Get Well Soon, Holger Badstuber!

Tonight, I'm behaving like a little fan-girl. Why so, you, who's reading this may ask. I was surfing tumblr when I came upon this website with a "Get Well Soon Badstuber Project". The project aims to collect wishes from fans all around the world for German soccer player Holger Badstuber. He injured himself during the match when FC Bayern München played against Borussia Dortmund. (I watched that match although I had finals the following day)

Kind of a sad news because after his injured knee was operated on, he has to rest for 5 months, which means that's probably the end of his play in the German Bundesliga (German League) for this season-  the guy who has just returned from a muscle injury and getting things back into place. Yeah life. We may grumble about how bad our lives are but everyone is just on the same boat and is facing his/her own problems and difficulties.

No worries, Mr. Badstuber! (I know he won't read this but I just want to get this out of my head) When one door closes, another door opens. There're plenty of opportunities waiting for you up ahead, I'm sure. I'm sure you can become one of the few top players in the near future. Ich glaube an dich! :) Glad to hear that you're doing well in physiotherapy. And, and, ... I hope to meet you someday and watch a soccer match at Allianz Arena someday. (I actually wanted to watch the FCB vs. Chelsea match at Allianz Arena when I was in Germany, but the ticket was too expensive for me to afford. Sehr schade!)

I'm usually not this fan-girl because I believe that every player is important in a soccer team; but, I just want him to get well soon.

For Badstuber's fans who wish to send him a message (these messages will be compiled and eventually be passed on to him [source]) or for anyone who is interested in having a look at this project, click here.

I shall put an end to this blog entry with my submission for the project:

Or, since this post is filled with my expression as a fan-girl, I shall end it with a photo of him:

Image Source

Perhaps I should aim to work as a photographer and hopefully be the photographer for the soccer team photo shoot. Hmmm. I will actually be satisfied with being a photographer assistant or someone who just mow the grass at Allianz Arena. 

Wanderlust

Source: http://travel-quotes.tumblr.com/post/23477098209/you-lose-sight-of-things-and-when-you-travel-everything

I just checked my exam results and my CGPA dropped by 0.02. I haven't know how I scored for each individual subject yet but well... 0.02 may be a small number, but I think it symbolises something significant. Perhaps 0.02 means my lack of effort, interest, ability, etc. I think 4 years in a row is just too long; I need a break. I have been going through the cycle-- studying, studying studying-- and following the well-beaten path -- get into a school, exam, get into a school, exam. While I value education, I also need to catch a breathe from these hectic, information overload processes. That's why I applied for an internship in Germany. I know I may not get it, I know even if I get it I might not be able to go due to visa problems, etc, but I want to try. I want to see how everything turns out. I hope to use the chance to do something different, to re-energise myself and come back a better motivated individual. I really hope the company replies me soon. I know it's the festive season, perhaps they are celebrating, but if they really want me, I hope they would confirm everything within the first two weeks after school starts. I really want to get this internship. I want to take a different path, from everyone, and to come back a better person.

Weird ideas popping into my mind but I wonder if I've studied physiology, could I be a physiologist in FC Bayern. Haha, well, I can always fulfill this fantasy in my script and film. :D

I should snap out of this holiday mood and start preparing for my FYP now. I can do it, I can do it, I can get a plus, I can get a 4.5 GPA! Yes, yes, yes. Alles werde ich sehr schön gemacht! Ich kann!

December- Time to sparkle with your party clothes

December is the month of vacations, the end of exams, and a series of celebrations! In fact, I usually get a lot of invitations from friends that I have not met-up with for a long while (perhaps a year) to Christmas gatherings, etc.

Be it that you're a minimalist, a thrift, or whatsoever when it comes to fashion, I certainly believe the idea of dressing for success (although I don't normally practice that because I am always running late) but dressing well can increase one's confidence and mood. And who knows, who you might meet right? A potential romantic other half, possible future employer, or even just your professor or course-mate. And life's short and come on, live for the moment. You never know when your last day, so dress the best everyday. Don't keep that dress for "next time" or for a more appropriate moment that you have no idea when it going to come.

I have created a few outfits below that I think match the theme for the festive season!

While it may seem cliché but when at the mention of Christmas, one would think of green and red. Although this colour combination is often discouraged, if it's done well, it can actually create a really pleasing look. Drawing on the Christmas theme, I have created 3 outfits based on 1) White Christmas 2) Black Christmas 3) Red-and-Green Christmas

1) White Christmas

White Christmas by j-char featuring a draped dress

I really think that white and gold or anything glittery go really well together. I like the idea of a white dress with a gold belt because it seems like a character walking out of some greek mythology. Of course, to top the idea, a gladiator sandals would be perfect. But to modernise the look, I would suggest a pair of glittery gold flats (heels are okay too but it would be better if the whole heels is not covered with glitter. It's all about moderation).

2) Black Christmas (Since there's a white christmas, why not go against commercial convention and have a black Christmas? It can be as cool and classy too!)

Black Christmas by j-char featuring bangle jewelry

I really like the combination of black and purple. I feel that it adds a kind of je ne sais quoi into an outfit without sacrificing glamour and elegance. Of course, glitters and gold work well on black too, but I guess nothing beats purple, in my own opinion.

3) Red and Green Christmas

Red and Green Christmas by j-char featuring studded belts

Jump straight into the mood of Christmas by walking down the street in your reds and greens. For those who are bold, pair your top and bottom with red and green. For those who think that this combination is too much, you can incorporate reds and greens subtly through your accessories, shoes, watches, etc.

What do you guys think of these outfits? How would you dress for the festive seasons?

Seriously, I need to get myself productive. I need to read those books for my FYP which I borrowed from the library. I also need to upload those travel photos before 2012 ends. Seriously. I still don't know if you will mind if I tag you... Maybe I wouldn't bother too much about other people, but since it's you, it's kind of different. I really care about how you think and everything, you know?

