-ThisSongIsForAllTheHistoryMakers!!+Hey!!YesIt'sTrue!AndIBelieveInIt+I'mLivingForYou-: October 2005

- A Rare Treat-

My sister just came back from her two week honeymoon to New Zealand.

She got me a pet kiwi.

Heh.. I wish.

It was just a soft toy.

But cute nonetheless.

Anyway I was thinking what to post about regarding skiing.

And this popped into mind.

I have to share this with you all.

It's a once in a lifetime 'live' experience.

And I was there.

Whistler, Canada 2003

It was a bright late-morning of the fourth day.

First clear day since the past three days were filled with blizzards.

My sis and I decided to go to the top of the mountain and work our way down.

We took a gondola to the highest station then skiied over to a ski-lift that would take us to the peak.

It seemed like many people had the same idea, cause a huge crowd had already formed at the base of the lift.

We got into line, and I took the time to slowly remove my goggles and glance around.

There were people here of possibly every race and nationality.

Japanese, Europeans, Americans, Canadians, Chinese, etcetc.

And of course, us!!! The Singaporeans.

Not like people could tell the difference anyway.

So I had the map of the mountain out and was discussing with my sis which path to take at the peak.

The peak - elevation of 3460m. I think.

Glancing up you could see a cloud just enveloping the top, and it seemed people were riding to the heavens.

It was, simpley an awesome sight to behold.

But somewhere in my heart I feared the extreme cold that awaited me at the top.

Then suddenly, all commodity stopped dead.

My glance immediately averted from my sister's face to where eveyone else's was.

It took me awhile, cause I didn't have my specs with me, but I eventually spotted them.

Facing the ski-lift from my position, two men were on a slope at East of North from my direction.

These guys were crazy daredevils, cause they were at an off-piste area in a double-black diamond slope.

Off-piste means that the area has not been cleared for skiing. Thus it is very perilous to attempt these slopes.

Why?

Cause the area is scattered with trees, roots, rocks jutting out and lots of other dangers.

These slopes have the highest-risk of possibly fatal injuries, no matter how professional you were.

Double-black diamond slope is the steepest incline slope, with lots of mounds in your path to raise the level of difficulty to..

Crazy..

Imagine skiing on an incline of 70°+ with nothing but a miracle to stop you till you reach the bottom of the slope.

And if you fall, you don't stop rolling for hundreds of feet.

Oww man...

Off-piste on a double-diamond black.

Woooah crap.

AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF,

They were halted ten feet away from a cliff with a..

Jaw dorpping...

Humungous...

80-FOOT DROP.

They seemed to realise that the whole crowd noticed them, for they were sort of grinning at us.

As if expecting something, we responded.

It started every so softly intitially, but steady grew.

And soon, everyone was united under the same cheer.

"jump..Jump..JUmp..JUMp... JUMP... JUUUUUMPPP!!!!"

One of the two guys gave a wave, then started toward the edge.

The cheers then stopped abruptly and were replaced by gasps of anticipation as he lauched off the cliff..

And down toward white fluff.

And...

He landed...

Perfectly.

We all went wild.

Our hands, ski poles even some ski caps were flung into the air.

Heh.. the roar was simply deafening..

But it soon died out as we all gazed back to the other guy, who was now bracing himself.

One again the crowd was up in cheers till he lifted off.

The difference was...

This time..

He crashed..

And there was a loud "OOOooooOOOOooOOooOOooooOOOOo...", as if we all shared his pain.

But I don't think he was injured badly as he landed on like 1 metre+ of snow.

Well we eventually went back to tussling for the ski-lift.. and bck to our plans.

But the first guys jump..

If only I had a video camera..

Pure art in motion..

Or maybe just plain insanity..

- there's only ante -

some things just can't be un-done.

most things can't.

In fact, everything.

everything you want to matter.

We are all victims of some kind, aren't we.

sigh...

Some people just have it all.

some people..

other people..

oh how I contradict myself..

some apologies have yet to be saith..

by all; forgiven do I be in need.

phft

- My Daisy Jane - Part I

I was never exceptionally good at anything.

In primary school, I never was one of the top few in grades.

I could never compare to my elder siblings.

I was always a reserve in the class relay team.

I wasn't good at any sport.

I wasn't handsome, that's for sure.

I was frequently punished for not doing my homework in school.

I hated science, still do anyway.

Sucked at computer games.

Was ultra skinny.

Got bullied quite alot, even from pre-school.

Hated piano. Quit after grade 3.

Did however, win the Primary 6 leaving party Talentime Singing:

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

But who remembers that.

In church, my brother always got all the compliments.

He went to ACSI.

I missed it by a point.

I took a great liking to tennis.

Never got very far.

Didn't make a prefect just cos one of the seniors hated me.

Had to settle for monitor.

