This Time

This time, I will not push. I will not dig.

This time I will not plead.

I will not ask. Because if the time is right, I will not need to ask.

Find myself withholding alot of stuffs. Stuffs the old me will be desperate to pursue and make known, even if it's too premature to reveal them.

And when it gets too overwhelming, I pray. Yes, desperately needing the peace of mind, I sought the Almighty to soothe me to sleep.

Occasional thoughts flew in and out. A prompting ensues every sudden urge. There is a time for everything, it tells me.

I am much at peace now then I was before, when put in the same situation.

This time, I am going to fold my hands and wait.

About Songs

Five for Fighting - Something About You
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

It's been sometime since I have hear these songs over the radio, and so it's rather refreshing to hear them again. Especially love "Something About You". It's a really sweet song. And the rhythm has a feel-good feeling. And for once I listen and feel the lyrics as it's being sung...

Baby there's something about you that
I can hold on to I'm
Going to hold on to that

... Nice. :)

Then "Fast Car" came on. I like Tracy Chapman's songs. They are very real, and comes with a tinge of sadness, yet there is still hope. Sometimes mocking issues in a celebrative manner. "Fast Car" is one of the really quick songs I like to sing along to.

(Aiyah, I forgot the trail of thoughts that came along with the listening of these two songs...Bai! I hope they trail back to me sometime today...)

Oh Well. Oh Well.

You know, I am having the regular Monday headache thingy. Head is throbbing like mad. Happens now and then, after I have my step aerobics class. It's not enough to destroy me, but it's really irritating. If I accidentally throws my head on one side, the throbbing will kinda "jiggle" along. I think it's migraine.

But migraine or no migraine, I finished GA. A huge portion of this episode is about sex and things of the like. Burke asked Cristina to move in with her when he left her a key in the coffee cup, but he had second thoughts when he finally saw what her living style is like at her apartment. The beginning of peering into Cristina's world, which she fiercely tries to hide. Cristina is still like that, telling jokes with a straight face. I love Sandra Oh. :)

The show ended with all the major doctors and interns gathering in the op theatre as Addison delivers 5 babies (how do u call them in terms like "triplets", "quartlets"? Hexaglets?) 3 of the babies have deforms and need to be operated. And Meredith ends by saying,

"How do you know when is too much?"

Hmm... I guess when it starts to hurt? When it make you reveal your ugliness that has been hidden in the closet for years?

Hmm....

...

Funny thing. When I was in my aerobics gear walking through the block of flats near my place (I was in a t-shirt and exercise pants), a Chinese uncle walked closed to me, looked at me, and whispered the following words as he passed me by,

"你好吗?"

Of course by the time the words got registered on my mind when I passed him. About 1 second later. I was like "Oh man... Shucks! I am attracting uncles?! Geez..." Then I scrunched up face and have that kinda "funny things do happen" look and continue my journey, reviewing that moment a few times just to do a smirk at that funny moment.

Well, I did turned a few eyes at the park on the way to the gym. But it got me thinking... Have I reached the age that I only attract uncles? Jialat. I don't want uncles! I want to attract mature rich men, not uncles chatting at the void deck!

Wait... Maybe that uncle thinks that I am a 中国妹？Sudah... Do I look like one... Hmm... I guess I should probably review my dress sense... T-shirt and exercise pants, cina meh?

Brgh. Will never know. But I thought it was funny lah. How come an uncle talk like that to me.

I don't want attention from uncles!!! I want attention from proper men suitable for me!!

...

Recalled that last time, a teenager in the previous church asked me how come I still got no boyfriend (you know these people, this question is in their top 10 when they see you...) And was it because my standards were too high.

My reply to her was. "As you grow older, your standards drop lower."

Oh well. It's on it's all time low now. I am still as single as can be. It can't get lower anymore liao lah.

Oh well. Oh well.

Wired And Unwired

After yesterday trip across the Causeway, I am not so sure if I would want to venture there again for any reason. Though it was just a simple, crossover, shop around, senang (supposedly) trip, I came back feeling very lethargic and drained, even till today.

Turned in much earlier than I usually do, I woke up this morning with a throbbing pain on the left eye and more lethargy. Had to sleep for a couple of hours more before I regain my energy.

Come to think about it, we really didn't do much when we were at the nearest shopping mall. Upon reaching, we ate at a Singaporean cafe, "Secret Receipe". Wah, I must recommend you readers to their Dory Fish in Lobster Sauce. Mmmmmm.... YUMMY! Friends also ordered their Brownie and Chocolate Mud Cake. Double Mmmmm!! :) I was on a "high" again!! Hehe...

Then, we started our shopping. I discovered that there is a pushcart there that actually lets you download music into your phone. Goodness! This will never happen in Sg. Then there is a lane that looks very much like Far East, which we didn't really ventured in because it's... Too young for us. :P We left at around 4 plus, a recommended timing for those of you who want to avoid the traffic jams. For those who would like to take on similar trips, here's how you get across:

1) Take bus 170 from either Queens Street or Kranji MRT station
2) Take bus 950 from Woodlands MRT (We took this one)

You will alight at Singapore Customs, tap yr EZlink card fare suspended, do your passport thingy. When you are out, take the same bus (I think) and alight at the M'sian customs, do the customs thingy. Then take the bus to whereever u wanna go. We took 950 and once we cleared the customs, we walked through an underground passageway and walk abit to reach the shopping centre, City Square, I think :P.

As we walk towards the underpass, there will be people asking if we want a taxi. We didn't respond to them. Also saw two locals begging. We didn't pay attention to them either. I guess the rule of thumb is not to be too kind, cos given the news of security there, it's better to be nonchalent.

One thing struck me while I was shopping though. The prices at the mall are literally the equivalent to the price range of Singapore shops. How can the local people afford it? Friend told me, the prices are really to cater to Singaporeans. I feel a little guilty being a part of this movement. :P

I also discovered that I am 2 sizes up when I tried on a pair of MANGO jeans! OMG! Or have they special cutting for those jeans. I sure hope that is the case. It's been quite sometime since I last try bottoms at MANGO. I have to go there cos their pants are longer *ding ding* Argh. 2 sizes up! Argh. Anyway, I bought the jeans ;) I guess buying it in another currency doesn't hurt the pocket as much as buying it in S$! Haha...

So there. My adventure in JB. I might go again. Maybe I should just drink more water before I go. So that I will not be so dehydrated and get lethargic so easily.

...

*Touching her new Starhub digital box*

I am officially in the cable tv club! I am a Hubber!

