I don't get how some men are actually terrified of cockroaches. How did they even get through the National Service? (I actually had the boys telling me, "No, no cockroaches what!") And to think that they are going to defend our nation... care to think what will happen if part of the 'weapon of mass destruction' included cockroaches in its equation? Don't know why I tend to meet men who have got phobia with cockroaches. I remembered during the days with my ex of 3 yrs had me running around his apartment in Australia with a piece of rolled-up newspaper on my right hand, which eventually became a routine. And somehow it must be the Australian air, the insects are twice the size of those found in Singapore.
In my office, we do get the little nymphs running around occasionally. So don't be alarmed whilst you're frantically typing your document, this little bugger conveniently climbs up to your keyboard to take a little peek at you. That was what took place last Friday on my colleague's desk...
Colleague: "OH NO!"
Me (at my desk): "What?!"
Colleague: "There's a cockroach!"
Me (at my desk): "Kill it, Lah"
Colleague: "I don't kill cockroaches."
Me (at my desk): *stumped*
Colleague: "Aaarrrgh, GOSH, ewww..."
Me (at my desk): "What's your problem?" (Took, 3 pieces of tissues and marched to his desk)
Colleague: "Why are you taking the tissues for?"
Me: "Kill that bugger la"
Colleague: "But why must use tissues?"
Me: "If I don't use tissue paper to squash that lil bugger, do you think he will die?"
Colleague: "But that will leave the 'juice' all over at my desk!"
Me: *stumped* (Squashed the nymph and walked away)
(Thought to myself, I've really got nothing else to say to this guy! And not even a "Thank you!")
I rest my case...
~ Lara ~
Saturday, 31 March 2007
My Quiet Saturday
Started the day feeling a little beat, as I was up the night before checking out the Virtual Reality program, "Second Life". Rather challenging with the creation and manoeuvring your character around in a virtual world. Nonetheless, it was an interesting experience! That's why I love technology! Always progressing and I'm always learning!
Headed for my usual workout with my trainer on Saturday mornings, and did I mention, it was darn gruelling. Having a personal trainer can be quite a good investment. In the past, I only hit the gym once a week or in two weeks. My visit at the gym is purely for their Body Combat classes. Other than that, the rest of whatever exist in there scares me (yes including some of the men there). I am always worried about how people will laugh at me if i perform the dumb bell exercise/routine wrongly or how do you even operate on the resistance machine and know which muscle group you're working out. Or worse, injuring yourself whilst training. Now, I'm glad, because I have definitely learnt much from him and I have even started designing my own training. :)
Decided to have some minestrone soup for lunch at my fave Soup Spoon. Wasn't about to indulge in Burger and Fries, especially after working hard at the gym. :P Came home and decided to help out with the chores. Yes I'm Miss Maria today...
I decided to help my folks clean the house. So I swept the house and cleaned the floor. Mind you, not with that 'Big Paint Brush' but went on my fours with a wet cloth and a bucket water with my special concoction of Detergents and Dettol. And each room gets their own fresh bucket of water and detergent concoction. No doubt, I am an utter clean freak. I then marched around the house for further cleaning and washing of dishes. All's done now and I'm in anticipation for my folks to be back from my brother's and experience the fresh, crisp scent that lingers in my apartment and notice that everything stands spic and span. Just when you start to think that since I have executed my chores with such pride and enthusiasm, and may need just this sort of calibre to help you with your chores, think again... I'm not for hire! :P
With Curly's away in Japan, this evening's dinner is a simple one. Cheese Sandwich with a warm cup of Milo. I would have had something more elaborate but my muscles are screaming "HALT!" to any form of bodily movement.
I miss my helper. She was the best helper that my family's ever had and tonight she would have cooked something for me. Oh well, till the arrival of my new helper, *shrugs* I guess this could be the same routine for next week again.
~ Lara ~
Headed for my usual workout with my trainer on Saturday mornings, and did I mention, it was darn gruelling. Having a personal trainer can be quite a good investment. In the past, I only hit the gym once a week or in two weeks. My visit at the gym is purely for their Body Combat classes. Other than that, the rest of whatever exist in there scares me (yes including some of the men there). I am always worried about how people will laugh at me if i perform the dumb bell exercise/routine wrongly or how do you even operate on the resistance machine and know which muscle group you're working out. Or worse, injuring yourself whilst training. Now, I'm glad, because I have definitely learnt much from him and I have even started designing my own training. :)
Decided to have some minestrone soup for lunch at my fave Soup Spoon. Wasn't about to indulge in Burger and Fries, especially after working hard at the gym. :P Came home and decided to help out with the chores. Yes I'm Miss Maria today...
I decided to help my folks clean the house. So I swept the house and cleaned the floor. Mind you, not with that 'Big Paint Brush' but went on my fours with a wet cloth and a bucket water with my special concoction of Detergents and Dettol. And each room gets their own fresh bucket of water and detergent concoction. No doubt, I am an utter clean freak. I then marched around the house for further cleaning and washing of dishes. All's done now and I'm in anticipation for my folks to be back from my brother's and experience the fresh, crisp scent that lingers in my apartment and notice that everything stands spic and span. Just when you start to think that since I have executed my chores with such pride and enthusiasm, and may need just this sort of calibre to help you with your chores, think again... I'm not for hire! :P
With Curly's away in Japan, this evening's dinner is a simple one. Cheese Sandwich with a warm cup of Milo. I would have had something more elaborate but my muscles are screaming "HALT!" to any form of bodily movement.
I miss my helper. She was the best helper that my family's ever had and tonight she would have cooked something for me. Oh well, till the arrival of my new helper, *shrugs* I guess this could be the same routine for next week again.
~ Lara ~
Friday, 30 March 2007
TGIF (?)(!)
Its Friday. I should be overjoyed, I should be looking forward to the weekend.
But I aint.
I am browsing through my office emails, flagging emails as "unread" even though I have read them (my way of creating a to-do list), I just returned from yet another fried bee hoon breakfast, this time with my favourite wings. I am wondering how much weight have I put on, ever since with KP. Even the new mocha coffee tea tarik concoction that my colleague recommended me, isnt perking up my day. I opened my skype window, and its all my work contacts. Dont want anyone to disturb me for the moment. Please let me just "skive" in my little world and I will get back to my much needed to-do for the website project later on.
Whats on the weekend menu while KP fishes-away at Bintan. Fixing my face tomorrow at Kim's place - much needed, I see clogged pores and uneven skin tone and my moisturisers are empty. Time to top up some stocks from Kim. Maybe blading after facial. Sunday's church as usual and I'll probably do some gym-ing or napping (whichever I feel like) after that.
Then he will be back! =p
~6th Sense (the feeling of KP's absence)
But I aint.
I am browsing through my office emails, flagging emails as "unread" even though I have read them (my way of creating a to-do list), I just returned from yet another fried bee hoon breakfast, this time with my favourite wings. I am wondering how much weight have I put on, ever since with KP. Even the new mocha coffee tea tarik concoction that my colleague recommended me, isnt perking up my day. I opened my skype window, and its all my work contacts. Dont want anyone to disturb me for the moment. Please let me just "skive" in my little world and I will get back to my much needed to-do for the website project later on.
Whats on the weekend menu while KP fishes-away at Bintan. Fixing my face tomorrow at Kim's place - much needed, I see clogged pores and uneven skin tone and my moisturisers are empty. Time to top up some stocks from Kim. Maybe blading after facial. Sunday's church as usual and I'll probably do some gym-ing or napping (whichever I feel like) after that.
Then he will be back! =p
~6th Sense (the feeling of KP's absence)
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Ew, what's that smell?
Personal hygiene is of utmost importance. And I'd say, that it definitely doesn't apply to just dating. It should be a personal responsibility - a form of respect and loving oneself. Of course "Personal Hygiene" can apply to many different things, but the focus of this entry is Body Odour and Bad Breath.
(A) Body Odour
"B.O., My Gawd!" my bro-in-law screams in disgust whenever we hang out and encounter some deadly whiff from another human form. And what that happens, both of us would quickly "SWOOSH" away. I honestly do not understand how some people can be quite oblivious to the way they smell. I mean do they not know that they are actually contributing to the already bad air pollution that already exist? Ok, I don't mean to be rude. There are some people who genuinely have a problem where the B.O. persists due to a variety of reasons, i.e. the food they eat, or perhaps, it could be in their genes etc. The point that I'm trying to make here is, B.O. is a condition that can be treated. They should love and respect themselves as well as others to go and consult a doctor.
Also, if you're in a relationship or at least in courtship stage, smelling nice is key. If you smell good, it will most definitely attract the guy/girl more, like having that special someone you like lean closer to you. ;) TRUST ME! So before you head out for your date, make sure you take a nice shower and spray that classy scent that you've just invested on.
(B) Bad Breath
Lets face it, you can look like a GREEK GOD and have 6 to 8 packs like the men in the movie "300", but with a breath that smell like 'the land of a thousand dead rats', you'll still not be able to score yourself a girl or a date! Ok fine, this applies to the girlies as well.
Moving further, it doesn't just apply to the dating situations, but having good breath is essential and key in business settings.
Some pointers in maintaining a fresh clean breath:
- Brush after every meal (if you're able to throw in mouthwash after that, it's a bonus!)
- Keep sugarfree mints handy (by having sugar content, you will find your bad breath will return again.)
- Floss after every meal (Toothpicks, will also do if flossing is not possible. Don't want to have unsightly bits of your food stuck in-between your teeth. Or worse, left 'unattended' to rot! EW!)
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
In summary, being sensitive to the way you smell and the breath may just lead you to a happier and healthier living, not only for yourself but for the good of the humankind.
~ Lara ~
(A) Body Odour
"B.O., My Gawd!" my bro-in-law screams in disgust whenever we hang out and encounter some deadly whiff from another human form. And what that happens, both of us would quickly "SWOOSH" away. I honestly do not understand how some people can be quite oblivious to the way they smell. I mean do they not know that they are actually contributing to the already bad air pollution that already exist? Ok, I don't mean to be rude. There are some people who genuinely have a problem where the B.O. persists due to a variety of reasons, i.e. the food they eat, or perhaps, it could be in their genes etc. The point that I'm trying to make here is, B.O. is a condition that can be treated. They should love and respect themselves as well as others to go and consult a doctor.
Also, if you're in a relationship or at least in courtship stage, smelling nice is key. If you smell good, it will most definitely attract the guy/girl more, like having that special someone you like lean closer to you. ;) TRUST ME! So before you head out for your date, make sure you take a nice shower and spray that classy scent that you've just invested on.
(B) Bad Breath
Lets face it, you can look like a GREEK GOD and have 6 to 8 packs like the men in the movie "300", but with a breath that smell like 'the land of a thousand dead rats', you'll still not be able to score yourself a girl or a date! Ok fine, this applies to the girlies as well.
Moving further, it doesn't just apply to the dating situations, but having good breath is essential and key in business settings.
Some pointers in maintaining a fresh clean breath:
- Brush after every meal (if you're able to throw in mouthwash after that, it's a bonus!)
- Keep sugarfree mints handy (by having sugar content, you will find your bad breath will return again.)
- Floss after every meal (Toothpicks, will also do if flossing is not possible. Don't want to have unsightly bits of your food stuck in-between your teeth. Or worse, left 'unattended' to rot! EW!)
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
In summary, being sensitive to the way you smell and the breath may just lead you to a happier and healthier living, not only for yourself but for the good of the humankind.
~ Lara ~
IWC
Some years ago, 4 ladies came up with the idea to set up the IWC - Independent Woman's Club.
A club whose mission is to not let the friendship dwindle and to always enhance the woman bond that we learnt (all of us) to treasure.
A club whereby the activities surrounds dinner and gossips (exchange of data, I mean =p). All sorts of stories, from in-laws, boyfrens to frenster and the latest hangouts ...etc
A club which has now progressed onto the online platform, welcoming new audiences and readers to witness the club's progress.
A club which we hold dearly to always continue its legacy, I hope?!
So cheers to the IWC!
~6th Sense
A club whose mission is to not let the friendship dwindle and to always enhance the woman bond that we learnt (all of us) to treasure.
A club whereby the activities surrounds dinner and gossips (exchange of data, I mean =p). All sorts of stories, from in-laws, boyfrens to frenster and the latest hangouts ...etc
A club which has now progressed onto the online platform, welcoming new audiences and readers to witness the club's progress.
A club which we hold dearly to always continue its legacy, I hope?!
So cheers to the IWC!
~6th Sense
The Ex
The annual T awards is here and we'll be there tonight to have a good time getting smashed on alcohol and mocking fun of the ho-hum performances they make us sit through before handling out the awards. Everyone stays just for the post-show reception - if its anything, the organisers goes out of the way to make sure that the food is good, the drinks are free flow, so maybe we will forget the ho-hum performances.
I've always enjoyed the post-shows since the usual gin-gang is there and we know how to have fun. The dampener I had last year was truly a fluke and I certainly hope its not the same this evening. I bumped into my Ex. Boss.
How bitch of a boss she was? This was the same woman who:
1) told me that if I'm well enough to make my way to see the doctor, I can jolly well come to work
2) kept me up at nights with continuous strings of sms from 7pm to the ungodly hours of 4am
3) BCCed (her emails to me) the MD on emails about my 'deteriorating behaviour'
4) pasted post-it notes all over my work station as she preferred not to look me in the eyes
5) kept a cold front in the office by bestowing a unwritten rule that its best I do not speak to the other secretaries in the office for fear that they might poison my mind (too late lady! You're the quack...I had lunch ALONE for 2 whole years.)
6) said to others my taste of music was unacceptable (my music unacceptable?? You listen to Josh "the wanker" Groban". Please. Get. A. Personality. Of. Your. Own.)
amongst other horrifying things that I try to keep at the back of my head but occasionally rears its ugly head.
And how terrified was I under her reign of terror? I never got over it even though it has been years (and sources tell me she is still bad mouthing me to anyone who would listen). I'm actually contemplating skipping tonight's function so I can avoid last year's disaster. Zaza met the Ex earlier during the ceremony and promptly marched me up to her at the end of the post-show so she (Zaza) could sing my praises. The Ex has a putrid look on her face as if something extremely bad-smelling was placed under her nose. She refused to acknowledge my presence during the entire 5-way conversation.
