Some songs for you to enjoy! ^^

Okay just wanna break the 666 chain. Oh gosh can't believe I'm so superstitious -.-

Anyway here are some awesome songs I discovered in the weekend! Enjoy and relax~



This song, I've been looking for it for the past 3 years. I FINALLY FOUND IT!

And also....



And this song, just takes me to some coastal area of Vietnam.... So blissful and relaxing! Glad to have found this song! :D

Alright relax, unwind and enjoy!

One hundred and sixty

The new Clementi bus interchange!

Amazing and funny, how much time could fly huh? :)

Okay I know I'm not a Christian. But this is my 666th post... Spooky! Haha. Anyway well spooky, unlucky or whatsoever, today was an awesome day! Seriously haha. I guess superstition get a better of me.

Started the day with a 4K run! Believe it or not, yes! A morning run haha. Well I felt really guilty for not running the entire of last week. So I've decided to run in the morning :D Woke up at 8.30 and then I started running at 9. At first I just wanna run 2K, but I've decided to push myself further and bingo, that's a 4. I felt really good cause after the run, I felt really refreshed and hyped up! What an awesome way to start the week :)

Then I left for school after taking a bath and packing up. Today I took 7 to Clementi. Hmm, the bus interchange has finally made a move to the new location. Well it's much better cause it's aircon-ed! And it looks very stylish and nice. Except... The berths are kinda confusing. Like there's a berth with only one bus, I was kinda shocked, I thought I went to a wrong berth.

Time flies huh. I've been witnessing three phases of the Clementi interchange for the past 9 years of my life. IT began to move to the temporary interchange when I was in sec 1, I remembered. It was a few days before my China trip. So it has been there for like about 4 years now. The temporary interchange holds many sweet memories. It holds a sentimental value to me. Well I've been going there for almost everyday during my secondary school days. Of course, it's like my best friend :)

So well, au voir the temporary interchange :) Time goes on, and everything changes according to it.

School was alright I guess. Didn't know it was raining quite heavily in the afternoon when it was so hot in the morning. I ended up freezing outside. The wind was kinds strong and it's quite scary heh. The rain was super heavy! Out of a sudden! :O

After class went for KK stairs training! Only 9 of us were there. Well of course, with MSTs around the corner, everyone would start studying too eh. Thankfully my MSTs are splitted two-two in this week and next. So I kinda can cope with the load (I promise I'll study after this!). So we climbed 160 storeys (40x4!). The feeling was really awesome. We push one another and we help one another. Endorphins overload heh.

It's good how we all started with 3, then we increase to 4. I myself couldn't believe that I've accomplished that. But yeah sure, I think my fitness level went down quite badly with one week of no training :O But it's great to do it again! I guess life's like that. We gotta one step at a time. Before we can walk, crawl. Before we can run, walk. Before we can leap, jump. And before we can fly.... Drink red bulls.

Okay just kidding, but you get it right? :)

Alright! That's all for the day. I'm ready to tackle immunology part 2~ :D Here I come! Come to daddy :)

Hope I can break that barrier, pretty pretty soon

Let the rain

Sometimes we can't deny that we're weaker than others.

But never, ever, think that we can never do the things those people can do.

Sigh, the weather has been unsupportive of me running. It's official that I didn't run at all this week :/ And my freaking marathon is next week! Argh hope my body is still conditioned. Well thanks to the KK training, I hope that somehow helps me to condition and prepare my body as well. Thinking if I should run tomorrow morning (provided I can wake up). Like maybe just around PV. Or go to the track. Hmm...

