Confidant

A friend confided to me about his problems. I am really glad to be able to share his burden.

Couldn't stop thinking about how I can help as a friend... and my conclusion is that i want to love him more... to show him how i truly appreciate him for who he is.

Sometimes, unhappy events happen to nice people... people whom we love and care for. However, we should not let that affect how we live and how we view life...

From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope he's happy and achieve more in life.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved"

"Out of every earth day, make a little bit of heaven!"

Pal, you'll never walk alone!!!

So much on my mind lately

There's so much things running through my mind lately...

get stressed up and emotional easily...

A good friend commented that i'm less happy these days...

hope things will be better soon.

Japan

Beautiful, interesting, clean, safe, friendly, polite... these are the words that pop up at the very thought of Japan...

Japan is a beautiful country. It is so interesting because it is so modern, yet it's also very traditional :d

I had a good trip. It's my first overseas trip with my sis and we both had lots of laughter and fun. My mum and aunt enjoyed themselves very much too... except maybe the food :D they missed the morning coffee and spicy food :D

It's really interesting to visit a country that speaks little English. You'll have no choice but to learn their language as much as possible. And it's so cool when Japanese started conversing with you in Japanese.. and suddenly, you'll feel like a local :D when i came back from Japan, i kept disturbing my friends with my few new Japanese terms... :p they got bored of me after a few days :p

We spent 7D5N in Japan... visited few places... started with Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama, Mt. Fuji area and back to Tokyo. I prefer Kyoto and the suburban areas. there's more to experience and less hectic too.

And wow.. the onsen, public baths... what an experience :D

you have no choice but to bathe naked in front of strangers. felt strange and weird on my first bath... but after that, hehe.. it felt normal :p and both feei (my sis) and myself were eagerly looking forward to more :p we woke up early (6am) just to "purify" and "beautify" ourselves :D

contrary to popular belief, there is no more unisex onsen... purely male onsen and female onsen... so sorry guys.. :p

On our last night in Japan, my mum, sis and myself roamed the Tokyo streets on our own... we decided to take the trains and "live" like japanese :D

I asked for directions from a Japanese guy and boy, he was cute.. hehe... smart looking with his suit and suitcase :D I was so naughty because i took quite a few minutes just to choose my "target respondent" :p and I'm glad I did... both mum and feei agreed to my choice :D

We took the train to Roppongi... a happening place, similar to Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong and KL's Bangsar... where office professionals spend time at clubs and restaurants after work. Hard Rock Cafe is located here and we get to experience the modern Japan...

I feel so blessed. It's never in my wildest dream that I get to visit Japan, more so when I'm still studying and not earning yet. Really thankful to my sis for such a big trip.

When i start working, I'll make sure I keep aside some savings for travelling... travelling really opens up my mind and heart!!! As the saying goes:

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page"

I must make sure I read as many pages as possible in this lifetime :p

Guess what, my mum is already suggesting a trip to Europe!!! I'll have to save up lots but definitely looking forward to that trip!!!

Long absence...

Hi there, I'm back. sorry for the long absence : )

It's been a while... time flies.. it really does!!!

I'm into the 4th week of my Yr 3, Sem 2... things have been crazy... I've not stopped working on schoolwork ever since the beginning of this sem. With thesis going on simultaneously, it's really taxing. I'm a fan of the movies... and guessed what, there are so many good movies playing right now and i haven't got the chance to watch them... Shrek 3, Ocean 13, Fantastic 4...

Despite the hectic days, I'm actually quite happy to be busy :p

Most people may think I'm out of my mind :p busy and happy? that's a weird equation!! :p but it's true... was having a short break in may but was feeling so useless & aimless. so when the new sem started, i was really thrilled and happy. still happy but a little tired now : ) and I'm cherishing every minute of my student life... it'll soon be over...

in the midst of reading a good book: "Like the Flowing River" by Paulo Coelho". it's an inspirational and spirit-lifting book... in its subtle ways... in times of loneliness and confusion, the stories in this book somehow was trying to tell me something and it did make me feel better... it's quite a meaningful book, especially for tired souls like us... give it a try : )

an initial plan has changed a little... i may consider working in KL after my graduation. will still apply for both KL and Spore, but my heart is pointing towards KL at this juncture... i agree with Raymond that no matter where we are, Msia is still home sweet home. and despite all the negativity surrounding our country, there is so much beauty in it for us to cherish. Msians are a cool lot!!! agree? : )

oh ya... am extremely lucky because my sis is bringing my mum and me to Japan for a holiday!!! this Sunday! Yes! Japan! we're coming!! God has been so kind to me these 3 years... holidays in HK, Yunnan and soon, Japan :D Japan... it's like a dream come true!!! i feel truly blessed...

it's 4.44am now and I'm still awake.. and i have a class at 8am!!! i am crazy... :p

it's gonna be another challenging week ahead... and to all my pals, hope your week ahead will be filled with sunshine, smiles and peace. i know life can be weary, but hang in there man!! the more challenges we face in life, the stronger we will become. it'll be a pity if there is no challenge in life, isn't it?

