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Tuesday, January 29, 2008 . 1:39 PM

100th post!

Wow it's been 1 year and 3 months to reach my 100th post. That's quite slow, isn't it? Hahaha...

My 100th post! Let's take a look back at the online diary which I've been (not so) faithfully keeping this past 1 1/4 years...
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Sunday, September 24, 2006

First Post

Hello everyone!

This is my very first blog alone, your number one blog for crap, nonsense and most importantly, Liverpool match reviews! Yes.

Do visit my other blog! (which I share with Chicken and Jon)

This blog is still under construction, so please bear with the shoddy workmanship and lack of interactivity (how much interactivity can a blog have anyway). No comments box (cos there was some error in the coding) so use the tagboard! ...while I try to get this going.

Will add a music selector soon and maybe some alternative backgrounds... Expect some major revamping after the A levels! Yeah.

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel scored a goal at 10:03 PM
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Saturday, May 26, 2007

Worst Week Ever

Wow I'm glad I'm back home... This week has undoubtedly been the worst week in my entire NS life... Or maybe even my entire life. Haha. Let me relate to you my sad story...

Of all the companies in SISPEC, I had to end up in a company whose OC demands that we all have to run our Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) under 10 minutes instead of the usual 10:30... Or else we have to run again and again and again, until we meet his requirement.

So on tuesday, we had the actual test. Given that my timing (10:19) for the previous week's trial test (which earned me a long weekend) was quite a good one, I was confident going into this test... Confident except for the fact that I was feeling like crap in the morning... I caught the flu virus that was going around. Of all days.

So my timing ended up 10:23... Worse than the trial test, even though we ran a longer distance for the trial test than the actual test. This meant that I had to run the SOC again the next day. Oh well... Suck thumb.

Later that day, we had the Confidence Obstacle Course (COC). One of the obstacles required swinging from a rope to a large rope net kind of thing (like Jack Sparrow) then climbing up and crossing over to the other side of the net, then climbing down the obstacle. Sounds fun right? During the swing i didn't grip the rope hard enough and ended up sliding down... Burning off a lot of the skin on my left hand (my master hand) on the way. Major rope burns... Hurt a lot. Don't try it.

So I went to see the medic, who patched up the burns for me. I was debating whether I should run the SOC the next day or not cos SOC involves one obstacle where you have to climb up a low rope... I decided to chiong it.

The next day I borrowed a nomex glove from one of my friends, hoping that that and the bandages would provide enough protection against the pain when I do the low rope. I ran the SOC and when I reached the low rope, I grasped it and pulled myself up. Ouch. Fell. Tried again. Ouch. Fell. Tried again... OUCH. Fell. With a final last, FOURTH effort, I made 4-5 loops and clambered my way up the rotten rope. Sliding down, I ran the rest of the SOC.

After I finished, I thought I had a real chance of getting below 10 minutes and being free from anymore SOC for this stage... Then my timing came out... 10 minutes. With bleeding hands and a bloody flu... I ran the SOC... and I didn't make it. I really felt like crying at that very moment.

So never mind. Suck thumb. Just that this time I decided to report sick to the Medical Officer for my bleeding wounds and my flu. Got 3 days light duties, 3 days excuse upper limb. I was not going to do SOC in that condition anymore man.

The next day, the first news I got from the outside world was a sms from my sister that Liverpool lost to AC Milan 2-1 in the Champions League final. What a great way to start the day. It got better... Because of my excuse, I was not able to participate in the 6k fast march... And because of that, I was not qualified to get the company nights off... I could not book out because I had ATTN B status... Suck thumb some more.

Then I found out that for the company night, the choristers from my platoon whom I knew (and worked with) from RJC are going to put up a performance. They didn't ask me. You know how insulted I feel? I just know that HE doesn't regard me as a singer... That musically he looks down on me just because he's so good at it. But never mind... It's not the first time I've been slighted. If he wants to go all high-and-mighty... Then so be it. Chao show-off.

That about caps off the worst week of my life. I'm glad I'm graduating from SISPEC soon... Because the people I've been forced to live and work with... All the trainees for the past 2 months... Are like shit.

"You'll Never Walk Alone"... but I always will

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 11:25 PM
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Sunday, July 01, 2007

Goodbye NS

Well since disruption from the army last thursday I've had a lot of time to reflect and think about my short stint in the Singapore National Service...

