Tuesday 28 January 2014

Officially an uncle :)

 Welcome to life my little nephew! :)

Today is definitely a special day for my family, especially to my brother and sister-in-law! Yup the day we've been waiting for the past 9 months. It's the day of delivery of my nephew! Haha which is the first baby boy for my brother and sister-in-law, and my parents' first grandson, and our first nephew haha. It was truly a nerve-wrecking day because a lot of things happened, but I'm glad that at the end of the day my sister-in-law has given birth to a healthy baby boy and both of them are safe now. Yup, that's what matter the most!

Alright I just want to congratulate my brother and his lovely wife for giving birth to their first child. And as an uncle I promise to take care of him too till he grows old! Nyehehe. Can't wait for the baby to be back here and I can interact with him haha. He's just sooooo cute! I'll leave you with some photos of him I took today. So so so cute!

Till then! :)


Gimme fooooood

Sunday 26 January 2014

The Pursuit

 
 The Pursuit

For the past few days, or maybe ever since this year has started, I've been thinking of this word. This word that seems to chase me away, while I try really hard to find its meaning, and the answer to a burning question I have in my mind. What are we actually pursuing in life?

It seems to me that every single one of us, regardless of occupation, gender and race, has something that we pursue. Businessman pursue success, maybe the definition of success for these people is like high earning. Great business. And they pursue it. Salesmen pursue their targeted sales. Teachers, maybe pursue good grades for their students.

I don't mean pursuing things as something bad and negative. I'm not trying to say that the above-mentioned people are greedy people who always pursue all these. No. Pursuing things can be a good thing. It can be used as a driving force in life so that we can reach our goals. If we put it in the positive way, a businessman pursue high earnings in order to drive their business to greater heights. Salesmen pursue their targeted sales so that they can earn bonus they deserve, and maybe for their family too, to enjoy.

So it's not so bad. Pursuing things.

But some days I feel that pursuing things can get really tiring. And I always return to the question what am I pursuing in life? Can we stop pursuing things in life? It seems to me that everyone around me is chasing for something. In one way or another, in one thing or another. And if we can stop pursuing things in life, how do we do that?

You know it's kind of funny that a few years back I tell myself, that maybe I should be a monk in the future. Live a solitary life and maybe spread my religion and the teachings of the Buddha to other people. Now perhaps I understand why I wish for that. When I ask myself, what am I pursuing in life, I told myself maybe I should just be a caretaker.. Or a nurse. So that what I pursue, is to help people, and to improve the lives of some people.

As I ask myself this question, I kind of answer to my life's calling of who I want to be in the future.

I want to be someone who change the lives of others, for the better.

Thursday 23 January 2014

My trip back "home"

Hello everyone! I wanted to blog about my trip back to Singapore last night but err there was an electrical shutdown in my hometown just as I was about to blog so I didn't. Anyway It's been 3 days since I'm back in my hometown after my trip. When I arrived on Monday night I was so tired that I fell asleep the moment I reached home and slept for a straight 11 hours haha. Not sure why I was tired though. I had enough sleep actually.

Alright I'll begin with Friday!

So I reached Singapore at 7.45 PM on Friday and it was kind of delayed. I should have landed at 7.20 but well due to unforeseen circumstances I was delayed. I was supposed to meet Jeslyn, Adeline, Meng Fung, Weiqi and Neal for a Korean dinner at 9 PM, and I just left the airport at like 8.20 and yea was running late. It was made more hectic when I realised my phone ran out of balance and I had to scramble my way haha.

Reunited again!

Nevertheless I met them at 9.20 PM whew and we headed to 2D1N for Korean food! Been craving for my favourite Pajeon (onion pancake) and I got it double-satisfied by ordering Pajeon and Kimchi-jeon mwahaha. The rest of the food were awesome too like the Chicken stew and the deep-fried pork and chicken with the awesome sauce! After dinner (or supper) we made our way home and as for me, back to the hotel.

Saturday began early for me. I met Yiyin, Jesslyn and Ashley for breakfast at Chinatown. It's good to meet with them again! After like a long time (graduation!). I had Bakchor mee for breakfast and we were just sharing our stories about work, and Ashley about NS. Reminds me of our ITP days. Just that we're no longer dreading our FYP haha.

From Chinatown I made my way to Bedok to have lunch (more of snacks for me) with Syaz. Though we bumped with each other in August, it's also been a long time since we sat down for a chat together! It's good to hear that she's doing well in Uni and we're just exchanging stories about our lives. And also uhh about how annoying children can be cause of an incident at the place we ate hahaha. Inside joke.

First half of Saturday!
 
