Au revoir, 2007!

I can't believe it's already the last day of 2007. What happened to the other 364 days?

2007 saw me getting sick very frequently, even contracting HFMD and undergoing a minor surgery so to me, nothing matters except good health.

This last month was also eventful in that I met up with a really long-time and long-lost friend, Irene G. I was apprehensive how the meeting would turn up. Whether we had grown apart, whether her appearance would be a turn-off (and vice versa) with us having to be polite for 2 hours over dinner. BUT it turned out very well, no pretence at all. My feeling was reciprocated by an email from her indicating her interest to meet again in the near future. :)

My closest cousin whom I haven't seen for 4 years also returned from London and paid me a visit. She brought David, her Brit fiance with her for our first official introduction.

Not forgetting my college friend Jessica who returned from Canada....and Jeff S. My dear friend of 8-9 years????? We really should meet more than once a year, given that both of us are in Singapore. No excuse!

And so, as usual with no big bang (but it also means all is good), 2007 is soon to be concluded.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!!!!

MIA

I know I've not been blogging. Having been swarmed with work and not going through any significant moment (other than Mong was able to spell "Curious George" on paper and name all 8 true planets of the solar system in their exact sequence by just learning once) have rendered me very uninspired.

I hope to be back more regularly!

Brrr...

I may have made a few life-changing stupid decisions before but the most recent one has to be agreeing readily to go to Shanghai (business trip).

A lunch with Michy made me realise that going there in mid-January would mean experiencing the heart of winter. With a low travelling record, much less to say countries with 4 seasons, where would I find winter clothings that would fit my post-pregnancy (x2) figure? In retail shops where I have to spend a bomb, NOT reimbursed by the company.

VERY THANKFULLY (and luckily), Michy who will be going there soon has offered to lend me her coats. Black and vintage pink. I say for a 3-day trip, the black will do. Thanks Mich!

Note: Don't ever stop talking to friends. They make you realise the forgotten bits and can also save you from dire straits!

The Expression

What must have been 'circle seats' of yester-year's cinema, I saw my new Managing Director scowl and roll his eyes in disgust during Management's Meeting!

I have never seen a real grown man do that before. I always think the one thing that SHOULD separate men from women is the ability to be less emotionally-transparent. Anyway now that I've seen The Expression, I am certainly hoping that I will never be at the receiving end!

OHM!!!!!!!!!!

My regular check-up at the hospital took less time than expected so I went for my much-delayed haircut.

Now a lot of colleagues think that it looks retro (NOT INTENDED!) and one has even managed to pin it down specifically to the 'ohm' symbol.

I am seriously contemplating to cut it much shorter next time round...

In-betweens

I don't usually spend more than 5 minutes in the morning deciding what to wear to work. But today as I had to give a presentation to my new Managing Director, I found myself exceeding the quota (which meant I was potentially late since I always set the alarm clock with exactly enough time for my teeth-brushing, face-washing, clothes-changing, accessory-doning, 2-minute buffer, shoes-wearing).

I realised that I have a decent number of proper office attire but I have nothing for 'casual Fridays'. One should not take 'casual' too literally where an office environment is concerned. We still need to exercise discretion, for eg. no spaghetti-stapped top, no black bra with light-coloured tops, no VPL, etc. and as nobody in the office would be in more formal wear, being in Mondays-Thursdays attire would be screaming for attention.

Finally I settled on a combination which is what I always ended up in on Fridays. Very safe, i.e. very boring and very uncreative. I definitely need more 'in-between clothes'!

Sis is back!

For her regular affair with marathons (at this time of the year, it can only be StanChart's), sis is back from Ho Chih Min. So tonight is one of the rare full-fledged family dinners at my place!

Relationship

I think you probably spotted (in one of my recent entries) that I groused a little about my current financial planner. Now the tricky part is how to lose her. Afterall, it's been a 2 -year relationship and it's not as if she was completely hopeless throughout (she is just completely hopeless NOW for the past 3 months).

It made me wonder how people initiate break-ups. Fading away leading to disappearance is the chicken but easy way out. Or should I do the "It's not you, it's me" thingy?

You Are What You Read

If you take the public transport, I'm sure you have had experienced more than once other passengers peering over your shoulder checking out what you are reading.

I for one was glad I wasn't into sleaze this morning when I side-glanced and found one man shamelessly reading intensely what I was reading. The large fonts and clean layout facilitated his past-time. Well, he'll probably have found that Mike Gayle (yes yes, I'm still at him. Into my 5th consecutive book) is hilarious and very good at subtle analysis of the human's thought processes.

I haven't seen people carrying around a Mills & Boons novel for a long time (hands up for those who remember the raunchy romance!!!). I think I'll even be too embarrassed to get caught with Sidney Sheldon. It's like screaming: "hey, I can't get it on in real life so I fantasize in books". Friends who know me may be surprised by such self-consciousness but this is one aspect I shudder just thinking about it!

Dirt, anyone?

M sms-ed me yesterday that he was still out in the fields and hadn't bathed for 3 days. Let me remind you that it's been raining everyday and hence, he was covered with mud on top of the odour. Ew...

I'm thankful for being a woman with my monthly PMS!

3 months...

On the way to work, walking along the passageway to my connecting E-W train, I looked up and observed the date on the screen - November 22 - and remembered I had an entry exactly 3 months ago.

Bizarre.

And scary. How time flies. In these 3 months, the troops have graduated, I have moved on to light-hearted novels, the biggest hurdle is out of my mind (my maid is renewing her contract with me and not going back. Yay!), I managed to track down my long-lost penpal (we corresponded for 12 years) in Facebook, I got pissed with my Boss 1001 times, I got very disappointed with my 2-year financial planner, physical inspection by my regular doctor revealed that my breasts are free from lumps (yippee!) and my favourite teh si stall at Kovan has been closed for more than 1 month.

My life.

L'le Baker

Becks' kindergarten organized a 2-day baking class for the K1 and K2 students so we decided to let her participate. She brought back corn flake cookies and 'rainbow salad' yesterday. I don't know how much of her own effort went into them but they tasted great!

Singaporean children are really fortunate. Their education these days can be so well-rounded.

2-week Reservist

I miss M.

Bad Habit

Having spending only S$8 to do a complete manicure in Bangkok last Wednesday, I was proud to have found such a good deal and at the same time, could abstain from nail/skin chewing. But the minute I removed the nail polish today, I was back to 'old days'.

I have zero willpower.

Quotable Quote

"The secret of life is to fall 7 times and to get up 8 times".

- Paulo Coelho
(The best quotes are the ones which are in one short sentence and gets you thinking "Hey, so true. Why didn't I think of it?")

Engaged/Married

With reference to marital status, what does 'being engaged' mean? My closest cousin just told me she is already so in London where she is based.

I believe it's the prelude to marriage but what does it really signify? That the couple or one of them is too afraid to take the big step, so 'let's take that quite-big step, one step before the gigantic one and see how it goes'?

Frankly, in Singapore, I am not sure of any difference in legal implications but personally, where finance and logistics are concerned, it is definitely not practical because the couple would have to arrange everything twice.

Post-Year End Concert

I'm going to try to be objective about this without sounding like a proud gushing mummy ... Becky can dance! Just a year difference, I could see the enormous change in her confidence level in going on stage, in socialising in general.

I'm so keen on sending her to a dance/arts performing class but I know of none at the moment.

Thank you, Howu!

Howu & wife invited us to their place for a home-cooked meal. It is not everyday when somebody bothers himself with marketing, cooking and serving me. I was truly appreciative! And you guys can cook! (I still dun feel bad that I can't though...)

With Arms Wide Open

My brave cousin gave birth to her 4th and final child yesterday - Ashleigh Jade.

I was contemplating if I should post the photo without asking her mother for permission, then I thought - why not? Most babies are identical. With their nondescript features, frankly I don't understand why some people dramatically coo over them.

Imagination...the lack of it.

So I'm not the only one who thinks Rachel Weisz is absolutely beautiful. Annie Leibovitz thinks so too and it pleases me to think we could have the same taste (assuming all other 'common' human beings do not exist). If you have a copy of TODAY newspaper today, go to page 48 and you may agree with me.

The thing is... whenever I read a novel and the author describes a beautiful woman, I tend to imagine Weisz or Jennifer Connelly (if I'd want to throw in those unique grey eyes to the character). I realised I have the dark-haired women in their 30s, I don't have one in their 20s. I haven't read a book recently that centralised a female in her teens or 20s anyways. I guess growing up struggling with zits or post-grad options doesn't make good read.

And when it comes to blokes (UK characters for UK authors) or dudes (American characters for American authors), I'm at a loss.

