一失足成千古恨

How very true.

I must declare that government exams do not always reflect your true potential. When I got my 'A' Level results from Mr Bala, he told me, "Not bad. But your GP is er... unexpected."

Do you remember what I got? Yar, a C5. A bloody C5!!!

I don't deserve it at all. Even Mr Bala said the worst he expected me to get it B3. But you all agree that "O' and 'A' Level results don't matter much in your later lives? I don't!!!

Because I floundered in one exam, which happened to be the one that dictated my future, I could not take translation courses in NUS, something I was interested in. The minimum GP result to qualify for the course was B4. Because I failed to get a decent result, I was despised by tuition centres when I expressed that I didn't mind teaching English. Hello? I got A1 for 'O' Level English OK! Because I fell short of the requirement, I was questioned endlessly about it by the interviewers in Comm Studies of NTU. How was I to remember which essay I wrote?? Bah. You think I care about your stupid course? You are not even my first choice. Well, maybe they heard my silent grumblings, I was sent back to Bizad, which happily, was what I had chosen in the first place.

Stop laughing at me. I was one of the top 100 best scorers in JC for 2 semesters out of the 6 that we took. Were you? Were you? Were you? I think not. So stop teasing me. I don't find it funny. Hear my heart break into a million pieces. Oh you can't. Beacuse it was already broken that spring in 2003.

Felinophobia Exacerbated

Having dinner on Saturday at a coffeeshop near my house when I felt something furry brushed past my right calf. I felt violated.

Why do sickening cats like to brush their bodies against people???? Some asked me if I was afraid of dogs, since they were furry too. NO! Cos dogs have the sense not to stick their bodies close to me. Bah. Bah. Bah.

What A Girl Notices In A Football Game III

How could I have forgotten??



Gianfranco Zola vs Ben Stiller

Hidetoshi Nakata vs Wong Hei

*****

This girl also notices scandals and disputes that go on in the football world. I'm definitely not an expert but I know enough to comment, thanks to 《新明日报》, which has comprehensive coverage of European football everyday. The following comments are just my two cents worth of thoughts.

This is not exactly recent but it has been bugging me. When it is the season for player transfers, many players may explain their interests in joining other clubs, because they are not fully utilised in their current clubs, or because of personal reasons.

Two particular incidents showed that sometimes it's not prudent to show your enthusiasm so early in the game. One was the transfer of Michael Owen to Real Madrid. Before he transfered, he exclaimed that Real was the club he had dreamt of joining since he was a child. Consequently, this comment (I think) incurred the wrath of his current club, Liverpool, then. When he finally joined Real, he wasn't allowed much participation in Real's games. And soon, he transfered to Newcastle, which he expressed, "is not my ideal club".

The result of all these is absolute embarrassment for Owen. 1) He really shouldn't proclaim his love for another club when he was still in one, right? What if, what if.... Real didn't want him?? Wouldn't he be such a laugh? 2) It wasn't nice to comment that the new club wasn't his first-choice club. What did he think the members of the club and the fans would feel??

Another incident was the transfer of Saha from his previous club, to Man Utd. I felt so embarrassed for him when he kicked up a fuss at his old club saying that he wanted to leave for MU. "Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!" Ok, so now you're at MU, how often do you appear on the pitch??

Imagine the above situations in an interpersonal relationship. Can you get together with a girl and announce that she is not your ideal girlfriend but only because you have no better choice? Will you scream at your family and tell them that you want to leave them for another family because your family sucks?? Hope I got my point across. I can't be bothered to edit my writing.

Please don't read the above entry. I think I'm must be embarrassing myself.

No. 1 Event Of The Year

Announcing the No. 1 Event Of The Year...... 10 December!

It may not be your event of the year. But it's definitely mine.

As I subtly mentioned previously, my birthday is just around the corner. But it's not a big deal. I won't mind at all if nobody celebrates it with me. Really. Just drop me a SMS, I'll be happy. But if you insist, I won't mind accepting your gift. Hehe.

However, no matter how good your intentions are, please do not give me ornamental, useless things. You'll put me in a spot because I really love you for your thoughtfulness but I'll have to act appreciative and gush, "Oooh, it's so cute," or "It's beautiful. I can put it in my bedroom (and collect dust)".

Er, if you remembered me behaving like this last year, I'm sorry, I was only faking my joy. You can have the gift back if you want; it's lying somewhere in my display cabinet. Hope I don't sound like a heartless jerk. I will still love you for loving me.

