Monday, November 30, 2009

The Endth is Nearth

Hmm think my olden English dont pass. Add 'th' to the word to make it ancient?

The JLPT 3 exam is next Sunday, though I have started passing the practice papers, its still cutting very close to the border line. At times just hit 60 or in the case of listening, just fail... Quite jialat. Then I have tried revising the last 3 sets of notes and sadly little of them are going in. Its like my brain is Teflon and things dont stick. Have to keep staring at them up until next Sat evening I guess.

On the guitar front, though I can improvise a bit, doesnt sound nice. Have to find/create nicer sounding improvisation and try to fit into the song so as not to crash. Again, though last Sat wasnt entirely frustrating, which is already an improvement, I still feel a bit reluctant to pick up the Guitar today. Think I will start to do so later or tomorrow. Dunno still dont feel ready to pick it up to start. That's been what's been happening. Instead of practicing immediately, I have been pushing it to slightly mid-week before I start. Guess its the frustration thingy and trying to get rid of the negativity and anxiety before I pick it up.

On the stock market, today I managed to get up at 8.45am, got up before my alarm clock rang. When the market started, prices plunged a bit, but still not cheap enough except for one. So I used my last bit of capital to buy-in. After this, cant buy anymore. Need to keep that little bit to buffer against any funny things like rights, split. Then I headed out for another morning swim. Though prices have gone up from the initial fall, some counters are a bit lower. I can only wait to sell now.

On the exercise front, this is Week 7 of going exercising 3 times a week. Last week, I actually made it 4 times, 2 swims, 2 gyms. Am impressed but still not much result to show for. Weight still about the same as before, body fat about the same. Except arms a bit muscular. I have been aiming specifically to build up the Triceps cos those are the muscles below the arm. If those are more defined, toned, then the whole arm wont look so flabby or soft or wobbly. Imagine having Macdonna's triceps. Hers are very very obvious. But guess what, those are quite hard to train, exactly cos of their position. Also cos they are not used as much, they start out being weaker too. And I can now do stepper/slider for 20mins workout. When I first started a few weeks back, only can last 5minutes. Now can do 20mins at lvl 3. K hope to keep all these up and look leaner, more toned and very importantly start losing weight.

On the diet part, I have just bought a box of museli bars and 3 pears to help prevent me from pigging out after Jap class. The plan is to put a bar and at least 1 pear in my bag so that after jap, if I felt like munching, can just munch those instead of a Whopper Jr with Salad and Coke Light or a MOF ebbiko bento, which Tab would always remind me. I dont really over-eat unless I am out... Hmm have to use this to help deal with that urge to munch.

But the funny thing is that there are sometimes 1-2 days where I dont have driving, jap or guitar, and I headed out to swim in the morning already. Came back, ate lunch and I have an urge to go out. Is it cos I am used to heading out for all those lessons and stuff, or its just a case of restlessness. YET at times like this, esp the early afternoon, nobody is around to go out with me. I am also rather aimless. Though at times I thought it'll be great to head out, go somewhere to look at the beautiful skies and the clouds whenever weather permits BUT it just doesnt feel right doing that alone. Some things arent meant to be done alone inspite of how much u yearn to do it. But cos there's nobody to go with, at times, I stayed at home instead.

Think part of it is proscrastination. I seem to want to head out to 'escape' tidying up my room and the clothes. Yar after the last session of tidying up the PS collection, I havent done another 'overdue' cleaning session. I better do it, then I can reward myself with heading out.

If dunno where to go, just hop on the bus and observe the surroundings along the journey. That sounds good cos if you are not in a hurry, can take your time, you will notice things that you never seemed to previously. The most obvious for me is the skies. I was often in too much of a rush/daze/zombified mode to notice the clouds in the skies until I didnt have to rush, then I remember to look at the skies. As this period of 'unemployment' is ending for me, I will start sending out resumes after JLPT, I hope to remember to slow down my steps and look at the skies and enjoy the breeze against my face, despite having to join back in the rat race. Guess that for me is one of the simpler pleasures in life.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

My Flaw - The Sense of Frustration

One of the feelings that I really really hate and have low tolerance for is the sense of Frustration. This is one very obvious flaw in me.

