Birthday Surprise

We gave our mum a birthday surprise last week.

Dream

如果真的不快乐

难道有谁 能够重新开始活着

从小 我们就要求一模一样 头发一样

服装一样

连人生的梦想 也要一模一样

考个像样的学校 找个像样的工作

住个像样的房子 过个像样的人生

终于有一天 我突然发现

这就是我的人生吗

但这就是我的人生吗

日复一日 月复一月 年复一年

白衬衫 黑领带

我的人生

是不是DNA 决定我们都要一模一样

一样平凡 一样普通 一样一事无成

一样困在生活的圆圈里

日复一日 月复一月 年复一年

可不可以重头再来过

可不可以重新开始活着

可不可以重头开始追求我的梦想

我好想复制一个新的自己 重头再来

再也不是白衬衫 黑领带的自己

我好想复制一个新的自己

Athlete

"Please break my heart, just so I can feel, at least I would have something that I could believe in ..."

With lyrics as poignant as these, I wonder why the Athlete aren't bigger than they are. If only they were, then maybe we would be able to see them perform on these shores.

溫柔

溫柔. I put on this song, the original version, and for a split second, I believed I was 18 again, staring wide-eyed at the lights of xi men ding and hearing this song for the first time.

後青春期的詩

One reason why I am such a big fan of Mayday is that they seem to always have a song to echo my my sentiments. Right now, as I am feeling more than a little anxiety about hitting the big 30 at the end of year, I find comfort in 後青春期的詩.

Translation of the lyrics below courtesy of www.onedayinmay.net

後青春期的詩 Poetry of the Day After

詞曲：阿信
Music and Lyrics by Ashin

As the mist follows the dawn's light drifting away, the pillowy banks of the lake have been blown dry Anticipation has already degenerated to waiting, and I say good-bye to the unexpected As the traces of tears create an outline of regret, memories brightly obscure the pain, Time slips away just like flowing water In the end we will no longer revel in life, get hysterical over love However youth is on the other shore, the eternal summer shines on day by day (Ashin speaking: And then? Move on together...) Who says I can't have my only production in this life be like a poem -- No matter how far in the future, each word, each line, each verse you read still shines Let the sky explain what blue is, the floating clouds describe what white is The falling flowers spread out like a red carpet, welcoming us to the future The colorful, unfinished future

當煙霧隨晨光飄散 枕畔的湖已風乾 期待已退化成等待 而我告別了突然 當淚痕勾勒成遺憾 回憶誇飾著傷感 逝水比喻時光荏苒 終於我們不再 為了生命狂歡　為愛情狂亂 然而青春彼岸　盛夏正要一天一天一天的燦爛 (阿信口白：然後呢 一起走吧) 誰說不能讓我　此生唯一自傳　如同詩一般 無論多遠未來　讀來依然一字一句一篇都燦爛 讓天空解釋著蔚藍　浮雲定義著潔白 落花鋪陳一片紅色地毯　迎接我們到未來　精彩未完的未來

Resolution?

It's been 2 weeks and I have positive vibes about the 3 classes I have been allocated this year. The students have been a great bunch so far. It's still early in the year but I resolve to not allow the petty politics of the office hinder me from preparing them as best I can for the A Levels.

Bit of Relief

Growing up supporting rival clubs, Man United and Liverpool, I had been worried that my Brother was becoming apathetic towards his favorite club - Liverpool, after observing that he had stopped watching their games on TV. So, it was strange relief I felt, after he snapped irritatedly at me, this evening, "I can't be bothered to talk to you because you know nothing about this club!" when I informed him that Michael Owen was unsurprised by Liverpool's slump.

Development?

We have found our special secret picnic place. But will it soon disappear to relentless development destruction we have grown so used to in Singapore?

Forgetfulness.

Why are we so forgetful? Today, I realized I have forgotten the names of some people I knew from my time in NUS.

The trouble with not believing in reincarnation.

"We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come."

Milan Kundera.