Ok this might sound a bit familiar to those who play dota. but if u are thinking along those lines, u are erroneously misled :P Can make a guess what i'm referring to? If u cant, oh sorry. haha. double means two, basher means ermm.. maybe u can think of it as happiness. If u get one of them, probably u are my gd frend, if both maybe very gd fren. LOL. well ignore this sudden surge of childishness. I reckon not more than 5 would know it anyway.
The past few days were rather tiring with work. 7 days of temp, then got replaced by perm. Nothing is certain afterall right? I went to calvin's house on thurs to complete fifa 08 on his xbox. The cup as u could see below as known as ORD CUP. But well of course we were knocked out. However, having the indomitable and never say die attitude, we charged ourselves with the motivation from our sch's motto: nil sine labore, hence we embarked on another new cup known as ORD CUP 1. Well, as expected, it failed again. And so of course we persevered. FINALLY, we made it. We reached ORD CUP 3. haha. we did record the finals using calvin's handphone. it can be found at his blog at the stickam player. It was rather a crazy thing to do, but sheer fun we enjoyed. I know many of you, esp those in army who havent ORD, would loathe ORD personnel exclaiming abt it. Esp when u see the months ahead filled with uncertainty and unpredictability.
I made a comment inside the video of the cup final that life after ORD might not be as soothing and pleasant and predictable as compared to life before ORD. I can almost sense a few hard knocks on my pitiful skull. pleaase lend me ur ears? :P My BMT OC (ahem.. Ninja) once told us a phrase which is still carved in my mind. His phrase was: Gather what u can before u cross the river.
Let me give my few dollars worth. (i decided a few cents werent enough to even buy a drink :P) Crossing the river symbolises the current process or the phase of life we are going through. eg, NS-ing, studying, slacking, playing, going out with friends.. etc. It can be as long haul as like a 10 year massive financial plan, or as quick as a 1 hr dota match. Regardless of how we cross this river, be it the simple tribesman way or by ferry or cruise, we are all devoted in our paths to reach the destination. But more often then not, we are over-occupied with the goal and not the journey, the end but not the means, although the ends justify the means.
Success is a journey, not a destination. This cliche lives up to its name because ppl have all cast it aside as a cliche and never give a serious thought about it. I know NS might be tedious and mentally sapping due to our distorted predisposition of serving the nation. (disclaimer: not all of them). But trust me. If u think of how u can better utilise what u are doing to gain sth from it, even playing computer games would yield significant benefits, albeit it might be of different nature. I might probably elaborate on my NS gains after i ORD. Well we shall see how.
For now,i only have one thought in mind. Can u guess? what are u thinking? clue: double basher :)
October 27, 2007
October 17, 2007
Picture Paint A Thousand Words
In memory of my ORD, light years later...Credits to Calvin, Photoshoot of his Fifa 2008 on X Box 360 :)
---Added on 19 Oct---
Well, calvin has also humbly presented the other side of the story on his blog.. well not really the other side. Its like a far off echo, a reveberation. (look up the physics notes for resonance :P)i.e. u can see that calvin's frequency is the same as mine, (thus no damping) and there is maximum transfer of energy :) (pardon the physics, i'm trying to prove my intelligence which was credibly long lost)He aptly summarises the years of NS in 6 letters, brilliantly epitomises the mental state of all NSFs throughout our 2 "hilariously excruciating" (i absolutely have no idea what it means) years. My mind is in an alpha state; it means getting unconsciously high on an illusion, or rather something which shldnt have elicited such a response.
An excerpt from calvin's blog: "...during which he garnered 3 awards- The Reckless Driving Award (RDA), Front Parking Proficiency Award (FPPA) and the Road Shoulder Award (RAA)!!! "
Referring to my driving, i have to confess that it was really hilarious with calvin as my vehicle commander too.. if he was the TP, i would have failed more than anyone in this world had for their driving. LOL :P Well, not so dangerous actually.. we all went back in one piece.. Why??
Simple.
"we are drivers too!"
LOL.
October 15, 2007
Preoccupation
Life is sometimes mutually antagonistic. One opposes the other. One repels the other. But quite interestingly, human behaviour do exhibit yearns for the exact opposite. For example, when you are too bored, u hope to keep yourself occupied by anything in front of you. When you are lonely, you wish someone had asked about you or called u out. Or maybe u might take the initiative. This emotional tendency is almost like a reflex action.
