The Letter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIvBX4iWxlU

Hauntingly familiar and very poignant short film. Thinking, reflecting.

When bugs bite...

The dive bug is biting again. There's no doubt about it. Just 2 days ago my hands itched and casually messaged G. He declined as he is busy with work. A check with the NTU divers showed an upcoming trip in March. Hmm.. by march, term break's over. Then came the emailer from Adlus. Hey! They have trips coming up too! *itches* Vesak Day...hmm... looking thru my MSN...hey where are all the NUS divers?

Erm.... Diving anyone?

Things I Hate About You

Can anyone please tell me what can be more annoying than 3 St Nic gals yakking away at the top of their voices in a train all the way from Boon Lay MRT to Tiong Bahru? Oh, did i mention that their voice were extremely shrill and whiny. All these when I, yes me, was trying to catch a wink. Can't anyone have a decent quiet train ride these days?

No, I'm not interested in what your mum bought yesterday and I don't think the entire cabin gives 2 hoots whether Adrain (whoever he is) called you or not. I'm not surprised if he doesn't call you (or ANY of your 2 friends) at all. For goodness sake, if you wear a pinafore, jolly well wear your belt properly otherwise you look like a pregnant woman. Or maybe you really are.

And please do not turn on your mobile as though it's a hi-fi set. Thanks but NO THANKS. We (the entire cabin) don't want to hear your kind of music. I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear my kind of music too. Either you're blind to be totally oblivious to all those stares around you.

R.B. NUSWS 2004-2005

48th Grammy Awards!

Laura Pausini clinches the Best Latin Pop Album for "Escucha". I simply LOVE her when she swept me off my feet with her "La Solitudine" album when I was still a teenager. Here she is, overwhelmed with joy when she knew she won before the telecast of the event! Great job girrrrrrrl!

Here's Stefani, hubby Gavin Rossdale and new addition to the Rossdale. Stefani is nominated for Record of the Year for "Hollaback Girl” and for Album of the Year for "Love. Angel. Music. Baby."

While Mariah received most of the pre-show coverage, U2 is the biggest winner. Altogether, Mariah won 3 of the 8 awards she was nominated for. However, as most of her awards were already presented before the telecast, Mariah's only airtime was when she performed her hit "We belong together". Tristan must be soooo happy when she did.

Couldn't take my eyes off the green carpet moments on E! but had to go for classes...argh...

Cartoon Controversy

The recent spat regarding the Cartoon Controversy has got me thinking. Apparently those who created so much unrest over those cartoons had failed to remember that all around the Muslim Arab world, there has been numerous instances of similar cartoons concerning Christianity and Judaism too.

Don't get me wrong, I do not support publishing of those cartoons, however, I believe in freedom of expression too. Something that I yearn for more than anything else in this world. What is needed is sensitivity as well as a good sense of reasoning.

All the mess this cartoons has created, it has at least raised awareness of the fragility of racial harmony.

Oh yes, please catch the Doha Debates (produced in Doha, Qatar) if you can! I chanced upon this fantastic programme on BBC World on cable. It's a weekly debate where they invite people to debate exciting issues. The motion I caught was "This House believes that Arab media needs no lessons in journalism from the West" (http://www.thedohadebates.com/output/page1.asp )The debate was explosive!

Some things you can do today to make the best out of this incident: 1) Discuss what you think about these cartoons with a Muslim and find out what he/she thinks
2) Get out of your own racial clique today and make it a point to speak English in the presence of non-chinese.
3) Tell your good non-chinese friend today how much you appreciate the racial harmony we have today.