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.

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.

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!

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.

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..

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!

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..

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?

My new phone!

Saw it on Cleo and told myself I Must get my paws on this! Love the sound when i spin the dial. Cant page though but who cares =)

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.

I see Guns and urine bag carrying patients walk by me all the time....and it's just a normal day at work for me


Posted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital today. Tommorrow it's gonna be the Ministry of Home Affairs. Seriously, working at Five Loaves bread company gets me to weird places. Places where I've been posted to were (in no random order): Kadang Kerbau Hospital, Minstry of Manpower Building, Change Alley, Seagate and DSTA building where all the NS greenman go for their National Service Enlistment. Listing these made me realized these are either sickly places or government buildings except for Change Alley and Seagate. Not very advisable places. It's either I get myself caught on some deadly epidemic or be right on target for potential terrorist activity.
I dodge from pillar to pillar whenever someone near cough/sneeze in the hospital. It might just be a harmless clearing of throat or soothing a tickled nose, but once in a hospital, any of these act is deemed get the hell outta the way! for me.

That's for the hospitals.

Getting to the government buildings involves quite intimidating, solemn and 'time to look innocent' episodes. These take on, talking to grim-faced soldiers with rifles slung around their shoulders dangling dangerously in between the two of us. What if the damned thing accidentally discharge itself?! That worry itself takes away the sorry state you feel while you try to explain why you should be let in: Cos your there selling healthy bread to promote healthy eating and living. The good Singaporean way. *snicker*
Next, forms are filled with about half your confidential particulars demanded and obediently revealed. Finally you surrender your identity card in exchange for some pass and you walk into gates which has to be buzzed by the security guards which otherwise wont open. And Nobody said a thing about that! I almost crashed the glass door down when it refused to barge at my initial attempt to open it without signalling to the guards. To think that dull-witted security has the cheek to show amusement on his face!

All these just to get them exposed to our Five Loaves healthy bread! I should get "Employee of the Month" Award!


**Note: I shouldnt forget to mention that I'm an English teacher on some days and a bread seller on other weird days. Talk about multiple identity!

You just have to hand it to them the way they make your day


Last Thursday, towards the end of class, a student of mine whom I'd like to think had a wonderful time being in my class came up to me before he makes his way out:


Teacher, will you be teaching us again tomorrow?


I'll have to see what the office says, whether they need me down for tomorrow


*Puzzled looked in his eyes,stones abit...*


Ok teacher, I'll see you tomorrow

The music I make while I'm cruising

I'm that bitch behind the wheels. You know, those type that interprets the indicator as a signal to accelerate. Upon seeing the car ahead flash its signal with intentions of filtering into my lane will have me pump down hard on my gas, eliminating any chance of cutting in front of me. My motto: Wanna get in? Smell my smoke.

Today, I tasted this evil medicine. This bloke drove as fast alongside as me, refusing to let me filter in. He's bent on me cutting behind him instead of in front of his vehicle. In what seemed like forever, my mom told me what I already knew but am stubbornly changllenging against :' he's not gonna give way to you, u'll have to go in behind'.

The familiarity of these stings. Its one thing to do it to others, it's sucky having to experience it.

The devil in me must be driving today, I decided on driving close by this idiot bloke whom I'll call dumbass. By staying close to dumbass, there'll bound to be opportunity of revenge or something similiar. I didnt have to wait long. Dumbass drove slightly ahead on the lane beside me, saw the road ahead blocked by stationary cars and tried to enter my lane. Not a chance. I was accelerating in an attempt to get alongside dumbass the moment I saw those stationary cars. I knew he would try cutting into my lane and no way in hell would I let him do that. Dumbass swerve towards my lane and he could have gotten in had I ease up on my gas. But I was pumping hard remember. And as I sped, I blared my horn making him swerve back in panic. Sweet Revenge

Mom saw through my evil plot. "Your just like your dad!"

My dad's another devil behind the wheels. Pedestrians at traffic crossing sees his vehicle a distance away, does illegal crossing even though the lights are against their favour wouldnt expect my dad to suddenly speed down on them blaring his horn away. They ran of course.

So you see mom, it's really quite a nice feeling. You should try it sometime.

Being nice really takes a lot outta you

I was at my once-a-week work today doing my bit for the five loaves bread company. This lady really sickens my day. She comes up grudgingly as if I pointed a pistol at her, peers at my wares with the least interested set of eyes and proceeded to try finish up my sample of mix nuts. The entire container in her hands, she, clearly hogging onto it and the thought of buying any, never once crossed her mind.
Her colleague amused with the outright display of her obsession with my peanuts:" Is it that nice? You getting it?"

"Just eating the sample. It's free anyway"

You would think her admission of her incredible act would prompt some sense of awareness which she's clearly lacking and makes her buy or leave. It was not to be for couple more mins and more nuts.

Another loved the sample of my mixed nuts, bought a pack but not before emptying out the 'almonds' in my "mixed nuts".

"Dont mind, I take some almonds with me, I really love it"

She stands there, all the patience in the world, digging out all the 'almonds' in the container leaving my sample with just regular peanuts and raisins.

I hate them. As I said before, being nice really takes alot. Here, not flaring up or showing my displeasure is being nice. I got home feeling really worn out. The hours were short but the mental frustration left me tired.

male, everything is A~Ok!

*few months back when my friend stanley arrived in singapore*

me: mom, I wont be back for dinner. Taking stanley out cos its his birthday.

mom: That's nice. Have you got enough money? Tell you what, here, take this wad of notes just in case your short of cash. I'll do the sponsoring. (its the twilight zone! those rare occasion my daughter hangs out with a boy! And alone! It must be the moon!)

me: Woah...thanks. ( when money's concerned, mom NEVER takes the initiative to ask, to offer, to give... You would be lucky u got her attention in your first attempt at asking for the *ching ching* Most times, she plays it cool and rather deaf.


*after stanleys gone back*

me: mom, I wont be back for dinner. Meeting the gals for some get-together.

mom: Where's the $50 bucks you borrowed from me some weeks back? (to get your very first office-wear attire you clearly needed for a very good cause, which is, to wear on your very first job interview) Dont count on me forgetting cos I wont. *evil world-domination laughter*

They say 'ask and it shall be given...' this is one thing I sure as hell didnt ask for but was given..how lucky

I swear I must have blown my mucus the weight of my body mass outta my breathing snouts. I know I should have changed my seats in the bus when that kid opposite me coughed funny. repeatedly. You know, those kinds that sounded like there's a whole truckload of phlegm edged on the base of his windpipe just waiting to be expelled. He coughed like he couldnt breathe and tears were filling his eyes. First few coughs twitched my eyebrows: hmmm that cough sounds contagious. Moments later, he lashed out a string of it and I was screaming to myself: Move your butt! Change seats! Go somewhere, anywhere!

Plop! Lady had to make the spot next to me her seat. I was trapped. Too Cool to excuse myself to escape the 'coughing boy's deadly germs and too self-conscious of the risk of getting myself contaminated, to have a peaceful ride. For the rest of the journey, I sat with my face towards the closed window, breathing air between the glass and my mass. Hopefully, somehow his germs wouldnt be able to get themselves within that space of air that I inhale.

These are little things I do to 'protect' myself as I absolutely hate having a cold. Stranger next to me sneezes, I walk away instantly. At times when its a necessity I gotta walk direct into the 'sneeze-path' , I hold my breathe while I cross the spot. Its not enough to hold the breathe, 'you gotta blow out' I was told. So apart from holding it, I puff my mouth up with air to create a pressure so as to avoid any accidental entry of any air molecule with the 'sneeze germ' in it. Laugh at me all you want but statistics proved me right as times where I got myself a cold was low. This time round, my 'ego' got the better of me and I lost. This is me now typing on the keyboard with a tissue plastered onto my nose thanks to the moisture running down my nostrils holding it in place.

So what have we learned today?

We've learned that little survival tricks can be concocted and they do serve their purpose, so come up with some of your own for self-defence. I have two hamsters. I enjoy Shokobutsu body foam. My name is Pappy Lepew. Use this information wisely!

Power of the mind: Explored

mom cooked lunch but all I can fantasize about is burgers and fries burgers and fries and it doesnt help that all she cooked was toufu pieces and green veg. burgers and fries burgers and fries Maybe if I do this enough times they would just turn to burgers and fries...toufu burger and green fries...anyone?

