Monday was a dreaded day, as usual. However, this particular Monday was worse than usual. This Monday, I had to go for my blood test at the medical centre. For those who do not really know me, I dislike the sight of blood, whether is it taken from me or from others. I do not like my life force being drawn out with a piercing needle. Call me a wimp, but I seriously hate it. That was why I hoped Monday would not come. Luckily, the previous day was my duty as COS because I was too tired to complain about my fear. As I ended my COS duty, I thought to myself, let's get this done and over with. The sky, never that clear before, was almost liken to mocking at my fears. With heavy footsteps, I approach the medical centre. I was thinking, since sooner or later, my blood has to be drawn, I would rather be the first guinea pig. Lucky for me, the medic only took one precise shot at me. I had friends who were jabbed four times. I looked at the opposite direction as my blood was drawn, hoping that this will be the last time. Well, the whole event was quite smooth sailing, maybe it's me thinking too much about it.
Tuesday was SOC test day. I wondered the number of times I took the SOC test, I could not even remember, it was that many and I was sick of it. There were some people who get statuses just to excape from SOC and I thought I would resort to that too. Anyway, I was telling myself, this will be my last time. Either pass or status forever. As the timing start, I began to run. Run and run, to the low wall. Thought I ran quite fast, but the stopwatch said otherwise. I was a few seconds slower than normal. Cleared the low wall, parallel bar, stepping board, and was facing thew swing trainer and low rope, the two hatest obstacles. It was now or never. I rejoiced as I cleared both and began the run to the last few obstacles. Jumping down from the low ramp, I told myself, come on, last leg of the race. I pushed myself, forced myself to breathe, and pushed myself somemore. 500m, 300m, 200m, and the last hundred. As I cross the finishing line, I knew I passed. 9 minutes 04 seconds, quite a remarkable timing. What a glorious day for me.
26.9.07
Movie: No reservation (PG)
Synopsis:
The movie is about a chef (Catherine Zeta Jones) and how she deals with the intrusion of her niece (Abigail) and another chef (Aaron Eckhart) into her life.
Review:
It's interesting how both actors manage to look so good cooking in the kitchen. The food that they made were so tempting and real. Their actions within the kitchen were very smooth, almost as if they were real chefs. The storyline is a little touching but too common and short. I would applaud Abigail for her performance. Her acting was good and her character helped mold the show together. Without her, it might have been a flop. Ratatouille would have made a better choice to watch.
Rating:
3/5
The movie is about a chef (Catherine Zeta Jones) and how she deals with the intrusion of her niece (Abigail) and another chef (Aaron Eckhart) into her life.
Review:
It's interesting how both actors manage to look so good cooking in the kitchen. The food that they made were so tempting and real. Their actions within the kitchen were very smooth, almost as if they were real chefs. The storyline is a little touching but too common and short. I would applaud Abigail for her performance. Her acting was good and her character helped mold the show together. Without her, it might have been a flop. Ratatouille would have made a better choice to watch.
Rating:
3/5
Swan Lake
Went to catch the Swan Lake on ice performance at the Esplanade last Saturday. The tickets cost 50 bucks each, but I would say it was worth it. It was my first time inside the Esplanade theatre. We were seated facing the circle of the stage, which was very lucky compared to others who have to view the performance at an angle. The performance kicked off at slightly later than eight. Some of the audiences were not seated yet, guess that must have taught them something about arriving on time. Before this performance, I based my knowledge of Swan lake from the disney barbie's version of it. Swan lake is about a prince who is looking for a life partner through dancing with the ladies. One day, he was out hunting and he saw a beautiful lady, the princess, and was enchanted with her. However, the evil wizard schemed to destroy their love. In the end, with the help of everybody, their love triumped. The performance was superb and professional. Although some actors fell while skating, they quickly got up and resume their roles, as if the fall did not happen. This, I thought, was very professional of them. Even though I pity about their fall, as the ice flooring was cold and wet, some of the audiences were immature about it. I was glad that I brought my blazer, the one that I bought and did not really fully utilise, as the temperature was a little chilly. Overall, I was glad to catch the wonderful performance as it was a once in a lifetime experience.
15.9.07
Rain
It has been raining very frequently, though sometimes it did not rain when I want it to. However, whenever it rains, I will look at it and think back. When we were young and innocent, we liked to play with the rain, letting the rain pour onto us. We were happy and cheerful and naive, thinking why is there rain. Was it because the heaven was sad? When we were young and studying, we liked to think about the rain, praying that the rain will come. We were happy and dreamy and growing, praying that the rain will chase away the heat spells and boring lessons.