Yeah yeah, I know, many of you reading already own cable tv. I made the decision to install it after some deliberation. Brother also wanted to watch World Cup, so when the telemarketeer called up again, I decided to take up the offer. 3 basic group, one Family Plus and one-time payment for World Cup, and digital box rental-free! The cable guy came to install it just now, and I was having lotsa fun switching channels. Nice! The educational channels comes with Chinese subtitles, so I hope it will help me in my translation thingies... Ma wanted to checkout other shows. I think I probably will sign up additional Asia channels...

Surprisingly, after playing with the channels, my lethargy is gone! Amazing, isn't it? :P Originally thought I would skip CG today. Good thing I sms, I didn't know the group will not be meeting for 3 weeks, and nobody told me about it! Imagine if I turned up in all tiredness only to be told it's cancelled!

Oh well. God is good, still. At least I didn't feel good and sms. Otherwise, I will be so frustrated.

...

So fast, tomorrow will be Monday again. And Thursday will be the beginning of the next half of the year. And in a blink of an eye, Christmas will be here again.

I will blog about time passing very fast when I got the time. Think this blog is running a bit too long. Better stop here.

Deep Valleys. No Rain. Intention Weightage.

I have a friend who has not been having the best of time at work, and I have been doing my best to cheer him up.

It's a big task. But I'll take it. Because taking this task is better for me then to sit there and watch him handle it all by himself. Admittedly, there is nothing I can do to shield him, or push away the things that bother him. But the least I can do is to let him know that I am just a message away.

I just don't feel good when my friends are not in a terrific mood. Especially when they trust me and shared with me, it's just natural for me to stand up and say "Ok, I am in, what can I do?" or just performing my bestest act, be there to listen.

...

I was deceived by the thunder and lightning this evening. Haiz. Hai me cannot go jogging.

3rd time liao leh. Why am I so easily swayed?

Arghh.

...

As I was walking to the plaza for some money-changing business, a thought came on me.

I was pondering over the friend's thing, and I start to question myself.

Am I really being concern over the friend genuinely? Or am I the person,on the other hand, who needs the attention more? And finds it easy to get it from someone who is willing to give me the attention by allowing me into their world?

Am I doing something for a selfish reason, and masking it on pretext on helping another person?

It doesn't take me a long time to weigh on this. I believe there is an element of this hidden somewhere in my intention.

But isn't that how relationships with people are cultivated? You fill each other's needs, and in exchange you get the attention of the other party. There is a give, and there is a take.

Ok. Intention justified.

End of blog.

A Super "High" Day!

Day started off me with decided on what to wear for X-men day today. YES, it's today! Colleague and I decided we should wear black. So I fumbled through my clothes and found a black blouse and match it with my unique-looking dark colour jeans. Then, took some pictures of myself before I start the day *yes, i am kinda self obsessive ever since I own digital camera and camera phones, haha!*, look for a suitable bag to match this outfit and matched it with sandals. Colleague's well... a guy with average sg men height... I look strange. But aiyah, dun care lah, can get out can already.

The hightlight of today was the sushi buffet lunch I had with friends at Honjin Japanese Restaurant. One friend is still on maternity leave, and the other is on holiday (he is in NIE you see). I was exceptionally "high" today because I have been wanting to eat at Honjin for the longest time, but had no opportunity to do so. Honjin has delicious sushi spread: fresh fish, enough rice, but not too much to stuff you, lovely avocado *oh avocado!* sushi.. Mmmm... Yummy!

I guess I was "high" also because it's been a long time since we met up. Everybody seem to be in high spirits, especially me. Haha! SUSHI!! Had an amazing time with both and I wish I could hang out with them longer. I will do anything to get another of these moments again... SUSHI!! :))

Then it was work work work, and the clock strikes 6pm! Colleague hurried me to leave for the show. We met his nephews/nieces and surprisingly, it didn't take long for us to go into the cinema.

Oh, colleague also distributed to each of us *total 10 of us, including his friends who came later and left early when we head for pizza thereafter, Hmm...* a set of X-men postcards! Check it out!


The souvenir was packed in brown tissue paper. But hey, look what's that label on the wrapping...

Wow! A personalised sticker with X-men logo somemore!!

There were a total of 25 postcards in the gift.

These are my favourites! Wolverine *Hugh Jackman!*

... And Dr Jean Grey!

I was quite disappointed that the Angel character didn't really made alot of appearance on the show. But oh well, the many appearances of Hugh Jackman *slurp* made up for it :) After the show, I realised I am not so into action movies anymore. I still prefer indie/"Before sunset" kinda movies... You know, quiet, alot of talking *which most of my friends hate*, alot of thinking to do. But oh well, I will still go on occasional action box-office movies. Just to know what is it really all about.

The pizza hang out with kids was quite fun. Though it's the first time I know them, they are rather open to me, I guess, at least for the older ones. Laff and laff... Then we parted ways. Very tired already.

I lurv lurv lurv 25 May 2006! :)

American Idol Crown Goes To...

Taylor Hicks.

Oh Well. It's an American show.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060525/ap_en_tv/american_idol_11

Happy Girl For This Week!!

Finally went to watch Poseidon today. Thought what was so great about it, cos my brother seemed "shaken" after watching it.

My verdict is:
Like Titanic lor. Luxurious ship loaded with rich people met a natural disaster, then it crashed, many people die, some survive. How these people get out. Ecetera, ecetera...

I thought what. Then I remembered my brother didn't watch Titanic. It made sense.

Well, at least I think this movie will stir up people's urgency of living life like it's the last, compared to the "over hoo-ha-ed" Da Vinci Code.

But what I want to comment is the theatre which showed the movie. Theatre 11 is situated on the 9th floor of the Cineleisure Complex. After hearing the ticket attendant telling us that, I was pretty excited. It's my first time going to a new theatre!

On the 9th floor, the lift door open, and what I saw was tables and tables, with LCD screen. "So they have made it into a LAN gaming and entertainment centre" (It's actually called E2Max). The tables were rather empty though, but I guess it's because its a weekday. There's a ticketing and popcorn counter, and some small shops. There is an entrance that brings the customer to 2 or 3 cinemas.

I like cinema 11 the minute I enter it. It's a small cinema, very cosy like. It's not like those small GV cinemas, where the ceilings are very high. It's like a small screening room setting. For probably about maybe.. 50 people? I like it cos the screen is not so far away, and it feels like I am in my own private screening room. And the seats are so comfy! :)

After the movie, I found that there are little rooms lined up along the hallways for gamers. They are just like those karaoke rooms, but the rooms are furnished with a TV and a computer and a desk. I guess it could be rented out as a full entertainment room for the youngsters to study or game, or just hang out.

