My mind now's blank. I don't want to think of university, scholarship, career prospects, army and that thing anymore. For now I mean. For the past 2 months, it has been so tiring. Like seriously. Which is why, for now, though I am living my army life, I want to dedicate my life to only 2 things. 1, to create opportunities for young people to gain confidence in life or to fulfil their dreams. 2, to watch anime. Heh. Well, like I said, I needed a rest too yeah? So yeah. I have soooo many ideas in mind but I have never properly achieved any because I did not have the resources, expertise, determination and resolve to do it. But now, I think I might have. After all, today's our 1st RGB Life! event and my 1st organizing event in YEC so yay. But yeah, in time to come, through RGB Life! and V2, I will find my way. To make an impact, to create a platform to make an impact and to create an ultimate incentive supporting a platform to make an impact. Opps. For a moment I was back to my idealistic mindset. But yeah. Challenge accepted starts now!

want to become a person who creates opportunities for young people - See more at: http://www.edvantage.com.sg/content/how-david-hoe-fought-his-way-university/page/0/2#sthash.Y3nYFwzf.dpuf

want to become a person who creates opportunities for young people - See more at: http://www.edvantage.com.sg/content/how-david-hoe-fought-his-way-university/page/0/2#sthash.Y3nYFwzf.dpuf

want to become a person who creates opportunities for young people - See more at: http://www.edvantage.com.sg/content/how-david-hoe-fought-his-way-university/page/0/2#sthash.Y3nYFwzf.dpuf

Ahhhhh. Back from 1st day of driving at KBC yay! Ahahas. Hmph. Feels nice to step the accelerator pedal of a proper civilian car for the 1st time in my life. :3 Well tonight's a rather quiet night so I guess I shall do a quick post. Just a short list of some intrinsic values I've learnt in Tekong BMT and plus the new ones from BMTV:

Stripping the rifle shows the small little parts that form up the rifle. And as we force ourselves to memorize the steps, it is how the bolt-sized parts get assembled rapidly into a rifle in a matter of seconds. Compound that population and that's how we get millions of our televisions and our CERN particle accelerators. Ignore the overwhelming scale, approach projects with faith and seek an approach with the least hindering. The world is easier to create than we think

• Learn to learn is to equip with knowledge. Learn to think is to analyze the knowledge. Learn to create is to put the knowledge into practical use for society to progress
• When people throw shit at us, it is all the more important for us to suppress our ego, and siphon out the jewels that hide within the distracting pile of rubbish

So yeah. Just an update, I wasn't selected for SAF Band so ohh well. And yeah. I am now a proud Transport Operator!:D And basically, I drive tonners and land rovers around Singapore (Or Tekong. D: OR OVERSEAS!xD) once I get my military license in 40 days time. I really really hope I get a good posting after POC ahhhhh! Commando unit, Guards unit, Air force driver, BMT TS. Anything. So long as it's not one where I have to sit around and do nothing everyday. So yeah. Worse case I would have to up-PES and then no more civilian class 4 license lo. Hahahas. Okay but either ways, I should not worry now. Target is simple! Aim to pass my 3-tonner driving test on the 1st try! Jiayous me!^^
 

Ahhhhh. Back from 1st book out yay! Ahahas. Hmph. Feels nice to be back to my fast internet, bed and cv clothes teehee. :3 Well tonight's a rather quiet night so I guess I shall do a quick post. Just a short list of what intrinsic values I've learnt in BMT this week:

• Keeping still is more tiring and painful than staying in continuously unending motion
• Pain is weakness leaving the body
• Fear of pain, shit (literally) and guns will and have eventually been overcame
• Do it once, do it good
• Faith and trust can reduce the need to seek redundant approvals and affirmations from others
• When things don't go as I want it to, suck thumb, and then suck it up

Heh. With over a half of my Tekong life over, the next 2 weeks to come should be a breeze.  Mainly HG and field camp left ahahas. Let's hope there won't be too many stand-by whatever things. :\ Then it'll be out-processing and on for Sembawang camp for vocational training. :D Ohhohhohh and I was shortlisted for an SAF Band auditions woots. Okay actually I dont really know what are the prospects for it but I have a feeling I'll love it. Which means, I've gotta work real hard for the auditions! Jiayous me!=D

Mehhhh.

