Bandaged Soul...so I can open my heart to you again.

A colleague gave me this bun that he bought from Taiwan. So cute, right? :D Ok, it's not edible...but it looks so real I feel like biting into it.

It probably sounds kinda lame that my idea of anniversary at this age is actually about my wheels. But, yes, it's been almost a year since I've adopted Matrix, and this, by far, is probably like my biggest 'purchase' ever. Ok, the overseas degree was parents' scholarship. The exact date was 2 Feb 08. So if I refer to the lunar year, it's been more than a year because 2 Feb was 4 days before CNY, then. But according to the universal calendar, I'm still 4 days away. So what's been happening? Alright since we're on the topic of Matrix... Well, it's been acting up a little with instances of 'fever' over the weekend till day two of CNY. The batt even went flat on the eve, but thanks to my hero brother-in-law, Raymond, who came to help me jump start after his Church Service. Needless to say, I had to take a cab so I could report at 6.30am at Raffles City (Fairmont Hotel). We had a combined service and conducting the Choir with a mix of singers ...

Looking through the call list and repeating the same message to the callees can be a very tiring and eye-straining task, epecially when the font size is Have you ever suppressed your emotion about something in fear that you would be disappointed cuz what if things don't turn out the way you expect? Would it be detrimental to one's spirit if this becomes a survival instinct (involuntary)? It's like a defense mechanism. As time goes by, would you find yourself left with apathy and indifference? defense mechanism noun (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires Alright...back to work!

I finally set myelf to buy the iPod FM Transmitter for my car. I got tired of waiting... Well, I don't know what I was waiting for, actually. (For the cow to come home?) So, just now, I met my sister when I went to visit mom at TTSH, and decided to tag along to Wheelock Place. She needed to send her daughter's nano for repair at epiCentre. It seems that it's not difficult to find a wifi hotspot nowadays. I'm at Burger King below Esprit happily drinking my super large coke while waiting for my sister and 2 daughters shopping upstairs. I'm so tired due to an early work assignment this morning at the Supreme Court building so the rest is much appreciated now. It was a frustrating morning dealing with totally senseless and irresponsible people whose group I've threatened to bring to temporary closure. Well, that's all for now! Laterz...

Wow... So there's wifi in Marina Square's Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe. Was parked near the usual spot below the food court to watch Cinderella at Esplanade Theatre. Quite enjoyable and it was free, thanks to Chin Sin complimentary tickets. We got really good seats, too. Right in front of the console. The singing was fantastic. Abuden... Lea Salonga leh! The rest of the cast were good, too. Same old story, but this version was like a romance comedy - just the way I like it... (uh huh uh huh... ahaha!) Affter the show, I was walking to Matrix when I find myself strangely drawn to the outdoor stage facing the river, again. So I indulged in my nostalgia for awhile, taking a few pictures of the night scenery before heading to Marina Square. I was getting a slight craving for iced ying yong. When I got to the car park, it was so empty that it was easy to cut through the lots to he other entrance near the cafe. So here I am. "Do I love you because you are beautiful? Or are you beauti...

I should be sleeping now. I'm getting darkER eye rings cuz I've been working till late almost every night last week. Then this week, it's JPSAE again. The time of the year where we run a week of 'road show' in conjunction with JAE to scout for performing arts talents - an effort to give these students a better chance in a polytechnic education as a way to reward their outstanding contribution in CCA for past 4-5 years. Next up would be auditions. A very short time frame to work with to determine and fight for our choice candidates. All I can say is, sometimes I wonder if the work done was worth it especially when what they are as a person, cannot hold up to what they have to offer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So I finally got down to part with $49.90 to get my second bluetooth handphone earpiece. I lost my less-than-a-year-old unit at this month's staff association dinner and dance at Changi Village Hotel. Speaking of which, the food was quite good and we only had to p...

Woah...has it really been that long? Half a month since my last entries. Well, there had been a couple of attempts to write something for Christmas and the new year, but they were... attempts. I remember sleeping a lot during on Christmas Eve cos the night before I wrapped presents till 5 in the morning... Well, I started late. Found it to be quite therapeutic to wrap presents. Maybe cos you get to really focus on something else other than what you normally do. And it's like you think of the person you want to give those nice things to while you wrap and visualize their reaction. It makes me happy just thinking about it :P I stayed overnight at Mui's after singing carols at her Church friend's house. They are also neighbours within the same condo. Like I said, I slept a lot which I did when I was at her place after the office Christmas potluck. When I woke up, it was time for dinner at her neighbour-friends'. They are not strangers to me since I knew them when I used to...

