Okay, last day of this awful year. GOODBYE and good riddance 2005. WELCOME 2006! I pray with the whole of my small goatie heart - may the coming year bring much more good health, love and $$ to my tested families, and much more peace and stability to the battered world.
To those whom I've not been able to spend more time with, sorry. Really.
To those whom I've upset with my stubborn-ness and strong words, sorry.
To those whom I've not been able to make happy or whom I've let down in any way, sorry.
In the coming doggie year, I will try to be a better and happier goatie.
Happy New Year to you, my dear.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
It's gone
The fish has left.
It has gone to join mama in the heavens...
Not that it wanted to, so early... But its owner starved it and snuffed out its life u see. It was a fighter, a survivor who had triumphed over big battles of whitespot, while its co-habitants easily succumbed.
Irony, for goldie to die at the hands of its ex-savior.
R.I.P (am truly sorry)
It has gone to join mama in the heavens...
Not that it wanted to, so early... But its owner starved it and snuffed out its life u see. It was a fighter, a survivor who had triumphed over big battles of whitespot, while its co-habitants easily succumbed.
Irony, for goldie to die at the hands of its ex-savior.
R.I.P (am truly sorry)
Monday, December 26, 2005
Fish
My goldfish... is dying.
And it is my fault... I didn't leave enough food for it when I left for KL. And its reserves are not enough to last it for 3.5 days.
It is now gasping for breath weakly, flipped upside down... I'm trying to save it. I'm so totally sorry goldie, to put you through this agony. I should really have known better.
The next few hours will be critical. Hopefully you'd pull through in your ICU.
Otherwise, I'd have to go through another round of mourning.
SOB.
And it is my fault... I didn't leave enough food for it when I left for KL. And its reserves are not enough to last it for 3.5 days.
It is now gasping for breath weakly, flipped upside down... I'm trying to save it. I'm so totally sorry goldie, to put you through this agony. I should really have known better.
The next few hours will be critical. Hopefully you'd pull through in your ICU.
Otherwise, I'd have to go through another round of mourning.
SOB.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
X'mas Eve
Came across this little twist of a song.
Rudolph the blue-nosed piggy,
Has a very pinkish coat.
Bouncy and gleeful noisy,
He is quietly down inside.
When you see him lumbering,
Give him little pat, wet smooch.
One day, he'd be gone ever,
Then you'd only miss him so!
There's no such thing as "the season" for love. Let there be love everyday.
One day when there's none left in my life, that day, I'd be gone.
p.s. Some kid sent me this personality color test:
http://web.tickle.com/invite?test=1108&type=t
Quite accurate lah, maybe you wanna try it out while waiting for your big festive meal to digest in those long intestines... I'm a GREEN!!
Rudolph the blue-nosed piggy,
Has a very pinkish coat.
Bouncy and gleeful noisy,
He is quietly down inside.
When you see him lumbering,
Give him little pat, wet smooch.
One day, he'd be gone ever,
Then you'd only miss him so!
There's no such thing as "the season" for love. Let there be love everyday.
One day when there's none left in my life, that day, I'd be gone.
p.s. Some kid sent me this personality color test:
http://web.tickle.com/invite?test=1108&type=t
Quite accurate lah, maybe you wanna try it out while waiting for your big festive meal to digest in those long intestines... I'm a GREEN!!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Hello Hello!
Sorry for the sudden disappearing act my dear pallies. Didn't have time to get my hands on keyboard at all for the past 5 days.
Cousin decided to get married this Tue and last min arrowed me to be his emcee, so earlier in the week was spent helping out with script and other last-min preparations. Then the very next day, me decided to abscond with dad to KL, so large part of day was spent chugging the roads along North-South highway. Once here (am still here), had to spend time pampering my tummy with the famous 'fried salted egg with crabs', 'stewed pork knuckles with mushrooms', 'steamed freshwater bak(3) sou(1) gong(1)'… It's only today that I found a computer to raid and write to you. Don't misunderstand, you are not one bit less important than the crab, pig, or fish. In fact, you are always on my mind, I swear!
Alrighty my dear pallies, today is 23rd Dec liao, tomorrow is Xmas eve, and then it's one last week of precious hols before institution reopens. I will have grad nite coming up next Fri - a coming-of-age event where kiddies dress up and transform into glamorous babes & hunks. Another crazed week having to deal with last minute prep for this expensive (in terms of cold cash, man-hours, brain power) event.
I miss all of you, and some of you a little more than the rest, especially those whom I have been trying to contact for a drink since hols started. If you happen to be reading this, leave a note or give my hp a beep. I'd be back on our red hot island from this Mon morning onwards, and will contact you then!
Merry Xmas in advance my dearies.
Cousin decided to get married this Tue and last min arrowed me to be his emcee, so earlier in the week was spent helping out with script and other last-min preparations. Then the very next day, me decided to abscond with dad to KL, so large part of day was spent chugging the roads along North-South highway. Once here (am still here), had to spend time pampering my tummy with the famous 'fried salted egg with crabs', 'stewed pork knuckles with mushrooms', 'steamed freshwater bak(3) sou(1) gong(1)'… It's only today that I found a computer to raid and write to you. Don't misunderstand, you are not one bit less important than the crab, pig, or fish. In fact, you are always on my mind, I swear!
Alrighty my dear pallies, today is 23rd Dec liao, tomorrow is Xmas eve, and then it's one last week of precious hols before institution reopens. I will have grad nite coming up next Fri - a coming-of-age event where kiddies dress up and transform into glamorous babes & hunks. Another crazed week having to deal with last minute prep for this expensive (in terms of cold cash, man-hours, brain power) event.
I miss all of you, and some of you a little more than the rest, especially those whom I have been trying to contact for a drink since hols started. If you happen to be reading this, leave a note or give my hp a beep. I'd be back on our red hot island from this Mon morning onwards, and will contact you then!
Merry Xmas in advance my dearies.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Day 6 - Taipei
Today's Taiwan election! Efficient leh, morning vote, by night all states' results out liao - must remember Taiwan's 60 times larger than S'pore leh. And good news is - loud, brash Chen's party got beaten flat flat while charismatic, rational Ma's party vroomed their way to sweet victory. Hip Hip Hurray! There's hope yet for this eat-shop heaven.
As we ambled along from Tai Nan to Taipei today, found time to stop by this TouFu street where they sold all types of smelly toufu imaginable - fried, steamed, bbq, cold, spicy, soupy, steamboaty... everything! that smell that lingers... will either make you salivate or vomit. For me, i like the bbq + preserved veg type. The steamboat kind really powerful, its 'aroma' can awaken a fainted person, only to knock him/her out again. Very potent!
Stopped by the famous Fashion Street too - a wholesale place that sells all sorts of latest t-shirt/tight skirt/fur coats/flare skirts at low prices. Fans of Veeko or high class 'This Fashion' will name this place heaven (but no trying on of clothes one, just pick off rack and buy). For me, boring old lady, it's eye power only. Nothing bought. =P
Tonight's hotel is said to be the most luxurious throughout trip. Indeed. Many touches of (artificial) glam. I thought it way overdone. All rooms decked totally in black, dark brown and funny shades of gold. Each room's got king-sized beds, sofas, ceiling-to-floor mirrors that take up whole walls, many smaller mirrors and 2 doors! For me, it's too big. Too dark. Too much. I actually felt a bit scared.
As we ambled along from Tai Nan to Taipei today, found time to stop by this TouFu street where they sold all types of smelly toufu imaginable - fried, steamed, bbq, cold, spicy, soupy, steamboaty... everything! that smell that lingers... will either make you salivate or vomit. For me, i like the bbq + preserved veg type. The steamboat kind really powerful, its 'aroma' can awaken a fainted person, only to knock him/her out again. Very potent!
Stopped by the famous Fashion Street too - a wholesale place that sells all sorts of latest t-shirt/tight skirt/fur coats/flare skirts at low prices. Fans of Veeko or high class 'This Fashion' will name this place heaven (but no trying on of clothes one, just pick off rack and buy). For me, boring old lady, it's eye power only. Nothing bought. =P
Tonight's hotel is said to be the most luxurious throughout trip. Indeed. Many touches of (artificial) glam. I thought it way overdone. All rooms decked totally in black, dark brown and funny shades of gold. Each room's got king-sized beds, sofas, ceiling-to-floor mirrors that take up whole walls, many smaller mirrors and 2 doors! For me, it's too big. Too dark. Too much. I actually felt a bit scared.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Day 5 - Kao Shiong
*Digusting to reside in different parts of Taiwan every night* (ok ok, I'd quit the whining, but it really is awful lah, like some lunatic on a jailbreak... always on the go)
Today, one highlight is the Er Luan Bi gardens - such lush, well-kept gardens with rolling small hills framed by swaying woods... the only sensible thing to do is to lay on the soft grass and read a book under the blue sky-white clouds. Within this garden, there is also a small bazaar right on hilltop facing the ocean, selling windchimes. Can you imagine that? Such utter peace, I wouldn't mind being one of those old stall aunties, spending time with the wind and sun.
