Ah...the last day of the year. Wonder what thoughts there are out there. Some will be reflecting on the year gone by (and what lovely reflections these are), others will be planning tonight's party wardrobe and some will just be bumming around, being immune to time. I hope that for all my friends out there, today will be a bit of all 3 - we need our memories - both the good and bad ones, a little of the present (the wardrobe?! and friends and family) and well, the sense of preserving ourselves for the future. What I mean is, may we all change for the better but not resolve to change so much. Oh I know about New Year's resolutions - don't they never work...because we bum around not really bothering to change them. I guess that while time flies by (less than 24 hrs to 2006 & counting) we don't change with the year. For those who still keep up the tradition of making resolutions, kudos to you. May urs be practiced daily. Guess I envy those who can and do make their resolutions reality and at the same time be amazed how improving themselves don't make them any diff - it's like being new and improved while keeping the old functions. It's what u say to old friends I suppose.
Yesterday, I went to Jusco in JB. It was my 1st shopping trip to M'asia. Hah. That makes me a real Singaporean then doesn't it, getting into the nation's hobby? Some will say I'm mad - where've you been ALL those years? You've ONLY started shopping in JB NOW??? Well..."there" wasn't remarkably interesting (like Giant or Carrefour lor) and neither was "back again" (you can see Senoko Power Station!) The most interesting bit would have to be "between" - the electric cables overhead, the marshy river mouth with white egrets and fishing boats, the kampungs, the grungy streets intersected by vast green emptiness. I imagine that would have been what Singapore would look like if we had the physical space. Yup, JB is a lot like the opp side of the causeway...right down to the architecture and shrubbery along road sides.
However, that was yesterday, and today's already arrived. I hope you all have had a wonderful year. Makes me think back about the past year - BBQs, OZ - tht wonderful nightmare, school, the A's and all the roulette sweets we ate as well as M&Ms spelling ;), all my tutors (drama included obviously), and the smoke inhaled in all our said BBQs.
And of course 04A2 (how could I forget em?).
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Monday, December 26, 2005
Between me and my Shadow
The land of Earthsea is brutal. They eat salt fish and waybread (not lembas, which is the elven kind) most of the time. The book reminds me of the voyage of the Dawn Treader, which is a Chronicle of Narnia. The book is also a lot like LOTR, especially in the matter of names. However, the book also feels rather anti-feminist to me, since the "good guys" have this deep mistrust of the fairer sex. I suppose this has to do with their history.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Sell it or shoot it
WARNING. SPOILERS AHEAD FOR KING KONG - THE MOVIE BY PETER JACKSON
That seems to be the tragedy behind King Kong... Well, like they always say there is always that comment on the human condition and I guess it is what you would call "normal behaviour" in sight of an enormous mystery right in the midst of New York...Well, that and the very idea of a lost island off the coast of Indonesia. The only plausible thing about that ludicrous idea is that it is the 1930s and it is very easy to miscount the number of islands when Indonesia has so many to its name...(its an archipelago).
However, when the original Kong film was made way back then, the 1930s wasn't a distant past, nor was Indonesia's numerous islands a matter. Personally, I am quite dubious whether the original producers even knew what Indonesia looked like on the map. That said, you can imagine what my initial reaction to the film was. A show with a blonde helpless wench who screams her head off and look scandalous. A really fake looking gorilla. A highly inaccurate portrayal of the said gorilla as an emotionless, mindless excuse to rampage through civilisation - Arrgghh. Big hairy beast meets metal skyscraper! Help. Faint. Pls don't ever wake up and scream some more...
Mercifully, Peter Jackson's rendition of the film was unexpectedly entertaining. There were in-jokes, really spastic bits, wit and high adventure. I particularly liked the scene on the boat, when Jack Driscoll (played by Adrien Brody) was in his temporary cabin (an apt location - a cage) typing away at a screenplay. I would think all scriptwriters in the world would sympathise with the scene. It clearly symbolises the stress of scriptwriting and the idea of being chained to deadlines and your work. For Driscoll, that chain transcends the virtual world and in fact serves as a bridge to the reel world reality of the movie.
