A beautiful mind

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

People don't like to hear the truth

People don't like to hear the truth. Or rather, People only wan to hear what they wan to hear. Yet they question it when they hear what they had wanted to hear.

For example, People has been asking me How am I doing for my revisions.
People like Aaron, Galvin, and others.
I replied to Arron this afternoon, "I'm not done yet."
Aaron replied, "liar!" in a joking manner from his usual grin.

People asks questions with expected answers in mind. He had expected me to be done with my revisions. And I wished I could. When I replied, he could answer my replies immediately cos he had prepared what to say if I had said no. He had imagined how to deal with my alternative answer. But what If I had told him I'm done with my revision?
He'd probably be so shocked he wouldnt know what to say.

For example, A ask B, " Hey. You like C?" *With a cheeky smile*(expecting B to deny)
B replied, " YES"
A would feel so surprised that B was so straightforward and had made no attempt to hide it.

I'm feeling the stress much more this year. Perhaps it's cos I had finished 90% of the syllabus last year this time. Perhaps I haven put in as much effort this year. Or perhaps its tough to live up to people's expectations. With people expecting me to be mugging at home everyday, revising the syllabus, which I've not been doing. Coupled with the packed Examination schedules which includes 3 papers in 4 days and finishing my exams much earlier than others give me the stress. That I should be more prepared and at a earlier time since My papers start and end earlier than others.

It kinda tires me when I had to tell people 'NO' to their questions of studying. Some doubted when I told them I spent the day doing nothing. Then why asked in the first place? But I've gotta admit there're people who're humble about their studying progress. AKA liars. I don understand why're they doing it. Now everyone is doubting everyone.

I've a theory about people who ask people around them, which includes me of course. People like to hang around with people who are in the same category as them. It makes them feel secure. Even if they're moving twice as slow. They feel much happier and safer moving as a pack, selectively ignoring people who are three times their speed.
As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together"
So the next time people ask me how am I doing, I shall say I've completed and well ahead in my revisions regardless I've done so or not. It helps me to live up to their expectation. By saying this, it helps me to work hard to live up to what I've told others and propels others to work faster to keep pace with me. As such we all progress faster and further compared to if I had reply negatively.

A, "how did you do for this module?"
B, " HAHA I failed/barely scrap pass."

A, "How's your revision?"
B, "Haven EVEN START AH!!"

The unique and ironic thing about Singaporean is we all compete to be last sometimes.(may be a disguise sometimes) And we'd feel so proud about it when we tell people.
Its a culture we need to change.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

You are how old you feel

The curious case of benjamin button review

Woah! BEfore I start, I must say that it has been long since I last catch such a nice show! And when Zhenbang says it's nice, it MUST BE really nice! Totally impressed by the movie. So Let us begin!

We should all know the plot of the story so I'll not go into that and spoil the movie for those who haven catch the show yet. It's abit of 'Ps i love you, and 'Notebook' and did I say 'Notebook'? For those who have caught the show, the 'Notebook' part i was refering to was basically the sailing part that reminds me of the rowing boat in 'Notebook'. 'Noah' played by Ryan gosling in the 'Notebook' was pretty much well-to-do and doesnt have much work as well. They pretty much roamed the streets, out to the sea as and when they like. But the plot did not stray to write a love story and remain on course to play the 'growing old' part.

If you're catching the show, do take note of this part when 'Daisy' got caught up with the accident. The interlinks and series of events weld together that built up to the accident. It was phenonemal. It was mentioned that it is similar to events in life, which made us who we are today. So enlightening! (for those who know what I'm talking about). There's this funny incident when the prist pushed queenie and a unbelivable scene when a tugboat took out a submarine by crashing into it. LOL hahahah

For the movie to work, a few people played key roles in Benjamin's life. For example, his mom, Queenie, Captain Mike, his rich father, Thomas button, and his beautiful/gorgeous girlfriend. Brad pitt was particularly charming in the show, reminding me of his younger days shows, 'Meet Joe Black ' and 'Troy'. Cate Blanchett was mesmerizing/graceful as well, especially when she dances. Also, lets not forget to give credits to those who acted as Benjamins in his younger days. It was super harsh on them la, to walk with limp and clutches.

