I'm back!!!

{I'm back!!!}

Finally, the update that's long overdue...with pictures this time. And don't forget to congratulate me upon the return of Photoshop to my life. After trials and tribulations, Photoshop is back in my computer which had undergone a brainwash.

So, let's start with the days I spent in the production house from mid-August to early October.

Well, what I can say about life in the production house, can be summarised in a word - crazy! Time, effort, and perspiration, does not amount to the recognization. The only definite recognition is probably your name appearing in the credits roll at the end of the show. If you do your job well by getting the endless amount of workload done in time, it's only right cuz that's your job, but if you screw anything up, you can say goodbye to a pat on your back for a good job done. In fact, you rarely or will never get praises cuz the industry is result-oriented. Yielding good results and making things look good on screen are but the criterias. Then again, it prompted me to start thinking, am I crazy? Or do i enjoy torturing myself by being in this line in that position. The conclusion is, yes, i am indeed crazy. But on the logical side, I've always been active in the performing arts when in my schooling days, by that, i refer to my kindergarden, primary, and secondary school days. As i expanded sideways physically, the possibility of me performing onstage diminished slowly, although the passion rises upwards uncontrollably. With extra slabs on my body swaying to the beat, even i can't bear to look at myself, much less any other audiences. That's why i restrict dancing to the home or when i'm at the ktv with V3, cuz whatever slabs that're present have no need to hide from those who have long seen them. As for now, i'll stick to the backstage, working behind the camera unless needed. It's also a form of gaining experiences, and when i say experiences, i'm referring to a whole lot of experiences. That, i'm not complaining, cuz the amount that i'd absorbed in terms of learning is uncontainable.

Here're some of the very nice people i've met during the short stint there. In fact, production work can be fun if you're not given too many roles to play all at once. Being the Assistant Director, Production Coordinator, Production Assistant, and stylist all at once can be murderous, cuz you cater to the needs of the whole crew during shoot. Fortunately, these nice people can still make your day look a little brighter even if one black face brings you down. On shoots for certain programmes, some super friendly interviewees shower food and attention on the crew, and though we're all 'pai seh' when we're just doing our jobs, we gladly and thankfully accept their kindness. Heh.. The nice celebrities you work with becomes a bonus too, in a way or another. Besides the crazy working hours and little things that amount to a lot, there's still a lot of things i've yet to experience. But it won't for long, cuz i've just agreed to throw myself into the 'fire-fighting' again so i can make a better and fuller conclusion. Hahaha...



After which, school came along and I went back to the comfort of being a student. Comfort, in another sense. Being a student doesn't mean an easy life, cuz you still face stress, just not in the way it is presented at work. I believe all out there agree to this in certain ways?

My class is a small class of 17, and i do like smaller classes, cuz it's easier to know each other better and faster. Three weeks have passed quickly, we've gotten along pretty well till now. Classes have been on an intensive mode and have ended just this week. The next few weeks are left for us to complete our take-home papers and study for the examination coming end of November. I'm glad to say i've started my revision. Heh heh.. but only because i've thrown myself into the 'fire-fighting', that's why i have to start revising earlier or i can't account for bad results to my dad. School is still my priority for now, my dad will kill me if the results don't speak of my willingness to study hard.

The first module to start it off was appropriately named 'Arts & Our World'. I thought i was in for a boring class, but as it moved from paintings, sculptures, and architecture to music, dance, film, and theatre, my interest for the lesson grew. Oh, but just before we could go into the common likes of the performing arts, we embarked on a Downtown Architectural Tour on a fine Saturday morning, admiring buildings and sculptures of different art styles. I enjoyed myself taking lots of photos though.


On the last day of lecture with our professor from OCU (Oklahoma City Uni), we had to present both our solo and group projects. My collage(solo project) was based on Paleolithic art (art from the Old stone age), which could be found in this picture below. According to Dr Wheeler, it is the best of all collages based on Paleolithic art she has seen here. *Blush* There...i'm flying... As for group presentations, each group had to perform a skit. My group's skit evolved around a simple plot, and we worked more on the humour of it. By drawing lots, out roles were decided, and of all lots, i had to pick the role of the 'Grandmother'. And so, i went to my Grandmother to borrow a blouse of hers to fit my role.


