The problem with being idle

This week's gonna be my last ever week of being idle in a very long time. Haha. With the end of my short postings just around the corner, I feel a slight tinge of sadness that my life's going to be replaced by the madness that is O&G. But truth be told, a part of me is actually happy that such idle days are almost over. I honestly feel that having absolutely nothing to study for is much much worse than having tonnes of work to do. The days of short postings were just like the former - very often, there just wasn't any impetus to read or to learn stuff. They were just days of endless waiting and loafing about - too much loafing in fact! I think my brain has officially undergone liquefactive necrosis and has turned into jello.

Not that I did not enjoy my days in the various short postings. I had fun in most, if not all of them. Still, I feel like I've come out of these short postings without truly accomplishing anything, like I've just woken up from an incredibly long coma and is currently struggling to shake off the remnants of stupor. I need some excitement to refresh my life man. These 2 months of slacking has really taken a toil on whatever edge I once had.

Then again, once O&G gets underway, I'll probably look back at this entry and wonder 'WHAT THE HELL WAS I COMPLAINING ABOUT?!?!' But yeah, that's another issue for me to face another day. As of now, I need to get out of this slump. TOO MUCH COMPUTER GAMES. ARGH.

500 days of Summer

This is NOT your average love story. Its a story that focuses on the deconstruction of a relationship.

I absolutely loved it, because its quirky, non-conventional and bittersweet. It has amazingly likeable leads who you can't help but root for. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acting is the highlight of this film - his subtle portrayal of a sensitive man who is vulnerable both in and out of love was just excellent! I want to say more, but my mind's totally fried from long hours of sleep deprivation. Dude, this film just rocks!

After watching the film, I can't help but feel a sense of gratification. Love, is just a fantasy. A fantasy that forces us to have amazingly high expectations of what we hope Love will be, but then the brutality of reality will always make us realise how silly our thoughts were. As the titular character in the film, 'Summer' so coolly explains - 'Life happened. And Love was gone.'

This film is for all the self professed nerds out there who have problems finding or understanding that tricky little concept that we call 'Love'. I wanted to watch it because I felt that I might be able to identify with the film's lead. I came out of it feeling as if I've lived through all my failed attempts at contemplating 'Love' all over again. Such is the nature of it all - we males of the new-age-geeky-nerdy-emo-i'm-so-sensitive-and-sweet generation have such an amazingly stupid way of destroying our own relationships because we just read too much into the silliest of things. Its absurd really, but its true. The film captures nothing but the truth.

The truth is, as much as I would love to deny it - I'm still a geeky, nerdy, socially awkward guy living in today's ultra-fast paced modern society, and I totally dread dipping my toes in the ocean of modern day romances. God Save Me.

Summer/Fever

Sodagreen's "夏/狂热" album is the second album that they have released this year. The continuation of their "Vivaldi Four Seasons" project, it comes just five months after the release of their previous album "春·日光". I loved "春·日光" for its folksy, light-hearted, cheerful feel, which to me, really epitomized the true spirit of Spring. But I got to say that I'm loving the second album even more!

"夏/狂热" as a whole, when compared to "春·日光", is an album that's very different in its overall presentation and feel. "夏/狂热" is definitely devoid of the easy-going charm of the previous album, that feeling of relaxed, light-heartedness is now replaced by slightly more melancholic, infinitely more rockish themes. The change in lyrical style is also very very telling: this album has lyrics that are darker, more emotional, more soulful - in fact, the lyrics are often very dark, bleak, pessimistic even. A total 180 degree reversal from the optimism and hopefulness found in the previous album.

"夏/狂热" is a Mandarin album that was recorded in London, because the band had a goal in mind to fashion this album into something that captured the essence of good old fashion British Rock. I think they have succeeded in achieving that: the tunes sound like stuff that could come out of many fantastic British bands, like Coldplay, Travis, Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, Keane etc. And I love British Rock, so this album is just a treat to my ears. The arrangements inspire me! Fantastic!

I particularly enjoyed tracks like "他夏了夏天" which to me, captured the very essence of Summer: energetic, bustling with life and activity but at the same time, there's a degree of laziness and dreariness attached to it. Its a song that has an infectious mid tempo tune, and its arrangement is something that I love alot.

"包围" has a very very long introduction, and surprise surprise, its actually the first song whose tune was composed by the Sodagreen as a band. It reminds me alot of 'Life In Technicolour' by Coldplay, not because it has a similar tune or anything, but the way the different instruments come in in progression: it creates an ascension of tunes that gives this song an extremely complex and layered feel to it. Fantastic!

"御花园" and "彼得与狼" are two songs that feel like they were meant to be brothers or something. They are typical rock tunes that just inspire you to be High and to go into a frenzy. Perfect for 'Live' concerts!

