spiderfornicator's Xanga

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:32:07 GMT

What the hey I have been up to these few months.

Ok. I guess the pursuing a dream thing that i wrote about in the last entry a long time ago didnt quite work out. To cut the long story short, I ended up dead broke and decided that i should just pursue architecture.

I managed to get myself into the architecture firm of my choice and have been working there for several months now. The hours are long and the learning curve is very steep, but I can't quite complain since I have been put on an international project and I am gaining a lot of valuable experience. In some ways, I am still pursuing "the dream", but it had to be redefined a little.

More importantly, this last month marked my 7th year together with the incorrigible chocoholic, so I decided to take the relationship one step further with a surprise proposal in Hong Kong.

I took her up on a hike to the highest hill on Lamma island, and got down on my knees in a pavilion overlooking the ocean. Unfortunately, the weather was not at its best behaviour, as it was pissing rain and it was also pretty cold and windy up there. I am pretty lucky she did not give up halfway or throw some kind of hissy fit for dragging her along for some army route march. Nonetheless, her willingness to follow me up that hill in spite of the dreary weather reminded me of our relationship for the past 7 years. Through all the time that we have been together, the journey has never been all sunshine and roses..weve had our difficult periods where we've fought and at times even almost broke up. Yet she's always tried her best to stick with it and carry on the journey, an admirable effort considering how architecture has taken so much of my time these years.

Even though I appreciated how she still followed me through the rain, I was still pretty upset when we got to the top and the weather still did not clear up. In my mind, i was hoping that somehow the weather would magically clear up at the proposal spot, like some sort of movie. I was hoping that our efforts climbing that hill would be rewarded with spectacular sunshine. When the weather did not clear up at the proposal spot, i started thinking that perhaps the "Gods" were not smiling at me or Sara's picky guardian angel did not approve of me. Negativity started to eat at me.

Sara was telling friends the proposal story for what must be the 20th time this afternoon, when she suddenly mentioned how she did not give a damn about how cold, wet, or windy it was at the top of the mountain as i got down on my knees to propose to her. This was when it dawned upon me that I was so busy worrying and cursing about the weather when i should have just been enjoying the moment, no matter how shit it is, as we were experiencing it together. Being commited to a relationship is not just about looking forward to "better times", but growing together through all sorts of shared experiences. When I think about how willing Sara was to follow along with me on a hike that did not have promising prospects, and not even complain about the weather, i know that she is definitely the right one for me.

Sara, I will always try my best to keep the sky blue, and bring you to the most beautiful places on earth, but I fully appreciate that you are always willing to suffer all the thorns, swamps and valleys with me along the way
(even if i might be heading the wrong way). I love you more than ever before, and I am looking forward to our on going journey of life, together.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:36:19 GMT

Pursuing a Dream.

Ah. Finally I have a half decent internet connection so from now on I will be able to update my blog more often.

The last month in Singapore has been particularly challenging for me. Upon coming home to Singapore, there were many options on the table as the Architectural industry is doing pretty well over here. However, upon much consideration, I have decided to take the plunge and go into my own business with two of my closest friends, Joshua and Joppa. We are starting a Jewellery making business and architectural support + design firm here in Singapore and we are doing it from scratch. Some people might ask what the hell does Jewellery have to do with Architecture?

For starters, it has tons to do with architecture. It is about the process of casting metal, it is about the minute details. What we learn from jewellery can inform architecture, and what we learn from architecture can inform jewellery. It was a tough decision to make, as I am pushing aside the possibility of getting a stable job at a good architectural firm in order to make it on my own with my friends. Seriously, it would be fucking easy to just "eat soft rice" and get $3K a month at an archi firm, but sometimes you have to sacrifice certain things in order to pursue what you believe in.

Of course, all this is just talk at the moment as we are still in the process of pitching to potential clients and setting up the studio/workshop. Whether it will actually work out only time will tell.

