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    November 10

    Motivation?

    12 November - Assignment Submissions
    13 November - Dreams II Concert
    14 November - Birthdays Dinner
    16 November - MTV EMAs 2009
    17 November - Janet Jackson's Greatest Hits Album
    17 November - Alicia Keys: Dancing With the Stars
    17 November - Sister's Birthday :D
    18 November - Janet Jackson's interview on Michael
    18 November - My Birthday :D
    20 November - Tote Board Website Results
    22 November - American Music Awards

    24 November - Alicia Keys: Today Show Concert Series
    28 November - Gong Gong's Birthday Dinner

    That's sort of my timetable-slash-motivation till the end of November x.x

    derek
    November 02

    Once Again

    Happy November, everyone!
    Don't everyone love this time of the year when the weather
    is cooler and it is closer to the New Year? I love it!

    Actually I find that there are so many things on my mind
    but somehow, I find it pointless talking about it
    because nothing good will return. Some may
    already know but I'm under pressure
    to hand in my work when I have to
     juggle my time with work, family
    and friends - let alone personal
    time for myself, which is bad
    enough and now, without
    being late for submission.
    What's worst, I saw a post on
    Facebook with the list of names
    who handed in late with the title as
    "Public Shaming"
    It's not like we planned for it.
    It's not like we didn't put in our best effort.
    It's not like we didn't have our own personal timetable.
    How to hand in quality work when we can't have time
    to execute something good without having anyone disturbing
    us in class daily? and also fail for being late to submit our assignment?
    I'm not in the list but I think this is getting way out of hand and a total bullshit.


    derek
    October 25

    So you can: Act bad, don't hurt me, look sexy, talk dirty.

    A lot of things happened on the first week
    but there were some which I really couldn't forget.

    Doesn't Mean Anything
    While I was eating my lunch on Thursday at Mensa with my friends,
    I started waving profusely when I saw someone really familar. One of
    my unfriendly coursemates, (I think) saw me looking at his direction and
    thought that I was waving to him, sort of tilited his head upwards (to return the
    greeting, I suppose, without a smile - lol, I don't know why), which is besides the
    current point I'm about to bring up: I saw Pete! He's one of my closest friends from
    Indonesia and he's an Alicia Keys fan (holaa!!) because I didn't really expect to meet him
    here in Singapore and it was a complete surprise but sadly, he will return next week
    as he's here to help his brother with some family problems. I have to agree with
    him that her new song isn't as good as her previous but nevertheless,
    anything from her! (ELLOS! If you are reading this :)

    Happy: And you know it.
    Happy to be in the same class with Siti and Leslie for this block,
    happy for TB competition to finally come to an end, finally.
    Happy that school starts 30 minutes later then before,
    happy to have Monday off this block and
    I'm especially happy for D!
    (btw, I'm that someone lol)

    Leslie just came home this morning
    from the week's long field camp and
    now has a sore throat while my sister has
    her friends over to spend the time while she
    cooks dinner and have a random gathering today.
    I watched The Blue Mansion with Jun Xiang yesterday
    and as mentioned in a youtube video trailer
    I saw, I
    actually agree that this is a good Singapore film
    but I think many from the production crew
    were not local. Watch 500 Days of Summer!
    What is it like to be late for latecomers session?

    derek
    October 19

    3 x 3 = 9 hours in school daily

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Block #6 (9am to 6pm): Mid October - Mid November
    Fundamentals of Interactive Multimedia(FIMM) | DG28-06-10/A
    Interface Design 2(IntDes2) | DG28-06-06/A
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Block #7 (3pm to 6pm): Mid November - Mid December
    Interactive Application Development(IADV) | DG28-06-10/A
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2 Weeks Break
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Block #8 (9am to 2pm): January
    Interaction Design(IntrDes) | DG28-06-10/A
    Communicating Design Arguments(ComDA) | DG28-04-25
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Block #9 & #10 (9am to 12pm): Feburary & March
    Project 3: IMD(P3IMD) | DG28-03-37
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
      Ok, here's my timetable.
    I thought to myself "9am to 6pm again?!"
    I think it's irritating to see 3 hours break:
    but thinking again, hopefully not just an excuse to make me
    feel better, I think it's good because I would usually have that lethargic feeling
    if I were to go home at 3pm, then perhaps take a nap and work through the night.
    I am currently liking Block #7 just the looks of it now because it is only one module but would be better
    if it was in the afternoon slot. Other than that, I guess I really have to get back as an early riser again!
    P.S. What's with the 12pm to 2pm timing for ComDA in Block #8?
     