I don't understand why we have to pay for our transcript when we request for one. Why are we paying the University for things that should be rightfully ours? Why can't we obtain our transcript as and when we like, say through the internet, instead of having to request it all the time, pay every time we want one, and wait and so on.... And over $3 for a piece of transcript. As if we haven't pay enough for our tuition. We have to pay for stuff we need, and stuff we don't need. Sigh.

December, the festive season, just seems to enhance one's loneliness, when one has more time on hand, to stare into space, to think, and to contemplate; and to go out on the streets, seeing all the shops welcoming the festive seasons with products on display urging one to buy something for their friends, family, and the other half.

It is also a season of people breaking up (or perhaps it's always is) when I see my friends breaking up, changing their statuses on Facebook from "in a relationship" to single, or hear the news from someone else's mouths.

Yet, it is also a season of joy, people getting together, and falling in love, when I see my friends changing their status on Facebook from "single" to "in a relationship" or to "engage" or to "married".

This just enhances my loneliness, my alone, alone, alone, alone, all by myself.

12th December 2012, a day rumoured to be the end of the world, is reaching soon, soon, soon; will it be true, or will it just be another rumour that we will forget and laugh about it in time to come? Sometimes I'm tired with life, I just want to get out, perhaps nothing beats death, where everyone dies and the world perishes, and we aren't blamed for ending our lives, being irresponsible for our lives, because everything is nature, we just blame it our nature, on our lack of freewill, our essentialist notion of identity formation.

But I have not fallen in love; but I don't want just anyone, I only want a particular type and I don't meet these types very often and have the chance to talk to them often... I've met some in the school library recently while I was studying but I just have no reasons to go up and speak to them without seeming and revealing that I am trying to pick them up. That nice person who held the door for me, the guy who is always walking around with the hat no matter if you're in the library studying, in the canteen eating or in the exam hall (man, I saw you yesterday and today), the person who made weird noises, hiding behind shelves of books behind me, and talking as if there was someone beside you when there's only me, and that one whom I met in the library, who sat behind me and who spoke on the phone with the language I love so much; also that you whom I met at a soccer viewing and the next day in your school.

Scheiße.

Facebook New Feature: See your search in your activity log

It scared the hell out of me when I saw that facebook actually has this feature that allows me to see who/what (no matter if it's a friend, a person, a singer, a band, etc) I searched for in my activity log. Luckily it's only visible to myself and not to public. But still, it was scary. To think people actually know what I searched for! Not like it's something shouldn't be known, but still...

I'm using Facebook English (UK) version so I'm not sure if it's available in other versions. And do you all think Facebook will make it visible to public in the near future what everyone actually looked up in their searches? Is that a good thing (know who's "stalking" you) or a bad thing (let people know who you actually "stalked")?

And, will we have too much information that we do not want to know? Who actually cares what another person searched for, unless it's someone special, like a love interest or close friend, isn't it?

The Writer

Indeed, I need you to be the artist because I'm not confident that I could still be there till the end. It's not like I have anything now or will certainly have something in future, ya know? Well, sometimes I wonder if I get too used to the feeling of liking and missing you, so much so that it has become a habit. It's because I haven't meet anyone new or what, so you kept popping in my head. But recently, I met new people, they are fun people to hang out with. But well, not like we're gonna contact again or what but it just makes me think, perhaps, you, the you in my head is rather easy to replace. And will you still be on my mind, so frequently like you do now, when new people come along?

Perhaps, what I'm going to send you gonna end everything. It signifies an end, an end to a new beginning. To send you what I didn't dare to pass to you, so there isn't anything that I have left behind, just to tell myself that perhaps I could pass it to you or whatsoever. Nevertheless, I am still glad that I managed to know you in the end. Still, I still hope we can become good friends, no matter where we both are, and what we have become.

How to wear Winter in Summer

November is the time when many people say "Hello" to winter and snow; whether with a smile or full of dread, that is another matter. Yet, for people in the Southern Hemisphere and in countries when it is summer during the end of the year, it is really difficult to relate to everyone's winter mood, much less step out of the house in winter wear!

Yet, getting into the winter mood with clothings is not totally difficult. One of my favourite things about winter is the ability to warm up myself with layers and layers of clothes. I feel that layering makes one looks more stylish and dressed-up.

Recently, stores like H&M have been stocking up winter wears as well. I really like their cropped sweaters!!!

I have created three, as I would call them, winter-inspired outfits below:

Outfit 1:

wearing winter in summer by j-char featuring a knit shawl

Outfit 2:

Wearing winter in Summer by j-char featuring black glitter shoes

Outfit 3:

Wearing Winter in Summer by j-char featuring a knit cardigan

What do you guys think? How do you wear winter fashion without sacrificing comfort under the non-wintery weather?

Free Contact Lens Giveaway from Bausch & Lomb

I saw from this blog that there's free contact lens give away from Bausch & Lomb. Unfortunately, I am not eligible for it because my astigmatism is very high. :( I wish contact lenses could be more affordable for people with astigmatism. :( Even colour contact lens are expensive for us.

For those lucky people who are eligible for the giveaway, check out the blog mentioned above!

German Film Festival in Singapore

November, despite a period of exams and assignments, is a month full of exciting cultural and artistic events!

Apart from the Singapore Writers Festival that takes place from 2nd to 11th November, there is also the German Film Festival that screens films from Germany in some cinemas in Singapore.

While there are quite a number of films that have caught my interest, I'll only be watching Woman in Love (German: Rubbeldiekatz) due to heavy school work and the need to prepare for final exams. I do really love comedies (and I want to direct a comedy when I become a film director) and I look forward to watching this film directed by Detlev Buck!

Fret not, if you don't speak German; there will be English subtitles! I think it's a good exposure for one to watch films of different cultures and, in turn, understand the similar/different perspectives of others.

Best, Besser, Am Besten

Lately, this guy always came to my mind. We met on a crowded bus. He was sitting down. I was standing with my back facing him, my german textbook in hand. I then heard him said, "Excuse me"; I thought he wanted to alight so I shifted a little a made some space and expected someone to pass on a crowded bus. He wanted to have a look at my german textbook. When he returned it to me before he alighted, he looked at me for a few seconds, his eyes seem to want me to strike up a conversation with him. Why didn't I? Till this day, I still ask myself the same question, "why didn't I". 

