Mantis Corner

POST#00109..... Painful

2009-01-28T22:23:00.002+08:00

Must things happen the way they did?

It hurts
&
it leaves one helpless...

kelv
POST#00109-CLOSED

POST#00308..... Trapped in a Socket

2008-03-28T03:37:00.010+08:00

About 3 nights ago.... I was sound asleep, when I was awakened...

brrrrr....
buzzzzz....
kritchhhh....

Those were what I heard, seemingly, or felt in my ear... yesh, only my left ear... Deep in your sleep, some disturbances come along, what do you do? Scratch, dig, whatever, your finger comes alive in an attempt to relief you right? So there, I was trying to dig into the socket, but the annoying feeling was still there; the soft and weird screechy scratchy noise remains. I tried thumping my ear against my palm, as if to pour trapped water outta the ear, and as I tried digging my ear the next time, I felt something at the tips of my finger. It was small. I held on, and "dragged" the thing out... and to my surprise, a puny lil' ant rested on my index... gosh... was disgusted despite my "dreaminess" then... flicked it off and went back to lala land...

kritchhhh....

AGAIN!!! crap... more of them... this time I actually started recalling how insects are usually drawn towards light and how they tend to climb upwards then downwards, so I tilted my head to the right this time so that my left socket faced up... It kinda helped; I went digging again and this time I dragged out 2 more creepy fellows... Gosh... Quivering indeed... and my, repulsed was I!!!

I must have had some really sweet wax in there mun.. hah... Man, imagine the amount of boundaries and obstacles they had to overcome across my linen and up my face to get into my ear... and I was so sure they were the only musketeers; couldn't spot no more 6-legged ones around my pillow... Apparently, according to John, that species is attracted to sweet stuff. So what was so alluring in that dark slot that brought em outta their usual territories? Arghh... it's still a mystery.... Maybe someone played a prank on me??? Very possible... hmmmm... (this reminds me of another mysterious event, which I shall share next time)

Yeh... my convulsive experience with the lil' ones Trapped in a "Socket"...

keLv
POST#00308-CLOSED

POST#00208..... Finally ... I'm down

2008-03-26T05:10:00.006+08:00

... crappy.... 2nd post of 2008!!! been just oh so lazy to post any entry...

well, something recent:
haven really fallen ill for some time and this time when it came, it hit me oh so bad... the bones felt like decaying branches, the muscles seem implanted, there but but not there, the head was like that of a new-born babe (1/3 the length of my height), and the body just kept dispensing stuff out from top and bottom till it was all empty inside.... awfully painful.... and painfully gross.... the exact same reason why I hate getting drunk...

but... but.... thank God, for the speedy recovery.... and fortunately it was over the weekend, as I lay over the softness of the bed for the longest time I can remember (not counting the times before i learnt how to walk).... a good holy 20 HOURS!!!! so long so long, that when I stood up I thought I was still ill cos my back was aching madness, like the spine could no longer support that worn-out body of mine...

anyway, the next moment, Monday afternoon, I found myself dancing and emceeing before a bunch of sec 4 ACS(I) boys, in an introductory workshop to Hip Hop. Thank goodness I managed to pull thru it... 10 other blastards and I made our way down to this "rich" school for a session of sharing and demonstration of some of the genres of present day Hip Hop dance styles... short and informative session.... learnt much stuff myself, in the midst of preparing for my speech... ;)
** Did you know.... that Old School Hip Hop initially only involved breakdancing? Not even popping and locking!!!

Well.... that's it for know... wun dwell on much.... will try to recall and update over the next few days about the past few months...

keLv
POST#00208-CLOSED

POST#00108..... Looking back 'n' glancing ahead...

2007-12-13T03:25:00.004+08:00

3rd Dec 2007... another one of those days that I leaped into liberation, where I experienced a sudden evaporation of all the burdens, academic ones... Well, I wouldn't like to call 'em burdens, but the system somehow made it that way. "No pain, no gain", they would say. What are burdens if they cause no pain?

27th Dec 2007... one of those days where you don't wanna know, but you kinda need to know... the results came in, via sms, while I was in the midst of mosquitoes, sandflies and blardy leeches. A lil' bit of surprises, a lil' bit of disappointment; thank God I took it rather easily... :) better to keep my focus on my hols mun... (more abt the hols, my XP, and others shall come in other entries)...

**Just sent in my CV for intern during the upcoming summer break; hope all goes well... it's a place I'll really look forward to go....

keLv
POST#00108-CLOSED

POST#01907..... In Holy Matrimony...

2007-12-06T07:00:00.000+08:00

1st Wedding Day Portfolio

A lil' more than a month ago
.....
...
.

keLv
POST#01907-CLOSED

POST#01807..... RewinD...

2007-12-06T05:54:00.000+08:00

Man... i'm saying this again... i haven't blogged for a long time... haha... but compared to the last break, this one's considerably better; just 3 wks from the previous entry...

Well, exams are finally over (like 3 days ago)... As usual, with the start of hols, a new series of events are in lined... there's always some thing "there" to be done... haha...

And before I begin ranting about all the happenings of this comin' hols, let's take a twist back in time, rewind a lil', and recall some interesting events that took place in the past month or so... as always,a picture speaks a thousand words (hmmm, though i think it's pretty hard to write a 1000 word essay abt one... haha)... so i shall take a peek into those pictures to guide me thru the next few posts....

La1 shi3 gou3 shi3 (let's go).....

Kelvin
POST#01807-CLOSED

POST#01707..... The Challenge...

2007-11-10T23:55:00.000+08:00

3 years back, I was rejected due to over-whelming response... Now, I finally get the chance again...

In about 8hrs' time, 1336 steps would lay ahead of me, perpendicular to the Earth's surface

Within 10mins or so, I shall sweat it all out as I fight against nature's gravitational force and reach for the top of SEA's tallest hotel

May God grant me the strength that I needKelvin
POST#01707-CLOSED

POST#01607..... ain't enough...

2007-11-08T14:08:00.000+08:00

...Tired...
So much
still ain't enough...

Kelvin
POST#01607-CLOSED

POST#01507..... New collections...

2007-10-08T14:40:00.000+08:00

A new tank and a new set-up in an old tank...
shots from a Sony Cybershot DSC-T10...

Kelvin
POST#01507-CLOSED

POST#01407..... It's been a long time...

2007-09-28T03:08:00.000+08:00

For the next few entries, at least, I guess I wun be saying much... let the pics do the talking... :) Enjoy, world!

My Clothes @ Home

Anyway, these pics were taken in May and had since wanted to post them... Haha... :p Badly lagging... But anyways, the good thing is that the state of it all is still pretty much maintained till this day...

Kelvin
POST#01407-CLOSED

POST#01307..... REDPRINT....

2007-06-14T14:51:00.000+08:00

It's been a decade, yes, a good 10 years since we had our last teens camp. Back then, it was still called Teens Club... haha... sounds kinda cheesy... somehow reminds me of S CLUB 7, Hardy Boys, Secret 7... arghhh... you know, those young, playful, kampong-transiting-into-urban days where technology was only just beginning to grab hold of us teenagers and divert us from all the pah goh-li, block-catching and spider-catching free thrill... ;)

This 29th May - 1st June...
A smooth cruise down the highways to Summerset Resort, Kuala Rompin, Pahang...
"Gear Up Move Out"....
is the name of the camp, accompanied by a meaningful theme...
REDPRINT

The whole camp seemed short, but it was splendid... A fresh encounter with the One and Only, an additional fold of assurance to the good old relationships with the brothers and sisters in Christ, a great platform that launched many new friendships...
Above all that, everyone had loads of fun in one another's presence. The whoopee station games and telematches put almost everyone into a series action-packed time and contagious laughters. The free and easy slots saw the largest number of peeps waddling around in the pool with a hilarious, and sometimes "scratchingly" painful game of water captain's ball; a good 30 odd people splashing around chasing one single ball.. haha... Then there was also the daily beach soccer in a nice court, that threw us into total exhilaration time and again, despite the draining exhaustion. Of course, how can one miss the sun, the sea, and the sand? But unfortunately, we did missed the sea, out of safety reasons. Haiz... nevertheless, the view of the endless South China Sea was indeed breath-taking...

Nuff said... here're the pics...

... and these, are of my dear F55...

Kelvin
POST#01307-CLOSED

POST#01207..... Some Reflections....

2007-05-16T02:42:00.000+08:00

Yah mun... yr 2 sem 2 is over... which means, by Aug when summer break is over, I'll be more than half way done in Uni, hopefully... yes, hopefully ... yeh, it feels great now, with all the academic burden tossed aside. Just a dozen or so sunrises ago, I found myself struggling so hard to cramp all those info into my very limited brain capacity, knowing so well that though life would still be of a hell ride nevertheless, it would definitely be a smoother and easier one if I had topped up my fuel tank with "consistency". Well, it was too late, as usual. Too late for any regrets. The same old thoughts would slap me right in the head each time, as I wondered how time had sieved through my own fingers so easily, leaving me in so much of a state of helplessness and desperation. And as always, I would tell myself, I have to do this and have to do that the next time around, confidently psyching myself up for the next 15 or so weeks. How naive! It has perpetually been the same; how simple it can be to start planning and having all those flawless visions of about the days ahead, getting all motivated and driven. Then when execution time comes, "un-forcasted" dark clouds roll in and set you all back-laden and trashed. You play along and try to fit into the rhythm. You enjoy life and take things easy. What you know not, is that doom day awaits. By the time you realise so, you're back in that all crappy knots that you've singled-handedly tied, and you now began to straighten things out in almost pointless desperation. In the midst of the mess, you sense that it's a tough battle against time and you've gotta forgo some of those knots and concentrate on others. Dear sacrifices are made! You take 1 MC, you lose 4 MCs, the way of life around here. Even when there're less complications to manage now, it still ain't easy, because you've created too much of a heap of crap. Then you try to make the best out of what you've got and attempt to salvage the crucial knots first, but, it's still ain't sufficient and there you end up swimming back in the brown "pool"... yeh, that's just the way life is and has always been for me... for now, i've had enough and dun wanna say any further about this stuff... all I can conclude is that I'm still in that hopeful search to discover what's best for me in life, what's God has in stored for me....

moving on... the few days after the papers were a different kind of a mind-boggling issue as i pondered how i should shift my room from hall back home.. ha... those who've been around my place would know how much stuff my roomie and I have in our nest. We're one of the few Singaporeans who've had perpetually shifted in our entire comfort zone over the year. Yeh, that's what we are; the lepakness in us just geared us to make our little nest as cosy as possible... end state, a whole lot of comfies, but a pain-staking effort to move things back out... a small glimpse of my greatest achievement of neatness, my wardrobe.... haha

yup, stole the idea from a boutique and modified it a little myself... haha... now my home's wardrobe arrangement gonna be like that too. But considering the amount of "fibre" I have back home, it's gonna take a while.... hmmm.... yeh, as mentioned, shifting was a headache. I literally made two full trips to and fro, the first one leaving no space for any passengers in the car at all mun. And each time, it was at least 5 back-breaking trips of carrying the loads of boxes and bags from room to car and vice versa. Arghhh... the 2nd trip wouldn't had been possible without dad mun; 5 fish tanks being the highlight, and the 1 foot one being the toughest and most strenuous. In order to reduce the turmoil and disturbance to the water and plantation, we really crept our way, while withstanding the incredible weight. No joke mun, really felt the strain on the spine mun.... salute dad.... then it was a long and slow drive home, especially at turns and across humps... haha.. fortunately, the traffic was light late in the night, so wasn't causing any disruption on the roads... and ultimately, my beloved tank was rather safe from any major "uprooting" and "traumatizing" by all that, unlike poor Jootz's one... ;) hehe

yeh, and so, that was the episode on the closing of the semester.... adios....