    I did not review my past semester yet because
    I think I should look forward LOL. No, seriously.
    I've been thinking that I think too much and I shouldn't do that.
    Instead I should now look ahead and see what things I have not tried
    and somesort push the envelop. Recently I came out with my motto!!
    Some of you all may know and most of you do not know so here goes:
    Work hard, Play hard;
    If I don't try then I don't hope.

    Sounds familiar? The first line is really common while I took
    the other from one of my favourite songs, "What Can I Do?" by The Corrs.
    Placing them together, I feel this is something so relevant to me. Right now
    I'm having block teaching so I consider these as work, which I always have been,
    and if I don't work hard, then I don't hope for a good grade. Likewise, if I don't try something new
    when I'm having my holidays, it is close to not achieving anything so that's why I will have this in mind.
     
    With that, I think I'm sort of ready for school this semester.
    Hope I can try to wake up early tomorrow. Haha!
    derek
    October 12

    Star

    1,000+ views on my latest youtube video :)
    Remember to press pause on the background music before pressing play below!

       

    With the help from a talented local musician/gamer/magician/etc,
     Reuben Wong, I decided to record my own English version
    of Byul/Star from the soundtrack of 200 Pounds Beauty.
    ----------------------------------------
    When I feel the wind blow in this place,
    there I see the stars beyond this window pane;
    Shining so bright, here and tonight
    and I wish youre by my side.
    Whisper in my ear saying:
    "Don't be afraid",
    that same old voice has spoke to me
    and I need your embrace.

    And even though my
    courage told me just to be with you
    even though I tried my best to hint you.
    But afterall, my deepest love for you
    had just fallen through.
    I held back on too.
    Someone is already there for you.
    Should I stay or should I leave this room?
    Like the stars that shine so brightly,
    I still feel so strongly for you
    ----------------------------------------
    Lyrics written by: Reuben Wong & Derek Heng

    derek

    Dirrty

    BOOMZ
    Caught your attention? Ok good, I'm feeling naughty.
    (Not sure what it means? Check out the Urban Dictionary!)
    Watched a few videos about Ris Low, who wishes to be a nurse or open up a cake shop
    working with (beauty pageants' favourite mentions to help) ex-convicts from the YRP
    after the credit card incident, I then came across the next related video
    which I do not know how was it related to Ris Low! This is about
    Pasir Ris' unsafe water (old news) and below is the video.
    Check out which school is having fun in dirty water!


    Link: http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-sg&vid=9bc5aa8a-8802-49a1-be5f-bbf186247c72
    Credit: MSN

    derek
    October 09

    Food Poisoning

    37.8 degrees'(
    diarrhoea
    vomitting

    derek
    October 04

    Big China

    Happy Mid-Autmn Festival

    Since my previous entry, after coming home from the gay club,
    I have been out and about (except going for picnic!) around Singapore! :D
    Apart from the club experience, which I wouldn't mind going again (and I intend
    to go sober and not get a hangover the next time), I cycled around the East side
    with my family for a few hours, finally went swimming and a quick jog, a
    wake-up call visit to haw par villa as well as several sakae meals with
    different people including a meal by myself. I doubt I will stay at
    my grandmother's place because of lack of beds and I believe
    the stay at the park will not happen because no khaki lol.

    Got my results a day right after Children's Day (what a gift!)
    and I will review my 1st sem of 2nd year hopefully in my next entry!
    Will edit this entry with some random pictures (yayy) later tonight.

    derek
    September 26

    Just Dance

    music blasting
    whisky drinking
    head throbbing
    heavy touching
    with two crazy bestie
     
    derek's head still hurts
    September 24

    Go to Hell


    It is not as fun as I may be seen in the photo above but I visited Haw Par Villa today and I thought
    I spent a great hour (or so) learning something so real yet so unsure if it's real.

