Dear Dreams – Page 213

The despicable “Liang Ya”

I saw a photo inside the “Who Viewed Me” section in Friendster. I could not care to bother about it until out of curiosity when I was taking a rest from my work.

I went in to check if he was one of my old friends but to recall I actually had one more person to detest and despise on. I remembered his shameless and lack of integrity deed in the past.

For the first time I brought my new basketball to school during lower secondary time, I thought he was a respectable guy despite having a hideous looks, left the ball with him when I had something to attend to. He promised me to return it but in the end he left the ball lying around there.

When I went to him to account for the lost ball, he promised me to return me the money. Then, he dragged on until months later, he still insisted that he had forgotten to bring the fifty bucks along. Nearly a year later, he started to debate that the other guys who played with him had the responsibilities to pay up as well.

By then, I had fully seen through his true colours. He had no intention to return me the money in the first place and all he did was to humour me around and then push the blame to others. He succeeded in escaping from his crime because I was not firm enough, that he took my kindness for granted; perhaps I should really do more things or at least inform the school about his unrighteous acts.

His classmates told me about his character and I regretted badly to trust this irresponsible hypocrite. This incident had somehow reduced the trust I had for strangers; it was also one of the main causes that I stopped playing basketball.

One of the most shocking things I came to know was that he seemed to be an officer when he was serving the army.

Crafty people do climb higher.

Second fireworks watch

[Friday, 11 August, 2006]

On the day of the second visit to see the fireworks, Gilberto and I were supposed to get there earlier to find and book decent place. However, we did not do as planned, but only to go there slightly earlier than the previous time.

We had Burger King meal at Raffles City before meeting up with Reuben. Ivan soon arrived, followed by Louis. After buying food back at Burger King, we set off for a picnic near Esplanade.

We were joined up by Yuqing, Siu Hang and one of Gilberto’s female friends. Ivan was delighted with the “scenery” during his journey from camp.

Gilberto caught 断手 again

Gilberto on phone

A camera on tripod stand, ready for the fireworks

Gilberto and Ivan

Xiao Hong pledging loyalty to the country

Gilberto putting his hand on Ivan’s knee *obscene*

I was surprised over how we could camp there from around six till nine o’clock. I had some fun playing with Yuqing’s camera, which certainly cost a bomb. The auto focus speed was fast.

Fireworks. I love this picture a lot with the excited people on the bottom

Fireworks

The fireworks were beautiful, however being destroyed by a cupboard out of nowhere in the park. The absence of the lover degraded the romantic night.

There were babes everywhere, sweeties in uniforms and “Ah Lians” in all kinds of strange clothes with funny gestures. I was filled with courage to take pictures with the cute girls but realising the photo was nothing great a show-off to having a sweet girlfriend, which I was blessed with already.

The last station was after a long walk to Plaza Singapura at the Starbucks. The few of us had a little gossiping and discussion about Quek’s party.

Departure of my N6230i

[Sunday, 13 August, 2006]

When I was at Causeway Point, I went to the Nokia Service Centre while waiting for the rest to come.

I thought they could fix up my new phone in just a few hours, but other than installing latest version of the software, they needed a few days to check my fast-dying battery.

The warranty card was empty and I could have filled it up with a later expiry date but I was stunned by the sudden question and just nodded at the lady when she said she would use the date found online.

At first, I thought I had backup my contact list but to realise suddenly that I had cleared my old N3120’s contacts.

Therefore, I have lost many of my contacts and I am not sure whose numbers are gone.

I have to go back on this coming Wednesday to collect it. How I wished my luck can improve more.

My most fulfilling day

[Thursday, 10 August, 2006]

Vivi and I never had a chance to spend long hours together due to the countless obstacles. Our relationship was never as simple as normal couple’s because there were much more torments for us to endure. Therefore, we really cherished the day.

