*..xq is still alive..*

Helloo world!

I've been super lazy to blog, hence the looong hiatus from this space. Too many things happening in my life since graduation on 22nd May 2011. All happening too quickly, I can barely catch up with the new equilibrium.

In summary, I've graduated and so begins a full-fledged working life. The transitionary phase sure is strange, I'm still trying to grapple and come to terms with it- but so far so good - I'm really enjoying work no matter how much I like to complain to my close friends. The thing is, I've been really lucky since graduation, to be working with old and new people, mostly new, and to top it off - all of them are reallyyy nice people to work with. Great bosses who make great friends, who don't judge you for being new, who trust and appreciate your work, who make work a little more bearable as we know how boring corporate and commercial projects can sometimes be.

So a month ago, I asked myself what life would be 1 month later and I was clueless. Now, looking back, I think the start of "The Rest Of My Life" turned out much better than I could ever imagine - I can only give thanks for my stroke of luck, and all the people I've crossed paths with for giving me all these opportunities. You know, right now every little bit counts - referral from friends, lecturers, old colleagues, word of mouth, current friends cum co-workers. Truly blessed and I shall become a workaholic so I can retire sooner.

Oh wait, I already AM a workaholic. Working almost 7 days a week. Life is sad cos I cannot find time to meet the 235872581 friends I yearn to meet. I can only meet my Chapman friends mostly, because our work schedules are all comparable and unpredictable, so we flock together as one after work.

I miss the Chapman people who have gone to LA for their internship - I wish I can visit them. But I feel like I have other priorities that overtake having fun right now.

So many things I want to blog about, but I don't know where to begin. To end off, I shall share a series of niceee videos that someone showed me at a meeting. It's fun to meet new people, and realize we all have a common interest really - watching films, filmmaking & storytelling.


(1) Who says only living things can fall in love? Watch this video and feel for them.





(2) SIGNS, a really subtle and sweet love story. Non-dialogue film at its best.




(3) The Digital Story of the Nativity- Bethlehem story, told from the social media perspective.




(4) Sinema's Internet TV Webisode on Abbreviations



And to end off with 2 animations, my personal favourites amongst the above videos.

(5) ZERO =)

Zero from Zealous Creative on Vimeo.

(6) A short love story. =)

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.

Totally loveee the stories, the characters, the lighting and everything about both videos, especially ZERO.

Okay goodnight world. I spent my weekdays editing, sat editing and tomorrow it's sunday, and I have to EDIT again. *yawn*

FCP (editing software), my current best friend!

On a lighter note, I can see cecilia tmr =) She's accompanying me at the office with her freelance edit as well, so I won't be emo and alone in the office on a Sunday.

*..17 Days of Laughter and Tears..*

Tomorrow marks the start of summer term aka SCHOOL BEGINS. Oh misery. It's school from Monday-Thursdays till the end of January. Just one module, but sounds like something I'd hate. Pitching, selling yourself, first impressions. I rather write a thousand essays, seriously.

So a round-up of the past 17 days of holidays (18th December 2009 - 3rd January 2010). I guess it was fruitful in some ways, accomplished alot, experienced far more, including things that we've least expected. There were more sorrows than fun, but we should always wipe off the tears and move on to happier things.

Memory's been really lousy, so here's what I can roughly remember of the holidays.

Watched films with slave on my com/dvd.

(1) Once (2007). Cecilia recommended this and the soundtracks were nicee. Simple story that touches the heart.


(2) Harold & Kumar: Go To White Castle (2004). Needless to say, HILARIOUS. hahaha! shall re-watch the Part 2 with slave soon!


(3) Handsome Suit. Been wanting to watch this in the longest time. Calvin told me looong ago that it's really funny, and sure it was!


(4) Spiderman 3 (On channel 5 last night). When i see spiderman, i think of GINA. HAHA!


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During my exams, Slave's house was undergoing a major revamp and repainting. He swapped rooms with his family members and now has the master bed room. So when xq's exams ended, repainting was done and just in time for packing =) I LOVE PACKING ROOMS. Provided it's not my own room. haha!!! new room so nice now, feels like a chalet everytime im in the room!

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I Finally visited grandma after 5 weeks of absence. =) I tried to have lunch/dinner with mum at her office whenever I could! Even went shopping with her on several days. Simple stuff like these that I cannot do on school days.

