More explanations about meltdown last night

So.. I had a meltdown last night. Tuesday night, 29th November.

So what happened?

First thing in the morning, i sent my car to the mechanic expecting a favourable reply - i.e. no major problems.

10:30 called back. Hi Mr Lee? Looks like you've got a real problem here. Your transmission seems to have been tampered with. I am saying that someone tampered with the transmission so that it could be driven enough just to sell it.

I was like.. Wtf.

So car down. Later events of the day? Called dealer, screamed at them, emailed my international advisor, called dad. Dad went berserk. Said I got ripped off. Okay. So I did. It'll cost me $1.7k for repairs. Ok. I shall treat it as a lessons learnt and go to the Better Business Bureau to see how much I can claim back.

But that shall be after finals. I need to send an email stating my dispute to Luxury Motors. Wtf.

Then, before that, My computer crashed.

yay. Half a paper gone. All my pictures gone. Okay... Nvm. I shall use friend's computer. I am cool. I am not going to freak out.

And yesterday, Huiying said my homework was not handed in. No wonder I don't have a mark. And Mike is relying on my homework as well.

yay.

So i thought and thought and thought. Then over dinner, Dad called. Lambasted me. Whatever. Find attorney. Okay. See what I can do. okay.

Hello dad? Finals next week.

Nvm. I shall just heck it, pay money and treat it as lesson learnt.

I shall not trust people to hand up homework for me.

I shall back up all my important stuff on my external hard drive.

I shall not get anymore alcohol in dorm.

I shall not lie in the corridor on Max East and scream random stuff to people passing.

Now, people look at me funny. haha. They ask if I'm fine. Yes I am.

And I just got an order for $80 worth of alcohol for friday from friends:) hehe. I feel *loved*.

lip
ranting

yay

Too much to drink...

Car fucked up, Final Paper fucked up, Stats homework fucked up...

NEVER MIND!!!

DRINK GREY GOOSE! and ARBOR MIST!! and GODIVA LIQUER!!!

YAY!!!

lip
ranting

The difference between chio bus and pretty asian girls

Definition: Chio Bus are asian girls that Asian guys find hot.

Pretty girls are asian girls that Caucasians find hot.

Okay, I am SOOO going to get flamed for this, but there is a huge marked difference between Asian guy's tastes in asian girls and Caucasians' taste in asian girls.

Case in point:

Roommate: "I have a bet with *** to see who can fuck "Girl X" first.

Me: *jaw drops to floor*. WTF SHE'S NOT HOT.

Roommate: "SHE'S FUCKING AWESOME MAN

.

And so we argue.

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But seriously, don't you think there is a marked difference between the chio bus and the pretty girls? (P.S. My roommate is talking about "reevaluating his sexual preferences".

Right.

It all started with some girl.

HAHA.

More later.


lip
ranting

Ermmm Ging? Poser!

This HAS to be the WORST picture ever. Haha. "Posing in a Poserish Tee".
Incidentally, if you zoom into the picture, you can see the sign on the door that says: "No Lip Jin Allowed". This is the first time prohibition signs have been THAT specific. Thanks Stella:)

lip
ranting

Thanks Wenliang

Sometimes I really miss Singapore. And today is one of those days that I do.

Thank you Wenliang, for being honest and a GREAT colleague and even better friend in the army.

I had some spare time at hand to read lip's blog after my physics revision. If there is one guy who lives life to the fullest, lets agree that lip fits the bill. I have to admit that this guy is really a brilliant guy even though i thought he was arrogant at first. Yet, 1 year with him in 39SCE proved to show otherwise. Hmm..maybe this points to the fact that one needs to know someone in depth before judging a person. His versatility is something that i admire. Really talented guy i will say.

Anyway, lip, if ya happened to view my blog, all the best to you in Chicago and make sure ya scrimp and save more. Your lavish lifestyle is not too healthy man.haha..stop being a gadget whiz....haha...

After all the praising, moral of the story is not to judge a person by first impression. Before you condemn a person, one should ensure that he knows the person inside out.Well cos first impression are normally deviant from the actual fact itself. Thats right.

