His Dark Materials

You know how somethings sometimes find its way into a special tiny spot in our hearts?

Was sidetracked due to school work and exams, but have finally managed to finish reading His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.




A synopsis of it found behind book 1 writes:
"Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars in Jordan College, her daemon familiar always by her side. But the moment she hears hushed talk of Dust, an extraordinary particle, she's drawn to the heart of a terrible struggle - a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold far North, young Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: her destiny must be fulfilled not in this world, but far beyond."

And what an endearing story it was. A story about companionship, bravery and promises, and at the heart of it, a simple story about a girl.

To think that they are going to make a movie out of this. And here I hope upon hope, that it will turn out good. And I wonder how will they portray Lyra riding atop Iorek Byrnison and (if they managed to get up to book 3) how the mulefas would look like. And I wonder too, if they can depict well the growth of the characters in the book, and the importance and subtleties of the companionship between Lyra and Pantalaimon.

Highly recommended to everyone.

And in the Botanic Garden. "on Midsummer day. At midday. As long as I live...Once a year, just for an hour..."

Fishing and Nature

Went to East Coast Park on tuesday and wednesday.

Tuesday to cycle, wednesday to cycle and fish.

Love the sound of the wave, the feel of the wind.

If only the wind felt cooler, and the sea prettier. So many ships and far out land cluttering the view of the horizon. And so much trash on the beach. But one has to be contended with what one's given right?

Have I told you lately that I love nature? Watched some animal planet show the other day about how the seeds of trees germinate. It's amazing how nature has it's way of working things out by itself. Everything nature does, it does for a reason. And all these many characterisitics and habits of each living and non living entity manage to intertwine so creatively and remarkably such as to ensure each individual's survivor.

Well, most of the time anyway.

Fishing was fun. First time fishing, and only caught a twig. At least now we know what to prepare for the next fishing trip.

I am going to get me some seafood!!

BBQ @ NUS

Caught a bit of supernanny on TV the other day, and I must say,

I am totally amazed and appalled by that young brat's lung capacity and her ability to reach a humanly impossible decibel with her screams.

If my child in the future is to behave anything like that obnoxious brat in that show,

I swear.

I will slap him/her to the moon.

Anyway, attended a BBQ in school on Friday, which was organized for everyone taking material science.

Ordered the BBQ food online (I didn't know you could do that! What happened to their advertising??) and their food actually taste not bad. More importantly, ordering online actually saves us alot of time and trouble.

Response was not bad, and was quite enjoyable overall. 3 of our lecturers also came down to join the fun. As usual, we ordered abit too much food and have to stuff ourselves with the leftover beehoon, otak and sausages.

Still, great times.

Thanks to those who helped organized this.
Thanks for those who cooked for us (hur hur hur).
Thanks for Iling's dessert.

Thanks for everyone who came down.

And I want to eat Dr. Xue's homemade jiao zi!

The Spider

Remember the story in our chinese texts back in primary (or secondary) school? The story of the spider who kept spinning its web in spite of the wind blowing it down each time?

It succeeded in the end, which brought back great determination to the king that was observing it.

But...is real life always that pretty...?

It is so tiring to struggle so much, and yet have things turn out not up to expectations.

Perhaps one has too high an expectation?

So he fails, but yet time and again, he stands back up, determine to reach his goals.

But time and again, he ends up just short of his goals.

Stupidity speaking?

Perhaps its just his little belief in life, hoping that one day hard work really pays...

Or perhaps he just knows that giving up will certainly result in worse outcomes...

Calvin and Hobbes

Calvin and Hobbes used to be (and i guess still is) one of my most favourite comic strips. I've collected a few of its books..no...wait...I think ALL of its books in the past, and its still stored somewhere safely in the storeroom. Anyway, it has already been ended by Bill Waterson, but Calvinball and G.R.O.S.S still rules.

Anyway, I found this fan-made comic strip a few months ago.......



So heartwrenching!!! Everything important about imagination and companionship between Calvin and Hobbes beaten down and thrown away!!

I think I have the final book. And fortunately, Bill Waterson decided to end it so very nicely.

In the last strip, Calvin was commenting on how wonderfully it snowed last night, and that the whole world looks brands new.
"It's like having a big white sheet of paper to draw on" said Hobbes.
To which Calvin replied, "A day full of possibilities."
As they prepared their tobogan, Calvin looked to Hobbes and told him,
"Its a magical world, Hobbes, ol'buddy...Let's go exploring!"
And with that, they both tobogganed off into the woods....

So Nice!!

On a seperate note,

I went to Wilson's house for mahjong with 2 other friends today..and finally won some money for the first time.

One Dollar Ten Cents.

I won. Happiness.

The First Indispensable Post!!!

Which will contain nothing more than...

I now have a blog?!?!?!?