Actually, a myriad of emotional patterns are often involuntarily. Ups and downs, and sometimes even sideway swing of emotions. Alright, i dont want to sound so complex here, not a psychologist or some analyst. The issue here is whether we are able to recompose ourselves suitably, and regain our rational thinking. Sometimes more than that is needed. Its hard to realign our thinking sometimes when we have taken a hard hit. So more often, courage is essential. The courage to shift our mindsets, gain a different context and to stem the flow of negative vibes. Preoccupation is a powerful word. It is in fact pivotal in everyone's life. Whatever we think lays the foundation for our future actions and imaginations. Its just like colour painting. U have the palette in front of u, with the various colours there. These colours are the ingredients for our painting, just like the ingredients for our thoughts. Humans relate experiences and past actions. We relate to familiarity, and tread cautiously on uncertainty, thats why we are reluctant to change. We simply dare not to step out. We are afraid to make the first move even though we might recognise that it might be for our own good.
For this i dare not prescribe any remedy, but hope such instances can be minimised. We all need this bit of courage in these "unique" times. Which are sometimes provided by close friends or kin. No man is an island, no man stands alone is probably an apt description.
Well things on my side are getting better. It was a rather eventful week with things planned. ORD's kinda near, but now it means no more than a date. A date where many anticipate so dearly to come by, but yet when it approaches, the significance and hype around it slowly fades into the distance. The irony of it all, as what i described earlier. Leave no regrets for what u do, Seize the moment to live the way u want. When life fails u, do not fail life. The broader meaning in life is not to always win the battle, but the war.
Engage in a healthy preoccupation, of our minds :) And for this, stay happy my friend !
Actually, a myriad of emotional patterns are often involuntarily. Ups and downs, and sometimes even sideway swing of emotions. Alright, i dont want to sound so complex here, not a psychologist or some analyst. The issue here is whether we are able to recompose ourselves suitably, and regain our rational thinking. Sometimes more than that is needed. Its hard to realign our thinking sometimes when we have taken a hard hit. So more often, courage is essential. The courage to shift our mindsets, gain a different context and to stem the flow of negative vibes. Preoccupation is a powerful word. It is in fact pivotal in everyone's life. Whatever we think lays the foundation for our future actions and imaginations. Its just like colour painting. U have the palette in front of u, with the various colours there. These colours are the ingredients for our painting, just like the ingredients for our thoughts. Humans relate experiences and past actions. We relate to familiarity, and tread cautiously on uncertainty, thats why we are reluctant to change. We simply dare not to step out. We are afraid to make the first move even though we might recognise that it might be for our own good.
For this i dare not prescribe any remedy, but hope such instances can be minimised. We all need this bit of courage in these "unique" times. Which are sometimes provided by close friends or kin. No man is an island, no man stands alone is probably an apt description.
Well things on my side are getting better. It was a rather eventful week with things planned. ORD's kinda near, but now it means no more than a date. A date where many anticipate so dearly to come by, but yet when it approaches, the significance and hype around it slowly fades into the distance. The irony of it all, as what i described earlier. Leave no regrets for what u do, Seize the moment to live the way u want. When life fails u, do not fail life. The broader meaning in life is not to always win the battle, but the war.
Engage in a healthy preoccupation, of our minds :) And for this, stay happy my friend !
October 08, 2007
Dimensionless Life
Have u ever experienced a dimensionless life? Felt empty within? I think most of us would at least have a short stint somewhat. It could be due to an existing incident which traumatises u, or maybe just the lack of direction to keep u sufficiently engrossed in life. No matter what it is, in a dimensionless life, a person is most susceptible to influences, more easily swayed by external factors.
Try doing nothing for one day. Some might be able to just laze around at home, camping in front of the computer and surfing random sites, watch movies and sit through the day. The more active ones will go out and laze on the streets. Notice that while the venues are different, the motives are the same. When one has nothing to attend to, wandering graps its divine opportunity, infesting our minds and soul. Someone told me recently that not doing anything is the most wasteful form of all unproductive activities. Instead of circling around decisions and options, start on one of them, for at least life is moving on.
In the days leading up to ORD, i'm almost free everyday, but it is challenging to keep myself preoccupied. I'll try to stay afloat and well in this period. Meanwhile, for those who are equally bored, maybe we can meet up :D
Just had a separate thought in my head: better late than never, is it really always true? i thought everything has a time and place on earth? or else much of its significance would be lost?
Any takers to this qn?
Try doing nothing for one day. Some might be able to just laze around at home, camping in front of the computer and surfing random sites, watch movies and sit through the day. The more active ones will go out and laze on the streets. Notice that while the venues are different, the motives are the same. When one has nothing to attend to, wandering graps its divine opportunity, infesting our minds and soul. Someone told me recently that not doing anything is the most wasteful form of all unproductive activities. Instead of circling around decisions and options, start on one of them, for at least life is moving on.