-Wenliang's blog

That is so true. First impressions don't count. I am a player. *WRONG*. I drink a lot. *WRONG*. I am arrogant. *WRONG*. Actually I can be, but I rather not be.

I guess being in Chicago with all my friends from olde times has really shown me how much I have changed over the years. Introspectively, I know I have gotten a lot less arrogant, but whether putting it down in words is just going to be viewed as self-praise/self-indulgence is up to the reader. I know I have changed. I know I have grown up.

I used to drive my parents crazy with my antics and my stubborness and rebelliousness. Now I know I am wrong. I used to bully my sister. Now I know I am wrong. I used to hurt the ones closest to me, manipulate them and look down on people. I know I am wrong.

Because everyone is unique. Everyone deserves respect (except for THAT ONE GUY), every deserves a chance to prove himself or herself. I have formed opinions on people in Chicago, I have made choices. Sometimes, perhaps I am too judgemental, but then again, I'd like to be forgiving and give chances. I'd like to be a better person.

And yes, I know I have to spend less. hehe. Now, THAT'S going to be hard to accomplish:)

And once again, I cannot say this enough, but I really appreciate everyone who has touched my life in one way or another over the past 21 years. I used to have a gauge of success - How much money you earn. Now, I'd like to think of how success you are by how many people show up at your funeral when you die, and how many of them are there and CELEBRATE your life.


lip
ranting

Quizzes & Random Stuff

Thanksgiving 2005. Singaporean's @ Adela's, Wanyun's and Andrews.

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Hanxue and her photogenic partner. and the Guy acting strange in White.

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Annie, Yihan, Andrew, Hanxue and Me:)

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Mentor!

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Hongkong people

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Formal

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Kindness Kindness is most important in a boyfriend/girlfriend. You want someone who will go through everything with you - the best moments and the worst, and all of those other moments in between. You love to be able to say anything to your partner, and have them say anything to you. You are able to be extremely close with your partner for that reason. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

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And so ends my random stuff.

And i really wish that sometimes, I would just cut the flippant comments that cause terrible misunderstandings. I almost lost someone I cared about, and I almost managed to screw my own life over. I can remember other times when I did just that, make comments and just royally screwed someone over big time. i should watch my words. Then again, it's a journey of discovery. And perhaps, I have always managed to get myself into situations with a random comment. Sometimes, maybe I should be less MCP and more SNAG. And somehow, the angsty, moody, comtemplative layered people tend to appear in my life more often.:)

Btw, My suitemate says you are hot:) I beg to differ. haha.

lip
ranting

Computer Crash

My computer crashed last night at 3:40 am.

I was Mapquesting the way to Aurora for the shopping trip this morning at 6 am with Yuan, Fifi and Sophia. and it died when I was transfering info to my PDA.

Naturally I screamed.

Then I woke up at 6 am, totally tired and drove to Aurora. Spent $250 bucks.

And now I'm back, using my friend's laptop and my computer is at U.S. Computer Store on 53rd.

Hope I did not lose all my info. Fuck.


lip
ranting

My New Car

Looks exactly like the Mazda I have at home. Except that this one has a spoiler, is left hand drive, and only costs $5k:). With a $500 per year depreciation! haha...

So it's only $500 per year + insurance + parking fees ($120 a month).

CHEAP!

Thanks Dad!

P.S. The whole journey to get a car was pretty hilarious. Thanks to Andy! for bringing me down to Orland Park. And thanks to Helena for tagging along:). For a T.S. Elliot like account from Andy about how we got lost, my credit limit got maxed out, called Dad to raise my credit limit.. blah blah blah.. look here

Mood: Happy

lip
ranting

Fucking Hell

Good day overall...

Woke up at 12 plus after 10 hours of rest, had a good practice with Shani for tonight's concert, went to the Regenstein to do work, had a good concert, went back to Regenstein in high spirits with the propect of getting a car on Tues and getting my Durkheim paper done...

And at 23:00 my good day came to a abrupt end.

Fuck. I should just remain my social self and not care so much about people anymore. The trouble when you let someone get too close to you is that they will be an asshole sometimes.

I hate that. Sorry.


lip
ranting

Best Pictures in the Picture book

Best photos on the Class of 2009 website.

