two zero one one

it's the last day of 2011. looking back at the past 1 year, there was a transition of the different phases in life, from completing the 22 months of national service to starting my tertiary education. a soldier back to a student again. I'm glad that i was able to make it through to the local uni. there're also several groups of people and friends whom i met throughout the year. staff & kids from the carecorner ssc, pess orientation group mates, GESL group mates, pess classmates and many others. without them, i doubt that my 2011 will be as fun and exciting as what i have experienced so far. at the same time, not forgetting about the old friends who have been there all along, we have known each other for another year and definitely there're many more years ahead for our friendship to continue to blossom.

2011 has been an awesome year and i'm content with what i have during this period, be it little or be it much. thank you to everyone who have been part of my life in 2011 and we shall have a great 2012 ahead together! :D

the funniest video in 2011 which never fails to make me laugh

And I won’t let go, if you wait for me

Whenever - Black Eyed Peas

Love, through the tree, past the sky
Beyond the northern lights
You will see my delight
Reflecting in your eyes

And I won't let go, if you wait for me
whenever, whatever
And then you, select the destination
whenever, whatever
I'll go
whenever, wherever
I'll go

I want, I want, I wanna love forever, love forever, baby
Whenever, wherever, you wanna go one day
To do whatever, do whatever, baby
Whenever, wherever, forever together

I fell asleep, don't know why you let me come alive
You and me, we collide, ignite the starry fire
And you warm me up and you wait for it
whenever, whatever
And you wake me up and you wait for it
whenever, whatever
I wanna go
whenever, wherever
I wanna go

I want, I want, I wanna love forever, love forever, baby
Wherever, wherever you wanna go one day
Do whatever, do whatever, baby
Wherever, wherever, forever together
Whenever, whatever, whatever, whatever
Whatever, whatever, whatever, whatever

I love you forever and ever and always I love you
Whenever you need me, I'll be there right by you
Whenever you call me, I'm there when you call
Whenever you're falling, I'm there when you fall

Wherever you're going, I'll be right there showing
Our love's always growing and growing and growing
I know that you know it, there's no need for guessing
When I am requested I'm there with no questions

As I'll go, wherever, whenever
If ever you need me I'll be here forever

The turtle moves slowly and is happy with his pace of life

we are rushing through life, arent we? i was observing how everyone walks the other day at dhoby ghaut mrt station and noticed that most of the people were walking rather fast as though they were rushing to somewhere. i believe at times, we have to slow down our pace of life and appreciate what's around us. the things we have and the people who are always there for us when we need help. the busy and hectic life we are leading now often numb our senses, making us oblivious to things happening around us. sometimes, we just got to know how to feel, not only about ourselves, but also to feel for others as well.

