cherish this

• After more than a week since my futile attempt to transfer whatsapp chats from an iphone to an android phone... I decide to give up (for fear of being infected of any viruses from all the softwares out there that claim to do the work), and choose another alternative: export all chats to another file format via email.
• Actually why didn't I do that earlier? (Suddenly feeling stupid) That's really more of what I need because I just need the content and I don't need to have it in my phone to take up more space. 
• Caveat: I will lose all the media and photos :(   (JUST REALISED THEY CAN BE SAVED WOOHOO)
• But this suffice for now and tonight will be a long trip down memory lane to sieve through everything and save all those that I cherish.

Because of this whole iphone break down thing (which roots back to Krabi when Nat and I got our phones wet when the supposedly waterproof ziplock folder thingy didn't work)... It kinda helped me learn how to reformat my hard drive so that it different partitions for different purposes across Mac or Windows pcs. Not that it's gonna help me repair my iphone but I'm glad I get to learn a new skill.

*

It was a good 20 laps in the pool today. I have no idea why I read up on the effects of chlorine in swimming pools today right before the swim. That made me feel like, what? when I finally can get used to this habit of swimming as my exercise routine i realised it can be bad for health with long-term exposure of it. (although some pools don't use chlorine, but i just assume the one I swim in does). 

But I still swam anyway.

*

After a night of exporting all my chats and some quality family time... Movie time!

"I’ve been thinking that the time we have to be single, is really the time we have to get good at being alone. But, how good at being alone do we really want to be? Isn’t there a danger that you’ll get so good at being single, so set in your ways that you’ll miss out on the chance to be with somebody great? Some people take baby steps to settle down. Some people refuse to settle at all. Sometimes, it’s not statistics. It’s just chemistry. And sometimes just because it is over, doesn’t mean the love ends.  

The thing about being single is you should cherish it. Because, in a week, or a lifetime, of being alone, you may only get one moment. One moment when you’re not tied up in a relationship with anyone. A parent, a pet, a sibling, a friend. One moment when you stand on your own. Really, truly single and then it’s gone."

Thank you for that.

I got schooled

I had some thoughts after watching a Joseph Schooling special on toggle. The host mentioned how his win united our nation like never before, but I think this isn't never before because the first great unison should have happened during our late Mr Lee Kuan Yew's era. I find the timing of all these events really interesting because just like how our seniors, parents and grandparents' generation felt so strongly about the loss of our founding father, precisely because they grew up with him and he was their hero... Joseph's win is just relighting the fire and he is now taking this place to be the hero for this younger generation after.

How wonderful it is, and I'm pretty sure this will definitely go into our social studies and history textbooks for the future generations to come. Not to forget the Singapore Studies modules at NUS (haha).

With PM Lee's unwell moment during the rally yesterday and the sad news about our Former President S R Nathan today... I think Joseph Schooling's win couldn't have come at a better time. And for that I am thankful for him for being a source of light and hope at a time when things are increasingly uncertain and times are hard. And I really respect our Prime Minister so much, to insist on completing his rally despite being over exhausted and over worked.

This is definitely a nation-building moment. I feel a little relieved that Singapore finally has something to be very proud of and I hope this spurs us to believe more in ourselves, regardless of whether the government is able to provide sufficient support.

Because ultimately if we really want it we should work hard for it with our own hands.

So I really wish people can stop the hate and criticism online and really count our blessings. Nothing can be perfect in this world and before you start with the hate and criticisms (which are easy to say), never forget to acknowledge our blessings, our development today worldwide, and our progress within such a short span of time. It might be unfortunate, but perhaps this is the sacrifice we had to make, the opportunity cost that was incurred, as we pursue the economical and financial goals.

I do not disagree that more support could have been given in areas such as sports and arts, but I think that maybe this is a good time to see that change. Like what Schooling said, I hope this paves a new road for sports too.

Side note. I really think Singaporeans work so much. We are overworked. I sincerely hope this can change because life is too short to not have a healthy amount of time spent enjoying it.

Once again, Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, is a popular location for beautiful beautiful photography and film. Especially their beautiful and breathtaking houses.

Trying hard not to burn into flames because of all these problems my Iphone is giving me.

SIGHZXNZFNOSDNFSDKNFOIHWOEINDSNSD:GSDJKFNEWFBOWEFOWENFOWNSD

I really would have jumped ship to another device after this, like its favourite competitor SAMSUNG if not for the fact that I use a Macbook Air now and having an iphone makes everything so much easier (so much for wanting to monopolise everybody else). And hats off to apps like telegram and facebook and instagram that work the same regardless whether your phone spoils or you had to change numbers or anything. Telegram still saves all my chats and stickers even after I re-downloaded it on a spare phone. But look at what Whatsapp needs me to do... In order to save my chats even though my number is still the same, I have to go back into the original phone (my iphone) and then do some settings related to importing AND THEN re-confirm my number on the new phone. Otherwise, re-activating whatsapp on my new phone allows me to still be in the same group... but all my previous chat histories will be WIPED OUT.