So many initiatives for me but I won't be working on any of it cause of NS. Pffftttt. Let's see.

For Empower paper, I probably can't do it since I don't have the time to do interviews and surveys amidst CLC work. 16 days and 2 years worth of weekends probably isn't enough for me to work on my cycling and MRT paper so ohh well. Give up. I guess. Interestingly, after NS when I come back, the key developments in my proposed paper will be completed already. Like the inter-town and intra-town cycling paths plus the Downtown Line and finalized plans for the Jurong Region Line. So ohh well. It's now or never and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to make any inputs. :/

For SingaPAWH, there's hope hahas. The core team's mostly out and quite a lot of contacting and networking has been going on so yeah. I guess all I can do is to set the direction right and ultimately, the dirty work will be done by someone else since I'm in NS. ;-; Much apologies. =/ But yeah, I guess I'll most probably be working on PR since I won't be around and I'll have to work like mad on weekends. This is my only project left!=P

There's my UK uni application and scholarship application too which I have yet to start so I'm pretty worried. Well though bulk of the forms and write-ups shall be done before NS, I guess my portfolio work can only be worked on during the weekends so ohh well. More time gone. X.X

Ahhhh and lastly. Comm Serv Sect work. Well I probably can't join in on Feb V2 to Marina Barrage so yeah. I hope it succeeds. :3 Speaking of which, it's rather sad because I personally have not went for any external (out of CC) V2 event before so yeah. *criessss* Hahahas. But ohh well. That can happen perhaps sometime during and after NS so see how. For now, as in Jan, I still have the CNY V2 help-out so let's just work hard for that!xD

Teehee. Yeap. That's it for my rants on work. Ohh well. I'm going to rest hard during NS. Work can wait I guess. And I hope I can still continue my passion on all these things when I come out. :B

PS. It's time. I think I should submit my form some time this week. (:

I used to love really fanciful buildings, those with beautiful curves and mesmerizing geometries. Well, not to the extent of Frank Gehry's works which I have always felt doubtful about. But truth is, Zaha Hadid's style and Daniel Libeskind's Reflections@Keppel Bay plus other sharp edged designs really inspired me. In fact, they still do, just that now, I am more conscious of other elements in design.

3 things happened to me lately in this short period of 2 weeks.

Firstly, I started reading on this book called "Why we build?" by Rowan Moore and well, it further reinforced some of my thoughts about Samsara. But more importantly, the summary that I read for its first chapter - "two poets, the Sheikh and the architect, play with the emotional power of buildings, but they do so in opposite ways, and with different results." and ultimately, "the idea was to have a house that gave physical protection from the wind and rain, but shared this with poetry and ethics, things that can be found even in a storm."

Secondly, I had my Cornell Architecture interview with my interviewer, Jyanzi, and he really inspired me about the concept of space. He introduced me to the 5 levels of space in a typical rectangular room with a stationary figure existing within the confined region. The 5 levels of space: Physical. Psychological. Visual. Conceptual. Spiritual. When I first heard it, it was quite mind blowing (apologies for my ignorance) to be honest and it showed me the basic perceptions of space for a stationary man. Well, this is not something that I ever did think about before since I was always preoccupied with human interaction and all the dynamic stuff. So since then, I grew to take greater notice of the critical elements in architecture. It's no longer about just the curves that suites the eye.

