Québec

Things I wanted to talk about in the previous post:
The problematic beliefs of the Uber driver obsessing over The Last Samurai
My broken things which lead to true(r) authenticity
Reactions to stuff I read (news, blogs)
J'ai oublié faire ce texte blanche avant de publier, alors je vais parle un peu seulement. 
It's 12.38pm, I'll start to go down the list so I don't procrastinate more later.
Pourquoi pas? Je vous dis un petit histoire de mon visite à Matt - je suis leur dit qu'il ya un shoppe-
The Uber driver was a local Quebecois who was very enthusiastic about speaking to me in English. It was pretty normal conversation until a song from The Last Samurai Soundtrack came on. An NYT critic once wrote that particularly among Asian-Americans and Japanese especially, the movie and others with the same tropes were 'racist, naive, well-intentioned, accurate - or all of the above'. A variety critic wrote 'clearly enamored of the culture it examines while resolutely remaining an outsider's romanticization of it, yarn is disappointingly content to recycle familiar attitudes about the nobility of ancient cultures, Western despoilment of them, liberal historical guilt, the unrestrainable greed of capitalists and the irreducible primacy of Hollywood movie stars.' Both are excellent summaries in my opinion. The trouble of the film is not that a white man is leading a group of otherwise sort-of-helpless men and in exchange gets some pseudo Eastern spirituality stuff that helps him get over the classic European evil - alcoholism. This is since there was actually a historical figure like that, and it's probably okay to focus on him for a Western audience. However, the fact that he becomes 'the last samurai' is in my opinion, quite cringey just for the fact that the opposite is often not portrayed - i.e non-white characters taking on and becoming some leader figure in a white context (although I imagine there might be some in foreign cinema? The best I gather seem to just be circle-jerking their won culture). I don't think it is an immediate problem if white characters take on roles like that (or vice versa) if the details/traditions/symbolism are all respected. I think the film is on a whole, not perfect but does well in some regards, the issue is the reaction, exemplified by this Uber driver, gave me a whole lotta pause.
-superbe à la marché de Saint-Jean à Montréal qui vendre les huitres. Les huitres étaient trés bien.
"I just love samurai, Japan is the first/next country I want to visit outside of the North American continent." That's all fine, except I probed him further at what else he knows/has watched which is essentially zilch, and I'm afraid he might go in with a pretty simplified/cartoon-ish expectation/image of what samurai were like and all. He doesn't like the 'fast-paced' nature of modern society and thinks essentially that the idealized/romanticized samurai lifestyle portrayed in the film that cured the Tom Cruise's nightmares is where it's at. (O boy modern Japan). I hope he goes in with an open mind.

I'll probably do the next part after I'm settled in my room and all.

Right, on to broken things.
The one time I try (I might have done it before but am forgetting) packing my camera neatly into a carry-on, and it (lens only though, not the body) breaks, so lesson learnt. I was kind of frantically trying to put it back together, even spent a good amount on Ubers to a closing repair shop which turned out to have just ran out of the part they need to fix the lens. Plus, I didn't bring my wide-angle in the first place, which leaves me with two fixed, and pretty zoomed in lenses. I thought about this, sitting on my bed in the hostel, how... I guess truly authentic my trip has now become, since I have nothing but experience and what I can store in my tiny little head now, the wonderful sights, the journeys, etc. This was of course an exaggeration since I've been using my 50mm, which does not take the vastness of some landscapes in (which I'm so frustrated of but it's my own fault), but at least it allows me to switch into pure 'street photography' mode instead. And in fact my trip has been wonderful, not least because I've met some really interesting and wonderful people (and how I wish I saved them on facebook like I did for one, although in a way the superfluous nature of the meeting is its own reward). Then, my charger was lost in a long story which largely involves me trying to be polite. And I guess in fact all my trips have been like that... I'm thinking about the time I took a solo walk in Hokkaido, walking into random shops and all, a bit childlike. Or maybe around Breckenridge, always with my camera (without one broken lens but in a way without its full capacity since I never carry my full set). Musings that have simpered.

Finally, reactions? Maybe should have started with this first, since these fade the fastest. I don't even remember what parts of what I wanted to react for? I'll pen down the conversations before they stray further into my subconscious though. There's John from New Zealand of course, who made me a simple meal with rice and pork near the end and talked about his adventures. There's Amanda(?) from Australia, Martina from Slovakia (but admirably traveling the world place to place), and just now, Andrew from the UK. (Not to mention the cast of characters from Japan, Brazil, Columbia and France.)

I managed to convince a few people I can speak French without arousing suspicion, so I'm happy enough for trying despite the awkward, sometimes distasteful looks, flustered answers... meh maybe not that worth it happiness wise.

There are geniuses

Like Hawkins and Fitzgerald.

