Muffinz!

Went to meet Samuel Teo today. You've put on weight! Lolz... but you look better this way. =) And we got to have the Delicious Muffins! Yes, that's what the store is called. Got to know of it when Sam brought me there last year. Glad its still there. And Sam Teo, you have a nice voice lah. You can consider being a singer! Lolz... Anyway, glad we got to meet up again! =)

Watched "Money No Enough 2" with my sister. Lots of laughs inbetween, but the storyline is actually really sad - about growing old... maybe what my grandparents say does hold some truth... living too long might not be a good thing... most impt is to live a full life...

Mirror

Went to watch the movie "Mirror" today with Edison and Jiaming. Slightly scary... extremely grotesque and bloody. Then we were joined by Weidong and Zhengrong for dinner. Hung around orchard till 8 plus before heading home, only to leave again to meet my aunts who came from the US. Ironic... but at least I got a cake to eat as it was Aunt Laysun's birthday. Was craving cakes earlier.. lolz...

Anyway, think this is a damn cute picture. Ed's in white and i'm in black. He's smiling while I'm frowning. Totally didn't plan it. Only realized it when the pictures came out.. Lolz...

Taoist rituals

So my dad told me to extend my stay... partly to discuss about sch, but mainly, coz he wanted me to go to his temple =.=...

Went to buy flowers for him and I was surprised the flower store lady knew me! Apparently I helped Dm Tsung at a summer camp in singapore abt 4 years ago and one of the kids was probably hers. Ok... its really a small small world...

Chinese folk taoism is a really interesting religion. With all the gods, mediums, customs and superstitions. Today was the day they receive the 9 emperor gods into the temple, by bringing their statues to the river and then carrying them back on sedans that rock violently once the spirit is believed to be in the sedan.

Its a grand affair, with decorated vehicles leading the way and all.

Day 15 - Recruitment

My supposed last night in Singapore. Apparently, there has been some changes... its complicating...

Went swimming with Alvin and his friends today, and we got recruited by the head coach! She wanted us to compete for her club! Hahz... we told her we can't swim that fast anymore. She insisted on getting our contacts and gave us one year to train. Said she'll call next year when competition time comes. Diez... must start training... =P

Went dinner with Jeffrey at Holland V., and coincidentally, Alvin was meetin another group of friends there. So we kept running into each other! And I finally got introduced to Xiao Mei! Used to always run into her and knew she was alvin's friend through his blog, but never approached her. Now I know her, so next time, I'd be sure to go up and say hi! Lolz

Day 14 - Day with mom

Had a fun time with my mom and youngest sis today - hanging around town, shopping and eating. Been a long time since we did that.

Body's aching from badminton yesterday. Add on the 7 hours of shopping... its amazing how I still can move... Lolz. Need'ta rest.

The question still lingers... US or SG...

シンガポールの生命は複雑ですが、おれは、帰ったそうかもしれないだよね.
天を見放す、地獄へ入る
おれは何が考えっているか？
人間の頭はへんだな
おれもう。。。

Day 13 - Singapore or USA?

Played Badminton with Nathaniel in the morning. THou I was a lil tired even b4 the game, it felt good to break out a sweat. Went to visit the Singapore TCM college after, it was Huge! Well.. at least bigger than my current school and there are hundreds of patients! Which means... more people for me to stick needles into! Muahahaz! Lolz.. Went for my 2nd dental appointment after... so expensive.. gheez... finally got home around 5pm... Shag...

Got to talk to Gabrielle today too! Argh! I miss u!!! Lolz... so glad to finally find someone who feels the same way... if I really choose Singapore... U must must must! Come here and visit! If usa... u must go there too! Lolz...

So How... where should I study? Singapore or USA? Sigh... Singapore, I get to learn more and its recognized world wide and i can be with my family and friends... USA... I get to practice buddhism, practice right livelihood... become a hermit saint, and probably go to heaven after that... Lolz... So how? Sg or USA? Lolz...

Tired

Things have been going too fast for me lately...
I barely have had the time to stop and catch my breath and think about what am I doing...
With 2-4 hours of sleep per night for the past 10 nights... My body's kind of breaking down...
Thou its been fun meeting and catching up with so many people, its getting a lil tiring as well...
4 more days....
Should I go all out? Or just slow down and stop?
I'm thinking of the latter..

Day 10 -Time

Met up with Zhuping in the afternoon, then after dropping him off school, I went to visit my Grandpa. He just had a bad IBS case and had to go to the hospital. My grandma and some of my other relatives joined us later for dinner too. My grandma had just recently recovered from surgery as well and has lost lots of weight in the process. Both of them are already in their seventies... and in the years that I have been overseas, i have missed out on so much - time that I could have spent with them... they're aging really fast and the topic over dinner was about how much more years they might have left... sigh... such a depressing topic but yet a fact of life...