    How many levels of Hell did you recall?
    Eighteen right? I still have no idea how many levels but according to an attraction
    in Haw Par Villa, I long wanting to know, it's actually ten. Um, that's more than enough, actually.
    For interested visitors, do note that that Chinese park is FOC, but this attraction needs SGD$1
    from you to maintain the place to keep it as scary as it is - and I'll tell you why! 

    Go through Hell
    Walking through the so-called "Hell Exhibition" - about this place you should have heard before somewhere,
    you may even imagine how does it looks like and now you actually get to see it in figurines - is a real adventure
    for those who are interested to visit Hell when you are only alive without experiencing any form of heat.

    I remember when I was buying the ticket, the uncle asked "One person?" I replied "Yup!" and slowly walked inside.
    While walking in, there were a few God figurines around and the only God that had my attention was God of Earth.
    I hurriedly rush in front and prayed even before I decided to proceed. I don't know but I just felt like I needed to calm
    myself down because I was thinking of all my sins yesterday night (I couldn't sleep thinking about the outcome).

    You know - sometimes I do not know if God, who is represented by a God figurine, would actually get my prayers?
    That's why I'd always look for the can of joysticks before I start to pray. Can someone who knows any details if
    I could just pray without a God figurine or anything about this because I am quite curious, thank you!

    From then on, I went through hell and wish that I will never get to experience this afterlife as mentioned in my
    in one of my earlier post in August 2007:
    http://derekheng2020.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!DFDB4182B681F6D6!607.entry

    As I am also not a fan of paying content, I will end here by giving you a list of what nots.
    I will not show you the consequence - as that would be the interesting part - so do drop by Haw Par Villa!

    Do not:
    rape,
    cheat,
    curse,
    murder,
    waste food,
    abduct others,
    misuse books,
    spread rumors,
    steal and gamble,
    refuse to pay rents,
    drive someone to their death,
    harm others to benefit oneself,
    neglect the old and the young,
    inflict physical injury onto others,
    break written rules and regulations,
    sow discord among family members,
    urge people into crime and social unrest,
    cause trouble for parents or family members,
    plot another's death for his property or money.

    Do not be:
    rapists,
    robbers,
    commen,
    ungrateful,
    prostitutes,
    tax dodgers,
    tomb robbers,
    business frauds,
    disrespect elders,
    escape from prison,
    drug addits and traffickers,
    disobedient to one's siblings,
    money lenders with exorbitant interest rates.

    Do not have:
    corruption,
    lack of filial piety,
    lack of filial obedience,
    any other unlawful conduct,
    posession of pornographic materials.
    - end -

     


    Ok, how about just one of the many consequence?

    From there I took a straight bus 30 to Boon Lay MRT, changed to bus 179 and met my sister and cousin for lunch,
    took a train ride to Golden Mile to try get some clothes, then to Simei for dinner with my parents (it's their 25th
    anniversary: "Thank God for mom and dad for sticking two together cos we don't know how." - Outkast's Hey Ya)

    derek
    September 22

    I pray the fame won't take my life

    Wanted to set off somewhere this morning but it started
    raining and I couldn't get up so I decided to push it a day later.
    Haha! Such a procrastinator and a lazy bum.

    Did you watch the VMAs?
    I watched it live online the other day and it was really the best VMAs in many
    recent years. Gee. I was really excited because some of the biggest names I
    grew up with were there coupled with a few new performers I was really
    interested to see what do they have in store for us (Madonna, Janet,
    Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Pink, Taylor Swift, etc). What a lineup!


    I cried right after Janet Jackson's performance because they had never performed
    that song before together and that was the only time. A few hours ago before the VMAs,
    a leaked photo of Michael Jackson on screen without Janet Jackson in the Scream video
    showed up in a Janet forum and many fans were saying "OMG notheydidn't!" sort of remarks
    which I also did because that means the performance was going to include the dance together.
    And it really did. Madonna's speech was abit too long for me but the anticipation for Janet was there.

