tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62028600233242780752024-03-14T00:55:07.409-07:00The Changing SameSeeking the extraordinary in the mundaneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-77475135684772435722011-12-03T22:20:00.001-08:002011-12-03T22:20:42.691-08:00SubstitutionThe newspaper reported the appeal judgment. My client won, and he was vindicated from the frivolous suit brought on by the other shareholder, a suit that I unsuccessfully tried to strike out at first instance.<br /><br />If I had stayed on, this would probably be my first successful appeal. However, giving thought to what new wonderful experiences I had this year after a change in job scope, I wondered pointedly whether it would be worth it if I had stayed on to do the appeal, and the answer...? Probably not.<br /><br />We can't have the best of both worlds, sometimes we have to give up something important to ourselves in order to discover something better. 人生就是不停地戰鬥。Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-44122376597639793042011-11-23T20:58:00.000-08:002011-11-23T21:00:38.460-08:00DreamsI almost never remember my dreams, but in this medication-induced sleep, they came in, lucid as reality. In this one, she was all grown up, and we were playing a travel related board game that required us to go from country to country with each throw of the dice. She was winning, and I had ridiculously bad dice throws. Fast forward to scene 2, where we were both in an English cab driven by a rather unfriendly Pakistani driver, who sped through the streets of Britain by night. We didn’t know where we headed, we only knew we were heading south (to France maybe). It seemed like an extension of that board game that we were both playing earlier. I got nervous and edgy and stopped the cab somewhere near the equivalent of Little India. We got off, and decided this wasn’t working out, we would have to head to Heathrow Airport instead to take the next Qatar or Emirates flight back to Singapore. Why we did not ask the driver to change course when we were still in the cab eluded me, but I recalled her paying the driver 100 pounds for the ride, even though we are now stranded in the middle of nowhere (fine, Little India, but still). “That’s too much!”, I exclaimed, to which she just led me away to one of the shops. We had to find our way to Heathrow airport but in finding our way around we bumped into a Chinese lady who was manning a cart filled with fruits and berries. She told us that we were very far away from Heathrow, but (perhaps to console us somewhat) offered me some mulberry / mini-grape looking berry which I promptly shared with her. She was no longer the little girl that left this world 11 years ago, but as grown up as I was. For some strange reason, I was not surprised and I didn’t ask any questions, but was just happy to be able to share sweet berries with her and watching her smile. <br /><br />Come to think of it, she hardly spoke, but to be able to just enjoy spending time with her in this manner, just the two of us, was good enough for me. For that few hours, when we were both grown up in a parallel universe, I was happy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-87581848183077248342011-01-29T23:33:00.000-08:002011-01-30T00:44:45.569-08:00CrossroadsOnce in a really blue moon, life presents an opportunity to move out of your comfort zone. Then the sudden realisation hits you: that if you are not constrained by your (lack of) education and finances or family commitments, you can do anything you want in this world, and the feeling is immensely liberating.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-10669490105841848892010-11-07T05:37:00.001-08:002010-11-07T05:37:08.389-08:00RewindGrowing up / lapsing into routine / consumed by work / rat race / endless pursuits<br /><br />Rewind // endless hours of hanging out // trance music // simple pleasures // being carefree<br /><br />Now and then, regression is a balm to a weary soulUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-84263306590596889972010-10-31T02:14:00.001-07:002010-10-31T02:14:32.925-07:00Release"Pain is the release of weakness from the body". That pertains to the physical front. On the mental side, October was draining but fulfilling. Looking forward to a rejuvenating November in my favorite city in Asia. 楽しみにしょう!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-20711967145348498112010-10-01T11:32:00.001-07:002010-10-01T11:32:26.031-07:00VeneerShe said to me tonight, "I don't like you when you are intoxicated". I sobered up with a start. This was one of the last things I expected to hear after a nice 5 course dinner and wine with friends we've both known for years. I held my tongue, and I took it in during the rest of my journey back. <br /><br />Thoughts.<br /><br />How much of a relationship is compromise, how much requires work, how much demands sacrifice? We are all painfully clear that nothing comes without a cost. The extroverted dreams that fiery Aries used to have, his passion and his drive, unknowingly routed by the introverted water sign Scorpio. Yet he does this willingly, for he knows that there are certain gifts that he must treasure. Even so, there are nights like these where doubt creeps in and he turns in, unsure like a wandering nomad ascertaining his bearings.