Yups its that time of the year once again when I bid thee, my loyal readers, a temporary farewell on account of me going home and lying on a beach somewhere in Bentota :D I've heard sending messages in a bottle at sea is faster than communicating via internet in SL, so I shall be going offline for a while (gosh, how modern day lingo has evolved) but will be back, depressed, fat and melancholy, in January~!
On a side note, 2009 has been a BLAST. I think its properly lived up to the declaration as the year of travel and Bailey's Irish Cream, but there's been a whole lot more to it that's made it just awesome. More ups than downs, more smiles than frowns, and lots of happy, crazy memories (and photographs!). I'm hoping 2010 (the year of more travel and Malibu) will only be better :D
So adieu till 2010 and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all! :D
The finicky nitpicker
Being a writer in a MedComs company has its consequences when it comes to daily life (just look at the title of this post). You know you take your job too seriously when:
-You unconsciously proofread newspapers and criticize the grammar/punctuation/sentence structure used.
-You capitalise the first letter of the first word (also known as sentence case) in every new sentence when chatting with people on Skype and MSN.
- You're the unanimously appointed writer/editor of the family and are called upon at 3am to proofread and share your 'expert' opinion on resumes, cover letters and CVs.
- Text alignment, page margins, colour schemes and font size can be a source of manic depression or insane glee.
- You become a paranoid hypochondriac overnight. Writing about pneumonia makes you wonder whether you've had it all this time (that darn cough that never went away) and reading a manuscript on overactive bladder syndrome makes you want to pee constantly.
- You can generate impressive bios based on 2 line CVs from the most boring people on Earth in the blink of an eye.
- MS Word, Powerpoint and RefMan become the Holy Grail of your existence. Nevermind the bombings in Baghdad and Obama's strategies to fight unemployment; Word crashed on you today and the world as you know it is ending.
- Illegally obtaining a reference paper to support the fact that 30% of all women suffer from breast cancer in Singapore can make your day.
- Your opinion of a person relies heavily on how many typos there are in their emails to you.
- You dream about having an asthma attack, not knowing how to use your inhaler properly, and then dying as a result because you can't remember the steps from when you were drafting the patient information leaflet.
- Your 'spam' mail consists of updates on medical advances and clinical research from Medscape and Wed MD.
- You completely lose it when someone hands you a letter to read with double spaces between some of the words.
- You cringe inwardly and outwardly when people say 'Oh yeah, the feedbacks we got were very helpful; there were some stuffs that needed to be improved on though.'
- You can sit through a perfectly normal conversation about infant diarrhoea over dinner and not gag once or lose your appetite.
- Your 'lingo' sounds something like this:
'So then you go Ctrl+A and Ctrl+F. Or just do a Ctrl+H to save time.. *pause* You don't know what Ctrl +H does? Where have you been living- on the moon??'
'Ok, Shift + Enter will help better with sentence alignment than just Enter. No orphan words remember? Why don't these things bother you?!'
I think I've made my point.
-You unconsciously proofread newspapers and criticize the grammar/punctuation/sentence structure used.
-You capitalise the first letter of the first word (also known as sentence case) in every new sentence when chatting with people on Skype and MSN.
- You're the unanimously appointed writer/editor of the family and are called upon at 3am to proofread and share your 'expert' opinion on resumes, cover letters and CVs.
- Text alignment, page margins, colour schemes and font size can be a source of manic depression or insane glee.
- You become a paranoid hypochondriac overnight. Writing about pneumonia makes you wonder whether you've had it all this time (that darn cough that never went away) and reading a manuscript on overactive bladder syndrome makes you want to pee constantly.
- You can generate impressive bios based on 2 line CVs from the most boring people on Earth in the blink of an eye.
- MS Word, Powerpoint and RefMan become the Holy Grail of your existence. Nevermind the bombings in Baghdad and Obama's strategies to fight unemployment; Word crashed on you today and the world as you know it is ending.
- Illegally obtaining a reference paper to support the fact that 30% of all women suffer from breast cancer in Singapore can make your day.
- Your opinion of a person relies heavily on how many typos there are in their emails to you.
- You dream about having an asthma attack, not knowing how to use your inhaler properly, and then dying as a result because you can't remember the steps from when you were drafting the patient information leaflet.
- Your 'spam' mail consists of updates on medical advances and clinical research from Medscape and Wed MD.
- You completely lose it when someone hands you a letter to read with double spaces between some of the words.
- You cringe inwardly and outwardly when people say 'Oh yeah, the feedbacks we got were very helpful; there were some stuffs that needed to be improved on though.'
- You can sit through a perfectly normal conversation about infant diarrhoea over dinner and not gag once or lose your appetite.
- Your 'lingo' sounds something like this:
'So then you go Ctrl+A and Ctrl+F. Or just do a Ctrl+H to save time.. *pause* You don't know what Ctrl +H does? Where have you been living- on the moon??'
'Ok, Shift + Enter will help better with sentence alignment than just Enter. No orphan words remember? Why don't these things bother you?!'
I think I've made my point.
Shades of blue
It's been a weird Friday so far.Ordinary people and random conversations can inspire you in profound ways. Make you want to be a better person,and appreciate what you have and have been given. Help you realise that there's so much more to this life than you thought possible.
A tired struggle to wake up, but what's left of the holiday high, the thought of home in a week and Live on loop kept me smiling.
A single two line email that completely knocked me off my carefully resurrected perch, right back into the chaotic undercurrent that's been holding me under the last 2 weeks.
Lunch with the ladies and a discussion about Tiger Woods, extra marital affairs and the associated complexities that come with the Y chromosome. I don't blame you guys for thinking women are complicated. We are, and I don't understand us most of the time either.
The need to stop trying to save people. The realisation that there's almost nothing I can do, except worry helplessly and be there if/when they need me, is slowly dawning, and making me feel more helpless. Some don't even want to be saved I think.
I've been not-so-pleasantly surprised by the extent to which you can unconsciously care about someone, and get affected by things going on with them as a result. It's scary stuff, not being in complete control of you.
I wish I could tell you everything that's tucked away and hidden inside, but I don't think its the right time. I'm not sure it ever will be.
There's so much to do, and so little time. Phase shifts are always hard, but this one's taking a lot out of me. Sandy beaches and sunny blue skies await on the other side, with smiles, laughter and warm hugs. I just need to hang in there and see this through. That's always the hardest part.
Resignation
I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an
eight-year-old again.
eight-year-old again.
I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four-star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk
with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can
eat them.
I want to run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot
summer’s day.
I want to return to a time when life was simple, when all you knew were colors, multiplication tables and nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. All you knew was to be happy, because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.
I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little
things again.
I want to live simply again. I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive when there are more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, mankind and making angels in the snow.
I want to play with my pets and my days of imagination to
last forever.
So here are my chequebooks and my car keys, my credit card bills and my 401(k) statements.
I am officially resigning from adulthood.
(Author Unknown)
Burnt to the core but not broken..
I realised today that I've lapsed into abandoning my once brilliant idea of blogging about my favourite bands. So here's a lame attempt at resurrection: Introducing the band behind 70% of the top 25 most played songs on my pod.. *drumroll*.... LIVE.
Top 5 songs: Run to the Water, Dolphin's Cry, They Stood Up for Love, Lightning Crashes, Selling the Drama
Top 3 albums: The Distance to Here, Secret Samadhi, Throwing Copper.
Top 5 songs: Run to the Water, Dolphin's Cry, They Stood Up for Love, Lightning Crashes, Selling the Drama
Top 3 albums: The Distance to Here, Secret Samadhi, Throwing Copper.
The frailty of life, the finality of death
"Everything that's born has to die, which means our lives are like skyscrapers. The smoke rises at different speeds, but they're all on fire, and we're all trapped."
-Jonathan Safran Foer
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Hang in there buddy. Things will get better.
Love, as is
“Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love.”
-Neil Gaiman
Woes of a Sri Lankan passport holder
The one place that I can go to without needing a visa is.... *drumroll*... Sri Lanka. Well Singapore too, but I'm already here. And I want to leave, which is the cause for all the frustration and chaos that I'm about to rant about :p
I know I bring this on myself by constantly planning adventures in unexplored territory, but I think I may have gone overboard this last month. This is what my travel itinerary looks like right now:
26-30th Nov: Thailand
11th Dec- 3th Jan: Sri Lanka
15-21st Dec: India
Late Jan 2010: Malaysia
Mid February 2010: Cambodia
I need visa for all of the above, except Sri Lanka. I also need additional security clearance for Cambodia. And I had to pay $35 for visa to India and go through hell, when it can be done for 500 rupees in Sri Lanka.
Other gripes: I was planning to go to Vietnam, but the visa costs US$100. I need a never-ending list of documents and a hefty bank account balance to get visa to go to the UK (yeah, the Schengen visa doesn't cut it). Bali will probably never happen because I need a person in Jakarta to sponsor me. And I was still harassed in Amsterdam though I had the visa and everything else they asked for when I went to Europe in May. A friend can't get Thai visa because his EP expires in 4 months and they require a minimum of 6 months, again because he has a Sri Lankan passport. And I haven't even begun listing all the forms I have to fill, certification I need to show, letters from sponsors/bosses/banks/insurance companies I have to get to prove I'm not a terrorist. Gah!
I hate my passport.
I know I bring this on myself by constantly planning adventures in unexplored territory, but I think I may have gone overboard this last month. This is what my travel itinerary looks like right now:
26-30th Nov: Thailand
11th Dec- 3th Jan: Sri Lanka
15-21st Dec: India
Late Jan 2010: Malaysia
Mid February 2010: Cambodia
I need visa for all of the above, except Sri Lanka. I also need additional security clearance for Cambodia. And I had to pay $35 for visa to India and go through hell, when it can be done for 500 rupees in Sri Lanka.
Other gripes: I was planning to go to Vietnam, but the visa costs US$100. I need a never-ending list of documents and a hefty bank account balance to get visa to go to the UK (yeah, the Schengen visa doesn't cut it). Bali will probably never happen because I need a person in Jakarta to sponsor me. And I was still harassed in Amsterdam though I had the visa and everything else they asked for when I went to Europe in May. A friend can't get Thai visa because his EP expires in 4 months and they require a minimum of 6 months, again because he has a Sri Lankan passport. And I haven't even begun listing all the forms I have to fill, certification I need to show, letters from sponsors/bosses/banks/insurance companies I have to get to prove I'm not a terrorist. Gah!
