A saturday night like one of those long forgotten

I'm back in school to mug on a Sat night for the first time in a long, long, time. The first time since I graduated, in fact.

It's 9.30pm, and I just got here after dinner at Ed's place. Took me an hour to get here what with the usual pleasantries and interaction after dinner, and with my mum (Ed's mum got my parents to go over for dinner) completely oblivious to my mounting anxiety to start hitting the books (she discovered the aquarium shop near the coffee shop we ate at, and she was positively gaga over the saltwater fish display - actually, so was I, but that was when I first saw it a while back)

I'm at my usual spot outside the comp lab - The air around me is as still as i remembered it, with the usual background hum (with compliments from the crickets), students mugging at nearby tables, the feeling of peace and isolation, coupled with a sense of purpose.


Talking about a sense of purpose - have wasted enough of the day... should really get started....

SHIT

hey sha

pardon my frankness, but you are writing like for a newspaper or something ( I mean the later bits)? hehe

Yea saw arrested development before, din rem much except that they film the show in a strange sorta way, with zoom-ins and what nots, kinda give me a headache watching it and reminds me a little of las vegas (anyhow I decided that LV is quite boring except one of the guy is cute...whatever his name is, love strong guys with nice sexy stubble! yummi-licious!
Anyway, who in this blog doesn't have tv? heh except poor me, with tv but stuck with crabby shows ( I mean i got nice channels like national geo, discovery, MTV, BBC and all but whenever I have the time to plonk in front of the google box, nothing captures my attention anymore... maybe it is the cycling...)

Hermit Day

I declare today 9th of Nov "Hermit Day"
It is a day which I will talk to no homo sapien on this planet earth.
Seeing that I'm not garrulous usually, I don't think it'll be too difficult a task to accomplish.
Sometimes talking such a chore, trying to get my helluva lazy mind to send electric signals to my small peachy mounth (yintaoxiao zui in mandarin, haha pls don't puke) to talk.
Anyway, I breached "hermit day " today, cos a conflict of world war III proportions happened between the other woman in the house ( my mum, haha) and me. (for all those kaypohs out there, it involves, cuttlefish, yong tao foo and brinjal, basically food. Guess women and food ain't a great combination. heh)
But don't worry everyone, everything is solved, and all conflict was resolved with a KODAK moment of us hugging each other with tears and pats and "i love U"s. (haha do puke if u feel like it. It ain't good to keep all that vomit inside ya)

And let me enlighten every one on one of the most hilarious shows to hit town: Arrested Development.
Totally Arresting!
The show centres around the bluth family, a family full of kooky characters, each with their own idiosyncracies and quirks. Only 1 son Micheal, (played by Jason Bateman, totally cute! Kawaiiii!) is sane enough to hold the family together.

The jokes fly so fast and furious, its the sitcom equivilent of prosaic, guranteed to help u fight the blues.

For those looking for eye candy, there's the delectable Portia De Rossi, last seen in Ally Mcbeal. She plays Lindsy, Micheal's twin sis, a bum who lives off the family fortune. And there's the occasion guest appearances by hollywood heavy weights like Liza Minelli, Heather Graham, Charlize Theron(yummy), Julia Louis -Dreyfuss(remember ellen from seifeld?) and the list goes on.

So try get your hands on those episodes! For those who have a tv at home, do tune in to arts central at 10 pm to catch the best half hour of your day.

i need updates!

Hey gals,

what are u all up to in Singapore? Tell me, tell me!

School just started but there are already assignments, forsee a busy busy year. Hope I can still blog often.

Btw, Puffy's :Quick Thoughts" sure were fast, I dun see nothing on the post lei. Hee.

I had a strange dream about being in Singapore where I lost a few things and were all alone without mobile phone so were uncontactable to all my friends there. I was also in a hawker center, guess I am craving cheap good food!

That's all for now, I got to get work done.

Tot ziens

another interesting blog

Quick Thoughts

i have done something stupid.

he told me he was coming here and I panicked,
told him things that I should never have.

darn.

Today I went to the university for the first time. It is located in a very nice part of Rotterdam call the Kralingen district and I had really wished to get a place there but it was too much cost. Anyhow, I love the home that I have right now. A Dutch friend of mine who saw the photos thought I was living in that district, so I guess that's not too bad then. ;p

Saw a few of my class mates today and they were all pretty surprised that we seem to have gotten around much already. I guess this is the fruit of trying to sort things out ourselves. Actually, the university will have pretty much helped us to sort some admin stuff but we did not know about that so we tried and did things by ourselves. More complicated but much more fulfilling to try things out for yourself. For eg, people were surprised that we already got our bicycles and at a very good price. So yep I felt a little proud of my "achievements" and guess that can compensated for the long tiring walks and cycling and dealing with admin matters.

School is starting soon, next week in fact and horrors of horrors, each ride to uni takes 35 minutes. So basically each day I have slightly more than an hour cycling to do. Well but I am not complaining, my Landlord cycles to work everyday and work is at a village about 12 km away. He is already 55 , so why should a 23 year old young and healthy gal bitch about? Except the possibility of thunder thighs ...*shudders*

Enuff of my rantings, but I guess I will not have the chance to write too often when school starts. So bear with me and my verbal diarrhoea yah? heh

Yufuyin

Yesterday we took this bus up the winding roads of Yufuyin - land of the hot springs .. It is currently autumn hence, the mountains are painted with a most wonderous red, yellow and orange. As we reached near the top of the mountain, we saw many stalls selling handicrafts. The place had this authentic feel as all the stalls were filled with beautiful decor of japanese foodstuff, jewellery, thai handicrafts, totoro and jazzy tunes.

The original place that we booked had to be substituted with another at the eleventh hour as the person had placed a wrong reservation. The change of plans took us to this family style onsen hotel where we sought shelter for the night. Had 2 tries at the onsen, as we were the only guests for that night, we could actually have private use of the onsens (which were indoors and thus felt like a bigger bathtub, only that these are filled with minerals). Had a sumptuous dinner prepared by the obasan. It was only outshone by the feast we saw on the TV when the boyband V6 toured a certain onsen hotel *bleah*

It was a sleepy town where most shops close by 7pm. Hence, the night was spent playing weiqi which I only managed to win a record 14 of the opponent's seeds.

The nest morning, we spent some time touring the remaining village and this became the highlight of the day. Passed by a shop and saw this cute kitten who came over to be stroked and cuddled by us. It was a stray who seemed to be fated with da. Hence, we actually decided to adopt it. Thereafter, we went to go cat grocery shopping and prepared for the arrival of the new member. Met Da's best friend (this Spanish guy) who became the cat's nanny for the afternoon. As the kitty is still very young.. we had to bottle feed it and start toilet training. It all felt a lot like raising a child as we went through the heating of milk, the feeding and the cuddling. Not an easy task I say. Thank goodness for the nanny!

Anyway, we haven't decided on a name for the kitty but I guess the interim name shall be Ebitda.. (haha, at first his rmmate and Spanish fren thought it's some kind of prawn ... ) What do you think ?

By the way, this is a magnified photo. In actual fact, it is only as big as a palm. Guess how small it is! Compared to the giant of a cat the neighbour has (an astounding 8kg and bigger than the dog) , I guess Ebitda might face some esteem issues but in the meanwhile, it shall enjoy our super ultra tender loving care. Welcome to the family!

*By the way, this is a sudden trip, only decide I was going 3days before the trip and got the tix 2 days before... hence, sorry for the lack of updates man...It was a lightning kinda of trip. Anyway, if you are going to Japan anytime and are not flying SIA, try not to take Thai Airways. For the same price, MAS is better.

Devils Bar

A friday night w 2 bottles of Black Label... and a Halloween night with another bottle of Black Label got me a memeber's card at Devils' bar. The good thing is, I didn't pay for the Liquor, but got a member's card, and it's my first. The bad is... I can only bring 2 guests. Haha... But i guess there's always room for negotiation when the bouncer see my clique of pretty friends! :)

Foregone hopes of a short trip

Well, it seems many exciting things are happening!!!

FNC - your places looks really spiffy man! ;p keep us updated about Holland yeah? Not sure about you, but being near old, quaint places just gives me the feeling of falling in love all over again! hahahahhaa... do they call this living vicariously through other ppl?? heh

Damselfish - yah i also didn't know about your Japan trip! hee... it must have transpired at one of those dinners I didn't manage to attend.. heh. Post photos gal!!! (IF the internet connection allows, that is... )

Fishy - tell me!!! tell meeeeeeee!!!!

Puffy - leading a not-so-exciting life. One free week before the pre-exam mugging begins, and I have no where to go. haiz. but perhaps i will take this time to organize my anime and burn them all out, watch more takuya kimura shows, and get some exercise... hehehe

second day in my new home and I cant stop myself falling in love with this lovely little house that I will have for a year or so. My little humble abode is all in total 99 years old and this is already an immediate plus point for the lover of nostalgia, that is yours truly.

my two cents worth on love from another little country

love comes in many diff ways and often beyond our expectations. Whether it grows on u or hits u like a thunder blot, it simply is love when it makes u better, stronger, happier and more beautiful.

Its like water with no definite shape, it takes the form of the vassel that holds it. And like water, life thrives on it and cannot be without it.

Love comes from many different places and persons. Each bringing a different meaning to our lives.

Do not define it nor resist it. Enjoy the gladness in your heart when you have the fortune to recieve it and then cherish it.

Love is not a complicated feeling, the more you try to complicate it, the more u end up in knots. And then you do not recognise it no more.

Day 2 - Park Place

Today I slept till 12 while he went to school. Then we went to this place called Park Place which is a shopping centre on top of a mountain, right opposite Big Eye (the stadium built for World Cup).

