What a decade 2000-2009!

Alas, not only the year is ending, but also the decade 2000-2009, its been a wonderful and amazing decade, not only in terms of my progress, but as with all the memories also... School, life, friends, all amazing, all awesome...

The year has been great, so so so many memories, and places, but with it also comes sadness and downs, for I will miss them alot... This Christmas season, carolling, I will never forget, and I got my wish and dream come true, and I'm thankful for that... =)

The decade is mostly about school, heck from 2000-2007 it makes up 8/10 years of my life in school! I miss the school days, the camaderie, the friendship, the people, and the suspense that greets us every new school year... And most of all, before exams we would go study together at the library, and end up having some great times!

During school days, especially in secondary school, 2003-2007, I had many moments with classmates and friends, really unforgettable, and went through alot of moments, good, bad and embarassing! hahaha!

One of them was in 2006, when I was in form 4, and we had Gap students from UK for our school, so basically they were helping out and teaching us, and when it was their last day, I remember lots of students wanted to say goodbye, and my friend Anthea really wanted to take a pic with them, so she rushed to the office, and me being the photographer, had to chase her and the gap students all around school! It was tiring and really funny, but in the end, managed to take pics and say goodbye... XD!

Another thing I can't forget in school was my best friends around me, Alvin, Mortigou, Leslie, Jonathan, 1 gang 5 org... haha... funny owh! and also Lorenzo, Zeff talking about American Idol always (syg dat time I had no Star World.. =( huhu...) and the Happy Family, and the Boys at the Back, 5 Makmur 2007, all awesome! Really miss those times!

Also, Lifeteen 2005-2008 (yeah I joined in late 2005) was another period of my life where It was awesome as well! The camps, sessions, Lifenites, healing, prayer, worship, I really missed it, and I guess now I need it more then I ever do... I miss the camaderie, the sessions, and I learned alot, and grew alot... Not to mention the friends and family that I found in you all, thank you! =D I wouldn't trade that for anything in this world... Thank God that I found all this!

Besides that, all my friends, thank you for making my years, and the decade, every one of you I meet is really great, so give yourself a big hand and a drink! Thank you everyone, and let's look forward to the next decade and beyond! =D

All The Way North...

The world in the rear view mirror
Says goodbye further and further away
You turn around towards your back
The side of your face is still very beautiful
I use my vision to chase
I unexpectedly hear your tears

Lingering outside the car window
Is the chance I missed
You are standing in position
Tears across the middle of you and me
The view of the street has been recoiling all along
The bits and pieces of your collapse are outside the window

I go all the way north
Leaving the season that has you
You say you are very tired
You already have no way to fall in love with anyone else
The wind blows on the mountain road
The frames in the past are all my wrongs
Counting the shame
How many times I hurt you

The world in the rear view mirror
Says goodbye further and further away
You turn around towards your back
The side of your face is still very beautiful
I use my vision to chase
I unexpectedly hear your tears

Lingering outside the car window
Is the chance I missed
You are standing in position
Tears across the middle of you and me
The view of the street has been recoiling all along
The bits and pieces of your collapse are outside the window

I go all the way north
Leaving the season that has you
You say you are very tired
You already have no way to fall in love with anyone else
The wind blows on the mountain road
The frames in the past are all my wrongs
Counting the shame
How many times I hurt you

I go all the way north
Leaving the season that has you
The steering wheel encompasses
Rotating around my regrets
I speed up to exceed it
Yet I can't lose the grief following closely
Counting the shame
How many times I hurt you
Stop the heartlessness
Just let wrong be pure

2009: The Year In Review

The time of the year has come, to do a look back on what has been a momentous year, a year full of surprises, drama, and above all, bridging the gap between the past and the future... The year 2009 has brought many a trials and tribulations, and many challenges, but it all could have easily been gone so wrong... The year started like 2008, in Singapore, and that’s where the story begins...

January

The year started with me still in Singapore, still hangover from the Super Series Masters Finals in Likas, then straight off to Singapore, and when I returned home, I was mentally exhausted, but far from it all being over, it only had just begun... It was the 3^rd semester in college, and it was one of the toughest ever... Meanwhile our era in LT was over, and it was hard to initially keep up with the fact that it was over... It all seemed so recent that we were still in, now we’re on the outside looking in... The month was generally quiet, nothing much happening, so not much to say here...

