A Good Week Ahead ... I Say So!

I think wad we all need sometimes is to relax. Really. No joke just plain relax. Oftentimes we tell ourselves that we are relaxing but deep inside we're thinking abt our work ... plans for the next assignment ... wad we'll be doing tmr ... the consequences of wasting our time "doing nothing" when all we really need is time to relax just plain relax, free from the constraints of society, social circles and stress. I am going to take some time of this week. Slow down the pace. Plant a foot on the ground to resist the inexorable tide of maniacal events that constitutes life at LSE. Haha I'm going to class tmr w/o doing my macro hw! Why? Because I feel like it! Mwahahaha! I dun have to be involved in ten million activities ... I like my spare time to slack ... well so be it! ;p Next week's gonna be good ... because I will it so ... because I'm going to make it so!

dousing myself with every drug known to man in a vain effort to escape my fate ;(

An Uncontrollable Turn of Events

So my horoscope in the Evening Standard Lite went smth like this: "as much as you like fine-tuning your life, prepare for un uncontrollable turn of events". Yeah and it was proven to be most freaskishly correct. I'd been having problems with my stomach for the last five days - mostly full of gas and just plain uncomfortable but yesterday it turned pretty damed painful and I was literally writhing ard. Yup and as luck would have it today was the Notts Games and for the second year running, I miss soccer! Sheesh! And I was really looking forward to it! Sighz ... anyway two great buds assisted me to UCH (that damned cursed place!) where we waited for 3 hrs or so just to see the doctor. I was diagnosed with Stomach Infection - same case as in the army, only milder - luckily nothing too serious. Still they convinced moi not to go to Notts and so here I am in the house myself, alone, too sian to do any work and very bored nonetheless. Sheesh. Ain' that life?
Still the past few days weren't bad ... there was Harry Potter on Wednesday! Yay - Orange Wednesdays! And the show was pretty good save that I found Prizoner of Azkahban a little better. And I must say that Emma looked GORGEOUS in this show - she just simply stole the show and practically glimmers when compared to the others in her cast (hint: Harry, Ron ... even Cho Chang was disappontingly erm fat as my dear companion puts it? ;p). I knew I had a star spotted right when I caught the Philosopher's Stone haha. Kk enuf of paedophilic wonderings ;p
Oh and did I mention? I spend Wednesday gardening at an old folk's home (or smth thereabouts) in Waterloo. Heh didn't know there were so many intricacies to gardening till now plus I nearly had my fingers frozen right off my hands - lack of foresight, no gloves.
And woot! Only two weeks till the end of this mad, mad, mad term. French Alps, 18 Elliot Walk, here I come!!! ;p

The Way

Where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?

Anyone can see the road that they walk on
Is paved in gold
And its always summer
They'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry
They'll never get old and grey
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home
But they really don't care
They wanted the highway
They're happier there today, today

What would it be like to just leave everything behind and go off somewhere, somewhere? hmm ...

On another note: What does the emergence of extreme right parties in many European political systems tell us about electoral change? Any ideas anyone?!!! ;(

And here's a whimsical little thought: my blog's one year old! happy birthday www.justinsnuts.blogspot.com! - go read the first blog entry haha I just did. Its good to see which parts of us change and which parts remain boldly resistant over time. ;p

MOGU from Italy!!!! ;p he was mine for all of abt 24hrs *sob*!!!

colloseum, sistine chapel, vatican, trevi fountain, st. peter's basilica ... wonderful photographic skill eh? ;p

the roman duo in their moments of introspection ...

