Anyone felt tremors on Monday? It was really freaky.
I was reading my bible and suddenly the words started moving. It's the kind of bobbing feeling you get when you've stepped onto land after being out on a boat for sometime. It never occurred to me that the flat was swaying till my bro came in to ask if I felt it shake. My neighbours also appeared outside my unit to tell us to hang on to our keys in case we needed to run downstairs.
Sway...sway....for another five minutes.
I half expected my block to topple and couldn't sleep for a while. Tuned in to CNA only to find that they were interviewing their former and current staff. So unprofessional! Yes, now we all know Lisa Ang lives in Tanjong Rhu....
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
It all came out
I felt like dying just a few hours ago. I couldn't sleep from the moment I laid down to rest at midnight. At 3am, I knew I had to get out of bed to puke. It must have been the kaya toast I ate after church service last night, at this kopitiam. Argh.
I was bent over the toilet bowl for an hour, gagging. But nothing would come out! It was so frustrating. I couldn't lie down cos it felt equally terrible. Thank goodness my bro was up attempting to study, so I didn't feel so alone.
Finally decided to plonk myself in front of my house gate, NTUC plastic bag in hand. The chill of the morning soothed the nausea - well, just a little. Finally it all came out. Green, clear bile. Ewww. I threw up a total of five times, including twice in the car on the way to Changi Hospital's A&E department sometime after 4am.
I think my bro thought he was watching a football match. The first time I managed to get it out, he let out a whoop and a "all right! c'mon! go!". Sheesh. But, now thinking back, it was quite funny.
At the hospital, despite the condition I was in, I tried to cheer up the grouchy doctor, who looked like a harried, overworked slave. Goodness me. I told him that the taste of bile was indescribable. To call it awful would be an understatement.
He managed a crooked smile and uttered: "Yes". Ah, so much for trying to make conversation.
So anyways, I had to sms the worship team to say I couldn't play for the two services this morning. Well, I dared to say that cos I knew Weimin with his magic fingers would be able to handle it.
And I flopped back on my bed, totally sickened by the entire experience.
I was bent over the toilet bowl for an hour, gagging. But nothing would come out! It was so frustrating. I couldn't lie down cos it felt equally terrible. Thank goodness my bro was up attempting to study, so I didn't feel so alone.
Finally decided to plonk myself in front of my house gate, NTUC plastic bag in hand. The chill of the morning soothed the nausea - well, just a little. Finally it all came out. Green, clear bile. Ewww. I threw up a total of five times, including twice in the car on the way to Changi Hospital's A&E department sometime after 4am.
I think my bro thought he was watching a football match. The first time I managed to get it out, he let out a whoop and a "all right! c'mon! go!". Sheesh. But, now thinking back, it was quite funny.
At the hospital, despite the condition I was in, I tried to cheer up the grouchy doctor, who looked like a harried, overworked slave. Goodness me. I told him that the taste of bile was indescribable. To call it awful would be an understatement.
He managed a crooked smile and uttered: "Yes". Ah, so much for trying to make conversation.
So anyways, I had to sms the worship team to say I couldn't play for the two services this morning. Well, I dared to say that cos I knew Weimin with his magic fingers would be able to handle it.
And I flopped back on my bed, totally sickened by the entire experience.
Taiwan madness
I am shallow. I don't want China and Taiwan to go to war because that might mean my darling Taiwanese band Mayday might never make records again, and SCV will be short of my favourite Taiwanese variety programmes to screen. Worse still, the members of Mayday might get conscripted and have to fight in the war!!! And die!!!
Oh man.
I was watching TVBS news on Channel 54 today, witnessing the unprecedented demonstration marches while trying to make out the hard-to-read Chinese words on the screen, out of the corner of my eye.
According to the newspapers, about 1 million Taiwanese were expected to take to the streets today to protest the anti-secession law passed by China. On TV, the marches looked too organised to be true. There were 10 huge groups, each labelled names such as "pro-freedom group", "anti-missiles group" and "pro-democracy group". Each group began their march from a designated area, inching towards the presidential hq.
The whole spectacle was like a carnival, much like The New Paper Big Walk (if you've ever been to one), but a hundred times grander. There was music, there were floats even! I saw one with missile replicas on top. Like a walkathon with old fogeys as contestants, the protestors chanted slogans before they were flagged off by a horn.
Chewing gum, fanning themselves with their flags and sauntering with their kids in tow, it seemed like an impending war was never an issue on their minds. It was just a big happy parade, minus the big band, pom poms and cheerleaders.
