Swensens

Last Saturday, my significant other and I went to Swensens. The vouchers that I had came in handy. We ordered so much food that at the end of the day, we felt so bloated.

Above Picture: Fish 'n' Chips

We ordered two sets of fish 'n' chips.

Above Picture: Calamari Rings

Above Picture: Hot US Dip French Fries

Above Picture: Vanilla Milkshake

Above Picture: Strawberry Stripes

Above Picture: Ring-A-Ding-A-Ling

The Decision

I believe many of you are still clueless. There is no longer a fairytale ending for my previous other half and I. It was declared that we were no longer together since 4 weeks ago.

My close friends asked whether I had made the correct decision of ending that relationship and be with another.

I have no regrets...

Smart Number 4 Uniform

My N.S Life; Transitions

Each passing days, I pray that I would make it. I have to admit that a few of the trainings were tough, especially the running. I do not have the stamina. Sometimes, I wished, I could just stop for a minute or two and start walking instead of jogging and running.

And we would always have water parade, almost 4 - 5 times in a day. We have to fill up 1 full water bottle and drink up. I promised myself not to drink anymore plain water when I get back home.

For the first few days, I was extremely quiet. It was as if I was isolating myself from everyone. I was home-sick. But as days passed by, I started to let loose of myself and started to befriend my bunkmates and people from the other platoons and sections.

As soon as I knew it, it was already time for me to book out. 2 weeks passed by so fast, just like a snap of the fingers.

I met up with my significant other at Jurong since that was one of the four places that the shuttle bus was transporting us to. Supposedly, I was to meet up with my significant other at an earlier time but the whole thing dragged till 9 and my significant other had to wait for me for more than 3 hours.

Upon reaching home, I was greeted by family. I missed them. I really do.

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

My N.S Life; The Beginning

I'm back and I'm here to blog again!

The day before I was enlisted, I went out with my significant other to watch The Cave and have our last dinner together before getting enlisted and not seeing each other for two weeks. I tried to control my emotions but at the end of the day, somehow, I just couldn't.

When I was to part with my significant other, I cried. I cried hard. I wanted to stop but tears just fall freely. I hug my significant other for the last time. One tight hug.

I reached my doorstep and was welcomed by mymother who was already standing near the door, waiting for me. Yet again, I began to cry again. I was slowing breaking down and realizing the fact that I will be enlisted the very next day.

I will not meet my friends, my love ones and possibly leave my blog stagnant for a week or so.

But then, I thought, if I kept on having negative thoughts, I will never make it, I will never be happy when I am in camp. If I kept on thinking of what was going to happen and whether the officers there are nice or stern people or whether the trainings would be rigorous, I would not be living an easy life in there.

My mum cried but she tried to remain compose as for she did not want to upset me further. She wanted me to be strong. She wanted me to be brave.

Time ticked hastily. And soon, it was morning.

I prepared myself, controlled my emotions and waited for my significant other's call before I left my house.

Approximately at 8, I arrived at the campsite, crowded with many unknown faces. I took a quick glance at my surroundings and realized the campsite was only a few meters away from the zoo.

As I move forth, I saw alot of different kinds of people; from the tattoed guys to the punk guys to the nerdy guys to the arrogant ones etc. Of course, without a doubt, fear engulfed me.

Some of them have really frightening looks.

I was ushered to the auditorium where I was given a colored sticker and was told to pass my NRIC to one of the officers there before proceeding any further.

I was quiet, really quiet. I did not really want to talk to anyone. I continued walking with my parents and sister, observing the officers at work and inspecting my new home.

Then, I was seperated from my family for a short while to inspect the stuffs that were in the duffel bag which contains all my army stuffs; the boots,the number 4 uniform, the slacks, the admin attire and etc.

Minutes later, one of the officers ushered us to an empty hall, which is also called the drill hall, to cut our hair.

I trembled upon hearing those words; you are going to be botak. I tried to buy time by skipping turns and making trips to the toilet time and again. But then I realize, I can't escape it. I have to go through it.

My turn was next. I sat on the chair and was told that they were going to shave my head. I closed my eyes and felt the scissors cutting my hair, the razors trimming my hair.

