So yesterday my twin Yi Long flew off to Sydney. I think I have some kind of karma with Sydney. Or at least my friends does. First Huzz flew off there and now him. I didn’t send him off because I had no transport. I know this sounds stupid, but I really cannot afford to take a cab home from there after train or bus services has ended.
You may think that I should get my dad to fetch me right (since he’s a taxi driver), but there are 2 problems to this sentence:
1) He has to queue in the taxi line if he enters the airport (meaning I cannot get him to fetch me).
2) Yesterday a lorry hit a Mercedes behind my dad’s taxi, and the Mercedes hit his car -.- He ended work early.
I know these reasons sound so stupid whatsoever, but i guess i’m trying to relieve my guilt for not sending off a good friend at the airport! (Yilong told me not to say sorry again so I shall not say it here.)
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Anyway, love this song (hence the title). it reminds me of me and Huzz.
Recently life has been to hectic to my liking. But anyway, am glad to have some friends around.
Sooo… a few months ago, a few of us cousins discussed and decided that we should have a cousins gathering/outing outside of Grandma’s house. The main reason being, we usually meetup only at grandma’s and we don’t really communicate much. I actually have a dream that the 20+ of us could come to one outing and take a group picture. It would really mean a lot to have that photo somewhere. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be one at the moment.
This holidays, I was supposed to visit Janning at KL, but the plan was cancelled in the end, and about a month ago, Janning emailed me to tell me that she’s coming to SG! What a surprise! So we discussed for a few nights on MSN where I could bring her to (for half a day) and she suggested we could have a mini cousins gathering. I mass FB-messaged my cousins, but not many replied unfortunately. We just gathered a few then, and after that set a day and place to meet.
Anyway, I got sick a few days before Janning came, but managed to recover on time.
On the 19th June, Uncle Alex drove Janning over to my house to pick me up and we headed to Khatib. As Janning was hungry, we went to a coffee shop at Khatib and Janning had her lunch while I had tea.
Sooo… Here are a few of the pics I took at Bottle Tree Park (which was our first stop for the day).
There was some fishing competition and this guy caught that fish. Pretty big, but they put it back after the photo.
Next stop was Marina Barrage! Okay we went to eat at this coffee shop next to Northpoint and surprisingly the bak chor mee was pretty good! Then we went to Marina Barrage.
We chatted along the way and I got to know Janning better. Haha. We’re both cousins but even though she’s from KL, I feel I’m also not that close with cousins from SG what say KL? I’m glad I got to talk to her and know her better.
It was dark when we arrived. I’d planned Marina Barrage as the “night event” because I felt that there would be more stuff there to see instead of Bottle Tree Park.
To be honest I didn’t know what I would see there, and wow! I didn’t realise that there would be soooo many people around as well as things happening!
Kite flying at night. Blur coz slow shutter speed and strong winds…
Basically, we walked around taking pictures of people and the view. It just so happened that there was NDP rehearsal and there were fireworks! But sad to say, I lack a tripod and the skills to take proper pictures of it.
UFO flying above Singapore Flyer???
Look at all the people!
Light from MBS.
Anyway, most of the shots were blurry because of the lack of tripod and slow shutter. Quite bad la.
But it compensated for the above pic. Look closely at the fountains
Janning wanted to take the fountain with coloured lights but for some reason she kept missing the chance. So since we had time, we sat there and waited for it. I decided to experiment with bokeh shots. Haha. I’m quite amused by bokeh. Pretty interesting you know? So yea here are some of the shots.
Interesting how not to focus can give you nice art too. What I see when I don’t wear my specs basically. =x
At night.
We’d wanted to go to MBS but unfortunately I was too noob to know where to go. Lol I made us alight at the wrong stop (so paiseh) and the buses there weren’t that frequent so we had to go back or it would be too late.
Janning and I on the train!
So that was the first meetup with her! Remember the cousins gathering thingy, it was to be on the 21 June.
We’d asked quite a few cousins, but unfortunately by the actual day itself, it was just Janning, Me, Danny and Wei Wen. Fortunately to be honest. >1 person better than no one right?
Dinner was just Janning, Danny and I. Danny kept wanting to go to this place called “The Creation” at Shaw Centre (opposite Suntec that area) so we went!