A tumblr seems to suit me more having these ephemeral thoughts, but the inertia of leaving. (As if anyone realllyyy reads [and if they do, they would find the new link here would they not?])

I saw a pretty girl and wasn't sure
Left in a rush but wasn't sure
Knew it wasn't my head talking
But I wasn't sure

What if? I wasn't sure.

God damned hormones.

#92 Photography

A week

So enjoyed this week...

Ending it here.

A old toy from Jia Lok

A more recent toy from Yan Mei

I dislike care bears, just saying. But because it's from her, of course it's an exception. Hm that sign on his belly makes it look like it's from Carl's Jr.
My mother made that little toy house from a set me and my younger brother were meant to play with.
Still love my 50mm.

Wish I finished my tumblr... In the end I didn't make an effort to look for subject matters during exams to take. :/

Change

My elder bro's back!

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Yams came back the other day and we had outings together for two days ending in a sentimental moment. Wish we could pause. But as the Paramore song goes ~ "It's time to move forward..."
 Going to leave Sierra Wing after 3 months... dam. Don't know where I'm going.
YY was really happy that "I had friends" lol. Shaun pointed out I'm very different in school and in army. Maybe. Or it's just the same and I'm showing more of one side. I just cannot feel free in the army. It's like when I got spectacles haha.

Guess I intended to write this a little earlier. But it's OK.

I love white.

My old friend whom i've known for a while does too... http://keepingcomposure.tumblr.com/
And so does this photographer... http://vincentmunier.com/

2 hours to sunrise

So much I want to talk about, so much I want to relinquish. The responsibility of this outspoken self.

I feel much clearer now; could be the coffee, could be the time. Just this silence, I want to bask in it. But no, its not complete silence - the dark, ominous creep of a building's storeroom, or the sealed, desperate, desolate corridors that run length across basements and concrete. Its ambient silence. The cool, and unambiguous kind. When the stars and streetlamps are lit dimly but warmly, as if they were there just to keep you company and remind you that even in silence you are not isolated from civilization, albeit a sleeping, and more importantly, uncaring one. When you hear the crickets or the drizzle (but never both, for that is nature's way of balancing the volume). As the south eastern sea breeze blows, as my stand fan spins in protest...

6.00 Wake up
7.45 SAT begins
12.50 SAT ends
1.30 Reach home, lunch
2.20 Vesak Day photography
3.20 Rest and game
5.20 Shower, change, rush off to City Hall
6.40 Mad rush to Singapore Conference Hall with YZ, XY and Eric
7.00 Alfred's CO performance, he does a kick-ass solo.
9.20 Show ends after 3 encores (I kid you not, these people, and alfred especially, are popular!!)
10.20 Spontaneously decide to watch Avengers at midnight, having arrived back in Katong with YZ and XY.
11.10 Supper and Pool
12.40 Avengers!
2.50 A great show ends!
3.30 Reach home...

And I couldn't be happier. (Despite the epic fail SAT sitting)
I used to think that true spirituality can only be obtained through religion. Well in my most earnest opinion, the paradigm doesn't apply anymore. No, in fact it didn't apply even before. This blog, has always been a source of spirituality too.

And off to bed... because its 2 hours to sunrise. I wish I could stay and say more. But I guess... really I just wanted to record this day down. Really awesome Primary School friends... always.

Eggxiting

Eggs!

I set the new club members an assignment that involved taking an egg in different ways. Decided that I should also do it with them but what a waste if I just throw away the album and never share it with anyone else except the club! On a side note... should I put more of my photos on facebook?

Grueling Obligations

I haven't changed or posted my pictures here in a long time... And I still have 1299 more Italian photos to edit. And about 1299 more other photos I haven't touched... and obliged to edit for the school.

This would all be worth it if only there were someone with you all the way, wouldn't it?

Time Flu Away

Sick ranting post?
Maybe.
Should be doing work?
Maybe.
Mom shouting at younger brother again not helping my sickness?
Maybe.

This flu reminds me strongly of my 4-month long sec 4 flu.
The same stupid mistakes... forgetting to bring medicine to school, accidently (or carelessly) taking in apparently harmless food, late hours, no rest, stubbornness to give up responsibility, relenting to some form of strenuous activity... And its another important year.

But its different isn't it.

Could blame my parents for falling sick (I mean, come on, my mother doesn't even exercise) at the same time, and after holding it out for a week, they finally gave it to me after a particularly tiring PE running 2.4. Could curse and swear for being somewhat irreplaceable, having a busy exco or otherwise, not finishing my holiday homework in Italy. I mean... its so difficult right? Doctors tell you to stay home. Even teachers do, but do they really understand what skipping a day of school means? Heck, a day of doing absolutely nothing? While the rest of the 'competition' speed ahead? And its not like I recover in 1 day. How could you forsake responsibility when it is most crucial? How can one decide between activities he promised he'd do? So many frustrations, worrying, all that jazz. Its just so sickening to be sick, can't eat this and that, drinking 10 tons of water, mind unfocused, having to sneeze and blow and spit your way through 2 hours in the toilet...

