Uncle Su’s Got Some.

Browsing through facebook and friendster, I just found out that my long-losy brother Andrie in Melbourne isn’t only doing well in school, but is active in a soccer club and is a bass player for a band, Fresh Brown Wasabi.

Check out some of their songs here, here and here. He’s the one to the right on the lead singer.

Pretty cool for a brother, don’tcha think?

1. I’m surrounded by republicans who are obnoxious, have limited creativity, no regard for the environment, elitist to some degree, definitely homophobic, racist, have limited knowledge of their original heritage, and are sadly boring pricks. And I’m in one of the most liberal cities in the States. Go figure.
2. I don’t have any motivational role-model here at all. Refer to #1.
3. I want to do rock climbing, kayaking, nature photography. They want to shop at outlet stores, have dessert at posh restaurants, watch movies in broad daylight (or at the comfort of their entertainment system), and take narcissistic photos.
4. Because nobody here enjoy my company anymore. Most of them think I’m not the team-player material.
5. Seattle rain can be romantic at appropriate moods, but most of it just depresses the crack out of everyone. Especially depression-prone types like me.
6. Because I’ll only be around people who look just like me, speaks my native language and as conservative as my grandparents.
7. A bit of Michigan chill might build my character.
8. Friends here seem to go faster than they come.
9. Friends here seem to be no where when the going gets tough.

Remind me again why I’m so bent on leaving Seattle?

A buddy for life is someone who’ll catch a bullet for you, who’ll take good care of your wife when you died and then raise your kids through college.

The way I gauge this, a buddy for life is someone decent enough that I’d fuck if I were a girl. Or if I were gay.

Or on a friendlier term, someone whom I’d let my sister marry to. Most friends I have now don’t really fall under any of those category.

I was browsing through my contact lists’ photos in Flickr, and I went like “OH MY GOD who is that?!”

The girl in the photo is Nureena. Nureena was a schoolmate of mine back in Singapore, and even then she was already a cover girl for Seventeen magazine. Today 2 years later I found her picture in Flickr. My, its amazing what a small world this planet has become. Simply amazing!

Oh and she look very stunning, doesn’t she? *drools*

Pretty, aren’t they! Sephia used to go bananas over them.

Link to photoset

Some friends are having domestic issues back home.

And I thought everything was settled last year. Come to think about it, I think there was some unrest right about this time last year. Its repeating itself its not even funny.

*sandwiched!*

I’m the shortest boy. Hmm too bad the sound is not synced to the video. Job well done, nonetheless.

I was reading Steve Pavlina’s latest post covering self-help cynics. His description of cynics just make me nod in agreement:

• Cynics are often in denial about parts of their lives they lack the courage and/or ability to change.
• Cynics attempt to make themselves feel more secure by surrounding themselves with others who are in the same boat, i.e. people who are stuck and who don’t appear to be growing much.
• Cynics find safety in numbers.  They don’t feel secure on the inside,
  so they try to create artificial security on the outside.  This involves discouraging and dissuading others from new pursuits that might succeed.  The cynic is terribly worried about being left behind and feels threatened by others attempts to advance. The cynic in your life will take a keen interest in your maintaining the state of mediocrity as much as possible.
• By resisting change the cynic will only delay it, and often when the change finally occurs, it will be overwhelmingly strong — a massive disruption instead of a mild shift.

I thought that, wow, he’s right. Not only that, these people are EVERYWHERE. I can really relate to the 4 points above.

Point #1 is basically myself and my lack of enthusiasm at times, which I blame mostly on Thalassemia Minor and lack of proper nourishment.

Point #2 is probably what best explain the complexity behind my dearest ex-housemate, and also explains the bickering and eventual cold war between us. As of now I’m not planning of initiating any closure, even though CD is still spending a lot of time with him.

Point #4 is probably the feeling I have about CD. CD is passive, playful, irresponsible, have minimum initiative (if any, it it because of others’ expectations of him, friends etc.)

And last but most importantly, I think point #3 describes pretty much EVERYONE I HAVE MET at some point in time or another. I have SOOO much to say about these cynics. I won’t mention that most Indonesians in my college are cynics (but oops, I guess I just said it, tralala).

They are the people who ridicules you for reviewing for the exams much earlier than everyone else. The people who discouraged you from participating in any organizations, doing community service, or even from attending a particular event (that they are too self-conscious to attend anyway). They are the ones who collect friends to prove you that your path is wrong, and my aren’t you lonely walking your lone-ranger path? They are the same people who laughed when I wanted to get a DSLR or dance hip-hop for a particular event. They make it look like I am such a joke, I am a funny parody to be ridiculed, that I will never make it and I will only rock-bottom from that point on. And they will be the first to say “I told you so!” and spread the rumor when you do fall.

I have had friends like that. I have had people putting me down like that. And from what I have learned, no one has the right to judge me like that and if anyone ever does, they are never worthy of my friendship. These are the cancer of your lives, folks, so avoid them at all costs.

And since I have noticed that they are everywhere, I take it as a personal mission to offer as much encouragement and advices to the people I have met as possible. Like the girl who wanted to join the student government. Like the guy looking for work on campus. Or the other guy having trouble in his linear algebra class. Why, because if I don’t those fucking cynics will get to them first, and then these people will feel discouraged and down, and then EVENTUALLY board the mothership of cynics. I find it really amusing that maybe these cynical comments are the main reason most comrades I have from the same 2 year college go into the same  4 year college (and god safe me, most of them only applied to that one 4 year college to start of with, oh god forgive the lack of effort and motivation to excel in these cynics). Oh and I won’t mention that the particular college goes by the same name as yours truly (but oops again I guess I just did). No offense to my friends in the college, because I am not attacking you. I’m after the people who could have done better, applied to more schools but refused to because they are such cynics.

