What a year in 2010!-The Report Card

I wonder how many of you feel the same way about 2010. In a way, it has been a bittersweet journey, for I made a film, graduated, went to work (as an intern la) and found myself unemployed. And in that same period, went to Japan TWICE, Malaysia, Cambodia and Australia, and also went through so many experiences of life, so many firsts and I am just overwhelmed.

2010. What a year.

I just like to present a short report card, for my future self, in case I get Alzheimer's, because right now, I forgot how I spent last year's countdown. But thanks to this blog, I got my facts. (Last year I spent the evening with Sivalingam.) Note to self: This year, I spent it with Leanne, chasing fireworks and playing with sparklers.

So, here goes.

Best Moment Ever in 2010:

Standing backstage at the Float, during the YOG opening ceremony, and watching the sky burst into colours, shapes and magnificence. Buildings across the Singapore River shot tiny streams of green and blue into the sky, which exploded into bursts of light. Many, many, many times. The amount of fireworks burned into my retina that night was enough to last me (I daresay) a lifetime.

Stupidest Moment Ever:

Putting my bedsheets into the washing machine in a sleepy stupor, without realising that my brand new Nokia E71 crept in as well. It was massacred, with detergent no less, rinsed and then tumble- dried for 20 over minutes. By the time we found it, it was too late. The phone never recovered and was laid to rest immediately.

Surprisingly, the SIM card was still functional. Strong!

Stupidest Moment Ever #2:

Having to tell people how I lost their numbers because I put my phone in the washing machine.

Most Special Prayer:

It was for this Grandma in Cambodia. She complained of a headache and some pain in her body. It was also probably the first time I had to pray for someone, and it was special, because I was desperately crying out for God to heal her. After the prayer, she didn't open her eyes and stood still. I was so afraid that she died or something. Oh no! I thought to myself. Is she okay?

Thank God, she was okay. She opened her eyes after we sat her down, probably too weak to stand for long.

And she told me her headache disappeared afterward. Praise the Lord!

Most Special Prayer #2:

My secondary school friends are a special group of people who are dear to my heart. When there was an "assignment" by my cell group leader to get together with friends and catch up, to pray for them if necessary, I jumped at the chance. One of my friends, she's really cute. She asked for God to help her lose weight. But specifically, 1kg at the left arm, 1kg at the right arm, 2kg at the stomach, 1kg each for each of her thighs. (Did I get it right? Haha) Meticulous. And so cute!

Worst Moment Ever:

When I had to give this grown up Caucasian man 3 technical fouls for throwing consecutive insults at me. After the game, he came to me, argued with me and at the same time, insulted my integrity again. My reply? "Go learn how to be a basketball player before you try to teach me to be a referee."

Worst Exploitation Ever:

When in making a short film, the shared budget included having to pay for the cigarettes of the director.

Most "I Feel Old" Moment:

When Ros taught Adrian, Cathy and I the dance steps to our self-produced mini-musical at a corner of *scape Youth Park. We chose a secluded corner so we would not feel too embarrassed near the aura of all the Shakiras and B-Boys who were practising there as well.

Most Memorable Gift:

A small pink container, with the hand drawn picture of a little girl flying a kite, with her bicycle parked at the side.

Most Memorable U-turn:

The one I keep missing. It's at this road near Sengkang McDonald's, somewhat hidden to the naked eye until it is too late, and yes, it gives me fond memories. Fond memories indeed.


I could go on and on, but I think I'll stop while I'm ahead. Ups and downs, lefts and rights, firsts and seconds, I have nothing but thanks and gratitude.

To an awesome 2011!

It's just a jump to the left

If you're not into the classics, and I'm talking B-Grade, campy classics, you've probably never heard of the weirdest musical ever, which is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, made in 1975, which became one of the longest running midnight feature show in cinemas.

Their songs will get to you soon enough. If not, your sister thrusting her pelvic, singing "Let's do the time warp again" will.



Plus, it's coming to Singapore soon as a musical!

What's Left Of My Youth

These pictures.

A Time of Giving

'Tis the season for Christmas carols once again. Yesterday, church service started with a rousing rendition of Joy to "The World", and I ended my day with a cell group party and "Jingle Bells".

Ah yes, time to warble out the familiar "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", "Silent Night" and my personal favourite, "O Come All Ye Faithful".