I hate my passport.
Your right is my left :D
A random Friday afternoon with the sibling in the rain. Hysterical laughter, an overpriced foodcourt, wisecracks over donuts, a retarded travel agent, messing around at Desigual, fights under an umbrella too small, masala thosai and ginger tea, random hugs and body spray wars.
After this rollercoaster week from hell, crazily splashing around in puddles was invigorating. Thank God for family :)
After this rollercoaster week from hell, crazily splashing around in puddles was invigorating. Thank God for family :)
The vanishing act
Its almost therapeutic at times to drop off the radar for a while. Just to hang out with yourself and reconnect with 'you'. To block out all the chaos on the outside, and zone in on the inside.
That was the weekend. Then came the week.
I've lost myself in a whirlwind of work, deadlines, travel crises and general unfinished business these last few days. Visa applications are a hellish pain in the neck. And I'm dreading my credit card/phone bills this month. I should be excited with everything that's coming up, but I've run out of steam to do anything other than crawl into bed at the end of the day.
Dude, thanks for hanging with your insane sister and tolerating the madness :) To everyone who called/smsed/made me laugh/sent in virtual hugs, I love you guys to bits. I'm returning those hugs in person as soon as I come up for air :)
That was the weekend. Then came the week.
I've lost myself in a whirlwind of work, deadlines, travel crises and general unfinished business these last few days. Visa applications are a hellish pain in the neck. And I'm dreading my credit card/phone bills this month. I should be excited with everything that's coming up, but I've run out of steam to do anything other than crawl into bed at the end of the day.
Dude, thanks for hanging with your insane sister and tolerating the madness :) To everyone who called/smsed/made me laugh/sent in virtual hugs, I love you guys to bits. I'm returning those hugs in person as soon as I come up for air :)
The Bookworm/Movieclub post
This 'review' has been in the writing (?) for a while now, and never neared completion because I kept getting distracted. Usually by colourful/shiny objects. Haha. But I've finally got around to completing and updating it, so here goes:
Reads
The Five people you meet in heaven: Loved it- thanks Maz! It's on the BBC list of 100 books you must read before you die- so really, you must read :) It's not that long either. And not twisted, like the Alchemist, which gave me a headache now and then.
Extremely loud and incredibly close: This took serious effort to read. And I was confused 70% of the time. But it grows on you if you keep at it, and when you get past the blurry bits, its actually a good book. It has pictures too ;)
Let the right one in: Shamefully, I never finished this. Though I've vowed to go back to it one day. It's by a Swedish author so I had to try it, and well, QJ recommended it (and I'm never reading anything he recommends again :p) But it touches on some of the more touchy issues like child abuse and bullying and incest, etc. Throw in a vampire and some killing and there you have it. I think I might watch the movie before I finish the book :p
Monsoon rains and icicle drops: Just awesome. It's about an Australian woman who's literally travelled the world, and now lives in Sri Lanka, working in the tourism industry. It's an amazing account of the places she's been, the things she's done and seen, and the whole experience of picking yourself up when you hit rock bottom. I actually wrote to her to tell her how much I loved the book- and she wrote back! :D A story for another time though.
The curious incident of the dog in the night time: What I'm reading now. It's got me in stitches so far, and I'm loving the way its written (from a 15 year old autistic kid's point of view). This is on the BBC list too- and I can see why :)
Movies
G.I.Joe: Ridiculously bad. The plot was weird, the acting was horrendous, and it really was quite sucky. Channing Tatum, however, made up for all of it by just smiling... *melts*
The Proposal: Funny and entertaining. It's a classic chick flick though, but again, Ryan Reynolds is hot and Sandra Bullock is always funny. Loved it, probably because my hopeless romantic self loves the occasional good soppy movie.
District 9: Whoa. That was the one reaction I had to the movie. It was refreshing and novel, the filming, the storyline and the whole alien vs humans debate. Hats off to Peter Jackson. Again :)
The Ugly Truth: Not your ordinary romantic comedy. Gerard Butler was pretty cool I thought, and though it was a predictable ending, it was still an enjoyable movie. Men are strange creatures.
G-Force: Ok the only reason I watched this was because I was forced. It was cute, though that's about it :p
Surrogates: Bruce Willis has aged :p Though in a decent way. It's freaky to think of the world ever coming to that *shudder* Only in the movies I hope.
Inglorious Basterds: I can't believe I sat through a Quentin Tarantino movie and slept soundly after :p But admittedly, it was good. Brad Pitt is always nice to drool over, but the German villian was the best by far. I also liked the parallel story lines, though I kept forgetting where it left off :p
500 days of Summer: It really wasn't just another love story; it's more along the lines of Nick and Norah's infinite play list and Juno. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has come a long way since his days in Third Rock from the Sun :) And Summer is a girl, just in case that point was missed.
My sister's keeper: Ok going in I knew this would be really sad, and it was. I managed not to cry though :p But it was pretty good- Kate's acting was brilliant I thought. The one thing that really annoyed me was that they changed the ending from the book- and it was nowhere close or nearly as good. But between reading the book and watching the movie, I'd recommend the book. Picoult's style is captivating and just something else.
This is it: Absolutely and breathtakingly amazing. MJ, even at 51, had the stage presence, charisma and aura that made him the famously talented King of Pop. Watching it, I still couldn't believe he's gone: it was almost like being right there at his concert, singing along to the songs we grew up with and the dance moves we tried mastering.
Done! I should become a movie/book critic :D
Reads
The Five people you meet in heaven: Loved it- thanks Maz! It's on the BBC list of 100 books you must read before you die- so really, you must read :) It's not that long either. And not twisted, like the Alchemist, which gave me a headache now and then.
Extremely loud and incredibly close: This took serious effort to read. And I was confused 70% of the time. But it grows on you if you keep at it, and when you get past the blurry bits, its actually a good book. It has pictures too ;)
Let the right one in: Shamefully, I never finished this. Though I've vowed to go back to it one day. It's by a Swedish author so I had to try it, and well, QJ recommended it (and I'm never reading anything he recommends again :p) But it touches on some of the more touchy issues like child abuse and bullying and incest, etc. Throw in a vampire and some killing and there you have it. I think I might watch the movie before I finish the book :p
Monsoon rains and icicle drops: Just awesome. It's about an Australian woman who's literally travelled the world, and now lives in Sri Lanka, working in the tourism industry. It's an amazing account of the places she's been, the things she's done and seen, and the whole experience of picking yourself up when you hit rock bottom. I actually wrote to her to tell her how much I loved the book- and she wrote back! :D A story for another time though.
The curious incident of the dog in the night time: What I'm reading now. It's got me in stitches so far, and I'm loving the way its written (from a 15 year old autistic kid's point of view). This is on the BBC list too- and I can see why :)
Movies
G.I.Joe: Ridiculously bad. The plot was weird, the acting was horrendous, and it really was quite sucky. Channing Tatum, however, made up for all of it by just smiling... *melts*
The Proposal: Funny and entertaining. It's a classic chick flick though, but again, Ryan Reynolds is hot and Sandra Bullock is always funny. Loved it, probably because my hopeless romantic self loves the occasional good soppy movie.
District 9: Whoa. That was the one reaction I had to the movie. It was refreshing and novel, the filming, the storyline and the whole alien vs humans debate. Hats off to Peter Jackson. Again :)
The Ugly Truth: Not your ordinary romantic comedy. Gerard Butler was pretty cool I thought, and though it was a predictable ending, it was still an enjoyable movie. Men are strange creatures.
G-Force: Ok the only reason I watched this was because I was forced. It was cute, though that's about it :p
Surrogates: Bruce Willis has aged :p Though in a decent way. It's freaky to think of the world ever coming to that *shudder* Only in the movies I hope.
Inglorious Basterds: I can't believe I sat through a Quentin Tarantino movie and slept soundly after :p But admittedly, it was good. Brad Pitt is always nice to drool over, but the German villian was the best by far. I also liked the parallel story lines, though I kept forgetting where it left off :p
500 days of Summer: It really wasn't just another love story; it's more along the lines of Nick and Norah's infinite play list and Juno. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has come a long way since his days in Third Rock from the Sun :) And Summer is a girl, just in case that point was missed.
My sister's keeper: Ok going in I knew this would be really sad, and it was. I managed not to cry though :p But it was pretty good- Kate's acting was brilliant I thought. The one thing that really annoyed me was that they changed the ending from the book- and it was nowhere close or nearly as good. But between reading the book and watching the movie, I'd recommend the book. Picoult's style is captivating and just something else.
This is it: Absolutely and breathtakingly amazing. MJ, even at 51, had the stage presence, charisma and aura that made him the famously talented King of Pop. Watching it, I still couldn't believe he's gone: it was almost like being right there at his concert, singing along to the songs we grew up with and the dance moves we tried mastering.
Done! I should become a movie/book critic :D
Les parents
I have insane parents. There's really no other word to describe them.
Mother dearest still tries to bring us up over skype. And loves to tell me I've 'missed' the bus because I'm waiting for a luxury one with curtains and aircon. She's the only person I can have 3- hour chats with while laughing myself to tears, and still have things to talk about the next day (for another 2 hours). She's also the only person who can make me feel better when I'm sick, and is so daring it worries me sometimes.
Dad on the other hand, is all about sarcasm and humour. I love getting emails from him in the morning, filled with complaints and wisecracks about the Hitler regime at home he secretly adores. He's also my partner in alcoholic schemes and scams and my buddy when it comes to philosophical chats and life advice. His latest hilarious venture is into the world of Facebook- lots of laughs to come :D
I know exactly which parent I've gotten most of my genes and traits (and flaws?) from. The madness must come from somewhere! And I think I'm quite a nice combination ;) Except that I'd have liked to be a bit taller.
I can't wait to see them in a month. Though I'm a bit apprehensive travelling with them for a week in India :p But it's going to be awesome fun being home. We're going to be laughing and making merry and laughing some more. The countdown begins!