Pither, pather, pither, pather.
Now as we look out the windows, watching the skies for any hint of rain, hoping that it would rain, hoping that the rain would wash us back to when we were free, washing away the fears. The rain has come and go, but our fears continue to hold. Have we forgotten about the rain that brought us happy memories, or has it been washed away as we go about our business.
Rain, rain, go away, come again back another day.
Pither, pather, pither, pather.
Now as we look out the windows, watching the skies for any hint of rain, hoping that it would rain, hoping that the rain would wash us back to when we were free, washing away the fears. The rain has come and go, but our fears continue to hold. Have we forgotten about the rain that brought us happy memories, or has it been washed away as we go about our business.
Rain, rain, go away, come again back another day.
Week of in & out
This week had been a relatively short week, in fact less than three working days. That's a great achievement for me, considering that I did not take any medical leave. As Sunday was my birthday, I took my off as well. Lucky for me, I heard that the men were tearing underwears during the birthday celebrations. Anyway, came back for a route march scheduled on Tuesday. However, due to the rainy weather, it was postponed. Had SOC on Wednesday. The result was horrendous. I did not manage to clear one of the obstacles and the time taken was comparable to me walking. I was a little disappointed. After that, took off for Thursday as well, since there's nothing much for me to do anyway. Came back for a COC on Friday. As lunch was not indented, I booked out shortly after. Really, all these booking in and out are a waste of time and money. So much time spent on taking transport and least to say, the cost incurred.
10.9.07
Happy Birthday
The day has come for me to admit that I am no longer a -teen. Finally a twenty years old, I didn't felt that the world has changed much, or maybe it's just me. Anyway, a birthday is always a special day, a day where you feel like the king of the world, celebrating the day with never-ending feasts. And that is exactly what I did.
First stop, high tea buffet at Furama hotel. Met up with my secondary school very close bunch of friends to celebrate my birthday at the hotel. It was a high tea style buffet, so there were a good spread of desserts and carbo-filled food. At the time we were there, there was a huge group of aged tourists and they weren't exactly very civilised. Thus, we chose to sit a little apart from them. The food there was, how do I put it, not exactly top class for its price. Some of the food very not very fresh nor delicious and the spread was somehow lacking in variety. The only good thing was its desserts. There were chocolate fondue, which some people do not know how to use, tarts, cakes and eclairs. I certainly ate my fill at the desserts.
Second stop, dinner with family. Rested a while before having dinner, I was ready to continue the celebration. We had claypot fish head at a place nearby. The quality wasn't as good as usual, but I still enjoyed it because the whole family was sharing it.
Third stop, birthday cake at home. My dad bought a chocolate cake, very fattening, from Bengawan solo. We sang the birthday song, took pictures, ate the wonderful cake. I couldn't even afford to have a second slice, I was that full.
Fourth stop, with friends at Swensens. Got a call from my friends that they were at J8 and wanted me to come down. I rushed my way there and we were ready to feast at Swensens. As it was my birthday, I received a complimentary birthday ice cream. It was quite nice and fattening. We order a chocolate fondue, and yet again, and a banana split. The chocolate fondue looked very pretty and delicious.
Last stop, K box. Still have some time left before the end of my regime, my friend drove all of us to K box. We sang and sang till 2am. Still a bad singer though, I really had fun, laughing, joking, singing. The only thing was that they didn't want me to pay my share, felt a little guilty as it wasn't that cheap.
To everyone, thanks a lot. Really enjoyed myself on my birthday. Thanks.
First stop, high tea buffet at Furama hotel. Met up with my secondary school very close bunch of friends to celebrate my birthday at the hotel. It was a high tea style buffet, so there were a good spread of desserts and carbo-filled food. At the time we were there, there was a huge group of aged tourists and they weren't exactly very civilised. Thus, we chose to sit a little apart from them. The food there was, how do I put it, not exactly top class for its price. Some of the food very not very fresh nor delicious and the spread was somehow lacking in variety. The only good thing was its desserts. There were chocolate fondue, which some people do not know how to use, tarts, cakes and eclairs. I certainly ate my fill at the desserts.
Second stop, dinner with family. Rested a while before having dinner, I was ready to continue the celebration. We had claypot fish head at a place nearby. The quality wasn't as good as usual, but I still enjoyed it because the whole family was sharing it.