The place is quite modern, with lots of shops selling stuff for mothers, children and dogs. It kinda of reminded me of Kobe with its thematic shops and modern architecture.

Spent a lazy afternoon strolling and shopping. Then ended the day eating pasta at this cozy Wine Cafe. I had a piece of Caramel cheesecake, pretty nice I say.

Looking forward to tomorrow for I shall visit this famous hot spring whose name I cannot remember (haha).

Oh, I forgot to mention, yesterday we went to this Beppu park where there was a huge harvest celebration. Naturally, we then tested lots of juicy pears, mandarin oranges, and even honey combs... Saw many performances too as there was a dance competition. It's amazing how kids as young as age 3-5 can hold their place on the huge stage as well. The night ended with a mini feast of Ma La Huo Guo and Negotiator.

lots of stories...lots of walking...lots of cycling...hope i dun get thunder thighs

sorry gal to not keep updated on the blog...damsel is in Japan!!!!! how come i din noe abt that? Gosh she must be so happy !!!

yes cheeky, I am very very bz with admin stuff. Been walking and cycling so much that my legs almost fall off.

I am moving in my new place tomorrow! Looking forward to my own pad...pretty nice place, i will take pictures and keep posted as soon as i can!

meanwhile gals take care! miss ya all...continue to have fun...work hard, play hard and be the sexy gals u all are!

First day IN Beppu

Hi to all, sending this from the mountains... just arrived and I'm taking in lots ofseas and mountain air already... First impression - lots of old people and hot springs... Let's see if I discover more things in the days to come. Will try to keep you guys updated! Love.

Where's FNC?

I wonder is our dear Fish n Chips lost in Holland... haven't seen any post from her since her departure... ok, maybe's she's busy w admin stuff... but hope tt she's fine. Just wondering if any of us got the contact number of her new beau...

Aniway, congrats to Damsel coz she's going to Japan!!! to see her beau! Enjoy my dear :)

I so caught up with my orals preparation, guess a lot of stress and pressure are pourng in... will throw a big party to celebrate once it's over..meanwhile, hang in there gals!

I Can Breathe At Last!

27 October is a great day. I have finished my last of 3 tutorials this week, sent out the last of my 2 letters to my case management opponent yesterday, handed in my professional responsibility assignment (a 2-day mini-marathon on its own), and concluded a three-week marathon of work!!!!!

PHEW! *Puffy jumps around in joy* The only blitz in the horizon is edu-dine tomorrow. I am planning to go blading and gymming tomorrow afternoon, AND shopping for salsa heels after that... but I've got to chop one off the list otherwise I will never make it on time for edu-dine at 6.30pm.. guess it will be shopping since that is the furtherest away from the others (but i wanna go shopping!!! *whine*)

We'll see.... I shall worry about that tommorrow, but for now.. it's time to reclaim some long over-due nua-time...

Do Women do not get to the Top because they are Crap???

I read in the Sunday Times today that Neil French - the creative director of the world's second largest advertising firm - is resigning because of the furor he caused by saying that there are very few females holding top spots in the industry by the virtue that they are 'crap'. He also said that they would eventually 'wimp' out and go 'suckle something' (in the context I reasonably presumed that this means they go off to have babies).

He later explained that he had meant to say that women who cannot be committed to this job do not deserve to stay.

That is food for thought isn't it?

This seems to suggest that between having a career and a baby - it is one or the other. How sad.

Ed tried to make the situation seem better by saying that the ppl he admired most are those who can juggle both. But here's the cruel truth - these women are only able to do this because they have very supportive families who are available to baby-sit, and i think these women do not have husbands who are as high-flying as they are.

How can someone be a good, full-time mother and juggle a successful career?

Will I be able to decide to forego my career to bring up kids????!!!

Sigh. I don't wanna have to answer that question...

Weekend update!

Had a pretty eventful weekend I must say - hahaha... did a lot of stuffs!

Firstly, I finally got down to that baking routine I have been trying to psyche myself up for for the longest time! (What can I say, when I am lazy and terribly unmotivated, a lawn-mower wouldn't get me to move....)

That's your recipe Fish n Chips! -- for the carrot cake...hehehe... took me the whole Bl**dy night to do though (with help sommore!) ... 10pm on Friday night till 3++am.... But I baked 2 cakes, so that sorta compensated for the time.... Brought it to my friend's house-warming dinner today. Got compliments all round!! hahaha... that so completely made my day man!!!

Ever played the game called "Taboo" before??? It's like charades, but you have to give verbal clues to your partner to guess a word printed on a card, without using certain clue words.. EG. If the word your team got is "tweezer", and you are not allowed to say eyebrows, pluck, pull, and hair, how would you describe the word?

Some classic clues:
Guess "mad cow disease", clue: when the moo moo(s) get sick
Guess "toilet", clue: it's not on the grass, but where humans poo poo and pee pee.... (er... i never really thought about it that way though)

Imagine - people aatually SAID these things... hahahah

Went to a pot luck dinner party on Sat night with some ppl from class... hahaha... eating events with that bunch always crack me up, hahaha, among other things...

AND I finally got my birthday gift from ED!!!!! It's an armchair! Whee!!! (Of course you can imagine that I am currently languishing on it now.... heh).

Hmm.. it's back to class tom, and more work to hand in for the week... oh well... Guess I am not meant to be able to enjoy life that much after all.....

Rantings of A Tortured Soul

I am but joking. Seriously now.

"My pitiful existence as an all-rounded loser" ??? (refer to previous post)
Now where did THAT come from....

By all means indulge in self-inflicted emotional bashing if you have to, if that's what rocks your boat. I understand the human race's occasional perverse inclination towards masochism. You need to feel your soul bleed, you need to hear the cracking sounds of your heart breaking, you need to feel so lousy about yourself that you need to look UP to see the eyes of the ant crawling on the floor - heard of people being down in the dumps? You think you need to look UP to see the dumps.

It is very hard indeed to let go of the past, sometimes you manage to do it, sometimes you don't. Hence the need to set a limit to the time you allow yourself to wallow in crippling self-pity, so that you can resume living in the present. Find things to be happy about - something else you did right. Something good that came out of the mistake. And allow time to dull the pain of a previous mistake.

To end off, I quote: "Yeah so there. Hope that I have helped in anyway in your silly pathetic lives."
Oh but I beg to differ - I only hope that I have helped people to see the value in their lives worth living.

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn

Ever heard of self inflicted emotional bashing?

For the smart alecks out there, its got nothing to do with wife abuse, child abuse or any sorta truama. For the perverts out there, its got nothing to do with private parts or anything sexual.

Its about obsession and evolution.

Ever made a mistake, look back and wonder how stupid you were to commit it? In retrospect the mistake seems so glaring, and huge, like a humogous pimple on smooth shiny skin. and u wonder to yourself: how could i have missed it?

But you did.

And then the worst part starts.

You feel shitty, cos you knew you definitely could do better. (but you didn't!! you made the damn mistake!!) You keep thinking of ways to make things right but somehow you knew, things would always be better if you hadn't commited the mistake in the first place. But of course, wat's done cannot be undone, as both you and Mcbeth found out too late.
Still, despite being very aware that nothing can be done to make things better, you still proceed to think about it, simply because the gene to let go of the past is not ingrained in your DNA. ( Of course you could blame your parents for not imparting it to you; if it makes you feel better. But usually it doesn't. Trust me. So don't try that. And and ain't your parent's fault that you turned out to be a paranoid obsessive freak. So you don't have anyone to blame but yourself. And that's the truth. )

People like you lose out. Because emotional bashing wears you out.

As the theory of evolution goes, only the fittest survive.

So quit thinking, and do something to keep your mind off things.

Do stuff like blogging, its actually feels fun to think that the world gives a shit about your problems; singing in the shower helps, cos you could enjoy yourself and torture others at the same time.

Yeah so there. Hope that I have helped in anyway in your silly pathetic lives.

PS: To anyone out there who gives a damn: If I do sound like an obsessive, paranoid, depressive, schizoprehnic freak who deserves to be institutionalised, BINGO! You hit the jackpot! KAching!!! You're right! I am!!!!


There, I feel much better now. Have a good night. Now back to my pitiful existence as an all rounded loser.

I Think I Am a Closet Bimbo... and some other less remarkable news

Just had a harrowing week... finally handed in my last piece of assignment late this afternoon - a 12 page homework that took me from 9pm yesterday(Wed) till 4pm this afternoon straight to finish (with 3 hours of sleep in between). You cannot imagine the immense relief.

The reason for this punishing schedule? Takuya Kimura. Hence the title of this blog. The problem was: I started watching 'Pride' (starring Takuya Kimura..... ta-ku-ya! ta-ku-ya! ta-ku-ya!.. eh.. er-hem *Puffy composes herself*) on tuesday night.... through till Wednesday morning 7am.... slept till the day was almost done.... before I panicked in the evening.

I can't believe the addiction. I am not supposed to go ga-ga at my grand old age of 23 years. Such behaviour at this age should be outlawed. I am like, 7 years too late. But let me show you nevertheless....



My GAWD he is SO sexy..... *Puffy pinches herself really HARD* Snap out of it!

ouch! .......But yeah - you get the drfit..... it's so girly I can't stand myself. Where art thou, thy mature, self-assured and confident self???? And he's like... not even real. Oh well, but not as if I will have time for such decadence once work starts... so.... I think I will just let it be...*Yippee!!*




Anyway... on to less bimbo-ish stuffs.
I realize that I kinda consistently check in here once every week or 2 weeks... hehe.. dunno why.. just can't seem to get regular with blogging. It was the same thing with my LiveJournal. Well... guess it just seems a little wasteful to live your life twice by talking about what you did after you did it, unless it was meaningful or something. And I am lazy about it.

