Wednesday, September 28, 2005

12th October 2005



Also check out the website for the upcoming Law Frat Concert. Damn nice.

http://law.nus.edu.sg/lawclub/lfc/home.html

筱筠はとてもかわいいです

Yes it's true!

Monday, September 26, 2005

KR Resident TO BE persecuted~

Nice little email I just got after I did the last short post.

-------
Dear All

A resident’s wallet and mobile phone was stolen at the KR Lobby between 9.00pm and 11.00pm on last Friday, 23 Sep 2005.

Our CCTV camera has captured the image of the culprit who took the items. Sad to say, the culprit is one of our residents. We request the person to come down to the Hall office by Tuesday, 27 Sep before 6pm to return the wallet and mobile phone. No action will be taken against you considering the fact that you are going to come forward to return the belongings. If not, we will report the case to police and hand over the CCTV recording to them.

Hall Admin
-------

Nice because I'm thinking that if the culprit belonged to a certain nationality, he/she might not even understand this email. Then kenna police action. I like. I like.

On a side note, I hope the legislature passes the Protection Order Bill amendment soon. Then some problematice people (whom might actually be reading this blog~) would find themselves slapped with a few protection orders. Oh yes. You know who you are. Be nice now.

And no Jo, it's not you.

Racist blogger persecuted~

i'm a little late on this. But it kind reminded me about my old blog entry regarding an amendment to the Penal Code.

http://ineedrehab.blogspot.com/2005/01/penal-code-amendment-bill.html

It's worth a second look now. I wonder if I'll get the police knocking on my KR door anytime soon?

By the way, my sentiments regarding the Sith still remain.

PS: Xiaobai is a dog. And no. That's not what they call it nowadays.

PPS: Azmin's camo is really good. Unfortunately, all the years of *cough*N*cough* have gone to him permanently and I could make out some light skin from behind the bushes. I believe Boonlerk was hiding behind him. Hence I only saw a lightish glimpse of Azmin. I should learn more from him.

PPPS: For any Law Sub-Club treasurers chancing upon this blog, give me your budgets by 29th September 2005. I need to submit my budget on 30th September 2005. So hor. Since nobody replies to Favian's emails. I will assume all of you DON'T WANT ANY MONEY. Tsk tsk tsk.

PPPPS: Coming up soon, a photo blog. Really.

Friday, September 23, 2005

There was almost a Save Lao Gu Por blog. Almost.

But no. It's not to be. We wisely decided so.

On a darker note, the Sith have struck again. This time round they have succeeded in pissing me off by:

1) Dirtying the kitchen after the block comm had just cleaned it.
2) Making me wait 15 mins to fry a single prata for lunch thanks to them hoarding up the entire stove.
3) Leaving fermented rice in a pot which succeeded in making me reel back when I opened the pot.
4) Leaving unidentified slimey objects in the fridge. I think it moved.
5) Just being there in the kitchenette. Seriously, they think it's a bloody congregating spot.
6) Being so bloody thick skinned not to wash anything. I spent 10 mins scrapping a pot just to use it.
7) Even have the cheek to attempt to eat my prata.
8) Blaring loud other languagey music in the wee hours of the night. Yes I'm still up.
9) Walking and talking so slowly and 2 of them's enough to block the entire corridoor.
10) Stinking up the place generally.

CCBs.

It's a wonder I'm so patient and they don't end up like the poor soldiers on Elfen Lied.

The day before yesterday, the funniest thing I heard when tucking her into bed was "You should wear a cap. But don't wear too long, afterwards botak" This morning, the funniest thing I heard when waking her up for breakfast was "我們帶小白出去走走好嗎?" Yes. Isn't it amazing? I actually get up everyday for breakfast. Quite a feat I must say. Guess I'm finally living right.

Final note before I turn to my Trial Advo tutorial... News travels really fast in law school. Plus victor and xh didn't inform us about Joel's 21st bday at Wala's. Thanks arh. Hur hur hur.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

The past week has been amazing

Oh yes. Holidays are so shiok. Not that it's really a holiday with the looming property assignment. But well. Shiok enough. Just a very small comment on the mass email Adam sent out regarding the stuff that happened last week. Couldn't help but noticed that Cuixian's name was mentioned first. Regarding the Carnival that is. I smell a *cough*bias*cough* rat. Hehe. But it's okay. It's just something funny.

On a lighter note, be prepared to fork out $7-$8 for a mass screening of the 40 Year Old Virgin some 3 weeks from now. It should be funny. People will go HUH when they hear the title. But well. Trust us in providing for the masses. Only 116 tickets. Buy them asap to avoid getting front row seats!

Details will be posted up around Law School in like a few days.

