Monday, July 31, 2006
♥ 3:43 PM
Lost at sea
4 lessons of LGST213 has come and gone, and I think I may have committed a serious blunder by signing up for this particular module, although I must say that my course instructor is one feisty lady who delivers excellent classes.
I've garnered so much knowledge merely by listening to Prof Tsaw sharing anecdotes from her vast vault of experience.
Warrants, hedge funds, bonds, taxation laws - some of the mind-boggling concepts which I have had to contend with and still have yet to grasp.
Surrounded by a class of accounting and/or business seniors, I feel like an interloper, and a burden to my group.
Ever noticed how a leech benefits by literally sucking blood out from hapless individuals? That would probably describe my status currently, not that I enjoy being compared or likened to an ugly parasite.
I hope my team mates are able to tolerate my lack of finesse when it comes to designing a wealth management plan. Think coffee and cookies work as a form of bribery?
Oh well, 4 down, another 8 to go.
I will survive...
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Saturday, July 29, 2006
♥ 10:52 AM
Save the last dance for me
I'm just about done watching a drama of the same title, and yes, it was excellent. One scene in particular caught my attention - that of the star-crossed lovers dancing to the tune of Patti Page's "Changing Partners".
No, I was not drawn to the poignancy successfully depicted in the show, but rather, the lyrics of the song.
Artist: Page Patti
Song: Changing Partners
We were waltzing together,
To a dreamy melody
When they called out, "change partners"
And you waltzed away from me
Now my arms feel so empty,
As I gaze around the floor
And I'll keep on changing partners
Till I hold you once more
Though we danced for one moment
And too soon, we had to part
In that wonderful moment,
Something happened to my heart
So I'll keep changing partners
Till your in my arms, and then
Oh my darling, I will never
Change partners again
Though we danced for one moment,
And too soon, we had to part
In that wonderful moment,
Something happened to my heart
So I'll keep changing partners
Till you're in my arms, and then
Oh my darling, I will never
Change partners again
The notion of waiting, stubbornly holding out for that "perfect person" is one which many adhere religiously to, although many falter along the way, settling for whoever comes his way.
Courtship is, essentially, like a waltz. You meet, dance, and if it works for both parties, you dance again, and again. If not, then it's adios, sayonara, goodbye.
Incompatibility can manifest itself in many forms within those few precious minutes. Maybe you dislike the way your partner holds you too closely, or maybe height difference makes it impossible to adopt a comfortable position, or it could possibly be that you dislike her scent.
The permutations are endless, the possibilities infinite. Some are trivial, others of greater consequence. Whatever the case, no one is perfect. What is vital then would be to find that one person which suits you the best.
Once that person has been discovered, do we then hold on, knowing that yes, he is the one, or do we go on, in search of an even more perfect fit?
Are we then, all fools in love, changing partners until we have come one full circle before being aware that right from the start, that one person has been in front of our eyes all this time?
Perhaps, some mistakes are made so that we can learn from them. However, there is always the risk that when we do finally come back to our starting point, the other party has already moved on, has already engaged in another waltz with somebody else.
And this time, they are unlikely to ever change partners again.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
♥ 2:55 PM
The jukebox
For me, this strange, attractively colourful device which gives off happy vibes has always held my fascination.
Yes, it's vintage, even outdated and overly ostentatious to some, but somehow, therein lies its appeal.
You can try, but you cannot possibly ignore the existence of something as strange and grand-looking as this. Emitting flashing lights and beautiful songs, itsinvisible hold over you is almost magnetic.
At a click of a button, you can opt to playback your favourite tunes, out of the hundreds stored in dozens of CDs contained within the jukebox. From oldies, classics, evergreens to the latest pop music, every imaginable genre of music can be housed within it. It is almost as if there has been an infusion of the best from the past, as well as the present.
Leave out those records you regret buying on impulse, and preserve those which you absolutely adore.
If only the same could be applied in life; remember only the good and the glorious, discard and forget the unsavoury.