I had pasta (can’t remember what) with chamomile tea and soup. Approximately $15. Not bad!
Wei Wen joined us after that and we took a group photo before heading to INK Club Bar.
Danny, Janning, Wei Wen and I. I know I’m the shortest
So we headed to INK! It’s a great place by the way. They had a guest trumpeter that day.
We had a drink each. Only Janning got an alcoholic drink. I was still under medication so didn’t dare. Next time perhaps! Love that place. Love the type of jazz music there.
We took another group pic together!
Benny was supposed to go on that day. But he had to OT till late (poor thing), and… he arranged for another meetup with Janning on the 22nd!
I brought Huzz along coz he’s almost family (hee hee) and we were supposed to be watching a movie that day. He was okay that we weren’t going for the movie anyways Thanks bf!
I reached there quite late because I had to OT a bit as well as the fact that I got off the wrong stop. zzz Huzz and I went to look for Janning, then we headed to Xin Wang HK Cafe at Marina Square for dinner!
Had a good long chat (okay I was mostly observing) with Janning and Benny. Huzz was pretty entertained as well.
Group shots!
*Group pics and pics at INK are courtesy of Janning!!
Well, it was a fufilling 3 days. I got to communicate with cousins Janning, Danny, Wei Wen and Benny. Learnt a lot about them that I didn’t know before. Basically the main reason was the age gap I feel and over the years, we just stopped talking much at Grandma’s and all. Pretty sad. But anyway, I am determined that one day, all of us cousins will be able to meetup like friends do outside of where we usually go to! In fact, I have this dream of having a photo of all of us 20+ cousins together. I will definitely print and frame it up if there comes such a day. I know that my cousins either like photography, or music or do something related to either one (e.g. singing, dancing, playing instrument, art, etc) and I belong to either one as well! I am very sure that we will all be good friends instead of only being related by blood.
This year, I got the opportunity thanks to Omy.sg to watch Despcable Me!! And again, I brought Candy to the preview. I immediately signed up when I saw the opportunity so that I am able to bring her again!
When we arrived, The Cathay was super crowded and we realised that this is the very first preview of Despicable Me in SG! Meaning we were one of the first group of people watching it in Singapore! Haha.
There were people handing out stickers, and queuing for photos. And as you’d seen in the first image, my sis and I took one with the minions too (who are probably kids judging from their height).
I didn’t know what the movie was about actually, except that this guy (Gru) wants to be super evil so he stole some stuff like the statue of liberty (from Vegas lol) and the Times Square screen and now he wants to be the super evil person and steal the moon.
Who is it to stop him right? Right! Except this other evil guy (I shall not say who, go and watch it) and 3 little kids who managed to touch his heart. haha.
I shall not say too much to spoil it but go and watch it. You’ll laugh like mad and GO AND WATCH THE 3D VERSION! I know it may sound like I’m trying to advertise for the movie (this is after all a review) but I believe they made the movie for 3D. Especially some scenes! Shall not spoil it but the experience is just amazing.
Do sit through the credits too (with your 3D glasses). The few small scenes after that that played with the 3D technology is amazing.
I just found this app where you can translate what the minions are saying in the movie! Go download it before you watch it here: http://www.bestbuymoviemode.com/
My favourites are the minions as well as the little girl, Agnes. haha. She’s so cute!
Posted by Jasmine on Jul 5, 2010 in Life, Thoughts
Hey all! I haven’t really blogged in a while. Most of my posts are overdued entries on events that I would like to remember say 10 years down the road and most of the photographs took a really long while to photoshop and all hence the delay.
It’s my holidays now again (it has been for the past 2 months already) and well, it’s been a really really busy holiday! So many meetups, meetings, events, outings, gatherings… Wow. And now that special term has started, it has gotten worst. Sad to say.
The worst thing that happened was that Huzz left for Sydney already. I really felt like part of me has left. I don’t really feel like doing anything at all to be honest. I just want to sleep the months away. Wake me up when November ends (and when he’ll be back).
But I know life must go on. So I’ll do my best to clear up the photos that I have yet to share and blog about.
Oh and I got bitten by a cat again. The same cat btw. Pisses me off seriously. It came and rubbed its head against my leg and plastic bags then I patted it a bit and it bit me!! Like WTH! I will upload the bite marks picture and the picture of the cat here soon. Beware of it!
