Tuesday, March 28, 2006

The da Vinci Code

What an interesting read! Finally, a book that I can finish within 2 days, that spans over 100 chapters (short ones, albeit, but nonetheless lots of pages still), and still give a careful and analytical read. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best thrillers that I have read - well-researched and told with both mystery, humor, irony and tragedy incorporated in it. Dan Brown deftly tells the results of decades of research in a succint, fast-paced and yet detailed story. Undoubtedly, this book bears testimony to why it is a best-seller: a conspiracy theory told as a thriller.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

A Fun Night Out

Well, well, well... it seems that me, the non-party animal, the non-night-owl, the lover of the bright daylight and detester of the dark night scene, just enjoyed a night out with TUNA, a cell group of Fraser Lands Church.

Sam's Big Day is coming soon, just in one week, and so the entire group prepared a surprise party for him and Katrina. And because I usually come with Sam, I guess they didn't let me into it either. Haha...

But we all went out, after teasing the two of them, of course. We had dinner at this Japanese restaurant in Richmond, and then played Lazer Tag. Hahahaha... I'm not so bad at it after all! I managed to rack up 36,000 points, and in the end, my team (Reds) turned out to be the champs of the night! But still, I was ranked 8th of the 10 of us who played. Not bad, considering I had not played this for such a long time. Oh, and thank goodness we didn't play PAINTBALL instead!

After that, we all went for bubble tea, where the other guys had a major conversation about marriage, love, and commitment up till 1.30am. Gee, and I slept on my chair halfway through. Didn't catch much of it, though. Still, it wasn't that bad. I learned from Sam about one thing - love can be at first (or 2nd) sight, but when it's there, you know it straight away. To quote "I Knew I Loved You" by "Savage Garden", 'I guess it's intuition| Some things you just don't question| ". Oh, and as Sam prepares for his marriage, I have to prepare his wedding gift. It'll be a quantum leap, I believe. One day your single, the next day you're attached, and the third day, you're married. It was just less than one year for him. I'm surprised, mostly because of the speed of it. Then again, THAT BIG GUY UP THERE [=)]works through mysterious ways, so I believe that Katrina's the one HE brought to Sam.

To Sam: Clint told you, "It's gonna be a lifelong commitment." But I'm sure you'll be able to make it a fulfilling and gratifying lifelong commitment. Both you and Katrina are able to do it, and I have confidence in the two of you.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Front Row

Today, I had a chance, finally, to sit in the front row of the Burrard Beaver. What a sight! For one, I get to see myself approaching the N. Van shore, rather than leaving Waterfront Station. N. Van's skyline is much like downtown Vancouver's, just that her backdrop is made up of mountains, and not the sky. What a sight.

By the way, I get the front row seat this time because my bike broke, with the pedal coming off. To think it could just happen like that.

Seabus

Today, I took the Seabus to Longdale Quay from Waterfront Station. With my bike in hand, I crossed the Burrard inlet to North Vancouver. On reflection, I'm proud to know that Canada has such an advanced and environmentally friendly transport system. These things can only make me very proud to be Canadian.

By the way, the name of the Seabus that I'm on now is the Burrard Beaver Victoria. Really cool name!

Thursday, March 09, 2006

It has clicked!

Yes, it has finally clicked.

Success comes to those who do not put personal success as their top priority. Personal success comes to those who put the success of the greater good as their top priority.

Right, so stop being selfish, and get down to chasing your true passions, and let your inner voice shine through the world.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

And now my own heartbreaker

So I received my results, and it's 3As, 1B, and an A2 for GP. To think I was expected to actually get an A for Chemistry, and not B... when I called Mrs. Tham, she said she expected that I would get an A, not B. And Miss Heng sent me an e-mail, telling me not to be too sad about my A2 in GP. Both teachers expressed confidence in my capabilities, something I won't forget at all - one for a weak subject, and one for a strong subject.

It's okay, things are fine, except that I recognize the realities in front of me:
  • Likely, I'll be saying "bye bye" to MIT and Caltech. It's time to go to UBC now. Still, I'll take a hopeful stab in the dark - hopefully the application to either one of them will turn out positive.
  • Science One application won't look as good anymore, but hopefully I'll be able to write an impressive essay. 3As and 1 B... Gee.
  • Once I go back to studying, it'll be no more working for me - just purely studies and athletics. I won't try to handle all 3 at one go. Just go for the best in whatever I focus on.
Congrats to the rest of my classmates who made it through with 4As. Especially to Xiuzhen and Changfang - Xiuzhen, congrats for getting a B3 in your GP! (Hope my help helped. Er. What a statement.) And Changfang, congrats for getting the perfect score! =) May all things go well for both of you in future! (Same to the rest of the class too... haha!)