I don't have a vivid imagination. I need to 'borrow' faces that I know. And strangely, only Caucasian works *sheepish*. It amazes me to no end how people can read and enjoy fantasy books, and of course its authors. I always hear people saying that the book is definitely many times better than the movie. How can it be so? Are there sound and visual effects in our minds that am not aware of?

Year-end Concert

It is Becky's year-end concert again, tonight. Imagine I have to register her for Primary 1 next year. The next big milestone...for me.

Me & You & no dog named Boo

Retro hairdo notwithstanding, this is one of my all-time favourite photos.

Destress

Nothing like a good laugh and banana walnut muffin......

Breakfast with :B

You know how cravings can creep up catching you completely unawares, then until it is satisfied, it is all you can think of in your waking hour. I was thinking of prata with egg, prata without egg, a dash of white sugar and chicken curry and teh tarik, strictly in this combination.

:B is back from Japan on a business trip. With her extremely tight schedule, even lunch was impossible so today before her flight, both of us met at 7am and took a train down together to the hawker centre and I had the above combination.

I swear given the gloomy weather and time, we were the only ones alive on the train. It was good catching up. EVERY personal mission accomplished! Till the next time, good ole pal!

How to make a friend an ex?

My 2nd Mike Gayle's 'conquest' - My Legendary Girlfriend - was shortened by many days. So it should appropriately be my 2nd Mike Gayle's 'attempted conquest'. I should have known better when the review mentioned it was like Bridget Jones' Diary. It was so whiny!

Talk about that, WL has been trying to shake off her whiny gal friend for the longest time. 2 months??? Despite obvious signs (which are apparently not obvious to Whiny Gal), she continued to contact WL many times since the 1st day of effecting Avoid-Whiny-Gal-Period.

So how does one get rid of a once-good friend by not breaking his/her heart?

Dream

What language are you speaking in your dream?

I was asked this once. It struck me because I never thought about it or realised it. It sure as hell isn't French!

What's In a Name?

Mong has a pretty Indian classmate by the name of "Arbana" (or so I think this is how it's spelt). We see her often at the nearby playground and they play well together. Such a sweet sight. He calls her "a banana". Trust me, it's not deliberate but kids are just creative naturally and innocently, in every way.

Medium

Michelin is one of the reasons that doesn't make me wonder why I blog what I blog.

I hope she managed to get the Mike Gayle's book at the book fair. He's gonna gain another fan!

The ABC of Blogging (i.e. it's very easy!)

I could have been lunching with a few 'dinosaurs' on Friday. Nice 'dinosaurs' nonetheless...I knew them all during my secondary school years. When they learnt I blog (only one of them knew actually), they couldn't contain their 'oohs' and 'aahs', believing I was savvy and so updated. If only they knew it's just a couple of text typed out like how one does in Microsoft Word.

Anyway, Germ, if you are reading this - Happy Birthday to you!!!

Non ti muovere

There are some actresses I have an inexplicable problem watching and one of them is Penelope Cruz. But I'm glad I got over that and spent 2 hours yesterday watching the movie. I must have also spent 75% of that time sobbing. What a melodrama that shouldn't be missed!

Teatime

What do you get when your daughter is very pally with another girl from school? You have tea with her mom! Altogether!

We all have our virgin moments.

The Art of Talking Without Talking (not by me)

Here's the scene: my mate Trevor is standing in Wax Lyrical with his girlfriend when he gets the look.

"What?" He responds.

"You know," she replies.

"I don't know!" he protests.

"If you loved me, you'd know," she says. Then Trevor's girlfriend storms off leaving him holding a box of scented candles.

When, days later, he shares his story with me and the rest of our mates down the pub. we all nod in silent recognition. "It's the female art of talking without talking", I say, "It can really bugger up your day."

The art of talking without talking (henceforward known as ATWT) has long been a source of fascination and fear for mankind. I remember when a group of us were at the pub when one of our friends (a woman) came in crying. She exchanged one glance with my better half, then disappeared to the toilets.

"What was that about" I asked my good lady.

"She's split up with Tony, she's just had an argument with her mom, her cat's sick, she can't make her mind up about a strappy floral print dress she saw in Kookai.....oh, and she hates her job."


"You got all that from one look??" I asked.

"Of course," she replied. "Isn't it obvious?"

OK, so that might be a slight exaggeration of what happened but it wasn't far off. When the ATWT is used for the power of good, it's amazing, but when it's used for the power of evil (i.e. against me), it's truly scary.

My first encounter with the ATWT came in my teenage years while I was hanging out in the park. I was minding my own business when a random girl appeared from nowhere, stood next to me without saying a single word for half an hour, then disappeared. Next day at school, I discovered that Melane Chissock and I were now officially 'going out'. How did this happen? The ATWT, that's how. In her world, standing next to me was a declaration of love, while in my world, it meant that she was either lost, bewildered or waiting for a bus. It was all very confusing.


In the last 15 years I'd like to think I've become more worldly-wise, but when it comes to the ATWT, I'm as hopeless as the teenage me. For example, I was at a party recently with the woman in my life. I'd chatted to a few people I didn't know, had a bit of a dance and we'd disappeared home just after two. All in all I'm thinking it was a good night. In the car, however, I got the silent treatment. After much begging and pleading on my part, I discover I'm guilty of being flirted with.


"Who was flirting?" I asked.


"That trollop in the boob tube."


"Which one was that?" I asked.

"You don't even know?!!" she cried.

The thing you have to realise about us men is that we are very simple creatures: what you see is what you get. When it comes to reading between the lines, we can't-we're illiterate-which is why having a go at us for not understanding why you're upset when you refuse to tell us is both cruel and mean. It's like smacking a puppy for leaving a deposit on the carpet when you had clearly stated in a 7-page document left in the kitchen drawer why it's not the done thing. Men, like puppies, can't read 7-page documents or find anything located in the kitchen drawer and , most of all, they can't read women's minds. Which is why if you ask us to guess what's troubling you, we will invariably get it wrong. We don't do this on purpose: what we do is work on the assumption that, mentally speaking, you're a bit like us. This means that there's not a great deal on your mind to 'read' other than endless lists of top-ten favourite things, pictures of naked women and fluffy clouds. Even if we tried to put ourselves in your shoes, there'd be problems. Have you tried walking in a .air of kitten-heeled mules that are several sizes too small? Exactly.


The answer to the problem is, I'm afraid, a little obvious. In a straw poll of my mates down the pub six out of six of us agreed that the one thing we'd love the women in our lives to do is just tell us what's wrong rather than us having to guess all the time. As my mate Trevor put it, "We're reasonable people. If they just talked to us with their lips instead of their brain waves, we'd know exactly what to do."

So, there you have it. Save the guessing games for Christmas Day at your gran's, the psychic exchange for Uri Geller and start taking to your man like a regular human being.

- Dinner for Two

By Mike Gayle (thoroughly witty and enjoyable...thereforeI had to type all out to share and to keep as remembrance...Gayle should be so flattered.)

Say....what?

I met Say over a long overdued teh-si and gossip session about everything and nothing. Don't we really wish for times with friends who gather with no agenda?

Pessimism/Perception

A: It's been so long....when do you expect to break-even?
B: Yea...4 years. I dunno. I'm always hoping to check the end of the tunnel.

C: The pessimist will say 'there's only a train at the end of the tunnel'!

Miffy: What's so bad? The train is waiting for you, right...to bring you to your destination (goal), greater heights!
C: No! A train coming your way, a collision impending!

Oh.

Maybe I can conclude I'm not much a pessimist now.

Post-Fab 4 Dinner

It is not often to have 4 33-year-olds get together to talk about ANYTHING. I felt so comfortable with them that the 'after taste' lingered long after I reached home. I sms-ed my galpals that we needed to do another one again 'soon', that is before The Brave One grew too fat and clumsy and pop (expected delivery date is Jan 08).

By 'anything', I assure you it is a wide range, short of politics (as one can expect with Singaporeans).

Given the current raving culture of Facebook, Instant Messenging, Friendster, Short-Message Service, I am glad I know them well by face, by their mannerisms, by facial expressions, by their tones in which they deliver their opinions on people and any other matter, etc and not simply by smileys, buying each other virtual gifts and joining virtual clubs.

Just a Thought

Facebook, Friendster, Blogsites, Forums...life seems to be made more easy by getting more complicated...

Dinner - Fab 4 (self-proclamation)

4 of us: QT "The Brave One" (pregnant with her 3rd child!), SC "The Entrepreneur" (Made With Love is doing well. How does she manage with 2 young kids?) and SK "The Missioner" (she recently went to East Timor) and me (zzz...).

I think the last time we met was 6 months ago. Given our track record, it is surprising that tonight's dinner was so easily arranged. I'm looking forward:)

Somebody, give him the mints!

