Sunday, August 06, 2006

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P8044249
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Zi Liang and Shannon. I am still rather amazed that ZL and I are from the same primary school! What a small world.

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P8054254
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Stolen moment.

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P8054258
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Shopping's stressful. Really. Just look at Ceci.

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P8054261
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Drinks at Indochine. Diggin' the live band baby!

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Just a tad.

Just a tad.

I got a tad melancholic earlier in the evening as I was ironing my stash of clothes to bring to the hall. Goodness, can you imagine how I'd feel if I were getting married??? But that aside, it is still extremely exciting to be setting up another home!

I've three full bags of knick knacks, all ready to be transported to my hostel. Kinda feels like I'm going on a holiday actually haha! Was afraid I'll miss having a computer (even though it's just for a night, I know!) hence this quick post. Zipping off.

Mild sunshine and bath lilies.

Mild sunshine and bath lilies.
feeling: well-rested
music: andy stochansky - 22 steps

My auntie's incredulous at the rate my bath lilies fall apart. "I use one, you use three. Don't know how you use." I'm extremely tickled. Maybe I am over-dilligent in scrubbing, but hey, it's all in the name of hygiene!

Wanna guess why I'm posting so early in the morning? Lanxi has called to postpone our 10am run to 1020.. so I've got a couple more minutes to kill. Thinking of her has me in stitches. Some of you would probably have heard of the "black cats, bulldog and fox" story I've related to so many times. ROFL. Let's see what she'll say today...

Shopping around Ikea with Charmain and Erwin yesterday has gotten me all excited about decorating my hostel room. I'd initially had the intention to move just the basic neccessities and spend my Year 1 life in a jailcell-like room, BUT I've changed my mind.

You see, I've acquired quite a stash of barang barang from my travels with the intention of redecorating my room when my dad finally gets around to repainting the walls and installing a new wardrobe. It's obviously not happening anytime soon so... what better way to test run the knick knacks than in my hostel room? It's all rather excting, imagine creating my own piece of paradise!

Speaking of hostel rooms, I've gotten my time-table. No free day like Charmain and Shannon I heard, but I'm pretty happy with the scheduling - I (almost) have a 4-day weekend! And I think Erwin and I have the exact schedules, so no walking around like a blind bat for me. I don't think I've actually admitted this before but having to start school being the only TP girl is extremely terrifying. Thank goodness it's all gotten better.

All right, time to hit the beach baby.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Don't play me for a fool.

Don't play me for a fool.
music: rachel yamagata - i wish you love

It's really time I slept. My QET starts at 930am tomorrow and that means that I'll have to wake up at the unearthly hour of 630 in the morning. Why oh why didn't I take up Ede's suggestion to sleep over tonight?

I've cleaned up my hostel room! (View pictures below.) Mine wasn't as dusty as my friends have made theirs out to be, but it still required quite abit of dusting and cleaning. Ken and Erwin have gotten some pretty unglamorous shots of me on the floor mopping obscure corners. Urghs.

Spent a lazy afternoon in town post-cleaning with a good coffee session included. Now that the caffeine's worn off, I'm sleepy. Good night world.

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P8014212
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

The big clean-up!

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P8014211
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Before.

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P8014214
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

After.

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P8014215
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Ken, making himself very at home.

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P8014216
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

This is my wardrobe with only one set of clothes. And five hangers.

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P8014217
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

With my roomie's.

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P8014221
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Moving was made a lot easier thanks to Ken...

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P8014222
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

And Erwin! We actually went down this escalator, went back up and down again just so we could snap a picture ha ha ha.

