UMSSA (UMich Singapore Students' Association) organized Chinese New Year 2006 Celebration yesterday night at the Trotter Multicultural House. About a hundred and fifty Singaporeans turned up, more than I've ever seen at any other SSA event since coming to UMich. There're about 200 Singaporeans currently studying at UMich, and I believe I haven't met most of them personally. Anyway the SSA did a pretty good job decorating Trotter House, with festive red streamers and hongbaos and lucky couplets, which did contribute a great deal to fostering the Chinese New Year atmosphere and cheer. Tommy even baked egg tarts and there was a table of traditional goodies like shrimp rolls, kueh bangkit, White Rabbit sweets, peanut cookies and the like.

Dinner was a seven-course affair from TK Wu, which is probably the next best deal to authentic Chinese cooking you'll find in Ann Arbor. It wasn't half bad, but I guess most of us were there more for the people rather than the food. Here's a shot of the cold dish, which we found quite amusing: Can someone explain the proliferation of raw leafy vegetables right smack in the middle of the platter? Who's going to eat those?

Anyway the highlight of the meal was probably the mainstay of any Chinese New Year dinner- yu sheng! Okay perhaps it isn't yu sheng in the traditional sense of the word, since everything looks strangely orange in the picture (it WAS strangely orange in reality). It was more of an amalgamation of salmon, carrots, radishes (?), prawn crackers and a sweet-and-sour-concoction (in place of plum sauce, supposedly) courtesy of Wilson. But it was amazingly good considering the odds they were up against- I mean, where in Ann Arbor can you possibly find half the ingredients needed for yu sheng?

And of course we did the lo-hei! After which much of the yu sheng ended up on the table as well as Jeff's shirt.

I didn't stay long, leaving almost immediately after dinner was over. There were Winning Eleven tournaments, mahjong, karaoke competitions and the like after dinner but I'm honestly not into late nights. I much prefer sleeping. Hahaha basically I have like no social life and I'm proud of it okay. Hahaha. Anyway this is a shot of our table! On the left from foreground is: Ted, Jeff, Amy, Wei Siong, and on the right it's: Jian Wei, Wilson, me, Alvin.

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone!

oh no, i am tagged!! :)

Below Are The Rules:

Rule 1: 5 weird or random things about myself.

1. I used to be a fat dweeb who hated oatmeal and vegetables and just about any form of healthy food. I had a particular fondness for KFC Cheese Fries, all things battered and deep-fried, and just about anything that Wilson spends his days dreaming about right now. Hahahaha.

2. Currently, I have deemed that a scab on my knee particularly fascinating and so I'm picking away at it even though it's not a good thing to do. It's oddly occupying, and strangely satisfying- though it hurts like billy-oh it's worth it anyway. Well, the rule specifically mentioned WEIRD things!

3. I have a 2km trial on the ergometer in 3 hours' time and my insides feel like they're about ready to spill out at any moment now. Though the whole affair's supposed to last for only 7-8 minutes, you can't underestimate just how thoroughly, indescribably tortuous and painful this short duration is going to be. Simply put, it's like a 400m race where you can't sprint all-out like you would if you were running 100m, but you can't hold back either like in a 10k where you'd conserve your energy and spread it evenly throughout the race. So it's a fine line between flying and dying and I'm not sure I've discovered the happy medium yet.

4. This is terribly embarrassing but I think Britney Spears' "Stronger" is the best song to erg to at the end of a piece when you're doing your last burst. Coupled with her shrieks, the lyrics and tempo somehow manage to work wonders when you're gasping like a fish out of water and have 100m more to go.

5. I love tau huay with barley and peanut pancakes and I think Jollibean should establish a franchise in the USA and situate an outlet in Ann Arbor. Heck, I'd even work there. I could probably single-handedly keep them in business.

Rule 2: 5 People whom I would like to see do this quiz.
1. philip
2. weez
3. ted
4. mag
5. liwei! :)

Rule 3: Next, leave a comment "You are tagged!" on their blog, and ask them to read your blog for rules.