Thirdly, I read a book on I.M. Pei's biography and got to appreciate his design methodologies behind all his Modernist buildings. I began to grow a liking for Modernist buildings; Something that has always been boring and typical to me. But when I read about the rationale behind it, the focus on harmony, stability and practicality really inspired me. That to me, is the true spirit behind Modernism that Blobitecture, International Style and Deconstructivism can never showcase and imitate.

However, please don't get me wrong! Truth is, I still love Deconstructivism the most and I still love buildings that look sophisticated like Park Royal@Pickering and Star Vista (Well after all, my architecture portfolio contained mostly of curved structures and of raw crystal shaped asymmetries). Thing is, designs to me have grown an additional dimension now. No longer do I crave blindly for rotating buildings which were never realized in Dubai, nor do I admire sky bridges that serve only as dwellings for the fortunate in the expense of a layman's wide blue clear sky view.

And my dreams have never changed. I am still going to reinterpret wood-based architecture for beauty and for humanity. For humanity especially, Shigeru Ban will always be my inspiration for life. Together with all the lessons that I have learned in this past 2 weeks.

1 year has passed by quickly. Last year at this time, I am probably rushing my kpop list of 2012 and doing SSEF work at the same time. SSEF was like the only thing on my mind hahas. But through the minds, so many things that I did not expect happened. Unlike 2012. =P This year was full of surprises. And let's see. If I can recall all the wonderful moments and reminisce using the limited amount of time that I have now (before I go out towards Marina Bay=P).

The year began. With the usual orientation. Well this year's orientation isn't the most memorable to be honest (cause of SSEF) but I still enjoyed my juniors' performances. I still remembering criticizing a lot on the models, cardboard work and designs with Joo Kee, Jie Ren and Yos hahas. Partly also because I was into such hands-on work at that time in preparation for my archi portfolio.

Then there was a lot of things happening in 605 classroom. I was with 605 almost throughout the whole year. Unlike in 2012 when I don't even know where the 505 classrooms was. So this year. I recall 605 doing up their back notice board and playing charades/taboo in class. And there was that cooking session at Boon Chong's house in the 1st month of school. What a way to start the new year!:3 It was great. Stayed till really late and learned murderer for the 1st time in life.

Ahhh and murderer. That game went on for the next few months. We even played it during World Cancer Day volunteering hahas. And I remember how I got pulled into trying Candy Crush during 1 of our murderer sessions. I didn't play much after that though. I onlyched Daryl, Kian Wee or Dion play on their phones. It was only until April that I started playing on my own. And even dragged my mom in. =P And yeah. 8 months later. Max levels on both stories muahahaha. Well. Great bonding with my mom though it wasted quite a bit of both of our time. =B

And then, there was Running Man. It's sweet to remember all the random games that we created and adopted out of no where. Things that I have created like treasure hunts. Things that Dion have done like the virus games. Things that Daryl have done like the mini games, murdurer and stuff. They were all efforts that weren't futile. Things happened and we probably don't have the luxury of time and space to do something like that so carefreely next time. Well since most event/camp games are really rushed and all.

Okay so much for all the fun, let's skip back to a bit of the more academic stuff. First in lineeeeeee, EG1109, Statics and Mechanics of materials! An A- for an NUS module that I am insanely passionate in. Though not an A. =P All the self studying and analyzing on catanaries and beams, stress and strain, truss and machines, torsion and bending. It was great fighting on this journey alongside Eric and now, he's flying planes, getting licenses and all. And then there was SSEF and A*Star talent search. All the poster and report preps for -Prediction methodology for blast loading effects in underground tunnels- . And then eventually the presentation day. It feels great, the whole journey, because apart from NJRCs as my 1st, this was the 2nd time I ever placed in so much effort into exploring and achieving something. This year's blessed since a 3rd came for me in July for SSC so yeah. :3 Credits of hard work especially to Tze How for the design, Yos for the calculations and Zeee for the Chem.

