Paolo's Humble *cough,cough* Poem

This post is about something that's not directly related to me, but I find it REALLY amusing. This is what my brother wrote for his About Me section in his friendster account:

It's very rare for you to see
A very handsome guy lyk me
With a face like tom cruise
Resistance to my charm is no use

It's very rare for you to see
A handsome guy with brains lyk mine
I can calculate 1+1
in my studies i do absolutely fine

it's very rare for you to see
a smart handsome guy as macho as me
almost everyday i do some exercising and sometyms joggng
well, just let my 6-pack abs do the talking

it's very rare for you to see
a smart, handsome and macho guy lyk me
forgive me for my lack of humility
but then, i know, to all that i've said here, you'll agree

hehheh exaggeration man mxdo i2ng poem
pero close enough
haha joke lng

bka kidlatan na ako sa mga kaatikan kong pinagsusulat dito, basahin nyo nlng mga testi ko..or just judge me :D

Mahangin ba sa labas???!! haha, but he has a right naman, actually=) of course, it's in the genes man..muahahaha

PS

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE THE FREQUENCY OF MY BLOGGING (and other non-academic) ACTIVITIES. I REALLY, REALLY NEED TO STUDY NOW. SO HELP ME GOD.

PPS

I just realized that in the past, I am at my best when I am in love. Right now I am not, because I haven't made that decision yet. It takes time and a whole bunch of other things. Apparently though, I am deeply and severely infatuated, and I think I'm going to use that to my advantage academically. Yay..=) The sky is blue and the birds are chirping sweetly. It's not hard to get used to this sunshine-y feeling.=)

Last night

Last night was the most romantic night of my life.

Last night was when we watched a movie, had dinner, walked from the bus stop at Pasir Panjang road nearest PGP until where I stay in RVR, but then we decided to walk further because he wanted to show me to a place where we could stargaze.

Last night was my first time of climbing a metal ladder to get to the rooftop of any building apart from my home.

Last night was my first time to climb another metal ladder to go to an even higher roof of the School of Computing.

Last night was when we sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" while gazing at the deep blue-black of the the earth's natural canopy.

Last night was when we discovered the "rhombus-slash- mickeymouse-slash-fish" constellation just above us.

Last night was when we first held hands.

Last night was when I discovered how charming he is.

Last night was a night to remember.

There's a blue sky waiting tomorrow.... :)

Had I just been called a "b*tch" by my ex?

So this is how it feels.

WHAT THE

Kung hindi ba naman ako saksakan ng tanga. Bakit pa kasi sa lahat ng tao sa mundo, ang kaibigan nya pa yung ex ko. Wala na, pagkatapos ng lahat ng effort ko baka sisirain ko lang rin. Nakakabaliw na talaga to ha. Kanina lang masaya tapos ngayon, EWAN. NO COMMENT.

After an unnerving incident on MSN, I got an even more unnerving sms from my groupmate from hell (okay these past few days he suddenly became kind and all, but I just got really peeved by his sms):

Hey korinna...ur fren **** from CE got how many marks for **? U mind finding out frm him?

SHEEEESH man. Overzealous over-kiasu overachievers. Yes I do mind finding out from him. I do not ask for other people's grades okay.

I DON'T CARE! ROAAAAAAR!!!

Where is she?

The musical notes emanating from my neighbor's radio once again fills my room with the sadness it unintentionally brings. I do not need sad old slow songs right now, not when I am contemplating where I have lost my old self and my drive to succeed in my studies. I have been brushing my problem aside, giving myself more time, prepping myself to get motivated to pick up my books and start doing what a student - and a scholar at that - ought to be doing.

I tried, you know. I went to the library a while ago to borrow three books on hydrology and tried reading my notes there. I think those two hours were more fruitful than all the other hours of this day combined.

It is during times such as this that I miss my old highschool life the most. Those were the years that I felt all my hard work were justified. Sure it was tough, I was a lump of dark coal when I entered, and yet I emerged a diamond - shining, shimmering, splendid.

