The Twin Brudda!

The Twin Brudda!
My Sporadic Dose of Schizo^!

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questions? comments? anything to say abt Twin Brudda??

Beyond the Laws of Nature

Beyond the Laws of Nature
Theory of God's Will

Warning! Potentially Blasphemous Content ahead:

This post is inspired by Alvin's post on Miracles .
My first reaction after reading that was: "Heh, another non-believer~(of religion)."

Now for the record, I personally believe in the existence of the Universal Creator, otherwise known as God. However, like Alvin, I have chosen not to place my faith in any of the various religions that exist today. My main reason for doing so is: To remain unbiasedly respectful of the teachings of ALL the various faiths.

With all due respect, I think Mohammed, Buddha & Jesus have done a great job in guiding many people to lead meaningful lives. But, I do think that neither one of them is greater than the other; and that perhaps they are all equal representations of The Almighty One. I apologise if that remark offended anyone in anyway. I assure you that I mean no malice.
******

Let's examine the meaning of "Miracle". - search result from Dictionary.com
Most of us already know the word as defined in most universities' 2kg-tissue-box-sized publications. But on top of those, I kinda buy this:

"God ordinarily effects his purpose through the agency of second causes; but he has the power also of effecting his purpose immediately and without theintervention of second causes, i.e., of invading the fixed order, and thus ofworking miracles. Thus we affirm the possibility of miracles, the possibilityof a higher hand intervening to control or reverse nature's ordinary movements" -extract frm Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

Now, remember what I said about my belief in the existence of 1 God.
Long ago, I used to think that perhaps humans created God,
for purposes of self-expression;& for good or for bad causes.
The very thought of, thinking a God into existence, sounded fairly plausible to me.
"Man, God could have been one of mankind's greatest inventions if that were true!"
But times have changed.

& today I state:
******
Premise 1: Science rationalises phenomena based on proven Natural Laws and physical evidence.
P2: Occurances that cannot be logically explained by science may be acts of God's Will.
P3: Everything, without reasonable proof otherwise, may well be regarded as truth.

Conclusion 1: Everything (that Science hasn't yet proven otherwise) was created by God from him/herself.
C2: God is the Singular Truth that exists in everything.
******

You're going to ask me, "Why the change in opinion today?"
I can only say that: In the past 20+ yrs of my existence, I've gone through some wonderful experiences that upon reflection, seem unexplainable and even unreal. And for them to have occured, there must have been a invisible, unworldly, cosmic force at play.

Let's see what I can seive out from the crumbling-yellowing-scrapbook that is my memory.
******
Random Event 1:
UEFA Champions League Final 1999: Man Utd vs Bayern Munich
Bayern lead 1-0 going into 3mins of added-time at end of match. Within those 3mins, Teddy scored the fateful equaliser and Ole put in the miraculous Cup-winning goal!
Definitely the most amazing soccer match i've ever watched.
******
Random Event 2:
2002:Exercise Homerun in R.O.C - Night Assault on Objective.
PC approaches possible FUP with Platoon2(PL2). Cannot see objective from current location; not sure of current location as well. *gulp* Walking along dried-up river, decides to scale bare river-bank to get to higher ground with his men. Up there, objective was found to be 100+ metres ahead, but PL2 was facing the reserve side of the slope we had planned to charge.
"Bang" *Thunderflash & smoke alarm goes off* (instructor tripped one booby off)
"Darn, what to do now!?" "Call for support fire!" "Bronze Now!"
"Drrggg-dg-dg... drrrrg-dg-dg-dg..." *faint Machine-Gun fire heard in the howling wind*

Time was running out for PL2 to get into position for the assault.
PC signals to PL2 & makes a dash towards dimly-lit track ahead(behind the objective).
The backslope of the objective seemed impossible to scale. Roughly 70degrees steep and well vegetated with birch trees. PC looks behind to see Platoon chasing him into this darkness. He must proceed.
"Damn, Where am I going!?" *Leads Platoon further along the dim track*
About 50m into that, PC spots a small narrow clearing of sorts on that very slope, near the track. "No time to think" "This is it!"
Signalling to PL2, he starts bashing into the vegetation.
Steep yes, but surprisingly the route was kindly less-dense with vegetation further upslope. It helped too, that the slope was dry and weathered to be somewhat a natural stairway w branches and roots for railings.
The PC's heart was racing, his each step taking PL2 closer to what seemed like an opening into the night sky. "Where would he lead us to!?" "What would be waiting for us there?"

