurance for your Ding-A-Long-Long!) against any accidental damage to your stick shift for LIFE. (How can you guarantee that your family's weapon of penistrative penistration [penetrative penetration] that hasbeen handed down from generations to generations will not be exposed to wear and tear from your countless escapades to fulfill mankind's inherent basic mission to ensure it's own species' survival? YES, how CAN you guarantee that?) Sounds too good to be true? Well it is and it is only getting better.

Join now during this promotional holiday period (Merry X'mas everyone!) and we will send Jill tumbling down the hill right up to your doorstep in all her matured self. (Jill doesn't belong in childhood stories or rhymes anymore. And she dumped Jack! Hurray!)

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE TO COME!

For a limited time only, the highly sought-after and rare lost-and-now-recovered DVDs of "How Jack and Jill came tumbling down the hill, and what happened down there, no one will be aware." will be available this year end. Pay a bit more and get in in 6D-HD! (The advancement of Cinemalogy is amazing.) Come grab it before it tumbles out of your hands!

Call 1900-999-999 to place your orders now! While stocks last.

Here are some of our satisfied customer's feedback:
-------------------------------------------------------

"Life is meaningless. Any reasons anyone comes up with are just a mere way of getting through the days by attempting to create fulfillment. But if you ponder hard enough, you will realize the futility of life. This dawned on me few years back and as dark as it may be, it brought about a sense of relief. Life is short, life is meaningless. So do what you want, live recklessly, live for the moment. Nothing matters in the end, anyway. Then I realised that "Magic Beans (TM)" did just that for me. It took me all the way up and gave me a glimpse of Paradise on the beanstalk that seemed to have exploded out of my body somewhere just below my mid-section. And it was then on I realised how futile life was, and that I should live for the moment. It was life changing this "Magic Beans (TM)" was. I urge all of you to try some before you start finding any meaning in life."

- Our Satisfied Customer

And that's all the feedback we have for now...


Nick Oh
Founder and CEO of Jack & The Beanstalk PTE LTD.

Woah.

I'm sorry peoples, not really much I can "here."

Going to Taiwan soon, last trip! Well I think it is, unless I extend. But that's still a long way to think about.

OKAY OKAY, promise, just watch this space, something will be here. Soon. Yes coming soon like those signs you see in the cinema. COMING SOON.


JUST WATCH THIS SPACE.

I'm tired of hearing my brother shout.
I'm tired of hearing my brother shout at my grandma.
I'm tired of hearing my brother shout at my grandma while his friends are around.

But...

I'm tired of myself for not doing anything about it.
I'm tired of not standing up for my grandma when I should.
I'm tired of myself for not being a better person.

For holding back when I should really take action.

I'M TIRED OF NOT TAKING HOLD OF MY LIFE.

"I don’t mind not knowing what I’m headed for
You can take me to the skies…
It’s like being lost in heaven
When I’m lost in your eyes"

What's this I'm feeling? Something powerful it must be. And I thought I have gotten over it, it didn't seem like anything and I thought to myself, it wouldn't turn into anything. But who would have imagined, something as magnificent as a rose, came from a handful of ordinary seeds?

"I’m falling apart
I’m barely breathing
With a broken ____
That’s still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I’m holding on
I’m barely holding on to you"

What's this that I hear and see in my brains? Like my iPod, it's on a constant replay. Everything around me turns blurry and only the words of this particular track and the imagery it stirs remains clear. This track, I would give up all other songs just to have this ONE track in my 64Gb iPod.

"And if I can’t find my way
If salvation seems worlds away
Oh, I’ll be found
When I am lost in your eyes"

I hear this special track. It rings clearly in my head, but all I want for it is to get it stuck in someone else's head. If through this words of this song no understanding can be found, rip open my head and look into the recesses of my brain and hopefully then, the truth I've been hiding can be finally discerned.

