Nana Goes Lala

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

2012-01-19T17:11:00.002+08:00

So, Chinese New Year is just round the corner. Like really, just after this weekend. To me, weekends are like corners. You go right around it and before you know it, it's over. And you can't really see what is beyond the corner, till after it.

Okay, enough about corners.

So yes, Chinese New Year, or otherwise known as Lunar New Year. It's the Year of the Dragon. I don't really buy into the whole horoscope thing but a lot of people do. My mum, for example, buys into it hook, line and sinker. Don't get me started on her fengshui stuff.

The reason I don't buy into it, is because I do not believe in luck.

I believe that I am blessed.

Erm...okay, not about to go on a long post about this.

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Lunar New Year. It's a good time to meet up with relatives, friends and enjoy the food and snacks. If you do get angbaos, good for you. If you don't, eat more food. If you are giving ang baos, be a cheerful giver.

Happy Dragon Year! :)

Inspired...

2012-01-12T16:32:00.002+08:00

I like reading blogs. I read a few blogs..some famous, some not-so-famous...or should I use the word "popular"?...and some are friends' blogs, or introduced by friends via their blogs. You get the drift.

I read them rather regularly and if I missed out on a whole load, I'd continue from where I stopped. I rarely comment just because I am too lazy to. I mean, I am even too lazy to blog.

That said, I've recently (like, today) been introduced to this blog, A Blog About Love, by my college friend Zhing, who is a lovely and AWESOME PAWSOME blogger herself. And I have not been able to stop.

I mean, I've literally been reading the whole day...from the first post to...well, I'm still mid-way through her blog posts. So much for work huh? Oh yes, did I say I started work already? It's been 8 weeks, although out of which I was on leave for 2 weeks. What can I say? I plan my holidays waaaaaay in advance. That should ALWAYS be the way to holiday.

Oh yes, so back to the blog. I won't say too much about it, and leave you (whoever you are) to read it for yourself. I just wanted to say how inspiring they are, as a couple, and how I totally get what they are writing about/saying. After all, I am living it - being happy with myself, the way I am and who I am as a person. I love their energy for life and the energy they emit. It's exactly what I hope I have been doing in the last 2 years, and what I hope my friends will all have.

Sending love and happiness to all!

Back For Good

2012-01-09T15:06:00.004+08:00

So...2012, huh?

Well, the grand plan to stay away until I squeeze every second of my student visa did not come to fruition. Personal decision. Good, personal decision.

We did have a good run, didn't we? (I know, it's just "I" but the many "I"s make a collective "we". I'm schizo like that.)

1 year. It was such an amazing one year.

First, I visited a whole lot of beautiful and amazing places (outside of London). There was Paris before school started in September, Amsterdam snucked in during the Michaelmas term, Austria (Salzburg and Vienna) a week before the term ended and when it was snowing beautifully, Israel right after the term ended, a roadtrip to York, Edinburgh and Lake District during the Christmas period, and to cap off the year 2010, a nice visit to Oslo and Stockholm. Lent term saw me heading back to York and Edinburgh with some Singaporean friends via rail, and then another roadtrip to Bath (via Stonehenge), an unexpected stop at Exeter to queue for the iPad2, and a week of bliss in Cornwall. Easter holiday was spent at my aunt's in Basel, Switzerland, where I had some much-missed homecook food and Swiss treats (lotsa chocolate!!).

Of course, I cannot forget the days at Manchester. I finally saw my first live match at Old Trafford, Man Utd vs Chelsea no less (which the home team won 2-1). I toured the museum and stadium twice over on two separate occasions. I did a super last-minute and tiring bus trip to Manchester to catch Gary Neville's testimonial match, which saw the Class of '92 return to play. I saw David Beckham play, clean up real nice and be a real gentleman, signing autographs and letting us flash our cameras in his face. The shopping at Manchester, in my mum's words, was "better than London". I agree it is easier, but "better"? I disagree.

There was Bicester Village (ok, not London, but close enough), days upon days walking down Long Acre to get to Chinatown, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Knightsbridge, Bond Street, Selfridges in particular, Harrods (at times), Westfield at Stratford, plus possibly my most regular place to go: TESCO EXTRA at Surrey Quays. I think I can never shop in Singapore again. Really.

And the food, oh the food. I really didn't miss the food in Singapore. Part of the reason was that I could cook, and my friends and I did cook regularly. We made soups, dishes, rice, pasta...and just to boast a little, we were very successful with our Hainanese Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh and Ko Lo Yuk (Sweet and Sour Pork). In fact, we had a wonderful Chinese New Year reunion dinner! And if we didn't cook, there was always Gold Mine (best roast duck in the world), Yauatcha (1-Michelin-starred dim sum), Lido (dim sum and more), C & R (Singaporean/Malaysian food), Jasmine Princess (I think...at Mayfair, dim sum), Belgos (musselssss and beer) and the best pho in the world at Cafe East! At the very least, we could always count on the takeaway place near our residence. Singaporean noodles or fried rice, anyone?

School life was a rollercoaster ride. There were days of relative quiet, when all you think about is showing up for the two days of lesson and pretend you know what is being said. Then there are hurried days of preparing for presentations, writing your essays, wondering if what you said or wrote made any sense or did someone called your bluff. There was the mugging that we Singaporeans were so used to, the tension and stress of exams, the 10-minute blank-out from the word 'GO' before you furiously start scribbling whatever you can possible remember and attempt to string into proper sentences. Halfway through, you start panicking about the lack of time and how you still have 2 or more questions to complete. Your hand feels limp but you still need to muster whatever strength you have left until the examiner says, "STOP. Please put down your pens." You scribble that last word, hoping no one saw you, check that you have your name and pray that somehow, God's hand was on that paper, not yours. You feel that relief and it's as if everything you mugged for that subject has been poured out, together with your relief. It repeats. Twice.

And after the exams are over, it's the dreaded dissertation. I started my studies not knowing what I was going to write, and then, having a feel of what I wanted to write. It changed after several discussions with the adviser. Not much, but just narrower, and narrower...and it's a discovery of just how ambitious or totally clueless you were when you first started thinking about your thesis. It was the latter for me. Then you kinda put it aside over the Lent term, and the holidays, and the exam period, and only really start on some serious work when you are done "resting" after the exams. Then you (I) generally panic for a few weeks, wondering what to do, how to do what, when to do what...and the biggest question of all "HOW AM I GONNA CHURN OUT 10,000 WORDS?!?".

The first step was to get the resources and documents. That meant many trips to the library to borrow thick, heavy books, photocopy as much as you can (*ahem*, as the copyright laws allow for, I meant), and for those you deem important enough, to hog it with your life and bring it home. There were also trips to the British Archives, which to me was quite the eye-opener. I touched REAL official documents from the past, letters which heads-of-states, kings and presidents signed, memos, etc, and took photos of these documents for my research. Ingenious suggestion from one of my profs.

And then, it was to read ALL these material and make sense of it. I also started just typing ideas out and reproducing chunks of information on my laptop, while organising my thoughts and my study area. By then, I had reduced my living/dining room to my study area. Everything was on the floor, on the coffee table, on the dining table, on the TV console. Finding a place to eat or sit meant removing some materials and relocating them somewhere else for the time being.

And then, as you start putting your thesis together (from skeleton to having some actual meat) you realise you've been wrong all this time. The real question should have been: HOW AM I GONNA KEEP MY THESIS TO 10,000 WORDS??? This process, might I add, took me a good 2 weeks. And that includes formatting and writing the references and bibliography. Not. Fun. At. All. When I finally got it done and ready for printing and submission, it was not really "Phew! My thesis is ready!" but more "I don't care if it makes sense! It's less than 10,000 words! I can't wait to get it out!!!"

But really, the past year had been such a great experience. I liked living on my own. I liked London. Most of all, it made me appreciate everything I had in Singapore: the conveniences and awesome things about Singapore that we take for granted (good leaders, transport, food, good but comfortable standard of living), my family and my friends. There is still no place like home.

Except for shopping.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

2011-08-28T00:27:00.004+08:00

Well, well, well...Two elections in a year! This is really big in Singapore standards.

I'm following the results for the Presidential elections now, as we speak (type). My own observation is not gonna be about the candidates per se, but about my pet peeve, the way the media management of live events has been done.

So, since I am in the communications line, I want to say something about running the communications of elections.

If I were a presidential candidate, one of the first job I'll fill is a communications director.

The Comms Director should have a team under him/her. There should be people liaising and building relationships with reporters and people in the major media outlets, one person to each major outlet; a social media team to deal with the online presence - website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr; an internal media team - photographers, videos, content for any collateral; a logistics team and a spokesperson for the candidate and the family. I say, get the family involved. People are always curious about personal anecdotes.

That said, I'd rather be the Communications Director.

Hire me, in 6 years' time?

A Million Love Songs Later

2011-08-18T20:40:00.002+08:00

Yeap, still keeping with my trend titling with song titles or lyrics.

This song has been stuck in my head for 2 days. I haven't actually sung it out loud (why haven't I?), but it's been there alright. Not sure what triggered it. Perhaps something I read on FB.

So, this morning - no wait, it's afternoon cos by the time I woke up it was already noon.

So, from the moment I woke up to now, which has been all of 1.5hrs, I have had a few realisations:

1. 1990, was 21 years ago. More than 2 decades! Oh man, oh man, oh man.

2. There is too much negativity online. Not just the things people say, but the way they say it. There is so much cynicism, bragging, sarcasm, envy...and the list COULD go on. I've been asking myself if I really want to read stuff like that. Do I? No, I don't. So what can I do about it? I could be selective in what I read/comment/like. I could try to post stuff that do not emit a negative vibe. Or, maybe, I could get off social networking sites altogether. The last one is, for now, just a thought. I could do the first two though, and I WILL!

3. I am perfectly contented. Not envious of anyone, of their lifestyle, of their career, or what they've got. I know, so surely, that I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be in life. It doesn't mean it's all bubbles and strawberries all the time, everyday, but once again, I can't deny that I am truly, unabashingly, undoubtedly and knowingly HAPPY about my life, and where I am in life. And I wished everyone, especially the people that I love, would get that same perfect contentment in life and get to know how this feels. Because baby, it feels good! It feels victorious.

Right, so it's a rainy day in London-town. Great day to stay in. I'm gonna make me some lunch and let the words come right through my fingers (thesis!) until I am all hungry again.

Missing all my peeps! :)

Raindrops keep falling on my head~

2011-08-13T01:48:00.002+08:00

The sky looks pretty gloomy now, befitting the typical London impression. It hasn't always been like that since I've been here, which is about 10 months now. WOAH!

So, anyway, I welcome the rain. I guess y'all heard about the London riots this past week, right? It was crazy. I mean, there were spots of mayhem and violence in various parts of London, with looting and burglary and fires and all. The fires are what really scared me. If you can't be safe in your own home... you know what I mean? And the riots spread to the other English cities too. (I have to say English, in case the Welsh and Scots get mad for using 'UK' since they were all fine and dandy there.) Manchester and Birmingham were quite badly hit. I feel sad for Manchester, cos I really liked it when I was there, and I was gonna bring my parents there in September. We've got to monitor the situation though, and hope that normality will be back. Soon.

So back to the rain. I think raining at night is excellent. Besides the obvious comfort factor or sipping a nice warm cuppa tea or hot chocolate and snuggling in the warmth of my heavy-duty quilt, there are actual positives that come out of raining at night too. For one, as it has been proven from the previous night, it actually keep the thugs at bay. No one, not even hooligans and yobs, like to be drenched in the cold, wet rain at night. Plus, all the loot that they are stealing may get dirtied or spoilt. So, when there is rain, there is no stupidity on the streets. Also, any attempt to light up stuff is made more difficult when everything is drenched and wet. That means they will have to take a longer time, and that means that the police can CATCH THEM!

About the police, I really appreciate what they have done to try and keep the streets safe. It's not an easy job, especially those in UK. They have to beware of accusations of police brutality and all that (what a friend of mine calls) liberal human rights crap. Now, I am all for human rights, but I think when somebody needs a whipping, they REALLY ought to be given one. I watched this documentary on TV yesterday "Coppers", about the police trying to control two crowds of protesters. I think my respect for the police in UK went up one notch. It's really not easy, and I doubt I can do it. Wait, I KNOW for a fact I can't do it. I'd probably be squashed, if not by the mobs or crowds, then by actually trying to hold the police line. I'm more a liability than help.

Oh yes, TV. I finally can watch clear TV. Got the fibre-optics people come in, sort the wiring and nonsense (that I cannot quite understand) out. And now I have lots of channels that are SO clear. It's great cos it's not as quiet at night, but at the same time, it's now twice as hard to not be distracted so I can do my dissertation thesis. And the good/bad news is, I am gonna get my Sky TV installed this coming Sunday. Dear Lordy Lord! I need help, God! Save me from the box!

So, I just paused for a while and starting wondering if the sky is getting dark because it is about to rain or if it's cos we are nearing the end of summer. Cos you know, the sky gets dark earlier these days, when in the last 2-3 months, it'll stay bright until about 9, even 10pm. It's only 7pm, and...it looks like 7pm.

Puh. Send in the rain!

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

2011-07-09T18:52:00.004+08:00

I like putting lyrics as the title of my posts. I don't think I have done much of it, or any at all, but perhaps today is a good day to start.

Seems kinda appropriate since it's been a while since I last blog. I blame it on my iPad2. Although, it's too lovely and wonderful to be attributed blame, so I take it back. But the point to make is that I can't seem to type a blog post on my iPad, like some other blogsites can or have apps for. So it ain't my fault!

It's a beautiful morning in London. Errr...it's morning for another 6 minutes. Then, it'll be noon. I decided to sleep in a little today since I'd been up bright and early at 8.30am the last couple of days. Took crazy early morning trips to the Mail Delivery Office to get my parcels TWO DAYS IN A ROW because for SOME OBSCURE AND IRRITATING REASONS, they failed to reach me at home. I don't get it. I'm at home almost ALL of the time.