How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

You Are The Apple Of My Eye

好想告诉你，你永远是我心中的沈佳宜

那些年 - 胡夏

又回到最初的起点

记忆中你青涩的脸

我们终于来到了这一天

桌垫下的老照片

无数回忆连结

今天男孩要赴女孩最后的约

又回到最初的起点

呆呆地站在镜子前

笨拙系上红色领带的结

将头发梳成大人模样

穿上一身帅气西装

等会儿见你一定比想像美

好想再回到那些年的时光

回到教室座位前后　故意讨你温柔的骂

黑板上排列组合　你舍得解开吗

谁与谁坐他又爱着她

那些年错过的大雨

那些年错过的爱情

好想拥抱你　拥抱错过的勇气

曾经想征服全世界

到最后回首才发现

这世界滴滴点点全部都是你

那些年错过的大雨

那些年错过的爱情

好想告诉你　告诉你我没有忘记

那天晚上满天星星

平行时空下的约定

再一次相遇我会紧紧抱着你

紧紧抱着你

又回到最初的起点

呆呆地站在镜子前

笨拙系上红色领带的结

将头发梳成大人模样

穿上一身帅气西装

等会儿见你一定比想像美

好想再回到那些年的时光

回到教室座位前后　故意讨你温柔的骂

黑板上排列组合　你舍得解开吗

谁与谁坐他又爱着她

那些年错过的大雨

那些年错过的爱情

好想拥抱你　拥抱错过的勇气

曾经想征服全世界

到最后回首才发现

这世界滴滴点点全部都是你

那些年错过的大雨

那些年错过的爱情

好想告诉你　告诉你我没有忘记

那天晚上满天星星

平行时空下的约定

再一次相遇我会紧紧抱着你

紧紧抱着你

那些年错过的大雨

那些年错过的爱情

好想拥抱你　拥抱错过的勇气

曾经想征服全世界

到最后回首才发现

这世界滴滴点点全部都是你

那些年错过的大雨

那些年错过的爱情

好想告诉你　告诉你我没有忘记

那天晚上满天星星

平行时空下的约定

再一次相遇我会紧紧抱着你

紧紧抱着你

holiday

examinations finally ended. time for a good break. time to meet up with old friends and do some

catching up with each other. there's a couple of activites or courses that i need to attend during this hol. got to make good use of this 1-month holiday and complete some things i have promised or set to do as well.

1. 'you are the apple of my eye' with my pess classmates
2. pess class outing at sentosa + bowling session
3. first aid course
4. service learning project
5. read 'The Slap'
6. first prawning session at bishan

7. visit fish farm with cousins
8. standard chartered marathon
9. IPPT
10. swim and run regularly
11. play badminton
12. organise a gathering for anderson badminton team (gift exchange)
13. meet up with fellow primary school classmates
14. look through algebra textbook
15. visit kids and staff at carecorner
16. meet up with my army friends
17. buy a nice double-deck bed frame
18. use the $30 denizen voucher i won
19. meet up with my section (my 1st batch of recruits)
20. go sing song at teoheng (sembawang shopping centre)
21. attend inter-hall games and inter-school games
22. sitex 2011

23. watch some of the movies which i missed previously (eg. johnny english reborn)

that's all i can think of so far. right now, i shall read 'the slap'. i mentioned this book on 20 may 2011. just nice i noticed that my roomie has this book, so i borrowed from him for this holiday. enjoying the peaceful home-alone session with some music and a cup of hot milo. ahhh... life's great.

times are hard

"trying to make it work but man these times are hard"

the past 2, 3 weeks were the hardest times i have been through for this semester. exam, quiz, class test, assignment and essay all at one go. i have been staying in hall over the weekend to finish up my assignment and to study for exams. i'm relieved that the hectic period is already over. final term exam's taking place this week and next week. 2 papers down and 2 more to go.

it's a sad thing that sometimes, results/grades don't reflect how much effort you have put in to study and learn what you need to. that's life and it's never fair. but still, i'll just do my best and whatever i can. hopefully everything will turn out fine.

Welcome Home - Radical Face

there's something special about this song that makes me want to listen to it over and over again. i just keep on replaying it.

Welcome Home - Radical Face (video)

Sleep don't visit, so I choke on sun
And the days blur into one
And the backs of my eyes hum with things I've never done
Sheets are swaying from an old clothesline
Like a row of captured ghosts over old dead grass
Was never much but we've made the most
Welcome home

Ships are launching from my chest
Some have names but most do not
If you find one, please let me know what piece I've lost
Peel the scars from off my back
I don't need them anymore
You can throw them out or keep them in your mason jars
I've come home

All my nightmares escaped my head
Bar the door, please don't let them in
You were never supposed to leave
Now my head's splitting at the seams
And I don't know if I can

overcoming my fear

another chance to overcome my fear. i must not let history repeat itself.

