Utterly Disappointed

I am utterly disappointed in human beings time and time again. I just received a call this morning while typing away at work, thinking if I should pick up the call but the name that appears seems familiar hence after some hesitation, I answered. The reason why I picked up the call was also due to a recent discussion with Baby, about friends who whom received invite cards but don’t turn up on wedding banquet. To prove my theory right, I answered this call from this long time no contact friend.


And so I answered. And his opening line is “no lah, call you up cause long time no contact mah, so thought of doing some catching up with you. so how’s life? Still working n XXX?” I briefly answered and asked what he is doing now (although, I sort of have a hunch of his occupation). I am with AIA. Bingo, if only I could predict the recent 4D lottery numbers so accurately too.

And knowing his intention, I quickly updated him that I have recently done a review and I have myself covered thoroughly already. And he went “AIYAH! I SHOULD HAVE CALLED YOU EARLIER!!!!!” (Repeated a few times) Exposing his intention nakedly over the phone. So it’s not so much as to catch up with me (and who knows, to the rest of the friends he has in his long list of contacts).

And knowing that he will not be able to meet his objective by this call, he went on to talk about my life, getting married, buying house etc, and briefly updated me about other ex SIM course mates. Then he invited me and my beau to his new home at Duxton. Then he went “Ah! YOU BOUGHT A HOUSE TOO RIGHT? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MORTGAGE INSURANCE?” I nearly slam down the phone but decided to stay cool and say it will be too early to decide now since the flat (which I have already mentioned) will be ready only in 5 years time. And he went “Some couples bought the mortgage insurance way before the house is ready!” and I replied “huh?...ok” and rolled my eye which he didn’t get to see.

Then after some dilly dally, trying to sound nice to me that he is glad to hear that I am doing well now (what’s so well when things are still the same?!), we finally hang up the phone with me making some courtesy remarks to compliment him (I learnt this from the Caucasians) that he very wu sim to call us and make effort to keep in contact with us after so long. Then he sheepishingly laughed and say “No lah, we all friends, and friendships meant to keep mah”. Then I thought to myself “Yah right….after say 1.5 or 2 years later?” and rolled my eyes again.

This is a typical classical example of 无事不登三宝殿

And perhaps he just striked me off from his long list of telemarketing list and moved on to catch up with another friend.

Disgusted!!

Are we grown ups? Really?

“I have to defend for my country because you have splashed a drop of sea water, a 0.001mm into my boundary!”

And that’s enough as an excuse to show that the new ruler, though his age somewhat too young to convince the world of his capability, nevertheless, has shown to the world his haughtiness and a cut above the rest, by dropping shells at his intruders.

There are more than meet the eye for this though seems too sudden and abruptly but it might have been in their agenda (“their” refers to the advisors behind the scene) as a grand opening to show to the world, not to belittle or intimidate their new successor. Or it might have been a willful egoistic move bestowed from the young ruler and carried out by his fellow
senior citizens, followers.

And innocent lives that have not caused that drop of sea water to fall are going to be lost, like the sacrificing sheep slaughtered in a mass massacre. Imagine the old guards who were so close to spend their last few years in blissful family harmony, might have to die without
a complete body and they are so close to having a peaceful death. Imagine those who just underwent the worst financial crisis and lost all their money, lost their job, loved ones, or became paralysed, and now, have to run for their lives….

And we are adults, supposedly to act like one and be matured. But look at how we deal with issues like this? Doesnt it feel like childhood once again? Running around the muddy field, throwing stones at each other and started killing each other, using tweaks to be rifles, only
to suffer losses at the end of the day, and slowly down the recovery process, dragging
the whole world down.

And we are grown ups, supposedly? And what so great about winning if its won by violence and not wits?

A lesson learnt - never feed your plant with ...

I thought I shouldnt have waste the unfinished purified water (which was still "New") and fed it to my air plant, which requires about 1 -3 hrs of soak in water that will be enough to last for a week.

To my horror! The roots rotted few weeks later.......... :(

When the rooty are still fat and healthy...

Now it has dried up I dun know why.... :(

A runner in need

It is just another day. The GE Women’s Run. I still remember that I registered my first 5k attempt and running it alone last year. I still remember that feeling of “empty handed-ness” after completing the race because medal is only for the 10K runners. It was then that I decided that I must at least once, get the 10k medal for the GE Women. Call me a strong-headed person or typical kiah-su-ist. I don’t care.

And so Baby registered me for the GE Women's Run this year. I thought I would have all the trainings to prepare for the run (even bought a tee for this event) but was down with the cough for almost 3 weeks now. I thought of giving up and not attend the event but felt heart pain for the paid registration fee. How can I not go?

“I will need about 1.5hrs” I said to Baby. Knowing that I won’t be expecting too much over the timing, it was quite a relaxing run for me. Without the thought of beating my past records , I could just simply enjoy running with the rest of the runners. Enjoying the sky and views and the frequent strong wind. The weather was great and the smell around me was not as bad as the Safra Bay Run (because it’s all women around me!).