My dad has always taught me not to be unkind to the ones who have been unkind to me. Respect his teachings and all, what I really want to do is to stab the Ex with a really blunt fork into her jugular and turn a full clockwise rotation, really slowly.
She is going to haunt me for the rest of my working life. The Ex won.
~SeamonkeY~
I've always enjoyed the post-shows since the usual gin-gang is there and we know how to have fun. The dampener I had last year was truly a fluke and I certainly hope its not the same this evening. I bumped into my Ex. Boss.
How bitch of a boss she was? This was the same woman who:
1) told me that if I'm well enough to make my way to see the doctor, I can jolly well come to work
2) kept me up at nights with continuous strings of sms from 7pm to the ungodly hours of 4am
3) BCCed (her emails to me) the MD on emails about my 'deteriorating behaviour'
4) pasted post-it notes all over my work station as she preferred not to look me in the eyes
5) kept a cold front in the office by bestowing a unwritten rule that its best I do not speak to the other secretaries in the office for fear that they might poison my mind (too late lady! You're the quack...I had lunch ALONE for 2 whole years.)
6) said to others my taste of music was unacceptable (my music unacceptable?? You listen to Josh "the wanker" Groban". Please. Get. A. Personality. Of. Your. Own.)
amongst other horrifying things that I try to keep at the back of my head but occasionally rears its ugly head.
And how terrified was I under her reign of terror? I never got over it even though it has been years (and sources tell me she is still bad mouthing me to anyone who would listen). I'm actually contemplating skipping tonight's function so I can avoid last year's disaster. Zaza met the Ex earlier during the ceremony and promptly marched me up to her at the end of the post-show so she (Zaza) could sing my praises. The Ex has a putrid look on her face as if something extremely bad-smelling was placed under her nose. She refused to acknowledge my presence during the entire 5-way conversation.
My dad has always taught me not to be unkind to the ones who have been unkind to me. Respect his teachings and all, what I really want to do is to stab the Ex with a really blunt fork into her jugular and turn a full clockwise rotation, really slowly.
She is going to haunt me for the rest of my working life. The Ex won.
~SeamonkeY~
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Tight Arms!
Wore my pretty baby doll dress today!
Cant help but wonder, why does my sleeve feel so tight against my arms!! You know how I have been trying to tone my arms especially the triceps - the ugly underarm fats that dangles and vibrates when you FLAG FOR CABS or when *in a typical auntie-like manner* POINT AT SOMETHING AND MAKE UP-DOWN GESTURES.
I dont fancy huge arms, I just want a toned arm. Frantic, I quickly skyped our glamour mama who knows all the gym jargons and how stuffs should be done to achieve maximum results.
Now I am re-assured *smiles* I am not turning into Jo Jo Sinclair! Silly me, how could a few 500gram weights and 3 x a week of half-boil eggs, make me turn bigger?!
Classic Moment, silly me!
Cant help but wonder, why does my sleeve feel so tight against my arms!! You know how I have been trying to tone my arms especially the triceps - the ugly underarm fats that dangles and vibrates when you FLAG FOR CABS or when *in a typical auntie-like manner* POINT AT SOMETHING AND MAKE UP-DOWN GESTURES.
I dont fancy huge arms, I just want a toned arm. Frantic, I quickly skyped our glamour mama who knows all the gym jargons and how stuffs should be done to achieve maximum results.
Now I am re-assured *smiles* I am not turning into Jo Jo Sinclair! Silly me, how could a few 500gram weights and 3 x a week of half-boil eggs, make me turn bigger?!
Classic Moment, silly me!
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
The Good, the Bad and this is the Ugly
I left office today in a pretty good mood given that I'm about to see my new niece who just popped last night (incidentally, you do not have to be really nice to kids until they are at least 3 years of age. Let's face it, they won't remember who threw them a fabulous birthday party when they were one-year-olds. So key is to treat them nice from the age they start to develop longer-term memory in case you need someone to take care of you when you are old and broke. Kids should also go naked until they know the meaning of shame, which perhaps is around age 3 as well. They won't remember and it saves you a bundle.)
My mood started to deteriorate as I made my way down to KK. Usually I gauge how foul my mood is by the way I handle the small things. Everything pissed me off on the way to the hospital.
Incident #1: A lady (coming from the opposite direction) and I happened to tap our ezylink cards at the same time at the MRT gates. I saw the blinker go 'Entry OK' and proceeded to cross. She went "Hey, I tapped my card too" and looked at me with hostility. Station manager had to referee the situation by giving the signal that I had the right of way before she finally stepped aside. I muttered “Bitch.” under my breath as I walked past her.
Incident #2: Drivers didn't bother to stop nor slow down as I approached the zebra crossing at the junction. It took flailing arms and a really rude word before a driver finally stopped. Even then, I took my own sweet time to cross the street and gave the driver the type of stare taxi-uncles give to reckless young punks on the road.
And the reason behind the foulness? Kenneth Cole cancelled on the hospital visit during the eleventh hour. Admittedly I did tell him not to worry, work comes first and he was really apologetic – and I did mean it...then. The foulness just crept up unsuspectingly. Getting him out on a weekday is a rarity and I was pretty psyched about meeting him. The three-year-old in me wants to kick up a huge fuss but the adult in me says to let it go when I see that he's still signed in at work at this hour. Doesn't help that I know of couples who meet everyday...smitten early days or not, it must feel nice :/
~SeamonkeY~
My mood started to deteriorate as I made my way down to KK. Usually I gauge how foul my mood is by the way I handle the small things. Everything pissed me off on the way to the hospital.
Incident #1: A lady (coming from the opposite direction) and I happened to tap our ezylink cards at the same time at the MRT gates. I saw the blinker go 'Entry OK' and proceeded to cross. She went "Hey, I tapped my card too" and looked at me with hostility. Station manager had to referee the situation by giving the signal that I had the right of way before she finally stepped aside. I muttered “Bitch.” under my breath as I walked past her.
Incident #2: Drivers didn't bother to stop nor slow down as I approached the zebra crossing at the junction. It took flailing arms and a really rude word before a driver finally stopped. Even then, I took my own sweet time to cross the street and gave the driver the type of stare taxi-uncles give to reckless young punks on the road.
And the reason behind the foulness? Kenneth Cole cancelled on the hospital visit during the eleventh hour. Admittedly I did tell him not to worry, work comes first and he was really apologetic – and I did mean it...then. The foulness just crept up unsuspectingly. Getting him out on a weekday is a rarity and I was pretty psyched about meeting him. The three-year-old in me wants to kick up a huge fuss but the adult in me says to let it go when I see that he's still signed in at work at this hour. Doesn't help that I know of couples who meet everyday...smitten early days or not, it must feel nice :/
~SeamonkeY~
Marketers vs Accountants
Put the marketers and the accountants together, what do you get?
Somehow, these two professions are slightly at loggerheads. One makes sure you stay within budget, the other wants to spend spend spend.
One makes sure you do your proper documentation and submit your documents promptly, the other one just gets the important things done first and document later.
One cannot understand why must skip one step while the other just focus on getting things done, even if it takes skipping the stairs and taking the elevator.
One sends out emails asking "Who took my red pen" while the other one laughs at the email and scorns "Whats your problem, get a new pen from the stationery cupboard lah dur"
The difference between $ and Marketers.
Seldom they gel. Disagreement, often!
~6th Sense (Accountant turn Marketer)
Disclaimer : The above facts are based on moir's observations. They are by no means a generalised statement. Neither was it written to hurt any lovable creature intentionally or unintentionally. :-)
Somehow, these two professions are slightly at loggerheads. One makes sure you stay within budget, the other wants to spend spend spend.
One makes sure you do your proper documentation and submit your documents promptly, the other one just gets the important things done first and document later.
One cannot understand why must skip one step while the other just focus on getting things done, even if it takes skipping the stairs and taking the elevator.
One sends out emails asking "Who took my red pen" while the other one laughs at the email and scorns "Whats your problem, get a new pen from the stationery cupboard lah dur"
The difference between $ and Marketers.
Seldom they gel. Disagreement, often!
~6th Sense (Accountant turn Marketer)
Disclaimer : The above facts are based on moir's observations. They are by no means a generalised statement. Neither was it written to hurt any lovable creature intentionally or unintentionally. :-)
Monday, 26 March 2007
Top it up with KP (;-p)
We made it! Or rather I made it. KP makes it look so effortless to hike 5km up hill and 5km downhill! Oh well, with his 11% fats, of course gravitational pull is lesser on him than on me :-pWas all zesty in the going up. My first tree top and my first tree top with KP! What more can I say?! To have a hand to hold and walk uphill, someone to make sure I am fully hydrated and wipes that grime off my face, what more can I ask for? *wink*wink*
yes yes yes it is mushy, cant you babes just let me bask in my love for a sweet second?!
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going! Throttling uphill, with the thought of that bridge which is 25m above ground, that on-the-top-of-the-world feeling gave me that adrenaline rush and KP's gentle nudging as I struggle upslope, was a double motivation!
How did it feel reaching the Tree Top?
MARVELLOUS.
The ache was gone, the panting was gone, the perspiration was gone.
The satisfaction was there!
Downhill? You just wanna get out and eat a BIG BOWL OF BA CHOR MEE POK WITH EXTRA EXTRA CHILLI.
~6th Sense
Sunday, 25 March 2007
A Perfect Sunday
Kenneth Cole is back and he comes bearing gifts! muahahah, ranting on blogs and making sure your other half religiously (or in my case, selectively) reads them does work wonders.
There is Junior Mints for Mello. Didn't see whats the hype about when she was asking for them but upon seeing the packaging now (which reads: creamy mints in pure chocolate), I'm dying to try them. That's saying as lot since candies seldom butter my toast *winks*
Gum for Emma and the boy has gone adventurous is his selection too! Must have been the 9 hours of extreme boredom in between transit at LAX. There are eclipse Polar Ice, Dentyne ice Artic Chill and Wrigley's Extra Cool Green Apple. Hmm I am seeing a pattern here *checks for bad breath*
And not forgetting a gorgeous box of See's Candies for the rest of us in the office. Zaza will adore this. I'm sure he will be on her 'good' list for Christmas now. This brand of chocolates is apparently real popular in LA and they have been around for more than eighty years.
And I have my supply of Neutrogena. It doesn't take much to butter my toast, really.
But besides the gifts, its nice to have him back home. Having a Ribena moment now with him snoring away after a morning of good-old Chongpang breakfast, friendly ribbing of my mates' newly acquired status, and thinking up new names for respective mates' halves (nice fellow is now known as Kip and Curly is still Curly unless he decides to rebond his hair...eh Lara, he is called Curly because of his mop on his head right? Right?).
Can't think of a better way to idle away a Sunday.
~SeamonkeY~
There is Junior Mints for Mello. Didn't see whats the hype about when she was asking for them but upon seeing the packaging now (which reads: creamy mints in pure chocolate), I'm dying to try them. That's saying as lot since candies seldom butter my toast *winks*
Gum for Emma and the boy has gone adventurous is his selection too! Must have been the 9 hours of extreme boredom in between transit at LAX. There are eclipse Polar Ice, Dentyne ice Artic Chill and Wrigley's Extra Cool Green Apple. Hmm I am seeing a pattern here *checks for bad breath*
And not forgetting a gorgeous box of See's Candies for the rest of us in the office. Zaza will adore this. I'm sure he will be on her 'good' list for Christmas now. This brand of chocolates is apparently real popular in LA and they have been around for more than eighty years.
And I have my supply of Neutrogena. It doesn't take much to butter my toast, really.
But besides the gifts, its nice to have him back home. Having a Ribena moment now with him snoring away after a morning of good-old Chongpang breakfast, friendly ribbing of my mates' newly acquired status, and thinking up new names for respective mates' halves (nice fellow is now known as Kip and Curly is still Curly unless he decides to rebond his hair...eh Lara, he is called Curly because of his mop on his head right? Right?).
Can't think of a better way to idle away a Sunday.
~SeamonkeY~
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Long Live Mary Janes!!!!
Tracking Meter has gone past 600 clicks within 2 -3 months of the launch of Mary Janes. Bearing in mind that with the lack of budget, we didnt even do a launch event *grin*, Mary Janes has survived its infancy stages through "soft launch" (MSN, Skype..etc).
Comments have been flooding in, since Day One! It got so flirty *wink* and heated up, we had to give an award to the undisputable champion - Unguided Lemming! And Colin's been surviving pretty well amongst the feminopinions, havent got into any "troubles" yet!
Hmmm...I like the progress we are making on Mary Janes. Unlike the bimbotic Xia Xue, and the comedian Mr Brown, our little online community has a character of its own.
So, long live Mary Janes!!!!
~6th Sense
Comments have been flooding in, since Day One! It got so flirty *wink* and heated up, we had to give an award to the undisputable champion - Unguided Lemming! And Colin's been surviving pretty well amongst the feminopinions, havent got into any "troubles" yet!
Hmmm...I like the progress we are making on Mary Janes. Unlike the bimbotic Xia Xue, and the comedian Mr Brown, our little online community has a character of its own.
So, long live Mary Janes!!!!
~6th Sense
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Far and Away
Hmm.. so this is what happened when I'm away.
Ribena once asked me about wedding venues over an innocent text message when I was working in Sri Lanka some time back. Sensing something was not right, I immediately had her call me on my mobile phone to explain the severity of the question. Turns out she was getting hitched to M. I made her promise not to make any life-altering decisions when I am away from then on.
While I was away in Taranaki, another ecstatic message came in from 6th Sense that she has scored herself a very nice fellow after a few antagonising weeks and many, many calculated moves (erm, to the nice fellow who may be reading this, this is a compliment. All hands were on deck for this ;p).
And almost upon landing, I received word that Lara has put Curly out of his misery and will be hosting this Saturday's dinner as an official couple.
Well, I guess I'm just more productive at this matchmaking thing when I'm not physically present. Love is in the air...
~SeamonkeY~
Ribena once asked me about wedding venues over an innocent text message when I was working in Sri Lanka some time back. Sensing something was not right, I immediately had her call me on my mobile phone to explain the severity of the question. Turns out she was getting hitched to M. I made her promise not to make any life-altering decisions when I am away from then on.