Read Fishy's super long blog about 2 weeks back. Had a sense of deja vu. Were you the one who told me once, long long ago, that we are quite similar in some ways? I dunno - I do that too - I mean, like I need to work out a problem before I can talk about it. Especially so when I get upset with Ed. He will be begging me to tell him what's wrong and I will just tell him to leave me alone.

Perhaps it has something to do with the sense of pride and self-worth associated with the successful modern female. The need to be strong, resilient and happy, and to be able to have the ability to achieve that on your own. You don't want to talk about it if talking doesn't help the situation. Or maybe it is just too painful to go through everything twice.

But I have learnt over time that talking about it helps - although it may make you re-live the pain, it could help you release some of it. Don't underestimate the practically unhelpful but emotionally releasing female support. :)

Anyways, this is longer than I expected it to be already, so I shall save the rest of another time.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Everytime I sit behind the glass panels in the TCM clinic, I also have a sneaking suspicion that all the people outside me are looking at me and wondering why such a young person believes in TCM ? Isn't it something for the old ?

However, as the old chinese adage goes ... "zhi biao bu zhi ben".. I believe that while Western medicine has the means of curing the immediate symptoms and pains, they have no way of curing the root of the illness. And this is what I feel TCM can do for us.

As the female TCM doctor describes " For Western medicine, there are a few standard types of drugs to cure a certain illness. But for Chinese medicine, we analyse each patient unique body conditions and use different combinations of herbs even for just one kind of illness. " This is her response to me when I asked her why she asked me questions like " Do you fear heat or coldness more?", "Do you fly into temper easily?", " Do you feel thirsty easily?" I wasn't expecting that the prescription for a rash issue would require these details ( I was half fearing she would diagnose me with some new disease) and thus, I had to ask her.

If I am not wrong, say if we have a bacterial infection, the Western medicine used would be antibiotics, and that will kill the bacteria. but for Chinese medicine, how it works is to adjust your "qi" such that it create an environment in your body which is uncondusive for the growth of bacteria. Hence, this problem is not only cured now but also prevented in future.

Hence, my support for TCM is growing. While the huge amt of Western medicine I've taken has failed to cure my monthly flus last year, I have encountered almost no such ailments this year round after going for TCM treatment. In fact, for many problems, such as mentrual related pains and such, it can be more effectively tackled by TCM than Western medicine.

And I recalled I once had pain in my tailbone and cox it's internal, it couldn't be reached or massaged physically. Hence, I went for one very painful session of ba guan and zhen jiu and it actually cured me completely. That must have been the time my trust in TCM and treatment started growing.

So if you ever need medicial advice, do give TCM a try.

Catch of the Day

That day Fishy and I were talking about how we don't seem to see that many disabled people in Singapore. The real truth we figured is that Singapore is so disabled people-unfriendly that if you are disabled, you have not much choice but to stay at home.

Today I felt it even more through a personal experience. After seeing a doctor ( I was sick), I heard this ah ma calling for someone to help her and what she wanted to do was to cross the road. As I started pushing the wheelchair she was sitting in, I started to really understand why she needed help.

Firstly, the sides of her wheelchair were hanging with metal cans and many packet of tissue paper. Hence, these added weights were something to reckon with. Next, I realised that there ain't much space to move around, especially when we were passing through a bus-stop. Further, some of the roads were not quite even and some ramps were quite steep. For a healthy person pushing her, I had to spend a considerable amt of energy and vigilance to make sure I don't send her rolling down the too-steep slope and crashing into some obstacles. I could imagine how much effort it would take her to roll wheel herself across. Furthermore, I find that even the 20 seconds given to cross the road hardly suffice for us to cross. I had to trust that the drivers were kind enough to spare me a few seconds to send her over safely (which they did).

Then she told me about how the blind people selling tissue (who are usually accompanied by other people) usually are from a syndicate that exploits their disability. And she also told me that they don't need so much money to survive cox they don't have to go for repeated medicial treatment (since they are already blind), unlike her who has to go every few months (one of her legs is amputated from the knee downwards).

After this incident, I feel even more strongly that more disabled and elderly-friendly features need to be in place in this country with an aging population. The day will soon be when our parents and ourselves need these amenities to help us lead a more dignified life. If you are like me, who might sometimes turn a blind eye to the old ah ma selling tissue, now I say, just buy it. To us, that $2 might be nothing more than small change but to these people, it means a meal, some rental and perhaps savings for medical expenses.

Movies...

Ok, maybe the cough mixture is making me high but just feel like posting nonsense... FISHY is going on a movie DATE with my SEXY LIPS tonight... hahah... ok, time to sleep...

MC

I'm on Mc today, down with a flu that actually started from Wed last week. However, as we all know, I've got absolutely no time to see a doc as Ms Peahen is not ard... but finally I have decided that I'm not going to be an angel anymore and mess with my health, so heck with whatever exams she's taking, I'm off on mc today. My boss says it's ok, so who cares about her? However, I seriously think she'a an exam freak... or what do u call someone who loves taking exams for pleasure?!?! anyway, she refuse to pick up my calls nor reply my sms, but i make sure I sms her more than 2 times and got up early to email her and see a doc. So the story goes, she still went ahead with her exams this morning, or so i heard as my other colleague called and informed me that client was looking for us... sometimes I just think... professionalism takes a dip when one places self-interest above the interest of the organisation... and I wonder how long I can last... believing in looking at the big picture...

For now, I must take care of my health and make sure I remain strong to fight the many battles ahead... orals coming next month, and I'm feeling the pressure... but meanwhile, at least I still have you guys.. cheers!

I'm on leave this Thurs and Fri, who wants a date?!

i was a blushing school gal today

today i felt as if I was in Jc again.

I was at a meeting with some client and the guy that we were supposed to meet was slightly late so we were chatting with another guy from the company in the conference room. As usual , an old guy, cos most of the higher management pple that I meet in these marketing trips are senior pple ( interesting pple with a wealth of experience but def no eye candy whatsoever) and anyway after a short while, in walk this guy and I was momentarily stunned.

He is gorgeous ! I almost blush when he talked to me but of course on the surface I acted really professional. ( I could almost do a Ally Mcbeal)

Whats the odds that someone who is young, handsome, successful and rich not be married at the age of 28. But he sure took my breathe away ( brought me back to the memories of the time of wx. heh)

....

lots of thoughts but forgot everything in the midst of my headache from lack of sleep and offically falling sick...

Still I am packed up to my neck with appointments and commitments. But what's a better way to get better than to immerse me-self in the company of like-minded brillant minds.

ciao bellas , a bientot, tot ziens, see u all tomorrow!!!!

Big Fat Hairy Rat

Fishy and I played soccer today but very unfortunately and very very much unintentionally with something very very unlikely.

Yes the title of this blog pretty much sums it up.

We kicked some rat butt today.

A most unfortunate event and I think Mom's gonna have to buy more soap tomorrow cos I used all up to clean and re-clean my molested foot.

For Fishy and Mei nu squad

If he's meant to be the one, he would somehow come right back into your life again. And if he's not, rest assured that a better one will come along, thousand times more charming and dependable....and somehow the possiilities that come with life can only get better, as long as you allow it to be. I just know it.

Anyway, for some updates, I just caught up with some Mei-nu squad friends...it's been so long since I last met up with them....it was sec4 since we last sat down and spoke for a good while....while it was a good time I had catching up, I realise realise how much I miss them as well. So, if there's any gd frens you've neglected over the past few years, do make an effort to get in touch..there's so much magic out there.. .

"If you can't laugh at yourself, life's gonna seema whole lot longer than you'd like."
Sam from Garden State, played by Natalie Portman

Gem of a film, it sparkles with orignality and humour, makes you smile and tear at the same time. I would call it the best film of the year, 'cept for the fact that it premiered in last year in the US.

Brief sypnosis:
Zach Braff from Scrubs, plays an actor who returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral, having been away for 9 long years. He is numbed to life, and lives in a drug induced coma. There, he meets Sam, a dash of color and life, yet so real with her insercurities and secrets.

A film which pulls off quirky, funny and bittersweet effortlessly. Eleven Fingers Up! =)

for Fishy

Time and Tide waits for no man
but,
Time and Tide will heal all pain ...
Lovers may part
as feelings dilute...
but,
Friends will always
be here for you...

~cheeky~

Protecting ourselves

I've noticed some spam on our webby, so in a move to prevent that from vandalising our perfect realm, I have proceeded to added this anti-spam function in our comment box.

Well, plans for next week, dinner on Friday, no late nights...meet at 9am at Harbourfront..I'll bring the volleyball, somebody bring the frisbee. Who's invited? Anyone you feel like.... If not, too little pp, not enough for a game. We'll stay there for the whole day till jazz at night at Siloso, how does that sound?
WHo has mats? I wore out mine...but it has served me well for the past few years.

Let's speak more on Friday. How about we try somewhere new this Friday. Any suggestions for new eateries/restaurants?

I realise

That I haven't blogged for so long and I miss it so much...
That Gek is leaving and I am so gonna miss her too...
That I probably have mroe fine lines under the eyes than anyone of you ..haha
That my sensitive skin can be so distressing....
That I miss Momo..how was it?
That I have not gone to the beach for so long....who's game for some beachy action next week?
That I am loved and I'm thankful for having great friends and family!

all my bags are packed...not

offical date of departure: 24th October 2005

finally got down to booking the airticket. KLM direct to Amsterdam , capital city of the country that is gonna be my home for the next one year!

eeni minee eeni mo ... who is the one with the most free time?

this blog is gonna be gek-dominated very very soon.
Very Very unhealthy.

