Desensitizing...

When would enough be considered enough?
Maybe its time to stop giving him the benefit of the doubt.
"He's all just kidding, okay?"

Sordid deception, remember?
It's me being too sensitive again.

To quote Wenshan
"Enough is enough!"

Joyeux Noël~!!!

Here's to the year soon past:

The Bros (alphabetically arranged)-

Jing- The most mature amongst all of us, it's great to have you back! Quit mugging and join us for the pathetic remainder of the hols... Bwahahaha...

Koof- There's a new girl in his life... And she's just 2 months old! Before we call in the anti-vice cops, we'll wish Koofius all the best for the upcoming CLEO's 50 Most ELIGIBLE Bachelors' shoot... Hilda hang on tight!!! And stop trying to shoot past me... It ain't no use dude!

Meng- Now that King Meng and the Knights of the Square Table have ceased hostilities with each other, there's a high chance of us meeting up outside his place and may the New Year bring about more success based on the four tenets of your benevolent reign- her, soccer, mahjong and us the bros!!!

Nick- Nickootate is an enigmatic creature that tends to let loose under the most unforseen circumstances. Hope that the New Year will bring you much joy and happiness, and may another girl be smitten upon you soon!

Ra- Your brooding demeanour puts Richard Gere to shame, and in want of a better example, may the New Year see many happy returns on the hard work that you have put in for your academia! Let's keep up with sharing .torrents and may the year 2006 bring faster download speeds to my fellow 'friends'.

Zhong- The most 'charming' of the bros, your devotion to the cause is never in question. Thanks for all the joy and laughter that your puns bring, and may 2006 bring about greater success on the part of your pursuits (both academic and otherwise).


The Closets. Yes I do mean 'the closets'.
These are the people with whom I share a DCC connection.

Celest- The course of true love never did run smooth. And hush now. Never, never argue with the bard. Dora Lee taught me that. Who's Dora? Ask Mengster. The year past has been a cauldron of mixed emotions and fortunes for you. And despite the tumultous times, it's the who that makes you happy that counts.

Tracy- The year hasn't been too smooth sailing for you. But then again, with each crisis you emerge stronger, and all your friends have all stood up to be counted. May there be more blessings in the year to come, and may your mobility too, improve on the badminton court.

Chuan Seng- My kindred in hating NUS, the move to NTU too has indeed proven wise, and this further justifies our incredible tactical acumen. Next up we should probably quit our studies and jointly manage Chelsea or something. May your pursuit of love prove fruitful with all the XMM in NTU... Lol...

The OG 61.
The Circle Xperience. What a mind-blasting introduction to SMU indeed!

WanZhen- My fellow organizer and leader who-usually-usurps-the-OGL's-role- leaving-her-a-bystander-with-nothing-to-do, it too has been a rollercoaster of sorts ain't it. Here's to the longest-lasting Circle OG ever and a bumper crop of X'mas goodies in your socks. Just remember to wash it before Santa drops by.

Yeesh- The oft-victimised OGL of 61, aren't you regretting taking control of this unruly bunch of freshies now? But then again, without you, we won't have a victim for our sharp jabs and cruel remarks, and the unity present in our group would be gone. Bwahahahaha... You've done an excellent job of mothering us through Circle, and though there's been some disappointment this far, I hope that you'll move on from the times of yore and build on your own successes!

Lacy- Hey mei... SMU ain't that bad so far ain't it? Look beyond the current excesses, but keep your long-term goal in mind. Your determination is admirable, and please, there's always this pair of ears to hear you out. Stay the course and let's finish it together k?

Kenny- Having you around as a source of support gave me the motivation to work hard. You've faded off somewhat in the latter part of the term, and I certainly hope to see you again at mugging/OG bonding sessions soon!


The classmates.
Whom I'm so lucky to be with.

Sharon- Fret not, sis. There's a one person out there waiting for you. Trust fate and he will come hither. In the meantime, remember your conviction. The one target you had for your academic pursuits. Though we aren't going to have any similar classes next term, there's always Year 2 coming around rite?

