Melancholic Derivations

August 26, 2006

An Alternate Worldview

张智成 - 爱情树

我不要你在我身边
却看着蓝天不看我的脸
我但愿你快乐地飞
而将来要相爱都还有时间

风开始在吹孤独好直接
爱最苦的是不能相依
偎然而我会等着你
回来的季节

我的爱情是一棵树
永远不会离开一步
风雪多残酷我想我挺得住
我的生命是一棵树
只愿成为你的归宿
我义无反顾守护你是最大的幸福

最深的温柔是成全
我张开双臂任凭你来回
最痛的时候就思念
扎了根的心不可能撤退

风开始在吹孤独好直接
爱最苦的是不能相依
偎然而我会等着你回来的季节

我的爱情是一棵树
永远不会离开一步
风雪多残酷我想我挺得住
我的生命是一棵树
只愿成为你的归宿
我义无反顾从日落到日出
我的爱情是一棵树
我义无反顾守护你是最大的幸福

守护你是最大的幸福.

Traveller fell apart at 1:03 PM

August 24, 2006

The Principle of Entropy

There are alot of things in life we wish we'd rather not have done. Some refer to these actions as regrets, I prefer to see them as lessons learnt. So why regrets? Life is essentially a linear path, one which you trod down and find yourself unable to turn back if need be. All you can do then, is wistfully gaze at what could have been and to enter the future with trepidation. A linear path, equal to the passage of time and the inevitable nature of the Universe itself. If there are things I indeed regret in life, they are the things that I chose to regret. But, at the risk of confounding my speech, I'd best leave those thoughts for the confines of my cerebral.

The world is changing at a most rapid pace and in essence, it's become quite like an exponential function. Back in the days of Augustus Caesar and Artexerxes, time as they knew it was the span of their reign. Technology progressed steadily but not spectacularly and ideas which stemmed from scientific research bore little fruit. Not quite so in the modern world where leaps and bounds are made everyday in research labs across the globe, where ideas are continuously challenged and shot down in a single day. Information has become the heartbeat of the man on the street and one which challenges those in power.

But in all this seeming progress and advancement, there is a tiny part of Man he has forgot to bring along. It is the spiritual, moral side of his soul; the very part of our heart which makes us human. The past was full of barbaric acts I grant that, but at least they dealt in absolutes and acted upon their beliefs; something which you'd be hard pressed to find in the average person today. Today, to be absolute about your beliefs is to be intolerant and unaccepting. Today, to be firm on your stand is to invite a barrage of abuse. Relativism, something which post-modernists live and breathe by has become more and more accepted even as we claim advancement in other fields.

And this is where the principle of entropy comes in. The law of entropy states that the Universe is continously moving from a state of Order to Disorder when left alone. And perhaps this is reflective on what happens not only physically, but spiritually. There is a need for a stabilising force, a Force which can hold everything in the Universe together. We lost that when we rebelled against the Creator of the Universe and ever since then, things have gone downhill. The Earth has been sliding into turmoil environmentally, Man's spiritual nature has been downtrodden in favour of seeming 'rationalism and objectivism' which has cut off what every religion in the world acknowledges as existing; the soul.

I do not hold high hopes for the human race at the rate we are going and everyday I long for the Brightness that has been promised at the end of the age.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." - Proverbs 27:1

Traveller fell apart at 3:00 PM

August 17, 2006

Spring Beckons

It's been a sunny few days, perhaps reflective of what's been festering within my soul. Despite the dark and troubled days which have incessantly seemed to gravitate around my life, I've recently begun to slowly, as they say metaphorically "chase those dark clouds away". So it becomes a possibility then, one day the melancholy will be lifted and I return to my usual self. But wait? Hasn't being melancholic actually become a part of my self-identity?

I get many comments from friends that the songs I listen to are far too disheartening, depressing and depriving of an inner happiness for myself. But can they truly fathom the depths of misery entombed within? I think not. I've always said that life is a very individual experience which you attempt to cover up by gravitating yourself towards a large circle of friends. But ultimately, experiences are there to be borne alone, feelings are there to be shouldered alone, and on Judgement Day, salvation will be decided alone. No one can say that they've lived someone else's life and understand what the other person is going through. That is why I never use the phrase "I know what you're going through" simply because its meaningless and patronising. We will NEVER know how that person is feeling, and so I don't think my song choices or the way I choose to approach life can be criticized, really.

But I digress from the point of this post. I think deep down there is a part of me that really wants to be happy, like all normal human beings. Inside the nether regions of my soul, there is a longing to be loved, just like how God created the first man and woman. I want to live life to the fullest, to meet people and to hunger for success and bliss. And I want to do it all under the bright sunlight of God's joy, not under the dark clouds of melancholy. But you know, sometimes, it becomes such a part of you that to remove it from your life would be to remove character from your life.

Choices, choices. Dilemmas abound.

"I dare you to move, I dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor."