But its different isn't it.

The Holy Spirit is in me.
And that's all that matters folks :)

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The picture that came second yesterday to the one on my tumblr photo of the day.

One photo a day

Challenge Accepted!
http://glassishalfathousanddollars.tumblr.com/

Expensive

Sorry have not been posting :/ esp Italy and all that. It will have to wait cause I'm pretty busy. Anyway I wrote this on my iPhone while walking home from Funan searching for Camera stuff.

Those considering photography as a profression should major in banking rather then digital art. That's probably always been my utmost annoyance with photography. Sure its fun to snap here and there and take acceptable, above average photos, but when it comes down to it, its FUCKING EXPENSIVE. In case you think Daph90 and her kit lens is like some top-range only for pros camera, it most definitely is not. Its midrange (heh a bit anticlimax but its already 7 times cheaper than a Canon Eos 1D MkIII (btw there's a mark IV already). And that cool ass tripod that i have? Is actually cheap-plastic-already-broken-topples-off-in-strong-wind Nikon freebie. So what do landscape photographers use? Probably a $700 Gioza Carbon Fibre with a custom head from Really Right Stuff.

Short posts no need line breaks eh.

THIS ^ Video is funny.

Across the World in 17 hours

Changi to Dubai to Hamburg.
Our journey started in Changi Airport where a mass of councillors were sending off the many Councillors on our trip as well as filming for something which I think I'm not allowed to betray yet.
Finally got to know my group and we ventured around the departure hall as any group would. Found out my group had 3 people in the same class so me and Chan Qy were a bit extra. Then again, looking at the number of HP and Council participants, we were a minority anyway.

When we were on the plane Flo (or was it YuQing) took me black notebook (my birthday gift from 12S06E) and read it, her conclusion being that I was a very sad person. Naise. Me, Martha and Theo decided to watch Tree of Life (Cannes Film Festival Winner) at the same time. And omg its really really siao. The show really throws you into the deep end of sensory and existentialism. I don't want to go into the details of the show, rather I will talk about the reactions. Mostly Theo falling asleep halfway, and me and Martha glancing each other time to time just to express our exasperation at the show. It was like whuuttttt. I sort of got the point but it felt like 5 hours rather than 1 hour and a half. Maybe should have tried Contagion instead hmm.

I was trying my best to adapt to German time by then so at one point while everyone was sleeping I decided to try a poem. Meh later.

At Dubai our group was one of the groups that managed to stay together (probably the last time though xD) We followed Naishad who preached free food at the food court but was utterly devastated to find it under renovation. So we went to Macs instead (surprise surprise)

That was the view at Macs (its a HDR image)

Other than that Dubai was pretty uneventful. Finally sat of the plane to Germany.

Upon touch down we met our tour leader Elaine, an ex-Rafflesian who took last year's GCEP group as well as various other RJC groups like the Raffles Middle East Program.









They were shocked, a little mocking that I wore thermal but woe to them when they stepped out of the airport and realized it was freaking cold. Never mind that, here's the view of the airport!

Also a HDR (Morning Rises and Dawn Sets are really difficult to take without bracketing OK?) Visited the RutHaus, the office building (with gothic architecture) of the local Town Council. But meh I'm not the story telling type, more the blog for thoughts and feelings type.

The christmas spirit sunk in a little more with the huge christmas market just outside the ruthaus where I had a go at the local Wurst (sausages), which btw.... IS AWESOME. At night we visited the ongoing re vitalization of an old port in Hamburg which alluded a little to the Marina Bay area. The main difference was civic engagement in Germany which was at epic proportions with Architecture Competitions (winner gets his design built which can amount to Billions) and private developers given tours of the area to help build up this new portion. Sounds awesome right? Trouble is, Marina Bay took 3 years and how long will these plans take? A whopping 20 years. Bitch.

Hotel was awesome and we somehow landed the largest room. Wooo Blumz and me roomies awesomeeee.

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Airplane Mode
Read, watch, glimpse, listen
Above the clouds faces glisten
Made of steel and Aluminum
Filled with thoughts and feelings
More than a million

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Checking back on my book, I realized I wrote something about prom cup that I didn't post. To hell with it. One noteworthy thing though, my elder brother was a debator. (But not me)

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Behind on:
Blog Posts
Homework
Photo Editing and Uploading
Card Writing
Packing for next trip
Planning for next year events

So I decided to play Civilization. Genius.