"Well, you had me from hello
I felt ____ start to grow
The moment that I looked into your eyes, you owned me
It was over from the start
You completely stole my ____
And now you won’t let go
I never even had a chance, you know"

They say when the time comes, you'll know it. But did I just miss it? It seemed like the perfect opportunity, to tell the stars of my memories and the fantasies that I make up in my head. I think I missed the stars that night though, it was indeed a cloudy evening. I'm afraid though. I'm afraid that all my tales will come bouncing back to me once I speak of it.

"One word, that’s all you said
Something in your voice caused me to turn my head
Your smile just captured me
And you were in my future as far as I could see
And I don’t know how it happened, but it happened still
You asked me if I ____ you, if I always will"

If realization of what I've been saying occurs, then tell me and tell me quick of the reactions and emotions that stems from my words. Don't make this suspense last any longer please for my brains hurts from all the thinking already.


"Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do."

Chapter's Done

Celebrated Grandma's 76th (I think) birthday today! That's alot of candles on a cake that looks like a bowl of noodles. Should check out my cousin's blog, SiJia (in my links) for pictures of the day. For she never fails to post pictures on days like this one.

It's been probably about a month since it happened. I'm pretty sure I'm over it. It just that any mention of it gets me really flustered up emotionally. Guess that's part of the process huh. I'm just so surprised and bewildered at this whole thing. The same question of "how" still haunts my mind.

Wish all those memories I could destroy like a chapter taken out of a book and burnt to cinders. It'll never be a shining memory to me anymore. Dripping with bad bad aura it is.

Shouldn't talk about it anymore. IT'S JUST BAD. To anyone reading this, I hope you'll never bring it up to me unless I started it first alright? Thank you very much.

And haha it's true what they say. When there's a new direction, a new focus in life, it's that much easier to get over it and start your life again. Just praying it'll not turn out to be some false light.

ANYWAYS, I've decided that since I've an allowance for serving the country, I better put it to good use. I have decided to get presents for the people close to me on their birthdays. Haha it was a first time that I've given my grandma a birthday present. I know I know, what have I been doing all these 20 years right? Well here I am! Giving out presents now! Haha hope she likes it.

CHICKEN ESSENCE.

Who wouldn't want that? Kind of disappointed though just now at her place. After I passed it to her, she thanked me and then placed it gently on the floor. I hung around anxiously before going to bathe since I thought she might open it to see what I've given her. But to my dismay, she went back to playing mahjong.

...

Oh well... As long as she's happy on her birthday, I'm happy. Hahaha. She'll see it sooner or later I guess.

Sis's bf went over to France to visit her and my family. Wonder how's he coping there. Wonder how MY SISTER's coping. Lol. Just can't wait to join them again next year! Dang, if only I didn't have to server the army. What 2 years of fun I would be having! I'd definitely cherish it. When Dad got attached to the US, we were too young to know what was going on. Then he got attached to Australia, again we were in primary school, so still not old enough to cherish that once in a lifetime opportunity of living overseas. THEN now this is probably the last time Dad's going to get attached and I've to server? NONSENSE.

Envy my sister though... BETTER MAKE FULL USE OF IT JOY.

Birthday Catch-Up

MAN MY GRANDMA'S HOUSE IS SO STUFFY AND WARM.

I had sweat practically dripping down my armpits just now as I was taking a dump. Imagine that. That's why I never really like dumping at home. Never a pleasant experience.

Well was at my aunt's house yesterday. Gosh I think it was like a year since I've been to her place. Then they celebrated my birthday even though it was last week. Very nice of them! Even had a delicious birthday cake with presents! One thing strange though, there only ONE large candle on my cake. As in the large one to represent 10. There was only one of it. Haha should have asked one of the adults what was that for. So a song was sung and presents were presented to me.

At this point wanted to thank all my cousins:

Si Jia, Shan, Jeslyn & Rachel, THS, Sean & Darryl & THW (Can't remember if they contributed but oh well, their presence is enough!) Thanks for the COOKIES you guys made. It was GOOD. And all gone now. It still managed to feel like home despite my family not able to be around. So I'm glad that I'm still close to my other relatives. Always looking forward to seeing them every Saturday!

