Changes (Saturday, September 26, 2009 / 12:16 AM)
Singapore changes at lightning speed. You would see buildings sprouting out in a split second. Like that day when I was walking along Keong Saik Road, I suddenly realise that there's a building rising up.
That's the Duxton HDB flat. Looking good.
It's great that Singapore is advancing. But I sometimes think... there's just no space for reminiscing, for nostalgia.... Not even my dear NYGH. It moved to a new campus shortly after I graduated. So even when I wanna 回母校, the new campus is just a stranger to me. :(
Sometimes, I'm very grateful that Malaysia, on the other hand, has the "luxury" of space for nostalgia. Every time I go back to Malacca, I'm just glad that all my favourite food places are exactly as they were since I was young.
Last weekend, I suddenly remembered a kopitiam that I used to visit a lot when I was a kid. So I brought Diya and Jiaqi there for breakfast. And I was so glad to find it as it was. The drink seller is still the same guy with a towel wrapped around his neck... (din get a picture)
The 粿條仔 uncle looks exactly the same with the same quiet frown! (he doesn't even seem to have aged.)
The 瓦煲飯 uncle looks a little older with a little less hair, but flipping the claypots with a thick table cloth in the exact same enthusiasm and precision.
Ooohh.. and our favourite 咖哩面 auntie sporting the same hairdo (since we started eating there about 19 years ago). She's still screaming at her staff with the same loudness and angst. I'm so scared of her. I never dared to order from her. But that day, I had to order cos I was the only who has eaten there before ma! aahhh...
kowaii~ (scared)
The funny thing is... I noticed something new.. the yellow papers on the pillar (refer to last pic of curry noodle auntie)... it says...
"Price subject to changes according to customer's attitude."
and the piece below says..
"If you are arrogant, grouchy, irritable or just a pain in the ass, there will be a RM10 charge for putting up with your shit."
HAHAHAHAHHA!!! And I thought the auntie was grouchy. hmm.. That pool of money should be pretty full. Woo! I wonder who put the notice up and why. I'm sure there's at least 3 juicy stories behind those 2 yellow papers.
Ok, back to my point... about the non-change. When I went back to the kopitiam, I was just so impressed that everything is the same! And I wonder, what makes these 3 stall owners stay at the same spot, doing the same things, for about 20 years. Wow!
Everyone has a place in this world. And their place is here at a kopitiam in Tmn Sri Tebrau. If they are not happy or not doing well, I'm sure they will move somewhere else or do something else. But no, they are here. And I thought that this is probably their destiny. Destiny does not have to be HUGE! Destiny could be selling claypot rice. 行行出狀元，就是這個意思吧。All 3 stalls are famous one hor... dun prey prey.
But of course there were changes for the better too. Like the tables and chairs are newer and nicer. The place looks cleaner. The claypot guy has more staffs and they were all in neat polo T uniform. He had a new nice logo with new menu.
lardidar~
aaahh... I love to enjoy these little things in life. It makes me happy! and think "Isn't life beautiful?" Well, at least for that moment.... haha.
Labels: thoughts
Life is a Race... (Wednesday, August 5, 2009 / 3:53 AM)
Sigh... gloomy weather, gloomy 心情。好不容易想来“清境”清静一下。你看，应该是这样的风景。。。
可是现在又起雾又下雨。一切都变得蒙胧。
sigh....
By now, most of you might have heard... Diya is out of the PK competition. But actually hor, she already did very well. She got through the 1st round. Then she sang a 2nd song. And she lost to her PK rival by only 1 point. And it's a little unfair leh. They "ding ding ding" the score for diya 1st. Then that guy... 李杰宇's score hor, it stopped at the same score then suddenly "ding" one more point from 小胖老师, who in my opinion, did not give very fair comments.
Erm... I really dun agree with what he says about diya. He commented that Diya's voice has no 辩识度!!! (HELLO???!?!?!!) Then at the backstage, he asked Diya "who do you think you sound like?", and said he can't think of anyone who sounds like Diya. And then he went on to advise Diya to look for a reference. I don't understand why la. Isn't it great that Diya sounds unique? Sigh.. Aiyah I dun understand what the judges are thinking la. And I think it's all about the programme also la. I believe that there were a lot of factors considered, that has nothing to do with singing.
