I woke up, unusually early on saturday morning to follow my mum to wet market at Jurong West.I was more than eager to accompany her.Luckily I managed to get the lot at those bustling car park when we arrived.Wet Market is a riot colour. the stall holders conduct their business amidst rows of chilies, carrots, seafoods and poultry produce.It was amazing to see such neat and colourful display.But it may suprise you that the price of the poultry and vegetables are not that cheaper than those in supermart.I just like the bargaining power of those women.

I went to orchard despite there was a chingay parade being held there.It wiould be going to very crowded more just like during New Year.I met Terence at Cineleisire before proceeded to the Heeren to collect my Xbox.I love the stunning and colourful environment , better than New Year Celebration.It's a multicultural kinda float parade thingie, right centre of town.I managed to see lion dance troupes, stilt walkers and beautiful floats created by various organisations. The parade will be a flow of
images and colours; an ocean of sights and sounds.Splendid.We should celebrate this kind of parade on New Year, where everyone were having masquerade...cool....

Chingay parade

I went clubbing again......Somehow I did not look good...I looked totally haggard and messy...I met Edmund too..He looked big..definitely hunkier than before....In the bus I received a sms from a long time friend....thrilled.... :P

I went for a jog at YCK stadium......The weather was cloudy and moody..I managed to run 6 rounds, My stamina was dipping drastically....I am getting flabby and pathetic....MUST BE stress.....I had about 6 projects to be cleared before the term break..how to handle.....fuck! I don't even have time for my weight-training session....start reading up on time-management and project-management.....arghh!!! Fuck !

I went to King Albert park MacDonald to have my dinner as well as doing some revision for few hours....I cun study at home as the internet and the bed are very inviting...and I cun study at school...as too much distraction......

I cun be bothered attending lecture nowadays....I was trying to strategize my study with a good aim to score, not just pass..I wanna prove my Dean..I m aint no guy who always dress up to school..wish me luck!
I met my M140 groupies....at 1.30pm for some brief discussion and goals....their smile welcomed me...like a plant welcome the sunrise..But of course I ain't sunshine ..bleah! There was a short meeting, just to allocate the role in the entrepenuer game ( M141 ) I love entrepenuer subject...however we had to come up with the item, related to engineering or non-engineering...hopefull I will come up with something that is non-related to my course....

It had been raining, heavily...non-stop.....

THIS month's rainfall is the highest in 30 years.

From Jan 1 till 2pm yesterday, there has been 595.5mm of rain.

The highest monthly rainfall ever recorded here was also in January, the 818.6mm that fell in 1893.

The highest rainfall ever recorded in a day here was 512.4mm on Dec 2, 1978.

'Rainy periods of several days or more are not uncommon,' said a spokesman of the Meteorological Services Division of the National Environment Agency.

Raindrops falling from heaven
Could never take away my misery
But since we're not together
I pray for stormy weather
To hide these tears I hope you'll never see

Someday when my crying's done
I'm gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun
I may be a fool
But till then, darling, you'll never see me complain
I'll do my crying in the rain

AHA - Crying in the rain

there is presence of love in the rain

America idol is back

I nearly missed my lesson when I realized I woke up at 9am....No time to dress up...quickly rushed to the school..apparently..I still got time for a drink of soya bean at Canteen A...Never knew that I can travel to school for about 15 mins.....Again..I learnt ANSYS 7.0 program and I managed to finish my tutorial by myself.....

I went to library to find some reading material on CEO and Hotel New World Collapse for my assignment..........I try so hard to cultivate some interest in reading...I had never liked English....My English teachers throughout my course of study from Pri 6 to College times......cursed and swore behind my back for my disinterest in English.I HATED Languages... there are so much strategies that they use to help me at least pass. Of course it's easier if I will try harder and more focus on improving, but My parents had not done much to help me except buying dozens of assessment books.

I went back home after collecting my photocopied notes that cost $37.30...The weather tend to get cooler and more breezy...i end up sleeping till 9.30pm....I was totally concussed......

American Idol 3 is back.....I loved this show...after Trenyce captivated me with her damn strong vocal abilities.....This time I must not miss any of the episodes which was aired on wednesday and thursday at 10pm..I started to change my plan now.....Simon said '' If you want to be famous, you must take the critisicm well...and swallow it without losing your pride." Definitely you won't caught me singing at karaoke lounge...I am tone-deaf and I cun sing well....truthfully...instead of people laughing at me, I will be laughing at them...of course I am searching for someone to sing for me on my birthday...........

Don't you ever wish
You were someone else
You were meant to be
The way you are exactly
Don't you ever say
You don't like the way you are
When you learn to love yourself
You're better off by far
And I hope you always stay the same
Cause there's nothing 'bout you I would changeI think that you could be
Whatever you wanted to beIf you could realize
All the dreams you have insideDon't be afraid
If you've got something to say
Just open up your heart
And let it show you the way
Chorus
Believe in yourself
Reach down inside
The love you find will set you free
Believe in yourself
You will come alive
Have faith in what you do
You'll make it through

Joey McIntyre
Stay The Same

Cuddle

Fuck it! I woke up at 1230pm...I missed my M438 Lecture....darn..&*@%#$..I just had a MCchicken burger I bought on the way home yesterday...It was 24hr Drive-thro..It will be better if it is 24hr operation....Had my lunch while watching Mars Attack at HBO channel...for 6x.....I love crappy movies..

I went to MLT for my G269 lecture.....been a long time ...about 4 years ...I had last attended lecture at MLT....sweet , fond memories *wink* ...I quickly rushed to LT2 for my M141 tutorial....it is grouping time...as usual...i was a bit aloof during the meet-up..No one I knew in my group but I would get involved sooner ....Being labeled as lazy, dumb and free-rider attitude is not the character of Capricorn...I am just creating first impression: whether it is good or bad..First impressions may be my only chance to make an impression before someone gets to know the real me. Meeting someone new is almost like going on an interview. Let’s face it, we live in a society that where how you look counts.

How do you make a good impression? Here is one way which is guaranteed to work. Do this and people will have excellent first thoughts about you! This is the key:

When you meet someone (friend or new contact), greet them on the phone, or pass them on the street, act ENTHUSED to meet them!

· Give them a "winning" smile.

· Cheerfully greet them with "hello (name)". Let your voice show that you are glad to see them!

· Act like you are greeting a best friend who has been gone for awhile.

· If you walk into a group, greet or acknowledge every person. Look them in the eye. Either verbally greet them or at least make eye contact and acknowledge every single person.

· Greet your friends, contacts, and family the same way.

· When someone calls, say a professional "hello". When you find out who is calling, act glad to hear their voice.