Didn't get accepted by the 'cool' guys.

That's actually pretty stupid now that I think of it.

Beat probably the whole school in eating during recess.

Became fat. So clever.

Didn't make the choir comm in Sec Three just because I had a class outing that day.

Grades remained terribly the same.

Heh.. sounds quite horrendous doesn't it.

But I never did despair, and I never fought back.

Well maybe I did, but I can't remember.

Cause I realised I did have a talent somewhere.

And all I/You need to do, is to put effort and passion in to developing it.

For the right reasons.

And developed it shall be.

Beautifully.

-Skiing mis-adventureS-

OKay so.. I'm back.

Let's not talk about either of the practicals shall we, especially physics.

MY GRADIENT IS -0.0979?!?!? WHAT'S YOURS??

Heh..

Anyway, according to Terry, my posts on microwaves and exercise are not very amusing.

Apparently he prefers when I give personal recounts so...

I shall. Hopefully it's 'enlightening'!

2003: Whistler, Canada

You know skiing is a reeeeeaaaallly great form of exercise???

Seriously, everyday after you stop your whole bodyaches and you just feel like sleeping past dinner and stuff.

I know it's kinda ironic, cos how can you sweat when you are doing something at sub-zero degree celsius,

But you actually sweat ultra alot inside your multiple layers of clothing.

So... why exactly am I saying this???

Well, before this trip, whenever our family skiied it was always my sis, my brother and I in one group, and my folks as another.

The way my folks ski, it's almost as if it's more torturous than fun!!!

Haha you should see them!! Making a huge 'V' pattern down the entire mountain!! -

Breathing a sigh of relief each time a turn is complete -

taking up the whole slope in wide arcs of turns, causing everyone else to dodge them -

crashing every 3 turns or so in a flurry ball of snow.

Heh.. sigh.. but.. they really come all the way here just for us.

I'm quite blessed eh?!? =D

Anyway, back to the story.

So yeah, for this trip we went with another family, one of my brother's JC classmates.

So this time it was just my sister and I.

And since by now - or then - I was the better skiier, I took the back and my sis took the front. Yeah..

And some lucky days we'd just have one whole slope to ourselves, usually when we went exploring not so popular ones.

So, if I'm not wrong this was the fourth day or so?!? And I was already quite beat.

Thus whenever we got a whole slope to ourselves, I'd take the luxury of closing my eyes while I slowly glided down.

It's like this;

My sis would stop at the mid-point of each slope to wait for me, and I'd start skiing about five seconds after she takes off.

So on that one clear day, when my sis and I had the whole slope to ourselves. we began our usual routine.

I think it was late afternoon as the sun was setting behind us, and I just took the chance to rest my eyes for a bit as I started after my sis.

Yup and to have the feeling of just letting gravity pull you down with the flow.

But something uncommon happened that day.

No we didn't run into a stray werewolf, although I bet I coulda out-paced it anyway.

So anyway suddenly a high-pitched shriek filled the air:

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
YYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

My eyes snapped open.

I didn't have time to react.

I didn't have time to think.

I barely even had time to take in the situation.

Before I went

SSSLLLAAAAAAAPPPP-BAAAAANNGGG!!!

into my sis, and we two tumbled down the slope together and ended up in a crumpled heap.

"WHAT'RE YOU DOING!!"

"Uhh.. heehee whoops.. I was skiing with my eyes closed?!?"

"WHY?!!"

"I uhh.. dunno?!?"

"WELL NEXT TIME KEEP THEM OPEN!!!! Ugh.."

"okayy.. umm so anyway why'd you stop so early in the slope?!?"

"Cause I was tired."

"oh.. sorry.." +P

Heh.. I think for the rest of that day I was trying my best not to get in my sister's way.

Or rather, not get her in mine.

I'm sure I've told you all before what a tyrant she can be =P

AND NOW SHE'S MARRIED OFF!!!! YEAH!!

Haha I'm evil aren't I. But I pity the poor husband.

Yup.

Well.. actually now that think about it, I do have quite a few interesting skiing stories to tell.

So.. stay tuned!!!

-Eggs anyonE?-

I've been hearing far too many stories of them imploding/exploding while attempting to, so now I'll tell you how to do it once and for all!

How To Cook An Egg In The Microwave

Now unlike the pimple removing method, I can assure you this actually works, though I'm pretty sure the former does too.

I can assure you this works as I've tried it out in other peoples microwaves too.

So just a list of 3 easy steps.

1. Fill microwave safe bowl/container with water.

2. Crack open egg and place the egg yolk and white (NONE OF THE SHELL) into the bowl.

3. Cover the bowl and cook the mixture for about three minutes, no longer than 3.30.

And tada!! You got your almost fully hard boiled egg.

Now just some reminders/fun facts from experience/tips.

