the african safari.

We had little idea what was in store for us after the really long bus ride. I was sitting with Yin Ling- who was listening to hindi love songs with me!


this is so unfair... why is SHE so photogenic?

And even though it was fun making the friendship bands for Jeppe Girls (our host school), the real fun lay in the vast expanse of Entabeni- the game reserve we were heading to for our safari experience. The road that led to the place reminded me so much of the roads back at home when we used to drive to my grandparents' place. Moving on, we finally arrived and the view just took our breath away. See for yourself, because I won't be able to describe.


The trademark thumbtack hill, the signpost, me and my soul bearers on the road to our lodges...


Our majestic vehicles- The Safari Jeeps.

I officially declare them my favorite vehicles... Buses are nothing in front of them. This shot by John makes it look like some military camp... Cool! The jeeps took us to our haven in Entabeni, i.e. the reserve center, where we had our first safari meal. Yummy! And then, linkups... a lot of people were teased and tormented and gaped at and awwed! during this time, including me. Lets refrain from mentioning names here, shall we?


J1s :)))


I want to murder Yelyn for labeling this as "caught in the act"...

Anyway, the dessert was great and so was the cam-whoring session that took place after the meal, with the perfect background of the entire reserve landscape.


my table was at the far-end... near the food table =)


a toast to me... thats why John raised his glasses (Is there really nobody 'lamer' than him? Okay, maybe Vinesh...)


ACsian Theatre... Everybody was supposed to give an animal pose... I did a Bambi (Raymus!) but apparently everybody decided to do a themselves pose, considering how animal-like they were!

After the camwhoring and madams debrief, we went to our "America's Next Supermodel" kinda lodges- mine was No. 6 with Jas, Ed, Yelyn, Mao, Issac and my roomie Gabby! And man, it was beautiful, had a fireplace in the common room, a mesmerising and addictive view of the game reserve and even an outdoor shower, which I didn't get to bathe in because of my complacency! But it was fabulous, even though we didn't stay much in it.


Bird's eye view of Lodge 6... Okay, not exactly bird's eye, but you know what I mean right?


"See, I told you the rooms were beautiful!" And the beds were comfy too!

Then, we went back to the reception area to start off our voyage in the jungle, the mighty jungle! My jeep contained Yin Ling :), Les, Johanna, Chrys, Jen, June, Su, our ranger Amos and me of course! And we had the fun of a lifetime during the safari! Thankyou awesome jeepmates! =)))


when amos was driving really fast, in the excitement of finding the lions! :D

We saw amazing nature, and as Becky said "God at his best"... We saw wild animals in live action- Giraffes, Zebras, Antelopes & deer (a lot of different types of them), exotic birds (which we even got to savor at Carnivore!), Rhinos, Lions, Buffalos, Bulls, a glimpse of even Elephants!
We ate amazing food- breakfast, lunch and dinner- all were just so tempting and fulfilling! I cannot really do justice to what we went through, but it was the best. The ultimate!

Some more pictures :)))


me with the Giraffe! Hehe, so typically Indian!


The picturesque lake through John's photography!


Rhinoserious! Looks like a freaky Jurassic Park still


Pregnant Zebra! :)


The lioness giving us The Look! We saw them while they were 'on the hunt'!


Our jeep, without the jeep!
Sorry Les, looks like the person who took the photo missed you!

We got Hot chocolate after the first day of safari. :) And it was so welcome because I was like in tears, from the cold wind blowing in face... We sang Christian songs on our way back, as we couldn't see the animals anymore in the dark... It was bliss!

Then, we went to our beloved lodge again. I went to the common room to chat a bit but fell asleep on the couch, unaware that after lighting a fire, my lodge-mates tried hypnopaedia on me! They tried to fill me with dirty, sexual thoughts and apparently I was rubbing my chest and making weird sounds in my sleep! Woohoo! But then, it was time to sleep...

Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Hung up on your wall for the world to see

Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we used to be

But to tell you the truth, even pictures cannot narrate for me what we experienced... You have to go their yourself... But it won't be the same without ACsian Theatre, right guys?

mohito
P.S. I love you all :D
P.S.S. I miss South Africa. Lets go back there sometime, like after A-levels! What say?

