An everlasting bond forged...

Heys all, it's Sunday once again and that means it's been yet another day out with my AWESOME bro JL! Hahas, we went swimming at SAFRA again yesterday. Jurong SAFRA!
This time though, we decided to get one other guy to come along,T. So the three of us met at Jurong Point(JP) at around 1300 and we then proceeded to Carl's Junior for some lunch. Hahas, seeing as I wasn't really too hungry and that we were planning to go swimming right after lunch,  I didn't eat much though. I just had some fries haha!
After we had lunch, I decided to make a quick drop- by Guardian to get some sun block for use for our future swimming meet ups. However, I really had to hurry as it was getting kind of late and the sun will not stay strong for too long. Hahas, I certainly wanted good sun for my swim so that I get a nice tan too. On the other hand, T needed to leave soon so we had to get to the pool asap if he were to do any swimming. I got to Guardian and after some looking around, paid for my first sun block lotion which cost around $12 and we left for Jurong SAFRA.
By then, it was almost 1400 already and the sun was indeed much weaker than I had hoped. It was also much too late for T to do much swimming and so he left. Hahas, now it was just JL and me, much easier for us to manage our time seeing as it was only the two of us. We decided to begin with a target of how many laps to swim. Hahas, we then decided on 20 for starters. It was really just OTOT for the 20 laps and we did take our time at it haha! Mann.... this was probably the most number of laps I had swam in quite a while. I usually just give up even before I had reached 10 lol! Now, with JL swimming with me, we encouraged each other and soon completed the 20 laps. Well.... soon in the eyes of the tortoise I guess because we only ended at around 1800! HAHA!! We then went for a quick shower.
 After that, we needed to decided on a good place for our dinner. We decided to head to town lol... and ended up taking an MRT to Suntec haha! Then, we threw ard some suggestions for dinner and finally decided on Aston's. Haha, I have been wanting to try their Double Down Chicken since the last time I had a meal at Aston's. We got to Aston's and was greeted with a super long queue right from the entrance of Aston's, stretching all the way along the side of the restaurant and up some steps. Hahas, taking a look at my watch, I took note of the time and mentally started to time how long our wait for dinner was. It was about 2000 which was dinner time so the queue was somewhat expected. Thankfully, the queue was moving kind of fast too and we were soon cleared of the steps and headed towards the entrance. When it soon got to our turn, getting a table for us wasn't difficult as there were only two of us. A small table in the middle of the restaurant sufficed! We made our orders pretty quickly and got our dinner quite quickly too. Hahas, that was probably coz we were chatting away and time thus seemed to fly by. Wow... I sure do have loads to talk about with this buddy of mine hahas!
Ohh yahh, the Double Down chicken meal comes with a choice of two kinds of chicken on their menu. I picked Lemon Lime and Hickory's BBQ Chicken for that sweet and sour taste which I so craved then. Indeed, the long- craved Double Down Chicken didn't disappoint at all. It was superbly delicious and I literally cleaned out every single drip and drop on my plate haha. JL cleaned off his dinner too and we left after paying for our meal. Hahas, two pieces of chicken for the price of one. How is that not money well spent? I'm certainly coming to Aston's for a meal again soon. I'm sure hoping it's with JL again hahas!
Our stomach bulging with food, we had to have a walk around the mall before we did anything else. Anyways, there was still much time left. Thus, we did some shopping and poked into some shops for a whle. Our legs soon grew tired and we looked for a cafe to lepak. We picked the Starbuck's Cafe in CityLink and headed back into the underground. Hahas, it was not too long after that we were laying in comfy armchairs in Starbuck's with piping hot mugs of drinks haha! We had even gotten ourselves a cheesecake to share. Lepak lol! Haha... what was even better was that there were magazines there which we could help ourselves to. I picked a few and sat there reading while sipping through my Caffe Mocha(I think that's what it was) and taking small pieces out of the cheesecake. It was just wonderfully relaxing and peaceful. After another two hours or so passed, our drinks were finished and there were only crumbs left of our cheesecake. We got up to leave and headed back along CityLink back to City Hall MRT station where we parted for home. Hahas, we were both going in opposite directions. 11 stops separated both of us from home... exactly 11 stops! Hahas... how very coincidental uhh? We sure are destined to be best buddies!! Well, be meeting up soon again of course. Next Saturday to be exact... Hahahha!!

