e Wheel of Life

The Almost a Decade TJC Band Gathering

I shall make this a quick one (I hope). Finally it occured. Alfred (the oboeist) was in Singapore for 2 weeks before flying back to Scotland next week, so he asked Siandy to meet up. Then Siandy pulled in Ann (another oboeist), who works as a journalist with Bloomberg, and me.

Really glad it was a nice outing, especially on a Monday night, cos it somehow chased away the Monday blues and now I am looking forward towards the next gathering, which Alfred agreed to organise when he's back in May. And so, I hope more would come.

We talked about a lot of things, surprisingly within a short span of time. We talked on workplace woes, mutual friends, things that happened in the past, etc etc.

One interesting finding. My friend's brother happens to be my JC friend's sister's fiancee. What a small world.

I am still excited about the gathering that took place.

Labels: gatherings

posted by Jeremy @ 11:12 PM

2009 New Year Resolutions?

I think one of the new year resolutions that everyone should consider and make is to look back at the previous year's resolutions and make sure that most, if not all, of the resolutions have been fulfilled. I was looking through some of my friends' blogs and reading their resolutions for 2009. Then, I thought about mine. Nothing really struck me, but it is important to have something I want to achieve so that I will improve. I will think about that tomorrow (hopefully) as being in front of the television doesn't help to clear my mind to think about this carefully.

December has been a month of many gatherings, house parties, shopping and unsettled emotions. Christmas happens to be in the month of December, and that explains the shopping and all. The parties include the one at JJ's house with my NUS Chem Engin class, CN4A. And there was also the christmas chalet and BBQ at Pasir Ris PA Holiday Resort with my primary school gang. The last party was at Cheryl's house with my dear friends from Resonance. All these are captured in the photos in Facebook.

New year's eve was spent quite peacefully, with lunch with Siandy and dinner with Merv. The new year has a healthy start for me, as I went for a run in the morning.

After working for these few months, I really need to think if this engineering job suits me. Some of the people around told me that I should work for a longer period to really understand the nature of the job. Then again, I think, is it the company? The company is actually rather welfare already. Maybe it's the cold environment. I really need to think about this carefully.

Although I haven't really considered what I want to achieve for 2009, but I do know that I need to be more patient, have more determination, and not let the people affect the person I already am or change my personality. I need to be more assertive, and yet be more considerate. And most importantly, I need to have more self confidence.

Now, the issue is how I am going to achieve all that. I need clearer descriptions and directions.

Meanwhile, just let me watch my TV.

Happy New Year!

Labels: 5 man gang, Christmas, CN4A, emotions, friends, gatherings, new year, party, Resonance, work

posted by Jeremy @ 8:10 PM

Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Children's Day

I really need to do a quick update as it's already quite late, and since I am transferring songs which takes quite some time, I might as well do some updates.

Last weekend was quite alright.

Friday: Met up with CN4A people. Dinner at Central foodcourt. A really cheap alternative to fine dining. Talked a lot of of nonsensical stuff and laughed a lot as well. Drinks at Brewerkz with beer and also takeaway margarita from Cafe Iguana.

Saturday: Tuition, and then some youtubing. Evening was at Robinson's sale at Singapore Expo. Bought a business/casual long sleeve shirt and bright red Hush Puppies polo t shirt. Good buy.

Sunday: Some gym and run in the morning. Xenus gang gathering at noon at City Hall. Amazingly empty at City Hall area at noon. Had lunch at Changing Appetites at Marina Square. Super empty as well at the restaurant and there were only 2 other groups of diners there when we were eating. Some arcade before we went to watch Painted Skin. Not a bad show, though slow and slightly draggy beginning. Went for dinner at Pu Tien. Manage to catch few glimpses of F1 race and experience the loud vrooms of the racing cars.

Today: Run in the morning, and went to grandaunt's place for some nice lunch. Home in the evening.

That's about it for the week that has past. Missed out a lot of details but that's about it. Really need to catch some sleep to prevent zombiefying myself for work tomorrow.

