Hook, line and sinker.

Hook, line and sinker.
feeling: addicted
music: eames era - could be anything

It's eightish and I'm not at Timbre. One, I'm feeling lazy. Two, I can't bear to part with my moolah. I'm becoming such a scrooge of late. But it's good. Save the cash now, spend the rupiah and baht like a queen later.

So it was in the living room that I spent the better part of my day. First taking pictures of my clothes for auction on ebay, then watching Grey's Anatomy on vcd. Back to back. I didn't think I'd enjoy it the way Kenrick does, considering how he is a doctor-in-training like those surgical interns in the show, but I'm hooked. It's more than just about the medical side of the show (in fact I get abit cringy when the bloodier parts come on). The characters are just so... likeable. And the kaypoh in me's dying to find out how the romances work out.

The relationship between Meredith and Derek's sweet and all, but I'm developing a soft spot for Christina and Dr. Burke's blossoming romance. I'm addicted.

In fact, it's back to the show for me. 'Cept I've moved it back into my bedroom and my trusty macbook. Dad's turn to monopolize the living room tv. Laters.

P.s. I wonder what is it with my CS coursemates and dramas. Last I heard, Shannon's catching up on Desperate Housewives; Dea and Erwin are watching Prison Break; and the girls, I think Cheryl and Lays, are watching Gong/Gung/Goong. Hah.

Frolicking under the Sun God's sky.

Frolicking under the Sun God's sky.
feeling: sunburnt

A day at the beach is always one well-spent, and it's been awhile since I last had some fun in the sun with a group of friends. Diving into the (not really) clear blue waters; lying on the sand and doing absolutely nothing; zoning out a lil as they chattered on about me communing with the Sun God (hahaha); slinking off to the sea to cool off and having abit of a natter with Dea and Erwin about bimbos and floating; and turning an unfamiliar shade of pink under the intense sunlight.

Kenrick came by earlier with Grey's Anatomy Season One, so I'll have that to keep me entertained. Not that I'll have much free time, come to think of it. There's Timbre tomorrow night, catching up with Jane and Ceci on Friday, and the car wash on Saturday. And I've kinda re-cultivated my neopet addiction. Hah.

Match-making, men and doctors.

Match-making, men and doctors.
feeling: tickled
music: aubrey - it might as well be spring

Conferencing on msn with Dr. Tham and Charmain. I'm laughing so hard, it's a wonder that I've stopped long enough to type this post.

As Char aptly put it, "shit i cant do anything but go " hahahahaha " and " lolololol" like a retard."

We're having this pseudo match-making session where Ken's attempting to find each of us a doctor lovematch.

Charmain was getting all excited, and this was what Dr. Tham had to say.
Diagnosis: You are man hungry.
Treatment: MEN

LOL. And then the topic changed into me being tanned and all, and I revealed that I actually didn't like overly-tanned guys.
Me: I like being tanned, but I don't like my men too tanned.
Charmain and Ken: hor hor mEn not mAn!!!

HAHAHA. And now Charmain's actively campaigning my "hamster food" collection in my hall room. I'm going nuts.

--

More quotable quotes.

Charmain: (during a discussion on when men are at their sexiest) I think men are sexy. (The emphasis is on the finality of her statement.)

Me: Too flexible, I'll feel weird. (My take on professional dancers.)
Me: It'll be like dating a rubberband.

--

Load off my bagck.

Load off my bagck.

Judging by the casual way I slipped in the news of my finalised Bangkok travel plans, you never would have guessed that I'd strategically timed and phrased my words. I really wanted to avoid the "what, you're going on two trips in three weeks?" reaction, but my concerns were unfounded. My mom didn't even attempt to change my mind about visiting Bali this time around, haha.

So, no more nagging thoughts at the back of my mind. I'm leaving; free as a bird, and with my heart light as a feather. Hello airports; hello beaches; hello Chatuchak; hello shopping; hello, hello.

Or so I hope. The melancholy that I've shaken off easily enough's catching up. It's probably got to do with the free time I now have, but busying myself silly still seems like avoidance to me. And avoidance is a form of cowardice.

My plan for an early morning run was abandoned, yet again, this time due to rain and cramps. (Sunday's run turned out to be a late morning one where I had to skirt my way around fellow joggers, dog lovers walking their best friends, and aunties lugging their groceries home from the market.)

Speaking of skirting around human obstacles - I detest that. It takes the joy out of a workout that is meant to center and declutter your mind. Nothing's quite as enticing as a lonely stretch of road or an empty swimming pool.