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Met mole on 22nd December 2009 as well =) At PS! Jay chou was gonna be there for a promotional event, so the place was packed to the brim. We sat outside for chats over macdonalds icecream instead. HAHA!



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Christmas 2009 was especially refreshing. Had an impromptu road trip with my family to KL & Genting. Departed 23rd December 4am and reached SG 26th December 7am. Our 3rd christmas abroad, last time had it at batam and malacca. Been years since our last trip (in secondary school), so it felt nice =) Also my first time visiting these places, and my first visit to the casino! haha! loved the weather at Genting! More about this next time, some vague pictures for now.

My favourite shot of the trip =) Looked kinda like beijing. HAHA.


Bro drove most of the time, but gave up towards the end and dad took over.


HAHA my dad and mum have the funniest poses. =)


saw this dumb looking snowman, hilarious. At our service apartment's lobby.


Birdie went for the trip with us too =) And kena bullied by mama and papa foo.


This tree near genting, was really christmassy. There were several bird nests perched on the branches as well.


Awww. =)


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Came back to SG on 26th December 2009, and had post-christmas gift exchange! =)

Hand-made personalized drawstring pouch from slave. =)


Heh heh, isn't this cuteeee? Guess whose idea! Slave showed me his baby pictures after we finished packing his room 2 weeks back. AWWW SUPER CUTE, but I was cuter leh. =p So that was another thing accomplished during the holidays--Finally got to see slave's childhood pictures.


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Released my bro's 2 turtles, i mean terrapins. They've been in my toilet since 2002. 7 years! mum's been wanting to release them, but don't know where. Turns out that Slave has also been wanting to release them since the first time he saw them in my toilet. HAHA. So on 27th December 2009, we did just that! Went to Punggol Park's huge pond.

1st and last photo of them. Sad to say, they're forgotten pets at the corner of my toilet. Only mum feeds them diligently everyday. The big male one is always bullying (and stepping on) the small female one. They were of the same size when someone gave my brother 9 years ago.


Slave saying goodbye to them.


Their new home, so niceee. We saw many other terrapins after that! They have friends there! we'll visit you again terrapins, swim away and live well =)


just had to take a photo with the backdrop. Hahaha drive past it a zillion times but never went there before.


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Had PL Christmas Gathering (refer to previous entry) on 27th December 2009 @ Shimin's house too. =)


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We also followed our hearts and satiated our food cravings!

(1) First was IKEA wings on 26th December 2009, and HOT DOGS!

Check out that greedy face. He ate 3 hot dogs!


How xq's zi pai pictures usually turn out.


Picture perfect =)



(2) On 30th December 2009, we finally settled for our much-craved SALMON DON. Salmon don @ Sushi Tei rocks socks! Cheap and yummiest salmon don ever existed in any jap restaurant. No kidding! Mole would second that.

Tried the floss sushi too. YUMMY.



look at the biantai. HAHA!


wahhh I LOVE FISH ROE!!!!




(3) Finally, settled our craving for MOSBURGER as well. On 1st Jan 2010! Breaded Clams and prawns. And ebi burger =)
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Then there's NYE =) xq did something she's been wanting to do for ages, but hadn't had to time/opportunity to. I shopped alone from 10am to 1pm in town! Hunting for mum's Mondo shoes and plain window shopping. I love shopping alone. Hmm and visited Borders for some reads too =) Wonder when I can afford time for such indulgence again.

NYE was a Simple countdown after a crazy few days of car problems. But simplicity always works. We had seafood dinner @ Changi Village with slaves 2 bros and their gfs.


Finally collected our Threadless parcel from carolyn! Slave bought 5, whilst I bought 1. And they say girls shop more! *cough*


haha our last photo of 2009! BIANTAI behind me.


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We changed ham ham's nesting on 1st Jan 2010! New start for a new year. Heh heh. Had a fun time video-ing her too, she does the dumbest and funniest things.


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New year, new start. I even changed PIGGIE'S clothes on New Year's Day =)

Her christmas couple outfit.


Her new outfit actually comprises of old outfits mixed together, since there isnt any nice new clothes out in the stores yet.


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Oh and yesterday we went to find a substitute for Bahbu aka slave's car. Found it =) Went Kaki Bukit area once again.

Bian tai approaching his unsuspecting bro.


They are equally bian tai! hahaha!


Bahbu takes a first and last photo with Xiao Huang, together with their masters.


Shall blog the other pictures other day cos feeling really sleepy now.