That's all for now, Property is squashing me. Unlike the clever few, I'm still 1/4 through and no Company Law in sight!

:(

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Thanks arh

Despite what you think you're doing, you're not helping. I hate to say this, but as usual, you've made matters worse. Yeah, you probably didn't know what the fuck you were talking about, and it has resulted in some very irritating situations for people close to me and I hold you responsible. I am not happy.

Seemingly, everytime I think of you recently, I think of you with disdain and annoyance. I was hoping i'd be wrong, but no. This only goes to show what I'd suspected was correct all along. You simply don't know when to shut up.

I hope you get a taste of your own medicine soon.

I've said enough.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

MSN Nicks

Some MSN nicks I came across recently:

(mine) - [E-appy] Yesterday was the 12th of September
april - today is 13th September
ViCx - today is the 13th of September
ªżмЇй: tomorrow is the 14th of September
(mine) - [E-appy] Perfect 120905
s-appy sheep in cinema: Perfect 010105. today is not 1st October
(mine) - [E120905] :: Untitled ::
[010105] sheep in cinema: today is not 1st October

Thanks arh. You all not very the discreet arh.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Strong but far from silent

Yes, our own little Dean's Lister WJ has been featured in the news:

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2005/9/4/education/11874798

Their single Unspoken sounds really good... maybe coz WJ wasn't singing. Heh.

Sunday September 4, 2005

From schoolmates to band members of Silent Scream, these young men have successfully combined a career in music with studies, writes SHARMILLA GANESAN.

WHAT DO you get when you put together a recently graduated accounting student, two medical students, a law scholar and an engineering undergraduate? Well, in this case, a rock fusion band!

Meet the members of Silent Scream, a group of 21-year-old guys who are as serious about getting high-quality education as they are about making it big in the local music scene.

It seems to be a decision that is working for them, as Silent Scream is now recording its debut album produced by R&B sensation Reshmonu.

Good friends since their secondary school days at SMK Victoria (VI) – John Oommen, Andrew Yap, Yam Wern-Jhien, Tan Hiang Liang and Choy Sing Kin – strayed from the norm when they decided that their education warranted just as much attention as their band did.

“We don’t just focus on our music because we need something more stable to support us,” says Andrew, who is pursuing his medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. “The music business in Malaysia does not guarantee financial success,” he says.

Looking at their choice of courses, however, it is obvious that financial stability is not all these young men are after. John, who completed his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants course last year and is now a lecturer at Sunway University College, says all the band members believe in striking a balance.

“I feel that music on its own is not intellectually stimulating enough. While music is our creative outlet, we also need a stimulus for our minds.

That’s why each of us chose to study different and demanding courses to explore both sides of our brains,” he says.

Although serious in its goal,having fun is part and parcel of Silent Scream.

Seeing the band together, one is struck by their familiarity with one another; frequent jokes abound and jamming sessions are interspersed with easy conversation and laughter.

School band

It is a closeness that comes from a shared history. Although they finalised their line-up only last year, the origins of Silent Scream stretches back to 1998 when the boys, with the exception of Sing Kin, first decided to pool their talents and perform at a school function.

From this humble beginning, the band went through several changes before emerging as the champion of the 2002 Taylor’s CollegeBattle of the Bands. This was the start of their road to becoming full-fledged performers, as they went on to play at various events before being “discovered” by Reshmonu in 2003.

Despite being good friends, the members of Silent Scream are as diverse as their music. They draw influences from many sources and each person brings in his own unique style. This results in eclectic music with a strong emotional core. Ultimately, they also inspire each other.

“The most important element of Silent Scream is our friendship. We can’t say for sure whether we are going to be a success, but at the end of the day, if all we have to show is our friendship, that will still be great,” says John.

Silent Scream’s most recent addition, Sing Kin, says playing with the band is a great experience. “Being a musician is no stroll in the park, but being with these guys makes the stress and problems easier to handle. I’ve learnt so much since I joined,” says the engineering student from Multimedia University. The band prides itself on the fact that it is friendship that brought them together.

Their bond is evident from the support the members give one another.

Wern-Jhien, who is studying law at the National University of Singapore, asserts that they all try to work around each other’s academic calendars and educational commitments.

“I guess I’m lucky to have such understanding friends. The fact that we’re not expected to compromise our studies in any way really helps,” he says.

Parents' blessings

By proving that the band does not come in the way of education, the boys have secured their parents’ confidence.

“Our parents have a good point when they say music is not a dependable career choice. However, pursuing success as a band doesn’t mean we have to compromise on a professional career,” says John.

Hiang Liang, a medical student with the International Medical University, adds that he looks at all his endeavours as a learning process. “I don’t see why we should confine ourselves to just one field when there is so much to be learnt.