While I was away in Taranaki, another ecstatic message came in from 6th Sense that she has scored herself a very nice fellow after a few antagonising weeks and many, many calculated moves (erm, to the nice fellow who may be reading this, this is a compliment. All hands were on deck for this ;p).
And almost upon landing, I received word that Lara has put Curly out of his misery and will be hosting this Saturday's dinner as an official couple.
Well, I guess I'm just more productive at this matchmaking thing when I'm not physically present. Love is in the air...
~SeamonkeY~
Monday, 19 March 2007
Men having a thing for women with long hair... WHY?
Qn: What's with the general male population liking women with long hair?
Here are some of the responses I gathered:
"I think it makes women look very womanly." ~ Tom, aged 26.
"Long hair makes women look sexy." ~ Dick, aged 29
"There's something about women and their long tresses which i find utterly sensual." ~ Harry, aged 25.
~ Baffled Lara ~
Here are some of the responses I gathered:
"I think it makes women look very womanly." ~ Tom, aged 26.
"Long hair makes women look sexy." ~ Dick, aged 29
"There's something about women and their long tresses which i find utterly sensual." ~ Harry, aged 25.
~ Baffled Lara ~
Sweet Reminiscence
AH CHOO...! God bless my nose! Been down with the nasty cold since Saturday. Thought it was just a normal sinus problem, so I hit the gym and had a nasty workout session with my trainer. He threw into a fit when he learnt that I had Ben & Jerry's the night before and told me, i'm going to make sure your Abs POP today with an evil grin! He worked me out till every energy and life was sucked out of me. And I finally saw the S**** (Stars! - what do you think i was referring to?) :D
Come Sunday, the cold turned nasty! Had fever and all... managed to pull myself out of bed to meet up with "Curly Moe" for dinner. It's a good thing I didn't cancel the date, you never know what 'magic' it might work on your physical condition. Turns out that "Curly Moe" was also not feeling too good, still he scored points for coming down to meet me. :) So the 2 'sickly' dude + dame decided to head down to the East Coast for some 'sickly' feast... (Haha, somehow that didn't quite go together) Porridge plus chilli sotong and cuttlefish Kang kong etc.... Temperatures were rising! (As a result from the food we were eating, i mean ;) ) It's a literal 'BURN UR TONGUE and remember the uncle who prepared your food'.
Had a ball of time laughing and mocking one another that somehow we both forgotten that we were sick. I honestly felt so much better after that!
Point that i'm trying to make here is, "Laughter is indeed the best medicine." It also helps to find that there is someone who appreciates you and bothers to take the extra mile just to see you, spend time with you and make you smile. ;)
Ps. He definitely stands out from all the guys that I've ever been out with.
Sweeeeet!
~ Lara ~
Come Sunday, the cold turned nasty! Had fever and all... managed to pull myself out of bed to meet up with "Curly Moe" for dinner. It's a good thing I didn't cancel the date, you never know what 'magic' it might work on your physical condition. Turns out that "Curly Moe" was also not feeling too good, still he scored points for coming down to meet me. :) So the 2 'sickly' dude + dame decided to head down to the East Coast for some 'sickly' feast... (Haha, somehow that didn't quite go together) Porridge plus chilli sotong and cuttlefish Kang kong etc.... Temperatures were rising! (As a result from the food we were eating, i mean ;) ) It's a literal 'BURN UR TONGUE and remember the uncle who prepared your food'.
Had a ball of time laughing and mocking one another that somehow we both forgotten that we were sick. I honestly felt so much better after that!
Point that i'm trying to make here is, "Laughter is indeed the best medicine." It also helps to find that there is someone who appreciates you and bothers to take the extra mile just to see you, spend time with you and make you smile. ;)
Ps. He definitely stands out from all the guys that I've ever been out with.
Sweeeeet!
~ Lara ~
Cleft Chins
What's with cleft chins?
Ben Affleck, Ricky Martin, John Travolta - they all have cleft chins!!
In a simplistic definition, cleft chins is a dimple on the chin.
In a professional medical definition, cleft chins are the result of incomplete fusion between the left and right halves lower jaw during embryologic development. During the embryonic stage, the tissues most likely fail to meet completely, resulting in a separate development and then fusion along the midline.
In 6th Sense's definition - "Oh who cares, cleft chins are sexy!"
Ben Affleck, Ricky Martin, John Travolta - they all have cleft chins!!
In a simplistic definition, cleft chins is a dimple on the chin.
In a professional medical definition, cleft chins are the result of incomplete fusion between the left and right halves lower jaw during embryologic development. During the embryonic stage, the tissues most likely fail to meet completely, resulting in a separate development and then fusion along the midline.
In 6th Sense's definition - "Oh who cares, cleft chins are sexy!"
Sunday, 18 March 2007
Saturday, 17 March 2007
TEN STARS!!! ***** *****
TITOUDAO by Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble
Drama Centre Theatre, National Library
1 Mar - 31 Mar 07
Tue - Suni 3pm & 8pm
Star-studded cast
Pam Oei
Beatrice Chia-Richmond
Karen Tan
Sebastian Tan
Chua En Lai
Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit
Gordon Choy
Judy Tan
Written and directed by Toy Factory's Chief Artistic Director Goh Boon Teck.
Winner of Best Original Script for Titoudao at the inaugural Life
Play of the Year
Best Production Design
Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress
Drama Centre Theatre, National Library
1 Mar - 31 Mar 07
Tue - Suni 3pm & 8pm
Star-studded castPam Oei
Beatrice Chia-Richmond
Karen Tan
Sebastian Tan
Chua En Lai
Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit
Gordon Choy
Judy Tan
Written and directed by Toy Factory's Chief Artistic Director Goh Boon Teck.
Winner of Best Original Script for Titoudao at the inaugural Life
Play of the Year
Best Production Design
Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress
Superbly Hilarious. Fantastic chemistry amongst the cast. There's no other way I would spend more than 2hrs engaged in a Multilingual wayang (Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay, English & Singlish.)
Top 5 reasons why you should watch this play-musical:
1. Watch wayang in an air-con theatre with cushion seats & English subtitles!
2. Interesting story line on the life of a Hokkien street opera actress. Interesting preview on the possible life our grandparents led, 13 years of continuos pregnancy, minus the opera actress career. Very refreshing indeed.
3. Clever use of props and effects... even got a ge-tai scene with colourful lights glittering through the entire theatre.
4. Support the local arts scene. We're talking about a team of really talented casts. Give them anything and they'd sing and talk life into it.
5. U have to watch Chua En Lai play the ugly step sister... completely made me cry... coz he's so cartoon! Sebastian is indeed broadway Beng. In a cast made up of people who don't speak Mandarin, let alone Hokkien, u can tell easily who are the ones who cheong hokkien all the way... Have to give credit to Aidli, the only Malay cast who must have taken great pains to memorise the entire hokkien wayang lyrics. Pam is off course fantastic. Very versatile. Very humorous. Very animated. Karen was impressive playing various roles. The rest of the team added the final touches to make this a highly recommended production.
Money well-spent indeed!
Communal Dining
150 folks from four corners of the globe enjoying warm hospitality from the Maori tribe of Taranaki. I am reminded once again why I work for the people I work for. Kodak moment in the making.
~SeamonkeY in Taranaki, NZ~
Humor does it for me
I'm all smiles! My Friday eve's been well-spent hanging out with someone by the alter ego "Curly Moe", who incidentally has the greatest sense of humour. It is nice to have finally met someone who can communicate with me in all different levels (as opposed to the occasional "nowsadays" or "er, sorry ah, but what's the meaning of that word?").
There is something about men with humor that I find incredibly sexy, especially when it's done intelligently. They seem to know what to say at the most opportune time that and tickles you in ways you can hardly imagine. Humor breeds or rather accelerates communication and that increases the levels of chemistry between two individuals. I find that utterly intriguing...
Spotted an odd couple this evening actually whilst at the escalator at a mall... Attractive Asian lady with her 'plump' bi-spectacled white guy. This white guy with quadruple 'muffins' spilling out from all parts in ways you can hardly imagine, one arm around his girl and started doing the jiggy and sang a stupid song at the same time. It was HILARIOUS!!! "Curly Moe" and i started stifling and both of us quickly looked away at our separate directions, otherwise, we'd both be bursting out in hysteria which will be close to hyperventilation... Asian lady looked back endearingly at her white boy and gave him a warm smile... Tonight, this odd couple has given the phrase "Love is Blind" a new twist! :)
~ Lara ~
There is something about men with humor that I find incredibly sexy, especially when it's done intelligently. They seem to know what to say at the most opportune time that and tickles you in ways you can hardly imagine. Humor breeds or rather accelerates communication and that increases the levels of chemistry between two individuals. I find that utterly intriguing...
Spotted an odd couple this evening actually whilst at the escalator at a mall... Attractive Asian lady with her 'plump' bi-spectacled white guy. This white guy with quadruple 'muffins' spilling out from all parts in ways you can hardly imagine, one arm around his girl and started doing the jiggy and sang a stupid song at the same time. It was HILARIOUS!!! "Curly Moe" and i started stifling and both of us quickly looked away at our separate directions, otherwise, we'd both be bursting out in hysteria which will be close to hyperventilation... Asian lady looked back endearingly at her white boy and gave him a warm smile... Tonight, this odd couple has given the phrase "Love is Blind" a new twist! :)
~ Lara ~
Blogging on a Friday Nite
While most singles are out having fun on a Friday... what do i do? Well.... hm.... Here's my top 5 list...
1) Stay home and rest coz we've had a busy week. (Happens almost EVERY Friday!)
2) Have dinner at one of the following:
- Hougang Mall
- Kovan Mall
- Junction 8
- Orchard Road
- Marina / Suntec
- Ang Mo Kio
- Toa Payoh
( so exciting! so many malls to choose from... *** roll my eyes***)
3) Catch a movie (now... when's the last time we actually did that... 'The Devil Wears Prada').
4) Stay home.
5) Stay home.
So there you go... my top 5 Friday Excitments. 'woo hoo!'
Ribena
slouching on my bed blogging... turns left to look at the snorer... turns back to screen to type this... adjusted to life...
1) Stay home and rest coz we've had a busy week. (Happens almost EVERY Friday!)
2) Have dinner at one of the following:
- Hougang Mall
- Kovan Mall
- Junction 8
- Orchard Road
- Marina / Suntec
- Ang Mo Kio
- Toa Payoh
( so exciting! so many malls to choose from... *** roll my eyes***)
3) Catch a movie (now... when's the last time we actually did that... 'The Devil Wears Prada').
4) Stay home.
5) Stay home.
So there you go... my top 5 Friday Excitments. 'woo hoo!'
Ribena
slouching on my bed blogging... turns left to look at the snorer... turns back to screen to type this... adjusted to life...
Friday, 16 March 2007
Thursday, 15 March 2007
Boxercise S&M
I'm still in shock! Have to blog this...
After 1.5 wks of resting after my dance performance, and seeing that the 'muffins' were starting to appear, I decided to go back to my 3 times a wk regime at my regular gym. This time, I went back with a vengeance. Actually some weeks ago, my company had a health screening and i was totally flabbergasted at my body fat content. And so, for now, it will be a mean combination of high impact cardio + resistance training.
Just to share a tip:
- Do weights before cardio. You don't want to go on an all-time peak low when you're working out your muscles.
So it's my first time at this boxercise class at my gym today (gym has various class schedules). I don't usually attend this one, but i thought i'll give it a try anyway. In walked the fitness trainer, who's about 1.8, decked in shiny red gear with a pair of white Adidas shorts worn over. All these were teamed up with white/blue shoes. Hmmm, "interesting fashion sense" i thought to myself. And what's even more interesting that this guy is probably one of the first of the fitness trainers who doesn't seem the least bit gay. "Promising" thought to myself again. In fact he looks like someone who's been with the military for a LONG while.
Unlike the rest of the cardio classes like body combat, cardio kick etc. that i have attended. This trainer has his fixed actions by numbers:
No. 1: Jab (straight punch)
No. 2: Hook
No. 3: Uppercut
No. 4: Body block (Basically you isolate your hip and move your torso side to side with hands on guard)
So when the session actually started, my "Promising" expectation suddenly vanished! Unlike the other fitness trainers this guy actually doesn't quite do the sets with us. Ah so now you know why he numbers his movements... lazy bugger! In all honesty I don't think this guy has any background in Muay Thai, Wing Chun, or even any other art of self defence. He actually pointed out that I threw my punch in the wrong technique! (Hallo! I actually trained with an ex Wing Chun teacher and boxer for 4 yrs?) Even his KICK seemed dance-like! So on and on he went, shouting out the various number combinations at different parts of the music, thinking that everyone (other than the regulars) are telepathic and can understand what he wanted us to do.
To make things worse, this trainer kept coming along my way to try to 'hit' me. On quite a few occasions, his disgusting hands brushed across my face (he was trying to test my block). But still! The thought of where his pair of hands have been before he stepped into the class, or even the thought of the amount of grime and bacteria on his hands have now been conveniently passed on to my face. Naturally i couldn't concentrate on what i had to do and fumbled with my steps, ending up looking like a complete idiot! He walked away laughing out loud, (probably feeling satisfied)! "Freaking Saddist!" i thought to myself.
My irritations aside, this guy actually gruelled us to the core! I think they shouldn't name this class "Boxercise" it should be better if they name it "commando-wannabe" class (something like that!). The boxing movements took up only 40%. The rest were filled with jumping jacks and a load of other movements which were hardly boxing-like.
And just when you think that it's time to COOL DOWN, he shouts, "Go get yourself a mat". We'll be doing sit-ups and push ups now. If you think it's the normal 'half crunch' think again. This probably some of the worst sit-up regime i've ever had! Everyone had to do the FULL crunch movement. I was taught that the FULL crunches were bad for the back and so i stuck to doing my half crunch. Lo and behold, the 'saddist' decides to walk over and asked what was i doing? So i said, "i'm sorry, but i'm just not used to doing the FULL crunch". Note his answer to me...
"Well, why do you want to stick to your comfort zone? You should succumb to me... and i will show you a whole new different dimension."
By now, everyone in the class was laughing at me. Okaaay... that was potential 'S&M' talk. (I've got a reason why I call it 'S&M'.) Fine! I 'succumbed' to my Master at that point. Needless to say, i've never felt more pathetic in executing my crunches than today! :( (I've been known by my mates to be rather fit.)
Imagine this:
- 30 Crunches (each set getting more challenging, commando-style) combined with 10 to 20 sets of push-ups. Utterly gruelling...
By now, everyone in the class was close to collapse-mode and i was silently crying out in my spirit, "OH GOD, HELP ME!" When the "Master" noticed this, to get us moving, he decided to resort to one of his 'weapons' - His BELT. I'm serious! He literally took his belt with a chain at the end and started screaming at everyone to move with the belt waved on his hand! (Go visualise)
Gosh! Today is definitely one of my most horrific experience at my gym. I am in shock! I seriously suffered adverse reactions to this whole ordeal... yes... first thing i got home was to pig out on my CNY leftover goodies (eating fatty food after my exercise is NOT my habit) in the dark!
I will mark this day. Today will be my first and my last time appearing in his class!
~ Lara ~
After 1.5 wks of resting after my dance performance, and seeing that the 'muffins' were starting to appear, I decided to go back to my 3 times a wk regime at my regular gym. This time, I went back with a vengeance. Actually some weeks ago, my company had a health screening and i was totally flabbergasted at my body fat content. And so, for now, it will be a mean combination of high impact cardio + resistance training.
Just to share a tip:
- Do weights before cardio. You don't want to go on an all-time peak low when you're working out your muscles.
So it's my first time at this boxercise class at my gym today (gym has various class schedules). I don't usually attend this one, but i thought i'll give it a try anyway. In walked the fitness trainer, who's about 1.8, decked in shiny red gear with a pair of white Adidas shorts worn over. All these were teamed up with white/blue shoes. Hmmm, "interesting fashion sense" i thought to myself. And what's even more interesting that this guy is probably one of the first of the fitness trainers who doesn't seem the least bit gay. "Promising" thought to myself again. In fact he looks like someone who's been with the military for a LONG while.
Unlike the rest of the cardio classes like body combat, cardio kick etc. that i have attended. This trainer has his fixed actions by numbers:
No. 1: Jab (straight punch)
No. 2: Hook
No. 3: Uppercut
No. 4: Body block (Basically you isolate your hip and move your torso side to side with hands on guard)
So when the session actually started, my "Promising" expectation suddenly vanished! Unlike the other fitness trainers this guy actually doesn't quite do the sets with us. Ah so now you know why he numbers his movements... lazy bugger! In all honesty I don't think this guy has any background in Muay Thai, Wing Chun, or even any other art of self defence. He actually pointed out that I threw my punch in the wrong technique! (Hallo! I actually trained with an ex Wing Chun teacher and boxer for 4 yrs?) Even his KICK seemed dance-like! So on and on he went, shouting out the various number combinations at different parts of the music, thinking that everyone (other than the regulars) are telepathic and can understand what he wanted us to do.
To make things worse, this trainer kept coming along my way to try to 'hit' me. On quite a few occasions, his disgusting hands brushed across my face (he was trying to test my block). But still! The thought of where his pair of hands have been before he stepped into the class, or even the thought of the amount of grime and bacteria on his hands have now been conveniently passed on to my face. Naturally i couldn't concentrate on what i had to do and fumbled with my steps, ending up looking like a complete idiot! He walked away laughing out loud, (probably feeling satisfied)! "Freaking Saddist!" i thought to myself.
My irritations aside, this guy actually gruelled us to the core! I think they shouldn't name this class "Boxercise" it should be better if they name it "commando-wannabe" class (something like that!). The boxing movements took up only 40%. The rest were filled with jumping jacks and a load of other movements which were hardly boxing-like.
And just when you think that it's time to COOL DOWN, he shouts, "Go get yourself a mat". We'll be doing sit-ups and push ups now. If you think it's the normal 'half crunch' think again. This probably some of the worst sit-up regime i've ever had! Everyone had to do the FULL crunch movement. I was taught that the FULL crunches were bad for the back and so i stuck to doing my half crunch. Lo and behold, the 'saddist' decides to walk over and asked what was i doing? So i said, "i'm sorry, but i'm just not used to doing the FULL crunch". Note his answer to me...
"Well, why do you want to stick to your comfort zone? You should succumb to me... and i will show you a whole new different dimension."
By now, everyone in the class was laughing at me. Okaaay... that was potential 'S&M' talk. (I've got a reason why I call it 'S&M'.) Fine! I 'succumbed' to my Master at that point. Needless to say, i've never felt more pathetic in executing my crunches than today! :( (I've been known by my mates to be rather fit.)
Imagine this:
- 30 Crunches (each set getting more challenging, commando-style) combined with 10 to 20 sets of push-ups. Utterly gruelling...
By now, everyone in the class was close to collapse-mode and i was silently crying out in my spirit, "OH GOD, HELP ME!" When the "Master" noticed this, to get us moving, he decided to resort to one of his 'weapons' - His BELT. I'm serious! He literally took his belt with a chain at the end and started screaming at everyone to move with the belt waved on his hand! (Go visualise)
Gosh! Today is definitely one of my most horrific experience at my gym. I am in shock! I seriously suffered adverse reactions to this whole ordeal... yes... first thing i got home was to pig out on my CNY leftover goodies (eating fatty food after my exercise is NOT my habit) in the dark!
I will mark this day. Today will be my first and my last time appearing in his class!
~ Lara ~
Just one more pix...
Here's our pix!!
Cannot see clearly?
That's the point :)
This pix has been changed and adjusted from the initially posted pix by special request.
That's the point :)
This pix has been changed and adjusted from the initially posted pix by special request.
Dear Ribena, Lara, Seamonkey & 6th Sense, can we have some pictures please?!
Dear Readers, you want pictures, there you go!
Nope, we aint comparing feet sizes. This is how the roads in olden days Israel looked like. The uneven ground helped the horses to move easier, better friction, better grip.
A young jew praying at the Wailing Wall (site of the first and second temple). The locks are unshaven cos they interpret the bible law as one should not shave the temple locks. The black hat is a form of respect to God, he being a higher being, above us.
Another practice of Jews - known as tefillins, these are tied to the head and the arm as a reminder that one's thoughts and actions should always be guided by God.
The site of the first and second temple. Unfortunately, it has been "taken over" by the Muslims, who built a mosque, claiming the site is where Prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven.
Ein Gedi Springs
Jewish Kids on school trips! It is mandatory for a volunteer gunman to protect the kids whenever they are out on trips!
Just Go Lah
Its nice to be invited to dinner with friends, especially home cooked dinners!
I am really appreciative! Really!
Somehow a dinner involving mostly acquaintances, except for one or two friends, and an intimate cosy setting in someone's home, wrapped in Western Dining environment, I just curl up and start asking "Do I have to go?"
"Yes, you have to, blah blah blah" - "Come lah, come and know more people, blah blah blah"
Why am I curling up? I can operate in social environment quite smoothly. I can talk to new found friends and establish connection. Why is this dinner making me feel awkward even before I go?
Maybe because its a cosy session, smaller group, which makes the ratio of acquaintance seem larger(?) Maybe becos I have to make sure I do not clang the dishes, cut the lambs elegantly and sip my drink in a lady-like manner, cross my leg and speak with p's and q's(?)
Is that why I am crinching?!
Having said that, yes, I will go, I will go becos its Lara's invite, becos its a long time friend, and I am playing the role of a supportive friend there and people cooking for me, so I should be thankful and appreciative!
Can I just do my "now-sadays" and "oren ju no eye" joke there?!
~Worried 6th Sense~
I am really appreciative! Really!
Somehow a dinner involving mostly acquaintances, except for one or two friends, and an intimate cosy setting in someone's home, wrapped in Western Dining environment, I just curl up and start asking "Do I have to go?"
"Yes, you have to, blah blah blah" - "Come lah, come and know more people, blah blah blah"
Why am I curling up? I can operate in social environment quite smoothly. I can talk to new found friends and establish connection. Why is this dinner making me feel awkward even before I go?
Maybe because its a cosy session, smaller group, which makes the ratio of acquaintance seem larger(?) Maybe becos I have to make sure I do not clang the dishes, cut the lambs elegantly and sip my drink in a lady-like manner, cross my leg and speak with p's and q's(?)
Is that why I am crinching?!
Having said that, yes, I will go, I will go becos its Lara's invite, becos its a long time friend, and I am playing the role of a supportive friend there and people cooking for me, so I should be thankful and appreciative!
Can I just do my "now-sadays" and "oren ju no eye" joke there?!
~Worried 6th Sense~
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Trigger Pointers In a Flash - The "M"s of Lara's world
(Note: Lara's thinking out loud. Key is no deliberation and just type whatever that comes to mind.)
1. Men
- I definitey am straight and love my men! Can't quite understand how my KIND somehow think that I can be swayed. (Had to fend some of them off esp coming from an all-girl school...)
- GOSH! Can't quite understand them at times. But yet can't live without them. They definitely spice up in my life! :)
2. Metrosexuals
- Metrosextual men are very sexy! The more vain they are, the better! And why not? They show that they care about themselves. Good physique, armed with killer sense of dressing, hair, skin and not to mention those pearly whites! Yes no doubt some of them may 'play for the other team', but still I still find that utterly sexy! :)
3. Marriage
- A firm believer of marrying out of love and not because of obligation, getting the keys to your newly applied HDB Apt, for stability or even worse, because your biological clock is ticking.
- Point is, cannot find anyone suitable, just don't get married. Don't drag the other person down just because you've got issues.
4. Mental Strength
- To me, this trait supercedes more than material wealth. When the going gets tough, anyone with this ability stays focused, and will most definitely survive. It's definitely a bonus if your girl/guy has this ability.
5. MUM
- This is one iron lady who's always very strict with me. I am who I am today and it's all because of her.
- She's my pillar of strength... nuff said. She's the best!
~ Lara ~
1. Men
- I definitey am straight and love my men! Can't quite understand how my KIND somehow think that I can be swayed. (Had to fend some of them off esp coming from an all-girl school...)
- GOSH! Can't quite understand them at times. But yet can't live without them. They definitely spice up in my life! :)
2. Metrosexuals
- Metrosextual men are very sexy! The more vain they are, the better! And why not? They show that they care about themselves. Good physique, armed with killer sense of dressing, hair, skin and not to mention those pearly whites! Yes no doubt some of them may 'play for the other team', but still I still find that utterly sexy! :)
3. Marriage
- A firm believer of marrying out of love and not because of obligation, getting the keys to your newly applied HDB Apt, for stability or even worse, because your biological clock is ticking.
- Point is, cannot find anyone suitable, just don't get married. Don't drag the other person down just because you've got issues.
4. Mental Strength
- To me, this trait supercedes more than material wealth. When the going gets tough, anyone with this ability stays focused, and will most definitely survive. It's definitely a bonus if your girl/guy has this ability.
5. MUM
- This is one iron lady who's always very strict with me. I am who I am today and it's all because of her.
- She's my pillar of strength... nuff said. She's the best!
~ Lara ~
Could it be?
In the past all my relationships didn't seem to end up in a marriage. 3 years, 2 years, 6 months, 3 months... somehow they all ended with the big B... BREAKup.
I must have been in 10 relationships or more... bearing in mind all these time, I've always wanted to settle down at 25 n having babies at 27... but non of these relationships lead anywhere near the big M... MARRIAGE.
I used to conclude that every guy i dated was a scumbag, good-for-nothing, commitment phobia freaks who couldn't appreciate me... a loving, committed, happening girl... i mean what else could they ask for...
Only years and years later... there i was staring out of my window... reflecting on my broken life... complaining to my Creator "What's wrong with you? Why u place all these horrible people in my life? Don't i deserve someone better?" It was at that moment, a thought came into my mind.... "maybe it's me..."
That really got me thinking... and true enough I realised there were so many issues I had to deal with. It was these issues that were causing me to react in a certain ways and contributing to the big B. Until i learnt to deal w those issues and get them out of the way, only then i found someone willing to hold my hands n walk this journey together with me.
When things go wrong, it's easy to look at others and point all 1o fingers at them... but its far more effective to point the fingers at ourselves and work on us than to hope they would change for us...
Ribena in a reflective mood...
I must have been in 10 relationships or more... bearing in mind all these time, I've always wanted to settle down at 25 n having babies at 27... but non of these relationships lead anywhere near the big M... MARRIAGE.
I used to conclude that every guy i dated was a scumbag, good-for-nothing, commitment phobia freaks who couldn't appreciate me... a loving, committed, happening girl... i mean what else could they ask for...
Only years and years later... there i was staring out of my window... reflecting on my broken life... complaining to my Creator "What's wrong with you? Why u place all these horrible people in my life? Don't i deserve someone better?" It was at that moment, a thought came into my mind.... "maybe it's me..."
That really got me thinking... and true enough I realised there were so many issues I had to deal with. It was these issues that were causing me to react in a certain ways and contributing to the big B. Until i learnt to deal w those issues and get them out of the way, only then i found someone willing to hold my hands n walk this journey together with me.
When things go wrong, it's easy to look at others and point all 1o fingers at them... but its far more effective to point the fingers at ourselves and work on us than to hope they would change for us...
Ribena in a reflective mood...
which is worst
sleeping alone
or
sleeping beside a loud snorer?
Looks to my left and wonders... disturbed Ribena
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Age Is But A Number
"Age is but a number" - Ladies, ever heard of this phrase articulated to you before? Don't know about you out there, but I sure get this alot. Maybe it's my youthful appearance that I seem to attract younger men.
Just the other day, one of my girl friends who doesn't quite know of my social circle, happened to know a mutual guy friend of mine. She saw our picture taken together on a casual outing and said, "OMG, do you know that he's only 25?" I was laughing, and shot back, "Well he's not the youngest, I've got one who's 24 yrs of age who has a crush on me!" (Of whom I've been constantly asking him to go look for someone his own size.)
Yes, this is a compliment. But it will be difficult for me to pursue a relationship with a younger guy.