Usually I don't even bother glancing at the pop-ups that appear on my screen everytime I turn on my computer. But this particular one caught my eye. It's of the movie "Annapolis" which opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow, Friday, 27th January. I'm not sure if it'll be shown in Singapore, but I suppose it will be. What caught my eye was the synopsis and the trailer. I copied the synopsis down and pasted it below- go read it for yourself and you'll see just exactly why I found it so fascinating.

It looks like a promising film. I'm raring to go catch it just that I don't know if I'll have the time to, but hey buddy, (yes, you, my sleepy-headed buddy, you know who you are hahaha) I think you should definitely catch this if it comes out in Singapore. Read the belowmentioned and you'll see why.


Movie Synopsis:

It's known as one of the toughest institutions in America--a home for the best and brightest who are driven to serve their country and a training facility where only the strongest survive. It's a rarified world that, by necessity, makes or breaks tomorrow's heroes. And for local Maryland kid Jake Huard the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis has been a lifelong dream he never thought could come true. Only now that it has, he is about to realize that his battle to become the man he always wanted to be is only just beginning.

Jake was raised to believe his future lay as a laborer in the Annapolis shipyards--like everyone else in his family before him. But to his disbelief, Jake has defied the odds and become one of the rare few accepted to Annapolis along with some of the most elite young men and women in the country. When he arrives, his dream soon looks like it might turn into a nightmare. As a freshman plebe, Jake is immediately thrown into a pressure-cooker atmosphere that threatens to be his undoing. Just as it seems Jake could become another Annapolis statistic, he takes one last shot at proving his potential. He meets an unlikely ally in his beautiful, stunningly strong military superior, Ali, who also happens to secretly be a skilled boxing trainer.

Jake decides to train for the legendary Navy boxing competition, a creator of future leaders known as the Brigade Championships. Now, there remains only one thing standing between Jake and the triumph he needs--the steel-jawed company commander, Midshipman Lt. Cole.

Everything Jake has ever hoped for stands in the balance--the chance to make his father proud, the chance to stand up for his fellow plebes and, most of all, the opportunity to fight for a better future.

Check this movie out here
.

***
Well, I've never been the kind to ever let my feelings show
And I thought that being strong meant never losing your self-control
But I'm just drunk enough
To let go of my pain
To hell with my pride
Let it fall like rain, from my eyes
Tonight I wanna cry.
***

Keith Urban Tonight I Wanna Cry

Before certain people start reading too much into this, I'll have you know that perhaps you shouldn't bother. Go do your homework. Hahaha.

A glimpse into my life...

This is our Erg Room. Doesn't it look most inviting? (Okay, it looks significantly more welcoming once the lights have been switched on). This is where I spend the better part of my afternoons, every day.

People end up here, en route to the Olympics. Look closely at the list- No. 3, Kate Johnson, former Michigan rower, medalled at the 2004 Olympics. Can you imagine just how honored I am to be training in the midst of All-Americans, U.S. National Team members, and future Olympians?

And how could I ever forget this? The object of my affection, up close and personal. Ahh words fail me. Just get on it and row your ass off.

Psyche up, Wolverines!
Today evening marked the opening of the Michigan's Men Gymnastics team's competition season, with a matchup against Big Ten rival and fellow gymnastics powerhouse Penn State, at Cliff Keen Arena. The Novice Women's Rowing team came to a consensus that we would be hard-pressed to find a better alternative form of entertainment (on a Saturday night, no less) than lithe, muscular men clad in spandex cavorting on a selection of apparatus. So a number of us traipsed down to Cliff Keen after a brief dinner at Big Ten Burrito and spent a decidedly enjoyable two hours watching the thrilling matchup unfold between the rival college teams. Though the atmosphere was nowhere as electrifying as that of football gamedays in the Michigan Stadium, owing to the obvious fact that the crowd in attendance could in no way rival the number of football fans who make the pilgrimage to the revered sanctity of the Big House, the audience was suitably enthusiastic and supportive. Just an aside thought- it strikes me as somewhat odd that more support is given to a sport where a leather ball is placed on the line, rather than a sport where athletes place their own bodies on the line. I'd pick the latter any day.

