That Would be So Nice.

Red Velvet

2011-10-30T14:45:00.003+08:00

Chocolatey goodness.

Cream cheese icing goodness.

Psyched!

2011-10-20T00:22:00.003+08:00

Because I just booked the air tickets from NYC to Vermont! It'll be a 5-day winter getaway to the mountains in the village of Stowe in Vermont, where one can ride one-horse open sleighs and cuddle in front of fireplaces in the bedroom! And finally try my hand at skiing or ice-fishing!

The first thing I'm gonna do when I land in NYC is to make a trip down to Magnolia Bakery and buy 5 tubs of the most heavenly banana pudding for keeping in the fridge!

Don't beat it till you've tried it!

And having a Sunday brunch at the Waldorf Astoria with Teague (and hopefully Stefan if he can make the trip!)

(OK, I googled the Sunday brunch at the Waldorf for the first time and it's freaking US$95 per person, excluding tax OMG. Erm. This definitely deserves a hundred thoughts.)

(Then again, I spent about S$100 at Singapore's restaurant week. And it wasn't even buffet. And I didn't even get to drink CHAMPAGNE, which the Sunday Brunch at Waldorf serves.)

OKAY, never mind, the Waldorf it is!! I shall drink my fair share of champagne, bathe in the chocolate fountain and down some anti-histamines so that I can eat everything from the raw bar!

Then I shall spend the rest of my NYC time snuggled warm in John's apartment and reading the latest in the literary circles, and some others that are overdue. I've compiled a list of about 6 books:

Oscar Wilde - The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays
David Levithan - The Lover's Dictionary
Amanda Hodgkinson - 22 Britannia Road
Arthur Phillips - The Tragedy of Arthur
Roald Dahl - Going Solo
Roald Dahl - Boy

Not forgetting, most of all - I can't wait to hold the boyfriend in my arms again!

Time is passing so fast like sand through my fingers! The weekend will be over, but then I'll be like, hey, here it is again! I must be enjoying myself.

Saturday Luxuries

2011-10-01T22:21:00.001+08:00

Recharging at Blackbird Cafe with a slice of carrot cake and an iced Mochaccino.

Farewell, Hue; Hello, Ruth

2011-09-30T15:33:00.005+08:00

Today, I received a letter in the mail from World Vision.

Dear Ms Soon,

We are pleased to inform you that through your support and help from other child sponsors, Phu Cu ADP has achieved significant progress since the programme started in 1999. It has now achieved self-sustainability and no longer requires further assistance from World Vision. A total of 88,164 people in Phu Cu ADP now enjoy life in fullness.

Thi Hue, too, is now ready to brace the future with renewed hope, faith and confidence. With your help, Thi Hue has been healthy and strong, and has also gained an academic foundation, increasing her chances of financial independence in the future. Meanwhile, her family has gained sufficient living and economic skills to continue to care for Thi Hue. If you wish to write a farewell letter to Thi Hue, kindly do so by 21 October 2011.

...

Once again, on behalf of the children and families in Phu Cu ADP, we thank you for your kindness and love towards the underprivileged. May God bless you richly!

Can I tell you that I have never felt anything like this before?

It's so hard to describe: the feeling that you have TRULY given life to someone else. I mean, when I sponsored the programme these past 5 years, I knew I was making a difference in someone's life. But knowing that THAT person has grown her own wings and is able to stand on her own two feet - that's a whole different ball game. That's the TRUE meaning of giving life to someone else.

I'm over the moon, knowing that I've contributed in helping her village become self-sutainable. It's beautiful.

Of course, this was interrupted by profound sadness when I realized that my little girl has grown up, and I might never speak to or see her again. This was her 5 years ago:

And in May this year when I visited her:

The journey's been incredible. I have a whole box of the letters she wrote to me which I will keep forever. I still have that beautiful drawing she did for me.

I'm gonna be leaving my contact details in the last, farewell letter I'll be writing to her over the weekend. You never know when life is going to throw you a little surprise 20 years down the road. :)

GOSH, I feel like a mother seeing her kid go off to college, but prematurely 30 years before my time. OMG THIS IS SO SADDDDDDDDDD

But the end of one journey always leads to the start of another one. World Vision sent me the picture of my NEW sponsored child!! Meet 4-year-old Ruth from Zambia, everybody!

I don't remember being able to write letters when I was 4... (although I DID walk home from kindergarten by myself when I was 4, because I didn't want to wait for my grandma, and my parents just freaked out that I did that.) In any case, I can't wait for her first letter!

GO ADOPT A KID FROM WORLD VISION! Nette just did and she got a girl from Cambodia!! Yayness.

Felicity, I've Found My Mojo!

2011-09-11T21:19:00.002+08:00

Last night, I decided to reward myself for a hard week's (including Saturday's) work by watching Eat, Pray, Love on HBO.

It's about a woman who hits a mid-life crisis and decides that she needs to reset her life, literally. She leaves her husband, her job, and her home to spend a year away, alone, in the hope that she finds herself again, the spirituality to fill the empty void inside of her, and the meaning of life. She travels to Italy to eat, India to pray, and finally, she finds love in Bali.

She reminded me so much of myself when I was away in Toronto for a year. I had hit a rut in 2009 and that one year in Toronto allowed me to reset myself. I indulged myself, I prayed and grew so much spiritually, and at the end of it all, I found love.

In the past 2 weeks, I seemed to find myself in a rut again. John had gone back to NYC, and Part B of the bar course took up all my time. It finally came to a point when I was so disillusioned with the state of my life, that I actually fell sick in the midst of a lecture at the Supreme Court. It started with a slight sniffle, and then I sneezed 5 times and by the end of the lecture, my nose tap was on a full run.

After the movie, I thought to myself... how did I ever let myself end up like this? I had stopped doing yoga, I had stopped going to church, I had stopped wanting to go out. I had stopped wanting to do anything.

So I woke up today, turned the radio on to Lush 99.5 (I SWEAR, Brunch Redefined starts my day SO well. They should have it everyday), did some work. And then I went to FINALLY buy my set of golf clubs. Met Jas for tea. And FINALLY went to church again.

Tonight, I feel the most complete that I have ever felt for the past 4 weeks.

And coincidentally, my cold stopped this afternoon.

Lazy Sunday Mornings

2011-09-04T14:11:00.003+08:00

The first thing I do: turn on the radio for Brunch Redefined on Lush 99.5.

And then chill in bed.

But then I have 3 assignments waiting to be done so off I go to do them.

And It Begins All Over Again

2011-08-25T01:11:00.002+08:00

It's been the most amazing summer: going home to you everyday, being able to touch your hand and kiss you good night and good morning, dropping you texts during class, taking you out (and being taken out) for dates like every other couple, springing surprises that don't need couriers and delivery boys to make them happen.

3 months and 16 days until I get to hold you in my arms again :)

Now, back to the single but unavailable life!

My Best Accomplishment

2011-07-15T22:58:00.003+08:00

If you know me well enough, you'll know that my maternal grandmother is pretty much a tiger. She never has a kind word to say about anyone or anything. She sees everyone as having an ulterior motive. She criticizes, A LOT. She grumbles. She would go on and on and the only people who can stand her are those who grew up with her.

So imagine how I felt when my aunt told me this, over family dinner today, "You know, the other day, Porpor told me that she is very proud of you, especially when she watched you graduate."

It was one of the best things I have ever heard in my life. It ranks right up there with the whispered-into-your-ear "I love you."

Nowadays, she still fusses over the shoes I wear to work, how low my shirt is unbuttoned, and how the sleeves should be folded up. It gets a tad noisy, but for some reason, I like it. I mean, I never once doubted that she cared for me and only had my best interests at heart. But for some reason, it's different when I know she has told her daughter exactly how she felt.

That's worth everything I've put myself through. :)

PS: On a side note, I was extremely honoured when I was asked by my two cousins, aged 11 and 5, if I would play hide-and-seek with them. I was a little rough around the edges, since the last time I played was at least 10 years ago. But champions remain champions, and I managed to squeeze all 1.62 m of myself into a tiny space at the bottom of the closet. When I won, my 5-year-old cousin asked where I hid, and I showed him. He was like, "Huh?! How did you fit in there?"

My Time, My Turn, My World.

2011-07-08T11:02:00.001+08:00

I Left My Heart in New York City

2011-06-18T00:32:00.002+08:00

When I got back to Singapore from my 4th visit to New York City, I was pretty certain about not going back there anytime soon. There's still so much of the world to see after all.

5 months later, I now find myself missing New York City. Like ACHING to go back.

No place in the world that can compare!

I love that city so much. It's always gorgeous and teeming with so much energy. Not even the stinking subways can keep me away from it! Every moment I've spent in NYC was amazing.

And to top it all off (at the risk of sounding very Carrie Bradshaw-ish), that's where I found love. :)

Can't wait to live there. <3

yakkity yak

2011-06-10T00:06:00.002+08:00

I. LOVE. SHOPPING. Today was the most proper shopping I've done in centuries. With my besties & future bridesmaids CHERYL AND TRIC! We went lingerie shopping (I LOVE LINGERIE SHOPPING, I love buying colourful matchy-matchy stuff), workwear shopping and SHOE SHOPPING. I still can't find a replacement for my brown DKNY shoes (there's no other pair like you); the closest was the GORGEOUS NINE WEST ONES I saw in NYC but IT'S GONE. Moral of the story: if you REALLY REALLY like something, just get it. If you don't like it, you can always re-sell it. But if you don't get it and it's gone forever, it's gone forever and you'll live in pain for the rest of your life.

I wanna buy this LOVELY grecian dress from Miss Selfridge but it's $102. I LOVE SHOPPING WITH CHERYL AND TRIC!

Pushy, bitchy sales people are the most irritating ones. You know how there are so many pushcart shops in shopping centres nowadays? The, perhaps, more famous one is the Dead Sea Minerals pushcart, where Jewish people always man the carts and get overbearing on customers. (I'm not hatin' on them; I'm just making the observation that the sales people there are ALWAYS pushy and always happen to be Jewish). We met someone like that today at the Jose Erber pushcart. Even if your products work like a miracle, your pushiness just turns me off and I'd rather buy Brand X.

I cleared my wardrobe today and I'm all ready to sell 'em all at the flea market on Sunday which I'm doing with Jas! Nothing like having ample space in my wardrobe... for that special Miss Selfridge dress.

I can FINALLY enjoy Tom Yam Noodles! The vegetarian version at this Chinese vegetarian place at International Plaza is THE BOMB. And it comes without rashes and fever, which is awesome.

I think my right eye is leaking pus...

I think John was a little disappointed that his little treat from me during lunchtime turned out to be a little red apple. I hope he didn't throw it away. Many people don't know that apples are a symbol of love and youth and happiness. Like, apple of my eye?

I love how I'm eccentric like that sometimes.

Part of my memory seems to have been erased. I have the worst memory right now. I can't remember restaurant names, vocabulary, website names and other random things which are important.

Italy was awesome. Check out my photos on Facebook!

I'm done for tonight. THAT, was a stream of consciousness for you.

A Summer Place

2011-05-17T19:29:00.001+08:00

Rolling Tuscan hills, here I come! See you guys in 13 days!

Hapify

2011-05-15T14:32:00.002+08:00

I just downloaded this new iPhone app called Hapify! It works like this: whenever you're feeling happy, you write down what exactly you're doing and where you are. The programme keeps a log of these, so whenever you're feeling down, you can get the programme to "Make Me Happy" and it will pull out a list of your favourite things to cheer you up again.

Just don't ask me why 'Hapify' is spelt with only one 'P'.

Some of my favourite things that happened this week:

Skyping with just-woken-up John who had just whipped his hair back and forth:

Kayaking and camwhoring in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam:

Finally visiting Hue, my "adopted" child from World Vision:

Kenneth's 21st birthday celebration at Red Dot Brewhouse:

I'll be in Italy for the next 2 weeks so here's something to keep you occupied while I'm gone!

Ever watched Sex and the City and wondered how Carrie Bradshaw managed to afford that lifestyle girls covet? Well, she couldn't. Here's why, by The Frenemy.

Peace

2011-05-04T14:35:00.003+08:00

Politics is an ugly, ugly world that I will never join.

In the midst of the bickering that is going on in Singapore, I came across this quote - something that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.

Help Youth Journalism International!

2011-04-19T11:00:00.006+08:00

Hello darlings!

Youth Journalism International needs support right here at Global Giving!

I was a part of Youth Journalism International when I was 17-19. When I was writing for them, I had my articles published in the Bristol Press (which was where they started from). It's run by possibly the nicest people on earth, Jackie and Steve (wife/husband journalists) from Connecticut! After 3 years of only being able to talk to them by phone, I finally paid them a visit in December 2009 when I was on exchange, right after Christmas!

It's an amazing organization bringing youth writers/journalists from ALL OVER the world together. (it's also where I met my favourites, Teague and Stefan!)

SO. The reason why I'm writing this is because they are trying to earn a permanent spot on Global Giving. What Global Giving does is facilitate the fund-raising needs of many non-profit organizations, but due to the overwhelming number of such organizations, organizations which are able to complete their Open Challenge ie. raise $4000 from 50 individual donors in a month, will get to become long-term members. (for more information, visit their website linked above)

As of now, Youth Journalism International has managed to raise US$3664 from 52 donors! They just need that last stretch of $336! The lowest contribution you can give is $12 (equivalent to only S$15!) and even this would help!

Even if you can't contribute monetarily, that's no worry, but you can help them earn an extra $300 from Global Giving to top up the shortfall! To do this, they need to garner 300 "Shares on FB". So, if you can visit the weblink above, and then click on the button which says "Share on FB", YOU'RE A STAR! Right now, they have 228 Shares, so they only need another 72 shares, which is POSSIBLE if you can spare 30 seconds of your time!

They only have 12 days left! Do this to help youth around the world write and raise awareness about the things that matter!

Why I Gave Up Vegetarianism

2011-04-17T10:58:00.005+08:00

Most people think it was because I missed meat. Hell no! I survived perfectly for 3 months without meat and still enjoyed every minute of it.

That was because I wasn't in Singapore. I was in Toronto and Cape Town respectively - vegetarian food galore!

Those two cities truly understand what it means to be vegetarian - a balanced diet providing all the nutrients INCLUDING protein.

When I got back to Singapore and I was keeping my vegetarian diet at the beginning, I found myself losing weight rapidly.

FIRST, yes, we have Chinese vegetarian food and Indian vegetarian food, but NONE of them were really loaded with the protein I needed! Like, there was NO problem with Western vegetarian food because every vegetarian burger patty tasted DELECTABLE and were loaded with protein. Unfortunately, you can hardly find vegetarian burgers in Singapore (or you go out of your way to get them). In the other two cities, almost EVERY burger stand had a vegetarian burger.

