Friday, December 31, 2004
Celebration seems almost wrong at such a time.
Here's wishing good health to loved ones and strangers alike, be safe everyone. It's all that really matters after all when we get down to the basics, ain't it? Everything else is but frivolous.
Here's wishing good health to loved ones and strangers alike, be safe everyone. It's all that really matters after all when we get down to the basics, ain't it? Everything else is but frivolous.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
It is so extremely saddening, just watching the daily news.
Friend AT is keeping us informed of the Sri Lankan situation. I still can't get in touch wit charaka, and I hope it is because of the telecommunications failure. I will call him once I reach singapore. There is always a time to worry about rising mobile bills, and the time isn't now.
Friend AT is keeping us informed of the Sri Lankan situation. I still can't get in touch wit charaka, and I hope it is because of the telecommunications failure. I will call him once I reach singapore. There is always a time to worry about rising mobile bills, and the time isn't now.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Like yet another world war, only doth nature unleashes its fury this time.
This is a tragedy almost beyond our wildest imaginations, the scale of which remains vaguely comprehensible even now.
This is a tragedy almost beyond our wildest imaginations, the scale of which remains vaguely comprehensible even now.
From Bernama.com:
KEPALA BATAS, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Fishermen in Kuala Muda were overjoyed when they hauled in nearly 20 times their usual catch for three straight days before tsunami tidal waves slammed into the coastlines of the north-western states last Sunday.
Fisherman Ramli Yahya, 62, said their daily income of RM300 surged to RM6,000 and even RM8,000 just prior to the undersea earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra which spawned the giant waves that struck countries across the Indian Ocean, killing tens of thousands.
Call it superstition, but they say never be overjoyed when struck wit a sudden windfall for it hints of the tragedy that would soon follow; it happened to my good friend before his sudden death. Ask around, I'm sure there's plenty of family anecdotes to be found.
KEPALA BATAS, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Fishermen in Kuala Muda were overjoyed when they hauled in nearly 20 times their usual catch for three straight days before tsunami tidal waves slammed into the coastlines of the north-western states last Sunday.
Fisherman Ramli Yahya, 62, said their daily income of RM300 surged to RM6,000 and even RM8,000 just prior to the undersea earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra which spawned the giant waves that struck countries across the Indian Ocean, killing tens of thousands.
Call it superstition, but they say never be overjoyed when struck wit a sudden windfall for it hints of the tragedy that would soon follow; it happened to my good friend before his sudden death. Ask around, I'm sure there's plenty of family anecdotes to be found.
To die for.
Barely twenty-four hours after I'd watched an incredibly touching episode of debbie travis' facelift, I am now 202 miles north of home basking in the relative glory of local delicacies. Breakfast has never been so hearty wit dim sum, assam laksa, chendol and ice kachang. Roasted duck and roasted pork await. And trust me, the food in chinatown tastes so good it's worth coming here once/ twice a year to check em out.
Barely twenty-four hours after I'd watched an incredibly touching episode of debbie travis' facelift, I am now 202 miles north of home basking in the relative glory of local delicacies. Breakfast has never been so hearty wit dim sum, assam laksa, chendol and ice kachang. Roasted duck and roasted pork await. And trust me, the food in chinatown tastes so good it's worth coming here once/ twice a year to check em out.
Monday, December 27, 2004
As the sea breeze blows we hear the sounds of waves lapping against rocks.
I'd attended an acquaintance's twenty-first birthday buffet barbeque party yesterday by the beach. I only knew less than a handful of all the guests there so ended up indulging myself wit the coupla familiar faces in the satisfying tasks of barbequing stingrays (generous spread of sambal chilli topped wit the juice from one fresh lime), bacon strips, taiwanese sausages, chicken wings, prawns (add sprinkling of lime juice too; as apparent my current obsession wit sour things has yet to end)... I think, I ought to start exercising soon. All that fascination wit cooking shows has got to stop; I'd just watched nigella lawson this morning and am missing my usual instalments of the surreal gourmet and his toastermobile. Not to mention my all-time favorite chef that I missed seeing on telly nowadays.
I'd attended an acquaintance's twenty-first birthday buffet barbeque party yesterday by the beach. I only knew less than a handful of all the guests there so ended up indulging myself wit the coupla familiar faces in the satisfying tasks of barbequing stingrays (generous spread of sambal chilli topped wit the juice from one fresh lime), bacon strips, taiwanese sausages, chicken wings, prawns (add sprinkling of lime juice too; as apparent my current obsession wit sour things has yet to end)... I think, I ought to start exercising soon. All that fascination wit cooking shows has got to stop; I'd just watched nigella lawson this morning and am missing my usual instalments of the surreal gourmet and his toastermobile. Not to mention my all-time favorite chef that I missed seeing on telly nowadays.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Pre-christmas surprise.