Bygones. Did I mention, I still use "bygones" like how Richard Fish does in Ally McBeal? I like it. It facilitates an abrupt change of topic quite seamlessly.

It's been an interesting 2 weeks. I moved to a new nook. I went to the Glee Live concert at the O2. I saw Take That, the entire five-piece, at Wembley (and Pet Shop Boys too, since they were the opening act). Had a blast. Someone told me that the places I've been and things I have seen/watched/attended this one year has made it worth the trip. Did someone also mention that I came here to get a Masters degree? Prob' not. HA!

I love my new nook. It's so much more self-sufficient, beautiful and cute than that hole of a dorm room I was in. Even the view is better! At least, I don't get drunkards from across the street shouting and cussing at each other or pretending they are rock stars. Now, I get cute doggies of all shapes and sizes run around and doing their business, kids and families walking down the footpath going about their business, or a squirrel jumping up and down the branches of this huge tree in front of my window picking up some business (nuts). It's a nice view. Can't complain.

You know, I could live here forever. :)

Early in the morning!

2011-05-30T16:57:00.002+08:00

I've been trying, for the last 3 weeks or so, to wake up early.

The problem was, I had been sleeping late. And it just gets worse. From 1am to 2am, then 3am, 4am and next thing you know, I was sleeping only when the sun was starting to rise up. It was bad. Very baaaaaad.

So one day, I slept early, thanks to some booze.

I woke up at 12noon. The same. No difference. Argh!

Until yesterday! I decided I got too sleepy while preparing for my exams and reading my notes. So I head to bed and TADA, I got up at 8.30am today.

I am so proud of myself.

Managed about 45mins of work.

And now, I shall go reward myself with a morning Starbucks latte!

I'm a happy girl. *skip to my lou*

My few cents worth - 7 May 2011

2011-05-08T06:54:00.003+08:00

I just needed to let off some steam, seeing as to how I have been mostly keeping my thoughts to myself in the last two weeks or so. I've refrained from starting or joining the online debates, for personal reasons, but now that everything is (hopefully, more or less) done, I just need to get some things off my chest about this whole GE.

This post however, is not about who or what party I support. I mean, it's all cool and good and fine that there was debates about issues, and that almost all constituencies were contested. It's just my personal discomfort with certain aspects of this GE.

1. I don't get the name-calling. Surely, things don't need to get personal? Come on, aren't we supposed to be civilised adults (21-year-olds and above) who know better, which is why we get to vote and not every other little Tom, Dick or Harry. Do we really need to resort to calling people (whom we don't know) silly, rude or insulting names?

2. What's with the conspiracy theories? About the secrecy of the vote. About the media being controlled by the government and hence you cannot believe a single word. (yes, I get it that it is government-controlled, but come on, surely there has been improvement? So you can believe what is on FB and Twitter instead?) About how civil servants are tracked and how it affects your promotion. About relations and linkages (Singapore is SO small loh! I think we have three-degrees of separation, at the most! Just pick ANYBODY on FB who is living in Singapore.)

3. The Kate Spade thing. I GEDDIT that people don't like TPL and think she is unworthy or not a good candidate. What I don't get is, SO WHAT IF SHE HAS A FREAKING KATE SPADE? Even my younger sis owns a Kate Spade! Does that mean that since I own some Miu Mius and LVs and Guccis, I can never, ever think of becoming a parliamentarian??? Just walk down Orchard. Tell me how many people you see carrying a branded bag. I rest my case.

4. The silly proposals. As much as I get the concern and the respect that people have for GY, calling him to be the next president of Singapore is a complete insult to both the current President, and to GY. His strength is in policy-making and working for the people, and that is where he should be.

5. The idea that people only vote for the PAP or did not vote for the opposition out of fear. Another super idiotic conspiracy theory. Can't I vote because I prefer status quo. Can't I vote with either my heart or my head, without you thinking that there is something wrong with either my heart or my head?

6. And the call for people to do the right thing (and referring this to vote for a particular party). You think what? Russell Peters ah? Be a man, do the right thing! What's the right thing? The right thing is to cast the vote! Whether this or that party. Or even if it is an intentional void vote because you cannot decide, have no qualms about either or you'd rather choose neither. At least you have done your civic duty and cast that vote. THAT'S the right thing.

7. Taking issues or quotes out of context. If you wanna inform people about issues, you should do so properly. Don't take an issue, or a photo, or a quote and leave it for interpretation, especially when you are trying to insinuate something. Just because social networking sites have given you the power to spread information, doesn't mean you don't have any responsibility. Have some morality. Be objective. If not, at least be fair to all parties.

8. The snide remarks. I HATE THE SNIDE REMARKS. So so so juvenile. Again, you are supposed to be rational adults which is why you get the privilege of voting. Please, act like one.

That's more or less what I needed to gripe about. I must say, this GE thing made me consider quitting all forms of social networking. If not for the fact that I need to keep in contact with my family and friends, I would have done a FB/Twitter account suicide.

I'm a terrible blogger.

2011-03-04T09:30:00.002+08:00

Yes, I am.

I didn't even bother checking the date of my last post cos I know it's been WAAAAY too long. I mean, it's a new year already! Although, technically speaking, the year is already 2 months old, and just into it's 3rd month.

My excuse is that I've been busy. Who isn't? The last few months have been a lot of travelling and schooling. Essays upon essays, presentations upon presentations, and places after places.

And now that I'm done with the official school work, I can breathe a little easier. There are the exams and the dissertation, but I'll just imagine they don't exist for the moment. One needs to have moments of delusions to get by.

Have also been thinking about what's next, after I'm done with school. I'm not too sure. I don't wanna bum around, but I'm not so keen about working. If only I could find a way to not hold down a proper job and just do little things here and there, help friends here and there...and lead a fulfilling and multi-purpose life! Hmm...it may not be difficult after all?

Being Too Green

2010-10-04T04:45:00.002+08:00

Everybody who knows me KNOWS how much I like green.

Okay, I'm gonna put it out there, once again for the gazillionth time: my favourite colour is green.

There! I said it.

That said, I'm now feeling a little worried that I may have overdid the colour a bit. In my room. The room that I will stay and hibernate for, at least, the next 39 weeks.

Just looking around and I see quite a bit of green. For one, the things I brought tend to sway towards the green-ish side of things already. Then, there are the things I bought. Green sheets from Ikea, but that's just cause they were the cheapest. And then, I had to go to Primark and get a green throw for the chair. Ok, to be fair, it was the nicest colour around and the chair was really not suitable for human seating. It's a fresh olive green. :D

And did I mention the pinboard against the table? It was HIDEOUS! So I got Christmas wrapping to kinda "wallpaper" the board. It's nearly Christmas season. Go figure. I didn't get the tacky ones though. I got the not-so-obvious kinda of wrapper. The only giveaways were that the colours were white, red and green (with blue too!) and that there were stars and polka dots (I suppose that's for snow?). Yeah, I 'wallpapered' the entire board with that. About 1m (l) x 3.5m (w) of wall/board space.

The drapes are really awful. I don't know if I can do anything about that. I doubt it. Spoils my room though. Argh.

So yeah, back to the topic. My room, is turning out to be a little too green.

Great for the eyes.

This is why I don't do interior decorating. Or design. Or art.

The First Week, Or So.

2010-10-02T03:07:00.002+08:00

It's a chilly night in most part of London, and especially where I am, which is on the other side of the river. Mostly cause it's been raining the whole day. I'm pretty glad I took the time and effort to get my room in proper living conditions so I can just laze in here while I watch the rain trickle outside. See, it wasn't that heavy.

I did take a walk at about noon to Tesco. It's about a 10min walk from where I stay, and there is another supermarket, Costcutters, just below me. The price, however, is not as great as Tesco or even Sainsbury so I refuse to pay for more. Plus, I had all the time in the world, so why not take a little walk down the nice neighbourhood and get some cheap items, right?

'Cept that it was drizzling. Hmm...didn't think that through huh? Yeah...but it was alright in the end. Came home with all the things I need to live comfortably - toilet paper, bread, ham, detergent, coffee, sugar, coke...amongst other things.

I have eaten out a few times since I arrived in London. Besides the Gold Mine duck rice and maybe the Wanton Mee soup at London Chinatown, the (Chinese) food isn't that great and exorbitantly priced. I cook much better. And cheaper. Do you know, the price of one meal at any of these 'restaurants' can buy me supplies for 1 week of food? Yeah...THAT bad.

Which is great for me, cos I love love love supermarket shopping. And the produce here can be super duper cheap. Like a packet of cheese for 67p; that's about $1.30. And a lot of other stuff are cheap too...but I forgot the prices already. Anyway, it's great doing supermarket shopping here.

I've also caught Jersey Boys and Les Mis. Jersey Boys was beautiful. Loved the songs and the way it was presented. Les Mis was also excellent. Eponine, Jean Valjean and Javert were wonderfully played. The role of Marius was played by Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brother. Okay, not a big fan, and I thought he paled in comparison to the rest of the cast, but to be fair, I think he did a decent job.

Oh, in preparation of my room, I also headed down to Ikea and Argos. Ikea never lets me down, but the hot-dog area was a little filthy. I got all typical-Singaporeanish and started using wet-wipes (which I brought from SG) to wipe the table. I mean, there was ketchup and mustard stains all over. How to eat on it? Urgh! Argos was an eye-opener. Catalogue shopping is my new favourite type of shopping. Okay, maybe 2nd favourite.

Oh, as for selecting course (or what we call modules), my Singaporean roots came out again. I went into the system on the day and time it was open for registration and tried to register all the courses I want, plus select my timetable choices (some courses have more than 1 timeslot to choose from). Before I came to London, I was already looking at the courses I like and surveying the timeslots and options that would give me a good timetable. I had 2 main options, with alternative timetables for each option. Kiasu right? Yeah, you can take the girl out of SG, but you can't take the SG out of the girl.

Anyway, back to registering courses, I think I was far too efficient and quick for the system. End up, the system had some issues and didn't start exactly at 10am like they said they would. So after a whole day of dilly-dallying, I finally got in and got all the courses and timeslots I want. WAHAHAHAAAA....

BUT, it is not the end, because they have to approve everything, which is likely the case cause I didn't stray very much from the regulations. So if all goes the way I want, I could possibly have a two-day study week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. NICE, right? WAHAHAHAHAAAA.....

So, it's been a rather fruitful week. It's the weekends, and I plan to go to town and get some stuff to continue with the sprucing up of my room. I have a list. Yes, I do. I always have lists. :)

Till then, tata~!

My First London Post: Observations

2010-09-28T17:16:00.002+08:00

Hello from chilly, not quite gloomy (yet), sometime-windy London!

I got to do this quick, cos although I've been here for *counts* about 5 days, today being the 6th, I've still got quite a lot of things to do before I am REEEALLY settled into things. And also, I got to be in school in about an hour for an orientation talk.

School is LSE. Yes...no need to say more. *grin*

The weather is now in the tens, i.e. 10, 11, 12, 13...17. Today, apparently, would be between 11 and 18. That is not cold. At all. I generally just wear a tank-top, a sweater-ish top, and a coat with jeans or pants. It's toasty like that.

I'm loving a lot of things about London, as I always have. BUT...there is one thing I have observed that I'm not too keen about.

The air, my friends, is very dirty. Like smoke, soot, dirty particles...eeks. It makes my booger really, really...black. Yuck, right?

Okay, I will do another post about the food soon. I have tons to talk about with regard to food.

Signing off!

Goodbye Sunny-and-nowadays-flashflooded SG!

2010-09-22T21:44:00.004+08:00

So the day is almost here. And by almost, I mean, just tomorrow. Yup, I'll be flying off from a hot, humid, tropical island, to a cold, gloomy, dry and bustling city!

Feeling excited, happy, and have been waiting for this day to come since, oh, can't even tell when. The countdown seemed to take forever, until the last couple of days, where it all seemed to flash by so quickly. Maybe it's the multiple farewell lunches/dinners/karaokes and the works.

Yet, also feeling slightly anxious. I don't know if my brain will activate when called upon. Not sure if I'd fit in. Not sure about a lot of things.

So God is my strength. And in times like these, I shall rest in Him and enjoy everything that He brings forth. I thank my Abba Father for everything and everything more.

Till a year later, SG!

Mac-ed Up and Ready to Go!

2010-09-19T00:08:00.004+08:00

Hoohoohoo.

I am so delighted because I have finally bought a Macbook Pro. And now, I feel as if my life is complete. I don't miss my HP laptop at all. AT ALL!

Okay, so I'm exaggerating just a little.

But I am very happy indeed. My baby looks so cool. Awesome.

And in other news, I have finally got my visa. I got it on Thursday, exactly a week before I fly. What a relief! I had been all antsy the entire time my application was processed, thinking of reasons it could be rejected. But of course, the Lord is with me and I claimed favour over my application. As usual, my Abba never fails to deliver. Praise Jesus!

So the question which I've been entertaining as the day draws closer is, "How's the packing coming along?" Well, I'm please to say that the packing is somewhat done. Just some finishing touches that can only be done the day before I fly. Otherwise, I'd say, "All my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go..." :)

The nervousness is somewhat getting to me. I feel ill-prepared for it. Partly 'cause I've been watching a Korean drama for the last 2 weeks or so, and as most are, I've been caught up in it. I feel kinda dumbed-down now because it is so frivolous to watch Korean drama and laugh and cry. Plus the invigilation a week ago has also been a mind-numbing experience.

5 days to go, amigos!

5 Sep 2010

2010-09-05T23:01:00.002+08:00

I must remember today. This day. This weekend.

What an awesome weekend; what an awesome day I had.

Dental, checked. Fish Head Curry, checked.

2010-09-02T09:41:00.003+08:00

Yesterday was a busy, busy day. Much like the day before. And the day before.

I had a dental appointment. My first with a new dentist. My first dental visit in...like...3 years. I know, I'm not proud about it.

So I had this super teeth scaling and polishing that made my gums bleed. By bleed, I mean serious bleeding. It's as if my gums were having their period. Argh. It was a little uncomfortable at some bits, cos as much as I think I have been taking good care of my teeth, I haven't been taking good ENOUGH care of them.

