Its been awhile since I actually blogged, so here's some updates!

Last Friday (23rd November)
I left my house and went to por por's house
to help out with the sorting out of stamps.
The range of years was from 1960s to 2000s
and many looked so unique and antique.
Soon, Joan came over by train and joined me for dinner.
Gong gong gave me a $5 NTUC Voucher,
so we went to Singapore Post's branch,
hoping that it was still open also hoping that we could buy
'Seventeen' magazine for Yatavee.
When we reached there, it was open but we couldn't find the magazine.
We tried 7-11 but we still could not find the magazine,
so we went back empty handed.
Anyway, I was really tired so we slept for day.

Last Saturday (24th November)
What really woke me up at 7am
(the earliest for this break) that day was the sky.
After a long time, I was finally able to see the sky
because my room has a high wall that doesn't allow
the sun to be seen in the morning. The sky that woke me up
was blue-ish with a slash of red in the middle.
It just reminded me of the past when I was in Primary five,
sleeping at Haig Road everyday with annie kookoo.
I woke up, washed up, cut my nails and there was Joan
standing by the sliding doors, looking at me.
We ate breakfast and left for the park.
Joan spotted some a bunch of 3-leaved clovers
and we can't help but plucking two of them.
We ate laksa - simply delicious!
We went back to Haig Road to bath and left to watch
Enchanted (again for me) but it is a very good show in my opinion.
Afterwhich, we went our own ways.

Monday (26th November)
The weather has been very unpredictable
over the past few days.
Jocelyn had a bbq/chalet over at downtown east
and was quite troubled with the satay.
A call was made and the satay arrived at my
doorstep to be placed in the freezer.
I left the house at about 4:30pm to see
Shu Jun, Ellisa, Yi Jun and Jocelyn at the chalet.
Choh Wai came at a later time. We all tried to get the fire started. 
While trying to get the fire to start,
Jun Xiang joined in after his work to help get the fire started.
After about an hour or so, the fire finally warmed up.
Actually Jocelyn's parents,
who both did not stay for the night, did most of the work.
Ellisa, Jun Xiang, Shu Jun and I
went to play pool first while the rest continue to eat.
While pool-ing, Wie Jie joined us but didn't play a game or two.
We took turns amongst ourselves and slowly walked back to the chalet.
I was thinking if I should stay overnight because
firstly it has been a long time since I stay over at
a chalet and would be a wasted opportunity.
Also, it was too late as I did not bring my house key
along with me and I would cause a huge commotion
if I were to call someone back home in the wee hours
just to open the door. So yep, I stayed overnight at the chalet.
Shu Jun had to go back as he couldn't stay.
We all didn't sleep. We played mahjong and a card game the whole night.
Yi Jun was 'high' while watching ET but soon fell asleep.

Tuesday (27th November)
Ok, its a bit of complicated because some that
happened above did happen below
as once we started to play mahjong, it was about
12am so I am really confused with
the time. All except Jun Xiang, Ellisa and I went to get
alcoholic drinks at Pasir Ris Central.
And so at about 6:50am, Ellisa, Wie Jie and I left for the class picnic.
I went home to duplicate the class video for 18 pieces
and took a quick shower. Afterwhich I flagged for a taxi,
he brought me to meet Chin Sian and Firdaus at White Sands,
then to East Coast Park to meet the rest.
Who was there? Samuel, Pheobe and Benny.
I was practically stonning because of the lack of sleep.
Soon, Ellisa and Wie Jie came to join us.
What great thing happen? It started to rain. HA.
Ellisa and I had a difficult time to tell the minority 
that we had to go real soon because the food that Pheobe
brought was not open as the rest had not come.
Wie Jie suggested to go to play pool which was located upstairs.
Everyone went up and they they started to take turns.
Soon, Sairah called me. She was at Bedok MRT Station
and asked me which bus will bring them to where we were.
Soon, Iman also called me to ask me to pick
Nazirull, Zahid, Danial and himself from the beach.
The moment I brought them upstairs,
I broke the silence and told them that we had to make a move.
We flagged a taxi that was coming
(At this point, I was really thinking to myself, that I won't never think of,
that it was god who sent a taxi as it is quite difficult to get a taxi in that area) towards us,
when it dropped off two passengers. We went to Ellisa's house
as she wanted to let off some load from her bag and
met Jocelyn, Jun Xiang and Choh Wai at Escape Theme Park.
We bought a ticket at $7.00 and
I got a Funky card with a value of $3 inside.
Anyway, we went inside to find that the three of them
only took the Go Kart ride because
it took one hour to queue. We took the following in order:
Carnival Game (met Sri) Flipper, Haunted,
Inverter (without Choh Wai, while Ellisa was nervous)
Afterwhich, we took a drink at BK and went back
to the chalet to sleep till about 6pm.
Ellisa left not long after, followed by Jun Xiang. Choh Wai
and I accompanied Jocelyn for the last night.
Watching a movie "Spirited Away" and eating instant noodles.
We fell asleep right after that.