Hung out with Sarrah just now in town. Finally got outta the well and outta my shell! And I didn't know there were so many different places in town to chill out. Lol it was a night of many firsts.

First time I had Starbucks.
First time I actually paid for a Yogurt or had a Yogurt sort of drink.
First time hanging out so late in town.
First time hanging out so late in town with a member of the opposite sex.
First time buying a cake from Starbucks.
First time catching the last train home.

LOL. That's a lot of firsts. Thanks Sarrah!

HAHAHAHA. Feel like I'm a country bumpkin or something...


Ahhh oh well. That's alll folks. See you around some other time.

Happy 20th birthday to myself! Woo.

Wish I was with my family.

Rec/L4D Remake

Here's my sister's and I remake of the game and movie REC/L4d.

Enjoy!

Whirlwind

Just went out with my friends for a movie (Despicable Me) at CCK. And it IS a good movie. It's worth it to check it out at a theatre. Like all animations (Up, Toy Story etc) it's all the same. Heartwarming story and all. The difference is just HOW they executed it.

Anyways, all the characters were really cute, especially the minions (picture). Wish I had some of them for companions! I'll be entertained for life.

Felt a little down after the movie though. Kept picturing myself watching it with her. Usually, whenever I watch movies, it's always with her that I watch it with. Oh well what to do. If at this point you still have not figured out what's wrong. Here it is:

We're over. Really. This is it. I'm not with her, she's not with me, it's completely over and we don't have anything to do with each other. Simple as that.

Honestly, I could see it coming. Saw all the warning signs, but I guess I disillusioned myself to believe that we could still make something happen. And I really did my best. After the first break up and getting back together again, I seriously did try to work hard and make things right. But guess the tears and the rose just wasn't worth it in the end. I'm not sure if you're going to be reading this or not, but I don't really care.

Truthfully, the first emotion that hit me was anger. I was SO PISSED at you. Why couldn't you tell me earlier? I came up with my own theory on that you know. But I really shouldn't state it out here huh. That would be so ungentlemanly of me. That's okay now. Like before, I wished you didn't continue to lead me on to things. I felt really hurt you know.

At this point, I've sorted out my thoughts and I am glad that I was partially prepared for this. I have nothing much to say anymore. Friends we are still you say, I guess so but in the end, you'll probably just end up as the "Oh-THAAAT-friend" friend to me. I sound terrible saying this don't I, but heck yea that's what I see it as.

8 years of effort, blood, sweat and tears I've put into this relationship?

Yep, thanks for letting it all go. I know I'm saying all these in spite, but I have to let it all out now. Sorry Casslyn, but this is what I think of this. I really think it's...

BULLSHIT.

Dear friends reading this,

Please don't be offended by this. I am sure at this point of time, my brain's intoxicated by negative emotions. So don't take anything to heart. It'll all be good and well soon enough. Just you wait. Actually I'm glad it ended. Wouldn't want it to drag on for so long anymore huh. Thank god.

One last announcement to make:

To all the females out there, NICK IS UP FOR GRABS.



HAHAHAHAHA.

Lick Me

Hello hello!

It's been such a long time since I blogged I don't really know where to start.

Alright, for starters, I would like to say... Or blatantly announce to the world that:

I LOVE STAYING IN CAMP.

Yes! That's the (ugly) truth.

I love the people I work with.
I love the crazy things my friends and I do.
I love complaining about other people with my friends.
I love meeting new strange people in camp.
I love what I do. (In a weird way. Don't ask why. I just do, despite the scoldings.)

And most importantly, I LOVE MY BED.

The reason for such a CRAZY ass move is cause of my rashes. I NEVER sleep well at my grandma's house and the only place where my skin recover is in camp. So there ya go. Shall book out on Saturday morning. (Yes! That's right, you heard me. Nothing incredulous.) Then afterward stay over at my mum's mum's place. Then sunday book in! Wohooo. Don't have to stay at home at all.