Wow. Such a long post that I have here. Hahas. Ohh well you can't blame me. My life's just too fulfilling this year. =P Speaking of fulfilling, it's also an eye opener for me in 2013 since I got 2 school overseas trip to CERN and Kaohsiung (I wanted Nanao! But ohhh well). I'm sorry that I kept whining for the past 5 years that I do not have a trip but hey. My concern was legit though it's fulfilled now. To keep it short, in summary, CERN thought me how engineering feats are actually done and that I should not let such fear hinder me in my progress towards building development, learning and life. After all, for all things tedious, it's determination and resolve that will bring me far in life. For Kaohsiung, I was amazed with how public areas can create such a bustling and active lifestyle among their communities and youths. From the street markets and the urban beaches to the public stadiums and the bike share schemes, it showed me how their urban lifestyle can be exciting, active and inclusive for both young and old while Singapore can't.

Back in Singapore, back in Jurong Spring, I continued my occasional work at MPS. The key turning point in my life was probably my induction into YEC. I joined a happy family and bonded during NACLI camp, BGM and I am still familiarizing with everything. I still can't do much despite my fire so I hope I will take it slow in 2014. My dreams are still big though but I still have loads to learn so let's just see how thinga go. I was pulled in into Empower just lately and on a separate case, my journey in analyzing policies of my forte also began through many stuff. First there was the Bicycle rack against theft design competition where I spent weeks doing ground work at Lakeside mrt. Then there was cool ideas for HDB where I proposed bicycle shelf designs for flats and biking strategies in general. And then coincidentally, my recent CLC work involves biking too! Unplanned. Perfect coincidence. :D Which is why I now feel so strongly on several biking related developments. And I really hope some of my proposals will come true some how amidst the barriers faced with agencies and practicalities.

Lastly, the beautiful end to the past 72 months of my life. Sounds small doesn't it? A 2 digit number. Yeah. In 70 blinks of my eye, last day of lessons came. 1 more blink, it's Farewell assembly. Yet another blink, it's convocation, graduation and prom. It's over. Yeah. All the moments can only be reminisced now. But still, it's sweet. Bittersweet.

Ohhh well okay I don't wanna bore whoever (including myself) who's reading my shitty narrating so yeah. Had a fruitful 2013, hope for a fantastic 2014! High school life is over, it's now into real life and survival. And for my 2014 resolution! I wish for my dreams, hard work and my meeting of new friends to be sustained while I take a long deserved mental rest and focus on my physical and psychological well-being. Yeah. It's 1:21am now. I'm still stuck at Raffles Place. Good luck to me. And good night world.

Ahhhhhhh. I haven't been for over a month! Gosh. Hahahas. Ohhh well. I have been busy with internship, uni applications, portfolio, Bukit Brown, JSCC Christmas V2/balloon sculpturing, Christmas gift exchanges, Frozen, Escape artist, horrors and wonders hahas. But wow. December passed by really quickly and it's one of the rare months where I can actually visualize my whole journey flying past me. Like the occurrence on each day and each week still stays on my mind like it was just yesterday.

To be frank, I think I will miss Alistair. The 1st day this month when I met him, I guess it was a pleasant surprise. Considering that I saw him at MND's lobby first before formally meeting him upstairs. He then spent 2 weeks of time together with me without any other interns and yeah. I guess we ate, worked and chatted a fair bit. Then 2 girls came in from week 3 onwards and it made everything slightly more lively I guess. Not to mention that we have so many leaves and half-days this months ahahas.