We thought our professor had been very nice and amiable and a farewell dinner would be only appropriate as a way of saying thanks before we can meet in Oklahoma in two years time for the completion of our course there.

A good Nepalese dinner at an extremely reasonable price in Little India ended the day on a sweet note. Thank you and take care til then, Dr. Wheeler!

Alrighty, that's the end of my little update for the past full months. Up next, is the long-awaited meeting with my favourite ladies from De'lites. It's so hard to meet up with these busy ladies, cuz they're either drowning in their studies or suffocating from work. Gee..

Til then folks! Cheers! =D

Yes yes, i know i've yet to update ever since I mentioned about getting a job i wanted in the previous post, and that i've still not updated even though the job stint had ended a week ago and i'm entering yet another phrase of my current life. I'll update soon.. Later perhaps? haha.. hopefully with photos.. =)

Finally, a job I've wanted..

The long wait is finally over...

Finally, the long wait is thankfully over. I've landed myself a job in a production team with a production house apparently quite well-known in the industry. To be exact, they call it an internship and therefore there won't be a salary but we'll be given an allowance for it. Exposure to the industry is what I need and want most presently, the quite satisfying allowance is actually a bonus though it can't quite be compared to a salary.

I introduced myself as a tv-addict during a part of the interview. Very apt, eh? It sounds funny, but I do enjoy watching 'the makings' of some productions more than the production itself at times. Haha.. When I was young, I thought I had an interest in acting and even signed up for some acting classes. Sadly, the classes never started cuz there were insufficient applications to start a class, while the karaoke class had too many applications that they started two classes for it. Urgh.

The interviewer said the people there are generally fun-loving people, but some not-so-pleasant words may be thrown around sometimes when production deadlines are approaching. Well, I fully understand that, it happens everywhere(almost), isn't it? One can't take these words blurted in the heat of the moments to heart cuz you'll end up being the only one hurt. I've learnt that. Quite long ago. My previous editor calls it 'creative criticisms' - how apt.

So, it's a brand new opening for me when the sun rises for me tomorrow.

I'm hoping for it to be a good day where I'll learn the ropes while having fun. Is that too much to ask for? Hmmm..ok, i'll lower my expectations then. How about just a reasonably pleasant day where I'll start with hanging on to the rope? Sounds good enough.

Wish me good luck!

Til then folks! Cheers!

Simple yet fulfilling trip

July 5, 2006 - Simple yet fulfilling trip

It's always nice to just meet up with old or new friends, even if there's no valid or important reason why you should.

For a coffee, a haircut, a dinner(whether at some restaurant or hawker centre), a movie, a concert, a musical, or even just a stroll downtown or down the park. Occassional spurs of the moments might just bring you pleasant surprises, who knows?

Sometimes, things just develop from a mere thought.

Huimin and I wanted a haircut rather badly, and for some rather funny reason, our discussion led us to Aizat to clear some of our doubts about this certain salon. A few short messages with the mobile and the three kakhis went on a mission give-me-a-new-hairstyle.

When we arrived at Bugis, the two hungry prefects(of the main gate in the past) had their stomaches growling so loudly that we had to put food in them immediately, which saw us settling in the V8 Movie Cafe.

True enough, they showed this Jackie Chan's film on several televisions at one side of the cafe. But we were too busy chatting about everything you could think of, that the flick wasn't given due attention even after the food came (I guess only the really bored diners who had boring lives and nothing to share among themselves were watching it. Oops.. no offence!). We thought only the waitress serving our table was unprofessional, perhaps due to inexperience. Then we decided it was too thoughtful of us to give her the benefit of doubt when another waitress gave quite the same unprofessional attitude. The food is pretty good though, and they come at quite reasonable prices. You might want to visit the outlet for the food and decor and forgo some attentive service. And if you're not in a rush, do ask for a feedback form!