This happens especially when I am learning things and I cant seem to get it right. The anxiety to get it right, coupled with the lower tolerance for failure, meant that I feel FRUSTRATED when I cannot get something right. The irony is that I enjoy learning, new stuff, new experience, yet its often most often in the learning aspect where I encounter Frustration.

Yes I experience quite a lot of frustration these few months of learning. In Jap and in Guitar, at times driving. Frustration meant I frown ALOT and my temper flares up. Maybe not so much for driving but alot for guitar and japanese. At times I feel near tears also at the sense of frustration and my inability to get it. I know I am nowhere perfect or talented in all aspects but just that I wish I was at times but yet I am reminded of being a mere mortal when there are things that just dont seem to sink in straight away or even with repeated banging, doesnt seem to go in.

Then I would try to put it aside for a short while before I pick it up again most likely on the same day. I would not go without a 2nd try. Yet there are times when even a 2nd attempt at it doesnt work. The frustration can really magnify. Then at times like these, thoughts of giving up arise. I then really have to 'pick myself up' and 'cheer on' to try again, probably the next day after a sleep-off to let things sink in and also to let the sense of frustration abate. Its easier if there are others to pick one up but think dont have a soul-mate to do that, so have to rely on oneself to dig in to find the strength or just have to re-think certain aspects.

In Japanese, I am frustrated when I cant seem to remember the rules, the forms, the grammar types and been failing in the practice papers for several weeks. What I did was I studied a set of notes before I sleep. Then look through again the following night and add another set of notes. I did that dilligently, keep reviewing and reviewing every set that I finished then add on one. Did that for 7 sets out of 11 sets. Things kinda stalled this week. Keep feeling tired especially this week. No wonder keep hitting brick walls after brick walls of frustration. But the silver lining is that I managed to pass the most recent practice set of paper, failing slightly for the listening. I will try to finish up the remaining 4 sets of notes in the next few days and keep reviewing daily.

In Guitar, I am also frustrated cos of change in instructor hence the style of teaching is very very very different, with alot of extra stuff he teaches his students which I didnt really encounter until I joined, the timing which meant I am feeling sleepy whenever I go for Sat class, esp when go out late on friday and the fact that the things learnt are really tough for me. I must admit IF I can overcome this obstacle and really get it, it would mean I can improve BUT I have to clear through that MT FRUSTRATION. The lack of proper musical theory and foundation and exposure made it much harder for me and it requires skill in application and improvising, rhythmn sense and others. I seriously havent thought about how to 'work it out' except by biting the bullet, meet the frustration head on, the next time I pick it up, and trying to practice until I get it somewhat. It just means alot of frustration everytime I pick up the guitar to practice. I have to split into various times (cos of frustration) and practice a few sessions in a day, that is if I pick myself up enough to pick up the guitar. Then just when I thought I got it, go for guitar class and during it, feel frustration rear up when something else comes up... and at times build-on from the thing that I somewhat only just grasped from previously. Really frustrating when I cant get it that well but the rest can grasp it easily... Sian

After all these rants, I think I somewhat feel better from this whole sense of frustration cloud that hung on me, after I tried to work on the rhythm sense thingy on my way back in the train. End up very frustrated. Then I start to feel very sian, feel like giving up, feel like I am a failure. Then I have to chide myself and tell myeself that DESPITE all these frustration and a sense of helplessness about the brick walls that I am hitting, I am moving forward. OVERALL I am improving, moving forward, just that not at the pace I would like it to be.

I just have to accept that into my thick skull and massage my bruised ego. and pick myself up again to bang at that WALL again.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Paintball = Pain, Fun Employed and Work

Last Sunday was my very first try at Paintball. Didnt know there was one in Turf City until IR invited us over for a Guys Vs Gals match up prior to her wedding. I must admit, that is one of the most unusual and fun pre-wedding thingy, heck even considering friends meeting-up, I ever had in a while. Ya prefer such activity instead of alot of shopping, walking around, eating and stuff. Would rather have some sports or other activities at times.