Singaporean youngsters are really rich huh... That these entertainment people actually design a space for them. To rent. Singapore now so advance liao... Good thing I chose to watch the movie there. At least I learn something new.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

After the movie, went walk walk with friend. Wanted to check out "Missy B" outlet there, so drag her in with me. First time I walk into the shopping gallery of MM. Nice. But things look really expensive there. Well, of course, it's MM...

After that, I still wanna hang out, so we walked to Robinsons. I wasn't in the mood for shopping, so we got out of Centrepoint and walk towards Plaza Sing. Along the way, she told me that her cell group (in the church I used to go) will be "closed down". She says the leader cited a new baby and studies as reason for closing the group. And that the pastor will meet up with the members to work out where they can go.

The news surprised me abit. Because I have never expected their group to dissolve. They, I believe, are the only cell group left there that consists of young working adults, most of them actively serving in church. To me, this is a signal that there is crucial problem with way,the young adults group are being handled in the church. If this group is not working well, what about the rest? And I am guessing the reasons given by the leader is only a convenient excuse. I have seen him on several occasions, looking very tired after ministry. A common expression I have seen on many of those who served the church earnestly and faithfully for the past 10 years.

I hope this will alarm the church, warning them that the tier of people who stand between the oldies and the youth is crumbling. And if this crumbling tier is not fixed, and it collapse, there will be consequences.

I was hoping that my exit from the church will highlight some of the blind spots in the church, and that it will benefit those who may walk in my footsteps, so that they may be cared for by the church. Well, it looks like some things are taking place there liao... We'll see what will happen next.

Friend also shared about her frustrations at work, and she can't leave because she has committments, and she is does not have a special skill to move on further.

As I stood at the bus stop waiting for my bus, I thought to myself "You are one lucky girl. Even though you have always worked in small companies that doesn't pay you much, you are much a happier person compared to those of your friends who work in big organisations, but yet overworked, stressed and unhappy. So do you still want the money, or do you want to keep the happiness?"

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I will be watching X-men tomorrow. Can't wait!!!!!!!! Colleague is the kind who is very passionate about such things. He got the creative guys in the office to made us souvenirs of the movie leh! ;) Tomorrow I take picture and show you guys, OK? ;)

Then tomorrow meet 2 other friends for lunch, met one yesterday... Saturday go JB...

This week is a happy week for me. I am A HAPPY GIRL this week! ;)

What Would You Do If You Are Superman?

Colleague passed this link that comes with a quiz form for winning tickets to watch the new Superman movie. The final question asked:

Tell us in 30 words or less how you will save the world with your superpowers if you were superman?

Frankly. I have no friggin' idea. I have never thought about this. I have never thought about saving the world as a superhero. Not Supeman, not Supergirl. I only like Wonder Woman's glass jet :) When I was young, I used to take used toilet rolls and squeeze my wrists through them. And VOILA! I've got Wonder Woman's "wristbands". You know, in case I need to shield myself off lazer gun shots :)

Thats just about what I like about superheroes. :P

*ponders my answers*

*keys in my silliest answer*

I Had A Dream

I had a really weird dream last night.

In that dream, some guy was sitting in the living room of my old house. I can't remember clearly what he did, but he was like trying to make people of our family do something, that we are at his mercy if we do not do it.

Then eventually, I walk up to him, hold him on his collar and warned him enough already, better hands off my family and stop what he is doing.

You know, dreams... They are presented in the strangest ways. I am just curious to know what is the dream trying to tell me.

Hmm...

We All Have GIfts We Can Enjoy

I finally know why am I so hooked up on GA. Simply for the fact that the story are sometimes so painfully honest. The series does not hide situations and emotions that happens in life. It doesn't dramatise or play down honest emotions of the human heart.

Alex asked Meredith why is working on Thanksgiving, and Meredith told him that she doesn't want to be among happy people. She felt like a disease, and she doesn't want to infect the happy normal people. That line tug something in me.

George had to treat his dad after one of his brothers accidentally fire a shot at him after their "man-officiating" sorta turkey hunting outing. In the surgical room, George felt his brothers treat him as if he is stupid. He felt that the whole time, they make feel as if he is incompetent and that he is not one of the man of the O'Maileys (his family) yet. And that he is sick of the same old silly games they play all the time.

His dad explained that they felt stupid in front of George. He being a doctor, and them working as truck drivers, a painter and something else, I can't remember. He is proud of George, but at the same time, they felt he is not one of them, so they tried to make him a part of the family. And one of the ways they try is those silly games. They felt stupid when he is with them, cos he is so bright.

Isn't it such irony we humans have? Sometimes we think others make us look stupid, and that hurt our pride. So we try our best to shrug them off. However, have we ever consider that we hurt their feelings when we shrug them off? I remember one of the Carpenter's song,

"We go on hurting each other
We go on hurting each other
Making each other cry
Hurting each other
Without ever knowing why"

Even though it's sung with a romantic connotation, it's applicable to human to human communication.

I shed tears when George's dad shared that.

Then, a patient who regain consciousness after years of sleep, woke up, only to find out that his wife has remarried, taking their boy with them. He chose to be operated after he resigned to the fact that they will never return to his side. The survival rate is 50/50 and he died at the op.

I cried cos the man woke up, and in an ideal situation, he should hv a happy ever after. But he woke up alone, and brought the hopelessness into his grave. Life shouldn't be like that. But things like that do happen.

At the end of it, I think I do agree with Meredith/Izzie. There are gifts we have in our lives that we ought to treasure. They may be insignificant gifts, but, they are blessings. And we should treasure what they are, and enjoy them as they are presented to us.

I am just glad that Meredith pull the plug on the yo-yo relationship with Derek and decided to move on. Sandra Oh is impeccable as Cristina. She is so strait-laced and impersonal, she is becoming interesting to watch. I really like to watch Cristina being the power hungry woman who cracks jokes with a straight face.

:) And I thought I would end this blog with sadness.

