Imperfections.

The world is marred by imperfections. The blemish on your skin, the dead leaf on the tree. Yet, in all it's imperfections is a system perfected over time. On a macro scale, the little imperfections make nature relatively perfect. If it were not for mutations to DNA, there would be no variation and there would be no selection of the fittest. Every mechanism works in tandem. Gaudi, the Architect of Sagrada Familia, a basilica that has taken more than a lifetime to complete and well, is still pretty much incomplete, knew this well. The cathedral featured sinewy columns and organic shapes. In all the twists, the flow, the cathedral was an architectural marvel. The weight distribution was done so in a very different way from previous Gothic designs. Gaudi understood nature. It is nature to have imperfect shapes. I have spoken much but made little a point. Well, it is pretty simple. Imperfections, you just have to view them in a different light.

The Maid Trade - Singapore

Before the 8th of February.

I plan to create a painting depicting what I feel about Singapore's political scene and probably a video about youth issues.

Gone. All gone.

One day you are going to wake up to find that everything you hold dear is gone. You lead a life of superficiality; like a plant that has not sunken it's roots deep into the soil. One day the winds will come and uproot you. I feel strangely empty. What I know, what is constructed around me seems so paper thin, so fragile.

Satisfaction.

Are we never satisfied? The consumerist society we live in today is a striking example or want over need. America's consumption has ballooned over the decade, first 60 percent now 70 percent of US GDP comprise of consumer expenditure. Discontented with what we have, we seek for more. Indeed this is an attribute of progress, the search for the greater, however when is enough enough? Living life on excess.

Consumerism aside, have I plateaued? It seems like despite the want to achieve good grades - mind you this is not of those pragmatic-type of achievements whereby education = success, but rather more of a benchmark to say, 'I have come thus far, now push forth.' - I seem to not put in as much work as I ought to. I am regressing.

My thoughts are messed up.

Tweed

Like woven mats, how intricate tweed is. Much like life if you put it in perspective.

'Plop' another marble dropped out of the boy's bag. The hole the netting had been there since a few weeks back but the boy did little to fix it. It has only gotten bigger and now, it is gaping. He watched the marble roll away. Down, roll, bounce, down. The marble descended the steps. He has lost so many marbles and was down to his last. What is the point of saving that one that just fell out, you can't play with only 1 more left. As he watch the glass sphere bounce off the steps, he remembered the first time he bought the sack of marbles. He took 2 weeks to save up for that sack and when he finally had the money to buy the marbles,he lost his wallet. Relentlessly, he saved for another 2 weeks before finally buying what he had desired. The sheer joy of finally obtaining what he had planned for continued for days. However as the days grew by, the less he remembered of the marbles. Day by day, until one day, he realised a hole was forming in the netting. Yet, he brushed it aside. The hole grew and grew and the boy started losing marbles. Initially, he'd pick the fallen marbles up and put it in his pocket. But, as time past, the less bothered he was. 'Crack', the boy snapped out of his thoughts. The marble had hit the wall and it broke. He was down to his last marble. The boy got up clutching the marble in his hand and went home to sew the netting. It may be his last marble, but he should never forget what the marble gave him. It gave him hours of fun. He decided that he will save this last marble and cherish it. After all, it stuck with him when the bullies came to steal his lunch money. It helped him past time when everyone avoided him. He swallowed the marble.

GP 2009

Fashion is as much a good thing as a bad thing. To what extent do you agree?

The world of fashion is rather polarising. On one end of the spectrum you have fashion worshippers who would grow pale upon hearing the death of Alexander McQueen. On the other, we have detractors who abhor what fashion perpetrates. Fashion has been slammed for the industry’s use of sweatshop labour, for negatively impacting the image of women. Critics scream vanity when they speak of fashion. It is sad to say this multi-million dollar industry has much negative connotations to it. However, whilst criticising fashion, we must recognise what fashion has brought to society, what it stands for. By the very virtue of being one of the most pervasive players in popular culture, fashion has left quite a mark in the developed world. Fashion is a reflection of individuality; it is a reflection of an individual’s need to have an image. It is inspirational in nature, both to the wearer and designer. It is an industry that has fuelled world-leading economies. Fashion has added colour and life to the developed world, into the cities. It is no wonder why New York, London, Tokyo and Paris are coincidentally both financial and fashion capitals of the world. I for one feel strongly that fashion is as much as a good thing as it bad.

It is easy to say that fashion industry is another capitalist venture to exploit society. The industry has been so diverse that it has created different markets to cater for the different groups of society. Take the Armani group for instance, at the end of the scale we have entry level Armani Exchange and haute couture Armani Prive on top. The clever use of branding and persuasive advertising has allowed many of these fashion firms to exploit both the consumer and the workers. In the shops, fast fashion entry-level retail stocks low quality clothes at a rather heavy price tag. However, the cost in producing that piece of garment is equivalent to that of a sweatshop labourer’s pay. Guess inc. was in fact taken to court for exploiting Mexican workers. This led to groups of activist boycotting the brand. It is an industry that is built upon the backs of the desperation of poor trying to find income and at the same time, it feeds on our consumerist culture in the developed world. However, it is after all a by-product of human’s nature. By nature, we are but self-centred. We would do something in return for benefits as clearly demonstrated by the lack of support from UN member states during the Rwandan or Darfuri genocide. Both areas could offer little in return for the help they would receive and so international aid was if not token, not provided at all. However when Greece was in financial trouble, the European Union acted swiftly in drafting a plan to aid Greece. Likewise, if sweatshop labour did not directly impact the developed world, people will mostly continue with their consumerist habits. However, we must not negate the occasion whereby the fashion industry in itself has remedied the very problems it has caused. Ethical fashion is a relatively new concept in the fashion industry. It aims to develop both sustainable clothing manufacturing by using eco-friendly methods of production and to promote fair trade. The British Fashion Council has in fact given slots to fashion labels that promote fair trade such as People Tree alongside heavy weights such as Burberry during London Fashion week in earlier this year. Also, established names like Burberry have departments set up to ensure ethical trading as part of their corporate responsibility. As the voices of activist increases, we are seeing a trend towards social responsibility by corporations in the fashion industry. Small steps in the direction. Fashion is therefore as much a good thing as it is a bad thing.

