The road from Chickenpox

After my sudden encounter with Chickenpox I have come to view life differently for a number of strange reasons. Number one, anything is better than bad health. And when I say anything I mean it. This belief can also be attributed to the fact that I also fell ill for a week not very long ago complaining of fever and headache. Trust me, when you're lying sick on the bed you are NOT thinking of handing over that assignment on time, making that A grade or fantasizing about why your imaginary love life isn't working out (or your best friend's for that matter!)

Number two, life will go on and you must strive to thrive. The inspiration for this comes from some close friends of mine. A lot of times when they are faced with new situations and challenges (for example staying for an extended period in school during the vacations) many of them have fears such as missing out on time with family and not having company. I myself am guilty of such fears on more occasions than one. But the point is this. When you're lying sick on the bed you simply DON'T have any such fears. All you want is to get better and you sincerely believe the rest will take care of itself. Imagine bringing this attitude to your life even when you're hail and hearty.

Thus I believe no matter what fears you may harbor that life will go on and you can only make the most of it when you strive to thrive!

(Yeah and those guys, Signature on the top left just inspire me)

Terror again

The recent 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai left me cold and shocked. It was the first time that terrorists had so openly declared war on the city. The earlier means used, by planting bombs on local trains seemed less courageous than this if you could call them so. In the aftermath of the attacks what has emerged is clear. Almost two hundred people have lost their lives and a same number left injured. A terrorist has also been nabbed alive. The culprit behind the attack as claimed by the Indian government is the Lashkar-e-Toiba, a terror outfit based in Pakistan.

Which brings me to my first question. What are the Pakistani authorities doing? Recent statements issued by the Pakistani government seem to simply overlook the possibility of terrorists thriving in the country. Are they blind? Now pressured by the UN and the US, Pakistan is suddenly carrying out raid's on terror camps and detaining their leaders. Why wasn't this done before 26/11 Mr. Gilani and Mr. Zardari? Are you scared now that India will nuke your sorry asses. Well you better be because we the people of India will not be satisfied by your lame attempts to show that you are actually doing something against terror outfits in Pakistan.

My second question is directed towards the Pakistani people. What do you make of all this? Are you simply sitting in your living rooms enjoying all this or do you feel sorry about the victims of 26/11 in Mumbai? You and me both know that the kind of hatred embedded in these terrorists can only stem from the totally intolerant, extremist mullahs commonly found in Pakistan. Can you as a human being rise to the occasion and take responsibility for your country? Can you pressurize your government to crack down on terrorists?

Or will you just keep bashing India, Gandhi and Hindus as you have always done?

Mathematical laughs

I'm doing this module called Mathematical Thinking also known as GEK1517 elegance apart. Our professor 'Leung Man Chun, Leonard' is the funniest guy alive. When you glance at him all that stands apart is his diamond studded belt and tropical taste for half sleeved shirts. But once he begins lecturing you're in for serious laughs. (That's him on the left! Linked the image from his website)

Prof has this funny way of speaking interjecting sentences with 'heeheehee'. Serious, no jokes. Imagine this. "So this is the proof of Pythagoras Theorem by shearing and rotation. Heeheehee. Heeheehee. (realizes no one is laughing). Okayyyyy..." Besides having a good laugh during lectures, not to mention the 'closer' interaction in tutorials (read scary), you actually learn some interesting math stuff and feel smarter.

I had my usual conversation with Prof the other day after tutorial. We spoke about his roots in Hong Kong and how long he had been at NUS. He then asked me where I was from and shared insights like 'You'll are very good at language...(Indians that is)", "You must be probably speaking some Cantonese by now" and "It's always nice talking to you". Well what can I say...!

Changing crushes

You won't believe it but I have crushes on the most unlikely candidates for the strangest reasons known to mankind.

Picture this. I'm standing outside Super Snacks waiting in the loongest queue. There's only one girl behind the counter taking orders from the most impatient, bratty people you've imagined. And just when you think you've seen enough of them there come some more. And I start feeling sorry for this girl who's doesn't have a millisecond to spare now with a huge mob in front demanding waffles at 12:00am.

Well my turn to collect my chocolate waffle does come and this girl smiles despite the obvious frustration while handing it over. That's when I fall for the smile. To me it seemed like the best smile in ages but I'm pretty sure I imagining all this...It's certainly not new for me to do so.

And just to let you gauge my idiocity I've also had crushes on girls wearing ballerina shoes, female supervisors with cute accents and waitresses with unconventional looks. I'm a boy. Guess I have the right to be idiotic...yeah!

(The pic above shows Super Snacks probably in the olden days when it was open during daytime)

HCA Hospice Care visit

I recently joined the NUS Community Service Club. I've wanted to for long. I'm part of this group called the NUS HCA Hospice Care which organizes visits to terminally ill elderly patients. Basically we drop by the patient's house and try to cheer them up, carry out household chores like sweeping and dusting and run other errands for them.

Believe me the few hours we spend at the patient's house are brimmed with positive, vibrant energy. You can just feel it. Everybody there has a common goal. To selflessly serve the patient. Besides it's a whole lot of fun to meet the other volunteers. (Top: A pic of me with some volunteer friends after our visit)

Today I went to visit a 78 year old man who lives at Lakeside. He's bedridden and is looked after by his wife. We helped him out of the bed and took him for a stroll outside on a wheelchair. We spoke to him in Malay and sang songs for him. He was getting out of his house after months and had this bright smile on him throughout though he could'nt speak.

I feel great today. Great to have made someone smile and great to have met the other fantastic volunteers.