Estee- Your bubbly demeanour brings a smile to all around you, and it's been a real joy and pleasure working with you for all the shit that we had to go through!

Lianne, Kechang, Wei Loong, Changjie and Alexis- We have no same classes next term!!! Argghhhhhhhh! Not a big issue anyway. We can, from time to time, take out the video clips of ChangJie laughing maniacally and reminisce on the insanely wonderful FA outings that our group has had. And then there's Year 2 for us. Live the dreams, Emeritus Consultants', and remember our ethos towards FA. No Boobs No Talk!

_______________________________

And after all these wonderful people, there's still one left. One incredible, indelible, invaluable and immeasurable persona.
SHE's the one. My one.
Our road has been fraught with challenges, especially in the latter part of the year. It took a leap of faith for me to jump ship to SMU, and i fully appreciate YOUR support in my so doing. YOU know my stance towards toeing the proverbial line and mediocrity, and on this day, I ask of YOUR patience, and YOUR steadying influence. I'll make it worth the wait. This I promise YOU.

And Cuteness Defines Her...

The dog, guys... THE DOG...

Johor Bahru - The Cheapest Place in Singapore!

Where in Singapore can you actually find

a) Cheap and good food? And I mean CHEAP.

b) Good company?

c) Great shopping?

The answer to all of the above, of course, is none other than Johor Bahru!















Fried Kangkong - RM12
Seafood Tofu - RM8
Tomato Crab - RM30
Oatmeal Prawn - RM 25
Oyster Kai Lan - RM8
Herbal Chicken - RM11
In-season Mangoes - RM8
MNG Bags - Half of Lianne's purse ('Cause of the 50% Off)
Changjie's 'Uncle-ity' - The price of a go-kart ride
Great company - PRICELESS!

Return of the Jing...

As he disembarked from the chariot that had led him to the imposing fortress that was the Grand Master Oh's abode, his hands grew clammy with sweat. The sounds of clacking tiles and mirthful laughter punctuated with the distinctive shouts of "WHO" that were so characteristic of the castle were not heard.

Instead, silence pervaded the neighbourhood.

The night seemed to grow even more chilly, and he shivered involuntarily.

Muttering a quick prayer under his breath, the knight drew his cloak around him as if to summon the courage that he did not possess.

When the gate slid open, he was greeted by the throaty growling of the canine guardian of the castle whom they called Maximus. Distantly related to Cerberus, the hound of Hades, this fearsome creature with an insatiable appetite for the Apples of Eden strained at its leash to get at the hooded knight.

Ushered through the damp dungeon-like passages of the castle, he eventually arrived at the visitors' quarters. Thereupon the bench sat the ghostly figure of the legendary Jing, who was said to appear only once a year to a select group of persons. His presence was said to cure the terrible afflictions of Cagerissimus that was caused by the beast's venomous bite. Indeed, the knight sensed liberation, as though an invisible weight was being lifted from his shoulders.

And Grand Master Yun's shrieks emanated from the depths of the castle, as Maximus took to his leg with frenzied aggression.

However, the effort of his exertions clearly took a toll on Jing. His skin turned ghastly white from the strain, and he instructed the Grand Master to convene the coalition of the Cagers, the elite magi of the three distinct races of people that inhabited the lands of Smu, Nus and Ntu. It was during these conventions that the magi worked their powers to restore the Tan of the Jing.

And so it was decided. Wednesday would mark his reappearance at the Cage.

Visual Philanderer

I'm a crap guy at relationships. Of the ocular kind.

It's been some 5 years now. I've got to admit to it. Numerous flings have come and gone. Even though I've got a loyal companion at home.

But still, I've found it hard to keep to one since the day that I got started. Their soft and welcome comfort inevitably gives way to their ageing and the subsequent irritation. Some relationships have lasted a few weeks. The longest was 2.5 months, at best. I'm fickle like no other when it comes to my own comfort.

But then again, I return every night to my loyal companion. She's been silent on my promiscuity so far, and sometimes I do make it a point to bring her on trips and such, the latest of which was the stayover at Zhong's place.