So far, the dating scene has been quite challenging for me. If I am allowed to classify the groups of men who are interested in me, here's the list:
a. Players
b. Commitment-Phobes (Generally the career-minded or the money-chasing ones)
c. Younger men (falling within the range of 1 to 5 yrs younger)
d. Nerds/dweebs (nice simple guys who are far from what I'm looking for in a guy)
OK, back to younger men... I've dated enough of younger men to say that I will not consider them as a potential boyfriend or a husband-to-be. Not unless they are able to prove that they possess the following traits:
a. Maturity
b. Stability
c. Intelligence
d. Initiation
Please note that the list mentioned above was derived after quite a few headaches with them. Just to mention two instances:
Guy A (3 yrs younger) - Ended in 5 mths:
- Possess some level of maturity but lacks the stability.
- Lives all the way in the WEST while I in the EAST. We hang out mostly at his place, but going back home was always a financial killer. Staying past midnight makes things even worse. He doesn't even have the initiative to pass me some cash for the road. :(
- Just starting out on his career... so finances quite unstable. Most dates, I end up paying.
- Intelligence - Gives bad advice, bad suggestions, or tell me things I'd already know. Constantly asking me what I mean by certain phrases or words... (Nuff said)
Guy B (2 yrs younger) - Ended in 3 mths:
- Articulate and stable but very insecure.
- Always saying this to me,"Tell me you love me" or asking me why that particular day I didn't say that "I miss him".
- Immature: Picks any topic to argue. But the point is, his arguments never made any sense to me and his thoughts were incongruent. So more often than not, our arguments were never about the "argument topic" itself.
OK maybe I haven't met a younger guy who seems to complement me in all areas.
But for now, I'm contented to only date someone decent, complements me and preferably older please.
~ Lara ~
Just the other day, one of my girl friends who doesn't quite know of my social circle, happened to know a mutual guy friend of mine. She saw our picture taken together on a casual outing and said, "OMG, do you know that he's only 25?" I was laughing, and shot back, "Well he's not the youngest, I've got one who's 24 yrs of age who has a crush on me!" (Of whom I've been constantly asking him to go look for someone his own size.)
Yes, this is a compliment. But it will be difficult for me to pursue a relationship with a younger guy.
So far, the dating scene has been quite challenging for me. If I am allowed to classify the groups of men who are interested in me, here's the list:
a. Players
b. Commitment-Phobes (Generally the career-minded or the money-chasing ones)
c. Younger men (falling within the range of 1 to 5 yrs younger)
d. Nerds/dweebs (nice simple guys who are far from what I'm looking for in a guy)
OK, back to younger men... I've dated enough of younger men to say that I will not consider them as a potential boyfriend or a husband-to-be. Not unless they are able to prove that they possess the following traits:
a. Maturity
b. Stability
c. Intelligence
d. Initiation
Please note that the list mentioned above was derived after quite a few headaches with them. Just to mention two instances:
Guy A (3 yrs younger) - Ended in 5 mths:
- Possess some level of maturity but lacks the stability.
- Lives all the way in the WEST while I in the EAST. We hang out mostly at his place, but going back home was always a financial killer. Staying past midnight makes things even worse. He doesn't even have the initiative to pass me some cash for the road. :(
- Just starting out on his career... so finances quite unstable. Most dates, I end up paying.
- Intelligence - Gives bad advice, bad suggestions, or tell me things I'd already know. Constantly asking me what I mean by certain phrases or words... (Nuff said)
Guy B (2 yrs younger) - Ended in 3 mths:
- Articulate and stable but very insecure.
- Always saying this to me,"Tell me you love me" or asking me why that particular day I didn't say that "I miss him".
- Immature: Picks any topic to argue. But the point is, his arguments never made any sense to me and his thoughts were incongruent. So more often than not, our arguments were never about the "argument topic" itself.
OK maybe I haven't met a younger guy who seems to complement me in all areas.
But for now, I'm contented to only date someone decent, complements me and preferably older please.
~ Lara ~
To the Land of Sheeps
To my lovely Ribena, Lara and 6th Sense...
I'm off to the land of sheeps and I promise to try to blog about wool and fleece as frequently as my schedule allows me to :) Keep me up to date about the stuff in Sporeland, K?
~SeamonkeY~
I'm off to the land of sheeps and I promise to try to blog about wool and fleece as frequently as my schedule allows me to :) Keep me up to date about the stuff in Sporeland, K?
~SeamonkeY~
Waltzing for Two
Playlists on iTunes are like the mixed tapes of the 80s.
Mixed tapes were all the rage then, you are what you listen to. Thanks to Steve Jobs, putting a playlist of your favourite songs is made so much easier and cooler. Like any self-respecting iPoder, I have playlists for everything. For working out, when you feel like wallowing and yes, even for a wedding. There, I've said it. Now you can give me that same look of horror the folks at work gave me when I announced it in the office the other day. Not because I want to be the wierd chick who desperately wants to get hitched legally, but I have been to enough weddings where they play the most woeful songs as the happily-married couples walk down the aisle to be permanently perturbed. Not a good start, people.
And like Hiro on Heroes, I vow to make a difference. I can't bend time and space but I sure can share my list of appropriate wedding songs. Here is my playlist (to date), usable for all types of weddings...beach, garden, in a Ghanian village (together with the necessary drumming of course), your typical Chinese dinner and the occasional too-sloashed-to-remember ones.
SeamonkeY's Playlist - Waltzing for Two
1. Gold To Me by Ben Harper
2. By My Side by Ben Harper
3. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab for Cutie (for the fact that Kenneth Cole put this on repeat mode when I introduced the band to him)
4. I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie (this is the most morbid song ever with the cheeriest melody. Love this to death, really. But man, does he have a lot of emo issues or what?)
5. Kissing You by Desiree
6. #1 Crush by Garbage
7. Iris 'live" by Googoo Dolls (I'm not a fan of them but you should really hear this 'live' version of Iris)
8. Siyaishaya Ingoma by Idan Raichel (yeah yeah, I have to have at least one 'world' music piece right?)
9. Better Together by Jack Johnson
10. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
11. Constellations by Jack Johnson
12. Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & Papas
13. Fade Into You by Mazzy Star (classic scene of Ryan carrying up a unconscious Marissa in Tijuana, not knowing if she is dead or alive..ahhh, the drama of young love)
14. Star Witness by Neko Case
15. I Wanna Get Married by Nellie McKay (I swear I have no idea how this got into the list ;p)
16. Vanilla Sky by Peter Gabriel
17. Little Star by Stina Nordenstam
18. Gypsy by Suzanna Vega
19. Put Your Arms Around Me by Texas
20. Breathless by Texas
21. One Day by The Verve
22. Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys (Mello and Jon-Jon doing the "Ellen" springs to mind)
23. (I Don't Know Why) But I Do by Clarence "Frogman" Henry
24. Digital Love by Daft Punk
25. Time after Time By Dilana of Rockstar fame (does far, far, far more justice than the Cyndi Lauper's version)
26. At Last by Etta James
27. This Guy's In Love With You by Harry Connick Jr.
28. Acrobat by Maximo Park
29. Wonderwall by Ryan Adams (ok, this is a tad woeful but its Ryan Adams!)
30. Make You Feel Better by Red Hot Chilli Pepper
31. Modern Love by Sunshiners (the cheesy track to dance to)
32. All I Want Is You by U2
33. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
34. Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett
The Waltzing for Two Playlist is up for grabs at no fees whatsoever. I'll be happy to burn you the CD. Just promise me no more Boyz II Men at your wedding.
~SeamonkeY~
Mixed tapes were all the rage then, you are what you listen to. Thanks to Steve Jobs, putting a playlist of your favourite songs is made so much easier and cooler. Like any self-respecting iPoder, I have playlists for everything. For working out, when you feel like wallowing and yes, even for a wedding. There, I've said it. Now you can give me that same look of horror the folks at work gave me when I announced it in the office the other day. Not because I want to be the wierd chick who desperately wants to get hitched legally, but I have been to enough weddings where they play the most woeful songs as the happily-married couples walk down the aisle to be permanently perturbed. Not a good start, people.
And like Hiro on Heroes, I vow to make a difference. I can't bend time and space but I sure can share my list of appropriate wedding songs. Here is my playlist (to date), usable for all types of weddings...beach, garden, in a Ghanian village (together with the necessary drumming of course), your typical Chinese dinner and the occasional too-sloashed-to-remember ones.
SeamonkeY's Playlist - Waltzing for Two
1. Gold To Me by Ben Harper
2. By My Side by Ben Harper
3. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab for Cutie (for the fact that Kenneth Cole put this on repeat mode when I introduced the band to him)
4. I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie (this is the most morbid song ever with the cheeriest melody. Love this to death, really. But man, does he have a lot of emo issues or what?)
5. Kissing You by Desiree
6. #1 Crush by Garbage
7. Iris 'live" by Googoo Dolls (I'm not a fan of them but you should really hear this 'live' version of Iris)
8. Siyaishaya Ingoma by Idan Raichel (yeah yeah, I have to have at least one 'world' music piece right?)
9. Better Together by Jack Johnson
10. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
11. Constellations by Jack Johnson
12. Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & Papas
13. Fade Into You by Mazzy Star (classic scene of Ryan carrying up a unconscious Marissa in Tijuana, not knowing if she is dead or alive..ahhh, the drama of young love)
14. Star Witness by Neko Case
15. I Wanna Get Married by Nellie McKay (I swear I have no idea how this got into the list ;p)
16. Vanilla Sky by Peter Gabriel
17. Little Star by Stina Nordenstam
18. Gypsy by Suzanna Vega
19. Put Your Arms Around Me by Texas
20. Breathless by Texas
21. One Day by The Verve
22. Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys (Mello and Jon-Jon doing the "Ellen" springs to mind)
23. (I Don't Know Why) But I Do by Clarence "Frogman" Henry
24. Digital Love by Daft Punk
25. Time after Time By Dilana of Rockstar fame (does far, far, far more justice than the Cyndi Lauper's version)
26. At Last by Etta James
27. This Guy's In Love With You by Harry Connick Jr.
28. Acrobat by Maximo Park
29. Wonderwall by Ryan Adams (ok, this is a tad woeful but its Ryan Adams!)
30. Make You Feel Better by Red Hot Chilli Pepper
31. Modern Love by Sunshiners (the cheesy track to dance to)
32. All I Want Is You by U2
33. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
34. Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett
The Waltzing for Two Playlist is up for grabs at no fees whatsoever. I'll be happy to burn you the CD. Just promise me no more Boyz II Men at your wedding.
~SeamonkeY~
Monday, 12 March 2007
It keeps changing
The past
The present
The future
What will be my top 5 list of changes then?
- I dread the thought of living in the territory of strangers (aka potential in-laws then).
- I dread sit-down meals with the entire stranger clan.
- I dread the fact that we must do everything together as a clan.
- I dread going to stranger's gong gong's place coz I don't fit in.
- I dread entertaining guests when they come to strangers' territory.
The present
- I love living with my family (aka current in-laws now).
- I love to have meals together as a family everyday.
- I love to do things together, growing closer each day.
- I love going to gong gong's place coz we have happening cousins & aunties.
- I love entertaining relatives when they come over to our home. It's always a pleasure.
The future
What will be my top 5 list of changes then?
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Which one would you rather be?
We always have a choice over life, I believe. Not all the time, but MOST of the time.
Some things though; parents, siblings, birthplace etc are not within your choices. Some choices that you make can change along the way. Some choices, once made are fixed by Society's virtues. Some choices, you rather not make.
If you have a choice, would you rather be :
UGLY but SMART ??
or
GOOD LOOKING but STUPID ??
~6th Sense
Some things though; parents, siblings, birthplace etc are not within your choices. Some choices that you make can change along the way. Some choices, once made are fixed by Society's virtues. Some choices, you rather not make.
If you have a choice, would you rather be :
UGLY but SMART ??
or
GOOD LOOKING but STUPID ??
~6th Sense
Going the Distance
Kenneth Cole just left for New York again this morning.
Its only for 2 weeks this time round and I really shouldn’t complain – who else is going to buy me super cheap Kiehl’s, Neutrogena products that has never been on local shelves and (fingers crossed) pretty stuff from H & M? It’s definitely not as hard as the peeps at my office who are ploughing through long distance relationships. You can track their moods by how soon their partners are coming to visit. PMS is kept to a minimum, many grooming appointments are booked and everything looks new and shiny prior to the arrival. And as impromptu as they come, a cold chill blows through as soon as they leave our sunny shores.
It can be kind of romantic counting down the days till that person passes through the arrival gates…on a good day.
On the flipside, while having lunch with my very married friends and mummies-to-be yesterday, one of mummies contributed this golden nugget.
Her husband was in reservist recently and his mates from camp found it astonishing that he would rather go home to be with the wife than stay in camp with them over the weekend. They actually asked him “WHY??”.
Erm, why not?
And according to the mummy, these people have been married to their spouses on an average of 2 to 3 years.
What mysterious things they do during these in-camp training? This strange band-of-brothers bond that makes them want to avoid their wives as a cohesive group…that they would rather bask in days-old laundry, trade dirty jokes and make rude noises with their anatomy?
I think I just answered my own question. Yep, its all going downhill after the wedding.
~SeamonkeY~
Its only for 2 weeks this time round and I really shouldn’t complain – who else is going to buy me super cheap Kiehl’s, Neutrogena products that has never been on local shelves and (fingers crossed) pretty stuff from H & M? It’s definitely not as hard as the peeps at my office who are ploughing through long distance relationships. You can track their moods by how soon their partners are coming to visit. PMS is kept to a minimum, many grooming appointments are booked and everything looks new and shiny prior to the arrival. And as impromptu as they come, a cold chill blows through as soon as they leave our sunny shores.
It can be kind of romantic counting down the days till that person passes through the arrival gates…on a good day.
On the flipside, while having lunch with my very married friends and mummies-to-be yesterday, one of mummies contributed this golden nugget.
Her husband was in reservist recently and his mates from camp found it astonishing that he would rather go home to be with the wife than stay in camp with them over the weekend. They actually asked him “WHY??”.
Erm, why not?