    Lady Gaga's performance was spectacular because of the message behind of the meaning of the
    song "Paparazzi" she was trying to put accross. I took clear notice and watched it several times
    to notice the crashing sound right after she was introduced to the stage and the sentence
    "Amidst all of these flashing lights, I pray the fame won't take my life." right after a few lines
    of "Poker Face" tells the story of a celebrity being chased by paparazzis all their life which literally
    drive them to their graves. It's really amazing, dispite the fact that she changed clothes 3/4 times!
    THUMBS UP. Hail Lady Gaga = new generation of Madonna :D

    Alicia Keys and Jay-Z ended off with a song so powerful and meaningful were they were, New York,
    with the song "Empire State of Mind". Truely empowering and you can see almost everyone in the
    crowd were feeling it. Stupid Lil' Mama crashed the stage towards the end and reason being
    she was feeling to hyped up about it and even said in an interview later that she realise Jay-Z
    wasn't feeling her presence (hello?!). Alicia Keys gave her point of view while she was talking about
    her new single, Doesn't Mean Anything, and said that they would appriciate if Lil' Mama could stay
    in her sit feeling hyped too. Hahaha!

    Kanye, you're an ass. Beyonce, you have class!

    Have you all ever tried www.be2.sg?
    It's an online match-making website I came across while finding the
    best route to HPV. So I tried it and you have to answer a few questions
    before they actually allow you to enter your profile page. And when you
    enter, they will tell you have completed 10% of your profile. So once you
    complete the other 90% or so, you can view those recommended partners
    whose profile matches your likings and all. I thought that it would be nice!
    Do try it out and see if mine matches yours. Hahaha!

    derek
    September 12

    Starting 21st September,

    i want to camp at the park,
    i want to sleep overnight,
    i want to visit harparvilla,
    i want to eat at sakae,
    i want to watch vma,
    i want want-want,
    i want to swim,
    i want to jog,
    i want to 10,
    i want to work out,
    i want to cycle at night,
    i want to enjoy the breeze,
    i want to see singapore,
    i want to feel comortable,
    i want to know what i want,
    i want to get a new ipod cable,
    i want to back-up my laptop,
    i want to clean up my closet,
    i want to pack up my room,
    i want to go shopping,
    i want to own a radio,
    i want to drink at mc cafe,
    i want to sit and slack in town,
    do you want to come with me?
    September 07

    Signs

    Have you ever stayed up through the night doing
    something with the television switched on and
    notice how Channel 5 shows happy cooking/architechure shows
    in the morning, boring day-time shows by the afternoon and interesting to horror
    movies when it's close to late night? and the whole cycle repeats through the day?
    Imagine watching a horror show when you just wake up, interesting.

    Life is soooo precious.
    I caught a short clip on the tribute to September 11
    victims and the firemen invovled (this Friday, my brother will
    be going into Army on this date). It is interesting because these
    days we get to see destructive movies animated and nicely illustrated
    but when it actually happens, it's no longer fake or no longer acting.
    It's real. People's lives are in danger and you just don't know what
    to expect. The reaction to passerbys shown in the documentary
    seemed shocked when the police told them to back off
    and run north. People need directions when shit
    happens. Signs must be given because they
    don't know where to go and they have to
    be constantly reminded by those
    who has the answer.

    I just cannot wait for the holidays.
    There's so many things I feel like doing
    and not to have anything at the back of my head.

    derek
    September 03

    Wake Me Up When September Ends



    Happy *Belated* Teachers' Day!
    Ms Wee in the front :D
    Saw a few teachers,
    sadly our form teacher
    shifted to another school.

