Shangri-La=Torture

It happens when you have dinner, seated at the same table with 5 Japanese men who are management. It doesn't matter how good and expensive the food is, how fantastic the ambience is.

All of a sudden, I miss my plate of $3-chicken rice.

Basically, actually...(what talking you?!)

Have you encountered people who, in their effort to mask their nervousness or lack of fluency using the words 'actually' and 'basically' excessively (not necessarily both at the same time) in just a few sentences?

So I found myself very amused when I received a call from a lady who tried to make a sales pitch.

Bad me...I know she's just doing her job.

Manhunt of the Year

Biggest news ever in Singapore and nothing is reported about 'how' and 'why' it happened in the papers! I thought we were always taught to give comprehensive account of happenings with the 5 'W's and 1 'H' - who, what, when, where & why and how?!

I don't even spend 80c on newspapers now. Do you? :P

Latest

It is confirmed - Sis' next posting is Sydney.

Atheism-my problem

I've always been an atheist. But the moments that always make me wish I wasn't will be when I'm travelling in an airplane through turbulence and when I'm along the roads of a developing country where traffic is crazy.

Recently, I found myself holding my breath a lot and mumbling words but not knowing who to say them to.

To the Power of Infinity

Want the real definition? The number of kids in Brangelina's household.
She's pregnant again?!!

New Delhi

New Delhi was amazing. I mean if I disregarded the fact I went there with my boss, was insufficiently-clothed (weather information on the internet was wrong?!), had a physically taxing flight schedule, it impressed me that the city with a population of 14 million people did not have a single Starbucks outlet.

While the rest of the world has been invaded by the coffee culture, this city remains resilient. Staying at a hotel with a room rate of about S$400 per night, I didn't have MTV and HBO channels but movies and entertainment news pertaining only to their very own Bollywood stars.

India

You read it right - India trip. It's tonight, it's for business, it's barely 24 hours before I'll hit home again.

It is gonna be sooooo tiring. And it doesn't help that I hear horrifying stories concerning hygiene (whatever can I drink there????).

I hope SQ has nice movies for me to take my mind off things.

Ya-ya Sisterhood

Sis was back for one whole day yesterday. I was soooo glad my India trip was postponed to today, otherwise lunch-shopping-tea-more shopping with her would not have been possible!

She just returned from a 10-day leisure trip from Denmark and through her, my ignorance towards the country was alleviated. I confess I just realised:

1. Denmark people are not Dutch. They are Danish.

2. Denmark is known for Hans Christian Anderson (at least I remembered he wrote "Thumbelina" (refer to my email address*hee*), B&O and Danish cookies (those sold in nice tins in Cold Storage...but sis said Danish doesn't eat them!)

3. 1 krone has hearts on the coin and a hole in the centre of it.

4. Danish are effectively bi-lingual, English being one of them.

****

Sis will return to Ho Chi Minh this morning, back to the grind. She said her next job posting may be Sydney, Australia.

Shen's Visit

I can't possibly leave this out. Shen, having returned from Scotland, visited the troops at my place on 13 Feb. I marvelled at his way with them and their enthusiam with him. It is also not often that a friend sits with us at the dining table to enjoy a meal. For a tiny affair, I must say it gave me a great feeling!

"Lo Hei" Dinner

I always dread social events, worse if it's among people I'm not remotely close to. But I realised each time it is over, I'd be glad I went because it was personally fulfilling (I was involved in the lucky draw prize distribution and manning the venue).

The organizer is probably in her late 60s, a veteran in such events. For those born in the 70s, you'll probably remember "Er gu" in Kopi-O during SBC days. Notwithstanding oldies crooning old songs which were probably a huge hit in their hay days but left me completely clueless and bored, she held the show really well with her cute antics and jokes. And then there was the upbeat performance of 2 dancing 'sisters' who reminded me so much of the ones in "881" but were probably more than twice older with figure TO DIE FOR. With a change of 4 flamboyant costumes, besides having middle-aged men drooling in their seats, I was enraptured myself.

In the end, basic decoration in a HDB estate's multi-purpose hall as venue, nothing dampened anyone's spirits. It was a success!

Singapore Flyer

I haven't taken the cable car for at least 2 decades. My folks had been the ones who brought the troops to experience the thrill the past few times. It's not my lack of time, it's my phobic for heights.

With Singapore Flyer operating very soon and with all its hype, I wonder if I'll give it a miss in this lifetime or face my Fear Factor.

Go Green

I think many Singaporeans are still not very environmentally-friendly. I've noticed that they still do not reject plastic bags when buying a small item.

This morning on the way to work, I noticed an Executive lady struggling to chuck something into the dustbin. Curiosity overriding disgust, I peeped in and saw a few newspapers ("My Paper")!

Can meh??????

I'm not aiming to be the spokesperson of the latest green campaign but I do try my best. Maybe because nowadays when I'm out, I'm usually with my troops. To be a responsible parent emcompasses (almost) everything. It is rewarding whenever Becks, who's growing ever so fast, chimes each time she sees me rejecting a plastic bag: "Mummy, we don't need plastic bags all the time right? SAVE THE EARTH!"

Multi-tasking?

Eating Doritos cheese crackers and typing on the computer keyboard at the same time can be messy!

Duet

I forgot to share that after months of avoidance (on my part) and offer of physical and financial support from my parents, Becks has started taking up piano lessons since the beginning of this year.

It is heartening to know that more than a month later, more than 6 lessons later, she is still keen. Just a few days ago, she even asked if we could even play a duet one day!

I tell myself the moment she is progressing towards Grade 1, I will shift my piano from my parents' place to mine, albeit lack of space (!!!!). And perhaps with inspiration, I may just start taking up refresher lessons too.

Be My Parrot

"I love you mummy" Mong says it very well whenever I ask him to.

I wonder when he'll be too embarrassed to be my 'parrot' once he realises the true meaning. So for kicks, I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Heels

The high-heeled shoes which women wear to work these days can be weapons. That piece of metallic-looking chunk! I'm lost in the world of fashion. Always has been.

CNY Cards

They come only electronically now. What with vibrant colours and motions...but they are not as impressive as the physical ones which we used to get plenty via the post. Who does it anymore these days?