Another interesting place we visited was a temple with a "counting" burn chamber. This one's very cool! The chamber's been designed such that air draughts would naturally suck in all the "paper money" placed at the entrance of chamber like our POSB/DBS/OCBC etc money counting machines - the very same flipping action and sound! Almost comical.
Tonight at Kao Shiong (the place with most HDB-like buildings), we gorged ourselves silly on hot steamy shabu-shabu. ~S$38 for four of us, ate till beng(1) san(1). Totally immobilized. The only saving grace is it's soupy gorging. No (or little) fats involved lah.
Today, one highlight is the Er Luan Bi gardens - such lush, well-kept gardens with rolling small hills framed by swaying woods... the only sensible thing to do is to lay on the soft grass and read a book under the blue sky-white clouds. Within this garden, there is also a small bazaar right on hilltop facing the ocean, selling windchimes. Can you imagine that? Such utter peace, I wouldn't mind being one of those old stall aunties, spending time with the wind and sun.
Another interesting place we visited was a temple with a "counting" burn chamber. This one's very cool! The chamber's been designed such that air draughts would naturally suck in all the "paper money" placed at the entrance of chamber like our POSB/DBS/OCBC etc money counting machines - the very same flipping action and sound! Almost comical.
Tonight at Kao Shiong (the place with most HDB-like buildings), we gorged ourselves silly on hot steamy shabu-shabu. ~S$38 for four of us, ate till beng(1) san(1). Totally immobilized. The only saving grace is it's soupy gorging. No (or little) fats involved lah.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Day 4 - Ken Ting
Today, we went from Tai Nan to Ken Ting. Along the way, I conquered mountains (the Salt Mountain) and seas (Mao Pi Tou)!
This Salt Mountain place is really a large mould of real salt, where you can climb right up to the top, abeit rock climbling without the safety harness, to get nice views of the countryside. If you do go there, remember to try the super super yummy salty ice-cream! Yes, salty ones! I especially lurve the almond flavor type, very unique! Perhaps I should import some and sell them here, it may just propel me into the "Fortune's Top 50 Women" list.
Mao Pi Tou is a wonderful place, a cape that runs alongside the Pacific Ocean. A very pretty, windy and quiet place to catch that perfect sunset. I absolutely love it.
Spent the night at Ken Ting, living just above a night bazaar that has stalls selling all sorts of quirky stuff, with seafood restaurants and dance bars dotting the kerbs, it's a little like the Bangkok's Khao San street. =)
This Salt Mountain place is really a large mould of real salt, where you can climb right up to the top, abeit rock climbling without the safety harness, to get nice views of the countryside. If you do go there, remember to try the super super yummy salty ice-cream! Yes, salty ones! I especially lurve the almond flavor type, very unique! Perhaps I should import some and sell them here, it may just propel me into the "Fortune's Top 50 Women" list.
Mao Pi Tou is a wonderful place, a cape that runs alongside the Pacific Ocean. A very pretty, windy and quiet place to catch that perfect sunset. I absolutely love it.
Spent the night at Ken Ting, living just above a night bazaar that has stalls selling all sorts of quirky stuff, with seafood restaurants and dance bars dotting the kerbs, it's a little like the Bangkok's Khao San street. =)
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Perhaps...
A digression back to the present.
Tonight, I watched the movie "Perhaps... Love". I ususally don't do chinese movies, but I'm glad I went for this one. It's beautifully filmed... a refreshing, thought-provoking take on the concept of love. A film within a film, three love stories intertwined. Jacky, Takeshi and Zhou Xun. Powerful vocals, brooding good looks and sincere acting respectively. Go ahead, hear about love.
What makes it even better is I watched this with a treasured friend. This pal, we used to be really, really close until sometime earlier this year, when there was just this gradual, mysterious silent decomposition of buddyship... Tonight actually marks the first time the two of us hanged out together again (a spontaneous decision) after more than half a yr, and I'm glad to say that the comfy feeling of closeness is magically still around. Hope she feels the same too, for I guess beneath all the differences, there are really some treasured similarities.
(off to take a call...)
And the time now is 1.48am. My frankenfish buddy just hung up after a 45min overseas chat (another spontaneous event) with me. I cannot thank Buddha enough. There are many times in my life where special people just walk in and take super care of me, when I need them bad. I thank you, each one of you - frankenfish, marly, TAG, tweeny, kae, MLL, elf, wolf, SJ, pinksmurffy, and even... jx, and everyone else who has left his/her footprints in my life. Without you (and family), I am very likely nothing.
Tonight, I watched the movie "Perhaps... Love". I ususally don't do chinese movies, but I'm glad I went for this one. It's beautifully filmed... a refreshing, thought-provoking take on the concept of love. A film within a film, three love stories intertwined. Jacky, Takeshi and Zhou Xun. Powerful vocals, brooding good looks and sincere acting respectively. Go ahead, hear about love.
What makes it even better is I watched this with a treasured friend. This pal, we used to be really, really close until sometime earlier this year, when there was just this gradual, mysterious silent decomposition of buddyship... Tonight actually marks the first time the two of us hanged out together again (a spontaneous decision) after more than half a yr, and I'm glad to say that the comfy feeling of closeness is magically still around. Hope she feels the same too, for I guess beneath all the differences, there are really some treasured similarities.
(off to take a call...)
And the time now is 1.48am. My frankenfish buddy just hung up after a 45min overseas chat (another spontaneous event) with me. I cannot thank Buddha enough. There are many times in my life where special people just walk in and take super care of me, when I need them bad. I thank you, each one of you - frankenfish, marly, TAG, tweeny, kae, MLL, elf, wolf, SJ, pinksmurffy, and even... jx, and everyone else who has left his/her footprints in my life. Without you (and family), I am very likely nothing.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Day 3 -Tai Nan
Highlight of the day - hot and cold spring dipping at a mountainside resort!! My virgin dip leh, got indoor and outdoor, muddy and clear springs, as well as 'with swimsuit and without' types! I definitely loved the hot and muddy (AND skinny dippy) ones, super rejuvenating! When surrounding temp's around 15deg, you go dip into pools of ~42deg, the only word is SHIOK. but then, the cold spring.... *tremble tremble*... is super scary. So freaking cold you can feel your heart freeze... I am definitely hot-blooded.
Rest of the day, we visited the 921 earthquake museum. Pretty educational, and definitely clever to build a memorial-educational site around the actual ruins. You can really see the half-destroyed buildings slanting precariously...
Also went to the famous Sun Moon Lake, a very tranquil place where even the most un-poetic would feel inspired to draft a few lines. Would be super romantic to watch the sun set with your loved ones there. Too bad, no peach in blossom there.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Day 2 - Tai Chung
Sad to say, I think one of the most memorable things for day 2 were the short but frequent bus trips as we crossed from Central Taipei -> Northen-most Taiwan -> North-western Taiwan -> Tai Chung. 99% of the time, I fell asleep, lullled by the soothing voice of tour guide Paul, as he droned on Everest of historical facts and his own take on the cross-straits issue. Believe me, I really did try very hard to stay awake. It's just that those nerves between the brain and eyes chose to be disconnected then.
Cat-naps aside, there were some stopovers worth mentioning e.g. Yang Ming Shan sulphur vent regions - where we smelt and saw small bubbling mineral puddles in a super cold, hilly, foggy mountaineous region. It's the place where toes in open sandals get frozen, I should know.
Ye Liu - where amazingly beautiful, natural rock formations the shape of bee hives, ginger, carp etc stood, the products of years of intense sea waves erosion.
Jiu(3) Fen(4) (literally 9 portions) - a fabulous market tucked within long winding alley ways, hidden within a mountainside town. Upslope, downslope, you get to burn off some calories as you explore this authentic, unusual market. Just nice too, if you wish to sample those BBQ giant clams, BBQ abalone mushrooms, fried glutinous red meat, ginger soup with yam and pumpkin cubes, mixed pork and fishballs soup...
Fengjia Night market - a big eating and shopping district, where you get to cross roads and junctions, unlike the Xi Men Ding where everything's centralised. This time round, braised chicken innards and duck wings, fried 5-spiced pumpkin strips and fried chive pancake were on the menu.