At the opening, PL2 found themselves near the top of their objective: a open-air war-zone offering no cover & concealment.
*Machine Gun ceases fire*
PC crawls forwards with two men, and discover a con-wire fence. Not far from this was what seemed like a shellscrape with a fieldpack sticking out. PL2 conducts a silent breaching of the con-wire fence, since no enemies were in sight. Or so the PC thought! A guard was later found sound-asleep in the shell-scrape mentioned earlier. Sneaking through the gap, and spreading out his men, PC then realised that they have just reached the top, rear-end of the objective! PL2 has approached the enemy from the least likely position! Creeping forward, Platoon gets ready to charge an enemy that was dug-in but facing a similar direction of our assault. And the rest they say was, "We did PL1 frm behind; kicked their butts, literally".
******

Okay, end of recollection-session, b4 this post overflows.
To analyse, both events occured years apart, involved very different groups of people. In both cases, people who forged through rather trying circumstances, emerged triumphant. In both situations, nobody present expected the events to unfold as they did.

Do you think those present then, took full-credit for their victories?
I doubt so.
Perhaps Charlie Chance, Cody Coincidence, Deborah Destiny,
Farah Fate, Lindy Luck, & Mike Miracle were acknowledged as well.
& where could these always-welcomed guests have come from?
Nobody, but perhaps God, knows.

Moments like these appear in my mind from time-to-time,
as still frames that never fail to exude an awe-inspiring effect.
Because these events occur with such uncanny alignment/arrangement of space-time, I find it hard to accept any possible human-explaination & so, ask that you too, be satisfied with God's Will.
Period.

Just Do It

Just Do It

Bro Marc's post was the inspiration for mine today.. see here

I think the issue of "madness" gives rise to a debate on ethical philosophy.
How justifiable can the means to judge, whether a person is sane or of unsound mind, be?
Who is to say what is right or wrong?

From a ethical point of view, I think every person is entitled their own "freedom", so long as their free-willed actions do not directly cause suffering to another person.

If true freedom exists, then the outcasts that Bro Marc mentioned should not be confined in institions at all. But alas, even a democracy governs by the word of the masses. And we can only watch, as the masses dictate every aspect of our social norms.

"Bo jeng hu" condemn Pay-And-Pay & u'll start finding ISD agents disguised as mobile keropok stall operators and taxi-drivers around your neighbourhood. Anyhow wear checkered pants & the fashionistas will sue you for "visual assault"(phrase borrowed frm Jo=). Ask the Cai Dao Kuei Uncle to serve the egg seperate frm the carrot-cake & he'll probably exclaim "lu siao ah!" The list goes on & on..

I'm sure everyone has their fair share of deviance; but kept to a minimum due to societal pressures (with a little help from folks home perhaps)

So, my message to everyone is this:
Expressing your inner self is a beautiful thing. Do not be bothered whether it's unique, trendy or passe.
Do your thang & be happy you did it your way.
=)

After Sunset

After Sunset...

How can I let you know?
Can words even convey it at all?
Or would actions speak louder?

Maybe if I look into your eyes,
my whole experience would be revealed to your soul.

I have always sought goodness in every person around me.
But in you, I see goodness personified.
Now, I don't have to try to see, it just glows from your being.
Because of you, everyone else matters.
I find the feeling closer the more I treat them like you would.
Maybe, being like you is the only way to stay close to you.

Oh God,
Thank you for your blessings.

******
"That's when I need them, that's when I need my Father's eyes..."
My Father's Eyes; lyrics by Eric Clapton

Dawn of David

Dawn of David
ups & nouns of communication

******
U queue-up for your Ice Blended Mocha.
U pay & and get a Thank-you-smile with your receipt.
U proceed to the side and they ask your name.

