All that has a beginning, has an end.

Every chapter in Life will eventually come to a close,

Its the essence of it that will last forever in all of us.

A lasting imprint on our hearts and minds.

The laughters, the scowls, the vulgarities,

the jokes, the intimate conversations,

the merry and sometimes crazy outings,

the hours spent mugging together, 

the intense discussions,

the climbs, the falls,

-you guys know what we've been through yea..-

I don't exactly know how to place these feelings in words,

As I reminiscence of all the moments, be it a bitter or sweet memory,

no words come to mind, 

. . .

Just a strong feeling of attachment and belonging,

to the people whom I've grown to love and trust,

people, who despite their unique quirks, has bonded together so closely,

to say that we're a mere club would be an understatement, an insult even!

Temasek Junior College Climbing Club 09/10

For once, I have no words to speak.

Only to smile.

(:

Human beings are adaptive creatures, able to adapt to many environments, and all that it takes is their will to do so.

Adaptations occur due to a necessity to do so, a measure taken in order to survive or to thrive in an environment.

In life, with ever-changing circumstances, it is crucial to hone and master this advantage.

Choices, choices, choices. Decisions based on opportunity costs. What does it take to make one?

The weight, insurmountable.

But alas, when the moment comes to change, we must, or we risk losing control of the situation we have for so long grown comfortable to.

Change, and adapt.

Live and let die.

... . ... .. .. .. .. . . . ... . .. . .. ... .. . .. .. . .. . ..

You rest your head on empty pillows,

wake up and open your eyes.

ISN'T IT JUST BEAUTIFUL?

I think, I think

Tiles are like people,

Many at times, we let all the

bitterness, cold, and bland

parts of life to veil our true colours

and our true nature too

and maybe, just maybe,

we just need to let someone spray us 

with high-pressured water!

Rid of all them dirt and stains

So we that become all nice again,

yes? 

Sometimes, sometimes.

24-25 April 2010
Probably, THE weekend to remember
Full of awesome things happening, of astounding achievements and satisfaction
This is for the team. Temasek Junior College Climbing Club - TJCCC

Yishun SAFRA

For the past month, all the trainings were held here with consideration that it would benefit us.

The journey was troublesome and time-consuming, but alas, it has bear fruit

Top Three for Male and Female Difficulty for A Div.

Honestly, one of the most proudest achievement.

Overall A Division Champion - TJC

In the end, it all goes back to everyone who is TJCCC, 

every individual who contributed, supported and trained

We win, as a team

as a family,

woots.

Ohhh man this week has been one of THE most tiring weeks, EVER.
Though I'm unsure why, ever since Monday, the days seem to slog by so slowly and I would go home utterly tired, mind saturated and feeling grumpy, haha! I just need one whole weekend of rest and study, maybe.
BUT, thats not going to be anytime soon yea, NSSCC is happening, WHOOO!

Last weekend has proved worthy of mention with Chris getting CHAMPION for individual speed category!
Man, the atmosphere was pure electric! Especially so during the final round to determine the champion. It felt as if time stood still and everyones eyes were directed to the wall. Everyone holding their breath simultaneously, hearts racing, expecting their hopes to be turned into reality, oh such a great moment. Though, nothing beats the pure joy when Chris's hands were raised, indicating him as champion, HOLY SHITTTT.

When Chris got first, it was all smiles mann

The Speed Team of TJCCC

Check out Sherwin, Haha!

Anyway, now the focus is on whats happening for THIS weekend, the difficulty category being the main focus. Just gotta do our best, for it is a FACT that we have trained hard for this,

ALLEZ TJCCC!

Dreams of beautiful buildings taking my breath away

Of hope in a situation of hopelessness and the rewards for a sincere heart

Of strength from within emerging to overcome trials met

Of dreams achieved and of lasting companionship

Of life with its ups and downs and how for every hardship there is a reward

Of the journey undertaken alone

.. . .. .. ... .. . . ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. ..

A barrier of stone keeps the waters at bay

However water erodes even the strongest stone

From the soft lapping of water to monstrous surges

Bit by bit they eat away at the foundations 

Till when will it last? 

Till when will the stone hold the waters at bay? 

People always say that God works in mysterious ways.
Yet, why look so far when sometimes,
even people work in mysterious ways.

... . .. . . . .. .. .. .. . ... . .. . . . . .. .. ... . . . . .. . .. . .... . .

Far too often, we tend to judge others too soon before light of the circumstance can be revealed fully.
Years upon years of education has taught us to make intelligent deductions based on current conditions.
However, sometimes, we are wrong, and all we needed was to be a little bit more patient, just a little bit.
When faced with similar circumstances, we make our judgments based on previous outcomes.
When faced with new ones, we make them based on guesses and expectations.
What our heart whispers, it is inevitably reflected in our words or actions.
Hence it is without a doubt that to rid ourselves of this tendency to judge,
we must try our best to squelch them before it materializes fully within us.
Ah, such complexities within us, the eternal clash between the heart and the mind.