There are also those who claim that fashion has impacted the way we see our bodies rather negatively. They say that fashion has perpetuated gender stereotypes and to bombard us with images of unattainable beauty. Anorexia has been one of the main arguments put forth. Ever since Twiggy, there has been a slew of size zero models walking down the runway. Kate Moss, one of the leading icons on the runway, has been criticised for her weight. In fact, she once said that nothing tastes better than being skinny. It has created an image of what women should be - skinny and frail looking. A perpetuation of gender stereotypes. It does not help that the advertisements carry such subliminal messages along with depicting women as sexual objects. Tom Ford’s advertisements show women naked ironing trousers whilst the male reads the papers. In fact, leading photographer Terry Richardson, a person endorsed by the queen of the fashion world, editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour, is famed for taking shots of women in degrading positions. He has been, on accounts, accused by models of sexual harassment. However, fashion is after an industry. It is, by basic economics, controlled by the demand of the people. If society did no endorse such activities, then slowly, the fashion industry would respond and in fact, it has. Many labels have jumped on the bandwagon of discouraging anorexic models. Prada used plus sized models for the 2010 Fall collection. Fashion blogger Tavi criticised Terry Richardson and it garnered strong support. We are seeing a shift in the fashion world as people begin to take greater interest in what they are buying. It is consumer’s awareness and consumer’s power that plays a pivotal role in encouraging the industry to become more socially responsible. Then again, fashion has proven to becoming progressively, as much a good thing as it is bad.

In fact, despite opinions that fashion dictates your dressing, I would like to think that fashion breeds individuality. The assumption that an individual has no ability to decide for himself and merely accept what is thrown at him is simply flawed and derogatory. There are a plethora of choices in fashion and that choice gives one the ability to decide what goes and what does not. Fashion has in that aspect played a central role in defining cultures today. The British mod culture is very much defined by the look they have. The clothing choice of Dr Martens has been one of the main characteristics of mod culture. Fashion has thus added to the vibrancy of city life. One of Paris largest exports is fashion. Japan’s population is rather fashion obsessed and China’s rising middle class has only made the industry larger that it was before. There is a strong correlation between fashion and city life. Fashion gives a person that chance to be individual and creative with his image. That in itself has created the many trends on the street which adds on to the vibrancy and culture of a country.

Ethnic groups have also inspired fashion and it is often heavily reflected in runway pieces. Dries Van Noten, a Belgian designer, is know to use ethnic patterns inspired by the middle east in his designs and many a times, pieces are inspired by very personal events. Alexander McQueen’s latest collection was inspired by his English roots and carried this sense of Victorian England. His pieces often reflect his mood and individuality. Often, this is the case with most designers. US acclaimed designers of Proenza and Schouler used their mother’s names when deciding on the label. Fashion therefore has this human touch, this personal connection between the wearer and his clothes, the designer and his work. Often this personal connection is a reflection of social movements. During the 70s, the clothing choice of the Hippies has objects like the peace sign and shirts that said make peace not war. These were results of social movements such as the post world war anti-war sentiments or abolitionist movements. The idea was simple, have a message that is ingrained in society’s culture to choose peace over violence. Fashion thus played an important medium to reach out to the youths.

A person can reflect his individual through his clothes. In case you think that fashion then breeds vanity, then I question why we shun the attainment of beauty? It has long been innate within humans to be vain. The Queen of Switzerland did not bathe herself in blood if she did not believe it would renew her youth. The choice to find individuality in clothes gives you that sense of beauty. It helps you find your place and those like you in society. Looking good does help you feel good and having self-esteem is something intangible. No one should blame fashion for it’s discriminating nature. Society will always discriminate should there be differences and thus if a person’s ego is hurt due to his sartorial choices, one should not be the blame it on fashion but rather the person’s ability to handle criticism.

Therefore, in a nutshell, whilst fashion has her shortcomings, it is unfair to say that it is more of a bad thing than a good thing as fashion is and has been slowly evolving with society. After all, if fashion were really that bad, then I’d say we might as well be nudists.

Defy gravity.

One day I will fly and when I do, no one is going to hold me down.

Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

Yellow sky.

