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Jan: Entering Bunka Japanese Language Intermediate Class (ended)
Sep: Entering Bunka Japanese Language Pre-Advanced Class (ongoing)
From last year till this year Jan, I have been studying in Bunka Japanese Language School in Orchard Delphi. It started out first with Chin Han, Huiming, Tian Wei and Xing, but now we kinda left our ways, with me currently mid way through Pre-advanced 1 and Xing just starting it. Tian Wei stopped at Elementary 2, Chin Han at Intermediate 4.
Compared to my very much broken Japanese Language in the past, it's much better now although it's still pretty broken. I finished the intermediate around July and by right I should be around borderline JLPT level 4 at that time.
Kirei Sato Sensei.
My teacher Sato Sensei taught me throughout the 3rd intermediate and 4th intermediate lessons. 1st and 2nd is Fukushima Sensei whom has left the school. Quite abruptly I must add. Both are very gentle teachers and full of smiles, but Sato Sensei's lessons are a bit more "textbook" I must add.
I furthered my studies into the Pre-advanced stages. It's still ongoing now and it's pretty tense if you ask me. It's more on speed and conversation. I'm still trying to cope with it and still make mistakes here and there, much to my teacher, Mizusaki Sensei's dismay.
Mizusaki Sensei with her spunky hairdo.
I'm still trying to be more natural in the language and hope I can clear JLPT N3 next year. Probably will keep ongoing in Bunka until maybe I've become truly proficient in the language.
これからも、よろしくお願いします。頑張ります。
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Jan: Drum teaching to Karen (ended)
Feb: Drum teaching to Uncle (ended)
This year, I accepted 2 more drum students. Drum students as in I really accepted a fee in teaching them. 1 is Karen, the other is my Uncle.
Student no.2, Karen
Student no.3, Uncle Chong Liung Man (took damn long to find a pic of his)
I taught Karen in a studio in Tampines which charges me cheap for $10 an hour because I only use their drums. She was a tad slow in learning but she had some base because she played a bit of Drummania. Still she had a bit of brushing up to do with her strokes and using the bass pedal. She quit by around the 3rd lesson due to commitment and lack of interest by the end.
For my uncle, I did a house teaching. His house has a drum set and I taught him there. Also, since it's not a studio I can go ahead and teach him all the way for as long as we both can. Very eager student and inquisitive, but has too little time to practice due to his job commitments. Tends to rush on his timing too which needs a bit of adjustments. He's good though for an amateur and definitely can go further if he had more interest in it. Didn't continue in the end due to lack of time by both of us.
In a sense they are people who once contributed to a teaching experience of mine and had me not only refining my own theories in drum, but also opening a possible career path of mine in the future. Now I don't teach anyone drums, partly cause I lose money from it and no one wants to learn from me anymore. :( For all my previous drum students who had given me a chance, I thank you. :D
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Jan: Jamming with Grottesca (ended)
Mar: Jamming with Vincent (ended)
Jul: Jamming with Square Table feat Umei (ongoing)
Jul: Jamming with Resonance (ongoing)
Nov: Jamming with Yellow Boots (ended)
In this span of 1 year, I had experimented with 5 bands in total to try for a committed band that can last. This year when I started, I had wanted to have various band, so to open up my views to different genre of music and to somehow ignite my drumming passion again.
