Expensive Indian food, it's not funny.
Qi

Mei Hua and Towkay Lee
Qi

Anything Goes! (Act 1 Scene 8)
Qi

Zhi (Hope) and me, in full makeup and wig
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me and dot
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Mei Hua and the 4 Flowers
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Post Production

The production has finally come to an end. Phew. As i mentioned to many, the feeling is awfully different from Sing to the Dawn, where i felt like i could go on for more shows after the thing ended. In this case, i am tremendously relieved. I'm actually glad it's over and i look back with no regret.

It has been an unforgettable experience, from 15-second costume changes to ultra-tight wigs to failing (and finally succeeding) to keep pulsing for songs. i cherish every moment cos it has been a wonderful learning experience.

It has also humbled me a great deal as i remember that this is a 100-people production. And i am only one of them. And while this may sound awfully religious, i really left it to God. At some point, i felt like keeping the rhythm was really beyond me. i noe it sounds hilarious cos it seems so easy. But as the cliche but true saying goes, "in my weakness, His strength came through" Marvellous feeling!

The last few days has been (in J's words), bliss. i've been doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. And enjoying it thoroughly. of course, this nothingness is about to come to an end because i took up another musical project, called Pagoda Street. It will be showing at the Esplanade from 4 to 6 August. And rehearsals start tomorrow. Eeks. but i'm only chorus. so should not be too bad.

All in all, i'm happy. Thank you Daddy God.

waiting...
Qi

Cast Outing

One of the ways to get to noe people better is when u do things together and have a common goal (some say common enemy).

This morning we visited the theatre we were going to perform at. It felt so good. Cos there was lots of space on the stage, in the wings and in the dressing rooms. We just have to fill it.

Later when we finished, we went to Ah Teng's at Raffles Hotel. It's really a nice little cafe obviously trying to look like a kopi-tiam, its price list failing miserably. But ok la, the atmosphere is nice, i don't mind goin more often.

After having 'breakfast', we headed straight to Alex Eating house to have the Char Siew Rice that J loves. And he certainly got us all excited. It was so funny.

I learnt a lot of new things today. About people and about my jokes and about tearing coupons. I'm beginning to enjoy the people i'm meetin in this production. But i guess the most important thing is to put up a good show. So that when these good people meet up to talk/gossip/talk, we will associate the memory with having put up an awesome show, just like with Sing to the Dawn.

tearing coupons requires lots of thought and many hands
Qi

tearing coupons is a team sport
Qi

Ah Teng's Bakery has pizza
Qi

We patronise food places named after cast members
Qi

char siew rice can be overrated
Qi

Chippy

Awake, and not looking at my cam.

Chippy was given to me by my friend Sof. Chip actually belonged to her neighbour who was goin overseas to study. That was 2 years ago. Chip was named 'Chip' cos he has an identification chip planted in his ear. He's very sweet, possessing some interesting human-like traits.

Firstly, he snores like one. Also, he knows how to knock on the door and wait for the door to be opened. I think that is so gentlemanly.

His eating habits will have to be his weakest link. cos as long as you have food, you can get Chippy to do almost anything.

Anyway, dear friend, meet Chippy. =)

Souffle

my dear Souffle

So i spent the last two days thinking about my Souffle (in case you didn't noe, that's the name of my iPod Shuffle). Cos i thought i lost it. I was so sad and worried and felt like kicking myself cos it didn't come cheap and losing it is simply not an option.

I found it in my shoe-bag. I have no idea what it was doing there. Only that i brought my shoe-bag to rehearsals one day and i guess i must have placed Souffle into it after using. And then i forgot all about it.

Souffle goes jogging with me, helps me learn up my songs and makes me feel and look cool. What would i do without u? Hee. But now i don't have to think about that you are found. Yippee!

Going Fishing

So, a bunch of my church friends are going fishing next Sunday. Most of them are married couples and couples behaving like they are married. in any case, they were shopping for some crab cages. u noe, the type that catches crabs.


A: (holding up a cage) how about this one?

B: (all knowledgeable) oh, this one is not so good. You can only catch one with it.

A: Woah, how come so lousy one?

C: (hazarding a guess) I know i know! Is it cos after u catch one, the others crabs will realise that it's a trap. Then they will not fall for it.

D: so it will work for copy-crabs!

Somsri, A Time to Choose, July 2003.
Qi

Somsri, Act 1 Scene 5, The City Song, July 2003
Qi

A goody-two-shoes god, Feb 2004
Qi

Soh Mei Hua, July 2005
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Cheryl and her musicals

Well, i was looking through my very messy Picasa and realised that i have a few photos tt most haven't seen, i think.

Those of my musicals. Every year in SMU, i take part in something. And trust me, all are very fun. I don't have pictures of my blue hair. Perhaps it was deliberate cos i don't remember enjoying that one very much. Also, it's not exactly counted cos i didn't act. only sang.

This tracks my growth in SMU. And many fond memories of people, people and people. I think that's what threatre is about in the end. It's about people. It's either the people u perform with, or the people you perform for.

Anything Goes is my last SMU production.