Initially was the early morning walk from Outram towards my house after meeting up with her, in the cooling weather which we were dwelling in. The usual route at a different timing, especially when we knew we had a long and enjoyable day to go on, was cosier.

We spent the whole morning squeezing onto the bed with my mum and it was great to see again how sweet she was when she was asleep. Suddenly I saw her lips shivering and she woke up soon after. Her nightmare eventually turned into reality the next day.

We had to blame ourselves for lazing on the bed for too long that we did not have enough time to have breakfast at the MacDonald’s, which she wanted badly. We took MRT to Dhoby Ghaut and paced towards the Cathay Cineplex building immediately to get our tickets to the show “Click” at 1055h. She was still as sensible as ever, trying to save money for me by not buying any food before going in.

It was a great movie, causing tears on her eyes and down her face; I almost broke down as well. It was supposed to be a comedy but the story was too well plotted and educating, which turned out to be so touching. It did not mean good for me for I had been too emotional throughout my life, resulting in my poor health; my chest would get stuffy and choked whenever I felt sad.

Along the way towards Plaza Singapura after the movie, she questioned me about my feeling inside the cinema and I was taken by surprise once again. I refused to admit the movie was causing a big impact on me because I would never want to be a weak man in front of her. Yet, she seemed to be hoping that I could be much more emotional but she never realised how much I had been through that I was strong enough to keep my tears.

We had our lunch at the food court and she was as sweet as ever, listened to me to avoid feeding on fast food, which was unhealthy. We experienced the surprised use-tissue-paper-to-book-table scene once again and luckily the couple did not mind sharing the table when they got back.

There was a mixture of headache and dizziness after lunch, probably due to insufficient sleep or dehydration, or even heavy thought. Around the same time, I started to confess to her about my mum’s medical appointment at the hospital to do the Scope. She was more than pleased to accompany my mum over but I did not want to disappoint her or myself when my mum had companions already. However, it was hurting me.

The trip to Cineleisure was filled with teasing. We did not stay there for long after visiting the “More than words” shop. Then we proceeded to Hereen, walked around and finally took our first neoprint there. It was quite a shocking moment for the price had increased so much over the years.

Our first neoprint taking session

We met her classmates there who she highly recommended to me for theirs looks but I thought they were just above average looking but with liveliness. Anyway, since the neoprint machine was in Japanese, we could not read the texts and eventually we did not select the photos correctly. Still, the ten bucks were well spent.

She wanted to go to Bugis but she understood there was insufficient time. We went back into the building as I persuaded her to get the clothes she had eyed on and eventually spent a very long time trying out at the 77th Street shop. Then, I used my 6210i to take shots of her after each try. Once again, she fought over to pay for the bills but I won. She bought a sleeveless shirt at another shop but my wallet was broken already.

Sometimes I feared I would spoil her too much. To think that I would not be receiving any stable though little income soon, I could not stop worrying. And that these few months I was spending more than before. The sweetness and joys in a relationship still ruled over my mind.

She came to my place again to order a cake for her friend, which took very long again. Then, she got changed in my house before I sent her home.

It was a day hard to come by and I was sure she would not be able to spend time like this with me again soon.

Time to remove the tag [IRBSUX]

[Saturday, 12 August, 2006]

First of all, I must thank Ivan, Gilberto, Xiao Hong (Siu Hang), Ah Boon, Fredrick and Hong Kiat for the overwhelming support to include the tag at their MSN nicks.

Since the event has ended, we shall move on with our lives and look forward at a brighter side of the earth. We shall remove the tag so that we can include more useful messages on our nicks.

IRBSUX may stand for International Relationship Building School Uniting X-people; just whatever you think if you are imagining things too far and getting upset because you know your management skill sucks.

Lastly, let me repeat myself again – IRBSUX!

Who placed the cupboard there?

[Friday, 11 August, 2006]

If you have been hearing about “ugly Singaporeans”, I am sad to inform you that it is still not the end. These people are continuing to ruin Singaporeans’ image.