So after meeting Syaz I made my way to Lavender to meet Jolene, Sharon and Weilun. First stop was Windowsill on the Woods (right?) where we had awesome pie! Sad to hear that the kitchen wasn't opened yet and since the three of them were hungry we moved over to Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar for a great lunch. I would really love to try their coffee but I'm not willing to trade my gastric with them so yes :/ But anyway it's also been long since we talked together, since Jolene was in Aussie and Weilun was in army. So it's great to catch up with them again! Here's to more reunions okay :D
 
And I went to meet my Candy, Kai and Vithya in the evening for a drink at Holland! First stop was at Wala for their happy hours. Charmaine joined us for a while, before we left for Taboo. Sadly Taboo was playing uhh not-so-great music that night so we decided to leave for Clarke Quay where we had shots at Chupitos. Their Reese Peanut Butter shot was great, and also Paddle Pop! Best shot ever! Haha. Since Candy is leaving for Australia in Feb, and Vithya too in June, not sure when we can have a drink together again. Well, Saturday night was definitely a night we'll remember! :)
 
Last half of Saturday!
 
Sunday began early again with me having breakfast with Caihong at Tiong Bahru market! Had a plate of my favourite chicken rice there! It's been almost almost a year since we met. It's great to hear from you again :) Before meeting Brenda for lunch I went to Mangala Vihara again to join their Sunday service just like the good old days :) It's a place where I seek my weekly refuge on Sunday. And it sure brings back a lot of memories.
 
Met Brenda at Raffles City for a lunch at Skinny Pizza. Their English Breakfast pizza is really good. But their mushroom risotto tastes more like cheese risotto haha. Exchanging our life stories thus far is pretty exciting! Good to hear that Brenda has a few exciting things lined up for her! I wish you all the best for that alright :) We also went to the Magnum creation store thingy outside of Raffles City and made our own ice cream which is diviiine!
 
Sunday morning and afternoon with 2 lovely ladies
 
And then I rushed back to the hotel to put my stuff down and make my way to Esplenade to catch SPSB 37th MD! It's a great time reuniting with my batch mates after a really long time, and I must say that the concert was a splendid one! All my favourite songs, from my favourite composers, Shostakovich and Bert Appermont! Special mention to Jitxin for the wonderful Rhapsody in Blue for solo trumpet! And just wanna congratulate everyone for finishing this concert, especially the year 3s. You deserve it!
 
I know photography isn't allowed but oh well
 
And yup that's Sunday. For my last day in Singapore, which was Monday, I managed to complete my shopping in the morning before I manage to spend some time to catch a movie I've been wanting to watch which is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty! Yup I watched the movie alone which is fine haha. After the movie I went to Tanjong Pagar to meet Carmen and Tacy for a ramen lunch! Thank you for making your way to Tanjong Pagar for the lunch together! Good to see you again :) And lets meet again alright!
 
Monday monday
 
And that is all for my trip. Special thanks to Adeline for sending me off to the airport! :)
 
To be honest these 4 days didn't feel like a holiday to me at all. They felt like a normal weekend I used to have back in Singapore a year ago. A Friday night out with my secondary school clique, a Saturday out, which usually ends with a drink. Sunday affair at the temple, and where I usually catch band concerts on Sunday evenings. Well maybe it is because I spent so much years in Singapore that Singapore doesn't feel like a holiday destination for me.
 
But more of a second home :)
 
Alright that's all for me now. It was a great 4 days! As you can see it is a packed one too, but it's worth it! I met the people whom I planned to meet, done the things I planned to do, satisfied my cravings and watched a movie I wanted to watch haha. Alright, hope to see you again very soon Singapore!

Friday 17 January 2014

Going back once more :)

Hello hello, I should be sleeping actually because I am leaving for Jakarta's airport in like 4 hours time heh. Yup I'm coming back to Singapore! To do a few things, which the highlight is SPSB MDXXXVII! Can't believe the year 3 band members are finally having their graduation concert when it feels like yesterday when I welcomed them at FO camp, or the first few band pracs. Well it's a mixed of feelings I have for them because it makes me reminisce about my band days too. But feel happy because they've accomplished their 3 years band journey :)

And also I'll be reuniting with a few friends, some, who are leaving overseas for their studies. And honestly speaking, I don't know when else we can meet in the future. So I take this as a good chance to meet with them again, catch up, and wish them all the best for their future endeavors. I suppose we're all going on our own ways, like Dr Seuss would say we're all off to great places. So yup, I feel happy for them too! But must keep in touch alright :)

Well like I said last time going back to Singapore doesn't feel like a holiday. Although obviously I'm a tourist. But I'll always consider myself as a very Singaporean foreigner. Of course, because I spent 11 years studying there. But well, having back in my hometown for about 8 months now, a good break for the weekend is always welcomed. So time to wind down too.