And according to the mummy, these people have been married to their spouses on an average of 2 to 3 years.
What mysterious things they do during these in-camp training? This strange band-of-brothers bond that makes them want to avoid their wives as a cohesive group…that they would rather bask in days-old laundry, trade dirty jokes and make rude noises with their anatomy?
I think I just answered my own question. Yep, its all going downhill after the wedding.
~SeamonkeY~
10 Ideas To Consider
For your wedding:
1) Use ladybugs as a theme.
2) Purchase cheap mini, multi-colored ladybugs clips from Bangkok to give away.
3) Hire a candy floss machine and balloonist for the children.
4) Surprise your spouse with self-designed "Just Married" ladybugs t-shirt, to be worn on the way to airport for honeymoon. Hint: get a cheap Giordano t-shirt and have your design printed on.
5) Surprise your spouse with a real wedding cake. If he's a foreigner, do one that relates to his culture.
6) Surprise youre spouse with a video of what made you say yes... list all the beautiful things you love about him/her.
7) Have someone sing both of you a love song, couple dance on stage... absolutely romantic when you see the couple looking into each others eyes... can feel the lerve....
8) Hire your funniest cousin as an MC... cheap, good and very personal. Sense of humor is critical.
9) Surprise your guests with a video of old pictures of relatives and friends. Have them scanned and properly cropped. People are most intersted to see the faces, backgrounds can be cropped off.
10) Raffles hotel - absolutely great choice! Ambience good, service good, food good, suite lagi better... of course money also very good.
Ribena steals from sis-in-law
1) Use ladybugs as a theme.
2) Purchase cheap mini, multi-colored ladybugs clips from Bangkok to give away.
3) Hire a candy floss machine and balloonist for the children.
4) Surprise your spouse with self-designed "Just Married" ladybugs t-shirt, to be worn on the way to airport for honeymoon. Hint: get a cheap Giordano t-shirt and have your design printed on.
5) Surprise your spouse with a real wedding cake. If he's a foreigner, do one that relates to his culture.
6) Surprise youre spouse with a video of what made you say yes... list all the beautiful things you love about him/her.
7) Have someone sing both of you a love song, couple dance on stage... absolutely romantic when you see the couple looking into each others eyes... can feel the lerve....
8) Hire your funniest cousin as an MC... cheap, good and very personal. Sense of humor is critical.
9) Surprise your guests with a video of old pictures of relatives and friends. Have them scanned and properly cropped. People are most intersted to see the faces, backgrounds can be cropped off.
10) Raffles hotel - absolutely great choice! Ambience good, service good, food good, suite lagi better... of course money also very good.
Ribena steals from sis-in-law
Clueless
*************************
Why isn't anyone else blogging? In no time, it's going to turn into a blog for married people... hurry hurry, some singles blog please! :P
*************************
Why isn't anyone else blogging? In no time, it's going to turn into a blog for married people... hurry hurry, some singles blog please! :P
*************************
What would you do if your hubby has a HUGE family. When I say huge i mean...
His Dad's Relatives - over 60
His Mum's relatives - about 30
First Freak Time
Chinese New Year 2005. Met all of dad's relatives at one house for CNY yu sang lou hei. One word... overwhelming!
Second Freak Time
Our wedding day 1 May 2006. Had to greet all the relatives during the tea-ceremony. I have no idea who they are and what to call them. It didnt' help much when my hubby mumbles to himself rather than call them loud enough for me to just follow suit.
Third Freak Time
Chinese New Year 2007. All of dad's relatives came over to our place for CNY yu sang lou hei. One word... tiring!
Fourth Freak Time
When I was assigned to annouce the names of all the relatives for sis-in-law's tea ceremony just few mins before the actual ceremony. It is not funny when I can't mix n match the names to the faces I smile to all the time.
That's about the breakeven point. I'm beginning to be able to identify them and their families...
Struggles of a married Ribena
Friday, 9 March 2007
I am still learning
1 year ago...
There I was, standing helpless in the kitchen. They wanted drinks. Sure but, what drinks, which glass, ice without ice, cold or room temperature? At my mum's place, we just take any available cup and pour water to serve. As I stand there looking at the cabinet... tall glasses, fat glasses, short glasses, wine glasses - many different types... but to me they are all called wine glasses...
"Pass me a plate" ok... i took out a plate from where I take from during regular dinners... "No, not these, these are not presentable, they don't come in a complete set..." Wow, if that's not complete what is? At my mum's place, any plate would suffice...
1 year later, tonight
Woo hoo! I can tell a wine glass from a brandy glass and a "pineapple juice" glass from a water glass....
Woo hoo again! I know exactly which set of plates to use, and that we have to wash n dry them to serve again...
Woo hoo triple times! I know that when we have crabs, we serve the special "crab digger" to ease the digging...
Woo hoo Woo hoo Woo Hoo Woo Hoo! What can I say? I even know that when we have fruits like mangoesteen, rambutan and longan, we serve big empty presentable bowls to hold the outer "shell" of the fruits... (what's that called? Ang Mor not powderful.)
Over a few sessoins of entertaining guest, I learn the ropes of entertainment... which are the right table cloths to use, for where, what has to be polished before the guests arrive... things that never even occured to me in the past has now become part of my lifestyle.
Ribena...
Learning the ropes of being a daughter-in-law... different from my life before, but i love it...
There I was, standing helpless in the kitchen. They wanted drinks. Sure but, what drinks, which glass, ice without ice, cold or room temperature? At my mum's place, we just take any available cup and pour water to serve. As I stand there looking at the cabinet... tall glasses, fat glasses, short glasses, wine glasses - many different types... but to me they are all called wine glasses...
"Pass me a plate" ok... i took out a plate from where I take from during regular dinners... "No, not these, these are not presentable, they don't come in a complete set..." Wow, if that's not complete what is? At my mum's place, any plate would suffice...
1 year later, tonight
Woo hoo! I can tell a wine glass from a brandy glass and a "pineapple juice" glass from a water glass....
Woo hoo again! I know exactly which set of plates to use, and that we have to wash n dry them to serve again...
Woo hoo triple times! I know that when we have crabs, we serve the special "crab digger" to ease the digging...
Woo hoo Woo hoo Woo Hoo Woo Hoo! What can I say? I even know that when we have fruits like mangoesteen, rambutan and longan, we serve big empty presentable bowls to hold the outer "shell" of the fruits... (what's that called? Ang Mor not powderful.)
Over a few sessoins of entertaining guest, I learn the ropes of entertainment... which are the right table cloths to use, for where, what has to be polished before the guests arrive... things that never even occured to me in the past has now become part of my lifestyle.
Ribena...
Learning the ropes of being a daughter-in-law... different from my life before, but i love it...
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Brides who want to be different
Simple things gone wrong...
1) Gown seldom turns out like the picture you showed them. UNLESS, you have requested for a simple bustier top with a big puffed up bottom... that, can never go wrong. Anything unusual... you are really asking for it.
2) You were certainly impressed with the photo album samples, but why did yours look like some amateur job done? Because:
(i) They need to save printing pages. Instead of having one nice photo per page... 3-4 pictures are squeezed in 2 pages...
(ii) They think we are not trained to catch details, they leave spots unremoved digitally, they don't bother to crop off the torn edges of the background...
(iii) Our album never looks like the sample coz samples have a fixed theme throughout. Ours is usually made up of a series of unmatched themes thanks to their recommendation of 5 different outfits with as many different backgrounds as possible.
(iv) Time & effort is put into the art direction of sample albums. When it comes to packaged albums, they just throw in the required photos and make them fit in... what art direction?
3) Once in a while you get a weird hairdo that make you look like a peanut head.
4) Make up artiste always say there's little they can do with your flaw, just some touch up... I can do that myself...
So... to brides-t0-be...
1) Find ready gown that you really like.. don't bother making it from scratch. Don't bring something glam looking gown you saw in a magazine and hope that yours will turn out even 80% close to it.
2) If u really want to make from scratch... invest in a reputable boutique, be ready to pay $5000 & above. OR tailor-make a really simple gown that cannot go wrong..
3) Clarify the colors of materials that will be used... From experience when they use the term "champaign yellow", they really mean banana yellow.
4) Whatever you are not satisfied with... put it across clearly, don't be pai seh just coz they offered you great service. Why? Coz you are the bride and you say so.
5) If all else fails... shed a tear... people feel really bad making a bride cry... it is a much more effective way than to argue your way through.
Ribena...
I'm writing this coz I see history repeating itself although both my sis-in-law & I used different bridal boutiques. Hint, both from Tanjong Pagar...
1) Gown seldom turns out like the picture you showed them. UNLESS, you have requested for a simple bustier top with a big puffed up bottom... that, can never go wrong. Anything unusual... you are really asking for it.
2) You were certainly impressed with the photo album samples, but why did yours look like some amateur job done? Because:
(i) They need to save printing pages. Instead of having one nice photo per page... 3-4 pictures are squeezed in 2 pages...
(ii) They think we are not trained to catch details, they leave spots unremoved digitally, they don't bother to crop off the torn edges of the background...
(iii) Our album never looks like the sample coz samples have a fixed theme throughout. Ours is usually made up of a series of unmatched themes thanks to their recommendation of 5 different outfits with as many different backgrounds as possible.
(iv) Time & effort is put into the art direction of sample albums. When it comes to packaged albums, they just throw in the required photos and make them fit in... what art direction?
3) Once in a while you get a weird hairdo that make you look like a peanut head.
4) Make up artiste always say there's little they can do with your flaw, just some touch up... I can do that myself...
So... to brides-t0-be...
1) Find ready gown that you really like.. don't bother making it from scratch. Don't bring something glam looking gown you saw in a magazine and hope that yours will turn out even 80% close to it.
2) If u really want to make from scratch... invest in a reputable boutique, be ready to pay $5000 & above. OR tailor-make a really simple gown that cannot go wrong..
3) Clarify the colors of materials that will be used... From experience when they use the term "champaign yellow", they really mean banana yellow.
4) Whatever you are not satisfied with... put it across clearly, don't be pai seh just coz they offered you great service. Why? Coz you are the bride and you say so.
5) If all else fails... shed a tear... people feel really bad making a bride cry... it is a much more effective way than to argue your way through.
Ribena...
I'm writing this coz I see history repeating itself although both my sis-in-law & I used different bridal boutiques. Hint, both from Tanjong Pagar...
Party with a BANG!
Coolest Hens' Nite Ever! Why?
Because
1. Our Aunty (Mother of 2 teenage daughters) organised the Hens' At St James Power Station for my sis-in-law who is getting married this Sat. All the female cousins from both sides of the family turned up...total 10 of us (Age range from 17.5years to late 40s).
2. It was Ladies Nite - FREE entry, FREE drinks! 2 guy looking lesbian friends get in free too...
3. Aunty made underage daughter make a fake ID to ensure she could enter.
4. Aunty had first tequila shot with her daughter.
5. We all taught aunty how to do the 20th Century dance... she learnt REALLY fast.
6. Aunty dirty danced with all the other hens....
7. Absolutely fun Bachelorette dice & card games. Dice Game Rules... we through the dice. Bride does what the first dice shows with who as indicated on the second dice. Card Game Rules: We select all the cards we deem 'appropriate' for the bride to do and have her pick a few to fulfill...
8. 5 Things the bride did:
(i) Dance intimately with a really fat and huge, but spontaneous and sporting guy...
(ii) Dance intimately with a short, Asian guy on the platform.
(iii) A sporting French man presented the bride with a lapdance on a bar stool at the center of the platform.
(iv) We found a Portuguese guy to say something really dirty to her in his language and then give her a kiss... He said "I wish u all the best for your wedding". Our eyes rolled... The bride was told, "He wants to F*** with you all night long." (her jaw dropped).
(v) Locate a man who is not wearing an underwear.
Best of all, everything was captured on camera... when bride looked thru the camera during supper, she didn't even remember the lap dancing portion...
9. Waterfall had to be lighted twice... coz bride took a sip n stopped after that... eventually she took a few more sips but most of which was shared amongst the other hens. Afterall, we wanted a high bride... not a totally drunk bride.
10. We were caught on camera (media & others) all night... coz we were probably the noisiest bunch of girls aka women around...
Now, is that cool or what?
Ribena
my last party trip... one i couldn't siam...sis-in-law, tell me how to siam... caught in media camera some more... will i get sacked from work? (you will understand my worry if u knew where I was working). BUT i really enjoyed myself, danced sooo much, laughed so much and simply had so much fun! This must be one of the most fun night I've had in all my years of partying (before). Above all the dancing n laughing, I got to hold the hands of a French man, Portugese man and a really short guy... 3 new hands in a night other than my hubby's spongy fingers :D That's fun enough for me... hehe
1. Our Aunty (Mother of 2 teenage daughters) organised the Hens' At St James Power Station for my sis-in-law who is getting married this Sat. All the female cousins from both sides of the family turned up...total 10 of us (Age range from 17.5years to late 40s).
2. It was Ladies Nite - FREE entry, FREE drinks! 2 guy looking lesbian friends get in free too...
3. Aunty made underage daughter make a fake ID to ensure she could enter.
4. Aunty had first tequila shot with her daughter.
5. We all taught aunty how to do the 20th Century dance... she learnt REALLY fast.
6. Aunty dirty danced with all the other hens....
7. Absolutely fun Bachelorette dice & card games. Dice Game Rules... we through the dice. Bride does what the first dice shows with who as indicated on the second dice. Card Game Rules: We select all the cards we deem 'appropriate' for the bride to do and have her pick a few to fulfill...
8. 5 Things the bride did:
(i) Dance intimately with a really fat and huge, but spontaneous and sporting guy...
(ii) Dance intimately with a short, Asian guy on the platform.
(iii) A sporting French man presented the bride with a lapdance on a bar stool at the center of the platform.
(iv) We found a Portuguese guy to say something really dirty to her in his language and then give her a kiss... He said "I wish u all the best for your wedding". Our eyes rolled... The bride was told, "He wants to F*** with you all night long." (her jaw dropped).
(v) Locate a man who is not wearing an underwear.
Best of all, everything was captured on camera... when bride looked thru the camera during supper, she didn't even remember the lap dancing portion...