题目：写一篇散文，体裁不限。

　　今天是国庆日，因为英明伟大的政府建设国家、爱护百姓的功绩罄竹难书，所以放假一天，爸爸妈妈特地带我们到动物园玩。

　　按照惯例，我们早餐喜欢吃地瓜粥。今天因为地瓜没有了，妈妈只好黔驴技穷地削些芋头来滥竽充数。没想到那些种在阳台的芋头很好吃，全家都贪得无厌地自食其果。

　　出门前，我那徐娘半老的妈妈打扮得花枝招展，鬼斧神工到一点也看不出是个糟糠之妻。头顶羽毛未丰的爸爸也赶紧洗心革面沐猴而冠，换上双管齐下的西装后英俊得惨绝人寰，鸡飞狗跳到让人退避三舍。东施效颦爱漂亮的妹妹更是穿上调整型内衣愚公移山，画虎类犬地打扮得艳光四射，趾高气扬地穿上新买的高跟鞋。

　　我们一丘之貉坐着素车白马，很快地到了动物园，不料参观的人多到豺狼当道草木皆兵，害我们一家骨肉分离。妻离子散的爸爸鞠躬尽瘁地到处广播，终于找到差点认贼作父的我和遇人不淑的妹妹，困兽之斗中，我们螳臂当车力排众议推己及人地挤到猴子栅栏前，鱼目混珠拍了张强颜欢笑的全家福。

More...

I Am Not Siao; I Am Stressed!

I have never been so stressed in my entire life. Never ever.

After one whole day of lesson today, I felt lost. Stepping out of the building, something tells me that I need to go and wander around the shopping areas near to the building where I attend my class. But I don't feel like shopping. I have no urge to buy something. I have no need to buy anything. So I dismiss the thought, not paying attention to it. However, I still feel that I need to do something.

I cross the road to the bus-stop to take the bus home, still feeling something is missing. On the bus, my mind settled down. It suddenly came upon me that I HAVE to go into a shopping area to release my mind. And the source of the urge was because I have been over-stressed by the lesson. I am not able to think properly. My mind is blanked of anything stimulative. You know, one of those moments when nothing makes sense to you? Yeah, one of those.

Since I have passed the shopping area, the nearest I can think of that is on the bus route is the neightbourhood shopping centre near my area. I started off from the top floor, walking aimlessly, going into shops and looking at items that I will never have cast an eye on usually, and passing shops I usually go into.

Finally sorta regain my normal self at the ground floor. The recovery needs to be completed with a treat. A chocolate treat, or any ice-cream treat. Something to sedate the confused mind. It became a mission I carry with me as I walk into the supermarket. I NEED CHOCOLATES!

Eventually, I walked out of the supermarket with some usual purchases and I head towards the little ice-cream shop and asked for a sorbet. The sweet-looking ice-cream girl told me there's mango flavour. I said, "Ok, can I have a single scoop of that please?"

Then I remembered the mission. "Sorry, do you have chocolate flavour?" She told me she has a few different flavours, and I settled for the Belgian Chocolate flavour. Apologising for my earlier order. She was really sweet, kinda guess that I was indecisive and ask me do I prefer a cone or a cup. I requested for the cone. My usual choice.

The ice-cream was indeed therapeutic. The chocolate taste slips onto the tongue and did its work. I am back on earth again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now about the stress...

The technical details shared by the professor was immense beyond my imagination. I never know language intepretation/translation requires the translator to view the passage in SO MANY ways, and there are so many guidelines to follow/use. Totally blew my mind. Doing the class assignment was worse. It was simply staring, re-reading, writing, erase all, re-write again, doesn't make sense, add, erase, re-read... I feel very imcompetent doing translation now.

I mean, I am already stumped at class. What am I going to do during exam, let alone the actual task/work in the real world?

Fear. Regret. Question marks. Why. Wonder. What did I get myself into?. I have never been so stressed and uptight about a subject. No longer do I claim that translation is easy. It's a different kind of thing now.

I know I will overcome. It's just this period of overcoming that is terrifying

God, I know this is something you want me to do. I ask of you to please help me get through this. Amen.

Fig Fairy Daydreaming

I like my current MSN id. I am now known as the fig fairy (in Chinese). :)

The name came about when I was rather bloated after a normal meal at work sometime last week, and I start to eat the "无花果" shared between my colleague and me. As I ate it, I thought of changing the nick for the fun of it to "无花果". Then, as I was conversing with a swordsperson on MSN, I thought wouldn't it be nice *Cadbury music fades in, haha!* that I take up a fantasy character.

It didn't take long to add the words "仙子" to the name of the fruit. And VOILA! I became the Fig Fairy. At first I really have no idea that 无花果 is actually fig, until I check out the definition on WIKIPEDIA (Fig)

Meanings aside, I actually like my Chinese id. 无花果 means a fruitless flower. "仙子" means a fairy/deity in chinese. I wanted to use "天使" to depict angel instead of instead of "仙子" cos it's not very good to make myself, a christian, to be a a "deity". However, "天使" would not fit into the chinese context of the fig. So the latter was used.

I like how the chinese word of fig sounds. It fits me rather well. A fruitless flower. Flower = woman/lady/girl. Fruitless, cos I am currently fruitless in love, in career, in finance, in life.

(Ok, ok, to fellow Christians: I know, I do know I have God, and fruits of the Spirit, etc etc... I am not abandoning my faith, so don't worry, ok? :)

And why angel/fairy? Because I do like to think that I am some sort of a help to others. Whereas even I do not bear fruit, I bear good things for others. Something to that effect lah...

So, that's the story about my nickname.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

This translation lecturer is very VERY knowlegeable. I was telling the other classmates as we head home. His knowledge of works from political, literature, history, technical, scientic, the arts, really blows our mind. He knows just what term to use for any subject. A very good example that as translator, we should never stop learning. Because the world is changing all the time, if we do not keep up and know what is happening around us (in our case, to learn the terms of anything in both languages), we will not be able to be good translator.

Likewise, it applies to our growing process. Even as we grow older, we shouldn't just say, ok, I have enough of this life, no need to learn new things. If we stop learning, we are going to be left very behind in this ever changing and globalised world.

(Wah, I think I sound like someone propagating for the ruling party. Haha!)

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lecturer never give us homework, so another classmate noted that our final marks will be based only on our assignment and exam. And our only reference, the notes he gave us. We either live by our results or die by it.

Jia lat. I cannot tell you enough how stressed we are now. Even though there are no homework, the amount of translation exercises we have done does not measure up to the amount of work out there that needs to be translated. Which means, we know our skills are very far behind from the real translation world.

Still, I will strive. I will not throw away this skill that I have learnt. It will serve me well in the future.

Hey, I can work overseas, maybe even migrate with this skill. Haha... ;)

A Very Tired Friday Night...

Aiyoh... My classmate is right.

The teacher got high IQ but very low EQ. He doesn't mingle with us during break time, like the other teachers. He doens't laugh alot, except when he showed us a humour passage bearing all kinds of chinese idioms used in the wrong places. Whe he talks, he just go on and on and one... Also dun give us lotsa time to copy the notes.

I think assignment and exam for this module is going to be a task. Advance translation is so complicated!!! So many techniques to apply, so many levels of understanding to grasp, so many ways of interpreting...