One of my colleagues has really bad breath. Imagine when I'm seated and he's standing next to me talking, the distance between my nose and his mouth is a good 60cm apart yet, I can smell it.

He has a girlfriend and I wonder if she has given him this feedback...I mean if not her, then who?!!

I am so compelled to place an anonymous note on his desk.

PDCA

I admit I scoffed at PDCA. I came across it first many years ago when I was 'arrowed' to be in one of those Quality Projects. I thought surely it was one of those theories designed to impress academic nerds.

Well, I am wrong. On the personal front, I skipped the "Check" and found myself plunging into "Act" which is regrettable.

Damn.

5th

Becky turns 5!

It could be conditioning...she never asks me to buy anything from my business trips, she didn't ask me to buy anything for her birthday too. Oh, does waffles filled with chocolate count?

I'm starting to count the number of candles on her cake. Amazing how time flies...

Simplicity

As I watched the girl, I was wondering why her gait was so awkward and slow when her father (or guardian) was already ahead.

Then I noticed the all-familiar pattern. Lines of tiles not stepped on, probably imagining the black tiles are land and white ones the sea. Tread, skip, jump, tip-toe, etc. So many different ways to get from point A to B without breaking 'self-imposed rules'. So much fun in such a short distance.

Simplicity.

Anger Management 101?

In the end, CF was the one who dissected my problem and my anger, which had miserably consumed me since last night, dissipated almost immediately.

I'm glad I kept an open mind and heart, to subject myself to another's analysis and criticism.

Leap of Faith

A: "The problem is having to take that first step."
B: "Don't worry, I'll tell you how....
Just close your eyes and jump."

Stick 'em up!

I finally went for my medical check-up concerning my health insurance renewal.

I guess my throbbing vein could not provide enough blood fast enough...never had a needle stick in me for so long! It was truly the adoption of 'mind over matter' technique to get through that!

"Project Ego"

I've been trying to control, not to show my emotions on my sleeve. It gets harder as I find myself being thrown into more tasks and projects by my boss. They all have the same project title that spells E-G-O.

Who says only female bosses are tough to work with?

What's in a Number?

I can't count the number of slimming centres, spas, advertisements that have sprouted exponentially over the recent years. Earning money from females seems so guaranteed.

Over lunch, my colleague told me she signed up for a slimming package of 10 sessions worth S$5oo. Mind you, she is not fat at all. But after a free trial which probably consisted of vibrating one's thighs for 20 minutes, she found the circumference reduced by 1cm. And so, the slimming centre gained one happy client.

Some women (like me!) just don't get it.

Everything AND The Girl

It's amazing how the footballers and musicians always get the girl. James Blunt, being one of the currently popular and talented artistes, looked so dishevelled and greasy in his latest video. He is dating some exotic model now, isn't he?

CDP 2007

Recap 14 Aug entry.

The Children's Day Party is finally over. Waking up at 6:45am on a Sunday is one mean feat. Working with JF to organize such a big event had been a memorable experience. Seeing the smile on the residents' faces, especially the children's was heartwarming. I consider it a success.

And I give myself a pat on the back (who cares if others didn't feel the same way).
Heh.

Lateness...& Being Chinese

2 minutes. That was how much time was left before the gate closed. By the time I plunked in my seat, I was panting and sucking in every breath of O2 I could manage.

SW and I clearly underestimated the time taken from the hotel to Suvarnabhumi Airport (without factoring in traffic congestion at 11am!). We had to cut queue at the customs. A middle-aged Caucasian lady was gracious enough to let us through. I mean at least I thought it was completely gracious without her making any judgment, passing any comment. But SW did overhear - "The Chinese are always the ones who are late."

I guess she attended a Chinese customary wedding dinner before. :P

Discarded

I went to Bangkok and saw some movies - long ago, non mainstream - that I was literally itching to watch.

God Grew Tired of Us, Man Push Cart, Twin Falls Idaho, Who Loves The Sun

Alas it was not meant to be.

Under The Skin

Get under one's skin, Slang.
(a) to irritate; bother
(b) to affect deeply; impress; penetrate

I've been experiencing breathlessness for about a week. Concerned, I consulted the doctor yesterday who couldn't tell that I was suffering from anything grave clinically. She could only advise it was 'anxiety'.

For one who doesn't believe in subjecting myself to stress at work (Think it's-only-a-job-I'm-not-my-own boss mentality), I'm surprised that this breathlessness only starts in the office. When I talk about work. To specific people, my boss included.

I read how some things/people can affect you so much that they get under your skin, literally.
With work, it can only be (a)...

Hello, anybody home?

"Our Customer Care Consultants are still busy. You may continue to hold and we'll attend to you shortly."

I called twice and not once did I get to speak with the personnel. The message went on and on over 20 times and that 'shortly' just did not come.

Starhub! What is happening?????

Sugar Ruuuuush!

A colleague has been poring over pamphlets and online stores for The Desired Cake for her 2-year-old's birthday. Knowing that Becks' 5th one is approaching too, she sent me the websites which made me marvel at how creative people have become, and how competitive this industry has gotten (yes, I've been living in a world of my own where only "Angie The Choice" (chocolate cake) and "Awfully Chocolate" exist).

Here's one which truly takes the cake *pun intended*. Looking at the cakes is enough to make me feel my glucose level rocket!

http://www.yilingcakes.com.sg/NetCode/Basket/main.aspx

End

At close to 4am, I received an sms from :B from Japan informing that she and A have split.

Separation isn't always negative. A was a nice, down-to-earth guy and so frankly, I was glad :B finally decided that it was time to let him go.

A "Note"

"Don't laugh. What I miss most is talking to you. I imagine running into you in a busy market, even though I don't go to the market. And we decide to have lunch and we talk over magaritas; and then we walk back to where you are staying and we talk some more, and we talk in the hotel lobby and we keep talking until the moon is high in the sky and the bellhops change shifts and the night manager kicks us out.

I want to talk to you but I don't have the slightest idea what we would have to say...."


- Mercy
By Jodi Picoult

Mooncake Festival

'Tis the season to be faaaaat......

Also the time for service providers to suck up to their clients, my Division has received many boxes of mooncakes already. Thank goodness I'm not a big fan of them.

Girls...sugar & spice & all things nice?

Becks is becoming a sensible and sensitive girl. Maybe too sensitive. I realised she's always seeking for my approval. If she has been a good girl today.

It's going to be an emotionally challenging journey ahead with this fast-growing child....

Rejected!

I got rejected through a short-formatted letter. How I hate those words "I regret to inform...."

And so it becomes mine...

No doubt a hand-me-down but the quality of the pocket book was still impeccable. You can't expect anything less with Gucci...and my mother-in-law.

;)

A Walk To Remember*

It was a nice Sunday having met Michelin for teh si and then having her and her beau drop by to walk Deeno. They helped him relieve poop and pee for the evening on our behalf.

They really ought to swing by more often!


* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281358/ (not the same!)

Mummies' Gathering

My good ole secondary school friends gave me a belated birthday treat today. Thanks Germ & Kat! I'm glad we are still friends who have much to chat about when we meet.

We are all mothers now: Kat a mom of a 14-month-old boy and Germ of a 8-month-old. Listening to them brought back memories of my fears when my troops were younger. I am relieved I have passed that stage though the stages ahead would still be challenging but of a different nature.

I found this topic interesting. A friend of Kat was apparently determined to send her son to Anglo-Chinese School (ACS), citing the reason of reaping the benefit of 'networking with rich men's sons'. How did this society make people get so practical....and warped?!!??!!

2 can be a crowd

It was bad enough that I HAD TO share a room with someone during my business trip to Manila. I am appalled to have just found out from my Accounts that the hotel charged S$40 more because of that!

I wouldn't go into detail on why I had to share though of course it resulted in much reluctance and dread...but on what basis should a hotel charge more? Greater use of utilities - toilet paper, tissue paper, water, cotton buds, etc.???? It's irritating to think that it would be cheaper if a person staying solo with all the wonderful comforts and convenience could still bathe and shit 3 times a day, thus utilizing more resources.

I feel so unjustified (and sore).

'Jason Bourne' rocks!

Bourne Ultimatum was nice! Matt Damon was nicer!

My 33rd

Thanks all for remembering! I received my favourite blueberry pie (from Hans), as well as, had cupcakes delivered personally to me. Talk about that wonderful friend going the extra mile - literally!!!!!!!! :)

Every Gal's Dream

Not George Clooney. It's more attainable though you'll need to think of how to raise the cash first.

It's a Lexus which enables the driver to parallel park perfectly by simply sending instructions to the car via a touch-screen! Awesome!

