"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like;
and I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
and gently licks my hands;
then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
but I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
but never a friend like that."

~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

- - - - -

Author's Notes:- Let's turn poetic today.

- - - - -

Man's Best Friend- By TW2

A knock on the door,
No, two.
No, three.

Can't they see that I'm not free?

Don opened the door
'fter a short while.
Then he saw two men,
most vile.

"Hello, I am from the AVA."

"Pardon me, what did you say?"

"The AVA, you know us well."

Of course I do, you spawns from hell.

"We heard a complaint about your dog."

"A dog, you say. I haven't a fog."

At this instance,
Golden appeared.
Knowing not these
people she feared.

"Ain't that your dog?"

"Alas, it is!"

"Ain't she too big?"

"Don't bullshit me, miss."

They left the doorstep,
a warning in sight.
They would take Golden away,
unless she takes flight.

Mum panicked,
Dad frowned.
Don thought-
They're not mentally sound.

The scoldings began,
pain and blame a-mix.
Yet Don was not listening.
He had to get out of that fix.

He phoned a few people,
Solutions requested.
Alas, there was one!
Yet it was risky; not tested.

The plan was made,
And things went our way.
Though all these while,
we had no play.

A week has passed and Mum got a call.
Was this pride before a fall?

"Hello Mdm Yeo? This is the AVA."

"Ah yes, you found me. Today's a fine day!"

"Now now, let's get down to business, no more tricks to play."

"First I will listen to what you have to say."

"We have decided that your dog can stay. No one else can take her away."

The gods were merciful,
apparently.
They saw the love
that came to be.

Golden was safe,
from the clutches of bad law.
She won't have to live
behind a caged door.

Licenses were approved,
tags were returned.
The men who threatened her,
in hell they were burned.

One question remains
through this incident.
Does our 'lil Golden know
what has happened?

There are never answers to such questions,
Let us leave them be.
Now Don shall finish this poem off
with some cliche for all to see.

"Always loyal till never-end,
the dog is Man's best friend."

Woot.

Gary Jules filled the speakers, sending wave after wave of melancholic tunes in Don's room.

Mad World- Gary Jules.

Don has changed his template song reluctantly- "Better Together" failed to play on site. Reluctance tugged Don's conscience as he clicked and replaced the HTML code with another one. Don did not like change. Yet, this was one change that had to be implemented.

-Settings Saved-
-Preview-

- - - - -
Author's Notes:
I apologise for the Feb' 14 post. Mental blocks are horrid. I re-read through the post and the ideas weren't connecting. There was no composition structure! Everything was astrewn.
Better posts to come, alright?
- - - - -

Mad World - Gary Jules

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places
Worn out faces

Bright and early for the daily races
Going no where
Going no where

Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression
No expression

Hide my head
I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow
No tomorrow

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which
I'm dying are the best
I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world
Mad world

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy birthday
Happy birthday

And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen
Sit and listen

Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me
No one knew me

Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me
Look right through me

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I...

* * * * *

... Wanna shoot you for being so bloody Emo, Gary.

So, this song is about a monotonous life, a rat race that we're running, and a seemingly miserable life we live in...

...Comforting.

Don went through the lyrics once more, then again. And again. It was as if the lyrics had a dual meaning. There was probably some other subtle meaning in the song that Don had not noticed yet, OR maybe it was just another over-emotional song.

Blah.

Don closed his blog window, before picking up his copy of Sophie's World. Now, that's something worth contemplating over.

Sophie's World revolves around several philosophical conundrums, with the main plot being the most perplexing one. As the reader advances through the book, he or she will lose track of time as the contents will confuse and somewhat bring a sense of transcendence to those who understand the written text.

Not many books astounded Don as much as this book did with its unique structure of explaining the philosophies and theories of various "truth-seekers" in the last 3000 years in just a short span of just over 400 pages.

- - - - -

Digression:- Cowell just called that blondie on American Idol a "naughty little minx". Okay, was that flirting or what? Cowell prefers her over the 2005 winner. Mendisa was also the target of Simon's rare compliments! Abdul must have been screaming in her heart. Even so, Cowell must have had a great day.