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P8014226
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

A shot of my foot with that of the "my precious" gremlin look-alike's in LOTR.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough

I don't wanna lose you
I don't wanna use you
Just to have somebody by my side
And I don't wanna hate you
I don't wanna take you
But I don't wanna be the one to cry
That don't really matter to anyone, anymore
But like a fool I keep losing my place
And I keep seeing you walk through that door

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough

Now I could never change you
I don't wanna blame you
Baby you don't have to take the fall
Yes I may have hurt you
But I did not desert you
Maybe I just wanna have it all
It makes a sound like thunder
It makes me feel like rain
And like a fool who will never see the truth
I keep thinking something's gonna change

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough

And there's no way home
When it's late at night and you're all alone
Are there things that you wanted to say
Do you feel me beside you in your bed
There beside you where I used to lay

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough
Baby sometimes love just ain't enough.

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P7304208
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Brunch at Cedele's.

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P7304204
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

With the very patriotic CH, Ceci...

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P7304205
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

And the psychotic looking, sleepy doctor-to-be.

Constant craving, it's always been.

Constant craving, it's always been.

This is why I've never let myself get too close. It merely awakens buried pangs.

I'm craving for a good dose of live music. Mellow rock or even sappy love songs by the beach would be good. But I've got urbanites for buddies. Instead of sipping an ice cold drink at one of the beach bars along East Coast tomorrow, you'll find me at Cedele Wheelock, drinking hot tea.

Any good people out there who know of a place in town with a live band on Sunday afternoons?

Resignation.

Resignation.

I wish to hear more as much as I don't wish to hear any. Listen to me, I'm not making any sense at all. This is bordering on insanity.

Resignation. In all senses of the word.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

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P7294196
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Six scoops of B&J. I've decided my fav. flavor's coffee! I think I've had far too much ice cream in recent weeks.

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P7294200
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

Can you tell Fag's gotten less than an hour of sleep? And that Marc's lost 8 kg?????

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P7294201
Originally uploaded by hippieinthesarong.

I don't quite know what I was trying to do. Assault Marc with my tongue? LOL.

Linger.

Linger.
music: george michael - kissing a fool

Sitting in a cafe
Lingering over a laugh or two
Funny how we're finally
Doing things that lovers do

Caught up in the cycle of time
I'd forgotten how it's like to talk to you
On a night of such serenity
Clarity comes through

Are you my lover or my best friend
Bonds like ours are few
But when you told me that you missed me
That moment was surreal

Friday, July 28, 2006

Acting insane to keep sane.

Acting insane to keep sane.

The late morning sun was scorching, and running under it bordered on insane. This wasn't one of my better days 'cos I think I really lack sleep, but something I read somewhere sometime ago kept me going. "If you can do this on a bad day, you'll do even better on a good day."

Catching some shut-eye on the beach sounded so good after that killer of a run but the sun was relentless. What do we do when it gets too hot?



The crazy things we do. Hahaha. That's Lanxi on the left, and myself on the right.

We've decided to get our bellies pierced! One of the things we're gonna do before 2007 comes around. I'm not sure how sterile the equipment is over at Far East and Heeren, so please, tag me if you have any suggestions on safe enough places!

Back in my room now. And the clouds are back out to play. Ken's probably cussing 'cos I think he's just arrived at the beach. Was tempted to go back onto the island to hang out with him but the mere thought of lugging all my running gear back was enough to put me off. I've got an hour and a half to get some decent rest before I shower and head to The Cathay. Movie date night! I like.

And to share an extremely enlightening verse I came up with at yesterday's coffee session - It's alright to indulge in moments of weakness, but overindulgence makes man weak. Man I'm good, right Fag? Hah! Night.

Morning laughs.

And you're still mine, we're locked in time, let's rewind.
music: jack johnson - do you remember

I am going to ruin jinxing it and announce that it seems to be a gorgeous day for a run by the beach. Streams of soft sunlight, fluffy wispy clouds. I was unable to get out of bed until 40 minutes later than my intended time, so I messaged my babe to suggest we meet at 10 instead. She's just messaged to further post-pone the time. Thus all the idle time for this post. We rock.

I hope not to repeat the stupid thing I did during last week's run. I slammed and locked our shared locker without realising that she still had the gym bag in her hand. She stared at me, I looked blankly at her and we burst out laughing. Spent the next 15 minutes running around the island to get our hands on two more $1 coins.