And next week, almost everything will change. Alistair will enter NS. Gladys will join CLC. I will most probably be working less on cycling but more on WCS 2014 prep. Well and for work, I will want to rush a few surveys, groundwork and papers for Empower. There's Chinese New Year. And NS will come immediately after that. There's V2 appreciation BBQ this Sunday. And then there's a major YEC activity too which will be the Edusave cook outs and Edusave funfair so yeah. January's gonna be a busy. I hope I don't overload really and I'm not sure about my social well-being hahas. But nevertheless, everything that I do should be meaningful. :3

Till then!~(:

Just a short post from me ahahahas. Rushing out to go USS now that's why. =P I've a great deal of mixed feelings now. Architecture wise, I HDB invited me for a presentation for my previous submission for the Cool Ideas thing but then again, for my uni application portfolio, I don't really have much progress orz. Then academic wise, I got the exact same score again for SAT mehhhh which means it's impossible for me to get into Cornell. But, things on the YEC side's getting real good I guess. Tomorrow's my 1st ever comm serv participation and there's this YP Empower thing every month plus I guess I have "broke the ice" with the MPS people so it's really happy. And I've got a new friend too. William from HCI year 4. Ahahas. Then PROM OMG. It was so fun yesterday. Including the post prom overnight party. Then again, with that happiness, I have this feeling of blues because of you know what. So yeah. Ohhh well. Okayokay that's it. Gonna go now mom's nagging ahhhhh. (:

お疲れ様でした and late night project works are the best sensations in my life. That's why I'm putting all my stakes into architecture, building, crafts and design.

Actually, it's pretty sweet if both were together. Beautifully cute hahahas. I wonder what exactly happened 2 years ago though opps. It always seem like there's nothing in common and like one party's avoiding the other but heyyyyy. Something could happen who knows. At least there's positivity floating in the air. Unlike my situation. (:

PS. And it's wayyyyy better than the other try hard one mehhhh. Nightmareeee. ;)
PS2. It's okay I'll move on. :3

2008: Curiosity and Empathy
2009: Fear and Religion
2010: Bond and Dedication
2011: Fun and Adventure
2012: Solitude and Friendship
2013: Fate and Initiative

Every year I learn something new. It's as though there's a theme. Where the encompassing memories all coincide to these exact phrases. My 6 years in high school. (:

WOAHHHHHHHHHH. Okay. Today (Or perhaps yesterday hahas) was a really great day for me!Hmph. It's been a long time since I last did the rapid chronological flow chart thing so hey. I guess I shall use it for this post. :3

Woke up > Feeling emo/helpless/tired > Reached school but bored > Convo rehearsal > Real headache throughout the whole rehearsal > Felt happy though that I have Pin in front of me and Wong behind me for seating arrangement (but she's a slight bit of a diagonal away orhhh ohhh well)  > Felt happy that I have soooo many (close) friends in the same holding room like directly beside me (': > Settled $16 payment for alumni pullover > Settled $50 payment for the convo gown thing > Everyone went to play soccer but I decided not to cause headache and tired meh > Said bye to Daryl and Fiona so Daryl can go mug for BMAT > Still played soccer eventually (for 5 damn minutes wth and it ended) > CHEAP SHOPPING IN JB:D > Okay before that there was awesome vegetarian food from like my relative's shop so yay > No more headache > Was real productive like with all the purchases and bought loads of tidbitsssss:3 Ohhh well maybe I cant eat that much cause trying to lose a bit of weight here hahas but still. =P Ahhh and back to the shopping, though it's really productive, it's sad cause I didn't get to buy all the things that I momentarily wanted. )= I missed out like shoes, a formal shirt, dairy products and ice creammmmm but well I guess it's okay. ^^ All that matters is that I got a random useless (IDK when I'm gonna use) kind of a jacket, a vest, a pair of slippers and a polo tee. So yeah. That's a lot and I'll have to be satisfied with what I have hahas.