Surprisingly the weather held out, the sun shining brightly down for that one day out of the entire week. I woke up around 10-11am and then went online and ate some lunch. Was feeling tired, guess its the night owling ways. Then slowly made my way out around 3pm. But I was afraid to be late, so I took a cab from Avenue 2 instead of the free shuttle bus to Turf City. I was early and headed to the Giant inside to buy water for the hot day. Then I tried to find the location. My sms read "turn right before Turf City"... that was all. Walked outwards but didnt see anything or any signs until I was near the dog school. Jialat, dont see any directions. Later called and called and walked back to Turf City, stopped near a security guard post and asked for directions. Finally walked in, quite a bit under the sun to get to the place.

After we all were assembled, had a briefing and then geared up. Inbetween being photographed by paparazzi friends... and still a bit stoned. Then when the battle started, dashed to hide behind the obstacles and fire. Guess I wasnt that happy with my own performance. I did shoot down 2 of the targets in 3 games but didnt managed to reach the box before the Guys won. Also sometimes I tried to go forward but the hiding places were so muddy that at times just heck and squat in mud!!! But when kena hit, pain man. The irritating part was to have to go tag the medic post. Had to do that several times. Also the guys hid themselves very well, not that many targets to hit...

Best part got shot in the butt by own team mate. I was aiming infront then felt a hit on my backside. OUCH... decided not to go tag medic and rubbed it a bit then tried to go forward. That was the spot that hurt the most though bearable. Hmm by the 3rd game, dont care anymore, just chiong more forward but the guys won pretty fast. Guess their NS experience helps alot. Its an eye-opener for me. Fun too. Except after just 3 games, legs felt heavy and very hot inside that headgear. THink that headgear really restricts breathing, no wonder legs felt heavy than usual. Also all the hiding and squatting made my legs kinda heavy too.

The game ended with Guys winning 3 rounds. Didnt know whether I had managed to shoot anyone but I was kena shot. 4 direct hits and 4 grazes. The direct hit meant the spot aches and is swollen. By evening when I finished bathing, those direct hits were the size of 2 50cents coins in diameter. Different colours depending on how well massaged, ranging from red to purple. Those grazes were just 20 cent size small purple bruises.

Didnt know pain was to come the next day when I woke up. I had intended to go swimming the next day for all that unhealthy hawker food I ate on that Sat and Sun. Woke up and felt my thighs aching like crazy. Its that type of muscle ache that happens after you have done Stepper for 1hr, hike a tall hill. Basically my Quads ache quite a bit. Didnt go swimming. Headed out with Geoky to buy some stuff next door and then we imprompto decided to go to NUS to take a look. Mainly it was still somewhat school term so the canteen were open. We wanted to walk around a bit and maybe drink fruit juice. So we did climbed up the Bizad stairs all the way up, walk past the bizad canteen, old law faculty, went to drink fruit juice at Arts canteen, walked until forum, walked to YIH and lastly walked a bit around Swimming complex. Man, there are MORE INTERESTING CCAs to join, Caporena(brazalian dance martial art), Muay thai and stuff. Things you had to travel bloody far from Clementi to learn lor... Basket, I wish I was a freshman again.

Later we headed back via shuttlebus to Kent Ridge then took a bus. After all that walking, I lay on bed and was knocked out for a few hours. Didnt do much for jap, except finish that practice paper. Didnt do guitar too.

Today, I woke up with EVEN more muscleache on my Quads! I had slapped on alot of muscle cream already but lagi worse today. Finally after talking with Tab, I realized they hurt more than yesterday cos I had gone jalaning at NUS up and down. Headed out for driving and then Jap. Sinned by eating Cedele's Carrot Walnut cake after class. Tomorrow IF my aches are better, I better go swim.
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Tab told me that she learnt a new term for people like me and Candle. Basically we are unemployed yet we are spending money to so-call enjoy ourselves. I must admit, I had quite a bit of fun this past 2 months esp Oct and Nov. The months before that are not enjoyable in any aspect. The term is "Fun Employed". Hmm that sounds slightly better than "Unemployment Statistic" or "Bum". I wish it can last longer but I am feeling the nagging feeling that I 'should be doing something with my life' and move on. So far my parents hadnt said anything. Its only my sister Geoky, who often reminds me that I am 'voluntarily umemployed'.