Mother dearest still tries to bring us up over skype. And loves to tell me I've 'missed' the bus because I'm waiting for a luxury one with curtains and aircon. She's the only person I can have 3- hour chats with while laughing myself to tears, and still have things to talk about the next day (for another 2 hours). She's also the only person who can make me feel better when I'm sick, and is so daring it worries me sometimes.
Dad on the other hand, is all about sarcasm and humour. I love getting emails from him in the morning, filled with complaints and wisecracks about the Hitler regime at home he secretly adores. He's also my partner in alcoholic schemes and scams and my buddy when it comes to philosophical chats and life advice. His latest hilarious venture is into the world of Facebook- lots of laughs to come :D
I know exactly which parent I've gotten most of my genes and traits (and flaws?) from. The madness must come from somewhere! And I think I'm quite a nice combination ;) Except that I'd have liked to be a bit taller.
I can't wait to see them in a month. Though I'm a bit apprehensive travelling with them for a week in India :p But it's going to be awesome fun being home. We're going to be laughing and making merry and laughing some more. The countdown begins!
Just dance ~!
Clubbing has been on the agenda every weekend in the last month, except for the one where I was stuck in bed with the flu- though I was supposed to be at China One with the girls [I'm sorry I missed that Sid!]
The Mad about Hats party at Attica, the random do at La Baroque last Friday, Halloween at CQ the Saturday after, and Pump room/Blu Jazz/Chijmes/China One yesterday. Phew! I only wish I didn't have to work Thursday mornings... Wednesdays would rock then ;)
Dance is addictive. Even without the alcohol-induced high. The beats, the tunes, the rush. I'm lovin' this!
The Mad about Hats party at Attica, the random do at La Baroque last Friday, Halloween at CQ the Saturday after, and Pump room/Blu Jazz/Chijmes/China One yesterday. Phew! I only wish I didn't have to work Thursday mornings... Wednesdays would rock then ;)
Dance is addictive. Even without the alcohol-induced high. The beats, the tunes, the rush. I'm lovin' this!
Layered
Human beings are fascinatingly complex creatures. From the whole outer package down to the tiniest intricacies that define and differentiate us from one another.
The different layers that make up the tough shell also protect the inner core, and make us who we are. Inlaid are traits and quirks that reveal themselves when the layers are peeled off.
Very simply, human personalities are like onions. Layered, delicate, complicated. What you see is not always what you get.
The different layers that make up the tough shell also protect the inner core, and make us who we are. Inlaid are traits and quirks that reveal themselves when the layers are peeled off.
Very simply, human personalities are like onions. Layered, delicate, complicated. What you see is not always what you get.
When worlds collide..
Think of two people falling in love the way you'd picture two billiard balls colliding. A solid and a stripe. Either they collide too fast and spin off in different directions, move too slow and never really hit it off, or impact at just the right speed to stay together (of course, a solid can follow a stripe after impact [i.e. a stalker ball] or a solid can come dashing in, collide with a stripe and be left there alone while the stripe rolls off [a.k.a. the ball that got stood up]).
It's all about momentum, energy and the forces of nature. Relationships can be explained by physics after all.
I come up with the strangest stuff when I'm medicated.
It's all about momentum, energy and the forces of nature. Relationships can be explained by physics after all.
I come up with the strangest stuff when I'm medicated.
Less of a woman?
Ok, so maybe I'm not your typical girl-next-door. Only because:
I hate poetry.
Shakespearean English confuses me.
I don't take 2 hours to get ready. I take 20 minutes. I got late because I missed the bus, not because I couldn't decide on which purple top to wear. And I didn't miss the bus because of a clothes crisis either.
Flowers are nice to get, but then they wilt and die and get depressing. And no, I can't be bothered pressing them.
Pink as a colour (particularly the hot, Barbie kind of pink) should be banned when it comes to clothes, shoes and bags. Or anything other than Barbie, for that matter.
My theory on heels: Yes, they are God's gift to short people. And yes, they can be sexy and make other women go all 'oooh aahh'. But they're not meant to be worn for running in MRT stations, for a picnic in a park when it rained the night before, for 2km hikes and for people who can't handle the extra 4 inches of height without tripping and walking like you're balancing on stilts (I belong to this last category).
I won't let you buy that $700 Coach leather bag if its going to sit in your closet and never see the light of day.
I can't understand why you would rebond your hair if its already dead straight. Think of all the other things you could do/buy with that money (no, not pink stilettos). AND you don't have to sit for hours in the salon with your hair smelling like a chemical factory.
Just how awesome are skinny leather pants if you can't sit down in them?
I'd fail Make Up 101. I only know that the first layer that's supposed to be put on is foundation, but after that it gets complex and confusing. And seemingly very time-consuming. If I ever have to put makeup on because I look too hideous to be seen without it, I'm outsourcing the job.
Epilators scare me.
When talking about Mac, I always automatically assumed it was the computer. Or the fast food chain. I was blissfully ignorant about the brand of cosmetics till very recently, when a frustrated girlfriend literally shoved me into a Mac Store to 'increase my awareness of things a girl should know'. Ha ha.
I don't own a compact. Never will. The very idea of touching up my nose in a bus while peering into a mirror the size of a postage stamp, is disturbing.
In my defence though, I was a lot worse 10 years ago; I refused to wear skirts/dresses, had no red clothes and hated anything with frills, lace and ribbons. Ok I still don't like frills, lace and ribbons.
But hey, on all other counts of being female, I'm 100% guilty.
I hate poetry.
Shakespearean English confuses me.
I don't take 2 hours to get ready. I take 20 minutes. I got late because I missed the bus, not because I couldn't decide on which purple top to wear. And I didn't miss the bus because of a clothes crisis either.
Flowers are nice to get, but then they wilt and die and get depressing. And no, I can't be bothered pressing them.
Pink as a colour (particularly the hot, Barbie kind of pink) should be banned when it comes to clothes, shoes and bags. Or anything other than Barbie, for that matter.
My theory on heels: Yes, they are God's gift to short people. And yes, they can be sexy and make other women go all 'oooh aahh'. But they're not meant to be worn for running in MRT stations, for a picnic in a park when it rained the night before, for 2km hikes and for people who can't handle the extra 4 inches of height without tripping and walking like you're balancing on stilts (I belong to this last category).
I won't let you buy that $700 Coach leather bag if its going to sit in your closet and never see the light of day.
I can't understand why you would rebond your hair if its already dead straight. Think of all the other things you could do/buy with that money (no, not pink stilettos). AND you don't have to sit for hours in the salon with your hair smelling like a chemical factory.
Just how awesome are skinny leather pants if you can't sit down in them?
I'd fail Make Up 101. I only know that the first layer that's supposed to be put on is foundation, but after that it gets complex and confusing. And seemingly very time-consuming. If I ever have to put makeup on because I look too hideous to be seen without it, I'm outsourcing the job.
Epilators scare me.
When talking about Mac, I always automatically assumed it was the computer. Or the fast food chain. I was blissfully ignorant about the brand of cosmetics till very recently, when a frustrated girlfriend literally shoved me into a Mac Store to 'increase my awareness of things a girl should know'. Ha ha.
I don't own a compact. Never will. The very idea of touching up my nose in a bus while peering into a mirror the size of a postage stamp, is disturbing.
In my defence though, I was a lot worse 10 years ago; I refused to wear skirts/dresses, had no red clothes and hated anything with frills, lace and ribbons. Ok I still don't like frills, lace and ribbons.
But hey, on all other counts of being female, I'm 100% guilty.
Hell... contd.
Just when I thought my week from the depths of hell was over, I fall sick. So instead of a much awaited weekend spent meeting people, attending a couple of talks, dining and dancing, I'm stuck in bed, bored and in pain, with a drippy nose, in the company of chicken soup and samahan. Argh!
I miss a chosen few very much. For the silliest of reasons. Also because I've not laughed as much as I should have been laughing in their absence. Get back here soon! (yes, I'm aware 'soon' is in like 24 hours :p) And remember my goodies list.
Friday was an insane day at work. In a good way though. Lots of laughter and wisecracks and a nice Turkish lunch in the company of a very glowing D :) Except the day ended at 10.45pm, leaving me with blurred vision and a pounding headache. Signs of the flu I reckon, just mistaken for exhaustion.
Monday on the other hand, was insane in a baaad way. The only good thing that came out of it was that I managed to jog/walk/crawl 3km without collapsing from a heart attack. Only to get home and find my phone screen scratched to bits from running a bit too enthusiastically. Ying and yang I guess.
I want to relive last weekend! The crazy Friday that began in KE7 and ended at Iguana, with a stint at J bar somewhere in the middle, blending into the hungover Deepavali Saturday that featured a long late lunch with the girls at HV, ice cream at Swensons, the Raffles Hall production and the 'mad about hats' party at Attica. Two consecutive 5ams haven't happened in a while. Gosh, I sound like such an aunty. And after all that, I actually managed to clean my room too :)
I was reading my travel book on Thailand today and got all excited again- the one highlight in the medicated afternoon spent under the covers. I can't wait to go back- I'm insanely jealous that QJ is there as I speak, checking out Chatuchak in all its glory, drinking cheap Sangsom and wolfing down green curry. November get here FAST!
Vikaren was a weird movie. 500 days of summer though, was unexpectedly all right.
On a side note, you guys should give Jonathan Safran Foer a shot. His books are complicated but pretty darn good :) If you make it through all the weirdness at the beginning that is.
To alleviate the misery, I'm going to focus on getting my Halloween costume in order. Now if I can just get off the bed and try on that witch's hat...
I miss a chosen few very much. For the silliest of reasons. Also because I've not laughed as much as I should have been laughing in their absence. Get back here soon! (yes, I'm aware 'soon' is in like 24 hours :p) And remember my goodies list.
Friday was an insane day at work. In a good way though. Lots of laughter and wisecracks and a nice Turkish lunch in the company of a very glowing D :) Except the day ended at 10.45pm, leaving me with blurred vision and a pounding headache. Signs of the flu I reckon, just mistaken for exhaustion.
Monday on the other hand, was insane in a baaad way. The only good thing that came out of it was that I managed to jog/walk/crawl 3km without collapsing from a heart attack. Only to get home and find my phone screen scratched to bits from running a bit too enthusiastically. Ying and yang I guess.