Veni Vedi Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered! (Casesar's famous words) Heh kidding ... what I actually did in Rome was: I came, I saw, I ate and ate and ate! ;p Yeap its now one day after Rome and phew was it a relaxing and destressing holiday! A little escape from the horrors of CVs, Cover Letters, Essays and Econs Quizzes.
Photos are gonna come online only on Tuesday but in the meanwhile I shall fill you in on what is in my view the most historic city in the world. I've always been a buff of the Roman Empire and its descedants - the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire!
We hit the Roman Forum (pile of ruins that Ongy is fascinated with), Colosseum (also really another pile of slightly less-ruined ruins), Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo (Shopping!!!;p), Pop Inn Hostel (yay!! a marvellous hostel!), and of course that MOST awe-inspiring mother of the Christian faiths, the Vatican. The last was simply the MOST impressive, beautiful and really just POWERFUL edifice I have ever seen. The Sistine Chapel and more so St. Peter's Basillica are just DAMN DAMN PRO! Arghhh ... Words can't describe it really (save that we climbed for something like 30 stories, 10 min or more to reach the cupola at the top of the Basillica) save that the view from the top was jaw-dropping. Ongy was reluctant to leave cos we climbed so hard to reach the top that she felt it was a waste if we didn't stay like forever hehe.
Oh and ladies ... shopping in Rome, Italy is really everything they make it out to be (the PRICE included) ... some little bits were affordable but really it was just pretty nice to look at and just be overwhelmed by all the boutiques that are the hallmark of Italian industry.
BUT ... better than clothes or shopping ... is EATING! Had the best Cabonarra in my life; and TWENTY-ONE different flavours of gelatto between Ong and myself! Yum! (actually I ate till I got a little sick haha) Here's the entire list of 21:
1. marittello
2. necho
3. pera
4. tiramisu
5. ricotta (super cheesy!!!)
6. mozart
7. tiramisu
8. mousse-profiterol
9. amarena
10. toffee
11. raspberry
12. baci
13. greenapple (my favourite ;p)
14. marrons-glace (Pope John Paul's favourite!!!)
15. blackberry (damn sour!!!0
16. torrone
17. daffe crema
18. hazelnut
19. nutella (yummilicious!!!)
20. crema+biscotti
21. kinderbueno (shiok!!!)
Also yesh apologies to Ongy for being so wimpy! I'm allergic to execessive amts of pollution so I was getting a little sick ;(
The one slight imperfection - the Romans seem bruque, sometimes unfriendly even. One individual I met came across as being thoroughly arrogant. Are these truly the heirs to the Roman ancien?

Jesus, you're our firm foundation,
we know we can stand secure;
Jesus, you're our firm foundation,
we put our hope in your holy word,
we put our hope in your holy word.

finally ... the long-awaited fotos from the BSYJ household! ;p

Never Leave Home Without IT!

Just when I was thinking that my luck was getting better ... I was proven WRONG! Haha. After carrying home FIFTEEN KG of groceries from Sainburys and just as I was abt to take a well-deserved rest my kind and magnanimous heart decided to clear up the garbage. ALAS our door is SELF-LOCKING and I was left LOCKED OUT OF THE HOSUE WITH ONLY MY LONG PANTS ON! In the end I decided that the most logical course of action would be to run to school to get the house keys from Sam ... and OMG I tell you the experience of running in Central London with only your WHITE trousers on and when the temperature is only FOUR DEGREES is not only FREEZING but also EMBARASSING! Damn malu lah!
Moral of the story: Never Leave Home Without It (YOUR KEYS) - Not Even To Throw The Garbage

You say you wander your own land
But when I think about it
I don't see how you can
You're aching, you're breaking
And I can see the pain in your eyes
Says everybody's changing
And I don't know why

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same

Just when I was thinking that my luck was getting better ... I was proven WRONG! Haha. After carrying home FIFTEEN KG of groceries from Sainburys and just as I was abt to take a well-deserved rest my kind and magnanimous heart decided to clear up the garbage. ALAS our door is SELF-LOCKING and I was left LOCKED OUT OF THE HOSUE WITH ONLY MY LONG PANTS ON! In the end I decided that the most logical course of action would be to run to school to get the house keys from Sam ... and OMG I tell you the experience of running in Central London with only your WHITE trousers on and when the temperature is only FOUR DEGREES is not only FREEZING but also EMBARASSING! Damn malu lah!

Wad I Want

So I had a most invigorating thought yesterday at the Internship Fair ... its all a bloody waste of time ... haha for me at least. Here's the clarification. You know all that investment banking crap? I feel that I've been working so hard for something I never wanted anyway and its abt time to move on to what I really wanna do. Haha I still dun have a clear idea of what yet but I know it lies in the field of government-related work since that is where my interests lies. In the meanwhile I'll still be looking at corporate banking and consultancy but I'll be keeping my eyes open at the NGO fairs as well. Sheesh Wilfred is right ... its all about selling your soul to those hungry, maniacal firms ... I feel tired and unclean after all that rushing and mad jostling somehow. Anyhowz ... it is LATE 0251 to be exact. Have to get more work done this week cos Rome beckons next week!

