A long day

Been a long long day yesterday. Out with Felix/Elicia/Neo, then dinner and movie and coffee outing with Em, then trying to settle my ecr. Certainly knackered when I turned in this morning.

Woke up early with the intention of going for a jog in the morning. But I guess that went out the window when I suddenly developed diahorrea just as I got out of bed. So decided to forgo the jog and leave it for another day. Not much time left though, left with like 2½ days before I have to check into Tanjong Gul camp, and I don't even know where it is. Will be sharing a cab with Gary in the early morning to report there by 730 in the morning. Have to kickstart my jog regime, else I'll suffer for my IPPT. Wonder how my toe will react to the pavement pounding or jungle trekking. Will have to see the MO directly after I report to declare my condition and see what he says, or can do for me.

So with the jogging plan scrapped, decided to lounge at home and watch a movie instead, before heading out to get the movie tickets and meet Felix and co for lunch. Decided on Notting Hill, with my dad joining as well some time into the movie. Haven't really watched it in some time, and I love this. One of my favourite movies, though I can't stand some scenes, like the part where Hugh Grant's character gets interviewed by the cast of Helix. Guess I can't stand scenes like that in movies. Not sure why. Got a sms early from Em about changing the movie timeslot to the 8.50pm one instead of the 7pm one, as she wanted to go shopping after work and then meet up for dinner first. So I thought, why not? Headed down to Cineleisure to get the tickets, then went to Bugis to meet up with Mr Cat, as he's already there. After Neo came, the 3 of us hung around a bit and decided on Swensen's for lunch and wait for the arrival of Ms Elicia Lau, who was with her taiwanese cousin in Tampines.

Certainly been a while since the 4 of us met up for a meal, or even met up at all together. Certainly been a busy year for all of us. Think the last time we met was during the concert in february, when the 3 of them came down to help out. With Elicia and Neo due to graduate, and Felix's decision to concentrate on his ACCA and leaving Sim for the next year, guess I'll be the only one of the quartet left. Will definitely miss their company in school. All the fun and laughter especially, mostly brought about by Cat. And that's what happened at Swensen's @ Bugis for lunch yesterday, fun and laughter. Some photos that I took:

Miss late-in-coming Lau

Candid of Neo with his mouth wide open

The one and only Felix "the Cat" Ng

Elicia and Neo

Neo staring intently at Felix's ice-cream dessert

Too bad the four of us didn't manage to take a photo together, to freeze a moment in time. So far, I think the four of us have not taken any together yet. But I guess there will be more opportunities in the future. Just that, it may be some time before the 4 of us will meet up like this again. With the 3 of them having being attached in the last year, they'll certainly have their own lives to lead. But it's memories like this that will last, the joys and bonds close friendships bring. Hope to be able to meet you all again soon, but till then, will certainly miss you all...

After lunch, decided to head to the library next door to, yes again, read. Been reading the biography of Simon and Garfunkel. Love the duo and the music they produce. Songs like Mrs Robinson, Homeward Bound, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy), For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her, and so on. Fell in love with it way back in '94, when my dad got a cd of their greatest hits. Started liking Mrs Robinson first, then slowly got to know and like the rest of the songs on the cd. Too bad the songs are really hard to play on guitar (Paul Simon is simply a master at it); would love to be able to play some songs ü

Felix reading in the library

Felix and I left after about an hour in the central lending library, seems like he's starting to fall asleep around books, lol. His exams just ended the day before, so that explains why. Hung around bugis's basement for a while after that with him before he left for suntec to meet his girlfriend who's working there. As for me, I continued to stay till around 7, when I left for Cine to meet up with Em. Decided to find a place to sit down and continue reading the biography, and the sofa on the 4th floor in front of the box office came to mind. Read for a while longer before Em called and told me she's at subway. Dinner followed and we chatted before heading to the 9th floor for the movie. Granted, I've never been up there. Kinda cold up there, and I was glad I brought along my jacket. Even Em felt cold and covered her arms with her bag about midway through the show. Show's interesting, touched on freedom of journalism vs politics. But alas, almost fell asleep due to my tiredness. So sorry bout this. Dried contact lenses didn't really help either. Went out for coffee and hot cocoa at starbucks after the movie ended, and just chatted and shared for a while. Talked about her prague experiences and some of my experiences when I was in ns. Couldn't really stay for too long as she had work the next day. Wondered how she can drink coffee at the late hour and still manage to fall asleep a couple of hours later on. Guess, to quote her, she must be immune to coffee.

As for me, had to settle my ecr after I got back, else I won't have any more chances to do so due to my looming reservist. Kinda frustrating that I could't really get the classes I want as there's a clash in schedules, so had no choice but to call up Sim earlier to fix it. And I'm praying that I won't go back to the kind of person I was when I was serving my duty 2 years ago. Changed somewhat due to my coming back to Christ. Have to focus on Him and on Him alone. And pray. Have to pray a lot, especially for guidance and when to mediate.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" Philippians 4:8