Grottescaaaaaaaaa~~~~~
Grottesca was a band when I really tried to play with heavy rock/metal drums and playing Jrock songs like XJapan's Rusty Nails. I somehow slowly learned how to double pedal a bit with Grottesca. Eventually though I couldn't continue with them, partly myself to blame cause I didn't have good time management at that time and I lost interest in the music influence that Grottesca is in. At that point of time when I quit, I felt Grottesca was somehow getting stale since we keep playing the same songs and not improving. But now they have gotten in gigs, got themselves with a full band of vox and keyboards playing the songs which they like and slowly make themselves known in the scene. I feel happy for them and wish the band good luck in the future. :)
Vincent's band was a bit queer. It started out to be a mandopop band playing songs from David Tao and Zhang Zheng Yue, it's also in this band I met up with Chris again. This band had something missing which was the "click" that every band is supposed to have. Our music seemed to always lack in something and can't really continue on eventually. Vincent lost interest and the band just silently broke up in the end. Up till now, Vincent is still somewhat "lost" in my contacts. :x
Square Table feat Umei and a guy back facing the camera
Square Table feat Umei contacted me through soft.com around June and we had our first jam in July. We eventually progressed with various obstacles in our way and got into our EOY gig in Dec. Now the band is on hiatus and possible disband due to differing commitments. Regardless, they will remain as part of my memory and possibly for being a band that opened me up to a whole new genre of music, Anime music, aka Indie Jpop. :x
Resonance's most ghostly picture
Resonance is Chris's Jpop band, he kinda "re-discovered" me during the jamming with Vincent and got me into this band, initially to help out for his gig, now to stay and join them through their route of improving themselves. I won't say they're a great band, but they have the correct attitude and room of improvement to go on. After EOY, the band's next aim is into 2011's Street festival and I'll help them in getting through to it.
"Yellow Boots" is the nickname of the band leader. Up till now, regretfully I still can't remember his full name, only know him as Cheng. Joined them in Nov, partly as my plan to be open to more music and to continue my networking to know more people. Came out as quite a failure though as this band is an extremely busy band, with the band members all unable to commit to a constant time, including me. Totally lost contact with Yellow Boots now, but at least I had fun during that jam.
These various bands helped in reviving my love in drumming again and make me feel that I can go on regardless of whatever happens. The jamming sessions make me alive again and I'm happy to know you guys, whatever you all may be right now.
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Jan: Restart of new sem at SIM, project group with Charles and co, pair project with Xiao Tong. (ended)
Jul: Restart of new sem at SIM, project group Uni cliques. (ended)
Charles, the natural leader
School naturally restarted at SIM. My 2nd sem into uni-life was quite engaging actually. Not because the lessons are engaging whatsoever, but because the project group I was in helped me out tons as I was just starting out work at TNT. My project group consisted of Charles and a bunch of genius who are all proficient in their own rights and leaders in their own rights. All have the ability to work out stuff, do out stuff, so much so that I almost felt like I'm a free-rider in the 2nd sem. It was also the time I kinda understood how low my own level is in the course.
Cute cute Xiao Tong
Pair project with Xiao Tong was strange, because it was the supposed "chance" for me to show my abilities to my "crush". I had performed and the project worked out well in the end with both of us getting good scores, but somehow it's also at this time I felt disappointed as this "crush" of mine, was not the person I had thought to be. Nevertheless, it's still a good chance to work with a foreign student and have an up-close experience on how they worked, or how they do not work in projects. :x
Holidays came, and then started again the new Sem at Jul. I got to choose be with my uni cliques in this sem for my project. The 3rd sem was a very fast paced sem due to the school pushing and rushing all the lessons, submission dates and exams together all almost at the same time. Had me really crying out for help at the end especially when submission dates closed in.
I wasn't able to work like a free rider this sem, I had to really coordinate and perform more than what I used to as compared to the previous sems. It's also in this sem I encounter stuff like "friend politics" and "group politics", with friends complaining in good faith and being offended due to pressure and stress, it made me realized how delicate friendships can be in faces of stress and pressure. Still we pulled it through and our friendship held on, with particular thanks to Serene, Desmond, Kasumi and Manluo for putting up with me, this emo group leader.... wait am I still missing someone in the group?? :x
The thing that I can take away, is really learning the ropes of leadership and struggling with stress and pressure and studies and work with good friends and teammates. This sem's project group, although hectic has been fun. :D
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Jan: TNT work full time begins (ongoing)
TNT, logistics company... = Take N Throw
I seriously can't emphasis how big this company is, literally and non-literally. Starting work there has been one of the most tiresome commitment I had for anything other than NS and school. It also made me fully realized, how freaking difficult it is to earn money. $6.50 per hour is under paying, yet I'm still working in there. If not for the various good people in it and how convenient the work is, I would have quit long ago....