Well, thank God there is no homework again tonight. But I think tomorrow will probably be very siong. Why, sometimes I don't even understand some of the techniques applied!

Plus, the teacher is not engaging enough! :S I think I will give him a below average for "teaching" when they give us the evaluation form at the end of the module. I heard he is quite an accomplished scholar in the area of translation. Yet to look him up. But I can tell, cos he can just intepret his English lecture into Chinese just by looking at the powerpoint! And those are technical terms!

I think my English CMI. I have never heard of some of the ways phrases are used in English. Make me really confused. Hmmm... So looks like I also need to get some books on the use of the English language...

No matter how difficult it is going to be, I will continue to hold on. I will not let all the money and time go wasted. I will make it!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Today is the fifth day I am skipping dinner in a bid to reduce my protruding tummy. I plan to do it for a month for see-how.

Will I succeed? Will I fail? I'll tell you (if I remember) in a month's time.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Time to get some rest. Tomorrow is another long day... I wonder this time round where will we be bringing the teacher for a treat (we always do that to every teacher) Hehehehh... Food glorious food... Everytime there is a treat, I will put on 500g - 1kg. Scary right?

Oh dear, I am getting obsessive about this weigh loss thingy. I hope I don't end up becoming a diet freak.

Just Writing Something To Let My Mind Relax

Oh my gawd! My English sucks big time! Sorry if my blog is infused with lousy English. I am trying very hard to check liao. But sometimes I am just too tired...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Yesterday was a crazy day, after an entire day of idling I went to class. After class, came back to office to collect work back for proofreading. Finished proofreading at 2.30am. Thank God there weren't any homework given on the 1st lesson. Otherwise, I die arhhhh...

The teacher this time round is more scholarly looking than the previous lecturers. He speaks really softly, the way a typical scholar speaks. His Mandarin pronounciation is abit out leh... One of the girls kept asking him to repeat the specific words of his notes. Actually the other intention of hers was to stay away. Because we are nearly put to sleep by his voice.

Zzzzz......

Hope his lesson will be more interesting tonight.

I got my exam results back. Scored average of marks graded B for both Chinese Enhancement and Basic English Chinese Translation. We had a discussion among the classmates. We think the lecturers were kind enough to "pang chan" us. We know our standards are really not that fantastic in their context to deserve such grades.

I hope to work on better grades in the coming exams. Afterall, that's why I take this course. I want to be a proper translator. So I better do it good so that I can go for IoL exam. If I do not want to put in effort to learn, I shouldn't be learning in the first place. Waste money, waste time, waste effort.

I will work hard.

Elliot Yamin is Out...

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060517-101114-9262r

hai.....

Diary Of Bulge Berry

Do you remember the first time you detected a bulge on your stomach/tummy/belly?

Mine was "discovered" when my arm "brushed" on the bulge a few times. I was wearing a super-tight white giordano jeans (which is growing 1 size smaller) which was threatening to burst.

It didn't feel good. I thought it would go away and wore the jeans a few times before I finally surrender to the fact that I am no longer as slim as I used to be. The pair of jeans had to be garang-guni-ed away. The bulge stayed.

Should have done something then. Humph.

So younglings out there reading this who may be detecting bulges around the waistline... Please do something about it now while you can. You will not regret it. Ever.

Early In The Morning

Saw a familiar face when I took the MRT train today.

I used to teach her in sunday school, she being a half of a pair of twins, and her sister too. The family moved out of the church after something happened to one of the twins and was making the parents worried. I thought I saw her the other day at the station, but quickly dimiss the thought that it could be her, cos I thought she was still studying. But I think they are old enough to go to university liao. So it could probably be her.

I only noticed her when I moved into the cabin, and was standing right in front of her. She was looking down, probably saw me, but pretend that she doesn't see me. I took a mental note of her dressing, and guess that she must be on her way to work. But... Not studying meh.. Oh well, maybe waiting to go into uni...

Hmm... But now we became strangers liao. I remembered there was one time, when the elder sister jumps infront of me to greeet me hello in the train. She was still in secondary school attired. How time flies. She has gone to London to pursue some political economics degree. But we are now so... distant. We used to have alot of fun during Sunday School classes. The girls will giggle at everything I say, I dunno why.

A little sad that friendly youngsters then have turned into matured distant acquaintance.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When I stepped out of the block today, I was greeted with a grossly carcass of a dead rat on the path when I usually take to work.

Ewwww... The legs were faced up. The body was pudgy and with fur. There were ants around the area where it laid....

Ewwww. STOP!

Poor Rat.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I have been having weird dreams lately. This morning, I dreamt that I was in a garden that breeds dinosaurs. I saw a pipe-line thing coming out from the soil and slowly it evolved into something with eyes. Then in another scene, a big furry spider was threatening to attack me, and I sprayed something on it. It then slowly shrunk and became a tortoise shell.

Talk about weird dreams. Maybe I have been too into the translations that the story became mixed up with the dreams.

To date, I have done 2 passages. 2 more to go. I am becoming more and more interested in this all Chinese thingies... Hmm... Wonder where it will take me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You know there has been tvc going on about the televison company unveiling their latest offerings to advertisers? The trailer shows the artists in "song and dance" or performing skits to the advertisers, lending their "celebrity power" to draw advertisers? First of all, I think it's pathetic that the artistes were made to do silly things like this to draw advertisers. Secondly, I think there were telling signs from the advertisers who were interviewed that they were not saying truths from their heart when they say it's "refreshing", "entertaining" etcc comments about the presentation. Thirdly.... there is no thirdly.

Sorry, I love to pick on what I see on tv. Hey, that's entertainment, right?

I Am Sleepy, Therefore I Blog...

There wasn't GA last night, so I didn't blog. Instead I spend some time doing my homework. Technically speaking, it's really typing out my homework. They were written in scribbles on different days, and I thought its better I "scribble" on MS WORD so that I can re-arrange the sentences, phrases and whatever, whenever I feel necessary.

1 passage of Chinese History; 1 allusion; 1 current affairs news and 1 literature. All to be translated from Chinese to English. I have discovered Wikipedia, fortunately. So some terms and phrases can be taken off the English translation of the Chinese text.

I started typing after DH. So at the end of the night, at about 20 mins after 1am, my accomplished tasks includes 4 typed translated English passages, of which 1 makes sense, and the other 3 are just direct translation that requires revisions and tweaking.

This morning I woke up and felt I needed more sleep. And then I thought of the lessons that I am going to have this week, 5 consecutive days of lessons, 3 evening classes and 2 full days... Brgh. I guess this week will be a tired week for me.

