The nitty-gritty of marriage

It is very clear that a marriage is not about two person but two families (not just immediate, but extended). It is not about having to adjust to a new life (sometimes never get adjusted to), but two sets of new life. And of course, experiencing a different culture (sometimes culture shock) and trying to adopt a common set of culture between you and your partner.

For the fun of it, perhaps we can play a little matching game of the kind of marriages that suit the different individuals. But this has to be done before you commit yourself to someone. Once you are in a steady relationship or already married, well, it may be too late (or still maybe not?).

a. If you are from a big family, get someone who is also from a big family.
b. If you are from a small family, you can have someone with a slightly bigger or smaller family.
c. If you are the only child, well, there's a little bit of problem whether you get someone from a big or small family, or even another only child.
d. If you love animals more than humans, then include an animal in your marraige.
e. If you are obsessive with a very personal life, choose an orphan or don't get married.
f. If you don't intend to be an entertainer, then, well, choose an orphan or don't get married.
g. If you don't know what you want, then, good luck.

But of course, personalities of individuals can change a lot of things - for better or for worse.

What happens if you are married, but realise you are in the wrong match as listed above? You can choose to change yourself or get out of it or good luck.

30 Aug 2008 (7.05pm)

Let's Discuss!

There is a question on a household habit that has been weighing in my mind for a long time. Can you share with me what is your practise at home so that I know whether I am 'normal' or 'abnormal'....pleeeeease?

1. Do you place a pair of bathroom slippers in your toilet/bathroom and do you use them?
2. Why do you use them? Why do you or your other family members choose not to use them?
3. Where do you place this pair of slippers? In the toilet/bathroom or outside?

30 Aug 2008 (6.05pm)

Beijing Olympics - Synchronised Swimming

I was halfway watching the team free routine synchronised swimming on Channel 5. I must say, I was very very disappointed with the broadcast of both the duet and team sync swimming in this olympics.

It had nothing to do with the performances of the teams but the disappointment was with the broadcast.

First of all, you could hear lots of 'noise' at the background. Didn't whoever do this edit' tune down the volume of the noise?

Secondly, you could hardly hear the accompanying music at all. Coupled with the cheers, everything just came up to be a lot of 'noise'. Watching synchronised swimming has to be a package that includes visual (the artistic performance) and audio (the music).

Thirdly, the narrators rah rah rah throughout the each routine and that really added on to the 'noise'.

The whole competition was nothing but NOISE. My god, it wasn't like that in 2004. I was able to enjoy the whole package. The music, the performances and cheers at appropriate movement, and limited narration.

Great disappointment this round. It's not just a matter of not enjoying the show, but it's torturous to watch it. Can you imagine watching an artistic dance accompanied by what you would hear at football matches???

I can't believe this! Great great great disappointment! I am having a headache.

[Afterword: I noticed that a little adjustments had been made in the second half of the competition yesterday. That made it a little better. But overall still a disappointment. Actually I wasn't sure if they had shown all the teams. I hadn't counted. The programme ended without any summary shown and it switched to another sporting competition. Sigh...]

24 Aug 2008
7.30am

Beijing Olympics: Table Tennis

The women’s table tennis, both team and singles, has concluded with the Chinese players ranking tops.

I have always enjoyed watching Wang Nan and Zhang Yining play, especially when both partnered in matches or when both play against each other. Last night, both pit against each other in the Gold Medal playoff. Zhang Yining, World Number 1, clinched the gold medal after beating Wang Nan 4-1.

In my eyes, both are formidable players. It doesn’t matter who wins. It is always entertaining and exciting to watch their matches, with a good showing of their skills, their tactics, both attacks and defences.

On a personal side, I am more ‘attracted’ to Wang Nan’s persona. While Zhang Yining maintains a straight face throughout each match (only breaking into her sweet smile after she wins the match), Wang Nan’s expression seems to be more varied. You could see her frowns, fiery, disappointment, confidence and smiles in her matches. But then, that didn’t quite match my impression of her before this Olympics. When I first watched her play one or two Olympics ago, I thought she was full of fiery and that was pretty scary. Nevertheless I still enjoyed watching her. Well, this could well be her last Olympics and if this is really true, I am going to miss this adorable lady!

