Lady Dauntless

2009-04-10T20:52:00.005+08:00

It's been a gazillion years since my last post.

I feel different. This is my new beginning.

2008-06-09T01:20:00.002+08:00

I need a holiday.

And...a new blog layout.

2008-02-10T21:40:00.000+08:00

Siscie uploaded this picture we took of Pep and he says 'GongXi!'

2008-01-19T23:37:00.000+08:00

EMO...

ASSIMILATING.
ACCEPTING.
LIKING.
REWARDING.
PRESSURED.
COOPED.
ACCUSED.
WRONGED.
PREJUDICE.
UNRESOLVED.
UNCERTAIN.
JADED.

That sums up what I have to say about work.
I need to find a feel to think positive, feel positive, speak positive.
To keep on going on even if things were made difficult for me. My colleague said I live in a bubble, a world of gumdrops and candy flosses. And I used to think I'm good at playing the game of politics...I really haven't seen the world...yet.

2008-01-19T23:29:00.000+08:00

I haven't been blogging cos...
I've neglected my blog for so long that I've forgotten my password until now.

Almost all that I hoped for came through in 2007
-My dream job, checked.
-To pass my exams, checked.
-To get my driving license, checked.
-To have an improved relationship with lml and my family, checked.
-To save more money-failed.

2008's gonna be a great year. One which is vastly different from 2007.
2008's a year of manisfestation of blessings. And I'm excited. And I'm hopeful.

2007-08-05T21:02:00.000+08:00

I've neglected my blog for a good one month.

Been extremely busy for the past month. The learning curve's really steep. There's just so much to learn every day. So many things I need to know that I haven't already know. They say, what you learn in school isn't gonna be useful in the working world. That's so not true for me. The Treynor Black model, Sharpe ratio etc. that I've long returned are all back to haunt me. Haha. Gd thing I'm still feeding on my daily provision of Manna to keep afloat.

Just a short update...

Went to Il-lido with lml. The food's good and the ambience good. Collage below done by him. He's more talented than I am.

Below is one of the many many pictures we took at Rasa. Was tasked to dress up as Greeks. What I'm wearing sure looks like a Greek maid's costume (or perhaps some Greek warrior) beside the 2 princesses. Will post up more pictures when I get them from my colleagues.

2007-07-01T23:53:00.000+08:00

First day.

I've been nonchalant and unaffected about working until recently. Friends have been warning me of this and that. Their intentions are good but it's getting to me quite abit. It's so important to stay optimistic and positive in my area of work. If not...it'd drive me nuts. Now time feels like such a luxury. Thank you all who's been encouraging me and the well wishes for my first day tomorrow. It's really appreciated. :)

Today's message was great. It has always been good. If God's for me, who can be against me. I cannot be reminded enough.

I'm too blessed to be stressed and too annointed to be disappointed.

On a completely random note: Transformers was good. I wanna watch the cartoon!

2007-07-01T23:47:00.000+08:00

My pre-GST hike pressie from Lml. Not in this colour though. So sweet. Thank you so so so much. It was such a hasty and impulsive. The crowd yesterday was crazy. The queue to LV and Gucci. Woohoo.

2007-06-16T00:24:00.000+08:00

Got this from siscie's blog. So cute! Hahahahahaha.

2007-06-11T21:34:00.000+08:00

The Weekends

We went to Little Bali on Saturday and it was a pretty nice place except for the mozzies.

He's funny.

Lml was really sweet. He 'found some HKD lying around' and passed it to me. Thanks!

Sunday was spent attending Weng Leong and Aarin's wedding. Such a sweet couple. A pretty unique place to hold weddings.

2007-06-11T19:35:00.000+08:00

Overdue Krabi pictures.

Baking in the sun -checked.
Building sandcastles-unchecked.
Wading in the sea-checked.

Overall, the trip was quite relaxing and value-for-money. Afterall, that's really nothing much you can do there except the typical resort kinda stuff. We did a 4-island tour and I'm really glad for that 'cos that's where the pristine beaches are. The Ao Nang beach is not quite different from our ECP. First snorkelling experience. Erm, I kinda forgot that I was wearing a life jacket and was threading water for my dear life until l.m.l 'reminded' me that I really had no need to do that. Ha! First Thai massage. Was foretold that it'd be kinda painful but OMG, it was SO painful. My bad. I didn't tell the masseuse to stop when it hurt and so I left with bruises. Food and shopping's rather pricey. Hmm, that's 'bout it.

2007-05-26T23:36:00.000+08:00

I'm DONE with exams.

And yesterday's paper was horrid. I studied 7 out of 12 topics (last min so I gotta pick ok). I chose 7 major topics and aloha, I could only do 1.5 questions. Which means 6.5 other questions came from the 5 topics I didn't study. What nonsense is this. Oh well, I'm just glad it's over. I'm so tired. There's officially no 'sleep' left in my sleep bank. I needta store more. Sleep more to compensate for lost time. Gooooooooooood night.

2007-05-23T00:10:00.000+08:00

So cute!!! Haha. He's so cute and handsome. Very naughty too. Teehee.
One more paper. Can't wait. *odelayeeyo*

2007-05-08T15:07:00.000+08:00

Random Updates...

-Grandma's gone.
-I'm really finally finally finally done with tuition-ing.
-Exam's drawing near. I'd be done in a fortnight. I'd then get to wear my mortar board. *alas*
-God's been really good to me. In a 'delightful dilemma' as lml put it. More or less decided on my career path. Am open to pleasant surprises though. ;)

I'd be back when when exams end. Meanwhile, you can self-entertain by lusting at the Kate Moss Topshop Collection.

Sneak peek:

2007-05-08T15:01:00.000+08:00

Who: Planet Shakers
What: Come experience the Father's love
When: 15 June 2007, Friday
Where: The MAX Pavilion, Singapore Expo

Anyone interested in going please just let me know. I'd be getting tickets. So far, response been overwhelming. :)

2007-04-22T00:03:00.000+08:00

KC's speech and prize-giving day.

Going back to school feels somewhat different.
The building's the same, the classrooms haven't changed much either. But the building's just an empty shell. Without your friends, it's just different. The place evoked fond memories but they remain as memories that cannot be recreated.

Siscie's day. Day of recognition for her hard work.

They have the newspaper articles of her framed in the foyer. And a blown-up and framed picture of her just outside the general office. OMG.

The proud Marmee and Siscie.

Half the teachers there are new. Siscie asked Mdm Zakiah if she recognises me and she went "Goodness, don't tell me you both are sisters?" And she said "Carol right?" She recognises me! I'm amazed. Haha. It's been many many many years. She was my form teacher in Secondary 2 and I remember her reading out the class positions making the class guess who came in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on so forth. When she came to me she said "this one is surprising." Hmph! Hahahahaha. She obviously don't think much of me. Hahahahahaha. Jokes aside, she's really the best chemistry teacher ever. =D

I miss school.

2007-04-20T14:59:00.000+08:00

OMG. You won't believe this. I passed the first round of phone interview and secured a face-to-face interview tomorrow. The coversation goes,

BM: "We'd like to see you tomorrow at 11am."
Me: "Erm, erm, ah, erm."
BM: "Is anything the matter? Is it too early for you?"
Me: *mumbles under my breath...nothing to wear.* How about next week?
BM: *pregnant pause* Ok. I'd email you the details.

I sound utterly bimbotic. All that was going through my head was 'I haven't altered my skirt, ' 'I need to remove my nail art' and blah. I have a week to quit my bimbotic ways. And to look professional. Hehe. *Ahem* Pray for me.

2007-04-19T11:48:00.000+08:00

Mummy, siscie, lml and I went to watch the POTO last Sunday. The last time they were here was slightly more than a decade ago and I didn't get to catch it. So you can imagine how excited I was when Mummy said she'd sponsor all our tickets. *teeheehee*

It's been more than a year since I've been in a theatre (okay, maybe not for so long I might be exaggerating). I was captivated by the feeling of grandeur since I stepped in. I was even more mesmerised when the Orchestra started playing and the cast started singing. I was kept busy checking out everything. The props was elaborate. The orchestra was superb. The cast was fabulous. Only complain was that Christine's costumes were not as amazing as it could have been.

Imho,
the show stopper of the night: Brad Little as Phantom.
song of the night: Masquerade.

So...go catch it if you haven't yet. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the Dancing Diva concert, this is of a different realm. One of it's own.

2007-04-13T12:53:00.000+08:00

Something I came across...

"When you're young, you say - I love you because I need you.

When you're old it's - I need you because I love you."

"How do you love someone for a lifetime?

How do you make a marriage work for all the time?"

" You have to keep falling in love.

You just have to keep falling in love with the same person."

Happy 100th entry to me. Study! Study! Study! I keep getting distracted. One question done and I'm off to check like 10000 times if there's nice dresses I could buy or to rescue pepper. He recently derived pleasure by jumping up the sofa and he'd just bark and bark so that I'd get him down and this process kinda repeats itself. He's bored.