Being mediawhore for a day and realizing that contrary to public opinion (thus true to what mom has always believed), my mandarin still leaves much to be desired, notably in formal conversations.
Being mediawhore for a day and realizing that contrary to public opinion (thus true to what mom has always believed), my mandarin still leaves much to be desired, notably in formal conversations.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Cozy affair at the notorious stretch of orchard.
Celebrating E's birthday at three monkeys yesterday, the girls already had part one of dinner at nydc (seemingly suspicious though because F's laughter hints more than just mudpie-induced cheer) so I was the only one in dire need of food which finally came in the form of beef stroganoff fettuccine (Yum! and generous sprinkling of tabasco sauce please, my current crave). It seemed more like our birthdays, wit E being the big-time sugar mama. If only J and I could afford a nice wallet for her.. for now we have only our "bubbly" friendship to offer, heh.
Celebrating E's birthday at three monkeys yesterday, the girls already had part one of dinner at nydc (seemingly suspicious though because F's laughter hints more than just mudpie-induced cheer) so I was the only one in dire need of food which finally came in the form of beef stroganoff fettuccine (Yum! and generous sprinkling of tabasco sauce please, my current crave). It seemed more like our birthdays, wit E being the big-time sugar mama. If only J and I could afford a nice wallet for her.. for now we have only our "bubbly" friendship to offer, heh.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Even mom admits my sister seems more a step-mom than a sister.
For one who lives without regrets ninety-nine percent of the time, this is the one percent that has eluded me. If I would name one regret in my life, I guess it would have to be the inability to maintain a good chummy relationship wit my sister. Her sole purpose in life appears to be seeking enjoyment via making life difficult for me and also via sowing discords between mom and I. I have no idea why it is so difficult for the two of us to get along, every single thing I do pricks her. On a frequent basis, she likes to intrude upon my private space, whisper baseless threats to expose my acts to mom, interrupt arguments between mom and I just to make things get heated up even more, among other things. It is really hard for me to be a good sister to her when she is being sulky/irritable everyday and takes great pride in refusing to mind her own business. I have tried. And failed. And do not believe this is merely a passing phase. I am forced by her own actions, to detest her. It's rather depressing how things turn out, but she doesn't seem to want things to change for the better at all. Thus far, the ball has always been in her court. I am, and will always be, in constant envy of other siblings and their better relationships.
For one who lives without regrets ninety-nine percent of the time, this is the one percent that has eluded me. If I would name one regret in my life, I guess it would have to be the inability to maintain a good chummy relationship wit my sister. Her sole purpose in life appears to be seeking enjoyment via making life difficult for me and also via sowing discords between mom and I. I have no idea why it is so difficult for the two of us to get along, every single thing I do pricks her. On a frequent basis, she likes to intrude upon my private space, whisper baseless threats to expose my acts to mom, interrupt arguments between mom and I just to make things get heated up even more, among other things. It is really hard for me to be a good sister to her when she is being sulky/irritable everyday and takes great pride in refusing to mind her own business. I have tried. And failed. And do not believe this is merely a passing phase. I am forced by her own actions, to detest her. It's rather depressing how things turn out, but she doesn't seem to want things to change for the better at all. Thus far, the ball has always been in her court. I am, and will always be, in constant envy of other siblings and their better relationships.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Rock on yea.
Two meetings, and a deadline pushed forward all thanks to joseph aharony.. I need a break. New asia on a friday night was the best option especially when us three girls don't share a penchant for a crowd made up of prepubescent teens. All in all, we had the most decent, wholesome fun wit a group of five swiss exchange dudes; total gentlemen they are, we didn't even know one another's names after we split! The boys and I were perhaps the only people jumping up and down to the awesome beats of rock tunes, dancing and horsing around too to hip/hop and wot naught. Alas, a pity it was their last night in singapore, these swiss boys definitely get the thumbs up from us. And it's also pretty clear to us by now we'd better stop our accent impersonation for retribution does reach far and wide, even in utter disbelief.
Two meetings, and a deadline pushed forward all thanks to joseph aharony.. I need a break. New asia on a friday night was the best option especially when us three girls don't share a penchant for a crowd made up of prepubescent teens. All in all, we had the most decent, wholesome fun wit a group of five swiss exchange dudes; total gentlemen they are, we didn't even know one another's names after we split! The boys and I were perhaps the only people jumping up and down to the awesome beats of rock tunes, dancing and horsing around too to hip/hop and wot naught. Alas, a pity it was their last night in singapore, these swiss boys definitely get the thumbs up from us. And it's also pretty clear to us by now we'd better stop our accent impersonation for retribution does reach far and wide, even in utter disbelief.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Temptation island.