I want to relive last weekend! The crazy Friday that began in KE7 and ended at Iguana, with a stint at J bar somewhere in the middle, blending into the hungover Deepavali Saturday that featured a long late lunch with the girls at HV, ice cream at Swensons, the Raffles Hall production and the 'mad about hats' party at Attica. Two consecutive 5ams haven't happened in a while. Gosh, I sound like such an aunty. And after all that, I actually managed to clean my room too :)
I was reading my travel book on Thailand today and got all excited again- the one highlight in the medicated afternoon spent under the covers. I can't wait to go back- I'm insanely jealous that QJ is there as I speak, checking out Chatuchak in all its glory, drinking cheap Sangsom and wolfing down green curry. November get here FAST!
Vikaren was a weird movie. 500 days of summer though, was unexpectedly all right.
On a side note, you guys should give Jonathan Safran Foer a shot. His books are complicated but pretty darn good :) If you make it through all the weirdness at the beginning that is.
To alleviate the misery, I'm going to focus on getting my Halloween costume in order. Now if I can just get off the bed and try on that witch's hat...
Making waves
This speech was made by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anna Quindlen,at the graduation ceremony of an American university where she was awarded an Honorary PhD.
"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk or your life on a bus or in a car or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.
People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.
Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and them to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre, at my job if those other things were not true.
You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon or found a lump in your breast?
Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.
Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.
It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.
I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.
Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived".
(Credits go to Insee: thanks for sharing babe!)
"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk or your life on a bus or in a car or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.
People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.
Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and them to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre, at my job if those other things were not true.
You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon or found a lump in your breast?
Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.
Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.
It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.
I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.
Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived".
(Credits go to Insee: thanks for sharing babe!)
Slapdash
When left alone to my own devices, I become quite the hazard to myself, with all these weird quirky thoughts surfacing outta nowhere. A few chosen ones:
- I wonder if I can get away with second-naming my kids after my favourite pieces of Ikea furniture. E.g. My daughter would have Tindra as her second name, and my son could be called Erserud.
- My dream job right now is to be a travel writer. Immediate mental image: myself sitting serenly on a camel, happily writing about the Sahara while effortlessly making my way across the middle of nowhere. Nevermind the lack of water or sandstorms or freaky desert accidents or the poor camel's plight.
- I'd like to be tall (5ft 6") for one week in my life.
- I care about a lot of people, but I don't think half of them are even aware I do. And I have no intention of telling them either. I wonder if the same goes vice versa, and if I have any invisible guardian angels out there (narcissistic much? :D)
- I'd like very much to have a super power. Particularly, telekinesis. I'd NEVER get out of bed :D
- Human beings have an amazing ability to accomodate and adapt. To anything- change, new surroundings, new people, new circumstances. Sadly, they seem to be blissfully ignorant/ just plain unaware of this trait.
- Why aren't there Hugh Jackmans/George Clooneys/Chris Daughtrys in Singapore??! Or even in Asia??! (budget flights were invented for this reason no?)
- I'm pretty sure there's someone in this world who looks just like me (or several even?). I wonder what it would be like to meet her (gosh, what if it's a 'him'??) and whether we'd hate each other on sight for being so gorgeously similar :D I hope personalities are polar opposites though. And we're the same height :D
- I hope that if I'm 50 and still alive (ever the optimist), I'll still be somewhat similar in person to who I am now. Just to remind myself, I'm going to write a letter to me at 25, seal it, and read it when I'm 50.
- I wonder if I can get away with second-naming my kids after my favourite pieces of Ikea furniture. E.g. My daughter would have Tindra as her second name, and my son could be called Erserud.
- My dream job right now is to be a travel writer. Immediate mental image: myself sitting serenly on a camel, happily writing about the Sahara while effortlessly making my way across the middle of nowhere. Nevermind the lack of water or sandstorms or freaky desert accidents or the poor camel's plight.
- I'd like to be tall (5ft 6") for one week in my life.
- I care about a lot of people, but I don't think half of them are even aware I do. And I have no intention of telling them either. I wonder if the same goes vice versa, and if I have any invisible guardian angels out there (narcissistic much? :D)
- I'd like very much to have a super power. Particularly, telekinesis. I'd NEVER get out of bed :D
- Human beings have an amazing ability to accomodate and adapt. To anything- change, new surroundings, new people, new circumstances. Sadly, they seem to be blissfully ignorant/ just plain unaware of this trait.
- Why aren't there Hugh Jackmans/George Clooneys/Chris Daughtrys in Singapore??! Or even in Asia??! (budget flights were invented for this reason no?)
- I'm pretty sure there's someone in this world who looks just like me (or several even?). I wonder what it would be like to meet her (gosh, what if it's a 'him'??) and whether we'd hate each other on sight for being so gorgeously similar :D I hope personalities are polar opposites though. And we're the same height :D
- I hope that if I'm 50 and still alive (ever the optimist), I'll still be somewhat similar in person to who I am now. Just to remind myself, I'm going to write a letter to me at 25, seal it, and read it when I'm 50.
Quote...unquote
I came across this today during the endless hours of procrastination:
'There comes a time in life when you have to let go of
all the pointless drama and the people who create it,
and surround yourself with people that make you laugh so
hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good.
After all, life is too short to be anything but happy.'
So nicely said :)
all the pointless drama and the people who create it,
and surround yourself with people that make you laugh so
hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good.
After all, life is too short to be anything but happy.'
So nicely said :)
Spontaneity
Introducing my latest love. Well, more my latest addiction really.
I'm getting such a kick these days of not planning how to spend my weekday evenings/weekends, and just going with the flow. And it's been tons of fun :D There was the Sunday which started off with a (huge) buriyani lunch in Little India, an unplanned journey to Orchard, the purchase of random movie tickets, $3 mocha frappes and a long conversation on a sidewalk, 2.5 hours of book browsing at Borders, and the movie (District 9 :D).
There was the Friday which began at John Little, progressed through a movie (Inglorious Basterds!), wandering down Arab street, randomly bumping into people I hadn't seen in more than a year, and catching up over tea and sheesha till 3am.
And yesterday: a French toast brunch at Bras Basah, a visit to the Singapore art museum, fooling around in the drizzle and ending up at the National Museum only to find the Antwerp exhibition had been extended, photographic excursions and the discovery of an outdoor escalator to nowhere around Dhoby Gaut/City Hall, a late Thai lunch, technology browsing at Funan, a sudden decision to go to Ikea, a hop across to Anchor Point and a trudge back home loaded with purchases from a 3-for-$19 sale.
Like I said, tons of fun. Highly recommended for lots of laughter and weird discoveries in the nooks and cannies of Singapore.
Other than that, work's been hell. Not the actual work, but the long stretches of it, sometimes till the wee hours of the morning. The sleep debt built up to a scary level, something that's not happened since the final year at NUS. Dilini's bid us a temporary farewell too, with the 'midget' due to arrive in a month. I miss my string hopper buddy! :( But her baby shower was fun :D I'm NEVER giving my kids (if/when they do get here) any sort of baby food- after tasting that c.r.a.p, its no wonder babies spit their food out! Drinks with S.Ong at Timbre followed by Turkish ice cream was long overdue too- and then came her 30th b'day surprise :D The mad rush for her gift was the best part of it all- us writers rock! :D
Lots of travel plans on the horizon. I've got Bangkok down for the long weekend in November, and I fly home 2 weeks after, hopefully with a trip to India in the middle of the vacation at home. I've got some serious lying-on-the-beach time to catch up on. Can't wait! I can't wait to see mum and dad too- it's been a looong year away from home.
I've been feeling much better about the 'state' of my life too- the claustrophobia that comes with living in Singapore still remains, but I think I've adjusted my mental state (nirvanaaa! :D) and way of thinking about/looking at things- I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts :)
And... *drumroll*..... I absolutely have to mention my latest foray into the technological world- my new iPod! :D Yup, I've officially tendered my resignation in the campaign against Apple... And joined forces with them :p I'm such a traitor, but iLuv my red little pod :)
Okays, I need sleep. Till next time peeps, which will be sooner than later I hope :) Ta..!
I'm getting such a kick these days of not planning how to spend my weekday evenings/weekends, and just going with the flow. And it's been tons of fun :D There was the Sunday which started off with a (huge) buriyani lunch in Little India, an unplanned journey to Orchard, the purchase of random movie tickets, $3 mocha frappes and a long conversation on a sidewalk, 2.5 hours of book browsing at Borders, and the movie (District 9 :D).
There was the Friday which began at John Little, progressed through a movie (Inglorious Basterds!), wandering down Arab street, randomly bumping into people I hadn't seen in more than a year, and catching up over tea and sheesha till 3am.
And yesterday: a French toast brunch at Bras Basah, a visit to the Singapore art museum, fooling around in the drizzle and ending up at the National Museum only to find the Antwerp exhibition had been extended, photographic excursions and the discovery of an outdoor escalator to nowhere around Dhoby Gaut/City Hall, a late Thai lunch, technology browsing at Funan, a sudden decision to go to Ikea, a hop across to Anchor Point and a trudge back home loaded with purchases from a 3-for-$19 sale.
Like I said, tons of fun. Highly recommended for lots of laughter and weird discoveries in the nooks and cannies of Singapore.
Other than that, work's been hell. Not the actual work, but the long stretches of it, sometimes till the wee hours of the morning. The sleep debt built up to a scary level, something that's not happened since the final year at NUS. Dilini's bid us a temporary farewell too, with the 'midget' due to arrive in a month. I miss my string hopper buddy! :( But her baby shower was fun :D I'm NEVER giving my kids (if/when they do get here) any sort of baby food- after tasting that c.r.a.p, its no wonder babies spit their food out! Drinks with S.Ong at Timbre followed by Turkish ice cream was long overdue too- and then came her 30th b'day surprise :D The mad rush for her gift was the best part of it all- us writers rock! :D
Lots of travel plans on the horizon. I've got Bangkok down for the long weekend in November, and I fly home 2 weeks after, hopefully with a trip to India in the middle of the vacation at home. I've got some serious lying-on-the-beach time to catch up on. Can't wait! I can't wait to see mum and dad too- it's been a looong year away from home.