And so, the dentist said it could be that I am prone to gum disease, and promptly gave me 2 special mouthwash to complement my dental care. And I promptly headed to Watsons after that to get me some new floss as well. No more half-hearted flossing. There is gonna be some SERIOUS flossing. I am determined to keep my sparklies sparkling for 1 year, till I can come back for my next dental.

My teeth felt so clean and bright, that I actually felt guilty drinking or eating anything besides plain water.

The irony was that I was meeting the past & present Hilltop girls for Fish Head Curry at Banana Leaf Apolo for dinner.

Argh!

Dinner, however, was FANTASTIC. While waiting for the 2 current Hilltop girls, Karen and I ordered a fish cutlet (minced fish, potato, spices) and some deep-fried onions-in-spices-thingy. When the girls finally arrived, we went straight for the jugular, and ordered a fish head curry, a masala prawn and a masala chicken. We all had biryani rice, which was yummy, and heaps of papadum. YUMMEH!

Dinner, of course, is not complete without lime juice and lots of updating, gossiping and chit-chating. It was a blast and I had fun picking on the leftovers while listening to the conversation(s). It was awesome.

No pictures because when the non-camera folks (past and present) come together, we generally forget to take photos, even when we already HAVE camera phones. Or maybe it was because we were all too hungry to bother. lol.

I'm so glad we met up. I'm so glad to know them, to have them as firm friends. They are part of a small group of people I know whom I feel I have some kind of affinity with. Some things just click with them. And it doesn't happen very often. So I'm glad.

Overwhelmed.

2010-08-31T21:29:00.002+08:00

I think the stress leading up to today made me very tensed. It was super nerve-wrecking. Having gone through two times of hopefulness, and then to be told "please try again" when the bank does not seem to wanna help, is not helpful at all.

I'm glad the bank saw the light, and could now help.

And as nerve-wrecking as it was, I managed to pull through and got it done.

There, it's done. My part is done. Now it's not up to me.

And I have only 23 days to go.

EVERYTHING is riding on this. So I am still...very...worried.

I feel quite faint just thinking about it.

And then, trepidation sets in. This...that...what happens if...how am I gonna...? All kinds of questions. All kinds of scenarios.

Oh dear God, I know you'll answer my prayer. I have favour. I claim favour. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' name. Amen!

All Cutesied Up!

2010-08-26T10:45:00.006+08:00

I can't remember if I've mentioned this before, but in a bid to NOT spend $20-$30 bucks on a diary, and also to make use of my vast notebook collection (so that I can buy somemore), I decided to use one of my existing notebooks to create a schedule-cum-diary for the academic year. Yes, like one of those academic schedules/diaries in the market.

I kinda did it waaaay back in April or something; one of those months that I was too free and too broke (hence, the great idea). I used my highlighters, koped my sister's colourful thin marker pens, and started from September 2010 to June 2011. I figured, any further than June 2011, or specifically 2 July 2011, I will just jot them after that. Can't really see or imagine what I'll be doing after that anyway. For now.

So, it's a boring black notebook. To the naked eye, it looks...just like a boring black notebook.

BUT, thanks to Serena, who got us a whole bunch of cutesy stuff, I managed to cutesied it up a little.

Okay, she got us these cute index-stickers, and I thought, why not use them to index the different months? So I did.

Isn't it adorable! They look like little cutie-pies peeping out of the pages! hahaha...

And then, I thought I'll spice it up a little to add some class to it. I happened to have some Chanel ribbons from an event months ago. So, tada!

Serena also got us some cardholders.

I don't really know what to do with them. My sis suggested using the one of the right for my transport card when I go over. My sentiments exactly! So that I will do. Not sure what to do with the other though. Hmm...lemme go figure.

Random Future Shopping List

2010-08-25T22:13:00.002+08:00

As the days go by, I find myself thinking of the most random things I need to buy when I get there.

And I am being serious.

Like, coffee and tea. I need my coffee. 'Nuff said. I like green tea on a cold, winter's day. But once in a while, I would like some homemade lemon tea too. So I need red tea, and lemon slices. Hmm, I don't even make homemade lemon tea at home now.

That brings me to sugar and milk. Definitely need sugar. Even if I am getting instant coffee, I'd need the sugar for sweetening my tea and for cooking. Milk is a definite. I need milk for cereals.

So I need cereals too. I wonder if they have Koko Crunch there. That's actually the only cereal I eat.

If not, I'll need bread. To make breakfast. And cheese. Yes, cheese. I can make grilled cheese sandwich.

Condiments? Salt and pepper. Olive oil. Not sure if they have wonderful Chinese condiments like soy sauce, sesame oil and oyster sauce. That's all I need to whip up a homemade Chinese meal.

Rice? They have rice, right? So I've heard. I can buy some pasta too, and spaghetti sauce. Oh, and cans of soup! I love soup! Tomato soup, minestrone soup, mushroom soup, chicken soup. Yes, cold climates are the best climates for soup.

All the kinds of detergent, powder and stuff I need for cleaning: laundry, cooking, bathroom, general cleaning. Sponges.

And what about things to wipe? Paper towels, tissue boxes, toilet rolls.

Toiletries! Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial wash!

Hmm...have I left anything out?

At least I know I can print this if I really need a shopping list then.

Countdown: 30.

2010-08-24T23:20:00.000+08:00

Yup. It's THAT close!

:)

Packing up, up, UP!

2010-08-17T13:16:00.002+08:00

I like packing. In fact, I love packing. I can pack waaaay in advance and find reasons to re-pack again, and again, and again.

Say for example, this BIG trip I'm going on. I started packing 4 months in advance. Yup, I'm all about 80% done with a little more than a month to go. And get this, I even create lists to help me pack.

But there is also packing that is not that fun.

Packing my room, for example, is a chore. No fun. At all.

And I kinda have to pack it up before I leave, seeing as to I won't be around for about a year. But looking around the room now...makes me sleepy.

And so I procrastinate. Another day. And another day.

And each time I wait another day, things pile up slowly.

I know! I shall make a timeline for when I need to do what! I love timelines too!!!

And lists. Did I mention I love to create lists?

45!

2010-08-09T11:25:00.004+08:00

It's National Day! Singapore's Birthday! 45th!!

And coincidentally, it is also 45 days to go. Woah!!!

As you can see, I'm generally very excited about National Day, because there is NDP. It's been like that since I was young. National Day = NDP. And it's even more exciting because I'll be heading down to the Padang to watch NDP up-close and personal! Woosh!

This would be my 4th consecutive NDP. The last 3 years, I was on the ground with a pass. It was work, but not really. By the time it is actual day, there is very little left to do and I can really soak up the atmosphere, watch the parade, get all jumpy and excited when the troops march in/marchpast/march out/VIPs come/aircrafts zoom past, and sing the National Day songs, swinging my hands in the air and getting all watery-eyed.

And this year, I'd be on the stands. Still excited. Still happy I got blessed with tickets to go with my mum. She's excited too. I told her to prepare a red/white top, cap and sunglasses. She was parading in them yesterday. LOL.

On another note, this week is gonna be quite a special week.

Monday kicks off with National Day and NDP.

Tuesday and Wednesday - I'll be having my last lesson with my 2 classes. (Unfortunately, I may be observed for one. Argh.

And right after class, I'll be heading somewhere for a loooong over-dued relak-Jack holiday! Woosh! Sun, sand and sea, here I come!!!

And next Monday, I have my very important appointment. Fingers crossed, everything will be done!

To Do List...before I go

2010-08-04T12:10:00.002+08:00

I have a brilliant plan.

To stuff myself with yummylicious food, loads of activities, and clear backlog before I pack my bags and am ready to go.

Here it goes.

1. Eat steamboat. At Tian Tian Steamboat.

2. Eat fish head curry, either at Muthu's or Banana Leaf Apollo.

3. Eat Tian Tian chicken rice at Maxwell. (Yes, I see the pattern here...tian tian.)

4. Eat otah. The one from Jalan Kayu. Loads of it.

5. My fill of chwee kuey, chee cheong fun and white kuey (in cantonese, I think it's "Pah Tong Gou".)

6. I need to use up my mani/pedi package. Last set, I think. My nails are in a terrible state. Argh!

I think that's it for now. Heeheehee

Living on the Edge...or a Prayer?

2010-07-30T09:45:00.003+08:00

*le sigh*

I wouldn't want to say that my biggest fears are coming true, because my tongue holds power. So what I don't want to happen, I will not say.

However, I do want to whine a bit.

I had this grand plan in my head. A plan which would start 6 months ahead and would prepare me for greatness. Problem with plans is, they never happen EXACTLY the way you want.

So I've had bits and pieces of this plan coming to fruition, while the other bits are kinda falling through. Falling. Not fallen.

And now, with less than 2 months to go, and because of some miscalculation and lack of awareness on my part, I am made to sit and wait for at least another 2 weeks before I can get another go at it. Booooo!!!

So, I'm living on the edge. And a little worried.

I keep reminding myself to cast my worries and cares onto Him, and enjoy the next couple of weeks, which would be really exciting and happening! Since He has brought me so far, He'll also bring me there. THERE.

So there. in 2 weeks' time, I will head down to 'that office' and submit all the stuff, and it shall be fine. And then, a few days later, I will be told that I am given the green light and it's all systems go!

I thank the Lord, and claim favour and all things good.

In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Today...

2010-07-28T10:03:00.002+08:00

I feel it sooo strongly today. More than any other day.

I can't wait.

My 'Secret' Ambition in Life

2010-07-27T22:17:00.003+08:00

I wanna be a detective.

Or a criminologist.

Or a behaviour analyst.

Or a public prosecutor.

Or an ass-kicking special agent.

I have been watching too much TV.

Law & Order, Law & Order Special Victims Unit, Law & Order Special Intent, Criminal Minds, NCIS: LA, Flashpoint, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York...you get the drift.

I sometimes wished I'd study criminology or victimology or criminal law. Then, I also realise that reality is not like what you see on TV. Especially US television programmes. Soooo far off.

I wanna be a smart-talking, shades-wearing, quick-thinking, ass-kicking detective. Or agent.

Isn't that just soooo cool?

P/S: I sometimes pretend like I'm some special agent or working undercover. Maybe this is why I like typing. It makes me look like I'm doing something serious, when I'm doing frivolous stuff.

Like blogging.

往事只能回味

2010-07-19T17:16:00.003+08:00

From when I was a little kid, my mum would make us sing. I think she always liked music, but cause she has...how shall I describe this...a tone-issue, so she doesn't sing when there are others around.

She used to make us sing ALL kinds of songs, especially those she can't sing. Like Mandarin oldies, and Japanese songs. She can't read Chinese characters. So she'd tell us which songs she like and want us to learn. Then she would write down the hanyu pinyin of the Japanese words (cos at one point, she could read Jap) and make us learn the songs. After that, she'll make us sing the songs over, and over, and over again!

往事只能回味 was one of the songs she made me learn. And learn I did. I learnt the song so well that I knew every 转音, pitch and tone. My mum also knew exactly how to make me sing it over and over again; she'd say things like "Wah! You sound exactly like the singer!" and it'll boost my ego that I didn't mind singing it so many times over.

Recently heard the song on TV, and felt so tempted to sing it. No chance to, so I can only blog about it. One of these days, I should record myself singing all the old songs I used to sing. LOL.

JUST did it again!

2010-07-16T15:38:00.003+08:00

See what I mean?!?! Itchy backsides! (Read previous post)

I JUST did it again! Barely 5 mins ago!!! Baaah...

And now, because of what I did, I wanna do some serious ass-kicking!

I honestly can't stand it when people are so prejudiced, judgmental and SNEAKY! They think they know better, but really, they know nothing. And in what I would say to my students, they communicate irresponsibly.

And I can't stand EVEN MORE, those who hang out and lim kopi or la teh with this kind of people to add fuel to fire. I mean, why in the right mind would you do that? Don't you know he has a screw loose or some parts missing up in the thing above his neck? He ACTUALLY thinks he knows better. HE DOES!!!

BUT, because I will take the high road, I will just quote Russell Peters and say...

"Somebody's gonna get a hurt reeeal bad..."

Things you know you''ll regret doing, but will still do.

2010-07-16T15:12:00.003+08:00

Some days, I feel as if one should not have an itchy backside.

In colloquial-speak, an "itchy backside" means "an action that asks for it". "It" being whatever you didn't want to get; a feeling, some kind of retribution, or action.

And I, for one, have an itchy backside.

I mean, I know for a fact that I should not do some stuff, or say some things, but somehow, I still do it. And then, when I have to face the consequences, I wish I hadn't had an itchy backside and started it. That is when I start regretting what I did/said, and wished I had the cow sense to not do/say those things.

Why does that happen?

Hmm...curiousity mostly. Sometimes, it's sheer stupidity. I don't know which comes first. I suppose it's stupid curiosity.

For example, there are somethings I DON'T NEED to know, but I still WANT to know, just because I wonder what it is and what would happen IF I knew.

So I find out. And I know. And it does NOTHING GOOD for me. I don't feel good about it. And I wonder now, WHY did I even bother finding out when life would have been SOOOO much better if I didn't.

Okay, hold that thought. Now, this concept does not apply to people who cheat and/or lie. If someone is cheating or lying to you, you'd better do ALL you can to find out EVERYTHING so you can make an informed decision of DUMPING him/her. By dump, I refer to all KINDS of relationship: personal, intimate, friendship, business, whatever.

Back to the topic.

Yes, there are just some days I slap my forehead and whack my tushie to chide myself for being such a busybody. And I ask the perennial question,"WHHHHHYYYYYYY????", followed by an exasperated "argh!!!".

You'd think with age and experience, you'd be a little wiser.

But nooooooo............

Puh!

Hair

2010-07-14T11:44:00.002+08:00

I have an obsession with hair.

Those on my head. (Hello? What are you thinking???)