I was offered an airticket, food and lodgings for a trip to hong kong next week. Well, I guess I can only visit J after I've saved up enough to pay for my two-way airticket, at least. I'll feel better that way. In the meantime, let's hope he'll be able to fly over next week instead.
I was offered an airticket, food and lodgings for a trip to hong kong next week. Well, I guess I can only visit J after I've saved up enough to pay for my two-way airticket, at least. I'll feel better that way. In the meantime, let's hope he'll be able to fly over next week instead.
Same people new positions, so termed industry dynamism.
I just got back from adinner supper wit ex-colleagues from citibank at geylang. So much had changed since I left them last august as an intern. It was nice catching up at a gathering made possible by L who'd just returned from taipei for a coupla-week break. Yesterday we had met up in town then headed off to sixth avenue for some (more) beer, but tonight was wholesome - strictly green tea only. On the way home, we drove past some of the seedier parts of geylang, especially to educate me I was told, frankly I have never seen so many hookers before and it's rather hard to believe we are still in squeaky-clean singapore. I guess there are plenty of things I'm still ignorant about. Anyway L is advising me to apply for a job out of singapore, or at one of the bigtime govt-linked corporates instead of just looking out for local positions in banks. Wit them I'll probably get more opportunities to venture overseas, which is what I really want, and on better terms as a fresh graduate. Well fresh grads don't have much terms to bargain on, for sure, it's just a matter of how low one can go in sacrificing remuneration for overseas experience. And I certainly have L as a model for daring to live out his dreams take the plunge and who now lives a much satisfying life than before. No regrets.
I just got back from a
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
So stressed.
It ain't no fun preparing for a debate, rushing research tasks for a professor, attempting to write an article and juggling responsibilities in an organizing committee. All at the same time, with merciless deadlines closing in. I need a break, full of the sparkly stuff.
It ain't no fun preparing for a debate, rushing research tasks for a professor, attempting to write an article and juggling responsibilities in an organizing committee. All at the same time, with merciless deadlines closing in. I need a break, full of the sparkly stuff.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Friday, fly day.
It was only on the third and final day that I realized the chamber we were cooped in for the past days was the exact chamber where Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces on behalf of the Allied forces on 12 Sep 1945. In spite of the awe, at times I had nodded off to sleep only to be woken up by my friends in this very chamber. The mento(s)-rary respites did prove helpful while they lasted as I awaited for the next teabreak (more coffee to perk me up).
Meanwhile, friday night was great, spent wit A at club street waxing lyrical over politics, and everything else. It was amusing when the cabdrivers revolt and how he kept asking for a yard glass every place we went to, heh.
It was only on the third and final day that I realized the chamber we were cooped in for the past days was the exact chamber where Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces on behalf of the Allied forces on 12 Sep 1945. In spite of the awe, at times I had nodded off to sleep only to be woken up by my friends in this very chamber. The mento(s)-rary respites did prove helpful while they lasted as I awaited for the next teabreak (more coffee to perk me up).
Meanwhile, friday night was great, spent wit A at club street waxing lyrical over politics, and everything else. It was amusing when the cabdrivers revolt and how he kept asking for a yard glass every place we went to, heh.
Friday, December 10, 2004
I hope not to resort to painkillers as advised.
Incidental contact with a medical student at the aforementioned conference had resulted in a preliminary diagnosis of my current tortured condition. Although he concluded it isn't gout (phew!), foot tendonitis doesn't sound any more reassuring either. I'll try to stay off my feet as much as possible (rather tough these coupla days) and am applying ice therapy even as I type this.
Incidental contact with a medical student at the aforementioned conference had resulted in a preliminary diagnosis of my current tortured condition. Although he concluded it isn't gout (phew!), foot tendonitis doesn't sound any more reassuring either. I'll try to stay off my feet as much as possible (rather tough these coupla days) and am applying ice therapy even as I type this.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Mixed-bag of something and then everything else.
My feet still ominously hurt. And my tongue too. I got the job at the law firm, yayy. An ongoing three-day conference on policy-making is sapping alot out of whatever remaining physical energy I have left after coping with the two above-mentioned afflictions. Dawn's package came in the mail today, she is so sweet; I'm so pleasantly surprised she thinks my paper has best answered final exam Q3, she even enclosed a copy of it to every student who'd attempted that question. I love her I love every moment of my American studies class. E returned from Spain this afternoon and my souvenir turns out to be mmm - a pair of sexy spanish thongs. This law school guy I got to know today insists on calling me Dada. I should be in bed by now, I'm tired. G-nite. Absolute incoherence, not.