Secondly, even if there were vegetarian options in restaurants, they consisted of only vegetables. Once again, do vegetarians live only on vegetables? NO!! I don't care how many ways you cook the tomatoes and zucchinis, at least give me more NUTS!! Or throw in tofu!

Thirdly, the lack of support around me was dismal. Let me first start with my family. When I was living alone, I cooked food that gave me the necessary balance. When I was back with my family again, and my mum insisted on cooking, there was usually ONLY vegetables for me. And occasionally some tofu. My dad was like, "You're vegetarian right? Here, eat the veggies!" All that sarcasm dripping from his words. Tell me, how could I go on living?! I tried telling her not to cook for me and I would settle my own meals, but she occupied the kitchen 100% of the time and when it was free, it was 9 pm.

Then there were my friends. It was then that I knew how Vishal felt whenever we kept heading to restaurants without proper vegetarian food (then again, there are hardly rsetaurants with proper vegetarian food) and we just encouraged him to eat meat. When I faced the same kind of treatment, it was HORRIBLE. The worst kinds of outings were those where my friends decided to order food to share. They'll be like, let's order some non-meat stuff too to accommodate Geri! Then when the food came, they ate the meat stuff, and MY non-meat stuff. I don't mean to sound selfish, but you do realize that I couldn't touch ANY of your non-meat stuff, and you had plenty!! So how about being considerate and leaving some food FOR ME?!

It was so frustrating. I could feel myself getting thinner and malnourished as the days went by. In a sense, I was forced to give up vegetarianism.

I would go vegetarian again if I ever move out of this country.

Geri's Quote of the Day

2011-04-06T15:30:00.001+08:00

When life is starting to feel empty...

... P-P-PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR!

And you'll be back on your feet in no time. :)

Homey Wednesday Nights

2011-03-30T21:19:00.002+08:00

Time: 9.20 pm
Place: In my bedroom
Fan: On
Temperature: 1000 degrees celsius
Humidity: Off the charts

What is wrong with the weather today?! I think I've lost 2 litres of water just by sweating... and I'm not even doing anything!

I always knew I was a cool bean, but now I'm a COOL BAKED BEAN!

So I just got back from my second French test! I'm so unused to these tests where there is an absolute right or wrong answer! I've gone almost 4 years of my life justifying almost every answer I've written so I won't get it wrong.

I can't post the exact question from the test because there are people who haven't taken it (no way am I gonna give you the answers!) But there was this trick question in the test that, to me, depended on how you looked at it. It was one of those questions where you may get the answer wrong if you think too much, even though it is technically correct. You know?

I remember this one question in my primary school science exam.

What is the taste of tomato ketchup?
1) Sweet
2) Sour
3) Salty
4) Bitter

Like, duh, sour right?? But no, on the way home in the school bus, I spent the whole journey bickering with my friends because all of them had chosen 'sweet' and I was like, "No, it's sour dammit!" In the end, the teacher marked both answers right.

In any case, if I get this one wrong, I'm gonna march up to my professor and justify myself!

Lush 99.5 FM music tends to empty your brain, I think.

A Restaurant Week Lunch

2011-03-24T17:16:00.007+08:00

I think I kinda freaked out in the previous post, so here's a post to make up for it!

The long-awaited Restaurant Week lunch with Shups & Guo Wei at Salt Grill and Sky Bar at ION Sky, nestled at the 55th level.

Australian yellowtail kingfish sashimi

Barramundi Fillet

Verdict: Gorgeous place and Lush music tops it, so I would go back again - but to the bar! Food was great, but pretty forgettable. There's just something about Singapore gastronomical fare that doesn't quite hit the spot for me!

Meh

2011-03-22T22:54:00.004+08:00

My brain's in overdrive and whirring like the engine of a freaking G6!!

Bees are lazy asses compared to me.

The danger of working too hard materializes when you realize that... you don't know what you're working towards to. Good grades per se? Bleagh. They would be nice, but they ain't gonna keep me sane during this period. The future? That's too far away to even give me motivation.

WHAT, WHAT AM I WORKING TOWARDS TO THIS SEMESTER? The little things in life used to keep me going in previous semesters - the occasional dinner, the occasional drink, the occasional Ladies' Night club-hopping, the occasional shopping trip (to Haji Lane!! Oh, how I miss you). But they don't anymore because I HAVE NO FREAKING TIME.

To prove this point, I have to admit that I actually don't enjoy being out and mingling anymore. Even when I stop to talk to you for that short 5 minutes, my brain's like, "OK, GERI, TIME TO MOVE, GO GO GO!" so I don't really know what you're saying and I don't really know what I'm saying during that short conversation.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not becoming antisocial. In fact, I still adore meeting the people I want to meet and talking to the people whom I want to talk to. But with what precious time I have left, I give all to these darlings, and I'll have none left for the rest.

****

Since I'm in ranting mode, there's something else I need to talk about.

My "eccentric" upbringing. An upbringing which I've now come to see as, with the enlightenment of what I see in other families, unusual and something I'm trying to correct in my family now. It all has to do with the eccentricity of my Grandma, who also had a huge influence on my Mum (who's actually gone through a whole process of self-rediscovery to find her own identity)

(omg, this is starting to sound like The Woman Warrior by Maxine Kingston.)

It was my Grandma who looked after my brother and I when we were younger and our parents were away at work.

When we were 5 or 6 years old, we loved to go out and play with the neighbours. My Grandma would dress us in our "playclothes" - a shirt and UNDERWEAR. Yes, white freaking cotton underwear. She said they were cooling. Of course, we thought nothing of it back then because whatever she said was the only thing we knew. Until all the kids started asking, "Why do you only wear your underwear?"

My Grandma was also a tyrant. When I was 4, she would put my bowl of lunch in front of me, and told me that I had to finish it by the time she finished bathing my brother, otherwise I would get "pinched to death". I was positively frightened. The moment she headed into the bathroom, I took a few bites, and dumped the rest of the food down the rubbish chute (I was pretty smart for a 4-year-old, eh!)

She curses and swears like ALL THE TIME. She would curse at the neighbours, curse at the random person on the street, curse this, curse that. Even when she is by herself, she would curse and REPEAT THINGS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Back then as a child, I didn't think much of it. Now, at the slightest sound of her voice, all the ugliness and bitterness of her thoughts, drives me absolutely crazy. I hate it. I hate the hatred, I hate how thinks the whole world's against her, I hate how she's out only to benefit herself and no one else. AND I HATE that when I'm doing something nice for someone, she scolds.

I haven't even gotten around to what she does around the house. There are NEWSPAPERS EVERYWHERE. It covers every single object, it is placed on top of table mats to be used as table mats, and it drives me nuts.

She brings back serviettes from her workplace, like chunks of them. There are bags of unused serviettes in the drawers, yellowing and musty-smelling. She places some pieces on the kitchen floor, just so that "when something spills, there is something to wipe it up with." I'M GOING NUTS. The sight of those serviettes on the kitchen floor makes me wanna throw up.

There is a cloth over the armchair, because "the armchair would get dirtied".

There is a mat above the doormat. My once-pretty garden (my dad bought lots of nice plants and a palm tree) was destroyed, because she just plucked everything out and chopped the palm tree down.

My Mum's still in the process of getting out of these influences, but every now and then it crops up and I freak out. Take my conventional oven for example. I love baking, pastries, meats, you name it, I bake it. BUT I CAN'T USE THE OVEN because there are a million things piled up on the top! There's aluminium foil dressing the cupboards because if not "the cooking fumes will get to it". The living room layout is weird to the max and I have NOT even begun to talk about THEIR BEDROOM and the Master Bedroom. It's a storeroom.

When I was finally alone in my own apartment in Canada, my eyes were opened. That was the way I lived, which was how normal people lived. Maybe I have changed, but I like to think of it as THE REAL ME WAS UNLOCKED and I was starting to see things that actually made WAY MORE SENSE. The more houses I visited, the more houses I saw - the more it dawned on me that I was living in a home out of the ordinary.

There's no lack of love, mind you. So I'm grateful for that. But for the rest of the things, OH MY TIAN.

You know, maybe I'm just developing a serious case of OCD for neatness and appearance, in which case I can't wait get my own apartment once again!

Damn, Girl!

2011-03-15T23:49:00.003+08:00

I absolutely adore this new Youtube personality I just discovered! Check him out!! Topic: You Don't Need a Boyfriend to Feel Good About Yourself!

"Nobody asked you for your opinion, nobody asked you to be born! Nuh-uh!" LMAO

Ooh, it gives me Fever

2011-03-09T00:18:00.003+08:00

I've been bitten by the political bug!

It's heating up everywhere - on this island, in the Middle East, in Africa, and in the US (well, no surprise there)! Just keeping up with all the events going on takes at least 2 hours every day.

But I don't realize how much time has passed from the very minute I start reading because it is all, so... inspiring. For lack of a better word! But inspiring it shall be for now.

First, YAY that there will be contest in West Coast GRC by the Reform Party!

Secondly, the domino effect of Egypt's revolution on the Middle East and neighbouring African countries is just mindblowing. I FEEL the people's spirit, how much it means to them to put their foot down once and for all against corrupt governments that don't deliver. It's amazing to be witnessing a REVOLUTION.

And then comes my favourite, the US Presidential Elections. I don't know where to start since it's 12.30 am and I have an important paper to write (on Libya's conflict! I'm buzzing with excitement.) but just at the top of my head: I do heartily agree with Huckabee's comments on Natalie Portman's out-of-wedlock pregnancy. It really ain't a personal attack against her (as the media make it out to be); it's an astute concern for a social problem that has its roots in even deeper social problems.

And I can't believe it took me a whole year to find out about the John Edwards affair. UN-BE-LIE-VA-BLE. That's a Democrat for you.

The Dilemma of Facial Hair

2011-02-21T17:55:00.005+08:00

Before I start on today's topic, I'd like to mention the fact that this is my 400th post!

And what better way to spend it than to talk about the dilemma of facial hair. For guys, that is.

So this afternoon, my brother asked me, "Should I keep a moustache or goatee or something?"

It's a question that every boy faces at some point in his life. It's usually a question triggered predominantly by statements like "Girls dig guys with facial hair," or "Girls find guys with facial hair sexy as hell."

In the words of Vicky Pollard, I would say, "Yea, but no but..." Those statements need MAJOR qualifications. So let me begin.

The rule of thumb is, you, as a guy, should only consider keeping facial hair if you satisfy the following criteria:

You are already DAMN good-looking.
You are already sexy.
You have flawless skin.
You do not wear glasses.
You have eyes and a gaze that bores right through a girl's eyes and into her soul and the gaze says, "I know you want me."

Don't believe me? Here are some bearded guys who drive girls crazy:

The truth is, it is not the facial hair that makes them hot. These guys ALREADY have what it takes. Girls go crazy over them even without the facial hair. Personally, I don't dig facial hair, but I acknowledge that facial hair does add that sort of gruffiness about the guy that make girls go, "Grr! Tiger!"

You have to satisfy ALL the criteria. If not, you're (waaaaaay) better off NOT keeping any facial hair. The only thing facial hair will do to you is to give the impression that (a) you're lazy (b) you study too much to bother to shave (c) you're from a Motherland (d) you have bad hygiene (e) everything else that is not complimentary.

Good advice from a girl! If you think I'm wrong... you're obviously wrong.

C'est tout!

Oh, Happy Days!

2011-02-19T16:42:00.003+08:00

As part of my New Year's resolution to channel the spirit of Julia Child, I'm gonna see everything in a positive light!

I'm not going to complain about having not much of a term break next week. Instead, I'm going to have a balanced lifestyle (literally) of fun and funner things:

No more, no less, although I think I'm biting off more than I can chew.

I had a dream that I was an actress on Broadway. Obviously not going to happen, but it was an amazing feeling while it lasted!

Rediscovering the Humanitarian in Me

2011-02-10T23:47:00.003+08:00

Early on this semester, I decided that I would do pure commercial law modules because 1) duh, I'm going into commercial litigation and 2) it would be a breath of fresh air from the human rights modules that dominate my resume.

I love my modules. I love construction law the most, and maritime law is fascinating. I'm learning new skills with mediation and arbitration. Et j'adore apprends le francais!

My construction law class ended at 9.15 pm today. I was walking towards my car. As I was about to step out of the building, my eye glanced over the board next to the exit. My eyes landed on a poster with the words "constitutional" and "human rights".

All of a sudden, I felt a pang of profound sadness somewhere deep inside of me.

It has been a long time since I did or read anything related to human rights. I subscribe to the RSS Feed of Human Rights Watch, but there are 40 new feeds waiting to be read, just because I don't have the time to read them.

I thought back to my days in Cape Town, and I still remember, as clear as day, the gratefulness in my client's voice when he called to say that he and his family had been granted South African citizenship after 7 long years of being a refugee.

It's such a strong calling in life for me! And I'll be going back to it, but I first have to do what it takes to survive the first few years working in Singapore.

GO ME!

John sent his representative to meet me in Singapore. Here's a picture of us conducting personal diplomacy:

What a busy month! An apt prelude to March which will get just kill me - but I'LL SURVIVE!

Zen, zen, zen

2011-02-02T23:41:00.003+08:00

It's the eve of Chinese New Year and I think I started the day off on the wrong footing, because everything is irking me (no, it's not that time of the month) and there were a few incidents which happened to me today where I just wanted to swear at all those RUDE SINGAPOREANS.

I had actually come up with a list of possible blog post ideas (specifically: What Being Asian Means to Me, Living with the Tiger: My Grandma, There Singaporeans Go Again) and I was going to RANT in all of them. I just wanted to unleash all that anger and frustration inside of me.

Then I stopped. The shower was still running, but I stopped my scrubbing for a moment and mentally hit myself on the head.

Anger ain't gonna solve anything. Complaining and cursing will only make you a more evil person.

I've been the victim of all 3 things time and time again, it's only human nature right? Our natural instinct is to just act on our impulses and listen to that small voice at the back of our heads, urging us to just BURST.

But... I'm BETTER THAN THAT. We're all better than that. So I told myself, "You know what - forget it. I need to forgive each and every person who "wronged" me today." Immediately, just like that, all that anger just... dissipated. That heavy heart of mine became a couple of kilos lighter. It felt SO MUCH better to just be zen! To be at peace with the world!

But it's SO hard to take that initial step to BEING forgiving.

