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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

It's been over a month since I've last blogged, and I can tell you why: school work.

I so should have been done with all my assignments by now, but procrastination keeps buffeting me. Back when my lecturer announced that we had to do a book review, I couldn't wait to start. But then I couldn't get through the first chapter of Emma again so it just got held off till now.

And now I'm not even doing Emma anymore. Hellooo, John Green. In hindsight it's amazing that my friend Sin Yee gave me a copy of his book, The Fault In Our Stars, because I have so many things to write about it for the book review. Heck, even the author's own website has FAQs on the book.

Also, the second reason I haven't been able to finish my work earlier is my new obsession with nail polish. I wholly blame Xiang Ning and Gladys for that. They took me to my first manicure/pedicure ever, and which girl wouldn't fall in love with the way her nails shone after that?

Hence lately I've been staying up way later than my self-imposed bedtime of midnight, and turning up to work more zombiefied than usual. On the plus side, my nails are pretty. Well, to me anyway.

And isn't that all that matters? If I think my nails are pretty, then it doesn't matter who doesn't. Like this particular comic I saw on Facebook, "If you think you're sexy, then damn it, you are sexy."

I can't agree with that enough.


"If you think you're hungry, then damn it, you are hungry."

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Chinese New Year 2013

This was definitely one of the best Chinese New Years I've ever had.

First, the amount of money in my angbaos increased, for reasons unknown - not that I'm complaining, of course.

Second, there was a lunch banquet at OCBC Centre's Peach Garden restaurant (which I didn't know existed). FREE GOOD FOOD IS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Third and most importantly, I finally got to know some of my cousins better.

I've been in a sort of stagnant turmoil since the realization that I barely know anyone's names on my dad's side of the family. Hence a decision was made: I needed to talk more.

I know, I know. How does one even shut me up?
Answer: Put me in a room with people that share part of the same genes as me that I only see once per year.

It's wildly effective.

Although this year was better because when I joked about being shy when my aunt asked, "Why are you so quiet today," she just paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. After which she told my other aunt about it, who laughed as well.

At least some people in that room knew about my being loud/incessantly talkative.

Oh, fourth point: I won money in blackjack!! Gambling and winning minuscule amounts of money make me very happy. Money is money is money.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Pffft Valentine's

Since Chinese New Year is imminent, I was clearing out my closet and cupboards last night, and I found tons of mix CDs that I'd made eons ago.

From the first one to the last (I'd labeled them, too), I could see the number of Chinese songs slowly being replaced by more English ones. Interesting - my childhood in songs.

So I put one of them on, and now Fish Leong's famous song about breaking up is stuck in my head. Early this morning when I woke up, it had been "勇气" (Courage).

The songs spoke to me, even though I'm not in a relationship and never have been, which signifies so much about the lyrics. In the break-up song ("分手快乐"), there's a line where the broken-hearted girl laments about being alone for Valentine's Day, and Fish tells her that if you've found the right person, every day is Valentine's Day.

And with V Day right around the corner, I can't help but slam my fist on the table in total agreement ("HELLS YEAH! TELL HER, FISHY!"). Why commemorate your love on the same day as everybody else? Sure, it probably feels good that you have a boyfriend/girlfriend to shower you with gifts and extra attention on V Day, but isn't it better if they don't save up all their energy and love for that one day?

Wouldn't it be better if he/she peppered you with little thoughtful gifts throughout the weeks and made extra time for you once in a while for a good meal?

Maybe that's too much to ask. It would take a great deal of thoughtfulness and care (not to mention money) on their part to keep that up. But still, they don't have to be materialistic! Just a simple handwritten note with love is sufficient, in my opinion. Or little gestures like buying your favorite snack ("Oh wow tutu kueh! I HEART YOU") or helping to buy that pair of socks because there are holes in yours and you always forget.

In an ideal world, this would totally be my relationship but we all know fantasy doesn't mix with reality (unless we're talking about unicorns - they are real), so I guess we can all just hope and pray that we meet that girl/guy for whom we like enough to throw away that fantasy.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Ice cream

Had a lot of fun last night at dinner with my group of crazy friends and that one random kitten.

We went to this Indian restaurant and they actually forgot to bill us for two of our meals, so we just paid and scattered the hell out of there. Sure, I feel terrible, but even more so when I think about the lack of funds in my bank account.

Sorry dudes, next time I'll tip.

Afterwards we went for homemade ice cream at Merely's Ice Cream Parlor at Sunshine Plaza, and they had this stout chocolate flavor which was so good. Their green tea is awesome, too. Tastes like Starbucks' green tea latte.

Conversation never ceased between us at all because I had some anecdotes to spill, and everybody's reactions were really fun. I guess it's considered a good night for me when I get to talk a lot.

Or dance a lot. Man, I can't wait for Mutemath's concert - I am going to dance the heck out of it.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday, anyone?