    It was funny because we were joking
    about how the 'procedure' went::
    Teacher: "Let me try to remember your name"
    Teacher: "Where are you studying now?"
    Student: "How's the school/your class?"
    and when there's an awkward silence,
    Teacher: "Have you meet the other teachers?"
    Teacher: "It's nice of you all to come down,
    but I have a meeting later.. so see you guys!"
    Good don't get attention.

    derek
    August 31

    Too Sexy

    I wished you earlier but,
    Happy Birthday, Jingy!
    Hope you have a great day :D

    If you're ever going to the movies,
    please check for discounts especially if you're a
    SAFRA Card holder. If not, you can ask from me and
    I can lend you my card to get discounts from GV. (:

    I spent my day with Jun Xiang on Friday watching
    Final Destination (I keep saying Final Fantasy!) and
    the show sadly was quite predicitable. I didn't really
    follow-up the previous ones but I thought, why not.
    $13 for 3D Movie without discount man. Anyway, went
    inside Uniqlo which I wanted tried on this denim and it felt
    so great. It's so comfy and.. also made me feel too.. sexy. LOL.
    Was the same day I saw Jolene and Nick in the bus on our way home.

    Meeting some of my friends later today to go back to sss. :D

    derek
    August 25

    Days go by

    I guess here's my last entry of the week, but firstly,
    Happy Birthday, Matthew,
    Happy Belated Birthday, Mom!
    Thank you for always being my listening ear and
    being a strong mother for another no matter what happens.
    Hope you had a great day!

    A day after I wrote down my feelings about life, one of
    my uncles passed away in the arms of Serangoon Por Por (Mom's side) and we all
    were invovled in a way or another for his wake and funeral during these past few days.
    To my uncle Fat Fat, I will always remember your stories, laughter and presence. You've
    brought us memories of happiness and we will contiune to remember them.
    With love, Derek.

    What I learned about this unfortunate event, but was never the cause of it,
    is that we must never take the people closest around us for granted - no
    matter how irritating the person may be, no matter what they did before,
    no matter what he does to you - for you may never ever  have the chance
    to forgive him or her again. If there is no one invovled, then don't be
    angry over the littlest things because life is way too short.

    We went for dinner at Marina Barrage with Haig Road Por Por (Papa's side) and
    Gong Gong who was on wheelchair just now, together with uncle Jeffrey and
    Yatavee for mom's birthday dinner. There was a positive atmosphere there.

    I hope Serangoon Por Por, my mom and my other relatives - especially
    Sally yiyi, uncle Peter and uncle Andrew's family will soon get over. With that,
    starting tomorrow, I will continue from the pile; full of work
    undone all through the week.

    derek
    August 18

    UPlifting

    I think my eyesight is really getting from worse to worst,
    nowadays my eyes are so dry that even
    blinking doesn't makes it any better.
    My face is getting pimplier too!


    Not really remembering what exactly happened during the weekend but
    to start things up I finally went to the expensive-and-yummy Sakae after so
    long with Benny. Called Jun Xiang along but he was quite angry with something
    so we went without him. A last minute invitation to Iman when I realised it wasn't
    Halal, sorry! Also felt quite bad because I did not 
    spend time with my grandmother
    when she came here
    to stay for the weekend as I was rushing some stuff. Urgh.
     
    I finally did a few things today I long wanting to do a few days ago but was quite
    busy with homework, still am, so I took time off today to cut my hair and watch a movie
    with my parents. UP is a very uplifting movie and the trailer gives you only 50% of what the
    show is all about. Tears and laughter, I enjoyed the show and learned not to necessary live in
    the past, but also be open to the present as well as to anticipate the future. It really makes me
    think about how I perceive 'life' when my mind starts to ponder and I think sometimes goals are
    not the end as we have to constantly seek out for whatever opportunities out there for us as long
    as you don't forget where you came from and how you've grown from what you've learned.
    It is also a challege to balance that. Also, throughout your life people will make you mad,
    disrespect you and treat you bad. Naturally, you would always have the tendecy to
    want to improve yourself but you just don't know how to go about improving
    yourself and sometimes you think you're on the right track but who really
    knows what is best and what is not when, like many says, no one is perfect?
     
    Sianful feeling my sister must be feeling cos school reopens this week.
    I cannot wait to list down what I will be doing for holidays but I will
    make sure I spend it well, perhaps including a night at my
    grandparents' house, a night cycling trip to somewhere,
    or even a camping trip! But for now, all the best for
    everyone rushing for P2 which comes to an
    end in about a month's time. Gee.
     