And there I was enjoy running on the car-less route until I saw a lady runner stopping and sat down by the side of the road. A runner stopped and asked if she is ok, before I decided to pause and do so too. Then the runner ran off continue her run after seeing me “taking over”. No one else stop for this lady runner. I asked how is she feeling, and she replied “no good”. “Do you want to continue with the race?” I asked, and she said no. “Do you want any help?” I continued asking, and she said yes.

Looking around the long expressway, with only runners and no helpers in sight, I ran ahead to the nearest road marshal and got her attention. Then I thought since help is along the way to the lady runner, I continued with my race with some guilt of ditching someone in need behind and then I made a U-turn back to the “damsel in distress”.

When I ran back and saw her, still, no one lend a helping hand, everyone just looked on and ran off. I assured her that help is on the way and told her to remove her arm band to make herself more comfortable. The road marshal finally came and accompanied the lady and this time, I could heave a sigh of relief and released the guilt in me, continuing the race. Around 700m later, I saw the water point and I know the “rescue” team should be somewhere around. I told them to take a look and glad they did.

More relieved now and walking and jogging to complete the race. Dont' know why my leg muscles were so stiff and this is the first running race that I have to stop at the side to stretch a couple of times and nearly suffer a leg cramp even though I was just jogging. Then while I reached the opposite route, I happen to spot that same runner (who sent out the "distress call" earlier) struggling to continue with the race. Let hope she complete her race!

I am glad to make it after all and got my medal!!! Even more than glad because I helped a fellow runner in need.


Running a Race for us women! It's not just for me!

My medal!



Hope more to come.........



Words

The human relation is such a mysterious thing where communication, although is the bridge to understanding, but also brought destructive between human to human.
Have you ever experienced wanting to saying something from the heart but the things that comes out from your mouth, are what being processed by the mind? Many times, you wish to say A but came out Z.
Many times, the mouth wish to represent the heart, but some how, some words refuse to come out.
Some times, the mouth could not coordinate with the mind and what comes out are what others hear as nonsense (things that dont make sense).
At times, the heart was so overwhelmed with too much emotions that ran too fast before the mind could process and what came out from our mouth became rambling words.
And all the words that came out are not just words but they will either bring two closer or drift further. And thats when human relations get tested.
And why is it so hard to be truthful and face your ownself and say what you should say, but always say the opposite?
Pride? Ego? Consequences? Embarrassment?
And all these are rule by the mind.
And as long as the mind takes over, nothing comes from the heart, thus these words that came out, are not for the two who are in love, where both are bind together by the hearts.

Being sick

Its my third visit to the clinic. The cough persisted to haunt me. My voice is a little coarse and I feel there is no way I could scream no matter how I wish that I could.

Another bag of medication and this time, finally some antibiotics and something for the lungs. The medication were so strong that the moment I took them, I could feel it taking effect after 30mins. Hands and feets were cold and body turned soft and slump that I could only crawl back to the bedroom and rest till I sleep. So strong that I felt my breathing weak.

But being sick drew my attention away and helps me to be brainless so that I need not think at all.

And it feels like a thousand ants crawling in the throat

The G.D. cough is still pestering me like a thousand ants crawling in the inner throat. It has been one week and still no slight improvement at all. Either the cough syrup is not good enough or I really should avoid eating chicken? But as always, it never fails to make me feel drowsy and weak after taking it. Maybe that’s what it’s meant to be. To make the person sleep and hopefully, forgetting to cough.


I have been kept awaken in the middle of the night by the itch in the throat for the past few days till teary eye, choking to inhale some air.

And I wonder if I would be in good shape for the GE women run this Sunday. No way! I must go! Even if it means to die at the finishing point. I still want to earn that medal. To die in glory is better to die not trying hard enough.

Hmm...

Frida Kahlo and me

Was reading the biography about Frida Kahlo(the lad with moustache) online when I see some similarity in her and me and perhaps those who likes surreal paintings. 

To quote from the http://www.exploringabroad.com/art/kahlo.htm,

"She was a surrealist artist who expressed her feelings and thoughts through her paintings."....

"........Besides her incredible talent to paint surrealist thoughts and emotions on canvas, she also was an artist in her mind and body............ She walked through life happily, with a smile plastered on her face. She appeared full of spirit. However, she often covered her real feelings deep within herself, only letting people see the imaginary Frida"

".......Frida kept it all bottled up in her, eventually expressing it out on her canvas."

And how I wish I could paint all the surreal paintings but I know I cant cause I need to paint things that could sell. Therefore there will be limited pieces of surreal or maybe horrific paintings I could paint, bearing in mind, not to scare my folks when they see them. 

But I did try once! A painting I called it the "Hidden Skull". The painting suppose to describe the cold hard soul behind every beautiful faces, humans I see everyday. And how I wish to tear off that beautiful flesh to expose their true nature hidden behind, which I believe, and still believe, that every one of us are not what we are as seen by many others, and our true nature, is always hidden behind that face of ours. 

Hidden Skull: Sorry, pictures not well taken :( 

(Hand suppose to tear off the canvas from the board to expose the hidden skull behind)

(A closer look, wonder if you can tell the fore and background of the face and the skull behind, which I thought, should be more exposed)

(The wooden frame after the canvas was torn. Does it look like it?)

