Today is Mother's Day and I have been reflecting on things and have come to the conclusion that I am very grateful to both my parents for having raised me. Now I know this sounds like a given but I am really grateful for the WAY that they have brought me up. Let me explain.

I must say here that it took me 27 years to realise this! Like most kids, I complain about my parents as much as anyone. And in some cases more than some. I don't think there is anyone among my friends that does not know the tenous relationship I have, especially with my mother. But in retrospect, I realise that I have been unfair to her. All the snide remarks and jokes I make about her, all the times I complained, all the rudeness I've shown...at the end of it all...she was in the right. Coming over to Australia seemed like an escape for me but now I miss her more than ever...even the nagging.

Perhaps it is because I have seen so many examples of really bad parents over here. The other day there was this woman with two little boys...probably 8 and 6 years of age. This woman could see them scampering about the street but all she did was an occassional feeble 'Stop that boys!' to which they did not listen. I was walking just next to them when we came to one of the many small roads in Melbourne City. These cute little lanes with names like Little Lonsdale Street or Little Bourke Street are actually very dangerous because if you do not pay attention you might not realise they are roads and that there are cars on them. One of the brats ran out onto the road just when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a car approaching fast. I yelled at him as I tried to grab him. He was out of my reach but my yell sufficiently startled him that he stopped and turned around. The car zoomed past barely missing him...and all the silly mother could do was stare at ME as if I did something wrong.

There is also a program called Super Nanny. I'm not sure if it has reached Singapore yet. Basically, everyweek this plump, boisterous English nanny with a horrid accent goes around the US dispensing common sense advice to American parents who have lost control of their kids. I say common sense because she is not giving out earth shattering pearls of wisdom, she is stating things that most parents should already know. For example, "When you are being stern, you cannot smile" (Like Duh!) or "You must always mean what you say when you threaten punishment". I mean these are things my mum knew without having to be told. She could stop you dead in your tracks with one look or leave your blood cold with her gaze.

I guess, after seeing the riff raff out there, I am so appreciative to God that I got really great parents. And without sounding too arrogant, I think they did a great job too. I am very happy with my life, with who I am and I know this is testament to their good work. I've always believed in nurture over nature. I could take the credit for who I am but that would be denying the credit where it is due. And it wasn't just a fluke either. I look at my kind, well adjusted, wonderful sister and know that we are who we are because of their guidance and discipline. And more recently, looking at my brother I see that they are going for the hat trick with a 3 for 3 score.

So in short, appreciate your parents too. I know it may seem hard now, but there will come a time when you can look back at everything and know how lucky you are. I know that I am. Now excuse me, gotta go call up my mum and wish her Happy Mother's Day!

"Before I was born you even knew what my name would be, you were saying prayers and dreaming dreams of me..." - You Planted The Love (Mother's Day Song)

It has recently been pointed out to me that I make many critical comments about Australia in my posts and this may lead people to believe that I regret coming here. However, this is hardly the case and so I have decided to rectify this impression by coming up with my own personal "David Letterman"-like top ten list. My list is the Top Ten things that I will miss about Australia.

Since this is already my final year (Fast...huh?), it is only appropriate to start thinking about the things over here I'll miss when I return home so here they are...

10 - The Smiles
Ok this may sound silly that's why it's number ten but seriously, people really do smile more here and I think it leads to an overall more peaceful atmosphere at places which back home are usually very stressful...like bank queues, on the trams (bus), and in lifts. And their smiles are actually genuine too that's what is so great.

9 - The DVDs
DVDs are huge over here...who ever said Australia was technically backward? There are DVD rental places like everywhere, DVDs are very cheap to buy and there are even companies that have started online DVD rental systems whereby you simply select the ones you want, they mail it to you and when you're done, you just mail it back to them. The ultimate option for the couch potato!

8 - The Weather
I know this is bizarre because I always complain about the weather but there is something to be said about not having a consistent temperature all the time. At least, it nevers gets dull, you have more options with your wardrobe and people won't look at you funny if you walk down the street in a trench coat...ala Matrix.

7 - The Fresh Food
I think it's a given that nothing beats Singapore food in terms of taste, texture and pure shiok-ability, but I think maybe the reason we have things like belachan, pickles and soy sauce is because our fresh produce is just not well...that fresh. After eating the fruits and vegetables here...I have a new appreciation for produce that is fresh from the farm.

6 - The TV Choices
It is so good to have more than one television station being run by different companies with rival programs. Each of them have their own identity and with different programs you have a wider choice and more variety. With only one English speaking station in Singapore, all the great shows have to compete not only with each other but with the local stuff too...hence wonderful shows like 'The West Wing' and 'Scrubs' get shown at 11pm at night. It's a shame about Mediaworks.

5 - The Education System
After spending 2 years over here, I have nothing but praise for the education system. Possibly this opinion may not represent all universities here just RMIT, and don't get me wrong they have many issues too, especially with admin, but I can't help but feel that I have benefitted from the system here. The freedom to choose subjects across faculties, being on first name basis with lecturers, having a real say in the structure of my degree and so on...

4 - The English
Ok...this may sound xenophobic but it really isn't. It's just that there is something comforting, for me personally, being surrounded by English wherever you go. Officially, in Singapore, English is the language of preference for most people, but in reality, many people break into other languages when they have a choice. When I leave my comfort zone (Seletar Hills, Church, Family), it is quite a culture shock. I remember how my English deteriorated when I was in the army and it's alarming to think that might happen when I return for good.

3 - The Christian Radio Station
That's right! 89.9 FM, called Light and Breezy but in reality, a Christian music station. There is just something really cool about turning on your radio and hearing 'Lord I Lift Your Name On High' and singing along.

2 - The Activist Spirit
While on one hand, I think freedom of speech can be overrated, and most times, for all the strikes and activism here...mostly nothing gets down without the government's permission anyway, there is something to be said about being able to have serious discussions and differing view points without getting angry with each other. Reminds me of my time on CJC's debate team. Honestly, other than school, back home if you have opinions which are different from the status quo, one often finds oneself isolated and maligned by close minded people.

1 - The Cinema Experience
After becoming a total cinema buff over here, in huge cinemas, with ample leg room, audiences that actually refrain from talking and answering their phones, eat quietly and get the plots and jokes in most films, the cinema experience in Singapore leaves a lot to be desired. With such an avid movie going public here, there are many opportunities to catch old films, arthouse films, student films etc at big cinemas not just small ones. It is overall, the thing I will miss most when I leave.

And that concludes my personal top ten list!

I have just seen my brother's new blog and I am totally blown away. Firstly, it is amazing visually, with so many designs and gimmicks that makes mine look like a 286 Computer to his Pentium 4. I have half a mind to shut down my blog until I learn how to improve its look!

But it's not just how the blog looks. It's what he has written in it. I have only been away for two and a half years but in that time, my 'little' brother is not so little anymore. He is quoting songs, writing in such a matured way and appears to be in love...I hardly know who this person is. I am so proud of his abilities and yet sad that I missed this amazing transformation.

I have just added his blog to my links. His name is Steven for those of you who do not already know and he is really a cool guy. He is smart and very matured for his age, he has a very ecletic taste in music, is an expert in computers, and holds his own with most games. I wish I could say more but I'm only just discovering things about him myself.

Steven, my only advice to you is this...if you want to keep something a secret, you can't give people clues because they ALWAYS find out. And please help me improve my blog when I return. Yours is awesome!

If I needed another sign that I'm getting old, this was certainly it. I still see him as a kid and I now realise that I'd better stop that or I won't get to know the great young man that he has become.

"Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children." - George Bernard Shaw

Well, the last two weeks have been very hectic in school. Lots to do but I must say that I am enjoying it very much. The first week was the major assignment task for my Online Journalism subject. As a group, we were tasked to produce a news website equipped with articles, photos, videos and anything that we could get our hands on. I have really enjoyed this subject this year because I have finally learned something about HTML, using Dreamweaver and the sort of stuff that usually frightens me about computers.

Ironically, though I am hardly an expert with computers, in my little group, I was the designated 'techie'. Our story was on the Journalism Awards that were held in Australia, at the end of March. Known as the 'Quills', it is the premier journalism awards ceremony in Victoria and almost all industry people attend it. Two of my group members(One of them a full-time journalist) attended the awards and got footage of it. My task was to photoshop the pictures and help edit the videos for the event. I also wrote one of the articles for the site. Anyway, it was a good experience and I wanted to show off a bit so here is the address for the site -
The Fifth Estate
Ours is the article titled "Media Awards Spark Debate".

Anyway, this week, my first TV story was due as well. I am partnered this term with a very nice Danish girl named Sanaa. We decided to do a story on hybrid cars as an answer to the rising petrol prices over here. It has been a very fun story to do and a very big improvement I think on my stories last year. Toyota was very happy to talk to us and we even got to test drive the hybrid car, the 2nd generation Toyota Prius. It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be, very much a family car and it ran pretty much like an ordinary car would.

