Thursday, December 30, 2010

It's end of year again...

Didn't we just count down to 2010 and here we are, sending it off - just in a blink!

Today's my last day of work for the day as we always have 31 Dec off. But there is no mood at all that we are all gonna have a holiday. It was still a crazy rush at work. Wonder what's the rush all about. Quite fed up.

Anyway, my break's till 3 Jan. So it's a long weekend and I am just so excited. Can't stop planning for the next 4 days. Eat, play, celebrate. Hahaha...I wish these 4 days pass slowly because I really have no courage and energy to face the next year at work. Damn!

Bless me...

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Hello Xiaohei


Xiaohei's been missing for 2 years and a week since 'taken away' by Town Council. It said Xiaohei was moved to another block but we did not see Xiaohei since.

Been missing her. Hope all's well with her.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A new phone

Finally decided on iPhone and went ahead to get one last week - an iPhone 4! And this was after much deliberation.

So, for about a week now, I have been exploring this new phone, downloading and trying and deleting apps - games, books, news, etc, etc...

Life's never boring again. Except that battery sucks, as always known for iPhones. But I have to live with it and manage it.

Been playing games like coin/cookies dozers, flick fishing and others.

Mmmm...I will probably be one of those who will strongly recommend iPhones (despite the bad battery) for real entertainment.

Will update more.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Jogging....all the way


I have been sticking my butt on the sofa, playing computer for too long. Weeks back, I have started making myself get out of the potato couch position and to the park to start my jog. The start went well and continues to be so for now. The challenge is to keep it going.
The difference between now and then was that I insisted on jogging in the morning when the sky was still dark. Now I can jog at almost anytime of the day - morning, noon, afternoon, late afternoon. Have not tried evening and night yet.
Keep it up.

Where to go?

Been planning for a short trip with hubby since August and we keep delaying by the month until it's now 3 months later!

It's been a while since we both went on a trip - just two of us. We are trying to plan for another one - look like it has to be a short trip now though we initially talked about a longer vacation.

My Dec to Jan 'free' period will be quite limited due to another plan. So now, we are pondering the when and where.

Should it be Batam (Harris), Bintan, Cruise, or?

Hope our plan materialises soon.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Damn my bloody computer!

It hanged 4 times on me while I did the previous post! DAMN! Managing blogger is already a pain, and having to deal with my damn erratic computer is making me go nuts.

I wish it just die so that I know what to do next. But now, one moment it's ok, one moment when you are so engrossed with something, it dies on you....Not once, but many times.

Can I just give it a euthanasia (to be 'humane') or just murder it to get rid of my pain once and for all!!! DAMN!

Moments with Yoga


I have finally decided that I have slacked so much to the stage which is scaring me lots. Other than trying to bring jogging back to my life (eg weekend jogs) I have also signed up for yoga class at my community club.

I was a little apprehensive at first as my very early experiences with yoga did not end good. But I wanted to go at it again. So this time, I went to get a yoga mat. My first lesson began this Wed (3 Nov). One hour per week. Coincidentally, one of my colleague was also in the class.

The first lesson started well. Thank goodness this time round, I didn't feel the discomfort from my body when I first tried it close to 10 years ago. But it did strained some of my back parts which I think it's good.

Other than some basic stretches, the instructor taught us the Sun Salutation movement. 12 steps in all, but I can't remember everything after just one lesson. Anyway, this will be reinforced in our coming lessons and I hope I can master it smoothly as we go along.

Found a clip on YouTube on the movements: Sun Salutation (Yoga for beginners)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Farewell, Mrs Lee...


Mrs Lee Kuan Yew's funeral


She had a well-lived life in the 89 years.

You will be missed. Farewell and rest in peace.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Take care, MM - A simple pic, a heavy heart

This picture was published in the Channelnewsasia website today and seconds after looking at it, my eyes swelled.

I couldn't help thinking about the everlasting love and marriage of 60+ years with the last 2 years being painful years when MM Lee had to care for his stroke-stricken wife. And now, with her passing, he is suddenly alone. The known and unknown things which Mrs Lee had done for and with him are treasured memories now.