Wide awake. :)

I took a backseat for today, and I have been asleep
For a long, long time,
Not resisting inertia...
Then I walk out of my bed, out of my slumber.
Determined to undo things and redo them again.
Fill myself up, shake myself down.
Looking out at the sky, I can hear my silent mind...
The train of nullified thoughts whirring past by.
And I sigh,
as the gentle breeze flows in my long hair,
as my hair is blown by the strong wind!
I turn and let it unwind,
my heart and my soul.
It cleanses and freshens.
And I am awake.

So, I change my sheets to alter the mood...
But it rains,
the drops blur my vision in the sweetest way.
Oh yes, the sweet breeze makes me sway.
It is cool and I taste its freshness!
I let the dew fall down on me...
I don't steam even though it is cold...
The cold water pierces the pores on my skin...
It cleanses and freshens.
And I am awake.

As I look at the inclined water falling from the clouds...
I glance at a photograph,
Those times I was with you,
those times, those times, those times
we were...
A flood of memories washes me.
It cleanses and freshens.
And I am awake.

My Daddy is talking to me from miles away.
His words make me smile,
Yet my heart is sad.
Maybe because after all he's my dad,
and he's away. Far away.
But I can hear his voice in my head,
it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
It cleanses and freshens.
And I am awake.

Now, I think about my day today
And I think about Her.
I close these eyes.
My hair is still wet, my long, wet hair...
The smell of her hair lingers in my senses.
All I want is to be one with you.
How it would be to risk it all?
For one person. Then, only one will fall.
Give everything away but her heart.
Its the sound of her laugh, and the beat of her heart.
It cleanses and freshens.
And I am awake.

Wide awake.

mohito
*yawns* ;)

Start to the Perfect Trip! =)

DAY 2- March 8

I woke up to an amazing view of the clouds and the plane's left wing (I was on the flight remember?)! And I knew that this is the perfect morning, as will be every other morning here in this beautiful country... And boy, it WAS beautiful! The overhead view of the country was so lush and green and freshening that I was beaming from ear to ear! Ah, but as the flight landed, I had to stop watching Chak De India... But never mind, such a small thing couldn't dampen my spirits... Felt amazing to get out of the plane and the airport helping to unload- felt a bit worthwhile doing all that, and I actually feel good while doing stuff for the company... The weather was perfect- cool yet sunny, not like Singapore pleasant and humid... The company was perfect- ACsian Theatre man! The place was perfect- Jo'berg in South Africa- miles away from home yet so homely... And the timing was perfect- first morning of term holidays! Everything was just that- Perfect! What more could I have asked for?

I knew what I could have asked for when we reached our host school- perfect hosts, when ate our first South African meal- perfect food and when we went back to our hotel Mercure- perfect lodgings! And perfect roomies- Mark, Gabriel and Kester! Super fun had just started! The Jeppe girls were really amazing hosts, both friendly and beautiful! Woohoo! Great start! Okay, I am just kidding- Didn't think of it like that until like now! And the breakfast they prepared for us was heavenly- Cheese buns and juices! I simply gorged upon them, rather everyone of us did!

note to self: I should cut the intricate details or I will never be able to relive my whole journey on the blog... Actually I can never relive it again, but at least i can recount what happened... I will try to be 'brief-er'...

After we had changed and refreshed, we were off to the Lesedi cultural village! Yay-ness! But me being the fool that I am, didn't bring my camera along... And on the first day some more (avoid Singlish!) But before Lesedi, we went to one of the flea markets of Johannesburg. No, they don't sell fleas, rather are the outlet for trademark South-African goods made of stone and animal products... I foolishly again, didn't buy anything, and I have no idea why! The cultural village had really hilarious and friendly guides, who showed us around- all the tribes and their ways. Before the sumptuous dinner, which equated to chocolate sufle for me, we had an entertaining cultural show by the tribals... *I am the bull* (inside joke) Haha, I challenged the host for the traditional stick fight and even fought using their sheepskin shield and buffalo-bone club! Overall, I had a great start to the "perfect" holidays... :)))


mohito


attack of the angry South-African bees on our first meal (Burgers for others and Veg. Cheese sandwiches for me! :D)


Gold Team... with the golden boy! (me, who else?)


ripples... Natural Ecstasy! =))


our bus landed in Lesedi the cradle of light!


a walk down the nature's lane...


