It's always at this time of the day when I really like to just plug in my ear photos and blog under my table lamp warm. I was lucky to be able to watch Maria Sharapova playing tennis at the Singapore Indoor Stadium against Anna Chakvetadze. Blame it on my lack of curiousity, I only realised that Maria's about 1.88m tall and Anna's about 1.70m tall.. omg..... and I thought Anna looked kind of short at the start, cuz she looked so tiny beside Maria!... And after the introduction.. I realised Anna's 1cm taller than me. Now I know why Maria's always looking so thin... cuz she's freaking tall! =D Mum, sudddenly I wished I was taller. When I was young I didn't realised that if I can't find any taller-than-me chinese bf, there could be a possibility of finding a taller-than-me non-chinese bf! If I had realised that... I would have wished to continue growing taller and TRY to grow taller!!!! Haa.... all's too late now. I'm stuck at a 1.69m height. Yes Cindy, I'm sure my leg's are longer than yours.. haa.. *out of the point, but I just thought of it, since I'm at the theme of height* =P
I'm 22 hours away from year 2008. A guess I should give a little conclusion to my 2007 year.
Academic
It was hard for me to adjust back to the NUS mugging mood after 8months of holiday-ahem-SEP at Germany-ahem-Europe. I had difficulty concentrating in the boring lectures, sitting still for long hours at my desk to study (except when the subject was French.. cuz it reminds me of Europe and my Paris trip w tour guide HO!! Weeee... ) There was minimum studying done in Munich and even travelling just days before the examinations! Of course, I'm glad that I passed all of them, although I kind of regret not taking the examinations for Optoelektronik so that I won't have to take that BLOODY Difficult EE4502 here.. I have come to believe that the word "EXCHANGE STUDENT" on my examination answer script in Munich did wonders to pass my examinations there. Of course, the truthness of it remains unknown. You can try and let me know. Whereas back in NUS, thanks to the bloody difficult EE4502.. my CAP stayed stagnant... it could have looked more pretty but nonetheless.. it won't have helped much. So this year I was really academically challenged.
Fun
I have my HUGE portion of fun in my 8 months of interning with IBM at Böblingen, Germany and Student Exchange at Technische Universität München at Munich, Germany and all my trips to Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Prague, Czech, Vienna, Innsbruck, Fussen, Köln, Amsterdam, Belgium, Luxembourg, Copenhagen, Budapest, Athens, Santorini, Freibourg, Slovak, Zurich, Bassel, Luzern.. Germany, Switz, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Czech, France...man.. I bet I know Europe better than some of the Europeans by now (that's including the trips I made in 2005 to London and Italy) My first snow and subsequent snows, living abroad alone and just alone in Stuttgart without any asian faces to living in student hostels with singaporeans as neighbours.. my new years eve setting of Fireworks (which is impossible in Singapore since it's banned).. eating KFC for chinese new year eve dinner (reunion dinner, with jm, yc, ivan etc)... beer drinking.. meeting of some very special people in my life that I'll never ever forget.. boots shopping..crazy travelling .. beautiful sunsets and beaches.. sitting and pushing a All Terrain Vehicle plus heavy yc sitting on it UP A SLOPE (!!! what was I thinking that time?) .. clubbing at german student party/club.. almost got ran over by a train....walked one plus hour home in the cold winter night.. and so much more.. I really odd to continue with my notebook cum scrapbook!
Family
Although I'm away from them for the longest period of time in my life thus far, I felt even more closer to them. Mum and big brother with me in Europe backpacking, second brother and me mugging and shopping together, breakfasts with dad.. I love my family for being ever so supportive and loving and tolerating. Nothing's more important than my family.
Relationship
It's been a hell lot of rocky and yet with seemingly peaceful but with dangerous undercurrents. The ride has been amazing and memorable however, if two chained ships head different directions, it's bound to go on separate ways eventually. It's just more logical and fuel saving this way than travelling to and fro in all directions and ending up no where. Unexpected people and news pop up here and there and sometimes I wonder if r-s life's like a tabloid too. You can never believe in things or feelings too much as there's always a possibility that it's wrong or only 99% true. Too late or early warnings are never as good as the ones that come right in time, but we rarely get the best case in reality anyway. Perhaps next time I'll try flying an aeroplane instead of taking a ship. Perhaps even skiing.. Decisions are hard to make, especially you know the person meant so much to you and you just want to minimis and postpone the hurt.. however, I've learnt: Short term injuries are less damaging than long term ones. And seriously, ask and clarify things and never guess or assume. Haa.. and I thought I was aware of it through my friend's issue, little did I realise that I never really put what I'm learning into practice. Nonetheless, I'm very sure we'll be great friends, despite not being able to be the best as a collective noun.