I just got a new camera

which means i'l be posting a lot more pictures now. pictures of my fabulous life and interesting stories, coupled with visuals. hee hee.

and i just realised the most interesting thing about my new cam. that its batteries last about 45 mins! whoo hoo!

haha. but i have no complaints. the reason y it ran out so quickly this time was cos i was learning how to use the menu and all the functions.

ok, now i have to bathe. and if i have the energy, i'l even watch a few episodes of Sex and the City. I'm so damn happy!

another one of the three pairs i made while i was ill.
Qi

One of the three pairs i made while i was sick.
Qi

my latest craze. i'm watching the shows. and today, i just got hold of the book. yippee!
Qi

my new skirt! it's v v nice. only a little short. just a little. hee.
Qi

Here's me. Almost fully recovered from a bout of fever. yay.
Qi

The Verdict is Out

this is goin to sound bimbo.

but it turns out that my green bag is indeed perfect. and i'm truly a domesticated person. today i was feeling like baking. but then in the end i didn't. i sewed a bag instead. how i wish i owned a digicam or a camera phone. then i can show it to u. but hmmm....

i'm still in my search for someone to pass on a white elephant digicam.

and...now i'm goin to pack my room. i shall heartlessly throw out the things that i don't need and clear out some space. i love for my room to look sparse.

then, i'l indulge myself in Sex & the City. hee. Life after exams is good.

Can't sleep

hee. had rehearsal from 1pm to 10pm today. then i complained about how i need rest and all that. and here i am at 4.50am in the morning, dunno doing wat.

the vocal trainer has already mentioned that a lack of sleep will affect the voice quality. but it's not that i want.

i can't sleep. i dunno why.

so i decided to drink some Choya. hee. my favourite alchoholic drink.

in the meantime, i made 2 pairs of earrings. i wish i had a digicam at my disposal so that i can take a picture and post it. but then, too bad. i'l have to wait for B to return from Aussie and then i can use her camera phone.

i also painted my toe-nails. black. for the purpose of contrasting with my new green filp-floppies.

tomorrow i'l go and get a triple shot latte (skinny). hopefully that will energise me.

my head is getting giddy. perhaps i'l go lie down. and give sleeping another try.

The O. Sea

just watched episode 23 and 24 of OC Season 2 and i cried so many times. so sad and so depressing. but there were parts that are so cute. and Summer never fails to impress me.

so there was this school prom. and of course everyone dressed up and looked so good. as with most parties, this one also had a theme. it was called the O. Sea. and the entire party is likened to the underwater world. it was most interesting.

to dress up the place, obviously the usual can't be used. balloons and streamers were not the main thing. they hung tortises on the ceiling. when Marissa and Summer walked under it, i burst out laughin cos it was so cute.

this is what i call creativity. the experience of walking under a tortise will surely help me feel like i'm under water. hee.

My morning at Corduroy & Finch

hot latte on a cold rainy morning
Qi


mmmmmmmmm....
Qi


got milk?
Qi


the amount of food cheryl has for breakfast...
Qi


food close-up....large choc chunks
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Green seems to be my new favourite colour

Nowadays, things that are green just look so good to me. and make me feel so good. it makes me feel fresh, renewed and energetic. so join with me and celebrate my new green clip, bought to accompany my perfect green bag.


this green hair clip. v nice n cool
Qi


and makes my hair look like this!
Qi

i tink it makes my hair look longer. which is something i so want. long long hair. and bangs. welcome the green me.

Food and their (artificial) colouring

biscuits with coloured icing sugar tops
Qi

there was this day when A and Y bought a huge bag of these biscuits. and so someone started this discussion about how these brightly colored biscuits have a lot of colouring and are therefore bad for health.

someone: oh, if u r scared, then eat the white one. i tink it has no or the least colouring.

someone else: no lor! i tink it has the most. cos since the ingredients are like eggs and all, to make it white requires the most artificial stuff.

someone: hmmm....what about M&Ms? they also have a lot of colouring don't they?

someone else: oh, for M&Ms, the brown ones are the safest. no colouring.

forrest knows best. he only eats brown M&Ms

me. happy.



me. yums



me



me acting sweet

Retail Therapy

hi all. i have nothing funny to say. i noe it's unusual cos i have good jokes most of the time. but yea, there're exceptions.

yesterday was a fairly good day. i went to church and G went with me. so cool. i was encouraged.
then i blew a hundred bucks on shopping. bought a pair of wedge heels and a green bag. a green bag!


my perfect green bag
Qi

i've been wanting one for some time but haven't found the perfect one and now i have!

i bought the heels cos i've been wanting wedge heels for some time too. they are yellow and green. cos i've developed something against black shoes. i think they look unfriendly and contrary to most people's beliefs that they go with everything, i tink they go with nothing and make feet look ugly. but that's me. so i'm investing in pink leather heels and happy picnic wedge heels.

cos if all goes well, i don't ever have to wear black heels to work. i'm living what i believe! haha!

i so want to put a picture of my green bag and heels. but i don't have a ready to use camera which is why i'm always asking people to email pics i take with their phones. but to think it another way, if u haven't seen me in a while (which means u don't noe my lastest collections), it's time to meet me up.

let's go for coffee. or we can buy more things.

