hiii. After months of group rehearsals for our first ever music concert as a separate music academy, the performance is finally over! It was alright I guess. I'd felt goosebumps when we sang the songs during the rehearsals, but felt kinda well, bored :P, on stage coz from where I was, it didn't even sound like one united voice as it did in the practice sessions. But apparently it sounded good from the audience. Anyway, I'm writing all this coz.. during these 4-5 months, I was definitely whining to everyone about the erratic timings, waiting for ages for the class to start, using up my individual classes for group classes, etc. And this morning, I was all set to start off my usual classes again, now that the programme's over. But my teacher told me to call the rest of the group too. And all of us were like ??! what on earth man. We've spent SO much time on practice already, what now, the next programme for sept? Or some competition?? And all my teacher said was that she wanted to congratulate all of us, in person, as feedback from the audience said that our group rocked the show! That's so awesome to hear (and nothing new :P) but still, I finally put my feet in teacher's chappals and realised how much effort she's put into this - choosing songs, writing out the words and notations, calling everyone for classes and organizing everything. And how much she wanted it to be a success. And all I did was grumble about the fact that I was wasting all my weekends on just classes and rehearsals. Sigh. Majorly guilt-ridden now. And today also I snapped at everyone for no reason coz I thought dammit one more class gone, when all she wanted to do was personally talk to us about the show. Siiiiigh. Sorry, to all victims.

Anyway, another thing that happened was. Last week, I went to office and saw an email that "Yesterday was xxx's last day of service" and that he was terminated due to poor responsibility, etc. I was really shocked man. This guy joined on the same day as me, and we both had absolutely no experience in this line. So we learnt everything together and in a way he was the first friend I made in this job. And I'd just seen him that afternoon and asked what he was doing at the site. He was obviously completely clueless about the firing. And what a shock he must've got when he returned to office and was told to pack up. omg. So I just had to ask the HR person what happened and she told me he didn't fit in there. So that's it. One evening he goes back to office, and in the snap of a finger, jobless. SO awful :( And I went home super emo and spoke to my parents and appa said "welcome to the working world, my dear girl". That about sums it up.

I just got a letter from SDU. Nonsense. And they're such sneaky buggers. If you don't reply, they'll assume you're in! I was gonna dump this letter till I saw some ominous stuff typed in boldface. Beware you guys.

Since I am vetti, and vidhu tagged me:

1. What do you do if you are in the bathroom with a beetle flying around?
OMG. Worst nightmare. Depends on the size of beetle. If small, I'll spray water on it and hope it DIES. If large, I'll finish up asap and run out, locking it inside and getting someone to take care of it (i.e. KILL IT!)

2. What do you do if you hear a song you like playing on the radio when you are all alone in the room?
No brainer. Sing it super loudly and dance weirdly, coz that's just how I dance.

3. You want to speak to your crush badly. What is your line?
hiiii! So OMG I watched (insert movie name that he likes, here) yday and WOW it was so (insert appropriate adjective)!! Have you seen it yet!! (knowing that he has)
hehehe.

4. What do you do if all your friends hate a particular band that you love?
Ya I don't think anyone likes boybands so much anymore right :P too bad! It's not like I discuss music that much nowadays anyway..

5. What do you do when you trip and fall in front of many people?
Laugh like a crack.

6. You forgot to do your multiple-choice question homework and your class starts in 5 minutes. What do you do?
Copy! Tho actually this is N.A. now sigh.

7. You have bad breath and someone speaks to you. How do you react?
Pretend to scratch my nose/chin while talking to kinda cover my mouth.

8. You just finished gym and after a shower, you drop your underpants on the wet floor. What do you do?
Uh I think I just won't wear it :P

9. What do you do if a personality quiz says that you have a lousy personality as your result?
Who believes these anyway?!

10. Your friend gave you the worst gift you have ever received and asks: Do you like it? How do you react?
"Aww thanks for the gift! Really nice of you :)" which is fake, but what to do. Unless it's someone who knows that I don't like it and still got it, in which case I'll go "what were u thinking man?!"

11. (Continued from question 10) What are you really thinking secretly inside?
How can I use this thing?/Who in my family likes junk like this whom I could give it to?

12. A hot guy/girl keeps looking at you while you are on the bus. What are you secretly thinking inside?
Hot guy: YESSS he's totally checking me out! *furtive glances back to see if he's still looking*
Hot girl: yeah fine I'm not as stylo as her but hmph whatever, she looks dumb.

13. Your crush and you are eating dinner together, the food you've ordered came first, you do not want him or her to look at you eating while his or her food hasn't come. What will you do?
Wait till his food comes! Or share.