I have a (bad) habit of touching my hair from roots to ends and feeling if it's frizzy or curly or not quite right. And I can spot a short - wait, make that very, very, VERY short strand that is not growing out right. How short? Say, less than a centimetre? And I'll get my sis to take a tweezer and pull it out.

Whenever I have nothing to do, or reading or studying or stoning, I touch my hair. I feeeel my hair.

My mum says it's my bad habit. My cousin, who once saw me studying and playing with my hair, once remarked, "She touch-touch her hair only, then can study already (as in, do well in my studies)!" LOL.

Actually, I don't know what it is about hair that I am so obsessed about. It's slightly OCD-ish. I can't help it. As much as I feel bad whenever I pull a hair out, whether accidentally or on purpose, I still do it.

AND, I noticed other girls who do it too. So, I'm not alone.

I really can't explain it. I just hope I won't get bald in the process. *Knock on wood*

Good, bad, happy, sad?

2010-07-11T21:40:00.003+08:00

Some days, I wonder if the reason why I really cannot think of anything to blog about is because I am not miserable, depressed and sad.

I remember the times when I wrote stuff with so much emotions, innuendos and "philosophies of life". And I would always get these comments about how true they were and how I was speaking their minds, etc etc.

But you know what? I really wasn't happy then.

I suppose for many people, it's all these sad, miserable, depressing thoughts that gives them the inspiration to write. But I don't like how I felt then. I felt inadequate, unappreciated, unworthy, unhappy, and all the other words with a prefix in front of a nice, positive word to make it the exact opposite.

Nah...I don't want that. I like that I am happy now. That I am satisfied, yet hopeful. Joyful and feel completely worthy.

So I should write about things that makes me happy in life.

Like today, I went to church and heard an awesome sermon, despite feeling a little sleepy at times. Then, I had fish-head curry for dinner, even though I shouldn't, with my throat not feeling that great. And now, I am ALMOST done with grading this class.

Tomorrow, who knows what tomorrow will bring? I may not like it now (cos I have a class tomorrow), but hey, I know it'll be a blessed day and a day full of hope and happiness!

I may not be happy all the time, but I have joy in my heart, and I will be a happy person.

That's all that matters.

That's it. I'm sick!

2010-07-07T13:04:00.003+08:00

Boo...

There are 2 things I really hate.

1. A sore throat.

2. A cold = runny nose

I don't really know what happened. Probably was a result of the weekend binge on heaty food. Let me see, what did I have? A hearty McDonalds breakfast, some bacon aglio olio, and chix wings? I suppose I didn't drink enough water or ate enough fruits and vegetables. Sunday night was when I started downing water like there's no tomorrow. Monday came, and I went for class with a hint of a sore throat.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was spent trying to rest and heal the sore throat. By the evening, I started sneezing like there is no tomorrow.

Alas, there IS a tomorrow. And today was it.

I developed a runny nose.

So, all those Difflam lozenges, Panadol Cold tablets, those spoonsful of normal Pi Pa Gao and special (Luo Han Huo) Pi Pa Gao and the 1000mg of vitamic C did nothing for me. At least until today, there is no visible sign of getting better. The sore throat is still sore (though not painful at least), and the nose is kinda blocked.

Baaa...I hate being sick. I'm feeling all lethargic and I haven't even started on my grading yet.

This sucks.

Give me something to read!

2010-07-06T10:12:00.003+08:00

I can't surf endlessly. I can't even do that for more than 20mins.

This is why people should write more often in their blogs.

I need to find things to occupy myself with online. The next best solution would be to play online games, but that's not ideal, methinks. I really like reading my friends' blogs and finding out what is happening in their lives.

You know, this would be increasingly important. When I...am away and am alone.

So people, please write more.

And if anybody reads this and wants me to do the same, I'll oblige too. That is, if anybody reads this. And wants me to.

What goes in, must come out.

2010-07-03T16:36:00.002+08:00

I have been pondering on a theory in the last couple of weeks intermittently.

It is MY theory that I do not retain stuff well.

Evidence 1: After my first meal, be it breakfast or lunch or brunch, it would "activate" my bowels almost immediately after I complete the meal. Without fail.

Evidence 2: I can't drink more than a glass of liquid without wanting to go pee soon after. This is one reason why as much as I like sitting at a coffee place for hours, I often can't last more than 2 hours. Cos I need to pee.

Evidence 3: Have you seen me?

So. while others have a problem IN water retention, I have a problem OF water retention. Or any kind of retention, less waste materials, for that matter.

I suppose, as long as healthwise, it's all fine, then I should have nothing to complain about. So I thank God for giving me good health!

And in the meantime, I'll just have to...errr...work the system.

Hitting the half-year mark

2010-06-30T11:21:00.002+08:00

Isn't it shocking that it's almost July already?!? Yup, half a year has gone by with the twinkling of an eye. In fact, many halves of years have gone by in the twinkling of an eye.

So what have I done this year thus far?

Actually, I don't like this question. I'm not one who looks at the past. Neither do I look too far into the future. I am a present person.

I like presents.

*ice cold*

To be honest, I can't recall much of what has happened, even in the last 6 months or so. I know, however, that I've had a very restful time. My mum would say TOO restful, but I beg to differ. I think it is necessary to rest. Rest physically, rest emotionally, rest mentally, rest in the Lord.

Anyway, it's the year of Restful Increase! So the more I rest, the more I'll have...whatever I want.

The next 6 months are gonna be a blast. That's for sure. Looking forward to infinity...and beyond~~~!!!

Inner Thoughts: Penetrated

2010-06-25T14:38:00.004+08:00

A few things:

1. My FB has been compromised.

2. I should have just done what I've always done. Shut it.

3. People think too much. Waaaay too much.

4. People read too much into words. Waaaay too much.

5. People hint too much. Why bother?

Note to self: Hang in there. Almost out...

What do you do at 1.30am?

2010-06-25T01:44:00.002+08:00

Actually, it's already 1.45am.

The parents are asleep. Even the sister is asleep. The dog is probably dreaming by now.

And I am all awake, thanks to 2 things: Hell's Kitchen on FB, and a large Coke from BK.

Did you know the medium Coke at BK is probably the same size as the regular Coke at McDs? So the large Coke that I bought actually is more like a medium to me. Shouldn't all fast food chains just standardize their cup sizes? Economies of scale!

So, anyway, I spent about an hour trying to beat the high score on Hell's Kitchen on FB. I can't even beat my own high score. And the more I try, the worse I get. I think I should just try it in the day. Perhaps it's the Z-bug hitting me.

So besides just lamely surfing, I decided to do a little housekeeping. I use this word loosely. I just refilled my cotton pads, found I ran out of cotton buds, and that I have a whole lotta crap in my cupboards.

This is bad. I need to get rid of them, and quick. But you know how clearing the mess you've created (and hoarded) is always such a chore? And I keep telling myself, "Tomorrow, do it tomorrow." In actual fact, tomorrow comes and goes and I have done nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

I think like all things, I need a timeline.

Oh, but it is SUCH a chore to work out a timeline.

*Heading to bed*

角球，点球，犯规？

2010-06-20T23:56:00.003+08:00

It's World Cup season. Due to the exorbitant susbscription fees, despite having both Starhub Cable and mio, we have not subscribed to the World Cup channels.

Neh ni neh ni boo boo!

BUT, I have getting my fix through the wonderful technology of the Internet and online streaming. It's clear, gives me live coverage, and best of all, it's FREEEEEE!!!

The only little issue is, it's in Mandarin. As in, from China. Chinese commentary, soccer terminology and analysis.

It's not too bad. Soccer is an international language anyway. And I find it all quite amusing sometimes. Especially when they start using the idoms (成语) to describe the game or players. It's sooo funny! Super entertaining.

Oh but boo...the matches I've watched so far aren't too interesting. The worst so far is the England V Algeria match. Soooo boring. AND it's at 2-blardy-30am, ending with a 0-freaking-0 draw!?!?!

Waste time. Even though I have a lot of time.

Booooo...

Countdown!

2010-06-16T09:16:00.003+08:00

So school has re-started and I'm still feeling the lag from the 2-week break. I just have to keep reminding myself that each time I come to work, it's $_$!

Actually, the work isn't that bad. I generally still have a lot of time for myself. That's good, considering the countdown has begun! I have things to sort out and settle, but they are coming together. *happy*

Yesterday, I met the 2 angels for lunch. They had tons to update me, which I always enjoy, regardless whether I am there or not. I do miss interacting with them sometimes, and we had so much fun as a team. And now that it's almost NDP peak season, I miss singing National Day songs with them in the office while we slog our guts out. Now, when I sing National Day songs at home or with friends, it's just not the same. Everyone thinks I'm nuts. Not them. haha

Well, this Friday would also be a fun one. Meeting Kite, my ex-student from MC/MS days, and Chriz, my our-chemisty-is-always-soooo-good singing partner for late lunch and KARAOKE!!! Wow, it seems like forever since I last sang. I don't know if I can sing now. Honestly. Baaaah...

I wanna sing all the Glee songs!!!

On other note, in preparation for my *ahem* destination of countdown, I have borrowed Lim Chong Yah's book Southeast Asia The Long Road Ahead. How's THAT for heavy bedtime reading?

New Layout!

2010-06-11T22:38:00.002+08:00

Yay...blogger's got new layouts! So I decided to change. I like change anyway. Yay to change!

Oh yes, World Cup has officially started. Somehow, I have been quite lukewarm about it. Maybe I will catch a few of the England matches if I get a chance.

I had a few things to blog about but the excitement from the change of layout has sucked all my inspiration away. Thanks, Blogger.

Morning struggles

2010-06-09T10:12:00.002+08:00

This morning, much like many mornings, I struggled to wake up.

I only woke up because my mum woke me up to eat lunch. At 9am. Yes, this has been the norm recently. She will cook at 8plus, and lunch is served by 9.

So I woke up, brushed my teeth, and slowly, struggled to eat lunch at 9am.

Lunch today was macaroni-shells and seafood soup. Yummy, but still not easy to eat so early in the morning. Nevertheless, I finished the whole bowl.

Now, I'm struggling the sleepy bug, 1.5hours after I am out of my bed.

Winner.

The Girls are Baaaack! (SATC 2)

2010-06-04T15:22:00.002+08:00

Finally caught SATC 2 yesterday with Shir and Lynn (her colleague/friend). We had Pepper Lunch for dinner (super yumz, as always), and laughed about googling our names. Yeah, I do that from time to time. I have to make sure nobody is talking crap about me!

Anyway, SATC 2 was...okay. I mean, it's not gonna be anything serious ANYWAY. It's just for old times' sake that I catch it, and I will probably be watching it a couple more times on the plane or HBO or on DVD. Yeah...I'll buy, just to make the collection complete. heh heh

Love love LOVE Miranda the most. I think she's the most sane of the lot, and the most smart of the lot, and the most...real of the lot? I don't know why but unlike most girls, I connect with Miranda the most. You know how they say that girls always relate to one or more of the SATC characters. Well, not in that sense, but I just find Miranda quite...relatable (for lack of a better word).

Anyway, Shir teared again. She tears very easily. She teared the last time we watched SATC, which was understandable 'cos of the failed wedding scene. She teared this time around again. haha

Oh yes...but Abu Dhabi looks good in there. Of course, that's really Morocco cos they couldn't get a licence to film there. I can see why. Hahahahaaaa...Samantha, oh, Samantha.

Enjoyed it, nevertheless. Always did, always will.

Who are these people?

2010-06-03T09:49:00.002+08:00

I just realised that my blog has a following of 5. Scratch that. I meant, I have 5 "followers". Who are they anyway? I don't recognise any of those names.

Same as Twitter. I always get some random people following me. Who are you, 4dsiao? Was it because I randomly, on one single rare occasion, mentioned about 4d? And superkumantong? Li si siang?

Good thing is that I have a rather strict policy about adding Friends on Facebook. You'd better be a friend to be added as a Friend. But even then, sometimes, I forget who some of these people are. Hmm...this name sounds familiar? Where have I met you? And then, there I those I wished I didn't know. Don't get me started on why I even added them. I forgot why I lost all sanity and went against my better judgement NOT to. Bah.

I've given up on world/cyber domination. At least via blogs. For a few reasons, especially after browsing some very pro blogs.

1. I don't particularly enjoy thinking about layouts, pictures and stuff. In fact, if you haven't noticed by now, I'm quite lazy with posting photos. I've even more lazy editing them. Sometimes, I'm even too lazy to upload. Make that, most of the time.

2. I've got nothing interesting to write about (for now). Not a celebrity (of any and all kinds). I'm not in some happening PR or media industry that holds the deepest darkest secrets that I can expose. Nothing particularly fashionable about me. No interest in politics, defence news (yeah, you'd be surprised), celebrity culture, popular culture, lifestyle, any other random topic. Have no insights on any particular occupation (that I can talk about, at least), couplehood (nope), singlehood (depressing) or motherhood (zilch).

3. I've got faith. But don't want to write anything that may be deemed sacrilegious, blasphemous or controversial.

4. And if by now you have not noticed (who are you?), no one else reads.

So why bother?

But I write for my own entertainment. And because those fidgety fingers need to type oh-so-often.

My fingers have a mind of their own. Tipperty-tappity-tap.

That's why I blog.

But really, who are you people???

My Money-Saving Ways

2010-06-02T11:46:00.002+08:00

It's amazing how little things you do can save you some moolah, especially when you need to do it oh-so-desperately.

1. I converted an old (well, not THAT old) notebook into an academic diary of sorts. You know, the kind that starts from somewhere in July/August, and goes until the next July? Yeah, I did that. My own DIY. I'm gonna find some old craftware to juice it up a bit. Amount saved: probably around $20-$30.

2. I borrowed books to read, instead of buying them. Current read is the LKY Memoirs. Amount saved: according to Amazon, about $200.

3. Reuse paper or use sister's stash of paper for printing. Amount saved: $4.50

4. Have lunch at home at least twice a week. Amount saved: $6-$16 (it depends on what I eat).

5. Lose the cab-rides. Amount saved: at least $200

Well, there are probably more of these little tips, such as going on a shoe/clothes/entertainment diet, but it's too much work to think harder.

