Spent so much time blogging im bored. May start another one in future. Will see.
Goodbye.

Took my post christmas hangover break, and now am back. Visited my shrink today. Had a discussion about doing social work. Am I interested? Ms Sim finally replied my email, 1 month after I sent it. The mood to do the project is all gone now. How? 

Sent Xuemei off yesterday, with loads of people, I guess 50+. She's well liked. I decided she's the female of 2003 and Benny Tay is the male of 2003 cos of the influence they have had on me. I still remember, last year it was Tiffy Khoo and Mikey. Cool.

Hope 2004 will be fun too. Who should i go out with on my birthday?

Alex and Jamie are like the wildest sister and brother pair I know. I guess they inherited the good stuff from their parents. Imagine, Alex is the gal and Jamie is the guy! Alex = Alexis, Jamie = James. So since their dad and mom are away (in Cairns with 7 year old Ashley, who is a girl), they threw a party for fourteen. Wow, a 15 year old and a 16 year old hosting a fourteen strong party. With no domestic help involved!

The party went like this, the theme was “Technicolor”, man it was hilarious. Imagine teens in bright pink and bright green… shoes. Yep, the 3 sistaz, Tiffy, Danii and Jess bought those 29.90 Kappas and sprayed them pink with green splotches, supposedly polka dots. What a hoot. For me I just came in my red shoes, a pink pullover and yellow boardshorts. As for the lovely Fiona, she was wearing a turquoise tank and an angel white satin wraparound.

We gathered at this condo in the RG-SCG-NYG triangle, don’t want to name it for safety reasons. I reached there at about 2104 as I had an AGM to attend. There was supposed to be bbq, but since it rained heavily in the day, the charcoal wouldn’t start.

So we went to their house, then, Alex, who was in charge of food, decided that we would have salads for dinner. Alex made salads with purple and green and orange sauces. Weird. Luckily I had ate before coming. But there was Tiramisu. Love it.

After salads, Frank and Tiffany, Jordan and Danielle and Elgin and Jessica made a move because they live on the opposite side of the island and had to go. But not before we saw their gift exchange. Frank gave Tiffy a white gold Tiffany bracelet (actually a silver bracelet with “Tiffany” on it but never mind), and she gave him a camera. Jordan gave Danii a FCUK shirt. She gave him a pair of Air Jordan’s because “he always gives me Air Jordan when we are dating.” Elgin and Jess smiled when asked about their gifts to each other. Amusing.

The time is 2225 now. We sat in a circle in Alex’s room then I taught the “I’ve been redeemed - Oh ya can’t getta heaven” song. We sang it a few times then I suggested we sing it in a circle and whoever can’t sing must do a forfeit. George gave us “Oh ya can’t getta heaven on a basketball… cos a basketball’s gotta fall.” Russ said “Oh ya can’t getta heaven on a magic rug… cos a magic rug will have bugs.” Jamie gave us “ Oh ya can’t getta heaven on a UFO… cos it’ll only reach Pluto.” Fiona went out pretty fast, Chermaine too. The last one standing was George. I got stuck at “Oh ya can’t getta heaven on a cable car… cos it goes to Sentosa.” 

The time now was 2245. The forfeit was a cup of Valrhona cocoa without sugar, alternating one hot, one cold. George had one of his choice, then Russ had two … and Fiona was supposed to drink fourteen 100 ml cups. But she got stuck at 5 so we just helped her. Fiona’s voice started to go. Hope she doesn’t get sick. I had 4 + 2 so now I’ve a diarrhea and a sore throat.

Anyway, after forfeit it was 2310, would you believe it. We had our showers. Surprisingly, many people didn’t bring their clothes. So Jamie and Alex had to dispense clothes. Chermaine, Alex’s bestest friend and a real cartoon wanted to wear Ashley’s stuff. And would you believe it, Alex let her. So Chermie was in Osh Kosh B’gosh for ten minutes before the marks where it was too tight started to appear. The guys used the main and Jamie’s toilet, the girls used Alex’s and the master bedroom toilet. House rules, no staying in the toilet for more than 12:59 minutes and no warm water after 2300h to enforce that. It’s almost army camp style. We met back at 2357 in the living room. The girls were late, apparently, Chermie wanted to blow her hair. The girls all went woooh at her hair, so they were late.

Fiona wore the XL bluey tee I lent her and a pair of  black FBT’s. I sat on Fiona’s right, Vaness sat on her left. 

We waited for 0000, the guys told me we were waiting for Boxing Day. In my mind I made a note to sing Fiona a birthday song after the Boxing Day celebrations. At 0000, the lights went off by themselves, timer apparently, and I started singing the Boxing Day song but everyone else sang Happy Birthday Fiona. So lame. She squeezed my hand while I changed tune. Then Jamie went to turn on the lights again. I gave Fiona a peck on her left “no-name” finger.

Then the real gift exchange started. I gave Fiona an Oregon Scientific clock with Radio and ceiling projection. I gave George a piece of pink Blush! lingerie (which was his wish, I saw his diary). Thos SB chocolates for Alex and Jamie and cards, hugs and kisses to everyone.

