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This cat is HDB approved.
Jocelyn A. Monique
is currently an undergraduate student, and coping with her Monday, June 30, 2008
3:03 PM
Gosh. School's starting tmrw. Not looking forward, actually :/ Went to Clarke Quay to service laptop just now. Funny, people usually go there to drink. Pretty quiet place in the morning - good place to mug before the office crowd hits. Then I decided to visit IJ. Haha. But it was a bit empty - guess teachers were busy? Saw some familiar faces, but didn't approach them. I walked out of the sidegate along the row of shops. Which was quite nostalgic - I remember the bubble tea/cheese fries shop ( they changed location), the cut fruits shop where I got my famous guava, the 20 cent machine where I twisted the little red knob for my Sakura Kinomoto cards way back in pri 6, United Uniforms, and the sauntering stray cats of course. Haha. I got the fries :D Think I'd go visit again with company. Heh.
Things to do:
2 Econs essays
Research for the blogging article
NUS Statistics competition
Pack bag for tmr
Start on the library books which I borrowed yesterday
There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save
Music Muse: Your ex-lover is dead by Stars
Sunday, June 29, 2008
2:27 PM
Post -exam outings are rather fun (:
On Friday, I met Vidya for catchup time! We lunched at LJS, where the service was unbelivably s.l.o.w, so we didn't ring the bell :/ Then we went to catch You Don't Mess with the Zohan at Cine. Movie was funny, if your humour is more of the vulgar-phallic-playing up on racial stereotypes. But it was still funny here and there. Then she had to go back for her Chinese class (it's stressful how everyone is becoming more economically employable with their trilingualism while I still stubbornly remain monolingual) so I took the MRT back to Hub. During which Carmen called to say she was back from visiting IJ. Oh gosh that reminds me, I wanna go back to visit too! :/ been ages since I went back, and I miss the dear old council room where we hung out, plus the relatively cheaper canteen food (mee reebus!). Hmm maybe I shall pop by on Monday.
On Saturday, I woke up on time (I never for my life thought that would happen) for CIP at the Gift of Love home. But I was still half an hour late anyway. Fripps didn't come today): We washed clothes at the back (trust me, its this totally awesome production line of big tubs and manual washboards, plus an entire grassfield of clotheslines. NOSTALGIC) and went to help out with the cooking. But turned out there were more than enough hands at the kitchen so it was free time for us. I conversed with Aunty Mary, a sprightly and energetic resident who is (only) 78 years old, who insisted that I should be seated and went to get chairs. So sweet right. Talk about role reversals. Then she saw that I was just idling around and invited me to "explore" the grounds with her. So we went around, totally trespassing private property and piquing the curiosity of other elderly people there. I think it's amusing how absent minded the self-confessed Aunty Mary can be; she must have told me at least a dozent times how good the Sisters were to her at various intervals, and even enquired whether it was my first visit ( I have previously helped her with a jigsaw puzzle during my last visit). After that, she introduced to her cousin Maria, another genial lady who smiled and acknowledged me. The Legionaries Jason, Joshua, Julian, Calvin , Teresa and I then went to Longhouse to have brunch. Actually they were just trying to boycott Legion meeting haha. Then I went back home and napped, before going for tuition.
In the evening, I went for Mustard Seed in church, turnout was consideraly better but meeting was a bit too informal since Carol wasn't there. Feels good to be back active and involved. Even though I've been trying to be less active, I do realise how short handed we are so I still have to be anyway :/ Ohoh and before meeting started, I bumped into Aunty M near the toilets! She happens to wash clothes at GOL home too, every Sat when we come. Small world eh, she goes to my church as well (: After meeting, went with Sarah to get popcorn and chitchat. And surprisesurprise, we met Shawn! (: Who looks fitter and different with his NS stint! Haha. I think he was very pleasantly surprised to see us, and we ended up talking for quite awhile. Army life hasn't robbed him of his hilarious storytelling, in which he is more often than not the butt of his joke. Haha. Like how he accidently misspelt Trainee for Tranny and was scolded. Lol. It was getting late, so went back home after that yup.