And I was actually scrutinising the screen to see if I could catch any Taiwanese stars I knew. Well, not like they would take to the streets. They might be banned from performing in China!
Anyways, back to my point about Mayday. If the music market in Taiwan was affected by a war one day, it'll be a sad day for me man.
Oh man.
I was watching TVBS news on Channel 54 today, witnessing the unprecedented demonstration marches while trying to make out the hard-to-read Chinese words on the screen, out of the corner of my eye.
According to the newspapers, about 1 million Taiwanese were expected to take to the streets today to protest the anti-secession law passed by China. On TV, the marches looked too organised to be true. There were 10 huge groups, each labelled names such as "pro-freedom group", "anti-missiles group" and "pro-democracy group". Each group began their march from a designated area, inching towards the presidential hq.
The whole spectacle was like a carnival, much like The New Paper Big Walk (if you've ever been to one), but a hundred times grander. There was music, there were floats even! I saw one with missile replicas on top. Like a walkathon with old fogeys as contestants, the protestors chanted slogans before they were flagged off by a horn.
Chewing gum, fanning themselves with their flags and sauntering with their kids in tow, it seemed like an impending war was never an issue on their minds. It was just a big happy parade, minus the big band, pom poms and cheerleaders.
And I was actually scrutinising the screen to see if I could catch any Taiwanese stars I knew. Well, not like they would take to the streets. They might be banned from performing in China!
Anyways, back to my point about Mayday. If the music market in Taiwan was affected by a war one day, it'll be a sad day for me man.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
How do men see you?
Men See You As Choosy
Men notice you light years before you notice them
You take a selective approach to dating, and you can afford to be picky
You aren't looking for a quick flirt - but a memorable encounter
It may take men a while to ask you out, but it's worth the wait
http://www.yournewromance.com/howdomenseeyouquiz/
Men notice you light years before you notice them
You take a selective approach to dating, and you can afford to be picky
You aren't looking for a quick flirt - but a memorable encounter
It may take men a while to ask you out, but it's worth the wait
http://www.yournewromance.com/howdomenseeyouquiz/
Free trip
I've been offered a week-long junket to New Zealand next month. It's a free trip, I get to eat good food, stay in nice hotels bla bla bla. But why am I not excited about it at all? I wish I didn't have to go! Am I mad?
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Birthday memories
So I turned 26 yesterday. I couldn't stop thinking about how this is the age insurance premiums start getting steeper than usual? I don't know, maybe I read wrong. How birthdays feel so different as you age. Thought I'd make a list of the ones I remember so well.
The first birthday memory that still plays like a vivid old recording in my head would be that of my younger brother. We were in our old four-room flat in Bedok South and it was his first birthday. There was a huge party and I was made to stand next to him while he blew the flame out. He didn't. For the longest time, he stood frozen to the ground like a statue, mouth slightly ajar. I did the most natural thing that came to me as a four-year-old then. I blew, and all the expectant adult faces turned to me - the nosey elder sister - and laughed.
I think they laughed.
During my primary and sec school days, birthdays always meant ang pow money. In generous helpings. It was easy to get $100 from my pampering aunts and I would spend much time figuring out what to buy. Friends would make cards, beautiful pieces of art that I still keep in my aged shoebox in the cupboard.
In rgs, the Hardrock Cafe birthdays were the most memorable. There was always the surprise cake for the birthday girl and a "sabo" she had to do. Somehow I remember Yui Hua's one very clearly. The noisy waiter in the red and white striped shirt made her sink her pretty face into the cream, which she did sportingly. The photo of the entire gang always had some waiter poking his face into a space in the frame. Then we would troop out of the restaurant, stomachs bursting, clutching tightly to our Hardrock helium-filled balloons.
When I hit my 20s, these birthday celebrations became a very good excuse to catch up with old friends once again. They were also very good reasons for my family of three (sometimes brother's girlfriend in tow) to have a good meal together. Even now.
Now that I'm with Leo, birthdays are...I don't know...a time to spend more quality time together. Maybe it's the practical me, perhaps it's the older me, quality time is not a romantic dinner in some classy restaurant. So I told him to cook, a decision I made when we happened to be browsing at a supermarket. On the spot, we bought pasta and meat and last night, he whipped up something really simple. The TV was murmuring some Mandarin dialogue in the background, his dining table was still as messy as ever and our dinner ware was not even coordinated. He ate from a bowl, I supped from a plate.
Oh, and he forgot to cook the brocolli. We had red wine from one glass, or rather he drank 99 per cent, I sipped the rest. I opened the fridge and spotted some China brand apple juice. And I drank.
