16Again.

Yes, I’m at work now. Yes, I’m on msn. And yes, I am blogging. Yes, i’m paid ^^ tee hee
I had a horrible nightmare last night… I dreamt that i was back in my secondary school classroom… repeating Sec 4.
I was in a Physics lesson being taught by Mr Yap Kien Wee.
He was teaching us about forces in class, writing equations on the whiteboard.
And there I was watching him write his stuff on the whiteboard in first person view. I had not taken Physics since secondary school and I SIMPLY HATE MATH. I suck at it. And i hate everything that is related to math. And the worst part in my dream was that I was 19, not 16, and I already knew everything he was teaching.
I was just watching him redoing everything that i had already learnt and done before. I was damn sian.

I certainly hope that is not an omen that i have to repeat J2 >.<
I'll just be so sian diao-ed!

Duan Wu Jie – Dragonboat & Dumpling Festival

The History of Dragonboat and Dumplings

On the fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar, Duan Wu Jie (Fifth Moon Festival) is also known as the Dragon Boat Festival and Dumpling Festival.

It commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, an official in the kingdom of Chu from 475 to 221 BC. He was vilified by a corrupt prince, disgraced and dismissed. Heatbroken that the state was headed by corrupt leadership, Qu killled himself by jumping into the Mi Lo River (in today’s Hunan province).

Although many fishermen search for his body, it was not found. Every year, the people of Chu would throw rice into the river to feed his hungry ghost, until, one year, his spirit appeared and told them that the rice had been eaten by a river dragon. They were then told by his spirit to wrap the rice in silk and bind these dumplings with five different coloured threads before tossing them into the water.

Today, these dumplings are eaten in remembrance of Qu.

The dragon-boat races represent the attempts to rescue and recover Qu’s body. The dragons is regarded as a symbol of power in Asia, and amongst the Chinese, it is believed to dominate the waters.

Four days before Duan Wu Jie (Dboat and Dumpling Festival), the dragon boat is taken out of storage so that the head and tail can be attached. The elaborate ritual, which is believed to ward off evil and bless the boats, includes the burning of paper money, offerings and prayers to the Gods. When the ceremony is completed, the boat is rowed to sea and back, with the drummer beating the drum the drum rhythmically.

A new dragon boat is given ‘life’ at a ceremony performed by a Taoist priest a few days before the festival. With a bell and a sword piercing a paper bill, he chants and then proceeds to anoint the dragon head, tail and drum with the sword. The bill is burnt and the ashes sprinkled on the dragon head. The invited VIP guest of the ceremony will then dot the eye of the dragon in a symbolic gesture to ‘Awaken’ the dragon. The eyes will be painted later.

After the races, the dragon head, tail and drum are removed from the boat and stored. Incense is burnt to thank the gods and the boat is returned to storage, where they would rest until their next ‘Awakening’.

Yummy Dumplings!

AC Dboat Team, Boats 5 and 3, at National Schools      (1st and 2nd Placing)

Random thought

I’m at work now..
And my assigned task is to research on Places of Worship and Cultural Festivals O.O how coincidental.
Quite fun actually. Especially the cultural festivals part – damn interesting. Which would explain why i’m suddenly talking about all these cultural festivals haha.
Having said that, I think the Chinese are damn pro to invent the Lunar calender. I was just thinking… they must have seriously studied the moon. LOL. so free ah. stare at the moon everyday and come out with a pattern O.O
Every year, without fail, during the mid autumn festival which falls on the 15th day of the eight month in the Chinese Lunar calender, a full moon never fails to appear.
Fascinating.

Thaipusam

I saw the Thaipusam festival for my own eyes in Dhoby Gaut recently (about a week ago).
The spiritual power involved in Thaipusam is……. fascinating…
Though it does look quite scary and wrong to me.. (just my opinion. to each his own)..
In what way is self-mutilation…godly..?

Throw it away, Forget Yesterday

I’m changing. Again.
And i’m about the move into a new phase in life.
And i’m about to enter it with excitement and anticipation.
Whatever the future holds, I look forward to it, because I know who holds the future.

Would You Believe Me..

About 7 months ago..I was an empty vessel living the routines of the world, following the way of the world. I felt empty. And after a series of “coincidences” that i could no longer view as mere coincidences, I embraced the Christian faith with a “just try, if its bullshit, i’ll leave” attitude.

All of you know I was not just a non-believer, but i was also an anti-Christian. Plus a rooted Buddhist follower.
I used to think God’s love is bullshit / nonsense / CRAZY talk.
It’s only now that I know how real and how wonderful it is.
My life has never been any better, any happier, any more joyful since I allowed God to enter my life.
It’s only a matter of our willingness to open up our heart to him and let him enter.
You know me, do you think i’m lying when i say he’s real? Or
disillusioned? ME?

]
Would you believe me~

No Happy Ending

This is the way you left me
I’m not pretending
No hope no love no glory
No happy ending

OH MY GOD

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Too many prayers have been answered in the most beautiful ways and unexpected ways ever throughout these past few days. And especially today.
The pieces join toooo nicely together.
Best part is – the people involved do not know anything.
I can’t help but stare in awe at God’s works…
Our God is truly an awesome God….

Training Resumes

Sigh. I’ve not been exercising since 3rd December – when my A levels ended. SERIOUSLY -_-

I’m growing faaaat. All my lines and bulges are gone. And i’ve become softer too :O LOL

I haven’t been able to do any workouts since then cause i’ve been like sick/unhealthy/unwell all this while..

Next week, I’m gonna resume my training.
And i’m going to torture myself.
I used to be able to run like the wind.
Now I can get muscle aches just by walking up the stairs.
GG.

Time to get back to shape, Mark Wee!!
TRAINING RESUMES NEXT WEEK.

:’(

These lyrics touch me. Especially now that everyone is caught up and busy doing their own stuff and we are all going our separate ways…

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I’d need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I’m alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

When you’re gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you’re gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you’re gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

I’ve never felt this way before
Everything that I do reminds me of you
And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor
And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

When you’re gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you’re gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you’re gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were, yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I’d do, I’d give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah

When you’re gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you’re gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you’re gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you