After our very satisfying haircuts, Aizat(the night owl, so we found out) led the way from Bugis to Marina Square for a good view of the fireworks display by the Italy team. The watching of the fireworks display wasn't in our itinerary initially, but either Min or Aizat got hold of the news and some spare time and minimal distance brought us to the crowd. The display was beautiful. Fireworks displays always invoke a feeling of warmth and happiness to people of all ages. A stunning ball burst into colourful captivating sparks at about 2110 hours and marked the first of a 5 minutes or so of fireworks display. The crowd went 'Wah!' in unison while some babies started crying and looking for their mummies. The exclamations of excitement lasted throughout the display, but sort of died down in the middle part, probably caused by thirst. I took in the warmth and happiness of the event suitable for almost all ages in silence and captured the sight with my camera with a smile on the face. I'd even managed a shot of Huimin & Aizat enjoying the sight (even though their expressions in the photo didn't really show).

I always wonder what goes through others' mind when they're presented with such situations. Do flashes of their families, or friends, or significant others, or unfortunate others go through their minds as the events goes through their sight? Or do people just go blank in the mind and enjoy such sights? I'm one who tends to work my mind a little to hard by thinking a lot. Even as I'm watching some really interesting show, my mind could be thinking about other stuff at the same time. Gee..

I love the silence of the night - The tranquility and peace of it when all hectic schedules come to a halt for relaxation is priceless... which also explains the time of this entry. Haha..

Well, til then folks! Cheers! ;)

{Update: August 3, 2006 -- Of adventures(& misadventures) }

{Update: August 3, 2006}

*~ Of adventures(& misadventures) ~*

Story 1: Discoveries - August 1, 2006

It was a day of adventures and misadventures that turned out rather fruitful and enriching.

I had to settle some stuff at my to-be-Unicampus in the morning, after which I decided to pack some food up to my grandma's place for lunch and nap till evening, then meet up with my cousin. The plan brought me across the bridge from my campus and onto the path we used to walk down so frequently almost a decade ago. Though the school building had been replaced by high-rise apartment blocks, the vivid mental imagery seemed to have brought me back to the good old days. The field where we'd played countless times of soccer, boys and girls running across the fields for games of catching, and screamings from the girls when we were unable to snatch the soccer ball from the boys. Every Kodak moment seemed to hit right into me with the gentle breezes. We had left our footprints in almost every corner of the field from morning PE runs, soccer games, catching, and whatever took us there. It wasn't a tad hard to recall the scenes of pure childhood bliss.


Remember we tried climbing over this gate not only once, but twice or even thrice around Primary four cuz we were almost late for school and the other way to school would only make us late, Sis? For once, some boys from our class even stopped their usual morning soccer game to cheer us on, but it only made matters worse. Being the monkey ching, you climbed over without a hitch quickly and gestured for me to start climbing over before we got really late, and it didn't help at all that I had a crush on one of them and they were cheering us on for an embarassing act. Just what was I thinking? Fortunately I didn't end up like Humpty Dumpty!

Oh, and the other side of the gate used to be this deserted school building formerly housing the students of Queenstown secondary when their school building underwent construction. Remember the days where our guts got the better of us and we explored the deserted school? And who can forget the sudden creaking of a rusty door that sent us on a record-breaking fly back into the safety of our compound?

The concrete path is now buried under layers and layers of wild grass. It will come to a day where people would forget that such a path even existed.


And remember the ground level house selling the best Ice Lollies Aizat introduced us? Remember the path we used to walk home together everyday? Remember block 24 to block 28 where our 'block catching' and 'area catching' took place every now and then?


Our favourite desert and Hokkien Mee & Char Kway Teow stalls. The thumb never goes downwards for the quality and affordability of the food from these stalls. If I'm not wrong, I even treated the girls (our 'seven sisters') to desert on one of my birthdays cuz you lovely girls gave me such endearing presents. ;) Thankfully most of you gave a thought for my wallet and ordered the cheaper choices.

I'm never deprived of topics to chat with my Grandmother. Even with my not-so-fluent-Teochew, I can blabber on and on about everything from updates of my friends they know of, to what I'm up to, to what the other relatives are up to. Speaking of which, there's sort of a saga that's brewing over slow fire before exploding one not-very-fine day. Well, what can we say? It won't help anyway. Since the leads of the saga are unaware of the situation for now, the rest of us in the know will just stay away from troubled waters and wish for the best. Phew!

Then Grandpa showed me this very adorable photo of me and my cousin, JinCai, after I gobbled down my sinfully delicious Hokkien Mee. Heehee..