February

The semester got ridiculous as we entered February, we had 9, yes NINE! Assignments all at once! It was crazy, how did I survive this tumulus period is incredible... This really made my year, I had overcome a big obstacle, and it somehow gave me confidence, and from there it just took off... Meanwhile, I and Walter were given one last chance to join LT choir, and it was emotional... It was on Valentine’s Day, and we stayed behind, and that night seems to be a turning point in my life... Yes, it was sad to leave LifeTeen, but we all have to move on, and that night was the start of a new life... Also, this month I was accepted to be one of the RAY camp leaders, and all month we had training and preparation for the camp in March...

March

My birthday month! As usual, nothing happens on my birthday... We had bro Jerome’s birthday party at TNGC, and it was fun! Thanks Jerome! I really appreciate it bro! =) Then it was RAY camp time! The camp was awesome, and I got a lot of experience, learned a lot, and really had fun working with the people during the camp, and experience what it’s like to organise and lead a camp, instead of just being the participant... That definitely taught me a lot... And the fact that the camp was in Bundu Tuhan, made it all nice! Probably that was the only highlight of the month, and the fact that FINALLY I finished all my 9 assignments!! YEAH! What a semester!

April

April Fools! And April means... Final Exams! Thankfully, I passed all my subjects, and got an A, but not good enough to get an award... No matter... The month reunited me with 2 people very close to me, whom I haven’t met in a long time, Aldric and Maxine! I really missed them, and it was so nice to meet them again, and especially Maxine! =) Also, the month saw me make my 1^st outing, and I went out with Trish, Gabby, Serene, Sammy, Adam, Walter and Dominic... Nice day out!

May

May was the start of my 4^th semester, and at last an easier semester than the last, although it was still tough... LT bazaar at the start was OK, not many people compared to last year’s, which was pretty sad, but still OK... Then went to CMI twice for events, Harvest Festival celebration, with Walter, Serene, Sammy, Gabby and the rest, and it was cool! But the real surprise was at the end of the month, when I got a last minute call to volunteer as helpers for LT camp, which meant that I was going to the camp, via the back door! And I really had a great experience from the other point of view; from what was it like to deal with camp... hehe... The month was awesome coz of the camp!

June

June was the jazz month, we had the KK Jazz Fest which I really enjoyed and was really awesome... In terms of pictures taken and moments had, the first half of the year January to June was kind of low key, except for the two camps... The KK Jazz Fest was really nice, top stuff, brilliant jazz music, and of course, Double Take! Wow! Then after that it was SHC Family Day, one of the few this year incidentally... and this day stood out for me, because of what happened during and after this day, and it’s something I still am scratching my head over... No matter, now it’s over, so let’s move on...

July

INTI Night, my college’s annual dinner, and St. Simon Youth Night, were 2 events that stood out... First, the college dinner was nice, although there were some complications, but overall I enjoyed the night, and the food was great... XD! Then there was a good luck and farewell (now they’re back on holiday though!) to a few of my friends, Rick, Trish and Cassie... Then the big one, the youth night, featuring LifeTeen, Lifeline and the youth groups! It was an awesome night, and again I got to meet my old friend, Maxine, as well as some friends that I haven’t met in a while... I really like it, and hope there will be another one next year!

August

August was a good month, despite the exam month, and last minute assignments were no more thankfully... My best friend Alvin came back from France (ah bonjour!) and we got to spend time and hang out with some old buddies, and had a great time! Then there were the final exams, and a 2 week holiday at the end! The end of the month saw us bidding farewell to Angeline, who was continuing her studies in China, all the best! Overall it was a quiet month...

September

The month September was to prove to be a month of changes, of emotions and happenings... The month started with a concert by Roger Wang and Re:mix Orchestra from Singapore, and I really loved their matinee concert, really nice performance, jazz! Then I had my new semester in college, and It was a transition, as I was elected into the student council, known as INTIMA, which to be honest, I don’t know whether I can handle it or not, hopefully I can.. Then RAY had a visit to MV Doulos the ship, and it was a fun day out... Then the big one: Father Stan Fortuna Youth Rally in Foochow Hall! It was the biggest 2 days of my life, and the experience was awesome! I will never forget this for all my life, and despite what happened, it will only bring all of us great memories! =) I will never forget the sessions, the talks, the performances, and my friends, brothers and sisters!