I open my eyes
I try to see but I'm blinded by the white light
I can't remember how
I can't remember why
I'm lying here tonight
(Untitled)

We all lose our way sometimes and all we need is good support and advice and a few moments of thought to regather our direction in life

a chilling present!!!! muchas gracias dear ;p

the little toaster gains a big, shiny, new brother! no need for benjy's liao! ;p arigato guys!

gore and den seem to think i have a private maseuse! ;p

22 candles ... Go and count!

Family, Friends, Food, Fun and a Fabulous 22nd!

I've always taken my birthdays for granted and most years it just seems like the passing of another year, another milestone. But always I am surrounded by great friends, great family (and great food) which gives this annual milestone so much more meaning than the term "birthday" actually intended. This year, far from home for the 2nd time, this still holds true more than ever.

A "surprise" dinner at My Old Dutch (finally satisfied my craving for crepes!), company with a bunch of totally bonkas and unruly bunch of people I am really glad to call for friends, 5 wonderful prezzies (and a 2 minute treasure hunt), birthday wishes (especially from my family and best bud).

I don't feel older this year. Love, friendships and goals have kept me young. ;p

Thank You Lord for giving me one more year - one more year of fun, laughter and striving.
Thank You all for the wishes, the company, the time and the thoughts! You let me know I am not alone!
Thanx Gore, Thanx Den for remembering abt your bro 10,000 miles away! I know you dudes will be there no matter the distance!
Thanx to Coach and Dad for always putting me in their thoughts no matter how busy they are! You are my lifelines and anchors!
And of course Thank You Dearest! ;D You keep my alive!

don't u just love the economist's caricatures! ;p

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

And ... ANOTHER week has passed. Phew! Its Saturday again before I've even really gotten my wits settled. If the week has been jam packed then what has passed so far of this weekend has been somewhat quiet. Vet has gone to Ireland and Sam has gone to Cardiff and Ben's not in a lot of the time so its just me and my shadow to keep me company most of the time haha. Of course he doesn't reply very often though ... my shadow that is ... so that makes it a little boring. ;(
I tried rather unsuccesfully to install a tag board on my blog yesterday ... I know I know ... I suck at IT and html ... all that digits and alphabets just go way pass me ...I shall soon have enlist the aid of people more skillful than myself. Sighz.
I realize that I can't stay angry at people for more than a short period of time. After awhile the anger just fizzles out and the situation which engendered that feeling seems to become irrlevant over time. Haha ... I guess it is a good trait in a sense ... no point making enemies when u can be friends!

Recently been stuck on this song ... its somewhat melancholic but the tune just sticks in your head like some dreaded Mac's advert ('bloody' refers to the advert not the song! ;p)

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

the THING which has been keeping me awake and occupied for the last few days!

Oh ... The Joys of Essay Writing!

Whereas the weekend was spent on soccer, cooking and mugging ... these two dismal days have been spent either in a stiff-backed chair squinting my eyes at some readings or in front of the PC hacking away at the keyboard in an attempt to create smth ressembling an essay. ;(
Of cos now that my essay is beginning to take shape ... I actually feel rather excited because unlike other assignments (aka math or econ short answer questions), the process of writing an essay and eventually completing it (especially a well-researched and thorough one) is very very satisfying. The process is very synthesizing and as you pen your thoughts in answer you start to question you own beliefs and begin to consider opinions from different angles. More than any other piece of assignment, I give essays my full ONE HUNDRED PERCENT attention because the final product is not only good for revision (haha) but also extremely fulfilling! ;p This topic in particular - abt church-state relations has been very thought-provoking and being Christian myself I've had to reassess some of the views I've held abt the role of the church in society and its position with respect to a modern liberal democracy.
Hmmm had lunch at Becks again today ... seems to be becoming a weekly thing now haha! And BB came over for dinner - with the primary purpose of koping my anime collection. He walked off with abt 100GB worth of anime - enuf to keep any man satisfied and occupied for HUNDREDS of hours!