Above all, however, the men's gym team members were tremendously psyched and pumped- you could see it in their faces, the shouts of jubilation and "Go BLUE!" whenever a team member nailed an impossibly challenging move, the never-ending encouragement despite mistakes which inevitably happened, the high-fives and slaps on the back a member would receive once he completed his routine and stepped off the mat.

Hangin' Tough.
It's that sort of team spirit and camaraderie which is of utmost importance to me, and it's something you'll only find in sports. And perhaps, even more so in Michigan, where such a high premium is placed on athletics due to our NCAA Division I status, as well as the fact that it's such a large school and thus possesses an incredible amount of resources that are necessary to fund athlete development. I can barely describe how wowed I was upon making the rowing team and hearing about the tremendous level of support that Michigan offers its varsity athletes. Sure, the free Nike gear cuts it (Even right now I'm still pretty amazed at the number of swoosh-emblazoned freebies I've received- sweatshirt, sweatpants, t-shirt, spandex shorts, Dri-fit long-sleeved mock top, socks, sports bra -I must say I truly admire their attention to detail-, shoes, and even a Nike wheeled travel bag for training and competition trips), but we've also got access to sports nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports therapists whose sole purposes are to provide the necessary help and assistance we might need in the course of improving our athletic abilities.

Not forgetting the new academic center built solely for varsity athletes with tutors for just about every class offered in the University, computing options, study tables, and even (I thought this was quite funny, because the rest of my teammates immediately turned and looked at me when this was announced to our team) satellite TV which can broadcast local TV shows from a large number of countries around the globe. Even though I can barely foresee myself watching Chinese drama serials or a Singlish sitcom, while the rest of the people around me strain to discern how a curly-haired man with an obtrusive facial mole and yellow Wellingtons can possibly be a legitimate source of entertainment to people in the country I hail from.

But the pride and honor of being a Michigan Varsity Athlete surpasses, by far, any of the abovementioned material incentives that comes from donning the Maize and Blue. It's the lessons you learn and the memories you acquire- that unforgettable day in the erg room where you wheezed your way through 20 sets of 40-second all-out sprints with 20-second breaks but felt proud afterward that you hadn't let up on the pace despite the overwhelming urge to; squeezing out that last rep on the leg press machine, face contorted in agony at the immense strain; catching a crab while rowing all eights, cannonballing out of your foot stretchers and landing in a dishevelled heap on the lap of your bemused fellow rower behind; the wintry cold of the early mornings where all you want to do is burrow into bed and the last thing on your mind is flinging off the covers and picking your way through the slush and snow to make it down for 6:30am practice.

Being a varsity athlete calls for enormous levels of sacrifice and self-control- as my coach always exhorts us, the onus is on us to make wise decisions that we know will be beneficial to us. Basically, just not to lose our head and do stupid things that are potentially regrettable, given the temptations and vices that abound in a typical American college scenario. It's a great lesson in personal development and growth, and you wouldn't be able to understand just how blessed I feel at having such an opportunity occur to me. Maybe upon reading this, as well as a couple of my previous entries, you'd be tempted to think that all I ever rave about is rowing and how it's made me a better person and blah blah blah and dismiss it as mere hype and overenthusiasm, perhaps even arrogance. But I guess it's impossible to truly understand the feeling without having experienced it. Going to the men's gym meet reinforced the realization that I am indeed proud to be a Michigan Wolverine and when it comes to the crunch, I'll put my head down, push past the pain and give back to Michigan all it's given me.

Bleedin' Maize and Blue- and Damn Frickin' Proud of it.