Study Study Study

sigh. do u noe that i'm less than 2 weeks away from my exams? and i can't even remember the last time i sat down and read something for 3 hours at a go. sigh.

in my bid to begin studyin, i packed my table a little. guess wat i found? and it's not pretty.


a lot of ticks eggs.


yes. is ur hair standing? cos mine are.

it was super horrid. i picked them out, crushed them and burnt them. i hope they die die die.

and i was filled with guilt at the thought that i'm in fact the one causing my dear chippy to have all those blood-sucking parasites. i hope he never finds out. but i tink i'l confess to him tm. he's sleeping now.

now my table is in a semi-mess state. cos i found the ticks eggs halfway cleaning up and i got distracted killing them. and now i'm too tired. i tink i'l continue tm. i really need to study. study. study!

Is it real?

i think it's such a compliment when someone thinks some part of ur body is fake. cos then it means it's v nice. Ok, it's arguable. cos sometimes pple can have bad boob jobs. so as u all noe, i got my haircut.

the feed back came back:

A: (pulls my hair) is it real?

L: (looking guilty) don't mean to tell u this, but ur hair looks like a wig.

T: i think u need sleep.

G: it's cute.

ok, so i didn't mean for it to be cute. pple were supposed to think it looks like a wig and i love the way bangs look on my face. cos i tink it emphasizes my already-big eyes, even though i need sleep. it's supposed to be sexy.



ok, maybe the sexiness isn't so external

Today

today P and E came over and we watched 2 shows, Mean Girls and Dodgeball. I'm now a proud member of VideoEzy. but i'm still looking out for cheaper alternatives.

We hung out, we didn't say much. We just sat and watched. and watched. Some parts were interesting. Some parts were long and draggy. I tink the true test for a show is when u watch it on VCD/DVD rather than at the cinema. This is cos then u noe truly whether or not it engages u. And i tink the 2 shows we got today passed. But only just passed.

Now i'm stuck trying to do my AT report. What a drag. By the way people, i cut my hair. I just wanted something new. But it turns out to be not anythin very new, but just a hairstyle that i used to have. But it's fun goin for a haircut. If only my hair grew faster. Cos at one time, i want long flowy hair, other times, i just wan short cute bop hair. And i don't wan to wear a wig. I hate wigs. especially blue ones.

Sat and talked with Eu yesterday. Discussed what i learnt in church. Wat a liberating thing to do, to talk and to try to comprehend more and more why things can be so exciting. Thanks Daddy God.

Finally, i'm tired. i'm v v tired. But once again, it's believing. And trusting that You have the best plans for me. Thank You.

i love chocolates

u noe, i have been eating chocolates everyday. and for those who say it lifts ur mood (p?) well, it's complete nonsense. cos everyday i eat, everyday i'm sad. and to make matters worse, my hips are growing, along with ulcers and a general feeling of heatiness.


but i'm goin to continue.

i rather have chocs than lunch.

it feels gooooooood...



for a while.

Goodbye Dr Wee

Below is the eulogy written by Dr Wee Khim Wee's granddaughter. I never knew this man. but i think that this has been beautifully written and i am shown through the little things he did, how one may live life with passion. it's so touching. (my fave is the turkey story)



MY grandfather's achievements as an editor, a diplomat and a head of state are now the stuff of legend. You would have read all these things in the newspapers or watched them on television — he was a public man. What I should talk about is my grandfather as a family man. I cannot talk about my grandfather without also talking about my grandmother. She was the rock of his life. His last thoughts were of her. They were holding hands when he finally went to sleep on Monday morning.
Last year, we celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. After dinner he presented her with a red packet full of money, which he then followed up with a jewellery box — because my grandmother loves wearing jewellery. There was a jade brooch inside the box.
And, in return, in front of everybody, she kissed him three times. They were 87 and 88 at that time.
Once, (when) I was learning the piano, I thought I would learn some songs to play at my grandmother's birthday party. I asked my grandfather what songs he thought she would like. To my surprise he gave me a type-written sheet (with songs listed) in order of preference. He was always a busy man — he used to tell me that he had two million things on his mind. But at some point in his life, he had sat down and thought hard about what music my grandmother would enjoy and typed it all out and kept it in special folder ready to be whipped out at anytime. Husbands who are here today: Do you have a list of your wife's top 10 favourite songs in a folder? That's a lesson you can take from my grandfather.

They celebrated 69 years of marriage together in April this year. I thank my grandfather from the bottom of my heart for showing us what it really is like to love a person. I also thank my grandfather for showing us what it is to love life. He was a man who enjoyed life. He collected snuff bottles, coins and stamps. He travelled the world; he played sports; he planted fruit trees; he loved the smell and taste of hazelnut coffee.

Whenever his grandchildren visited him in his office — whether at the Malaysian High Commission, the embassy in Tokyo, the Singapore Broadcast Corporation or the huge halls of the Istana — there would come moments when he would wink at us, open his desk drawer and say "have a chocolate". Unknown to my grandmother, who disapproved of his snacking in between meals, he always kept a secret stash of Hawaiian hazelnut chocolates, which he ate out of her sight during office hours.