New found buddy!!

I'm here today to blog about a great day I had with a new found buddy, JL.
Well, it all started out with a simple chat with JL on a forum and then on to skype. Then, we planned today's meet up which was a swim at a pool in the east. In Tampanies actually. Hahas, that's far from where I live but we've set a goal to visit every SAFRA pool there is so one day, he's gonna have to travel too. Hahas....
After some googling and searching, I finally located Tampanies SAFRA. Once again, I enlisted the help of gothere.sg and was given pretty good directions which helped me get there with no problems at all.
When I got to my destination, locating the pool wasn't too much of a problem too as many people were headed in that direction. I took a look at the sky and confirmed that the weather report I read on the newspaper for today was quite reliable. It had said clear on the newspaper and clearly, there was not a single cloud in the sky. I was really happy! I was going to be able to spend some quality time with this new buddy of mine. I was even going to get a good tan with this new buddy of mine. I was early though and removed my shirt to do some tanning first while waiting for JL to arrive.
JL arrived soon after and we got changed and went down into the pool for a some laps. Between the laps and even during intervals, we did stop to chat. As we chatted more and more, I got to know more and more about him and I had the feeling that I wanted to have spend more time with him to get to know him better. This wasn't just a friend or another acquaintance before me. He was something more... a good pal, a buddy! Someone who I wanted to spend time with.
As our time in the pool grew longer and longer, the merciless sun just continued to blaze overhead, offering us no reprieve. It was really a clear day and there were literally no clouds at all in the sky. Thus, it wasn't long before I started to find it a little too hot to be comfortable and I guess JL thought so too. We then agreed to go get some shade in the shower room.
After a quick shower, we got back outside and decided to head for lunch. We continued chatting and conversation just flowed between us like we had known each other for decades before today meet up. In fact, we had only just met today. Surprisingly, there was no awkwardness between us. We decided on having KFC at a mall near Tampanies MRT station and soon set off.
Hahas, just a moment! I'd like to add that most other guys I had gone swimming with, our time together only lasted as long as we were in the pool. After that, we separated and headed on our way. Somehow. being with JL was different. I had a really good feeling about being with him and I wanted to spend as much of today with him as I could. It didn't matter that I hadn't eaten much the night before and I had skipped breakfast this morning. Hunger just didn't seem to register in my mind.
We trained to Tampanies MRT station and arrived there shortly. The KFC restaurant was just a short walk from the station. We ordered our food and sat down to eat. I had hoped that the Double Down burger was still available. However, it was not. Thus, I settled for a Zinger burger meal with some Spicy drumlets as I had really wanted to try those out. We then chatted while we ate. Hahas, the spicy drumlets tasted not bad. Well, at least it was not all just spicy but there was some saltiness too... much too salty rather. Haha... too much MSG!
We had time on our hands after that so we decided to go shopping. I wanted to get myself some boxer briefs so JL took me to a departmental store, BHG, at Century Square. After some looking around, I decided on a box with two pairs of boxer briefs inside. It was on a 20% discount due to the GSS so I saved almost $5.00! Hahas, I was so glad to have bought it. It's all thanks to my buddy JL sia! Hahaha...
We left soon after that but we're definitely going to meet up again really soon. Haha!

