On the line..

My dedication to my assignments have strained my financial means, and put my health in jeopardy.

I'm really very tired, and in desperation of a breather.

I'm so sorry..

Yesterday night, I was on my way heading to Sunshine Plaza to print and was rushing for time. It was raining cats and dogs, and I was feeling rather pissed at my ownself and some matters.

Suddenly, this Korean tourist approached me and asked me how to go to a certain hotel. She couldn't speak English and was speaking to me in Korean hastily. I could tell from her voice that she was lost, and that I had a feeling she wanted me to accompany her and show her the way.

The only thing I did was pin-point the direction vaguely, and she was left to find the place herself.

I know she won't read this, but this is what I really want to tell her:

I'm sorry. I felt really guilty about the whole thing, and the reason why I did not accompany you is because I had the dilemma to choose between printing my stuff or helping you.

If I were to help you, it will be impossible for me to rush back in time to print because the shops will be closed.

I'm really sorry and could only give you rather ambiguous directions, and I hope that you managed to find the hotel you're living in..


I could also remember that a few months ago, I was at the train station heading for work when this old man approached me on how to go to a certain train station. Coincidentally, the train came in time, and although I did tell him the directions in a haste, he still seemed blur.

I immediately rushed off to the train.

As I look back at the uncle before the door closed, I saw him asking another person for directions again, while the door closed on me.


Although it happened a few months ago, I just wanna say:

It's really my fault and I'm sorry. I was at the sales floor all moody and felt really guilty for the whole day, and I was wondering whether you managed to reach your destined place..

I'm really sorry..


I still feel terrible and guilty whenever I think of these two happenings, and I just can't help but blame myself..

I'm sorry. Really sorry.

Really tied down by work..

I was so busy for the past few weeks, and couldn't really update much because of the welfare home preparations and lots of projects. There were so much to do for a 6-hour programme.

I've been sleeping at over 1am almost every single day, and I fell asleep for around 30 minutes in one lecture's class. And trust me, I've never felt so tired before.

Polytechnic life is stressful, and the only time I can find solace is when I'm out with friends. So I managed to catch up with some friends last week, even though it was rather impromptu..

I've never felt so relaxed for weeks, and tried to put off any projects out of my mind..

I'm working very hard, and really pushing myself.

And yes, I don't mind being the dark horse of the competition.

Doing voluntary work at the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home..

Been rather busy with a lot of things lately, including voluntary work at the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home..

It is a welfare home where needy kids are put into care, as well as delinquents who are declared Beyond Parental Control, and those who commit petty crimes.

Hopefully, these delinquents will change for the better, and be a better, wiser person in life and be useful to the society.

So here goes some of the pictures of the programmes we've planned:

Skit for Social Etiquettes.

Another skit..

To teach the children how to use powerpoint..

So that's all for the welfare home trip, one reason I don't want to blog much and put a lot of pictures is because the kids there cannot be photographed to protect their identities..

I'll never donate to charity TV shows again.

Singaporeans know about the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) saga, in which they rake in millions of dollars donated by Singaporeans in their TV shows and embezzled the funds, revealing a number of things such as alleged mismanagement, breach of duty and alot more stuff.

Personally, I was rather perturbed by what was happening, and I was disappointed with NKF, because I respected it a lot, only to learnt that the money donated wasn't really going to the kidney patients.

The idiom, "Once bitten, Twice Shy" was applied to me in this context, and I was rather wary of those charities.

After the NKF saga, Ren Ci hospital continued to carry on its charity shows, and the response was good.

Venerable Ming Yi, who was the face of Ren Ci was often seen as someone filled with kindness, and his altruistic behaviour.

Image courtesy of Mediacorptv.com


NOT ANYMORE.


He is charged with alleged forgery, conspiracy and misuse of funds.


This morning, he was slapped with 10 charges and currently he is out on a $200,000 bail.

It is said that there were questionable loans amounting to several million dollars from the hospital, and that some of it were given to companies with links to Venerable Shi Yi.


I was rather shocked when I saw this news, and what really convinced me is that I'll never donate to charity tv shows ever again, but only to smaller charities such as Community Chest or those that I see on Flag day.