0822

I haven't been late for work for many months but today, I volunteered to send Becks off for her excursion early morning. So while I would have been in the office already, I wasn't and was still walking to the connecting E-W train. And normally I don't bother with sights and sounds but strangely, I found myself looking at an illuminating green sign overhead which indicates the date and time, tranced and then I realised: August 22, 08:22. It was almost prophetic.

I guess I'm just bored and craving for a lead role in a sci-fi film.

Where the "sun" shines...

With no recent movie that appeals, I remembered :B searching wildly for Before Sunrise and Before Sunset last year, wondering why a normally 'cold-blooded' (sorry!) person like her could be into a mawkish, sappy drama. So I was wrong. About the 'mawkish, sappy' part.

After a total of about 180 minutes, I was left pining for more, contemplating if I should watch the re-runs next weekend. I don't think I remember viewing such great chemistry between 2 beautiful actors before! The way they exchanged words, like ping pong balls bouncing between them spontaneously, not once with intention of hitting each other's faces. The connection was subtle and progressive.

It's strange the movies had such an effect on me that even now, 24 hours later, there is a good after-taste.

I believe in love...and 2nd chances!!!!!In Hollywood movies, that is.

Fashion Suicide?

A colleague in her mid-3os could have easily gone unnoticed (in a good way) if she hadn't decided to colour the bottom, only the bottom, part of her hair blood red over the weekend.

It seemed as if she had killed a fox and put it on her head. UGLY!

PS: I needed to blog it. Saying it outloud may cause lightning to strike on me - superstition.

Cold = More Frequent Peeing?

Without much thinking, I passed a casual comment to my colleague: "I just realised I went to the toilet to twice in a 15-minute interval.", and she replid: "Oh yes, cos the weather is really cold today."

It is not the first time I hear people linking weather with our (changing?) bladder capacity so it set me thinking - is there really a correlation???? It's so bizarre to believe!

If you have information, please do share and quote your source.

Sci-fi Gals

I was walking behind this lady clad in office wear, one hand holding a book entitled The Last Starfighter. Her fingers were inserted in the last few pages, apparently having read up to that point. She was finishing it.

Whenever a book is in view, I find myself peering for the title. I always believe that you can judge a person from the book they read. In this case, I am stumped...and very impressed. To me, they fall into the same category as those who take part in WCG. These females intrigue me! I just don't get it!

'Arrowed'!

Now I know what our local army guys mean when they say they 'kenna arrowed'.

We had one of our more frequent meetings last night. While JF tried to be ever so diplomatic and insisted on appointing an acting O.C. only upon voluntary basis for the upcoming Block Party, all of us tried to look elsewhere as if eye contact would grant an automatic appointment (ostrich behaviour???).

So I said: "J, you are the project leader. Volunteering isn't going to lead to a result so you appoint and disregard how we feel because we shouldn't take it personally in the first place." Apparently, he took my cue and said: "I like that. (Miffy), let's do it!"

I grinned, feigning enthusiam.

Doh!

Confession

I have a confession.

The troops have been bringing back goodie bags from school whenever there is a birthday celebration. I realised the schools have been more generous recently, including Snicker bars, M&Ms, candy chewies, etc. So I had emptied them with (secret) glee but told my kids not to consume them because they are so bad for teeth and will ruin their appetites. I have been bringing to the office and finishing them. I needed to destress.

Oh, did I just illustrate a case of double standard? :D

SPM

"Letters are expectations packaged in an envelope". So simply yet aptly put.

But most people today may think "whatever!" when emails, sms and instant messaging reign.
It's sad how fast so many things are diluting......

I spent National Day going to the Singapore Philatelic Museum. My 1st time. Thanks to WL for informing that admission to all local museums was free. We were fast running out of ideas.

I tried collecting stamps when I was really young. It started when I received a huge stamp album (I can't recall from whom) but the hobby didn't last because of my impatience and lack of sensitivity in appreciating the art and design that went through behind every stamp. Now, it simply appeals because of the rarity in getting stamped letters in my mailbox regularly.

Where is our "playground" now?

Sis just went to Cambodia and shared with me some photographs. One caught my eye. Kids were at their home, playing. They play with anything they can find and are apparently enjoying. Everywhere can be their playground.

Simplicity is really key to happiness. The more we get, the more we want, the more we desire, the more difficult satisfaction and happiness can be achieved. Where is the finishing line?

More Grim(m) Tales

"Meanwhile the Queen was going back to her mirror. 'Snow White is the fairest. Ask me another", said the mirror saucily before she could speak. With a furious cry, the Queen smashed her mirror into a thousand pieces and a thousand glass splinters chorused, 'Snow White is still the fairest of them all!'"

It's violent too.

But did I tell you I love the vocabularly? :P

Grim(m) Tales

We have been borrowing Brothers Grimm's books from the library to read to Becks. We realised that she has a keen interest on adventure and/or magic.

But yesterday towards the end of "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs", we realised that the stuff the brothers created was highly unsuitable for children! "The Prince took the princess out of the coffin and married her."

WHAT KIND OF SICK PERSON WOULD DO THAT?!!??!!!

"New Age"

If you take the train, there is a screen on every cabin which shows you footage of bombings in countries which had resulted in severe devastation. Becks, all of 5 years old had asked me twice, why the trains were so badly wrecked, what happened, etc. And I tried to explain, not sure whether she grasped any of it.

I sure didn't live with terrorism when I was 5.

Pre-wedding Outing

I met up with Chris before going to the hotel. Knowing well that traditional Chinese wedding dinners don't ever start on time, we had a good full 2 hours to hang out and just yak.

It's been so long since I had a guilt-free session with a friend on a Sunday evening!

PS: Pete's bride hailed from Hong Kong. What a babe.

Wah...yummy!

The mini-company dinner last night was at Wah Lok, a (very delicious and expensive) Cantonese restaurant at Carlton Hotel. It was organized with the aim of improving communication amongst managers.

Nice try..................but I recognize that there will always be an invisible line dividing the Japanese and local staff. But we shouldn't give up, should we? ;) To more yummy dinners ahead (as long as it's kept under 2 hours)!

So you were saying...

I know it's defined as 'effective communication' but do you know how much time I spend per day paraphrasing? Especially with people of different nationalities whom I have to work very closely with.

Gosh, I am so tired!

Where lies the boundary?

I have colleagues cutting their finger nails and combing their hair at their desks. I've seen people in office wear digging their noses on buses, inspecting the shit as if it's the most complicating genetic material they've ever gotten in touch with.

I thought personal grooming is done only at home or in the confines of a toilet? Whatever happened to etiquette?

Snip snip snip...

After 4 hours, gone is my 'mane'. No wonder I get to say this only once every 6-7 months. I know most women will cut their hair/change their hairstyle whenever they get bored or stressed or feel depressed. But I dun consider sitting on my ass, withholding my bladder for 4 hours as any form of therapy!!!!

Introduction

When I was little, the great mystery to me wasn't how babies were made, but why. The mechanics I understood - my older brother Jesse had filed me in - although at the time I was sure he'd heard half of it wrong. Other kids my age were busy looking up the words penis and vagina in the classroom dictionary when the teacher had her back turned, but I paid attention to different details. Like why some mothers only had one child, while other families seemed to multiply before your eyes. Or how the new girl in school, Sedona, told anyone who'd listen that she was named for the place where her parents were vacationing when they made her.

Now that I am 13, these distinctions are only more complicated: the 8th-grader who dropped out of school because she got into trouble; a neighbour who got herself pregnant in the hopes it would keep her husband from filing for divorce. I'm telling you, if aliens landed on earth today and took a good hard look at why babies get born, they'd conclude that most people have children by accident, or because they drink too much on a certain night, or because birth control isn't 100%, or for a thousand other reasons that really aren't very flattering.


- My Sister's Keeper
By Jodi Picoult
(I'm done with this and I loved it!)

Nice? Look again...

The flats in our estate have gotten a new coat of paint recently so now my block is no longer in that ugly (aesthetic) and heat-absorbing (functional) colour.

However, if you were to come closer, real close, you'll notice spots of paint splatter all over the floor with the workers having no apparent intention to clean them up. At all. Ever.

Nice from far....but far from nice. Aren't most things/relationships so too?

ZBD

Becks is a dramatic girl, so I've realised already. Last night, she kept a book in the drawer and upon me entering the room, she whipped it out and pointed out a sentence to my attention: "Mummy, look, read! 'Is your name Zeebeedeeeee.....???'" And broke into a bubble of hysterical laughter.

Drama and adorableness in its best form.

Loss

I'm definitely losing it with my boss - my temper. I wonder when the breaking point was. It got blurry between losing respect for the way he makes (and doesn't make) decisions and those irritating spaced-out look he gives from time to time.