Speak up people!
Blog and make ur voices and beautiful proses heard!
Unleash the inner literary geniuses u all are!

a great read - to work those stomach muscles

"Monkey Business" (the book, not the act =p) is HAHAHA.

Book's with me now, next up is Chun's.

Plead with Winnie , it hers. heh

time flies by likea ride on the �V����

It�fs simply amazing how time slips past my fingers just like that. For the first time, I realized how soon it is that I will leave for cooler climate. I am a selective procrastinator; at times I can and do enjoy the fruits of efficiency. Yet at times I just leave things 4 the last moments. For the thrill of it.


Recently, I hate sleeping. (Which explains those loathsome fine lines appearing under my eyes and their relentless multiplication)

I hate sleeping simply because it will reduce the time I will have left for other more worthy pursuits. E.g. spending time with family and friends, learning Dutch, reading, spending time people-watching, blogging, playing badminton, studying, researching on my course materials and dreaded thesis... and of course boring but absolutely necessary stuff like finding accommodation and buying air tickets. Of course many other things that I cant possibly do now in Singapore: salsa lessons, black and white photography etc.

I am Miss 101 -things -I -wanna -do!

Most of all, today I was very touched when Cheeky told me that she will miss me. I need 100+ Kg of luggage... to squeeze all five of u great friends into my baggage ...

me and IT

me and IT is like oil and water.

enuff said

sat at momo

girls. this sat at club momo. if you are free, come and have fun.

if not, no worries. :p

real or not ( pardon the singlish :-p)

some of these 3d pavement images are really cool...

fishy: ever saw any of his works in europe? Then we can confirm the authenticity.

http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm

another simple things

you know, i love drinking soups.

of a specific type, warm clear soups...they make me shout inside with pure joy.

Nourishment to the soul.

Next time try this- at dinner, take time out for the soup, get a seperate bowl for it - spoonfuls are never enough. Then drink it while warm (nearly hot) and focus on the drinking. Eliminate all external distractions. Take in the soup: its taste, smell, the way it flows through ur throat to your stomach and finally through your entire being.

Think then of the one who had prepared this tonic for you as you finish a hard day at work.

You cant get enough of it...

a simple day can be filled with joy as well

today was one of the many days i went to immerse myself among books - borders, kinokuniya, orchard library and the central library - my fav haunts are at the cafes ard these areas, grab a book and sipped some cappucino... a feeling of general peace and calm.

there is something very comforting about the central library on a quiet weekday at the reference level, full glass window panels allowing natural light to bathe the shelves, tables and the quiet readers in a soft warm light. Without knowing the few people around me, i felt a strange affinity to them, all here to read and fill our minds with whatever that we may interest in and all appreciating and respecting the gentle peace and quiet that linger in the room like a soft perfume. All concentrating on his/her pursuit, keen only on knowledge and words , lost for a long moment in the world of the books.

Pi4 Gu3 Kai1 Hua1

Had no class today, so went blading at East Coast Park this afternoon with some PLC friends - and clocked a grand total of 2 spectacular falls, among other things.

Pillion Pains:-

Was hanging on to my fren Ah yong's bicycle saddle, and getting dragged along in zha1 ma3 bu4 position (great workout for the gluts i say).

Then came a downward slope. Then Puffy started sliding down faster than Ah yong's bike (because ah yong probably braked and Puffy did not really know how to brake -PLUS - the brakes on the rental blades were pretty much busted anyway). So Puffy let go and started sliding down the slope on her own....... and then she skidded!!!! and she started careening towards the lamp-post!!!! and CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Puffy landed on her ample bum right in front of the lamp post.

Nothing torn, nothing scratched but super drama - I even left a trail of skid marks on the ground. Then I went into shock - the clinical type (with the cold sweat, pale skin, giddiness etc). Strange isn't it? Wouldn't imagine such a strong reaction from a simple fall... heh... i didn't even lose blood... (choi!!!!)

Sia Suay in front of People:-

This second one less drama. I was just blading along the stretch of seafood restaurants at East Coast Park. Then tried to talk to friend Ah Yong at the same time - coz I was thinking of finding a good way to ask the people at the zebra crossing to give way to me (because I don't know how to brake properly - yes, the braking problem...AGAIN. ) Then got distracted, lost balance, let out a VERY LOUD squeal, and fell (the arms flailing type of fall).

Of course, a dramatic fall won't be complete without an appreciative audience - and trust me I had one. SIGH.

Ass still hurts.... but I can make a turn on my blades now! Wheeeee!!!! The falls were pretty worth it on the whole, I guess :)

Wish I was there!

Dear Fishy...

I agree that these days I also feel that sleeping is a waste of time... but I believe we are looking at this issue from different camera angles... heh.

Been much, much more slack and lazy after starting classes again... esp these 2 weeks. I could sleep at 6am to wake up at 1pm, or sleep at 2am to wake up at around the same time... so for me... sleeping early just seem such a waste of time.

Have also started slowly growing fat...

AND

sounds like a fun night out! hahah.. wish I were there to see your exploits first hand!!! Didn't know you gals had plans also! :)

Was out in the afternoon watching Jitterbugs dance concert, and had dinner date with Ed's family plus my parents and grandma.

The concert in the afternoon was pretty good.. There was lindy hop, tap, funk jazz, a bit of hip hop, and latin. There were a couple of pieces where some dancers clearly couldn't catch up, and Ed made this horrible comment that the girls shouldn't dance wearing low-riding pants coz too much jiggling just gets distracting... SIGH. It wasn't THAT bad lah...

I liked the lindy, another one of unknown genre but which used umbrella props, and a latin (i think) solo-couple piece.... you should see the girl in that latin piece!!! She was doing flips around the guy like she didn't weigh a thing, looked darn graceful - competition style!!! hahah.. and she was the Chinese dance head from JC from our year...

Oh well... but i think I still prefer watching hip hop competitions... my absolute first love! *hee*

Interesting

Hey ppl,

Check this out.... this is a pretty interesting website. http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

U have any secrets to tell? haha

How to make yourself happy?

I am unhappy… and I think I’m finding it hard to cheer myself up…

a very disgruntled creative MP3 user.

So there goes my good will, on my birthday, I was to buy an MP3 player - choice between Creative and IPOd...even though the design of iPod was clearly more attractive, i thought to support our local product and brought a Creative zen micro MP3 player. BAD MOVE.

Now almost a month of possession, I have used the stupid player for less than 2 weeks. First, the headphones were not working and I had to go back to funan to change them. Then the whole system crash. So I had to prattle all the way down to jurong east (at least apple has got a service center in town) and to have the service center close for some stock taking or whats not. So i can only drop off the player. After waiting a week with no news whatso ever, I finally called the service center again, and guess what they ran out of stock to do a one for one replacement for me. have to wait 2 more weeks they say. Maybe by the time I am in Holland, my player will still not be fixed. Ha and they shall have to send it to Holland for me then.

I am kinda fuming....

sometimes bad things happen and there is an awful hole in ur heart. Hang in there someone else will come along and fill up the space and fix that broken heart. Life is a journey - every end is a new beginning.

after thoughts

i was really glad that response was so good for the lomo contest and that we had so much fun. Many gems awaiting our discovery, Singapore can be an interesting and beautiful place if we only know how to look.

red light district

faces of Singapore

My favourite pixs!

It was a truely amazing Sat we had... although I must admit that I not that good with a Lomo - camera but I did have lots of fun and great company and I think it's all that matters... thanks gals! I love u all!

Heineken - My new favourite drink

Was such great fun to going around the various areas around Chinatown looking for clues in a City hunt not unlike Amazing Race. Main difference being that we had to take pictures of all the places with a creative interpretation. Many of my picutres din turn out the way I wanted it to be but nonetheless, I had a superb time, despite the sweltering heat and cranky cameras.

One of the 5 elements  

Caught a communist!  

Boy in procession 

One of my favourite friend

some links for tomorrow's lomo challenge

http://www.lomography.com/about/

word of the day

From www.merriam-webster.com

The Word of the Day for September 9 is:

thaumaturgy \THAW-muh-ter-jee\ noun
: the performance of miracles; specifically : magic

Example sentence:
In J.K. Rowling's debut novel, _Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone_, Harry learns to perform feats of thaumaturgy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Did you know?
The magic of "thaumaturgy" is miraculous. The word, from a Greek word meaning "miracle working," is applicable to any performance of miracles, especially by incantation. It can also be used of things that merely seem miraculous and unexplainable, like the thaumaturgy of a motion picture's illusions (aka "movie magic"), or the thaumaturgy at work in an athletic team's "miracle" comeback. In addition to "thaumaturgy," we also have "thaumaturge" and "thaumaturgist," both of which mean "a performer of miracles" or "a magician," and the adjective "thaumaturgic," meaning "performing miracles" or "of, relating to, or dependent on thaumaturgy."

Hi,

Thank you for registering for Heineken Greenspace Cityhunt!

Due to overwhelming response, please note that the limited edition
Greenspace Colorsplash cameras that are available for loan for the hunt
are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If you would like to
borrow the Greensplace Colorplash camera, do come to The Asylum earlier
and bring along your I/C, Student's Pass or Driver's License as a
deposit for the camera. Otherwise, you can bring along your favourite
Lomo camera too! One roll of film + processing will be provided.

:: Date: Sept 10 (Sat)
:: Start time: 10am; End time: 2pm
:: Registration point: The Asylum (22, Ann Siang Road)

Feel free to drop me an email or call us at 6339 3068 if you have any
questions!