Some things however, never change. Human avarice for one still exists today. One may say that greed and an exhibitionist streak has led us in the present to echo the mistakes of our past. The exploitative nature of tourism still exists today. Oh sure, the audience who gawked at Kong were comfortable in their own home country, and Kong in the 30s is a fictitious idea. However, the original idea of capturing a wild beast, a savage, and transforming it into a money spinner was conceived way back then, and touring creatures about IS tourist money...
Despite initial strong misgivings about the film, King Kong has turned out to be a fantastic show, unlike some other film where initial doubts were not alayed by watching it. You know what I'm talking about...just envision battered spaceships and light sabers. To cinclude - A thrilling circus act, brilliant cast and definitely NOT your typical jungle adventure.
That seems to be the tragedy behind King Kong... Well, like they always say there is always that comment on the human condition and I guess it is what you would call "normal behaviour" in sight of an enormous mystery right in the midst of New York...Well, that and the very idea of a lost island off the coast of Indonesia. The only plausible thing about that ludicrous idea is that it is the 1930s and it is very easy to miscount the number of islands when Indonesia has so many to its name...(its an archipelago).
However, when the original Kong film was made way back then, the 1930s wasn't a distant past, nor was Indonesia's numerous islands a matter. Personally, I am quite dubious whether the original producers even knew what Indonesia looked like on the map. That said, you can imagine what my initial reaction to the film was. A show with a blonde helpless wench who screams her head off and look scandalous. A really fake looking gorilla. A highly inaccurate portrayal of the said gorilla as an emotionless, mindless excuse to rampage through civilisation - Arrgghh. Big hairy beast meets metal skyscraper! Help. Faint. Pls don't ever wake up and scream some more...
Mercifully, Peter Jackson's rendition of the film was unexpectedly entertaining. There were in-jokes, really spastic bits, wit and high adventure. I particularly liked the scene on the boat, when Jack Driscoll (played by Adrien Brody) was in his temporary cabin (an apt location - a cage) typing away at a screenplay. I would think all scriptwriters in the world would sympathise with the scene. It clearly symbolises the stress of scriptwriting and the idea of being chained to deadlines and your work. For Driscoll, that chain transcends the virtual world and in fact serves as a bridge to the reel world reality of the movie.
Some things however, never change. Human avarice for one still exists today. One may say that greed and an exhibitionist streak has led us in the present to echo the mistakes of our past. The exploitative nature of tourism still exists today. Oh sure, the audience who gawked at Kong were comfortable in their own home country, and Kong in the 30s is a fictitious idea. However, the original idea of capturing a wild beast, a savage, and transforming it into a money spinner was conceived way back then, and touring creatures about IS tourist money...
Despite initial strong misgivings about the film, King Kong has turned out to be a fantastic show, unlike some other film where initial doubts were not alayed by watching it. You know what I'm talking about...just envision battered spaceships and light sabers. To cinclude - A thrilling circus act, brilliant cast and definitely NOT your typical jungle adventure.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Finches, Mockingbirds and Haiku
I read To Kill a Mockingbird yesterday and today. I haven't finished it yet...but at least I'm almost there. Funny how I liked it more than I did at Sec 4... At Sec 4 I couldn't stand Scout (always fighting) but now I don't know, maybe after two years of Persuasion and Shakespeare made reading it easier. I had fun with it...go read it too if you haven't. It's a lovely book, very innocent and rambling since it is through the eyes of a nine year old child. Children have a way of rambling when they want to say something lengthy, thus making it even lengthier. What I mean to say is they tend to put in what they found important, and what many adults tend not to notice. It's regrettable. It's the great educators of literature like Atticus who transcend the mores of their time to create the unforgettable personalities we read. Somehow, his hands off policy reminds me of the Tomoe Headmaster in Toto-chan. I liked the book too, only I had deep misgivings about anyone recalling their childhood in such great detail. However, I'm not complaining that much...Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's childhood is an eye opener...which reminds us that children are not as stupid as they sometimes seem.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Saturday Shopping Extraordinaire!
