Bedsheets, towels, winterwear...I got them all back
My friend Sara is back for vacation. I left some stuff with her over in Melbourne the last time I was there. Bless that woman brought everything back for me. Not seen each other for quite some time but when we get to talking it feels comfortable. Mostly catching up with each other's lives. Evelyn has been back for ages but till now has yet contacted me. Jenny will be back on the 22nd. Christmas this year must be special cos everyone's back home =)
Listening to El debarge 'Who's holding Donna now" and Enrique Iglesias "Sad Eyes" on alternate repeat. This 2 great tracks always bring back memories. Feels like I left a part of me behind in Australia I wish you knew me then.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Small people with great big identities
My company celebrated some cultural unity event today at the raffles convention hall. We were joined by overseas colleagues from all over the world. I went with the idea it would be more like a seminar talk where people sit in rows but it turned out to be more like a wedding banquet layout. Seated in round tables there were food of all sorts, toys and presents. All activities relates to cultural diversity and its benefits. I saw Taiwanese,Hongkies,Chinese nationals,South African,Australian,British,Americans,Japanese,Korean and Thai all in one ballroom celebrating. You know how they always promote harmony among races and the likes. We know it, we know how to sing songs that echoes it, we grew up with it but our personal experiences lacks exposure. Until we experience it ourselves, we cant truly claim we know about it. In the evening I walked away feeling pleasantly humbled. It was a familiar feeling that I've not been acquainted with for a long time.
Through primary and secondary the ratio of local to foreign classmates I had was approx 1 : 3. Let me see, there were the Malaysians, Indonesians, Filipinos, Thais made quite a population and a couple of Burmese, Koreans and Americans. Being a mission school, most of them were children of Pastors. My best friend was a Malaysian, my favourite singing buddy was from India and the Burmese was someone whom I would have political debates with. Most times it was friendly, occasionally it would get a little more heated and that was when she started complaining about the government here and the kind of fees and charges she has to pay just for being a foreign student. I can sympathise with her but at that point it just irks me. But it never got to the level where we stopped talking.
One Chinese New Year when most have gone back to their country for holiday,this British classmate of mine stayed behind and I invited her for a stayover so that she could go visiting with me and experience how its like to celebrate our new year. When friends bunk in together they usually talk the night away right? I forgot how it started, we were lying on the bed in the dark and we found ourselves talking about French kiss. Now I must remind you that I was at my 'exploring stage' then, I heard about the term but I din know about it. Like what it actually means. She was shocked at my ignorance, she proceeds to explain what the mouths were suppose to do and having done that she shot me with a You wanna try it?. She looked serious and ready. I was too shocked to reply. I gave her the Chinese New Year celebration experience and she gave me the most unforgettable moment of my life:"Huh??..No thanks.." I lost contact with most of them now. Graduated and gone back to their countries. I feel lonely sometimes, as if I misplaced a stage of my life cos most part of my growing up were with these people and I dont even know where they are. No one can tell me things like "You remember how we used to dig real deep holes in the compound and cover them with cupboard and leaves just so that others can fall into it?" cos they're no longer around.
My company celebrated some cultural unity event today at the raffles convention hall. We were joined by overseas colleagues from all over the world. I went with the idea it would be more like a seminar talk where people sit in rows but it turned out to be more like a wedding banquet layout. Seated in round tables there were food of all sorts, toys and presents. All activities relates to cultural diversity and its benefits. I saw Taiwanese,Hongkies,Chinese nationals,South African,Australian,British,Americans,Japanese,Korean and Thai all in one ballroom celebrating. You know how they always promote harmony among races and the likes. We know it, we know how to sing songs that echoes it, we grew up with it but our personal experiences lacks exposure. Until we experience it ourselves, we cant truly claim we know about it. In the evening I walked away feeling pleasantly humbled. It was a familiar feeling that I've not been acquainted with for a long time.