For unknown reasons, I didn't exactly like smiling for the camera when I was younger, though my mum trained me to get accustommed to getting into cheesy poses when I got older (and I think I actually grew to enjoy it). I loved acting cool, well.. ok, I still do - just in a different manner.

A full stomach and a welcoming sea-blue bed brought me into Dreamland effortlessly. Before my beautiful dream could get to the finale, the melody from my mobile aroused the drooling big bear from her sweet dreams as the alarm dutifully went off at 5pm.

Then, the misadventures started when a just-awoken bear met up with a blur sotong. I thought I was quite good with directions and recognising of routes, but when you meet someone like my cousin, don't be surprised when you turn into some unfamiliar route unknowingly and walk on to a totally different place.



But it was a fruitful misadventure. We discovered many different, special, and some exciting places I could bring the rest to the next time we decide to have any gatherings or meals. There was a Japanese Dining Place we came across that I knew our dear Clarice would love coming to. The red and black painted wooden decor looks exactly like a replica of one of those japanese dining huts you see very frequently in modern japanese dramas.

When we finally gave up looking for the damned mall and headed back to where we came from by taking turns to ask for directions, we came across the map at the MRT station which made us felt all the more dumb. So much for walking all over and around where we wanted to go, walked every way, crossed every bridge in vain. Hahaha..Luckily my court shoes were seasoned and marinated to the point of saturation so my feet escaped unscathed from blisters. Wahahaha..can't help but laugh at our own silliness. Silly me!

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Story 2: Treasure Hunt - July 29, 2006


Nina, Clarice and I decided to go for a treaure hunt together at Chinatown to get 'Cheena-fied', like Nina suggested. In fact, I'm already a certified 'Cheena-town treasure hunter' since I'd found treasures at low costs since the start of the year and you can quite safely say I'm a regular there. Besides good rates for various cosmetic and skincare ranges, the variey of handicraft and accessories there is unbeatable! And what I loved of that place is the spirit of 'digging for treasure'. When you find something there you've always wanted after much effort, the phrase 'sweet fruits of labour' can't be more apt. The ladies went home as happy as they could get with a truck full of things they couldn't believe were priced that low when simple things like these could retail for 10 times the profit.

It wouldn't be right if we'd missed savouring authentically good traditional desserts. Being good kids, all three of us filial children even packed home packets of desserts to ferry all the way back to the West. Wahahaha..

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I love exploring new places, especially interesting ones like these. Be it an adventure or misadventure, it's exhilirating when you go exploring without an itinerary. Hmmm... where shall we venture next?

Hahaha..

Til then folks! Cheers to this drama-addict who has gotten herself more active outdoors! Wahahaha.. ;)

Awoken

Awoken

Sunlight shone into the room through the half-opened window, before I could differentiate the dream from reality, tears started bursting from the barely opened eyes. The sudden urge to let it all out, the ache from the gripping of the heart, the crumbling of the body, the fear of it happening, it all felt so familiar. Painfully familiar. The striking similarity of this nightmare to another I've had some years ago left the barely-clear mind blank. I was at a sudden lost, and I allowed the tears to flow the way they wanted to. The emotions were strong, so strong it surprised myself. What could have triggered this dream? This dream that reflects something I've feared the most. Here, I'm not talking about the hideous creature I've a phobia of, but of an event happening that would bring about enormous waves of grieve.

Afraid the loudness of my crying and sniffs would get to my Mum's room and awake her from her dreams, I buried my face into my turquoise satin pillow and held my bolster close, gripping my trusty sixteen year-old pillow in the other hand. The images of the dream which I categorise as the worst nightmare remained vivid in my mind and refused to disperse. I dreaded going through the happenings in the nightmare again, but I had to pull myself back to reality after crying for a good twenty minutes or so. I've never told anyone of these dreams, not even written it down or try to recall the happenings in the dream. It's just too emotionally draining. Overwhelming fear of it actually happening is enough to suffocate and send me into the dumps.