The eccentric world. We, living for others' empires

Beautifully written, I must say, those that I wrote in the past, so eccentric and full of pain and anger. Reading back those angry words, I realized how insane I could be. But insanity drives creativity isn’t it? When a person is in his/her sane mind, everything said and done is so rightfully and reasonably and politically correct. And every single day, we have to live the day like that. Talk sane in an insanity world so that others could understand us.


Many of us are always busy. Busy with other’s life and achievements, and forgotten to built on ours. We work for others and to make their business flourish, sometimes even at the expense of straining our own relationships with family members and friends, and health.


That day, after revisiting the clinic again for my bad cough, I went to buy my lunch at this Malay stall. While waiting for my mee soto to be prepared, I saw a little girl in school uniform standing next to me and talking to one of the hawkers. I looked at the 4 hawkers working diligently and efficiently in the stall. Although is it not a big stall, but each has a role to play. And it seems to be a family business. One was packing rice for the customer before me, another is cooking and preparing my mee soto, another was arranging the food on the trays, and the last one is busy cooking to refill the dishes. All of them were fully focus on their role, occasionally chatting among themselves and with the little girl in school uniform.


Then I looked on with envy. Envy that this group of people standing before me could spend their time working yet at the same time bonding with their family members, living each day for themselves and not for others.


Grabbing my mee soto, walking through the hazy streets which aggravated my itchy throat, bearing in mind the scene at the malay stall. What a torture.

All well, ends well

The Butler Dinner was a great experience despite the bad service we encountered, which was resolved the very next day when another staff called us back and confirmed our dinner. We had a little shopping a around at orchard, before heading to the Flyer to report.

It was a GREAT feeling to have an exclusive waiting area for us, express boarding by skipping the queue (how I hate queuing yet in this country, you just have to queue for anything, everything.) while seeing the rest in the queue looking at us with some question marks on their face.

We took quite a few wonderful pictures along the way and was amazed with the evening effect on the ferris wheel.....

There were 5 couples including us in one capsule. Everyone started wiping out their cam or phone cam once it started rotating. One round = 30 mins, and in the first round, a glass of fresh summer berries in ginger ale was served together with the starter of greenland pink prawn salad.

   

The main course was served during the second round. Baby had the pan seared lamb ribs and I had the baked canadian cod fish.

The butler was helpful enough offer his help in taking pictures for every table. It was a wonderful feeling to be so far away from the crowded land. But the moment ended too quickly after the second round. Then we were lead back to the VIP Lounge to have our dessert....

If you ask me whether I will ride on the wheel again, the answer would....definitely be a YES! Perhaps with all our family members the next time... :)

A long awaited occassion....... :)

Ta lah!

Another happy event is coming up! My gal friend of 22 years is getting married!!! It was like a blick of an eye...I still remember the time when she approached me when I just joined the new class after changing my school from Ghim Moh Pri to Xingnan Pri. The happy school days we spent together, not forgeting, even our childhood days. I remembered waving at her through the windows opp hers while we were on the phone. I remember the days, when I went down to collect the beautiful bouquet of roses she shared with me, which were given by her relatives from malaysia..

And she is, a beautiful grown up, busy with work, cleaning up her new house, and now, preparing for her wedding.....

No amount of words could be use to describe the beautiful friendship we share, and how amazing it will be, if we could even see each other grow old together..........


And these are what I have prepared for her! More will be uploaded after her wedding!!


The Groom's and Groom's men flower pins







The bridemaids' wrist flowers



Singapore Fly- er......................

One of the most iconic tourist attractions has got to be Singapore Flyer. Besides being in the lime light for being one of the giant observation wheels in the world, it was also in the centre of attention when news reported about the power failure that had happened, not only once.


I was still dwelling on the fact it must be a frightening experience to risk one’s safety, and at the same time, to cope with own disappointment after feeling “high” with excitement to be 165m above the ground, but left “dry” after being trapped in a capsule in the middle of the air.

Despite reading some bad (of cause, there were positive ones too) reviews, we thought, it’s still worth giving a try since it is set to be one of Asia’s biggest tourist attractions.

On 28 September 2010, we made a booking to experience the world’s first full butler service dining in the sky. Payment was made and an email confirmation was sent to us.

On 02 October, an email, informing we will not be able to attend the dinner and would like to postpone it to a later date. In the email, confirmation number, contact number and an indication that a copy of the email reply should be cc-ed to my personal email address were instructed. But an email reply was directed to the office email account, nothing was cced to the personal one.

On 08 October, upon checking online that there are available slots for the 09 October evening, we called up the Singapore Flyer at xxx, enquiring if the dinner could be schedule to 09 Oct.

The staff, whom we spoke to Mr Uncourteous cum Rigid, insisted that a copy of the email confirmation indicating that the postponement has been accepted should be forwarded to him before he could do anything.

We explained that we are not in office (and office email is not web based due to security reasons) and by the time we go back to office (which will be the day after), the available slots would have all been taken up. We offer to provide the name and confirmation number but was repeatedly turned down. I suggested if they could retrieve the email from their sent item, but was told impossible.

