Ecydsis

2008 has been almost like a bless to me. People say that your days in your high school life would shape you, would influence you the most. 2008 being the last year of my high school days, being the last chance that i could enjoy school life, maybe being the last time i could see most of my friends. To me, 2008 marks a year where new lessons are learnt , new relationships are bonded, new chapters being unfold. 2008 is no doubt a year to remember.

People always say 'sweet 17' and it is after experiencing it that i understood the true meaning of being 'sweet 17' . Being 17 is like biding goodbye to those days you could act like a child, its like marking the beginning of adulthood, its almost like ecydsis where you undergo a tough and complicated process and shed of your old skin, growing a new one. Its a year where you finally understood the purpose behind those farewells, the meaning of friendship, the importance of finding your truly identity. High school life or secondary life is like a strenuous process in looking for my true identity, my true colours. Blue, Purple, Black...all those shades of colours represents a different self. Being yellow, I could be that cheerful, silly, bright. Being blue, i could be cool, calm. i rather see my self as a combination of purple+orange(silly, talkative, calm, weird, MCC)

2008 has been a year where i fostered great relationships. New friendships have been formed, closer relationships are formed. From the guy sitting right beside to me, to the guy from the next class, to the girls from tuition, to the gang of librarians, to friends from Form 4, having these friends being beside me from time to time is the greatest blessing i have to say for 2008. i feel that this year is a year where i finally found the true me. I had the chance to full express myself in class, i had the time of my life. I do not know why but this year i tend not to try second guess myself and just go for it. there were chances that i felt just really being myself without like thinking "should i do this or do that?" sometimes, i find it better to just go for it. Its my last year in high school and this is my last year to fully express myself as a going-to be adult. i find myself sometimes rather childish often playing roles of 紅孩兒,吸妖道士 in class. I would be like taking my water bottle and pretend it is my "labu"( a bottle like container where during the shows, the sifu use to suck in demons) and play around in class. haha.....those were the days i had most fun in my class. During chemistry, i had the most fun with my "labu" where my friends asked me to pretend my dear teacher as a 妖精 and 收拾 her. We used to have fun, real fun that i assume many friends would not understand.

2008 could be the year of fame and glory for me, but oh well. Being overconfident is the main reason of my failure. I was chosen for Public speaking, malay debate and malay forum. Out of those 3, oh well, i din't fare to well, however it won't keep me away from achieving my dreams. These experiences could only make me stronger. That moment when i stood on stage to present my speech during Public speaking is a time i would try to forget. Its not that i was afraid but its the overconfidence and insufficient preparations that made me stiff and fail.haha...it was a great experience though. At the end i was like teased all around by my friends as i like told them that i would 'bersinar' and 發光發熱 on the stage. And for Malay debate, i never expected so much drama and 'black' politics(with KKC in your team, be prepared for tonnes of drama, haha). Before the competition, we were already broken as a team=sure lose. Being a team with kkc in the Malay forum competition was the highlight of everything. It was like, we had chemistry, it was instant fire on the stage. Not to say that i am boasting but me and kkc in Malay forum=amazing.haha...too bad our competition was rather strong and there was a misunderstanding of competition rules that at the end led us to another failure..haha

2008 is the year i was introduced to an amazing person, one that fired spark lights , one that shined , one that is truly wonderful inside and out -曾沛慈. i guess my friends would already be quite familiar with 沛慈 since i always talk about her daily and believe me, i could go on and on talking about 沛慈 without stop. Shes tall, amazing, beautiful-having all the qualities that i look for. haha...when i say Pets(沛慈) is the best , my friends would be like 'go open your Pets shop la. i see a resemblance in me and her character wise. She has this MCC quality that seems so intriguing to me like a mystical fairytale creature.

