Disappointment...

It was a usual birthday celebration and I came out alone in the afternoon to get a present last minute. It was easy for me to get his present because the Birthday Boy had already listed his ideal presents. I picked a wallet. Then, I met up with Kai Yan shortly. He wanted to grab something to eat, so we went down to Basement 2 in Takashimaya. He ate Takoppachi, and I bought Gelato Ice-Cream. Both of us then stood in a corner, doing nothing. We did not speak much too. Just waiting quietly for others to come. As usual, the guys will be late. And as expected, MSG Eva could not join us for dinner, and Darrell is not having dinner with us, but he would still drop by. Meng Yong can join us for a while before going to his ex-colleague's wedding dinner.

Kai Yan and I went into Crystal Jade first and settled down. Shortly after Ming Jie arrived, Potato came, and later Meng Yong came, and lastly Darrell. Halfway through our meal, Meng Yong went off. After we had our dinner, the others thought of watching movie instead of drinking which was planned originally. On the way to Cineleisure, I was damn bored (Or sianz...). I was totally clueless why I would feel that way. I understand the reason why only so few people turned up for this outing, most of the people had their reasons. I also knew that this outing was supposed to be a celebration, and I must not show that kind of feeling. But I just cannot stop and continue to ponder.

The guys decided to watch the Mall Cop, and which Darrell has already watched it. Hence, he is not watching the same movie again. And so, he went off... Still wanna thank him for coming... I thought the comedy would make me feel better, but my mind just kept thinking... And just when I thought I felt a little bit better, another incident happened and that made my feeling even worse. Ming Jie actually forgotten his present and left it in the cinema!!! I thought we could still retrieve it back since we were still in the mall when we realised it. Unfortunately, the wallet just gone missing and never returned... The wallet I hand-picked it for him just gone...

When Ming Jie did not show any sense of anxiety and he said no use thinking since it has been a fact that the wallet would not be found anymore, I was quite angry with him... But after much thoughts, he was right after all. Then we walked to Dhoby Ghaut to find somewhere to sit down for a drink. On the way, I was even bored, and have no intention of hiding my boredom face in front of them. When Ming Jie asked, I intentionally said I am not thinking of anything. He immediately could see through me and said I'm not. He understand that I am troubled over organising outings for CSC, especially when this group is only made of a bunch of guys, and it is exceptionally hard to organise with a large group of 10 people...

What I think is, this group of people lack enthusiasm. When I plan outings for my other friends (Most of them are just guys), they will be happy to give out suggestions for dining spot, presents and activities and sometimes they would even pester me asking what is the final plan. CSC people are just totally opposite. They will just wait for things to happen... For the past CSC birthday celebrations, I would call up for a small meeting to look for presents, and I will ask for any special requests from the Birthday Boy, and then will think of dining spot and other activites for that day. But as the replies starting to get lesser and I just could not sense any enthusiasm from most of the replies, I decide to stop this small outing. And this time, I will go hand-picked the present myself without discussing with the others...

Yes, I'm tired of thinking everything alone. And I wanted to get attention from them and that is why I did not try to hide any of my feelings. If they just could not bother, I can just stop everything and we shall not meet out anymore... I have many other best friends out there. Ok, that sounds a bit too harsh. And I know it is quite outrageous to meet out almost every month to celebrate a birthday, and in fact it is impossible, and they have other commitments, other friends' birthdays, and family matters to take care of. But as close friends, isn't this is what they usually do? Come out to celebrate birthdays? After this year, when we enrolled in Universities and some would step into the working society, the time of meeting out will decrease tremendously. Therefore, I just wanted to use this time to meet out more and to have at least a chance to celebrate each other's birthdays... Am I overdoing it or is it I am the only one in the group who treasure this friendship?

Two Enjoyable Nights

Part 1: A Night of Laughter

I came out with Derek, Luvena and Fang Qi for a dinner at Parkway on Friday. I was selected to plan this outing since the others are now working and I'm always complained that I'm too free. Haha. As usual, my planning style is to be democratic and ask around which place or what sudden craving they have. Luvena stated she would like to go Parkway or any park as she had some "parking" mood. I did not realised that it was a joke, so I spread to the others and they just went ahead with the idea. When the day arrived, she asked me why are we going Parkway Parade. Haha. I went ahead to the mall first to look for suitable dining areas. When everyone was gathered in the meeting place, the childish and lameness started again, making Derek speechless again.