For The First Time - The Script

She's all laid up in bed with a broken heart
While I'm drinking jack all alone in my local bar
And we don't know how
How we got in to this mad situation
Only doing things out of frustration
Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

She needs me now but I can't seem to find a time
I've got a new job now on the unemployment line,
And we don't know how
How we got into this mess is it gods test
Someone help us cause we're doing our best
Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine
Sit talking up all night
Saying things we haven't for a while
A while yeah
We're smiling but we're close to tears
Even after all these years
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time

She's in line at the door
With her head held high
While I just lost my job but
Didn't lose my pride
But we both know how
How we're gonna make it work when it hurts
When you pick yourself up
You get kicked to the dirt
Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine
Sit talking up all night
Doing things we haven't for a while
A while yeah
We're smiling but we're close to tears
Even after all these years
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time

Drinking old cheap bottles of wine
Sit talking up all night
Saying thing we haven't for a while
We're smiling but we're close to tears
Even after all these years
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting, for the first time

Oh these times are hard
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

Oh these times are hard
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

Oh these times are hard
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

Oh these times are hard
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

The Script - For The First Time (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)

working hard

9:33pm

i went for a run. saw these 3 bangladeshi workers painting the bus-stop.

10:27pm

i was on my way home from the run. the 3 bangladeshi workers still working hard painting the bus-stop. some thoughts went through my mind. often, we like to make fun of these bangladeshi workers because they are employed to do jobs which probably not many singaporeans would want to. they sometimes work in the wee hours when everyone is sleeping soundly as well. let's imagine that these bangladeshi workers arent around for a week, how would our lives be? honestly, we ought to thank them and recognise their effort in contributing to our society.

seeing the 3 bangladeshi workers working hard at this hour, i felt a little guilty since i have been slacking at times when i should be studying hard. let this be a lesson learnt and serves as a reminder for me to work hard as well.

tomorrow is the start of PSLE. i wish the children from carecorner and yishun student service centre (SHG) all the best. i know all of you have spent a lot of time preparing for this exam. give it your best and i'm sure everything will go smoothly! 加油!

City Of Blinding Lights - U2

source: http://weheartit.com/entry/9264157

City Of Blinding Lights - U2

The more you see, the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now

Neon heart day-glow eyes
A city lit by fireflies
They're advertising in the skies
For people like us

And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Don't look before you laugh
Look ugly in a photograph
Flash bulbs purple irises
The camera can't see

I've seen you walk unafraid
I've seen you in the clothes you made
Can you see the beauty inside of me?
What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?

And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Time...time...time...time...time
Won't leave me as I am
But time won't take the boy out of this man

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

The more you know, the less you feel
Some pray for others steal
Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel
luckily

老朋友

it has been quite some time since school started. life's getting a little busier with lectures, tutorials, readings, meetings... it may be a little tiring, but everything is going smoothly with a little help and support here and there from my friends/classmates. i have been appointed by some of my peers as the class rep and am honoured to be given this role. i cant guarantee that i can be a good class rep but am willing to give my best. thank you to all those who believe in me. two more weeks to Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon. time to run more often but before i do that, i might need to go see doctor tmr morning and hopefully there's nothing wrong with my body.

uni life is not just about making new friends and studying hard, but also meeting up with old friends. friends whom you havent seen for a long time, friends whom you know since primary school, friends whom you can have a heart-to-heart talk with. i'm glad to have such friends around me. most importantly, 在交新朋友的当儿, 别忘了认识已久的老朋友. i shall end this post here with '朋友(friends)' by 周华健 and this one goes out to all my friends.

first to Bata(m), then to school

had a short 2 days 1 night holiday at Batam over the weekend just before school started on the following mon (25 july 2011). probably there will be more of such short weekend getaway in the future to take a break from the busy life that we are leading. it feels good to slow down the pace of your life and relax once in a while.