Anyway today I wanted to run at about 5. Then at 4.23 it started.... POURING. Like literally. Just a gush of sudden rain and wind. Kinda scary. So I lay on my bed to wait and I fell asleep. Gahh. But anyway I woke up at 6.30 (which was rather dark already) and the rain hasn't stopped. So I guess there's no point waiting. But hey I had an awesome nap! Heh :P

Then I cooked dinner. Yummy, pork chop (no worries it's the lean cut so very little fats) accompanied by mushroom and carrot mash, served with a cider reduction. Sounds so posh? Well it's not really posh but it sure does taste very yummy. Hmm well my guardian has re-furbished the kitchen. Instead of 4 stoves now, there are only 3. And she's very critical about the splattering oil. I guess you can't really help it no? I don't know but I find there wasn't any oil splattering with the old stove. Or I guess it's just me :P

After dinner, I did a 30 minute work out to replace my run today. Not bad! Weights, push ups, squats, bridges. All 3 sets each. Felt so hyped up now, especially I'm listening to Coldplay's newest album now (Y). Really awesome album they got there. I've always loved Coldplay. They're songs are in some way unique, and in one way uplifting! Been a fan of them since like sec 1? :P

Alright I guess that's all for now. I wanna bathe and then continue with my work. Such a sad fact but oh well. Not really sad, but now Sundays are really used for working. Last sem it was Saturday, now I changed it to Sunday. Well with school starting at 12 tomorrow, I guess there's no wrong in doing that so :)

Lots of tests this week. I can do this! :D
PS: I've shaved my head again (Y). This time number 2 though, so not so short.

Photo

Well as you can see from my previous post, I've been shortlisted (or my photo I mean) for the IFDPC (International Friendship Day Photography Competition) finals! So basically I submitted my photos, let people vote, top 30 photos will pass through the voting round and will be shortlisted for the judges to judge on and choose. And.... The verdict says....

I won the merit prize under the activity category! :D


I feel really happy after hearing my name from the announcer! Well actually I have no intention of winning. I just submitted my photos in hope for people to vote and who knows what the outcome is. Having my photo displayed there is enough to make me happy! Now that I took the merit prize as well, I feel doubly happy haha. It's pretty awesome. It's my first "large scale" photography competition so getting a merit prize is awesome enough I guess! :)

Anyway congratulations to Jasmine as well! Cause she won merit prize under activity too! :D Her shot is really awesome too! Not forgetting, to all winners and contestants of the photography competition as well! In one way or another, we all have contributed to the event and we all should be proud of it yes! :)

Well I've always told myself. Expect nothing, just do your best. In one way or another, something greater will be returned to you. Even though this "something" comes from within you. To me, like joy. After I've heard the result that I won the merit prize, I feel happy. And in the bus, after pondering about more things, I feel even happier. In a way... Like I'm given better and bigger prizes from the competition - Joy, memories, stories.

Let me show you the photo which I submitted, which is also the Editor's favourite.

-Sunset Joy-

For we cherish our hard work and friendship, through the planting of 1133 fir trees in Inner Mongolia, China. With the sunset, joining in the celebration.

This photo was taken by me after we finished digging our holes for the trees. I can remember still, the sky was kinda cloudy and I was thinking "Oh man no nice sunset to celebrate our end of diggings". Then at the end of the day, the sky just turned yellow and quite clear. Everyone decided to get up to the railway track (yup that's a railway track by the way) and I decided to help them snap a shot. And here it is.

You know, when I saw this photo being displayed under the "Editor's choice" panel, I just felt this unexplainable sense of joy and pride. Well not only because my photo has been chosen, but I'm even prouder with the fact that I was there to take this photo, and also to actually know the story and memories behind this photo. A photo is not a photo when there's no story behind it. Well that's what I believe.

I came up with this today:

"It's not the prize, it's not the fame. Not the pride and not the competition that matter. What truly matters is the story and memories behind that the photo holds"

When I saw this photo just now, a wave of memories just rushed through in my head. It was as if the whole scene, in Duolun, just appeared in front of my eyes. Even tough in front of me is this black board with tiny photos on them. I guess this is how much this photo means to me. In a sense, I love this photo because it captures, it freezes, it stops the moment, that moment, we had after we finished digging.

It replays the memories I have about the trip. It restarts the feeling I was feeling during that particular moment of time. It just takes me to a place where I was once at, without moving a single step.

This is the reason why I love photography.

Photographs are boats which I used to sail the sea of memories that time forbids me to travel back. I'm pretty grateful that I have the love and passion for photography. Thankful enough to own a camera to capture these moments which are never retrievable back. It lets me travel back through time, without physically moving. But mentally walking.