What if you DO NOT feel like it? Who cares! ACT enthusiastic to meet them and you will BE enthusiastic to meet them. They will feel important and will be glad to see YOU. You will make an excellent first impression. This technique alone will work wonders for you! You will stand out from the crowd. Customers will want to come back. When a customer sees that you are glad to have them buy from you, they will want to come back and buy MORE from YOU.

Holland Village sitcom was going for re-run at 10.45pm at TCS 8...It means I am going to watch my idol, Chen Liping again....Somehow..Will I have a motivation to watch 100++ episode over again.... *Being fat is a sin *

Being fat is a sin in my society

Life is short journey, actually

It was raining last night, it happily ruined my well-gelled hairstyle, well-creased clothes, dry shoes and of course my lecture notes....worse friends gave excuse not to go clubbing.....And Terence was so pissed at someone who stood , literally him ...and us up....This isn't so much a rant session, I have been stood up before and it doesn't really effect me anymore, but I would like to hear the stories from each of them..Lucky I did not drive or else I would never ever know each one of their ugly character.....selfish, manipulative,egoistic,self-centred and narcissitic.Terence actually had made plans to go back home together by cab, of course four of us were sharing...that would be cheaper...somehow....it is pointless..Feels like shit, doesn't it, Dude? If you don't wanna go, don't accept the invitation in the first place. *sigh*

As Usual, I woke up late......I was reluctant to go .....but it was all because of the obligation.Sending off my auntie at Changi Airport.....I felt quiet....I guess Silence will be better than you start chatting away craps...seeing all those elders who you know....wrinkling away...Time flies. Time makes me realise how short our journey in the world can be......

Peace

you are the "you're so dumb" happy bunny.
you are brutal in your words and enjoy putting
others down.


which happy bunny are you?
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50 Great Goals For NEw Year

50 great goals For the New Year.

1) Eat Healthfully
2) Exercise well
3) Compliment friends
4) Seek simplicity
5) Reduce your vices
6) Increase your virtues
7) Worry Less
8) Buy Less
9) Read More
10) Read the right stuff
11) Watch Sunsets and less TV
12) Listen to Good music
13) Spend time each day in solitude
14) Mediate on who God really is
15) Pray often
16) Always speak the truth
17) Show more love
18) Listen to children
19) Visit the elderly
20) Take time for friends
21) Follow the example of those you admire most
22) Maintain a positive attitude
23) Keep promises
24) Laugh as often as possible
25) Be kind to all you meet
26) Forgive any who wrong you
27) Apolo those you might have wronged.
28) Encourage the Discouraged
29) Give generously to those in need
30) Thank those who have given to you
31) Work hard and play hard
32) Clear the clutter from each day
33) Seek the best in others
34) Deepen your faith
35) Truly look at, listen to, and feel all that surrounds you.
36) Appreciate the ebauty of nature
37) Try something new
38) Greet more strangers
39) Learn the art of patience
40) Recall good memories and forget regrets
41) Give more hugs
42) Recognize possibilities instead of obstacles
43) Right a wrong
44) Help someone's dream come true
45) Keep a journal
46) Live a humble life
47) Dwell on what is noble and praiseworthy
48) Take more walks
49) Hold more hands
50) build a legacy that is respected

reality bites

I dedicated the song to this soul who broke up with love....

Believe in yourself
Trust in your soul
Find the way to conquer
Every single goal
Believe in yourself
Start a new life
Feel your strength and power
Don't give up the fight

A fight you will win if you're brave and kind
And remember your dreams all start with your mind

Believe in yourself
Stand straight and tall
Face your darkest demons
You can never fall

A fight you will win if you're brave and kind
And remember your dreams all start with your mind
Believe in yourself
Start a new life
Feel your strength and power
Don't give up the fight



I did not sleep whole night, afraid that I might miss my tutorial.At 8.15am, the queue was damn long at 179 bus interchange.I quickly rushed to the tutorial room at South Spine 2, realising that there was no one in the room....shit! Guess the tutorial did not started yet..worse I felt like shitting....Then I went to library to check out the schedule.It was true that there WAS not tutorial....It was really not my day today.My both arms start to get flaky....I was like the Goldmember in Austin Power 3...Who knew I might just peeled the skin and ate it....

M401 was my first tutorial....Welcome to the Geeky class...So many lame pupils
Tutor: Those names being marked, please proceed to the CAD/CAM lab because there is shortage of students.
A student, Lamer 1 came in and about to sit beside his friend, Lamer 2
Lamer 2: Hey our friend was being posted out to CAD/CAM division
Lamer 1: Huh? What's going on? *looked at transparency*
Lamer 2: Our friend was being posted out to CAD/CAM division. *Chuckles*
LAmer 1: OH dear!

The guy who sat beside me, signed the attendance list...supposedly to pass the list sheet to the girl in front of me....however he was just stood up and waved the piece of paper behind her...hopefully she could feel the motion of the paper by this guy...I mean he can just tap at her shoulder and passed the damn thing right.......I really cun believe I am in the school of Engineering...I should posted out to School of Rocks (laughing)

After lesson, we all proceeded to the CAD/CAM lab to learn new programmed, ANSYS 7...I was truly dumb at programming...I saw Wee Lip, Juliana and Zhong Ren...At least I saw this lady who helped me during my IHPT, who could ..maybe....save my life...

I slept whole day, woke up at 5.30pm.....My mum forced me to go to East Coast Park..to have sort of 'Reunion Dinner' with other aunties/uncles there...I was not that really keen actually but due to obligation of mum.....sians.......Lucky my sis drove ... We bought satay ...total of 100 sticks at the renovated eating place..quite clean and open....Aaron Aziz( Heartlander/Light Years actor) walked past us....



East Coast Park New Eating Place


We had a big sumptous meal......But I was bored and tired ...I did not even join my young Uncle for fishing....Because I hate Fishing..total waste of time and fruitless pastime....we went back home at 11++ and again my sis drove back....I miss Chinese New Year countdown at TCS8...Apparently I just wanted to watch Chen Liping

if I were..........