Soon, it was over. I looked at the mirror and saw the new me.

Evil Twin: Show us your new look!

Not in this entry but I promise I will.

Later, it was time for my family to leave. I was then ushered to the lecture room where I was grouped according to my platoon. I looked around and observed who I could click better with when I am in the army.

Unusual and unexpected, I made friends from other platoons instead of the one I was in. I was still at square one, all by myself, without any friends yet.

I was extremely quiet. I just could not open my mouth and converse with the guys. I guessed I was feeling petrified. I was intimidated by them. I wished I did not have to undergo N.S that soon.

Nevertheless, live has to go on.

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Dearest Blog Readers,

I hope you guys have been anticipating my return from camp. Anyone missed me?
Count down with me? It's another 5 days before I book out. I am looking forward to it.

When I book out, you can expect a very long entry from me about my days in camp.

Miss you guys loads.

Signing off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Mooncake Festival

Tomorrow is the Mooncake Festival. I also noticed that there was a full moon tonight; extremely breathe taking. To everyone out there, hope you guys enjoy your Mooncake Festival!

The Moon festival (also called the Mooncake or Mid-Autumn festival) falls on September 18 in the year 2005.

What is the Moon festival? Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese celebrate "zhong qui jie."

Children are told the story of the moon fairy living in a crystal palace, who comes out to dance on the moon's shadowed surface. The legend surrounding the "lady living in the moon" dates back to ancient times, to a day when ten suns appeared at once in the sky.

The Emperor ordered a famous archer to shoot down the nine extra suns. Once the task was accomplished, Goddess of Western Heaven rewarded the archer with a pill that would make him immortal.

However, his wife found the pill, took it, and was banished to the moon as a result. Legend says that her beauty is greatest on the day of the Moon festival.

Guess!

Still wondering how can I still blog while I am in camp?

Tell you what, if you are able to guess how I manage to blog even when I am in camp, I treat you to Seoul Garden.

One attempt only. Send your answer to icyboy85@gmail.com

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Still In Camp!

It's a weekend and I am in camp. How depriving. I have no more freedom, trap in the world of green! I want to break free. I want to fly like a bird. I want to go home and spend time with my love ones.

I miss them. I miss them so much! I want to be with them.

Oh well, looks like I have to endure this kind of life for the next 2 years! You can do it Isaac. I know you can!

Don't be afraid! Don't be...

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Surprise!

Hmm..

You must be thinking, "Why are you still blogging? I thought you are supposed to be in camp? Why are you still here?"

Don't worry, my blog readers. I did not run away from my camp or something like that. In fact, I am at camp now.

I miss you all so much!

I will update more pretty soon, okay?

If you are bored, go read my archives, especially my August archives. There are alot of interesting entries for that particular month. Do not read my April 04 and July 04 archives, they sucks.

Really, they do.

My writing style back then was amatuerish.

Or you could visit the following blog sites,

http://selsel.blogspot.com (Selena - my blog idol!)

http://phunktv.blogspot.com (Yann's crazy bitchin` world!)

http://demurity.blogspot.com (My favorite gal! Really humorous.)

But by the end of the day, you should click the back button which will lead you to my blog again. Cheers!

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Happy Birthday To Jack And Selena

By the time you are reading this entry, I will already be in camp. Both of you, are my idols, are my inspirations, are the two most respected people (Of course, I respect my family too lah!).

These are three poems, modified by me (I know lah! Not original! *Sobs* BUt I hope borth of you will like it).

Birthday Wish

On your Birthday,
Stretch for a sunbeam...
Reach for a star,
Go for a beautiful dream...

Pick out some wishes,
no matter how far they are,
or how hard to reach
they may seem...

Cherish some hopes
that are dear to your heart...

And as a new year comes in view,

Treasure & keep them,
and know from the start,
that this year,
you can make them come true.

...

Though special times
like birthdays
seem the nicest ones by far
to tell you very lovingly
how wonderful you are ...
You surely know
you're loved a lot
each day the whole year through ...
And are always wished
the special things
that mean the most to you.

Happy Birthday

...