It is also the first time team competition is included in the Olympics, and Singapore has gotten itself a silver in the team table tennis. Kudos to the girls. I had not followed the prelims but I was thinking if it was because we did not play with China during the prelims or semis? In any case, the silver is ours, after our team’s hardwork and perseverance.

It was a bit disappointing that we didn’t manage to get another medal in the singles, but what could we do? It’s not everyday we can beat Zhang Yining or Wang Nan. But our players did play a good game and that’s equally important.

In fact, I was more disappointed with some of the comments I hear from home. Of course, there were comments about our players being foreign talents and the win cannot be considered a win by Singapore. I used to have the same sentiment, but on second thoughts, when can we then build up our own home-bred, home-grown, home-trained team?

Having these foreign talents could well help to promote the sport, and with the win, inspire and motivate locals to get interested and involved in the sports. Of course, there must be good support in terms of infrastructure, training, a career plan and most importantly, support from the society as a whole. It is easier said than done. With our society so focused on academics, mentality cannot be changed overnight and may take a long long time to achieve this goal, even if there are plans to develop sporting careers in the future. So why can’t foreign sporting talents be a starting point to start us off?

Moreover, many countries are also beginning to introduce foreign players into their sports. So why do we keep harping on ours?

The most ridiculous and contradicting comments I hear about our team show how unreasonable some of us can be!

For instance, a general comment when Singapore played with China was: ‘Aiyah, it’s China against China what.’

When our team lost or did not fare well, the comments I hear are ‘aiyah, how can Singapore win China’, ‘Singapore players lack perseverance’, ‘Singapore players cannot catch up the scores’, etc, etc.

But when our players won, guess what they say?? ‘Aiyah, they are from China, it’s not a Singapore win’.

See what’s the contradiction? With the negative things against Singapore, these players become Singapore players. With the positive things happening to Singapore, these same players become China players.

My big question is: WHAT’S WRONG WITH US? I just wanna enjoy a good game and such irritating comments really put me off and spoil my day!! Why can’t we enjoy simple things in life and have to make everything wrong?

Anyway, I am going to enjoy watching my Synchronised Swimming Team Free Routine this afternoon. I am sure I will enjoy because there is not Singapore team for our own people to comment about.

23 Aug 2008
11.15am

Happy 1 Year Anniversary

Today's my first year on blogger. Am glad I can last this long and hope I can go on even longer. Hope to have more interesting things coming up....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

19 Aug 2008 (8.45pm)

《忆阿卿》

刚收到一份三姑丈为三姑作的一首诗，《忆阿卿》：


万里征途忽失伴，哀思绵绵忆阿卿。
君似胡姬花纯洁，年幼聪慧若辰星。
骨头生来钢铁硬，抗敌救亡鬼神惊。
飘洋过海回祖国，投身建设事业成。
爱党爱国爱人民，甘做侨胞贴心人。
高风亮节尘不染，默默无闻献终身。
夫妻相爱六十载，家庭和睦日日新。
阿卿阿卿似红梅，永远活在我之心。
祝君驾鹤天际去，生活规侓如平生。

平凡敬挽
2008年8月5日


18 Aug 2008 （4.05pm)

Congrats to the Singapore Table Tennis Team!

The team has secured at least a Silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, the first medal after 48 years of wait. It has arrived, finally.

The finals will be tonight, with the Chinese Team. But for now, having a Silver is a great achievement for Singapore, at least for now. Nevertheless, I hope the team will do their best and enjoy themselves at the finals!

There may be negative comments and remarks on the win, with the fact that the players are not 'true-blue' Singapore-borns. But who cares, let's just celebrate and enjoy this moment!

Congrats again....

17 Aug 2008 (9.50am)

Beijing Olympics: One World, One Dream

The 29th Beijing Olympics opened yesterday. The opening ceremony was simply spectacular! Each programme item involved hundreds and thousands of performers. Coordinating programme and practices for such huge numbers is definitely not an easy task. The overall outcome had been more than fantastic, at least that's what I thought.

The greatest part of this already great ceremony was the torch relay! So, Li Ning had been the final athlete to finally light up the big torch. The process was awesome, with him 'running' on air round the Bird Nest before lighting up the gigantic torch! How exciting! (Hey, was Zhang Jun the badminton guy whom I had 'adored' for the last 2 Olympics. He looked fatter! Gosh!)

In fact, throughout the show, I had been feeling so proud of the Chinese citizens for managing to prepare, organise and finally put up such a spectacular program in the midst of protests and criticisms from some external agencies/governments.

Had my San-gu been around to watch, I am very sure she would have been very happy and proud of this. I wonder if she would have managed to watch it from 'somewhere' with us.

Let's hope for the next two weeks, the athletes live the One World, One Dream slogan. I definitely have one dream - to watch all the events that I have been eagerly waiting for the last 4 years after the Athens Games. My loves include: Synchronised Swimming, Diving, Gymnastics (all kinds). I still have the video recording of the Athens Synchronised Swimming Finals!

Well, nothing but Olympics will be in my mind for the next 2 weeks. That's my greatest joy once every 4 years.

Congratulations, Beijing, for a great show and I hope everything remains great throughout the period of the Games!

And for Minister Mentor who had to return to Singapore right after the opening ceremony in Beijing (which ended at least at 12am this morning), do have a good rest before the National Day Parade this evening.

This picture of the Bird Nest was taken when we were in Beijing in May. I had just downloaded it from my hubby's handphone.

9 Aug 2008 (10.05am)

Happy National Day, Singapore!

Happy 43rd Birthday, Singapore!

Farewell, San-gu (18 March 1926 - 2 August 2008)

The day started with a phone call notifying us that my aunt in Beijing had passed away this morning at 3.04am. Though we had known her condition to be critical for the past couple of days, this piece of news was still received with a heavy heart and great sorrow. And it came just about 2.5 months after we visited her and her family in Beijing mid-May 08.

I had not expected this to happen as aunt (or san-gu, as I have been calling her) seemed well to me when we met her in May.

It was probably less than 2 weeks after we left Beijing that we knew she was ill and hospitalised. After that, everything happened so fast that I have still not quite accept the latest news.

Is that how frail life is? I had almost tried to delay our plan to visit Beijing to August or September (that was the peak period at work) when hubby suggested going in May because of his company shutdown. He persuaded me not to delay as he had promised aunt and uncle, when they came to Singapore to attend our wedding, that he will visit them in Beijing and bring dad there. For that, I am really thankful and grateful to my hubby. If not for his persistence, I guess we would have the added feeling of regret for delaying and not seeing her for the last time before she left us.

In any case, I am really saddened beyond words. Though we are miles apart, I always feel a sense of bonding with her. Our next visit to Beijing will be one without San-gu and I will definitely feel the loss.

We love you and will miss you dearly, San-gu. You will always be in our hearts here in Singapore.

One of the picture we had taken with San-gu (5th from left) in Beijing in May.

2 Aug 2008 (5.48pm)

My Batam Trip (26-27 Jul 08)

This was our second Batam trip in slightly more than a month. This time round, we brought dad along too. Just wanna get out and go somewhere else to look see and relax.




Just to share a few photos, esp on food! My favourite!!

Immediately upon arrival at the Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, we confirmed our return ferry tickets, and then went to look for the Takadeli Bakery to order our Kuah Lapis! We tried this bakery on our first trip and thought it was very nice. And I was so glad to know that there is one outlet just at the ferry terminal. Hurray. We ordered 3, asked them to halve them, thus we have 6 pieces to collect the next day before we depart Batam. Each cake (whole) cost 160,000 Rupiah which is about S$24. I like it as it does not have those extra strong spice taste when eaten. And also, dont have the usual 'artificial' and 'mass produced' taste that you normally get if you buy from supermarkets.