If I were a month, I'd be: January :D
If I were a day of the week, I'd be: Sunday
If I were a time of day, I'd be: 12am
If I were a planet, I'd be: Pluto ( distant and cold )
If I were a sea animal, I'd be: stingray
If I were a direction, I'd be: Give Way
If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be a: Sofa bed
If I were a historical figure, I'd be: John Lennon ( V-sign)
If I were a liquid, I'd be: Soda water
If I were a tree, I'd be: Rainforest
If I were a bird, I'd be: peacock
If I were a flower/plant, I'd be: Sunflower
If I were a kind of weather, I'd be: breezy and cloudy
If I were a mythical creature, I'd be: Pegasus
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be: Drum
If I were an animal, I'd be: Persian cat
If I were a color, I'd be: Green
If I were an emotion, I'd be: proud
If I were a vegetable, I'd be: Green Capsicum
If I were a sound, I'd be: strum of guitar
If I were an element, I'd be: Gold
If I were a vehicle, I'd be: Jeep
If I were a song, I'd be: Hero by Mariah Carey
If I were a movie, I'd be: Dude, where is my car?
If I were a book, I'd be: Hardy Boy
If I were a food, I'd be: Rojak
If I were a place, I'd be: The Maldives beach
If I were a material, I'd be: Lycra
If I were a taste, I'd be: Minty
If I were a scent, I'd be: Lemon
If I were a word, I'd be: Ego
If I were an object, I'd be: Hair Gel
If I were a body part, I'd be: Eyes
If I were a facial expression, I'd be: Idiotic
If I were a subject in school, I'd be: Arts
If I were a cartoon character, I'd be: Popeye
If I were a shape, I'd be a: Star
If I were a number, I'd be: 1

Patience is not my virtue

Now I ended my daily horoscope because nothing come real from the readings itself during my daily events. I missed all my lectures again but I still had to go school to meet Hung Yong to pass me his notes....Ended up I got the notes from the Library instead.I felt so bad about whole issue.He is so perfect in character-wise.I was kinda of retarded whenever I asked for his help.....No one I knew can be so selfless and generous..... talking about character-building,esjay.....I met Juliana to pass me Hung Yong's M401 Notes...catch up a little bit with her......How I missed attending lecture with her and Zhong Ren...time flies...

I supposed to meet Bunawar and David for dinner at Banquet FoodCourts at JurongPoint.I came early so I managed to get the seat whose table was not cleared of those plates/drinks.I waited for them awhile untill I decide to make a calls.....It was crowded and people kept asking if the seats were available....and worse I overheard one lady say that maybe they just sit down at the place I was sitting, in case I will just leave....I turned around and gave her that 'Fuck You, Bitch' attitude....I decided to call them again...I really hate waiting even though these are things that our outside of our control and in many cases have little or no influence on when they occur.I had no patience at all.....Sometimes, waiting is not prudent, like staying in a burning building, when we can easily reach the exit. In cases, like this, waiting is not being patient, it is being foolish...I don't really mind waiting with some company...but not alone when people looked at you with 'Hey-idiot-you-are-hogging-the-seat-so-fuck-off' stare.

Signs that I can get impatient include cursing, excessively bringing the wait up in conversations to others, treating others abruptly or rudely, acting violently towards the things around me, and putting down the thing or person for whom I am waiting...Don't keep me waiting.......

I called again but according to bunawar , david was already here...so I called him.He told me that he got the seat too....I insisted on him coming over to choose my seat.Mine is spacious, good seating area and big.I Had Ban Mian while they both had Tom yam Mee..I really did not know why they had to order same food almost everytime I had meal with them...talking about playing safe...bleah

You're Triumph of the Will! You enjoy
politics a bit too much. That means you're
probably intolerant of others' views, and you
also want to kill millions of Jews. Really, you
do. Bastard.


Which classic European film are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Don't go off wandering

I woke up late......miss M438 lecture again.I had my brunch at McDonalds Restaurant...did some reading up and time management later.....I went to school for my M141 Tutorial.I met Jimmy and Ming Wei at LT2....I was totally bonked.....I just hated strangers and engineering......

Sincere Friends:
- Know my feelings
- Reveal to me how they feel
- Teach me about myself
- Are comfortable with silence
- Feel Free to tell the truth
- Give me freedom to fail
- Love me for who I am

Superficial Friends
- Know only the facts about me
- Tell me what they've done
- Tell me about others
- Feel awkward with silence
- Would leave me if I let them down
- LOve me for what I can do

Put gloomy thoughts aside and set new goals, because new activities will bring excitement and stimulation into your life. You've got a flea in your ear about something today and others easily get on your nerves. Minor health problems don't help. A one-sided infatuation could spell emotional disaster

I woke up at 10am,receiving two sms from zaidi 1) meet at 1.30pm at Yew Tee MRT station and 2) Activation starts at naval base secondary school. Having tipsy mind, i just sms 'Huh?' I came to realization that they were being activated by their reservist unit and I was not involved in that unit anymore.Now I started to get panicked who I should go with.I was seriously need to see the bridegroom.This bridegroom was the one who changed my life totally during my national service.

He was a bunk buddy of mine...Our double-deck bed were situated at the corner, somehow our sanctuary. We were much closer and he always helped me without failure and generous at giving encouraging words and praises.He is just more mature than any one of us who were much older than him.But he can be very fun and big bully too. As he used to do body-building, he was the one who made me grow interest in weight training and growing big..Look at me now....a hunk! thanks to him....How much he forced me to drink two scoop of whey protein every night without failure and hit the gym , sacrificing his night-offs..I am truly grateful.

I sms Ricky whether he was free to accompany me to the wedding.I fetched him and also fetched Simon at Bangkit Rd.That was really pissed me off.I really ahted fectching someone at unknown area or their own area for their own convenience.I felt like a taxi driver........really hated that feeling...

I managed to see other guys - Ashik, Nizam, Zaidi, Irman and Nazri. Zaidi told me that they went to the wedding first in case the activation might delay them later. I did some catching up with them but then they made a move earlier since they came earlier.If only....simon just met me somewhere nearby when I was on the way. Herwan was very good-looking in that blue traditional malay wedding clothes and his wife was beautiful too.....I somehow felt mixed-up - happy for him....feeling lonely for me.Two close friends of mine had new role now (husband).I knew I would be drifting away from him.....I m swinging single and i should hang out with singles too....Talking about their spouse or other half really pissed me off......I will go green.

After sending them back home, I had conference call with bunawar, David and Terence using terence's phone to discuss the plan later.It was raining heavily actually.I hated to drive on raining day.David just bought digital camera at $179 ONLY....He did say that he would not buy the digital camera yet he bought it.......bleah!

Terence asked me to fetch Nick at Bukit Batok if I went to leave early or esle they would go for a swim at Queenstown at 8pm. I was like.....fucked......Why MUST I fetch everyone? DId they know that I just pumped petrol at $10....I m not even working yet....I was on the PIE when Terence called me to meet him at Nick's place.I was burning with anger.Where was his promise to meet at the convenient place for me to pick up.Fine...i just went there....worse I had to wait for them again at the carpark....and Bunawar was smsing where I was....I should have picked him first.......I was so pissed that I just drove to place where he promised to meet me......I was really being generous enough.....Now I fetched Bunawar with worse than hell attitude.

We had dinner at Nasi Lemak stall near at Clementi Rd. We met Shiqi, Qing Long and his friend.It was very coincident to meet them as Terence and I mentioned Shiqi just few days ago.We chatted a bit....he was jobless too.....They was from Sentosa...Must be the beach volleyball session. We went to Kallang McDonald to do some revision/reading/others.At 11pm........feeling adventurous, I drove to Changi Village to eat the famous Nasi Lemak and also to check out the transexual.....These 'ladies' really made any girl envious.They are so beautiful ( the petite one ) not that big or bulky ones...I am not into Missy Elliot body frame.....They look like runaway models - tall, slim, voluptous, straight hair, fair, nice feature, good fashion sense......I would go wolf-whistling at them.....If only they are real ones....... I seriously could help staring at their well-endowed boobs.......if only they are real....