When the syllables roll off your tongue,
the counter-staff roll their ears toward their eyes.
U try again, as their ears & eyes find ways
to catch your words before the nose gets involved in the job.

Ok, that 2nd reaction is not usually the case.
For i'd use the moniker "WR" after the first attempt failed.
Believe me. I already tried prolonging the "R" a little.

******
Another real life example:
This day
was a job-interview by the boss of Al Forno Pastas & Pizzas.
I turn up expecting to meet the Italian boss who spoke his English
fast and accented.

"Hi Sir, i heard you were hiring so i came for an interview"
"Ok, please take a seat and fill this form up first"
*encounters "name-line" & writes clearly & legibly*

"Alright, lets take a look at this"
"Yes Sir"
*Boss scans thru form, cocking an eyebrow *
"Ok, Vehl-Roong right? Tt's how i say yr name?"
"Er, it's Wei3 Rong2 actually"
...more qsn(s)...
"Alright Ve-Rung, u can start work tmr"

1st evening at work:
"Ve-Lung, go to the keetchen & bring out the parmesan n chilli"
"Ver-Lung, tonight, u clear e table and set the tables only"
"Veh-Loong, what did i tell u abt serving the dishes??"
"Boss, you could call me David as well."
"No, i will take some time to get it right.
If i call u David, you won't respond bcs it's not yr name."
Thinking to oneself:
"Isn't tt bcs you keep getting "Weirong" WAY WRONG right?!"

Okay, "David" appeared to me suddenly as
the pseudonym of choice at that moment.. I can't say why even
till today.. Guess it makes it easier for the Boss to rem me
& my pal Desmond, who works there too.. :)

In hindsight, it was a good idea for me to have introduced myself
to the Italian chef & Pizza guy as "David" right frm Day1.
Things would get a lot better later tt week and I finally became
"Day-veed" in the Boss' vocab.

******
There are times when we can only say so much
b4 the world loses interest.. dimissing our efforts!

But there are moments as well
when silence does more than tell

That is the mutual kind of connection between best buddies,
sport teams and also lovers as well. A magical way of communication
through the unspoken word. I think tt's one of nature's best gifts
to humankind, perhaps the final evolution of what was previously our animal-speak.

******
& a song which ends:
"you say it best; when you say nothing at all"

What lifts you...

What lifts you...
kudos to Blogger for the Post-Recovery feature! saved my life at 2:38am!
******
Got back as early as poss today.. Wanted to get a workout in b4 dinner..

Nothing like an empty gym and almost-healed wart/corn on my left sole
to get me back on the journey to Arnold-dom..
Okay, realistically myb not the Governator's;
but Bruce Lee's physique to aspire towards.

Started off with a 0.5hr jog/run.. great feeling to hit the road again
knowing that irritating calluses will $%^&* no more..
(!the pains they bring are beyond imagination)

Later, i deduced that Fridays are non-gym days for the folks staying at my place..
Empty throughout dinnertime.. Did an overall weights-session w light-moderate intensity..
Dad popped in while i was cooling down & stretching.. We exchanged some thoughts about exercise as he warmed up..
He powers the thread-mill on as I leave to chow n rest..

******
Strange how the day passed in serenity...
Perhaps it's the thought of... fleeting precious moments..
A hallucination of bliss… or perhaps reality settling in slowly but surely…

Despite the challenging pace, song lifted my cardio-system through the run
Familiar aches & strains call in on me as dumb-bells were lifted overhead
The home felt empty till Mom returned & lifted onto the table dinner Grandma made

******
A weight off my mind adds some load to my heart;
but lifts it up to heaven too
Thank you

Sweet Anticipation

SwT-NtCpTn

Remember the last time you smiled to yourself?
When you think about the free weekend you'll
be having; or when u're hopeing to meet your
cute neighbour at the lift lobby going to sch;
or perhaps, finally being able to see the toils
of your labour bear fruit..

Yes, with just over a week to go at my day-job,
I'm already thinking of places to explore and
new works to create.
An acrylic painting is already on my ideas-waiting-list..
A local expedition to unleash the
trigger-happy-shutter-realease within..
Could be a good time to take part in some competions too.