Mixed feelings about going back to school in 2 days, but at the same time can't wait to see all my wonderful friends! (: ( results, well, that's a different story)
Music Muse: Breaking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka
Hide and Seek
Friday, June 27, 2008
10:08 AM
Yay mid year exams are finally over! (in both senses of the word). Although Math yesterday was a catastrophe, I am much determined not to brood about it till I get my results back. After paper, we had Eleventime! (: GirlsDayOut: we lunched at far east at this place Seren recommended (value for money given the ambience, PLUS no service charge!) Then we were walking shopping around the area bumping into alot of the jc crowd. After which, we walkedwalked looksee around Wheelock, Zara (they sure have expensive shorts!) before heading to Kino. Then XR left, so Aiming and I took the MRT. Stopped at Novena to look for ripples but the outlet closed down! ): So I texted my mom, before surprise! She called me back to say that she was actually there like two seconds ago. Met her at TP and I Got My FlipFlops! I am a very happy child, seeing as how my purchases are once in a blue moon, and it was a very good discount. I am feeling rather pleased with myself.
Then I met Fripps before going for tuition (I feel so guilty how I always make her wait) at Bishan. Today was so not interesting, and I kept waiting for 930 to come. Didn't take my medicine today cos both lunch and dinner outside :/ OH well. Walk back to the MRT was really fun (as always), I <3 Fripps! (: It was funny how both our mums called us at around the same time -guessed we ourselves didn't realise how late it was. Talk about maternal instinct. Heh.
Today was a really fun day with girlfriends (: If only it could last. Oh just some exchanges with friends which cracked me up today:
Fripps (right before Math paper)
(groans) Oh man, I feel like I'm in 300, going for war but only armed with a toothpick!
Camslut(who texted me, like after the paper)
Oh dear. I just woke up. Wanted to wish you goodluck for Math....
Clare
Hi joce, since your exams are over, here's some muppets on youtube for u tht I found! (: just search for huge wuga! Haha have fun I miss you!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
9:48 PM
Honestly, I have no idea why I go online when there's much to do. I wasn't even aware of the revision package until I saw some of my classmates doing it and was like omg. ): Went to school today to study for awhile, saw Fripps and Aud and some friends!(: Then met Fishy for badminton, thank goodness no more sucidial men or nosey cleaner uncles. Lol. But yeah, we were chased out of the court by the office aunty for overstaying. Ah well, I feel healthy after such a long period of inert hibernation. Lunched at Koufu then went back home.
I think I'm becoming what I've struggled against - consumeristic. ): Seeing the GSS blaring ads and discounts, and how price elastic I am, I'm enjoying window shopping very much. Shoes! Clothes! Clutches! Bags! Must. Resist. Urge. Mom's not picking up the hints either, or at most, she blatantly ignores them.
I feel an urge to bake again. Probably a refrigerated cake like the last time. The recipe books which I borrowed are screaming to be flipped and applied. Blah. Face it, just need to hit the books.
"My heart is like a singing bird"
"Why tell me then, what colours are the feathers on your heart?"
Why do we wait?
Waiting is a process during which the subject kills time right before expected course of event. Time may be spent in either a productive manner (i.e: flipping through HMT/GE) or simply slacking one's bum off (i.e: lazing around on bed, procrastinating but not working to rectify condition). Subject is well aware of the implications of the said action, but this does not sink in until too late.
So then why do we wait?
We wait because we expect something from the waiting, the expectation and promise that time will bring. It benefits us, because we are preparing ourselves for it to some extent, either through mental preparation or by formulating a strategy. Like chess, when we wait for our opponents to make a move, but during that waiting period, we are in actual fact devising our best moves to tackle him.
We wait simply because we are patient. Assumptions that time will heal the pain of current suffering come in handy, because they say the scars of life fades over time. Waiting for a better outcome, in the case of social workers tackling junvenile delinquents, or for the emancipation from a repressive political climate, such as Myanmmar. What doesn't help however, is simply waiting but being passive about the whole situation. Patience is a virtue, yes- but passivity is a vice. Rising up the occasion should be advocated, such as how the actions of a feisy individual may trigger a ripple effect that may result in a social uprising.
We also wait, because well, it is the only option we have. After you've paid your dues, watched your children grow up, settled that mortage bill, you've finally achieved whatever it is you may have wanted to. Visiting Gift of Love home on the weekends, I have seen many of the elderly people, either wheelchair bound or binded by their numbered years, simply stare out blankly. The eyes stare, but they are unseeing. Perhaps they choose not to. Waiting is just a period of living out the last of their dim years.