This year is BreadTalk’s 10th anniversary! I remember back when they started, it was quite a hype and now 10 years later, they’re still pretty popular eh?
For their 10th anniversary, BreadTalk is actually selling 10 of their most popular bread again at the stores. These 10 years, various events happened that made it very Let me share with you which 10 they are selling.
Since it’s 10 years, I’ll be sharing with you the personal things that happened these 10 years as well. (note they are not in order).
I bet you have seen this bread before at many places:
Did you know? BreadTalk was the original creator of this? And I’ve actually tried a few different types of this bread but nothing beats the original. BreadTalk’s version is sweet and the flosss doesn’t drop off that badly. Other normal bakeries’ floss or “bah hu” drops off quite easily. Copycats can only copy the bread to a certain extend.
This was way back in 2000 when they first started. Where were you?
10 years ago I was in primary school (!!!) taking my PSLE. Wow.
The 2nd interesting bread (that I got to try thanks to Omy.sg and BreadTalk) was the O’Sambal (2001):
I had never tried this before, but do you know why this bread was created? Hint: Sambal reminds you of?
Yes??
The answer is that it was created to commemorate the opening of a BreadTalk store at The Peranakan Place. Haha. Peranakan food uses sambal quite a lot I think =x I thought it was an interesting idea. Whoever thought of that!
I had just started secondary school back then. 58 Lowland Road. I will never forget the quaint and quiet environment of the old campus.
Have you seen a heart shaped bread? No?
A bit squashed
I got to try this as well. In 2004, BreadTalk partnered with SingTel and came up with this bread to help underprivileged children.
2004 was my O Level year. Quite a difficult year to get through, but at least I understood what being myself was, and strove to ignore people’s point of view and perspective that much.
In 2005, the Indian Ocean Tsunami happened. It was a 9.0 Magnitude earthquake that shocked many, including me.
Close to S$90,000 was raised to the victims of this quake through the sales of this bread:
I got to try this as well. It had something like what you will find in curry puffs in it which was a surprise to me (coz I didn’t know what to expect). Pretty good!
2005 was the year I started poly doing a diploma in business informatics. Finally something that I enjoyed and was good at. Something that I never felt lousy at. The start of 3 great years at NYP!
Those four breads were what I got thanks to Omy and BreadTalk (I didn’t have time to collect all 10 heh heh).
Here’s a poster with all the breads, so that you will be able to look at the picture of the breads that I will be talking about.
*click to enlarge
When you think of dinosaurs, what do you think?
For me it would definitely be Jurassic Park. Jurassic Park 3 came out, and BreadTalk came up with a dinosaur shaped bun!
Streaming year in 2002. And the year when I decided to leave my old cca and join a new one. One of the best decisions I ever made as a teen =x
2006 we saw the start of Korea wave and the KimCheese appeared! A play on the word “kimchi” haha. Cute.
Nothing much in 2006. Perhaps maybe that I broke down in school? Something sad but at least I learnt how to let go of the fact that grades are not that important.
2007 was the Hairy Crab which was a new version of the Flosss actually. I didn’t know about this bread to be honest.
2007 was the year when I went to Chengdu for 4 months.
Oh yes, what a surprise I got when my friends and I found BreadTalk at Chengdu!! In fact, Twin Dragon and my birthday cake was a BreadTalk one which we bought in Chengdu!
A year later, Sichuan encountered a really bad earthquake that affected many places, including where I had worked and stayed during attachment. I was emotionally affected. Many places were destroyed I heard.
To encourage donations, BreadTalk came up with the Peace Panda bread. I remember that they had different expressions on their faces. Pretty cute. $100,000 was raised through it. Another charity work *thumbs up*
I graduated from NYP. I worked. I went to NUS.
F1 Night Race came to Singapore in 2009. The first ever night race in the world! And we saw the introduction of the Ferraberri. Another cute play with the words and design of bread (have you ever seen bread that looked like a car??)
Year 2 at NUS…
Finally it’s 2010 now… And the latest 2 new breads that BreadTalk came out with is Merrily and Leonardo. Anyone realised what they’re trying to commemorate with these 2 bread?
I didn’t realise it at first.
Look at them:
And them:
Youth Olympics!!