Just read Rozy's tag(s) on my chatterbox. Hahaha!!! The mere thought of me shaking that ass is enough to leave me immobile with laughter. I still remember the time we were at the amphitheatre after Movie Under The Stars and I attemped to groove to some Bollywood tune. VERY EMBARRASSING. To the unenlightened, I suck at dancing. Something my greatfriends never fail to tease me about.

Okay I'm off.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you.

Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you.
music: lenny kravitz - again (acoustic)

I was initially rather inspired to come up with my own quiz thingy after the 97 questions I just answered below, but sleep is more appealing right now. I'm meeting Lanxi for our beach run tomorrow, and minus the time I'd take in the morning to shower, pack my bag, chow down my brekkie and make my way to Harbour Front by 945am, I reckon I should be able to get my eight hours of sleep. I sure need to make up for this week's many late nights.

After a quick lunch with the ffloosh peeps at Crystal Jade, I zipped off for a second lunch (I watched him eat) and coffee (he watched me drink) with Faggy. I know we both enjoyed the five-hour-long conversation and I was so glad to put a couple of those smiles and laughs on his face.
Faggy asked if I wished we were sitting by the beach and talking instead, but I was really happy where we were inside Starbucks', where we were just two of the many others caught up in personal conversations. My description doesn't quite do what I felt justice. At least I tried.

Met up with Eil for dinner after at the corner coffeeshop near my place. Two fantastic catch-up sessions in a day. No patronizing socializing, no awkward smiles, nothing. Just good old conversations, just the way I like it.

I'm extremely tickled by chiasmus right now. Don't know what it is? Go find out. You'll be awed, I hope. Time for bed.

97 redundant things about me you should(n't) know.

97 redundant things about me you should(n't) know.
music: bic runga - something good

I'm never one to reject tags so here you go. And I secretly enjoy answering such questions, hah!