I've been feeling much better about the 'state' of my life too- the claustrophobia that comes with living in Singapore still remains, but I think I've adjusted my mental state (nirvanaaa! :D) and way of thinking about/looking at things- I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts :)
And... *drumroll*..... I absolutely have to mention my latest foray into the technological world- my new iPod! :D Yup, I've officially tendered my resignation in the campaign against Apple... And joined forces with them :p I'm such a traitor, but iLuv my red little pod :)
Okays, I need sleep. Till next time peeps, which will be sooner than later I hope :) Ta..!
September
My personal favourite from 'Leave this Town' :) It'd be perfect on a soundtrack that involved a long drive down a wide highway :D
Simplicity
THE joy of discovering a new interest, or re-discovering a forgotten passion.
The eager anticipation of finally starting something you've always wanted to do that was put on hold for a while.
The happy bubble that fills you up when listening to a favourite track after a couple of days/weeks.
The comfortable familiarity of sitting at a cafe, sipping cappuccino, talking to an old friend and watching the rain.
The warm happy feeling in that comes with listening to children's laughter and giggles.
The adrenaline rush of driving at 120kmph on a highway with 'Run to the Water' playing on the radio.
The feeling of boundlessness when jumping up and down on your bed, trying to perfect the dance routine from Step Up 2.
Who said you need a complex road map to finding happiness?
The eager anticipation of finally starting something you've always wanted to do that was put on hold for a while.
The happy bubble that fills you up when listening to a favourite track after a couple of days/weeks.
The comfortable familiarity of sitting at a cafe, sipping cappuccino, talking to an old friend and watching the rain.
The warm happy feeling in that comes with listening to children's laughter and giggles.
The adrenaline rush of driving at 120kmph on a highway with 'Run to the Water' playing on the radio.
The feeling of boundlessness when jumping up and down on your bed, trying to perfect the dance routine from Step Up 2.
Who said you need a complex road map to finding happiness?
Lost in translation
I finally watched it~! And absolutely loved it.
It reminded me of when I was in Paris a couple of months back, where everyone spoke French and had no idea what we were trying to say in our pathetic attempts at the language.
It also reminded me of all the times when you can spend only a couple of hours with a person or a group of people, but remember them for the rest of your life. Like when 14 of us from all over the world got stuck in an elevator for half an hour.
And it cracked me up to think of when I once translated 'maalu miris' into 'fish chillie' when it was really the Sinhalese word for 'capsicum'.
Much thanks to QJ for lending me a copy :D And here's to more lost in translation moments!
It reminded me of when I was in Paris a couple of months back, where everyone spoke French and had no idea what we were trying to say in our pathetic attempts at the language.
It also reminded me of all the times when you can spend only a couple of hours with a person or a group of people, but remember them for the rest of your life. Like when 14 of us from all over the world got stuck in an elevator for half an hour.
And it cracked me up to think of when I once translated 'maalu miris' into 'fish chillie' when it was really the Sinhalese word for 'capsicum'.
Much thanks to QJ for lending me a copy :D And here's to more lost in translation moments!
Soul-less in Singapore..
I took a bit of a nostalgic trip today back to the 5000+ pictures I took in Europe, in a lame attempt at reliving the experience and transporting myself back there.
When I think of those 3 weeks now, I honestly can't believe it happened; that we spent 15 days backpacking across Europe, visited 12 different cities and still managed to see 80% of what Lonely Planet reckoned we should have seen. That we did all that and still got back in one piece. That I remembered the neighbourhood I grew up in and visited the hospital where I was born.
Surreal.
That's the one word to describe it all.
I need to go back. Very soon. My soul's still happily wandering around in Sweden, and the rest of me would like very much to be reunited with it. And with the cinnamon buns. And gingerbread. And pine trees.
When I think of those 3 weeks now, I honestly can't believe it happened; that we spent 15 days backpacking across Europe, visited 12 different cities and still managed to see 80% of what Lonely Planet reckoned we should have seen. That we did all that and still got back in one piece. That I remembered the neighbourhood I grew up in and visited the hospital where I was born.
Surreal.
That's the one word to describe it all.
I need to go back. Very soon. My soul's still happily wandering around in Sweden, and the rest of me would like very much to be reunited with it. And with the cinnamon buns. And gingerbread. And pine trees.
Beginnings, ends and in betweens
August ends today, and I can't stop smiling. Not because I'm glad its over, but because I'm glad it happened.
I've officially begun the 25th year of my existence. Slightly thrilling, but scary stuff all the same.
It's funny how you can know someone, yet not know them really. And they sneak up and surprise you in the strangest ways. When you least expect it, but most need it.
The all-too-familiar feeling of butterflies in my tummy is back. Together with weak knees and a beat-skipping heart. I love being in love.
If you didn't know this already, I love being surprised. Not with big splashy gestures, but with quiet little acts of kindness. Like my risotto lunch today :)
I'm now wiser when it comes to Sri Lankan house parties. I can safely say been there, seen that; 'that' referring to seeing people collapse on the dance floor, throw up on the door step, break a tap, pass out in the middle of a dance routine and all in all, have a blast of a time. No one quite does it the same way ;)
My first drive-in movie was quite a cool experience. The weather Gods were on our side, and pizza in the park, complete with a picnic mat, cool evening breeze, the lake nearby and starlit sky made for a happy Saturday evening. Baybeats afterwards proved to be quite interesting too. What would we do without music in this world?
Sunday morning/afternoon was spent sprawled on the floor, watching the rain, listening to music (the Goo Goo Dolls!), absorbed in my own stream of thoughts, and sketching. Yup, it's been a while since I let myself go in the world of colour, art and form. Then spent a good two hours curled up and snoozing under the covers. Rainy Sundays are the love.
On a side note, I need to stop shopping. Really. I've averted the furniture crisis for now. Yet to come is the financial one *sigh* But on a happier note, I've begun my little bookshelf of select reads. Mostly on exotic travel destinations though, haha. I don't know what to do with myself sometimes.
I'm also nearing the end of The Alchemist. About time I'd think. It's such a strange book. But I'm quite taken up with the whole omen thing now. Maybe my missing the bus to work today was an omen that I need to spend less time sleeping in on Monday mornings and more time chugging down coffee and regaining consciousness. Yeah, I've got reading 'em omens down to an art.
Scuba diving adventures await. Anyone want to be my buddy? I promise not to throttle you with the diving gear :)
I've officially begun the 25th year of my existence. Slightly thrilling, but scary stuff all the same.
It's funny how you can know someone, yet not know them really. And they sneak up and surprise you in the strangest ways. When you least expect it, but most need it.
The all-too-familiar feeling of butterflies in my tummy is back. Together with weak knees and a beat-skipping heart. I love being in love.
If you didn't know this already, I love being surprised. Not with big splashy gestures, but with quiet little acts of kindness. Like my risotto lunch today :)
I'm now wiser when it comes to Sri Lankan house parties. I can safely say been there, seen that; 'that' referring to seeing people collapse on the dance floor, throw up on the door step, break a tap, pass out in the middle of a dance routine and all in all, have a blast of a time. No one quite does it the same way ;)
My first drive-in movie was quite a cool experience. The weather Gods were on our side, and pizza in the park, complete with a picnic mat, cool evening breeze, the lake nearby and starlit sky made for a happy Saturday evening. Baybeats afterwards proved to be quite interesting too. What would we do without music in this world?
Sunday morning/afternoon was spent sprawled on the floor, watching the rain, listening to music (the Goo Goo Dolls!), absorbed in my own stream of thoughts, and sketching. Yup, it's been a while since I let myself go in the world of colour, art and form. Then spent a good two hours curled up and snoozing under the covers. Rainy Sundays are the love.
On a side note, I need to stop shopping. Really. I've averted the furniture crisis for now. Yet to come is the financial one *sigh* But on a happier note, I've begun my little bookshelf of select reads. Mostly on exotic travel destinations though, haha. I don't know what to do with myself sometimes.
I'm also nearing the end of The Alchemist. About time I'd think. It's such a strange book. But I'm quite taken up with the whole omen thing now. Maybe my missing the bus to work today was an omen that I need to spend less time sleeping in on Monday mornings and more time chugging down coffee and regaining consciousness. Yeah, I've got reading 'em omens down to an art.
Scuba diving adventures await. Anyone want to be my buddy? I promise not to throttle you with the diving gear :)
I thus make my grand exit and say goodbye to August, its rush and all its happiness, with this line from Live:
"We spend all of our lives, goin' out of our minds, looking back to our birth, forward to our demise.."
Between who you are and who you could be
...is a matter of perception.
It's also a measure of distance that is entirely up to you.
I think I'm finally emerging from my rut.
It's also a measure of distance that is entirely up to you.
I think I'm finally emerging from my rut.
Awaiting the magic...
I wonder where all my passion for life has gone.I've taken to thinking of myself as a troubled free spirit lately, just for the drama of it all.
I also think I've managed to get myself into some kind of rut; what worries me is that it's become almost comfortable in this new little hidey-hole.
I'm actually craving the inspiration, the adrenaline rush, the wildly beating heart, and the 'jelly legs' that once upon a time was part of my daily existence.
I need a new addiction.
23, and a bit
By far, this has been one of the best years of my life.
I've grown in so many ways (haha, yeah not just sideways),and I'm finally finding my way to where I think I need to be.
I bought my very own camera, launched into the world of photography, took up roller blading and dancing, and travelled:
Sri Lanka, Bangkok, Malaysia: Cameron Highlands, Project Europe: On a Clothesline, Malaysia:KL, Phuket.
I've grown in so many ways (haha, yeah not just sideways),and I'm finally finding my way to where I think I need to be.
I bought my very own camera, launched into the world of photography, took up roller blading and dancing, and travelled:
Sri Lanka, Bangkok, Malaysia: Cameron Highlands, Project Europe: On a Clothesline, Malaysia:KL, Phuket.
Loved, lost, learned. Loved anyway.
Financial independence; never felt better.
Firsts: credit cards, permanent residency, Absinthe. Resurrections: Bookworming, swimming, running.
Built more bridges, repaired a few. Managed not to burn a single.