So there you have it. We wait because of the promise of tomorrow, or because of our patient nature. We wait to correct a situtation which we feel is not to our liking, and perhaps our actions need to have this "lag time" to take effect, hence the wait. Or sometimes, waiting becomees an integral part of our lives, especially as we age. But one thing's for sure.
We wait because we hope.
We hope becaue we wait.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
9:52 PM
I'm talking to Vidya right now about my dream. It's freaky, coincidental and hilarious all at the same time. Of all things to dream/nightmare about.
Today is unproductive. Like every other day this June, in terms of studying. I need a wake up call, seriously :/ Went for Math consultation today in school with Aiming, then studied a bit before coming back home. Then met Sam to collect Jac's book from her, before meeting Carmen at Hub to get HMT back, walked around in the supermarket and bought her superheavy pears, Hong Kong ice cream from the old man downstairs my block ( I swear it used to be cheaper).
Vicky is quiet than usual - I think she misses her family ): But at least, she enjoys our company. Trouble is, she's such a cute distraction that I can't study at home. Like how she walks around and you need to watch where she poops. Sigh, I want to get into mugger mode before it's too late.
To do list before June ends:
-Something for Fathers' Day!
-File my work
-Finish GE Vol 2
-Blogging article for MS
That's all I can think of, for now. Let's not be too ambitious.
Monday, June 09, 2008
10:38 PM
Amelia with her birthday cake and the rest of 4/3 1945
Sunday, June 08, 2008
11:39 PM
As I have mentioned countless number of times, June is a crazycrazy month of birthdays! Seriously, and its makes me stressed.
Take for example, this week.
Friday
Went down to school super early for Elects camp, only to be told by Mr Leong that 4 ppl would be too much for faciltitating. But I was most welcome to pop by. Which I suppose was a blessing, cos I mugged for awhile in the library. Jason called and said CJ won the SMUN thing he was at, so congrats, guys! (: Camp was interesting, cos of the voting and stuff but I never got to sit through the entire voting process, cos I had to go home and do some serious baking. BAKING WAS A DISASTER!): It was supposed to be 20 minutes, but in the end took like 2hours, because of screwups 101:
#1: The bloody blender refused to work! >: ( <---angry pimply face. I had to resort to using the pestle and mortar to grind the oreos, one by one. Mind you, I nearly went berserk.
#2: I couldn't find the wooden spoon. >>: ( So I used this flat headed spoon my mom uses for the prata and chappati and gave my arms a much needed workout from all the beating.
#3: My mom stored the whisk in her secret hiding place, so I couldn't whip a smooth batter >>>>; ( (that's not a tear, it's perpiration from the frowning). So the toblerone didn't fully melt in the cheese batter.
#4: The tray was too big for the oreo base! (*@&$(*@, I think there was enough tension in the kitchen to cut with a sashimi knife, yeah.
And while I was doing all this, Bernie and Van were msging me about CAROL'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE IN CHURCH THAT NIGHT! *stressed*faints*revives* So after I FINALLY GOT THE CAKE DONE, went to bathe, eat dinner, and run out of the house to church. And kinda waited for them to come. So we were secrety plotting our entrance and waited for Lester's cue through sms before I came in with the lighted coffee cake! But Carol wasn't that surprised. Because apparently, Shawn put in a time slot on the schedule for "Carol's surprise". Argh. So stayed for session till 10, then went home.
Saturday
MARIE'S SURPRISE PARTY! BUT APPARENTLY, James msged her or smth. (slaps him virtually) ANDAND I was told to be late, but apparently I didn't have to be so late ): Managed to decorate the cake for Marie, hopefully she likes it. Heh. After all the drama in the kitchen. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR !(: Hoped you enjoyed your fish and co dinner, the company, the song dedication, and the *cough*! LOLS. Caught up with MJ and Germs, which was fun, haven't seen them in a year almost.
Sunday
FRIPPIAT'S SURPRISE! Which I couldn't go, cos it was just too far, but I did help Carmen out with the planning. Yup. From the card buying to the handout of coloured paper to write on, to the coordinating with people, even in front of her sometimes. I just got off the phone with her actually, apparently she was completely taken aback because the buffet was downstairs.
