The Inner Beng

Why doesn't anyone LIKE techno/house music!??!!

Just recently, I was at Challenger with Jim and he thinks that these songs are beng and are so... similar. True, I have to agree... but these songs are SO cool!! Hahhaa

But I don't understand the stigma. You mean, only the ah bengs and ah lians can appreciate techno music? Or Euro Dance/Trance? Or House? It's cool, funky and sets the dancing mood at times!

I remember once, I went to MOS with my friends. I was stuck at Smoove for a while. I can't totally appreciate that room's music. I mean, it's so hip hop. How in the world do you dance to a foul-mouth rapping song about that hot chica and that rich guy with the bling bling!??! I mean some songs have the beat. Some are like pure gansta rapping. Ewww...

Then I walk by the main arena and my heart wants to run into the crowd, then suddenly an invisible hand pulls me out of it. And I end up going back to Smoove. Oh but we did go to 54, which is my FAVOURITE room. It has disco music :) BOOGIE WONDERLAAAAAAAAAAAAAND....

I still like techno. I mean, not all of the songs, but most of them are quite nice...


Okay, so I might be a beng, after all.

"Happy Children's Day, Ron"

After a long day, I came back home with my purchases, rushing to pack my cabinet a little and then I chanced upon a notebook with a small note stuck on it. And it says,

"HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY, RON"

It's the autograph notebook that my primary school form teacher (Primary 6, to be exact) gave us. I wouldn't really bother about it, most of the time, but today, I thought it would be nice to have a look at it.

I open and read each written page. I laughed at all the funny comments, the illegible handwriting and all the salah grammar. But I also read all my teachers' encouraging and sweet comments. Then the ultimate came: I read 2 of my good friends comments. Very touching and real. And innocent. I felt innocence in it. Then I begin to wonder... why did I distance myself away from that good friend (one of them) of mine? Why did I quarrel with him? I mean... I seriously don't remember what the fight was about!!!

Oh God.. .I feel so bad. Seriously. He's not totally a bad person. I mean, everyone has their good and bad points. Could have been some misunderstanding. Although I cannot turn back time and I may not be as close as those times, I wish to start afresh with my friend. Hopefully, I would be able to get to know the guy that I knew in primary school. Hopefully, all the bad memories will fade away.

On top of that, I reflected on my teachers' comments (and my friend's comments). You know what? It seems like I've never changed. Sad, but true. Haha I'm still that naive, 'blur' and hardworking guy, who's anxious to please people and can be terribly hard on himself. Gotta change man!

All is not at loss... I mean there are always new beginnings and we can ALL start afresh. So I actually started searching for my primary school friends. I saw one of them and I nearly fainted because suddenly, he looks like he transformed from a cute plump boy to some Manhunt contestant! Haha the world has changed so much!

Hopefully a few of you know some of my classmates. Or you are MY classmate in primary school and you are reading my blog. Please add me on MSN, Facebook, Friendster... whatever!!!!

Heath Ledger [1979-2008]

Suddenly the world stops. A great movie star found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday night (Wed morning in Singapore). Unbelievable, but true.

Honestly, I would have never expected him to die. I mean, he seems like a nice guy, you know, he's really not that kinda typical Hollywood stars that likes to get into the paparazzi and get into all sorts of nonsense to get headlines.

And the kind of movies he does is amazing. I think "Brokeback Mountain", whoa. For a straight guy, married, to actually lose himself in this role. Kudos to him. He may not be one of my favourite actors, but I think 28 is too young an age to die lah.

Autopsy is yet to come. From there, we will know if he committed suicide or he had an accidental drug overdose (which is kinda scary). I rather it be the latter, but the former does seem possible. I mean, accidental drug overdose? Is it possible? I mean, especially when he's found dead naked? Erh... honestly I'm not sure.

And if he really did commit suicide... I mean... don't they feel pain? I mean, the thought of wanting to hurt yourself is really so unbelievable. Is life really not worth living? I feel sad; he had a promising future.

Suicide suddenly reminds me of my school mate who actually committed suicide. Unbelievable, but true. Wah... I was really in shock.

Whatever the outcome is... may he rest in peace.

If only I had the cash now...

