Thanks for being my sky!

I had a great run today with my house mate, Ziliang and it was during the walk back that I really got to know him better. You know how we always assume we know someone only to realise later that we were utterly wrong. It is the same kind of feeling I had. During the walk back, we talked about our aspirations. We spoke about the countries we visited. We asked about each other's family. It wasn't anything intellectual but it was a conversation that brought us to a deeper level of acknowledgement for each other. We are not that different afterall.

Somehow after that conversation, I don't feel so alone anymore. I don't feel like I am the only one fighting. Although we all experience moments of low, we can always take comfort in knowing that our friends are also fighting their battles alongside with us. And that gives me a lot of courage to go on fighting... Some things tell me that this run is only the beginning and there's more to come. I'm pretty sure.

And to my friends at ECI, thanks for being my anchors. Thanks for being my sky!


I got 108 cards - short of 4, from my friends. And TADA! It's a HUGE message from home =)

Heaven in a Wild Flower

We all have different interpretation of Heaven. To most people, Heaven is a desired place where we will go to when we die. The image of heaven has long been imprinted in us since young via cartoons. It is place where angels sing and dance. A place where we ride on colorful clouds. A place where pain doesn't exist. A place where we will always be happy. As we grow up, we learnt of the "conditions" that we need to fulfill to get to that magical place call Heaven. You got to believe in God. You got to be good - be filial to your parents, faithful to your family, loyal to your country... Yet we are undeterred. We like to know that there is life after death. We like to know that there is something good waiting for us. What if Heaven is merely a concept? Who can really prove that there is such a place call Heaven. Who can really prove there is life after death? Did anyone who died came back to tell us what it is like after death? I doubt so.

In my opinion, the concept of Heaven is not a bad thing. It brings hope to people. It brings security and comfort. But here's the thing. Why do we have to wait till we die before we enjoy the "goods" that Heaven promises? Why do we need conditions to determine whether the person goes to Heaven or Hell? Why do we need to believe in ONE person to get to Heaven?

Here's what I think. Heaven is created by us. It's a choice. We can choose to be happy or not. We can even choose to suffer or not. It's a personal choice. Instead of fast-forwarding life to enjoy "Heaven", why not create it in the present. Why not enjoy the company of your friends. Why not enjoy the unconditional love your parents have for you. Why not enjoy the capability to love others. Simply put, enjoy what you have right now and be present to what life has to offer.

As we all know, living is not difficult - all you got to do is breathe. But being alive is a choice.

William Blake's poem - Augeries of Innocence speaks so much to what life is all about.

To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.

If only...

A friend of mine sent me an email today "Hey you back in S'pore? Mingyan saw you...."
Haha. Either I have the power of astral projection or he had saw someone who looked like me. Nothing unusual really esp. since Americans think we Chinese look alike. But I kinda wish it was the first. How cool is that - to be at two places at one time. I can be working and holidaying at the same time. I can be dating two people at the same time. Talk about being efficient right. But I wonder if my mind can manage since guys are known to be sucky at multi-tasking. I might actually reduce my efficiency by half.

Or maybe, just maybe I do have a twin hanging around in this world. For more drama, let's make him my evil twin. How awesome is that. He is doing all kinds of crazy things in the world. He hooked up with all the babes in the world. He rubbed shoulders with all the baddies in the world. Who knows he might be in top secret meetings on how to destroy this world right now. And me... (let's not even go there) Simply put, he is all that I am not. Man, won't that make him super attractive. Darn!!! I want to be bad sometimes. To pay no attention to consequences and just do what I want. To do what I feel like doing. When will I ever walk on the Milky Way and proclaim that I am truely free?

I gotta meet my evil twin someday.

A quick Update!

Club Humor "Contest" @ Panaroma Toastmasters


Turned out to be a walkover as I was the only one competing. But it was still fun coz I get to make people laugh. A great priviledge indeed. But what makes this day even more memorable was the support of my friends in Philly. They came irregardless of the heavy workload. And they laugh extra hard when no one laugh at my punchlines. Where else can you get such great friends? =)

We may be seas apart but hey look up, we are all part of SKY...






It started with 4-5 innocent postcards with incomprehensive drawings. Then more came. 10 on the second day. Then 20. Then another 20 more. I started noticing numbers at the bottom of the cards. I started seeing similar, incompleted drawings that fit together. And then it all starts to make sense. It's a huge postcard puzzle! Spent a night piecing these cards together. There is more to come I am sure. Thanks guys - love u loads!!! I miss you all too.

Some random pics near Park Towne


On the night of Mid Autumn Festival... the moon can sometimes make people go crazy.

Here comes the geek in pink =/

You know how some songs speak straight from your heart. Here's one. By far my fave. Let the geek take a shot at it!

