Saturday, June 17, 2006
The hard earned weekend is finally here...yet again gone in a flash. At least this week wasn't too bad as i didn't have to work on the same shift as that Bitch! Well lets just keep my fingers crossed about the coming week.
Work has been very routine, though every now and then some complicated cases come in but the work that we do is so mundane. I really don't wish things would come to this, which is me getting sick of what i am studying. It is not that i dislike nursing, but it is how the nurses are treated here and our job scope that puts me off. I hope this flame within won't be extinguished by the end of this attachment. Still holding on that bit of hope that things would be better.
I am so looking forward to my HK trip, can't wait to see all my friends there!!! Well at least that's a goal to look forward to
my stand.
x10:47 PM
Friday, June 09, 2006
Been away for a long time, guess it is time to bring life back to this old blog of mine. Currently on attachment, at TTSH. And all i got to say is, I detest Ward 11D, one of the most unorganised, unhelpful, unconducive ward ever. All of this set me thinking and thus this entry comes in.
Is nursing ever going to be recongise as a profession in S'pore? I used to think that it would be, but now i guess it would have to take more than 10 years for a change. Whenever people asked me which course am i in, after giving them an answer which was nursing. They often give the look of disbelief *in a bad way* Well i guess maybe our job is stigmatized as "hand maiden/maid" of the doctors. True, we help to clean up at times but why don't people see us for the important roles that we play in the wards. In other countries, nurses DO NOT clean up after patients *or at least to the minimum* Back here, that is part of our never ending workload. All the communication and counselling skills that were taught in school could just be chucked away as we don't even have time for lunch break. We learn so much about the body systems etc and we end up cleaning shit! So what makes us different from maids, just that we know abit more knowleadge off hand.
Nursing is such a proud profession over in the States and UK, but in local context, it is always associated with poor grades etc. The vicious cycle continues, people would always think that nursing is a dirty job and nurses themselves do not want to stand up and speak up about this issues. It takes two hands to clap, society should start to acknowledge us and we nurses should start to THINK and not just follow orders like a maid.
So please start to show an ounce of appreciation !
my stand.
x11:24 AM
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Never seem to have time to update ever since the last post. I guess even the most loyal readers of this blog had given up waiting. Sorry guys, been really busy with all the school projects. Time has past us by so quickly, 3rd year students are graduating and I am going to be in that position soon. To friends who took the A levels, good job if you did well and to the others who didnt do as well, don't despair, though it may be important but this is just going to be a small bump in the long road of Life itself.
I've always been discouraged from pursuing my dreams. Comments such as "no, you are just wasting your time!" or "you can't make it" is often hurled towards me at the mere mention of my passion. Skepticism usually arises whenever they question me about my skills, I really do wonder what did I ever do to give people such an impression. The burning flame within me that I nurtured it since a young age is often close to being extinguished. Recently I read an article over the Straits Times and learnt that there is someone who was in the same situation as me achieved her goals through sheer determination. Though the road she took was way longer than the conventional one, but I believed she had always kept that flame burning. It's also through the support of her friends and loved ones, I believe that that was the source of encouragement, the source of strength to carry on no matter how tough it gets. I am glad that my parents had been really supportive of my dream, and to my friends who encouraged me to pursue it, THANK YOU! I will prove to all you out there who scorned and laughed at me, when that dream is finally realized, it would be me who laughs last!
Headed down to school today for project meeting, had to think of a role-play for our presentation on HIV/AIDS. Haha and NO we ain't gonna do a live demo!!! We decided to follow the show " The Scrooge" (For those who don't know, shame on you! haha it's about an old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when he is haunted by ghosts on Christmas Eve) but this time it's going to be a typical girl in a bar getting hooked up by a guy who wants to sleep with her. And this time the ghosts of her consequences haunt her. Original yea? Haha
After which I received an urgent call from Mr. Guru saying that he needed Napfa testers so took the job and earned some quick cash. Sometimes I wonder if I am too lenient as a tester, often at times I try to pass them but they often screw it up in their 2.4km run. They just give up, I mean I went through all the effort in helping them and they don't even want to jog through the 2.4km run when tired. Either gives up on the 3rd round or start walking. I know it's tiring and painful but there wasn't any effort shown to begin with, I now understand the frustration Mr. Guru felt all these while. Here we are trying to pass them when they relinquished all hopes. Gosh those useless SCUMBAGS!
Realised that Psychology test isn't on Monday....what a relief!!!
Just watched Underworld: Evolution today! It was a really good movie but not very suitable for the weak stomached as a lot of blood and gore is involved.
