cheesecake !!!

My last night before I flew back to Brisbane for my final semester.

Went to Siglap Cheesecake Cafe for delicious desserts.

I tell you, Strawberry Oreo Cheesecake is the ultimate sin !

It's so damn nice and indulgent, it practically melt in the caverns of my watery mouth.

Clara is so in love with cheesecake that she even talks to them.

Hehe. Sniggers =P

Cheesecake Sinners

Strawberry Oreo Yum

Chocolate Cheesecake !

happy birthday my nephew

Happy Birthday!

My dearest nephew.

May you grow up handsome and strong like your uncle. Wahahahha.

First day of my second cycle !

First day of Chinese New Year.

Barely out of my shower and pours of my relatives are in my living room.

And before I even hung up my wet towel, children were bouncing off my new bed already =]

And I like what I'm wearing today.


Happy Chinese New Year to one all and may you have a ratty good year ahead !

a fresh new beginning

it's reunion dinner in the next few hours.

and yes, it's gonna be the official rat year so i'm turning 24 in a couple of months.

hearsay that it's not gonna be a good year for me although it's my year so i hope to tide through the days.

Gonna wear green for my first day coz it's suppose to be auspicious for rats so I rather believe it rather than ignore it.

anyway, green is my favourite colour as evidently shown on my blog.

I have moved back to my original house which I'm happy.

My house looks so modern and now I sleep on a Queen sized bed.

Woot~ can roll around without falling off and if u know my size, I've been sleeping on a single bed for FAR TOO LONG.

Wahahahaha.

Just did up a photo mural , I think it's pretty nicely done up with all the last minute pins.

Went shopping yesterday with Jason and I got POKER chips.

Yay.

Now can play poker at the convenience of MY PLACE.

So come come.

Friends are invited to my place on 2nd day of CNY.

Those who have my number, call me and I'll give u my address.

Lots of gambling fun awaiting.

I just hope that this year, will be a year of wonderful experiences for me.

= ]

Ben

flu

To top off the inauspicious beginning to the new 2008, I'm sick.

Woo hoo.

I was speaking to Tiffany over the phone, my fellow same-day-same-month-same-year beautiful twin and she was lamenting her bad luck.

She lost her phone in Taipei.

Shucks.

So far, not a good start for Virgoes.

Gonna lie low, avoid mahjong sessions and just chill.

My flu is recovering and I am discovering the importance of Vitamin C.

Hope everyone takes care in this flu season.

Peace Out,
Ben

a not-so-good 2008 headstart

2008 has started on a bad note for me.

Things are down in the dumps but i'm staying optimistic.

My new mantra for the year:

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

Watching DVDs at home now, enjoying my proper holidays now.

Somehow, I can't wait for my school semester to start.

Being back in Brisbane, is like escaping to another world.

School timetable is out, I wonder what's in store ahead.

Hope everyone has a great 2008 ahead.

Post Mortem 2007

And so it is.

2007 finishes with a bang for me.

Cafe Del Mar was the chosen hangout for the last wee hours of the year.

My first time there and it was quite cool.

Never went beach clubbing before and the experience was really an eye opener.

Dancing on sand. Dancing to progressive trance tunes. Dancing in the swimming pool.

Took a number of photos which are with Tiffany. Will need to get it from her when she's back from her flights.

It's really a "firsts" for me.

And from the way how the year goes, it looks like a year full of "firsts" for me, and I can't wait for it to unfold.

Like how today it was the first time i went on a picnic at the botanic gardens which I never been there since I was like 6.

And how I played with my nephew for more than 15 minutes and I'm starting to regain back my affinity for kids.

But back to the post mortem of 2007.

In retrospect, 2007 was an rather decent year for me I reckon.

Meeting great new friends like Marcus, Zane, Geraldine, John, Therese, Esther, JY, Jansen, Dylan and CW.

Started my degree and experienced living an independent life overseas. Not as easy as one thought.

Had a long distance relationship that fizzled in the end. Live and let learn about life's mistakes.

All in all, 2007 has been pretty much on a positive tangent.

And with it all wrapped up, I do look forward to my 2008 action plan.

My driving license. My university degree. My new year resolution. A newly renovated room. A job after I graduate.

In many ways then one, 2008 is gonna be an eventful year.

What holds for my love life remains a big question mark.

December 2007 has certainly open my eyes to a few things. About myself, about what I seek and about what works and what not.

And 2008 is the year where I reach 2 full cycles.

Hopefully, I will get loads of luck as it is my year of the rats.