My gaze remained locked on the skies outside the window, and the glare of the sun suddenly brings me back to my senses. The brains begun functioning normally again and my grip of the pillow and bolster loosened. Slowly, I climbed out of bed and wiped the face wet with tears. "No, it didn't really happen. It was but a dream, a nightmare, in fact" I told myself silently as the eyes red and swollen from the cry earlier on stared back at me in the mirror. All of a sudden, I realised how silly I was. But the outburst was good, cuz it made me feel lighter - mentally. It's like the click of the refresh button on your computer screen. The act disposes of old information and refreshes it with new ones, ones you felt you could carry with to face a new day.

As I washed up and refreshed myself physically, the Dream Dictionary I saw on the Internet some time ago came to my mind.

I searched for the two words that best described the dream and here's what I found:



Interpretations courtesy of DreamMoods.com


In a way, what it interpreted made sense. I've been wanting for a change in a certain aspect of my life and procrastination stands in the way. Like the Dream dictionary mentioned, I've suppressed it when I was conscious, hurled and tucked at the back of my mind, but when I wasn't, I can't help but hate and reprimand myself for letting things drag. I realised the dream served as an awakening call, a call for actions and not just thoughts. I hate myself when I escape from situations I should face up to. Nevertheless, the door of the escape route left ajar is so temptingly inviting, it pulls you through it before you could think twice about distinguishing the fire ahead.

An ex-colleague once said a Scorpion knows what he/she wants strongly and would do all he/she can to achieve or attain it. Yes, it's time to make things happen. Staying static is not at all like a scorpio. Winter's long over and habination is no longer a valid excuse. With an armour for protection and pincers to attack, the scorpio is almost ready enough to take the first steps.

Wish it good luck ya!

Til then folks! Cheers, to a continuously brighter tomorrow!

~{Update - June 29, 2006}~

~{Update - June 29, 2006}~

~Grandma's Birthday Celebration - June 9, 2006~


Like an annual affair, we return to this stall for Grandma's birthday year after year. The people remain the same externally, but deep down everyone's changing. Grandma likes to keep her birthday celebrations an simple affair. Mum suggested several restaurants that're within the affordable range, but grandma insisted it wasnn't necessary to spend that much money for just a celebration. Thrifty traditional woman - that's my grandma. I can't recall exactly when did grandma started taking care of me 'full-time'. For as long as I can remember, I stayed at grandma's house all throughout the weekdays and only return home with mum and dad on weekends, which is also why I was enrolled into Tanglin Primary and got myself a bunch of childhood friends I'm proud to have. Shall stop here..I can practically see Mamanim floating...haha..*private joke ;)

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~Visit to the Asian Civilization Museum - June 20, 2006~


People go, "What? You went to the museum?" when they hear me talking about my outing with my family to the Asian Civilization Museum. Indeed, we immersed in the cultural tour in the tastefully done-up museum and enjoyed ourselves. I've never thought of museum as boring places. In fact, museums are really interesting places where you never know how much you can learn from it from a trip there. Here of course, I'm talking about heritage museums we're able to relate to the displays better. Aside from the main displays, the 'Mobile Homes of the normadic tribes' display is also worth a peek. Channel NewsAsia (CNA) was filming on location, probably an introduction of the exhibition. I was really tempted to go ahead and ask them if they needed an intenr or assistant..haha.. We'd wanted to visit the Chinatown Heritage Museum on the same day as well, but time didn't allow. If you're at a loss as to where to go for an outing, a date or simply a weekend getaway, do consider basking in an enriching experience at the museums! (Sounds like an ad huh? haha..)

Some poses with the founder of the Lion City - the statue, of course.


The stroll past the Victoria Concert Hall brought back sweet memories. Just a couple of years back, I stood at the steps leading to the entrance along with my seniors in Choir, waiting for our turn to shine on stage. We've practised and rehearsed for months for this day. It isn't my first time taking part in a SYF competition, but every time proves a different experience. We couldn't help but put down the costumes of the other school choirs, probably to boost our own confidence. Don in purple silk blouses and long flowing black skirts for the girls and similar silk shirts matched with black trousers, we were ready for the stage. Afterall, we'd put in much effort for this, and our principal was pinning her hopes on us. With prior experience performing in school numerous times, confidence grew within and we could hardly contain our excitement.