Eventually Benjamin was reduced to a baby. I wondered how that happened. How did his bone shrink and where did his fats and excess skin go.He'd have scratch marks! But i supposed it is possible since he had a different condition. His bone marrow could have flown into his bloodstream, and his fats used up by the body. Throughout the show, Benjamin witnessed numerous deaths and travelled around the world. It is kinda enlightening to see death as nothing to fear and we should live life to the fullest while we still can.

Rating: 5 Stars!

Monday, February 16, 2009

An educational post.

I was chatting with bff, asking her about her picnic when I was astounded.

"No we dont sweat. Animal sweat, Human perspire. we perspired"

I've never heard of this before. What's so astounding was the way she put it across. Even after I tried correcting her. 100% confidence. 101% after the backing of Mother of all grammar, Huiwen. I've heard of people trying to improve the use of language by saying we don describe people as fat. Fat is used on pig. we use obese on 'fat' people. However, this was on no basis. It was to promote the use of 'obese' over 'fat'. This is what I found.

"Horses sweat, men perspire, women glow"

The goal of "Horses sweat, men perspire, women glow" was, of course, to encourage the use of "glow" as a more refined word than "sweat" or even, in that more delicate age, "perspire."

Perspire" is, however, usually considered a more refined word than "sweat," which is certainly worth knowing. That distinction is, of course, entirely arbitrary from a linguistic standpoint, but English has a long history of granting Latinate (or Anglo-French) forms higher social status than Anglo-Saxon words. Many of the words we use for livestock ("cow," "pig," "sheep," etc.), for example, are short, blunt Anglo-Saxonisms of the sort used by medieval peasants, while the names of the finished products ("veal," "beef," "mutton," "pork," etc.) are rooted in the Anglo-French of the gentry who could actually afford the meat.

Now I must say, this has more ground than "my primary teacher taught me this also" However, you people/girls can challenge it also. If you can find a source to back u up. It's open. Nowadays, I'm easily annoyed at poor grammar inproper usage of words. Maybe due to influence of Huiwen. But what's more frustrating is the learning of 'proper english' is hampered by the inappropriate usage at times. We're misled into thinking some uses are right just cos it was used in that way on someone's blog/the internet. To Improve ourselves, we need moral courage to correct our friends when they're not using the right words at times instead of letting it passed. In a subtle way of course. Mocking and sneering have no help in learning.

Saying this, Of course I understand this blog is not in perfect grammar all the time. So please dont correct me via the tagboard, if not it'd be frigging full of long sentences copied from my text. Unless I'm displaying a complete misunderstanding of concept or the word, please pardon me.

If not, Always feel free to correct me. =)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Love is in the Air

I woke up late today for MSM. Jumped out of bed at 930am when I should've reached school by 830am. My dad saw me scurrying around the house to get my stuff ready. He must've noticed that I was late. LOL

Managed to sit with Ziling in the class instead of sitting alone, dozing off despite reaching late. Girls werent THAT well-dressed from the usual saturdays. Guys were the better ones I supposed since they've to get ready the gifts, flowers, and make all the arrangements such as venue ready while the girls take their own sweet time at home doing their make up while waiting for their boys to pick them up. I met Azan who wore Long pants and drove nice car today. (PS: He's an impt character in the later part of the story.)

I carried on my usual saturday routine. Reached home to watch 'Batman' on Okto. Trying to be inspired by Gotham's hero before going on to spongebob and then sat afternoon movie, "crimson tide" and then goin to bed, waking up at 8pm. OK SUPER BORING I KNOW!

SKiP

SkiP

At 1215am. I reached for my sony ericsson c902 trying to contact Cheehui, AKA BFF to ask her about some POA shit which I had copied, without knowing what it meant. Just as I was to look for her contact number to dial, I noticed numerous missed call and msgs piled up! I was surprised. It was a few persons' missed calls. Azan boasting a good record.