... I would travel everywhere! Hahaha travelling is like really fun!! I mean getting lost in a foreign city, trying new stuff and seeing new sights... getting immersed into the culture. It's like so cool. Here's my wishlist of places tha I wanna travel to:

ASIA

1. Japan
- Okinawa
- Tokyo
- Tokyo Disneyland
- Hokkaido
- Fukuoka
- Mt Fuji

2. South Korea
- Jeju Island
- Seoul
- DMZ Zone

3. Taiwan
- Shihlih Night Market, Taipei
- Hualien
- Kaoshiung

4. Hong Kong & Macau
- Disneyland
- HK Ocean Park
- HK version of the Walk of Fame (I don't know what it's called)

5. Malaysia
- Sabah
- Langkawi
- Tioman
- Sunway Lagoon

6. Indonesia
- Lombok
- Medan
- Bintan
- Batam

7. Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar)

8. Thailand
- Any of the beaches (Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi)
- Ayutthaya
- Kanchanaburi

9. China
- Beijing
- Great Wall of China
- Xian (TerraCotta Warriors!)
- Shanghai
- Sanya
- Yunnan
- Fujian (for obvious reasons)
- Tibet
- Harbin
-

10. Others
- Mumbai, India
- Goa, India
- Amristar, India
- Rajasthan, India
- Sri Lanka
- Bhutan
- Mongolia
- Maldives

EUROPE
- Spain
- Greece
- UK
- Norway
- Netherlands (Amsterdam!)
- Swizterland
- Italy

AMERICAS

1. USA
- Texas
- Seattle
- Chicago
- Alaska
- Grand Canyon
- New Orleans
- Statue of Liberty
- Oklahoma

2. Canada
- Niagara Falls
- Toronto
- Quebec

3. Central and South
- the WHOLE of South America
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico

MIDDLE EAST
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Israel
- Jordan
- Dubai, UAE

AFRICA
- Morocco
- South Africa
- Magadascar
- Kenya
- Zimbabwe
- Victoria Falls

OCEANIA

1. Australia
- Sydney Opera House
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Phillip Island
- Christmas Island

2. New Zealand
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Queenstown

3. Others
- Guam
- Fiji

Ai yah... if only....

American Idol Season... OMG it's their 7TH SEASON!??!

Can you believe that despite having 6 freaking winners, millions of terribly awful (but entertaining) auditions and lotsa fatigue viewers, USA just can't get enough of Idol fever? Even 'Pop Idol', the original Idol show from UK (yes it's from UK and yes American Idol is not the original one, for those whom are oblivious) stopped at the 2nd season.

Maybe it's the fact that America's a big country. Maybe it's the fact that people think they have that chance, despite not even having a voice close to Britney and that Simon is super bitchy and critical (do these people actually WATCH TV?). Maybe they just want to be on TV. Maybe they just want to give Simon a piece of his own medicine. Whatever it is, American Idol is very entertaining in its own ways.

Yes, I know, a lot of people are getting bored. The concept is overused in many areas. Let's take Singapore for example. After American Idol was shown here, Singapore Idol came about and people started getting excited. Then came the copycats. Project Superstar, Anugerah, Vasatham Star, Campus Superstar, The Dance Floor and many other shows with the same formula: people's votes.

Kinda gets boring after a while, cos the judges will try to be critical for the sake of it and the people will not listen and vote for some salah people (until they realise that the people can't actually sing). And because of our small population, salah people can actually just get a few good friends and a very big supportive family to inject votes to give them the rights to stay.

What a pity. There's only 2 Singapore Idol seasons.

Anyway, back to American Idol, if you think season 7 is gonna be the last one, you are wrong. Contracts has been signed to give them the rights for 2 more seasons after this season (crazy). I think America really cannot get enough.

Since America claims to have so much talent, let's see what the Idols have been up to:

KELLY CLARKSON

Grammy award winning singer with award winner songs and albums, she is so far the best and the most successful Idol winner. It is a real pity that MediaCorp did not show this season, of all the seasons. But I am glad that she prove that she can make it outside the competition.

I don't think her 3rd album is doing as well as the previous 2, but I am hopeful for her. I think she can make it still.




RUBEN STUDDARD

This bear is cute and funky, but he is so-so. Album sales hasn't been too good. He has already... 3 or 4 albums to date (I am serious) and it's been... just like that. Lacklustre response and sales. Clay Aiken did a much, much better job when their 1st albums came out.

Now it seems dead...