We'll miss you Bahbu, thanks for the last 3 months. =) Nonetheless, as the saying goes, “旧的不去，新的不来”. As the new year begins with a new vehicle, that's another new beginning as well.

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That's about all I can recall of the holidays. I guess it was pretty fulfilling and memorable =) SIGH TERRIBLEEEEE the next holidays issssssss...END OF MAY. SO LONGGGGG (*^*&%^&*$%^&#$&%#&%!!!!!!! fancy 5.5 months of continuous school term. Chapman drives us crazy at times like this, maybe that's why we get to graduate in 2 years.

Goodbye holidays, albeit 17 days, I had a really niceeee time soaking in laughter and tears.

*..delirium..*

For some reason I'm on cloud 9 now and highly delirious. Only Jacqueline knows the full reason why. HAHAHA by the way, she's my new GF; and me, her new BF. Happy 2 days!! =) Our anni shall officially be 29/08/09.

It's Day 1 of Chapman tmr! Or rather in several hrs' time. But I can't get myself to sleep. Excited about things here and there...hahaha crazy! GO SLEEP XQ!! you have to wake up at 730am!!!

Was telling slave just now that I'm finally gonna have an occupation again. UNDERGRADUATE. HAHAHA so act! But I like.

Screenwriting class tmr with gina and toufy tmr =) I told toufy I have a new resolution. Thou shalt not be late for any classes in Chapman. Must turn over new leaf and not be a late queen anymore. Hmmm WE'LL SEE. JIAYOU XQ!!!

Anyway, been a great weekend as always =) But too sleepy to upload pics and for details. Blogger is down again and I can't upload pics even if I wanted to.

So excited now!!! Not just about sch, but things here and there. Hope everything goes as planned, or even better!

Goodnight world! almost 330am now. 4 more hours to sleep. -_-

Oh lastly, HAPPY THREE WEEKS! =) it feels like it's been a loooong time though! *blush*

*..today's a nice day and date..*

It's 7th July today. 7/7!

LCM's birthday too. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAU LAO SHI! May all your wishes come true! someone hit the 3rd decade of his life already! Muahaha, okay sorry for reminding you.



Haha this pic's really funny, the back story. That's my parents behind us, telling uncle calvin: "Congrats calvin, so clever!" on getting top graduate. Uncle calvin wanted to reply: "ORCHID/HU JI HUA" (aka the milk powder advertisement)

Decided I can't submit chapman form today cos there's a few study/bank loans I could take up but don't know which is the right one. Spent some time waking up at 630am to read those endless forms but just couldn't figure it out. Must take a nice IC photo too, else all my photo cards/official documents in my university life's gonna be toot like my driver's license and ez-link card in poly.

So change of plans!

12pm: NUS UCC for wj's convocation
Afternoon: Submit some other documents in city hall area
Late afternoon: SHOPPING!
Night: Kuishin bo buffet dinner at suntec branch probably.

Yummy! Erm talking about shopping. Spent close to 150 bucks yesterday during my 5 hours break in the middle of my shoot. I'd die a happy ghost cos I've gotten everything I ever wanted for now. Okay not really..I still want:

(1) Scanner
(2) 2 pairs of shoes
(3) many t shirts
(4) lots of yummy food
(5) a couple of storybooks

wahahaha! Sigh self control is important. Don't let xq shop alone and no damage will be done. Cos when I'm with people, I'll usually focus my energy on instigating them to spend more instead!

It's mole the pervert's convocation tmr! At nus too..xq shall go before shoot! Lucky doesn't clash.. And so sad that I can't go fionna's cos it's at night on friday and I will have midnight shoot that day! =( SORRY PERVERT! I'm sure SOMEONE else would go though..muahaha!

Goodbyeeee. Headache from reading forms. =( Back to doing them. Ahhh sweet off day!

*..think too much only..*

Maybe not, maybe all those thoughts weren't uncalled for. They would come back to me again one day. Or maybe I should stick to my new plans as of yesterday. That sounds like a great plan! Was so disappointed in myself that all my determination fell apart late last night.

XQ, I LOOK YOU NO UP!!!!!! Time for some self-reflection.

Or maybe I'm just too forgiving and somehow can't stay angry with you for long.

That aside, I'M OVER AND DONE WITH CHAPMAN APPLICATION AND ESSAYS! I was delirious when writing the essays, super high! *hic* Effectively wrote from 1-6am. Writing is fun, has always been and will always be. Think uncle sw couldn't believe his ears when I told him I was having alot of fun writing the essays. Honest writings, from the bottom of my heart what. It made me relive alot of moments, brought back the drive in me.

