Some time ago, I gave my eight characters to Sito's sister to calculate some astrology stuff. Results: mf is a weak yang metal.
Then CY gave me some websites:
http://www.wofs.com/
http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/
http://www.wayonnet.com/
Did some tests and got this table - ok, my html sucks, can't do the table :p
Heavenly Stem Earthly Brach (mf: Huh? And, "brach"?)
5 elements Weight
Metal - 30
Water - 3
Wood - 9
Fire - 0
Soil - 18
I don't have fire!!! Since it's best to have balanced five elements, I need to find some fire..
In another test, I found the earthly equivalents of the five elements:
Metal - me
Water - kids
Wood - money
Fire - job
Soil - mom
Explanation:
Mom(Soil) and you (Metal) are friend. Money (Wood) and job (Fire) are foe. You and your friend fight with your foe. If you and mom win (bigger score), money works for you. If you lose, you work for money. If you win, you will make more money when you find Wood (money) or Fire (job) in the fate cycle or on certain years. If you lose, you still can earn money when you find Metal (you) or Soil (Mom) in the fate cycle or in certain years.
metal + soil = 48 > wood + fire = 9 - win! Yeah!
And guess what? When calculating my astrological weight (whatever that is), I got this: There is great potential for you to achieve abundance even though you may be lacking in family luck. As you have little affinity with your parents, it is better for you to live apart from them. Staying with an uncle or aunt may be a good idea.
Wa! I better move out asap! :p
Man, am I bored..
Sunday, 21 May 2006
Friday, 19 May 2006
Not again..
Even my colleagues are harping on my status: SINGLE (and unattached)
Before you suspect this blog is turning into another Sumiko Tan column albeit younger, let me come clean first: it is! Hahaha!
Ok, may sanity prevail.. This has been a crazy week. I had a major meeting this Wed so there were a number of things to prepare - logistics, other people's papers, my papers, my presentation. But I had only half of Mon due to a lecture in the pm and a subsequent dinner with the speaker, Dr Joseph Chamie. Quite an engaging guy so dinner with him was interesting. Anyway the bosses were talking of course; I was only sitting in to listen. And the food was nice, the scenery perfect - Top of the M, revolving restaurant. Went back to watch Desperate Housewives before getting down to work - sent out the damn thing at 1am.
Only half of Tues belonged to me. Was busy in the morning with a courtesy call from Dr Chamie. Had to run off towards the end for an important meeting elsewhere. At that meeting, we finalised the papers for the Wed meeting, which meant the whole pm was spent preparing for the correct set of slides. Ended my day at 930pm without even starting on the minutes for the courtesy call! Rehearsed my slides until I fell asleep..
But I was calm during the presentation. Still went rather fast but I thought I articulated my words better than the last time eg opporTUnity :p Have a similar presentation at yet another meeting next Wed, higher level one - must be calm.. Shall pretend that I'm acting, especially since I'll have a podium for next week..
Colleague did the minutes for Wed meeting so I had Wed pm to write the minutes for the courtesy call. And I went for ballroom, yeah! Better practise hard for the medal test on Sunday.. Was Thurs crazy? I can only remember the end of the day when there was a mad rush to finish up stuff..
mf: Eh, I'll try to finish but otherwise I'll give you the paper first thing tomorrow..? I'm going out tonight leh! Argh!
Boss: Hmmm, ok, first thing tomorrow, but that's assuming you can't finish tonight..
mf: *.*
I finished at 820pm - yes! Rushed off to - guess what - buy a bag! Isetan private sale, my pretty bag had a 30% discount. I saved $87! Very satisfied :)
Fri was a little more relaxed with short periods of rush for certain things. Just back from a meeting, which leads me back to original topic.. Was with two married colleagues in their early 30s. Suddenly, somehow, they turned to me and "got boyfriend?", "don't have or fussy?", "faster find someone!", "have three kids, do your NS", "how about XX?" And I suddenly realised that when I moved to another unit in July, all my colleagues - ALL - will be married folks, who, presumably, will turn to unmarried me and start asking questions every so often..
NOOOOOOO!
And you know, just today during lunch, Siok had a weird thought of matching me with this director in another division. I was like, I seriously don't think so.. Uh ah, NO. Period. *.*
Of course now I must mention my KLK kakis and our usual chats. Some time ago, had a chat with Kel and Moh over their dinner and my supper. Verdict: How depressing! Looks like singlehood rates in Singapore cannot be helped! And as I see it at this point, KLK has rather high singlehood rates - 76.9%! But someone seems to be having some progress - I'm so going to squeeze the details out of him! :p
Just wondering.. Are we too focused on the wrong things? Some people want their career in place of a family. Ok, add to the stats.. Then some people expect too much of potential partners. More stats again.. And there are others who like to watch TV very very very very much - what do I say but to the stats, to the stats?!
Let's analyse mf.. I value family over career but now without a family (current one isn't too homely, hasn't been for 20years), my work is the only thing that keeps me occupied and fulfilled. Do I expect too much? Actually I don't think so but then, no one ever thinks so..
Learnt about this website from Omni, went there and took a free personality test to determine the kind of man that would suit me - think I've defined the perfect man ie non-existent *.* Crap!
Or maybe, it's so accurate that it's simply not possible? Since this is so long already, I might as well make it longer! An extract of the very long test results, also very much an analysis of myself if you change all the he to mf:
You don't need the perfect man, but you will do best with someone who tries to be sensitive to your feelings, even if he isn't always perfectly attuned to your needs. You will be mutually supportive, but won't demand more from each other than you are willing to give.
He is probably a bit of a loner.. probably focused on his own life, and doesn't let other people's misfortunes get him down.. someone who has bigger things on his mind than helping the homeless or donating to charity. He will appreciate that you are your own person and don't expect him to solve your problems. Your relationship will be based more on mutual respect than a need for emotional support. (mf: respect is very important!)
When in a relationship, he sees himself as part of a couple, but still maintains his independence and identity.
He's self-reliant and isn't looking for emotional support.. someone who isn't looking to be rescued; he can take care of himself.