We requested to speak to someone whom could make decision, but was told, “no one is around now, call back tomorrow”. It was only after some firm request and insistence for a manager’s name and contact number. This time, Mr Uncourteous cum Rigid spoke raised his voice and spoke in a challenging tone (which I have to remind him that he need not raise his voice as I can hear him clearly on the phone), eventually gave me a name and contact number of a staff, from …… the call centre.

Despite the unhappy communication and bad service (or no service at all) provided, I called YYY and spoke to Ms Empathy and shared with her my unpleasant encounter and turn to her for help. Ms Empathy was very patience and understanding, putting herself in her customer’s shoe, and tried to retrieve the email with the help from another IT staff. As we could not remember what the sent email address was, Ms Empathy was not able to help me retrieve the email from their system and apologised. Because of her sincerity and going through the extra mile to help me, I was touched and accepted her suggestion to re-schedule my dinner.

It was like a ride from “hell” then to “heaven”, after experiencing two totally different attitudes.

I have several points which I hope the Singapore Flyer could assist in giving me some favourable replies.

1) Why should I be put in a difficult position when instruction has already been given, to cc a reply email to my personal email address (knowing that it will not be easy to check emails anytime from the office email account), but that was not done by the staff, and it becomes a trouble, having to return back to the office to retrieve the email, it was insisted that it must be done so. Imagine if the customer is a foreigner, do you expect him or her to return back to her country, retrieve the email from his/her office, then travel back to Singapore and show it to Singapore Flyer before arrangement could be done?

2) Despite providing my confirmation code, no one could retrieve the record and do a re-scheduling? If the confirmation code could not be used to retrieve records, and verification can only be done via email evidence, what is the point of a confirmation code?

3) Was turning down customers without even trying to help, the right frame of mind-set from the front line staff, especially in one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Singapore?

4) Why am I liable to pay another 300 plus if I insist to get it changed without the agreement email of the postponement when Singapore Flyer could not retrieve the email from their own system as well? And customers who has paid in full, are responsible in full too?

This is a feedback on my encounter with Singapore Flyer. It seemed to be working towards a first class attraction but it’s a shame that it have left a third class impression. I can’t even convince myself to introduce my foreign friends.

The Safra Bay Run

I just don’t feel like going, the day before the actual event. Just feel lazy or tired from all these trainings perhaps. But I went ahead though, shouldn’t fly kite the very last minute.

It was a damn hectic run which I think is the worst one I ever encountered. Although there are only two long slopes (the Yellow Ribbon Run has more slopes), but the scorching hot weather and the stretch of the slopes almost killed me.

All I could think of is the runners in front of me. Looking at their shoes, tee shirts, seeing how they run. Only a moment of fear that I am the last one in the crowd that spurs me to run, else I rather walk, walk through the up slopes and run fast down the slope there after to save my energy.

Then I thought of why do I pay for such events to suffer?! But then continuing the journey by psychologically telling me to endure and bluff myself that the finishing point is approaching.

Drowning down sip by sip, the foc mineral water and 100 plus when I saw the water pit stop. Running with a half filled bladder, wondering when the next water pit stop will be. The smelly men are all around, making the whole running experience, a hot, stuff and SMELLY one.

Heavily panting for more air and hope my lungs could receive them instantly. It seems like a never ending run where I can’t see the finishing point at all even it has 200m away.

Finally seeing a digital sign hanging up there in the front, I come to understand that I am approaching the finishing and used up my last conserved energy to complete it reluctantly. This tough run sort of got me into a phobia stage and I feel like giving up running for the rest of the events.

After the scary run, I went back home and slept. I even dreamt of the helpers giving out ice creams at the water pit stop and I had three lime ice creams. Can you imagine how the hot weather has affected me?! Legs are sore now but they will get better! Hope to have a more relax run next time…..

The Yellow Ribbon Run 2010

It was almost 2am in the morning and I could not sleep. Tossing around, maybe fallen into sleep in between till its 4:30am and I finally could wake up and prepare for the run. Hearing the rain drops, a feeling disappointment clouded me, wondering if the race will be canceled. Baby and I made our way to expo early in the morning and reached Expo to catch the shuttle service to Changi Village. With many other like-minded runners, none of us gave up in turning up for the event, neither did the organizer.

The rain never stops even for once. We took the poncho and wore it on before heading for the starting point where the race has already started. It is my first time running in the rain, looking at others who are also doing the same. I realized that if you are determine to do something, nothing will gets in the way. The yellow ribbon run is much more exhaustive than the previous runs I have registered for. Firstly, it’s raining, secondly, our shoes and clothing were weight down by the rain water, thirdly, the resistance from the strong wind against our body, have become a great challenge to us. However, the cool weather helps to keep the heat away and made us awake and energetic throughout.

I was cursing and swearing wondering how long I must go further before I see the finishing point in front of me. Pulling off the poncho off me as it is trapping heat inside me and we are wet already anyway….Why are there so many slopes?! Worrying about the old ancient trees along the road, trying to spot if there is/are potential weak tree branches while I was heaving and panting through…

The number of water points was quite pathetic, and upon seeing the finishing line (finally), I manage to run towards its embrace with much encouragement from Baby, who has been pushing positively and supported me through the 10K journey.