Speaking of this, Becks asked me something interesting the other night. "Mummy, Miss Quah told us she's lost her brother. How does a person lose another?"

And so I attempted feebly on explaining death and it got me wondering why we term it 'lost' when we don't lose someone out of carelessness like how we lose our wallets in a shopping mall.

On Course

I was out of office the past 2 days attending a course entitled "Leadership Essentials for Managers & Team Leader".

As like any other courses, it creates the illusion and feeling of inspiration for the 8 hours I'm there. I give credit to the energetic, enthusiastic and creative local trainer Mr SS who has huge amounts of overseas training and coaching experience but who couldn't decide which accent to adopt - pure Australian or Australian & Singlish.

To summarize, there are basically 4 leadership styles - D.I.S.C. D=demanding (bitch) I=influential (NATO - no action talk only), Stable (boring and kiasi), C=Compliant (must follow law). So anyway I'm a strong S, not kidding, and I'm back to reality.

Transformers

I watched it. For someone who's not big on effects and no-brainer shows, I enjoyed it.

Things which could only happen in cartoons can happen now on screen alongside with human actors. I watched and wondered, at the same time, what my kids can be seeing in cinemas when they reach my age.

Block Party-Children's Day

It is official that I am going to be involved in organizing the above event which is scheduled to be held on 30 Sept.

The members are so amazingly enthusiastic. I am sure they already have busy day jobs (some of them turned up late, sweaty and apparently haven't had dinner with an Old Chang Kee curry puff in hand).

Enthusiam can be contagious. I want to stop being apathetic (maybe except towards politics). :P

Who's The Boss?

What's worse than working with a bitch? (1) When she's your direct boss or (2) When she's backed by her boss who's 10 times more aggressive than your own.

I experienced the 1st 10 years ago. The 2nd was experienced yesterday. A childish (or not?) part of me is hoping that the project will fail because of her obstinacy and unco-operativeness. Then I can tell many people, including my boss:

"I told you so."

*doh!*

I just remembered I haven't collected my new pair of spectacles which I bought 2 weeks ago!

Allergy?

After almost 33 years, I suspect I am allergic to prawns.

LOVE Actually

I was watching a movie titled "The Last Kiss" which I bought solely based on the fact Zach Braff was in it. Strange enough, Zach, with his stiff face and acting skills to match Ben Afflecks', appeals to me.

There was a dialogue that got me. It isn't profound but I guess nobody thinks about it or can understand the real meaning when they express it.

"'I love you'...every asshole says it. It's what you do that matters. It's the ONLY thing that counts..."

The 3rd Member

On 23 Apr, I posted about a new member. Well he has arrived and his name had been on the tip of the troops' tongue the whole of yesterday! Such a cutie...all of 13 years old. 13 dog years that is.

WELCOME DEENO!

Toto (Got hope meh?)

The 'aunties' in my department just hollered that the top prize is worth S$5 million. Because a 'miracle' happened at work today at 1112 hours, I decided to chip in a small amount. To buy hope.

'Hope' can enable one to stay optimistic. It can also disappoint.
I think it's overrated.

Washroom Hygiene

This is one of the many emails we received yesterday and it came from HR. How embarrassing. But I heard it was highly necessary; it was a like murder scene!

My life in a day in the office. Sigh...

Dear fellow colleagues,

Recently, there have been feedback received from the building cleaning lady with regards to the washroom hygiene condition. Some of the feedback include issues like improper disposal of used sanitary pads and traces of blood stains (menstruation).

For the kind consideration of other users, please kindly adhere to the followings when using the washroom;-
(1) All used sanitary pads should be wrapped with toilet paper and disposed into the SANITARY BIN provided (next to each toilet bowl).

(2) During menstruation, kindly ensure that the toilet bowl is free of blood stains BEFORE leaving the cubicle.

(3) Please do not dispose used sanitary pad into the bin located outside the cubicle(s) as it is very unhygienic and unsightly.

(4) Please keep the wash basin and floor dry at all times.

(5) Please ensure that the toilet is flushed properly after use.

Appreciate your kind cooperation in upkeeping the cleanliness and hygiene of the washroom.

A baking sensation?!

When was the last time I was domestic? Never. When was the last time I felt like doing something domestic? Never. When was the last time I did something domestic? 19 years ago at Home Economics class where Mrs Koh watched me like a hawk, certain I was going to burn my pastries or sew up a wrong stitch.

So when WL sent me pictures of Movarian pecan tarts she baked this morning and told me they tasted great, there was this unfamiliar wave of inspiration (to bake!) sweeping over me. But I have only a small oven at home and WL said it is difficult to bake cookies in one so it is unlikely to materialize. Believe it or not, I got disappointed.

Quote/Question of the Month

Questions I've just been asked recently by a good friend.

1. Have you carried a condom around thinking there's opportunity of sex?
2. Do all guys have balls?

I know....I know....what friends I've got. They say variety is good. :P

What's The Frequency?

There are millions of artistes suited to the musical tastes of each and every one of us. From Guns N Roses to Josh Groban to S.H.E., etc. So today what I saw baffled me - this normal-looking man clutching his transistor radio listening to..........................static. 15 whole minutes throughout the train journey.

And I must say Singaporeans are great at feigning nonchalance.

Lervia

Tis the name of a little girl born today. For almost 9 months, apparently the pregnancy wasn't very smooth so MS sought my understanding that her contact would not be as frequent but she assured that she would inform me the minute she's given birth.

Strange it was but I gave my understanding and so did she keep her promise. She text me yesterday evening and so during lunch hour today, I dropped by Raffles Hospital to see her and baby.

I'm glad this friendship can literally take off where it was left.

Education (academic only!)

We don't have to watch Ripley's Believe It or Not! to think incredible.

Popular Bookstore was having a massive sale during the weekend so I was drawn into it and found myself browsing while I waited for Becks to finish her class. A Ms Tai with a Bachelor degree wrote a Primary One Mathematics Assessment Book. I hope she is not in touch with the current education system because it contained all the wordy questions which I had to read twice! And I'm not even sure if an average Primary One student can recognize all the words to even understand the question (even if they had time to read it over and over again), hence they can only guess the correct answer (it was a multiple choice question).

Gosh, where are we heading to with our next generation?

Close Shave

An important decision was made during my 3-day absence (I was in Bangkok).

For those who haven't seen Mong in person, he's got a cute hairstyle (Mummy talking...............) - light brown, with slight sideburns and very wavy at the bottom.

Well, that's all gone now. My mom brought him to the barber and he looks like GI Joe.

Public Display of Affection

I'm referring to the same PDA which insensitive couples torture us visually on trains or in buses...except this time it was done in the blogosphere.

I understand one would defend that the blog belongs to oneself and one can type any content he/she likes. Well, not when the space is public and read by people who know you. It is enviable when love declaration is done so often and freely but to others who read it, for lack of vocabularly, there is this awkward cringy sensation that creeps along the entire length of my arm, causing all hairs to stand and the irritation I can't shake off.

Please....GET A ROOM!

House Removal

Why do the companies call it that? In Chinese, we call it 'ban1 jia1' but it can't serve as a direct translation!

A Union

Lawrence gets married!!!

A few years ago when we hung out often, I never would have thought he would get married before 35. Because he said so and because he had a string of girlfriends who didn't seem to want to commit eventually. And there he was, on a VERY hot Saturday afternoon, sweating in his tux, gel in his hair with his bride next to him, offering the oldies tea. :)

20 June

And Mong turns 3.

I think I've mentioned it before. The 2 biggest feelings I experience consistently, as a parent, are guilt and being contradicting. Guilt, hence I have only 2 hours' of Me-Time every weekend. Being contradicting because I feel so relieved that he is growing up this fast (independence in terms of practical life) yet I am saddened that every inch of his baby fats is disappearing so soon and that innocence and mischief too.

A Contract Law Seminar...and my shopping...(how do they relate?)

The one good thing about attending an extremely boring Contract Law Seminar (read: Law!) was the 2-hour chance I got afterward to undergo retail therapy.

Friends will know I am not crazy about shopping but my need to get "something during Great Singapore Sale" got intense as July approaches, the most notorious month this year when the new GST rate kicks in.

Anyways.................lawyers will always fascinate me. All that jargon crammed in their brains. One of them gave the talk with his eyes closed throughout, oblivious to our restlessness. Blah blah blah....he makes a lot of money too. :D

An Amazing Feat

I've always known females were amazing. We can remove a bra without taking our blouses/tees off. With a twist and turn, viola, out comes the bra without much struggle.

Today, I pride myself to be in this gender...again (of course besides the fact our threshold of pain is way higher than guys. We do not die from pain of child birth. HA!). I witnessed this lady, all bare-faced when she boarded the train, standing without support, one hand with her compact powder and mascara stick, blusher & lipstick firmly in between the fingers of the same hand, with the other deftly applying the powder on her face.