I remembered I went couchsurfing, and I learnt this question from my host, "Why not? Why not now?". Yeah, well, look back a reflect. If ever I am so fortunate to have such encounter again, I hope I make good use of it. 

I wish you're here, or better, I'm there. The days we spent together were too short, too brief. Take me away, we can fly to the moon, pack our luggage, jump on a boat, and sail endlessly across the oceans, travel around the world over and over again. It doesn't matter where, as long as you're here. Just, take me away, to heaven or to hell.

Hello the guy with blond hair and blue eyes!

I'm a pretty self-conscious person and whenever someone looks at me, I get pretty uncomfortable. It's like as if there's something on my face, there's something with my clothes, basically just something wrong with me.

So, yesterday I was waiting for the bus at the busstop and there was a guy, who was similarly waiting for the same bus as well. He kept looking at me, or rather in my direction, which made me kind of uncomfortable, despite his beautiful blue eyes and blond hair. If I were to flatter myself a little, I could say, perhaps, he wanted to make friends with me and there's nothing wrong making friends with people  in college, But Blue-eyed boy, perhaps you could just speak up. Looking at me and sitting near me on the bus doesn't really help. Eventually I did managed to talk to him...

I didn't expect,

what I didn't dare to pass to you back then,

becomes something of so much joy to me.

Despite the time and whatsoever there is,

a simple appreciative gesture from you,

brings me among the clouds,

from the burning flame.

I miss you; I wish I could talk to you more often, but I just don't know what. Still, it's incredible that we're friends now! How interesting fate is. 

Now I'm so excited to make my way to the Post!

Pablo Neruda's Sonnet XVII

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
hidden within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving
but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

-Pablo Neruda's Sonnet XVII

I saw a wake at the open space near my house. I hope yours will be there tonight. :)

You've no idea how much courage it took for me to send you that message. I just wanna to have a "hey, how're you?" from you, is that too much?

Perhaps it's my karma; that's what I always do to other people whom I'm not interested in talking to: ignore them. At least you're nicer than me, I would appear offline to them, and you didn't did that to me.

I should be glad, perhaps?

Never give up, miracles happen everyday

Image Source: http://inspirinquotes.tumblr.com/post/29964025714

"Never give up, miracles happen everyday".

Yes, there're two things that I have not given up, one is YOU, and another one is to be a scriptwriter and director.

1) Although we don't talk anymore, I sometimes wished about you at 11:11. Whenever I see you online, I wished that you would take the initiative to talk to me. Oh well, perhaps I bored you out at our last meeting. :( Anyway, despite the fear that you might find me irritating, I've decided that if I ever see you online and you seem like you're probably not gonna be busy, I gonna say hi. I've come so far. From a stranger to you, someone who just looked at you from a far two years ago, to now. I have never thought we could become friends, or that we could actually know one another. When I see you on my last day of exam, before last semester ended, I still thought to myself that I wouldn't ever get to know you in my own life. Alas! How amazing this world is! I am really thankful for such little miracles that happened in my life. Perhaps God knew that I wanted that, perhaps I had been making the same wish way too much, or perhaps God just wanna show me that even if we become friends, we wouldn't become close friends (judging from the fact that we aren't keeping in touch at all). Nevertheless, I would still try to talk to you. I never know if I never try. I hope you would still remember me when I talk to you the next time.

2) I've always thought perhaps journalism is the thing for me, it's something that I will want to do for the rest of my life because I enjoy writing. I actually enjoyed Media Writing class. :) But well, I realised, no, I didn't really like journalism and didn't really want to be a journalist. I still prefer something on the drama/film production side. The people around me were into journalism and so I thought I'm one too. But no, recently I had this realisation that journalism is not something I really want. It's something that I thought I want because I thought I can never be shooting/filming stuff. It has been with me since young, and that fire is still burning so strongly. I have decided, I shouldn't give up on my dream, or what poets like to call, vocation.

I wanna re-live this Summer, if I could

If I could, I would really want to re-live my summer again... Not sure how... Perhaps in a different way. Not that how I spent my summer is bad, but if I could, I would choose to spend more time with my new friends or be more outgoing and become good friends with them at an earlier stage.

Strange. When we were there, we lived as if we did't know that someday, somehow, we were gonna say goodbye and might never meet again. I've experienced such things rather often, from primary school, secondary school, JC, and to University. While people still meet up once in a while, I've to admit it's hard to keep in touch regularly and often as when we were at the same place. What's more, we have different time zones and different kinds of life.

I miss my friends so much. I wished I party-ed more. I miss that overdose of freedom when I can go out at anytime, reach home at anytime, grab a beer whenever I want, etc. I miss meeting up with friends at Schlossgarten, and then bought a beer and just sat on the huge grass patch and drink (even with random new strangers we encountered). 

I miss the time when random strangers just said "hi" to me and tried to make a conversation or small talk. I laughed at myself when I thought some were bad people and I just had to be stern and cold in responding to them. I miss people talking to me on the train, in the lift, and even on the streets. 

I just miss that place so much. It's about a month since I returned, but it seems so far away now.

I'm back in Singapore, but I have to admit, my heart lies somewhere in Germany. I forgot to take it back, maybe I should go there and look for it. 

Source: http://www.staypositive.me/post/28206605217

I could just spend my time staring when you're online; alas, if I've all the time in the world. I wanna talk to you so much; but, I don't know what to say, and I don't wanna bother you. Sometimes, no, "everytime" perhaps, I wish that I'm more outgoing and conversational. Sometimes I wish I can/have the courage to talk endless craps to you like I did to other people. Sometimes I wish you weren't so high up in the pedestal, so we might be a little closer.

