The Post which is All About You

In the past few years, I have been fond of writing long posts on the last day of the year. They are usually about the people I've met and the things I've done over the course of twelve months.

This year it's a little different. Not only am I late in posting this up (was working at Starhub), I will be talking about a concept, which basically summed up my year.

It's called the Chaos Theory.























The Chaos Theory is an area of inquiry in physics, mathematics and philosophy, studying the behaviour of dynamic systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions.

Basically, this means that small differences in initial conditions of a situation can cause huge differences in outcomes, making long term prediction impossible in general.

For example, you can put a small ball on the top of the hill, but which direction it rolls towards is determined by hundreds of small, individual factors.

This theory is encapsulated in the popularly known metaphor, the Butterfly Effect, which I also mentioned sometime ago in the past.





In 2008, I enlisted into the army. I could have gone into Tekong in April with most of my friends, yet instead I enlisted in early January.

I could have completed my BMT, became an officer, seargent or medic, but I became a driver, much to everyone's surprise.

Many months later, my immediate seniors in my unit were about to ORD. A group of them briefly considered to extend their service term, which also meant that I would never have been an ambulance driver, but I did.

In June 2009, orders from HQ came and between two ambulance drivers, one had to selected as a NDP driver. There was a huge debate and discussion, and my buddy was briefly considered, but in the end I got the nod.

In October, I planned my last duties and my leave. I almost had to do one more week of duty, but last minute training of my replacement meant that I was free from 26th onwards.

Instead of having duty, I went home that day. I wanted to play basketball with Sinkiat late that day, but he had other plans, so I decided to pay you a visit, because you had a bad day.





Those are seemingly random events, which could have easily gone any other way. But little did I know, they all added up and pointed to a direction, and that was to you.





I spent my last 5 minutes of the New Year, in revelation and amusement of this fact.

It seems amazing to me. It's like the universe in a huge machine, and these events are small intricate parts of the machine, all working constantly to make sure you end up where you're supposed to be, doing what you're supposed to do.

Some people call it fate, some people call it destiny, some people call it God's will, and personally I just think of it as a script that we are meant to follow, to go through the motions, like tiny cogs and gears pushing the hands of a clock along.





I realise I often make the mistake of counting down too much. Counting down to the next book out, counting down to university life, counting down the end of my tiring shifts at work, counting down to the next time I see my family and friends.

But perhaps instead of counting down to the future, or thinking about the past, I should concentrate on the present instead.

There are so many things and so many people, constantly interacting, brushing past and intertwining, that it almost seems like a waste that I haven't been paying enough attention to them.





So my New Year Resolution will be a simple one, and that is to be more appreciative to things happen around me, complain less and to live in the moment.

I want to thank everyone, my family, my friends and my relatives who were there for me. I can't list your names and contributions individually, because I want to do justice to your influence and to the things you have did to prod me along.

And as always, one small exception to you girl. =)





Wishing everyone a happy 2010!





Best wishes from the owner of aquietcoffee.blogspot.com,
Xiujie

The Post which is a Soft Kitty

Dear Santa,

It's been a crazy year and one wild ride! Now it's the time for giving again, and seeing the good boy I've been, please grant me these wishes!





Places I want to go someday:


















1) Taiwan
2) Anfield
3) France
4) Koh Samui

Cars I want to drive someday:


















1) BMW Z4
2) Audi S6
3) Chervolet Corvette

Occupations that I would want to do if I can turn back time:














1) US Navy SEAL
2) Criminal Psychologist
3) NBA basketball star
4) Movie actor/stand up comedian/famous TV show host

Food that I can make appear out of nowhere so I can eat them anytime I want:




















1) Strawberry ice cream
2) Xiao long baos
3) Shepherd pies
4) Cheese omelettes

Famous people who will give me exclusive passes so I can visit them sometime:






















1) Xabi Alonso
2) Steve Nash
3) Jackie Chan
4) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
5) Backstreet Boys

Shows that will guest-star me somehow:

















1) FRIENDS
2) The Big Bang Theory
3) How I Met Your Mother

Totally materialistic things that I would buy if you gave me US$1 million:






















1) A nice house by the beach
2) A hundred iPhones so I can give them away on a whim
3) My own swimming pool, jacuzzi, with an artificial sun and breeze for tanning (not possible but still..)

Presents that you gave me this year already:
1) My family
2) My friends
3) My ORD
4) and you! =)



















Well I think it's been a long tough year for everyone, with all the army stuff, work, studies and other commitments. It's finally time to let down our hair, enjoy the festive season, and spread the joy and cheer around!

So here's wishing everyone, an early Merry Christmas! =D

The Post which is Oscar Mike

Finally went back to the Singapore River!





I spent my two months there during my stint in NDP, manning the Navy Medical Post 5 with my medic friends. Two hot sweltering months with the sun beating mercilessly down on our defenseless green tents has made a good enough impression for me to stop going back there.

In the few months I never went back to the spot. Even sometimes when I go to Raffles Place, Clarke Quay and other places around the area, I generally refrain from going back there again.





Just a few days back, I finally headed back to the exact same place where we pitched our tents during those months.

I remember this exact bench, facing the Asian Civilisation Museum just across the river. It was my favourite bench actually. I used to sit there, around 10pm on each of those terrible Saturdays, mentally ticking off one rehearsal, and counting down to the end of NDP.





Last week after work I finally went back to exact same spot. I stared once again at the Museum just across the river, just like I did months back. I look at the where the tents used to be, right in front of O'Briens (now it's some other cafe) and I can still remember the sight of the bored medics, fiddling around and playing PSPs in their sweatstained red NDP shirts.

The only difference is that, I was no longer in uniform, I was in a much better mood, and I definitely had much better company.

And also, this time I finally walked over the bridge right in front of Fullerton Hotel, saw the pretty lights, enjoyed the breeze (so elusive during the NDP days for some reason).





Literally and metaphorically on the other side of the river I guess. Haha.

The Post with the Tomatoes and Potatoes

Woke up this morning and realise there's a little more than 2 months left only.

What a horrible feeling.





I won't hesistate, no more, no more.
This is our fate.
I'm sure,
There's no need to complicate.
Our time is short.
This is our fate, I'm yours.





Very applicable song here. Haha.

The Post with the Flipping Hams

Okay so now I've got a new job at Starhub!





Today is my 5th day of work of data entry. Basically I go into the office, plop my ass down on a chair and get comfortable. For the next 8.5 hours you will see me hacking mercilessly away at a computer, plowing through endless online application forms for mobile phone numbers.

As you can imagine, it's hardly inspiring or exciting stuff. So far the most interesting thing that happened was when...

Okay, really nothing happened. Sigh.





The worst thing is that, it's shift work (yes I know, why on earth will data entry have shift work?) and I've got work on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year Eve and New Year.

I definitely did not sign up for this!

Have to make sacrifices here and there I guess. It's a bit like.. getting bitten by loads of mosquitoes for the greater good! Haha