Quote of the Day:
I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
- Muhammad Ali

Wow I've been super busy lately. It's back to the full swing of things, once again. Gosh I can't really think of anything significant to blog about, because there haven't been any momentous happenings that have taken place since I've been back. The UMich SSA (Singapore Students' Association) is organizing a Chinese New Year dinner for all its members next Saturday, which is something pretty worth looking forward to, since, for the first time for as long as I can remember, I won't be traipsing down to relatives' and friends' places to indulge in traditional festive goodies or collecting my hongbaos. But of course I've delegated my parents to accept them on my behalf, so at least I won't be missing out on too much. Anyway I've heard pretty strange comments about the dinner the SSA organizes yearly in commemoration of CNY- two of my seniors have already remarked that the food "looks Chinese, but doesn't really taste Chinese". Well, I guess that's pretty much the deal with all sorts of Chinese-esque food in the USA. No matter how much you try to dress it up with shallots and spring onions and other forms of Oriental garnishes, the taste remains essentially American. But that doesn't bother me too much because I'm not pining away for local Singaporean food or impossibly faultless Chinese cuisine; unlike some of my Singaporean counterparts here in UMich who heckle about the dearth of good Chinese food incessantly. And sometimes they go on a roll and begin complaining about Ann Arbor being far too small for their liking, especially when compared with a metropolitan city like Singapore, and that there's just about absolutely nothing to do here. Even though some of these people are arguably my closer friends in UMich, and people I do find extremely endearing (in most other aspects of day-to-day life), it just irks me when they start whining and griping about all these issues. It doesn't make the slightest bit of sense to me, at all. Granted, Ann Arbor's a college town and can't boast of the sort of vibrancy that emanates from megapolises like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles- but it's characterized by a more dynamic, youthful vibe that comes from the presence of the large resident student population, and a homely feel that hails from the closeness of the surrounding suburban community. And if urban life is what you've always wanted, why didn't you apply somewhere else in the first place and save the $70 application fee to UMich- like to UCLA or NYU or someplace you'd feel more at home- or, alternatively, stay in Singapore where you've got the comforts of home, Orchard Road, and tropical weather, and also where you could save ten times the money you're paying for a U-M degree (and perhaps splurge it on supper every night at Jalan Kayu or Newton Hawker Center)? My take on this whole issue is: Give it up, quit complaining because it's only going to make you feel more miserable especially if all you can think about is Ghim Moh char kuay teow as a tear rolls down your face and splashes into your plate of TK Wu's Taiwanese-Style Fried Noodles (just about the closest you can get to the former). Go participate in some form of college activity! I'm testament to the fact that Michigan Rowing is perhaps what characterizes my life, and it's incredible what you learn, and the friends you make, through the shared experiences. If you're only going to confine yourself to Singaporeans and other international Asian students, you're never going to break out of that insular circle you've constructed around yourself, and things will never change. Besides, sports keeps you occupied and healthy and those are two marvelous bonuses in themselves. I guess what I've said pretty much applies to anyone who's in college right now and looking to define their lives or add some meaning to an otherwise mundane, everyday, existence. There's so much you can learn and so much that's up for grabs if you just choose to acknowledge the presence of new things you can try, activities you can venture into, and so on.

Me and a couple of my rowing teammates.

Here's a shot of our trip down to Whole Foods Market along Washtenaw yesterday after practice, which we thought it'd do us good to immortalize, explaining this nifty picture. Whole Foods Market is this incredible fresh produce grocery store which is wholly organic and stocks all sorts of wonderful foods. It's an amazing place and just about my favorite destination for groceries, even though the prices are admittedly a little steep. Then again, you're paying for quality which is unparalleled by the Meijers and Krogers and Wal-Marts and all the other giant American supermarket chains, whose aisles are jam-packed with Little Debbie Cream Cakes and Frito-Lays and just about every brand of junk food America has come to being lovingly associated with. So Whole Foods is, pretty much, a haven for those of us who remain largely distant from the enigmatic lure of hydrogenated oils lurking beneath brightly-colored wrappers and disarmingly cheap prices. After all, you know Americans- they're a sucker for what they assume to be "great value"- just throw together a couple of packages of doughnuts, Glad-wrap them together, knock fifty cents off the combined selling price and slap on a 'SALE' tag, and the next thing you know, they're flying off the shelves and into shopping carts.