Retaking A levels

Hi guys! I'm blogging again! Recently, I've been thinking of retaking my A levels after being rejected by NTU. I've been thinking... my S- grade for H2 Math could really affect my chances of getting accepted for most of the courses in Uni lols. Thus, seeing as I have the time now, I might as well retake my H2 Maths. Hopefully, with more time to practice and re- learn all the stuff, I'll be able to do better, at least manage a good passing grade I hope.
Well, here comes the problem. Should I be retaking my A levels, I'd be taking it as a private candidate. I've heard that I'd need to retake all three of my H2 subjects and my H1 GP papers should I just wanna retake my H2 Maths!! So that's lots of studying to do yahh! And lot's of practicing and learning and re- learning for me. Hahas, as such, tuition is definitely on the list for some of the subjects like GP and Economics! I'd also enlist help for Maths but that's from another source hahas!
Well another reason for the sudden decision is that I'm starting to feel really wasted and slack after not having done any studies for so very very long. I'm also feeling really sianz most of the time as there's so much of my time just being wasted away... JUST LIKE THAT!
Thus, on the one hand, I wanna get back to studying so that I once again get back that sense of purpose and the wonderful feeling that I'm doing something. Also, I'm really worried that I'll lose all the knowledge that I've learnt from my JC years lol.
On the other hand, going back to studying will give me stuff to do while I'm wasting away doing practically nothing. Then, hopefully I wun feel so sianz and can get back the life that I used to have completing assignments and worksheets hahas! I've been wanting to do writing for quite some time already. I'm also losing all the Chemistry and Economics that I used to know at my fingertips... they're slipping away!
Hahas I'm really missing studying lol!

Reviving the joy of studying... something most people can't relate to! Hhahas...

Ant behaviour

Haha... thought I'd talk a little bout something other than my life for a change. Antz behaviour haha! I've been observing ants crawling ard during duties these last couple of days or weeks just to pass the time as I get really bored sometimes. And I have noticed certain interesting things about the way they function and behave. Well, it was more of me doing some small experiments to see how the ants would respond to the changes rather.
Firstly, I wanted to confirm once again what would happen when the ants' trail was blocked. I had a hypothesis for this though; the ants would stop in their tracks and be confused. Thing is, they would just not continue going forward. However, when I placed my finger on an empty spot of their trail, and rubbed out that part of the trail there, what I saw astonished me. Yes, the ants did stop but they didn't just stand there. Some of them actually continued moving along the part of the trail that was still there... hahas backwards that is! It was really interesting.
On another occasion, I was observing ants which had formed a trail leading to an empty canned drink. I wondered if those little creatures were smart enough to alter their course due to the change in position of their "source of food" and so moved the empty can to another location far out of reach. Haha... I observed that the ants continued along their trail and ended up pooling ard at the spot where their "source of food" had been. Lol... so it was just a big group of ants pooling there, clueless I expect.
When I went back to the can, I noticed that a new trail of ants had already formed there. Wow... it was really very fast lol!
There was another occasion though when I noticed the trails of two lines of ants criss-crossing each other. However, the two separate groups of ants never once got mixed up. Wow... it was really interesting to notice that lol..
I guess the ants were following trails with different scents uh... hahas ain't these interesting?

Improvements in my tuitioning life

Hahas! Really glad today! Just came back from my cousin's house having just given them the weekly Chinese tution at their house. Hahas, then again it really is just my little effort in helping them complete some of their chinese homework and giving them tips on how to improve their work lols! The word 'Tuition' certainly encompasses much more hahas! Okay enough of crapping! Like I said, I'm really glad today. Shall tell you guys whyy!
My aunt, my cousins' mum of course, has told me that tuition on Mondays will be stopped for the month of June seeing as it is the school holidays! Hahas, that's the joy of being a teacher. When the students get a break, I get one too. Hahahha... not really lahh! I guess this is just to give them time to focus more on their studies seeing as it's the school holidays and more can be done. Well, I'm glad all the same despite Wednesday tuitions still being on. This thus means that I get one more evening free for myself for the next three or four more weeks.
Another piece of good news! I have also been informed that tuition hours for Monday sessions may have to be extended as the older guys need more help with the language and thus tuitioning may be split into two sessions of one hour each for each of them individually. So longer hours means an increase in allowance hahas! Then again, this is still pending discussion and I may not be too keen to accept the increase anyways! I have just received some news on the recent results of their chinese grades and it doesn't seem that they have improved much yet lols, Lols, it could be the way I'm conducting the tuition. So ya... increase in allowance must be accompanied with an increase in grades righttt?!!
Regarding the increase in hours, I have been doing about two hours or even more on some days so the increase in hours of tuitioning isn't really a big concern for me! Hahas, cheers! This is definitely an improvement in my tuitioning life hahas!