Actually, more importantly, other life projects should
be taken off the shelves & worked on again.
Like family, friends, gym-routine & diet..
or perhaps to find that elusive muse..
& get down to the heart of the matter too..

The other thing i'm wondering about is whether
that aptitude test for NTU's SADM will translate
into anything good. Anticipating a flat outcome really.
sigh.. will wait & see..

The postman will do his job well i'm sure;
though not a messenger he is; to make clear
In 12hrs, his labour shall stir the calm of things,
the ticking moments tug at heartstrings.

Just one of life's simple pleasures i enjoy:
Sipping a tea-cup of dried-leaves in hot water...
Ahh... Sweet...

A travel companion

A travel companion

Through a drizzly morning, I saw the P.I.E. abuzz
with late morning commuters.
Then, I received word of ET's admission into
LaSalle's Interior Design programme.
I expressed my congrats to him right away.
I felt a sense of relief for him as well.

Once in the same school but on different academic paths,
we have now re-united; pursuing where creativity leads.
To think that 1 week ago, when he told me it
was time to quit varsity, I did not even advise against
his decision to skip the exams. Was I a fool of a friend?
Like him, I took the plunge at the 11th hour, 1 sem ago.
I'm glad his faith and determination,
on top of an outstanding portfolio;
ensured a positive outcome for his interview today.

ET: Amongst our batch of Art guys, we now join Sean in taking
that leap of faith.. Going where varsities here do not..
We drew & painted in the same Art Room back then.
Now, we each have chosen our way; albeit a similarly
unbeaten track..
I look forward to the day when we can attend each
other's graduation shows;
& even collaborate on a creative project once again.

**
The way ahead is promising yet uncertain,
but will always be lit by a travel companion.
**

MOIF2: Give Thanks

MOIF2:"Give Thanks"
Meditations over Italian Food - 2 "Give Thanks"
This Week, the Boss "Alex" is back after spending a few weeks
back home in Italia.

So on Sat evening:
"Hello David, nice to see u here again!" he said as he toted his
document bag to the bar counter. He gave a warm smile that
i'd not seen often in the past months of work there.
Perhaps he was surprised to see me back at work again.
"Hi Boss!", I replied, smiling politely to convey my thanks.

Later tt evening:
The rest. was packed frm abt 7pm to 9pm..
Scurrying between Kitchen & Dining Area was the order of tt
night. I recall clearly the following:

Table2:
Asian-Caucasian family dining. 2 Adults, 2 Kids.
The caucasian father looked like Robin Williams wearing a crew-cut
with a physique made not for comedy, but for Rugby Union or WWE.
They intially sat themselves at a small square table which was only
as wide as the father's shoulder-width.
They thanked us when we suggested they shift to a bigger one.
Later, even that bigger table was filled to the edge with
a seafood casuola and 2 pizzas. Imagine the clutter and inconvenience
tt the small square table might have caused.
Their 2 kids thanked me for serving them water.

Table 3:
Indian family of 5.
Very appreciate of us joining 2 small squares to make a bigger
table for them. Even more appreciative when their order was served.
A humorous occurance:
I happen to pass-by their table. With water jug in hand,
I turn to see if they needed a refill. My next glance saw
the father "air-lifting" a slice of Prosciutto e Funghi pizza over
from the plate in the middle; towards his son's.
In mid-air, a misbehaving bulb of mushroom
did a Parachut e Funghi straight INTO the father's glass.
Tt dive would have beaten the Chinese to the Gold in Athens.
The father and his family were visibly amused and thanked
me for offering to change the poo.. er, glass of water.

Kitchen:
Skipping through the swing-doors with plates of leftovers,
I proceed to help swipe remnants and morsels off the plates
into the bin; before handing them over to the new dishwashing
lady. I'm afraid i don't know her name yet so
i just say, "Thank you, Aunty!"
As she smiled and thanked me, I realised how much a word
of appreciation could lift one's spirit despite a stuffy working environment
and an almost endless stream of dirty dishes.

