some of my favourite quotes
If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same.
Confidence, like art, never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions.
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empty orchestra
Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:19 PM
the world at 6am
1. insomnia seeks to haunt me as ever after a few blissful days of normal sleep
2. 3/4 of the luggage remains unpacked
3. i'm sneezing. i can't do that or else i wouldn't be let on the plane;
4. i miss home, and
5. i wish you were here.
Labels: christmas, holidays, home, sick, travelling
New York is no London
The past few days passed without any surprises and I've finally got down to planning the itinerary for the trip. This means checking lonely planet guides, checking maps to group places close together and googling. Did I mention my birthday was spent with The Family at an alfresco sort of way in a seafood restaurant? Oh boy, it's tough trying to satisfy every taste bud at each table. Thanks Mom for spending a tidy sum of money. I really liked the food. :) Anyway back to planning itineraries. I realised that New York, like all other American cities, is quite remarkably different from European cities. I have forgotten after not stepping onto US land for two years. Although there is still quite a good supply of touristy stuff like museums, it isn't quite as "rich" as say London or Paris where your museums and cathedrals are not only free, a week's stay in each city is not enough for someone who wants to comb through the secrets of the place (or so I learned). I guess what I'm really saying is, I do quite look forward to this new adventure, yet I miss the history and culture that Europe brings - that every street and corner has a story in history books. No, no, don't flame me now, New York does have this but each continent has its own different charm and Europe always calls. Did I mention that the luggage remains unpacked? Labels: holidays, travelling
Forbes' 15 Fictional Richest
Sunday, December 16, 2007 2:50 PM
Forbes came up with a list of the world's 15 richest fictional characters with Scrooge McDuck topping the list. It's a pretty hilarious article... the part on Mr Monopoly losing his money in the subprime mortgage crisis is funny. Wouldn't spoil the rest of the article. (I wouldn't assume that anyone would read this - probably something people like A.drian are interested in haha.) More famous people in the list: #1 Scrooge McDuck
Net Worth: $28.8 billion
Soaring gold prices vault penny-pinching poultry to top slot; first non-mammal to rank as fiction's richest character. Keeps majority of fortune in bullion, stored in giant "money bin" atop hill in Duckburg; also invests in pearls, gems, other "hoardables." Literally swims in gold coins for exercise: "It keeps me young." Moved to American West from native Glasgow as an adolescent, made first fortune in mining; still keeps first coin he ever earned. Never gives to charity. Spent year combating "vicious rumors" that he once gave a penny to sick orphan. Publicly disinherited Donald Duck, his "ne'er-do-well" "hothead" nephew; Donald joined Navy, left behind Scrooge's mischievous grand-nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. Troublesome trio now presumed heirs. Member since 1947#2 Ming The Merciless
Net Worth: $20.9 billion
Existence of planet Mongo confirmed by U.S. government only this year; discovered by ultra-secretive NASA program code-named "retro-rocket." Mongo ruled by mysterious dictator named Ming; difficulty separating planetary wealth from personal fortune keeps net worth in low 11 figures; Ming possibly much richer. Variously described as "control freak," "micro-manager," "vile despot," "a kinder Steve Ballmer"; press reports have settled on "merciless." Reportedly lonely after executing wife; now fixated on Dale Arden, NASA public relations specialist, girlfriend of astronaut Flash Gordon. Arden allegedly kidnapped, brainwashed by Ming minions earlier this year; Gordon now among the regime's most vocal critics. New member. #3 Richie Rich
Net Worth: $16.1 billion
Self-proclaimed "poor little rich boy" now Silicon Valley power player, majority stockholder in Cisco Systems, primary investor in Facebook. With help from mentor Professor Keenbean invented robot maid, solid gold cellphone, e-mail spam engine. Often criticized for extravagant lifestyle, remains unrepentant; flew iceberg from the North Pole to Richville so friends could go skating. Rich's personal life hit front pages after he dumped longtime sweetheart Gloria Glad for local siren Mayda Munny; took another hit after best pals Freckles and Pee-Wee were arrested on fraud charges related to Rich Industries insider-trading scandal. Member since 1953. #6 C. Montgomery Burns
Net Worth: $8.4 billion