Hmm... I guess I feel my 'idling' days are numbering, NOT cos I have run out of reserve living expenses BUT mainly I feel that I should do something. Though I am not sure entirely where exactly to head to. Would try to sent out to tuition centres. Am thinking for either Part-time or Full-time employment. If worst comes, either work for FH for some data-entry stint or go for MOE re-join as Adjunct or Relief. See how, though I had given myself a time frame to settle, that is after Jap Exam, I have yet to do up resume nor send out nor call. I have to get to those but for now I wish to focus a bit more. I did write down 4 agendas on my list of things to do.

Practice Jap,
Practice Guitar,
Tidy Room,
Get ready resume

Would get to them, I need to adjust and set up some sort of timetable. My current timetable have things like 3 exercise, 2 driving, 2 jap class, 1 guitar class that takes up about 5 days. Would use the 'off' days to clear room, and settle resume and rest. Hopefully.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Dont Live to Regret

Hmm felt very tired, a whole spell of tiredness desended upon me after I had gone out to dabao food, had to wait for half an hour cos still early for some food stalls to finish their opening and stuff, so headed to Ginza to 'kill time'. Went to supermarket to buy bread, check out exchange rate. Yet my Yong Tao Fu stall still not finished setting up so waited another 15mins for them. Then dabaoed also Chinese Rojak and Zar Cai Fan for Dad.

Came back to empty home. Dad had sent Geoky out, I guess to MRT and then he went to buy his wine and stuff. I ate my bruch, watched 2 crime shows I recorded. Then he came back and then I felt very tired. Though I hadnt gone to gym, study jap and practiced guitar, I decided to drop them in favour of sleep.

Went to sleep around 3pm, then woke up its already near 7pm. Dont think can make it for gym, also dont feel up to it. Ate my Fruit Rojak for dinner. But cos mom came back, then she went downstairs to pack noodles and horfan, I ate some of them too. After dinner, feeling sian dunno cos is it didnt head out, didnt do much or the fact that the problems are not over anytime soon, decided to practice guitar instead.

Sat's guitar lesson was very taxing. Not used to the instructor's style. He is very fast and teaches many things. Some things he mentioned I have NO idea, cos he taught his class earlier in the modules, some is Musical theory, which I really dont have much knowledge. Though I had practiced about 3 times from Last Sat, I am that proficient in the current song. So in the lesson, missed at times esp when the songs are generally fast. Come out feeling sian, frustrated at myself and the lesson. But today after practicing, getting the hang of it. Need to practice more I guess?

At times like now, I still feel aimless. I guess this is how my whole life will be like. I seem to be searching for a higher aim/purpose though I understand at the back of my head that there is NO such. Hence its up to u to make meaning. Though I am doing a fair bit of stuff, my schedule involves from 3-5 weekdays out from late afternoon onwards, now even include a Sat. Yet the feeling of aimlessness doesnt leave me. Its more like IF I am busy enough, I dont think about things. I guess that's a partial function of a job, to keep u busy and tired enough, not to ponder on too many things in your life.

Generally I think many people are NOT HAPPY with their lives. Be it in terms of looks, money, job, family, other half or lack of other half, feelings of loneliness, worries of future, plagued by illness. There are aspects of happiness to be found if one looks closely but MANY REGRETS if one just generally think back on their earlier years.

At times, I feel it is important to MAKE PEACE with oneself. So like yes you had given up something then due to circumstances, BUT now are u able to pick it up? Yes you had lost an opportunity then, but what about now? I find if one can be at peace with the regrets, there is more inner peace and the same cycle wont happen repeatedly throughout one's life to create more regrets.

And of course it is easier said than done.

Dont live to regret, is something else that I am striving for besides living out one's dreams. I think they are different sides of the same coin.

I have briefly re-read through 4th set of jap notes to recap cos I did that about 2 days back. Think tomorrow then I do 5th set in case it affects my sleeping. I will try to tune my body clock back to normal timing. Hope to work towards 9am then 8am and sleep around 11.30pm, 12am. I will try.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Diet and Driving

Are dieting and driving related? Nope.

Diet

Its been almost an entire month of my mom running off to her hometown. At this point, there is NO MORE cooking for family. All meals are eaten out. Easier, save time and effort, and even cheaper. For this entire month, from monday to friday, everyday I wake up 9-10am and then go online first. Login evony to feed, poems to monitor shares, facebook to open restaurant, even other pages to read comics, watch animes and stuff.