2008 also means a year where i have to make decisions that could change my life. My career, my future path means everything to me. The end of school life can mean a new path to me. What is my next BIG step? Matriculation? Form 6? College? SAMS? its like a bundle of quetion marks. Am i sure achitecture is my path? after all, architecture is a blend of science and art which i could see myself surviving in. Is it going 2 be my passion? I tend to like skecthing art pieces and friends were like, join Project Runway...being in fashion? i am sceptical about it. It's not a bed of roses. Sketching a few designs is easy but being the next Marc Jacobs, CoCo Chanel? Between photography and fashion? Photography wins hands down but is it going to be my career?No. Architecture remains my passion for now. Maybe i could draw inspiration from fashion and photography in my future architecture designs. Just, mabe.

2008 has been an interesting roller-coaster ride for me. Lots of laughter, lots of fun. Everything has to come to an end. Thinking back, school life is something i would always remember, cherrish. My life as a high school student. it seems so interesting that everything seems to pass by so fast. Life nothing more than a brief candle. Friends are leaving and entering my life at the same time. Doors are being opened and closed at the same time. Knowing that some of my friends will be pursueing their studies in no time and leaving marks another end of another chapter. Will this set us apart? Apart from that, to my friends who have been sent to National Service, i miss you guys dearly. You guys are undergoing a life-changing experience and i do hope that i could experience the same thing as well. Good luck to you all.

Ecydsis- a process of growth, change seems in parallel to what i am experiencing now. Au Revoir 2008.....

War and Beauty

Through TV shows, we learn, we learn the language, we learn new words, we learn values, we learn the drive of life, we get inspired. War and Beauty is an epic drama that revolves around the struggle of power and the emperor's favor between concubines of the Qin dynasty. This drama was aired nationwide in 2004 and has received nothing more than rave reviews. Recently, this drama has reaired on TVB Xing He(Channel 314) and has brought back endless memories to me.

Featuring 4 of TVB's top actress, Sheren Tang, Charmaine Sheh, Gigi Lai and Maggie Cheong, this is no doubt considered the true drama that defined the drama of the century, inspiring others, captivating the audiences with the spectacular scenaries of the ancient Forbidden City and convincing acting. These four actress each played a different lady from completely different family backgrounds, each telling a story of her own, each having their own motives, each having both beauty and brains. Beauty can be used as both a lethal weapon to protect oneself and also as an extra asset to charm others. Using their beauty and brains, what all these four women aimed for is to climb to the top and gain the emperor's favour. Each using different tactics, including treachery and trickery to gain their aims. Betrayal, hatred, backstabbing are the most appropriated words to describe these four concubines' journey in the Forbidden City.

Everyone has a different story. Lets take Sheren Tang's portrayal of 如玥 an initially favored concubine who eventually fell out of favor with the Emperor after losing a power struggle with the Empress. Not everyone is born with a cold heart. Not everyone is cruel at first glance. In order to survive in the Forbidden City, she understood that only power could take her all the way to the top and most importantly save her life. After entering the doors of the Forbidden City at the age of 16 , she had to fight her way through different obstacles to gain the emperor's favour. After her first miscarriage(caused by the Empress), the once gentle and soft hearted girl turned into a cold and bitter lady. Using her intelligence and power, she was both demonic and threatening to other concubines. She was like this lethal beauty and she has those almost demonic stare . I have the give Sheren a thumbs up for being so convincing as this powerful figure.

Yet, this epic story is truly a touching one. Some may see it as boring compared to shows with lots of drama-Moonlight Resonance. To me, this drama is not completely all about the drama. Its about the true meaning, the message its trying to portray. Whenever these concubines plot against each other, its just so exciting and scary at the same time, keeping me thinking- can this end up to me? Is all this backstabbing really happening in the real world? The truth is, all these is truly evident in today's concrete jungle where the lust ,envy and greed prevails. I admire their strength to survive. after all, this is truly the survival of the fittest.In future, friends may betray you, use you and by that time, there is nothing much you can do. Trust, to me among friendship in any single relationship is dominant. However, i do not believe that lies and treachery can bring you any where. You may have it all-power, money. Yet, is this all worth it? i hope i do not see that in any part of my future.

And to add, the wardrobe of those concubines are exquisite i have to say. Every pattern, every single motif is like a marvel to me. Chinese culture is amazing. War and Beauty is truly a remarkable drama.haha

It is not humans who are complicated. It is humans themselves who make things complicated. Live your life the fullest as you only live once.