Third stop, birthday cake at home. My dad bought a chocolate cake, very fattening, from Bengawan solo. We sang the birthday song, took pictures, ate the wonderful cake. I couldn't even afford to have a second slice, I was that full.
Fourth stop, with friends at Swensens. Got a call from my friends that they were at J8 and wanted me to come down. I rushed my way there and we were ready to feast at Swensens. As it was my birthday, I received a complimentary birthday ice cream. It was quite nice and fattening. We order a chocolate fondue, and yet again, and a banana split. The chocolate fondue looked very pretty and delicious.
Last stop, K box. Still have some time left before the end of my regime, my friend drove all of us to K box. We sang and sang till 2am. Still a bad singer though, I really had fun, laughing, joking, singing. The only thing was that they didn't want me to pay my share, felt a little guilty as it wasn't that cheap.
To everyone, thanks a lot. Really enjoyed myself on my birthday. Thanks.
9.9.07
Virgo
Virgo is the only zodiacal sign represented by a female. It is sometimes thought of as a potentially creative girl, delicately lovely; sometimes as a somewhat older woman, intelligent but rather pedantic and spinsterish. The latter impression is sometimes confirmed by the Virgoan preciseness, refinement, fastidious love of cleanliness, hygiene and good order, conventionality and aristocratic attitude of reserve. They are usually observant, shrewd, critically inclined, judicious, patient, practical supporters of the status quo, and tend toward conservatism in all departments of life. On the surface they are emotionally cold, and sometimes this goes deeper, for their habit of suppressing their natural kindness may in the end cause it to atrophy, with the result that they shrink from committing themselves to friendship, make few relationships, and those they do make they are careful to keep superficial.
But the outward lack of feeling may, in some individuals born under this sign, conceal too much emotion, to which they are afraid of giving way because they do not trust others, nor do they have confidence in themselves and their judgments. This is because they are conscious of certain shortcomings in themselves of worldliness, of practicality, of sophistication and of outgoingness. So they bring the art of self concealment to a high pitch, hiding their apprehensiveness about themselves and their often considerable sympathy with other people under a mantle of matter-of-factness and undemonstrative, quiet reserve. They are still waters that run deep. Yet in their unassuming, outwardly cheerful and agreeable fashion, they can be sensible, discreet, well spoken, wise and witty, with a good understanding of other people's problems which they can tackle with a practicality not always evident in their own personal relationships.
Both sexes have considerable charm and dignity, which make some male Virgoans appear effeminate when they are not. In marriage they can be genuinely affectionate, making good spouses and parents, but their love making is a perfection of technique rather than the expression of desire, and they must be careful not to mate with a partner whose sex drive requires a passion they cannot match.
They are intellectually enquiring, methodical and logical, studious and teachable. They combine mental ingenuity with the ability to produce a clear analysis of the most complicated problems. They have an excellent eye for detail but they may be so meticulous that they neglect larger issues. Also, although they are realists, they may slow down projects by being too exact.
They are practical with their hands, good technicians and have genuine inventive talents, Thoroughness, hard work and conscientiousness are their hallmarks, and they are such perfectionists that, if things go wrong, they are easily discouraged. Because of their ability to see every angle of a many-sided question, they are unhappy with abstract theorizing. Appreciating the many different points of view as they do, they find philosophical concepts difficult, and they vacillate and have no confidence in any conclusions at which they arrive.
With these qualities, they are better as subordinates than leaders. Responsibility irks them and they often lack the breadth of strategic vision that a leader needs Virgoans are essentially tacticians, admirable in the attainment of limited objectives. Their self distrust is something they project on to other people and tends to make them exacting employers, though in the demands they make on those under them they temper this attitude with justice. They have potential abilities in the arts, sciences and languages. Language especially they use correctly, clearly, consciously and formally, as grammarians and etymologists rather than for literary interests, yet they are likely to have a good memory for apt quotations. Although they are well suited for careers in machine drawing, surveying and similar occupations, they are better fitted for a job in a library or office than a workshop.