Now is another learning process. I entered university almost 4 years ago and the pressure has been a thousand times greater that it was in highschool. But until now I still feel like a dark lump of coal. Or, if you want a more optimistic tone, maybe I am already becoming a diamond alright..but the most lackluster one in the cohort.

Sometimes people do get tired.

I am.

Bring me back the old Korinna I knew. The one brimming with excellence in everything she does.

**,

Have you read what I've written above? Oh yeah you can't...because I am so smitten there are no words to describe it.

kiligtothenextlevel

I can die now hahaha:)

I do not like what I am doing right now

Great.

Tomorrow I am going to present a project that I totally do not have a heart for. It's for my CCA, which means I am doing this just to get CCA points for on-campus accommodation. Actually that's not so important anymore, because I don't think I'll have enough points anyway. I am just doing this because I think it's rude to suddenly drop out of this project in the middle of the semester.

Initially I joined this project with a sincere intention of making a difference in someone else's life, but I was hoping it would be for my compatriots. But no. It's for people whom I'm finding it hard to relate to. I am sorry but that's the truth.

No one else in our team is available tomorrow for the project sharing session with the leaders of the other projects. Hope you guys enjoy your Chinese New Year celebrations while I rot with our project. Wow. Great. Super.

Now I am making the powerpoint presentation. I am finding it hard to believe in this cause myself, then share it with other people somemore.

WOW!!! GREAT!!! SUPER!!! I am so over enthusiastic I cannot contain my joy!

Not.

"He's with a girl"

...is probably THE WORST text message I have ever received on Valentine's Day.

Hahahahahaha. Laugh it off, laugh it off.

Well whatever okay.

I DO NOT, and WILL NOT, CARE ANYMORE.

But you also know that I am just kidding myself.

Why is it so unfair...

I've been dropping subtle hints that I like you a lot, but all my efforts have taken a nose-dive to oblivion. Or maybe you've actually noticed but decided not to do anything about it, because the feeling is not mutual. How sad.

From now on I will live by one of the episode titles of CSI:

ASSUME NOTHING.

Better never to have met you in my dream than to wake and reach for hands that are not there. - Otomo No Yakamochi

PS

And for my own good, I think it is high time to channel all my energy into studying because the first half of the semester has already gone with the wind.

Civil Engineering Appreciation

A worrying lack of raw material

Not just sand, building industry is facing shortage of civil engineers; 1 in 2 graduates don't join the profession

Tor Ching Li
chingli@mediacorp.com.sg

EVEN as new sources of sand are being sought, the construction sector is facing a shortage in another vital resource — civil engineers.

According to the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (Scal), only one in two graduating civil engineer students from the local universities actually work in the construction industry.

...The sudden upsurge in construction demand in the past six months has resulted in a shortage of civil engineers — professionals trained to deal with the planning, construction and maintenance of fixed structures.

more...

Yep, I am one of those Civil Engineering undergrads they are worrying about. I belong to one-half of would-be graduates who won't be pursuing a civil-engineering related career.

Ironically, I also personally think that it's the best time right now to be a civil engineer. Our professors are a testament to that. They always tell us that companies are chasing them for consulting jobs, especially our geotechnical engineering professors, because there are too few of them. That's also why they always encourage us to further our studies and aspire to be a professional engineer, because they are extremely sought after.

However, even with all these perks, I just don't think I'm fit as a practicing engineer. I mean, I always appreciate the OVERVIEW of what we are studying, but once we come to get down and dirty with the details and technicalities, I always get a headache. And my classmates, some of them are just too good. I don't know how they are able to understand how things work. I think their brains are wired specifically for this field. I mean I try my best too, and you can also try to fit a rectangle in a circular cast, but it just won't work. I am happy for them because they enjoy what they are learning and they even have great career prospects ahead of them to boot.

Civil Engineering is an exciting field, really. It's just that it's one of those things that I appreciate even though it's not really for me. Like, you see a hunka-doodle-doo walking across the street and you admire him, but you don't necessarily want him as your boyfriend sort of thing (yeah coz it's almost Valentine's Day so I must give a relevant example).