Well, it's a bit harsh to put it that way. The job does have it's perks. For a uni student such as I, you really can't ask more out of a job. And knowing the various people in there, makes it all worthwhile. However, I seriously don't know how much more I can last there though with my studies intensifying.... :x
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Jan: Drum Recording for Elisen (1-shot event)
Mar: Drum recording for Bernard (1-shot event)
Aug: Jamming + Recording for Marco's song entry (1-shot event)
Recordings are a different case from jammings with bands and gigs. It's a more professional situation whereby you have to do everything alone, with just mics and a whole lot of sounds. In a sense, that is where it's different. In recordings there is no "half-assed" job, only full perfect stuff. Any mistakes will be a retake and more time wasting.
Throughout my life, I had done only a few recordings, so I wasn't a total newbie to it. Plus Huiming at times got me to record for her projects, I kinda understood the process in it. When Elisen got me on soft, I accepted the non-profit project. Simply because I needed more experience in it. I'm still very very weak in such solo drumming, playing purely by time kinda stuff, so recordings will enable me to improve much more and to take off my anxiety in it.
Bernard's one was more of a favor done to both of Bernard and Huiming. Doing Sounan for recording was seriously enjoyable as well.
Finally, around August Marco, my previous keyboardist from EvE, approached me to do this original of his for a competition organized by NEA. We jammed only once to certify the song and went straight away to record it the next week. Very very rush job and probably a half-assed job as well. If we had more time and put in more effort, definitely can score better.
The road to being professional can only start from small, so small I started out to be, but at least I started out this year.
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Jan: Passing my driving test (1-shot event)
Jul: First Car Mishap (1-shot event)
Huiming tried to take a picture of the group, Edwin, Benji and me while I'm driving, and yes we phailed. No there was no accident in the end. >_>
Learning how to drive is probably one of the achievements I have got for this year that will serve in fulfilling my "greatness" in the future. :p
Sure it was expensive, it was tedious trying to get the license but it was all very well worth it. Why? Because it is a sense of reaching the next stage of life.
As you get to adulthood, guys especially in my opinion should learn how to drive. Why? Because of convenient sake. Sure enough Singapore's public transport systems are very advanced and convenient already. But still it's not good enough. The transport systems now makes us like little squashed sardines gasping for air especially in times like peak hours. Having a car makes it much more comfortable and enjoyable and fast! I can reach SIM from my house via driving in 30mins fastest, whereas via public transport it'll take close to 1hr 15mins. Look at the amount of time I can save via driving, freaking 45mins!
Secondly, knowing how to drive, opens up a whole lot of places available to go to. Previously I only know most places along the east side. Now I drive, I go to Walawala at Holland V, I go to East Coast Park regularly for drinks, I send people home, girls guys included, I go to various pubs, weird places, scenary places etc. All can't be done without driving.
Thirdly, it makes it... easier to chase girls. Disclaimer first, I'm not referring that without a car you can't achieve that, I'm just saying it's easier and more impressive knowing how to drive. To be realistic and vain at the same time, driving a nice looking expensive car down to school really has that "up up atas feel". People will hate you in return of course.
Still, I got my first accident in July. I pulled out the whole bumper from my car's rear. Nothing got injured except for my wallet. The thing I realized about it is safety in the end. Driving, no doubt fun, is still dangerous.
In a month's time, I can take out my P-plate. So it's more fun in the future. ;)
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Apr: Start of exercise regime (ongoing)
Yup, I started and planned my initial exercise regime around April. Cause I gained too much fat during the 1st 3months after my TNT work started. Slowly I adjust the volume and intensity of it accordingly and it's now rather modified and quite "siong" I may add. Well for Tian Wei it's no kick of course, but it will require tons and tons of self-discipline to follow to my regime. Cause it's an everyday thing except weekends. Even at late night, 2, 3am. You still must do it.
There's also wet weather programs too. So there's no excuse for myself not to do it.
I'm happy now at least, cause the regime worked out and I'm not as fat as before. In fact now I'll like to call myself stout rather than fat. Har Har HAr.
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May: Brother's ROM (1-shot event)
As you guys would have know, I have a sister-in-law. They were officially registered in May and the small ceremony was attended by a few of my brother friends, a few of Ah Ning's, a translator from the thai embassy, my parents and me.