*Note: Buying of snacks would be unnecessary as you will end up not eating them*
The sequel to the $100 million worldwide hit, "Underworld: Evolution" continues the saga of war between the aristocratic Death Dealers and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves).The film traces the beginnings of the ancient feud between the two tribes as Selene (Kate Beckinsale), the beautiful vampire heroine, and Michael (Scott Speedman), the lycan hybrid, try to unlock the secrets of their bloodlines. The fast-paced, modern-day tale of deadly action, ruthless intrigue and forbidden love takes them into the battle to end all wars as the immortals must finally face their retribution.
The movie is very action packed! Definitely keeps you at the edge of your seat! Haha Jeremy and I concluded that the gore in the show was pretty much like Happy Tree Friends; only that this is more human rather than some cartoons. The effects were so totally awesome! Out of 10, I would give this movie a 7.5 - 8!!! So to my blood and gore loving sadistic friends, this is definitely a show not to miss! Oh and did I mention that there is some "revealing" parts in the show, haha well what's that? It's for you all to find out!
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x11:33 PM
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day
Love is in the air......i think. Well it's Valentine's Day, not like it's a big thing for me as i am still single and available haha *hint hint*. People shopping for flowers and chocolates, placing booking at high ends restaurants, writing love notes. All ready to go out to impress their girl/boyfriends. Haha the amount of effort they put in for their studies isn't even half of what they put in for THE day. Well i guess it's a standard, we all go around celebrating this day just like any other holidays even when this isn't one. But has anyone ever wonder how did Valentine's Day came about? I mean there are reasons for every special day like Jesus being borned on Christmas Day and Chinese New Year is when they chased away some monster. Haha i bet i caught most of you all there huh, been celebrating for the many many years and not know how this day came about.
The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival.
In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips *Yikes! Thats gross!!!*. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
Valentine's Day came from such a long way, though there isn't dogs and goat sacrifices, but i guess it's meaning: Love, is being preserved. So once again to all you love birds out there, Happy Valentine's Day!!! And to the singles *including myself*, better luck next time! Haha while others are out squeezing with the crowds, i guess i would just stay at home and indulge in the chocolates that i bought for myself. Haha woohoo!
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x12:01 AM
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Hey guys! Have not updated for some time due to Chinese New Year and report writing. To all my chinese friends, "Xin Nian Kuai Le"!!!. And happy holidays to the rest as well. Had reunion dinners and went around visiting. Been the same almost every year.
Caught a few movies recently, one would be "Fun with Dick and Jane" and the other would be the long awaited "Memoirs of a Geisha". Here's a little synopsis for those who don't know what this show is about.
"Dick and Jane are in love and living the American dream - until one day it becomes an American nightmare. When the company Dick works for becomes involved in an Enron-like scandal and he takes the rap, Dick and Jane are forced with the prospect of losing everything. After playing by the rules and getting burned, Dick has an idea: If stealing was good enough for his boss, then it's good enough for him. Using his newfound skills, he and Jane decide to exact hilarious revenge and teach big business a lesson."
Not a bad show, give it like 3.5 out of 5. It's more t
o slapstick humour, well its Jim Carrey in it. But nonetheless managed to lighten my mood for the day
In the years before World War II, a Japanese child is torn from her penniless family to work as a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Sayuri. Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man beyond her reach.
I love this show! I give it 4 out of 5. Gong Li's acting was so good, the perfect "bad guy". It has a hint of witty humour and it was really able to let the audience feel for "Sayuri". To pursue one's desire, sacrifices have to be made, this was what the show was trying to put across.
Well going to head off to bed. Nights everyone and have a great Chinese New Year once again
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x11:59 PM
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Finally, IVP is over. Many thanks to the helpers who came down for the 3 days to make this event run smoothly and congrats to NYP for coming in third in the overall score! To the track team : Great job guys! Haha this year i didn't participate as i just got back from Outward Bound Korea and didn't get much time to train for it. Well there is still next year to look forward to. Chinese New Year is just a few days away, now get to see *dong dong qiang* (lion dance) everywhere. Went Chinese New Year shopping with Dexter, was pretty unfruitful as i managed to get a T-shirt only. Haha things are just too expensive, S$40+ for a t-shirt!!! Could get two tees in Hong Kong at the price of S$30+. But managed to find a shop that sells quite alot of DC USA stuff.
This Brand Rocks!!!