However, things are seldom so simple, so straight-forward, so rosy. We all make mistakes, and some would undoubtedly haunt us for life. We can, of course, try to erase the errors, to alter our memories, but that would then be a form of repression, of escapism.
Looking at matters from a different perspective, one could alternatively view those trials and tribulations as building blocks for a better future, a time where you would have learnt from your missteps, and overcome the obstacles. This would be an era when you have emerged a wiser, and sometimes, cynical if not bitter, person.
Essentially, I guess, it all boils down to personal conviction and beliefs. After all, if you think about it, not every song in every album found in that magical jukebox makes for easy, pain-free listening.
My glass, as of now, is half-full.
What about yours?
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Monday, July 24, 2006
♥ 2:26 PM
Randomness
Here's yet another fluffy, brainless post. Thoughtful ones would come your way, as soon as I am able to coherently express the tumult of emotions I've been experiencing.
Got this off my lil' sister's blog...
1. Falling in 'love'...is easier than you think.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts ...is not a pretty sight
3. A hot shower...feels nice, very nice
4. No lines at the supermarket...if it's closed
5. A special glance...can mean anything
6. Getting mail...is almost always done online these days
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road...happens only in dreams
8. Hearing my favorite song on the radio...makes me insanely excitable
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside...results in naps
10. Chocolate milkshake...is something I don't like
11. Giggling...is for sissies and pre-pubescent girls
12 The beach...is a dirty place
13. Laughing at yourself...releases stress
14. Midnight phone calls that last for hours...are a waste of time and money
15. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all...is a moronic hobby shared by my sis and I
16. Having someone tell me that I'm beautiful...makes my day
17. Laughing at an inside joke...is strangely comforting
18. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about me...makes me feel treasured
19. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep...is an absolute luxury
20. Making new friends or spending time with old ones...is something long neglected by me
21. Playing with a new puppy...brings on the hysteria in my mom
22. Having someone play with my hair...is taboo (no one touches my hair 'cept me)
23. Sweet dreams...causes me to oversleeep
24. Hot chocolate...can be edible if whipped up properly
25. Swinging on swings...brings back precious childhood memories
26 . Making eye contact with a cute stranger...is an activity I do no participate in
27. Holding hands with someone you care about...hasn't been done in almost 2 years
28. Watching the sunrise...brings a sense of peace
29. Watching the sunset....ought to be done wearing shades
30. Knowing that somebody misses me...brings a song into my heart
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Thursday, July 20, 2006
♥ 4:18 PM
Well, fancy that...
I've realised recently that the wee hours of the morning have a mystifying effect of being able to turn my emotions topsy-turvy.
During one extremely late night - well, make that early morning - spent watching yet another K-drama (it's Save The Last Dance For Me if you're interested) saw me breaking down for no real, apparent reason.
Yes, it's time to blame the tragic, sappy serial for turning on the water works in me, but get this: I have never wept while watching anything - be it movies or television - save Passion of the Christ, and that was one thought-provoking documentation of the last days walked on this earth by my Lord and Saviour in the flesh; fully human, fully man.
It was indeed shocking to witness myself dissolve into a pitiful, blubbering mass; so much so that I immediately took myself off to bed. Hey, it was already 5.15 a.m. after all.
Nevermind that the scene being portrayed was very moving, or that the well-honed skills of the actors made everything so convincing. The fact remains that I do not (nor would I likely ever) allow such trivial things to prey on my vulnerabilities.
Therefore, my one conclusion would be that the couple of hours just before the sun rises to greet another day is indeed rather bewitching; it does things to you, causes you to behave in a way completely inconsistent with what you are accustomed to. Sounds suspiciously like love does it not?
Now that, is one morbidly romantic notion if you will.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
♥ 9:44 AM
Not again...
As of yesterday, I have increased my stash of clothing by:
(A) 2 pairs of capris (denim ones)
(B) 3 assorted tops
(C) 1 denim skirt
Add on to that the cost of having my hair rebonded - yes I finally took the plunge - and you have on your hands a panicky girl who has overspent.