Mah bruddah from anuddah muddah! B)


And the tribal food... "Beans that thunder the buttocks" !!!

*eternal bliss*
:)))))))))))))))

Feeling blue...

(Found this on someone's blog. It really touched me. Sadly Beautiful)

A rare phenomenon.
I am feeling down and low.
Maybe its you,
Maybe its just me...
Or maybe its the way things were to be.

Sigh, I am a generally happy kid...
I have always looked at life's gifts,
not at what I don't have (how can one look at what one doesn't have?).

But things are way too wrong this time,
this time I am not on a high,
this time I am not doing well,
this time I don't have someone to tell me- it will be ok...

But when did I ever have anyone,
I was always 'the someone', 'the anyone', 'The One'... Sigh!
Then why now this emptiness, this void?
I am unsure, lonely, brave enough to admit I am scared...

It rained today and for the first time,
those heavenly drops didn't lift my spirits up...
Is there something wrong with the heart?
or is my mind playing tricks with me?
I don't know- I am idle and sad as I could be!
Some one save me please, I am falling...

I need a guardian angel, or just a friend.

Sometimes, the inspirer needs motivation too...
Smile. And your troubles will wash away. (thats what I tell everyone)

:)

mohito

P.S. Don't worry. Ignore the ranting. Had to vent it out. I'll be back to being my perfect self soon. Haha! :D

South Africa baby!

These term hols were the bestest holidays ever in my entire life of seventeen years! Coz I went to South Africa via SIA for 10 days with ACsian Theatre- one of my favouritest groups of people in the whole world (note the use of superlatives)... And even though I am writing after quite a long time (thanks to the excellentest internet connection in the hostel!), the memories are as fresh as daisies in my mind- all I need is time to pen it, or rather type it...

DAY 1- March 7

the prep. The day started with me washing clothes and ironing them before going to AC for final rehearsal... Hold on, not yet on the plane! After the rehearsal, I went to buy dance shoes, toiletries, South African currency and other essentials... And I also collected my A Level mother-tongue grade... And thankfully, I got an A... But by the looks of it, it might be the only A on my mark-sheet... So, dont say Oooooh and Yaaaaaayyy!! Anyways, I had to reach school at 7:00 as I was included in the trolley team, which meant very little time was left for packing and everything after I reached hostel after buying all my paraphernalia! I am so glad that Anuj decided to help me with the packing because I would never have been able to finish without him taking the initiative but then all of that was in vain! Because Mrs. Creffield told me that the rest of the team had finished loading when I called her at 7... Sigh, I wish I could help! Anyways, I finished packing my suitcase and my super heavy and huge red hand bag, which most probably weighed more than my check-in luggage... I even had dinner and then after almost forgetting my slippers, I left for the airport with Joahanna, Anuj and Ankita... Our 'angellic' room-mates had decided to accompany us (which would result in an hourly report in the near future *angry*)... I was so overwhelmed with emotion... :)


thanks 'A' n 'A'. much treasured -- Yo's stupid antics all the way

the airport. It felt awesome to just be there with the rest of the club... Everyone was so elated... I was being a cam-whore for the first time in my life! A lot of parents and drama people had come to see us off... Aww! Ah, it was the best feeling in the whole wide world... To know that I was going to have the time of my life with these amazing friends for life... It was quintessential and surreal and don't know what more! Our principal Mrs. Chan also came to say goodbyes and pray for us, it was so sweet! I love AC <3>I talked to Papa and Ma before we finally boarded the plane... I was sitting near the window with Mark and Gabby, my soon-to-be-roomies! The flight was all about SIA food, SIA movies and SIA sleep! And when I dreamed of South Africa, I knew it was going to be something I'll never forget... :)))


me and Anuj emoing away! Actually we are quite happy, aren't we? Haha!

nostalgic mohito =)

P.S. More photos and entries to come... Watch this space for the rest of the 9 days!