Labels: gatherings, life, Xenus gang

posted by Jeremy @ 11:50 PM

The Weekend

I don't wish to blog about work unless something very interesting or is really worthy to blog about. Work is just the like that everyday, like one of my friends says, work is 'same shit, different days', which I have to agree.

On Friday, did some window shopping around at Tampines Mall, and watched Disaster Movie with bro. Talking about bro, I realised we get to know each other better after i consoled him during his breakup with his ex girlfriend. It was really a bad period of him, and I think since then, we 2 bachelors became quite close and look out for possible 'opportunities'. Haha.


Yesterday, I met up with 5 man gang for a crab cum zi char dinner at some coffee shop at Ang Mo Kio. I think this is one of the most expensive dinner that I have paid for myself. You see, I seldom eat good stuff, but yesterday, I think I really spent quite a bit for crabs, some pork ribs, bun, vegetables and chicken. The chilli crab is not bad but the sauce is rather spicy. The butter one is not bad. My friends prefer the bee hoon and soupy ones, but I feel its like fish bee hoon and instead of fish, they added crabs with the soup base being the same as the fish soup with milk in it.

After that, we went walked around at AMK hub and decide to reside at a small cafe which offers very few boardgames. And so we played Taboo, Urban legend, and this balancing game which is like uno stacko or jenga but instead of blocks, we placed funnel like objects on a balancing platform. At around 11pm, we took bus back and headed to our home sweet home.

Went to gym-swim-jacuzzi-suntan today at bro's father's condo. Need to maintain shape and health especially during work. Then went to have botak jones and then we go to TM again to get some stuff.

One of my friends commented that once I am tired, I just let everything loose and not make an effort to do things or just even talk. I will just shut off all my senses and my temper seems to escalate at moments like this. I can't help but to agree. And because of this, I think I affect the moods of my friends, which in turn affect me as well. I really to reserve my energy and not exert it in the beginning and let all loose at the end of the day, so loose that I don't even care what's happening around me. I need to learn, and I hope I will improve.

Just forgive me when I turned quiet or looked bad mood-ed. I am just tired and shut off, really.

Labels: 5 man gang, friends, gatherings, reflections

posted by Jeremy @ 7:27 PM

The Wheel Needs a Job

I am starting to get worried. I think I have doing nothing for too long. I really need to concentrate in finding a job, as the lack of finance support is really draining me out. I have been going out too often too, which contributes to the draining of the money.

Last Friday, I met my NUS class people, for a mahjong session at Weian's house. It's really fun meeting this people up to talk about the old days, and to continue teasing each other. And most importantly I won 10 bucks from the mahjong session, something that seldom happened. Anyway it was really a worthy afternoon spent, (though the time can be better spent on earning money or looking for a job). After the mahjong session, I went to meet up with my NUS OG people at Woodlands (yes, all the way in Woodlands). Jiasheng brought us to this Tze Char stall at Marsiling Industrial Estate. The food was really good. There's deer meet, vegetables, mushrooms, fish, pork, and most importantly the Yi Ping Guo, which was a pot of soup with abolone, Fish maw and other chinese herbs. It was really really good. The thought of it already made me salivate and drool! After the nice dinner, we settled ourselves at McDonalds' and talked. We talked about Yuhui's marriage, and Zhi Shern and Vivien getting married next year, about the work as teachers. Its really pleasant to able to reminisce with these guys!

Saturday was another busy day for me cos I was out early in the morning for tuition, after which I had a haircut at Tampines mall. I then bought lunch home for my granny and myself, and did some internet admin stuff, before going to school. I was supposed to help Charm with the editing the photos, but in the end I could not do much as I was not really proficient in photoshop. In the evening we had a really really long full dress rehearsal and I was in school till 11.30pm. Thanks to Andrew for the ride home and hope the car worked well after having to squeeze the other 5 of us in your car. Haha.

Sunday was another day when I was out the whole day. Met Lix and gang for her birthday treat at Waraku at Marina Square. The food there is not bad, and we had chicken cutlet don meal, salmon sashimi, chawanmushi, etc. After that we went to coffee bean to drink coffee and Kim showed us some of the DS lite games including Professor Layton and the curious village. She showed us some of the puzzles in the game which made us all scratching our heads to search for answers.

