When The Clock Strikes 12

Well, it's just another day isn't it?

Granted, it's a brand new start, a whole new beginning. It is after all, a transition into a new year.

But in my opinion, perhaps countdown parties are overrated. Unless of course you have a really good reason to celebrate. Do you?

In retrospect, have you achieved everything that you've set yourself to do at this very same time a year ago (i.e. new year's resolutions that nobody ever keeps to)? In all aspects of your life, are they even near complete? Or maybe it's not necessarily that you must achieve something to celebrate, is there something which happened this year that made you really happy? I see people celebrating for the sake of celebrating, just because everybody celebrates in unison during festive periods, it kinda defeats the purpose of it all. On the contrary, if you have good reasons to celebrate, by all means go ahead. Just know what you're celebrating.

Don't get me wrong, I love to share good times with close friends too, but not with crowds.

People will always come and go in your life. That's what they always say anyway. To me, there are 4 types of people.

1) those who should and will always be around your entire life.

2) those who would just make an appearance and leave.

3) those who shouldn't even appear.

4) those who appear for a reason.

And I know very clearly who belongs where for the people who have appeared in my life.

2010..well, what can I say?

It's definitely better than 2009 of course, which was a pretty bad year for me. Then again, I felt that life only truly started for me in June 2010. After you leave the army, only then would you realise and reflect on what the hell have you been doing (or not doing) for the past 2 years. Being in that regimental lifestyle, you're completely devoid of life. No matter how positive thinking you may be, that's the way it is when you're in that environment. And suddenly the world opens up after you ORD.

Then came Melbourne, a big transition in my life as well. And the world opens up even more. It's an ongoing experience and so far it's been good. Getting pretty much used to life there and you meet people whom you know you'd cherish for a long time.

Nobody knows what 2011 will hold in store. But sometimes you have just got to make the most out of the moments that come. That is probably something I'll have to learn as well.

And when the clock strikes 12 tonight, you'll be a second to none.

Almost 11

Finally met up with Zixuan today after like what, almost a month since I've been back. The dude was busy with exams and all and as always when exams come he'll hermit himself. So, I haven't had a chance to meet up with him until today. Well, considering the fact that Alvin, Junwei and I have been meeting up so often.

And we were just randomly talking about recent happenings in our lives and I commented that it is actually very easy to read me, or the things I do. To that he said, "That's because we know you what."

Haha, nice one there bro. Makes me feel that the brotherhood bond that the 5 of us share is really something irreplaceable. Can't wait for Marcus to be back from Sweden before we go for our short trip on 13th Jan tentatively.

I am feeling very fidgety tonight, probably more than just a tad restless. No particular reason for it but I think I might just know why.

0 Miles From Home

Just a note that I'm back, since last tuesday in fact.

Have been going out almost every day (and night) that I think I'm getting exhausted and falling sick. Then again I can always attribute it to the climate here, haha.

Took a day's rest today and I suppose I haven't slept so much in a very long time. Feels good in a sense, especially when you're not feeling well. Medication made me drowsy too, although I'm pretty sure it's non-drowsy medication that I took. Oh, and it's interesting how in that drowsy state of mind I can subconsciously control my dreams, considering how I'm one who doesn't remember dreams. So yea, I was actually manipulating my dreams to a certain extent this afternoon. Hard to explain so I'll just leave it as that.

It's funny how my friends and I miss Melbourne when we're back.

It's like our second home already.

And So It Is...

Have you ever heard of the hypothetical theory of the parallel universe?

It is in fact effected by the frequently asked question in life, "What if...?"

"What if we had made a different decision then?"

"What if we had taken a different route?"

What if, what if, what if...

How would our lives be different?

The question is, are there replicas of ourselves right now at this very moment living in parallel universes, due to the different decisions we might have made and the different routes we might have taken?

A friend once told me, there are a near 7 billion people in the world. How 2 people can meet, be friends, fall in love, share a life together, that in itself is quite amazing and magical altogether. Don't you think so?

Perhaps I do.