While I wait to go for lunch... Well, so I went to the St Pat's Alumni Band Concert at VCH last night. At least 14 of our band members were there to support. We cancelled band practice today cos from what we know, a big bulk of the members would not be present - either supporting in attendance or playing for the concert. Is that supportive or is that supportive? Haha... And apparently, name-calling during band concerts extends beyond secondary school students. Sigh... The one for Rauf was super funny...inside joke. Looking at the players' list from the programme, I realised that at least 10% of the alumni band members are current TP students. Of course not all of them are in TP Band lah, but that's besides the point. A couple of them were from Music Vox. Anyway it was good to see them all. Louis was surprised to see me. He's forever reminding me that I rejected him at JPSAE. Tsk... I really give it to the committee who is managing the alumni band (any alumni band for th...

I looked at the clock in my car when I drove into the carpark. 6.50pm. But I was prepared for the light-less void deck, but it wasn't as dark as my previous encounter. Would have got home earlier. But I had dinner with the band kids just now. Well, that kinda forced me to log off and drive to DES carpark. Ready to head off after dinner. Oh I went to catch the movie - The Days - at Sinema Old School. I booked the ticket for yesterday's re-run at 8.30pm and was glad that it was with the 'Talk-Back' session. Ivan was there with most of the actors, including the Director, Boi Kwang, whose life story is portrayed in this movie. Ivan was apparently surprised to see me there. Told him I had wanted to support him when it was first screened at the cinemas. When he introduced me to the Director, he thought I was Ivan's classmate!!??? I was like...??? Anyway, after the 'Talk-Back', I was delighted when I was given the super big poster and since the cast was there, I as...

I'm still not used to getting out of school on the dot. Just to illustrate my point. One evening I got to my flat and I observe that the void deck was in darkness. I was thinking, what happened to the evening lights? I thought there was a blackout or something. Was contemplating if I should call the town council when I met a neighbour from my block. So I just commented..."Wah, very dark hor? Blackout ar?" Only to realised that, it's not even 7pm, so the lights not supposed to be up for another 5 mins! Zzz... Yesterday evening, I felt at a loss of what to do because I could get off on time and there was no cell meeting I drove out to TM around 6.30pm (Fridays supposed to go off at 5.30pm) cos I wanted to watch "Bolt". And what did I end up doing? Had a movie marathon. I bought tickets for "Twilight" and "Bolt". Had a voucher so one movie's free. The other's prepaid so the show's only $7.50 even on a Friday night. Then when I go...

12.28am. Didn't realise that it's so late now. Just got back not long ago from shopping with Fayanne. It was probably the 3rd time I could remember driving downtown. The last time was a trip with Kenneth to get his PSP - an advance birthday present. I'm glad that it's still serving him well now. Today's was at the next door building at Wheelock Place. Well, we didn't exactly shop there but just parked and walked opposite to Shaw House. She went for her MNG sale while I went Isetan to use up my $20 voucher. Nothing worth getting for the Band Christmas gift exchange. I ended up spending $70 above the voucher value at the supermarket downstairs. Ahaha... "So what did you buy at your downtown shopping?" "Erm...groceries..." Faint... We did walk back to Wheelock for dinner, though. Can I just say...the Sakae there tasted horrible. Probably not going to patronize this restaurant at any outlet anytime soon. I enjoyed the company though. Truth hurts ...

I saw this picture on Pst Mark Ritchie's blog that made me laugh. Thought I'd share it with you. Poor reindeers...wonder where they flew to...ahaha! So I was told that Parmesan Oregano and Italian bread at Subway only comes in foot-long. So I ended up having Hearty Italian bread for supper on Monday. KBoxing and Waraku dinner is so expensive...so much for wanting to spend less that day. Oh, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I suppose that's true for people who have a special place in our heart. You start remembering all the good things and the unpleasant ones begin not to matter anymore. Ok, this is not exactly related, but I wonder if that's how it is in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son. How much the Father must have missed his wayward son and yearned for his return despite him squandering all his inheritance away. As long as he's back, it's a cause for celebration. Then we can only hope that those we love and miss do not regard us in the "ou...

Just got home about an hour ago from Marina Square? Yesterday I was at Esplanade. Guess what, tomorrow going Marina Square again. Haha... Went to watch a locally produced movie - 18 Grams of Love - at Sinema Old School yesterday evening. No, no, no...should be 'night'. Cuz the show started at 8.45pm. This is my 2nd trip up to Mount Sophia. The 1st time was in April when I also went on my own to watch another local production - Smell of Rain. That one was so-so only, despite the soul-stirring tagline - "No reliance (dependence), no expectation. No expectation, no grief." Well, that was then... To my surprise, I actually enjoyed watching '18 Grams'. I didn't know that that session included a talk-back (a.k.a. Q & A) session with the Director, Producer and a staff from the Sinema. And for that I had to pay $10 when the actual movie ticket was $8. I didn't intend to go for that, apparently. But it didn't turn out so bad, thanks to a few of the au...