Just like that, my birthday passed. And I was another year older. And I felt happy for some quiet time with one of the people in my life who cared.
The first birthday memory that still plays like a vivid old recording in my head would be that of my younger brother. We were in our old four-room flat in Bedok South and it was his first birthday. There was a huge party and I was made to stand next to him while he blew the flame out. He didn't. For the longest time, he stood frozen to the ground like a statue, mouth slightly ajar. I did the most natural thing that came to me as a four-year-old then. I blew, and all the expectant adult faces turned to me - the nosey elder sister - and laughed.
I think they laughed.
During my primary and sec school days, birthdays always meant ang pow money. In generous helpings. It was easy to get $100 from my pampering aunts and I would spend much time figuring out what to buy. Friends would make cards, beautiful pieces of art that I still keep in my aged shoebox in the cupboard.
In rgs, the Hardrock Cafe birthdays were the most memorable. There was always the surprise cake for the birthday girl and a "sabo" she had to do. Somehow I remember Yui Hua's one very clearly. The noisy waiter in the red and white striped shirt made her sink her pretty face into the cream, which she did sportingly. The photo of the entire gang always had some waiter poking his face into a space in the frame. Then we would troop out of the restaurant, stomachs bursting, clutching tightly to our Hardrock helium-filled balloons.
When I hit my 20s, these birthday celebrations became a very good excuse to catch up with old friends once again. They were also very good reasons for my family of three (sometimes brother's girlfriend in tow) to have a good meal together. Even now.
Now that I'm with Leo, birthdays are...I don't know...a time to spend more quality time together. Maybe it's the practical me, perhaps it's the older me, quality time is not a romantic dinner in some classy restaurant. So I told him to cook, a decision I made when we happened to be browsing at a supermarket. On the spot, we bought pasta and meat and last night, he whipped up something really simple. The TV was murmuring some Mandarin dialogue in the background, his dining table was still as messy as ever and our dinner ware was not even coordinated. He ate from a bowl, I supped from a plate.
Oh, and he forgot to cook the brocolli. We had red wine from one glass, or rather he drank 99 per cent, I sipped the rest. I opened the fridge and spotted some China brand apple juice. And I drank.
Just like that, my birthday passed. And I was another year older. And I felt happy for some quiet time with one of the people in my life who cared.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Birthday Bonanza
Birthday Bonanza. That was the title of the many emails floating around for the last few days. It was time to celebrate the birthdays of the March babies again with the 4/6 gang. Yep, we're the bunch of girls from rgs who were from class 4/6. It's a 4/6 custom to celebrate hatchdays and we've been doing it for the last decade.
Yesterday we headed for Westlake restaurant in Queen's Road off Farrer Road, which some of the girls frequent. It's supposed to be really popular, but I've never heard of it! Strange little eating house that has two branches stationed diagonally opposite each other. Each branch is under a block of greying insipid flats. You never know which one's open unless you walk in to check.
The only signs of live along the row of silent provision shops come from Westlake, with streams of customers - Japanese, ang mohs and locals - going in and out. Of course, FY contributed much to the bustle, as usual, with some confetti spray that smelt like shampoo and was deathly cold, and birthday balloons that she and YH blew to look like breasts with nipples.
Erm...the two have a constant preoccupation with boobs. Haha. And yes, all because of FY (psycho psychologist) and YH (ting tong primary school teacher), we other respected working professionals (lawyer, 2 doctors, garmen servant, writer) once again embarrassed ourselves. Think a bunch of idiots spraying stuff all over each other, screaming and blowing balloons that kept bursting at a dinner table. Gee. I wonder how we found jobs, said the garmen servant :)
Food was all right. Only the kong ba bao was fabulous, the rest - chilli crab, veg, prawns and all - were OK. The kong ba bao is famous, by the way. I must say the tender meat simply melts in your mouth. Oooo...
Oh yes, watch out for the sculpture of the kong ba bao attached to a pillar. It's hilarious. I wouldn't call it live size, cos it prob measures the length of both my arms. It's HUGE. Haha.
Interesting place. Food's ok, so the company made up for it.
Yesterday we headed for Westlake restaurant in Queen's Road off Farrer Road, which some of the girls frequent. It's supposed to be really popular, but I've never heard of it! Strange little eating house that has two branches stationed diagonally opposite each other. Each branch is under a block of greying insipid flats. You never know which one's open unless you walk in to check.