It signified an official new member of the family adding into the family and happiness for the couple. I need not mention too much and how the new member added to my life influenced me, but indeed, the family is seemingly happier now with her in.
Lesser problems happens for my brother side now too. :)
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May: JB trip with Charles and co (1-shot event)
Kinda the first time I'm off for a random trip to another country for just a day trip playing paintball for the first time wearing NS uniform after a long time etc etc.
For me, it's the very few big events whereby I hang out with the main big group of my uni friends. Normally I just hang out with the usual small cliques I have around me. Even though we somehow know each other, at least recognize each other faces, but we don't talk much in school.
And of course, it's a fun day. Getting paint sprayed in your face rocks.
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Jun: Rehearsal with Rong for his farewell party (ended)
Jul: Rong's farewell party + Gackt's bday. (1-shot event)
Sep: Chalet on Chin Han's birthday (1-shot event)
Throughout the Year Event: Fast Food Birthday Party.
As for birthdays, this year's birthday for Rurouni was themed under "fast food" theme. So everyone was supposed to have your own fast food theme and we'll eat that for the birthday celebration followed by an event planned.
The list goes as:
Ahn Jae Sung & Ben: Pop eye's Chicken (trashed the restaurant)
Benjamin Seet: Carl's Junior (too full to finish)
Chong Woon Han: Yoshinoya (can't find our restaurant)
Eugene Quek a.k.a Gackt: Subway (didn't eat in the end... forgot why.)
Huiming Tan: Burger King (didn't eat in the end cause all busy.)
Junrong Chen: Arnold's Chicken (he went overseas before we can celebrate)
Samuel Lim: Super Dog (At 313 Somerset. Not bad)
Stella Ng: Mos Burger (Ate at Sentosa at night by the beach. Soggy burgers)
Shion Wah: Long John Silver (Most "budget" and "unsatisfying", lol)
Woo Tian Wei: Pasta Mania (seriously, this isn't fast food)
Stacey Lee: Wendy's (A good meal, but jaws were sore after it)
Most of the post events were just drinking at some pub or disco. Tian Wei's was more celebrated by his friends, the only big ones that actually took quite a bit of planning was Chin Han's and Gackt's one.
Gackt's birthday was meant to go together with Junrong's farewell party as he left SG for Australia to further his studies. He wanted to play the bass, so we got him over to hold a mini concert among us Rurouni. Don't play play, but Rurouni can form a band ok?
It's a sad truth, no one can see the drummers, it's always like this. :(
Benji on Guitars, Tian Wei on drums, Rong on bass, me on vox together with the birthday boy.
I don't know how we sounded that day, neither can I care too much, it was meant to have fun for both the bday boy and the farewell boy. After that it's more drinking at CMPB located at Dempsey Road where we cut cake, and make merry.
Next big one coming up with Chin Han's birthday. In a sense, it was meant to "replace" and cover up for the lacklustre birthday Chin Han got on his actual 21st. Looking through the list of things that Chin Han hadn't done, we decided, a chalet it'll be.
However, we're all pretty last minute... so rush and chiong, in the end we got a half-assed chalet at East Coast Park.
Even the logo on their webpage looks half-assed.
To be frank, the chalet wasn't good. That's why we can manage to book it in time. Kinda good and bad ba I guess. Chalet was more like a slack-let, rather than drink and vomit kinda stuff. We're considered super quiet compared to the others and sticked to just doing our usual stuff. We're so slack... I realised THERE'S NOT EVEN 1 PHOTO ON IT!! Either that or someone didn't upload it... :/
Anyways, the fast food madness for 2010 has ended... now I'm thinking of what's next for 2011 when we're 23 and can enter Dragonfly... Suggestions? :p
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Jun: Starting of Rurouni's business proposals and meetings (ended)
The idea was initiated by Tian Wei and Sam and was facilitated by me and my house. In otherwords, my house was the meeting ground.
This could be the first time, that we all were seriously talking about something and you can see traces of frustration appearing up on everyone's faces. Be it Tian Wei's, Sam, Ben's or mine. We all were at first hopeful, then slowly the flame got down with the traces of frustration and obstacles.
I won't say it's anyone's fault that it didn't work out in the end, it's an experience which Rurouni had and understandably we were all too immature at that time to start something so serious in such a big group.