Today (28 November)
Checked out.

derek

 YAY ITS HOLIDAYS!
Sadly, there goes again. As I said, the same question rings inside.
"Should I seriously work?"

I don't really like to work this holiday. Not now, perhaps January.
What I feel that this should be the time to either
(i) build up your resume (taking courses)
(ii) catch up with your family members or relatives or friends
(iii) relax real hard after all these months of studying
(iv) volunteering work

So I wanted to take a hike to Macritchie Reservoir for a hike.
However, its the monsoon season now and the ground would be muddy or slippery.
Here's how to get there:
1. Take MRT to Braddell
2. Proceed to Braddell Road, bus-stop number: 52039, to board.
3. Take either bus number 93 or 157 to reach Thomson Road (Opposite Macritchie Reservoir)
4. Alight at the 5th stop, bus-stop number: 51079.
And of course the way back!
1. Proceed to Thomson Road, on the same side as
Macritchie Reservoir, bus-stop number: 51071, to board.
2. Take either bus number 93 or 157 to reach Braddell Road (Opposite Fujitec Singapore)
3. Alight at the 5th stop, bus-stop numver: 52031.
4. Walk over to Braddell MRT.
Thanks to: www.streetdirectory.com | you'll be lost without it.

What is up for me the next few days?
- I may be going to watch a movie with Chin Sian.
- I may be catching up with my friends if they are free.
- I may be going to Haig Road to stay over for two nights (or one).
- I will be going to watch a movie with Joan.
- I will, one day, bring August out for a morning walk.
- I will be going to cut my long nails, its freaking long.

If I work, is it for the money?
I don't think so.
Even if I had the money,
I have nothing in mind to buy as of now.
If I work, is it for the experience?
Most likely.

I guess the bottomline.
I will help me father to do up their company's website.

derek

 jie jie's birthday - 17 nov
We went Hard Rock Cafe to eat. The ambience
reminded me of a mixture of Billy Bombers and Hooters.
I saw a picture of an autographed janet jackson's
control album framed and nailed onto the wall.
when I went closer, there were 2 other pictures,
one of which was a hand-drawn by janet herself!
Earlier in the day, we brought august to a deserted
part of east coast park and it was her first time she swam.
at first, she was afraid of the water, but soon, she was
able to enter the water and started to get the hang of it.
we played catching on the sand and yep,
she ran really fast with those short legs!

my birthday - 18 nov
I was awakened by the knock of the door - it was mom
who wanted me to accompany her to ntuc.
I changed and followed her to get stuff for that night
and wanted me to get a pair of slippers.
I didn't see the urgency but anyway I just followed, thinking
that 'since I still have to buy, why not buy it now?"
On our way down from the surfer's paradise,
mom told me that jie jie wanted ritz (the biscult).
We went out of the carpark, I saw jie driving the other car.
I told mom why is she driving? She said "Perhaps another outing with Joan?"
I didn't think deeper. We went to Mobil's ntuc to get ritz.
When we reached home, jie jie and Joan was at home already home.
jie jie asked me 'Eh get the camera's battery from upstairs'. 
I got curious cos the battery is always in the camera
and what's more, she would not charge it herself but anyway, 
I went up to check if the battery was charging.
It wasn't there. Soon, I heard Joan
running up the stairs. She asked "found it?" I told her no.
She changed the topic by asking "how was your grad night?".
There and then, I felt something was wrong.
jie jie from below shouted "Eh, got the battery, its here!". 
I went down, already expecting a surprise from my family.
Who did I see? Firdaus, Roy, Benny, Jing Wen, Pheobe and Ellisa!
A surprise I totally didn't expect!
Organised by jie jie and firdaus. Thanks to all!
We played mahjong and ate pizza hut while
it was cold as it was raining heavily.
Mom sent them home and we went to Joan's house for dinner.
I didn't really eat alot because of the pizzas.
Thanks for everyone who remembered my birthday!