Kelvin

POST#01207-CLOSED

POST#01107..... Greened Through....

2007-05-02T13:14:00.000+08:00

EE2012

One of the many times you're pretty sure you ain't gonna make it, but you made it...

Kelvin

POST#01107-CLOSED

POST#01007..... Blacked Out....

2007-05-01T23:27:00.000+08:00

EE2012

Those familiar times when uncertainty and destitution grip you on so tightly...

Kelvin

POST#01007-CLOSED

POST#00907..... Yellowed Up....

2007-04-29T23:19:00.000+08:00

LSM1303

One of those few times when you're pretty sure you should have done it, and you did it...

Kelvin

POST#00907-CLOSED

POST#00807..... Redded Off....

2007-04-27T12:57:00.000+08:00

CS1231

One of those few times when you're pretty sure you should have done it, but you just didn't...

Kelvin

POST#00807-CLOSED

POST#00707..... Hang in there....

2007-04-25T12:23:00.000+08:00

SE1101E

Q: "Is magic still relevant in the everyday lives of modern Southeast Asians?.."

Kelv: "... I would assert magic is certainly still relevant, due to the very fact that I am writing about it as a topic of assessment in my examination, which is capable or determining my pass or failure...."

haha...

Hang in there... hang in there...
2 down, 4 more...
looking forward to the weekend mun...

Kelvin
POST#00707-CLOSED

POST#00607..... The Time Has Come...

2007-04-21T09:21:00.000+08:00

Found love beyond all reason
You gave your life Your all for me
And called me Yours forever
Caught in the mercy fallout
I found hope found life
Found all I need
You’re all I need

The time has come
To stand for all we believe in
So I for one am gonna
Give my praise to You

Today today it’s all or nothing
All the way
The praise goes out to You
Yeah all the praise goes out to You
Today today I live for one thing
To give You praise
In everything I do
Yeah all the praise goes out to You

All we are is Yours
And all we’re living for
Is all You are
Is all that You are Lord

This song ain't new no more, but still loved it... the music, the lyrics, ... sorry team, for the mistakes on the skins during Radi8 service and for my incompetency to get the right feel out... let's work on it and try it out again some time yah?

Personal analysis (do drop your views too as you wish), technically-wise, more specifically through the minus version of this track, it's a very electric-driven and beat-driven song, with strong support from the bass, especially prior and during the bridge. I'll say it's kinda technically demanding on the drums for strict consistency and precision. Go off course, and the whole team's likely gonna get dragged; no hiding! Not even if you put on a face that says, "it's all part of the routine".. rofl... On the other hand, at a choppy tempo of 145, with lots of straight 16s, this piece is actually a good one for precision-practising... allows you focus on getting your techniques right, cos if it ain't there, you gonna lose control of your strokes mun... recommended recommended...

Yeah... will be great to see the day where all of the drummers, including the newer ones get comfortable with this song, and flow in together with the entire team... koolness mun... yeap... look forward to play this one again... Meanwhile, kudos, music team... great to see the young and uprising blood hitting the stage... Above all, let's not forget to keep our hearts right and sorted with the OWNER up there, yah? Way to go!!! God Bless!!

Kelvin
POST#00607-CLOSED

POST#00507..... Cheesy happiness...

2007-04-19T01:15:00.000+08:00

My first pastry of such....

Made my 1st Oreo cheesecake, but a pity I didnt take no picture of it.
It was a trail version, in preparation for the 2nd one...

... and so off I went on the 2nd try...

Prepared quite a bit of ingredients, and was able to fill up two separate pans. Here's some shots....

The crusts of both didnt turn out too good. Somehow, they over-expanded after the baking process... Anyone knows why?

Personally, I found the cheese a tad too yellow (cos of the egg yoke). Would have preferred it to be a little beige...

Thought the taste and texture weren't too bad, in comparison to the 1st attempt, which was kinda too soft , yet dense... those who tried both preferred the 2nd one, except for one person, haha (her name: C****L)... Anyway, thanx peeps for your comments... :)

Will continue to work on the crisp of the crust and smoothness of the cheese in future attempts....

(: ... happy... :)

Kelvin
POST#00507-CLOSED

POST#00407..... NoD NoD NoD...

2007-04-18T07:19:00.000+08:00

Some time last week, dear Yuan Mei approached me again with the same question...

About one year ago, she did the same thing, and I nodded my head...
About 8 months ago, she did a similar thing, and I nodded my head...

Ha... I must say this lady has a way with convincing me into doing things, and not just small promises, but commitments with huge responsibilities.... well, must be myself being too soft-hearted... then and again, I can safely say that before every other nod of the head, much considerations and thoughts did go thru my mind. Had to weigh the consequences and benefits that would come along as a result of my actions. Each time, she was persistent yet sincere, as she invited me into her team. Well, i learnt to view life from a bigger picture, or if not, from a different angle, and hence what ever decision I made back then, I had no regrets. Happy working with this respectable woman, and if not for her, my hall life would have never been this enriched... thanx mun.... ahhh, as I was saying, she approached me again... and well, after saying all that above, the answer is clear...

I nodded my head... again...

But seriously, this time, I really had to help her out. Could tell she's been really worn out lately and I would just like to contribute a little to lighten her workload during this upcoming hols and to give her the support. I guess the team really needed some MANpower too... I do fear a little as I anticipate the challenges ahead, but we'll pull thru.... yah mun, let's RHOC it....

Then just yesterday, another respectable woman rang me up. I call her xiang jiao gong zhu... haha... (pls dun tell Hazel I put her nick name up here)... ;p

Well, one of the first few words I heard was "congratulate", and instantly I knew what the call was about... and there I go, into another hectic year... even before I can close my case for this year... :) great!! Some time back, I nodded my head to this agreement too, and here I am now, receiving another brick on my shoulders... ;) I'll elaborate more on what this is all about another time, but basically it's got to do with commitment and responsibility again.... yeah... i'm sure loads of challenges await me in this veepeeing journey....

Yup, anyway, this vacation's gonna be heaven of a packed mun... haven got replies from any of the intern companies yet, but I do hope I get some good news soon... and if I do, it's just gonna load up my schedules like crazy mun... haha... exciting.... woo hoo... alright, what the heaven am I talking so much abt hols when I haven even got thru the papers mun... OUT...

Kelvin
POST#00407-CLOSED

POST#00307..... RaNdOM....

2007-04-11T05:36:00.000+08:00

Recently....

random BLAST! happenings...
random RH happenings...

Kelvin
POST#00307-CLOSED

POST#00207..... tsk tsk

2007-04-04T03:52:00.000+08:00

wow... wonderful.... my second entry of 2007.... ok... soon, i shall start updating this thing called blog again...
finally beginning to CRAWL back on track
3 more weeks to exams

5 more weeks to "freedom"
yah mun!!!
--just cant get the TOY out of my mind--

Kelvin
POST#00207-CLOSED

POST#00107..... many happenings....

2007-01-11T03:29:00.000+08:00

wow.... the longest break I took in blogging.... the last time, it was before my exams, and now, the exams have long gone, the holidays are history, and it's the new semester....

The exams weren't that good, so there's nothing much to talk about. Just looking forward to a better sem to pull up my CAP.... ;) Hopefully.....

Holidays was funtastic.... but a little too short I'll say.... There was so much to do and seemingly so little time to achieve every objective. Hall activities alone had me tied down pretty much, preparing for IHG, as well as the Hall 11 exchange.... Then a trip to Lombok and Bali saw me away for a third of my hols... With all that at hand, plus a whole lot of crap issues surfacing every now and then, I just couldn't commit to certain promises and tasks that I had offered myself to earlier on in other areas... sometimes it may be my own fault in time management, and I feel bad about it, but the whole thought of it is still annoying. People do not understand where I'm coming from, even if I were to explain, cos they have no idea how my life on campus is like and are almost totally oblivious to what I have to face and handle... Occasionally it may appear to some that I am not serious about stuff and take things too lightly. Well, that could be because they have not got to work with me closely before, cos on the contrary, I believe that being composed and steady are important keys in management, even in my own life. This is where that very thin grey line has been crossed and the definition of calmness has mutated to one of frivolousness. Ay... these people are just the minority who do not know me well enough.... haha... it's blogging after all, where I can just toss in some of my trivial complains...

So, life goes on.... With a busy life style back on track, and IHG in the midst of school, I find myself entrapped 90% of the time in this small vicinity near the town of Clementi.. haha... and these days, ever since my return from Indo, the most common word coming from my people I meet is .... "black"... no, not even "dark"... rofl... I'll even say it's a personal "record". Comparing side by side with Max, he's even a shade lighter than me mun... haha... ok la... at least I think it's better than looking fair and gu niang.... ;P

I've shortened my hair too, for reasons I shall not explain here... and the general feedback has been +ve, so... good for me i guess... A new year, a new sem, a new look, a new hope... ha... yes, a new sem, an even more hectic one, I foresee... those around me will understand, and neither shall I explain, cos there's just to much to say.... sayy..... sayyy......

Kelvin
POST#00107-CLOSED

POST#02706..... Appreciating Life!!!

2006-11-24T05:48:00.000+08:00

woohoo... why on earth am I blogging now?? when my first paper is in less than 72hrs' time...

yes... exams are really just round the corner (Mantis Corner??), but not to worry, cos the closer it gets, the more I can relack there sialll..... haha

... and there's more to just exams that's coming up.... IHG 06/07, NTU Hall 11, Rinjani XP, the anticipation for my appeal results, the fulfilling job of brightening up people's days, etc, etc.... much to do, but no complains... cos I'm enjoying what God has laid in my life...

simply
APPRECIATING LIFE!!!

(hmmm... why has my blog been revolving about LIFE so much??)

Kelvin
POST#02706-CLOSED

POST#02606..... things are not the way they are supposed to be....

2006-11-03T01:56:00.000+08:00

Haiz... haven't blogged for some time.... and so much things happened.... many ups, and many downs as well....

