The Road Less Travelled

Every time I set my heart on doing something, things sprout up like horridly fertile beans; opening the option to sway sideways.

I chose road A, but unknowingly, i'm being siphoned to road B.

Unwittingly, I’m doing a right turn. How beguiling life can be; Shrouded by a invisible mysterious power beyond my mortal comprehension.

Or so i thought.

It might not always be glaringly apparent, but I do believe there are certain lessons that need to be learnt. Certain people I need to encounter (though some need to be slapped and spat on, others are worthy of praise) . Certain losses I need to ache over. And certain moments I can reflect and remember for the rest of my waking life.

Threading across new frontiers, I’m releasing a breath disguised as a sigh. Gently easing the pent up emotions and immersing myself in the moment.

I’m straightening out the convolutions. And relishing it all.

Whilst the rest of the worldly population propels forward in their quest to fulfill destinies, I’m slowing down and savoring the moment. It’s a going to be a big step for me. A zone I once threaded on thin ice. Only this time, my guide will be totally different. And I’m stronger. Wiser. Filled with courage.

I refuse to be weighted down by the past. I learnt. And I will have the power to move on. Somehow, it feels like my soul's been salvaged. Can this be the joy freedom brings?

I will be unafraid. I will be free.

We decided to go to Mount Faber for a picnic early in the month. And what an adventure we got. After a cook-out at Mokie's, we trotted up Mount Faber.

Making our way up the mountain (or hill actually) solidified the fact that I really should start working out.

Here's Mokie and Kristabel (our Glamazon), admiring the view. Kristabel had to use my umbrella as a walking stick. No lah... I'm just kidding.

Here's the girls setting up camp.

These girls are single handedly responsible for the booming business Esprit has in Singapore. Almost everything they wear and own is from Esprit. Right down to socks and pencil cases. Yah.. I know. They need help.

Here's Mokie with Kristabel's PSP slim.

And this is proof that to much games can fry one's brains.

She's trying to make a call with the PSP. However, Sony..! You should take note and fuse the PSP with phone functions REALLY soon. I'll buy it! Heck, we'd ALL buy it!

Ana's the ever eager beaver. And Leni's taking a breather; tired after a morning of classes.

Kristabel wasn't feeling well that day. And she spent half an hour swallowing the pills.

We ate our fill and packed the rest for the ward. Wahahaha.. We had spagetti, roast chicken, vegetables (fried by virginal cooks Mokie and Snoopy), soup, dessert and tidbits.

Enjoying the scenary... And lamenting on the fog.

My artsy shot. Everyone was wondering why I was almost lying on the floor trying to angle the shot.

Hello, I was in the midst of composing my picture ok.. heeheehe

And watched the sun set in the distance, surrounded by good friends.

Focusing on the immense beauty before us.

And made our way back down the hill or mountain. Whatever...

Taking with us nothing but memories of another day spent together.

With many more to come!

Goodbye Mt Faber!

Coffee, Tea Or Me

You cannot begin to gauge how enchanted I am watching Coffee Prince. I spent 3 days to finish the entire series, which translates into approximately 6 continuous hours of eyeball numbing videos per night. It was super hard to navigate myself away from the PC as I devoured episode after episode; Each more enjoyable then the last. Eventually sleeping only in the wee hours of dawn, with a silly smile plastered on my face.

The show talks about homosexuality, premarital sex and the changing face of cultures and trends in conservative Korea. While other countries have long had their fair share of rambunctious romps in the sack, and openly homosexual public figures, Korea still prefers to sweep topics like these under the carpet. It’s an addiction lah. And I’m not shy about it.

The Characters :

Choi Han Kyul.

Initially, I didn’t think he was very handsome. However, it was a mixture of his natural acting and warm, sincere smile that made me fall head over heels with his character. He should thank his stylist. His clothes made him look gorgeous!

Every girl (and/or guy) want their own Han Kyul.

And yes, his body is PERFECT. I soooooo LIKE. Toned enough to exhibit the curves of the muscles but not beefy to the point of disgust.

Go Eun Chan.

I loved her eating scenes! Especially the ramen eating contest and the folding pizza part. Hahaa.. Not so much a typical damsel in distress by Korean standards. I guess every struggling person hopes to be whisked away by some rich, charming and hopeless devoted other half.

The Princes

By far, my favorite’s Mr Hong, who loves to dig his nose and chooses to wipe his finger clean with his mouth. He’s man enough to tell things like it is. He’s a Man’s Man.

Waffle Sun Ki
Mysterious and steadfast in love. He crosses the sea to search for the woman he loves.

Big Mouth Ha Rim
The meterosexual-Wanabe-Player. He tries desperately to appear as a Casanova, although deep inside, he’s actually quite a marshmallow (read : softie).