As I went for my evening run I notice how unusually yellow the sky was. The neighbourhood washed in sepia. As I came to the field I noticed how beautiful the flyover looked. Instead of the dull lifeless granite gray, it was bronzed like old train tracks. It's funny how nature has her own take on design at times. My pace gathered and I was soon at 3 roadside tree. It is nearing the monsoon season and most of the flowers have withered; save for a few resilient yet undesired flowers for the bees have yet to pollinate them so that they may bear fruit. I noticed little specks that shuttled furiously between the leaves. Dragonflies. They swarm and fly all around. Some may find it revolting however, I for one, found it appealing. It felt magical. It felt for once that you mattered in the world. To the tiny dragonflies, we are but giants. They can only fly around and marvel at our size whilst we may so choose to kill them if we feel irritated by their presence. One dragonfly flew in front of my and straight up towards the sky. As my eyes trailed him, I caught sight of the clouds. The darkening clouds rolling in. In the patches where the ominous clouds have yet to reach, the sun's rays filtered through. It did seem like a little patch of heaven and there was a bright lining in the clouds. I guess, in every storm, there is a silver lining.

Catharsis

Some times, pent up emotions erupt. It may be a dramatic release yet it could well be a mere realization. I feel like a rag doll going through the motions. Walking pass empty classrooms and vast corridors. I can be in a sea of people and still feel alone. I'm scared to some extent. Silence is a scary sound.

As weird as it may be but it's these times that I think the best. I naturally would be able to think deep enough, well, at least to me that is. It is also in such times that I seem to like black and white or sepia images. Those really oxidised photographs. In fact, my Father was showing me a couple of pictures of the GrandFather I have never met yesterday. He passed me a couple of pictures taken when I was really young. I miss the times I'd spend in United Mansion (Siglap). I would get up to the crowing of my neighbour's rooster. The times I would stand next to my Father with a torch in my hand shouting at potential thieves. I can remember the time when some one's painting was stolen from her house. My GrandMother would plant cactuses in the balcony to act as scarethieves (scarecrow). Apparently cactuses look like humans standing by the balcony at night. If that wasn't a good enough deterrent, I'm sure the thorns would prove handy.

You know, pictures of World War II seem to appeal to me. Well not the gore and the deaths but rather the smiles of the soldier and the streets of warring parties. It is perturbing but images of bombed walls and rubble appeals to me. In fact, I like walls. Walls are nice. Empty canvases just there for your imagination to take hold of. Paint, shadow play, anything you'd fancy. It gives you that sense of security too. The feeling of being protected. It feels nice to watch the world behind walls. Then again, this can all change. When I'm down or flustered by what ever that is and has and is going to transpire, it is this inexplicable feeling of sadness that provides comfort to the soul. It is like a battered hobo finding shelter in a less-than-perfect wooden hut in the midst of winter.

Snap

Faces.

It is weird how there are so many people in the world - 6,697,254,041 yet a mere fraction, no a mere 'nano' fraction of which consists of you and your circle of friends. Even within that circle, you have even lesser friends whom you can truly say are friends for the lines between acquaintances and friends often blur and maintain such fluidity. It is important to maintain relationships as it withers rather easily. Long periods of lack of communication does not mean the end of friendship but it does undo the intricately and meticulously weaved ties you have between the other. In fact, this rule may well apply to every relationship a person has. Darwinian as it seems but the relationships you put the most effort in to make it survive are the ones that remain and bear fruit. Those you leave to ferment turn sour like how sweet grapes turn to sour wine.

I have been wondering, pondering, any other word in the vernacular that describes a sense of thinking, about a lot of things lately. I don't know the me that I used to know. It is scary. Frightening to come to a realization that even you know little of yourself. Wait. No, that is not true. You know so much about yourself that you find it hard to embrace certain aspects of it. You refuse to acknowledge it. That is the frightening part. You are a part of yourself but yet apart.It is like this 'pyscho-physical' apartheid. I fear for the future, it yields so much uncertainty. I know not of what is to come and I am scare for what it brings. Life is this big complex web, much like a spiders web, where everything connects and entangles. A person is a mere insect flying through that web. You might get caught up in the web and if you do and try to break free, the more you struggle, it less futile your attempts may be. Then again, it might not be true. Who are the spiders then? The architects of the web? Everyone.

How sad that my take on life is so harrowing.

?

Uncertainty makes the world a scary scary place. You don't know what to do, where to go. You might just fall into a hole. Uncertainty makes the world a scary scary place. You might soar high and touch the sky. You might not so, instead fall down below. Uncertainty makes the world a scary scary place. It's a double-edged sword.

Shut up.

There are so many people talking at the same time. So many ideas floating around. So much to do, so little will. Shut up.

Trees.

You know it's funny how people are generally drawn to natural things. Just look at the hype over organic products. Oh how women tell their friends that their cosmetics are made from organic material. I guess, in a way, we are drawn to nature.

Perhaps, it is the way nature has a calming effect on a person. Perhaps, we do feel that we are, after all, interconnected. We are apart yet a part of the ecosystem. If we go right down to the basics, from the largest whales to the smallest prions, we are all made of the same stuff. The same bases; purines and pyrimidines. Yet, we have evolved and deviated far from all other things natural. Our intelligence is one of our greatest gifts, then again, our greatest curse. We built civilisations. We built machinery. We are building our watery graves.

I just fluffed a whole lot of fluff...

Wrote a GP essay today.

A levels 2009 paper 1, question 2

‘Only educated people should have the right to vote in elections.’ What is your view?

