What a day...
First time I wake up before 11am in more than a week..!!
Haha...been a real bum these few days. Dunno why leh.

Anyway, watched All Quiet On The Western Front on DVD
this afternoon. Rather interesting storyline, quite meaningful.
It's about the lost of innocence when a bunch of German schoolboys
enlist in the German Army during the First World War.
All part of the development of the "Iron Youth", to fight for their
Kaiser's Motherland.


Young German men enlisting in Berlin, 1914.


"Endurance, Strength and Energy." WWI German Propaganda Poster

It's quite sad to see this class of 20 boys being cut down one by one
till only 3 were left alive at the end of the war.
One wounded, one gone insane and the last one went AWOL.
The reality of war. The harshness of life on the front.
The living hell of no-man's land. Men at his worse.
What sucks is the fact that war is never the fault of those men who fight it,
but it's always because of those greedy and politically-hungry individuals who sit comfortably behind their strong fortresses and who make all these decisions with a swing of their hands, or wink of an eye. We are all suckers for war.



"Let the old men talk politics,
and let the young men fight the war."
-Odysseus, Troy

After that, went to church for a lesson by Fr.Yim on the liturgy
and what it really means. Very interesting and informative.
Did you know to fully understand the liturgy, there are basically 5 points?
Well, won't tell you what they are. You've got to find out for yourself. :)

Standard Saturday for me..
Went church at abt 3pm to prepare the place. But saw the usual
early-birds like Edward and Chris there already!
Conducted today's mini prayer session. And we had a discussion on Youth Exhibition!
Thanks to the great ideas from the group, I see so many feasible ideas for
our Youth Ex display!

After meeting, headed for Cheryl's place for music practice.
There's an RCIA mass tomorrow and I've been arrowed (by Adrian!!!)to help commentate the mass. Oh well, I'm free anyway, so no harm done.

This coming Monday is the day many 16 and 17 yr olds dread a lot..
Hehe, it's the O-Level 2nd language paper.
Oh boy, it like ages since I took that paper... Coming 6 years leh!
Nobody likes taking their 2nd Language paper, especially if you usually dun converse
in it...like myself!
But All the Best to those taking their O's this year!! Study hard, people!
O-Levels is only one small hurdle to cross!
Do your best, and God will do the rest.

"NOT SUCCESS, BUT FAITHFULNESS." - Mother Teresa

To a most special friend, this song is for you.
IN HIS TIME

In His time,
In His time
He made all things beautiful
In His time
Lord, please show me everyday
As You’re teaching me your way.
That You do just what You say
In Your time

In Your time,
In Your time
You made all things beautiful
In Your time
Lord, my life to You I bring
May each song I have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing
In Your time

My first post in the last 3 days..!

Wednesday
Did nothing basically...stayed home the whole day.
Was supposed to go running with Jac at Macritchie but the stupid rain
came pouring in the late afternoon... Spoilt the day... :(

Thursday
Okay, today I went to East Coast with Jac. Yeah, she took the day off, and I also so
'eng eng ceng ceng' so might as well just go to the beach to chill out.
What shitty weather as usual.. Wanted to go see the sunset, but I think we ended up
seeing the clouds and the dark gloomy sky.. CRAP.
Anyway, she showed me around her favourite hang-out ground: East Coast/Parkway Area.
We went to East Coast Community Library to hang about...haha, I was reading books about mites, hairlice and rashes..Damn funny. :p
Then she showed me this damn big pet shop in the neighbourhood with so many cute puppies!
Aghh..I want one! They had dachshunds, jack russells, shitzus etc.. Damn cute buncha fellas. But they don't come cheap. Abt average $800-$1000 each.
Later on in the evening, we headed back to East Coast towards Bedok Jetty that side..
Went to this East Coast Food Centre...Very newly-renovated...Ver cosy and 'beach' theme.
And we just sat near this small beach bar and listened to BeeGees muzak! "Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive..." Had 2 bottles of Heineken. END

Friday
Busy day spent at home most of the time.
Went to my grandparents' place... My dad showed me where and how to water my grandma's garden.
My parents, grandparents and my uncle's family will be going Sarawak next week. My aunt's from there..so they will bring the folks around. As I decided not to join them, I'd have to take care of my grandma's garden. It's her "preciousssss..." Anyway, her place is just a short 15mins walk from my place...so it won't hurt. :p
Yeah, that's abt it...

