Friends are one of the greatest gifts that life has ever bestowed upon me.

Scrolling through past posts and reminiscing our lives 5 years ago triggered intense nostalgia in me. I laugh at how we lament about the stress of school, detail what happened during our gatherings and post all other random rantings about our lives then. It was a time before the invention of Whatsapp and its myriad of social media counterparts so blog was a way for us to stay up to date with each other's lives. Medieval, huh?

As I savour the memories which details have since blurred, I begin to think about how different we are now from 5 years ago, especially myself. The 'me' then seems so distant, I almost forgot (partly owing to the fact that I really dislike taking pictures of myself) that there was time when I looked like that - barely any make-up on my face and all. Then I saw one of the (rare few) posts I wrote during my first year in SMU, sharing my somewhat idealistic and naive belief that I do no want to be constantly competing with others and try ways and means to outdo them. I want to shed tears for the 'me' that has vanished but I want to scoff at that 'me' at the same time. Life is full of contradiction, isn't it?

Ever since graduation, I always look back at my days as a student with a sense of longing and a tinge of sadness because what's passed is past. Perhaps reminiscence of a time when the world was supposedly a better place makes my dissatisfaction with current life more justifiable. Growing up does take away something from me, bit by bit, and some realisation are indeed hard to swallow. I often find myself questioning life when I come across something ugly, despicable and atrocious in life, wishing that I have never grown up so that I can remain oblivious to them permanently. It is especially demoralising when the people behind all that ugliness are thriving in the society and it often prompts me to think 'Should I be like them?'.

As I continue my struggle in life as no amateur in the society but no veteran to brave through the battlefield with confidence that I will not lose myself along the way, I never fail to be overwhelmed by gratitude and love whenever my dear friends come to my mind. It is more than heart warming and touched, beyond lucky and honoured that all of you always have my back then and now despite my fiery temper and vicious tongue. After we have outgrown the writing of letters and cards and postcards and notes to each other, I cannot recall the last time I expressed my thoughts and feelings to my friends on the little yet significant things that they have done for me so I think it is about time.

My dear friends, your moral support has been a great source of strength for me over the years. I know you may not be in favour of my decisions at times, but you chose encouragement over reprimand on occasions when you know that the former was what I need. You take on the role of a disciplinarian with brutal honesty when you feel that it will do me good to face up to reality even if I may be upset or hurt, and I truly appreciate that because I know how tough and unrewarding it is to play the bad guy. We are all children to each other in some ways, aren't we?

Finally, please continue to make my life even more awesome in the many years to come.

p.s. The intention of this post was not to bemoan life but to appreciate life, though the tone may sound depressing. I have just read a fiction about how time has changed friendships and it stirred up sea of emotions in me so that may have spilled over to my writing. Nevertheless, I hope you do feel the warmth and happiness in this note.

With gratitude and love,
xin

Dawn of Asia Civilisation..

since Silin requested! I am here to blog an entry!haha!!

From the title of my blog..you can tell I am having my history module at such an "inhuman" timing!!roar!! Just to let u all know what I am learning nooww!!

It is Melaka as a core Region in World Economic System..the tutor just posted a question..he asked, "what commodities do people used to trade?"..someone answered.." women"-_-lll..nonetheless..it keeps me awake!haa!

alright!tht's all for today!tata!lecture ended!(:

Foodie Journal

Name: Astons Specialities
Location: The Cathay, 4th level (right infront of the escalator)
Waiting Time: 1 hour (worth the wait!)
Last order: 9:30pm
Operating hours: noon till 10:00pm
Cuisine: Western
For more information, please visit: http://www.astonsspecialties.blogspot.com/

Critique:
Food ordered: Hickory BBQ chicken X5, Lemon Lime chicken X1, Black Pepper grilled fish X1 & Fish with herb X1
Side dishes: mash potato, house salad, pasta salad, baked potato, onion rings

From the looks of statisfy eaters UG and JAY, on top of their own share, they GORGED down silin's, shiqi's, gupi's... practically everyone's SIDE DISH. You know it's finger-looking good. Not to mention the fact that the dear gupi, the queen of diet couldnt resist the temptations of Astons, was actually eating her 2nd dinner of the day ( she had LAKSA with *** *** (500th time!) at home b4 coming.) Although the waiting time was HORRIBLY long, it's WORTH the WAIT.

Tip: To avoid the LONGGGG waiting time, perhaps you could pick up the skill frm Karl and Gupi by appearing fashionably late. Only when they are seated!
(jking k karl don't kill me, *** *** don't beat me up!)

-------------------------------------------------
Haha. It was a nice meetup especially when we haven't seen each other in a while!
All the CATCHING UP. hahaha.. We were walking around after dinner and after idleing in PS, we headed to Mac. There was this angmo sitting alone at this 8 seater table and hence I went to asked if we can join his table. He had this surprised look when we all sat down. HAHA! Coz when I asked, I was the only one. And when we all sat down(8of us) he was abit shocked.

It was pretty much on relationship since LOVE is in the AIR. We talked about JAY's favourite topic: SEX. (you see earlier on, we came across this shop in the cathay that have this whole shelf dedicated to SEX. SEX IOU coupons with urm.. hahaha... "requests". Jay we got the hint, will buy it for you for ur next bdae gift!)

well anyway, we were talking about sex b4 marriage or marriage b4 sex so OPENLY. Mind you, we were sitting right at the door step of MAC. There are tons of pple queueing behind us(which is the counter) for FOOD.

I just love my bunch of friends. There don't seem to be any restrictions within us.

I can still see us doing this 10 years down the road.