Extra Digression:- Powell is that Neopets creator fella, while Cowell is that judge from American Idol. I always mix them up, because they're both british multi-millionaires! Bloody hell.

- - - - -

Digression aside, Sophie's World is a Must-Read, at least for all those who wants to think.

Don took a deep breath as he comprehended the contents of the book. It has already been two years since Don first set sight on the book, and he regrettably admits he never got around finishing it- Lack of ability to comprehend was a reason he used, nevertheless still a weak excuse. Fueled with the will to start reading that particular book again, Don picked it up by chance in Anderson's library. Was it really chance, though?

A quarter of the book has been reached after two arduous weeks. It was apparent what Don had thought was nowhere near the leagues of the people he was reading about. He was humbled by his lack of knowledge.

Various questions were posed through these one-hundred odd pages, most not having an acceptable answer to them. Yet, Don would like to try to suggest a few questions for his readers to think about...

- - - - -

At this point of time, you may wish to stop. Don will resume his "normal" posts in the next one.
Yet, think about this first.

Man have always been curious, though society have mellowed that sense. Unfortunate is it that most of us fool ourselves by pretending there is all to know, and shut our eyes to the central issues once and for all. Through this, we abandon all progress. The same happens when we choose to ignore this sense of curiosity and close our senses towards these topics.

Thus, we can safely say that present Man will either be dead certain or indifferent to the world.
Still, aren't we sparked by this little jolt once in a while to seek the truth?

Nah.

- - - - -

There was once a small, damp and dark cave. Inside sat a few cavemen, all bound and gagged as they faced an empty wall, their backs facing the opening of the cave. They have been bound and gagged their whole life, surviving only on dew and warmed by the bonfire that has always been there since they were born. There, they sat as they saw blurred images of shadows darting around, projected from the cave exterior.

One day, one of the cavemen broke through the ropes, took out his gag and ventured out slowly towards the light of day. The vibrancy of the lifeforms around him astounded him. Those blurry shadows that has been cast in the caves were nothing compared to the sharp lines Nature offered. The caveman was amazed. He grunted his way back into the depths of the cave, and started to grunt incoherently to his fellow cavemen about the strange new sights he has seen. Yet, these cavemen rejected what he said, and killed him.

This is the Myth of the Cave, written in The Republic by Plato. He was just putting things into simpler perspective as the story he told was reflective upon Socrates, his master.

Socrates was that dead caveman. The story was exemplifying Socrates' courage and pedagogic responsibility.

Socrates was by no means a professor, nor a lecturer. He was a philosopher. His forte was not giving answers, it was asking questions! Yet, he was considered one of the cleverest men in Athens... after his death. Why was he killed? Because he asked some of the weirdest questions.

Why does it rain?

The answer may seem simple enough since we've all learnt it in science. Water evaporates, gets into atmosphere, condenses and forms rain. Simple enough.

Now think about it. Can we also say that it rains because plants and animals need the water to survive? After all, everything on Earth should have a purpose, right? Yet, logical reasoning used in modern Science will conclude that it is because of rain that plants grow, not the other way round. Matter of perspective?

Do you believe in fate? What distinguishes faith and superstition?

Good question.

What is "true knowledge"? Can our senses be trusted?

If seeing in believing, where do optical illusions stand? If hearing can be believed, what do you make of rumours? If taste can be trusted, what is artificial flavouring? If touch is true, how can that sense be impaired through comparison?

Socrates believed in logic, or logos. He believed that humans are easily fooled and senses cannot be trusted, only believing in logic. Here's my question though- What makes logic? Majority always win, but majority may not always be right. Does Society or Nature make this "logic"?

Basket, like that even I also buay song, la. Read this book need to think so much.

Socrates drank poisoned hemlock and ended his life when he was sentenced to death for his thinkings. Many of his disciples watched as he fell to the ground, as they remembered one of his more famous quotes:-

"One thing only I know, and that is I know nothing."

Kao, zhuai.

One of his disciples was Plato.

Wa, this bugger even more chim than his master.

A worthy note was that Plato came up with the tripartite system to catergorize and govern objects, with his system almost similar to the Hindu caste system.