I don't know why I woke up in a good mood today (after all the customary grumbling about waking up early, that is), but so far it's lasted two hours so here's to hoping it lasts all day.

No one has pissed me off yet, and I'm trying to keep myself thinking positively to prevent inner conflict. My Epic Songs playlist has helped tremendously.

These songs don't necessarily have lyrics that are mind-blowing or melodies that make you weep, but to me the tunes are pretty awesome. I don't have a running theme for them, like inspiring songs in particular or whatever. They're just songs that routinely get stuck in my head and make me smile.

Cheryl's Epic Songs Playlist:  
  1. Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance
  2. Boy - Waitress
  3. Florence + The Machine - You've Got The Love
  4. Foo Fighters - Come Back
  5. Foo Fighters - Let It Die
  6. Imagine Dragons - It's Time
  7. Incubus - Isadore
  8. Jack Johnson - Sitting, Waiting, Wishing (Live Version)
  9. The Killers - Losing Touch
  10. The Killers - All These Things That I've Done
  11. Maroon 5 - How
  12. Mayday Parade - Save Your Heart
  13. Mayday Parade - Stay
  14. Mayday Parade - I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Make Nothing At All
  15. Michael Bolton - Go The Distance
  16. Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out
  17. Paramore - All I Wanted
  18. The Reign Of Kindo - I Hear That Music Play
  19. Shinedown - Burning Bright (Sanford Mix)
  20. Shinedown - Breaking Inside
  21. The Stone Roses - This Is The One
  22. Taking Back Sunday - Call Me In The Morning
Hmm, I never realized I had so many Mayday Parade songs on this.

Anyway, all these songs are awesome to sing along to because a lot of words are dragged out (in  musical terms it's called "sustaining the note") and I like 'em that way. You can just belt it all out.

If you have time, why not compile a list of your own? Songs that pick you up when you're feeling down, and give you good vibes when you're feeling just okay. Let me know if you have songs to share!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

I used to think that I made this blog so that strangers could fall in love with my searing wit and charm, but whom am I kidding? This blog serves one purpose only: for me to rant about daily life undisturbed.

Sure, I'd love a blog where thousands of strangers commiserate over my anecdotes, or perhaps feel strongly about some opinion of mine enough to leave an intelligent comment or, y'know, ten.

But most days I don't ponder about big stuff and instead lament about what is and what isn't, which may get old really fast. Heck, with the invention of WhatsApp and Wi-Fi, even my own friends don't visit this blog anymore. How do I expect strangers to give me the pleasure of having my stuff read?

Later in class, we're all supposed to give a 7 to 10-minute speech individually, on any topic. Sometimes we complain when the teachers limit us; other times (like this) we complain that we have too much freedom. "Any topic? That's hard!"

It's the same thing with material items. When I worked in a record store (by 'record' I mean CDs and DVDs), we had clearance sales from time to time, and customers would come up to me with a $2 CD and go, "Is this really $2?"

"Yes, it is," I'd reply. To which the customer would widen their eyes in incredulity and cry, "Oh my god, this must be defective! How can it be so cheap??" and throw the CD on the counter in a dramatic fit of rage.

I am not kidding.

The purpose of this post was to calm myself down. You see, I have this colleague at work who drives me absolutely nuts. He's condescending and mean. Almost every day I get pissed off by something he does or says, and now I realize he's not worth my anger.

Still, a temper is one of the hardest things to control, and I keep finding myself texting friends about his misdemeanors, using a lot of expletives. It has got to stop. You may say venting my anger is a good thing, and even better that I have multiple outlets to vent to, but after I vent, I continue venting in my head and on my blog. It seems to me to be a little too much.

I honestly fear for my mental health. This morning was so bad that I could feel myself getting into a funk, and thinking thoughts like, "If I get depression I'm suing him," or "If I turn insane and start killing people, the first I'll murder is him."

It's probably not that crazy of me to think those thoughts, but you can't deny it's still unhealthy.

Main thing is, I don't really have anything to complain about. I'll just suck it up and talk about anything during class later. It's all about perspective; some people can't even pay for classes.

This is when music comes in handy. Right now, Devastation & Reform by Relient K is what fits my mood exactly.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

It's been a tiring week of work and school and Facebook status updates, but I think yesterday went pretty well in terms of fun.

I had some.

Class can't really go wrong when there's food involved, y'know what I mean? Especially if it's free chocolate. If only the lesson picked up its pace a little, it'd have been perfect - our lecturer really moves too slow for my taste. I appreciate him, honestly, but I wouldn't complain if he suddenly decided to just show us videos the whole time.

Stress is buffeting me constantly!

But of course, I inflicted all the stress on myself because of my procrastination habit.

I can't help it.

Don't tell me you've never put off doing something for no reason before. You'd be lying through your perfectly-lined white teeth.