- - - - - - - - - - -

It's been a long time since i blog at work *Shhhh!!* I guess it's basically because I always wake up with a blank mind, and henceforth, nothing to write about during the day.

But then again... I do wake up every morning and some idea will struck and I will tell myself to blog it. But by the time I reachd the office, the thought is gone liao. Floated to somewhere else. So there is nothing to blog about.

I think I can remember today's "theme". It has become a habit of mine to turn on the radio when I wake up so that the house wouldn't be so freaking quiet in the morning. Today, there were two counts when the advertisments cuts in when a song was played. It reminded of the Ch 8 news some days ago. They were reporting some news, elections, I think, or the Mr G incident. Then they want to cut in to the video of the news report. But I guess the studio crew didn't time correctly, and left the newsreaders staring at the tv screen waiting for something to happen.

I love moments like these. Love to watch the newscasters looking at the screen, expecting something to happen.

*Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock....."
Then after like 10 seconds, they realised we are staring back at them.

Then their eyeballs will rolled and look for signals behind the cameraman to see if anybody will instruct them to carry on reading, or wait for the video clip to be played.

They ruffle the papers on their table.

Look up again. Wait for instructions.

Nope, video is not cut in on time.

"We apologised for the technical problem. We will bring you the news later. (Then they will flash you this really big smile) Next, the residents of ABC estate were delighted to hear the news of upgrading...."

It's really fun to watch this newsreader stop talking for a while and look as if they are stoned. Or looking lost. So different from the composed person we see when they report the news.

Oh well, blunders of life always happen. I guess it's fun to see it happened on tv.

*sleepy*

Signs That I Have Gotten Over him More Or Less

twinkies says:
It was wrong of me to do the name-and-shame thing in this post earlier to a church that probably does not even have on its membership that particular person who does me wrong. The name of the church has been removed, because I do not think it was fair of me to drag the church into my personal problems.

My apologies to causing misunderstanding to you, dear readers.


1) I am "impregnated" with a 3 month old "baby".

I am gaining my kilos, silly! Now this is really bad, I had lost 3 kg when the damage was done in early Feb, now I have gained them back!

Just some holidays in between the healing process and the tummy is protruding like what. Disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is on top of my aerobics and jogging... Die liao...

2) I have healthy "hangout" plans with mour friends.

I used to wallowed in self pity after the incident. And thinks that the whole world does not understand how I feel because the little brew didn't make it to see the light. So I "hermitised" myself.

On Vesak Day, I was sun-tanning and enjoying myself in Sentosa, today went to pay respects to the those who have passed-on in my family, then went to eat for mother's day, tomorrow will be going to ECP...

Slowly breaking the shell.

3) I am getting new requests from Friendster messages... and responding to them!

Haha... Have realised, what the heck... Just make friends lor, won't die what... But will stay away from the flirting words lah... I find it hard to trust people nowadays, as I have confessed to one... But I idiot right, say I don't trust, then still respond to messages... Only God knows what is my intention... Brgh.

4) I went to see his profile and didn't feel that I was in the wrong.

He has changed his picture, and obviously, the background didn't look very "Australian" to me. Liar. Jerk. Bastard. Stinking Rat (he does perspire easily). No integrity. Shallow.

Anyway, he is still very active in Friendster, I think probably over 500 friends liao. I don't know exact number, cos he has been out of my friends list for a certain amount of time already.

Closing the History book.

5) Singing love songs in Karaoke do not trigger the hurted homones/emotions/thoughts anymore.

In fact, I sing even better than I used to do. And singing is a happy activity for me now, not a sad one. I am back to where I was before it happened.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

All these reason enough?

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Today during the tomb-sweeping event, on the bus journey, one of my cousins start to talk to my brother and I about people management, yadda yadda yada... I do have respect for this cousin and his siblings. So I give my utmost attention where possible.

After everything, he took brother and I into his mother's room and start to gave us talk about generating income as a consumer, I know what is he trying to get at. I feel uncomfortble. Brother is doing alot of body language to show that he can't wait to get out of the sales talk.

Now he is a very successful businessman. But what he thinks is good may not be what I want. I always have a default "No" switch when people tell me about MLM stuffs. This time is difficult cos it's a relative.

So I told my mother to thank his offer to send us home after everyone has left, so that we can escape more talk :P It's like thos nail parlour or beauty salon. They seem to know that I can be convinced through talking, so they talk alot to me and peppered it with compliments about me. Sometimes I get swayed, sometimes not. I have learnt that my mind must be firm to resist these sales talk.

I want to tell him straight that it's not that I am not interested, but I really do not want to do this kinda thing. But I can't bring myself to tell him. Weakness right? Why can't I, I have no idea. So i tend to avoid this kinda thing. But I am learning to tell myself that I can do it. I can say NO. Been pretty successful. But sometimes, it just can't work. Like today. But someday, I will tell him "No".

We do not belong to that bracket of consumers who spend $200 on washing powder or shampoos or soaps or cleansers every month. We are not who he is targeting that. And, finally, I do not want to do do it. Thank him for the time and close the chapter.

God, you will help me to be strong at this right?

Day Before Holiday...

I can't believe it! Chris Daughtry was eliminated from AI5!

I didn't watch the show last night cos I was out shopping... But I would never imagine him out. I was hoping that he and Katherine Mcphee will be the final 2. He and Elliot..

Aiyah.. I don't understand why Taylor Hicks still stay on leh (sorry Taylor Hicks fan, it's my personal preference). Maybe I will watch the repeat show on Sunday to see what happened.

Totally Shock.

Elliot Yamin, Katherine Mcphee, do me proud!

- - - - - - - - - - -

Been thinking that my protruding tummy is a result of too much gas/wind/air in my body, and been drinking Eno salts after meal on adhoc basis. Significant air output is observed. By way of burping and gas. In case you worry that I sounded the canon and fumigated the whole office when the gas escapes, relax. The gas was just excess gas, not processed gas. So it's not 臭屁, neither was it 响屁.

It's just a 屁.

Anyway... Just for your info.

Ignorances Is Bliss.....?!

After I have done my shopping for niece's birthday present this evening, I went to walk from to shop at shopping malls, checking out tops and bottoms, bags etc, cos I think my wardrobe needs some new life (which girl's wardrobe doesn't? :)

So, there I was wondering from shop to shop... And I am most astonished to discover the prices of 3/4 pants now cost an average of $43-$59 a pair from the shops in shopping centre! And it's not as if they are made of very good materials; just thin fabric feeling like PVC or linen that are suited for our weather.