See you then!

my father and my sister ... unabridged

mraz! says:
hello papa i an hui khuan
MONSOON HQ says:
Yes, say Hello Hui Khuan
mraz! says:
how are you
mraz! says:
i am huikhuan
mraz! says:

MONSOON HQ says:
I am very good, I just came back form a ship MV Virana at Kawasaki whc is some two hours by mrt and trains from whr I now staying
MONSOON HQ says:

mraz! says:
is yoyur hotel nice

MONSOON HQ is using a version of Messenger that does not support winks.

You cannot send a Nudge to your contact because he or she is using an older version of Messenger that does not support this feature.

mraz! says:
reply
mraz! says:
pls
mraz! says:
faster
mraz! says:
now
MONSOON HQ says:
Just enuf to stay the night, very small room, like our toilet space, but it is aircon, have internet whc is what I like and near to the train station.
mraz! says:
cool
mraz! says:
hope you like it
MONSOON HQ says:
OK dear, I cannot type so fast, now I have to take shower, bibi for now. I am going to cook cup noodle
mraz! says:
hahahahahahahahahahahah
mraz! says:
bye
MONSOON HQ says:

mraz! says:
what kind
mraz! says:
cup ndooles
MONSOON HQ says:
seafood cup noodle taste veyr yummiiee
mraz! says:
can you cook it
MONSOON HQ says:
sure, just add boiled water
mraz! says:
i do not think so
mraz! says:
hahahahahahahahaah a
mraz! says:

MONSOON HQ says:
that what we are train up during national service in the army, we are tough guy u know
mraz! says:
rreally
mraz! says:
don`t bluff
MONSOON HQ says:
sure, can survive typhoon even, I disappointed typhoon went to korea instead and today was beautiful day, I send picture later after noodle
mraz! says:
too bab no mum
MONSOON HQ says:
after shower and noodle
mraz! says:
hahahahahaha
MONSOON HQ says:
bibi
mraz! says:
bye bye papapapapapapapapaahahahahhahahah
MONSOON HQ says:
Hi there still around?
mraz! says:
wait
MONSOON HQ says:
choto
mraz! says:
???????

MONSOON HQ says:
chot mate gudasai
mraz! says:
?????
MONSOON HQ says:
in japan, pls wait a while
mraz! says:
fine
mraz! says:

mraz! says:
tooo bad got no mummy
mraz! says:
and stay in a small hotel
MONSOON HQ says:
my noodle is good but forget chopstick so have to go down to the convenience store just acroos the small road to geta a chopstick and some snacks, now i am one hr ahead of u so its 1235am
MONSOON HQ says:
no need mummy lah, can do myself
mraz! says:
funny

mraz! says:
live must be very hard
MONSOON HQ says:
mummy probably snoring away
mraz! says:
hahahbnahahahah i an enjoying
MONSOON HQ says:
live is good, nice to get away from you all once a while
mraz! says:
you are wrong
MONSOON HQ says:
why?
mraz! says:
she is watching oprea
mraz! says:
*r
mraz! says:
+r
mraz! says:
soy
MONSOON HQ says:
always watching opera, she is boring
mraz! says:
it is a hobby
mraz! says:
ok
MONSOON HQ says:
she become a hobbit
mraz! says:
tooo bad she will not be one
MONSOON HQ says:
yabah yabah
mraz! says:
hahaha how can you say your wife like this
mraz! says:
so bad
MONSOON HQ says:
alamat just joking
mraz! says:
we are enjoying
mraz! says:
really
MONSOON HQ says:
OK girl, I saw PC got first in class, I am enjoying this too, whatdauthink?
mraz! says:
so
MONSOON HQ says:
so so sodeska neh
mraz! says:
i also first in class bebore
mraz! says:
ok
MONSOON HQ says:
PC is different, he is my SON )
mraz! says:
so
mraz! says:
i don`t care
MONSOON HQ says:
I m proud of him just as we all are, I hope he beat what his name?
mraz! says:
i am also one of your child
mraz! says:
ok
MONSOON HQ says:
Ok Kid - so deska neh
mraz! says:
????????MONSOON HQ says:
be nice to yr brother
MONSOON HQ says:
i fini my noooodle
mraz! says:
i will think about it
mraz! says:
so fast
MONSOON HQ says:
now have to browse internet, dont think too hard, bad for yr brain cells
MONSOON HQ says:
finto
MONSOON HQ says:
finito
mraz! says:
eating monters
mraz! says:
??????>?
MONSOON HQ says:
yr typing too fast for me, my fingers tired, I must rest now, seyah
mraz! says:
i will take careof myslef
mraz! says:
ok
MONSOON HQ says:
bibi sweetheart
mraz! says:
bye
mraz! says:
pa
mraz! says:
i am huikhuan
mraz! says:
ok
mraz! says:
bye
MONSOON HQ says:
another sweetheart?
mraz! says:
i was talking to you
mraz! says:
just now
mraz! says:
hahahahahahahahgahahahahahaha
MONSOON HQ says:
goodnight sweetie piggy
mraz! says:
bye snake
MONSOON HQ says:
snzzzz
mraz! says:
bluff
MONSOON HQ says:
snzzzzzzz
mraz! says:
i help you make more
mraz! says:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
MONSOON HQ says:
beware the cobra behind yr computer
mraz! says:
funny
mraz! says:
a smelly pig behind you com
MONSOON HQ says:
knorrrk
mraz! says:
it will make you faint
MONSOON HQ says:
oink oinky oink
mraz! says:
s.....................
mraz! says:
bye piggy
MONSOON HQ says:
bibi
mraz! says:
i foget
mraz! says:
it is piggy papa
mraz! says:
so bye
MONSOON HQ says:
hi piggy oink oink
mraz! says:
piggy papa
mraz! says:
got to go
mraz! says:
bye
mraz! says:
now
MONSOON HQ says:
if u got to go u got to go
mraz! says:
at this monent
mraz! says:
soy
MONSOON HQ says:
sayonara
mraz! says:

i taught my boss how to write mandarin today!

This is what i taught my ang mo boss to write today! :)

Let's celebrate Mooncake festival soon!!

Cheerios

how abt this? any takers?

GREENSPACE LOMOGRAPHY: CITY HUNT

Go beyond colour, identity, control, love, words and space and discover your ultimate greenspace! The Greenspace Lomography project challenges you to move beyond your comfort zone, and from the familiar places where your responses are automatic and surprises are seldom. With your favourite Lomo camera in tow, seek out the spontaneous and the undiscovered side of Singapore in true Amazing Race style.
Join us after that for a party at Asylum (Clarke Quay) at 8pm till 11pm, to celebrate the works from the City Hunt together with your friends! This party is open to the public.

Winners of the City Hunt stand to win attractive prizes, including a chance to win a round trip for 2 to Valencia, Spain complete with three nights’ accommodation. The complete work of all participants will be up on a Lomowall at the International Heineken Greenspace festival in Valencia from 24 – 29 Oct.
:: Date: Sept 10 (Sat)
:: Start time: 10am; End time: 2pm
:: Registration point: The Asylum (22, Ann Siang Road)
:: Registration: Participants need to email singapore@lomographyasia.com to pre-register. Pre-registrants will get priority to use our limited edition Greenspace Colorsplash cameras, on loan for the event. All film and materials are provided.

word of the day

how many words are there in the English language? Many hundreds and thousands and increasing every year as the English Oxford Directory updates its entries on an annual basis. Thinking that I would probably never learn all of it in a life time, but to remember the few new ones that I come across on a daily basis ; using them would help remembrance, hence my word of the day coloumn :-)

Today's new word for me, got it while reading an article that states that, "Holland is home to one of the more polyglot European populations" - because it is so common to find people who can speak a few languages ( how true this is? I know many Dutch people can all speak English pretty good.)

polyglot
adjective
1 a : speaking or writing several languages b : composed of numerous linguistic groups
2 : containing matter in several languages
3 : composed of elements from different languages
4 : being widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins)

this word can be used as a noun as well-

1 : one who is polyglot

I wanna make a wish list too !!

keeping up with the spirits of things, I am gonna make a wish list too...

Dear Santa,

please gimme a nice man, Dutch and Asian -mixed blood (cos I dun go for purely ang moh guys haha) , who is going to sweep me off my feet in Rotterdam; is funny and makes me laugh so hard everyday that I got absolutely firm and fantabulous abs (laughing works the stomach muscles!); is smart and intelligent (gonna do my master thesis for me and score me a A!); is charming and smell of delectable aftershave and cologne; has good fashion sense; is kind and loves travelling, reading, writes poetry, plays the guitar and great conversations...

well well, at least my list seems more realistic eh? tee hee

Wish List For Christmas

1. Johnny Depp (Wonkalicious!)

2. Takuya Kimura (Don't understand a word of what you're saying, but who cares? )

3. That Gardener Guy (Jesse Metcafe) on Desperate Housewives. (The Tiger Woods of Gardening, Tiger made Golf sexy, Jesse made holding a spade an orgasmic experience for women)

4. Ashton Kulcher ( Date someone your own age... like me! I look 23 without plastic surgery! )

5. Harry Potter ( He's 16, brave, smart and endearing. And I'm NOT peadopilic)

6. Tony Leung Chiu Wai ( The Ultimate Casanova. )

7. Adrian Png (Humour is the way to the intelligent woman's.......think watever u want..hahaha)

I'll be really good, Santa. Can I Have my wish list pls?

walking stars

I have to take a long walk from the station to the office every morning ... most of the time, i'm running late so i would be busy pacing the people. But today, i woke up feeling very fresh and i have washed my hair in the morning so i really smell goody good haha ... then i decided, heck the morning meeting, i'm going to take a stroll, take my time ... walk slowly and watch the crowd zoom past me...