2007-04-11T16:00:00.000+08:00

While guy crushes are about boobs, butts and curves, girl crushes are somewhat different. They are usually about hair, makeup and clothes. "Like omg, did you check out her 'blah blah' bag and her new haircut!"

Last Saturday, with compliments from my loves, (the bitchiest Ah-neh and the most sot-sot Twing-a-ling a big thank you) I was at the concert of my girl crush-Jolin. *gushes* That's one side of me that I'm pretty ashamed of. The closet teeny-bopper ah lian.

The only picture I took. (My camera only equips me with 3X optical zoom. :X )

After the concert, we waited for her to get changed, attend a mini press conference before we went for Supper together. It was nice catching up. We talked about how she's doing, when she's gonna release her new album, how her manicure shop is coming along and so on. :):):)

Please tell me you know that I'm kidding about the last bit.

2007-04-10T12:24:00.000+08:00

PERTH

(3 of 3) The finale.

Day Five

:) We left Margaret River for Pemberton and we stopped by at one of the National Parks. Lml tried to climb the Glouchester Tree but was pretty tough doing so with slippers. I gave up after errr, 1/30 of the way up.

:) After lunch, we went on to Walpole. Stopped by at the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. It was scary I tell you. For someone that's afraid of heights. We were walking on this bridge that's really high up and it didn't quite help 'cos jokers like lml would stomp so hard to make the bridge shake to scare someone like me.

:( We gave the animal farm a skip to get to the PYO berry farm quick. But...after driving and driving to get to the berry farm, it was so disappointing to find that they are closed on Wednesdays. Rar.

:) Got to Albany. Albany's the prettiest town we've been to in Perth so. The Gap, the Natural Bridge and the Blowholes are really amazing. Brings a tear to the eye if you know what I mean. Really touching to see the wonders and beauty of God's creation.

:) We stayed at Flinder's Park Lodge. Would really recommended if you're headed down to Albany. It's kinda like a home stay where guests could mingle in the garden. Help themselves to the Ports and Wines while reading or playing chess. Laid-back and wonderful. Extremely lovely host too. Friendly with a yummy breakfast.

Day Six

:) We went Supermarket shopping again. Stocked up on Mac 'n' cheese, easter eggs, water, whatever.

:X Today's a driving day. Lml drove and drove and drove. From Albany to Mt Barker to Kojonup to Williams to Armadale and finally back to Perth city. Much dreaded initially,(especially since driving from one end of Singapore to another another end would probabaly only take half and hour) but the stopovers for lunch and a stretch did some good.

Candyshop

I found Supre!!! Lml gave me 20mins and I did all the damage I could.

:( Stay this night wasn't all too fantastic but oh well.

Day Seven

:) I got to do some last minute shopping. There's nothing much to buy 'cos in the one week in which we drove down South, the season and clothes in the shops changed. The shops were no longer having summer sale, they brought in new arrivals for fall.

:) Got to King's Park for some snapshots and lunch. A pity we hadn't enough time to visit Swan River, Swan Valley etc. And also to go up North to the Pinnacles but then again if it's gonna be blazing hot then I'd rather go down South instead.

:( So sad to leave. We'd be back again although probably not in the near future.

Home.

*Thank you lml for the wonderful trip. From planning to the heavy subsidy. Haha. It's always great to travel with someone great. :)

2007-04-04T13:21:00.000+08:00

PERTH

(2 of 3)

Day Three

:( We were supposed to stay in Perth city for the first two nights and then again on the last night. Our request was put in wrongly by the webby we booked our hotel stay from. When we checked out, they told us we had another night's stay, they did not have a room for us on our last night there and that they were fully booked. It didn't help that the hotel staff were unfriendly and not quite helpful. It was a dramatic day that was uncalled for. Lml went to pick up the car, while I paid an exhorbitant fee to gain some internet access to look for an alternative place to stay. Afterwhich, lml dropped me off at one hotel then another and another to enquire for availability of rooms. I lost count of the number of hotels we went to but all were fully booked. The only available place we came across was this motel like place with no en-suite but common toilets. Horrid but beggers can't be choosers.

:( Lml drove around to look for my supposed Supre warehouse but to no avail. We were 2 hours behind our planned schedule.

:) Stopped by at Mandurrah for lunch. Did some supermarket shopping.

:) Stopped by at Bunburry. Warmed our butts at Cappuccino Strip before heading off again.

:) Busselton Jetty.

:) Alas! We got to Margaret River. We stayed at http://www.prideaus.com.au/. We got pretty much what we saw in the pictures. Pleasant and recommended stay. Dinner was at Spaghetti Bowl and it's one of the better places we've been to in Perth.

Day Four

:) We set out bright and early.

:X First stop- Colonial Brewery. Only problem, they weren't open and we weren't prepared to wait so off to the next stop.

:) Stopped by here and there to be a nuisance to the farm animals.

:) Yahava Coffeeworks.

Beware of crocs.

See I told you.

*
*
*
*
*
That was a fake. So bo liao!

Chocolate-coated coffee beans.

:) Wineries and wine tasting and more wineries and more wine tasting.

:) This place we went by for lunch. Really pretty.

Yummy food too.

:) <3>

:) Dinner was at VAT107. Not bad a place but a little overrated as well. Afterwhich, was wine and cheese and star-gazing.

The Very Lengthy Diary Entry About Perth 1/3

2007-03-29T12:23:00.000+08:00

THE VERY LENGTHY DIARY ENTRY ABOUT PERTH

(1 of 3)

Day One

:) We got an entire row of seats on the plane as the load was rather low. I got to lie on two seats to get some sleep. Yippee.

:( Wanted to check-in early to get some sleep before starting our day but there weren't available rooms. That means...change of plans. We went to the Perth Zoo instead. So, I went with my 3.5-inch heels. Thinking that it's no biggy 'cos I can walk all over Orchard with my heels but I was so wrong. I almost died walking. Up this slope, down that slope and across fields.

:( We took a train but we missed our stop 'cos we didn't know we have press this button for the door to open so that we could get out. So embarrassing!

:) Finally got there! I got me slippers for me poor blistered feet. And my feet were happy feet. Hehe. *tippityytap* I went mad there. They were having Summer Sale! What better timing. The shops close at 5pm SHARP (on a Saturday). I bought all I could within that short span of time.

:( Took the right bus. BUT didn't get off at the right stop. So we ended up at this train station that's quite deserted. Thank God, we managed to catch the last train back.

:x The rest of the evening was spent in Burswood. It's St Patricks' Day so there were many people with green hats. We saw fireworks too. Down on luck with Roulette. Said '31' and when lml placed the chip there, the dealer flicked it away and saying 'no more bets.' And it was 31! Said '19' and at the last moment I decided to change it to '18' and guess what, it was 19! Pffft.

Day Two

:( An extremely hot day! Bought sunscreen but even then, it didnt stop my skin from getting scratchy.

Random pictures from Freo

Freo Railway

Freo Market

Railway Crossing
:

:x We missed our stop again and since the bus went on a loop, we started again to get to Cicerello's for lunch. They are known to have the 'best fish and chips' but it's kinda overrated in my opinion. Their seafood's supposed to be good but since I wasn't a fan, I gave it a skip. But it's not too bad though. The view there's pretty if not for the weather.

Cicerello

:) The rest of the day was spent shopping and later at Burswood again. (There's a lack of entertainment at night.)

London Court

2007-03-16T00:53:00.000+08:00

On the topic of MLP. Look what I've found. MLP Dance Studio. :) http://www.hasbro.com/mylittlepony/default.cfm?page=Entertainment/game&id=917
The white pony's so pretty. Can't remember their names though.

2007-03-16T00:41:00.000+08:00

After xlbs and dtfs...I've found myself a new fave abbreviation.
BFF. Any idea what is it?

Leaving in less than 24hours and 5 mins ago I just checked my luggage. Officially nothing inside it yet. Looks like I've alot of work to do tomorrow. Oh well, thank God I'm travelling with someone more organised else it'd be pretty disastrous. Until then.

2007-03-09T17:58:00.000+08:00

Someone asked me why I don't sell my clothes on my blog. Well, it feels funny selling your clothes to friends. I'd just try to post one up here just in case you're reading and you wanna buy something for your friend.

BNWT Supre (fm Aussie) Day Dress

Pic fm Supre website

I layered it 'cos it's a little too big. It's 16 across so I think it'd suit someone with bustline that's >32.

2007-03-09T13:59:00.000+08:00

Check out my friends that came to visit my knees yet again. Mr Bruise Lee (left) and Mr Bruise Lee Jr (right). The price you pay to do the thing you love. I need to buy a cheap and chic kneeguard soon.

2007-03-07T12:03:00.000+08:00

2007-03-02T17:19:00.000+08:00

Kai went back. She won't be back for the next 1 to2 years at least. Can feel her absence already 'cos she's not around to call me out at weird hours to do funny stuff. She's not here to 'eh cow this, eh cow that, eh cow wru etc.' Some back-dated photos. I've a long list of things that has to be done but right now all I can think of is 'when will I get to watch my next episode of Desperate Housewives.'