Anyway, back to Whole Foods. Liz P (that's the girl with the colorful scarf, second from right) and I have been intending to go shopping there together ever since last year. It's been quite a while, but somehow or other we've always managed to find ourselves unable to agree on a time for us to go, since we've always got something or other to do, like rowing practice, or homework, or some other similarly urgent preoccupation. However, we finally got around to going together yesterday, and it was pretty awesome. You might wonder- how can you possibly derive so much pleasure from, of all things, grocery shopping? But you see, 1. grocery shopping's always fun when you go with like-minded people, 2. rowers are perpetually hungry, 3. Whole Foods in Ann Arbor is a store unlike any other, and 4. (the most important- without which all the previously-mentioned factors fade into insignificance) there are samples of just about every sort of food around every corner of the store, no matter into which aisle you turn into. And you see, even if there aren't samples, you can always somehow conjure up a sample. Okay that sounded a little cryptic, but then again, I can't exactly go around proclaiming my food-phishing techniques to the masses, can I? Hahaha. But take it from me, I can get you samples. Ooohh, that last statement is a pun in itself. I marvel at my ingenuity. :)

Oh, by the way, don't you just love my template? I think it's hilarious. Hahahaha. And especially to Wilson Liu Weiyuan, this is a celebration of the clogged arteries to come! Hahahahaha! Okay lah, typically I wouldn't wish clogged arteries on anyone, but since you're always likening me to a bovine creature due to my taste for vegetables, this blog template is dedicated as a special tribute to you, Wilson. Okay, I can just see you brandishing a steak knife and hunting me down in South Quad so I think I should stop right here.

I was just clearing my email inbox and look what I came across. Apparently I'm still part of the SeconomicsRJC Yahoogroup, the name speaks for itself- it's a group comprising all the past and present 'S' paper economists in RJC. I don't particularly think I deserve to be part of this group, since my reasons for taking 'S' level economics were more pragmatic rather than for purposes of actual interest. But whatever. Anyway, I chuckled to myself upon reading the following email sent by our beloved Jamie Reeves- it does seem like nothing's changed, two years on.

***
Dear 'S' Paper Economists (class of 2006)

No college this Tuesday, so there will be a session
this Thursday (12th) in LT6, and I would like everyone
to attend, or as many as possible. I will be
conducting the session, and we will take a look at the
November exam paper, which was the best paper set in
the last decade.

In the normal run of things there will be two sessions
each week - Tuesday & Thursday - and you will choose
to attend one of the two sessions. (note: alternatively, you can conveniently choose not to attend any of them at all, like what my dearest friend gaya did, though it is highly unadvised that you do so.)

Mr. Sowden will conduct the lessons in the following
week, when he will conduct the post mortem on the
first essay. He tells me that so far he has failed
every single essay marked. Welcome to the world of 'S'
Paper!

I look forward to meeting you all on Thursday.

Mr. Reeves
***

Which reminds me that I never received anything better than an 'U+' (Ungraded Plus- like the plus makes a hell of a difference!) until the 'A' Levels. So all you 'S' paper economists out there (unlucky souls), don't worry too much about it because you'll probably come through in the end!

This is a special post, for an incredibly special person to me.

Hey partner-

It's amazing how much we've both gone through together. The journey's been pretty spectacular, in fact. And even though there's just about... well, a couple of thousand miles, to say the least, between us right now, it's just so cool how our relationship transcends the distance. That's something which has always fascinated me. I believe there's some things we'll both never forget- paddling together in RJC13, the times we spent together, all those insane things we did, and just about a ton of other memories that are so precious to me. I expect you feel the same as well. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that the times we had in the last two weeks were pretty sweet- and hang in there because it's only a matter of four months before I'll be back and we can go tear up Macritchie again. Hahahaha. And I guess only you know how much you've always meant to me. Take care back there.