"That guy's vehicle must have broken down. I better call him back." I tot to myself.

*Ringtone* (Cecilia calling)

'Hello?'

'You ok not? Azan looking for you'

"Huh, Why? So many people looking for me all of a sudden. *secretly happy at being popular all of a sudden in the middle of the night* *insert WIDE GRIN* OKOK I'll call him back now."

*Ring Ring*

'Hello?'

'you ok not?' he asked.

'HUH? U called me to ask if I'm ok? I tot u needed help!"

It all began this afternoon when me and Azan headed home together. He in his car and me on bike. We somehow lost each other on the way when we were supposed to take the same route and he tried to contact me to no avail. It was only until now he tot of the worst. ( That something might have happened to me) After 12 hours. sounds absurd I know But still, shows he cares right? LOL That's when he frantically called me and created a stir when he called everyone else to ask about me. Cecilia, Mel, Minghui, Galvin, Arron.. WOO HOO~~Of course they tried to contact me ! =P

So nice and sweet, arnt they?

I was suddenly pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed with love. Albeit having no date on Valentine's. And staying at home alone in the middle of the night. I felt loved.
It then dawned on me. I really like them as well. =) Thanks Azan, Minghui, Mel and Cecilia. =D Happy Valentine's day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Do you believe in fortune telling?

The previous outings at Cin's place and Minghui's place were AWESome! Cin's place where we gambled and chatted.It was nice socialising with friendly strangers. I like that. Minghui's place where we played ping pong and mahjong! haha Alan, wilson, Sox,Manda and darran went also. shall skipped the losing money part. =(

It's valentine's day this saturday. Have you got your date? I'll be having msm class in the morning where all the pretty ladies will be dressed up to meet their date later that day. haha

By the way, there's this fortune teller at the atrium due to the event 'lovebite'. It appears that he is a very accurate fortune teller from Japan, according to the tons of newspaper clippings around his booth. You pay $15 and get to ask 2 questions. Be it love, career, studies, health, family.

What if you ask about love, and he tells you that u're destined to be alone forever? OMG
What if you ask about health and he tells you the exact day that u'll die?

I know alot people would rather not know which day they'll die. But I rather know. It'd be exciting that day I reckon. LOL

Saturday, February 7, 2009

25 random things

From Cheehui:

Once you’ve been tagged you have to write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. You have to tag the person who tagged you.
Note: have changed it to 25 haha. or 26.

1. I've had many injuries since young, including a minor head trauma when I hit the back of my head (which I suspect contributed to my faint childhood memories), a broken left arm, a cut near my right eye which required 12 stitches.

2.I've had a dog, turtles, terrapins and hamsters as pets. My dad brought home a bird and 2 rabbits which we turned away. We currently have 2 cats and fishes as pet

3.I've this weird habit of parking my car straight when I return home late. I'd get off the car, look at it from afar, then get back in the car to park it properly and repeat these steps until i get the car in the right place of the lot. Right place doesnt mean centre of the lot. There may be a van in front of the lot so I have to park my car slightly back, giving it allowance for maneuver. Same concept if there's a Lorry behind.

4.I was in chinese dance with Fan wenqing( Fann Wong's sister) back in primary school which I quit. I joined the chinese orchestra later in which I played the Er Hu and was a school team player for badminton, table tennis and mini tennis.

5.I actually wanted to be an animal trainer cos I love the dolphins and the sea creatures but I doubt I have the patience. See #25. But if given the chance, I'd try. I've held many different kind of jobs. Sales, food and beverages, you name it.

6.I was first in class in primary two and when I was in secondary four. Surprisingly.

7.I never passed my Arts. And I used to read alot. ( A late hobby picked up in the army) I miss and love reading

8.I was top in Home Economics (the one which u cook and sew).