The only signs of live along the row of silent provision shops come from Westlake, with streams of customers - Japanese, ang mohs and locals - going in and out. Of course, FY contributed much to the bustle, as usual, with some confetti spray that smelt like shampoo and was deathly cold, and birthday balloons that she and YH blew to look like breasts with nipples.
Erm...the two have a constant preoccupation with boobs. Haha. And yes, all because of FY (psycho psychologist) and YH (ting tong primary school teacher), we other respected working professionals (lawyer, 2 doctors, garmen servant, writer) once again embarrassed ourselves. Think a bunch of idiots spraying stuff all over each other, screaming and blowing balloons that kept bursting at a dinner table. Gee. I wonder how we found jobs, said the garmen servant :)
Food was all right. Only the kong ba bao was fabulous, the rest - chilli crab, veg, prawns and all - were OK. The kong ba bao is famous, by the way. I must say the tender meat simply melts in your mouth. Oooo...
Oh yes, watch out for the sculpture of the kong ba bao attached to a pillar. It's hilarious. I wouldn't call it live size, cos it prob measures the length of both my arms. It's HUGE. Haha.
Interesting place. Food's ok, so the company made up for it.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
The Intern and The Client
I think my blood pressure has shot up 10 notches in the last week or so.
First, I have to deal with The Intern (aged 23) who's rude, obnoxious and lazy. I have never seen anyone who doesn't know his place at work. He talks back at me, thinking he's being really funny, and refuses to take instructions from me.
Incident number 1:
My editor has asked me to coordinate a project on her behalf because she has to attend a course. She specifically told me to watch him closely (cos he's the writer for the project) since she was afraid he wasn't reliable enough to chase the client for info. When I tell him very nicely to chase the similarly unreliable client, he actually tells me in my face that he will check with my editor on whether he needs to chase this client. Even when I tell him very reasonably that I'm acting under this editor's instructions. And he repeats: "I'll check with (the editor) on that."
To say that I'm at my boiling point is an understatement. Anyways, I'm not easy to mess with too, so I give feedback to my editor about his much-to-be-desired enthusiasm. And my editor says: "Well, he's gotta learn that bad attitude doesn't work man!" I seriously hope he fails his internship.
Incident number 2:
When I didn't know he was so unpleasant, I went out for lunch with him once. Never after that.
And he sat down and said: "Eh buy a drink for me leh." No respect, totally. And in THAT tone. My colleague told me that on an assignment with him once, he decided he was hungry and bought something to eat. And he said to her: "Eh, make yourself useful leh. Go and buy a drink for me."
My colleague, who is seven years older than him, retorted: "Why should I? It's so crowded."
And he replied, in a matter-of-fact way: "Precisely, that's why I want you to buy it for me."
Incident number 3:
He sees me eating my cola gummies and stretches out his hand 30cm from me and leaves it there. I glare at him and say NO. And he leaves his hand there for the next five minutes, not even a please, not even a request. Just a demanding gesture.
Finally when he opens his mouth, he says: "Wah lau, selfish man."
My colleague says: "Hey, don't you know how to say please?"
He says: "Will saying please make a difference. Eh gimme leh."
(Yes, until this point, there's no hint of courtesy at all.)
The next day, I turn around and I say: "XXX, do you happen to have change for $10."
Guess what he says?
HE SAYS: "What must you say???"
Incident number 4:
My supervisor tells him to write up something from a travel brochure and he didn't do it cos he claimed it only had Japanese words, so he didn't understand what it was saying. Well, when my supe pointed out to him that there were English words, he actually said: "But it's quite boring leh, nothing much to write."
Oh yes, she got quite mad.
WAH LAU. He's a piece of shit man. I have sworn not to even cast a look on his annoying face.
You know what? He smells too. Of sweat. You can smell his chair even when he's not there.
As for The Client, that's another story. I only have one thing to say. I don't understand how the government can employ idiots like the people I have to deal with. The people can't even be professional enough to carry out a decent conversation with you. What's worse, they don't even listen when you talk. And I have to entertain them. Why? Because they are paying us to do it.
Crap.
First, I have to deal with The Intern (aged 23) who's rude, obnoxious and lazy. I have never seen anyone who doesn't know his place at work. He talks back at me, thinking he's being really funny, and refuses to take instructions from me.
Incident number 1:
My editor has asked me to coordinate a project on her behalf because she has to attend a course. She specifically told me to watch him closely (cos he's the writer for the project) since she was afraid he wasn't reliable enough to chase the client for info. When I tell him very nicely to chase the similarly unreliable client, he actually tells me in my face that he will check with my editor on whether he needs to chase this client. Even when I tell him very reasonably that I'm acting under this editor's instructions. And he repeats: "I'll check with (the editor) on that."