LOVELY friends: see ur at our year end party!

ps: at the rate it's going, looks like I'll only be spending my Vday with JAY. Don't worry jay I will initiate to date you. I will buy flowers for you. LOL.

loves,
Si Lin

Silin - now Supermodel

Wow, Silin your face is found in New York! HAHAHA.

Good times

I miss my friends.

See this.

Hello!

I came across this while youtubing just now.

you just HAVE TO WATCH THIS.

Billie jean in ACAPELLA version! haaha!

and the ironic part is they sang this song in tuxedos and STERN FACE. look carefully at all their expressions! HILARIOUS

What goes around comes around.

SPEAKING OF BAD KHAMA in my previous article dedicated to ah neh...

please WATCH OUT for what you will be saying in future.

In my previous job, one of the task was to book ferry transfer tickets for my Japanese clients frm HK airport directly to Macau. So i called the agent in Hongkong, gave the names of the client settled all necessary procedures. I gave my name, SPELLED it out to them and waited for their fax confirmation for the reservation.

This is what I got:

SPELL C-E-I-L-I-N-G. CEILING.

Which parent will name their child ceiling?! GOSHGOSHGOSH.

"Hi my name is Ceiling Lye. Nice to meet you." T.T

no wonder mich's not talking to me anymore.

Just in case u cant spot her, I specially circled her up.

MICH i still love you to bits & Pieces! Lesser jokes from now. HAHA!

PJ party at muthunia’s [by invitation only]

Date: 12th September 2008, Friday
Time: 7pm onwards (but guests only started pouring in at 9plus 10)
Theme: Pajamas party (only a few souls adhered to the theme, we should have introduced a PUNISHMENT SYSTEM)
Name of guests : Ah neh, NPY, Qiqi, Shu, Yanen, Gupi, SiLin, Ug & Jay

Description of event:
NPY, UG, Me,SHU and ah neh were the first to arrive. Event started off with dinner proudly provided by KFC. Wonderful family feast Combo B. We wanted combo A initially, but I have predicted that Shuyu chan the greedy pig would have BINCHED on our food even when she repeatedly kept telling us she had her dinner. TA-DA! I was right! She ALMOST finished the popcorn chicken ALL BY HERSELF.

Conclusion made: NEVER to TRUST SHU's words.

After dinner, we nuaed around and more people started arriving! Jay, Gupi and Yanen. As usual, Gupi finished one whole row of milo ALL BY HERSELF. We should register her for some Guiness world record – the fastest drinker on earth. HAHA!

*Due to budget constraint, there was no professional photographer hired for the above mentioned event.

Nonetheless, when Yanen the meanie took out her camera, everyone started cam-whoring! (please check out the facebook for all photos!)

*We sincerely apologise for using flashes, cause if not, We won't be able to detect blackie in all the pictures.

Well cam-whoring continued throughout the WHOLE NIGHT. Then it was time to bring out the cake for the Sept babies! The original plan was for me n qi to bring the cake while ah neh switch off the lights. But WOW. Mei you she me de ma~ We were holding the cake behind the TRANSLUCENT GLASS DOOR and there we have Jay n Ug staring right at us with the cake on our hands. WHILE, mich was busy taking photos away and asked us to wait. So there you have it, the GAN GA CHANG MIAN of me n qi holding the cake like kuku people while Jay n UG duno how to react. WOW WOW WOW.

Another point to mention was the THICK choc cake. Note the word THICK – as THICK as Shu's face THICK. Their chocolate must have been free! I've never eaten any cakes with their chocolate layer THAT THICK. I bet, the chocolate actually weighs heavier then the cake!

*The organising comm apologises again for choosing DARK CHOC CAKE. Coz all we want to do is for the cake to BLEND IN with ah neh.

Well well, not long after, Shu n NPY went home! Then we changed into PJs. And continued with camwhore. NICE NICE PICTURES taken. Then we watched disastrous movie! Hahaha The highlight of the show was the PREGNANT LADY girl breaking with her bulging STOMACH. HAHAHAHAH! I love her hamburger HP too! Kuku show but entertaining! Half way through, some of us cannot take it anymore.. and subsequently one after another, we started looking for our own corner to sleep. I chose mich's bed, then not long after, shared with Gupi. Qi and Yanen took the living room sofas, Ug took the study room sofa, Ah neh went her parent's room and jay took..... THE FLOOR! Hahaha

Next morning at 7plus, I was SHAKEN AWAKE by 2 pple – YANEN and GUPI. They carried on the WAKE UP MISSION and eventually managed to wake the whole house up. As usual, our tradition is to end this stayover with breakfast at MACDONALD's! MAC GRIDDLES ROX.

With sleepy heads and ALMOST CLOSING EYES, we made our way home.

The organising trio thanked everyone's participation for the above event.

Article review by: Silin, Miss Bouncy Boobs.

Advertisement!

' Hello everyone!

I am here to do a little bit of advertisement. hahaha.. as you all know, I will be going to Cambodia in Dec. ( Yes, i am going AGAIN haha).. This year, I am handling quite a big portfolio - will be actually conducting the planning and execution of the projects. We intend for the projects to be long-term and sustainable. This means that future expedition teams will also be continuing the work that we have started this year. This also means that there is a lot of pressure on my project team to really outdo ourselves and to plan a very good project programme that will support the local communitity in Cambodia.

This calendar was done by my fellow tripper. He put in ALOT of effort for this calendar. The pictures that you see were taken by us during our trip last year! The children are really terrific kids. 1 calendar is about 10 bucks. This is how it looks on the inside k. oh btw, the calendar is marked in 2009, not 2008. haha this is a soft copy of a draft!

So, if you are interested so send me a sms or sth!

Love,

Mich

BTW, our wuya is oso going cambodia with NUS NVAC! Congratulations for having made through the interview! You will definitely enjoy it, like how I always do.

=)