derek

 Just came back home and on Wednesday, 14th,
was the Graduation Day held at night at Swissotel (The Stamford).

Alarm went off and I woke up at about 11am, ate my breakfast-cum-lunch - chicken rice, and decided to cut my hair. It all took me up to 2pm to get my hair done. At about 3pm, I took out my one and only pair of contact lenses! 1 hour. I managed to have that pair inside my eyes without the optician within an hour (It wasn't that bad to think that it was my first time after so many months of trying). So I dressed up, charged the camera and brought two SD Cards.

It was time to leave the house. I felt really nervous after so many days. How will everyone look? How will the video be? Will what I dressed be not as formal as compared to rest? These questions kept ringing inside my head when we were on the way to get Firdaus and Benny. Firdaus showed up in his own version of 'Michael Jackson' with the fedora hat he bought for $10 (shh!) while Benny seemed good in his long sleeve and long pants. We were a bit quiet in my mom's car (thanks for the ride!) as we were very nervous to meet the rest.

At about 6:25pm, we reached Swissotel. No familar faces when we stepped out of the car. It was only when we took the escalator upstairs to the fourth level when a lady asked if we were from Siglap. I believe there were two schools having Graduation Night on the same day but in different ballroom - ours was Stamford Ballroom.
Tommy, Samuel, Barnabas, Justin, Jun Xiang, Choh Wai, Wei Jie, Nicholas and some others were first at sight. Chin Sian and Roy joined the group with Benny, Firdaus and I. Iman, Danial, Izzul and a lot others soon arrived. We registered at the reception and went inside to the waiting area where many drank soft drinks and chit-chat.

The doors open and we went inside to see a grand, column-free ballroom that could easily hold up to 1,000 people. Each class had four tables (10 people on each table) and ours were located at the front, on the left side (2 infront and 2 behind). The rest of the people in our class started to pour in, however, the other table behind was half-occupied by the sec fours due to lack of space. The first thing I noticed was the screens. They had two huge screens at the side and a stage in between. I sat behind, where mostly malays were sitted, closest to the food for easy reach.

The guest of honour arrived. Talked. Principal went up on stage. Talked. The first tribute video was next on the programme sheet. My hands were really cold because I was afraid that the class video that I've done will not be as nice as compared to the others. The buffet started and Firdaus and I were amongst the first few to queue. The food was generally alright but the prawns were exceptionally huge even when its unshelled. Took the main dishes and bread pudding. The second video played, so on and so forth. My hands were getting cold each time it was played. During breaks, I went to the toilet. Beautiful toilet. I knew I had to take a picture of it.

Soon, 5N1's video was next. Those from our class sitted on the other table, which was half-occupied by the sec fours, shifted themselves forward to the table infront of us to get better view of the last two class video of the secondary fives. I was already having butterflies in my stomach, but when their video played, more insects started to form in my stomach. It was really beautifully done. The front part of the video showed the lights of a stadium switching on, as though the everything seemed very majestic. The lights dimmed and it just reminds me of a movie that will catch everyone's attension. Their video went smoothly except for a period of silence.
Everyone was expecting something bigger than that already, I knew. Soon, it was 5N2's video. The video I've been editing for the past few months ever since September when I changed my msn nickname to urge members of our class to send me a picture or two to me for the video. I've seen this video many times until I did not know what else should I edit. Finally this was the moment. My stomach was really aching. The video played on and I was eyeing on everyone's reaction to different parts of the video. Certainly, I'm glad that the class jokes were spotted and mostly did enjoy the video. After the video, Liyana walked over to me, tearing, thanking me for the video. Mdm Zubaidah walked over and told me that she was impressed with it, and told me it was indeed the best out of the rest of the other classes. I felt relieve but still could not help the pain in my stomach.