What Kind of Virgin Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla


hmm technically Im a virgin ya...but I dont think Im an idealist. I mean, sex is the ultimate expression of love, isnt it so for the most part of you? The known few who reads this blog will agree with me, no? Dont speak for others, lets just focus on ourselves here, we dont call it sex do we? We dont say to our better half 'lets have sex' , rather its 'let's make love. We refer to 'it' as love-making do we not? I can just see you guys nodding in agreement. Alrite,for those who dont even bother saying it and just get down to the act, you bunch of animals are totally not good examples I can use =). So, as I was saying, if Im guilty of being an idealist for what I feel are the basics to the big 'S', its a fantasy I sure wouldnt wanna wake up from.
If you have any strong feelings towards this, do feel free to comment.

Reason for my Disappearance: The aliens were here and they took me up for those little experiments...

Alrite alrite its been some time since I last blogged and I guess there isnt any entertaining enough reason I could throw up except for the past 2 days had me down at a language centre being a Teacher.

Yep, those who know me have heard my crowing for this 'dream' profession since eternity. Chanced upon an ad seekin relief english teacher at this language centre. Sent in my resume I did and got it for 2 days.

I was assigned two classes to teach. First class: secondary level, made up of teens to young adults. Most were from China who had the ability to understand me when I converse in English but had real diffculty when it comes to communicating in it. I notice they pronouce the 'v' as 'w'. Vanished was wanished. It seemed they couldnt or somehow was afraid? To have the upper teeth have whatsoever contact with the bottom lip in order to mouth the 'v'. I brought that to their attention and demostrated quite a number of times with much exeraggeration just to drive in the point. Towards end of class, my bottom lip felt funny, it was almost as if there were faint teeth imprints on them. On the whole I enjoyed myself thorougly, although it needed some getting used to at first. Walking into a sea of eyes staring at you first thing in the morning was quite nerve-racking. This is like presentation for 3 hours, a 20min break-in between of course, without written scripts and therefore no practise. I felt better as I got into the feel of things and it helped tremendously when they responded to me. I noticed I was more interested in getting to know them then getting into doing the exercise. But work has to be done of course, however, any slightest chance I could start a discussion, I would. Judging from their eagerness to participate, I would like to think they enjoyed it too.

So the first class was smooth. How difficult could the next one be? I thought looking at my time-table. Primary class was next on my schedule. Its weird but they arranged for pri 2 and pri 4 kids to be in the same class. My immediate concern was, how am I gonna spend time with one group while making sure the other group does their work or better yet, behave?

I walked into mandai when I walked in that room. They were EVERYWHERE. All lost in their little world pattering and chattering. I felt safe sitting at my seat watching them. Where was the nice bubble dream I had: Teacher lecturing and tiny small adorable hands shoot up eager to answer questions with cute smiley-u-wanna-pinch faces?
It took them quite a bit of time to register my presence and seeing a new foreign face sitting there, staring at them, may have a surprise-effect on them cos they began to settle down, traces of fear on their face. They were in shock. I was in shock.

For the next 4 hours I was there, it was like Armageddon. I was not in the best of moods having my rosy bubble burst, every little creature wanted my attention everytime, at the same time, I had difficulty hearing the sounds I was making and far left, two boys were kicking at each other's legs. Both very determined and hard-core believers that the other deserved it. I managed to bring it all under control. No sweat. Strong vocals was all you needed and roared I did. Oh well, at least things were calm at intervals before the next roar. When class ended and they march off with their little bags, most bothered to come to me and bid farewell for the day with their "bye bye teacher". Ahhh....those cute-smiley-u-wanna-pinch faces...

Cant get enough of Murphy's Laws? More here:

MURPHY'S LAWS OF COMPUTERS!

For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.

To err is human... to blame your computer for your mistakes is even more human; in fact it is downright natural.

He who laughs last probably made a back-up.

If at first you don't succeed, blame your computer.

A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.

The number one cause of computer problems is computer solutions.

A computer program will always do what you tell it to do, but rarely what you want it to do.

When computing, whatever happens, behave as though you meant it to happen.

When you get to the point where you really understand your computer, it's probably obsolete.

The first place to look for information is in the section of the manual where you least expect to find it.

When the going gets tough, upgrade.

When you need to send an email quick, that's when the modem won't connect!