Coming back..

First and foremost, a big thank-you to those who wished us bon voyage for our diving trip, and we all came back safely.

Secondly, I would like to apologise for the error I made from the passport incident, which I made everything waited for me at the ICA building.

Michael and Gerald joined us for this diving trip, and there were so much fun injected.

Gerald and Michael.

I felt really comfortable and confident about my breathing underwater, and no longer out of air. But I need to improve on my buoyancy, because at times I sink too low or float too high. I should also try to minimise my hand movement to stablise myself as well.

Had my first taste of underwater current, as I tried to move myself away, the underwater current kept swaying me towards fellow buddies Han Wen and Wei Qi, and I bumped into them.

Got injured by corals as I held on to them, but the most painful one was by sea urchins.

Pricked by sea urchins like these.

Marine life still captivates my heart and everything looked so beautiful. I don't know how to explain scuba diving well, but to me it's exploring a new world beyond the shores, and the beautiful, breathtaking view of the underwater world is way too overwhelming and addictive.

Off to Malaysia!

If everything goes well, provided that my new passport is ready by tomorrow, I'll be heading off to Malaysia on the same day.

Sounds funny? Yes people, I realise my passport was expired when I went to Immigrations and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) building on Tuesday. I headed towards the Information Counter, and I had a conversation with this lady.

Lady: Your passport is expired, and the only way is the make a new passport.

Me: So when is the earliest date I could get a new passport if I make it today (Tuesday).

Lady: You can only get it on next Monday.

Me: Is is possible to get it before Monday, because I'm going off to Malaysia and leaving at 1pm.

Lady: You have to risk it.

On that point, my heart literally sank, because it's such a big shock, and I couldn't go to Malaysia. Daphne asked if I was disappointed, but I just said no, because I was recovering from the shock.

But wait. RISK WHAT? She didn't explain and further, and I assumed she meant risking checking in with the checkpoint officer.

To cut the story short, I went to another person, and she said the earliest I could get it was Friday, after listening to my plight.

I was rather pissed off at the first lady, and why she didn't gave me an extra option. This time round when I hand in the passport form, she served me:

Me: Just now I talk to another lady and she told me I could get it on Friday. So I hand up the form to you?

Lady: Ok, since she said so.

What kind of bullshit and answer did she gave? Grr, I hate this kind of terrible service. Pisses me off.

Okok, I shall stop here. No updates till next week.

Everyone stay cool and healthy alright? Have a great weekend.

Gathering at Chalet.

Okay, we had a chalet gathering at Costa Sands, and it was pretty fun! It was great to meet up again, to see everyone looking good and healthy. But I'm kinda disappointed that some people didn't turn up.




Here's the chalet:









The room.














Outside of the chalet.








Some of us rented a bike, and we rode around Pasir Ris Park. It was an amazing feeling for me, because I felt so relaxed, so fresh. Oh yeah, you can see a horse stable at Pasir Ris Park now. They're rearing horses, but the smell is kinda pungent.

Night approached, and it was time to barbeque!

So many people gathering around the pit.


Our teachers; Mrs Yap, Ms Chen and Ms Koh came to see us as well and we talked alot of crap and played. Ah, what a day.

Everyone of us, 5 years of friendship and counting.



Friends Forever.

If you're free this coming Friday..

A secondary school friend of mine named Yan Rong participated in a competition called Stardust 2008, and is organised by NUS Students' Business Club, with its official music school being the prestigious Lee Wei Song School of Music.






Yan Rong.


She managed to beat others and got into the semi-finals, and managed to do a recording on Fish Leong's song Hui Hu Xi De Tong (Breathing Pain).

Here it is:




I have to say her voice is tremedously good.

If you think she got what it takes to win Stardust08, please vote for her online.

If you want to support her this coming Saturday, this is the address:


National University of Singapore (NUS)
Kent Ridge Campus
Central Library Forum
5.30pm-9.30pm



You might want to visit her blog to listen to more of her recordings:

http://www.yamroll.blogspot.com/



Yan Rong, this is free publicity for you. We're all behind you!

Review of Rule Number One and Step Up 2. (A bit of spoilers)

Let's begin with Rule Number One.




It is a chinese horror movie (NC16) directed by local director Kelvin Tong, and it boasts regional big names such as Ekin Cheng and Shawn Yue. To add a bit of flavour to the movie, sizzling hot babe Fiona Xie was one of the co-stars as well.

Picture taken from twitchfilms.net




All the main stars acted very well, and the plot was rather interesting initially. But the way how ghosts possess people is rather unconvincing, or should I say stupid; You can get possessed if you are in physical contact with the possessed person. Once you get possessed by the ghost and the ghost moves on, you are just an empty shell; souless and dazed.





The only way to stop it? Kill the possessed person. (I can't believe this movie horror didn't include exorcism.)





Still, I got to give credit for some of brilliant scenes such as the swimming pool, mass suicide and the carpark scene.





Picture taken from twitchfilms.net



The screeching sounds of this drowned girl was so piercing and surreal, that it was as though the ghost of the drowned girl IS REALLY making screeching sounds.