This is a little something I like to draw inspiration from. It came up again during last Sunday's mass - The 8 Beatitudes of Jesus. Now, before you go, "Ok, this is another of those Christian things again," just read this for a moment. You don't need to be Christian to agree that life should be lived peacefully, and in perfect harmony with the world. Every human being yearns for that. The 8 Beatitudes reflect these principles that help you live this life! So here they are:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Man, I feel so much better! So tonight, I'm going to take a break from all those shipping cases and indulge in some bedtime reading (which, come to think of it, I have not done for at least 2 years).

The world is so harsh. Oh George, how misunderstood you are!

PS: I have a delightful little plan for myself during the term break! You'll find out when I've executed it. Mwhahahhaa

Stormy Weather

2011-01-29T17:29:00.002+08:00

*sings* ... keeps raining all the time!

But I shan't complain because I'm really starting to appreciate the convenience of Singapore's weather! Nothing beats being able to wear whatever I want out. Pulling on and pulling off layers of coats whenever I head outdoors/indoors, walking around with an extra 2 kg of cloth on, having to check the temperature EVERY morning before I head out to know whether it's gonna be a nice still cold day or a freaking tornado - whew.

Then again, I'll have something else to say when this weather stops and it starts getting all hot and humid. I'll take my words back in 2 months' time!

On John's last day in Singapore, we had lunch at Hippopotamus at Marina Square. It's a chain from Paris, and they serve ALL kinds of steak! Good prices and the flavour is damn good! I'm not in the habit of taking pictures of food when I'm in Singapore, so... I only snapped a shot of our foie gras.

It was my first taste of foie gras, on perfectly toasted bread. If you didn't tell me it was a mash-up of duck's liver, I would probably have made it a favourite food of mine! But, it remains a mash-up of duck's liver, and I can't get that out of my head.

Had a great dinner with the girls at Boat Quay last night - Teri brought us to L'Operetta! Italian restaurants opened by Japanese people seem to be the trend now (Saizeriya, for one) The pizzas were yummy, with an AMAZING dough base. Again, I have no habit of taking food pictures in Singapore, so here's one of Shermin and I with the nice Singapore river and Parliament House in the background:

I'm actually not a foodie person. I know I was damn enthusiastic about my food and the restaurants in NYC! The fact that the restaurants were astounding is one thing, but I'm lured more by the romance of being a foodie in New York City (as John puts it)!

Oh well. Off for my reunion dinner!

PS: The CNY music in every single freaking shop in Singapore is driving. me. nuts.

Making Lemonade

2011-01-22T21:17:00.006+08:00

Vacation withdrawal symptoms are hardly fun.

But you know what? I'M NOT GONNA SIT AND SULK.

Life is too short to not appreciate the little things around you, even if you're "gonna be stuck in Singapore" for the next couple of years or so! (well, that applies to me) When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade! If it doesn't... make lemonade anyways!

I'm so pleased with my plans for the semester, I've got such a balanced lifestyle! I signed up for Jazzercise with the NUS Aerobics Club. And I'm not going to shop until after CNY.

Anyway, I've been to Sushi Tei a little more so than usual in the past week, because John loves the sashimi salad there. I've discovered an amazing little treat - caramel sea salt ice-cream eclairs! MMMM:

It's been about 3 years since the Flyer was built, so I decided that it was about time I go on it. If you haven't gone on it - shame on you as a Singaporean (and shame on me!) The view is nothing short of breathtaking.

Bonne soiree!

WHEE

2011-01-12T22:00:00.003+08:00

SALUT!!!

I simply adore rainy days with Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" playing on the stereo! Don't you?!

I shall be completely random and post this picture of me and my Cape Town homies (I miss you girls!!) at one of the Stellenbosch winelands:

Isn't it gorgeous! LOOK AT IT!

Now look at Singapore.

Then look at the photo again!

Then look at Singapore.

NOW BACK to the photo! Sadly, Singapore's not like that.

It was my first visit to a wineland and I've been in love with winelands ever since. The weather is always perfect for sweet grapes to grow, the magnificence of vast expanses of land against the backdrop of mountains, and the SILENCE. Oh, the silence! There's just nothing like the silence of the winelands!

If only this was a 2-hour drive away. I'd be working on my moot problem over a glass of wine on a winery porch every weekend.

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-10T10:50:00.003+08:00

1) Keep track of ALL expenses and collect all receipts. Even the damn 70 cents for teh bing in school.

2) Starting 12 noon of 10 Jan 2011, I'm gonna be the BIGGEST MUGGERTOAD ever.

3) ONE fun thing fortnightly. No more, no less.

(inspired to do the above upon seeing a negative account balance when I got back to Singapore. Did you know that was possible?)

Update: Oh yes, another resolution - to have the temperament of Julia Child. If you don't know who she is, the easiest way to get to know her is to watch Julie and Julia (Meryl Streep was SIMPLY AMAZING, once again, I adore her)

How 2011 Started

2011-01-05T04:29:00.006+08:00

HELLO EVERYBUDDY!! HAPPY NEW YEAR once again!

I've only had time to blog now because 2011 started like a tornado! A whirlwind of events such as...

You guys know how my flight to Orlando got cancelled on the 28th and we were rebooked for the 31st right? So we landed in Orlando at a nice time of 10.15 pm, just enough to get to the hotel and watch the Universal Studios' fireworks from our hotel room. I was SO relieved I didn't have to countdown on the plane.

Then, we arrived at Four Points Sheraton... to find out that they DIDN'T have our reservation. Or rather, they had cancelled our reservation when we didn't arrive on the 28th, even though we had notified the Starwoods customer service representative who was supposed to make sure they didn't cancel our reservation. Well, she didn't!

After talking to a million people, coughing like crazy (for me at least) and stopping halfway to run outside and catch the fireworks from the hotel carpark, we ended up at the Westin hotel with a reduced room rate. (Update: I managed to get them to refund us for ALL the nights we were supposed to stay at Four Points, so, YIPPEE!)

Nothing like spicy sausage pizza and a glass of Merlot to ring in 2011 at 1 am!

I spent my birthday at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure. GO SHORTY, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

We were here SPECIFICALLY for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Technically, Orlando isn't the best place to situate Hogsmeade, because there were loads of sun and palm trees framing its backdrop. But WHO CARES when you've got Platform 9 3/4 and BUTTERBEER!? We had some inside The Three Broomsticks:

You're probably wondering what Butterbeer tastes like. It's exactly like a rootbeer float, coupled with some other magical elements which makes it ever so slightly different than your normal rootbeer float. But a rootbeer float nonetheless! And it was TASTY. A pity they don't sell Butterbeer by the bottle or I would have bought 6 bottles home for you to try!

Imagine my delight when I saw CINNABON: Home of the best cinnamon rolls in the world. I had them all the time while in Toronto.

Then, I saw the most gigantic gummy bear I had ever seen in my entire life and knew that I had to have it as my birthday cake. It's as big as the iPhone! We didn't have a candle so I blew out the lighter.

We shopped till we dropped the next day, and it was off to Cocoa Beach for the next 5 days.

Luke's Lobster's lobster roll still wins, even though this was amazing.

Alligator meat!! If you didn't tell me what it was, I would have just thought it was popcorn chicken.

We spent the day cycling and now my buns hurt. The bikes had special brakes that only work if you pedalled backwards. And it's chilly here, I tell you! Chilly, with a capital C! So much for trying to ride my bike in a bikini. I had to buy a cheapo 'Corona Extra' sweater from a shop along the way! We cycled to Port Canaveral, where there was... nothing.

Well, there were a couple of peeps fishing, and a cruise went by. But it was a far cry from this!

Port Canaveral is for those of you who love to go on cruises, go fishing, enjoy live entertainment, good seafood, or just to mingle with friends over a cocktail. Port Canaveral is your gateway to all sorts of fun and entertainment for all ages.

LIES, all lies. Or maybe we went to the wrong side, hurhur! ANYWAY. I had the most amazing Baja Fish Tacos for dinner. Today, we're off to Historic Cocoa Village (please, please, let there be something to see) and the Andretti Thrill Park. And Disneyland tomorrow!

In the meantime, what I did during the days I was stranded in NYC. A gigantic pizza at the famous Patsy's:

Finally doing the Sex and the City tour with dearest CC! The moment we got on the tour bus, our tour guide was like, "Are you guys ready for sex?!" "Who here had sex this morning?!" "On the count of 3, I want everyone on the bus to yell 'Fuck!'"

At Buddhakan where Carrie and Big had their engagement dinner! Gotta try the food there on Friday when I get back!

BEST BANANA PUDDING in the universe! From Magnolia Bakery:

Now I know why I put on 5 kg in 4 months in North America.

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

2010-12-31T22:03:00.004+08:00

WHAT?! LIKE, REALLY?!?!

Yes, really.

Years always get shorter as they pass. But after all the things I've managed to do this year, I'm glad to say that I would have wanted it no other way.

On this last day of 2010, I'm feeling particularly sentimental! I think I've been bitten by the New York City NYE bug. IT'S 2011 FOLKS. ZOMG!

AHHHHHHH. I hope I don't have to count down on the plane!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

I Hate Snow

2010-12-29T02:25:00.009+08:00

A white Christmas is nice as long as the snow disappears the next day.

On the first day, there was nothing but fun and snowmen!

Then, someone forgot to turn off the snow shower. This is what happened after it blizzarded for almost 24 hours straight:

On Monday morning, Cheng Chai called from Queens to say that there was no way for him to get to Manhattan because NONE of the metro lines were working. Hence, we had to cancel our day together for the Sex and the City tour!

Later, I walked through a war-torn and ravaged city, a scene straight out of Left 4 Dead or Armageddon , complete with no vehicles and zombies walking on the main roads:

It was actually pretty fun at first. Iris and I trudged through snow and laughed our way to lunch in Soho with Mel at The Best Chocolate Cake in the World! It's not named that for nothing.

At Vive la Crepe after dinner (LOL at Iris):

Now this is where I REALLY hate snow. John and I just found out today that our flight to Orlando has been CANCELLED. Delta has rebooked us for 31 Dec.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Ok, but on the bright side, I'm still headed there AND going to Disneyland AND Harry Potter's World AND a nice bar for the countdown AND shopping at the outlets AND visiting the Kennedy Space Center.

In the meantime, we're going to try and paint New York City red over the next few days and screw the snow over!

I made eggs benedict for dinner the other day (don't you just love breakfast for dinner?):

And my proudest shopping moment yet: satin lace pumps from Steve Madden!! I got a scratch card with the highest discount available at the store. When my eyes landed on this pair, I said to it, "You! You're the one for me! Oh my darling!"

Off to make the most of the night! And on the bright side: I still have time to go for the Sex and the City tour.

A White Boxing Day

2010-12-27T06:30:00.003+08:00

It's snowing cats and dogs!!

Okay, the snow came one day late. But the decorations and Christmas songs are still playing in Manhattan, so one can always pretend that we're having a white Christmas!

I just got back from some major Boxing Day sales! Well, I left the house at 10, meaning to reach Saks Fifth Avenue by 10.30 am so I can get 50% off everything before noon. I reached at 11.30 AM because one of the subway trains broke down and I was stuck in the train for a good 45 minutes!

In any case, I didn't buy anything at Saks because 1) all the good stuff were gone and 2) even with 50% off, I still can't afford the good stuff. LIKE, there was this gorgeous Versace dress that was still $200+ with the discount, and an Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs bag... technically I could have bought them, but reasonably, it isn't my time to be spending such money yet!

But I went a little crazy with the shopping at Herald Square.

ANYWAY.

Christmas Eve night! John and I met Emily and Chris for dinner at Nonya in Chinatown, and then it was off to The Mercer Kitchen for drinks and dessert! I was dying to try EGG NOG ever since I saw Elijah Wood and Maya drink that on Saturday Night Live 5 years ago and the Mercer Egg Nog was pretty famous! This is egg nog:

Something you gotta try at least once! But I still prefer my alcohol without dairy and raw egg in it. Some yummy shrimp cocktail:

Manhattan's usually dead (or rather, hung over) on Christmas Day itself, so after mass, we just chilled at home and watched Wall-E.

And we prepared our Christmas feast! Blackforest ham, Italian breaded pork chops, cream spinach, John's cheesy mushrooms, beef, scalloped potatoes and onions and bread pudding (which was out of this world, if I may say so myself):

And Iris did the dishes :D

Off to frolick in the snow for awhile before dinner! I was pretty sick of the snow when I was in Toronto, but there's always the thrill of seeing (and feeling it on my nose and eyelashes) again after a 7-month spell of Singapore weather!

It's Almost Christmas!

2010-12-25T04:03:00.004+08:00

HELLO EVERYBUDDY! Can you smell the air! Just smell it! Christmas is just around the corner!

Yesterday, I failed to get lottery tickets to watch Next to Normal on Broadway. Bad luck sucks! BUT John and I went home and made Baked Dijon Salmon Fillet for dinner!

We visited the Oralfix Aphrodisiac Cafe in the afternoon! Located inside the Museum of Sex (one of the places you have to visit before you die), it serves 'potions' and desserts that get your thang on. Bonus: NO ONE was there.

I don't know why more people don't go there, because the dessert is AMAZING. We ordered... Okay, can't remember the name of it, so I hereby declare it the Chocolate Pyramid with Truffle in it and 3 chocolate balls with coconut shavings. I'm not really doing justice to it, because it was as fabulous as its name!

Christmas Eve morning! Pastis, a quaint french bistro by Keith McNally, is one of the top brunch places in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, so we headed there! Cobbled streets made me feel like I was in Paris. We shared a Full English Breakfast at the bar and chatted with the superbly friendly waiter!

Strolling along the Hudson River after brunch (what a LOVELY SUNNY COLD WINTER DAY):

I'm chilling back home now, before heading out for the perfect Christmas Eve Night! Speaking of which, tickets for the Christmas midnight mass at St Patrick's Cathedral is ALWAYS snapped up no matter how early we apply! WHY?! We'll just go for morning mass tomorrow.

WHEEEEEEEEEE

Jetlagged Days

2010-12-23T23:18:00.005+08:00

Sherms just reminded me that I've broken my vow to blog every night not once, not twice, but three times. Noo!!

Hey, but now I know how those travel journalists feel. I've always envied their lives because, who wouldn't want to be paid to travel?! But imagine after a full, long day of travelling and partaking in exotic things. All I'd want to do is shower, and hit the sack! But noooooooo, they still have to do a report.

So here's my (late) report for the past 3 nights!

It was time for Vishy Fishy to leave for Kenya! The clown decided he would dress like he would on board the plane and the temperature that morning was -2, felt like -8 degrees. He froze a couple of times.

On the way to meeting him, I was walking from Grand Central Station when I passed by this pretty little shop called Baked by Melissa! Selling... MINI CUPCAKES!! I didn't even need to think - my legs immediately veered into the store. I tried (from left to right) Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Cup and Red Velvet. MMMMMMMMMM.

I was craving a burger from the famous Shake Shack. The last time Guang Hao, Samjo and I went, I couldn't eat a thing because... I was vegetarian. NOT ANYMORE! Bring on the beef!

The following day, John and I headed to Luke's Lobster for lunch! I've never had lobster in my entire life, and after trying their lobster rolls, NO ONE stands between lobster and me! It was my first lobster roll, so I can't say it was the best, but IT WAS HELLA AMAZING. Oh the lobster meat was sooooooo fresh and juicy. And best of all... I didn't get an allergic reaction to it!

Then, it was off to meet Sherms' man for dinner! Siwen took us to La Zarza where I had slurpalicious Grilled Skirt Steak. Just when I thought I couldn't stomach anything more, Siwen forced (and I'm glad he did) dessert onto us. Orgasmimc Panqueques de Dulche de Leche & Churros:

Karaoke-ing at K-Town with Joanna and Jeff:

By 12 am, I was pretty darn tired. We got home at 5 am and I just concussed.

We slept in and spent the day wandering along 5th Ave (NINE WEST SHOES: TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?) before catching Tron 3D. Check out the building (not window) display of Dior:

Merry Christmas with a Rockefeller Center tree!

The First 24 Hours in NYC

2010-12-20T20:56:00.009+08:00

OMG I just feel like stuffing my face with FOOD, FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD ever since I got here. There's SOOOOOO much to eat and see I love it love it love it!

Yesterday was also one of the longest days of my life because I was awake at 4.30 am and only went to bed at 1 am! but it was fantastic!!

I was waiting for the 10.15 am mass at St Patrick's Cathedral to start and thank goodness for lazy Sunday mornings, because the streets were SO empty. A clear view of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre WITHOUT people:

Chilling at Teague's PALATIAL SUITE at The London NYC hotel before lunch:

By 1 pm, the entire world had woken up and it was a miracle that we got a table at Ellen's Stardust Diner. This is no ordinary diner. EVERY single one of the waiters and waitresses are aspiring singers and Broadway actors. One by one, they would take turns jumping onto the podium and singing a song (while providing awesome service mind you). The waitress for our table sang my absolute favourite hit from Wicked - Defying Gravity - AND SHE WAS AWESOME!

Our next stop was for Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark Broadway musical! Well. I don't know what to make of it. The awesome thing about it was THE SET. They had hooked up the entire theatre so during the fight scenes, Spiderman and the villain were flying all over the theatre! I was seated at the Balcony, and Spiderman jumped onto the ledge RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I was like "KISS ME UPSIDE DOWN!"

The bad part? The script. I'm not an expert on the original Spidey comics, but I DOUBT the Goddess Athena and cursed mortal Arachne were part of it, or should ever be a part of it. But they made it so, and it was almost unbearable to watch! Thanks in part to my jet lag too, I fell asleep during the last 20 minutes of the show.

My second last stop for the night was dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Maze restaurant with Teague and Stefan!

Teague and Stefan chose to have the 5-course dinner but as much as I love to eat, I am, after all, still a woman with half the stomach capacity. So I opted for Roasted Amish Chicken Breast with spring morels, pickled ramps, new potatoes fiddlehead ferns, thyme jus. (QUOTE OF THE DAY- Me: What's an Amish chicken? - Stefan: It's a chicken that doesn't see the need for the use of technology.)

And little did I know that Teague had asked the restaurant to give me a little surprise: amazing strawberry sorbet with the candle on it!

And how could I forget the dessert? Fig and Olive Oil cake with fresh figs and basil ice-cream. I could have made pasta with the basil ice cream and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference! It was like LIQUID BASIL. The flavours, together, were simply explosive.

By 10.30 pm, I was high on the lack of sleep, good food and great company. I had a last stop to make: drinks with Vish at the Russian Tea Room! Ended the night with a lovely glass of dessert wine 2004 Madame Fleure:

More heavenly days to come and John's exams end today! Will be exploring Greenwich Village today and then once his exams end, I'm bringing him to Luke's Lobster - I've been reading Dot's blog and her obsession with lobster rolls is just SO infectious!

WHEEEEE

2010-12-19T20:05:00.003+08:00

LIFE ROCKS, WHAT UP!

I survived the relatively short 20 hour flight by sleeping on my face on the tray table and watching Casablanca! Nothing much else happened, save for the fact that I SAW MOUNT FUJI from the plane window way above the clouds! I was just gazing out into the glowing, fluffy clouds below me and then this mountain peak emerged from the clouds! I'm still kicking myself for wanting to NOT look like a tourist and take a picture.

Then I lugged my 17 kg luggage through the subways and felt the pain of persons with disabilities because there are NO LIFTS in certain stations. Luckily I'M MUSCULAR. And for the fifth time, New Yorkers are SUPER nice people. Every single time before I embarked on the tulmultous journey of dragging my luggage up a flight of stairs, someone would offer to help me with the luggage (to which I said no... I'M MUSCULAR) and this guy even offered his seat to me on the subway (to which I said no too... THIS LEGS WERE MADE FOR STANDING)

After 1.5 hours, I finally found my way into the elusive Block 651.

Long distance relationships are so beautiful when you meet the person again after 2 months!

So I'm leaving John to study for his finals today and I'm gonna be headed to church in 30 mins' time! I have a REALLY long day ahead of me: lunch with Teague at Greenwich Village, a Broadway show, dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Maze with him and Stefan, and after-dinner drinks at the Russian Tea Room with Mr Fishy Vishy!

To that, I say WHEEE!

Bye Lovelies!

2010-12-17T20:38:00.002+08:00

I'm usually quite the morning person, but not when my sleep's interrupted! So I woke up today feeling disillusioned, 2D and crappy. But nothing an iced cafe latte from Sapore, meeting my lovelies JieXuan and Shups, downing Maggie Moos Vanilla Cookie Dough Yo-Yo can't fix!

I'm all packed and READY FOR NEW YORK CITY BABY!!! What on earth was I thinking when I said I didn't feel like going up. That's the lack of sleep talking! How can I not be excited to be in NYC (and to see John again!) HUH?!

Guess what I'm going to do on the 20-hour plane ride?! YUP, you totally guessed it! My Maritime Law moot problem! Cuz my team's gonna OWN IT next year!! And then! And then I'm gonna sleep for 6 hours and watch movies and bug the air stewardess for Maggi noodles! YEAH.

Sigh, I'm so high right now. WHAT UP!

I vow to blog every night in NYC and Orlando so you lovelies know what I'm up to! And so I know what I was up to at the age of 21 when I'm 50 years old!

See you in 36 hours' time!

First Times

2010-12-15T11:11:00.004+08:00

I'd like to mark the end of the year by listing down my eventful first times for this year! Here goes:

Ate clams
Went dog-sledding
Stayed in Cape Town for a month!
Met refugees
Did a Brazilian
Saw Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Jay-Z
Visited LA
Solo-tripped in Philadelphia
Dated someone twice my age
Picked up Ashtanga Yoga
Went vegetarian
Went to the southern-most tip of the African continent
Visited Chicago
Fell in love again
Tried a ****** (heehee)
Visited a wineland
Acted in a musical
Visited Las Vegas
Saw the Grand Canyon
Attended a World Cup match
Visited Miri, Sarawak
Headed to Orlando in 2 weeks!

I've got to top this next year.

The Meaning of Zen-ness

2010-12-04T14:52:00.003+08:00

Today, I'm feeling very very zen!

12 hours of sleep + making peace over the last few days + buying something Ferragamo + receiving excellent customer service in Singapore + starting to learn a new language + strumming the guitar and singing songs + reading mean but hilarious Youtube video comments

=

Zen-ness.

I'm going to zen out more this afternoon talking to Llama-Lover and watching Sinatra's Pal Joey before hitting Butter Factory tonight with my girls! I HOPE THEY PLAY USHER & KATY PERRY ALL NIGHT LONG.

Update: Ok, I only knew 1 out of every 5 songs, aka the music wasn't that good. And in between every song the transition was "Put your hands in the air!" so by the 10th song of the night I wished I could stand on my hands and put my legs in the air. They played Usher's O.M.G. so that was the highlight of the night!

At the Box Office with Geri

2010-11-30T00:34:00.005+08:00

Ohhh, it's been such a long time since I did my little "Geri's Movie Reviews"!

Today's Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I

Star Rating: 4/5

Gone were the days of Geri the Pottermaniac and I've never liked any of the movies. Until this one.

Maybe it is the fact that it has been 3 whole years since I last read the 7th book! Watching it was just a blast from the past - and what an exciting past when I once lived in the universe of Harry Potter.

First of all, the cinematography (I thought) was EXCELLENT. David Yates did such a good job with this one! Of course, it could be the fact that since this movie has been split into two parts, there was more reel time for greater plot and character development, whereas the sixth movie (which he also directed) was just a really condensed sixth book. All the angles, the scenes and their moments, the set - all beautifully shot! ALSO very impressive was the way he turned the narration of the tale of the Three Brothers into a little neat animation!

Secondly, all the actors outdid themselves - yes, even Daniel Radcliffe, who couldn't act for nuts and raisins in the first movie. Maybe doing that nude scene on Broadway (or was it West End?) helped him! And Helena Bonham Carter - omg, WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD. She was born to be Bellatrix! Tres Oscar-worthy.

Thirdly, this movie was absolutely faithful to the book! It unfolded just the way I had imagined it all in my head when I read the book! Ok, I guess there's only one way you can imagine how a forest would look like, but even the castle where Voldemort and the Death-Eaters resided, to the Lovegoods' house, to Godric's Hollow - they were all exact to the T! None of those weird scenes that took place in the previous movies that are like "WTF, how did that contribute to plot development except to highlight how much that particular scene was totally uncalled for?!"

Here comes the pinch of salt: if you haven't read the book, you probably wouldn't understand half of what's going on in this movie. But you know what, don't blame the movie; blame yourself for not having read, inter alia, the AWESOMEST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE! (sorry, I can't help the legal lingo)

Once again, I'm reminded of how FANTASTIC the entire epic Harry Potter story is and what a genius J.K. Rowling is (it's hard to see her in a positive light especially after she sued her most devoted fan for copyright issues) Especially the 7th book: it's amazing how ALL the loose ends were superbly tied up in the fanciest of knots, and even if they were already tied up, she double-knotted it! I, for one, can't even write 8000 words without forgetting what my first 1000 words were about.

If you think you can wait for the DVD to come out and watch it on HBO (or worse, download it), don't. It's worth going to the theatres for! Trust me.

Grandmother stories

2010-11-26T14:19:00.004+08:00

I was just lying in bed one day (specifically, the day before my Evidence and UN Law papers)... and my brain decided to jog back down memory lane to my nursery days.

I was the naughtiest kid in class. Seriously, worse than the boys. I just had no sense of instruction or order.

During class, when all the kids were seated on the mat and listening to the teacher read a story, I would just GET UP, and start walking around the class. Because I just felt like it. Then the teacher would scold me and get me to sit back down. When I did it again, she would make me stand in a corner.

It also didn't help that one day, my grandma decided to appear at the classroom window like a fairy godmother and give me cheese to eat. I got up in the middle of lesson, ran to the window and ate.

Remember this game called Mother Hen & Eagle? Someone would be the mother hen to protect her chicks whilst another person would be the eagle and attempt to eat one of her chicks.

So we played that game one day in class. The teacher was the Mother Hen, a couple of the girls were the chicks (no pun intended), and me and a couple of others were the eagles. She said, "Ok, but if you wanna attack anyone, you can only attack me, and you can only tug lightly at my vest!"

The truth is, kids don't give a damn. Or at least I didn't.

So I WENT WILD. I was just running all over and screaming, and then I went up to my teacher and said, "ROAR!" and attempted to get one of the screaming chicks. When she kept blocking me...

... I stretched my hand out, and hit her in the boobs.

I was made to stand the entire day in class. (Which I think was extremely lenient of the teacher already because if I were her, I'd have killed me.)

When it was recess time, the teacher would make us line up in two rows and lead us to the canteen. The moment we entered, I broke out of line and just started running to the tables. And obviously got punished for it.

I was much better in kindergarten! The form teacher made me her pet because I was the youngest and apparently "could listen to instructions" (finally! alleluia) so I was some role model for the class.

But the other teachers couldn't see the angel in me. One time, I had urinary tract infection so I had to pee a lot. The form teacher let me go as and when I pleased. But the other teachers? NOOO. They thought I was being naughty. One of them prevented me from going, and the other one (my Chinese teacher) asked in Mandarin, "Why do you have to keep going?" I just stared at her, because I didn't know how to say anything in Mandarin, except the spelling words of the day (moon, sun, stars, which obviously wouldn't help my situation much)

But this boy in my class was such a sweetheart and stood up for me the next day! He was the smartest smarty-pants in our class because he could spell everything and anything and count without having to literally point at the pictures and count. So he told the teachers that I was sick (in both English and Mandarin), and the teachers issued an apology to me.

(Obviously they got hell from my parents when I went back and told them what happened. MWAHAHA)

Just Another Shockwave

2010-11-23T11:16:00.006+08:00

Some people pray feverishly to God to help them discern their true path in life.

And they say that God works in mysterious ways.

But God works so explicitly in my life! Literally!

Time and time again, random people around me would just pull me aside and just tell me something for no particular reason, except to answer the unspoken doubts I had in my heart.

Today, the Starhub technician came in to fix my screwy internet connection. Over the past few months and over the past 2 weeks (when I spoke to the customer service operators), I'd just grown more and more discontented with Starhub, till yesterday, when I just blew it (just ask my Mum, brother, grandma and Twitter followers)(I knew I was scary because even my Grandma the Terminator was scared of me).

Today, the first thing the technician did when he greeted me was to shake my hand and say, "God Bless You." I was shockwaved for awhile! As he went about fixing my wallpoint that was apparently leaking oil, we were just talking...

... and he told me how Christ entered his life when he attempted suicide when he was my age. In his near-death experience, he saw a man dressed in white who told him that his time had not come.

When he woke up, he became a computer whiz. He had never touched a single manual in his life, was never good at computers before, but he suddenly had the magic touch.

He could tell that I was an NUS Law student (another shockwave)(or is there just something wrong with me?)

I know it sounds like one of those stories you read about and hear about.

But every single time I hear it first-hand from a person, I know it's God's way of reminding me, once again, that he IS there.