I sent them back home ..I reached home at 2am after pumping petrol at full tank that cost me $32.50.I was getting poorer.....I promised that I would never ever want to drive again......unless
1) I went clubbing and need a company .......I would volunteer to send back home.
2) They want to go clubbing or other place, they better fork up some money to pay my petrol...sorry dudes.....I am not doing any charity.....I rather shared cab with them....At least we shared the cab fee...As for me I have NR5 and 174M available to send me back home. $2/$3 per person is not that expensive compared taking a taxi.
3) I send the ladies back

Please don't ask me same question : Do you drive ? Instead , ask me a question : Wanna go xxxxxx , we can fork up some money for the petrol since your are not working?

Today Horoscope reads:
New opportunities come your way today, which will make you feel positive about your future. However, discuss as little as possible regarding your goals with others. Someone you work with cannot fully be trusted, so keep your own counsel

I went to King Albert Park McDonald Restaurant to have my usual Fish n chip meal - It is the cheap combo meal around plus the mandarin flavoured pie.I hate tat new pie, sucks totally.I just get rid of the filling and eat it emptily.I did some reading up before heading to YCK for a jog.

My stamina had been improving these few days....at least it might be the consistent jogging sessions I had ..or maybe the music I listened while jogging motivated me.Music has power to get your mind away from the fact that you're running with hard work.Or I just wanted to impress people on the tracks.Gosh! I was so lame..whatever....that's me

I went to meet Terence and Nick at Heeren.....I took bus 853 , end up at kallang basin....walked to People Association to take bus 7.It was really waste of time when u did not know the bus service well...and u wanted to save money on transportation....I have tertiary bus stamp........we met at Centerpoint McDonalds Rstn....I told them I would not wish to ahve dinner at Mc again......I need rice or other else..not burger again.Nick just got Xbox becaus ethe starhub promotion.Terence ask me to go and apply too.I was like..huh....I really not that interested in playing games...It sure got me addicted and I would waste my time playing instead of doing other constructive work.I had no discipline too.......We went to Maxwell market to eat , with intention to walk around the Chinatown.It was so overcrowded...I was carrying haversack..really not having great time when people pushed you around.....I reach home at 12am.

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

ABBA - Happy New Year

renewal

Fresh business proposals look pretty enticing. Be original in your correspondence, especially if it involves someone you love. Guests could crowd your house for a pleasant and wonderful evening, but home improvement projects will take up a lot of your thought processes.

I woke up late and mis two lectures.Why can I be more proactive in going to school?I went to Jurong Point to return books, buy cat litter, buy some grocery.

Grocery List:
1) Chicken fillet
2) Lettuce
3) Purple Cabbage
4) Mustard and low-fat mayonaise
5) strawberry
6) Wholemeal bread

low fats, high carbs/protein ad high fibre/vitamins.I really wondered why most healthy food and fruits cost much higher than processed food or unhealthy counterparts?

I went to YCK gym and start working out my whole body.I began to noticed that my skin start to peel...must be my overtan yesterday.It caused sunburn since the skin started to peel several days after the sunburn.

I met David and Bunawar at Holland Village Burger King Restaurant at 7pm.At that time, skin peeling was getting nasty...somehow I really look like leper.Worse there was an obvious contrast to the darker skin which was not peeled yet.Horrifying!!No more tank top, no more afternoon swim, no more tan, no more exposure.I badly need to buy some moisturizer to keep this peel at bay or maybe not at obvious state.It really getting gross..

Then we travelled to Clementi Central to meet up with Terence.I saw Junior and had a short conversation.I had Nasi Bryani ( horrible and expensive)...and we had some chat until 10pm ..then we went back home.

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '97, Wear sunscreen!

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now...

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; Oh never mind, you will never understand the power and the beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in twenty years, you will look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future or worry that know that worrying is as affective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that blindsides you at 4 PM on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other peoples' hearts; don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy, sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters; Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.

Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.

Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the "Funky Chicken" on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either.

Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can, don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room.

Read the directions even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Brother and sister together will make it through,
Some day a spirit will take you and guide you there,
I know you've been hurting, but I've been waiting to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out, whenever I ca-a-an

Chorus

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings. They are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go. But a precious few, who should hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, for as the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain alible truths: prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old and when you do, you'll fanaticise that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you.

Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse but you'll never know when either one will run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're forty, it will look eighty-five.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of wishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling for more than it's worth. But trust me on the sunscreen.

Everybody's Free, oh yeah, to feel good, ohhhhh, to feel good.

Rush Hour

Getting involved with prestigious organizations will be to your advantage, Capricorn. A journey will bring pleasure and prosperity, but you may also spend lavishly on yourself and others. You are uncharacteristically open under these influences and this openness will bring warm new friendships.

I went to school to meet up with my FYP supervisor,Ass Prof Jiang San Ping at his office at 10am. My selected project is Fabrication and characterization of Membrance-electrode-Assembly (mea) for polymer Electroylte Fuel cell>HE did give me some overview of fuel cells.I was quite bored with the 15minutes conversation somehow but then I still had to show some interest in the subject.I was just saying 'ok' and 'hmm'most of the time. Actually I was directed to the PHD student as my direct supervisor instead.I was like surpised and was cool with it.On the way there, He asked me the most-asked question, 'Are you local?' ......... yawns

When we reached to fuel lab(It is an airconditioned environment), i was introduced to Mr Liu Zheng Cai.He orientated me around and told me the objective of my FYP. During our conversation, most of the time, or rather in 5sec interval, i kept saying 'huh'.I just simply did not understand his accent, hence could not make out what he said.He is from china.His pronounciation is different from us, Singaporean.

At 1pm, I went for a tan at clementi swimming pool.I never realised that i was overtanned.It was horrible now because I overdid it..arghh...Now my skin started to peel.I quickly rushed to the school to meet Hung Yong.He asked me to watch the IHG cheerleading competition.He commented on how dark I was...truly...I look damn dark more than tanned.We sat down at canteen 2 while waiting for Kailing.

THe competition started at 7.30pm and the hall D at SRC was getting packed.Anyone who attended this event would know that cheerleading has evolved. Pretty girls with attitude may have had an edge in the past, but cheerleading today is much more physically demanding, and males have been added to the mix. It's a different ballgame.I could not deny that one has to be committed to staying physically fit and obviously outgoing and with charming smile.Mistakes do happen.One of the biggest changes is the fact that a background in tumbling or gymnastics is practically a requirement. Leading the hall fight cheer or a dozen dance step doesn't cut it anymore. Crowds have come to expect the back flips, basket tosses and flier stunts that never fail to amaze. Hall 1, hall 6..namely fews meet our requirement.