He enjoys things like literature and fine art, but generally has other priorities when it comes to entertainment. Other people see him as someone who would visit some of the world's top museums during a trip abroad but who might neglect the ones in his own home town.
He takes pride in his looks but isn't defined by them.
He is accomplished academically, but doesn't overemphasize it. During his school years, he balanced studying with things like extracurricular activities, working or spending time with friends. He wants to have an intellectual connection with his partner, but he's also able to appreciate other things about her, like kindness, character or sense of humour.
He is generally happy and hopeful about what life has to offer. There may be parts of his life he'd like to improve, but he generally has faith that he'll attain his goals.. someone who tries to focus on the positive in good times and bad.
He is looking for a woman who shares similar ideas about parenting. He likes kids and probably has clear ideas about raising them. He feels that a couple will be much better parents if they are like-minded in their approach to things like discipline and communication with children. They will also experience more harmony and unity as parents - something he values.
He has a strong moral compass, but does not necessarily believe that everything done in the name of church or country in our society is correct. He is an independent thinker. Traditional gender roles and censorship generally strike him as wrong, but so may many of the more extreme liberal attitudes exhibited in pop culture. He doesn't have wildly radical views about society or morality.
He isn't the kind of person who gets involved with a faith community.. generally only attends religious services for weddings and funerals, and even then he's uncomfortable with organised religion.
He will understand if your relationship with your family is distant, uninvolved or filled with conflict. He may not have a perfect family either, and definitely doesn't expect family life to always be wonderful.
If anyone actually reads all that, I believe he/she may have reached the same verdict as mine - such a person doesn't exist!
I've been thinking and talking about my room lately and how I want it done. Mother heard me a couple of times and said (loudly, actually more like scolding) there was no reason for me to spend on the room if I was to get married and move out in no time! I was so frustrated with that - she just couldn't understand that (a) her scenario was so not going to happen, and (b) even if it's just for a short while, it will be heavenly to finally have some privacy and comfort! I am going to stay in that little room until at least 30, cos I don't foresee myself getting hitched by then AND I'm considering going overseas at 30 to work for fun ie not the earn big bucks kind, just for the experience. And if I do that, I'll come back only when it's time for me to get that flat, with or (I hope for her) without Na. We shall see..
Before you suspect this blog is turning into another Sumiko Tan column albeit younger, let me come clean first: it is! Hahaha!
Ok, may sanity prevail.. This has been a crazy week. I had a major meeting this Wed so there were a number of things to prepare - logistics, other people's papers, my papers, my presentation. But I had only half of Mon due to a lecture in the pm and a subsequent dinner with the speaker, Dr Joseph Chamie. Quite an engaging guy so dinner with him was interesting. Anyway the bosses were talking of course; I was only sitting in to listen. And the food was nice, the scenery perfect - Top of the M, revolving restaurant. Went back to watch Desperate Housewives before getting down to work - sent out the damn thing at 1am.
Only half of Tues belonged to me. Was busy in the morning with a courtesy call from Dr Chamie. Had to run off towards the end for an important meeting elsewhere. At that meeting, we finalised the papers for the Wed meeting, which meant the whole pm was spent preparing for the correct set of slides. Ended my day at 930pm without even starting on the minutes for the courtesy call! Rehearsed my slides until I fell asleep..
But I was calm during the presentation. Still went rather fast but I thought I articulated my words better than the last time eg opporTUnity :p Have a similar presentation at yet another meeting next Wed, higher level one - must be calm.. Shall pretend that I'm acting, especially since I'll have a podium for next week..
Colleague did the minutes for Wed meeting so I had Wed pm to write the minutes for the courtesy call. And I went for ballroom, yeah! Better practise hard for the medal test on Sunday.. Was Thurs crazy? I can only remember the end of the day when there was a mad rush to finish up stuff..
mf: Eh, I'll try to finish but otherwise I'll give you the paper first thing tomorrow..? I'm going out tonight leh! Argh!
Boss: Hmmm, ok, first thing tomorrow, but that's assuming you can't finish tonight..
mf: *.*
I finished at 820pm - yes! Rushed off to - guess what - buy a bag! Isetan private sale, my pretty bag had a 30% discount. I saved $87! Very satisfied :)
Fri was a little more relaxed with short periods of rush for certain things. Just back from a meeting, which leads me back to original topic.. Was with two married colleagues in their early 30s. Suddenly, somehow, they turned to me and "got boyfriend?", "don't have or fussy?", "faster find someone!", "have three kids, do your NS", "how about XX?" And I suddenly realised that when I moved to another unit in July, all my colleagues - ALL - will be married folks, who, presumably, will turn to unmarried me and start asking questions every so often..
NOOOOOOO!
And you know, just today during lunch, Siok had a weird thought of matching me with this director in another division. I was like, I seriously don't think so.. Uh ah, NO. Period. *.*
Of course now I must mention my KLK kakis and our usual chats. Some time ago, had a chat with Kel and Moh over their dinner and my supper. Verdict: How depressing! Looks like singlehood rates in Singapore cannot be helped! And as I see it at this point, KLK has rather high singlehood rates - 76.9%! But someone seems to be having some progress - I'm so going to squeeze the details out of him! :p
Just wondering.. Are we too focused on the wrong things? Some people want their career in place of a family. Ok, add to the stats.. Then some people expect too much of potential partners. More stats again.. And there are others who like to watch TV very very very very much - what do I say but to the stats, to the stats?!
Let's analyse mf.. I value family over career but now without a family (current one isn't too homely, hasn't been for 20years), my work is the only thing that keeps me occupied and fulfilled. Do I expect too much? Actually I don't think so but then, no one ever thinks so..
Learnt about this website from Omni, went there and took a free personality test to determine the kind of man that would suit me - think I've defined the perfect man ie non-existent *.* Crap!
Or maybe, it's so accurate that it's simply not possible? Since this is so long already, I might as well make it longer! An extract of the very long test results, also very much an analysis of myself if you change all the he to mf:
You don't need the perfect man, but you will do best with someone who tries to be sensitive to your feelings, even if he isn't always perfectly attuned to your needs. You will be mutually supportive, but won't demand more from each other than you are willing to give.