Traveller fell apart at 1:05 AM

August 09, 2006

National Pride

I'll be honest. I've never been known to be particularly patriotic towards Singapore, the passion that comes together in speech when I serve up condemnation and scorn upon how Singapore is run and its various problems. But I think being overseas has put things in a new perspective... placing all those gripes I had with Singapore in the backburner and making me feel like Singapore is truly the only home I have.

41 years ago on this day, MM Lee tearfully announced Singapore's separation from Malaysia. Looking back though, I'm sure the Minister Mentor cherishes the memories of that day not only because he managed to prove everyone wrong, but also because those tears of anxiety he cried have now given way to tears of joy. And I'm not exaggerating. Singapore has become a place we can all be proud of, one way or another. Despite the supposedly 'draconian' political system (I don't really think it's that bad) and the exorbitant prices we seem to be charged for amenities and services, I think Singapore's really a first world city that makes me proud to declare my status as Singaporean in this foreign land.

My first culture shock upon arriving in Australia was how everyone here, from Jon McKenzie from the Outback to Jeff Green from the Environmentalists gets to have a go at the Prime Minister. It's like everyone lines up to hurl abuse or incite unrest against the Prime Minister and I can't help but feel that it contributes to increased inefficiency. Back in Singapore, things are orderly and quiet and although not everyone is happy about the lack of a political voice, at least things get done on time and efficiently. There have been many instances in Australia where I've felt out of place or culturally inadequate and I do not think that this is in any way due to Australia being a bad country. Quite the contrary, I think this country has exemplary manners and its policy of letting everyone have a 'fair go' is quite remarkable. But somehow, I've realised that after being born and bred in Singapore where things are totally different, trying to adapt to the Aussie way of thinking and lifestyle would prove to be a tad bit challenging.

I know I said in the past I would love to get a PR and to settle down in Australia. Would it be fickle to say I've changed my mind after 2 years? It's been a great experience studying overseas and I've learnt many new things but ultimately, when it comes to the crunch, I hold my hands up high and am not ashamed to admit that Singapore is where I belong in the end. Despite all the gripes, bad press and 'strictness', I'm still proud that when my degree is finished and I'm contemplating where to head off to, I have a first-rate, clean, safe and economically prosperous country to return to.

So say we all, so say we all.

This is home truly, where I know I must be.