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ARGH I WANT TO POST THE WHOLE MYLO XYLOTO ALBUM HERE ITS SO DAM BOOMZ AHHHHH.
And the fact that some songs continue from the last in terms of pitch and transition DAMIT. HOW TO POST?
So instead. I will self-troll and post something not from that album because any less than the whole album is a crime. (Which I have already committed with two songs from the album I posted last time)
Oh Noezz I'm a fanboyyy

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea

When you share music, share a youtube video, share a quote. Do it because you want to convey the message. Do it because it is an amazing inspiration, a good laugh, a soothing tune. Not because you want to be a hipster.

Honestly, I have to keep telling myself that. I wonder if in all my arrogance and showboating, a dark cynicism had manifested - that people all carry this flaw of showing off. Of wanting to be the first to tweet that, knowing some underground music people haven't heard of, spouting trivia, sharing random 'expert' tips.

And because I am aware of it, and because it was so difficult to correct, I decided to re-enter my lonely castle, just so that I will stop sharing for the wrong reasons. I decided, also, that I was just too afraid of being wrong, that my trivia would be beaten, that I am just inferior.

Paul said in Philippians that despite some Christians mere sharing the gospel in competition, in rivalry and jealousy (I've converted X number of people, how many have you brought to God eh?) and not out of love, he rejoiced, because as long as the message stayed true, that the word, that scripture was not compromised. Then why should we be concerned?

Still. It eats me, I hate that anger. I hate this bestial competitiveness inside.
Just moments ago, I saw someone post that Vimeo video of 'Mountain'. Husain shared it on his blog and I thought it was so awesome, extremely wonderful. (Thanks Husain) And then all of a sudden my photog seniors and friends all start commenting "Woah so wonderful! Good find! This is aamzzzinggg". And I couldn't help it, and I hate it, that the nasty thought 'wtf I found it first' just immediately sprang in my head. Why is it that I seek so much attention and likes and comments huh? That video, is just worth sharing with people, and I did share because of that! Btw the vid I'm talking about: http://vimeo.com/22439234 Go watch if you haven't its really spectacular! Full Screen and blast the Nuvole Bianche!

I rarely share anything on Facebook though. Or be the first to share. I just feel undue. I feel that maybe, someone out there was like me, and I know how he feels, when say one person shares, and everyone pays no attention and the next moment this popular kid shares, he gets a thousand likes. Its why I have so few actual photographic shots on Facebook.

So I'll keep to this policy of quiet sharing (trivia, songs, etc.). To just show you I'm sincere about it. So what if I get credit or not.

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I was told not to post anything Photog related. Woops.

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Do you see someone acting out? Do you see someone telling cliché joke? Do you see a similar photo you've taken before? Do you see that person getting way more appreciation than you?

Do you see someone treating others differently from you? Do you see someone getting compliments for traits you have? Does it irk you? Will you shy away or protest? My OP topic is bullying, believe me when I say I know how it feels.

Take a popular person A. Take a friend B. What if you're friends with A, and you seem to click quite a bit.? What if friend B seems to give you a colder shoulder? A weaker smile? An unexcited conversation? But completely opposite when talking to A? Sometimes even when talking about. The. Exact. Same. Thing. And you just wonder, what is it you've done? What impression did you give? You just can't help but feel insecure. Guess what, its called relational bullying.

They say you can't be friends with everyone. That's true if it was pretty obvious why. (Maybe he's just a Republican and you're a Democrat) But given the above scenario, you just can't help but ask why can't you be better friends with B when B seems to cozy up to A so well, and A has similar mannerisms, characteristics, tastes, as you. Why is it, that they just don't want to engage you.

Why is it that people can't let go of their impressions.

But what is all the fame in the world, compared to having a relationship with God through Jesus? Tell me, what does the emptiness feel like compared to just knowing, that you're truly loved and justified by the Lord? Matthew 16:26 (Also quoted by Clarence on his blog):

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

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Title of the post is from (as I'm sure everyone knows) Mr Brightside ~ The Killers

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Its been a long time since I had a proper, raw post like that.
Bryan Lum intro-ed
I enjoy the mellowness, a bit less pop, less mainstream Coldplay. Just pure, soothing listening. Lyrics are meaningful too. Btw I looked it up and the title has nothing to do with the song lol. Chris just wrote it while in Amsterdam

A Year

There's so many things to post about these few days. Where do I begin? What do I title it? The strange moments when I'm blessed with both time and thought. Thank you God.

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So be it physical tiredness, mental exhaustion or social weariness, I step back a little. I flip the switch from proactive to reactive. That's enough for me. Time to reconsolidate my life.

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Vengeance, laziness, judgement. Let there be none.