Rejected!!

Hahas, not by a girl! By a Uni!
Yupp, finally got a reply from NTU today telling me that my application to NTU has been rejected. Lols, I woke up early this morning and saw that letter on the table. Haizzz.... this means that I do not need to continue hoping for NTU already. Well, I still need to look into the appeal though.
I've still got no news from NUS yet! As people say, no news means good news. I sure hope they are taking time to ponder over my application thus taking a long time to make a decision. Hahas, I'll just continue hoping for the NUS applications then! All the best to myself!

Moments that words alone cannot describe...

Following an invitation by PJC to attend the 11th College Day, I thus made my way to PJC with my dad and brother at about 2.30pm today. It was just a coincidence that my brother was to be attending the event as well. I had finally decided on wearing a long sleeved black shirt with green stripes which accompanied the black school tie very well. For shoes, I just wore my pair of bright blue and orange shoes which kind of stood out against the formal attire I was wearing but I was rushed for time so I just went with it.
Upon reaching the school, I felt really at home. The sense of familiarity of PJC is still there whenever I come back to visit. Somehow, it just feels really good to be back in PJC.
I proceeded to the hall immdiately after arriving and made for the registration table as instructed. I did as I had been told to do and reported my name. However, that did not seem to ring any bells and I was made to be directed to seats for the alumni although I had specifically informed them that I had special arrangements. Thankfully, with the help of some teachers there, I managed to locate the seats with my name on them and we sat down and awaited the start of the event.
Of course, we got seats in the front few rows just in front of the stage. Apparently, there were two teachers assigned to guide us around and "entertain" us as they put it. Hahas... VIP treatment much! So we chatted while waiting for the arrival of the GOH. Having not seen that teacher around before, I guessed that she was a new teacher in the school. Indeed, I was not wrong. I also noticed that we were seated just in front of the seats labelled 'Media'. Lols, this left me wondering if I had to handle the media again after the programme. Thankfully, I didn't!
Having not been selected to attend any of the previous College Day events during my time in school, I had really been hoping to at least get an award this time round so that I may be able to attend. To my dismay, this did not happen. Hahas, I am thus really glad to be invited to attend this year's 11th College Day.
After the unveiling of the new MLEP classroom and the arrival of the GOH, it was time for the principal's address. After some time into her speech, I suddenly remembered that I would be mentioned in the principal's address. Which is noww!! I started getting a little nervous and excited at the same time. My name came up somewhere in the middle of the speech and the principal commended me on my efforts in getting through with the A levels. There was also quite a lenghty bit about some of the stuff I did during my time in school and about how I overcame A levels. A bit too exaggerated so I thought. A different perspective I guess. Well, at least I didn't find it that much of a chore and struggle as was said. Hahas, that was how the teachers saw it I guess. Still, I find it too much of a credit anyways.
Then the principal started looking for me in the crowd. Although I tried to delay the idea of having to stand up and just waved to try to get the principal's attention, I still failed to get her attention. So it was with reluctance that I finally stood and she saw me then of course. Having already stood, it would only be right for me to turn around to face the audience. So I did, with great reluctance! Part of me still felt quite undeserving of all that the principal had described about me and I felt it kind of weird to be receiving so much attetion lols. Admist all the nervousness, I tried to wear a smile anyways.
The principal's address ended soon after and programmes for the day continued. A long period of prize presentation followed after and I was really glad to see that most of my friends and some juniors had gotten awards. Hahas, this also meant that most of them were around in school today and I am certainly going to catch up with them after the programme was over. Seeing many familiar faces also made the prize presentation much less boring.
Throughout the never ending prize presentation, I could not help feeling really nervous about the reception that was to come after. I was filled with anticipation and much uncertainty as the prize presentation drew to a close after some time. I took a quick glance at the clock and was shocked to realise that three hours had passed since we had taken our seats in the hall. Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun.