It was supposed to be an exciting event... had been looking forward to it so much, since it was also my first hall dance performance... but somehow, certain things got to happen... hmmmm... It's just the circumstances that played pranks on our already hectic lives, I guess... we jus gotta learn to acclimatize to adjustments, which seem to 'possess' us more and more as we move on in life...
Anyway, from a larger picture, if you may see, it's the overcoming that unmasks us, and the process of it all that really matters, that really heightens and fortifies our being, isn't it?

....Well, that's LIFE for you, my friends....
More often than not
Things are not the way they are supposed to be!

Kelvin
POST#02606-CLOSED

POST#02506..... T.G.I.F??

2006-10-06T10:57:00.000+08:00

I just don't like it that it's Friday
It means another week is gone
It means I'm gonna have less time
It means the days are getting closer
It means my heart is going to yearn again

Kelvin
POST#02506-CLOSED

POST#02406..... First dates!!!

2006-09-29T05:35:00.001+08:00

I remember the time when I heard much about it and had wanted to watch it so badly, but some how or rather, the urge was lost over time... '50 First Dates' was totally incredible... Regrets that I hadn't watched it earlier man... what a waste... the little sweet moments and random fragments of humour were pieced so well together I just couldn't take my attention off the screen... great cast, great plot, great storyline.... a successful and recommended romantic comedy, I must say... well, maybe 2yrs back then I wouldn't be able to appreciate the movie as well as I do today, so I guess it was a good thing... but whatever it is, I'm always ready to watch it again, anytime... ;)

I know I shouldn't be feeling this, but I am... I know very well myself that I am in no position yet to say that I am sick of the books, but that distracting feeling keeps coming back... what I need now is the concentration and right amount of focus... but where? where?!?

Kelvin
POST#02406-CLOSED

POST#02306..... Dance dance dance in the freedom you know....

2006-09-28T16:32:00.000+08:00

First Blast! lesson... totally fun man... soak in the energy mun.. soak it all in!!!

Feel the freedom...

Life's pretty interesting lately, except when it gets down to the books... ;) wad to do? suck thumb...

Haha

Kelvin
POST#02306-CLOSED

POST#02206..... BLaStEd!!!.. Everyone Is Beautiful...

2006-09-01T04:50:00.000+08:00

Hmmm, just got back from Concert Bash... I would never say no to this event, I mean, how could I? It's all for RH concert man... I know the need for having such a fund-raising event, and as much as my abilities allow me, my support will always be there for concert... the question was...

"Hey, I thought you say you dun go to bash one??"
... haha...
"You thought, I think, then who confirm?"

Rofl... so now I confirm it... as I've said, and will always say, I don't club for who knows what reasons, but I do attend invited parties and bashes in support of my dear frens... Rae's party a few days ago was another example... Hey, Happy Birthday to you again, princess!!! Congrats, you're finally 21, though one can hardly tell... haha...

So, back to bash, the place was better than last yr I guess, in terms of space.. but too bad the DJ... errmmm, just wasn't showing much enthusiasm, which somehow, affects the crowd, & the music, hmmm, at least in my opinion... Well, that aside, I'll say it's fun on the whole; having known alot more people this year, it's just more comfortable and easy on the soul... more homely, if that's the word... On top of that, I found myself quite attached to the Blast! peeps though, as I've slowly realised over the past week too... I must commend that they're a colony of very approachable, happening, fun-loving, sincere, cheery and blah blah blah "frants"... much thanx to Xiao, I believe RH is now the hall that has the most number of peeps in Blast! Cheers!!! I do see really WhOoPeE & HiPpiE days ahead!!!

Alright, it's 5 now, and I ain't even sleepy... there goes my sleeping cycle!!! Haha... back to tutorials...

Out...

Kelvin

POST#02206-CLOSED

POST#02106..... New beginning...

2006-08-31T04:10:00.000+08:00

So there we go... For some decision that I have made, in the next one year at least, I'll set sail on a rough voyage... As tough as many may consider, as challenging as it really is, I am prepared to face whatever that comes along.
I foresee many interesting days ahead, with this fantastic team that I'll be working hand in hand with... Whatever it is, I'm sure the future's going to be an eventful and great learning journey...

Kelvin

POST#02106-CLOSED

POST#02006..... A 3 WeEkS JouRNeY

2006-08-24T11:17:00.000+08:00

It is well-said, "A picture speaks a thousand words". So I shall let these photos tell the story of my 3 weeks Downunder trip in June/July.....

These are of the Hillsong Conference...

Jenolan Caves...

Aussie yummies...

Some products of my Nikon...

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House

Sand dunes @ Port Stephen

Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road

Great people, Great Ocean Road

Snowboarding, Mt. Buller
Fungi, Mt. Field National Park, Tasmania
Golden Brushtail Possum, "Something Wild" Wildlife Sanctuary
KoalaWombat

Kangaroo
Waters of Mt. Field NP
Mt. Wellington sets the backdrop of the city of Hobart
Summit of Mt. Wellington
Plants near the summit ChEeRs!!!

Kelvin

POST#02006-CLOSED

POST#01906..... Let the games begin....

2006-08-23T03:09:00.000+08:00

It's just the second week of my 1st Sem of Year 2. Tutorial and labs have not started, but the pressure is already on; the need to do much better this sem is too real. The time-table is finalised and it's discouraging, though fortunately there are no evening nor night classes for me. In addtion, there're many other external commitments, so it's high time I put my management skills to yet another level of test. The next four months ain't gonna be easy, but I shall persevere with all I have and with what I can.... Let the games begin....

Kelvin
POST#01906-CLOSED

POST#01806.....

2006-08-11T02:35:00.000+08:00

oh my goodness.... the last time I blogged, my first line was"First day of the trip... in Sydney... it's cool here... " How long ago was that??... more than a month ago mun!!! Well, it's been a long while, and an extremely busy "long while"......

Had wanted to blog about that wonderful 3 wks downunder... but jus couldnt get myself to settle down infront of the comp to type... then in just 3 days after landing back in hot sunny S'pore, my hectic schedule was back in line..... Since then, I had only gone to church once *bish*... and have only slept home thrice.... Arghh.... sounds incredibly disgusting... but there wasnt much I could do...

Having left the team for 3wks, and as the senior camp was beginning, I felt obligated in some way to offer back my assistance asap... plus having given my promise to commit for the following 2wks till the end of the Raffles Experience, my full time service began.....

Well, so there I was, busy throughout; planning, meeting, organising, hosting, leading, following, supporting, running, discussing, sorting, sweating, yelling, cheering, laughing, just savouring every moment, high or low...... and now, today, we're down to the 2nd last day.... just 36hrs from the grand finale....

It's been an enriching and fun-loving experience... as usual, as one goes through such a long period of consistent work and mental stress, you'll get to see more of the people you work with; their real personalities, their boundaries, their strengths, and their weaknesses.... I would say the whole experience is as fun as you want it to be... I tried staying positive as much as possible, and I'm happy with what I get.... welllllll.... there's just too much to mention.... all I can safely say is that I'm glad, at this present moment, with what I've gone thru, what I've learnt, and what I am today...

..... more to come.... cheers..... ;)

Kelvin
POST#01806-CLOSED

POST#01706..... It's cool here!!!

2006-06-30T00:33:00.000+08:00

First day of the trip... in Sydney... it's cool here... everything... the people, the food, the attractions, and the weather!!!
A whole day of activities awaits tmr... it's gonna be the last day of the sale, so what else can we do??? Haha...
It's jus plain fun to be travelling and all free again... nothing beats having to put aside all the burden back in Spore.... uber cool mun!!!!
Simply enjoying.....

Kelvin
POST#01706-CLOSED

POST#01606..... Time to fly again....

2006-06-29T02:37:00.000+08:00

It's time to totally enjoy myself again..... Time now, 0235. Waiting to meet Henga to get some stuff...

7hrs from now, I'll be onboard QF032, en route to a land I yearn to re-visit again...

I'm entirely engulfed in excitement as I look ahead at what awaits me... Great weather, new friends, super-coolest shopping, funfilled experiences, 'wicked' scenery, and a new touch from God...

We're gonna start in Sydney this time, then eastwards to Melbourne, then southwards to Tasmania... in a total of about 3 weeks...

The main highlight would be Hillsong Conference followed by a happening road trip in the other states.... Just mentioning it makes me feel so thrilled....

It's gonna be right-smack in the middle of winter... prolly the coldest time of each year.... the weather forecasts says 6-15deg celsius in Syd, 6-13deg cel in Mel, and 3-11deg cel in Tas... Brrrrhhhhh... cold... in fact, come to think of it, I have yet to experience summer of spring in Aussie; the past 2 times had been during winter too... but wadever, I love it anyway.... hehe....

Alright... putting my sch stuff aside for a while, I hope I can really enjoy myself, which I believe I will...

While to Youxin, I'll keep him in prayer, though we could only wish hard that he'll still somehow be able to join us back in the trip... God will make a way!!!

FLLLLLLYYYYYYY!!!!

Kelvin
POST#01606-CLOSED

POST#01506..... On request.

2006-06-20T04:26:00.000+08:00

It's been some time since the last one.... This one is in fact on request by our dear Koh Weili... haha... So here I am, bringing some updates...

Been busy again for the past 2 wks especially, hence no time for blogging... been in sch for most of the weekdays, as I'm in the orientation committee for my hall... lots of planning, and discussing to do... what a heavy rhoc man.... haha...

More to come, for the coming week, before I finally take off again to the down under mun... shiok

Kelvin
POST#01506-CLOSED

POST#01406..... In the pipeline....

2006-06-04T01:50:00.000+08:00

It was the 3rd dance practice session.
12 sets of 8 covered so far.
A total of 13 dancers.
9 gals, 4 boys.

A dance studio with mirrors we have not got,
a modest room all to ourselves was what we could afford.
As the ceiling-mounted air-conditioners kept us cool,
as a set of new sound system paced us to the moves,
remember,
dancing is a God-given ability and passion, for me and you!

.....and in the midst of our blend of enjoyable fun and serious concentration, the door opened. Two familiar faces emerged...

What happened next gave me a tingle of excitement and nervousness, while I tried to keep calm on the outside, putting on as much of a smile as I could. The stout and broad caucasian, already in his late 70s, with a headful of "wise", grey hair, was grinning too as I greeted him. In his unmistakable safari uniform, the old man walked steadily past us to the back of the room, and became our audience for the next two minutes. Pastor Seaward's presence was always accompanied with a great sense of austerity, that seemed to be putting some pressure on the dancers, as it could be reflected off the looks on each of them. I could only tell myself to remain steady, and proceeded as if he was not there.
Along with the music, we rehearsed the next 4 sets of moves before our unexpected visitor. As soon as the first action was out, my mind was fully focused on the dance, counting out the beats to assist everyone in keeping in step. Fortunately, that was as long as Pastor stayed. Walking out of the room, he threw a firm pat on my shoulder, saying, "... you're doing good, Kelvin..." Pastor Glen, who had been standing at the door way the whole while, added in, with clenched fists, "... aggressive! aggresive!"