And on an even better note, I'm gonna get $200 GST credits! Into the savings, they go!!!

Not the best blog in the world

2010-05-31T00:05:00.004+08:00

i'd been reading the blogs of the news presenters at CNA and came across Ali Smith's one on "The Best Blog In The World".

And after reading a few others, I got real guilty for not writing more on my blog. And not often enough.

So though my blog may not be the best in the world, it's enough for me to keep friends updated, and to jot down memories that I could use to write a memoir if I ever get famous in future.

Of course, it's all just pretty talk and daydreaming...about the memoir. You see, I'm reading LKY's memoirs. But it got me thinking that if someone did compiled all the blog postings I've ever written, plus all the journals I have, you'd get quite a decent idea of who I am, what I like, dislike, and what I think about certain things.

But I digress, Nothing unusual here. I always digress.

So what have I been up to?

I've been planning, packing and preparing.

To do what?

To get away from it all, once and for all!

Nah, I'm just kidding. About the getting away from it all.

Keeping you in suspense, whoever YOU are.

Yeah, even if you are one of those people who are trying to find out more about me, or trying to figure what I'm doing, or think you have an idea of what I'm doing. Whatever rocks your boat, man.

Oh, for those who already know, YES, I am THAT (over-)excited! :D

But otherwise, I've been obsessed with the songs in Glee. And Carrie Underwood. I would like to go for a KTV session where all we do is sing songs from Glee.

Hey, Glee creators, an idea here! Why don't you make a Glee Karaoke DVD. I betcha, it will sell like hotcakes.

I'll buy it in a heartbeat!

Nana, out!

who rocked AI?

2010-05-27T19:41:00.002+08:00

let me tell you...

janet jackson rocked!!!! (*pant pant*)

carrie underwood rocked!

bret michaels rocked!

alanis morrisette rocked!

the bee gees rocked!

and of course...

simon cowell rocked for the last time on AI.

i love you, janet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll stand by you

2010-05-25T10:51:00.004+08:00

Thanks to glee, I'm currently infatuated with this song.

I'll stand by you, okay? :)

I'll Stand By You

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'Cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

A little perspective

2010-05-21T13:07:00.002+08:00

As i get involved with all these youngsters in school, I sometimes wonder what they would be like when they step out of their little comfort zone into the big, (sometimes) bad world.

I can't imagine myself being at 16, 17, 18 and going through all these politics. I keep telling them, if they think it's hard now, wait till they start working. And also, you don't want to start all these nonsense now; you have the next 40 years of your life to do that.

And then I wonder why people go through all that at all? Can't we just live and let live?

I get mad at people, pissed off and irritated, but I try to not let that affect the way I treat that person or even my day. Time is too precious to hang onto it. I'd rather think of happier things I could be doing.

It really doesn't mean that I have to be zen all the time. I just don't want to worry about too many things, especially when they are out of my control.

But kids will be kids. They think they're old enough to handle all these nonsense. I don't think they are, but I'll let it be.

Let it be, let it be...there will be an answer, let it be.

My 'Endless Love'

2010-05-19T11:21:00.004+08:00

I've recently got my hands on the Glee soundtrack and I've been listening to all my favourite songs on Glee. And this "little" ditty has been playing in my songlist, and now, it's stuck in my head.

THAT brings back some memories of how I learnt to sing Endless Love, and sorry, but I haven't actually found someone who can sing this song with me. Oh wait, there is one: Peter laoshi...but other than him (since he can sing ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING), nope, there is no one to duet this song with.

Like I said, it brings me back to the time I learnt this song. I'll try to be objective about it because err...well, the person whom I sang this with...well, you'll see. I'll TRY okay?

So, that was a few years back I think, when I was still in MS. We had a gig at a wedding, I don't remember where but some posh hotel in Singapore. So the couple wanted 4 couples to sing duets and love songs for their wedding dinner. We had gowns and suits sponsored, and it seemed like a fun thing. So you probably know where I'm getting to now...after a few rounds of going through songs, we chose to sing Endless Love. I sang it with somebody I shall politely refer to as X, and we thought it would not be too tough. (Kidding ourselves, as I see now, in retrospect.)

So, first, we had to learn the song. I'd heard the song a few times before, so I wasn't totally unfamiliar. However, I'd never sung it before, so, I started listening to the version by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross a few times, over and over again. I think I catch on to melodies and harmonies pretty quickly. After the 4th or 5th time, I kinda get the drift. Not Mr X though. He could get the melody, but couldn't get the counter-melodies or harmonies. I had to learn them, and try to "teach" it to him, and still be all nice about it since he had a HUGE ego. Can't TEACH him, no, no...or else it would seem as if I'm trying to be Miss Know-it-all. Fine. I'm not Miss Know-it-all. I'm Miss Know-it-more-than-you. Honestly.

It was SUCH a chore! I couldn't show that I was exasperated cos he was SUPPOSED to be IN the industry and was SUPPOSED to be good in it. Obviously it was all a farce, which most people eventually found out. Some...probably to this day, never will find out. Still under the veil, or under some 'magic potion'. Thank God I've got the antidote. Ah...but I'm drifting off point.

So anyway, eventually we (I) managed to simplify it such that X didn't have to do a lot of counter-melodies or harmonies. We also had to transpose the song by 2 keys cos...err...somebody couldn't reach the notes. Oh by the way, at that time, I said that WE needed to down the key. Well...let's just say...I've tried it a couple of time in original key and it was okay.

So we performed during the wedding, and boy was I relieved to get it out of the way. I think that was probably my most nervous duet performance ever.

And here you go...

photos. A LOT of photos.

2010-05-18T11:28:00.003+08:00

in a bid to simply upload all the photos from my phone...well, not ALL, but some, i've decided to just...do...this.

louis and his mint bone.

crab dinner with syl, jay, chriz and josh.

same dinner, but drunken prawns. yummy!

back to louis. and his new toy...a chipmunk (still known as bear-bear).

my sis...giving him a goooood time. heh heh heh

this needs to be rotated but anyway, this was yummy pre-ROM dinner for shirley.

my spicy miso ramen at parco millenia. GOOOOOD!

and the following were the girls' ones. can't remember which is whose.

and last but not least...

Congrats Shirley and Steven!!!

wassup?

2010-04-30T22:47:00.002+08:00

a lot apparently.

and i don't even just mean in my life, although that has been a major bulk of 'excitement' - some nice, some not nice.

drama mama...

on the 'job' front, it has been quite nice. i'm getting the hang of it and it is only gonna get harder. it's only the 3rd week and already, more drama. managing different personalities and playing the mediator while really trying to help the kids. argh! looooong story.

on the 'other' front, things are moving. the countdown has not begun, but the info-gathering and administration is sooooo on the way. dates are almost firmed up. ALMOST.

on the home front, more stuff. but ah...too personal so :X let's just say i have been travelling to-and-fro a lot and surprisingly, i think the family has been coming together a lot more and that's something we never really did. at least we hadn't done it for a while.

so yeah. life's been like that. God's favour has and will see me through everything. And in all things, I have Jesus!

The Nana Fund

2010-04-12T10:01:00.002+08:00

I'm accepting all contributions into The Nana Fund.

Yes, the only beneficiary would be me. It's for a very noble cause - my future.

And your contributions will be greatly appreciated.

For more information, you can msn/sms/fb pm me.

Thank you!

fishing for information

2010-04-09T00:19:00.002+08:00

i'm sure i'm NOT the only person who uses facebook, twitter, blogs, and other online avenues to 'fish' for information. i mean, give me a break. i am QUITE bored. there is SO MUCH one can do when one is not doing anything concrete.

so, i recently found some very interesting information. one was particularly...curious for me. it got me totally confused, though it came close to "shocking".

then, it occured to me that i have been completely out of touch with certain people, certain places and certain events that i used to be in touch with. i wondered if they were deliberate decisions. i suppose if they were deliberate, i would know. yet, i'm not quite sure just how much of it was a conscious decision and how much of it was circumstancial.

hmm?

anyhoo, maybe it's for the best. :)

i heart my lappie

2010-04-07T15:57:00.002+08:00

was looking back at my last post and i realised just how disorganised i am when it comes to my blog. i literally type what i think of. what happened to proper planning? *throw out of window*

so, my mum has returned all in one piece. she enjoyed her trip, and i think she is planning another trip in a couple more months. looks like it'll be hong kong with my aunt (her sis). hee hee...i overheard them talking on the phone when i was mock-asleep this morning.

so anyway, i wanted to say, i lurve my new lappie. although it's not very small, and it's been reconfigured (which i heard was actually unnecessary, but nvm....), i love it! a new laptop is like starting life all over again, because there is nothing in there. u have to download programmes and software and create new folders, etc.

and i like typing on it. it makes me feel...so...busy. hahaha. the lack of necessity to type has made typing a fun activity for me. isn't that weird?

ANYWAY, the weather is nuts too. one minute it's mad white hot, and the next minute it's grey and gloom. it's no wonder people are getting sick. i have been a little under the weather the last week or so. no big problem. just a little sorey throaty and a little flu-ey. i guess i haven't really made an effort to get better. i will i will.

yes, i really like to type on my lovely lappie. :)

hours before my mum flies off

2010-03-30T00:18:00.002+08:00

my mum is going to bkk for a short trip. yes, amidst all the chaos there. she has balls. like me. hahaha. but worry not, for her god-daughter is thai and lives there, and will take good care of her. anyway, i think it's not THAT chaotic. not for tourists anyway. she may get some good buys out of it since i doubt there would be many tourists at this time.

and so, the sole responsibility of my dog lies with me for the next few days. i know, it's supposed to be my responsibility but i've been spoilt to the point that my mum is the one that wakes up every morning to bring my dog for a walk and feed and wash him. it motivates her cos she thinks she's losing weight by running with him. and i let her think that. :p

yeap, louis, you're stuck with me buddy!

sidetrack a bit.

i keep smelling this burning smell every night around 12 plus 1. i don't know if something is burning, or it's the haze. sometimes it smells like burnt rubber; sometimes like the incense my mum burns at home; sometimes it smells like a cigarette (i suspect one of my neighbours upstairs or downstairs smokes out of the window and hence, into my window. prob downstairs since smoke goes up. argh!).

so yah...it stinks. i feel disgusted and smoked out. yurgh!

alamak. i hear the fire engine!

*cross fingers*

it feels like...

2010-03-28T20:29:00.002+08:00

had pepper crab over the weekend with some friends. and now, it feels like i'm about to get a sore throat.

and last weekend, i had jalan kayu otah - THE BEST OTAH IN THE WORLD!!! the problem was, i had otah for dinner...a bit too many sticks of them. ended up with an uncomfortable tummy the entire night.

so this wraps up another food item that i cannot eat in excess:

1. rice vermicilli (tung hoon)
2. otah

but the otah is really damn shiok lah!

while taking a break from training

2010-03-23T13:23:00.002+08:00

i'm at a training session now for my new "job". it's day 2 of the 5-day programme and i'm having a lunch break now. so while waiting for the afternoon session to start, thought i'd just pop by to...ramble.

so...

it's great that i am only a 15-min walking distance away from home. i get to exercise and to reach work in a consistent time. 15-mins flat. no worries about traffic conditions at all. it doesn't matter. i just need my 2 legs. it's not a daily thing so i will not get tired of it...i think. haha

and i STILL get some free time. yay yay yay!!

alrightey. my post is really boring. aiyo. why like that?

toodles!

Rainy days

2010-03-19T18:23:00.005+08:00

I'm pretty happy that it has been raining recently. I mean, it is TIME, please, dear God! It was getting soooo warm and humid, it was getting on my nerves.

In fact, I wish Singapore was cold and clammy and gloomy. Like London. Wouldn't that be great?!? :p

So today was one of those days again. Rainy. Just like I like it. And my poochie pooch, Louis, loves the weather. He's been lazing all day, enjoying the nice cold wind and even colder floor.

Look!

Cute right? It's the first time I've seen him in this position. And I think he propped the pillows up himself. Awww...

Bring on the rain!!!

MRT Annoyances

2010-03-01T13:47:00.002+08:00

i'm quite irritated with the ppl on the very mrt that i boarded right now. now. this very moment. there is a dork who thinks he is the next best thing in the world when in fact, he is a dork. if i could, i'll tell it to his face how his very presence annoy me. then there is this girl who is holding a deck of cards and ONLY flipping the 7diamonds over and over again. arrgh...so annoying!

Casualty No. 37583021

2010-02-25T15:20:00.002+08:00

Yeah yeah...I got hit by the CNY bug. Flu, sore throat bug, that is.

Spent Mon feeling worse for wear, but sneaked out all the same to meet Shir. It was a good meetup, although I can't say for myself if that was good for my sick self. After I went home, I developed a fever. Gre...at.

Tues was a groggy mess. The fever went off overnight, thanks to some serious self-medication and groaning and moaning in bed. Oh, and a big box of tissue one one side, and a plastic bag on the other side (just in case I puked). Couldn't eat much on Tues, which was perfect since I had no lunch prepared for me. Eventually, I mustered enough strength to cook meself some porridge for lunch. Just plain porridge with pickled veggies. Couldn't stomach anything else. More self-medication ensued.

Wed was much better. Still a little groggy. I think over the 3 days, I slept more than I was awake. At least I've got my appetite back and I could eat and crave for food. Like at night, I craved for chips, and cookies, which is probably NOT good. I settled for an apple instead. Crunch. Finally, something that required use of my teeth. After 2 days of porridge, that was some comfort for me.

Today, I'm up and stronger. Still with a hint of flu and cough but it's nothing really. And I'm gonna have dinner with the Jan Wedding Bunch. heh heh.

I know. I'm such a trouper!

Stock up!

2010-02-17T01:10:00.006+08:00

I realised that in a bid for me to get more people to follow my blog, I need to do a few things:

1. Write more often.

2. Write about anything and everything to endear myself to a wider audience

3. From time to time, write about controversial/provocative/taboo subjects.

Don't worry, there is none from s/n 3 this time. Or should I say, I'm sorry to disappoint, all you gossip-mongers and kaypohs.