Lucky draw - not so lucky for me! Shini, Yi Jun, Jing Wen, Tommy and Barnabas were luckier. We had mass dance - led by Mr Tharmen. "Wind It Up" by Gwen Stefani. We all went on stage to dance! Dancing in circles, Chin Sian lost his balance and fell down! Lots of class and individual shots! Roy, Chin Sian, Benny, Firdaus was in my mom's car on the way to respective homes. Needed her help to remove contacts too! haha! Below are the pictures taken!

derek

derek

 Yes. Unfortunate Events.
I am not performing for the most anticipated event of this whole year - Graduation Night.
Well, not surprising after months of not-so-fortunate events.

January: Friday Sharing Session
Frstly, my idea* was not followed up. Being tolerant, I just took a breath and went with the flow. Jing Wen's idea was brought up and was supported by her friends, who made up majority of the group, to share our, talk-is-cheap, class value: Teamwork. Others kept saying that the script isn't up to their standard, without even placing any effort to amend the lines. I was not angry just because my idea wasn't chosen, but also fed-up at how everything was handled. I could only recall that I did the bulk of it. This is some serious bullshit teamwork.
*my idea: Perform 'Imagine' by John Lennon (an anti-violence, hoping for a better world kinda song) because it was rather out-of-the-box rather than those stupid reflections and sharing of class values. 

February: Chinese New Year
I did not perform for Chinese New Year as I was told that the song did not fit in well. I remember it was 2 days to the actual performance day and it will be too late by the time I think of another song to replace "Get Together", let alone under such bad planning. 3:30pm was said to be the start of the first reheasal. It wasn't until the PA boys shouted: "Hey! We'll be closing the hall if you [Miss Dai Yuwen (Teacher-in-charge)] don't start now!" That, my goodness, was 5pm! The school planned to crash Total Defence Day and Chinese New Year together, which meant commemorating a sad day and a happy upbeat event on the same day. The beauty of a song is how people intepret it. If my chessy idea of getting everyone, regardless of races to celebrate one's race occasion, I wonder how did the graduated students able to dance to hip hop music where neither of their dance steps nor songs were related to Chinese New Year in any aspects. It wasn't even worth it even though I prepared a backup song for the last day rehearsal; it wasn't even put into consideration.

July: Racial Harmony
A follow-up promise was made during the last reheasal for Chinese New Year that I would be able to perform for Racial Harmony Day. I was looking forward as usual whenever I had a chance to finally perform. Not this time. There were no proper rehearsals for this date. Wait, let me take it back. There was no rehearsals at all! All I saw with my own eyes on that day was some 5N1 students jamming in their Racial Harmony coustumes. Where was the promise made? Obviously a promise to shut me up.

August: Teachers Day
What an event to make a comeback after my Secondary two performance! However, this was during our prelims. I thought that my idea would be a rather unique performance compared to the annual rock bands and strumming of guitars. Most of the graudating students, who had planned to perform on stage for the very last time in this school, were very upset when they heard that they were not allowed to perform on Teachers Day. I was told that the lower secondary counsellors were the judges for this year's event, and perhaps, they were probably not experienced.

November: Graduation Night
After all those rejected performances listed above, I was hoping for a last performace with the school. It all started in September when I thought: "Which song should I perform that is related to this?" After several attempts, I came out with a medley. I recorded it and posted online to let people outside SSS to give me feedback. After I gathered information, I tried again and again, constantly improving it. As the date approaches, during the O levels, I asked around for information on the auditions for this. However, it never came back. The most recent I heard: No vacancies.

So much for a happy ending!

What to expect for my next entries?
- Graduation Night: The Video!
- Graduation Night itself!!
- Flashbacks of the past!
- Outing with friends!
- etc!!!