We landed ourselves in the Jack's Place, and the steak I ordered was the most delicious steak I ever eaten. It was better than the one I had once in the other Jack's Place in Marina Square.

Since we were there at Parkway, we just as well play pool! Hence, we went there without any hesitation. The first round was Luvena VS Me, and just a few turns, I have already make the audience (Derek and Fang Qi) laughed. It was because during my first few turns, the white ball kept falling into the hole!!! I think it lasted for around 5 turns. Finally, I managed to survive until Luvena and I left the famous 8. However, probably due to my influence, Luvena also found some difficulty hitting the black ball into the hole. Me too. And we kept hitting for a few turns, our white ball kept falling into the hole too!!! The audience just could not stop laughing. In the end, the victory goes to... ME!!! Wahahaha!

The next few rounds were also funny. Well, it was quite an insider joke, and I can't really explained well here. During the last few rounds we played, Derek and Fang Qi suddenly played The Game of Chinese Word Chains. It is a game that we start with a random vocabulary, verb or idiom, and we must say another vocabulary, verb or idiom. But we must use the last chinese character of the previous word and think of a word that starts from that character (Can understand? I'm think I'm quite bad explaining this rule in English...). Then, everything just goes lame again... we continued with the chain using rubbish sentences and even song lyrics!!! And it was because of that silly game, those playing pool were also affected when they laughed, and thus resulting in many foul plays...

When we were on our way back home in the bus, Fang Qi and Derek slept quite soundly. I looked at them as if they were kids who were exhausted after playing and laughing too much. But I know as a matter of fact, they have been busying with their work, and that is the true factor of their tiredness.

Part 2: A Night with Chatterboxes

Yesterday, I woke up early as I need to accompany my mum to the hospital for checkup. On the way home, we were on the bus, and I was standing since all the seats were taken. Then, there was this man in his 50s stood in front of me, after a while, a China woman boarded the bus, and she has a nice figure. The man saw her and kept staring her. His eyeballs moved up and down, down and up. When I saw that man did that, I was quite disgusted. It is because of such man, woman always think all men are such type! That man just kept on staring at her, and they both alighted at the same stop! Haha.

I met up with Song Guan and Pok Yen in late afternoon. Song Guan called Ms Ho out and wanted to ask her more about Relief Teaching. He called the both of us out since we have not been meeting her for so long. Then, the whole afternoon and evening, we spent the whole time listening to Ms Ho in Cafe Cartel. She shared with us her experiences and the problems she faced when she just stepped into Victoria School as HOD. Yi Sheng joined us after he had his food expo tour in Suntec.

We have some time before dinner, so Ms Ho decided to go salon, while we guys can hang out the mall. The four of us just hang out at the usual places like the Music Junction and Popular. Then we spent the remaining time of that 1 hour and 30 min waiting time, thinking of where to dine in for our dinner. When Ms Ho came out, she was actually quite surprised that we can really shop for that whole period of time!

We had our dinner in Kopitiam and realised we still have a lot to chat. We went to Starbucks to continue the chat that seemed endless. Our conversation went on to many topics, from news to reminiscence of past events in our secondary school days, to gossips, to Ms Ho's past memories. Halfway through our conversation, Daniel came and approached us to just say Hi, and he was accompanied by 2 other friends, and both of them used to be my Sec 1 classmates: One is Wee Keong, and the other... was my Nemesis... Can't believe I can meet him... I thought I was lucky enough not to see him for the past 2 years. His appearance spolit my night for a while... But still, we could chat happily from 9pm plus till midnight. After which, Ms Ho drove us home safely. Pok Yen wished he could have more of this outing. Haha.

Shopping at VivoCity

It is so boring staying at home. Just then, my aunt was looking for someone to accompany her to Vivocity yesterday to get some schoolshoes for my cousin, Jyn Rui using the voucher issued by her school. I agreed straightaway when she asked.