I'm gonna talk about boring ol' CNY.

I know everyone talks about the food and the goodies and the angbaos. Personally, I'm not that keen on the food, nor the goodies, and don't even get me started on the angbaos. I mean, the food is good, and I eat, perhaps a little more than usual, but nothing crazy. The goodies...well, I don't like pineapple tarts and I am not a big fan of bak kwa, so not too crazy about those. I'll eat the occasional love letter, nuts and melon seeds and kueh bangkit but that's it. Angbao...*big dramatic sigh* I'm reaching that age where giving an angbao is expected and receiving would invite unanswerable and painful questions.

So, I generally only look forward to a few things. Diplomatically, it would be to see all my relatives and catch up or update each other. Other things would include the mandatory SMALL game sessions: MJ, blackjack, in-between (this year, I forayed into Guitar Hero). But I thinkg the best of the lot is that for this one season in the whole year, my fridge and kitchen cabinets are stockpiled with...*holds breath*...PACKET DRINKS!!!

*slurp packet of lemon tea*

Yup...cartons and cartons of glorious packet drinks. Lemon Tea, Crysanthemum tea, mango juice, green tea, et cetera, et cetera... I love it that I can just reach into the cool-box and get meself a nice, cold, sweet packet of slurping goodness.

Actually, I'm not sure if I'm excited about the packet drinks or the fact that there is a stockpile of them.

I think, perhaps, things that come in large quantities amuse and excite me.

Happy Tiger Year~!

thanks, FB and twitter

2010-02-10T23:32:00.002+08:00

as most would know/notice, i've been rather free. and the result of being rather free is that you tend to FIND for things to occupy time. some of these things, for me at least, is social networking (almost constantly) such as updating my status and random pearls of wisdom on FB and twitter, and surfing for information: news sites, gossip sites, blogs.

and i noticed something.

apparently, thanks to FB, twitter and probably other social networking sites, people DO NOT BLOG ANYMORE!?!?!

and i'm bored.

and now i know how people who are bored and free are constantly looking for others to blog so that they can catch up. even for a mundane read.

so i apologise for the lack of blog postings in the past 2.5 years. i blame it on having a job.

NOW that i do NOT have one, i can blog all the time. in fact, i should blog all the time. Hey look! i blogged twice today already.

AND...

Lo and behold! I even uploaded pictures!! something i am (in)famous for never doing even when i said i would!

wow!

now, i hope to garner enough people to read my blog so that i can make money off it.

*taps fingers and waits*

Singapore Airshow 2010

2010-02-10T17:26:00.004+08:00

This was my 2nd airshow, and the first that I did not work in. But then, there has ONLY been 2 Singapore Airshows. Nevertheless, I was there as a "special" guest. Thanks to the Party people. :p

PHOTOS!!!

Reached just as the aerial display started. Ran to catch them as the aircrafts roooooared past me overhead. From the RSAF, the F16 and Apache!

So, the Apache is like my 2nd favourite aircraft. My favourite is the Chinook aka the Banana-Boat. I've got a weird taste in aircrafts.

I don't remember if this was the American one or the South Korean one. I think it's the American one. Ah well... *yawnz* I was getting quite restless on the ground by then. So, UP i went...

to look down at the crowd below. Look at that! Oh my...

The Party Planners. And me. Yes, up where it's COOLER (and has a better view).

The Charlie's Angels reunite!

Post-"party", Uncle Charlie brought us all to Swensons at T2 for some yummy and some slurpy.

As you can see, while the Chief is still quite energised, the young 'uns are almost knocked out. Experience scores, people!!!

But at least some effort was made to look more lively.

Not so much for Angel No. 2. She had to deal with a party POOper.

Hence, the face.

And this one...i'm not sure what her problem is.

I know! It's just her. >_<

- the end -

post-grammys thoughts

2010-02-05T00:40:00.002+08:00

my favourite of the entire awards season would most definitely be the grammys. it's really a celebration of the best (and most popular) songs of the year, no matter which genre.

and my favourite part of it is the performances! in fact, i love to catch all the performances during ALL the award shows. obviously, when it comes to the grammys, performances don't get any BIGGER.

this year, however, i felt the performances were a little muted. in a good way. okay so muted may not be the best word to use. it's a bit more low-key. but i like it. they were sooo much more impactful, i feel.

my favourites: pink's hanging in the air one was brilliant; loved the earth song performed by MJ, celine dion, usher, jennifer hudson, carrie underwood and smokey robinson (absolutely moving); and last but not least, bridge over troubled waters by mary j blige and andrea bocelli and david foster on piano (WOW!)

i did like a few others too, but i think these 3...absolutely took my breath away.

i can't wait for next year already.

p/s: to backtrack a little, i say, bring ricky gervais back as host for next year's golden globes! he is HILARIOUS!!! love it love it love it!

p/p/s: can't wait for the oscars.

Give yourself a break.

2010-01-11T17:24:00.004+08:00

after the holiday seasons, i have just ONE advice to everyone.

give yourself a break AFTER your overseas holidays.

you know how people often plan their holidays swee swee so that they can squeeze as many days as possible out of as little leave as possible? i think that's just wrong. you end up feeling so lethargic and absolutely moodless for work/school.

and vacations can be really tiring stuff, especially if you try to max out the trip to go to every single place of interest/shopping.

so the way to go is, plan your vacay such that you do 1, or at the max, 2 main things a day. plan smaller stuff that you can do in-between or on an optional basis. and for the shiong stuff, spread it out to have at least 1-2 days apart so that you don't tire yourself out.

and once you come back from the trip, take more than the weekend to recharge. it it NOT enough! give it another day or two, preferably on mon or tues when the mood is usually very blue and everyone is whining.

trust me, you'll feel much more re-charged. =)

Bobbing along to MJ

2009-12-09T15:23:00.002+08:00

I think I'm on a roll these days. I'm coming back to my musical roots.

And it's been MJ.

After watching "This Is It" and seeing what a perfectionist he is, I've been so inspired. I went out right after the movie and bought a 2-disc album that contained his string of hits. And I've been listening to it every other day.

And I've had the luxury of having the songs loaded into my phone so I can listen to it. It's been a real adventure: breaking down the beats, bass, guitar riffs, the strings, and all the other sfx. This man was a GENIUS!

I'm actually contemplating doing some kind of a thesis on the movement and impact of MJ's music on pop. I've been hearing stuff I've never heard before, partly cos I haven't been paying so much attention to detail. Sometimes, I hear little beats or bass lines and think, "Hey...that sounds familiar." Before you know it, you hear an extended version of that beat or bass line, or something that evolved from the original, simpler version on another song much later. The feeling is like... "Wow!"

So I'm definitely intrigued. But if I'm really serious about it, I will need to do A LOT of research on MJ and his music. I will need to boost my musical knowledge and learn all about the history and his roots and how they evolved.

Okay, this may start to sound boring as it becomes a bit more academic rather than fun trivia. I am really excited though. I wonder if this has been done before. It probably has. I don't think I'm the first to be in awe of MJ, neither will I be the last.

Wow.

i wanna sing song.

2009-12-07T17:15:00.003+08:00

i have this habit when it comes to music. songs, in particular.

recently heard these 2 songs: 掉了 and 我不是你想象那么勇敢. and i just felt in my heart that i need to learn how to sing these 2 songs. they sound like something fun to do.

in case you haven't noticed, i have a bit of a sadistic nature.

anyway, so i've been looping these 2 songs on my comp at work today. over and over and over again.

now THIS is my habit. i tend to listen to songs over, and over, and over again if i decide a song is nice enough, difficult enough and challenging enough, and i wanna master it. not learn. MASTER.

this is the process:

the first few times, listen, mostly just the melody.

next few times, start humming to the melody, pick up a few words.

then, think: why don't i just find the lyrics and learn the song properly? so, find lyrics, and for the next few times, sing along.

then, just loop the song a few more time (more like the next few hours) and try to get the melody, phrasing, ad libs, turns, techniques right.

and almost the last few times, but not least, listen to the song carefully. no need to sing it. just listen very carefully. listen for the breathing, the intonations, feel, movement.

i don't think there is a right or wrong way to learn to sing a song properly, but my way oughta come pretty close. i mean, by the time you start to take up the mic and sing the song, u would have at least heard the song 100 times!

i wanna go karaoke so i can practice the 2 songs!!!

Back to the 70s...

2009-12-04T13:53:00.005+08:00

i'm very late (as usual) on the photos-front of things. so just to make it slightly more coherent, i'm gonna post up pics in a chronological order.

first up, was the "Psychedelic 70s". it's our annual year-end party! we all dressed up to the sevens and the girls and i did a little somethin'-somethin'.

started our day with last-min rehearsals at mdc.

memorise lyrics, memorise steps, memorise places...aiyo...

then we headed down to mimolette to watch the people dressed the place up!

and of course, we dressed up too...as witnessed.

and started taking photos..

us girls (the mimolettes) with our sifu jeffrey!!

and...let the show begin...

presenting...

MIKE

and the Mimolettes!

we did a grease medley. there's mike with his orange ass-tight pants and leather jacket.

and us in our super psychedelic look!

(i like my outfit very very much!!!)

capping off with the last song: we go together!

and our final pose!

it was a grand night, a great night. i enjoyed myself loads! it's been a while since i performed, and it looks like it may be a while before i'll be able to do this again.

good times, girls, good times. =)

Fall in Singapore

2009-11-23T14:14:00.002+08:00

I joked about with various people that it's been so cold in Singapore that you can take out your fall season styles and wear them.

Of course, cold is relative, but at 23-28 deg C, this is almost like air-conditioning the whole of Singapore. Plus the rain. It is really not a normal sight...people are wearing boots! (Then again, people were ALREADY wearing boots even when the sun was up and scorching at 30+ deg C.)

I like the weather. Not so much the rain, which I can handle as long as I don't get caught in it. Otherwise, the weather is just fabulous. I would love for it to be just like this all year round. I don't think the people at Bukit Timah will be very happy though, with all their washed out Ferraris, BMWs and Porsches parked at the flooded basement carpark of their high-end condominium.

Duncha feel that the air is just so much cleaner and fresher with the rain coming oh' so often?

It makes one sleepy too...

Very sad, I always blog when I'm feeling sleepy.

And when the boss isn't around.

Teehee...

Enjoy fall, people!

blogging noob

2009-11-19T16:35:00.002+08:00

i still remember my first foray into the blogosphere.

actually, i can't remember much of it except that my first blog was hosted on OpenDiary. i do remember spending hours a day experimenting with html and learning it all online. now of course, it is so much easier to "personalise" your blogs. just a click here and a click there. and if you wanted something more special, you just search for skins and download the html script or something.

my next-cubicle neighbour recently (today) decided to start a blog of her own. her first blog. she isn't new to the blogging scene since she reads tons of fashion blogs and blogshops, but she had not been tempted to the dark side. till today at least. today, she decided to take the first step to world domination...erm...to start a blog.

so after sussing out which platform suits her best, she went ahead and registered her blog. the next few moments, however, were typical of a noob (or maybe it's just her).

she: *whines* how to choose a background? there is supposed to be some to choose from but i cannot choooooose!!!

me: huh? just choose and click on it lah...*walks over*

she: cannot! see...there's supposed to be like 75 to choose from but how to choose? i cannot click on it.

me: (already by her desk) err...*looks at the screen* scroll down...down...

she: see...cannot click!!

me: (still looking) did u log-in?

she: yah...i logged in just now ma.

me: *looks closer* click there...*points to homepage icon of platform; she clicks and it reaches the homepage; i look again*

me: YOU DID NOT LOG-IN LAAAA!!!!

she: (laughs sheepishly) oh yah hor...haha...okok...

me: *pulls hair out* argh...

she: okok, don't stand here la!! and don't write about me on your blog.

me: sure...

ya right.

when is it my turn?

2009-11-16T16:31:00.002+08:00

i always read other people's blogs and feel so inspired by their words. they way they describe something even as mundane as their day, their week, or just something they feel at the moment.

and when i write in my blog, i come up with...crap!

maybe it's the weird conversations i have at work, which is where my sanity is usually tested. for example, we'll have the fashionista beside me asking if she should get a pair of coloured doc marten's boots. why, for crying out loud, would you want a pair of pink doc marten's boots?!?! and then the perpetual-dreamer on the other side will be saying something silly about some guy she can't have. in fact, they are ALL not eligible (maritally and orientationally speaking).

(nevertheless, i would like to disclaim that they do bring some entertainment to an otherwise mundane and rigid work-life.)

so i'm really quite jealous.

why do people give off the warm-fuzzy feeling thru their blog postings but mine doesn't?

mine give off gas.

hrmph.

sleepy times...

2009-11-12T14:15:00.002+08:00

the usual la. post-lunch syndrome.

meet my current 2 best friends: full and sleepy

my 2 colleagues are out enjoying the time of their lives (on course) while i'm stuck in the office battling heavy eyelids amongst other mundane stuff otherwise known as work.

i...want...my...bed.......

i had coke, which is usually my perk-me-up since it makes me hyper, but it's not working......

weather is too nice.

air-con temperature is just nice.

mood in the office is also nice (nobody around, not even the boss[es]).

it's all niceeeeee...

sleepy la.

zzzzzzzzzzz.................

fddl;ooooooooooooooool;;f;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;oloddffffffffffffffjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjddddddddddddd

*falls on keyboard*

a weekend of celebrations

2009-10-27T11:50:00.002+08:00

Tis been a busy week!

At work, we've been cooped up in a conference room, cranking our brains trying to think of good ideas, better ideas, indexes, tables, shapes and sizes...it's been super productive, but also super exhausting.

On the life front, there has been tons of birthdays. i hate it that there are so many october babies. it makes me feel...not very special.