1 - FULL NAME: Not disclosing here online. Leigh will do fine.
2 - NAME BACKWARDS: hgiel
3 - WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? There's a Leigh in Baywatch Hawaii. Hahaha.
4 - DOES YOUR NAME MEAN ANYTHING? Whatever I want it to mean.
5 - NICKNAME: Hahaha. I had one loooong one back in secondary school. Rosemary Suzy Fibz Momola Chia Chen Chin Khoo if I am not wrong. Don't ask.
6 - SCREENNAME: sarongskirts
7 - D.O.B: 3 October 1986
8 - PLACE OF BIRTH: Mount Elizabeth
9 -NATIONALITY: Singaporean
10 - CURRENT LOCATION: My room
11 - STARSIGN: Libra
12 - RELIGION: Free-thinker and happy to be one. Don't try to convert me.
13 - HEIGHT: 160
14 - WEIGHT: 35kg. Hahaha I'm so obviously lying. 48, 49.
15 - SHOE SIZE: 6
16 - HAIR COLOUR - Black
17 - EYE COLOUR: Black/dark brown? I don't have a habit of staring into my own eyes really.
18 - WHAT DO YOU LOOK LIKE? A human, albeit one who spends too much time in the sun? What kinda question is this?
19 - INNIE OR OUTIE: Whichever I want to be at that moment.
20 - RIGHTY OR LEFTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS: Righty. Though I secretly wish I were a lefty. Then again they say lefties die early. Hmm.
21 - GAY , STRIAGHT, BI OR OTHERS: Straight now.
22 - BEST FRIENDS: My bitch? But we've kinda drifted so I honestly don't know.
23 - BEST FRIENDS YOU TRUST THE MOST: Jason.
24 - BEST FRIENDS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX: Right now, considering I'm at the point in my life where we're all going our separate ways, I'd say Fagan
25 - BEST BUDDIES: Jane, Ceci, Marc, Kenrick, CH, Jem, Lanxi, and my CPM kpo club. Heh heh.
26 - BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND: Boyfriend
27 - CRUSH: A thousand and counting, haha.
28 - PARENTS: Yes, both.
29 - WORST ENEMIES: Zilch. I'm a peace-loving hippie. Hahaha.
30 - FAVE ONLINE GUYS: If this translates to guys I like to talk to online, I'd probably say justin.z for intellectual logic (whatever this is) and teochew for entertainment
31 - FAVE ONLINE GIRLS: Cecilia probably.
32 - FUNNIEST FRIENDS: Lanxi. Half the things she does leaves me in laughter.
33 - CRAZIEST FRIENDS: Lanxi. Hahaha.
34 - ADVICE FRIEND: Jason. Fagan.
35 - LOUDEST FRIEND: Jane, Yvonne.
36 - PERSON I CRY WITH: If the need to let it out arises, I'll cry regardless of who I am with. I'm pretty shameless that way. But if I had to name one person, I'd say my auntie.
37 - ANY SISTERS: An older vegetarian new-age hippie.
38 - ANY BROTHERS: An older cheeky monkey who's surprisingly married. He's walking proof that miracles do happen.
39 - ANY PETS: I had chicks one. They died after three days though. Refused to eat. Still mourning their deaths.
40 - ANY DISEASES: None that I know of. And I'm blissfully unaware thank you.
41 - A PAGER: Hahaha.
42 - A PERSONAL PHONE LINE: Yup.
44 - A LAVA LAMP: Never did know how to appreciate the beauty of those floating things.
45 - A POOL OR HOT TUB: A pool please! Then I will never have to share the one at Delta with those chee ko peks.
46 - A CAR: Eventually.
47 - DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY: I am a walking contradiction. Oh, someone said I'm an enigma!
48 - DRIVING: Learning to.
49 - CAR OR ONE YOU WANT: What if the one I want is a car? Hahaha.
50 - ROOM: Dark wood. Soft lighting. Canopy bed. Scented candles. Window seat.
51 - WHAT'S MISSING: In my dream room? Reality maybe, haha!
52 - SCHOOL: NTU
53 - BED: Canopy. Silk sheets. Soft, plump pillows.
54 - RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARENTS: Disfunctionally normal, like most others I like to believe.
55 - BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: Yes, enough to get by.
56 - BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: No. Hasn't anyone heard of lust at first sight?
57 - CONSIDER YOURSELF A GOOD LISTENER: Yep. I enjoy listening to others.
58 - GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS: Well enough.
59 - SAVE YOUR EMAIL CONVOS: Ah... not really.
60 - PRAY: Only when I'm desperate.
61 - BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION: I haven't decided.
62 - LIKE TO MAKE FUN OF PEOPLE: Haha.
63 - LIKE TO TALK ON THE PHONE: Only if the other party is a good conversationalist.
64 - WANT TO GET MARRIED: One day.
65 - LIKE TO DRIVE: I think I've developed a phobia after driving a friend's car onto the curb.
66 - GET MOTION SICKNESS: No! Heh.
67 - EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI: Yes.
68 - EAT CHICKEN FINGERS WITH A FORK: Those at KFC? I think so. I can't remember really!
69 - DREAM IN COLOUR: Yes.
70 - TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON HOMEROW: Yes.
71 - SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL: Racky's my downfall.
72 - RIGHT NEXT TO YOU: What?
73 - ON THE WALLS OF MY ROOM: White paint. I'm thinking of repainting them a warmer color though.
74 - ON MY MOUSE PAD: Dell logo.
75 - YOUR DREAM CAR: Volkswagen Beetle. I don't know much about cars, but I like it.
76 - YOUR DREAM DATE: One with whom I can share countless intellectually stimulating conversations with. And of course infinite chemistry.
77 - YOUR DREAM HONEYMOON SPOT: Bali. Maldives. Hawaii. Anywhere really (though by anywhere I don't quite mean Sentosa or Pulau Ubin), 'cos you're not supposed to be focusing on the place on your honeymoon are you???
78 - YOUR DREAM HUSBAND OR WIFE: It's a secret.
79 - YOUR BEDTIME: Anytime from 10pm to 4am.
80 - UNDER YOUR BED: Magazines. Love letters. Ooh.
81 - THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: Why did Brad leave Jennifer???? Okay I'm kidding. I have no idea.
82 - YOUR BAD TIME OF THE DAY: You'll find out.
83 - YOUR WORST FEARS: Faggy and I just talked about it earlier! Being in a bomb blast, getting hurt so badly, but not badly enough to be dead. Hanging on the thread of life and death.
84 - THE WEATHER: Ideally sunny but not humid?
85 - THE TIME: 11.22pm
86 - THE DATE: 27 July 2006
87 - THE BEST TRICK YOU HAVE EVER PLAYED ON SOMEONE ELSE: Involved ketchup. Lotsa laughing. And fun.
88 - THE WEIRDEST FOOD OR DRINK THAT YOU LIKE: Chocolate. So much so it's weird.
89 - THEME SONG: Bic Runga's Sway? Maybe Jason Wade's You Belong To Me.
90 - THE HARDEST THING ABOUT GROWING UP: Letting go.
91 - YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENTS: Happened just yesterday. Something that involved Lanxi, toilet paper and an open door.
92 - YOUR SCARIEST MOMENTS: Illegally taking the wheel at 3am.
93 - THE SILLIEST THING YOU HAVE SAID: There've been too many.
94 - THE FUNNIEST AND MOST DESPERATE THING YOU HAVE DONE TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE OPPOSITE SEX: It is so embarrassing I never want to talk about it. Ever.
95 - THE SCARIEST THING THAT HAPPENED WITH YOUR FRIENDS: Staying together in a hotel room in Bangkok.
96 - THE WORST FEELING ON EARTH: Loss
97 - THE BEST FEELING ON EARTH: Happiness