Anyway, I secretly took a picture of Diya on the famous 星光 stage! hahaha... sshhh.. dun tell people.
To my dear friend, a lot of people will give you 马后炮 comments and feedbacks. There's no way to block them one. People just like to think they know better. But the fact is... they might not. Listen to what you think is useful and filter away those that are hurting and not helpful. Like 选错歌 that kind is totally useless. If you had done that song well, then no one would have told you that you 选错歌.
But please don't be affected by this small setback. In fact, most people think that it's a setback but I don't. I think that you have done a great job, even 小玲老师 (click
here for her interview) said that “对我来说她还是有实力的。这是一个比赛，输了并不代表你不行。”
Life is a super long race.
Sometimes, we are leading the race.
Sometimes, we get tired and we lag behind a little.
Sometimes, we fall. But we have to pick ourselves up.
Sometimes, we have to take a break to run the next mile.
And no one can ever predict who's gonna finish the race 1st. In fact, there's no need to judge who's doing better than who. Because the race should be a competition with yourself and most importantly, I just wish to enjoy this race.
我们应该追求的是幸福，而不是名誉金钱。
It might sound very idealistic. I'm not saying I'm above money and fame. I just mean don't focus on money, fame, achievement, reputation, etc. Let's focus on happiness 吧.
输也要输得开心。穷也要穷得开心。
Labels: diya, taiwan, thoughts, Xingguang5
Encouragement (Monday, June 22, 2009 / 3:23 AM)
一向来，艺人们说一些“你们的鼓励是我的推动力”等，这类型的谢语，我都会觉得是客套话。我都会想“Sure or not??!"
今天，我有个领悟。我领悟到他们是认真的，是诚恳的！！！！
鼓励是一种无敌有力的推动力。我们华人的文化就是不太会说鼓励的话。在我们长大的过程，拿听写簿给妈妈看，只要不是满分，就会“打到满分”。就是说，90分，就打10下。厉害hor? 所以，lack of punishment becomes a reward.
我天生乐观，很会自己找称赞的话. 我妈没有骂我的时候，我就会调皮地说“哇！你没有打我，就是说我做对了啦？”妈妈就会有点不甘愿地“um！”一声。然后，我就会自满半天。人真的是需要 positive reinforcement 的。
我爸妈，很厉害。他们是无敌好爸妈！他们学会了....称赞！*clap clap clap* 所以，走这一条路，没有他们的鼓励，我是没有办法开心地追求的。当然你们留的那些 comments, 也是帮了我许多的！！谢谢你们。muacks!!!
我觉得我们每个人都有一种责任。对于你的家人，朋友，你有老实地给于他们鼓励吗？说一句好听的话，是不用花钱的！
Stop the criticism and judgment!!! Start telling your friends and family that you love them!!! The world will become a better place! Trust me, you will be happier too!
Labels: love, thoughts
简单真的很好 (Friday, May 22, 2009 / 3:06 PM)
简单真的很好I think... I think too much.
Like this afternoon, when I passed through a ERP gantry, I got really quite angry. I really cannot agree with the ERP system. It's like a filter away the poor system. It's like saying "if you can't afford to pay $1, don't use this road!" WAT???? When I was driving along Orchard Rd, I noticed Scotts Rd was JAM PACKED while Orchard Rd was empty!!! Because everyone was avoiding the ERP? And I also noticed that the few cars on Orchard Rd were Merc or BMW or some luxury car. (I'm not driving a luxurious car, just very late!) Why is the government's solution to traffic congestion a discrimination against poor people!!!!! gggggrrrr..... Why not put a gantry that only allows cars under $100,000 to use this road? Cos anyway the expensive cars are faster right? They can take the further route! haha.
And why MUST orchard road be empty??? While Scotts Rd is so congested?? Oh! So that pedestrians can run across the 4 lane road from Lucky Plaza to Ngee Ann City! That's right!
urghh... I dunno why i trouble myself with such things!! But I do get quite gek over it lo!