You're probably a really nice person, too nice that you couldn't tell me straight in my face you don't need my help. I'd rather you reply with something vague like, "I'll let you know if I need any help" rather than telling me that you will e-mail me something and I can check the next day when you actually didn't do it at all. Perhaps you planned to do it, just that you forgot. Perhaps you've a bad memory. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. How I wish I know what I can talk to you about and keep the conversation going. I thought of taking the language course but I can't. :( I don't know, but I really don't want you to forget me. I also don't wanna lost touch with you. You're an awesome person and an awesome friend. Even if we can't be together in a romantic relationship, I wish we can really become best friends in a platonic friendship.

Sometimes I think you can be sacrificed over other things, but truthfully, I don't want you out of my life. I miss you so much. I wish I could tell you that.

This may sound strange to you but I'm staying online mainly because you're; it gives me that glimpse of hope that you might just talk to me. How naive and wishful thinking but I hope you'll.

I don't know why such weird thoughts flashed past my head just now. I hope you're fine.

 I'd the best of my days this summer, but not here. History just kept repeating itself and I have to put up with crap over and over again. This friendship is tiring and upsetting; when I tried so much to be happier and try to think positively, things will go the wrong way again. Perhaps I'm a selfish person, I always think about how I feel. But have you ever stood in my position? I'm a human and what I need from my friend is respect. I really enjoy hanging out with all the new people that I have met, and it shows me that human can actually be selfless. Es ist egal, I just have to put up with these for a few more days. Perhaps we might never meet again.

Now I know I'm lying when I don't care. Obviously I do, if not I wouldn't be feeling this way.

I don't understand why you're not replying me. If you can't make it or don't want to, say so. You shouldn't get my hope high in the first place, or expect me to expect you to reply and then nothing takes place. Just say it!

Summer 2012

This Summer is probably the best Summer I have ever have. I do not regret coming here. I've probably met the most awesome people I could ever meet, although whenever you contact me or I contact you, it kinda makes me sick. In time of adversity, you know who your true friend are. I'm kinda tired of all your self-centeredness and this summer just highlight them all, when I needed your help the most. I'm a changed person; changed to become stronger, and changed to become more decisive. I'll still treat you as a friend, but things are not as before. But, I still love this summer, and love so much the new friends and strangers I have met.

Seriously, your attitude just pisses me off again and again. I feel bad because I value this friendship and not because I'm in the wrong. I have stated clearly that we will play by the ears and see how things go. I remember I have stated clearly. Now you think that I'm planning stuff without you and causing you to miss out opportunities. Seriously, I'm tired of all these crap. You think people will be there for you, when you aren't there for them when they needed it? You have the right to be selfish (every man's for himself), but remember, karma bites back, others have the right to be selfish too.

On another note, I'm so happy that you (another different you from the above, obviously) replied! I was wrong to think that you were just being courteous! I think I'm not being biased but I'm so glad that I've met so many awesome people this summer. People who are selfless and helpful, and not just think about themselves.

Oh please, stop making it sounds as if it's all my fault and centering the world around you. It seriously sucks.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm a boring person... Why do the people around me have so much stuff to talk with everyone, even people I have known before them, and I, I'm always left somewhere and feeling that people aren't interested in talking to me.

Why didn't you reply my Email? Why did you get my hopes high for nothing? Why did you tell me to Email you when I'm coming to visit? Even if you don't want to meet anymore, you could just reply something, right? It sucks to be so hopeful and in the end everything boils down to nothing.

Transgender

After reading this article, I remembered a line in Lady Gaga's "Born This Way": No matter straight, gay, or bi, lesbian or transgender life, I'm on the right track, baby I was born to survive.

I do not have any oppositions against people who are not-straight; in fact, I know some people who are actually gay or bi. I mean it's their life, why should others be bothered if these people are straight or not.

The above article is touching not merely because this guy actually accepts a transgender girlfriend, but it gives the readers, at least me, hope. The hope that this world is not hopeless, that there's true love which transcends all societal norms and constraints. That love is not built on our appearances and biological/physical functions, but it's based on something else, something undefinable (perhaps we can define this as "feelings" but I think the term doesn't fully describe this undefinable element).

In this world when we are being categorised and fit into a box called societal norms, it's nice to hear that such amazing things do happen. I hope in time to come, soon, such story will not be something that people feel amazed about. There's nothing to be amazed about, they are just like each and everyone who prides themselves as "straight".

Courage

I thought I could be brave, to embark this journey alone. But why is it that my heart is filled with fear and anxiety, tears at the brink of my eyes, as the day to leave draws nearer and nearer? Isn't that what I have been wanting? What I said I wanted? Isn't this all my decision? To choose to go? But why, why this feeling? It's only two months. Everything will turn out fine. I would have gone somewhere else after my program, just to have people I know and travel companions around me. But after meeting you, I wish to go where you're and will be. You gave words, but I hope you keep and remember them; for I take those seemingly innocuous words as truth, as promise, as a glimpse of hope. Of course, spending all my days with you after my program ends would be ideal; but that seems impossible. I have just known you, perhaps should be, you have just met me. I have been around, it just that you have no idea. I don't harbour any erotic or romantic fantasies towards you, just hope that we can be good friends who probably hang out with one another from time to time. I guess I should decide, and then tell you about it, and hope you reply the message.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Alex Goot's Cover of Maroon 5's Payphone

Talisman

(Image Source)

I like to see you as a sort of talisman or some mysterious content hidden inside a small porch and I should only open up the porch in times of need and when I have no other choice, as seen on television. Like the characters seen on TV, I don't know what's inside the porch; it may be something that can get me out of the fix I am in, or simply a piece of paper telling me to "pray hard".

Therefore, I am apprehensive of sending you E-mails unless I have something to say or ask. You may reply me and save me from the worries, or ignore me and I have to pray hard and think of other ways to ease my worries. But then again, I wouldn't want you to think that I am "using" you and contacting you because I need help from you.

You're a person that I hold great respect and admiration for. Naturally, I am afraid of getting near/ attempting to get closer to you (although now I am closer than I used to before). I wouldn't want you to have any negative impression of me or whatsoever.