"Oh man I was damn unglam in my PE shorts and shirt..."
HAHAHAHAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIPPS! (: Thanks for all the laughter, sharing sessions, studying sessions, tuition sessions, bus stop chats, bishan mrt rides, and meeting up before council canteen times (: I'd miss you when u leave for belgium dear ):
4/3 CLASS GATHERING! Met Fishy at Orchard first, where we spotted MJ omg. Then Vic came over to pass Jac's book to us. So we ambled around, looking for Amelia's birthday cake (omg didn't I tell you) and finally settled for this lemon chocolate cake from breadtalk. Which TOTALLY DIDN'T CONTAIN CHOCOLATE LA, TRAITORS! Sue them! Naa, just the deco only. Then Fishy went to get a book for her. Waited outside PL for awhile before Guin and Ame came, then Rachel and Joyce, then Feli and Ah Seng. Lady practically shooed us in, and then the rest of the cliques came. It was good to see everyone (: Really and truly, it's a pity we guys only meet up once a year, but I guess that's what makes it so special. Things that were hilarious today:
-Ah Seng laughing at almost everything I say. Brings back OBS memories and Barney nonsense. LOL.
-Trying very hard to hide the birthday cake from Ame, who pretended not to notice.
-Ame spilling her drink on herself
-Burning my hand from eating my food (okay fine, not funny but Guin was laughing AT me boo)
-Making a din camwhoring and cutting of Ame's cake
-Ame trying to cut the cake into symmetrical 20 pieces
-More camwhoring at the last year place, which is totally devoid of light lol
-46m butt! (private joke)
-Delayed MRT ride home with the gang cos of
-posing for a photo in 2 seconds, which turned out AWESOME
-being pushed unceremoniously by Ah Seng and her ah ma ways
OHOHOH and Vicky came to our home yesterday! She's a chihuahua from my mom's friend and she's here for the week. Boy is she such a hyper bunch of fur! She barks when you open the door, barks when u walk into the kitchen, runs around when u let her out, sits on the sofa when you are not looking, hides in the rooms when you chase after her, and whines when you don't attend to her at night. BUT still, oh so adorable ((:
As you can see, my weekend was pretty eventful and I think it's awful fun celebrating all these birthdays of special people, despite the spoiling moments. Now that 2 weeks have been burnt unproductively, it'd be back to work for the Lit paper. Here we go!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
12:39 PM
Batam OCIP: 24 Jun to 28 JunHello readers! I'm backback from Batam and it was AH MAH ZING. Really and honestly. And I happen to be in luck because I forgot to hand in my reflection booklet, so I have a day to day breakdown of my entire stay there! :)
Day 1
We arrived at the Batam ferry terminal, from where we took a coach down to our Hotel! It's really beautiful, in the shape of a ship, our room was really huge (: I think many of us shared the same sentiments that it didn't feel like a OCIP trip at all, cos of all the luxuries we got, but heyhey who's complaining? Lol. First visit to the orphanage today in Al Jabaar. Met Arun for the first time today, who is this adorable kid bent to get a seat during Musical Chairs (he actually shoved Nick aside). He kept hi-fiving me each time he did something mean to Nick. Haha. Highlight of the day: Newspaper war (which wasn't a part of the games agenda) and back breaking piggy back rides for the children. What was most endearing was the fact that Arun gave us a Naruto card before we departed. Nightstudy: totally unproductive, we just ended up gg to Gabby's room to talk.
Day 2
Sore shoulder today, from carrying my heavy bagpack, and the kids. Couldn't really do much today. The children were really welcoming, Murthi came up to me and held my hand. Arun and I played scissors paper stone game (whack hand version), since it didn't require any verbal communication. We just resort to hand gestures and exaggerated facial expresions to communicate, since my Indon is rusty. Oh and I got hit very unceremoniously by the kids with the spare plastic bottles, which escalated to a full fledged war against the CJCians, which was funny (if you are not on the receiving end). Arun took my water bottle and refused to give it back to me. Nightstudy: Slightly more productive, even though we went down the lounge (!!!) and drank chocolate milkshakes. Chitchat for like 3 hours , then went up to sleep. Fripps and I had a go "playing" the piano, and Xavier came up and presented us with a vase of flowers. Lol.