He is probably a bit of a loner.. probably focused on his own life, and doesn't let other people's misfortunes get him down.. someone who has bigger things on his mind than helping the homeless or donating to charity. He will appreciate that you are your own person and don't expect him to solve your problems. Your relationship will be based more on mutual respect than a need for emotional support. (mf: respect is very important!)
When in a relationship, he sees himself as part of a couple, but still maintains his independence and identity.
He's self-reliant and isn't looking for emotional support.. someone who isn't looking to be rescued; he can take care of himself.
He enjoys things like literature and fine art, but generally has other priorities when it comes to entertainment. Other people see him as someone who would visit some of the world's top museums during a trip abroad but who might neglect the ones in his own home town.
He takes pride in his looks but isn't defined by them.
He is accomplished academically, but doesn't overemphasize it. During his school years, he balanced studying with things like extracurricular activities, working or spending time with friends. He wants to have an intellectual connection with his partner, but he's also able to appreciate other things about her, like kindness, character or sense of humour.
He is generally happy and hopeful about what life has to offer. There may be parts of his life he'd like to improve, but he generally has faith that he'll attain his goals.. someone who tries to focus on the positive in good times and bad.
He is looking for a woman who shares similar ideas about parenting. He likes kids and probably has clear ideas about raising them. He feels that a couple will be much better parents if they are like-minded in their approach to things like discipline and communication with children. They will also experience more harmony and unity as parents - something he values.
He has a strong moral compass, but does not necessarily believe that everything done in the name of church or country in our society is correct. He is an independent thinker. Traditional gender roles and censorship generally strike him as wrong, but so may many of the more extreme liberal attitudes exhibited in pop culture. He doesn't have wildly radical views about society or morality.
He isn't the kind of person who gets involved with a faith community.. generally only attends religious services for weddings and funerals, and even then he's uncomfortable with organised religion.
He will understand if your relationship with your family is distant, uninvolved or filled with conflict. He may not have a perfect family either, and definitely doesn't expect family life to always be wonderful.
If anyone actually reads all that, I believe he/she may have reached the same verdict as mine - such a person doesn't exist!
I've been thinking and talking about my room lately and how I want it done. Mother heard me a couple of times and said (loudly, actually more like scolding) there was no reason for me to spend on the room if I was to get married and move out in no time! I was so frustrated with that - she just couldn't understand that (a) her scenario was so not going to happen, and (b) even if it's just for a short while, it will be heavenly to finally have some privacy and comfort! I am going to stay in that little room until at least 30, cos I don't foresee myself getting hitched by then AND I'm considering going overseas at 30 to work for fun ie not the earn big bucks kind, just for the experience. And if I do that, I'll come back only when it's time for me to get that flat, with or (I hope for her) without Na. We shall see..
Saturday, 13 May 2006
mf & her many names
You know my name - mf. You know it stands for meifoong - I still prefer to be called mf, pronounced murf, like smurf without the "s".
Question: Do you know my other names? :p
I was born meifoong (see, I don't even like to capitalise my name!) but family and relatives have been calling me foong/ ah foong from day one. I hated it cos my friends had nicer names AND their parents didn't call them ah X ah Y ah Z! But well I'm used to it now, and I get everyone to call my mobile only so no one hears them calling me to the phone! :p
If you read comments, you may see CY calling me pong. Well, you see, I have this cousin one year younger, who has a slightly affected Mandarin as his mother was Taiwanese. When we were kids, he couldn't call me properly!! Pong was thus born and my cousins all like to call me pong gia!
The next name came about in secondary school. It could be Jo, I can't remember too well now, who started called me 凤姐, cos I was one of the oldest in class, January baby. Later in JC, some people also called me that, and HL, my dear 玲妹妹, called me 凤姐姐 :)
Then during the France-Italy trip, I was nicknamed 大姐. I hate that! Cos the original characters were.. Eeks! Anyway, the guys are still using it to this day lor! Especially BH who'll call me that suddenly so that I may respond involuntarily.. Boys! *Roll eyes*
Another name that came up in Oxford was 小凤妹. Maybe cos I was always hanging out with the seniors. But wait, I think it was SL who first called me that and he's one year younger than me! Anyway it didn't catch on, phew..
Oh, almost forgot - I was also Matsushima Nanako 松岛菜菜子! Haha! Those days we often watched Jap drama serials and my hair looked like hers, and I had those cheekbones as well.. Plus my ex had longish hair like Nanako's real-life husband!! Ya, stupid :p
It was also in Oxford when I firsted started using gnoofyem and later MF. mf - non-caps - came about only in recent years.
At work, some people call me meow/ meow meow/ meow foong cos I like cats :) Hence you see my other blog - sharing meow! :)
Later, when I started dancing, Shifu had problems with meifoong. So I said M, yes, just the letter M. But anyway he is used to meifoong now. Though sometimes it still sounds like mui foong.. *shudders*
Sito gave me another one too - 阿美. Never fails to remind me of that old song that goes 阿美阿美几时办嫁妆.. Well, I don't know! Heh! :p
Besides 大姐 and 小凤妹, you can call me any of the above. Oh, and I accept 美女 too - that's the favourite of people who know me by face but don't know my name!!
Question: Do you know my other names? :p
I was born meifoong (see, I don't even like to capitalise my name!) but family and relatives have been calling me foong/ ah foong from day one. I hated it cos my friends had nicer names AND their parents didn't call them ah X ah Y ah Z! But well I'm used to it now, and I get everyone to call my mobile only so no one hears them calling me to the phone! :p
If you read comments, you may see CY calling me pong. Well, you see, I have this cousin one year younger, who has a slightly affected Mandarin as his mother was Taiwanese. When we were kids, he couldn't call me properly!! Pong was thus born and my cousins all like to call me pong gia!