Now I don't even have the ability to turn on my phone and I can't even access or sync my Iphone to my Mac you tell me how to even go to my settings?

Please create apps that are transferable please.

I really don't like Apple that much anymore. It is a very costly expenditure to be an Apple user, and I don't even want to mention the additional expenditures if any of your parts wear out or need repairing.

Reminder to self: Apple and Iphones are not worth my time and being so upset about. So now I'm just going to move on and live my life. And yeah not spoil my good day.

*

On a side note... I need a serious self-reflection today. I have to kill this bad habit of mine. And stop being so unappreciative and hurtful at times, even if I don't mean it. Have to learn how to catch myself before it happens.

*

Heart breaking moment when we heard about PM Lee feeling unwell in the middle of his English rally speech. He works so hard for this country. How many of his people appreciate that?

xoxo

Day 1 of PAC today and when I was eating breakfast at 7am today I felt so sad that this is just a taste of what life's gonna be like for the next couple of years.

Hahaha but I'm glad I signed up for the august session before the next one when work starts. Feels good to get things started for now and I'm happy that after this 5 days I still have a little bit of break left. Something for me to really appreciate and cherish :-)

Really happy that it ended much earlier than the projected 5PM! So happy when my wish for it to end by 3PM came true when we ended at 250PM.

Anyway I'm back home and doing (watching) something that makes me so happy. I love Facebook Lives. OMG. This obsession that I have lately is kinda crazy and the last time I felt like this was secondary school? But it's good it's good. It definitely spices up my life with a little bit of fairy dust and everything nice.

And after this short break I shall go back to revising for what's covered today.
Never thought I would need to seriously study again but yeah, it needs to be done heh.

*

Today is not a very good day for sports.
And I feel like the quality of the news from various medias is going down.

And maybe it's the table tennis games that was the spark to the fire but now suddenly everything seems to be going downhill and I have a bad hunch. Why does this blessing seems like a disaster in disguise? I worry for **'s future. Suddenly seeing through all the facades.

This time I'm gonna slow it down / 'Cause I think this could be more / The thing I'm looking for 🌟✨😊

I might just go crazy if this continues.

It's a good kind of crazy, an exciting one. And affecting me in a good and blissful way.

But it's just like a breeze. I wish I could hold this closer to reality but I know it's something you can't grab hold of.

Sometimes the best thing to do to feel better and helpless is to really do something.

Which I will do right now.

life

 10 August 2016 Wednesday

I would have been able to keep my graduation gown, sash and mortar board if I went to Co-Op earlier to get the promotion they had. However I guess not being able to get it is the reason why this could happen in the first place :) Because by renting the gown, there is the deadline this weekend that pushed for me to do this. Really thankful for Sam who is always spontaneous and supportive of last-minute and impromptu adventures. I think being impromptu is increasingly becoming the trademark of our friendship and that's why life is always so exciting, fun and laughable with this beautiful sister pay <3 

May this mini photoshoot preserves many precious moments of us at the ripe age of 23 (I like to think I'm 22 'cause my birthday hasn't arrive), still young wild and free. If I had gotten the promotion and get to keep the gown forever, I can imagine how very likely i'm going to put off this photoshoot till much later. And by then, we probably have grown a little older and no longer look so much like a fresh-faced graduate. Hence it's kinda important to me that we take this now, while we're truly fresh grads for less than a month. It would be a nice memory for us when we look back at ourselves when we are older.

11 August 2016 Thursday

Went to return my library books (I'm so proud that this time I completed all the books I borrowed). 

Returned with more books heheh.

14 August 2016 Sunday

Aftermath of Schooling's Gold. The effect is still hovering around me though it's still giving me a happy glow from the inside. There's so much media coverage over him, and... while I feel jubilant for Singapore, for him and his family, I see so many reactions from different kinds of Singaporeans. 

To be honest, I initially felt a little "oh man..." when I realised he had quite a background in the US. I incorrectly thought that because he spent most of his life there plus that american accent that he has (not much of a tint of our signature Singlish), I didn't really consider that being a true blue Singaporean. That made me feel a little disappointed initially because I wonder if there will ever be a day when true blue Singaporeans, who are born and raised and trained in Singapore, represent our country and make me feel that, "That is definitely our Singaporean, no doubt."

However reading quite a few articles, and watching interviews of Schooling and even their parents, my opinion changed. In fact, somehow I am unexpectedly impressed by this young lad who never forgot his roots. Maybe it's my lack of knowledge and research, but I've not seen many patriotic Singaporean sportsman. For him to mention that this race was not for himself, but for his parents and friends who supported him, and for Singapore... it says a lot, because Singapore is always at the back of his mind no matter how far away he is. 