You may just be any other person, just like that new classmate, that new OG mate, and that random student I met in the library. Actually, you're just like them. But still, I couldn't face you like I face those people. It's definitely not your looks that I'm attracted to because people around me describe you along the line of "normal". I think it's your passion, your drive and your attitude. It's probably because you're doing something that I failed to pursue... I am seeing in you the lack that I have in me.

I can't help worrying about what's gonna come next, all the anxiety of going to a new place.

I hope we could be in touch and probably come up with some plans.

I hope when I opened that small porch that contains the talisman in a few weeks time, it will ease my worries and not a paper that ask me to fret for myself.

I don't know if I ever get to see you again, and don't know where you will go... But still, if we can keep in touch, I'm sure we can meet again. I won't think that I know you a tad too late because meeting and knowing you, even if I will never get to meet you again, is always better than nothing at all.

I really hope we can meet again soon...

Why People Don't Reply Messages on Facebook?

Have you ever sent Facebook messages to people and received no response from them at all?

Sad to admit, I do. Of course, to people I have met, not just some random strangers on Facebook.

When such things happen, I would wonder if it is me... Is it because I'm boring? Is it because they don't want to keep in touch or interact with me?

In the beginning, I would console myself by saying that the person is busy, he/she might not check his/her Facebook messages often etc... But eventually, I would admit defeat and get myself out of my self-denial.

I was searching on Google "Why People Don't Reply Facebook Messages", and to my surprise, I found some really interesting points.

1) Personal
Sometimes it just lies with the person: not wanting/lazy to reply, procrastinating their replies and eventually forgetting about it, feeling that there's nothing to reply, etc...

To read about other possible reasons on why people don't reply message on Facebook, check out these links:
http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=566811
http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/do-you-dislike-people-if-they-dont-reply-to-your-116343/

2) Technical
What I read from this article really amazes me. The article mentioned that such feature is implemented around November 2010; however, I just realised it today (13th May 2012)! It works like the spam/junk folder in Email but it just that many people are unaware that there's such a folder on Facebook. To check your messages in this folder, simply click on the "Messages" on the left-hand side of your homepage, and click on "other" from the drop list. To my surprise, I actually have 26 messages, which I was totally unaware of before, in that folder! But well, to speak the truth, these messages aren't really worth my time. But the article did mention that "messages only appear in the main inbox if they're from friends or friends-of-friends". So I assume that the "other" folder is simply for messages not from the two above mentioned groups. So, if I sent a message to a "friends-of-friends" and he/she didn't reply, I should face the fact bravely.

But then again, how can I blame others for not replying, when sometimes I commit such faults as well? I do love to see that I have new messages in my Facebook inbox. It's always like a surprise when I click on the notification and check out who sent me messages. Sometimes it's from a friend who is at the other end of the world, sometimes it's just people trying to keep in touch. However, sometimes the messages might be too long and I would tell myself that I would reply later, and soon, I forgot all about it and the messages are never replied/ replied after a long time. Sometimes it just gets a bit irritating (I'm sorry to say that but it's what I feel) when people I don't really know, say people I met at some activities, school etc... I think it's okay if they send me a few messages trying to get to know me and allow me to know them better. It's perfectly fine if I feel the conversation is insightful and enables me to gain a new friend. Yet, it's super irritating if people simply send me "Hello, how are you?", "Hi, how are you doing?", or anything along the line and they are trying to prone into my private life and know my every details of my daily life, etc. I mean, there's a line between friendly and creepy.

So, it takes me some courage to send people messages. If he/she doesn't reply, I will probably not send another because it might just sound irritating. I always believe that I should do to others what I want others to do to me. If I don't want to receive "irritating messages", I should not send any at all. Sometimes, It's just obvious that the person is not going to reply, isn't it? Life moves on, get a life.

To end off, check out some suggested Facebook etiquette over at this site here! :)

Have you ever sent people messages on Facebook and a reply seems really unlikely? What do you think are the reasons? Do you ignore other's messages? What are the reasons?

Whatsapp

Many people have asked if I've "Whatsapp" and asked me to get one. While it seems to be really cost-saving as compared to SMSes (and I have to admit it is a wonderful invention), I don't think it is necessary for me personally. I don't want to be so "contactable" and bother myself with so much social networking stuff. I'll only get if I find it really necessary, for family/for you (hope we can keep in touch!)/for work. :)

Promise

I believe a promise is a promise. I'm so frustrated when people promised you something earlier on, and get all friendly about it, then they tell you this and that. I mean, if you have already made a promise to someone, you should keep it. I'm so pissed off and it happens again and again! That's the reason why I don't feel like going there...

I can't say it right in your face because it's like I'm trying to start an argument, but I feel pissed off whenever such crap happens.

Anyone experienced the same thing? How do you solve such problems or calm your own rage?

Arm Ache After Running

I went running yesterday; finally, after so long!

Now, I'm having pain in my arms. I derived this can be associated with lack of proper warm-up.

Furthermore, we tend to swing our arms while running, unconsciously moving them in different positions when we do things like putting both hands on our hip.

It can also be attributed to our posture when we run; the way we position our shoulders will affect and exert pressure on our arm since they are connected. Hence, running also requires good posture.

One thing that I learnt from my Taekwondo lessons in the past is to keep your spine straight and your head straight. When doing things like stretching (sit and reach) or running, sometimes we tend to lower our head. This bends the muscles at the back of our neck, thus exerting pressure on this area. As the neck is close to the shoulders, it ultimately affects our postures and thus exerting pressure on certain parts of our body.

Therefore, to avoid pain in the arms a few days after running, it's best to relax your hands and don't try to position your hands in a particular position.

Blood Lamp

How many times would you turn on the light, if every turn costs you a drop of your blood?

In many countries, turning on the light is merely a simple click away. In many places such as in my schools, I have seen people turning on the light and leaving it on even when no one is in the room. Another case is when students are freezing and putting on their hoodies and jackets because the room is too cold; they could just adjust the temperature of the air-condition instead. Often, most of us have take electricity for granted and have never really thought about the consequences of consuming so much electricity in a day. 

