Dinner

It finally materialized with RJ and SK (minus QT). Very nice but really a bit short. We make it longer next time ya, and with more pictures...

Life sucks...

Tell it to a bird in a cage.

This morning in the lift, a man on the 5th floor entered with 2 humongous cages with a bird in each. The bird perched on a stick looking up at its owner, with nowhere to go (of course). It made me think how that could be one of the most cruel thing on Earth, to rob a bird of its one unique ability, and most of all its freedom.

PS: I've wondered long about animals in the zoo too.

Newbie

The new Finance Manager arrived today amidst buzz. Prior to today, three unreliable sources had said he' a good-looking young man. I agree with the 'young'.

So much for the hope of an eye candy to lift my boredom at work.................................

Parent-Teacher Meeting: Lesson 101

#1: Never attend...if the hall is not air-conditioned.

#2: No need to attend; it's faster via the cell phone.

Having said that, of course I had tried and tested and learnt the hard way. It was still a good experience going through it individually with the teacher. There was no concern where Becks' learning and social ability, attitude is concerned. In fact I was stunned when Becks' teacher commented that she expected her to get higher marks for Math (fyi, Becks got 96 out of 100 for 2 mistakes). That got me psyched.

Miffy: "OH? How much higher?"
ML: *sheepish* "erm.....90 something?" *very softly*

I could have gotten difficult and had my fun but optimistically, because of the vote of conidence in my daughter, I decided to let her go.

Anyway I hope my future sessions with my troops' teachers will always be short and sweet. That only implies I have nothing to worry about! :)

Beware...

There are 2 main 'social predators' on the prowl in my office. They are so termed because their tactics involve in being really friendly, conversing with you, dating you for lunch and/or dinner, accepting wedding invitation, even offering to be your helper (jie mei), observing, extracting information and dispersing them to a handful of colleagues (randomly or not, I don't know).

The thing is - their background isn't exactly lacklustre. They have their obvious inadequacies and insecurities which make good fodder for office gossip.

But we wouldn't stoop so low.

Wedding Invitations

I will have at least 3 this year. 2 I'm expecting because they are my very good friends and 1, I've just accepted after succumbing to guilt.

Right after I said yes, I was struck by the sudden realisation that I cannot repeat my attire because a few common guests may be expected for the 3 events! And I also need to shop for basic cosmetics since I've thrown my current possession being past their expiration.

What a dread!

Wolverine

I finally watched it on the big screen with M.

Good entertainment, nice pecs....................

A Day with :B

Lunch, movie, pedicure, dinner...luxurious to be doing them with a pal on a working day :)

*sniff*

With H1N1 going around, tension is riding high everywhere, especially in trains and my office.
A sniffle barely audible can invite stares that plough right through you, hinting that you put on a mask that every instant.

I know we should all be vigilant but that doesn't mean we forget to be a bit more tolerant and sensitive in the way we communicate (or send signals).

AWARE*

Hoo boy, am I 'aware' that if there's one thing women is capable of, it's a cat fight.

MEOWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

* I didn't follow the saga.

Ancient

Is it appropriate to say I saw one yesterday?

I was at the library collecting my book and I couldn't help but notice his voice and tone - the articulation and confidence. I heard him before I saw him. According to his claims to the guy in front of me (queuing), he is the "4th oldest man in Singapore", having born in the early 1900s. And mind you, he did look the part. So did his trousers.

While I was whipping out my library card, he caught a glimpse of my credit cards inside my wallet (I wasn't surprised by his astuteness!) and commented how it was easier to use quarters in the past. I told him credit cards have become a necessary evil and longevity is not something most people would yearn for unless we hold the secret to effective retirement planning.

If only I had more time to chat with him.... (I meet Travis every evening to pick up Becks from school). He said at his age, there is no rush for anything anymore. It would have been such a blast to compare the yesteryears and today!

Circle Journal

The idea was borne a few months ago. Well I don't know how long it has been residing in RJ's head but it was officially shared with us a few months ago.

I have blogged about the 4 of us before, having known one another since 17, during a mere 1st 3 months in Temasek Junior College. There was a gap of non-contact and then about 8 years ago, we reunited. Now one of us - QT is in New Zealand with her entourage so the chances of us meeting together have reduced.

I received the pretty journal yesterday via registered mail. Now the 'ball is in my court'. I read the rules, for eg. each of us should have 4 pages of entries and not hold the journal for more than 3 weeks. After my entry, I shall pass it onto the next person, on and on, until 4 books are finished and each of us will have 1 as keepsake or to pass it on to a 'new generation' (that is, if I have read and remembered them correctly. Yes, the rules are quite plentiful!).

RJ is hopeful and big on mementos. I want to support her in her innovation and her sentimentality, and most of all, to rejoice in our friendship.

Homecoming

Would you believe it? :B will be back again: 25 Apr-10 May.

Sightings

I saw a moth today, the size of my adult hand 5 fingers out-stretched, resting on the wall...

Linger.......................

Coffee and lor mee give such bad aftertaste...but people still love them. 2 mint sweets and I'm still suffering.

Maid-free Days (23-31 Mar)

8 days without my domestic helper was made less painful with the help of mom. I had applied for a few afternoons off and had been spending it over tea with mom & Travis. Sweeeeet!

Signs of Idleness (part 2)

Craving arises...out of nowhere.

Signs of Idleness

Excessive online surfing.

So I now know snails do have eyes - black and is a hermaphrodite.

Grade 1 Piano Exam Result

Becks cleared it! :)

Speak Mandarin (just try lah...)

The problem is finally addressed. Has Singapore not been battling it for a long time?

"If both (parents) can speak Mandarin, don’t speak to your child in English, or one in English and one in Chinese. Speak to them in Mandarin, leave their English alone — they will master it."

I agree with this wholeheartedly. I was raised communicating in Cantonese which later progressed to Mandarin when I started schooling. I believe English only dominated my conversations at upper secondary level. Dad was educated in an English-speaking environment (i.e. ACS *ahem. Need I say more?* and grandpa was an English teacher in a now-defunct school) whilst Mom was fluent in Cantonese (damn that I could never quite master the sarcastic Cantonese phrases) and most importantly, she was a home-maker. This allowed the stronger influence of conversational language in the early years.

I'm really trying to inject Chinese in the troops' daily life (prior to this, I had blogged about it more than once, right?). It helps that Becks is in a school that still lays heavy emphasis on both English and Chinese; she recently brought home a list of words which even I had never learnt before so during this week's school holiday, we are doing it together. Having kids does re-fuel my interest, however, I'm afraid that I'm just racing against time. The rate at which they are growing, observing, absorbing, is surely faster than what I can pick up....

So if the above theory (quote) holds true, it would be a vicious cycle, wouldn't it?