Monday, April 30, 2007

Last night in Totem Park

I wonder how many times a year I get to be this philosophical, and most importantly, with enough free time on hand to write entries like this.

I recall the first day I moved into Totem Park. I hated it. It totally lived up to its reputation. It was a party house, a drunkard's haven, a slum to live in. Showers looked old, shower heads were leaky, floor was rowdy... the list goes on. I was determined to be the sober guy around.

But I realized how different things could be once I tried to integrate. People with similar thoughts were actually around. Graham Beebe, a fellow man with equal amounts of thoughts about life, popped by my door one night and just said hi. We chatted a bit, and the parted for bed. I never realized we'd have more in common than we thought.

The rowdy nights carried on. I remember blasting at my floormates thrice in a night, with a nerdy scream, "For the nth time already, SHUT UP!!!". I would come to a revelation with this screaming at my floormates at the end of the year.

I remember discovering other Sci1-ers in Rez, particularly Rachel, Sirim and Sally. Of course, there was American Phil, Kaylen, Breanne moving in during the 2nd term, Nathan, and Yana (forgive me if I forgot a few!). Study parties at my place, late-night jamming sessions, and then going to class bushed out and tired.

I remember how the 2nd term flew by, all with the musical rehearsals, and RezSC. Not to mention working, school, and trying to keep myself sane. I guess I did.

I remember how I promised my floor's guys one night that I'd take a sip of alcoholic drinks, and they ended up giving me a shot instead, with some coke to chase it down too. I also recall rejecting Sirim's alcohol pushing, wanting to keep myself the sane and sober guy.

I remember how big the musical was, how great and professionally put up it was, and the friends who came to support the five of us Sci1-ers in the musical: myself (chorus), Matt (scarecrow), Sirim (bassist), Rachel and Sally (pianists). Our musical, The Wiz, was to be the last musical ever performed in that commonsblock. It will now be renovated, and the memories will last only in our photos and the video.

Finals came, esp. for 2nd term. I composed the song Science One Days, a parody to Yesterday by the Beatles, and asked people at 2 am in the morning (right before chem finals). A crazy night.

Tonight, the guys on my floor are drunk and getting rowdy. But I chose to lock myself in my room, packing, prepping for the next step, moving to Fairview Crescent.

I guess with that much havoc going on outside, I'd better stop and move on. Bad start turned into good memories. I figure this'll be how I remember Totem Park in 2006/2007.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Science One Days



I wrote this song the night before our chemistry final exam for Science One, which happened to be our last exam too. It's a parody to "Yesterday" by the Beatles.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Manchester United - A sense of destiny

Manchester United have faced Chelsea only once this season, and that resulted in a scoreline that was a draw. They potentially will face Chelsea in a triple header this season again -- once to decide the Premiership winners, if they both win all the remaining games, once to decide the FA Cup winners, and once to decide the Champions League winners, provided both make it through to the finals.

What a sense of destiny. After the two rivals met, they took divergent paths, only to find themselves converging on it again. Will they be able to overcome each other again? The injuries that plague Chelsea have now come to haunt United, with their defense being severely weakened with Ferdinand, Neville and Vidic all out for a considerably long period of time. Will United prevail against the barrage of Chelsea? Can Fergie outwit Jose?

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

MAN UTD 7 (SEVEN) - 1 AS ROMA

I don't usually type anything here really frequently, but one has to marvel the way Manchester United came back from a 2-1 loss at Roma to thrash them 7-1 at the Theater of Dreams. AMAZING!! I just can't wait to see the game summary on YouTube. Who's producing the best football now? It's Manchester United.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Cracked Pot

Thought of sharing a good story with you.. Read it.. you will get high energy!!!

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole
which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while
the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At
the end of the long walk from the stream to the House, the cracked pot
arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of it's own imperfection. And miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, It spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw. So I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the
house?

Moral of the Story:
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very
interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they
are, and look for the good in them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall
not be bent out of shape.

Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life.

Cheers!