Incoherent.

Incoherent.

Photography
Mr. Potato
Insane laughter
Riverside stroll
Evening
Hobbling
Barbeque
Fisherman's Wharf
Sebastian

I was just remembering a couple of great days out I had with a friend last year. Somehow I couldn't string the above words into coherent sentences.

It's 1am now. I'd better get to bed, just in case I spring awake at 8.45am again. At least I'd have gotten close to my eight hours of sleep.

Lunching with the ffloosh gang tomorrow, or at least I presume the people turning up are from ffloosh. When I'm done, I'm gonna zip off to meet Fag, sit at a cafe and probably dissect and analyse our lives. Come the night, it's Eil and I at the coffeeshop.

Yawn.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

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P7214053
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Goodbye Singapore, hello Bintan!

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P7214082
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The satay man in the city.

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P7224088
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Waking up to a view this pretty and sunshine so bright...

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P7224091
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

It's no wonder we're smiling.

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P7224097
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The boat which would take us out snorkelling at White Sand Island.

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P7224102
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Heading out to sea!

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P7224141
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

What do they call this sport? Parasailing? I have no idea but a bunch of Singaporean enthusiasts seemed to be having the time of their life.

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P7224114
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

And this is Tse Xiong! The construction manager at Flower Hill. I love talking rubbish with him, and he doesn't look quite that bad in real life as he does in this picture.

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P7224117
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Steven, Steven. Our holiday wouldn't have been quite that fun if he weren't around with his cutely silly antics! In case you're wondering, he's got the towel wrapped around him because his pants got wet (from the sea, not pee) when he came snorkelling with us.

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P7224150
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Back from spying at the famous make-out spot. We're smiling so gleefully because we're going for a foot massage!

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P7234176
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The two guides who really really made our trip - Wida and Pari.

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P7234155
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

The world from between my legs, Bintan version.

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P7234160
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Enjoying a last cocktail.

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P7234170
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

My first cherry stalk knot tied with my tongue. Hah!

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P7234157
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Goodbye Bintan Agro.

Running on adrenaline.

Running on adrenaline.
music: damien rice - cannonball

For three days, I've woken up at exactly 8.45 am. For the previous two days, I attributed it to the messages that streamed in at unearthly hours, but the same thing happened today, even when I set my phone on silent. And I've been unable to fall back asleep. And considering that I've been going to bed only in the wee hours of the morning, you can only guess how zonked out I feel. Urghs.