Perhaps the biggest change we may notice was the number of men.More and more guys are more accepting the cheerleading more like a sport.They definitely did great jobs doing those stunts.I mean the guy throws the girl up in the air, she does a flip, and he catches her. Well, it's hard to tell exactly where they are in the middle of it. You just pray and trust that the guy will catch you. Not many guys can do that. It takes a lot of strength.....I guess there's such a competitive edge to cheerleading now.I did manag to say hi to some familiar people as well as the former hall 14 cheerleaders.

1st: Hall 1
2nd: Hall 13
3rd: Hall 14 ( Yeah)

Mascot winner: hall15 ( the polar bear) - I though the bumble bee will win cos it is funny and cute.

I went back with Kailing at 10pm.I guessed she really needed time to do some reading up on her QA material for tommorow Q & A session with her supervisor.Good luck!!

Back to school!! :(

Today Horoscope reads:
Travel and communication with people from far away can establish new and important contacts for Sea Goats. This period is also good for taking important people into your confidence regarding your new projects and plans and it would definitely help if you mixed with cultured or academic types.

I did 100 reps of lower and upper abs exercise.At 11am I headed to school library.I really hated the idea of going to school.It was packed with first year student requesting for notes, other buying notes and oethr patiently line up for the notes being printed.I managed to get to buy M438 notes for lecture later and also got lucky to get the computer terminal.When I was about to print the materials, I realised I did not bring my cashcard.Bleh!!

I attended the M438 lecture at LT2.I did see some familar faces but just purposely engrossed in reading the lecture notes.Later,I just could not stop yawning at every 10 minutes interval.I often wonder why a lot of lecturers suck at teaching when they were students themselves once.

I went to Undergraduate Office to collect my letter of approval before heading to canteen 1 to meet Terence for lunch.I was a littled pissed off at the letter from vice-dean (academic):

......However, the school is concerned that you are likely to encounter difficulties in coping with both your FYP and your other subjects.It is therefore with reluctance that the SChool grants approval for you to undertake your FYP since you ahve shown us your study plan, which I exhort you to follow closely..........Let it also be made clear to you that,should your progress of your FYP be unsatisfactory,your FYP supervisor will report to me.If you do not make good, you risk failing the subject.

Then, i read it oevr and over and over again.It did give me determination and somehow motivation ( weird) to show them that I can make it, just that I must work harder and spend more time lesser hanging out /chilling out.I went back home after lunch when I suddenly developed stomach upset.I shitted twice!I guess It might the baked bean I cooked early for my breakfast.........

All in all, if this first day is any indication (yeah, I know...), this year looks rather difficult and quite un-fun. Bleh. I suppose I'll just muck through it, amusing myself by dressing up and acting dumb in fornt of those geeks.

Feeling blue

Today horoscope read:
Avoid travel if possible and unnecessary arguments and discussions today. A budding romance is on the horizon for the single Capricorn. An old friend could come knocking on your door unexpectedly, bringing wonderful, nostalgic memories., but a senior relative could be particularly demanding

seems that I would be alone on sunday.A friend asked me to go Sentosa but somehow I rejected the idea cos I was still trying, strongly to get my body back in shape.I did not wish to make fool of myself with flabs and fats all around my body at the beach.I went to HMV at Orchard Rd to listen to music.It was so hard to see so many people and couples around while I was all damn alone, somehow I felt inadequate.I really hated festive season.I might have suffered "festive blues'' - The period which is usually associated with happiness, so feeling of loneliness and isolation are amplified if one can't share same happiness.

What makes everyone including me lonely:
1) You can be trying to gulp down a dinner after work when you see a group of friends at one corner of restaurant laughing away at someone's jokes and having a good time
2) A scene from a movie can spark off some memory of a good time in the past which you enjoyed with friends, but now makes you feel lonely
3)You can be at MRT station and see a couple exchanging gifts with smile on their faces
4)You can picture in your head a group of friends coming together, toasting each other in anticipation of the New Year.

Loneliness happens more often during festive season because everywhere,everyone goes big on spreading the love.Well, the important thing is to acknowledge the mood and move on after the initial period of sadness.I don't want the day when I can't sleep, can't eat and feel guilty or hopeless until I might attempt suicide.Scary!!!!

I guess I will give a chance to me to bring and spread joy and happiness to others instead of searching for solution.I may even ease my own pain.Any comments??

Achievement

Today horoscope reads:
You have the ability to achieve a great deal today, so go after the opportunities that will be coming your way. You have a sharp and active mind with a thirst for knowledge and this is very attractive to other people. Again, your dreams are very important but remember, they are primarily symbolic and shouldn't usually be taken literally.

I woke quite early today, had my breakfast at Mcdonald restaurant while reading some personal training business book.I want to a part-time fitness instructor because i need cash.I saw One of the MPE students there with his beautiful galfriend.Sighs....lonely...heck!!

I met bunawar at 2pm at clementi and headed to the cantoment condominium at Killiney Rd.I was impressed at the location and the place.How i wished i would stay here or bough it for my parents.but it cost almost near million.....hmmm....bunawar , nick, terence and I played games , dreamcast brought by Terence.

I have this problem while playing games: I have tendency to follow my character's movement like flying kick, side kick, karate chop even with a controller on my both hands.I always want to WIN.

Bunawar and I went to YCK gym to do somw work-out.I did serious whole body work-out, beside apparently admiring my new tan.This damn fat guy blocked my mirrow view and did his shoulder shrugs.Rule 1: Never ever block other people's reflection because he is either trying to correct his posture or just being vain.I just slammed the dumbell and went towards bunawar.After that, we went for a jog at nearby stadium.I did 6 rounds and totally exhausted.Then we went for a swim....I just did some 3 laps only.It really wore my body off.....

We went to Bugis to have our dinner ( opp bugis junction ) I love the food there.Then Nick and Terence came to meet us.I somehow felt stoned...not in the mood to strike any conversation and even go to club.It was Victor's birthday but I just too tired....

I don't like attention

Don't trust others with important information today. Opportunities for a new and exciting relationship is yours if you are prepared to put some effort into socialising. Hold back the plastic on things you don't absolutely require. If you have to make an important decision today, use your head and not your heart

I started early morning jog at nearby neighbourhood park.Listening to music motivated me to jog more rounds despite the rising sunlight and the chatting aunties hogging the running track.I cooled down while watching Britney spears performance at MTV channel.