Well let the geek in the pink take a stab at it
If you like the way I'm thinkin' baby wink at it
I may be skinny at times but I'm fat fulla rhymes
Pass me the mic and I'm a grab at it
Well isn't it delicious crazy way that I'm kissin'
This baby listen to this don't wanna miss it while it's hittin'
Sometimes you gotta fit in to get in
But don't ever quit cause soon I'm gonna let you in but see

I don't care what you might think about me
You'll get by without me if you want
Well,I could be the one to take you home
Baby we could rock the night alone
If we never get down it wouldn't be a let down
But sugar don't forgetin' what you already know
That I could be the one to turn you out
We could be the talk across the town
Don't judge me by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away

like the geek in the pink pink pink
well like the geek in the pink, yeah

Well this relationship fodder don't mean to bother nobody
But Cupid's automatic musta fired multiple shots at her
Because she fall in love too often that's what the matter
At least I talk about it keep a pattern of flattery and
She was starin' through the doorframe,and
Eyeing me down like already a bad boyfriend
Well she can get her toys outta the drawer then
Cause I ain't comin' home I don't need that attention, see

I don't care what she might think about me
She'll get by without me if she want
well, I could be the one to take her home
Baby we could rock the night alone
If we never get down it wouldn't be a let down
But sugar don't forgetin' what you already know
I could be the one to turn you out
You could be the talk across the town
Don't judge it by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away

Hey baby look at me go
From zero to hero
You better take it from a geek like me
I can save you from unoriginal dum-dums
Who wouldn't care if you com...plete them or not

So what I've got a short attention span
A coke in my hand
Because I'd rather have the afternoon, relax and understand
My hip hop and flip-flops it don't stop with the light rock
A shot to mock you kinda puts me in the tight spot
The hype is nothing more than hoo-ha so I'm
Developing a language and I'm callin' it my own
So take a peek into the speaker and you'll see what I mean
That on the other side the grass is greener

I don't care what you might think about me
You'll get by without me if you want
I could be the one to take you home
Baby we could rock the night alone
If we never get down it wouldn't be a let down
But sugar don't forgetin' what you already know
I could be the one to turn you out
We could be the talk across the town
Don't judge it by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away
like the geek in the pink pink pink
I'm the geek in the pink ya'll
geek is the new color for fall
i'm the geek in the pink
so i'm the geek ya'll
in the pink ya'll
geek is the new color for fall
i'm the geek in the pink

Sometimes you just gotta keep paddling...

It takes a good friend to remind you at times to stay grounded when your head is over the clouds with feet dangling in the air. A lot have happened for the past one year. Started after knowing the conscious gang at ECI. My life somehow took a turn for the better or worse, depending on how u look at it.

Instead of mulling over the specifics of life, I began to appreciate life's bigger picture. Instead of pursuing vanity and fame, I began to enjoy the simplicity I was blessed with. Instead of taking the easy way out, I took the path less taken. Yet now I somehow felt derailed.

Sometimes what lie ahead of me is crystal clear - I know exactly what I want and how to get there. At times (in fact most of the time I realise) I struggled to make sense of what I am doing here in Philly. Yet amidst the struggles, someone reached out to me and reminded me that: "Sometimes you just gotta keep paddling"

Thanks and come what may!

What I go to school for ^_-

Her voice is echoed in my mind
I count the days till she is mine
Can’t tell my friends cuz they will laugh
I love a member of the staff

I fight my way to front of class
To get the best view of her ass
I drop a pencil on the floor
She bends down and shows me more

That’s what I go to school for
Even though it is a real bore
You can call me crazy
But I know that she craves me
That’s what I go to school for
Even though it is a real bore
Girlfriends I’ve had plenty
But none like Miss Mackenzie
That’s what I go to school for
That’s what I go to school for

So she may be thirty-three
But that doesn’t bother me
Her boyfriend's working out of town
I find a reason to go round

I climb a tree outside her home
To make sure that she's alone
I see her in her underwear
I can’t help but stop and stare

Everyone that u teach all day knows your looking at me in a different way
I guess that's why my marks are getting so high
I can see those tell tale signs telling me that I was on your mind
I could see that you wanted more when you told me that I’m what you go to
school for
I’m what you go to school for

She’s packed her bag its in the trunk
Looks like she’s picked herself a hunk
We drive past school to say goodbye
My friends they can’t believe their eyes

Let mum tell you what's best!

That's my mum's discreet way of "Let mum tell you what's best for you..." Here's an abstract of our msn conversation a few days ago. Yes I know, my mum is super cool. Hehe.

Doreen
boy, i read your fortune from lilian too website

Eric @ StarCite
show me

Doreen
Although u may feel there is something missing in your early life, u will start to enjoy good fortune when u r older. Although u will not inherit much from ur parents, your career and livelihood will prove more than ample for u. u will enjoy good fortune when your time comes. Place a (dragon tortoise) in the north sector to help boost your career luck. Marrying the right partner is crucial to your career luck. Getting hitched to the wrong person could be your downfall so be very sure before u commit yourself in a marriage.

Doreen
this is your fortune. u understand what it means? so u must be very careful when you find a girlfriend ok

That's my mum folks. Tsk Tsk. 0_o

Oh hail to the one and only Super Hero - Mr StarCite Man!

That's our StarCite man!! He's the man and never let him catch you slacking at office else he is gonna give you a big wallop! Oh btw, the kids love him!


That's where I work! My little StarCite corner!

Isn't today gonna be a great day?

Coffee makes you do the strangest things.

I said hi to Brian only to realize his name was Chris.
“You change your name?”
“No, it has always been Chris.”
“Good choice.”

I brought this new Chinese developer (whose name I can’t remember) around the office to meet the associates from other departments.
“Hi! He is new in StarCite.”
“Oh that’s nice.” (To him) Hi! (To me) And you are?”

I greeted EVERYONE I met along the way back to my cubicle.
“Wassup sunny boy?”
“Erika you look awesome today!”
“You know what, the perfume smells good on you!”

I walked into John Pino’s (my CEO) office and went “Isn’t today going to be a great day?”

No more coffee for me.

And why is my bagel so chewy?