After that, I went to Tampines Mall to meet up with my JC band gang. We had a nice dinner at Swensen's, spent a nice long time talking and taking photos, before going back home. I realised it's been a long time since I last seen them, and we did have a lot to catch up with.

Met up with Mervyn at Simei for lunch at Sakai Sushi. Haha. Thanks for the treat. I owe you big one. Will pay back when I found a job.

The past 2 days have been either home or school practising for VO III. A few good news. The concert is sold out!! All thanks to your help!! And 8 of my NUS classmates are coming to watch, FINALLY! Haha! Thanks to Mervyn and his friends for supporting as well.

This blog is really quite long. And I realised I did not have describe the events taking place at the end. Maybe I should blog often.

I really hope I can find a job real soon. Wish me luck!!

Labels: 5 man gang, CN4A, friends, gatherings, horn gang, life, Xenus gang

posted by Jeremy @ 12:04 PM

What's Up With the Wheel's Life

It's been a long long time since I blogged about my everyday life. All I do is write and complain about the things that happen or my feelings.

Anyway, since I have got back from Europe, it's more or less clearing my stuff from Europe (though the pack of souvenirs still lie on my desk), catching up with youtube (its the Taiwanese Talent show I have been watching), movies watching (I have watched Kungfu Panda, The Incredible Hulk, and The Happening), giving tuition, attending interview, meeting up with friends, and most importantly, attending Reso practices.

Reso pracs are going ok for me, or at least I think it's ok, just that my voice would temporarily disappear for a moment. Everyone has been working hard for this concert, and I have great faith it would be a successful one. The singers are really good and some of the songs are really nice and catchy. Although we are not professional groups performing, but we ensure we will perform to the best we can.

I had an job interview with SRC yesterday. It was quite rush because they inform me of the interview only on Tuesday evening and I have to prepare in school before reso prac on Tuesday. Anyway, I did not think the interview went as well as I wanted it to be. Because based on the questions they have asked me, I think I could have given much better and more detailed answers. Blamed it on my poor on the spot reactions. But I really wanted the job, because I am jobless, because it pays well, because it has good prospects. REALLY. But now, I really feel that it has gone with the wind.

What to do? But I am fine. I take it as a bonus if I get it to the second round and really have to perform IF i get it to the second round. Anyway, I really did not think they would call me for interview because it is a really well known Chem Eng company in Singapore and they look mostly for 1st class or 2nd upper. At the time when I sent my resume, I only had a 2nd lower. In addition, it was Mr Aspi who asked me to send in the resume, and if he did not, I would really consider because I thought that I would be rejected anyway. So it would really be a bonus if I get it. Wish me lots of luck man!

After the interview yesterday, I walked to Chinatown Mrt (yes, I walked from Havelock road which is near Tiong Bahru, walked past SGH at Outrum MRT and then to Chinatown) to meet with Sok Gek, Mingli, Weian and Kok Lian for lunch and KTV. We went to the Ten Dollars KTV which includes free flow of drinks, a bowl of 'sharks' fin' each and 5 hours of singing. Really worth it ya? So we sang to our hearts' content from 2pm to 7pm. After which, Mingli has to go. So the four of us continued with dinner at my favourite Lan Zhou La Mian, in which we each order a bowl of la mian and shared one 'long' of 8 xiao long bao. Really loved it. After that we went to eat desserts at Yuan Xiang Wei. The Black Sesame Paste and Peanut Paste are really good. We then decided to watch movie at The Cathay Picturehouse. Watched The Happening. Very disappointed, especially with the ending because the whole show ended just like that, as in a gust of wind solves all problems. We were like what had just happened and before we know it, everything became fine.

Anyway, that is what is happening to me these few days since I was back. Hope to catch up with more people soon. Meanwhile wish me luck with my job seeking.