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One of my friends just used my other friends phone to mess with me. You know, the usual display-affection-all-of-a-sudden. Usually its sending something really outrageous that has to do with... coitus but this one was not, and was a constant stream of mushy messages and replies that couples send each other. Knew in my head it was just a prank (I mean, duh. No one sane would send me that for real) but that's not the point. The point is that, sometimes. I just wish someone would actually send me things like that. And it was fantastic to just pretend in that moment like I had a chance with anyone. Don't we all feel the same need to be wanted? The point is that I'm still, despite the mannerisms and the restraint, a hopeless romantic. But no I will not fall easily as the last time.

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Mr Low is leaving VS. A bunch of us Rafflesian Victorians went back to give him a card from all of us and just pay him a visit before he leaves I guess. He was really open with us and talked to us on a very matured level about the school, new IP track, discipline, etc. It was just awesome to put it in youth lingo terms. To put it in my terms, it was real, sincere, meaningful, insightful. A bittersweet visit, I sensed that he was really touched. So were we hearing him speak and reconfirming our trust, our respect, our admiration for this great leader. So long.

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Can you sense me? Can you feel me? Can you ever know the experience, the sleepless nights, the considerations that I go through into my views, my attitude, my actions? But let me not forget that every fellow person has done the same.

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Jesus is Lord and Saviour.

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Singapore experiences no physical winter, but at times, a spiritual winter happens. During the holidays, when school's off, and there's no clear direction, and appointed time to meet your friends in some ways, life becomes a daze. A contemplation and a stupor as I go through each day. Achieving nearly nothing but learning everything. Omg Jaren you're right my writing has become really obscure.

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I have Scrabble on my family's iPad. There is reason to live yet.

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A year on and what have you done? A step closer to adulthood and where has your life taken you?

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Need:
Drums
Eragon (& sequels)
Chronicles of Narnia (& sequels)
Mere Christianity (& equivalents)
Rock Band 3 (& RHCP online package)
Sim City 4 (& Expansion)
Total War (Napolean and others)
Civilization V
Friends :x
New Tripod, Flash Gun
All Coldplay Albums, misc. other songs.

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You can't sustain a post over a few days

84CK 2 SQU4R3 1

Such an amalgamation of emotions. Does a dearth of sleep cause or reveal them?

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H1MT. Is over. Chinese culture, is far from it. Despite that I don't plan to take it in the future, I plan, to never let go of my roots. Especially if I manage to study overseas.

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This omnibus one post many segments broken by dotted lines thing, came from nowhere, and now pervades my posts. This is a small analogy to how I direct my life sometimes. Did you know? The decision making part of your brain, is actually, in the inner-most layer, the feelings, the emotions, the guts, the irrational. Yup. Pragmatic decisions? Get real, people follow a leader for his inspiration and not his structured arguments. Granted, they do matter, but for me, I believe in spontaneity at its core. And the ability, the necessity, to just try things, based on gut feelings and instincts and intuition, stumbling is natural. But sometimes, it just makes life that much more worth living, exciting, and new. Do you really need a reason, for every single thing? Must every idea, or ideal be torn apart, based on past failure? Based on practicality?

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I'm back, in my cave. Going to need a new tripod and external flash for the darkness. (No I'm serious, I'm getting both of em soon.)

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You think I do not have my doubts? Of course not. But what are doubts to miracles and wisdom?

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Marcus was tired of chinese text, so I had not choice but to post. He kidnapped my family you see. Also AOE3 at Zaki's house with him (and Zaki, obviously) was extremely, simply, just fun. :) I'd prefer it to LAN shops anyway. But no time to rant about those dark, loud, profanity-ridden places. Oh wait.

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This is not boasting, but what a cruel fate that I love the humanities, and I think more than the sciences, yet find myself only excelling in the latter? People ask me for grades, I tell them. Then they triumphantly exclaim: "AHA so the A is GP or Economics right?" The Jeopardy buzzer sounds and 我怯声怯气地回答: No its Mathematics. (I need not continue to mention their utter astonishment when my only B is not GP or Economics, but Physics) The alarm on their face bespeaks the painful predicament of passion ≠ prominence. And I disappointingly crawl into my little shelter, watching the Chinese Scholars and students from Chinese speaking homes celebrate their As, Bs and Cs.

Yes! Jealousy! What can I say? Do I lie? No. God. Hates. Lying. (But loves the Liars, I do add) And I confess I am sinful, weak and a disappointment.