It seems like I've spent many years in the army already, even though it's been a mere 6 months. National Service has changed me as a person, has put me through several trials and tribulations... Not only physically, but mentally and in terms of handling relationships with people as well.

BMT seems so far away now... Even though it was just in January this year. It was arguably the best portion of my 6 months in NS. Hawk COY was a great company, with good company-mates and commanders... I think we were all very tightly-knit and had a strong sense of pride in our company... This was displayed with great gusto during the games day for BMT. Sadly this attitude would not replicate for my next two postings, which is probably why I treasure the memories of Hawk COY the most. Onward all Hawk-ers!

SISPEC may have not been as bad as I made it out to be... But the disappointment of not getting into OCS, coupled with the disappointment of getting into the most 'xiong' company made all the trainees disillusioned I guess... Which was probably why I was unable to work with or motivate many of them. Of course that kind of attitude from the trainees was never going to sit well with the commanders... In my SISPEC platoon I think I was a prime candidate to crossover to OCS if not for my IPPT which only got a silver... But oh well. I don't think I'll be able to survive OCS anyway lol...

After getting the posting that said I was to go to Armour Training Institute, I had my fears and doubts about the vocation. Was it going to be tough? Are the people going to be the same as those in SISPEC? It seemed that way at first, but after a mere week or two, things started to pick up and I'm confident that the guys I left behind in the Specialist Training Wing of ATI will become as tight-knit as the guys from Hawk COY in BMT... ATI/STW is very systematic and organized in what they do and that's what appealed to me most.

There have been so many people who have made an impact on and influenced me throughout this short 6 months... I thank you all, it's certainly been a blessing to have met you guys.

From BMT: 2LT Wilson, thanks for being such a great PC and for playing DOTA with us!!! Haha. 3SG Thiru, hope you manage to achieve your dreams for your career in the future... 3SG Farhan, don't smoke so much! Haha... Our section had great fun with you as our section commander! 3SG Oong, the closest sergeant to the whole platoon... Don't so stress, be more fun-loving! 2SG Yee, who held us in awe with his discipline and military knowledge from the first day of BMT... SSG Faizul, for being such a funny and friendly sergeant major, you were like a godfather to all of us...

From SISPEC: 2SG Lian, yeah the best section commander from platoon 2! At least in my opinion... 1SG Ho, quite 'xiong' section commander but is always friendly and talking to us trainees... SSG Djohan and 3SG Jackjit, fellow Liverpool supporters! MSG Rajoo, who made us toilet cleaners scrub every single algae off the tiles... Haha... But a man to be respected, an inspirational figure. 3SG Ridzman, the SUPER nice sergeant whom I had the benefit of having as guard commander when I was doing guard duty...

From ATI: 2WO Muniandy, an ULTRA nice course warrant, almost like a friend to us... Too bad he nags a lot to the course haha... But to the three of us when we OOCed, he was the best. 2WO Koh, a fantastic PC, who boosts our morale all the time when we see him, always laughing and joking with us... You still haven't added me to friendster yet! Haha... SSG Patrick, my section commander, who is like a big brother to us in STW...

And how could I ever forget... My beloved parents, and family who have supported me through all the difficulties I'd faced this past 6 months... And my friends who've shared my pain and complaints about NS... Thank you all so much.

Thanks once again, and sorry to anyone whom I may have inadverdently missed out... It's been a hell of a ride.

See you all in 6 years!

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 12:14 AM
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Thursday, August 02, 2007

Recycle Bin!

Lolll my OG mates are uber funny... Today I had a chat with Glorijoy on MSN and after she struggled trying to receive and open my song via MSN (hence the previous post)... Here's an excerpt from what happened next...

spiderpig spiderpig says:OMG i just deleted my recycle bin by accident

Archangel says:WHATTTT

spiderpig spiderpig says:HEY HOW TO GET IT BACK!