 I still can't take it into mind that O levels is over.
I mean after so many years of studying just to
prepare for this - and now its over (not including CLB cos its not really a subject)

What are my plans for this whole month?
Sure there's a few things to be settled before 14 November.
I am unsure if I should wear something I can find at home or
should I, follow almost everyone's decision, to purchase the clothing.
I guess I am most comfortable going to dig up and match with what I have to look formal.
Perhaps I shall just get a collered shirt.
After 14 November?
I hate to think about this.

Spent the last 3 hours looking through what interesting events I can
participate just like last year but in October.

i think my favourite colour should be yellow.

derek

 Given from the school today is my testimonial so here is it =)

Heng Jin Hua Derek was a student of Siglap Secondary School from 2003 - 2007 where he pursued in a course in the Normal Academic Stream.

Derek is a highly motivated student who is rather independent and not easily swayed by peer influence. He makes an excellent role model. His keen sense of learning and desire to achieve traits that set him apart from the rest. He has a good sense of time management; he is one who leads a balance lifestyle, engaging in his personal hobbies where he can. He has maintained a hood academic standing in all his five years in Siglap, which earned him the Edusave Award for four consecutive years (2003-2006). His fluency in the in the English Language had also earned him the Speak Good English badge from the English Department in 2007. He contributed in the inter-class debate as one of the main speakers in 2005.

Derek can be depended on to complete on a task well. His positions as Class Manager, Key Manager and Class Treasurer (2005-2007) had honed his leadership skills. He discharges responsibility promptly and is able to work on his own and make sound decisions. He displays self-discipline and has good powers of concentration. He is greatly attentive, well behaved and has regular study habits. He is self-motivated to do his best at all times and shows a balanced interest in his studies as well as in his co-curricular activity. He excels in self-supervision and is able to prioritize tasks effectively.

As team player, Derek does not disappoint. He possesses team spirit and shows excellent results in working with his peers. His commitment to the group was always obvious, as time and again, he has proven to be totally reliable in his efforts. He often displayed tremendous interest and enthusiasm on the job. He was diligent, quick, and analytical and offered much constructive work consistently. In addition to the good interpersonal skills that he had demonstrated while dealing with peers and senior, he had also gained the confidence and respect of the team as a peer they could reply on. Being bright, organized and tenacious, Derek can be entrusted with a range of duties with the assurance that things will get done competently.

Derek has a keen eye for photography. The same drive to excel spills over to his recreational pursuits. His best moment was when he won an award for a photography competition called 'Facets', organized by the Nanyang Polytechnic in 2005 for his work entitled, 'Perfect Camouflage'. His commendable efforts led to his attainment of the Eagles Award in 2006 and 2007. He had also contributed significantly as the Vice-President of the Photography Club for three years (2003 - 2005). His level of commitment had been impressive; his extensive knowledge in photography and information technology was due to his tireless efforts to develop and upgrade his skills thought his participation in the various trainings, camps and hands-on experience in school.

Derek is a gem of student. He is mature in his thoughts and action and has strong ethics and values. He has an inquisitive mind and is receptive to new ideas. He stands out prominently among his classmates in being efficient in all the things he does. He is also someone who dares to veer off the path well trodden and do things that are extraordinary. His solo hip-hop dance on stage in 2004 is a testimony to that. He is also committed to helping the less fortunate. In 2006, at the Club Momo, he performed two songs in an effort to raise funds for the Assisi Home and Hospice organized by Dotbox.

All in all Derek has led an active and fulfilling school life and will no doubt find greater opportunities which will enrich his life further. He would be a resounding success in any field.

derek

 The clock ticks.
11 years of schooling.
Almost coming to an end of a phase.
Almost there in just a few more days and papers.
Lately, nothing's up - just the exams.

'What will I do after the exams?' will be the hot topic once again.
I guess this time I would really want to bump. Some serious bump.
Perhaps catch up with some of my friends and cousins.
I may want to stay over at my grandmother's house because its been
months since I've seen them or rather stayed with them.
See how everything goes though.
Perhaps I may work or do volunteering work similar to last year.

I don't wish to talk about the exams
including all the ups and the downs
cos its been talked over and over again.
derek