OOO

off to prague! see you next year! *muck*

versailles

The sun rays reflected off the walls of the palace of Versailles. The golden glow of the faded walls reckons that of a treasure isle in the middle of a misty ocean.

"cold. deserted." -cj

"the palace of Versailles"-cj

"marvelous mosaic marble."-cj

"golden gate oozes extravaganza."-cj

"salle 1"-cj

"salle 2"-cj

"salle 3"-cj

"salle 217"-cj

"salle 218."-cj

"hey a statue at the end of the corridor."-cj

"argh!"-cj

"hold."-cj

"armed reaction"-cj

"look left look right."-cj

"pavilion number 93"-cj

"think. let me try something."-cj
"i jump. i jump. and i jump."-cj

"*yawn** i want to go home."-cj

"waiting for our ride home."-cj

"is that beam from the sky a signal from our ride?"-cj

yar right.

space

A friend helped me say something that I had been wanting to bring up for a while. For the next few weeks, I do not have to account for other people. Just myself.

I'm finally getting some personal space of my own.

will

"Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will" - Antonio Gramsci

my eternal challenge to drive meaningful change in the face of adversity.

anchor

Recently, I sent in an application for a consulting internship in the Middle East. If successful, it would be take me another step further away from my comfort zone. Some people asked me if I am punishing myself with such a harsh decision to stay away from home and away from my family and friends for such an extended period of time. I haven't told my parents about it as I can already anticipate their resounding disapproval. It is just an application, nothing is being cast in stone yet. But the longer I stay away from home, the fewer the number of reasons I can find to go back.

Over lunch yesterday, a friend asked,"Isn't it sad for one to think about things that way you do. There is more to life than career." It was not the first time I have heard a question like this. Paraphrased differently, they all came with the same intent. Every time I hear it, I really do feel a little pathetic and pitiful. However, now, I am starting to see it from a slightly differently perspective. I could never tell if the question was asked with the kind intention of knocking some sense into a workaholic, pleading for him to get a life outside work; or with a tinge of jealousy from lesser beings with the intention to slow down their more motivated peers.

It was sad leaving Singapore for the first time. However, it didn't hurt at all the second time it happened. I was looking forward to leave.

In fact, I was glad to leave.

versailles

First Sunday of December, we grasped the golden opportunity to visit the Chateau de Versailles. It was a symbol of absolute monarchy. The pre-dawn walk down to the train station in semi darkness in a shivering 0 degree Celsius made me want to crawl into my bed again. We arrived in Versailles greeted by a misty blanket which even the morning sun couldn't clear. The extravagence and luxury of the palace was unable to shine under the grey sky. After the nth visit to a palace, the Chateau de Versailles is to me "another one of those palaces." The day passed slowly and uneventfully. I reached home tired, hungry but neutral; cos I know even if I had chosen not to go versailles, the day wouldn't have been better spent either. Photos will be in soon.

I always wonder if I could have chosen my words better.

miss paris

I was blown away by her as I watched Miss France 2009 on tv last night.