hello there, this exists to help my failing memory remember things I would want to remember a few years down the road.

Robin told me the other day that he's not going to spend his countdown doing work, because there's a saying that whatever you spend your countdown doing, that's what your year is likely to turn out like, so if you spend it doing work you gonna have to do a lot of work this year. So he can still go crubbingz while nursing a fever.

Okay, sounds like some weird superstition, but I figured it's rather interesting and harmless, so I planned to spend it thinking, doing some reflections, and thanking God. I mean if I do this throughout the year, it will only mean good. Haaa. But halfway through the sleep monster kidnapped me, so here goes the entry now:

-

I would say 2009 was a very anxious year.
There was a lot of uncertainty and many times all I could do was wait, and many times I reached a point that I would say it's tough, when in the past I struggled when people asked about my "toughest period".

I did many things I wouldn't have imagined I would have done, exactly a year ago, I guess a very major part why I was overwhelmed so many times was I never see these things coming nor were they in my '09 plan, did I even have a plan?

Things like these trips:




This Jilin trip in April has been a constant source of joy and laughter for YT and I, and ZY too. Even today we can talk about it and laugh about the same jokes over and over again.
The whole trip was pretty much a joke.
We lived like queens, ate like queens, went shopping, did funny things to our hair, run from shops to shops to be less cold...
Don't ask us about any new design skills/knowledge, we didn't gain anything much HAHAHA 'cept some chinese typo lesson which is seriously very cool.
But we gained a lot a lot of laughter in that 19 days.
And it makes me feel it's possible living overseas with friends in the same space, so long as you don't leave crumbs and strawberries lying around after chomping on them.

-

The Tioman trip with the klan that I struggled for so long with my Dad over because of h1n1 but still made it. And I never regretted it.



The little HTHT moments, fun in the Sun, and also a proof that we are growing up, and have the ability to travel, even though it's just to our neighbouring island.

-

And of course, that 3 months in Hong Kong.

I remember all the shit that happened before I said goodbye and ran all the way to the gate, because I was late waving bye to you kind souls who came to say bye- the skype interview with boss A who said yes, oh the excitement. Govt banned, panic attack and rushed to find local companies. 2 said yes, I had to say no. And off I went.


This was the photoshoot I went to observe the very first Sunday I was there, I saw them blow a car up for a MV of some famous HK star, it was great. I was so excited about work.

Work came, I didn't do so well.
And I think every single time I walk past Haven street I will still shudder.



So much so that I pretty much avoided the Causeway Bay area after that first month.
I didn't have much cash anyway so it was okay.
I ran out of the ferry to find Boss B, where I settled at and things picked up.

This trip was pretty much the most exciting and traumatizing trip of my life thus far.
It was very lonely, but God provided, and God sent people week after week, day after day, and He was there when I cried, wailed, throw tantrums, and when I got lost, which was so very often.


This was taken at my first service at Hope HK,
and though we had so much difficulty communicating, they gave their best for me.
And of course, Creamo, I would have really shrivelled up and died without you.

And all the kind souls who happened to be in HK, or came to HK for me- The people from Uni-YA, (I'm sorry I'm very bad with names), Derrick See, Asher Liew, Puaylin Ang, Faith Lim, Gwen Khoo, my sister + bro-in-law + little Isaac.

This trip definitely made me stronger, and I hope one day I can lift my nose in the air and walk confidently in Causeway Bay, haha!

+

Besides all the trips,
2009 was a very demanding year.

Schoolwork was rather demanding, I remember all our nua-ing and whining during IP, and all the sems that followed I crumble my way through. And of course now in the midst of the killer fyp. I don't remember struggling so much with school.

The sudden thing Mum had to go through made this last part of 2009 even tougher.
But we are making it through :)

2009 saw people who used to patronise the green and blue seats in Nexus not sit in those seats again. I wish you guys well. ian, ben wai

Creatives forming was a move my myopic eyes didn't see, and I hope we see the fruits of it in time to come.. & Yiyou is now stuck with us hehehehehe. I would say Cong and Kiappy only got better with their skills, and our publicity is kickass good lately. Remember our first 2009 meeting in cafe cartel when we gave those 苦笑 at the ministry calendar, and the little victories and breakthroughs we have along the way. Though I was away when they had huge projects like The Way Home and The Core... I had my fair share of little happy moments serving with my hands.

