April came and left too fast

As cliche as this sounds but seriously, TIME FLIES. Especially this year for me, I dont know why.

April was the travelling month for me. India, China, Hong Kong and then Macau.

Here, I wanna take a moment and thank my boss (machiam like Oscar award). If my boss continue to bring my to beautiful places like sanya, i will never leave.....=)

Gurgaon, Delhi, India
I went to India with a little hesitation and a little fear. All the talk about the water, the air and the damn movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I was half expecting walking out of the airport and smelling sewage, getting rob immediately and suffering from diarrohea. Well, a gust of warm air greeted me as I walked out of the airport but it doesnt smell. While walking to the carpark, a boy tried to haggle for handouts but left me alone. But the food.....IT WAS HEAVENLY.

Kebabs, Briyani, Cottage Cheese, Dhall....I never tasted better Indian food nor have I love Indian food as much....I swear, I must have gained like 3kgs in the 3 days I was there. Nope, I rephrase, 5kg. Besides, India's Kingfisher beer isnt that bad!

Sanya, Hainan, China
I went to Audrey's family hometown. Sanya was beautifullll, well at the resort where I was. Hainanese chicken rice there doesnt compare to Singapore but China fascinates me. I can't wait to explore another part of it.

Hong Kong & Macau
When work was finally over and done with (for April at least), I took a short holiday to Hong Kong. Xiaohei, his mom and my mom met me in there and 4 of us did all the possible touristy thing. But the weather was not with us this time, fog covered 60% of the peak, making visibility non existent when we were at the top.

I must say, after 3 years working for a Hong Konger boss, my cantonese has improved!!! Although I bet all the locals I spoke to probably think Im either a joke or insulting their language but heck, I tried.

May is a grounded month for me, besides, with my excellent financial skills, Im already broke and its only the 5th day of the month.

Til the next adventure. Cant wait.

Hey buddy. I feel like you now. Its 11.10pm and I am hungry.

How issit where you are? I still see your picture on my computer wallpaper everyday and my heart no longer ache as much but I still miss you. Sometimes I wonder if I had brought you over to live with me if it would be better. Wondering if you would have lived longer.

But I guess its too late to think about it now.

Remember how I changed your diet to a vegetarian diet? I would cook a meal worth 3 days for you and Vicky. Smash potatoes, mince meat pie, fried rice....Ill never have the chance to cook for you every again. Maybe in our next life time together? Im so glad you were never picky with food and even though we complain how a big glutton you are, im sure we all wish you are still around to pick off the floor.

I miss you buddy. One day, we shall dine together once more.

Love you.

Hey buddy. Remember the time Echiing brought back a little sick kitten? We were staying at Waterloo then and she found the kitten with a bloated tummy. It was already late in the evening and we were sure what to do at that time.

Chiing and I put the little kitten in a box. We tried to feed it make but it wouldnt take, we tried water but also failed. It was then decided that we will wait til morning before we bring it to a vet.

The whole night you sat beside the little kitten. When you lean forward to sniff it, we were so scared that you will bite it but you stick out that pink tongue and gave it a big lick. Then you sat beside it again and everytime the cat whispered the slightest mew, you ran to me, stared at me and ran back out. If I didnt follow you, you ran back to my room, stared at me again and whine.

That night you didnt sleep in my room. Instead, you took your place beside the little kitten and you gave it love.

Poor thing didnt survive to see the break of dawn and when we woke, the kitten was already a stiffy. But you kept your place, not moving an inch.

You were with little kitty til her very last breath. I am so glad I was able to be with you at your last breaths as well. Im really sorry for not holding my place beside you all the time but you are always in my heart.

Always. And Forever.

I miss you buddy, still so very much and I still have this sourish feeling when I think of you.

Dont ever forget me ok? I will never forget you.

Hey buddy. Is there haze where you are? The air is so polluted here, making it so hard to breathe but it finally rained this morning. It brought a little breeze but its still hot.

Was looking at some of Aless's photos and saw one of him lying on the same pillow as Tiger. I thought of you. I remember once Elin was home and you were sleeping on your pillow. She crawled towards you wanting to disturb your sleep but ended up falling asleep on your pillow!!! The funniest thing was that you woke up, annoyed by her "sharing" your pillow, and walked away. Echiing and I was rolling in laughter, looking at Elin sleep on your pillow. Its not exactly the cleanest eh?

