Sunday, August 30, 2009

Done Deal

Flight tix. CHECKED.
Rail tix. CHECKED.
Hotel accomodation. CHECKED.

We spent 3 hours this afternoon booking all the hotel accomodation and the rail tickets.
I saw the dollar signs blinking before my eyes and then flying away. Haha. ;p

But yes, it's a done deal.

Paris, Nice & Barcelona, HERE WE COME!! Muahahha....
I'm gonna say hi to Mona Lisa a second time hehe ;p
I want to say hi to all the spirits of all the kings of past at the Chateau de Fontainbleu and Chateau de Versailles!!

p/s: Baby, we're gonna walk the cobbled streets together...:)

Ray

We were supposed to watch "Departures" on Friday night.
But the DVDs for that movie had all been rented out.

We ended up watching "Ray".
It was still a nice enough movie. I thought Jamie Foxx did a good job on his portrayal of Ray Charles in the show.

Incidentally, I was wondering if the shades he was wearing through most of the movie was sponsored by Ray-Bans. Hmm mm. ;p

I really want to watch Departures with K.
I've caught it once before already. But it's a darn good movie and well well worth watching many more times.

Last Night's Munching

Dinner last night was spent with K and his family.

The food was nice. We were at Long Beach King Seafood Restaurant. Chilli crab, fried mantou, kailan, roast duck, steamed soon hock fish, dong bo ribs, bee hoon with la-la. Some dishes could have been better but K & I agreed that the dong bo ribs was the best dish of the night. :)

There was talk too. Mainly between K, his sister and papa lim. Discussions on politics, financial matters, religion, current affairs. From light banter to more serious exchanges.

This is something new to me. Such conversations never existed in my family. Gatherings with the extended family has also never seen such discussions. Talks mainly involved the weather, soccer, kids, schools, foods, my granny, gossips about other relatives/friends and other mundane topics.

Oh sure, conversations sometimes touched on economics. The price of vegetables and houses. Is that considered? Hmm.

K's lucky in a way...to have been encouraged since young to speak up and listen and learn more and take a greater interest in such areas.

I feel like a frog in the well.

Growing Old

Every working morning for as long as I can remember, I’d walk to the MRT from the bus interchange. And just before the entrance of the MRT, there’d be an old lady selling tissue paper to commuters and passers-by. She’s been there for the last few years. Ever ready with a cheerful grin and chirpy greetings of “Mister, Miss, Good Morning! Thanks!” or “Xian Sheng, Xiao Jie, Zao An! Xie Xie!”

It struck me this morning that I’ve seen her evolve from being a robust lady to now being a little frail. Her hair’s gone from dark brown peppered with strands of white and grey to now being mostly grey and peppered with strands of white.

She’s gone from fairly chubby to being a lot less chubby and her cheeks no longer have as much meat on them as they used to. She’s lost a tooth or two as well. And since a few months ago, she’s taken to standing with a walking frame.

But one thing has not changed. She’s still hardworking and every bit as cheerful. Greeting everyone who passes by.

She reminded me of my granny and how I’ve seen her evolve from a strong strong woman to a lady who’s 80% bed-ridden now. How I’ve seen her move along from feet to walking frame to wheelchair. From being quick and crafty in her mind to having sporadic bouts of dementia and extreme forgetfulness now. From being able to whip up numerous dishes of food and snacks and desserts single-handedly in the kitchen to having to settle for mashed and blended food now.

But she’s still got her lovely smile going. And her eyes still light up beautifully when she’s having a bout of silly giggles or a fit of mapcap laughter.

The other two folks at home. Though they get on my nerves more than half the time. I’ve also come to realize that their once formidable bodies are weakening. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, weakening heart, borderline diabetes, kidney stones, strange aches, yada yada.

But they’ve still got active lives. And they’ve still got more than active minds. (Which incidentally is not very good for me. Haha.)

For a few years now, they’ve taken to scanning the daily obituaries, just in case they see people they know. Yes, they’re at that stage of life now. And this morning, they did see an obituary of someone they know.

Aging is a little scary ain’t it? Inevitable but scary. And watching people around you age can sometimes be a daunting thing.

On a side note, did you know that Singapore is about to be the world’s third fastest aging nation? The proportion of those aged 65 years and above is set to soar to almost 20% by the year 2020. And correspondingly, the average growth in economic output will fall more than 40% over the course of the next 25 years. Possible government support for the elderly could amount to close to 7% of the nation’s GDP.

Looking at the amount of money which has been spent on medical stuff for granny and the folks at home, aging can be a costly thing as well.

Growing old.