We went to look for the Bata store in Vivocity (as specified in the voucher), and we walked one big round around the mall... The store is located in a corner, and there is only one way to it. So inconvenient!!! After much picks and consideration, Jyn Rui got herself 2 pairs of schoolshoes, a pair of slippers and 2 pairs of socks. In total, $54.75! And my aunt had to fork out the balance $4.75 after using the voucher.

Jyu Rui's elder sister, Jyn Hua was hungry, so we went to Long John Silvers to grab a bite. Crying and wailing never failed to come out from Jyn Rui's mouth, she was like wanting to have everything in her possession once it falls in her sight. Food was not an exception. In the end, both sisters began their fight again. My aunt was so used to the scene and she completely ignored them! She only entertained them by coaxing Jyn Rui with a few sentences, and continued looking at the outdoor playground , where you can see lots of only-wearing-underpants-children running about and playing in the fountain.

We continued to shop around aimlessly, looking at wallets, bags, clothes, electronics and even groceries. Jyn Hua and me kept disturbing Jyn Rui, and as expected we made her cry a few times. There was a period when Jyn Rui started to pull my hand, wanting me to stay at her house for a day. Of course, is a no no. I still have activities the next day. She bothered me for around 30 minutes. My aunt said if Jyn Rui were to bother my brother instead, he would get fed up. Haha. I thought I should learn to be patient with kids. They are kids after all.

We came to the shopping mall with lesser people, the HarbourFront Centre. We came down to have our dinner at Food Junction since there were people in the MRT station issuing coupons, which allow us to enjoy food at their discount prices. Jyn Rui just can't have food without soft drinks, and my aunt has to always buy one for her. My cousin is really spolit.

Jyn Hua kept mumbling, indicating that she wished to have a new schoolbag. But her mum just wouldn't allow her to buy one, because her current one is still usable!!! We supposed to head to Zinc to just browse through their bags available, but the store is located at the far end of Vivocity. Terribly far from the only escalator which takes you down to the MRT station. Hence, we went home straightaway after our dinner.

Chaos Afternoon and Peaceful Night

Part 1: Chaos Afternoon

Another IT event was held for the past 4 days in Suntec. As usual, Singaporeans will show that recession is not the reason that hold them back from purchasing stuff. Almost everyone in Singapore made their way to the fair, resulting "flood" seen everywhere in the area. I also went to take a look on Sunday, which many believed that is the day when the price is slashed to the lowest possible value.

I met up with Song Guan and Yi Sheng at around 12pm at Tampines, and that is one of the few days when you cannot really see people flooding in Tampines Mall. It is definitely crowded during weekends. Haha. When we reached City Hall, the crowd was still considered acceptable at that moment. We believed the real crowd will come in at late afternoon around 3pm. After Song Guan got his camera, we walked around as I looked for camera too, but I did not get any in the end. We left the fair at around 2pm and made our way to Marina Square for our late lunch at Long John Silvers.

We decided to head back to Tampines at around 3pm and as expected, the crowd began to flood into the area, but the rain started to pour. Bad. Really Bad Timing. The way down to Citylink Mall from Marina Square was blocked because the crowd had invaded the 3 escalators and all the directions had gone upwards! It was damn difficult to push your way down! So we have to find another way down. I thought of the old exit of Citylink Mall that link to a Bridge to Suntec. However, it has now made unsheltered, so it is also impossible to make it to the exit unless you want to be wet. We want to avoid to be wet as Song Guan is holding his camera, so we took the elevator down. Taking it took us around 10 minutes because people were queuing to go down!!! It was the first time in my History that you can actually see people queuing for elevator!!! When we finally got down to the Basement, there was yet another problem. The entrance to the Citylink Mall (where the 7-Eleven is) was closed by the shutter!!! I can't believe I can actually trapped in City Hall.

*Note: On Saturday, the crowd management had to actually stop people from going into the IT Fair for 1 hour!

Having no choice, we had to take bus home to Tampines. We took 518 Express back. When the bus drove up to the ECP from the CBD area, you still can see cars queuing to make their way down to Suntec!!! The IT Fair has totally make people insane!!!