Through primary and secondary the ratio of local to foreign classmates I had was approx 1 : 3. Let me see, there were the Malaysians, Indonesians, Filipinos, Thais made quite a population and a couple of Burmese, Koreans and Americans. Being a mission school, most of them were children of Pastors. My best friend was a Malaysian, my favourite singing buddy was from India and the Burmese was someone whom I would have political debates with. Most times it was friendly, occasionally it would get a little more heated and that was when she started complaining about the government here and the kind of fees and charges she has to pay just for being a foreign student. I can sympathise with her but at that point it just irks me. But it never got to the level where we stopped talking.
One Chinese New Year when most have gone back to their country for holiday,this British classmate of mine stayed behind and I invited her for a stayover so that she could go visiting with me and experience how its like to celebrate our new year. When friends bunk in together they usually talk the night away right? I forgot how it started, we were lying on the bed in the dark and we found ourselves talking about French kiss. Now I must remind you that I was at my 'exploring stage' then, I heard about the term but I din know about it. Like what it actually means. She was shocked at my ignorance, she proceeds to explain what the mouths were suppose to do and having done that she shot me with a You wanna try it?. She looked serious and ready. I was too shocked to reply. I gave her the Chinese New Year celebration experience and she gave me the most unforgettable moment of my life:"Huh??..No thanks.." I lost contact with most of them now. Graduated and gone back to their countries. I feel lonely sometimes, as if I misplaced a stage of my life cos most part of my growing up were with these people and I dont even know where they are. No one can tell me things like "You remember how we used to dig real deep holes in the compound and cover them with cupboard and leaves just so that others can fall into it?" cos they're no longer around.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Today's a Public Holiday
My mom has gone on a little China vacation with my aunt. Having just typed that last sentence, I made a dash to the kitchen. I left the kettle on the fire and forgot about it till now. Half the amount have been boiled away. If only Im more kettle conditioned like my mom.
For lunch I brought dad to sakae sushi. He liked the chawamushi, green peas and the heavenly saba shioyaki (i tink its jap for grilled insert name fish). Grilled fish is really so yummy. Salmon sashimi is another of my personal favourite. The fattier the salmon the better! I like eating out with my dad. He's quite adventurous. He calls me his 'makan khaki'. I foot the bill of course since Im working now.
For dinner, my brother's girlfriend came over and cooked for us. She wanted to let us try her pasta which was really sweet of her. Sakae was good, pasta was delicious but I still want my mom back fast!
My mom has gone on a little China vacation with my aunt. Having just typed that last sentence, I made a dash to the kitchen. I left the kettle on the fire and forgot about it till now. Half the amount have been boiled away. If only Im more kettle conditioned like my mom.
For lunch I brought dad to sakae sushi. He liked the chawamushi, green peas and the heavenly saba shioyaki (i tink its jap for grilled insert name fish). Grilled fish is really so yummy. Salmon sashimi is another of my personal favourite. The fattier the salmon the better! I like eating out with my dad. He's quite adventurous. He calls me his 'makan khaki'. I foot the bill of course since Im working now.
For dinner, my brother's girlfriend came over and cooked for us. She wanted to let us try her pasta which was really sweet of her. Sakae was good, pasta was delicious but I still want my mom back fast!
Friday, October 24, 2003
It's the Indian New Year
In view of tmr being Deepavali, we decided on an Indian Restaurant downtown. Mamtaz Mahal Restaurant.
Once past the doorway, I din feel like I was in Singapore anymore. Statue elephants, godlike wall fixtures, intricate tableware, table-lit candles, thick accent waiters, even the air I inhale felt indian! The only weird part was, in that cosy little restaurant, not one customer of indian ethnic could be spotted. There were the angmohs and the chinese but none dark-skin. I wonder why.
So I was trying to digest the menu consisting of Bold indian letterings and small english prints right beneath it and with what seemed forever we settled on: Tandoori Chicken, some veggie curry, 2 Naan, and being a tea-lover, one Masala Tea.