The photos they took of me were so retarded. Haha. We were playing Taboo and Granium and the cards I picked out were so hard to act out. =P How to act out 'magnetism' I ask you.

Dinner then desserts at HK Cafe. I thought that the Mango Ice and the HK milk tea were quite good. But was told 'you should go to Taipei to eat the mango ice and HK to drink the milk tea, it's much better.' Okaaayy, do I look like I'm gonna fly here and there just to eat and drink? Haha. Sometimes that girl ah, say the funniest DUH things.

2007-02-26T11:04:00.000+08:00

When the blow striked on the skin, it hurt. But that hurt was magnified when the blow was directed at the one you love.

2007-02-23T17:41:00.000+08:00

I know that flowers are a waste of money and Vday's are too commercialised but somehow I can't deny that they are pretty important to me. Thank God for lml. Who perhaps don't understand why a dinner would matter but still accept.

2007-02-23T14:38:00.000+08:00

It kinda just dawned upon me that my lessons have officially ended. No more classes except revision workshops. My 19 years of studying is coming to an end pretty soon. Though I surely do think that learning's a lifelong process but I don't see myself furthering my studies at least in the near future. And now I'm just a little apprehensive. With greater power comes greater responsibilities. (Can't remember if that's from Superman or Spiderman.)

Sidenote: I passed my driving!

2007-02-15T12:40:00.000+08:00

These are my crazzzzeee friends. They talk and laugh so loudly that we'd always attract stares. Their watches are perpetually tuned to the Indonesian time. (i.e Always an hour behind) They eat so much but don't seem to grow fat. They don't understand and are amused by my abbreviations such as xlbs and dtf. We are all different, each with our own quirkiness but we're joined together by that blue pinafore. The fun-nuns. =)

2007-02-09T21:29:00.001+08:00

Congrats Siscie! SO SO SO proud of you. Top student!

2007-02-08T11:51:00.000+08:00

LAADAADEEDUM

Life's been pretty much the same. Oh! Except for that my nails chipped! *sob* They don't take compliments too well. Every time someone goes "oh, your nails are real? they don't chip, that's good!" And what happens next is that my nails would chip!!! I suspect they are either too puffed up from the compliments or simply too shy. That's not good. And it just had to happen before my cny mani. Pffftt.

That aside, I kinda miss secondary school days when we get busy this time of the year, making nice little valentines' day gifts for one another. Bake some cookies or craft some arty stuff. I remember giving out some magic wands one year and there was this 'message-in-a-bottle' another year. Was surfing around and came across these gorgeous cupcakes! So pretty I wouldn't wanna eat 'em and would keep 'em until moulds and fungi infest. So pretty!!!!!!

Puurrrrfect! Eat a cupcake and sip tea with your girlies. I'm sure my friends would ooooh and ahhhh at these but it's kinda too late to place an order in time for next week. Haha. I sold some clothes within half an hour after posting them up. It'd be great if my clothes get snapped up quickly always. :) Lml's been away in Aussieland and I can't wait for him to be back. Feels odd without him around. 1,2,3 say awww...

2007-01-24T00:02:00.000+08:00

I've been having a bad throat since last week. Went to the doctor yesterday and he said I can eat more ice-cream to help soothe my scratchy throat. What a perfect remedy. Been coughing after taking his medication. And as I'm typing this, I'm drifting into lalaland. The drowsy effect of the cough mixture's kicking in.

Missy and me

2007-01-20T13:44:00.000+08:00

MISSY AND ME

It's kinda late to post a thankyou message but yes...Thank you all for the birthday pressies k? (Although it's kinda like one month late to say now.) Hehe.

Forever21?!

2007-01-18T13:18:00.000+08:00

RINGTONES

You gotta try this and of cos let me know your results...

You are an easily repelled teenager

The mosquito device was made for the likes of you. You are probably begging to make the noise stop!

The highest pitched ultrasonic mosquito ringtone that I can hear is 18.8kHz

Find out which ringtones you can hear!

My student was telling me that one of his classmates uses this ringtone that only he but the teachers cannot hear and I thought he's pulling my leg or something until I came across this from another blog. Yikes. I can only hear up to 18.8kHz. I fwded this to my student and he claimed to be able to hear everything! Boo! I hope he's lying.

Hello 2007

2007-01-02T23:53:00.000+08:00

HELLO 2007!

2006 was great. At the end of 2005, our cg did a little exercise. Each of us wrote what would we like God to do in our lives and I'm glad to say that every one came to pass. Maybe except erm...the one about driving? But it may be a good thing that I failed, I still think I'm a road hazard. Haa. And now...I'm excited. 'Cos I know 2007 will be a great year. Filled with grace. And blessings will be exceedingly abundantly. Hehe. I wanted to write some resolutions here but RAR they don't work. I must really make an effort to tidy up my room and keep it that way. It's so difficult. It's like warzone and a dumpster in there. Horror.

2006-12-23T14:26:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas! =)

I don't believe I've mentioned it here but I don't say "Merry Xmas" 'cos when you do that you're substituting Christ with an X just like how you'd let the number of goats be X in math. Such a lovely season but I'm sick. Can't wait to get well and gobble up the turkey and Christmas Puddings.

2006-12-18T20:44:00.000+08:00

No more crying wolf. It's not under my sofa. This time it's real. I lost my handphone. =((((((( So kindly email or msn me your contacts k? For 5 days and I haven't replaced my Sim card nor gotten a new phone so that explains if I haven't replied msgs.

2006-11-29T18:00:00.000+08:00

A guy tapped my shoulders and when I turned around he said,
"Excuse me. You dropped your...hair."
I was dumbfounded. I just thanked him out of politeness, picked up my bunch of hair and scurried away. So embarrassing.

2006-11-23T10:55:00.000+08:00

A DAY WITH PEPPER

"*whines then WOOF WOOF." (Translated to be: Let me out! I promise to be good. *insert: sad puppy face*)

Ha! That's a lie. Me good? Fat chance. Time to bite my food bowl.

Bored. I'd bite a bone like all dogs do instead

That's no fun either. Think I still prefer biting fingers.

*distracted* My favourite! Disney Channel!

I'm tired. Gonna sleep now. Gd night! *woof woof and strikes a handsome looking pose*

*screams* I just had a nightmare. I dreamt that I was devoured by a giant crabby patty.

Think I'm better off sleeping beside an orange. Safe and sound. Out.

Note from Pepper: *extremely random* Vote for Regine for the fave Queen of Queens. My daddy and mummy are with her.

For One More Day

2006-11-23T10:37:00.000+08:00

FOR ONE MORE DAY

I'm just done with this book. It's a simple read but it left me feeling a little touched and a little sad. It'd make you learn to appreciate the things around us that we often take for granted. Especially our parents. I tossed and turned in bed and couldn't get to sleep after reading something sad. Maybe that's why bedtime stories are always "Once upon a time...And they lived happily ever after." If you were to tell a really sad bedtime story, I don't think the kid will be fast asleep any time soon after that. Ha!

Here's a quote that pretty much sums it up...
"But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begins.
So this was my mother's story.
And mine.
I would like to make things right again with those I love."

2006-11-21T11:24:00.000+08:00

JUST A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED

Yesterday was a bad day. As if 1 disappointment wasn't bad enough I had 2.

Failed my driving test with the most horrendous results ever. I was driving at about 20km/h when he asked me to turn into this Crank course. I thought it was the crank course no. 27 but he meant 26 so he said 'here! here!" Reflex action got me to just swerve in at a speed that's too fast to be negotiating a crank course. I then...MOUNTED THE KERB! I braked hard at once and that caused my car's engine to stall. Felt like crying there and then 'cos I've never mounted a kerb like that before but you know it'd just happen when you're taking the test for the first time (it's a curse!). "Hurhur" he said, "Immediate failure you know?" I managed a very weak "Yah, I know." I then tried to reverse out. But this learner driver drove into the crank course and stopped right behind me. (I know I can't blame her 'cos she's learning but hello! you're too near and I'm on test.) I've no room to reverse so I just inched and tadah! Strike kerb twice. (Front and back wheels.) That's 20 points.

As if that's not bad enough when we were on the road, he told me to keep left after turning right. I changed over 3 lanes from right to extreme left which is the bus lane then he said "Okay. U-turn ahead." @#$%$#@# One short road want me to change 3 lanes from right to left then back to right again when there are so so so many vehicles. Sob. That's 12 points. 8 points for causing other vehicles to slow down and give way. 4 points for not conforming safely. And so it seems...that I'm no Michael Schumacer when it comes to driving. No excuses I know, I'm just not quite there.

Since it was Siscie's last day of exams we went out to eat and shop a little. When I got home, I got myself busy minding Pepper and so on. Wasn't until much later that I went back into my room with this envelope sitting on my bed. I ripped it open and was greeted with yet another disappointed. It says,

"We are sorry to infrom that your application is unsuccessful due to overwhelming number of applications."

