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!!!