FANTASIA BARRINO

Fantasia was honest, straightforward and unique. I think that is what made her win the competition. The season finalists actually came to Singapore for a concert. And it was kinda cool. Loved to see LaToya London and Jennifer Hudson belting their hearts out. And Fantasia screaming like a crazy woman! Hahaha

Her album was so-so for me. Apparently her album is big in US. Hmm... I don't know man. I'm like okay with her...

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

Another best seller. Her purity and innocence is her selling point. With her amazing voice and down-to-earth roots, it's no wonder her albums is hitting a lot of charts worldwide. I actually preferred Bo to win, so you can only imagine how I felt when I was right there at Kodak Theatre. But her album, her image and everything... kinda blew me away and I fell in love with this country babe.

Bo Bice was good and all... but don't know what happened to him.

TAYLOR HICKS

I think America must have made a mistake with him. I mean, hello?!! Chris Daughtry was supposed to take THAT position. What the hell were they thinking?!??! Argh! Sometimes, I don't know what the people are doing. But, well anyway he won. Got his own album, blah blah and now he's out of his record label.

1st Runner Up Katharine McPhee was great and fabulous and she has everything... but think her album sales weren't so good too. And she is also out of her label. But I personally like her a lot and I wouldn't mind buying her album. Maybe don't need to be so R&B/Hip Hop lah, babe. A bit of classic is fine :)

And DAUGHTRY ROCKS!!!





JORDIN SPARKS

Jordin is a nice and sweet gal. But I thought she didn't seem to be like.. winner material. Maybe cos she's young. Maybe cos her being in Top 2 was unexpected. I don't know... but doesn't seem like the Top 2 of this season is shining as brightly as the others. Her song sounds... a little too hip hop for her, I think. I mean I love her voice and everything.. but it seems like something's missing...

Hope season 7 will not be so typical. But it has been in many ways already. Glorifying the salah ones and sympathising the good ones... And it's kinda... boring and typical. Hahaha I'm so loss for words. And even if they win... I mean it doesn't guarantee them success. Sad, but true. I think this formula is so overused.

Let's just see what the new season of American Idol will bring...

Pilgrimage to Temasek (TP ROCKS)

I've been quite busy (though not as busy as last month) with work. But after much persuasion, I decided to come back to TP and check out what my school is like now. Thing is... my friend didn't know that I'm coming. I just told Nicholas that I can't make it. Haha

Took bus 23 all the way to TP this afternoon. It felt so good, cos it just remind of the old days... going to school while looking into the big blue sky, listening to my discman and getting lost in my world... thinking about the beautiful things in life and all the beautiful people around. It's such a wonderful feeling.

Upon arriving, I walk across the bridge linking to TP. There were overly-enthusiatic kids (lined up on each side of the bridge) shouting and greeting each visitor [with much enthusiasm and warmth] that walks into and out of the school. They reminded me of the reason why I chose to go to TP out of the (then) 4 polytechnics :)

I gave a call to Nicholas and shocked him by telling him that I am in school. Hahaa, but at least it was a pleasant surprise. We went straight to the business school and walk through crowds... ended up at LT 19 for some crazy show. Imagine sitting in a room with kids trying to decide their fate through a ridiculously mad fashion show hosted by a 'drag queen'. Haha!

This 'drag queen' came out and starting bringing in representatives of each diploma course in the Business school (quite proud that HTM got a pretty one). And there had this role playing nonsense that was ridiculously mad, draggy but funny. That 'drag queen' was totally crazy.

I went straight to Biz Park for something that I have been longing for for eons. [for those who study in TP, please say this along with me...] :

CAR-LER ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Hahahah okay okay for the totally clueless, it's actually the infamous chicken cutlet from TP Business School canteen, also known as Biz Park. Nicholas was wondering what's up with me and my craze over it.

For those who has never been to TP, you should try this. It's the only chicken cutlet that I've known that has sauce over it. Usually you only get this sauce if you buy chicken chop, or pork chop, or whatever chop lah. But in this canteen, every other dish has sauce on it. And it taste amazing. I would usually have it once a week. It just perks me up.

Upon graduating... my life got more and more busy and I never had the time to go back to school. I did go back a few times, but the stall was always closed. I was SO happy that it's open today!!! I queued up patiently to order my favourite dish. The auntie and all the workers (except the guy who says 'car-ler one') were there. Poor 'car-ler one' man. The Lord decided to take him to Heaven earlier. I'm so sad. But anyway... my cutlet came and I happily added a generous amount of mayo, just like I always do when I was in school.