Statistically, we had a higher probability and a higher chance of getting it but we just didn't. Though upset, I don't think I'm as disappointed as l.m.l is though. At this point in time, Pastor Lien's sermon last Sunday comes in so apt. To be joyful even during times of adversities. When one piece of bad news comes in and all that greets you are nothing but bad news just smile and not let your joy be robbed. We continue to trust the Father provides our every need. When a thief comes to steal, we'd be restored 7 times more. And when your joy cannot be stolen, nothing else of yours can be stolen.

2006-11-13T12:51:00.000+08:00

PEPPER - cuteness overload...gone wrong

Pepper's homecoming.

Such an angel. So adorable.

BUT...

When night falls, it's as though he's transformed to a different Pepper altogether. Whines, whimpers, cries and barks like as though we've been abusing him.

I know young puppies are like that but it's so so so stressful to look after him. Was up the whole night and probably only managed 2 hours of sleep. I should think looking after a crying baby would be easier. Afterall, babies cry in the middle of the night when they are hungry but pepper makes a din every 1 or 2 hours for attention (I've fed, cleaned, played with him but he's still noisy). On top of that Pepper gets hungry and needs to be fed every 4 hours. I'm so stressed that even when I attempt to get some rest when he's asleep, I would close my eyes and keep worrying about what to do that I get a tummyache.

I tried telling him "NO!" very sternly whenever he whines but it'd only stop for a little. I tried putting a ticking alarm clock. At this rate, I'd go nuts. HELP. I'm so desperate that I'd try anything to keep him quiet. I feel like a mummy with post natal blues. *sobs* God please help me get through this. Any ideas to overcome this would be greatly appreciated.

Wuzhen

2006-11-03T11:04:00.000+08:00

China Trip 2- Wuzhen...to be continued...

We went on to Suzhou after Hangzhou and on our way there we stopped by at this quaint little town called Wuzhen. We were only there for about an hour so it's hard to comment much on the place. We got out of the bus and got excited by the view presented before us. So we snapped and snapped and snapped. Some pictures were taken coloured, some were sepia and others were black and white. It's so messy to collage them so I changed everything to black and white. After doing so, I realised that it doesn't quite do justice to the place. I'd probably redo them when my computer is in a better mood and decides to co-operate with me. Oh yes...off to school.

Because I'm a Girl

2006-11-03T10:57:00.000+08:00

BECAUSE I'M A GIRL

I'm addicted to music videos. This is one of my favourite. It's by Kiss, "Because I'm a girl." Think it's pretty old and most would have seen it by now. Despite watching it countless times, I'd stil feel the bitter sweet feeling. Aww... The female lead is so so so pretty too. (Off to school!)

Pepper Lim Kimchi

2006-11-01T15:09:00.000+08:00

PEPPER LIM KIMCHI

*gives out red eggs* hurhur. Happy one month old pepper lim kimchi! My friends seem to think that pepper's a nicer name but siscie and her friends think that kimchi sounds nicer. So the rocket scientist cum genius l.m.l suggested naming him pepper lim kimchi. (What a mouthful!) buahahaha.

Got the photos off A's friend's blog. Hope sj's mum isn't too eager to fatten him up.

Debut appearance.
Pepper Lim Kimchi says hi...

Good Things...Must share

2006-10-31T15:25:00.000+08:00

GOOD THINGS...MUST SHARE

Came across this http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE from Karen's blog. The dresses are so preeetttyyyy. Thank goodness they don't ship to anywhere outside North America. Else, *hurhur* all hell will break loose. I'm just kidding. I'm a rational buyer ok.

Tuitions

2006-10-30T16:07:00.000+08:00

TUITIONS

This week is the last week I'd be giving tuition. Mixed feelings.

I'm sick of teaching.
I need a break.
It's highly stressful.
They are not afraid of me.
I've lost the passion.

Miss the kiddies.
Loss of income.
Cut back on shopping sprees.
Too much time on hand.
Boredom.

I'm so used to spending. I don't know what I'd do without a constant inflow of funds. The problem is compounded by the need to save for modernresortchinoischicshanghaitangeastmeetswest. *Lightbulb* I'd sell my clothes and bags and whatever I can find so dearall please buy generously. Maybe I'd put a bowl in front of me and busk in Shenton Way. Hurhur. God, help!

China trip...to be continued

2006-10-27T18:08:00.000+08:00

China Trip 1-Hangzhou and to be continued...

Due for an update here. It's been a long while since I last did. Life's been good. =) A refreshing trip and it's back to school. Escaped the haziest period of time in Sg. Heard from Siscie that it got pretty bad. Glad that I was away. Down with a cold today. *AH CHOO*

Side tracking...

A>> Hurry think! I can't figure out so many counts and the poses too. Gosh.

I>> Hope you're enjoying your trip. Autumn leaves? Must tell you about the odd partner arrangement.

Thanks to l.m.l's heavy subsidy, we went for a Romantic Jiangnan Tour. We visited Hangzhou, Wuzhen, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi and Shanghai. I've been to all these places (except Nanjing) 10 years ago. That time when I did, I was there for 2-3 weeks for some kinda Cultural Exchange Programme or something. I must say they've progressed by leaps and bounds. Farmlands have given way to commercial buildings. And the toilets now are wayyy much better. I say, better visit these places soon before it develops further and loses it's rustic charms.

Hangzhou's my favourite by far. If you're talking about scenery so on and so forth. If it's shopping you're concern about... then, erms, it's gonna be disappointing. The Chinese drink ALOT of tea and especially so in Hangzhou. They are famous for it's Xihulongjing tea. Drinking tea's an art. There are little stand alone tea houses sprouting out from almost everywhere near the Xihu or Westlake. I like. You can buy tea leaves and keep whatever you don't finish there for the next visit. The pace of living is pretty slow, the people there play mahjong and winner is determined only when the person himself 'zi-mos'. Yah...so you can imagine, it may take forever. They also drink tea during fall by boiling a pot of water and sitting under the guihua tree and they'd wait for the leaves to fall and land in the pot. No kidding. I love the teahouses, someone bring one back to Sg! We bought a small bottle of tea leaves (smaller than the small Evian mineral bottles) and it cost about 60sgd. And that isn't the finest grade of tea. If you think that's ex, this lady in our tour group spent a few hundred on tea leaves. I'm starting to think that we might just have been fleeced.

The teahouses look pretty much like the coffee joints. Except that coffee joints are not so Oriental in architecture. Starbucks below...

Deprived

2006-09-26T19:47:00.000+08:00

DEPRIVED

I'm deprived of computer usage. There's something wrong with my internet connection for the past 2 weeks but since it's so so so troublesome to get it fixed, I decided to live with occasional trips to the Internet Cafe with my siscie. This place (I'm at an internet cafe at present) is filled with teenyboppers gaming. (C.S, Warcraft, whatever.) It's dark and scary and you can hear sprouting of vulgarities pretty often. Sheesh. Can't wait for some new promo so that I can change service providers.

2006-09-10T23:10:00.000+08:00

Part of me is feeling a little nervous and jittery about tomorrow yet another part of me is still clinging on to the hope of a miracle. I don't know how but yes...somehow. As He is and so am I in this world.

Random

2006-09-07T15:13:00.000+08:00

RANDOM

Last week was an eventful week...

MONDAY

Went with twing to see her beloved Mike *hehe*. Considering how late we went and how cmi my camera was, the best pic I took is this...

(P.S: I'm not a groupie ok?)

TUESDAY

I met Di for lunch and got to savour some yummy red bean ice from Ah Chew Dessert . Their desserts are not bad at all. I preferred the mango sago dessert Di had to what I did though. =) Meanwhile, I got a pretty manicure (the crystals on my nail are all gone by now. Hohum.) and a horrid haircut (A cut that resembles Lionel, my pencil case.)

WEDNESDAY

Tuition day. Where I got my pressies. =D In my previous post, I forgot to include the pressie that J gave. She gave me a notebook. So sweet. Thanks everyone. I feel so loved.

THURSDAY

I's birthday! Was a mad rush to collect her pressie and to get a little something for XKLS. Was late and missed warm-ups. But it's worth the while. We got smiley faces in return.

(Pic of C.A.I grabbed from I's cozy pavillion)

FRIDAY

Went to Expo for Comex. I've been wanting to buy a new digicam for months but nothing to my liking. Lo and behold, I found something which caught my eye and it was love at first sight *rubs hand with glee*.

SATURDAY

Decision was almost instantaneous but I still went home to sleep over it so as to make the decision appear 'not-so-rash.' Bought this beauty...

Went down to Arab Street with l.m.l. Oooh and aahhed at the quaint buildings. Ate some Middle Eastern food which's good. Smoked an apple-flavoured sisha. (Pictures still pending. Yet to upload.) Will upload them soon.