"无眠" has to be the SURPRISE of the album. This is a slow emtional tune composed by Drummer 小威 with lyrics by Lead Vocalist 青峰. This special thing about this song is that its lyrics are actually in Hokkien - which in my opinion is always a risky thing because it runs the risk of turning the song into something that's going to be extremely beng-ish. But this song turned out to be so so so so so beautiful, the emotion it evokes is just unbelievable. I love this song the most. Definitely a sleeper hit in the making.

"狂热" is the first single off the album. Its a full out rock song, and probably the best song to capture the 狂热 aspect of this album. I like the way this song makes me sway and bob my head with the tune. Very cathartic to sing along and just shake your stresses and worries away!

"近未来" - the last track of the album, and I think the longest. Its quite different from the other tracks in the sense that its more hesitant, even reserved and conservative in its attempt to bring across its message. This is a reflective piece, and would serve as a perfect song to highlight the transition from Summer to Autumn (just like how "融雪之前" from the previous album served as a prefect transition from Winter to Spring!). Nice to end with a song that feels different from the rest of the other tracks!

These are just some of the tracks that I enjoyed more. That doesn't mean that the other tracks weren't good; all the tracks here are solid. However, the other tracks don't stand out as much as these few that I particularly liked and enjoyed. All in all, this is a fantastic album, which is amazing because Sodagreen has always been so consistent in producing not just amazing singles, but amazing albums that should be listened as a single entity. That's the beauty of their music really - one has to listen to the album in its continuity to fully appreciate the true message that they are trying to bring across to the listener. If the first two albums of 'Project Vivaldi' are already so deliciously good, I can hardly wait for what surprises the next two albums would bring next year!

MAF 2009

I had a great time at HwaChong's MAF last night! Every year I say the same thing about MAF, how great it is to go back to HwaChong to soak in the atmosphere of being back home again, of being able to hang out with my JC classmates and friends, to laze around the beloved class bench, to do all the lame and incredibly stupid things we used to do. But the thing is, I never get tired reflecting on how wonderful MAF is. I think MAF is what makes HwaChong great. That sense of family and belonging that it manages to generate - no other institution comes up with something close to it.

I did do something different though - I actually stayed to dance in the mass dance session, which is something I never did do in the last 4 years of MAF. I dunno, something got me extremely high last night. I suspect its the fact that I was listening to Sodagreen's 'Summer/Fever' album prior to going for MAF, but that's going to be another story for another time. But yeah, I actually danced in the mass dance session! Its a miracle I didn't drop dead, but I did step on ALOT of people's toes with my totally unco-ordinated foot work and slap ALOT of people with my flailing arms! Totally worth it! =P

Its really nice to go back to HwaChong every year. Honestly, I do feel like I feel more for HwaChong then say, MedFac or NUS. Its a special feeling that I would always look forward experiencing during that special time of the year! I LOVE MAF!

I'll search for the Orange Moon that lit up our love on the Ocean

Orange Moon - Khalil Fong

There we sat among the thousand,
fools just like us, but not so in love like us.
There we spoke of our love feelings,
and dreams were born like that, and we hope for love like that.
Now your dreams have changed and were far apart.
I don't know when or where to start,
leading you from my mind.
I want to stand with you again.
I hope to find you here again
in the eternal sunshine.

*I'll search for the orange moon that lit up our love on the ocean
while I hold your hand.
Now watch all the waves from the stones
where we gazed to the golden sun.
If I see the horizon,
glow just the same as it did when we stood on the hill.
Ill make the arrangements, just wait on that corner for me.
If you drop me a line, Ill be sure to make these arrangements.

Lay your head upon my shoulder,
Ill sing a tune or three sweet melodies for thee.
Softly speak, to say 我愛你,
why do you leave,
my heart is at your feet.
Well, I like to share three words again,
Parts of these words with you again if you think its possible.
And maybe I can pull you close
and whisper in your ear again
that I want you in my life forever.

*I'll search for the orange moon that lit up our love on the ocean
while I hold your hands.
Now watch all the waves from the stones
where we gazed to the golden sun.
If I see the horizon,
glow just the same as it did when we stood on the hill.
Ill make the arrangements,
just wait on that corner for me.

You are like the summer rain that cools me, that sooths me.
You are the person that I pray for everyday.
Maybe well sit on those stairs once again,
maybe we wont turn down have to pretend,
you will be here in my imaginings, fade imaginings.