The problem of watching fireworks arouses everyday during this National Day season.

It is good to know that the population is getting wealthier and are willing to fork out more money for the art of photography; many of them even have tripod stands with them, looking like professional photographers.

Fascinated viewers have been camping as early as six o’clock or earlier near the Esplanade to catch the grand displays. You can see mats on the floor and families having picnics with lunchboxes on their hands and even couples chilling side by side.

Since places like the side of the river do not have seats like the national stadium, there was no rule on how each spectator should assemble on the flat grounds. There is a choice of the crowds sitting down or standing up in order to accommodate everyone’s sightline. Whereas for most people, they would rather choose to sit down and enjoy the night.

However, this night, Uncle Deaf-ears made a different decision to upset everyone who was stationing further away from the river.

As the fireworks began to light up the sky in rejoice, some people had tried to stand up but were jeered by the tens of angry people behind. It was at the open area behind the famous DXO clubbing place, where there was a little pause to the stretches of trees along the river.

There were screaming of people of different races and ages, and eventually the enlightened blockheads sat down, except for Uncle Deaf-ears. He was besides a plump and unfortunate lady, and holding a small camera, standing upright to challenge the power of typhoon.

The beautiful picture without perfection

There was no difference for him to sit or stand since the display was at a certain height where he could easily take good shots of them. In fact, he had blocked the views of so many cameramen who were eager to take down the magnificent exhibit to share with their families or friends, or even to foreigners to share the joyful and magnificent celebration of Singaporeans.

The hissing and jeering sound lasted for more than a minute but they did not take effect on him; he won the innocent crowds as their voices could not bring him down no matter what.

He was standing there
while everyone was sitting down

So much for my patience, I could not hold it any longer and finally lost my calm and quietness, straight behind this uncivilised brat I realised my curiosity, “Who placed the cupboard there!”

There were laughers at the surrounding where people were in furious moods. Immediately, someone behind me shouted to urge me to give a louder voice but I felt it was enough for Uncle Deaf-ears to hear the assurance. He did not back off or even look back.

The shameless couple

I was a hero for a moment, not enough to beat the arrogance of the bully, but still managed to cheer the sweet folks up for a few seconds.

The crucial matter is how behaviours of Singaporeans have improved over the past ten or twenty years, whether have the years of courtesy campaign taken any effect on ignorant and selfish Singaporeans.

Is it fair for some black sheep to spoil the whole image of Singaporeans especially during this period of time when the international visitors are coming for the upcoming Singapore 2006 (S2006) event?

She had left again

[Friday, 11 August, 2006]

So, she had left again for Malaysia but this time I did not crave for her as much as the previous time; it was a feeling of depression instead.

She had admitted to her dad about our relationship for she did not want to lie about it anymore; partly due to my influence for being frank and honest. Early in the morning, I did not know what had happened and who had broadcasted the romance out of jealousy.

I was at a loss when I got to know about the bad news but luckily she still managed to stay calm by the time she confessed to me. I caused her to be in a dilemma and I did not know what would happen next, and seriously I was not sure what would become of me if she had to choose over her beloved parents’ worries.

What if she could manage to get good results despite being with me? He did not buy that for I guessed somehow it was not the main point that he did not want us to be together. But one thing was that he did not judge me at all and it was unfair. I could not blame him for parents’ suspicions, which was meant to be good to her, though could have caused a big disrupt and permanent wound on her.

I told her not to think or worry about it during her journey to Kuala Lumpur but beneath my heart I could not stop bothering about it. It was for three days she left her sweetest house and my heart with worries.

No matter what, I still believe true love would never do us apart.

At the wrong place

[Tuesday, 08 August, 2006]

On the last working day of mine, we decided to go and catch the first day of fireworks at Marina.

Since it was only confirmed on the day itself, most of us did not bring home clothes again and everyone was already stink after the morning run, we went home first to wash up.