It has come to my conclusion, after a day's first hand observation and hands-on participation of Saturday Shopping that such an activity should only be undertaken if one is of unsound mind and wish for a tortuous death. One, in fact, may also coincidentally meet up with one's distant relations. However, such an incident may or may not count as a proper coincidence, given the physical constraints of our sunny island. While such an experience can be described by some as a somewhat pleasing experience, others say otherwise. The latter's reaction can only be attributed as a natural reaction to the infamous polite interrogation that distant relations are known for, seemingly worldwide. However, I digress. The endeavour that I've undertaken is in fact dedicated to a clinical analysis of shopping in Orchard Road on Saturday.
One of my first observations of the occasion is that of Queueing. Our first stop of the day was lunch at Far East Plaza. It is noted that we would need the sustenance for this rather exhaustive affair. The first thing that was observed was that upon arrival at the Japanese restaurant (of which I had absolutely no hand in coming to such a decision), we were immediately follow by an ever increasing crowd that promptly formed itself into an impromtu queue line outside the restaurant, which only opens at 12 noon. We enjoyed a lunch that would miraculously last the terrors of the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon can only be described as being spent being pushed, trodded on and trampled flat by the excited crowd.
Allow me to retrace our steps after the lunch. We walked round most of Far East Plaza, at which I seized the opportunity to purchase a nice jacket and dress. We then made our way to Tangs which provided THE season's decor - a walkway of lingerie decked dummies with artisically enhanced feather masks - for that extra....seasonality, and which converged into a finale in the form of an "Arabian Nights" (how apt and unique!) curtained tent for the relieving of anguished souls and tired feet, complete with MORE lingerie clad dummies. However, with every pro there is the con - everyone's tastes differ.
On a personal NOTE: It honestly looked nice, except for the festive lingerie.
The rest of the time was spent at Paragon where we met the said distant relations and had tea with them, and then on across the road (a mad dash!) to Takashimaya where the crowd was the worst, before moving on to Food Republic @ Wisma, which was worse than worst.
Here, we have the second observation of the day. When shopping, particularly at the end of a long, dreary and tiring Saturday, one is particularly susceptible to hunger pangs. By now, the world weary Shopping veteran would adopt a more patient "wait and see" stance. However, this by no means is a sign of slowing down. On the other hand, this "wait and see" strategy is not to be executed by those with slower reaction speeds. One must at all times remain alert for a vacant seat, and act with choice decisiveness and appropriate aggressiveness. By now, tired and hungry, most are teetering to their ends and would do what they can to snare a seat. This form of behaviour, is not without it's fair imitation in the world of animals - in fact there is a startling likeness to the behaviour of an unruly pack of vultures on the verge of starvation.
The way home was nondescript. We even got seats on the train.
The experience of Saturday Shopping in the heart of Shopping here can be concluded as thus: the undertaking of such an activity should be left to those of unsound mind or the foolhardy. This has been said before, but there is no harm in repeating these words of caution.
I bid you good night and happy times ahead, especially for the hoilday season.
Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men (and women). Merry Xmas. Tis a week away
One of my first observations of the occasion is that of Queueing. Our first stop of the day was lunch at Far East Plaza. It is noted that we would need the sustenance for this rather exhaustive affair. The first thing that was observed was that upon arrival at the Japanese restaurant (of which I had absolutely no hand in coming to such a decision), we were immediately follow by an ever increasing crowd that promptly formed itself into an impromtu queue line outside the restaurant, which only opens at 12 noon. We enjoyed a lunch that would miraculously last the terrors of the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon can only be described as being spent being pushed, trodded on and trampled flat by the excited crowd.
Allow me to retrace our steps after the lunch. We walked round most of Far East Plaza, at which I seized the opportunity to purchase a nice jacket and dress. We then made our way to Tangs which provided THE season's decor - a walkway of lingerie decked dummies with artisically enhanced feather masks - for that extra....seasonality, and which converged into a finale in the form of an "Arabian Nights" (how apt and unique!) curtained tent for the relieving of anguished souls and tired feet, complete with MORE lingerie clad dummies. However, with every pro there is the con - everyone's tastes differ.
On a personal NOTE: It honestly looked nice, except for the festive lingerie.