Democracy is one of the most influential and pervasive form of governance in many First World societies today. The basis of democracy is by the people, for the people, the idea of majority rights. However, it has long been criticised. Democracy is seen to fail due to the irrational voter and the sheer lack of sufficient political education. Who should hold the votes then? There are those who say that the educated professionals have the greatest capacity to make the most pragmatic and informed decisions. However, the consequences are great should they be the only ones to hold the vote. It destroys the fundamentals of democracy; instead, it could well be oligarchy. It may cause a clear dichotomy between the bourgeois and proletariat and such fragmentation of society is damaging.

One of the common arguments put forth when justifying the move to allow the educated the only ones to hold the vote is the idea of the irrational voter. As put forth by American economist Milton Friedman, the idea is that the voter makes ill-informed choices that are normally driven by emotional or populist ideas. If we examine the two distinct education levels of society, the educated professionals are most definitely better equipped with the necessary tools to discern and rationalise. With education comes knowledge and with it comes awareness of issues. Educated individuals tend to have greater interest in politics as it appeals to their level of intellect. There is a higher propensity for an educated individual to sieve out what is pragmatic and best for the society as opposed to an uneducated individual who would probably go with populist measures. We can see this in African communities. One of the reasons for poverty in African communities is the lack of foresight; to a struggling person, short-term goals such as using aid money for farming mean much more than the potentially long-term benefits of education. Similarly, short-term populist policies that may appeal to the uneducated and many a times money is used as a carrot. As such, we can draw a lesson that circumstance and the lack of awareness may lead to decisions that might not be the best for society. However, as the educated few are smaller in a society, their votes are diluted. We can see this trend across nations with significantly more educated individuals as compared to those with lesser of such individuals. The governments of First World nations tend to fare better than those in the Third World be it economically or politically. On a superficial level, we can see that there is a close correlation between educated populations and how well a nation is doing. So, educated people should be the ones holding the votes because they are discerning and can decide for what is best for a nation.

However, this logic is flawed. Such a train of thought is an Orwellian utopia painted out in 1984. We increasingly see how long standing proponents of democracy face economic or political problems. Japan with her ever-changing leadership; the last one ending after nine months. The controversial Bush administration in handling foreign affairs; look at how many relationships turned sour over the course of five years in office. Ironically, these are countries close to the ideal democracy and with high education levels. What we need today is more then mere education, more than being teaching individuals skills for the workplace. We need to teach politics and discernment. We need to instil in populations the strong decisiveness of what is right from wrong. We have long preached about giving rights to individuals and that individuals should be free to exercise those rights. However, have we stopped to give individuals the necessary tools to exercise those rights effectively? Educated or not, the education received may well be irrelevant if what is taught does not address this aspect. Einstein once said that God does not play dice. Can you imagine how our physical world would be if things were merely random. We cannot afford to play dice with who governs us or generations preceding us will have a greater problem at hand. This is evident with the immense task ahead of the new Obama administration.

Perhaps the educated may choose the most effective government, however the consequences would be disastrous. What is the message sent to communities when the educated are the only ones voting? It essential strips the uneducated off the rights to decide from himself how he would be governed. It is effectively then, the educated ruling over the uneducated. May I also point out that the truth of the matter is that with higher education levels do we have greater earning power in today’s knowledge based economy. In other words, it may seem like hegemony of one social class over the other. We fragment a society and the consequence of that is worse as compared to a less than competent government. Governments may change to suit the people however; to reunite divided people is difficult. How long will it take before the highly educated rich South Koreans and the less educated poor North Koreans join hands once again? The fall of aristocracy in most societies has shown how clear divisions in society cannot thrive. Dividing the people may cause great social upheavals that could lead to wide spread violence. It would take immense amount of energy to quell such violence, especially so for a group of once free citizens. The loss of rights to vote is the loss of deciding what benefits and policies you can gain. It is like a parent losing control over her teenage child. It is beyond your ability to change the situation. Should we risk such a possibility just to allow the elite to lord over the rest and decide for what is the best? The Orwellian utopia is too great a risk to take. Let us learn from history not to commit such a mistake again.

Besides, if a democracy calls for the mandate of the people, then the elitist movement is against the very grain of modern democracy. The Greek democracy was to allow the elites to decide, however in our progressive society today, we cannot fall back on that system. In a nutshell, I have present to you how the idea that the educated can decide the best is essentially flawed. I have also shown you that the consequence of the implementation of an elitist system is a great cost on society.

My two cents worth. Heh.

Strange loneliness.

You know, it is weird that we have become so deeply dependent on technology that when we do lose touch of it, there seems to be a void. It takes a lost phone for me to find some peace. Some strange quiet. This eerie silence. Only up to lately, my head has been an endless buzz of white noise. It's like flipping between 2 radio stations. It is like rain drops on a zinc roof. Continuous and sustained. I guess this peace have helped me, inadvertently, achieve the much needed momentum I have been finding to get my studies back on track. Like a pendulum, it ticks and tocs to and fro, the only difference is that my pendulum gains speed. What is friction, what is gravity? It is but a void. Rubbish, bunk they exclaim but it makes perfect sense to me. Then again, I contradict for every time I think of my phone and money, I feel highly uneasy. Very much peeved. But the sounds of chimes, xylophones and electronic pianos fill my head once again. It's like the harmonics of a violin or guitar when you pluck. (try doing a quick light hit on your 12th fret whilst plucking the string. No? You're just not doing it right :p) Leaves you with that peace, that seemingly psychedelic feeling. Your eyes grow heavy and your worries slip away. Slumber may sometimes be the best temporal escape from worldly worries. Your conscious meets your unconscious. Soon after REM, you let the latter take over. Suppressed thoughts roam. The irony of humans is that, it does feel good when it hurts at times though you know it is a sick thought. It's just that, you become accustomed to it. You learn how to embrace hurt. It leaves you numb and that is sometimes much better than anything you would probably be feeling then. Numb, a void. Peace.