When I looked up from my book 20 minutes later (of course all this while pretending whatever she was doing was of no interest to me when c'mon! I was impressed to no end!), she was a different (improved) vision. And it was just in time for her destination too.

Heaven isn't too far away.......

The song, I meant. By Warrant.

GOSH! Anybody remember them?????????
I LOVED THEM!

One year old!

Happy Birthday, Miffys-Wonderland!

Yep, 1 year ago, out of restlessness, this blog was started...in the office. It's amazing how fast time flies and how this is still going on. Michelin and :B thought it would not keep up, given my 'character' (and what would that be, gals?)

Well, to more 'restless' days ahead. :)

Makes no sense!

Cellphone ringing, I looked over to find the very irritating "private no." on display. I pay a monthly $5 to the service provider for caller ID and don't expect the other side to outsmart me.

Anyways, I'm sure you have been receiving sales calls from banks. I don't mind them because some have extended me service which I would otherwise not be aware of and mostly, I know like myself, they are just doing their job.

So I found myself contemplating if I should answer the call, well knowing it's gonna be from a bank. Then again it could be an old friend whom I like or head-hunting company (haha) or free ticket to Paris (hahaha).

Man: Hello, Ms Lee, this is Patrick from xxx bank.
Miffy: *DOH!* Mm-hmm.
Man: I am calling to survey our customer service level. I refer to a call by one of our officers, Catherine on 30 May.
Miffy: 30 May??!! Catherine?
Man: Yes, a female.
Miffy: *my question wasn't on her gender, you fool! Like how am I supposed to remember a call that day by someone that name if it is as irregular as my bowel movement?!!!?* I'm sorry, I don't remember so I can't do the survey (in my most polite of tone...in case karma does happen).
Man: Oh...OK *hangs up*

If you want to do a survey effectively, you must perform it immediately! Most of us probably don't even remember what we have for lunch on the same day a few hours later, especially when every working day is similar.

The call really made no sense to me.

Eugenics

Perhaps it's my lack of vocab but I discovered there is such a word and study as 'eugenics'. I only knew "Eugene" was a name meant for nerds and "Eugenia" was one meant for sophisticated and confident lasses. :P

The study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, esp. by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics).

Monday

This morning, I spent a good one minute picking all dried apricots out of my bread slice.

Out of mistake, M bought the really heavy and expensive loaf of Fruit & Nut bread by Gardenia. I like the nut part but the fruit...doesn't impress me. 5 more slices to go! No wastage, no wastage.....

:B returns!

Good pal :B came back on Saturday morning, wee hours, for a short holiday. We met for our usual teh si albeit migraine.

Procrastination

Our procrastination led to the ultimate death of our fridge and hence, the disposal of good frozen food.

The news came early in the morning, something I suspected would arrive sooner not later, when the buzzing sound the night before was practically deafening. So with quick smses to find out which is a recommended brand, we bought one to be delivered on Monday noon.

Fridge is something I took for granted. Food to be cooked for our meals had to be bought a few hours before. Medicine, milk and yoghurt were quickly brought to my folks' place to be salvaged. There was no ice and cold water which meant I drank much less during the weekends. With the current heat, my headache developed to a migraine.

And all because of one bad habit.

Miffy's "Daily Bread"

We complain of train crowd at peak hours. The body odour, breath in your face, the literal jamming of bodies against one another, etc. Eww....

There are children in our midst too. Pre-schoolers whose parents have no choice/preference to send them to a childcare centre near their offices. I see them early in the morning, bleary-eyed, having to stand (because the other passengers had shut their eyes - conveniently or not!) throughout the journey, all but silent, apparently accepting daily life as it is.

It is a lesson of endurance and acceptance to me, no matter how simple.

2 Selfless Friends

I wanna blog about 2 selfless friends - Wai Lin & Say Kheng. No abbreviations, no nicknames.

They dun fuss about a lousy haircut, they dun lament about the zits that develop nearing the end of a 28-day cycle. Facing more people who are self-indulgent lately, I must admit I find them a breath of fresh air.

Wai Lin, like any other times, had been planning to go somewhere, no frills preferably, to spend time after her temporary stint with a company finally ended. She decided on Khao Lak, one of the badly tsunami-hit places 2.5 years ago. She had the chance to know a Thai doctor who migrated to USA at the age of 4 but returned to his home country when the disaster struck. The doctor not only provided medical services but set up an orphanage and a foundation for donations. She came back a different person and started a 'mini project' in which she penned an article and posted photographs to increase awareness of the plight of the community and provided means as to how we can help in terms of monetary donation.

Say Kheng, with all her accumulated leave has chosen to go to East Timor for volunteer work. I don't have details of her expedition but we will arrange to meet upon her return, for updates.

I'm glad I have them in my midst. :)

Maids (1...2...3...and counting)

My secondary school friend sent off 3 maids in 3 months. WHOO! And I thought I have low threshold for tolerance.

Golden Shower?

There is one group of people whom I will never be able to fathom. That without a bath-tub or jacuzzi, why does one need 30 minutes for a bath??!!! So many surface areas to cleanse?????

DEAR

Drop Everything And Read - I think this is NLB's latest slogan. My recent revival has nothing to do with it but I'm glad it's back, even if it's for a while.

I got another Jodi Picoult's finest after failing with John Irving and Paulo Coelho (likely to fail because after flipping the 1st few pages, I couldn't 'feel' anything poetic about his writing though critics have strongly claimed so).

So there, an update about ME. A change...(nothing else).

Reality bites...the inconvenient truth

I'm not a zombie movie fan but I remembered 5 years ago, when I watched "28 Days Later", I enjoyed it with no expectation.

5 years/260 weeks/1825 days later, I can't say the same for its sequel "28 Weeks Later". Apart from the jarring noise and the wobbly camera shots (to create havoc in the movie I believe), I guess I felt really uncomfortable because it was too close to home. The underlying message of terrorism, diseases, etc. The idea of a SARS recurrence, much more rampant..."if containment does not work, extermination..."

How the world is changing already...for the worse.

Stranger Than Fiction

Take it literally. It's the title of the DVD I caught over the weekend. I told :B 'not to waste another weekend not renting it'.

It's one of those unique and charismatic shows I haven't seen in a long time. I'm glad I got past my disinclination when I saw Will Ferrell on the cover. That curly hair guy who's always goofin' around in his comedies to the point of irritation. In this movie, he was truly an actor.

Give it a go!

PTM

M and I are taking half-day leave to attend Becks' annual parent-teacher meeting at her school today.

Last year wasn't all fine and dandy so I hope this year, after 12 months, the little girl whom I believed is chirpy most of the time and have blossomed emotionally and mentally would be perceived the same way by her teachers.

After that, M and I are hoping to catch 28 Weeks Later on the big screen *yea*. We are choosing that over SpiderMan 3 *double yea (for me)*. Till later.

Whisky

Not the hard liquor but a 3-month old Golden Retriever puppy which I held in my arms for 2 full minutes on Sunday.

"Nanny" just earned the reputation of being crazy by buying one for over $2,000, stocking up food which totalled over $1,000, all in her 5-room HDB unit. If you had followed my blog, you'll know she is working from home now. So afraid she may end up talking to the walls, plants and curtains, she got this going-to-grow-into-a-big-dog-covered-in-thick-rich-fur as her companion.

BIG mistake (but I dare not tell her).

Sugar & Spice...and all things nice

A few weeks ago, we saw a nice red car with Hello Kitty heads imprinted on the body of it zipping on the road. The steering wheel was also covered with 'furry pink stuff' which would surely leave no sweaty palms sticking to the otherwise usual leather...and I thought the car definitely belonged to a female.

Of course that was true otherwise I would be blogging about it sooner than now. But it hit me - surely there is one normal adult male in this world who fancies Hello Kitty. Or are they all closet ones???

I could be wrong but I think it's easier being a girl. No inhibitions. People won't judge or laugh at you if you express outwardly you are a Hello Kitty lover and you like everything about you to be pink and flowery. We can keep our hair long and wear pretty Evita Peroni accessories. We can be bitchy and blame it on PMS (perpetually!).

Mini-Farewell Dinner

It was the 8 of us only, including the MD. Dinner was in a nice cozy Italian restaurant - Pasta Brava - tucked away from the busy streets of the business district.

Actually Italian food is quite gross...spaghetti submerged in squid ink, veal shank with its bone marrow (I was told people would dig and dig the piece of mushy flesh in the centre for calcium...like how much would that give you unless you consume it every single day but that would mean you'll have to earn the pay of an MNC CEO or worse, confine the spaces of so many lambs and kill them with no conscience).