Lest your effort gets neglected at the back of my display cabinet, below are some of the things I will like to have. Of course, if you wish to give me something more meaningful other than the material items listed below, feel free to. I know it's not nice to ask presents from others but I will feel bad if I had to act happy and lie to you when you present me with a gift I have no use for. So, please refer to the list when in doubt of my tastes and the things I want.

1) Handbag - Can fit a novel, my wallet, hp, card holder, small water bottle, maybe even umbrella/pencil case comfortably (about the size of my honey bag). No preference over design.

2) Novel - Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. I absolutely love this book and want to own it so that I can read it again and again and again..... Like my Harry books. I will lend it to you if you get it for me. You can borrow Harry too; I encourage it totally. Me love to spread the bookness~

3) CD - Ono Lisa Best 1997 - 2001. Call me a frog in the well. I finally know one of my favourite genre of music, which I used to call lounge music, is known as Bossa nova. This is the type of music I will play when I'm alone with my lover, doing dreamy things like: watching the sunset on our balcony, swaying slowly to the music in each other's arms, reading Middlesex on our living room couch while he snores ever so adorably on my lap, and performing a seductive striptease. Even though I have no lover at the moment, I will love to have it. You'll never know when it'll come in handy ;) I also only just got to know that Lisa Ono is the epitome of Bossa nova music, even though Hui has been a fan for ages.

For (2) and (3): Alternatively, you can give me bookstore vouchers and/or CD store vouchers.

4) Watch - As some of you know, my special watch stopped ticking that fateful day. Also, unknown to the giver (until this very moment), I accidentally dropped it and cracked the surface eons ago. It could no longer flash every 2 seconds like it used to. (Oops, now he knows.) I figured that there's no point repairing it since it agreed to our end by stopping so ominously. Don't need to be Guess la, but not something too cheapo ok :p

5) Schoolbag - Big enough to put A4 size documents and a texbook, like Shirley's Estee Lauder bag. Its material shouldn't be too flimsy - should be able to stand on its on. I don't like the base to be too wide, possibly parallel to the size of its opening. I'm also very particular about the strap. I don't like it too long. It must be just big enough to slip my arm through all the way to my shoulder, but not bigger than that. Its design should be classy or military, ie I don't want something too cheery or funky. (I'm a bad girl to be so picky over the goodwill of others.) Maybe something like the one I saw with Tay at Far East. This picture is only representative of my bag's ideal shape and stiffness of its material. This is not my preferred design. I couldn't find a more suitable picture.

6) Digital camera - Canon IXUS i zoom. It's a wonder a narcist (I haven't spelt it wrong. Check dictionary.com) like me can last without a camera for so long. Why must technical stuff be boring grey and black all the time? I want a colourful camera like those below. I guess no one of you will buy a camera for me. Maybe all of my friends can pool money together and buy it for me. Hmm... not sure if I had enough friends to afford a digital camera. I'm don't have many friends, you know. I don't mind having it as the only present for my birthday.

7) Lovely lingerie - It's becoming a common gift among girls of our age. One can never have enough. I'm sorry to sound so materialistic but the lingerie set has to be branded or it won't look nice under the clothes. And the cheap ones don't last.

8) Flowers - Lilies or roses or orchids. I know I said I don't like ornamental things. I meant it with the exception of flowers. Actually, I will love you more if you give me flowers in addition to another gift. Poor little me haven't received flowers for two whole years. When girls say that flowers are silly gifts and that they don't need flowers to show that they are loved, they're lying through their teeth. Girls need, and are meant to be pampered. Sometimes through receiving flowers. Pamper me.

(Added 23/11)
9) Food - If you prefer to take me out for dinner, I have some suggestions.
Steakhouse for Carnivores: Al Dente; Angus; Jack's Place; Sizzler; Tony Roma's (I'm craving for potato skins!)
Sumptuous Spagetti: Menotti; Spageddies (or anywhere with good Crayfish pasta)
Grill & Roast Feast: Brewerks; Hawaiian BBQ @ ECP; The Roxy Bar @ Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, next to Roxy Square
Extravagant Seafood Buffet: Intercontinental Hotel; Hotel Rendevous; Merchant Court Hotel (or similar - must have unlimited salmon sashimi).
Divine Dessert: Bakerzin; Haagen Dazs; NYDC (etc.)
For the Boisterous: Black pepper crab feast!