Deep well.

"Spanish Pavilion at the World Expo 2010"

I have been swamped. I am lost. Lagged behind. I just don't know where to start. I mean, yes it is sure easy to take a book and start revising. However, it has got to feel right for the information to be absorbed. The mid year examination results have been really depressing and after weeks of holiday, gaining what momentum I have lost has been a vail attempt. I really need to buck up. I need that spark again. Sometimes I wonder if I should regret. However, wallowing in self pity isn't going to solve anything. I am going to pick myself up and get back on the road to the university again. Until then, I shall ponder and let the cooped up stress all out. (Don't worry, I'm not going to throw bins into the squash court, yeah someone actually did that in school.) In case you are wondering what relevance does the image have to this post, well it was chosen initially because it looked nice to me but as I stare at it, some sense came out of it. Life is full of intricacies woven together and layered. You can either see it as beauty and marvel at it and not do a thing, you can decide that it would be too tough to navigate through it or you can decide that you'd reach for the light at the end of the labyrinth.

Holidays (compacted)

Shanghai

"On a boat cruising down Huang Pu Jiang"

Shanghai was great fun, t'was really an eye opener. The Chinese-chinese and Singaporean-chinese are so different. The way we behave, speak and even the sort of basic questions we'd ask. Yeah, I guess we have established that idea but to actually see the stark difference for yourself, now that is something else. We push, we shove when places are crowded. The Chinese-chinese however, have what I'd term as 'body slamming'. Having someone's belly rub you from behind isn't anything unusual in China. I guess with the great population, to get your way around, you have got to 'body slam'. To be heard, raise your voice. Things like that separate sg-chis and chi-chis.

Well, it's not really Shanghai per se, but rather the other groups of Chinese that make their way to the world expo. One thing about the world expo is the clear demonstration of the great Chinese population. Imagine waiting for 2 hours under the summer sun (SH wasn't that warm, the air was chilly but the sun had no cloud cover so the UV rays are the cause of sun burns and the heat; 22degress thereabouts) just to enter the US pavilion. Well, Saudi Arabia's pavillion had the longest queue with a 6 hours waiting time because they were giving out diamond rings in their lucky draw. Japan was a good 3 hours. I did not bother waiting much and so along with Nad, Hai and Ken, we went to the lesser known (kecil) pavilions. North Korean... Iran (next to NK... *pause* I know right!)... Bangladesh... Kyrgyzstan (pretty ladies with nice eyes and nice llama wool toys)... Oh yar, being a Singaporean meant express queues to the Singapore pavilion. Now, every time we try to create something artsy fartsy, it ends up looking like a fruit. Esplanade = microphone = durian. Singapore pavilion = music box = rambutan. Not to forget a rooftop garden to end off the pavilion with. How very Punggol.

Bridging Minds

Bridging Minds programme was good fun. It was an extended 10 days of pure bliss upon returning to Singapore. Imagine 10 days of breakfast and lunch buffet at the Royal Plaza hotel (5 stars mind you) and having to stay in a nice room. (I fell off a treadmill whilst at the hotel and the darn thing had a touch screen display and so when I tried to stop the machine, I hit the speed up button, the rest is history and blood and pus) BM is this memorandum of understanding between Brunei and Singapore and both countries would send a delegation of 5 annually to meet up and discuss a given topic. The 10 would then stage a performance on stage which would be broadcasted on the television. This year, it was held in Singapore. It's like this debate-drama concept. Well, I got to meet the people behind the scenes at Mediacorp and even got to see some stars walking around. I remembered being at the broadcasting centre and saw Pierre Png. The girls were just gushing and swooning. Well, I'm not sure when this programme will air but it be on Okto. On a random note, I miss the BM team. Both team Singapore and Brunei. The cow, daal-lady, Japanese (who has an indian-cambodian accent), Ee Wei (girl who sleeps much), Lady Sha Sha, Alejandro, Chamreeup Swa,Guitar man, Faiz, Mr Michael (MOE dude who is responsible for your english syllabus), Ms Madhu (so motherly)... oh yar, the make up team.

NS check up

"Needles... Draw blood... Nah! Not too bad!"

I had to lock my iPhone in the locker provided because of the NO PHONES WITH CAMERA ruling. Walked up the cold stone steps towards the door. Every step was heavy, every step meant closer to the needle. Entered a room with not a single fami- wait, there he was, Boony, seated on number 4. I had to pull up my fringe using 10 spritz of water but in vail endeavour. The dude behind suffer a similar fate until *light bulb*, I had WAX! Used the miracle cream and unveiled my forehead *I really don't see why we have to for an NS picture which by the way, I look like a girl in*. Met up with Boony and went for the med check up. Whilst waiting, the dude with a problematic hair came by. Greeted and bam, there was new phy examination buddy. Urine test yeah that was fine, then... Jovi, "There was a dude shouting whilst having his blood drawn!" 0.0

Went for the test, closed my eyes and before I knew it. Over. Seriously, compared to the abrasion which I had from the treadmill, which by the way affected 4 spots on my body and the pus was all over the hotel room bed (poor chambermaid), wasn't as bad.