SUNDAY

Went to WWW as it's my mum's annual family day. I'm a mummy's girl. Think it's nice to go to places with her at least once in awhile. Else, she'd always have to turn up alone. Was pretty fun. Cheap thrill getting water poured all over ourselves at the yakult bucket.

Afterwhich, I went with lml's family to the not-so-humble Humble House for dinner. Food and ambience's impressive. They supposedly serve Chinese food but it's more like fusion (East meets West kinda thingy) to me.The unobservant would mistake the menu for an artbook and the names of the dishes as an excerpt from some Chinese poem. Each dish is beautifully named. We each had a set meal comprising 7 courses. Everything was served in tasting portions. They are really really small and really really little. But you'd be surprised to find yourself very full at the end of the 7 courses. I guess it adds up. The dessert was the yummiest. Pics were taken from my low resolution hp camera so bear with it.

Happy birthday K and T

2006-09-07T01:24:00.000+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY K AND T

I still remember the first day I went knocking at their door. Nervous and jittery. First time going to a complete stranger's place to teach. Not knowing what to expect and not knowing how to start.

It took some time to break the ice between us and for them (T and K) to trust and accept me. Then, she was 10 and he was 7. Fast forward. She's now 14, my Secondary 2 student. And he 11, my Primary 5 student. Time flies.

As I'm typing this I feel a little sad. I see them 2-3 times a week and after their final term exam in October, I won't be seeing them so often anymore. I really hope I wouldn't cry then. They are almost like family to me. Their mother's quite funny in showing how she cares for me. She'd give me a cube of cheese when I'm teaching and she'd say in Chinese "Eat! So that you'd grow.'' I don't need and don't wanna grow (horizontally that is). But I know, that's her way of showing concern.Although many told me that I'm seriously underpaid but for them it's never been about money but the bond that's shared. How they've integrated me into their lives. It was fun while it lasted. I decided to stop teaching as I prepare to embark on a new phase of my life. Meanwhile, I'm just glad that our paths crossed and that our lives are impacted in one way or another.

Happy Teacher's Day

2006-09-01T10:32:00.000+08:00

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY

Two of my secondary school teachers departed this year. One was my literature teacher who called me 'girlyboo' whenever she wanted me to answer a question. She gave different people different pet names and as far as I can remember mine was quite consistently 'girlyboo.' The other was my P.E teacher, she made us run 2.4km around VJC every lesson. And on her bicycle she'd be on the lookout for girls that were stolling and chit-chatting away. She spotted me chatting once and she ran her bicycle over my toes. That's punishment...how painful. Since then, I learnt how to be on alert and run only when she's within sight. During reccess, we'd walk as far away as possible from her when we spot her as she'd call out to whoever nearest and ask you to pick up the litter on the floor and clear the tables. When the assigned task's not done efficiently, she'd call the one responsible 'Bodoh-sai.'(i.e Stupid shit) I suspect it's a term coined by her 'cos I've yet to hear anyone else use it.

On a lighter note, I thought about a teacher that impacted my life. My P6 form mistress and math teacher. She's stern and commands respect. She walks into the classroom with killer stares and everyone listens to what she has to say. I recall how she stood up for myself and another friend when we had a little dispute with the prefect mistress. We were taken off our prefectorial duties for renting out storybooks. (We bought storybooks and rented them for 20 to 50 cents per week to friends.) The prefect mistress thought it's wrong to profit from fellow students but that form mistress of mine defended us by saying we were just enterprising. She thought well of me and believed in me. Encouraged, I did my work conscientiously and handed my work up on time. She made me love math. I did love math for that very little while. Those were the good 'ol days.

I'm so touched when I received the gifts from my students. It's not the gift that I'm concerned about but the thought of it that warms my heart. It's nice to feel appreciated. The student that I earlier complained about, he saved a little of his pocket money every day to buy me a gift. And I truly appreciate it especially since I know what a miser he can be. *hehe* Times like these will make you feel that teaching's really rewarding. Sadly, it's once a year. Rest of the time, I'm usually frustrated over the sheets I've to mark and getting anxious over grades that doesn't reflect potential. It's funny how my ambition during my younger days changed from being a nurse, to being a ballerina then a teacher. But none of those I've mentioned are what I hope to be. I enjoy teaching and I love little children. (Scrap that and make it well-behaved children.) I can't see myself teaching full-time though, I guess it's not my call.

Cup and teapot set from T and gold cross from K.

God is good...all the time

2006-08-31T23:39:00.000+08:00

GOD IS GOOD...ALL THE TIME

Last year at around this time, I sat in front of my computer crying. But now I'm so happy! So happy that I can't find words to describe what I'm feeling. *does a victory dance*

God is good. He's the only one that can bring me through achievements that I can never myself achieve. If you know me well enough, you'd know that I'm not an advocate of self-effort. (I'm not saying that every one should stop trying and be very lazy) I live by grace and feed on divine help.

What's lost will be doubly restored. Failing twice is not a big problem for God. He aced it for me. Muahahahaha. I'm so happy. =)

Giraffe

2006-08-27T20:01:00.000+08:00

GIRAFFE

L.m.l and I gotta be most unadventurous people when it comes to eating. No matter where I am, my choice of food will most likely be either fish or pasta. And if you think I'm bad, you've not seen someone more unadventurous that I already am. All l.m.l cares about eating is probably fried chicken, grilled chicken, broiled chicken...in short, just give him chicken and he'd be a happy man. It's not a bad thing altogether, at least it's easy to make his stomach happy. KFC any time.

Singaporeans are known to have a voracious appetite for variety in food. Was told the reason why fine dining don't do so well here is largely due to Singaporean's preference for variety and change. They are constantly looking for new eateries. Restaurants can only draw in that many new crowd, when the hype dies down they'd ultimately they'd need to fall back on a regular clientele. As for l.m.l and myself, we do our best to try out as many new eating places as possible but chances are we'd still end up at our usual pet places. (We are unadventurous people remember?) Haha. On Saturday, we decided we'd pop by that chic and cool looking place at Isetana Park which is opposite PS I love you (i.e Plaza Singapura).

The place I'm talking about's called Giraffe. Thumbs up for the ambience there. But I can't quite say the same for the food. It's either the lozenges that made my taste buds numb or the food's really pretty bland. We had 3 risotto balls covered with mozarella cheese and later deep fried as an entree. It's not too bad. After which, I had Spinach Ravioli in Red Capsicum Sauce. The portion's really small. With 5 ravioli's 'swimming' around in a slightly oily sauce. Once again quite tasteless. L.m.l ate this fried chicken thingy with mash and mushrooms. That's slightly better. Together with one cocktail the bill came close to 70. It's a really nice place to hang out. Perhaps not really for the food but more for a drink and probably some nachos or breaded mushrooms. Peektures...

Growing up pain

2006-08-21T21:59:00.000+08:00

GROWING UP PAIN

I seethe with frustration as I'm marking the stack of practice papers before me. I see no words or numbers but a blase attitude staring back at me. I'm so mad. I marked so hard that I made a hole on the paper. As I flipped on to the last two pages of the paper. Comprehension. Undone! That's the last straw. I'm officially...very very VERY ANGRY!!!

When that anger somewhat evaporates, I feel a tinge of sadness. Once, a favourite boy of mine. Somehow, somewhere, sometime morphed into someone I cannot recognise. His only thought and concern at current is...Warcraft 3, CS and perhaps Maple Story. He's addicted. When I say addicted, I mean a real addiction and not just enjoy playing. I've done all the scolding, warning, cajoling I could do and now the only way to get some control over him is to complain or rather *ahem* inform his mother of his blase attitude. Get him back to serious work by limiting time on the computer. Backlash would be a grudging attitude for my complain and he'd definitely show his displeasure during tuition. I know I've always disliked a tattle-tale tutor. I concede. Wisdom God, please.

Words

2006-08-21T19:00:00.000+08:00

WORDS

Today's interesting read...

Rearrange the letter of words

Dormitory - Dirty room
Astronomer - Moon starer
Desperation - A rope ends it
The eyes - They see
Slot machines - Cash lost in me
Animosity - Is no amity
Snooze alarms - Alas! NO more Z's
A decimal point - I'm a dot in place
Eleven plus two - Twelve plus one
Mother-in-law - Woman Hitler

Canon

2006-08-18T16:57:00.000+08:00

CANON

Watch this if you're free. It's cool. Canon in D Remix.

Look under

2006-08-15T13:38:00.000+08:00

LOOK UNDER

I must be one of the silliest people alive.