There will be an unexpected twist in the end, which I thought the ending was rather normal.





Nonetheless, this movie will earn a rating of 7/10. Good acting, unusual plot, unexpected ending with a good scare.



(Watch it only if you're looking for a fusion movie of action and horror genre.)











Step Up 2





The last time I watched a movie similar to this was Stomp The Yard. I didn't watch the intial movie Step Up, but I heard from my friends that there are no link between the sequels.




Such a nice movie poster.


The plot itself is rather boring and predictable; Obstacles, blossoming love and an expected ending. Underdogs truimph over 5-time champions. I have to say at certain parts of the movie, I really yawned and I could have taken a nap if not for the thumping music every now and then.





Some of the moves of street dancing were eye-opening, thrilling and exciting, so much so that I could feel my legs attempting to dance with them without my instructions. Awesome.




However, not all are actually exciting, only a few. The main draw for this movie is the main lead actress, Brian Evigan. She's such a talented lady.


The ending was the best one to be remembered and can possibly salvage the movie, because the atmosphere was high, and you can tell they had great chemistry and competitive spirit. I'm really starting to respect street dancing.

Such great moves.


I shall give this movie a rating of 6.5/10. The great music and certain dance scenes managed to salvage the movie for me, because the plot was too weak. However, your main purpose is to see the dance moves and have a passion for street dancing, I believe you will enjoy this movie.

Got back my results..

Just found out about my results at the stroke of midnight, and after for my first year's Grade Point Average (GPA), I got 2.384, which rounds off to 2.4..

After doing some calculations, I got a GPA of 2.6 for this semester, compared to last semester which I got 2.1, which is a considerably good improvement.


I achieved my goal of aiming 2.5 for this semester, but I'm not exhilarated or joyful.. I just sat there nonchalantly, and I'm not even smiling.


Don't really know why I'm feeling this way, but still I shall give myself a pat on the back and say:


"Well done, James."

Issues that I need to address.

Do I have a big forehead that writes: "Bully me?" I'm really tired of people trying to bully me thinking that I'm not offended easily, or I don't put it to heart.

As time passes, I realise my defensive instincts got better, and I'm no longer the helpless guy whom suffered those incessant verbal abuses by some people before.


The main thing that people like to associate with me: Jia Yi

I have to repeat umpteen times, thousands, or even COUNTLESS times that I don't like and I never love her.

I WILL and NEVER FALL FOR HER. I know my instincts and feelings, and no one knows it better than I do. So quit attempting to form a boy-girl relationship with me and her. I'm really SICK AND TIRED OF THIS RUMOUR BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND I CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE.

THERE IS A LIMIT TO MY TOLERANCE.


SHE'S A CLOSE FRIEND, AND THAT'S THAT.


I'm fat. Yes people, I'm fat, obese, overweight, horizontally-challenged, and whatsoever. I like to create jokes that suggests that I'm slim, fit or whatsoever; self-denial. And the reason why I do that is because I want to make myself feel better. Is that wrong?

I don't need any reminder that I need to lose weight, or that I need to exercise. Thanks for the attention and concern, but I AM WORKING ON IT.



So if any friends read this, AND IF YOU TREAT ME AS A FRIEND AND NOT SOMEONE YOU CREATE JOKES OUT OF MY SORROW, I sincerely hope you can stop all these soon, if not immediately.

Jameslancer.blogspot.com.

I could still remember vividly when I started out this blog. I was Secondary Two at the time this blog was born, and I've never stopped writing.





Every step I take is every word written.





I've been blogging for more than 3 years and counting. 3 years, that's 1095 days. Over the years, my writing style has changed, and so is my template. But one thing hasn't changed; my url. I've been sticking to this address faithfully, because I think it will be my trademark.



This blog is not without controversies. There was once which I wrote about someone negatively without mentioning anyones' names, and I was greeted with threats to beat me up. Then, there was this friend which I blogged about him calling himself Rain. Controversy followed, and I was forced to take down the picture. But he's still called Rain by our friends up till today.


I always like to think that my blog is a testament of my life.





Countless trival vagaries have passed, angst been portrayed, disappointment shown, happiness shared, and views been pointed out. My history IS written.


My history might be boring or interesting, but even if nobody reads this blog, I'll continue writing. And you'll know I will keep writing till I'm no longer around in this world.







One url, one person's life.




I'll keep writing till I stop breathing.

How's life?

Life has been rather boring lately, and I haven't been really updating my blog regularly with events that I feel strongly about.

I've been rather conscious about my weight recently, and I'm going to start exercising real soon. Recently when I was working at John Little, I started having a conversation with a colleague called Jun Hao, and after looking at his past photos, I thought it was a total transformation of himself.

I'm going to take him as a role model, because I've been rather lackadisical lately. I figured out I should start walking briskly or jog. So don't be surprised if you see me along the vast land beside Compass Point.

Here's another inspiration from you people; my singing. I'm pleasantly surprised with the number of positive comments from you guys, and I'm going to practise hard!