Part 2: Peaceful Night

At night, I met up with my Higher Mother Tongue Studying Group people. Haha. We gathered at Eastpoint to buy drinks and snacks for our Pizza dinner. I was late, but Si Hui came even later. Haha. We then went to our usual gathering spot, Sasha's house... Downstairs and wait for Pizza to deliver to our footsteps. Luckily, we can find seats at the shelter by the poolside (Yes, is a condo). Russell just came down (Yes, he lived in the same condo as Sasha's) just in time when the food arrived, but he was too full after his dinner at home.

We had another round of unstoppable chat and photo taking. Then, suddenly Wilson called Jiunn Kai, we all became silence and listened to their conversation. We then tried to trick Wilson that Jiunn Kai was hanging out with people that he don't know. But then, Jiunn Kai's phone went low batt in the middle of the conversation, so I had to SMS him to convey the message. True enough, he called me. And true enough, he complained about not calling him to come out since I'm with JiunnKai. So I tricked him saying that a friend we know gathered us together, and this friend do not know Wilson at all. Then, as expected, Wilson demanded the name, and I said a person by the name of Qiu Lin (Sasha's name in Chinese). Again, as expected, he answered, "Ok, I really don't know...". But he hung up the phone quickly when Sasha decided to reveal the truth to him. Haha.

We played for another hour to take photos under the different settings that Sasha's camera has. It was pretty late we have done taking pictures. Sasha drove us home this time. Haha. Sweet!

on the Road to Madness

Having getting all the basic driving skills (which are not really well-polished, especially 3-Point Turn), it is time to get to familiarize with all the Test Roads in Ubi Area. I had 2 lessons yesterday, on separate times. One in the afternoon, and the other at night. I have to sacrifice watching The Perfect Cut 2 in order to take the night lesson... Quite a tragic loss. But I need to polish up my driving skills!

My instructor went through with me Test Roads 1, 2 and 3 in the afternoon, and then 4, 5, 6 and 7 at night. I thought the roads are long, but actually the journey takes less than 15 minutes if you have a good skill! However, after taking so many turns in the area, I still have not recognise which path leads to where. To me, it is still complicated with all the warehouses, small streets and alleys, and offices in that area. I was like surprised to see we are back at the Comfort Driving Centre. Haha.

The night lesson was bad. That is when I got the taste of having to drive the Test Roads 5, 6 and 7. When driving on Test Road 6, we arrived at a traffic junction where there is a small inclined slope at the traffic light. My instructor told me not to step on brake and let the car move onto the slope. But I was so used to stepping on brakes whenever I approached a traffic junction. As a result, the car moved downwards... Haha. The second time when I met that "cursed" area, I forgot not to brake again, and there was a sudden panic and caused the engine to stall... Oh my! It was so embarassed to let the engine stalled in the middle of the road!!! I only recalled I did it once when practising basic skills in a deserted area, so it's alright. But now, is like on the road!!! Other drivers behind must be cursing and swearing to have such a lousy learner in front of them. Haha.

There is another challenging part in Test Roads 6 and 7. It is a part to test if you have the skill to cut lanes! It is at the end of Ubi area, so you must make a U-turn to make back into Ubi area. I you missed the chance, you will have to drive all the way to Kallang, I guess. There is a traffic junction not far before the turning spot. Learning Drivers like us, we usually have to drive to the most left lane since we drove in a slow pace. At one point of time, I had to stop at the traffic junction, and there are so many cars towards my right!!! How am I suppose to cut all the way to make it to the turning point?! Luckily, I have my instructor to guide me. That was one short but thrilling ride for me since I'm the one driving it... Now I understand why people do not like these Test Roads...

I thought the night lesson was bad, but my instructor told me I can reach the biting point better during that lesson. I was surprised again. Haha. I can only say I'm a slow driver, I always step on the acclerating petal slowly, while my instructor always told me to step on harder and drive faster. Well, I always have a momentarily stop after making a turn. If the cars behind did not see it coming, they might just crash to my car... I need to more practice!!!

Another planning of Birthday Celebration is on the go. But I'm getting lesser and lesser responses from them... Sigh. Can this gathering cum Birthday celebrations go on? Starting to lose the drive to organise anything...