<br /><br />0231 a.m. 02102010Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-8661092162109502372010-09-12T02:04:00.001-07:002010-09-12T02:04:42.947-07:00FadeThis is not how young men are supposed to go. We lose them to war, we lose them to the lure of emigration but we never expect to lose them this way. Rest in peace bro, I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch much after law school. :(Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-80492336708391312722010-08-24T11:12:00.000-07:002010-08-24T11:23:14.798-07:00InsecuritiesSometimes we doubt ourselves. <br /><br />Am I cut out for this. Am I brilliant enough. Am I talented enough. Do I have what it takes. Why am I so farking tired all the time.<br /><br />A mentor said to me: "I am certain you are capable of better"<br /><br />A fellow litigator and dear friend said to me: "tenacity is the most important attribute of a litigator, not how smart the person is. the ability to be organised and analyse things, and a certain gumption to stay on course even when the odds are against you. strength of character."<br /><br />A doctor and confidante said to me: "your health is important"<br /><br /><br />At 2 a.m. not knowing the answers to the multitude of issues - No one said it was going to be easy, but roll over and die i will NOT.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-7829159607365087982010-08-01T18:19:00.001-07:002010-08-01T18:19:30.459-07:00DefianceOver the weekend i read some articles in various magazines about chasing dreams, entrepreneurs quitting their lawyering/finance/corporate life to pursue what they feel strongly in life. I thought to myself, what happened for my passion for lomography, my obsession with the aviation industry, my love for music? Smothered. Work and family/friends have become so all-consuming that some days (or rather, early mornings after midnight) the only thing I look forward to is the bed I sleep in. Yes, everything is a choice, and I chose many moons ago to do this, but time and again I have to remind myself why I am here doing this when i can be anywhere else in the world doing what I love. No grudges, just an undeniable need to justify, mostly to myself, that this is worth it. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-25316343462687461982010-07-04T05:36:00.001-07:002010-07-04T05:36:20.845-07:00LightsI sense a calling, but I give myself [. ] amount of time to consider it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-36578523273961912342010-05-24T10:05:00.000-07:002010-05-24T10:07:02.328-07:00InterventionHow many times was I ready to throw it all away, and to give it all up, before divine intervention came at the last minute to rescue me from myself, my propensity to let it go to waste and slip awayUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-68337230225970603772010-05-23T17:57:00.001-07:002010-05-23T17:57:54.367-07:00Fruits"只问耕耘、 不问收获的你、终于建立了自己的信誉、总算没有白费多日来的努力。"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-59076239849622438542010-05-05T02:16:00.000-07:002010-05-05T02:28:32.909-07:00LondonLondon holds a special significance for a man of Christian faith, a boy fed on a diet of English literature and a student of the British common-law model. Coming here is like being able to put a face to a name, a substance to a form, and a manifestation to a belief.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-70940349058779648692010-04-27T10:44:00.001-07:002010-04-27T10:49:42.036-07:00NostalgiaShe remembered fragments of myself that I have left behind, like how I broke chopsticks for her and poured creamer into MOS Burger Iced Tea on her behalf. She asked me why we didn't date, and I thought to myself, 10 years ago, I was just too unsure of myself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-43435818154974585592010-04-16T23:31:00.000-07:002010-04-17T00:04:59.118-07:00DreamsThe Straits Times featured an article today on the dreams and aspirations of today's Singaporeans. It was not surprising that the same dreams that we had as a nation in the 90's: the 5Cs: Cash, Credit Card, Car, Condominium and Country Club membership were used as the benchmark for comparison. In the 90's I was a mere student, and the 5Cs were just obscure concepts that we knew and poked fun at. <br /><br />Fast forward a decade. As a young working professional, this "5Cs" concept triggers an involuntary self-reflection. Is this what I am working so damn hard for? Being tied down to a lifetime of mortgages in an economy where the flavour of the decade shifts from manufacturing to health sciences to financial services to.. [insert new industry here]. Yes, I know the effects of the above are somewhat mitigated in my industry but it does not stop one from thinking, even dreading, the almost certain eventuality of being obsolete in a world that does not cease to change.