Raymond, this is especially for you :)

"Character cannot be developed in ease & quiet. Only through experience of trial & suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired & success achieved"

"Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

i know you're creating a forest right now :D

thank you everyone ... for everything : )

good night and sweet dreams :D

Friendships - treasures

It's been a while since I last blogged. Have been rather busy with assignments and co-curricular activities : )

Time really flies. It's the end of March and only 9 more months left before my graduation. I'm beginning to miss life being a student already. Gosh... I know it sounds a little crazy and emotional but I can't seem to find the explanation to this strange feeling of mine. Could it be because I am already aware of my decisions to return to Singapore to work that's making me sad? Most probably. I am afraid of losing the friendships due to the distance between us. Well, even though "Absence makes the heart grow fonder", absence can also make the distance grow further!! One thing's for sure, I'll miss the friendships that were built over these 3 years... and I'll cherish and treasure them very much.

Last night, 14 of us celebrated Sally and Desmond's birthday at SkyBar, 33rd Floor of Traders Hotel, KL. (the photo in this blog) The view was mesmerising and both the Twin Tower and KL Tower was just right in front of our eyes. The sky was so clear that we could see Genting Highlands from our seats. Can you imagine how marvellous that was! My friend commented that she cannot imagine such a fascinating place exists in KL... which I truly agree. It's like living in a dream... high up in the sky, looking out and down to such breathtaking scenery... life is beautiful, ain't it? Beautiful, stunning, breathtaking, magnificent, amazing, astonishing... that's SkyBar!!

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever"

My first visit to SkyBar was an invitation to a friend's surprise birthday party back in January. I was really impressed and amazed by its beauty. I really wanted to share this beautiful place with my loved ones and that's why i suggested to my classmates to have our celebration there. I wanted to give them all a big surprise... and it really did. They were charmed and mesmerised too!! And lots of picture taking till the memory is full (wow, it rhymes :p) I am so glad :d Sharing is truly happiness :d

"It is in giving that we receive"

My student life is truly enriched this semester because I was avidly supporting my friends in competitions organised by UTAR.

Firstly, it was a 3-on-3 Streetball Challenge at Balakong. Jessie and I were loyal supporters of YangChenLin, Joe Yee's team. They made it to the quarter finals :d They played well. And their sportsmanship made an impression on me. They were sporting ; )
Good sportsmanship beautifies their characters :d

The outcome of this event - fun, friendship, photos & a souvenir (XL t-shirt - now with YCL's signatures for remembrance :d - thanks to Chee Wei for giving me the souvenir :d)

Next comes the Basketball Competition. Last week, Jessie and I were supporting Joe Yee's team (Scotpine) at the competition. They made it to the quarter finals too. Great games guys! :d
During the semi-final & final matches , we were passionately supporting Sa Rang Hey Yo (Chee Wei's team). Both matches were excellent and we were shouting and cheering our hearts out!!! And yes, they won the championship. Well Done!

Outcome of this event - fun, more friendship, photos, memories :d

And the most recent event - yesterday afternoon - Scrabble Competition. Jon was the champion yet again :d Congratulations once again Jon, and WELL DONE! He was really good - competent, confident, sharp & serious in his games. Truly impressed as I stood and watch :d Even the lecturers complimented him. So proud of you pal! Keep it up!! :d

Not forgetting Esther, my lady champion. It's her first time joining the competition and she's won all the way to the finals. Congrats my friend and keep it up too :d You're good ; )

Interesting student life? Yeah... and I have 9 more months to enjoy it to the fullest... and I must!

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose" ; )

Angels

Recently, a good friend presented me an "Every Day Thoughts on Angels". Looking at it daily gives me inspiration and motivation to be an angel myself... to be good to people around me... to bring happiness and cheer :)

She told me this one reminded her of me...

March 4

Some angels wear wings of silken white

And golden robes so grand.

Some walk the earth in blue jeans

And lend a helping hand.

She made my day :d

And, this is dedicated to you, my friends :

March 11

When the road of life makes you weary of walking,
remember your wings.

Last day of CNY 2007

Happy Chap Goh Meh!!!

Time flies... here goes 2007's CNY... can still hear and see fireworks and firecrackers being lit up in Sg. Long... enjoying the sounds and sights... there's bound to be some surprises every CNY... this CNY have been a rather quiet one... though my home is surrounded by family members, somehow, the atmosphere is rather different as compared to the previous years...

Rained heavily today... so nice to sit at my desk and looking out the window... seeing the water splashing against my window... rain's a blessing when you're dry and comfortable indoor... but rain somehow brings a rather low and lonely feeling... calm but blue...

Would like to apologise if i'm beginning to sound boring...