I stayed a lil longer than I intended... as I really missed them... so was late in meetin up with Jeffrey... Sorriez Bro! Made u wait so long... but i'm glad I got to meet u after... lifted me up alot from my emo-ness... Lolz... Didn't really wan to leave but too bad the time for the last train came all too soon... Time waits for no one... Treasure every single moment....

Anyway, here's some really cool pics Alvin took during my birthday party:

Day 9 - KTV!!!

Had a another really awesome day today! Met up with Alvin Lee at 4pm to go for Lu Guang Zhong's concert at Toast Box in Causeway Point! Thou he looks funny, he has an extraordinary voice and sings really really good songs!

Following that, followed him to Timbre for buffet dinner with his friends and got to meet up with Weyman as well! And was introduced to Chia Meng, Wei Dong, Winston, Edison, Pierre and Venes. Venes is just this really really hyper girl! Lolz... she was so funny throughout the whole night.

Following dinner, we decided to go to KTV to sing songs! Chia Meng, Wei Dong and Winston had to leave, but we were joined by Strider! Kept singing till the place closed. Got out and realized it was raining and I didn't bring my car over. So we had to take a taxi to my car, and then I drove some of them home from there. Finally got home at 5am.... But I really enjoyed myself... Thanks everyone! Especially Venes! Lolz... You are one hell of a girl! Lolz... And Thanks Alvin, for asking me along =)

Day 8 - 3 SIR 12th Mono!

Had breakfast with Keith this morning, then went to Vivo today with my sister Jolanda, followed by meeting up with Alan and Jaycas to celebrate my birthday again! After eating, we were gonna head over to Sentosa when Alan realized that he had lost his wallet. Spent the next 2 hours searching and canceling his credit cards. As he was giving up on all hope, I told him to check the info counter again, and that miracles do happen. And a miracle did happen! Lolz... The moment he stepped in front of the counter, his phone rang - someone had returned the wallet. That is why I said to Jaycas, prayers do get answered. And I've experienced that many times...

Met up with my fellow commaders from 3 SIR 12th Mono batch at 6pm for dinner at Marche! Pretty expensive but it was great to see everyone again! We had almost the entire group back! Officers and Specs. Really really cool! And of course, conversation centered on our NS days again. Good memories they were, thou sometimes painful... lolz...

Following dinner, we were wondering where to go. So we tried Arab St., didn't work out. Moved to Prinsep St. after to watch soccer, but the only drink was beer and the game wasn't even that interesting. So finally we settled at the famous Selegie Soyabean Curd Store. Good Food! Sigh so gonna grow fat! After that, Siyuan, one of my fellow soldier from 11th mono asked me out as well for Pratas! When I told him that I'm eating too much... his respond was: "Fat is cute" -.-... I can't go thou, sorries... too much food!

Managed to catch the last bus back to Marcus' house and from there got a ride home! Thanks man! Finally got home at about 1:30am. Yet another really late night!

Day 7 - 24 years Young!

Get it right! Its 24 years young! Not 24 years old! Lolz... Anyway, had a really really fun birthday! To all my friends who attended... you guys are the best! May we always stay in contact! And our friendship always grow and grow and grow over the years! Thanks for coming! Luv y'all alwayz!!!


Blowing the candles and cutting the cake. So many cakes! Muahahaz! I shall think about the growing fat part later... Lolz... Thanks John Lim for the photos! =)


Cutting the tiramisu that my son made! As per Johnathan Lim, it really does look like muah chee... Lolz! Don't worry lah son! It was a good try! Don't be disheartened! Lolz... At least it was the most memorable event of the evening! Lolz... Everyone who ate it had the same respond - "cough! cough!" Lolz

Day 6 -Yay! I'm still young! Lolz

Woke up early again to meet my new personal banker. Such a coincidence, my previous banker got promoted and this new one managed to catch me while I am in Singapore. Young chap... I think younger than me... but trying to sell me insurance... lolz... Nahz... its not my thing...

Met my mom and grandpa for lunch after. He talked to me about how everyone now is career minded and how people are putting careers before family, with many choosing to stay single... Scary thought... but was thinking... I'm not really that young anymore... turning 24 tml... gheez...

Picked up my "son" from school after and we went to buy ingredients to make his tiramisu. And when we got to the alcohol sector, I was warned by the auntie there that I was too young be drinking! Lolz!!! I was so happy! Hahaaz... My son couldn't stand me as I was laughing all the way.. hahz... I'm 6 years over the drinking age! Lolz...