Except for my granny of course. I adore her, and we had a yummylicious dinner on sunday to celebrate her birthday. Went to the ulu-est of ulu places - sembawang bottletree. I've been there once with the cjgals and gang, so I know the food is not too bad, but BOY did we have a spread! We had lobsters, crabs, prawns, fish, squid, sambal kangkong, vege, pig's trotters, noodles and rice. Damn good I tell you!

But the day before, on saturday, was Surin's wedding dinner. I say dinner loosely because it's more like a wedding party! It was the most chilled out wedding ever, and the earliest to start (the minute you arrive, actually)!! I had a good time, though the weather was a tad humid. Better than the rain, I say.

Thinking of all the food is making me quite hungry. Haven't had breakfast this morning coz no time for our usual morning break. In fact, we haven't had a break for a loooong time.

Foooood..!!

Doggy Season

2009-10-15T17:05:00.005+08:00

I'm really not good with a camera. As in, I can take a decent picture, but the main bane of it is uploading it to show the world, or even the decency to send it to those whom you took of. Even after you said you would.

Yeah, I'm one of those annoying people. I take photos and I don't send them, I don't load them, and in recent times, you can forget about developing them.

I'm terrible.

Louis, my pet, my beagle, my baby (although now not baby anymore), and some (my mum) say my son...has proudly turned 2! On 4 Oct. He shares his birthday with my dad. But since I'm not very enthusiastic about celebrating birthdays, I didn't even think much about throwing him a birthday party. I just let it slide. He's a dog for crying out loud. He doesn't even know it's his birthday.

Side note, remember in primary school, where you were taught to refer to pets or animals as "it" rather than "he"? Look how fare we have come. Never discount heartware.

So anyway, I have done the near-impossible and uploaded some photos from my camera to my computer in the office, much to the chagrin of my colleagues (cos i owe them tons of photos). So to make up for my dismissiveness of louis' 2nd birthday...

Behold! Louis Vuitton Lee Lu Yi.

his favourite "dolly-dollies"

he thinks the $2K massage chair is his.

he loves to look out of the window and he does this everyday, for a couple of minutes each time.
as to what he really see or is looking at, i still don't know. so we watch him look...

very intently.

his current fav sleeping position when we're not looking.

but most of all, he craves constant attention.

taking a breather

2009-10-13T14:36:00.002+08:00

the colleagues and i have decided we'll take a short break after lunch to recover from the lunch trip out.

i'm so full. had this seafood crayfish soup that is quite yummy. and i didn't even know it was just around the neighbourhood. my neighbourhood, that is, at the 'end of the world' (according to chriz).

woodlands la...

so anyway, everyone is suffering from some form of post-lunch syndrome. kinda need to shake it off by not doing any work for a while. we've decided to start doing proper work at 2.45pm.

i have trouble opening my eyes. long story...but my point is, i can't open my eyes properly. they're quite heavy, my eyelids. baaah...

oh yes, the colleagues and i have laid down some ground rules so that we can all save money, or rather not spend unwisely. we'll only eat out at most once a week. every fortnight, we'll have a Bring Your Own Food (BYOF) Day. and we put a cap on the amount we can spend on junk food supplies in a month. we even have a fund for it. cool eh?

save money people. it's always good to start saving. i really wished i'd started saving money much earlier. imagine if i had started saving just $100 a month from the time i started teaching tuition...i would have had about $9000 by now!!! woah...

so start saving.

a movie date (finally)

2009-10-08T13:48:00.002+08:00

it's been months, perhaps even a year or more since i stepped into a cinema to catch a movie. so naturally, i was looking forward to and really glad to catch one with the colleagues.

so we watched "cloudy with a chance of meatballs" yesterday. it's the kind of show where you just go in, sit, laugh at times and not have to think so much. it was an alright movie, but it's the company that counts. twas fun.

so there...my first movie in a long time.

after that, i headed home. gave louis a nice long scrub-down.

oh, and louis tore at the pillow mum gave him. it has a hole now, with some missing fluff.

-give up-

a new look

2009-10-06T12:45:00.003+08:00

how d'ya like the new look?

refreshing i think. though the problem with blogger is that if you are html-illiterate like i am, choices are somewhat limited.

well, i just thought the backdrop looks rather nice. gives a peaceful, serene feel to it.

and i ought to update some links and stuff...but aiya, you know how lazy i am. actually lazy with the added chore of having a slow laptop equates to nana-don't-feel-like-doing-anything-to-her-blog.

i'm not at home.

that's why i can do this.

i'm not supposed to say that i am at work because this is definitely NOT how one spends her day at work.

so i'm not saying anything.

except that i like this new look.

on the last week of september

2009-09-28T17:26:00.002+08:00

In another 2 days, we will officially mark the end of September, and also the end of the third-quarter of the year.

3 more months till we bid farewell to 2009.

Actually, I don't care much for last quarter of the year. Well, maybe with the exception of my birthday, Christmas, taking leave/clearing day-offs, and of course year-end bonus.

But it only seemed like yesterday that we celebrated new beginnings and entered the year of 2009 with...well, not much for me. Except that I do remember me saying something about embracing changes or looking forward to changes.

Eh...nothing much has changed for me, which does not mean anything bad. It just is what it is. Nothing has changed.

But it's still good. Cos I'm doing pretty well, methinks. So, I'm rather satisfied that nothing changes.

or perhaps, something has changed, but I haven't got a clue?

Ah...looking forward to October then!

good times

2009-09-24T15:44:00.003+08:00

had a late lunch today with the colleagues. mcdonalds delivery it was, since it was too late for us to get any (good) food from the canteen, not that there's good food to begin with. i had my usual double cheeseburger with no pickles and onions, fries and a coke. when was the last time i had mcdonalds? i think...it was just a week or two ago. but hey! i had kfc delivery just 3 days ago. that was for dinner. that's what happens when you get 2 lazy-bones at home.

so work has been a bit...dull. it's not that there isn't anything to do. on the contrary, there are loads to do. i call this the post-super-busy-super-stress-until-you-eat-drink-sleep-dream-of-work syndrome. i tend to fall into this phase where i really...don't...feel...like...doing...any...work.

the 2 gals beside me and i have been talking (albeit slightly delusionally) about doing our own business(es). it ranges from bubble tea to wedding planners to fruit juices. we'll be directors: R&D director (juicer - finding juice receipes for preventing/treating different ailments), Admin director (cashier) and Operations director (selling the juice). who doesn't wanna be her own boss, right?

good times. good times.

finally...the craziness is (sort of) over

2009-09-07T16:24:00.000+08:00

The last 2 weeks or so have been a bit of a stretch for me. Really busy and hectic. Spend the working hours clearing emails and random stuff that required almost immediate attention. By the time i start doing work that i aimed to do for the day, it's dusk already.

This meant many late nights in the office and very little sleep. But at least it's all done. AOH is done for me. Yay!

And now...i'm on leave to prepare for sis' wedding. Much to do peeps, much to do...

my mobile going kaputt!

2009-08-31T00:44:00.001+08:00

trying to download the pc suite now so i can back up my phone. the contacts especially.

i can't access my contacts now. it blanks out. arghh...

of ALL weeks...WHY THIS WEEK?!?!?!

puh!

looking back in time

2009-08-22T23:02:00.002+08:00

it's funny to read stuff i wrote way back.

i had been packing my room and came across all the old notebooks, organisers and diaries. i always write little notes, long essays or just common everyday observations in them. i still do.

anyway, how things change.

i can imagine how happy, sad, angry, nonchalent, excited, bummed out, etc i must have felt then. reading in retrospective is an eye-opener. i wrote things i really felt and these were harsh words any good friend would say to yourself. and yet, sometimes we don't act out what we already know, even when we know or even if friends tell us straight in the face.

i always tell people these were stupid times for me.

but i definitely wasn't stupid. it was one of those things that happen to you, and you learn not to make them again.

again, the mistakes were stupid. i am not.

i'm glad i stayed in touch with friends...people that truly matter to me, and cut out all toxic relationships. if the friendships didn't do squat for me, then they probably aren't worth retaining. if the people didn't do squat for me, then they aren't worth remembering.

i feel a calm wave of relief knowing where i am now. i am alive, happy, independent, and perhaps more important then ever, genuinely satisfied about myself. it's not a matter of settling for less or even settling. just truly satisifed. yes. life should be like this.

am listening to band music from my band days. oh, i do miss playing the trumpet and getting in the groove of it all. there is really nothing like music. every note, instrument, sound...it's amazing where music can bring you, and much more when you immerse yourself in it. i still have all my cds and musical scores and conductor scored. i would love to return to playing the trumpet again some day...regain those 11 years that i have lost in these times.

till the next time i flip my old writings again~~

money well spent

2009-08-11T19:37:00.002+08:00

loving the fact that i am mobile-ly connected. Can't get over it. Seems like it's been around forever, and i only just got to it. Well, that means just 1 thing... I get to be my own stalkeratti almost anywhere at almost any time of the day.

Went ikea to get some dining chairs since louis happily destroyed ALL our dining chairs. And since he can't beg for money (yet), i have to be his sugar mama. Got some decent chairs plus some foldable ones. Also got me another pillow. Hopefully, that'll help get the back better. And not forgetting louis, i got him new towels. Time to throw his towels that he has artistically formed holes or ripped apart (or just into pieces).

Oh! And i got a new full length mirror too. For just $29!!

So...i got the big bulky stuff to be delivered to my home on thurs.

For the money that i spent, i got my ikea friends card reactivated. Yes...i spent THAT much! But i used my new Amex...aka more miles! Yippee!

Ok. Need to run to loo!

a day in the life of...

2009-08-09T02:01:00.000+08:00

a singing competition judge (and additional musings).

Reach venue. Look for someone to tell me what to do next. Ah! Hair and makeup!

Hair...hot iron...curls...backcomb, teased and sprayed on like how you would spray insecticide to a cockroach. Empathize with cockroach.

Make up. Must remind her not to keep it simple. Luckily i brought my falsies. Big eyes big eyes!

Change clothes. Change to ridiculously high heels. Walk around and be a super kaypoh. Catch up, ask questions, take photos, gossip, eat catered buffet, touch up for ppl, touch up for self.

Time to go in. Watched opening dance at the sides. Run to other side. Get introduced. Take seat.

To cut story short...

Whole bunch of singing and dancing. Pause for 1st round of consolidation of results. 2nd round of singing. Pause for final consolidation of results. Come to consensus on special prizes winners.

Results out. Go up stage to get token of appreciation. Get down. Get up on stage to give away 18 consolation prizes. Get down. Get up on stage for final thanks and photo. Get down.

End of event. Grab stuff and go off. Back and right leg acts up.

Saw cockroach at the void deck. All empathy lost.

Reach home. Greet dog. Remove make up. Bathe and change. Wait for hair to dry. Lie in bed with damp hair. Twitter, fb and blog using phone. Coughs. Backache returns cos of wrong lying posture. Ouch.

mobile blogging

2009-08-08T00:07:00.002+08:00

ever since i found out that i could do wonders with my phone i.e. Tweet and fb and emails...i decided to try and see if i can blog too.

Well...it seems i can!

I see...

simple pleasures and joys of life

2009-07-27T13:04:00.003+08:00

i wanna list down the simple things that makes me happy, gives me joy, just cause i think i have been such a happy "little" girl (despite my bad back and sore throat, but hold that thought).

i love it when i crave to have an old chang kee curry puff, and i buy it and eat it up! yummy yummy yummy. =p

coming back to a loving, playful (and sometimes naughty) (not-so)little dog. i like it when he just plop himself beside me on the floor and asks me to sayang him.

going to church and laughing till it hurts (it really does).

scribbling into my notebook about the quirks of life...or just to complain to myself...or about random strange people i see on the mrt/bus/coffee places.

pills. can't explain it, but i like to pop pills (which the doc prescribes). i guess i don't fall sick that often, so it's a bit of a fascination and excitement in eating medicine.

knowing now that every dollar i spent converts to a mile. yippee! free travels!

banana. i like banana. esp after a late breakfast and it's too early for lunch. a banana fixes the hungry tummy.

new sheets. i hate changing them, but i love crawling into new sheets. it smells fresh.

------------------------------------

louis is getting too heavy. i hurt my back while carrying him and bending forward to put him down. it's been a week. went to the doc and got my xray done. we'll see what the doc says. i hope it's nothing serious. argh!

my soon-to-be divine dress

2009-07-16T10:31:00.003+08:00

so my sister's wedding is happening in sept. she has ordered us to get a white dress for the morning session (aka "jie-mei wear") and a gown/nice dress for the dinner reception.

the white isn't a problem because i bought one for KT's church wedding last year. still can wear it. no problemo. (fyi to future brides: besides white, i have light blue, green and black)

the evening dress is a little tricky. tricky in the sense that: one, i don't have an evening dress/gown; two, i can't seem to find something i like off the shelves/hangers; and three, even if i find something, they either don't have my size or are waaaay too expensive.

so i decided to tailor my dress. mum and i headed down to people's park on tue evening to source for a nice cloth. i picked out a beautiful bright canary yellow satin with a single huge floral design. i always pick out cloth that are not-so-easy to tailor. anyway, after browsing through countless magazines and design books, nobody got it down to what i really wanted. didn't help that i couldn't draw out what i had in mind, or even articulate it.

in comes the damsel that would save the distressed. she is the daughter of my mum's seamstress..and she got down every detail of what i wanted in a dress...in less than 5 mins! and she sketched it out with such ease!! my god! i can't wait for the first fitting now. it will be absolutely divine!!!

so yay. i'm happy i got that (sort of) out of the way. now i just need to hand my sis the list of songs so that: one, i can get the music; and two, i can practice.

and like the true "diva" that i am, there will be an outfit change on the wedding night. heh heh

kaypoh kaypoh nana

2009-07-14T15:24:00.002+08:00

coz at work right?

bosses all not around right?

so got time to be kaypoh...right???

RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT!

heh heh...i just found out something super duper unfortunate. unfortunate to the unfortunate fella la. luckily, i'm not the unfortunate fella. no, it's not luck. must be God-sent.

hee hee hee...hoo hoo hoo...

ooh...i can't wait. can't wait can't wait can't wait!