Damien Rice's Cannonball repeats itself in my head at the weirdest times. As if it was meant to be, the song was featured in today's repeat episode of Life As We Know It. I suspect I may be psychic. Haha!

I'd initially wanted to post up my Bintan pictures (I know, finally) but I'm running out of time. My favourite workout khaki is back in town and we're gonna hit the pool. If you're really dying to see what Bintan is really like, surf on over to Ceci's blog. That babe's one of the most dilligent updaters I know.



More pictures will be up soon, I promise.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Remembering.

Remembering.
music: rachel yamagata

What to you is a good holiday? An exotic destination? Fantastic shopping? Great food? Gorgeous landscapes? I definitely will not deny that the above factors contribute to a great getaway, but a good holiday to me at least is one where I will get a tinge of a heartache when I have to leave for home. My heart broke a little when I left Bali and it broke a little again when I left Bintan on Sunday.

Now, the travel agency which Cecilia and I booked our package from had the art of creating illusions down pat. We are aware of the wonders of Photoshop and are definitely not naive enough to expect the resort to look exactly like it did in the brochure, but what greeted us at Bintan was nothing quite like we expected.

Despite the initial disappointment, Bintan turned out to be one of the unexpectedly fulfilling holidays I've had so far. Boat trips out with the locals, bantering with our guides and resort staff, doing crazy things like going to spy on couples making out... all the tangible factors the resort lacked was more than made up for by the locals with their genuine hospitality.

Not many managed to conceal their surprise when I decided to make the switch to pursue a degree in Communication Studies. Where was the girl, who despite well meaning advice from relatives, insisted on travelling an hour and a half everyday to the other side of Singapore just so she could pursue her interest in Hospitality Management?

Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with someone who's passion in hospitality far surpasses mine and many others I know. And I learnt that to make your guests happy, a good hotelier would sometimes have to sacrifice his own personal engagements. When I bore the brunt of one too many broken engagements, I got jaded, and I hate admit this, selfish. I felt that the opportunity cost just wasn't worth it.

This short trip to Bintan however rekindled the embers of my passion. On the receiving end of such warm hospitality, I remembered how it is like to want to make someone's day, be it with a smile or a chat.

Though I didn't quite achieve the inner peace I'd initially seeked to find while I am away, Bintan opened my mind up to just that few more possibilities and opportunities. And to borrow a couple of lines from You Could Be Happy by Snow Patrol, a song which a friend has been actively promoting...

"Do the things that you always wanted to
Without me there to hold you back, don't think, just do
More than anything I want to see you go
Take a glorious bite out of the whole world."

Friday, July 21, 2006

I ain't got a right to be jaded.

I ain't got a right to be jaded.
feeling: pensive
music: jem - wish i

My boat sails in three hours. It's my third trip overseas in five months. And I've kinda gotten used to the monotony of packing. Would you believe I used to be excited at the prospect of packing when I was younger? But I like going away. It gives me the liberty to assume another identity for awhile.

Thanks y'all for remembering that I'm going away and to a certain someone, don't worry that a tsunami will hit Bintan. Almost impossible silly. Should -cue to touch wood- anything happen, I'm in the mood for a bit of "dangerous living" anyway. You're given full credit for your inspiring quote Elix.

Time to hit the showers, haul up my backpack and head for the ferry terminal.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Coffee with Mister Moon.

Coffee with Mister Moon.

It is a known saying that people don't know how to cherish what they have until it is gone. I certainly do feel that way right now. Here I am reflecting in silence, the still of the night perfectly matching my melancholy.

A good friend from my poly days will be leaving for Perth this Saturday. For six long years. The last time we talked about her going away, she asked me, "Will you miss Jane?" At that time I laughed, swatted her arm and jokingly said, "Of course not!" and I really did believe I wouldn't.