school started last week with all the orientation talks. it's quite inconvenient to travel from yishun to NTU/NIE, especially during peak hours when getting onto the train is a problem. but still, i have to get used to this as i'll be travelling often. i attended the physical education and sports science (PESS) freshman orientation camp last weekend. it was awesome! i was in orientaion group (OG) 7 and our group name is Khoo Swee Chiow. wondering who he is? click here to find out more. although the camp last only 2 days 1 night, i thoroughly enjoyed it. i'm fortunate to meet everyone in my OG. without them, the camp wouldnt have been so fun. we did amazing race around the west area on saturday night, running from one checkpoint to another. climbed a 40-storey HDB flat at clementi. i hope that everyone will still keep in contact and we probably will be seeing each other around in NIE. PESS, proud to be!

i'm currently typing this blog entry in my hall at NTU. going to spend my first night here today. met my room mate in the evening before i left for dinner at jurong point. he's also from PESS too! just that he's doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme while i'm doing a Degree one. i'm glad that we have something in common. that's all for now. i'm going to take a look at my timetable for semester 1 before i go to sleep. going for an early morning run tmr, up and down the slopes of NTU (provided that i can wake up in the morning). hahaha.

a busy week.

i ended my work at the student care centre last fri, 15 july. saying farewell to the staff and children whom i had spent about 5 months with is never easy. i wish to thank everyone for the happy memories i had during the short stay at the student care centre. wonderful memories of the children who never fail to brighten up my day. and also the nicknames that they have given me. mr豆, 豆老师 ( 黑豆, 白豆, 红豆... depending on the colour of the shirt i'm wearing for the day), ah 飘, 黑人老师, mr tohfu... hahaha. although i have left, i'll definitely be back at the centre again to visit everyone soon.

a short one week break before school starts. the only thing left to do for the admission to nie is the e-matriculation which can be done only after 22 july. submitted my hall application this morning and hopefully the result of the application will be made known to me soon. went to pulau ubin yesterday with some army friends to cycle. not many people around since it's a weekday. saw some people coming back to the mainland with bags of durians. they seriously made their 5-dollars trip (2.50 for the one wat ferry) worthwhile. hahaha. talking about pulau ubin, i am now goggling about stories regarding the island. german girl shrine, history of pulau ubin... shall end my post now to read the interesting stories which i have found and also to find out more about batam since i going there this coming weekend.

远方亲戚的拜访

the nie admission package from vital.org finally arrived. enclosed in the package are the information about the teacher training agreement signing session and admission to nie, some documents to be submitted back to nie, orientation camps and hall application. looking for a roommate at the moment, but it's so hard to find one at this point of time.

some relatives from china came over these few weeks. had a family gathering at my uncle's house yesterday night. many relatives, both the closer ones and distant ones, attended the buffet. photo taking session at the end as the relatives from china wanted to bring back some nice photos and memories they had here. it was like a mini press conference with a flurry of camera flashes. hahaha. one more gathering next weekend as my cousin has moved to her new house. another round of good food and great time with the relatives.

4july was youth day. i went to cisco centre with bernard to take photo for the public service smart card. the guy at the photo booth was terribly rude, with a bad attitude. from his 'black' face, you can see he was in a bad mood. i was asked to sit down in front of the camera. queuing behind me was a malay guy. he asked the officer some questions regarding the type of card to make. the officer was irritated and raised his voice at the helpless guy, which i felt there wasnt a need to. before i could tell him that i was ready, he just simply said 'done'. my photo was taken without him informing me at all. thinking about the incident now, i still feel angry about it. should have asked for his name and lodge a complaint about his lousy attitude.

we then headed down to redhill/queenstown area to hunt for good food for lunch as we were going to queensway shopping centre. i remembered watching '老字号' on channel 8 recommending claypot rice at ABC brickworks food centre. yuan yuan claypot rice! hahaha. we alighted at redhill mrt and navigated our way to the food centre. on the way there, we realised alighting at queenstown mrt would be nearer and indeed, we spent quite some time walking under the hot sun. managed to try the claypot rice. i particularly like the diced chicken. it was tenderly soft. there are a lot of good food at the food centre. shall go there again to hunt for more good food.