To say that I'm at my boiling point is an understatement. Anyways, I'm not easy to mess with too, so I give feedback to my editor about his much-to-be-desired enthusiasm. And my editor says: "Well, he's gotta learn that bad attitude doesn't work man!" I seriously hope he fails his internship.
Incident number 2:
When I didn't know he was so unpleasant, I went out for lunch with him once. Never after that.
And he sat down and said: "Eh buy a drink for me leh." No respect, totally. And in THAT tone. My colleague told me that on an assignment with him once, he decided he was hungry and bought something to eat. And he said to her: "Eh, make yourself useful leh. Go and buy a drink for me."
My colleague, who is seven years older than him, retorted: "Why should I? It's so crowded."
And he replied, in a matter-of-fact way: "Precisely, that's why I want you to buy it for me."
Incident number 3:
He sees me eating my cola gummies and stretches out his hand 30cm from me and leaves it there. I glare at him and say NO. And he leaves his hand there for the next five minutes, not even a please, not even a request. Just a demanding gesture.
Finally when he opens his mouth, he says: "Wah lau, selfish man."
My colleague says: "Hey, don't you know how to say please?"
He says: "Will saying please make a difference. Eh gimme leh."
(Yes, until this point, there's no hint of courtesy at all.)
The next day, I turn around and I say: "XXX, do you happen to have change for $10."
Guess what he says?
HE SAYS: "What must you say???"
Incident number 4:
My supervisor tells him to write up something from a travel brochure and he didn't do it cos he claimed it only had Japanese words, so he didn't understand what it was saying. Well, when my supe pointed out to him that there were English words, he actually said: "But it's quite boring leh, nothing much to write."
Oh yes, she got quite mad.
WAH LAU. He's a piece of shit man. I have sworn not to even cast a look on his annoying face.
You know what? He smells too. Of sweat. You can smell his chair even when he's not there.
As for The Client, that's another story. I only have one thing to say. I don't understand how the government can employ idiots like the people I have to deal with. The people can't even be professional enough to carry out a decent conversation with you. What's worse, they don't even listen when you talk. And I have to entertain them. Why? Because they are paying us to do it.
Crap.
My crown of glory: Well upon the request of moonx, I've decided to shoot a picture of my new hairdo. Uhm, it was hard to capture all the layering, so I could only shoot from the side. So pls excuse my less-than-perfect complexion. The highlights are a result of my last dyeing. By right, according to Aaron the hairstylist, it would be nice to have a two-tone highlight to bring out the texture of the cut. But I already had previous highlights, so we left it as that. Cut was $31.50, including wash and blow. Anyone interested, pls leave a comment and I'll post the address of the salon :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
My crown of glory
It's half an hour to midnight and I have hair wax/clay in my hair that I can't bear to wash off! That's because I think I look simply fabulous in my new hairdo. Haha :)
I just had my hair snipped at a new-found salon in Hougang. It's one of the Kimage branches and I tell you, the guy who cut my hair, knows how to treat my hair like she's queen. He's got the feel and I'm so glad I found him. I was so happy with his service and hairstyling that I bought a $43 hair-styling product and a two-year membership.
It's hard to describe to long-haired lasses the satisfaction a short-haired girl gets when her tresses are shaped just the way God meant them to be. Let's see, I would say it is as satisfying as downing a huge gulp of ice-cold water on a hot, dusty day. As refreshing as a warm bubble bath after a hard day's work.
Ah.....
What's more satisfying is when the hairdresser smiles as he cuts, and tells you he thinks that super short fringe, which other people can't carry off, simply frames your face perfectly. And especially so when you agree.
It's been a great day. And worth every silly grin I wore on my way home.
I just had my hair snipped at a new-found salon in Hougang. It's one of the Kimage branches and I tell you, the guy who cut my hair, knows how to treat my hair like she's queen. He's got the feel and I'm so glad I found him. I was so happy with his service and hairstyling that I bought a $43 hair-styling product and a two-year membership.
It's hard to describe to long-haired lasses the satisfaction a short-haired girl gets when her tresses are shaped just the way God meant them to be. Let's see, I would say it is as satisfying as downing a huge gulp of ice-cold water on a hot, dusty day. As refreshing as a warm bubble bath after a hard day's work.
Ah.....
What's more satisfying is when the hairdresser smiles as he cuts, and tells you he thinks that super short fringe, which other people can't carry off, simply frames your face perfectly. And especially so when you agree.