5 Takes is on, and the TJs are in Singapore. Backpacking in Little India. Reminds me of my cafe stint there. Heh. Off I go.

*Tried the Sangria. Not a fan.

Cake, friends and enough books to blind.

Cake, friends and enough books to blind.
music: augustana - boston

Coffee and cake at Gloria Jeans with Jem; books I picked up at the Bras Basah book fair.

More books I picked up at the library after; my whole stash of books; cheese, crackers and Sangria.

I've always enjoyed the idea of spending a lazy Sunday afternoon browsing flea markets. An afternoon checking out dusty second-hand books is pretty fab as well. It's my inner bookworm talking, haha.

$15 got me six books. Quite a deal huh? You'd think I'd have stopped at that, 'cept that I went on the the library and got myself another four. Ten books. I've sure got my vacation covered.

The librarian informed me that I'm not supposed to bring the library books overseas, but Justin has informed me otherwise. Any advice? This is rather important, for I do wish to hit Bali and Bangkok armed with my library-loaned travel guides.

I've finally gotten my family a subscription to Discovery Travel and Living! And I thought I'd replace the usual tv grub with cheese, crackers and Sangria. You know, bringing your tastebuds on a journey of sophistication as your mind wanders while you watch the travelogue playing on tv? Haha.

I've always wanted to try Sangria (a Spanish drink of red wine mixed with lemonade, fruit, and spices) but I've never gotten around to tasting it. Never been a fan of wine, reds especially, but this sounds interesting enough. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Time for bed. Two hours of travel research has left me exhausted. Planning on a swim before tomorrow's meeting.

Mind your manners.

Mind your manners.
feeling: thoughtful
music: john mayer - quiet

The dictionary describes it as "well-bred social behavior". Does friendship automatically give one the ticket to non-consequential rude behavior then?

It's tricky, for the line dividing good manners from bad is extremely fine and very much dependent on the relationship rules. Does a "you know, that's the way I am" justify poor behavior? Or are my standards of appropriate social behavior unrealistically high?

People tell me I'm too nice, and too polite. Just because I don't take to snarling doesn't mean bad manners slip me by unnoticed. A smile merely means tolerance. And it definitely isn't an invitation to step all over me.

I'm not saying I have excellent manners. I have a tendency of speaking before I think, but I do try not to be rude. And honestly, does it not gnaw at your conscience to be less than polite?

Time for bed. I'm hoping to do a morning run before the world wakes up.

Birthday surprises.

Birthday surprises.

Charlene's surprise Macdonalds kids party, and Jazzy's surprise 21st.

Chasing sanity.

Chasing sanity.
feeling: irked
music: dave matthews band - where are you going

This weird bug I've got sure has its moods. It rears its ugly head when I'm out, so half the time I'm walking around with the fuzzy film of medication. And when I'm home, with my bed at my disposal, it hides in remission.

Anyway, mission: charlene's mac attack was a success. Thank goodness! The countless lies and excuses we spun the past week has left me in quite a tizzy.

Vivo-ing with the girls tomorrow. I haven't been there for almost two weeks, surprisingly. Haha. And it's a bit of bitch therapy for supper. Need to get my head out of the clouds. Pronto. Night world.

Bummed out city life.

Bummed out city life.
feeling: weak
music: dave matthews band - grey street

All five papers, down.
Leigh, down.

Drop it like it's hot.

Drop it like it's hot.
feeling: nonsensical
music: pussycat dolls - don't cha

I couldn't find in my iTunes a single pop song trashy enough to match my mood, and I had to resort to live streaming for a suitable one. Unbelieveable. I wouldn't believe me if I were you. Then again, MTV's a good enough source for my fluff intake.

2.5 hours to the last paper. I can barely keep still in my computer seat. I've never been this anxious for the exams to end, not even in my poly days I think. Then again, I only had one paper for my final year.

My toes are now wiggling to the beat of Represent Cuba, one of my favourite tracks on the Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights soundtrack. Very very catchy. I'd better stop before I start dreaming of a beach holiday. That train of thoughts wouldn't be very helpful for my Singapore Society paper.

Sniffles still persist. Hell, I think I can be the lead conducter for the flu symphony in the exam hall. Haha! I've popped four panadols since yesterday, but the flu bug doesn't seem to be going away. Kinda hard to run from it actually, seeing how my entire family's down with it. I'm mentally flipping through my schedule and I don't think I'll have time to sleep this damn bug off. Not till Sunday at least.

Brain's a lil fuzzy. Want sleep. Let's hope a shower'll clear the cobwebs.

Dreams in black and white.