PS: OMG, it just happened again! I published post, and in the new page, there was an ad by google (WHICH, by the way, HAS NEVER APPEARED before; usually, it's just a blank space) with the link http://www.hallvworthington.com. See what I mean? (click it and you'll see)

Lyrical Matters

2010-11-21T20:18:00.005+08:00

Today's topic: song lyrics.

Nowadays, it's SO rare to find a song that puts women on a pedestal and makes us feel like men REALLY love us for who we are.

Take for example, Usher's "Daddy's Home" (since I talked about it in a previous post, you should know it!) Like, I LOVE the song! But just check out the its lyrics:

I ain’t gotta do a lot of flexin
Shorty you already know what it is
And girl tonight we’ll gonna do a lot of sexin’
Can’t nobody do your body like this ohh

And I won’t knock or ring no bells
You just float bottom up in the air
I'll get you hot, I know you oh so well
And when I'm walking, all that I wanna hear...

... Poke it on out poke it out right there
I’m a fall back while you work that chair
Do that damn thing let the neighbors hear

Er... sorry sweetie, looks like Daddy had different games in mind. Just go to bed and let Mummy handle it.

How about that (in)famous "Birthday Sex" song?

It's your birthday so I know
You want to riiide out,
Even if we only go to myyy house
Sip mo- weezy as we sit upon myyy couch
Feels good, but I know you want to
Cryyy out
You say you want passion
I think you found it
Get ready for action
Don't be astounded
We switchin' positions
You feel surrounded
Tell me where you want
Your gift, girl

...Don't need candles or cake
Just need your body to make good

Birthday sex
Birthday sex
It's the best day of the year, girl
Birthday sex
Birthday sex
It feels like, feels like... lemme hit that... g-spot g-spot

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Yes, I know we've got boobs, I know we've got ass, I know we got it from our Mama. But you aren't getting any if you don't treat us right!

So when Bruno Mars sang "Just the Way You Are", everyone was just like, "WHOA!" Just. SO REFRESHING. Probably the FIRST song in a billion gazillion years (well, actually since boybands got phased out and those rapper dudes came in with their braces and exposed underwear and all) that actually sings what women really want to hear!

Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are

Now, Bruno Mars is bringing all the girls to the yard tonight! What up!

And Boyce Avenue did an AMAZING version of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. I know her lyrics are all sexed up (doesn't help the female's situation, really), but Boyce Avenue made it SO SO SWEET. Just listen to it. (I know the video's sticking out, I'm not resizing it because THEY'RE JUST SO SWEET.)

As Tine remarked, "Yeah! I like talking all through the night with no rush!" and I said, "Yeah! I like resting my head on him in this teenage dream tonight!" Looks like the boys from Boyce Avenue are bringing all the girls to the yard too!

One Fine Day

2010-11-18T19:06:00.004+08:00

Come fly with me; let's fly, let's fly away.

ONE WEEK TO THE END OF THE SECOND LAST SEMESTER IN MY LIFE.

Dear Geraldine...

2010-11-09T16:05:00.007+08:00

Yes, that was me before I became officially known as Geri in 2005. I don't know how that happened! But let's just say it feels weird when people address me by my full name now.

ANYWAY. Tine has inspired me to look back at my old entries and realize ~~the monster I've become~~ how I've aged in just a matter of 6 years!

So I'm going to take an hour off writing my essay and spend some time writing to my 15-year old self. I'll be quoting text taken from entries in 2004! Here goes!

I borrowed a book titled, "The War on Terrorism and the Terror of God" with Cheryl's library card (thanks Cheryl)! Very interesting read. It's about that connection between terrorism and religion, from a Christian point of view though. Nonetheless, I high recommend it!

Dear Geraldine,

It's amazing how we're still so similar despite the age difference! The war on terrorism is still ongoing, FYI. I don't remember a thing that was written in that book (in fact, I TOTALLY FORGOT that I had read that book before) but... George Bush just released his new autobiography titled "Decision Points" that I'm sure you'll love! Keep up the interest in politics and philosophy!

XOXO,
Geri

[My brother and I] were inspired to sing "Hotel California" with our own made-up lyrics. So one line just happens to go, "And all the lice flew out of my hair" and just as we were singing that part at the top of our lungs, we drove past this group of tourists. You should have seen the expressions on their faces. Priceless for us, no price for Singapore Tourism Board.

Lol, that was very wacky... and on the way home, we dropped by King Albert's Park to get some supper. My brother was chirping, "McSpicy Double! McSpicy Double!"

Dear Geraldine,

It's been so long since I last heard our brother chirp like a tweety bird. Or play silly games like this with me. All he does now is growl about the stupid people in camp and play Fable 3 on the Xbox 360. He's still fun though! He just doesn't chirp anymore. Even birds grow up.

XOXO,
Geri

Yesterday night, I was writing Gloria's "autograph book" when my Dad walked into the room and stood in front of my table. I looked up, and I saw a Motorola E398 in his hand. I asked, "Who's is it?" and he said, "Yours!" WHOOPEE! I was so surprised, I had this super huge grin on my face the whole of last night and possibly through the night in my dreams. I'VE GOT A NEW PHONE! My Dad is sooooo awesome, I think he knew I was tired of my current Motorola T720 and since I got the Prelim results he always dreamt of having... it's mine! THANKS DAD!

Dear Geraldine,

WOW. WOWEE. I had totally forgotten about that! You're lucky!

Of course, Dad has yet to surprise me with an iPhone 4, which is wayyyyy cooler than your Motorola E398. In any case, Dad has quadrupled my allowance and pays for my trips around the world and I've got a DOLCE & GABBANA phone now. I'm so 3008, you're so 2000 and late!

Sorry, that's Gossip Girl talking through me, I'm not as bitchy as you think! What I mean to say is, we have a cool Dad, period.

Oh, one more thing. It's WHOSE, not WHO'S. I don't know how you scored an A1 in English and topped the class with grammar like that.

XOXO,
Geri

I sit down and try to study. I get up and walk to the window. And I wonder if...

... people are starting to hate me just because of my Prelim results. I hate the way the teachers play up the "glory and honour" of being a 6-pointer. It's plain stupid. To my teachers: I appreciate all that you've done for me. All I ask of you is this one last favour. CONGRATULATIONS IS ENOUGH. STOP HARPING ON AND ON TO OTHERS ABOUT ME. YOU DON'T DO IT IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND MY BACK. IF MY FRIENDS NEED HELP, I'LL ALWAYS HELP THEM, EVEN IF IT TAKES ALL MY ENERGY. JUST DON'T COMPARE THEM TO ME!!! YOU THINK IT'S MOTIVATING FOR THEM? CUT THE CRAP OUT!

It's funny. To think that I'm crying now. Over such a miniscule thing. You know what? ALL THAT TALK COULD COST ME MY FRIENDS. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED ME SO MUCH IN ALL MY YEARS, IN ALL MY PROBLEMS AND STUCK WITH ME STILL. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ME.

Dear Geraldine,

WHOA WHOA WHOA! What the hell is this. You cut the crap out! What's with the emo-ness dudette?! I know you love your friends, but this is just absurd! Go take some hormonal pills and chill. And save the tears, you haven't met them boys yet.

XOXO,
Geri

Christianity definitely discourages pre-marital sex, no denying that, even though that's not included in the commandments. But you can still do it if you really really really love the person you know? Anyway, it was just a dream, who says I will do it pre-maritally in reality? =p

Dear Geraldine,

Er... who made you Pope? Did you write the Bible?

Don't talk so much, it's WAY more complicated than you think! Just keep things to yourself and make the world go round. You can't go wrong with that!

XOXO,
Geri

An hour's up!

So this is how we all grow old. Unconsciously. But marvelling at how much we've changed since we were 15.

THIS CALLS FOR A TAYLOR SWIFT SONG! and you know just which one I'm talking about...

And when you're fifteen
Feeling like there's nothing to figure out,
Well, count to ten, take it in,
This is life,
Before you know who you're gonna be (a lawyer, not a plastic surgeon, pfft!)
Fifteen

My Favourites from Spring 2011

2010-10-31T13:43:00.004+08:00

Lanvin

Ralph Lauren

Chloe

Oscar de la Renta

J Mendel

More Ralph Lauren

Carolina Herrera

I just love jumpsuits and playsuits. It's a tad more inconvenient when you're headed to the Ladies', but otherwise, they are so extremely comfortable and unlike dresses, you don't have to worry about 'opening your coffee shop'. I could wear them all day and night.

Adopt a Child Now!

2010-10-27T22:49:00.004+08:00

I feel like there's so much more PR I can do for my TWO FAVOURITE CAUSES: Kiva and WorldVision (the links are on the right sidebar!). All of you (you, yes you) can do it RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, after reading this entry. You don't have to wait till you're 30 or have earned your first paycheque in order to feel like you have the 'funds' to do it.

*this is not an ad, by the way. IT'S ALL ME.*

The truth is, you'll NEVER have the funds for any of these if you don't start now. How many of us splurge on things like clothes and expensive food without having to think twice? Hey, I'm guilty of that sometimes, but I rein myself in by apportioning a set amount of my allowance aside for my causes!

Today, I made my 21st loan on Kiva! Just think: I've helped 21 people help themselves with a mere $100 which I poured into Kiva when I was 18. The moment I get repaid, I loan out the money again. You can start with something small like a US$25 loan (which amounts to like S$32, hello? little much!) and feel good about money spent this way. The good thing is: it comes back within a few months so that you can loan the same amount out to someone else again. Sure, there may be a few delinquent businesses, but failure is all part of becoming successful, no?

Then, there's my other favourite cause, WorldVision.

First, let me introduce you to my adopted child. Not 'adopted' in the legal sense but in the WorldVision sense. This is Hue: she's my little baby from a village in Vietnam and I've had her since 2007, when she was 8.

We've been writing to each other all these years. I send her little gifts from Singapore and postcards from places I visit so that she may see the world through me. This is her latest letter to me, sent in September 2010:

(which reminds me, I really need to write back to her, it's almost November.)

So this is how WorldVision works. You 'adopt a child' from a certain community and you make monthly contributions (it's only $45 a month, or $1.50 a day: i mean, just sacrifice your daily teh bing or whatever!) to WorldVision. WorldVision collects a pool of money from like-minded donors/sponsors for that particular community, and the funds go towards improving village facilities. WorldVision has volunteers working in these communities to carry out such work, and these children come under their wing. The money doesn't actually go to that particular kid.

But the best part about this arrangement is THE HAPPINESS you can bring to your kid. These children are so excited to be able to write letters (which the WorldVision volunteers help translate and mail out) to their 'adoptees' and receive letters in return.

Every year, WorldVision sends a report card of your kid, to tell you how he or she is doing at school, how satisfactory his/her health is, and every report includes a little drawing done by the kid! As well as a photo - this is Hue in 2010, all grown up at the age of 11:

I am definitely paying her a visit in the not-so-distant future!

I hope I have convinced you guys to go click on those links now!

Gripes about Plies

2010-10-26T13:40:00.007+08:00

I thought Sean Paul and Pitbull were bad enough. But next to rapper Plies, the former two have voices as angelic as Charlotte Church's.

Let me introduce you to Plies:

So, this guy has 30 seconds of fame in Usher's song 'Daddy's Home'.

I LOVE 'Daddy's Home'. It's like, I'm home after a hard day of work, and I'm just waiting for my hubby to come home (in Usher's words, DADDY'S HOME), I light some candles to get into the mood, and the silky smooth voice of Usher just purrs in the background.

THEN, the moment Plies' part comes on, everything changes.

A thunderstorm suddenly strikes as his voice, even more screeching than chalk scratching on blackboard or raking your nails up along the wall, screeches (for lack of a better word) 'KNOCK KNOCK...' All the candles blow out, and suddenly I find myself in a scene of Paranormal Activity 2. Fear's fingernails pierce through my heart muscles. I'm scared, I'm alone, and I forget who my lover is, because all I want to do is GET A BIG MOMMA CHAINSAW TO PROTECT MYSELF from this abomination of a dude who just knocked my entire door down and screeches 'DADDY'S HOME!'

You can listen to what I'm talking about here.

This is the first time I've ever had half a mind to edit a song just so that I can listen to it in peace. I can't NOT listen to it because Usher's part is just too good to pass on. I'm gonna do just that!

Loves of the Day

2010-10-20T22:51:00.009+08:00

I'm absolutely loving this pair of Manolo Blahniks for Ruffian for Spring 2011:

I didn't think much of moon manicures when they first came out (they have been around for quite awhile now), because it makes the nails look half-done, especially if you paint the moon white or something nudish.

THEN I did a double-take when I saw this: black moons with black French tips (on the left)!

Tres chic! So I painted my own nails!

A gold base with black moons and black French tips. I hereby declare it NEFERTITI NAILS!

I think I've frolicked enough. Now back to studying Evidence. XOXO

Laughter in the Rain

2010-10-19T00:04:00.004+08:00

(by Neil Sedaka)

Strolling along country roads with my baby
It starts to rain, it begins to pour
Without an umbrella we're soaked to the skin
I feel a shiver run up my spine
I feel the warmth of her hand in mine

Oo, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

After a while we run under a tree
I turn to her and she kisses me
There with the beat of the rain on the leaves
Softly she breathes and I close my eyes
Sharing our love under stormy skies

Oo, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside
I feel the warmth of her hand in mine

Song here.

When I Gaze Into the Mirror

2010-10-13T13:04:00.003+08:00

I am the woman I've always dreamt of becoming when I was a little girl. Give it a few more years and she'll be perfect.

In my eyes, and that's all that matters.

My Boudoir

2010-10-11T18:25:00.005+08:00

I realized I never did post a picture of my finished room! So voila!

Forgive the standing fan - I wanted to install a ceiling fan but the structure of my ceiling wasn't right for it.

The World's Mine Oyster

2010-10-10T23:04:00.006+08:00

I'm finally blogging! On a Sunday night baby!

The best $1639 (and more) I've ever spent - travelling to LA. Spending on more clothes? Nahhh. Think about all the money you could save and just travel to any destination in the world! There's so much of the world to see and you realize how small the world really is. You could just catch a ride on the next flight to Paris or Brazil and be in a different place in less than 24 hours.

What is Singapore? I don't really know anymore. It's like a stopover for me to complete my degree and maybe earn a couple thousand bucks before I reach my final destination.

The Singapore sky is not even BLUE. This is blue, not this!

In an attempt to hide the truth of where I really am, I like to dim the lighting in my bedroom and shut the door and draw the curtains. Then I'm going to invest in more bossa nova music and a couple of aromatherapy oils and just zen out in my private space.

Like now.

