Tuesday, May 29, 2007 . 11:51 AM
I managed to rush in another post wahaha!
Hello again all!
I managed to sneak in some time to blog once more (even though i shouldnt be heh! i need to do my journal!) But i discovered that my com today is not lagging so tada!) More photos for you to feast on before i leave bangkok!
Tonight will be a long, bumpy and uncomfortable ride on train to Chiangmai... hope i will survive thru it with little problem...
Okie so i will blog again hopefully soon!
Ciao!
(Wong J., 2007)
Monday, May 28, 2007 . 5:44 PM
Post post post! Even in me sleepy state...
Hallo everyone!!!
Well this could well be my ladst long post in Thailand, depending on whether if when i reach Chiangmai or Chiangrai i would be able to find free wireless or internet connections that i can ap into. So i'll try to make this as long as possible even though i'm running on adrenaline now since i had only 4 hours of sleep so far...
Bangkok is finally coming to a close for me. I have to say that so far... Bangkok has not been a god leg for me in general. Although i do admire the beautiful architecture of the buildings, the culture and the familiarity of an urban space in relation to Singapore (like Starbuckss, Mcdonalds and 7-11), the group projects has caused a strain on people here in general, where conflicts start to arise. I'd have to say that i have been lucky to be in a conflict free group. However, the perfectionist in me may have rubbed some people in the wrong way, if it did i seriously hope they will not hold it against me. In my last night in Bangkok before i leave for 12 days in Chiangmai, i'd like to reflect on the highlights and lows of this leg (if this bores you, please dun bother reading it since i'm half-stoned typing this anyway...)
The best parts:
1. The suuuuuuuuper nice Starbucks that is located in Khao San which i'd love to go back to. I tell u i could just sit there for days staring at the architecture of the building, its super nice cathedral like interior with its painted wood ceiling and hanging chandelier... simply GORGEOUS, BREATHTAKING! If u all ever get a chance do go visit the starbucks on sun street in Khao san, you wont regret your 110 baht at all!
2. Nice group mates!!!! My leader was so chill that he always put the uptight and "kan cheong" me at ease... even in the last hours. Haha! Grp 6 if we do well, it will definitely be due to our cohesiveness being reflected through our project! Thank god its over!
3. Surprsingly all the times that were memorable so far was when i felt like i was not in Bangkok anymore.. whether its sitting in the pub chillin or using the internet in coffee world for hours using the free internet, i will always remember those alone timings...
4. My results!!! Ok everyone i will go public to say that i did very well this semester praise the lord!!! I was sick to my stomach before the results were revealed (yes literally) and was getting so afraid as ppl in year 2 and 3 taking same modules as me were revealing that they were not getting very good grades for similar mods as me. I thought i would be a gonecase. But instead, i couldnt be any happier... My combined cap now is 4.25 (I CANT BELIEVED I IMPROVED BY A 0.25 MARGIN!) so i had a cap of 4.5 this sem!!! some mods that i thought i was gonna die at i did surprisingly well and my gem also saved me. I also had my 1st A+! Couldnt believe my eyes... i Thought i'll never see it in my 4 yrs in NUS. But god has been real kind to me... Hard worlk does pay off after all huh...
My low points:
1. But all the high comes with a downside. Firstly, for a few days i was quite sick. Was having diarrhea and gastric for a few days. For now, my stomach is still uncomfortable but not anything that i cant manage. So far my 2 good frens have taken a harder beating from illnesses so i'm grateful enuff mine wasnt so serious.
2. the tension builds up! I get in any group there will always be people u lik and hate... Its inevitable. Thus i knew in a sense that the groupings for this trip shouldnt have been random. I was one of the luckier ones with tension free situations to handle. However, some ppl characters within grps have clashed, leaving them as bigger enemies than before project time. It has also caused inter-group tensions. Who's got more references? Who has the nicer project? These arbitrary terms have left the field studies having an intense, unfriendly mood, which simply put... REALLY SUCKS!