This is a day of promise -
Of hopefulness, laughter, and cheer,
For this is a day of remembering
The good things that happened all year -
A day for reflecting on memories
Shared with friends and with family, too,
Who were so much a part
of the joys in your heart
And the love that you felt
all year through...
Of new dreams to dream
and more love to share
Through a year that's about to unfold.

...

I would like to wish Janet Ng and those whose birthday falls on the month of September!

Thanks

Thanks to those who wished me all the best for army.

My tertiary classmates, my blog readers, my family, my blog idol, my close friends, my secondary school classmates and my dear.

Thank you!

I'm going to miss you all.

Wait for my return...

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

My 10 Wishlist Before I Serve N.S

1. Go Sentosa. (Checked)

2. Learn the basics of swimming. (Checked)

3. Read the books I borrowed. (Checked)

4. Meet my classmates and close friends before I go N.S. (Checked)

5. Settle my love life. (Settled)

6. Go Downtown East, Escape Themepark. (Checked)

7. Fishing (Not done, but it's alright. I can go fishing even after my enlistment.)

8. Watch Korean drama, Glass Shoe. (Not done, but it's alright. I can still continue to watch it after my enlistment.)

9. Save a certain amount of money before I serve National Service. (Did not happen but it does not matter. I can still save up money even when I am in N.S.)

10. Touch the platform that's afloat in between the two beaches at Sentosa. (Not done yet. Will do it when I book out of camp.)

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Swimming (Last Try)

Three days ago, Enzo and I decided to go to Kallang Basin to swim. We went to Sentosa too many times and as Enzo and many others said, "Sentosa is not a place for you to learn swimming. It's different from a swimming pool."

Then, we called Aaron to accompany us.

Aaron suggested that we swim at his condo's pool. We agreed.

The pool was magnificant and it wasn't too deep. I can even walk in the pool. =X

We were in the pool from 2.30p.m to 5.30p.m. We were in the pool for 3 hours, 3 long hours. My desire to learn swimming is so great that I do not mind staying in the pool for as long as 3 hours even though I was shivering; it was cold.

I need to nail this.

Previously, when I blow bubbles in the water, I did not submerged my entire head into the water. But on that day, Enzo and Aaron urged me to put my whole head into the water.

1...

2...

3...

In I go. I went really deep. I blew bubbles.

1...

2...

5...

8...

I re-surfaced. 8 seconds. I was in the water for 8 seconds. I went in again, trying to be in the water for more than 8 seconds. Trying my best not to re-surface so quickly. I want to be in the water for as long as I could.

Seconds later, I re-surfaced again. 13 seconds. 13 seconds was the timing I spent in the water.

Not bad, I thought.

Then, I learn how to move my legs. And my hands. Co-ordination was important to do the breaststroke style.

At the end of the day, I managed to move a few distances. But my co-ordination was still somehow amissed; my legs and hands movements still can't co-ordinate together.

That's all I can do. There's no more time for swimming lessons anymore. I did my best.

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Pictures Done By...

These following pictures are done up by my blog reader, Ashton.

The difference between the 2nd and 3rd pictures is the glowing effect. There - did you see the glowing effect on me, around my body at the 2nd picture?

I thanked Ashton for the pictures and Jaishree for the collages. I appreaciate them.

Collages Done By Jaishree

Jaishree, that name sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it from before?

She's the number 1 girl in the top 20 prettiest women. She made me two collages. How sweet of her!

Nice right? But then again, I should have given her my other nicer pictures.

Second Try

I went back to Sentosa with Enzo and Weiming a few days later. Though it was a rainy weather, we still stick to our plan of going to the beach. However, when we reached there, the beach was packed with people.

It was on a weekday, a school day mind you and there were so many people already. Geez! I wanted to go to my favorite location at the other side of the beach but it was occupied by a few Malay guys. they even pitched a tent there.

It took us quite a while to decide where to go, whether to stay at Palawan beach or proceed to Siloso beach.

Since it was already so crowded at Palawan, it must be crowded too at Siloso. We took a stab and decide to go to Siloso Beach instead.

