It is strange, but the time of our life for ourselves is actually now. It is not later when we find that much of the outside world starts caving in on us, that we come to understand how much of time we have now that will slip away if we’re not careful.

I don’t want to count down the days to the day I get my pink IC. Neither do I want to put myself in that anticipation of going to University, and realizing that all of that waiting was for nothing. I want to live now, in this present moment. And find things to do that I can make the most out of. 

I counted the days down to my ORD. Last year, during BMT. I can’t remember the exact number now, but I don’t see the point. Of counting. More importantly, I need to find things that will truly make my life enjoyable. Thanks to the exposure of some of my guy friends in camp, I have found good stuff to keep me occupied - music, knowledge, travels, cultures, people, movies, quotes, art, science etc. But each time I come across something and someone epic, and immerse myself in it, feel taken away by that experience, and then,  find the motivation to find ideas even better.

Nevertheless, a part of my life will revolve, heavily, around work and studies over the next few years. 

Now, I don’t want it to boil down and become a chore - that I have to do what I have to do or say what I have to say in order to get the money or respect that I need in society. The trick, I learnt, is to realize a part of work and studying CAN be a chore. But I can make the difference - and turn it into something I can truly immerse myself in - in terms of depth, motivation to accomplish, or that it’s fun to just do it.

I want my experience, regardless of whether it’s happy or sad, fun or boring, difficult or simple, to be immensely rewarding.

I realize that only I can decide that.

And I want it. 

To be that way. 

I was surfing the internet for interesting stuff to read. I do spend quite a lot of time on the internet, I admit. I do not think there is anything wrong with that. If one knows how to use it well, the experience can be epic. Although it will never replace the genuineness of relating to people in real life. 

I have no qualms with people dedicating their lives to online games. I respect  that they are pursuing what they really love. But if they were my close friends,  my family or my children, I would do what I can to expose them to greater,  epic stuff. Asides from online games.

Occasionally, I would come across epic stuff. Things that would stir something in my mind; overpowering emotions. 

I have been excited over the last of a three-part series - The Dark Knight Rises, having followed it since the release of its first trailer to what i believe (on Youtube) is the latest release of their soundtrack as composed by Hans Zimmer. 

I can’t help but express my love for the batman series. And the batman movie series - Batman Begins in 2005, The Dark Knight in 2008 and The Dark Knight Rises of 2012. Growing up, Batman became one symbol I related to closely. Part of my childhood imaginations included the creation of cities and societies, hierarchies and people influenced by the Batman series. And personal stories as well as the lives of others which I would create in my mind.

I never expected army to revive an intimate part of my childhood. I thank a particular 3rd SGT, whom I respect for who he is, for playing a crucial part in opening my eyes through the simple act of bringing…

Army was a period of intense self-discovery. And realizations I never thought I would come to face; in part through meeting friends whom, ultimately, changed the course of my life; and friends whose life I had changed too. I never thought I could exert tremendous influence over people whom I care about. And that these influences would go on to shape a future. 

Much has been documented about the films produced by Christopher Nolan. Nolan understood how Batman impacted people’s lives. Nolan understood that the impact was in how human he was, despite all he had.

And this makes for great storytelling. So I was left with a yearning for more and more. The more I watch his films, the more I wanted to watch it again. Turning something seemingly ordinary, a symbol people related to while growing up, into an extraordinary masterpiece, people naturally wanted more. So stopping at one movie was not enough. He had to return with The Dark Knight. Which went deeper into the complexities of decision making.

People created symbols; hoping to inspire good. 

But symbols can fall. 

The hardest part is to let it come back. And rise.

Today, the idea of training for next week’s 2.4 test came to me - while flipping through the newspapers as I had my breakfast. Strangely, I didn’t make visiting Gardens by the bay a priority when it opened. Now, knowing that I really need to pass next week’s 2.4 run, I made the trip down wearing an orange tee and adidas zip-pants. 

My first impression of Gardens by the bay was actually not the sheer size of the gardens itself (and it’s only Bay South that’s opened!) but the three towering giants just opposite. I stood in awe of it. The American tourists did too. I think everyone did. A view you’ll never get to see unless my parents, or myself, drove past it.

It is my first time visiting Gardens by the bay, and also my first of many encounters with a gazillion overly-enthusiastic photographers clicking here, clicking there. Starting my run was a difficult chore as I had to navigate through  a swamp of people all around me. And the fact that I was the only one running when everyone else were either strolling or, well, taking photographs, made me feel out of place. 

Still, I ran. But aimlessly, nonetheless. Until I saw other runners, I felt at ease and my pace started to lighten. Running by the bay with the sunset over the waters, and the city skyline in the background, made me feel so much about so many things. 

I have had setbacks. I had times when I feel tremendous loneliness in life and going through it was difficult; sadness which I myself can’t express in words. 

But I am lucky, I remind myself. To be alive in this era of globalization, and to have had benefited. To have had access to films, music and a glimpse of people and cultures overseas. And in experiencing an impact on the way I see the lives of others, and the way I live mine. 

I wondered if the person behind Gardens by the bay was inspired by Lee K.Y’s  vision of greening Singapore. 

I thought paying $20 to visit the two air-conditioned conservatories is too much. And $68 for unlimited access (for a year) too much, too. I think, as local residents, we should pay $20. For unlimited access. 

Tour Is A Four Letter Word. I ran passed The Meadows, and saw black-shirted people preparing a stage. I thought it was for Jason Mraz’s concert. Or so I thought. I just checked - Actually, it’s over.

I wanted to go. I loved 93 million miles, Who’s Thinking About You Now, Frankie D. Fixer, Geek In The Pink, and especially, If It Kills Me and In Your Hands) Then I saw the concert ticket price. I choose to believe his music (in digital format) is perfect. 

All good things comes to an end.

By the way, The Dragonfly Bridge is actually infested with…

I wanted to get something that I could afford before I went home. Not until I realized anything worth buying at The Shoppes at The Marina Bay Sands would  at least blow my entire month’s allowance. That is, unless I got TCC, food from the Food Court or Gong Cha. I wanted Gong Cha. Then, I saw the queue for it and that’s how my want ended with an -ed.

I took dinner at 9.30pm

It’s now 1.15am

*Yawns and stretches

I hope I pass my IPPT. 

A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you’re there. It doesn’t matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that’s like you after you take your hands away. The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn-cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime.

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451