Busy Bee (with Dry Skin)

2010-09-13T23:02:00.004+08:00

Amidst all the very important stuff taking place in my life right now - non-stop Law IV Musical rehearsals, an epic 6-hour Law Club AGM tomorrow evening, more Law IV Musical rehearsals, fulfilling lunch/dinner appointments - I miss being able to stop and wonder at the little (stupid) things in life.

So today, I shall indulge myself and talk about SOAP BARS.

I hate soap bars. I'll tell you why I hate soap bars. They hardly lather, they don't smell good, they leave bubble scum in the soap tray, and worst of all, they SUCK all the moisture out of your skin. PLUS. They don't work with bath lilies!

Having used shower gels for the past 5 years, I was relegated to using soap bars for the past month after my last bottle of shower gel ran out and I was way too busy to buy meself more shower gel. (background information: I'm the only one in the family who uses shower gels.)

I was sitting in the library one fine afternoon, at my favourite spot by the window where the sun always shines. I was singing, "la la la la" to myself, and then I looked down at my arm and SAW SCALES. LIKE, SCALES, DUDES! I stared in horror for 13 seconds, and prodded my arm. When the skin moved, it moved like OLD PEOPLE'S SKIN.

I was turning into a freaking reptile guys.

That's HOW DAMAGING soap bars are to your skin. I mean, my skin was still soft and supple when I was in Toronto with its dry dry winters. You know why! Because I was using shower gels!

Boycott soap bars. They destroy your life.

The good news is, I've finally bought my shower gel and my skin is back to being smooth baby.

I Totally Deserve This

2010-09-05T11:54:00.004+08:00

Last night... was EPIC WITH A CAPITAL E!

Tine, Rene and I hit up the COOLEST spot in Singapore - the Jacuzzi atop the Marina Bay Sands. Talk about living the HIGH life (in both the literal and figurative senses)!

4 weeks of utter madness and stress ebbed away with the frothing waters and powerful jets in the jaccuzi!

And I must admit, Singapore is REALLY, REALLY pretty at night. That one, I give to them. With the exception of Paris (which I haven't seen for myself), I think it actually beats the skyline of NYC when viewed from Brooklyn.

XOXO!

Nothing Much For Now

2010-08-31T19:52:00.003+08:00

... because 100+ pages of Freedom of Speech readings beckon, but I just wanna say that:

BOSSA NOVA SKY.FM on iTunes Radio rocks my (non-existent) socks!

It's my entire world right now. I listen to it at home when I'm doing my work, when I'm eating, when I'm skyping John, I listen to it in the library when I'm reading... Damn, I even leave it on when I'm not listening to it! Lush 99.5 FM doesn't even come close.

Tune in if you haven't already discovered it!

Live, Laugh, Love

2010-08-27T14:58:00.006+08:00

He was my cream, and I was his coffee -
And when you poured us together, it was something.

Lust of the Moment

2010-08-22T14:36:00.005+08:00

How could I have taken 7 months to realize that Jen wore this absolutely gorgeous dress by Valentino to the Golden Globes? I'm so ashamed of myself. Where have I been all this time?!

But yes, better late than never! My jaw positively dropped to the floor when I saw this and I could feel Brad Pitt weeping in his heart.

She is SMOKIN'. I want a dress like that!

But for now, I've prematurely rewarded myself with this dress from VS!

Alrighty, back to unmanned drones! Which makes me happy because they make me feel like a lawyer in the universe of Star Wars. Jedi Gerobi.

Behold, Serenity

2010-08-16T16:27:00.005+08:00

I was driving home one night from my evening class. It was 9.45 pm, the traffic lights were all green, and the air-conditioning was just the right amount of cool. The radio was playing "Who's Holding Donna Now?" There were no thoughts going through my head. I let the music wash into me as I sped down Sixth Avenue.

And then it struck me. For the first time in months, I was experiencing serenity.

I don't know how I could have felt something like that considering what I'm going through right now. Task after task, and the pressure to outdo myself each and every time. And yet another sleepless night was awaiting me at home.

But yet I was positively serene. It was a feeling long forgotten, raring out as the years passed. And of all nights, it came back tonight.

Do you believe in angels? :)

2010-08-09T17:05:00.001+08:00

Former Secretary-General of the UN Dag Hammarskjold said in 1954 that
the United Nations was created not to bring humanity to heaven but to
save it from hell.

The Calm Before the Storm

2010-08-05T01:23:00.002+08:00

I'm stuck with wondering what to do on a lovely Thursday. It's a blank canvas for me to paint my reverie. Absolutely blank.

And when next week starts, all hell will break loose.

It's like I'm standing on a green pasture, peering up at this monstrous mountain with an 80-degree upslope that is the work in the upcoming semester, thinking, "Ffffffuuuuuuuu....!!" And this time, I can't SEE the peak of the mountain. I have no idea how high up in the atmosphere it is, and that's the scary thing.

I'm psycho-ing myself, I'm pumping it harder, I can do it, I WILL do it, I cannot afford to stumble lest I lose my footing and come crashing down to the base of the mountain. No safety nets, just me and my hands.

I Declare Today...

2010-07-27T17:12:00.003+08:00

... SINATRA DAY!!!

I finally replaced my Audrey Hepburn poster with the Sinatra poster that's been sitting on my desk since I got back from Canada! My room looks so good right now, lovelovelovelove I'm not leaving my bedroom for the rest of the day!

Is it an earthquake or simply a shock?
Is it the good turtle soup or merely the mock?
Is it a cocktail, this feeling of joy?
Or is what I feel the real McCoy?

Is it for all time or simply a lark?
Is it Granada I see or only Ashbury Park?
Is it a fancy not worth thinking of?
Or is it at long last love?

Fly Me to the Moon & Beyond

2010-07-17T16:45:00.003+08:00

I want to pack myself into a little space rocket, take off from Earth and never come back. I want to travel to the furthest reaches of the universe, and if I don't make it there, I'll become one of the infinite stars you see in the nightsky. Because we are all made of stardust and to stardust we'll return.

One Major Flaw

2010-07-15T00:08:00.005+08:00

I quote Law Minister Mr Shanmugam's remarks during the May 9 dialogue at Joo Chiat:

Mr Shanmugam reiterated the policy and philosophy underlying the Government's approach to the mandatory death penalty.

He also explained why the fight against drugs would not work if the Government made exceptions for young persons, such as Yong, or persons in special circumstances.

Had Singapore not taken a tough line, it would have been swamped with drugs, given its role as an air and sea hub near the world's great heroin production centres, he added.

'Yong Vui Kong is young. But if we say 'We let you go', what is the signal we are sending?' he asked.

'We are sending a signal to all the drug barons out there: Just make sure you choose a victim who is young, or a mother of a young child, and use them as the people to carry the drugs into Singapore.'

I don't know where Mr Shanmugam meets such charitable drug barons, but I do know that normal, exploitative drug barons DO. NOT. CARE. about their victims.

The real issue is: do they actually bother to think about what becomes of their victims? Let's all answer with a resounding NO. These victims are faceless to the drug barons - as long as they can get the job done, they're hired. And they're on their own.

That's the reality today, my learned friend. The fight against drugs with the death penalty will never work because you're simply threatening one who doesn't give a damn about your threats.

The C.G. Point

2010-07-14T16:12:00.004+08:00

Introducing Cheryl and Geri's latest project... the C.G. Point!

Formerly a radio station that actually never got to air a single broadcast because of the looming 'O' Levels, we have given it a facelift and turned it into a cupcake critic website!

Because it's summer. We are allowed to do anything.

Visit The C.G. Point!

For Once in My Life

2010-07-09T14:11:00.006+08:00

... I'm freeeeee! I'm gonna pamper myself this month because come August, I would disappear off the face of the earth, no thanks to my final year of law school.

I'm almost done with my bedroom makeover and I've never been prouder of myself! EVERY single thing done by MOI, with a little help from Daddy with the machinery. Y'all will be invited to a room-warming party when it's done! A sneak peek of some back-breaking painting:

Don't those pumps look good enough to be ripped off the wall and worn!

I will finally have the time to complete the highest level of Exotic Dance, starting next week!

Cheryl, Tricia and I will be baking the most AWESOME tiramisu ever tomorrow afternoon.

And today, after writing this entry, I'm going to throw on my Bohemian hat and visit Haji Lane!

"Haji Lane" by shen_shifa

Annnnd Tine, Rene and I invented a new word:

Eargasm: What you experience when you hear the smooth, sexy growl of a man's voice. Example. Chris Noth aka Mr Big

Bite-Sized Thoughts

2010-07-04T23:57:00.003+08:00

Nolstagia equals listening to the soundtrack of The Lord of the Rings.

There's been so much good music lately, I can't wait to club come Wednesday!

Having your budget slashed does not mean it's the end of the world. It just means you're forced to think out of the box, and most of the time, the results (WAY) surpass what you would have originally gotten.

I love 30-second moments of solitude. Not too short, not too long. Just enough for you to revel in the feeling that you're the only one in the world and think - Life is Awesome.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the pain of childbirth, and a Brazilian wax supposedly an 8... childbirth can't be too bad!

The 2 months since I got back from Toronto have been nothing short of amazing. I haven't felt so complete in such a long time. You can have everything in the world, but without that missing piece, you will always remain insatiable.

What Lies Ahead

2010-06-17T21:14:00.002+08:00

2 years ago, I had my whole life planned out. I would graduate from law school, work at a local law firm, get married by 26, have my first child by 28 and live happily ever after.

2 years on, I'm living in the moment. I have big ideas, but no plans because I don't know what life is going to present me with the next moment. Things have changed so much these past 2 years, and nothing is really tangible anymore. Everything seems transient. People, things, and places flash by me. My world is spinning and brimming with novel experiences and I'm jumping headfirst into every one of them, because I don't want to miss a thing.

I'm suddenly no longer afraid of losing anything. I've lost much, but I've gained so much more. When God closes a door, He opens a window. In fact, He opens many, many windows.

I know I'll still live happily ever after. I just don't know when, or how. But it makes the journey through life so much more exciting.

Hello hello

2010-06-09T17:45:00.002+08:00

No parent should have to see their child die.

“He passed away last month.”

When I heard those words uttered so calmly to me over the phone, my heart just… stopped. Just for a second. But it stopped.

The kid they had been fighting so hard for refugee status for is now lost forever.

But the hardness in his Dad’s voice told me that he wouldn’t let his son die in vain.

I won’t let him die in vain. This is what I was meant to do. Letting these people know that there’s someone out there who will listen to their story and give them the hope they need to build a new life free from persecution.

The gratefulness in their voices when we said our goodbyes is one thing I will never, ever forget.

Sigh.

On a brighter note, I GOT A TICKET TO WATCH ITALY V. PARAGUAY! Hello, reigning champions and world's best goalkeeper.

And it's PAPA'S BIRTHDAY! He's 51 and his hair is still jet black.

I'm c.r.a.v.i.n.g. a chocolate milkshake right now with lots and lots of caramel!

Oh baby oh baby oh baby!

2010-05-24T11:23:00.003+08:00

So in the midst of nursing a cold, redecorating my bedroom and warding off as many blood-sucking vampires otherwise known as (not Edward Cullen) mosquitoes, I've been planning my free time in Cape Town!

I'm going to take the plunge and go on a self-drive tour on the Peninsula and Cape Point! In this vintage baby! A 1981 Mercedes 280 SL convertible.

It's like my dream come trueeee!

Then I'll hike up Table Mountain, go on a township tour and revel in World Cup mania at Grand Parade.

And most of all, spend the time answering my calling in life to work in the field of human rights.

New Rules for the Long Run

2010-05-19T11:25:00.003+08:00

I just reviewed the grammar in my previous post and it's all wrong! Never blog when you're jet lagged.

Never attempt to make conversation with a guy who's obviously been drinking since 9 in the morning. A wall makes more sense than him.

Always buy branded shoes. The wrong shoe can ruin your entire outfit, your entire day, and your entire body.

Before you're about to do anything stupid, pray. Then count to 10. And say Amen.

When in doubt, wear white and throw on a pair of shades. (Go easy on the bling or you'll end up looking like Elton John's BFF.) (Why is it that I always have something to wear in Canada but always nothing to wear in Singapore?)

Love is either in your heart, or on its way!

My one year sabbatical is up and this month marks the end of 1.5 years. If what they say is true, I think I'm finally ready. I've found my balance again.

I'm Back!

2010-05-18T09:44:00.004+08:00

Sorry that took one week to register (both in my blog and in my brain)! And I've only just identified the weird feeling I've been having in the past week.

It feels like I never really left Singapore, but at the same time, nothing is the same.

On one hand, I feel like I put my life on pause here, went to Canada to frolic, and come back and press play again.

And yet, I'm looking at home through another looking glass. It's a looking glass I can never exchange for the old one.

I've always compared Singapore to a small glass bowl, but this time, I know IT'S TRUE. It's a glass bowl! It's a small glass bowl! A small glass bowl with tiny tiny fishies inside and just one lone small castle!

We've been brainwashed so much, you just won't believe it till you've been outside.

It's going to be a busy week! I had my first migraine in 8 months yesterday. One moment I'm in the cool air-conditioned building, the next moment I'm walking through a furnace, then I go back into another cool building, and then I walk out again... it drove my brain and senses nuts!

Anyway, check out my new arm candy! Jalou by Dolce and Gabbana! I'm in love with the bling. It turns me on.

Alright, off for breakfast with my grandma and then I'm white-washing my red bedroom walls! And then... LIGHT GRAY. :)

Bye Bye, Toronto

2010-04-28T21:44:00.004+08:00

Leaving is always hard.

Not only will I miss all the people I've met (some whom I'm positive I'll never meet again)...

... all the things I've been able to do (like eat and drink on the subways and chew gum)...

... all the cute men here (HA) (but it's true. Every street corner has one. Every coffee house has one. And they come in all colours, not just yellow. Because if I date Chinese men exclusively, I'm RACIST - according to KevJumba)

... living alone and having my own crib and OWN kitchen (being able to cook however and whatever I want without my grandma breathing down my back to make sure I don't mess up her kitchen)

... food, food, glorious food. (Singapore is NOT food haven, they don't even serve western breakfasts, for crying out loud! Toronto, on the other hand, has everything.)

... but leaving is hard because of all the other chores I have to do.

Painting my walls back to white, selling all my furniture, unsubscribing from my cable TV and internet services and ensuring I return the equipment on time before they charge me $111, wrestling with my landlord over moving out timings and giving the place a spring clean (literally a clean in spring).

But all that's worth it considering the life I've carved for myself here and what I'll be bringing back to Singapore with me. I've grown so much in these 8 months, it'll be hard to go back to being a 21-year-old and living with my parents. Am I going to wake up one morning in September and think that it was all a dream?