Yet when I flipped through my photo album, pausing at the many wacky shots we've taken over the years to reminisce, I started to feel the ache creeping up on me. While we weren't exactly best of friends, we were as tight as school friends can be and we have shared a whole lot of good times together.

Thinking back, there have been times when I should have been more of a friend to her and if I had a chance to turn back time, I would have offered her more support when she needed it. Nonetheless, she is one of the strongest survivors I have ever known and it makes me all the more proud to have her as a friend.

I wouldn't be there to send her off for I will be, rather guiltily, on an island getaway with Cecilia. Probably a blessing in disguise. At least I wouldn't bawl and send us all into tears.

To the horse, from the sheep.

To the horse, from the sheep.

I was flipping through my photographs
Through the many shots of us
Wacky expressions, cheeky grins
Poses that screamed "What were we thinking?!"

Three long years of lectures no doubt
But we kept each other sane throughout
Remember when you played the horse and I the sheep
Or when we passed notes with drawings of panties?

We've shared some secrets, even jetted around
Cracked jokes so vile, we made others frown
Honestly I don't know what poly life would have been
Should you not have shared it all with me.

I'll miss your hugs and those bright sparkly eyes
And the insane laughter we've launched into so many times
Come Saturday you'll be a step closer to your dream
I love you babe and I'll miss you to bits.

checkingout8


checkingout8
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

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mejane2
Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

All cried out.

All cried out.
music: jem - stay now

Ever found yourself in a situation where words elude you? Your heart is fisted in your chest and the strongest concoction of emotions keeps an iron-clad hold on it. You wish desperately for the appropriate vocabulary to describe how you are feeling and maybe, just maybe, words will relieve you of that immense pain inside. But when you do try, you end up tripping all over your words, propelling you back not only to square one but two further steps behind.

Whatever words could not express was aptly relieved through tears. Not the whole bawling-hiccups-bawling routine, but a quiet sobbing on my dad's shoulder. He isn't the person I usually turn to when I'm at my most emotional, but at that time, all I wanted was some male logic (and strong shoulders) to set me straight.

Sob fest's over. The numbness in its place is quite a useful anaesthetic. The urge to run away is back. India... Bali... Bora Bora. Anywhere to rediscover myself and shed this claustrophic hole I've dug myself into.

A friend said to me, "Remember, no matter how far you run, how long you live somewhere else, how much someone preaches the road to happiness, you can never outrun yourself." And then he asked me what it is exactly I am running from. "Something intangible," I replied. I didn't quite have an answer to that.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Sunsets and drawstring pants

Sunsets and drawstring pants
music: kitaro - dance of sarasvati

I caught The Mistress of Spices today. I'd heard about the book and I was looking forward to seeing it on film. I personally felt that the movie relied too much on the use of booming music and sound effects, and I knew that Jason was bored from the way he was fidgeting. Bad choice of film.

How many times have you read "dress to express your individuality" or "you are what you dress" in fashion magazines? I don't know how and I don't know when but I've realised that I have unconsciously swopped my favoured drawstring pants and sarong wrap skirts for jeans. Have I been urbanized?

Hit the beach for a good run and some good old fashioned baking in the sun. Back when I was swimming thrice a week and the "you're damn chaota!" remarks came too often for comfort, I stocked up on bottles of sunblocks of SPF 25 and above. Well, I've since stopped being so dilligent about hitting the pool and when I rummaged through my beauty closet for tanning lotion, I found none. I'm morphing into a stranger.

That does it. I will put on my drawstrings tomorrow. I'd actually been thinking of having an early night and waking up at dawn to do some yoga and stretching to sort out the pain in my back, but considering that it's midnight now... Haha. I think mid-morning stretches will suffice. Night world.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Mucking around in the toilet. We were supposed to be stretching!

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

I look like I have Hercules' arms in this picture. And check out our perspiration! We sure worked out hard baby.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Getting comfortable.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Catching some rays.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

"Faster Lanxi, lick lick lick!!! Melting!!!"

