Fatigue defined

Yes, I'm finally back in Singapore! And it has been a very, very, very, very x1000000 tiring few days ever since.

The flight back was anything but short. I really hate taking planes alone because you have to wait perpetually.

First, you wait for the time to go to the airport, then you wait for the bus to take you to the airport, then you wait in the queue for your boarding pass, then you wait to go through the customs, then you wait for them to check your bags, then you wait to board, then you wait for the plane to take off, then you wait for the plane to land, then you wait for the plane to stop, then you wait for the doors to open, then you wait for everyone to get their hand carry bags and get off the plane, then you wait for your transiting flight, then at the meantime you decide to go and eat and you have to wait for a seat, then wait to order, then wait to eat, then wait to pay, then continue waiting for your connecting flight, then wait to board, wait to fly, wait to land, wait to get off, wait to go through customs, wait to get your bags and FINALLY you are home.

Anyway, I had a pleasant surprise from the Odacians when I arrived. It was around midnight and I've told them not to bother to pick me up since they have work the next day. But they still did - thanks, thats very nice. We went for supper and had
1) Laksa
2) Char Siew Rice
3) Fried Carrot Cake
4) Rou Cuo Mee
5)Teh Gao

Next morning, I went for 6) Japanese buffet at Kushin Bo with my parents. Gosh, I ate heaps and heaps of Sashimi, soft shell crab, sushi etc etc. Later in the evening, I met the girls for dinner for 7) Lor Mee and had 8) Old Chang Kee. After which, I went over to Jo's place.

Next day was to Batam for cable-skiing! We met early in the morning at Harbour Front for breakfast. I had 9) Nasi Padang. Took a relatively short ferry ride to Batam and a very short van ride to the cable-ski area to obviously, cable-ski. We first did the rounds using knee boards. It was really fun going around on water because it feels a lil like kayaking. Well, the water feels like sea water I reckon. Sad to say, after just 2 rounds of the knee board, I felt like my arms were really tired already. And that wasn't even the highlight of the whole trip. We were supposed to cable-ski. As the name suggests, ski, not board.

I really, really sucked at it and couldn't even stand up. But anyways, it was fun with the Odacians.
And, yes I admit I am fair (but not white) and Spencer is damn dark! (Refer to 2nd picture) Quote Spencer: No lah, cannot see the difference one [referring to the photo]And there is this extremely, awfully cute probably mix breed dog and golden retriever puppy residing in that area.
It has been quite some time since I've been out in the sun doing these kinda outdoorsy stuff and it felt good. Somehow Edmund thinks I'm emo because I was just sitting at one corner admiring the surroundings. That is relaxing. That is not emo. Oh, we had 10) Mee Goreng for lunch

We reached Singapore around 6 plus 7 and had dinner over at Seah Imm. I had 11) Yong Tau Foo and 12) Sugar Cane. Rushed home to get changed and rushed out again to cab down with Jo to Zouk. Gosh, I was kinda wasted by then because my arms were aching slightly and I'd quite a major sun burn on my thighs. The most unfortunate thing was wearing my mom's heels. Right, I decided that I could get everything in Singapore so I didn't bother bringing much back. Obviously heels weren't in my luggage. And my mom's heels was... o.m.g. the most pain-inflicting thing on earth. I 'jogged' out with that horrid thing to catch a cab since I was pretty late and even before everything started, my feet were hurting.

Linghui: mind over matter, mind over pain. Anyway, after the very long night, my feet were swollen with blisters, on top of the sunburn. In fact, after the whole day and night, my whole body was full of injuries. My neck, my shoulders (sunburn and muscle ache), sunburned thighs, bruised back, bruised knee (I hit the podium when I was trying to get over it in Zouk) swollen and blistered feet and blistered hands.

In Zouk, I drank, and drank, and drank:
water. Ok, the only drink which I really finished was water. I'd only a few sips of alcohol and everyone pulled me back when I decided that I should have more. I think I go into that state of I-want-more-even-if-I-cannot-take-it when I have just a few sips of alcohol. Thank god, I was stopped, I do not want to go through a night like what I did previously in Auckland.
In between, I had 13) Egg Prata, 14) Milo, 15) Bangdong - don't know how to spell and 16) Some mee goreng look alike which is fried with instant noodles or vermicelli. I was really, really, really tired and in pain as the night passes - I even fell asleep on the slide at the playground.

Reached home around 5plus am, knocked out and woke up around noon. Made way to our usual place for 17) Ban mian, 18) Fried carrot cake 19) Ching Teng, 20) Chicken rice. The walk there was painful because by then, the muscle ache was at its full lethal stage and every step I made was a pain on my feet, thighs and shoulders. The combination of sunburns and muscle aches was just...bloody frustrating because you do not know if you should apply muscle rub to counter the inner pain or aloe vera for the outer pain.

