Halfway through the lunar 7th mth. Remember not to wander ard too late into the night if you can help it. Always good to listen to old grandmas' advice.
The scene of middle-aged adults/elderly burning incense, lighting joss sticks and offering prayers beneath HDB blocks, and of endless rows of flaming red candles being left, stuck upright into the soil is actually quite a "cultural" sight. Another small mosaic piece that goes into the big jigsaw of what it means to be a Singaporean chinese.
Getais, "bidding dinners", prayer offerings. Sure hope they'd last the years to come.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Old is new Gold?
Oh my... I sure hope I wouldn't get bullied when it's my turn to be old.
Was slurping down a healthy dinner of fish-meat-noodle-in-clear-soup just now when I got distracted by a sudden, continuous torrent of loud, rough muttering. Not quite comprehensible, I must admit. But from her gestures and the icy dagger stares thrown so obviously in one lone direction, it's not difficult to pinpoint the target of her unhappiness.
This pint-sized lady looked to be in her late fifties. Dressed, from head to toe, in red - red zebra-striped top, red capris with lace, red shoes. Side burns tied up with pink ribbons, remaining hair bunched up in various twists and butterfly patterns with red clips and elastic bands. Red lipstick. Pink eyeshadow. Puffy face. Sallow skin. Clutched 2 red handbags and lugged 1 more.
Yes, in all objectivity, she looked weird. But the point is, her actions (prior to her angry outburst) look coordinated and sane. She ordered her food, she bought her drink. She sat down and waited patiently, without disturbing anyone. That's the last bit I remember about her before I turned my attention to fishy noodles.
Apparently, the western food stall uncle brought her a wrong order. And somehow refused to change it. I don't know how it escalated. But the uncle eventually removed the food and never came back again. And the lady's fuse was blown. Threats about getting police to come... rants about others thinking she has got no money...
Argh... I couldn't finish my dinner. Felt sad, angry, resigned, worried, sympathetic all at the same time. Old age is not golden age, no matter what those gurus and politicians say. When one is old, weak, poor and alone, I think one is better off buried. =P
But... everyone's turn will come. Just try to hit at least 2 out of the 4. Old is a given. It's between weak, poor and alone now.
Was slurping down a healthy dinner of fish-meat-noodle-in-clear-soup just now when I got distracted by a sudden, continuous torrent of loud, rough muttering. Not quite comprehensible, I must admit. But from her gestures and the icy dagger stares thrown so obviously in one lone direction, it's not difficult to pinpoint the target of her unhappiness.
This pint-sized lady looked to be in her late fifties. Dressed, from head to toe, in red - red zebra-striped top, red capris with lace, red shoes. Side burns tied up with pink ribbons, remaining hair bunched up in various twists and butterfly patterns with red clips and elastic bands. Red lipstick. Pink eyeshadow. Puffy face. Sallow skin. Clutched 2 red handbags and lugged 1 more.
Yes, in all objectivity, she looked weird. But the point is, her actions (prior to her angry outburst) look coordinated and sane. She ordered her food, she bought her drink. She sat down and waited patiently, without disturbing anyone. That's the last bit I remember about her before I turned my attention to fishy noodles.
Apparently, the western food stall uncle brought her a wrong order. And somehow refused to change it. I don't know how it escalated. But the uncle eventually removed the food and never came back again. And the lady's fuse was blown. Threats about getting police to come... rants about others thinking she has got no money...
Argh... I couldn't finish my dinner. Felt sad, angry, resigned, worried, sympathetic all at the same time. Old age is not golden age, no matter what those gurus and politicians say. When one is old, weak, poor and alone, I think one is better off buried. =P
But... everyone's turn will come. Just try to hit at least 2 out of the 4. Old is a given. It's between weak, poor and alone now.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Squash e Bug
Sore throat on Fri nite and then it's unrelenting fever the whole weekend. Plus headache. Plus a cold. A potent bug at work. Doc gave me 2 days MC - today and tomorrow. And lots of colourful pills.
Think at least another 2 of my colleagues caught the same bug too. We all came down with fever since sat, and we were all given at least 2 days of MC. One of them checked into hospital. Viral fever. Me... I'm staying at home and gulping medicine. And sleeping... Lots of sleep. Perpetually tired. But nope, it's not dengue. No excruciating bone pain. No breakouts of rashes. Just the nagging fever, headache & irritating stuck nose.
Just checked work mail after a whole day in bed. And immediately got headache again. Wed, when I return, I'd have to be superwoman.
Tomorrow, another day of body in bed, brain with work. Stupid bug.
