Man spewed vulgarities at me.

This morning, I was a victim of a mentally unstable guy (what I make out the man to be).

I was sitting on the bus (Service 30, SBS 9018S, on the seats that face the side of a packed bus instead of the front or back, when this Indian man got up the bus and started coughing away.

It may seem to be an innocent gesture from him but do take note of 2 things:
1. He was coughing loudly and rather long (10secs at least)
2. He was coughing at my face.

Tell me, what would you do in your case? Automatically I shielded my face from his cough which thankfully didn’t have saliva. And I also gave him a look. Because I wondered if it was on purpose or accident and because I wanted to see who he was (so rude).

What happened after that was not common among people of the right/sound mind. He continued coughing and was glaring at me the whole time while doing so. And then, he started spewing vulgarities softly while looking at me. The “f” word, “KNNCCB” and all the works repeatedly.

Some people standing around him looked at him and saw him glaring at me and they looked at me as well. I gave them pleading looks but they turned away. The most unfortunate for me. What did I do? What could I do?

I didn’t look at him after that first glance but I could feel him staring at me and saw him (at the corner of my eye).

Just at this point in time, I remembered this story that I’d read somewhere about this man in UK/US that met some punks on an empty train who were drunk or something. Then he started chanting in his heart and they decided to ignore him.

So I started chanting in my heart.

It just happened so that there’s this Malay lady (who was wearing pink) who stood in front of me (the Indian man was slightly to her right, my left) and she looked at me, and stood there right in front of me, despite having a little space to move away. She could move if she wanted and she didn’t.

The vulgarities continued for at least 5 minutes.

Afterwards, the man, who was gripping on to the handlebars above tried to elbow me as the bus was turning. -.-! I turned my face away to avoid the elbow but he was rather unsuccessful. The woman stood there and if she didn’t move, he couldn’t do anything.

2 elbows and he decided to squeeze to the upper deck of the bus.

I would like to thank this Malay aunty who helped me, whether intentionally or not. I am sure that she knew what was happening as that guy who was spewing vulgarities was rather obvious in his words (people around him could hear him and they stopped talking for about 3 seconds).
And also that faith really works wonders.

(I smsed my mum, sis, Huzz and then to plurk-twitter as well after he walked away. I then updated fb using my phone after my mum told me to. I thought that if something happens to me, at least I knew of the approximate time so that I am able to tell the police or something.)

What happened of the man? He alighted at the SYC stop and while waiting for the bus to stop, I saw his mouth mumbling stuff and still staring at me while waiting at the staircase to alight. Thankfully he didn’t do anything.

What would you do in your case?

If he really hit me or elbowed my face, what I would definitely do is stand up and shout at him. Not sure if this is the wisest thing to do, but at least there are CCTVs in the bus to record the whole thing.

It would be great if people would stand up for me as well.

Thoughts about falling in love.

Okay very affected with one of the scenes for the above drama – Bull Fighting 斗牛。要不要 Not exactly the scene above, but the characters above. I just have to blog about it. It has nothing to do with my personal life. Haha.

Anyway, it’s like the above 2 are actually enemies, but then the guy sort of sacrificed himself to save the girl.

It just reminded me of this saying that actually, people fall in love with not the other person but the things people do to be with the other party.

But then, how about, the things that the person did is a reflection of what the person’s character is? Or at least, that person is determined to be with the other party so he/she will do certain things to be with the other party.

7 things people stereotype/generally think about me.

Since yesterday’s MNO class, I’ve been thinking of doing this entry. The class had a discussion about how in general, students sitting at the back of the classroom are usually introverts and wouldn’t participate in discussions (I was sitting at the back of the classroom -.-).

Ever since entering NUS, for some reason or another, or maybe because NUS is a super international university, I get several questions asking about me, which I found out from my friends, is because of my looks, dressings, accessories, etc.

So here they are:

7. Because I wear pants/jeans most of the time to school (vs wearing skirt/shorts), I am not Singaporean.
I really don’t understand this logic. Why can’t I wear pants/jeans because it’s cold?

6. Because of my looks, I’m mixed blood.

Kinda love this one.
Missed out the number of times at which people asked me where I’m from. Haha.
Once, when I was with my mum and she met a friend outside. Her friend saw me and asked my mum if my dad was Caucasian. Haha. And a few times, there were random people who asked me if I’m from the Philippines, Vietnam or Malaysia.

The best one was that my secondary school friend once confessed that because of my good command of English (then ) they thought I’d stayed in Britain for a few years before.

