Party rock anthem

In an hour's time, the match which will determine who's going to the final Champions League play-off is going to start...EL CLASICO.



For the love of Messi, Villa and Guardiola, I hope it's Barca, even if it means they are going to meet beloved Manchester United in the final.

I love a good match.

Tonight it's Barca! Barca! Baaaaaaaaar-ca!


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As the world ends

Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life. (Buddha)


I hope there's a deeper meaning to this, Buds.
I dont think how I can miss the workplace right now.


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Everything is beautiful

I love you, Queen K!




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The One

Your call is getting stronger, my dear Queen. I cannot wait.



I'm the one...
Love me
Love me
Love me
Love me


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2,000 light years from home

I watched Rio and Thor on Sunday and they were good. Still, they did not move me as much as the flick I caught today - Duncan Jones' Source Code.



Damn it. This show is awesome..fantastic..beautiful. It made me cheer, weep (but then again, this is easy), fall into despair and ultimately, believe in second leases of life. Maybe I am exaggerating but damn it, I was really blown away.

Dear Jones, please continue to do what you are doing. Your previous offering - Moon is a mind-boggling favourite and if you can give me one more (just one more), I'll knight you as one of British new-age auteurs.

You can do it!


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Love Love Love

You're love's a permanent distraction
A perfect interaction
A feeling so extreme
I lost my appetite to eat
And I barely get to sleep
Cause you're even in my dreams
And I thought that I was strong
But I knew that all along
This was out of my control
So I fell into your hands
And I don't know where we'll land,
I'm just going with the flow

:)


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Dirty picture

By the way, after years of being camera-less (real camera...not one from a mobile phone or an mp3 player), I finally bought myself one. Courts was having some kind of sale and I just went in and bought something cheap.



Maybe I was just being paranoid but I felt the young salesgirl who was tending to me was kind of patronising. Sure, with only a $199 camera, how much commission can you get, right? But still...not everyone can afford a DSLR. In my case, not everyone wants a DSLR.

Okay..I do want it. If it's given to me free, that is. I had an SLR when I was 20 and it lasted me a good 4 years. However, I felt that I didnt make full use of it - too bulky to be brought out during Hari Raya, birthdays, outings, etc. In the end, memories were all snapped using my crappy phones.

Okay. Enough of being defensive. Ladies and gentlemen. I now have a proper camera to take pictures with. Best thing, it is small enough to be stored in my pocket.

Left pocket iTouch, right pocket camera, back pocket handphone.

P/S: If I can stuff my whole house in my pocket, I will.


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Telling the world

I didnt like Taio Cruz's voice until this.



...and for some reason, Rio made me cry.

Something is wrong with me.


P/S: THOR was good but I dont feel the hype.



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Go your own way

I feel apologetic towards the Mainland Chinese and Indians who are here on work and student permits. They have been dragged up left-right-centre during this election campaign...sometimes used as scapegoats.

I know many are here out of circumstances. I dont blame you. I just blame the government for not making your arrival smooth for us. Still, it's a democratic country and democracy breeds capitalism. At the end of the day, I know, it's all about the money.

This election is driving me bonkers. I do feel the PAP's strengths and I am very much aware of its achievements. Still, to have only 3 opposing voices in the current government (before dissolvement)is not a good thing. Sure, it is the minimum number in a democratic environment but we are not sure if these 3 voices are given enough "democratic" time - time to question, to oppose and to offer alternatives. We are not sure how strong are their voices during readings of bills. We are not sure how they are treated by the Party Whips and Leaders of the House. We are not sure if Abdullah Tarmugi had a neutral view towards them.

PAP have been with me for 31 years. The presence was felt when I first shook Lee Yock Suan's hand. He was an idol...my first Chinese hero. I knew him first before I knew Lee Kuan Yew. I grew up in a PAP system of meritocracy - where hard work was said to be rewarded. I worked hard but things didnt always fall in place. The system made me feel like a failure at the age of 12...failing to get into a top local school. I was sad throughout secondary school because I felt I missed out on a lot of things in life. I shouldnt feel that way, you know, but because of the education system, I felt so useless.

After diploma, I felt rejuvenated. I wanted to pursue my studies but then, I wasnt good enough for local universities. So I had to beg and borrow to pursue uni studies in Australia. My family wasnt rich but we felt that it was necessary for one of us to go away so that I could eke a better living upon graduation. My mom pawned whatever jewellery she had, my father borrowed heavily from his company. My father was a civil servant...I do appreciate govt's help but...on the other hand, they made money through interest. Bottomline is, PAP need to pay attention to the plight of the working class. I felt so helpless then.