My grandfather loved animals as well. He liked to watch horses running. He liked dogs and cats and he liked fish. At the last count, his house contained 11 chickens, eight terrapins, two goldfish and one dog. Once, someone gave him six turkeys. I think the idea was for them to be fattened up and eaten. My grandfather looked at them and spoke to them. He gave them names. I remember my mother saying to me, "Oh no, he has given them names — we'll never get rid of them now". And so the turkeys were with us for quite some time. But one day, they started irritating the chickens so my grandfather decided to find them a new home. The Singapore Zoo was chosen. When the family heard about this, of course we all joked that the turkeys would be fed to the crocodiles. He was so alarmed by this that he made special arrangements with the zoo. They were to send him a written report every time a turkey died. The report had to state the cause of death and age of each turkey. That was the kind of man my grandfather was. He revered and respected life — even the life of an animal.

The stories of his life are, to me, all stories of love.

If you wish to honour his memory in your life, then live your life to the full, stand by your friends, cherish your family, listen to everyone with an open mind and welcome those who cross your path with an open heart. He has gone on another journey now. We have spent the past five days saying goodbye to him and it is now the time to let him go. From all your grandchildren and great grandchildren: I know you love us all so very much. Goodbye gong gong (granddad). Goodbye.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Thank you God. for hearing my prayers. when it seemed like hope was lost and i had to resign to whatever, You proved again that You knew better.

Thanks Daddy God.

Hot Mocha when u r feeling cold on a hot day

i just finished fitness. am sitting in the red door now waiting for my directors to come and help me find my character. haha.

doin fitness felt like a chore today. it was so exhausting tho the things we did hardly worked me out usually. but it felt good after. it always does. i thrive on this post-fitness skinny feeling. short-lived indeed.

fitness often leaves me feeling cold. cos it's done in an air-con room. and boy, the air-con is cold. with a tough workout, u can still b dripping wet. but then, today was only ok. so after perspiring a bit, i felt cold. and let me tell u, sipping a hot mocha now is just making me feel all so blissful.

ok, p and v have come. we're goin to start work. here comes Mei Hua. *applause.

my ramblings

i have decided to drop in and ramble. yes. ramble. today i went for fitness. though the entire session was rather short, my stomach muscles really ache now. it's like i noe exactly which muscle is used for what action cos i can feel it. like really feel it.

then i dropped by SPE to watch a bunch of Primary 6 boys vie for National Primary Rugby Championships. Ok, that was an overstatement. cos i only saw the first match. then i left.

did project in the lib. to no avail. i could have been shopping and the amount of work done would have been the same. i feel pretty dumb.

Finally i went for rehearsals. we did the entire Act 1. To no avail too. other than seeing the entire thing run with no stopping, i gained nothing. sad? i noe. But i'm goin to work hard. I'd give anything. To being Soh Mei Hua to life. Watch me.

Now i'm going to attempt to do my project. tomorrow it's due. sigh sigh.

Detoxifying

i'm back. from a long long break of no inspiration. so i didn't tink. and when i don't tink, usually i don't have anything to write about.

but this time i have. haha. be prepared for the vomit coming ur way.

i'm goin on a detox plan! reasons being: i need more of some things. and less of others.
examples include

Less:
-food. i eat way too much, way too late.
-negative thoughts. including those that make me feel insecure, unconfident or sad.
-out of fashion/size/state clothes, resulting in wardrobe doors that are perpetually ajar.
-worry. i worry too much.

More:
-water. i haven't been drinking up. and it's essential in every detox plan i hear.
-prayer. this one is a long story i haven't figured out myself.
-positive, God-like thoughts. about myself and the things around me.
-time to let myself be alone. i'm scared to be alone and i must learn to face it.
-time to relax. and this excludes times when i make plans to have fun. i don't feel relaxed after that.
-pretty underwear.
-space between my body and my clothes when i have them on.

Be encouraged

"15Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18the eyes of your understanding[c] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

The Story of P

So P, B and E were walking out of Haven back to the library yesterday. (I was watching over them...so i know wat happened)

B: you know P, u r a very gullible person...things that pple tell u, u believe.

P: (indignant) no B, that's not true. I think about it, and consider whether it's believable or not.

B: no lor, i don't believe all the hearsay you reproduce. Unless u tell me things that are products of proper research....

P: fine.


they walk on silently......up the stairs...

E: my intestines feel squashed. it's pressing on something below. What's right below my intestines?

P: i know! it's the rectum! (excitedly, just short of jumping up like a cheerleader)

E: Nooooo! (disgusted)

B: dunno...is it the large intestine?

P: did u know that your intestines go round the world once? maybe that's y it feels squashed. (matter-of-factly)

B: P, who told u that? it's not true lor!

P: it is!!! (flashing a "how-could-you-not-know??" look)

E and B: rolling over in laughter....

P: don't believe? i'l check with my friend !! (from a prestigious college)

P then catches hold of a fren passing by

P: R, don't our intestines go round the world once?



R: (wide-eyed, in surprise) huh, they don't meh?

Purpose Driven Life

i need this. i'm tired. and in pain.

Happy Easter

Jesus is alive!

What a nice reminder. Good Friday is a public holiday. but tt's not the reason for it's Good-ness. But it's a long story. Let me know if u wan to hear it. i'd gladly oblige.

The Good Friday rally came to a happy ending. Though i am once again reminded i'm no longer a young teenager, i'm happy hangin out with all of them. Thanks to you all who turned up, smiled and clapped at the performance. I know it might not look it, but it was a lot of preparation. And i'm proud of it all. Glory to God!

My Timbuk2 has arrived. It's gorgeous. I have decided to name it Timbuk2. Clever me! (and creative) I'm excited about going to school cos then i can use it. Hee.