We made the cake at my place, not sure how it's gonna turn out. Following that, I went to my god mum's place after to finalize the food order for tml, and also taught them to cook a new dish which I wanted but I don't think is common in Sg - Lemon grass tofu! Lolz... After a few experiments, the taste was a success! My 24th birthday tml... sigh... wonder how it'll be like... another digit added to my age...

Day 5 - Body going haywire

After 4 days of marathon meet ups, I think my body is reaching its limit. Started feeling a lil dizzy last nite and during my morning meditation, I felt as if i was floating... body's going haywire... Lolz... But I still got up at 7am and went out with my dad. Went to meet the legal advisor to the Singapore TCM board 1st followed by the Director of the TCM free clinic, also chatted with some of the local TCM doctors... They all had the same answer... go to China... sigh... how.. what should I do?...

Finally got home at around 3pm, feel kind of dysfunctional today. Lolz... so decided to stay home and just rot. Made the order for the food on friday... Its gonna be catering.. yeah... my original plan to cook has been canceled due to lack of time.. Dad had arranged something earlier for me to do... So who's coming this friday? Its gonna be about 7:30pm onwards. My place.

Had sort of resigned the fate of my day to staying at home and rotting away when my bro Jeffrey came down all the way from Bukit Batok to hang out! We met up with Alvin Lee and went for supper together till almost 2am again! lolz...

Thanks bro... for everything... I'm so glad to have u in my life =)

Day 4

Another long but fulfilling day. Went over to Nanyang Technological University at 12 to meet Justin, one of my fellow commander during NS for lunch. Was getting some videos of our training days from him. Too bad there aren't many photos taken while I was there... it was all after I left. Hung out with him till 3pm before I met up with Nathaniel in between his break hours.

Stayed on at NTU to do some translation work and meeting Nat once again at 4:30pm before I left to the National University of Singapore to meet Zhuping! We went for dinner at Holland Village after and then just hung around till 10pm to meet up with my bro Jeffrey! Lolz... lots of meetings today. And we went for supper... lots of eating too... lolz...

Sent Zhuping home at around midnight, then just hung around the Westside with Jeff till about 1:30 am before reaching home at 2am. Another 12 hour marathon of staying out... Lolz... Really tired, but really happy! Heez...

Thanks... for spending time with me... =)

Day 3

Went for my dental appointment today. My teeth is still pretty good! Heez... Met up with Johnathan Lim after, my fellow OCS mate during our officer training days. Went to the famous Guan Yin temple in town to ask questions through divination sticks. This temple is famous for that and gives pretty good answers. And I just found out that one of the 3 statues there is a statue of Hua Tou! The Sage of Medicine! I was surprised as this was the temple that I came to ask for guidance when I first decided to study Chinese Medicine. Strange indeed... strange indeed... Too bad photo taking is prohibited inside... Met up with my son Keith after and we just hung around Bugis till about 10pm

Day 2

Another fully packed day. Met my mom for breakfast at 0830am, following that, went to meet up with Alvin Lee for his Canoepolo competitions at 11am. Too bad he didn't get 1st place, but 3rd place is still pretty good. Was joined by Marcus at 2:30pm. We hung out till 5pm before I drove to my god mum's house to pay them a visit and also to get a hair cut! Now I look like a lil boi.... =.=..

At 6:30pm, went to meet up with my dad and sisters for a dinner and they celebrated my birthday in advance as my dad will be busy on the actual day. Then I met up with Jaycas and Alan and 9:30pm. They said they wanted to bring me clubbing as I seldom go to such places. The place was pretty cool, alot of people and all, and best of all, it was no smoking! Lolz... back in the days, clubs used to be filled with smoke. It was really fun hanging out with my 2 bros... but I don't know why, either the music's not good, or I'm too tired, but clubbing doesn't seem that fun to me anymore... Kind of meaningless shaking to music... hmm... mayb... its just that... I'm growing old... Lolz...Finally got home at 3am... Another long day...


Pic 1: Alvin Lee being referee for the final match
Pic 2: Jaycas and Alan

Day 1 in Singapore!

Left for the Airport straight after my Meridians Finals. Had a really fun flight back to Singapore. Was sitting beside this Japanese Lady and her really cute son! And we conversed in Japanese all the way for the whole Journey talking about places we visited and all. As the flight was delayed, I finally arrived Singapore at 1am and there was my dad, Aaron, Andre, Yong Chao and Jeffrey! Thanks bros! for waiting all the way...

Following that, we went for supper where we were joined by Brandon, Gerald, Warren and 2 other friends of Aaron. Hung out till 4am before going back home and I chatted with Jeff till about 5 before turning in. Woke up at 7am and went for breakfast with Jeffrey before sending him to the airport. Lolz... I'm back in the airport within the same day. And we just hung out there till 12 where he had to leave for boarding.