In spite of myself, I did enjoy having this last cozy meal with my MD whom I have worked for for the past 4 years. He's a retiring old man whose face lights up whenever he talks about golf and Italian food. We took several photos with him and ended the night with memories which we hope he can keep for a long time.

New Era Kiddies' Songs?

I heard Becks sing to the chorus of The Fray's How to Save a Life last night. Whatever happened to "London Bridge is falling down"??????????????

Retirement Planning

I'm sure there are many ways and instruments designed to help one save for one's retirement. But not having lunch out and instead consuming bread every working day for this reason is INSANE.

This person is a colleague in her early 30s and has a young child. I'd say to save a lot more, she might as well not have any kid. :P

*I'm no devil's advocate*

The One

I heard that Mong has a good friend in school already. Whenever class is dismissed, he'll wave specifically to him, say 'bye' and 'see you tomorrow' enthusiastically. It's just adorable thinking about it (sadly I haven't witnessed any moment before; my maid was the one who reported it to me).

When you are 3, what is it that makes the other the one friend for you?

15 May: I found out that his name is "Perry". :)

Surprise from Pete...

Fast-talking Peter, my ole friend from college is getting married on 5 August! When I saw his sms at 5am extending his invitation to dinner (while checking the time when I woke up from my 100th dream), I thought he was joking.

His (many) past relationships haven't worked out and several times when it was going quite well, he would pull the plug citing 'lack of commitment' because the then-girlfriend would be hinting heavily to apply for a flat. And I would like to admit in this blog that there was a fleeting moment I thought he could be a closet gay.

I haven't spoken or met him for some time so I guess there's plenty of catching up.

Not so nuts about nuts

I realise something - while I really love chocolate with nuts, especially the big chunky and fresh almond ones, I really hate peanut butter with nuts.

I feel nauseous just biting through the sandwich now.

Go Organic Go...NOT!

A colleague has been going organic for the past 2 months and she convinced me with results of better health record (no MC), clearer complexion, 'cleaner and more output on a regular basis' (hmmm...), etc so I tried just now.

And the verdict? Just let me stick to my 'carnivorous' ways....

The Latest...(from Becks)

Miffy: Wah, so smelly.
Becks: Who farted? (by now, this is not a quotable quote. She's said it many times over the past months.)
Miffy: Exactly!
Becks: The smell will go away so don't worry Mummy.
Miffy: True true... (impressed that she is mastering the art of consolation)
Becks: But where does it go to?

Again I shouldn't go into jargon...Physics jargon...about diffusion and its definition of migration of air molecules...

New MD

Finally, a formal introduction over lunch to our new Managing Director who will be coming on board end of this month. Some of us are apprehensive regarding the possibility of change in our current working life (read: good & easy). No use speculating though.

It is cringy to witness how some of my colleagues appear to have geared up to get into his good books.

I was just there for the food man. Good ole Cantonese food...dig that lotus soup!

Sun & Moon

Becks' latest: "Why do the sun and moon not appear at the same time?"

Now how do I explain without getting into all that Geography jargon which I learnt in Sec 3? :P

Next...

No big deal I know but I still deserve a pat on the back for having finished a book in less than 1 month.

"Perfect Match" turned out to contain 2 twists and a controversial ending. I find myself wishing there is a local group which I can join and discuss with people who have read (and enjoyed) the same materials. Who the hell decides what books to read for Literature anyways???? No wonder I dropped the subject by the time I was 15 before a grade lower than C hit on my report card.

I'm onto my next one from today!

Love

Becks: Do you love me?
Miffy: YES OF COURSE! Can't you tell from my regular daily hugs?
Becks: Do you love Travis?
Miffy: YES!
Becks: Do you love Gong gong?
Miffy: Yes, definitely too.
Becks: But I haven't seen you hug him before.
Miffy: .........
Miffy (a few seconds later): Love is expressed in different ways. There are also different kinds of love.

Becks' beloved Gong gong is my dad. How do I tell her that sometimes I wish love can be expressed in the same way, the most simple way but it would probably need the life outta me to do it?

Being Asian. Sigh.

The Door In the Floor

There was a little boy who hadn't known if he wanted to be born. His mommy didn't know if she wanted him to be born either. They lived in a cabin in the woods in an island with a lake and there was no one else around. And in the cabin, there was a door in the floor.

The little boy was afraid of what was under the door in the floor and the mother was afraid too. Once, long ago, other children had come to visit the cabin for Christmas but the children had opened the door in the floor and had disappeared down the hole. The mommy tried to look for the children but when she opened the door in the floor, she heard such an awful sound that her hair turned completely white like the hair of a ghost. And the mommy had also seen some things, things so horrible you can't imagine them and so the mommy wondered if she wanted to have a little boy, especially because of everything that might be under the door in the floor.

And then she thought "Why not? I'll just tell him not to open door in the floor."

Yet the little boy still didn't know if he wanted to be born into a world where there was a door in the floor. But there were some beautiful things in the woods, on the island and the lake.

"Why not take a chance?" he thought.

And so the little boy was born and he was happy, and his mommy was happy again too. Although she told the boy, at least once everyay, "Don't ever, not ever, never never never open the door in the floor."

But of course he was only a little boy. If you were that little boy, wouldn't you want to open the door in the floor?

- "The Door In the Floor" movie adapted from the novel "A Widow for One Year" by John Irving.
(This is definitely the next book I'm reading)

4th

Mom told me my cousin is expecting her 4th baby. The same cousin who just had twins not long ago. My first exclamation:

"What for????"

30th (part 2)

I have to add: on the night of 30 Apr, 'tis the 3rd time the freakin flu bug struck me in 6 weeks!
:(

30th

1. Company Holiday

The 2nd one of the year...I never know what is actually being celebrated but who's asking. It gives me the chance to send Becks off to school, fetch Mong back, seeing their faces light up when they see it's mine and not the maid's. This is not a daily affair, given that I'm a working mom so I cherish every moment of it.

2. QT's Birthday

QT...one of the 4some whom I met last Wed. Also 2 months to RJ's (another one of the 4some). 4 months to mine.

3. Last Day for WL at her current working place

Locating close to me, we have managed to catch up often enough over lunch instead of over instant messaging. Today marks her last day so it does make me wonder when the next time would be.

4. Last Day for "Nanny" at her current working place

It wasn't too long ago that we were invited to her personal office space to mark her 1st day as an(very very brave) entrepreneur. Alas the main office didn't wish to wait long to see success so she has made the difficult decision to plough on on her own. So from May onwards, she will work from home. New age thingy one may say....

Motherhood

"Sometimes when you pick up your child, you can feel the map of your own bones beneath your hands, or smell the scent of your skin in the nape of his neck. This is the most extraordinary thing about motherhood - finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without. It is the feeling you get when you place the last scrap of the thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle; it is the last footfall in a photo-finish race; exhilaration and homecoming and stunned wonder, caught between those stubby fingers and the spaces where baby teeth have given way..."

- Perfect Match
By Jodi Picoult

Resting

I'm at home now, thanks to major 'turbulence' in my stomach which started since Wednesday night. Also the same night when I had so much fun catching up with the 3 galfriends. The night was certainly marred by an unknown thingy which caused me severe stomach ache and fever and hence a sleepless night.

Despite that, I had to pick up a Shanghainese guest the following day (yesterday actually), did PR work, had meeting the whole morning, did more PR work over lunch, conducted a presentation thereafter and did the last bit of PR work over dinner. That was through gritted teeth. And so today, I decided to 'go on strike'.

With some time later when the troops nap, I have bought my favourite snack (Whittaker's Almond Gold Bar!), readying myself for a good movie or read - I can't quite decide yet. :)

Food

Sze Chuan food is not for me...

Fab 4?

This picture was taken 2 years ago. Also the last time 4 of us managed to squeeze time to meet.

Today, with one of us facing the stress of her son's primary 1's CA (do you remember this?!) and another facing the success of her newly-renovated shop at Plaza Singapore, we have finally set on the date to meet again.

Friends from my college during 1st 3 months...at Temasek JC...16 years ago. We never lost touch.

New Addition (to the family)?

I really didn't expect it...not that it's a bad thing. I wish I can embrace it whole-heartedly but Becks may have mixed feeling about it. She's growing up so fast, possessing and expressing her own feelings and opinions already. M and I need to realise they cannot be ignored.

I think we have until July......

New AddiCtion

Addy came all the way (she stays in Clementi) to Kovan to meet me for breakfast on Saturday *much appeciated*. It was a great catch-up over caffeine (4 cups in total) and not without smelling like char kway teow from head to toe.