Min Yeop
Probably born with subnormal intellect, counter-balanced only by his massive strength. His naiveté can stun. But you have to give the guy marks for trying his best. He reminds me of Obelix.

You just have to watch to believe.

Choi Han Sung
I love this man’s voice. I’m dead serious. I like the dog Terry too. I like the fact that the show portrays long standing relationships can also have more then their fair share of drama.

Han Yoo Joo
I don’t like this character. She pretty much is a selfish thing, doing only as she pleases with a total disregard for others. Only transforming during the later part of the series. But the actress is very pretty. Super feminine.

And if you are equally as crazy over the show as me, you can fly down to Korea and visit the actual Coffee Prince’s Café in Hongdae.

So here's a toast to a MUST SEE - Coffee Prince! FIGHTING....!

Their Story

A few days ago, the Straits Times ran an article about a study done locally regarding 1 in 3 cases of sexually abuse being calculated. It sent shivers down my spine.

I don’t know which is worst. The fact being, out of every three cases of sexual abuse reported on children is premeditated, or the fact that two out of every three cases is done out of ‘accident’.

What the hell does that mean?!
What type of fucking accident can lead to that?!

How can such sickness prevail? *please stop the headache*

Last month, I read “My Story” written by David James Pelzer, which chronicles his fight for survival. The first two installments moved me to bits. It spoke with brutal honesty about the horrors of his childhood and the repercussions of abuse on a person.

A shame he carried through into adulthood.

I personally know of a secondary schoolmate, whom was sexually abused by her own drunk, lame-excuse of a father. As whispers flooded the school corridors, this was confirmed by her sister who was my classmate.

Her sister was at the other side of the door when it happened.

I was 14. That girl was 15.

Only 15.

You may even remember the story of how a local man sexually abused 5 of his daughters. All with the permission and help of his wivies. The biological mother of his daughters. To the extent of some of the daughters requiring abortions.

These people are not uneducated.

These people are sick.

No child should have to worry about someone crawling into bed with them at night.

Another friend had to endure not only witnessing the abuse his mother suffered at the hands of his father; he also endured the pain of his own burning flesh. This went on for more then 10 years, stopping only when his father abandoned the family. The lesser of two evils?

Physical. Emotional. Verbal. Neglect.

All branches of the root beyond reason, resulting only in lingering silent screams.

As an adult, it’s perfectly justifiable to scoff at such behavior. To spit in the faces of the accused and snatch the victim away. We brainwash ourselves into thinking that these are isolated acts of abuse. But if you dig a little deeper, what you’ll notice is actually a pattern; A repetitive cycle of abuse that can be traced for generations.

The road from point A to B may not neccessarily be straight.

Perhaps this is even an effect caused by societal norms?

In the past, it was alright to use force upon children deemed difficult to handle. We beat them without batting an eyelid. Parents shut their children in rooms for a 'time-out' session. Even to this day, we are still locking up adolescents for disruptive behavior. We allow the government to whisk these troubled teens to jail or some remand centre. And yet we ignore the plight and extent of the root cause for such outbursts.

The government teaches you a lesson by beating you.
Your mother, father can do the same.

That's utter bullshit. Violence begets violence. Only feeding the anger, allowing the pent up emotions and scars to build. Every new episode only serves to breeds more hate. The equation is crystal clear : Hate Multiplied. In turn, it snowballs into the next generation. And the before we can even realize, the victims end up being the perpetrator.

We are all mirrors of our parents.
It takes more then one can imagine to break such cycles.

David Pelzer’s story is said to be marred in controversy because he gave a one sided account of his childhood. I can only roll my eyes. Well, it’s HIS story. I am in no position to judge him. I believe that is his way of moving on.

Though I would like to read about his brother’s take on life in the Pelzer household. Unlike David, his brother; Richard, was never rescued. He became the object of their mother’s wrath after David was hauled away by the authorities.

Enduring the torment of a twisted discipline.

I cannot phantom how or why the other Pelzer children were not protected. David's case was reportedly the 2nd worse case of physical abuse in his state. Even to this day. Did the authorities think the abuse would have stopped at one child? Why did the neighbours and school turn a blind eye to history in replay? It's questions like these that continue to haunt me.

The stories these survivors leave behind inspire. It’s wonderful that these people are making a positive impact on society. Bravely, reliving their nightmares, in hope of spreading awareness.

Unlike those only exercising their fingers and playing the blame game. That’s just empty shit.

And I’m telling you straight in the face that the person ignoring the signs is also wrong. When your eyes tell you that something’s not right, you should always investigate further. When the pounding on the walls at night reveal a bruised eye in the morning, do something. The reality of abuse is that it can happen. And it does happen. Just don't ignore it.

Turning a blind eye is equivalent to being an accomplice.

My prayers are with the suffering.

And my head will instruct my hands not to hesitate to take action.

Mark my words. Mark my words.

More then anything, i'd like to burn you into memory....