Thankful... :DDD

I am thanking life... For what it has given me sooo far... Its amazing how lucky I am to get so many things in the same life... Awesome parents! Owe them every breath... Owe them everything... Most of my family is also 'cherishable', especially my grandparents, muahh! :)

Friends back home who still remember me like Punu, Rishi, Abhinav, Kartik, Anchal, Umang, Nitish, Prateek, Renuka and a lot more... And if you don't remember me, prepare to DIE!! Haha, just kidding... I am not that worth remembering all the time, but please don't forget me... Don't ever give up on me...

Friends here in Singapore, who are quite a few- Anuj, Vishesh, Ankita, Maria, Hai Ching, Wei Yong, AC Dancers & AC Thespians (most of them atleast)... I don't know how would I have lived in this country without you guys...

And today, after Arts Night, I knew I was thankful for my drama juniors- Lian Kim and Vinesh especially, and also John, Ms. Wong (haha!!), Becky, Farhana... Love you guys... Lian, you were sad with me even though you were Ms. AC Arts Night 2008! You are the best, love! <3

I am thankful for so many teachers that have shaped me, including my dear choreographer Mr. Gerard Sebastian Raj, who has given me more than any teacher has- AC Dance... I cherish it more than my life right now... Thanks for so many opportunities- SIA scholarship, South-Africa trip as ACsian theatre, and countless more...

Thanks God, therefore, for this life...

P.S. The last statement only holds true if God truly exists... 8D

mohito >:)

The Storm has passed...

Or atleast it looks like it... Terms the Disaster are officially over...

Today was my 'A' Level Physics SPA. And its not some relaxation or beauty treatment... Its just "hell in the science lab"... It was the best SPA ever... But still I used multimeter in series as voltmeter... For those of you who don't know, multimeter can actually be used as both voltmeter(to calculate voltage) and ammeter(to calculate current)... So, basically I screwed up all my values... Coz I didn't have a clue how to use the damn thing! Yet somehow I managed to get a perfectly straight line for my graph... Anyways, its over now... So much for the best SPA ever! :| I need to get a real SPA treatment...

Sigh! Ok, the thing is that I have, for the record, had my worst exams ever... And I have not yet come to terms to Terms...

It started with K&I, and thanks to Sai bhaiyya's tutoring (thanks a lot buddy :D), I survived Section A... which was one epistemological essay allotted one and a half hours... Then the other was also one and a half hours but we had to do essays, one of which included reading a two page long sucky article, that made my mind swirl! Its so unfair and unwise of them to partition the exam like that, I couldn't finish... >:

Then came Maths and English Literature on the same day!! Ah, now my ex-batchmates in India should be feeling lucky! All the best guys! Chiong all the way (Singlish ;D)! I couldn't finish Maths too, and I will surely fail because of some concealed biological reasons... :(

I went for Lit and whistled my way through Section A (poetry comparision)... Thanks to Mrs. Creffield for that unprecedented and god-sent consultation! But I think I took more than the required time to write 4 pages... Hence, the incomplete Lit exam too...

I couldn't finish Physics too... But not because I didn't have time but because I didn't know what to write... I finished the 2-hour paper in 45 minutes! Can you believe it? Mr. Tay was liek ,"Try. Try." Coz I was sleeping after one hour! I know it sounds funny, but its pathetic for a previous school topper! Ah, my faded glories... I should learn to stop dwelling on them anymore.

Chemistry was quite easy, and went quite well beyond my humble expectations (because I had opened the notes only when I reached the hall)... I hate myself for NOT STUDYING. WHY CAN'T I JUST SIT DOWN AND READ THE BLOODY NOTES??? Moving on, I think I should pass in Chem quite easily (I can't believe myself- I am talking in terms of passing and failing instead of 95% and 90%!!!) So, there goes the ultimate record for not being able to complete a single exam!

I am so not going anywhere now... All my hopes for that one thing have being dashed to the ground by none else than me... Wow! perfect! *angry*

So, I am flying off to South Africa day on 8th morning... And there is excitement, but I am way too stressed for my packin' n shoppin' to be actually happy! Plus the Terms. And I am also going to miss Dance on Saturday... God, please save me.

Anyways, I have to call up people for my dance shoes, then go shopping, even though all I wanna do is watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S... Its like the ultimate stress-buster... They are unbelievably funny... :DDD

mohito...