CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT! Yes I know it was viral back in 2004 but still. CHECK OUT THE TIGER LEAPING ONTO AN ELEPHANT AND ATTACKING A MAN!
The rangers in India were trying to tranquilize the Tigress (Female Tiger) as it was too near a village. Instead, the Tigress got so worked up it came out of nowhere and leaped onto an adult elephant and attacked one of the rangers. He survived with some cuts. But look at that JUMP! Damn!
That tigress got away but was never to be seen again.
On Friday, I finally tried out a new "watering" hole outside my usual haunts of Sara's, Zouk or Princep Street. Went to 'Red Lantern' at Fullerton Bay Hotel for the first time with my friend Vivian.
After a literal 5 minute walk from the hotel entrance to the lift lobby that brings us up to the rooftop of the short, boutique hotel that is Fullerton Bay, the first thought upon exiting the lift: "Fuck, should have withdrawn money"!
A swimming pool, MBS in the background somewhere, black and white feel... You know you are in the right place if you want to relax on a Friday night. It didn't look pack when we reached at 10pm (reservation-less) and that was a mistake. All tables were full in this cosy little night spot. We were offered standing by the bar, no objections given since promises of tables were assured if one was available.
We did eventually got a cushion-bed-sofa-chair or whatever it is by the Singapore River overlooking MBS, the LV Island and Avalon. I must admit, it was a pretty comfortable feeling. Definitely a great place to chill out (especially on a Friday), knock back some beers and just relax with friends. And its an even better place for sadist out there who wish to "show-off" they can enjoy the night drinking whilst those still stuck in the office which surrounded and overlooked 'Red Lantern' enjoy the jealousy of not being able to enjoy the "TGIF" moment. Plus, the place is rather breezy and not hot or stuffy and I know this because I was wearing my thick, black Zara jacket that night and I wasn't feeling the heat.
As expected, the drinks were pricey but reasonable. By reasonable I am comparing to higher-end places. It is also a great place to catch the laser show from MBS. The service staffs are excellent and attentive. They could do better with their signature drinks but no complains. Best to call-in and reserve seats. If there is really one complain, it's that their toilets are DAMN COLD. For some reason, the air-con in the toilet makes you feel like you have momentarily stepped into some winter wonderland.
OKAY OKAY, confession time....
CONFESSION #1. Viv and I ordered a total of 4 drinks (2 Heineken's and 2 cocktails). However they only billed us 1 Heineken and 1 cocktail. We DID ask about it but apparently the staff claimed the bill was settled. Fine by me. Saved us $30 at least.
CONFESSION #2. I parked via the valet services at Fullerton Bay Hotel and I only realized the valet charges AFTER 1 hour. Apparently charges are as follows: $12 for the first hour. $5 for the subsequent hours. FUCKING expensive but it is after all, hotel valet charges. 2nd great "deal" of the night came when I picked up my car, after 3 hours of parking, I was only charged the 1st hour of $12. Hell saves me another $10.
Great night of lucky deals. Not going to complain much since these kinds of situations do NOT happen very often. Take it when the opportunity rises huh. Anyways, overall Red Lantern is a great little spot to go if you want to relax, find some peace, unwind with friends or partners. It's quiet, cosy and gives off a touch of "Entourage-esque".
So far so good, been putting way more effort in finding back my "Mojo"...
Just finished the morning training. Finally after months of not running, last week I kick-started (in addition to training for the Standard Chartered Marathon 2011) my own training again. Last week 6km in 49 minutes. This morning was much better in terms of time, but slightly shorter distance. Thanks to my newly downloaded "Endomondo" app on my BB, recorded a 5.27km run in 29 minutes.
Well, feels good to run a little faster this time round. But I know the best is yet to come. Guess the SCMS 2011 came at the right time. Gonna run the 21km so I need to get back in shape fast. PLUS, ZoukOut 2011 is just around the corner too, HEH!
Still getting used to not eating as much as I used to, including cutting down all that meaty, fatty parts. Thinking about it makes my mouth dripping with temptations. Toa Payoh has too much good food then temptations are really never-ending.
I have also started re-building my tennis game again. Lost it somewhere along the way.