The rest of the time was spent at Paragon where we met the said distant relations and had tea with them, and then on across the road (a mad dash!) to Takashimaya where the crowd was the worst, before moving on to Food Republic @ Wisma, which was worse than worst.
Here, we have the second observation of the day. When shopping, particularly at the end of a long, dreary and tiring Saturday, one is particularly susceptible to hunger pangs. By now, the world weary Shopping veteran would adopt a more patient "wait and see" stance. However, this by no means is a sign of slowing down. On the other hand, this "wait and see" strategy is not to be executed by those with slower reaction speeds. One must at all times remain alert for a vacant seat, and act with choice decisiveness and appropriate aggressiveness. By now, tired and hungry, most are teetering to their ends and would do what they can to snare a seat. This form of behaviour, is not without it's fair imitation in the world of animals - in fact there is a startling likeness to the behaviour of an unruly pack of vultures on the verge of starvation.
The way home was nondescript. We even got seats on the train.
The experience of Saturday Shopping in the heart of Shopping here can be concluded as thus: the undertaking of such an activity should be left to those of unsound mind or the foolhardy. This has been said before, but there is no harm in repeating these words of caution.
I bid you good night and happy times ahead, especially for the hoilday season.
Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men (and women). Merry Xmas. Tis a week away
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Restored!
Yesterday, my home phone died. It was already dying several days before but we only noticed on Sunday when my aunt called my handphone to say that my grandma had been trying to call our house phone the whole morning. The SingTel people came yesterday and proclaimed our line dead and that we would need another guy to come and reattach the phone cable to the mains outside. Apparently the previous owner did not (or maybe it did to the proud new owner of a HDB flat) have the sense to discreetly hide all the cables behind a nice cornice which made moving potential fire hazards an impossibility unless we got someone to knock down our walls.
Basically what they did was to create a new line that now runs near the floor instead of near the ceiling. There was a bit if drilling and hammering and I sincerely hoped the neighbours don't mind. I hate drilling and living in a house that is subjected to such sounds that would no doubt annoy others more than it did me is even more distasteful than the noise.
However, enough about that. I would have blogged this sooner but the guy only fixed the line just this evening. There are a number of weird things that would happen to you if you live near your school. Oh yes, I know I've 'graduated' but seriously, what do you do when you happen to meet your teacher (with husband in tow) when you've only just stepped out of your blk's lift, still bleary eyed from sleep?? I gwaked, smiled, and waved. I THINK. I can't seem to recall that surreal moment. That afternoon, I went to Pasir Ris to cycle. My sis's kite got stuck in a coconut tree. Haha. It would have been very funny if she wasn't sulking so much, or pissed off that we wanted to go cycling instead of kite flying. However, life's like that see, and by the time we got home no one was really mad at each other anymore. I think it has partly to do with the fact that, we were not only too tired, but prolonged arguing can just be as exhaustive as cycling uphill all afternoon. It is also bad for health.
It's good to be connected again. My house is definitely not tech friendly either, and I thought I was bad enough.
Basically what they did was to create a new line that now runs near the floor instead of near the ceiling. There was a bit if drilling and hammering and I sincerely hoped the neighbours don't mind. I hate drilling and living in a house that is subjected to such sounds that would no doubt annoy others more than it did me is even more distasteful than the noise.
However, enough about that. I would have blogged this sooner but the guy only fixed the line just this evening. There are a number of weird things that would happen to you if you live near your school. Oh yes, I know I've 'graduated' but seriously, what do you do when you happen to meet your teacher (with husband in tow) when you've only just stepped out of your blk's lift, still bleary eyed from sleep?? I gwaked, smiled, and waved. I THINK. I can't seem to recall that surreal moment. That afternoon, I went to Pasir Ris to cycle. My sis's kite got stuck in a coconut tree. Haha. It would have been very funny if she wasn't sulking so much, or pissed off that we wanted to go cycling instead of kite flying. However, life's like that see, and by the time we got home no one was really mad at each other anymore. I think it has partly to do with the fact that, we were not only too tired, but prolonged arguing can just be as exhaustive as cycling uphill all afternoon. It is also bad for health.