“Plus, I learn things that can be effectively applied in both my pursuits, such as professionalism, time management and commitment,” he says. They all agree that both education and music have each contributed to the other’s advancement.

“Our days at VI made us well-rounded individuals who take pride in our abilities. The emphasis on co-curricular activities taught us how to achieve a balance in our lives,” says John.

At the same time, being in a band has also indirectly contributed to strengthening their academic pursuits. Andrew says the group dynamics within the band has improved their communication and thinking skills. “We all have strong personalities, so we’ve learnt to compromise. We also have to be able to think on our feet as many problems crop up. These are skills that we can even apply to our studies,” he says.

So where does Silent Scream see itself in the future?

“I believe Malaysia deserves a stronger voice in the world and I hope to contribute to this through our music. I want to do for Malaysia what U2 has done for Ireland,” says Wern-Jhien. They would also like to encourage aspiring performers to expand their horizons.

“We hope to pave the way for other young people to think both ways,” says Andrew. “It is definitely possible to be serious in your studies while still following your passion.”

For more information on Silent Scream and their music, visit http://www.silentscream.biz

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Reminiscing the spoon

Sometimes I don't even know why I bother. Most people will tell their friends to stay away from their exs with a ten foot pole. Yet if your ex needs help, you'll probably still go to his/her aid right? Right? Isn't that the right thing to do? In any case, I was supposed to help mine buy a birthday present from Bangkok and pass it to her, along with my old mini-stereo which I actually bought from her Eusoff sale whilst I was still in the army. I had agreed to sell the mini-stereo to her for a nominal fee of $100. I bought it for like $350 la. $100 is nominal already because it includes delievery. I haven't actually been using it much since I bought it. Coincidentally I sold her my old PHILIPS tower block stereo for $50. It still resides in Eusoff Hall.

Anyway, reaching Block 17 via driving instead of taking the bus was a very different feeling. I used to take bus 31 and alight at the main road then walk all the way in. Now it's like if I don't have the car, I'm inclined not to go out at all. How things have changed. As I walked to take the lift up I was telling myself "Alright. This'll be fast. In out. It's late somemore... (12+am) shouldn't disturb the parents and/or siblings. Just drop off the stereo and bag, then leave." My goal was minimum contact. Not that I hated her or anything. We had split up amicably; me letting her go for another guy despite a 4.5 year (approx) relationship. I just didn't want to remember too much. I had spent many days of those 4.5 years at her place. Even to the point of dinner with the parents quite regularly. (They still remember me!) But my aim of minimum contact was not to be as I bumped into her downstairs and the stereo being heavy, resulted in me carrying it all the way up and into her room. My first impression was that she had lost weight. Considering she was very slim, it seemed even worse. But I will address that later.

Once I stepped into the flat, I was hit with a tinge of familarity. Afterall I had spent alot of time here. I could see traces of my past in the flat. E.g. a giant jigsaw given by me hanging in the living room. The fishes in the tank were bought by me when all the fishes died during a freak accident involving a pump and a pail (don't ask). I remember the kitchen, bathroom and toilets as if I were there just yesterday despite them being upgraded and spankingly new now. Her room was one of the smallest rooms in the house. But big enough for a single person obviously. Her bed had changed from a mattress on the floor to a 4-post bed. The smelly pillow called 'Derrick' remained the same. Her cabinets were stuffed full of soft toys. Majority of which I was guilty of buying (Please la. Secondary 3-JC2 what stuff would YOU give?!) Scanning the shelves beside her table, I noticed a very nice metallic picture frame containing a picture of her and her current (fugly -- disclaimer, not to be related to previous post on fugly people) bf taken in India. The frame was very familar.

"Didn't I give you this frame along with the picture of us at the Effiel Tower?"

We had taken a very nice picture at the Effiel Tower and I had only *one* piece of it of which I gave it to her in that frame.

"Err.. yah. But I couldn't put it there anymore la."

"Then keep it with the frame together in the cupboard or something la. Hai... the frame not very nice to use in this way also mah..."

That was the photo frame. I couldn't help but feel that it was a little wrong la. But technically, property changed hands, no longer my property already and I have no legal nor equitable interest in it. Not as if there was a contract bound on how to use the frame. So I decided to just forget it la. The frame was really very nice though. ANYWAY. We ending up chatting. Just me sitting on the floor beside her and chatting about silly stuff. Like how we used to chat in the old days. How we went on for hours and hours without end talking about anything and everything under the sun. It was quite amazing. Half-way through, her brother came out of his room and I gave a little wave to him. He's the eldest. I remember. I then commented that she was getting too skinny for her own good. She declined and said that she actually bought slimming cream. I was flabbergasted. I didn't know that rubbish worked. $50. I was skeptical of both the fact that she said she was fat and for the other fact that she said it worked. She proceeded to squeeze the fats on her thigh as evidence. I think I had more. Sigh. More evidence was produced in the form of a table chart where she measures her thighs, hips and waist every week. There was apparently a 3 cm reduction over a period of 1 week. Interesting. But I had to go. Soon. First I needed a drink.