So yeah. It's was kind of a happy day cause it started off seemingly bleak and gloomy hahas. But I got zihai, egoistic and materialistically happy towards the end so opps. xD Well I hope my livened up mood will be able to make me say less subconscious vulgarities in days to come we'll see how it goes. :D

Okayyyy that's it. Goodnight world (it's 3:25AM already=O)! Andandand, GOODLUCK TO EVERYONE WHO'S TAKING BMAT TMR!(:

The 11 differences between dating a boy vs a man

1. A man knows what he wants, and goes for it. A boy may have somewhat of an idea, but not really. He doesn’t think too much about it, and even if he does, doesn’t exert much effort to get it. A boy is passive, a man is assertive.
2. A man plans for his future and is working towards building a foundation and infrastructure in order to have a family (at some point in his life).  A boy lives only in the moment and his plans are mostly around which bar he’s going to hit up on the weekend.
3. A man looks for a woman with intelligence, who is supportive, grounded and encompasses a shared set of values when choosing a partner. A boy cares mostly only for girls who are hot, wild and exciting.
4. A man knows a good woman when he meets one and will take initiative to get to know her. A boy may make an attempt if you’re lucky, but gives up before ever really trying.
5. A man has the courage to have uncomfortable conversations. He is honest with his intentions and lets people know where they stand. A boy avoids. He ignores confrontation or any serious talks about feelings. Instead of dealing with a situation, he runs away from it or creates drama or excuses to mask the fact he’s not that into you or a relationship.
6. A man knows when to invest in a woman and jump in with two feet. A boy is always “testing” – he doesn’t fully commit because he never knows if he is quite ready. But the truth is, because he is a boy, regardless of who he meets, he will never be ready due to the stage of life he is in.
7. A man knows how to have a good time and be social, but is often busy making strides in his career and building his life. A boy is getting crunk with his buddies at the bar every weekend.
8. A man takes the time to reflect on the type of man he wants to be, the example he wants to leave and the vision for his life. He has put thought into his values. A boy has not established his moral compass or values and consequently, is often inconsistent.
9. A man has integrity. He means what he says, and says what he means. He has follow through and actions his promises. And if he can’t he has the guts to tell you why. A boy makes promises but doesn’t follow through.
10. A man is afraid of rejection but will put himself out there anyway. A boy is afraid of rejection and acts passive so that his pride and ego won’t ever get too banged up.
11. A boy plays games. A man doesn’t.

Seems like I'm not too prepared after all. Hmph. Especially number 11. Meh.

ALRIGHT. Only chance will allow us to meet. SO, this shall be a critical work plan that I am going to have amongst all the other ones that I've made last time. Let's go!

• MND interview and internship (7th Nov 2013, 1st Dec - 31st Jan 2014)
• University application to NUS and Cornell. Application prep for SciArc, AA and UCL
• YEC Bi-monthly food delivery and monthly V2 projects
• Daily work out routine to burn my fats (not so much of cardio and NS prep)
• Assemble the giant origami balls
• FA commitments and Prom outfit preparations
• Learn how to ice-skate
• Visit Loving Hearts to see what they have to offer
• Create a pop-up card production company?:DDDD Sounds fun and exciting but quite crazy lehhhh. Have to invest in a cutting printer. Need to fully understand all 5-8 types of pop-up card mechanisms. Need to do the designs itself. Then still need to fold the creases. Ahahahas. Okay this is just a wild dream most likely not possible
• Party, bars and clubs maybe? Most of us are 18 already after all
• DRIVING LICENSE
• Start designing some stuff on Sketchup and Photoshop after refreshing my skills and to use 123D app successfully for the 1st time
• Volunteer/participate in major sports events idk. For 2014 only cause there's nothing left for this year!;-;

Yeah that's pretty much it. As you can see, the work plan this time isn't so work orientated after all ahahahas. Marks the end of high school ohhhh well. :3 More leisure, passion and interest which is great. But still, one thing doesn't change and it's the amount of effort and initiative that I need to take to complete it. So yay!^^ Jiayous me!;)

"If life could give me a chance, I'll want to travel back to the start of year 3 and start again. Relive the happy moments. Mend the regrets."

Firstly, I would keep myself away from the year 1s in 2010. Despite all the unique experiences and memories, I still regretted making that choice. 1 whole year absent from my beloved level I really shouldn't have done it. I needed more time with M10305. I could've done so much more things when the year 3 classrooms are all isolated in that block of its own world. I could've played less netball but rather soccer instead.