It's been a great day. And worth every silly grin I wore on my way home.
Can women never be (good) bosses?
You know how we all bitch about having to endure women bosses who are control freaks, super kan cheong and nitpick like anything? Do you think there really could be a good woman boss?
Was having lunch with olduvai today and somehow we talked a bit about this. Leo was saying that he's beginning to believe that all women are hard to deal with because they don't hear out reason calmly. Guys are different cos they are more reasonable.
Hmm....I do think that I can't handle stress as well as the average guy does, and that I do get irritable. But I don't know whether I fall into the category of unreasonable? Maybe, if push comes to shove.
Can women never be good bosses?
Was having lunch with olduvai today and somehow we talked a bit about this. Leo was saying that he's beginning to believe that all women are hard to deal with because they don't hear out reason calmly. Guys are different cos they are more reasonable.
Hmm....I do think that I can't handle stress as well as the average guy does, and that I do get irritable. But I don't know whether I fall into the category of unreasonable? Maybe, if push comes to shove.
Can women never be good bosses?
Friday, March 11, 2005
Tired
I don't know if you have that same feeling, but every time I'm overworked, I feel pukish in the mornings. And it happened today! I actually did throw up the pear I ate for breakfast. Eww...gross. The last time I felt this way was at NewsXXXX!
I think it's the fatigue (think late nights) coupled with the endless writing of meaningless things that I swear become what a friend calls pang sai zhua (loosely translated as toilet paper). This week has been quite crazy, handling three stories, coordinating one supplement and writing this advertorial (two full broadsheet pages) that required 12 interviews. It's not so much the writing that drove me nuts, but the infinite stream of phonecalls and emails I had to make to chase people for answers. In fact, I'm still waiting for this last person to call me in a few minutes.
I am definitely not cut out to be a multitasker. Stresses me like crazy when they are deadlines to meet.
So anyways, it's Friday today, and I've finished all I need to do. Almost. I can only breathe a sigh of yay. Oh yes, on a side note, I'm quite happy I'm reading The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher. Makes me happy reading how food, to her, is the breathe of life. I need to learn that. Take it easy, enjoy the gastronomical sensations, relax.
I think it's the fatigue (think late nights) coupled with the endless writing of meaningless things that I swear become what a friend calls pang sai zhua (loosely translated as toilet paper). This week has been quite crazy, handling three stories, coordinating one supplement and writing this advertorial (two full broadsheet pages) that required 12 interviews. It's not so much the writing that drove me nuts, but the infinite stream of phonecalls and emails I had to make to chase people for answers. In fact, I'm still waiting for this last person to call me in a few minutes.
I am definitely not cut out to be a multitasker. Stresses me like crazy when they are deadlines to meet.
So anyways, it's Friday today, and I've finished all I need to do. Almost. I can only breathe a sigh of yay. Oh yes, on a side note, I'm quite happy I'm reading The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher. Makes me happy reading how food, to her, is the breathe of life. I need to learn that. Take it easy, enjoy the gastronomical sensations, relax.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Astroboy!!!! Hahahaha. See the second guy from the top, topless with tight blue shorts, socks pulled up high and orange shoes??? Doesn't he look like Astroboy??? Couldn't resist taking this picture from my 12th storey flat. These guys were playing at the soccer field below my block and this pasty guy really caught my eye man. All the way Astroboy!!! Woohoo!!!
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Another's world
Reflection time again.
I remember two years ago I was suffering from a major quarterlife crisis, which I hope will never hit me again. Work totally sucked, well, more like the workplace sucked and the work sucked a little less. It was so bad it came to a point I cried three days in a row, once at my table (and later found out I wasn't the only one who'd ever cried at work!).
What made it worse was other than the fact that my personality couldn't gel with what my job required, I was tormented by the thought of not being tough enough to ride through the hard times. Being a perfectionist for most of my life, something I partly blame the Singapore education system for, I couldn't accept the fact that I was not able to cope with what I was doing. I was torn between quitting my job and just sticking around like the rest of my peers did. Just two years, I thought, just two years and I'd have accummulated enough experience for a glowing testimonial.
But through a miraculous divine intervention, an offer for a transfer came along and my very intimidating boss agreed to it in 10 seconds, although I knew I was penned in her little black book as The Traitor. But, whatever. Thank God for the opening.
In the course of my present work, I've decided to start volunteering to see if I'd be any good at a job in the social service. I really enjoy it and I actually look forward to meeting K and Mr Jai every week. Mr Jai was more of an accident, but a welcome one. They've exposed me to such a different world in Singapore and every time I meet them, I learn something new. Something fresh about humanity, which is sometimes very humbling.