Closing time:
The night was tiring but most of the customers were
really nice people. None of the sort spoken of in the earlier
post:
http://weirong.blogspot.com/2004/12/meditations-over-italian-food.html
We had Spagetthi Bolognese for supper.. (Phew, no clams at last!)
I slung my bag over a tired back and said my good-byes.
Boss, in a seeming good mood, replied,
"Thank you, David! Really good to see you around again! Ciao~"
No, he wasn't drunk, but sincere - like a friend giving thanks.

The Word is Out!

The Word is Out!

Went to see my boss today.
"Not many days left", i said.

B: "Accomplished, what, have u?"
:) "I learnt Photoshop & .." then

B: "Thought not of the company, u did"
:o "Helped out the others", I insist

B: "Not accoding to plan, yr Contributions were"
:< "Time was scarce", I assure

B: "Paid u lots, am sure we did"
B: "But commited u were, to other shifts"

:o "I did say frm the start", I didn't kid
:o "I learn rendering & serve fried squid"

B: "Over-confident & greedy I think(!)"
B: "Still, this Lesson to u, deep in, must sink"

: "Thank u Sir", "I've enjoyed yr time"


I half-regret starting this stint; this personal disappointment only just begins.
But looking forward to finish up some poster designs and a little documentation by end-April.
After that, out with job, in comes paint & brush! :D

By the Way...

By the Way...

I just submitted my "project" for *SADM's application
requirements. *(School of Art Design & Media, NTU)
Requirements:
1 x Video & Written Explanation
both abt why i should be allowed into their course
5 x Photographs any subject; no captions needed
*Portfolio optional for A-Level applicants

Upmost thanks to WenJun for helping me out tons
with this video: Adobe Premiere crash cse & filming!
All done in a night! WJ: I did put yr name in the credits =)

3 Nights, 3 Days & a grand total of 12 hrs of sleep later,
I can tell you I've not been awake for this long since my
A-Level Art Proj pia-ing Week b4 Cambridge-Marking.

Also thanks to Juliet for showing the way to *OAD!
Office of Admissions, where i submitted e materials
Not to mention the uncanny timing of our meeting as well:
just as I get off bus in NTU, she happens to stroll by e bus stop!!

I'll tell more e next time we meet

:@ (Yawns a yawn of one who is tired enough to fall asleep while standing)

So Far so Good

So Far so Good...

Hmm... the work i do now is yr typical office job Mon-Sat...
peppered with attending to shoppers at our Cash&Carry area(sometimes during Lunch)...
The Co. sells frozen seafood by the way...

Back in Jan-Feb:Was juggling a few activities then:
My previous part-time work at an Italian restaurant, a part-time course and my new(now-current)full-time work. Restaurant and part-time course took up most of my evenings.

Believe me it was not possible to adopt a proper workout routine that would
not compromise my sleeping hours!(which would lead to slower muscle recovery)

And so, conveniently, I took a break..
Prior to that, i already had a 1 month hiatus in Dec.. so, 1+CNY+Cse+ItalianRest+DayJob+Sundays&PublicHols.
= abt 4 months of no serious workout liao >.<

I will not go on to elaborate abt the effects of not working out that i experience like many a weight-management programme-participant. Enough exposure on that thru ExtremeMakeovers, SuperSizeMes & Christy Chungs, & well, the rest of the Media.

What would be more useful to everyone is info on custom-diets, exercise or lifestlye tips; tailored to their fitness goals. But more on that when I return to the Gym with my log book ;)

My Throbing Head

MY ThRoBbInG HeAd!!

Dear merciful Lord,
I plead to thee, relieve thy numbness..
Ease this dis-ease...
& set forth a glow once again...
Amen...

Cloudy Morning

Cloudy Morning...

These days grow bleak. The air is but haze. The skys, usually grey. A dark veil shrouds the sun. The land is scorched. The tides turn against us.

The transient beings of Earth continue trading pleasure and pain.

But, there are those who seek more out of their existence. They are in fact, looking for eternity. A final paradise where timeless bliss prevails perhaps.

Inevitable as the last beat and breath. Period