I hope I grow old gracefully and happily. And I hope I’d be as healthy as I can be.
And oh yes, I hope I grow old with my loved ones surrounding me too.

p/s: Came across this interesting article on Singapore’s population.
I think this is just a surface skim of the depth of stats that the Department of Statistics maintains. A friend works in there and hearsay the team of people managing population stats is close to 10.
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/popinbrief2009.pdf

Let's Get Lost

Nice cool evening. Nice jazz music.
In the comfort of my room. The only thing missing right now is a glass of wine.
Am missing both K and my Moscato.
Thoughts...

This song just played..Enjoy it. One of the more popular songs from Chet Baker.
Enjoy his world class trumpeting...

Just read his life profile on Wikipedia too..sort of a sad story...Talented musician struggling with drug abuse which eventually led to his death in his 50s...

Let's Get Lost

Friday, August 28, 2009

Morning Musings

I was on the train this morning. Positioned strategically between a Chinese lady and an Eurasian uncle. Both gave me a good enough berth today. I wonder why. But I was glad for the 15cm personal space surrounding me for the entire journey. It is really a rarity during the morning rush hour.

Somewhere in Kallang or Lavender, there was a commotion in the door further from where I stood. Agitation and irritation in the air. Two ladies were having an argument. One was obviously a Chinese lady, possibly in her later 30s or early 40s judging by the sound of her voice. The other was more patient but race and age were indecipherable.

From what was exchanged, one could make apparent that the Chinese lady was pushing the other lady when they were entering the train. First lady perhaps said something to the Chinese lady which got her riled up. And riled up she was. She was on fire. Some excerpts from her rant (which was quite an amusing piece actually):

“What push? Then you walk so slow for what? You cannot see there’s so many people who want to get on the train meh?”

“Then still walk so slow! Then don’t know how to move in somemore. You see you see, there’s still so much space there and don’t know how to move in. So selfish. So SELFISH!”

“You got no eyes to see meh? So selfish! So many people so crowded then still walk so slow! Never push then how to get in??? BLOODY BITCH! Got no brains!!”

“You’re the f*ck!”

I didn’t hear the entire conversation, let alone what the first lady said. But I could tell she was patient and couldn’t be bothered with this mad ranting Chinese lady (who was obviously doing the pushing).

What I was thinking of was her last phrase. “You’re the f*ck!”

Hmm. I felt like correcting her but I am no whiz at this. I’ve always known the f-word as a verb or an adjective. But never as a noun. Hmm.

For example. “It’s f*cking hot today!” Adjective. “He’s f*cking her mind”. Verb.

Interesting to see it used as a noun.

Hmm.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Les Mois de Novembre et Decembre

I gave up my seat on the train to an old lady today. And was standing all the way from tanah merah to city hall….

I was reading a book…but for the most part of the time, I was day dreaming.

I was wishing it were year-end already. When the air is cooler and the general atmosphere is relaxed and cosy. The time of the year when you can smell Christmas in the air and the general festivities happening around you.

The time of the year when the air smells crisp and has an aura of optimism to it. And when you find it humming with positivity and nostalgia. The time of the year when everything slows down and you get a breather and you start to get acquainted with yourself and friends again……

I’m missing those languid days. So much so I feel like taking the rest of the day off, heading home, hiding in my room and relishing the cocoon of space and solitude it provides me.

It’s nice. To be able to imagine. To be able to see virtual images in your mind.

I told K once. If I could, I’d have a fireplace and we would cosy up in front of it, wrapped in blankets and armed with some wine. With jazz music playing in the background or whatever soft music we were comfortable with.

I’m looking forward to November and December. I want to end the year on a nice and good note. With K by my side. My baby.

1029am

Taking a quick 10 minute break to write about some stuff.

Didn’t sleep well last night. Woke at 1-plus and then again at 3-plus. Feeling tired at 1030am in the morning. I hope I can last till 6-plus in the evening.

========
I get agitated when any of my books get mistreated.
I lent a book to someone and it came back looking very much the worse for wear.

The pages were discoloured. There were some stains on the side of the book. There were fold lines on the front cover. And there was some strange imprint on the cover as well.

I’m upset. Very.
I mean, sheeeesh. Please treat other people’s things with respect can???

========
Came in this morning switched on my MSN and saw K’s offline message….

In gist, it said: “MUACKS MUACKS…. Morning baby :)”

Hehe. *beams*

========
Frustrated.
Could I drop everything? Head off to a quiet corner somewhere.
And just sit down, listen to jazz and be with myself.


========
F*ck lah. Why is your staff coming to me for help and advice???
This is YOUR job. Not mine.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

gulp gulp

I guzzled a total of *counts*....2.8 litres of water today. At least.

On instructions by the doctor to take 2-3 litres a day.

To get rid of the dumb infection I have.

Ugh.

I feel like a barrel now.

A water barrel.

And it's late.

So this water barrel will roll herself to sleep very soon.

*slosh slosh*

those stuff on my head

Lopped off 4 inches. And I received these comments this morning....