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If the eyes are the window to the heart then lyrics are the words of a song. Anti-climax :P
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
So get back back back to where we lasted!
So we were an accident, you were my favourite one.
Out on the main streets completing your mission.
Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain, telling me what a fool I've been
Soldiers, you've got to soldier on.
Can you let me try? Tell me its alright! Just for one night! (Yes Jaren, listen to some He is We now haha)
Shoulders toes and knees, I'm 36 degrees
You'll never change what's been and gone

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I type this for the first time while on my bed.
I realize these:
1. I am sitting on my bed, with sheets of faint pink.
2. There are numerous soft toys hanging around.
3. I am posting emotionally
I conclude:
I'm a lonely teenage girl. Also my nails are really pretty.
I remark: What the hell.
But then:
I turn and see The Victoria School Flag, given as a graduating gift.
I am currently listening to

(The Two Door Cinema Club song Undercover Martyn covered by Bucket of Six, a resident Rafflesian Rock Band sparked a mini-race car soundtrack phase)
I just did 6 pull-ups
Hence: Gender Stereotype Test Inconclusive.

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So you might have noticed I changed the picture, well it was about time and anyway am going to use that picture for a competition so heck just change. And because this photo ain't as nice I decided to change the bottom one too! (Yes the bottom has a picture, it usually is just the last picture at the top but since I'm removing it for competition...) Its just three shots I took in the Physics Lab, during Physics Lab session... and then Adobe Lightroom-ed the hell out of each one bwahahaha.
This is the last one I took.

华文－最后的日字

我知道题目好像是个作文题目哈哈哈。

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

前两三天我跟在英国留学的哥哥谈天。
他告诉我他决定学德语。
德语？！你刚刚学西班牙还要学德语？！真是的！华文呢？有没有想念华人家吗？我们应该饮水思源啦！我跟他开玩笑。
他就发出大笑来。

可是，这不一定是开玩笑。Glenn昨天对我说他真讨厌那些没有考试就不再用华文的新加坡学生。我也同意。其实华文，像美术和文学一样，没有考试，就会变成很感兴趣的科目。我特别喜欢华文成语。这一部分是英文没有的一部分。用四个字形容那么多意思，对我来说，真的值得称赞。每个成语，俗语，的来源是个很有兴趣的故事。

现在应该问自己，你会忘记华语吗？
你会想念你的故乡新加坡呢？
现代的年轻人是否习惯了离乡背井？

感动的是，我让哥哥再看新加坡佳肴时（SKYPE），他告诉我很心疼哈哈。

没。有。时。间。

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
When you're not on official duty, you're given so much more freedom in Photography. This guitarist is named Wen Wei and his cover of Stereophonics Dakota was BOOMZ. Habitat for Humanity Concert

Spectacles

This pair of spectacles is a curious thing. Obviously it changes my appearance, but more than that. I believe that glasses absorb energy from a person, or more accurately, keeps it inside. I think that perhaps the character Cyclops from X-Men is actually symbolic of this. That somehow, this vizier, this frame, keeps our emotions inside, it seals the human expression in.

When a romantic moment arises, when you're engulfed in pure emotion, when you stare down a person intensely and with fiery passion (again romance), taking the specs off makes it all the more real.
Let's look at other examples.

In popular culture
With specs -> Clark Kent the Geek. Without specs -> Superman

In my life
With specs -> Calm and collected Choir Chairman Myo. Without specs -> Angry, disappointed, pump choir Myo

Stereotype
With specs -> Graphic Designer. WIthout specs -> Fine Artist
Just sayin~

Visually, a person changes from passionate to intelligible. From a heart to a head person. The facial expression is restraint, the person cold and calculative. A cool demeanor from a warm and raw individual. That's right, spectacles take away that individualism. I was joking with some of my classmates...
*Puts specs on* "Hi I'm a student from Singapore who studies quite a lot"
*Takes specs off* "I'M AN INDIVIDUAL WITH FEELINGS AND OPINION"
*Repeat*
Or this
*Put specs on* "Nerd"
*Takes specs off* "LI KEEN"
*Repeat cycle in quick succession*
Garnered a whole lot of laughter :D. But really the point is this, spectacles keep. Me. In. Check. Freedom of vision is a wonderful thing that kids need to cherish.

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Ellis Island, New York.
Why did that whole bunch of fellow US peeps stop talking to me?

Bridge

If relationships were like making a bridge.
There is no instant connection.
There are dangers to overcome, a fast flowing stream that can sweep the builders away as they are enticed by the water or make a careless step.
Perhaps moving forward too quickly without making a solid foundation first.
And the closer you are to finishing, the more likely perhaps, that the other builder will be able to rescue you from the water, but it must be done together, and you must have been worth something.
More resources are wasted the longer you build.
You'll never see the other builder, in his or her entirety, but the closer you get to finishing, the clearer the builder becomes.
Constant communication has to be done to keep the builders working together from two sides of the ravine.
What is the keystone?

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My nose bridge is itchy.
I just got spectacles... Another milestone in age and change.