Tomorrow my church begins the 40 days of Purpose. It's a study to find out the purpose of life. It's for everyone. If u wan to join, let me know. No strings attached.

I just ate a bar of Toblerone. But for some funny reason, i don't feel like killing myself.

yesterday during Audit class, i was havin fun laughing at my friends, P and G. Because they own Apple laptops and were unable to run the ACL programme that we were using.

me: wah...ur laptops are so pretty...why are you not using them?

P: stop it la! (nudging me)

me: hahahah.....so pretty but cannot send print! (our school printers don't recognise Apples)

P: (pokes me again)

G: isn't it weird, that Mac can't run ACL?

P: well, it's Windows based.




G: sigh...is Microsoft Windows-based?


P and me: guffaws (loudly)

Becoming a better person

This entry is very random. and when i say that it is random you should be scared. cos it might be un-understandable. Was just thinkin about myself. (seriously, is there anything else?) and yes, i started to wallow in my own lies, my own delusions, and my own pity.

If u have heard me talk before, you know i strongly believe in the "Becoming a better person" theory. and i came up with it. I came up with a theory i believe in. How interesting!

It goes like this: it's actually a decision making model. Alternatively, it serves to make you make the best of situations. depending on whether you have entered in it already.

To begin, assume you have not embarked on it yet.

So let's say you are considering...whether or not to buy a new car. hmm...i dunno whether this is really a good example. but let's work on this first.

So upon considering the financial part, and parental objections cleared, etc...now is 'whether or not you should?'. if you ask me, i'd ask you, whether or not it'l make you a better person.

and if u can say yes, to God and to your conscience, then yea, go ahead.

Perhaps if u r not bored by now, you would ask me what i mean by becoming a better person? Well, actually there is no need to be all that academic about it. But here are some measures I take:
1) Will i be able to serve God better?
2) will i feel better about myself?
3) can't think of anymore.

As for the second part, it is built on the assumption that you are already in it. And there's no way out. For eg, you got sabo-ed into being in a project group with a bunch of free-riders.

this requires a bit more creativity. but you should (according to my theory) ask yourself how you can become a better person.
1) for eg, you can learn to work with people who might depend on you
2) may be able to help others
3) learn to effectively delegate
4) learn patience and tolerance
5) basically learn more about the module as you have more to do
6) many more....

if you are still here, reading, you might ask: "there are so many poor people, people who need help, projects that will make me a better person...then do i do everything?"

the answer is nope.

Instead, you can consider thinking about what you already have in your hands. Most of my friends are students. I am one myself. cos God placed me here. And this is my primal duty. So whatever secondary duties that will make me a better person cannot compromise this. In any case, a big part of becoming a better person is to be more knowledgeable.

And when you embark on something new, always consult your parents. cos God placed them there. They are our first advisors. And pray to God that they have the God-given wisdom, coupled with their life experience, along with how much they know about you, you can be quite sure their advice can add value.

Next, you can consult friends. Or seniors. including professors, pastors or certain people you respect. But once again, before that, pray that God will give them the words to say. And always clarify with them if you don't understand.



Finally, to see if you have been using this theory well, consider yourself now and yesterday. or last year or the year before. And ask yourself. Have you become a better person?

Soon Kueh

typing this entry is making me feel like eating some of that. was in school for a proj meeting. and next door in the seminar room, there was this event that involved refreshments. And it so happened that the time i was wanting to go and pee was the time when the people just started to attack the refreshments. This is a bit of some conversations i caught, on the way to the pee-room.

Asian lady/usher: (heavy singaporean/singlish accent) Oh, please help

yourselves to the refreshments.

caucasian guy: what's this? (pointing)

Asian lady/usher: we call this 'soon kueh'. It has a covering made of rice flour.

the filling is steamed tulips.

caucasian guy: oh really?

Happy Birthday to me

thank u. for putting up a surprise party that was really so surprising. i didn't expect anything at all. and amid ur projects, meetings, tests and other stuff, people still turned up, hid and jumped up to say 'surprise!'. thank u. i'm loved.

was walking from school to town today. (takes only 30mins) and couldn't help but think about my 21st birthday. i'm not sure if it's common to do this, but i often think of the previous year's birthday. that was exactly what i did.

being the 21st, i threw a party. it was so nice. it was a garden party with finger food, wine and cake. people dressed up and came with gifts, made small talk and laughed. later over delicious cake, they celebrated my life. thanks. i turned 21.

my party wasn't on the exact day. so when the eve of the real day came along, i knew that pple were suffering from celebration fatigue. so no way are they goin to surprise me. but being the real day, it was significant to me. i wondered if pple would care. i cried simply wondering. and they did. that was the first and last time i celebrated my birthday in McDonald's.

as i walked to town, i was thinking. thinking. and occasionally hurting. but also thanking God. for everything He has provided. When i was unsure, he gave me assurance. when i was sad, he gave me friends. when i'm hopeful, He reminds me to keep praying.

Today was such an enjoyable day. with friends who have known me for over 10 years. Yea, Ge, u noe u have been my ge for over 10 years? cos i got to know u when i was 11! And Genie and Qing. Such important people. And i can't believe u people actually bought me presents. what a nice surprise. thank you. thank you. thank you.

tomorrow i'm goin to Humble House with my family. cos they love me and they celebrate my birthday with me every year, over a dinner. thank God for family.