At the crossroads of our lives, we're only eligible to take one path and never look back. But often we do and we regret our decisions. I'd say don't. Pointless, really. It's not like you can change anything anyway. You've got to believe in this path that you've chosen for yourself and keep fighting for the things you want.

I've come across many crossroads in my life thus far, the latest being the choice of studying locally at NTU or overseas at UniMelb. Having made my choice, I believe that everything happens for a reason. And the people you meet at different points in your life are meant to be there for a reason, to shape your life to a certain extent.

In retrospect, I've made friends whom I'd cherish all my life. Friends who really mean a lot to me. They're like stars in my night sky of life, including my family as well of course. And maybe once in a while, just maybe, you'll chance upon a glowing star.

Embrace the moment,

even if it's just for a moment.

A philosopher once asked, "Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?" Pointless, really. "Do the stars gaze back?" Now that's a question.

Great Ocean Road

A group shot at the 12 Apostles to mark our very first road trip!

Disclaimer for Char: She is not that short. Hahaha!

HAHA

Matt Cardle

Singing sensations are so awe-inspiring, to say the least.

p.s. Cheryl Cole (Tweedy) is damn hot!

All Done

Finally I'm done with all my essays and articles! And there's just one exam to go.

Intercultural Communication.

Multiple Choice Questions.

30% of final grade.

26th Nov.

The very last day of exam period.

'nuff said.

Feeling slightly more relaxed now, before I have to start studying for the exam. Gonna give myself a short break, I guess?

And this is what happens when I get too relaxed and start to disturb people.

Till next time.

The History Of Love

One day, I'll write a novel. :)

To Do List Update 2

3 Final Essays.

3 CultureBlog Entries.

1 Portfolio (3 more articles).

1 Exam.

3 more articles to write; a book review, a press release and a travel article.

All to be done by Sunday.

Well, it should be relatively easier to write compared to academic essays. But I've always been a perfectionist in my writings, spending time editing, re-editing again until I'm happy with what I write. Hopefully I don't spend too long on the articles, I haven't got much time anyway.

So here goes..

Brooklyn Bridge By Jess

I love this picture taken/edited by sis-in-law (bro's gf, haha). And in fact all the other pictures she has on her photo blog (www.jessthewayiloveit.blogspot.com). Jess, if you're reading this, I really think you're pretty good for someone who has just started on photography. Keep it up! I'm a fan. :)

Semester 1, Sophomore Year

What I'll be taking next semester.

Media & Communications

Net Communications

Writing Journalism

Sociology

Critical Analytical Skills

Sexual Politics

2410

It's been exactly a year, and I realized how far apart we've grown. Perhaps I could talk to you and ask you how you've been doing, and I really wish I could, out of genuine concern. But sometimes it just occurs to me that we're strangers now. You don't know me anymore, much less want to. It's okay that we've both moved on. I know that everything is different now, I've been staying strong.

To Do List Update

2 3 Final Essays.
1 3 CultureBlog Entries.
1 Portfolio (3 more articles).
1 Exam.

I realised my entry updates are all about my schoolwork. Oh well, can't help it when it's a busy period at the end of the semester. So, bear with me. :)

A Roundup

Time to get things done.

3 Final Essays.

3 CultureBlog Entries.

1 Portfolio (3 more articles).

1 Exam.

The Pencil & The Eraser

Pencil: I'm sorry.

Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.

Pencil: I'm sorry that you get hurt because of me. Whenever I make a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.

Eraser: That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with what I've done for you. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.

C'est La Vie

Y'know.. if I ran a school, much on the contrary of what the current system is, I'd give the average grades to the ones who gave me all the right answers, for being good parrots. And I'd give the top grades to those who made a lot of mistakes and told me about them, and then told me what they learned from them.

Life, it's more than just academics.

Plus 3

As of 3rd October 2010, Melbourne will be 3 hours ahead of Singapore due to daylight saving time. This will revert back to 2 hours on 3rd April 2011 (hoho, special day!).

I wanted to write about something thought-provoking, but I've lost the idea now. Talk about writer's block. Maybe my mind really does only work best in the wee hours of the morning.

Till next time.

The Truth Is

sometimes blurriness and surreality are just separated by a fine line.