SH.

"Mulberry Elkington and yours truly"

Look! Elkington! I have finally got a new bag. Nice leather satchel. Mulberry Hilton has great service by the way. One thing annoying about the bag is that care is a pain in the neck. It is like having a child, so to speak.

In a matter of hours, I'd be on a plane to Shanghai. I a matter of hours, I'd be flying. In a matter of hours, I'd rediscover the Chinese culture. All that in a matter of hours and I have yet to pack! 0.0

?

"Mulberry Elkington"

"Loewe Amazona Satchel Messenger"

Pretty torn between the two. Both absolutely stunning. Dilemma.

Humans.

Jellyfishes are 99% water. Humans are 70% water. There is something astoundingly similar between Man and Jellyfish. Jellyfishes are beautiful, elegant and graceful. Their bioluminescent displays are like one thousand fireflies pumping through their bodies; pulsating, glowing. Every movement is swift as it cuts through the water, yet at the same time, every movement is gentle. They are like miniature diving bells. Like humans, we are beautiful beings. Look at the very engineering in front of you. It is amazing how were are the only animals able to build civilisations. Humans have constructed and yet deconstructed. We build and tear down. Like the ebbing tides, humans have their rise and falls. Like the pulsating glow of Jellyfishes, like the sudden contracts of a Jellyfish's bell.

Some jellyfishes travel in schools. Millions migrating at the same time to warmer watters in search of plankton rich waters. They move in unison but in perfect silence. The travel as a mass but are then again essentially alone for they interact little. It is like a person being in a sea of people but still feel lonely. We gain strength from not those around us but from ourselves. We are intrinsically introverted beings. When there is no one around, we do not speak to ourselves. We think. We do not vocalise much.

As beautiful as it maybe, Jellyfishes are a paradox. They carry stinging cells and some of which can kill 10 cows. They are so dangerous, we have named some, the Portugese-man-of-war. The beauty and the unison are all facades. They are really made to be alone and to conceal dark truths.

Humans have long added layers to themselves. We have facades. We are not what we truly are. Instead, we are what people deem agreeable in a society. Why do we hide ourselves? Why is it that the very people who set boundaries hide themselves too? The Greeks set aside rules and codes in their society to ensure stability, however, at the same time, the very people who created the rules are the very ones who will commit to those vices. We fear from decadence and so we draw up rules.

What am I saying? I have no idea.

Mothers.

A Mother never cease to protect, provide and love. As much as it pains a Mother to carry a child in a womb, as much as she is drained of her nutrients, she would love the child even before the child was born. After the child is born, she continues to feed the child and nurture him. The umbilical cord is never really broken. As a lamb be protected by his Mother, as a lioness protects her cub, so do humans protect their young. There is this intrinsic bond between children and Mothers. From conception, the Mother nurtures and grows the embryo. The blood of his Mother flows through his very veins. Yet, what is it that we see today. We find it increasingly difficult to reciprocate this love.

Love is a very strange topic. It can get people really uncomfortable. One knows that love is unconditional and unwavering. Yet, why do we feel so difficult to love at times. We know that Mothers love, but sometimes we don't do the same. We feel it but then again, we superficial don't. It is a paradox.

Short stories: Shifting Sands.

Across the arid planes of the Middle East lives very extraordinary people who live off extremely scarce amounts of water. Part of the Silk Road as it is, the nomadic Bedouins primarily depend on livestock, some form of agriculture and trade to keep afloat.

Now the Bedouins have very strict codes of conduct. After all, living in a location where easily extracted resources are scarce (Yes, that means we are not looking at OIL), these codes were necessary to maintain a form of social order. A way to ensure brothers fight not for food, cousins learn not to steal. Hierarchy of utmost importance. Tribes learnt to cohabit and live. The Hareeb in Yemen, the Beni Sakr in Jordan.

In one particular Yemenis tribe, the Sheik (chief) decided that enough was enough. Let there be no fighting amongst the people for common goods. A form of equal distribution must be obtained. Shall it be based on merit? Will it be a pool of resources in which everyone has a stake in? Should it be based on bloodlines? It was a difficult decision.

Troubled by this, he sat on a rock to ponder over the different ways of governing his people.

Now, the Sheik had a very prepossessing daughter. A charming creature. If there be a way to describe, then her beauty was akin to the egrets that greeted the evening skies. Under the cover of the Burqa, her skin like porcelain. Those of the Chinese variety the Bedouins received as merchants travelled the Silk Road. Her hair, a dark black like the obsidian of the African volcanoes. Like cowries from the shores of Yemen, her eyes were deep and dark as if the heavens have met Earth.

Looking at her father, the daughter felt unnerved and unhappy. She did not like seeing her father forced to make unfair decisions. She then decided that the rich will pay a greater price for goods and the money be used to help the poor obtain the goods. The poor will then give back by throwing feasts on the second Friday of each month.

Oh how her people rejoiced at her wisdom. They adored her...

Gerberas.

It's a yes. Red gerberas are the bomb!

:)

Inexplicable. Surreal. Wishing it'll last. Promises.

Stuck.