A decade has passed since we stepped into the new millennium. So many uncertain steps along the way. BreadTalk has certainly made their mark as a local brand and made Singapore proud. With so many types of bread and innovative ideas and names for their bread, I would say BreadTalk’s strategy is one where we should learn from. The names are easy to remember, and the bread looks different from usual. Keep it short and simple!
Sales of the 10 bread are as follows: Sale period: 17 Jun to 23 Jun
O’Sambal (2001), Dinosaur (2002), Bull Run (2003)
Sale period: 24 Jun to 30 Jun
LuvBite (2004), 9.0 Tsunami (2005), 大长金 (2006)
Sale period: 1 Jul to 8 Jul
Hairy Crab (2007), Peace Panda (2008), Ferraberri (2009), Leonardo+Merrily (2010)
Credits: BreadTalk poster is copyright to BreadTalk
About 2 months ago, I was asked if I would like to help out at the SD Peace Carnival. To be honest, when I first agreed, I thought it was like a “whole of NUSSD will participate” event. Yes, they did participate in various ways, but I didn’t know I would be placed in the planning team.
Anyway, Doris and I were selected as NUSSD’s YWD (young women division) representatives for this peace carnival. I missed my first meeting and attended the 2nd one, where we further discussed on what the carnival would be like for the “Economics” section where NUSSD was part of.
It was a really tough few meetings as such ideas were difficult.
Anyway, for those who aren’t sure what the peace carnival was about, ever year, the student division (SD) of Singapore Soka Association will come up with a “June Project”. Last year was the Rufu-Run (which I couldn’t attend due to SNCO) and this year, they decided (they meaning the excos) to do something based on Ikeda Sensei’s Peace Proposal (2009, which can be found here: ). The three topics are “Nuclear Weapons”, “Environment” and “Economics”. The goal was to let more people especially teenagers be more aware about the 3 topics.
I fell sick the week before the carnival and missed like 2 meetings that week. Not to mention, on the day of the carnival, SNCO had a rehearsal with the brass band for the upcoming performance. The day before, i was just so stressed I had no idea what to do but chant. Luckily, I smsed Melissa and Meow Ling who encouraged me and assured that such problems are common and that I should do my best in whichever meeting/event I choose to go.
So, in the morning, I went to SNCO to help them with their instruments and then went to HQ for the peace carnival after that.
Upon reaching there, I was tasked to help out with the “Retrench or Retain” booth. Basically, the whole section was a combined effort from NP, ITAC and NUS Student divisions. Our booths are all combined efforts (heard that the other levels were individual institution booths. Everyone did a great job though). There were 2 parts to the booths, a scenario and a game section. The scenarios are economics based (for our section) with no right answer for any choice you make at the scenario.
As I had just recovered, I was still quite weak that day. Kept coughing after trying to speak louder while explaining the scenario to the visitors. Luckily Melissa helped me take over the booth for a while and Ann Nee gave me a packet of Hacks sweets to make my throat feel a bit better (Thanks!) The trick I found was that I should speak at a comfortable volume and they will lean forwards to listen to you.
Oh yes. I was told off indirectly by the SD YMD chief (=x) coz I didn’t greet the visitors (which were the chiefs basically). So paiseh. But yea, I was still not in the right state of mind. Need to train properly too.
I had fun on that day though. Thanks to Huzaen who came down. He’s like the only person whom I invited who went down. Haha. He said he enjoyed the panel sharing (me too, as it was super informative).
I didn’t take much pictures as I was busy the whole day. However, my sis tagged me in one of the photos taken by a fellow Gakkai member. Haha. Quite nice.
Alright. This was my first “June Project”. Learnt a lot, gained a lot of knowledge and whole new friends as well. I thought this was a really good idea and maybe every year we should do something related to Sensei’s peace proposal.
This is only up now because I was busy last month and now Argh!! But well, I read Nadz‘s blog entry and got inspired to write a proper one! (Congrats girl! For being in the Top 3 for the Clean and Clear Competition!)
Anyway, on 15 May 2010, Huzaen and I decided to go out and celebrate amidst the horrible busy school schedule I had. The past 2 years since I got into uni was like that which I felt guilty about. And now that he’s ORD-ed and going to Aussie for 2 years, it’s going to be more difficult, but well, we got through 2 years of NS. If many people could get through with their partner overseas, and get married, I’m sure Huzz and I would be able to write our own story too.