*I'll search for the orange moon that lit up our love on the ocean
while I hold your hands.
Now watch all the waves from the stones
where we gazed to the golden sun.
If I see the horizon,
glow just the same as it did when we stood on the hill.
I'll make the arrangements, just wait on that corner for me.
If you drop me a line, Ill be sure to make these arrangements.
__________________________________

This is a hidden track from Khalil Fong's Orange Moon album. It doesn't have a real title per say, but I guess Orange Moon's a perfect one, given that that's the album's title and that the term appears quite often throughout the song. Apparently, its the original English demo of a song that was later sung by Eason Chan (its Mandarin version's called 倒带人生). I've heard both versions, and I must say Khalil's original version is much nicer. Its just the vibe of the song. The tune's addictively simple and carefree, the kind that's hard to come by these days. The lyrics are also simple, but romantic. Its like poetry really. I wish I could write lyrics of such quality and caliber, but any attempts by me are usually quite laughable. Haha. I mean, if they were any good, I would have publish them on this blog already. But oh well, not everyone has what it takes to be an amazing lyricist, and I guess I'm not one of those born geniuses. :)

I've been busy lately. Not with work but with meeting ups and stuff. I like it really. This week's been busy, but immensely satisfying. I'm happy. Like really genuinely happy, and its because I've been doing nothing fantastic but to live a mind-numbing ordinary life - a life that consist of work, catching up with friends and spending time with family. I think we really do have to start paying attention to and to start learning how to appreciate the simple things in life - because like lyrics, the more simple it is, the more beautiful it becomes. Life doesn't have to be a drama-mama fairy tale, it can be just a simple uneventful story and it'll still be something that can be immensely wonderful.

So just treasure it. And remember to look for the Orange Moon that lit up our love in the horizon. :)

PHS 2009

Whoever said that Public Health Screening (PHS) was losing purpose should go eat some barbituates and die of asphyxiation. If anything, there's still tonnes of purpose in organizing this annual event.

First of all, I wanna say that this year's PHS was quite well organized. I must say the M3s and M2s did quite a marvelous job in putting it together. And the turnout of volunteers was just AMAZING. So many M1s and M2s turned up! It was a sight that managed to touch the dried up heart of mine. Haha.

I think this new batch of M1s are amazingly enthusiastic. Okay... maybe its still too early to see if they can keep the enthusiasm going (admittedly, we probably felt the same way when we first started medical school, but look at how 4 years of hard work managed to change us into a bunch of jaded, cynical old farts who complain incessantly!) but in general, their bright-eyed enthusiasm was really quite a sight to behold. And they are so fresh! Every single thing amazes them! Let them take blood pressure and they squeal in delight! Let them take blood glucose/cholesterol and they squeal in delight! Let them talk to patient and they squeal in delight! Let them take height and weight and they ALSO squeal in delight! Damn amusing. I think that such an event is a perfect introduction to world of medicine though: I mean, at the end of the day, Medicine is a kind of service. Being in Medicine means that we are rendering a service to the public, and by giving these enthusiastic M1s a chance to serve the public, to see how its done, is just a perfect way to orientate themselves to this fact. That alone is good enough a reason to keep organizing this event every single year!

That said, the real reason why I find PHS so meaningful is that it really gives us a chance to reach out to people. Just two days spent in PHS has rekindled my passion for Medicine. Very often, in the hustle and bustle and intense stress of everyday clinical work, we often forget the reason why we started taking up Medicine in the first place. And being there at PHS, talking with members of the public, joking with them, sympathizing with them, listening to them, I'm reminded once again of the reason why I'M in Medicine: its because I wanted to help these people. No matter how rude and grumpy they are, no matter how ridiculous and absurd their demands may be, I wanted to help people. And for a moment, I completely lost sight of that. But this weekend has brought it all back, and now I feel like I'm back on the right track again!

PHS is not about scoring brownie points for volunteering or about getting free gifts (or even ridiculous stylish Polo-tees). Its about exhibiting the passion, the heart and the altruism that resides in all of us. And that is the true purpose of PHS.

狂热

<<狂热>> 词： 吴青峰 曲： 史俊威
雷响得放肆 死去活来坚持 抛空了理智
疯狂或正直 来自同个本质 有什么意思
在这个急于立碑的城市
谁比谁更无耻 干我屁事

任凭时光你是多狠 我要我的选择 为了快乐抗争
任凭谁说我有多蠢 不让你的新闻 毁了我的单纯
长大后的我们狡猾地修改过程
童年故事汗湿的脏手心抓着 狂热

冷血的怪手 种起大厦高楼 森林被扛走
土地的脉搏 戴上手铐大锁 日开始不落
却忘了所有新都来自旧
只在乎今天有 多少回扣

我知道自己的模样 在这个世界上 拥有可贵力量
我保护自己的地方 不让别人弄脏 才能勇敢疯狂
小时候我们的天真在心里长大
成年故事再多挑战也不害怕

狂热自己的模样....
就算偶尔受伤 打直腰杆坚强
因为受过了伤 自由才有光
__________________________

Part 2 of Sodagreen's 4 seasons project is scheduled to be released in Taiwan on the 11th of Sept! Woohoo!