Think at least another 2 of my colleagues caught the same bug too. We all came down with fever since sat, and we were all given at least 2 days of MC. One of them checked into hospital. Viral fever. Me... I'm staying at home and gulping medicine. And sleeping... Lots of sleep. Perpetually tired. But nope, it's not dengue. No excruciating bone pain. No breakouts of rashes. Just the nagging fever, headache & irritating stuck nose.
Just checked work mail after a whole day in bed. And immediately got headache again. Wed, when I return, I'd have to be superwoman.
Tomorrow, another day of body in bed, brain with work. Stupid bug.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Talent... lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Came back from Talentime. This year, it's a popularity contest with results determined solely through sms-voting. The PR man won. I can already visualize him as a future politician doing his sunday neighbourhood walk-abouts.
Colleague brought along his cool, professional Nikon D200 SLR. Sleek. But with the long lens on, that beast weighs a ton. I nearly strained my arm muscle trying to tweak the focus without support. It's been over a decade since I last fiddled with real lenses. That time, digital photography was a myth. We used negatives. And we developed our own films in musky darkrooms...
A mysterious sore throat-fever bug hit around evening time. Am battling the budding symptoms now. Sian. Bugs somehow have this weekend-GPS built in. Argh.
Marly's back. Welcome home. =)
Colleague brought along his cool, professional Nikon D200 SLR. Sleek. But with the long lens on, that beast weighs a ton. I nearly strained my arm muscle trying to tweak the focus without support. It's been over a decade since I last fiddled with real lenses. That time, digital photography was a myth. We used negatives. And we developed our own films in musky darkrooms...
A mysterious sore throat-fever bug hit around evening time. Am battling the budding symptoms now. Sian. Bugs somehow have this weekend-GPS built in. Argh.
Marly's back. Welcome home. =)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Control... Alternate... Delete... Error
Damn it. I dreamt of JL yesterday. Oh man... Heard of the movie - "Eternal Sunshine of the Beautiful Mind"? Looks like the deleting process has hit some bug. A morsel's left behind in some corner, and that despite the wheelock incident. Am amazed.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Going Gaga over Singapore Films
Caught the series of Singapore Films on Arts Central just now. Every Sunday in the month of Aug, from 9pm to 11pm. Filmed by Singaporeans, for Singaporeans. All supremely, poignantly executed.
Tan Pin Pin's Singapore Gaga is perhaps the most famed amongst the 3 screened tonight. Her ability to juxtapose and present ironically differing perspectives on the same established facts is admirable. She does not reveal personal judgements explicitly. Instead, she leads you to form your judgement. Powerful.
KC Teo's The Bus is very heartland-ish. One can instantly connect and feel for the various characters packed in that overcrowed, locked double-decker. One man doing his job, in the only way that he knows. Intention versus execution.
Anthony Chen's Ah Ma is the most difficult for me to swallow. Excruciating to watch scenes of death claiming one's loved one. That hooked-up respirator.. the beeping and finally silent monitor.. those bare seats. Even the female Ah Ma lead looked, at some angles, like my own grandma, I thought. The pain was searingly raw. A testament, perhaps, to the film's success.
People are our only resource.
The usual trumpeted triumphs aside, these film-makers who worked to produce such poignant, reflective pieces that tugged at locals' heartstrings, at the same time, thrusting our Little Red Dot into international film limelight, deserve more than just a standing ovation. Perhaps a National Day commendation medal of sorts, wouldn't you say?
Singapore, a city of Possibilities.
Tan Pin Pin's Singapore Gaga is perhaps the most famed amongst the 3 screened tonight. Her ability to juxtapose and present ironically differing perspectives on the same established facts is admirable. She does not reveal personal judgements explicitly. Instead, she leads you to form your judgement. Powerful.
KC Teo's The Bus is very heartland-ish. One can instantly connect and feel for the various characters packed in that overcrowed, locked double-decker. One man doing his job, in the only way that he knows. Intention versus execution.
Anthony Chen's Ah Ma is the most difficult for me to swallow. Excruciating to watch scenes of death claiming one's loved one. That hooked-up respirator.. the beeping and finally silent monitor.. those bare seats. Even the female Ah Ma lead looked, at some angles, like my own grandma, I thought. The pain was searingly raw. A testament, perhaps, to the film's success.
People are our only resource.
The usual trumpeted triumphs aside, these film-makers who worked to produce such poignant, reflective pieces that tugged at locals' heartstrings, at the same time, thrusting our Little Red Dot into international film limelight, deserve more than just a standing ovation. Perhaps a National Day commendation medal of sorts, wouldn't you say?
Singapore, a city of Possibilities.
X'cuse me, can you dance?
