MINing of Life

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Teachers' Day as a Poly studentY

Teachers' Day for me, is a time to go back to visit places which used to be my second home. In poly, I don't have teachers; adults who guide me are my Lecturers. This year's Teachers' Day was more like Chinese New Year and Christmas with visiting and wave of gifts.

Taking a cab from TP to TK is not cheap :$8, which can make up to 2 simple meals. As almost all teachers were gone by 1.10pm, it was more of a TK young alumni reunion sort of thing. Caught up with the familiar faces, had lunch at the usual places and I was off to my next destination, MBS.

From secondary school to primary school, I saw people of younger and much younger ages, which made me feel like I have added several numbers to my age and schooldays are something I call "those days". I started reflecting about my life, my journey thus far, my expriences, hardships, exceptional memories.

Pouring my heart out to Serene brought me cloder to her, made me realise how important she is and will be as my true friend. Though we missed out much of our time together in our teenage, this somehow did not seem like a barrier, or rather, a gap that is difficult to cover. For sure, we are clearer that we are best friends, for life.

Teachers' Day is always about 饮水思源, recognising the root of your success, how the first step to success come about. It is quite quite rewarding to find tune with my life, a little more.

11:14 pm;

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Thursday, 26 August 2010

YOGY

Being more involved in sports got me more excited for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. It's a pity, like what my prother told me, that I didn't sign up to be a volunteer, but being a part of the torch relay before the openings was quite an experience.

The torch arrived to TP via Bedok Reservoir by the Dragon Boats. Yup, I was in one of the 5 boats, escorting the torch.

Then Dad brought me to the final, full-dressed rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony. Though the spirit of the crowd was not there yet, the presentations were remarkably innovative. Here are some snap shots.

Yep, so like I mentioned before, being more involved in sports actually made YOG more meaningful to me. Understanding the values and spirits within every athlete, I'm not sure if the drive and passion in me is that strong yet.

I enjoyed watching football, which Jonathan Tan of TK played well in to get himself and the nation a Bronze medal, Table Tennis, Swimming and Badminton, the usuals.

Today marks the final day of the 12-day YOG. Didn't catch any games live, like at the venue. Boohoo. No tickets for Closing Ceremony. Nobody to watch fireworks with. Boohoo.

The IOC President, Jacques Rogge, on TV, was saying that if new events were to be introduced to the games, then they should replace the current ones considering how large scale the Olumpics is already. That brings me to wonder if Dragon Boat will, one day, become an Olympic sport.

3:19 pm;

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Saturday, 21 August 2010

A holiday breatherY

Block 4 had been terribly exhausting, with 2 high-intensity modules and even greater-intensity trainings. It wasn't easy to stay focus. I had to skip a few trainings for school work and everything just went haywire; when I was at training, I think about my incompleted assignments, when I was doing my work, I worry about not being physically on par with my dragon boat team mates.

U like the previous 3 blocks, after submitting my final assignment, there wasn't this huge satisfying relief. I knew I wasn't pleased with the outcome of my work. It wasn't my best.

Returning back to dragon boat trainings... well, I feel demoralise whenever someof them can do a proper chin-up without much aid. I have to complete my 3 sets of 4 with a lot of support. Weak. Extremely. Even scooping water has much to be improved on.

Running out of creative ideas is totally unacceptable for a designer. Last black, I felt this way. The creative juices were just not producing in my brain. I was desperate to get out of the house and recharge myself.

Day 1 of holidays:

Went training. Training was suppose to be 1-man rowing, 300m x 4 with 1-minute intervals. But within 3 hours, only 2 pairs of paddlers manage to complete their set, then it poured.

Headed home. Messaged Cheryl. Off to Orchard!!! Walked and shopped and window-shopped and chatted and visited the YOG Superstore and really really had loads of fun! =]

Day 2 of holidays:

Went training. Played hantambola =] then went rowing, focusing on scoops.

Headed home. Off to Kallang Leisure Park where some other classmates were ice-skating. Didn't skate with them for I was still tired from traning. Walked around the mall while theycontinued till their paying time ended. I walked out of the mall too, towards the Kallang Field where the YOG Archery competition is held, also where my brother is a presenter at. =] But boohoo, no tickets.

I bought Hello Panda and Sour Skittles and JELLYBEANS!!!

We then moved on to Suntec where Aston's awaited for our arrival for dinenr. Went to Olympics Park to snap photos, the Helix bridge too, the Marina Bay Sands as well. Finally, a sweet treat at MOF at Marina Square, before I got into a sugar rush to end the day off.

Day 3 of holidays:

Wanted to go to ECP for rolelr blading but the weather wasn't on our side. Gui Ying and I went to the library for some recharging of words too. I was looking into creative books while she was at the Chinese section.

Then to Roxy Square Ban Mian stall =] for a cheap and super good lunch. Back to Parkway for a walk. Scoops Ice Cream. M)phosis had a 30%-70% discount sale, like-a zai only! Yup, you guessed it right, we bought stuff there. loved♥
And helped Cheryle get the small Merly and Lyo plushie keychains at the YOG souvenir store.

Next stop, Bugis. Walked around Bugis Street while waiting for the grand arrival of the princess, Jacelyn. Bugis Street's merchandises didn't really catch my eyes, since I have better knowledge of fabric quality and visual merchandising, sorry. Went to Giordano, bought a linen khaki. Went to Mu, a local designer's store ♥. Witnessed a flash mob. Looked at one-off hand-made woven bags. Finally princess was here and yay yay yay to Haji Lane.

It's my first time actually going into the lanes of Haji Lane, peeking into the used-to-be intimidating stores. The 2nd store we entered was called Missybella. If you're into more modern-chic with neutral hues like black, white, grey and faint blue, this is the place to find wonders. Preparing to beef up the store with a little cafe upstairs, Missybella definitely offers relatively affordable unique designs. What's more, the owner is about 10 years my senior from Temasek Poly's Temasek Design School's Apparel Design and Merchandising!!! So if you purchase anything from her online or at the store itself, you'll get a point of 10% of your purchase, and you can redeem that point as a cash rebate the next time you buy something again!
For more info, here's the website:
www.missybella.com
And here's the address:
23 Bali Lane
Singapore 189859

It'll be even better if you let her know that you have been introduced by me! =]
Exploration of Haji Lane didn't stop there. That lane really bombarded me with fresh ideas. I was so fascinated by the "trees ideas", as in, so many people out there find the structure of trees interesting too, like me!

We then had dessert at Ji De Chi at Liang Seah Street. Bagus!!!

I eventually went back to the hand-made woven bag store in Bugis Juntion and bought a very very very nice red bag. Very very very very very nice =]

Day 4 of holidays:

Today is day 4 of my holidays. Heading down to TP for training in a while. Today will not be a going-out day. I'll find things to do at home =]

The past 3 days were extremely helpful in changing the pessimistic me optimistic again. Block 4 was an experience, but Bloack 5 isn't here yet. It shall be an enjoyable one, I hope.

11:53 am;

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