After our errands at the ferry terminal, we went to the temple to pray pray. This time basically to bring dad there. By the way, how did we get there? Hehehe....we had engaged a driver for 250,000 Rupiah (about S$40) per day. The actual driver was not available and he sent another driver (a taxi driver) to drive us. And guess what? This driver actually had the guts to ask for increase to 300,000 Rupiah when we paid him that night! I was very mad and asked hubby to complain to the original guy! Don't use such underhand means! It's very irritating.

After our temple visit, we went in to check in to the hotel we had booked online. The first trip we stayed at the Holiday Inn, this time round we booked Hotel Harmoni. We were trying to book somewhere near the Nagoya Hill Plaza. All the hotels that I had checked were fully booked! Someone recommended Hotel Harmoni and it's available, so I took it. The price was S$90 per night (breakfast included), and well after taxes and one additional bed, it came up to about S$145.
After the first trip in June, I was very determined to try this Ayam Penyet at the Nagoya Hill Plaza. So this time, I managed to try it! And it was very nice, esp the sambal. And guess what again? This dish cost only about S$1plus. One disappointment was that the portion was very small. Not sure if it is enough for a meal, even with a plate of rice. But anyway, it's nice nice nice. I was so tempted to buy two packs back to Singapore!

Saw this interesting drink and decided to give a try. It's avocado juice. I had initially thought that the browish thingie was brown sugar (gula melaka) but to my disappointment it's actually chocolate milk. But anyway, the drink was fine. I was worried I might not finish it if it really tasted lousy. But I did finish it. Well, good. Worth a try.


Dinner was seafood at the Golden Prawn 933 (the one time we had dinner at Golden Prawn 555). They were actually located side by side! We didn't realise until this second trip. It was a kelong-styled restaurant. The feeling was good and the place was breezy at times.

Seafood dinner? Bittergourd with egg? Funny? But the fried bittergourd with egg was simply fantastic! I don't know how to describe but it was really tasty. I will order this dish for a third time if I am back there.



We had crab again. The first time was chilli crab at Golden Prawn 555. We didn't see a chilli crab dish on the menu here (was wondering how come we didn't just asked!). Anyway, we ordered this onion crab. A joke arose here. Hubby wanted crab with roe (or crab egg, whatever you call it). So the first time we went, he specifically instructed that he wanted crabs with egg. Ended up we had 2 crabs without any roe! He was pissed. This time round, he made the same request again. The waiter was nodding and I was pretty sure we had finally found someone who understood what we wanted (as most of the people we met did not understand English and we also don't know the Indon language well). When the crab dish came, we found, to our great disappointed, there wasn't any roe again! We were commenting how we were 'conned' again. Then dad made a comment which made us wake up and laughed. He said we asked for crab with eggs, so we were given a crab dish fried with eggs! Did you all see the onions and the EGGS in your dish, he said! *Faint* That could well be the case! My god. We must learn the correct instructions in Bahasa Indonesian if we are going for the 3rd time. Anyway, the crab taste nice, but not fantastic enough.

The fish we had at 555 was very sweet and tender and tasty. The problem with this fish at933 was that it's somewhat stiff. Not as smooth as the last one we had.

This was lemon chicken but I don't think I will ever order it again. Absolutely yakkie! That's how much was left when we left. After one piece, I really did not want to try a 2nd piece.

Had been recommended ths J.Co donuts. This outlet was located at Mega Mall next to the Batam Centre Ferry Terminal. I had wanted to buy 3 but they didn't seem interested to entertain 3 pieces cos there were no boxes for 3 pieces. The minimum was 6 pieces. For the sake of trying, I got 6, else.......!!!

Here are the 6 I got: from left, top to bottom - chocolate with banana at the centre, chocolate, oreo cookies. From right, top to bottom - chocolate chips, chocolate chips with mint, chocolate with er....some coffee stuff, i think cappucino.

Well, just donut taste lor. Found nothing really impressive. The only good thing was that they were cheap. These 6 cost only S$4plus. If bought in Singapore, 1 donut would have easily cost S$1plus.

So well, so much for my Batam trip for now. It's good for a short trip. Can replace JB already! Heehee....

TGIF!

1 Aug 2008 (9.20pm)