No lack of power, no slow acceleration. None of the problems usually attached with cars that do not run solely on petrol. The only difference is the silence. The car basically uses an electric engine under 40 km/h with the petrol engine only kicking in at higher revs. As such, the engine is pretty much silent...you can hardly tell that it is on. At one point I thought I stalled! It was very cool...and on top of that you get to save fuel and do something positive for the environment. Very high tech also, there was a touch screen on the dashboard and believe it or not, but the gear shift was on the dash too! Just a little gear stick...similar to Daytona. Anyway, if you're keen, take a look at the car here.

It is impossible to go through life without trust: That is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself. - Graham Greene, The Ministry of Fear

Most of you know my friend Brandon H'ng. He is studying here in Melbourne too and his girlfriend, Maggie is working in a production company. I know it sounds very glamorous but when you ask her about it, the poor girl works long hours and does all sort of tedious jobs that it loses its finesse. Anyway, her company is shooting a Bollywood film right here in Melbourne. It's called Salaam Namaste and it should be out next here. Being a strong supporter of the arts, I naturally stepped forward when I heard that she was looking for Indian extras to be in the film. I even submitted a photograph for the producers to see. Maggie told me that the only reason they may not choose me is I do not look 'Indian' enough. Well, she hasn't called me back so I guess that is true. I can see the sadness on my grandmother's face now, to know that I can't pass off as an Indian. I have never had an identity crisis like this before...haha. Even my housemate Edardy got to dance in one of the scenes...I guess my big screen debut will have to wait a while more.

In other entertainment news...I bumped into Eva Mendes at the Lounge cafe on Swanston Street. That's right, the Latino hottie from Hitch and 2Fast 2Furious. And I have to say...she is as gorgeous and luminescent in real life as she is on the screen. Apparently she is in town to shoot the movie Ghost Rider with Nicolas Cage. We are on the lookout for any more news on the shoot.

A couple of things have happened in the last few days that have really made me realise just how old I am. (For those of you who don't want to hear a 27 year old whining about his age...you may log off now!)
Firstly, Pope John Paul II, JPII, passed away. I was reading Leonie's blog and she reminded me that he visited Singapore in 1986. I remember going with my family to the National Stadium to attend the mass which he celebrated. I was only 8 but I remember thinking how cool it was that so many people...thousands of Singaporeans...all came to the same place for mass. I figured this man must be special to get so many people together. They are of course having many specials about his life and one comment that the Australian Archbishop made was about how for many young people...we have no memory of a church without John Paul II. He's the only pope we have known. It occurred to me that not only has an era passed, but a stage in my life had passed too. I welcome the new pope not as a child but as an adult. An adult who is most interested in how the church is going to evolve in this difficult time we live in.
On a lighter note...I also watched Oprah's interview with the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond which is into its final season and will end after 9 years. 9 years? When did all that time pass? Raymond was the 'new' series that I watched after my favourite shows 'Mad About You' and 'Seinfeld' ended. I can't believe that it too has reached its expiry date. Somehow the new sitcoms just don't cut it for me. It took me so long to watch a new show that I don't know if I can go through that again...haha
And thirdly...since these things always come in 3s...I was chatting with my friend Yvonne on MSN the other day and she reminded me that is has been 10 YEARS since we met in Catholic Junior College. 10 FREAKING YEARS! To me CJ seems like it was just yesterday. A decade seems like an awfully large amount of space with so little in it. Don't get me wrong, it's been as full a life as I can handle but it seems that I should have, could have, would have done so much more in it. And these were the years when I was not so busy. Wait till I graduate and start work...sigh...anyway, it was just one wake up call after another that I am not young anymore. Only 3 more years as a 'youth', as the Singapore government classifies it. I guess I'd better do as many youthful things as I can before the big 30!

"Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be" - Morris Aldere

Well, people I am back! For those that have long considered this blog site dead, I am officially ressurecting it. It is now April 2005 and I have absolutely no idea how 3 months in the new year just flew by like that. In my defence there were many issues and obstacles to me blogging regularly. But I realise that I have more time to do this in Australia and I promise not to let it slide again.

I was touched by the fact that quite a few people actually missed me blogging and either emailed me or used the tag board to complain about my tardiness. There was even a tagged message from someone I don't even know. That strangers are actually interested in what little old me has to say is very gratifying. And this is a personal message for Mr John Pritchard...if you are still checking this site. Yes, I did know Aunty Molly, not as well as I would have liked, but well enough to respect and admire her for her work. I would not mind talking to you about it more. Just tag me again....

Anyway, I could harangue you with all the things that have happened since the last post but that would take hours, so I am just going to confine this with a few highlights. Firstly, an explanation for why it took me so long to get my internet up and running. I swear, the customer service in this country can drive you crazy!

I am with a service provider called Telstra. They are the largest, quasi government owned telecommunications company over here. Something like Singtel back home. Now you would think for all their funding, expertise and prestige that the quality of service would be the best right? Wrong! Firstly, I returned to Melbourne in February to find that almost all my amenities had been cut off. Fair enough, this was totally my fault because I neglected to pay the bills all the time I was in Singapore. I had no phone, no mobile, no internet. We were lucky the power didn't get cut off. I can accept that. What I can't accept is the ordeal I went through to get the damn thing re-connected. I called Telstra and am told that first I have to pay the overdue bill. And here's the nice bit. Although they were smart enough to cut the service after two months of non-payment, they continued charging me the full price for the service. Then they add a late fee which is almost as much as the monthly fee and I was stuck with a whopping $500 bill. But it's all good...I pay it up and am told that the service will be reconnected in 3 working days. Now back in Singapore that would actually mean 3 working days. Not so in Australia. After the 3 days, I turn on my computer and it's not working. So I call them. Telstra tells me that their computers show that my service is working so it must be a technical problem. And so, I call technical support. (Please note that everytime I call any of these departments it is a 15min to 30 min wait listening to cheesy piano music) Technical support tells me that they are having difficulty refreshing my account on their computers. They will sort it out internally and call me back once it's done. For the next few days...silence. I call again and am told that a technician needs to go down to the exchange and sort out the problem but the internet will be operational in 3 days. Once again...3 days pass and nothing. I call them up again and this is the best excuse yet...Technical Support informs me that THEIR SERVERS ARE DOWN! And I'm like...oh dear...who does technical support call when they have technical problems? Anyway, after another few days...nearly two weeks in total...I am informed that according to the technical support computers, my account is inactive because of failure to pay my bills! They refer me back to billing where I cam informed....no my account is active. She refers me to Connections where I am told that this situation cannot happen. How can two departments in the same organisation show two different things on their computers? That is the very question I pose to this girl who lowers her voice and tells me...officially, she has no idea how this can happen. She then refers me to customer service where I finally lose my cool. Now those who know me well know that I do not lose my temper often. But when I finally do...it's a bad sight to behold. I tell the poor girl at customer service "I don't know what kind of circus you people are running here but I am sick and tired of being shuttled from one place to another. I am not calling anymore. I expect this service fixed in 3 days time after which I will decide whether or not I am going to pay anymore bills. Fix it or not I don't care anymore, but I am not calling back anymore." She tries to pacify me by being polite but she clearly sounds shaken and asks me if there is anything else she can do for me to which I reply "Yes....give me the number to Optus!" (Optus is their rival company)

I don't know why people only get moving when you yell at them but lo and behold, in 3 days my service was operational and working fine and I didn't have to call anyone. I have yet to receive the next bill. I am still contemplating whether to pay it...hehe. Anyway, I did feel bad about yelling to some poor innocent customer service rep but seriously nothing got done until I did.

Anyway, enough about that. School is great! I am in 3rd year now...geez I can't believe 2 years just flew by. My subjects this term are very interesting. Doing Advanced TV where I have to produce a news story and a current affairs story and put it to air. I am also thinking of signing up to read the news on the weekly school news program...just for experience. I love the way RMIT lets us choose who we want to structure our course. I am also doing Online Journalism Production where we have to produce a news website. Learning basic html and other techie stuff. And also doing News Editing. I love this subject...basically we are learning to check each other's work for spelling, grammar and structure issues. It's like being a teacher all over again.

I am also aware this year that everything will be 'the last'. For example, I attended my last Easter mass in Australia! And soon I will be handing in my last TV assignment and my last Cinema essay and so on. I can't wait to be done here. It's like I've started a massive 8 month countdown to my graduation. Finally, I'll be able to say that I have a degree...I know it's silly.

