Friday, July 29, 2005
The hustle and bustle of bidding freshies.

Yes, today was the last day to place our bids for Round 1C. Argh. I can't believe we have to go through this every semester! Its a stomach knotting, nerve wrecking process/experience and ah, shucks, I'm bummed that we have to go through this again, for 4 years.

I'm praying really really hard I'll get my modules. I go under the kiasu category because I spent all my 600 points.

Its such a shitty feeling to be so uncertain about the modules we're taking -- whether we'll get it or not, whether we have to replan our timetable, etc etc. And the worse part is in the last two hours because the system doesn't show you the minimum bid OR the highest bid. So that sucks. Its a gamble, a risk you must take. I guess that's it. Life's a risk. You have to take chances. I have to take chances, something which I know I must do, but I dread doing.

Because I don't like the feeling of uncertainty.

Looking on the bright side, I guess no matter how screwed up I think the bidding system is, people DO graduate from NUS and it IS ranked 18th in the world, so I guess its not so bad. Maybe I'll get used to it.

Oh well.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Matriculation @ the National University of Stairs.

If you are a freshie matriculating into NUS, beware. Be sure to bring a trolley bag with you, unless you have strong hands to carry all your barang-barang for you. Today was well, an experience. Because never before in my prissified natural born life did I have to carry a ton of heavy stuff -- including my spanking brand new Acer laptop and walk around NUS, mind you.

And it certainly doesn't help that NUS is rather hilly and her main features are stairs, stairs and more stairs.

Ahh today was also probably the first time I actually maximised the use of my NETS card. Never before did I have to pay for something that costs $2000 using MY NETS card. I felt like Donald Trump. Yesss. That's the first step. -Apprentice theme song playing in background- (like real, whatever amy) Lucky I had two NETS cards so I could cash and carry the laptop and didn't have to wait 2 weeks. I think its ridiculous that they make us wait two weeks if we put a deposit.

But all in all, it was great fun. And I DO have strong arms. And hands. Although I was almost dead by the time I met Atikk and Di at Engin Fac's Macs, where we did and talked about stuff that should not be disclosed at any time.

Matriculated with Gamar, my fellow Science minah. The both of us entered the CCA fair with one aim in mind--we went straight to the PB and MS booth. Heh. Now that's what I call semangat.

Well, I guess the reason why I, for the first time in my life am so motivated to join a Malay society is because I've never met nicer people in my life. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating but I think its just so nice to see a bunch of people so close together. Hmm. Reminds me alot of those JC days where SAJC's MCS was run by us-- not as individuals, but as a clique, a group of close friends. That's how little Malays we had in SA. Haha.

I miss them. Lydia you too!! Perth looks like fun.

----

God bless the broken road,
that led me straight to you.

Monday, July 25, 2005
A hint of what's to come.

I was in school today for the faculty talks with Shahreena and I swear we must look like such sad people with nothing to do with their lives and come to school everyday. We tried to enter the fair with the CCA booths and notebooks but we realised that we can't do so without our Matriculation Card. So the both of us ended up hanging aimlessly around the multi purpose sports halls while waiting for our Major talks at 1.

Oh well.

That was until we bumped into a few familiar faces -- seniors fromPB (malay soc)/MS (muslim soc). Whatever la, same difference yah?

They (yana) told us to visit the MS booth but we couldn't until do so until we matriculate tomorrow. Sigh. Asked them a few questions regarding the modules and whatnots. ARGH. Bidding is SUCH a hassle.

Everytime I bump-into/meet/see Yana I feel like laughing. Because the image of her jumping out of the toilet cubicle as the pocong in that Murder Mystery night will somehow pop up in my head. And more hilarious was Atikk shouting "Eh apa ni nangis-nangis! Someone help me push her back into the cubicle and shut the door!" Kesian seh. Haha. And worse was us being total wimps even with the knowledge that they are our seniors.

Damn, we're such wussies.

Great company, food and a whole lot of nonsense.

Was out with (part of) the babes and dude of Vamos Chicas yesterday till late. Yeah, that was the name of my OG. We dined at Breeks and chatted till around ten at the Macs outside Lido. Company was great, food was great, and so were the jokes and riddles and nonsensical games that we played.


The girls, because Alfian was the photographer.Doesn't Atikk look like shes so whee-wheeeee happy with life? Its scary when she's like that.



Us, with our energy pill of a facilitator, Nadiah.



All in all it was a great outing. We love our group and our faci, and she loves us too!

I guess the next gathering would be at YIH yeah. How sad.

Friday, July 22, 2005
Ex-Crescentians and the like

I went blog-hopping (snooping) to blogs belonging to seniors and the like, and it was so sad to read that some seniors thought that their effort didn't pay off.