Fortune of longtime owner and operator of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant hit hard after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attempted to contain pollution by enclosing Springfield in a giant glass dome. Rioters subsequently ransacked city, looted Burns Manor, made off with priceless treasures, including suit Charlie Chaplin was buried in, first draft of the Constitution with the word "suckers" in it, robotic Richard Simmons. Despondent, Burns reportedly told assistant Smithers, "I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it, it might cheer me up to watch." Still, stands to profit greatly from reconstruction contracts in now dome-less Springfield. Critics call him an ogre, but Burns is unbowed: "I ought to club them and eat their bones!" Member since 1989.#8 Bruce Wayne
Net Worth: $7.0 billion
Wayne Industry profits up significantly due to sale of "Brother Eye" spy-satellite technology to U.S. government. Meanwhile, Wayne himself subject of ongoing FBI investigation after top-secret military prototypes are "lost" from company storage. Renowned playboy, fixture of the Gotham social scene, Wayne recently spotted canoodling with Silver St. Cloud, Drew Barrymore, Lindsay Lohan. Professional life occasionally intrudes on personal; annual all-black-attire party at Hamptons estate disrupted by swarm of razor-beaked robot penguins. Tongues continue to wag concerning Wayne's longtime habit of keeping teenage boys as "wards," rumored rubber suit fetish. Member since 1939. #11 Fake Steve Jobs
Net Worth: $5.7 billion
Alter-ego of Apple chief had much better year than real-life counterpart. Real Steve: Options back-dating scandal, iPhone apology, digital rights management troubles. Fake Steve: Outed by The New York Times as Forbes editor, published book, invented words like "frigtard" and wrote posts like "Dell Polishes a Turd" for a living; other Forbes hacks jealous. #13 Willy Wonka
Net Worth: $1.9 billion
Eccentric, reclusive candy maker continues to struggle. Heir apparent Charlie Bucket, now 15, becoming more interested in girls and less in Oopma-Loompas, while Bucket's aged grandparents remain drain on management's time, attention. Loompas growing more financially sophisticated; recently insisted on being paid in cash rather than in cocoa beans; Wonka bottom line, net worth adversely affected. Despite strained labor relations, immature management, Wonka still turns out finest candies on planet; company looking to fast-developing China and India for future growth. Member since 1964. #14 Lucius Malfoy
Net Worth: $1.6 billion
Patriarch of ancient wizarding family still standing after defeat of Dark Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Malfoy, himself a convicted criminal and Azkaban prison escapee, miraculously managed to avoid being sent back to jail thanks to well-timed "donations" to charities supported by influential Ministry of Magic employees. Now reunited with family and unfettered by criminal charges, Malfoy is aggressively pursuing new business enterprises. In June, attempted to corner the global cauldron market. In August, sold short more than $1 billion worth of Galleons, forcing Gringotts Bank to devalue and withdraw the currency from the Wizardly Exchange Rate Mechanism. Member since 2005. Total net worth of all 15 people = $137 billion. I quite like Scrooge McDuck. Swimming in gold coins hahaha. Source: Forbes
Happy birthday to me!
Saturday, December 15, 2007 4:47 PM
zagreb, croatia
I had dinner with an old friend last night as part of a birthday thing and got a really lovely album of latin guitar songs (somehow the song titles are in Italian - I only recognised "triste" as "sad"). Then a couple of people wished me at midnight - thanks to my old friend, C.huanmin, H.airol, M.ich, M.eisi, Yans, L.ings, Wei Qing, S.tephy, Mei, Vel, K.ee G.uan (I thought he forgotten! But he didn't. It's been six months since we last saw each other..I miss JC), Y.icheng, Y.uejia, Y.ings, XY, H/.uanna, H.ong Yue and all the other people on facebook. :) And Peis dared to call me at 12.18AM asking me about some piano cloth while completely forgetting about my birthday! But she just wished me a couple of minutes ago haha claiming that she thought it was tomorrow (ie today is 14th). Alright I have to watch Hannah Montana soon haha. Family dinner in three hours' time... I can't believe that H/.uanna is going to be in nyc on the 20th and leaving when I'm reaching.. Come to think of it this isn't the first time this happened - last year he touched down on midnight and six hours later I flew to London. Always in different cities. Listening to Corcovado on track now. I don't want school to reopen - it means crazy hours (sleeping at 6-10am), insane workloads... I would very much like time to stop now. Labels: christmas, friends, holidays, home, memories of, reminiscing, special occasions
meet me in st louis
Sunday, December 9, 2007 2:34 PM
I really like Christmas! Yesterday I was out shopping with May and we trudged through city hall, suntec, marina square, raffles, bugis and orchard! I saw alot of things I liked but I got a dress, and May got two bags haha. So it was a happy day :)
I realised that there's a lot of (outdoor) marketing done for The Golden Compass.. you can see it everywhere especially in Bugis.