*takes a deep breath, and plunges in headfirst...*
Built more bridges, repaired a few. Managed not to burn a single.
I have reservations about turning 24. Well not like I can stop it. :p But its pretty much a 365 day countdown to 25, and I am not that
happy about this.
happy about this.
*takes a deep breath, and plunges in headfirst...*
Namesake
During one of my long lapses in productivity today (I tend to have a lot of these somehow :p), I discovered something quite funny: A novel titled 'Amrita' was written back in 1994, by a Japanese author named Banana Yoshimoto... *chuckles*
Apparently she won a couple of awards for the book. I so need to find a copy!
This discovery came about because I was trying to explain to someone the uber cool meaning of my name, or at least Wiki's take on it: 'Amrita (अमृत) is a Sanskrit word that literally means "that which is immortal" '.
I always knew I was special.
Apparently she won a couple of awards for the book. I so need to find a copy!
This discovery came about because I was trying to explain to someone the uber cool meaning of my name, or at least Wiki's take on it: 'Amrita (अमृत) is a Sanskrit word that literally means "that which is immortal" '.
I always knew I was special.
Quarks: charm and strange
I know it's been a while. But for someone who writes for a living, I really can't be blamed for the occasional lapse in my blogging; writing is hard work, and heavily dependent on inspiration/creative impulses/boredom/lack of nothing better to do/a fulfilled sleep debt. Nevertheless, I cannot possibly disappoint my loyal reader (s) out there *dramatic sigh* so I have forced myself to pen my thoughts on this very late evening after a LONG day at work...
[Also, not to rub it in or anything *snigger* but I just polished off a Sri Lankan mango.. Oh man, heaven in a juicy, green skinned fruit! As you can see, I have already returned to my chirpy self]
I must share this line from the book I am currently reading: 'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting...' -'The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. I quite agree with him. If not for our dreams and hopes and ambitions, life would be quite dull I think. Or it would be ok, but just going nowhere interesting. We'd just exist, rather than live.
I was also quite over the moon that I finally got my hands on A Thousand Splendid Suns and finished it the other day. Admittedly, Khaled Hosseini is a really good author. What makes the book even better though, is the realness of the story- it captures human emotion so well, and makes you feel how and what the characters feel. Between this read and The Kite Runner though, I still liked the latter more. But I strongly recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns to those of you who weren't too sure if it is a worthy read- it definitely is.
I haven't had the chance to write about My Sister's Keeper yet- so here's my take on it: If you're trying to decide between reading the book and watching the movie, my advice is to ignore the existence of the movie and buy the book instead. It's been a while since I've read something that had me this hooked, and I honestly can't remember the last book that made me cry. Reviews about this have been good and bad, and a lot of people were disappointed about how the story ended, but I think its subjective- you need to read it for yourself and decide. It's a beautiful and bittersweet story, and hats off to Picoult for doing such a good job.
Ok, onto less bookworm-ish issues: My long standing desire to lie on a beach and be happy was finally fulfilled last weekend- in Phuket :) I need to post another separate little entry about the trip itself, but it was a really awesome weekend getaway. I am such a beach girl at heart. And I love Thai food.
Speaking of food, our first ever string hopper lunch at work was a rockin' success! Complete with masi sambol and some chicken curry + dhal from the local prata uncle.. Much thanks to the sibling for lugging 250 stringhoppers all the way from home. And more thanks to mother dearest for being so great about feeding people :)
I've also been down with the flu for the last week. I suspect it was the infamous H1N1 (it is now cool to have had it, because everyone has- the need to feel included maybe?) which has almost become a trendy disease, but I am glad it's passed its worst. As far as my immune system's concerned anyway. Them poor little white cells..
And.. *drumroll...* I am now properly qualified in basic bhangra dancing. Don't even ask. It's a lot of fun and a pretty good workout though. And I never pass up a chance to laugh at myself. And valiantly fail at improving my graceful nature.
I will thus end for now on that merry note and go curl up with a book. And try and forget all the deadlines I need to meet yesterday. Laters folks!
ps. In case you were wondering about the coolly confusing title of the post, I just discovered today that 2 of the 6 kinds of quarks are called charm and strange. I shall keep this in mind as possible childrens' names in the future..
[Also, not to rub it in or anything *snigger* but I just polished off a Sri Lankan mango.. Oh man, heaven in a juicy, green skinned fruit! As you can see, I have already returned to my chirpy self]
I must share this line from the book I am currently reading: 'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting...' -'The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. I quite agree with him. If not for our dreams and hopes and ambitions, life would be quite dull I think. Or it would be ok, but just going nowhere interesting. We'd just exist, rather than live.
I was also quite over the moon that I finally got my hands on A Thousand Splendid Suns and finished it the other day. Admittedly, Khaled Hosseini is a really good author. What makes the book even better though, is the realness of the story- it captures human emotion so well, and makes you feel how and what the characters feel. Between this read and The Kite Runner though, I still liked the latter more. But I strongly recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns to those of you who weren't too sure if it is a worthy read- it definitely is.
I haven't had the chance to write about My Sister's Keeper yet- so here's my take on it: If you're trying to decide between reading the book and watching the movie, my advice is to ignore the existence of the movie and buy the book instead. It's been a while since I've read something that had me this hooked, and I honestly can't remember the last book that made me cry. Reviews about this have been good and bad, and a lot of people were disappointed about how the story ended, but I think its subjective- you need to read it for yourself and decide. It's a beautiful and bittersweet story, and hats off to Picoult for doing such a good job.
Ok, onto less bookworm-ish issues: My long standing desire to lie on a beach and be happy was finally fulfilled last weekend- in Phuket :) I need to post another separate little entry about the trip itself, but it was a really awesome weekend getaway. I am such a beach girl at heart. And I love Thai food.
Speaking of food, our first ever string hopper lunch at work was a rockin' success! Complete with masi sambol and some chicken curry + dhal from the local prata uncle.. Much thanks to the sibling for lugging 250 stringhoppers all the way from home. And more thanks to mother dearest for being so great about feeding people :)
I've also been down with the flu for the last week. I suspect it was the infamous H1N1 (it is now cool to have had it, because everyone has- the need to feel included maybe?) which has almost become a trendy disease, but I am glad it's passed its worst. As far as my immune system's concerned anyway. Them poor little white cells..
And.. *drumroll...* I am now properly qualified in basic bhangra dancing. Don't even ask. It's a lot of fun and a pretty good workout though. And I never pass up a chance to laugh at myself. And valiantly fail at improving my graceful nature.
I will thus end for now on that merry note and go curl up with a book. And try and forget all the deadlines I need to meet yesterday. Laters folks!
ps. In case you were wondering about the coolly confusing title of the post, I just discovered today that 2 of the 6 kinds of quarks are called charm and strange. I shall keep this in mind as possible childrens' names in the future..
For lack of a catchy title
August is here, and I am excited. Tradition has it that I celebrate the first day of every month, mainly because it usually all goes downhill after that :p
So today I cleaned my room, dressed up, hit the town, watched a movie, hung out with the sibling, and slept at a decent hour (2am).
I think I shall go rollerblading tomorrow. If I can actually crawl out of bed before sunset.
Also, Singapore and the rest of Asia needs to start importing in apple and cinnamon muesli. Seriously. It is to die for.
I am even more convinced now that I belong in Europe :(
Seeing Callie yesterday (I hope you're reading this babe!) brought back fond memories of my third year at NUS, of completing the crazy business minor, of Vivien, and of how much fun university was in spite of exams and assignments and deadlines ALL the time. Aiyoh, I sound and feel like an old woman :P
I miss my girlfriends back home. Though they're scattered all over the world right now. Hopefully we shall be reunited at Christmas :)
I can't wait for next weekend :D Sun, sand, sea and snorkelling. What else can a girl possbly want?!
So today I cleaned my room, dressed up, hit the town, watched a movie, hung out with the sibling, and slept at a decent hour (2am).
I think I shall go rollerblading tomorrow. If I can actually crawl out of bed before sunset.
Also, Singapore and the rest of Asia needs to start importing in apple and cinnamon muesli. Seriously. It is to die for.
I am even more convinced now that I belong in Europe :(
Seeing Callie yesterday (I hope you're reading this babe!) brought back fond memories of my third year at NUS, of completing the crazy business minor, of Vivien, and of how much fun university was in spite of exams and assignments and deadlines ALL the time. Aiyoh, I sound and feel like an old woman :P
I miss my girlfriends back home. Though they're scattered all over the world right now. Hopefully we shall be reunited at Christmas :)
I can't wait for next weekend :D Sun, sand, sea and snorkelling. What else can a girl possbly want?!
Courtship in the 21st century.
Oddly true, but ever so funny... :D
'Things have changed. People don't just meet organically anymore. If I want to make myself more attractive to the opposite sex, I don't go get a new haircut. I update my profile.'
'I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.'
'He MySpaced me.'
'Oh girl I don't know about that... My trampy little sister says MySpace is the new booty call.'
'Things have changed. People don't just meet organically anymore. If I want to make myself more attractive to the opposite sex, I don't go get a new haircut. I update my profile.'
'I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.'
'He MySpaced me.'
'Oh girl I don't know about that... My trampy little sister says MySpace is the new booty call.'
- He's Just Not That Into You
Uninspired.
To blog. To take pictures. To get out of this nice comfy little hole in the ground I've dug for myself. I think my creative side's in a coma right now.
I really can't complain though; life has been great :) I'm finally learning how to rollerblade. I managed to find a new read which gave me goosebumps, after weeks of books that all blurred into the mundane. I spent an awesome weekend in KL, and my total expenditure over the two days: $5. The prodigal sibling returns next week, and brings with him food and the comfort of family. Lots more challenging projects coming up at work in the next few months. And the office peeps still make me howl with laughter on a daily basis.
Something's missing though. And I think I know what it is.
The connection. The simplicity. The zest. The zeal.
I believe the quarter life crisis has arrived.
I really can't complain though; life has been great :) I'm finally learning how to rollerblade. I managed to find a new read which gave me goosebumps, after weeks of books that all blurred into the mundane. I spent an awesome weekend in KL, and my total expenditure over the two days: $5. The prodigal sibling returns next week, and brings with him food and the comfort of family. Lots more challenging projects coming up at work in the next few months. And the office peeps still make me howl with laughter on a daily basis.