The next name came about in secondary school. It could be Jo, I can't remember too well now, who started called me 凤姐, cos I was one of the oldest in class, January baby. Later in JC, some people also called me that, and HL, my dear 玲妹妹, called me 凤姐姐 :)
Then during the France-Italy trip, I was nicknamed 大姐. I hate that! Cos the original characters were.. Eeks! Anyway, the guys are still using it to this day lor! Especially BH who'll call me that suddenly so that I may respond involuntarily.. Boys! *Roll eyes*
Another name that came up in Oxford was 小凤妹. Maybe cos I was always hanging out with the seniors. But wait, I think it was SL who first called me that and he's one year younger than me! Anyway it didn't catch on, phew..
Oh, almost forgot - I was also Matsushima Nanako 松岛菜菜子! Haha! Those days we often watched Jap drama serials and my hair looked like hers, and I had those cheekbones as well.. Plus my ex had longish hair like Nanako's real-life husband!! Ya, stupid :p
It was also in Oxford when I firsted started using gnoofyem and later MF. mf - non-caps - came about only in recent years.
At work, some people call me meow/ meow meow/ meow foong cos I like cats :) Hence you see my other blog - sharing meow! :)
Later, when I started dancing, Shifu had problems with meifoong. So I said M, yes, just the letter M. But anyway he is used to meifoong now. Though sometimes it still sounds like mui foong.. *shudders*
Sito gave me another one too - 阿美. Never fails to remind me of that old song that goes 阿美阿美几时办嫁妆.. Well, I don't know! Heh! :p
Besides 大姐 and 小凤妹, you can call me any of the above. Oh, and I accept 美女 too - that's the favourite of people who know me by face but don't know my name!!
Childhood games
Went for a jog with CY this morning. On the way back from a healthy breakfast, we walked under the MRT tracks and chanced upon a hopscotch print - we used to play hopscotch in school so often!! But we couldn't really remember the rules anymore. We started talking about the other games we used to play.. Let me list them:
1) Zero point! Or zero thousand point..? Seems to be the all time favourite cos all we needed was space; the three hopscotch prints were very popular and all taken up by those who were released for recess earlier. But we would always have the long rope of rubber bands on us and could play any time :) I remember CY being very good at this game and I was totally jia lat cos I couldn't jump so high :p
2) Starfish! Using the same rubber rope but connected end to end. Can't remember how to play already..
3) Catching! I love it ok! Although I got caught easily cos I couldn't run very much :p Besides playing in school, I also played when visiting Grams - extended play area to the whole block, using lifts to run away from the predator. Then we also had modified catching - alright, this is a bit weird. You know the markings of a badminton court right, we could only run along those lines!
4) Five stones! I've always wanted to make my own set but never really got down to it. Hey CY, let's play some day? :)
5) Pepsi cola 123! Ya, another classic and the most recently played game - played at a beach outing some time in the past two years..
6) And this one, I just thought of it: the handkerchief game aka diao shou jin! Very fun!! Oh my, it feels so far away though..
7) Hide and seek! Classic! But hard to really hide well ah :p And the modified one, blind cat aka xia yan mao! Used to play this in the house and we would jump all over the place! I quite like being the predator here, just feeling my way around and cornering people, hiak hiak hiak! *evil*
8) Playground swing! I rem CY and another girl used to compete to see who went higher. They both went really high, really! Too scary for me..
9) Card games like Old Maid and Happy Family! Old Maid was so funny and I can still remember the Bun family, the Dose family, the Bone family - ahhh...
These old games cost very little and were great fun! Now we're all grown up and play different games which, I realise, all need money eg ktv, bowling, shopping (a game of sorts), slacking at Starbucks. We are also talking about different things. Not sure if I've said this before: last time we talked about results and puppy love, then we graduate to salaries and more serious bgr, and soon we'll be talking about mammograms! Haha!
1) Zero point! Or zero thousand point..? Seems to be the all time favourite cos all we needed was space; the three hopscotch prints were very popular and all taken up by those who were released for recess earlier. But we would always have the long rope of rubber bands on us and could play any time :) I remember CY being very good at this game and I was totally jia lat cos I couldn't jump so high :p
2) Starfish! Using the same rubber rope but connected end to end. Can't remember how to play already..
3) Catching! I love it ok! Although I got caught easily cos I couldn't run very much :p Besides playing in school, I also played when visiting Grams - extended play area to the whole block, using lifts to run away from the predator. Then we also had modified catching - alright, this is a bit weird. You know the markings of a badminton court right, we could only run along those lines!
4) Five stones! I've always wanted to make my own set but never really got down to it. Hey CY, let's play some day? :)
5) Pepsi cola 123! Ya, another classic and the most recently played game - played at a beach outing some time in the past two years..
6) And this one, I just thought of it: the handkerchief game aka diao shou jin! Very fun!! Oh my, it feels so far away though..
7) Hide and seek! Classic! But hard to really hide well ah :p And the modified one, blind cat aka xia yan mao! Used to play this in the house and we would jump all over the place! I quite like being the predator here, just feeling my way around and cornering people, hiak hiak hiak! *evil*
8) Playground swing! I rem CY and another girl used to compete to see who went higher. They both went really high, really! Too scary for me..
9) Card games like Old Maid and Happy Family! Old Maid was so funny and I can still remember the Bun family, the Dose family, the Bone family - ahhh...
These old games cost very little and were great fun! Now we're all grown up and play different games which, I realise, all need money eg ktv, bowling, shopping (a game of sorts), slacking at Starbucks. We are also talking about different things. Not sure if I've said this before: last time we talked about results and puppy love, then we graduate to salaries and more serious bgr, and soon we'll be talking about mammograms! Haha!
Friday, 12 May 2006
Frustrated!
I'm so going to die from waiting for emails to load! I didn't come back to office on yet another public holiday for all this waiting! I don't know if it's the LAN or the email system - likely the latter, a 2kb email should open IMMEDIATELY!
Anyway, it's Vesak Day today. Seems strange to say Happy Vesak Day, cos it's also my Gramps' death anniversary - he passed away this day in 2002, one week before my finals.