He was in hospital with chest infection 2 to 3 days before Mrs Lee passed away. He briefly went home and returned to hospital on the same day. Then there was no news of him until this morning's news. He visited his wife's wake last night at 10pm, stood silent for a while before joining some family members and relatives.

This photo affected me very much and it weighed heavily on me the whole day. It kept flashing in my mind and every time almost made me cry.

It was a love story that lasted longer than what we have today. Theirs was really a lifelong, everlasting love which could be shown in every aspect of their lives. But whatever it had been, the evitable will happen.

My heart goes out to MM Lee and no matter how prepared he is for this to happen, the amount of pain and sorrow is indeed immeasurable and the sense of loss is going to be great. No words can explain that pain.

Take good care, MM Lee. I am sure Mrs Lee will always be in your heart wherever you are. I look forward to your active lifestyle again soon.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Farewell, Mrs Lee Kuan Yew

Deepest condolences to the Lee family on the passing of their beloved wife and mother (wife of MM Lee Kuan Yew and mother of PM Lee Hsien Loong)

First hit with stroke in 2003, Mrs Lee was unable to walk or speak when she suffered another in May 2008. She passed away peacefully on 2 October 2010, 5.40pm.

May you rest in peace, Mrs Lee.


Related articles:
1. Wife of Singapore Founder Lee Kuan Yew dies at 89
2. Kwa Geok Choo
3. Wife, confidante, lawyer, mother
4. Wife's illness hardest for MM

Friday, September 3, 2010

What mobille phone to get next?

My Singtel 21-mth contract is up and I am 'eligible' to go for a recontract. For so many years, I have been going for a $0 value phone which seemed quite decent. I did not want to spend lots on phone. I had a glimpse of the current lot of $0 value phones at Singtel that allow me to still keep my Classic plan - one word: OLD!

This time round, I am really undecided. My current Nokia Navigator has apparently decided to give up on me months after I gave it a Myojo soup treat. Am now using hubby's old Nokia phone to get buy, hoping to get some good treats during Christmas. After a thick-skin email to Singtel, they have agreed to give me a $50 voucher for use at any Hello Shop only - and valid only for a month from the day I accepted this 'goodie' on 26 Aug 10. Sigh...I am definitely not a really valued customer. For so many years, I have been on the Classic plan (which is not even available now). Hubby used to get $100 voucher and my colleague made some noise at them and she had 'earned' her $150 voucher. Why is mine so miserable? Anyway, I don't think i will even use their $50. They can go INVEST with it!
My current Nokia Navigator



Anyway, back to which phone to buy. Many people around me have switched to I-phones. I was so tempted to buy until I know that the battery sucks. That sort of dampen my desire quite a bit. Next is the subscription - at least $39.90 for the data and voice plan. My plan has always been $20 basic plus roaming of $10 and a total of at most $40+ per month.

Been toying with the idea of getting an Iphone but two factors keep pulling me back. One, the battery life. Second, I have to give up my long protected Classic. But times have changed and I ought to change too. Is there a 'best of both worlds' plan? One that allow me to surf seamlessly and at low cost.

Mmmm....So how now? Iphone? N97 mini? Any other phones?

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Do you believe in what you are doing?

What happens if you are engaged in a job or career that you have reservations in or do not believe in?

Would you continue? Would you try to change? Would you leave?

I am a perfectionist? You must be kidding!

I wonder why people use a term like 'perfectionist' to describe me. I wonder which aspects of my actions, attitudes give them such a thought.

Here me out: I am FAR from it! If I am a perfectionist, then a lot of people out there are angels.

I am more like a 'anything goes' person. Am I not? I know for one person who said that, he was trying to make a point that I am 'too slow' in completing my task because I try to make sure every step in front is cleared before I move on. Woah, and that makes me a perfectionist? Must have been a polite, diplomatic compliment.

The other one - well, perhaps because I have many requests or too particular about certain things. Come on, people have many requests that they hope will be met. I have too, but if they are not met, I am disappointed, but I hardly 'kill' people for not meeting my requests. Does that also make me a perfectionist? Are we really vocab poor or are we using terms too freely?