For the whole of yesterday, I convinced myself that my handphone's lost. I searched through bags, pockets, under my bed, in the fridge, everywhere...but still I could not find my handphone. I got upset thinking of all the lovely messages and pictures that I've to kiss goodbye to. I chided myself for not making a back-up for all the contacts. I thought of how I'd only get back the numbers of some when they text me annually at Christmas. I started informing people about my lost handphone and I mulled over which handphone model I should lay my hands on. Called up my service provider. Wanted to get a new SIM and erm...ahh...I felt a vibration. I found my phone! It's all the while there...under my sofa. *hurhur*

P.S: Thanks all who called my handphone in hope that the finder would pick up and return the phone. It's erm...a false alarm. *apologetic but glad*

Mario

2006-08-06T21:48:00.000+08:00

MARIO

For all who love everything Korean from fashion to dramas to music, you musn't give Mario a miss. It's located at Liang Seah Street. (Opp Bugis Junction) I love the food there so can't bear to walk by each time to see that it's pretty quiet. Business seemed kinda slow so I thought I'd do some advertisement here for them. No harm. Afterall, we lend our support to the things we like. I've not taken any picture there but just to tempt you off your seat to head down for some mouth-watering Korean cuisine, I'd attach a picture that I stole off the net. A must try there is their BBQ and Steamboat Set. For about 30plus, it's portion feeds approx 3. Or maybe 2 guys or hungry people.

2006-08-01T22:29:00.000+08:00

我的电脑终于可以读中文了!

:X

2006-07-29T23:24:00.000+08:00

I need to pop some happy pills. Nothing went wrong but I just don't feel happy and chirpy, And that's unlike me. Blame it on p.m.s. :X

Thought the strip was kinda funny. Hmm, I cheer up pretty easily.

Rant. 1 and not 7

2006-07-21T14:25:00.000+08:00

RANT! 1 AND NOT 7

Lack of update is due to extreme monotony. There's nothing much to rant or talk about when I'm doing the same things day in day out. Get up, rush for tuition, watch some videos on youtube and shop. How my day unfolds becomes almost like a ritual. It's sooooo "blah"...sooooo predictable. Actually, it's largely my fault. The lack of motivation to find something different to do. And I shouldn't complain 'cos I know this sure beats monotony and stress at work.

Both yesterday and today, I've been rudely awaken early in the morning by phonecalls from the same lady. RaR! Our conversation today went as such...

Call 1

Lady: Hello. Judy?
Me: *half asleep* Wrong number.

Call 2

Lady: Judy ah!
Me: *still determined not to get up* You've got the wrong number.
Lady: You're not Judy?
Me: No.

Call 3

Lady: Hello.
Me: *recognising her voice by now* You've got the wrong number. I'm not Judy.
Lady: No ah? Your number is XXXX-XXX1 right?
Me: Nope. You dialled wrongly lah.
Lady: But I really pressed the correct numbers leh. It's XXXX-XXX1
Me: Nope. You recited the right numbers but you dialled wrongly.
Lady: Ok. I try again

Call4

Lady: Hello?
Me: You really dialled wrongly. *fully awaken* RAR!!!
Lady: I'm correct. This is really your number?
Me: Yes. Please dial correctly! My number is XXXX-XXX7 and not XXXX-XXX1.
Lady: Oh. I really pressed the number '1' and not '7'.
Me: You try again
Lady: Ok! I'd put down now and try again you see ah.
Me: Ok.

And she never did call again. At least not today. This lady's a joker. She's been calling me for years. I swear. Always asking for Judy. Actually she's not the only one that's been asking for Judy. You can probably figure that the number of the Judy they are looking for differs from my number by one digit but then again...they can dial and dial several times the wrong number. I really suspect she just redialled althought she claimed she did not. RaR! What puzzles me is that '7' and '1' are not quite close together on the number pad. If I missed the number 1, I'd probably press the number 4 or something. Gee. That said, I'm gonna nap to catch up on lost sleep. "Good night!"

Black and white

2006-07-14T23:48:00.000+08:00

BLACK AND WHITE

I recollect my primary school days where I played games like hop-scotch, zero point and "what is the time Mr. Wolf?" (Just to name a few) To determine who gets to be Mr. Wolf, we had to "oh-ah-peh-ah-som."

Earlier this week, I came across this group of girls of about seven, eight years old playing while waiting for their school bus to arrive. I walked by and was surpised to hear them say out loud, "black and white!" *with raised eyebrows* Now...that's new. Or is it just me? Hmm.

G.S.S

2006-07-08T01:36:00.001+08:00

GSS

Greeted with G.S.S signs everywhere but I've been making purchases from everywhere except here in Singapore. I haven't quite bought anything since the sale begun. 'Prolly 'cos I shopped like mad in BKK and haven't quite recovered. Suffering from cheap shopping withdrawal symptoms now. I can't stop going on about how much I love Chatuchak. Ideally, I'd love to fly there once a month staying for only 2 days each visit but then again like I've said, that's ideally. And now that more and more things are just a click away. RaR! I'm going mad. Everything's so pretty. Online shopping is self-destructive. Self-control! I sure need more of that. I need to feed on grass for the next three months to nurse my bruised pocket. Here's the mid-year resolution: Minimal cab-taking and shopping. Somehow, I can feel the scoffs coming.

Btw, Happy birthday Dad, Siscie and Hippy A. =)

Mr Ting Said...

2006-06-30T12:51:00.000+08:00

MR TING SAID THAT...

Blood is thicker than water.

*dramatic pause for effect*

BUT... money is thicker than blood.

First time I heard it, I thought he was just skeptical but now when I hear stories in line with that, I realised that there's some truth to the above said. At least for some.

I don't believe in being calculative when it comes to money matters be it with family or with friends and that's cos I abhor squabbling over money matters. It's repulsive and ruins relationships. However, I do recognise and respect that counting to the cents is not being calculative but merely a matter of principle for some. I feel that sometimes more harm than good is done when talks with loved ones revolves round money. (Eg. "Wah. Today I paid for this so tomorrow you must pay for that ah.") Summarised aptly in this Chinese saying "jiang3 qian2 shang1 gan3 qing2." Ideally, neither a borrower nor a lender be. (What irony, since my course of study is basically summarised into borrowing and lending.)

When I'm blessed and overflowing, I guess the next instinctive thing for me to do is to bless the people around me. (But of course I know to be discerning as to who's just there to take advantage.) Don't know if it's the same with the people around me but l.m.l would 'treat me to something nice when he gets his pay' and my twing would 'buy me ice-cream when she gets her pay.' I'm a spendthrift and that's a major flaw. I part with my money far too easily. But at least, I'm happy. <-Self-consolation indeed.

Here's to share what I think is the secret to managing finances:

KJV (Malachi 3:10): Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

In a nutshell, be blessed, honour Him with His due and be abundantly blessed. Also, remember to bless those around you 'cos when He pours His blessings, there'll not be enough room to contain it so you gotta give some of it away.

Very much like how I used to teach my Primary 3 kids that many things in life work in cycles. Take for example the life cycle, the water cycle, day and night cycle so on and so forth. I do think that blessings, sufficiency and abundance works in cycles too. To receive, to give and again to receive. Something worth pondering. =)

Topsy Turvy Biological Clock

2006-06-30T12:44:00.000+08:00

TOPSY TURVY BIOLOGICAL CLOCK

There's something seriously wrong with my sleeping patterns. For the past week, I've been sleeping at 4 a.m, getting up at 9 a.m, going back to sleep again at 11 a.m and getting back up again at 1p.m. RaR! This is no good. I need to revert it back to normal real soon.

Early to bed, early to rise will make me healthy, wealthy and wise. (Sounds pretty much like a propaganda slogan to me.)

I digress with a random thought. 5 tablespoons of oats with 2 tablespoons of milk powder and 1 teaspoon of sugar is very yummy. Better still to top it with strawberries and whipped cream on top of the strawberries. =D

Learning in progress

2006-06-15T11:33:00.000+08:00

LEARNING IN PROGRESS

A couple of years back I learnt that since I'm capable of worrying, I can be equally capable in meditating.

Now I learn that since I'm adept at being stubborn, I can be just as good in channelling that to being determined.

From worry to meditation. From strong-headedness to determination. Most of us are engaged in the lifelong process of learning. Learning to overcome our flaws and learning how to transform it into our strengths.

Yay!

2006-06-15T11:21:00.000+08:00

YAY!

It's been a month and it's finally over. =)

Now that I've gotten used to having my daily latte dose and the late nights endured that's testified with growing eyebags, I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with all the time I have for the next 3 months. I made a decision along the way on what to sow and what to weed. I'm at peace with it. Let's just hope it's good. No, no, it will be good!

Penny for your thoughts

2006-06-12T01:06:00.000+08:00

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

I shouldn't be here. It's 3 more days to a temporal break and I'm so looking forward to it.

Lovin' Banyan

2006-05-31T01:31:00.000+08:00

LOVIN' BANYAN

I love giving excuses to spoil myself. =D

Crush calculator

2006-05-21T14:31:00.000+08:00

CRUSH

This is a crush calculator. Got the site from my siscie, I'm not usually into this kinda stuff and I know this sounds extremely childish but it kinda works...

Give it a shot! *nudge nudge*

Here goes: http://www.crushcalculator.com/content/love/668371544

Be still

2006-05-15T11:06:00.000+08:00

BE STILL

Amoured and ready for battle,
Only to find that the battle's really never been mine.
Tested and proven that the foe I cannot defeat,
So now's the time for the dauntless one to step back and BE STILL.
For He who fights my battle never fails to bring victory,
Lots of unmerited favour and wisdom to me.