是你 决定我的伤心

last week, the students taught me how to play 跳棋 (direct translation: jumping chess). it's not the usual one which i used to play with the pieces being eaten while moving diagonally. in 跳棋, the pieces can move in all directions except backwards and the aim of the game is to get all your pieces to the other side of the board. none of the pieces will be 'eaten' throughout the game. the children were quite surprised that i have not heard of it before. hahaha.

i was out with bernard, justin and hongkai yesterday. we had lunch at Chong Boon Market and Food Centre. bak kut teh, sesame oil chicken, curry stingray and apple juice. totally awesome. we then headed to katong shopping centre for our 3h singing session at teo heng karaoke. had a lot of fun and laughter. the song '是你决定我的伤心' is now stuck in my head, partly because the way justin and hongkai sang it was very hilarious. had dinner at upper thomson. bak chor mee (Meng Kitchen) and beancurd (Rochor Beancurd House). a great saturday.

:D

i passed the physical proficiency test! the email came this afternoon after i attended the appointment briefing at MOE in the morning. happy and relieved. i was informed by the officer this morning that i still need to attend another Teacher Training Agreement signing session during one of the coming saturdays with two sureties whom i have yet to find. currently, i'm still waiting for the arrival of the admission package which will provide more details on admission into NIE, matriculation number, hall application and probably orientation camp. photo taking (cisco centre) on 4 july and medical appointment (raffles hospital)on 12 july.

june, a month filled with happiness and laughter? yes, definitely (despite the fact that i just cut my hair 30 mins ago and look like a noob now). laughter from the students when i return to the studentcare centre tmr morning i guess. hahaha.

To Be With You - Mr.Big

To Be With You - Mr.Big (video)

Hold on little girl
Show me what he's done to you
Stand up little girl
A broken heart can't be that bad
When it's through, it's through
Fate will twist the both of you
So come on baby come on over
Let me be the one to show you

I'm the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it too
Waited on a line of greens and blues
Just to be the next to be with you

Build up your confidence
So you can be on top for once
wake up, who cares about
Little boys that talk too much
I've seen it all go down
Your game of love was all rained out
So come on baby, come on over
Let me be the one to hold you

I'm the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it too
Waited on a line of greens and blues
Just to be the next to be with you

Why be alone when we can be together baby
You can make my life worthwhile
And I can make you start to smile

When it's through, it's through
Fate will twist the both of you
So come on baby come on over
Let me be the one to show you

I'm the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it too
Waited on a line of greens and blues
Just to be the next to be with you

I'm the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it too
Waited on a line of greens and blues
Just to be the next to be with you

Just to be the next to be with you

mizuno mt faber 2011

Tag ID: 3630
Name: Toh Yong Yuan
Category: Open Men
Nett Timing: 0:56:11
Offical Timing: 0:57:07
Position: 185 / 1121

i'm quite happy with the timing for my maiden mt faber run. more running events coming up next. Singapore Bay Run/Army Half Marathon 2011 and Standard Chartered Marathon 2011.

最后的考验

And so the long awaited letter from MOE came. i've been offered a place in BSc (Education) (PE) (Secondary). really happy to receive this good news. however, it's not finalised yet. i will be attending the physical proficiency test which has been scheduled on this coming friday, 24 june. this test is a must for those who want to teach PE or have been offered to teach PE. another problem is that i am required to do an online acceptance for the course through the online acceptance portal which i cant log in to. called NTU this afternoon and was informed to drop them an email to notify them that i will be accepting the course offer instead as the portal is under some administrative problems. sent an email to them just now, but still feeling a bit worried.

i'm looking forward to 24 june and hopefully everything will turn out well for me, especially the gymnastic test. during these few days, i will be practising headstand to prepare myself for the big day.

Physical Proficiency Test, a test which i cannot fail, a test which i must not fail.