Mike Thompson's Blood Lamp actually makes the user think twice before lighting a lamp. This lamp, which can only be lighted up with one's blood and can only be lighted up once, forces the user to light up the lamp only when light is really needed. This thus also forces the user to "rethink how wasteful they are with energy, and how precious it is." (Source)


For more information and a video clip of how Blood Lamp actually works, check out: http://www.miket.co.uk/blood_lamp.html

I love to always think the Earth doesn't belong to us; instead, we belong to the Earth. This makes us subservient in comparison to Earth, for it is Earth's generosity that allows us to set up our homes on this place. Instead of repaying kindness with kindness, we take for granted of the natural resources that are given to us and exploit whatever is available to satisfy our convenience. I'm not a green person; I use plastic utensils, I use plastic bags, etc... But, I am trying to become a more environmentally-friendly person. Baby steps; I hope Singapore will gradually become more environmentally conscious and Singaporeans will be more active in recycling programs.

But how ironic... I am typing this on my laptop with my room's light switched on at 1.33 AM. Perhaps sleeping early and waking up early (tapping on daylight!) is another way to conserve the Earth.

To A

(Image Source)

Dear A,

I know you'll never see this post; and even if you do, I know you won't associate yourself with the "A" mentioned here.

It was great to see you yesterday (although you don't even know about my existence). It seems like it's the last time I will ever see you, before the semester ends, because you're graduating.

I still remember how I paid no attention to you when I first saw you outside your school, the first time I looked into your eyes at an event (and if I looked longer, would things changed?), etc...

Our relationship seems like an asymptotic curve, even till now, when you're going to graduate.

I would have known you, and probably become good friends with you if I were a little talented and managed to get into my dream course in university.

I don't know if I'll ever get to know you (since I have a friend who has become closer to you recently, but it still seems impossible) or ever meet you again, but you are a really special person whom I met in Uni.

For a long time to come, I believe, like now, no matter at which part of the Earth you'll be at, I will still like you. <3

If I Have An Aladdin's Lamp

If I have an Aladdin's Lamp,

I will wish that you all will move out.

Despite feeling hopeful that you all will,

Alas, move out after 6 months,

The doubt of this being merely high hopes,

Haunts me, day and night.

Seeing at the stuff that you all are moving in,

Obviously you guys have no wish to shift.

It's like saying you wanna get a house,

When property prices decrease.

But please, use your roasted brains to think,

Will it ever go down?

Scarcity of land and increasing population,

Demand will rise rise rise,

So will price price price.

Perhaps, people like you, 

Who steps on the wheel of progress,

Deprived of basic human feelings,

Selfish, Disgusting, worth every bit of Abhorrence,

Will fall fall fall. Fall in Dignity, fall in Humanity.

Of course, I wouldn't want you to fall

In your career, for that will just give you

The reason, for thee and thy rubbish to remain here

Longer.

I just want you all to get lost lost lost.

Fuck is the direction,

That I want you all to go off to to to.

You've no idea how much I hate you,

Since many years ago. 

In my head, I have stab you over and over again.

Selfishness is a human nature

I'm sorry I have to say if you do what you did to others, others will eventually do what you did to them. You know, it's not about "me, me, me" but "we, we, we" if we gonna plan on a trip together. It's not like you can accept this offer and then go for another one because a better one comes along or one that fixes into your time-table. Now you leave me stranded and I don't know where I should go. Yeah, you don't wanna travel alone and you tell me whatever fuck that we should travel together and all that shit, and now my plan is screwed up and you tell me I can just do this and that alone. Hello, would you want me to advise you that way? Seriously? I feel a lack of respect every time I get such shit from you, you know? It's like saying my life is worth more than yours so go and eat your shit. My mood to travel together has sort of tarnished when you insist that I should travel to certain places with you, because I want to as well, but you know, I can read between the lines when you said that you have no friends to go with you. Like seriously?

Seriously, I'm tired of not being feel respected. If that's the way you treat a friend, I guess I don't have to put in so much effort in treating you like I treat other friend. It's not the first time that I have to put up with such attitude.

Taeyang's Sushi Dance

THIS IS TOO CUTE!!!

I'm sorry, my friend.

So, I'm taking this 4 units module this semester; it has already been changed to 3 units this semester but because my friend and I are seniors and need that missing units to file for a minor, we were able to register for the module as 4 units; we just have to do an additional assignment.

Today, stupidly, I went up to the Prof and asked him about the assignment. It turned out that my Prof actually forgot about it and my question reminded him! Not only I have to do that extra assignment, but a friend of mine as well.

I'm so sorry, my friend!

Although he said it's okay, but I can't help feeling bad about it.

Sigh. Sometimes, remaining silent is the best policy.

What a University/College Student needs to know

Look what I found, A THESIS GENERATOR!!!

http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/thesis_generator/thesis_generator.html

The Thesis Generator helps you to come up with a thesis statement for an essay. It is very easy to use: simply answer a few questions about your essay ideas and the generator will come up with three possible thesis statements.

While the generated thesis statements may not be perfect in terms of sentence structure or grammar, it is nevertheless a wonderful tool, especially for university/college students who have to write argumentative essays for their coursework most of the time.

Writing is not an easy process, but starting to write is even harder. Your ideas may be all over the place; if they're not, you might also find it hard to start or probably overwhelmed by the blankness of the blank screen on your word processor. At least the thesis statements generated by this thesis generator can act as a head start for you to start writing your essay and develop your ideas.

Wonderful tool! Thanks to the inventor!!!

Oh, and what's more wonderful about it is that IT'S FREE!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Happy Birthday, Eadweard Muybridge

I like how creative Google is when it comes to designing their front page; they put up new and creative stuff everyday!

So from Google's front page, I realised that it's Eadweard Muybridge's birthday today (9th April). I do not know who he is but out of curiosity, I clicked on Google's banner (motion of horse-riding) and it led me to information about him.

