And on my 101st post, I've decided to move.
And there we are.

大家最近還好嗎?

非華族的朋友們, 抱歉!
華文水平跟非華族朋友差不多一樣的朋友們, 抱歉!
電腦沒有安裝閱讀中文軟件的朋友們, 抱歉!
不識繁體字的朋友們, 也非常抱歉!

因為這將會是一個你看不懂的 post.

'A'水準差不多要接近尾身了. 8天, 3分考卷.
可是, 感覺'A'彷彿結束了, 一直不斷使用電腦...
哈哈還真是一種解脫.

經過了18歲的生日, 才終於看出, 誰才是那些真正關心你的朋友.
謝謝你們.
　

Dear Prudence

Dear Prudence...
Won't you come out to play?

"No, I've got my 'A' Levels to prepare for."
*takes out a thick file of H2 Economics notes and study studying about Market Failure*

That's all, till the next time!
Before I go...



Really nice song, take some time to listen to it before you dismiss the song as "just another oldie sung by an old old band"!

Bye!

Revivial 4.0

(Photo courtesy of Patrick)

Haha this is an idiotic shot of me, hope it didn't scare you too much when you see this!

But it really had been great time spent with the 4-8 peeps Yesterday (all my troubles seem so far away now it looks as though they're here to stay oh I believe in YESTERDAY! :D), quite a mini gathering I must say, with only 6 people turning up in total, but I can't deny I'd great time. At least some catching with Thomas and SK since it has been ages since I've seen them (okay fine the last time is Majestia XXIV). As for the other 3... I see them everyday in school so never mind, haha!

Kite flying in Marina Barrage was totally epic fail because of the stupid kite that they sell over that, we spent 2 hours trying to make it float only realising that it's not meant to be flown that way because according to the Certis Cisco security guard (who happened to be kaypohing around!) that kind of kite is some STUNT kite. HAHA! Picture 4 gay boys trying to get a stupid kite flying. That's us!

(Oh yeah did I mention that the kite has 2 strings attached to it? That's the reason why it's hard to fly...)

Will get the photos up once Thomas uploads them on Facebook or something.

The rest of time was spent talking nonsense everywhere, from Marina Barrage to Manhattan Fish Market @ Plaza Sing... Eating and playing cuckoo guess-the-song-I-am-singing games are quite fun actually :D Camwhoring around with 2 DSLRs was kinda, er, weird -.-

SOMEone just told me that she was such a good girl answering all of Mr. J Chan's questions during Physics tutorial HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

It seemed like the most boring type of outing you can ever imagine but well, I feel that it's really good time spent catching up and talking with friends. I don't deny that not all my friends are cool or interesting or what people deem as 'socially acceptable'... But at least people are more real back then, we don't try so hard to please one another, get into the 'in' social circle, at least people genuinely care for one another, people still do remember that you're not in school and bother to ask where and how you are, and they do so not because you owe them money or lecture notes...

One fine Saturday after TQ, YJ and I were on our way home on Circle Line after dinner. We were talking a bit about friends in JC, and I was thinking about how certain people change as they change environment. I guess I've to agree to this, that in a certain way, as people grow older, they love to gossip about other people behind their backs. Kinda disgusting to see people trying to befriend the others and bitch about them the next minute they are gone. And it saddens me furthermore when that the guys who were aimed at still think that those people who talk bad about him/her are their genuine friends. The thought of it really irks me, but this is how human beings work. So I guess, people in one way or another destroy genuine friendship as they grow up, and the ironical thing is that they complain that the friends that they make in JC (as opposed to Secondary School) are so not genuine. Idiots.

And to those people who don't want to hang out with their Secondary School friends because they THINK that they are uncool or whatsoever, you guys are idiots too.

Haha to end off this post on a lighter note, I went to CGH for NS follow-up medical checkup for the 2nd time. It's a waste of time really, imagine all the time spent travelling there and back (2x 45min per session) and the time wasted doing the tests! Never mind, I'm still a happy boy because I passed Econs for CT2. 37/80, it's an E, a disappointing decline in results but it's okay, I've learnt to take such stuffs much more lightly over these years I guess :)

I've gotten a really cute bookmark (the funny thing is I don't read much) from CYLS Yesterday during Sunday School. It has a prayer on it, I guess it's really crucial for us especially in light of A Levels which we are all ranting about:

"Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle."

