September 2013

Sabaidee,
I'M OFF! To Laos once again. Bringing pictures so that the villagers can recognise me.

Currently, my favourite singer.

I heard her song "Valentino" years ago. But didn't realise she produced such awesome tracks in her album until I was listening to the whole album at Kia's house. Damn, I love her voice.

Thought my dad would like her as well coz her voice reminded me of Carol King's. All he said was, "This one is a black lady is it? She sounds like a black woman" Wahlau........

Anyway, recce trip tomorrow but I just got this huge blow last night that the budget for it is like 200+?! Seriously, for 4 days and I have to spend that kinda money. The air ticket's already $420. Wahlaueh. It's insane. Limpeh don't produce cash out of thin air siah.

Been emailing primary schools so that my Documentary group can film within school grounds but we're quite suay coz it's PSLE period so they all seem pretty unwilling to permit us access to the school grounds. Argh. Please please, my alma mater Elias Park please grant me access. "Cheerfully caring, cheerfully sharing, helping one another along the way" lol school song. Park view turned me down, the place where I was a relief teacher after A's HAHAHA.

Gotta head to tuition centres to ask if I can interview anyone as well.

Perks of being a comms student eh? Hahaha, gotta grow some thick skin.

I have just posted a "hi please don't leave me" post below and started veering off about something so you can read it below. For this post, I shall update on ALL ABOUT my life so far.

In quick time coz it's 3:21am now and my eyes are shutting, but I promised to blog. Well, a promise to myself that is.

The reason why I was motivated to blog coz of "Passerby"'s comment and my friend Xi Hsien. Why do such lovely people exist?! :'D They must be angels. But yes, I will blog coz of y'allllll am so touched even by the smallest of acts.

ANYWAY, Let me start off with what has happened in my (obviously) AWESOME life so far hahah. I shall begin with the most exciting.

My hair has probably grown quite a bit since you guys last saw pictures of me but anyways!

1) I GOT TO MEET THE ONE AND ONLY

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

If you dunno who he is, as a Singaporean then, um.. I see a window right there. You're probably high up enough in your HDB to be killer litter.

It was such an honour to see him speak so candidly to all of us. I was invited, very much to my delight, to attend a conversation for Youths. I have always wanted to be a part of something like that and it was just incredible. I managed to ask/talk to him but I guess I'm not worthy enough to be on tv but it's ok at least I was in the advertisement HAHAHA. I raised something to do with Neighbourhood schools lah, and I was advocating for NSK (Neighbourhood school kid) spirit all the way ok. I fought for us. But dayum, didn't make it to airtime. It's ok ya know.

I'm doing OCIP now that's why I got a chance to do something like that. So I'm damn honoured and happy that leading a team opened such opportunities for me.

This happened quite a while back already. Like a month ago on August 22nd. Still, this memory is embedded in my head.

I wish I could describe to you guys all about my feelings and thoughts about meeting and speaking to so many youth leaders and Lee Hsien Loong himself. But after a month, it's not as current and vivid.

At least I still have one lasting impression from that event. And it is the fact that I learnt that... I STILL HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN. I met so many people from SO MANY different walks of life. Bankers, auditors, businessmen and of course, other students. And they had so many different perspectives and things to share about that I felt... extremely extremely inexperienced and juvenile while I was there. Especially when talking to those of working age. I actually felt small beside them. I saw them as people who have had so much experiences in their lives, and I just felt like I had a lot to learn. In life. And I couldn't wait to spread my wings and reach a level of SOMETHING like so many of these people.

They were giving out name cards and making small talk. It then occurred to me that wow, so THIS is what networking is all about. It hit me. I know it's not something that should HIT anyone coz well, it's just networking. But wow, I never knew it'd be like that. Seriously.

In a way, it wasn't the Prime Minister who taught me anything. Or that conversation itself. Coz to be honest that conversation wasn't the most critical or thought-provoking. Everyone was of course hiding their inhibitions about the truths about Singapore in front of the PM. Just imagine everything unleashed behind closed doors. Anyway, it was... the people I met whom I learnt so much from. I spoke to a journalist and I was almost mind-blown by the things he had to share. And once again, I JUST FELT SO DAMN INEXPERIENCED. Nabeh, I couldn't wait to get out and work already. It was as if, all I knew about were School and New Zealand HAHAHA.