Easter mass was lovely. We attended the choral high mass at St Patrick's Cathedral. It was celebrated by the Archbishop of Melbourne and there was an all boy choir singing. I must say there are some notes that those little rugrats reach that are higher than any soprano I know. It was a really awesome sound to behold. I went with Robyn, Sham, Jon Liew and some other friends. Although the mass was almost 2 hours, everyone said it went by very quickly. At the end, they sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus! I got all misty eyed...haha

Anyway, I think that's all I'll ramble on about for now. I will update this blog at least once a week so if there are any bored people out there who read this...I won't let you down.

Life is not about the breaths you take, it is about the moments that take
your breath away!
- Will Smith, Hitch

I know...I know, it's been like ages but I have come to the realisation that this blog was more a means to keep in touch with people while I was in Australia. And besides, honestly, who among us has been free during this really busy December?

I won't try and update you all with everything that has happened in tha past 2 months because that would take way too long. So much has happened. I'll just do what I do best, pick up from where I left off.

So here I sit, on the night of the 20th of December, the night after the immensely successful Christmas Light Up. It was even better than last year I think. Better organised, more participants and variety and definitely better crowd. The spirit of course was still awesome, something I am so glad to find here in St Vincent de Paul. To all of you who missed it...you really lost out.

And yet, perhaps because I wasn't conducting the choir that night...so jealous of you Leo...haha
I did not get as moved as I did when we were caroling inside the Armenian Church for the FreeMasons. I don't know if it was something about that place or maybe just the fact that we were doing all the old carols in the old way. No complicated parts, no gimmicks, no frills. Just straight singing. And as I conducted Silent Night, one of the oldest carols, in the Armenian Church, one of the oldest churches in Singapore...I got an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia. Like we were carrying on a tradition that had been performed countless times for hundreds of years.

In fact, I did not have to go too far to feel nostalgia. Just looking at the wonderful mass of people that stood before me was enough to bring tears to my eyes. My sister dutifully playing the keyboard even though it was her birthday...Joan, Joanne, Michelle and Mike...whom I recruited nearly 10 years ago...still singing strong...Sabina and Donna-mae...whom I practically watched grow up...Niz, Van, Val, Leo & Oli...no longer the newbies...they are now the veterans...and those joining us for the first time...Abby, Emmanuel, KC...and so many others. I realised that we too are setting and continue to set traditions. And at that moment...I truly felt the spirit of Christmas.

And it does not matter whether the feeling continues or is forgotten. It only matters that at that moment in our lives...we felt it and the memories of that will stay forever. I have learnt with the light up, with the choir and with my relationships in general, that is a fool who tries to re-create these 'magic' moments again and again. It is not possible to do so because something will always be different. What we should be striving for is new wonderful memories with new wonderful people.

So next time someone tells me..."The choir has changed..." - I'm gonna simply reply...."Yes, and thank God it has...because that means we've grown."

"If a person is not here...he must be somewhere else!" ~ Japanese Proverb

I know it's been nearly two weeks since my last entry and I must apologise for that. Things have been getting very hectic around here. I am rushing to get my last few assignments finished as wellas making preparations for my flight back home next week.
The last day of school was last Thursday and although I'm not out of the woods yet, I had a strong realisation that this marks the end of my second year at university. I mean, I can't believe it's been two years already. Now, I know when you break it down, it is only about 30 weeks with long holidays in between and I do fly home regularly but it is more to do with what it represents rather than what it is. It means I have only one more year left to graduation and though that may seem like a long time, seeing as how fast time has flown, I'm pretty sure it is not.
During that time, I have seen many friends graduate and either start working here or return home and I guess that has made me want to finish up too so that I can finally get started on a career path. What surprised me the most is how unremarkable it all is. We finished our last tutorial, the lecturer wished us luck, me and my classmates went for a drink and that was it. We're done. Funny how life is sometimes. The most significant events just creep up on you without fanfare and it is up to you to make a big deal about it or not.
I remember collecting my pink Identity Card after my O.R.D. (Finished my National Service). It was the same weird displaced, surreal feeling. My boss shook my hand and that was it. Two years of torture and restrictions simply over. No more 'Life Runs' or 'Overtime' or 'Exercises'. My new understudy (my boss's new slave) signed everything I asked him too and I left.
The only significance that day held was what I made of it. I reunited with some of my BMT mates at our old prata hangout in Casuarina in Thomson. We used to go there every weekend we booked out during BMT for cheese prata and banana milk...(Don't knock it till you've tried it!) Anyway, Cyrus, Mahesh, Vijay, Pooch and me made an effort to do it one last time before we got on with the rest of our lives.
I guess life is only as significant as you make it. Since it is the sum total of our shared experiences, we have to make these experiences memorable and stand out. My year is usually marked by these significant events. Bithdays, Feast Days, Christmas, Choir Camps, Vacations, Chalets, Projects, Outings, Anniversaries and Weddings. And yes...sometimes funerals.
I make sure these events all have special significance for me. I don't believe in doing things small. You only get one crack at this thing called life so live large and dream big. Fight routine and mediocrity every step of the way, and if you find yourself falling into a boring or mundane patch, give me a call...we'll do something different. It does not have to be large or costly...just something simple that breaks the monotony. Calling on an old friend, catching up with old classmates or colleagues, doing something you haven't done in a while. It's hard to do, I agree, but it is worth the effort.

"LIVE LIKE EVERY DAY IS THE LAST, DANCE LIKE NOBODY'S WATCHING, LOVE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER BEEN HURT!"

I just sent my sister to the airport after a great one week holiday. We really did so much in such a short time and it was a welcome break. We flew to Brisbane and the Gold Coast for 3 days. From the cold of Melbourne, the sunny skies of Queensland were a welcome relief. The first day we spent lolling by the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. There were three of us, me, Jackie and our friend Robyn. Intially we thought that the Sunshine Coast was like right next to the Gold Coast, we only realised our mistake after an hour's drive out of Brisbane but it was worth it. We went to Coolum Beach which was not crowded and full of tourists like the Gold Coast. Crystal clear waters, Sahara-like fine sand and great surf. Almost everyone there was surfing, from little toddlers to elderly men. Makes me want to learn how...


The gals relax at the Gold Coast.

On the second day, we went to the Gold Coast and baked in the sun in the morning. The sun is rising so early these days that by 10am, it is hot enough to get a tan. Jackie and I got so dark...later on we went to Sea World. Just as awesome as the one in San Diego! Highlights of that day would be the new Shark Bay aquarium where you can get a close up underwater look at some big ass sharks. And I'm talking about Tiger Sharks which are pretty dangerous. For $85, certified divers can even swim around in the tank with them.


Up close with a Tiger Shark

Another highlight was the helicopter ride that the girls talked me into. That's right...Mr Vertigo went up in a chopper. It was really fun, the pilot was very experienced and there was hardly any sensation of nausea. I owe my bravado on the flight to two people. One is the 8-year-old kid the supervisor put in the seat next to me. No way was I gonna panic with this kid looking so calm. And the other person is Jon Liew, with whom I have flown many helicopter missions on the computer game 'Battlefield Vietnam'.


Flying high in the chopper

We stayed with my friend Jason in a suburb aptly named the West End. It was really quite a nice place with many al fresco restaurants and cafes, many hippie pubs and lots of activity all the time. Quite different from the laid back impression people have of Brisbane. We cooked dinner on the second night. When I say we...what I mean is Robyn and Ja and Jackie did. I was the official food taster. I think it's best that everyone does what they are best at...don't you?


Chilling with Ja...

On the last day, we went to Warner Brothers Movieworld which was really cool. Lots of thrilling rides...the Batman Simulator, Lethal Weapon Rollercoaster, the Scooby Doo ride which was quite scary despite being meant for kids and many others. There were also cool shows like the Police Academy Stunt Show which showcased various stunts from fire stunts to pyrotechnics, to free falling - it was really good. There was also a parade...small in comparison to Disneyland but with some interesting characters including Batman, Robin, Batgirl and villains Mr Freeze, Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Penguin. Austin Powers, Scooby and the gang and of course Bugs Bunny and company were all there as well.


Batman, Robin and Batgirl


Robyn and me outside the Hogwarts Store

One moment stands out for me. Standing outside the Corkscrew rollercoaster ride at Sea World, a man with a small kid in a cap approached the staff manning the gate. It was obvious that the kid was too small for the ride because he was shorter than the marker at the entrance. I could not hear the conversation that passed between them but words like "exception", "could get into trouble" and "just this once" could be heard. After a bit, the staff member opened the side gate, let the little boy get to the front of the crowd and sit in the front seat with his dad. The staff member then asked the boy to remove his cap, and it was then that I realise the kid was bald. He also had some visible scars on his head...the result of some painful operations. The boy was obviously sick and his dad wanted to appease his son's request. Unlike other small kids who were probably told by their parents, "Next year we'll come back"...it was clear to me that this kid might not have that opportunity. What I applaud is the courageous move on the part of the staff member who could easily have lost his job if anyone in management saw his gesture or if anything happened to the kid. How many people agree with me that the likelihood of something so beautiful and magnanimous ever happening in rigid, by the book, Singapore is highly unlikely? For all, the technological innovations, efficiency, peace, prosperity and harmony we enjoy in Singapore, it is little things like this which I think have gotten lost along the way. And if we truly want to be proud of the place we live, we need to recapture this simple humanity that many of us lack. Courtesy, respect, mutual understanding and kindness. These should be second nature and not the results of another cheesy campaign. Until that day comes, Singapore will always be wanting in terms of being the ideal place to live.