I guess its standard practice they serve appetizers just like some peanuts or pickled vegetables in Chinese restaurants, here we found ourselves some spiced crackers and a tray of spices to go with it. In the tray there were 4 compartments each filled with some green puree, yellow puree, orange and red puree. Being adventurous I tried all and only 2 caught the fancy of my tastebuds. The other 2 were strong not foul but strong-in-a "i can skip that" way.
Having served up all our dishes, the table was full! The appetizers itself was a whole tray and the masala tea I ordered came along with a pot for refill and 2 containers bearing 2 different types of sugar: usual white and granulated brown sugar. Dining there is in itself quite an experience. You feel creative. You put together different spices getting different taste and a sense of satisfaction if it's pleasant. To sum it up, both the tandoori and the curry veg were fragrant and the naan heavenly. Im thankful there is diversity in this world.
In view of tmr being Deepavali, we decided on an Indian Restaurant downtown. Mamtaz Mahal Restaurant.
Once past the doorway, I din feel like I was in Singapore anymore. Statue elephants, godlike wall fixtures, intricate tableware, table-lit candles, thick accent waiters, even the air I inhale felt indian! The only weird part was, in that cosy little restaurant, not one customer of indian ethnic could be spotted. There were the angmohs and the chinese but none dark-skin. I wonder why.
So I was trying to digest the menu consisting of Bold indian letterings and small english prints right beneath it and with what seemed forever we settled on: Tandoori Chicken, some veggie curry, 2 Naan, and being a tea-lover, one Masala Tea.
I guess its standard practice they serve appetizers just like some peanuts or pickled vegetables in Chinese restaurants, here we found ourselves some spiced crackers and a tray of spices to go with it. In the tray there were 4 compartments each filled with some green puree, yellow puree, orange and red puree. Being adventurous I tried all and only 2 caught the fancy of my tastebuds. The other 2 were strong not foul but strong-in-a "i can skip that" way.
Having served up all our dishes, the table was full! The appetizers itself was a whole tray and the masala tea I ordered came along with a pot for refill and 2 containers bearing 2 different types of sugar: usual white and granulated brown sugar. Dining there is in itself quite an experience. You feel creative. You put together different spices getting different taste and a sense of satisfaction if it's pleasant. To sum it up, both the tandoori and the curry veg were fragrant and the naan heavenly. Im thankful there is diversity in this world.
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Had a bad fall from a cycling trip cos I thought I could fly
Great, a 5 cent coin size of the bandage is stuck fast to my dried-up wound. I cut away as much of the excess as possible leaving a patch of white among a whole blog of dirty-red. Yanking it out would mean fresh wound and possible reinfection again. I was advised to wet it thoroughy with Dettol hoping dried blood would soften releasing the gauze but its an ordeal to me.
Whenever I see the bottle of Dettol, I get clamy hands and wet feet. Have you tried washing out a fresh wound with the big 'D' solution? It hurts like a bitch. Beginning of the week sees my wound freshly-raw, refusing to dry up. I bought myself a bottle of powder antiseptic thinking I could get away with it and skip the 'D' washing. It was not to be. Each time I remove my bandage, more ooze seeps out. My dad took a look, and set the dreaded bottle on the table in front of me. I let out a whimper, "...dont want la...." but I know it's really essential. If let alone, gangrene might set in and it's goodbye to my leg.
Each night he would dilute the solution with a bowl of boiled water. Using gauze swabs he washed and cleared out as much pus as possible. The worst is when he removed dried up pus leaving exposed raw flesh then pour the solution over it...
I have zero tolerance for pain but I went through with the cleansing episodes with as little yelps as possible. I got to see another side of my father though, somehow, as insistent as he is of me going through with it, he was actually quite 'afraid' of hurting me. It takes alot of nerve and steel for someone to get deep into another's person's wound and clean it up for them. Though you're not physically hurting yourself but doing the act gets you all tensed up as well. You find a wave of really uncomfortable aching sensation sweeping through the lower half of your body, concentrated on the feet. That's how I feel when I witness the pain of another person. I sense him being quite uncomfortable whenever the pain got too much and I cant help but go 'argh...'
Man, they conjure a tough image for me, it seems they fear no pain with all the reckless activity they get themselves into. However, put them in a situation where they have to deal with their daughter's wounds or their wife being in labour, they turn to jelly..
Great, a 5 cent coin size of the bandage is stuck fast to my dried-up wound. I cut away as much of the excess as possible leaving a patch of white among a whole blog of dirty-red. Yanking it out would mean fresh wound and possible reinfection again. I was advised to wet it thoroughy with Dettol hoping dried blood would soften releasing the gauze but its an ordeal to me.
Whenever I see the bottle of Dettol, I get clamy hands and wet feet. Have you tried washing out a fresh wound with the big 'D' solution? It hurts like a bitch. Beginning of the week sees my wound freshly-raw, refusing to dry up. I bought myself a bottle of powder antiseptic thinking I could get away with it and skip the 'D' washing. It was not to be. Each time I remove my bandage, more ooze seeps out. My dad took a look, and set the dreaded bottle on the table in front of me. I let out a whimper, "...dont want la...." but I know it's really essential. If let alone, gangrene might set in and it's goodbye to my leg.
Each night he would dilute the solution with a bowl of boiled water. Using gauze swabs he washed and cleared out as much pus as possible. The worst is when he removed dried up pus leaving exposed raw flesh then pour the solution over it...
I have zero tolerance for pain but I went through with the cleansing episodes with as little yelps as possible. I got to see another side of my father though, somehow, as insistent as he is of me going through with it, he was actually quite 'afraid' of hurting me. It takes alot of nerve and steel for someone to get deep into another's person's wound and clean it up for them. Though you're not physically hurting yourself but doing the act gets you all tensed up as well. You find a wave of really uncomfortable aching sensation sweeping through the lower half of your body, concentrated on the feet. That's how I feel when I witness the pain of another person. I sense him being quite uncomfortable whenever the pain got too much and I cant help but go 'argh...'
Man, they conjure a tough image for me, it seems they fear no pain with all the reckless activity they get themselves into. However, put them in a situation where they have to deal with their daughter's wounds or their wife being in labour, they turn to jelly..
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
5 strips of turkey bacon and an egg.
At this time of the night
Why do I always feel so hungry at such weird hours.
Dad thought I was eating pork
"Whats that??" *frowning*
"Turkey"*meow face*
We dont eat pork.
Made myself whole pot of tea in the morning
I'm struggling to finish it (cup and a half more to go)
Mom would give me a earful about wastage if I dont
If I do, I'll be struggling to get to sleep....great
These days I wake up to jittery mornings
Longing for this company to call me
Went for interview last week, lady said I had good chance and if selected would call me this week
2 days and still no calls...
I wanna work! The first pay I receive, I'm gonna get myself a Playstation 2!
Monday, June 09, 2003
And then there are the sucky days..
Feel sad today and I dont know why. As Im typing this now, this is how I feel. Maybe it's "More than words can say" which I've put on repeat. Emotional suicide isnt it? Gets all my spirit down and Im mopping around with why Im feeling so. Then you say 'simple. Turn it off'. I know that. But somehow somethings making me not click that stop button. I'd better go watch some TV..
Saturday, June 07, 2003
The Naked Pappy
Inspired by Jamie Oliver's 'Oliver's Twist' cookshow aired on Channel 5 Mondays to Fridays, I dug out the BBQ pit and attempted to recreate the 'Wimbledon' episode where he whipped out grilled fish kebabs and grilled vegetables to follow. I drove down to NTUC, bought asparagus, australian eggplant (the fatter ones), zucchini, lemon and some essentials for the barbie. I was frustrated by the lack of mint leaves at the supermarket, so goodbye to the 'glass of lemonade spiced with mint bubble' in my head. Anyhows, slapped marinade (olive oil, salt, basil,lemon zest) on the fish, I took note it was noon when I began my adventure. Pit set up, fish, onions and zucchini skewered Oliver's style, I was on high!