The collection point for goodie bags and baggage was quite a bad location, as they were set in the middle of a big open field. The soil was fully soaked up and formed patches of mud everywhere. My brand new Asics has finally gotten a rugged look after being tainted by the yellowish brown mud. After collected our goodie bags, we headed to Kallang to collect my race pack for the Army Half Marathon and finally, made our way back home and as for me, with an almost broken pair of legs……….

Next week, AHM!! :)

A love that will last

Came across this song again while riding in sis's car that day. I personally love this song for the romantic jazzy feeling and its best to listen to it before a good night sleep.

How many of us wish to have just a love that will last, no complicated past, having a fairy tale love story that always end with "happily ever after"?

Many of us do not desire to have a complicated drama past, didn't want to shed a tear in front of anyone, and just want a love that will last, which sometimes, in the reality life, its the most complicated and complex thing in our life because we are saying here, is to allow a complete "stranger" into our lives in the first place before love could even exist. How could love exist between to different person with different views and beliefs, values, judgments? Some things that could never see eye to eye....

Are we a dreamer? Constantly looking for someone who shares the same of everything we believe before falling for that person? Or falling for a person because he/she is different from us?

Love needs ingredients to create constant sparks and longer you stew it, the better it taste. But many of us off the stove after the love is "cooked". No garnish to decorate it, no adding of other ingredients to improve it taste, some may even be looking out at other ppl's dishes on their plates. Some just leave it on the cold plate and felt his/her duty is done. This is call, our modern love, which sounds more like a task.

Anyway! Enough of my rattling....here's the lyrics of the song:


Song name: A love that will last
Singer: Renee Olstead


I want a little something more
Don't want the middle or the one before
I don't desire a complicated past
I want a love that will last

Say that you love me
Say im the one
Don't kiss and hug me and then try to run
I don't do drama
My tears don't fall fast
I want a love that will last

(Chorus)
I don't want a just a memory
Give me forever
Don't even think about saying good-bye
Cuz I just want one love to be enough
And remain in my heart till I die


So call me romantic
huh I guess that's so
Theres something more that you oughta know
oh I'll never leave you
So don't even ask
I want a love that will last

Forever
I want a love that will last


(Chorus)
I don't want a just a memory
Give me forever
Don't even think about saying good-bye
Cuz I just want one love to be enough
And remain in my heart till I die

So theres just a little more that I need (more that i need)
I wanna share all the air that you breathe
I'm not the kinda girl to complicate the past
I want a love that will last

Forever
I want a love that will last
Always
I just want a love that will last
I Want a love that will last

iphone covers

Was thinking of changing my iphone cover and came across this store in *Scape whom sells very unique covers ranging from the commonly seen crystal studs, to glossy porcelain chinese calligraphy paintings, to hello kitty, paul frank, and even ed hardy.


If you are looking for unique iphone 4 or 3G covers, you can try to find them at *Scape, Level 1.

Alternatively, if you like luxury looking ones, you can see from here. I think luxe lass will like this...

We got it!

We got it! Finally. Out of nowhere, we decided to ballot for it since it’s the next hottest after Duxton.

Its unique architecture attracted both of us. The balloting exercise started in Dec 09 and results were out only in late feb. I still remember logging in to the HDB website to check on the status of the balloting exercise almost every day.

When the results were released, we don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s a queue no. of 271 out of the 270 units available. People who have balloted before will know what it means. It means we are out of the queue to select the available flats, at the same time we are the first in the waiting queue.

Some friends and colleagues who are also balloting for flats at the same time felt that we are lucky enough to get the first waiting queue no. Some felt that we definitely will not get it since the flats we are balloting for is so hot. A mixture of feelings in me and uncertainty kept me edgy on my seat.

Browsing through the catalogue with Baby, diligently and analytically, we shortlisted a few units which are within our buying power. Selecting the ideal flat is not a simple task. There are many factors to consider. The west sun, directions, nearest amenities, privacy, near the rubbish chute, etc. I really enjoyed the discussion we had and both respected and seek each other’s opinions and thoughts about the ideal unit. Everything was done amiably.

The actual day for the selection exercise arrived and we both were so excited about it. I felt so upset with the couple before us as they actually picked the unit we initially wanted!!!! Blame in on our luck again. Nearly getting it. In the end, we settled for our second choice. Well! Still high floor and convenient, what else can we asked for?

Yesterday, baby and I went down again to settle the procedures for the payment even after an argument we had a few days before. I am glad that we could put the argument aside and still meet up to complete the flat purchasing. I guess, I have matured and are able to deal with issues now with an open mind. At the end of the day, our argument was resolved we both of us “finally seeing something at the same level” and decided to let the whole issue pass.

Finally we can close a chapter now and wait. Waiting for another 4 to 5 years for its completion. Being a kiasu Singaporean, we have gotten our interior design roughly planned out! With a team of an engineer and artist working together, I believe we will be able to invent a nice cosy place for both of us.

