22nd Council gathering and SMU Residences Tour

It's been so long since the 22nd Council met up and when a third of the full force did, there was so much catching up on each others' lives! The impetus for the gathering wouldn't have been possible if not for several people's return - namely, Clifton from his 4 year study in Arizona, Jun Wei, Jacq Wong, Jolene from a study break down under, and Ford from his recent exchange to Holland. Thanks to Tze Yi who suggested the lunch, a good number showed up at Raffles City's Out of the Pan.


Thereafter, some left and the few of us remaining were followed Ford to his new hostel at Selegie/Prinsep, more affectionately known as the SMU Residences @ Prinsep. I figured it would be nice to post some pics of the much hyped-about hostel which is literally right smack in town. Walk out, and you're at the famous Rochor Beancurd. Walk in the other direction and you're in Sim Lim. Everything else is also around the corner. For slightly over SGD$1000 a semester, these rooms are reserved more for the international students (but since Ford's a PR, he managed to talk his way into getting one for himself, after all, he used to be the President for the Student's Association). On average, four rooms share one kitchen and dining area, and toilet.

The rooms themselves are by far too small for comfort, which is why the bed stacks on top of the study table and there's barely enough room to party if you look at the picture below.

Laundry costs a ridiculous SGD$4 per wash (compare that wth free washes in some of the NUS halls), and the recreation lounge isn't fully furbished, yet. Thanks to Tze Yi who helped take this picture, you'll see 4 of us guys here with our very own Sun Yan Zi lookalike. Heh.

Thanks to Tan Wee, who gave me a ride to Indoor Stadium were I reported for work again. This time, for the world renowned rock/blues/jazz guitarist, Eric Clapton! Concert basically rocked, but I share the same sentiments with the writer for the review in the Life! newspaper on Monday, about his slowhand more than jaded vocals. Many unfamiliar songs (since I wasn't part of his generation) and long solos left the audience a tad dry.

Next up, IL Divo on the 18th, and S.H.E. on the 27th.