14. You are alone in your house and you realized that there is a burglar. What do you do?
Call the police and get some 'weapon' from whichever part of the house I am in, and stay within keeping-an-eye-on-him/her-distance.

15.What do you do when your best friend had just spoilt your favourite one and only camera with all the important photos you cherished inside?
I'll get REALLY REALLY upset.

17. What do you do if you break your friend's favourite vase but he or she didn't see it?
(hahaha vidhu, "Who the hell has a favourite vase?" is so right!) I'll tell him/her and offer to get a new one.

18.You were told to buy carrots by your mother, but you forgot it and went back home with garlic. How will you explain to your mother?
OMG this kinda stuff always happens! :P I'll get the necessary scolding, then run back to get the carrots. But then usually amma never trusts me with veggie shopping so we go together hehe.

19. What do you do when you see a cat chasing a mouse?
Walk/run the other direction. Unless they're really far away from me, in which case I'll watch to see if the cat caught the mouse coz I love watching sports.

20. You missed your favourite TV show and it was the season finale. What do you do?
Get teenu to download it for me :P

21. There is a crash (isn't this s'posed to be clash?) in your schedule, one is your friend's wedding, the other is your another friend's last day of funeral. What will you do?
This is awful. Go for the wedding, coz I'd have already given condolences. (tho I HOPE TO GOD THIS NEVER HAPPENS.)

End of vettiness! Time to watch Scrubs. byeee.

CONGRATS ahem Mrs Tan!! :D :D you gotta start getting used to the name ;) hearing the story from you in person made it all the more nicer and sweeter and exciting and romantic and aaah I'm so SO happy for you! :) :) :) can't wait to help with the planning with the other 2 hehehehe.

My close friend of over 7 years is now engaged! :D woooooo! Wonder who'll be next heh. ahem ahem estee lauder!

archana is speechless :)

in the best way possible.

I finally got this weekend off, other than art class tomorrow. So managed to do lots of stuff I haven't been able to, like clearing up my room (that's an ongoing process!) and slacking like mad. Best part was sleeping in on sat morning after a looong time. So I turned on the AC on fri and closed the doors and streamed a chickflick to watch. New In Town. Some lame Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr movie. Totally fit the chickflick category tho I didn't rly feel my usual mushiness after it. Instead I felt myself majorly reminiscing about Canada. Coz this movie was taken in Minnesota (but I think filmed in parts of Canada) during the winter, and Renee Z was wearing the SAME jacket that I did when I was there! Except for the colour. And all the scenes were just soo familiar! Snow looks pretty much the same everywhere in N. America I think heh. Aaah must meet up with the gang soon to talk about how life was! And maybe I'll call my old landlord and see if he remembers me hehe.

Anyway here's my photoblog from back then: http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com
I'm quite proud of it :P

And some of the more wintry shots!
1. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/01/fireplace-hailin-me.html
2. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/01/coldest-part-of-falls.html
3. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/02/hailin-margaret-artemis-and-me-just.html
4. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/02/at-chicopee-ski-resort.html
5. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/02/on-street-where-i-live.html
6. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/03/making-snowman-with-yanjun_02.html
7. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/03/yj-and-i-at-toboggan-slopes.html
8. http://welcometowinterinwaterloo.blogspot.com/2007/03/donald-taught-us-ice-hockey-its-not-as.html

That's just a tiny percentage of the total number of pics :P But I just read thru the whole 3-4 mths of posts. I miss the Canadian experience! Can't wait to go back there in the future :)

One of the rare songs where I actually listened to the lyrics more than the music! I find most of it really true.

Affirmation.

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do

I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold

I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your own happiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse tv evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye(Repeat 2)

I woke up this morning with a sense of inspiration, and a burst of energy. Haven't felt that in a while. But somehow, I just knew that the rest of the day, maybe even week would go well. Could be coz of my niiice night-dreams :P But whatever it was, I loved it. Actually before sleeping, I'd written out a whole blog entry in my head, and forgot most of it when I woke up. Let's see what I can remember.

Basically, I was thinking about life. Not the first time, I've had these deep reflections about life over the last year, when I had time on my hands. It's really not that long. And after 60, it's tougher to do things which you could've done earlier. And I do not want that sense of regret. There's nothing that can be done to reverse it, and the regret will just stick on for the rest of life. So in the next 10-15 years, what I consider the prime age, I want to do as much as I can. There's just so much to see, to learn, to experience. The world is enormous, and cultural diversity is really vast. I guess it would be crazy to want to experience every single thing before life ends, but that's my goal! Travelling's just part of it. Trying different cuisines (drawing the line at non-veg!!), different activities, and even changing routines and doing different things everyday - it's impossible to say that life is boring. In fact, I get really confused when people say they're bored with life. How the heck is that possible?! And I also realised how sucky my general knowledge is heh. So decided to take more interest in things going on around the world (NOT people's gossip. Ok maybe sometimes :P)

There was a movie, The Bucket List, which we watched last April, towards the end of my term. It suddenly came to mind last night. And maybe I should start writing one now. It's never too early right. The definition still stands - Things you wanna do before you die.

Definitely work and family will make it challenging to achieve all of this. So first step would be to really LIVE each day. Quit complaining about things which aren't even that bad, and love life so much that everyday will be a great experience! It'll be great don't you think! There's a silver lining in every single job. At least in mine, I appreciate how there are constantly new projects to be done. And I enjoy interacting with everyone at work. That makes me really look forward to each day! At this point. And there's always something awesome during the week to look forward to even more :D

I think the other thing I was thinking about was how I feel more mature now. I actually feel it. Ok I'm still childish in tonnes of ways and can talk to younger people with much more ease than older ones heh. But my outlook's changed. Not overnight.. it's been like this over the last year maybe? When I had all that reflection time heh. There are things I would/wouldn't do now which even last year I wouldn't/would. And thinking more with my head than my heart, thereby reducing the number of idiotic things done :P I guess it ties in with the whole loving life thing. I've opened my eyes.

Lately, we have been taking our temperature for the pandemic flu thing. And I'm only around 36.2 deg C now. Compared to 37.4 deg C around JC (SARS time in 2003). Sigh I'm getting less hot :(

Had dinner at Fig Olive, Vivocity today. Food was pretty decent! We bought ourselves a Bruschetta (4 pieces), Egg Sandwich (4 pieces), Aglio Olio and some Oven-Baked Potato with Cheese thing. Shared all of it among the 3 of us and it came to only $9 per head! With a 10% discount with NETS. The pasta was good. Potato was unbelievably filling coz it was JUST potato and hardly any capsicum. I couldn't walk much after that. The sandwich had good portions too! So overall, decent place with decent service and good atmosphere!

I also tried out this thing from P.Osh at Dhoby Xchange. Cookie nibbles. The smell of the shop was simply tantalizing. Omg. The CHOCOLATE. AARGH OH chocolate I hate you but I love you what do I do with you!!! So I bought the thing with the tiniest bit of choc and it was yummy! The brownie cakes were in high demand and seriously I have to try it some time when I don't have a busy week and won't need to show my face to people. sigh. Decent prices too! Highly recommended!

And no, I'm not making this into a food blog. But I wanna document interesting finds for future usage heh.

really lame meme found on fb :D


01. Who was your last text from?
the loosu paiyan.

02. Where was your default picture (fb) taken?
Marche at Vivo

03. Your relationship status?
Sooper :D

04. Have you ever lost a close friend
Not in the extreme sense, thankfully.

05. What is your current mood?
High-ish hehe.

06. How many siblings do you have?
1

07. Whats your brother(s)/sister(s) names?
Abhishek

08. Where do you wish you were right now?
London, with avan preferably, after listening to my dad's stories about it. But yeah right :P

09. Have a crazy side?
nahhhhh :D

10. Ever had a near death experience?
I guess, yes. The '97 bomb blast thingy.

11. Something you do a lot?
Daydream :D

12. Angry at anyone?
Definitely not :)

13. What's stopping you from going for the person you like?
He's probably in Hollywood, shooting for some movie siiiigh. Distance is a bit of a problem heehee. (HUGH AAH)

14. When was the last time you cried?
March end I think heh.

15. Is there anyone you would do anything for?
If justified, then yes, anyone.

16. What you think about when you are falling asleep?
What is my plan for tomor...zzzz.

17. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
The mother.

18. What is your favorite song?
Rubbish qn. I've got TONNES. But today I've been singing Just Dance by Lady Gaga a LOT. And I've had an urge to listen to Apologize so I guess that's my fave right now.

19. What are you doing right now?
Totally slacking my weekend away, half-watching Man U on TV, waiting for dinner, daydreaming majorly..

20. Who do you trust right now?
Many people. Parents, the loosu paiyan n bro, and all the close pals :)

21. Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?
My Rubber Duckie Ernie tshirt was bought by my mum when I was in pri school :D or maybe lower sec. dunno where and all..

22. Have you kissed someone in the past week?
Irrelevant.

23. Who is your friend that lives closest to you?
neeloose! and divi! Ok well there are people whom I know who live in my block but I'm not too close to them (no pun intended hehe).

24. Describe your life in one word?
Balanced.

25. Who are you thinking of right now?
Lady Gaga aaaaaargh dumb song is stuck in my head :x

26. What should you be doing right now?
Watching Gilmore Girls.

27. What are you listening to?
The Man U-Middlesbrough match commentary. Well I'm not really listening to it, I can just hear it in the background. I keep forgetting to turn on music while using the comp! omg!

28. Who was the last person who gave you a hug?
Dad.

29. Who was the last person who yelled at you?
I don't think I've been yelled at in a while.. Scolded's a different issue of course :P

30. Do you act differently around the person you like?
Do I?

31. What is your natural hair color?
Black.

32. Who was the last person to make you laugh?
The bro.

33. Who was the last person to make you sad?
Paatu teacher :P

34. What do you hear?
Man U commentary, mum frying something delicious :D

35. Is your hair curly or straight?
Straight-ish.

36. Has anyone ever called you "scrumptious" before?
No. hmph. :P

37. Do you have a best friend?
Quite a few :)

38. Held hands with the opposite sex in the past 3 days?
Irrelevant. (fine. that's such a giveaway answer :P)

39. Do you use smiley faces on the computer?
omg tonnes! I think most of my answers here are succeeded with them hehe.

40. Have you ever changed clothes in a vehicle?
Yup, when I was a kid I think. I hope.

41. Are you happy with life right now?
Very much :)

42. Are you currently jealous?
Nope.

43. What jewelry are you currently wearing?
Nothing. Not big on jewelry.

44. What will you be doing on friday night?
Sleeping of course! 0:-)

45. Have you ever had your heart broken?
At that time I thought yes, but on retrospect, definitely no.

46. Have you ever broken someone's heart?
I hope not :( I seriously doubt it anyway hehe. Oh wait, maybe. Nothing major heh.

47. Is there anybody you're really disappointed in right now?
Nope!

48. What was the last reason you went to the doctor for?
To watch a movie with him heheheheheh.

49. How late did you stay up last night and why?
1.30am :P Gave the excuse that my dinner hadn't digested yet, but actually, no real reason other than wasting time online :P

50. Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
:) :)

--------------------

Obviously I'm not tagging anyone to do this. Total waste of time but I feel TOTALLY slack-fied so this was perfect :P

CONGRATULATIONS!!! SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL!!! :D :D :D

hii. Teenu joined the army earlier today. We all took a day off from work to go see him off at Pulau Tekong. It was in the afternoon, and he didn't know a single person enlisting with him! Surprising. They split us up from him at the beginning itself, and took us on a tour of the camp, to see the bunks and the canteen and stuff. It looks decent, but I dunno how much is just for show. I mean they even have mosquito nets n all for each bed! And he's lucky enough to have gotten the newer camp which was just renovated end 2007, so it's nice and big compared to the usual one. Apparently the bathrooms have doors here but we will only know when he tells us on 29th when he returns. We got to taste the food as well. There's Indian veg food, it was decent. But teenu claims that it'll be much crappier and this is also just for show. So basically he's gonna toughen up. There was an oath-reciting ceremony which was for us to watch, and them to bark, and I felt something - no idea what the feeling is, but just watching all those lil boys as a united group, pledging to serve the country made me feel.. something (my vocab sucks :P)

I would say the worst part for me was at the end of the tour, when they got all the enlistees to queue up at the parade square with their bags, and asked us to stand behind the railings and watch them march off to their camp. Some of the kids just walked stony-faced, afraid to say bye. Some guys waved madly at their families. Teenu looked up at us and mustered up a smile, but aah that made me feel so sad! All heart-wrenching and choked-up-throat-ish. sigh. The house is so much quieter now and all the junk food he bought is lying untouched, sports channels are untouched and the comp is in amma's hands ALL the time. Things are so different! I'm sure we'll all get used to it soon enough but till then, gah.

btw, I miss you x 6.02E23. ♥

I had my FIRST relief teaching experience today. Got a call yesterday and thought
1. I could either slack the whole of today and prepare for my internship starting tomorrow, or
2. Take up this relief teaching stint which I've wanted to for so long, as I don't know when I'll get the opportunity again.

I'm really glad I chose the second one. It gave me an insight to the teaching world, and in this confused state that I am, it helped me make a few decisions. Definitely today's thing is not how an actual day would be as I was absolutely clueless on what to do, and rules and stuff. If I had a class, I'd have a few methods of teaching and all I guess, but obviously couldn't do all that in just one day. So well, the scolding them part was actually better today as compared to the Art Outreach thing, but maybe that's what slightly put me off at this point. I just feel that a teacher would have to constantly be stern and not be all smiley and fun coz that's it, they'll just majorly take advantage of you! And I don't know if I want to be like that coz I generally don't like scolding people :P But I'm not completely ruling it out. I just know that at this point, I will pursue an office job, and then maybe after a few years or more, see how things go! Let's first see how tomorrow goes :)