Body consisted of three parts- Head, Chest, Abdomen
Soul consisted of three parts- Reason, Will, Appetite
Virtue consisted of three parts- Wisdom, Courage, Temperance(?)
State consisted of three parts-Rulers, Auxiliary, Laborers.

Now the Hindu caste system had three major castes- Auxiliary (priest) caste, Warrior caste and Laborer caste.

Interesting.

Another worthy note is that Plato introduced the idea of education for women, for both man and woman had the same reason and logic within them. His idea was strongly rejected by the chauvinistic masses in the beginning.

Now look where we have come to today.

Still, this fella asks the weirdest questions too.

If the egg did not come first, what did, the chicken or the idea of the chicken?

The explanations or theories on that are so painfully annoying and confusing that you have to read the book to find it out yourself. "Substance" and "form" could never have been more different.

- - - - -

And so, we have come by two of the most influential philosophers in Athens and probably the entire course of philosophy. Aristotle was the third of the three great philosophers, but Don still did not understand his views yet. So lest Don say something untrue, he will try to understand before blabbering. After all, that is the right thing to do... right?

(Food for thought: What makes right or wrong? Tag at the board your view, please.)

Soon will he be able to accept or rebutt those views.

For now, Don can only content himself with his meagre knowledge and understanding of the philosophical world, while trying to achieve a greater understanding. Yet, will this "greater" understanding still be meagre? Foolish Don had much to learn.

Alas! Wisest is she who knows she does not know.

* * * * *

Author's Notes:-
Band 3 had to do this dumb-ass essay. Mrs Ashari still thinks I did not hand this 'lil thing in! Ah well, this took approx. ninety minutes. Enjoy the monotonous droning of a argumentative-speech-exposition-thinger. Woot.

* * * * *

It is better to be a teenager today than in my parents' time

"Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush;
anxious for greater
developments and greater wishes and so on;
so that children have very little
time for their parents;
Parents have very little time for each other;
and the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world."
-Mother Teresa

Advancement in the human time-line has caused many changes- Political, economic; even social. Undoubtedly, life has become increasingly challenging with aggrandized standards of living as the world evolves.

One has to agree to the belief that the lifestyle of teenagers nowadays is technology-based and hereby more titillating as compared to the past, one cannot avoid the fact that it is better to have been a teenager in my parents' time.

It was much healthier in the past with fresh air filling the lungs of our parents; the soft breeze that cooled their skin as they frolicked among the grassy highlands, admiring the scintillating view they had. Alas, such joys cannot be enjoyed in today's society as more and more of Nature's splendor is bulldozed away to make way for towns and cities. No longer would teenagers enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that they have caught a fish from a nearby sewage drain, or marvel at the beauty of their kite floating amongst the wispy clouds that filled their skies. The simple pleasures of life have, instead, been replaced by long, unhealthy hours in front of the computer as teenagers battle it out in virtual world.

School would have been unequivocally easier in their days as there was less to learn since school syllabus standards would have been lower as compared to today, where students have to undergo the learning of multiple subjects, trying to catch up with a system which would only aid them in their life only if they succeed in memorizing thousands upon thousands of facts without knowing why or how these facts occur. After a decade of monotonous learning will today's students get a piece of paper to prove that they are indeed prepared as to slave for their metropolitan master- Society?

Fast-paced society has caused many to break under pressure, creating a "survival for the fittest" scenario. On the other hand, life provided less stress as a minority of teenagers worried about their future. The only cause for their concern would be the welfare of their family, mitigated by their much-easier attained diploma should they choose the continuation of their studies. Those that chose to work at an earlier age found jobs without much trouble, a far cry from the hundreds of jobless university graduates today.

Family ties were closer then as compared to today. A rat race has enveloped the world in self-doubt and fear, causing everyone to work feverishly towards their goals. A terrible rush befalls them all as they are anxious for greater developments and wishes. This, in turn, has sparked off a vicious cycle in the lack of family bonding as the children have little time for their parents due to academics and entertainment, and vice versa. Parents try their best to provide for their seemingly uncaring family as they try twice as hard to secure their jobs. Even parents have no time for each other, let alone their children. The times where the whole family gathers for a well-deserved dinner after a long, hard day has vanished. No longer do people thrive in the knowing that having loved ones is their primary sources of joy in their lives. The joy of family has been lost.