Went to meet Aaron after at 1pm and we went swimming at NYP's pool. Were joined by Brandon and another friend of his. Basically floated around till 5pm. 4 hours in water... Sunburned on day 1... lolz

Got back home at 6pm where I accompanied my Grandma till about 7pm when she had to leave for a dinner.

Finally after 33 hours without sleep.... I crashed... had to cancel the night activity. But it was 33 hours of really precious moments... Thanks everyone.


Pic 1: Jeffrey and me at the airport... yeah.. my hair's in a mess...
Pic 2: The front yard of my house. Really nice to just sit there and listen to the water falling...

Medical Interview Mistakes

Medical Theory and Herbology finals Over! All that's left is Meridians... The most difficult one... Sigh

Anyway, my teacher gave us a list of mistakes in medical interview records made by past doctors and paramedics so that we can learn from them and avoid doing the same thing. Its important to have good language skills even as a doctor esp when you're dealing with peoples lives! Here are some of them:

"The baby was delivered, the cord clamped and cut and handed to the pediatrician who breathed and cried immediately" (Erm.. so where's the baby now?)

"She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989 when she got a divorce" (Poor lady.. she must've had a sad sad life...)

"I saw your patient today who's still under our car for physical therapy" (I believe its care, not car? Else the patient wld need emergency care instead of therapy...)

"The patient lives at home with his mother, father and pet turtle, who is presently enrolled in day care three times a week" (I didn't know they had day care for pet turtles! I wan to send mine there too! Lolz)

"Bleeding started in the rectal area and continued all the way to Los Angeles" (That's a looooong way!)

"She is numb from her toes down" (Erm... what's beneath the toes?)

"While in the emergency room, she was examined, X-rated and sent home" (Poor lady, she was not PG-13)

"Patient was alert and unresponsive" (SO which IS It?)

Flu..

The BBQ was fun. Lots of people attended and the food was great! I even met this girl whom I met in a conference in 2002. She still remembered my name! Lolz... My sister and cousins dropped by too. Went back home after and was overwhelmed by my fever. Couldn't do anything so I took some Yin Qiao San and just laid in bed the whole day. Hopefully I'll recover soon... Gotta study for my exams now...

Burnt out from school, Burning up from flu... yet still going for a BBQ

For the entire year that I've been here, I haven't fallen ill at all. Now that I'm all geared up for my finals and ready to head back home to Singapore... I come down with a flu =.=... And worst of all, there's a free BBQ event today at Lakewood Park! And all my friends are going! Sigh... What bad timing... I'm still gonna go! Probably drop by some herbal store later to create some concoctions to balance it out. So not gonna let my flu dampen my fun.

Earthquake

Spent the whole day at Berkeley today trying to study, didn't get much accomplished. Was observing Dr. Jinying as she worked and she told me to stop holding on to my books and observe and practice! Lolz... She said that medicine is alive and memorizing the books is a dead thing ans useless. How I wish my school feels that way too... Lolz.

Stayed on for Marty's lecture in the evening, as interesting as ever. And when we were talking about not getting attached to the "vehicle" we take as our practice, the ground shook, as if in agreement... Lolz.. Had a minor earthquake. Hopefully its just that and not some warning for a bigger one to come...

Finals week...

Medical theory finals over! Just 2 more and its Singapore here I come! Can't wait... really really missed everyone back home...

Been spending the whole day studying herbology at school today. Went for a farewell gathering after for some of our classmates who decided to leave the program. Yup.. its the 1 year burnt out point. 3 more years to go... will I survive this long journey?


The Charmed Onez! Lolz... Kristine, Amanda and Max. Both Kristine and Max are leaving the program... sob sobz...

Nicole, Jill, Ann and Me! And Lisa doing her hair by the side... Lolz

I-House

Got a call from my sis Jolyna. She got into the International House of UC San Diego! And its all thanks to... mua! Hahz... Helped her cram out the personal statement for the application. I haven't lost my college writing skills! Muahahz... Glad she got in... should be fun. I never got to live in dorms before.. sigh... but its all good... give and take. I guess I can take my camp life as my substitute for the dormitory experience.. Lolz

Gankutsuou

Finished another anime series - Gankutsuou, an anime inspired by the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo." I haven't read the novel yet but the story line in the anime is amazing! About trust and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge, nobility and and the commoner, peace and war, love and hate, freedom and fate... in short... really really good! Lolz...

In the afternoon, Sandy and David came over to hang out and so we basically just chilled, had tea, cookies and chatted till midnite... just like the ole days in Berkeley.