The meeting time was changed from 1830h to 1900h, which was still quite unrealistic. Gilbert himself was late and whereas the rest, other than Ivan and I, reached so much later like near 2000h.

Cityhall was badly packed and it was very difficult to even move around, needless to say, to meet up with them. It reminded me of situations like in Chinatown during Chinese New Year. We were astonished of course and it was a total turn-off. Ivan and I could not stand the crowd and left immediately to Marina Square once we met up with Gilbert.

The food outlets were all filled with people, even for fast food like MacDonald’s and Long John Silver’s had queue from the counters till outside the shops. It was a terrible sign for the viewing of fireworks might be obstructed by people. The only pro was that there were definitely more beauties on the road among the big crowds.

It was quite a disappointing night for me as Vivi was supposed to join us but her siblings once again had foiled our romantic plan. It was a teaching to me that in future, as parent, not to over-dote on any child or neglect any child’s feeling. Luckily my parents used to be very reasonable when I was young.

Kwang Han lying on the slope wall

Kengster acting cool

Simster, Gilberto, Xiao Hong

Kwang Han and Ivan

Gilberto, Xiao Hong, Kengster, Simster

Xiao Hong and Kengster

The moon taken with free hand

Kengster acting cool again

As the rest joined us at the camping spot right opposite the Esplanade, everyone was starving. We had a total strength of seven people, inclusive of Kengster, Simster, Kwang Han and Siu Hang. Some of them wanted to take their dinner despite the expense and timing, but Ivan and I decided to stay put since it was almost time for the excitement.

The two girls in front of us,
having more than average looks

Kwang Han resting

Xiao Hong revealing his true colours

Ivan, Gilberto, Kengster, Simster

Slowly, we started to occupy the down sloping wall by the side of the ultra wide stairs, talking craps. There were three girls further down, who had unintentionally stopped us from occupying the better positions, we teased about them as well.

The crowds at the wide stairs

Little part of the fireworks

As the fireworks started, we saw to our disappointment. One building was blocking our views totally and my tripod stand was useless. I gave up and stayed at the same position to view the little part of the fireworks, whereas some of them went to another side to have a better view.

Ivan and Kwang Han

Kwang Han at JustNoodle

Kengster

The only me because I was holding camera
almost all of the time,
looking still as ugly with spectacle on

Kwang Han, Ivan, Gilberto with Simster at the back

Xiao Hong and Kengster looking ugly

After that, we walked to Suntec City and decided on dining at Just Noodle again. I was not sure whose idea it was but I loved the free flow of drinks though we did not stay for long.

Followed by the late dinner, Vivi called me and we started chatting over the phone. I felt bad actually since everyone was wondering what to do next and I did not suggest anything or talk to them. As we went up to level one, Gilbert was lost and we wasted some time searching for him as his phone’s battery had almost dried up we could not contact him.

Soon, we ended the night.

Clearing leave and off

Hey friends, I’m officially clearing leave and off today until ORD on 30th September, 2006. I’m free!

Do drop me a message somewhere in MSN, Friendster, my website or other places.

Sorry for all the negligence in the past. Hope everything is going well for you. Look forward to meet up with you guys soon.

The gate towards freedom

[Thursday, 10 August, 2006]

In the first day of my long holidays till ORD, there was no grand feeling of freedom. The draining and sickening life which I had been living could have wiped out my sense of ease totally. I was still worried about my fellow colleague and all the hardship they would still be going through.

The future lies unknown; new challenges await definitely. I have to start planning what to do next but to rest my exhausted brain first.

The current plans are to pack up my house, tour and take photos around Singapore, learn PHP programming, edit my website and write testimonials for my worthy friends. I have to meet up with my old friends too, however, having too many tasks in my mind to start into any. Have they forgotten about me?

Fifty-one more days to ORD and by then I have no more excuses but to find a stable job, I have to get things done and all my dreams fulfilled.

Carefree life – I am yearning for more.