Alright I will stop here I guess. I will update you about my trip back to Singapore. Wishing you a great weekend ahead! And to my friends in SG hope to bump with you okay :)

Sunday 12 January 2014

Emptiness

One day without my late dog feels pretty much empty. Everything around my house reminds me of her and it sucks, a lot. Like how I would feed her every dinner time, cause she would ask me for it. The red rug where she would sleep in the room. How she would sleep beside my room waiting for me to wake up, and join me for breakfast (where she'll ask for food, again).

But I let her go. I know I have to.

I was just watching documentaries about Buddhism and how impermanence is being brought to topic. Yet here I am, acting like as if I cannot accept impermanence. Well I have to. I come across with a Tibetan saying which goes like this:

"Your breath is now still. No warmth to your skin. Do not be afraid. Everyone before you has died. You cannot stay, any more than a baby can stay forever in the womb. Leave behind all you know, all you love. Leave behind pain and suffering. This is what death is."

Which I take from a video about Tibetan sky burial here: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylzMXJwCCpM

So yes, maybe that's how death feel like. But that sentence in the middle about us, not being able to stay any more than a baby can stay forever in the womb makes me shudder. How true is that. Everyone has their time, and my dog's time was last night. So I have to accept that because no one is born an immortal here. We have to go somewhere after this right.

Anyway it's been raining here and weather's getting really cold. The monsoon wind starts to blow which marks the arrival of Chinese New Year. Another Chinese New Year is coming and going. I think time's flying quite quickly. It's the 12th of January already! 

Big plans coming up this year. Big plans. Will make it happen because no one else will!

Friday 10 January 2014

Goodbye guk-guk

 Will miss you, you silly old girl

Today is one of the saddest days of my life. A day I wish would never come but definitely has to come. A day I wish would never arrive but definitely has to happen. Today I lost a great friend/girlfriend/old girl. Today my dog died, and I'm really saddened by it. We all know she has to go one day and that her time is coming, we just don't know when. And today was the day.

And the most sad thing is that she passed away when I was asleep arrghhh how dare she! :(

Today the vet came because her condition was getting worst. She was given antibiotics but well, I suppose she just didn't make it through. I feel really sad to see her condition and deep in my heart I know that she won't hold any longer. So I told her from the inside that if she wants to leave, then leave. If it's timer for her to go, I will let her go.

My dog (she's called guk-guk which is woof-woof in Indonesian) came about 7 years ago. She was a dog from somewhere near my house who loved to come by near our home. My mum began to give food to her, away from my house. But as time went by she braved herself and visited our house. After a few months of coming and going, my dog decided to make our house her new home. And of course we welcomed her with out hearts.

Years went by, she had sex with some other stray and gave birth to a few pups and we had to give some of them away cause we couldn't handle that many. 2 of them are still with us now. Guk guk condition was starting to get worst about last year when her abdomen gets bigger. The doctor said that she has fluid inside. We can do an operation on her but it was too risky. So just decided to give her medicine and try to keep her safe and healthy.

Sigh, I'm going to miss her a lot. Every night I would feed her and give her water. She would pop her head from under the table to me to ask for food or to be patted. When she's hungry she would go to the kitchen and wait for me to give her food. When she's thirsty she would stand near the water tap and expect me to give her a bowl of water. She would place her head on my lap and just stay there to ask for a pat. When the rain got heavy she would cower beside me or stay with me in my room. All these little things, will now be missed.

But I too, have to accept this. Because I have accepted the three principles of existence of Buddhism and one of them is impermanence. My dog has to die, when her time arrives. And it's her time to go today, so I have to accept this. I'm sure she's in a place now filled with all her favourite food and milk. She's free now and I'm glad to know that.

Goodbye guk-guk and thank you for everything. You will always be missed.

Saturday 4 January 2014

Happy Birthday Sigur Ros!

 4 years and counting
Takk!

It's the 4th of January, and so I learned a month ago that it's the day where Sigur Ros was formed 20 years ago! Wow, they've been making music since I was a baby! Haha, so here's me wishing you a happy birthday to the band! And thank you for all the wonderful music you've created, from the beginning up to this date. It's a pleasure to listen to them! :)

Although the band is 20 years old, I've only known them for 4 years now. Well kinda late I know, but those were the days where I was introduced, and where I enjoyed listening to Indie music. And like I blogged last time about how I found Sigur Ros accidentally, so yes, that's why it's kinda late. But like the good old saying, better late than never!