Photos in one way or another evoke feelings on me. To me, my definition of a great photograph is something that evokes emotions. Be it sadness, happiness, anger or etc. It touches your heart, not only your eyes and your mind. Well it can keep you thinking, But not all photographs have the ability to touch your heart. 

Here's another photo which was displayed.

-Game of yo-yo in Duolun-

It’s a cold autumn evening. And some kids are playing yo-yo at Duolun in Inner Mongolia, China. Life’s simplest pleasure which is seemingly lost in today’s world. Sometimes I envy these kids, who are able to enjoy such simplest and at the same time, joyous pleasure

This was also taken in Duolun, while I was walking around. If I'm not wrong it was the 2nd day of digging when we went back earlier due to bad weather (which somehow somewhat it was fine and clear in Duolun -.-). These kids were just playing their games of yo-yo and I decided to take a picture of them. They look so happy and blissful. It's just a yo-yo, while kids here, nowadays, indulge themselves in iPhones, iPods, PSP and this and that. 

To me this photograph teaches me something - to not take life for granted. I seriously feel envious of these kids. They are able to enjoy such simple pleasures, while I'm here, looking for those simple pleasures. So I guess, we ought to take some good breaks in life. It's not about being the best, having the best, going for the best. Somehow at the end of the day, simplicity brings us back to where we're supposed to be.

Ah, what a long post huh. Anyway I just want to use this opportunity to thank everyone who has voted for my photo, and to SPP for holding this competition. To all the organisers of the IFD and to all students involved in it. To my awesome GT members for being my models in the first photo, and also for giving me those wonderful memories we all spent in Duolun for that lovely 10 days.

To my dearest girlfriend, A230, for being there with my eyes to capture those moments (muacks). To those kids from Duolun who were playing their yo-yos haha! To Green Desert project by Asian Journeys and SP, for allowing me to step into Inner Mongolia. Without this, I will never be able to take these two shots.

Most ultimately, to Duolun itself. That beautiful town where I shot both of my photos at. Thank you for the wonderful memories you have given me, which I always keep in my heart. For letting me take these two scenes, which teach me lots of new things. 

Thank you.

On Cloud 9

Okay just a short post to say...

I got short listed for IFDPC (International Friendship Day Photography Competition) finals! Tomorrow will be the release of result so I'm SUPER DUPER excited! :D 

I won't be going for tomorrow's training :/ Cause I really really want to be part of the finals! Haha. But I won't be missing the trek on Friday! :)

My first ever "large-scale" photography competition so... How can I not be excited! :D

Alright see you! Hoping to hear some good news tomorrow :D

40th Storey heaven

Rainy Monday afternoon

And the road is empty

But please do drive with care

Whew, today was kinda awesome! Alright I guess except for the part of the day where... We got bombed during clinical Biochem presentation . It's not really we but more of me! Haha. Why do they love lipids so much T_T but I guess we pulled the presentation off, well! Even though we lack of tests and that we have so little differential diagnoses, I guess we're kind of good. As seen from Sam's tweet, it's our 8th presentation. Time flies huh :/

That's for the Cchem, and I guess that's all for the day since we only have one lesson. Oh yeah let me break the news... I'm selected for OITP! Either Harvard of Stanford. But I really wish I can go to Stanford cause it's about Bioimaging! I went to the Nikon Bioimaging centre with Syaz and Yiyin last year. And I was really interested in how they are working etc. And of course, I love microscopy too! I think it's just awesome seeing those cute and lovely bacteria and virus and cells. Okay life of a science student...

Well we'll see, I feel thankful to have been chosen though :) Sometimes I wonder why am I the chosen one. Dr Tan mentioned about reviews from the other lecturers so... I'm grateful for that I guess :)

Anyway after school went back home first, cause I was supposed to borrow bag from DSD. But Zaki will be passing his to me tomorrow! Thanks a lot Zaki! :D Owe you something. So I guess I don't have to worry about bags. I wanted to buy but was wondering if it's worth the investment and the money as well. But I'm grateful that Zaki has agreed to lend it to me so yup! I guess can save some bucks to buy other things :)

Went back to school after changing my gears and "topping up" my bag's weight. Heh I cheated today. My bag is 8Kg :/ Couldn't fine anymore way to increase the weight even though I already put 2 dumbells of 2 Kg inside, 2 one litre bottle and more heh. But I guess it's better than nothing :P So we headed to the block again, and this time we did the time trial. 3 x 40 storeys!