Where will be one cycle down the road ? I don't know.

But the next 12 years will make and define my future.

2008. I wonder what's in store ahead. "cross fingers"

My and my nephew

greetings

merry christmas to one and all

been pretty tied up lately with moving the house and random other stuff.

getting my work out of the way soon and having proper hols, i hope.

2007 coming to an end.

Wee~~~

Time passes so fast when you are so young.

Sigh

no more 42

that's it.

i am officially declaring i will not participate in anymore full marathons.

i went thru the first time alright. the second time, i went thru the same agony.

Never again.

My body is not made for the 42 torture.

Sado-maschoist I'm not.

I might consider taking the half marathon, at least I can survive that far with glee.

Oh, and that said.

I have a job.

Been busy.

I got what I wished for so I gotta suck it up.

Yikes.

Ben

the reality of being a student

it was only yesterday that I did something out of my comfort zone once again.

it was just like any other day.

i woke up late and floated around the web before heaving my fat ass off to the gym.

after which, i met my close polymates, tiffany and aaron who have adjusted well to their high flying jobs.

joked a lot, shared a lot, laughed a lot.

and as it turns out yesterday, it only brought attention to my plight as a student on how my "allowance" limits me.

i had to reserve my finances to my main course while I look on with a glean of jealousy as they drank their tea and feast over their gourmet.

granted tiffany was nice enough to treat the fruit fondue, it only just highlighted it's time to wake up from la la land for me.

that said.

it sucks to be jobless.

i know it's my vacation but i have to watch the slimming bulge of my wallet.

what's eating up the hole is my dental costs and driving lessons.

speaking of which, i had my first lesson yesterday and i think it was super fun despite the engine jams. Weee~~~

and back to reality, these few days will be an intensive search for any jobs out there.

decent jobs that pay well. i abstain from insurance related jobs, just a personal peeve.

other than that, i really think by December, i should be earning my dough or i will feel damn downright miserable.

to carry on with the rest of the day, a mahjong session was held at night and since my wallet was being a miser due to my studently ways, i vehemently chose the cheapest route.

the reliable bus transport. from simei, i took 2 buses and walk 4 km to an ulu ulu place to reach my destination at 1.30 am.

it's an adventure for me i reckon.

and a normal day turned out not so normal after all.

forgetting to mention after 2 round of session, i chose to take bus home again and walk home from bedok reservoir which was like another 5 km.

yes, i'm crazy but you only live life once.

ben

smell the singapore air

Yoz.

I'm back on da mainland.

First off, it's good to be back.

Lemme recount my steps and share my thoughts throughout my return flight.

Somehow, I was not as eager as the previous time.

It was a feeling of wading through wanderlust.

Went for last minute shopping to get necessary souvenirs like nougats and fish oil.

Showered and packed my luggage.

Went for tibetian food with Zane and Marcus before heading to the airport, courtesy of Geri.

Upon arrival, the check-in queue was long.

My head was telling me, sianz, must be a full flight and worst off, from the sample population of the people in the queue, it looks like it's gonna be a miserable flight.

Finally was my turn, my 2 check-in luggage was H-E-A-V-Y as accounted for by Mr. Zane.

And yes it was. 42 kg in fact.

I tried to be polite and smile to her while I talk.

A little flirting goes a long way, although I wasn't sure how to measure effectiveness of the "smile", I was able to pass thru.

I always though student allowance was 40kg, didn't know it was 30kg as a matter of fact.

Went to the bookstore and got a magazine to while away time.

Waited at the lounge and like 1 hour before the boarding gate was open, Asians started to queue.

So kiasu [roll eyes].

I managed to book the last few rows where I could lie all the way back without anyone kicking me from behind.

Was pleased with Singapore Airlines as usual.

Everything was up to expectations, just that of the top 5 featured movies, I already have downloaded 4 of them on my laptops so there wasn't much movie selection left, save for Underdog and a Mighty Heart.

There was this gal who serve me, i think she's quite pretty in her dolled-up SQ girl persona.

Throughout the whole flight, I barely even slept.

I just couldn't and didn't know why.

I visited the loo like 6 times, not because I had an upset stomach but just wanted to find something to do.

I always like SQ toilets, it's SO much spacey as compared to the rest of the other airlines I've taken.

Collected my luggage, didn't use my alcohol allowance and met my brother and parents.

It was a great feeling, haven't seen them for 3 months plus.

It was barely dawn, headed down to the SAME market for breakfast (The previous time I came back, we went to the same market). Begins to think this is a family ritual.