Went to watch Football Hooligan(or also known as Green Street Hooligans) after that, was a really good show although there were excessive swearing but the story plot itself was very original. I give it two thumbs up! For the benefit for those who don't know what is it about, here's the synopsis :
"Expelled unfairly from Harvard, American Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) flees to England to his sister's home. Once there, he is befriended by her charming and dangerous brother-in-law, Pete Dunham, and introduced to the underworld of British football hooliganism. Matt learns to stand his ground through a friendship that develops against the backdrop of this secret and often violent world."
The movie is about knowing the importance of when to stand your ground and when to back out. It was pretty reflective of my past and current situation as i used to always back down and retreat into the shadows when faced with a rather difficult situation. Running away was what i was only good for. Although now i learnt to stand my ground, at times i did back down like what i used to do and end up regretting my foolish decision. I guess much courage and soul-searching is needed.
Well now still awaiting for my OBK mates to come back from Thailand to go "guang ye shi" at "cow car water" haha *thats what my mom calls it* Still have lots of shopping left undone! Anyone going CNY shopping, do call me along!
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x3:27 PM
Friday, January 20, 2006
Finally here's another update as i am really really bored. Just sitting around Students' Union and waiting for 5pm for the NAPFA testing. So far things are going pretty well, rather busy recently as school just started not too long ago and projects are starting to come in together with school events. Some things to be done;
1. Chinese New Year Shopping
2. NYAA Report (Ying Shya starting to hunt me for it)
3. Spring Cleaning
School has been going great. The lecturers for this semester are pretty ok besides Biology. He is just so monotonous, could easily put us to sleep. I think my elective is the best of all! Had great fun during the practical sessions. We were suppose to raise the heart rate of the test subject. The subject would have a heart rate monitor strapped to his chest wall, like a bra. So we explored the possible options to raise heart rate, we figured out that exercise is one of the main activity. My group figured out that pain also increase heart rate. So while other groups stuck to the conventional methods such as running on the spot, jumping, treadmill. Our group chased him around the room and pulling the straps! We managed to get his heart rate up to 195 bpm whereas the others managed to hit 165 or 175 max. In the end, his chest area was all red from pulling is "bra strap"! Our group is well known by the lecturer now for being the most comical and creative group! Haha living up to the name of Innovative Poly! Well heading to get myself some ice-cream. Photos for OBK would be up soon as my computer is finally fixed.
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x3:18 PM
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The hard earned weekend is finally here...yet again gone in a flash. At least this week wasn't too bad as i didn't have to work on the same shift as that Bitch! Well lets just keep my fingers crossed about the coming week.
Work has been very routine, though every now and then some complicated cases come in but the work that we do is so mundane. I really don't wish things would come to this, which is me getting sick of what i am studying. It is not that i dislike nursing, but it is how the nurses are treated here and our job scope that puts me off. I hope this flame within won't be extinguished by the end of this attachment. Still holding on that bit of hope that things would be better.
I am so looking forward to my HK trip, can't wait to see all my friends there!!! Well at least that's a goal to look forward to
my stand.
x10:47 PM
Friday, June 09, 2006
Been away for a long time, guess it is time to bring life back to this old blog of mine. Currently on attachment, at TTSH. And all i got to say is, I detest Ward 11D, one of the most unorganised, unhelpful, unconducive ward ever. All of this set me thinking and thus this entry comes in.
Is nursing ever going to be recongise as a profession in S'pore? I used to think that it would be, but now i guess it would have to take more than 10 years for a change. Whenever people asked me which course am i in, after giving them an answer which was nursing. They often give the look of disbelief *in a bad way* Well i guess maybe our job is stigmatized as "hand maiden/maid" of the doctors. True, we help to clean up at times but why don't people see us for the important roles that we play in the wards. In other countries, nurses DO NOT clean up after patients *or at least to the minimum* Back here, that is part of our never ending workload. All the communication and counselling skills that were taught in school could just be chucked away as we don't even have time for lunch break. We learn so much about the body systems etc and we end up cleaning shit! So what makes us different from maids, just that we know abit more knowleadge off hand.
Nursing is such a proud profession over in the States and UK, but in local context, it is always associated with poor grades etc. The vicious cycle continues, people would always think that nursing is a dirty job and nurses themselves do not want to stand up and speak up about this issues. It takes two hands to clap, society should start to acknowledge us and we nurses should start to THINK and not just follow orders like a maid.
So please start to show an ounce of appreciation !
my stand.
x11:24 AM
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Never seem to have time to update ever since the last post. I guess even the most loyal readers of this blog had given up waiting. Sorry guys, been really busy with all the school projects. Time has past us by so quickly, 3rd year students are graduating and I am going to be in that position soon. To friends who took the A levels, good job if you did well and to the others who didnt do as well, don't despair, though it may be important but this is just going to be a small bump in the long road of Life itself.