Traveller fell apart at 11:50 PM


	Now Spinning Heroes Theme - Heroes Soundtrack The Protagonist joel \| content \| driven \| focused \| motive-oriented \| cynical \| analytical \| God-fearing \| jaded \| Frequent Reads Ben Christie Christine Davina Eugene Jasmine Jeremy Jo-ann Kay-Lene Mac Tammy Vivek Past Rants January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 Tap My Shoulder		August 26, 2006 An Alternate Worldview 张智成 - 爱情树我不要你在我身边却看着蓝天不看我的脸我但愿你快乐地飞而将来要相爱都还有时间风开始在吹孤独好直接爱最苦的是不能相依偎然而我会等着你回来的季节我的爱情是一棵树永远不会离开一步风雪多残酷我想我挺得住我的生命是一棵树只愿成为你的归宿我义无反顾守护你是最大的幸福最深的温柔是成全我张开双臂任凭你来回最痛的时候就思念扎了根的心不可能撤退风开始在吹孤独好直接爱最苦的是不能相依偎然而我会等着你回来的季节我的爱情是一棵树永远不会离开一步风雪多残酷我想我挺得住我的生命是一棵树只愿成为你的归宿我义无反顾从日落到日出我的爱情是一棵树我义无反顾守护你是最大的幸福守护你是最大的幸福. Traveller fell apart at 1:03 PM August 24, 2006 The Principle of Entropy There are alot of things in life we wish we'd rather not have done. Some refer to these actions as regrets, I prefer to see them as lessons learnt. So why regrets? Life is essentially a linear path, one which you trod down and find yourself unable to turn back if need be. All you can do then, is wistfully gaze at what could have been and to enter the future with trepidation. A linear path, equal to the passage of time and the inevitable nature of the Universe itself. If there are things I indeed regret in life, they are the things that I chose to regret. But, at the risk of confounding my speech, I'd best leave those thoughts for the confines of my cerebral. The world is changing at a most rapid pace and in essence, it's become quite like an exponential function. Back in the days of Augustus Caesar and Artexerxes, time as they knew it was the span of their reign. Technology progressed steadily but not spectacularly and ideas which stemmed from scientific research bore little fruit. Not quite so in the modern world where leaps and bounds are made everyday in research labs across the globe, where ideas are continuously challenged and shot down in a single day. Information has become the heartbeat of the man on the street and one which challenges those in power. But in all this seeming progress and advancement, there is a tiny part of Man he has forgot to bring along. It is the spiritual, moral side of his soul; the very part of our heart which makes us human. The past was full of barbaric acts I grant that, but at least they dealt in absolutes and acted upon their beliefs; something which you'd be hard pressed to find in the average person today. Today, to be absolute about your beliefs is to be intolerant and unaccepting. Today, to be firm on your stand is to invite a barrage of abuse. Relativism, something which post-modernists live and breathe by has become more and more accepted even as we claim advancement in other fields. And this is where the principle of entropy comes in. The law of entropy states that the Universe is continously moving from a state of Order to Disorder when left alone. And perhaps this is reflective on what happens not only physically, but spiritually. There is a need for a stabilising force, a Force which can hold everything in the Universe together. We lost that when we rebelled against the Creator of the Universe and ever since then, things have gone downhill. The Earth has been sliding into turmoil environmentally, Man's spiritual nature has been downtrodden in favour of seeming 'rationalism and objectivism' which has cut off what every religion in the world acknowledges as existing; the soul. I do not hold high hopes for the human race at the rate we are going and everyday I long for the Brightness that has been promised at the end of the age. "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." - Proverbs 27:1 Traveller fell apart at 3:00 PM August 17, 2006 Spring Beckons It's been a sunny few days, perhaps reflective of what's been festering within my soul. Despite the dark and troubled days which have incessantly seemed to gravitate around my life, I've recently begun to slowly, as they say metaphorically "chase those dark clouds away". So it becomes a possibility then, one day the melancholy will be lifted and I return to my usual self. But wait? Hasn't being melancholic actually become a part of my self-identity? I get many comments from friends that the songs I listen to are far too disheartening, depressing and depriving of an inner happiness for myself. But can they truly fathom the depths of misery entombed within? I think not. I've always said that life is a very individual experience which you attempt to cover up by gravitating yourself towards a large circle of friends. But ultimately, experiences are there to be borne alone, feelings are there to be shouldered alone, and on Judgement Day, salvation will be decided alone. No one can say that they've lived someone else's life and understand what the other person is going through. That is why I never use the phrase "I know what you're going through" simply because its meaningless and patronising. We will NEVER know how that person is feeling, and so I don't think my song choices or the way I choose to approach life can be criticized, really. But I digress from the point of this post. I think deep down there is a part of me that really wants to be happy, like all normal human beings. Inside the nether regions of my soul, there is a longing to be loved, just like how God created the first man and woman. I want to live life to the fullest, to meet people and to hunger for success and bliss. And I want to do it all under the bright sunlight of God's joy, not under the dark clouds of melancholy. But you know, sometimes, it becomes such a part of you that to remove it from your life would be to remove character from your life. Choices, choices. Dilemmas abound. "I dare you to move, I dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor." Traveller fell apart at 1:05 AM August 09, 2006 National Pride I'll be honest. I've never been known to be particularly patriotic towards Singapore, the passion that comes together in speech when I serve up condemnation and scorn upon how Singapore is run and its various problems. But I think being overseas has put things in a new perspective... placing all those gripes I had with Singapore in the backburner and making me feel like Singapore is truly the only home I have. 41 years ago on this day, MM Lee tearfully announced Singapore's separation from Malaysia. Looking back though, I'm sure the Minister Mentor cherishes the memories of that day not only because he managed to prove everyone wrong, but also because those tears of anxiety he cried have now given way to tears of joy. And I'm not exaggerating. Singapore has become a place we can all be proud of, one way or another. Despite the supposedly 'draconian' political system (I don't really think it's that bad) and the exorbitant prices we seem to be charged for amenities and services, I think Singapore's really a first world city that makes me proud to declare my status as Singaporean in this foreign land. My first culture shock upon arriving in Australia was how everyone here, from Jon McKenzie from the Outback to Jeff Green from the Environmentalists gets to have a go at the Prime Minister. It's like everyone lines up to hurl abuse or incite unrest against the Prime Minister and I can't help but feel that it contributes to increased inefficiency. Back in Singapore, things are orderly and quiet and although not everyone is happy about the lack of a political voice, at least things get done on time and efficiently. There have been many instances in Australia where I've felt out of place or culturally inadequate and I do not think that this is in any way due to Australia being a bad country. Quite the contrary, I think this country has exemplary manners and its policy of letting everyone have a 'fair go' is quite remarkable. But somehow, I've realised that after being born and bred in Singapore where things are totally different, trying to adapt to the Aussie way of thinking and lifestyle would prove to be a tad bit challenging. I know I said in the past I would love to get a PR and to settle down in Australia. Would it be fickle to say I've changed my mind after 2 years? It's been a great experience studying overseas and I've learnt many new things but ultimately, when it comes to the crunch, I hold my hands up high and am not ashamed to admit that Singapore is where I belong in the end. Despite all the gripes, bad press and 'strictness', I'm still proud that when my degree is finished and I'm contemplating where to head off to, I have a first-rate, clean, safe and economically prosperous country to return to. So say we all, so say we all. This is home truly, where I know I must be. Traveller fell apart at 11:50 PM