1a. The egg yolk and white will NOT DIFFUSE IN THE WATER TO GIVE A SOLUTION.

1b. Make sure ALL OF LIQUID EGG IS SUBMERGED UNDER THE WATER.

2. IF YOU COOK THE EGG LONGER THAN 3.30MINS, THE YOLK WILL BURST! Probably.

3. It is actaully the yolk the bursts which causes the shell to explode.

4. THAT IS WHY ALWAYS REMOVE THE SHELL AND PLACE A HEAVY COVER OVER THE MIXTURE ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT!!

5. COS IF YOUR YOKE DOES EXPLODE THEN AT LEAST IT WONT SPLATTER ALL OVER THE INTERIOR AS THE HEAVY COVER WILL SUPPRESS IT.

6. IF YOUR YOKE DOES EXPLODE TRY AGAIN WITH ANOTHER EGG FOR TEN SECONDS LESS THAN THE EXPLODING TIME.

7a. IF YOU OPEN YOUR LID OF THE MICROWAVE BOWL AND FIND A WHITE MURKY MIXTURE IT IS COMPLETELY FINE!!! THE EGG IS COOKED.

7b.TAKE A SPOON AND START SCOOPING THE COOKED EGG OUT AS IT IS PROBABLY STUCK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BOWL.

8. Place egg beside nice platter of toasted bread and sausages and walla!! You got your nice meal.

9. Egg can be cooked in the same container as instant noodles; thats if you cook your instant noodles by microwave too. Dunno how?? Ask and I'll tell.

Annndd.. there you have it.

Try it out!!!!!!!! Now also can.

I, The Master of the Microwave and Toaster, assure you it will work.

Fuss freee and no oil required. Save natural resources?!? You know why??

Cos if you steam and egg using a stove, gas is required for heating the stove and the pot.

=D

pull off!

I just began my study-exercise routine.

No not study and exercise at the same time, but exercise frequently after studying.

Yeah.. I hate running.. it's just so friggin' boring.

(hee sorry Terry)

But I can't think of any other form of cardiovascular.. so I have no choice.

Woah running again after four months of lazing is no joke.

I half-died last week after my first run.

But you know what??

The joy of completing your run...

Is ecstatic.

Well today after my run I headed to the park to do my other exercises.

And this guy.. seemed younger than me.. came over to the pull-up bars.. which were near my exercise area..

(He was wearing slippers and seemed to only want to do the pull-ups)

And started doing all kinds of weird pull-ups and whatnot.

Swinging 360 degrees around the bar.. hanging upside down..

And kept staring at me..

Well I just continued doing my push-ups.. sit-ups and crunches..

(My 6 pack's coming along Terry.)

And tried to ignore him.

I didn't wanna challenge him at my worse station anyway.

But he kept walking away then coming back to do somemore.

Glancing at me all the time, as if expecting something.

I was like.. 'what the heck whats your problem there aren't even any girls here lah..'

Besides a few maids and old ladies..

And the problem is I use the pull-bar to do my abdominal stretching.. so I use it.

So after my workout, when I was so beat.. I went to stretch down..

Aaaaand that Bugger was still there lah!!

Worse off he went to sit at a bench facing the bars and blatantly watched me do my stretching!!

So I was like 'fine I'll just do 1 so he can jackoff!'

But the problem was.. I overdid my quota of push ups!! Did too many!!

And even though it's diff muscle groups I had ran 2.5k, did 60 crunches, 35 sit ups and two sets of 20 push-ups,

And I had like almost no strength already.

So I BARELY.. barely.. managed to scrape 1 miserable pull up.

Pathethic.

Then I pretended I hadn't stretched enough yet and did somemore stretching.

But I knew I couldn't manage anymore.

I gave a glance at my watch, and jogged off in the other direction, all the long way back home.

Heh..

Give me like 2 months or so..

Then if I see him again..

I'll whoop his a**

-fear-

Have you ever had a raw vice-like feeling that grips your heart, literally??

A feeling so strong it can jolt any weary man to full consciousness??

A feeling that comes around, leaving you longing for something never to come??

Or leaves you in a state of thorough guilt and disappointment at yourself??

Well this morning, I did.

I went to sleep rather late last night.

For me, thats about one thirty.

And usually I tend to sleep at least eight hours at one go.

After five, the feeling ensued.

And jarred me out of my sleep.

Yes, it was regarding the O' lvls.

I'll say right then I was utterly terrified.

I don't think I ever felt like that before.

And for the next hour, I struggled to slip back into slumber.

But I couldn't.

I wanted to call someone and ask them to pray for me.

But that early, they might have cursed me instead.

Fear.

Sigh.. fear not..

Luke 12:4;

" fear not he who does you harm or destruction, but fear Him who has the power to cast into hell.."