My group consisted of Alvin, Warda, Zahin, Monika, Clement and me! We did an average of about 10 minutes to go up which I think is pretty good :D Good job guys! Glad that we're all able to push ourselves and finish the time trial. And Clement was just awesome, he sprinted from like 2nd to 10th storey? OMG, wish I could do that! :)

Well KK is in front of us soon, pretty soon. With these trainings and the support we gave to each other, I'm pretty sure we can reach the top! :) But well, I really hope we get to bond with each other more so yup. I think we're there soon to break the ice. We're there pretty soon! :)

Alright I'm going back to work, see ya all!

Some things don't come twice in life
Either you take it or you don't
And I'm taking it.

Go Do

And the day comes to an end

The last day of the year is coming

Time is short, life is short

Make full use of it

Go Do!

I'm somehow, falling in love again with Jonsi's Go Do. Well actually I've been in love with the song. It's one of the rarest songs which I  would get instant endorphins whil and after listening to it. Well it's quite of a bizarre phenomenon but yeah, seriously, his songs make me happy. Maybe the hyped-up beat, may be the melody, may be the words, I just love it!

Anyway today was alright I guess. We presented on haematology! Like finally. Well cause two weeks ago, I was so well prepared for the case 1 presentation . Then ended up we're only required to present some parts. Oh well, I was a bit down then but today we presented the whole thing! How awesome :) And school was okay I guess, I was a bit high during Biostat for some apparent reason. No idea why.

Yesterday it was my first time hiking to Bukit Timah! We had our training there and we did a time trial. Whew, not as easy as I thought, but definitely an awesome training for all of us. We begin with a small trek for about 45 minutes (or lesser I think). Then we start our time trial. Well it's not a time trial which requires us to climb the whole BT but it's of a certain height which is rather challenging! Wow! :)

I'm pretty happy with myself cause I didn't stop. I mean well yeah I did stop but it was only for a few secodns. To wipe my sweat, to just tell myself I can do this, then continue the climb. I mean even though we're climbing staircases, it's not those regular ones but actually of quite a long height! I feel proud of my team too, during the trial we patted each other's back and support one another. Even though it's a time trial and that we "don't have to wait for our friends", support is still support. It's amazing how pat on my bag can boost my morale :)

Well I suppose it's true what they say. When you're up there, it's not you versus the terrain. But more of you versus yourself. No matter how hard the terrain will be, as long as you keep on fighting with your negative thoughts, the hike can just be a stroll in the park. And of course, as easy as a stroll in the park can get, it can feel like a full marathon when you're not just into it.

It's all in the mind :)

Anyway today I am supposed to have my 2.4 test, but it was pushed to tomorrow. Thanks a lot, cause my leg is still aching from yesterday's climb! No idea how to remove it :/ done stretching and stuff but still there. So with my 2.4 removed, I decided to... Walk home from school! Well this is my 2nd time walking home, and this time round I know the directions and stuff. The first time was really -.- just walking round and round.

Well didn't really walk home. In fact I walked from Dover all the way to Jelita (cause I need to buy stuff for dinner). Truly enjoyed the walk, perhaps I should do this more often. Thankfully I wasn't caught in the rain. And in fact, it didn't rain at all even though the clouds were so dark and gloomy.

On the side note, look what I found while walking home!

This was just found randomly on a pathway, someone must have carved it or something like that. It's carpe diem! Which in latin means seize the day :D I learnt this from my history teacher Mr Andy haha! 

Well I guess the walk I had today pretty much taught me something valuable. Life is short, there's just too little time to doubt yourself and to enclose yourself in your comfort zone. Get out of it, explore the world, and seize the opportunity. Seize the day and make full use of everything in it. Time is ticking my friend, remember we don't have much time left so enjoy it!

Funny how I never come across this before, even though I've been passing that path for a long time already (it's near the place I love to run). See? If I didn't walk home today, I wouldn't have seen this :)

Get the moral?