 With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly!

This band really changed my life so much. Never in my life have I actually become attracted and interested to a band in such a short period of time, for a long time. How I bought album after album, and just simply got interested with the band so much. Thankfully I managed to catch them live twice in my life! And I'm always wishing and praying for more concerts to watch :)

 May last year!

The band really changed my definition of music, and my perception towards music, and life in general. Their music accompanied me when I was alone, when I was sad, angry, happy and just... Me. So yes, to me great music are music which you listen to whenever and wherever. When you feel angry, sad, and happy and so on. Because great music makes you feel great too!

 "You gave me hope that turned into a disappointment... That's an alright start"

I have another dream and that is to meet the band members personally (and get their signatures!) haha but I'm not really a hardcore hardcore fan who would wait for them after concerts and so on. Maybe... Luck will bring us together somehow. I don't know. Heh. And I would love to visit their homeland, and listen to their songs walking along the streets and sights of their homeland.

Ah well, I'm just really glad to have known Sigur Ros.

Alright, I'll stop here. Here's another happy 20th anniversary to (in my opinion) the greatest band on earth, and here's to more more years of music-making and to more opportunities of catching them live mwahaha. Takk for the music!

Thursday 2 January 2014

Resolutions

 Quiet contemplation

Hello! Okay as promised I've thought of some of the new year resolutions so I'm going to share some of it here, because some are just for me to keep hehe. Well it's the general ones so year. I hope when this year ends, I get to look back on this post once again and tick all of these resolutions off! Well we'll see how but here goes!

Oh and I might to a bit of elaboration for some.

1. Blog often, and more. I'm going to make it a 100 posts and more this year!

As you can see I only blogged a total of 68 times this year and THAT IS DEPRESSING really. For someone who has been enjoying blogging for quite some time now. So to achieve this I'm going to blog at least twice a week. Not that difficult too right... So yes 52 weeks x 2 = 104 posts! And that's even a minimum. I'm going to have more of course.

2. Get a vinyl player

Just a random resolution/wish for this year hehe.

3. Do more of photography

As promised I will keep on doing what I love so yes, photography will be increased. I'm planning to start a project called project 365 where I will take a photo a day, be it with my phone or camera, and post it up on Facebook or my blog. What better way to record the year through photos right? And maybe I'm going to update it like once a week kind of thing hehe. And also I hope I get more photography jobs this year. Even if I have to do it for free.

4. If I can't lose weight, then I'm going to get a good body

Since I find it so difficult to lose weight, I'm going to train my body! There's a going to be a gym opening in my hometown and I hope to visit them often. Oh, and I hope to continue running too. Miss running so much! Looking forward to Sunday runs.

5. Be more creative, and art-loving or art-creating

I always enjoy writing poems and stories, or making videos and photography projects. So I'm looking forward to creating those this year. Maybe instead of blogging I can write stories and poems. I wanna make this year a meaningful one where I carve something out beautifully! Earth without art is just "eh". So yes. And oh not to forget my piano!

6. Which brings me to my next resolution - getting off-grid

I always spend that few hours before I sleep on the laptop, on the internet like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. I hope I can get off the grid. Maybe I can read books instead, or listen to music. I enjoy watching documentaries on Youtube though (Vice-subscriber here!) and so yea maybe I can watch documentaries instead. I'm going to have a small room for myself where I'll have my piano there. Hope I can make that my chill-room too.

7. Another random wish is to watch White Shoes And The Couples Company live

8. Hoping to run a marathon here! Back to square one, 10K will do.

9. Hoping to explore more places here.

10. Lets make 2014 the year of a better change. :)

And there are a few more which are unlisted here because they're mine to keep but well, you'll find out soon so yeah. Here's to making 2014 another fruitful year! As I said in my post 2 days ago, let's not have a gazillion things in your resolution. Just have a few and work towards it, make sure you get it done too! Not just do nothing about it. So the good thing about having not so many resolutions is that you get to really work on them and feel fulfilled! :)

Alrighty, have a great 2014 everybody!

PS: I wish I can go back to school today.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Happy New Year 2014!

 An alright start

Hello everyone, just wanna wish you a Happy New Year 2014! 2013 is gone now and we're stepping inside a new year. May this year be a greater year than the last, may this year be a better change too. I'm sincerely hoping for a better, brighter and wiser 2014 ahead of me. 2013 was a year of change, and I wish 2014 to be the year of a better change!

Still thinking of my resolutions for the new year. For now, I shall stop here.

Happy 2014 everyone! :)