Skin rashes

back from Penang today after celebrating Christmas there. I was watching 'the nanny' when i told my mum about the rashes on my back. My mum panicked at once.....shes always like that. Dad was like worried it was a skin infection or disease and took me to see the doctor.

it was rather worrying going to the doctor. who know what those rashes are, or what they mean. Its like...scary. What if it was skin disease or worse-skin cancer. sei lor. Skin cancer...prepared myself for the worse. haiz....is life so short? what am i going to do next. that was what that popped up in my mind along my journey to the doctor.

so had a 1 to 1 time with the doctor. The doctor checked me and guess what? Its not cancer, but its kinda like a skin disease -can be cured geh. He told me that it had been spreading behind my back and believe it or not, the doctor said it started 1 year ago. Really shocked me. One year ago? The Doctor gave me pills and some cream to apply and told me that it might take some time for the rashes to heal but it will heal. So, let it heal.

this makes me realise that when ever you feel unwell or unsure about your body, never be afraid to consult your parents or your doctor.

Health is wealth.

Embrace yourself, embrace the new you

Embrace yourself, embrace the real you. A recent gathering with my school mates made me really open my eyes. The guy i used to know is no longer here in the room. The person i see today is a new person, changed exterior wise to embark a new journey.

Ending school life is like telling yourself that you are free, liberated from those school rules that inhibit you from dying your hair with rainbow colours or dressing up like a superstar. To me, ending school life does not make such a difference to me as i am rather this conservative, casual, simple guy. My style consists of just a pair of cool jeans and simple T-shirts. Thats me.

Fashion sense can be drawn from inspiration. You could look through the magazines and be like "hey, i want to look just like him". You could have a celebrity you adore and want to be a duplicate of that celebrity. To me, fashion is more of being comfortable, showing the correct image you are trying to portray without being explicit, showing your personality and feeling good of your attire. Sometimes, i truly agree that less is more as simplicity is sometimes the best medicine to a fashion disaster.

Changing your image can range from changing your hair, spectacles or even your attire. I find Asians(mostly Chinese, Japanese and Koreans) in particular are more like street fashion. its like, the way they dress, they present themselves are like more street, punk, rock. You could walk along the streets of Tokyo, Hong Kong or even Kuala Lumpur seeing teenagers with those spiky hair dyed in different shades of colours, wearing heavy accessories and trendy spectacles. Fashion is always changing. As Heidi Klum from Project Runway cleverly quotes ' in fashion, one day you are in, and the next day you are out'. Those words are true as today leather pants might be the what 'hot' but tomorrow, maybe metallic may be the new leather. Get it? That is why i prefer the more laid back type of dressing. looking simple, timeless, elegant(not in exact for me) and comfortable.

what i would like to say is that every era has its trends. Like the 60's is all about the Big hair, those polka dot skirts, those heavy and disco like accessories but you won't want to look like your era. what you would like to look like is like your age. Dressing up like your era is like looking back at the old photos and be like " Did i look like that back then?..." Its all about the timeless effect that i am trying to say. Nevertheless, dressing up is all about being yourself, thus before buying anything, think again. "Is this the image i am trying to portray? Am i going for that street fashion look?'. Fashion is after all a way of expressing yourself.

who does want to look like Prince charming or Cinderella. Yet, finding the right style for yourself is crucial. finding the right attire, the right look can make you feel from zero to hero. It can make you feel great as if you have finally broken free from your silky cocoon and break free, metamorphosing into something beautiful, gorgeous.

A friend told me that he after getting his first salary, he was going to get himself a D&G Mens' fragrance to award himself. And i was like..what?....OMG...why wear perfume when you are only 17? Its like...speechless. And for your information, D&G stuff can cost you your life.

Simplicity is beauty to me. Looking simple yet thoughtful about your attire is the hardest thing to do. My friend urged to send me for a makeover when we went for tea. Well, lets see how things go first ....