Here are some local projects we have discussed in class. Really excited about these structures that are about to change the landscape of Singapore yet again.


Marina Barrage


Marina Bay Bridge - daytime (inspired by the DNA's double helix)


Marina Bay Bridge - at night


Integrated Resort at Marina Bay



Ya, everything Marina something. Haha because Marina Bay is going to be the new downtown of Singapore.

Other interesting tidbits of info:

Singapore has increased by 15% in size because it keeps on reclaiming land. The original shoreline of Singapore in the 1960's was only until where some of the inland HDB flats are right now. The extension is of course fake soil, and it's just amazing because they've added building, parks, and whatnot on top of it just like it's real soil. Yeah so that's what we are learning in geotechnical engineering...everything about soil.

Here are other examples of reclaimed land projects...the most ambitious and audacious ones in Dubai. Man, I really want to go to Dubai one day. We had this project before, and we were just imagining things for our project ideas, then poof! Sorry, Dubai already has.


Burj-Al-Arab Hotel, the only 7-star hotel in the world.


Ooops! They even have THE WORLD there. The World Islands Dubai.


Palm Jumeirah Dubai...magnificent man-made island.



So there. I appreciate my course of study because of all these things and more. But I think I won't pursue a career out of it, maybe for the same reason I appreciate what doctors do but I don't see myself doing that kind of job because I am afraid of blood.

So, HSBC, Standard Chartered, or P&G, welcome me with open arms! Haha.

Forever

Wow, I wonder what their love story is?

Couple hugging even after 5,000 years

Phonathon Appreciation BBQ

WOW! God is so awesome!


I just came from the Phonathon Appreciation BBQ. Of course there was great food. As Harlan, our guy supervisor, was announcing the names of the callers to go in front to receive the certificate and goodie bag, I was wondering why it was taking so long for him to call out my name. Then finally he said he is saving the best two for last. Then my eyes brightened as I realized it was only me and Ming Feng he hasn't called yet. Yeah so they just recognized our efforts for having the highest participation rate among the alumni we've chatted with.

Ming Feng is a guy, Singaporean, and also a caller from the previous campaign. And I am a female, a foreigner, and a new caller who just recently joined the recently concluded campaign. (Yeah, Harlan had to emphasize it like that haha).

Ming Feng is really good at this. He can really carry a good conversation, can convince people well, and even has a voice apt for a DJ. Oh yeah, our trainer from the UK (outsourced) even approached him and asked whether he could go with them to Germany to share his experiences of being a phonathon caller to the newbies over there. Wow man! I don't know the outcome of their conversation because there's a limit to eavesdropping okay.

So, I cannot overemphasize how great the Lord has been throughout this campaign. Thank you for the recognition, but of course, again and again and again I will say, it was God who made it all possible.

Galing talaga if God is your partner. =)

Puffed sleeves

Rena and Shaider have left for the States already (yesterday morning). I wasn't really close to them, and I think that's one of the things I've taken for granted - the time when they were still here.

People come and go into and out of our lives. I am grateful that at one point in my life I have come to know them and be with them. I am thankful to have been blessed by them, and inspired by their whole family's dedication to the Lord.

This is not goodbye. See ya later guys.=)

InSENity

Tonight I shall sleep with a big, big smile on my face. =)

But for now, off to school stuff.

Nothing can spoil my mood okay. :)

Na naman.

Please. I need a reason to msg him in MSN. Anything legitimate that's more than hi but would not raise any suspicion. Or else.

So I went jogging again a while ago. I went to the SRC track, then jogged to PGP, lingered for a while because you know, even if there's only 0.001% probability that I'd bump into him there at that time, I'd still take it. Then I walked back to my residence in RVR, all the while still hoping I'd bump into him because I know he's also fond of taking long walks around campus when he's bored. Last Monday when we talked he confirmed that he still does that.

Since I don't need to go to any Phonathon campaign anymore, I will have more chances to go jogging already. YAY! Because that way I'm killing two birds with one stone: fulfilling my new year's resolution of exercising regularly, and of course increasing my chances of bumping into him again.