I rushed to YCK pool to have a great tan.Somehow In the western part of the singapore was quite cloudy.I had 2 hour of tan and i went back home to have my lunch. Bunawar called me and we made plans to go for a swim. While Waiting at clementi, there was a drama shoot of heartlander drama at clementi central.I mean I saw Vincent wearing police uniform nabbing the robber.Watching live for 10 minutes, i realised that being an actor is not an easy task actually.They trade their privacy with fame. Sad

We went to Delta pool for a swim and coincidently met David there.I did several laps as well as cool down my overly tanned bods - I guess I got sunburn beacuse my skin is very itchy and painful to touch.

We have dinner at Thai Express restaurant.I ahve this friend rice with shrimp paste thingy.It was nice but then it was expensive. $7.90 just to eat fried rice.I saw patrick too there. We headed home.

Feeling Adventurous

Today Horoscope reads:
Organize your day carefully and pay very careful attention to detail as a revelation is in the stars. Your dreams are especially prophetic at the moment and you should write them down upon waking. Someone close to you may overreact to a situation and it's up to you to calm them down. Only talk to people you can trust and otherwise, play your cards close to your chest.



The Frienster Profile Picture


I hit the gym at 10.30pm...Did intensive work out on my shoulder.Then I went for a intensive tan at 12pm. It was crowded as usual.These two gals was walking past me.One of them was wearing brown bikini.I was like can't stop looking at her.If i was the one of judge for the reality show "Äre you Hot?":
Face: 7.5 ( maybe she did not dolled up)
Body: 9.5 ( She is very curvy and nice butt just jennifer lopez )
Sex appeal: 9 ( her long hair and the way she walked
just so appealing)

And the guy beside me who also this typical good looking chinese tanned too.
Face: 8 ( typical feature of good looker -nice hair, nice eyes and chiselled face but got pimple - maybe eat too much whey protein0
Body - 8.5 ( bigger chest than mine, abs but small legs - typicl singaporean gymmer)
Sex appeal - dunno ( Will i care ??)

THe sight of gorgoeus people wearing minimum really belittled me. The obvious statement I made beacuse I have ugly bods....arghh...

I went home and slept...Some how My bod ached whole body.Been a long time I hit the gym.


So many gorgoues people belitlled me a bit.

Are you man enough for a coat of lipstick?
The first male cosmetic line on market now - Tout beau Tout Propre (TBTP) range - packaged in discreet and masculine black. TBTP means clean and beautiful.It consist of bronzer and brush,a kohl pencil and concealer in one, lipsticks come in hree colours, lip gloss and nail pen,shaped as highlighter to give nails that shiny post-manicure buff.

The creator ,Gaultier says that it is not designed turn guys into sissies but it is to accentuate their complexion and make them feel good. Men generally closet vainpots.Everyone loves to look good.It is inherent in everyone.

The bronzing powder cost $84 and the kohl pencil-and-concealer combo cost $34.When launched at Tangs, teh range is not going to be in the cosmetic and fragrance hall of store.But a promotional area in men's department where they can 'hide'from the crowd.

Somehow ti may take some doing to change the mindset of the singaporean men who think make-up is taboo but then men need to look good too because we are also judged on how we look.I will agree to use bronzing powder, moistirizer, concealer and lip roll but NOT EYELINER OR LIPSTICK.or else I would feel like a woman.

This SMU student commented that no self-respecting man would wear make-up.It's still very much a taboo.I respect his opinion but I guess he is not open-minded about these masculine enhancer.NO self-respecting man would do injustice to himself not to look good and will be adventurous enough to try anything new and challenging. I mean wearing eyeliner and lipstick a little too much to take and uncomfortable. bronzing powder anyone?

My Appeal Has Been Approved

Today Horoscope reads:
Some good opportunities are likely to come your way if you keep an open mind. Family members are very demanding at the moment, but there's not much you can do about it. If you are planning to have a party then go for it, as it is sure to be a success. After all your hard work recently, you need to let your hair down

I made some Chinese fried rice for me and my family before heading down to YCK stadium for a morning jog.It came to my realisation that i forget to bring my track shoes.Absent-minded me!!!! I had to have a breakfast at McDonalds at Ang Mo Kio Central.Around 10am, I went back to YCK to ahve an early swim...Then I tanned for while.

I received a call from MPE office that my appeal to tak FYP was approved and I was required to register by today.I was like shouting in the shower room to share my joy to any idiots inside...I quickly rushed back to register my FYP.

Somehow the selection were a little bit limited.Guess I pick the choice of my preference ( Which I find none appealing ).

Choice No. 1 Fabrication and characterization of membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) for polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Choice No. 2 Semantic analysis of linkage for website design
Choice No. 3 CAD/CAM Parameterization of Structural Design Geometry
Choice No. 4 Educational sofware on modelling
Choice No. 5 Development of Software Application on Freezing of Food

Somehow these sentences looked very strange to me now.Whatever.

You are Wintergreen.
You are cool and collected. You are very
comfortable with yourself and what you do.
Even if you have a lot of responsiblities, you
always manage to be in control. You are
sometimes laid-back and you are always the
voice of reason. However, others may see you
as lazy or detached sometimes, unable to act
responsibly.
Most Compatible With: Lime


Which Tic-Tac Flavor Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Brand New Day

Again I did not sleep .....I really need to change this kind of lifestyle ( stay awake whole night till morning , then sleep whole morning till afternoon ) I went for jog at neighbourhood park nearby, listening to Kelly Clarkson's latest song: The trouble with love is...Beautiful

Ooooohhh…
Oooohhhh ya
Mmmmm

Love can be a many splendored thing
Can't deny the joy it brings
A dozen roses
Diamond rings
Dreams for sale
And fairy tales
It’ll make you hear a symphony
And you just want the world to see
But like a drug that makes you blind
It’ll fool you every time

The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger then your pride
The trouble with love is
It doesn’t care how fast you fall
And you can’t refuse the call
So you’ve got no say at all

Now I was a once a fool it’s true
I played the game by all the rules
But now my world’s a deeper blue
I’m sadder but I’m wiser too
I swore I’d never love again
I swore my heart would never mend
Said love wasn’t worth the pain
But then I hear it call my name

The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger then your pride
The trouble with love is
It doesn’t care how fast you fall
And you can’t refuse the call
So you’ve got no say at all

Every time I turn around
I think I’ve got it all figured out
My heart keeps callin
And I keep on fallin
Over and over again
This sad story always ends the same
Me standin' in the pouring rain
It seems no matter what I do
It tears my heart in two

The trouble with love is (the trouble with love)
It can tear you up inside (it can tear you up inside)
Make your heart believe a lie (Make your heart believe a lie)
It's stronger than your pride
(The trouble with love is) It's in your heart it's in your soul
(It doesn't care how fast you fall) You're losing all control
(And you can’t refuse the call)
So you’ve got no say at all
The trouble with love is (Oooo….ya)
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie (the trouble with love..)