I tell you,
the more I think,
the more I feel
that there is
nothing more truly artistic
than to love people.
- Vincent Van Gogh

It has been a while and much has happened but I don't think I will write about most of them because honestly, I did not want this blog to end up being my lame attempt to glamorise the mundane routines of my life. So instead here are some random thoughts I have had in the past week or so. I travel to school by train and usually return home by tram. The return journey is longer and the one I look forward to because it affords me the time to think about stuff.

For example, I was thinking about fame. It is such an intangible, fickle and funny thing. I mean, what is the definition of a celebrity? Is it simply someone everyone knows? Someone who is easily recognised? It is not necessarily a given that if you are an actress, you will be easily recognised. I recall a story Sabina told me about American actress Samantha Mathis coming into Starbucks where Sabina worked and getting all upset because nobody recognised her. And if you are scratching your head going Samantha who? Don't worry. She ain't that famous an actress.

But seriously, what makes someone normal one minute and then famous the next? Edardy just bumped into one of the finalists for Australian Idol 2, Amali. She was just eliminated from the competition and yet, in her own way, she is still a mini-celebrity. If anything, it is because we see her every week on our television and hence we feel like we know her. But she is just an average girl like anybody else. And so are all celebrities. From Paris Hilton to William Hung. So what makes people go crazy over them?
Perhaps it is the rapport we get from seeing them on television. But, all that is just clever editing. With the same tools, we can portray someone in a bad light, just like Mediacorp did to my friend Alemay during the ridiculous Singapore Idol.

Hence, fame itself is something created by people that need something extra in their lives. It's like a drug. In reality, Tom Cruise has bad hair days, Beyonce needs to exercise and even Elle MacPherson gets zits. After all, would I treat any of my friends differently if they became famous?
Seems like I've got celebrity friends everywhere, from models to Idols, from reality tv participants to nightclub singers. But no matter how famous they became, they'd always be the same guy / girl I always knew...no matter how many airs they put on or how much money they made. I'm sure Jenny's friends from the block still tell her to shut up, Antonia Kidman probably gives sister Nicole fashion tips and Jim Corr shares a bathroom with his sisters without realising how lucky he is.
Hence fame is created by producers, sustained by the media and destroyed by the tabloids. It doesn't really exist on its own.

On another note, I just watched the film 'Cold Mountain' with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman. Brandon recommended I see it on the big screen as opposed to a rented DVD and so I managed to catch it at RMIT's Kaleide Theatre. They screen movies there every Monday for free. It was a bit slow honestly, and the plot was somewhat predictable. Still, it had its moments. It is set during the American Civil War and Jude Law (a confederate soldier) has deserted to return home to his sweetheart (Nicole Kidman). The rest of the film is basically his journey and the interesting characters he meets and adventures he has. It also centres on the hardships Nicole faces since he has been gone. The director managed to secure very good character actors for all the people both Jude and Nicole encounter and as such, you feel for them even though they are not on screen very long. I think I am becoming a sucker for subtlety in my old age. Or perhaps since I started studying cinema. Nowadays, the obvious just irritates me. I prefer things that are understated, not overly acted. One of the most touching scenes in this film I felt was when Jude encountered a young widow, played by Natalie Portman. This poor young woman with her baby truly misses her husband. She gives Jude shelter for the night, initially in the barn but then invites him to share her bed. "To just lay there and nothing more." They lie there not saying much, she missing her dead husband, he missing his beloved Nicole. And they fall asleep in each other's arms, two strangers comforting one another. Truly a beautiful and touching scene. At least for a soppy romantic like me.
Anyway...that's all for now.

Just a little something to cheer up anyone who is currently being stressed out with school, work, exams or assignments. Enjoy!


Ouch!

The importance of spell check! 

What were they thinking? 

Like Duh!!! I think this is from Malaysia... 

Sorry Niz...but this is my favourite!!! 

Not the brightest of advertising campaigns... 

Ironically this happened before the tragedy... 

If this ever happens to me I'll haunt those responsible!

And on that note...I bid you all adieu!

Melbourne is such a quaint little city. Before the know-it-alls point out to me that it is bigger than Town in Singapore, let me quantify my statement by saying that I am only talking about the main city district and not the Greater Melbourne city area. It is very liberating taking little strolls up and down the streets in the evening. That is, on the days when it doesn't rain. It is really cool these days so the walk is neither tiring nor sweat inducing. You never know what you will discover or who you will meet. The other day, I wandered on to a street where they were filming something. They had blocked off the street from traffic but pedestrians could still walk through. There was a 1950s Rolls Royce with some actors I could not recognise shooting a conversation or something. It turned out to be for an Aussie TV movie starring Colin Friels...I think. The crew were rather mysterious about everything. I was a bit disappointed that I did not bump into anyone famous, although, to me, famous means someone with a Hollywood credential. We bump into local Aussie actors all the time. Especially from such shows like 'Neighbours', 'Skithouse' and 'Home and Away'.
On another one of my walks, I stumbled upon the site of a violent crime. It was just like the movies, with the police tape cordoning off an area, the police keeping people at bay and even the white chalk on the floor. I was initially suspicious and kept looking out for movie camers until I saw the fresh blood on the pavement. Apparently, an armed robbery gone sour at one of the all night convenience stores along Lonsdale Street. No wonder 7/11s here always have 'For hire' signs in their windows...nobody wants to work there.
Last week, one of my morning lectures got cancelled because our teachers were participating in industrial action which is just a fancy word for 'strike'. When I asked my lecturer what the strike was about he just said 'general unhappiness'. I love the way people here can just stop work whenever the spirit moves them. I didn't really mind not having class. But I did mind having to wake up at 9 in the morning for nothing. At least plan these things in advance and let us know right? Typical of the way things are run here and especially in RMIT.
Still, I can't complain, it gave me a chance to go for yet another walk and I made another serendipitous discovery - A very nice internet cafe in one of the backlanes just behind my school. Very chill out ambience with cool lounge music from the likes of Massive Attack and Cafe del Mar. They serve a mean cup of coffee and the computers are fairly new and fast. Altogether a very ideal place to do homework or assignments in, especially since RMIT computers are slow, impossible to get during peak hours and have banned web based email and online chat programmes. So sucky. Anyway, whenever a door is closed, a window opens...

I just got off the phone with my best friend Alemay. It is really quite extraordinary, I was just thinking of her this morning and tonight she calls. Then again, the two of us have always had a special connection...the ability to anticipate and pre-empt situations, to sense when the other one needed to talk. You know it's true what they say about not really missing someone until they are no longer around. In Singapore, we don't meet up as often as I'd like but now, when we are worlds apart, I really do miss her. There is always that one person, to whom you can always be yourself, you can bitch as much as you want without being judged, you can feel comfortable and at ease and they know just what you are thinking even without saying anything. Well, she is like that to me. It's a shame that busy schedules cause people to see less and less of each other. Still, whenever we do meet, at least it always seems as if nothing has changed. We are fortunate in that we can just pick up from where we left off. That is a quality not commonly found. When you are younger common interests and activities and schools dictated whom became your friends. However, as one gets older,this has to change somewhat. You have to put in more time and actually make an effort to meet up and spend time... because if you don't then your colleagues are the only ones you'd see long enough to establish a social link with and let's face it... nobody wants to be friends with just their colleagues. Sadly, for many, this is common. There is a joke about teachers who marry other teachers from their school but seriously, I personally know at least 5 examples of this and you can't really blame them. With such busy work schedules, it makes sense to marry someone you see as often as your colleagues. I remember a teacher colleague of mine from my time in CHIJ Toa Payoh, who on the day of his wedding...showed up for work in the morning, got dressed in his suit, took a cab and arrived in time for his 3pm ceremony at the justice of the peace. I hope that I am never that busy with work. It's just not worth it...unless you are developing a cure for cancer or something...and even then...I don't know.
It's been one hell of a crazy week with our guests from out of town staying with us and all. Today I went for the sung mass at 11am at St Francis and it was magical. I think my guardian angel was working overtime today in terms of giving me signs. Firstly, Sabina recommended to me to become more involved over here in Melbourne so I wouldn't miss home so much. At mass, the choir was giving out flyers stating that they are looking for new members, especially tenors...hahaha...oh my!!!
Then, I went to JB Hi-Fi to return a scratched DVD and they are looking for casual staff to work there. Just when I was thinking I should get a job to supplement my allowance...can anyone think of a better job for me? Working in a DVD store...seems like heaven...
And then, I was thinking of what to eat for lunch...and feeling guilty because I have put on weight during winter...this guy on the corner is handing out discount coupons for Subway...so that's what I had...I tell you, today was all about Kismet...
Anyway, Happy Birthday Alemay...I know you'll never read this so I guess I'll have to call you again tomorrow to wish you...