I think he is more famous for his work on animal locomotion where he used multiple cameras to capture an object and strung these photos together to form a motion.

To read more about him and view some of his works, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge

Writing in the Night

I love writing and doing my assignment at night because of the cool breeze and the silence. Silence, hopefully it persists. Please, God.

I seem to be sleepwalking this semester and a heavy weight is weighing on me. To make it worse, Fortune chose to turn its wheel at this crucial period, and invited to my home the undeniable, nonsensical pests. Please God, please get them to move out soon.

I know I am asking for too much, but I really hope to get into the Dean's List this semester. There aren't much chances.

Belief, believe

I had been told, if I believe, things will turn out fine.
I thought fortune has changed for the better, but it turned out, dreams only last for a night.
Like Arabella in The Female Quixote, one has to return to reality, conformity, and lack of individuality.
How shameless art thou, when you had leave, as if in glory, and return, folgen behind your owner.
I won't describe you as a dog, like what your people have described us as, for you aren't worth that name.
Dogs are wonderful creatures, loyal and kind. You aren't worthy of that name.
Are we not too desperate sometimes, to the extent of having to tolerate and pretend to accept you people in the screen of so called progress?

Are we progressing, as a human race? Are we better off than in the past?

Or are we degrading...? Deprived of our morals? Deprived of our self-awareness, creativity and that human-ness?

I still believe that I should believe in you and that things will turn out fine. Perhaps too many people are praying and talking to you at the same time, that's why you have not yet heard my prayers. I'm sorry that I always come to you for things, but I will try my best to keep you in mind everyday. 

Deutscher Test

Heute habe ich einen Deutschen Test gemacht. Es war sehr schwierig. Es war viele sehr schwierige Worte. Ich hoffe, dass ich nicht den Test schlecht gemacht habe. Ich weiß nicht, ob meine GPA noch gut sein kann. Wenn ich denke an meine GPA, bin ich sehr traurig. Schade. Vielleicht bin ich nicht intelligent? Vielleicht kann ich nur als durchschnittlicher Mensch sein? Vielleicht, vielleicht, vielleicht...

Auch habe ich ein Skript für einen Wettbewerb abgeben. Hoffentlich kann ich einen Film zu machen.

Ich bin noch traurig, wenn ich über dem Test andenke. Hoffentlich kann ich überhaupt einen A- haben...

Schade. Ich denke, auch wenn T.O.P oder Big Bang erscheint vor mir, werde ich nicht glücklich sein.

Alle werde vorbei.

Fashion and Style

I was glad yesterday because a friend of mine said the shirt I was wearing is nice.

I'm not a fashionista, or what you would defined as a well-dressed person; in fact, I'm often too lazy to dress up, although I enjoy dressing well and am into fashion. 

To me, fashion is what the current trends is about. These trends will fade away and may return again some other time. 

On the other hand, style is something very individual. T-shirt and jeans can be a style; to me, some people really pulled them off very well and looked stylish while others (I'm probably one of them) just looked sloppy and too casual. Style is something very individualised and what defines you, fashion doesn't. Even if one has the most trendiest clothes, he/she cannot become a stylish person; instead, I would label these people as cookie cutter individual where they seem to wear the same thing as everyone else.

Last year, I was in love with the preppy style which I think consists mainly of the clothing basics. The keys to getting out of the mundane with these clothing basics are experiencing with bold elements, such as bold colours, statements accessories and print. It's challenging because this mix-and-match either makes or breaks your outfit. 

I think the preppy style is essential to getting wardrobe basics and building up your wardrobe. I thought the list below is a pretty good guide to building up a sustainable wardrobe:

Image Source: (http://matchbookmag.com/)

After acquiring these basics, one can mix-and-match or even incorporate new elements into an outfit. For instance, a white buttoned shirt and black pants might be too conventional, but it certainly adds a bit sparkles to the whole outfit if they were paired with say a bold leopard print jacket, a striking red blazer or a red pair of shoes. 

Ultimately, the proportion is the most important. Loose fitting clothes tend to make one looks sloppy, in my opinion. Of course that doesn't mean that people cannot wear loose fitting clothes. It's the proportion. Loose fitting clothes have the tendency to make one looks stretch out, hence making one looks short and squarish. However, if a loose fitting T-shirt, for example, is paired with a pair of skinny jeans, it might look okay. But ultimately, it boils down to comfort and confidence. 

Fashion and Style is something to be experience. We shouldn't confine ourselves within the safe zone of dressing. 

My Twitter Account

So, I just created a Twitter account... so that I can follow Taeyang on Twitter.

I know I may never ever get to meet Big Bang face to face in my entire life, or whatsoever... But just being able to follow them on a social media platform makes me feel happy already.

Imagine those days when social media has not yet exist? How happy were fans when they could write a letter to their idols!

Fans today are much more fortunate as compared to the past; or, are they? In one way, it's a great thing because fans have more opportunities and platforms to connect with their idols. Yet, there might be a information overload for both parties where fans have to check several medias and see if their idols updated anything, and the idols will be filled with fan's messages, so much to the extent that they might just miss it?

I just tweeted Taeyang! :D I don't expect him to reply, but I just hope he see it. Oh, I'm such a fan-girl!

On The Bright Side

I once came across this quote, "Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people". I'm not sure if it's by Eleanor Roosevelt since there were several disputes about it (Source).

I always keep this quote in mind because I find truth in it; I believe we don't have to gossip and badmouth others in order to start a conversation with people around us. There are much more meaningful to talk about rather than gossiping about how this someone talks with a weird accent, how this person overdresses to class, how this behaves, etc...

I always remind myself that if we need to gossip and criticise others, and bring others down in order to feel powerful, we are really pathetic.

Yet, we can stop ourselves from gossiping, but can we stop others from gossiping and criticising us? The mouth is theirs, how can we stop?