I think it's safe to say I am the FIRST amongst my fellow national brothers to go against the mainstream way of thinking, which the main objective is to:

1) Beat the system and KENG (to fake/cheat the system so as to get the most of it)
2) If you can't beat it, at least fight for a STAY-OUT.

HAHAHAHA. I'm loving it in camp!

Anyways, some short updates. Yes! Finally am done with MC-ing my cousin's wedding. Was a bit stressful since it IS their biggest day of the lives. But it was somewhat fun partnering with her sister (Jeslyn, also my cousin). It was my first time attending such a function without my family around. Felt kind of awkward standing around while everyone is with their family. But I must say, it was fun seeing all my cousin in their best wear. Everyone looked beautiful! Oh yea, I must say this. I've never had a SATISFACTORY vegetarian meal at a restaurant yet. It's only always below average. So yes, I'm still waiting for a mind-blowing, mouth drooling restaurant meal to come my way.

Ahh, yes finally my sistar has uploaded pictures of my visit to them in France. Still I will say she is SLOW as there are many more that has not been uploaded yet. (I know I know! You busy! Changing contrast and dunno what shit. Is it necessary!?) Here's one that I liked most. For others just check out my face... Book. (LOL @ "check out my face..." Book.)



Finally, I have unleashed my vent-up 20 years of rage for my sister. HA! Take that kick to your chest. It's not as if it'll get any flatter right...

LOL. (Just playin' sis.)

Other than that.. Nothing really going on. Uhmm but about us 2... Sighs. I still feel like there's something we really have to address but again it's what one of us don't want to. I can understand what's happening around you, but you must also understand what kind of place we're living in. That's all I have to say.




I love camp.

Human Bond

The human bond is a funny thing. It takes a lifetime to build up yet it takes just about one painful moment to wreck that lifetime of work.

Deceit. Disillusionment. Hurt. Disappointment. Resentment. Regret.

I won't beat around the bush anymore.

Dear Casslyn,

Why seek to cheat your own feelings when you're ready to let go already? Why do you even let me believe everything is still the same? Do you think it's still alright to lead me on thinking that we're still very much in love? All that intimacy? Does it mean anything to you? Now I know there wasn't any heart in it...

But why?
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?

I want to know WHY. Why did you do that? There's so many why's it's cracking my head into 2. There's just this big gaping black hole in my chest right now it's practically sucking away all the happiness around me.

WHY do you only have to break it to me AFTER showering me with all those false happiness? Are you doing it just to spite me?

It takes just that few minutes, that few text messages to topple that 8 years of effort and tears we had together. And I hope you know, it especially hurts when you break it to me after all that falsification. Think of what you're doing, not only you are breaking your bond with me, but with so many others as well. Everyone around us who knew about us...

So why Casslyn why?

It's just so hard to believe, that on that day, all the smiles, laughter, kisses and hugs we shared... All amounted to NOTHING.

Absolutely NOTHING.

Happiness leading to UNHAPPINESS. Ironic.

And you know what the worst part is? You knew what you wanted for this relationship yet you still allowed all the hugs/kisses we had for each other, especially on that day, to happen?

I guess that pretty smile of yours isn't so pretty anymore...

Last Exciting Moments in France

As we speak, (oops I mean as I type) I am eating from a bucket of Haagen Daz. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgen Daz. Yes! Yes! Be envious of me for I am in France!

Anyway, it's like about 12am when it happened. I decided to try out the LED Copter thingy I bought when we were in Paris. It works like a slingshot. Pull back, release and it shoots upwards. The Blue LED on it reflects onto the 2 fluorescent strip of plastic then rotates when it starts coming downwards and so it looks pretty cool.

My sister and I went outside to find some open space (which wasn't much) to have a shot at it. Mum tagged along with us to have a look-see. Took us a few minutes to actually get it right and when I DID get it right, I accidentally shot it over the fence into our neighbour's yard...

