Who are we to laugh at Ris Low?

Because we are Singapore.
Because Ris Low is representing Singapore.
Because I believe deep down, no matter how much we complained about this country, we are patriots and we are proud of the achievements from this little fishing village.

I admit I am guilty. I was one of those who viewed the video interview of Miss Singapore World 09, Ris Low, and laughed. Mostly, I was appalled at how she won.

But after reading last Sunday's newspaper, I was even more taken aback by the words of Ms Jennifer Yin, Head secretariat of the Speak Good English Movement.

"If you can't speak good English, don't even attempt to speak to them in broken English..." makes me wonder how old Ms Yin is. I am in my late 20s and many of our parents in my generation did not have the priviledge of higher education. Their English is not fluent and their Mother Tongue may not be perfect. Is Ms Yin insuitating that our parents then do not speak to us at all? Isn't it through every day communication, every day use that you improve your language skills?

What consitutes good English? Do we pronouce every syllable or do we attempt to speak with an accent? Singlish like all other "forms" of English is a slang. It is a nationalistic way of speaking in Singapore. Much like the local slang of Australia, USA and UK. I am sure Singaporeans are not criticising that Ms Ris Low speaks Singlish but her pronouniciation was appaling and her diction was unclear.

Ms Yin also mentioned that she hears Ms Low's speech patterns on the train from young people. Well, I am not sure what train she has been on (probably another planet) but from where I came from (Singapore), young people do not say "rad", "preens" or "zip-bra".

While it is heartwarming to read Ms Tracy Lee defending Ms Ris Low, I do disagree with her statement that "this is a beauty contest". We need to remember that beauty contests as such are also platforms to showcase Singapore to the rest of the world. We may not win. We may not even get to semi-finals. But who we send is a representation of our country. She will have the chance to network with representatives from other countries. She will serve as an ambassador of our nation.

Do we want other countries to know Singapore as one that "boomz"?

I hardly blog these days. Lack of time, no inspiration, pure laziness.

But today, I stumbled upon the video on Singapore's representative for Miss Universe and god she is stupid. Stupid and not that pretty. The picture of her on the Miss Universe website looks like a porn star, she can pass of as a ka-toi and her video interview shows how stupid she is.

Rachel Kum is her name - should change it to Rachel KUM-GONG.

If you have 3 wishes, what would they be.

1) My first wish is wishing happiness for myself.
2) My second wish is wishing happiness for all mankind. - Stupidity starting to show.
3) My third wish is wishing to have more wishes!

OMG, and she is a manager in the medical industry. HELP!

Where got ghost?

Hei and I went to watch "Where got ghost" on Friday night. Its a new local production by Jack Neo.

3 ghost stories with comedic elements in them. Well, it wasn't that good, or that funny plus the animation really sucked, but all in all, i thought the idea behind it was quite good. Its quite an enjoyable film.

This morning was Singapore Bay Run/Army Half Marathon. It was my worst yet, but attribute to a diarrorea that occured in my 3km mark - resulted in a 20 min bomb at the first toilet (2 km away). Lousy because at i started, i really thought i would do quite well this time.

Not disappointed with myself, but wonder what holds for me the next time i do this.

Anyway, this is my favourite trailer by far. You know how normally before a movie starts, you get the trailer that ask you to turn your phone to silent. This is a funny one.

Tell me what you think about this.

This evening, Hei and I went on a dinner date at Himawari. A Japanese restaurant that serve ala carte buffet - includes shabu shabu and sukiyaki. Yums.

Anyway. Sitting next to us a group of 9 adults and 1 toddler. When Hei and I arrive, there was only 1 lady sitting at the table and when asked how many people will be coming, she said "8 adults, all buffet".

Soon after, her group of friends arrived and I noticed there were 9 adults instead of the original 8 she mentioned.

Then i realised 2 of her friends brought their domestic helper and what I thought was rather appaling was that the domestic helper did not eat. She was just busy feeding the toddler.

So the woman was right, 8 adult buffet dinner.

In this scenario, would you have just invited the domestic helper to have dinner together? I would. Hei would too.

Granted that it was about $40 per person, but if you are to bring your domestic helper out, why would you make her sit there just to watch you eat?

That's just cruel.

The DeMercurio Family left last Saturday on the morning flight back to Melbourne.

Although it was not the first time that Lin left Singapore, she cried as she hugged us good bye. Chiing cried, Ah-Ma Wee cried.

But the most heart wrenching moment was for me to see tears rolling down A-Gong Wee's cheeks as well. This is a father who has sent 3 daughters away to study and for the first time, he can't bear to see someone off.

"You make A-Gong so happy" - thats a phrase I hear so often the last 2 weeks.

I was the heartless one. Devoid of all feelings.

I wonder should 1 day I have a child, would A-Gong Wee say the same to my son/daughter?

On the lovely Saturday afternoon after we came back from Hong Kong, the Wee Family welcome back the DeMercurio Family. Bruno, Teresa, Mark, Lin and of course, little lovely Aless. A fan club of about 11 people waited (some more impatient than others) at the arrival gate and when they finally walked out of the gate, A-Gong Wee couldn't help but lunge little Aless into his arms.

The moment was magical as we watched A-Gong Wee's eyes twinkle as he played with his BOY.

After 20 mins of hugging, "hi-s" and "how-are-you", I finally managed to come up with a plan and whisked everyone to the car.

However, in the midst of happiness, the Tay family received grim news. Senior Tay was in the hospital again for a fever that won't subside. It was serious this time. The following week was then spent shuttling between work, Chelsea and SGH.

The Tay family is amazing. For a family who don't share affection openly like the Wees, when it comes time to band together, they really band together. All the sibling respected what each had to say and their strength for each other really shows. Each also know his/her own role and how to carry their duties out.

Unfortunately on Friday, 1st August 2009, at 6.41am, Senior Tay couldn't hang on to life anymore and passed away.

Hei broke down.

And my heart ached.

Nonetheless, the Tays came together again, united as ONE. The funeral proceedings when through smoothly without a hitch.

One night as we laied in bed, Hei said something that got me thinking; "Isn't it weird how your family is celebrating life while mine is moaning for death?"

The Wees was throwing a party for A-Gong Wee's 60th, Aless's 2nd, Lin's 35 and Teresa (dunno).

That's life isn't it?

My first blog entry from my iPhone. Mebbe first let me talk bout it a bit. I love it. My phone is not only entertaining, it's alson intelligent and interactive. This phone really makes u loge it a little more everyday. Well done apple. Good job.

It's been a while since I last blog. So long that I can't really recall what has happen since then.

Hei and I r going to hong kong on Sunday for 4 days! It's been a year and a half since we came back from USA and our first holiday since being back. I am so freaking excited man. So excited yet so unsure what we r gonna do there. He hasn't been to hk before and I've only been once before for work so it's almost the first time as well. So exciting.

It seems to be a relationship season. I'm was sorry to hear that 4 of my friends broke up with their partners but hearten to learn that 1 is in like and dating and 1 is in love. I'm still in love. With mr blackman. Althouh he does irritates me as I do him but we r good. Great. Awesome. Perfect.

This is me in the morning on the train. Random thoughts.

Till another long train ride. Over and out

On Friday dawn, I woke up to an SMS from Elin that says "MJ is dead. Dont feel so sad ok?". For a moment, I was shocked. Running through my head was the person that MJ stands for. I thought of my Grandma but we didnt call her MJ. Sleepiness got the better of my, i shrug it off and went back to bed.

It was only after I trule woke up then i realise, she must mean Michael Jackson.

And if you are wondering why my sister will ask me not to feel too sad. That's cos I was a HUGE fan of MJ. Michael Jackson was born 29 August 1958. I was born 1 September 1982. Because our birthdays are only 2 days apart, as a kid, I always thought him and I have a special connection.

Michael was my first love. I sang his songs. I wore his t-shirt (til it faded). I went to his concert. I taped over Echiing's beloved Madonna's Immaculate concert with Michael's B&W MTV. I even cried when those stupid children sued him for molestation. And every year for my birthday, my wish was to go to Neverland Ranch.

"Man in the Mirror" was my favourite song. And in those days with where Internet was not available, I wrote his lyrics down while listening to the song again and again.

As a kid, I never imagine Michael growing old. Or dying. He was 50 when he died.

Over the entire weekend, I watched documentaries of Michael, news coverage of his passing and his music videos...something rekindled inside. And guilt rushed over me because I felt that I had abandoned him for the past 10 - 15 years.

I am sorry. And rest in peace. You are to me what Elvis is to my dad and tho I am not as fanatical, you were my first love. Even before Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. =)

From my dear friend many moons ago

Eck has been bad...Eck has been shopping like crazy...

Eck must stop.

Much has happened since my last entry

On a global front;
1) H1N1 (or my husband calls it Hi-Ni) flu has taken over the world with Melbourne now known as the flu capital of the world.
2) General Motors declared bankruptcy, another blow to the automotive industry of United States
3) N.Korea launced a nuclear thingy into space
4) A plane disappeared and resurfaced (crashed) 2 days later

....list goes on

On a national front
1) Singapore has now 15 cases of H1N1
2) National Day tickets are all given out. No surprise there.
3) Singapore Idol began its auditions for this season. *groan*
4) Great Singapore Sales began
5) Temperature inches higher on a daily basis

...and the list goes on

On a home front
1) Eck is back from Vietnam - good event. happy with herself, but sees room for improvement.
2) Capt Black is gonna be Major Black - CONGRATULATIONS
3) Blaeck are both hooked on the new channel 8 drama series "The Ultimatum" - cheesy and old plot but entertaining.

Today, I finally took Kaykay out for a short jog round the neighbourhood, afterwhich we climbed 17 floors back up to the apartment. Man, that was tiring but really fulfilling. Time to relax and time for ourselves.

INJUST!

If you have not watch "Angels and Demons" and want to, maybe you shouldn't read this entry.

I considered myself a fan of Dan Brown even only after reading 2 books. DaVinci's Code and Angels and Demons really drew me into the story, I hang onto every single word and didn't mind sacrificing sleep just to read 1 more chapter. The storyline was refreshing, the suspense was captivating and the characters were interesting.

Although DaVinci's Code, the movie, strayed from the book (due to the book's sheer length) but it covered the very essence of story. Symbols were explained, characters remain true. The movie didn't rush through the story.

But Angels and Demons, the movie, sucked BIG TIME. It is TOTALLY nothing like the book.

1) Where was the Director of Cern in the whole movie? He was the one who read the journals and realise that master mind.
2) Robert Langdon met Vittoria at Cern when Vittoria's adopted father was found dead with the Illuminati brand was found on his chest! Vittoria did not discover Silvano's body. There wasn't a team of scientists working on the anti-matter project. Only 2 people knew about this project - Vittoria and her father! Robert Langdon was first called to Cern. Vittoria was in another country when her father was killed!
3) How come the Carmalengo spoke in part scottish, part italian, part british accent?
4) The Carmalengo did not run so calmly out into St Peter Sq, asked the helicopter pilot to get down. He ran out like a crazy man with Robert at his heels, pull the pilot of and Robert got onto the helicoptor just as it got off the ground! That's where he discovered the mastermind behind the whole kidnapping. Carmalengo parachute off the heli and leave Robert to die. Robert jumped off and landed in a river....
5) Where was the guide at the Patheon that "helped" Robert and Vittoria find the first marker?

And many many more flaws. Its so disappointing and I am hardly disappointed with movies. I actually found this movie boring!

And to this note, after the movie, I overhead a conversation between this dude, whom i suspect is trying to impress his girlfriend and his friends by saying "Wah, what a great movie. It's exactly like the book and its great to actually see it on screen". BLAH!

I must say however, and it does sound a little perverse. As I read the book, i visualise in my mind the scenes and the scene of the 3 cardinals' murder was exactly the same as in my mind.

What's your ultimate loathe?

My ultimate loathe is people who dont voluntarily give up their seat for the senior citizens on public transport. Especially those who sits at the corner seats which is designated for preggies, children, handicap or seniors.

And especially when they pretend to be sick or nauseous or sleeping when someone else does give up their seat.

We need to be more gracious. Please people.

I took KayKay out again today to Sengkang after 1 week of rest. Hei also to Nike12 out too, same route but he was of course much faster. But it all good, enjoyed myself.

Hei and I went to watch "Taken" on Saturday. Good morning, realistic background, a little unbelievable lead but overall, disturbing. Its a great movie I, as a woman, rather not watch.

"Taken" is about a 17 year old girl who decides to spend the summer with her friend in Paris. At the airport, they met "Peter" who is actually part of a syndicate out to kidnap female tourists, forces drugs into their system (making them addicts) and then pimps them as prostitutes. "Pure bloods" or virgins are then auction off to the highest bidder in a high society auction, paying up to $250k. Liam Neeson, the father, went to Paris to hunt down this syndicate and find his daughter.

I am sure this is real. In America, Ive watch several news / documentary on missing women in Europe and South America. The families have never received a ranson note nor any traces of them going missing. Its almost as if these women just disappeared from the face of this world.

This is a scary world we live in. Sometimes, its almost cannibalistic.

Spoke to Hairyboobs over msn today.

My god, I have know this woman for 10 years. Going 11 actually. Yet sometimes I feel like I dunno her at all. Always surprise me and Im amazed by how much/little she has grown over the past few years. hiak hiak.

For one she has certainly blossom into a full woman. Long femine curls and dresses and makeup has made her into an eye candy. But her inability to decide has not changed. Though I must give her credit for not saying "you eat what i eat what" these days. Plus, the fact is, she is probably the smartest person i know. Pursuing her PHD....she is the last person you would imagine to have a Permanent Head Damage....except if it was literal. And sometimes I do think she does suffer from it.

I love her deep deep la...stupid girl.

And we have iGeek....she has changed so much physically and "mentally?" that no ex-school mate ever recognise her in public. Yes, as iGeek will say..her boobs has changed...from a proud 80B, she will say now she has dwindled into a A cup. It has been a long time now since her BALD days but her adventures with heels is still much to be anticipated. "I walk up a hill to work" she says. Or "I cherish my knees". Nonetheless, this girl has a heart of gold.

I also love her long time....stupid girl.

Kayano and I spent some time together again. I am begining to feel the love coming back to me. Kayano treated me very well and we did about 6km together this evening. Jogging almost 90% of the way.

Looking for more private time with Kay...the love is back.

I went for a walk/jog earlier.

Woke at 7ish to send Hei to a bbal competition and saw joggers and felt inspired. So after I got home, I changed into my FBT and addidas and took kayano out.

Noted how I put walk before jog? Cos thats mainly what I did. 6km and i think i only managed to jog 2.4 or so.

Im sure even Kayano is disappointed.

As I was walking, I thought about all the excuses that made me not jog....sun was too hot, road was uneven, no other joggers so no role model. But its just me. I should just make my jogging more regular again. 4 months between jogs is not acceptable. Besides as I get older, I have less will power!

I remembered the first time I actually went out for a jog. About 2 years younger and had plently of will power and mental strength to tell myself to keep going.

Times has changed.

Discipline...come bestow yourself upon me.

Recently met up with molala and debster at hougang mall for dinner, dessert and mackers.

to debs: its all about the journey. enjoy the journey!!!

we started chatted about books and those 2 went on to talk about this writer Picololo (paulo colhol) aka paulo callhome....and how his books are about women and self discovery or something liddat.

It made me feel kinda stupid....kinda...a little...actually not really.

But I not into self discovery. I like novels...stories about conspiracy theories, about organised crime (currently reading Godfather)...stories...where I can immerse into the story and visualise like Im watching a movie....

why read something that makes you ponder about yourself so much?

shallow...mebbe thats me.

oh well, shallow i shall be then. hehe....what a crappy blog entry.

Got this from molala who got it from igeek who get it from debster.

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are not looking merely for a girl/boyfriend - you are looking for your life partner. Perhaps you should be more open-minded about who you spend time with. The person you are looking for might hide their charm under their exterior.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.
The seriousness of your love:

Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.
Your views on education

You may not like to study but you have many practical ideas. You listen to your own instincts and tend to follow your heart, so you will probably end up with an unusual job.
The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.
How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.
What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.
Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

Time. What is it a good measurement of?

I often hear how time is not a good measurement of the strength of a relationship. Or that is doesn't justify the stability of a relationship.

I concur.

Time. It doesn't just hold true for relationships. It's not even a good measurement for friendships.

I met up with iGeek and Molala for lemon tea/oolong tea/sugar cane/chinese tea earlier and it dawns upon me at some point. On my right, my best friend. Ive known her for 10 years, she knows my family, she knows about my past relationships, she has seen me after shower when I just have "towel dress" on. And on my left, my good friend and colleague. Ive known her for about 3 years now. She knows my friends and steals them. She travelled with me, slept in the same room with me. And I know her need of "me time".

Both I know I can rely on if I need help. Both I know I will have a blast every time we are out. iGeek knows my past, my present and will know my future. Molala knows my present and will know my future.

So what is time a good measurement of?

In my previous entry, I blogged about my disappointment in Ah-Mei and since that day. I felt like a stone was lifted from my chest. I no longer "pine" for her - pine for her friendship to return like it was previously. I no longer worry about her well-being. I no longer wonder what she is doing and I no longer wait for the phone call with the nervous voice screaming "HELP ME ECK!!!"

She has become - "the friend I used to know".

So for "the friend I used to know" - I wish you well and happiness. And our 10 years of friendship shall be hung up like soccer boots after a match. This is the end of an era. I shall walk forward, with my head held high, together with my best friends, PJ Hong & iGeek and my other great friends, Molala, Debster, Ollie......

So really. What is time a good measurement of?

Its a good measurement of working hours! Tick. Tick Tick....time counts down to the end of another working week....Woohoo! Weekend is round the corner.

Life is short - this is a phrase often heard but not felt often.

Saturday I went to pick my 黑人from the airport. As he got out of immigration, he called to ask if I wanted anything from DFS and mentioned that his former colleague "Major Lotus"got into an accident earlier and died. I couldn't believe my ears. Major Lotus was only in his 30s, have a wife and a young son. How can he die?

黑人look slightly shaken and distraught when he walked out of the arrival gates. His phone was beeping off the hook and he was talking to other friends, trying to get more information. But bless my 黑人's heart for he kept his spirits up and had nice late dinner with me before heading home.

Now, Ive met Major Lotus a few times and liked the man. Besides from 黑人's closer friends like Songtong and Rududy, Major Lotus was another whom I thought made the effort to get to know me. He was funny and friendly and had no airs even though he was ranked more superior than 黑人.

Noone deserves to die so young. Not when your whole life is ahead of you. Not when you have a son whose life you should see through, at least til he graduates and get married. Noone deserves to die so young.

So to Major Lotus. May you rest in peace and go to a place where luxury cars is at your disposal.

Today is 人日. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY everyone...

The Blaecks had some guests over yesterday night. Sorta like a house-warming/CNY party for Hei's childhood friends. CR and Shar didn't managed to make it, which was a shame. The entire group hasnt gotten together for a long while.

Nonetheless, thanks for GP & ZY for their pizza and crispy duck. Thanks to Dav, FL & lil Maxy for their sushi and ice-cream and lastly, thanks to ZY2 and GY for their champagne and fish-head curry. With exception to Dav & family...no thanks to everyone that was late! =)

I am sorry though, to little Maxy. Our first Casualty of the House, whose forehead mark can still be seen on my glass door of my study room. You literally bounce off the door while screaming at your father not to play mahjong...shell-shocked for 5 seconds, you wailed for mummy who gave you the love and comfort you needed. Dont worry, you werent the only one shocked...the room was so quiet for that 5 seconds you could hear a pin drop!

With that I shall knight you. Little Maxy, Iron Head Warrior...

Friends. They are like FRIdays and no matter how great it was, FRIdays ENDS.

Have you ever lost a friend? I know I have and while I believe most of the time it’s my fault – not making enough effort to keep in touch, this time I feel that I lost a friend while trying to be her friend.

For people who doesn’t know yet, I have moved into my own shack. The moving process made me clear out items from my past. Photo albums, mementos given to me from ex-friends and ex-boyfriend. Items that are kept so deep in the closet or so high up that dusts have settled in and are staying put. I went through photos in my lower secondary life – XiaoHan, Huimin, Peiqi, Becky, Liling, Peixi, Anthea, Weishan and Meijia, all appearing in photos after photos. We went to the Bird Park together, the beach together and stayed in a chalet together. But all are people I cannot bring myself to call as friends. They are fragments of my history, people from the past or acquaintances. For that, I am sorry. Sorry for not making enough effort to keep in touch. Sorry that I let us drift apart, no matter how different our personalities are. For you guys, thanks for wonderful memories. Thanks for once calling me your friend. Some even good friends.
Up to a few years ago, I belong to a very tight knit group of 4 – PJ Hong, iGeek, Ah-Mei and myself. We were tight. Spending almost every other day together, then chatting online afterwards. It seems like we were all individuals with 4 shadows. BC was our haunt and spent many sleepless nights there. And on nights that we slept, I am always the pansy that needed the comfort of a mattress while PJ Hong, iGeek and Ah-Mei slept on the cool marble floor. That was up to a few years ago. Maybe it was about 5 years or so ago.

Then something happened between iGeek and Ah-Mei, causing iGeek to break away for a while. Perth happened that formed cracks between Ah-Mei and myself.

4 suddenly reduced to a trio and a pair. Although PJ Hong was faraway in doctorate land, iGeek and myself was never far from emails, filling her with not-so-juicy details about our not-so-exciting lives and asking her questions on her experiments that at least I have no clue about. “Harvest non-addictive medicinal marijuana!” is what I have been drumming into PJ. Ah-Mei kept everything private between herself and PJ Hong. We hardly ever got any of Ah-Mei’s reply all emails and when they do come, they are filled with patronizing questions to which I don’t think she even really care.

Phuket came last Christmas. 4 girls (plus my dear Hei) was stuck on an island together. Ah-Mei was suddenly faced with a situation where she cannot run, she had to talk to iGeek and me. There were some awkward silence, some whispering of “what should I say” and some “not sure what to do”. But we all played it cool and try to get along. For the 3 days, it seems like everything went back to when we were 16 years old, except we had more cellulite, our boobs were bigger and were legal to drink.

Ah-Mei’s young twat of a girlfriend, Qiop, did the unforgivable. Yet Ah-Mei forgave her and took her back. And even though we haven’t chatted for a long time and it was in darkness, I could hear the quiver in Ah-Mei’s voice when she told us, the hurt that she felt when she learnt the truth.

I was mad.

And in my half drunken stupor after a girl’s night out, I gave Qiop my word of advice. I said that the girls were as close to me as family can get, and I have known them for 10 years. And although I welcome her into the family, I will warn her that the welfare of the girls always comes first for me. If she hurts Ah-Mei, I will hunt her down (even if it means I fly to America) and I will hurt her. For NOONE hurts my family.

I was drunk. Can’t remember all.

Merciless has been a word that’s been used to describe me when “screening” partners. Ive been told by my sisters that their boyfriends fear me the most when meeting the family. Not my father. Me. And once my sister even said I can be brutal when “screening”.

I love you therefore I “screen”.

Now the END has come with my FRIEND. I think I have lost Ah-Mei. Her loyalty and protectiveness over a twat who cheats supercedes my loyalty and protectiveness over her.
“Will Eck be there?” – 4 words that actually stabs my heart. Pain is felt and tears well. Words that come from Ah-Mei because it seems Qiop is UNCOMFORTABLE when I am around.

4 words come from a “friend” who used to come to me when she had problems, when she needed money to fund her supp paper. The friend who used to draw me her skinny chickens and make me laugh. The friend who rubs my head and tell me I am funny. The friend who cooked instant noodles for me when I was drunk young and hungry. The friend I’ve known and loved for 10 years.

I lost.

A lesson in English

Recently, I was given a lesson in English by a true blue Englishman (who very kindly hosted hei and myself in his awesomely huge villa).

Conversation goes;

Me: Oh, I am currently renovating my new place at Punggol.

Saint R: You see, 'renovating' is a Singapore lingo. You cant say you are renovating. In the English dictionary, 'renovating' means restoring something back into good condition. Is you house already furnish?

Me (sheepishly): No....so what should be the right term?

Saint R: Finishing...you are finishing or completed your apartment.

(End)

I was convinced but wanted to make sure, so I came home and search on the dictionary. And indeed he is right. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/renovate

And at the same time, Saint R also informed me that Singaporeans (correction: real estate agents) used the word "bungalow' too loosely. Everyday he flips through the newspaper and he see them advertising for;

2 STOREY BUNGALOW...
WITH POOL, JACUZZI......

"Bungalow" - is an Indian word that was adopted into the English language. It is use to mean a 1 storey house usually surrounded by a verandah.

bungalow
1676, from Gujarati bangalo, from Hindi bangla "low, thatched house," lit. "Bengalese," used elliptically for "house in the Bengal style."

Everyday, you learn something new...on this day...I learnt 2 things!

I know this is not a good picture but it was hilarious when I saw this little kitty sound asleep on a narrow ledge and DROOLING.

Hahaha and I thought only humans drool in their sleep.

An innovative idea

If you don't already know, my doggies sleep at the balcony. Tonight, it was raining and we thought about putting them in the house to sleep, but thinking of the mess we will wake up to the next morning, forced me to think of another way to keep them dry and still in the balcony.

Behold. The mighty umbrella.

Do you have 1 dish in this world that you especially have a weakness for or love?

I do.

Once in a while, I have a craving for "Siek Mee Ta Mai Hiam Long Zong Ketchup". Not everyone does it well but this stall in Marine Parade Market (Rong Fu Mian) does it perfectly.

Slurping this noodle down brings back memories when I was a kid and was dragged through the marketing with Mummy...and the only thing that perk me up was this bowl of noodles....

Heavenly.

While growing up, did you ever wonder what it would be like to own your first home? How it feels like to go through all the interior design and pick your favourite/most affordable?

Housing was an issue I never ever thought of, to be honest. I've always moved from apartment to apartment with everything ready for me. The house was in moved-in condition and all I needed to bring/pack was myself, and my clothes.

So Hei and I are now home-owners. Home-owners - Suddenly, we move into another Target Audience group when watching commercials. Commercials on home insurances, air refresheners, washing detergents, preventing ades mosquito in your house, suddenly becomes relevant to us.

100K down from our CPF in exchange for a new pair of house keys - what are we suppose to feel?

But here is a glimpse of our new house...ignore that last 20 secs or so....

In this world of the living and the dead
Horizontal you lie, in the morgue or in bed
When you walk, who walks besides you?
A brush against your skin, was it something true?

Kids are getting outrageous these days!

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=35089

No wedding, 1 birthday and a funeral

Thanks to all who celebrated my birthday for me this year.

Firstly, my dearest mother-in-law who cooked the most lavish meal for the whole family, including her 招牌菜 - dark soya meat. There's no name to it, but when you taste the tenderness of the roast pork with the caramalized coating. Even Kate Moss will forget that she is on a diet.

Then, to my sister and lydia - thanks for the agnes!

Thirdly to my dear dear friends - we met, we ate, we drank and we laughed about the different eras we are in, using SBC, TCS and Mediacorp as the benchmark. And yes, even though i am no longer the youngest at the table (damn you teresa!!! =P)....its alright....

And lastly, my husband, my hunny, my sweethear, my lover and my little black black. The cake was awsome (although, don't ever let me sway away from my trust Mango cake), the dinner cooked was delicious - instant noodle and luncheon meat - and lying in bed watching "The Golden Path" was too good to be true.

I am 26. And Im proud of it.
Need to start moving up in life.
As as my new found guru said, I must now learn how to play big...PLAY BIG! Play BIG!!!!

Sadly to sad, Drey's grand mama passed on. At a ripe old age of 94, I guess its her time. I remember this old lady once called me and Jessie beautiful. Its just nice to have memories, good memories.

Hope you know that she is going to a better place. Maybe there where languages are of no barrier, your grandma and my grandma are sitting together, chatting about their grand children, playing mahjong or watching movies.

Introducing the 2 wonder dogs that finished 21.1km at the recent Safra Army Half Marathon!

I cant even begin to describe how mad and disappointed i felt this evening. The plans for an awsome friday night was totally ruin by the sea of people that were at city hall. tonight was suppose to be a romantic night at timbre. Having dinner, drinking beer and listening to music.

Its all ruin.

An almost makeover

With a hair style and eye brow embrodery, its an almost makeover, what else can i do next i wonder?

A fruitful trip

Thanks to ma' ladies who went to Bangkok with me.

It was an extremely fruitful trip. We shopped, we ate, we shopped and we ate somemore. Not to mention we had our massage, we saw a baby elephant in the city and we suffered black lung diesease from 2 tuk tuk rides.

It was really an adventure.

Well, it was a little demoralising shopping in bangkok.

"Got size?", we normally ask.

"For you. L or XL. We got sai (size). Come in...got sai (size)"

We looked at each other in utter shock and sadness, we are a EXTRA LARGE. Oh well, for one hundred-papty baht, who are we to complain?

It was no doubt budget travel, as TIGER airways took off and land, the loud noise it made and the dipping of the airplane during turbulance, force us to laugh our fears away.

"BUDGET! Remember, its only $200, inculsive of tax", Juni and I would laugh and comfort ourselves.

But we made it. 3 days, 3 bulging tummies, 3 bruised egos and 30kgs of new clothes later, we are happy and back to work.

An evil ploy from corporate

Ever wonder why the weekends seems to go by so quickly? Or holidays seem to end almost as soon as it started, no matter how long it is?

I suspect, its an evil ploy from corporate. Many moons ago, when humans started working for money, bosses come together and had this dialogue;

'How can we maximise the working time of your employees while giving them the illusion that they will be given time off?' - Boss A

'We must give them at least 20% our of their total working time in a week as time off to allow for recuperation.' - Boss B with the kinder heart

'20% is approximately 1plus days...Alright, we provide the illusion that we are generous. 2 days of time off! But we will make time go faster, but how? - Boss C

'HaHaHa! I am the only time-telling-device-maker in this world. Its in my control how!'

- Boss A

'Mwahahaha. Stupid Employees' - Together.

And this is how we feel that our time for weekends always go by so quickly.

Postman came this morning and handed me a package. It must be a gift from my sister, I thought but after a closer look, I notice the address of Ashurst Elementary School.

On the airway bill and under description, "Award Trophy" was written. Never would I imagine that my short 6 mth with the School would render me getting any sort of trophy. Already, Miss Weiss (the principal) was kind enough to write me an amazing testimonial and gave me a certificate when I left.

This is my first job that was no 'thank-less'.

Thank you. Thanks for making me so grateful this morning. And assured that I actually did something right.

I wish my kids are all growing up well. Miss you all. Each and everyone.

Making Babies

Making babies, having children, starting a family.

Is that a marriage is really all about?

In the short span of time I have been back, Ive attended 2 month-old-birthday parties for my niece and nephew and saw my cousin with her almost exploding belly and just received news that my colleague is 3 months pregnant. And on top of that, Ive also talked to a colleague who just got married and is trying REALLY REALLY hard for a baby.

I can't help but think, is having a baby the be all and end all of a relationship? Maybe I am just abnormal for not wanting to have children. But I won't deny it, seeing people 'popping' babies makes me wonder if I should go with the flow as well.

Obviously I am not lousy with children and I don't dislike them either. On the contrary, I am comfortable with children and I do like them. I miss my kids from Ashurst so much and I wish if I ever have kids, they can be like my first-graders.

No, I shan't rush myself. Sorry Mr Blackie, but you shall just have to wait patiently.

Soldier'sman's wife - Listen to the music, read my lyrics

I will live my life as a soldierman's wife on an island in the blue bay.
He will take care of me, he will smell like the soil.
And close to my heart he'll always stay.

I will bear three girls all with strawberry curls, little Lily and Anna and Jade.
While I'm combing their hair, I will catch his warm stare
On our island in the blue bay.

Far away far away, I want to go far away.
To a new life on a new shore line.
Where the water is blue and the people are new.
To another island, in another life.

There's a boy next to me and he always will be everything and the man of my life.
And I think he's the tops, he's where everything stops.
How I love to love him from afar.
When he walks right pass me then I finally see on in his arms I always stay
So I'm taking my man to an old distant town
On an island in the blue bay.

Far away far away, I want to go far away.
To a new life on a new shore line.
Where the water is blue and the people are new.
To another island, in another life.
I want to go far away.

Away away, I want to go far away, away, away
I want to go far away, far away.
Where the water is blue and the people are new.
To another life, to another life.
To another shore lineIn another life..

Ive been wanting to blog this for a while. But think something tip me over the edge today to actually do this today.

Whats wrong with men/Singaporean men?

The other day, I took a bus to work. Already, bus 57 to depot road comes like once every half hour and its super crowded during peak hour. But on this day I was onboard, I was standing infront of this man who was taking up 2 seats! Like he was oblivious to the fact that the bus was full and his bag and his 'need' to read newspaper was taking up the other seat! Ok, granted that his legs was quite long, but I was annoyed that he didn't even bother to pretend to move his bag to allow a person to have the seat. He just kept his nose in the newspaper who passengers who were standing struggled to keep their balance.

Then today I was driving along Old Airport Road. The traffic was heavy but I saw a guy trying to turn out of a side road, so I stopped to let him out first. Anyway there was much space in front for me. This male driver looked in awe like noone has ever extended courtesy before was took a looong time before he gathered himself to acutally make that turn out. But by then I was getting honked by the drivers behind me.

It sure doesnt pay to be kind.

Then! I stopped to allow a man cross the zebra crossing. And yes, although it was his right of way and I don't expect him to wave as a gesture of thanks but he could have NOT stared and "GEEN" me like I almost run him down!

FED-UP!!!!!

Unrealistic Singapore Government

Sometimes I think that the people who make up the Singapore Government have been in the government sector for so long that they have lost touch of what's its like to be an average Singaporean.

The recent sale of HDB's new Design, Build, Sell Scheme, City View @ Boon Keng, drew about 3000 applicants when they first open. They were going after 714 flats on sale. With price ranging from SGD350,000 to SGD730,000 for a 3-5 room flat, these applicants still had to fulfill the standard HDB criteria.

a) Family nucleus of at least 1 Singapore Citizen or Singapore PR
b) Applicants be at least 21 years of age
c) Non-ownership of private properties
d) Income ceiling of SGD8,000

The first 3 criteria are pretty standard and understandable, of course you should be an adult when buying a property and to maintain some form of citizen benefit, you should be a Singapore Citizen. And of course, if you already own a private property, don't apply for public housing, leave it to those who cant afford the private prices.

But then again, City View @ Boon Keng is selling at private property prices!

What really irks me is that the Housing Development Board must truly believe that a family with a combine income of SGD8000 or less can afford to buy a property worth SGD730,000!!!!!
I did a rough calculation and with a flat worth that much, you need a montly mortgage about $2100. If a couple has a combine income of $7999, their montly contributions to CPF (ordinary account) is only approximately $1800.

So this couple needs to fork another $300 in cash to upkeep the house, wipe out all their RETIREMENT savings for a GOVERNMENT OWNED 99YEARS property!!!

Whatever happened to HDB's mission statement.

We provide affordable homes of quality and value.

We create vibrant and sustainable towns.

We promote the building of active and cohesive communities.

We inspire and enable all staff to give of their best.

Affordable? Where is the affordability these days.

With a take-up rate of only 65% for City View @ Boon Keng, HDB has now release it to the open market for walk in selection. Even so, I don't think the take up rate is as good as the former Premiere at Tampines.

Doesn't think goes to show something?

When is the Singapore Government gonna wake up their idea?

I'm sorry. I can't help it. If you are born in the 80s or before, you may have fond memories of this.

最后一个大侠！！！！！ 紫螺插!!!

Woke up at 11 this morning and spent the day thinking about him. Kept running through my mind what we are going to do when we are together again, in Virginia, in DC, on the cruise, in Maimi and in NY.

Yes yes, I can see what you are mouthing right now. Sure we are gonna have sex. Lots of it.

Happy now?

Recently HR asked me what a marriage means to me. It took me a while before I could answer her, not because I dunno what MY marriage means to me. Or what a marriage SHOULD mean to people. But I didn't want to give her to cliche answer that it means trust and committment, love and respect.

A marriage is less philosophical. Sure, the foundation of marriage should be build on love, trust, blah blah blah. But to me, it means being about to live with each other EVERY SINGLE DAY. To be able wake up every morning, look at the person beside you and feel bless for another day you get to spend with him/her. And to always able to remember the smell of their hair, the shape of their fingers and how you mould into their body shape when you snuggle together.

I love him.

Everyday.

Night out with the ladies

As I sit here at my laptop with tired feet and body, I actually don't regret putting my comfortable self outta the chair yesterday, got dressed, slap on make up and hailed for a cab to drive me down to meet the rainbow club.

Well, granted not all the members were there but it was good enough.

Much of the evening was spent screaming 'TEN!' at the top of my voice because thats the strategy of YD when it comes to playing five-ten. I reckon she thinks that if she keeps shouting 'TEN!', I would eventually get confused enough to err. Well, Im not sure if the strategy worked cos she and I down many Power-Upped Vodka Redbull (thanks to nette).

Part of the evening was also spent slouching with debby at our quiet corner and judging/criticising/admiring people's dress sense. That gave me some time to recuperrate from YD's attacks.

As the alcohol seeps into the blood stream, our inhibitations came down. Butts were shaking, hips were gyerating, and hands flew all over the place as we danced to the remixed tunes of Shakira, Rihanna, Britney and others.

But before long, I felt a hand pulled me out of the club and to another we go. With only 10 mins to closing, we walked into the packed dancefloor and immediately had a jug of Vokda Cranberry handed to us. Compliments from the DJ.

Coolios. After 4 jugs of Power-Upped Vodka Redbull, thats just wat I need. A mellow Vodka Cranberry.

Another 20 mins went pass and we were forced out of the joint. With the intention to end the night off with a round of Mahjong at Nette's place. Wendy, Debby and I shared a cab while YD and Nette took another. But 3 mins into the journey to Lor Ah Soo, a phone call came, re-routing us to good ol' Zouk.

It was already 3.30am and my feet were killing me. Damn my boots!

Unfortunately, Zouk don't feel the same anymore. Not sure if its is because 70% of the crowd was in their late teens to early 20s. I distinctively heard 2 guys boosting how they are 21 and are checking out clubs. Or it was the fact that Zouk changed but remained the same. The crowd sure has changed, but the music seemed like it came from a CD entitled 'Compliation for Saturday - Zouk'. Ah, but it could be because the whole night we were dancing, this overweight young man tried to inch himself closer and closer to me. Thanks YD for shielding and pulling me away in time.

*Shudder*

The night/dawn finally came to a stop at 4.30am. Nette and I dragged our worn out bodies into the cab with a tired Debby.

And I came home to find my mum awake! Her day has just started while mine is winding down. As I crawled into my room, I saw my mum displaying her pugillistic talent for my dogs to see.

Netty Booboo turned a big 30! And wow, she took it really well. No tears, no drunken stupor.

But Im not sure if the surprise party for her was really good. I hope she really enjoyed herself though.

Thanks Debby and Audrey for helping me pull of the surprise and YD for joining us. I dunno about them, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Its great to be with friends whom you really like.

Even if you jam her finger at the car door, she still smile at you while screaming.

Even if you laugh at her, she laughs with you and treats you eat sausage.

Thank you friends. I know I have good ones.

A light has finally shine upon me...I finally see it.

Food only taste good when there is someone to share it with!

I can't say I had a crappy dinner....my mum made some tonic soup and I had it with some noodles and fish ball at the side. Ok it may not be the most delicious thing, but it just sucked. Then, suddenly it dawned upon me, why do people eat?

Whats the point of cooking for an hour only to consume the food in less than 10 mins?!

Should we all quit eating all together?

No. We shouldnt. But we should have dinner with someone. As hard as it may be, try to minimise time alone when eating. Because even if you have a meal cooked by Mario Batalli, it would not taste good. Simply because you cant turn around and rave about how perfectly the steak is cooked, or how crisp the salad is or just how much/little the wine complements the meal.

Bottomline is, I miss you baby. I know we don't have have the tastiest meal together. I am no Kat Cora or Paula Dean (but I am working on that laugh) but its nice just to be able to talk while having dinner. It's great to have someone to rant/rave to. It feels good when you praise me when I made something good...and when you encourage me when the dish doesn't come out the way i thought it would.

I miss you. And all our dinners together. You are my perfect dinner mate. My dinner soul mate.

After reading Kim's blog and saw her reminiscing about her old days, I couldnt help but rummage through my old stuff and found this picture. This may be one of the last pictures taken with the 4 of us. Time has certainly flew by, I have known this 4 humans for 10 years.

It's like a marriage. We have been through good times and bad times. Been happy together, been mad at each other. Quarrelled and made up. We've seen each other's questionable dress sense (jeans baggy enough to hide chickens) and questionable hair style (curly, bedhead, shaven, chinadoll). We assisted each other during our times of intoxication, holding up each other's hair, flushing the toilet when done. We've cooked each other food when one was hungry (indomee after clubbing). And even laughed at each other when we fall down (a certain someone who climbed a wall, landed and then fell).

They are like my life partners, they are my bitches.

Time has drifted us apart somewhat. We each have found our own direction in life, taken different paths and met new people. And regrettably, we don't always make the effort to keep in touch better.

To my wives; thanks for always being there for me. 10 years!!! Its our Diamond Year! You must know that I am always here for you. Anytime. Anyplace.

Oh, I forgot to mention how happy I am that Boobsy came out of the closet and revealed to us. We all just want her to be happy and she does look the way. So thanks babe. I am so touched that after all these years, we may have drifted apart a bit, but you still hold us in your heart deep enough to let us in on your life.

iGeek is right, 3 down and 1 more to go. My wish for her this year is to meet someone right. Mediocre is not good enough remember that. She deserves only the best.

My first week back

This is marks the beginning of me returning back to a state of locality. No longer am I considered a foreigner to the country. Nor as an International Wife.

Do I miss it? Honestly, no. Neither the weather nor the food has made me glad to be back home. Well, it doesn't mean that I loathe to be back, I just have no particular excitement. This time, its so different from when I used to return from Perth. I remember I used to get all excited over coming home. The moment I touched down, I rushed to have my favourite Hokkien Mee (which I havent done til yet), order just about everything when I go to 85 and call everyone I know to announce my return. Oh, and I make it a point to never repeat the same food for 2 weeks.

This time, my face melted as I walked out of the airport, I regretted taking a walk along Orchard Road on a Saturday afternoon and I have taken fishball noodles 3 days in a row! What's different this time? It can't just be the fact that Xiaohei is not here with me. Sure I miss him and all, but my entire support group is here. So what's different?

Oh well, this is home afterall. I missed having my friends around. Laughing and having a great time with Audrey while we reminisence on the past, going for dinner and drinks with the rest of the girls and chatting with my sister. So when Xiaohei comes back, everything should go back to normal.

But right now, I am getting anxious about starting work. Worried that I am not capable enough to live up to the workload. Friends tell me I am thinking too much but I just want to be sure I will make it this time. "Old virgin" is what LadyiPod calls me...I am a virgin going back to an old place to get screwed. Ha! Its funny just reading it.

This is how love should be. Taking the person the way they are.

Hi baby,

Wanted to surprise you with this for V day but didn't have time to complete it. Here you go. We never ever had the cliche tacky photo video.

I love you and I miss you so much.

Just remember that I love being married to you. And if we can do it all over again, I will say 'I do' any day. Because its you.

My journey in America has come to an end.



As I looked back in the past 8 months of my life, I feel a sense of inner peace while tears well up my eyes. This is has not only been a growing experience for my relationship with Xiaohei but also an personal trip for me. It may be cliche to say but this 8 months has allowed me to grow and mature. It has allowed me to take on so many roles. I was still a daughter to my parents, a sister to my siblings , a friend to my buddies, and a wife to my husband. But I was a assistant to Mrs Vernon and a teacher/big sister/playmate/friend/problem solver to a class of 6 year olds. 7 year old some of them will rightfully correct me. I have been telling myself how much I want to take time out to volunteer, to give something back to the society. And now after a good 6-7 years of just telling myself, I finally did it. I feel so good inside, so satisfied that I almost feel selfish. All this 'giving back' is actually serving myself?

My heart ached when I walked into Room 8 of Ashurst Elementary School for the last time. My mornings will no longer if filled with getting Gabriel and Armon on reading counts followed by helping Ethan, Shawn, Levi and Allani with the spelling of their words, running around with Mackenzie, James and Matthew during snack break, putting up Jaquez's coat on the hanger after snack break, lunches with Mrs Vernon, waving off Daniel and Doan from Shelby as she tries to finish her morning work and swaying myself from side to side so I can get Emma, Mackenzie Faith and my sweet little Gracie off my shoulders and leg. They call themselves my magic shoes.

But most of all, I missed waking up next to the man of my life. Snuggling up to him when it was cold, nudging him him when he stops breathing in his sleep, and kissing him when we both woke up. I just miss him. I miss our home. There is always something to eat, its clean and neat and although it may not be much but its so cosy. It was OUR FIRST HOME. And I miss it so much. I miss him so much.

Never have I thought I will find a person whose my heart actually beats for.

I can't get this sound outta my head. Just realise its from Rolling Stones. Who doesnt love the Stones.

I had another weird weird dream and not even sure where it came from (if dreams are a collection of memories).

It was about another period in time...I was a Pan-asian man and was held prisoner due to a war that was going on. I was held in the same cell block with a black man and we became friends. In comes a new 'prison warden' for our cell block, he was a major in the army and a mean mean man. He said things in the prison has changed, everything will be segregated by race. He summon all the inmates out of the cells and on to the quadrangle (the cells were lined in a U-shape and it was a multi people cell). Guards surrounded the prisoners and were hitting the the prisoners with the back of their rifle (old ones with wooden trimmings kind) to get them to squeeze together. Suddenly, a fight broke out between a guard and myself and it spreaded to the my black friend. Somehow, we won all the guards including the major and took away all their guns. We made everyone go back into their cell and the gaurds to go back in with them. Then somehow, a shooting broke out. I turned into some martial arts expert being able to dodge the bullets and killed all the guards including the major.

It was my cell block now. In order not to stir any suspicion, I told the prisoners to let me pretend to be the major and check things out and my black friend to stay behind to watch over matters.

I dawned on the dead man's uniform and walked out of the cell block into the army camp that was busy dealing with the war. Noone noticed me and I tried to keep my head down, those whom I outranked even saluted me!

This pretence went on for quite a while, during which I had secretly helped some of the prisoners to escape and some others became 'guards'. One day, a Lieutanent Colonel (Anthony Hopkins) came to my cell block and requested to meet the Major. When I introduced myself to be the Major, he had a puzzled look on his face but shaked it off. By this time, I had already familiarise myself with the workings of the army and was able to make smart conversations with the LC. Months went by and the LC and I became close. He started to get me more involve wiht his work, training of soldiers.

One day after a training session, the LC causually mentioned that he was surprise the first time to see me at the cell block, or on camp for that matter. When I inquired why, he said that the camp was actually a white caucasian camp. Even other officers of other race couldnt step foot into it. I gave an awkward smile and answered that it was probably because the army took into account my white cauasian side of my family.

The same evening, the LC summoned me into his barracks/office. I walked into a dark room and as I got to the middle of the room, i felt the barrel of a gun at the back of my head. Then the voice of LC said that he has discovered my secret and was gonna kill me. We had a struggle and he was killed in the midst. I took the gun and put it in his hand as he laid, smeared my blood on him and left behind my uniform like he has killed the major. The siren rang as I escape through his window.

Then somehow, as I ran. The night became day almost immediately. The buildings got old and the grass grew to be really tall. I was a prisoner again, meeting my good black friend once more. He was playing basket with a hoop that was mounted at the side of a building 10 storeys high. He handed me the ball and said only few has scored. I took the ball and turned my back to the hoop. With all my strength I threw the ball over my shoulder, it hit the hoop but didn;t go in but as it rebound a bird caught it in the air and fly away with it.

I was E-ying again and I saw my father sitting on the grass a few feet away. I walked towards him and asked how he liked the movie. He said it was good but he didn't understand Jodie Foster's character. I told him I didn't even know Jodie Foster was in the movie. 3 dogs appeared, one was Vicki and the other 2 I didn't recognise. I started to run with the dogs.

Weird huh.

Not sure if anyone know that my dream since young was to be a news caster. When I was younger, I pretend to be a foreign correspondent, reporting live news from some war torn country. Secretly I did this of course.

I got to do it. Finally. It may not be real and the jacket didn't fit me, but I was so glad I did it.
Reporting live from CNN headquarters, this is E-Ying Wee.

For more pictures on our Atlanta trip, visit: http://flickr.com/photos/12657573@N02/sets/72157603845177218/

The most depressing show ever.

There is a show here which always brings me to tears. Not tears of joy, but it really makes me really really sad...and breaks my heart.

Its called "Say Yes to a Dress", its a reality show surrounding a Bridal Gown shop here and how the sales people help women find their perfect dress.

It makes me sad because I didn't have my perfect dress. Noone knew but I didn't like my dress at all. It was not what I wanted. My hair was not what I wanted. But because people thought it looked nice and I really didn't want to upset anyone that I didn;t say anything.

Noone was there when I fitted my dress except for E-Chiing and I really love and appreciate her for that. I understand everyone had to work, really. But noone lost their breath when I walked out of the fitting room. My mum didn't cry when I wore my dress. My dad didn't say I looked beautiful. My Hei didn't looked in awe when I walked down the aisle.

I had the perfect proposal, the perfect wedding reception with the perfect man but I was the imperfection and I hate it.

And now I worry that I won't be able to look back at my wedding and be happy and proud.

I would love to think Im crazy. That I truly looked beautiful and Im just thinking too much. But I can't. I didn't like the dress, I hated my hair and the fact that I even forgot to wear jewellery on that day was unforgivable.

Ok I wanted to blog and post pictures and videos about our trip to Atlanta, but it was the after trip happening that was so much more exciting and shocking so above is the video of the morning after we came home to a raining house.

Story: We were filling gas at a gas station about 2 mins south of our house. While waiting for my tank to fill up, we heard a fire truck siren approaching our direction and heading towards the direction of our apartment. Thinking nothing of it, we continue to finish up our thing and began to drive back home. By this time, we have already driven 6 hours from North Carolina, we were tired, dirty and hungry. Then, when we drove into the road leading our apartment, a fire truck was driving out from that direction. I casually made a joke, "Oooo that must be coming from our place." So we continued to drive on and saw there was another fire truck parked right in front of our apartment block and Sihou, our neighbour was standing out front too. We quickly parked, but still didn't worry too much because Sihou did not have that worried a look on his face. Until we got out of our car, he walked towards us and said, 'They just opened the door to your apartment." And we knew. The sprinkler pipe on the 3rd floor had burst due to the freezing weather and all the water came pouring down onto our house. The night we walked into our war torn house, I found it rather comical but Hei thought it was rather frustrating.

See how different people react differently to situations?

I have a dream

A tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King - Civil Rights Leader

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

Now, I can explain with much justification WHY I pay good money to get my hair cut, straightened, coloured, washed and blow dried in the salon that is Monsoon.

Sure I only paid $22 for my hair cut (note, I said cut, not style) and it covers a brief wash, a cut and a brief dry plus some gunky stuff. But coming from a person who does enjoy the PLEASANT surprise when she sees her new hair style in the mirror after not having to tell my stylist what I want, I wasn't exactly pleasantly surprise. It's not as extremely bad, its just a little china doll-ish.

Oh well, for $22, what can I complain about?

I don't care if you guys call me clucky, or say that my biological clock is ticking or even assume that I have developed my maternal instincts. But I fell in love with this documentary here call 'Jon and Kate plus 8'.

This is an amazing family. This couple, Jon and Kate, got married and wanted children. So this first had a pair of identical twins, daughters. 4 years later, they thought they will try again for more children. This time they ended up with sextuplets. 6 BABIES! Every time the documentary intros, they show a shot of Kate's belly when she was pregnant with the 6 kids and no matter how many times I have watched the show, I am still awed by the size of her belly! I mean it was HUGE! HUGE!!!!

Anyway, its a great documentary. Its so funny how each kid has his/her own personality and its so distinct. And even though they all share Mummy's tummy for 9 months, they all don't necessarily get along.

The weather is going nuts here!

We came back from our holiday, greeted by the cold Virginia and we thought we are going to start freezing again. But, ol' and behold, we are getting a warm front this week. An extremely warm 24C high yesterday! It's like summer all over again!

But you know, its the calm before the storm I expect.

Scared.

After an arduous 12 days holiday, we are finally back at home. Shivering in our lack of warm clothing (due to the travelling) and enjoying the peace and not so quiet (noisy & busy washing machine) home.

San Francisco was amazing for me. It was everything I see in the movies and more. The steep slopes and the vintage character homes makes me want to pack up and move there. The Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown was an additional spur to do just that.

We also went over to the extremely romantic Sausalito which none of them believe that I know of the place because of a movie I watched several years ago. No, they didn't not believe me, they didn't believe that the movie exist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausalito_%28film%29

Spending Christmas at Lake Tahoe was amazing. The snowy mountains and the not-so-soft white snow everywhere was just a sight to see. Plus, we got to literally walk across stateline to Nevada state. That is as close to Las Vegas as I have ever been, and this closeness to Las Vegas already made me lose 10 dollars at the casino table. We sled, we built a snow man and we got into a snow ball battle.

So after 6 days and 930 miles driven, this part of our holiday ends and we bade Rudy and Cecelia farewell.

Hei and I took off to Buffalo to see the beautiful Niagara Falls. We were going to take it easy this time, wake up later. We took our time to enjoy the food (Ted's Hot Dog = great), the sights but not so much the weather.

And we even for upgraded to the Junior Presidential Suite at Mariott Ontario!!!! Full equipped with a Jacuzzi (and a window in the toilet), 2 TVs, a fireplace, a giant bed with loads of pillows and a view to die for. From my room, I can see BOTH the American and the Canadian Horseshow falls.

And we drove to Toronto to have Dim Sum, TWICE! We ate our fill for the next 6 mths and it was really good too, almost like my mother-in-law.

We love Niagara Falls. We loved our holiday!

Ok, before I go on to my actual post today. I just wanted to share this picture with you. Hei and I stuffed and roasted a chicken the other day....look at my sitting chicken...isnt it funny!

But ok, down to business....

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SNOW!!!! I RAN OUT INTO THE SNOW, WAVING MY ARMS LIKE A MANIAC AND STUCK MY TONGUE OUT TO CATCH THE SNOW....

I LOVE IT...IT'S LIKE IN MY DREAMS.

I brought my students out for recess and I think I had as much fun as them. We ran, made snowballs, snowman...and the girls made snow angels.

The weirdest dream

Saturday I woke up from the weirdest dream. I cant remember all of the details but one part of it goes like this,

On 1 side, a fat chinese man wearing only a sarong and on the other a skinny chinese man in a bathrobe. They are long time loggerhead friends and they were quarrelling. The skinny man did something to the fat man and I heard the fat man retaliate saying, ' Oh, let me show you what I can do. Fried rice.....' This fat man started waving his arms in front of him like he was doing the drunken swordsplay and came a whirlpool of fried rice. Like a tornado, the fried rice just was spinning round and round in between his 2 arms. The next thing i know, he shot his palms out like Ryu from street fighter and the whirlpool of fried rice when flying at the skinny man, knocking him over. The skinny man fell to his back like a dead cockroach would and his bathrobe accidentally slip, exposing him. And like a true comedy, he said 'oops' and cover himself back.

Then I blank out for a while. I saw this 2 men again. This time they were boarding a ship and setting off. And no, they are wearing normal clothes this time. As I wave them goodbye and watch their ship sail into the sun set, i see this silhouette of the skinny man popping out from different areas of the ship, waving goodbye to me. In the background, there was this 2 snow cap volcanos which suddenly erupted and started shooting milk into the sky.

What does this all mean?!?!?!?!

Ok, I know I havent checked in for a while. But I'VE BEEN SO BUSY!!!! Besides from working almost everyday at the elementary school, I've just taken on a marketing role at a hospital...

And yes, there have been so much holiday!!!!

After the delightful trip to Orlando for Veterans Days, we went to watch a NBA match the next weekend with the Gohs. It was great; Washington Wizards vs Portland Trailblazers. And although I think Xinsui and I don't really know whats going on on the court technically, we shouted, we screamed, we booed and we cheered. I must say however, I am a little disappointed with the hot dog.....

Washington won!

This weekend, we decided to take it easy. After an extremely filling lunch/tea/dinner thanksgiving feast, we drove 2 hours to Williamsburg and in a cold autumn/winters' night we queue up in front of Nike and started our shopping spree on Midnight Madness Black Friday.

After 3 hours and an empty pocket, we drove ourselves back to the hotel and slept. Warmly in the bed.

On Friday morning, we drove another 45 mins to Virginia beach. It was early, it was cold and it was gusty. So instead of freezing by the beach, we head to the nearest mall to hide from the weather....

"Here you LEAVE TODAY and ENTER A WORLD of
YESTERDAY, TOMORROW and FANTASY"

I read this sign as I walked into Disney World: Magic Kingdom and I couldn't believe it. I was actually in Orlando, Florida!

And so I did, I left everything at the entrance and entered a fantasy world. I became 5 all over again. Surprisingly, Hei was also excited about Disney world, even though he was not acting like a child like me.

But who cares. I grew up reading about Pinnochio, watched Chipmunks, Mickey, Donald and all the princesses. I WANTED TO BE A PRINCESS.

And as I watched the parade, tears welled up in my eyes and I wave frantically at the mascots. Again, I couldnt believe I was there watching the parade. It was really a DREAM COME THROUGH.


The weather was perfect to top it all off, it was cool but sunny and it was even the perfect weather to eat a popsicle. Its hot enough to appreciate the cold popsicle yet cool enough not to have the popsicle melt in your hands.

I was in love. We had a great day.

On Day 2, we went to Seaworld. Still feeling great from Disney world, nothing could have brought us down.

We got to feed the dolphins and sea lions, watched some amazing performances by the killer whales and hei got to ride on the roller coaster. Twice!

We love Orlando

To my beloved sister, E-Chiing and Marine Corps,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Hei and I attended the Marine Corps Ball this evening and it was a night to remember.

The ceremonial sequences were done to the highest precision and added significance to the event. A ballroom full of Marines in uniform and their ladies at hand, dressed to impress, it was just breath-taking. Hei wasn't too shabby himself, in his tuxedo looking uniform, he stood out like a shiny star in the deep blue sky. Captain Loveboat they call him.

Drinks came pouring, one after another. The Marines sure know how to have a good time. And the food, though wasn't the highlight of the event was tasty and cooked perfectly. (Well, at least the fist of a beef tenderloin that Hei had)

A speech made by Guest of Honor, a Lieutant-General made us laugh, touched us and brought tears to my eyes. This is what is meant by having pride at what you do. And the Marines do. Each and every one of them have pride and passion for doing the things that few Americans choose to do, fight in a war even though when many don't support, and building friendships that will last a lifetime. They really lived up to their motto; THE FEW THE PROUD.

If only our Singapore Army is able to induce such pride in our military men. Well, who knows, maybe 232 years from now, we can achieve what the Marines achieved.

This night is especially special for me. I couldn't have asked for more. My soulmate, my date, my partner, my husband, asked me to dance for the first time since we met. And even though our first dance is nothing like those I watched in the movies, it was perfect for me. I couldn't have asked for more.

Thanks Baby for the perfect night.