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

So much for staying off sugar.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

For the love of life

For the love of life
feeling: optimistic
music: norah jones - sunrise

After a good five months of retarded tick-tocking, my life seems to be picking up pace. My university life starts in exactly three weeks and for the coming 21 days, even slacking has gained some purpose. About time, I say!

My Sunday passed by quickly enough. Met up with Ceci to check out the Shape carnival (disappointing) and to grab a quick bite, zipped down to finalize Bintan details and collect the tickets, then finally stopped by Island Creamery for the meet-up with a couple of my OG mates. After hearing so much hype about it, I got my hands (or rather, my tongue) on the Teh Tarik ice cream. Not lip-smacking, but quite yum.

I think I've ingested a week's worth of sugar (plus junk) over this weekend. I had a Nutella sandwich for lunch and pizza for dinner while at Jason's yesterday, and instead of getting some proper chow while catching up with Ken and CH over supper, I munched on Ken's wine gums and dried out a whole bottle of mango tea. Not very healthy choices at 1 in the morning I think. Then came today's ice-cream overdose. Ecks. I'm nowhere close to the recommended 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily. -snigger.

Anyway, Monday marks the start of a new week. Don't tell me about Sunday being the first day of a new week. I've never quite warmed up to that idea. I intend on eating a little less junk and getting a little more exercise. Haven't been very zealous about my workouts of late and I'm quite ready to get back into the swing, starting with tomorrow's run at Sentosa with Lanxi. Speaking of running, I can't quite believe Ceci and I forgot to sign up for today's Shape run. So much for our initial enthusiasm woman!

It's almost midnight and I'm not feeling a wee bit sleepy. Darn sugar high. Bet I'll feel the complete opposite when I'm strapping on my running shoes tomorrow.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Pizza Saturday at Jason's.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Charmain and I. I look like her daughter don't I?!!?

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

Cheryl, Charmain, myself, Tingyi

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

OG gang at Island Creamery. Finally, I got to taste the famed Teh Tarik ice-cream. Didn't quite live up to the hype I thought.

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Originally uploaded by sarongskirts.

A shot from inside Erwin's car - Tingyi on his bike.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Island escape.

Island escape.

Did I mention I'd be sailing off to Bintan with Ceci come next Friday?

Friday, July 14, 2006

Beauty in simplicity.

Beauty in simplicity.
music: jack johnson - breakdown

It kinda feels like I've been gone for a long time, yet at the same time, not at all. Yes, the reason on why I drive some people so crazy sometimes has finally dawned - I am a walking contradiction. It kinda pleases me actually. I like being quirky, though I bet a certain man whose tail I step on ever so often these days will disagree.

I was at camp for barely two days and it feels like the week's passed me by. The following paragraph is my answer to the inevitable "How was camp?" question.

Camp was... pretty ordinary. Separate a bunch of eighty odd strangers into four orientation groups, play messy games on the pretext of bonding... I've just remembered why I've never been a fan of camps. People-wise, I feel old and somewhat wild amongst the mostly just out of JC peeps in my orientation group. I really miss my good old poly days of mucking around with the gang and our free-range jokes. At the same time, I'm bent on making the best of what I have chosen myself for the next four years.

Anyway, I left camp halfway for my piano exam (which sucked, am not elaborating) and I was rather dumbfounded by the sms update my campmate Charmain sent me last night. There's apparently been a lot of drama. Which I avoided, thankfully. I'll grill her and Erwin in detail on Sunday's tanning trip, assuming the camp didn't leave them in shackles.

Camp aside, I paid a visit for my hairdresser for the revival of my straight locks! I've kinda had it with the curls. I got the perm at a point in my life when I was desperate for a change, however small or drastic. Sure, the curls were pretty but they had taken on a (hellish) life of their own after six months. Moreover, permed hair and its maintenance just didn't go hand in hand with my beach, pool and sun lifestyle. So it's back to the good old basics for me. And I like it this way. :)

Quiz 3

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges.
You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions.
Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist.
Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!).

Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others.
And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you.
You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically.
Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas.

Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul