Fierce, stuck up, indifferent, got a people-owe-me-money look, somemore?
I think that is the general impression that I tend to give people. Well, what to do? I'm borned somewhat this way. Some even described me as "manly". Oh bother.
"It doesn't matter."
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
I Envy You, People
Dreams. What's a human without a dream? A lame one? But I do know that to some, dreams are extravagant, unrealistic and only for people who can't face their lives properly. Well, I do agree to an extent that most people treat dreams as something to numb and blur themselves from the reality. But I also believe that, with dreams, you can do wonders.
There are two people in my company now, whom I truly believe, are able to accomplish what they set out to do. One is Ano, who aspires to be a manga artist, and Little Moustache, who wishes to study in France.
Ano is now going towards her own goal, one step at a time. She hopes to go to Japan to study the art of manga drawing, and maybe, have a manga created under her name some day. I think that is a very impressive dream. A dream that can be realised. She is now studying the Japanese language, to get herself ready. She's even got her language teacher to recommend her a school in Tokyo. But that will have to wait till she's passed her JLPT 3. Yeah you got that right. She's only a beginner but she will be skipping JLPT 4 to go on to JLPT 3. I know she means business. Every break time, I can see her buried in Japanese materials, while her other friends slept oh-so-peacefully. She told me she's a bit stressed out. Her exam is this December, so she has about 3 to 4 months to prepare. Well, that's a lot of stress, and did I mention Ano is only 21? Not only does she have to worry about her grades, she also has to think about the financial matters. Just came to Singapore from China about a year ago, she still has a long way to go. But for her spirit and determination, I salute her! がんばってね、アノちゃん！
Another person, Little Moustache, also from China, but studied diploma here in Singapore, wants to study in France. Like me, he likes to go travelling in a backpack. I can understand why he wanted to do it. A lot of people disagree with the idea of studying in France. They thought, what can that degree from France do? But to me, what the degree can do is secondary. The most primary thing is, you can learn from living abroad. Widen your perspectives, broaden your knowledge. That's the single most important thing in life, isn't it? At least to me, it's true. I think I am the only one in this company who wholly supported and encouraged his idea. Well, truth is, he may be the most attitude and arrogant and unpopular guy in this whole department, but that's not really important. Aptitude is more important. He is currently studying French on his own, with a basic background from Alliance Francaise.
So you see, they are not just talk and no action. They are doing things that are making their dreams come true, bit by bit. The journey might be a bit longer for some, but they never thought about giving up. That alone, leaves me in awed.
"Hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, then life is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
There are two people in my company now, whom I truly believe, are able to accomplish what they set out to do. One is Ano, who aspires to be a manga artist, and Little Moustache, who wishes to study in France.
Ano is now going towards her own goal, one step at a time. She hopes to go to Japan to study the art of manga drawing, and maybe, have a manga created under her name some day. I think that is a very impressive dream. A dream that can be realised. She is now studying the Japanese language, to get herself ready. She's even got her language teacher to recommend her a school in Tokyo. But that will have to wait till she's passed her JLPT 3. Yeah you got that right. She's only a beginner but she will be skipping JLPT 4 to go on to JLPT 3. I know she means business. Every break time, I can see her buried in Japanese materials, while her other friends slept oh-so-peacefully. She told me she's a bit stressed out. Her exam is this December, so she has about 3 to 4 months to prepare. Well, that's a lot of stress, and did I mention Ano is only 21? Not only does she have to worry about her grades, she also has to think about the financial matters. Just came to Singapore from China about a year ago, she still has a long way to go. But for her spirit and determination, I salute her! がんばってね、アノちゃん！
Another person, Little Moustache, also from China, but studied diploma here in Singapore, wants to study in France. Like me, he likes to go travelling in a backpack. I can understand why he wanted to do it. A lot of people disagree with the idea of studying in France. They thought, what can that degree from France do? But to me, what the degree can do is secondary. The most primary thing is, you can learn from living abroad. Widen your perspectives, broaden your knowledge. That's the single most important thing in life, isn't it? At least to me, it's true. I think I am the only one in this company who wholly supported and encouraged his idea. Well, truth is, he may be the most attitude and arrogant and unpopular guy in this whole department, but that's not really important. Aptitude is more important. He is currently studying French on his own, with a basic background from Alliance Francaise.
So you see, they are not just talk and no action. They are doing things that are making their dreams come true, bit by bit. The journey might be a bit longer for some, but they never thought about giving up. That alone, leaves me in awed.
"Hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, then life is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
Funny truths about life in small small Singapore Island ....
1. Nite - Sleep with air-con; Day - Bathe with heater on (That's me!)
2. Day - Cannot Wake up; Nite - Cannot Sleep (That's me now!)
3. Translation is needed between Singaporean Chinese and Mainland Chinese (My chinese is good enough, no need translation)
4. Smell Of rubbish besides letterboxes; Rubbish inside Letterbox
5. Spore Chinese use different languages other then Chinese to communicate. (Hahaha, Singaporeans like to show off their linguistic abilities mah)
6. Sporean never like to vote, but like to complain (They hum-chee mah)
7. There are quite a number of rich/poor in spore - They have Car, Credit Card, CPF but no Cash and is liable to lots of loans
8. There are quite a few high-tech barbaric Singaporeans - they know how to use state-of-the art equipment, 3g mobile phone and powerful computers but they dunno how to use a simple dustbin or a toilet (*nodding head vigorously)
10. Half Sporeans rushed to buy Hello kitty, but the other half busy killing stray cats
11. Chewing Gum - Can Chew, Cannot buy?? (Restricted to buying) (I think it's for the better of all mankind to ban chewing gum)
12. Cigarettes - Convenient to buy; not convenient to smoke (Heng ah not my problem)
13. Private Cars - Cheaper and Cheaper to buy, harder and harder to Maintain
14. Public Bus - Half the Crowd squeeze in front section of the Bus, Second section is for Carrying Ghost (*nodding head so vigorously that it almost dropped)
15. Education - Teachers teaching Less but expects students to learn More (Well, is it the teachers or parents expecting more?)
I like to thank whoever came up with the "truths", good job, well done. You've done Singaporeans "proud".
"Well, you gotta learn to laugh at yourself first!"
2. Day - Cannot Wake up; Nite - Cannot Sleep (That's me now!)
3. Translation is needed between Singaporean Chinese and Mainland Chinese (My chinese is good enough, no need translation)
4. Smell Of rubbish besides letterboxes; Rubbish inside Letterbox
5. Spore Chinese use different languages other then Chinese to communicate. (Hahaha, Singaporeans like to show off their linguistic abilities mah)
6. Sporean never like to vote, but like to complain (They hum-chee mah)
7. There are quite a number of rich/poor in spore - They have Car, Credit Card, CPF but no Cash and is liable to lots of loans
8. There are quite a few high-tech barbaric Singaporeans - they know how to use state-of-the art equipment, 3g mobile phone and powerful computers but they dunno how to use a simple dustbin or a toilet (*nodding head vigorously)
10. Half Sporeans rushed to buy Hello kitty, but the other half busy killing stray cats
11. Chewing Gum - Can Chew, Cannot buy?? (Restricted to buying) (I think it's for the better of all mankind to ban chewing gum)
12. Cigarettes - Convenient to buy; not convenient to smoke (Heng ah not my problem)
13. Private Cars - Cheaper and Cheaper to buy, harder and harder to Maintain
14. Public Bus - Half the Crowd squeeze in front section of the Bus, Second section is for Carrying Ghost (*nodding head so vigorously that it almost dropped)
15. Education - Teachers teaching Less but expects students to learn More (Well, is it the teachers or parents expecting more?)
I like to thank whoever came up with the "truths", good job, well done. You've done Singaporeans "proud".
"Well, you gotta learn to laugh at yourself first!"
Thursday, September 27, 2007
By the way, Happy Mid-Autumn's Day!
I know it's a bit late, but I hope everyone had a great time eating Mooncakes.
"I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks."