You know, it's actually kind of funny. No matter how much we try and escape from it, there's a little bit of Singapore in all of us. Sure, we roll our eyes when we see our kiasu kinsmen cutting queues at the supermarket, 'choping' seats with tissue packets at the food court and booking out library books early in case they become unavailable. I for one do not engage in such awful 'Singaporean' behaviour...nor do most of my friends...I hope. However, dig deeper and I'm sure you'll find something, anything, no matter how small, that can be categorised as a symptom of 'Singaporeanness'. For example, I have a friend who always orders 'designer' pratas like "telur bawang" or "crispy cheese" just so that they have to make a fresh one and he doesn't get the stale 'kosong' that has been sitting on the tray for a day and a half. And then there's my friend who will kick up a fuss at a restaurant if the waiter seems to be 'rushing' her when she is making her order. Somehow the fact that he has a dozen other tables to serve doesn't occur to her. Oh well...I guess we get used to these things when you're in Singapore. It only becomes apparent when you see it happening overseas.
I guess it is time to reveal my problem. I am a sucker for offers. It doesn't matter how much it costs, whether I need the item or not, hell even if I was shopping for it or not...when I see a good offer, I have to go for it. I'm the guy that actually collects and uses all those discount coupons for KFC and Hungry Jacks (Burger King in Singapore) that they give out at train stations. I was even duped by a company calling itself Sublet that sold 6 inch and foot long sandwiches. Talk about your copyright infringements, they even used the same font and colours in their copy, and they had the audacity to pass the coupons out, right next to a real Subway outlet.
I walked past JB Hi Fi on Sunday and as usual, there were colourful posters announcing all their great sales and latest offers, I always get so tempted when I go there so I try to avoid it as best as possible. And then I saw it....my Achilles heel, my chocolate mudpie, my Kryptonite...a sign with the words "Buy 2 Get 1 Free". Five magic words that make all semblance of logic and will power disappear from my Singaporean head.
When I see that sign, I don't think about the money I am going to be spending, my only thought is of the money I will be saving. I can even convince myself that I am in effect, saving money by making the purchase. I seriously need help. As a result of this lack of control, I have numerous DVD titles that I am not proud of...I mean Chuck Norris' "Missing In Action"? My cinema tutor will throttle me. I am also the proud owner of numerous items from Sell-A-Vision and TV media, from the Classics CD Collection to 'The Abdominizer'...which I can testify does NOT work. I also have a large collection of trinkets, knick knacks and whatchamacallits. I have stacks of Tic-Tac which you get for only $1 with every purchase of a large coke at Safeway and the latest cartoon character that you get with a McDonald's meal. Still, I am slowly getting my addiction under control. Borders recently had a 3 for the price of 2 sale as well...and I came so close to buying stuff. But, I thought of all the books I have that I have not read...as well as my backlog of readings for school and managed to escape unscathed.
Well they say that admitting you have a problem is the first step. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to get to church without passing JB Hi Fi...

"I don't understand people who don't drink booze. When they wake up in the morning, that's the happiest they are going to be all day." ~ Frank Sinatra

I have just finished reading the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. For those of you who have heard about this book and the controversies it has unleashed, you will understand why I have titled this extract 'an obsession.' The book is truly a very compelling read. I seriously could not put it down. I started reading it and it honestly consumed me until I had finished it. In total, I took three days to finish it and that includes all the added internet surfing, library research and prayer that was involved. The author just threw up so many interesting and controversial facts that aimed to shatter the foundations of the Catholic Church and everything I believe in. I have not been so obsessed with a book in ages and not experienced such a spiritual crisis since JC when I found myself in a class full of atheists, agnostics and born again Christians.
I was both alarmed and surprised at how easily this work of fiction could throw my world asunder. Thankfully, it did not last long. (Thanks especially to you Robyn for our many long talks)
But that is all this book is...a cleverly woven work of fiction. Upon further research, it appears much of what Brown asserts is merely conjecture, he has linked so many different issues together and whatever facts he could not find, he simply made up. He is very good at his job though. Just take a look at his website (http://www.danbrown.com) and see how believable he makes his theories look.
I can only imagine the kind of response his theories will get from people who do not have a substantial knowledge of early church history. Basically he plays upon little facts that most of us do know and then builds huge assertions on that. What frightened me most is that it seems his book is going to be made into a blockbuster movie soon, directed by Ron Howard and starring Kate Beckingsale and Russell Crowe. That will certainly bring his ideas to the general movie going public. Now, I'm not a huge believer of censorship but the danger of this book is that it presents itself as fact and unlike a movie like Indiana Jones or Harry Potter, the masses out there might be fooled into thinking these assertions have been proven when they are in fact...simply a theory.
I know I'm rambling on here but if you have read the book you will know what I mean. Anyway, it looks like someone has already written a book to disprove the Da Vinci Code. Cleverly titled the Da Vinci Hoax...I am now going to endeavour to find and read this book too. More info on this book can be found here http://www.ignatius.com/books/davincihoax/
Nothing much been happening over here so not much to blog about. Assignments are getting quite hectic. Since I don't have exams, my assignments are many and all spaced out during the duration of the semester. It's a good and bad situation. Personally, I've never been a fan of exams but this way means that just when one assignment is due, you need to jump right into the next one and so on. Still, I guess I prefer it this way.
My housemate Edardy and I are thinking of converting our house into a bed and breakfast. Since we've moved in so many people have stayed with us, stored luggage/furniture at our place or simply bunked overnight. Now I'm not complaining, it's always nice to have visitors and Lord knows I like playing host but it's getting to a point where I feel like we should create a separate living area for our guests. Still the benefits of hospitality are most enjoyable. Tim treated us to a lavish Chinese dinner, Mag bought me a very nice and expensive looking shirt and Melissa's parents bought us chocolate from Tasmania. This weekend, Edardy's former classmate is staying with us and at the end of September, Jackie will be here...can't wait!!!

I have just finished my first cut package for my TV Journalism subject. I managed to finish cutting and editing it all in one day so I'm feeling pretty good. My friend and I were doing a story about childhood obesity in Australia. Apparently, Oz has the 2nd largest rate of obese people in the world, after the US. Who would have thought that such a sports mad country would have this problem? Anyway, I filmed my 'piece to camera' inside the newest shopping centre in Melbourne, a place called QV. It was interesting filming with all these people in the background doing silly things in front of the camera. Or even worse, going to great lengths to hide FROM the camera. I especially like those 'blur' people who didn't see the camera until they were right in front of it and then they freak out and either make funny faces, do silly things, or trip over their feet to get away. I just don't get it...it's amazing how something as harmless as a video camera can get such reactions from people.
QV has a similar look to shopping centres in Singapore like Plaza Singapura or Orchard Cineleisure. Basically, many shops of all types, lots of coffee places and eating outlets and a massive food court in the basement. I guess this is the new prototype design for shopping centres all around the world. Such is the era of globalisation...everything will end up looking the same. Ok...that's the end of my lament...some people tell me I sound sad in these entries.
Anyway, here's my reflection for today...have you noticed how we forget that we lent someone money until the moment when we are in a jam and then suddenly we remember every single person who owes us? I guess it's similar to the adrenaline rush our bodies give us when we are in danger. Our memories get a surge of recollection to help us out in a jam. But how come it only works some of the time? Why is it...I can remember the names of every single MASK and Transformer toy I've ever owned but I can't remember my current class mates names? Why is it you always know where something is until the moment you need to use it? I used to think it was age catching up with me but I'm not so sure. I still remember things I read, movies I've watched, thankfully things I study too. Yet I haven't a clue what I had for lunch. I remember buying a book on how to improve your memory...but I can't remember where I put it. I think I'm going to take Leonie's advice and buy a book to write down everything I think of. From ideas, to thoughts to people's names. I just hope I don't misplace it...memories are such subjective things. Guard them with your life. Studying film has taught me one thing, it is so easy to manipulate 'reality' and convince people that something is real.
Here's an example of some manipulation I did myself. I recently edited and produced a video of my parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary. During the ceremony my dad performed a couple of song's for my mum. He forgot the words to one of them and kind of stuffed it up. When I was editing the performance, he asked me if I could 'patch' up his performance. It was easy...I simply cut the part where he sang wrongly, got him to sing the correct words this time, added that in, did some simple edits to conceal the joint and voila...a new memory of what happened. Recently, my family watched this video and nobody picked up on my deception, in fact after the performance they all said they forgot how well my dad sang. I had successfully created a new memory for them. Thanks to this video, from now on whenever they remember my parents' anniversary, they will remember my dad's flawless performance. Trivial though it be...it's an interesting lesson to attest the power of the video camera.
How much of our memories are real and how much of them are based on photos we've seen, stories we've been told, little lies we tell ourselves so many times that it seems like the truth.

"The truth is out there" - Agent Mulder
"Truth? What is that?" - Pontius Pilate
"The truth will set you free" - Atticus Finch
"You can't handle the truth" - Col. Nathan Jessup

Today was a wonderful day. It is officially the end of winter, at least to me, because the temperature actually reached 21 degrees Celsius. I left my house this morning and greeted the sun for the first time in months. It was truly glorious. I only hope this good weather continues because Melbourne is notorious for its weather, even during spring.
Anyway, school has been very busy this semester. I am doing TV Journalism which requires me to produce two cut news stories and a shift on a current affairs program called Newsline. It is all very exciting but also time consuming. For our news stories, we work in pairs and handle all aspects of the production, from lining up the talent to shooting the footage to editing. For Newsline, I have been chosen to handle the live interview. This means I need to arrange for a guest to come into the studio where I will interview them "live" ala Murphy Brown. I am quite looking forward to that actually.
I went to Assumption mass last Sunday at St Patrick's Cathedral with Jon Liew. St Pat's is the biggest Catholic Cathedral in Melbourne and quite possibly Australia though there is some dispute about that from the Sydneysiders. Does anyone know for certain? Anyway, the mass was very nice with lots of priests and altar servers and a large youth contingent in the congregation which I found surprising and also reassuring. The choir was an all boys choir with members from about 7 or 8 years old to some easily 17 or 18. It was interesting to watch a different choir dynamic. From sopranos to basses...all boys. They sounded sensational and really added to the essence of this traditional mass. Perhaps a bit too traditional for my taste but inspiring nonetheless. I have also learned that archbishops in countries also give boring sermons...it is not just Singapore. I guess they give the better administrators the job and keep the better orators as priests. Seriously, who feels that Monsignor Eugene Vaz would have made a great archbishop? (Let's start a poll..haha)Anyway, I wanted to end off this entry by saying that 2004 is certainly keeping its reputation of being a year for accidents. My cousin Kevin's girlfriend was just involved in a car accident. Her car was hit broadside by a stupid driver who turned when she wasn't supposed to. She is doing ok but not entirely out of the woods yet. Please keep her in your prayers. And please be careful out there!!! If this year has taught us anything, it is that you can never be too careful. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...so they say.

People
You can never change the way they feel
Better let them do just what they will,
For they will
If you let them
Steal your heart from you
~ "Kissing A Fool" by George Michael

It's been a while since I last wrote anything and the reason for that is that I've been very busy watching the Olympics way into the night. It might surprise some people that someone like me who is totally not active in sports at all, plays such an active part in watching them. It's just so much easier to be a spectator and make comments on what athletes are doing wrong than actually taking part yourself. I don't even have any favourite sports, I watch them all. Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis (Oh my Justine...), Women's Beach Volleyball (Those Brazillians...oh my), Women's Gymnastics (So sad Svetlana Khorkina of Russia got silver...) and Women's Soccer. (Go Matildas!). Now before you make any judgements, I watch the Men's events too but it's not so interesting. And it's different watching the Olympics from Australia. Firstly, they only show events which Aussies take part in...hence mostly everything has been about swimming. I'm not sure but I think maybe Ian Thorpe is going to get a street named after him or something. In Singapore, I remember watching the Olympics and feeling so proud just to see our athletes make it there. Over here it's win gold or bust...quite a different experience. But I find myself cheering on those Aussies too since they actually have a chance of winning.
Interestingly enough, being part of a bigger country means that you have a better standing on the world stage and yet most people seem more parochial. They are only concerned with the Aussie events and athletes. In Singapore we watch the Olympics to see the other country's athletes because ours is such a small team. Hence we tend to be more versatile and knowledgable. I found this out discussing the games with my classmates.
Here's a thought about the Olympics. Why is shooting a sport? I mean don't get me wrong, I'm the first to admit it requires skill but seriously, where's the physical endurance bit? The sweat? The higher, swifter stronger etc...if only skill is required to qualify as an Olympic sport then pool/billiards should be one. Darts too. Hell, I'd like to see Counter-strike make it as an Olympic sport. You try playing all night long...now that's endurance...right guys? (haha...you know who you are...)
Anyway, other than the games, I have discovered something else in the last two weeks. The wonderful world of Japanese Anime. As part of my Asian Cinema subject, we have to study Anime films and I was most surprised to find out how political, adult oriented and intelligent they are. I have now become a fan...to all my friends I used to diss because they watched Anime...I apologise. The film we watched in class was called "Grave of the Fireflies", a heart breaking World War II story about two Japanese kids trying to survive the war. After that I was hooked. Some friends and I then bought four passes for a special showcase they are having at the Nova Cinema in Lygon Street highlighting the films of Hayao Miyasaki. The same director who did 'Spirited Away', possibly the most highly acclaimed anime to date. It has been really awesome and if anyone here has any recommendations for me, I'd be most appreciative.
I'm currently feeling quite pleased with myself because I just tried out a recipe from my grandma for Beef Cutlets and they actually turned out pretty good...yay!

"Talent is the gift plus the passion. A desire to succeed so intense, that no force on earth can stop it."
~ Neil Simon, American Playwright

I saw an episode of a silly sitcom called "Yes, Dear" the other day. It is really quite inferior to many other shows and not funny very often but it was the only thing on. However, this particular episode touched me somewhat. The plot was something that has been rehashed before...basically one of the characters has a near death experience and suddenly realises how precious life is. He digs up an old list of things he wants to do before he dies...and realises...that he has not done any of it. Now the list was made when he was in college and contains some silly stuff like "freak dance with a supermodel". He then decides he wants to fulfill the list before his time runs out. And...since it's a fictitious story he manages to finish everything on the list. (I loved the scene where his wife gets Fabio to dance with him...hehe)
Anyway, this silly sitcom got me thinking and I have decided to make my own list of things that I really want to do....someday. (Before you die sounds very depressing)
There are so many of course...ranging from big things to little things but I'm gonna list specifics and limit myself to the top 20...(I do have a lifetime to do them!)
So here they are in no particular order...Johnny's List of Things To Do Someday

1) Learn how to ski and spend a week at a ski lodge in the Swiss Alps
2) See a Broadway Musical...in Broadway (Preferably Les Miserables or Rent)
3) Visit Salzburg, Austria and sing 'The Sound of Music' on the very spot Julie Andrews did
4) Get a feature story of mine published in TIME Magazine or the Washington Post
5) Sing 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' in Bethlehem / carolling in Jerusalem, Israel
6) Learn how to dive and see a ship wreck first hand
7) Attend mass at St Peter's Square in Rome celebrated by the Pope/Lie on the floor of the Sistine Chapel
8) Go for an opera performance (The Marriage of Figaro or Pirates of Penzance)
9) Visit every continent(Only 3 more to go...Africa, South America & Antarctica haha)
10) Listen to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play in Albert Hall, London
11) Attend the Oscar Ceremony in the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles
12) Go for a cruise to nowhere
13) Swim at Waikiki Beach and visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour...both in Hawaii
14) Visit Kerala, India with my dad (family too...if they'll come)
15) Record a CD of my choir's singing
16) Study overseas in a foreign country
17) Go on a road trip to Las Vegas and gamble there
18) Be involved in a semi-professional musical theatrical performance
19) Watch Manchester United play at Old Trafford
20) Watch U2, Elton John, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Evanescence, Michael W. Smith, Hillsongs Choir, The Corrs, Guns 'n' Roses perform live

Looking back on the list...I'm happy to say that I have done some of them (italics) or at least have got things started. Of course this list may change but for now...it's good to have something to strive for. What's on your list?