I will be updating the progress of our little start up company in our company blogsite:

www.xanga.com/starlightcustomsilver

Meanwhile, here are some pictures from our new office/workshop in Starlight Road, Little India:

Main entrance:

Design Room

Joshua in the workshop

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:59:06 GMT

Happy Chinese New(ish) Year

Ok I know I haven't really being updating, but I think I have a somewhat valid excuse as I am regulated to a dial up internet connection here in Singapore. Interestingly, when I tell them that I am on dial-up internet, most of them reply to me "Huh, what's that??" Makes me feel like a Neanderthal.

Anyway, this Chinese New Year is the first I have attended in 8 years, so it was particularly interesting for me. I almost forgot many of the familiar sights and sounds that come with this occasion. In particular, I was reminded about how much I hate Chinese New Year music. Walking into shopping malls was pure torture as I was assaulted (more like raped) by the 2000th rendition of "Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni". I guess its not that much different in the Christmas season, but unfortunately Chinese New Year songs are one step up on the annoying scale because they are all played at an insanely fast beat, making you feel like you should start running aimlessly around the store. Of course, this is not a problem for the stores as it gets everyone to shop faster.

On the other hand, the thing I love most about Chinese NEw Year is the reunion dinner. for 8 years I have not had a chance to dunk food in my mom's steamboat, and knowing that this is the first year I was back in a long time, my mom decided to make it grand. Enjoy the pics:

Nice Fresh Greens

Table laid out for 6

Sara and my sister help to prepare the food. Well, Sara's helping, dont know bout my sis.

Sara handling a pair of balls.

Mom expertly chops up some duck.

Everyone sits down amidst symbols of bounty

Ready...set...DIP IN!!

My sister gets drunk after one glass of wine?

Dinner ends, and mom relaxes on my sister's new "boyfriend replacement pilow" which is shaped like a man's left torso. She deserves a good rest (and maybe a boyfriend?) after a great reunion dinner!!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:31:43 GMT

It's Good to be Back Home in Singapore.

So finally I am back in the country I grew up in. I must say quite a few things have changed over the short period of time I was away ( i last visited in 2004), and some things were really cool while at the same time it is sad to see that some things have also disappeared. I have been doing a lot of things since coming back, seeing family and friends and of course spending time with Sara. Also, I have gotten my first cellphone in 8 years, and i must say that i feel like a caveman when using my new phone. My first few days in Singapore is not unlike my experience with my cellphone. Coming back to Singapore, I feel like a small town boy stepping into the big city, trying to get used to the immense crowds on orchard road and the impatient traffic. I know I am going to miss Vancouver, but at the moment I am caught up in the euphoria of being back in Singapore, and I am just letting go and enjoying it as much as i can

Here's some photos of what i have been doing

Peranakan Dinner in Katong

Sara decided to take me out for some Peranakan dinner as a belated birthday celebration. Unfortunately, she did not quite remember the exact address of this restaurant so we spent a good half an hour roaming the red light district of Joo Chiat, asking people where "Blue Ginger restaurant" was, only to get repeated replies "Err dunno but Blue Lagoon KTV bar across the street"...anyway, soon enough we found the restaurant, which turned out not to be blue ginger, but Kim Choo or something or another. Food was pretty good and it was the first time i had peranakan food in a damn long time.

Looking Very Happy. Check out the size of that plate!

I ordered this dish called Petai, which is a bitter bean that is somewhat of an acquired taste.
I warned Sara that she might not like the dish, but she seemed game and when she tried it,
to my surprise she really liked it. Just look at her munching away at it.

Mmmmmm...we ordered a lot.

After dinner, we decided to wash down the heavy food with some tea. Canadian friends, this is what
I have been constantly talking about when I say "I miss sitting at the coffee shop with a nice cup of tea and a cigarette"

Later in the night, we headed down to Rochester Park, a hip new drinking area with nice ambience and bloody expensive $20 Mojitos

Here we met up with Oli, Josh "the hunter", and my sister.

Chrissy and Dwayne's Engagement Party

The next day we went to Bottle Tree Park to celebrate Chrissy and Dwayne's engagement. It was really nice to see Chrissy for the first time since I know her through blogging, and it is nice seeing them getting hitched as everyone knows they have been doing the long distance thing for quite a while! So must party lah! Here's me after a couple of beers with Sara and the grago couple.