It's only the 2nd day, and I want to become no Lydia Sum. Wish me resolve.
Cat-naps aside, there were some stopovers worth mentioning e.g. Yang Ming Shan sulphur vent regions - where we smelt and saw small bubbling mineral puddles in a super cold, hilly, foggy mountaineous region. It's the place where toes in open sandals get frozen, I should know.
Ye Liu - where amazingly beautiful, natural rock formations the shape of bee hives, ginger, carp etc stood, the products of years of intense sea waves erosion.
Jiu(3) Fen(4) (literally 9 portions) - a fabulous market tucked within long winding alley ways, hidden within a mountainside town. Upslope, downslope, you get to burn off some calories as you explore this authentic, unusual market. Just nice too, if you wish to sample those BBQ giant clams, BBQ abalone mushrooms, fried glutinous red meat, ginger soup with yam and pumpkin cubes, mixed pork and fishballs soup...
Fengjia Night market - a big eating and shopping district, where you get to cross roads and junctions, unlike the Xi Men Ding where everything's centralised. This time round, braised chicken innards and duck wings, fried 5-spiced pumpkin strips and fried chive pancake were on the menu.
It's only the 2nd day, and I want to become no Lydia Sum. Wish me resolve.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Day 1 - Taipei
Tour grp size of 34. Lots of papas and mamas with young kiddos (luckily still rather well-behaved ones, no mad screaming nor non-stop police-catch-thief). But our s'pore tour leader's a bit blur leh, at Changi already made the first boo-boo, told us wrong gate to board plane! Fortunately SQ decided to wait...
Taiwan tour guide is a native hong konger who looks like some sauve triad boss actor, think he must have been some charming lady killer when younger. =)
Today visited the Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall. A very beautiful, tranquil park with awe-inspiring buildings. Nice historical place.
Next, to Xi Men Ding night market. Very happening! Actually saw those mobile food stalls scrambling away when police cars drove by, only to return in less than a minute's time. Human signboards everywhere too, a creative and attention-grabbing way of advertising indeed.
Was like some prisoner let loose... Taiwan's a pure foodie's heaven. It's just the first night, but I've already sampled many novelties - fried pumpkin balls, 'soupy' oyster omelette, intestine vermicelli, sugared skewered tomato-prune, veggie salad crepe, beancurd with red bean... *burp*
Traveling with 2 aunts and 1 teenage cousin, I must remind myself not to be too naggy nor domineering. Wish me patience.
Taiwan tour guide is a native hong konger who looks like some sauve triad boss actor, think he must have been some charming lady killer when younger. =)
Today visited the Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall. A very beautiful, tranquil park with awe-inspiring buildings. Nice historical place.
Next, to Xi Men Ding night market. Very happening! Actually saw those mobile food stalls scrambling away when police cars drove by, only to return in less than a minute's time. Human signboards everywhere too, a creative and attention-grabbing way of advertising indeed.
Was like some prisoner let loose... Taiwan's a pure foodie's heaven. It's just the first night, but I've already sampled many novelties - fried pumpkin balls, 'soupy' oyster omelette, intestine vermicelli, sugared skewered tomato-prune, veggie salad crepe, beancurd with red bean... *burp*
Traveling with 2 aunts and 1 teenage cousin, I must remind myself not to be too naggy nor domineering. Wish me patience.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Missin' Me?
Yalo handsome boys and pretty girls, I'm back! =)
Man... I will not go for another guided tour ever... and definitely not one that attempts to traverse half of Taiwan in 8 days... from Taipei to Tainan and back again. Whirlwind Madness. Like Ms Incredible, fly here fly there. I wonder what came over me when I decided to plonk that thousand over precious dollars and coins at that travel counter. =P. Maybe its the thought of xiao long baos... and smelly dou fu... Oh well.
Anyways, will be filling you in on short daily snippets, together with pretty pics from next entry onwards, once I manage to un-crash my photo uploading device. over 300 photos again. I'm so thankful to the person who invented digital camera, I think I might just marry him (or her). =)
Alrightys, hang in there for tomorrow's entry!
Big hugs. From Ms Incredible.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Jetting off
Yalo dears, I'd be off to Taiwan for the next 8 days, with 2 aunts and a cousin, so yeah, get ready for another smorgasbord of pics and (hopefully) juicy bits when I'm back! Can't lug home steaming bowls of oyster vermicelli or chunks of crispy fried chic cutlets, so let justice be done thru' my trusty Panasonic Lumix. =)
Just hope I wouldn't be smothered by their high-octane election frenzy while there. Pray... for no earthquakes, no sneezy birds straying into my hotel room, and no terrorists exploding in front of me. Pray... for good weather, good health, and some good "peach blossom luck"!
See ya in 8 days time my dears!! Forget me not.. Any request for taiwanese knick-knacks, just drop me a comment, I'd see if I can find some internet kiosks to raid. =)
Just hope I wouldn't be smothered by their high-octane election frenzy while there. Pray... for no earthquakes, no sneezy birds straying into my hotel room, and no terrorists exploding in front of me. Pray... for good weather, good health, and some good "peach blossom luck"!
See ya in 8 days time my dears!! Forget me not.. Any request for taiwanese knick-knacks, just drop me a comment, I'd see if I can find some internet kiosks to raid. =)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Let's talk about...
Today, as I stepped out of MRT carriage, this sign stared back at me from directly above the tracks - "Value Life. Act Responsibily".
Must be the recent spate of intentional/unintentional death-on-tracks. People drop shoes on track and courageously going down to retrieve... People read books and unknowingly falling onto tracks... People see oncoming trains and intentionally jumping onto tracks...
Death. It's the ultimate pitt stop for us all. Intentional death by MRT? You'd leave behind a gooey mess of splattered brain and bones for the cleaning aunty to mop... And there'd surely be a jam as commuters evacuate from killer train... But then again, if I am going to say my last goodbye, I probably wouldn't have cared too much.
Must be the recent spate of intentional/unintentional death-on-tracks. People drop shoes on track and courageously going down to retrieve... People read books and unknowingly falling onto tracks... People see oncoming trains and intentionally jumping onto tracks...
Death. It's the ultimate pitt stop for us all. Intentional death by MRT? You'd leave behind a gooey mess of splattered brain and bones for the cleaning aunty to mop... And there'd surely be a jam as commuters evacuate from killer train... But then again, if I am going to say my last goodbye, I probably wouldn't have cared too much.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
I am Sam
I just caught the movie "I Am Sam" on tv. It tells about how a mentally-challenged father fought for his daughter's custody.
It was an absolutely humbling 2.5hr ride. The movie showed exactly how human relationships should be. Unconditional love without pretence. Consistent and forgiving. Simple and all encompassing. There are many lessons in there that we, as 'normal people', can learn. The intellectually-challenged are so much more superior in their capacity to love and to empathise.
We doubt, we guard, we spite, we hide, we act, we plot. They cry, they hug, they scream, they clap, they forget. Life is, on many occasions, so much more real and colourful for them that it is for many of us.
Ignorance is sometimes very beautiful.
Pain can be easily forgotten in their child-like world.
It was an absolutely humbling 2.5hr ride. The movie showed exactly how human relationships should be. Unconditional love without pretence. Consistent and forgiving. Simple and all encompassing. There are many lessons in there that we, as 'normal people', can learn. The intellectually-challenged are so much more superior in their capacity to love and to empathise.
We doubt, we guard, we spite, we hide, we act, we plot. They cry, they hug, they scream, they clap, they forget. Life is, on many occasions, so much more real and colourful for them that it is for many of us.
Ignorance is sometimes very beautiful.
Pain can be easily forgotten in their child-like world.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Wake up... WAKE UP!
This MTV generation.. If they are my kids and I can physically whack them, I will. Cross my kind goatie heart. I'd give them one (or more) good hard pat, and pull out their toe-nails one by one. Left, right, up, down, centre... I'd shake their wimpsy brains, throttle their maggi necks and bestow them a solid high-pitched screech.
Why oh why are they so myopic... forever seeking instant gratification? so fragile... whining at the smallest obstacle? so defensive... blaming everyone but themselves? so self-centred... the only word in their vocab is "I, me and mine"? so nonchalent... ignorant about societal trends? so disrespectful... not acknowleging the seniors' existence and well-meaning advice? so... everything.
There's an article in today's papers, on how China's young gymnasts have their eye set on the 2008 Olympics. These kids would whole-heartedly train 7 hrs a day, 7 days a week. There are no computers, no malls, no junk food, no distractions. Driven by an overwhelming hunger to succeed, a focused desire to perfect those moves, their only external "motivation" in times of delusion were pep talks by trainers and huge banners encouraging them to "Bear hardship, Strive for the team, Start from less than scratch, Do the utmost to catch up!"
