Sunday, July 31, 2005

Explorer


Matt doing some deep exploration in Aarhus.
Been in Copenhagen for the past 3 days. Have yet to upload the photos onto my comp.
Think the big city is not for holidaying with the family. I think I would enjoy Copenhagen with friends or with Matt only.
In a way my parents are driving me bonkus. Doesn't help that its been raining the past 2 days.
Hope tomorrow will be better. Can't wait for them to leave and for me to get back to Aarhus...

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Whats on the other side?


One of the rare moments matt was awake on the flight to Copenhagen.
I like this picture, it sorta symbolises my feelings then. I was heading into the unknown. What was I to expect in Denmark?
Uncertainty.
What is on the other side? How will life be in Denmark? Are the Danes friendly? Will I have a language problem?
When you quarrel with your love ones, suddenly all the problems seem amplified. Even the weather seems to be much more colder than what it actually is... Why can't the one you love be more understanding? When everything is unsettled, they in their settled life expect you to conform to their routine, to their life. It does seem colder now. Perhaps they should try looking out to see what's beyond the horizon. Hopefully they might see the same thing that I do...

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Farewell! -- Dday

Bye bye people, blogging from the SIA lounge so no pictures this time. Just a somber farewell entry. Will miss you all. Especially those very near and dear.
To the gang! Thanks for coming! Love ya all... I did almost cry just now
To Swinddle LLC! Thanks for the gifts and the farewell!
To YouKnowWho.... will miss you so so much...
To Winston&Charmaine... I just shed a tear for both of you EACH, as agreed.
To all my other great pals!Thanks! will chug a carlsberg on your behalves...
Goodbye Singapore! Hullo Aarhus!

Monday, July 25, 2005

Thanks!!!! -- D+1


Just wanna say a BIG THANK YOU to Pearlyn for the very thoughtful farewell present!
I'm sure the pillowcase will remind me to study hard in Denmark... hohoho
Wanna also say thanks to the rest who have got me farewell presents too!
Wanna also say thanks in advance to the remaining few who have yet to get me a present but will be doing so tomorrow and meeting me at the airport to pass it to me...
To show my gratitude I'm gonna give you my flight no. so you all can go buy 4D
Flying flight SQ 352, suggested buys would be 0352 & 2530. Since my flight time is 0100 and I'm flying on 260705 you can try 2675 or 0100/ 1000 or 3521. Of course if you do strike, it is common practice/courtesy to give me a 40% share of the winnings....

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Halo -- D+2


Beautiful photo taken by an equally beautiful photographer...
3 Days to go... well actually more like 2... I'm begining to feel edgy...

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Ubi Amor Ibi Fides -- D+3

Love, such a simple word that often seems adequate and inadequate at the same time.
The word Love is hardly descriptive. Yet it can convey so much.
In Latin Love is not just Love... Love is Agape (unconditional), Amor (romantic love), Caritas (caring love)...

Love is patient and kind,
Love is not jealous or conceited or proud,
Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable,
Lovedoes not keep a record of wrongs,
Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth,
Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.
Love is eternal...
- 1 Corinthians 13 4-8

Adam Smith once said that to him, an important factor that distinguished man from beast is man's ability to put himself in the position of another person... It is quirky that a man of economics could be so true about love...

A sappy love movie once tried to sum up love in its theme " the greatest thing in life is to love and to be loved in return" In my opinion I think they're pretty warm but not spot on. I think the greatest thing in life is to love and to be loved in return... with the same kind of love...

Friday, July 22, 2005

Garden Angel -- D+4


Spent the day packing and visting the Carmalite Monastary... It was so peaceful and quiet.
Peace and quiet is always good after a hectic 1 1/2 days of packing.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Exit -- D+6


Photo was taken at the ACM. I think in a way it sort of relfects my current state of mind.
No way out but there's always an exit, albeit an emergency exit.
Its too late to pull out of exchange now, well not that I want to anyway, but there is always an emergency exit. Nothing is set in stone unless we deem it so. Theres always a way out. It just depends on what form the exit might take.
Probably brainwashed by Mom who comes into my room every morning to conduct the same old conversation with me
Mom: Boy, are you all prepared? When are you going to stat packing? (worried look)
Me: Yeah prepared, gonna pack tomorrow.... (half asleep)
Mom: Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow.... (anxious, irritated, worried)
Me: Yup don't worry I will pack TOMORROW (its only a day away)
Mom: Are you sure you want to go? You don't seem prepared...Will you be sad? You don't have to go if you don't want to. (SAD)
Me: HUH!? I want to go... besides the air ticket and all have been bought liao.... its too late to turn back. (Irritated)
Mom: No... can always treat it as a holiday, just go until NUS starts then... You can always tell the Danish university some excuse for pulling out... Financial woes or personal problems... (Anxious, excited, agitated, carried away)
Me: MOMMMMMM!!!! (wails) I want to go! Yes I will miss you BUT its only for less than a year!! (Exasperated)
Hard to belive that this has been happening every bloody morning eh...

