My final Star Blog entry

It’s really strange how time just moves on. When you think back to the beginning of any significant occurance, it’s kinda shocking to realise how long it’s been.

For example, I think about my friendship with Unker Kell and Elyxia and realise that we’ve known one another for nine years. I still remember very clearly the circumstances under which we met, so it doesn’t strike me that so much time has already passed.

We’re all almost a decade older and are a lot closer now than we were then, which is the way you always hope friendships develop.

Both of them are the sweetest people and the best friends I’ve ever known, not counting my dearest cousin, Monster, because she’s family.

 

RG Gay

 

That’s a 6-year-old photo. I can’t find any earlier than that.

But let me get to the main point, which is that Star Blog is coming to an end. This week is the last week and it will be replaced by something else in 2011.

I can’t believe I’ve been Star Blogging for 2 years 3 months. It really doesn’t feel that long.

The most memorable thing about it is that I always have to be a wet blanket because of it. We usually get our topics on Friday evenings and we have to submit our blogs by Monday mornings, so that means we have to work on it over the weekend.

There have been countless times I’ve had to say to my friends, “I can’t go/do that/stay out late. Gotta do Star Blog.”

During weekend getaways with friends, I would have to beg off activities for half a day to work on the blog.

On Wednesday nights, I might be out having dinner with friends and I’d have to be antisocial for an hour while I log in from my phone or laptop or iPad to do the “live” chat.

I guess the schedule is a little inconvenient, and sometimes the topics are really tough, but I don’t regret my stint on Star Blog one bit.

It’s always exciting checking my e-mail every Friday to see what the new topic is. And it’s fun during the times I round up my friends to help me pose for photos to illustrate a specific blog.

 

Michael Jackson posers

 

That was us trying to pose like Michael Jackson but not succeeding very much, for my tribute post to the late superstar.

Unker Kell ignored my instructions to the group to wear black that night, but he was really good at the poses, so I made him dance coach for the night.

 

Michael Jackson poser

 

Haha.

In total, I’ve written 116 Star Blog entries. It’s become such a routine that it’s gonna be weird not to have to do it anymore.

The job was very stressful at first, because the topics started off being more issue-oriented, many of which required research.

My very first post was to comment on the two candidates for the 2008 US Presidential Elections and cast a vote for either one.

That was the scariest topic ever, considering that I’ve never followed American politics or, in fact, any politics at all, in my life.

The only politics I was vague aware of were of the ones in the offices where I’d worked, but which I diligently avoided as much as humanly possible.

You can read for yourself how knowledgeable I was on the subject. =P

 

McCain and Obama

 

After a year, the topics became easier for me because there were more personal topics. Isn’t it always easier to write about yourself than about two blokes whom you know absolutely nothing about?

But, despite the stresses and the inconvenient schedules, I’m going to miss Star Blog a lot. It’s been a huge part of my life for over two years and I’ve made real friends from it.

I’m just glad I was given the chance to be on the team. I always enjoy being on some team or other.

Next week, a new STOMP section will replace Star Blog. It’s called “You Say, I Say”. I don’t know the details, but I guess we can all find out next week.

In the meantime, here’s my final Star Blog: What my life will be in 2011.

 

Sheylara

 

Go read it! Don’t read next time no more already! =D

Things I can’t live without

This is a notice stuck on the inside of the elevator at Ohmok-Gyo Co-op Residence, where I’m staying in Seoul.

 

Funny sign

 

Someone had taken the liberty to correct the English. =P

By the way, check out my Star Blog post this week about things I can’t live without.

I’m sure some of you already know some of the things I can’t live without. Go see if you’re right! ;)

 

Sheylara blogging

 

Facebook brings out the stupid in people

I was a late adopter of Facebook, purposely resisting it because it was overhyped and I hated when that happened.

I only signed up way after everyone I knew had a Facebook account, and that was after I happened to sit in on an advisory panel on blogs and social networking.

Because I couldn’t contribute much on the topic of Facebook, I realised that limiting one’s knowledge and horizons just for the sake of showing people that you’re not one to follow trends and buy into hype is just stupid and prideful.

 

Sheylara's Facebook

 

So I signed up, maybe to my detriment because when Facebook games became more sophisticated, I got addicted and was playing them almost full-time, neglecting everything else.

I am glad to report that I went cold turkey earlier this year and never looked back at all.

Which has freed up a lot of time for me to spend on iPad games, instead.

Actually, iPad games are a more productive use of time, in my case anyway, because I enjoy playing puzzle and strategy games on the iPad and, so, I’m actually working my brain.

Facebook games (such as Restaurant City and Cafe World) do tax my brain cells a bit because I start making charts on the most efficient and profit-maximising ways to do things. But that’s really child’s play. Once you’ve got a formula, you just apply it and continue churning out the goods in a robotic manner.

Which is practically useless.

But I can’t say that Facebook has been a total waste of time for me. I did enjoy the games very much and I continue to enjoy reading my friends’ updates and posting my own and reading comments on them.

 

Sheylara's Facebook

 

So, what’s the big deal about Facebook?

We answer this question in Star Blog this week!

Read my piece: Facebook is for showing off or being a voyeur

On a related note, also read this illuminating rant on Facebook’s Super Wall and FunWall which I wrote three years ago.

It will illuminate to you how Facebook makes people stupid.

Or maybe I should more accurately say: How Facebook brings out the stupid in people.

Best and worst meals experienced

It’s been a while since I linked to my Star Blog entries.

Thought I would do that today because this week’s entry touches on stuff I’ve been wanting to blog about but never got around to and never may because things that get pushed down often have a have a hard time resurfacing.

This week, we talk about our best and worst meal experiences. I recall a few memorable ones which I encountered overseas.

 

Guess where this photo was taken and whether it was a “best” or “worse” experience! ;)

Nanny Wen and Sheylara

 

Find out here.

The 10 things I find irresistible

I don’t have time to write a blog today, so I shall link my Star Blog. =D

 

The 10 things I find irresistible

Sandakan refugee children

 

You know, if you never tried to list 10 things you found irresistible, you wouldn’t know how hard it was.

I was at Sandakan while working on this blog. I polled a few of my travel mates as to their list. Not one of them could come up with 10 things. They had, maybe, three or four.

I guess, in life, we don’t really think about things in terms of them being irresistible, with the exception of a few things that make us go “Aww” or “I want!”

Can you make a list of 10? Have a think about it and then come read mine! =D