I received a Juve jersey (pink) from George, a jacket from Fiona, potpourri from Alex and Original Source stuff from Jamie and hugs and kisses and cards.

Fiona got, my clock, a Ljungberg x-s Arsenal jersey from George(who else), cosmetics from her chummie Vaness, Godiva Caraques from Russ (again), potpourri from Alex, Original Source from Jamie and a voucher from Chermaine.

Going by Fiona’s face, she wasn’t too glad to see chocolates. But thanks anyway, Russ, we love you. I dun mind more chocolate.  

It’s really cute, George got everyone jerseys (from Thailand), Jamie got everyone Original Source (John Little Sales) and Alex got everyone potpourri, I assume from her mummy’s shop. Great stuff.

At 0045, we played a card passing game, it’s called suck and blow. We sat in a circle alternating guy and girl. Starting from Russell, we had to pass a card around the circle using suck and blow only while holding hands too. Couples cannot sit together. We played with one card and then more until five when we cannot take it already. I sat between Alex and Chermaine. Fiona sat with George and Jamie. George is a cartoon hero, while passing to Fiona he let the card drop and ended up kissing Fiona. Apparently in revenge for the thing I gave him. Bad man. How could u introduce us to this game and do this to me!! :D

After that it was to the beds, the girls were tired, having swam before the rain. The guys took the living room while the girls went two each into Jamie’s and Alex’s rooms. Fiona and Vaness in Jamie’s room and Alex and Chermie in Alex’s room. The time was 0125, the guys chatted till about 0215 then we fell asleep. 

At 0800 we were all woken by Alex and Jamie frying us hashbrowns and ham. Chermie had her hair all over and pillow fold marks on her face. Fiona woke up last but cheerily. They were giggly when they saw us. Looks like they opened the door connecting both rooms and gossiped as usual.

After Breakfast we all went home. I sent Fiona all the way to Changi then I took a cab back home. Really expensive but I got back before 1100.

La Vita È Bella

Notable Events
1) Dinner at Ah Yat
2) Buying Lingling's present
3) Christmas Et birthday presents

(1) Dinner at Ah Yat
Woah, what a dinner. Let's see, we reached Unique at 1920h. Grandpa started choosing what stuff he wanted together with Aunty Sue, while I went off with Mandy to get Lingling's present.

When I had got the present, I went into Ah Yat and the waitress showed me and Mandy to our reservation under Auntie Sue. It was really cool she just checked who we were then ushered us. We passed a Karaoke VIP room where some folks were singing "Ai Piah Jia Eh Yah". They sure made hardwork of such an easy song the way they were singing it.

Dinner started easily enough. We had a simple seafood soup first. The prawns in it were big and fresh enough. The soup was tasty too. Next up was the bamboo clams, the perennial favourite of my family. As usual there was enough garlic to keep vampires away for two days. Very tasty. Then we had, in quick succession, venison, mussels and their specialty chicken. Delicious.

After a break for digestion, the Star dish of the day arrived. Australian Snow Crab. They cost $50 or so per kilo. I think we spent a few hundred per crab. Imagine what good that money could do for the less fortunate. Personally I felt that the crab was nothing out of this world. In fact I found the style of cooking to be rather starchy. I still love the chilli crabs at Jumbo best, together with the crabs at Marine Parade. Sri Lankan crab. Grandpa said maybe we could have more expensive crabs ($140/kg) next time. I think I'd rather have Sri Lankan crabs ($40/kg) and loads of shellfish. That would be great.

Paul, Cheryl's steady, made tiramisu. Lovely stuff, extra light on the alcohol and the coffee, knowing that I'm allergic to both I guess. Aunt Jen got us a Log cake from BreadTalk. It was so-so next to the Tiramisu. I'm going to learn to make Tiramisu! 

In the end the bill was very close to a four figure sum. For one meal! That money can buy 10 years of maggi mee!

2) Buying Lingling's present
I searched high and low then I picked it up at the flea market, a poster with Becks, Zizou and Raul. She should like that. I'll give her sweets in class.

3) Christmas Et Birthday presents.
Shouldn't be talking about them but I got a bag, soap, money and smiles. I love smiles best. They are forever. Singaporeans smile too little.

La Vita È Bella
Jem

Notable Events
1) Installation and playing of CM 03/04
2) Singing with mom
3) Allan and Gretchen going home

(1) Installation and playing of CM 03/04
Tough, really tough game. I took charge of Everton and I lost 8-1 after going ahead. Then I praised my 'keeper (Wright) post-match. The fans gave me loads of stick about that.

I decided I was disgracing my team like our dear monkey Mr P. Reid disgraced Leeds. So I then started a new game at Forest Green to start from the very bottom. I can't get the training and match tactics right.

But the promise of the game is there. Very good.

(2) Singing with mom
I introduced mom to the idea of the prayer plane. I write my prayer out ike a psalm on paper then i fold it into a paper glider and keep it in my little black box to be sent to God. Mom thinks it is a good idea.