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I haven't played bridge in a while. Miss 4D

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I did not finish reading Bridge to Terabithia. I want some Fiction back...

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Why is the command center of a ship called the Bridge? Because it is the connection to the port and other ships?

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God answered an indirect and completely unannounced wish. Apparently a fellow RJ photographer lives in the condo opposite my house. Sounds like a perfect setting for best friend right? But we must bridge the gap first. Jesus is the bridge to salvation.

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More Lyrics from the Heart
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down
If everything could ever be this real forever, if anything could ever be this good again
好不容易，我能在多爱一天？
I dreamed I was missing, you were so scared...
In my place, in my place, were lines that I couldn't change
I'm really bored its getting late, what happened to my Saturday... sitting on the bed alone, staring at the phone.
Why do we like, to hurt so much?

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OP. Need to bridge the team together.

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A lamp installed on/in Anderson Bridge

Ephemeral

Short-lived.
Our brains, they compress memories. As they go further back in time, imagery is overlaid, sounds overlapped, feelings overwhelm.

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I returned to VS again, fully aware of my tiredness. My weariness. My emotions. I did not feel a thing walking into the foyer except for relief. A quiet joy. A numbed glee.

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The school watched them grow. Guess what, I watched you guys grow too. And I'm so proud, happy and sad. From a participant to a spectator. I feel the weight of things that lie on your shoulders as you step out from VS the final time - not now, but when it comes.

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It is not without some pain that I feel disembodied from the school now, just a year ahead. What Jia Lok wrote on FB reflected my sentiments too.
"I always wondered what I have given back to VS. 
And just yesterday, I realised it was that insignificant. 
Because whatever we, as Victorians, have given back to the school, they will pass away. People come and go. Four years down the road when we return Home, no junior is going to recognise us; we probably won't even see a trace of footprints we left behind. 
But what VS has given to us - the values, the friendships, the memories - they will last. for a lifetime. And our job is to live by them, striving for the best in our lives wherever we go, whenever we can. "

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After feeling, a wellspring of emotions leaving VS, I headed to VJC for the LSD art exhibition, albeit very late. Still my awesome bros (bin rosly) welcomed me with a cheery Honky accent which I gladly reciprocate because we just get high like that. Met famous Nanyang artist Liu Kang shortly after and there began my slow decent into madness fast accent into spastic AEP mode.

The exhibition was undoubtedly not worth my elitist time nice. The miniature work was ironically epic, the lofty dandelion seeds work was ironically solid, and well basically the world of art never fails to bullshit capture my imagination. The artists are really skillful and awesome peeps, happy that Sanchez found another awesome group of friends outside AEP ^^.

We had dinner after, where jokes about Song Yu continued to pervade and generic nonsense was spouted. (Seriously how did they name strawberries)

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I like to relate the entirety of my post to the title, no matter how irrelevant it seems sometimes.

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Short-lived. Quickly passing.

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The Photographer
Zealot of meticulous literature, a crafter wielding refracting tools.
With sight extending beyond peripheral majesty, the interpreter for the Earth's language of beauty.
The eyes no longer a cold tunnel to the brain but a crenellation embellishing the heart's palace.
No less the artistic documenter, no less the ordinary individual with extraordinary vision and precision.

Airforce Memorial, Washington D.C

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I have more to blog about. But I have more to do. God, help me. But also, help everyone else.

Storm

This post is a few days late. And if you count from the actual first post (meant for a secondary 1 assignment on blogging), it's actually, the 300th post of this blog. 300. THIS IS SPARTA.

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I'm a social butterfly, so there.

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Storm. Troopers
Two days ago, due to the fairly early ending of my PW meeting in school, I was left with an empty afternoon waiting for a night out with VS buds later.

Hence, being the insecure Singaporean teenager who must be productive at all costs, I deliberated on the way back alone how I should spend my time.
Do PW. HELL NO
Sleep. Tired of sleeping
Emo and blog. Later
Do assorted things at home. WASTE TIME.
Do photography. OK fine.
Where though? I had many ideas back then. It wasn't a pleasant idea to travel far out . OK somewhere in the East. Err. That rain tree I never took in Paya Lebar? Meh, that's only one spot. LABRADOR PARK. What the hell I said East. Hmm. Hmm. BEDOK RESERVOIR.

So I returned home purposely, showered and got my gear together, which took an abnormal amount of time because I had to change into something that suited photography at a reservoir AND a formal occasion (Grad Night) later.

Three things I thought of but did not bring: Umbrella, Cap, Tripod. Woe is me.

As soon as I stepped out of the bus. BOOM. Rain. There you have it, best outing ever. Wearing nice fairly new canvas shoes with jeans, camera equipment, no cap, no umbrella. And wow, it ain't like MacRitchie with wood platforms. Its SAND. Porous silicon dioxide that stores pools of muddy water.