Maybe.

So I'm going to spend my last 3 days in Toronto basking in the sun, enjoying the spring breeze (yesterday's wasn't nice though. It felt like a tornado.), rolling in the grass that's positively greener and people-watching behind my shades.

Bye bye, Toronto. I don't think I'll come to you again because there's such a lot of world to see, but I'll always remember you and your pretty little streets.

When You're Smiling

2010-04-21T05:53:00.004+08:00

... the whole world smiles with you!

Have you ever walked down a street, and seen the person walking in your direction suddenly break into a smile for no reason at all?

Smiling at thoughts inside their heads.

That always puts a smile on my face!

A Prayer in Times Like These

2010-04-20T02:13:00.003+08:00

Almighty and Everlasting God, have mercy on Your servant Pope Benedict XVI, our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to Your loving kindness, in the way of eternal salvation, that with Your help he may ever desire that which is pleasing to You and accomplish it with all his strength.

Lord Jesus, shelter our Holy Father the Pope under the protection of Your Sacred Heart. Be his light, his strength and his consolation.

O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all Your faithful people, mercifully look upon Your servant Pope Benedict XVI, whom You have chosen as the chief Shepherd to preside over Your Church. We beg You to help him edify, both by word and example, those over whom he has charge, that he may reach everlasting life together with the flock entrusted to him. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I feel sick to my stomach just reading what's in the media and the forums. All that hatred, coming from atheists and protestants alike. :(

Just as our Lord called St. Peter the rock on which He would build His Church (Matt 16:18-19) so too did he instruct him before His ascension into Heaven to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). He chose Peter to be in charge of his flock, his Church.

Please don't judge before you know what Catholicism truly teaches. Because it makes me cry.

Lying Naked on the Floor

2010-04-19T05:04:00.004+08:00

In the figurative sense, of course!

I'm furnitureless now - except for my bed and sofa, which will be moved out only on May 1 - when I move out as well. The rest of the stuff sold in a jiffy!

So I'm studying on the floor with nothing around me. It's quite nice actually! I can just lie and roll all over without messing up any sheets.

Although I think I'll be heading to a nice coffeehouse to study over the next few days so I won't get rheumatism,

21 more days. I think when I head back to Singapore, this whole experience will feel like a dream. I'm not sure if I want the dream to end. If only I could pluck up my loved ones from Singapore and plop them here, then I definitely wouldn't want to wake up from this dream.

But for now, I think I've been away long enough.

The Day the Titanic Sank

2010-04-15T02:05:00.003+08:00

The Titanic's bow as seen from the Russian MIR I submersible, where it lies up to this day.

April 15. This very day.

There's something about the music for the film "Titanic". It's so... right. I can't explain it. It captures everything - the beauty of the Olympic-class ship, some glimmer of hope, and yet it's so full of melancholy to represent the tragedy that was. It feels like a breath of fresh air, yet it takes your breath away at the same time. It's calm and peaceful, yet so chilling.

I had the privilege of seeing the Titanic exhibition (with real artifacts from the ship which they had excavated) in New York City last December.

It was awful the way they did it.

I mean, the set up was simply amazing. They rebuilt the cabins and corridors just as they were on the Titanic, and even the grandiose brown staircase with the clock tower (if you remember in the movie, where Jack and Rose always met). Seeing the actual artifacts that had been excavated from the shipwreck site: metal scraps, silverware and most astoundingly, a bottle of wine that had never been drunk (close to a century old).

The way they make you experience it was heart-wrenching too. At the entrance, they would give each visitor a boarding pass, with the name of a real passenger who was on board the Titanic. Full name, occupation, personal details and the class of cabin. But it didn't state whether he or she survived. At the end of the exhibition, there was a wall, with all the names of the survivors and those who had perished. Mine had perished.

The awful part of the whole exhibition was the whole commercialisation of it. The exhibition staff members were going "Come, take your picture with the Titanic! Smile!" And then they would take your picture against the green screen and superimpose your photo into various backgrounds of the Titanic and sell it to you for $10.

See anything wrong with it?

Let me put it this way: 100 years down the road, they set up an exhibition dedicated to the 9/11 attacks, and re-enact portions of the World Trade Center. Remembering a tragedy, but exhibition staff members are going, "Come, take a photo with the World Trade Center!" and superimpose your photo on the highest floor of the World Trade Center.

It's just morbid. People were screaming and scrambling to escape those things, when only death awaited.

How could anyone in their right mind take a visitor picture against those things?

I'm the Biggest Loser

2010-04-13T08:13:00.002+08:00

No, not the show (If I had indeed won, I would have disappeared into thin air and wouldn't be typing this). I really AM the biggest loser - in the most literal, insultive, offensive sense of the word!

So, let me tell you the story.

Before leaving for exchange, I spent the last 3 days in Singapore packing my life into 2 luggage bags. After I thought I had packed the bare necessities (5 pairs of shoes, half of my clothes, movies, make-up, books, whatnot), I put the bags onto my weighing scale. "80 kg in total!!" I swore.

So I spent the next few hours making cut-throat decisions, leaving out bits and pieces of my life which were necessary but not so necessary (if you know what I mean).

When I thought I was down to the bare bare necessities, I put my bags onto the weighing scale. "Still 60 kg in total?!" That still exceeded the 46 kg I was allowed.

I was at my wit's end. I had been texting Nette that day and she was like, "Oh dear, I only have one bag of stuff. I think I've forgotten something!" I couldn't whittle down my items anymore - it was just impossible!!

I felt pretty demoralized then. I thought I was the biggest and most pampered brat because my bare necessities meant 60 kg worth of stuff. I prayed and hoped that the check-in lady at the airport would be kind enough to close one eye and let me check in an excess of 14 kg. She did. Or so I thought.

AND THEN.

Fast forward 8 months. I'm back in the situation of packing the life I had accumulated over 8 months in Toronto. I was pretty damn set on buying a third piece of luggage and checking it in - that would have cost me CAD$150. I decided to fill up 23 kg in my first luggage bag today.

I took out my empty luggage bag, and decided to weigh it to see how heavy the bag itself was. 12 kg?! I swore a second time because my luggage bag would have taken up all that precious weight! I asked Joshua to come carry the luggage bag. He said it didn't feel like 12 kg, but he too was amazed that the scale showed 12 kg.

AND THEN... I realized. That I had been looking at the scale IN POUNDS the whole time.

My luggage bag was only 5 kg. 12 pounds.

Which meant that when I first came to Toronto, I had only brought 27 kg worth of stuff with me.

I'M THE BIGGEST LOSER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD! THE BLONDEST OF THEM ALL!

There I was - wondering what the hell was wrong with me because no one seemed to have the same packing woes as moi! I'm normal, YAY!!

Well, except for reading the scale in pounds instead of kg and thinking it was kg.

SO, I'm not going to be checking in a third bag because I have already packed in half my life in Toronto and I'm still 9 kg short on my first luggage bag.

And you know, the funny thing about all this? Thank goodness I discovered this dumb blonde mistake while on exchange, and not in Singapore. Because I would have probably maxed out my weight limit in Singapore... and then I would have a REAL problem packing right now.

Don't you just love blessings in disguises?

What is the World Coming to?

2010-04-12T02:12:00.007+08:00

So, I'm totally psyched about Sex and the City 2! Fashion going even more out of this world, intoxicating extravagance and ... what happens happily ever after?

Hollywood loves spoiling fairytales. As you guessed, Carrie's old flame, Aidan Shaw, is back in the picture. And Carrie and Mr. Big are, let's see... "tiring of each other".

As a teaser, many a forum has asked the question, "Who Should Carrie Go For - Aidan or Mr. Big?" Roughly 60% of women are on Aidan's side, while the rest are for Big.

EXCUSEZ-MOI?!

That shouldn't even be the question!! OH MY GAWD ladies. Have you girls no concept of MARRIAGE??

Carrie and Mr. Big are M.A.R.R.I.E.D.! You know, marry? Like, there goes the bride, all dressed in white? Like, I'm now Mrs. Big? Like, we're now husband and wife married?

Aidan should be dead and buried in the graveyard of your ex-boyfriends by virtue of the very fact that you're married!

And, let's not forget this. Carrie spent 6 seasons with nothing on her mind except Mr Big, Mr Big and Mr Big. They endure the most tumultous relationship before Mr Big tells her, "Carrie, you're the one." Carrie spends the entire Sex and the City movie heartbroken over his cold feet.

I DID NOT go through all that with her just to see her throw everything away just because she bumps into Aidan in Abu Dhabi and hence "it must mean something"!!

I will tell you what something means. Marrying the man you chose and sticking by him!

And no, it's not just a movie! If I may just quote my favourite author of all time, Oscar Wilde.

Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.

I'm most bewildered by what the fans are saying on those forums - saying that Carrie should leave Mr Big and go for Aidan! Like... would you treat your own marriage like that? Cuz if Oscar Wilde is right (and he's always right, don't argue), is that the world as it is right now?

Probably yes. But as with all SATC episodes and movies, there's always a good moral of the story behind it. So I'm pretty sure the marriage would be saved and Carrie would realize her mistake. And if Life imitates Art, may all those women realize theirs too.

Poor Palin

2010-04-11T02:15:00.008+08:00

Sarah Palin, in response to Obama's new policy on nuclear retaliation:

"No administration in America's history would, I think, ever have considered such a step that we just found out President Obama is supporting today. It's kind of like getting out there on a playground, a bunch of kids, getting ready to fight, and one of the kids saying, 'Go ahead, punch me in the face, and I'm not going to retaliate. Go ahead and do what you want to with me.'"

That's exactly what Jennifer Rubin and Erick Erickson said, and it's pretty much true. Interestingly enough, none of them got the same flak that Sarah Palin did.

Instead of addressing her well-founded criticism, Obama simply dismissed her by saying, "The last time I checked, Sarah Palin's not much of an expert on nuclear issues."

Erm, neither are you, Obama?

I just want to remind Obama that he, too, was once like her. He didn't have half the portfolio and experience that McCain did, and he didn't like the fact that his critics harped on that. He seems to be doing the exact same thing to Palin now.

The point I want to make is: People, give Palin a break. Just because she made one or two mistakes doesn't mean she's wrong about everything. She raised an extremely valid point there. Let's see if petty politics will blind Obama enough not to address it.

2010-04-08T03:39:00.003+08:00

My chicken soup for the soul: strawberries, chocolate and a few back-to-back episodes of Sex and the City. And there's yoga class, and then I think I'll whip up a nice dinner for myself.

Yoga is amazing. I'm just breathing, concentrating on my breathing, no thoughts on my mind except for this: knowing that I'm alive and breathing.

Stop for a moment, drop whatever you're doing. In the midst of the silence in your mind... start to realize how shallow your breath is.

And that's what yoga is all about. Breathing, connecting with our bodies, purifying it and peeling away the outer layers of ourselves to get right into our souls.

No demonic possessions, no opening my mind to the devil - all you narrow-minded Christians out there who tried to dissuade me from it years ago!

HOW is recognizing and cherishing the breathing and workings of your body any less respect for God? It's precisely what I thank God for. Every time I close my eyes and breathe, my mind and heart is at peace with all things in the world. I have nothing to fear because God is deep, deep down inside of me and it is through yoga that I have silent conversations with him - and I'm just listening.

On a lighter note, Randy, don't mind if I quote you, but this is too funny to not put on my blog!

Randy: My friend's girlfriend practises yoga too. And my friend says the sex is amazing. I hope you're not doing it for that reason, LOL.

THE END.

Dilemma - emma - emma - eh-eh-eh...

2010-04-06T12:01:00.006+08:00

Belle by Tracy Reese, New York, Spring 2010

To keep, or not to keep, that is the question. I'm sure Hamlet didn't have it this hard.

So it's been sitting on my table for the past 48 hours, because I believe that staring at something long enough is the ultimate test of whether you truly like it. Kind of like relationships!

I still think it's as hot as when I first saw it. Even more so when I wear it. Maybe I should stare at it for the next 8 days. After all, that's why they have an exchange policy that lasts for 10 days, no?

The only reason why I'm this torn between keeping it and exchanging it (the price will shock you, so let's just say I can exchange it for more than 3 glamorous pairs of shoes) is because the whole transaction took only 10 minutes. This could be nothing more than a fling with something pretty.

But love can bloom from lust. So I'll give it 8 more days.

Letter of the Day

2010-04-05T08:02:00.011+08:00

Living next to a 'noise-making monster' (ST Forums, 5 April 2010)

I AM one of the 'lucky' few who live in Orchard Road, right next to Ion Orchard, which is turning out to be a 'noise-making monster'.

The din there keeps us awake at odd hours, even at 2am on Easter Sunday.

We have written to and called the National Environment Agency, and complained to our MP, but there has been no improvement.

Dr Thomas Ng

Re: Living Next to a "Noise-Making" Monster

(The NEA letter below is a figment of my imaginative imagination, and in no way represents their real opinions. However, I grant them full permission to copy each and every single word in the letter below in their Forum response to Dr Thomas Ng, if there will be one.)

I refer to Dr Thomas Ng's letter to the Forum, "Living Next to a 'Noise-Making' Monster", dated 5 April 2010.

Firstly, please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in our response to you. In the midst of handling other matters, like thinking of ways to reduce the carbon footprints of Singaporeans, reduce global warming and hence saving the world from the fate of The Day After Tomorrow, we may have misplaced your complaint. Once again, we apologize.

You may be pleased to note that we have acted promptly upon your complaint. We have convened a special office dedicated to investigating noise pollution in the hustle and bustle of the prime district of Orchard Road.

In addition, we are pleased to inform you that the special office has constructed different alternative plans to solve your problem. Some of the plans include:

1. Demolishing Ion Orchard. This multi-million dollar project which took 3 years to build was undertaken in a bid to boost the tourism industry of Singapore and it was envisioned that the Ion Orchard would pour more revenue into the economy and create jobs that are essential to the welfare of your fellow countrymen. However, considering the extreme nuisance and discomfort that the Ion Orchard has caused you, we will not hesitate to pull it down.

2. Building a Soundproof Globe around Ion Orchard. We believe that this project will be the first of its kind since the Gungans fought the Federation in Naboo in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This project consists of building a transparent Soundproof Globe around Ion Orchard. It would put Singapore at the forefront of technology and architecture. As we speak, we have made contact with Senator Amidala to request the expertise of her humble servant, Jar Jar Binks, in heading this project, if this route is to be taken.