Yes Girl, Humans can Drink Cows' Milk
Based on the conversation I had with Ano on our last working day. She was so pissed off by a girl whom me and Su called, "The Lazy Girl" or TLG for short. I do not know how their conversation started with the the topic of the milk thing, but for TLG, her stand was that cow's milk is meant only for calves, not human. Let's stop and ponder over this. Theoretically it is correct. Just like giraffes will milk their young, elephants will milk their young, and so do all other mammals in this planet will do. But to say that it is not for human consumption? Isn't it a bit too serious? Then Ano retorted, asking TLG whether she drinks cow's milk. Her reply? She tries not to drink it. *eyes rolling all over*
Then their conversation went a little further. TLG maintains that using leather products or goods pertaining to that aspect is cruelty to animals. Well, let us once again stop for a while and think. Theoretically she is correct. But so do people who consume meat, no? Ano told me that TLG is a vegetarian, and that explains all the weird topics and theories.
Because Ano asked for my opinion, I just said that many, many years ago when the 1st human surfaced this planet, they had been hunting for animal hide to use them as clothes and shelter and their meat for food. We, the 'new' humans, are just mimicking their actions. It's all for survival. There's no saying it is an act of cruelty. But I did emphasized to Ano that for me, as long as that animal is farmable, not facing extinction, in excess, it is ok. Well we've got to eat, no?
Well, Miss TLG, despite being vegetarian, you don't seem to be any good, except making people angry. Now that's cruel.
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
Then their conversation went a little further. TLG maintains that using leather products or goods pertaining to that aspect is cruelty to animals. Well, let us once again stop for a while and think. Theoretically she is correct. But so do people who consume meat, no? Ano told me that TLG is a vegetarian, and that explains all the weird topics and theories.
Because Ano asked for my opinion, I just said that many, many years ago when the 1st human surfaced this planet, they had been hunting for animal hide to use them as clothes and shelter and their meat for food. We, the 'new' humans, are just mimicking their actions. It's all for survival. There's no saying it is an act of cruelty. But I did emphasized to Ano that for me, as long as that animal is farmable, not facing extinction, in excess, it is ok. Well we've got to eat, no?
Well, Miss TLG, despite being vegetarian, you don't seem to be any good, except making people angry. Now that's cruel.
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Colorful Geylang Serai
Ramly Burger with black pepper sauce, curry powder, mayo and cheese!
Deep-fried you tiao, Malay-style
Wadeh and the other one is deep-fried vegetable in a dough. Don't know what it's called
Happy eating all these food :)
Lights of Geylang Serai. Sorry my phone's camera does not do justice to the pretty lights.
Not to forget the otah and keropok.
It's the festival of the year again! How I love the pasar malam of the Muslim Hari Raya Puasa! So crowded, so many merchandise to buy and to look at, and best of all, so many food to eat! And I must say that the lighting for this year is so much colorful and beautiful compared to last year's. Rows of light decoratives lined the roads of Geylang Serai. Very beautiful.
"Eat all you can ah!"
Remembering my Ah Gong
Losing a loved one is never easy.
My Ah Gong or Grandpa, passed on for over a decade now. But the memories of him still resided somewhere in my heart and mind. Very often, for no apparent reason, I would think of him and started to feel sad and regretful. Sad, since he was no longer around, and regret, for not making an effort to learn his dialet, the Hainanese, to communicate better with him. Sometimes I really wonder, even till now, whether Ah Gong really understood what I was saying with my half-bucket Hokkien.
I can remember vividly, on the day that Ah Gong died, I was still in school, celebrating my "victory" over that stubborn Home Economics test paper. I knew nothing of his passing. I was light-footed as I skipped up the stairs to my house. Then I noticed there were a lot of footwear at the doorstep. Hmmm, how come got so many shoes? What's the occasion? I thought to myself, still humming a little tune inside my head.
The gate was unlocked. I opened it and saw many red faces and red watery eyes. I was dumbstruck. What happened? Then my father broke the news to me in a try-to-calm voice," Your Ah Gong just passed away." My shoulder suddenly gave way and my school bag slide down to the cold, hard floor. For a few seconds, I couldn't comprehend what my father was saying. I walked slowly into my parents' room and sat on their bed. Moments later, as if finally understanding what was going on, tears just trickled down. I was sobbing uncontrollably. No one was there to console me. Everyone was equally sad. I waited until I had calmed down, before seeing my Ah Gong's body. I was afraid. I was never this close to a dead body. I dared not touch him.