Kelly Clarkson - The trouble with love is

I did some cooking , refeshing up.....Then i went to Jurong point to get my account number and bought some hair dye....then we back home...ate and slept till 5pm..supose to go gym but the weather kinda of bad...stay at home and did some reading up

LIfe as per Normal

Woke up at 6 pm.Imagine I really woke up at 6pm.Waste time really.I called Terence what 's his plan later because I was truly bored after refeshing shower.I fetched terence at 9pm and then I went to fetch Bunawar............Clubbing time....I hated parallel parking...Man I'm so horrible at parking or judging how much room I have ahead or behind my car. I go beyond what I think is too close and get out and see I have like a 1/2 a car length ahead of me. I need to solve this somehow without terence 's assistance ( He went out to instruct me to park) People Are just watching.............

5am ( 3rd January 2004)
I didn't sleep whole night. I was changing the outlook of my blog...vola! it is blue now.I had nasi lemak as my breakfast ( my father just bought it).

9am
We ( My family and I) headed to Sentosa for My father's workplace Family Day.Somehow I really didnot know why I agree to come here.I mean I am not that young to attend such family outing thingy. The game counter really did not interest me although I had about more than 10 games coupon.I just try to avoid embarassment.We watched the performance.Truly a culture shock! Bhangra music and dance, making the whole atmospher at the moment alive.They ( bangladesh workers ) had never stopped me amused.

5pm
I went to sleep till 2am. Just need to recuperate back the sleepless night.I receive a sweet surpise gift from my sister.It is Renoma wallet...that is the partical thing i really need now.Current I was using cardholder as my wallet..Truly cheap right?

I receive a sms which I think it was beautiful:

Friendship's like a garden.It's beautiful when watered with love,affections, tears and cheers.But it dries up if left untouched.

Age is catching up

Wishing..hoping
Today I m going 27....Gosh.....I m past mid years.....There are people who can be adapted to the common flaws and people who can't be adapted to other people's flaw.Just I want to be myself knowing exactly why I am here and who I am. It doesn't matter if no one understands. I don't want to be broken down by ambiguous things.There are too many questions.There is not one solution.There is no resurrection.There is so much confusion.

I'm not myself standing in a crowd.I'm not myself and I don't know how,I'm not myself all alone at night,I'm not myself don't know who to call,Don't know who I'm supposed to be,Don't really know if I should give a damn,I'm not myself at all

Searching...frantically..for me and my identity.....

6am
Good and Close friends smsing and icqing me a birthday greeting today.Kinda of sweet reading the message I start my day by going for 6 round jog at YCK stadium. Trees glittering in the morning sunlight, welcoming me with their gentle movement, birds chirping extraodinarily sweet, dew drops seems to whisper to me ...ahh...such a beautiful day. I went for a swim for 10 laps ,then went for a tan for 2 hours.I need to get back my tanline.Summer look is in now......

6pm
I was late, supposed to meet Hui Hui, Bee Lan and Hung Yong at 6pm...Just feeling tired after a morning exercise so I went to take a nap and seems N-gage alarm clock didn't bring a usefulness to wake me up.I quickly changed and drove to Orchard( With my usual high speed)

We had dnner at ZingDo restaurant at Ang Mo Kio Central. This time, I did not even finish my food because the korean food sucks big time and very expensive.It is their company I enjoyed mostBee lan ordred this Kim chi preserved cabbage thingy - damn spicy and sour ----- horrible. We played a game that who lose will eat that stuff.I asked them to guess what colour of my briefs i wear today.Lame right but then Bee Lan guessed correctly so Hung yong had to finish it. Sorry pal, I will never ever wear red briefs .First and last time to eat such food.They give me a birthday treat.

I parked my car at Nick's private apartment carpark and we walked to Esplanade.Somehow it was quite silly though as the journey was damn longa dn i can parked my car nearby esplanade. We chilled out at Embargo.This place is cool, man - the decor, music, people, atmosphere . It will be my other confirmed hang out place.I had Governors's smile at $10.

I brought them to the alternative club..dance and dance till 2am..Then we had supper at Kembangan.Sent them back home.I seriously enjoyed my birthday today.They had been celebrating with me for almost 3 years together.Love them all! Thanks , Beelan, Hui Hui and Hung Yong.......anyway U guys did not think that bag u gave me as a present kinda of small compared to my build.....*wink* anyway I appreciated it.....

The Beginning

Happy New to me......only consolation is to just sms my friends NY greeting..pathetic....Although i m in party mood ..just that i m down with flu and headache...Wat a good time to start a day.......

Just back from watching Lord Of The Rings at Jurong Entertainment Centre.....Although I m truly fan of special effect, i found that this movie really don't impressed me much than the second one....... So many questions occurred on my mind? But now doubts have been cleared.

Where does Frodo go at the end, and why? (obviously the single most confusing part of the movie)
Frodo goes to Valinor, the land across the sea that the elves are emigrating to. His trauma over carrying the ring, plus his wounds from the Nazgul blade on Weathertop and Shelob’s sting, cannot fully heal in Middle Earth. He goes to Valinor, aka the Undying Lands, which is sort of like a paradise, in order to find peace. Normally only elves and wizards, aka immortals are allowed to go (it used to be just another part of the map, but when the earth shifted from flat to round, it was "removed" from the "real" world (anyone read Mists of Avalon?)). But Frodo gets special passage because he’s a ringbearer (same deal with Bilbo...not the pain part, but the ringbearer-as-ticket part). He does not become immortal himself, although there is some indication that time passes differently there, so that he perhaps lived longer than normal.

Why didn’t the eagles just bring the ring to Mt. Doom?
Several reasons. One, Sauron would definitely notice a giant eagle flying into Mordor. They're not invincible. Two (per the directors commentary of the Fellowship dvd), the eagles had very specific reasons for doing things. They weren't just there to be the carrier pigeons of Middle Earth.

The third and most elegant explanation I've gotten comes from regular poster Lord_Natrone, who has allowed me to use his text here: "The Eagles are the servants of Manwe, Lord of the Valar. Their intervention is assumed to be through his grace. The Valar seem to have taken a minimal intervention approach to Middle-earth in the Third Age, and although they have interest in Sauron being defeated they won't just knock him down and be done with it. For this reason the Eagles are occasionally used to tip the scales back into balance for the good guys, but they are not at the call of the Free Peoples to solve their problems

Where were the elves and dwarves during all of the battles? Why didn't they come help?
Per poster Diamond-Eye: "The Elves and Dwarves were fighting their own battles. While the siege of Gondor is going own Sauron is also launching assaults on Lorien and Erebor, or the Lonely Mountain. After Sauron's defeat these forces were basically distraught at the destruction of their master and faltered in their attacks. The inhabitants of these lands, spurred on by the news of Sauron's defeat, regrouped and routed their attackers." I would add that in the books, Legolas makes a point of this at Helms Deep (in the books, no elves except for Legolas are at Helms Deep, which is different from the film). He laments that his own people will not come to help, but then points out that they have their own battles to fight. The dwarves and elves aren't just sitting pretty in their homes -- they have wars on their own fronts

Why weren't there orcs guarding the entrance of Mt. Doom?
One of our heroes' major advantages here is that it honestly never occurs to Sauron that anyone will try to destroy the ring. He knows how weak the hearts of men are, and expects them to use it, not destroy it. So he feels no need to guard a mountain that's already well within his well-protected borders.