In the days leading up to ORD, i'm almost free everyday, but it is challenging to keep myself preoccupied. I'll try to stay afloat and well in this period. Meanwhile, for those who are equally bored, maybe we can meet up :D
Just had a separate thought in my head: better late than never, is it really always true? i thought everything has a time and place on earth? or else much of its significance would be lost?
Any takers to this qn?
October 01, 2007
Beijing Trip (25 - 30 Sep 07)
25 Sep
0015 – Boarded CA 970 to Beijing
0610 – Touched Down, GW came to pick us up
0745 – Reached 什刹海体育学校, brought our baggage to 国际公寓 where we put up.
0800 – Went down to hotel basement for breakfast
0900 – Took a nap in hotel
1230 – Met GF, GM, and GW for lunch at 日昌饭店.
1400 – Headed back to hotel, chatted with GW and GF
1500 – GF brought us to 北海公园
1700 – Went back to hotel for a short rest
1830 – Dinner at 格格府 with JY, GW, JY’s parents and GF.
2115 – Headed back to hotel
2300 – Lights Off
26 Sep
0800 – Reveille
0830 – Went down to hotel basement for breakfast
0900 – JY brought us to shop at 天意商场
1200 – Proceeded to 京味楼 near GW’s house for lunch with GW, JY and her parents.
1330 – Went up to GW’s house.
1600 – Went back to hotel for a rest
1730 – Headed for 王府井 for shopping and dinner
2200 – Reached back hotel
2300 – Lights Off
27 Sep
0730 – Reveille
0800 – Went down to hotel basement for breakfast
0900 – Met GW, GF and set off to 八达岭长城
1200 – Lunched at 狗不理 at foot of 八达岭长城
1245 – Left 八达岭, headed back to hotel to meet 刘大夫
1500 – Had a consultation with the doctor.
1600 – Went back to hotel.
1700 – GW and GF came up to our room for a chat
1800 – GW, GF left, we strolled down 地安门外街 ( Shopped at 地百商场)
1900 – Dined at 永和豆浆, continued our strolling
2000 – Headed back to hotel, en route 荷花市场.
2230 – Lights Off
28 Sep
0730 – Reveille
0800 – Went down to hotel basement for breakfast
1000 – GW came to pick us to meet YH, discussed about Lifestyles’ business
1300 – Walked down to a 老北京 restaurant
1400 – GW dropped us for shopping at 华联广场 and 新世界商场
1700 – GW picked us up and we went for dinner at a small eatery at the back alleys
1900 – Went back to hotel
2300 – Lights Off
29 Sep
0800 - Reveille
0830 – Breakfast in hotel room
0900 – JY picked us up, proceeded to 故宫博物院
1230 – Went down to 秀水街 for shopping
1500 – GW cane to pick us up
1530 – Reached GF mum’s house
1600 – Headed back to hotel
1700 – GW and GF came to our rooms, chatted.
1745 – Went to 日昌饭店for dinner
1830 – Finished dinner and proceeded to 天安门
1915 – Toured the vicinity
2030 – Reached back hotel
2330 – Lights Off
30 Sep
0800 – Reveille
0830 – Breakfast in hotel room
0900 – Went down 地安门外街 to shop at the mini天意商场
1030 – Went back hotel
1100 – GW and JY came to pick us up, GW fetched us to airport.
1200 – Reached airport
1355 – Flight CA 957 to Xiamen (Transit)
1700 – Touched down at Xiamen Airport (Transit flight scheduled for 1745 delayed)
2030 – Boarded flight back to Singapore
1 Oct
0140 – Touched down at Changi Airport
0230 – Reached home
Overall:
It has been a relaxing, yet memorable and fulfilling trip. I really appreciate the generous hospitality from my godbrother GW, godsister JY, godfather (GF), godmother (GM) and JY’s parents. Really wanna say thank you all for making this trip possible. Though the five-day trip was a bit short, I enjoyed every bit of it, from the shopping, eating, or even slacking the hotel rooms watching the myriad variety of television channels. Time spent traveling wasn’t bored for me too as I spent most of my time gazing at the sceneries and how the locals lived. I didn’t really bought much souvenirs though, but to me the experience that I had mattered the most. It’s been a worthwhile trip consuming 5 days of my leave, a great vacation away from army life, though ORD leave and off has already put my mood on vacation long ago. I really hope to visit China once again. There are many more places in Beijing alone which I did not have time to visit. This time round I’m not so emotional as the Guangzhou trip last year. But definitely I do miss the life there! The short stay has been enriching :)
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