Their minds are such that they need the stimulus of practical problems to be solved rather than the mere routine or working to set specifications that need no thought. They are careful with money and their interest in statistics makes them excellent bookkeepers and accountants. They also make good editors, physicists and analytical chemists. They may also find success as welfare workers, ministering to those less fortunate than themselves. They can be doctors, nurses, psychologists, teachers, confidential secretaries, technologists, inspectors, musicians, critics, public speakers and writers especially of reference works such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. Both sexes have a deep interest in history, a feature recognized by astrological authorities for at least two hundred years. If they go in for a business career their shrewdness and analytical ingenuity could tempt them into dishonesty, though they usually have enough moral sense to resist temptation. Female Virgoans may find a career in fashion, for they have a flair for dress, in which they can be trend setters. In any profession they choose the natives of this sign readily assimilate new ideas, but always with caution, conserving what they consider worth keeping from the past. They love country life but are unlikely to make good farmers, unless they can contrive to carry out their work without outraging their sense of hygiene and cleanliness.
Their faults, as is usual with all zodiacal types, are the extremes of their virtues. Fastidious reticence and modesty become old-maidishness and persnicketiness; balanced criticism becomes carping and nagging; and concern for detail becomes overspecialization. Virgoans are liable to indecision in wider issues and this can become chronic, turning molehills of minor difficulties into Himalayas of crisis. Their prudence can become guile and their carefulness, turned in on themselves, can produce worriers and hypochondriacs.
From: www.astrology-online.com
But the outward lack of feeling may, in some individuals born under this sign, conceal too much emotion, to which they are afraid of giving way because they do not trust others, nor do they have confidence in themselves and their judgments. This is because they are conscious of certain shortcomings in themselves of worldliness, of practicality, of sophistication and of outgoingness. So they bring the art of self concealment to a high pitch, hiding their apprehensiveness about themselves and their often considerable sympathy with other people under a mantle of matter-of-factness and undemonstrative, quiet reserve. They are still waters that run deep. Yet in their unassuming, outwardly cheerful and agreeable fashion, they can be sensible, discreet, well spoken, wise and witty, with a good understanding of other people's problems which they can tackle with a practicality not always evident in their own personal relationships.
Both sexes have considerable charm and dignity, which make some male Virgoans appear effeminate when they are not. In marriage they can be genuinely affectionate, making good spouses and parents, but their love making is a perfection of technique rather than the expression of desire, and they must be careful not to mate with a partner whose sex drive requires a passion they cannot match.
They are intellectually enquiring, methodical and logical, studious and teachable. They combine mental ingenuity with the ability to produce a clear analysis of the most complicated problems. They have an excellent eye for detail but they may be so meticulous that they neglect larger issues. Also, although they are realists, they may slow down projects by being too exact.
They are practical with their hands, good technicians and have genuine inventive talents, Thoroughness, hard work and conscientiousness are their hallmarks, and they are such perfectionists that, if things go wrong, they are easily discouraged. Because of their ability to see every angle of a many-sided question, they are unhappy with abstract theorizing. Appreciating the many different points of view as they do, they find philosophical concepts difficult, and they vacillate and have no confidence in any conclusions at which they arrive.
With these qualities, they are better as subordinates than leaders. Responsibility irks them and they often lack the breadth of strategic vision that a leader needs Virgoans are essentially tacticians, admirable in the attainment of limited objectives. Their self distrust is something they project on to other people and tends to make them exacting employers, though in the demands they make on those under them they temper this attitude with justice. They have potential abilities in the arts, sciences and languages. Language especially they use correctly, clearly, consciously and formally, as grammarians and etymologists rather than for literary interests, yet they are likely to have a good memory for apt quotations. Although they are well suited for careers in machine drawing, surveying and similar occupations, they are better fitted for a job in a library or office than a workshop.
Their minds are such that they need the stimulus of practical problems to be solved rather than the mere routine or working to set specifications that need no thought. They are careful with money and their interest in statistics makes them excellent bookkeepers and accountants. They also make good editors, physicists and analytical chemists. They may also find success as welfare workers, ministering to those less fortunate than themselves. They can be doctors, nurses, psychologists, teachers, confidential secretaries, technologists, inspectors, musicians, critics, public speakers and writers especially of reference works such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. Both sexes have a deep interest in history, a feature recognized by astrological authorities for at least two hundred years. If they go in for a business career their shrewdness and analytical ingenuity could tempt them into dishonesty, though they usually have enough moral sense to resist temptation. Female Virgoans may find a career in fashion, for they have a flair for dress, in which they can be trend setters. In any profession they choose the natives of this sign readily assimilate new ideas, but always with caution, conserving what they consider worth keeping from the past. They love country life but are unlikely to make good farmers, unless they can contrive to carry out their work without outraging their sense of hygiene and cleanliness.