October

The month started off with a bang, with my INTIMA ceremony, and college visit to the Lok Kawi Zoo, then the SHC Bazaar on 4^th October, 3 events in 4 days... Of course October is exam month for my 5^th semester, and I spent the whole month studying at library, or trying to, and also hanging out with friends... Then I had my awards ceremony, and I got a prize for getting good results during my 4^th semester, and I’m happy I achieved something again! Then it was Kimberly’s birthday at Kbox... The month ended with the 1^st Joint Interact Dinner, which I went to just to see how my old pals are doing, and follow my friends and cousin! =)

November

Finally it was my yearend holiday! I’m so relieved! =) The month was awesome! I got to enjoy, relax, and hang out with people, and I was invited to Samuel’s birthday party (Thanks Sam!) and had a water-filled fun, and enjoyed it... Then it was carolling practice time, meaning Christmas season is now upon us! Then on 21^st November, the big day, it was LifeTeen’s Frederick Wong and Gloria Chiew’s wedding! Congratulations! It was a very nice and blessed wedding... The month ended with another carolling practice for RAY and LT... The only problem was: which one? In the end, for various reasons, I went with LT... And I think I made the right call... So on with carolling!

December

December means carolling time! I eventually went with LifeTeen, because so many ex-Lifeteeners returned to join for carolling, and I didn’t want to miss out, and also I get to go carolling with my lil sis Bianca and cuz Sammy! =) So our group was under Mel Aud, and in our carolling group was Dina, Joanne, Tim, Bianca, Sammy, Gabby, Jasmine, Stannia, Aristotle, Malcolm, and Mel Aud with Boly... We went to some unexpected places, like Sembulan, the Fire Station, Police quarters, and even Waterfront! But all in all, it was a great experience, and I enjoyed spreading the Good News, and carolling, and leading all of them... haha... Yeah, I’m the only stand-out, so it was funny... The nights that Mel Aud rested, Friday and Tuesday, I joined Dominic’s group, and had fun being reunited with old friends and some new ones as well... So overall, from Monday 7^th to Tuesday 15^th, it was hectic, but great!

Besides that, I had a day out with all my friends and family, and almost all made it the 1^st time round, which I’m so happy! Those that went were Aldric, Johenson, Javier, Bianca, Sammy, Serene, Gabby, Trish, Jason, Theodora, sad that Jerome and Walter couldn’t make it... Got to spend time with Aldric, it’s been a long time since I went out with him, and the rest... I will never forget that day, 2^nd December 2009! =) Then the next day, I went out with my old classmates, and had fun, and really missed them! I’m glad and happy to meet them all again! =) We went Karaoke, and then watched Ninja Assasin... wakaka bloody work! XD! So happy to spend time with them! Then the next day again (yes, 3 straight days out) I went out with my best friends Angelica and Francess, and we went to watch New Moon... well, OK lah, nice, but at times boring... forgive me Twilighters... hahaha... Then we took sticker pics and went jalan2... =)

Then 8^th December I went out with Aldric, Bianca, Jerome, Cassie and her friends, and we watched Couples Retreat, lawak gila babi! Hahaha! Awesome comedy! Lawak bah! Everyone should watch it! (But be warned: 18 and above... =P!) still, it was awesome! XD! So December has been all about carolling and 4 days out with friends... wow!

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So far, from January to December right after carolling, the year has been a rollercoaster, but then again life isn’t always happy and on the up, and no year is perfect... It’s how we live through these imperfections and learn from our mistakes, and how to turn those bad times into good... I’ve had some great moments, and I really cherish them all... And also, a big shoutout to my family, Aldric, Johenson, Bianca, Jerome, Sammy, Gabby, Serene, Walter, and everyone, thanks for everything, and I really love you all! =)

I will always cherish and remember this year, despite all the problems and difficulties that I had, and I sincerely hope that things will be the same again...

Roll on 2010!

The crush of love...