This one I understand but…

5. Because I carry a backpack, I am not Singaporean.
This one I seriously don’t understand. Thankyouverymuch.

4. Because I don’t wear/use branded clothes/shoes/accessories, I am not Singaporean.
I personally think Converse is a brand and so is Esprit. I admit I am not materialistic and those items were bought at a discount, PLUS plus plus, as compared to stuff like LV, Prada, those aren’t considered as branded (who cares seriously?)

Worst is that they usually ask me if I’m from Country A. It’s not only annoying me, but kind of insulting the country’s people leh. My pov that is.

I consider this as a compliment, but I still don’t like how people over generalise things.

3. Because I’m from School of Computing/School of IT, I know everything about computers, hardware, software IT…
Sad to say, I’m not good at everything relating to IT. Despite the fact that I love reading about IT or computer related stuff, but I don’t really know everything about it. Don’t ask me about encodings. I have limited knowledge about it. Don’t ask me what type of RAM is good. I don’t really know much. Don’t ask me what graphics card I’m using. I don’t remember.

2. Because (of some reason or another), I wear make-up.
Nope, I don’t wear make-up. Because I don’t really feel the need to put on make-up. And I fear that it’ll ruin my skin. So I drink plenty of water and don’t put make up.

Once, a colleague commented on my face and asked if I’d put powder or make-up and was stunned that I didn’t.

1. Because my bf is of Indonesian-Chinese heritage, I learn Bahasa Indonesia to communicate with him.
Wrong! Haha. My bf doesn’t speak much Bahasa (though he can understand a bit like 10%).

Actually, I learnt it coz it sounded quite nice when I heard his parents and relatives speak Bahasa. Plus I realised that many of my friends are of Indonesian heritage and hence thought it’ll be cool to learn it.

My first SNCO Practice of 2010

It’s been almost 7 years since I first stepped into an SWE (now SNCO) practice back when we were still at Tampines. Time flies, and I have been pondering about certain events recently (regarding SNCO).

Anyway, I thought I’d managed to get Kat and Audrey to practice with me yesterday but unfortunately I was wrong. Both of them got me to ‘morning call’ them but in the end, both of them didn’t pick up and both of them didn’t go.

But don’t get me wrong. I’m not pissed, not annoyed, not angry. I’m like totally neutral about it. For some reason, if my life weren’t filled with stuff like that, I would have been mad and freaked out. But this is life. There are people who will do that.

I’m not writing this to scold them or what. But just my thoughts.

Anyway, I’m glad that I went. Coz I was like the earliest and I got to do like 51mins of daimoku before practice! Haha. Awesome! And, Jun Hong came back! Double awesome! He’s like one of the big brothers I have in SNCO. Haven’t seen him in ages and he said he haven’t played his trombone for a year and Eddie got him to come back

Speaking of which, we did percussion ensemble yesterday. haha. Puts music theory to good use coz Percussion scores were scary huh? Haha.

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Went to Huzz’s place after that and my lunch was rice fried by him. I think Huzz is kinda sore that I didn’t take a pic of it. >.< Very sorry! Btw, the rice was quite nice. Never eaten rice fried with cucumbers actually.

He's going to cook a meal for me every weekend! Yay!

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Oh and I got back my B&W pics. Thought of the day: Don't take B&W pics of places. It's just boring. I should either take people or... I don't know. Gotta do some research on flickr I guess

NUS CORS system. Fair?

Remember this?

Now this:

I know life isn’t fair but it isn’t like I didn’t try. And how about giving us a module that isn’t going to be offered in the upcoming module?

Marina Barrage (9 Jan 10) 8am + some bits on bowling.

On the way home on Friday, Jmin and I were discussing whether I would like to accompany Jmin to Marina Barrage for a photowalk (let’s put it that way). Faizal was unconvinced that I should go. In the end, after I did some research and found out that Marina Barrage has wireless, I decided to go. In case you were wondering why I need wireless, it’s because of module bidding. )*@&#()*@&*

Woke up at 6am on Saturday (9 Jan 10), left the house at 6.45am and took bus service 72. On the way, there was this old man who boarded the bus, and then when he wanted to alight, the bus captain (this driver who was featured in many SBS Transit posters) guided him to the front door exit, and then (you won’t believe it), helped the old man cross the road. WOW. He held on his arm, and then watched out for vehicles and all. It was until the old man sat on the opposite bus stop seat then he cross back and sat down on one of the seats before he came back to the bus and continued the journey. Really heart warming scene.