And it has my all-time favourite Bible verse behind it. :D

Hello Goodbye

The Beatles - Hello Goodbye

This is one song with the most simple and nonsensical lyrics I've ever seen... (Can compare to nursery rhymes)
But I like, my style :D
Haha so much for a long awaited post after 4 months -.-

五月天.

明天就是五月天.
不過, 明天還有一整天的練習...

我發現, 當某些事情發生在你自己身上後, 你才會懂得體會其他人經歷此事的感受.
你也會曉得如何看待這些事, 曉得怎樣開導別人, ...

還記得兩年前, 2007年的4月10日, CHSSB 在新加坡大禮堂 (SCH) 遇到了歷來最大的挫折.
還記得那時我們在表演之後還以為自己肯定是留住了2005年奪得的榮譽金牌.
還記得我們聽到 "SILVER" 之後的反應.
那種震撼. 失望. 失落. 無助. 無奈.
還記得我們經過許多自我檢討, 反省... 終於明白,
七個人的一個決定, 篡改不了我們對音樂的熱誠.
七個人的一個決定, 根本不算甚麼.

(喔, 聽說最高跟最低分數都沒有算在總分里, 所以實際上只有五個人)


六天. 只剩六天.

行嗎?

A Post-Youth Poem.

後青春期的詩 - 五月天

当烟雾随晨光飘散 枕畔的湖已风乾
期待已退化成等待 而我告别了突然
当泪痕勾勒成遗憾 回忆夸饰著伤感 逝水比喻时光荏苒
　　
终於我们不再 为了生命狂欢　为爱情狂乱
然而青春彼岸　盛夏正要一天一天一天的灿烂
　　
(然后呢 一起走吧)
　　
谁说不能让我　此生唯一自传　如同诗一般
无论多远未来　读来依然一字一句一篇都灿烂

让天空解释著蔚蓝　浮云定义著洁白
落花铺陈一片红色地毯　迎接我们到未来　

精彩未完的未来.

...

美麗的歌詞.
這首歌象徵著我們, 告別青春, 迎接老陳, 成熟.
每次聽到這首歌, 感觸良多,
不禁想到, 自己很快就會離開BAND, 準備'A'水準會考, 離開VJC, 等待服兵役, ...
感覺自己, 突然變老了. (雖然在下只有僅僅的十七歲... -.-)

希望這首歌也帶給你同樣的感動. (不懂的詞就查字典咯... :P)

Come Away, with Him.

Come Away With Me -

Lyrics

Reminds us once again that whenever we've to face anything, we can take Shelter at His side.

Amen.

And so this post marks the end of Term 1

It is amazing how God uses our daily life experience to remind us of His presence.

I went into H3 NTU Numbers and Matrices thinking that I'm alone.
I came out with 4 new friends (okay fine 3), especially the two whom I always talk cock with during lectures and tutorials so that time will pass faster.
And I came out with a 29/50 for my Test 1!
That's really good, considering that I totally do not deserve it (because I did revision only two days ago?!)

I used to dread picking up the piccolo.
Well, I still do. But not so much anymore.
I thought the Pictures was totally a suicide attempt for a JC band.
Yes it is. But hey, at least flute section can play it at 60bpm now? (eeyer 60bpm sound so Audition, sound so EUGENE, HAHAHA!) That's really not bad yknow, 100's not that far away after all.
I hated sectionals. Because I've to lead them. And past unhappy experiences had made me lose my confidence as the SL to conduct sectionals.
But I regained my courage, and yes, Flute Section expanded so we've like 9 flutes in total?! (Okay fine 10 including Yundi) BIG.

(YJ just called and Eugene is with him! Mind you it's 10:18PM and they're outside shopping for Eugene's slippers. ULTIMATE SCANDALOUS, TSKTSK!)

One week ago, I really dreaded the coming of CT1.
I know I'm going to fail Econs; the fact that I haven't been practising or doing anything related to GP doesn't help either.
Yesterday, I came out of the exam hall, knowing that I've forgotten to square a value for the 2nd time in the whole CT1, that I've mixed this and that up, that I would fail Econs, that I may not get the As I dream for...

But it didn't seem to matter anymore. (well after all it's only CT1 right? :D)

Ya they may seem like small little microscopic problems compared to other people's issues, but hey, isn't that the point? Make the issues seem small, see the BIGGER PICTURE. That Someone who has The Authority is in control. That He's be our Guidance, Support.