That's why I say I think too much. A friend sent an sms to me before regarding some other matter... blah blah "was lousy because all these jokers (big bosses with only $ on their mind) want is Fast $ regardless the means. Typical world eh but i'm not in this race. haha. me live in my simple world."
WAH! Brilliant! HE totally 置身事外 lo! Although he is in the middle of things. I can see him, not bothering and enjoying life. He likes to cycle and would cycle all the way to Changi and around the island. A nice song can make him happy for a really long time.
I think all we can do is, do the best we can in our own areas. And more importantly, enjoy the simple things in life. Don't worry about things that are bigger than you. Like the stupid ERP!!! Not like I'm interested in governing the country right? Why was I worrying and getting angry over a stupid ERP gantry?
Of course, we should be socially responsible. We need to take stands, make decisions, fight for our rights or dreams, be involved in this society because we are in it. But we can only do what we can do.
We can enjoy the stars as they are laid out in the sky. We can also move our heads around to look at them at different angles. But we can't move the stars around to form the shape of doraemon in the sky right? =D
did I make any sense? hahahahahahhaa.......
Labels: random, thoughts
长大 (Thursday, May 7, 2009 / 11:42 AM)
我刚发现大家都忙着长大。。。而我却。。。
Facebook is great siah. I've found a lot of secondary school classmates recently. And one of them, whom i just added a few days ago, messaged me today. And I replied...
"how are you? are you married also?? everyone is like married and having kids.... scary~"怎么知道去她的Info page一看，staring at me "
relationship status: Married" Aaaarrrgghhh....
天啊！我真的是处在“适婚恋龄”的正中央，好不好！最近左看右看，当年一起幼稚，疯癫的朋友，竟然抱着一个小BB。这个画面怎么看我都没办法了解，也无法适应。
尤其是你啊～我亲爱的薇薇小姐。那是你吗？你怀里那超口爱的BB真的是小薇薇？？？
大家都长大了。而我还在原点。在人生的马拉松，我什么时候被抛在那么远的后头了？
结婚，生子，对我来说，是一则又一则的故事，跟现实有一段距离。
Labels: thoughts, weiwei
Freshmusic (Thursday, April 30, 2009 / 2:22 PM)
我真的自叹不如。
Whenever I visit
Freshmusic's website, that's how I'd feel. I would also leave the website feeling charged up! There's so much passion 在字里行间！
Oh in case you don't know
Freshmusic, they are "四个蔬果类一起经营的音乐部落格。" I think they are brilliant! You would see a new post almost every other day, or even every day. And It's really 深思熟虑, all well researched, well written articles! They also introduce so many GOOD music. Like 张悬! Oh and 杨乃文! I like!!! 每次读他们的乐评，都觉得自己学到了多一些。特别喜欢他们对于音乐的一种责任心。他们不怕回响，没有唱片公司的压力，自由地，老实地，写出他们的感言。They are my most trusted music reviewers.
Everyday, I find myself having one thousand and one to-dos. I would put them aside and every other day I find myself with one thousand and two to-dos. Then I decide not to do some of them, leaving me with one thousand and one to-dos. Yes, the maths is a little weird but you get the idea. My point here is.... where do they find time??????
I think.... the difference is.... they MAKE time for music. URGH!!!! 我自愧不如.
BURNING!!!! 燃える！(which means burning!) I shall squeeze my brain juice to write a song.
NOW!
Labels: freshmusic, music, thoughts
Star Awards 2009 (Tuesday, April 28, 2009 / 9:27 AM)
WAH, 今年的红星大奖还搞得蛮轰轰烈烈的嘛。
真的很高兴，“最佳男配角”颁给了周初明。
我是在家里和朋友家人一起，一边吃我妈妈做的火锅餐（超好吃的！！），一边看着节目。颁发“最佳男配角”的时候，大家都好期待，希望是周初明得奖。尤其是我！我从小就很迷周初明。只为他，到Marina square的广场去人挤人，就为了他的签名。年轻的时候，我真的没有为别人这么疯狂了。我想接下来，再也没有像当天那样挤到差点死掉，不是窒息死，就是被人压死。没记错的话，当时我也太矮了，只有140多？在人潮里，氧气都被高人吸光了。
帅！！！！！！！！
我相信那不是个“同情奖”。我有追看《黄金路》。“凯达”真的可怜到～我觉得初明哥哥真的演得太好了！每次凯达出现，我就会泪流满面。*clap clap clap clap*
其他的奖项，我就不怎么care~了！哈哈哈！
Labels: thoughts, 周初明
Short attention span (Wednesday, April 15, 2009 / 2:54 AM)
I remember my love for reading.