Secondly, I would drop Astronomy CCA and party with the guys and girls after CCA every Friday. The prime moment of life where youthful teenagers are exploring the consumerism world out there. Yet, I was stuck in school.

I would have taken 198 everyday (assuming I don't take 196 with the rest) if I could. And I would have begged my mom to not fetch me to school. I'll wake up and go to school at like 6+am everyday to prove that I can actually wake up early and then it'll just go on that way.

I would have gotten into anime and kpop earlier like right at the start of year 3 (especially kpop since people are actually still hyped up about it then and music were way better than it is now generally). I wouldn't feel so lonely then. I would have sang and danced crazily without care instead of reserving myself for god knows what reason.

Moving into year 5, I would not have taken chemistry honours and I should have found my way into architecture earlier. But okay I guess there's nothing much I can talk about regarding this.

I would have volunteered more over just the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden thing and meet all sorts of people. Be it for sports events or in the community, school CIPS or YFC, I should've done it for a truthful cause instead of just making my youth rot away like that.

Finally and most importantly, I wonder if you still remembered Fibo's act for 2010 Orientation. Perhaps I didn't do a good job since I am not that talented really. And yeah I'm certainly not that attractive. But really, if only I did something there and then. Give me a chance to go back in time; I will want to know you better from that day onwards. That day and that scene that's shining so brightly at the back of my mind. I made the wrong choice. I was a shy useless piece of soul. Now I'm here not knowing what to do.

I hate how I am unable to make proper investments for my arts and craft hobbies. And how I can never get my mind to familiarize with all the technical knowledge. Meh. And now, I'm facing a drilling diameter that's too small problem. A no goggles problem. A drillbit stuck problem. A drill seems too heavy duty for pvc pipes intuition problem. Meh. X.X

So, this will be my 1st ever thought effort in trying to recall how I even started liking architecture since 2 years ago. Hmph. While I reminisce, let's hope some interesting memories will come back to me hahahahas.
 
In 2009, I did 3D art under Mr Chua Aik Boon. Did loads of pottery and stuff but nope my interest didn't show at that time. I really enjoyed working till late school hours (8+pm's relatively late for a yr2 student in the school's art room).but that's pretty much it.
 
Before 2011, I was probably really bad at 2D art cause I didn't want to give a damn and I probably got really frustrated at how I am unable to construct naturally beautiful strokes. What's worse was in primary school when more often than not, my mom would do up my art pieces ahahahahahas. But okay come 2011, I started simple sketching but mostly just copying. The 1st proper copying I ever did was that of a pig. For some birthday card I think. On my old black A3 sketch book.
 
Then came my 1st proper drawing - An entry for some NUSH banner design competition. A ridiculous competition that probably had no winner eventually but ohh well. Frankly speaking, I took it rather seriously and it is what I would say to be my most initial motivator towards the design sector. I had to craft ideas, plans and concepts to represent NUSH's education while preserving the whole simplistic and abstract feel. So, the initial stages were mostly just random mindless sketching until I realized that the proportion was horribly wrong and the size seemed ugly on (it matters since I wanted High Res. and I was intending to use a scanner so yeah). So, I invested on a new blue typical A4 sketchpad, redrew the critical portions, took a symbolic way of depiction and voila I got my product. And confidence.
 