Joe, its been almost a week since you left. But I still see you every night when I close my eyes. I still think about you and our time together.

Do you think of me?

Remember we used to share food? It started with you picking from my fingers and then you took straight from my mouth. Disgusting from some but it was a bond between you and me. But I stopped after you bit my lip one evening in the midst of your excitement. My lip split and swell and for the next couple days. Chiing laughed and did the "serve you right" and I scolded you.

But look at your face. How long can I stay angry with you for.....

Maybe I should have brought you to Punggol with me. Maybe it would have prolong your life. Maybe maybe maybe.

Ten years we have been together. Noone can take your place in my heart. And hopefully one day, we will meet again. I love you buddy.

I remember once something made me really upset. Noone was at home and I was crying like there's no tomorrow.

You came, sat next to me and started licking my tears away. Then, I thought its the greedy you wanting to taste my salty tears, but I know its because you love me and wanted to cheer me up. I remember it did, you brought a smile to my face.

Now, thinking of times like this makes my heart ache and a sting to my eyes. But noone here to lick away my tears anymore.

I miss you buddy.

This is one heartache I wish for noone.

You were born on 26 December 1997.

We werent there to witness your birth but not long after, you went to Lin's home. To become a Wee.

I remember the first time we met. You were carried out of the gate by a man. Poor you, had to endure a 8 hour flight in a small space. Chiing put the collar and leash on you and you came home with us.

Your first home was Waterloo. It was 1999 and I was entering polytechnic.

And even though I was so excited to meet you and fell in love at first sight, I played it cool. Letting you explore the house on your own.

"If you pat your bed means you allow him up". Chiing told me.

I pat my bed hestitantly. And you jumped up, wagged your tail at me and sat down.

You slept with me from that day on. Sometimes at the foot of my bed, sometimes on my left. Always under my covers, curled up into a ball. And when i move to much, you fidget and sigh, like Ive disturbed your sleep.

Im sorry if I did. Wish you were at my foot once more.

Miss you so much.

The year of the Tiger

3rd day of the new year and im sitting at home in my short and tank top, fanning myself because of the intense heat. The weather has been amazingly warm and ultra humid.

Eve of the new year was busy but manageable - hei has just return from his "Cobra Affair" in Pattaya and we slept in a little til 9.30am. Grabbed some lunch, withdrew and changed some money and managed to find a pet shop that was open so that Vicky and Joey wont starve during the holidays. Dinner at the Wees was enjoyable. Thanks dad for the peeled prawns. Followed by a lo hei session at the Tays.

Typical first day of CNY, temple in the morning - said hi to grandma but forgot grandpa. Oops...Chiing and I ran back to the alter and apologise profusely to ah-kong , only to follow the apology with a request to strike lottery....haha. After that, we went down to greet MB.B and ate good mee sua. Drama struck as normal at S.C Ah-ma house and at noon, after 2 phone calls from Jyn, we rushed down to Gremlim's place.

"Write your name on the ang pow" Gremlim kept telling me.

There, Chiing and I watched Hei stone and 2 uncles with a combined age above 100 teasing a less than 1 year old baby to laugh. It was hilarious yet heartwarming to watch.

By 3pm, Hei and I were home, unconscious. Only woke up when Mother Tay called to ask "You guys are not coming right?" Double meaning words, we shot up and move our asses.

The evening was spent in Whampoa - more eating, more fanning from the heat and waiting for Mother Tay to finish playing MJ. At midnight, she walked out and asked us to go home first. Ahhh! We could have left at 1030.

2nd day of CNY - Mackers Big Breakfast Deluxe. YUM. Fed the fishes. Watched TV, watched TV, napped. Went to buy dinner.

Dominoes and Yu Sheng - FUSION.

And as luck would have it, we accidentally threw away out tv remote control. Great.

At 2215, we started a MJ game at Bee's house. It was too late to start and by the time we were done - it was 4am. It was then followed by supper in Geylang.

6am - we slept.

10.45am - I woke. The ironing started.

12 noon - Hei woke.

1pm - Lunch.

2.50pm - I blog this entry.

Soon Ill be going to Lynn's place - more eating, more drinking.

FAT(T) FAT(T) FAT(T)

Comedians are the true depressives

Yesterday, something triggered a thought "Should I start to care more and take matters more personally?"

There has been an issue at work, well, as you know, I am a humble non-HP employee working in HP. That means I am a contingent or contract worker. That means I am scum of the earth or as my dear friend Michelle puts it. the corriander leave on a plate of pasta that people convenient puts aside.

Seriously, that has not bothered me much. Who really cares whether you are a contract or a permanent staff. I work everyday just like them, I have deadlines just like them and their job is as unstable as mine.

Ok the issue goes, all contingent works need to leave the company for 100 days before rejoining back. 100 days of unemployment.

Is that bad? DN was bothered by the news and I laughed when the news was broken to me. In my mind, I was thinking "holiday" "break" "relax" but DN was thinking "bills" "unemployment".

Towards the end of the day, I started to question whether was I just masking my anxiety?

Then today came, HairyB came back from Phuket and I called her in the evening to find out what she was up to. iGeek was gonna go over after dinner and HR may too. I had wanted until I heard that HR was going.

"Ill meet you another time. See ya" - I told HairyB. Followed by a text to iGeek telling her that I wasnt going to meet up.

Here's the story with me and HR. We were bestest friends. All 4 of us. Sure, there was a time when we all grew up and made our own friends but we always cared for each other. I was hurt when HB say she loved HairyB the most because they met first. It wasnt because she didnt love me most but because everytime HairyB was not in town. 4 became 2. HB will not call or meet up. Once she said to me that she found it hard to meet because we have all gone on different routes.

Bull.

But this time was the worse. HB met a little CCB who cheated on her and broke her heart. I was so mad that when they patch back and met me - I told her Little CCB to be careful with HB because I will be mad if it happens again.

HB was mad at me for it. But truth behold, she cheated and broke her heart again.

I didnt do anything because my own heart was broken. For after I told the little CCB, HR avoided me like the plague. When I met them again, she shielded Little CCB like I was a serial killer. And even asked "Is Eck there?" before meeting up.

I dont think I have ever felt so betrayed before.

So months went by and I didnt say anything. HairyB went back to UK and all became normal again. 4 became 2.

HairyB's birthday last year, I decided to tell HR how I felt, hoping to peace things out and its blew up in my face.

We are not even friends now.

So with a heavy heart and a big bowl of pasta. Here is my note to HR.

Dear my friend from the past,

I hope you find happiness - in love, in work, in life. I know you think life hasnt been the fairest to you but choices are made by yourself and you need to make the best out of it. I will always remember our friendship, your mum's noodles and the skinny chicken you drew for me.

With only love.
Eck - you gave me this name.

3 years of being a wife

Today is Blaeck's 3rd wedding anniversary. Firstly, I wonder why is it called a Wedding Anniversary? Should it be marriage anniversary? Or do we only remember the wedding and not the marriage? When did the wedding end and the marriage began? From the moment I said "I do"? Or when Lydia says "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Mr and Mrs Tay".

Mrs Tay. That's a salutation and a surname I only use when the banks or the telephone company calls. I remembered when I was in America and I introduced myself as Eying Wee, people just assumed that I am Mrs Wee and that Hei's surname is Wee. Once, the guard at the gantry even called Hei "Mr Wee"!

Thats an Asian thing I realise. I dont understand how as developed western countries are, the women always adopt their husband's surname. My mother took my dad's surname but never legally. My boss still holds her own surname and so did I. And I cant imagine my sister being Elin De Mercurio. *No offense Mark, its a lovely surname. Just I am so used to Elin Wee*.

So I am a wife. Ive been a wife for the last 3 years. How does that feel?

Honestly, not much difference. Was I suppose to get a gush of new emotions when I signed the papers? I didn't. Was I suppose to look at Hei differently? I didn't.

But did my life changed? I suppose it did. iGeek thinks I have grown up and mature, but I hardly think its because of the new marital status right?

Sex still the same - just less these days because of work schedule (God! I hate that reason). But it didn't change before or after (Yes Yes, I was no virgin when I got married).

Do I love Hei more? I dont necessarily think so. I do think that our relationship has evolve though. Like when we first met it was more physical appeal, the sexual tension - then as you get to know each other better you get that rush of admiration - now its more of an understanding. Sure the physical animal lust is still there but the companionship is so much more interesting.

A toast to 3 years and 3 years more!

Cheers.

Day 5: Mitsui Outlet Park + Shinjuku

Food No. 20: Ebi Soba + Inari, Yasai Tempura Soba + Onigiri

Ahh hot breakfast, it was delish. Except that I couldnt slurp the noodles due to my stupid cough. My inari was nice with sesame in the rice. Yumss..

It was suppose to be suppose day yesterday but the outlet was disappointing. Not that it had nothing to buy but it wasnt exactly outlet prices and the clothes were all made for winter. So my takings for the day were only a Columbia vest, a hat and 4 LL sized stockings.

Look how nice my Columbia vest it. I wore it immediately (of course, as per my nature). And immediately I felt a rush of warmess. I LOVE it....

Food No. 21: Tuna Pasta with Chocolate cake

We took a break during lunch time at the outlet mall. Not hungry but after seeing everyone eat the pasta around us, we (or I) wanted one too. "Seems like very nice, everyone is having it", I said. Only to realise its because the cafe only serves pasta.

Our waiter hardly spoke English so through some hand gesturing, we order. But when 3 drinks came for us, we reckon we must have a miscomm somewhere.

Pasta was alright. Im not a fan of cooked tuna bu its ok. Still looking for better pasta in Japan.

By the time we were done, it was around 4.30 and we took a ride to Shinjuku. My god, the train ride took 1.5 hours but maybe because we were on a holiday that we didnt realise it at all. Train this evening was not that crowded, after experience the literal pack like sardines that evening where I was almost lifted off my feet. Nothing faced me anymore. We have learnt to follow behind a Japanaese Ojisan who will OPEN a path for us.

Food No. 22: BBQ Meats

We went back to Shinjuku for dinner cos we having seem the place at night. It was like Neon Lights Festival. I wanted Shabu Shabu for dinner and Hei wanted to BBQ - so the first restaurant we saw was a BBQ restaurent and we went. Embedded in the table was small BBQ set. Again through hand gesturing, we order a set of beef, pork, veggies and what i think are hokkaido crab legs.

The crab legs were yummmmm. At first we didnt know how to BBQ it since it was already cooked so we "heated" its up only but realise the flesh inside was still cold. So Hei said to put until the shell got blacked and after that, it was trule yummmmssss.

After dinner, we walked around a little and saw all the young trying to make it gangsters....hair long like Feng Yun and wear only like 1 button shirt and 1 jacket, freezing their ass off. Hei got approached by 1 african man for "Wanna try strip club?" - and we know we have wandered too deep into the alley. heheh.

Food No. 23: Cheese Pancake.

I forgot to take a picture. But it was too thick for my liking.

Food No. 24: Takopachi

They only sell in balls of 8!!! And these are like half size bigger than those in Singapore....I only managed 2....was so full...Hei had the rest.

"Super Nihon" Rating for the day: 7/10 - My Columbia Vest Rulllezzz but Im coughing my lungs out.

Day 4: Asakusa, Harajuku + Felicia Chin, Roppongi

Started out holy day with a prayer at Sensoji Temple. For 100 yen, I shooked the cylinder with wishing sticks and got a "Final Small Fortune" fortune slip. It was a neither good nor bad fortune with everything being "halved".

Food No. 15: Bean Cake

Reminded me of Mum's attempt at Delimanjoo. It was some cakey thingy with some beany paste in it. Made to order so it was very hot and nice for the morning. But as I walked down the street, I realised there are hand made ones too, selling even cheaper. But oh well...it was nice.

Hei and I walked around the temple a bit, made a couple more wishes and he spotted 2 men in Ninja costumes!!! My inner ninja came out....I took a picture with them and they even let me hold the samurai!!!

Food No. 16: Ice Cream Waffle Sandwich

Like the ones in Singapore but only more expensive. Cant say much cos I didnt taste.

Food No. 17: Yasai Dan-Men + Gyoza and Chashyuu men with some deep fried bamboo shoot

The first and only time I came to Japan was as a kid mebbe about 10-12 years ago. I dont remember much from that trip with mum and echiing except the snowy weather in Nikko (where echiing nearly lost her foot), dinner in hotel on christmas night and the hot of ramen.

Today, Hei and I went into a Chinese/Japanese place to eat and I order the only veggie noodle in the menu. From my limited Japanese, I understood the noodle type as "Dan Mian or Egg Noodles" - so i assume that it was the Chinese part of the restaurant. However, when it came, it tasted like what I remember ramen to taste like.

It was springy and had a very nice al-dante texture. The ramen I have had so far taste more like yeasty spaghetti. So tell me, have I had mistaken Dan Mian for Ramen???

We went to Harajuku again yesterday to Yoyogi Park. Didnt see as many dress-uppers as I liked (I was hopping to see more Gothic Lollies) but we saw a who bunch of Rockabillys who seemed to do the TWIST more than they are rock "n rolling. All the men had the elvis-do --> even those balding ones. It was fun nonetheless.

Food No. 18: Mcdonalds (Mcspicy + Shaka Shaka Chicken)

We went off to Tokyo Tower. For those unaware, its like the Effiel Tower but apparently lighter in structure and taller. I was a litte hungry so order a little Mackers first. Mcspicy here is spicer than Singapore but less meaty. Shaka Shaka Chicken is like a fried chicken patty with the MSG powder --> alright. Nothin fantastic.

Up to the observation tower we went and caught the shadow of Fuji-san....Thats about the closest we will be to Mt Fuji. It was nice......heh.

Food No. 19: Hard Rock Cafe (Ribs and Pork combo and Fillet Steak)

In case you dont know, Hei and I collect shot glasses and fridge magnet everytime we travel and if there is a HRC, we like to buy the shot glass from there as well. Well, anyway, we had dinner too just to have something different.

My fillet steak was nicely cooked (order medium to be on the safe side) but the teriyaki sauce (so japanese right??) was a litte jialet after a while.

We took a walk to Tokyo Midtown with our filled stomachs to see the christmas light up. It was BEAUTIFUL (wait for pictures that do no justify at all...heh).

"Super Nihon" Rating: 8/10 - Lovely Weather during the day really makes everything swell....=)

Day 3: Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya

Woke up late this morning and was bout noon before we managed to get out. As we got off the train in Shinjuku, Hei realised that he had forgotten his wallet and we went back to the inn.

So by the time we reached Shinjuku for the second time, it was 3pm and we were hungry.

Food No 12:Beef Rice Bowl with Egg

We found another emall eatery that you order from a vending maching again -good cos then we dont have to struggle with ordering in japanese/english. We order 2 beef bowl set and it came with a raw egg. After observing what people do, we follow suit. Crack the egg into a saucer, add some soy sauce and add into your beef bowl. I must say, I not a fan of raw eggs but what the heck right? I am in Japan, so do what Japanese do. It was not bad at all.

We walked around shinjuku for a bit, entered Takashimaya and found everything too expensive.

So we decided to head o Shibuya. Along the way, the train stopped in Harajuku , i asked Hei to alight so we can explore the weird place thats Harajuku. There must be like 1000 people at the station, there were even police doing crowd control!!!

Food No. 13: Soba Set with Rice

We liked the one from yesterday so much that we found another store that served similar. It was delish and cheap.

Food No. 14: Sushi

Bad Idea. For me anyway. I was already suffering from a splitting headache and the taste and smell of tis one particular raw prawn like sushi tipped me over the edge,. I was sick.

So I am gonna stop blogging here. My head is going split open and I am not wearing my specs, so god knows Im typing properly now.....

Super Nihon Rating for the day: 6/10 --> I am really having a badddd headache, but Harajuku was funnnnn

Day 2 - Yokohama & Akihabara

Woke at 9 this morning. Showered and got ready in an hour. Checked the weather - low of 5 degrees and high of 9 degrees. But I must have totally forgotten how cold 5 was.

Hei and I took a train to Tokyo and changed to a JR to Yokohama. From Yokohama, we changed to another train to Shin Yokohama to visit the Ramen Museum.