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Jul: 1st Re-service ICT (ended)
Oct: 1st NS Mobilization Exercise (1-shot event)
By right, this is a very normal event. I mean every guy in SG will undergo reservice so it's not strange. However, the weird thing is that, I only get to understand the means of a "defence" in Singapore after the ICT.
In the past I'm very drop dead certain on something, that is our army is only acting as a deterrence force. I don't doubt our own army's strength but neither do I think it's comparable to the very much more advanced technology of the US or the mass of China's. That's why it's just a deterrence. All the things that the school has taught us of army such as bonding together and racial harmony being improved from our experiences in NS, etc, this were all just minor side effects that came from the army.
To your face, Singapore is in a very dangerous location due to our racial and religious beliefs. Politically wise we're also on odds with our neighbors. True, the people and citizens mix well with each other, but our politicians don't. So we must have a defence force. On logical thinking, we won't be able to compete against the superpowers, we can only defend ourselves against people close to us and thus our military strength just needs to achieve such stages.
A country without defense, is just a pseudo-country. This is what I've somehow recognized in the ICT. If a country has no defense, any other countries can just come in and invade. By then the harm is done and even if we wait for reinforcements from other countries, it's too late. At the same time you will never know what the country that is reinforcing you wants, so it's still best to have your own defenses up.
So in a sense, at least now when I'm serving, I have more purpose in it. However, I'm in no way standing on any side as I know tons of people are complaining for the real need of the 2 years National Service. There are other ways to defend a country, but for now since the government chose NS, I just LLST do it.
After all, I've already ORD, reservice is just chicken feet. :/
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Sep: Gig with Resonance (1-shot event)
Nov: EOY Audition (1-shot event)
Dec: Gig with Square Table feat Umei and Resonance (ended)
Probably one of the biggest highlights of this year came at the end of the year, when I finally have one of my biggest gigs ever at EOY.
The angle of this shot is superb....
The gig with Resonance at AMG you could say is a prelude. I hadn't gig for quite sometime and needed some real practice so I could get my standard back again. At the same time I could see what was the "standard" with the local scene now and to judge in a sense whether we're decent or comparable enough to be on stage with them. It's not a sense of competing, but just to self confirm our own standards.
So when EOY came, somehow I was confident enough on stage for both bands. Even though I did make mistakes, but still it wasn't that bad and I didn't throw face. ^^;
Resonance's performance; Song list:
Shunkan Sentimental - Scandal.
God Knows - Aya Hirano
Square Table feat Ume performance part 1;
Square Table feat Ume performance part 2;
Song list:
Anata ga ita mori - Fate/stay night ED
Kimi no Shiranai monogatari - Bakemonogatari ED
Hey Erin! - Touhou
Ume's fan power is kinda great, and well we got ourselves some enemies as well due to us being the only band to play 3 songs. Lol. Anyways it was a damn fun gig and I hope I can do it again. :D
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Nov: Marina Bay Sands stay on Patricia's birthday (1-shot event)
Lol I seriously do not think I have to elaborate more on this. I specially made a whole full blog post on this indicating how much I enjoyed myself on the trip to MBS.
Here is the entire post on Marina Bay Sands.
Any final words on this stay... hmmm...
It's probably the happiest day of this year when I stayed in there, at the same time it's probably also one of the more unsettling ones of this year.
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Dec: Taiwan Trip with Parents (ended)
In December my parents planned a very sudden Taiwan trip which luckily didn't clash with any of my other major events like gigs etc. It's a 7 days trip and from what I know, their main motive is actually just the flower expo at the 1st day WHICH, we didn't even enter. The whole flower expo is worth 3-4 days of walk and no way are we gonna use that much days on just 1 expo.
By right, I was supposed to write about it, but truth be told... I FORGOT QUITE A BUNCH OF IT!!!! >.<
Anyways, there WILL be a future blog post about this Taiwan trip; a holiday which I hadn't been to in years. Best thing about it is, it's an all expenses paid for... heh heh heh...
If I want to say something about it...
