Sunday, June 29, 2008

Response to comment

My dear friend Jacky lives in a world of self-delusion. He must engage the real world and confront the fact that Jacky Wu is indeed famous and popular. The truth is Singapore's retail outlets had imported his CDs and the CDs were all sold out. I was merely too slow to act. Nonetheless, I will be meeting Jacky soon to convince him out of his fantasies. :-)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Some thanks...

First and foremost, I must thank Derrick for getting my Jacky Wu CDs autographed in Taiwan! 8 in total! Very happy. I could not sleep on Monday! Jacky Wu leh! No small fry lor. I had tried to buy some of his CDs here in Singapore but failed, because they were sold out at all retail outlets. Haiz. 本土天王,人红可不是盖的!

Next, I must thank my Beijing clique for helping me out and allowing me to enjoy my TA stint. But Boon Boon will be leaving for Malaysia soon. 人生之无奈何其多啊!

And my dear friend Jacky will be heading to Medan soon. I must meet up with him, Boredin, Jiayi and Yuting soon before my Taiwan trip materializes. I have yet to book my air ticket, so my timetable for the time being remains flexible. Sad yet happy. How ironic.
Pessimism?

The Massachusetts Constitution states that all men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. Are men all born free and equal? Obviously the answer is negative, with the axiom as old as the hills that all people are equal but some are more equal than others. How true, and you realize it only when you come of age. Indeed, as Jean-Jacques Rousseau puts it, men are born free but everywhere he is in chains. There are rules and regulations to be conformed to, as well as duties and responibilities shouldered upon right from the minute when you were born. All in the mind? Then, may I ask, when will I ever break free of the shackles from both within and without? A social contract binds us together as communities, and powerful forces of inertia are supplements that foster the Prisoner's Dilemma between us. Selfishness eliminates all possible means of cooperation and hence change. A vicious cycle rolls and before anyone knows it, we are now lost in the abysses of space and time.

I can't go to Taiwan yet, for reasons too complicated to be explained here. I shall update on my recent China trip soon.

Monday, June 23, 2008

随心所欲

跟了北京这团,身体是累的、透支的,真的老了。

我还真不适合团体旅行。每天都有固定的行程要遵循。我又不是个"morning person",却要每天早起,早餐都不吃呢。

对我而言,人生就和旅行一样,随心所欲才好。今天的心未必代表明天的心,也不一定是我终究所要的。做出太多的安排,不仅累了自己,也累了明天。

胸无大志,过一天、算一天。

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Back!

I'm back from Beijing. Met new friends such as Charis, Davin, Eunice, Pooi Yean, Tian Boon, Wan Jun, and Yuan Ting. Seen old ones such as Jie Chun and Pei Fun. Very happy!

I feel old though. Overcome by fatigue as I struggled to type these words. I shall talk more about the trip in the days to come. Now that I'm back, away I hope to be! Taiwan awaits me.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Dislike

I hate people hitting my head, for any reason, period.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

出口

此刻我只想找一个出口

哪里才会有离开的出口

但就算真的找到了出口

能往哪里走?

嫉世愤俗

真想出走

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Be Positve and Happy!!

Look forward to life!
Look forward to family!
Look forward to friends!
Look forward to tours!
Look forward to ... career!
Look forward to ... money!
Look forward to everything!

Never look back. Nothing should hold me back.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Regretful but happy

If not for my itchy fingers, I would have enjoyed a complete score of five. My past decision had ramified into an irrevocable mistake. I am, nonetheless, happy. Contentment fills the air that I inhale. What more can I ask for? Happiness lies in the heart of the beholder.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Some things never change

We are now living in the twenty-first century. Yet parents have been telling their children that if they don't study hard, they will have to dump rubbish for others. I wonder if some teachers entertain the thought too. Anyway, with such remarks, these parents have contributed to the very rubbish that they are talking about. Good grades equal good jobs? Education should never be commodified! In my capacity as a prospective graduate, I shall defy conventional wisdom and social norms. I will be receiving less than 2000 bucks per month for the next few years. And hence open to scorn and criticism. About me being a vermin of society who leeches onto the riches of others. Fine. If this is what it takes individually to dispel the dumb discrimination against the lowly-educated.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Cute Pandas to Taiwan

Cute eh? They are named "Tuantuan" and "Yuanyuan".
Interesting?