Archangel says:okay isn't that just a shortcut

Archangel says:you deleted from desktop right

spiderpig spiderpig says:ya

spiderpig spiderpig says:how do i get it back

Archangel says:er

spiderpig spiderpig says:so weird

Archangel says:let me try

Archangel says:oh die it's a program on desktop one

Archangel says:no a shortcut

Archangel says:*not

Archangel says:ZOMG

Archangel says:try restarting your com

spiderpig spiderpig says:ZOMG

Archangel says:lol i shall google

Archangel says:"what to do when you accidentally delete your recycle bin"

spiderpig spiderpig says:*FAINT

Archangel says:ooh there's an entry in wiki

spiderpig spiderpig says:whatwhat

Archangel says:no help

spiderpig spiderpig says:FAINT

Archangel says:apparently no one has done that before! :D:D:D

Archangel says:hang on

Archangel says:wah the recycle bin looks so cool in vista

Archangel says:can you access windows explorer?

spiderpig spiderpig says:ITS BACK!

spiderpig spiderpig says:YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

spiderpig spiderpig says::D:D:D:D:D

Archangel says:how did you get it back? hahaha

spiderpig spiderpig says:i just went to personalize desktop

spiderpig spiderpig says:and restore default

Archangel says:oh okay

Archangel says:nice

Archangel says:cos see what i found

Archangel says:Also, the Recycle Bin icon cannot be deleted from the desktop like other icons. Deleting a registry key from the Windows Registry resolves this issue. The key varies with the version of the operating system. In Windows XP and later, the Recycle Bin and other special icons can be hidden by options in the Display Properties control. However in the Windows Vista operating system, the Recycle Bin can

Archangel says:be deleted from the desktop.

spiderpig spiderpig says:walau heart attack

Archangel says:hahaha

Archangel says:you should have tried to delete something just to see what would happen :D

spiderpig spiderpig says:-.-

Archangel says:hahahaha

Archangel says:how on earth did you delete the recycle bin anyway???

spiderpig spiderpig says:right click delete?

spiderpig spiderpig says:cos i was gg empty

says:oh hahaha

Archangel says:then you clicked "yes" without looking properly

spiderpig says:YAH

spiderpig spiderpig says:>P

Archangel says:hahaha

spiderpig spiderpig says:bleagh

Archangel says:damn funny when you panic

spiderpig spiderpig says:*konk

Archangel says:ow!

Archangel says:hey can i link you through my blog?

spiderpig spiderpig says:yup

spiderpig spiderpig says:i linked u liao :P

Archangel says:you did? hahaha i didn't see :X

spiderpig spiderpig says:haiya

spiderpig spiderpig says:im so tired from panicking

Archangel says:hahaha!

Archangel says:that's a first i've heard

Lolll... Okay Glori's gonna kill me for this... But it will be so worth it hahahahaha!

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 10:36 PM
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Thursday, August 23, 2007

Radiocarpal Joint

My wrist hurts to high heaven...

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 7:31 PM
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Sunday, September 23, 2007

Medical Notes

After just 10 minutes on stage, and it was over.

Yesterday's performance was the culmination of almost 2 months of practice for medical notes.It was a great success... I felt our acapella group performed much better than we expected, and were naturally the crowd entertainer for the entire concert.

The other performances were really great as well... There are so many talented musicians in M2... Such professionals too. Especially Kai Ping and Xunqi, masters of the piano and er hu respectively. I thoroughly enjoyed their performances.

It's going to be so surreal now... After school when I don't have practice with the M2s anymore, when I don't see them so often anymore. Haha... It just feels kinda weird. I still remember the first practice when I was roped in to audition for D&D with the group... That was more than a month ago. What a long way we've come :)

I'm gonna miss "jammin'" with you guys! Remember in the future, if you need a bass... You know who to call :)

AmandaseeE'chingFarahSarahGloriaGracechewShawnGohThomas

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 12:53 PM
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Monday, November 12, 2007

The 5 Stages Of Mugging

The 5 Stages Of Mugging (or Examination Preparation) is something I came up with when I was feeling really boliao and thinking about the House season 2 episode about the 5 stages of death...

The 5 Stages Of Mugging (or Examination Preparation)

1. Enthusiasm
It's true, we all start out thinking that we're gonna be fired up and going full speed ahead till the examinations come... The gathering and filing of notes, the anticipation of what we're gonna do the next day, it's almost... Exhilarating. Everyone starts off their mugging journey with this enthusiasm in them.