    THREE MORE MONTHS
     
    derek
    August 13

    Colours of TB

    I have to make this entry quick otherwise it will be logged under 14th August!
    Anyway, today I tried to buy food from the minimart opposite my house cos
    yesterday when I bought the fan choy, I couldn't resist that I just wanted
    to eat right there and then and I did so I just sat at the chess table
    and mmm I really love it! (Phoebe, tml if your stomach ok you try ya :)
    Do I sound like a food critic (except for seafood)? Cannot help la, I love food.
    I sense I'm going to get fat one day, really.

    Was listening to Destiny's Child and some other old CDs while doing homework
    and I was thinking "Isn't it nice to be born in the 90s (But would have been better
    to be born way much earlier)? All the best songs were in our time with songs from
    Destiny's Child, Boyzone, Westlife, Aqua, Michael Jackson (rest in peace). The best
    Disney movies were also made for us. I really love Disney songs like 'Colours of the Wind',
    'Journey to the Past', 'A Whole New World' and argh so many more! Now the songs
    are good but just can't be compared to the past. I need a radio though.
    Tomorrow dinner at Sakae.. AHH cannot wait!
    :D:D:D:D:D:D must smile more :) :) :) :) :) :)

    derek
    August 10

    Strangers when we first began

    GO IVAN HENG!
    Happy 44th Birthday, Singaporee!
    *Wonders if she ever reads this space haha*
    Experienced one of the greatest NDP shows
    I've ever watched :D pretty
    amazing to hear all
    my favourite songs all together for once and I
    love Chapter 8 the most, followed by Chapter 5,
    and not forgetting the 'What Do You See?' segment!

    Anyway, supper and stayover was great :D

    derek
    August 08

    Orange Magazine Interview III

     Hope you all won't cringe on this ongoing interview with
    Orange Magazine who has been doing this for the past few years!

    PS it's fictitious. This website is for me to keep track of my thoughts.

    Orange Magazine: It's been awhile since we last interviewed you.
    Derek: Yes, it is. The last time I remembered was before my O levels and gee time really flies! Here I am studying in TP [Temasek Poly], pursuing in Year Two - also known as Junior Year.

    Orange Magazine: Are you doing what you expect yourself to be doing after the O levels?
    Derek: Actually when I was choosing my courses, for some reasons, I blocked out many schools - School of Engineering, Sciences, IT, etc. I wasn't able to apply for most of the business courses because of my shocking English results which is nothing worth talking about. The thought that I had little skills in editing a picture and cropping them led me to the School of Design in TP because firstly, the title sounds interesting [Interactive Media Design] *laughter* and secondly, it seemed fun to be facing the computer all day long.

    Orange Magazine: Haha, it sure sounds interesting! I thought you wanted a music course in Poly?
    Derek: Yes, I wanted to but I also thought about taking up Psychology Studies or some other humanity-based courses. If I'm not wrong, music courses [in Poly] require you to master at least one instrument which is a disadvantage for me. I would prefer music to design but since now I'm here in design, I feel it is something I'm able to handle just that it takes time to get used to it because I'm not really good at it and also the timetable screws up your social life and the world around you. I think there's a difference between what you like and what you can do. That's when you make the one you can do into something that you like.

    Orange Magazine: Haha, very chim. I'm assuming design is something you can do, but not so well at, and music is something that you like?
    Derek: Yes! You said it. I prefer performing anytime. Then again, there's a difference between something you indulge in and something you are able to do it.

    Orange Magazine: Which subject have you taken or taking now is the most difficult?
    Derek: Here in TP Design, we go by block teaching so we don't really know a certain subject at a glance until the start of a new block so that we will be introduced to a subject in depth on the first day. For me the one with the worst nightmare was 3D Art Fundamentals because I wasn't really prepared for the workload and everywhere I went, shoe racks were my nightmare - not now though.

    Orange Magazine: We saw a clip of you performing at Far East Plaza earlier this year, how was your experience and tell us more about that belt across your hand.
    Derek: I would say it was something different from my previous performances. About the belt, I was inspired to wear it around my hand after returning from China because I saw people actually wearing it at McDonalds and I really liked it. So I ordered a meal which came with a free belt and I removed the tag on the belt right before performance.