*chuckle*

my MJ story

2009-07-08T14:52:00.003+08:00

i do realise that it may seem odd that i only mention this nearly 2 weeks after his passing, but i had not wanted to be part of the bandwagon.

i stayed up last night to watch the memorial. i cried my eyes out, so i had a pair of puffy eyes this morning. (and the worse part is, i had to do a routine medical check-up with them puffy eyes) watched it two times more this afternoon, and got absolutely choked up both times. it's heart-wrenching, heart-breaking.

so i decided to do my own little tribute to the man, who had been and will always be an inspiration and my hero...by telling my MJ story. it doesn't matter if nobody ever reads this, but i just wanted to write it down so i will never forget this great human being.

my MJ story:

i can't remember when it was that i first heard MJ or knew who he was. my guess...it was probably my dad whom i probably inherited the love for music from. he used to blast songs (pop and rock songs, mind you) through the radio in his car, and jerked the car according to the beats. i guess that's why my sisters and i were always quite in-tuned to music (and could feel the beats).

i don't remember which came first, but i know i had MJ's 'Dangerous' LD, which my dad bought. i would watch the LD over and over again. it had all the music videos of the songs in his albums, and even the "making" of the videos. i was mesmerised. i also had his moonwalk video tape. i think that belonged to my aunt, and i would sneak a peek or watch it whenever she wasn't at home (i wan't allowed to touch the tapes). that was probably my first touchpoint with MJ. and like the rest of the world, i was mesmerised...absolutely hooked onto MJ.

so when i heard he was coming to singapore for a concert, i begged my parents to let me go. we weren't that well-to-do, but my mum got me 1 ticket...the cheapest at $60...to watch with her friend. yeap, her friend would be my nanny for the concert. i was ecstatic! i couldn't believe my eyes, my ears...woah...i was gonna see michael jackson! my parents got me all ready for the concert...they found me binoculars, and i chose the clothes that i was gonna wear to his concert. it was a mickey mouse pants and a top that my mum got in japan. i thought, this is it...i'm gonna wear my best, brightest clothes to see my idol, my hero!

i was a few months short of my 11th birthday.

and then, about a week before the concert, i got chicken pox.

i think i felt an aching pain in my heart when the doctor told me that it was indeed chicken pox. i couldn't believe it...i didn't have a fever, and the little spots didn't feel itchy at all. it couldn't be chicken pox. and i had a concert to go to!!!

but the doctor and my granny and parents knew. i insisted on going. i told them the spots weren't itchy, and i didn't feel unwell. and soon, it would go away. i told them that i'll be careful and i would wear a long sleeved T-shirt and long pants and wrap myself up so i didn't spread the pox. my parents did not relent (my mum's a nurse la...cannot bluff).

i was devastated.

my one and only chance to see MJ in person. i had everything prepared. but i couldn't be there.

i must have bawled a lot that few days. and when he was in singapore, all i could do was read about him in the papers, watch him on tv, and wished that the stupid chicken pox didn't come so soon. i think i must have been the most angst-filled 11-year old that few days.

when i finally recovered from chicken pox, MJ had left singapore.

as a consolation, my dad bought me to the pasar malam downstairs. at one of the stalls, i saw an MJ video tape. it was MJ's concert in bucharest. it was $20. i held on to it so tightly...and my dad must have seen the look on my face, coz he bought it for me. we went home and watched the tape. i think i watched that same tape a few more times just that week.

even when we moved to bishan, i brought that tape with me. it was in my "safe" (a part of my study table with a lock) for a very long time. eventually, i had to throw the tape away as it had gone all mouldy...but i did it with much reluctance.

and so...that's my MJ story.

we'll miss you.

a surreal day alone

2009-07-06T22:27:00.002+08:00

it's such a wierd day. wierd in a pretty good way.

i took the day off. my sis and mum flew off to bangkok this morning, together with my aunt, masks of different kinds in tow.

so my dad was out all day, working i suppose.

me? i had a very productive day.

i woke up a little later than usual. checked my mails (yes, work ones too), did some research and crucial info-gathering. then i went to causeway point to repair the heels of 5 pairs of shoes...long overdued. i can only get them back tomorrow coz the shop was so packed with shoes. funny, i've never seen SOOO many pairs of shoes sitting around the shop, just waiting to be repaired. i guess people are buying less shoes and repairing the old ones. well, i chucked out about 4-5 pairs as well. seriously CMI already.

got honey green tea, then went to cold storage for some junk food, which i am eating now, and standby dinner. next, i headed to the food court to get some roast duck rice for lunch. took a little trip into the computer shop to get a 7-port usb hub (in white!!!) before heading back. all happy.

had lunch. took my dog for a walk around the park and blocks. gave him a bath. watched some tv while he played by himself...and eventually fell asleep. him, not me.

so now, i'm back on the computer, thinking if this is what IT must feel like.

i'm training for bigger and better things in life!

so clever...

2009-07-03T11:29:00.002+08:00

ok...trying to look busy for the next half an hour or so, before my "official" work day ends. heh heh. it's cohesion again and this time, we'll be celebrating the birthday of angel no. 3 - rachael.

i am angel no. 1. :)

so after yummylicious lunch, we'll be heading for a long-overdued karaoke session. on the cards are a tribute to MJ, amongst some oldies that my boss wants, and of course, the birthday girl gets to hog the mic.

hrmph.

doesn't matter. my main goal now is to look busy enough. blogging always works. coz i look so deep in thought and typing away so furiously, people tend to believe that i'm working very very hard.

yeah, i'm working very very hard on my blog la!

on a brighter note, pay day is coming! pheeweet~! exactly 1 week from today, my bank account will see the monthly surge!! BUT, i'm not spending more. in fact, i'm saving more, spending the same amount (or less i suspect), and the rest goes to paying all my bills.

me. good. girl.

clever girl...

*pats back*

romantic songs...???

2009-06-21T00:05:00.002+08:00

i have been spending the last hour searching for some good ideas of songs to sing at my sister's wedding.

biangz...doing a search came up to nothing much. just lists of cheesy english and chinese songs...and some are duets.

ok, i took a few which i think i can jazz up a bit to make it less cheesy. but the rest are really just...ahem...terok lah.

chinese pop songs even worse. cheesy, ah-pek and mostly duets. so i did the next best thing, which was to search under individual artistes and see if they have any songs with lyrics that can "almost" pass off as a wedding songs.

not difficult, right?

WRONG...i realised chinese singers tend to be just hopeless in love or always breaking up. either that or songwriters are miserable. because 98% of the songs (that aren't duets) either talks about love lost or breaking up or having broke up or being alone and miserable and still thinking about him/her.

i managed 11 songs in all. puh! i know she only needs to choose a couple of songs BUT...i'm not very satisfied with my list of songs...maybe just 1 or 2 can about make it.

any ideas anyone??? chinese, english also can.

The List

2009-06-14T00:07:00.002+08:00

i used to list down random thoughts whenever i felt like blogging but didn't really have a coherent theme.

ok, so most of my posts are not coherent anyway, but whatever. i'm gonna do a list.

It's Nana's List (again)!

the pound seems to be rising...please don't. just stay where you are or go lower! dear sing dollar...please be strong for me.
i quite enjoy slacking off on my weekends. sleep, eat, nap, watch tv, nap, eat, sleep, go to church, eat, nap, watch tv, eat, watch tv, sleep...that's about how it goes over the weekends...chronologically.
i really don't go drinking/clubbing/chilling anymore (see no. 2). in fact, i hardly drink at all.
trying to clear my credit card debts...2 cards down, 3 more to go. shall cancel 2 of them soon. too many to track. don't like building mountains of debts. not that kind of person.
slept too much today (see no. 2 again), so don't really feel sleepy now.
sarpino's pepperoni classic pizza is really nice! i finished 4 slices of the regular size. if i had been more active the entire day, or not ate so much crap, maybe i could have finished the whole thing!
really need to control my food intake. drinking way too much gassy drinks and eating crap. the tummy is showing itself!!! argh!!!
what should i wear tomorrow? there's church, then there's MS anniversary...hmm...
ah! ice wine! great...
i wan the hp dv2!!! anyone wants a HP mini-note? 1-year-old, good condition (because i'm the owner), comes with a nice red bag that doubles up as a clutch, and kung-fu panda stickers to cover the screen (have not done that to it yet)...asking price is a cool $600. heck, i'll even throw in a thumb-drive for the fun of it! i'm serious.

okay...continuing with the rest of my weekend (see no. 2 one last time)...sleep.

看开一点

2009-06-10T00:21:00.002+08:00

最近一直和一些好久没见的朋友/人会合，其实还蛮开心的。

可是。。。

就偏偏“来”了一两个。。。也不知道怎么说。。。给了我一些比较negative的vibe。

我是觉得，有时嘛。。。凡事还是要看开一点。反正事情已经过了那么久，而且现在everything worked out for everyone了。所以，也不需要耿耿于怀。

尤其是在事业上，（虽然自己是女的）有时还是会觉得女人对事对人，总是感情用事。work is work. 可能以前刚开始当上班族时，已经上了宝贵的一课（最糟糕的事与人都遇过了），所以现在才会看得那么开！哈哈

anyway, in this particular case, 我觉得是这个人的思想和人生观也有点偏差啦。可能要等到这个人开窍吧。几时才会开窍呢？这个就由不得我了。

it's just quite infuriating sometimes. was just discussing with some friends a few days back about the difference between children and adults. children are much less self-conscious than adults. this consciousness...i think...is what makes people more stubborn, more self-centred, more unwilling to look at yourself and more inclined to blame others as people grow older.

sometimes, i wonder how long it takes before one gets it.

嗨...不管了啦.

It WILL happen!

2009-06-04T23:48:00.002+08:00

recently, i've been walking by faith...a lot more than usual.

Anyway, I've done the deed...shall just wait for it to happen. Amen!

I want it so bad!! So if I want it, and I ask for it, I will get it. There! I said it! I'LL GET IT!!!

Anyway, much has happened since I last updated coherently. Well, a lot, besides the promotion, which IS A BIG DEAL. For one, I have officially kicked my younger sis out of her room and claimed it as my own.

(She has her own HOME now la...)

So my mum efficiently removed whatever is left that belongs to her, and transferred about 80% of my things to the-room-formerly-not-mine-but-is-now-known-to-be-mine. Well, she tried to do it as logically as possible, but in actual fact, my things are kinda all over the place. I mean, the shoes are at the same place, the bags are in the same area, the clothes are in the wardrobe and all...but it's not organised, if you know what i mean.

argh...i can't be bothered for now. i'm quite pleased with how neat and clean everything looks now (coz things that aren't sorted out are simply dumped in 1 of the drawers or cupboards...out of sight, out of mind). it's so nice...

oh, and i took over the queen-size bed while my mum took over the 2 twin-beds. heh heh...coz i'm a brat and i refuse to take 2 beds (i offered to take in 1!!!), but there isn't anywhere to store the extra bed and my mum didn't wanna throw it out or sell it. so she gave me the master bed. and she gave quite a funny reasoning for it.

so yes! i get the nice big bed. all for myself! it took a bit of getting used to coz i don't usually roll around (or move much...or at all sometimes) when i sleep. but i'm coming into it and i really enjoy it.

another thing, i don't have a TV in my room. i think i've decided that i will not make the mistake of putting a TV in my room. first, i alienate my family (as if having my own room now is not anti-social enough). second, it keeps me awake when i actually thought it will make me sleepy. three, it brings an active energy into the room instead of a restful, peaceful one.

so no tv is good. i don't believe i said it, but i said it. NO TV IS GOOD. it makes me feel sleepy the minute i lie on the bed. and i'm sleeping earlier too! great!

*yawn* the bed calls out to me...come and lie in my comforting, warm, BIG embrace~~~

good night!

yippee!

2009-05-26T10:58:00.002+08:00

you know you've sold your time to your job when you become so busy you don't have time for anything else.

family, friends, gatherings, movies, drinking, dog...

but each time that pay slip, bonus, increment comes along, you just let it slide.

and so i let it slide...heh heh heh

well

i got caught totally by surprise today...i got promoted!!

i'm very blessed. =)

back from the land of the big ben

2009-05-03T00:26:00.002+08:00

i'm back from london!!

ooh and although it was partly for work, it was a wonderful experience. i had such a good time there that i would love to go back in a heart beat.

but first, i'll need to clear my credit card bills that definitely will be piling up...

the negative things a little later...

i managed to go to madame tussaud's, harrods, this wonderful cheap shopping place called primark, the yummiest roasted duck rice at a place called gold mine at bayswaters, had a little roadtrip down to the english countryside, and shopped shopped shopped...

i bought 2 longchamps for my mum and sis.

got my dad 2 man utd away jerseys and one england tee for my sis.

got some kitchen stuff for my other sis...from primark and harrods.

i found the card holder that i've been searching high and low for...nice, classic, black...prada...

i bought my first pair of ferragamo classic black pumps.

and...i bought another miu miu bag...

-smiles-

heh heh heh...

i am VERY happy...=)

rub eyes

2009-04-03T18:20:00.003+08:00

so tired.

this week has been soooo tiring.

work is neverending. it's not piling up...it's just neverending. bleah~

and i thought since i had to go for a meeting at 2pm today, i could come home early and rest. but nooo...i'm reached home at 5.30pm and i have been checking my emails. bleah bleah~

my last movie was madagascar 2. what the...

my next movie will be on the plane. heh heh

i haven't started packing for london yet. usually, i start planning and packing 1 month in advanced. i have about 3 weeks to go. oh crap...

NO TIME!!! bz bz bz bz bz bz bz bz bz...

Verses to share

2009-03-19T09:04:00.002+08:00

Luke 6:27-31

27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those
who mistreat you.
29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn
to him the other also. If someone takes your
clock, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if
anyone takes what belongs to you, do not
demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven."

Luke 6:40
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."

Luke 6:45
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

All from Luke, cause that's where I have been reading and that's where I stopped. heh heh