It is National Day today and before I continue I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Singapore...and many more mari kitas to come...ok that's as patriotic as I get.
I must say that I am proud of myself. Anyone who knows me well will know that I am not exactly what you might call "technically inclined". Basically I could not change a light bulb without instructions. However, recently I had to solve a household problem, all by my little lonesome and without needing to call my father for help.
It all started when one of the taps on the bathroom sink cracked in two. I had to find a replacement tap and so I went to Bunnings. My God..the place is like the Harrods of handymen. Rows upon rows of light bulbs, electrical appliances and fittings, plumbing equipment, D-I-Y kits and my personal favourite...'The Power Tools' section. I am not sure if I should feel a little inadequate seeing as how I felt as lost, confused and uncomfortable there at Bunnings as I would in the lingerie dept of Myers. You know the feeling...first a sense of awe at the enormity of the store, then a sense of bewilderment...'I had no idea there were 25 different types of sealants for bathrooms' or 'Is that the new Black & Dekker Nail Gun - the IMG 2000?'...and then finally a feeling of total inferiority washes over you and you become very conscious to try and look like you belong and not ask any dumb questions like 'Wow..a ballcock really IS a part of the toilet...'
Anyway, I managed to find the replacement taps, went home, and fitted the new ones in without incident. I even needed to improvise and use cooking oil to lubricate a fitting that was tight. I was very pleased with my efforts and think my daddy would be proud.
I also went to church today. As part of the ritual here, there are places in the church where you can go and light candles for special intentions. I noticed that they have this in Catholic churches in quite a few countries, I remember seeing them in Paris, Los Angeles and London and over here too in Melbourne and Sydney. But I can't recall ever seeing them in churches back home. Can anyone help refresh my memory? Anyway, after every mass, people always crowd round these areas and light candles for their special intentions. I know it is probably a pain in the butt to maintain but I would like to recommend this idea to Fr Mike next chance I get. (Pls remind me Leo!!!) I think it is great to have a section like this where people can go to remember loved ones who are no longer with us and pray for special intentions. I think the worst thing in the world is to be forgotten. As a journalist, we are taught that timeliness is one of the most important facets of news. If a story is current, it usually leads the news. But what happens after a story has hit the headlines? For most people, it becomes 'yesterday's news'...it is forgotten, replaced by something else or simply tossed aside. But for the people who have to live with the consequences of the tragedy we have reported...their sorrow does not end, it is not forgotten...it is experienced by them all the time. Someone we know passes away...it hurts us...we grieve...we mourn. It is all right for us to move on but we must always remember them. I don't mean that we should spend hours during our day feeling sad and melancholic but I think these little sections...with their symbolic candles will give us a short, quiet time to remember those we have lost and to pray for them. I light three candles without fail every week for three separate intentions. The first I started lighting last year and it is for the two Bennies. I lost two people named Ben within a span of a couple of weeks last year. One was Benjamin Neoh, my friend and ex-bass player for the Praise 'n' Worsip band I started in 2000. The other was my grand uncle, Benedict Nettar from Malaysia. Both were tragically killed in accidents involving vehicles, both were looking forward to landmark birthdays...Ben would have been 21, Uncle Benny would have been 70...so it really goes to show you, no matter how old you are, you never know when you're number is up. The second candle I started lighting this year and it is for dear Aunty Molly Wijeysingha. The third candle I light to pray for the recovery of two friends who both suffered sustaining injuries as a result from falls from high places. Kavi, who fell here in Melbourne and Gerard who fell at his work place in Singapore. Both of them....so young...in the prime of their lives. Get well soon guys! I should think about, pray for and visit all these friends a lot more than I do now...but at least with this candle section...it does give me a chance to do something.

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.
- Mother Theresa

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

By Casting Crowns

If I had to make a list of the top ten things that I miss from home, I would not know where to begin. There are the obvious ones like food (Oh my Jalan Kayu Prata...do you miss me?) and then there are others like having a car to drive around, my mum's peanut butter corn bread, 30min showers (God I miss those!). Quite close to number one would probably be cable television. Now before you make up your mind that I'm just a pampered rich kid, let me explain. I would watch local television if there was any decent content on it. I think, the single biggest effect that cable has had on viewers, it is to make it all the more apparent how crap normal programming is. I think it's a conspiracy to get people to sign up to cable...the local networks are probably taking a cut. Now, I should also justify myself by saying that my standards aren't even that high. I watch Neighbours for God's sake.
(Neighbours is the longest running soap opera on Australian TV. Cheesy plots and worse acting than Days of Our Lives but the place where many artistes like Kylie Minogue and Delta Goodrem started out.)
The 'new' movies the networks show I've already seen and now that the Secret Life of Us is no longer showing...there isn't anything decent among Aussie shows...and there is just so many times you can laugh at Simpsons and Frasier re-runs.
Then, there is the peculiar habit they have over here of showing programmes back to back. Two episodes of Raymond, two episodes of CSI, two episodes of JAG. I'm not sure if they are trying to finish off the seasons faster or if they just want to make us so sian of American shows that we have no choice but to watch MacLeod's Daughters.(Another Aussie show about some skanky country girls and their affairs)
Don't get me wrong, local Singapore tv too has a habit of repeat telecasts. God knows why they always repeat those stupid variety shows like the President's Star Charity. Guys at Mediacorp...the low ratings do not mean that people were too busy the first time you aired it....they all turned somewhere else!!! Duh!
And don't get me started on reality tv show after reality tv show. Big Brother is everywhere. There are close to 4 different spin offs from Big Brother. Different groups of people talking about the same boring thing. And when the weekends come...any respite? No because then we begin Footie Shows. From live games to the After Game Show, to the Pre-Game Show to even something as lame as, guess what? Talking Footy!!! (Footy is an Aussie game where you get to cause grevious bodily harm to your opponents team and then get charged in a tribunal and fined the next day. Oh yeah...I think there's a ball involved too...)
I realised the effect my lack of cable programming was having on me when one fine day, after watching three one hour episodes of Law & Order back to back...(One normal Law & Order, one S.V.U. and one Criminal Intent), I heard a noise coming from my room. I saw a photo frame on the floor and surmised that someone must have entered my apartment. I was on my knees about to dust for fingerprints when I realised the wind had knocked it over. I also realised it was time to stop watching Law & Order.
Well...all I can say now is thank God for VideoEzy. Just watched Mystic River directed by Clint Eastwood. Great movie, well directed and good acting from Sean Penn and the always good, Kevin Bacon.
One interesting theme in the movie was how small events can alter your life forever. And not just yours but all those around you and sometimes...even the world.
Hitler's mother wanted to have an abortion. She was on her way to the clinic when she changed her mind. One simple decision. A myriad of consequences.
(Disclaimer: I am not condoning abortion in any way, shape or form)
It was just interesting to muse...how little thoughts we put into some decisions that actually have enormous consequences. Don't take an umbrella to school...end up sick for a week. Say hi to the new kid...make a friend for life. Don't pay attention in Econs tutorials...fail the subject at A levels...go to Australia to study.
(Disclaimer: I am not endorsing not studying as a means to go overseas!)
Of course, it is always easier to see things retrospectively. When you're in the moment you don't think of such things. You don't even believe it when wiser people(eg parents) accurately predict certain outcomes. "If you don't eat your vegetables you will wear glasses"
Perhaps all that is needed is more care to be taken before we do anything. Just a few moments of thought to prevent a lifetime of regret. I believe we all have a little voice inside guiding us along...no matter how we try to hide it. The signs are everywhere, all around us, telling us how to make an informed decision...we simply choose to foolishly ignore them. "Should I jump across this ledge?" "Don't say that to her...it will hurt her feelings." "Every cigarette is doing you damage." "All my friends are telling me the same thing...maybe I am wrong."
Maybe all any of us really needs is to start identifying the signs and heeding them.
On a more positive note, it appears that George Lucas is going to set up an animation studio in Singapore. In a collaboration with the EDB...it will eventually generate up to 300 jobs in fields like animation, sript writing, graphic design and media communications. If it takes off...who knows what may come of it. At least the government has realised the excessively large number of mass communications related professionals Singapore is churning out.

More info on this can be found here if you are interested.

And the air was full of thoughts and things to say. But at times like these only the Small things are ever said. The Big things lurk unsaid inside.
- 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy

I have made a new discovery in Melbourne. Ok, for all the cool Melburnians who discovered this place way ahead of me...go away....I must have my moment. It is a new coffee place called Max Brenner and it is located at QV in the city. Now Max Brenner is a chain of chocolate cafes from Israel and they are brilliant. They realised that in order to break into the already saturated coffee franchise they would need a gimmick or risk competing with heavyweights like Starbucks and Gloria Jeans.
Well, they found one. Most of the menu is pretty much your standard macchiato/mocha/frappuccino drinks...except that they serve mostly everything with an extra helping of melted chocolate, in case you did not have enough. And then there is the Suckao!!! Let me try and describe this innovation. The suckao is a porcelain mug that has an opening below it. Here they insert a tea-light candle. Just above it, carefully resting in a holder is a small metal saucer of milk which is being heated by the candle. Next they provide you a small pitcher of extra milk and on a side dish....small pellets of chocolate of your choice. They have milk, dark, white etc. You choose how your hot chocolate is going to taste. You like it sweet? Add more chocolate pellets. You want more milk...voila...help yourself. But no, folks, the innovations do not end there. They provide you with a metal spoon. It looks simple enough, long and narrow like the kind of spoon given in ice coffee cups to stir your sugar in. But this spoon is different. The ladel end is flat, like a shovel...for you to scoop in the chocolate pellets. The handle itself is hollow...and one discovers that it is in fact....an un-meltable straw in which you can graciously slurp your hot chocolate in peace. I am going to attempt to upload my first picture....fingers crossed....