I feel like life has been so stagnated, so invariable, so very routine-like. School, home. Study, walk around. There seems to be so much more that I should be doing with life. Yet, what is sad is that I don't seem to going out there to make things happen. I don't want my JC life to lapse into a routine. I hope to achieve something more, something greater. Confidence is one major issue here. On top of that, the very scarce amount to time which I can work with and the constant need for prioritisation are even greater hurdles. I really am going to have to do something for myself and step out of this web. As Lady Gaga sings in poker face, "I'm marvelous". Well, it is really something I need to feel right now. Some esteem to keep things going.

Adam.

Adam pondered over why Man needed nomenclatures and names to remember things. He then thought of all the cats, who could not speak, using their sense of smell to remember locations, other cats and things. He then realised that it is one thing to use the senses God gave Man and another to use the ability to think. Adam was happy.

Adam then walked to a tree planted in memory of the war. He thought of all the suffering generations saw to obtain peace. He realised that great revolutions and unrest is necessary to find a stable foundation to build a nation on. However, have Man gotten too complacent with peace that another revolution could be knocking on our doors?

The end is a whole new beginning.

It just dawned on me that after the common test, is the start of a very intensive period. A levels is practically rolling in at breakneck speed. Sometimes, I as myself, "Why have I chosen this path?" and it seems like the most obvious answer is, "Practicality. JC is the road to the University and ultimately, success."

I beg to differ. That is what it seemed at first, a rather superficial reason why I chose a JC. AS I continued my education, I realised that a JC education does one thing to your mind. I opens up your mind. It allows to view things from a different perspective. The world is grey, not black and white. I learnt that why a question asks you Yes/No. The answer is, "It depends and to a certain extent."

(It must be the after exams stress...)

I see the light.

"Cosmic Wonder"

Cosmic Wonder is a rather unknown Japanese label that produces really quality wear. I remembered seeing this brand in Front Row once. Well, I seem to have a certain liking for the rather interesting 'cardigan' as shown on the left. The designs of Cosmic Wonder has a rather English touch to it. An interpretation of the European dressing by the Japanese. In fact, if one visits parts of Hokkaido and Osaka, the streets have a rather European feel to it. The architecture from street lamps down to the paths seem to model their European counter parts. I will be doing more research on this exquisite label before commenting more on it. For now, let's just take it that the label is a promising one.

images:http://thefashionisto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cosmic2.jpg

Alice.

Yes, the exams are finally here... I shall, however, not grumble about this very sad fate of a student (face it, even if we all know that education is ultimately for the benefit of society, exams are not very beneficial to our mental well-being *stress*).

One of the few things I shall do after my exams...

1) Check out Dior

2) Check out Mulberry

3) Watch Alice in Wonderland

3: Another whimsical movie from Tim Burton. On an unrelated note, he seems to need the presence of Helena Bonham Carter (his co-inhabitant, not sure if they have decided to tie the know) and Johnny Depp in virtually all his movies. Back to my main topic, Alice is not going to be your childhood beloved bedtime story of a girl who falls into a hole. No, it is a tweaked version, a grown-up 19 year old Alice returning back to Wonderland. So for those who have yet to read of the book entitled 'Alice's Adventure in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass' by Charles Lutwige Dodgson aka Lewis Carroll, please get acquainted. Did I just mention Alice's Adventure... yes, I did. It was the original name of the book, well of course the lazy folks shortened it to the very name we know so fondly today - Alice in Wonderland. Now what is up with 'Through the Looking Glass'? It is one of those lesser-know Carroll pieces out there. I remembered reading it as a child, but has completely forgotten most of the plot. Though, I do remember a chess board sorta feel to the story and tons of references to mirrors. I must so read the two books again. Anyway, do watch the movie as it combines the magic of both books into one. It, therefore, somehow mashes the cards theme of the former with the chess theme of the latter to make the movie somewhat appealing.

The Little Prince.

星の王子さま：The Little Prince

It is my favourite book to date. It explores the mind of a child through adult understanding. The story has a comforting interpretation of death and friendship, I guess it makes it is then, a suitable book for children. Antoine Exupery intricately crafted how he perceived death in a rather beautiful manner. It is like returning home. The essential bulk of the book is about how a grown person slowly learns how to have a different perspective of life. He is ironically, taught by a child to do so. One puzzling thing is how the Prince is seen as a matured young man. From what I gather, maturity, in the book, is portrayed by a child who is so fascinated by his surroundings. A child so inquisitive. A child who wants to explore. I would really recommend the book to those who have been so caught up with life and lost their inner-child (my parents?).

"Miharayasuhiro Spring/Summer 2010"

I guess, I am not the only one who likes this book. A up and coming Japanese designer, Miharaya Suhiro, was too inspired by the book which lead him to create one of the most dazzling collections I have seen. Now, where do I go to get that crown...

Tsumori Chisato.

"Kiyomizu Temple"

"Kuruma 車,car"

I miss the times I spent the day wondering through Japan like a child. With child-like wonderment at everything in a land so foreign; especially in terms of culture. My trip to Japan has opened my eyes to come to appreciate little acts like greeting and a smile. It really does go a long way in modern day Singapore - a place where one occasionally gets cashiers that don't even bother looking into your eyes when they serve you. I miss the times in Japan where I would walk down the chilly street. It is a funny feeling to walk amidst the Japanese because one can't tell the difference between who is local and who is not until one hears words that escape the mouth. Until one carefully notices habits and mannerisms. Until one hears that familiar sing-song accent we so fondly remember as Singlish.I love Singapore, I am random, I contradict.