3. I'm homesick! Ok i shouldnt really complain as to wat weibin and jianhong has to go through.,.. but especially when u are not in the comforts of your home, having to work in the field (and i'm already working in very good conditions here compared to later on..) it really makes me miss home more. Plus all the finales i have missed makes me want to grab that tv of mine at home and stick it in front of my face, yes even in its breaking down condition with bad sound quality etc...
4. The bangkok food is bad for my stomach!!! Too oily, tooo dirty, unclean air, unclean roads... but most importantly.... I hate being stopped and asked to watch dirty shows!!!! The first few days, i gently rejected thyem, but by day 4 it was a rude wave or no to chase them away. This is wat u will get in the sukumvit area since its prostitution filled and famous for its sex industry! this has led me to have a greater respect for the women vendors who try to make a decent living through street hawking here, even though their food is not good for my stomach, i try my best to support them! hee!!
Skills i have learnt in Thailand:
1. i have learnt that i am actually not as pampered as i believe i am to be. Actually, i think i'm much more adaptable than some ppl on this trip... i just make more noise thats all! Haha!
2. I have learnt how to cross streets in thailand! That was a mean feat that i have conquered but cannot be applied in Spore... heh!
3. I have learnt that my Thai is really bad! No surprises there... Haha!!!
So well i actually wanted to upload some photos but the bloggere here is real screwy so i'm giving up. Just want all of you to know i'm still alive but maybe not kickin thats all... cant wait tpo see all of you when i get back!!! Take care... P.S. If u all are free on 4 jun please call me home and wish my mum happy bday for me thanks!
ciao!
(Wong J., 2007)
home sweet home
hey guys...
most of you should know I'm back in Singapore!!!!!!!!!! Even though I'm physically in this melting pot, my heart's still somewhere roaming the streets in US.... Perhap, it'll take a couple of days before the reality of my being back in Singapore sink into my already-not-working brain - still feeling the effects of post-exam stress and traveller's exhaustion! haha.... not forgetting that now i've to adjust my biological clock to Singapore's time. Anyway, a million thanks to Rey, Qing and Elv for helping me execute my little surprise for my parents. Rey!!! Too bad never video cam that moment.... but still, it will be a day permanently etched in my mind.
snapshots from new york...
At Rockerfeller Square
smelly dirty subway at NY!!! :<
At the museum of Natural History
Broadway at 49th street - CHICAGO
At M&M boutique, Times Square
no more grades to care about.... no more thinking about home.... no more pizza, burgers and pasta - at least for now...
just good ole lovin back in sunny Singapore... man, I'm melting here. Somebody help!!!! :Odash
Saturday, May 26, 2007 . 4:14 PM
Don't matter
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Cause we gon' fight
Oh yes we gon' fight
Believe we gon' fight
We gon' fight
Fight for our right to love yeah
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you
Nobody wanna see us together
Nobody thought we'd last forever
I feel I'm hopin' and prayin'
Things between us gon' get better
Men steady comin' after you
Women steady comin' after me
Seem like everybody wanna go for self
And don't wanna respect boundaries
Tellin' you all those lies
Just to get on your side
But I must admit there was a couple secrets
I held inside
But just know that I tried
To always apologize
And I'ma have you first always in my heart
To keep you satisfied
Got every right to wanna leave
Got every right to wanna go
Got every right to hit the road
And never talk to me no more
You don't even have to call
Even check for me at all
Because the way I been actin' lately
Has been off the wall
Especially toward you
Puttin' girls before you
And they watchin' everything I been doin'
Just to hurt you
Most of it just ain't you
Ain't true
And they won't show you
How much of a queen you are to me
And why I love you baby
豆醬油條
豆醬離不開油條，讓我愛你，愛到老。:)
Friday, May 25, 2007 . 1:25 AM
If only I could turn back time then you would be mine again.
There is only room for 3 of us. No more, no less.
Slacker
Monday, May 21, 2007 . 12:32 PM
and I'm in New York!