I took politics as an elective in uni and from there I realised there were so many things wrong with our government but, I also found out that the problem was not just uniquely Singapore's, it was a global event.

Here comes my dilemma. After strong affiliation with PAP...only to fall out with it during my youth...I actually realised that it's not easy to please everyone. I began to see PAP's position. I studied the struggles and also the political history of democracy and found that democracy was expensive. I did a thesis on democracy being a farce and that, till today, had been my magnum opus.

If anyone were to be blame, I would blame the capitalists of the world but these capitalists were not chosen by us to make things right. We got our leaders and the least they could do was to stand up for us and make things less painful. Maybe the situation right now has been soothed by the government but we need to know that this is the best they can do and they have tried to make things ok. To me, all we need is a little transparency and some consideration for our feelings.

I can go on and on though I cannot guarantee it will all make sense. That's the problem when one is emotional. Some of these oppositions are good - they have good points and they have the residents' welfare in mind. Still, some use this election to incite hate. We dont want that. Ultimately, we want a cohesive parliament.

PAP, I thank you for your service. Your AUPE bursaries were something I looked forward to for 10 years of my life (primary and secondary). It did make me materialistic but...that's another story. I appreciate the lift you gave me and the fantastic AMK environment that you have created. My problem with you is that you have now grown arrogant. That's my beef with you.

And now...I must watch Arsenal versus Man United.

That's all.


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Don't stop

Am following the Nomination Day updates on TV and online - going to be late for work and even contemplating half day.

Almost all seats are contested except those from Tanjong Pagar GRC. Apparently SDA were late in their filing of nomination papers.

Are you dumb? You had the whole morning to do this. No, you had a week to think about this and yet, you screwed this up.

How can I expect you to lead my country?

Epic fail.


*facepalm*


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If you're happy and you know it

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Friday

It's Friday...Friday...got to get down on Friday.

*slaps*

It's the Good Friday-Easter weekend and I've decided to fly out of town to Phuket. It's my first time there so yeah...am kind of excited.

Any form of respite is always good.




I've crossed deserts for miles
Swam water for time
Searching places to find
A piece of something to call mine
(I'm coming, I'm coming)
A piece of something to call mine
(I'm coming, coming closer to you)

Ran along many moors
Walked through many doors
The place where I wanna be
Is the place I can call mine
(I'm coming, I'm coming)
Is the place I can call mine
(I'm coming, coming closer to you)

I'm moving, I'm coming
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear
Out of reach
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it calling you
I'm coming, not drowning
Swimming closer to you

Have a good weekend, peeps.


P/S: I am excited about the May 7 General Election!!!



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Where the wild roses grow

They call me The Wild Rose
But my name was Elisa Day
Why they call me it I do not know
For my name was Elisa Day

From the first day I saw her I knew she was the one
As she stared in my eyes and smiled
For her lips were the colour of the roses
They grew down the river, all bloody and wild

When he knocked on my door and entered the room
My trembling subsided in his sure embrace
He would be my first man, and with a careful hand
He wiped the tears that ran down my face

They call me The Wild Rose
But my name was Elisa Day
Why they call me it I do not know
For my name was Elisa Day

On the second day I brought her a flower
She was more beautiful than any woman I'd seen
I said, 'Do you know where the wild roses grow
So sweet and scarlet and free?'

On the second day he came with a single rose
Said: 'Will you give me your loss and your sorrow?'
I nodded my head, as I layed on the bed
He said, 'If I show you the roses will you follow?'

They call me The Wild Rose
But my name was Elisa Day
Why they call me it I do not know
For my name was Elisa Day

On the third day he took me to the river
He showed me the roses and we kissed
And the last thing I heard was a muttered word
As he stood smiling above me with a rock in his fist

On the last day I took her where the wild roses grow
And she lay on the bank, the wind light as a thief
As I kissed her goodbye, I said, 'All beauty must die'
And lent down and planted a rose between her teeth

They call me The Wild Rose
But my name was Elisa Day
Why they call me it I do not know
For my name was Elisa Day
For my name was Elisa Day

...

Pardon me. I am just feeling extremely melancholic.

Am I bipolar?

Hmmm.