3. Imposing the death penalty for noise pollutors. We sympathise with your situation as you're living in one of the busiest and most popular districts in Singapore. In the next Parliamentary session, the MP concerned will be proposing a new law against noise pollutors, which includes punishment by death. This will be undertaken as a last resort to solve the problem of noise pollution in Orchard Road, especially the Ion Orchard, if all other plans fail.

We hope we have sufficiently addressed your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

There Came a Day at Summer's Full

2010-04-03T01:50:00.001+08:00

There came a day, at Summer’s full,
Entirely for me,
I thought that such were for the Saints,
Where Resurrections, be,

The sun, as common, went abroad,
The flowers, accustomed, blew,
As if no soul, that solstice passed,
Which maketh all things, new,

The time was scarce profaned, by speech,
The falling of a word
Was needless, as at Sacrament,
The Wardrobe, of our Lord!

Each was to each, the sealed church,
Permitted to commune, this time,
Lest we too awkward show
At Supper of “the Lamb.”

The hours slid fast, as hours will,
Clutched tight, by greedy hands,
So, faces on two Decks look back,
Bound to opposing lands.

And so, when all the time had leaked,
Without external sound,
Each bound the other’s Crucifix,
We gave no other bond,

Sufficient troth, that we shall rise,
Deposed, at length the Grave,
To that new marriage,
Justified, through Calvaries, of Love!

- Emily Dickinson

LG Fashion Week 2010

2010-04-01T05:08:00.007+08:00

ROAR. I'm kicking myself for not acting fast enough - now I can't see Barbie's Fall/Winter 2010 collection by David Dixon!

Pieces from Fall/Winter 2009 during LG Fashion Week in October 2009.

My one and only chance now that I'm THIS CLOSE (squeezes forefinger and thumb together), living in the city where LG Fashion Week happens.

Never mind. I've got a ticket to BASCH by Brandon. Exams? That can wait!

Mind If I Make Love to You

2010-03-31T07:14:00.002+08:00

I've said this many times before and I'll say it again: I was born in the wrong era.

The Art of Seduction

2010-03-30T02:19:00.011+08:00

The female's version of Command and Conquer.

Seduction is enticement. Inviting the other person to come closer and to know you. You may call it flirting, but I don't think flirting implies the same amount of magnetism.

The question is: Is it possible to seduce without bewitching the other person with the expectation and hope of physical intimacy?

Yes, I think - the only problem is, I don't know how. And I'm not even trying any bewitchment of that sort.

Most guys don't seem to look at what's underneath my skin. They just care about what's underneath my clothes. I call it the curse of making an effort to look good.

And when they realize I'm one of those - quote - "conservative goody-two shoes type", they give up.

I just want someone who can receive all the love I have to give in exchange for loving my body AND SOUL.

Then again, why do I not want the guys who truly deserve me, and instead want the guys who don't deserve me?

I don't know. Maybe because I find it hard to be seduced without the attractiveness of physical intimacy. Which makes me the world's biggest hypocrite. Hmmm!

But if God created Man to love in his image, wholly and unconditionally, then maybe I just need to wait.

Maybe it's not possible to be seduced without the hope of physical intimacy, but it's possible to love the person enough to wait.

ANYWAY.

It's so rewarding to know that my efforts at Law Club didn't go down the drain. OED has finally woken up and decided to do more about the parking at BTC! It takes a great deal of time before things come to fruition. It's been more than a year since I pushed for more student parking lots. But better late than never (just once in this case, because when it comes to being late for classes, I always maintain that it's always better never than late)

at least I'll get to enjoy it when I'm back!

Here's the "Food for Thought" thought of the day:

I had contacted the Human Rights Office in Cape Town where I'll be interning in June, to let them know that I've become vegetarian and if it would require necessary changes to my accommodation with my host family.

They replied, "Thanks for the heads up! No problem what so ever as far as being a vegetarian. Many volunteers who come to us are vegetarians."

Is there a link somewhere? Or pure coincidence?

Time to Lighten Up

2010-03-25T03:41:00.013+08:00

Don't you just love talking about trivial, bimbotic stuff? Not all the time, of course. Your brain will degenerate and disappear.

But a time like now would be good! When I'm racing against time to complete my final essay before hitting the books to study for 3 exams starting in 2 weeks' time! argh! Nothing like relaxing the brain with trivial stuff.

So today, I'll be talking about - growing old. In the superficial sense of course. Nothing about fulfilling dreams, retiring in the countryside, or taking care of grandchildren. Just good, old looks.

Warning: I'm probably gonna be shot or assassinated for insinuating ageism. The truth is - I'm not an aegist. If I were to be ageist, the only group I would target are teeny-boppers in their sweet sixteens. At heart, I'm 21 going on 42. So don't accuse me of being ageist, because I'm just as senior as you are.

:D

What am I crapping about. ANYWAY.

Isn't it amazing how one grows old! Take a look at the young and old version of TV journalist Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw:

And the founder of CNN, Robert Edward "Ted" Turner:

Like... WOW! It's mind-boggling! I could sit at my computer the whole day and just stare at how much they've changed! The pictures speak for themselves! And not just the 2 of them - everyone in the whole wide world! Just dig up old photos of your grandparents and you'll see it for yourself.

I was most stunned at Tom Brokaw's pictures. I see a total heart-throb when he was young, but now... I'm not so sure. LOL. Ok, I think that was just a badly taken photograph. This does him more justice:

Still, no wonder the world is so obsessed with Botox. The pursuit of everlasting youth - on the inside AND outside. Hopefully in 40 years' time, they would have invented something better than Botox that actually allows you to exhibit some form of facial expression. Because unless you're able to age as gracefully as Richard Gere or Julie Andrews, I think we would all like some of that stuff.

Much Ado About Races!

2010-03-23T06:28:00.006+08:00

You know you've been here long enough when Canadians themselves can't tell you're not Canadian.

Guy: Oh, you're moving away? Where to?
Me: I'm headed back to Singapore.
Guy: Wow! That's a cool place.
Me: Lol, have you been there before?
Guy: No, I haven't. I've seen pictures, haha! So what are you going to do there?
Me: I'm actually from Singapore.
Guy: Really? You're from Singapore?
Me: Yup! I've only been here in Toronto since September last year.
Guy: How did you learn English so fast and without an accent?? Wow, I thought you were Canadian!

SCORE. To them, without an accent = no ching chong or weird Asian accent.

And you know you've been in Canada long enough when you can tell the difference between the Canadian and American accent.

And whenever I ask people to guess what race I am, it's Japanese. And then Korean. Never Chinese. You know you've achieved Nirvana when even the Chinese can't tell you're Chinese. "Wow, you Chinese? you look Korean!" Why, thank you!

All these can't beat the time when I was in the gym working out and this guy was like, "Are you Filipino?" I stared at him like WTFreak? (Ok, AT LEAST he didn't ask if I was Thai. I would have SLAPPED him.)

Curtis Stone will be online LIVE for a Q&A on how to cook the perfect fish this Easter! 12 noon (GMT +11) so I've got 3.5 hours left to complete my essay and start on a new one before rewarding myself.

One Hand in the Air for the Big City!

2010-03-21T07:57:00.007+08:00

Everything happens in NYC! There is no other place on earth where Alicia Keys would surprise her fans with BIG presents like Beyonce and Jay Z!

Skipping school was so worth it!!

Now I've got to slog doubly hard.

But just for tonight, I'm going to sleep early because I've been sleeping at 4 am the past few nights and feeling so disoriented.

I'm leaving you with the funniest incident that happened when Samjo, Guang Hao, John and I were at the Rooftop Terrace in NYC (which has Singaporean food on its menu!)

Guang Hao: Can I have a Nasi Lemak?
Bartender: ... What did you say? Did you just call me a "nasty little fuck"?

More tea, my dear?

"I Don't Know Any Wizards."

2010-03-16T01:22:00.006+08:00

This was aired last December but it never fails to crack me up! The easiest general knowledge questions! - but none of them could get it right.

No wonder the lives of bimbos and himbos make for fantastic reality TV shows (coughJerseyShorecough).

It's totally worth your time! Watch it! ESPECIALLY the last question given to Snookie - her answer is just EPIC.

I Should Have Done This a Long Time Ago

2010-03-13T00:05:00.005+08:00

Switching my homepage from Yahoo! Singapore to Yahoo! US, that's what.

For months, I've been looking at the crappiest pieces of news. OK, there are the important pieces of news like the Government's Budget and the launching of Universal Studios and the updates from the property market. Scattered amongst many, many Asian celebrity relationship stories, scandals and trivial cheap thrills.

Who CARES if Jay Chou isn't a virgin and Patty Hou is? Who CARES whether Mark Lee leads an exodus from Jack Neo's company? Who CARES if Fann Wong didn't receive any Valentine's day gift from hubby Christopher Lee?

Maybe people do. But I don't. Victims of natural disasters are still in need, people worldwide are still starving, Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest, the US is undergoing the biggest debate on healthcare reform... hello?!

And that's why I have switched my homepage! The moment I looked through the pieces of news featured on the US Yahoo! homepage, I knew I should have done that a long time ago. Finally, some newsworthy news.

Of course, that doesn't mean the US doesn't have their fair share of trashy tabloids. They have MORE than their fair share. But at least it doesn't get featured, because only the most important pieces of news get featured on US Yahoo! Well, most important to me anyway. To each his own!

You're Sensational!

2010-03-12T13:25:00.001+08:00

The scene I was gushing about in High Society! *melts*

It Might As Well Be Spring

2010-03-10T12:34:00.003+08:00

Nothing like a wonderful, relaxing weekend in Ottawa to recharge the senses and reinvigorate the mind!

It feels SOOOOO good to be wearing only one layer out of the house! Finally! Oh, I've been waiting for this day for so long.

I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm, I'm as jumpy as puppet on a string
I'd say that I had spring fever, but I know it isn't spring
I am starry eyed and vaguely discontented, like a nightingale without a song to sing
O why should I have spring fever, when it isn't even spring

Mood: Extremely pleased!

My landlord has finally called me back and given me permission to assign my lease. But not after I sent a notice to him terminating my tenancy. Now, I'm in an even better position! I have the right to move out on 30 April, even if I don't assign the lease to anyone. At the same time, I can still look for someone to buy all my furniture!

Ok enough leasing talk.

I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams, spinning spinning daydreams
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing

It feels amazing to finally know you can fall in love again! It's not a crush, it's not infatuation, because it feels so different. It's familiar, yet exciting. It's comfortable, but there's still new territory to uncover. It's so right, no doubts, no questions. Just knowing and feeling how right it feels. It's like a jigsaw that fits perfectly.

Everything calls for a celebration! To life! Liberty and security! JUST KIDDINGGG! Ok scrap the last sentence. Therefore, I'm throwing my first Easter tea party! I'm going to prepare a full traditional Easter meal! Featuring:

Appetizer
Deviled Eggs

Main Course
Apricot-glazed roast ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole

Dessert
Strawberry torte

Start salivating and get your stomach growling!

Oh yeah, some things I've been meaning to talk about!

Jack Neo
Let me first say, WOW. He, of all people? Seriously? And I've been reading this Singaporean discussion forum on the news and many people seem to be siding with Jack Neo. HOW on earth is Wendy Chong more to blame than Jack Neo?! Hello, it takes 2 hands to clap! Wake up your ideas! And the headlines, "Jack Does a Tiger"? Firstly, Tiger is WAYYYYY HOTTER than Jack. I'm superficial, yes, but it's an objective fact! I can understand why many women would throw themselves at Tiger, but... Mr Neo?! Secondly, this in no way justifies what cheating men do.

Ris Low on Safe Sex
Have you guys seen her latest video? Oh. My. Gawd. Ris Low on safe sex. Hmmmmm. That's like getting a fish to teach your 2 year old son how to walk. Ok, yes, I know it's not a serious video! And yes, we're meant to just laugh at her! Quite rightly though. She's giving safe sex tips and slipping the condom on THE WRONG WAY on the banana. Like literally, it was inside out. And her enunciation - oh, her enunciation!

I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud, or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way, that it might as well be spring
It might as well be spring.

Addictions

2010-03-03T05:20:00.002+08:00

Those fingers in my hair
That sly come-hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It's witchcraft

And I've got no defense for it
The heat is too intense for it
What good would common sense for it do?

'cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft
And although I know it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says "Yes, indeed" in me
"Proceed with what you're leadin' me to"

It's such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn't switch
'cause there's no nicer witch than you

Loving My Brain

2010-02-26T16:39:00.003+08:00

Oh my gad, 4 hours of writing a comment worth 5% of my final mark on "Patent Trolls" and innovation (I argued against their usefulness in helping innovation) and I'm finally done at 3.35 am.

It better be worth it.

Sometimes, I underestimate myself. The first time I read the article posted by my fellow graduate classmate in law about "patent trolls", I froze. And thought to myself, "Damn, I have no idea what the hell he's saying. He's so freaking smart. Maybe I don't deserve to be in a graduate school."

But all I needed to do was a little research on the topic to realize... it ain't that bad. I do love my brain, despite having lost some IQ based on the countless number of times I've hit my head against something or have something hit my head.

Anyway, some food for thought: what happens to our Facebook pages after we die? Is it just gonna sit there, like a virtual memorial, where the living can scroll through our lives, told through wall posts, photos and all those quizzes we did? For those who have private profiles, what's going to happen when all 694 of your friends have gone too? Your page is just gonna sit there, inaccessible to everyone, seen by no one.

Just the other day, I stumbled across a person's facebook profile. I had realized that he had gone from this world at the mere age of 26 2 years ago, but up till this day, friends continue to write on his wall, with messages like, "Hi Bob (not his real name), I had such a fun time cycling at the park today! It was your favourite activity and it would have been so much more fun with you around. Take care up there and I will write you soon!"

It was as beautiful as it was sad. I don't know how you went, Bob, but your Facebook profile was great testimony to your life - surrounded by many loved ones, a thirst for life and adventure, and a huge smile in every photo.

Melting Into a Pool of Geri

2010-02-24T14:03:00.007+08:00

That's what happened after watching High Society twice within a 12-hour period! The last thing I saw before I headed to bed and the first thing I saw when I woke up in the morning. What a lovely end and start to a day.

The way Frank Sinatra stares into Grace Kelly's eyes and sings "You're Sensational" - oh how I wished I were in Grace Kelly's shoes right there and then! I'd just melt into his gorgeous, gorgeous blue eyes. That smile, that voice, that charm! Why am I so enthralled by Frank Sinatra? Oh, he gets me everytime!

I think I'm like, totally born in the wrong era.

Long Live Sinatra

2010-02-23T03:08:00.007+08:00

I'M BUYING A TICKET FOR THIS! Come March when I go back to New York City. With or without anyone to watch it with. I'll do it my way.