2. Burnout
But soon you feel discouraged as day after day goes by and you realize that you're not mugging as fast as you planned your schedule out to be. Every day seems to get shorter and shorter and time becomes your enemy as you attempt to get your assigned mugging for the day done.

3. Slacking
Speaks for itself... Pretty soon you just give up altogether.

4. Panic
Then as exams inch every closer, you realize that you've done so LITTLE! Panic sets in and may spur you on to a bit of mugging.

5. Resignation
Then there comes a point in time where you feel that whatever you do, you're gonna fail anyway, so you might as well just accept it. The feeling of resignation sets in.

So those are the 5 stages of mugging! The key is to get through the 5 stages as fast as possible so that the cycle can be repeated... Then remain on the first stage as long as you can. Alternatively, after the 5th stage you can get to a systematic method of mugging. That'll be like... Reincarnation. Hahahaha...

On a side note... I think the whole production is being turned into a farce. Turning that role into what it is not is pretty unfair to the rest of us, I think. I don't see how a character who only appears in one scene should be placed as above-importance than others who appear in dozens more. He's a great actor and should probably deserve a more major role, so GIVE IT to him! Instead of treating the minor role as if it's a major one and ostracizing the rest of us. Sometimes I wonder whether it's worth it all... Not being given any direction at all... I mean, it's my first time doing this kind of thing man... I don't know if what I'm doing is right, or whether he just can't be bothered. Somehow I get the feeling it's the latter. But oh well... Maybe I'm just being oversensitive again. Still, I made a commitment, and I shall stick with it, no matter how sucky I may feel. Rehearsals are rather fun though!

Will be blogging about World Diabetes Day soon I hope... If I can get pics from Yee Keow.

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 12:12 AM
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Zen

The "Zen" state is a state coined by the JONg counsellors, where you are basically in a state where you are your own person, and you do not care about the actions and doings or what you may feel for, mainly, the opposite sex. Basically, you are detached and aloof.

The "Zen" state is difficult to attain, and for some, impossible. But the "Zen" state is where your mind is at its clearest, where for once you do not expect anything from anyone, and do not misinterpret the actions of others. You do not hope for anything, you do not try to read his/her actions and how they treat you. Best of all is, you are unaffected by jealousy.

Depending on your situation, the "Zen" state may be a good or bad thing for you. Choosing to remain in this state will render you invulnerability to any bad "qi" or karma, but may deny you happiness and joy. Remaining in the "Zen" state will bring you to a state of neutrality.

While in the "Zen" state it is important not to give in to temptations that come your way every now and then, or what comes after will be devastating; because what is presented to you is usually, mostly a lie, blurred and distorted by what you want to see. And you see only what you want to see, not what is reality. By pulling yourself out of the "Zen" state in this manner, it will take several weeks, months of healing, to resume the "Zen" state.

On a side note, I seriously do wish people would shut the hell up during lectures... The poor lecturer is in front trying to teach us how to be doctors man... You don't have to talk among yourselves and make snide comments or make fun of the lecturer during his lesson! It's just plain rude. I mean, I can even hear super clearly the conversations of some people from the other end of the lecture room lah! It's always the same bunch of people... If you're gonna disrupt the lesson like that and break the attention of the other students, maybe you shouldn't attend the lectures at all, since you obviously know the topic so well that you don't need to pay attention to the lecturer. Show some respect, man!

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 2:19 PM
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Sunday, January 06, 2008

2007

Oh yay I koped this from Glori's blog... I love doing stuff like this. Hahaha.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Er lots of stuff I guess... Hard to list them all. I disassembled, assembled and fired several guns, threw a grenade... Basically, went to the army. I sang live in public in an a cappella group, I played a role in a musical, I started learning how to drive, started playing full field football instead of just street soccer, went to med school... Etc etc.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year
I don't really make New Year's resolutions... Cos I don't really know what to make. Everything seems wrong lol.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
No countries this year... Sigh. I would've gone to Taiwan with my armour unit if I hadn't disrupted though.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
I seriously have no idea right now... Haha. A girlfriend? :P that's gonna be uber unlikely.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I've got 2 actually... 13th January. It was the day my freedom was taken away from me. And 1st July. It was the day my freedom was given back. Lolll

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Actually pushing for a gold in IPPT! Hahaha. Though I'm like 1 full minute off my 2.4 timing to get a gold... =\ Just kidding though. My biggest achievement would probably be completing OT2 with all the great guys around me... It was a fabulous culmination of all our efforts, and I'm really, really gonna miss all those guys...