I can't believe that the monk would ever be linked to such charges, because every time he performed to get people to donate, he seemed to be really genuine and benevolent. And people really believed in him.

Thanks for betraying the trust people had in you, Venerable.

We heard of the idiom ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY.

Is there any idiom that is "TWICE BITTEN, THRICE ?????"

Feeling the heat!

I've got so many projects that's yet to be researched, explored and executed. Plus more commitments and leadership roles, I'm feeling extremely stressful and depressed.

I really don't know which one to start first..

If there's only 48 hours a day, and not 24 hours..

I just feel like finishing and wrap things up instead of focusing on the quality of the work.

Can you empathise with these people?

I was watching the Tyra Banks show, and in it she talked this incident which happened a few months back.

I'll try to recap everything that I can remember.

There was this guy who promoted his party, and there was only 1 condition. Only light-skinned black people were allowed in the party free, but dark-skinned black people have to pay to go to this party in Detroit.

It sparked national outcry in the United States.

You know what's the ludicrous thing and the irony of the whole thing?

THE GUY WHO PROMOTED THE PARTY IS A BLACK.

Certainly, it was racism at its utmost stupidity.

Bringing back into the topic, why is it that up till this century, this era, this time, and up till this very day that racism is still happening?

Why do humans judge their own kind based on their skin colours? Is it wrong to be of a certain colour?

MOST IMPORTANTLY, CAN WE EVEN CHOOSE WHAT SKIN COLOURS WE ARE BORN WITH?

During the time when South Africa was under Apartheid, the black people were severely restricted. Take a look at this image taken in 1989:

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

"THIS BATHING AREA IS RESERVED FOR THE SOLE USE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE WHITE RACE GROUP."

Think about it, if you were someone other than the white race group, how would you feel? Everything that is so racially divided, that yet even the beach can only allow certain race to go to?

Take a look at this paper bag:

Picture coutesy of Okami.biz

It looks like any other ordinary paper bag right?

But did you know that the blacks were very offended by this years ago?

Whenever they see this paper bag in parties, and other events, it means that they cannot enter.

What does the paper bag means?

ONLY PEOPLE OF THE SAME COLOUR AS THE PAPER BAG OR LIGHTER ARE ALLOWED TO GO IN. ANY SKIN COLOUR DARKER THAN THE PAPER BAG ARE REFUSED ENTRY.

I think I'm probably refused entry if it happens to me.

Yes, some of you might think it's so ludicrous, ridiculous, and dumb. But these are what happened to these people.

Before you say any racial slur to anyone next time, think about the examples on the above.

Put yourselves in other peoples' shoes. Hopefully, this post will let everyone know how important EMPATHY is, and we should all learn from it.

Let's remind ourselves to treasure each and every one around us.

Recently, there have been reported news about guys dying while serving National Service in Singapore.

I heard from my friend that one of the guys died suddenly while in training.

Personally, I think that the of the saddest things about life is that one will never know when he dies, it will be a huge and heavy blow towards his family, his friends and his girlfriend.

Charlene, who lost her boyfriend in National Service was left to fight tears and pick up shattered pieces of life herself.

She has her own blog, which I found it from my friends:

www.memyselfmine.blogspot.com


I've read her entries about her boyfriend and herself, and I have to say I'm really touched and I really feel for her.

She's a stranger, but I hope if you're reading this, please go read her blog and comment in her tagboard to give her support.


I sincerely hope that she will be able to move on after going through this ordeal.


Last but not least, treasure each and every one around you. Give them a hug, give them a smile or even a peck on the cheek. It'll do wonders.

Mad World Cover..

Remember the Mad World youtube video which I did a few weeks back? I had the intention to use the song as my CD cover, but development and consultation changed the idea into something that is totally different.




Before I continue further, I would like to thank people who has given me constructive and positive comments on my cover of Mad World, and also for supporting me when those ludicrous yet negative comments arise. It really boosted my confidence and will do more covers of songs in the future.




I've newly recorded one more time, and here it is:



Mad World James Ho - James Ho



Thanks to Yingying as well for featuring my song in her blog, and I'm so honoured!