I envy those who can dance.
I mean, really let go and dance, regardless of size, shape, pattern, degree of hand-eye-leg coordination etc. It takes real courage to stand out there in the open, let go of all inhibitions and gyrate those hips, sway those arms in the air, flip those hair forward, back and sideways, and be so utterly immersed in the savoring of music, blind to all gazes from audience. Anyone less confident will shudder and dig an instant sink-hole to fall into... Me? I like music, but I can't dance for nuts. Too clumsy. Too serious. Too mindful.
I guess I really do envy those who can dance.
I mean, really let go and dance, regardless of size, shape, pattern, degree of hand-eye-leg coordination etc. It takes real courage to stand out there in the open, let go of all inhibitions and gyrate those hips, sway those arms in the air, flip those hair forward, back and sideways, and be so utterly immersed in the savoring of music, blind to all gazes from audience. Anyone less confident will shudder and dig an instant sink-hole to fall into... Me? I like music, but I can't dance for nuts. Too clumsy. Too serious. Too mindful.
I guess I really do envy those who can dance.
Friday, August 10, 2007
NDP @ Marina Mandarin
Got a lucky invite (courtesy of dad’s kaki) to watch NDP from a suite on the 20th floor of Marina Mandarin, at an angle facing the waterfront stage, with a super unimpeded view of fireworks bursting in the nightsky. Ms Canon Ixus was put to test once more.
Suite really has got its suite service leh – there’s complimentary (though it’s all likely covered in that hefty room bill liao) red wine, choc-dipped strawberries, expresso machine + 6 different types of coffee beans, personalized bed-turning service, 2 balconies. Solid. =)
This year’s parade @ waterfront has got some rather nice “firsts” – the water stunts by Chinooks & navy ships were spectacular, and the night parachuting too was a welcomed twist. As usual, the fighter jets & flag fly-past were big crowd pleasers, and the fireworks finale was the perennial icing on the cake.
Snapped away pretty happily but think I haven’t explored the camera enough to fully unleash its prowess. =P
Parachuters in the day
State flag fly-past
Fighter jets doing their stuff
Navy boats' turn
Fireworks I
Fireworks II
The show was great BUT the getting there and going back was HIDEOUS. Absolute torture. The MRT and Citylink underpass were so jam packed with people, one could hardly breathe. The air was so stale and humidity so high… I felt like strangling myself. Really. Something needs to be done if the parade’s going to be held there for the next couple of years. I wonder how many people fainted in that chaotic sardine can tonight. On the way back (more than 1.5hrs past end of parade), hundreds were still swarming their way towards the MRT, so much so that the uniformed “human traffic directors” had to literally scream at people, through loud hailers, to “move to the left/move to the right/move move move move move!” Bad.
Anyways, these first-time glitches aside, I’d say that this waterfront parade had offered some nice highlights. And what can beat a 20th floor view of fireworks? =)
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Sweet Countdown to National Day
Morphing into some voyeuristic food read, I know. But you can't blame me if those edible stuff just look that camera-friendly, can you? It's almost like they are tempting the phone camera with their vibrant splashes of colours & textures... I give up, here comes another food jot.
Half day today, celebrating National Day in advance. You can suss out fellow comrades - just zoom in on those groups, clad in red tops (various shades) + jeans/skirt/pants/berms bottoms, sauntering the grounds of shopping malls ard noon. 90% bulls eye.
After a non-too-yummy refreshment at institution, a group of us hopped over to wavy Vivo for a more decent lunch (@ Sushi Tei) & dessert break (@ Bakerzin). Ok, sorry Cedele, I'd have to take back the yummiest cake award (from your carrot cake) and pass it to Bakerzin's Strawberry Shortcake. Simply sublime! That fluffiness, that airy lightness of sponge, the subtle yet unmistakable sweet touch of strawberry cream, and those fresh succulent strawberries... one bite is enough to propel one to highest level of Heavens. Outta the world! (And this coming from someone who's always preferred choc in her cakes than strawberries)
Too bad, didn't manage to snap a shot of the strawberry shortcake before it got demolished. Snapped pics of their Strawberry Tart though - still a very decent choice too! Crunchy base, compact tart, generous serving of strawberries too. Just that it's more "jer lat" i.e. stomach-filling/heavy on the stomach.
Been a long time since I last visited Bakerzin
Sitting pretty - the Strawberry Tart
Another colleague's Profiteroles
Forest fruit freeze
Tomorrow evening, I'd be waiting to take pics of fireworks-lit skies.
Half day today, celebrating National Day in advance. You can suss out fellow comrades - just zoom in on those groups, clad in red tops (various shades) + jeans/skirt/pants/berms bottoms, sauntering the grounds of shopping malls ard noon. 90% bulls eye.