I wonder, as im turning 20 next year, how much of a progress have I made in life personally... I feel that I haven't been progressing, maybe even going backwards, and I'm really worried... To be honest, I'm exactly where I am in life as in 3 years ago, and I haven't really progressed from that, besides my studies of course... I feel awkward... I don't have a driving license (always busy, never had time to start it damn!), I don't have a girlfriend (frustrating juga la... haha!), I'm still the same, I don't have this or that, or I have this or that which I shouldn't have... You get the picture...

Sometimes I feel good about myself, sometimes I don't... Like there's always something better I can do... Part of this stems from the fact that I'm always thinking, always planning, thinking alot, and thinking about others... I hate my brain, it's always on, but I'm not smart either! I always think about different things, like how this and that, about sport... AAAH!

One day I'm high and happy coz of my family, now I'm down coz of this... haizz... I hate this you know... I only want to remember the good things... And let's keep it that way!

Love is... a crush... crush of love... What is love? Is love the feelings that are bound together by a single thread that links us all?

Once upon a time in Scotland...

When I was growing up, I loved to listen to instrumental music, especially celtic music, folk, Scottish, traditional, they were all nice... And it reminded me of my childhood, growing up to these tunes, and pretty much knowing about Scotland long before I was now...

Nowadays I listen to pretty much everything, blues, jazz, rock, pop, country, RnB, anything that's cool, has a rhythm, and I like listening to... Especially blues and jazz, love the rhythm, and wish I could play like that... One of those I love listening to is modern jazz, smooth and rhythmic...

Someday I would like to record my own compositions, and hopefully let people hear... So far, in my life, I think I wrote many, many songs, some wonderful, some meaningful, and some that I wrote during times of difficulties... I hope that I can go and do a proper demo, with some friends...

Today has been a wonderful day, one month in the planning, and finally it happened today, and because some couldn't make it, we're gonna do it again next Tuesday! =) Finally I get to go out with my bro n sis after a long while together! =) And we get to jalan2 and take pics, so happy! hehe... Hope we can go out again before I go away... Gonna miss them and I'm already missing them, esp Aldric! XD!

Which brings me to this: I love my brothers! They're awesome! =P I love Aldric, he's been my bro for like forever, it feels like real, even though he's always busy (yeah, kadang2 frustrating juga la... haha! XD!) but then this happens... yeah... hehe... and this year, Jerome's been awesome kan? hahaha! always meet every Friday and Saturday, and bila jalan.. XD! Also, Johenson mmg cool la... haha... mcm bestfren sa sudah oh! =P

This year, if really think about it, has been nice, although many downs, but the ups mmg kick! XD!

A tune for Northumbria...

Upon the seaside lays a shipyard
Many hundred years old
A history older than us all
A legacy to be proud of

The ships have come and go along the years
Bringing with it many a tale
One of survival and adventure
Across the seven seas

There laid a coal mine along the Tyne
Miners dig its core to the ground
All in hope to find the gold
Future guarantees of a better life

The north east was so tough
Workers seeking a better future
Ships come and go everyday
All around us buildings to be done

Learn a lesson from this story
One of hard work and honesty
Earning a paycheck day to day
Living life on the edge...

Winter time...

Although we never had any snow here, or even winter, I wish I can experience it one day, in a country with my special ones... I love the winter season, it brings so many memories of childhood past...

When I was a little kid, I used to watch the telly, and during winter, they would show all these programs about winter, christmas, that really piqued my interest, and I used to wonder how would winter feel like... If you have ever watched christmas programmes before, or even about winter, then the feeling, this mysterious feeling, yet one of eagerness, and tenderness... Winter really brings out of us the kid in us... =)

Everytime it was December, and Christmas is around the corner, there is that feeling of winterness in all of us... I loved to watch the snow fall, even if its on telly, or from pictures, but somehow I felt really part of it, as the snow falls, it feels like I'm in the middle of it...

This year has really been a crazy year, that has been full of ups and downs.. But I promised my sis that we will remember all the positives, and remember the good times, and learn from the bad moments... I promised my sis and talked to her about this... =) And she's an awesome sis! I love her! =P! hahaha... And I love my cuz also! hehe... they're awesome! Whenever I'm down, they will cheer me up and pick me up... Aww! I love Bianca and Sammy! =)

Soon maybe I will write a review of my year... Till then, bye for now!