Some people walk and read, these are those who try hard to walk very fast and yet can't bear to put down their copy of "Today", thus they end up jamming the walkway or they are smart enough to stick to the side of the corridor. Some poor ladies obviously have problems with their shoes, sometimes i do as well... they try to walk very fast while maintaining their balance so so they end up dragging their feet, and sometimes it's a bit "penguin style" than grace...

Today I saw a classic case. This guy walking just in front of me... very big and tall ... he practically blocked my whole front view. Then I noticed sometime very cute about him... yup, he's trying to walk fast as well, and i think i could hear slight panting ... but above all these, he's got this rhythmic action of opening and closing his fingers, like what we do when we sang :twinkle twinkle little star " when we were kids.... so i named him the "Walking Star" today!

I have a bad memory today

there are certain days when i have super good memories, can even remember account numbers from back to front, the exact amount, down to the cents which i funded for... the stock prices which i traded.... i love the feeling when my boss ask me anything and i can remember...

but today, i think i woke up without my short term memory and my head hurts...oh..ok, i have forgot what i want to write... ok, forget it.

little things of life that make u happy and gay

there came a time when I thought of life as a journey and things happened for a reason.
it is the process of life that is most exciting to me, most dear and most grateful for. When things happen, i often find me asking myself, "now why did this had to happen? what shld I have learnt from this?"; it is almost an automatic reflex now. And thus for everything that happen, be it good or bad, i find that i cherish all my experiences because there is so much to learn from it abt urself, abt ur relationship with the people u have met in ur life, or just about life itself.

I find that there is no time to be upset, angry or unhappy for an extended period. Life is too short and too beautiful for that. Granted, we must have those moments when we can just let frustrations out, or just cry ourselves silly because our hearts have been broken. But at the end of the day, we must pick ourselves up quick cos there are lots more things in life to celebrate about then to cry over.

Today, I went out with my little sister, to buy her a fighting fish as a reward for having done so well in her science (second in class!). Quality time spent with her renewed my appreciation for having such a gem of a sister as her and not only that but a lovely and very supportive family. The innocent yet adult manner in which she conducts her conversation is ever so endearing that it cannot help but put a wide smile in my heart. Little things that make u happy and gay and life such a grand celebration. Here's to joie de vivre!

Which of the "i"s do you treasure most?

is it...

intelligent?
independent?
innovative?
involve?
interesting?
imaginative?
intriguing?
important?
impressive
ingenious?
irritaing?

today i am also a bimbo

being bored, i am gonna let u all know my list of things-to-do for tomorrow...

1. wake up
2. cleaning routine...zap those pimples!
3. maybe i can go for facial?!!!
4. meet dear friend for delicious salad during lunch.
5. maybe study my textbook for a while in the cafe (get back into the mood of being a student)
6. discover something nice abt the human race.
7. start writing something ( it always helps ... reminds me that i have got a soul and some possible depth beneath all my frivolous blog posts)
8. go get my creative mp3 fix...but thats all the way in Jurong East. (still i am glad that they won the patent case...at least for now)
9. oh ya...gym ( sound out my commitment to exe! haha)
10. meeting my wonderful wonderful friends for dinner and later on to balaclava...

today i decide to ..whine!

whine 1: I am getting bored...need party, music and drinks

whine 2: but realised that last wk i may have overdosed a bit on drinks...got a sore throat prob cos of too much alcohol dehydration

whine 3: getting fat from uncontrolled eating...time to hit the gym...

yes def need some happy hormones...

forgive me babes if you feel like knocking my head after reading my post...cos independent young modern women dun whine and they love their body for what it is...

but sometimes...

late night class 95 overdose

gosh, i know i should turn off the late night music from class 95...you know the romantic stuff... cos it is getting me into obsessive blogging mode.

Cheesy as it might be , I love romantic songs; simple songs telling of love found, love lost and love cherish. Most wonderful and gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling inside especially when i lie on my cosy bed with lights turn off. The air ard me seems to have become softer and the darkness so comfortable and warm.

Once as a idealistic young gal (yet sometimes i still am), I went looking for a fairy tale. I wanted the romance; the happy ever afters etc... think i watched one too many romance movies...Now i still believe in the happy ever after even if I think that fairy tales are not at all impt. Imperfection and being able to love the imperfect is what makes love perfect. Fairy tales speak of a perfect world and that is what I do not believe in. I want to stand by my loved one through thick and thin and watch love grow and still be there when the romance dims.

I believe in the perfect 10!

sudden outpourings from one who's soaking in beautiful music at late night

At the end of the day, it is not how much money or how successful we have become in our career; what matters most is the present, the moment and thus that is why I wish everyday and try to make each single day a happy one , not only for me but hopefully for the others ard me as well. Some unhappy stuff have happened a while before, and though i would rather things have turned out differently, i believe there is a plan for everyone- a journey unique for urself, to learn the things that you have to so that u may make the rest of ur journey as a better person, a stronger person and a more wonderful person.

I think you all my friends are each of strong beautiful personalities; everyone different from the others but similar on the point of a sort of inner strength in ourselves. No matter how many times life hit us, we bounce back in our own way, determine to make good.

Strength is not in how tough we look , talk or if we walk the talk. There is nothing attractive about a girl who tries too hard to be like a man. Women, celebrate our femininity. Be coy, be sweet, be blushful, be a flirt!!! It is the inner strength that will make us glow from within.

Quidam

Quick all go and check your email.....accept it quick. I'm trying to win us some exclusive invites to the Cirque Du Soleil invites. Check it out. It's way cool!

Quidam opens in Singapore on September 8th! You and 5 friends could be treated like stars with Cirque du Soleil at a pre-show cocktail party and the exclusive Premiere show of Quidam! Each successful referral entitles you a chance to win!

Prize includes:
- You will be picked up by limo and taken to one of TONI & GUY HAIRDRESSING ’s exclusive salons.
- You will be made to look like a star, with make-up by Lancôme, hair styling by Toni & Guy and jewellery for the night by CITIGEMS.
- The limo will then take you to the pre-show cocktail party (at Scarlet Hotel!!) where you will be mingling with the stars in the exclusive TAPIS ROUGE VIP suite.
- You will then be escorted to a night of all nights – the Singapore Premiere of Quidam!
- After the show, you will be given access to the invite-only Premiere after-party (at Indochine!!!).

Hooked!

.... on some soppy taiwanese (i think) drama serial (love story) that my dear sisters let loose on me (read: 3 am nights dedicated to putting disc after disc into the player as if i am under some spell.... sub-consciously feeling guilty about that self-sustaining, ever-growing pile of work on my desk... yet helpless to do anything about it) ......

.... until something else hooked my attention - WHAT TANNED AND TONED BODY?!?!?!?

DID I HEAR "RIP OFF" ??!!?!?!? Make sure you tell us IN ADVANCE before that happens!!! otherwise that is the end of our friendship!!!!! GOOD THINGS MUST SHARE!!!

or at least make sure you take VERY GOOD photos!!!

muahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

a bet

I made a bet with Tatty last night; remember the guy who broke up with my sister and went back to the old GF... well they have been playin this break-and-patch game - for at least 4 times in a span of 6 months... she initiate and she initiate again, think she got a itchy butt.....so, it happened again last night and my bet's on him going back to her, time frame: till end of the month, stake: SGD50! treat u girls to shots if i win.. which i think i would. hee..hee.. call me evil or what :p

3 opposing things

Yes! your insurance agent is flirting with you outright! and No! You shouldn't add more riders to your insurance package, y let him earn so much when he's the one going ga-ga over u... hee, just make sure you'll never make him the bene ...Instead, u should squeeze the most out of him... errr.... but part from diaries and calendars, what can agents give... ?!?! Moral of the story: Fishy should stop flirting ard to avoid getting herself killed.

Claiming back SGD0.80 doesn't makes u petty, $ is $, why work for nothing? He's not someone you love enough to deliver a Kopi FOC! So moral of the story: Be the love one of Fishy and get a Kopi for free!

This 3rd thing is so contradicting to the previous one...petty vs generosity...so, in short moral of the 3rd story: Receive a sexy white shirt from Fishy and u are her implied loved one! ... u owe us an explanation on this one!

Hungry Ghosts' Festival

Da asked me, "Eh, where are all the Chinese Operas that used to be part of the typical Hungry Ghost Festival?" My answer to him was that the organising committee probably lacks money and hence, couldn't afford the performance. This is not surprising as I can hardly imagine people of our generation paying the same kind of regard to the Festival as our elders do. Would you for one actually pay subscription fees to go for the typical auction 10 course dinner (that would be attended by neighbours you might or might not know) with flamboyant Getai singers, watch some opera and bring home a red pail filled with canned food and sugarcane ? For the sake of preserving some heritage, I just might.

Anyway, that brings me to my next point, my personal topic of interest. Why the Hungry Ghost festival? Did it come about because it is a particular period where death rates tend to be higher than usual and hence is the explanation that people of the past have come up with ? Or is it a time for us to remember our ancestors?

And so I found, this Festival has emerged from a convergence of strains of Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist and traditional religious teachings.

For the Buddhist,

"every year on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, they should remember their parents and ancestors with piety and compassion, and repay their parents for their care and love by preparing a feast for offering to the Buddha and the monks."

For the Taoist,

" The ghostly aspect of the seventh month emerged from the Taoist concept of hell. Imprisoned in its lowest reaches, the ghosts may leave hell only with special permission of its king. This privilege would be granted only if the ghost receives no offerings to provide for its welfare, and therefore must return to the living to take what it can. The numbers permitted to leave are restricted.