So yeah, that was pretty much some of the main take-away points. I was also glad to meet people who thought a lot about the country and how it is run. It feels like.. people actually do think about and care about this country. And I only wish more people could be like that. To be politically aware. I still have a lot to learn definitely. Baby steps.

Instagram photo of the event BY LHL :'D

How awesome is that right. I only got to know he had an Instagram account that very night. All the girls were talking about how cute he is coz he owns an Instagram account and posts pictures of his everyday meetings with foreign dignitaries and what not.

It was really cool, being able to meet him in person. Remember how I told myself I will get to see him one day after missing seeing him in action at the museum one time? Off the bucket list now.

2) Celebrated my lovely Yijie's birthday right after that.

Dawwww...

The crazy girl's in Hong Kong for exchange now. She says she misses her SG food like curry and prata HAHA. I asked her, isn't there awesome Chinese food and dimsum over there to savour?! She says yes of course. But eating those everyday...............

I really love this picture by the way. Yuanyun and Yijie ma girliessss.

3) Sent off Suxin on the 2nd of September as well for her second exchange trip. This time to Taiwan.

Crazy ass, SECOND time on exchange man. Her first was Korea. She livin the good life bro.

Yakun for her last Singaporean meal with us hahah.

We realised that we won't ever see each other in school again coz next sem I'm having internship and that sem's gonna be her last semester in NTU. So, in essence, our school days together are over haha.

4) Celebrated a couple of my friends' 21st birthdays as well - Rebecca's and Fiona's

Am thoroughly honoured to be invited to these 2 beautiful LADIES' birthdays. I realise I love birthday parties coz they're always so happy and there's a lot of cheer to go around coz it's the celebration of a person's existence. yeah.

Celebrated for Vivian as well with jc people. Can't believe we can all still click and talk like no tomorrow.

5) I attended F1 Singapore Grand Prix just a few nights ago on Sunday!!!!

WITH MY BIMBO HUIQUANNNnn

Once again, I was very lucky coz I was asked by Huiquan to go along with her to watch F1. Best of all, FOR FREEEEEE. Coz her friend was giving away tix. First thing we went to check, was the price lol lol aunties. We found out, to buy tickets, you have to buy all 3 runs. The 2 practice runs and the final race itself. We were lucky to be given the Finale!!!! The whole set of tickets costed $298. In other words, it was $100 per ticket!!!! Wah, seriously, HUAT AH. Freakin windfall. Damn lucky Huiquan asked me along :'D It was a privilege.

It was my first time watching it LIVE and in ACTION. It's SO different from TV and live. The sounds of the cars are just awesome. Like seriously. Deafening of course.

I thought we'd get bored but no leh. No SIAH. NO MANNNN. Of coz we started talking to each other instead of concentrating on the race when it was like the 20/30th round. Like 60 laps in total crazy to be watching it non-stop. But I must say I was impressed. The atmosphere was electric. I felt like I was back in NZ, watching a rugby game, with people holding cups of beers and stuff. I wanted to buy one but $15 for a cup?! NO WAY. There were SO MANY tourists and foreigners watching and for that, I was just very proud of Singapore to be holding such a spectacular event. The one and only night race in the whole of F1. The crown jewel, they say.

Who ever said Singapore was boring. F that, people come here for this bitches.

And the race wrapped up with what else, but fireworks.

We had great seats although it was all the way to the top. But the view of the night skyline was amazing, as always. MBS and everything right in front. Awesome.

I promised to get tickets for my parents next year coz my dad has been wanting to watch it since forever. How I know? He says it every year lol. And hearing from me and how awesome it is, he's gearing to attend next year's. Vroom.

Tip: Please buy the "Survival Kit" It's only $2 but the earplugs are damn essential coz the noise from the cars are extremely deafening. We didn't buy them so we used our earpieces instead. It helped but not so much. SO I suggest to just spare the damn 2 bucks for it.

6) Of course, OCIP is still high up on my list of exciting shananigans hahah.

We've been doing great as a team. Recently started with fund raising and wow, we're getting off at a good start holy schmoly. Didn't expect such a good start so I am extremely happy about it. Carwash next.

Anyway, I'll be leaving for Laos this Sunday for my recce trip with my co-chair. Much excites to see the villagers again!!!! We were told that they are damn happy that we're heading back to the same village. So I'm looking forward to meeting them once more.

It's a pity though that my recess week will be eaten up during those 4 days. I'll be back on Wednesday/ I'm looking forward to it. Can't wait to share with the team what's over there.