At least if in the end it turns out that this is all just one big illusion for me, I'd still be doing my body a favor by exercising.

Grateful

Thank you Lord for giving the chance to be one of the NUS Student Ambassadors for Annual Giving 06. I am really grateful for the experience. It has enriched me and has served as an avenue to upgrade my skills.

I am happy for the experience, but at the same time I am also relieved that it is all over for me. Now I can focus more on my studies. My weekday nights would be spent doing schoolwork now instead of keeping in touch with the alumni and asking for their support for the student bursaries fund. That is why I believe in this cause myself, because I know that in doing this part-time job, I get to experience first hand that it's difficult to balance work and study at the same time. How much more those students whom we're doing this campaign for? Their needs are more pressing than mine and some have to even work graveyard shifts to sustain their studies. I know I've skipped some lectures, haven't done some tutorials, haven't read some of my notes because I'm already tired after working the night shift at the Phonathon campaign, so I know for those other students, they have more sacrifices to make in their studies just to make ends meet. When these students get bursary support, they could spend more time studying and getting involved in campus activities instead of working outside, and thus would be able to get more out of their stay in NUS.

Some of my fellow callers are bursary recipients themselves, so they make a really good job in stating their case to the alumni.

I've discovered too, that hey, I am not bad at this at all. We were only required to do 4 shifts per week, however for my last week, our male supervisor asked me to do 5 shifts. Then after my very last shift, our lady supervisor asked me if I still wanted to do more shifts over the weekend. It was most probably because for my very last call, I was able to secure a pledge of $1000 per year for a period of 3 years from the alumnus I've spoken to. That's already worth a full bursary for 2 students, so apparently our supervisors were very happy. It was also the longest conversation I've had with a stranger (an hour or more- because I let him tell me a lot of interesting stories), and I think the biggest pledge I got. And what's more, yesterday our lady supervisor asked me whether they could film me while doing my job. But I declined because I will get conscious! Haha but today, the guy supervisor mounted a video camera on top of my cubicle. Then I asked him why a camera is there, and he said that's okay coz it's not working. I'm not sure if he's bluffing me, nevertheless I still went about doing my job.

Remember I said last time, everytime I always manage to secure something before I leave our call center. Because, as I said, it's not me who actually talks to the people. I always ask God to help me, because really I cannot do it on my own. Well, for my very last shift, I prayed extra hard and gave my 110%, thus the fantastic culmination of my stint as a student ambassador.

So there, I give back all the glory and honor to Him alone. Thank you God for always being with me, my very present help in times of need.

imbalance

Wala na. Nababaliw na ako. Isang oras ko nang tinititigan yung MSN kasi kaka-add ko lng sa kanya eh. Tapos syempre umasa pa akong bigla na lang may lilitaw na window. Bale sa imagination ko, siya yun, tinatanong kung bakit ko naman siya in-add sa MSN out of the blue. Syempre may makabagbag-damdaming storyline tong ini-imagine ko pero hindi ko na lang iku-kuwento dito. Si Wayne nga eh biniktima ko pa siya ng pambubulabog at baka binging-bingi na siya sa mga kuwento kong wala namang kinalaman sa kanya. Pero at least tao na siya ngayon kasi yung mga reaction niya hindi na tulad ng dati na kapag nagkukuwento ako sa kanya parang robot kausap ko. KAMUSTA NAMAN. So, congratulations! Welcome to the human race. PEACE!!!

Pasimple

May corny song ako para sa sarili ko...at ang pamagat nito ay...*drumrolls please*

SENa Maulit Muli

*sigh* =)=)=)

PS Maghunusdili ka Korinna.

Joseph's 21st!

Happy Birthday to my good friend Jashep Capirig. Enjoy your special day and Godbless!

Blue Guy

I am so...waaaaa I cannot describe it. I just want to blog before I hyperventilate and completely pass out.

Ok warning I am going to be my giggly girl self again.