I reiterate: I am not even a fraction of the real perfectionist and I certainly won't buy that term on myself.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Our nation's birthday

Happy 45th Birthday,





Singapore!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Empty brain

My pal, Irene had recently reminded me that I have not posted on my blog for a while. Well, I am aware of this and am been thinking hard about what to post.

But I don't know why nothing comes out of my brain. Have I really got nothing to write about lately? Am I so contented with life lately that I have nothing to complain or rattle, or is my life that empty lately that I have nothing to even think about, let alone pen it out?

How empty I feel inside me now?

Gambatte!!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

It's hubby's 40th birthday today! Got a mini cake, to be lighted, blown and shared by 3 pax. Heehee...this is to spare our tummies after dinner, and of course the calories.

Wish hubby a happy year ahead and of course, many many more good years to come.

生日快乐!




Saturday, June 26, 2010

Disappearing act

Wow, I realised I have not posted for close to a month! I think my energy has somewhat drained and still draining.

I have shifted into my new workplace at the NUHS Tower Block on 18 and 19 Jun 10. The packing a week or two before was horrendous, having to deal with operational work at the same time.

I should say we are more settled in our new office now, but commutation is not very convenient, esp for lunch. So 4 of us ended up trying tingkat, ie lunch delivery. We thought it is a good way to save money. :)

Don't know how long the tingkat will last and what else will change later. But for now, the best thing about the place is the scenary. Could see eagle flying abv the port every now and then.

So much for now. Catch up again soon.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Visit to Mdm Wong's Shelter

I first come across Mdm Wong's Shelter (MWS) when I visited the Ericsson Pet Farm early May in my rented Toyota Axio. It was really a by chance thingy and I am so glad it happened.



I didn't have a walk in the shelter then but simply chatted with Ray, one of the more seasoned volunteer at the shelter. He shared with us things about the shelter and the furry friends - about 50+ dogs and 200+ cats.



Since that brief visit, I had been planning to do a visit to have a tour of the place and to mix around with the kiddos. Finally, today's the day! I was so excited.



We had also brought some items, ie key chains, handphone hangon straps, frames and some stuff which pal Irene had also contributed to Yian for the coming weekend's carnival.







Catties asleep in comfort of their little beds. Couldn't help but hiding a smile in my heart.


Cats community. When we stepped into this room, and the moment I squatted down, the pack all came towards me and fuss around! Was a little overwhelmed at first. One of them even climbed up my legs on its own accord and sat there!! Hahahaha...Then one of them (the one lying on the blue cage) 'patted' on my back while my attention was with the rests in front. Gave me a scare. But it was just trying to get attention. It kept meowing to get me to pat him/her. :)


Two catties at the bar welcoming us.


The catties at another private shelter.


This is Buttercup, the timid and shy abandoned doggy. It has been 'bullied' by the 3 fast growing doggies in the same bunk. I hope she gets adopted soon. I couldn't bear to put her down with those 'playful' folks below. I hope she gets her deserved happiness.

2 of the 5 pups which were abandoned and sent to MWS. One of them had been adopted. I carried one of them today. Wow, I love it!!
Though I was happy and excited to visit MWS, I was at the same time sad to see so many abandoned furry friends. And worse still, some were abused. I almost cried while playing with those cats, thinking they would be much happier if they had the freedom to roam about instead of being cooped up in a shelter. On the other hand, with the situation for some of them, it is probably safer for them to be at the shelter. Otherwise, once caught, they will be sent to SPCA or AVA and be put to sleep. Isn't that sick to the core?
And I really cannot tolerate the people who can simply abandon their pets for some unbelievable and atrocious reasons. And equally so the people who abuse them. I really hate to say some uncouth words to describe these people except to say - what goes around comes around.
I really have mixed feelings seeing the furry folks at MWS. First, feeling sad for them to have to end up in the shelter for some human created problems. But at the same time, I am also glad they have a shelter to continue with their lives and hopefully get a second chance in life. Some of these would have been sent to AVA/SPCA otherwise. In fact, a couple of them were rescued from AVA/SPCA.
Since young, I thought SPCA is a place which saves animals. But as I grew older, I realise that is not really the case. Yes, they are the body to lobby humanity to animals. That doesn't mean keeping them alive alone, but to administer death in a humane manner. My god!
So don't think sending your pets or whatever animals to SPCA will save their lives. Such a contradiction which has misled me since young. It has become a scary body in my view now.
And...I don't want to talk about the govt authorities in their role. I just feel.............!!
To end this all, I must say, I thought of my Chantek Xiaohei again. Wonder if she is in one of these shelter, if she's still alive or had she been sent to somewhere. :(
9.12pm