Now, a little background, I live on the 13th floor in a HDB flat. I was unsure whether having a BBQ was legal, u know, lots of smoke and smell. I dont know and dont wish to know either. All I know: Oliver! Grilled fish kebabs, Grilled vegetables! Woohoo!
To play things safe, I thought I would just make a small fire so for one its easier to clean up and it shouldnt be heavy on smoke. Boy was I wrong! Flame + Charcoal = Lots of smoke, who cares how little charcoal there is! Result? Low heat and hazy kitchen. My food was slow to cook but hey my spirits werent crushed.
About three quarters of the cooking, my mom came home from tuition, alarmed by the amount of smoke that greeted her, she rushed into the kitchen 'Whats on fire!' There are reasons apart from the obvious that has my mom in such a panicky state, a story which I will leave for another blog entry. It was about 6:30pm when Im done. You should have a clue by now how weak that fire was.
Well, I must say my fish kebabs ran out rather fast, portions of the grilled vege is still on the table....Any takers?
Inspired by Jamie Oliver's 'Oliver's Twist' cookshow aired on Channel 5 Mondays to Fridays, I dug out the BBQ pit and attempted to recreate the 'Wimbledon' episode where he whipped out grilled fish kebabs and grilled vegetables to follow. I drove down to NTUC, bought asparagus, australian eggplant (the fatter ones), zucchini, lemon and some essentials for the barbie. I was frustrated by the lack of mint leaves at the supermarket, so goodbye to the 'glass of lemonade spiced with mint bubble' in my head. Anyhows, slapped marinade (olive oil, salt, basil,lemon zest) on the fish, I took note it was noon when I began my adventure. Pit set up, fish, onions and zucchini skewered Oliver's style, I was on high!
Now, a little background, I live on the 13th floor in a HDB flat. I was unsure whether having a BBQ was legal, u know, lots of smoke and smell. I dont know and dont wish to know either. All I know: Oliver! Grilled fish kebabs, Grilled vegetables! Woohoo!
To play things safe, I thought I would just make a small fire so for one its easier to clean up and it shouldnt be heavy on smoke. Boy was I wrong! Flame + Charcoal = Lots of smoke, who cares how little charcoal there is! Result? Low heat and hazy kitchen. My food was slow to cook but hey my spirits werent crushed.
About three quarters of the cooking, my mom came home from tuition, alarmed by the amount of smoke that greeted her, she rushed into the kitchen 'Whats on fire!' There are reasons apart from the obvious that has my mom in such a panicky state, a story which I will leave for another blog entry. It was about 6:30pm when Im done. You should have a clue by now how weak that fire was.
Well, I must say my fish kebabs ran out rather fast, portions of the grilled vege is still on the table....Any takers?
Saturday, April 05, 2003
Sunday, January 19, 2003
Morning, NOC, whoever your trying to reach is away which is why im on the line and you probably dont wanna talk to me cos I'm a new staff and I know nuts what you'll be talking about so please end this call or stay on the line and be ignored.
So friday was my first day. HSBC clerical shit I mean stuff. Processing of Loans blah blah.
+
.workplace's in town so distance aint a problem
.my uni fren Lisa's there-
-
.messy work with papers everywhere. they've got papers instructing u how to fill up papers. And maybe other papers on how to read the papers that tells you how to fill up the papers.
.people not very friendly.Most times you're just 'see-thru'. And they should really learn to shake hands properly, the trick is to curl your fingers around the other person's hands. Not just stick to theirs.
.whole place's real quiet. No music, not much talking. You fart that's it.
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