There was also Sesame Street in Takashimaya's Central Atrium! And err I went trigger happy. Being the only child my friend was the TV, and I grew up with Ernie & Co since young.. I learned my ABCs and 123s from them, and it still remains as the most educational kids programme I think. I used to have an Ernie soft toy (slightly taller a milk carton), and err I helped him cut his fringe together with mine, thinking it will grow. It didn't of course.
But I guess the real reason why I like Christmas is because I'm supposed to be a Christmas baby. I was 10 days earlier though. But I could've been. Long story.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
Our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Labels: christmas, friends, holidays, memories of, rambling, reflections, reminiscing
but i don't want to wait for january
Friday, December 7, 2007 6:06 PM
Papers are over :) Yesterday we had two and after that my class went out which was great fun. It felt oddly refreshing to sit down and relax after a semester of hard work! Anyway, I really liked my first sem cos the workload isn't going to be as bad as the next (haha see I'm clairvoyant).
But I really like not having to worry. Now i've just got to pack so i can leave in two weeks' time. And I wouldn't be back until like err next year haha. I'm trying to be more daring so last year I spent Christmas overseas (a terrible on at that) and this year I'm going a step further to spend New Year where the ball drops!
You know about how in LA Disneyland they have this special light up thing during Christmas? I didn't know that - not even when I was there two years ago - until I overheard some conversation just now and I feel a little sad. It's going to be freezing cold at east side BUT I've braved through the craziest winters in Europe (oh yes, try -20 deg celsius) so I'm not scared.. I think.
A good cashmere coat would help too. I'm in envy of those who get draped in classic black cashmeres in the winter with this nice hat and scarf. Then again I'm always in envy.
Labels: friends, holidays, travelling
it's a winding road
Sunday, December 2, 2007 11:31 PM
I've been through worse before, but I'm scared to say that I've quite possibly lost my drive.
Going to do damage control pronto.
(tell me it's okay to feel scared sometimes)
Labels: home, work
a little bit of everything
1. I love music - classical music, jazz, blues, bossa nova, some pop, little rock, a little alternative... nothing metal nor trance. I'm not a big fan of rap/hip hop.
It's imperative for me that someone likes the same music as I do. Things would not be pretty otherwise.
2. I'm an incredible home person. It's true. I absolutely love to spend time at home with my family.
3. I'm predictable and boring. But I love to travel. I love to try crazy things like sky diving (not base jumping!!), paragliding...
4. I can devote my life to playing the piano and learning languages. I'm currently spending my summer dabbling in music, learning French... ignoring German a little. ;)
5. I love cities, but would really like to go to some place less developed. On my list are some countries in Asia, and going to other exotic places like South America and Antarctica. I definitely HAVE to go to Antarctica. It's one of my must-dos before I die things.
empty orchestra
Sunday, December 23, 2007
the world at 6am
1. insomnia seeks to haunt me as ever after a few blissful days of normal sleep
2. 3/4 of the luggage remains unpacked
3. i'm sneezing. i can't do that or else i wouldn't be let on the plane;
4. i miss home, and
5. i wish you were here.
Labels: christmas, holidays, home, sick, travelling
New York is no London
The past few days passed without any surprises and I've finally got down to planning the itinerary for the trip. This means checking lonely planet guides, checking maps to group places close together and googling. Did I mention my birthday was spent with The Family at an alfresco sort of way in a seafood restaurant? Oh boy, it's tough trying to satisfy every taste bud at each table. Thanks Mom for spending a tidy sum of money. I really liked the food. :) Anyway back to planning itineraries. I realised that New York, like all other American cities, is quite remarkably different from European cities. I have forgotten after not stepping onto US land for two years. Although there is still quite a good supply of touristy stuff like museums, it isn't quite as "rich" as say London or Paris where your museums and cathedrals are not only free, a week's stay in each city is not enough for someone who wants to comb through the secrets of the place (or so I learned). I guess what I'm really saying is, I do quite look forward to this new adventure, yet I miss the history and culture that Europe brings - that every street and corner has a story in history books. No, no, don't flame me now, New York does have this but each continent has its own different charm and Europe always calls. Did I mention that the luggage remains unpacked? Labels: holidays, travelling
Forbes' 15 Fictional Richest