I love the feeling of emerging myself totally into a story. It's like watching a movie. When I watch a movie, I am super 投入 one. I would grab the chair when watching "Taken" (which by the way is awesome in my opinion). I felt so tired after that movie session as my muscles were all tensed up. I'll cry. I'll laugh so loudly, even if no one else laughs. I've ever laughed so hard that I rolled onto the cinema floor. I'm not being drama, it really happened when I watched "Welcome back Mr Macdonald", a Japanese movie. Yah, some of my friends are ashamed to watch movie with me.
But movie is not as satisfying as reading a book. It's a quick fix! It gives you all the emotion with a short plot for instant satisfaction. Reading a book is much more than that.
I used to read a lot in my anti-social days in JC. I used to read a lot under the influence of my book-loving closest friends.
But now..... I can't finish any book!!!!!!!!!
I bought at least 6 books from Taiwan. So eager to read them! But I haven't started on ANY!!! I would pick up one book and think, "hmm.... maybe I should read this other one 1st." Then if I pick the other one up, "hmmm.. this seemed a little slow, maybe I should read this other one 1st."
And it goes on....
SO, in the end, I haven't read ANY!!!
The last book that I read was during my last Taiwan trip, and that was SO LONG AGO!!!! booohoooohooo... Where has my patience gone? Why's my attention span so short now??? Nowadays, there's like a thousand and one other things to do. If I had an hour of break, there are a thousand and one things that I can fill it up with, things that I SHOULD do to improve myself as a singer or as a person. I could be practising songs, writing lyrics, blogging, practising keyboard, writing some tunes, practising or preparing for the musical, etc etc etc etc.
In view of all these other important things that I should be doing, reading seemed less important. But I really like to read! Then how?
.......
Then read la! ok, I shall try and pick up a book now. TA!
Labels: grumble, reading, thoughts
$20 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009 / 11:13 AM)
我发现一件很有趣的事情。
衣服，有贵贱。算计衡量艺术价值，一条裙子可以是S$40，也可以是$2000。
食物，也分贵贱。一样根据其艺术价值，一餐可以S$5解决，也可以是$100。
可是，一片CD，不管品质好坏，一样是S$20！我们是赚到的咯！S$20在现在的社会能买到什么？
$20是多，或是少呢？
比起一辆汽车，房子，$20算什么？
$20可能连一件t-shirt都买不到。
$20可以买4份快餐套餐，
可以吃上5碗肉挫面，
可以买一片消耗n年时间、精力换来的唱片，
可以见识音乐人的理想，
可以宣誓对艺术、对音乐的坚持和respect。
阿信说的好诚恳：
“讓我們知道，在這個時代裡面，五月天的想法，不是一場錯誤，不是一場一廂情願的相信。
讓我們確確切切的知道，唱片不會死，音樂不會死，
而真心，可以換到真心。” （
全文）
如果我们对音乐持续“能省则省”的态度，很快的真的就听不到好音乐了。最近因为认识了很多音乐人，他们嘴边总是挂着“sigh, it's tough”。他们不是无聊说说博同情。他们真的被科技打败了。现在网上download一首歌，只需少过1分钟。真他妈的快。你们下载得越快，音乐人就越坚持。
我不是很传统、很刻板地在说“不要download！”
我想说的是，“Don't be a murderer! 不要亲手抹杀好音乐！”。
好听就把它买下来，你的$20是音乐人的强心针，让他们再坚持一下下。
Labels: music, thoughts
im a weirdo... (Friday, February 20, 2009 / 1:55 PM)
think lately, i've been doing a lot of self reflection and self discovery.
because i realise.... something in me is changing.
and i realise i havent been very happy.
i think too much until i'm a little mad.
who am i?
i'm sure i know who i am.