Although not much was said, those fews words, from those two great men, weighed a lot to me. They were words of strong encouragement and affirmation, that told me that the dance will go on, and must not fail. The support from these two very influential men in church is very much needed and I thank God we have received it. Don't you see the bright green light ahead, people? Now, it is up to all of us, the dancers, to do our part, to practice fervently and sincerely, so as to put up an explosive performance, for that day that will soon come....

Kelvin
POST#01406-CLOSED

POST#01306..... A WeEk I wiLL ReMEmBer & MiSs DeArLy...

2006-05-31T00:33:00.000+08:00

Moving on into the last day of the 5th month of the 6th year of the new millenium, this is one week I'll will remember and miss dearly....

Life's easy this week... no work, no school, just plain enjoyment... For a week, I feel I will have total control over my own time, with everything planned out as I wish...

Much of the hours will and have been spent in church, attending services, practising dances, and rolling away on the drums (though gruesome sometimes, if you get what i mean)... Dances, yes, dances.... how wonderful.... it's my first time choreographing a dance, with a fabulous friend and SiStA, Amy.... it ain't an easy task, I realised, but it was undeniably satisfying and fulfilling to see those steps falling into place, bit by bit.... so far so good, with some very enthu team members, and others who are just more playful and mischievous... Nevertheless, all's fine, I would say... more updates in future... the target is the last week of Aug... way to go!... Ufooooo!!!!

While I savour every moment this week, with loads of undisrupted sleep, and doing all sorts of activities of personal interests... I'm gonna miss it cos days from next week onwards gonna be bz, I foresee... Sometimes, I still regret making that rash decision, and wonder why I chose to tie those ropes around myself... haiz... hmmm... but I thank my MU for reminding me that it's life's "fate". In my context, I would say it's God's plan for me.... yup... I shan't speculate too much for now.... just gonna wait and see and face it!!!

Meanwhile, I send my best wishes to MU who's enjoying holidays in the foreign land of Taiwan... My turn to fly off shall come... sooooonnnn..... Ufoooo!!!

Kelvin
POST#01306-CLOSED

POST#01206..... BLANK

2006-05-22T17:44:00.000+08:00

Today's a bore.... The school called to ask if I wanted to teach this morning, but after some thoughts thru that very weary mind, I decided to pass that offer... well, there goes one day's worth of pay...

On the other hand, instead of the normal 3hrs slp I've been having last week, I enjoyed a luxurious 10hrs of rest... Ufoooooo!!! haha.... it's the opportunity cost mun!!! Nevertheless, it's the last week of school, so I just hope there's that last few opportunities for me to teach again....

For now, I'll be leaving home soon... gonna head to school for a crucial discussion of defence.... "I say I want the FREEDOM, you heard that?!?!?!" Alright, I hope I return with good news....

[SoMe tHouGhtS: Sometimes as I look around, I sense a breeze of loneliness....... ]

Kelvin
POST#01206-CLOSED

POST#01106..... A contrast.....

2006-05-10T23:41:00.000+08:00

Today was a much better day in school.... took P4 GE classes.... and these kids, as I've mentioned to some before, are truely different... Much more well-behaved and very eager to learn, often displaying extremely inquisitive and analytical minds...

During an English test today, a boy finished his paper much earlier (just as the majority of the class did). He wouldn't let his mind rest; instead, he started doing Maths division workings on the cover page... and what amazed me was the numbers he was using. Goes something like that: 996996954 / 211!!! Crap man... haha... 10 years old mun...

Well, if you still can't picture that, just recall the show "Singapore's Brainest Kids"... yes, that's their league... Well, of course, being too clever, a few would become too big-headed and arrogant, thinking they know alot, and sometimes trying to outsmart the teachers... However, that's as bad as it can get, cos this is the group that would probably turn out to be the most problematic in class...

My point is, on the whole, life with them is much easier, more straightforward, and often delightfully amusing, in contrast to my experience the day before, which was exaggeratingly "challenging", if I may put it that way!!! At the end of the day, in the latter case, if one successfully manages the kids, the harvest could be much more rewarding than in the case of the GE ones... ;)

Kelvin
POST#01106-CLOSED

POST#01006..... "Goodbye and Thank You Mr. Chua" ==> It ain't simple at all!~!~!

2006-05-10T00:57:00.000+08:00

The past week was nice.... temporarily no obligations to study... everything's own time own target... Nevertheless, I ain't about ready to just sit back and do nothing.... There're still personal goals to be met... A rather busy lifestyle still goes on, just that I only have myself to answer to now...

Today was my first day back at relief teaching.... Crap!!! How fortunate could I be, to encounter such a mischievous class... it's the same bunch of terrible kids I encountered last July... I had a bad experience with em before, but this time round, they're bigger, more talkative, more playful, more rebellious, and much more rowdy.... I ain't sure if they remember me, but I certainly do recognise many of their faces.... how can I forget these "lovely" kids who have created such a great impression in my mind?!?!?

Worse of all, I had two full 1-hr sessions these P4s... in the first, I actually spent 45mins just to keep them quite and settled down... horrible... shouting wouldn't exactly help, sensible talks wouldn't exactly calm them down, and I was simply having hell of a bad time in that classroom... It ain't simple at all!!! In the 2nd session, I met then again, only to be received by the same old original scene.... this time, controlling them became worse, cos it was the last 2 periods of the day.... jus imagine, 41 kids, of which only 20% were girls who could behave themselves and 1 boy who would quietly read his own books.... The REST..... hmmm.... you can do your own calculation, and I shall leave it for your own imagination.... It just ain't simple at all!!! When the bell rang, I was only too relieved to hear those final words of "Goodbye and Thank You Mr. Chua"...

Now I wonder.... was I like that 12 years ago????? *scratch scratch*

Kelvin
POST#01006-CLOSED

POST#00906..... Free, but tired!!!

2006-05-01T00:09:00.000+08:00

Finally......

.... those days are over, for the time-being, for this sem....

wouldn't wanna think much, but just try to relax....

hmm, the weekend's nice, simply cos there's nothing that stresses me at my study table anymore. Been sleeping late still, but not as late as those days, so still rather drowsy in the day time.... haha...

I feel so free, but I've got goals to achieve this 3mths. Well, I'll reveal, when I complete each of them...

First being to get rid of those eye rings...!!! ;p

well, the only thing I aint really happy about is my hair... hmmm... "bad hair day" you must have heard of... how about "bad hair weekend"?? haha... I'm gonna be Mr. Chua again, if you get what I mean, so gotta shorten my hair.... (Here's a glimpse of my longest thus far; b4 the hair-cut:::>>>) Went to cut on Sat, then realised later that sides are still too long, but still presentable!! then went back again on Sun, and now i realise it looks crap!! arghh... I'm going back again tmr morning!~!~! Fortunately, the hairdresser's a very nice lady and is always willing to help, for free... but i'm a bit paiseh too... and mum tells me it's alright... Well, that lady's actually an old time neighbour of mum during the kampong days, and she says she treats our family very well... hmmm, so guess I'll just take those words from the "wise" one... I've got nothing to lose anyway... ermm... except for my hair.... haha....

out....

Kelvin
POST#00906-CLOSED

POST#00806..... Slowly... but Steadily???

2006-04-26T06:07:00.000+08:00

Hmmm.... In the blink of an eye, I'm left with 2 papers!! Just like that! 4 days, 4 papers!!!..... man... and those days have been one of the most heavy-laden, mentally... If I were to linearly extend the same kind of stress over an unestimated prolonged period of time, the chances of me becoming bald would probably increase exponentially wrt time.... **crap**... haha
Well, time is passing by slowly, but I ain't handling really steadily... errrr.... and yet again, I'm totally fine, I think... **yah, what could go wrong with me?** Just rather annoyed by the amount of blank spaces I returned them in each 2 hr session.... oh well, it's over and gone... gotta look ahead!!!

In the midst of all these, I've come to realised an interesting fact about RH! It's a bird park, a zoo, a nature reserve, wadever.... haha... but there're lots of life around here....

Seating at my desk all day, greeted by a small field with a couple of big trees just outside my window on the 3rd level, it's easy to notice the magnificence and diversity of God's creations!!! So far, I've seen quite a variety of birds, including a wood-pecker, a king-fisher-look-alike (see below; can anyone identify it?), sparrows, House Crows, Magpie Robins (see below), Javan Mynahs (see below), sunbirds, Black-naped Orioles, pigeons (maybe Pink-necked green Pigeons; see below). Of course, there's also the bird with the infamously loud and distinct call, which I always try to imitate (if you get what I mean..haha)... and finally, yes finally for the first time, with that familiar whistle, I saw one of them flew past my block yesterday, but I only caught a glimpse and still cant recognise it well... only remember that it's quite big (almost the size of a house crow), bodied-black, with a white/yellow strip near the eye and a pretty long tail...... well, I'm gonna take more photos in days to come, compile em' and name our feathered friends duely...

Kingfisher?

Magpie Robin

Javan Mynah

Pink-necked green Pigeon?

In addition to all that belonging to the aves class, mammals are common too... shuffling swiftly amongst the tree tops and gliding from branch to branch would be those playful squirrels. On the other hand, away from the outdoors, some creatures choose to stay under shelter; just yesterday, two of my friends were playing hide-and-seek with a mouse that sneaked into their room on the first level. What a joke! Recently, I've also noticed some big black non-feathered flying objects accompanying us for our dinner at the canteen too.... haha... what else? yes, bats!!! Then once in a while, we'll have stray dogs and cats visiting us too... A well-pampered feline even gave birth to 3 kits and found home in one of the resident's room!!!

While these of the warm-blooded rest after nightfall, we humans have new company!!! Yes, here comes the creepy crawlies... name it, we've got it.... caterpillars, moths, butterflies, mosquitoes, flying termites, all sort of ants (flying and crawling), common beetles, katydids (see below), grasshoppers, praying mantises (no, not me!!), spiders, bees, house lizards, cockcroaches (huge flying ones), buggy-looking bugs, wingy flies, flies, and flies... seriously, what not? As much as these creatures are fascinating in their shapes, sizes and colours, the last thing you want is to have one of them creeping up your neck while you're deep in your books... shiks... more often than not, I'll just hear another scream, followed by a familiar someone at my door, "Kelvin, there's a bug in our room, help us catch!!!" (speedX0.7, if you get what I mean)... haha.....

Katydid

Mantis

Mating

yes... these are some of the wonderfully unique experiences one finds in RH, if you even bother as much as I do to take note... but honestly, they just add colours to our lives, don't they? hmmm, well, at least to me, they do! Slowly, & steadily, I'm watching, & observing...

Hmmm.... so..... we've got the bat, we've got the robin, we've got the cat.....

Now... where's penguin??? ;)

Kelvin
POST#00806-CLOSED

POST#00706..... If yOu Get What I MeaN...

2006-04-23T13:24:00.000+08:00

The first paper is finally over.... it's Physics, and it's OVER, if you get what I mean!!!

Five more to go, in the next five days; 2 huge ones together on Monday and 1 that I haven't covered much on Tues... I'm gonna become China's animal icon, if you get what I mean!!!