Day 3
My roommates overslept today and we nearly missed breakfast buffet): But luckily, there was time after morning prayers so we had a record breaking 4 minute breakfast. If Madonna can save the world in 4 minutes, we can eat breakfast too. Shoulder recovered from Alex's panadol! (: First trip to the mall today for shopping! *bimbo*. Mich and I got the same shirt and I had curly fries from A&W's. Visiting the children was a tad depressing, cos according to Anas most of the village kids were attending a wedding, so they weren't there. In Arun's absence, me was sadded. But we still played frisbee and kite flying (which the children are much proficient at). Stuck-kite-incident was damn funny, because the guys' quick thinking and human pyramid formation didn't take into consideration the safety factor, hehheh. The boys asked me to chase them around, so I did. More rides for Putri on my back, merry go rounds with the girls and more frisbee. Nightstudy: Did only 1 Math qs, after pondering for so long. Distractions in the conference room didn't help either? Lol. Went up to our room, to watch 300 on HBO (yeah, the hotel has cable and our room has a balcony too). Got quite hungry, so we ordered room service. Had fish and chips, which was not bad, considering that we ordered at like 11pm plus and it was still warm.
Day 4
Today was the last day we would be gg to the orphanage ): Upon the school's request, LOM and SVDP helped to paint the fence and cement the floor. The work was accomplished just before lunch because of so many hands, big and little. Even the children, who were actually playing among the other half of CJ ppl, came over to help out and get this, one of them actually pointed out we were using the wrong proportion of water to cement. Haha. I carried some girls on my back, who directed me by pointing out the way and repititvely shouting random objects and people(Kaka, bunggi! =Big sister, go near the flowers). They plucked flowers and struck them in our hair, Xavier included. Despite the scuffle over the pencils and the mayhem that resulted, the farewell was quite emotional, and our dear little Arun started crying really hard, which was really touching. He kept walking up to Nick/Gabby/Fripps/Bel and hugging them. Plus I think another girl kept gg ard kissing us on our cheek, and everyone saw us up the bus. Bus ride back to the hotel was quite moody and forlorn, but we did perk up when we heard we were gg to another shopping centre. Heh. This time, it was an even bigger mall, so just bought coffee, earrings and hair accesories and walked around like tourists. Night study: Like hello, nobody studies on the last night of departure so I just ended up in Mich's room writing reflections cos too many people were in my room uploading photos on Anas's laptop/watching bball on cable/talking. Roommate bonding took place tonight (: over alot of issues/people.
Day 5
Had breakfast before checking out. This coach took us a polo shop (where we refused to get down), a dried goods shop, and a handicraft shop. Since we didn't spend that much time buying anything, lunch was super early (at 10plus) but it was really fun cos of the karaoke session by the teachers. And I think I ate alot. Oops. Then went to the mall for last minute shopping. I had to accompany some of the girls cos they needed help with the donuts. Mass ordering at the shop, jamming up the queue, waiting for the donuts to be baked, frantically looking at the time every few minutes; totally unforgettable way to end the trip. Rushed back to the grp, checked in and boarded the ferry back.
The Batam experience has increased my awareness about the disparities in living conditions; that while we enjoy clean potable water and proper housing, the kids at the orphanage only have 1 lamp in their dormitories at night, and are prone to constant flooding and water cuts. Moreover, to dine at KFC is considered a day's worth of salary to them, thus only afforded by the middle class and above. I learnt that we have much to be thankful for. Also, I learnt that the happiest of people don't necessarily get the best of everything, they just make the best out of everything they've got, and it was evident in their eager and carefree faces, delighting in a race across the school compounds, or getting a free snack, or a piggyback ride. Their joy is derived from the simplest of pleasures, instead of a swanky extravagant lifestyle, and I think that we have learnt more from them than they have learnt from us.
Thank you SVDP, LOM, friends and teachers, for making this an enriching and bonding experience, plus a much needed holiday.
Birthday shoutouts (elated belated)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIDYA (: someone sure had fun staying out till 5am huh? tsktsk.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL (: hope you had fun with the mini taupok the guys gave u on friday, and the cake!
P.S. For details on what happened during CA internal formation, refer to Marie's blog. I am too lazy to blog. HAHA.
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