"Remember, always SMILE. Just enjoy yourselves on stage, alright! You guys look great!" Our instructor whispered as we hid behind the curtains, waiting as the school choir in front of us neared the end of their second song. Man, the all-boys choir was really good. (We later heard that they got gold!) Row by row, we positioned ourselves on the carpeted steps in the middle of the brightly lit stage. The judges looked tired out cuz it had been a long day for them and we were one of the last few groups - not exactly a good sign.

"Ready?"

We gave a nod in response and took a deep breathe as the first few familiar notes of our first song filled the entire hall. Fortunately, the performance went on without a hitch and it felt absolutely great that it's over. Outside the hall, we were assured that we could managed at least a Silver award, if not Gold. For hours after our performance, our seniors and us couldn't stop talking about it. 'Anxious' was the best word to describe our feelings then. It isn't exaggerating when people say you could hear your heart beating - we experienced just that when one of the seniors received an SMS from our instructor. The suspense that the senior kept us in was unbearable, so unbearable that we could strangle her for hiding her phone. Finally, she loosened, "We got Silver!"

It was rather satisfying, although we'd hoped really hard for a gold. What made us grip our fists, was the news that there was a tie-breaker between our school choir and another boys-school choir initially, and the final decision saw the Gold award escaping from our grasp. So near, yet so far - how apt. Urgh.. Oh well.. silver's pretty good too, at least it's better than a Bronze. The same went for my SYF chinese dance competition back in primary school, it was another tie and the votes were in favour of the other school. But in this case we could understand, cuz we had a minor slip. A pity we weren't given a chance to compete when we hopped over to the Drama club in Primary six after our Chinese Dance club dispersed before our graduation.

Those were the days where I roamed the stages frequently and seeked excitement in competitions like that. Gee, I sort of miss the stage..

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~ Date with the cousins - June 21, 2006 ~


During the kids' recent one-month school holidays, my cousin, Diana, and I brought my brother and our two cousins out for a movie. Diana and I were even afraid we would look like two mothers bringing their kids out, and toned down our dressings to look younger with the boys. I haven't treated anyone to a movie - can't afford to :) - but it seemed only right that Diana and I, the two oldest ones there, to foot the bill. 'Cars', another Disney Pixar production with a rather ordinary plot that carries a message, wrapped with enchanting animation packed with lots of humour. Not too bad a catch for a good laugh. Too bad the two-hour movie left us with only barely an hour for a quick chat over a quick dinner. We always feel like we never grow up when we're playing with these boys..Haha..

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~ Friday night dinner with De'lites - June 21, 2006 ~

Week after week, our schedules just don't seem to meet. But just before Clarice's presents started rotting under the sun, these busy ladies finally set a date for dinner and realised it. Win kindly picked us all up with her velocity red zoom despite a day at work, and off we went on an adventure on the Singapore roads. Five ladies, one car - the only thing missing was a street directory. We shall map out our routes the next time we plan on a road trip again, ya? Gee..

Our stomachs protested throughout the journey, except for Nits, who took 10 mouthfuls of rice from mummy before she left her house. 40 sticks of satay, a huge plate of Fried Rice, medium plate of sambal stingray, and a small lemon chicken. The table was filled with dishes in no time. Three petite ladies, one slim slim Nits, and a big me - wiped out whatever we could, apart from the disappointing satay that strayed too far from 'tender'. Oh yes, and I did mention I can't wait for the ban on smoking in most hawker centres and coffee shops to take effect from the first of July 2006, did I? Man, I just can't wait. Cheers to cleaner and fresher air! Yeah!

A stroll to the car from Lau Pa Sat was what we needed after a full meal. It's been a long time since we'd last filled our cameras with our pretty faces, say, a month? Haha.. And someone(was it Win?) said something we all couldn't agree more. The pictures lacked something. We missed Carine...and her formidable Lumix. ;)

Clarice's one-way 'gift-exchange' was extremely sweet. All of us received glass bottles with messages and very meaningful little treats. Like the Power Rangers, we all had custom-made wristbands hand-sewn by our very own Rice. Thank you so much, Rice!

I'm looking forward to our long-awaited Graduation! We shall end our poly life with a bang, like we always do! ;)

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Til then folks! Cheers!