Maybe they're reading the wrong blogs because as far as I've read, my circle of friends think that Nuestro Viaje totally rocked.

We even underestimated them. So, to me it was a really great job done by the seniors.

---

I realise that many of the seniors were actually ex-crescentians! I had this girl (senior) approach me during camp. Our conversation went something like this:

Senior: Eyy! You're from Crescent right? Whats your name?

Me: Umm. Yah! I was! You were from Crescent too?

And deep inside I'm ferociously perusing through layers and layers of memory cells to try and recall this particular seniors' face. But sadly, to no avail.

I only recognise those who don't wear tudung, but those who do, I seriously do not remember them at all, let alone actually know of their existence. My memory ah...

For instance, at camp, I was telling my friends that I thought this particular senior was really pretty/sweet-looking/whatever. So when I did enough snooping (heh, sorry) around, I realise that she was from my alma mater! And the worst part was that I've never seen her before, in my natural born life. Being the inquisitive (okay, lets just say kaypoh lah okay) person that I am, I immediately flipped through the year book!

Boy was I shocked because the girl looked nothing like what she does now!

Ah, the wonders of a tudung.

So this brings me to my next point, that girls look better in tudung! Atikk and I had a ball of time scrutinising the before and after photos of people who wear tudung. And we both HAD to agree.

Disclaimer: Okay this applies generally to girls with the exception of me because I am in no position to praise myself. Haha.

Thursday, July 21, 2005
So she sailed away...

Okay, more like flew.

Was at the airport yesterday to send Lydia-the-lucky-girl-who's-going-to-perth-to-study.

Bahh, its all so sudden. And saddening. Two years of friendship is enough to really bring all of us so close together.

Sigh.

I will miss her. I'm sure we all will.







Anyways, I would really like to say a big big BIG THANK YOU to seniors and friends alike who have helped to clear things up for me. Especially to my dearest dear Baba who bothered to explain the whole screwed up system to me. Ahhh.

Thanks thanks thanks so much. I wonder what I'll do without you guys.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005
OH MY GOD

**read previous post first.

This is it. I've had it.

I thought if no one was competent enough to answer me over the phone, I'd drop them an email.

Look at what I got.




ARGH! No wonder Mary Alice Young shot herself!

I told you, I'm like that darned parcel in that darned game.

I don't get it!

Can someone please scratch my head for me, because I've become too tired to scratch it. Everytime I log onto NUS's website I get even more confused than before I logged on. Why is it so complicated?

Why are all the modules in codes? Do they expect us to memorise ALL the code names of ALL the modules? Spare us freshies, please! At least write the title of the module? As I see it, its all numbers. The titles are no where to be found.

And why is the website so disorganised? I had to go to FASS's slightly more organised website to get the link to check for my SCIENCE modules. Argh, this is all so frustrating!

With all the funds that NUS has, don't tell me they dont have enough money to pay people to plan our timetable for us. Have an option or something, for those who want to do it themselves, they can go ahead. And what's with the bidding system?! Doesn't anyone see that it is such a hassle? And complicated too!

I still don't get it.

If the staff are cooperative and actually answer my queries, I don't mind. When I call, they have two responses:

#1: I think you should call this number instead. (and the person that I call will pass me to someone else, and so on and so forth. I'm like a parcel in that passing parcel game)

#2: The mailbox is full, try again later.

!%$%&*#%^*$%%$#

How helpful!

Till today, I haven't got a hoots idea what I'm supposed to do.

Sunday, July 17, 2005
Ahoy!

I deeply apologise for the lag in updates because I was away for the Malay Society camp in NUS from Monday to Thursday. I know how orientations are so totally past news and something new should be initiated to replace them. I think this IS it. Its probably THE epitome of how orientations or camps should be like. No getting dirty with scheming seniors pouring flour and ketchup down your pants, no clubbing, it was all in the name of good, clean fun.

Well, I initially joined the camp skeptically. Because I am truly bored with orientations and ragging. I was attracted to it because it had Dragon Boat! And our prayer times would not be disrupted. Plus, I seriously wanted to have a feel of what it was like to live in a hostel.

I must really sing praises to the organising committee of Nuestro Viaje 05 because I was really impressed by how they really took care of our prayer times, nicely fitting them into the activities planned for us.

But one thing I've learnt from this camp: Communal Living is NOT for me.

Living in Temasek Hall, or any other hostel or hall, for that matter is truly depressing. I stared at Atikk (who I'm truly fated with), she stared at Zubs (the med student) and Zubs stared at me. Imagine you wanting a break from school. I'm thinking, a home with people you love and care for, with home cooked meals, a TV and definately somewhere away from school.

If I stay in a hostel, Hear Ye, hear ye, I'll take a break from school, IN school.