Boogie Wonderland

This is, I presume why Bottle Tree Park bears its name. They are actually Baobab Trees. I love them.

After the party we thought we'd go eat something to complement all the alcohol we had. But first, a fashion shoot at the bus stop...

Folks, you'll be seeing me drinking teh tarik very, very often. This is the life.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:06:03 GMT

http://www.ihatehinndotcom.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:31:04 GMT

SHOCKING!

Today was an interesting day. It started off with me going to school to hand in my just completed Thesis book. Everything went smoothly and the book passed the inspection (they check to make sure the citations are ok and that I didnt miss out the official stuff that could get you into major shit with the lawyers). I came back home later in the afternoon, preparing to meet up with my friend Justin for dinner and then later on Sara's friend Denise would come over to my place to pass something to Sara.

Dinner went great with Justin, we ate at a Korean restaurant, after which he wanted to show me the new apartment he had rented nearby. We hung out there till about 7 pm, when I decided i needed to go back so that i could be home to meet Denise. Justin said that he would come along and walk with me back to my place. I told him he did not need to as it was a bit of a ways out, but he insisted so I assumed he was a just a little bored and wanted to hang out more. When we got to my place, we just chilled out a bit watched TV and had some tea (so British eh). Soon enough, Denise turned up and said that she had forgotten the stuff that she was supposed to bring for me to give to Sara, and that her boyfriend Francis would be bringing it shortly. At this point, I was thinking to myself "that's nice I'll get to see Francis one last time before I leave for singapore". However, when he arrived through the front door, I suddenly saw a whole troop of friends marching in after him, and he brought a birthday cake with lighted candles!!

SURPRRRRISSSSSSE!!!!!

The whole Archi-gang!

Francis and Emilie!

Justin and Denise!!!!!

Grace, Liz and Erica!!!!

You should have seen my face. My lower jaw basically dropped all the way down to the carpet and I was like "HOLY SHIT!!!!!!" I was in total shock, having just expected to spend a quiet evening to myself packing up my shit and getting ready to get back to Singapore. Soon, I had more and more people coming in, ranging from my Architecture friends to other friends that I made in Vancouver. I must say it was really touching to see all of them there and it was really a pleasant surprise! This is the first birthday surprise ive ever had in my life, so i guess being a virgin to birthday surprises i really had a good breaking in So who organized this complex surprise???

None Other than Sara the incredible chocoholic~!!!!!

Man I must say she really did a good job, taking into account I screwed up the surprise that I was going to give her. Thank you hunny for the surprise it was really the best birthday gift i could ever ask for, and I must say I am super impressed with the way it was organized. I really had no suspicion that all this scheming was happening all along (well, I am very naive as well lah)

Now I am gonna have to be extra extra careful next time I try to surprise you, cos trust me one of these days ah....well you'll see!

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:27:04 GMT

What in the World?!??!??

So i got a package from TNT express couriers today, it was too big to fit in my mail box so it was left with the security guard. I wasn't really expecting any packages in the mail, so I was quite curious to find out what in the world this package was.

Well here it is:

Curiously, I open the package only to find....another envelope! Wow whats this spy photos perhaps??

So I open the second envelope, and lo and behold, its another envelope!!

What makes it mysterious is that I dont recognise the hand writing on the third envelope..

So I continue to look into the third envelope

Ahhhhh things are more clear now....I recognise that hand writing

It's a flowery birthday card from my dad!!! THANKS DAD!!!