Being away makes me feel a little distant from many people I love and care for, like how it sucks to miss out on everyone's internship stories and how I always T_T when I see the classmates meeting together and keeping one another sane during that july-oct period. The clique has started Uni and work life for Ber, but that jolly good spirit they have since we were 13! still puts me at ease when we are together. Northeast has grown into a district whose people I barely recognise anymore, which is a good thing :)

Oh yes, I also learn never to trust proud hairstylists. My hair went through a lot of shit this year grah.

This year, I also learnt about grace and love through the people who showed me just that, even when they knew.

I pray that the thoughts, little revelations and convictions You made in my heart in 2009, You will keep them embedded there. Amen. 0 comments

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Today my lecturer J.N frowned and asked
"...but for you, is this exceptionally slow..? I was expecting more from you ya.."
Thus inspiring this current wallpaper.


Byebye keep calm and carry on and Christmas joy,
IT'S TIME TO CHIONG AH.

I am sorry I will be skipping outings and being a horrible hermit.
Just for these weeks.

I will be back with a life and soul next Feb.

Fighty classmates and coursmates and schoolmates,
Lobin Lobin keep fighting.

+

I'm quite glad how the Jan bulletin 2010 turned out (on my screen at least).
I went to bed all giddy at 6am, to be woken up at 730am for LAKSA.
hahahaha! My dad's so cute.
But nah, my human transformation isn't working out well.
I feel sleepy at 8pm lately. 0 comments

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Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

The future is too scary.

Wonderful interface design, very thoughtful and user-friendly.

But, noooooo, i don't wanna carry a chopping board and read articles off them. 0 comments

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Lately, I have been trying to live like a human being,
and not an owl.

The parents have been waking me up before 8 for breakfast,
and try as I might, I will concuss after food till noon.

>_< 0 comments

I was scrubbing stains off the wall when
my little cousin went, "your friends are at the door!"

In the midst of clutterclear part two,
Huaxiang, Philo, Cong and Puay popped their heads at the door with good stuff for my Mum and my fav chewy junior donuts-with-no-hole-?-thing,
and we went for an hour of tauhuay and chit chat.

Your minds must have blown seeing the condition of my house now HAHA.

Oh yes, I found the Ultimate Dare Camp black bottle with a little strip of paper pasted on it with a very familiar handwriting... Jonquek's "Shine His name ; duty"
HAHA remember those days when it's cool to start yr one word with a semi colon.

Glad to know Who Killed Christmas went well!
Is there recording....?
I haven't even watched Rendition Two Y_Y

Their cards made me very smiley. =')


Thank you caregroup, including all you sick people, please get wellllll... very soon.

-

I think this week is going to be very challenging, doing chores, fyp, cards, being there to help Mum, and cleaning all at the same time.

Therefore, I need to pray... 0 comments

My brain cells are falling asleep by the minute, but I still think this deserves an entry..!

This morning at 4am I finally managed to fall asleep on the sofa at the ward. The next time I go I will bring a fur coat. But thank God, I don't have to go no more. Mum is gonna be home tomorrow. :)

-

So today we carried out Operation Clutterclear hurriedly.
If you've been to my place, you will know there's clutter everywhere.
So much clutter than Yiyou was saying everywhere you turn there's something to shoot, as in photograph.

It was just my 2nd sister and I,
and I was battling the refrigerator and all the oh-my-god-you-wont-believe-this-is-here moments while my sis climbed high to vacuum dust bunnies off the ceiling.

I really completely forgot that my fridge actually has a light behind,
and now I am proud to say I can see the light!, and the ice cream staring at me. ",

The stains I took so damn long to scrub reminded me of how long Mum has been shouldering all these shit chores alone, and I'm happy no one pointed fingers at me and my pampered ass. :$

After dinner, my aunt, my little cousin and my eldest nephew, Keven, and my 2nd bro-in-law decided to come for the "exhibition" after hearing us talk in such enthusiasm and disbelief our encounters with "interesting" stuff midst the clutter, including my eldest sis with her fair share at the workshop. Think the creature I am most afraid of x many many many.

And they all got to work to help.
The little ones helped to sort the stuff out, and even labelled the boxes.