- Fengyi

A response to a comment left with regards to my previous post, just so it makes for easier viewing. :)

Penelope>> hey Penelope! It's good to hear from you. Anyway, I'd love to tell you more about my experiences, because as I mentioned, they're a part of my life that is arguably irreplaceable and which I'd never trade for anything else in the world. And you're right- focusing on the big picture does help tremendously especially when you're overwhelmed with all the small issues that you feel aren't important- say, the military regimentation and all, but which your superiors and instructors can't seem to stop raving about. Anyway, hang in there- I know the transition from civilian to military life is no small one, and it's definitely not an easy time. But you'll be okay. Perhaps you'd like to leave your email address so I can reach you? By the way, mine is fengyi@umich.edu- not sure if you girls remembered it from the other day, but if not, here you go again! Hope to hear from you soon.

Oh, I just felt like blogging about this random event, for some reason or another. Anyway, I was asked on Friday by MINDEF Scholarship Centre when I dropped by for a visit if I'd like to return to OCS at SAFTI and share my experiences with regards to the entire SAF Merit Scholarship (Women) process with this year's batch of provisional scholars. They felt I'd be the best person to do so because of my unique acquaintance with both the RSAF as well as the Army. I jumped at the chance, because I was overwhelmingly curious to find out whether 2006's provisional awardees were every bit as eminent as 2005's had been -cough-, and also because I felt that both they and I would gain from this opportunity. So it was duly arranged for me to go down to OCS on Saturday morning to give a brief talk to the scholars. It felt good being back in SAFTI, but it did take me a while to adjust to the fact that I was no longer a cadet but an officer (and somewhat undeservedly so, considering how all the SAF scholarship holders are commissioned before deferring for studies, putting off the remainder of the military training till after college or during vacation). But of course the privilege of being an officer comes with many expectations and responsibilities that have to be shouldered and upheld, and it's definitely no small matter.

It was great seeing my PC and APCs during BMT when I returned to Sierra Wing, though it did feel odd not having to salute them, although I still made it a point to address them with the due respect. While I was waiting in the wingline prior to the talk, I found it rather amusing how scenes from my very own BMT experiences replayed before my eyes, except with an entirely new batch of cadets this time around. I'm sure my platoon mates will never be able to forget the sound of Ma'am Chan's unmistakable voice booming from four flights down- "OEIIIIIIIIIII! HOW LONG YOU ALL NEED TO CHANGE AND COME DOWN??" followed by the sound of scurrying footsteps from above, a tousled head peeking over the stairwell in deference to the order, saying "Yes Ma'am, we're coming down!"- and seconds later, a series of cadets tumbling down the stairs in quick succession, uniforms in various states of disarray, the most common complaint being that of Janie-sleeves (Hahaha I'm sure everyone in 39th WOCC will have no problem whatsoever figuring out what Janie-sleeves are). Anyway so that's how the cadets were, and I could barely hide my amusement at seeing history reproduce itself in such fine fashion.

The talk went excellently, as it was a topic that I could wax lyrical on due in large part to the fact that I'd been through just about everything and emerged with fond (and not-so-fond, but no less valuable) memories of my times in BMT and OCS. This year's batch of provisional scholars were, without a doubt, an interesting bunch- much more vocal than my year's, and I was faced with a barrage of questions that ranged from the serious, "Did you experience any low points during the course of your military training? How'd you face them and manage to overcome them successfully?" to the not-so-serious, but no doubt as important, "How'd you ever manage to squeeze everything into Pack 2 (of the field pack?) My toothbrush always causes the Ziploc bag to burst because it's too long! Do you think I can replace the SAF-issued one with a shorter one instead?" As you can see, I enjoyed myself immensely in my short but fruitful encounter with this vivacious bunch. They'd only been in OCS for all of 5 days, prior to my visit, and were still struggling to adjust to the duress of military regimentation. But I'm sure they'll make it through, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of them when I return to Singapore in May.