Again.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Sunday, July 16, 2006
♥ 3:06 PM
Bored games
My nasty bout of flu has driven restlessness to an unprecedented level.
Meanwhile, the kitchen tap's leaking (and it's supposed to be brand new, pipes and all), the countertop needs further polishing due to microscopic lines which only my mother can spot, and the new doors are not here yet.
All in all, it's been one interesting, noisy and dusty week.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Friday, July 14, 2006
♥ 1:06 PM
Ill-timing
I didn't think it possible, but my flu has gotten worse, so it would be yet another restless day for me, stuck at home with nothing much to do.
Well actually, my mom did rope me in to aid in giving the house a good scrubbing - renovations generate tonnes of dust. So there I was, barely able to breathe properly thanks to my stuffed-up nose, with washcloths in hand, trying to spruce up our home a little.
Household chores are not called thus for no rhyme or reason I can tell you that.
Since renovation works are not slated to be completed till next week, I do question the wisdom of cleaning at this juncture, though, come to think of it, I guess my mom does have sound reasons for wanting to make sure the house is in a condition fit for human dwelling.
Same theory goes in life: once in a while, there is a need to remove dirt and clutter from our lives. Let it accumulate, and chances are, you'll be so used to living in filth that you fail to see the necessity to begin any form of cleaning.
Although it sounds tempting to allow enough junk to collect and ample dust to gather before getting rid of them (then you would only have to clean once!), what many might fail to comprehend or anticipate would be the added effort and time required to sort things out properly once again.
Just figuring out where to start and garnering the inertia to begin would already cause one a splitting headache which panadol cannot alleviate. Try chloroform; it'll knock the living daylights out of you for a few hours or so.
With no real motivation to regain some semblance of control over this dire situation, a downward spiral to destruction would begin. Every catastrophe, after all, is sparked off by an apparently insignificant catalyst, which people tend to ignore or overlook. That is one scary thought.
Moral of the story?
Use more Jif; dirt comes off faster this way.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
♥ 10:22 AM
Sick
I've caught the bug - not the love bug - some unknown, malicious villian which has invaded my body.
Besides nursing a fever and a sore throat, I'm also unbearably cold and dangerously light-headed. A visit to the doctor's calls; I'll go tomorrow.
For now, this girl's crossing her toes and fingers, hoping that she would be able to drive safely later on in the day to her hairdresser's.
Oh well, there is always a silver lining in every rain-heavy, dreary cloud as they say is there not? For me, I stumbled across Goong (only part 1 but I'm happy enough) and promptly purchased it.
The thought of snuggling under my comforter and allowing myself to be entertained by the likes of Joo Ji Hoon (yes, I think he's cute) is indeed something to look forward to, and being sick justifies my ghastly behaviour of lying in bed all day long.
For now, there is much to be accomplished. I'll be back with pictures of my family's new kitchen as soon as renovations finish on Friday.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Monday, July 10, 2006
♥ 1:45 PM
And so it ends
Managed to catch the finals of World Cup 2006 "live" with Italy playing against France. Although bleary-eyed, the match was reasonably entertaining enough to keep me awake till about 5 this morning, after which I conked out for about 4 hours.
France's Zidane and Trezeguet might, even now, be villianised for their blunders, but I guess this goes to show that we are all humans, and that we are all subject to the same emotions, celebrity or non-celebrity.
All in all, it was a rather spectacular end to a magnificent World Cup.
Like any other female, soccer's appeal, for me lies not only in the beautiful game of wits, creativity and physique but also the undoubtedly, equally beautiful players.
Now I know you girls may even now be cringing at the magnificent player of my choice (remember Ronaldinho circa World Cup 2002?) but I have always been guilty of having rather erm, unique tastes, especially when it comes to men.
I am certainly not a big fan of this year's winners, Italy (I was rooting for Argentina truth be told) but they do boost of some rather fine players, most especially goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Here's a shot of him for your appreciation...