And I was alone. I mean what do you expect from a spontaneous photography outing in the east of all places. Rifdi, preparing for LSD art exhibition. Husain, training. Marcus, rotting in Nanyang. Clarissa, PW. Even asked some non-easterners that I met in school. Songyuan, not free. Daru lent camera away. An hour earlier. WAIT WHY DIDNT I ASK ZENIA? Oh shit nevermind. Let's just go with, there's an unwritten rule that its quite weird to ask a girl out one on one unless she's your GF or consistent good friend. (hey they're both GFs!) Yupz. OK moving on :)

So there I was, caught in the rain (which became so heavy I took shelter in a toilet with sandy shoes). Having all these negative thoughts.

Then the rain subsided after 10 minutes and I walked out, feeling weird. I told myself I should stop complaining. I'm not alone, God is with me. In me. In fact just today at church there was a profound message that's relevant as I look back.

Give thanks in all circumstance.

Not just positive, negative, but whatever circumstance.

So I said. God took away my cap, my umbrella, and my sheltered feet so that I may experience the fullness of the blessed rain on a sunny day. And so I exited the toilet as the heavy pour became a drizzle, placing my lens hood on to give my camera some form of moisture protection. Hmm, haven't named it yet. I shall call it Daphne :) Daph90. D90. Lovely name. And it has to do with Greek Mythology! Yay.

It was not surprising that my photos sucked.
1. I'm noob.
2. Uninspiring afternoon lighting
3. Only had a chance to explore un-interesting parts of the reservoir.
4. Stormy skies = dullness everywhere.

Then I thought. Well. I suppose. When all your photos suck and are dull, might as well make it a black and white series. Lol.

Was going to post a dozen pictures here, then realized. WTFISH AM I DOING? OK. Chance to use Picasa Web Albums slideshow gadget. The photos are on the right called Bedok in Black. Not all are B&W. A sparse number of colored photos are added in the mix as they look better in color. (Edit: I tried using the gadget and its freaking difficult to use so I'll just embed here.)


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So after that short excursion, it was time to head back to VS for Grad Night (and later to VJ for the LSD art exhibition) and dare I say it its 1AM so I need to sleep. Till next time.

Listen | Life beside the highway

Always like to set the context in a meaningful way.

THIS IS SOME LARGE TEXT TO REPLACE THE ATTENTION-GRABBING ABILITY OF A VIDEO'S PICTURE

Because I don't like the embedded quality, might as well give you the link to this TED video!

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better.html

GO WATCH FIRST :D

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Talking in Manna Café for hours was a much welcomed respite :) Thanks Jia Lok, Yams, Clare

And thankk youuu Friday!

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I reached home with that awkward feeling of wanting to do something but not school work. Hence I went for a run at ECP, and spontaneously decided to explore that new area beyond this bridge.

(All picture with iPhone, wasn't mental enough to carry a DSLR. All unedited, too lazy and got Chem to study)

Very soon after jogging for another 5 minutes or so, I was all alone. An actual quiet place in Singapore!

The place is quite beautiful and romantic! :D (I'm hopeless)

Soon I stopped jogging. (My stamina sucks) And started walking on aimlessly... enjoying the sunset

Always admired the fact that Singapore's government found it necessary to conserve nature even during the 60s to 80s. This tree will grow really tall in the future! :D

Very soon though I reached the end of the road.

And then it hit me. Oh snap I just walked an extra 2 miles and now I have to run all the way back.

(Pardon the finger blur, noob iPhone photographer)

And then I also realized. The sun's about the set and I'm all alone and really far away from anyone. OMG ITS SO FREAKING DARK AND SCARY MANLY

Can't help but think this is the beginnings of some horror film. I'M GOING TO SCREAM LIKE A LITTLE GIRL I was so manly I just didn't care.

The UTTER FEAR manliness kind of helped because I ran faster. Hahaha

Also, this very creepy patch of grass making unearthly noises that totally freaked me out (and yet I filmed it) Haha k it wasn't that bad luh just random thoughts in my head. And blogger never ever finishes uploading its video function sucks.

As I jogged back towards civilization I realize the further you travel, the sparser and lonelier the people. 

Also, while I was thoroughly enjoying the peace and quiet of the area this insect came up my leg and bit me. Then I realized, in Singapore when you try to enjoy peace and quiet, something is just going to bite you near the ass and bring you back.

That was the journey along the road beside the highway (ECP).

And I wish you were there.

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We will never know until we try~

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How do you achieve the right balance?

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I unconsciously disregard my own policies sometimes. Drown it out in music.

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The low after the high. Feel ya Rifdi.

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With birds I share this lonely view