Waited for Jmin for a while, before she reached and then we took a cab down to Marina Barrage. Luckily for us, the driver knew how to go to Marina Barrage (took the KPE) and we reached within 30 minutes.

(Funny part) Both of us went to the highest level at Marina Barrage and started taking pictures of the place since it was empty and quiet. What happened was, we noticed another guy at the opposite end of the place taking his camera out and then setting up the tripod.

What we didn’t notice was that that guy was actually boss. hahaha. So funny.

Faizal joined us afterwards after he woke up and Melvin told us through msn that his spirit will be flying towards us and so we felt his spirit. haha

Anyway, the 4 of us were pretty excited when they announced that they will be opening the floodgates in “5 minutes” but we waited for about 15 minutes and nothing happened -.-! Disappointing. But the sun was so good that I didn’t feel upset at all!

Pictures that I took that I like!

Spot boss

Afterwards, we went to Marina Square for our lunch, and Faizal fetched Jmin and I back to Hougang where I rushed off to bowling with Jessie, her bf and Huzz.

Lunch:

Didn’t take pics there, but I scored the most CMI score ever (44). However, by the end of the game I realised what I was doing wrong and now I know how to bowl! Must go often. haha. It’s something that I like but I can’t do well, so I want to do well!

I conclude that my digital cam is good for outdoor/landscape shots but not indoor. But I must learn how to control the settings well.

Had so much fun this holiday. Thanks to all who made it happen (especially Huzz and all at Elveslab).

School starts tomorrow. Hope I’ll get the last module through appeal.

And the Jay-Z song was on.

We are nuts.

This morning, was about to go out (wanted to be earlier ) when I received a phone call from Faizal. So like yesterday, went to the bus stop and waited a while for him. Then he went over to Jmin’s place to fetch her (first time I saw where she lives).

Thennn…. we got lost. Haha. Super funny and fun. Faizal drove around Punggol, then used his GPS (which was in Bahasa. Haha very cool) and for some reason he missed like a few turns and we ended up at Orchard Road. Hahahaha! We kept laughing la. Like super funny. Ended up further and further. And the GPS got a bit annoyed by Faizal missing those turns it gave him the bird’s eye view of the directions instead. HAHA.

So in the end, he finally figured out where the GPS wants him to head to and we reached office! And we weren’t late too!

Had lunch at Katong Laksa again. Spammed water into my body after that so that I won’t be sick. Laksa is just so freaking awesome and delicious that it is just horribly sinful (calories, heatiness, etc).

So this ends another work term for me. Hope I’ll be back.

Settled all my stuff today. But unfortunately my modules bidding was unsuccessful like nuts. Argh.

Will be accompanying Jmin to Marina Barrage tomorrow morning instead of BTT registration coz boss requested Jmin to do so (he will be there too). Then will be bowling with Jessie and her bf (along with Huzz of course).

Would like to add that those people who robs taxi drivers or even cheat their money, will garner loads of negative karma and let’s see how your life goes in the next few years.

All that I’m after is a life full of laughter.

Decided to use lyrics as my title so that it reflects the song that’s playing in my head in this point in time.

What a day (yesterday).

As I was about to leave home, I noticed that I had a miss call from Faizal and also and SMS asking if I would like to get a lift from him since he was driving! Since we live just opposite of each other (island), I said okay and then went to the bus stop to wait for him. So fun to just go to work without changing all those buses and listening to the radio and talking to colleagues (Faizal and Jmin who also came along).

Then whole morning and afternoon was spent chionging for the presentation today that we had with a potential client. Of course, I can’t say what was done, except lots of photoshopping and I just am lousy with “best practices” of using photoshop. Wasted a lot of time.

Skipped going out for lunch to complete my work on time (coz I know I’m slowwww…) and Sherry and Jmin da bao bak kut teh for me! Yummy! I can’t remember the last time I ate a proper bak kut teh coz mum always cooks it without the bak kut. Haha. This was pretty yummy. I finished up the WHOLE container of soup, meat and beancurd. Not the rice though. Boss was pretty stunned at how much I can finish if I want to. Soup is nice in aircon environment.