Just came home from Amelia's place...
The gang are playing mahjong very intently....
and i guess i just got bored after a while cos they gonna
play till they go through all DONG NANA XI and BEI...which would probably have
taken 2hrs...
So, i decided to walk home. Haha, Am's place near my house, so
not a problem. :p

Oh, in the morning, went to J8 to watch Troy (again)..with Fab, Grace
and Chan. Today's outing supposed to be to celebrate Chan's belated 22nd birthday.
After my spectacular 2nd screening of the movie, we went to
Sakae Sushi for lunch! Actually more like tea... Buffet from 3 to 6pm.

Man, we ate till our stomachs almost burst! 4 of us came up with 50 plates
of sushi!!! Talk about making your money's worth... Hehe.
Had a real funny time at the sushi bar, with the wasabe-inducing 'highs', the
'unlimited' green tea, and the endless servings of sushi and more sushi!!

After the buffet, went to Cineleisure to meet the CSS gang for Shrek 2..
Haha, i think i'm nuts today...2 movies on the same day..
Mini Movie Marathon!
Very funny, and politically incorrect fairy story...! As good as the
first one, though i feel this one a little too messy. But the movie still packs a
punch! Full of political satire and other spoofs of movies etc....!
My favourite character: The gingerbread man


The last time round, he lost one of his legs. This time round, he's got himself a fiercer and bigger brother! Called Mango.

I just took my Basic Driving Theory Test today!
Hah..thought the test was actually quite easy.
But got some questions a bit tricky.
There were a few fellas who were just speeding through the paper!
Dunno whether is it because they are the famed 'CDC' students..
or it's just that their paper really damn easy...!!!

Nothing eventful today.
Zzzzz..................

Saturday
Didnt blog yesterday cos very busy...

Wahpiang, had Youth Mass meeting at 1pm, then
YLM meeting at 3.30pm till almost 6pm.

Eric's session was AGAIN damn power! Haha..he taught us
not to keep praying for things from God...
For instance, when we pray before exams, he told us to try
praying the prayer of St.Francis:
"Make me a channel of your peace....
Master grant that I may never seek, so much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand. To be loved as to love with all my soul."

He also reminded us that in life, we will always be faced with the 3 main temptations just like Jesus did in the desert. 1.The challenge of material security Jesus challenges us to do what's best, and not just what is good. 2.The desire for fame The temptation that with power comes the control to be able to do 'greater things'. 3.Putting God to the test We're always expecting God to return the favour when we pray, expecting God to take care of us the way we think it should be done.

After meeting and dinner, we went to Shannon's Grandpa's wake at his house void deck.

Sunday

Morning went mass at 11.30pm...then had Youth Ex meeting at 1.30pm till 2.30pm.
Oh, what an eventful day!!

Just now, just watched the Monaco Grand Prix. And at last, Michael Schumacher
did not win the race! Yeah, really glad...! Not that I don't like him, but I think
the races have become so stale ever since Schumi dominated them...
It's like..He's winnning everyone of them lor. Where got fun siah??
Anyway, the Monaco track is a really crazy piece of work.
Technically, it is actually made from actual roadways, just specially cordoned off
to form a track circuit. This is why this is one of the most difficult circuits in
F1 racing. The roadways are narrow, and there is this tunnel which often spells trouble for the racers. True enough, 2 of the leading drivers were sent to an early shower when they crashed at the tunnel area.
They are: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Renault)


This time round, Jarno Trulli of the Renault team won the race, followed by
Jenson Button of BAR and Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari.

Oh, in case you didn't know...
Monaco is not exactly a city in France... Technically speaking, it is a kingdom by
itself, with a prince being its head of state.
Although surrounded by France, Monaco is politically a state by itself.
Now, I think it's so weird.. There is a Monaco soccer team playing in the French Division One, isn't there?
STRANGE BUT TRUE :)

Today's been a rather uneventful day.
I watched We Were Soldiers on DVD today..AGAIN.
Still love the movie!
Especially since now that I'm currently reading the
book A Life in A Year:The American Infantryman in Vietnam.
A very gritty and graphic account of the life of the Nam 'grunt'.




Below's a tribute picture to those brave soldiers who fought for a cause
mostly unknown to them. And though some of them never returned home,
all are HEROES to this day!