Now to make sense of Tsumori Chisato. She is a rather interesting Japanese designer who is under the A net group - a subsidiary of Issey Miyake. Her pieces are somewhat, similar to that of Rei Kawakubo's legendary designs. To get to the point, I saw a piece from Tsumori and liked it so much I bought it.

Exam anxiety.

Oh, may I have the strength to pull through the year. I can't do this on my own but I know that I have you. I shall not falter for I cannot afford to do so. I have to do reasonably well for my future depends on it in a very practical sense.

Sounds like a prayer does it not?

I sometimes marvel at how much a person can actually write on a blog. I am lazy, period.

Crash on my shore.

"Great Wave off Kanagawa"

This has got to be one of my favourite pieces to date. The deep hue of the waves that curls into crests that become foamy whites is beautifully juxtaposed to Mt. Fuji. Looking at this gives me peace and serenity. Why do I say so? Well, the fact that Mt. Fuji is pictured to be standing behind the waves undisturbed by what is transpiring in the foreground gives a person the sense of stability. That stability to face the harshest conditions, the turbulent waves, the rage of the sea. The ability to remain calm in one's darkest moments (as how the background of Mt. Fuji is darkened and to look at the better days that is to come (as how Mt. Fuji reaches towards the bright and seemingly peaceful sky), it all comes together as a message in life.

image:http://www.omohide.com/TheGreatWaveOffKanagawa.png

Exams.

It's coming! Exams... NAPFA... How critical, how crucial, how difficult. How am I to pass?

It is mine!!!

"Pictures do speak a 1000 words."

CNY.

It's amazing how a JC is able to find the conscience to forgo curriculum time and celebrate Chinese New Year. (It sounds like I am lamenting, does it not.) Truth is, I find such celebrations purposeful. Not only does it give us a temporal relief from all that work, but also, it the CNY celebration made me really thankful that I am Chinese. Although, my Chinese may not be really perfect (I certainly cant pull off any QinShiHuangnian Chinese (like how we say Victorian English, get the pun!)) I really like the culture, the values, the richness of the whole Chinese society. It is sad to stereotype China and her products as unreliable and her people as loud unruly beings. China is not decadent. The urbanised population may have altered their value systems, but there are parts of China that still holds on dearly to traditional Chinese belief. I really hope to experience the Chinese culture of China soon. So, as Chinese New Year approaches, I am really happy to be able to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year!

School.

School drains the life out of me (period).

"By the way, happy chinese new year..."

Pinstripe Shoes!

"Paul Smith Toluca Espadrille"

I seem to have something for pinstripes or stripes for that matter. Things that are stripy apparently appeals to me. Well, there goes my Red Packet cash...

Paul Smith... It reminds me of the time when I was in Shinsaibashi, Osaka doing my shopping (bought a coin wallet from PS)... Ran up and down the old street trying to find Comme Des Garcon. I tried asking for directions but the Japanese have no clue if you pronounce it in the French way. You'd have to go 'comb-day-garoooson' to be understood.

Yay or nay?

"Lanvin mirror necklaces"

So to buy or not to buy? $300 for a necklace that says Lanvin in graffiti. Buy online or wait till Lanvin re-opens?

image: http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/lanvin-spring-2010-necklace.jpg

Blood Donation.

"The Reservoir in front of the Hilton"

"The Long Boat (as in as long as a bus long) Ride"

"Campsite On Day 2"

"Batang Ai Dam"

"The Beaten Path (before the slopes when I had to stop using my camera to save my life)"

Mosquitoes and Leeches...

The Bornean Jungle is not to be underestimated. It is slippery and steep. However, the most amazing facts are that the immense beauty of the forest and the indigenous Iban who has very agile bodies.

Nights in the rainforest is not mean feat. Despite, the alluring fireflies by night, the ever annoying mosquitoes and those frightening fire ants can certainly make one lose a good night's rest. The fire ants grow to twice the size of an average human's thumbnail. However, the strangely pale looking jungle fare had a magnetic effect on us. Cooked over firewood, our meals were prepared in the jungle. Bamboo shoots were certainly the best! Yes, I have had bamboo shoots before (being the Chinese that I am), but the difference is the sweetness of freshly gathered bamboo. Palm shoots was something new. The bitterness of the core did put me off a little. Then there was Midin or Jungle Fern, I have had it once in my Udon when I was in Japan but the stir-fried ferns had a different taste and texture when cooked this way. It was slightly gooey, the kind of goo one gets from eating Lady's Fingers/Okra.

One thing is for sure, the Iban and Bedayu guides sure did save my life a couple of times along the tricky trail. Thorny leaves and termite infested branches aren't exactly the thing you'd want to grab.

The leeches were one of the biggest fear the group had. However, after a few of our group mates fell victims to the painless menace, we weren't very much concerned with the leeches. Actually, the Tiger Leech was still quite fearsome to us because it stings when it sucks your life force and it likes going for very specific areas of one's body (warm and damp locations).

We found heaven when we came out of the wilderness into the luxurious Hilton Hotel. The glass of juice served to us at the entrance was enough to make me call Hilton a hotel of my choice when I travel in the future. (Stayed at the Hilton Mauritius once and I had the exact same sentiments as I do now)

Sarawak.

I am very very very drained right now. I touched down a couple of hours ago after spending 6 days in Sarawak, Malaysia. I trekked for 2 days from camp to camp and visited long houses of the indigenous Iban. I shall reveal the pictures and mention more about the trail once I get the strength to edit the images.