Okay I went to Channelnewsasia's article and quoting him at the press conference: “I hope this paves a new road for sports in Singapore, and opens a lot of doors. Hopefully this changes our sporting culture and mindset towards sports - that’s all I can dream for.” 

I believe (and also hope that) he is sincere when saying those words, and that's pretty mature. I hope his win changes our local sporting culture too. I want Singapore to have a strong sports culture for my children in the future. 

Anyway, I enjoyed the interviews featuring Mr and Mrs Schooling. They are also another factor that supported why he is a true Singaporean, maybe one that is more fortunate and well-off than most but nonetheless, still our Singaporean. Listening to more interviews of him left me respecting this well educated and humble gentleman, with a bright future ahead. He still can be in 2 more olympics and he will only be 29. 

Not to forget all the other commendable #TeamSG athletes representing our country and fighting to achieve their personal bests! I enjoy seeing all the games with Singaporeans in it, particularly table tennis and athletics which I can appreciate better. (Sorry to the other sports for my lack of understanding.) And my all-time olympic favourites are gymnastics and volleyball. I don't think I will ever not like sports. 

*

Heh okay I totally didn't expect the above. Tried not to go into longer essays which could have happened but i'm too tired.

Anyway, it was a really simple and relaxing sunday today. Finally collected all my dried flowers. 

Love how they remained so vibrant.

After that I returned my graduation gown (boohoo) and then went out with the family to IKEA (HURRAY). It was a happy day and quality time spent with my parents and brothers :)

Island in the sea - Anita Hughes

Maybe she would finally meet a guy who loved homemade soup and the farmer's market and watching Italian movies on netflix. 

* 

The fastest way to end the human race is to conduct love affairs through a metallic device that Autocorrects every original thought.

* 

Poetry has to hit you like an arrow in a bull's eye; if it lands just to the left it may as well never have been written. 

* 

But marriage is serious and I want the resources to make her happy. I want everyday to be filled with good food and laughter and the feeling we are building something together. 

* 

That's the great thing about love. You never know when you'll find it but when you do you feel like you've waited all your life for that moment. 

*  

She had always loved the feeling of camaraderie, like she was part of a team. 

* 

Some people think life is laid out in a preordained path and all we have to do is follow it. But God has better things to do than plot the future of seven billion people like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure. He gave us a better-developed brain than any other species and more than two thousand years of written history to guide us. And we still manage to bloody mess everything up.  

* 

The problem with getting old is one confuses age with wisdom and there are fewer people who tell you when you make a mistake.  

Whenever I can, I note down beautiful phrases and words from the books I read.  This shall be the first of many to come!

schooling gets us gold

I'm glad I crawled out from my bed and fought the almost-decision to go back to sleep this morning at 9am. Because Joseph Schooling's gold-medal win at the 100m fly started my day on such a high note!!! I don't know why I'm so happy but I really am and it remained that way the whole day. I just feel so inspired and hopeful and I realise he's quite a fine young lad. A very humble guy indeed.

And hahaha it's so interesting to see all the puns people make with his last name.

I can't keep smiling inside though.

(and i really did go swim laps in the pool in the evening)

And that interaction between Schooling and the other 3 silver medalists was so cute. Particularly Phelps and Schooling :') It's really a very special special race because 1) There are three silver medalists with the exact same time 2) Schooling beat his childhood idol 3) New Olympic record

AH i also feel it's super surreal. 

This is why I love sports so much and I can't imagine someone who doesn't.

jssbbg09

I think today is one of the most impactful day in a while? The topics we talk about today with G, QT, J are so mature and deep that really reminded me of the adults that we have become.

Still have a lot of things I need to understand more and know... Still have so much to think about, consider, active actions.

Growing up is scary ain't it. The topic of 16 personalities came up today and I just went to check mine. I have two major personalities, and I don't know why both sound really similar to me except one is extroverted, the other introverted. But one weakness of mine as the extroverted one is that being an idealist and firm about my own beliefs, I may be naive and kinda "live in my own bubble".

That may be true.

Alright, kinda tired and I feel sad that when work starts I probably won't have time to visit this space to jot down stuffs anymore.

you've gotta love life, you never know what's around the corner

Feeling a little sad now 'cause we just parted goodbye to my england relatives :-(

I don't remember being this sad the past few times but I think this time, it's harder because we spent much more time together in particular. Going to Tioman and JB together... Jess sleeping over at our house for many days (and we literally wake up, eat, play sims, sleep... it's such a simple and probably mundane and mindless thing for you but it brought me and her so much pure happiness. Just sitting next to each other playing our favourite game)...  going to the zoo and night safari with J & UN... and like what J said, also probably because she is much older now and we can talk about things.