Oh well...today has been a very short day for me...hehehe
Woke up close to 12, ate my lunch, and went to do some research for
an upcoming session I've gotta do for YLM. Very interesting to read the
New Jerome Biblical Commentary, you know? It's a bible compendium,
a complementary book for research purposes.
Very useful indeed, especially for bible study! :)

Then went for Ascension Day mass at 6.15pm, and met Marilyn at the door..
Very weird, to see her at CTK, cos she actually goes Holy Cross normally.
But she said she lives around AMK area...so it's still weird..hehe


"As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky as he went, when suddenly two men in white were standing beside them, and they said,'Why are you Galileans standing here looking into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken uo from you into heaven will come back in the same way as you have seen him go to heaven.'" - Acts 1:9-11


After mass, had leader's meeting with Eric.
Boy oh boy, Eric made us realise so much about YLM, that many of us often
take for granted. Now, the leaders really feeling stressed up...
Gosh, everytime after meeting Eric, my mind would be in a real situation...
A lot of things to think about. He really tests us, and puts us to deep
thought. And I think it's good...!
YLM, we will have the passion!

Okay, today I went for a run at MacRitchie Reservoir with Jacqueline.
Crazy run......i think it was 4.8km long....I've not run that long a distance
since my Army days!!!
And Jac kept insisting she wasn't fit....Right.
Anyway, she outpaced me at the start of the run with this crazy burst of
energy!!! Wah, I thot it was some old man behind me that I overtook....
Then the familiar figure passing me...Wah, she's damn fit siah!

After the run, I felt totally zonked out....Yeah, crap man.....
Like I've never run in a long time. Yeah, drooling and freaky in my mind!!



Wah..really envy those pple who can fly like Superman.
I mean, I used to be able to fly like a FLY..hehe,
now I can hardly lift off the ground...



After the run, went to Thomson Plaza to chill out..
Feeling fitter and more alive now, thanks to the run!

Today is Exam Results Release Day!
And I just sorta 'buang' my exams...Aghhh!

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here are the final results!

EL2131................B
EL2162................B+
EL3230................B+
SN1101E...............B
MA1102R...............B-

Disgusting.....diappointed that my EL2131 did so below my expectations.
Oh well, at least my CAP score has improved..though just upped by 0.1 pts
Now, it stands at 3.5M

Very happy that my EL3230 got a B+! Never expected anything better than a B.
Thought this was gonna be my killer module...but looks like it's still
Maths that kills me....always did, always will... :(

Well, just have to work hard next semester!

Well, I'm weird..
Always waiting till the last few minutes of the day to blog for the
previous days' events..

Yesterday night, watched Troy!
Fabulous movie! Intense battle/fight scenes!
Really an epic movie!
Haha, made more interesting with outstanding performances
by Eric Bana and Brad Pitt.

Orlando Bloom, though armed with a bow AGAIN in this movie,
definitely wasn't anything like Legolas. He's a WUSS in this film...
Hehehe... Sorry to all you Orlando Bloom fans!!!



Oh well, Helen's not too bad looking though! Haha, this movie is a
movie with mostly good-looking people in it!
I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Been away on CSS Arts Retreat since Wednesday...
Feel more refreshed and more at peace after this retreat.
I really thank God for giving me this group of friends in NUS.
Never thought I needed them when I first went into Uni.
But now I really think they have made so much difference in my life.
And I thank God for calling me to this retreat!

Overview
This year's Arts Retreat was held at the St.Teresa's Retreat House.
It's the first time I've been there! And it sure is a condusive place
to hold a retreat, especially since we use the attic area which is so quiet
and untouched during the weekdays.
Oh boy, the air-con is a real killer! I regret not bringing a sleeping bag
along. Haha, luckily all my friends were very understanding people, and they
let me have the corner of the room(the warmest area in the room)as my sleep haven.

1st Day
Found Fr.JJ's talk on Baptism and "Replenishing" quite interesting. Unfortunately it was immediately after lunch..which is bad, cos half my mind was dozing off..Oops.
Anyway, he reminded us that prayer can come in different forms, according to our preference.
And that sometimes all we need to do is to spend some quiet time with God. Because we
often pray to God, but before God has a chance to speak to us, we cut Him off and
prematurely end the prayer. "Listen..."

After that, we had this 'easy' activity to fill up an empty 1.5L bottle with water using a bunch of styrofoam cups. Hah, looked so simple, until we realised both the bottle and our cups were poked with holes. So much for futility... At last, after 10 mins of filling and spilling, the CGLCs gave us cups with 'God's Grace' written on it. Felt it was very meaningful, cos sometimes in our many obstacles and problems, we need God's grace to hold us together and to keep us from 'spilling over'.