And like what Jenny GS says, life will be more joyous, like this ---> :D (Even though it's hard to be joyous with a stupid sty right there beside your right eye, it is a temporary thing after all, oh well...

And so this post marks the end of Term 1. And this post so do not make sense. God bless!

ORIENTATION 2009

Yesyes guys, stop telling me to update yo :P


(Alright, just imagine Cheng Wei's face is there okay? HAHA!)

Something interesting: I was in A3 for last year's O1. (O2 not counted because I ponned all the way HAHA) For non-VJC students, our orientation groupings are split into OGs V, I, C, T, O, R, I, A. There will be some theme every year and so the initials always represent different names each year. And each OG is split into 8 sub OGs. So I belonged to A3, Avalon Apollo. And here I am, back in A3, Allorix Alfie this year, as an OGL!

And you guys really rock, freshmen and OGLs!
Jing Wei : the one making everyone laugh all the time, even when his voice's totally gone!
Felicia : the one who CLAIMS (yes, claims) that she's er... pretty? :X
Katharine : the one who keeps us OGLs sane!
Chun Yong : the one forever leading cheers for Alfie!
Cheng Wei : the one who loves to sing/play basketball/go choir room!
Charlton : the SJAB PTI from CATHOLIC HIGH! YEAH
Kiran : the cooperative one!
Young Yee : the one who's very good at stealing bandanas!
Suzanna : the one from BAND! Haha and the one who always initiate chatterings in Alfie so that it's lively even without OGLs!
Jiang Mei : another lively one and she's in my junior class!
Vanessa : the one who has the same surname LAM and is from NCPS!
Renee : very nice person!
Hanna : another very nice person!
Sophie : very friendly Chinese scholar who likes to kachiao me (e.g. laugh at me dancing)

Haha I can go on and on for three days and nights how great Alfie but I shall not (you won't be interested anyway) BUT REALLY! They are a great bunch of enthu people who's really nice :D I'm soooosooosooosoosooo glad that I'm one of their OGLs and I'm also sosooosoosoososooosoooooooooooo glad that I'm working alongside with these other 3 OGLs who are unique in their ways and did lots of stuff for the sub OG!

It's finally over, I really don't know whether it's something to be glad or sad about, but one thing for sure - it seemed to be telling me that I'm growing old, hahaha.

Anyway there's this Post-Orientation Syndrome/Trauma/whatsoever going on everywhere, especially in our class with 15 OGLs - we associate everything and anything that the teachers/anyone say with school cheers, OG cheers or even mass dance verbal cues :P

For example...
"Hey! Where are we supposed to go for Econs Tutorial?"
"WHERE? Up in my head! WHERE? Up in my head!" ("I've Got The VJ Spirit" Cheer)
"..."

Or another one, which happened during Econs Tutorial:
(T: Miss Tee, O: One of us S: 08S64 students)
T: "...(yadayada) Hey guys! We've to come back to reality, it's after Orientation, you guys have FOUR weeks left to CT1 and you guys lag by 8237489372145423859 tutorials..."
O: "But the reality sucks!"
S: "CREON THE SUCKERS CAN WE *suck in air* IT CREON THE SUCKERS YES WE CAN!" (OG Creon's Main Cheer)
T: "..."

My goodness, it's really hard to return to the sane mode after being "high on V power" for FIVE full days. (See la, so high on power until kena electric shock, now everyone CHAOTA already HAHAHA) Oh yes, did I mention that almost all the OGLs/freshmen (OGLs especially) got sunburnt after Sea Carnival on Friday and more than half got a real sexy voice? My skin was peeling so badly this morning when I repeatedly swipe my palm against the forehead dead dark coloured epidermis started falling all over the place like some weird dandruffs :P

No photos for that though, you can go check this out for some reference. Talking about bring shame to the alma mater... Oh well.

Alright the night's not young, gotta go! God bless everyone :D

Tolerance. I thank you for that :)

回顧展望

Nope, nothing about the TQ program weeks ago, nothing about the combined 青少 program 2 days ago (in which I've to host the ice-breaking games), it's just simply my own little "回顧2008, 展望2009" time.

(Heh, yes people, so stop whining that I've not updated this blog okay!)