Made me excited to start school again =) And I'm not the only one. SO FUN! CAN'T WAIT FOR AUGUST TO COME!!

And sakae buffet too =) Meeting cecilia chin, toufy and probably Soh Hwee the bitch! To celebrate erm, "chapman application is over and done with". Hahaha lame yes I know.

Oh yah sighhh. Woke up today to a call. Which I had a strong urge to return the call. Was from "M" primary to my surprise. Asked me to relief teach afternoon session but I can't la, today's last day of Chapman submission.

University more important. Awww I miss the kids, so cute. was that call a sign?! AHAHAHA anyway was intending to relief teach for the next couple of weeks till SIFF is over, then get another job. But the school called me before I could call them. Heng! Okay please call more more often, at apt timings please..

Goodbye! going out now! I haven't been to school since submission on Feb 20th. Feel kinda....nervous....

OH YAH..I HEREBY DECLARE A NEW STAGE OF LIFE HAS BEGUN FOR XQ!!!! =)

*..Dreams..*

Yesterday, another dream of mine came true. It's the 4th dream-come-true of 2009, and it's only been approaching 4 months. Heh 2009 sounds like a great year, with a great kick-start!

I guess for the rest of the year, I have about 5-8 more wishes. And the year will be picture perfect! Perfection to a T! =)

But before that, let me finish my chapman application first. HAHAHA been procrastinating writing the essays for like..a week already! And it's drilling like crazy now in my neighbourhood. Got a good mind to take a bus to changi airport to avoid noise pollution.

My favourite place of relaxation by the way! =)

*..Chapman & Ngee Ann Poly degree tie-up..*

Helloo world, short update cos I'm super sleepy but got to pia doc pro proposal due tmr.

TSK reached home 1145pm and still super sleepy. Had nicee stingray for dinner at bkt timah market though! Shared with lam sisterrrr. We were nice, so shared with chin hwee, yan and jerry too! =) There were shawn, jonathon, uncle sw and eugene there too. Love dinners with fsv gang! =) After 9pm, when we stop work in school and go somewhere near. Then Chin Hwee would drive us to hougang, crazy car rides home etc. Not forgetting the lame jokes combo. OH MY LORD! I've never been lamer except when I'm with them. Laughed till cannot breathe only. =) Made my night.

so yesterday reached school 8am for MOU signing aka press conference of the Poly-FSI (Foreign Specialised Institute) degree tie-up Ngee Ann Poly's gonna have with Orange County, California's Chapman University. xq will probably go to chapman for her degree, provided I manage to get in. 40 vacancies only. OH MY LORDDDD scary all.

Then if all goes well, 2011 graduate. 12/12/2012 can still get married. HAHA!!!! some friends of mine would know that's my dream date! OH WELL SAY IT'S A DREAM ALREADY WHAT. it doesn't have to come true. HAHA! but would be good. *coughs* sorry for sidetracking.

Took alot of photos eh! Formal event only, so everyone was well-dressed! =) So of course must take alot pics! But shall just post one up for now, busy tonight.

An everybody-is-happy photo of those of us who went down.
From left: huimin, jacqueline (Lecturer), xq, jj, dx, calvin, LCM (lecturer), auntie qammie & marilyn looking happy in TV studio 1, where the event was held.


Channel News Asia Article only

haha watch the news clip on the site and look out for huimin's floral skirt! I was beside her, but was blocked by someone HAHA! MEATBALL IS FAMOUS!!!


haha leonard arrowed calvin, me and marilyn to be interviewed by media, but marilyn managed to escape. tsk. xq used her cmi chinese (peppered with loads of english) in her interviews with FM95.8 and Zaobao. Whilst calvin aka MR CHOO appeared in Newpaper's article. Straits times funny only, sent their photographer down, but no reporter. So he took pics of us first, in case they were to cover the article. Scali they send MOLE (aka Home News Journalist STEPHANIE SONG) down wahaha! You'll never know!

ZAOBAO article here


haha here's gina's response after I showed her the article. HEH HEH see I blog about you eh! got miss you la! =)


READ MORE about the degree here

hais, STOP PROCRASTINATING LA XQ! hurry get your work done and go sleep!

Loveee it! Paperwork and proposals. KEEPS XQ HIGHHHHH!!! *hic*