LIKE WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING. Lol actually we all had a feeling that it would end up somewhere. There wasn't really much space outside.

We went around to the front of his yard hoping that there wasn't gate. Unfortunately there was one. An iron gate just below chest height with some green light and and some sort of mini camera inside the pillar next to the gate. I was pretty sure it was an intercom system to communicate with the house since it the house was quite a distance away from the gate itself. Oh did I mention it was pitch dark as well so we couldn't tell if they had some guard dog or not. (The dogs here are HUGE. Like MASSIVE What do they feed them man?!) As I debated with my sis the best way to scale the gate and back, I could hear my mum's worried words.

"Don't lah. Tomorrow morning then come and take. What if got alarm?"

Me: "Nah it's just some intercom system. Eh but what's that yellow alarm signal thingy on top?"

Sis: "No lah, it only lights up when the gates open. It's automatic right?" She takes a look, "Oh it's not."

Me: "Confirm anot!?"

Mum: "Nick, Joy! Don't get Daddy in trouble. Later we get sent back."

It was as if my mother wasn't there at all as my sis and I stood there still thinking of a solution.

"Eureka! We need a chair!"

I think we spent at least 15mins figuring out how to best retrieve the damn thing with my mum fluttering around with disapproving glances and remarks . (Oh why did it have to fly over?) In the end we scrapped the chair idea cause getting over was easy but coming back WITH the chair was hard and we climbed over from the side of the fence since there was some foothold there and we didn't have to worry about some high tech laser defence system guarding the front of the yard. I nimbly jumped over the fence, got the damn shit copter, threw it over and with ninja like agility, I scaled back.

I held up the damn copter and thought to myself, "Wow, now THIS means something now."

Guess my mum was in for something more than she asked for.





MUAHAHAHA.

What I have To live with

This is what I have to live with!



Ahh her iPhone vs my Nokia vintage. Welfare... Welfare.

Ladder-Goat

WATCH THIS. FREAKING HILARIOUS.

Be Water

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.

Revival

Woahhhh I'm back!

Okay I just realised there was a mistake in the last post. It shouldn't be 15th June that I'll be back from Taiwan. Should have been 15th May.

LOL.

So I guess I should still be in Taiwan now huh.

It's 2 am in camp and I'm still up. First time I'm unable to get to sleep in camp. Wonder what's wrong. Anyways, I'm pretty pumped up about France! Woo woo. Been replaying it in my head how I'll react when I see my family again. Would it be awkward? Since I've not been around them for so long, but the again, they're family, I shouldn't feel so awkward! So dad has the whole itenary planned out for me when I get there. (Thanks a lot old man!) Sweet stuff, but on the down side, I don't get to really see how my family spends their normal day in France. So that's sort of a bummer. Hope I'll still be able to go over next year for a longer period!

*Chants* O-R-D, O-R-D.

I'll be getting there by myself though, so that's another first for me! Heard quite a few stories from mum about pickpockets in France. That's quite scary, even mother and child would team up to get ya. I better keep my bag close to me. So far, according to mum, they've lost:

• 3 mobile phones
• 1 camcorder
• Dad's wallet
• 250 euros

to theft. Isn't that SCARY. I better be alert and keep my guard up. So far I've been laying my things around in camp believing everybody to be honest. (Well, everyone should aim to be an honest person right? Apparently NO, since I lost my iPod classic in camp.)

I just realised that I've been very ignorant of my future education. I know NUTS about courses and school and universities compared to the people I know. And that frightens me a bit. Not really a bit, it's more than a bit. Like a lot. I'm starting to appreciate my dad for laying out a path already for me based on what I've told him.

And I really shouldn't be letting him do that.

It's about time that I get up and do something about it. It IS my life! Yea! My parents are even more worried than I am. Gosh I feel really guilty. Before I ORD, I better have something planned out, if not I should just go hang myself huh.

Alright, it's half past 2 in the morning, I think I better get some shuteye even though today's book out day. Don't wanna walk around camp like a zombie. A very good morning to you people!