Plus, I cannot get accustomed to the practice of sharing toilets. And it IS a chore to put all your toiletries in a bag and bring them whenever you want to bathe. Haha, Gosh I'm such a priss.

I think experiencing hostel life through this camp was good enough for me. I really missed home. The company was great, though. Having Atikk as my room mate and group member was enough entertainment for 4 days. She's suffering from withdrawal symptoms, ever since camp ended.

For the details and how freaked out we were after fright nite(think 9 people bunking in MY room), you can always check out baba's blog. We share the same sentiments. Haha.

Ain describes the boys. ( I mean, who could do it better than her?)

Gamar has a fabulous description of the beautiful dinner we had by the beach. ( I too thought we were going to be on mats eating ta-paued food)

------

I think the media has something against me. Everytime I'm away from a newspaper, something controversial happens. When I was in Redang, I returned to stale news of you-know-who posting you-know-what on her blog. When I returned from camp, my parents filled me in on the latest, most happening news now.

Man, they really Now Kena F***.

Well, my family wasn't really shocked by the news because we've heard people say things for a long time.

I guess its always like that. Tele-amal also does the same thing. You donate $10, and less than half goes to charity, as reported in the Straits Times a couple of months back. The true, glorious Saints are dead. All we have left are plain human beings.

But at least some human beings are smarter than others. Because I think it really takes a serious lack of something to say that a $600 000 income is peanuts. Worse, you say it to the masses. You're seriously digging your own grave if you happen to be -gasp- a patron! Or worse, a spouse of someone I'm sure every Singaporean respects.

Haha, I am indeed amused.

When people are compassionate and generous, there are bound to be other people who take advantage. That's how it works.

Seriously! What if you've put aside a sum of money from your pay check monthly thinking that your money is doing good to someone less fortunate? And then you find out that its being used to finance someone much more well off than you are?

BASKETBALL COURT!

Sometimes it doesn't pay to be nice.

Monday, July 11, 2005
Adieu dear comrade.

Yeah, don't ask me why. I'm raising my eyebrows at this entry title as well. I sound like OldMajor on 'Animal Farm'. Yesterday was the farewell gathering for Lydia. Argh, that lucky girl is going to Perth to study! So, it wouldn't do her just if we didn't have a final gathering.

I would say the BBQ went well, even though we had the BBQ in the afternoon. The NSMen had to book in at night. Ahh, its been long since I've seen some of them, Suff, Raph and Irwan. Good to know they're still the same, although Irwan insists that he's become a man now.

Ah, I wonder which paths we'll each take, say ten years down the road. Wonder who'll be wed first, to whom, and how many children we'll each have. Such fond memories, I have of these people.



How can the Malay boy be parted from his guitar. He says its an ovation guitar.




The best friends. Who have been with me through it all.




The 'Men'







Haha! Someone give an adjective to how Irwan looks like.


I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. And I hope Lydia will remember us even while watching cute surfer dudes ride the waves.



---

ingatkan ku semua, wahai sahabat
kita untuk selamanya, wahai sahabat
kita bagai cerita, wahai sahabat
ingatkan ku semua, wahai sahabat.
-- "Sahabat" - Peterpan

Saturday, July 09, 2005
28th College Day!

Ooh and College day was yesterday! It was great to see my classmates again. Like our Civics Tutor mentioned, it was like a mini class gathering. Many guys looked really different bald.

And of course, I met the Mother of MarcusTanHwaiYik-the-great. She should be the Holy Grail (read: The DaVinci Code)! To give birth to such a genius like Marcus! I wonder what she ate during her pregnancy. She looks and talks exactly like Marcus. Or should it be the other way round? Haha, but I'm sure my class and especially Mrs Tee are really, really proud of his achievements. I know I am.

When my parents arrived,

-vibration-

"1 Message received"

-read-

(sms from my mother)
"Tell Marcus : Walao kope so many awards"

Oh well, I think you guys can go count his awards.

I was there with the girl who came out tops in Malay A, Sahibah Farha. Haha. Okay I was there with Baba lah! Just wanted to make it sound like, official and mysterious. Haha.

And Halim was at the back of the hall talking to Mr Wong! Sigh. When you put two guys together, what can they talk about? Anything 2 girls won't. Thanks to Halim for coming, of course! =)

Oh well. I guess the highlight of the whole programme, other than Marcus' multiple awards was the old guy singing the school song on stage. I forgot what his name was. But he's a joy to watch, really. I had my sister record the whole thing on camera. Will post it up soon!

Thursday, July 07, 2005
Why NOT Paris?

Yesterday the family was propped in front of the television waiting to hear which city would get to host the 2012 olympics. Truth be told, all 4 of us were rooting for Paris. Arrr. Imagine the Olympics being held in Paris. Wouldn't it be nice? Ooooh how lovely!