Labels: CN4A, gatherings, job interview, life, movie, Resonance

posted by Jeremy @ 1:04 PM

Of Interviews, Projects and Birthdays

I will try to keep this post as short as possible, although I have been missing out for almost 2 weeks.

Been actually called for 2nd interview for JGC, the Japanese EPC company. Totally disappointed with that interview, not with myself, but with the interview, and the offer SUCKS BIG TIME. I am so angry with myself why I allow myself to be stuck in such a situation and be humiliated by such person. Anyway I am not going to accept that offer, unless something really goes so wrong. There will be another interview, that is with Yokagawa. It is the 1st round and I hope it will be a good one.

Finally, the super big project design concluded on Thursday!! And since it coincides with my birthday and the last day of school for most of us, we have a small celebration at Marche at Vivocity where we got high with beer, mushrooms and phototaking.

Thanks to the Resonance kakis for the quick lunch at Arts on Friday. Sorry I can't join you all at Daily Scoopz. Hope you all have enjoyed yourself!

So far the presents I have got are ang baos (family), a haversack (class people), and a nice cheesecake and One Republic CD (bro).

This year's birthday I missed out having meal with my family, largely because of the projects and having other plans with friends. But somehow, this year's birthday was quite different. Besides being sick, it's the feeling that's different. Maybe it's the age... I am getting old. Thanks to all who have messaged, facebooked, msn-ed your greetings. Appreciated greatly!

So now, I am left with the last project and the final 2 papers for exams and after that, IT'S THE EUROPE TRIP!!!

PS: Not as if my writing skills are real good, but I realised my writing skills have deteriorated,. Sighz!

Labels: birthday, CN4A, gatherings, job interview, life, school

posted by Jeremy @ 12:21 PM

Post Chinese New Year Withdrawal Syndrome

Fun's over. Now its the time to really start working, and I can foresee the loads of work coming, in which some of them has already lying impatiently on my desk.

Anyway, the Lunar New Year has been the same as the previous years, where New Year's eve night was reunion dinner at home, first day was mainly when my paternal relatives first gathered at my house and we then proceeded to some of my grandaunts', granduncles', uncles' and aunties' houses. Yes, it was never an easy task, and after steamboat (which was already 1030 pm) at my aunt's house, I was already so tired, but there's the second day to come.

The second day morning was visit by my granduncle and grandaunt from my paternal family, then we proceed to another grandaunt's place. After all which, me and my parents went to visit my maternal grandpa at the home, where most of my aunties, uncles and cousins were there. Went home after that to have lunch, then visit by my dad's cousins at my house. Then again, we went to my mum's sister at tampines where all my maternal relatives gathered for steamboat and yu sheng.

I used to dread chinese new year because, its where all the aunties will come to ask if you have a girlfriend, are you still in NS, studying or when I am graduating, in which the last question was asked the most often. But somehow, I think I have improved my socializing skills and able to engage in conversations quite smoothly. And from there, I actually learnt more about my relatives. Well, now at least I know that one of my dad's cousin's wife is actually working for WorlyParson, a construction company which hire chemical engineer like me. So she told me to write in if I am interested and hopefully, I can get a job. But the thing that it's on a contractual basis.

Anyway, I just came home from another lunch with my grandaunts, granduncles, grandma and my parents, where I am the only one of my age. But I didn't mind that much, because there's free GOOD food, and somehow, I able to entertain myself my folding chopsticks paper wrapper and turn it into a paper star. And I was able to catch some Dragon Dance troop performing, engaged by the restaurant we had lunch at.

To date, I had 3 rounds of yu sheng, 2 rounds of steamboat, many servings of New Year goodies. Hmmm, i think the next thing is a well planned out diet and fitness routine.

Labels: Chinese New Year, gatherings

posted by Jeremy @ 3:14 PM

The Week That Has Been

It's only the second week of school and I am feeling the stress already. Probably it's the work and projects that start to kick in and it seems I am in school more often than ever. Hopefully, I can cope with the final semester, and maybe it's after all not a bad thing, so that I can stop worrying about the stresses in life other than school.