Inevitably, I believe we will continue to have our arguments throughout all these years but hopefully we could still stay on the same boat and arrive at the same direction in our lives, together!

Bless us!

Are we really more fortunate?

I believe that many readers here are attached or have been attached before. Dating has become a part and parcel of our daily lives that sometimes, it becomes a routine.

A relationship is like a tuck man’s model where in the beginning ("forming stage"), a dating couple is preoccupied with orienting themselves, being polite and understanding towards each other. Then it will proceed into a "storming stage" where conflicts and disagreements started to surface out, differentiating the views, believes, values and mindset between them.

Some fortunate ones progress into the "norming stage" where both acknowledge and respect the differences, engage in common activities and are committed to maintain and solving issues. Some, unfortunately, ends at the "storming stage". Many of us are struggling between the "storming" and "norming" stage in our relationships.

Today I was riding in my dad’s car, watching their backs facing me, while they argue about the very finest and tiny little matters among them. They are my dad and mum. Suddenly I realized that they have been staying together for almost 35 years and still ongoing. Wow, how that happens? My mum and dad dated each other and got married and have been facing each other since then till now. Same goes to many of my friends’ parents whom still stay together with their husband or wife even till today. How that happens, I wonder. How do they maintain that? How do they survive through all the heaty arguments and/or hurtful hurl of remarks made at each other all these years?

The generation today has a big difference from what was in our parents’ or grandparents’ or even the older ancient generations. Education? Society? Culture? Moral Values? Are the evolving changes to these factors resulted in crafting out the mindset in us today?
Some people say it’s because we have more choices these days but is that true? The older generations back then have their pools of choices too but perhaps their strong family values and conservative thinking restricted their mind and actions in search for trying out the “other choices” out there.

In our generation, breaking ups/divorcing is commonly becoming a trend. People chose to breakup or divorce and date or marry another one to correct the mistake/s made in the first/second or third relationship/marriage. Constantly correcting “mistakes”. Like what many ppl says “every relationship/marriage is a learning phase”.

Unlike the “phasing out” (older) generation, we fight for better lives instead of staying with the wrong one for the rest of our lives. Is that a wrong mindset? We are just correcting our mistake and putting a stop to further mistakes! The older generation is less fortunate as they were bind by their conservative thinking and has to live with mistakes for the rest of their lives!

However, I realized, besides the "Forming", "Storming" and "Norming stage", the older generation are more “capable” of moving further into the "performing stage" (where they form a family, have kids and providing them education etc), and develop even further into "adjourning stage" (where they could relinquished and retire from providing for their children once they independent (usually, refers to financially independent) and also, starting to form their own family).

In contrast, many marriages of our generation are increasing seeking splitting ups, separations and divorces way before they could even reach a "norming stage". Are we (the current generation) really more fortunate as compare to the older ones?

Irony isn't it?

Luxury Goods Scam!!

Apparently, some young women has been scaming around in forums, either asking for branded bags to rent or promised to buy branded bags for forummers but disappear soon after.

If you are a regular online shopper, I think this awareness will save you from future troubles.

Although online shopping has proven to be a convenient way to shop, and there are wide range of products for you to chose and some retailing at much lower cost than what those shopping malls are selling. However, it also keeps you edgy on your seats all day until you finally see the goods delivered as promised and in good working condition.

I am not a regular online shopper but shops once a while for clothings when I simply couldn't resist the charm from the beautiful pictures. One way to ensure reliablity is to check if the site has been setted up for few years, any regular shoppers, and if they have a physical store in any shopping malls so that if there is any disagreement, you know where to go to complain or feedback.

With many blogspots and e-shop selling fashion wears, it is pretty hard to judge from pictures on the quality and fittings of clothings. However, sometimes the pictures are too good to sell you into buying it now or regretting it later that you just want to add it into your shopping cart and check out immediately before the last piece is no longer available.

So I usually buy one item to test out the processing duration, follow ups and delivery. Glad to say that the e-shop that I visited has provided me good service but online shopping.

Recently Baby want to get a Harman Kardon Sound Sticks II (Standard retail price in Epi Centre is $299) from online since its cheaper. But just as we are about to check out, after adding the shipment cost which was about another $100 over bucks, the whole cost amounted to $269 (I think), slightly about $30 lesser from the Epi Centre. So what if it's 30 bucks cheaper and having to worry about when will the delivery come in, if the delivered speakers arrives with cracks, whether if the whole thing is a scam, etc etc.

Although it cost slightly more than online, however, we can at least and have assuring sleeps in the nights and most importantly, bring home the speakers right away!!!



Anyway, here are some links to read up about online scams:

http://deluxemall.com/handbags-purses-reviews-discussion-authenticity-tips/3283-read-about-scam-fraud-online-cases-singapore.html

http://deluxemall.com/hall-shame/15880-bag-rental-scam.html


What a shame to see these young women resorting to such mean ways for some splendor of luxury........shame!

My new bag bag!!

Hey Hey! I got a new bag bag!! Have not been getting any new bags since the current ones are still in good condition. However the Bree Bag broke after it cannot withstand the load from my netbook and its charger.