It was frustrating yet amusing when we were walking in J8 because we look like 2 injured soldiers. Jo's shoes were worn off and wore my dad's very 'therapeutic' slippers - it supposedly facilitates blood circulation with its 'spikey' base which in actual fact, probably bruised her feet. Both of us were walking in such awkward fashion I reckon we attracted quite a bit of attention. The uncle in the coffee shop asked me what happened to my legs (it was red), some promoter asked too, many threw shocking stares, Jo's mom thinks that its 'hen mei' - very beautiful. Haha, thats the only positive comment I got so far.

We caught 'Wanted' in AMK, its freaking cheap - 6bucks only! But that movie was crap, I fell asleep half way through. Had 21) Carrot cake and 22) Soya bean before heading back to Jo's place for dinner. Her mom's cooking is damn good! Had my FAVOURITE 23) Bitter gourd with eggs, 24) Soup, 25) Fish, 26) Meat - Ok, I do not know what are their specific names but it is damn nice! Its been ages since I'd home cooked food - mind not counted.

I am perpetually full here, never a single second hungry because once I am, I'll definitely buy something to stuff down my throat. I really, really, really love the food here. Oh, despite being so full, I also drank 27) bubble tea last night and slept with a full stomach. This morning, I went to the hawker I always go since Kindergarten and had 28) Sheng Mian 29) Meefen mian with Zi cai ji and 30) Yong Tau Foo. Super.size.me.

Gosh, I hit 30 kinda local food within 3.5full days in Singapore. As much as I want to exercise - run, cycle, swim, badminton - I can't because of all those injuries. Alrighty, I am gonna take a very very good rest today so I shall hang out with my parents =) and do some reflections... and of course, get ready for this weekend for a trip to Malaysia with slackers! Eat. eat, eat, more food, more food, more food!
I'm so tired.

Pre-Examination Symptoms

1. Excessive blogging
I think this is obvious enough to even elaborate.

2. Copious amounts of food
Ok, instant noodles to be exact. Its the only time I do that when I have groceries in my fridge but still indulge in instant noodles. Simply because it is tasty, fast and filling.

3. Hibernation mode
Sleeps more than whats sufficient for the first couple of days to hide away from the looming exams and goes into a state of trepidation when I realize that no matter how hard I try to hide, reality finds me.

4. Mood fluctuations
I shall not use 'mood swings' here because it has this negative connotation to it and I like deceiving myself that I am immune to that common mistake girls make. Yes, my mood fluctuates and will hit resonance every now and then. (I'm quite sure that word shouldn't be used like that but I just thought fluctuations and resonance go well together) And when that happens, I turn into something worse.

5. Savagery
I start being the total opposite of my usual 'gentle' self. (Yes, you know how 'gentle' I usually am, imagine a few times worse).

6. Isolation
Decided that I should be a good Samaritan and hopefully prevent others from experiencing my wrath, I know I should be with no one else but myself. But paranoia and fear and pessimism and whatever rubbish you can think of sets in. So off I go to cafes or msn so that it feels that there are people around me but at the same time I will not assault them in anyway. Whats more, how stress can you be when you are sitting in a nice cafe sipping aromatic coffee? (VERY when you are studying Accounting but still much less than home).

7. Stop talking or start talking rubbish
Either I try to live a day being a mute or talk so much rubbish you just want to shut me up. (Yes, mp, now you know why I was saying all those nonsense just now bout KKK)

8. Sudden urge to prove my point
A horrid habit and risky thought I always wanted to try - Either missing the exam or just NOT study at all, fail it or do way below expectations to prove my point that I do not care, I do not like the paper I'm doing, I am not a perfectionist, I am not paper chasing, I am not the good student you want me to be, I am a slacker, I am me and I am just gonna do what I like. But sad to say, I have not done that before.

The closest I got was maybe in Sec 3 when I refused to study for Social Studies because I thought it was bullcrap with all those propaganda. I didn't do that well but I didn't fail either. So its not strong enough to stand for my point.

The next one was in J2 when I walked out during the Math paper during Prelims. But I reckon thats more of a mental breakdown than a statement. Yes, I failed that paper but the motivating factor behind that was - shit I can't do it, not - this is not what I like so I'm not doing it.

9. Enter the abyss of thought
Not exactly the best time but I start thinking about everything and anything about my life, the world, the past, future, present, friends, family and stuff. After which unfathomable questions arise which questions the basis of everything I am doing and live for. Definitely not a very pleasurable experience.