<br /><br />We spoke about this. Yes, I do dream about a life like this. However, on days like these, it hits me that I cannot just continue doing what I am doing without reflection because time just slips by as we drone on in our mundane lives. Case in point, 3 months have already slipped by, just like that. As I leave my green & blue the end of this month, I need to satisfy myself that if I have already voluntarily clipped my wings, I cannot have any regrets being housed in a cage.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-55886225251267326502010-04-08T10:02:00.001-07:002010-04-08T10:02:36.796-07:00WhatayaYeah, its plain to see<br />That baby youre beautiful<br />And theres nothing wrong with you<br />Its me<br />Im a freak<br />But thanks for loving me<br />Cause youre doing it perfectlyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-56410980925059953632010-03-27T07:30:00.001-07:002010-03-27T07:30:27.387-07:00ReminderSometimes we need to be reminded why we do what we do, even why we love the people we love. Today is one such day, where I am reminded why i made a certain decision one night in February way back in 2004. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-33391490329446678832010-03-20T06:43:00.000-07:002010-03-20T06:44:44.609-07:00Longing<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c5UuGfAClwc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c5UuGfAClwc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />All I need is you. Come back soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-84943257333054551612010-03-14T09:48:00.001-07:002010-03-14T09:48:18.764-07:00BattlesThe biggest battles in life are those where you have to fight yourself (in more than one sense of the word)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-16836860217957656642010-02-21T16:53:00.001-08:002010-02-21T16:53:05.145-08:00Infatuation"Before the beloved's own characteristics can affect them, these misguided souls smother the true person in an imaginary charm drawn from their own inexhaustible source. Then, as they become closer, they see their darling not as they are but as they have made them and, while believing they take delight in their loved one, they are simply delighting in their own conceptions. One fine day, however, weary of doing all the work, they discover that the object of their adoration is not returning the ball; the infatuation drops away and the blow to their self esteem makes them unjust towards the person they once idolized."<br /><br />Stendhal on Love, translated from the French language Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-38708347055081507622010-02-20T09:43:00.001-08:002010-02-20T10:03:45.672-08:00GeomancyI know its a load of bull, but it makes good reading:<br /><br />(1) wrt current squeeze<br /><br />知什么叫做“火星撞地球”,必定要看这一对组合了,两个火爆型的人在一起要谈一次恋爱,的确需要大量“军火”。而且天蝎座很多事都放在心上不表现出来,一旦有情变,他的报复性极强,达五星!!!白羊座很容易会被天蝎座的神秘魅力吸引,而将羊头撞过去,结果一撞出事,皆因两个人都是权力至上的人。试想如此情况之下,哪有可能不是由早吵到晚的一对?<br /><br /><br />(2) wrt previous squeeze<br /><br />非常适合一起的一对组合,但可能要象赌博一样博一博。因为你俩的人生态度很接近,对任何事物都有象小孩子一般的热情和好奇,彼此很容日易沟通起来。要留意的就是白羊座的人缺乏耐性和持久力,而水瓶座的人变化多端,有时候连自己需要什么也不知道,两个人在一起,一定要找到解决这个问题的药方Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-41696405608751575012010-02-16T21:44:00.001-08:002010-02-16T21:44:47.669-08:00ChoicesI asked her why did she have her ex-crush's photo on her handphone's wallpaper, to which she replied, "I will be getting married (to another guy) in two weeks' time, and after that I will never be able to have his photo on my wallpaper ever again".<br /><br />That was in 2004, and they have been happily married and living overseas since. They have a kid now, but the memory of the wallpaper incident never fails to remind me that in life, as with most things, it's all about the choices we make and how we choose to make things work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-87348907600185556582010-02-08T03:32:00.001-08:002010-02-08T03:32:15.310-08:00WishesHappy Birthday Meiling. You should be 25 now. What would you have been doing? Would you have married? Would we still be arguing over the smallest things? Would you still be the same? Would WE still be the same? <br /><br />I miss you terribly. One day when my chores are done here I will see you again. One day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-48931896823544490792010-01-30T03:40:00.001-08:002010-01-30T03:40:46.666-08:00HopelessThere's some law that states that expenditure is directly proportional to income. Am drooling after a weekend of car showroom viewing... Why are my toys getting more and more expensive?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6202860023324278075.post-78495006003189625772010-01-27T23:47:00.001-08:002010-01-27T23:47:52.504-08:00WeavingYet even as the audience is drawn into a tale, we must pause to ask: who is the story-teller? How far can we believe and trust the story? After all, a storyteller may entral, educate, entertain - or deceive - and sometimes all at the same time. Whose reality can we trust?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0