Remember! Carpe Diem!

It's your life you're living!

WILL BE IN TAIWAN TILL 15TH JUNE.

LOVE ME, MISS ME, I KNOW YOU WANT ME

Fat Boy Sings Well.

It's actually already over, since the Fat Boy has sung.

I have some sort of cut just right above my right ear and it really hurts. I've put a band-aid on it, the thing is, the cut is covered by my hair and so I have actually also bandaged my hair.

Now I want to have my bath but I can't seem to remove it without tearing my hair off. I'm having a hard time removing it! It feels like I'm just trying to rip my hair off my head.

HELP SOMEONE. ANYONE!

Lol this is just random but it really hurts. No wonder surgeons shave their patients whenever they do head surgery.

My Grandma's Gonna Eat Me

My Grandmother is going to eat me.

Really, I think she's some kind of monster from another dimension where grandmothers attempt to devour their offspring's offspring.

She's really trying her best to fatten me up. Every meal there would be at least enough food for what, 4 people? When there's only 2 of us in this household? Not being a very big eater anymore, I will usually only take enough food until my stomach is satisfied. (Satisfied and not FULL. That's how we should eat!) And when I do that, she'll start rambling in hokkien (or some alien language for all I know since I can't even pick up a single word while I can if my parents speak it) about me being a bad boy, how I'll never grow up, I'm not giving her respect and etc. Sometimes it'll irk me and drive me to the edge and I'll feel like shouting back at her. Then again, she's getting old and weary, I really should understand her better huh. BUT that doesn't mean she's not from another dimension out to EAT ME.

For lunch and dinner, she cooks these IMMENSE portion of food and side dishes where she expects me to clear it. Like even after she takes her share, she'll jab her chopsticks at the rest and tell me to finish it. REALLY, there's enough food left for 3 guys!! SEE! This is explicit evidence that she's out to turn me into a round meatball!

Then on days where I go to my maternal grandmother's place for dinner, my paternal grandmother would ALWAYS want to cook dinner for me first! And her logic behind that is simple: You'd be hungry before you reach there! (I look at the clock and it's only 5pm. Traveling takes only half an hour.) There ya go, another piece of proof. OR could this be some form grandmother rivalry?

My grandmother is better than your grandmother!

It's crazy I tell you. But fear not for my safety dear readers, for I am still an acceptable weight and have been trying to slim down with much much running and exercises.




Watch this space for a new bodacious Nick.



(In terminator's voice: I'll be back)

People Management

Just came back from a midnight traverse around the West of Singapore for a late night supper session with my camp mates.

Had fried carrot cake and a dollar sugar cane juice. I opened my wallet and realised that the 30 bucks I allowed rashes to take over my body for was almost spent! It's amazing how fast cash is used up when you don't even think you're spending much. Must abstain from food when not hungry.

However, this is not the crux of this post.

Since I am holding a post in army where I have people working under me, I suppose it is crucial that I have the proper people management skills to handle them. I believe I have good rapport with most of them, then again I might be an easy pushover for anyone who wishes to do so. I trust people to treat me well and vice versa that is all. Mutual respect.

I have this storeman who has an unfavourable history. When he first came in, I tried my best not to develop any form of complex of him. I believe everyone has some good in them. While it is easy enough to see it in most of the people, for some it just takes time and patience to discover it in them. Nevertheless I am sure it is inside of them.

Sure, he was helpful and as keen to learn when he got posted in but who isn't when they are posted somewhere new? Everyone knows that first impression counts. Steadily the road got bumpier as the weeks went by. Some bumps were negligible but others will prove to be pot holes in the end. How do I know whether it is all just a front he is putting up? Or is it truly genuine and if so, I feel terribly guilty for the way I am treating him already. It is not entirely explicit the way I am starting to treat him but I feel that despite my determination not to jump to any preconcieved ideas of him due to his history, unknowingly I still managed to develop some slight complex of him.