However, however, however... it ain't gonna be long before I can evolve and spread out my wings again... a toddler can do the counting with one hand, if you get what I mean!!!

Anyway, how bad can things get? Not much, I would say, cos life's pretty lovely anyway, if you get what I mean!!!

Kelvin
POST#00706-CLOSED

POST#00606..... Exam boredom!!!

2006-04-19T04:17:00.000+08:00

A fast break from the books.....

"Super heroes" from Kool Kel Klan...

Kelvin

POST#00606-CLOSED

POST#00506..... Something Has to be Done!!!

2006-04-04T03:56:00.000+08:00

Aiyoh!!!! Darn bad man.... Life's rather flipped around recently... whether at home or in hall, i've been turning in at like 4 or 5, waking up at 8 or 9 for breakfast, then back to dreamland till lunch time... I aint losing out much sleep, just that day times are often wasted, and it's becoming a HABIT....

My reason: I just seem to be able to focus better in the still and chill of the night or rather, early morning...

Well, wadever.. though I still get to sleep, a habit like this one is actually no good. Considering that exams in 3 weeks' time will be largely in the AM sector, something has to be done... **nods**

PLUS... a repercussion of this odd sleeping habit: I kinda look hagged in a recent photo... arghhh... was totally disgusted... in the mean time, that photo is currently highly CLASSIFIED... ;p

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!!! I hope......

Kelvin
POST#00506-CLOSED

POST#00406..... A TRIBUTE.....

2006-02-27T02:47:00.000+08:00

They might be cold-blooded, but fishes have their individual characters and behaviour....

CLOWN had his own unique set of habits and abilities too...

.....In Remembrance.....

This Halfmoon beauty was one that fought strong till his last days.... To old age, he eventually submitted himself... Often, for days, he skipped his meals, as his condition had weakened him too much... Laying motionless for hours and struggling hard to catch a breath were the activities of his last days... (Many a times, I had to push the single pellet to him, as his eye-sight had deteriorated, and i had to lower the water level so he could reach the surface with less effort... It was a sad sight to watch...) CLOWN, was awaiting his final day!

Then, one day while I was overseas, he left in peace...

forever.....

Kelvin
POST#00406-CLOSED

POST#00306..... ThAt's JuSt tHe WaY tHiNgS aRe!!!

2006-02-24T02:21:00.000+08:00

Been "blogless" for more than a month... Now, finally finding some time to type something.... As much as it sounds, I've really been struggling to manage and juggle my time well, though more often than not, to no avail... pathetic....

----- Life in Uni is one of its kind; there's no way one can escape its deadly grasp of stress... it is very realistically dwelling amonst us, engulfing our relentless souls! There is the great challenge: fight it , wrestle it, overcome it, build your fortress against it, befriend it, and so on and so forth... jus don't avoid it... cos you'll only realise soon enough, that you cant.... -----

It's mid-term "break"! Unlike the other institutions, ours' a reccess of just 4 days... disrupted by a working day on Friday, then back to the weekend!
Don't get it, but that's just the way things are....
The last one was the busiest week so far, with deadlines to meet and 3 tests in a row... and now though this week is called a "break", it never really was. Studies still had to go on, cos there was much to catch up.... unfortunately, up till date, the chase goes on....
I have tried, still that's just the way things are...
It's been a fast week; the sun rises and soon sets, then the cycle repeats for a few times, and I'm back on yet another Friday!
Sad but true, cos that's just the way things are...

This sem is a tough one... very fast-paced and hectic.... more to study and seemingly less time as compared to the last sem... Hmmm, I guess this is jus the way things are, and it's probably also a test for me... I can't blame anyone, cos God has a plan for me.... He'll never play me out, and there's always a purpose for anything that happens; not anyone's reason, but God's.... God hAs yOur LiFe pLaNnEd oUt toO... yes, YOURS!!! YOU!!! ;) Believe me!!!
Right now on my part I just gotta stay faithful and steady.... keeping my focus right (not left =p OUCH! I broke my leg!!!)... Living the way He wants me to... Yeap!! Yeap!!
It is true, and THAT'S JUST THE WAY THINGS ARE!!!

P/S: I'm so looking forward to the month of JULY, mate! Down to the Down Under!

Kelvin

POST#00306-CLOSED

POST#00206..... FiNaLLy sOMetHiNg!!!

2006-01-19T01:42:00.000+08:00

Finally, yes, finally, I'm back to update my blog. Realised it's gradually loosing its life, slowly dimisnishing through secluded corners out of readers' minds, ..... Thus, to breathe life back into my "Mantis Corner", here I am before all, to remove the unpleasantness of the stagnant atmosphere.....

This shall be a proper POST, depicting a segment of my past memories since I entered Uni; memories that will ever dwell so deeply within me..... This shall be an entry of it's OWN!!

Some time during the last quarter of 2005, 14th and 15th of Oct to be exact, an event of my lifetime took place... It was the greatest stage performance I've ever been involved thus far. Accompanied with beautifully-crafted sets, gorgeous costumes, professional technical support, melodious and catchy songs, energetic and creative dances, a fabulously daring script, as well as a team of awesome and devoted students, Raffles Hall's Concert 05/06, a musical titled "Eyeshadow", was displayed on the stage of the UCC.

It was my first time performing on the stage on such a huge scale. A wonderful exposure which taught me not only those skills involved, but also about myself. Having gone through countless hours of rehearsals for a whole 6 weeks, the cast experienced periods of both turmoil and rejoicing. It was a tough mental game and management test, where in addition to juggling between concert and studies, many of us had other personal little commitments to handle. More often than not, despite a tiring day in school, we would "deceive" ourselves by putting aside any worries and enter the dance studio with much enthusiasm, but as the gruelling hours swerved by, we sometimes began to lose focus, and at the end of the day, return to our rooms all worn out. It wasn't easy, it really wasn't; so many times, the question "What am I doing this for?" surfaced, but, the answer was simple. The answer was soon to be found on the 14th and 15th, in particular, the latter.

Day 1; finally the long-awaited day had come. We were all ready to go, prepared to put up a good show for those folks sitting down there, for our parents, relatives, and friends... With a thick layer of make-up (I really mean THICK), a 上海滩 hairstyle, and some students-hand-made costumes, I, like all the rest, was in tuned to take on the spotlight. A few of us christians gathered and lifted our prayers to the LORD... the curtains withdrew, the music played, and IT had begun... unfortunately, some technical faults had to occur.... but it was through these incidents that our real professionalism and all the trainings were put to the test.... we knew the faults, but the audience didn't, and we weren't about ready to let them find out; the show went on, the actors accustomed to the situations and dealt with them... come to think of it, it was just amazing how everyone was so spontaneous in face of the screw-ups..... simply fantastic... good job pple....

Day 2; the mood was high.... pple were just high.... even the seniors were doing ridiculously hilarious stuff... everyone was excited, cos it's the final day... the BIG day, for no more screw-ups should interupt us, and the audience was going to get nothing but the best from us.... to me, this day was even a BIGGER day, cos it was my 21st Birthday... what a meaningful way to spend my 21st... had a great prayer session in the changing room, as we bowed and agreed in unison with the many brothers and sisters in Christ... Finally, the performance began. Standing backstage, we were hugging each other and holding hands, comforting each other, as we were absolutely nervous; not scared, but "nervously" looking forward for our turn to show the audience what we have for them.... with the same, THICK, or maybe better make-ups, each of us stood before the hundreds of pairs of eyes staring towards the stage... It might have been a blessing that certain tech and non-tech mistakes happened the day before, cos it was a lesson to prepare us more for this round... As each scene successfully went through, we heived a sign of relief and at the same time absorbed the high energy from the people that were in the previous scenes just by watching them.... we just got more and more rejuvenated past each scene... absolutely amazing.... before we realised it, Nat and Guy were singing their final love song, and soon, it all came to an end.... As soon as the curtains closed, screams and shouts of joy enveloped the whole theatre.... goodness gracious me, tears just went flowing and smiles were stretching from ear to ear... too bad that scene was not captured on film... haha... ;p
Really thank God for making it happen.... it was my most superb experience on stage ever.... of course not forgetting all the life experiences and many many things learnt through the process of this whole period, including the wonderful friendships bonded....

Anyway,
Behind the curtains, roomie initiated and a birthday song went off for me... that was nice... :)
Back in hall, models and roomie got me a cake... that was nice... :)
The night before, the six got me a cake as well... that was nice... :)
On that same night, models made a surprise appearance with their remix of the B'day song, along with a prezzy... that was nice... :)
...THANX pple....

more updates to come............

catch a glimpse of the great production HERE!!! (==>"guest"==>"GALLERIES"==>"Concert")

Kelvin
POST#00206-CLOSED

POST#00106..... 1st post of 2006?

2006-01-07T06:34:00.000+08:00

my goodness.... goodness gracious me...... it's my first post of 2006!!!! WHAT have I done???
It's 2006 already??? and what has happened to my blog??? I haven updated it.... man!!!

I OWE a BIG one......

Crap.... life's so packed!!!

Kelvin
POST#00106-CLOSED

POST#01905..... mug mug mug.....

2005-11-21T12:35:00.000+08:00

sleep, mug, eat, mug, sleep, mug, eat mug.... the great part of my life now.... i'm sitting so much i'm becoming a duck, with an isothermally expanding life "buoy".... ha
well... well... well... but not for long.... yes... NOT FOR LONG... soon, I'll be heading North again, yes, many of us will, to be "truly asia" again... yaahhhoooo!!!
Thank GOD for his strength in every situation... read Sunday's bulletin and it comforted my heart:
"... Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only GOD knows what is best for you... Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor in the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life... Do not run through your life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way..."

Kelvin
POST#01905-CLOSED

POST#01805..... oVeRdUed!!!

2005-10-27T09:58:00.000+08:00

...... time, I haven't got, to put up a proper post.......
...... amazing was the concert, with so much to 'boast'......
...... but now, desperately I am, catching up with work......
...... in my mind all day: "to prioritise", it lurks ......
...... so, though overdued, this is as much as I can moan......
...... for more, i'll speak, in another entry of its own......

Kelvin
POST#01805-CLOSED

POST#01705..... updates, updates, updates.....

2005-10-03T02:30:00.000+08:00

Another late night that i'm typing a new entry... had wanted to do this on the day I finished my last test on thurs, but jus ended up doing some other things.... well, if i procrastinated any longer, i guess i'll never make it, so might well do it now....

Alright, 1st round of tests are over, relax for one day, and gotta switch back and get back on track, cos the final exams are actually jus a couple of weeks away.... I'm now already slightly behind time, and I foresee that my lag will stretch even more in the next 2 weeks, considering the projected estimated time I'll spend on concert is immensely daunting; including the one full week of school that will be forgone for full day rehearsals at UCC (the actual ground for the concert).... this is jus the kind of hectic lifestyle in uni for me... haha....