Dreams in black and white.

feeling: intrigued
music: norah jones - humble me

Floating on the cloudy haze between dream and reality, in the few moments of semi-consciousness, contentment overwhelmed.

I awoke with a smile on my face.

What inspires the nirvana, and who brings it?

Dark beauty.

Dark beauty.

The temperamental sea's at war
With the golden shifting sands
Tempestuous choppy arches
Crashing mercilessly on helpless land

The facade of still blue falls
Exposing charcoal waves
The bleakness holds me captive
Dark beauty of unexpected grace.

Dark or light; streak it right.

Dark or light; streak it right.
feeling: undecided

The last thing to think or bother myself about before a exam, techie 108 at that mind you, would be my hair color. But I can't help it. I was sick of the brown and sun+sea+chlorine streaked golden locks. Now my hair's a dark (I like to think of it as rich chocolate) brown.

It's not bad. I'm just not used to it. Contemplating heading over to Watsons to get meself another of those DIY kits to propel my color somewhere between the present dark and the past gold streaked.

I ought to be slapped!

Sushi and asian paper lanterns.

Sushi and asian paper lanterns.
feeling: restless
music: the wreckers - one more girl

The intro to Rain by The Wreckers conjures up scenes of sushi restaurant dinners in New York City on a wet Friday night. It's funny 'cos The Wreckers play country music. I should be thinking of country roads and Texan cowboys. Haha. Their lyrics are a little too in-your-face for my liking, but it makes for pretty easy listening.

Three days before I get my temporary ticket to freedom. Just as well; this whole mugging routine's starting to make me feel hemmed in.

Just found out that Kelly and WS are going over to Bangkok as well. Pity they're flying off the day Ceci and I return.

I'm restless, but I've had enough of those darn notes. And to think I'll be lugging my printer home from hall tomorrow, after the paper, to print MORE 111 notes. I could do the printing in school I suppose, but I've got loads of e-vouchers to print for the trip too, as and when they're ready. And I don't wanna have to go rushing down to school each time the need to print arises. Urghs. I'm gonna look like a clown, standing by the roadside with the printer in my hand, desperately flagging down cabs.

Reminiscing Dubai.

Reminiscing Dubai.

The plan was to take a break from the books, and to transfer some long due pictures from my desktop into my macbook. Instead, I was up till past two, revisiting memories in my digital photobooks.

Random snapshots of our Hospitality & Tourism Management trip to Dubai. We were initially really bummed that the Bali component was cancelled due to the bombings, but well, it ain't everyday that you get to go to the Middle East and see the renowned Burj Al Arab.

The trip turned out to be more a pre-graduation holiday for us Year 3s than the educational one it was meant to be.

Dubai was to me, an empty paradise. I still think of it as that, though the memories are anything but empty. I can't believe it's been almost a year since our trip.

You chase, I run, you disappear.

You chase, I run, you disappear.
feeling: troubled
music: angela simmons - always getting over you

All it took was one single phone call to waver those walls. How easy it would be to cave and succumb to the vulnerability I've denied myself, but I refuse. Once in a while I'll fall, an unwilling victim to inevitable pangs. But. I've picked myself up often enough to treat it as a passing aggravation. Life's too beautiful to be wasted harping on negativity.

Tiny glitch aside, life's bestowed me with many a pleasurable moment. Island Creamery ice-cream. Bitchy swimming/study sessions. Coffee at Borders. Exchanging crazy laughter at Mos Burger with Charmain. And two papers are down! I don't quite care how I fare on them really. I've got big plans for the post-exam break.

1. Movies - Just Friends; The Holiday; Deck The Halls
2. Timbre
3. Poring over my guide books and mapping out my holiday routes
4. Cafe hopping
5. Little india
6. Arab Street
7. Snapshots at Katong
8. BALI!
9. Corrinne May concert
10. BANGKOK!
11. Belly-piercing

Mi Manchi came up on my ipod whilst I was studying at the cafe yesterday, and I burst out laughing thinking about Justin's 'me monkey' shit (refer to tagboard). Thank goodness bitch and Raymond were with me then, and I wasn't alone.

Off I go.

Viva Bali, Woohoo Thailand!

Viva Bali, Woohoo Thailand!
feeling: impatient
music: boz raggs - miss riddle

My Bali and Thailand travel partners. One's a lil insane, the other's mental. Haha! I'll go crazy in Bali, and deranged in Thailand. LOL!

Finalised Bali plans with my dad two nights back. Yet to drop the news about Thailand on him yet. But we've booked our tickets. Haha!

Time to hit the pool with bitch. Then to hit the books I'll go with a cuppa.