To be honest I can’t remember why we met so late. >.< Anyway, we exchanged gifts (gave Huzz a photo album and he gave me a small ornament heh heh didn't take picture of it =x) and we went to Sizzler's Suntec for dinner.
I love Sizzler's. Went there a few times a few years back before. Forgot the concept though so well, am super excited when I found out that the salad bar's a buffet!
All you have to do is order a main course, and you get to eat the salad buffet! *chomps at vegetables*
Clam Chowder Soup.
Salad buffet.
Complementary toast from Sizzler’s.
I ordered beef steak. yummy!!!
Huzz ordered Fish & Chips.
We ordered 1 jug of Lemon Tea. Haha
I look weird and fat here. lOl. I need to train Huzz to take nicer pics of me
See the pic I take of my bf makes him look so handsome!!
Anyway, after the dinner, we went to Esplanade to watch a clown perform (it was Arts Fest then) and went to the Helix. Didn’t walk all the way coz it was quite late already but took a pic:
Used Photoscape to edit it.
It’s been 3 years, but the day when Huzz and I got together, I think I haven’t really shared it here. So here goes.
Let’s go back to March 1 2007. It was the last day of exams for year 2 semester 2, and the day when we had our attachment briefing. It was the same for OPP, and after the mass briefing, we went to this meeting room for briefing with Ms Lam.
At that meeting, as usual, I scanned through the room to see if there are any interesting people and I noticed this guy who looked really cool with a black jean jacket. To be honest, even then I thought he was the best looking guy in the room. He was then sitting next to someone I know (but now dislike) so it was even easier to notice him.
I remembered Henry and the rest cracking jokes like nobody’s business (about Stefanie Sun nontheless) then Ms Lam asked this question that sort of defined many things in my life. The question was:
Huzaen, do you play games?
I was wondering who Huzaen was at that point of time and I realised it was the guy wearing the black jacket. Haha. Ms Lam pronounced his name very much like “Hussein” so I wasn’t sure what his name was then (I found out only after I kaypoh-ed and searched through the list of emails in an email that Ms Lam sent and added him on Friendster after that).
Okay. Anyway, the point was, what he’d actually answered to that question that got me interested. Lol. I’ve never heard a smarter answer than that. Ever.
Huzaen: I don’t play games. I play music.
I remember buddy nudging me and going, “Eh, another musician” and I don’t remember much after that to be honest.
As mentioned, I added Huzz on Friendster, then MSN where we ended up chatting for hours each day as we were both at different places for the OPP preperation – he was at Jurong, I was at NYP. I would wake up and go to school as early as possible and so would he at his workplace, just so we could chat. It was something I looked forward to everyday (even now).
Time flew by and it soon was the day I had to fly to Chengdu (with buddy Henry, HS, Twin Dragon, JH and Edmund). I was super down when I learnt that they couldn’t come and send us off.
Time flew by again and it was the day when they arrived at Chengdu. I still remember the day when Henry and I were cleaning up the house and then there they were. And there he was still the same as ever, wearing this spiderman shirt. lol
We started being together only about a week later. It was going to happen sooner or later for us. We were almost staying up every night playing reversi and talking. Things that were happening through MSN anyway.
What happened on 15 May was, we stayed up and played reversi, then ended up talking (as usual) then we decided to use our laptops, while still sitting side by side to talk. We then confessed that we liked each other. *blushes* Zomg I can’t believe it happened like that!
The past 3 years ain’t easy. We had our fair shares of discussions and arguments and I know I’m not an easy person to be with (Huzz says otherwise), but thanks Huzz, thanks my dear for being there for me and being able to put up with my horrible temper especially when I’m sick (I get depressed when I’m sick too).
I hope I’ve been a good girlfriend so far to him.
Man I’m starting to become teary, so here’s one last picture of Huzz taken on our 3rd anniversary:
Posted by Jasmine on May 30, 2010 in Friends, Work
This is wayyy overdue. In fact, I haven’t blogged for ages due to school (and now work) but well, here goes.
Jmin celebrated her birthday on 28 March as the actual day of her birthday falls on 1 April (which was a weekday). Here are the shots that I’d taken on that day itself.
It was pretty fun. In fact, I took lots of pictures that many people didn’t take due to the fact that I was there early (with Huzaen to help set up food, decorations, etc.)