Something's missing though. And I think I know what it is.
The connection. The simplicity. The zest. The zeal.
I believe the quarter life crisis has arrived.
MJ sure rocked my world :)
I was watching snippets of his memorial service on TV today and was reminded of a quote from a book by Jeffery Archer: 'the popularity of an individual in life often only manifests itself in death'.
I wish people had appreciated MJ more in life, especially over the last few years, when he wasn't actively performing or at his peak; that they had judged his talent and music less by who he was, and more by how uniquely different and great it was. The outpouring of grief all over the world just goes to show how much his music brought people together; how one of the greatest entertainers of our era made an impact on people's lives that will probably last generations to come. I grew up listening to Billie Jean and Liberian Girl; my brother grew up trying to perfect the 'moonwalk'; my parents still have his albums that they bought in the 80s. I'm sure he's sold more albums this weekend than he has over the last couple of years, but music like his is timeless and he changed the face of entertainment in a way only few other people have. He may be gone, but he's left the world with a lot to remember him by.
As a personal tribute to him, I'm posting my favourite MJ video- I loved watching this as a kid, more for the changing faces in the video than anything else, but the song is still on my playlist today :)
I wish people had appreciated MJ more in life, especially over the last few years, when he wasn't actively performing or at his peak; that they had judged his talent and music less by who he was, and more by how uniquely different and great it was. The outpouring of grief all over the world just goes to show how much his music brought people together; how one of the greatest entertainers of our era made an impact on people's lives that will probably last generations to come. I grew up listening to Billie Jean and Liberian Girl; my brother grew up trying to perfect the 'moonwalk'; my parents still have his albums that they bought in the 80s. I'm sure he's sold more albums this weekend than he has over the last couple of years, but music like his is timeless and he changed the face of entertainment in a way only few other people have. He may be gone, but he's left the world with a lot to remember him by.
As a personal tribute to him, I'm posting my favourite MJ video- I loved watching this as a kid, more for the changing faces in the video than anything else, but the song is still on my playlist today :)
White boy + Singlish = Whinglish. Go figure...
This is absolutely hilarious :D
Look out for 'Wah, I smack you boy' and the bit about the 'kancheong spider' *wink*
Thanks for this QJ!
Look out for 'Wah, I smack you boy' and the bit about the 'kancheong spider' *wink*
Thanks for this QJ!
Secrets to splurging
The basics: Roam around in a mall, unsupervised, for the better part of an evening. The mall will ideally have stores such as Forever 21, Mango, I.P. Zone, Espirit, John Little, Cotton On, Bodyshop, Charles and Keith, Popular and several smaller boutiques specializing in costume jewelery, quirky hand bags, sandals and hair bands.
Chances of splurging increase exponentially with situational circumstances such as the Great Singapore Sale (GSS), discounts for Citibank credit card customers, seasonal clearance sales, ridiculously good looking male sales assistants, and weak (or absent) will power.
Being accompanied by a shopaholic girlfriend (or a recovering shoe addict who has since donated 3 of her 36 pairs of heels to charity) greatly increases the chances of impulse purchases, loss of the sense of time, fits of hysterical giggling near changing rooms, pseudo modeling worthy of Project Runway, and a lot of fun.
The flip side: Splurging can often also result in cognitive dissonance upon returning home and unpacking one's purchases, chronic depression at the end of the month when credit card statements arrive, further trips to Ikea and Home-Fix in futile attempts at wardrobe space expansion/storage, and having to then find the perfect pair of heels to match that brand new turquoise top.
But hey, women were born with this God-given right (and weakness?). We might as well make the most of it ;)
Chances of splurging increase exponentially with situational circumstances such as the Great Singapore Sale (GSS), discounts for Citibank credit card customers, seasonal clearance sales, ridiculously good looking male sales assistants, and weak (or absent) will power.
Being accompanied by a shopaholic girlfriend (or a recovering shoe addict who has since donated 3 of her 36 pairs of heels to charity) greatly increases the chances of impulse purchases, loss of the sense of time, fits of hysterical giggling near changing rooms, pseudo modeling worthy of Project Runway, and a lot of fun.
The flip side: Splurging can often also result in cognitive dissonance upon returning home and unpacking one's purchases, chronic depression at the end of the month when credit card statements arrive, further trips to Ikea and Home-Fix in futile attempts at wardrobe space expansion/storage, and having to then find the perfect pair of heels to match that brand new turquoise top.
But hey, women were born with this God-given right (and weakness?). We might as well make the most of it ;)
The Bucket List
Back in January, I created a list of things I'd like to do by the end of this year (though at the time, it wasn't known as the uber cool 'Bucket List') and since almost half the year is up, I decided to review it today.
Result = **** (a.k.a. pretty impressive :D)
I'd put down 15 or so things to do/see/make happen/achieve, of which I've done slightly more than half :)
I'm actually quite proud of myself. And a bit high on pizza right now..
That said, I'm off to have a Tim Tam in celebration... :)
Result = **** (a.k.a. pretty impressive :D)
I'd put down 15 or so things to do/see/make happen/achieve, of which I've done slightly more than half :)
I'm actually quite proud of myself. And a bit high on pizza right now..
That said, I'm off to have a Tim Tam in celebration... :)
When the world comes crashing down..
... like it did today, you need friends to lean on, stand up and dust yourself off.
Ignorance is definitely bliss. But sometimes, a reality check is exactly what the doctor ordered. However painful it is when it slaps you across the face.
It's funny how a few moments, a mistake and an unexpected revelation can change your perception, alter hope and ruin a chance.
You live, love, lose and hopefully learn. I seem to have a lot of trouble with the last one..
Ignorance is definitely bliss. But sometimes, a reality check is exactly what the doctor ordered. However painful it is when it slaps you across the face.
It's funny how a few moments, a mistake and an unexpected revelation can change your perception, alter hope and ruin a chance.
You live, love, lose and hopefully learn. I seem to have a lot of trouble with the last one..
The addiction-prone creature that I am..
Latest musical obsession: 'Bubbly'
Latest food fixation: Pistachios
Latest technological hang-up: Twitter
Latest literary interest: Jodi Picoult
Latest drink to be desired: Mudslide
1 oz vodka
1 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 oz Bailey's Irish cream
1 oz cream
Latest object of photography: The new 'durian' look
Latest food fixation: Pistachios
Latest technological hang-up: Twitter
Latest literary interest: Jodi Picoult
Latest drink to be desired: Mudslide
1 oz vodka
1 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 oz Bailey's Irish cream
1 oz cream
Latest object of photography: The new 'durian' look
The paper anniversary
I'm supposed to be celebrating a year of blogging today. Instead, I'm thinking 'I can't believe I've not run out of things to say yet...' :p
In fitting celebration, however, I became the proud owner of 3 credit cards this afternoon. Yes, 3 of them. Long story short, I really only wanted the one, but got two extras thrown in anyway *sigh*
I know I haven't been updating the space lately; blame stress, work, deadlines, chronic depression and severe post-holiday withdrawal symptoms. And a hell of a lot of writer's block. I've also been neglecting my friends, and for this I really do apologise. I've been a bit homesick, a lot sick for Europe and very sick of Singapore (already!). I've also been an anti-social, obsessive compulsive exercise freak for the last couple of weeks, and I'm hoping I switch back to the old me because frankly I don't like this current version much :p
I've been back for 3 weeks now and I have yet to unpack my collection of shot glasses. Something is definitely wrong :p
In fitting celebration, however, I became the proud owner of 3 credit cards this afternoon. Yes, 3 of them. Long story short, I really only wanted the one, but got two extras thrown in anyway *sigh*
I know I haven't been updating the space lately; blame stress, work, deadlines, chronic depression and severe post-holiday withdrawal symptoms. And a hell of a lot of writer's block. I've also been neglecting my friends, and for this I really do apologise. I've been a bit homesick, a lot sick for Europe and very sick of Singapore (already!). I've also been an anti-social, obsessive compulsive exercise freak for the last couple of weeks, and I'm hoping I switch back to the old me because frankly I don't like this current version much :p
I've been back for 3 weeks now and I have yet to unpack my collection of shot glasses. Something is definitely wrong :p
The boy can dance :D
Of special mention: my dear ginger colleague who busted out these same moves at Zouk last weekend apparently :P
Wanderlust
Yups, I'm back. After the craziest 3 and a half weeks of my life.
Reading my post from a month ago, I can still sense the excitement and thrill I felt before I left. One month later, I'm sitting here trying to grasp and put into words the whole experience, now that I've been, seen and done. It almost feels surreal thinking about it.
People have been asking me all week how my trip was and I haven't yet found a single word or phrase to describe Europe; it was amazing and crazy and unbelievable and exciting and tiring and beautiful all at once.
My first memories of Sweden: The pine trees out the window of the plane and the crisp and cold spring air that hit me when I stepped out from the airport. Seeing the hospital where I was born was as special as I thought it would be. Walking into the neighbourhood where I grew up and having flashbacks of myself playing in the park, scraping my knee falling down on the tar road, and remembering peeping out of our old apartment window, was both scary and amazing. I think I somehow felt connected, a strange sense of belonging to a country I hadn't been to in 17 years.
Visiting 11 cities in 15 days was incredible.
I saw the inside of so many trains that I lost count- we missed a train, were early for several, made it with a minute or two to spare for some, caught one only because it was delayed by 10 minutes, took night trains with compartments all to ourselves, with families, with people from as far as Nigeria, and a train that crossed the sea on board a ferry. We took the TGV, had train delays, even snuck into a first class cabin before being 'politely' kicked out.
And the hostels. Between our 'pseudo' hotel room in Paris and the 10 bed dorm in Vienna, between the smoky and relaxed neon-lit lobby of the hostel in Amsterdam and the basement hangout in Budapest, I think we probably saw it all. And we owe a lot to our friends who lent us their couches and sofa beds to crash on.
The journeys between cities and countries were an experience on their own; the long stretches of green and yellow fields, wind turbines in the distance, cows and sheep (!!) grazing and lazing in the grass, and the little red farm houses nested cosily in the sprawling countryside. The graffiti at train and bus stations all over Europe and the homeless in little pockets and corners of the cities. Friendly faces and not such friendly ones; a melting pot of different people and cultures. We met so many old friends and made quite a few new ones.