All of us. Top 3 local universities. Top 3 places in IVP Touch Rugby. Welcome to the club, SMU.
Qi

us
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E and me.
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me waiting to get my medal
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Our placing
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We fought hard. We lost some, we won the others. And it makes me proud to b part of this team. I'm surely gonna miss this BIG part of my SMU life. And u people made it so worthwhile, so special. Thanks. Also to those who didn't play, but supported us by coming down. You know who you are. = )

the IVP medal
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IVP 2005
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IVP 2004
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Hee

Today i got a chance to sit down with E, my beloved captain for a drink at Haven (what a name for a school canteen).




E: Just now i was having lunch with Wensi here le.

me: uh huh

E: then, i heard someone calling Wensi's name very loudly and repeatly. Like "wensi, wensi, wensi, wensi!"

So i told her, "eh, Wensi. They are calling you. Why are you ignoring them?"

Wensi (her face scrunched up as usual when she's worried/bursting to say something):

"No, E, the mosquitoes are bothering them."







* for the benefit of those who didn't get it, mosquitoes in Mandarin is called "wen zi".

You must love yourself before people can love u

Today we had a really short and light trainin, in preparation of tm's match against NUS. this time, everyone is a little more relaxed. Which is good, cos we really have a lot more fun when we are not so uptight about winning.

Coach was trying to help us be more confident on the field. I have no idea how this phrase came about. But he said something like don't lose to the opponent team even before you fight them. You must believe in yourself before others can believe in you. Just like how you must love yourself before others can love you.

At first (what's the 'hear' version of 'sight?), it sounds very logical. But now as i'm typing it, i'm not so sure anymore. I mean, God loved me first what. mayb it applies for pple. mayb...

We won

Today the SMU Touch Team (don't we sound totally cool) played against Singapore Poly. And won. It felt so great.

On the other hand, i did think the game slowed down with them as compared to NTU. And because it was slower, we were better able to keep at it. But against NTU, our fitness limited us pretty badly. Let's keep at it gals. It is such an honour to play with u peeps. U noe who u r.

All in all, today is a happy day. Thanks be to God.

The OC

I have just finished watching the OC Season 1. And i'm an addict. After having watched the entire season, i tink i wan to watch it again. cos it's so nice! the scenery, the people, the ups and downs, the perfectness of the Cohen family...and trust me, the list goes on.

My fave character has got to be Seth. He's so sweet and so funny. And Summer too. She turns out to b a nice gal. Summer is the fatter one, the less 'sweetie-pie' one and the funnier one. i can really relate to that. (people puking in the background)

Yea, ok, i get it. i love the OC.

my current fave food
Qi

Your grace is sufficient for me

Your grace is sufficient for me
Your strength is made perfect when i am weak
All that i cling to i lay at Your feet
Your grace is sufficient for me

I'm no longer striving to merit Your love
I rest in Your promise to me
That all of my sins are washed in Your blood
You mercy is all that i need

Your see me as righteous because of Your love
That made the atonement for me
Your mercy has triumphed where i should be judged
And now by Your grace i am free

Bloggin Spreeee!!

I'm feeling awfully relaxed today. Cos the last few days, i was struggling with an essay and i just handed it in. Feeling all happy and prancy, i had to endure Strategy class. But there's always something to learn. When u listen. hee.

We were discussing the importance of an incentive structure. This is so to motivate employees.

Manager: the toilet is filthy!

toilet-cleaner: I'm not motivated, sir.

Manager: (gasps) why not?! But your pay is tied to the profitability of the company!

toilet-cleaner: (rolls eyes) exactly.

From this, i learn that the employee needs to have control over the outcome in order for the incentive to have any effect.



Next, we talked about job structure.


manager: your job is to build a car.

employee: (excited look) sure!

manager: go on, the steel is lying all around.


i know you prolly don't find this funny. but i burst out laughing in class.


Next, we considered the inclusion of employees in decision-making, in order to instil a sense of ownership. So the prof went on to prompt the class...

Prof: Which kind of decision-making is more effective: centralised or decentralised?

Student: (smartly and smugly) For the top management, the decision-making can be more decentralised. At the lower levels, it can be more centralised. However, in every decision, every employees' views is taken into account.

Prof: (nodding in agreement, and thinking at the same time)

Fair enough....

So it's like having democracy in the company...

Student: (now with more confidence) yea, something like that.

Prof: What happens when i would like to buy a box of pencils?


You won't believe it. I burst out laughing again. And it's not even very funny.


After that, probably he felt bad or something, so he went on and qualified his statement..

Prof: well, Office Supplies can make a lot of difference actually. Maybe if SMU could cut down on them, fees could go down by as much as $1000.

Ber: (in ardent agreement, whispering) ya, u have no idea how expensive paper can be.

Me: wah lao. So the trees killed us la.

Ber: To think we tried saving them.


Now you know what i do in class, especially when i look like i'm paying attention.

Literature and Technology

Let me tell u something cheesy. possibly suck-up. but i'm goin to tell u anyway.