Their faults, as is usual with all zodiacal types, are the extremes of their virtues. Fastidious reticence and modesty become old-maidishness and persnicketiness; balanced criticism becomes carping and nagging; and concern for detail becomes overspecialization. Virgoans are liable to indecision in wider issues and this can become chronic, turning molehills of minor difficulties into Himalayas of crisis. Their prudence can become guile and their carefulness, turned in on themselves, can produce worriers and hypochondriacs.
From: www.astrology-online.com
Bus ride
Boarding the omnipresent bus,
Usually you will not stop yourself and ask,
Should this ride settle and secure your task.
Riding, observing, thinking, reminiscing.
It's almost you were in another parallel land,
Deciding on life's many plans.
Exit, quick, or it will be too late.
Usually you will not stop yourself and ask,
Should this ride settle and secure your task.
Riding, observing, thinking, reminiscing.
It's almost you were in another parallel land,
Deciding on life's many plans.
Exit, quick, or it will be too late.
Movie: Hairspray (PG)
Synopsis:
A musical about a girl who is undaunted by challenges and go about to realise her dreams.
Review:
Starring the new star Nikki as Tracy, this show is wonderful. The show started with a positively upbeat song ,Good morning Baltimore, that made me laugh and wanted to sing along. The show has many stars: Queen Latifah, Amanda Byres, Zac Efron, John Travolta, James Marsdan, Michelle Phieffer and many more. They can really sing and sing well, amazing. Their dances are cool. Watching John Travolta in his costume can be quite revolting and funny at times. The sound track is a must buy and the movie cannot be missed, better than Walk the line. Catch it before it ends its run.
Rating:
4.5/5
A musical about a girl who is undaunted by challenges and go about to realise her dreams.
Review:
Starring the new star Nikki as Tracy, this show is wonderful. The show started with a positively upbeat song ,Good morning Baltimore, that made me laugh and wanted to sing along. The show has many stars: Queen Latifah, Amanda Byres, Zac Efron, John Travolta, James Marsdan, Michelle Phieffer and many more. They can really sing and sing well, amazing. Their dances are cool. Watching John Travolta in his costume can be quite revolting and funny at times. The sound track is a must buy and the movie cannot be missed, better than Walk the line. Catch it before it ends its run.
Rating:
4.5/5
Week of marching & firing
This week was quite a tiring week, with CO's change of command parade set on Wednesday and combat live firing set on friday. Needless to say, there were many rehearsals for the parade. Initially, I was involved as part of the marching contingent, which meant that I will have to be very proficient in all my static and arms drills. However, after the first day of training, I was to be the colours vehicle commander, meaning that I do not have to march. How glad I was as I was still having a very strenous SOC training on Tuesday. Anyway, being a colours vehicle commander was quite stressful because everyone will be focussing on the vehicle, the only vehicle that everyone is paying compliments to. In all, I thought that the parade went well and I kind of miss the ex-CO.
Bored, angst, that was what many people were feeling when we were having our combat live firing on Friday as this meant that we book out on Saturday. The live firing was, how do I put it, quite unexpected. The weather was good, with only a light shower in the evening. The ground was dry. Everything was fantastic except the firing. Maybe it was because that we all got our marksmanship, which I doubt was the reason, that resulted in poor firing. Many guns have IA and the results were terrible. Not only that, I was a safety specialist, meaning that I walked up and down the lane many times. Positively, it meant that I would not be bored, as there will not be time to worry of boredom. Negatively, it was killing my legs. As my friend calculated, we could have completed a route march. Glad that it was over, though not sure whether I will be re-firing due to the poor result. Hope not.
Bored, angst, that was what many people were feeling when we were having our combat live firing on Friday as this meant that we book out on Saturday. The live firing was, how do I put it, quite unexpected. The weather was good, with only a light shower in the evening. The ground was dry. Everything was fantastic except the firing. Maybe it was because that we all got our marksmanship, which I doubt was the reason, that resulted in poor firing. Many guns have IA and the results were terrible. Not only that, I was a safety specialist, meaning that I walked up and down the lane many times. Positively, it meant that I would not be bored, as there will not be time to worry of boredom. Negatively, it was killing my legs. As my friend calculated, we could have completed a route march. Glad that it was over, though not sure whether I will be re-firing due to the poor result. Hope not.
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