10) Shopping vouchers - How could I have forgetten??

I may add on to the list if I thought of anything else. Meanwhile, if you plan to buy me the book, the CD or the watch, please let me know so that I can stop others from buying those. Because it's silly to own two identical books/CDs. For the rest, I won't mind owning more than one piece, so keep it secret if you wanna get it for me. I love little surprises.

I stress again: Birthday presents are not obligatory. A "Happy birthday," will do. Maybe can ring me up at the strike of midnight and exclaim that the 10 Dec is the best day of your life because I was born on that day. Keke.

FYI, the third event of the year is the Goblet of Fire and the second one is the Half Blood Prince, as said before.

Veritaserum

Must watch!

Even though it's not up to expectations. Even though it's in bits and pieces in the beginning. Even though Dobby and Winky are excluded. Even though Emma Watson needs to brush up her acting. Even though Cho is not chio enough. Even though Hagrid and Madame Maxime are disgusting. Even though the Quidditch World Cup isn't shown. Even though Hermione is a little too affectionate to Harry. Even though it diverges from the book and makes silly mistakes.

You have to watch it. Especially if you had watched the previous three.

Because the scenery is breathtaking. Because Daniel Ratcliffe is a brilliant actor. Because Ron is hilarious. Because Krum is super hot. Because the sets are superb. Because Ginny becomes pretty. Because every task of the Triwizard Tournament is nail-biting excitement. Because Neville gets a significant role. Because they all attend dancing class. Because Harry is handsome, when dirty or smart. Because Voldemort looks exactly the way you have imagined him. Because Fleur wears a swimsuit. Because there's a punchline and a joke in many moments. Because Cedric is cute. Because the ending is emotionally upheaving. Because you won't get enough of it.

Trust me. Cos I had some Veritaserum for dinner.

Study Week

(Updated 18/11/05 with pics)

<--- This pic of the Prudent Bitch is supposed to make you laugh. So laugh.I want to e a space but stupid blogger does not let me insert a blank line with 'enter' so i came up with this stupid way of writing stuff then colour it white.

Study week, but I'm not studying at all because of two major events in this week! First up, was the ad presentation for my marketing module. We were to design a promotional campaign for a real product - Command Adhesives by 3M.

Naturally, this is because 3M sponsored the resources and expenses that we needed for the whole project. Besides being graded by the prof, we were also competing with other groups to win the top prize, which would be decided by a panel of judges from 3M. Therefore, we had to be professional when designing the ads and scheduling the promotional activities.

Again, I was assigned to come up with the Phase 2 posters because I was the only one who knew how to use Photoshop, even though my skills were lousy. By the way, I know how to use Photoshop not because I'm vain ok. You're just jealous that I have a skill more than you, if you think this way. Bwahahaha. Phase 1 posters were given to a professional to design because my group members had little trust in me. I'm not complaining because they really shouldn't put too much confidence in me. Although we had to pay a little for the designer's work, it was well worth it!

We rushed day and night to complete the project: design the posters, make the props and do the powerpoint slides. After 2 nights without sleeping, I concussed for 14 hours last night. Frankly speaking, we only finalised the ideas 3 days before the presentation, simply because we rejected all previous ideas. In fact, we only reach the presentation venue a few minutes before we were due to present. We were so afraid that we would flop in the presentation because of the lack of preparation. Surprisingly, we managed to pull it off. We were even praised for the excellent job! And we won the............ top prize! Well almost, haha. We were 1st runner's up instead. 3M presented us with $300 cash for the whole group and a 3M Polarizing Light each (worth $200).

Proudly presenting one of our posters for Phase 1 - building the brand name, Command.

I don't wish to publish the posters of Phase 2 - promoting the products' functionality, because they are a laugh compared to the above posters that were done by a professional.

The Beezees

Yanling, James, Dawne, Joanne, Shirley

I decided to insert these two pictures cos I have chubby cheeks above but Shirley's face is covered below.

That's the end of the first event of the week. I now own an overpriced table lamp that I have no need for. If anybody wants, I can sell it to you at half price.

The second event of the week, in fact, event of the year - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!!!

Actually, it's the third event of the year, the second one being Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (my fave), the first one I'll reveal later. I'll be watching the movie tomorrow and I simply cannot wait!!! Non-Harry book fans can never imagine and understand the excitement. To see the world we have always imagined come to life is an orgasmic experience.