- You look younger
- Your face looks rounder
- Hmm, looks a little tomboyish.
- The previous long hair was more feminine and sexy. Now like normal, no oomph...
- Why did you trim the fringe? Longer nicer mah

Haha, should I laugh or cry?

Goodbyes

I’ve been in IDA for 2 years.

And I’ve seen close to ten people leave…So far, most of these folks aren’t really that close to me.

Next week, 2 more will leave, which brings the tally to 11 exactly. And these 2 are part of my bunch of lunch kakis.

Can’t help but feel a little sad.

I’ve left 4 organisations. And this is how I started my last two farewell emails.
“Sunrise, sunset. People come, people go…through the vestiges of time, tt has come to be time for me to bid goodbye.”

Cheesy and clichéd? Perhaps.

But goodbyes are not easy.
And how oft it has also been, that promises of “keeping in touch” have not been fulfilled.

Anyway, I wish Kel H and BK all the best in their next endeavours.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Me Back

I'm back in SG. With aching calves.
More on the Beijing trip later on....

In the meantime, I need to wash clothes, collect clothes and be a domesticated woman.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

&%*(*&&^*&)(*

Sometimes. There's only 2 words to describe parents.

Fucked up.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Love like...

Listening to Class 95 now with Yasmine helming the programme.
She's the love guru of Class 95 and her "Love Songs" programme tends to be filled with lovey dovey songs. Abit too cheesy for me sometimes.

But anyway, there'll always be snippets or meaningful quotes being aired. I heard this one tonight......

"Love like you've never been hurt before"

Meaningful...very.

Time to Go Home

It is always a nice feeling when you've reached the end of the workday and are ready to head off.
I love this time of the day. When day melts into dark and then finally succumbs to night. I'm an evening and night person. I do not enjoy mornings unless it brings with it food and love.


I'm wondering what some of my friends and loved ones are doing at this point of the day.


Is Ally packing up or going to OT again?
Is PQ heading home today or heading out? Did she have a shitty time with her staff appraisal?
How did Daniel's trip go He sounded mighty happy and excited just now.


How was Chloe's first day at work?
Is Cylea heading home and feeling excited cos she can see her darling hubby?

What are my parents doing now? Are they having dinner?

I hope Adrian's not OT-ing.

I hope Dasao is enjoying herself with Marc at home.


I wonder what Chiewz is up to?
I wonder if Sing Lee's baby girl is kicking her by now in her tummy?
Is Eugene still referring a match over in Sabah?
Is Lydia rushing home now to MSN chat with her bf who's in Indonesia?


And....

I wonder if my baby's having a good time popiah-ing at home now.
Missing him loads...

My Engrish

I realized. I write better when I am emo.
And I realized. My standard of English and writing abilities has gone from bad to worse to terrible to horrendous to…….:(

Mundane Snippets

Friday
Went for mum-mum with PQ & TH at Curry Favour followed by dessert and kopi over at Mint Café. Then hopped over to K’s place to chill. Big Auntie arrived so I was having an irritating backache and felt bloated, like my abdomen was gonna burst anytime...

Saturday
Mad-rush again in the morning. Woke, tried to read a little of French, tried to listen to Mum talking about some stuff, bathed, had lunch, went to visit Gran then met up with K to go class together. Class went good. Went to explore Orchard Central. I didn't like the place. Way to omany things going on at the same time, too many escalators. The architecture and navigation was not intuitive enough for me. Lovely pasta dinner at Pasta Fresca.

Sunday
Sleepy, woke with a headache. Snoozed for a while and the headache went away. Then went for a lovely blading session with baby K. It was good going. Except for a point in time when I didn’t see a fruit of some sort and tripped over it. Ended up sprawled on the floor. Thank god for knee and wrist/hand guards. Watched the National Day Rally at night. I enjoy PM Lee's rallies compared to SM Goh's speeches last time. I find PM Lee damn humorous lah haha....:)

Frus

OMG.
I hope I don’t become as anal as some of the public service folks around.
OMG.
I hope I don’t become as pompous or ostentatious as some of the public service folks around.

Stuck in a fucked up meeting where I’m not needed.
Stuck hearing two men fighting to be the alpha males.

*sheesh*
Friggin waste of time.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

*wails*

I want to comprrrraaaaaiiiiinnnnn!!!!!

Bloody stiff neck...
Bloody stiff shoulder....
Cranky stomach....

:((((((((

I want TLC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*pout*

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

It's been a year of aviatory adventures

I realise I've travelled quite a fair bit this year.

There are more trips coming from now till the next few months.

Next week - beijing
sept - europe
october - korea maybe

It's been a flightful year so far..:)
A little tiring at times..but for the experience, it's all good, all good!

Just got news that early next year there'll be conferences in Jordan and then Nairobi in Kenya.
Hmm, wonder if I'll get to go...