Met up with the color-coordinated gang yesterday at Bedok having Botak Jones. Yes, there's an outlet here at Bedok North. Tired the Cajun Chicken, recommended by the goat. It's actually not bad, 'cos I would not normally eat chicken breast, but the preparation of the chicken was quite good that I don't feel that I am eating chicken breast. I am never regretful meeting with these people, as we always had laughter and happiness around, and for once, we could put aside our worries and stress and just enjoy the company of each other.

Looking forward to the next outing with these peeps.

Still waiting for photos to be posted.

Labels: gatherings, horn gang, school

posted by Jeremy @ 3:17 PM

Suhui's Pseudo 21st Birthday Party

Actually, she's celebrating her 22nd, but since her 21st birthday was spent in the U.S., she decided to have a 22nd one where she's here. The theme of the party was royalty, therefore everyone (with the exception of some) was dressed in black, purple, gold, silver or a mixture of the above. Held at Aloha Loyang, the party was a gathering for the Reso peeps where some of us haven't seen each other for ages. Being the birthday gal, she was busy entertaining her guests, so we entertained ourselves with card games of Bridge, the usual teases, laughters, and what-nots. Her guests were also treated to our very impromptu singing of the song 'Fire', which was actually not very good. But it was the fun and joy and the gathering of all your friends that counts. We got her a swatch watch, which she seems to like it quite a lot. Really something practical eh, rather than an automatic toothbrush which I threatened to give her.

Enough said. The pictures will say more. Thanks to Suhui, Charm Y and Lina (Su's friend) for the photos.

Labels: gatherings, party, Resonance

posted by Jeremy @ 2:44 PM

Welcome 2008!

2008 is finally here. In this new year, I have a few resolutions, which hopefully I can fulfill them. I hope I will be happier, spend more time with my families and friends, have more determination in whatever I do, be a much fitter person, find a good job and earn more money, and always try to look at the positive side of things.

2007 has been a year of growing and learning, and I hope I will continue learning and growing and remember what I have learned. I will also try to continue the many things I have initiated, like the design blog, and the energy I have in 2007.

2007 ended with a birthday celebration at Derek's house, with food (and more food), phototaking, singing, etc. It's the 3rd time we celebrated his birthday with potluck, and as usual, the fun and laughters! After that, I rush to my NUS class chalet at Pasir Ris, which is at the other part of Singapore as Derek's place is at Clementi. I know it's crazy, but I think this is one of the seldom crazy things I do! Anyway it's the last year of the year! Fortunately I reached just before 12am, and able to countdown with the class peeps. After that, it's mahjong, which I've lost, gossiping, playing bridge. I left at 7am to go back my home sweet home to sleep!

Photos from Derek's party!

Labels: CN4A, gatherings, new year, Resonance

posted by Jeremy @ 1:46 PM

Bye Bye 2007

It's the last day of 2007 and before the year comes to its final second, people would normally have some reflections and make new resolutions. I looked at my post at the beginning of the year and saw what resolutions I have made for 2007. I can safely say I have tried to fulfill some of the resolutions to a certain extent, that is to spend more time with people around me, and to spend less time doing unnecessary things, though I still waste quite a bit of time here and there.

This year has been rather packed for me in some ways. There's internship, first tuition assignment, new friends made, things that happened that made me realize the importance of family, gatherings with friends, etc. I think and hope I have grown in one way or the other through the things that have happened this year.

My posts recently have been of a long length, thus I would try to keep this short. As a whole, I would say 2007 has been a year of growing and learning. I have also learned if I really want something, I can achieve that aim to a certain extent. Some didn't turn as well as I expected to be, but still it can be achieved. Probably I should just want things harder, then probably I can achieve it.

2008 will be great and greater.

Went out with the horn gang again yesterday. The usual KTV session, where Gary brought his girlfriend along. Post KTV was dinner at my favorite Lan Zhou La Mian at Chinatown, where we ended the gathering after some phototaking at Central at Clarke Quay.

So long now, 2007.