9. What was your biggest failure?
Probably relationship and friendship-wise... I haven't really been the friendliest of people around.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
3 major ones... In the army I burned a freakload of skin off my left hand swinging down the rope in the confidence obstacle course... Then I still had to do SOC the day after with the burned hand. I also sprained my wrist while playing netball with my OG, and recently I got a very bad case of gastric flu which left me vomiting and having diarrhoea several times... Not exactly a good year =\

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My laptop.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Christopher Seet, our beloved director from OT2. He's the most encouraging, most family-oriented man I've ever met. Always cheerful, civilised, never once losing his temper and always caring and thinking of others. If I had an elder brother I'd love it to be Chris Seet.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well... I don't really wanna name people here. But some people really only think about themselves and the worst part is that they... or rather he, does not bother listening to people's opinions when he sets his mind on something... It's like... He asks people for opinions just for show... To show he's like some sort of "democrat" or something. It's just disappointing really.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Xbox 360 games I think. Lolz.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Disrupting from the army.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

I have no idea. I guess it will have to be either "In The End" or "P5hng Me A*wy" by Linkin Park cos they describe my life very well.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:(i) happier or sadder?
Sadder. Things haven't really been going that smoothly of late...
(ii) thinner or fatter?
Thinner. After army I lost like 10+ kg and since then I've been able to maintain that weight.
(iii) richer or poorer?
Richer. I had a job for 6 months this year. Hahaha.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Study.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Daydreaming and thinking of impossible things... Or maybe losing control of my feelings and regretting it later.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with my both my maternal and paternal sides of the family... Just two dinners in the two days. I also spent the Christmas period carolling with Medsoc and with Resonance, as well as having all the rehearsals for OT2.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Unfortunately.

22. Did you break any hearts?

Hahahahaha! You're joking right.

23. How many one-night stands?
None leh... I usually lie down on the bed at night... Don't spend it standing up all night. It would probably be really tiring you know. Also cannot sleep.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Avatar: The Last Airbender.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Er... I don't generally HATE anyone.

26. What was the best book you read?
Yes Glori, I will personally beat you up for giving the answer that you gave to this question. ZOMG. I've read several good books this year... The best I guess would be the two books I've read from the Troy trilogy by David Gemmell... "Lord of the Silver Bow" and "Shield Of Thunder". I'm still reading the second one, in fact.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Zero 7... A band from the UK. They're simply fantastic... I "discovered" them when I was watching House MD and they played one of their songs at the end of a show.

28. What did you want and get?
Medicine.

29. What did you want and not get?
Many things... But let's not go there, shall we?

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Ratatouille.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was in the army. I can't remember exactly what I did, but I bet it was tiring and unpleasant. I turned 19 this year.

32.What is one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Having things go my way for once. Hahaha.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Non-existent.

34. What kept you sane?
My incredible ability to be able to survive alone, without the need for socializing.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Felicia Chin! Omg!!! She came to NUS like twice and I didn't see her at all man. Perry got to see her 5 times in the 2 days and even took a PHOTO with her! Life is so damn unfair.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I dunno. I'm pretty apathetic to politics. Apathetic or ignorant.

37. Who did you miss?

I'm gonna miss all the OT2 people I worked with, who are not in my batch or not in the M2 batch... People like Chris Seet, Chris Ho, Meng Chon, Siying, Muggy, Sunder, Xiaoke, Victor, Dennis, Amelia, Moira, Pearly and so on...

38. Who was the best new person you met?
It's a five-way tie between Chris Seet, Chris Ho, Meng Chon, Sunder and Siying. Okay I guess Sunder doesn't really count since I met him in my Medicine interviews. I guess it would have to be Chris Seet.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
You can't always go it alone.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:"One thing, I don't know why, it doesn't even matter how hard you try."

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

Archangel scored a goal at 1:29 AM
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Haha... Looking back, there were so many ups and downs over these past 1 1/4 years... It's been a hell of a ride so far... Hope that it gets far better from here on =)

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Archangel

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