Apparently, it started to rain really heavily. People started to come up to the shore and seeked refuge at the shelter. We were still walking, walking to the beach.

Suprisingly, there weren't alot of people at Siloso. As usual, we decided to go to the beach at the small island across the bridge,

I must learn how to swim!

Immediately, after settling down, we went straight into the water. We refers to Enzo and I only.

Weiming's hair was ruined. His hair color faded and smudged all over his collar. He looked as if he was wearing a purple makeup on his face. Haha!

Enzo suggested to me that I tried blowing bubbles in the water. But somehow, I just could not do it. Each time, I put my head under water, water seemed to be going into my nostrils.

Enzo said that I was still breathing under water.

I can't, I don't know how!

So Enzo decided to teach me how to walk on my hands in the water. That I did just fine. It was easy.

Next, he told me to do the breaststrokes. Supposedly, I should co-ordinate my hands and legs while breaststroking but somehow I would always co-ordinate wrongly.

I wanted to give up. It was too difficult for me. Should I have known it would be this difficult to swim at an older age, I would have learn how to swim when I was younger.

I abandoned the breaststroke thingy and did the blowing out bubbles for the last time.

I swore that if I can't do it, I will give up!

I dipped my head into the water.

You can do it, I thought.

And amazing enough, I manage to blow bubbles in the water. I did it! I FREAKING DID IT! I wanted to do it it again and again and again and again! I was afraid I would forget.

Yay!

I tried to do the breaststroke thingy again. Somehow yet again, I manage to swim a few distance.

Hey, at least I know something now! It's better than not knowing anything at all!

After the whole thing, I called my mum to inform her of my swimming progress. And little did I expect that Enzo took a picture of me in trunks.

My hair was not gelled up; I look freaking ugly. And somehow in this picture, I have love handles.

Last Time To See My Hair

1 1/2 days before I serve the National Service. God, please help me through my journey in National Service. Guide me. Bless me!

Publicity And The Unique National Library

I thought I had lost the following picture but after sorting out my pictures in my laptop, I found it.

I did not know why I did not post the picture up.

When I saw her, I laughed. She had this sad expression on her face when she was promoting for Ou De Yang. I thought she was supposed to put on a smiley face and walk around Orchard proudly since she was promoting a famous singer.

But then I realized that probably she was embarassed or feeling humilated walking around with that giant hanging poster around her neck.

Passer-bys laughed at her, mocked at her. Soon, I realize it was not a laughing matter. I knew she wanted to cry as for I saw her lips trembled. I saw her face turned red. I saw tears swelling up.

I glared at those who teased her.

Bad!

I proceeded to the National Library and took pictures of the library.

The garden; beautiful and airy.

All books for children are located at the basements and the books for adults are located at the 7th level and above.

How come so few books?

Evil Twin: Maybe they have not stock up yet, You came on the opening day leh!

It was really crowded at the first floor but as you proceed to the higher floors, it's not actually packed with people.

Oh la la! Look at how high the shelves are...

Resemblance

Hmmm...

The picture that I will be showing you later is alittle obscene. I did not even realize it till just now when I took a closer look at the picture.

...

...

...

It looks like a ... (Maybe I am thinking too much)

I rather not say as for I will be slapped silly by all my female blog readers.

Dinner @ Arnolds

It has been quite sometimes since I had dinner with my family. Even at home, we rarely sat and have dinner together.

Four days ago, we decided to dine at Arnolds which is located at City Plaza. When I was younger, my family and I would always dine there; almost twice a week.

We ordered so much food, so much!

There's nuggets, fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, whip potatoes, spring chicken, fried chickens, buns etc.

So much food and there's only 4 of us, my dad, my mum, my sister and I.

How are we able to finish all the food?

Not forgetting, I ordered banana split for desserts.

At the end of the day, my stomach was really bloated.

Above picture: The spring chicken set

Above picture: The potato wedges set

Above picture: 6 piece of nuggets and 3 buns

Above picture: Fries

Above picture: Whip potatoes

Above picture: Coleslaw

Above picture: 9 fried chickens

Above picture: Mine is the ice lemon tea!

How can I not get fat by eating all these food?