My feet still ominously hurt. And my tongue too. I got the job at the law firm, yayy. An ongoing three-day conference on policy-making is sapping alot out of whatever remaining physical energy I have left after coping with the two above-mentioned afflictions. Dawn's package came in the mail today, she is so sweet; I'm so pleasantly surprised she thinks my paper has best answered final exam Q3, she even enclosed a copy of it to every student who'd attempted that question. I love her I love every moment of my American studies class. E returned from Spain this afternoon and my souvenir turns out to be mmm - a pair of sexy spanish thongs. This law school guy I got to know today insists on calling me Dada. I should be in bed by now, I'm tired. G-nite. Absolute incoherence, not.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
When driving at night I find the headlights of oncoming vehicles very attractive.
Say, I was asking for it. Indeed. It woulda happened, sooner or later. If not sooner, not later, then now. I can't blame no one but myself. While my drug of choice may be self-pity, I know this is certainly not the time to indulge in it. Period.
(Exerpts from no title)
Say, I was asking for it. Indeed. It woulda happened, sooner or later. If not sooner, not later, then now. I can't blame no one but myself. While my drug of choice may be self-pity, I know this is certainly not the time to indulge in it. Period.
(Exerpts from no title)
Hoping for the pain to go away.
Yesterday my right big toe joint hurt. Today my left big toe joint joins in the fun. Both toe joints hurt especially bad when I walk, to think that I had neither worn uncomfortable footwear the past days nor had engaged in strenuous exercise. I hope this is not gout (something new I'd learnt after googling 'aching big toe symptom'), consoling myself in the fact that I didn't wake up in the middle of the night, and my big toe feels as if it's on fire - hot, swollen and so tender that the weight of the blanket on it is nearly intolerable.
Yesterday my right big toe joint hurt. Today my left big toe joint joins in the fun. Both toe joints hurt especially bad when I walk, to think that I had neither worn uncomfortable footwear the past days nor had engaged in strenuous exercise. I hope this is not gout (something new I'd learnt after googling 'aching big toe symptom'), consoling myself in the fact that I didn't wake up in the middle of the night, and my big toe feels as if it's on fire - hot, swollen and so tender that the weight of the blanket on it is nearly intolerable.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Sometimes we lose things.
It's probably one of the stages in growing up. While others may chide us for such a behavior, I think it hardly matters just as long as we know the implications and have learnt from it.
It's probably one of the stages in growing up. While others may chide us for such a behavior, I think it hardly matters just as long as we know the implications and have learnt from it.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Expired.
I guess I've outlived my usefulness. I rather we hadn't talked about it if I'd known friendship can fizzle out this way. Well.
I guess I've outlived my usefulness. I rather we hadn't talked about it if I'd known friendship can fizzle out this way. Well.
Aha, white is indeed the new black.
I had a blast last weekend, absolute craziness. Perhaps it was well-earned, after an assortment of survey research/ debating skills workshops and propaganda lasting two straight days. Yet even as the newfound forbidden fruit looks tempting, morality hangs on a thin line. I met him today at a school function with the rest of the faculty members, dang it felt so weird. These couple of days are but a plethora of mixed emotions and are turning out to be extremely eventful.
Apart from meeting her president at the istana for the first time, this girl got to help out at a grassroots event and now officially freelances for the local english daily. Today she had gone for an interview, hoping to do just ok in getting the part-time student assistant position at a law firm (fingers crossed), as well as having watched a lovely play for free and concluded, nice but probably still not worth the $40 (standard price at $78) ticket.
P/s. Oh, and it's been nice meeting you M, definitely foreseeable that we'll be seeing more of each other especially with your handy guidebook.
I had a blast last weekend, absolute craziness. Perhaps it was well-earned, after an assortment of survey research/ debating skills workshops and propaganda lasting two straight days. Yet even as the newfound forbidden fruit looks tempting, morality hangs on a thin line. I met him today at a school function with the rest of the faculty members, dang it felt so weird. These couple of days are but a plethora of mixed emotions and are turning out to be extremely eventful.
Apart from meeting her president at the istana for the first time, this girl got to help out at a grassroots event and now officially freelances for the local english daily. Today she had gone for an interview, hoping to do just ok in getting the part-time student assistant position at a law firm (fingers crossed), as well as having watched a lovely play for free and concluded, nice but probably still not worth the $40 (standard price at $78) ticket.
P/s. Oh, and it's been nice meeting you M, definitely foreseeable that we'll be seeing more of each other especially with your handy guidebook.
