The $40 play and Pre-U Seminar

Surreal experiences are rare but when they happen...they are almost enjoyable. Two days ago(wasnt really long ago, I guess), I went to the library with Adeeb. The Central library- gigantic one located at Dobby Guaut. He needed to return books($1.80 fine) and I wanted to borrow some.

And no, the trip there wasnt the surreal experience. Though for blogging sake, here are the books I borrowed: Dante's Inferno, Death's Head, Wolverine: Origin and The Internet is a playground(yes, I do read comics from time-to-time).

The surreal experience came later. When Adeeb and I sat on the steps outside the library with a drink each(mine:lemon tea, his:coke), we talked about a variety of things. And toward us walked a woman with a white ticket in her hand.

Surrealism. Noone can predict such a day. And because it differed so much from my normal routine.

The woman started off mentioning the price of the ticket. I guess it was to appeal to the pragmatic...nah...kiasu part of Singaporean. The mention that it was a "sensory play" came much later. And it was not as though I was versed in the Arts- therefore, the description of it was lost on me.

It was fabulous. I thought it would be those plays where your ass cheeks get glued to the seat for 2 hours. It was not to be- yet it would be really bad of me if I spoil the play. Suffice to say it was a first-time experience for me and immersion would be the word. You are in the play. Touch(ho ho ho), feel, hear, sight(you lose it at a point in time). And even, taste.

Best play I have been in my life(sadly, I havent been to many nor have I lived that many years yet).

Testing the 16 megapixel camera

Actually, I am pretty lazy to do a long blog post. So here are photographs that I have taken with the new camera. You know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words",

Toodle-loo. I need to pack for Pre-U Seminar. That's 5 days in NUS chilling out.

Am I going to enjoy this.

China and a new mouse

6 weeks ago or so thereof, I wrote in my blog post that my brother was heading to China for an exchange program, to a satellite campus that Hwa Chong owned in Beijing. A study immersion program. For 6 weeks.

That marked the longest period of time my brother and I were separated. We were never away from each other more than 3 days(camp). 6 weeks seem to be then a long stretch. A sibling provides much entertainment- that is, if I look at it in a pragmatic manner. Just think of it: all the arguments, the competitions, pranks and games. I wouldnt want to be a single child, if only for the want of a more exciting childhood.

Turns out I wasnt affected much. Perhaps it was the relatively short length of absence. Or perhaps I just didnt love my brother as much as I should. Though strictly speaking, we are very close. So close we can talk for 5 hours at a time. Whiling away time together is easy. We are very different in interests and attitudes but we are similar in so many other ways as well.

He had a great deal of fun in China. Tales of 4-hours gaming marathon, of learning Magic: The Gathering, of the delicacies found there were told. He told us(lies!) he didnt miss us.

Jealous. Damn. I havent even been to China.

When he came back, he bought me two things for my birthday.  A X-Luca mouse for 30 bucks. 2400dpi. Just right for a casual gamer like me. And a deck of cards(Ellusionist's Shadow Masters) for 20 bucks. My last deck of cards were ragged after the hours of practice(did I ever write card tricks as a hobby in this blog?).

Looks better in the poster than it does on my table

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far far away, there was a blogger who quit blogging...

I forgot that I was a blogger again. This post is thanks to a status in Facebook: "I started blogging to destress..."

Me: "Hah. Just like me. I hope he enjoys blogging...oh wait..."

Back to my Mac. But the best thing is, due to the long time spent away from the keyboard, I have no end to the things that I can write. First thing that popped in my mind- happy belated birthday to me. Birthdays should be blogged about. I feel like I broke a blogger's rule by not reporting every bit about my birthday.

Worse of all, I dont have an excuse. I still have a lot of homework; but due to superb time management, or maybe because of the new 5-hrs detention punishment set in place, I have managed to toe the line. As a student, I am obligated to finish up my homework(cue the toothy smile).

Oh well, who am I kidding.

My birthday presents: Saucony running shoes and 3 books from my parents. Not yet any from my brother(since he is in China). My aunts and uncles gave me hong baos. Last year, I requested from my parents a three-hundred dollars whiteboard. And a earpiece from my brother. The year before that I got a floorball stick(which I am still using), a rubik cube(for a timing of 1min 30 sec after 2 weeks) and Green Day's album.

Picked them up at Giant at 13 bucks each

The left side message from my Chemistry teacher and the right side message from Christina.

Enough about my birthday. Another thing- I stepped on stage; or rather the 2nd story in the Piazza to receive a prize for being second in the Shanghai TI Maths Cup. Of course I was surprised, pleasantly too...a ten-dollars Popular voucher. To a bookworm like me? I would have chose the voucher to a blank cheque.

As one can see, it has been a period of time where I encountered many "firsts". Another one coming up: it was my first time doing competitive debating. We beat ACJC and TJC(Temasek).  And lost to NUS, Nanyang Polytechnic, ATTM and House of Zosa(Philippines team). It was an open competition, which means university graduates(and above) are free to enter. NUS tore us apart but the encounter taught us much.

Hmm. After this post, I wont be sure when will be my next post. Mid-years is coming. Along with many other events. Exchange program to Ritsumeikan university, Pre-University Seminar, Floorball in the Sports carnival, SMO(Open), Shanghai TI Cup competition... and I am not even the busiest person in class. Far from it.

That reminds me, I am in Floorball interest group. I joined because I got a bronze for my NAPFA. (>.< at the 1cm in SBJ that caused it) I fear for my physical fitness. And another reason was because my class is competing in floorball in the Sports Carnival. Counting me, there are only 3 competitive floorballers in the entire JC. *Rub hands with glee* I do hope we become champions.

My JC life is packed. Fulfiling, to say the least. So, especially to you, Jun Yin, I AM enjoying myself. :)

Now, if only I can top my class...