Guys:

Issac Hur



Donald Bungam


Alexander Gallan


Jonathan Kurinsky - (have to put this up, my suitemate:)


Of course, myself included.


My other suitemate.. Aww.. no picture



Girls:

Ann Choi



Meryl King


Kim Ji Ae


Holly Lutz


Brittany Luberda


Stephanie Trick - Not a very good picture, but nice IRL:)


A measure of how sad Uchicago is. DISCLAIMER: In no way do these picture reflect the author's taste. It is solely based on pictures found online. If you disagree, leave a comment:)

lip
ranting

Laptops for the poor

BBC reported today that the UN was unveiling a $100 laptop for the poor.

"The idea is that it fulfils many roles. It is the whole theory that learning is seamless," said Professor Negroponte, who set up the non-profit One Laptop Per Child group to sell the laptops to developing nation governments.

Forget laptops. Get food UN. Learning is all well and good, but satisfying the basic needs of the wretchedly poor is more important than ensuring they get a laptop for learning.

Each laptop can feed a hungry family in Somalia for a month. And what makes you think that providing laptops would be sufficient for children to learn if they do not have a good infrastructure and learning environment in the first place?


P.S. I haven't been reading the news for some time, hence my lack of "knowledge" posts on the world which I was very fond of. I shall subscribe to Straits Times now...

lip
ranting

I'll graduate in 3 years time:)

When I was young and innocent

Flings

My friend posted this on her blog, and I felt compelled to offer my own thoughts.

Topic of the day: Flings.Why topic of the day? Somehow 2 grp of my friends brought it up. How ironic

-Discussion 1 during ethics project meeting-Was suppose to be
doing ethics presentation but somehow duno how come we end up talking abt flings(... ) And it all started with me finding a ang moh fling & how i should go fling overseas. Like errr... That aside... So i posed this qn... "So how do we define what is a fling?" A qn that we all couldn't really ans... Our conclusion: No strings attached. Short term. Categorize into 2:
sexual and non sexual flings. And a lot more crap that's not worth mentioning-End of discussion 1

No strings attached? So it's purely a friend with benefit? Somehow, I don't agree. Once you form an emotional attachment with the other person (which I agree all flings must have, to a certain miniscule degree), there are strings attached no matter how much you try not to form strings. What defines a fling? Is it a relationship? Yes and no. Yes because mainly, everyone recognises the coupling, but then again, there is the quality of transcience in the relationship, that both parties know it would never last. And once that quality is lost, that one party starts seeing more into the relationship than the other, that's when the official flings stops and descends to a deeper emotional level.

This brings me to the next qn of then wat is a r'ship... what does it mean to be in a relationship? to be attached? to be dating someone? wat constitutes being together? Does it start of as strangers then u become acquaintance then friends then u date then when that magical qn is popped u become attached? Haha... The whole process is getting GREYER... What once used to be distinctive black n white is no longer the case. Everything has been blurred... Lines are dividing these two colours are disintegrating... n the colours r mixing... mixing too well... so welll tt it's grey.

Well said, my friend:). Nothing is ever black and white ever again.

Argh. I shall go back to something more concrete, more evidential. MATHEMATICS! MID TERM TOMORROW! Die.


lip
ranting

Winter

"Hell does freeze over" -or so they say about Uchicago.

The interesting things about the U of C are that we value academics much more than our social lives (woe betide), we do not have grade inflation, and we constantly have this nerdy culture that we are proud of.

Slogans like "Where the Fun Comes to Die" and "Where the only thing that goes down on you is your GPA" are really funny. In a nerdy type of way. And the funny thing is, we are all proud of it.

And look at all the interesting things we have over here. Polar Bear Run, in the dead of the midwest winter. For those who have lived their whole life in tropical Singapore, Winters in the Midwest are Hell. It can get to negative 20. Farenheit. With Windchill of course. (that's approx -40 celcius). Reason? Continentality. Illinois is right beside Lake Michigan, rather Inland, and thus, there is greater variablity in temperature throughout the year: Hot summers and Cold winters. Whee... Btw, the Polar Bear Run is where runners go stark naked in the middle of winter and run through the campus. Crazy.