Keven was singing at the top of his lungs, "we're building a dream....go Singapore!" and humming the Central mall's jingle. Curse these advertising jingles that ring in your head!
He was so cute, he couldn't write "clothes" in chinese characters,
so he drew a little shirt. Then my little cousin filled in the words.


She saw my room and went ahhhh I love your room, got ladder and sofabed and I like how your table faces the door! HAHA. I felt like a cool elder cousin for (just) a second. Yes, I love my room too, minus the mess- I have 3 printers and 2 lightboxes sitting proudly there (Kiappy, when are you moving them awayyy).

So we cleaned and SNEEZED and cleared and COUGHED and exclaimed together,
then my elder cousin, dad, eldest sis all came and helped to move the rubbish and tadaa,
we see the floor.

And I found treasures!
I mean rather falling short of cool fashion girls who thrift vintage clothes from their mums/thrift stores...
but I found a vintage...


harmonica!

& yes, I've always liked harmonicas..!
and vintage packaging is my new indulgence.

-

So this very interesting family gathering cheered me up a lot.
Been feeling down and (left) out.

Tomorrow morning I will remember to water the plants, boil water, do the laundry...
It's time to contribute to the home and household God placed me in, far beyond just doing fine in what I do- in school, and not getting into trouble. It's time to get the pampered ass that grew up taking things for granted to move and to grow up. I think sometimes the role reversal is rather sweet, it's weirdly nice hearing those scrubbing sounds coming from the loo, and knowing it's Dad.

I have an uncle that reminds me a little of charlie chaplin, and I always thought he and my aunt were really sweet together. I guess it's because they were more expressive in their love and all, which is very uncommon for my very asian and very chinese family. She came to visit Mum and told me of the divorce. I was quite shocked, and she spoke with so much regret I wished I could find words to comfort, but I couldn't.

And though my parents have petty cold wars nowadays, I think it still takes a lot of love for people to go through so much shit and dust bunnies, interesting habits and whatnot, and still accept Mum. I need to remember and appreciate quiet Love.

I have a long day tomorrow aka in a few hours'.
And I have a FYP that's sitting staring and waiting for me.
I'll worry about you soon, because you're not my everything, dear project.
(....AND I WILL WORRY ABOUT MY CHRISTMAS CARDS.....) 0 comments

Hopenhagen

In short, an advertising awareness campaign for the climate talks in Copenhagen,
by Tham Khai Meng, (one of the) Designer of the year at the President's Design Award this year, first Singaporean worldwide Creative director at O&M.
US$200 million campaign.

Feedback
(not the only one)

-----

I'm not much of a green person,
always claims "the world will end when the world ends.", just that the state we will leave it in might be a lot more jialat if we do nothing.

I don't know if Advertising can ever represent social issues in a fair and true manner.
Actually, what can?
The art of not lying, yet not telling the complete truth comes into good practice in our world.

Evil 6_6V

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What do you think? 0 comments

Today is PO1- Post Op day 1.

Things are good so far, and I give my thanks.

Because B class wards are full, we've been upgraded for free,
so we have a nice sofa and attached toilet.

The condition is also at the most ideal conclusion after the lab test,
and they even took (off-focus) photos of stuff they took out.
.____.

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The trip to the Op theatre is a very lonely trip.
It's like a battle one got to fight alone.

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Today is also 25 days to 12th Jan 2010.
a.k.a super scary crit with 6-7 lecturers. 0 comments

Don't know if any of you reach home early enough to catch
Diminishing Horzions / 消失地平线.


It's been airing on Channel U, and each episode brings viewers to remote villages and places that are about to disappear from our mass of green.

I don't usually enjoy travel shows, I find they are rather "loud" and the places visited are not all that uncommon, and it's always sponsored by some travel agent dying to sell us some packages. The narration and tone of this show is quiet, reflective and melancholic, the places are really remote, and so many scenes look like perfect photographs. They show places we might not even have the courage to visit, or even the opportunity to, and the interaction between the host and the common people makes it a lot more human and real.

I think the team behind this- those doing research, liaising to find English-speaking people in the community, the scriptwriters, camera people, and of course the very sincere and garang host should be very proud of their ten episodes.

Airing every Wednesday, 8pm on Channel U,
& repeats at 12midnight, you owls.