There are 2 problems still. First, BECAUSE it is the exam study break, unfortunately when studying my M.Menthol intake has also slightly increased. The other NEW problem, though I wouldn't exactly say it's new... About 2 months ago, whilst playing tennis (I believe was during the SIM Tennis Team final round of trials), I picked up some sort of a shoulder injury. My right side seem to have some sort of strain or ache. I never seek consultation because I rarely do, I always let my bruises, sprains heal themselves. But over the course of the 2 months, it still remains sore, though the soreness is not felt on a daily basis, whenever I lift the right arm over my head, I can feel the strain. Hopefully it really is nothing serious.
Yes, this may bore the shit out of some of you, but this is my blog. Repeat: MY blog. I don't care if you do read it, I don't care if you don't read it. I couldn't care less anymore. But all these, it is important to me. We all have our "Mojo", that part of us that makes us who we really are. It defines us. I lost it along the ways and throughout the years, made a lot of half-fuck effort in getting it back. Well, as I previously mentioned... wake up call.
It seems that now 7 October has taken on a 2nd significance, which was brought upon by the 1st. I gave myself a serious wake up call that night. I have had enough of the half-hearted effort of bouncing back from my past. This time round, I am for real. I am going to bring myself back to a time 8 years ago when J was still very much alive. Time to bring back my mojo of 8 years ago.
While over the years I have somewhat brought the "mojo" back, I was still a shadow of my former self. I have brought back some of the confidence and some of the optimism and perceptiveness, I still allowed myself to occasionally fall into a valley of self-pity.
This time round, there is no more half-fuck effort.
Yes I know, this STEP UP 3 movie was released back in August of 2010 and I missed it. Well better late than never! Finally caught the movie (of course it wasn't 3D) on Star Movies last night (THANK GOD FOR CABLE!) and wow... sorry I meant WOW!
I love the energy, the movement, the flow (I am talking about the dance flow) throughout the movie. It is electrifying. I don't usually say that about movies. Who cares about the damn plot or the damn acting skills, its a movie about dance. And the love FOR dance.
I love to dance. Although I can't dance to save my own soul. I still love to. Dancing takes you to another world, takes you to a different place. It's so magical. Its like the perfect escape. I respect dancers, it isn't easy. I love dancers. Hell, the ladies who dance in their stilletoes and make it look so damn good, they are hot. I don't know, dancing just gives this sense of freedom, freedom of expression that is so hot and sexy and electrifying.
There IS an underlying lesson to this movie, rather my own underlying lesson. I admire people who chase their dreams... their real dreams. There just aren't many of us out there who have the courage to do so.
Do YOU know what you really want out of your life?
The official trailer of Step Up 3 (Movie)
The final battle against Samurai's. CAN YOU FEEL IT?!
This is admittingly my other favorite part of the movie. Sorry, I am a crazy romantic. I love these moments. It's special. I mean if you have experienced it before you know exactly what I mean.
NOW THIS... was probably my favorite part of the movie. Liked it more that the Final Battle. I love the 2nd battle against Gwai.
Friends once told me that I am so lucky, I am like a multi-plug and I can adapt to any group of friends and be on good terms with everyone. Someone even once mentioned that they are envious I have plenty of good friends. I use to take it as a compliment. Now, I am not so sure.
I am just so sick and tired of all the drama and all the likes and all the dislikes and backstabbing. I don't see how people can call others their friends when they can't accept them for the good and the bad. I am not talking about acquaintances, or hi-bye kind of friends... I am talking about genuine friends.
It just gets so damn tiring to hear constant complaining about the same old things over and over and over again among people who are supposed to be friends. Just get a move on it already. But I think what's worst, or perhaps what I am most sick and tired about is I don't expect a lot from friendship and yet everyone else seems to expect something from me.
I don't care if you are a guy or a girl, if you are my friend, I will go all out for you. I am that kind of friend. And I don't expect anything in return because that's how it is suppose to work. How can you call others your friend if you expect something in return. I can forgive. I can forget. I like to do things on my own terms, at my own time. I will say something when I feel the time is right.
Perhaps the final straw to all these sick and tiredness came last night. Every year during this time, my thoughts and my actions get very distracted because it is after all my best friend's anniversary of his passing. I think I can be forgiven for not being myself or being a good friend during this time because I am very distracted by events which took place 7 years ago. So you can imagine how irritated and how pissed I got just because I didn't mention something for once.