I returned to Ann Arbor yesterday and was surprised at my ability to adjust seamlessly back into school-going mode. It was almost like I hadn't left at all, which I guess is good, because I'd originally thought it'd take me a while to get acclimatised to the busyness of college life and rowing practice and everything all over again. Anyway, it wasn't that bad after all. Somehow I felt pretty happy to be back in Michigan after the two weeks spent in Singapore- even though it is going to be another four months before I find myself embarking on another twenty-hour journey across the Pacific and back home. But then again, I'll be able to spend a far longer time in Singapore then, so that's definitely something worth looking forward to. I just attended my very first lecture of the winter term for 2006- POLSCI 160, or World Politics, which seems potentially interesting- a change from Comparative Politics, which I enjoyed immensely, but it's always good to learn something new. I'm really thankful that I no longer have 8am classes up on North Campus. I'm fine with the 8am bit, just that the trip up North was a tremendous pain the whole of last semester, and I'm glad that I've got no more reason to go up there anymore. My schedule for this semester is pretty decent- no classes on Friday (that's my primary criteria when scheduling classes), I start at 10am on Monday and 9am on the next 3 days. And so that gives me plenty of room to start planning my workout times and regimes- I do miss being hardcore. Hahaha.

I had every good intention to go for a run today at 11am after POLSCI lecture, just that my legs are currently rebelling and are a tad wobbly, especially after that hideously tiring leg press this morning during weights with the rest of the crew team. Back to proper training after a couple of days off- I'll have to wean myself back into it. Which is why I'm sitting beside my bed and typing out this entry instead. But I suppose that's good, since I haven't really blogged anything substantial in quite a while! Anyway there's erg practice at 3.15pm later on in the afternoon, so that should be enough exertion for the day. I'll only let myself off the hook today, and no more.

ahhh I love you so much, it hurts so bad.

***
Cause I've been waiting to give this gift tonight
I'm down on my knees
There's no better time
It's something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm going to give you all my heart can give
***

How am I ever going to let you go?

Crashed California Fitness at Orchard with Leqi at 8am, spent the later part of the morning with some of the AFST guys at Cafe Cartel in City Hall gorging on free bread and generally soaking up their company- it's really great being able to see them after so long, especially after the ADA guys have been channeled into their respective weapon training sections. After that it was an afternoon of laughter with the WOCC girls at Just Noodles in Suntec City- it was awesome talking to them, especially reminiscing about the hopelessly funny BMT/ OCS Joint Leadership Term memories. So much has changed in the span of four months- people've been commissioned as officers, and most deservedly so; some of them look different, and speak of things they've experienced which have changed them, but deep down inside some things just don't ever change and those are the memories we hang on to. Cake at Cedele Depot with Janie and Lihui after bidding farewell to the WOCC girls and frantic scurrying to take as many photographs as we could before parting for another 4 months- try the Chocolate Banana Espresso and the Espresso Almond Praline cakes, they're simply divine. Dinner was spent with the two girls as well as EC who couldn't make it for the earlier gathering, at the Rice Table, where I duly satisfied my longing for their sublime tauhu telor and sayur lodeh and was altogether sated, with good food and even better company. It was indeed a day to be treasured; and definitely one of those times that's going to make leaving for Michigan this time around even harder than how it was to leave before.


And of course, there's you.

***
How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath
With you
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave
Cause we’ve shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
There’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now
Well, there’s just an empty space
And you coming back to me
Is against all odds
And that’s what I’ve got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There’s so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now
Cause there’s just an empty space

But to wait for you is all I can do
And that’s what I’ve got to face

Take a good look at me now
Cause I’ll still be standing here
And you coming back to me
Is against all odds
It’s the chance I’ve gotta take

Take a look at me now

***
Phil Collins :: Against All Odds