Passed by the Singapura Book Company on the way to Grams' place. I haven't seen it open for the longest time cos I seldom walk by in the day time. This shop is right next to my grandparents' provision shop (which has been let out) and we the cousins used to hang out with the kids there, I think.. Ah, nostalgic..
Grams and Aunt cooked a lot. Mother also made some kuey this morning. We started with burning incense sticks and after a while - there must be some trigger or something - Eldest Uncle brought the incense paper to burn in the bin downstairs.
When they came back and the red candles were almost all burnt, Grams muttered some words and dropped two coins on the floor. Uncle picked them up - negative ie we could not end the ceremony yet. This went on a few times, both Grams and Uncle dropped the coins but it was always no-go. Then at last, Grams took the coins. I heard her ask Gramps to allow them to end the ceremony, and not to be annoyed with his three other sons for their absence today. Then the coins were dropped and we had a positive! The elders were saying that Gramps preferred more people around. But well, due to work etc, three of my uncles couldn't make it today. The alter was thus kept and we had lunch.
I slacked around with my cousins for a while and left for office, within walking distance. I'm sitting here now with a 1.5l bottle of oolong tea and Siok behind me! So happy to have company though I had a big scare when she first walked in cos I heard something before I saw her :p
Backtracking a bit now.. Watched Poseidon with CTB yesterday - I made the right choice to decline the nomination for the ship thing!! Trivial: In the last scene when the survivors were in the life boat, I noticed the super thick mascara on the girl's lashes - very waterproof, considering how they swam and struggled etc! Got back quite early - no takers for Union - but still slept late cos was chatting with Kel and YX on the phone. And I did something totally dexterous too - I showered while on the phone!! Kel had mean things to say about that but well..! :p
Going to Chomp Chomp for dinner now - don't think I'll eat cos of the heavy lunch, still so full..
Anyway, it's Vesak Day today. Seems strange to say Happy Vesak Day, cos it's also my Gramps' death anniversary - he passed away this day in 2002, one week before my finals.
Passed by the Singapura Book Company on the way to Grams' place. I haven't seen it open for the longest time cos I seldom walk by in the day time. This shop is right next to my grandparents' provision shop (which has been let out) and we the cousins used to hang out with the kids there, I think.. Ah, nostalgic..
Grams and Aunt cooked a lot. Mother also made some kuey this morning. We started with burning incense sticks and after a while - there must be some trigger or something - Eldest Uncle brought the incense paper to burn in the bin downstairs.
When they came back and the red candles were almost all burnt, Grams muttered some words and dropped two coins on the floor. Uncle picked them up - negative ie we could not end the ceremony yet. This went on a few times, both Grams and Uncle dropped the coins but it was always no-go. Then at last, Grams took the coins. I heard her ask Gramps to allow them to end the ceremony, and not to be annoyed with his three other sons for their absence today. Then the coins were dropped and we had a positive! The elders were saying that Gramps preferred more people around. But well, due to work etc, three of my uncles couldn't make it today. The alter was thus kept and we had lunch.
I slacked around with my cousins for a while and left for office, within walking distance. I'm sitting here now with a 1.5l bottle of oolong tea and Siok behind me! So happy to have company though I had a big scare when she first walked in cos I heard something before I saw her :p
Backtracking a bit now.. Watched Poseidon with CTB yesterday - I made the right choice to decline the nomination for the ship thing!! Trivial: In the last scene when the survivors were in the life boat, I noticed the super thick mascara on the girl's lashes - very waterproof, considering how they swam and struggled etc! Got back quite early - no takers for Union - but still slept late cos was chatting with Kel and YX on the phone. And I did something totally dexterous too - I showered while on the phone!! Kel had mean things to say about that but well..! :p
Going to Chomp Chomp for dinner now - don't think I'll eat cos of the heavy lunch, still so full..
Monday, 8 May 2006
It's over
Nothing surprising in GE results.
One last thing before I revert to the familiar fluff: When we vote, are we voting for a compassionate spokesman to help the everyday folks, or an effective government to carry Singapore forward? How to balance domestic needs and national good??
It's always easy to ask questions, especially when I'm not the one attempting an answer..
Update 10 May 2006
Thanks YX for forwarding this! The words are real small on my screen - copy into word to read if need be, just read it!
One last thing before I revert to the familiar fluff: When we vote, are we voting for a compassionate spokesman to help the everyday folks, or an effective government to carry Singapore forward? How to balance domestic needs and national good??
It's always easy to ask questions, especially when I'm not the one attempting an answer..
Update 10 May 2006
Thanks YX for forwarding this! The words are real small on my screen - copy into word to read if need be, just read it!
Sunday, 7 May 2006
Run mf run
Had a dream this morning. I was in Oxford, somewhere along Cowley St on the east of town, looking for a shop that made robes. Couldn't find it, and started running real hard to Brasenose. Somehow I approached from the north, tried unsuccessfully to cut through Exeter. Ended up passing by Worcester and turned into a little lane. Saw the Old Tuckshop, recalled a real incident with some snack I bought there many years back, an incident I had otherwise forgot. The next moment I was running through town towards High St. A mean guy walking in my direction mimicked the way I ran - big swaying arms etc. A girl saw that and smiled kindly. I smiled back and ran past Cornmarket St. I was amazed I wasn't tired with all that running, but I was conscious I was dreaming so that explained it.
I never reached my college. I woke. And I woke tired from running. Decided to jog. Jogged a bit more than usual today. And though I was real slow sometimes, I never stopped or reduced to walking. I pushed on.
I'm feeling satisfied. For now.
I never reached my college. I woke. And I woke tired from running. Decided to jog. Jogged a bit more than usual today. And though I was real slow sometimes, I never stopped or reduced to walking. I pushed on.
I'm feeling satisfied. For now.