And while Christmas is around the corner, my church celebrates Thanksgiving, or should I say Tensgiving concurrently. Hence, 'tis the season for giving thanks for the past year. And looking back, for me, there's definitely more to give thanks for. The opportunities to go to Japan, Bible Camp, Cambodia, more recently Australia, and the Youth Olympic Games. These are landmarks in my 2010 calendar, and each event, some more than others, have been trying. But, we got through that, and when I say "we", I mean the people who's ventured into 2010 with me.

Well, an important lesson I learnt yesterday was Bible Mathematics, you get more by giving more. Oh, and how true it was, for after sending 6 people home in the Car last night at 12midnight, I found that the nearest parking lot to my flat lift was vacant. Which. Was. Very. Rare.

Oh, the joy of giving!

Vintage is the New Old.

(Haha.)

At first glance, these are beautiful vintage advertisements. But, for old things?

Maybe not.










See more of such ads at http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/vintage-advertisement-of-modern-technology/

I love that website.

Cow of the World

Found this on ffffound.com. Probably blogged and reblogged and then reblogged and found its way to... well, none other than ffffound.com.

Cool cow.

I'm in a state emotional distress these days. Not because of myself or the things around me, but because I've been assigned to do a special photo slideshow for somebody as a freelance job. It's a very different kind of slideshow, and based on the premise of why it has to be made, it's a bit of an emotional ride.

Well, I guess there's always an emotional ride when you're in this line.

But I'm okay, because there's another video I have to do for another person who is quite the opposite of this other video.

Confused right?

Nevermind.

Yesterday, Charlene and Amanda came to my house and became the very first people to play my brand new set of CLUEDO!

Alright, enough of randomness. Sorry, I'm just waiting for my video to be exported.

When 2010 comes, I gotta get my ass up and find myself a job!

The Facebook and iPhone Connection.

To complement his spanking new iPhone 4, my dad decided to get a Facebook account.

Australian Animals

When you go on vacation, you see and you shoot.

Some were shot by me, some by my brother with a Canon 550.




Birds looking at the horizon at Broad Beach, Gold Coast.



Seaworld's Imagine, a new dolphin show.






Free Willy, dolphin-style



Look ma, no hands!



Hello Everybody!



Synchronised Diving.



Whatcha looking at, punk?



A Pony at Lone Pine Koala Santuary, Brisbane.



Kangeroo's on vacation too.



Be good now.



Papa, that's animal abuse.



Sleepy Koala Bear.



Eh?



He's got no worries at all.



Seaworld, Gold Coast. My nose itch.



Just out for a swim.



Seal police!



Are you scared?



Baa baa black sheep with no wool.



Squid.



My favourite shot! Hello Stingray.

Almost Done Down Under

I'm in another internet booth at the hotel reception area, have just popped in $2, and I have exactly 17 minutes and 1 second left for my internet usage.

The days seem to go fairly fast. It's nearly time to go home. Somehow, being here with my family feels so different from being anywhere else with the travel mates. The keyword is "patience".

Also, it's been raining everyday. On my birthday, yesterday, today, since we landed. To think I thought that I could escape the rainy monsoon season in Singapore. How wrong am I?

Just an update, I'm currently in Brisbane, and there isn't much to do here. We went to the Lone Pine Koala Santuary just now because we trudged through the entire city and found that Chinatown was as dead as ____ (insert famous dead celebrity).

Believe it or not, I've taken the role of tour guide on this trip, since none of the younger siblings seem to know (or want to, for that matter) how to read maps, bus guides, brochers. My younger sister is good at reading brocheres, but only a specific kind. Outlet Shop brochers, that is. Harbour Town, DFO, so on and so on, she pounces on them everytime we get to a new place. As for my brother, he gets the vote for the one most likely to get lost in a new city. My dad is good at navigation, but his command of English is not strong enough, and he ends up laughing at Caucasians for looking like Polar Bears. He says old Caucasians look like Koala Bears. Well, it's a little discriminatory, but for my dad, seeing too many Caucasians in a week has taken its toll on his mental state. (And well, if you look closely, they do sort of share some resemblance.)

And my mum. My mum is classic. She complains that the people in Aussie speaks too fast, and she has trouble catching on. Somehow over the course of the past few days, whatever I said also gets jumbled up and comes out differently. Correcting her is now an event that happens daily.

But you know, it's still good. Family time is good. We haven't gone anywhere together since 2 years ago, and we never get together much since everyone is so busy. Hence, it's good.

I'm gonna be right back before you know it!