Yup, as i was mentioning about the concert, hmmm, things are falling in place.... everyone is putting in alot of effort.... the past week was emotional and very stressful for the cast, but we pushed on and pulled thru, and from today's full run rehearsal, it appears that our efforts are beginning to pay off.... :) well, as we work on to perfect the whole musical, mending every aspects of the performance, I'll assure all those people who would be turning up to watch us, that we'll make every cent that u paid worth while...... ;)

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01705-CLOSED

POST#01605..... OCCUPIED!!!

2005-09-16T12:31:00.000+08:00

Occupied, yes I am.... So occupied that I have little time for my parents, little time for church, little time for my CHS bros, little time for ODAC trainings, little time even for my own proper workouts...... I am so OCCUPIED!!!

"By WhAt?!?!?"

School work for one thing is part and parcel of life now... other than eating & sleeping, the next thing that kicks in behind my mind is to study.... Man! I've never been so industrious before man.... haha.... but it's good.... thank God for giving me the peace of mind, for strengthening me... it just feels satisfying sometimes when you have a lot to do, then after all the "piaing", when all those knots and loads begin to loosen apart and fall in place, you can confidently smile, knod your head, and give a pat on your own shoulders..... :)

"..... and that's all?....."

... of course not.... i'm staying in hall remember? so of course I have my commitments and activities.... and there happen to be a big event coming up... errr, well, at least it's a very significant event to my hall.... it's a musical... a very own production of Raffles Hall...........

...... yah mun... that's it... that's the one... "EYESHADOW" is it's name....... our very OWN production.... and I mean it literally, cos everything in this musical is original: we make our own SETS, we tailor our own COSTUMES, we compose our own SONGS, we write our own SCRIPTS, we choreograph our own DANCES..... yes..... all.... ALL... done by the students and residents of the hall.... **a round of applause** ...http://www.raffles.nus.edu.sg/concert0506/

well, here's the thing, a musical, such a wonderful concert, will not be thrown on the stage just like that.... it needs YOU.... yes, you, my dear frens.... who will make up the most spontaneous and supportive audience.... please come and give your support, please come and support me, cos I'm part of the cast, the male lead... it's a very rare opportunity... I'm delivering my best of efforts, in hope to see a most appealing, and successful presentation on the BIG day, with all the happening concert people.... woohoo....

** well, a bit of history here, I was initially one of the male models cum dancers, but due to some "unhappening" happenings, I had to step up and take up the lead role... with only half the time left... ok, i'm fine with that, just gotta really put in double the commitment and effort.... then there's my poor dance partner, somewhat abandoned by me.... after all the gruelling practices, now she's gotta re-accustom to another dancer partner and re-build that certain chemistry... with someone whom we still know not of, ermmm, provided there's even someone to replace me... haiz... what to do? the "unhappening" happenings have already happened!.... so now, against all odds and difficulties, I'm going to push on... partner, you'll do so too right? yup, persevere on and trust in the LORD!!! :) **

alright... so there I have for now, my very much Occupied life.....

God Bless,

Kelvin

POST#01605-CLOSED

POST#01505..... SucH iNaDEquAtE TiMiNg!!!

2005-09-07T04:55:00.000+08:00

I should be sleeping by now... it's super late, or in fact very early... and i'm supposed to wake up in 3hrs' time to join my neighbours for breakfast......

Life has been very much this way since I began hall-life.... earliest night, 3am!!! then on the weekends, the accumulated fatigue overwhelms me in incredible waves.... knocking me out almost very time I stay still.... haiz.... then my parents would start asking, of course out of concern, what I have been doing in hall, that I always come home with such drowsiness.... and soon, I realised how true the chinese saying "tian1 xia4 fu4 mu3 xin1 (all parents share the same concern)" is, as when my neighbours returned to their homes with the same conditions, their parents showed similar concerns... in fact, I was surprised at how alike our reiteration of our parents' words were... ha....

Well, sleeping late is one thing... and I always wake up considerably early, no later than 0830... reason being, my neighbours, my roomie(liren), and I would always accompany one another for meals... and that's something I value and treasure alot from hall-stay... above jus getting to know many more friends, close bonds and cohesiveness are fostered.... i get to interact with seniors, students from all the faculties, as well as foreigners from various countries... greatly widdening my social circle, and exposing me to a huge pond of learning opportunities, whether in culture, beliefs, sports, general knowledge, or studies..... and yes, studies.... being out of touch of books and the curriculum, the hall allows me to resolve my questions and queries in my work much more easily and conveniently, esp when I so many geniuses around me... haha... life's good...

anyway, I'm enjoying life... the benefits of convenience, accessibility, friendships, and exposure easily offset the many hours of commitment required in activities and other cons..... This entry is dedicated to all the new friends I've found in RH, for all your sharing and smiles.... esp to my neighbours, the great 6, who have been so kind and patient with me.... =)

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01505-CLOSED

POST#01405...........

2005-08-25T10:49:00.000+08:00

...... into the 3rd week of school....... loving life.......

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01405-CLOSED

POST#01305..... BaCk tO ReALiTy!!!

2005-07-07T01:00:00.000+08:00

*****Note: Please have the courtesy to ask before using the photos! ;) *****

30 days, exactly 30 days... We've spent an entire month on the World's Smallest Continent but 6-th largest country, located in the region of Oceania, clasped between the waters of Indian Ocean & South Pacific Ocean, with a population of close to 20 million.
4 buddies - Hengjiong, Hong Chang, Liren, & I. We took on the journey, by air, by wheels, & by foot, visiting 4 of the 6 states. From each of the capital cities, we diversed to many other wonderful suburbs & towns, passing through forests, coastlines, as well as the outbacks!

Here's a brief some-up:
1) Victoria (030605 - 100605). We were hosted by a very sincere family, who treated us extremely well, pampering us especially with the various delights of Aussie. Uncle Tan and his children took turns to show us around each day; other than our own shopping, we hardly spent any money on food.... even the daughters were so insistent on footing the bills.... felt so awkward & "paiseh", but grateful.... Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the Souther hemisphere, arrayed her vast variety of cosmopolitan make-up of goods and consumables. Great Ocean Road, a spectacular road that extends abt 400km along the South-western coast of Victoria, encompassing breath-taking views of the Southern Ocean. We drove through the forests of Otway National Park (NP), into Port Campbell NP, thereafter catching a fantastic sunset at the famous Twelve Apostles (currently left 8, after the last one collasped on 3rd July 05, Sun). Phillip Island, where we witnessed the penguin parade, watching "cuttish" fairy penguins dash across the beach into the bushes for cover & back to their nests, occasionally losing their balance and falling on their white tummies. Yarra Valley, a long stretch of hilly region, dispersed with wineyards & vineyards, gardens & nurseries, cafes & restaurants. We visited a particular wineyard; free enlightening wine-tasting session, rows of beautifully withered vines (due to winter), contrasted by a few buds of huge sweetly-scented, "velvety" (as HC described them) roses, blooming in their last days, all set against a scenic background of a blue lake and a landscape of green hills. Direct Factory Outlet (DFO), in Cheltenham, is Australia's first and largest factory outlet shopping centre; a wholesome of more than 116 boutiques and shops selling items at very affordable prices, which were made even cheaper with the country-wide Stocktake Sale. Other worthy attractions include Mel City, Flinders Train Stn, Luna Park (more specifically, it's entrance), and CROWN Casino (we spent ONE dollar on a jackpot game for fun.. haha... cheap thrill). Uncle Tan drove us all the way to SYD, a gruelling 12hrs journey, passing through various spots like Glenrowan (Ned kelly's home town), Gundagai (a town which stands the monument of "The Dog on the Tuckerbox" ), and Canberra's (Australia's capital city) War Memorial and Parliament Building. The Tans' whole-hearted enthusiasm and hospitality made me felt evermore so welcomed, even on the very last day with them!

2) New South Wales (100605 - 150605). We walked alot around the populated metropolitan city of Sydney, a cultural, financial, and commercial hub. Very much a shopaholic's haven. In my opinion, Sydney is the most "colourful" place we visited; you'll find people of different races and nationalities. In fact, I would rate that, especially during peak hours, 2 out of 5 people on the streets were Asians. The highlights of Syd were obviously the Sydney Opera House (1 of the 7 modern wonders of the world - meant to look like a giant sailing ship, if you do not know yet), and the Harbour Bridge. Other spots in the city include the Sydney Observatory, Paddy's Market, and The Rocks. A place for budget shopping would be Birkenhead Pt, another factory outlet shopping centre. I had my best buy there: a Mambo bag with 75% discount!!! All of us attended a service at Hillsongs City Church, pretty fine service, nice reception and crowd.... 2 beaches; Manly Beach, by ferry, & Bondi Beach, by train & bus. Both had a great collection of surf shops & food. Both were equally splendid..... Had a stroll through Bondi market too (opens only on weekends). A train ride brought us to 1000m asl, to a town called Katoomba, located in the Blue Mountains.

Did a full day of trekking along the trails, leading us to various lookout pts, overlooking the jaw-dropping views of the valleys of gum trees, steep & deep gorges, and waterfalls. The mountains and ranges really appeared BLUE; it is actually caused by the blue haze that hovered above the mountains produced by the oil from the plentiful Eucalyptus trees. Ultimately, we hit Sublime Point, near the town of Leura (yes, we literally walked from one town to another, & I was in my Chucks Taylor!), and also saw the Three Sisters, a beautiful rock formation...... Any time, any where, my Chucks will be there!!!

3) Queensland (150605 - 230605). THE SUNSHINE STATE. Took a very costly coach ride by "Greyhound" to Byron Bay, a small town of just a few streets, but was packed with shops (1st encounter with local surf brands), pubs, clubs, restaurants, and many hostels (all much cheaper than those in Syd). Weather was colder than we had expected, but the truth was, there were reports that due to global warming, temperatures weren't as low as they should've been, thus still seeing many surfers out in the water... in other words, we haven't seen the worse! Had our first introductory lesson on surfing! Guess it was due to the nice and friendly waves that gave us a good head start; all of us managed to stand up jus after 3 or 4 tries!! We enjoyed the beautiful beach and clear waters, especially from the light house @ Cape Byron, the most Eastern end of the mainland Australia..... Gold Coast was another splendid place, posing a very long stretch of coastline (42km) with clear waters and golden sands, hence it's name.... Dream World, where we had rides and rides of thrill, loads of fun and laughter. According to "KC statistics", The Claw is voted #1, Giant Drop #2, and followed by Vortex (because of it's amazing effect, though it lacked the element of DANGER). Expensive place for backpackers like us, but no choice, we had to go to one of the Worlds, it was a rare opportunity, it was DREAMWORLD!!... =p I visited Brisbane City Church (BCC), where Amy attends. Fantastic church. I liked the way the service was done up; very lively, very realistic, and most importantly, environmentally relaxing and close to heart. I felt no constraints even though I was there the first time... Other places visited include Harbour Town (another huge factory outlet shopping centre), Pacific Fair (a huge shopping complex), Surfers Paradise (in particular, as we rented equipments to surf on our own)... At Brisbane City, we slept on the streets for one night; to be more exact, it's a walkway outside a multi-storey car-park, opp the Police HQ... haha... wad an experience!!! We were very much watchful by then, spending the total minimal, absolutely no unnecessary expenditure... walked through the suburbs of Springhill, South Bank, Chinatown, and Kangaroo Pt. (a popular climbing spot, just by the Brisbane River )....