It should remain the moral imperative of the civil society to denounce any form of unjust propaganda by either words of speech or acts of deeds. Even if they are committed by a single individual. Mixing personal issues with general affairs is irrational, irresponsible and stupid. Overwhelmed with emotions, someone with stones for brains had sprouted some amoral nonsense in some part of the world. This very someone obviously has some distorted code of morals in her. Indeed, not very Buddhist of her. Oops.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Redundant

Zong Hao and his newfound accomplice Alex had just crushed me at the table. Losses were not recouped, and a new tragedy unveiled. Derrick, however, treated me to a Thai dinner and promised to have my Jacky Wu CDs autographed during his Taiwan trip. A tasty and satisfying consolation, I guess!

Sometimes I would wonder if it is necessary for me to stare at the mirror every morning to groom myself in preparation for the day. Looking into the mirror is akin to seeing a portrait. I am trying to present myself in a way deemed acceptable by other people. In a way that I can identify myself with as well. On a personal note, what's the point for me? Most of the people whom I meet are either my friends or mere strangers. If my friends dislike me because my hair is not in place or I have forgotten to shave, then they are the superfluous ones whom I can forgo. I love my single but unavailable life, and there is no incentive for me to impress gals and attract unnecessary attention. My verdict of the day, therefore, is that I should spend less time at the basin and wash up just enough to face the world. Just for courtesy, not vanity.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

What is Life?

Kenny just asked if I am feeling depressed. I had long passed that phase. My youth is past. I have reached an impasse. In life. Most, if not all, things are now transient to me. No more press interviews. No more contests or competitions. No more awards. No more grades. No more conferences, seminars or talks. No more glory and fame. No more ceremonies and dinners. No more functions and parties. I hanker after these no more. I used to. But absolutely no more. I shall not update my profile for greater prominence and more opportunities. Neither will I seek to improve myself for the sake of improvement. Progress (Power) corrupts. I must be in tune with the Flintstones. No need for 933 and 98.7.

Bored, and hence thinking too much? Not exactly, with my research in a stalemate. Lack of a "special someone"? I think I will be more troubled if I have one. Jacky said that with such a mentality one cannot hope to excel in this country. In total agreement with this view, I had never and will not hope to achieve. I had long come to terms with how I feel. I am actually a happy-go-lucky person now. I just don't understand why people around me are so bothered by the present and the future. Am I sane? I think I am. Still. At least for now. I feel more Buddhist than ever. But not reclusive. Please don't distort my meaning here. :-)

Taureans are never suicidal. This entry may sound sad but I am actually happy. I look forward to more gatherings and overseas trips in the near future. As for events that may spread my name far and wide, I will give them all a miss. Even if they are held in America.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

MSN Chats

I had just chatted with Debby, Gail, Jacky and Peggy online. A pesky mosquito kept disturbing me. My killer instinct was aroused for the first time in several months.

A brief summary of what we had talked about is as follows:
Debby questioned me on my sexuality.
Gail asked me some questions pertaining to Chinese history.
Jacky argued with me over some issues and plans.
Peggy provided me with details of what I can expect from my upcoming Taiwan trip.

Nice chats on the whole! I must remain optimistic about the future. Life is not about maximum payout, but optimal play.

To Derrick: Your proposed plan is feasible but troublesome. There will be too many transfers involved. Please seek transport to Taipei and work your way from there. It will be much easier.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Recent Updates

Met up with loads of people in the past 2 weeks. Jiahao, Tipin, Andrew, Nick, Raymond, Jiayi, Yong Chang, Crystal, Melvin, Boredin, Sam, Soon Kit, Joseph, Teng Hui, Jane, Jacky, Jianhao, Daniel Lee, Sor Hui, Cheryl, Daniel Chua, Derrick, Zong Hao, Seng Hwa, Chee Ming, Kenny, Si-Rong, Siyu, Daniel Lim, Dingguo, Bryan, Nian Long, Rachel, Shaun etc. Hope I have not left anyone out. Will be meeting Gail and gang next week. Happy that Debby and Vivian read my blog from Hong Kong. My professor must not know of all these. I have not completed my data compilation and field research yet. Here's my recent photo with Dingguo and Bryan.

Wacky Jacky's Favourites

Author: Jared Diamond
Chinese drama serial: Towards the Republic
Film of all time: Battlefield Earth
Japanese drama serial: Furuhata Ninzaburo
Pastime: High tea
Sport: Cycling
Taiwanese actor, compere, singer: Jacky Wu
Taiwanese variety show: Guess x 3
Topic of Interest: History, Political Science

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Embattled

The Battle of the Wall had ended. To my dismay, I was mortally crushed by a series of flying colours and changing sequences from three sides of the Wall. They were so dazzling that I began to see stars. Derrick, occupied at one side, seemed like an innocent "pig" when I first saw him. At the battle's end, however, I was devoured by the "tiger" of him. Now hopelessly hurt, I can only hope that he would read the very first entries of my blog, which I regard to be the very best that I had offered, if I can ever write at all.