I've also put a download link below for anyone who wants to download my cover:



http://www.sendspace.com/file/063n0q




So anyway as I was saying about the CD cover thing, I'll painted my elbows with red paint, with the name Mad World on it. I thought some of the images turned out rather well, and to share with you some of my photographs, and it's another side of me.














It was a different image of myself eh? I'm pretty pleased with the overall results of the photographs. Just in case you're wondering, the background colour is my wall.


On a total different note, I would like to wish Bon Voyage to Ms Tan who's going to Germany, and Jason T, who's going to Vienna, Austria for his competition. All the best yeah!

Stale and boring routine.

I know, updates have been slow and content is really stale. Let's talk about recent stuff.

I've been going straight home every single day, mainly to finish my projects. I really hate this routine, and friends said I've got no life. I admit it, because I've got no extra money to go out with friends.

All my money has been spent on projects, mainly on new sketchbooks and printing.

Sorry for rejecting you all for the invitation for birthday celebrations and outings. But I don't really like to go out without any money..

Sigh...

We're getting close to finding Earth's twin.

I've always believed in extra-terrestrial life. I mean, the universe is ever so big and expanding, surely it is arrogant to believe that we're the only lifeform in this whole universe right?





Absolutely, and now we're a big step closer to finding alien-life.





Planet hunters say it is a matter of time before we find a similar-like Earth in planets beyond the galaxy.



According to MSN.com, astronomers announced that they had discovered three super-Earth in a single star last week.

Above is an artist's impression of Super-Earth planets. (Picture courtesy of MSN.com)

That is absolute good news because if there are similar Earth-planets, it means that it has the potential to support and sustain life isn't it?








"I suspect there are Earth-like planets with lakes and rivers and waterfalls and deep glacial gorges and that are spectacularly beautiful," one of the team members Marcy said.








Because water is an essential substance for the survival of all life-forms, any planets with water might have life forming underneath, but we'll still not sure.








Regardless, let's just hope that we can find our Earth's twin as soon as possible, and it could be a big breakthrough!

For more information, please check out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25350155/?GT1=43001

Little gifts, big appreciation.

Been rather busy recently, and I've been facing my laptop screen so often. Macbook's "wide-screen" is only 13.3 inches and it really strains my eyes after some time. Thankfully, YingYing gave me some of her cookies which she baked, and it managed to cheer me up for quite sometime.

I thought it tasted pretty good, but there's still ample room for improvement.

Totally well-thought, and the cookie inside had chocolate-fillings. Good!

Thanks alot YingYing, you've been very nice! Who knows you can sell cookies with Khai Theng and be an interior designer at the same time!

And while I was taking things out from my bag, I saw this pouch which has been with me all this while for this semester.

It was a gift from Angie, and whenever I look at it, I suddenly have the drive to continue my work without procrastination.

I haven't seen her for more than a month, hope she's doing well!

Nice and traditional pouch. I like the tiny old man.

Thanks Angie, hope everything's well for you. Let's meet up sometime okay?!

And..

I really miss Mrs Yap, and I think I haven't seen her for months! This little keychain has been with me for more than a year, and whenever I see this keychain..

It reminds me of her. Mrs Yap is a both a friend and a teacher, and this is what I respect her most. So down-to-earth! Mrs Yap, hopefully I can meet you soon!

There are other gifts which my friends gave but although they're not posted here, they're really appreciated. Thanks people, everytime I look at the gifts you people prepared for me, I just think of the wonderful times we had.

Thanks a lot!

Too gullible.

Perhaps what Mir-ene said was right, I'm too gullible and innocuous to see the real side of some people.

Maybe as time passes by, my exposure, experience and insight will widen and broaden to see who some people really are.

On a random note, I really miss Yvonne and gang.

I resembles Masi Oka?

Just in case some people doesn't know who's Masi Oka, he's the man who plays Hiro Nakamura in the popular series Heroes, who is able to freeze and bend time, and teleport himself to anywhere he wants to go.

Masi Oka.

And a recent photo of me to compare..

Someone tell me, which part of his facial features do I resemble his? I can only thought of the size of our heads.

On the side of the other note, I think I still prefer his superpowers of bending time etc. I can go anywhere I want without paying for air plane tickets!

Angry!

Finally, my work at Isetan Parkway Parade has finally came to an end, and although it was only a week, I managed to see the ugly side of some people, which pisses me off.