After a non-too-yummy refreshment at institution, a group of us hopped over to wavy Vivo for a more decent lunch (@ Sushi Tei) & dessert break (@ Bakerzin). Ok, sorry Cedele, I'd have to take back the yummiest cake award (from your carrot cake) and pass it to Bakerzin's Strawberry Shortcake. Simply sublime! That fluffiness, that airy lightness of sponge, the subtle yet unmistakable sweet touch of strawberry cream, and those fresh succulent strawberries... one bite is enough to propel one to highest level of Heavens. Outta the world! (And this coming from someone who's always preferred choc in her cakes than strawberries)
Too bad, didn't manage to snap a shot of the strawberry shortcake before it got demolished. Snapped pics of their Strawberry Tart though - still a very decent choice too! Crunchy base, compact tart, generous serving of strawberries too. Just that it's more "jer lat" i.e. stomach-filling/heavy on the stomach.
Been a long time since I last visited Bakerzin
Sitting pretty - the Strawberry Tart
Another colleague's Profiteroles
Forest fruit freeze
Tomorrow evening, I'd be waiting to take pics of fireworks-lit skies.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
A Sweet Treat
What better way to round up a working weekend than a sweet dessert treat?
@ Cedele, the answers are straightforward -
their world-class carrot cake with yummilicious frosting, smooth texture & a generous lining of freshly-toasted walnuts
the lusciously sensual chocolate-banana expresso cake, bitter-sweet with a delightful aftertaste
Worth the 10 extra laps of swim next week.
@ Cedele, the answers are straightforward -
their world-class carrot cake with yummilicious frosting, smooth texture & a generous lining of freshly-toasted walnuts
the lusciously sensual chocolate-banana expresso cake, bitter-sweet with a delightful aftertaste
Worth the 10 extra laps of swim next week.
Tira tira...
Hellos, am back. Since thursday's inspirational dinner till now, there haven't been super exciting times, unless of course you consider scrawling red ink across paper as stimulating. =P
The only other highlight is probably my first attempt at making tiramisu - the famed italian wonder cake. Irish-cream, expresso, ladyfinger shortcrust, macarpone cheese... all high-class ingredients, carefully prepared & layered into one square tin to be refrigerated for 12-24hrs. A tad too sweet - that's the verdict for this adventure. The next time, I'd use kahlua instead. And when it's perfected, I'd announce in this space and you can then place orders if your buds are tickled. =)
Layering
Dusting the Hersheys choco powder
Meantime, it's a countdown to the nation's 42nd hatchday.
The only other highlight is probably my first attempt at making tiramisu - the famed italian wonder cake. Irish-cream, expresso, ladyfinger shortcrust, macarpone cheese... all high-class ingredients, carefully prepared & layered into one square tin to be refrigerated for 12-24hrs. A tad too sweet - that's the verdict for this adventure. The next time, I'd use kahlua instead. And when it's perfected, I'd announce in this space and you can then place orders if your buds are tickled. =)
Layering
Dusting the Hersheys choco powder
Meantime, it's a countdown to the nation's 42nd hatchday.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A helpline bestowed
A really good dinner. Not the food, but of the take-home advice/guidance/sharing of experiences & perspectives. Thank you very much, CK.
1) Life-giving vs Life-depleting
2) 100% understanding vs 100% agreement
3) Past contributions, unseen today
4) Quality of relationship & the power of conversation
5) Respecting perspectives & alignment to desired outcomes
6) Different pace (priorities, motivations, abilities)
7) Judger's path vs Learner's path
Simple, straightfoward messages. Not all novel & ground-breaking. But perhaps because of the way they've been shared, I feel 'impacted'. And committed to improve the way I handle things/ppl. To be more of a life-giver. (No religious undertones here)
Heavens has its way of helping everyone along. It's just whether you are sensitive, quick & willing enough to seize the opportunity to help yourself.
1) Life-giving vs Life-depleting
2) 100% understanding vs 100% agreement
3) Past contributions, unseen today
4) Quality of relationship & the power of conversation
5) Respecting perspectives & alignment to desired outcomes
6) Different pace (priorities, motivations, abilities)
7) Judger's path vs Learner's path
Simple, straightfoward messages. Not all novel & ground-breaking. But perhaps because of the way they've been shared, I feel 'impacted'. And committed to improve the way I handle things/ppl. To be more of a life-giver. (No religious undertones here)
Heavens has its way of helping everyone along. It's just whether you are sensitive, quick & willing enough to seize the opportunity to help yourself.
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