Hey there. I haven't been online in approximately five days, thus the lack of entries in this quiet blog. A discussion on blogs a few days ago during GP got me thinking, why do I make my blog a private one? I certainly don't do it to get a lot of hits or comments. I can only conclude that it must be to let my voice be heard, however small it may be. But I've been thinking that maybe I should make it a private one. Or a friends-only blog. Because then you can rant however much you want without fearing that you'll get caught for it. But this isn't my main concern now, so I'll just settle with this.

Well, life's been hectic. I had loads of things to talk about, but I guess I'll just sift out the more important things.

We had our mock NAPFA (what does this acronym mean anyway) test on Wednesday and Thursday. My 2.4km timing exceeded my expectation, so I'm happy; 12.05 minutes. But do you realise that once you achieve something, you keep telling yourself that you could've done better? That's what I felt, I felt as if I should have sprinted faster at the last 200 metres or so, then I'd have ran under 12 minutes. Anyway, I managed to pass my standing broad jump on the first attempt, so no afternoon PE! Muahaha.

Went out with the girls from A5A on Friday. We went to Chinatown for tangyuan and charkwayteow. The food was alright, the company was great. :) I love going there during Chinese New Year and reveling in the whole bustling atmosphere. Hope I can go there with my family next week!

Yesterday we had our newspaper-collecting activity. It was tiring, but fulfiling, but I really dislike the way the Interact people handle things. We wasted three whole hours sitting at the void-deck waiting for a truck/lorry which never materialized. That was not the worst thing. The worst thing was the tactless way which that boy, whoever he is, addressed us. There was no respect, no regret whatsoever. It is utterly ridiculous.

Went over to my grandma's house in the evening to celebrate her birthday. My cousin who recently went into the army was there, and he has really changed quite a bit. Well, it was nice seeing some of my relatives whom I haven't seen in awhile, but sometimes I wish things were different, and that there was more honesty. But my grandma and grandpa are as cute as ever.

Today we did springcleaning! My sister and I finished our room, but I've got to wash the toilet later. I'm really quite excited for Chinese New Year! I love dressing up in nice clothes, I love all the delicious food, I love visiting my relatives and hearing them say how pretty I am (hahahaha). Most of all, I love the culture, the heritage we're celebrating. Red for luck and prosperity and to ward off evil, no cleaning during the festive period itself in case you sweep away your luck, having to stay up till midnight on the eve so that your parents will be blessed with longevity... Don't you think that re-learing these snippets of your culture every year is something very enriching?

I've got a lot of homework to do, a cross-country race to compete in, a toilet to wash, a bed to make, obligations to fulfil, deadlines to meet... But I am happy. Because I have my family, my friends and myself to keep me sane. Because I can speak, I can see, I can hear, I can feel, I can touch everything that is happening. Because I can still cry, I can still laugh, I can still do things for people.

We are truly lucky, all you have to do is open up your mind, embrace your life and cherish everything you have. It's the only way to live happily.