Food No. 5: Macdonalds (Big Mac and Teriyaki Burger Value Set) Price: 1080 yen

Those who know me knows that I like to try Mackers at every country I visit. Hei found the Big Mac to be the same but the Teriyaki burger was yums. Sitted beside us was a Cauasian dude who spoke Japanese...Impress!!!

Food No. 6: Ramen @ Ramen Museum. Price: 2450 yen.

Salty! Ramen Museum was a disappointment. Nothing to see or do. Everything was in Japanese and I had to pay to eat Ramen after paying 300yen for admission!!!! At the entrace, I saw that they sold 3 months pass and 1 year pass. Then I realise why, its actually like a collection of restaurants that serves ramen from all over Japan. Hokkaido, Tokyo etc. So you need to pay like a cover charge to eat! My soup was salty and the noodle nothing fantastic.

Hei was irritating though, after I pointed out Japanese was the land of slurping. The louder the better, he SLURPED EVERYTHING!

Food No. 7: Vicks Medicated Drops (Lemon Flavour) Price: 218 yen

Ahhhh, sooth my throat.

Food No. 8: Corn Soup, Sausage and Chips, Coffee and Tea.

We went to the Pier at Yokohama after that. It was bone chilling cold but we trudge to see this statue "The girl who always have red shoes on". Its a LIE!!! We walked for 15 mins only see a bronze statue of a little girl sitting down and no red shoes. =P

Then, we droped by a little diner/cafe called Jonathan for coffee. The soup was not hot and the tea was too mild.

Food No. 9: Curry Rice + Soba Set, Katsudon. Price: 780 yen

BEST MEAL SO FAR!!!! At a little corner shop in Akihabara where we order through a vending machine, so no hand gesturing. I had just plain hot soba and curry (gravy only) with rice and it was amazing. Tasty, hot, cheap! I walked out with a huge SMILE on my face.

We went to a 6 stories sex shop in Akihabara. Rubber vaginas, dildos of all shape size and voltage, nipple clips, lingere, porn, what kinky fantasy you want they've got it. I made sure there was another women there before I enter. It was both fascinating and disturbing.

There was a automated apparatus that helps a man masturbate. How lazy can humans get!?!?!

Food No. 10: Bread

Hei was still feeling peckish after dinner so we bought some bread from a japanese-french confectionery. Taste different but yums.....at least the one I had.

Food No. 11: Donut (Sugar, Chocolate) + Churos

As we were walking back to the inn, we went by Mister Donut. Just wanting to take a peek at what they sold (Donuts duh?!) we ended up with more food.....


"Super Nihon" rating for the day: 6/10 - Dinner was too awesome...

Food No. 4: Cup Noodles, Chicken Flavour (non known at point of purchase). Price: 68 yen.
Verdict: Not nice....disappointed.

Day 1 in Nihon!

1.20pm: Touch down in Narita Airport. Yokoso!!!!

Unfortunately, the flight this morning was too blarddy early for me to get excited. Especially when silly NWA didnt put 2 passengers who booked together, seats together. I politely asked the kind bloke beside me to switch with Hei and he obliged. 6 hour flight and I managed to only watch 1 movie "Up". Took me 3 tries, keep falling asleep in between. But its good I suppose, journey seemed much shorter.

A cold rush of kaza (wind) came into contact with my face and I was instantly awaken. It was a breeze collecting our luggages and taking the limosine bus. We also found the inn quite easily.

Sasano-san (the inn keeper) was really nice in showing us the room and giving us brief directions on where to go.

Now. Before I came, I had this vision that all the Japanese Ive learnt came back to me and I spoke Japanese with confidence but as Sasano-san was struggling to speak to us in English. All I could managed was a smile and nod. Stupid Eying, you returned everything you learned.

Hei and I put our things away and explored the area we stayed in.

Food No. 1: Tori on a stick, Tori Skin on a stick, Tori and Leeks on a stick. Price 370yen.

We found the metro and took a ride into central Tokyo to buy our disney tickets. That went pretty well. But for 10,000 yen per person, I better cry more than I did in Orlando when I steped in.

Food No. 1: Ramen with Chashu. Price 2150 yen.