Saturday, 6 May 2006
无处躲雨
无处躲雨，那是近来心情的写照。
久旱逢雨天，心情是凉爽的，感觉是新鲜的，心头甚至还涌上一丝诗意。雨天绵延成雨季，却是会令人多愁，什么诗意也给乌云掩盖了。
雨季好象刚刚过去了。就在最后一片沉沉的乌云离去的时候，我的心情正好跌到谷底。
工作近来很累，那天八点半下班还带了电脑回去加班。从行人天桥走下后，刚好看到我要搭的车。我跑了两步，疯狂地挥手，直奔眼前的公车站。可是司机视而不见，从我眼前高速开走了我的车。我的车啊！
我又气又累，难受死了！心想，又是一阵毫无意义的等待，我急得想哭，顿了几次脚也没办法发泄那时的无奈。我只有等，等等等！害得我又东想西想，尽是些不愉快的东西……
之前两天，上班的路上，突然有一个念头。我看着车上挤得满满的脸孔，个个面无表情，不是闭目养神，就是双眼发呆。他们到底在想什么呢？他们开心吗？他们对全新的一天是抱着怎样的心态？对前面的人生又是什么样的憧憬？是希望，是期望，是盼望，是期盼？或是负面的失望，绝望？ 我望向车窗外，满街都是准备上班的人。他们又是怎样看待自己的未来呢？
那，我呢？
我觉得，也许是我希望，自己是满怀希望过日子的。可是那晚等车，那种欲哭无泪的感觉却把未来朦上一层灰。理智恢复后，我当然知道一时的小挫折是不该影响人生观的。但，许许多多的小挫折是会留疤的。
其实我已经很久没有哭了，也忘了上一次哭是什么时候，什么原因。没有哭并不一定是好事，因为想哭又哭不出来是比哭还痛苦的。我就是那种眼泪满到眼内圈，眼见就要溢出来，又不知道被什么样的中央引力给硬生生拉回腹中！那是一种恶性循环，每一次的哭不出来后，想哭就更难了。
追根究底，我为什么不能哭呢？很小的时候，我常趁大家都在客厅看电视，一个人躲在房间装睡，其实是偷偷抽泣，那是因为家里的许多不愉快。后来对那些事看开后，掉眼泪都是因为太多可悲或感人的剧情。到了最近，不是没有哭泣的原因，不是因为又看开了什么，而是眼泪罢工了。也许是我厌倦了一个人抽泣的日子，也可能是眼泪自觉没有“知音” ，哭了也没有人知道为什么，就连自己也不知道。可是有时候真的很想哭呀！我只想好好发泄一下，让种种的压力，所有的不满随着泪水流掉，象征性的去掉心里的包袱与矛盾。
哭不出来的我却常笑。走在路上，天气不错，我会微笑。想到什么开心事，我也对自己笑。在车上听933，DJ搞笑时，我会笨笨地一个人发笑。虽然笑声是压抑的，也和眼泪一样没有“知音”笑声回复，但笑怎么说都很难硬生生拉回肚子里去吧！
也许我就是喜欢一个人笑，浅意识把眼泪压抑了。一个人笑总比一个人哭幸福吧……
久旱逢雨天，心情是凉爽的，感觉是新鲜的，心头甚至还涌上一丝诗意。雨天绵延成雨季，却是会令人多愁，什么诗意也给乌云掩盖了。
雨季好象刚刚过去了。就在最后一片沉沉的乌云离去的时候，我的心情正好跌到谷底。
工作近来很累，那天八点半下班还带了电脑回去加班。从行人天桥走下后，刚好看到我要搭的车。我跑了两步，疯狂地挥手，直奔眼前的公车站。可是司机视而不见，从我眼前高速开走了我的车。我的车啊！
我又气又累，难受死了！心想，又是一阵毫无意义的等待，我急得想哭，顿了几次脚也没办法发泄那时的无奈。我只有等，等等等！害得我又东想西想，尽是些不愉快的东西……
之前两天，上班的路上，突然有一个念头。我看着车上挤得满满的脸孔，个个面无表情，不是闭目养神，就是双眼发呆。他们到底在想什么呢？他们开心吗？他们对全新的一天是抱着怎样的心态？对前面的人生又是什么样的憧憬？是希望，是期望，是盼望，是期盼？或是负面的失望，绝望？ 我望向车窗外，满街都是准备上班的人。他们又是怎样看待自己的未来呢？
那，我呢？
我觉得，也许是我希望，自己是满怀希望过日子的。可是那晚等车，那种欲哭无泪的感觉却把未来朦上一层灰。理智恢复后，我当然知道一时的小挫折是不该影响人生观的。但，许许多多的小挫折是会留疤的。
其实我已经很久没有哭了，也忘了上一次哭是什么时候，什么原因。没有哭并不一定是好事，因为想哭又哭不出来是比哭还痛苦的。我就是那种眼泪满到眼内圈，眼见就要溢出来，又不知道被什么样的中央引力给硬生生拉回腹中！那是一种恶性循环，每一次的哭不出来后，想哭就更难了。
追根究底，我为什么不能哭呢？很小的时候，我常趁大家都在客厅看电视，一个人躲在房间装睡，其实是偷偷抽泣，那是因为家里的许多不愉快。后来对那些事看开后，掉眼泪都是因为太多可悲或感人的剧情。到了最近，不是没有哭泣的原因，不是因为又看开了什么，而是眼泪罢工了。也许是我厌倦了一个人抽泣的日子，也可能是眼泪自觉没有“知音” ，哭了也没有人知道为什么，就连自己也不知道。可是有时候真的很想哭呀！我只想好好发泄一下，让种种的压力，所有的不满随着泪水流掉，象征性的去掉心里的包袱与矛盾。
哭不出来的我却常笑。走在路上，天气不错，我会微笑。想到什么开心事，我也对自己笑。在车上听933，DJ搞笑时，我会笨笨地一个人发笑。虽然笑声是压抑的，也和眼泪一样没有“知音”笑声回复，但笑怎么说都很难硬生生拉回肚子里去吧！
也许我就是喜欢一个人笑，浅意识把眼泪压抑了。一个人笑总比一个人哭幸福吧……
Voted!
It was a swift affair, over in 10min.