I walked to the table where Nicholas was sitting, smiling excitedly like a little kid with his favourite bag of candies. Oh my God.. the moment... the anxiety. It took me a while before I cut that very small piece and place it into my mouth....


HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM


Oh my God. I nearly cried. It still taste so good. An adrenaline rush ran into me.

I've waited 3 freaking years for this moment. No one knows how much I HEART BIZ PARK CHICKEN CUTLET. It's amazing. The frieds, the beans, the chicken cutlet and the sauce... only the bread is different. But that's fine. Still lovin' it :)

Nicholas was still puzzled. Hahaha wait till he leaves school.

We walked around school and towards the end, he had to go back to CyberCentre to load pics for his CCA, so he had to go and... I went walking around myself. There are quite a bit of changes in school and... yeah it's quite diff. I mean, Cheers in school, no more travel agency, a more high tech looking book drop. Wow. School has changed, but I'm glad that the enthusiasm is still there.

Earlier on, I managed to see a 'rock' performance by some school group and all the 'i-guides' (or rather, school guides) were dancing around. Cheers after cheers, TP students just can't seem to get enough of it. And if you think that's over... a familiar song came out.

OH MY GOD MASS DANCE!!!

I felt like dancing it, cos I roughly remember the steps... then I realised that I don't have a partner. And Nicholas found his own partner (even if he didn't, I can't exactly be dancing the mass dance with him). Hahaa

It was so fun seeing all these crazy kids doing the mad dance (oh my God, are we the only school in the world that has our OWN mass dance??)

After the tiring dance, came... the CHICKY DANCE. This one is a little crazy. I don't know how to explain it but it's total madness. Then our school song. wow.

Now I really wish I was back in school. Those were the days...

My day ended with dinner with Jeremy at Tampines and walking around Tampines Mall (affectionately known as TM to TP students). Aaah... then I took 23 back home and pass by school again!

Oh, those were the days man...

argh why am I getting sick...

... and still exercising. I'm mad. Hahaha! I didn't have a good night sleep and obviously, I woke up much much earlier than I supposed to. Actually this entry is supposed to be called Travel Woes, but whatever. Anyway here are the 'travel woes' that I've been having:

1. Thailand

My family initially wanted to go to Thailand next month. Suddenly my auntie and my mother decided to visit Buddhist temples in Bangladesh. Whoa... okay I mean that's good, but I kinda took leave for the Thailand trip. And I wasn't so interested in Bangladesh.

Suddenly, upon hearing my say, they wanted to carry on with the Thailand trip. Now I've only hours to decide on my flights, because I am thinking of going to Pattaya to meet my friend for a day or so... oh man so tight!!!

2. Hong Kong

No probs, except that I am still thinking between normal carriers and budget carriers. I'm really not fussy about things, but I must say that I haven't had very good experience with budget carriers. I mean, seriously how to survive without pretty air stewardesses serving you meals on board and looking oh-so-pretty (although I beg to differ on certain airlines) and feeling all comfortable and relaxed.

I sound pampered. I have to admit that I do sound like that. If even people who can affordable more than budget carriers is asking me to save on airfare, I must be really pampered. But I didn't have a good experience.

I mean, queuing up to take your seats? Either suffering extremely Arctic-like coldness or Sahara-like heat on each flight? Paying S$3 for a cup of instant porridge? And seeing poor ah peks and ah mas queuing up for seats? I really gotta think about it.

3. Taiwan

Friend just reminded me that Taiwan is a nice place to go. Yes, the land of bubble tea, A*Mei and her aborigine heritage, hot springs, good food and crazy politics. It's the only place in the world where it's legal to act cute. Go down Orchard Road with the act-cute attitude and you just get weird stares and lotsa gosipping.

Anyway I found out that JetStar flies to Taipei. Oh my God... but for 6 hours??? Oh man... can I opt for Eva Air? At least it's safer than China Airlines. Hahaha... really wanna go to Taiwan anyway. I don't know what is so attractive about it, but it does intrigue me. A lot.

But I'm already going to Thailand and Hong Kong. And that doesn't include my fam trips etc.... don't know if I can afford Taiwan. Ai yah... there goes my Shihlin Night Snacks :(

How how HOW!!?!?!