And check out scavenger hunt at http://scavhunt1.uchicago.edu/oldsites/2001/. In 1999, 2 students built a working Nuclear Reactor for Scavhunt, the most anticipated event in Uchicago. It's superb fun. Check out the nuclear reactor news here.

In other news, I need a car. I shall put my pleading on my blog:). And discuss the reasons with parents in Dec.

1. Go Chinatown! I am sick of Barlett Food. I am sick of taking bus down to Chinatown in Winter and suffering the cold. I am sick of spending $20 on cab fares to buy stuff from Ikea and Target. Thus, I need a mode of transport.

2. Cars are cheap here. You can get a 2nd hand car (good quality) for around $5k USD. That's around the price of 1/10th of a grand piano. Yay. And it's safer too. Because Hyde Park has 2 crazy gangsters who are robbing people at gun point and I tend to stay outside of my dorm for extended periods of time:).

Okay. I shall not bitch in public. Haha. Mum, Dad, take care! Sis too! And bro, spend less time on the computer. If you're reading this. haha. I wanna go Zouk! I wanna go MOS! I wanna eat Roti Prata and Chicken Rice and Char Kway Tiao. Damn.


lip
ranting

Interesting Song:) Make of it what you will

I'm Not in Love ( 10 CC )

I'm not in love, so don't forget it.
It's just a silly phase I'm going through.
And just because I call you up,
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made.
I'm not in love, no no, it's because...

I like to see you, but then again,
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me.
So if I call you, don't make a fuss -
Don't tell your friends about the two of us.
I'm not in love, no no, it's because...

I keep your picture upon the wall.
It hides a nasty stain that's lying there.
So don't you ask me to give it back.
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me.
I'm not in love, no no, it's because...

Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me.
Ooh, you'll wait a long time.
I'm not in love, I'm not in love...

lip
ranting

Fall Formal

Went to fall formal today, back from it.

It was good, Lousy music, not enough food, but good enough company.

I shall post more photos in the future

lip
ranting

My Favourite Posts

I should have a template linking to my favourite quotes and posts. But here they are. In my journey of self-discovery, I have realised that I am not perfect, that I am flawed. Christians turn to God to patch up their flaws, and in some way, maybe I do look to a higher being. But I firmly believe my destiny is my own hands, to do as I wish with it. Here are some of my more lucid moments and posts.

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2/12/2005

well, valentines day is coming soon. hehe. just 2 days away actually. and i'm all alone. all those singles, care for a KTV break come monday:)? to sing away the blues and whine away? heh. well, i read somewhere: marry the one who loves you more than you love him/her. at least you won't get hurt that way. cynical, but very true.

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1/28/2005: Less Thought About Post

sometimes i look at the situation i am in. i really am such a klutz around girls:) i am not a sweet talker, i am not someone who is forthright with feelings. i tend to be objective, rational and sincere in dealings with people, or rather, i am trying to be objective rational and sincere. perhaps the best compliment paid to me thus far is not for my talents, but rather, for my effort in overcoming my main weakness: arrogance and complacency. i need to work towards a more humble self, to overcome my short comings, to be sincere in relationships. i guess i really am extroverted after all...

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1/15/2005

sometimes i wonder where that someone i can talk to without fear of hiding behind a mask is. i realised in 20 years, a lot can happen. sometimes, everyone should take up their photo albums, their diaries and re read what they had in mind last time.do you believe in soul mates? do you really? or is everyone just caught up in their veneer of outward happiness and inward sorrows?

sometimes i really hate being gep. causes you to overanalyze things. and lose the ones you love. or loved.

wishing everyone a happy new year.

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"When Conscience governs Vision, Discipline and Passion, You get a Gandhi. When Ego governs Vision, Discipline and Passion, You get a Hitler..."