Life has been enhanced via the amelioration of technology, yet it is unfortunate that while the "bugs" in machines are being ironed out, the human race in general has been developing "bugs" of their own. Chaos run amok nowadays as violence penetrate our once-peaceful communities. Due to misunderstandings and various insensitive actions, Man has unintentionally set him against himself- prognosticating a war between nations as the human race commits suicide. How is it that a teenager living through this period would find living now better than living in the past? One ponders.

Therefore, one has adequate evidence to prove a point that is already a fact. Are teenagers better off living today than in our parents' time? Or is it more fortunate for teenagers living in the past? One chooses the latter.

Done By: Tan Wei Wen, 4/1(2006), Band 3 English.

"Mais si vous m'apprivoisez, alors nous aurons besoin de chaque
autre."

But if you tame me, then we shall need each
other...

"A moi, vous serez unique a tout le monde."

To me, you will be unique in all the
world...

"A vous, je serai unique dans tout le
monde."

To you, I shall be unique in all the
world...

-The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint Exupery

Don closed his borrowed copy of the fictatious text. Somehow rather, the book had an adverse effect on him- The interpretions of the book was somewhat different each and everytime Don had read it. This has already been the fourth time Don had read the book, and the result he got from reading between the lines has differed since the last time.

Memories were afloat as he read every line with caution, trying to grasp the underlying meaning. Has experience sharpened his mind to react better to the book, or has it dulled his mind? Maybe Don was afraid of not being able to understand the piece of text that he took the liberty of pondering over the simple words.

Is there such a thing has reading too much into a story?

Nevertheless, Don has closed the book. He'll have to think about the story next year, when he'll pick it up and read it again. (So far, only two books have mystified Don over the years- One being Le Petit Prince, the latter being Sophie's World. Yet, that will be another story for another day.)

The train of thought was broken by the rustling of a plastic calendar. Ah, yes. February the 14th. St. Valentine's, no?

St. Valentine's Day, the only day where courtly love is expressed freely; cards with adourning hearts given lovingly. Stupid cupid roams the busy streets as his wayward arrows strike the unlikeliest of people. Indeed, such is the work of this February farce. (February facade would do well in this context too, but some people really ARE sincere during this time, so we'll rule out hypocrisy just this once.)

The Greeting Card Association reports approximately a billion cards- yes, one thousand million cards- bought and sent during this season, making St. Valentine's the second largest commercial festival, the first being Christmas.

Digression. Let us take these following cards to be the cheapest on the market, and this is the average price of cards being sold, alright? If this card costs half a dollar to produce, and it's sold at an extravagant price of two dollars, that is a three hundred percent increase! For every card sold, the manufacturor and middleman earns $0.75 each should they want to split the earnings fifty-fifty. Since there are one thousand million cards being sold, the greeting card industries earn approx. 1.5 billion dollars. That earned in just one week. That is the lowest costing cards, by the way. Some cards may range up to twenty dollars. And so I ask, why are we contributing to commercialism? End digression.

-Food for thought: Why spend 20 bucks on flowers for Valentine's when you can spend only a quarter that price any other time of the year?-

May we stop all this madness? Rather, stop being lazy and make the people around you a card or two! No, stop giving the excuses of "I can't draw" or "my art is not good"... A collage will be fine, right? Maybe you can doodle something; Or just write, with your best handwriting, a card out, then paste a cute, colourful commercial cartoon character by the side to make it look caustic commendable!

(Author's notes: I really wanted to put caustic [I did! I just striked it off!], but just to sound less sour-grapey, try saying that phrase ten times quick:-

"Cute Colourful Commerical Cartoon Character"

Seriously, what is up with the C's?!)

- - - - -

To those in love:-

After all, this is Valentine's. If you really want to get in the mood, do something extra-nice for your other half (it's a bloody metaphor, goodness sake) during this day. Yet, that is not to mean that you do not do anything else the rest of the year. Valentine's is a marketing scam, but your love and the bond between the two of you are, perhaps, eternal. Both of you are unique to each other not only during this season, but also the rest of the years you two spend together. It may be "common sense", but constant reminder helps. After all, love is in the air.