Undang test...

undang(driving) test today and boy, i was a bundle of nerves ..so takut coz my other friends did like so well. DBJ ar...LKF, LZC all get 48/50. DYS n LJY get 45/50. If i fail reli like malu lor. i can only get 8 wrong to pass the test. Dilemma. what to do? i was always known as the rather MCC person . My friends tell me people see me also know i get easily tricked. haiz...and the worst thing is, i forgot what i studied jor....all the point demerit and stuff...sei lor..

went there early(ard 7.45) and luckily we got there early coz by around 8.15 the place was starting to get full. Me, Calvin and Japheth were waiting for our turn. While waiting we were like hei must tolong each other ar....colour blind ar...canot wrong ar..must help ar..saling membantu amalan mulia. the funny thing while waiting to take the test was that after our registeration, we had to take like a passport photo there. And calvin was up first. The thing was that Calvin leh he sit like sudah serong. Then leh the aunty siiting behid me keep on ejek him say his posture posture posture. So funny, and Calvin was like making those faces to us. Aiya..so funny. Later when the camera was ready to take his photo, tak berjaya. You know why? they say his specs to glaring, canot take the picture...haiz....wat camera lai de...calvin keep ejek-ejek

my turn to take the photo, lagi cham. First time, fail coz my eyes were like looking at another side. Retake lor. Then ,time for exam. We had to first complete a colour blind test and latrer start our undang test. The problem is that i forgot jor many iof the road signs.....sei..and while i was doing the test, i kicked the wire of the pc. My moniter blacked out...what lar..so malang

got some assistance and continued the test. at last waited for my results..takut fail but luckily got 45/50...ok la...although not as ood as my peers, but at least passed. That calvin and Japehth got 50/50. And that calvin keep like 'chuan' me. Sei yeh lar...

and befor we leave, we have to get back our IC's and to do that, we had to like rectify our fingerprints. We had to place our thumb on this small machine to do so. The things is that i tried about 6 times also fail. Last time also the same thing happened. Dunno la...weird....my Thumb too big isit? or i used to much strength? Don't bother

Now i can take my driving lessons. yeppee..can be closer to drive....my dream car....the two door Toyata...

The girl with the Big voice

Talent shows such as American Idol and X-factor have been taking over the world, spreading fever, causing hype among teenagers and people all around the globe, setting a new mark to define what music really is. These shows have not just born talents that marvel us but it also unifies us, making us realize how wonderful life is. Oh yes, thats how we feel when we listen to a song that defines and represents us-a signature song that truly connects to our inner core, a true melody that touches even the coldest heart, a lyric that melts you instantly.

Leona Lewis, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Shane Ward, Jaclyn Victor have rose to become household sensations, sending sparklights whenever they sing. Its truly a sensational moment to hear them LIVE(if given the golden opportunity). It would be like a dream come true.haha....they say that when one sings with his heart, no matter what song is it, he will send goosebumps throughout your body, touching you. We are after all human beings and we have our own feelings and that is what that sets us apart from others, machines, robots.

Who knew that a single shot at a competition could become a true dream true. Today who else haven't been 'Bleeding love' or haven slept well since the "Breakaway". Its like a dream, an almost impossible feat to achieve and yes, these people with those Big voices managed to WOW us. This is their moment and today, most of them haven grown into music stars of tomorrow.

Leona, dubbed the lovechild of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston remains one of my favourites today. Her sweet personality and pure voice charms me. She is one who i believe who sings with her heart. Discovered through talent competiton X-factor and mentored by Simon Cowell and music mogul Clive Davis, there is no doubt that this diamond in the rough is sparkling brighther than ever. She just makes us keep bleeding, keep keep bleeding love. Her recent appearance at the closing ceromany of the 2008 Beijing Olympics marks her as an international star, a singer who still has endless potential.