Labels: gatherings, horn gang, life, reflections

posted by Jeremy @ 10:21 AM

The Inner Thoughts

I think I am a coward when it comes to relationship issues. I never tried or dared to take a leap and to act as I suppose to, and in the end, I have lost many opportunities. Probably because I think too much before taking any actions at all, thinking about the consequences and sometimes even decide for the other party. Probably also because I am not good enough to be with anyone. Who wants to be with an ugly, character-less, boring, un-charismatic, non-intellectual person? Some say I lack self-confidence, but truth is truth.

Actually, I am quite comfortable in this situation now, doing the things I do, getting crazy, not being involved with anyone, doesn't matter if anyone cares what do. But will I get too comfortable and fear of changes?

I once told my friend that one of the reasons why I am afraid to be in a relationship is because I hate the breakup. I think I will also act differently when I am in one. I also tend to think if the person really suits me, or I really am the one she's looking for.

Jeremy, you are such a romance idiot.

So now, should I take a big leap and open my arms wide? I am not young anymore, my friends are getting married.

Now, emo-self aside. I went out again yesterday, to meet up with Siandy first. Went around Orchard to look at stuff and had dinner at Lemongrass Thai restaurant at The Heerens. We were quite amazed at the emptiness of the place, not only in the restaurant, but the place around as well. What amazed us as well was that the waiter served us our pineapple rice as well, as in he scooped the rice out from the pineapple (the rice was placed in the pineapple, thus pineapple rice) and served it on our plates. Siandy (or was it me?) commented that they could do that because there were really not a lot of people around, and thus were quite free. After dinner, we walked toward PS, where I supposed to meet my Union Camp -aka -Xenus -aka -Fervo -aka -Cap5 mates.

I didn't really feel like going out yesterday. Somehow I really felt quite lethargic. Even when Siandy asked me to meet her earlier, truthfully, I was really tired, even though I slept in the noon. I was so sian that I didn't even bring my camera out, which I normally did.

I didn't regret meeting her. I think my energy recovered slightly after that.

And then, I was supposed to meet my union camp peeps. I told Siandy I wanted to just meet them and go home. Being lost and can't find the place where I supposed to meet them, made me even want to just give up and go home. But I guessed I couldn't just break my promise, so I hanged on and found the place eventually.

The Mind Cafe at Prinsep Street was actually not a bad place for gathering. It's like Settlers' where we can have food and place boardgames. At first I though there were only 5 of us meeting, because I only see KC, Jiasheng, Guoyong and Zhi Shern, but later more of them came and there were eventually there were 10 of us, where Vivien, Fang, Elisa, Weiye, Yuwei joined us later.

The games sort of perked me up. I liked the last game most where we have to exchange the cards on our hands so that all the cards have the same color. And when anyone has the set of same color cards, he or she was supposed to silently grabbed the bones that were placed in the middle, and the last person who realised that the bones were gone, or didn't manage to grab the bone, he would be the loser. It was interesting that the location where you were will determine if you lose or not, because it's always the same people losing. I didn't believe it until I exchanged places with the unlucky position and I lost in the end. There was also a funny moment where there was actually 2 bones left on the table and 2 of the guys snatched the same bone leaving the other bone unsnatched.

After Mind Cafe, Elisa and beau left first. The rest of us proceeded to a bar nearby called the Roomful of Blues. It's actually a nice small chill out bar where there is nice live singing. The singer was good, and I loved his style of singing. And while we listened to the nice crooning, we played the usual beer games of guessing fists (direct translation from 猜拳) where the one on the left of the winner will have to drink from the big glass of beer. I realised I was quite good at the game actually, which made Fang drank quite a bit. Oops.

The other game we played had to do with dice and guess the number of dices with the number that you called. If you guess correctly and another person caught you, he had to drink. But he caught you and you guessed wrongly, you have to drink. I am REALLY bad at the game and I drank really a lot. I think as a whole, I drank around 2 big glasses that night, which I seldom did.

I didn't bring my camera so I took photos with my phone. Pardon for the quality.

Labels: feelings, gatherings, horn gang, Xenus gang

posted by Jeremy @ 12:30 PM