* ~ End of Update ~ *

As I familiarize myself further with Tzu Chi Foundation and its scale and mission, my viewpoint of many issues took a substantially drastic turn. Tzu Chi's missions focuses on giving material aid and inspiring love and humanity in both the givers and receivers.
The Buddhist teachings Tzu Chi adhere to have invoked numerous millions from all around the world to be part of their compassionate relief efforts.

"A resolution must be expressed with actions, not just words."
- Dharma Master Cheng Yen.

Indeed, Dharma Master Cheng Yen founded the non-profit organisation in 1966 with a handful of core members in Taiwan, to help the people living in the east coast of the country struck by poverty and plagued with illnesses. This ordinary petite woman with an extraordinary goal believes in 'making the impossible possible'. She passed on the spirit of putting Buddhist teachings into action, which her teacher had advocated when he was alive physically. Master Cheng Yen firmly believes that suffering in this world is caused by material deprivation and spiritual poverty. She felt that "lack of love for others" has been the root of many problems in this world. "To save the world, we must begin by transforming human hearts."

With her wholeheartedness and sincerity, together with the help of many other voluntary followers touched by her determination and selfless contributions, the group gradually grew as more people who shared the same faith and direction joined the organisation.
Today, Tzu Chi Foundation has 10 million voluntary members worldwide, with branches in 31 countries, distributing their love for mankind and providing compassion relief in diverse areas - charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, as well as the promotion of humanistic values and community volunteerism. The humanitarian work is both a means to help those in need, and a way to open the volunteers to the harsher side of life, whereby they may find spiritual happiness and life's true meaning through giving.

Tzu Chi also set up a hospital, a university, and Da Ai TV – a not-for-profit satellite broadcasting TV & radio station to allow the transmitting of news of compassion relief globally – running of the broadcast center is self-funded through the recycling of paper materials by voluntary members daily. Every cent donated goes to help the needy, regardless of nationality, race, language, nor religion. Master Cheng Yen believes in self-sufficiency and provides herself and her disciples with only what they themselves reap. They sew their own robes from simple Grey cloth and work in the fields for their own vegetables while their handmade candles goes to supporting their daily expenses.

Like their spokesperson said, it is now time for the outside world to have a different view of Buddhism. Buddhism is not only about meditating in the caves and cultivating in the mountains, away from the rest of the world. Instead, it is also about putting into practice what is being preached, and reaching out to everyone in need in all parts of the world, relieving all mundane beings with compassion driven by love.

< Information and quotes obtained from Tzu Chi Foundation – About Us >

Here are just some of the very meaningful quotes by Master Cheng Yen that I personally feel are applicable to everyone:

< All quotes available here

** For more information on the organisation, feel absolutely free to visit the Tzu Chi Foundation Global Website here


Til Then Folks! Cheers to a more compassionate world filled with love! ;)