As u noe, i'm taking this course by Prof Kirpal Singh. It's called Better Living: Literature & Technology. And after so many thought provoking classes, i tink i am indeed becoming a better person. Reading the materials that he provided and casting thought about the subjects raised in class does indeed make me more observant and more appreciative about the world i live in.

Today we broached on an interesting topic. This was related by Prof Kirpal.

Kirpal was feeling cheeky one fine day and he engaged his wife in this conversation:



Kirpal: dear, you have never loved me for my body have u? it is my mind that attracted you right?

Wife: ya.....

Kirpal: so why is it that you don't get upset when i share my mind with other women, but u will not tolerate me sharing my body with other women?

Wife: ...

I suppose she is pretty used to her husband's interesting, tricky banter. And i like that idea. Next time, i must be able to tickle my husband like that. Only i fear i might b limited by my wits. Mayb not. hee.


So, in a feeble attempt to participate in class, and i mean feeble, I asked Prof Kirpal

Me: Prof, what if the same question was bounced back to you?

Kirpal: Oh, don't worry, i've already told her that i love her body.


Well well, Prof answered so quickly, i was so sure he was waiting for some dumb-dumb to ask this question so that he can answer. And i did just that.

Immediately after this, he went on to explain his views about how men tend to be very territorial about their women's body.

Also that women are meant to be submissive to their men. Well, i have to say that there are potentially lots of things to discuss about this subject. My input is that: It is indeed the duty of the woman is to submit (even the Bible says so explicitly), and it seems like it's increasingly difficult for the new-age woman to do so, now that she is more educated than before, less dependant and the thought that women are inferior to men is diminishing, especially in the Singaporean society.

However, submission is not a one-sided thing. For a woman to submit, it's easy. really. Just let her know that you love her. Of course, i'm speaking from rather shallow experience, having never been married before. But if i know that i'm loved, i don't ever have to doubt your intentions.

And while some women may think they are stronger than men, i know that a very significant portion do not. Deep inside, is a knowledge that women need men and vice versa. It's in a woman's nature to submit. (i think)

The reason why woman seem less and less able to submit, i attribute a bit of it to men being less and less able to commit to their woman, to remind and assure her that he wants the best for her.


I really believe that there are much more issues involved in this. And this is a small part. But that's the fun part. If the whole 'love' thing is so easy to understand, i doubt people will find it intriguing.

Souffle

Dear all, my ipod Shuffle is on the way. And its name is Souffle. i'm sooo happy!

Build up

i'm listening to soulful music. and it's making me feel soulful, watever that means.

My dad has been listening to sermons in the car lately. Most of the time, when he picks me up, he's already halfway through it. Moreover, we still try to maintain a conversation. So, it ends up that i only manage to catch a few words. My dad may seem like he can multi-task. However, i later found out that he has been listening to the same sermon maybe for the fifth time? Anyway, all i'm tryin to say is that i may be getting thing out of context.

'build character'

this ties in with mybelief that no matter wat one goes through, at the end of it, one must be made a better person.

and this 'build up' theme was reiterated when E told the touch team to help one another play better. And i thought, yea, when i help others play better, chances are that i can play better too.

Just in case u r wondering how this 'build up' thing came about in the sermon. The speaker was talking about healing. And how some people are healed almost immediately after praying and there are also those who have persist, go through the pain of the disease and finally, be healed. He said that it is easy to think that the one who was healed immediately appears to be more blessed. However, it is the character of the one who had to endure that is built up. And in the end, he benefits more from the healing process.




So, if u think u r goin through something that doesn't look like it's goin to end soon, remember not to neglect praying and building up. And press on.

Taufik, blurly
Qi

Taufik
Qi

Do you like donuts?

My fren B, in a desperate attempt to make my life more interesting, has taken to calling me now and then, just to tell me small little things that she finds funny. And most of the time, i admit, i'm skeptical. But she has proven me wrong. I laughed heartily all the times she called. (Twice, actually)

As you know, donuts is considered an American snack. An unhealthy snack, it has been picked on for the weight gain of Americans. On the other hand, business analysts are praising Krispy Kreme http://www.krispykreme.com (a soft-dough donut with a light, sweet crispy sugar glaze) for amazing marketing and ability to meet the needs of consumers.

What is unknown to all, is that this little donut (it's about 3/4 the size of a typical donut) wears many hats. First, it's the snack that many lust after, Americans or not. Next, it's the probable cause of the detoriating health of Americans. It's also an admirable business model. Finally, it is also a bad word. (surprised gasps in the background)

This is what happened.


Chubby woman: *!*@$^%*&#^#$

Woman (angrily): Shut up, you Krispy Kreme!



And chubby woman shuts up promptly. The reasons for such a desired reponse include:

1) being called fat

2) being called fat in such a creative and refreshing way.





this entry is a tribute to B. For ur efforts to make me a happier person.

Scratch Scratch

My dog sleeps with me. Well, not exactly. He sleeps under my bed. Or under my study table. And then he snores. Like a human. Sometimes, to make it more convincing, he chokes on his snores. Or he would shift position, and it'l change the tone of the snores too.

My dog is most interesting. I see myself a lot in him. Firstly, i love to eat. My dog loves to eat. Other than his own meal time, he knows when my maid eats, when my mama eats and he'l sit and watch. And trust me, he has the most pleading eyes. Coupled with his persistence, most of the time, he does get some food.