Vision, Discipline and Passion. To be truly great, one needs a combination of all three, governed by conscience and ya your beliefs and morals. You also need humility, something i am in short supply of. you need to put the needs of others above your own.. oh well read shar's blog today. insecurity... hmmmm.. is it good to be insecure? actually, we all are, i just choose to ignore it. after all, only the exhibition and externalising of insecurities can anyone truly tell you are insecure... we are all human, and to be great, you have to let others know you are not the super CEO or the superman or super president we all come to expect. you are human. as human as those who died in the tsunami. as human as the guy next to you at the traffic jam...

there is a price to pay for success. i really have been paying very little for mine.. i truly am blessed, and i recognise that.. others with much more success have paid much much more. is it not true that our PM is only human? to lose a wife and to have an abnormal kid, doesn't it cut him as deeply as the rest of us?

the sooner we realise we are all similar can the world improve on its disposition. i paid prices, sacrifices and had many breaks in life. i hope to be generous, to bring joy to other people.

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5/21/2005
i don't know. maybe our younger generation is more open to such things, but even i am feeling the pressures of being the first grandson in a traditional chinese family.

i remember my grandmother bringing me downstairs when i was staying in laguna park, burning incense and paper "nuggets" for my ancestors. i took it up with gusto back then. folding, burning with glee. i was only 7.

and then i remember my grandfather is hospital, saved from a heart attack, the episode leaving him far weakened than ever before, and with much less mobility. he can still walk, thank god.

i don't know. why can't the younger generation make decisions entirely our own, for we have our families to answer to, and subsequently, our future wives and husbands and families to be. that we must do our best now for a better future tomorrow?

but then again, i am not one to worry about such intrigues. Que Sera Sera

Once again i have failed to blog happy post that makes people laugh, but rather a serious post that is a total counterbalance to my happy side that i prefer to show people. how ironic. but those who know me, know that i have always been deep.

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Isn't it better to write about your feelings then to vent them out on those who care about you the most?

lip
ranting

Do I look like Ham Sup Kia to you?

A friend today told me that I was a playa.

I was like whattt?!?!...

Firstly, to be a player, you need to actually look good.

Sorry folks, first criteria I fail liao. I just have darn good relationships that I take the trouble maintain even when I'm 2000 miles away haha. People matter. And that's the short and sweet of it.

Anyway, I'm of the firm belief that everything is transient, so might as well enjoy life, have a good time, try everything once and generally carpe diem all the way right?

But then again, I can be responsible. If I want to be. So if you don't know me that well, shut the fuck up and shove your bloody opinions and comments right up your own ass.

Have a nice day


lip
ranting

Love 101

I shall set up a new course in Uchicago called Love 101.

Programs of study:

Requirement for:
Biological Chemistry
Chemistry
Humanities

Program Requirements:

B.A. Program. The program for the bachelor's degree offers a balance of practical, theoratical and bitching programmes.

The required course in Love skills is:
Bitching 101
Sex 101 - 401 (Masters programme available)
Sweet Talk 101-201-301
Cooking 101 (For girls)
Buying cheap gifts that look expensive 101 (For guys)
Moving on 101


Honors: Students who have a GPA of at least 3.0 overall and at least 3.5 in the major AND who show competency in sex skills. Moreover, practical experience must be demonstrated in live demonstrations under "artistic" merit.

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[23:29] mango: you seem slightly hyper

[23:29] mango: hahaha

[23:29] Lip Jin: l'enfant terrible. I left a girl back in Singapore. Her name was Ice Kachang.: i know

[23:29] Lip Jin: l'enfant terrible. I left a girl back in Singapore. Her name was Ice Kachang.: i'm in my depressed mood now

[23:29] mango: eat too much chocolate izzit

[23:29] mango: why?

[23:29] Lip Jin: l'enfant terrible. I left a girl back in Singapore. Her name was Ice Kachang.: about how transient everything is

[23:29] mango: why you so hyper when you are depressed?

[23:29] Lip Jin: l'enfant terrible. I left a girl back in Singapore. Her name was Ice Kachang.: cos i talk a lot of rubbish

[23:30] Lip Jin: l'enfant terrible. I left a girl back in Singapore. Her name was Ice Kachang.: that people think is rubbish

[23:30] mango: hahaha

[23:30] Lip Jin: l'enfant terrible. I left a girl back in Singapore. Her name was Ice Kachang.: but is actually good philosophical bullshit

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Can't belive it. I'm listening to "Pu Tong Peng You" by David Tao now...