So Faizal, Boss, Jmin and I went for the presentation. We were totally stunned when we got there, or at least for me. I didn’t expect a whole room of 13 people (I counted 3 times) to be there to watch our presentation. Boss was the one who talked and I tried to help a bit but it was difficult. Faizal helped save the day though! I felt like a secretary or something. =x

After work, met Huzz and Guangyi for dinner at Din Tai Feng Raffles City. I’ve never been to DTF believe it or not. The food’s yummy! Haha. But I totally don’t know what to order. I suck at that Been at too many western and jap eateries that all these Chinese restaurants feel very foreign to me.

Quite glad to see Guangyi after so long! I don’t think I saw him last year at all. =/ He shared about a lot of stuff and with Huzz, it was mainly about NS. Zzz whyy dooo guyys bondd throughhh NSsss?

The reason why Huzz came was coz he had this swimming thingy yesterday morning and didn’t know if he was able to book out or not yesterday night. So usually if he’s not sure, he’ll just not ask me out first. It’s only after it’s confirmed before he will ask me out. Anyway, I’d asked Guangyi if he’s able to meet yesterday for quite a few days already and so decided to bring Huzz along.

I’ve never asked Huzz along to another meeting with another friend so it was the first time for me. Haha. We decided that we should ask Guangyi if he’s okay with Huzz joining us for dinner else it wouldn’t be too nice. So I smsed Guangyi and he said it’s okay! Quite glad Huzz is at least not too quiet and that Guangyi was able to bond with him through NS. Hm, it’s not that bad eh?

DTF xiaolongbao wasn’t bad, but to be honest, I don’t know much about XLBs so I can’t say how good it was. =x

After dinner, Guangyi headed home and Huzz and I walked around Raffles City. We’re both pretty swakoo about the place after not having been there for ages (and I mean it).

Anyway, I’m getting a Holga 135BC complete with Fisheye lens, Flash and Telephoto lens. Now am just searching for the more reliable store (online) to get from. *prays hard*

Got to go prepare for my last day at work and a whole day of bidding. Zzz. Good night!

And the wheels come round.

There comes a point in time when you realise that there are some friends who you’ve already known for more than 5 years. In fact, you’ve known most of your friends for more than 5 years.

You poke at their FB photos, wondering what they’re up to lately, when you look at their photos of them being a devout (fill in religion here), a dedicated boyfriend/girlfriend, a hardworking student, an outgoing clubber, etc.

The thing is, you know the person back when they were neither of the above that they are now, sometimes you kinda regret not doing more back then (especially about the “devout _____” part), some of them you saw them evolving to who they are now and occasionally, you wonder whether that old them is still in there somewhere.

It feels so weird to not know the friends that you knew then. But again, it’s been nearly 9 years since you first knew them.

2009 in 2 lists.

( ) stayed single for the whole year
( ) made out in/on a car
( ) kissed in the snow
( ) celebrated Halloween
( ) kissed in the rain
( ) had your heart broken
( ) broke someone else’s heart
( ) had a stalker
( ) went over the minutes on your cell phone
(x) had a good relationship with someone
( ) someone questioned your sexual orientation
( ) gotten pregnant
( ) had an abortion
(x) have a relationship with someone you’ll never forget
(x) done something you’ve regretted
( ) lost faith in love
( ) kissed under a mistletoe

OTHER
( ) painted a picture
( ) wrote a poem
( ) ran a mile
( ) shopped at Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch
(x) posted a blog
(x) listened to music you couldn’t stand
( ) went to a sleepover
(x) went camping
( ) threw a surprise party
(x) laughed till you cried
( ) laughed till you peed in your pants
(x) visited a foreign country
( ) cut in a line of waiting people
( ) told someone you were busy when you weren’t
( ) partied to celebrate the new year
( ) cooked a disastrous meal
( ) lost something/someone important to you

In 2009 I…
(x) broke a promise
(x) lied
( ) went behind your parents back
( ) cried over a broken heart
( ) disappointed someone close
( ) hid a secret
(x) pretended to be happy
( ) slept under the stars
( ) kept your new years resolution
(x) forgot your new years resolution
( ) met someone who changed your life
(x) met one of your idols
( ) changed your outlook on life
( ) sat home all day doing nothing
( ) pretended to be sick
( ) left the country
( ) almost died
(x) given up something important to you
( ) lost something expensive
(x) learned something new about yourself
( ) tried something you normally wouldn’t try and liked it
(x) made a change in your life
(x) found out who your true friends were
( ) met great people
( ) stayed up ‘til sunrise
(x) cried over the silliest thing
(x) was never home on weekends
( ) got into a car accident
(x) had friends who were drifting away from you
( ) had someone close to you die
( ) had a high cell phone bill
(x) spent most of your money on food
( ) had a fist fight
(x) went to the beach with your best friend
(x) saw a celebrity
(x) gotten sick
( ) liked more than 5 people at the same time