The Taoist version favored the term P'u-tu, signifying a crossing over, or a general amnesty for the souls of the dead in hell. This amnesty commences on the first day and the ghosts look for whatever food they may find. On the fifteenth day, the feeding of the souls is attended to and each family offers a banquet for the ghosts. By the thirtieth day the ghosts must return to hell.


Afterlife
The seventh month festival serves two objects: ancestors and ghosts. To understand the heart of the festival it is important to observe how ghosts and ancestors have come to be distinguished and accordingly treated. The distinction has a Taoist influence.

During the Hungry Ghost Festival the living show their concern for the dead. The Chinese concept of death and life makes participation mandatory for filial children. This concept emerges from the Taoist philosophical development of yin and yang: two opposing forces of which everything is composed. Yin is the force of death and yang of life, and these elements are at work within individual persons. As a man ages, the yin increases at the expense of the yang, and death marks the total separation of the two. The soul, however, also contains elements of both yin and yang. The former is called kui (demon) and the latter shen (spirit). At death the kui should return to the earth and the shen persist in the grave, family shrine and the other world. If, however, one's soul is not properly cared for, it will persist as kui and cause problems for the living. In popular practice, the kui are considered hungry ghosts thus, clearly, one's ancestor could only be shen. Because both continue to exist and interfere, the living must respond accordingly.

Because ancestors persist after death as shen, the moral obligation to them never ceases. As all subordinates owe their elder kinsmen worship, respect and honor, this duty is passed down throughout the generations, with descendents accumulating more and more ancestors to worship. As the family line continues through the male, only-sons must maintain a strict worship lest the ancestors exist neglected.

While the needs of the ancestors are specifically addressed, the Chinese must remain conscious of the presence of the second object of the seventh month festival.

Who are the ghosts?
Several circumstances cause the kui to become dominant in one's soul, rendering him a hungry ghost. An improper burial, or none at all, is one factor. The burial represents the first stage in sending the ancestor to the underworld. If that task is left undone, the spirit is left homeless. Typically, this occurs when people are killed en mass, or executed, or die away from home and subsequently have been forgotten. Other spirits with descendents become ghosts because of anger. Perhaps they were violently murdered or unjustly executed and now long for vengeance.21

That some ghosts have descendants does create some problems: one's ancestor could be another's ghost. Wolf indicates that although most people would not admit that their ancestor could be a ghost to another, when hard pressed with examples many will admit the fact. Thus in some cases whether a spirit is a ghost or an ancestor depends very much upon one's perspective.

In other cases, the system of filial piety itself contributes to the creation of hungry ghosts. Because worship is restricted to a junior paying homage to a senior, parents would abandon a child's soul rather than worship him. Thus a child who dies has no one to assist him in the afterlife, leaving him homeless, hungry, a kui. To rationalize the child's birth, many believe that such children were strangers in the world of the living and therefore compelled to leave. Likewise, a deceased unmarried daughter may never be worshipped, for only the husband's line and his wives may receive this honor. A woman who dies before marriage is allocated the undignified position of a ghost.

As indicated above, in the Chinese spirit world there exists a large group of homeless and hungry souls, motivated by jealousy of the living, possibly of their own descendents or offspring who have homes, wealth and families, and therefore are the cause of most misfortunes. For that reason they are popularly perceived as spiritual beggars. The beggar is not conceived as lethargic and idle. Rather he represents a vagrant who, because of intense jealousy, attempts to take what belongs to others and willingly threatens and performs ill against his victims to satisfy his own desires. But by giving him something, he should leave one alone. Thus the intent of the Festival of Hungry Ghosts is not to honor but to propitiate the ghosts, lest they prey on the living and obstruct the peace of the ancestors. It is necessary to avoid offending the kui, hence ghosts are referred to as "the good brothers because they would be offended if you called them ghosts." A northern Taiwanese tradition epitomizes the connection. There, on the fifteenth day, the community prepares a huge feast. First the spirits are given opportunity to spiritually partake and then the meal is opened to the earthly beggars to physically eat the food.

As the ghosts could interfere with the ancestor festival, food must be prepared for them. But as it would be dangerous to allow a beggar into one's home, the same holds true for ghosts. So offerings are made on tables outside the home. Offerings usually consist of whole cooked fowl and large pieces of meat and delicacies. Other attractive items such as beer, cigarettes and washing implements are left out for the homeless ghosts to use. [this is really interesting yeah?]

Finally, I see some light.

So the next question is, tradition or superstitution? Guess it depends on whether we take the Buddhist or Taoist view. =p


- ANCESTORS AND GHOSTS: THE PHILOSOPHIC AND RELIGIOUS ORIGINS OF THE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL. By Darren A. Bryant

east coast park

There is something lovely and sentimental about East Coast Park. Being there always brings back fond memories of secondary school days when there are never-ending invitations to chalets, kayaking and BBQ sessions. Especially at the moments nearing evening, the whiffs of grilled chicken wings and hot dogs makes u salivate unwittingly.

Sometimes when the " lets do some serious exercise feeling", I will pick up my bike and cycle all the way from home to east coast. It is a treacherous ride from my home fraught with small anit-cyclist pavements that force you at times to cycle on the busy roads and one particular part along upper east coast road where you have to carefully balance yourself to go through the teeniest space between a lamp post and some concert slab, not forgetting the many bus stops you have to cycle past and each time, I am praying that some alighting passenger or some oblivious person in the bus stop does not do a sudden swing at me coming from behind them. This is what stands between me and my beautiful, calm and lovely East Coast Park; the sea and her gentle embracing arms. I feel like a knight going through tumultuous journeys to go to my fair maiden in distress. Only I am a gal.

I love the sea, its calming rhythm. It seems to absorb all bad thoughts from me, leaving me only a nice comfy feeling that it is only good to be alive and enjoy the wonderful creations of nature. The endless stretch of water forming a horizon with the boundless sky.

So yup, today I did quite a bit of exe, soak up a bit of the good essence of the sea and sky and all ready and raring to go for the week. Have a great week ahead gals! and to fishy, all the best for your new job.

Asians in a Western world

"...questions remain about the sustainability of Asia's success....They cannot rely solely on favourable external developments or on Western ideas - though it is these, not Asian ones, that have driven Asia's growth. The economic principles of Asia's rise come from a Scot, Adam Smith. The political ideologies come from Western thinkers, from John Locke to Karl Marx. The international multilateral grid that served Asia well - including the U.N., WTO, IMF and World Bank- is essentially a Western creation. Asians have benefited enormously from being passengers on the Western globalisation bus.

Soon, they will help drive it. Asians cannot be free riders forever. Yet few Asians have given thought to how they will reshape the world order. The world is keen to learn what new responsibilities Asia will take on. So far, the region has remained silent. On the cultural front, too, Asian passivity is surprising. Bollywood, the sole major exception is growing in strength. But in virtually every other field, Asians have been consumers of Western cultural products, especially American ones....This distorts global perspectives. The world sees Asia through Western eyes. Asian have yet to explain themselves in their own terms to the rest of the world"

Kishore Mahbubani, " The Making of Modern Asia" in Time Aug 15-22, 2005
author of " Can Asians think?" a book I am reading now...fasinating read, very smart and insightful

Da ....Vinci Code and all that Incredibles and Ghandi

Happy Birthday dearest Gek!

Welcome to the age of empowerment my dearest friend! How do you feel about being 23 and thriving?

By the way, the Love Affair in the Mediterranean was truly sensational - all that lovely flower crabs, orgasmic salad, sensuous music, rich cheeses,chocolates and wines and not to forget the fantastic company. And yeah, did I mention the delicious Chef Tat's Seafood Bisque that's served by sexy miss waitress?

Thanks gek for hosting yet another fantastic dinner party. Thanks for having us. Muaks! Happy Birthday babe!

Anybody got fun pictures? Let's see some....

Hey Hey

After much vehement criticism from my dearest comrades, about my display of nonchalence towards the blog, I've decided to yield and blog some stuff about nothing and everything.

1. I broke my toothbrush while cleaning it. Don't ask me how. I just did. I have superhuman strength I guess. (Hint: dun trifle with me. unless you wanna end up like my tooth brush haha)

2. I met a ginger coloured cat that day and it was so pretty and cute. Did I mention the puss was a wuss too? Cos it ran away in fear when I approached it. Rejection always sucks, even when its from a cat.

3. I'm developing a tummy. Its not catastrophic, but its on my list of top 10 problems. ( yeah, I'm totally vain and shallow) So i've made a resolution to cut sugar from my diet. According to Jacelyn tay, the new guru on healthy living, that works. oh and to cut out alcohol too. Alcohol's a big no no. Stop poisoning your livers you ignorant alcoholics!

4. I cleaned my room. ( hooray!) So now, I'm hoping that it'll improve my feng shui, and good things will come my way soon. Threw away a shit load of junk. Like 5, 6 years of stuff. Feels good just throwing htings in the bin. Liberating would be the right word to use. Travelling light through life is a wise choice to make. Now I look at my empty shelves and feel so happy.

5. The number 5 is a prime number.

6. The number 6 is supposed to be the Devil's number. And if you pronounce it wrongly, it sounds like "sex".

7. Beckam's old number. For Harry potter Fans, its Lord Voldemort's fave number.

8. The Chinese Lurve this number. It means to strike rich. For me, it means 8 days, my fave mag. haha.

9. I hope you enjoyed the trivial about numbers which I mentioned in the past 8 points.

10. The perfect 10 doesn't exist. If you think it does, its an illusion and you're delusional. And probably depressed and unhappy, cos you're seeking the impossible.