We pulled ourselves out of Daimaru and walked along the streets, stopped by a couple of restaurants but the menus were all in Japanese so I didn't dare to go in. A waiter in one of the (what we thought was shabu shabu) restaurant walked our and uttered a bunch of Japanese. After realising we were not responding, he asked "Chugoku desu ka?". I know whats that! I replied with confidence "Iie, Shingapuru desu". He smiled and I then asked "Ramen desu ka?". Im sure Akai-Sinsei (my japanese teacher) would shake his head in despair at what I failure I turned out to be.

The nice waiter said he had no ramen and pointed down the street. I didnt understand the language but pointing is universal. We trudged down and went into the first store with a ramen picture.

Food No. 3: Freshness Burger - Classic Burger. Price 420yen

Lydia and Echiing told us about it and we stumbled upon it on the way to the nearby supermarket. We had just ate a huge bowl of ramen but thats not gonna stop us. At least not my husband. The onions were grilled nicely but after a heavy dinner, all I could stomach was a small bite.

"Super Nihon" rating for the day: 5/10 --> tired from the early morning flight.

The little things

I just watching Asian Food Channel and they were showing the program "One night with Daniel Boulud". Apparently he is some top chef and he was here in Singapore for the first time.

While I was watching the program, the program featured other chef including one that is close to my heart, Chef Cristof (not sure if I spelt it correctly).

About 10 years ago, I was an intern at a small event company. One of the events I helped out was a dinner held at Ritz Carlton. At the event, I was really busy and didnt get any dinner at all. Chef Christof came by once to my event at around 8.00pm to make sure the dinner was going well, our eyes met and he asked if I had eaten. I shooked my head and said I have been busy working.

15 mins later, a hotel staff came by to the reception desk where I was with a steaming bowl of Wanton Noodles Soup. I have been fairly hungry but just didnt have time to eat or have anything to eat. I told the hotel staff that I didnt order any food (and was worried because with the meagre $500 montly "salary", I couldnt afford what could easily be $20 wanton mee").

"Compliments from Chef Christof"

I had tears in my eyes and I couldnt believe what could possibly be the executive chef of the hotel that he cared if I had eaten or not. I finished every strand of noodles, every drop of soup and every piece of wanton. It was the best I have ever eaten.

Chef Cristof came by again at around 9ish to make sure that the noodles was delivered to me. I thanked him and for that moment, wanted to even marry him. Mrs Christof wouldnt be that bad right?

Sometimes isnt it just the smallest gesture that touches your heart?

Its probably not the same for everyone, I find a mother's voice one of the most comforting sounds. Was told before that I share an awesome relationship with my mother and I usually shrug it off. Because I thought its the same for everyone. Dont everyone get along with their mother? Afterall, we live in her for 9 months.

Must say, mom and I didn't always get along. I admit I was a difficult child; spoilt by daddy and grandma and was stubborn as a mule. My mum was just being mother-like; strict and protective and always thinks she is right! (Though, most times in my tweens, she probably were. Dont tell her that).

But it got so much better as I grew older, I take her "criticisms" less personally and she was less uptight about all the mistakes I may make. Today, yes, we still get into fights, she still complains about me to me and gives me the staredown when she disagree with my actions. Nonetheless, we hardly at all bear grudges (i secretly thinks she does though *smiles*).

This evening I called my mummy as I was grocery shopping - asking her what is the ideal soup for a post cataract surgery patient ie. Blacksman. She gave me a couple tips and we hung up the phone. Somehow, that telephone conversation made me smile. It was just a comfort to hear my mom's voice. Its like I know I can rely on her for anything.

Thanks Mum for everything.

Seriously. First we crown a Ms Singapore World who can't speak English to save her life. Then we find out that she is a fraudster who has 60 impending charges of credit card fruad against her.

But we still glorify her by giving her a 2 FULL PAGE spread in the main paper of Sunday times.

What's up with our newspaper?

Beauty Peagant winner. Fraudster. And now Bi-polar. How much attention are we going to give this woman. I rather the newspaper interview the needy of Singapore. The good deeds of any particular Singapore. Anything but her. Let the news die, take the spotlight away. Can't you see you are just feeding her desires?

Seriously. We need to move on and focus on more significant issues. Otherwise, we will just be like her. BOOMZ.

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"?