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Forbes came up with a list of the world's 15 richest fictional characters with Scrooge McDuck topping the list. It's a pretty hilarious article... the part on Mr Monopoly losing his money in the subprime mortgage crisis is funny. Wouldn't spoil the rest of the article. (I wouldn't assume that anyone would read this - probably something people like A.drian are interested in haha.) More famous people in the list: #1 Scrooge McDuck
Net Worth: $28.8 billion
Soaring gold prices vault penny-pinching poultry to top slot; first non-mammal to rank as fiction's richest character. Keeps majority of fortune in bullion, stored in giant "money bin" atop hill in Duckburg; also invests in pearls, gems, other "hoardables." Literally swims in gold coins for exercise: "It keeps me young." Moved to American West from native Glasgow as an adolescent, made first fortune in mining; still keeps first coin he ever earned. Never gives to charity. Spent year combating "vicious rumors" that he once gave a penny to sick orphan. Publicly disinherited Donald Duck, his "ne'er-do-well" "hothead" nephew; Donald joined Navy, left behind Scrooge's mischievous grand-nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. Troublesome trio now presumed heirs. Member since 1947#2 Ming The Merciless
Net Worth: $20.9 billion
Existence of planet Mongo confirmed by U.S. government only this year; discovered by ultra-secretive NASA program code-named "retro-rocket." Mongo ruled by mysterious dictator named Ming; difficulty separating planetary wealth from personal fortune keeps net worth in low 11 figures; Ming possibly much richer. Variously described as "control freak," "micro-manager," "vile despot," "a kinder Steve Ballmer"; press reports have settled on "merciless." Reportedly lonely after executing wife; now fixated on Dale Arden, NASA public relations specialist, girlfriend of astronaut Flash Gordon. Arden allegedly kidnapped, brainwashed by Ming minions earlier this year; Gordon now among the regime's most vocal critics. New member. #3 Richie Rich
Net Worth: $16.1 billion
Self-proclaimed "poor little rich boy" now Silicon Valley power player, majority stockholder in Cisco Systems, primary investor in Facebook. With help from mentor Professor Keenbean invented robot maid, solid gold cellphone, e-mail spam engine. Often criticized for extravagant lifestyle, remains unrepentant; flew iceberg from the North Pole to Richville so friends could go skating. Rich's personal life hit front pages after he dumped longtime sweetheart Gloria Glad for local siren Mayda Munny; took another hit after best pals Freckles and Pee-Wee were arrested on fraud charges related to Rich Industries insider-trading scandal. Member since 1953. #6 C. Montgomery Burns
Net Worth: $8.4 billion
Fortune of longtime owner and operator of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant hit hard after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attempted to contain pollution by enclosing Springfield in a giant glass dome. Rioters subsequently ransacked city, looted Burns Manor, made off with priceless treasures, including suit Charlie Chaplin was buried in, first draft of the Constitution with the word "suckers" in it, robotic Richard Simmons. Despondent, Burns reportedly told assistant Smithers, "I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it, it might cheer me up to watch." Still, stands to profit greatly from reconstruction contracts in now dome-less Springfield. Critics call him an ogre, but Burns is unbowed: "I ought to club them and eat their bones!" Member since 1989.#8 Bruce Wayne
Net Worth: $7.0 billion
Wayne Industry profits up significantly due to sale of "Brother Eye" spy-satellite technology to U.S. government. Meanwhile, Wayne himself subject of ongoing FBI investigation after top-secret military prototypes are "lost" from company storage. Renowned playboy, fixture of the Gotham social scene, Wayne recently spotted canoodling with Silver St. Cloud, Drew Barrymore, Lindsay Lohan. Professional life occasionally intrudes on personal; annual all-black-attire party at Hamptons estate disrupted by swarm of razor-beaked robot penguins. Tongues continue to wag concerning Wayne's longtime habit of keeping teenage boys as "wards," rumored rubber suit fetish. Member since 1939. #11 Fake Steve Jobs
Net Worth: $5.7 billion
Alter-ego of Apple chief had much better year than real-life counterpart. Real Steve: Options back-dating scandal, iPhone apology, digital rights management troubles. Fake Steve: Outed by The New York Times as Forbes editor, published book, invented words like "frigtard" and wrote posts like "Dell Polishes a Turd" for a living; other Forbes hacks jealous. #13 Willy Wonka
Net Worth: $1.9 billion
Eccentric, reclusive candy maker continues to struggle. Heir apparent Charlie Bucket, now 15, becoming more interested in girls and less in Oopma-Loompas, while Bucket's aged grandparents remain drain on management's time, attention. Loompas growing more financially sophisticated; recently insisted on being paid in cash rather than in cocoa beans; Wonka bottom line, net worth adversely affected. Despite strained labor relations, immature management, Wonka still turns out finest candies on planet; company looking to fast-developing China and India for future growth. Member since 1964. #14 Lucius Malfoy