She gave Becks a big packet of colourful gummis which I thought nothing of except for the gesture. But good things always come small and disguised. True enough, a few hours later, it became my latest addiction. The sweet and sour taste provided the much needed physical boost over the weekend, especially when Mong's temperate rose to 39.9C. That was madness.

Morning Indulgence

Eating spoonfuls of my 3-in-1 milo powder...

Jennifer

The last time I met and blogged about this fast-talking friend of mine was more than 6 months ago (26 Sep 06) and that was a sub-topic. Something which I wanted to enter like a diary, simply.

This time, she becomes the header of the topic because I'm blown away by her updates! After 7 years, she's finally moving on to another company for a 'more challenging' scope and greater capacity (investment banking which translates to 'bigger better bucks') and she's driving a SAAB convertible! And er yes....she's still single. Not married, not attached, not dating.

Any trade-off? I guess there are none where she's concerned. Would you know what you are missing if you dun have it in the first place?

Ramblings

1. Constipation

When people say you look 'constipated', it's not a compliment. These days (pardon me for the intimacy) - and I dun usually keep score - if I look it, that's because I believe I haven't done it for DAYS! Now I'm wondering where all the food went.

Oh crap!

2. Soundtrack

I haven't come across a truly nice song on the radio for ages. Besides enjoying the powerful performances of the leads in 'Snowcake', the soundtrack made it unforgettable.

Thanks to the lack of 'happenings' at work today, I managed to google my favourite. I wonder if it's intentional to use the group so aptly named "Broken Social Scene". Afterall, it featured Weaver playing a verbally-expression autistic woman and 'autism' is characterized by difficulty in social interaction.

Anthems For a Seventeen-year-old Girl

Now you're all gone got your make-up on and you're not coming back.
Can't you come back?
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that. (x3)

Now you're all gone got your make-up on and you're not coming back.
Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash, under your breath.

Wonder if Sembawang (music store) sells it...

Phonics

It's coincidental, definitely.

When Becks was 3, she was really close to a gal named "Natasha". She couldn't stop talking about her then. Now that she's almost 5, you can imagine how incessant she can be if a person makes it to her "best friends' list". So now there are 2 - "Narrell" and "Nathaniel". And recently, she told me about her classmate whom she calls "Amanda Salamander". Talk about applying phonics!

#9

After several futile attempts of searching at various libraries (and I didn't bother to learn how to reserve), I thought the chance presented itself before me when I passed by a Sans bookstore while waiting for Becks to finish class. Sans the popular rental bookstore....Jodi Picoult's book #9.

So now I look forward to my trips home again. I'm sorry SPH, The ST just doesn't do it for me. :P

Increment

This is the month when I will know whether the next 12 will be filled with a tad more motivation or dread.

I am not hopeful though of course, people will console and remind that it is always better to have an increment, regardless the percentage, than none at all.

And oh, I'm not in the public sector.

Welcome Home!

Folks returned on Sunday afternoon. Becks was excited to see them again, especially her gong gong. She made them a "welcome home" card, delivered in her own handwriting and drawing. :)

Namesake - Travis

:B and I have been exchanging emails more feverishly these 2 days. Thanks to the latest subject on Chris Daughtry, she gave me the idea of listening (and re-listening) and watching (and re-watching) his songs and video clip on YouTube. DUH.

Whenever I get pissed or restless at work, I can re-watch Blink 182's I Miss You. The same video that I saw a few months before Mong emerged into this world and the same one which made me fall in love with the style of its drummer Travis Barker...whom I knew Mong shall thus be named after.

So while parents hope their sons become lawyers or doctors, I hope Mong possesses 2 things - a good sense of rhythm and a talent in music (producing, composing, singing, drum-playing, whatever!). Not really kidding.

A "pilot" no more?

I blogged about David once...unkindly. That guy is actually M's ex college mate. He has a notorious reputation among his close friends - he tends to 'fly aeroplane'* so agreeing to meet him for lunch today actually required a leap of faith.

I'm glad my skepticism towards him can be discarded. It feels nice seeing a friend back from a long time ago. The last time I saw him was 5.5 years ago, my wedding day.

So anyway, "Invincible David" who had a 6-pack and uniform leanness despite his drinking habit and lack of strict diet regime, has become visibly fatter. The truth about being in our 30s. That dreadful slowing down of our metabolic rate. But he makes no apology about that 'spare tyre'. Still a big fan of Elvis Presley, he merely told me even The King got fat and ugly.

I didn't dare probe about his fall-out with 'Pit Bull' (another of M's ex college mate. We used to hang out together oh-so-often). I'm sure he has good reason to spare me with the details. I just thought only women friends fall out with one another, not men. So my wild imagination took me to 2 main reasons - either or OR both - a woman & money.

Whatever.

I hope to chat with him again.


* One who makes arrangement to meet but cancels/postpones at the last minute.

Ho Chi Minh

Folks left this morning for HCM to visit sis. I heard about sis' exciting plans to bring them around.

They, especially my mom do deserve the break!

PS: I hope they bump into Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie . Ha.

Raccoons & Me?!

Just a few seconds before the raccoon got me, the alarm clock rang. I can't describe it...the feeling was scary! And it isn't the first time I'm dreaming of raccoons.

BullSh**

Some of the things that have been going on in the office are the epitome of BS. I'm glad I don't take this part of my life too seriously. I mean I am serious in areas I should be...to ensure tasks are completed on time and I get paid at the end of the month.

I can't remember if this has always been my perception and attitude, that I've always lacked this drive to excel in my career (if this word even existed in my vocabularly in the 1st place!).
Maybe that's why while I could, I chose to have a child "quite early" (considering current times).

I don't believe people can strike a balance between career and family. "Balance"-now that's another BS.

The Time Has Come

A few comments....my own reflection....it is time for another hair-cut.

Friday Blues

There's always a first for everything and today for me, it is 'Friday blues'.

I am back in the office now and I feel this big fat cloud of 'blues' hovering above me. My hunch is that it'll take till 6pm to disappear. I dunno whether it is my flu, my slight soreness on the right side (still!) or the AGM at 2-6pm that's killing me.

Happy thoughts, happy thoughts...

The Big 4-0

Happy birthday today, my nanny!

What we take for granted

Minor it may be, with the recent operation, I realised unless you are ambidextrous, being unable to exert the whole of our right side (especially our hand) will slow you down quite a bit.

But I thank God I still have an able left hand...and for the thumb which M has reminded me time and again, without which, we wouldn't be able to survive through practical life.

Let's not forget.

Movies

With ample time, of course you know I wouldn't pass the chance to indulge in my favourite past-time - watching movies which I had missed on the big screen. They are listed in no order of my preference but I would like to recommend them if you are NOT into big bang, Michael Bay-and-Jerry Bruckheimer styles.

1. Palindromes
I already enjoyed his unconventional Happiness which I bought from Amazon.com. This one was even more unconventional. To benefit the ignorant (like me...before dictionary.com), Palindromes refer to words, phrases, sentences or verses that read the same backwards and forwards.

The main character was a teenage girl called Aviva (palindrome...there!) who wanted to become a mom regardless how and with whom so she went on an adventure to fulfil this deep-seated desire. This character was played by many different actresses which got me confused at first. But what I wanna share is the style. The characters who played the first few scenes also appeared in the last few scenes such that they made me realise even that was a symmetry, like a palindrome. I totally loved the originality.

2. 300
Why is it here? Because I can't believe I watched it (on the big screen actually) but I did. Only for the abs and goatee (of the guy who played king)...or for those who enjoy MTV, pretending you are watching a Korn or Nickelback performance. :P

3. TransAmerica
I don't think it came to Singapore, did it? Some scenes made me cringe cos of the boldness. I actually lent to my folks cos in the end, I felt it was still a movie not to pass for the same reason I cringed. Several touching moments between 'mother' and son too...and you know, I'm a sucker for tear-jerking stories (excluding Korean dramas I didn't forget to add so don't accuse me of being contradicting).

4. Clerks 2
I watched Clerks 12 years ago and quite recently bought the DVD to re-watch it. I still liked it. Clerks 2 was not shot in black and white so it was easier on the eye. But what wasn't that easy was all the main actors had grown old and fat. The dialogue was still witty and bastardy. It was made more enjoyable watching it with dudes like my M and Say. Heh.

5. Paris, Je T'aime
Many many short unrelated stories about love in different forms. Even rejected/unrequited love. Mostly in French...what else can I say? ;)

While you were here...(13 Mar)

So what does one do when they have time at home? Upload photos before they are long forgotten...but I didn't say I'll organize them properly. They are posted in the order I remember - from lunch when we met to dinner to home (when Shen had accompanied me all the way back to see the troops).

Enjoy....(and yes! I did a pedicure!)