I'm going to catch up with lots of people once I finish work. The 3 weeks of holiday that I give myself will be well-spent!

A tribute to my granduncle..

Few weeks ago, I recorded a song named Dance With My Father. It was meant to be a tribute to my granduncle, and I recorded it on the week that he died.

It was one tough song that I had to record because I couldn't take it. Whenever I sing out the lyrics, especially the stenzas at the second part, I simply couldn't take it and cry. It kept reminding me of my aunts weeping and mourning over my granduncle. It was a sight that was unbearable.


I was choking and I kept coughing and coughing. Despite many retakes, I must say that my cover of this song is not perfect. I'm fully aware of the mistakes I've made, especially certain notes which was hard for me to reach and it was evident I was straining my voice. But I've tried my best to control my emotions and focus on singing.


Dance With My Father is a beautiful song by the late Luther Vandross, and I hope that my rendition will do some justice to him and the song as well. Please understand that the direction of the original singer and me is different in the sense of approaching the song. I've also changed some of the tunes according to my own liking as well.





Granduncle, this is for you...





Dance With My Father - Luther Vandross


Dance With My Father - James Ho



Lyrics





Back when I was a child, before life removed all the innocence

My father would lift me high and dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around 'til I fell asleep

Then up the stairs he would carry me

And I knew for sure I was loved





If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him

I'd play a song that would never, ever end

How I'd love, love, love

To dance with my father again





When I and my mother would disagree

To get my way, I would run from her to him

He'd make me laugh just to comfort me

Then finally make me do just what my mama said

Later that night when I was asleep

He left a dollar under my sheet

Never dreamed that he would be gone from me





If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him

I'd play a song that would never, ever end'

Cause I'd love, love, love

To dance with my father again

Sometimes I'd listen outside her door

And I'd hear how my mother how she cried for him

I pray for her even more than me

I pray for her even more than me





I know I'm praying for much too much

But could you send back the only man she loved

I know you don't do it usually

But dear Lord she's dying

To dance with my father again



Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream

Celebrating Zi Cai's birthday.

Two days ago, we celebrated Zi Cai's birthday, who is a close friend of mine. It was a very simple celebration at Swensen's in Plaza Singapura.

Dining..

We had this little mini slice of cake prepared for him..

Make a wish..

Trying to gobble the cake? Hehe..

Though the birthday boy's crayfish pasta didn't taste quite well according to him, he definitely love the ice-cream Earthquake!

Don't believe me?

Just look at his classic face!

NOTE

Dear Zi Cai, although it's your 19th birthday...........

you still carry so many balloons like no one's business...

or acting cool with me...

I still like to wish you....

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Rock on, buddy!

First recording on my blog.

Recently, I've been meddling with Garageband on my Macbook, so I did a few recordings. I love to sing as most of my friends know, and previously I had recorded certain songs and they've been my listeners and gave my construction feedback.


So yeah, I've decided to post it on my blog. I'm pretty thick-skinned, heh. So yeah, here is a demo of the song I decided to post.


Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (No music accompaniment)







So yeah, hope you guys like it. And do give constructive comments. Thanks!

What do you get when a diving mask meets camera?

We've seen scuba divers carrying underwater cameras that are clipped on to the buoyancy device to take pictures. It gets rather tricky when it get stuck with the regulator. The makers of LiquidImage realise that, and they decided to see what they can do with it.





Behold the next invention that amateur divers can look out for:

THE LIQUIDIMAGE UNDERWATER CAMERA MASK

Advantages:

It is an awesome gadget, especially for amateur divers. You can insert your USB or Micro SD card for storage, and guess what? There's a LCD screen as well! There are two available types: 5 megapixels and 3.1 megapixels. Another important factor is that the depth for the gadget is 5-30 metres. Also, you can record videos as well!

Disadvantages:

NO FLASHLIGHT. This camera doesn't have ISO, so the quality of the pictures has to depend on the enviroment, and the light settings as well. This shows that this gadget is not suitable for deep-diving etc.

It is suitable for shallow diving, snorkeling and swimming pool sessions. It will start to ship this month, but I am not sure if Singapore retailers will import or not. How about the price? More than S$200 I'm sure.

What's there to look at?

I know people will say I am thick-skinned or whatsoever, but I really need to say it out.

STOP STARING AT ME.


What physical features do I have that interests people to look at me? My acne scars?


Whenever I walk towards the bus interchange, there are bound to be people looking at me. That's fine, because it doesn't seem offensive.

But I hate it when people stare at me.

Yesterday when I was walking with my colleague, there was this particular guy who kept staring at us brazenly, and I know it because my eye could see him, and sense it very well.


How about when I'm having lunch at Geylang Bahru, this particular uncle kept staring at me from behind. I didn't know it until my colleagues told me.

In school, I had this stranger whom stared at me while I went into the lift.

Listen up, I don't have DISTINCTIVE FEATURES, and I am just your AVERAGE JOE. So stop looking/staring at me as if I'm some public figure or whatsoever.


However, I wouldn't mind pretty girls looking or best, staring at me in a positive way though.