Memoirs of the trip: Ripley's Believe it or Not in Copenhagen, Madame Tussaud's and the coffee shops in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, the bouchons in Lyon, the Alps and lakes in Switzerland, the architecture in Vienna, the Sound of Music manor in Salzburg, the castles and palaces in Budapest, the beer, dumplings, the city and vineyards of Prague, the train station in Berlin, the sunny walkways and coastlines of Malmo, and the historical feel and expanse of Stockholm. My personal favourites: Prague, Lausanne (Vevey), Stockholm and Amsterdam.
There's so much more to it, but this post can only be so long... Pictures to follow soon, I promise :)
Reading my post from a month ago, I can still sense the excitement and thrill I felt before I left. One month later, I'm sitting here trying to grasp and put into words the whole experience, now that I've been, seen and done. It almost feels surreal thinking about it.
People have been asking me all week how my trip was and I haven't yet found a single word or phrase to describe Europe; it was amazing and crazy and unbelievable and exciting and tiring and beautiful all at once.
My first memories of Sweden: The pine trees out the window of the plane and the crisp and cold spring air that hit me when I stepped out from the airport. Seeing the hospital where I was born was as special as I thought it would be. Walking into the neighbourhood where I grew up and having flashbacks of myself playing in the park, scraping my knee falling down on the tar road, and remembering peeping out of our old apartment window, was both scary and amazing. I think I somehow felt connected, a strange sense of belonging to a country I hadn't been to in 17 years.
Visiting 11 cities in 15 days was incredible.
I saw the inside of so many trains that I lost count- we missed a train, were early for several, made it with a minute or two to spare for some, caught one only because it was delayed by 10 minutes, took night trains with compartments all to ourselves, with families, with people from as far as Nigeria, and a train that crossed the sea on board a ferry. We took the TGV, had train delays, even snuck into a first class cabin before being 'politely' kicked out.
And the hostels. Between our 'pseudo' hotel room in Paris and the 10 bed dorm in Vienna, between the smoky and relaxed neon-lit lobby of the hostel in Amsterdam and the basement hangout in Budapest, I think we probably saw it all. And we owe a lot to our friends who lent us their couches and sofa beds to crash on.
The journeys between cities and countries were an experience on their own; the long stretches of green and yellow fields, wind turbines in the distance, cows and sheep (!!) grazing and lazing in the grass, and the little red farm houses nested cosily in the sprawling countryside. The graffiti at train and bus stations all over Europe and the homeless in little pockets and corners of the cities. Friendly faces and not such friendly ones; a melting pot of different people and cultures. We met so many old friends and made quite a few new ones.
Memoirs of the trip: Ripley's Believe it or Not in Copenhagen, Madame Tussaud's and the coffee shops in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, the bouchons in Lyon, the Alps and lakes in Switzerland, the architecture in Vienna, the Sound of Music manor in Salzburg, the castles and palaces in Budapest, the beer, dumplings, the city and vineyards of Prague, the train station in Berlin, the sunny walkways and coastlines of Malmo, and the historical feel and expanse of Stockholm. My personal favourites: Prague, Lausanne (Vevey), Stockholm and Amsterdam.
There's so much more to it, but this post can only be so long... Pictures to follow soon, I promise :)
Europe on a clothes line
Yups, I officially leave for Sweden tomorrow night. I'm barely packed or mentally prepared, and yet here I am, blogging away.. *sigh* I don't understand me sometimes.
I am tonnes excited though. I'm finally going to 'live the dream' I've had for years and years, and hopefully visit the hospital where I was born in Sweden (admittedly, a recently conjured dream), among other things such as getting high on magic brownies in Amsterdam and visiting the Louvre in Paris (sorry- I cannot resist raving about this!). I just wish there didn't have to be a swine flu scare around Europe at the exact time I choose to visit. Murphy definitely was right about them laws.
Much thanks to Raaaam dear for lending me his backpack. Though it's large enough for me to crawl in, and will probably look like its walking on its own when its full and being carried around by yours truly, it's going to be invaluable. I sure hope it doesn't get stolen (and I hope Raaaam never reads this :$). Also thanks to everyone who's hung in there with me while I was planning the trip- and put up with my rants about having a Sri Lankan passport. You guys know who you are :)
Anyways, I shall not be blogging for the next couple of weeks (because yes, I'll actually have better things to do for a change) but be sure to expect torrents of posts once I'm back, all reflecting the chronic depression and grief that will take hold of me on the flight home :(
Au revoir then mes amis, a bientot!
I am tonnes excited though. I'm finally going to 'live the dream' I've had for years and years, and hopefully visit the hospital where I was born in Sweden (admittedly, a recently conjured dream), among other things such as getting high on magic brownies in Amsterdam and visiting the Louvre in Paris (sorry- I cannot resist raving about this!). I just wish there didn't have to be a swine flu scare around Europe at the exact time I choose to visit. Murphy definitely was right about them laws.
Much thanks to Raaaam dear for lending me his backpack. Though it's large enough for me to crawl in, and will probably look like its walking on its own when its full and being carried around by yours truly, it's going to be invaluable. I sure hope it doesn't get stolen (and I hope Raaaam never reads this :$). Also thanks to everyone who's hung in there with me while I was planning the trip- and put up with my rants about having a Sri Lankan passport. You guys know who you are :)
Anyways, I shall not be blogging for the next couple of weeks (because yes, I'll actually have better things to do for a change) but be sure to expect torrents of posts once I'm back, all reflecting the chronic depression and grief that will take hold of me on the flight home :(
Au revoir then mes amis, a bientot!
A love story..
..transpired when I saw this online. I've been playing it on loop ever since :)
Lassie- thanks so much for sharing this babe! :D
Lassie- thanks so much for sharing this babe! :D
Approximately 365 days ago...
I was a sleep deprived final-year student slaving away at lab.
I was broke, hadn't found a job yet, was struggling to finish my thesis, and worrying about cells and exams.
So much has happened since.
It's been one heck of a year. I've come a long way, and survived. Lots of things changed in ways I couldn't have imagined. But most of it worked out for the best.
I wonder what life will be like in a year from now...
I was broke, hadn't found a job yet, was struggling to finish my thesis, and worrying about cells and exams.
So much has happened since.
It's been one heck of a year. I've come a long way, and survived. Lots of things changed in ways I couldn't have imagined. But most of it worked out for the best.
I wonder what life will be like in a year from now...
Sometimes, all you need is a little luck, and a cinnamon bun.
I'm feeling a bit over the moon right now.Holland Village is going to be home for a little longer. Malaysia: Truly Asia was an unbelievable experience. The wonders of Europe are just around the corner. I have amazing friends. And a very insane but wonderful family.
Yes, I'm counting my blessings and being grateful for the little things in life.
It has been brought to my attention...
.. that some people (only a very few on this planet I hope) are not aware of Murphy and his laws, which I find unacceptable and almost horrendous. So being the altruistic and jobless soul that I am, I took it upon myself to compile a nice little list that should be memorized immediately and ultimately be passed down to your grandchildren (if you're lucky to live that long. Otherwise children/pets would do).
Keep in mind that there are several more out there- what's listed below is only a scratch on the surface. If curiosity still doesn't get the better of you, go get yourself checked by a psychiatrist, then browse through the rest of the laws to cheer up.
If anything can go wrong, it will.
If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.
Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
Nothing is as easy as it looks.
Everything takes longer than you think.
Every solution breeds new problems.
The chance of the bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
A falling object will always land where it can do the most damage.
The other line always moves faster.
When a broken appliance is demonstrated for the repairman, it will work perfectly.
Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral or fattening.
Your best golf shots always occur when playing alone. The worst golf shots always occur when playing with someone you are trying to impress.
Traffic is inversely proportional to how late you are, or are going to be.
Murphy's Law of Research
Enough research will tend to support whatever theory.
Murphy's Love Laws:
All the good ones are taken.
If the person isn't taken, there's a reason.
Brains x Beauty x Availability = Constant.
Every kind action has a not-so-kind reaction.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Sow your wild oats on Saturday night.
Then on Sunday pray for crop failure.
If the effort that went in research on the female bosom had gone into our space program, we would now be running hot-dog stands on the moon.
Never argue with a women when she's tired. Or rested.
The man shalt not win the argument he started.
The man shalt not win the argument he didn't start.
If a man won an argument, it was just in his head.
Love makes believers of us all.
Translation: Love obscures common sense.
Murphy's Law of Thermodynamics:
Things get worse under pressure.
The Murphy Philosophy
Smile . . . tomorrow will be worse.
Keep in mind that there are several more out there- what's listed below is only a scratch on the surface. If curiosity still doesn't get the better of you, go get yourself checked by a psychiatrist, then browse through the rest of the laws to cheer up.
If anything can go wrong, it will.
If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.
Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
Nothing is as easy as it looks.
Everything takes longer than you think.
Every solution breeds new problems.
The chance of the bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
A falling object will always land where it can do the most damage.
The other line always moves faster.
When a broken appliance is demonstrated for the repairman, it will work perfectly.
Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral or fattening.
Your best golf shots always occur when playing alone. The worst golf shots always occur when playing with someone you are trying to impress.
Traffic is inversely proportional to how late you are, or are going to be.
Murphy's Law of Research
Enough research will tend to support whatever theory.
Murphy's Love Laws:
All the good ones are taken.
If the person isn't taken, there's a reason.
Brains x Beauty x Availability = Constant.
Every kind action has a not-so-kind reaction.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Sow your wild oats on Saturday night.
Then on Sunday pray for crop failure.
If the effort that went in research on the female bosom had gone into our space program, we would now be running hot-dog stands on the moon.
Never argue with a women when she's tired. Or rested.
The man shalt not win the argument he started.
The man shalt not win the argument he didn't start.
If a man won an argument, it was just in his head.
Love makes believers of us all.
Translation: Love obscures common sense.
Murphy's Law of Thermodynamics:
Things get worse under pressure.
The Murphy Philosophy
Smile . . . tomorrow will be worse.
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