- - - - -

So instead of buying these bloody cards and making these manufacturors so f*cking rich, let us all pull in resources, get in the mood of "lurvee", and make your valentine's a copper rose! Well, that is if you're Wilbur. If you're not, make something. Anything!

Remember, it's the thought that counts! (Just don't be such a cheap-ass.)

Or if you're just a few days away from Valentine's with nothing in mind and you feel guilty, you can try to make a simple card and furnish it with various hard-to-find pretty adornments...

...It'll only take two hours if you're relly enthusiastic about it...

...On second thought, just go buy that bloody card.

"4/1, settle down. I have the results here."

Mr Ng's voice was elucidate amidst the nervous chatter among the students as the voices died down to an uneasy silence.
This Chinese HOD was our professor, our mentor. The same man who joked and laughed with us through lessons; this amazing teacher who both encouraged and lectured us, stood before us with an expression easily identified as discontentment, if not disappointment.

"The lowest grade for 4/1 is a B4."

Kao! Heng la! Pass already what...

"I'll now call out the names," Mr Ng continued. "Those called, please come forward, get your paper, and sign here."

Angel and Yixin approached the teacher as more nervous chatter started up. They asked to have their papers first, since they were going for their table-tennis competition.
A gasp. A scream. Curious classmates looked on. Were they gasping in surpise or dismay?

"A1! I got A1!" Both chortled in unison. The class was clapping loudly as they both signed to acknowledge their results, following with a high-five and a hug.

Somehow, Don caught the look on both Angel's and Yixin's eyes. Both of them were looking into each other for that split second as they performed the high-five. One could clearly see the strong bond of their friendship as they both smiled (although they were obviously grinning madly at that point of time) at each other. Well, at least Don could.

Maybe that's what people meant when they said that secondary school would be the best time of our lives.

It's the friendships built during that time, and finally that slight spark you feel within you as you give your friends a pat, or rather a large whack, on the back. That spark that brings forth the nostalgia in you as your memories unfold to unveal your subconcious memories.

"WeiWen."

"WeiWen."

"Psst, WeiWen! The teacher's calling you!"

Oh, thought Don. The moment of truth came as Don walked slowly to Mr Ng. Tension brimming as Don looked at his paper and saw a...

(What do you think chinese-illiterate Don will get for not studying?)

B4. (Duh!)

Don stared at it in disbelief for a moment, then remembered what Mr Ng had said. Everyone passed. He could still follow up with Higher Chinese. Woop-tee-doo!

* * * * *

Tears were aflow as Don tried to comfort some, their eyes askew with liquified sadness. Drop by drop, their tears of regret ran down their cheeks and onto the paper. The paper that held a...

... grade of A2.

Uhh, so they have high expectations. Alright.

Don peered outside the class as he saw friends fooling around in sheer happiness, after which he turned around and saw a few crying by the corner.

Which position would I be in next year?

Only time will tell.

"Sir, I bear a rhyme excelling
In mystic force and magic spelling
Celestial sprites elucidate
All my own striving can't relate."

What are you? Don thought as he looked at the riddle posed
by the computer screen. He had stumbled across riddles on the internet, and he had been taken in by the crafty, if not lame questions.
The "Solution" link looked very tempting, but Don would not forgive himself if he saw the answer before he got a chance at it.

Skipping was of no choice, as Don proceeded to the other questions,
answering them without much effort. He returned to the dumbfounding question after ten-odd questions. What was the solution to that question?

Oh, Don finally got it, almost half an hour after he first set eyes to it.

So that was what Mdm Wong was talking about. Walau, where got people so lame!

-Author's
notes: Do not check the answer on the internet. Try to understand the question
before you do. This question is really good.-

-Edit on 10/2: Haha, I tested this question on 4/1. Sashti got it first, though ChunYing told me the answer before anyone else had a chance to. I credit the answer to her being at the scene while I was explaining the answer to Son.
Evidence? She admitted it. Wa-hey! So, congratulations to Sashtivaran for winning the elusive $2 prize! Gawd, I love riddles.-

* * * * *

A deep breath was taken as Don took the last breath from the menthol inhaler* he had during his coughing days.