The first three movies were good enough although they weren't exactly the same as the books. After all, there should be space for the director's creativity. However, we cannot stand it when the little details are not followed, like Hermione's hair was not bushy enough (Socerer's Stone), Ginny was not pretty enough (Chamber of Secrets), Fudge did not wear a pin-striped cloak and carry a bowler hat (Prisoner of Azkaban), and from the trailer, Hermione did not wear a blue dress to the Yule ball (Goblet of Fire). These are little details that would not interfere with the flow of the show. I huffed and puffed at these little things but I enjoyed the movies immensely. Actually, I watched them more than once each.

I very much wanted to watch the movie yesterday. I actually rejected watching it with Peiwen, whom I watched the past two movies with, because she was still having exams. I agreed to watch with Wanqing and her friends (all fans) because she said they finished exams on the first day it showed and had to reject Rudi's offer to watch it. In the end, they made a mistake! They finished their exams but two days after the sneak preview. Bummer. Because Rudi already booked tickets to watch with someone else.

I shouldn't grumble anymore. Perhaps I might not make it yesterday because I was rushing my Command project. And so, I'll be watching it tomorrow and I just cannot wait! I have an exam before the show. I wonder how I can concentrate.

By the way, I haven't touched a page. But I'm not panicking, cos I'm very good with last minute studying.

Partygirl In Partyworld

Partygirl went partying three times in two months, twice of which in last week, after a hibernation of eight months. First was Marketing Stars' Night, which was free for Bizad marketing students, at Club Momo. Each ticket could be exchanged for a dinner (in fact is just hi-tea held at 8pm) and two glasses of Guiness Stout and qualified for lucky draw. We got to play stage games with the professors and faculty staff. We also got to watch some of them dance enthusiastically to the number Rhythm of the Night and later to the club music on bartops (!?!).

June Lim, Elaine and Chubby Cheeks

Shirley and Joanne

Prof Cheng Peng Sim

It was also then that schoolmates mistook me for a regular clubber. "I'm not a bloody clubber," I retorted, trying to make myself heard over the loud music.

All they did was grin mischievously and said, "Don't bluff."

Half fuming, half laughing, I stuck out my tongue. I don't like to be known as a clubbing queen. Although the label also compliments by acknowledging my grooves, it makes me sound cheap. I am not a clubber okay, I'm just an exuberant dancer.

And last Monday, I went to Zouk's Halloween Party. I reached there at around 11pm when my friends just stepped into the club. (Darn. I could have joined them if I had reached 10 minutes earlier.) Instead, I had to join the queue which snaked right into the Grand Copthorne Waterfront's carpark. The line only progressed 10 metres after 30 minutes when it started to drizzle. Hui and Jeslyn then came out to coax me into jumping queue. And so I did, or I would have to wait at least 2 hours to get in.


My outfit was only done halfheartedly as I didn't expect the guests to take the contest seriously. I planned to draw whiskers to impersonate a cat but after seeing the elaborate costumes of the other people (Zouk is slow in updatng pictures, so bear with Xiaxue if you wanna check out the costumes), I decided that I would not win with or without the makeup.

Cat ears handmade by Partygirl in 30 min.
Cat whiskers added by Partygirl in Photoshop.

Inside, we saw the most bizarre costumes. There's an Energiser battery (adorable), guys in CHIJ uniforms (hilarious), a dancing tabletop (?!?), Chinese vampires (scary) and more.

I got molested by a couple of ang mohs dressed in sarongs and straw hats. (What's with ang mohs and flowers and sarongs and straw hats?) ROARRR!! Maybe I brought it upon myself; I smiled to them when they danced next to me. First they pinched my very ticklish waist. At that time, I thought it was Hui steering me to the left. Seeing no response from me, the ang mohs squeezed my buttocks. My naughty partygirl nature thought of cheekily pinching their asses in return but the more dominant prudent bitch in me decided to look pissed and moved over to Phuture.

We stayed there for the rest of the night till Hui started to dance in a trancelike manner with her eyes closed. Tired, we exited the club, fooled around with the camera, some terrorists and Mr Beetlejuice on the porch of Grand Copthorne Waterfront before going home.

Vampire (Jeslyn) terrifying Gypsy (Hui) and Kitty

I bet none of you remembers Beetlejuice. I do!