So we went to the kitchen and the water was out. So I grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and found an empty cup. She was like "Your house arh?" - in a joking manner of course. "Nah... okay lah" Shit. I shouldn't be treating it like my home. But very hard ley. The kitchen table was where I finished up many a lunch and dinner after school last time. Imagine I ate at HER place for dinner then went HOME for dinner. Lucky I exercised alot last time through sports to burn it off! We talked a bit more on how we were doing and I asked more about her company. Which actually I still don't know much about. I then proceeded to wash my cup at the sink and soap it.

"Thank you! *sheepish grin* I'm such a terrible host, but actually I can't wash because I've put moisturizer on my hands!"

"It's okay. Really."

"Lucky we're not together. Imagine you have to do the washing when your law friends come for dinner then they will say you have a lousy gf. Or if at night you want to go out with them then I sleepy don't wanna go they will say I lazy."

I didn't really answer that one. Nor comment on it. Instead I asked her about someone on the HOME section of the STRAITS TIMES today to change a potentially e-evoking topic.

"You messaged me this morning regarding the girl on the cover page of HOME. I don't recognize her as our teacher ley."

"Not HER! HIM! Mr Liew! From AHS one. E Maths. Very tiko one!"

"Eh... check check check!"

I was surprised that she was referring to Mr Liew. He was quite a tiko old man whom would hold any pretty girl's wrist during maths and attempt to teach them via him helping them write. I also always thought he peeped down girl's blouses as he bent down beside them. Here he was, sitting with his face ashen with despair as his wife laid in the background in a hospital bed. A victim of the reversing car that was trying to park from a distance of 5 car lengths away. The judge had found them both guilty of negligence and the guy had to take 50% of the blame whilst she contributed negligently the other 50%. I just didn't think it coincidental that the woman would be his wife.

After a short discussion on how fair it actually was because the woman being an idiot didn't look both sides of the road when crossing, I got up to leave. I didn't really want to, we were talking like old times. But I had to go. It was really getting late. This was when she remembered something and went to get it from her room. It was a CD. A CD I lent her in 1997. Titled 'Da Vinci's Sketchbook', it was an accapella group that sang comical songs in accapella form. I was having an accapella craze back in 97 and I bought stuff like LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO just for my listening pleasure. Imagine how sad my taste in music was back then (I also own an original WOODSTOCK T-shirt).

"What's this?"

"Your CD. Sorry it took so long!"

I actually didn't know it was with her. I had the empty case at home for the past 8 years without knowing where I misplaced it. But I couldn't for the love of God recall what songs were inside.

"I can't remember how the CD goes..."

"There's one STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM, one LIPOSUCTION and also some SQUGEE SWINGING COWBOY thing."

Why the hell did I buy a CD with tracks like those? I simply can't remember a thing about them. Just as I got up to leave following this exchange, a girl emerged from her brother's room. I gave her a nod and turned to my friend. We walked to the door and stopped at the gate. A typical tradition we had many years back. We would spend another 5-10 minutes at the gate. I gossiped about how come the girl gets to stay over. About how she didn't really need the slimming gel and how she should behave herself if she goes to visit HIS parents. We talked and we laughed. I called for the lift and soon I was hurtling back to the groundfloor and back to my car. Sitting down, I thought for a moment. That was nice. But I shouldn't be thinking about her now. Without thinking I popped the CD into the player and was greated by the harmonius voices of the group.

Listening to the familar tunes after so many years invoked a great many memories of time past. I drove back home listening to the CD which I listened to 8 years ago and had recommended to her. It was quite an amazing trip down memory lane. When I reached my house carpark. I didn't want it to end. I felt as though I were living 8 years ago. When everything was more or less, perfect. But I couldn't stay in the car forever. With the turn of the key, I shut down the engine and those voices from the past. I kept the CD into my bag and left the car leaving behind my memories of yesterday. Sometimes, we just have to force ourselves to move on.

So long. And thanks for all the fish.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Trial Advo. Tips for Mac Users Only

Adobe Reader 7.0

Download Adobe Reader 7.0 (20.9MB) which is required to open Lim Lei Theng's files.

After downloading, delete Acrobat 5.0 or 6.0 before opening the disk image and installing.

Happy Reading!