I am beginning to really worry for our little red dot.
May some of those real gems please stand up, please stand up.
Why oh why are they so myopic... forever seeking instant gratification? so fragile... whining at the smallest obstacle? so defensive... blaming everyone but themselves? so self-centred... the only word in their vocab is "I, me and mine"? so nonchalent... ignorant about societal trends? so disrespectful... not acknowleging the seniors' existence and well-meaning advice? so... everything.
There's an article in today's papers, on how China's young gymnasts have their eye set on the 2008 Olympics. These kids would whole-heartedly train 7 hrs a day, 7 days a week. There are no computers, no malls, no junk food, no distractions. Driven by an overwhelming hunger to succeed, a focused desire to perfect those moves, their only external "motivation" in times of delusion were pep talks by trainers and huge banners encouraging them to "Bear hardship, Strive for the team, Start from less than scratch, Do the utmost to catch up!"
I am beginning to really worry for our little red dot.
May some of those real gems please stand up, please stand up.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Freako Accident
Damn... Stupid UFO..
What a terrible, inconsiderate piece of Unidentified Flying Object... to have come charging from nowhere along AYE and kiss my papa's (relatively) new nissan windscreeen... causing this ugly ~20cm crack that needs a couple of hundred bucks to repair... Lucky didn't break the screen into a million ditzy pieces, otherwise I'd have to add in vaccum costs somemore.
Someone should now come up with this "Belt up your gravel/sand/LPG cylinders/durians/chickens/eggs/newspapers/cans etc etc at back of truck" campaign. Let not a single feather fall onto the roads for it may very well be THE killer litter. Imagine that same gravel kissing a motorist's forehead instead of papa's windscreen.. woah, with that kind of force it had come flying, i think we could have observed a bloody, real-time dissection exercise on AYE..
Eh u, if u are a driver, please belt up everything that can move. Don't even try to sneakily dump things out of window as car cruises. Don't break others' windscreens if u don't want urs broken!
Here's to cleaner and safer roads!
What a terrible, inconsiderate piece of Unidentified Flying Object... to have come charging from nowhere along AYE and kiss my papa's (relatively) new nissan windscreeen... causing this ugly ~20cm crack that needs a couple of hundred bucks to repair... Lucky didn't break the screen into a million ditzy pieces, otherwise I'd have to add in vaccum costs somemore.
Someone should now come up with this "Belt up your gravel/sand/LPG cylinders/durians/chickens/eggs/newspapers/cans etc etc at back of truck" campaign. Let not a single feather fall onto the roads for it may very well be THE killer litter. Imagine that same gravel kissing a motorist's forehead instead of papa's windscreen.. woah, with that kind of force it had come flying, i think we could have observed a bloody, real-time dissection exercise on AYE..
Eh u, if u are a driver, please belt up everything that can move. Don't even try to sneakily dump things out of window as car cruises. Don't break others' windscreens if u don't want urs broken!
Here's to cleaner and safer roads!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Earth From Above
Yellowstone National Park, USA - look for those tiny human figures on the bridge.
Have you strolled down the sidewalks next to Wheelock Place recently? Saw "The Earth From Above" exhibition by this amazing photographer - Yann Arthus Bertrand? Woah... the pictures (aerial shots done from helicopters) are breathtaking. So intense, so culturally rich, so humbling... now I know why even MM Lee cannot help but feel touched.
Exhibition will be on till mid Jan'06. Bottomline msg is:
1) Earth is a beautiful place and
2) Earth will die if we don't stop destroying it soon.
For naturalists out there, this is a gem of an exhibition.
White Haven Beach, Australia - u wonder if there's really such a place eh.
Uttar Pradesh, India - aren't u glad u got a tap with running water?
Worth a trip lah, but for those of you overseas, maybe here's a website you may wanna check out if interested - http://www.yannarthusbertrand.com
Love The Earth!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
KopiTalk
Quiz Time!
See if you are a true blue, heartlander kopi aunty like me. I think in another few years' time, I'd be propping my one leg up as I sip my kopi and watch the sunday crowd stroll by with their screaming kids & bulging bags of marketing...
Kopi-vocab - you're either IN or OUT. Here it comes:
1) tak(4) kiu(2) =
2) ah(1) huey(1) =
3) yun(1) yang(1) =
4) dai(3) ga(1) ho(2) =
5) diao(4) yu(2) =
6) xiu(2) dai(3) =
7) ga(1) dai(3) =
Try it! Unleash ur kopi vocab prowress & provide ur guesses/answers in comments lah.
Winner of the quiz will walk away with... a chance to go kopi-slurping with moi! =)
See if you are a true blue, heartlander kopi aunty like me. I think in another few years' time, I'd be propping my one leg up as I sip my kopi and watch the sunday crowd stroll by with their screaming kids & bulging bags of marketing...
Kopi-vocab - you're either IN or OUT. Here it comes:
1) tak(4) kiu(2) =
2) ah(1) huey(1) =
3) yun(1) yang(1) =
4) dai(3) ga(1) ho(2) =
5) diao(4) yu(2) =
6) xiu(2) dai(3) =
7) ga(1) dai(3) =
Try it! Unleash ur kopi vocab prowress & provide ur guesses/answers in comments lah.
Winner of the quiz will walk away with... a chance to go kopi-slurping with moi! =)
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Its ka-cha time again!!!
Aiyoh, it's like I'm back to JC Prom Nite all over again! Holy cow. =)
Yesterday's our establishment's annual D&D, this time it's at EQUINOX @ Swissotel!! Muahahahahahaha. Not bad eh, but lest you think we are splurging tax payers monies catering to own senseless whims & fancies, let me explain that we are combining our own funds for both Educators' Day and D&D into one, hence the splurge ($100/pax). But what a prom-like nite it was, all the glam dresses, beautiful makeup, walking around tables, posing, non-stop camera-clicking, and high-pitched giggling just like a bunch of pubescent teenagers, with attention barely paid to the plates of sushi maki, mediterranean chicken salads, oriental wild mushroom duck salads, smoked salmon, baked cod fish, braised beef, creamy cauliflower soup, NY cheesecake, mango mousse and yadder yadder...
It's so like Prom. It's funny that we and our kid-clients can actually be so alike. There's indeed a child in everyone of us, still.
Say cheeze. =)
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Strategic Planning
You like to play chess? To rack ur brains & decide which soldier to be moved where so as to win the battle?
Hmmm... me, I'm no big expert at strategic movements. Sure, I like to make sure things work out, and work out really well (afterall I'm a huge perfectionist), but I can feel my brain cracking up like those dried up mud floors in drought-striken countries as I wonder & ponder over the fates of some...
I've fried my brains enuf. The rest, I'd leave it to the Heavens. Let the battle be nicely fought & won!
p.s. don't worry if u haven't got an inkling abt what I'm mumbling abt, it's all senseless work talk.
Hmmm... me, I'm no big expert at strategic movements. Sure, I like to make sure things work out, and work out really well (afterall I'm a huge perfectionist), but I can feel my brain cracking up like those dried up mud floors in drought-striken countries as I wonder & ponder over the fates of some...
I've fried my brains enuf. The rest, I'd leave it to the Heavens. Let the battle be nicely fought & won!
p.s. don't worry if u haven't got an inkling abt what I'm mumbling abt, it's all senseless work talk.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Lelong Kelong
I guess the best part of the trip was, AS USUAL, the eating. Mwahahahahahahaha. Food O' Glorious Food!
p.s. sorry dearest pinksmurffy & frankenfish, i don't mean to aggravate home-sickness.. skip the next few paras if cannot tahan. ;)
Dinner Menu:
- Stir-fried black pepper crabs
- Steamed flower crabs
- Boiled gong-gongs with sambal chilli
- Homemade otah with juicy fish & sotong bits
- Steamed promfet with salted veg
- Stir-fried kailan with carrots & mushrooms
- Steamboat with fresh sliced fish & huge prawns bubbling in naturally sweet broth cramped with cabbage, scallops, mushrooms, corn & chicken...