.. ... . .. . .. .. .. ... ... .. . . .. . . .. . . .. ... . .. . . . .. . ... . . ... .. .. .

Its been awhile since I've last sat down among elders and just silently listened to their tales.
To the point that I have semi-forgotten how much there is to learn from them.
I will try, to speak, only after I have listen, listen to others, listen to myself.

Peel the layers and find something beautiful.
Looking across oceans and mountains to see,
you might just miss out what lies just ahead.
Even in calm waters, there may be danger lying in wait.
Extinguish the spark before it grows to be fire.
Words spoken can never be retrieved back, think before you speak.
Even if the truth hurts, it is better to tell it than to lie.
Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
Love all, trust a few

Lets.see.if.hardwork.pays.off.Lets.hope.
No.expectations.just.hope

The.frustrations.that.exist.
simmer.out.of.sight.never.out.of.mind
unstable. reactive.and.powerful.
easily.warping.to.more.sinister.forms
quell.them. quickly.hurry.
seek.the. peace.and.see.the.calm.
speak.not.in.anger.
fury.in.words.their.sting. long-lasting.
still.your.mind.and.your.heart.
in.th.midst.of.the. hurricane.lies.the.inevitable.tranquil.

....

Sometimes.sometimes.things.may.get.overwhelming.

Through.the.sweat.and.tears.remember.the. faces.that.we.see.

Think.of.them.these.people.who.seem.to.always.be.there

and.maybe.it.will.be.easier.to.bear

I want to learn how to cook.
To me, cooking is a lot like making art.
There is no proper definition of perfection, it is as how you imagine it to be, or in this case, how it tastes like.
Also, I find cooking strangely appealing cause its one of those things that has to satisfy an individual at the sensory level and also on a deeper level. Just as it is for art, in cooking, the dish has to be appealing to the eyes, the colour of the ingredients, the way they're arranged, the aroma, the texture of the food. Of course the deeper level would be the actual taste of the food. To add to that, no one dish can appeal to all, like how a piece of art cannot appeal to all. It makes people, especially Me, happy. I like to make people happy, and I want to learn how to cook.

AND TOMORROWS MARCH COMMON TESTS.

I.dont.know.why.but.somehow.I.enjoy.th.exam.periods.

Its.like.theres.an.obvious.purpose.or.result.from.studying.

a.motivation.or.drive.to.do.so.one.that.i.enjoy.strangely.

I.admit.I.like.to.study.it.keeps.my.mind.sharp.when.usually.its.all.over.

However.this.only.happens.during.th.exam.period.

anytime.before.or.after.ohh.its.a.different.feeling.haha.

but.right.now.whats.important.is.to.have.a.gauge.of.how.I'm.doing.

lets.hope.all.this.studying.will.pay.off.for.it.is.my.greatest.fear.it.does.not

lets.hope

AND.WHOO.I.LOVE.HOLIDAYS!

it.feels.good.to.wake.up.with.th.sun.above.th.horizon.truly

I.gotta.feeling.that.all.th.hours.of.sleep.has.made.me.grown.hahaha

though.th. effects.of.oversleeping.are.showing.i've.turned.into.a. black.panda

how.awesome.

Th.fire.that.flows.in.th.veins.

Th.wind.that.fills.th.lungs.

Th.water.that.holds.th.bones.

Th.earth.that.forms.th.flesh

Th.ensuing. clash.of.the.heart.and.the.mind

Th weather has really been punishing these past few days,
and its really affecting my thinking.

Once again, I have come to th realization that hardwork pays off and you can't just depend on your intelligence.
I seem to always forget it. Usually, I'm lazy, but that doesn't mean I don't do my work, I just don't do additional work that I'm supposed to, in order to get that evasive A. But, looking at how this years going to be probably one of th most important year of education, I've decided to start studying. Not bad not bad. Its also hugely because of the release of the results for A's last Friday. Looking at the faces I saw, some happy, some sad, some accepting, some stoic, it got me to realize,

"ah whathell, lets do this shit."

Mercury Rising! The past few days has been HOTHOTHOT.
Though, it is not related to my prolonged disappearance.

Life, no, School, has been increasingly busy, filled with incomplete tutorials, confusing lectures, datelines and more tutorials. Apart from that, trainings getting more intensive in lieu with th upcoming competitions (THIS THURSDAY!) and hence, whenever I am not dead-tired from training, I would be busy with school, and the cycle repeats itself. So there you go, my reasoning for my absence.

Its already March, time is sure flying by. Before we know it, BOOM, its already the highlight of th year.
For that, I have diligently been consistently catching up and revising my stuff. Its good you know, that despite the time spent studying, when it comes to crunch time, you feel somewhat prepared and less stress. So heres to doing stuff beforehand and ignoring being called a Mugger! There is a debate that exists regarding this often misused term ; Mugger. You see, in my opinion, the term mugger arose from the situation where one studies into the wee hours of th night with a MUG of coffee or whatever beverage of preference to sustain you through the night, hence th term mugging. The act of studying till late with something keeping you awake. However, based on others, one is a mugger merely when one is studying, which to me is ridiculous? Oh damn, why am I wrapping my mind around such trivial and insignificant issues...