Taken using D90.
My favourite image of the lot.
This kitty (who was blind at its right eye) kept attempting to “meow” us into feeding it. Haha. But it’s just so cute hence I took about 100 pictures of it. =x Didn’t upload all yet though.
Jmin and I.
The following pictures were taken at night after the other Elves people had arrived.
Faizal left early to go out on a date. Lol. So only Jmin and Sherry saw them (Huzz and I had went for a walk).
Ryan mixing the vodka with juice for Jmin.
Jmin before she drank it.
Playing cards.
Elves people haha.
The pretty cake and candles! (I love this shot too btw)
Jmin and her Mum (and uncle)
Everyone of us! (Elves)
Had a great time! But well, as usual, I turned red from the alcohol and everyone wondered if I’m okay (of course I am!)
For some reason, I just thought of 2 points for this entry and decided to write this.
1. “Percussion is easy!”
I’ve heard this Sooooo many times and corrected people soooo many times that I just want to whack the face of anyone who says this.
If you are a percussionist and you say this, it’s okay.
It’s those who say “Oh I play the (insert name of instrument here) and I want to learn the percussion because it’s EASY!” people that I get annoyed with.
To consider yourself as a percussionist (not a timpanist, not a drummer, not a mallet player), you don’t only learn ONE instrument.
I know I’m anal like this and I think many people who knows me will always try not to say stuff like that as I can be touchy. But I just don’t like it when people think all we do is relax at the back of the band/orchestra and just act cool.
We play solos all the time and when we make a mistake, everyone knows.
I admit I’m not a master of all the instruments but yea.
It’s a percussionist pride I guess.
2. “You have a runny nose = You have flu”
Have you heard of the word “sinus”?
Enough said.
3. “Wow you seem to be so free eh? Doing so many activities during the weekends.”
I don’t understand how people can actually go by their weekends not doing something that isn’t school related. I know, I’m guilty of this back in secondary school when it was either school, or home. But now for me there’s band, orchestra, friends and Gakkai (sometimes). But well, orchestra and Gakkai are considered voluntary activities. I’m not paid for it. I want to do it. If I don’t want to do it, or am really not free to go for any of these, I’ll just not go. School is still placed first, but I have other aspects of my life as well.
I dislike it when some people actually think that I’m very free and comment or make passing remarks like that. I know that I’m not free and I know their logic, but look, I don’t comment about your life and what you do about it right? So don’t comment about mine.
4. Drink -> Red = DRUNK – NOT!
This is the reason why I don’t drink outside. Even though I am wayyy sober than others who look perfectly fine (other than the fact that they’re doing funny or weird stuff), people would ask me if I’m ok because I’m red after a few drinks. Gahh.
Anyway, I don’t believe that we shouldn’t drink outside, but we should know our limits and not drink until we are drunk.
5. “I don’t want to do this (insert name of activity/module/test) because it is difficult!”
This is a kind of thinking that I don’t really like. It’s kind of annoying sometimes, taking the easy way out. If you decide not to do it, then don’t do it, but don’t give a reason like “oh it is difficult!” or “Cannot lah too difficult!” I rather you don’t like it. It’s a weird way of mentality to me. There are always better reasons than the one reason that it is too difficult. =/
Isn’t it interesting how many people/things go around in a big circle back at you?
Good things or bad things they all do the same.
Don’t know why but I suddenly felt like writing about this.
I remember back in 2007/2008 I was watching this 校花校草 program on Channel 8. It was at TP where Fiona Xie asked this guy if he could play any instrument and he said drums. Then he did a bit of air drums and I was thinking “Eh, that’s just basic only!” Haha. Oops. Anyway, a few years later, Pin Wen joined SNCO and I found out that he was actually that guy. haha.
Another example was that I remember back in Pri 1-3 when I had a classmate who was super smart and he never talked when the teacher was teaching. He switched to another school in Primary 4 and I never heard of him again – until a few months ago when I saw a guy that looked familiar at an NUSSD Daimokukai who really turned out to be Jia Xin. Hahhaa.
What a surprise! So we discussed for a few nights on MSN where I could bring her to (for half a day) and she suggested we could have a mini cousins gathering. I mass FB-messaged my cousins, but not many replied unfortunately. 