9.I was a Lifesaver (commonly known as lifeguard) until my certifications expired. I have kayaking 1star,2star and open sea rescues certificates.

10.Sad to say, but happy to tell, I am a blue belt holder in Aikido.

11.Unfortunately for me, fortunately for everyone else, I don fancy any particular girl now.
I wish I could fancy someone. It'd be nice.

12.First drove a car when I was 13.

13.Started ironing my clothes myself when I was 13. Cooked the family meal for a couple of months when I was in primary school under the instructions of my mother through telephone for the first few times before I started cooking on my own.

14.I believe there's no real true or false, good or bad, normal or strange. Depending on the way you see things. Our perceptions determine if something is good or bad, which may be different from other's perspective. There are so many ways to see one thing! And because of this, my fren says I'm a politician. For giving politically right answers sometimes.

15. I SERIOUSLY don judge how my frens look. It's more of whether u're used to the person's look. They're faceless creatures to me as how they look don really concern me. I see their hearts. =)

16.I'm observant to things that don attract u. I think alot and I believe in quarreling constructively. So called constructive conflict in which through arguing, you splurt out theories and reasonings which you dono when you learnt from. But unfortunately, it is not easy.

17. I wish I have more time to spend with ALL my friends so i can know them better. My primary school friends especially, tho I have lost most contact despite them stayin jus a few blocks away. Its a shame. It'd be great to get together, talk about our intersting life stories/love stories.

18. I used to be afraid of girls when I was in secondary school til JC. I seriously believed in boy gal skinny skinny not clear..

19. I couldnt differentiate Malays from Indians until secondary 1 cos I've never interacted with them. All the kids in my primary school were ChINESE!

20.I started learning both riding and driving together, taking lessons concurrently which I eventually passed on first attempts

21. I have a 'not so good' sense of direction. I would not say it's poor. HAHAH!

22.I'm a good judge of people. But I'm trying my best not to judge anyone or assume anything.

23. I'm very easily contented and I have a soft spot for girls who can sa jiao. LOL

24.I'm impatient at times over little things and I hate boring routinised work which are repetitive and uncreative. It stupifys people and stifles creativity. ( I kinda don like the structured society/system/world build or set for us by previous humans or other people)

25. I have a super duper short attention span. I get bored easily. For example, I get bored after throwing the frisbee a couple of times. I can do short sprint and long runs. But after running for awhile, I would go on to do something else despite still being able to run. I fall asleep in ALL my classes.

26. An additional point. I thought of reliving my life.
I know precisely what I want and how I would live my life if I had the chance.

Next, I'd like to tag Cecilia, Iris, Alan, Sox and anyone else who is reading this. Just paste your link on the tagboard!

Ultimate Frisbee!!

It was such an ideal day to play frisbee. A windy and cloudy day. The 'media' team comprised of Nevile, Huiqing, Swee Shing, Iris, Alan, Derek, Adeline and me. We went out on the first round after 3 straight losses but nevertheless, they were good games in which we lost by margins. It was also a break from studies tho I already had my break yesterday when I went back to camp and skipping my lessons. The games were worth skipping my poa lesson.

After the game, I come to realise that I seriously love and need to play sports. I need to run and sweat other than swim and pant (something which I forgot I once loved). I need friends who play sports beside friends who just ogle at girls. ( I'm not pointing fingers but he's a malay and his name start with A. Good hint?) Sports make us look radiant and energetic. Cultivates people who are serious and passionate about their games. People without sports or their passoins, have nothing to look forward to. We're practically waiting to die. We need to insert excitement into our lives.

But then again, Sports are actually scheming games in which humans plot against each other. Call it 'intelligence in sports' if you want. But you're actually trying to 'kill' each other. For example in the game of badminton, you're either trying to 'trick' your opponent by faking him. Or 'Kill' him by smashing. But given human's competitive nature, it's good to have 'friendly games' to satisfy our desire for triumph (not the brand)

I'm thinking of joining the frisbee team
So maybe next year me and cheehui may join the team, right cheehui?