Ate vegetarian bee hoon, you tiao, half-boiled eggs and milk tea. Most of the other stores were not open, although I look forward to oily carrot cake.

Went home to unpack a bit, but my kind-hearted tired brother fetch me to Aljunied to get my handphone back from Jacque.

Grrr... he scratch my new phone cover. Then, headed to Sheng Shiong supermarket to get my toiletries.

Headed home, unpack till 12 noon, had a light shower and tried to nap.

Failed terribly as I barely clock 1 hour of sleep.

Right now, I'm just feeling out of sync, my head is light headed from the lack of sleep.

Am heading down to City Hall later and also meeting my family for dinner again.

Further thoughts to share, I'm beginning to feel more family-oriented and starting to cultivate a gentlemanly behaviour after my overseas study stint.

Oh yar, not forgetting, I'm in need of mahjong therapy, so *waves*, I'm back !!! Call me, call me.

I'm free now before I start finding work.

And to end this entry, I'm trying to finish my mom's porridge which was meant for lunch but it's like 3:45 pm here and it feels like dinner for me. Yikes.

i'm walking on sunshine

Yes.

My exams are over.

It just seems like a breeze as compared to my friends who have YET to start having their first paper and their last paper are like a fortnight later.

So yea, lucky me.

I'm coming home soon.

Whoopie.

My internet at home is down. =(

Am just slacking these last few days, really nothing to do.

Am looking ahead at job opportunities and really do hope that I'm able to seize one.

Packed my luggage halfway le, really nothing much to do.

Oh well.

Singapore, here I come.

Ben

ten study commandments

It just hit me like a thunderbolt of realization that I'm not living in fantasy land.

It's 11 days to my first final examination paper and I still have 2 uncompleted assignments and no undue revision.

That's bad in my books.

I only can blame myself for my slacking.

Hence, I have whipped myself to abide by my self-inflicted 10 commandments to get my brain into shape.

Ben's 10 Commandments

#1: Thou shalt not login to World of Warcraft servers at any given time till the final papers are OFFICIALLY finished.

#2: Thou shalt not engage in World of Warcraft related chat lest Ben gets distracted

#3: Thou shalt follow his study schedule of topics

#4: Thou shalt not engage in mindless and idle chatter on MSN

#5: Thou shalt have 7 hours of sleep everyday and sleep no later than 2am unless rushing assignment deadline

#6: Thou shalt not even attempt to shop or think of shopping for clothes (thereby erasing the thought of going to direct factory outlet).

#7: Thou shalt not covet in friend's luxury of freedom to enjoyment.

#8: Thou shalt not purchase ANYMORE snacks ESPECIALLY chocolates until my supply has disappeared to my stomach abyss

#9: Thou shalt visit the gym regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle for an active body for an active brain.

#10: Thou shalt be diligent and surf less internet and spend more time in books.

That said, I will be in hiatus and be in book haven for like the next fortnight.

Have mercy on my soul and pray for me.

i'm not dead ... yet

Hiho.

It's been a long while since I posted.

I'm still sacrilegiously alive.

Bogged down with assignments and World of Warcraft.

Can be pretty bored down under but I make do = )

Have one assignment due in 5 hours and I'm like 80% done.

I so hate third-person essays.

I'm like SUPER distracted to concentrate on finishing my assignment.

Life is well and good, played lawn bowling last Saturday.

Something unique and interesting that I wouldn't mind going again. It's not an "old people sport".

Counting down the weeks and soon I'll be back !

Until then.

Not forgetting photos which I look horrendous by the way. If you use your magnifying glass, you'll be able to spot Marcus. Wahahaha.

one week hols

Blogging has taken a backseat lately, guess my penchant for blogging depends on my moody typist fingers.

That said, it's my one week semester break now.

So, less busy with no assignments due in the next fortnight or so.

Still, have to be busy mugging for my marketing research exams.

On one note, I seem keen to be a market researcher, since I fared pretty well in my assignments.

Must maintain my scores, at least get 2 distinctions.

Chants ***work harder***

I had my share of fun too k.

I went down to Wet n Wild which is a water amusement theme park near Gold Coast and I had a ball of a time.

I have photos of course but kinda lazy to load. = P

Had a decent tan, then headed down to Gold Coast for dinner.

Got my nephew a little something, so he'll get it when I get back.

Will be heading back to the beach in a few days time.

Winter is over and the sun is out in full blast. Love the heat, hate the chill.