    Orange Magazine: My favourite song off the set list was "Follow Me/If I Were A Boy (Reply)". Which was your most favourite song to perform?
    Derek: Yes, i like that too. The song choices were great and it is really hard to say which song I like the best because each and every one had a different meaning to me, and the people around me, but if I were to choose I would be stuck between How To Save A Life/What Can I Do and Cool/Beyond The Sea. 

    Orange Magazine: Will you consider performing again this year?
    Derek: Come what may, really. It's almost like a tradition every year I perform. I love entertaining people. Technically, I didn't perform last year because it was pushed to early this year reason being timeslots were full. I can, however, choose a few songs to perform solo if I want to but I have something bigger in mind which I don't think it would be of any time soon.

    Orange Magazine: Interesting! Will it be back to dancing?
    Derek: It could be but now's still initial stages.

    Orange Magazine: That would be great! Just a few other questions... What is that one invention from the past that makes you really appreciate?
    Derek: Hmm... I would say the toilet. *laughters* Well I mean it is somewhere we take things for granted and laugh about it but it is a place that we really don't want people to see what we are doing inside and these days the toilets are so clean as compared to the past where others will collect the faeces in pails. It now flushes automatically for goodness sake!

    Orange Magazine: *laughters* Which movie do you like the best?
    Derek: The first movie that comes into mind is Enchanted because it's so interesting to compare reality and a prince-and-princess world. It makes people wake up more to see how we lived and how things are and have been. I'm not saying we should all start going up to a girl or a boy (if you're a girl for that matter) and claiming them to be your prince or princess, but say some people having to date for 7 years and still have not proposed, I think it's quite sad in a way. Then again, in reality there are so many obstacles we cannot avoid - be it financially, affairs, family restriction, etc. It's just so mad.

    Orange Magazine: We heard that you recently went to Indonesia for a good cause?
    Derek: Yes, I did. A friend of mine invited me to visit, alongside with some others from church, an orphanage home [Panti Asuhan Betesda] in Indonesia on 17 June and it was quite an eye-opening experience for my friends and I because this was the first time together going out of Singapore. Seeing so many smaller children living in such condition really made me feel as though the majority of us here [in Singapore] are taking things for granted. We were to spend some time with them but certain time clashed and we didn't had the full day there.

    Orange Magazine: I would love to go too, did you take any pictures?
    Derek: Unfortunately, no I did not take as much pictures as I wanted to because for a few reasons - mainly I was sick at that time and futhurmore, it was their place of living and I just didn't want to treat it as a tourist attraction. It just didn't felt right.

    Orange Magazine: What was that one thing you remembered?
    Derek: I could remember one of the boys, aged 6, came over and slept on my lap while I sat cross-legged after his performance in front of us. Also when they started praying with their eyes shut so tightly when each of the children received a box of food. These little gestures and signs really, as corny as it may sound, touched my heart. I was really moved.

    Orange Magazine: Will you continue to do more charity work?
    Derek: Yes I will, in fact I am considering of taking part in a trip to China this October but now is only the initial planning.

    Orange Magazine: What do you intent to do after Poly?
    Derek: I still have NS so in the meantime after Poly, I am thinking of taking up driving license and a few other courses like vocal lessons or so if possible and work part-time to try and support myself.

    Orange Magazine: And after NS?
    Derek: I would prefer to think it a step at a time, but from what I see in the people around me, it is quite nice to take a break after Poly (or NS) and get some work experience or so, have a little fun for awhile, before going back to school, which I hope to. I'm, however, still undecided if I should apply for a position in a higher education before NS or after NS.

    Orange Magazine: What makes you embarrassed?
    Derek: There are a lot! The main one is making a fool out of me when I am unable to react to a certain situation or question and trying to cover back up.Not being able to pass my friends' personalised quiz online ["How Well Do You Know" on Facebook] also makes me a little embarrassed.

    Orange Magazine: Which celebrity do you like and why?
    Derek: I would say Ellen DeGeneres because she's so comfortable with herself and when she's with others, which is a flaw I find in myself.

    - end -

    derek