It's good to be connected again. My house is definitely not tech friendly either, and I thought I was bad enough.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Saturday Shopping
One would think that by now, even the most thick skinned moron would not go shopping on Saturdays. Saturdays are the worst days for shopping - especially when the place you are going to features some form of sale. In any case, I'm only complaining because I didn't find anything nice to buy. The satisfaction of shopping comes from purchasing something. It is also satisfying only when you don't have annoying relations who complain at length about shopping. Hence, here is warning no.1: Never ever bring a reluctant shopper out, esp on Sat.
However, today was kinda nice. I liked just getting out of my house. It's amzing isn't it, that holiday feel. Shopping, slacking, more slacking...the only thing missing to get the best out of a holiday seems to me to be a PURPOSE to all these wonderful wonderful things. I remember how it was when school was a daily chore... ...now I miss it. It's so strange how the grass on the opposite field always looks so much greener. Anyway, today was mostly a mad rush about town to buy things that do not involve me, like a new mattress protector not for my bed, and THINGS that do not interest me but my sis. I cannot find a violet jacket anywhere. Looks as though I have to settle for PINK, which I detest. Unfortunately I have had at least 2 shop assistant/co-owner tell me I look nice in pink (bleah) and I suppose if it is only an accessory I might just go with it. OK, enough rubbish about me...am too tired to blog properly.
P.S. Never get too excited when you see the latest release of your fav anime. Pls always note carefully what sort of subtitles they use.
However, today was kinda nice. I liked just getting out of my house. It's amzing isn't it, that holiday feel. Shopping, slacking, more slacking...the only thing missing to get the best out of a holiday seems to me to be a PURPOSE to all these wonderful wonderful things. I remember how it was when school was a daily chore... ...now I miss it. It's so strange how the grass on the opposite field always looks so much greener. Anyway, today was mostly a mad rush about town to buy things that do not involve me, like a new mattress protector not for my bed, and THINGS that do not interest me but my sis. I cannot find a violet jacket anywhere. Looks as though I have to settle for PINK, which I detest. Unfortunately I have had at least 2 shop assistant/co-owner tell me I look nice in pink (bleah) and I suppose if it is only an accessory I might just go with it. OK, enough rubbish about me...am too tired to blog properly.
P.S. Never get too excited when you see the latest release of your fav anime. Pls always note carefully what sort of subtitles they use.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
A New Post
Yesterday was prom. The banner on stage was hideous even if everything else (aka the hotel decor) was lovely. Black everything, roses on table, mirrors everywhere, and chandeliers (I suppose they can be counted as such) decorated with bronze leaves and vine "branches". Thanks goodness the waiter/waitress parading thing was kept to a discreet minimum. It's so much more elegant that way. Ok, enough on the pointless bit. Well...it's not really pointless. If I own a palace I know where to ask for int designers.
Picked up Jane via cab. My dad gave the cab driver a whole lot of complicated and useless junk oops. I meant directions, and I was forced to point the poor fellow to Jane's door. Seriously speaking, you shouldn't tell your daughter's taxi driver to drive her to Daisy Park when she wants to go to Daisy Road. Took some photos. People watched. Rolled eyes at deejay. It's what I do. There seems to be some unspoken rule that prom deejays use horrible ice breakers. Haha. Nah. He wasn't so bad actually. It got better, and one must after all excuse our dismal location way south of the VIP table. There were lots of people in clubbing attire. I wonder why. -_- Some with better fashion sense and sense of situation were dressed in a prom-clubbing hyrid which worked. I mean..the place IS decked in ebony. p.y. crashed. =)
After prom was a nice quite chat at the lounge. I assume that it is a lounge since it comes in the same colonial black themed decor and really really nice sofas complete with cushions. It was also the sort of place which youenvision along with cigars. Had tea. Don't really like nuts though. I was with the sane people Ms Kwok & Jane - The rest decided to go home (logical at the time of the night) or go clubbing at this place near Bugis (logical theoretically). I do not intend to be canned sardines. It is something that has never appealed to me. Probably never will. Oh yes...I still owe someone a drink. DON'T come clamouring up to me though, would be imposters. I happen to know whom I owe things to. =p
Tea and chat was really nice. Thanks for tea and everything else.