I've always been discouraged from pursuing my dreams. Comments such as "no, you are just wasting your time!" or "you can't make it" is often hurled towards me at the mere mention of my passion. Skepticism usually arises whenever they question me about my skills, I really do wonder what did I ever do to give people such an impression. The burning flame within me that I nurtured it since a young age is often close to being extinguished. Recently I read an article over the Straits Times and learnt that there is someone who was in the same situation as me achieved her goals through sheer determination. Though the road she took was way longer than the conventional one, but I believed she had always kept that flame burning. It's also through the support of her friends and loved ones, I believe that that was the source of encouragement, the source of strength to carry on no matter how tough it gets. I am glad that my parents had been really supportive of my dream, and to my friends who encouraged me to pursue it, THANK YOU! I will prove to all you out there who scorned and laughed at me, when that dream is finally realized, it would be me who laughs last!
Headed down to school today for project meeting, had to think of a role-play for our presentation on HIV/AIDS. Haha and NO we ain't gonna do a live demo!!! We decided to follow the show " The Scrooge" (For those who don't know, shame on you! haha it's about an old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when he is haunted by ghosts on Christmas Eve) but this time it's going to be a typical girl in a bar getting hooked up by a guy who wants to sleep with her. And this time the ghosts of her consequences haunt her. Original yea? Haha
After which I received an urgent call from Mr. Guru saying that he needed Napfa testers so took the job and earned some quick cash. Sometimes I wonder if I am too lenient as a tester, often at times I try to pass them but they often screw it up in their 2.4km run. They just give up, I mean I went through all the effort in helping them and they don't even want to jog through the 2.4km run when tired. Either gives up on the 3rd round or start walking. I know it's tiring and painful but there wasn't any effort shown to begin with, I now understand the frustration Mr. Guru felt all these while. Here we are trying to pass them when they relinquished all hopes. Gosh those useless SCUMBAGS!
Realised that Psychology test isn't on Monday....what a relief!!!
Just watched Underworld: Evolution today! It was a really good movie but not very suitable for the weak stomached as a lot of blood and gore is involved.
*Note: Buying of snacks would be unnecessary as you will end up not eating them*
The sequel to the $100 million worldwide hit, "Underworld: Evolution" continues the saga of war between the aristocratic Death Dealers and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves).The film traces the beginnings of the ancient feud between the two tribes as Selene (Kate Beckinsale), the beautiful vampire heroine, and Michael (Scott Speedman), the lycan hybrid, try to unlock the secrets of their bloodlines. The fast-paced, modern-day tale of deadly action, ruthless intrigue and forbidden love takes them into the battle to end all wars as the immortals must finally face their retribution.
The movie is very action packed! Definitely keeps you at the edge of your seat! Haha Jeremy and I concluded that the gore in the show was pretty much like Happy Tree Friends; only that this is more human rather than some cartoons. The effects were so totally awesome! Out of 10, I would give this movie a 7.5 - 8!!! So to my blood and gore loving sadistic friends, this is definitely a show not to miss! Oh and did I mention that there is some "revealing" parts in the show, haha well what's that? It's for you all to find out!
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x11:33 PM
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day
Love is in the air......i think. Well it's Valentine's Day, not like it's a big thing for me as i am still single and available haha *hint hint*. People shopping for flowers and chocolates, placing booking at high ends restaurants, writing love notes. All ready to go out to impress their girl/boyfriends. Haha the amount of effort they put in for their studies isn't even half of what they put in for THE day. Well i guess it's a standard, we all go around celebrating this day just like any other holidays even when this isn't one. But has anyone ever wonder how did Valentine's Day came about? I mean there are reasons for every special day like Jesus being borned on Christmas Day and Chinese New Year is when they chased away some monster. Haha i bet i caught most of you all there huh, been celebrating for the many many years and not know how this day came about.
The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D -- others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival.
In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips *Yikes! Thats gross!!!*. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
Valentine's Day came from such a long way, though there isn't dogs and goat sacrifices, but i guess it's meaning: Love, is being preserved. So once again to all you love birds out there, Happy Valentine's Day!!! And to the singles *including myself*, better luck next time! Haha while others are out squeezing with the crowds, i guess i would just stay at home and indulge in the chocolates that i bought for myself. Haha woohoo!