-----

On a side note, Allan Siew, I think you read/watch very interesting things - things I will never find online, thanks for sharing on your blog, together with your thoughts and illus!
Interesting article on sex workers during the Christmas season.
Er, please keep clear if you're uncomfortable with such topics ^_^

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Thanks for all your concern and sms-es.
I'm okay,
may everything be okay later on too. 0 comments

http://litford.net/singularity/2009/12/07/death-in-your-name-and-mine/ 0 comments

Everyone's drinking happy spiritual potions at SSS..
Heard that Level Up is going great

---

A sudden situation caused us to be in and out of the hospital the past few days,
and I'm very grateful to have elder siblings- with cars and licenses and calm heads around.

The days have been spent waiting and waiting for more waiting.
And I always wonder if this is already "worldclass healthcare", how is the situation like elsewhere?
The only time I've been in a hospital overseas, money solved the issue.
How much of the "care" in "healthcare" do the practitioners think and feel about?
Various consultations just make me feel this is such a business and this is their career.
We are just "customers"- that's what their computer screen refers to us as.

In a renowed private hospital in the Marymount area (now, now, don't go around guessing, did I make it too obvious ^_^), at 6am when we hurried in with my Mum in intense pain, they put her on a bed after quite long a while, and my darting eyes found a slip of green near the wheel of the bed. So I bent down to inspect, and wow, it is the torn off packaging of a durex packet.
So that's what they do when they get bored at work? Can't think of what else they could have done with it.

I am just grateful the situation is not too bleak,
and may Thursday go smoothly...

At times like this you realise that you're indeed not the god of your own life.
When sickness and calamity strike, they do. 0 comments

I am beginning to think ---
I actually don't quite understand many of you in my life. 0 comments

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I like the temporary liberated feeling of after-crit, (my brain will program itself as though FYP ended)-- though it is very short-lived. I spent it going to town just for a movie and a few sentences of exchange with the klan and a train ride home with Ber.


I've never been a fan of doomsday shows, and er, actually this was my first.
Bravo to the graphics team, they must have made their eyes sore doing all that amazing graphics, didn't like the predictable storyline, it's like the leads were "invincible", like how in cartoons they never die. There were sooooo many near-death moments that I lost the suspense soon after. I thought the "mock" country leaders were all very funny.

My humble opinions aside, the thought of year 0001 is even more frightening than the end of the world itself. How tiring to have another imperfect world, all over again.

*


I have also finished Nana season one online at like 5am this morning. (morning clock spoil, woke up automatically at 3am)
Love the funny random images they put as their leads narrate their thoughts aloud.
I think I think like that too.

I started not liking it, they seem to address such heavy themes, I enjoy brainless happy anime, haha. Over time, how the characters develop in depth and become more "human" makes it worth watching. I don't know when season two will be out. /_\

*

Today I also wonder to myself what drives friendships and relationships.
I find myself becoming increasingly selfish and unloving in my friendships..
I want my needs to be met.
It's so easy to say you love your friends and do nothing about it.

I hope friendships don't turn into obligations.

Staying at home and frowning at computer screens seems like an easier option.

*

The long queues of people waiting to get iPhones puzzle me...
I am terribly sick of malfunctioning phones, argh. 0 comments

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Many times, print designers let what we know how to do affect what we can do.
We will be like sheesh I can't shoot a video, I can't make the mechanisms and the technicalities blahblah
& we watch the world go by creating many more great campaigns:
http://www.thefuntheory.com/

I want a Beetle! HAHA. 0 comments

Today I popped out of Somerset station like every Saturday to find myself (unwillingly) in the middle of 313... filled with so many people, and epiCentre selling my current Macbook (maybe just a bit lower in some specs) at $1198 opening special. D:<

One man's trash is really another man's treasure. I sold the silly boyband tickets I got free from M1. Thank God I bothered posting them online even when I doubted if anyone even wants them. Apparently so. I had 3 buyers in 2 days. Made the deal in Ion a little away from the station and I had problems pronouncing all the shops names. Sheesh. I can't keep up with all the new malls, I haven't even bothered going to the Central HAA.

*

The very delight of Print is also the very reason why it annoys you due to its unpredictability.
(or the better designers would say- lack of control)
I'm sorry your invite goes flippity flip and is so shiny and not pretty.
Moving on, moving on. 0 comments

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