Because you see, there is this guy. I shall call him Blue Guy because that's how I referred to him for some time for I didn't know his name then. He was wearing a blue singlet the first time I noticed him noticing me, thus the name. Wahahahaha=) MY GOOOOOOOOSH.

Ok lah I like him, you see. I am in crush!!! That time he was wearing blue, we were at this island for this certain event. While we were riding the boat to get to the island, I could feel his eyes on me. YOU CAN SENSE IT IF SOMEONE IS LOOKING AT YOU RIGHT??? RIGHT?? Okay let's say I was hallucinating (but I'd like to think I wasn't). Anyway of course it was flattering, but I didn't dwell on it so much because I was with my boyfriend (then...now, not anymore).

We're not really friends. Both of us just know that the other person exists, that's all. He is just one of the friends of my (ex)boyfriend, and I am just the (ex)girlfriend of one of his friends. So, everytime we meet is just a chance encounter - not planned at all.

But you see, everytime he sees me, he would really talk to me. I mean really take the effort to walk towards me and say something beyond hi and hello. Like one time, I was waiting for the bus at the SRC bus stop, and he was across the street. Then he even crossed the road, sat beside me at the bus stop, and talked to me until my bus came and took me away.

Or that when I am sitting at one of the concrete benches in PGP terminal. He just got off the A1 bus and he saw me sitting there. Then he also sat beside me and talked to me until my bus came.

Or that time at YIH, I was walking down the stairs from the central library and engin link. When he saw me, he walked towards me and spoke to me and walked beside me until he reached the place where he was initially standing, because it's just beside the room where he actually intended to go.

Or that time when he saw me at the covered walk linking YIH and RVR. We were walking towards opposite directions but when we met halfway, we stopped and talked for a while.

I mean, you don't usually do these things to your acquiantances right??? Or do you?? He is not an extrovert somemore. He is this shy, quiet type of person.

Of course when I was still in a relationship back then I didn't give any malice or meaning to any of these things. I just smile secretly to myself though mwahahaha. But now when I think about it, and I realize that hmmm..he actually is cute, I'd like to assume things already because it's so kilig to imagine things. Hahahahaha. *SIGH*

The most wonderful, wonderful thing happened tonight too. Coz you see, it was just a few days ago when I last saw him again. I knew he lived in PGP, so I thought of a reason to go there. And you know what? I told myself I'm going to PGP to buy a jumping rope for exercising. JUMPING ROPE!!! HAHAHA=) At Georgie's Mart. I wasn't even sure if they sell jumping ropes there.

But I also needed to ask around some survey questions for a group project, so I thought of writing the questions in my little notebook SO THAT IF BY ANY CHANCE I'D SEE HIM, I'D HAVE A REASON TO APPROACH HIM!!!

Ok I also admit that I said a little prayer before I got out of my room, a tiny request to God if it's possible for me to see him tonight.

So I went down to the bus stop, and the cool breeze kissed my cheeks. Then I was having second thoughts, what am I actually doing? Am I wasting my time going to PGP? And for what? To buy a jump rope? Hope that I'd meet some friends so I could ask them my survey questions? I knew hoping to see him was just wishful thinking. So, I crossed the street again to go back to my room. When I was about to climb up the steps, I saw the bus! Hmm...I thought I might as well go since the bus is already here. So, I crossed the road again and boarded the bus.

At the bus, I also sms-ed Oliver because he has my ticket for a play and he lives in PGP, so we might as well meet. When I reached PGP, it was so happening!!! They were having a free movie screening of Shall We Dance? (Starring Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere) at the open space below PGP foyer. I was like, wow, I want to live in PGP again!

Then Oliver came down and I asked him my survey questions. But in the end I told him to keep my ticket haha. As we were about to part ways, he told me that he's interested in getting a goodie bag like the ones people who were watching the movie have. So I went down with him from the foyer to get a goodie bag.

When I glanced around to see who were there, guess who I saw sitting alone at a corner????? BLUE GUY!!!! Hallelujah!!!! My heart went lub-dub-lub-dub extra fast, with matching somersaults and flying kicks.