Why isn't Gandalf more "wizardy"? Where are his cool powers?
Gandalf is a Maia (like a spirit) in the order of the Istari, which is a group of Maiar (including Saruman) that was sent to Middle Earth to help guide its residents. But they did not come without rules. They were sent to "train, advise, instruct, arouse the hearts and minds of those threatened by Sauron to a resistance with their own strengths". They were not permitted to display their powers in full force. It should also be noted that Peter Jackson has stated that he's not crazy about fireworks-type magic powers (nothing to do with the actual fireworks in the first movie). He prefers it to be more subtle.

Did Gandalf hold a ring of power?
Yes, Gandalf was the keeper of Narya, the ring of fire. This was one of the three rings given to the elves (in the prologue to the first film). You can see it on his finger in the last scene. For anyone wondering why it wasn't there before, the rings were invisible when worn while they had power, but when the one ring was destroyed, they became just regular old rings, and thus could be seen.

Why did Gandalf have an elvish ring when he was not an elf, you ask? Well, he wasn't the original owner. It went to Gil-Galad, and then to Cirdan, both elves. Cirdan was the one who gave it to Gandalf.

Gil-Galad also held Vilya, the ring of air, which he gave to Elrond. Galadriel is the keeper of Nenya, the ring of water. Anyone who has seen the extended version of the first movie has seen her show this to Frodo (supposedly the reason he can see it, even though it's invisible to most, is because he has worn the one ring and has seen the eye of Sauron, or because he is a ringbearer in the first place). So basically, that ship that carried the three of them was significant because it was bearing all three elven rings across the sea.

Why couldn't Sauron control the elven rings?
Sauron could control the rings while he wore the one ring. Once the ring was parted from him, however (and he was "killed"), the elves were able to wear and use their rings (NOTE: this is totally different from my previous answer, which you should just disregard).

What's the deal with Arwen's mortality?
Arwen gives up her immortality to be with Aragorn. Tolkien makes that fairly clear, I think (it's in the appendices). Some think this is because she is of a line that was "half-elven" (it's a long story -- both of her parents are elves; it just has to do with her bloodline), and thus she was given a choice that most elves don't have. Others think that elves just give up their mortality when they choose to marry mortals. Regardless, if she had remained immortal, she would not have been able to be with Aragorn after death: men who die go on to the next plane of existence (i.e. heaven), while elves, even when they "die" on Middle Earth, are tied to Aman (the world) until the end of time (elves who die just go to Valinor -- they don't go on to another world). That's one of the reasons her father was so against it -- because he would quite literally never see his daughter again, even after death. And that's (we think) why no ship would take her to Valinor anymore. She's no longer immortal. She has made that sacrifice for the chance to be with Aragorn after death (provided it's a choice -- if you go with the inevitability theory, it's a bit different).

Are Arwen and Aragorn related?
Yes, they are cousins many times removed. Aragorn is a descendent of Elrond's brother (of course, many generations down).

How the heck did Shelob's stinger get through Frodo's mithril vest?
Good question. In the books she is described as stinging Frodo on the neck, so that's not really an issue. But many people here have pointed out that in the film it looks more like she stings him in the chest (I don't remember myself...I may have had my eyes closed at that point). So either it's just ambiguous, and she actually stings him below the vest (let your imagination run wild), or it's a goof. [EDIT: Or she stings him in the neck, which is how another movie-goer has interpreted it. This is one for the slo-mo action on the dvd, I think.] [EDIT 2: There are two wounds on Frodo's chest when we see him in Cirith Ungol. One is undoubtedly his Weathertop wound. The other has been interpreted as being from when the troll spears him in Moria (although I've always been unclear on how much of a "wound" that would have been -- wouldn't it just be a big bruise?). Anyway, you could interpret that as the sting as well.]

How does Sam get Sting and the elvish light before confronting Shelob?
I don't remember exactly where, but at some point Frodo drops the light. When he's caught in the spider web, and hacking his way through to Gollum, right before he makes it through, Sting gets caught in the web, and he has to leave it behind (it's hanging there after he runs through). Presumably Sam picks up both as he follows Frodo's path.

How was Eowyn able to kill the Witch-king?
This is a biggie that people come up with different theories on. First is that she was able to do it because she was a woman, not a man, since the Witch-king is obviously convinced that no man can kill him (this is made extra confusing with her response "I am no man"). From what I've gathered on this board, the Witch-king's source of that information was a prediction by an elf called Glorfindel, who said that he would not be killed by a man (which of course, he wasn't). So it wasn't that she was able to kill him in a way in which a man would have been unable -- it's just that she fulfilled a prophecy.

There's also contention about the role of Merry in this whole thing. Merry (we think, although I've heard different opinions on this as well) stabbed the witchking in the leg with a Westernesse blade (the one Aragorn gave him on Weathertop in the first film), which was forged specifically to fight against the Witch-king (I believe before he actually became the Witch-king). Tolkien doesn't specify, but the theory is that this is a special blade that somehow rends the essence, or the fabric, if you will (not the clothing, but rather the force that holds him together) of the witchking, which is what makes Eowyn ultimately able to kill him with her plain old Rohirric blade.

It should be noted that this is a contentious point, especially since some people think in the movie that Merry stabbed him not with his Westernesse blade (there is even contention about whether or not he was given a Westernesse blade in the film) but with the Rohirric sword he got from Eowyn. Other people think it's possible that he used the elvish blade given to him by Galadriel. While this wouldn't have fit with Tolkien, i.e. there's no particular reason that an elvish blade would be successful, perhaps the director was trying to simplify things by fudging it and indicating that the elvish blade has a special magic to it. Who knows. (EDIT: this idea was nixed by Lady_Eowyn, who glued her eyes to the screen to determine this exact issue and decided he used the Rohirric blade). We'll have to wait again for the dvd so we can slo-mo that scene and really look at the weapon.

Why Aragorn didn't use the army of the dead at the Black Gate?
Our best theories are that either he wanted to keep his word or that since the dead were cursed for not coming to the aid of Gondor originally they can only be used for Gondor's defense but not in an attack made BY Gondor. (per Diamond-Eye) It should also be noted that at that moment, Aragorn didn't actually know yet that he would be marching on the Black Gate (as far as we know).