- Crates of Tiger & Carlsberg
- Mountains of chilled sliced watermelon pieces
Breakfast the morning after:
- Pandan rice
- Fried chicken wings, indonesian-styled
- Grilled hot dogs
- Fried "white-tummy" fish
- Sambal ikan bilis with peanuts
- Homemade sambal chilli
- Fresh juicy cucumbers
- Crates of Fanta Orange & Fanta Strawberry fizz
- Super sweet indon tea & kopi
Snacks:
- Boxes of kueh lapis
- Packs of spicy tapioca chips, banana chips, sotong balls, peanut cookies yadder yadder
Well, food aside, the rest of the trip wasn't as wonderful lah. Besides my uncle & aunt, the kelong owner had also invited others along, and let's just say that the frequency wasn't quite the same lah... Most are just too showy... too loud... too judgemental for me... & i find myself hiding in my crabby shell & burrowing into some quiet corner every now & then. i need to clear my head of social hypocrisy.
But the weather was great. Not a single drop of sky-water. Thank Buddha.
His kelong was huge, with modern ammenities that'd even better our own. He has his own KTV room, theatrette, billard table, table-tennis table, & (*gasp*) seminar room! and all these on top of his three speedboats and 10 guest rooms! I guess I can start to understand why his guests are almost all of a particular kind.. this is not quite the simple, brainless, tanning outing I thought it's going to be.
But well, it's still an experience. BUT next time, I'd pay my own way to a real-er kelong.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Out At Sea
BATAM, HERE I COME!!
Yeah, finally... a short (but still better than nothing) 2D1N getaway to somewhere, anywhere.
In half hour's time, I'd be setting out with papa & uncle & aunty to a kelong off Batam island, on invitation of uncle's pal who owned the kelong. =)
Yippee yeah yeah. It's back to the sun & the sea for this crappy crab - its natural habitat! *grin grin*
Okies, tanning oil's packed. newspapers' packed. swimming costume's packed. camera's packed.
AND work's in bin.
Alrighty, I'm set. Perhaps u can look forward to some lovely pictures tomorrow.
Yeah, finally... a short (but still better than nothing) 2D1N getaway to somewhere, anywhere.
In half hour's time, I'd be setting out with papa & uncle & aunty to a kelong off Batam island, on invitation of uncle's pal who owned the kelong. =)
Yippee yeah yeah. It's back to the sun & the sea for this crappy crab - its natural habitat! *grin grin*
Okies, tanning oil's packed. newspapers' packed. swimming costume's packed. camera's packed.
AND work's in bin.
Alrighty, I'm set. Perhaps u can look forward to some lovely pictures tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
TGIT
Sorry for the past few days of word drought.
There really is nothing interesting to write about. Current state of life is a black-white monotone, a clockwork of hr-hand chasing the min-hand, a big sad blur.
The same flurry of paperwork, the same messed-up state of personal life.
Am glad this is the final week of formal meetings with kid-clients. They are already so distracted, it's like a farmer trying to rein in his bulls on heat.
In & out, out & in. The invisible threads that link Family <-> Hospital just never end, do they? Never underestimate the power of genes. It can determine where your death bed would be.
Career-wise, it's currently sweet like oreo cream. But at what price? Teeth will decay, ants will invade. At what price?
TGIT (Thank God It's Thursday) - in another 1hr 16min 40sec.
There really is nothing interesting to write about. Current state of life is a black-white monotone, a clockwork of hr-hand chasing the min-hand, a big sad blur.
The same flurry of paperwork, the same messed-up state of personal life.
Am glad this is the final week of formal meetings with kid-clients. They are already so distracted, it's like a farmer trying to rein in his bulls on heat.
In & out, out & in. The invisible threads that link Family <-> Hospital just never end, do they? Never underestimate the power of genes. It can determine where your death bed would be.
Career-wise, it's currently sweet like oreo cream. But at what price? Teeth will decay, ants will invade. At what price?
TGIT (Thank God It's Thursday) - in another 1hr 16min 40sec.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Let there be LIGHT
BlackOUT. WipeOUT.
ComputerFREEZE. BrainFREEZE.
Candle burning bright, twinkling in the night...
Reporting from XXX Road: Massive Blackout. For the past 6hrs, it's been night. A lone candle burns, trying desparately to spread miniscule rays of light...
Some smiled as it meant no work. Some frowned as it meant more work.
Even the emergency lights had committed suicide. Only the air-con is still running. How weird. It's like a headless chicken still ambling around.
Let there be light.
ComputerFREEZE. BrainFREEZE.
Candle burning bright, twinkling in the night...
Reporting from XXX Road: Massive Blackout. For the past 6hrs, it's been night. A lone candle burns, trying desparately to spread miniscule rays of light...
Some smiled as it meant no work. Some frowned as it meant more work.
Even the emergency lights had committed suicide. Only the air-con is still running. How weird. It's like a headless chicken still ambling around.
Let there be light.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Camera... Lights... Action!
AIYOH!
Mr Desmond Koh & Ms Quan Yi Feng are just a few metres below me! At the first floor concourse, hosting the "You(3) Hua(4) Jiu(4) Shuo(1)" talkshow! What a hulla balla they are creating. So many wires, so many cameras, so many lights, all the movable backdrops and counter-seats, all the curious kid-clients crowding the stairways, all the NGs, all the mics... and a very professional missy host who is all bubbly, friendly and quick-witted when camera's rolling but who looks absolutely irritated, bored and unapproachable when tape's not moving. Excellent.
It's not easy money I must say, all the NGs... repeat and repeat AND REPEAT until even the chairs can recite the "tai(2) chi(2)". *faint*
I was initially thinking of auditioning for the Channel U's "Superhost" competition, but guess I'd be better off talking to chairs.
Mr Desmond Koh & Ms Quan Yi Feng are just a few metres below me! At the first floor concourse, hosting the "You(3) Hua(4) Jiu(4) Shuo(1)" talkshow! What a hulla balla they are creating. So many wires, so many cameras, so many lights, all the movable backdrops and counter-seats, all the curious kid-clients crowding the stairways, all the NGs, all the mics... and a very professional missy host who is all bubbly, friendly and quick-witted when camera's rolling but who looks absolutely irritated, bored and unapproachable when tape's not moving. Excellent.
It's not easy money I must say, all the NGs... repeat and repeat AND REPEAT until even the chairs can recite the "tai(2) chi(2)". *faint*
I was initially thinking of auditioning for the Channel U's "Superhost" competition, but guess I'd be better off talking to chairs.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Bombshell
The Big Head just told the kid clients - "No more year end attachment trip to Land of Oz... Risk assessment not favorable."
There goes months of planning & liasion. :''(
Hope it will truly be a deferment & NOT cancelation. What a sianz nov/dec hol it would now be...
There goes months of planning & liasion. :''(
Hope it will truly be a deferment & NOT cancelation. What a sianz nov/dec hol it would now be...
Monday, October 17, 2005
Crappy Crab
I am crabby in more ways than one...
First of all, I love black pepper crabs. The more peppery, the better. The more roe, the yummier. I think there's a zi-char stall in Tiong Bahru that whips up quite a decent one. *YUM*
Next, I can't navigate straight. I am beginning to think that one reason why I still hasn't passed my test is coz I am a hazardous crab on the road. I can only go sideways and will probably mount kerbs and drive on walkways all the way from bt batok to orchard.
Also, I have a thick hard shell that I sometimes withdraw into and refuse to exit. I can be really anti-social and fiercely private. If you try and dig me out, I will pincer you! But then again, I am most of the time also really friendly and like to wave my hairy joints around. One hellava split-personality, attention-grabbing crappy crab.
Finally, I am a true-blue crab, a pure cancerian. A super family-oriented, darn emotional, terribly loyal crustacean whom horoscope says makes one of the BEST housewife possible. So... would you like a crappy crab?
First of all, I love black pepper crabs. The more peppery, the better. The more roe, the yummier. I think there's a zi-char stall in Tiong Bahru that whips up quite a decent one. *YUM*
Next, I can't navigate straight. I am beginning to think that one reason why I still hasn't passed my test is coz I am a hazardous crab on the road. I can only go sideways and will probably mount kerbs and drive on walkways all the way from bt batok to orchard.
Also, I have a thick hard shell that I sometimes withdraw into and refuse to exit. I can be really anti-social and fiercely private. If you try and dig me out, I will pincer you! But then again, I am most of the time also really friendly and like to wave my hairy joints around. One hellava split-personality, attention-grabbing crappy crab.
Finally, I am a true-blue crab, a pure cancerian. A super family-oriented, darn emotional, terribly loyal crustacean whom horoscope says makes one of the BEST housewife possible. So... would you like a crappy crab?
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Pally buddies
One of the greatest things in life is probably to have great, real friends - people who truly look out for your welfare with no strings attached, who patiently tahan your irritating personal habits, who feels your pain & senses your worries, and who puts you firmly in place when you are in danger of becoming light-headed.
