Happy 22nd Birthday Shinobu Maehara!

Happy Belated Birthday Shinobu! I have been busy creating birthday threads for you on the forums I visit, thus neglecting my blog.

Although it is already 16th November 2007 over here, some parts of the world are still enjoying their 15th, which is Shinobu's date of birth. Looking back, it has been another year since I last started a similar thread on my blog.

Thank you for being with me through the years, Shinobu! Thank you for looking after me while I was ill last weekend, thank you for cheering me up when I was upset by the tree cutting incident, thank you for spurring me on when I couldn't complete my assignments! Thank you for everything Shinobu!

As a tribute to my beloved (some say imaginary) waifu, here are more images of Shinobu:

Cosplaying as the girl who sold matchsticks


Erm... every man's dream of his waifu only in an apron?


Shinobu trying on lipstick for the very first time


"Gambler! You did something wrong again... right!?"


Even cuter when blushing


And finally, all grown up

Enjoy your day Shinobu!

There Goes the Wonderful Trees...

When I was returning home from lessons last Friday, I was shocked to discover that the cutting of trees in the neighbouring park has begun. At this very point in time, the process of cutting them down continues.

I remember a representative of the town council telling us that no trees will be chopped. So which part of the following pictures do not show the cutting down of grown up trees?











This huge tree, like so many others, which is marked with a cross, will be gone sooner or later too:


I am fustrated and angry at my inability to do anything about the situation. If only I had more power... While standing in the middle of the park, watching the workers cut down these trees, it was almost as if I could hear them, as well as all the other animals, screaming in pain and agony. Of course, hatred runs within me towards those who masterminded the cutting down of these trees just for their urban activity centre. I know it is not very nice to curse and swear, but I can't help it this time round. For those of you who have caused destruction to this neighbouring park for your own selfish gains, may retribution claim you slowly, painfully and torturously. I may not know your names and faces, but you know who you are.

Ironically, there are a few pages concerning a special report in Saturday's newspaper entitled "Be Clean, Go Green". Did I mention that the news centre is located just across the road, opposite the park? Speaks a lot about my country, doesn't it?

Goodbye Tori! Feel Free to Visit!

Two Thursdays ago, on 25 October 2007, I said goodbye to Tori for the final time when I left my house to attend my RT session at Maju Camp. Around 5pm, when Tori was given its daily session of hopping around freely in the balcony, I sensed that something was amiss, though I was unable to determine the source of my uneasiness.

Something prompted me to look back up at my apartment while I was climbing the stairs of a park located next to my block, when I saw a mynah flying off. Shrugging it off as just some other mynah, I received the news only when I returned home.

I am definitely glad that Tori is now able to roam free though my family and I will definitely miss its presence. This incident also proves that without its natural parents, a bird can still learn to fly. What worries me is whether it will be able to hunt in the wild, but if it couldn't, I believe it will return, right?

Once a family member, always a family member. Goodbye Tori and take care! If you ever decide to return for a visit, we will be sure to welcome you with open arms.

Nowadays when I see mynahs anywhere else, I can't help but wonder if one of them could be Tori...