10. Marriage
Ok, this is utterly nonsensical but I shall end this post by exposing my most well-hidden fact - not going to say it is a secret else I wouldn't even be typing it here. Its just something I think its a lil too...well, random.

I feel like getting married during the exams period because I think it is one of the most perfect way of escaping the tortures of it. For example, if you get married and have a stable family, it means you are settled for life and do not need to worry for your exams because:
- Your spouse will still love you even if you do badly for the exams. (Ok, thats if you find a spouse who love you not for your exams results)
- You do not need to prove that you are smart to anyone because the person who matters already know you are or doesn't mind that you are not.
- You know for sure that there is someone there to support you when you get back your exams results.
- You know doing badly wouldn't make much of a difference as doing well because you have a husband to support you financially.
- Maybe your husband can teach you or maybe your husband says you DO NOT NEED to take the exams because he will support you for life. (OMG I SO WILL MARRY THIS GUY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA)

O.M.G. I just typed some of the most nonsensical stuff again. You see, when Huiling stops trying to be rational and sane and goes back to being herself, she comes up with the most harebrained ideas/actions/theories. That is why I must control myself and not just let loose and start doing what I like or else... I'm going to bring calamity unto myself.

Ok, back to marriage (now I realize why I keep talking about marriage recently). I was talking to mp just now and I came up with the best idea. She asked me when I wanna get married. I said during graduation! Here are all the perks of getting married during graduation, in order of importance:

1. Save money -
Isn't it obvious enough how much money you can save? You don't need to buy a wedding gown, you just get married in your graduation gown - it isn't too sloppy and it looks cool and smart.
Plus you save on your wedding/graduation photo.
Your husband and friends only need to give you 1 present for 2 huge occasions.
Only 1 dinner is required.

2. Save time -
You celebrate 2 occasions in 1 day.

3. Save trouble -
Your friends only need to attend once for 2 celebrations.

4. Trying to be special -
Not everyone does this kinda things so you and your spouse are kinda unique.

Haha, I am writing everything in point form recently! Must be the effects of doing too much note-writing.

Alright, I will stop here before I start rambling on about all my random thoughts and images I have in my mind. I will spare you that.

I.can.do.it.

I just need to further psycho myself by reminding Huiling and Linghui that they are going home soon.

Just 5 more days. Monday is coming really soon, before they know it, they will be complaining about the stifling heat and eating like a T-Rex.

Before that they just need to be convinced that:

Linghui have to disappear and give full ownership of the mind and body to Huiling.
Utilize every bit of energy and mind power to get through financial accounting.
Believe that they embrace accounting.
Its not a time of doldrums.
Will not be too upset after the paper.
Contain her sudden outbursts of excitements in the middle of the night.
Start packing.

I think I will get really irascible the next few days and start being very fidgety on Monday because...grrrr... I've do a transit in Msia since I'm taking M'sian Airlines (cheapest!). Freaking 15hours of traveling. The flight better not be delayed else I'll suffer seizures induced by...hypertension. Hope to see you guys soon! =)

When Huiling gets bored with life...

she starts indulging in frolicsome play - which usually leads to undesired results.

1. Another attempt to run to Mission Bay.
Yes, I succeeded but not in the most pleasurable way. So we are entering the winter season and its getting cold. Some how or another, Linghui managed to convinced Huiling that it WILL NOT be cold during the run to Mission Bay. It WILL NOT be cold running next to the sea. It WILL NOT be cold during winter. It WILL be OK to run in shorts. Huiling was convinced. She happily wore shorts and started her run.

Half way through, it got a lil chilly. She saw dark clouds in front. Linghui convinced Huiling that the wind is strong. It will blow the dark clouds to somewhere else by the time we are there. So they refused to turn back. It started to drizzle. 'Endure, endure, you can do it, you can do it, almost there, almost there, IT WILL NOT RAIN'. Before she knew it, it was pouring. She was 5km away from home, no shelter around, no cellphone, in her shorts and her ipod almost going for a swim. Since she was already wet, might as well complete the run - and so happily she ran to Mission Bay in the freezing cold rainy day.

And, yes!!!!!! She finally reached Mission Bay but couldn't really stay any longer because she looked like some lunatic who is drenched inside out, dripping water all around. Took forever to run back to the city and felt the fatigue creeping in. STILL she decided to go grocery shopping. 12KM run + carrying groceries - you might think that she has lost weight.

HELL NO. That leads to frolicsome play #2.