Take Mr Jai for example. I had to change the batteries in his electronic doorbell the other day. He said he'd "no guts" to open the battery cover cos he was afraid the batteries would fall out and he'd not be able to find them. Which means he would never know if anyone was at the door. He said he had tried different ways to make the doorbell work, like putting a piece of paper over the door bell, hanging it on the wall etc...And I was like: Huh? You know, when you hear a sick old man tell you things like this, you just wanna cry. How many times have you taken for granted your very simple ability to change batteries?
Just a few hours back, I attended the wake of K's mother. K is a 16-year-old girl I mentor and her mum died of liver cancer. All I can say is that she has an extremely complex family background, which I can't say here. Tonight, she was as mature as she could be, telling me by her mother's coffin, how she thought she could do a better job at the makeup the embalmer had done. Through all the conversations I've had with her through the last year or so, I'm actually pretty amazed at how strong she is despite the difficult situations she has to go through.
Now, I really wonder if I finally do get a job in the social service sector, would I still be able to interact with these friends of mine in such an intimate manner? Or would I see them each as a case to be dealt with. I'm quite scared. People always say as a social worker you have to be objective with the people you deal with. I don't know...can you really be that objective? How objective is objective? How good is that?
Sighs...I'm thinking too much again I guess. Shall stop. Sometimes too much reflection is not good.
I remember two years ago I was suffering from a major quarterlife crisis, which I hope will never hit me again. Work totally sucked, well, more like the workplace sucked and the work sucked a little less. It was so bad it came to a point I cried three days in a row, once at my table (and later found out I wasn't the only one who'd ever cried at work!).
What made it worse was other than the fact that my personality couldn't gel with what my job required, I was tormented by the thought of not being tough enough to ride through the hard times. Being a perfectionist for most of my life, something I partly blame the Singapore education system for, I couldn't accept the fact that I was not able to cope with what I was doing. I was torn between quitting my job and just sticking around like the rest of my peers did. Just two years, I thought, just two years and I'd have accummulated enough experience for a glowing testimonial.
But through a miraculous divine intervention, an offer for a transfer came along and my very intimidating boss agreed to it in 10 seconds, although I knew I was penned in her little black book as The Traitor. But, whatever. Thank God for the opening.
In the course of my present work, I've decided to start volunteering to see if I'd be any good at a job in the social service. I really enjoy it and I actually look forward to meeting K and Mr Jai every week. Mr Jai was more of an accident, but a welcome one. They've exposed me to such a different world in Singapore and every time I meet them, I learn something new. Something fresh about humanity, which is sometimes very humbling.
Take Mr Jai for example. I had to change the batteries in his electronic doorbell the other day. He said he'd "no guts" to open the battery cover cos he was afraid the batteries would fall out and he'd not be able to find them. Which means he would never know if anyone was at the door. He said he had tried different ways to make the doorbell work, like putting a piece of paper over the door bell, hanging it on the wall etc...And I was like: Huh? You know, when you hear a sick old man tell you things like this, you just wanna cry. How many times have you taken for granted your very simple ability to change batteries?
Just a few hours back, I attended the wake of K's mother. K is a 16-year-old girl I mentor and her mum died of liver cancer. All I can say is that she has an extremely complex family background, which I can't say here. Tonight, she was as mature as she could be, telling me by her mother's coffin, how she thought she could do a better job at the makeup the embalmer had done. Through all the conversations I've had with her through the last year or so, I'm actually pretty amazed at how strong she is despite the difficult situations she has to go through.
Now, I really wonder if I finally do get a job in the social service sector, would I still be able to interact with these friends of mine in such an intimate manner? Or would I see them each as a case to be dealt with. I'm quite scared. People always say as a social worker you have to be objective with the people you deal with. I don't know...can you really be that objective? How objective is objective? How good is that?
Sighs...I'm thinking too much again I guess. Shall stop. Sometimes too much reflection is not good.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Back from Bangkok! 555!
555. That's "ha ha ha" for you in Thai. Whenever Jai, a Thai friend of Leo, chats online with him, she punches that number in to represent laughter. How cute! 555!
Anyways, I met her in Bangkok three years back on a trip there with Leo and his friends and got to know her as well. Over the weekend, Leo and I flew over again to attend her wedding. And of course, to enjoy a much-needed break. Finally, we could spend quality time together as a couple!