Around 11.30 or so, I would ask my dad what he wants to eat for lunch, change and walk over next door to coffeeshop or even hawker centre to dabao back. For this whole month, bruch for me consists almost entirely of 杂菜饭 dabaoing. I started changing to eating chai fan with porridge 2-3 weeks back when my stomach wasnt so good and it stayed that way until now. Would add a pack of coffee or chestnut water depending on whether I wander over to the hawker centre. Inbetween there are days when I pay my bills, buy groccery eg milk, toilet paper, bread to restock the house for those who eat the bread for breakfast.

Dinner depends, if I went out in the late afternoon for driving and after that swimming, I would eat stuff like 麻油鸡 with rice or mostly Subway Chicken Breast sandwich (6 inch ones) Even a few evenings, I ended up eating Yong Tao Fu with rice. Very healthy indeed. In fact I am counting calorie quite closely when I do those. BUT for nights with Jap class and even Friday or when I head out, those seems to be the time when I over-eat. I do get hungry quite a bit, suspect is the porridge but still can be done if I make better food choices or eat smaller but more frequent meals, even eating earlier around 6pm helps. Last nite, I actually ate a foot-long subway chicken breast sandwich around 6.30pm, of course, I drink either Coke Lite or Coke Zero to help manage the calories.

Hmm I am developing a taste for Yong Tao Fu with rice, even craving for it today in the afternoon. Usually I dont even eat once a year but recently after eating with my sisters at the hawker stall, I have been eating there about another 5 times, mostly for dinner. I usually take 10 items, 2-3 are veg items, and eat with rice. I find it very filling, which is GOOD cos I wont have the temptation to eat anything else at night. It can last me until the next day easily. Same for a subway foot-long. Anything else, is not enough, unless there is Rice. Noodles dont last, that is why, Tab had to watch me go through a 'dinner' before jap and then another 'dinner' after jap eg MOF bento.

Today's into the 3rd week of exercising 3 times a week. Today is to be my 2nd exercise session but it was raining the whole afternoon and by the time I was done my first driving practical, and reached clementi, it was already 6.50pm. The skies were still very cloudy with drizzle. Feeling cold and hungry, I decided to postpone to tomorrow. Will set alarm clock to wake up earlier to go for a morning swim instead, hope it wont rain so early tomorrow. Then the other exercise maybe go back to gym on Sat afternoon or Sun afternoon. I better clock in more of swimming before the period comes. Women very inconvenient one, want to do a routine is 21 days to establish one, but takes just less than 7 days to break it. No wonder so tough to maintain an exercise regime.
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Driving

Today I started my first practical lesson. Headed down, started with learning how to check clutch oil, engine oil etc. Then in the driver's seat to practice adjusting position, mirror. Then doing clutch, brake and accelerate forward and same for reversing in a straight line. After that is to drive around the circuit staying in the same lane, involving turning too. Wow... quite a bit in a session. The car did stall several times cos released clutch too soon, even surged forward a few times for the same reason. After 100mins session, quite tired.

I have another 7 more lessons booked up until first week of Dec. After that week, JLPT3 would be over. Given most if not all the slots for driving are taken up except evening and weekend slots, no hurry to book them. Then since very much freed up, think would start looking for a job then. Was asking Tab to ask FH if there is anything to do also. Also would call up tuition centres to enquire. But until then first.

Want to focus on Jap and current things first. I did go through 1 more set of notes. Have 12 sets to read up. I have gone through 3 so far. Tonight will revise again, and try to do one more. Also use this time to settle resume and tidy up room. I tidied up the table yesterday. Now have a clean surface to do work but still the laptop is too distracting :) Have lots of clothes and even even footwear to tidy up in the room.

Though I was quite disappointed and frustrated with myself the day before, and yesterday but I am taking steps to moving forward. Feeling back to normal, guess its just my bruised ego.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Halloween Cosplay

What to blog about?