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Put yourself in my place

I can't take this situation
It's making me feel so blue
One moment you walked into my life
And now you're saying that we're through

I hear that you're in love now
Baby, don't know what to say
I can't believe that I still feel this way
I hear that you're in love now
Baby, don't know what to say
But before you decide
You won't be mine
Put yourself in my place

You know something will come around
You're gonna put yourself
(Put yourself) in my place
When your lovers bring you down
And there no-one else around
You're gonna put yourself
(Put yourself) in my place

There's no rhyme or reason
That keeps me playing along
I guess, that I'll just keep on believing
Inside you love will
Know right from wrong

I hear that you're in love now
Baby, don't know what to say
I can't believe that I still feel this way
I hear that you're in love now
Baby, don't know what to say
But before you decide
You won't be mine
Put yourself in my place

You know something will come around
You're gonna put yourself
(Put yourself) in my place
When your lovers bring you down
And there no-one else around
You're gonna put yourself
(Put yourself) in my place

...

I was 14 and we were in love.

Haha.

I think.


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The lazy song

Finally, someone actually made a song about my post-30 adult life.



I cannot decide if I should bop my head or do a little jiggle.

Too lazy.



P/S: Still, I managed to watch 'Love And Other Pursuits' and 'Limitless' over the weekend. Those were the only reasons to get up (from slumber), get out (of bed) and err...get it on.

P/P/S: For some strange reasons, I ended up at Rupee Room on Friday (hey dont judge me). Then on Saturday, I got scratched on the face by a crazy ang moh lady down at Pump Room. What a poor girl to do!


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Moaning

Jazz has always been my go-to music and I am so jubilant with this rendition. Ecstatic. Orgasmic. It moved me to tears and then, sheer bliss. All within minutes. Awesomeness...and then some.



Did I say it's awesome?

It's awesome.



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He won't go

There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark
Finally, I can see you crystal clear
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare
See how I'll leave with every piece of you
Don't underestimate the things that I will do

There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark

The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feeling

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hand
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Baby, I have no story to be told
But I've heard one on you and I'm gonna make your head burn
Think of me in the depths of your despair
Make a home down there as mine sure won't be shared

The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feeling

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hand
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Could have had it all
Rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside of your hands
But you played it with a beating

Throw your soul through every open door
Count your blessings to find what you look for
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
You'll pay me back in kind and reap just what you've sown

We could have had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
It all, it all, it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Could have had it all
(You're gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands

But you played it
You played it
You played it
You played it to the beat


...

Thank you, Adele.

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Greatest man that ever lived

It's almost 0200hrs and I am up, waiting anxiously for the Champions' League quarter-finals return leg between Man United and Chelsea at Old Trafford. Happening at the same time will be Barcelona versus Shaktar Donesk. The second match saw Barca leading comfortably in the first leg. Man U managed to score one to Chelsea's goalless spell last week in Stamford Bridge.

As for tonight...
Am not gonna jinx it.
You can read it here.

Glory! Glory!

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April come she will

9th of April was the father's birthday and yesterday, he turned 60.

Wow..dah tua.

Anyway, I got him an MP3 player - Creative Zen X-Fi Style. Hope he likes it.

Happy birthday, big guy!




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April in Paris

...I wish.

It's 10 days into April and wow...my first this month. I am usually quite update-savvy with this blog but as you can see, 2011 has been slow here in blogosphere. It's not that I havent got much to say..au contraire, actually. It's just that these last few months, I havent even got time to even breathe properly sometimes.

Work used to be killing me softly but since the past few months, the slow road to a coroner's case file has been getting audible. Very audible.

I had an epiphany somewhere in February...one morning (must be around 3-4am) while I was on the verge of madness preparing for my Diploma and Uni classes...that if I were to continue to be in TooMuchCrap any longer, I would be a likely candidate for a heart attack and then I'd die in class. So yeah. That was it. From that day onwards, I began to look for a job like crazy.

Still the calls and responses were tepid. Back in January, I was offered a job at a publishing firm but I turned it down because (1) I wasnt feeling the location (@ MacPherson) and (2) I was actually excited to start my 2nd semester teaching students doing their degree with Hertfordshire. So yeah, I turned it down. Now...there's a little part of me which screams to me every day saying:

YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT!

But ah, I think it's not my destiny yet. So I'll just keep on searching.

That doesnt mean I am putting less effort in my teaching. Never, okay. I have never..wait..there were some days..so let me re-phrase this. I always try not to compromise my students' education. I may be sleepless for days or tired like crazy but when the powerpoint comes on the white screen, the stage, or rather, classroom is mine. I'll own it.


Word.

P/S: Am going Phuket for a short break this Good Friday.

P/P/S: Am going to Perth in June to see Ms Kylie Minogue AND for a slightly longer break in June. Maybe I wont come back. Perth is always my to-go place when I need to think. And I badly need to think.


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