Over the past 2.5 decades, I definitely have my share of great buddies. Some stayed, others left. From sharing sugary butter biscuits & Doraemon chocolates during recess times (pri), to badminton gatherings & greasy BBQs at heartland pits (sec), to group dates & stayovers at east side chalets (JC), to thronging forum bazaars & dissecting journals in canteens (uni), to volunteer work & all-night mahjong parties (YEP), to overseas indulgence trips & makan place check-outs (work)... life has been colourful.
Papa used to say, at different stages in life, one will have different good friends. To those who have shared/am sharing so much with me, I hope you'd continue to stay. Love you. Thank you.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Garang Guni...
Tic-Toc... Tic-Toc... Boom... Boom... Boom...
"Garang guni... Garang guni... Collecting old newspapers, old clothings, spoiled tv, spoiled radio..."
Buying price: 1kg old newspapers - 8cents.
Selling price?
How many cents do they earn?
Sooner or later, garang guni man will become as extinct as dodo birds. They'd take their places amongst the middle-aged malay aunties who used to hawk their drool-inducing, homemade curry puffs & nasi lemak along HDB corridors in the 80's.
I like garang guni men. With their trademark horns and rickety-crickety trolleys, they bring a sense of calm and predictability to this increasingly messy world...
"Garang guni... Garang guni... Collecting old newspapers, old clothings, spoiled tv, spoiled radio..."
Buying price: 1kg old newspapers - 8cents.
Selling price?
How many cents do they earn?
Sooner or later, garang guni man will become as extinct as dodo birds. They'd take their places amongst the middle-aged malay aunties who used to hawk their drool-inducing, homemade curry puffs & nasi lemak along HDB corridors in the 80's.
I like garang guni men. With their trademark horns and rickety-crickety trolleys, they bring a sense of calm and predictability to this increasingly messy world...
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Q till u drop
Singaporeans just love to queue, don't they?
Man... after 2.5hrs of house vacumming + mopping, one of the last things I'd like to do is to stand in line for another hour, inching along those snakey rows... But heck, that's exactly what I ended up doing tonight with dear old marly.
Thinking it was some unusual exhibition on blockbusters, with movie screenings and pyjamas party thrown in, I went down to the Asian Civilization Museum (ACM) @ Empress Place... and DAH TAH! It's the JOURNEY OF FAITH, showcasing art & history from the Vatican collections. Woo hoo... artefacts related to pilgrimages, art works by famous painters, articles worn by Popes, architectural plans of the basilica... (and I must admit, i knew close to zilch about Christianity to begin with. If my ex has seen me there, he'd have gorged his eyeballs out and rinsed it in saline to double-check. =P)
Dunno if it's because today's the last day of exhibition, or coz it's the novelty of a 24hr display, or coz it's FREE for tonite, or coz of its rarity & sacredness... tons of people simply descended on ACM. Pavements & bus bays doubled up as parking lots, queues were omnipresent - on pavements, up stairs, in front of gallery, even inside gallery..., papas with mamas with kiddos..., locals, foreigners..., u name it, u got it.
I'm glad I went. I think the paintings were awesome. Some of them looked so real they are almost scary... Saint Matthew could have talked to me. The 1:250 model of St Peter's Basilica was also stunning. One could get lost looking at it.
But the Qs were horrendous. Especially to an old hag with aching legs and back.
Blockbuster exhibition indeed.
Man... after 2.5hrs of house vacumming + mopping, one of the last things I'd like to do is to stand in line for another hour, inching along those snakey rows... But heck, that's exactly what I ended up doing tonight with dear old marly.
Thinking it was some unusual exhibition on blockbusters, with movie screenings and pyjamas party thrown in, I went down to the Asian Civilization Museum (ACM) @ Empress Place... and DAH TAH! It's the JOURNEY OF FAITH, showcasing art & history from the Vatican collections. Woo hoo... artefacts related to pilgrimages, art works by famous painters, articles worn by Popes, architectural plans of the basilica... (and I must admit, i knew close to zilch about Christianity to begin with. If my ex has seen me there, he'd have gorged his eyeballs out and rinsed it in saline to double-check. =P)
Dunno if it's because today's the last day of exhibition, or coz it's the novelty of a 24hr display, or coz it's FREE for tonite, or coz of its rarity & sacredness... tons of people simply descended on ACM. Pavements & bus bays doubled up as parking lots, queues were omnipresent - on pavements, up stairs, in front of gallery, even inside gallery..., papas with mamas with kiddos..., locals, foreigners..., u name it, u got it.
I'm glad I went. I think the paintings were awesome. Some of them looked so real they are almost scary... Saint Matthew could have talked to me. The 1:250 model of St Peter's Basilica was also stunning. One could get lost looking at it.
But the Qs were horrendous. Especially to an old hag with aching legs and back.
Blockbuster exhibition indeed.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Heavy Duty
post-celebrated a volunteer buddy's hatchday today @ marina square. perhaps u can check out Vientai the next time u pop by. the supervisor there is woah, alert & does know what service is all about.
magic formula: order some uncommon dishes, pray that they get sold out, then pray even harder for the waiter to not tell u till it's 15min later. bingo that for 2 times, and the supervisor would be apologetic enough to personally serve u a main course on the house.
anyways, i digressed. a buddy said today that reading my blog is like reading some serious, brain-wrecking journal. recent entries were just too heavy-going man. keep it light, he said. keep it cheery. write about happy things.
but hey, i've always been quite a thinker-reflector-ponderer... who recently is not feeling super light-hearted nor cheery mah. but if you try to write about happy stuff, then maybe you'd feel lighter, then good things may start to happen! he said.
So a blog = a documentation of how i am feeling now?
Or a blog = a documentation of what others would like to read and hear about?
magic formula: order some uncommon dishes, pray that they get sold out, then pray even harder for the waiter to not tell u till it's 15min later. bingo that for 2 times, and the supervisor would be apologetic enough to personally serve u a main course on the house.
anyways, i digressed. a buddy said today that reading my blog is like reading some serious, brain-wrecking journal. recent entries were just too heavy-going man. keep it light, he said. keep it cheery. write about happy things.
but hey, i've always been quite a thinker-reflector-ponderer... who recently is not feeling super light-hearted nor cheery mah. but if you try to write about happy stuff, then maybe you'd feel lighter, then good things may start to happen! he said.
So a blog = a documentation of how i am feeling now?
Or a blog = a documentation of what others would like to read and hear about?
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Maslow says...
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:
Last sunday night, after acquiring 2 new tops as a reward for demolishing a 3-inch stack of marking, I was mechanically chewing on mouthfuls of tasteless vegetarian rice when my thoughts turned to good old Maslow.
(i.e Abraham Maslow proposed, in his 1943 paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation" that as humans meet their basic needs, they seek to satisfy successively higher needs that occupy a set hierarchy)
And I start to question the meaning of life, again. Sometimes I think I am really low-level - fancy feeling fulfiled just because I met some lifeless work target and got some factory-cloned tops as evidence of reward of my "achievement"...
What followed was a self-directed, back-forth, structure-less bouncing of ideas and arguments within my tiny lump of grey matter.
Are we as evolved as we think we are, in terms of needs & aspirations? Or are we no different from our primitive cousins who live out their existence climbing trees?
Do we embrace life by indulging in material pleasures & prestige? Or do we seek release from societal norms in pursuit of abstract goals?
Would we be happy if we self-actualize as habitants without material security?
One day, after my family's taken care of, I'd be tempted to leave behind all, and spend a year or two as a nameless unknown, a wanderer-worker who volunteers in some far flung developing country, or an insignificant extra who follow some performing troupe as they traverse the globe...
What say you, good ole Maslow?
Last sunday night, after acquiring 2 new tops as a reward for demolishing a 3-inch stack of marking, I was mechanically chewing on mouthfuls of tasteless vegetarian rice when my thoughts turned to good old Maslow.
(i.e Abraham Maslow proposed, in his 1943 paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation" that as humans meet their basic needs, they seek to satisfy successively higher needs that occupy a set hierarchy)
And I start to question the meaning of life, again. Sometimes I think I am really low-level - fancy feeling fulfiled just because I met some lifeless work target and got some factory-cloned tops as evidence of reward of my "achievement"...
What followed was a self-directed, back-forth, structure-less bouncing of ideas and arguments within my tiny lump of grey matter.
Are we as evolved as we think we are, in terms of needs & aspirations? Or are we no different from our primitive cousins who live out their existence climbing trees?
Do we embrace life by indulging in material pleasures & prestige? Or do we seek release from societal norms in pursuit of abstract goals?
Would we be happy if we self-actualize as habitants without material security?