Then here comes the mirror-effect. In came another guy who joined us who is amazingly helpful and has a ready smile on his face. Not only was he always cheerful and ready to help, but it was his ability to accept anyone for who they are that caught my attention. He made quick friends with my storeman and treated him with the same amount of respect with anyone else he knew. Immediately I could sense the difference between this guy and me. Why couldn't I be the same? I consciously told myself in the beginning to see the good and overlook the bad in everyone I meet so how did I manage to develop such notions of people even before I could truly understand them? Not only did I see the fault in myself, but I felt that it was shoved in my face. My changed behaviour and opinion towards my storeman amplified and shown to me repeatedly in my mind.

So the dilemma is this: Do I see him as a person who cannot possibly be any different from his past and then treat him as I rightly should to anyone who fails to perform their duty? OR should I take the time to slowly understand him and recognise that he really is someone capable of being good and helpful, just that it so happens he fell ill at the wrong time and place.

Either way, I really should seek to see only the good and the possible good in others. And not develop such complexes of people that I have not truly begin to understand yet.

Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music; having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear.

- Sosaku Kobayashi

On Kobe Bryant

There is a reason I consider this man the greatest player that has ever played this game.

The most remarkable thing about the greatness of Kobe Bryant is that he wasn't as blessed as other have been athletically , yet he MAXIMIZED his abilities through the best work ethic in NBA history.

Was he blessed to have Durant's 6''9 height, 7''7 wingspan?
Was he blessed to Have Lebron's 6''8 , 260 lb frame+FT line /head over rim explosion?
Was he blessed to have Tmac's unbelievable length?
Was he blessed enough to have Jordan's huge hands+incredible leaping ability?
Was he blessed enough to have Wade's or Rose's speed?

The answer is no. He isn't the fastest, most athletically or genetically gifted player ever. He was a decent leaper with an unpolished game; a weak 17-year old bench player that loved the game of basketball. No one ever thought this kid would recover from his ultimate low "air ball moment" in Utah, yet he has proven everyone wrong by blossoming into the Greatest skill/talent/fundamental player the league has EVER seen. That's the charm of Kobe Bryant. He shows that through perseverance and enduring hard work, despite any obstacle, you too can be the best at whatever you want to be. For limits are simply an illusion.

Alborz Zandian

Hokkien Classic.

Gotta love this.

Random Tidbits

Corporal.

Happy.

Staff Sergeant.

Free meal.

Ichiban.

Basketball.

Shifted Kneecap.

Broken forearm.

Ambulance.

Slack for 1 week.


Things are taking a turn for the better!

The Hiatus

Ahh as you can see, my blog has come to a complete standstill.

A hiatus. THIS, can only mean one thing.

My life is meaningless.

I'm sure the first thought that would have come to you would be SUICIDE. Fret not, I am not suicidal and I will not be. (Though I have thought about it before, I'm sure everyone will have.) But to put it cleanly, it is meaningless. I'm not trying to be anti-NS or anything but I sure did wish I was doing something meaningful in this 2 years instead of what I'm doing now. (Ironical, since my dad is a regular, but I mean no offence to them.) Maybe a medic? Ahh at least there's some life skills involved in that. Learning first aid and etc. Driver! You definitely get something out of this 2 years. Some of you out there, (I know there are people who will readily shoot me down if they read this) will strongly object to what I am driving here I know. Yes everyone in the army/navy/airforce will all have a part to play and we're supposed to serve with our UTMOST PASSION, (underlining = sarcasm) but to put it quantitatively, anything meaningful that I'm getting out of this 2 years probably equates to...

Zilch.

There are a few things in serving national service that actually is worth mentioning, but even then they are only minute, microscopic, miniscule things that seem meaningful to me. And they are:

• Meeting new people
• Uhhh
• Errr
• Ahem.. Right I thought that was more.

Apparently not. Even meeting new people isn't always a good thing. So bleah, I'm just here to tell all of you.

I WANT MY TWO YEARS BACK.