Eh, wait. I can breathe properly now! I'm cured! Don grinned to himself.

Now, where have I seen that action before?

Oh.

He settled down for some cliched blogging after he received an e-mail from Alka.

__Four things About You__

4 Jobs You've Had In Your Life (and memories of them)

1. Pacific Internet sales! Hurrah! Walking around in that shirt makes me feel all grown up at 13! First job, I think.
2. Valentine's Flower Sales Executive. Okay la, I just sold flowers on that day. Earned meself around a hundred fifty bucks that day, and I met Booker T! Should be around 11 or 12, during that WWE tour. He bought like, a forty-plus dollar bouquet for his accompanyment for the night, passed me a hundred-dollar bill and told me to keep the change. Rich sia. This is my very first job! *grins*
3. Surveyor. Horrible job. Door-to-Door, and people just slam their doors on you, and refuse to help you in your surveys. Don't ever take this job, however good the pay is. It'll shatter even the strongest of egos.
4. Pet store assistant. Keke. Visit me in Rivervale Mall, Pet Cetera on weekends. I'll prolly be in there watching a movie if not grooming pets!

4 Movies You Could Watch Over And Over

1. For some funny reason, Mr and Mrs Smith. It's bloody cool.
2. Bedazzled. I love that show! Hot devil. xD
3. Bruce Almighty. Need I say anything more?
4. Ah, any Ace Ventura series. Amazing humour. Jim Carrey's an amazing actor.

4 6 TV Shows You Love

1. Whose Line Is It Anyway? Drew Carey show is pretty awesome too.
2. Malcolm in the Middle
3. Friends, or the continuation by Joey.
4. Cheers! Continuation by Frasier, but Frasier lacks the certain "oldie" element.
5. Charmed. Just too damn good.
6. Desperate Housewives. I couldn't resist putting this in.

4 Places You've Been On Vacation

1. Malaysia. Haha.
2. Japan, Disneyland! The place where I developed my acrophobia and family nickname. Ah, bad memories.
3. Thailand, Bangkok and ChiangMai. The usual.
4. Australia.

Come to think of it, why are the places I travel to all around Asia, ah? I shall travel the world with my wife when I'm older (and richer, pounds are gonna kill my bank account)!

4 Places You Would Rather Be

1. New Zealand, because it's just so damn relaxing.
2. On the CEO's chair of a multi-national company that's doing well in the economy (owning the post, not just bloody sitting there for the heck of it)
3. Next to Barry Manilow, as he teaches me music. Wa, shiok sia.
4. My very own island, a mansion just off the shores of France. Titled and deed named after me, with coconut (what coconut? Europe lah!)... err. Apple trees (?) around me, a large garden overlooking the beach. Sigh.

4 Of Your Favourite Foods

1. Roast duck skin in sweet sauce, accompanied with freshly sliced japanese cucumbers, topped with light, sweet belachan and wrapped around with a light, non-descript crepe. Found only in Chinese Restaurants like Ah Yat. Pure heaven for only sixty bucks.
2. Honey-baked ham/sausage scones, three for a dollar in Cold Storage; fully prepared.
3. Lobster Bisque soup, accompanied by various flatbreads. Jerry's, Jalan Kayu, approx. twenty bucks.
4. Double-egg Carrot Cake fried in sweet, dark sauce. Topped with freshly chopped spring onions, and an extra pinch of salt. Sold by a stall found near Kovan market. That famous stall, lah. Two-fifty is enough. (Another good one would be the stall near the marketplace near Jubilee. Two bucks for that, though it's a tad on the dry side.)
5. Mee Rebus, in Ang Mo Kio near a marketplace. Within walking distance from Anderson Sec. Never knew where the place was, exactly. Only two bucks!
6. Mee Pok-lookalike indonesian noodles thingus, sold in Park Mall. Three bucks for a tasty meal. Quite an offer!
7. Clam Chowder, some "ulu" restaurant near the city. Their fish and chips were amazingly delicious, while their chicken chop was irresistable. This is not to mention their salads. And the cheese sausages! Oh, the cheese sausages where twice as thick as your thumb, and six inches long or something! I need to know where it is! Around twenty bucks for each main dish. Expensive, but worth it.
8. Fondue, Max Brenners. Twenty bucks! Chocolate phantasy!
9. Fried Hokkien Noodles, Geylang. The prawn mee just two blocks across the stall is one of the best, too. Four and three dollars respectively.
10. Fish and chips, Fish and Co. Need I say more? $16.90, I think.