I made quite a number of new friends earlier this year and I'm thankful to meet you guys! Special mention to Anissa, Alex, Benoit, Tunca and Liang. =) The care, help and concern helped me through my lonely days in Stuttgart =) Heartwarming friendliness from Anissa and Benoit since the start + lunch + after lunch strolls + Kickern + Crepes-making + visiting me in Munich! Meeting and getting to know Liang at the IBM cafe + checking-situation-calls + movies to occupy time back in hostel + coffee breaks + dinners and chilling out with Alex and Tunca + kickern. Perhaps CJ should be under this category too. I never thought I'll be this close to you before Paris trip (ok, not like i'm so so so close to you, but as in knowing you better than just accquantainces). Those chats at Paris, Stuttgart and Munich and even msgs in SG were really, really.. I can only say thank you. =) I really appreciate it. My travelling buddies in Europe... these were really times that I got to re-know you guys. =) Amazing! The most memorable will be the trio night chat.. haa..
My old friends, ever so ready to lend me a listening ear and shoulder to cling onto when I meet problems and also share my joy with. Fish, my Girls, and the others... they're like Ginseng.. the older they as.. the better they are.. =) Need me to say more? Love you guys.
Me
I guess there's a change in mentality. I'm looking for a balance in life...as I like to say work-life balance.. haa.. I thought I'm just a bit too crazy in 2007, like breaking out the little cage in me. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but as a friend of mine like to put it, anything is good. As I like to put it, anything must be good. Haa... Things happen for a reason, right? I guess it'll be more like, thing's are just going to be great, just be patient. Of course, I didn't secure any jobs this year and I just gotta pray hard, and try to get a job for after my graduation. Can anyone give me a job? Else I might really have to end up as a flight stewardess ( aka. servant cum cleaner on air )
Health-wise, I kena a serious lung infection while I was in germany... saw the greenest human water waste and spits ever.. some weird skin infections in germany and in singapore too.. I pray for good health in the new year and for everyone too. May I be slimmer/thinner and prettier and smarter, please. Taller too if possible! Haa..
C'est tout.
Anyway, back to the tennis match. We actually got a very good pair of seats, the 2nd row from the front for our ticket category! =D Which means.. if you buy the $200+ tickets too late (which means you'll sit at the back of your group), you'll only be 2 rows and a 1m wide walkway away from me lo... haa.. The moral of the story is to book your tickets early! =D
And here's my personal favourite photo of Maria Sharapova taken by my brother's 10X zoom Konica Minota =) Did I just get inspired to learn tennis?
This morning I finally got down to swimming thanks to LK. man... It's been months since I last swim and I was so going to not swim when I saw the horrendous hot sun... but I went down.. and did 20 Laps (1 Lap = to and fro the length of the pool, right?)! But I think it all went to waste after the sinful coffee bean cakes + coffee lunch... =P Hahaa.. I did abit of shopping and got a nice top and people's presents =D Come to think about it, I've been buying people's presents this holidays... man man.. present debts...
THe chIpmunks! Ahh... they look so cute =D Kind of reminds me of my hamster, although it doesn't talk... haa.. =)
And something, their version of "bad day" (although when repeated 7 times at a go can be really irritating) really cheer me up~!
ANyway... I'll continue later...
Well, the day 22 Dec 2007 started with me getting into bed around 3+am and got woken up in the morning by some family discussion at 9am.. haa =) Highlight of the morning was that I decided to go shopping at Jurong Point at 11+ pm am and within the first 10 min of arrival at JP, I walked into a shoe shop and bought my pink & black heels! Man.. I really love it.. fell in love at the first sight. I guess I'm really an impulsive buyer. Anyway, 2 ladies came to ask me where I got my pink & black heels while I was shopping at Suntec City =D Haa.. ok, at least the shoes are quite nice la.. so not so much of a impulsive buy.. but a GOOD impulsive buy .. muahahaa.
Afternoon was spent shopping with my brother =) Bahahaa.... another +1 case added to "oh .. is that ur gf/bf? Sorry no, it's my sis/bro." while shopping today. We didn't mean to look like couples can... why isn't shopping with siblings common?
Night was dinner and xmas gift exchange at the Restaurant de Waruku at Marina Square.. haa.. it's nice =) However.. I have no idea why there were no lasting conversations... I'll let the pictures do the blogging when I get them from nic tomorrow.. off to bed =)
Bonsoir tout les monde!
Update on 23.12.2007 10.46am..
Photos! =D
Ich habe ein Würstelplatte mit yf geteilt, aber in Ernst, war mein Teil ein bisschen viel zu viel für mich, pour moi! Ich möchte gerne nicht zu satt zu sein.
Auf jeden Falls, kommt yj heute Nacht zurück aus USA. Aber nein, sie wird um früh ein plus uhr (am Sonntag) am Changi Flughafen ankommen.. das wird eigentlich zu früh oder spät für mich.. man kann keinen Verkehr nehmen sondern das scheiße Taxi. Ich mag ihn total nicht. So ein scheiß teuer! So... ich überlege mich noch.. ob ich hingehen will, um sie zu abholen. Ich bin sicher, dass sie auch sehr müde sein wird... Ja? GENAU!
Anyway, next topic..