Secondly, I love to be where the action is. Chippy can't stand it when he knows there's a party goin on without him. And he just likes to be around, walking, mingling and of course, asking for food.

Next, he doesn't really know what he wants. U noe, everytime i return to my room, he'd follow. However, once he hears some sound, he'l scratch the door to want to exit. A few moments later, he's scratching again. This can go on for some time. Sometimes i wish he'd just decide and be happy and not always wanting the be on the other side.

Finally, Chippy loves to be patted and cuddled. Like me. Please love me.

Just had my reunion dinner

yum yum


Just had my reunion dinner. it was pretty good. most pple mite think tt it's easy to have a nice tasting steamboat. just throw in prawns and all, then u get nice soup. I tink my family does it best. hahaha.

so as usual, we talk nonsense over the meal. it was pretty fun. i didn't say much, but i listened.
Apparently, my father has a drawing of 2 frogs. there's nothing special about it. except that one of them is supported by crutches, and the other is like on a wheelchair or something. and the reason?

well, it's cos we chinese pple ate their legs.

When dinner ended, my family noted that one of the clocks was not working. and being there displaying 10.30 all the time was rather misleading. So my dad took it down in an attempt to fix it. (it can sometimes be wound and works again, so i guess he was trying)

As he was taking it down,

he boasted: you know, this clock is an antique, it's about 100 years old!

just then, sparks flew (not the romantic kind), accompanied by crackling sounds.

i got a shock.

me: oui! ok or not?

then my mama (grandmother), equally worried..

said: mai liao la, ar ni gu liao...(don't want already, it's so old)

i guess, it's not very significant to her that a clock can be 100 years old.

then she continued: kia see lang! (scare people to death)



At that point, the issue of the clock disappeared from my mind. And i was recovering from the impact of having a lovely old, hunched-back woman say kia see lang.

(Sad) Chinese New Year

Sad cos it's the time of the month. So i get to be sad. And horrible. *evil laugh

My reunion dinner is goin to be at 5pm. it's the earliest ever. Like i told E, it's like a late lunch. Later we are goin to Chinatown. For me, it's to squeeze with the crowd. For E, it's to see the fireworks. For B, it's she just likes being there.

How fun.

I'm listening to Shanghai Jazz. it's all slow and sexy....v nice. Thanks J!

G is back!

My pretty fren is back from Hong Kong!

and the best part?

she's back!!!

Welcome home G-baby! missed u while u were away. And since she says my blog doesn't have enough pics, this is for u!


that's us. in the national botanical gardens of Montreal. (July 2003)

I'm still up

it's 4.17 in the morning. And i'm still up. and i have a whole long day ahead of me tomorrow. I'm doing my nego project. Argh. i can do this.

My dog is sleeping like a pig.

Teach me to dance

Teach me to dance, to the beat of Your heart
Teach me to move in the power of Your Spirit
Teach to walk in the light of Your presence
Teach me to dance to the beat of Your heart

You gave the rhythm of life
Created heaven and earth
In You is joy without measure
So like a child in Your sight
I dance to see Your delight
For i was made for Your pleasure

Teach me to love with Your heart of compassion
Teach me to trust in the word of Your promise
Teach to be hope in the day of Your coming
Teach me to dance to the beat of Your heart

Let all my movements express
A heart that loves to say 'yes'
A will that leaps to obey You
Let all my energy blaze to see the joy in Your face
Let my whole being praise You

This is dedicated to the One who loves me the most. This is the theme i have for my life. I love dancing. it's my secret dream. but i noe i'm too fat to look good. since young, i wish for dancing lessons. my mum promised to send me when i turned 10 but it never happened.

I used to envy people who play sports. cos they are so fit and healthy and cool and confident. mayb that's y touch rugby means so much to me. because it marked the beginning of a non-fat lifestyle. I took 2 years learning how to catch a ball properly. And the next few years feeling bad that my tackling sucked. then i decided one fine day that i had enough. i dropped contact and never looked back. i wish i can do that with so many other things in my life.

God's plan for me is that rhythm He made. And i'l dance in sync. Is that cool or what? You noe sometimes when u feel less uptight about things and go with the flow(beat), you catch it better and move more naturally, thus looking a lot better on the dance floor?

Mayb you can try that. As the familiar saying goes, Let go, and let God.

Writer's Block

Hello. i haven't written in a while. cos i've run out of funny things to say. i noe wat u r thinking.

u r thinking, 'cheryl, how could this be? (tears hair on head) ur jokes are the reason i live! wat do i do now?? (sobs). sigh.

cheryl will then reply, "poor thing, don't worry, it's only for a short while. i'l soon recover my zest. (pats your back)....

feel better now?

i shall tell u boring things now.

Last nite i had rugby training. felt so good. but my head soon felt light and i was groggy and energyless. but i soon became fine after i drank some milo. (sings: it's marvelous wat milo can do for u!)

we did weird drills that required fitness and lots of laughing. it was fun.

Today i went to deliver Bak Kwa. saw my sis' office for the first time. pretty it is. then we went for toast n the rest had roti boy. then capt E and EL decided that they are goin to hv only a little bit of dinner cos we have been eating like dinosaurs the entire day. sigh. no wonder they are so slim n pretty. i had dinner. (sobs)

i've had enough of crapping. this is getting disgusting. good bye for now.