Y=Co+C1Y-C1To+I0-I1R+Go+Xo-IMo-M1Y. Adieu.

She danced

2006-05-02T18:11:00.000+08:00

SHE DANCED (Updated)

I've been occupied with dance, dance and more dance for the past two weeks. A typical day would be going to school in the mornings, tuition in the afternoons and then dance all through the night. Some days can be really taxing, especially when I haven't gotten enough sleep. Have I not mention that lack of sleep would leave me feeling lethargic and very soon I'd get cranky...? But on the whole, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Afterall, I was occupied with what I love doing-dancing.

For those lost, I was talking about my very first large scale dance performance. It's a dream come true for me when I was told that I'd be performing and dancing alongside with not 1 but 3 local artistes (Jocie Guo, Hetty Sarlene and Stefanie Sun). I felt blessed. Exceedingly abundantly blessed. Quoting l.m.l about me 'you live for this day.'*jumps around the room, delirious with joy...muhahaha*

I love dancing whether or not I can do it well. But I love the people close to my heart even more. I've come to realise that without l.m.l's blessings, I can't possibly love doing what I love to do. So although I'm passionate about some things, it'd never take the place of relationships in my life. So touched. L.m.l's been supportive. Alice, Ivy and my Siscie's been extremely encouraging too. *tear* My mum's very cute too. She said she'd cut out the picture of me with Stef Sun, paste it in her office and tell people that that's her daughter. She's actually proud of me...dancing. *gasp* I never recalled her being so supportive during my ballet-ing days.

Here's a sneak preview...pictures. Will update with more photos when they are uploaded. (Some of them are too painful for the eye. Thick makeup and horrid hairdos.) For the starstruck, I'd see if there are pictures to upload. =P

Updated: Photos (as promised.) No GMM and HS photos 'cos the person taking the picture had his finger there and that covered most of the shot.

GASP

2006-04-27T11:26:00.000+08:00

GASP

Impressive. Take a look at this...

this...

and this...(my favourite!)

Gosh! How did he do it? The amazing 3D effect. I wanna paint like he does. Haha.

Raindrops keep falling on my head

2006-04-26T15:06:00.000+08:00

RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD...

THEY KEEP FALLING

Just like how day comes after night, spring would come after after the bitter cold winter. There'll always be sunshine after the rain. Meanwhile, I'm lovin' it. Those who know me enough know that I don't exactly like my day sunny. Rain's my picture of blessing. It's been rain and shine, rain and shine and rain and shine again for the past few days...I do love the rain occasionally but pray tell me why must there be lightning and thunder? Hrm...

C.A.I

2006-04-18T10:27:00.000+08:00

C.A.I

Life without you is like a donut

2006-04-13T11:24:00.000+08:00

LIFE WITHOUT YOU IS LIKE A DONUT

You Are a Sprinkled Donut

Flamboyant and flashy, you're easily distracted by shiny things.You're definitely a snazzy number, and you usually catch everyone's eye in the room.And you've got the goods to back it up your colorful image.(Though too much of you gives people a stomach ache!)

href="What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatdonutareyouquiz/">What Donut Are You?

If I were a donut, I'd be a rainbow sprinkled one. Oooh, so cute and happy sounding. *sings* (Life without you is like a donut, is like a donut, is like a donut. Life without you is like a donut. Left a hole in the middle of my heart.) Teeheehee. So cheesey. But that's precisely why I like to sing it. =D Alrighty, i'd blog more intellectually after this.

Hohum

2006-04-12T13:04:00.000+08:00

HOHUM

When you're bored of staring at your lecture notes, when you're done listening to a CD twice over, when you're sick of opening and closing the fridge for the tenth time to find that a pint of Ben and Jerrys did not miraculously appear and when you're done watching all the available episodes of desperate housewives. Here's what you do...

This...

this.

Dig up recent or old photographs and play around with tools in Photoshop. And when I say that I don't mean trying to edit my pictures to make my eyes bigger, nose sharper, zit disappear or whatsoever. (Although I would try to but that is only after I learn how to.)Just finding an outlet to churn the budding creative juice within me. =D Did the first picture and wanted to include this verse from the bible that I quite like but gosh...realised I made it look like an orbituary (especially with the verse). So I hurriedly deleted the text and did it with a pinko background instead. Hurhur. Looks happier. I hereby conclude that I'm just extremely bored...= D

Forever Cinderella

2006-04-03T00:39:00.000+08:00

FOREVER CINDERELLA

I'm feeling teenybopper-ish today...

Watched Campus Superstar with my parents earlier. Don't usually follow all these Superstar, Singapore Idol and blah contest 'cos there's just too many of them. Talent quest overkill. This however was an exception 'cos one of the finalist is from my then Secondary School-Katong Convent. Not to mention that she's also from choir so that kinda makes her my junior.

I've always felt a sense of belonging when I was in KC probably 'cos I've spent 10years of my life there. And perhaps it is that which made me feel all excited and hyped-up about the contest. She was trailing behind and both my parents whipped out their cellphones to punch in smses and vote for her. Quite a cute and funny scene to see them both getting all gun cheong especially since my Dad always deemed it irrational to vote for such contests. He's always saying that at the end of the day it'd be the producers that would be laughing their way to the bank but there he is contradicting all he had said by sending those smses. I guess I'm not the only one that feels sentimental, a sense of pride and belonging towards the school. My parents too. Although I can't really explain why. *Tsk*

Anyway, thumbs up to Teresa (the Forever Cinderella) for the brilliant performance. Her voice's soothing, clean and crisp. Congrats. When I hear comments about how well she sings I somehow feel so proud that she's from my alma mater. Haha. I must be mad. Perhaps it's just the way I am...Just like how sometimes I feel extremely patriotic (although only occasionally and only at random). But at the end of the day, I'm still my Siscie's no.1 fan.

Closing the circle

2006-03-19T23:08:00.000+08:00

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

I clicked onto this link http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-7-2083997-7,00.html that I came across from another blog and reading it is rather heart-wrenching. Life is so fragile. At the end of it, it is not so much of one's achievements but rather the relationships that was formed and built that one carries close to the heart and especially at the end of the line. We're made to fellowship and to love one another so it'd be great if every one would treasure their loved ones. But there's in my perfect fairy-tale world. Oh well, carpe diem!

A You and Me Day

2006-03-17T23:00:00.000+08:00

A YOU AND ME DAY

L.m.L took leave today and it was in his plan to spend it with me. *teehee* Food therapy, movie and retail therapy...*sings 'feels like heaven'* Food wasn't fantabulous but I'm not too particular about that 'cos to me eating is more of a social activity so it's the company that matters more. (I mean it!) Caught Transamerica. Oh gosh! Felicity Huffman looked absolutely convincing as a transsexual in the show but that's precisely the point (to look the part). That aside, the show on the whole is pretty good. I'm so happy with my buy. *jumps around the room excitedly* I've a pair of bubble shorts now. Haha.

Have a break...Have a Kit Kat

2006-03-12T17:31:00.000+08:00

HAVE A BREAK...HAVE A KIT KAT

Walked into Mobil this afternoon to get a packet of chips but my attention was diverted when I saw this...

NEW Sakura flavoured Kit Kat. (Limited Edition apparently, although I highly doubt it. ) Quite yummy. Smells good for one. What more it's pink *squeals in bimbo delight* Haha. I'm just bored at the moment. Taking a break from my books and what better way to have my break than to indulge in Kit Kat. Happy Food. =)

The forbidden fruit always tastes sweet

2006-03-10T11:07:00.000+08:00

THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT ALWAYS TASTES? (SEEM) SWEET

Confessions of a shopaholic...

A couple of weeks back, during one of my shopping trips with Lml, I saw this dress from MNG that I thought was quite nice. Wasn't sure if I could carry it off though. Been thinking about it ever since, also contemplating on how I would go back to try it on and possibly buy it.

Had a chance to do so yesterday, especially since they were having 10% storewide discount and an additional 3% off for Isetan cardholders. (Alter ego: Don't ask me to wait until the End of season Mng Sale 'cos that will take too long and that's only for buying things that I like but not those that I really really like.) Anyway, I went to the Mng at Isetan Tampines and they didn't have it. Went down to the Isetan at Wisma and searched for it again but once again it wasn't there. I thought I'd try the boutiques instead, so I went down to the one at Taka and combed through every single rack for the dress and it wasn't there either. Not wanting to give up, I tried asking and describing the dress I wanted to a sales assistant but she didn't quite get me. No time to waste. I knew I was gonna be late for dance but still I went down and queued to get into Isetan Scotts. Not there! Feeling desperate and in despair I tried the big Mng boutique opposite Pacific Plaza and still couldnt find it. I grabbed a catalogue and ran off. 5 Mng outlets and no sight of dress. Rather disappointing. Had to rush and I literally ran to the dance studio. Whined about it and I bet Ivy was thinking what a bimbo I must be. For my birthday last year she bought me a present with Jaclyn, one proper present and one 'bimbo' present?!?!? Don't know what to make out of that.