One day, after my family's taken care of, I'd be tempted to leave behind all, and spend a year or two as a nameless unknown, a wanderer-worker who volunteers in some far flung developing country, or an insignificant extra who follow some performing troupe as they traverse the globe...
What say you, good ole Maslow?
Sunday, October 02, 2005
It's a mad mad world
Another spate of bombings in Bali. Who says lightning doesn't strike the same spot twice? U.S, Indonesia, England... Where next? Japan, Philippines, Singapore??? Seems like nowhere is safe.
Turn left or turn right? You'd never know if you're heading straight into another bomb trap... Remain where you are? The mozzies will come bite you and give you dengue... Experts are warning of an impending global flu pandemic that could wipe out millions... Cows, chickens, fishes, dogs and cats are taking turns getting infected by mutated bugs... Sooner or later, it'd be our turn.
The world is so topsey-turvey, Man gets killed before age kills Man. Or should I say, Man kills himself before age kills Man...
Say your prayers, and try to be good boys & girls while we await The End.
Turn left or turn right? You'd never know if you're heading straight into another bomb trap... Remain where you are? The mozzies will come bite you and give you dengue... Experts are warning of an impending global flu pandemic that could wipe out millions... Cows, chickens, fishes, dogs and cats are taking turns getting infected by mutated bugs... Sooner or later, it'd be our turn.
The world is so topsey-turvey, Man gets killed before age kills Man. Or should I say, Man kills himself before age kills Man...
Say your prayers, and try to be good boys & girls while we await The End.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
cool it bud
okay i guess i'd better scram out quick and get myself that therapeutic haircut. i've been scolding so many ppl i think i've accumulated unsurpassable tons of bad karma... i'd prolly be a big fat dirty cow next life. i don't know why my fuse is so short these one-two days... it seems difficult for anyone (including even myself) to meet my expectations. that is gross.
cut away some hair, hopefully i'd see more light.
damn freako.
cut away some hair, hopefully i'd see more light.
damn freako.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Pissing others off
Some say I am infectiously passionate when it comes to things I believe in. They say I am full of drive and energy.
Some say I am stubborn and can be overly aggressive at times. And that I am sometimes too obviously impatient.
Passionate. Drive. Energy. Stubborn. Aggressive. Impatient.
When Sunnytears is passionate about something, she will be so full of drive and energy when pursuing it that sometimes she is seen as a stubborn, aggressive b****, impatient and insensitive to others' needs.
I guess she used to be worse, and is now a more tolerable soul... But sometimes of course, there is this uncontrollable, irritable lapse back to that intolerable past...
Some say I am stubborn and can be overly aggressive at times. And that I am sometimes too obviously impatient.
Passionate. Drive. Energy. Stubborn. Aggressive. Impatient.
When Sunnytears is passionate about something, she will be so full of drive and energy when pursuing it that sometimes she is seen as a stubborn, aggressive b****, impatient and insensitive to others' needs.
I guess she used to be worse, and is now a more tolerable soul... But sometimes of course, there is this uncontrollable, irritable lapse back to that intolerable past...
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Sunday @ Delifrance
Ok, I just checked out that new Delifrance Breakfast Buffet. BURP....
Sloshing around somewhere in my stomach now are some of the semi-digested remnants of muffins (banana, chocolate, corn), savory puffs (tuna mushroom, curry chicken), sweet puffs (apple, custard, chocolate, sultana), bread (wholemeal, white, raisin) with jam (peanut butter, strawberry, kaya, butter) and drinks (orange juice, tea, coffee)...
Bloated now... like a big fat burpy toad. Hmmm... for S$6.95/adult, I would say it's quite a good experience lah. Though the variety of pies & puffs is somewhat limited, think it's quite cool to have them all mini-sized lah, then one wouldn't feel too guilty when indulging. =P. Someone should have thought of this earlier. Maybe Mac, KFC, BK would all follow suit soon with their own buffet breakfasts! Haha! =)
Bon Appetit!
Sloshing around somewhere in my stomach now are some of the semi-digested remnants of muffins (banana, chocolate, corn), savory puffs (tuna mushroom, curry chicken), sweet puffs (apple, custard, chocolate, sultana), bread (wholemeal, white, raisin) with jam (peanut butter, strawberry, kaya, butter) and drinks (orange juice, tea, coffee)...
Bloated now... like a big fat burpy toad. Hmmm... for S$6.95/adult, I would say it's quite a good experience lah. Though the variety of pies & puffs is somewhat limited, think it's quite cool to have them all mini-sized lah, then one wouldn't feel too guilty when indulging. =P. Someone should have thought of this earlier. Maybe Mac, KFC, BK would all follow suit soon with their own buffet breakfasts! Haha! =)
Bon Appetit!
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Retail therapy works!
Ok, there IS such a thing as retail therapy. I admit it now. That kinda electrifying tingle one gets when one just let go and buy the things that one likes!
Yesterday, after 5 long work-filled and emotionally taxing days, I decided to while away part of precious friday night loitering around takashimaya, cinneleisure and heeren... and to my most pleasant suprise, being the ever discerning shopper I am, managed to let myself be tempted by some blouses, a bag and a watch! Such a shiok feeling having unplanned goodies land up on my plate. Perhaps it's Buddha's way of sayang-ing me.
The days ahead looks lonely (pa's going away for a long stretch) and a little uncertain. Maybe there would be more retail therapy episodes.
Yesterday, after 5 long work-filled and emotionally taxing days, I decided to while away part of precious friday night loitering around takashimaya, cinneleisure and heeren... and to my most pleasant suprise, being the ever discerning shopper I am, managed to let myself be tempted by some blouses, a bag and a watch! Such a shiok feeling having unplanned goodies land up on my plate. Perhaps it's Buddha's way of sayang-ing me.
The days ahead looks lonely (pa's going away for a long stretch) and a little uncertain. Maybe there would be more retail therapy episodes.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Last aussie entry (mid-flight, heading home)
Miss you very much again mama. You know, so high up here, lost amongst the clouds, I can almost feel you next to me, by the window, looking at me... So very much want to stay this way. Forever.
It had been slightly more than 6 mths, and... life does just carry on... somewhat. Time really doesn't stop for anyone. Ma, being so high up here makes me feel so close to you that it hurts. Where exactly are you NOW????? Love you lots forever Ma. And don't think we'd ever forget. Never.
It had been slightly more than 6 mths, and... life does just carry on... somewhat. Time really doesn't stop for anyone. Ma, being so high up here makes me feel so close to you that it hurts. Where exactly are you NOW????? Love you lots forever Ma. And don't think we'd ever forget. Never.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Day 6
At Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort today. Gorgeous. Super pristine. It's so undisturbed (despite the fact it's a 'resort') that you get all sorts of amazing wild animals (e.g. pelicans and dolphins) coming close to the shore and saying 'hi'. The weather's sunny but breezy, temp around 20deg. And here I am, enjoying my local aussie brew & mudcake as I watch that big, orange glob of sun set right in front of me... Surely there can be no other better way to unwind after an intensive afternoon of brainwork with management sorting out nitty program details.
Ealier on, we had that rare opportunity to go dugong watching. The experience was almost surreal. So many dugongs (grandpapas, grandmamas, papas, mamas, babies) all frolicking in herds around you, luminated by sun's rays in that crystal clear, blue-green sea. Compare that to the pathetic, solitary, lethargic, patchy-skinned dugong we have back in our zoo (or was it the underwater world?)...
We were slotted for dolphin feeding later at night. That perhaps was a little more 'touristy' thing to do. With/without, I'm good. Guess it's the rites of ritual. Can't complain.
I think I could stay here for a while. =). Such a peaceful and environmentally-aware place... But hmmm, the draw of family & friends, of bak kut teh & fried oyster, of own house & work (hic) is just to great to ignore. Tomorrow I'd be heading home. Yeah. Thank you sponsors, for the free accom, food and transport. I'd do my best to execute some great follow-ups.
There will perhaps be one final concluding entry for this trip. Maybe on something I jotted while high up amongst the clouds, mid-flight on way back. Thanks for staying tuned.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Day 5
Today was spent entirely at University of Queensland, meeting the academic officers of various departments, planning and negotiating, consulting and requesting... Numerous name cards changed hands. It's almost like Phua Chu Kang doing some big business. Satisfyingly challenging but absolutely draining.
But frankly, I'm glad for the opportunity to visit UQ. Looking at those colonial-styled buildings, the heady buzz at Students Union and the noisy clusters of sparkling-eyed undergraduates of mixed nationalities, it brought back a whole flood of memories of my own undergrad days spent in Canada on the exchange program. Boy, how I miss those days, where there's sit-in demonstrations against abortion, campus booze nites and movie marathons, massive Thanksgiving cook-outs, and late night cookie-eating parties...