2008
A very different year from the others. Different in the sense that I've...

New school (VJC!)
New school curriculum (JC curriculum)
New work (heaps and heaps of tutorials?)
New people (classmates, bandmates, OG mates, yadayada...)
New class (08S64!)
New band (VJCSB)
New York (HAHAHAHAHA)
New environment (VJC environment -.-)
New responsibilities (church, school, ...)
New expectations (as above)
New cell group (POMEGRANATE!)
New serving position (SL, CGL, bassist/guitarist for 第二堂)
...
New support. (:

How do I start?

VJC is seriously, a different culture altogether from CHS. Maybe it's the having-girls-in-a-school part. Maybe it's the we-laugh-at-different-kind-of-stuffs part. Maybe it's the i-don't-really-like-sarcasm-humour part. Maybe it's the never-study-till-exam-comes part.

(Okay, Thomas and all my loyal readers are bugging me to update this place, PROPERLY. Hmm.)

Argh, but whatever it is, it has definitely been a tough year not only for me, but for all post-O's students to get adjusted to their pre-U lives (i don't discriminate Poly students with that statement WAHAHA) ... It's really not easily to adjust and step out of our comfort zones. And I really thank Him for guiding me through the year - decision-making, relations with friends and all. I thank Him for 08S64 and VJCSB too - I can't imagine a class even more bonded than ours and I can't imagine what would happen to me if I've ended up in Guitar too (probably I'd have an electric guitar or bass or sth? :D)

Church is all the same, not exactly maybe. For one I know, ever since I've become a TQ committee member, things do not seem easy - all of a sudden you've the responsibility of being an example for the younger ones to follow, you've to REALLY care for your group members, your people, your peers, argh you get the idea.

I never thought that I'm able to be a Cell Group Leader - honestly I'm not a people-person, like I'm not really into caring for people. But He has really changed my perspective - I don't have to be a people-person to do it, because this is for Him! To do this well I cannot use/only use my own abilities, but submit myself totally to Him! I thank Him in leading me for the year as a CGL leading POMEGRANATE and I thank POMEGRANATE too (yes you guys, this is for you if you're ever reading this). I'm sorry many a times I may not spend a lot of time bonding us guys together as a Christ body but I'm really glad your comments are pretty positive. Though we're no longer POMEGRANATE but I hope I've left an impact in you guys, that I've brought you guys closer to Him? (or maybe I've brought you guys hell lot of laughter HAHAHAHA) YEA!

Besides that, serving as a bassist/guitarist in 第二堂 was fruitful and all. I've seen a lot in Worship Ministry this year, this, that and everything. There are times I must admit that I was really disappointed at certain things, at the way people do things, ... but it's still a great experience all the same, worshipping Him in a different way.

Through this, I finally understood, worship is NOT and NEVER about the music - you can play the songs very well and all but if your heart's not there, it's all futile. Something very true about this is written in the book "Purpose-driven Life" by Rick Warren - "If worship were just music, then all who are nonmusical could never worship. Worship is far more than music." Playing in Worship Ministry is NEVER to show off your skills, because there's really nothing to show off since everyone out there putting up gigs are way way better than you (I mean for me la haha). I'm really glad that Worship Ministry has allowed me to learn this.

Yea. And You and you have been through this with me. I thank You and you.

2009

OGL
SYF
H3 NTU Math (Numbers and Matrices)
A Level Exams
Cell Group OBEDIENCE
Serving in 第二堂... With only 3 actual guitarist/bassist around.
Relations with parents
Relations with peers
Relations with siblings-in-Christ
Relationship

It's not going to be easy. 2008 was tough enough; 2009 will be even more busy for me, and for every JC2 student too. (even though some people won't have SYF, at least got A Levels right? ok Thomas keep quiet, I know you're having a good life in Poly topping your cohort every semester, haha!) But I must trust and obey no matter how difficult it is. I must trust Him. I must not give up on anything. And I believe I'll smile at the end of 2009, knowing that I've achieved what I've set out to do. Because He's with me, and all of us too.

With all these worries, I entrust all of them in His hands. Amen.

...

Anyway with this in mind... I'm going to school tmr. I'm SO looking for to lessons and homework luh -.- Haha but it's great to let your brains have a workout after not having done so for 2 months. Ah wells, it's all up in the perspective isn't it :D

God bless guys, off to do homework before I get slaughtered tomorrow!

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end." -Psalms 48:14