Hi guys...Jared!!! Glad you are still alive and still bother to update us through this blog... so even though I'm really tired (have been deprived of sleep after the exams...), I'm gonna post this one pic to show that I too am fine here in NY! Haven't seen the WOW factor yet though... This is me at Brooklyn Bridge! Tata!~
dash
I'm now in BANGKOK!!!!
Hello my dear friends back in Singapore or in the US or Aussieland...
Wherever you are, here's a shoutout to all tat i've survived!!!
I'm alive after 6 days here...
Yes, sadly (and maybe a disappointment to some... heh!) i didnt perish or was affected in any way by the recent flood or earthquake here, so HAHAHA!!!
So far the journey has been tiring, enriching but fun at the same time..
Still adapting to stuff.
But the official work has begun. My 1st project starts here... in BANGKOK!
So time to get serious! Man i have to say i have been a real bad boy this trip so far, we are supposed to work on our personal journals but i havent started even after 6 DAYS!!!! Wats wrong with me man? Haiz... Oh well means lots of catching up to do!
Have so much to say but so little time as its already 1am here so i'll cut it short and leave u with a few photos to tantalise your eyes!
Once again thanks for sending me off at the airport, it was real thoughtful even though i'm only gone for 6 weeks heh!
Will blog again if i have the time and internet to use...
Take care all!!!
(Wong,2007)
Sunday, May 20, 2007 . 10:20 PM
Being set apart
A few wks ago, SG mentioned about clubbing and for the 1st time in a long time, I told him that I didn't want to go but I did not explicitly mention the reason for doing so. He went on to comment that we (I think he was referring to Bin, Bestest and me) are too holy. That set me thinking and I took it as a compliment actually. To the masses, everything is about "me, myself and I". What we do may seem weird and might be despised upon by the world but I want to make a stand and I am very glad that I am assured of my identity in Christ and nothing can take that away. In fact, I feel it is rather sad and pathetic that people base their worth on looks, grades and on whether they are part of a cool clique. All these are so temporal. Why can't more people see that.
Until recently, I thought it was perfectly fine to go clubbing cause I saw no harm in it. I personally felt that I was there to have fun and not to check people out and to get drunk. But God did show me that it was not an environment that was glorifying to HIM and since i have to set a good example, I accepted the reasoning. I thank God that I have not much friends who are into the whole clubbing scene and I have not had to compromise my stand. Maybe its cause most of my friends have similar characters and are christians but as Matt so aptly put it "I rather be a deviant. A deviant for God." So very true. Set me apart dear Lord for your namesake.
Slacker
Saturday, May 19, 2007 . 5:15 PM
My body has seriously gone haywire. Accustomed to US timing maybe. Haha.
Thank you for the signs. 5am suppers and 7am talks are special with you around. Makes the curdled mutton soup and "crispy" prata that much bearable.
Slacker
Thursday, May 17, 2007 . 11:54 PM
a surprise email from a prof...
This is CRAZY!!!!!!!! C-R-A-Z-Y!!! The paper which I rushed through, forced me to stay up till the wee hours to finish it only on the last week of school when the assignment was given to me on the 4th week of the semester, thought I haven't give a hoot about it and kept me from focusing full-fledge on my final exams - AND YET I GOT A COMMENDATION????
Dear Khian Pua Hong,
Thank you for participating in the Honors component of Bact 303. I have read your essay and I am impressed by your composition, your thoughts and your personal ethics. I know you put a lot of time and thought into the project, and so it won't be wasted on me, I am sharing the honors essays with 10 of my colleagues. Partly, because this allows a more profound view into the minds of Bact 303 students than surveys, course evaluations, and exam results, but also, as you point out in your essay, we scientists have to take a lead, and your work can be a catalyst.
Your final grade in Bact 303 is A. I enjoyed having you as a student. Have a great summer.
Kenneth Todar
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Bacteriology
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
back to packing up!
later,
dash
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 . 1:43 PM
500th post
Hello guys,
"koped" this cutie from one of my friends blog. Wanna share it with you guys.... Can you figure out what's happening around here? It took me quite a while *chuckles*
Enjoy!cheers,
dash
Monday, May 14, 2007 . 9:53 PM
sleepless
I'm so stressed over my last Physics final,
I can't sleep at night.