The Suckao!!! 

It was in a word....fantastic.
This Max Brenner is one brilliant guy...it is ideas like this that make people millionaires. Please tell me this wonderful franchise is coming / has come to Singapore. Guys...I would like to know where it is located and when you find it...order the Suckao. You will not regret it...in fact, think I'll pop down there tomorrow!!!

"Chocolate portrays romance, sensuality, passion, addiction, prestige, warmth, sex, love and nostalgia." - Max Brenner's philosophy on chocolate

I have been watching films at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It's been really cool and I have seen a number of films from France, Japan and Thailand. The only problem I have with these mostly artsy films is that they believe very strongly in realism. This includes using non-professional actors, playing roles they basically are in real life. The stories also tend not to have too much of a plot, choosing simply to drop in on our character's lives and giving us an insight into how they live. I just watched a Japanese film called 'Nobody Knows' about these four kids ranging in ages from 13 to 5. Their mother is irresponsible and frequently leaves them to fend for themselves. One day she leaves and does not come back. The eldest, barely 13, does what he can to look after his siblings. At an age where others are playing computer games and going to school, this boy goes grocery shopping, cooks for his siblings and cleans the house. However, as the money runs out, and the children come to terms with the fact that their mother is not coming back...we really see how they struggle to overcome their difficulties. As their situation becomes more bleak, soon their water and gas gets cut off, and their landlord begins to suspect that something is wrong when the house begins to smell as the children stop cleaning up after themselves.
The real tragedy in all this is that quite literally nobody knows what is happening right under their noses. Not the neighbours, the landlord, the kindly grocer who always provides them with extra food...everybody suspects but nobody wants to get involved.
That something like this could happen in this day and age, and in a modern, developed country like Japan is shocking...yet this is based on a true story. Soon, the youngest girl has an accident but being children they do not know what to do or who to turn to. She dies from her injuries. The film ends with them burying her near the airport and yet through all of this....nobody knows anything. It's like watching Van Gogh's silent scream in a film version.
It also brought home to me how much we take for granted. We in our rich, spoilt lifestyles. How freely we say things like, "I can't survive..." or "It's just too much to bear." Yet we use these expressions for such trivial things like not getting the job we desired or the raise we wanted, when we get a reduction of allowance from those cash cows we call parents, when something goes awry in a relationship or something does not go the way we planned. How easy we are to give up and feel despair. Yet for these kids, just being able to live everyday was a daunting task in itself. Necessity truly is the mother of invention and you could see this in the ways these kids managed to survive so long on their own. Bathing and getting water from the park when theirs got cut, begging and earning money through a variety of means and so on.
As much as I felt empathy for their plight, I was also filled with shame at myself for all the times I ever dared complain about things that were trivial or minor. I returned from the film, wanting to write a letter to my parents to thank them for all the opportunities afforded me, for all they have provided and for all the material goods that they have lavished on me. Sometimes, it is the simple things that are the hardest to say. Why is it so easy to complain but so weird to say "Thanks mum for making breakfast..." or "Thanks dad for fetching me..."
To all the people I have ever taken for granted or overlooked to thank...please forgive me. And it is never too late to start. Start today. It is the little thank yous that matter and should not be forgotten. Let the people you care about know how you feel. The worse thing in the world is to have someone leave it without ever knowing how much you cared for them or loved them. For then, it is too late. Tell them when they are still around or truly nobody will know how you feel...

My housemate Edardy and I have discovered the joy of marketing. Yesterday we went to Prahran market in part because we are trying to save money but also just for the experience. It was awesome! Walking among the crowds while vendors yell out discounts for their goods. If you make two or three rounds, you'll notice the prices falling as the hour grows late and they get desperate to sell their products. We got many good deals and felt that our mothers would be proud of us.
I remember following my mother to the Seletar market back in the day. We would always go there first and then to NTUC Serangoon Gardens. I loved both experiences. She taught me how to choose fish, vegetables, even how to haggle, though that is something she does so much better. At NTUC I would be in charge of pushing the trolley and used to impress people with my weaving skills. I could get that metal cart to squeeze into the tiniest of spaces. It was an activity that my mum did with me and Jackie together. It was our 'quality' time.
As we got older, we became too busy for that. The only time she was free to go was Saturday or Sunday mornings and Jackie and I could not make it thanks to school and choir. Now the maid follows her.
I just read my friend, Valerie's blog and it made me think about these times we take for granted. When you're young you can't wait to leave home, to be with your friends, to get away from your parents, to live alone where you are the boss of your domain.
Well, every night, here in Melbourne, I curl up by myself on MY sofa, watching MY TV programmes, sipping MY Milo. My housemate is either usually out working or partying. I am the king of my domain and yet all I find myself doing is missing having my family around me. My dad sitting on his recliner next to mine...my brother curled up on the couch behind us, my maid peering from the kitchen, thinking we do not see her. Occasionally even my mother and sister though they do not watch much TV. Even now, when I'm by myself, I find myself making comments about the show out loud, or asking questions like, "Why did she do that?" Only to have silence reply me. Before I get frantic enquiries into my mental well being, I am fine. Not lonely or going insane. Just reflective.
The irony of life. All those years I spent wishing to leave. And now, every night wishing I was home.
We all have choices of course. I could choose not to stay home. I could go out, there are many friends here to see and numerous invitations I could accept. I could ignore the fact that it is freezing at night, bundle up with 3 layers of clothes and go watch a movie. Only $11.50 for a student. ONLY! And with the necessary snacks, easily 20 bucks gone per movie. Or I could go clubbing, very cheap with few places offering cover charges. Booze is cheap too. But what if you don't actually like clubbing? I know the concept may sound alien to most but seriously, what if you are over that? I don't know if it's being 26 or just the fact that I have been clubbing since....a young age....hehe. It just does not appeal to me now. Maybe I just don't want to hack the crowds, the cold, the $30 cab ride home, the smoke in my eyes, the staying out late and feeling crap the next day. Maybe I just miss lazing on the sofa watching TV with my dad...
Don't get me wrong. There are many benefits to living on your own. And I do not regret nor lack gratitude for this opportunity given to me to study here. I only caution those who make wishes because although there is disappointment when they don't come true, there are also consequences when they DO...

Thought for the day -"If people from Finland are Finns and people from Poland are Poles....then how come people from Holland are not Holes?"

"There are two kinds of people I hate. People who are intolerant to other cultures, and the DUTCH!" - Michael Caine in Austin Powers' Goldmember

Melburnians love reading! I was on the train this morning and looked around at my fellow commuters. Whereas in Singapore it would be common to see virtually everyone pressing away at their mobile phones, here in Melbourne, everyone has a book. Or a magazine, or a newspaper, hell someone was even perusing a TV guide. Everybody reads on public transport. I guess it is easy to see why. Train rides are a lot longer over here, the trains are less crowded and besides it costs bloody 44c for every SMS so nobody sends messages unless they really have something urgent to say. Although many will argue that such a voracious society of readers is wonderful, it can be really daunting as well. I mean, if the commuter on your left and right are reading Bill Clinton's autobiography and the latest New York Times bestseller, you can hardly be caught with an Archie comic now can you? I am hard pressed to choose a book of sufficient stature to be included in this elite transit group. Currently I am reading Arundhati Roy's 'The God of Small Things'. A book given to me ages ago by Sabina but which she has only recently guilted me into reading. (Beans...I'm in the middle of it and am enraptured. Thanks so much!) I constantly find myself being a little too audible in my responses to the book for my fellow bookworms liking. A gasp of surprise or a giggle of laughter immediately draws stares from other people who find their own reading material boring by comparison. Oh well...it's a great book, so too bad for them!
A good friend just pointed out to me that it is the year of the monkey this year which means, a year of mischief, bad omens and major changes. Well, thus far 2004 has proven to be a year full of those things and very few of them for the better. We have lost loved ones, seen relationships end and see many people quit / leave / get sacked from their jobs. However, I refuse to let this particular allignment of stars get the better of me. If there are gonna be changes in my life, I am going to initiate them, I am in control! I have started eating breakfast again. No more sleeping in till lunch. I have a half kg box of Weetbix in my kitchen which I try and demolish every morning. For those not in the know, Weetbix is an Aussie breakfast food consisting of oats, wheat and cardboard....I think. I figure if it tastes that bad, it must be good for you.
And thanks to another recommendation by Sabina, I have discovered a heated swimming pool and gym very near my school and at an affordable price. I find myself out of my usual excuses. (Too cold, no money, too far etc) I even have my sneakers with me....thanks for packing them Duane!!!
So, tomorrow is my first start to a change in my regime. I hope to go to this place 3 maybe 4 times a week...baby steps but at least I'm trying...

Thought for the day - "I understand as blind as a bat or as dirty as a pig...but somebody pls explain as wise as an owl to me..."