Today, I feel that this girl in my group is kind of against me. Whenever I mentioned an idea, she will immediately bring it down and give unconstructive comments such as, "this design concept is really ugly". When she asked for suggestions and I told her mine, she laughed about it with this girl whom who is close to in the group. Although I was a distance away, I could hear it. I don't understand why she must laugh at my ideas and criticise it. Is it to make herself feel powerful as if she has an edge over me? Or putting me down makes her glad? Why can't she just tell me directly what is exactly wrong and unsuitable for our project instead of making fun of it to another person thinking that I do not know/hear it?

Does she know her actions will make a self-conscious person like me less confident? Does she know what she did can totally ruin my day? Yeah, I know she didn't directly ruin my day, but... Well...

Okay, look on the bright side, perhaps she's just jealous of me or I'm a threat to her yeah? Perhaps, there's just something that she's unaware of?

Look on the bright side... Ha, who am I kidding?

But still, I'll be fine in a while. Perhaps over a good night sleep, perhaps after some Big Bang shows.

I just read this article on Elvin Ng's blog; I believe he is refering to his father. I felt like crying when I read it; yet, it also cheers me up a little because that girl laughing at my ideas seems so insignificant as compared to all the wonderful things and moments that I have. Life's too short to be so conscious all the time.

I'll get over it, soon.

Boom Shakalaka!

Finally, I sat myself for the past hours to finish a decent draft for an essay that is due this coming Monday, albeit playing Free Cell in between. I have been procrastinating the idea of forming a decent draft and arranging the ideas in a coherent manner for quite some time after I came up with my essay plan and ideas. But today, finally I'm done. I told myself that if I can't finish by 9.30 pm tonight, I shall not watch the You're Beautiful (Minamishineyo) which is showing on T.V at 9.30 pm tonight.

Unfortunately, tonight is the last episode. Minamishineyo is the only Korean drama that I'm watching after not watching Korean dramas for many years. School work has kept me from watching the TV. On some weekends, I had rather be with my books and do my readings. But that's a good thing. After this Saturday, I'm gonna go back to mugging mode. I've been slacking and sleeping too much these few days. It's like I am sleepwalking through this semester. I want to get a GPA of 4.5 this semester, I shouldn't slack anymore! I fall behind readings, and lack inspirations for my essays. Gonna get my feet up and my drive back! Gambatte!!!

For now, I shall allow my brain cells to multiply and produce a little by listening to some new songs of Big Bang before working on my essay again.

I particularly like Fantastic Baby. The rhythm just makes me feel very awake.

And I love their printed pants and jackets so much! I'm still rather reserved when it comes to clothing choices. The most prominent bottoms I had wore were a pair of bright green high-waist shorts with gold buttons, and a tie-dyed pair of jeans.

Oh, and Blue, it's so dreamy! I should learn Korean someday so that if I ever become a journalist or something someday, I can interview Bigbang!!! T.O.P's outfit is so awesome in that above video. I have the same stripe-shirt; I would really love to have that pants and a blazer, albeit a more feminine cut, to wear with my stripe-shirt. And his deep voice is so mesmerizing. I just have a weakness for super deep voice. And not forgetting, his cool and seemingly nonchalent attitude that emits rays that say, "I'm a star".

Before I end off, I would like to share this picture of Jang Geun Suk. His hairstyle is so nice, and it's something I would like to try someday (I know it seems like an easy hairdo, but I don't know how I can make it looks stylish on me):

Image Source

I really like what the Korean males wear and are things that I will like to incorporate into my wardrobe. I feel really uncomfortable if I'm dressed in pinkly-girly-dolly manner. It's just too "feminine" for my character. I like a combination of masculine and feminine. That's why I like Rui En's, a Singaporean actress, style so much:



Image Source



About Love

From an article I read on msn.com about Jason Segel, the actor from How I Met Your Mother:

"I don't want to have a girlfriend for the sake of having a girlfriend. I have no desire to pick a random girl. I want the right girl. There are plenty of opportunities, but I would rather have the right one." -- (Source)

My first A Essay in the University

Recently I got back my essay and I was surprised that I've gotten an A. It is the first time in the University that I've gotten an A for an essay. I'm elated, although the essay only makes up 10% of the total marks for that module. But still, it's encouraging. I should start on my another essay soon. Hopefully I will do as well.

"There is a stillness which makes you travel faster. There is a silence which makes you fly." -- Okri, Ben. The Famished Road.

STAY HUMBLE. STAY DILIGENT.

Androgynous Fashion

To what extent can society accept androgynous fashion?

For quite a long time, women wearing men's clothing, such as buttoned shirts, T-shirts, and jackets, are deemed as socially acceptable, or even fashionable. There are even pieces inspired by male clothing such as the boyfriend jeans and the blazer. As a female, I personally think men's (inspired) clothing pieces such as the blazers are really cool.




Source: http://k-a-t-r-a-n-t-z-o-u.tumblr.com/


However, how many people actually think that men wearing pieces that are inspired by the female fashion socially acceptable? While men's fashion has introduced more numbers of bold elements such as bold colours and fanciful patterns over the years, how far can society actually accept a male wearing the so-called "feminine" clothing or a piece directly from the female's wardrobe?

Korean celebrity Jang Geun Suk is an example who has been criticised for some of his fashion outfit. He has been spotted in several events wearing female-fashion inspired clothing. To what extent is men wearing female-fashion inspired pieces acceptable?

Some examples of Jang wearing female-fashion inspired clothing:

Source: http://www.allkpop.com/2010/09/jang-geun-suks-odd-fashion-catches-attention

Source: http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4050329&page=2

Personally, I think as long as the clothes fit and look great on the person who wears it, it is acceptable for men to incorporate a little bit of feminine pieces into their wardrobes. As for the above two pictures of Jang, I personally think that the first one would have been awesome if he'd chosen a top that is more fitting. Nevertheless, I think the second outfit was great!

Strange as it may sound, as a female, I actually look up to Jang for fashion inspirations. And a little digression and incorporation of fan-girl mentality, I would really like to meet him in person someday.