I frowned. Is this an alarm to me that inflation is increasing in Singapore? Man... These things used to cost under $30... If you put together a basic top and those capris you could have easily pay out $60 for a "simple" or "basic" casual wear.

Goodness!! I would rather spent that money on a pair of good MANGO pants! That is if their prices are still at that range...

So I browse browse only, didn't try to pick one to try. I mean, really, the price is a put-off (especially for cheapos like me). Before you know it, they will have a 20% over the weekend or what.

I just don't think it's justifiable to pay for those quality. Now I know why people rather take holiday overseas to shop. Things here are getting expensive. And for those of you who do not bat an eyelid whenever you buy something from those shops, I wonder how much you spend per month on "casual" and "smart" clothes.

Ne'mind. The Great Singapore Sale will be here soon. JL sale is on this weekend, and many other sales will go on for the rest of the year. I will just have to wait.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I know you might have heard this more than once, but I just want to think out loud. Which one would you choose?

OPTION A)
Would you rather a job that pays you well, but keeps you trapped in piles of paper, or full of complicated human relationships, or nasty bosses, or long hours?

OPTION B)
Or would you rather have a job that pays you less than what you think you deserve, but it has a good job environment, cohesive working environment, friendly bosses, and can leave office on the dot?

I was at a manpower survey/discussion some time back. And among the 6 of us, the common agreement was that if money is good, we do not mind moving on to a job that has bad "working conditions". As long as the money is good.

I guess that explains why some people are still trap in their jobs. Even though on one hand, they complain about the workload, on the other hand, they are unwilling to take the risk and venture out, WITHOUT a job, to look for greener pastures.

Well, for me, I have mostly been working in Option B environments. And the difference it makes is tremendous. I am a happier person if compared to my peers, because I am not pressured or stressed, but they are more happier than me in the end, because they earn more money than me.

Bleahz.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Do you realised that I have not been discussing or talking about God recently? Hmmm... It dawned upon me that I HARDLY do that on the blog now that I am out of THAT church. Is it really true that when we are not troubled, we do not turn to God?

Hmmmm....

You Had A Bad Day

It occurred to me that my office folks were not busy discussing the election activities when we returned to the office on Monday.

Or may it's just us. You know, creative people. Artsy people. We don't care what happens in the world. As long as we can stay merry and happy, we are cool. Peace.*Do the V sign with fingers*

At it somehow is kinda true. The people who are busy discussing the before and after of the elections are mostly people in the administrative or operations kinda industry. They analyse. They try to read between the lines. They predict what will happen after the elections. You know, that kinda stuffs, from beginning to end. Who should win. Who shouldn't have say this, who shouldn't have say that. Etc. etc...

But us? Life is as usual in our office. Work as usual. Soccer talk dominates the guys conversation from the time the day starts till it ends. Food is a daily topic between me and my neighbour, and the guy copywriter who doesn't discuss soccer.. What to eat for breakfast, lunch, tea, Sun Kueh, Muslim Bao...

But elections results? Nah. It's not that we don't care. It's just... Doesn't take up significant importance as other daily stuffs.

Have you tried the famous Teh Halia at Tg Pagar?

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I WANT TO COMPLAIN!

I don't need penis enlargements!

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I am getting really bored now. Better end this NOW.

Considering Myself

I feel ashame even to write this down.

I truly know the meaning of independence after 31 years of existence. I could blame my late-blooming growth hormones for this. But it really makes no sense.

Seeing both my parents growing old and gradually being inflicted with sickness, I had to look at them hard and look at myself. Do I want to continue to be the child who always rely on them to take care of me? Can I be contented staying in the same job position and pay packet? Shouldn't I be earning more so that I can provide a better life for them?

They shouldn't be out working at their age. I mean, really, they should be enjoying the leisure life of retirement. A better life. Mom has been working hard all her life, because of dad's wayward character in the past. She definitely deserves it. Dad, even though he has given us many heartaches in our growing years, there is no point recounting the past and make him pay back what he deserve.

There is nothing I can do about my singlehood to make them happy for me. I could at least work harder, and earn more money to provide them a better life. Clean up my room and make it look less messy, so that mom wouldn't complain. Help out with household chores. Go run errands for them. Give them occasional treats. Basically let them live a better life.

So, I told myself, be hardworking. Do the freelance, don't push back the opportunity. Be conscientious in your home assignment, hone your skills. Then, you will be able to work up the social ladder and provide a better life for your parents.

Yes, this is what I will do.

But now it's time to sleep

Brrgh. It's so hard to put the bad past behind you. There is always something round the corner, round the bend, that reminds you of that bad past.

I just have to learn to tell myself that I should look forward, not backwards. There is no running away from reminders, but there should be a better way of looking at them.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Was I seeing things? Desperate Housewives is actually swaying towards the sensitive side of human kind. I mean, it used to be that DH is about the silly and crazy antics and day-to-day business of the women of Wisteria Lane, and their mysterious neighbours. But tonight, the story seemed to close on to a sensitive side of life.

I think Lynette is a very representation of the modern woman. She voiced out her "concern" of her husband having a "second option" if she pass away. And the husband voices his concern that he is losing his place as the man of the house all this while being a house husband. They have hit a rut. Finally, this perfect family is experiencing cracks in their lives.

Would be interesting to follow through. And Gabrielle and husband Carlos are making effort to restore their love. Gosh, things are going back to the traditionals.

Well, like I said before, the American TV swerve to the tastes of its audience instinctively.

Unlike local tv. 7 (or 8 years) after Toy Story's release, they show it on tv and call the timeslot "Blockbuster Sunday". Wa kaoz.

Sooooo sad, the old couple in GA. They do love each other so much that they do not want each other to be hurt. So sweet, they way they look at each other, and hold each others hands. It has some connection to Derrick and Addison's best friends when they commented that they will live together and grow old together. The woman want to have her women's reproductive system and breasts removed so as to prevent cancer, so that she can live and grow old with her husband.

Duh.

I do worry for Cristina and Burke tho. They have got only things to talk about during work, and nothing after it. The only conversation they had on the date was ordering of food. Geez. So they have only got things to talk about in the operation theatre, and on bed. I hope they will not end up being as shallow as I am thinking them as now.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I owe alot of people alot of time and ... things. Owe myself home assignment to complete. Better get things done soon.

But now it's time to sleep.

What Is Leftover Of The Weekend

The General Election:
- Most blogs I have read are updated with the bloggers' opinions of the results and their views of the candidates of the various parties. Very tempted to write my own too, but I think mine will probably look more or less about the same as what others have written. Mine will probably pale in comparison to the blog intellectuals cos:

1) I have not been voting for the past dunno since when. MM Lee's turf.