Still, I must say I met more nice people this time, whom are from the Men's Wear department, and they've helped me so much, I don't know how to thank them.

On the other note, I've got more exposure this time and the experience was rather invaluable.

I always reckon myself to be an easy-going person, and this supervisor kept stepping on my tail and I was really pissed.

Our conversation went on with something like this:

Supervisor: Wah, you're so big-sized and you still need help with the wagon?
Me: Excuse me? (with that kind of look)

She replied with a stuttering response, obviously surprised by my audacity to talk to a rank like her. There was already once or twice when she said my response was slow, etc. And I'm required to tell her everytime I go for toilet break or my hour-long break.

I'm already fed-up with her saying my response was slow. I mean, I haven been working in the sales line for already 6 months and my mind somehow gets rusty, of course I need to start slowly right?

I somehow has this thinking that unless you're my boss paying me money, I don't need to listen to your unnecessary and illogical comments.

Now I'm feeling really irate. The thought that I've got less than 5 days to finish up my 4 projects pisses me off.

It's a Mad World..

Mad World is a song by Gary Jules which a friend of mine introduced, and I really liked it. It also reflects on what I'm currently feeling now, so I think I can relate to the song.


I had recorded a video of myself singing Mad World, and it was posted a few weeks ago. It was meant to be a secret with no intention to let any of my friends know, but some people found out, so I thought I post it here.

Don't laugh as I sing, because I look rather funny in the video. So there you go..


Mad World


Lyrics:

Mad World Lyrics:All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races

Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glassesNo expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

And I find it kinda funnyI find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever hadI find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to takeWhen people run in circles
It's a very, very mad world mad world

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me

Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kinda funny
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell youI find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very mad world ... world
Enlarge your world
Mad world

Tired..

I've been reaching home very late everyday as I'm working at Isetan Parkway Parade.

My working hours are long, and fatigue really caught up with me after these days. Plus I wasn't really happy because I've got projects needed to hand in and I've got like only 1 week to do them.

Plus I really need to take a break but the projects are weighing heavily in my mind.

Sigh, I wouldn't have work if I have enough pocket money..

Self-reflecting thoughts..

Approximately 2 months of polytechnic life have passed, and I must say that it is a very hectic one.

I was on track with all my projects within the first few weeks, and I was working very hard, thinking of how to improve my work. The turning point came when Yellow Pages Singapore pulled off from the competition, and that left a huge blow in my confidence and my attitude.

I did put hard work for only some of my projects, and neglected some important ones as well.

But my typography lecturer Ms Tan showed some gestures and I was really touched by her words. Plus when she and my studio project lecturer Ms Ong treated the whole class Macdonald's breakfast because we did well, I felt a sense of regret and guilt.

It's because I feel I didn't really deserve the treat on second thoughts, as I didn't put in much effort compared to my classmates.

I suddenly have the urge to work hard and do my best because at that point of time, because it seems that every lecturer are so nice and down-to-earth.

Wait, I suddenly have a loss for words. I don't know how to explain.

Still, I would still like to thank them..

We managed to took some pictures, and since we've never dine together as a class, so I'll treasure this photo. It's a pity that Tyron couldn't join us though.

Hopefully we will stay united.

It's the state of bliss you think you're dreaming, it's the happiness inside that you're feeling.

What the..

I seriously can't believe I dreamt of her.



Am I really in love with her?

Pictures with polytechnic friends..

Updates have been scarce, because I've been rather busy with schoolwork, and also did a recording.

So for now, I shall update some random photos of my beloved polytechnic friends over the past weeks, with credits to Mir-ene and Shirley.

Look at Jacintha! I love that expression!

Wei Qi loves to pose in this manner.

Clockwise: Shirley, Fazal, Jacintha, James, Tyron and Wei Qi.

Mir-ene and I! We call each other thin and bean sprout!

Was doing a design project and mine was called Porn Train. So the social issue here was pornography addiction..

Ultra-man in the making?

The image below is my design artpiece and it's NC-16. I was in a wacky mood so I decided to do something tongue-in-cheek by trying to lick the paper!

Paper didn't taste so good till now.

Ok, it marks the end of this entry, and I'm going to update soon!