She then introduced me to a hymn -

An Evening Prayer

If I have wonded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own wilful way,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer thru the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee:
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me, and my Keeper be,
In Jesus' name.

(3) Allan and Gretchen going home
It's been a month since they reached our sunny shores. Maybe they miss Manchester too. I know I do, both Trafford Square and Old Trafford. Trafford Square is like Takashimaya in terms of size but there are push carts there too and the footie stuff is less ex. Old Trafford is home to Man Yoo and it's where I first got footballer's autograph's I got Ruud's, Veron's, Becks', Silvestre's, Fortune's and van der Gouw. I even got Fergie to autograph a Beckham postcard. How ironic given recent events.

Well, it's been a pleasure having the Ashurst's over here. I'll miss them. But hopefully when my next major exams are over in two years I can go visit again. I'll remember Allan's lessons on the man who has watched every Man Yoo match in 76 years and the lesson with the 10 dollar bill.

God Bless them in their work and God be wth Steven Masood too.

Other Stuff
It's Lingling's birthday tomorrow. Her site says she wants a Raul or a Becks jersey. Can I give her Becks' autograph? Becks' is tiny while Veron's is huge. I dunno if she likes "the little witch". Lingling has been really nice to me this hols. She's like totally different when we are online.

What can I get her, which is reasonably priced and which she will like? A Marc Jacobs wallet? An England Becks jersey? Or somehing from Harrods? What about Godiva Chocolates? Sheer Opulence in those Gold ballotines. Or something from FCUK or Miss Selfridge? Maybe MNG since they are having big discounts? I'll just get her a Beckham book or sweets, since she always likes sweets.  

(Uploaded late, Sorry)
Notable events
1) Core Group Meeting
2) Stay over at Neheeeee's place
3) Everton's win over Leicester
4) Street Soccer

Warning: Offensive language Et themes in this entry. This blog strives to be honest.  
(1) Core Group Meeting
Kelvin when he initiated the Core Group idea indicated that the label could be changed. Based on the attendance and events at the meeting, why not call it Youth Fellowship (ministry)? IMHO, having half of the youth group as leaders does not make organisational sense. Having visitors too in the leadership too, is strange to me. Since we all wanna serve, why not reach outward to our neighbours. (Going back to the outer ring) Visitors, members can surely all do that.

As for the meeting itself, there is the usual bollocks, we need to stay on task, which, IMHO is easier with a smaller group. On the plus side, Rach is a brilliant designer, my favourite non-brit designer. (I'm a jolly anglophile) I absolutely loved her design for our youth tee. Thank God for great people like her.

The songs we sang today were like totally awesome, it must've been the Tan's acoustics. Or God's people praising his name on high.

(2) Stay over at Neheeeee's place
Part two of singing, Val adviced us on the tips about singing. Really useful, God Loves VJC choir. Tim pitched in here and there too. Thank God for the Lim's, Rach and Tim and Val.

I had a minor scare when i thought I didnt have my stuff, however momma had left them in Neheeeee's room. We turned in pretty early, 12:10. I believe, Uncle Eric was teaching and advising Charmaine about getting baptised. God bless her soul she will be baptised tomorrow. Charmaine's a lovely young Rafflesian. My fave 5 groups in the world, God's Church, Victoria School and JC, Tanjong Katong Girls, Raffles Girls and National JC. Charmaine is in my fourth going on first tier of favourite people.

Apparently Joe Ooi is getting baptised tomorrow too. However, he is in Raffles I, meaning THAT school. He's making a huge leap from my lower tiers to the top. I'd say it (the leap) is almost Incredible Hulk-ish. (But then again Joe is everyone's second-favourite cute guy so the leap isn't quite one after all.)

And now to the sleepover proper, we had two mattresses put together then Neheeeee, Irvin and Val took those and I took Neheeeee's bed, mean me. We discussed the days events a bit, but Irvin then talked to Neheeeee about Jay Chou and his meaningful lyrics which I, like many, can't quite catch. I am sure it is a crying shame.

I wrote a note to Nathaniel too. I want to get to know him better, he seems to be almost like me. I can relate to him, I think.

(3) Everton's win over Leicester
Finally Everton is scoring!! (and conceding) Argh, why can't they find a Happy Medium? I wonder if the Toffees have got themselves out of their sticky situation with this win.

(4) Street Soccer
There were a bunch of prats at the court when we arrived. Refused to leave and all that, we paid 12
good dollars for the use of the court, and it would be assumed that the use is exclusive aye? Anyway their head Prick challenged us to a friendly. When I was playing, we lost. When my boots were playing (on Dextan) we won. In the end we beat them, we had greater faith despite their mockery.

When rain came, we went to the CC and had a silly squash cum butt spell game, Adrian was really great at the butt spell bit ~!~

Later when leaving me and Shawn came up with a couple of hello greetings we could use. Amusing stuff, look out for it.

La Vita È Bella
Jem