I digress. Back to UQ. Foundation's laid. Next year, if all goes well, there'd probably be a few more collaborations with them, from the humanities to the sciences. It's been a long day. Time for a break. Two more days to home sweet home. Tomorrow we'd be running away to a beautiful dolphin resort called Tangalooma. See you there.
But frankly, I'm glad for the opportunity to visit UQ. Looking at those colonial-styled buildings, the heady buzz at Students Union and the noisy clusters of sparkling-eyed undergraduates of mixed nationalities, it brought back a whole flood of memories of my own undergrad days spent in Canada on the exchange program. Boy, how I miss those days, where there's sit-in demonstrations against abortion, campus booze nites and movie marathons, massive Thanksgiving cook-outs, and late night cookie-eating parties...
I digress. Back to UQ. Foundation's laid. Next year, if all goes well, there'd probably be a few more collaborations with them, from the humanities to the sciences. It's been a long day. Time for a break. Two more days to home sweet home. Tomorrow we'd be running away to a beautiful dolphin resort called Tangalooma. See you there.
Happy Mid Autumn
I've never really liked mooncakes... those sticky, oily, difficult-to-digest, nauseatingly sweet round pies... But i like to celebrate the festival, with lanterns and candles, and pots of hot chinese tea with a small piece of mooncake. Our family used to park ourselves at Mt Faber each year, to quietly admire and soak in the moonshine, and reflect on the good times spent.
This morning was spent visiting temple-columbariums (in Bishan, Telok Kurau, and Ang Mo Kio), saying hello to both sets of beloved grandparents, an uncle and mama of course. Telling them it's the 15th day of 8th lunar month again, and that the surviving ones are still behaving themselves so there's no need to worry.
The light whift of incense smoke and the droning murmurs of chants started the Mid Autumn for my family (and whatever is left of it).
This morning was spent visiting temple-columbariums (in Bishan, Telok Kurau, and Ang Mo Kio), saying hello to both sets of beloved grandparents, an uncle and mama of course. Telling them it's the 15th day of 8th lunar month again, and that the surviving ones are still behaving themselves so there's no need to worry.
The light whift of incense smoke and the droning murmurs of chants started the Mid Autumn for my family (and whatever is left of it).
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Day 4
Today's sunday - our designated R&R day, with no meetings scheduled and no reports to mull over in the dead of the night. Yippeeeee!!
Drove from Toowoomba all the way back to Brisbane, another long ride by s'pore's standards, but this one's filled with anticipation coz I'm aiming to catch a Sunday Market back at Southbanks, Brisbane! I LOVE MARKETS! All those quirky outdoor stalls selling this whole jaw-dropping + eyeball-popping range of peculiar stuff!! Just my cuppa tea. =)
Saw really eccentric things like suspended witch-dolls with red eyes that would flash, and bodies that would rock forward & backward, letting out hideous guffaws whenever you clap your hands in front of it...
and bananas that contain chocolate WITHIN them - yummy but very expensive => A$2.50 for each banana!
but the BEST thing is... sunnytears got herself a temporary tattoo at the market! Last for a week, applied using good quality spray-paint. Only one word - BEAUTIFUL. Yippeeee!!
More to come for Day 5.
Drove from Toowoomba all the way back to Brisbane, another long ride by s'pore's standards, but this one's filled with anticipation coz I'm aiming to catch a Sunday Market back at Southbanks, Brisbane! I LOVE MARKETS! All those quirky outdoor stalls selling this whole jaw-dropping + eyeball-popping range of peculiar stuff!! Just my cuppa tea. =)
Saw really eccentric things like suspended witch-dolls with red eyes that would flash, and bodies that would rock forward & backward, letting out hideous guffaws whenever you clap your hands in front of it...
and bananas that contain chocolate WITHIN them - yummy but very expensive => A$2.50 for each banana!
but the BEST thing is... sunnytears got herself a temporary tattoo at the market! Last for a week, applied using good quality spray-paint. Only one word - BEAUTIFUL. Yippeeee!!
More to come for Day 5.
staying put
alrighty, am back. sorry for this short disappearing act. just needed some quiet time to think through future work direction...
so yes, sunnytears will remain at current place. she has resisted the temptation to move to buona vis heartbeat. it was quite an agonizing struggle, a head-versus-heart kind of fight... perhaps a few yrs down the road, she'd look back at this and laugh at its trivality, but it was definitely rather distressing to ding-dong between the 'to-gos' and 'not-to-gos' so often these few days.
it's better to spare u the painful details here and move on to the lighter stuff, so my dear readers, it's back to day 4 finally! hope u have not morphed into mouldy mushrooms waiting by now... =)
so yes, sunnytears will remain at current place. she has resisted the temptation to move to buona vis heartbeat. it was quite an agonizing struggle, a head-versus-heart kind of fight... perhaps a few yrs down the road, she'd look back at this and laugh at its trivality, but it was definitely rather distressing to ding-dong between the 'to-gos' and 'not-to-gos' so often these few days.
it's better to spare u the painful details here and move on to the lighter stuff, so my dear readers, it's back to day 4 finally! hope u have not morphed into mouldy mushrooms waiting by now... =)
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
take a break... have a... think-out
hello, sorry, sunnytears needs to take a day or two off to think about work stuff.. day 4 entry will come as soon as she gets her direction sorted out. & there'd probably be an update on her job route too. adieus for a (short) while....
Monday, September 12, 2005
Day 3
Day 3 only, but have seen and done so much, it felt like it's been 4-5 days already.
Today, left the mountains and drove 3.5hrs to a countryside city called Toowoomba. Beautiful place, but located far inland. The drive along those long stretches of highway was occasionally sleep-inducing.
Really grateful for the wonderful hospitality shown by a s'porean couple who's based at our Oakey air-force base near Toowoomba, as well as an australian couple who also happen to be some important town officials. Handsome couples both, with lovely and well-mannered kids to boot. How fortunate.
Visited a flying museum at the australian army base (majestic planes, both ancient & modern), a heritage fair at Woolshed (sheep shearing + farm life), and ended off with a sumptuous dinner absolutely aust-styled (bbq + beer). (yep, believe me, i'm still on a WORKING trip, just that Day 3 is more of planning for recreational activities, the most relaxed of all days...)
Ran out of credits on calling card... Couldn't talk to pa tonight. Sad way to end a nice day.
p.s. sorry pinksmurffy, this is the only other pic i took of that wonderful cottage-styled accomodation for day 2. this is the outside, a row of rooms, built from totally natural resources. nice eh. =)
Today, left the mountains and drove 3.5hrs to a countryside city called Toowoomba. Beautiful place, but located far inland. The drive along those long stretches of highway was occasionally sleep-inducing.
Really grateful for the wonderful hospitality shown by a s'porean couple who's based at our Oakey air-force base near Toowoomba, as well as an australian couple who also happen to be some important town officials. Handsome couples both, with lovely and well-mannered kids to boot. How fortunate.
Visited a flying museum at the australian army base (majestic planes, both ancient & modern), a heritage fair at Woolshed (sheep shearing + farm life), and ended off with a sumptuous dinner absolutely aust-styled (bbq + beer). (yep, believe me, i'm still on a WORKING trip, just that Day 3 is more of planning for recreational activities, the most relaxed of all days...)
Ran out of credits on calling card... Couldn't talk to pa tonight. Sad way to end a nice day.
p.s. sorry pinksmurffy, this is the only other pic i took of that wonderful cottage-styled accomodation for day 2. this is the outside, a row of rooms, built from totally natural resources. nice eh. =)
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Day 2
Day 2 was surreal. We were by then abt 660m above sea level. Up the winding roads and past rolling hills where cows of all colours grazed, to a mountain lodge tucked in the middle of thousands of acres of sub-tropical rainforests, where red-tailed bush turkeys nonchalently crossed our paths and a multitude of crystal-clear birdy chirps echo. It was an awesome, endless spread of natural scenery, and with a superb temp of abt 15 deg all day long, this nature freak really couldn't ask for more.
Of course, objective is to suss out possibility of holding confidence training + team building + eco camp for kid-clients here in the future. Multiple field sites to be recced, program details to be mulled over, costings to be negotiated, reports to be prepared all in a day... but heck, working in such an environment is hardly considered work. =) And just look at the beds I get to sleep in. Utter country bliss. Couldn't get cosier.
And of course, a swoonsome eco guide provided just the icing on the cake.
With such a rejuvenating 'back-to-nature' experience, sunnytears surrendered, and no longer thought about hurrying home.
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