Bold if true:

I am a cuddler.
I am a morning person.
I am an only child.
I am currently in my pajamas.
I am currently pregnant.
I am currently single.
I am currently suffering from a broken heart.
I am left handed.
I am married.
I am addicted to my myspace.
I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
I am a little shy around the opposite gender at first.
I bite my nails.
I can be paranoid at times.
I don’t like anyone.
I enjoy country music.
I enjoy jazz music.
I enjoy smoothies.
I enjoy talking on the phone.
I have a car.
I have a cell phone.
I have/had a hard time paying attention at school.
I have a hidden talent
I have a lot to learn
I have a pet.
I have a tendency to fall for the “wrong” guy/girl
I have all my grandparents
I have at least one brother – step brothers
I have been to another country
I have been told that I am smart
I have been told that I have an unusual sense of humor
I have OR HAD broken a bone
I have Caller I.D. on my phone
I have bathed someone
I have changed a diaper
I have changed a lot over the past year
I have done something illegal
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color
I have had major/minor surgery.
I have killed another person
I have had my hair cut within the last week.
I have mood swings
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life
I have rejected someone before.
I have seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I have seen the television show The O.C.
I like Shakespeare.
I like the taste of blood.
I love to cook.
I like to sing.
I love Michael Jackson
I love sleeping.
I love to play computer games.
I love to shop.
I miss someone right now.
I own 100 CDs or more
I own and use a library card
I read books for pleasure in my spare time.
I sleep a lot during the day.
I strongly dislike math
I was born in a country other than the US.
I watch soap operas on a regular basis.
I will try almost anything once.
I work at a job that I enjoy.
I would classify myself as ghetto.
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
I am currently wearing socks.
I am tired.
I love to paint/draw/sketch/sculpt.
I have had/have a broken heart
I consume at least 1 alchoholic drink every month
I have a screen name
Graduated High School.
Kissed someone.
Smoked cigarettes.
Got so drunk you passed out.
Rode every ride at an amusement park.
Collected something really stupid.
Gone to a rock concert.
Helped someone.
Gone fishing.
Spun turn tables.
Watched four movies in one night.
Gone long periods of time with out sleep.
Lied to someone.
Been dumped.
Snorted cocaine.
Failed a class.
Smoked weed.
Dealt drugs.
Taken a college level course.
Been in a car accident.
Been in a tornado.
Done hard drugs (i.e. ecstasy, heroin, crack, meth, acid).
Watched someone die.
Been to a funeral.
Burned yourself. (accidentally)
Ran a marathon.
Your parents got divorced.
Cried yourself to sleep.
Spent over $200 in one day.
Flown on a plane.
Cheated on someone.
Been cheated on.
Written a 10 page letter.
Gone skiing.
Been sailing.
Cut yourself.
Had a best friend.
Lost someone you loved.
Shoplifted something.
Been to jail.
Had detention.
Skipped school.
Got in trouble for something you didn’t do.
Stolen books from the library.
Gone to a different country.
Dropped out of school.
Been in a mental hospital.
Watched the “Harry Potter” movies.
Had an online diary.
Fired a gun. (simulation)
Gambled in a casino.
Had a yard sale.
And a lemonade stand.
Actually made money at the lemonade stand.
Been in a school play.
Been fired from a job.
Taken a lie detector test.
Swam with dolphins.
Gone to sea world.
Attempted suicide.
Voted for American/Australian Idol.
Written poetry.
Read more than 20 books a year.
Gone to Europe.
Loved someone you couldn’t have.
Wondered about your sexuality.
Used a coloring book over age 12.
Had surgery.
Had stitches.
Taken a taxi.
Seen the Washington Monument.
Had more than 5 IM’s/online conversations going at once.
Overdosed.
Had a drug or alcohol problem.
Been in a fist fight.
Suffered any form of abuse.
Had a hamster.
Petted a wild animal.
Used a credit card.
Gone surfing in California.
Did “spirit day” at school.
Dyed your hair.
Got a tattoo.
Had something pierced.
Got straight A’s.
Been on the Honor Roll.
Your parents sent you to a shrink.
Been handcuffed.
Known someone with HIV or AIDS.
Taken pictures with a webcam.
Started a fire.
Had a party while your parents weren’t home.
Gotten caught having a party while they were gone.