9. Waterfall had to be lighted twice... coz bride took a sip n stopped after that... eventually she took a few more sips but most of which was shared amongst the other hens. Afterall, we wanted a high bride... not a totally drunk bride.
10. We were caught on camera (media & others) all night... coz we were probably the noisiest bunch of girls aka women around...
Now, is that cool or what?
Ribena
my last party trip... one i couldn't siam...sis-in-law, tell me how to siam... caught in media camera some more... will i get sacked from work? (you will understand my worry if u knew where I was working). BUT i really enjoyed myself, danced sooo much, laughed so much and simply had so much fun! This must be one of the most fun night I've had in all my years of partying (before). Above all the dancing n laughing, I got to hold the hands of a French man, Portugese man and a really short guy... 3 new hands in a night other than my hubby's spongy fingers :D That's fun enough for me... hehe
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
The Present
Kenneth Cole's mother's birthday lunch is this Saturday. I'm in a fix.
Girlfriends in such situations are usually on thin ice. You can't show up without a present – that's just rude. You can't show up with too fabulous a present – that just seems like you are trying too hard and the rest of the family members may hate you for making them look bad. You've also had enough dinners at auntie's place to make a decent showing. But you've not taken enough showers at her abode to go overboard with cake, balloons and flowers.
Make that thin ice with a hairline of a crack.
So in such situations, I do what most other girls would do. Nope, not straight to KC to ask what the mum would like. Predicted that he would say no need to get anything lah, (which he did when I did ask him). I asked everyone else first.
Friend #1: Buy dung-gu (mushroom). Dung-gu good. She the housewife type right? Pick the nice, big, juicy looking ones.
What do I know about picking dung-gu? Auntie will probably out-expert me in the field of choosing good mushrooms. Kind of lame if I pick out the bad ones right?
6th Sense: Tonics. Tonics hamper. Huge tonics hamper.
I had to reject this given that Chinese New Year is already over.
Lara: Eu Yan Sang vouchers
Should have gone to her straight from the start. If anyone can be diplomatic about such things, it would be her.
Wowed by this simple but effective suggestion, I texted KC. To which he replied Good idea. Can I get the same for your mum too? (My mother's birthday is incidentally, this Sunday) *rolls*
~SeamonkeY~
Girlfriends in such situations are usually on thin ice. You can't show up without a present – that's just rude. You can't show up with too fabulous a present – that just seems like you are trying too hard and the rest of the family members may hate you for making them look bad. You've also had enough dinners at auntie's place to make a decent showing. But you've not taken enough showers at her abode to go overboard with cake, balloons and flowers.
Make that thin ice with a hairline of a crack.
So in such situations, I do what most other girls would do. Nope, not straight to KC to ask what the mum would like. Predicted that he would say no need to get anything lah, (which he did when I did ask him). I asked everyone else first.
Friend #1: Buy dung-gu (mushroom). Dung-gu good. She the housewife type right? Pick the nice, big, juicy looking ones.
What do I know about picking dung-gu? Auntie will probably out-expert me in the field of choosing good mushrooms. Kind of lame if I pick out the bad ones right?
6th Sense: Tonics. Tonics hamper. Huge tonics hamper.
I had to reject this given that Chinese New Year is already over.
Lara: Eu Yan Sang vouchers
Should have gone to her straight from the start. If anyone can be diplomatic about such things, it would be her.
Wowed by this simple but effective suggestion, I texted KC. To which he replied Good idea. Can I get the same for your mum too? (My mother's birthday is incidentally, this Sunday) *rolls*
~SeamonkeY~
Say it Men!
Ever wondered what men talk about when they come together?
I call it SLS - Sports, Lobang, and Sex.
Last topic is usually the best of the lot *wink*wink*, according to preference of the "raging hormones" population.
SPORTS
- Just an appetiser, a conversation - starter
- Ronaldo (he's cute), Rooney, Man-U, Federer..etc etc
- World Cup and EPL (swear by the game, and sex suddenly becomes unimportant)
LOBANG
- Male bonding. Somehow man make it in life, thro the help of frens (aka"bro")
- So lobangs are always welcomed.
- Mine you, its called lobang, not "assistance" - twitching a men's ego do you no good~!
SEX
- The last and the most important.
- Its considered the Main Course although its taken last.
- Having breakfast and tea breaks with the Salesmen always bring new insights, new findings.
- Men just cant stop talking about which pandak (aka arse) is "inviting", whose airport runway seems obvious today and why it was Mount Fuji that day, how they ridicule the use of Push Ups and last but not least, how they classify the gals in the office.
- Men cant think multi-faceted, so its a simple segmentation of UFO or non-UFO.
- "What does UFO mean huh?" with a curious eyebrow raised. ok this is rude, but UFO means..
- "Un-f**** Objects"
Uncouth salesman I have in the office. I wonder what they say about me (behind my back)!!!!
Conversations with them are often a diluted version cos we gals are there. Imagine if we werent there, where would Mt Fuji and Pandaks lead to~~~~
~6th Sense~
I call it SLS - Sports, Lobang, and Sex.
Last topic is usually the best of the lot *wink*wink*, according to preference of the "raging hormones" population.
SPORTS
- Just an appetiser, a conversation - starter
- Ronaldo (he's cute), Rooney, Man-U, Federer..etc etc
- World Cup and EPL (swear by the game, and sex suddenly becomes unimportant)
LOBANG
- Male bonding. Somehow man make it in life, thro the help of frens (aka"bro")
- So lobangs are always welcomed.
- Mine you, its called lobang, not "assistance" - twitching a men's ego do you no good~!
SEX
- The last and the most important.
- Its considered the Main Course although its taken last.
- Having breakfast and tea breaks with the Salesmen always bring new insights, new findings.
- Men just cant stop talking about which pandak (aka arse) is "inviting", whose airport runway seems obvious today and why it was Mount Fuji that day, how they ridicule the use of Push Ups and last but not least, how they classify the gals in the office.
- Men cant think multi-faceted, so its a simple segmentation of UFO or non-UFO.
- "What does UFO mean huh?" with a curious eyebrow raised. ok this is rude, but UFO means..
- "Un-f**** Objects"
Uncouth salesman I have in the office. I wonder what they say about me (behind my back)!!!!
Conversations with them are often a diluted version cos we gals are there. Imagine if we werent there, where would Mt Fuji and Pandaks lead to~~~~
~6th Sense~
Way to the Girl's Heart
I was pleasantly surprised today. I received a bunch of roses from a really nice "someone". Although the roses received were not in my fave color but nonetheless from the bottom of my heart I really appreciated the gesture more than the flowers itself. It certainly brightened up my day and created some warm fuzzy feeling deep down in me. I must say, it's not easy for a man to pursue a lady and do things that will warrant what we all know as "courtship". So this nice "someone" definitely scored today! :)
There is something about a girl receiving flowers. I'm not saying that guys should send girls flowers during his pursuit or in a relationship, but I'm just stating a fact that most girls like receiving flowers. It makes them feel special and appreciated. And it's definitely a something that will put a silly smile on the girl's face throughout the day. (Er ya, it did for me...)
Turning the tables around at the girls... I think there's nothing wrong for girls to do things to make the guy feel special once-in-awhile. Seriously, I've sent flowers, planned for a romantic evening, chocolates, etc. Trust me on this one girls, the guy will dig you even more! Nothing will ever be happier for the guy than to see the girl appreciate and reciprocating in kind. In any given relationship, it always takes two to tango. Each doing his/her part to keep the flame alive!
On a separate note, we've also heard this saying that applies to guys in general: "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." These days I get more men asking me as if it's one of their checklist for their potential Ms Right, "Er, Do you cook?" I gather from the male kind that fewer women these days actually can cook. Well I guess to a certain extent, maybe it's true. But then again, if they cook, we, the womenfolk will pretty much take the initiative to help be the "Miss Mama Lemons" right? Ok this stand warrants two schools of thought... so I shan't start the banter going. Back to the point that I'm trying to make here, the very same saying applies to most girls too, "The way to a girl's heart is through her stomach". It's always nice for us to see men making the extra effort to whip up our favourite gastronomic cuisine. OK fine, maybe not all girls appreciate that, at least I do. To me, the feeling I get on the inside is likened to that of receiving flowers.
Not trying to spark any fire here, just to set your minds at ease, I've already started to check out recipes. Would definitely try to hone my culinary skills to try to whip up a nice gastronomic fare for my special someone, some day! :) Cos at the end of the day, relationship/life is not just about ME alone.
~ Lara ~
There is something about a girl receiving flowers. I'm not saying that guys should send girls flowers during his pursuit or in a relationship, but I'm just stating a fact that most girls like receiving flowers. It makes them feel special and appreciated. And it's definitely a something that will put a silly smile on the girl's face throughout the day. (Er ya, it did for me...)
Turning the tables around at the girls... I think there's nothing wrong for girls to do things to make the guy feel special once-in-awhile. Seriously, I've sent flowers, planned for a romantic evening, chocolates, etc. Trust me on this one girls, the guy will dig you even more! Nothing will ever be happier for the guy than to see the girl appreciate and reciprocating in kind. In any given relationship, it always takes two to tango. Each doing his/her part to keep the flame alive!
On a separate note, we've also heard this saying that applies to guys in general: "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." These days I get more men asking me as if it's one of their checklist for their potential Ms Right, "Er, Do you cook?" I gather from the male kind that fewer women these days actually can cook. Well I guess to a certain extent, maybe it's true. But then again, if they cook, we, the womenfolk will pretty much take the initiative to help be the "Miss Mama Lemons" right? Ok this stand warrants two schools of thought... so I shan't start the banter going. Back to the point that I'm trying to make here, the very same saying applies to most girls too, "The way to a girl's heart is through her stomach". It's always nice for us to see men making the extra effort to whip up our favourite gastronomic cuisine. OK fine, maybe not all girls appreciate that, at least I do. To me, the feeling I get on the inside is likened to that of receiving flowers.
Not trying to spark any fire here, just to set your minds at ease, I've already started to check out recipes. Would definitely try to hone my culinary skills to try to whip up a nice gastronomic fare for my special someone, some day! :) Cos at the end of the day, relationship/life is not just about ME alone.
~ Lara ~
Discovery in Post-Motem
Frenzy mother-in-law(MIL) spotted a new-born baby! As she searched around for more little lives, she noticed a white, decaying body floating. From the little traces of yellow left, she quickly identified and removed the deceased.
Still certain there were more little lives, she looked closely to make sure that no chance was missed.... Wala! She spotted two more... struggling to survive... Alas! Near them was yet another floating body. This body looked like a freshly departed body... A quick identity was made.
On closer inspection, MIL realised that inside this body contained many little lives... she squeezed and tried to salvage a few but non came out... she took a knife and carefully cut the stomach... only to find 26 fully developed bodies packed together dead in the warmth of their mother's belly.
We lost 2 lives... but salvaged 3... Thank God!
Ribena pet stories... our guppies...
Still certain there were more little lives, she looked closely to make sure that no chance was missed.... Wala! She spotted two more... struggling to survive... Alas! Near them was yet another floating body. This body looked like a freshly departed body... A quick identity was made.
On closer inspection, MIL realised that inside this body contained many little lives... she squeezed and tried to salvage a few but non came out... she took a knife and carefully cut the stomach... only to find 26 fully developed bodies packed together dead in the warmth of their mother's belly.
We lost 2 lives... but salvaged 3... Thank God!
Ribena pet stories... our guppies...
3 WHYs
1) Why some men stinch on dates with girls?
- Once bitten twice shy.
- Checking out if this is a worthy investment.
- Since the girl offered, it's silly not to take it, after all, she is independent and capable.
2) Why men squirm when they hear 'dear, let's open a joint account.'
- Once bitten twice shy.
- From young, parents teach their kids 'your money is your money, don't let your wife hold your purse'
- What if things don't work out? Would it be a greater mess with money invovled?
3) Why men flush half way thru the peeing process?
- Once bitten twice shy... ... nothing to bite...
- They think a few drops would go unnoticed.
- They believe they have finished even though it's half way...
Why... why do women even bother writing about men... why?
Ribena
Who is more strange?
Background
Been sick for more than a month. Visited doctor twice. Still sick. Decided to seek second opinion. Visited other regular doc, but was packed with people. Decided to take a drive around the neighbourhood and pop into the clinic that is open at 9pm, and with the least Q.
Strange Person No 1
I stepped into the clinic for the 1st time, expecting a nurse at the reception to ask me "See doctor? First time ah? Give me your IC." but no... nobody was at the counter. There were about 5 other patients with their partners sitting around. A very sick 6 year old with his maid/mum (can't tell), a pair of sisters (they look alike) and an aunty... patients look normal...
Still standing at the counter, peering through the counter to see if I can catch someone's attention. There was nobody behind... Out of a little corner, this Chinese looking lady wearing a Tudong walked out with a basket of medication. "Ah... she must be taking the prescription" i thought to myself. I smiled at her and handed her my IC. She took a look at me, and looked away as if I was transparent. "Tsk, this lady a bit rude." I thought. She gave the prescription to the patient and collected $21... "that's pretty cheap..." i thought to myself, still standing there, holding my IC. Without a word, she took my IC and disappeared to the back.
"Strange.... don't people here believe in talking?" I found a seat and sat there minding my own business. Took a look out the glass door and saw my hubby standing in front of his car waiting for me. He has to stop the car by the road as there ware no available parking lots...
Being, bored, I started to observe the surrounding. Normally restrooms are located at the back of the clinic, nicely tucked away in a corner. This restroom entrace is about 2m away from the maindoor, facing the patients' waiting seats. Looks more like a possible door to a second doctor's office... strange setup.I continued observing the patients and figured there should be at most 1 patient before me and wala I'll be done. I waited... 5 mins went by... 2 more patients came in and handed the silent nurse their IC... it was as if everyone knew they were not suppose to talk... the patient who was in there when I came was still in there... "what's taking them so long?"... Another 5 mins went by "ABC (my name)"
"Ah... she talks!" my inner man sniggered...
Nurse: Do u have any drug allergy?
ABC: No
Nurse: Telephone Number?
ABC: 91234567
Nurse: Address?