Hemisphere

Oh-la-la! The food at Hemisphere which is located at O.G, 3rd floor, are delicious. Sora, Enzo and I tried the brownies and, erm, I can't remember the other dessert's name.

The above picture is the brownie and ice cream. Looks delicious right?

The above picture is the ice cream, mashed banana and honey.

Different Stories

Some say NSF can only book out 2 weeks after they booked in. Some say NSFwill only book out 3 weeks after their book-in date.

If you fail our IPPT, you might be confine to another 2 weeks more or maybe send to Tekong. But others say that the probability of going to Tekong when you are already in a mono intake is low.

Two friends gave me two different lists of what to bring. I'm confused. So which is right? I compared. Then I realize that I was at fault for not reading properly and skipping a few of the sentences.

Some say mono intake is tough while others find it easy. Which should I believe? Why didn't they just post me to Tekong and that would end all my wild guesses. Yes, I am afraid.

I am afraid that I will not be able to cope the tough trainings.

Endurance.

I need to endure at least for the next two weeks, and then I will book out. I need to have the courage. I need to be strong. I need you people to be there for me, let it be spiritually or mentally.

I need to face up to reality that NS is just 2 days away. I need to be mentally prepared. I need to be physically prepared.

I'm like many others; afraid.

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Locked

In 3 days time, I will be serving my National Service and I will be confined in there for the next 2 weeks or so.

2 weeks... seems pretty long.

And you will wonder, what will happen to my blog?

I sincerely hope you, my blog readers, to keep on reading my blog, my archives, and await for my return.

If I'm in a very good mood, maybe, I will post up my botak hair picture.

As from now till Friday, I will post 5 entries each day. Do follow up ya?

I'm so going to miss my friends, my classmates, my godbrothers, my godsisters, my family, and my blog readers.

I will miss reading your blogs.

I will miss the fast foods, Sentosa, Orchard, Esplanade and especially my home. I will miss everything!

I love you all.

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Three Random Facts

List three random facts about yourself that your friends might not know. And then tag five other friends to do it.

Number 1:

Whenever I am at home with only my grandma, I tend to do alot of mischiveous things. My grandma usually would be in her room, sleeping. And I would always be at the balcony, surfing the internet.

But when I get super bored, that's when my crazy ideas comes into plan.

I would take out the eggs from the refrigerator and then proceed to my service balcony at the kitchen. And then, I will throw the eggs directly at my neighbor's service balcony. And if they're really unlucky, the eggs will hit against the window and even smashed on the floor.

But nowadays, I don't usually do that. I repented. I've turned into an angel.

A few years back, when there was still a carpark, I playfully took the eggs out from the refrigerator and threw them at the parking cars.

Once, there was a male driver who seems gay, parked his car somewhere very near my balcony. Being the playful me, I decided to throw things at his car, probably ice cubes.

Evil Twin: Later you smash his windscreen how?

Me: Shhh...

When all the passengers and the driver left the car, I threw a few ice cubes to the car. Some landed on the rooftop of the car while a few others on the car beside the car I was aiming at.

I'm a bad shooter.

They noticed the ice cubes but they didn't know where they came from. I hid behind the curtains and cringed at their angry expressions. I was amazed that one of the guys even had the time to playfully squeeze the other guy's butt.

And there was once I was nearly caught for throwing ice cubes at one of the slow moving cars which was ready to be parked.

The driver got out of his car and immediately noticed me. I ran to my room and hid under my blanket. Lucky me, he did not do anything about it.

I've become more sensible. *grins*

Now the carpark has been demolished to become a garden.

Oh, did I mention that I like running around naked in my house? Even till now...

Evil Twin: You're a psychopath! *Dials the woodbridge's number* Hello, please... please... please... take Isaac away. He's mentally unstable!

Number 2:

I have a memory designed like a VCR recorder. I can rewind, forward, play, pause and erase my memory as and when I like.

Evil Twin: So cool... It's like you watch a particular porn and it can be stored in your mind forever and you can replay it in your mind as and when you like.