Sunday, May 23, 2010

翰墨陶情II(21 - 26 May 2010)

今早陪老爸到个画展,是他老友(林振群叔叔)邀他因他妇人也有两幅参展的画。



林阿姨的画《争艳》

林阿姨第二幅画《秋天的诗》

林叔叔,林阿姨及画家老师刘禄在
香港艺人米雪也是刘老师学生之一。米雪也有四幅画在展上亮相。
米雪画《一枝独秀》,卖价$6800!

米雪画《梅报太平》

米雪的无题画。自己想象吧。

米雪画《春韵》
以上两幅是刘老师的画画。米雪的《春韵》很象第一幅吧?是刘老师教的。











展厅给人很舒服的感觉


刘老师在展厅给学生讲画

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Commenting on Sumiko's column - Fear of the unknown

I have just re-produced Sumiko article "Fear of the unknown" in my earlier post.


I read with amazement that two paras she mentioned had accurately reflected my thoughts:


I'm afraid of being happy because experience has shown that whenever I get carried away, something bad will happen, so better not risk it.

To folks like me, happiness is cyclical. We've discovered that unhappiness invariably follows happiness, so it's best to keep your head down, stay under the radar and control your emotions.


This is something I have been feeling since many many years ago, but it is very difficult to 'explain' to people. Sumiko hit the nail right in.

As shared in her article, her feeling that way had something to do with her one experience some time back. For me, it was another story which seem to happen many times in my life but the 'phobia' stayed on.

In the past, I noticed that whenever I was very happy, reaching home and sharing it or having the happiness reflected in my mood, and rah-rah-ing with dad; having happy talks with dad on some common things, etc - the next day, dad will be feeling unwell and on some occasions, i have to take leave to bring him to the doc or sometimes admitted to hospital for whatever reasons.

It had happen too many times, according to my standard and the fear of feeling happy is carried forward till today. Whenever there are happy things, I would play it down, or try not to reflect it too obviously, as Sumiko has shared.

It is obviously not right but it can't be helped and the thought is that - if such happy feeling is later going to be traded off by something bad that will happen to my family, then perhaps it is better off to maintain a neutral feeling.

Fear of the unknown - Sumiko Tan (Sunday Lifestyle, 16 May 2010)

A colleague made a remark the other day which gave me a bit of a jolt.

"In the 1.5 years that I've known you, I've noticed that you always make a U-turn whever you face the unknown," he said.

Wow, I thought, I'd never realised that about myself.

I'd been confiding in him via the office instant messaging system about a dilemma I'd found myself in.

It wasn't the first time I'd sought his advice or, to be more accurate, unloaded my laments onto him (poor guy).

He knows me fairly well by now or, at least, he's in the loop about the many permutations of my mental state. (That's the beauty of instant messaging, isn't it? You can be personal yet keep an impersonal distance, whether you're the person seeking advice or giving it.)

His words were food for thought. Was he right? Do I really fear the unknown and flee from it? Am I the sort who would rather stick to the familiar? What is it I'm really afraid of?

I thought about the crossroads I've faced in my life and realised that he was not wrong.

Faced between striding with what I'm comfortable with, I have often scooted back to the road most travelled.

That's probably the reason I'm still unmarried at my grand old age, why I've stuck to the same job for 25 years and lived in the same house fo 37.

It's also why I return again and again to eat at the same restaurants, why I revisit the same holiday destinations every year, and why I've stuck to the same Sunday routine for donkey's years - wake up, go for yoga, shop, home, dinner, CSI, sleep. (And yes, it's also why my columns deal with the same topics too.)