Anyway, on a more significant topic, GRAVICAL IS THIS THURSDAY! First Competition of the year for the  National Bouldering League (NBL). The competition that begins all competitions. I can't deny that Ive been looking forward to this. Its like, running a race you know? A measure of how good you are, albeit sometimes inaccurately, but a measure nonetheless, in comparison to others. I am a man of competition, though not aggressively, but its just something that spurs me on. I'm sure TJCCC will do well man, WHOO!

Ahh, my energy has come to an all time low after today, 400m + 5000m = Damn.
So goodnight world.

This is a drawing by one DDzim on DA.
awesome is it not?

To those who know me, know that I love to draw.

Its a natural thing to do for me, fingers wrapped around a pen/pencil and drawing, be it on paper, or not. 

Thoughts flow through lead, materialize through surface.

Its a form of expression sometimes, a window into my head, the untangling of the swirl of thoughts in there.

The reason why I draw are not a lot, simple.

Its to please, to fulfill, to have something to do when I'm bored, however, the meanings, that, is a different thing.

A haven in the storm of life.

A place where Life comes to a still.

The complications of life just dissipate into the air.

Its really a marvelous place, the Bamboo River.

Flower petals always up in smoke,

Its like a perpetual high, where time ticks by so slowly.

The rigidity that Time always has on our lives, seem to melt away.

A pocket in the Universe, detached from this world.

Magical places/things reside in the world,

you just have to open your eyes.

Sprained my ankle in a strange manner, really sucks cos now I can only limp really slow, or hop with one leg.

AND, next weeks road run, awesome.

When I cannot study when I plan to, I draw. This has been something which has been in my head for sometime now, just didn't have th time to draw till just now. whee.

Hi, its been awhile hasn't it?

Its February. Second month of THE year. Kinda fast if you ask me, but oh well, everybody has 24 hours each day. Slowly picking up the pace, I know myself, I take awhile to start, anything, and even then, it'd take me some time before I eventually pick up th pace. This encompasses academics, thought-process, GROWTH, and yea, many other things I guess. Strangely, I'm beginning to enjoy school, naturally, it has become part of my system, this routine, expectations and whatnot.

So, the J1s have arrived, settled and ended their orientation! Even though it wasn't mine, not anywhere close considering I'm not even an OGL, it was fun actually. A breathe of fresh air, to say the least. New faces, new potential and new personalities. This years going to be an interesting year and I REALLY hope that we get hyper/enthusiastic/imbalanced juniors for TJCCC, damnnn, its going to be AWESOME.

... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . ... .. . . . .. . .. . . . ...

Today, my Father turns 50.
Normally a stoic man, he doesn't show much affection.
Hard to crack, he has been through much difficulty.
Rarely do I ever hear or see him show his emotions apart from anger.
However, when he said thank you to my brother and I as he was about to enter his room,
It affected me quite deeply, in a positive way.
Beneath that thick hide, lies someone who's quite sensitive, though he may not show it.
Yea yea, I might sound slow for not realizing this as a normal human personality,
but he's my father and thats rare. So yea, Happy Birthday Aba, I hope you are happy.

... . .. .. . . ... . ... . . . . .. . .. .. . . ... .. . ..

A chip of the old block, I realized that I'm quite similar to my dad when it comes to this emotions thing. Haha

When you feel so tired but you can't sleep,
you know the feeling?

January's coming to an end, one month down.
Its been the first week, probably the one with the least load, least stress and most time spent not studying.
And yet, it already seems so tiring, so draining. Everyday, at the end of th day, I seem to be crawling to bed, slowly, knowing that once I sleep, a new day begins. But somehow, I'm starting to adapt to this routine of waking up, going to school, study or climb till late, then going home, to repeat it, over again. However, what keeps me going is the random events that occur in school, the laughter of friends, the smiles, the shared burden and experiences that we all go through together. Truthfully, if it wasn't for the friends that I have in school, I doubt I would be, like this.

Well, anyway, its been a long and tiring day, sleep well people.
It is always darkest before the dawn

Sometimes, we forget that death does not come when one is old, nor when one is sick.

Sometimes, we forget that people may just meet their fate at any time.

Sometimes, we forget to cherish this life we have, with distractions all around.

Sometimes, we only remember when it happens.

The gagging in your throat, the hot tears that form.
It is the human instinct to do so, a natural reaction.
However, we must look ahead and understand,
that everything that happens, happens for a reason.

Death, perceived as the end of life as we know it.
The shattering of the mortal bonds that bind, it is the inevitable end for all.
So that they may finally be free, free from this temporary abode we call home.
From Him we come from, to Him, we return.