You've really gotta give it to Koof. He'll not stand to having more than one at any point in time. The nasty mishap that ended his previous relationship happened at my place. And I was wholly to blame.

It was the demise of his permanent contact lens. I dumped his into the dustbin.

And here's introducing my loyal companion.









And my current fling.









I'm writing crap. And I know it. Sorry for wasting your time reading this.

Time and time again...

Its:

10 hours to Settler's with the OG.
17 hours to badminton with LL and Tracy.
1 day to having the best home-cooked food in the world at Gran's.
2 days to Cage.
3 days to the Return of the Jing.
4 days to ArRaval of the Phoenix.
4 days to Pride and Prejudice.
6 days to JB with the FA bunch.
16 days to my fave holiday of the year and
3 weeks to the resumption of academic pursuits.

Its been:

2 days since my last soccer game.
2 days since I last saw Meng, Zhong and Nickoo.
2 days since Koof PSed us (again).
3 days since Mind's Café with my fellow FA flag bearers.





5 days since Cage with the Sunday crowd.
6 days since the end of my exams.
6 days since I last went to Settler's Café with the likes of my JC classmates.










7 days since I last saw the class people.










9 days since I last played badminton(with the NUS ppl, no less).
4 weeks since I last saw Ra and
3 months since Circle Xperience.

The Promised Land

The weary traveller trod upon the last steep stones of the hillock, reaching at last the gentle crest of the flowing ridge. He lifted his gaze, and the sight that greeted him took his breath away. The picturesque environs, the undulating greens and meandering rivers. He'd arrived at the promised land at last.

Casting aside his worries, he set to making good the time lost in the foggy haze of Soa. His friends had arrived some time ago, and there they were, with their addiction to Cagerissimus sated for the time being. Everyone was basking in the warm glow of the sun. Plans, plans and yet more plans. Twas indeed the season to be jolly.

In a moment of indecision, he turned his head back whence he had come from. Therein loomed the mountains of Soa. Shrouded in mist as they were, its dark malevolence was hardly concealed. Remember the brave knight that succumbed to the rabid beast that they called Facct. His bravery and chivalry would be immortalised in tales and sung by bards, but the chilling fact remained: The beast had not yet been conquered. It would not be long before its reach extended to this pristine utopia, a dark stain on the land of Smu.

Wiping the involuntary tear from his eyes, he resolved to focus his energies on the dark runes of the magi, the ancient wizards of Soa that inhabited the 5th spire of Asoc.

He reflected, "in the meantime, it's me, me and myself."

"The inner demons can wait."

Face/Off

Sword in hand, he approached the entrance of the beast's lair. The fetid air was filled with a sense of purpose, of destiny. There on the ground lay the carcasses of slain warriors and knights that had passed before him.

Even so, he fondly recalled the days of his training, where the Grand Masters Oh and Yun fondly reminisced about their days perusing the books of lore and wisdom, seeking the way to conquer the beast that roamed the realm of Soa, leaving a trail of chaos and carnage in its wake. They survived the battle, but each time, the beast seemed to grow with the experience of its previous duels, and it all served to embolden the wretched creature.

He unsheathed his trusty sword, caked with blood from his previous quest just three days before. And the words of his Grand Master rang true in his mind "You sought to give yourself a challenge. Now its time for the race of your life...". Standing his ground, he psyched himself for the upcoming battle.

He kissed the amulet that encircled his neck.

"Come now, you beast. For the Knight Ryan sends you your Deliverance!"

_________________________________

Another blow was delivered towards the hapless knight.

Reeling from the impact, he swung his sword at the incoming appendage. It was futile against the leathery hide of the beast.

The knuckled blow rang dully upon his armor. In the red mist of pain, he spied the eye of the beast. "There exists a flaw in the defence of the beast- The eye through which it sees." so said the Reverend Horngren. He feebly reached for his sword.

Spying the movement, the beast rushed forward to deliver the mortal blow to the wounded knight.

His last thoughts were "I have given my all; Even in failure, I am content."