After all the drama, I found the dress I wanted in this season's catalogue and it was surprisngly just okkkaaay. Not as mesmerising as I made it to be. After a good night's sleep and mulling over the dress that I couldn't get my hands on, I realised I may not like it as much as I thought. I never did try it to begin with. So what really is the "I really really like that dress" talk all about? I concluded it as the Forbidden Fruit Theory(FFT). The more you can't get your hands on something, the more you'd tend to fantasise about how perfect and beautiful life would be if you have it. (Not just in terms of purchases.) When you finally do get it, you'd realise perhaps it's not as perfect as you've thought it to be, not as good as you'd like it to be. That's when you'd find worms in that forbidden fruit that you thought would taste sweet. It merely seemed sweet. Isn't it strange how the human mind works. For every advocate of the FFT, of course there are those who are averse to the Forbidden Fruit. They are the 'give it to me now or leave it' kinda people. Diverse it may be but it is precisely the diversities and differences in personalities that made each individual unique and special. "nuff of digression I'm going back to options and swaps. Tgif! Oh happy day!

My Day?

2006-03-08T23:56:00.000+08:00

MY DAY?

D texted me today saying "Hey! Happy? It's your day today."

I was like "Huh?"

And she replied "It's your day...8th of March. For bitchy people like you it's San1 Ba1 Fu4 Nu3 Jie2."

She got me there. Bah! What a nut.

Hot or Not? -Harisu

2006-03-07T11:28:00.000+08:00

HOT OR NOT? -Harisu

Of the pleasures and pain

2006-03-03T13:21:00.000+08:00

OF THE PLEASURES AND PAIN

Recall the times when your mummy told you not to touch the hot kettle but you still did? Recall the times when your teacher told you that you've to put in extra effort for the grade you desired but still you didn't heed?

Many things in life are actually simple truths but as humans we complicate them. Certain things are best dealt with in certain ways but we'd walk the big round and take the fall despite being warned against. Perhaps it is our inability to accept things rawly, perhaps it is our curiousity at work or perhaps it is just the human tendency to take things for granted.

If there must be pain before pleasure then the pleasure had better be worth the pain.

I don't know if I'm generalising if I were to say there no one likes to suffer pain. 'Cos I do know of a friend, S who would go through perennial pain for moments of pleasure. I don't know if he really thinks it's worth the while. I know of another friend, D, who gives herself 'quiet days of solitude' whereby she indulges in feeling sad and she refuses to be disturbed or comforted. When the veil is lifted, it's hard to understand why she's gotta spend time indulging herself in sadness and bitterness when she can better spend it feeling happy. The natural sadism of human nature? Maybe? I used to do that too, days whereby I would just sink myself into thoughts that would hurt, listening to songs that would evoke emotions then leaving myself feeling all sombre and melancholic. l I would justify it by saying I'm merely being reflective. But ever since I've stepped out of it, I've been a much happier person. Perhaps, I now feel the completeness of joy. That there is such a thing as pleasure without pain...i.e blessing.

I remember there's this period of time where a friend of mine, A told me about her Auntie getting a divorce. She was apparently seeing someone else. At that point of time, she cared very little for her 9-year old son and was definitely not in the best of spirits. I am in no position to criticise anyone for anything they do and neither am I doing so. To begin with, I don't even know the story in it's entirety It's just that I can't help but feel sad for the family that crumbled. And it feels even sadder to see her go through the pain when it could have been spared. Maybe it's 'cos I'm so close to A that when she told me about the auntie I could feel the pain... so real. You can criticise me for having such opinions 'cos I'm risk averse, resistant to change, whatever. If I'm happy with my status quo it's hard to give a tempting enough incentive to leave my comfort zone.

Personally, there was a period of time whereby I was hoping my parents would just get a divorce since they quarelled every single day. Throwing of chairs, slamming of doors, hurling verbal abuses and accusations. I used to think...why not split when you both can't get along? It's a selfish thought, I know. But at that point in time, I felt it best that way. Back thhen, I hadn't seen the power of having a third party in a relationship and that third party is none other than God. Today, I see their relationship improve and I'm happy for them from the bottom of my heart. (God answered my prayer!) I'm not saying things will always stay so happy but I'm a prisoner of hope. It's hard for me not to be hopeful. Come to think back, if my mum had really left my dad, she'd be one lonely person. God created Eve to be Adam's companion and I don't think any man can be an island alone. Deep within us, there's definitely a need for affection. A need to belong and a need to be loved.

Sometimes, a revelation of how your partner loves you would be the key to how much you can love the person. It's hard to love someone whom you think does not love you. So, reminding yourself how your much other half loves you, not only helps you to love yourself but it also gives you the capacity to reciprocate that love. It's beautiful when you think of how it works. Similarly, the area in life in which you are most uptight about is most likely to be the area in life that will hurt you. To break out of that cycle, some times some things, you just gotta give...

I'm not trying to make myself sound perfect. I am flawed in very many ways. Imperfections are written all over me. But I'm grateful and happy that my God's perfect. With Him, there's nothing more I need to justify myself with. =)

If you feel a tug in your heart when you read this, remember God loves you. He wants to give you the blessed life you deserve so let Him embrace you before closing your door.

Shout out: Loveya l.m.l! Loveya Siscie! Loveya A, D and CL.

Animalywood

2006-03-03T12:43:00.000+08:00

ANIMALYWOOD

What if one day animals made it to hollywood?

Presenting...*drumrolls*

Credits to CL for sending me the above pictures. Enough of distractions. Gotta hit the books.

A Snail's Story

2006-02-27T14:30:00.000+08:00

A SNAIL'S STORY

I received this in an email and I thought that it's quite meaningful.

I'm so easily distracted that I often lose track of what I'm supposed to be focused on doing. Major Flaw. This brings to mind what I once read in Purpose Driven Life. Here's the quoted analogy, when you place a magnifying glass on top of a piece of paper under the sun for a period of time, you'd notice that the paper will start to burn in time to come. Reason being attributed to the power of focus and concentration. Similary, when you put your mind and heart into what you hope to do the results you'd get are likely to far exceed the results you get by trying to do too many things at the very same time. Like the snail which believes in itself, concentrates and stays focused on getting to the other end. Ultimately, it successfully does so. I'm always telling my students the importance of staying focused but sadly, I hadn't applied it on myself. Mock exam commences this week, Yeelppp!

Johari's Window

2006-02-19T11:46:00.000+08:00

JOHARI'S WINDOW

Riding on the craze.

Johari's Window

We learn something new every day.

Memoirs of a Geisha

2006-02-15T13:48:00.000+08:00

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

I'm finally done with the book.

I've always been intrigued by the Japanese Culture. There's just a certain richness about the culture that would take more than just awhile to comprehend, what more to appreciate. Vivid descriptions in the book made the words come alive, so much so that I could picture myself in it, feeling for Sayuri. Enthralling.

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T22:43:00.000+08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I read this somewhere and it brought a tear to my eye. How sweet but in a sad way. Anyway, here's the quote...Happy Valentines Day to all.

L.m.L gave me a Valentine's Day surprise on Saturday. Thanks!

Banking Talk

2006-02-11T00:27:00.000+08:00

BANKING TALK

Conversation below is a joke I heard today. I thought it to be rather funny. Just for laughs so please don't take it too seriously. =D
Note: Words in italic are banking terminologies for those who are not too familiar.

Dealer 1 (Chee ko male): Hey, do you guys care to know the size of my portfolio?

Dealing room: *Silence*

Dealer 1: (reply directed at dealer 2) Well...it's big, long and hard.

Dealing room: *Awkward silence*

Dealer 2 (Gutsy female): Doesn't matter what your portfolio is like. What matters most is whether or not I have an open position and whether there's movement.

Weekends

2006-02-05T22:22:00.000+08:00

WEEKENDS

I love weekends. Precious.

To lml, here's a very cute credit card that you can apply for (siscie would agree too) teehee...

Angpows

2006-02-02T12:36:00.000+08:00

ANGPOWS

I woke up more than two hours ago and since then I haven't quite accomplish anything except for counting how much I've collected from angpows. Quite a nice feeling to be counting money I must say. If only I could say the same for mathematics and calculus. =D Special thanks to all that had given me an angpow, your generousity is greatly appreciated. *beaming with satisfaction* Since the festive mood is overflowing..an angpow from me awaits for anyone who can guess the sum of my total collection. (One guess each and no cheating. Haha)

Globalisation

2006-02-01T19:43:00.000+08:00

GLOBALISATION

Something interesting I came across today. Globalisation typified...

"An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian, who was high on Scotch whiskey, followed by Italian Paparazzi on Japanese motorcycles, and gets treated by an American doctor using medicines from Brazil."

No prizes for guessing correctly that the above was referring to the death of Princess Diana.