So, at this point in time before mid-year, I still didn't know of architecture's existence. There were 4 things that brought my attention to architecture. 1, was my elder brother's thought-provoking questions that he posted to me, since I was a passionate physics Olympiad student then. He asked, "Have you ever thought how a simple yet heavy auditorium can actually by supported with just say 4 pillars on each corner? How did the engineers and architects do it and since when?" 2, it was during my family trip to KL and we were about to board KTMB back to Singapore when I saw this magazine, Issue062 of d+a magazine which featured the MBS Art Science Museum, at a convenient store and it cost rather cheap so I bought it. Yeah and I read and there I see myself staring at architecture. 3, I went to SUTD one fine day for their open house and didn't really expect myself to do anything related to architecture. But hey. Fate got me into action with this "Skycraper workshop" thing so I kind of just dived into it. Yeah, I pretty much skipped all the other workshops and events for it. Unintentionally. It's not like I loved architecture then after all. But it turned out to be really fun and eye-opening (not the usual cliché absolutely not). We got to use like giant Styrofoam, plastic bottles and most importantly, a simulation program to design a skyscraper. It was really cool I swear. And guess what? The team of random strangers eventually got an award for the highest structure created woots. It's a trivial thing but I was truthfully motivated and inspired (and brainwashed) I guess. 4, Archifest came in October 2011 and this was the major pivoting point where I really believed that architecture is going to be a highly feasible career option for me. I honestly don't remember how, why and where I found the sign-up link for this Archifest Public (AFP) Forum but all that I know was what happened that day at the Bras Basah National Library. The critical details are still fresh in my mind. How I was exposed to landscape architecture, chains of architecture projects coming up to give presentations, meeting NUS professors and people from various architecture firms. Yeah. I felt rather cool honestly. And that's pretty much it.

So, came 2012 which was a boring year (basically all that I could do was to brush up my 2D art skills and keep drawing). The only point worth mentioning would be at the end of 2012 I guess. And as trivial as it might sound, my biggest architecture influence in 2012, is, in fact, an anime! Hahas. Gogogo watch it, it's called Sakurasou no Pet Na Kanojo. It's an animation cartoon about a bunch of high school kids who are passionate in doing art, visual effects, entertainment and animation. So what makes it so special? Well for 1, the show talks about a talented girl who's also a world renowned  artist but chose instead to draw manga. It also talks about teamwork, sleepless nights and chemistry between friends to create a mega final product for the school festival. The show talks about an average Joe fighting to strive for his dreams amidst all the born geniuses. Really, it's touching, comforting and motivational. So yeah. It gave me faith to fight on without fear. (:

And finally came 2013. It was a fun explorative year since I'm relatively more free (NUSH has no A levels awwww yeahhhhh) so wheeeeee. I ventured rather crazily back into 3D art (just not pottery this time but paper instead) partly with initial reference from a school library book. From origami to pop-up cards, it was really fun visualizing the contours and folds. On the other hand, I was desperately self-learning the knowledge in sustainability too since NUSH is a math and science school so yeah. Moving on, there was Archifest 2013 (I didn't go for 2012's one), an award ceremony dinner, a Surbana private function, countless URA visits, several competition submissions (that amounted to no fruits of labour) and met loads of industry leaders. ;)

So yeah, to keep it short, here's the story of my architecture life as of now. A short yet dedicated 2+ years have passed. And I'm sure there'll be many more years to come. Which reminds me, I have just submitted my scholarship application to URA today! Yay!:D

Phew. That was some hardcore reminiscing, recalling and storytelling. :3

Love architecture. Love arts. Love life. ^^

And so, there were 5. (:

Self consciousness. Self reflection. Self analysis. Self criticism. Self understanding. Self appreciation.

I really love how critical you are at so many things. And you're always so delicately balanced between a well-controlled soul and a free-spirited mind.

Even my aesthetic perspective does not allow me to analyse say, http://waterhalo.blogspot.sg/ or http://sendmoremail.blogspot.sg/, to such great depths. I'm really amazed.

And meanwhile, I'm just testing the odds and trying my luck. Since well, it came to me by chance. (:

My largest goal in life is to achieve that vision in mind.
My second goal in life is to improve till I'm worthy without doubt.
My final goal in life is to seek for that stability that is all against entropy.

Even if things will never be the same. That state of trance. I shall explore how it feels like to be there.