This time round, I wasn't so crazy about shopping anymore. Just a few months ago on a trip to Bangkok with some church friends, I got stuck with a shopping queen and couldn't even stop to see the sights and feast on the cheap good food. I ended up with only two pictures for the entire trip. This time round, I went with the sole aim of just enjoying a relaxing time and I ate sooooooo much!!! Shall post a few pictures of the yummy eats I tucked into.
As for Jai and Tee's wedding, it was an interesting experience too. Although it was a standard 8-10 course Chinese banquet dinner at Narai Hotel in Silom Road, we had dishes that were slightly different from those served in Singapore. For example, there was this broth-like thing with goose feet and I think fish maw, which was, all right. The first dish (you know the one which in Singapore has five different types of foods on a platter) had cashew nuts and this popiah thingy filled with sweetened peanuts. Etc.
The bridal couple also took pictures with ALL the guests before they entered the ballroom. We all took turns to stand in front of this rather cheesy backdrop (haha) decorated with white and red roses, plus a big curvy heart in the centre. Poor Jai, she said she had smiled all night till her jaws ached like mad!
The yum seng: Well, they don't say yum seng, of course. Instead, when everyone stands up for a toast, a 30-second midi-created fanfare tune sounds from the keyboard before everyone goes "jai! yoke! jai! yoke!" Err...something like that lah. I was more amused by the midi tune!
There's also karaoke on a small stage in the front where apart from the hired singer, any brave soul can belt out a song. There was this teenage girl who sang not bad, and her grandmother (well, this old woman I assume to be her grandmother) tottered up, leaning against another woman for support, to present the girl a rose for moral support! Heh.
Oh, the Thais actually practise throwing the bouquet for single females to catch as well. The activity caused quite a stir among all the ladies and one lone guy - Jai's brother Boy. That cheeky fella ended up catching the flowers to much laughter.
Well, Leo was very happy to catch up with his Thai friends, cos he's closer to them than I am. He's known them since they were in primary school, although they only got closer in recent years. They are five siblings - Jai (27yrs and the oldest, sis), Boy (bro), Bon (bro), Bern (sis) and Ball (bro).
Okie...photos coming your way!
Anyways, I met her in Bangkok three years back on a trip there with Leo and his friends and got to know her as well. Over the weekend, Leo and I flew over again to attend her wedding. And of course, to enjoy a much-needed break. Finally, we could spend quality time together as a couple!
This time round, I wasn't so crazy about shopping anymore. Just a few months ago on a trip to Bangkok with some church friends, I got stuck with a shopping queen and couldn't even stop to see the sights and feast on the cheap good food. I ended up with only two pictures for the entire trip. This time round, I went with the sole aim of just enjoying a relaxing time and I ate sooooooo much!!! Shall post a few pictures of the yummy eats I tucked into.
As for Jai and Tee's wedding, it was an interesting experience too. Although it was a standard 8-10 course Chinese banquet dinner at Narai Hotel in Silom Road, we had dishes that were slightly different from those served in Singapore. For example, there was this broth-like thing with goose feet and I think fish maw, which was, all right. The first dish (you know the one which in Singapore has five different types of foods on a platter) had cashew nuts and this popiah thingy filled with sweetened peanuts. Etc.
The bridal couple also took pictures with ALL the guests before they entered the ballroom. We all took turns to stand in front of this rather cheesy backdrop (haha) decorated with white and red roses, plus a big curvy heart in the centre. Poor Jai, she said she had smiled all night till her jaws ached like mad!
The yum seng: Well, they don't say yum seng, of course. Instead, when everyone stands up for a toast, a 30-second midi-created fanfare tune sounds from the keyboard before everyone goes "jai! yoke! jai! yoke!" Err...something like that lah. I was more amused by the midi tune!
There's also karaoke on a small stage in the front where apart from the hired singer, any brave soul can belt out a song. There was this teenage girl who sang not bad, and her grandmother (well, this old woman I assume to be her grandmother) tottered up, leaning against another woman for support, to present the girl a rose for moral support! Heh.
Oh, the Thais actually practise throwing the bouquet for single females to catch as well. The activity caused quite a stir among all the ladies and one lone guy - Jai's brother Boy. That cheeky fella ended up catching the flowers to much laughter.
Well, Leo was very happy to catch up with his Thai friends, cos he's closer to them than I am. He's known them since they were in primary school, although they only got closer in recent years. They are five siblings - Jai (27yrs and the oldest, sis), Boy (bro), Bon (bro), Bern (sis) and Ball (bro).
Okie...photos coming your way!
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