And it wasn't much of a novelty after all. Had my ID verified, cast my vote, dipped the slip into a box, and left. Nothing exciting to write about :p
And it wasn't much of a novelty after all. Had my ID verified, cast my vote, dipped the slip into a box, and left. Nothing exciting to write about :p
Friday, 5 May 2006
Going all nuts!
The other day..
Na: You're making me nuts..
mf: Hmm.. I don't make nuts! Nuts come from.. OH NO, I DON'T KNOW! And I like to eat nuts!
Na: *.*
(Well I later realised I knew that groundnuts were from, well, the ground.)
So I did a search..
According to good old Wikipedia, a walnut is a nut. A chestnut is a nut too, though I've never associated that with the usual tiny nuts! But wait, a coconut is not a nut :p Pecan and hazel are the other two common nuts that are actually nuts. The nut family also includes beech, oak and birch - I didn't know these were nuts! And what the hell is a filbert nut?!
Then, imagine my shock to hear that almonds are not nuts! Neither are groundnuts! Apparently, almonds are culinary nuts, not botanically classified as nuts.. Together with Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, pine nuts and pistachio nuts, almonds are classified as seeds. Groundnuts or peanuts are both a legume and a seed, and the coconut is a drupe, which is.. Eh definition is too long..
Anyway, back to original question of where nuts come from.. Let me modify that to where my favourite nuts come from :)
Hazel! From deciduous trees and large shrubs.. The Turkish hazel nut doesn't look too friendly.. Almonds also come from trees with pretty flowers. Cashew - oh yummy yummy! - and pistachio are also from trees, the latter looks like a bunch of flowers on its tree!
Wa, I feel like I've just had a bio class.. Exhausted.. I'll move on to something else..
* If you somehow happen to wonder what it's like to be classified as nuts, well I can tell you it's not funny!
Na: You're making me nuts..
mf: Hmm.. I don't make nuts! Nuts come from.. OH NO, I DON'T KNOW! And I like to eat nuts!
Na: *.*
(Well I later realised I knew that groundnuts were from, well, the ground.)
So I did a search..
According to good old Wikipedia, a walnut is a nut. A chestnut is a nut too, though I've never associated that with the usual tiny nuts! But wait, a coconut is not a nut :p Pecan and hazel are the other two common nuts that are actually nuts. The nut family also includes beech, oak and birch - I didn't know these were nuts! And what the hell is a filbert nut?!
Then, imagine my shock to hear that almonds are not nuts! Neither are groundnuts! Apparently, almonds are culinary nuts, not botanically classified as nuts.. Together with Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, pine nuts and pistachio nuts, almonds are classified as seeds. Groundnuts or peanuts are both a legume and a seed, and the coconut is a drupe, which is.. Eh definition is too long..
Anyway, back to original question of where nuts come from.. Let me modify that to where my favourite nuts come from :)
Hazel! From deciduous trees and large shrubs.. The Turkish hazel nut doesn't look too friendly.. Almonds also come from trees with pretty flowers. Cashew - oh yummy yummy! - and pistachio are also from trees, the latter looks like a bunch of flowers on its tree!
Wa, I feel like I've just had a bio class.. Exhausted.. I'll move on to something else..
* If you somehow happen to wonder what it's like to be classified as nuts, well I can tell you it's not funny!
You have to be there to believe it
Really, cos I was at the Workers' Party rally in Tomato Town yesterday. I must record my whole experience..
CW was the only person I thought of who would likely be going so I called up and sure enough he was going. So we arranged to meet at the market bus stop.
Left the house about 8pm, all prepared: shorts and tank top cos it would be hot, lots of (useless!) mosquito repellant to compensate for the lack of cloth, my (life-saving) folded fan to keep cool.
The streets looked a bit different last night; there seemed to be too many cars on the streets and the main avenue. Later I realised that people going for the rally had to park as far out as behind my place, which was some 15-20min away (on foot) from the rally field. So starting out, I saw a lot more cars than usual, and as I reached the main avenue closest to the field, I began to see a lot more people than usual. And traffic police officers were present to keep traffic in check.
Whipped out my Samsung to call CW as I turned the corner and started to hear voices from loudspeakers. No network!! I was very sure Singtel had coverage in that area so it must be the sheer concentration of people there! I couldn't dial or sms for quite a while. Then it improved to just "network busy" so we managed to contact each other by text and met on the field. Walked further into the crowd, found a nice spot and stood there to listen for the next two hours.
Then suddenly I heard a familiar voice calling Kel so I turned back and guess what? It was Moh! But it wasn't Kel; it was Kev but well, similar :p And two others whom I knew from school as well; the four of them came from a course. At this point, also realised that there were seriously many many people standing behind us now. The turnout was huge, not as big as the Hougang one but still, big.
That's why I say you have to see it to believe it, to believe the WP's draw. The supporters right in front were all waving little flags with the hammer logo, and everyone was clapping at some point, echoing their shouts of support in response to the speakers. And all this was not without cause cos the speakers made sense, and they had the ability to connect with the ground with their ideas. I was instantly reminded of concerts; thought the crowd at the field last night was more spontaneous and generous with their applause than those at pop concerts!
I was rather inspired by what I saw and heard, in fact, heartened to see many people young and old and somewhere-in-between interested in this GE. I even bought the WP's manifesto on the way out and read most of it before bedtime and on the way to work today; I'll finish it on the way back.
Honestly, I'm not into politics and confess my lack of content knowledge, hence this rather factual entry instead of debating on the rights and wrongs. But it doesn't mean I'm not interested or concerned. Eh, all that concerned citizen bit I'm trying to think about is way over my head ie I lost my point, not to mention that lunch time is over, oops.. Anyway, I like the WP's tagline:
Yes, I do, since Tomato Town is being contested, and especially when we have a credible opposition this time. Mother asked me who I would vote for when I got back from the rally last night. I thought she would have heard on the radio that "voting is compulsory, voting is secret", but in any case I don't always reply her since she will likely answer herself wthout prompt. "Aiya, vote for your government la! Give you study, give you work.." I rolled my eyes and went to shower.