At times I get really pissed.. stop stop trying to control the way I live. Not to mention, I believe that you dont' really know me that well? .. urgh... at times I feel terrorised.. and that only gives me a bad impression. Quit trying to irritate me.
I guess I needed some air... before I could continue, so I went down to the dinner. It was nice .. funny and hilarious and nice. +)
Let pictures do the talking.
Es ist schöne, zu wieder chatten mit Tunca. Ich bin mich aufgeregt, wenn ich endlich noch auf Deutsch tippen... und ich meine, für das ganze Konversation. Es ist eine sehr ähnlich aber auch gleichzeitig... fremd Gefühle. Ich weiß eigentlich, dass mein Deutsch ist schon so unglaublich schlecht, aber irgendwie muss ich noch mein schlechte Deutsch benutzen und üben, sonst werde ich alles vergessen! Habe ich Recht? Du solltest mit mir einstimmen.
Noch ein gute Nachricht pour moi, mon fère a apprender le Français! On pouvons s'exercer ensemble! Très bien!
Running simulations really, and I emphasize the REALLY, give me quite a bit of time to zone out and daze.. and ponder. I know I could really use this time to do my report and stuff, but I guess it will have to come tomorrow.
Thought 1
Some people are not happy about that while some people simply wish for that. How ironic right? Actually, I would like it better if I get to know someone very well, and just that. But well, is it that difficult? Hmm.. it seems pretty hard so far. =| That might be good news for most, but for me, I think it's pretty bad.. cos I always end up screwing up the situation to be worse than even just-friends. It ends up as acquaintances or hmm.. like being zapped out of my world - disappeared. It's really a pity. I thought things were getting really great.. but it end up, yeah, getting great, but not the way I thought it would be.
At least you know that friends stay even if you have a fight, but anything more than that, they usually leave once some thing's broken.
Thought 2
It really disappoints me if someone who attends to every single sms when I'm around, but fails to reply my sms, and here I'm not even asking for immediate reply..I'm referring to a reply within a few hours or even days. And, and, wait.. I'm not finish yet.. the best part is when I'm supposed to be a more important person to this someone than the other friends and people (ok, leave out the family part). I mean, if you are so spontaneous to your normal friends, why, when I'm supposed to be slightly more important, gets a less than friend treatment?
Ah ha.. so that just goes to show that I'm not even half as good as your normal friends.
It's just like, if you reply every email with such enthusiasium... why not certain emails of mine? Don't speak about priorities and double standards when you hold them so dearly to your heart unknowingly, as you think. If you practise them, just be prepared to also be at the receiving end.
Thought 3
Inmaturity is sometimes very annoying. However, being mature doesn't equate to being boring. Keep the positive part of child-like but please dump the irritating childish part.
That reminds me, someone told me that I shouldn't use childish for any positive reference (which I did before).. seems to carry only negative connatations. I'm not sure about that.
Thought 4
It struck me today that that last time I ice-skated was almost a year ago in Austria, Vienna. I was with Siwei and Danny and we were at this open-air skating ring (because it's winter there). It's almost a year since I went Germany, since I ice-skated. Skating there in the open-air ring was cool... I was wearing my pink feather jacket, gloves... watchin the very good europeans skating. It seemed that general Europeans can skate better than Singaporeans? Oh well, probably because we have only 2 ice-skating rings and that we're too absorbed in either studying or working. Asians don't really have that high a quality of life, although Asians might be richer.
Work hard, earn alot, yes. But please have some time to use them, to enjoy your fruits too.
I was at the Coppenhagen Arts Design Museum earlier this year and I saw this permenant exhibition there.. I blogged about it before, just for your information. Anyway, I bought this white, plastic medicine container. It was empty, with only a sticker label outside "time for each otehr 200sec". I thought, what an irony. If people work hard to provide a better life for their loved ones, why are they not even doing the most fundamental thing to show their care by spending just some time for each other? Not that I'm not guilty of it, but it just act as a reminder for me, every now and then when I see that bottle.
Oh my, I can really go off track in my thoughts..
Great, I think it was another wasted simulation. =(
Gotta try again.. try harder.
Speaking of the Devil....nah.. nothing about Devils in this christmas-y season, unless you meant FYP, it just happened that me and yf wore the same shirt! Hofbräuhaus T-shirt which we bought together in 2005 in München! I gotta admit that I rarely wear this shirt .. I can even count with my fingers the number of times I wore it since 2005! Don't get me wrong. It's very comfy.. and I just didn't want to kill a shirt too fast.. afterall it's from (sold) Germany. 所以嘛。。超巧的！我们竟然穿同一件衣服~ 哈哈。。
Then ... if you notice ... the next photo.. we actually changed place to take photo? NOO... it's just yf's samsung front camera.. note that it's actually a mirror reflection... notice the wordings.. Looking closely, I thought my mirror reflection looks kind of different from the one above.. not sure how true is that...
And lastly, a slightly overdue photo.. from Wednesday. Nice but kind of too sweet cupcakes from nic. Me and Yf gobbled them down.. ok, nibble... haa.. Thanks for the Cable-rescue and Cupcakes!