Been watching So Do You Think You Can Dance and they always play this song at the departure of the eliminated female contestant.

"I will remember you" by Ryan Cabrera.

Love the song, and it's NOT representative of what I'm feeling now whatsoever.

I'm happy being a student, mugging and getting my grades.

Just can't wait to go back to Singapore to get down nitty gritty aka work.

Looking for holiday jobs like an internship in an advertising agency or a bank.

Anybody got lobang ?

EMAIL ME !!!

Ben

realization of age

It occurred to me recently that I'm no more going to be a young adult.

20 - 23 would what I classify as young adult.

And 24-27 would be what you are as an adult I suppose.

I shall not get into the technicalities of 27 and beyond because by my own definition of 30 and above, that would be a label befitting for a relic.

Okay, I exaggerate.

Back to my main point.

I have roughly less than 365 days where my label as a young adult will come to an end.

I spend a majority of my life studying, acquiring knowledge for the good of my future.

And I'm still in the midst of it.

I read somewhere you spend 1/6 of your life at work.

And since you spend 1/3 of your life at sleep then that leaves half of your life for whatever.

I also reckon you spend 1/10 of your life traveling too.

Ok, enough with the numbers.

But yeah, starting to look at the young ones around me and how I'm so significanly mature.

Then again, I have the heads up because I have some what of a mature point of view.

So yeap.

Chants mantra of "Think positive".

Been busy with work lately, spend last Thursday overnight doing up an assignment.

It was crazy and manical and I woke up for a Friday morning lecture.

Things I do when I'm young.

I think must try all the dare devil stuff now before next time I do it, people see me do it must be thinking I'm some fuddy duddy that is acting young.

Fwahahahaha.

Oh and I just burst into laughter a minute ago.

I'm now mugging in the library and I saw a fire evacuation poster, and someone liquid of the V and change it to a J.

Back to mugging,
Ben the soon-to-be ah pek

hitting 23

I'm another year older.

Don't feel any different though.

Still look the same I suppose haha.

Had a casino buffet to celebrate with uni friends.

Nothing much.

Had a 16 hour World of Warcraft marathon session.

Something special for the weekend I suppose.

Much ado with all my school stuff now.

Ben

quick update

Just a quick buzz on what I'm doing lately.

Mid-semester exams are approaching, I'm steadily doing my preparations so I'm assured on that part.

Got one coming on this Saturday morning so am amped up for it.

Just make scrambled eggs for breakfast, no fuss really.

I do need a change of breakfast menu though, I alternate between bread, oat flakes and eggs.

Need to add in more variety like maybe finally including some panacakes or waffles of sorts.

Life is pretty much sedated as usual.

Played Texas Hold'em poker yesterday and I think I quite like the play.

Using wit, luck and guts, it's a bit like mahjong, just less noisy and some quick thinking.

It's end of week 5 here in Oz, can't wait to pack my bags for sunny Singapore.

It can be terribly cold and freezing here, especially with the change of season and the monsoon typhoons drastically alternating weather conditions everywhere.

Today is grocery day so yeap.

That's all to update.

Ta.

planning the weeks ahead

I know I'm going to sound crazy.

But, I'm beginning to get into the groove of school.

And I love the adrenaline rush of projects and assignments.

Just keeps me going and pumping.

I guess when I was planning my next few days out, I kept looking at my scheduling.

And how excited I was.

And yes, call me sick but I love to plan my days ahead.

Keeps me on the ball and alert of things to come.

I have a checklist of items to clear this weekend.

And like all other weekends so far in Australia, I hardly venture out for more than half a day.

And I'm contented being cooped in my room.

Be it playing computer games (World of Warcraft) or doing my assignments.

Now, WoW has to take a backseat as I'm assignment-oriented.

I hope this keeps up and I don't run out of steam.

I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead.

In a flicker of the eye, soon it will be final exams, and soon, I will be home again.

Woot~, I hope to get an internship or find a work placement.

Can't wait to start work and earn my moolah.

Corporate ladder, here I climb !

a lecture of irony

Today's afternoon lecture was as stale as usual.

There was a only whiff of irony when the lecturer threw a question to the floor.

Lecturer:"So, define the Australian culture."

Student #1: Drinking.

I sniggered along with the lecturer nodding his head in approval.

Student #2: Laidback attitude to work.

I smirked along with the lecturer nodding his head in approval.

Student #3: Multicultural

I rolled my eyes, in irony.

For those who don't study in a foreign land, you'll know what I mean.

"sniggers"