Update:Fiona Ng - June 8, 2006

~~~ Latest Update:Fiona Ng - June 8, 2006 ~~~

<< May 20, 2006 -- June 5, 2006 >>

5566 Concert 2005 DVD Autograph session at IMM - May 20, 2006

Believe me or not, HuiJuan and I didn't pre-order the concert DVDs, nor did we go early to queue for our turns to go onstage for their autographs, neither did we specially dress nor equipped ourselves for the event. Surprise, surprise huh?

In actual fact, we were plain broke. So broke that we couldn't bear to fork out S$20 for it to see our lovely people onstage. Haha.. But we got a good look at them neverthelesss. We stood afar, away from the queue packed like rows of sausages in a can, sheltered from the almighty rays from the sun with our umbrellas and SPF-packed moisturisers applied earlier on. When the event came to an end, we strolled to the very first barrier and conveniently got a very good view of the four celebrities from the second row. What made me feel like killing myself was the very fact that I forgot to bring my camera! I actually forgot to bring my new camera! Slap me please - Urgghhhh!

I'd no choice but to compromise with picture quality and snapped a few shots of my favourite group of people - 5566 - with my humble mobile phone camera.


Thereafter, did some catching up with HuiJuan cuz we seem to meet only during gatherings (mostly birthday celebrations whereby we don't get much chances to talk) and when 5566 holds events in Singapore. Otherwise, we send occassional messages to each other if something interesting or dramatic or simply something worth mentioning happens.

At about evening time, it was time to bid HuiJuan goodbye til the next meeting and 'Hi' to De'Lites and Gavin at the Esplanade.

Nina's Birthday Celebration - May 20, 2006

By the time I reached the Esplanade from Jurong East, the ladies (and a guy) were craving for dinner and were already comfortably seated at this '2 Hot Halal Cafe'. It was great meeting the ladies and Gavin. Now, when was the previous time we met? Haha.. As usual, our table produced the most noise. Who says only empty vessels make the most noise? Stab the person who came up with that. Muahaha... The menu wasn't exactly extensive, and the food not exceptionally palatable, but I'm glad the great company made up for it all. When I finally stuffed my turkey ham sandwich down, it was time to cut the birthday girl's cake. Photo-taking has become a habit among us, we get so used to cameras pointing at us that we're sort of trained to be like celebrities where they have to get accustomed to people taking pictures of them all the time.

And a sweet celebration for a sweet person. A Pink Book plus accessories to go with for the pink Nina. Not forgetting presents for the other two girls present who've had their birthdays - bracelets for both the working execuetives, and a customised steering wheel cover for the lady with the velocity red zoom. And how can I forget lovely Minnie Mouse marshmallows from HK Disneyland and addictive Wife Biscuits from Nina - Thanks Girl! A pity I didn't have any materials suitable to churn an accessory or two fit for a guy like Gavin - hey, I offered you my hairband! Ahahaha..


Photos on this very special day courtesy of the birthday girl - Nina

What can be a better day than to spend time with so many people you like? ;) Cheers!

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Your spirits get lifted naturally when you do something meaningful - June 4, 2006

Nothing else could get me tucked in bed and snoring away at 12am and dragging myself out of bed at 645am before daybreak. But when it comes to something meaningful, you just have to do it. Volunteer work with this charity organisation - Tsu Chi Foundation - saw two late-night owls practising what's commonly known as "rise-and-shine". For once in a long time, I was actually punctual! (Some applauses please, Thank You!) As Diana, my cousin who brought me in, was assigned to the performance team, I tagged along and pulled through performing in front of the elderly with just a few practices - if you consider my half-a-beat-slower actions passable.

Since we were already there and the event ended early, with the other volunteers sending the elderly back to Silra Home, we decided to check out the Orchid Garden. Oh, and boy were we surprised the Botanical Gardens has turned into a $5 per entry tourist attraction - with the exception of free entry for students during the school holidays. The place was truly packed with tourists. It was rather fun trying to guess which tourist was from which country through their accents, languages, and dressing. We didn't feel the whole place was worth their time and the entry fees since there're definitely many more places worth visiting in Singapore. (Oops!) But I gotta admit some of the flowers, especially the orchids, were really pretty. And its a good place for Singaporeans to chill and relax in the tranquility of the environment. Afterall, you don't see swans paddling towards you in any other parks in Singapore, do you?



Something meaningful in somewhere delightful - Perfect Sunday Morning Getaway!

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Daddy's Birthday Celebration cum Visit to Singapore Science Centre - June 5, 2006

My Brother had been dying to see the Dinosaur fossils exhibit at the Singapore Science Centre, so my Dad took half a day off from work to fulfil my brother's wish as well as to celebrate my Dad's birthday.

It has been a super long time since I'd stepped in there. I can't remember how long it has been exactly. Say, it must have been at least 4 years? Never mind. The trip there brought back fond memories, and rekindled the kid in me. Like my ten year-old brother, I ran around playing with everything playable despite being in skirt and heels. Sue, currently owned by one of the musuems in the states that's worth US$8.4 million, is the star focus of the displays, with 90% of its fossils found and pieced together. Towering over all human kinds, it is indeed somewhat scary to stare at it for long.



For dinner-time, Mum reserved a table for 4 at the Gardens Hotel for the Asian Delights Buffet. The food was considerably delectable, but Dad and I would prefer more varieties of dishes. With 100% filled tummies, the Ng family drove home for the cake-cutting ceremony.

Happy 53rd Birthday, Daddy!


Great day with my dearest family, and a simple yet heart-warming celebration, with a few hugs thrown in - what more can I ask for?

- End of Update -

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Til Then Folks!

Cheers! ;)

'Bball Gang' Gathering - 30 April 2006

"Bball Gang" Gathering - 30 April 2006