Gothy Chic

I'm so excited about today, about all that goth but am still figuring how I should get those makeup on without looking too bruised. Laffs. Shall we have a best dressed prize? Bring your cameras guys. This looks like its gonna be the ultimate glam event of the year.

Can't wait!

Saturday Sensational Love Affair in the Mediterranean

Two more days to our much anticipated dinner date hosted by yours truly...

I am drooling already from that picture of creamy mustard coloured soup (seems cheeky has a penchant for putting up pictures in accompliant to her posts - must have been part of her presentation skills workshop training ;p) and the thoughts of chocolate cake from where ? awfully chocolate? - sounds like a big oxymoron...chocolate is never awful just terribly sinful...

oh thank you darling for thinking of that...then I should get some french vanilla ice-cream or the likes to compliment it. What say u?

Here's a little peep into the menu:

we are gonna have mussels, flower crabs (really delicious), lots of tapas ( creatively improvised by cheif moi), aglio Olio, sangria (the common - i will not say correct- way is really with dash of gin and some orange juice), proper wine, Ed's chocolate liqueur , gek's custom-made cheese platter sans blue cheese, Tat's seafood soup and maybe Chun's tiramisu(?) - all in the company of sexy bossanova and jazzy tunes and great friends!

Ciao Bella!

Sat!!!

Since Tat is going to cook his famous seafood soup so we are going to come as the macho chef and the sexy waitress .... wahahahaha! see u!

and gals... i'm going to get a chocolate cake from awfully chocolate!!! :)

cheerios,

looking forward to sat!

after a long day staring at the computer, finally with some time on my hand , to breathe a little freely, blog a little and listen to some nice music...ahhh

look forward to see u guys on sat...its gonna be a smash...simply because I am gonna have such good company like u gals and guys.

By the way: a little summary of our little costume party - who's going to wear what...

non-compliance = washing dishes...muahaha

Please protest if I got this half-completed list wrong else silence means consent.=p

Giselle n Ed = British Chic and Butler(?)
Jene n Qida = Gothic
Winnie n Tat =
Wanqing n Ed =
Chun = Bohemian
Gek = Cheerleader
Kenneth = Preppy (?)

Can’t remember what Winnie n Tat, Wan n Ed is going to come in. Fill us in ok? And sorry for my poor memory :-(

A digression here: dun u think the preppy look for guys is just so hot; 5 days a week I spend around the CBD area and all these guys in their nice smart looking shirts and ties plus spiky hair. Love especially those who can carry off their pink shirts. Drool factor - a sizzling ten!

the magic of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory

Roald Dahl have special place in my childhood; alongside with Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew and yes i have to admit, Sweet Valley Twins... but Roald Dahl is way above them, top of the list, with wonderful quirky creations like Matilda with her supernatural powers; James and his bug pals living in a giant peach; witches that hate kids and wanna turn them into mice and of course not forgetting dear ole endearing Charlie and the mysterious Willy Wonka with all his wonderful candies. I never looked at candy in the same way after reading that book - what's with chewing gum that can taste like three meals, invisible chocolate to eat in class without your teacher knowing and gobstopper that will never finish. According to my dad, it was the first Roald Dahl book, he had us read at the very tender age of eight. No wonder I can be full of strange notions sometimes- the seed has been planted from young.

Watching the movie now would be like revisiting a very special part of my childhood, where I would be holed up on my bed, leaning against my cupboard sitting on the floor or even eating and reading his books at the same time. Those old feelings like familiar smells always bring a certain nostalgia, of a time from long ago. And big big plus point: Johnny Depp..!

I draw the pay of a temp worker

Just a recent revelation - i actually draw about $7 an hour until I pass the bar.

~Sigh~ at least the work is interesting... heh ;P

The week is gonna begin once again

I never thought that house-hunting could be so tedious. And long drawn-out. And so complicated.

I keep having this surreal feeling that I am growing up against my will, what with the talk about having to service a mortgage for the rest of my working life...*shudder* (or a good 10 years at least), or the sheer act of having to make a decision between a flat, a condo, a freehold, a leasehold, a new house, an old one, distance from town, budget..... balancing a million factors basically ... ... What a pain in the posterior.

Not that I am not happy house-hunting, mind you. I swear I will never get tired of looking at the splendidly done up showflats. They really give you the momentary hope that your house could look like that too (but then once you see how much it costs I bet it'd be a different story altogether).

House-hunting is just too tiring, with too many life-altering decisions to make for my comfort.

Well, on to happier thoughts. I went cycling in Pelangan, JB on friday with a bunch of friends from the bar course, and had some really fresh, cheap lobster ($5 for a mid sized one) and other assorted restaurant-ish foods. It was quite a workout - 12km from the bicycle kiosk to the restaurant, and another 12 km back. I almost couldn't feel my ass when I got back... it was numb for a while and ached like mad after. Oh, did I mention that I am officially 'chao tar'??? AND with sunglass marks to boot...~sigh~ Nonetheless... it is fun to travel all over for food... heh (what a pig).

National Day holiday is coming up soon! Whee! hahah... but next week is gonna be a pretty heavy week for me, so I'm really looking forward to Sat dinner!!! I will bring Bailey's! Get ready those glasses and coffee gals! Can't wait to see all of you!

Oh... is it gonna be an all-night thing? Or are we chionging? Need to prepare a movie or something? Bring change of clothes?

The mrt ride II

A guy stood up to give up this seat to an old man. The old man declined, saying that he's getting off the next stop. Both stood there motionless and embarrassed for a moment, not knowing what to say. A third man dashed out from nowhere, knocked the old man and sat down, grinning from ear to ear on his little "find". The two men then crossed each other, each exit from a different door at the next stop.

Won't it be better if they made a little conversation, or both of them laughed at the third man? Hahah, just a silly thought on the train.

i love my posse (II)

After getting a phone call from fishy, I cant help smiling...

where can u find such fun-loving, quirky bunch of friends with so many things up their sleeves to brighten ur day, prep u up and make u smile the whole day thru?

;-)

relativity

It was just last week when I was spending lots of time in the office. The few times I stopped to look at the watch was just to make sure time did not sneak past without me knowing. So I thought perhaps I am borned to work like a dog. To a perverse exent, I quite enjoy it.

Yet this week, things took a dramatic change. I found myself looking at the watch not in apprehension but in anticipation. It's the same work, same people, same place, so why the change?

Well, dearest da has come back !

Just for some updates, I actually kept in touch with the lady we met at Attica. Met her for lunch. She told me I was her lucky star cox she got something she really wanted today. I tried hard to contain the fact that today was my unlucky day cox a colleague has overwritten my file wrongly and I had to do extra work.

music for the late night

class 90.5 has such nice soul soothing music in these wee hours...

Europe, thy name is Cowardice

I found this article (July 30, 2005, Straits Times "Europe, thy name is Cowardice" By Mathias Dopfner) interesting, very controversial and disturbing how the writer reasoned away the virtues of tolerance in such a cold logical way.


"Rather than protect democracy in the Middle East, European appeasement, camouflaged behind the fuzzy word 'equidistance', often seems to countenance suicide bombings in Israel by fundamentalist Palestinians. Similarly, it generates a mentality that allows Europe to ignore the nearly 500,000 victims of Saddam Hussein's torture and murder machinery and, motivated by the self-righteousness of the peace movement, to harangue United States President George W. Bush as a warmonger."


The world is so much more than "free, open Western societies" and I am sure more research can find that Israelites commit just as much wrong to the Palestine and how about a mentality that allowed the American leaders to ignore all their atrocities in the Vietnam war or the 2 atomic bombs that they dropped killing thousands of Japanese?The issue here is not to dwell on the past but to see the past for what it is and learn from it..then perhaps the ugly side of history can not repeat itself, like how it always obstinately does in reality.

I am not taking sides; I think violence and war is just wrong whoever it is waged by; it is only values like tolerance and love and peace that will help make the world a better place and not more excuses justifying why a certain war must be waged for the so called good of the human race and most commonly touted - for the vague "free and open Western society" and the convenient excuse of democracy. I mean how it this western notion relevant for the other half the world that is just not western?

As a third-generation Singaporean, who have never experienced any of the hardships of war unlike our grandparents' generation, ranting on and on like an armchair critic, I cannot even begin to imagine what life must be like for the people on the other side of the world , and by that I do not mean the Americans or even the Europeans but the people in Iraq, Palestine...unwillingly players in global politics, suffering lost, hunger and devastation for some white man's dream of making the world a more democratic place.

Sometimes you wonder why these young chaps will strap a bomb around their bodies and to personally denote themselves? What goes through their mind at these last moments? What motivated them? One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. I think it is important to remember this fact, at least for myself, i think it is. I find it morally difficult to take any stand. I do not know if I should say who or what is right or wrong anymore...the world is just not simple as that. But then what if these bombings were to hit close to home? to someone that I know? I find it so draining just to try and figure out what it is I should really feel and think of these issues without being patronising, an armchair critic or a hypocrite? How also do we develop fair views given that our constant supply of news come mostly with a Western slant?


go read the article, will be nice to know ur views...though I cant put it up here for copyright reasons.

the MRT ride

today, I got off work at nearing the peak hours, lagging my bag and a very big and heavy laptop, I squeezed admist the working crowd , trying to claim a little piece of standing space in the MRT carriage. It is so interesting to watch the people in the train, coming from every different part of our society and being placed in the microcosm of a MRT train carriage. Everyone with their own life purpose and their own reasons why at this particular moment in life, we are in the MRT train.