Was walking about Jurong Point, store by store, popping my head into the store and scanning through for my idea bag for my netbook but disappointedly, found none. Then I remember this Avant Garde at the Basement which I always walk pass and never walk in. But I did today. They have imported Japan made bags and even Hermes birkin "look alike" (but of cos I never get that as I never like imitations).

Then the lady was kind enough to recommend me some suitable ones for my netbook and I decided on one which is not too big, not too small, handle strap is not too long and good enough to double up as a shopping bag!

The leather (man made leather) though, is not real leather but the workmanship is good enough for its value!

The good thing about Avant Garde is that they usually bring 4 or 5 pieces of each design and each design comes with one color each. Hence if you are looking for mid priced unique bags, you know where to find! :)

Just as I was about to give up hope on Jurong Point, Avant Garde revives my hope!

YOG (again)

Its my first day back at work since the start of YOG. I left home at 9am.

Upon reaching the interchange, the numbers of YOG buses surprised me, besides the men in blues. I didnt expect that there will be so many policemen stationed at the interchange, all looking so busy, I have no idea why.

Upon reaching the entrance to the interchange, I held up my accrediation pass to identify myself and the security personnel stared closely at my chest area and said "ok ok" and waved to indicate that I have passed.

I walked into the premise and radar through the views I see right in front of me. Many blues (the policemen) and many purples (the YOG personnel). there were only small crowds at the two waiting queues. Then I spotted a mixture of colors, notting that those are us, the working staff who are NON YOG personnel, lining up waiting for the bus to pick us up. So I instinctively joined the queue after spotting some familar faces.

The journey seems like a trail around singapore. We hopped into the purple YOG bus and it took us from boon lay temporary interchange, all the way to jalan bahar and from here, we reached the lst check point, but the policemen signaled the bus to make a U Turn. The bus then traveled about 3k away from the 1st check point, did a U Turn at one of the residence hall, then returned back to the lst check point before letting us alight. This time, more policemen crowded around the alighting point, scanning through us with their eagle's stare as if we are the new jail birds, making our way to our cells.

Then again, we left our bags on the machine belting, and walked through the security gantry which seems like an ERP system to me.

I stood on the designated red carpet waiting to be scanned. The policeman signaled to me, indicating that his female colleague will do that. So I waited in the next queue, wondering if I should take my bag lst or leave it at the machine belt while being scanned. Then in a split second, the same policeman signaled to me and said "Mdm, its oke". I looked at him with my blurrest expression, took my bag, and left the check point without scanning.

Then we continue walking to a nearby point, waiting for the mini bus to pick and bring us to our office block. The bus never came even after some patience wait of like 15 or 20 mins?

Thankfully, one of the liason head was with us and he lead us all to take another bus instead. Along the short journey, we spotted Ciscos guards, Policemen and Gukahs. Suddenly I felt so unsafe.

And by the time I reached my office, it was 10:40am. The journey from home to work which took me about 15mins usually, now takes me 1hr and 40mins.

Hopefully things will get better tomorrow. Else, its really a pain in the neck to come to work everyday with all these security checks...

Orchids

Another one almost completed except for some touching up to be done. I realised that my painting skills have improved. :) Painting has been a great therapy to me. It helps to distract my thoughts away from some matters that I can avoid thinking, even if it's just for a moment.

After viewing some painting techniques from youtube, I painted these orchids.

Sigh...another tiring day for me.

The YOG

The YOG is finally drawing near. Lots of back ground work to be done and prepared. The whole campus has been taken over as a YOV for the delegates and young atheletics. Although there are some inconvenience at work, however, it is also a relief to most of us as we only come back on campus to work on alternate weeks.

Coming into the campus is like going to board a plan in the airport. We have to wear an accrediation pass which is 4 times the size of a normal id card. Then rest our bags onto the belting to be scanned while we have to walk pass a gantry before we can pick up our bags.

Monday was a happy day for most of us because all of us are expected to vacant the office by noon as the personnel are waiting below our block to conduct the "sweeping' across our whole premises.

Working from home as its pros and cons. I still wake up at 8am and log on to check mails from 8:30am onwards, all the way till about 4 or 5pm. The inconvenience and restrictions are, many of my work are related to physical documents which many of those, I cant be bringing all them home. I have selectively brought back some processes to work on and besides checking mails, which only has about 5 or 6 emails per day, there isnt much I can do or progress.

Security within campus will be even tighter from next week onwards, having to change two buses before we "slip" through a cargo lift from basement and straight to our office level. Working hours will be shorten from 10am to 4pm. No outside food nor medication can be brought in. The fencing around our campus makes it look so intimitating and unfriendly.

Besides some constraints I faced, the best thing about working from home is the flexibility of watching tv while I work, tidying up my room, or taking a short nap before logging on again to check for any incoming emails.

And here I am, sipping through my Ice Green Tea Latte at Starbucks while blogging and checking office emails at the same time. Ah....how I wish we can have a long term alternate work weeks...........

Singapore has flooded (again)

Singapore has flooded yet again. The same spot in Orchard happened yet again. I thought they said the flood that happened the first time was caused by the rubbish that blocked up the canals?? I thought it would have been cleared and "smooth sailing" now for the rain water to flow through the canals??? How does it happen again the second time (the water level seems to be the same as the lst time it happened)?

