Megababble

As the year draws to a close, I think, ponder, muse about random stuff.

Certainly not intentional, black was the new black for me.

More gadgets != More Organized

That's what I call a Leisure-centred Home

The last semester saw a normal engineering student embracing the dark world of mugging. Of course, in the strange universe of Engineering, it does not directly translate to better results. :(

However, despite the numerous botches, I will always thank God that the world has not collapsed before me. Take the lab report marked by a dubious APTA (Attitude Problem Teaching Assistant) for example... Despite the injustice, all I had to do was peek at the fume hoods belonging to unearthly students and I would be feel strangely comforted.
Ever since I declared my FIRST home as NUS, I was always in search of a new "in" place to study. While I appreciate the ambience that libraries can offer, there were times I needed to study outdoors. And so far, my all time favourite outdoor location is a bench I found in Medicine Block, overlooking this view. Breezy, sheltered and well-lit, I hope no one else finds favour with it like I do.
I also discovered the strangest place to study in NUS: Rooftop of an engineering block, even equipped with study benches...

And if you thought that lounge area at Level 5 of EA block would make an excellent study, just remember you're being... watched.

The final equation I learnt for the last semester:

Caffeine + Chicken essence + Vitamin C = no effect.

Painful HistoryAnd you thought your skin was bad...
Libraries have also become a fine place to study in more ways than one for me.

When was the last time you paid S$14.00 of library fines?

This year also saw Lush 99.5FM sending me countless invites (upon shameless requests via sms entries). Unfortunately, the timing never seemed right and I wasted more time trying to get people to accompany me than actually attending the event itself.
I was never a fan of live music until I heard these two guitarists sing...

But nothing would rival the experience of listening to live jazz music at the Bellini Room at St. James Powerstation for the first time. I know I sound sua-ku, but it's London-based Dylan Foster and a full jazz band involving a tenor, alto saxophone, double bass, trombone and a pianist!

This year also saw me pigging indulging in food like never before.
Because I was in NUS half the time, I would dare claim that SCIENCE CANTEEN SUX!!! Heh, not that Engineering Canteen is significantly better, but at least they don't serve bulletproof "American Apple Pie" or flat dry brownies.

NOT FROM NUS SCIENCE CANTEEN.

For the first time in my life, I also tasted "authentic" German and French food. (The inverted commas is to defend my definition of authentic. Food connoisseurs, be silent.)

First up was the relatively new German Bar and Restaurant, Brotzeit in Vivocity. Mixed Sausage Platter introduced my tastebuds to the colourful world of cylindrical-shaped meat.
My second foray was a slice of Pork Knuckle served at Paulaner Brauhaus German Micro-brewery Bar at Millenia Walk. The crispy layer of skin covering it was unique but the layer of fat was definitely not appreciated by health-conscious Kelvin.
Not forgetting the reasonably priced French Stall along Serangoon Road. Conspicuously proud of being no frills, I was delighted that the food tasted loads better than the ubiquitous pretentious cafes lining the streets of Orchard.

French Onion Soup with cheese covered bread, pre-dipped in an onionry mixture. Yummy Cod Fish with an unique green sauce

Unfortunately, The Price of Indulgence

While I do not normally crave for Dim Sum, I was surprised by my sister's recommendation of this 24-hour Dim Sum stall in Geylang. Thanks to its popularity, my family was denied of air-conditioned comfort and relegated to "alfresco seating".

Thankfully, the food more than made up for it.

Deep-fried delicacies and Charming chee chiong fun Crabbilious Crabs

Palatable Prawn Dumplings

A sour plum drink to wash down all the oily unctuous 'sins'

I ended up not taking more photos because of stiff competition and sheer distraction. :p

Visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first time, I discovered that the adage "Dirty stall serves good food" was largely true. But did I mention how I witness a hawker descaling a fish on a rusty drain cover? No chopping board was involved.

Penang Laksa in KL. Heh.

Don't ask me how I ended up eating "Japanese" food, but let's just say that Japanese tourists in Malaysia would probably mistake the food as Malaysian cuisine with Japanese names.

The "delightful bowl" of MSG-flavoured vegetable glass noodle.

I was hoping the glass noodles would somehow lacerate me to death...

And just when I was tempted to condemn all air-conditioned restaurants in Malaysia until this...

Traditional Gourmet Coffee

Satay chicken with balls of chicken rice.

The highlight of the KL trip was probably Extreme Theme Park near Sunway Lagoon.

A goofy me all ready to take on the dangerous world of Go-karting.

Go-karting was fun for a while, but what made Extreme Theme Park unique was the ride on the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). This four-wheeler is able to take on absolutely every terrain, or at least this is what the guide claims.
Mud mud and more mud. The ATV doesn't seem like a tough guy after all.

The end result after trying to rescue the ALL TERRAIN vehicle.

With bated breath, I await for the coming year...

A possibility?