But i'm not sure which parts of me can be accepted by others and which parts are not.
i wanna be a well-liked person, of course.
but i am flawed.
how much should i change?
should i change?
somethings just can't be changed.
i don't expect anyone to understand my blog post. dun worry.
i'm really just venting out some of my own thoughts for myself to read in time to come.
Labels: rambling, random, thoughts
出头天 (Friday, October 31, 2008 / 4:22 AM)
I'm feeling very sian now. What I am doing now, not many can understand. 追逐梦想是不务正业，有些人会这么想。我的心中已筑起一堵墙，让自己不受这些话语打倒。但是，偶尔我还是会不小心，放下这堵墙，让不明白的人伤害到我，让我迟疑，我这样追求梦想是错的！
在我感到自己很没用的时候，五月天的专辑播到第6首－出头天。
“成功是咱自己看自己得起”
“人生不怕风浪 只怕自己没志气”
我吓倒。这么简单地五月天又明白我的痛楚，又帮我释怀，又用他们的歌鼓励了我。
Labels: mayday, thoughts
Stereotyping.. (Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / 9:42 AM)
当你还是个婴儿，社会就已经规划好，女宝宝穿粉红色，男宝宝穿粉蓝色。WHY???
喜欢粉红色的女生，就是girlie的。喜欢粉红色的男生，就很“娘”。SINCE WHEN???
社会把我们都分类了。小孩要有小孩的天真，小孩的样子。笑眯眯的小孩就会被大人觉得很可爱。Sorry hor, 我喜欢attitude face 的小孩。就好像。。。
One of my fav kid in the world - phoebe aka guppy! with her parents, Jane and Hendry. She doesnt like to smile much, but when she does it's cuter than anyone else.再长大一些，女孩子就给她们玩Barbie，男孩子玩车？
不喜欢穿裙子的女孩就tomboy? 穿裙子是多么的不舒服！为什么我们要为了迎合，穿裙子刻意让人觉得有女人味呢？
今天有人在她的blog上comment说，“Har you are gal meh...I thought you are guy!!! hahaha...got consider changing ur sex to guy leh..” WAH!!! 我真的很生气！这个人太没有礼貌了！你凭什么说这些难听的话？？虽然迪雅不喜欢穿裙子，不玩Barbie，装扮Tomboy了一些，it doesn't mean anything!!!
大家对迪雅真的是太不了解了。
今天我来告诉你，陈迪雅是多么的girlie。
1）她很爱下厨，就连煮个快熟面，都会加很多pattern。她的快熟面是超好吃的。现在的年轻女孩还有几个是爱下厨的？
2）她很细心。对于身边的朋友，家人，她都会很注意大家的喜好，在街上看到表弟需要的包包，不管价钱多少，她都会买下来给他们。或者看到朋友最喜欢的卡通人物，也会买下来送他。
3）她也很emo，很感性。她是个容易掉泪的女人。她看见别人伤心，她也会为朋友／家人掉泪。
4）她其实也很喜欢撒娇。没想到吧？不过，只限于她父母和一些好朋友。
說到這裡，我越想越氣，我為甚麼要跟你們prove一些甚麼。
人都是多面的。
可愛的。
帥氣的。
Hello?! 是美的咯。
She is who she is. She's a unique individual. We should embrace unique-ness. Please don't stereotype her or anyone. You don't know anything and you can't anyhow use those words to hurt someone. It's very myopic and stupid. Do you like being categorized? If not, then stop doing it!
Labels: diya, thoughts
freedom (Sunday, September 14, 2008 / 7:17 AM)
I'm a Sagittarian.
As the ninth sign in the zodiac, Sagittarius is associated with the astrological 9th
house, which is associated with natural Sagittarius matters - foreign travel and foreign countries and cultures, religion, the law and higher education, all things which seek to expand one's experience, freedom, journeys.
You know what?
I think that is SOOOO TRUE!!!! Of all, i'm all about the experience. Experiencing different cultures, different jobs, journeys. It's ok to get lost, coz getting lost is part of the journey.
