Quote~

You did not bear the shame
You resisted
Sacrificing your life
For freedom, justice and honour

The German Resistance Memorial, Berlin
Operation Valkerie

Hydra!~

Hey folks!

I just replaced the song that sounds so jarring into a piece which is quite dear to me. It's Hydra by Toto!

Toto is more than just the brand of the urinal you notice when you pee, or another name for 4D. It's a famous band who's known for great musicianship, creating music that touches the soul with simplicity and touch. Tan Boon, if you're reading this, your influence and ideals has extended into this student of yours, and we believe in Toto!

I know some of you drummers are reading this with gaping mouths, just to let u know, I did a watered down version of it. I'm not that good la... haha!

I performed the solo part of the song for my graded exam a few years back, and listening to it makes me think of all the tough times I've been through during that period...

Practicing like mad,
Reading like mad,
Asking for help like mad,
and praying like mad.

I think, it was one of those seasons where I changed for the better. There was direction in my studies, outlook in life, and musicianship.

I think all musicians can agree that a healthy self-esteem is important. The tone and depth of your notes or hits can be felt more than just seen. Gotta be secure in what u know you can offer, and what you can't give.

To the technical musician, Tan Boon thought me a whole lot on groove, and to be honest, I haven't really understand what it means. But one thing about it is his demonstration of groove. There are so many depths to his playing, and the feels it creates.

More Pictures~

Hi folks! It's been quite a while since i posted something on. As you can see, I'm on the board of kar-kias of my boss. There's so many things he needs to do, and also so many people he can arrow to do it for him. As you can see, Islam is above me. To the phariseeical reader seeing this, what do you think about working for Islam? I need your holey wisdom.

In one of my meetings, one of the supervisors talked more than the person chairing the meeting. And so, along with the other guys i was about the switch off. He talked and talked...

And talked and talked....

And talked and talked somemore....

You can see how tightly i gripped my torch. I was about to shine some light already.

This is just one random shot that shows I like to play pool. If you like to play pool, please call me for a game or tag me.

So my cell members played a card game and we nearly tore the cards apart with our energy and violence. We had to shout Ugly Ugly before we grab the card. Doesn't matter.. it was a free for all brawl anyway.

My colleague is eating a cooked prawn that was kept in the fridge for 5 days. Still fresh as ever i guess, since she didn't had to rush to the toilet.

In America they got their own Brad Pitt, in Singapore we got our Bread Pitt!~

That's all the energy i have for now. We'll talk more philosophy next time i guess :)

Gabb

Pictures!~

Hey folks, here comes the pics! So many to choose from, but so many i can't post up. Let's start with a receipt:


So I managed to run like a bull, chin up like a monkey, jump like a frog and got an incentive for my IPPT. I used to jump further, but I just can't hit the 221cm mark. 5cm = $100 less. Anyway, no Remedial Training for the next 2 years! So to celebrate..

I went to indulge in carrot cake!

Working in a shipyard, "Ali-baba" means u did a crap job. Or slacking somewhere without permission. Here's a name of a shop that left me quite speechless.

I saw Jesus on sunday.

Me and my cell member went to JB for a time of fun and shopping and shooting paintballs. so we sat down for a drink, and look at the cup.

So my friend Joel came back from Aussie and we hung out at Mac's at Bukit Batok. It was so nice to see you again dude. So for old time sake before he flew off, we asked an ah tiong to do a past midnight shoot.

There was a manhood conference held on one of those friday nights. The hall was filled with none other than men. And to prove that they have the "ummph", we have a bunch of guys doing an insane number of push ups, sits ups and burpees. I may be all man, but I think I'll give that a pass.

Times are bad, and american express has resorted to selling locks to sit out the tough times?

The biggest rainbow I've seen so far. My camera has crap lenses, but it has managed to capture the rainbow in most of its glory.

Shufen, thanks for the chop! that has my chinese name on it. Coincidentally, i dreamt about using chops to sign my documents on that day itself!

More pics to come next time. Bed is calling.

Depths of Your Love~

Never thought I would be blogging again within the next 24 hours. I guess when u finished your dinner with an old friend in school, and u meet another friend who offers his password to access a computer, you get a new blog entry done in NTU.

Going back to university has always been exciting. I can't explain why. It always feels like I'm at liberty to do anything I want and get away with any naughty thing I do. But more than that, I think I conquered many issues and become the better person I am in uni. Its abit like parading in your former youth and remembering your victories. In the way I think, and in the way I treat people.. I would do it again once more if I have the chance, but with monthly salary =)

Recently my friend reminded me about something called "depths of a love". There wasn't much of a concept to it apart from a mere mention, but it got me thinking alittle bit. To the extent we love someone or something, you find yourself changing in bits and ways to keep the love burning.

The more you invest your life in it, it's only natural to develop a greater affection. It could be our job, our pet project, our love life, and even ourselves. You can never love yourself lesser than others and other things. Self-love and self-appreciation is where your self-esteem and convictions are rooted upon.

If we can't accept ourselves for who we are, then nobody will accept us for who we try to be.

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In my former days as a NJC student, I was the very person I knew I wasn't. Struggling with self-esteem was the bigger issue than handling my A levels. If i only knew who I was and who loved me above all else, I would be spared the great depression that wrapped my soul and eaten part of my youth.