I got a little high after two vodka mixes and half a bottle of Thirty Three on an empty stomach and started putting my arms around almost strangers (Jeslyn and Hui's friends). Slut.

Genie (Jan) and Jester (Zongying)

Daric (Daric)

I went to Phuture again later that week because I got a few free entry tickets during the Halloween Party. I was coaxed into drinking the notorious Graveyard.

The Graveyard is reputed to be one of the strongest alcoholic drinks available at Zouk because it is a concoction of several types of alcohol. I didn't think I was a bad drinker but it looked scary sitting in front of me. The whiffs exuding from the drink was intoxicating. Its colour was like the foul looking Polyjuice Potion. It tasted nasty and stung the tongue like SkeleGro. In essence, it was the most unpleasant drink, after lingyang herbal tea. "But you drink it simply to get high," my partner pointed out.

And the Graveyard lived up to its name. I was knocked off balance 20 minutes after finishing it. Although I can see and think clearly, I lost control of my legs. More than once, I staggered to the walls or swayed into my partner's arms helplessly.

The Graveyard is a dangerous drink. It not only made me feel weak in the knees, it stripped me of my pretences, leaving me defenceless and vulnerable. Besides, it tasted bad. Give Partygirl a Tiger anytime. Thank you very much.

Er, I'm not a frequent goer of Partyworld. Just trying to be funny.

Happy Birthday To You

I wished Dian Fang a happy birthday yesterday. It seems that he was utterly perplexed (in a nice way, of course) that I remembered. After all, the closest bond we had was in primary school, which was almost ten years ago.


Let me first explain why I remembered. Firstly, of course, was that I made the effort to (sometimes to cover up for the fact that I didn't give them prezzies). To those who realised (eg Jeslyn), I remember every single birthday of yours, as long as you mentioned it to me once. Besides my exceptional memory and shrewd observation skills to remember such details, I believe that my friends will appreciate my effort. Secondly, it's the fact that Dian Fang's birthday falls on Halloween Day. (Yuneng once said, "No wonder, he's face is shaped like a pumpkin.") In fact, I remember his birthday every year, most of the times not intended however.


I bumped into him earlier in the day. He was with Chunghang and Yonghe (I think these are their names). Being the usual bubbly me, I waved to him cheerily. It didn't strike me that it was his birthday that day. Only a few hours later, when I thought of the Halloween party I would be going to, that I remembered. This year I happened to have his number, so I took the effort and smsed him. This little gesture may not mean much since it's from a distant friend but I like to please my friends if I can.


Ok, here's to recapitulate your birthdays:

10 Nov - Danqi

27 Nov - Rufeng
30 Nov - Wanqing
2 Dec - Limin (Cousin)
3 Dec - Shiyu
10 Dec - Xiang
11 Dec - Xiaodong (Cousin)
18 Dec - Rongjun

21 Dec - Dillion Tan (KHS)
23 Dec - Xueli
24 Dec - Ann (Cousin)
25 Dec - Baby
27 Dec - Derrick
29 Dec - Poffy
31 Dec - Paveena, Sharon Wee (KHS)
2 Jan - Qirong (KHS)

8 Jan - Clara (2/3 TKGS)
9 Jan - Hui Ding
19 Jan - Jingli

21 Jan - Swee Kiat
5 Feb - Jieting (Cousin)

11 Feb - Xiaohui
25 Feb - Siyi
18 Mar - Ah Boy (Cousin)
22 Mar - Rudi
26 Mar - Pa
30 Mar - Shirley
8 Apr - Ma

17 Apr - Weixiong

30 Apr - Liwen (KHS)
29 May - Gek Leng
31 May - Joanne, Pearlyn (KHS)
8 Jun - Sushi
9 Jun - Jeslyn
14 Jun - Peiwen, Nian Fen
21 Jun - Sueyi
23 Jun - June Ho
7 Jul - Serene

14 Jul - Auntie Dewi
29 Aug - Dewei
26 Sep - Meijuan
30 Sep - Benjamin Lim
11 Oct - Ong Hui
21 Oct - Tay
31 Oct - Dian Fang

Okok, I'm human after all. I forgot June Lim's and Hong Choo's birthday. Also, I always wanted to know Agnes'... I know it's in February. Can someone enlighten me? I may have got some of these wrong. Please correct me. Heh.

Anyway, don't be surprised if you received my birthday wish. I just want to let you know that you are remembered, and loved (in certain cases =p).