Et cetera, blah blah. More in the city areas, though it's horribly expensive. Good money for good food! Yes, these are all my favourites.

4 Websites You Visit Daily

1. DeviantART. (Largest art community on the net with around 1.2m people usage in time of writing)
2. Newgrounds. (No, it's not a porn site. Avoid the porn links, duh.)
3. Wikipedia. (Just started, it's pretty informative)
4. www.yggr.blogspot.com

Cheers!

*Menthol inhalers are those Axe Brand shit, dig? Really horrible, but you can get addicted to them easily. Le gasp. They sound like alcohol!

* * * * *

Don left the computer as he started on American Idol.

"Why in the f*ckin' hell do people actually try to make themselves look like bloody fools on international television?" Don thrusted his arms up into the air in agony, as he endured a horrible rendition of a Tom Jones classic.

"Oi, watch your language. Who cares about these idiots, you're the biggest one for watching them instead of revising for your tests!" Mum rebutted, glaring at Don as he took the hint- When mothers give you the "death glare"(Don refuses to use the proper term "evil eye"; too diabolical), shut the f*ck up.

"It's only for the humour ma... Alright, I'll go revise my Geography later la..." The sentence trailed lazily.

"You better. And please la, quit watching that rubbish. Watch the Singaporean version if you want humour, la. That shit is good."

"Mmmhmm."

So much for vulgarities. Mothers DO have a sense of humour too!

Whirring noises were heard as Don turned on his computer. The clock had the hour hand at one. Wait, what was Don doing again?

Don blogs. He returns to the comfort of his bed. The bed that has been causing him back problems for weeks now.

Damn you, responsibility.

It was finally the day of joy- The first day of Chinese New Year has arrived!

Don woke up from his deep slumber, his ears ringing with a familiar tune of lion drums and cymbals clashing. The clock confirmed the time as Don watched the minute hand tick, his Snoopy clock portraying a quarter past nine.

He jumped out of bed, stretching a little, his illnesses forgotten. Concious memories struck as he felt slightly faint, his legs weak.

Aw screw, not today!

Steadying himself, Don took a bath and put on his new clothes. He went to greet his family members, a customary tradition, before settling for some cereal. There were chicken curry and fried bee hoon, along with alot of other fried goodies. Don grumbled to himself; He had to eat healthy foods if he wanted to get well faster. These goodies can always be eaten another day.

Time flew fast as relatives streamed into the house, each bearing a certain resemblance to each other. Smiles across their faces, everyone was laughing as greetings and hugs were exchanged.

Nephews were teased, grandparents respected, and aunties hugged. It was not before long that a mahjong table was set up, tiles readied for some playing. Poker cards shuffled, and plates piled with goodies to snack on while playing.

"Chiat lat!" An uncle bellowed, with some of the other relatives responding with a "Pak Chet!" in mirth. Chiat lat meant "trouble" or "eat six", while Pak Chet meant "throw seven", a term used to counter while playing mahjong.

"Hey, I forgot to put parking ticket. Will get summon, not?"

"Aiyah Uncle, lac lah. This is New Year. Only way you can get summon today if you park your car in the middle of expressway. Shoulder still never mind, but right smack in the middle. That'll do the trick."

"It's okay, Roland. I doubt they'll check."

"Alright, I'll take your word for it."

They were right. The rules were more relaxed during the festive season. Uncle Roland never got the summon.

"Kor, you in Lion Dance ar?" A nephew of Don asked him. He loved Lion Dance.

Yet before he got to answer, a cousin poked in.

"Yeah, his lion can roar somemore."

What?

Gosh, do I love my family.