Scenario 1: On a particular day, alot of bad things happened to me; I woke up late, went to school late, got scoldings from lecturers for being late etc etc. And on that particular day itself, only one good thing happened and that was being rewarded with cash from my school for being the top student.

So what I did was to erase all the unfortunate events for that particular day and keep the good ones in my mind.

Scenario 2: My gal friend lost her necklace once and I manage to locate the place where she had dropped her necklace at.

The necklace had dropped and flew underneath a BMW car which was 400m away from where we were.

My mind; it rewinds to the last place where the necklace was found, which was on my gal friend's neck. I paused my mind and zoomed in closer to her necklace and then slowly forwarded my mind till the time when she dropped her necklace.

Number 3: I like to tickle people. It makes me high. Er, ...

Evil Twin: Eh... *runs away*

One day, if I go out with you and you sees me tickling you, it means I'm (@&*$(@&$ !

Evil Twin: What is @($&(&$ ?

I'm kidding! But I'm not kidding about the tickling part. *grins*

And now I will be asking 5 people to list down three random facts about themselves.

*Drum rolls*

...

...

...

And the five are Yann PhunkTV, Idil a.k.a Enzo, Daniel a.k.a woozy-mizzenmast, Selena and Zuraidah! Their blog links can be found at the right panel.

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

Giddy...

For the past two days, I have been getting giddy spells. I hated it. I felt weak and lethargic.

It's all due to a ride I took at Escape themepark last Saturday. I already told my friend that I can't take rides that goes round and round as for I will get nauseous.

We ignored and continued with the ride. Afterward, my head was spinning and I felt as if I was in hell. I felt nauseous.

I controlled. I tried not to puke. I tried every method to keep myself from vomitting. I ate spicy food, I drank coke, I took a short nap. Nothing worked. I was still feeling giddy.

I could stand it no longer. I rushed to the gents. But even before I could reach the toilet bowl, I vomitted everywhere near the sink and floor.

I felt relieved and better after vomitting. All that I'd eaten and drank came out. Haha!

When I was younger, I refused to ride the viking machine as for everytime I rode on it, I will vomit and become giddy but now not anymore.

Somehow, nothing happened when I rode the viking machine. I felt alright. I rode it times and times again.

Evil Twin: Isn't that a good thing?

Signing Off,
Shah Rizal Isaac

A Fairytale Story (Written For One Of My Gal Friend)

Once upon a time, there was a 15 year-old-girl who was deeply infatuated with a 21-year-old guy. They met one summer in a play, where the girl was one of the lead actors and the guy, the assistant director. Weeks before the show opened, the actor playing opposite the girl backed out and the guy volunteered to take his place. However, the director replaced the guy with another actor at the last minute. The girl was disappointed, to say the least.

The guy had always been the girl's fantasy-an unattainable one at that. The guy was what girls would call a "catch"- he was charismatic, charming and he came from a de buena familia-so it was not surprising that girls swooned at his presence. And the guy loved girls almost as much as they loved him.

Unfortunately, the girl witnessed the guy switch from one girlfriend to the next- this week it was a reed-thin model, the next it was someone he met at a bar- just as if he were changing shirts.

The guy also somewhat made the girl feel she meant nothing to him but a kid sister, as if careful not to give her even a glimmer of hope. One time, the girl thought she overheard him say he would never go out with kids. Perhaps the guy intended those words to reach the girl's ears, sensing her crush on him. Or perhaps the girl was just paranoid.

But when the guy was not playing the tough I'm-older-than-thou act, he was sweet to her. He saw to it that the girl was taken care of, and he provided her the most stimulating of conversations. At those times, she prayed he didn't see her as the kid. She thought he was very cute too.

She considered the times hanging out with him as one of her best. Occasionally they'd eat out (with the other theater people, of course), go to bars, or stay at the girl's house until the wee hours of the morning, talking, goofing around, and filming silly commercials together- commercials directed by the guy and acted out by the girl and some of their friends.

One time, after filming at the girl's place, they decided to take a dip at the pool at 3 a.m. The others didn't care for swimming, so it was just the two of them-the girl and the guy- chatting the night away. They stayed submerged in water till dawn. In a way, the girl was satisfied with just that. But of course, a kiss wouldn't hurt.