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Literati -- D+7


Checked out the Asian Civilisations Museum this afternoon. Must say that I was pretty impressed not just by the Vatican Exhibition but the other exhibits too. Not bad... Not bad Singapore, I dare say we are one step closer to being a world class tourist attraction. =)

7788 -- D+7


Presenting 7788!! The latest boy band to top the charts, loads better than 5566 not only numerically but it terms of style, substance and looks OF COURSE.
I'll miss the gang...

Monday, July 18, 2005

Ignorance -- D+8


See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
The weekend was spent drinking, eating and being merry...
This was taken at the farewell party that Meg & Ed threw for me. Thanks Guys!
It is always hard to tell the difference between innocence and ignorance.
Few say what they mean and few mean what they say.
Some choose to see the best in people and some just choose to see the rest. I think I clearly fall into the latter category.

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Special Hungry Man


I have been diagnosed by Dr WJ with a rare disease, EsurioGravis, commonly called hungry man syndrome. haha It is a very costly disesase (buffets and good food are not cheap). Am very tempted to solicit for donations but after the whole NKF saga, I think I cannot afford to run the risk of having to pay a humongous amount of SinghDollars in damages and cost... hahahaha Guess I'll just have to rely on free treatment from the ultra altruistic Dr WJ and of course handouts from the PaPaMaMa Bank, Big, Strong & Friendly, what an appropriate motto.
Symptoms of EsurioGravis:
For the past two weeks I have been stuffing myself not stop with all sorts of yummy food. Today of course was no exception. I downed 2 big bowls of creme durian, 13 Oysters, 8 Scallops, probably 4 Crayfish and an assortment of desserts... plus a sample of the other dishes that were on the buffet table. I think I'm gonna produce enough gas to power some small Carribean nation. I'm sure my blanket will be floating like a magic carpet the whole night hahaha

Friday, July 15, 2005

Morning Drive


Early morning drive... with man's best friend.

Kopi Kopi


Met up with the SM of NUS Motoring Club for Changi Nasi Lemak and Kopi. In case you're wondering, SM stands for Senior Minister and not Sado Masochist. Senior Minister because he was the previous president of the Motoring Club. Yup the tiddling twit who emotionally blackmailed me into taking up the presidency. Anyhow, sorry to disappoint you, but as you should have noticed by now, this post will not be about Sado Masochistic adventures with coffee or any other hot liquids/semi liquids, wax included.
After sweating it out at changi village over nasi lemak we headed down to Tampines mall for some traditional kopi in modern air conditioned comfort. The setting may have been ultra modern and the kopi somewhat less traditional but the conversation was 100% authentic old school coffeeshop talk. No topic was left untouched, everything was fair game, including FamiLee matters, the gahmen, cost of living, NKF and how the recent saga turned out to be more entertaining than any of the bloody charity shows they've staged...
Ahhh, the simple pleasures of talking cock. No wonder its our national pastime...

Thursday, July 14, 2005

The Reader


It is rare that two people share the same thought at the same moment.
Execution by me, Creative Input by WJ.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Old School


Nothing beats the look and feel of good ole fashion film...

Padi Fields Forever


How long will the terraced padi fields be there?
Do the rules of economics provide for sentimentalism and tradition?
As much as this picture appears to be timeless, easily fitting into any period from the begining of terraced rice cultivation up to now, it reminds me that Change is the only constant. It won't be long before a hotel, resort, housing project covers this plot of land.
Now I know why anti globalisation protestors are always royally pissed off by MNCs. It would pain me to see this field covered with cement. It is easy for us Singaporeans to not feel for the land we live on. After all we were all born into a concrete jungle.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Outside Looking In


Its all a matter of perspectives...
Are you the static display? Or the moving display?