He is one individual who possesses the agility of a Panther and boy, was that save during extra time - a powerful header by Zidane - flawlessly executed. It certainly does not hurt that he is rather attractive to boot.
Whoever said that good things come in small packages ought to do a little re-evaluation - Buffon's 1.9m tall.
And I've one more picture for all you ladies out there...
And yet another...
Seriously, the only (Italian) thing yummier than Buffon would be a steaming plate of pasta, complete with a rich, creamy tomato-base sauce.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Saturday, July 08, 2006
♥ 12:10 PM
What a mess!
Yes, my blog's been neglected this past week. I do apologise.
Just a quick update, my home resembles a war zone of sorts, no thanks to the fact that we're currently having major renovation works done to our kitchen.
This may not seem like a big deal, but imagine this: food now needs to be washed in the toilet, and the rice cooker now doubles up as a low-speed (and I mean low-speed) frying pan as well.
The elegant rosewood dining table is now a makeshift countertop where an assortment of utensils are placed, and where food's being cut and marinated.
Fortunately, there's still the microwave, which is a life-saver in situations such as this. The downside? All appliances are plugged into the socket which is supposed to be used for a fan, hence the mentioned equipment are, the last time I checked (about 5 seconds ago), placed on the floor.
I never knew how annoying it would be having to squat down to prepare meals, and to make frequent trips to the toilet for water and to do my washing-up. Plus, imagine how comical it must seem to the workers milling in and out of my humble home to see someone slaving over not a hot stove but a rice cooker placed on the floor of a living room.
Photographs would be coming your way soon - not of me cooking of course - of the before and after pcitures of my family kitchen.
Gosh I cannot wait for the new kitchen (complete with a brand-new stove!) to be finished.
What wouldn't I give for a copy of the Goong DVD to cheer myself up...
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Monday, July 03, 2006
♥ 1:27 PM
Bimbo alert
Yes, I'm about to lapse into one of my less-than-desirable manner of behaviour, so, let it not be said that you've not been warned.
Nope, I'm not a groupie, nor am I a K-drama fanatic, but lately, a particular drama has been driving me insane.
No doubt, I've caught almost the entire show on YouTube, but somehow, fuzzy images, less-than-clear audio and a lack of subtitles do not a good experience make. Add to that the agonisingly long wait for the show to make its local debut on DVD and you have a tormented soul.
Ladies, and a few gentlemen, I'm talking about non other than the hit serial Goong, or Princess Hours as some would call it.
Essentially, the drama showcases imperial intrigue, the quintessential love triangles as well as beautiful (and I mean beautiful stars).
He is one fine specimen of a man, and one which has me captivated. Boyish, even goofy looking when he smiles, I know I'm not alone when I say that he is one hot piece of meat.
Need further proof? Here's more...
Now, maybe you can understand my insane desire to get my hands on a copy of a crsytal-clear, subtitled version of the serial.
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*
Saturday, July 01, 2006
♥ 8:28 PM
FIRE
I pondered, mulled, and chose God over training this afternoon. No, I've no regrets at all.
Attended Fire Conference together this afternoon with my church mates from PLMC and was given an opportunity to get to know more people a little bit better, and I was more than happy to do just that.
Was moved to tears by the sight of so many people from different nations coming together unabashedly to praise and worship our one true God, with hearts, voices and hands raised. Amazing.
Ok, so there was a source of distraction in the form of Kai and his lame jokes (which, to his credit, are rather funny), but hey, it was not anything unpleasant. In fact, I was most impressed when he offered me his extra shirt on his own initiative when he observed me getting cold. Will certainly look forward to seeing him around school when term starts.
Talking to Kai today made me realise that unconsciously, a gargantuan decision in my life has been made. There already exists this knowledge on how to proceed, and the only thing left to do now is to take that step of faith, and to let God handle the rest.
If only this were was easy as it sounds.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own"
~Matthew 6:34
*~and you'll never know till you get there~*