So Oliver was still with me, and I asked him "Are you watching the movie?". Then he said no, and I thought "Yehey! Ok go away now." (haha peace!!) When he left, I approached Blue Guy and sat beside him. (There was an empty space, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!)

OF course the first thing I did was ask him my survey questions, so that you know, why else would I approach him naman???

After that he commented "Why do I keep seeing you nowadays?". In my head I was like, I also don't know..PERO MASAYA DI BA??!!=)=)=).

Since we were watching Shall We Dance?, he asked me, "Do you like romantic movies like this?". AAAAAAAAh=) Of course I sheepishly replied "yes".

Haha he even bought Pringles from Georgie's Mart by the way (to munch on while watching the movie). SO he offered me some. Aiyah actually he is very shy and no blanket of cockiness at all.

I wonder if he noticed how my eyes twinkle whenever I talk to him.=)

Does he like me or not? Coz you see, when a girl likes a guy, she gives meaning to almost anything the guy does.

Maybe I am being delusional.

BLUE GUY....ASK ME OUT LAH, YOU!!!!! Hahahaha. He probably doesn't even know this blog exists.

When am I gonna meet him again? We don't have anything in common as of now. I mean, there's no reason for us to meet up. But I would really like to get to know him more.

And things are more complicated, because he is my ex-bf's friend. What would their other friends say if they found out I like him? That I am making tuhog their group? I am a nice girl naman, I am not like that.

Aiyah. I have to admire from afar again.

PS.

And oh yeah, I got my jumping rope from Georgie's Mart too!

Huy

Is * avoiding me? =(

Suddenly

Just last night, I suddenly became the vice president of publicity for this corporate breakfast organized by AIESEC because the original VP stepped down. Today when I went for another CCA project meeting, they were shooting arrows for being the secretary of this certain project under NUS SIFE, and I stabbed myself with one.

Suddenly, apart from my usual study load that's getting heavier each week and other academic-related projects, I have a lot more of other things to do.

Mabuhay!

Mr Smarty Pants (not in any way related to Mr Brightside)

I think this semester, I got the project mate from hell. So sorry for such a harsh description, but I really don't know how else to describe him. I cannot pretend to be all cheery and stuff when I am not, especially when I am within 1 km radius from him. I think the word "cocky" was invented with him in mind. He is just so arrogant, exudes this authoritative demeanor, and thinks everyone else's ideas are no match with his, when in fact his ideas are all garbage. You know what the worst thing is? He thinks he is so handsome...BUT NOTHING CAN BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!

Anyway, so we had a project meeting this afternoon, and everything was going well...(except from the fact that I've been having an overdose of his cockiness). Then we had a little break after 2 hours of brainstorming and discussions. I told them that I had to leave at this certain time because I had to reach this certain place before it closes. You know what he said?

"Sure you can leave. Anyway your contribution is zero."

In my head I was like, "WHAT??!!" I was shocked at his audicity to claim such an absurdity. The other guy who remained at the table with us gave a nervous chuckle, so I also just laughed along like it's the coolest joke of the century. I am not going to be all defensive about my contribution to our discussion, because I know I have given my fair share of the work. So anyway, after the little break, we resumed with our discussion.

After his un-called for remark, I couldn't concentrate that much anymore because I was imagining other things inside my head, which involved him running for his life for being chased by a bull. However, I vanquished such unpleasant thoughts right away because it's not nice and so that I could concentrate with the work at hand.

After 30 minutes, the other guy reminded me that I told them I needed to leave early, so I began to excuse myself. Then as I was leaving, the Mr Smarty Pants remarked "I hope you get stuck in traffic!".

Ok lah maybe he is just being FC (feeling close) even though we just met. Or maybe that's just his sense of humor.

I know last week's SFS lesson is about forgiveness and loving your enemies and stuff, IT'S HARD PALA NOH?? After I've let it all out, I won't be harboring hard feelings for him anymore.

Unless he gives me another reason to!

Tao lang po, nagkakamali rin..

O Lord please guide my mind and my heart.