I look at people I've grown up with and, goodness, it's like I'm floating in a time warp.

Some have children already in their mid-teens, entering national service even. They have graduated through so many stages of their lives, sold and bought homes, dealt with in-laws, survived the stress of their children's exams and live through other such grown-up things, whereas I am stuck in the same old groove.

It's not a bad groove, of course, and I've many things to be thankful for and for which i am, but what if more exciting experiences await if I were more daring? Or let's not even talk about exciting, just different experiences?

But I don't like shocks to my system. I don't like feeling awkward. I don't like being put to a test. I like things to be predictable, dull even. I'm too lazy to change the way my life is. It takes so much effort and the thought of it makes me want to just curl up and sleep instead. Besides, what if I make a change and things go wrong? Why risk failure?

The problem is, the more one focuses on the megative aspects of a change, the more real the fear of those negatives becomes, and self-fulfilling too.

What is clear, though, is that the few times in my life that I ahve allowed myself to do something out of character have been liberating.

That same colleagues pointed out how I'd taken up bowling last year and didn't regret it. Now, bowling is not something any of my friends would imagine me doing given how unadventurous I am, but I decided one day that I wanted to learn it.

I bought a ball and shoes, got a coach, went down to a bowling alley and learnt to bowl. I ventured outside my comfort zone, met new people and it was fun. It was a personal milestone.

It is natural to dear the unknown. Who isn't afraid? But something must be wrong when that fear so inhibits you that you miss out on opportunities that can make a positive difference to your life.

What compounds my problem is that I, ironically, find the concept of happiness scary. I strive for happiness yet am afraid when it comes a-knocking. (There's even a term for fear of happiness - cherophobia.)

I'm not what you'd call an upbeat or extroverted person and I like to maintain a state of perpetual glumness.

Any time something threatens to make me happy, I'll talk to myself or the thing down so that I'm no longer on cloud nine.

I find it hard to take compliments and if someone were to say to me:"What a pretty dress you have on", I'll immediately try and think of something negative to say so that I'm taken down a peg or two - "Thanks but I'm putting on weight and the dress is getting really tight" or "Oh, it's just a cheap dress and not well-made at all." I am more tha a little wary of hubris.

I'm afraid of being happy because experience has shown that whenever I get carried away, something bad will happen, so better not risk it.

One episode is still clear in my mind.

Many years ago, I did a signing session after a book I'd written was launched. It went well and I was as pleased as punch with myself. I drove home with a grin on my face.

At a road junction, I mis-read a traffic light and nearly hit a car head-on. It was a good lesson on the dangers of being smug. I've since never allowed myself to be on any sort of high.

To folks like me, happiness is cyclical. We've discovered that unhappiness invariably follows happiness, so it's best to keep your head down, stay under the radar and control your emotions.

Besides, if I'm negative about something and something negative really materialises, then I won't feel too let down as I had predicted this all along.

It's perverse, I know, and pop psychologists will have a field day with people like me.

Can it be that I had once experienced such great happiness only to have it end so abruptly and painfully that I never wanted to be put in a situation where it might happen again?

Whatever the reasons, I've become comfortable with my glumness. It's my shield against future unhappiness.

But surely I can change and must, especiallywhen an opportunity to do so stares me in the face?

Yes, it's certainly more painful to lose a new-found happiness than it is to be constantly unhappy. But spending your life feeling perpetually morose - or forcing yourself to be so even when you aren't, really - prevents you from embracing beautiful moments that might come your way if you only gave yourself a chance.

Thinking positively won't be easy. We instinctively return to beliefs we've depended on to cope with the ups and downs of life.

Maybe it's just a matter of repeating to myself statements like "It's okay to be happy" or "I'm grateful for my happiness" - cheesy though such self-affirming statements sound.

A character in a Japanese movie once said that "humans are cowards in the face of happiness. It takes courage to hold on to happiness".