:-( sigh I'm missing this time already.

And I know I am sad because in a very short time, it will not be easy for me anymore, to just drop everything and then fly to England to find them like how I used to be able to. My freedom is coming to an end, and with new responsibilities and commitments which I promise to keep to, I can no longer be that carefree anymore.

Sometimes I still feel that I am quite young and there's so much about life to be explored. Sometimes I still feel that I'm too young to be pushed into the working society like everyone else, and probably exchange our precious youth to gain more experiences that will lead us further longer down the road. Because somehow in me, I truly feel that I am young. Still healthy and active enough to experience more things... rather than just sitting in offices or cabbing around to meet clients.  I think that's one of the contradictions. We are so young and healthy and carefree, and should use this gift of our body to explore and put our physical body to good use. I can't think of any good example right now, except travelling. 'Cause travelling can be such a test on your physical strength sometimes, with little sleep and long walks and heavy luggages/bagpacks to lug around... And it's one of those things that I believe will always be worth it, no matter how young you are.

Sacrifices ain't it? But for one, I will definitely give my all and do my best in my new job. Even though I had serious thoughts about exploring otherwise long time ago, and I have options to explore... I reckon I can't explore otherwise without giving myself this chance to give it a final shot. At least if eventually I decided that it isn't for me, I can then run towards my dreams whole-heartedly, with no reservations but pure determination and passion.

Just like my dear cousin, Jess :) Who showed me that you can be happy and have it all when you follow your passion. I wished her all the best in her new school (a creative and performing arts school), and she replied a simple "I'm sure I will enjoy it very much". And then I thought, when was the last time when I could tell myself confidently that I will definitely enjoy my new school very much? Or enjoy what I'm studying very much?

I will believe there's a reason behind my not-being-able to enjoy the same fate somehow. I will believe in the great weirdness of life, as always, and be thankful that I can learn more about that life through her. I'll be contented.

May she grow to become a true star.

Quote of this phase: You've gotta love life, because you never know what's around the corner.

As inspired from the words from Uncle Nick. 

Thanks so much from the bottom of my heart for being so generous with all your love for us cousins, and especially for your Jessica. You showed me what true happy kids should be, and deserve to be like. And I'm thankful to be able to feel that way again this summer. May you always be a child at heart, willing and courageous to try new things and play hard. And also to my aunt, for her unwavering determination to keep fit and her unlimited laughter at things, whether big or small.

And also... to always remember the simplicity of life. I noticed that technology and social media is such a small thing in their lives, as compared to Singaporeans. Both my uncle and aunt don't own a mobile phone. My cousin owns one but she is also never active on social media. She does keep close to her closest group of friends, and spend her other time watching videos that bring her laughter and joy or anything that relates to her passion.

I guess this is a timely reminder for me too. Because once in a while I do forget how to live the way I should be, and get overwhelmed by technology and noisy social media.

healer

I don't know if I've ever mentioned Healer in any of my posts. But there's another wave of withdrawal symptoms from this drama that is overwhelming me.

It. Really. Is. Such. A. Wonderful. Drama.

So much so that after months of completing it, I still think about it time and time again. I still save screencaps and stills, and use them as my wallpaper to remind me of the ideas and strength that they bring to me.

If you ask me what kind of dramas I like to watch, Healer is the perfect example. If there is a Healer genre, that would be my favourite genre for a long time to come.

So many aspects about it, just touched my heart deeply. And like what they said in the BTS, the scripts of Healer are so beautifully written, it's poetic. It's profound.

Being a words person, that adds to my enjoyment so much more. And of course, I can't do without amazing OSTs too, and most importantly, impressive acting by JCW and PMY. Their chemistry is undeniable and it really takes two equally professional and detail-oriented actor and actress to understand and analyse their characters so deeply, so as to produce such splendid masterpiece.

:')

I don't blog as often anymore.

But these are the things I write for.

I'm a philosopher too.

Look into my eyes and hear what I'm not saying, for my eyes speak louder than my voice ever will.

repeating this here

"Love between people, isn't just about attraction or a bunch of hormonal reactions, it's more than just that. Love between friends and that special someone, is a commitment. It is a commitment to actively love someone above all else. If love is based upon "chemistry" and "feelings" then it is love that cannot last, but if it is a promise to love someone with all your heart, to love them through all circumstances, it will be tough, that I can guarantee, but it will be the most rewarding and lasting form of love, one that conquers and commits. 

Physical purity is just one aspect of purity, there is too, the emotional aspect of it. Not giving your heart to people who don't deserve it, because when you do and when they break it, part of you "dies" away. At the end of the day, when you marry that one person, when you find that one special person you want to live with for the rest of your life, all that is left is a heart that has been broken and patched and full of cracks. You can't Love wholeheartedly when you don't have a heart that is whole."