We then rose with the other VIPs and exited the hall first. We were to have the reception now. All the way down to the concourse, I felt like someone really important as the student helpers, my juniors, led us out and guided us to our seats. Of course, that was because I was with the other VIPs and this treatment made me feel really awkward. I would very much be treated like just another student of PJC lols.
We took our seats at the VIP tables of course and almost immediately got into conversation with the teachers and some guests around. We were then offered to get our food from the VIP area. However, I was still hesitant as most of the other guests had not even finished filing out of the hall much less taken their seats. It thus felt inappropriate for me, a mere student of the school, to be one of the first few getting food from the table. Thus, I just stood around but after more teachers repeatedly urged me to get some food, I relented and helped myself to the food. I wasn't planning to eat much though. The butterflies in my stomach were killing me and food was the last thing on my mind!
After clearing off the little bit of food on my plate and hanging around the table long enough not to appear rude, I excused myself and joined some of my friends I saw walking around. I met up with some guys, Alan and Jeremy. However, this still didn't really ease the weirdness I felt. We were all dressed so formally in long sleeved shirts and even with ties for some of us. And our greetings were also so formal and brief. Handshakes, congrats... all too formal lols! Haiz... we're adults noww! Miss the times back when we were studying.
Therefore, it was definitely a huge breather when I finally arranged and met up with Kee Wei. This was finally a break from all that formality. I had been cracking my brains on what to chat about when we met but none of that was needed and conversation flowed smoothly between us just like JC times. Soon we had even met up with some other ex- Alchem Club seniors and we continued chatting happily. Haha, I even met my good friend JY and I certainly noticed that he had changed quite alot while chatting with him though I could not figure out what had changed. Hahas, it was only after a while that I figured. He had matured! Hahas...
I went off after a while and had a talk with the principal. I took the opportunity to thank her for her help in the referral letter once again and informed her that I hadn't received any reply from any of the two universities that I had applied to. I was then introduced to some of the guests which included some staff members from SUTD and we chatted about my plans after NS and a little about my interests as well. They then invited me to visit SUTD. Hahas, that reminded me to go take a look at the courses in SUTD. I am certainly going to visit the SUTD website over the next few days. Hopefully, there are some courses relevant to environmental studies.
After the chat with the guests, with many of them congratulating me once again on having made it through the A levels, the guests left and I went off. I met Jeremy once again and had a walk with him around the school, partly to take a look at the newly unveiled MLEP room. It had been a long time since I last spoke to Jeremy but there was no awkwardness between us as we chatted while taking our time to wander around the school as night fell swiftly. We soon returned to the cafe and we parted, with me going back to look for Kee Wei.
Having not met up for such a long time. we both started catching up on each other's lives thus far after the A levels. Hahas, it was good to note that both of us are doing pretty well with really eventful lives even after JC life. I wanted to be the last to leave so that we would be chased out by the staff so we stayed and chatted until almost 8.30pm. It was then that I realised that we were almost certainly the only ones left in school other than the cleaners. Of course there will be no one to chase us out of school lols! Lolz! I had never stayed in school until so late. Hahas! We left school after that and headed to BPP. We walked around a little, talked some more, and finally parted at 9.30pm. I am definitely going to get in touch with these guys again soon. Hahahhas! Today certainly went much better than I could have expected. It still seemed as though we were in our JC days!
So I had an awkward, fun, memorable, nostalgic, honoured and overwhelming day at PJC today! I certainly am grateful for this opportunity.
It is really a moment to remember as I don't know when such an opportunity will surface again, if it even does!