Maybe that is why I keep thinking about Ah Gong. For not showing my filial piety to him while he was around and when he was dead.
"It's not important if you can't change the past. The most important thing is that you had made me smile."
My Ah Gong or Grandpa, passed on for over a decade now. But the memories of him still resided somewhere in my heart and mind. Very often, for no apparent reason, I would think of him and started to feel sad and regretful. Sad, since he was no longer around, and regret, for not making an effort to learn his dialet, the Hainanese, to communicate better with him. Sometimes I really wonder, even till now, whether Ah Gong really understood what I was saying with my half-bucket Hokkien.
I can remember vividly, on the day that Ah Gong died, I was still in school, celebrating my "victory" over that stubborn Home Economics test paper. I knew nothing of his passing. I was light-footed as I skipped up the stairs to my house. Then I noticed there were a lot of footwear at the doorstep. Hmmm, how come got so many shoes? What's the occasion? I thought to myself, still humming a little tune inside my head.
The gate was unlocked. I opened it and saw many red faces and red watery eyes. I was dumbstruck. What happened? Then my father broke the news to me in a try-to-calm voice," Your Ah Gong just passed away." My shoulder suddenly gave way and my school bag slide down to the cold, hard floor. For a few seconds, I couldn't comprehend what my father was saying. I walked slowly into my parents' room and sat on their bed. Moments later, as if finally understanding what was going on, tears just trickled down. I was sobbing uncontrollably. No one was there to console me. Everyone was equally sad. I waited until I had calmed down, before seeing my Ah Gong's body. I was afraid. I was never this close to a dead body. I dared not touch him.
Maybe that is why I keep thinking about Ah Gong. For not showing my filial piety to him while he was around and when he was dead.
"It's not important if you can't change the past. The most important thing is that you had made me smile."
Sunday, September 16, 2007
What am I?
Just came home from Rebecca's wedding dinner. Well, met a couple of secondary school friends and we had a chat. Seems to me that all the others are doing pretty well in their careers. All seemed to be high flyers, and me?
Well, all I can say is that I'm happily married.
"When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it's a sure sign you're getting old."
Well, all I can say is that I'm happily married.
"When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it's a sure sign you're getting old."
Thanks...
I want to thank our friends for celebrating our 1st anniversary with us. They are CareBear, 小妹, Su and May May. We ate at Bakerzin Millenia, played pool and sang karaoke at Yishun Safra until 2am. I sang until I'm quivering from exhaustion. All that singing was just too much for my larynx.
Then me, Hubby, 小妹 and CareBear proceeded to the not-so-nearby kopitiam for supper, while Su and May May went home.
It was fun going out with them.
"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.Walk beside me and be my friend."
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Our Anniversary
Today marks the 1st anniversary of my marriage with Hubby. This is our 2nd year together. Time flies and I really feel attached to him. I felt like we had known each other and married for decades. Haha, it's strange to feel this way, isn't it? But I've prepared a little something for my baby and I'm sure he likes it very much. I am very happy today too.
Happy Anniversary, Baby.
""Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever.
Not even when I'm a hundred."
Pooh thought for a little.
"How old shall I be then?"
"Ninety-nine."
Pooh nodded.
"I promise," he said."
Happy Anniversary, Baby.
""Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever.
Not even when I'm a hundred."
Pooh thought for a little.
"How old shall I be then?"
"Ninety-nine."
Pooh nodded.
"I promise," he said."
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Save the Cheerleader, Save the World
What's a hero without super powers?
Firemen, policemen, nurses, volunteers ... Need I say more? You get the picture.
Sure, it is good to have super powers, but only if they are put to good use. And those common heroes who are all around us? They don't need super powers, they just need a heart to do what they did.
Kudos to all these people who sacrifice themselves for the better of all the people around them.
"Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say: This I am today; that I will be tommorrow."
Firemen, policemen, nurses, volunteers ... Need I say more? You get the picture.
Sure, it is good to have super powers, but only if they are put to good use. And those common heroes who are all around us? They don't need super powers, they just need a heart to do what they did.
Kudos to all these people who sacrifice themselves for the better of all the people around them.
"Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say: This I am today; that I will be tommorrow."
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