Another iconic singer that i must mention out must be Jaclyn Victor. i have like writen about her for so many time in my esays. Even for my SPM english essay, i wrote about her(for essay title: a person who ahve worked hard). Striving to be the best, Jaclyn has kept her standard high. Her voice tells it all. At the finale of Malaysian Idol, i still remember her amazing, breathless rendition of" Gemilang "(Glory) that sent instant goosebumps throughout the audiences of the Arena of Stars and also to the audiences sitting in front of the television. It was like the birth of a star, she was like the savior to the Malaysian music industry- our hope. Her glorious last note, that endless burst of energy that star quality makes her truly uniquly versatile. Till today, i still get the goosebumps when she sings Gemilang. Its just"Gemilang, realiti...." The lyrics...oh...makes me feel great. When i do my exams, i usually like set a song in my mind to create a mood and this is like my absolute favourite song to play in my mind.

a true song can lighthen up even during the darkest hour. A heartfelt performance could touch millions of hearts. what that makes a singer or song so original so perfect is the soul. Every song has its soul, its tale, its story. Some singers have the Big voice, some singers could reach those high notes and do those whistle registers, some have voices like acrobats that marvels us, some just have a pure voice. No matter how good technically you are vocally, if you forget or ignore about the true soul of the song , in the end people would just be like WOW for 5 minutes. After that, people would forget about it. In the mean time, a sincere intepretation of a song may not require the best voice but is more than enough to penetrate through one's soul, creating what i would call magic. That is why sometimes i favour singers who tells a story with his song rather that tell the world how good a singer he is.

recently, i was surfing through the internet and found two new talents. Alexandra Burke(winner of X-factor season 5) and Charice(a 16 year old singing sensation who hails from the Phillipines and have dueted with Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli). Alexandra was dubbed the next Leona based on her strong vocals wheares Charice's vocals have been receiving nothing more that praise. Ti an extent, Alexandra's rendition of Hallelujah has been receiving rave reviews.These two are forces that the world has to be reckoned off. Who says that the world is only big enough for Britney Spears or Madonna? these singers ought to be watched out.

Alexandra Burke

16- year old Charice

Sing with your heart, sing with your soul. That is what that make music so universal so special. It is a tool that is capable to spread love, to spread joy, to brighten up your day. Imagine yourself in a corner of your room listening queitly to the song that tells the story of your life. that moment would be precious.

undang

went to listen undang on Wed with calvin. I din't know what to expect. Is it going to be boring? You mean i can't talk for 5 hours?really OMG. Actually we previously plan to go to listen undang in a big group. Oh well, now left us two. Whats next.

so, we went to the centre and the 'lesson' started. So , apparently, there were 2 instructors. Great. First, we were given these colour blind test or practices and each of us were given different sets to do. So we started doing lor. Then, calvin leh like bisik-bisik, say he cannot differentiate wor. Din bother him. Then he asked me to like exchange papers with him. He din't want to fail the test. Still din choose to bother him. Then leh while the instructor was not noticing leh he exchanged my paper with him call me to do for him. That sei yeh la. Smile, smile , smile over there. What to do, do for him sia.Who knows he is Colour blind?

Listening undang was like so sien. Luckily, i had company. At the driving institute, we met Japheth so got lagi seorang teman to chat with. So, throughout the 5 hour long undang talk, we chat quite a while and there was nobody to scold us. haha....but we did pay attention lar...but some topics really boring ge mar....esp those car maintenance..haiz

during our break, even saw Kan Wye Yip and Xue Ming. They just came back from undang test. Then continued with the talk. Luckily leh change jor instructor. Even though he speaks a little t0o fast, at least he was loud and can keep me awake. Not bad lar...

after out talk, we had to like book when we had to take our test. Japeheth and calvin insisted to take their test on next Tuesday which i did not agree to. I wanted to take my test on Saturday.(later got to know bing jian also taking the test on Sat). Their excuse wor..scared cannot finish reading, scared fail wor..excuse....

my conclusion for that day was listening to undang was not that terrifying after all. If you have teman , at least got people to talk to. Even the instuctor say, "boleh tidur..".Ohya, just remembered that sei Calvin Nga leh in the classroom sit like almost going to fall, then the instructor like pointed out " duduk baik-baik, nanti jatuh"...he har..so malu...haha

so taking the test next Tues...waiting...