I’m being a bitch and these are my 2 cents worth, of course. But seriously, the world can do with more encouraging people and less cynical parasites.

Funny how you go to college and still act like kids from grade 5. I got in a childish pursuit with Andy this afternoon. To put it in concise terms, its about a cellphone, some embarrassing videos, my lack of self-restraint and 2 guys running around the school.

I snatched Andy’s phone and ran to the college’s main entrance. He chased. I ran further. He still is frakking chasing! Then he caught up. We got in a jujitsu-style wrestle, which attracted quite a little attention from the people waiting for the bus. The kind of attention and glimpse that people give TWO PEOPLE OF THE SAME GENDER BICKERING AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS AND TRYING TO PIN EACH OTHER TO THE FLOOR, just like a cheap BDSM porno.

Anna was standing right by the bus stop, smirking like she always does and cocking an eyebrow like she always does, and asked “What is going on, guys?” I gave her a grin and told her that I’m breaking up with Andy, and asked if she’s already single and if she’d be interested in me, and then continued wrestling Andy for the phone.

So Andy won the wrestling match by twisting my thumb and ended up with the phone, and I ended up deleting 2 videos, but he’s got more copies in his computer. He ran back to the library with his phone laughing, and I was pissed and didn’t talk to him for the rest of the afternoon. At night I text-ed him to delete all of the videos he’s taken of me, and crudely told him to learn some respect. He called, apologized, said he’s deleted all of the videos, and asked if we’re cool. I found out that he’s been persistent in keeping the videos because I’m his good friend here and he’d like to keep some memento for himself just in case I leave Seattle in the not-so-far future.

And I just went all “Awwwww…” inside of me. Some brotherhood.

1. The world is full of people who are full of shit.
2. Being self-centered is considered a virtue in many cultures.
3. Girls are really, really from Venus. Men like us can only try to have them figured out.
4. Work never ends. Deal with it.
5. Life is too short to not have fun. Its also too precious to throw away. There’s a difference.
6. The past and the future are better left seperated from the present.
7. Loneliness makes you age, so keep your friends close.
8. Romantic relationships are more like ballroom dancing, 2 steps forward, 2 steps backward, repeat.
9. Humility is the root of all virtues. Ignorance is the root of all downfall.
10. Information is power. Use it against others, at will.

edit: I think its only appropriate that I do some sort of resolution for my 20th birthday. (even though I’ll abandon it first thing in 2 months or so…)

My birthday was great. GREAT. Had lunch with Andy and Polly on Friday, followed by supper with Angie (same time hiding from any possible birthday pranks). She’s got a sexy Civic. Heck, it still smell of leather. But I cannot say that she’s a great driver. We got lost a few times, changed destinations a few times (from dinner to movies to karaoke to finally just a supper).

Next day’s lunch was with Will and Wilson. Gorged myself out with Thai food. Had a birthday cake for dinner. Nice job how they got so organized in coming when I’m napping in my room half naked. Nice job on asking Queen Koil along too. QB you’re welcome for the first cake. Hmm, would have been better if I was allowed to take the pictures instead. I’m good, ok…

Just finished a part of the work I’m supposed to be doing this weekend. Madness… This feels so much like the end of the quarter, with deadlines up my neck and lethargy up my ass. Pardon my French.

Tomorrow will be a 12h marathon of math, chemistry, chem lab and caffeine. Thank got for the Starbucks raincheck I got the other time. Edit: Turned ou to be a 12h marathon of sleeping before everything I planned took place.

Thank you all you well-wishers and you’ve come for the surprise. Photos here. Love, Su.

Feb 29th and March 2nd.

I’m dying to meet babes Mel and Gina, and they are coming to NY next week. *Hyperventilates!*

OK dude, plan. Plan plan plan. OK, let’s see. I can crash with Foe’s group, 6 guys and a bed style. I can go to farecast.com and settle my ticket. I can uh… I can drive around in NY illegally?

Should I go? Ginaaaa! Smellyyyyy!

Halfway across the world, someone is facing an important decision regarding her life.

I wish her the best of luck, happiness, strength to carry through and the wisdom to learn from her journey. All the best, friend. =)

I wanted to write about friendship, heart breaks and how I am feeling for the moment.

I take it that no matter how I phrase myself, words will fail to express my thoughts as I wanted it to be. So I guess I should let things rest for now.

To all my heartbroken friends, be strong and stay strong. Because tomorrow may be a brighter day, and because even if it rains, you’ll have me to keep you warm through the day =)

***

I believe that I am entitled to be proud of myself for now. Dad and Mom really raised me well. Daddy, Mommy, I know I’ve had my fair share of moments when I’d almost screw my life over, but for now I am fighting to better my life and I just want you to know that your son is doing all he can in making you proud. I owe it all to the both of you.

I have a really good friend. A few years back he took the trouble to buy steal a bracelet for me when he was having vacation in Penang, Malaysia. Up till now I still keep the bracelet in a drawer, and use it sometimes for special occasions.

I hope he’s coping well with his As.

I had a quicky chat with a dear friend 5 minutes before I left the office. She asked me something like “Do you want a girlfriend now? You feel lonely or something?” . No, she’s not trying to promote her singlehood, she’s just concerned.

I asked her why and she told me that “well, you can use someone to hug whenever you’re down, you know.”

I left the conversation having a tad more respect for her. So heartwarming, don’t you think?

It is amazing how a three-hour long call with an old friend can brighten up my day (Or night). Amazing.

I’m smiling from back to front now. Glee…