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x12:01 AM
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Hey guys! Have not updated for some time due to Chinese New Year and report writing. To all my chinese friends, "Xin Nian Kuai Le"!!!. And happy holidays to the rest as well. Had reunion dinners and went around visiting. Been the same almost every year.
Caught a few movies recently, one would be "Fun with Dick and Jane" and the other would be the long awaited "Memoirs of a Geisha". Here's a little synopsis for those who don't know what this show is about.
"Dick and Jane are in love and living the American dream - until one day it becomes an American nightmare. When the company Dick works for becomes involved in an Enron-like scandal and he takes the rap, Dick and Jane are forced with the prospect of losing everything. After playing by the rules and getting burned, Dick has an idea: If stealing was good enough for his boss, then it's good enough for him. Using his newfound skills, he and Jane decide to exact hilarious revenge and teach big business a lesson."
Not a bad show, give it like 3.5 out of 5. It's more t
o slapstick humour, well its Jim Carrey in it. But nonetheless managed to lighten my mood for the day
In the years before World War II, a Japanese child is torn from her penniless family to work as a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Sayuri. Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man beyond her reach.
I love this show! I give it 4 out of 5. Gong Li's acting was so good, the perfect "bad guy". It has a hint of witty humour and it was really able to let the audience feel for "Sayuri". To pursue one's desire, sacrifices have to be made, this was what the show was trying to put across.
Well going to head off to bed. Nights everyone and have a great Chinese New Year once again
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x11:59 PM
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Finally, IVP is over. Many thanks to the helpers who came down for the 3 days to make this event run smoothly and congrats to NYP for coming in third in the overall score! To the track team : Great job guys! Haha this year i didn't participate as i just got back from Outward Bound Korea and didn't get much time to train for it. Well there is still next year to look forward to. Chinese New Year is just a few days away, now get to see *dong dong qiang* (lion dance) everywhere. Went Chinese New Year shopping with Dexter, was pretty unfruitful as i managed to get a T-shirt only. Haha things are just too expensive, S$40+ for a t-shirt!!! Could get two tees in Hong Kong at the price of S$30+. But managed to find a shop that sells quite alot of DC USA stuff.
This Brand Rocks!!!
Went to watch Football Hooligan(or also known as Green Street Hooligans) after that, was a really good show although there were excessive swearing but the story plot itself was very original. I give it two thumbs up! For the benefit for those who don't know what is it about, here's the synopsis :
"Expelled unfairly from Harvard, American Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) flees to England to his sister's home. Once there, he is befriended by her charming and dangerous brother-in-law, Pete Dunham, and introduced to the underworld of British football hooliganism. Matt learns to stand his ground through a friendship that develops against the backdrop of this secret and often violent world."
The movie is about knowing the importance of when to stand your ground and when to back out. It was pretty reflective of my past and current situation as i used to always back down and retreat into the shadows when faced with a rather difficult situation. Running away was what i was only good for. Although now i learnt to stand my ground, at times i did back down like what i used to do and end up regretting my foolish decision. I guess much courage and soul-searching is needed.
Well now still awaiting for my OBK mates to come back from Thailand to go "guang ye shi" at "cow car water" haha *thats what my mom calls it* Still have lots of shopping left undone! Anyone going CNY shopping, do call me along!
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x3:27 PM
Friday, January 20, 2006
Finally here's another update as i am really really bored. Just sitting around Students' Union and waiting for 5pm for the NAPFA testing. So far things are going pretty well, rather busy recently as school just started not too long ago and projects are starting to come in together with school events. Some things to be done;
1. Chinese New Year Shopping
2. NYAA Report (Ying Shya starting to hunt me for it)
3. Spring Cleaning
School has been going great. The lecturers for this semester are pretty ok besides Biology. He is just so monotonous, could easily put us to sleep. I think my elective is the best of all! Had great fun during the practical sessions. We were suppose to raise the heart rate of the test subject. The subject would have a heart rate monitor strapped to his chest wall, like a bra. So we explored the possible options to raise heart rate, we figured out that exercise is one of the main activity. My group figured out that pain also increase heart rate. So while other groups stuck to the conventional methods such as running on the spot, jumping, treadmill. Our group chased him around the room and pulling the straps! We managed to get his heart rate up to 195 bpm whereas the others managed to hit 165 or 175 max. In the end, his chest area was all red from pulling is "bra strap"! Our group is well known by the lecturer now for being the most comical and creative group! Haha living up to the name of Innovative Poly! Well heading to get myself some ice-cream. Photos for OBK would be up soon as my computer is finally fixed.
--W.S a.k.a The Fox--
my stand.
x3:18 PM