Truest of all sagi's traits.... 我崇拜自由. I can't stand feeling trapped. I can't stand the feeling of not being able to do whatever I like to do whenever, wherever, however. I know life has its rules. I'm ok with rules. I'm not a rebel. But I don't understand why everyone is telling me what time to sleep and wake up. I like to sit on my bed and watch tv series till very late in the night. SO??? I like to eat whenever I'm hungry. That also means that I like supper! SO???
I like... spontaneity. I love feeling... unconstrained by time. If I have a job the next morning, yes, i will not sleep late. I still have a sense of responsibility. I finish my education. I earn my own living every month. I spend money wisely (sometimes I buy on impulse but my self control is pretty good). I don't harm anyone. I think i'm a smart person. So, I really don't like it when people tell me what I shd do or shd not do. Care and concern is fine. But I REALLY hate nagging.
我觉得好压抑。很sian.
Labels: sad, thoughts
MTD (Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / 2:09 AM)
I'm ill. I've been diagnosed with a new kind of disease.
I multi-tasks unhealthily.
Like... if I have 1 min to spare, waiting for something or someone, i'll NEEEED to find something to fill this 1 min of free time, take out a book and read half a page which is totally meaningless. And say if I'm driving, I NEEEED to do something else at the same time like singing, sms-ing or something. Say I'm chatting with my fren on msn, i need to be blogging at the same time. Of coz I would also be surfing the net for movie showtimes, downloading videos, reading blogs, editing photos, listening to music, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. How can I enjoy the conversation with my dear fren on msn if I was doing all the other thing at the same time?
What's with the compulsive need to multi-task? It's a disease of this new era. Multi Tasking Disease (commonly known as MTD) will be the cause of our downfall.
How many windows do u have opened right now?
Labels: thoughts
Happy Valentine's Day (Thursday, February 14, 2008 / 12:15 AM)
大家！情人节快乐！你的情人节快不快乐？我的情人节。。。不算不快乐，不过，它不是情人节。只是一个普通的快乐的一天。在五月天阿信的新书里，读到赖明珠老师（一位小说译者）的推荐信。阿信的书下次再同你说。今天我只是想给你看看，赖明珠老师写的一段话。唯有割捨，才能專注。
唯有放棄，才能追求。
我觉得她说得很明确。那两句话好像是在stating the fact。 但是，你做得到吗？Well, 说得比做的容易太多太多了。很不幸的，人生中太多太多时候，鱼与熊掌，不能兼得。Damn!你的目标，梦想是什么？你又为了它放弃了什么？我呢？2月14日不再是情人节。可是，我还是非常非常开心！！！Labels: happy, thoughts
无心伤害 (Monday, October 22, 2007 / 7:08 AM)
Suddenly thought about this song.... don't know why...
feel so sorry, baby i'm so sorryi never meant, i never meant to hurt you无心伤害你应该明白feel so lonely, baby i'm so lonelydo you know, i need you to come backare you alright, i miss you tonight(请快点回来)
Decided to take a closer look at the lyrics and felt quite erm.... "walao eh" What is the lyricist trying to say??? gosh. If this lyrics is a story, this "lead character" is obviously a jerk, only miss her when he's lonely. "miss you tonight, 请快点回来" So wrong! But what I really dislike.... is the line... "I never meant to hurt you"
I've always heard it. As in, in movies / drama / even real life, "I didn't mean to hurt you" always follows "sorry". I've always thought that "I didn't mean to hurt you" is a very convenient excuse. So what if u didn't mean to hurt someone leh? The fact is.... you did. As in after you accidentally stab someone in the chest, even if it was an accident, and you say to this victim, "oh sorry, I didn't mean it" Will it lessen the pain in the chest? The hurt is still there and the wound is still bleeding. So just because you didnt mean to stab this victim, because it was an accident, the victim is supposed to feel better and forgive you? hmmmmm........ True, if I was the victim, I might feel a lil better knowing that it was not on purpose, but the pain is still there.
To me, I always believed that if you really didn't mean it, don't do it in the 1st place. Which brings me to the point, ALWAYS THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. But if you act without thinking, and you hurt someone in the process, it is your bloody fault and you take full responsibility.
I'm not a perfect person, no one is.... I'm not "preaching"... it's just a thought for everyone. Last thought before I go to sleep.
无心伤害也是伤害。
Labels: thoughts