How Ironic...

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But it's true. Everything is so transient. Perhaps humans were made for short term relationships, where everything is transient and you just move on fast and forget everything.

Except that some people can't. And others fall so deep, they find themselves in this big shithole when it's over. And others shelter themselves and keep themselves from being hurt; that's not fair. Not at all...

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More dating theories.

Askmen.com
Q&A: Don't Stay On The Phone Too Long,
Telling Her How You Feel Is Wrong

Right. Guys are supposed to be bold and macho and not SNAGS. Fine. Learn it, use it.

Making her Jealous
And she'll fry your balls for dinner.


Don't be afraid to approach women.
This one's easy. Just think of them as "friends". Like making new "friends". And if all else fails, put a face on them that screams UGLY SHITHEAD.

That is, if you're the most gorgeous guy in the world ala Lip Jin.

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Enough bullshit for the evening. Argh. I hate it when I'm in this mood. I get pensive, restless, depress, think too much, overanalyze and pretty much blow up anyone close to me. As in really blow up. With TNT and C4.

I don't like this at all. Symptons and signs of this mood: I'm playing the guitar, in a large group i'm sitting by the side not making any noise, I'm anal over the smallest things, i get competitive and I seem to be thinking deeply and randomly.

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Pensive, angst ridden guys seem to attract the wrong sort of women. The kind that usually brings a lot of trouble and baggage.

lip
ranting

Random Thoughts

Mahjong is pretty fun, unless you're wiping out a beginner's entire stash of cash, then it just becomes cruel. But that's how you start to learn mahjong...

I have good luck in mahjong...

Coming back at 7 am in the morning and waking up at 11 am is not enough sleep...

Spending too much money on cab fares and paying for everyone sucks because not everyone pays you back. And paying for alcohol sucks too because you tend to lose money...

I must have lost at least $50 from people not paying for my tips and not paying me back generally...

Dad i need more money...

I need to buy a car because I need to get down to Chinatown more often and because I don't want to be restricted by the bus schedule that runs over the place. I tend to miss buses and it's cold waiting for the bus...

I miss Singaporean food, like Bak Kut Teh, Ice Kachang, Mee Goreng Pattaya...

I love my family... My fat ass sister and thin as reed brother who are both likely failing their respective exams right now, as am i...

I tend to make purchases that don't make sense after I purchase it but make perfect sense during the purchase...

I need to learn to love again...

I am lucky to have a scholarship, be studying at a good university and sit around discussing Marx when people in the world are starving...


lip
ranting

More Halloween Pictures

The denizens of boys town in Belmont are really fun people. For example, you get weird Halloween costumes like Barbie dolls. Queen Victorias and Willy Wonkas.





Barbie dolls are pretty. This one is especially pretty:)


Does anyone want anymore Barbie Dolls in their houses?




I think everyone wants to be a Hilton. The Paris Hilton is exclusive! Not everyone gets in.

"Can I stay in the Paris Hilton?"
"It's pretty exclusive"

"If I'm a celebrity and I need anonymity, Can I enter via the Back Door?"
"No. Ain't going to happen".

The Denizens of boy's town are pretty cool:)





Me, Helena and Aiko.

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Now that Autumn is around, the leaves are pretty and red. Love the Seasons, but that just means winter is around the corner. And Chicago Winters SUCK. It gets to 0. Farenheit. That's negative 20 celcius. Help me.

lip
ranting

Boy's Town @ Belmont

Went down to Boy's Town @ Belmont with Andy, Aiko and Helena for dinner and the Halloween parade this evening. It was pretty awesome, thanks Andy for driving us down and sharing his philosophy:). Which is pretty much mine: People matter.


PICTURES!

We had dinner together at some Japanese restaurant. It was great! Haha. You can read Aiko's blog about the ratings for the Jap restaurant, after all, she's Japanese and you can trust her taste in sushi!

Some pictures from the night from the halloween parade. More pictures will be sent by Andy Tan soon!



It was raining so it was pretty cold... Went Regents later for dumplings:)



It was a very good day:)

lip
ranting