ABC: 123 House
Nurse: You are new, please read the rules & regulations and letter to new patients (she pointed on 2 A4 writeups pathetically laminated at the back of the wall)
ABC: (thought to myself) - huh... got rules and regulations? First time.... wierd... anyway... ok... and I read....
I can't recall the exact words and all of it, but those that stuck in my head read something to this effect:
Rules & Regulations:
1) Patients must give a clear history of illness to doctor.
2) Please do not interrupt the doctor when he is speaking. Answer his questions clearly. You may ask questions after he has finished talking.
3) If you are a Chinese, please use Mandarin (or your dialect) to converse with the doctor. Any improper use of words to describe the Chinese Language, please visit another clinic.
4) The law requires you to produce your IC, birth certificate or passport every time you visit the clinic.
The list goes on....
Note to New Patients:
To establish proper doctor-patient relationship, you are required to pay S$25 before seeing doctor... blah blah blah...
"wah.. this is super strange!" i continued reading.... and finally... i reached the end....
Nurse: Finsih reading? Understand all?
I nodded like an obdient little girl would.
Nurse: Please sign here.
I was like HUH???? Ok never mind, just procedure... after all every clinic has the right to run it's own way.. sign lo.. just scribble something there...
I waited.... the patient before me went in and only came out abt 8-10mins later... I waited.... finally....
This elderly, white-haired, small-medium built doc called "ABC"... it's my turn....I went in curious to find out how this doctor works... is he really going to speak Mandarin with me?
Strange Person No 2
(The following conversation may be a challenge for some to read the Mandarin words but please try.. i also struggled through typing this conversation).
*Note that all English words typed in the doc portion is said in Mandarin. I'm not sure what it is or how to write it so i'll supplement it in English...
** When words are typed in English, I really said it in English... Read as it is typed.
I knocked and open the door, I said "Hi doctor."
Doc: 你好。什么病？
ABC: 我病一个月不会好。Cough, then tonsils, then now a lot of mucus in my nose...
Doc scribbles in English. So I thought since he is scribbling in English, and I've converted to speaking English, now he'll know I can speak English... perhaps he will speak to me in English...
Doc: Mucus 什么 color?*
ABC: Dark Green, some white. 晚上cannot sleep, get choke then cough a lot. 我想 is dry cough.**
Doc: 有没有cough*?
ABC: 有 last time got phlegm now...**
Doc interuppts with a roll eye effect, followed by a sigh: 不要讲以前的事讲现在就好。
ABC (rolls eyes in my mind): OK, now cough 没有 phelgm just very dry.**
Doc: 有没有stomach pain*?
ABC: No**
Doc: 有没有vomit*?
ABC: No**
Doc: 有没有 allergy*?
ABC: No**
Doc poke his finger in between my brow and then my cheek bone asking 痛不痛？
ABC: No**
Doc: 有没有 smoke*?
ABC: No**
Doc: 家人有没有 smoke*?
ABC: No**
Doc: "£$"£%"%"£"£ 有没有 smoke*?
ABC: Huh?**
Doc blinks.... repeated 2 more times before I heard it...
Doc: Colleagues 有没有 smoke*?
ABC: Oh.... 没有**
In the midst of all these he checked my back, my lungs with the stethoscope, just as I thought he has finished checking, the stethoscope went around my tummy.... the conversation continues...
ABC: Doctor 我要 tablet 不要 mixture 可以吗?**
Doc stuck the thermometer in my mouth... opps I must have said too much and interuppted him...
Doc: Mixture takes long time to cure, tablet better.*
ABC: Ok then 我要 faster cure.** (with the thermometer still in my mouth)
Doc carries on with a list of questions that I cannot recall, continues to speak to me in Mandarin and continues to scribble in English... Finally he took the thermometer out and said...
Doc: 没有ｆｅｖｅｒ．*
ABC: I know.**
Doc: 你这个病也不是很严重。不要吃以前的药。吃我们clinic 的药. 一天河十杯烧水。Make sure it's hot water, inhale the steam, blow out your mucus then finish the water...*
ABC: OK**
Doc : 你星期五几点上下班？*
ABC: 8.30pm to 5pm**
Doc: 这就不能见你。(Looks up in the air to count his dates mentally) 星期四你好不好也来让我看看为设么病不好。一定要来。再见。
I walked out with every intention to tell the nurse i'm not coming back on Thurs. I waited... and then the strange nurse called me...
Nurse: take this 2 times a day... etc etc...that will be $23, you gave me $50 just now, I return you $27.
She turns around and walks off... I didn't even get a chance to say anything or get contact with her eyes...
I turned around and left. Just before I stepped out, I took a look back to see if I can get a namecard of this Quack doc... but no name card. Looked around for a name.. no name.... Strange... I'm never coming back...
Went home shared this encounter of the quack kind with my in laws. My mother-in-law is quite well versed with medicine names. She looked at what was prescribed to me... out of the 5 types, she only recognised 1. Which is unusual coz cold prescriptions are quite standardised.
Strange person no 3
My father-in-law picked up his mobile, called the clinic and requested for the doc....
FIL: Are you a real doctor? My daughter ABC came and see you just now, why did you ask her so many questions. Why you make her sign? What kind of medication did you give her... blah blah blah... so you're saying you're not a real doctor...
(gets cut off by the doc who claimed to be a Bangladash worker closing the clinic)
As my hubby and I prepare ourselves to end this strange night I asked him
ABC: Do you really think I should take this prescription... what if it's some drugs or some psychotic quack doc?
Hubby: Take and see what happens... Doc has been there so long, so many people go to him, no problem one la... take...
So I took. Minutes later, I felt really drowsy and... off I went...
Hubby: Ay wake up... need to get ready...
I stumbled out of bed and get ready for work... in the midst of all these, I noticed that the mucus has stopped clogging itself in my tiny nose. I didn't wake up with a choke in the middle of the night, neither did I wake up with a painful throat this morning.
Wow... quack doc's prescription works! BUT i cannot return to him again, coz I must have been blacklisted when my FIL said "my daughter ABC saw u just now..."
Hmm... maybe I should just turn up on Thurs at quack doc's clinic...am I strange too?
Highlights of a married Ribena... so lame....
Been sick for more than a month. Visited doctor twice. Still sick. Decided to seek second opinion. Visited other regular doc, but was packed with people. Decided to take a drive around the neighbourhood and pop into the clinic that is open at 9pm, and with the least Q.
Strange Person No 1
I stepped into the clinic for the 1st time, expecting a nurse at the reception to ask me "See doctor? First time ah? Give me your IC." but no... nobody was at the counter. There were about 5 other patients with their partners sitting around. A very sick 6 year old with his maid/mum (can't tell), a pair of sisters (they look alike) and an aunty... patients look normal...
Still standing at the counter, peering through the counter to see if I can catch someone's attention. There was nobody behind... Out of a little corner, this Chinese looking lady wearing a Tudong walked out with a basket of medication. "Ah... she must be taking the prescription" i thought to myself. I smiled at her and handed her my IC. She took a look at me, and looked away as if I was transparent. "Tsk, this lady a bit rude." I thought. She gave the prescription to the patient and collected $21... "that's pretty cheap..." i thought to myself, still standing there, holding my IC. Without a word, she took my IC and disappeared to the back.
"Strange.... don't people here believe in talking?" I found a seat and sat there minding my own business. Took a look out the glass door and saw my hubby standing in front of his car waiting for me. He has to stop the car by the road as there ware no available parking lots...
Being, bored, I started to observe the surrounding. Normally restrooms are located at the back of the clinic, nicely tucked away in a corner. This restroom entrace is about 2m away from the maindoor, facing the patients' waiting seats. Looks more like a possible door to a second doctor's office... strange setup.I continued observing the patients and figured there should be at most 1 patient before me and wala I'll be done. I waited... 5 mins went by... 2 more patients came in and handed the silent nurse their IC... it was as if everyone knew they were not suppose to talk... the patient who was in there when I came was still in there... "what's taking them so long?"... Another 5 mins went by "ABC (my name)"
"Ah... she talks!" my inner man sniggered...
Nurse: Do u have any drug allergy?
ABC: No
Nurse: Telephone Number?
ABC: 91234567
Nurse: Address?
ABC: 123 House
Nurse: You are new, please read the rules & regulations and letter to new patients (she pointed on 2 A4 writeups pathetically laminated at the back of the wall)
ABC: (thought to myself) - huh... got rules and regulations? First time.... wierd... anyway... ok... and I read....
I can't recall the exact words and all of it, but those that stuck in my head read something to this effect:
Rules & Regulations:
1) Patients must give a clear history of illness to doctor.
2) Please do not interrupt the doctor when he is speaking. Answer his questions clearly. You may ask questions after he has finished talking.
3) If you are a Chinese, please use Mandarin (or your dialect) to converse with the doctor. Any improper use of words to describe the Chinese Language, please visit another clinic.
4) The law requires you to produce your IC, birth certificate or passport every time you visit the clinic.
The list goes on....
Note to New Patients:
To establish proper doctor-patient relationship, you are required to pay S$25 before seeing doctor... blah blah blah...
"wah.. this is super strange!" i continued reading.... and finally... i reached the end....
Nurse: Finsih reading? Understand all?
I nodded like an obdient little girl would.
Nurse: Please sign here.
I was like HUH???? Ok never mind, just procedure... after all every clinic has the right to run it's own way.. sign lo.. just scribble something there...
I waited.... the patient before me went in and only came out abt 8-10mins later... I waited.... finally....
This elderly, white-haired, small-medium built doc called "ABC"... it's my turn....I went in curious to find out how this doctor works... is he really going to speak Mandarin with me?
Strange Person No 2
(The following conversation may be a challenge for some to read the Mandarin words but please try.. i also struggled through typing this conversation).
*Note that all English words typed in the doc portion is said in Mandarin. I'm not sure what it is or how to write it so i'll supplement it in English...
** When words are typed in English, I really said it in English... Read as it is typed.
I knocked and open the door, I said "Hi doctor."
Doc: 你好。什么病？
ABC: 我病一个月不会好。Cough, then tonsils, then now a lot of mucus in my nose...
Doc scribbles in English. So I thought since he is scribbling in English, and I've converted to speaking English, now he'll know I can speak English... perhaps he will speak to me in English...
Doc: Mucus 什么 color?*
ABC: Dark Green, some white. 晚上cannot sleep, get choke then cough a lot. 我想 is dry cough.**
Doc: 有没有cough*?
ABC: 有 last time got phlegm now...**
Doc interuppts with a roll eye effect, followed by a sigh: 不要讲以前的事讲现在就好。
ABC (rolls eyes in my mind): OK, now cough 没有 phelgm just very dry.**
Doc: 有没有stomach pain*?
ABC: No**
Doc: 有没有vomit*?
ABC: No**
Doc: 有没有 allergy*?
ABC: No**
Doc poke his finger in between my brow and then my cheek bone asking 痛不痛？
ABC: No**
Doc: 有没有 smoke*?
ABC: No**
Doc: 家人有没有 smoke*?
ABC: No**
Doc: "£$"£%"%"£"£ 有没有 smoke*?
ABC: Huh?**
Doc blinks.... repeated 2 more times before I heard it...
Doc: Colleagues 有没有 smoke*?
ABC: Oh.... 没有**
In the midst of all these he checked my back, my lungs with the stethoscope, just as I thought he has finished checking, the stethoscope went around my tummy.... the conversation continues...
ABC: Doctor 我要 tablet 不要 mixture 可以吗?**
Doc stuck the thermometer in my mouth... opps I must have said too much and interuppted him...
Doc: Mixture takes long time to cure, tablet better.*
ABC: Ok then 我要 faster cure.** (with the thermometer still in my mouth)
Doc carries on with a list of questions that I cannot recall, continues to speak to me in Mandarin and continues to scribble in English... Finally he took the thermometer out and said...
Doc: 没有ｆｅｖｅｒ．*
ABC: I know.**
Doc: 你这个病也不是很严重。不要吃以前的药。吃我们clinic 的药. 一天河十杯烧水。Make sure it's hot water, inhale the steam, blow out your mucus then finish the water...*
ABC: OK**
Doc : 你星期五几点上下班？*
ABC: 8.30pm to 5pm**
Doc: 这就不能见你。(Looks up in the air to count his dates mentally) 星期四你好不好也来让我看看为设么病不好。一定要来。再见。
I walked out with every intention to tell the nurse i'm not coming back on Thurs. I waited... and then the strange nurse called me...
Nurse: take this 2 times a day... etc etc...that will be $23, you gave me $50 just now, I return you $27.
She turns around and walks off... I didn't even get a chance to say anything or get contact with her eyes...
I turned around and left. Just before I stepped out, I took a look back to see if I can get a namecard of this Quack doc... but no name card. Looked around for a name.. no name.... Strange... I'm never coming back...
Went home shared this encounter of the quack kind with my in laws. My mother-in-law is quite well versed with medicine names. She looked at what was prescribed to me... out of the 5 types, she only recognised 1. Which is unusual coz cold prescriptions are quite standardised.
Strange person no 3
My father-in-law picked up his mobile, called the clinic and requested for the doc....
FIL: Are you a real doctor? My daughter ABC came and see you just now, why did you ask her so many questions. Why you make her sign? What kind of medication did you give her... blah blah blah... so you're saying you're not a real doctor...
(gets cut off by the doc who claimed to be a Bangladash worker closing the clinic)
As my hubby and I prepare ourselves to end this strange night I asked him
ABC: Do you really think I should take this prescription... what if it's some drugs or some psychotic quack doc?
Hubby: Take and see what happens... Doc has been there so long, so many people go to him, no problem one la... take...
So I took. Minutes later, I felt really drowsy and... off I went...
Hubby: Ay wake up... need to get ready...
I stumbled out of bed and get ready for work... in the midst of all these, I noticed that the mucus has stopped clogging itself in my tiny nose. I didn't wake up with a choke in the middle of the night, neither did I wake up with a painful throat this morning.
Wow... quack doc's prescription works! BUT i cannot return to him again, coz I must have been blacklisted when my FIL said "my daughter ABC saw u just now..."
Hmm... maybe I should just turn up on Thurs at quack doc's clinic...am I strange too?
Highlights of a married Ribena... so lame....
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