Oh, and I learnt how to play Bridge....haha, okay this is a retreat but we spent some of our free time playing and chatting. Okay, I suck at Bridge. :p

2nd Day
Haha, though I only managed to sleep at abt 2am+....and we had to wake up at 8am,
but I was one of the earliest to wake up! Haha, was very excited abt the 2nd day!
And Regina was damn funny...the last to wake up, after many people's futile attempts
to rouse her from her deep sleep...Damn funny!!! She can sleep sitting up....Amazing!

In the afternoon, we had a session done by Srs.Edwina and Jessica from the Canossian Sisters. And they taught us to knead dough and make bread....Well, sort of....anyway. We had to make a "dough" model of what we thought of the Arts community. There were all sorts of weird shapes and items made! E.g. Curry puffs, Doughnuts, Lumps of ermm..., croissant-lookalikes, Stars, Dumplings etc....A whole assortment of shapes!! Some were very funny, especially the explanations of their individual items. Could see that some of them were 'smoking' their way through! Had a ball of a time!

The affirmation segment was very interesting and very tiring too! haha, we had to pass around 20 over sheets of paper with each of the participants' names, and write an affirmation or words of encouragement to them. Some took a longer time to write their notes, while others sped through it. So, some were stuck with piles of papers waiting for them, while others could afford to take a short nap...heheh
I felt especially warm to have gotten the affirmations written in my own paper. And I'm really happy to have touched some pple's lives. Thank you pple!! And God Bless!!

After night session, we spent our time in 2 gangs.
1. Bridge Club...yeah, everyone playing this intellectual game...
2. Disney characters name game...kinda spastic but funny too!

Slept at abt 2am too..

3rd Day

Okay, this morning, I took a longer time to wake up, but I think I had a better sleep
than the previous night. It felt so much more comfortable than on the first night...
Weird. Anyway, after breakfast, supposed to ahve had mass by Fr.Vaz, but he couldn't make it, so we woke up at 9am! Cool huh??

After breakfast, we had our last session, and bags apacking!
And after cleaning up, we had a massive photo-taking session!

Most of us headed off to Harbourfront for lunch...
END

Okay, I forgot to blog yesterday!

Sunday's log

Oh well, had a crazy day yesterday during
Church canteen. Had to wake up at 6am, so that I could make it in time for 'duty'
at 7am... Was dead tired, cos I couldn't sleep properly the night before. Heh..
Must have been very excited about the next day's events.
Anyway, I think the canteen was a wonderful event,and with all the youths enthusiastically helping out in one way or another, the spirit of serving was truly present in the canteen! How we all struggled to serve the multitudes from the breakfast crowd, and how we all had a ball of time during the 'lull' periods at mass times. I truly believe that this bunch of youths from Christ the King have always been a service-centred bunch of people, who never fail to give a hand to the many activities in church. Though many a times, it seems the adults are complaining and blacklisting the youth; however, these young people have never failed to prove them wrong!
I'm proud of all the youths of CTK, and I'm proud to be one(though not so young anymore..)

Monday's log

Another Monday.... But this Monday started so early for me...9.30am!
Okay, not early for many, but definitely early for me...
And it's not raining in the morning for once! Ha!

Went to jog at Serangoon Stadium in the evening with Sharon and Stefan.
And we coincidentally met up with Alvin, TM and Patrick who were also there for a run!
Har har..what a small world.
Damn it, I failed in my timing for 2.4km run.
Wahlau, I dun believe it, but I clocked 14mins30secs for my run.
Blame the piercing hot sun? Blame the monotonous track?
Hah...Blame myself for not training.
Alrite, at least I went for a run..! Better late than never!
A month more to ICT! Still got time.. *Phew*

Aiyoh, just kena 'arrowed' by Janice from CSS!
Have to help I/C the FOC(Freshmen Orientation Camp) out-reach in CTK!
hoho...have to do our best to 'fish' all those who are entering the Uni this year!

Okay, here's my second post...
I am so tired...
It's already 2am plus....this blog can really test my
patience!
Let me rest better knowing that my blog is finally working
well.

At last I'm getting the blog running properly..
What a real cumbersome piece of program...
This is my 3rd attempt..
Sounds like really pathetic..Aghh