Net Worth: $1.6 billion
Patriarch of ancient wizarding family still standing after defeat of Dark Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Malfoy, himself a convicted criminal and Azkaban prison escapee, miraculously managed to avoid being sent back to jail thanks to well-timed "donations" to charities supported by influential Ministry of Magic employees. Now reunited with family and unfettered by criminal charges, Malfoy is aggressively pursuing new business enterprises. In June, attempted to corner the global cauldron market. In August, sold short more than $1 billion worth of Galleons, forcing Gringotts Bank to devalue and withdraw the currency from the Wizardly Exchange Rate Mechanism. Member since 2005. Total net worth of all 15 people = $137 billion. I quite like Scrooge McDuck. Swimming in gold coins hahaha. Source: Forbes
Happy birthday to me!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
zagreb, croatia
I had dinner with an old friend last night as part of a birthday thing and got a really lovely album of latin guitar songs (somehow the song titles are in Italian - I only recognised "triste" as "sad"). Then a couple of people wished me at midnight - thanks to my old friend, C.huanmin, H.airol, M.ich, M.eisi, Yans, L.ings, Wei Qing, S.tephy, Mei, Vel, K.ee G.uan (I thought he forgotten! But he didn't. It's been six months since we last saw each other..I miss JC), Y.icheng, Y.uejia, Y.ings, XY, H/.uanna, H.ong Yue and all the other people on facebook. :) And Peis dared to call me at 12.18AM asking me about some piano cloth while completely forgetting about my birthday! But she just wished me a couple of minutes ago haha claiming that she thought it was tomorrow (ie today is 14th). Alright I have to watch Hannah Montana soon haha. Family dinner in three hours' time... I can't believe that H/.uanna is going to be in nyc on the 20th and leaving when I'm reaching.. Come to think of it this isn't the first time this happened - last year he touched down on midnight and six hours later I flew to London. Always in different cities. Listening to Corcovado on track now. I don't want school to reopen - it means crazy hours (sleeping at 6-10am), insane workloads... I would very much like time to stop now. Labels: christmas, friends, holidays, home, memories of, reminiscing, special occasions
meet me in st louis
Sunday, December 9, 2007
I really like Christmas! Yesterday I was out shopping with May and we trudged through city hall, suntec, marina square, raffles, bugis and orchard! I saw alot of things I liked but I got a dress, and May got two bags haha. So it was a happy day :)
I realised that there's a lot of (outdoor) marketing done for The Golden Compass.. you can see it everywhere especially in Bugis.
There was also Sesame Street in Takashimaya's Central Atrium! And err I went trigger happy. Being the only child my friend was the TV, and I grew up with Ernie & Co since young.. I learned my ABCs and 123s from them, and it still remains as the most educational kids programme I think. I used to have an Ernie soft toy (slightly taller a milk carton), and err I helped him cut his fringe together with mine, thinking it will grow. It didn't of course.
But I guess the real reason why I like Christmas is because I'm supposed to be a Christmas baby. I was 10 days earlier though. But I could've been. Long story.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
Our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Labels: christmas, friends, holidays, memories of, rambling, reflections, reminiscing
but i don't want to wait for january
Friday, December 7, 2007
Papers are over :) Yesterday we had two and after that my class went out which was great fun. It felt oddly refreshing to sit down and relax after a semester of hard work! Anyway, I really liked my first sem cos the workload isn't going to be as bad as the next (haha see I'm clairvoyant).
But I really like not having to worry. Now i've just got to pack so i can leave in two weeks' time. And I wouldn't be back until like err next year haha. I'm trying to be more daring so last year I spent Christmas overseas (a terrible on at that) and this year I'm going a step further to spend New Year where the ball drops!
You know about how in LA Disneyland they have this special light up thing during Christmas? I didn't know that - not even when I was there two years ago - until I overheard some conversation just now and I feel a little sad. It's going to be freezing cold at east side BUT I've braved through the craziest winters in Europe (oh yes, try -20 deg celsius) so I'm not scared.. I think.
A good cashmere coat would help too. I'm in envy of those who get draped in classic black cashmeres in the winter with this nice hat and scarf. Then again I'm always in envy.
Labels: friends, holidays, travelling
it's a winding road
Sunday, December 2, 2007
I've been through worse before, but I'm scared to say that I've quite possibly lost my drive.
Going to do damage control pronto.
(tell me it's okay to feel scared sometimes)
Labels: home, work
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