CW was the only person I thought of who would likely be going so I called up and sure enough he was going. So we arranged to meet at the market bus stop.
Left the house about 8pm, all prepared: shorts and tank top cos it would be hot, lots of (useless!) mosquito repellant to compensate for the lack of cloth, my (life-saving) folded fan to keep cool.
The streets looked a bit different last night; there seemed to be too many cars on the streets and the main avenue. Later I realised that people going for the rally had to park as far out as behind my place, which was some 15-20min away (on foot) from the rally field. So starting out, I saw a lot more cars than usual, and as I reached the main avenue closest to the field, I began to see a lot more people than usual. And traffic police officers were present to keep traffic in check.
Whipped out my Samsung to call CW as I turned the corner and started to hear voices from loudspeakers. No network!! I was very sure Singtel had coverage in that area so it must be the sheer concentration of people there! I couldn't dial or sms for quite a while. Then it improved to just "network busy" so we managed to contact each other by text and met on the field. Walked further into the crowd, found a nice spot and stood there to listen for the next two hours.
Then suddenly I heard a familiar voice calling Kel so I turned back and guess what? It was Moh! But it wasn't Kel; it was Kev but well, similar :p And two others whom I knew from school as well; the four of them came from a course. At this point, also realised that there were seriously many many people standing behind us now. The turnout was huge, not as big as the Hougang one but still, big.
That's why I say you have to see it to believe it, to believe the WP's draw. The supporters right in front were all waving little flags with the hammer logo, and everyone was clapping at some point, echoing their shouts of support in response to the speakers. And all this was not without cause cos the speakers made sense, and they had the ability to connect with the ground with their ideas. I was instantly reminded of concerts; thought the crowd at the field last night was more spontaneous and generous with their applause than those at pop concerts!
I was rather inspired by what I saw and heard, in fact, heartened to see many people young and old and somewhere-in-between interested in this GE. I even bought the WP's manifesto on the way out and read most of it before bedtime and on the way to work today; I'll finish it on the way back.
Honestly, I'm not into politics and confess my lack of content knowledge, hence this rather factual entry instead of debating on the rights and wrongs. But it doesn't mean I'm not interested or concerned. Eh, all that concerned citizen bit I'm trying to think about is way over my head ie I lost my point, not to mention that lunch time is over, oops.. Anyway, I like the WP's tagline:
Yes, I do, since Tomato Town is being contested, and especially when we have a credible opposition this time. Mother asked me who I would vote for when I got back from the rally last night. I thought she would have heard on the radio that "voting is compulsory, voting is secret", but in any case I don't always reply her since she will likely answer herself wthout prompt. "Aiya, vote for your government la! Give you study, give you work.." I rolled my eyes and went to shower.
Wednesday, 3 May 2006
I was.. speechless..
Going by my blog, you wouldn't expect me to be interested in anything else but myself and fluffy stuff.. However, this got me interested - click that link!
Tuesday, 2 May 2006
Revelation: I spent more money when on my own
1) My plan for Sunday afternoon was to go get a lint roller. I ended up at Isetan Scotts and bought a top in two seconds.
2) Next was Watson's@Taka to get my cleansing oil but I was told the line was discontinued! Gaaar! Turned back to MRT but had to pass by Isetan Wisma. So I checked out Shunji Matsuo and decided to give my hair an almost unnoticeable trim just to make it neater.
3) Wandered across the aisle and found a Casio stand. I've been wanting to get a watch but as some will know, mf cannot read the time if the watch has only quarter markings *.* So I've had very limited choices even with new arrivals in City Chain. Found a pretty readable watch that didn't cost half my arm! The lady took out 6-7 of the metal bits to fit my wrist, the thinnest bit of me. Still a little loose but taking out one more may make it uncomfortable on hot days.
4) Boarded the MRT and realised I forgot about the lint roller! Decided to go to J8 to buy yoghurt before walking back. Also to check out Watson's in case they had my cleansing oil.. No =( Bought Listerine instead.
5) Strolled by Beauty Box so asked about my dry soles. Had a pedicure done in the end. Then I bought my strawberry yoghurt and sang my way back.
Kel, Moh and I were supposed to meet YX in Rochester Park but it was too crowded. We met in HV instead. Ate in the hawker centre before walking one round to Swensen. Topics were the usual; we could never seem to tire of them :) But at one point, we went geeky: we proved that root(2) is irrational. Then we generalised the proof for root(integer). And along the way, if m^2 is divisible by n, m should be divisible by n too.
Roamed Cold Storage for some 20min after that, and I finally bought my lint roller!!
2) Next was Watson's@Taka to get my cleansing oil but I was told the line was discontinued! Gaaar! Turned back to MRT but had to pass by Isetan Wisma. So I checked out Shunji Matsuo and decided to give my hair an almost unnoticeable trim just to make it neater.
3) Wandered across the aisle and found a Casio stand. I've been wanting to get a watch but as some will know, mf cannot read the time if the watch has only quarter markings *.* So I've had very limited choices even with new arrivals in City Chain. Found a pretty readable watch that didn't cost half my arm! The lady took out 6-7 of the metal bits to fit my wrist, the thinnest bit of me. Still a little loose but taking out one more may make it uncomfortable on hot days.
4) Boarded the MRT and realised I forgot about the lint roller! Decided to go to J8 to buy yoghurt before walking back. Also to check out Watson's in case they had my cleansing oil.. No =( Bought Listerine instead.
5) Strolled by Beauty Box so asked about my dry soles. Had a pedicure done in the end. Then I bought my strawberry yoghurt and sang my way back.
Kel, Moh and I were supposed to meet YX in Rochester Park but it was too crowded. We met in HV instead. Ate in the hawker centre before walking one round to Swensen. Topics were the usual; we could never seem to tire of them :) But at one point, we went geeky: we proved that root(2) is irrational. Then we generalised the proof for root(integer). And along the way, if m^2 is divisible by n, m should be divisible by n too.
Roamed Cold Storage for some 20min after that, and I finally bought my lint roller!!
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