Courage - and the ability to conquer your fear and take a leap into the great unknown.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Dr Goh Keng Swee (6 October 1918 – 14 May 2010) passes on

Farewell and may you rest in peace, Dr Goh.

Singapore will see a state funeral for former DPM on 23 May 2010 (Sunday). His body will lie in state at the Parliament House from 20 - 22 May 2010.


Monday, May 3, 2010

Spirits dampened

How often do I have things that really excite me? Sad to say, not many (not that I don't have interests, but lots of them really doesn't make sense to others).

But whenever I thought I have really found some opportunities to fulfil my interests (at least the very one or two things that brighten up my eyes and spirit), someone has to be there to pour water. It's really sickening. If in life, I can't even do the things I really like (in my already 'sickened' world), then it's really not a life I would want to live.

Should I even bother to let other's (or others') comments affect me? I try not to but many times, it comes from people close. I really hate these road blocks.

So what kind of life should I live to make you happy? Doing nothing, work, stay at home, play computer games, watch TV, eat, sleep, rest. Duh!!!

I am really frustrated. I can't get my message across. I am tired of trying. Let me just rot and die.

Drive again


White Toyota Axio (1.5A)
Yes! After talking and talking and thinking and thinking for a long time, I've finally set a date to get a car - not buy, but rent. The May Day holiday period was a good time, I thought.
Picked up the car at lunch time on Fri (30 Apr) and returned it noon today.
Long before I got the car, I had been planning where to go, how to go and I studied the directory like an encyclopaedia.
So finally, we had the following covered:
Fri, 30 Apr
- Got car from Sin Ming's Bull Carz (Blk 22) during my lunch time. Took a cab down.
- Drove it back to workplace. Send it for valet parking at $4 per day. Well, at least cheaper than parking in the carpark.
- Drove it back home after work amidst the heavy traffic (but not as bad as some days, still manageable traffic conditions, i was glad)
- For dinner, we drove out to Teacher's Estate somewhere Yio Chu Kang Rd. Been driven there before but i really didn't know the way till I did it myself!
Sat, 1 May
- Drove to IMM (havent been there for a long time)
- Dinner was supposed to be at the prawning place at Bishan but the carpark was full. Partly my fault cos I had a chance to park at one available lot far from the restaurant but I sort of gave it up. After that it was taken and that's it! So we changed venue to a seafood restaurant in AMK.
Sun, 2 May
- Was west yesterday, today east. Today we drove all the way via TPE to Pasir Ris Farmway. Colleague recommended the Ericsson Pet Farm. We were half hr earlier than the opening time so we went to other farms to look at fish, corals before coming back. The place was nice and I chance upon an animal shelter (Mdm Wong Shelter) and spoke to a volunteer, Ray. He was nice in sharing quite a bit of things. Decided to go back there to do some voluntary work whenever I can. Lots of abandoned cats and dogs. Wonder how people can just 'throw' their pets out. Sad humans.
- After that, we drove to Changi Village for lunch. Had the nasi lemak at the most famous International Stall but didn't really find it very special. The nasi lemak at my place tastes nicer. Bought some muffins home though. Had a little walk at the Changi jetty before set for home.
- Dinner was at Jack's Place, AMK Central. Got a fan home at Courts.
- Had a short evening casual drive to end the night.
Mon, 3 May
- Drove to the central to run a little errand.
- Before returning the car, we went to Bright Hill Temple and Tse Tho Aum.
- And it's bye bye to the Toyota Axio (1.5) which had accompanied us for the last 3 days.
Afternote: I was made to pay $280 for a scatch mark found at the left front bumper! I didn't know how that was there because I would have known if I scratched the car when I drove it! Clearly, it was done to my car unknowingly. Well, my since the car was my responsibility, I had to bear it. Took it as part of the entertainment expense. :)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Gathering @ Lena's Cafe

Another gathering for 歌之旅 on 11 April 10 (Sunday). Although not everybody was present, it was still a great meet up. This time round, Lian had suggested Lena's Cafe at Bugis. It's next to TCC at Intercontinental Hotel. Quite a nice place. We had ordered a couple of dishes and drinks, talk while we eat.





Guess what's this? :)