What is still fresh in the memory is the Halloween. Actually the most fun part was the 'make-up' part. It was a very very rainy day. The rain was pouring down torrentially. I went out earlier for Guitar lesson which has been changed to another day. I joined a class that is a bit ahead of me. Had to go for prep lesson that cost me $40 for half an hour. Ouch, and it seems that one session wasnt enough to cover everything.

After lesson, headed back home and then ironed all the clothes, including the rented jacket, ate, bathed and stoned. I had a lot of problems trying to load j-rock pics into my I-Touch cos I was using my sister's laptop and there was new version of I-Tunes to load and stuff. So that took me quite a long while waiting... and delayed my leaving time to 6pm. We were supposed to meet up at Junction 8.

Lagi best, shortly after I left, it started drizzling. Decided to take a cab instead. Then the waters poured down until almost 0 visibility. Its so heavy, can see a bit of vehicle outline and vehicle tail and headlights. Arrived there, but cos of the heavy rain, the taxi took quite a while to reach the sheltered taxi stand. I bought sushi as part of my 'diet' cum eating better food choice. Gobbled it down with Tab who was already there. Then due to heavy rain, Quetzal came a bit later. They decided to eat at Macs and I ordered 20 piece nuggets and Coke Lite *yes I know, I know, the diet thing right*

Nevermind, ate 14 pieces, very full. Then headed together to Zhuan's place. Though while waiting for Quetzal to drive her car over cos it was on the top level open car park, Tab and I were threatening to push each other down the stairs or over the ledge cos of the slippery surface. Then IF we died cos of the fall, we would attend the Halloween party in 'spirit' and not in 'body'. LoL but luckily we refrained from turning into 2 spirits and reached Zhuan's place safely.

Zhuan and her family were having dinner so we sat around a bit first and chatted. The rain was still pouring. Quetzal and Tab went to help Quetzal lace up the corset. They took quite a while, later Zhuan went in to help. I just sat there and stone. Seriously a late night on Friday and waking up early on Saturday for guitar meant I was very stoned despite drinking that powerful Yuan Yang from Cathay basement - ChipShop. The guitar class very fast and learn many things in one go.

Later they came out with Quetzal nicely laced up in the corset. Leave the story of Que's corset to her to give her point of view. Zhuan started make-up for Quetzal. Her costume is a Gothic Lolita look, with a corset top and a pom pom lacy short skirt. The emphasis is the very dark eye-makeup and emphasis on the eyes and dark red lips. Then the hair is styled with a high ponytail.

After that was Tab's turn. Tab's look was the Geisha. The emphasis seems to be the eyes, with shades of pink which really reminds me of the Sakura. And the lips, which the lipstick is applied not to the entire lips but about half of it to make the lips look smaller than what it is actually. And to complete, a nicely done up bun. Oh yar btw, it was Tab's first time doing make-up (make-up) virgin :)

Tab was starting to sprout her jap and even teaching Quetzal how to say certain phrases. Then it was my turn. My look was to be the Visual Kei look. The emphasis is the dark eye make-up and the hair styling. I must say its my 3rd time being make-up by others. First time was Krynnder who helped me do one for resume photo years back. Basic makeup. Then 2nd time by others was for the studio photo. Also did my own basic make up for interviews and stuff. BUT it was my first time doing eye make-up. While Zhuan was doing my make-up, Tab and Quetzal were making so many remarks even jokes that I couldnt keep still or hold my breath when needed, even Zhuan had a hard time not laughing. Had to ask them to "Sjizuka ni naro". Then after the make-up, then its the hair. I must say that is a styling I have not really explored. Its a different look. But really need super strong gel to hold the hair up. Then put on jacket, viola, very Visual Kei 视觉系 indeed. Added a pale pink lip gloss cos lips too pale. Then they were all taking pics excitedly. For me cos without the glasses, kinda blurry and stuff. Posed a bit here and there for their entertainment.

Zhuan and her bf helped to take some group pics and individual pics. Then we headed out to fetch FH who was still in office. It was already 11.35pm then. But it was a fun session. FH came onboard and started laughing... dunno why though. We reached Zouk past 12am and there were so many costumed pple hanging around outside. You got an entire spectrum of costumes. Tonnes of cigarette smoke also...