The actual story goes something like this. A friend wants to introduce someone to me and I only saw her for 15 mins 2 days ago and from my rear mirror of my car because I gave her a lift home. We barely shared 5 sentences of conversation and yes I thought she was really eye-catching but didn't give it much thought because well, distracted. I didn't mention to anyone the full story or what I thought because it wasn't the right time. I just casually mentioned there MAY be a girl who I MAY be interested in but I don't have her number I don't have her FB, etc. So when that accidentally got slipped out, I never thought a friend would actually compare me to another of her friends just because I didn't mention something that is nothing at all. She compared me to her "friend" who only makes use of her and is totally fucked up. I can't believe I got compared to a fucked up person. Seriouisly. JUST because I didn't mention something that is actually about nothing.
I mean come on, you have got to be kidding right? So that's what I am in your eyes. Just because I didn't mention something when it's nothing at all and suddenly I am a fucked up friend.
You know what, that was probably the final straw. I am sick and tired of listening to all the bullshit, all the gossips, all the backstabbings amongst friends. And I am talking about MANY groups of friends here. I am done. I am done being a good friend to everyone. Really. I have just had about enough. I am really tired of all the drama's.
To the driver who knocked him down 7 years ago, who never stopped and called for help. Who just drove off and left him there to die. Whoever you are, I really wonder how do you live with yourself all these years. You WILL get what you deserve.
It's been a long while since I last updated the blog, and what better day then to (re)start doing so. What better day... Ironically, this better day is probably my most messed up day.
I came across this particular quote on the net, "If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again..."
I think I should hate you.
I hate you for leaving your family broken with holes they may never fill.
I hate you for having 大姐's heart broken and smashed to a million pieces, never to be healed again.
I hate you for your little boy never got to see the light of day.
I hate the fact you selfishly left all your friends with nothing but a shadow of empty hope that you may one day walk through that door.
Most importantly, I hate you for making me feel so empty and hollow, you are suppose to be my "brother", my buddy, MY BEST FRIEND!
I should hate you, I really should.
But the truth is, I don't hate you. I simply can't.
For it was not your intention to leave us, your family and your friends.
Yes life is not fair.
Sometimes I wish on a wishing star that it was all nothing but a horrible nightmare.
I wish a wish that will never come true.
You aren't coming back. You never will.
They say in time, the loss of someone will get easier. But they didn't say how long it will take. It has been 7 years... 7 long years. Yet with every passing year, the pain never seems to heal. With every passing year, the grief sticks on.
To be honest, I feel that I am blessed. I have had the opportunity and the honor to have many friends in my life, and to have a close group of friends by my side always.But you will forever remain my best friend. I just can't give that away to anyone else. No one can and no one should replace you. That's just the way I see it. I don't want to offend any one of my friends but that's the truth about me. I will never have any other best friend. I just can't.
I hide these tears, these emptiness, these broken-ness all inside. People shouldn't see it. That is locked in a memory so deep, it's privacy should be forever locked away from the world.
Perhaps I hold on to the grief not because I don't want to forget you (that I never will), nor is it because I am to weak to move on (I always do); instead I hold onto the grief because you taught me life. It was because of you and losing you that made me who I am today.
1. You always have a choice, no matter what
2. Never regret the choices that seem wrong, learn and become better
3. Never give up the fight, there is always a chance no matter how small or hopeless a situation may be
4. Loyalty.
5. Do ever be afraid.
I am who I am today because of you. You say I should never follow in your footsteps. I am sorry but I did. The good and the bad. Heroes aren't perfect, they are after all human. That's who you are and that's who I became.
I wish you were here still. Every time I get into a little trouble, I wish you were here to listen. I wish you were still here to guide me, to tell me off whenever I get out of line, to share my disappointments and my achievements. But the reality is you aren't. I have long accepted that fact. You are never coming back.
It was fate that you end your life young and took you away from us all. And perhaps till that day when fate comes knocking on my door, be it sooner or later, I will join you someday.
P. Diddy, F. Evans and Sting "I'll Be Missing You"