4) Western Australia (230605 - 020705). Landed in Perth late in the night (almost midnight). Our dearest Corinna came and pick us up @ the domestic airport, in her 3.0L Mitshibushi Magna wagon... Fortunately, she used that car; a normal sedan wouldn't be able to fit in our luggages man. I was already carrying abt 45kg of load myself! It was during this time where the biggest stunt of the trip happened: tyres mounted on tracks, red lights swayed vigorously, high beams flashed intensively, train horns blasted blasphemously, brakes jammed sharply, voices and strength exerted syncronically, spotlights from above trailed relentlessly, blue and red flashers tailed behind momentarily....a 30mins incident that left a mixture of trauma and amusement, that will ever be a remembered story... (see link for details). For the first 2 days, we went around Perth; Fremantle market, a great place for souvenirs and good nougats (cheaper in WA, where they are mostly produced). Had great fish & chips @ Cicerellos, a renowned restaurant @ Fremantle. Failed attempt to catch sunset at King's Park, overlooking the city in the EAST! Perth city itself, lined with shops and arcades..... blah blah blah..... Then came the most exciting part of our trip, the last 6 six days, the one road trip... THE TRIP!!! Day 1: We drove down South, bypassing a few small suburbs... Busselton (saw the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere), Dunsborough (saw a whale from Cape Naturaliste), Nglili Cave (a beautiful limestone cave; though a very commercialised walk, we picked up quite a handful of knowledge. Definitely worth the AUD15), Margaret River (a lunch of free tastings; cheese, yoghurt, cheese, chocs, cheese, & fudge...=p), 1st encounter with a kangaroo hopping across our moving veh on the way to Augusta (slept in car; super uncomfortable)...... Day 2: Cape Leeuwin (where 2 oceans meet ie. Southern Ocean & Indian Ocean)... Then travelled Eastwards.... Nannup [a lunch of fresh Marons (fresh water crayfish)], Pemberton [climbed two Karri trees, 75m & 61m (abt 20 storeys tall)], on the same day, saw a squashed kangaroo, & we almost banged another kangaroo.... Day 3: Denmark (bought honey products from a meadery), Albany (amazing rock formations of blowholes and gaps, & a windfarm). Saw another rotten kangaroo, a dead fox, & a few dead birds (probably ground parrots) on the way to Stirling NP (climbed Bluff Knoll, 1073m, WA's highest mountain).... Day 4: Esperance (a beautiful place that we hadn't planned for; no regrets rushing there), Cape le Grand NP (climbed another ineresting hill, Frenchman Peak, just 262m), Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park (cooked our own recipe of "cheese rice")... Day 5: headed home North-westerly... Wave Rock (just an amusing rock formation; it happened to be on our way, so we just had a glance, took a shot, & left, though there were some other attractions around), back home in Perth @ abt 2030hrs... Day 6: spent the morning washing and cleaning the car which Corinna's dad had generously lent us. Went city to buy mouth-watering apple strudels, and had our last bowl of beauuutiful Pho & plate of broken rice for lunch.... rushed to the airport, & were soon on our teary departure.... =(

Well, so there it is, my "vague" summary of my backpack tour... We've done so much, so much..... braved endless "storms", pulled through nerve-racking stunts, and had the happiest month in our life..... I've learnt lots of lessons, built really good relationships, and now appreciate life more... we did spent a bit on luxury souvenirs and clothings (which true backpackers shouldn't be doing), but on the contrary, we've also learnt to resist temptaions so many times, and realised we have more money for beneficial items..... jus too much to say....

The excitements, wonders and memories from this month just makes me wanna go on another trip... it's been an eye-opener, and a dessert for more to come, and well, i'll make sure I do it again... some time, some day.....

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01305-CLOSED

POST#01205..... updates, updates....

2005-06-17T16:04:00.000+08:00

I'm finally back on my own blog; some efforts to keep it alive... haha

Here's some updates from Aussie:
Been to many places, covered endless mileage, seen lots of fabulous scenery, admired a whole "skyful" of stars, bought bags of stuff, talked to pple from all over the globe, experienced numerous hiccups, spent loads of Dollar$....

Perspired just a few mililitres, seen little day time, ate only 1 to 2 meals a day, bathed no more than once a day, found little time to go online....

Life's never been like that.... it's totally fantastic.... there's jus too much to write about, too much to talk about, but too little time to do so.....

Once again, detailed updates can be found in "brudders4".... either my frens or myself have been updating it!!! too lazy to type on both sides, so i've got no entry on the other blog today! =p

Gotta go and buy food to cook for dinner.... the time here is abt 1852hrs, and the kitchen at the hostel closes @ 2030hrs, so gotta rush....

Dun feel like leaving this splendid lifestyle, but misses u guys back home....;)

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01205-CLOSED

POST#01105..... SANG a Rainbow!!!

2005-06-10T22:21:00.000+08:00

Life's a free joy-ride since 3rd june.....

Firstly, i ORD-ed on 3rd june, that is, i've completed my full time national service... wonderful!!! a great relieved....
Secondly, i'm back-packing now..... Just arrived in Sydney 2 hours ago.... was in Melbourne for the past one week.... weather so wonderful here, although it's so very cold in Mel..... but whenever u feel like freezing, jus think of S'pore and you'll appreciate the chill here.... fantastic...!!! I SANG a RAINBOW!!!
Lastly, I'm gonna be here in Aussie for the next 3 weeks...... haha.... enjoying every moment here!!! I''m so gonna continue SINGING the RAINBOW!!!

*** check out the "Brudders4" link for insights to our road trip!!! CIAOZ.....

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01105-CLOSED

POST#01005..... Sing a Rainbow !!!

2005-05-09T01:21:00.000+08:00

"RED & YELLOW & PINK & GREEN .....
PURPLE & ORANGE & BLUE.....
..... I can SING a RAINBOW, SING a RAINBOW, SING a RAINBOW too!"

Haha... cant wait for the day to come man...

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#01005-CLOSED

POST#00905.....000ooo UnDeRwAteR ooo000

2005-04-23T03:44:00.000+08:00

Yet again... it's amost a month since my previous post... somehow, time jus flies... so many times i sat down b4 my screen, so many times i had the opportunity to update, but somehow or rather, i'll be messing with other stuff, chatting with pple, and i just didn't do it!!! hmmmm!!!

Well, had wanted to write abt my trip since i came back, but was procastinating... so finally today, i'm sitting down (haha, noticed my previous 2 posts were written late in the middle of the night too; can only think at night!!), trashing out my whole new experience off the western coast of Malaysia's beautiful island, Pulau Tioman!
From 070405 to 100405, i took my Open Water Dive Course, and had a tremendously unforgettable experience in a "world" not naturally belonging to us.... for 3 days, we did a total of 8 dives, all of which were fantastic.... i used to perceive that diving was complicated, involving a lot of equipments, skills , and knowledge.... well, all those perceptions were indeed true, but having gone through some gruelling 5-cds theory lessons, quizzes, and a final theory test, plus the close guidance and continuous efforts and reminder of a very approachable instructor, everything turned out good....
... we put what we learned in theory on the land, into practice in the water...
... we did our drills seriously with care...
... we followed instructions and advices closely...
... we did not take any risk against safety...
... etc...
the result, all turned out manageable and fun... it wasn't too much of a difficulty as i had thought... =)

In the midst of the cold water, one feels so light and relaxed.... flipping LEFT, flapping RIGHT, flopping UP, flupping DOWN.... feeling necessarily BUOYANT.....
"be as idle as possible....", urges my instructor
.... it is as if one's anti-gravity, just like an astronaut would float around in space....
once in a while, i would attempt a "somersault" gracefully in my own amazement, holding in a "handless hand-stand" stance, before recovering slowly back into position.... on other occasions, i would just let go, and remain motionless, as i glanced around, at the beauty and exquisiteness of the underwater world; all the unique live corals, the amazing little fishes finning and gliding in their schools, pecking on pebbles for food, chasing one another around for mate and territory, and resting peacefully under rocks.... there was one time, when i suddenly tried to chase this little fish around, while i observed it flicking its fins so quickly, in desperation to swim away from me... but however hard that had seemed, that tiny creature was covering so little distance... "poor thing", i thought, so i left it alone... haha..... basically, everything was such a splendor.... it is just so breath-taking to admire the whole blue scene beneath the surface....
In jus this short trip of diving, i've seen so much of the underwater world; at least that had been enough for me to remember and be amazed at.... all shapes and sizes, colours and forms, name it, and you'll find it..... fishes appear in bright mixture of colours that are so out of the mind; colours that probably only a child, who still cant recognise and identify colours, would shade to a drawing.... corals in the most odd of forms; shaped like a fan, like a tree, and even like a huge cow brain... some of the most dazzling moments include the sights of large, gorgeous batfishes and angelfishes that swerve swiftly before my eyes, huge territorial Titan triggerfshes (with visible razor-shape protruding jaws) that we try to shun away from, a super duper gigantic Garoupa puzzling through the corals to avoid us, some 1m long pufferfishes that puzzled me for a moment as i looked twice in doubt to confirm, a balletic green turtle that elegantly paddled pass below us, a big blue-spotted stingray that layed sleeping on a rock as i went up close to take a snap of it, a rare sight of an ARMY of Giant baracuddas that grazed pass us so dauntlessly, and a gorgeous black-tip reef shark that we almost missed.....
Diving was just so fun and was absolutely a worth while try, if anybody were to ask me, i would say, for this trip alone we had been rather fortunate, considering the amount of things we saw and the bags of knowledge we gained.... Well, i'll definitely go diving again, and eventually move on to the Advanced Course, but not in the short run... haha... no $$$ nor time....

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00905-CLOSED

POST#00805..... Something's changed!!!

2005-03-25T02:19:00.000+08:00

WOOOOOOOOOWWW!!! almost exactly 1 month since i last submitted a post... BoY.... was either too lazy to sit down and think of wad to type or just couldnt be bothered... haha... expected of myself from the very first day!!!

17th to 19th of March was fantastic!!! A marvelous close encounter with my faith, which has now expanded to a greater level! Jus imagine, 3 full days of influence and contact with the greatest thing that ever existed!!! It was an absolutely wonderful experience for me...
Although to many out there, 3 days of exposure to religious teachings might be normal, jus like any other lessons, outreaches, encounteres, meetings, camps, revivals, retreats, conferences, bible colleges, etc....... but to me, it was very unique and out-of-the-norm!!! I've been to my Church Camp almost every year, but there had never been something like that.....