So what could they use to explain again for the same flood? Excuses can only be used once. Give us the truth and please, seriously do something about it instead of just clearing the rubbish.

Rubbish!!!!!

Funny ........

Bingo! I got to hold both my hands up and kowtow to XiaXue. Clap Clap. She is the woman!

http://xiaxue.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-not-cheat.html

Hahaha! Really funny girl yet how frank it could have been, isnt it ppl?

Painting again...

Spent one whole day painting and missed my lunch and even my morning bath. But its all worth it just to sit at the corner of the living room with no interruption just concentration, painting one after another. In the past, I have not used the retard before. The retard added to the paint is to slow down the drying process thus it really helps alot in the smooth blending. I am glad I used it this time.


Moon Orchid partially completed

Heliconias almost done...

A close up of heliconias

The globe....

Heliconias, Hibiscus and Singapore dream

Filial Piety

Mum always reminded us about the past, how she treated and attended to us with extreme care and protection when we were small and helpless and now here we are, screaming and shouting at her when we are in disagreement, ignoring her when we are busy typing away on our computer etc etc and the list is never exhausted.

Regardless of how many ridiculous demands and disagreement we have against our parents, or our parents have against us, we still love them as much as they love us. And here's the reason why:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybxNkpS5q-g



But its sad to see that we need to be constantly reminded via campaigns and advertisments about filial piety. What a shame...... :(

Rain Rain.....

It's been raining cats and dogs on and off daily. The recent flood at Orchard serves as a reminder to all of us, citizens and authorities that things like this, do happen in Singapore. I am glad it happened, so as to serve as a wake up call to all of us, not to take safety and natural disasters for granted. I think its time all of us should wake up and seriously have some situation awareness.

Besides the inconvenience it has caused, I still love rainy days.......... :)


The dark gloomy clouds hovering above, letting out pours and pours of rain water...
Minutes later, it gets even more heavier....
Ah....the cold window panel that protects us against the rain. How cosy.......

Non returns givings...

Every time when I walk pass this kampong looking garden fenced up by some green comouflaged wirings, sitting in the middle of our neighbourhood, yes, I simply walk pass it. That is because I dont know if its open to the public or the owner (an old man) will welcome strangers walking in, interrupting his quiet private moment.

Today, I walked passed this Kampong Garden again, but this time, mum encouraged me to take a look inside. With her accompany, we explored this kampong garden for the first time. It was an unexplanable feeling. The feeling of nonchalant and a self of belonging and the fencing actually shield me away from the reality and busy lifestyle.

This garden is man by a retired sinseh who grows all kinds of herbs and will give out to the neighbours as long as you request for it. The mellowed old man looks sincere and real.

There were a few aunties crowding around him asking questions in loud voices but he was absolutely patient. As long as you have a question for him, he will slowly and carefully show you the type of herbs to use. Mum says he don't sell those organic herbs nor accepts gifts from the neighbours. However, we can volunteer to help out at the garden when we are free. It been so long since I last felt sincerity from a total stranger. All you can see in the garden was hope and giving.

Baby, lets go help out one of these days, shall we? :)

Great time spent! :)

Being a super kiasu singaporean, I booked 3 restaurants for our dinner to celebrate father's day. One at Pu Tian, one at a steam boat restaurant and the third one at Zhou Zhuang. In the end we decided to go to Pu Tian since its newly open at Jurong Point and we have so far, not been there for dinner yet. :)

Seriously I dun think the food taste anything specially nice or even filling to our stomach. From cold dish to dessert, I guess there are 7 dishes and the total cost came about 360.

One cold dish, one abalone soup, mian xian, steam fish, vegetable, fried topioca, and red bean dessert. Do you think this worth 360?

Nevertheless, we had a great family time together, happy conversation, coincidentally met our old nieghbours in the same restaurant, and after that we went groceries shopping together. Simple yet enjoyable.

How much does this cost? Priceless... :)

Mum's love

My mum's love to us, is always shown through constant nagging and loud amplified voice across the 97sqm house but as if we are living in a maisonette and few kilometers apart. Some mornings, while I am dressing up and putting on my make up hurriedly in my bedroom, she would walked in and sit on the floor and start talking, unaffected by the time on the clock and my absence in listening to what she is blabbing about though physically next to her.

Sometimes, she will rush back from marketing just to catch me before I leave the house for work, so that she can pass me the wanton noodles for my breakfast.

Having skipped my lunch sometimes at work, what I look forward most is a meal of nice food when I return home. There were times when I look forward to go home but was disappointed with the smell of fish (I DISLIKE FISH) which greeted me at the door step. But knowing that I dislike fishes, Mum cook an extra dish just to get me eat (sometimes though, not always).

Its always nice to have a warm meal right after a long tiring day at work.... :)

The nice presentation of every dishes that greeted me every evenings....



I love most our home made dumplings, big and lots of filling, and the taste is.....WAMP! BANG! Utmost delicious!!!! Again...mum's show of love to us.... :)