By the way...the clouds were lovely today. White, grey, lilac, silver and pink. Plus the blue of the sky...you don't get them like that unless it rained, and then was hot for a while before cooling again.
Picked up Jane via cab. My dad gave the cab driver a whole lot of complicated and useless junk oops. I meant directions, and I was forced to point the poor fellow to Jane's door. Seriously speaking, you shouldn't tell your daughter's taxi driver to drive her to Daisy Park when she wants to go to Daisy Road. Took some photos. People watched. Rolled eyes at deejay. It's what I do. There seems to be some unspoken rule that prom deejays use horrible ice breakers. Haha. Nah. He wasn't so bad actually. It got better, and one must after all excuse our dismal location way south of the VIP table. There were lots of people in clubbing attire. I wonder why. -_- Some with better fashion sense and sense of situation were dressed in a prom-clubbing hyrid which worked. I mean..the place IS decked in ebony. p.y. crashed. =)
After prom was a nice quite chat at the lounge. I assume that it is a lounge since it comes in the same colonial black themed decor and really really nice sofas complete with cushions. It was also the sort of place which youenvision along with cigars. Had tea. Don't really like nuts though. I was with the sane people Ms Kwok & Jane - The rest decided to go home (logical at the time of the night) or go clubbing at this place near Bugis (logical theoretically). I do not intend to be canned sardines. It is something that has never appealed to me. Probably never will. Oh yes...I still owe someone a drink. DON'T come clamouring up to me though, would be imposters. I happen to know whom I owe things to. =p
Tea and chat was really nice. Thanks for tea and everything else.
By the way...the clouds were lovely today. White, grey, lilac, silver and pink. Plus the blue of the sky...you don't get them like that unless it rained, and then was hot for a while before cooling again.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Urban Jungle
A caterpillar (the hideous green variety) managed to find its way up my shirt yesterday night. Don't ask me how it got there because I have no idea. I only saw it when I was in the lift. Knocked it off with my house keys. I don't want to complain, but seriously, Singapore is NOT a place where you meet many caterpillars, unless of course you happen to be in the Zoo, where they deliberately deck the Fragile Forest exhibit with those appalling creatures. Is there some kind of ill fortue that follows me around? Or is there some rule that says the more you fear them, the more they follow you around, dropping onto shoulders and shirt fronts and being made pets by younger siblings?
Today, I walked around with my new heels. I bought them for prom, but really no one in their right minds would wear heels that high. They are bad for your feet, lousy shopping footwear, dangerous on bumpy terrain (like old tar roads and brick roads) and utterly useless unless for improving posture. If you walk on grass, your heels sink into the soil, thanks partly to the wet weather of course, but still... Today. I nearly toppled down the stairs on them, and then after that, I scrapped the heel when I stepped onto the metal grill of the drains. =( Hey. At least now, with some practice, I can walk to Grand Hyatt knowing I would have less chnces to fall flat on my face.
Those heels...and those monstrous denizens of trees and bushes and vegetables your mother buys home from the market...leaves one to think - Urban jungle? I live at the edge of civilisation.
P.S. I know it's duh but yup...comp fixed. More or less.
Today, I walked around with my new heels. I bought them for prom, but really no one in their right minds would wear heels that high. They are bad for your feet, lousy shopping footwear, dangerous on bumpy terrain (like old tar roads and brick roads) and utterly useless unless for improving posture. If you walk on grass, your heels sink into the soil, thanks partly to the wet weather of course, but still... Today. I nearly toppled down the stairs on them, and then after that, I scrapped the heel when I stepped onto the metal grill of the drains. =( Hey. At least now, with some practice, I can walk to Grand Hyatt knowing I would have less chnces to fall flat on my face.
Those heels...and those monstrous denizens of trees and bushes and vegetables your mother buys home from the market...leaves one to think - Urban jungle? I live at the edge of civilisation.
P.S. I know it's duh but yup...comp fixed. More or less.
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