"SYNERGIZ Youth Conference" was it's name!!! Planetshakers Band was there... explosive praise and over-whelming worship and stuff.... as a matter of fact, what caught my attention most was the general radical style over the whole conference...
1st, it was all youths; all alive and kickin'!!!
2nd, the speakers were super anointed by the power of God, spoke with much reverence, awe, and ....... humour!!! many were very young (in their late 20s), thus were more energetic, approachable, relevant, and easily-understood!
3rd, the workshops were a great idea.... it encompasses a lot of interactivity, and brought learning about christianity more effective, esp for teenagers!!!
Next, the overall culture of the speakers and congregation was very unconventional, or in other words, more liberal and radical than the christian environment i was brought up in!

The whole expereience of non-conservatism engraved a deep mark in my mind, which i liked alot..... i believe a so-called "Family church" like Elim should be more communicative than any other gigantic one out there, dont u think so? Since it's a "Family church", one would probably expect a closely-knitted environment of openess and communications, which i often feel that is lackin'!!! We need bold children of God, to stand up and shout out in exclamation, of His glory and honour!!! We need bold children, to take the lead, and be of positive influence to the easily-influenced majority!!!

Evgangelist Victor Rodriquez's appearance lately seemed to be so timely! "Do not be quiet on me today, church!" he would exclaim from the stage..... His urging for a radical break-through, i believe, would be a stepping stone for a renewal in Elim, AMEN!
I know not of how i should close this post, but on the whole, i'll conclude, with specific attention to Synergiz, that it was a blasting conference that had given me many new view-points, and had changed my attitude greatly towards this faith of mine!!!!

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00805-CLOSED

POST#00705..... Provided my assumptions were RIGHT!

2005-02-26T03:32:00.000+08:00

Hmmm... Beeen sleeping rather little lately.... getting drowsy in the day time and active at night.... hmmm...
Anyway, WE, human beings, are really something... let's take a closer look at our origins....

Biodiversity of the modern human being
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum: Chordata (have a single dorsal nerve cord and etc.....)
Class: Mammalia (Mammals - feed young with milk, have the skin usually covered with hair, warm-blooded, etc....)
Order: Primates (increasing perfection of binocular vision, specialization of the appendages for grasping, & enlargement & differentiation of the brain)
Family: Hominidae (...recent humans together with extinct ancestors...)
Genus: Homo (includes the extinct and extant species of humans)
Species: Sapiens (look into the mirror, etc...)

And beyond that, we have our different races, cultures, customs, religions, and beliefs..... but what distinguishes us most from one another, is our very own individual characteristics and personalities, isn't it? So, cherish yourselves, pple!!!

Now, on 2nd, 3rd, 4th,etc... thoughts, i might have been over-sensitive, or i might have just been experiencing, in what had been a direct physical encounter, a very different social culture and behaviour. Looking at the BIGGER picture, all that had happened might be a beneficial exposure for me, W I D D E N I N G my horizons and understandings of a foreign culture, on local ground! MIGHT, provided my assumptions were right, at this point of time!
Although it might have been only a small aspect, it had taught me certain valuables lessons; lessons of ..... optimism...... sensitivity...... responsiveness...... understanding...... anyone who still doesn't understand what i mean? want to understand? come and be ME lah!!! hahaa ..... Most importantly, the greatest take-back of those 36hrs and the aftermath of it was that it allowed me to understand my friend so much better...

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00705-CLOSED

POST#00605..... Almost couldn't handle!!!

2005-02-24T03:12:00.000+08:00

arghhhh.... it's getting real late, i didnt wanna write, i'll leave it for the weekend.... hmmm, but on 2nd thoughts, i think i better get it down, before my thoughts change, or even worse, vanish!
For some certain ONE n a HALF days, an almost exact 36hrs, some things happened, in such circumstances that i never thought would happen..... Never... never did it ever hit my mind..... I was left totally puzzled, absolutely clueless, as to how i should respond! I knew not of what was the best solution for i did not wanna contrbute any more hurt.... making things worse, i didnt know exactly what i wanted.... i became inconfident, i wasnt sure if i was capable of making it a worth while try, capable of supporting the consequences.... it seemed too fast to be happening the way it is happening...just 36hrs!!!
yet again, i recall of the words spoken in the silent darkness, through my waxed ears, to my drowsy mind... zzzz... for 1 or 2 moments, i had knocked out, but i do remember the bulk core of those deeply spoken words... it was some tough 'hearty' time for i had to fight the 'Z' monster and at the same time figure out the right answer, the right response... So, 1) LIVE FOR THE MOMENT??? it sounded great, it sounded workable... should i give it a try? no harm trying, isn't it? but i was still in doubt.... ********************2) BLANK BLANK BLANK (to be filled in another time) ******************** at the end of it, there was still no answer for i couldnt take it any no more; my groggy mind jus wouldnt function properly... "Good night" were my last words.... as far as i remembered.....too fast for my mind and heart to respond appropriately... just 36hrs!!!
My my my , come to think of it, i had been rather insensitive, hadnt i? Y didnt i pick up the hints? even if i did, y didnt i think further, of the consequences? appeared that i had already been Living for those moments! maybe promoting wrong ideas.... man, i hate it that i fell for temptations... not that e temptations were created externally, but for my own being, for my own reaction to action!
****think think..... i lost my chain of thoughts..... think think****
watever, i lost my thoughts... here's the new thoughts.... guess the one solution now, with some affirmation and advice (thanx SISSs-TUuuH!) ... is to be more active... to speak up and resolve the doubts, to come up with a conclusion, and i hope, the RIGHT answer!
All just happened so fast, in just 36hrs... so fast, that i Almost couldn't handle!!!

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00605-CLOSED

POST#00505..... Whatever!!

2005-02-05T10:58:00.000+08:00

Too bad, just too bad, that my blog is not very the nice...
well, for one thing, i'm still not too sure of the procedures to change the skin, cos i didnt go explore!
for another thing, i just use this blog thingy as another fragment of entertainment or an alternate route to "assault" time... i only post when i'm at home and really got nothing else to do, and in the 1st place, how often am i at home??? hmmm.....
for the last thing, after all, i haven changed much from my POST#00105... my enthu level for blogging is still not very the high... mmm.....
okie. enough said.....
Whatever!!!

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00505-CLOSED

POST#00405..... "LETTING GO"

2005-01-25T22:25:00.000+08:00

it's so difficult to LET GO... certains things are just so hard to LET GO off the mind.... well, blame it on the brain juices, the brain cells and electrons.... bleh blah bleh blah!!
it's so hard to LET GO... trying to let TIME do the job, but TIME seems to be taking it's own sweet TIME! arghh!
the only human being i wanna talk to aint available! arghh!

there's only ONE WAY now... that is COME TO THE FATHER, our BEAUTIFUL ONE in heaven... as i await him to OPEN UP THE GATES, and set me FREE!

God Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00405-CLOSED

POST#00305..... NICE guy? BAD guy?

2005-01-21T11:39:00.000+08:00

Life's a pressure.... life's a challenge.... sometimes, it's just hard to get things going the way u want it.... especially when u're carrying something on your shoulders..... something called RESPONSIBILITY!!! The higher one climbs, the more responsibility lays on him, the more pressure he'll feel, the more challenges he'll face.... & that's life....
BUT
BUT
when he is able to handle and juggle that responsibility well, then he has won half the battle... he has won the battle within himself!
BUT
BUT
what if he doesn't? is that guy gonna us crumble and fall? is he gonna be crushed under tha pressure?

I'm fighting, fighting against pressure, fighting against obstacles.... am i handling it well? hmmm... i dunno how to judge myself.... but well, i don't see myself breaking down.... ok... neither do i see myself at total ease.... hmmm.... crap =8 .... i think i'm OK... y am i thinking so much???? y am i feeling so pressurized to think about pressure? haha.... P=hpg ..... ha that's then PRESSURE....

Alright, think i'm just going thru part and parcel of life in a working environment.... it's always vulnerable to be sandwiched in between superiors and subordinates... and i guess it's normal.....
so what if my superiors pressurize me, scold me, arrow me (macham free)? just take it lor.... LORD, be my strength!
and comes your subordinates... giving you problems of all kind.... breaking rules behind your back.... requsting constantly for welfare.... failing to comply to instructions.... blah blah blah.... It's hard to be the NICE guy, whom i wish to be... but i've learnt that that will hardly work.... regimentation has to come in... i've got to be hard on them sometimes... they got to realise, good things do not come easy!
so would i become a BAD guy then? hmmm.... we'll see...... LORD, guide me!

GOD Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00305-CLOSED

2005-01-21T03:43:00.000+08:00

POST#00205..... CONTAGIOUS PRAISE Our first live concert production!!! MoVe YoUR FeET tO tHe BeAT oF uR HeARt!!!

POST#00105..... So unlike me!!!

2005-01-13T17:10:00.000+08:00

About a year ago (i think), i was scolding my friends for being so dumb to waste time on blogs.... YES, i do write my journals during XPs, but that's abt e onli time i do that.... online journals where everybody reads about ur thoughts? eeee... didnt really capture me.... BUT, today,hmmmm.... come to think of it (after reading other's blogs), it can be rather interesting; messages of hidden messages, messages of expression not easily expressed with e other 4 senses, messages of which only he who typed it understands fully....So unlike me! wadever, now that i've started, make full use of it, i SHALL!
the past fortnight has been a roller-coaster ride.... full of mixed feelings...
extreme fun times, THERE WERE;
extreme sad times, THERE WERE;
extreme angry times, THERE WERE;
extreme happy times, THERE WERE;
extreme confused times, THERE WERE;
extreme disppointed times, THERE WERE!
everyday, my stomach bubbles.... At work, i become the stern commander, telling my guys the yes and e no, e dos and e don'ts... Out with friends, i smile more, go all out to enjoy, and be the nice friend... back behind closed doors......................
...........................
................I..........
...........................
....I......................
...........................
................I..........
...........................
still smile....=) because our father up there is our provider and comforter.... AMEN!
but of course, i do feel down, some times... i mean, who doesn't?
someone wrote this:
".....
-- get over it?? yah lah.. sometimes we really have to do tt... no doubt... get on with life lor...
-- say it out to tt person?? tell him or her how u feel?? but is it going to hurt that friendship?? is it not going to be the same again??? wat's going to happen?? then again... if u dun try.. how u know...??
-- looked down on urself??? think that its impossible for that person to love a person like u back?? think u are not good enuff for him or her?? well... if that person loved u back... and loves you alot... doesnt tt tells u alot about tt person??
....."
made me think a lot when i read it.... well, i made a CHOICE, and i don't regret it.....
alright, what's with the wishy washy mun?????

it's wed! today i CHOSE not to book out, i CHOSE to stay in, cos tmr got morning run at 0600hrs...
today i CHOSE to type my first blog post...
life is about making CHOICES, in simple context and application, everyday, one can CHOOSE to smile =), or frown =(
tonight, i CHOOSE to sleep with a =)......

GOD Bless,
Kelvin
POST#00105-CLOSED