2) For that reason, my view on political issues are lukewarm, cos it seemed so far away (yes, I know, that doesn't mean it's not there...)

3) The bloggers have been following closely to the performance of the various parties leading to the election. Me? I rather watch the story of two prominient Chinese historical figure, 刘邦 and 项羽 (楚霸王）, unfold in “楚汉骄雄”, a HK tv series.

There, FFTF views of the General Election for you.

...

I realised that I have been sighing alog recently. Whenever I pause in between doing something, the sigh will just come out automatically. And it's a big sigh. The reasoning I gave myself is because when I am concentrating and doing something, I will hold my breath, and only when the task requires no attention, then I release the suppressed air within me.

Another likely reason is maybe because I do have some unresolved issues that encircles my mind even as I do my daily chores and work. And when I think about the fact that they cannot be resolved, I sigh.

*sigh*

...

Do you believe in platonic friendships between a guy and a girl? As in a guy and a girl can be good friends? I always believe in that. And I try to maintain it, however, somehow, the guys seemed to shy away from it. And they kept their distance clear. Hmmm...

*sigh*

Got It!

Yep. THE SHOES!

Check it out!

The design I want, the right size for my humungous feet, and 30% cheaper than the Adidas boutique! Found the size after several attempts at the friendly shops at Queensway Shopping Centre.

Yee Haaa! ;) Tomorrow can go jogging liao...

Buying A Pair Of Sports Shoes

for yours truly can be a real task.

1) The design is nice but they are running shoes. So are the 90% of shoes in the shop. (What's the wrong with these shoe manufacturers? Duh, running is not the only sport in this entire universe...)

2) Nice trainers. Chosen design. The price is right, but they do not have the size.

2) Choose another one. Also no size.

3) A nicer design, but they only stop as size 9. *pulling my hair out*

4) Finally found THE SHOES, different design and yet functional. Friend reminded me: It's Wednesday and I might live to regret that tomorrow they will have a sale at the shoe boutique over the weekend, if I buy the shoe today. There is always a sale at Royal Sporting House if missed THAT boutique sale.

So I wait lor. But die die must get shoes before Monday. If not, how to go aerobics?

Got another pair of shoes from Charles and Keith instead.

...

滚滚红尘

歌手：陈淑桦

起初不经意的你
和少年不经世的我
红尘中的情缘
只因那生命匆匆不语的胶着

想是人世间的错
或前世流传的因果
终生的所有
也不惜获取刹那阴阳的交流

来易来去难去
数十载的人世游
分易分聚难聚
爱与恨的千古愁

本应属于你的心
它依然护紧我胸口
为只为那尘世转变的面孔后的翻云覆雨手

来易来去难去
数十载的人世游
分易分聚难聚
爱与恨的千古愁

于是不愿走的你
要告别已不见的我
至今世间仍有隐约的耳语
跟随我俩的传说

滚滚红尘里有隐约的耳语
跟随我俩的传说

Mayday encounters...

I was at the neighbourhood shopping centre just now and passed by a little cart-like stall in the open area. Next to it sat a african man. Pint-size. Seemingly cautious about his surroundings. I suspect he is in charge of the little stall, selling some crafts from South Africa. Like I said, I passed by, so I did not stop to look at his merchandise.

After I left the building, the image of him imprinted on my mind. A part of me wish that I could be friendly to him, cos I think he seemed rather lonely sitting by himself there. I thought maybe I could've shown him some Singaporean hospitality. But it would seem rather patronising to just go and talk to him and not buy his stuffs. Maybe I should show him a necklace given to me when my pastor bought from South Africa, and ask him exactly what kind of nut was used to make the necklace.

Or maybe I am just a nut. Why bother to show hospitality? I mean it's not like I work in STPB or what... Oh well. I hope the locals didn't give him a bad impression.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Today, I did my first ever pedicure. Friend suggested it, since I am going over to her area to pick up her present for another friend's birthday boy. After the "friendly" service, the girl sat me at the counter, on the pretext of blow drying the nails, she start to introduce the package "offer" of her store and services to me. I have maintained even before I stepped in that my money will not go into a service like this that I hardly used. So no matter how she work out the payment plans etc, I said No. Her "friendly" face changed and she dropped the plan she explained to me into the dustbin under the desk and walked away, without informing me.

Well I am alright with it, you know. I mean it's not the first time I see service girls treat me like that. She went over to talk to the suprevisor and came back with 2 vouchers persuading me to buy it "for Mother's Day". After hearing her sales pitch, I relented and paid for those. Cos I don't want my friend's trip in the future to be unpleasant because her friend was too stingy to pay for a package. After that, my friend actually I can just say no. As a consumer, I can reject their service, what can they do. Oh well, I am soft-hearted.

I wonder if CASE has any rules and regulations for beauty parlours who solicit services like that. Guess not. They are adhering to the rule that we can say No. But I just can't stand this kinda of persuasive service. That is the reason why I stopped going to that facial place I used to go. They psycho you when they do your face, psycho you after the service... Very irritating.

Okie doh.. Desperate Housewives time.

Today...

I walked the longest distance by foot to an atm at the Expo.

I was a part of a small group gathering of people who have scattered after they got attached or married.

After the gathering, I took the car of one of the friend of a friend home, and three of us started to discuss about the sg men and sg women issue. I wanted to stop when they asked me why don't I have a boyfriend, cuz I know I may insult the both of them, as I will get really fiery when you get me started on sg men. But they took it off there and started to share with me that the girls in their church are materialistic. And all that kinda stuff...

What really touched my heart was that my friend repeatedly emphasised that I am not a materialistic girl. That I am not that kinda of person.

Wow. This is one of the kind of praises I like to hear. Haha... :) This friend is one of those blokes who kena hard hard by me when he underperform his duty as a man. (Hello... I mean gentlemenly gestures hor.. ) But he is not bad lah, at least he takes our advice and improves from there. Think now he is better than he was. More confident, more steady. Good for him.

At first, we were kinda excited to saw his message that he is bring a friend to join us. We thought, wah, at last, good for him, he has found a girlfriend. But our spirits dropped notches down when we saw a guy standing next to him when we arrive.

But Ok lah. That fella, even though is the youngest among us, is rather sociable with the rest.

But these blokes seemed really hurted by the materialistic girls... and sad. I mean, from the way they relate on how people of the same "status" are more matching to people of the same calibre. Or when they say why some girls, even though they are not pretty or talented, still ask for alot in a guy.

Power to them. May them find the right Special Someone in their lives.