I'm just really really happy and excited about OCIP. Initially, I was really apprehensive coz it's my first time chairing such a thing and there are big shoes to fill and uncertainties awaiting. But, I can't believe this. I actually am ENJOYING doing this. I didn't think I would enjoy it this much and I'm glad that I am. It's in fact, a joy, organising this whole thing and I'm once again, blessed to have a team that is working not too shabbily for now. I'm happy with this team. People are working together to come together for Laos. Turn-up rate is pretty good so far too. I'm just very very happy and grateful.

I hope and have confidence that this trip will turn out well.

Only thing I worry about is the safety of everyone. I'm serious!

After attending this leadership workshop thingy, I'm like petrified about the horrors of what COULD happen to my team members and that is just insane. So I've decided to attend a first aid course otherwise if anything happens, I'd at least know that I AM able to do something if anything happens. BUT CHOY GA LAU SAI. I hope nothing untoward happens to my team and me. Accountability is something I have to be responsible for.

Met fun people during my leadership course at Pulau Ubin,

Stayed at a villager's house for a night. Pretty awesome eh.

I truly feel glad that OCIP has allowed me to be involved in so many things.

It's been a blessing.

Can't wait to head off to Laos with Soo Yun Xuan the gross.

This semester has truly been fun for me. Busy of course, but I still like doing whatever I'm doing. Taking mods that interest me so much. Singapore's society in transition, learning so much more about my country and thinking deeper into issues I never thought possible to even think about lol. TV Practicum, which allows me to coordinate and oversee what happens during live TV shows. Pretty cool, always wanted to try doing something like that. Prospective career. China's foreign policy coz I love China. Newspaper writing and reporting coz I love reading newspapers. No seriously. The teacher, Ms Hedwig, is known to be fierce and shit and all. But to be honest, I really like her. Coz she's SO TRUE TO HERSELF. And she's funny. She holds no false pretense and what I really like and respect about her is her WEALTH of experience in reporting and she doesn't make it look like she's flaunting about it at all. She has interviewed so many personalities and experienced so much that I can only imagine it in my wildest dreams. I am in awe just knowing that she's done so much interesting and exciting things in life coz of journalism. It's amazing to be taught by such a woman. She may spit words of disdain towards you, but somehow.. because of that, I feel like there's a need to prove that you are worthy. And it actually encourages me to want to like this course more and work harder.

All in all,

this is my life so far.

It's 4:46am and it's been a pleasure to update you on all that has happened in my life so far. I cannot promise regular updates but do know that when I do, it'll be as long and comprehensive as this. Well, enough I hope haha. I won't give up on this blog lah just so you know. It's still a great avenue to air my views and keep track or look back in retrospect on the things that have occurred in life. They happen too quickly so sometimes, we must stop and think about them. I do.

On a side note, my 21st birthday is coming in a month's time wow wheeee I'm excited are you are you are you!? Freakin maiden birthday or whatever it's called.

I'm gonna cut my hair again the moment I return from Laos coz I feel like it's really longgggg. Short hair just grows really fast huh? I'm lovin it so far. I don't drop hair anymore. As much. At all actually. I used to drop so much, I was pretty sure I'd be bald. Now, it feels like I have a whole head and crown of hair. It's been so long since I ever felt that way. In fact, I haven't felt that way since a long time. I'm over long hair. Next time maybe. For now, short hair all the wayyyyyyyyy

What's more, people think I'm cool HAHAHAHA. I am honoured to be told that I am, but secretly, I snigger to myself. Goodness me, cool.

Ok, it's 5am now. I hope to see you and myself again. Love yall, I'll be back whoever you are.

I... have finally decided to blog. I almost gave today a miss as well coz it's 2:36am and I'm thinking I wanna go to sleep since I've so much assignments to complete and SHIAT.

But I just want you to know.... I STILL VERY MUCH THINK ABOUT THIS BLOG. Every day. I'd tell myself, I need to blog. I need to keep it alive. Dude, since I was 13 I was blogging in this thing and I'm just gonna end it like that?! NO.

So here I am my friends.

And life has been whizzing by so damn fast, and so many things have happened YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW. So many birthdays I've celebrated and been so happy to be a part of and outings and meet ups with friends and family.

It has also been a very eventful point of time in my life. Even though I'm very busy, I must say.... this has been my MOST favourite semester in my entire NTU life so far. I love it so much that I'm being grammatically wrong by saying most favourite. Woohoo. Hahahaha,

I haven't posted anything for so long that I believe my hair has grown pretty much since the last time you last saw my beautiful short crop.