After some milling around and confusion, we squeezed our way into the member's area to join Quetzal's collegues at a table. We let her entertain her collegues while we looked down at the dance floor with all sorts of costumes milling around. The music is trance but after some time, the music warpped to become noise to me, only left the beat. Tab was egging me to 'move' and 'dance' to work off the 14 nuggets but seriously I dont dance, dont know how and just moving left and right, up and down is NOT dance to me.

After an hour (I guess) FH asked if we were okay to go outside, which we agreed. It was another big squeeze through the thick bodies of pple. I kept my sleeves towards me cos there were 2 delicate chains on the cuffs which could be easily broken given the way pple were squeezing and pushing around to move about (Quetzal called me today, it seems the one of the chains DID break or whatever and it meant I had to buy that jacket. The cost will have to check with her again, oh well. Next time, either buy straight or get one without such delicate chains around cos seriously dont think can survive this type of crowd and pushing. The 2 bat cushion on the cuffs with the tiny bat hanging on the small chain can be zipped off, so I can still use it as a funky jacket.) I didnt manage to check both th chains after I got out. Was a bit stoned and we stood aroud looking at the other costumes while waiting. Saw a few He-male I guess, Tab was tramatized by the man-boobs the size of papaya on a guy who was wearing very short shorts with fishnet stockings. I only saw the back. Another was a guy who dressed in girl school pinnafold and he was putting his skirt over his male friend's head, who was seated on the ground. My eyes also hurt.

A car stopped next to us and one guy said to Tab "You look very hot!" (quick time to distort the truth to Df) Then he pointed at FH (whose costume was supposed to be 'dreassed as a man') and said "You are Hot too!" (distort truth time) and then he ended off "You are all fucking hot!"... Hot in the sweating part, spot-on.

We waited for Quetzal and headed over to use the toilet at the 24hr prata shop next door. Drank an iced milo and a coke zero. No food for me, wasnt hungry. Then FH drove Quet's car to the office, changed to his car and drove us home. Very gentlemanly of him.

I tried washing off the make-up with oil-based moisturizer and face-wash but couldnt get some off. Then my sister woke up for toilet and I asked her if she got make-up remover. She passed me a bottle of Johnson's baby oil which can be used for hair, face, elbow, knee and even remove make-up. Poured some on a piece of paper and wiped, very effective! I was wiping off the make-up very very easily. Then washed hair with warm water and had a good bath. Was waiting for hair to dry naturally and headed online. Slept 6am.

Definitely an enjoyable and memorable experience. Done my dressing up for halloween and cosplay targets.
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Woke up 11.30am the next day, to dig out and iron clothes for wedding for that evening. Had agreed to meet Tab for her wedding convention at Pan Pac. Didnt know my sister wanted to treat the family to birthday treat and they had postponed for me cos I was out on Sat. Ops, had to asked them to go without me. Sun was to be another day fully out.

Must say the wedding gowns being showcased, most are interesting and even beautiful. Photography not allowed so Tab was using her I-Touch to quickly doodle down the designs that appealled to her. Had my first taste of Champange, 2 glasses. Was joking with Tab that I would get drunk before the wedding in the evening. Also I was trying very hard to psycho Tab to get "fried rice with fried silver fish", ate the most delicious silverfish at another ex-collegue's wedding some years back. But she like the BORING and TYPICAL and STEREOTYPICAL and OLD-FASHION and COMMON and PLAIN ee-mee *pui pui* I must try to visit that restaurant again to eat Fried silverfish (not those in ur books but small fish)

DF came shortly after the show ended and we stood around for him to catch a glimpse of the models standing around still in wedding outfits. BUT I feel very 'bright'. We headed to Starbucks where I tried not to evesdrop and butt in when both of them were discussing their stuff. Was reading my Jap notes despite being even more stoned. Around 6.30pm, I headed off, walking more demurely cos I was in ladies slippers for the wedding.

Saw many collegues and had a good time laughing and talking over the dinner. But cos 8 in the table and all gals, ate until very very full. Also it started late, near 8.45pm and dishes were being hurried out. But it was a good time to catch up though many asked what I was doing, told them being an unemployment statistic and stuff.

One was nice to get her hubby to send me back home. Saved some cab money and time. Changed out, online a bit and then slept earlier. Totally knocked out until 10am.