2. Food binging
After that long run and feeling immensely satisfied, I decided I deserve a huge treat. And that treat lasted for the whole week after the run. One of the days I cooked 3 cups of rice which is equivalent to 1 small pot of cooked rice - envisaging it to last me for a few days but miraculously it finished within 1 day. Subsequently, there was yong tau foo, prawn noodles, wontan mee, angels hair with avocado, eating out and eating a lot. Yes, I was a lil guilty, I wanted to exercise but I injured my leg after that 12km run. Yes, I spent heaps on food recently. And that also leads to my frolicsome play #3.

3. Spending as if I own Sky City and the casino
Since I've spent so much already, might as well spend more. Its like a slippery slope. I spent quite a bit the other day. But still, momo feels kinda..empty. With the exams closing in, momo feels VERY agitated because she has to STUDY the most BORING subject on earth during the time she is most BORED with life...ACCOUNTING!!! So to ease the pain, she decides to inflict that pain to others by carrying out her frolicsome play #4.

4. Counterstrike
*Chants: self-control, self-control, self-control. Awhile later, RAH! Just 5 minutes! *Double click the CS icon on desktop and start engaging in the somewhat intellectual game of shooting terrorists or counter-terrorists. Usually I die before everyone does which triggers the drive in me to WIN. And yes, usually the game lasts more than 5 minutes. I must have looked like a maniac to the people in Starbucks today - dodging invisible gun shots. STILL, I feel that life gotta be more than running, eating, studying and playing CS. There MUST be something else to do...RIGHT?! Right. So, on to my frolicsome play #5.

5. Hair Dye
I packed my bag, left Starbucks, made my way down to Foodtown and bought a bottle of hair dye. Not many colours available, picked a brown one (the cheapest one I can find which can be covered by the voucher sent to me recently). Went home excitedly with my new toy. Finally, something to look forward to tonight - yes, cheap thrill.

Opened the box, felt that I got cheated because they didn't provide the gloves which they supposedly have (as stated on the box), made a huge mess and waited for the dye to seep into my hair - and psyching myself that brown is a lucky colour and would definitely bring me good luck during my exams next week. (If you don't already know, I really DO NOT like accounting and am going to rely a lot on luck).

To my dismay, after washing the dye off...my hair is still... BLACK! Box reads: '...applies to your natural hair colour with up to 50% grey hair...will not lighten your hair' Right... what makes me think that black is lighter than brown. #$%^&*( I just wasted my precious money, time and effort!!!

I have concluded that this totally isn't the right month for me. On top of that, I got a $10 fine from the library for overdue books (I naively thought that overdue rates would more or less be similar to Singapore). But whatever it is, I believe that I'm experiencing such bad luck only because all the good luck would flood in during the release of exams results. (Right, continue dreaming Huiling.)

Sigh, ok some short updates..although I just did a VERY long one. Haha.

Cheryl's 21st

MCC Case Competitions

We got into finals! But I did crap.
Sigh, I will stop trying to spice up my life for now - and turn to the more conservative and mundane side of life - start.studying.for.accounting.exams.

Just 2 more weeks.

It has been quite sometime since I posted something proper.
Maybe I've been busy, maybe too much stuff happened till I don't know where to start, maybe I just felt like being a bum.

To cut things short, the good thing which came out from this shit semester is an air ticket back to Singapore.
A place which allows me to revert back to...me. The comfortable side of me I guess.

My parents didn't really object the idea of me going back - maybe because they see a relatively more substantial need to do so. But they still question every they talk to me. Why must I fly back. What am I going to do. What is the difference and stuff like that. I do not exactly feel like answering because I know there isn't much of a use.

But thank god, a few days after booking my flight back, I received a letter from uni informing me that I got the Lee Foundation Grant, which covers the cost of my ticket back and a little extra. So whenever they say that I am wasting money, I have at least something to use as my defense - its my money.

I've learned quite a bit this year, some hard lessons but I should be able to take it. Anyways, when all things fail, I still got my ultimate method of finding solace - running.

Not that running solves the problem but it makes problems seem smaller and less significant. When I run, I see the other side of life. I know it sounds ridiculous but try running to Mission Bay or Princes Wharf at Viaduct, you will get what I mean. Thats another reason why you guys should come over to NZ and visit me =)for those who already have, add 'more often' to the latter line.

Well, its 2 more weeks and I will be back. I didn't feel the excitement or the vibe initially but now I do. I can't wait to feel how I usually feel, see the familiar faces, complain about the stifling heat, have my food binging sessions, hug all my friends and laugh at them. Most importantly, a breakaway from this life I'm leading here. Its not all that bad, really. Its just nice to return to somewhere familiar once in awhile and remember who I really am.

I know this sounds weird to you but oh wells, I am a lil weird.

Really friends, I can't wait to see you guys again.