Monday, July 11, 2005

Hubris


Hubris, according to the Greeks, was the sin of defying the gods, and could unleash against you the terrifying avenging figure of the goddess Nemesis, who carried in one hand an apple-bough and, in the other, the Wheel of Fortune, which would one day circle around to the inevitable moment of vengence....
In the years to come you will find yourselves up against gods of all sorts, big and little gods, corporate and incorporeal gods, all of them demanding to be worshiped and obeyed- the myriad deities of money and power, of convention and custom, that will seek to limit and control your thoughts and lives..
Defy them. Thumb your noses. For as the myths tell us, it is by defying the gods that human beings have best expressed their humanity.
The greeks tell many stories of quarrels between us and the gods.
Arachane, the great artist of the loom, sets her skills of weaving and embroidery against those of the goddess of wisdom herself, Minerva or Pallas Athena. For this, the goddess changes her mortal rival into a spider...
Queen Niobe of Thebes tells her people not to worship Latona, the mother of Diana and Apollo, saying " what folly is this! - To prefer beings whom you never saw to those who stand before your eyes" For this sentiment, the gods murder her children and husband and she metamorphoses into a rock, petrified with grief from which there trickles an unending river of tears.
Prometheus the Titan steals fire from the gods and gives it to mankind. For this - for what we would now call the desire for progress, for improved scientific and technological capabilities- he is bound to a pillar while a great bird gnaws eternally at his liver, which regenerates as it is consumed.
It is men and women who have made the world, and they have made it in spite of the gods. The message of the myths is not the one the gods would have us learn - "behave yourself and know your place" - but its exact opposite. It is that we must be guided by our natures. Our worst natures can, it's true be arrogant, venal, corrupt or selfish; but in our best selves, we can and will be joyous, adventurous, cheeky, creative , demanding, competitive, loving and defiant.
Do not bow your heads. Do not know your place. Defy the gods. You will be astonished how many of them turn out to have feet of clay...
- Salman Rushdie.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Sunset


I'm seeing a tunnel at the end of all these lights
Sunny days, where have you gone?
- Tanah Lot Temple, Bali

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Lomo+


Scanned the latest lomo pictures in last nite.
I realised that you cannot Scan, Print and Download photos all from one USB source simultaneously.
I like this photo, a bona fide lomo coloursplash shot.

(copy&paste into your browser, given up on fixing the hyperlink. Besides, its about time you exercise those chubby fingers!)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/traffickjem/album?.dir=/ada0&.src=ph&.tok=phLdeRDB.YwPVmQW

Friday, July 08, 2005

BALInBACK


Back from Bali, after 4 days of indulgence and relaxation...
Back to the hustle and bustle of our city state. Back to the anxiety and hassle of exchange.
Surfs up, game over, clear the court.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

BaliBound


Bali Bound~~~~~ Seeya in 4 days!

Smile


A smile to brighten up my day....

Monday, July 04, 2005

Ready To Go?


As the time draws closer I seem to feel less excited and a bit more heavy hearted...
I know I'm gonna have a helluva time over there BUT I also know that I'm leaving alot behind...
Oh well... from the picture it seems like I'm all set to go... Rightfully so. I've got everything that I would ever need, materially. But sometimes that is just not enough is it?

Happy Fourth of July to any Gringo who has chanced upon this blog...
Happy Birthday Matt! Hope he passes his driving test.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Manny


Trying out my new manfrotto tripod, affectionally christened Manny.
I say its $200 well spent...

Soap


Trying out my new tripod.
I just love the old school brown paper wrapper on this bar of soap...
Got this from the Four Seasons Shanghai...
Oh and it smells good too...

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Fellow Horticultural Enthusiast


My fellow Enthusiast and I. I am lucky enough to have my shirt on because it was spared the drunk's regurgitation. Me and my nice gardening gloves and my trusty watering can in the background. A fine photo, it really brings out the full extent of the drunk. It also shows me paying extra attention when watering around the root or the crack.... making sure that the water gets all the way in... hahaha

Horticulturist


A man of many talents... putting my gardening skills to use. Here, you see me watering a species of plant commonly called the drunk, DrunkusGravis . The drunk is capable of self fertalisation, in the form of ingesting and regurgitating whatever it has ingested on itself. A very easy plant to maintain, just simply water, and watch it grow grow grow.
The moral of the story, is that if you do intend to get drunk and puke all over yourself, don't keep the garden hose in the storeroom. Washing down with a watering can may be water efficient but its a bit of a chore.

Drinking Duel


Never say never. This photo is the result of uttering the phrase that has been the downfall of many men. More disastrous than the forbidden fruit, more deadly than a venemous cobra, Yes! It is the infamous line "I'll never get drunk". You'll hear it being broadcasted loudly across most dance floors at any pub or club, or being announced smugly at a bar. The setting or context might be different but the end result will always be the same. Well here's Mr LZL on his farewell party at Zouk on Weds. 5 jugs down and it is clear who the victor is... unless you constitute lying half naked in a pool of your own puke as victory. Well if you do, you're a sad fella/gal indeed.