So for the educator who is reading this or those who have direct influence to troubled folks, let them know you care. Don't bootlick him, but let him know you'll be there when he screws up. Tell her you will be looking out for her and remembering her in prayer. Help him find the warrior within him that he has been waiting for. Show her a path that many wouldn't take and walk it down with her. You will not be remembered for the many things you said, but for the legacy that would be ingrained in them via their victories or self image.

And so there was this one man that did just that, and 23000 people saw their lives changed radically, and created a revolution of love and sacrifice onto others.

I am the chess player I am today because of a kind word by a senior in my sec school days. I am the drummer I am today because of a great teacher that believe I could be and will be. I am a university graduate today because of my parent's love. I am a loyal person today because of the friends that stood by me. I am the Gabriel today because of a Man that showed me who I loved to be.

If words could frame your world, frame the lives of others for those who have no strength to even pick their frames up.

~Gabb~

Thank You!~

Hey peeps, just a shout out to all those who celebrated my birthday on monday. Thank you so much. I was truly truly touched. The bag was just awesome. You made a bangala supervisor feel like a shenton way executive.

To my Team 16, you know who you are. You turned up and made a difference that day. I was just expecting one instead of so many. The gifts have been generous but i'm even more happy about the spirit behind it. Ben, my primary school friend, thanks for the angpao. =)

I sound emotional, but I believe that's who I am. I'm a sentimental wuss. To my future wife (that i've yet to find), I'll make you feel like the most fortunate girl in the world.

There are thoughts I wanna blog down, but it's getting a little too late and I've gotta work tomorrow. I remembered this song called "Depths of your love". It's a simple song but yet deeply profound in its meaning. Maybe I'll write that next time.

Till we meet again, my bed's calling my name. It's time to surrender all.

~Gabb~

Philosophy and rubbish~

Hey folks, it's been sometime since I wrote something that made sense to you all. I just got home and have some time to blog some of my precious thoughts. And by demand, I will put some pictures for ur interpretations. Next time I will use a chalk to illustrate what happens in my work.. haha! Next blog entry!

It's been a season where I'm stretched in my physical and mental capacity. I've been climbing alot of ladders and scaffolds, and one might say that it's really tiring. As much as I like to climb and crawl and get dirty, it's another thing to keep watching over your back and making sure that you do not get into the line of danger. There's always an Ah-Neh near you that's grinding steel or welding joints.

To all you Ah-Nehs and Bayas, as much as I have to be firm with you all, I have a tremendous respect for your capacity to do what you all do. You are willing to risk your health and sacrifice to provide for your families back in India. I guess the road to Singapore has been a rough one for most of you all, and I really hope you all go home in one piece. FOLLOW THE SAFETY RULES PLEASE.

Going into confined spaces is fine with me, I dun really mind the heat and sweat. Today, my superintendent and the bangala band entered a tank which is very small. About 1/10 the size of a bus. It's hot, sweaty, very bright, and very noisy with all the grinding noises. To make it worse, there was a small quarrel inside on whose job is whose. When I got out of the tank, it was as if i came out from a shower. The only thing is that it was just totally the opposite.

Being out from NS hating this kinda of life, I wondered how I could bear with such a job at times. I believe our sense of responsibility over our job, life, and the lives of others, compounds us to do the very thing that demands sacrifice. And responsibility has to count for something in changing us from students to future leaders, and mature parents.

Assuming responsibility in a task puts us in a position of influence. It is a silent scream that broadcasts to this world of the backbone we have, and what we can give to others even when its inconvenient. Responsibility makes us the loving husbands we are, and capable parents we can be. Responsibility provokes the brave to stand in the gap for others when he sees injustice and suffering. Responsibility is a committment to love, cherish and honour. Responsbility recounciles and restores.

When I was young, my mum would use to tell me of how bad my working life would be without a good education. I would be working under the sun, and sweating like mad. She would always encourage me to study hard so I would be none of that. Its an irony that even with a degree in Materials Engineering, I find myself doing the very things my mum said it wouldn't happen. I find it very amusing sometimes. Despite the imperfections of our parents, they are always there to support us and give us the best life, and show us the way to lead the best life ourselves..

Just some thoughts for you to chew on. I leave you with a song from the Jerry Maguire soundtrack. Very touching song, with a very touching dialogue. All it takes is 4 chords to give you that lovely dovey feeling. That's the power of music, there's no escaping it when it touches your heart.

Ok, enough philosophy. I should embark on writing a thesis for a PhD. For all you PhD students, I still think you all are crazy, and you all make better bloggers than me.

Oh yeah, pictures another time la! Maybe a few...


This is the CNY Dialect band from City Harvest! As you can see, we are really just a bunch of happy people serving God with our time and talents. The plastic smiles are priceless.



Collin just started a new company and he started his humble advertising beginnings by putting a cardboard box just outside his house. You're the man. Be thankful that a dog didn't peed on it. Put it somewhere else la!

Ok folks, till we meet again, which is soon i promise.
Tag the board and show some love man! =)

A thought

Again, I'm at the point where I'm tempted to give up
Lead the easy peasy life
Where I can do things at my pace
And breathe easier

For everything good in my life
I had to fight tooth and nail for it
God, You really know how to handle me
Its like you knew all the weaknesses I have

Beat your plowshares into swords
Its time to elect a hero
Show me a vision that I may follow it till my dying day
I trust that you will not lead me to nothingness

I am what the world can never take away
I am also what the world can never give another
I am here to fulfill a perfect plan
And I won't quit till I get it