But of course London won. Everyone has seen all their stadiums! Think EPL and Wimbledon?! Ahh, but I think its for that same reason that they were chosen. They boasted stadiums which hit the IOC's soft spots, therefore having the majority voting for them.

The crucial analysis of the logo would go like this:

No offence to Londoners, but the logo is simply horrifying. Where's the creativity, man?

Secondly, the video presentation. C'mon man, its the one thing you're going to present to the IOC members to showcase your country and why it should be holding the olympics. But I thought 2 videos stood out from the rest.

Paris:

Very creative, colourful. Even using cars, planes to drive/fly in circles forming the olympic rings. Oh, they used french loaves too! Very nice, and happy-wappy and bustling and shows the comraderie among the Parisians. Really gave the impression that Paris would welcome the people with open arms. Very nice.

NYC: zZzZzz.

1) video was in black and white

2) It showed nothing about the city and the olympics

Madrid:

I seriously can't remember anything about the Madrid video. I think they showed a little of sports. But wasn't impressive.

Moscow:

Wait is it moss-cow(cow as in moo-moo cow) or moss-ko?! Okay irrelevant. Just like the video. It had colour, which was good. But the video said nothing about the country and the olympics. It just said thankyou in different languages. Huh? Thank you for what?

London:

Woohoo, props for London. The video was great. Really brought out the olympic fever. Construction men became pole vaulters, bell boy became gymnast, all because of one woman running down the street. And of course they had that suave hunk of a man David Beckham in the video. That's not important, but worth mentioning. heh.

So I guess it was the right final two.

But I thought London would lose some points for their hooligan-istic supporters. Think world cup.. games would often end with a supporter brawl outside the stadium. Hmm.

Well, if the french weren't so stuck up and not be so extremely proud of their language, maybe they would have won. People who can't speak french would have a hard time, I guess, since French people refuse to speak English. Even if they know. That explains why the banners around Singapore are only in English and French.

And the hosts spoke English and French. What bias! How about Russian and Spanish. Hmmff.

And Jacques Rogge HAD to speak in French. I don't get it. Singaporeans speak English, not French, sir.

Anyhooos. Singapore should work towards hosting the olympics in 2062. Eyy, who knows right.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005
The hype about IOC

I was in town today with the girlfriends and while walking Lydia to her shop at the Esplanade, the three of us couldn't help but bumping into heaps of people of various nationalities. Westin did not look like a hotel. It looked like the Istana.

No wait, I think the security was even tighter than that in the istana.

Policemen were guarding every single entry into the lobby or carpark. It was a really bad case of paranoia. Well, better be safe than sorry.

The esplanade was no different. Roads were cordoned off thus me and Baba had to walk that extra mile to the other bus stop where we took separate buses home. Soooooo troublesome. And hot. And tiring.

But walking past those Japanese reporters with their huge cameras and whatnots actually made me feel proud to be a Singaporean. Haha, I don't know why. I think it makes me feel proud that we're hosting the IOC.

It doesn't really matter that we could never in our wildest dreams host the Olympics or the World Cup even if we reclaim more land. At least we're hosting the IOC. At least we're doing something related to something as prestigious as the Olympics. Haha. If you can't get the steak at least you get a whiff of it right?

Hah.

And Lydia actually saw Raul Gonzalez AND the Queen of Spain dining at some restaurant in the Esplanade. I also want!

Well, she wanted Becks. And Baba wanted Muhammad Ali.

Haha.

Watch the results 'Live' tomorrow at 730 on Channel News Asia!

Friday, July 01, 2005
The old photo sitting around in My Documents

I was clearing my desktop and "my documents" and I found this photo that I koped off adel's friendster, I think.

Ahh, it felt like yesterday that I was part of 4G3.

Count the Saints!

Oh well. I'd better go run off before I'm late for my driving. Oh Ohhh! Before I forget, I will update later on my unexplainable stupidity with my driving instructor. There is really no excuse for me.

Okay guys. Don't despair, don't fret, because heyheyhey, today is NCC day!

(just to share the excitement in the house because my sister is all excited)

The life

Sigh. Life's been pretty much mundane these few days. Argh. It sucks how it feels now. I need something to occupy me. I'm looking forward to school, but at the same time, I'm not.

Why is it so complicated, the entry to university?

Whats matriculation?

Why oh why must we go through this. Why can't we just get down to work and start studying?

Haha, I'm seriously really, really bored at home. The only thing I'm looking forward to today is... driving. Going to the circuit today, so that's going to be fun. My only problem is the money. Argh. 5pm circuit is $22!!!! I feel the hole in my pocket already.

I envy my sister sometimes. At least her life is not mundane. She's got tons of homework to keep her occupied. -sniggers-

haha. okay that was mean.

Girlfriends, girlfriends. Lets go shopping!