I promised a good friend of mine that I will post up this up once my computer recovers from the virus bug. This is actually from one of the chapters in “Tuesdays with Morrie”, but I will try to summarize it. Stay happy always!

Everyone must learn to detach themselves from their experience. Do not cling on to things, because everything is impermanent.

Everyone talks about experiencing life, all the good emotions and the bad ones. Taking in and keeping the memories you love and still do. And you may wonder, how do you do that if you are detached? Well, detachment doesn’t mean you don’t let the experience penetrate you. On the contrary, you let it penetrate you fully. That’s how you are able to leave it.

Take any emotion – love for someone, or grief for a loved one, or fear and pain from a deadly illness. If you hold back on the emotions and don’t allow yourself to go through them, you can never be detached. You are too busy being afraid. You are afraid of the pain, you are afraid of the grief. You are afraid of the vulnerability that loving entails.

But by throwing yourself into these emotions, by allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience them fully and complete. You know what pain is, you know what love is. You know what grief is. And only then can you say, “All right, I have experienced that emotion. I recognize that emotion. Now I need to detach from that emotion for a moment. When you learn how to lose, you learn how to gain.

My favourite colour has changed. It is no longer red and white, but green, black and white. Is it a reflection of my mood or simply a matter of taste?

I love to read more than ever before. Is it a habit? Or a form of escape?

I started blogging as well. Is it a freedom of expression or is it an outlet to vent my frustrations?

I finally realized that I am quite stubborn now, and my temper isn’t exactly as mild as it used to be. Is it an aging process, or merely just a dormant approach to get my ideas across?

I believe simple is beautiful. Is it a sign of tiredness or a matter of contentment?

I have become more critical and judgmental of people. Is it me? Or is it the people around me?

I have become more serious in my work, more competitive and I set higher standards for myself. Is that challenging my limit or is it stress inducement?

Someone told me that she was trying to change me into another person, but no, I feel that I have changed into a better person. I have read your blog. Some things take a long time while some, take even longer.

This little gal is so darn cute!

Lazy mood, Brain dead, can’t be bothered to think. Not a very good week for me. A class gathering organized by Kenny last Saturday turned out to be a 3 men team. Only Tanvi, Kenny and I turned up for it. Pathetic. We were joined by Grace and company. The 3 of us went to watch Coach Carter in the evening and I find rather inspirational. Well.. At least I enjoyed myself that day!

Sunday: Sunday was my duty day, so rotted in camp the whole day.

Monday: Oh. The next one is for Baoling. I met up with Ailing on Monday evening to pass her the presents. I repeat. THE PRESENTS.

Tuesday & Wednesday: I went for shooting practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. It wasn’t too bad, it was FUCKING BAD!! To say that I screwed up is a huge understatement really.

Thursday: A routine Thursday yesterday, except that I went over to Serene’s place for a short mahjong session.

Friday: I just came back from a steamboat dinner with my colleagues at Turf City and it kinda sucks. SIGH..

Saturday: And duty day again tomorrow. Have a report to rush. When can I ever have a good rest man? Maybe next Monday and Tuesday, when I get a well deserved tentative break, subject to changes.

Hey Baoling and Kenny, you guys still remember the study corner near my house? I was with a group of friends happily chatting away just now when both of you came floating into my mind.

I clearly remember that it was on the 26th of April last year because I was feeling damn lousy. Reason being the end of exams signifies the end of something else. I wanted someone to drink with, which the usually erm.. SWEET Baoling and WHATEVER Kenny obliged. Haha.. We drank and ate peanuts, took a stroll along the park, and even called Aiai to agitate her!

My dear Baoling, something just struck me. I am the first guy to watch the sunrise with you, the first to gaze the stars and the moon with you so that leaves us with sunset! I shall be the first guy to watch the sunset with you! Haha.. So when you come back, lets just do that alright? Miss 5+1 so much!

I happened to come across Miss Singapore Universe on TV yesterday. The pageant was bimbotic as usual and I am not stereotyping anyone here. This is how a gorgeous contestant dealt with this question. “If you had only $2 for one day, what will you do?” She answered, “I would go to Newton Circus for a plate of Char Kuay Tiao before going home to sleep.” Yeah. Intellectual response.

However, the winner’s response to this particular question impressed me. “What is the greatest weakness and strength of a woman?” “Fear, of not being able to meet society’s expectations and so not being able to put her best foot forward. But yet, women’s strength lies in their courage to face these fears and take that step to achieve a balance in their life, family and career.”

I think this applies to everyone in general. All of us have fears that we cannot overcome. But we tend to forget this simple principle. Fear does not bring you ahead. Courage does. The courage to face the world, to overcome your fears and to face the consequences of your actions. To err is human. Making mistakes is part and parcel of life but as long as you repent and reflect on your mistake, you have found the courage to go on.