When summer-and their play-ended, their days together came to an end as well. They rarely saw each other after that, which saddened the girl a lot. But what did she expect? A few months later, the girl threw a party at her place, as an excuse to see him. And come he did, towing his new girlfriend along. The girl never threw a party for his expense again.

Time came when the girl no longer clung to her fantasy, although she never forgot the guy. She knew she had to be realistic, so she moved on to boys her age. From time to time, the girl would bump into the guy-at the mall, at a club, at a party thrown by a common friend. When that happened, she would act cool, calm and collected, as if the sight of him didn't affect her at all. She could be a very good actress when she wanted to.

Two years later they met again. This time during the funeral of the guy's relative. The girl was 18 now, and the guy was 24. The girl was happy to see him, and quite surprised that the sight of him didn't set out butterflies in her stomach anymore. Time erases a lot of things-or does it really?

The girl noticed something different about the way the guy acted towards her that night, but she couldn't really put a finger on it. Before the girl left, the guy asked for her number. They were in contact regularly after that.

The guy would ask the girl almost everyday how she was doing. They'd joke about things, exchange stories and talk about old times again. Guy would sometimes flatter her using sugary words, and she would ride on with it, assuming nothing. One day, the guy surprised her with a Chinese quote. He would sometimes refer to the girl as Chinese because she resembles one, but since she wasn't, she had one of her Chinese friends translate the quote.

"It means 'I love you,'" explained the girl's friend. To say the girl was startled was an understatement. But it did explain the way he was acting the past few weeks. He couldn't be serious, the girl thought. It was so sudden, so soon. It seemed that she got what she had always wanted, what she had always craved for.

But why did she feel that familiar sinking sensation at the pit of her stomach? She recalled the guy's long line of girlfriends during their theater days. That was not what she wanted to end up being- just one of those girls he'd get and discard quickly.

She couldn't bring to ask him about it. But she didn't have to because the next night he told her again, this time in plain English. She didn't say anything. They never talked about it again.

The guy suddenly stopped contacting her. In a way, the girl was relieved. The guy was a past chapter in her book, as far as she was concerned. But deep down, she knew she still liked him. But she told herself it was better that way. She wanted none of the pain, none of the complications that went with liking him.

Soon, the girl heard the guy had a new girlfriend. She didn't feel a thing this time--no stinging, no churning of the stomach. He would contact her from time to time to say "What's up?" to which she would obligingly reply "I'm fine. You?"

Then a year later, after months without contact, the girl received a call from the guy.

Guy: You doing anything later?

Girl: I'm doing stuff for work. Why?

Guy: I want to go out. But not alone...

She gave it a long thought. She knew she wanted him, wanted him still. But what he could give her was not enough. She wanted what her fantasy promised her-the whole deal. She wanted him for keeps. But she knew he couldn't give her that because he still hasn't changed-he was the same person she knew at 15. She knew what she had to do, although she wished she could be weak and not say...

Girl: Sorry I can't. Still have a lot to do. I have a deadline soon. Rain check?

Guy: Sure.

Both girl and guy knew there was no rain check. The guy got the hint. Still they played along, talked a bit about their lives and reminisced about old times again, both aware it may be their last time to do so.

They haven't spoken since.

Sentosa Pictures (With Enzo and Phil)

Idil a.k.a Enzo and Phil. they are godbrothers and the best of friends.

We were at harborfront Mac Donalds.

We intended to have our lunch there before advancing to Sentosa.

I wanted to buy the big breakfast but realize it was already in the afternoon.

Guess I have to order something else...

^_^

I had a funny hairstyle on that day. It was a mixture of David Beckham's and a side parting at the front.

In this picture, it looked like as if I have no right hand. Maybe I slant myself too much.

My green tee-shirt may look plain at the front but it's costly.

Phil, how about another shot?

Phil: Will do!

[Left] Idil a.k.a Enzo and Phillip

[Right] Isaac (Me) and Idil a.k.a Enzo

Finally, picture perfect!

Phillip's a little loony though!

In the water...

Can you see the platform?

I'm so fierce looking in this picture.