There are a few things I'm anticipating, but before I tell you guys about anything, I want to share with you a quote by Leo Tolstoy that my Fijian friend recently posted on Facebook and it's been something I've been trying to phrase and articulate all my existential life and here comes this Facebook sharing that was able to sum up all of the reasons as to "Why I am a Freethinker". All in one bloody sentence.

Here goes,

Yes, I love this quote so much so that I placed it as a post-it on my Macbook. And it's the only post-it on my Macbook. I don't even put post-its on my Macbook. So you can tell that's how much this quote means to me and resonates my beliefs in being a Freethinker all my life. The reason why I never want to subscribe to a religion. I told Christians that I wasn't ready yet when I was 14. Then when I was 20, I knew I was ready but I told Dear Lord O' Mighty that I was sorry and that I still couldn't give myself to Him because.... I knew what it was but I couldn't quite sum up what I was trying to say.

And here is this one quote, that explains it all. Tolstoy, you are one brilliant man.

Of course I have certain beliefs, I do believe in the existence of God. Well, knock knock, I sincerely hope you're up there. But I won't ever want to be a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew or a Buddhist or a Hindu because... I know that once I subscribe to any religion, I will be held back by certain customs I have to conform to because of my religion. And I feel that.. I can't be as open as I want to be about religion, learning and finding out more about other people and their beliefs. This is what makes me tick and intrigues me. People and their religions. So if I do end up being religious, I will definitely be constrained by certain things that I can or cannot think or do. I am stripped of the feelings that make me inquisitive about others and people.

People may say that, it doesn't mean you're a Christian you can't be accepting or open to other religions. Well, you're right. You can be, you jolly well can be friends and neighbours. But for every person who has a religion, there will always be an extent and a limit to how far you can tolerate or be willing to accept another person and his beliefs. And I never want to be bound by that. I don't ever want those nagging restrictions at the back of my head that tells me that what I'm doing is wrong or what others are doing is wrong. Let's just say, I am a Christian, and I have a Muslim friend. Well, I will definitely be open to having Muslim friends. I can even be best friends with my Muslim friend. But when it comes to beliefs, I am definite to say that my religion is right. And Islam is wrong. Christianity is right. And it will always be right.

I don't ever want to have to think that way because to me, there is no right or wrong religion. Yes, we may believe in different things and I may come to accept you for having different beliefs than me. But ULTIMATELY, I will always think and know that my belief is the right one. That's the bottom line. I know it.

Fact is, to me, that isn't true. I've always believe that there is no right or wrong religion. I actually think, everyone's religion is the same. So I am not the kind of person to subscribe to one sole religion. To me it's too absolute and extreme.

This is of course debatable, like all philosophical questions of life. But to me, having a religion subscribes you to only one view and thinking, which I think restricts so many good relations and things in life from forming. I feel like a hippie with peace and love and all that flower power. But I don't have that kind of mindset haha. I just wish religion wouldn't be so complexed or becomes the absolute bottom line of everything.

I'm blessed to have parents who never told me what I should believe in. I was born free to decide my own beliefs. Wasn't christened at birth or anything like that. And like many things in life, they let me choose my own paths. Very thankful for that. They, as parents, like all parents, have told me what NOT to believe in however. Hahahah. So in some ways, they still do restrict my freedom to believe in certain things. Maybe I secretly worship the devil but am told not to lol kidding.

Leo Tolstoy. Sadly, I'm not gonna read all of your material coz it's probably gonna be A LOT. But I must say, this. This one right here. Is. Genius.

Oh, and do ignore that "Ex-MOE teachers as star tutors" in the same post- it hahahah coz I was thinking, hey since I've a post-it might as well use it to its fullest. So there you go, that's one of my journalism assignments and I'm using that as a reminder.

Ahh.. I didn't decide to talk so much about that quote. So since I have, I shall start a new post on updates on my life so far. Heh heh heh, easier for you guys anyway. It'll be laden with pictures unlike this one all wordy. Not something you're looking for after all this time huh. Haha.

Wahlau, I seriously can't believe I've left this space empty for sucha long time. It's not me to be like that. I hope this doesn't mark the end of zapyou.blogspot.sg LOLLL

Anyway, today's a good day and I'm happy. I shall blog more. I hope. I will have time later on tonight.

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