The Wannabe Economist

After growing up watching channel 5 and channel 8 (and all the cantoons were found in these two channels back then when i was a kid), it’s sad to say that these two are not my favourite channels.

Instead they are National Geographic, Nat Geo Adventure and Discovery Travel and Living. Unlike Mrs Chongky, I do not like E! Entertainment that much. HBO would have made it up my list if i get to see it more often.

On Tuesday Mrs Chongky organized a BBQ for her friends she had since LTB. Not wanting to get quite near the fire for fear of lingering BBQ smell on me even after i shower, i had decided to stay in front of the tv, since i can’t possibility run away into hiding while everyone eats.

I watched all these channels that day. Before everyone came, there was World Beat on Nat Geo Adventure, which featured Ricardo Lemvo and his band Makina Loco. You probably don’t know who is he, but i can tell you he’s the one who sang Mambo Yo Yo. That’s one of my personal favourite, and if you have been to my salsa class, chances are you have heard the song courtless times. LOL.

It’s one thing listening to his song, but it’s totally another feeling altogether seeing him on tv and hearing him talk about the song. And immediately after that, he and his band will perform that song in the studio. Everything was so “live”, if i could put it this way. It’s definitely comparable to being at the live performance.

The latin music probably set me right that day.

Probably had a bit too much to drink. Wine and vodka…

Was watching this HK movie on channel 8. Right after the movie there was this food segment (which has been used as filler in-between programmes nowadays) that features this handmade noodle place in Tanjong Pagar.

Which makes me want to go eat there tomorrow.

Which makes me miss dancing with the team very much again.

Don’t get me wrong. I leave not because i hate the team. I leave because i seek my own challenges. I now find more time to train, and had since completed my first biathlon, with one more coming up next saturday. Following which i am going to rush back to alma mater to play soccer (if time permits) / Waikiki at Sentosa at which i am playing for Econs once again. Sunday would most likely be National Vertical Marathon (Mrs Chongky, what say you?), and following which the practise session for MR500 inter-school dragonboat race. The following sunday will of course be the actual MR500 race.

Frankly, how would i be able to find the time to pursue these challenges if i had continue to dance? I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, it’s just that i ought to take a rest to chase after my own dream of doing more multi-sports after dancing for these few years.

While i am at the topic of dance, PLEASE GO SUPPORT TAN NGIAP HENG’S PHOTO EXHIBITION. You know i hardly use this avenue to generate any support for an event. So for me to do that, this event must be worth that penny.

I have known Tan Ngiap Heng the photographer since National Arts Festival 2005, during which June and Jackson got him to photo the performances. In 2006, i found him attending the beginners’ class i teach. Not that he is a beginner in dance, he actually picked up very fast (after all he used to dance professionally for a year).

I have always respected his work, and his passion for dance. He’s a nice guy too. There was this ocassion that i was well, running late for class because i can’t catch a bus, and he was on his way to the studio for my class. On his way, he saw me at the bus stop and just so happened that he was in the left lane. He stopped and gave me a lift, when he could just continue driving and save that hassle.

I can’t say i’m publicising this photo exhibition because he’s a friend. We haven’t been in contact for a couple of years. But i’m highlighting this event because i believe in what he is doing.

If you are free, visit this exhibition at The Arts House. It is on-going until 28 Feb, from 10am to 6.30pm. Admission is free. For more information, you can visit the homepage of this exhibition.

I am contemplating purchasing the book, but i can only make the decision after i browse at the copy at the exhibition.

Relationships between people is an amazing thing. On one hand, it’s impossible to measure or quantify this relationship. On another hand, it’s something you don’t even have to measure. Sometimes you just feel that things are not going right. And there’s nothing much you can do about it.

It’s my fault that we forgot about the camera. So no camera = no photo. However there are people who brought camera, and i emailed a couple of them in a polite manner to ask for photos. Now you guessed it. No reply. Karen just emailed her set of photos from SISF 2007 and viola! Now i have the photos, and they are appearing here.

Thanks Karen. You probably won’t read this, but i should acknowledge nevertheless. People like Karen make me feel more welcomed. Both at the party and during training.

The group photo, taken in almost the exact same manner as we did last year.

A year has passed. Last year i was one of them. This year, it seems like as much as i would love to consider myself part of the group, things are different. You might say that it’s my choice whether i want to be part of all these. Then again, some things are beyond what i can control. Things like falling sick at the crucial moments. Like certain techniques are beyond my ability to apprehend and capability to shoulder. Like attending rehearsal at 11pm when i know for damn sure i am going to end up transportless afterwards with no means of getting home.

On the bright side, drinks were affordable at $6 per serving.

The fact that Downtown East looks good helped to make the evening too.

And i have gotten my first ever pair of monthly contact lenses.

Attended the chalet BBQ cum celebration party last night. I would have skipped it if not for Dennis who caught me sneaking around online on Friday morning. LOL. Dennis is really funny. He had been eating for the entire night and i kept pressing him to allow me to cook medium steak for him. Just so i can practise again.

BBQ was good. Thank you JJ for catering the food. We contributed within our means. Mrs Chongky brought her stock of M&Ms, snickers and large packs of chips (ask Neh Neh what i meant). I cooked and helped to ensure there was no leftover.

In the midst of getting the steak just right, and chewing on the overcooked steak, Mrs not-fat Chongky and i got a picture of ourselves captured. Where else but on Karen’s camera.

I’m back. Nothing went wrong at the SISF 07. Though the everyone else seems elated at the smooth item, to me it’s another job well done. Been doing this, screwed up somethings, did well the rest, that i hope for the rest and work hard for it. The end result doesn’t matter, as long as i did justice.

The party afterwards was great, except for the fact that some expat big shot with no common sense sorta ruin the evening for me. FUCK YOU OK. That’s from me. LOL.

$41 for the ticket, But $6 for the drink for which you can request for more alcohol and well, they give you 1/3 ice, 1/3 alcohol and the reminder mixer, what more can you complain about?

I’m glad i didn’t drive. Else how can i enjoy 4 glasses of drinks? I’m sure i won’t even get to drink 1 glass. (If i’m lucky i might be able to get a drink for Cheers)

And here’s something interesting for everyone.

Decide if you think the dancer is turning clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Then click here.

-Do not read on if you haven’t decide for yourself-

I find myself deciding that the dancer is turning clockwise, and no matter how hard i try to focus i can’t change that perception. And this is while Mrs Chongky decided that the dancer is turning anti-clockwise but she can change it if she focuses. Amazing isn’t it?

And alas, Mrs Chongky finally decided that it’s time to download the photographs from her camera.

And this was what i did at the Sports Fiesta last Friday. I wish i was more natural on the bull, but i just felt everything was weird when i’m can’t see things clearly. So here’s me, on the rodeo, seeing blur.

The team played volleyball - both both matches lost by really close margin.

Some good things in life come free. Like 100-plus, ice-kachang and cotton candy.

Now that i am back to the salsa team, at least until the SISF 2007, i find myself hungry - before training, during training and after training. So you can’t really fault me if i crave for buffet after training. Or Carl’s Jr.

And er… i also feel the groove more frequent.

Like while packing artworks with bubble wrap i feel one of those urge to dance.

Current smell:

Happy!