I'm so excited about this crazy semester ending,
I can't sleep at night.
I'm so thrill about the upcoming NY trip
I can't sleep at night.
I'M OVER THE MOON COZ I'LL BE HOME 2 WEEKS FROM NOW,
and that too, I can't sleep at night!!!
HAHA....
Shall share this song, that's on my repeated playlist in itunes,
IF WE ARE THE BODY - Casting Crowns
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way
1 down, 3 to go!
dash
Sunday, May 13, 2007 . 2:05 AM
As some of you may have known by now, SHE is back! Boobie, you really pulled a fast one on me and made me so embarrassed by posting this video of me but the comment was very funny. Thanks a lot my LSOTP although technically, you must admit you didn't do that much. Just to hide it from me and besides you had evil intentions of having fun at my expense. But I was pleasantly surprised. It was great. Having that surprise party for JH was worst lor. Had to like coordinate and pretend and get everyone to my house but of course much credit goes to my mum cause she cooked everything.
Had a great time. Even if it meant just sitting beside you with headphones on. The next few months will be great!
Slacker
Saturday, May 12, 2007 . 3:44 AM
I want FOOD!!!
Was so disappointed to find my favourite Bakmie stall closed down for good. Now I'll have to settle for 2nd best at Lucky Plaza. I hope Ronald Susilo won't be too sad too. HAHA. Wait, actually he can have the real McCoy in his hometown. Anyway, I settled for lousy claypot rice with measly servings. Went for tuition and went for supper after that with boobie and the royals. Supper was the best part. Had nice dim sum. The 豬腸粉 was really good and the sauce was splendid. Never tasted such good ones before then went for beef kway teow and had to head home. After coming back, I was still hungry and could smell my mum's butter cake. Didn't dare touch cause I didn't know who was it for so I ate the 3 remaining pieces of chicken bak kwa and I'm still hungry. Argh. Never mind. In a few hours time, I'll be having 小籠包 and fried rice. Yay.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOOBIE. LOVE YA TO THE MAX MAN. Have a great 22nd ya.
Thursday, May 10, 2007 . 10:53 PM
I want to be an astronaut... a doctor... an ENVIRONMENTALIST!
One day at the pool, I overheard this conversation between a father and his son. The son was swimming and he found pieces of rubbish.
Dad: Go and throw the rubbish into the yellow bin over there.
Son: Where?
Dad: Over there. (while pointing to the rubbish bin)
Son very obediently walks over and throws the rubbish, which he picked up at the bottom of the pool. I was very impressed by this scene and felt that the dad was definitely a role model. After this, the son continues to dive down to the bottom of the pool and continues picking up rubbish.
Dad: Why you so itchy fingers? Stop picking up rubbish.
Son: Cannot. We must pick up. If not, the pool will be very dirty.
Dad: There are cleaners to do that!
I was appalled at his comments. At this time, I felt that maybe the dad was just trying to be a good citizen and who knows what he might have done if no one was watching. Instead of encouraging his son, he chided him. I mean I agree with what he said and I definitely would not dive down and be collecting scraps of crap anytime soon but then I admire the kid for his environmentalist streak and civic mindedness.
More often than not kids have the potential to dream big and sometimes (sadly) its our parents or adults who tell us otherwise. They dash our hopes and tell us to be realistic but yet there are things that adults have to unlearn and learn not to impose their standards on the little ones. I'm sure we have all heard stories of how children are put down by their parents and they end up being traumatised or they might have experienced all this first hand. Thinking they are never good enough. Well I believe everyone has it in them to dream big and make their dreams come true. Thank God I have supportive parents. They have never once put me down. In fact, I think they sometimes have higher expectations of me than I have of myself. If only we all could release that inner child in all of us once again. Ah... The age of innocence.
Slacker
springTIME
O spring spring,
can you hear me calling?
The 4 "MAD" seasons in Madison.... but technically, it's either summer or winter here throughout the year! HAHA....
I can smell Singapore already!!!
cheerios,
dash