But I must say thats a hell of a lot of envelopes to send a little card in

And another piece of news. I just completed my Thesis book, which is the very last thing that i have
to complete in order to graduate. It was literally a bitch to get it printed. I went to FedEx Kinkos at first to get it printed cos they were the closest printing place to where i live. Unfortunately, the girl that works there is quite a bitch. Now I dont like calling people names, but I seriously think I have a valid case here. Here are my reasons:

1. When I asked her to print out my book with crop marks (cut marks), she replies that it would be a $10 surcharge. As far as I know printing out with crop marks is just a matter of clicking a few options in Acrobat Proffessional, so i ask her how does that cost $10? She futzes around with acrobat for a good while, and it doesnt seem like she gets at all. So i try to show her how to print with crop marks she obnoxiously goes "let me do my job"

2. I purpously split up my files into colour pages and black and white pages. This was to make it easier so that i could print all black and white in one shot and colour in one shot (saves money too). Kinkos bitch starts saying that if i have more files it will cost me more cos they charge me extra to open another file. WTF??

At this point i could take it no longer, I told her to give me back my external hardrive and I would take my business elsewhere. Eventually, I took a $10 cab ride to a place further away, but they charged me a fraction of the price that Kinkos wanted to charge me, and the people there were somuch more professional and friendly. The total amount of savings from the other printing shop even covered my cab ride!

So, ok enough bitching. The important thing is that I got the book done, and its time to fuck off from this university that i have been rotting in for 8 years.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 00:15:46 GMT

Long Distance Relationship Mug

Sara sent me a mug for Christmas. It really describes our relationship at the moment and I really like it a lot :) thanks sara, and pretty soon I will be in an airplane flying to you! love you.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:03:45 GMT

Do Singaporeans Dream of Electric Utopia?

Found this video on the net, produced by the Singapore Government. This is Singapore's IT masterplan for the next decade, aiming to develop intergrated information systems that connects every aspect of life. While many of us might awe at the possibilities this video presents (in albeit a rather cheesy manner), I personally find it a bit scary. Unlike other developed countries, the Singapore government clings on to 1950's/1960s dreams of a high-tech utopia. In the spirit of George Jetson, our government seems to believe that technology can solve all our problems, which is reminiscent of a modernist mindset. To those who might have forgotten or are unfamiliar as to what modernism is, here is wikipedia's definition:

"Modernism is a trend of thought which affirms the power of human beings to make, improve and reshape their built and designed environment, with the aid of scientific knowledge, technology and practical experimentation, thus in its essence both progressive and optimistic."

And why not? After all, Singapore never really left behind modernism because it worked so damn well for our country. Look at our HDB housing. It is an example of a large scale modernist project, its plan and organization heavily defined through statistics, and it worked quite successfully. There are very few such modernist housing projects that are successful elsewhere in the world. Many American and European cities have tried and failed. These failures have resulted in the disenchantment of modernism, and the realisation that we cannot control everything. in otherwords, technology will not neccessarily save our sorry asses.

Singapore's HDB, successful modernism.

One of the reasons why modernist ideals have been implemented so well in Singapore is the fact that we have an authoritarian government. This is because the sheer scale and intentions of modernist projects require mass adherance and "national obedience" that is not found in more democratic societies. As such, the national IT plan becomes a very scary thought. Do we really want to be so interconnected, to the point that there is someone constantly monitoring our heart rate? Do I really want to have all my buying preferences downloaded into a database? Just as Lee Kuan Yew believes that aircon is good for the nation, it has been decided that this increased interconnectivity would be highly benefitial to Singaporean society. In all honesty, I believe it will enslave Singaporeans in mindless, gratitutous consumption. Such ease in connectivity only makes us more dependent on technology for our everyday activities as more and more of our lives will be controlled by IT. In our supposed post-modernist world, modernism has not died out. Its spirit lives on strong in Singapore, an island where control, efficiency and technology has catapulted it from 3rd world backwater to first world techno utopia. Perhaps the government believes that such modernist schemes will work, and maybe it will. It would just be at the expense of creating a society of 5 million symbiotic robots who are wholly dependent on the master government in every aspect of their lives. Scary.

In2015 Website: http://www.in2015.sg/

Monday, December 18, 2006

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:35:25 GMT

will I make it?

man thesis is never ending, i almost feel that what i am attempting to accomplish with my design is just too much for me...and it really does not help that I just caught a bad bout of flu....