Going to Taiwan, if you want to see stuff and learn about the scenery and their history, tour would be good. If you want to experience life there, go free and easy. Taiwan trip wasn't enjoyable as I was with my parents, I can't havoc, but I learned quite a bit of stuff. :)
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Dec: Obtaining Diploma (ended)
I don't know, I look kinda weird in this pic. :/
So finally, I have finished the first stage of my degree... which in otherwords is a diploma. In a sense, I can actually go out and work now since I do have a diploma at hand, but nooooooooo... this course is meant to go all the way to stage 2 which is a degree.
I can't believe it though, but this is actually my first actual graduation. I don't remember a proper graduation being done in Tampines Primary, in East View Sec, in Tampines Junior College. Well simply put, I was low profile in those schools.... wait a minute I'm low profile in my current course as well!!
Nevertheless, it's my first graduation, though it's not the first time I'm up on stage.
This ceremony, is just a ceremony. But it serves to remind me something, what I have been doing now in school, is just a diploma course. Now comes the real thing, so I better buck up.
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Few people to thanks and acknowledge this year in 2010.
(I had wanted to use the pic we took for Xmas instead >_>)
The whole gang of Rurouni, which includes, Ben, Benji, Chin Han, Sam, Tian Wei, Junrong + Eunice, Jae Sung, Stella, Huiming, Gackt, Stacey. Thanks for being there in my life as always in 2010 and may our bond stay strong all the way till the end of our lives! Words won't be able to say how strong our ties are, but we will know it inside. :) Huat Ah!!!!
From shortest to tallest ah????
My Uni Clique which includes, Manluo, Serene, Kasumi and Desmond. For laughing out at my stupid jokes, for eating with me, for doing stupid things with me, for insulting me, for letting me insult you all... thank you. University won't be the same without you guys and may we strive into the next year!
Yes... I know you are... i know...
Lao Peng ah Lao Peng, sorry this pic is too fucked up for me to ignore it lol. Got very much closer to you this year, partly thanks to me being able to drive lol. Anyways, love the "bromance" drinking/smoking sessions with you and you for being there to lend a listening ear for me. It'll continue on, and I promise it'll be more fucked up every year.
ヘンンンンンンン身～～～～！！！！！
+
How many times must I post pics of us!!????
I have already saluted you guys as number 1 in my most influential list, so let me just summarize again. Thank you for giving me the chance to be your drummer and even if we're not playing together anymore in the future, continue to rock on in your individual music talents and your dreams! Also have to thank the boss of Alliance Music Studios, Marc for being so patient with us all the time, for being late etc etc. lol
The 2 most babelicious gals in my life. ;)
Thank you 2 for the memories you have given me this year, Patricia during my drums lessons, Priscilla for the occasional and random drinks and the outings that we had. I had fun during those outings. :) Now it could be difficult for us to hang out due to commitments that we have and futures that we have to pursue (be it career or love life), still these things will remain and hope you 2 will cherish it too. :)
Time for you to lose weight dude!!!
+
Sam at Work = SAW
+
Fong Jieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~~~~~~~~
Seriously, if not for you 3, my work would be rather unbearable. Azri my go home kaki, Sam my smoking buddy and Fong jie the ever so considerate supervisor. Azri you crack me up with your stuns, and you should lose some weight. Ah Sam, lucky you were there at the start to get me through the initial stages when I just started out there, if not I'm may not even last the probation period. Fong Jie, thanks for being so patient with me always when I perform stuns, do stupid things and make stupid mistakes. Not forgetting the whole crew in TNT, work would be extremely tedious without you all. :D
Ah Chong and Ah Ning
Blood is thicker than water. Somehow that is getting more and more true for my case. Bro, you have been damn helpful to me this year, regardless of whatever stupid proposals i shoot to you, like you buying ps3 first and I paying you later, you fetching me home, I fetching you home, suppering etc. Tons of stupid things lol. Hope you and Ah Ning stay close together and be happy always. :D
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2010 has been a roller coaster ride, from Youth Olympics to World Cup to falling in love to drinking till I vomit blood to the many things I have done this year. It has been a fulfilling month both physically and spiritually.
Have fun to the year end and may all of us have a happy new year!
Bye for now, and cya all next year. :D
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