Just finished watching "The Game Plan". Wanted to watch it when the trailer was screened in the cinema but never got down to it. Looked funny. But kinda glad I didn't pay to catch it then. It wasn't funny at all cuz everything was too predictable. Never thought Dywane Johnson could do drama. He's too tough and stiff-faced for the heart stuff, I guess. COMPASS is getting expensive. A tad bit too much and might even kill the hopes of doing more performances at casual platforms like Library Podium. In general, it costs less to do a ticketed indoor concert then one that's free. The copyright fees' gonna cost more than the expenses of 7 Library Podium shows add together. Non-lyrical public performances used to be free with the right terms and conditions adhered to. Apparently the lawyers just changed their mind. Fortunate move for the composers and authors I guess. But maybe less people would use their works eventually. It's an irony, but the less law-abidi...

Matrix has been cubee-fied! Somehow it managed to stay on the little black mat on my dashboard without falling off after a couple of failed attempts. So cute. It's just standing there like a watchman... If you look closely, well for those who know Cubee, you'll see that this one doesn't have the 2 front teeth...it wasn't properly cut out. So it doesn't look as 'toot-toot' as the original. Haha!

It's my first time at the Singapore Flyer today, no rides for me though. $29.50 eh! So expensive. Anyway, no time. Was there for work. Brought my Latinos performer to 'rah-rah' the >60 booth to launch their Fitto Fun product - a PC cam game for the elderly - officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister. Oh ya, it's Grandparents' Day today, in case you're not aware. It was so hot, I tell you, but thank God it didn't rain. Otherwise, it would be quite a sad case for all the booths and certainly the day's programme. By the time we're done with what we were there to do, my cheeks were red like steamed crab - red and shiny. I was so thirsty I down-ed like one Super Big Gulp. Catherine was there to support, as usual. We had our lunch there. Couldn't resist the fried chicken smell from Popeyes'. Managed to eat the biscuit this time. It was more like fluffy scones, really, and it's savoury, too. If I had known it was some sweet pastries, I would ha...

Oh, has it been 2 weeks? Man, time flies when you're occupied. So tired!!! This is the 3rd consecutive week that I've been staying back late at work almost every weekday. Just when I thought that my busy period would end yesterday, I need to go back school to clear the concert logistics with my students at 10 in the morning. Well, at least they are quite responsible to want to do it, ticket money all tally, so I'm quite willing to sacrifice my sleep-in with them. Very pleased that both my Band and Malay Arts Group concerts did really well in their ticket sale. Both events were quite successful, too. Besides the logistics work, I still need to go back again on Sunday at 8am. 8AM eh!!! Wah piang...another of my groups have been engaged to perform for some product launch at the Singapore Flyer. They better don't be late...haha, scally I'm the one who's late! Ahaha! :S

I feel so out of sync lately. Work, church, ministry, family, relationships, money, me - MY LIFE... now, how do I make them all revolve around God? I need grace to balance all these things! Had morning headaches for 5 out of 6 days this week due to, I think, consecutive late nights. Driving home in bright evening sun has become a rarity. This is not good. Anyway, contemplating if I should buy over my colleague's ipod nano. She's willing to part with it for less than $50 and it's a 4gb 2nd generation green nano. There's a bit of a scratch behind. And the apple logo behind is also quite worn out. I haven't tested out the quality, though. But I don't think it should have any problem. Actually, I have my own 4gb first generation ipod nano. It's so pretty I can't bare to sell it. My colleague's is so affordable I was thinking of just buying it and post it to a friend who might need it temporarily. I'm also thinking if I should get a DVD Camcorder. Hmm...

Here In My Life - Hillsong HERE IN MY LIFE Hillsong Live - Saviour King I have never walked on water Felt the waves beneath my feet But at Your word, Lord I'll receive Your faith To walk on oceans deep And I remember how You found me In that very same place All my failings surely would have drowned me And You made a way You are my freedom Jesus, You're the reason I'm kneeling again at Your throne Where would I be without You Here in my life Here in my life You have said That all the heavens sing for joy At one who finds The Way to freedom Truth of Jesus Brought from death into this life And I remember how You saw me Through the eyes of Your grace And though the cost was Your beloved for me Still You made a way "God did not promise days without pain; laughter without sorrow; sun without rain - But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."