Hey guys, I’m back. So how’s everyone doing? Anyway, today’s entry will consist of alot of photos that was taken on my birthday and yesterday. I just decided to have a photos galore kind of entry for today, cause this kind of event coverage is best left to the pictures to do the talking, instead of having myself babbling here and there, and boring you guys with my kind of talk and description etc, heh.

And before you proceed, do take note that since there will be alot of pictures for this entry, it will definitely take a longer time to load. So just sit back and enjoy the pictures, shall we begin now? (^ ^)

All my sincere thanks and gratitude goes out to everyone who has made this birthday bash every way possible and enjoyable, and I certainly hope you guys had enjoyed yourselves too, cause I really did. I’m really grateful and thankful to everyone for the wonderful and memorable evening, and special thanks goes out to Ben (Saitou), for coming to my birthday bash despite his hectic schedule that day, which he had actually just POPed from BMT that morning, and also had to leave early in the midst of our dinner celebration due to sending his friend off at the Changi Airport. As for the presents from everyone, I really really appreciate them and am really happy and touched for the nice prezzies. The biggest surprise I had was especially from Val (and Debbie) whom actually bought the book that I had always wanted, “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. Ben’s present is the other book by Mitch Albom too, titled “The Five People You Meet In Heaven”, which should be a pretty good read too. Swahmi bought me one of my fav japanese singer’s latest CD album, Mika Nakashima’s “Music”. And lastly but not least, Jimmy, Timothy, Brandon and Ronald they all got me one of the Nokia 7610’s Style Pack, Pink cover version. (which is pretty cool imo, don’t worry I don’t really hate the color lol) All in all, muchas gracias everyone and despite I blew a really big hole in my wallet, (lol that long Marche receipt really takes the cake!) it was definitely worth it and a very memorable and happy 23rd birthday celebration for me too, thank you minna-san (everyone)! (^ ^)'’

And on Friday, we went to the Esplanade library to chill, and also for Swahmi’s piano-playing session. He’s a real talented guy I tell ya, he doesn’t even need to read scores to play the piano. (!?) Basically based on his instincts and intuition, he just listens to a song, and tries to play them on his piano with his own feelings and intuition, practising mainly at home. So it was actually my first time witnessing him playing the piano live, it was just simply amazing. He played one of my fav songs, Gackt’s “Last Song”. It was truly breath-taking, ok it wasn’t really perfect; there were pauses and rhythmic mistakes here and there, but at least he puts his feelings and emotions into performing the song on the piano, and he accomplishes it beautifully and nicely. He also performed and played some other tunes pretty well too, like from Final Fantasy X-2’s soundtrack, tracks like “Eternity” and “The Seal of the Wind, The Three Trails”. Very nice and aspiring I say. In fact, I can say he’s part of my inspiration and motivation to actually start learning and playing the piano well enough, to play some of my fav songs on the piano. I certainly hope one day I can perform Masaharu Fukuyama’s “Squall” on piano perfectly, it’s a really touching song and I hope to perform it one day in front of the girl I love, the one and only.

Anyway, here’s a message to my good buddy Swahmi: Hey bro, keep it going ya? Don’t give up on playing the piano, cause I’m sure one day your natural talent in it will be appreciated and rewarded. Keep the passion going man, and let’s keep that music dream of ours alive and kicking! Yes we can do it! (^ ^)V

As for myself, personally I have a very strong passion for music too, particularly for the electric guitar and the piano. I already do have a pretty good piano at home, so it’s not gonna be a problem, as long as I practise. What I’m actually planning now is to save up for a pretty good electric guitar (which can cost up to $500 - $1k) and start practising after my exams. I can already start to foresee myself cutting down on my gaming hobby, and move towards my passion and interest for music. It will not be a very hard task for me to accomplish, since in actual fact, I had already started to cut down on my gaming habits in these recent months, since I was gonna prepare myself for the upcoming exams. After O’s, my plans would most probably be juggling between my part-time bento (work) and taking up japanese classes for JLPT4, before I take the official exams for it. So I hope that I would have some spare time, to try start practising on the piano, and of course playing the electric guitar, once I have the money to buy one of my own choice.

As for my console-gaming hobby, it will eventually start to take a backseat due to my other social obligations and commitments, though I believe I won’t be giving it up totally. I mean afterall, anyone and everyone who knows me, will know I’m someone who adores gaming to an extent. And I certainly hope that this gaming passion of my won’t be dying out on me in the next ten years too, the reason is because this passion and interest of my, has gave me countless chances and opportunities, to meet what I consider are some of the greatest people I’ve got to know, during this lifetime of my existence. And also not to forget the friends I have made, great people and buddies like Swahmi and Jimmy (gupster). And like they say, if you had always thought that gaming were only for geeks, well that’s where you are wrong. Gaming is a great way, and a great channel for anyone and everyone to know and socialise with other people, with the same common interest. Social interaction and activities are also promoted through gaming, so if you were thinking that gamers only does gaming and nothing else, well think again.

So that aside, before I end this post for tonight, I shall present to you some more pictures of delicious food. So yesterday after our chilling session at the Esplanade, we headed over to Carl’s Jr at Marina Square for dinner. It was my 2nd time there, and this time I finally tried the Super Star burger, and it truly lived up to its name. This burger was so much bigger than the Charboiled BBQ Chicken Burger that I had, when I was there for the first time. This burger was like double the size of BK’s Mushroom Swiss Burger, and it was much tastier and juicier too. Sadly, one wasn’t enough to fill me. So I actually had 2 Super Star burgers. (^.^)'’ Oh and the Criss-cut fries, they were fantastic! So much better than the normal kind of fries they serve man, I’m definitely going for Criss-cut fries again the next time I go back there.

Alright that’s all for tonight, good night minna-san, monsieur aaron signing out. Be back soon for more updates!