Quirky Earth

In spite of being at the top

2012-01-27T09:10:00.000+08:00

So we have read that two government officials are under arrest for what seems to be corruption. These two have come a long way in their own rights. I mean, it takes shitloads of hard work and dedication to be where they are at today. However, the coverage reveals a fact - nobody is immune to problems/temptations in human economy.

While all this time, we have been conditioned to think and assume our public service officials uphold the best standards and conduct, to read of their possible improper conduct with a supplier can be shocking. Either they are too weak to withstand her beauty, or she is that powerful and blessed with her looks that men caved in.

Choice???

Writing under influence

2012-01-23T14:14:00.000+08:00

"It's the first day of the Lunar New Year", I tell myself. I downed 2 cans of beer and started feeling sick. I was chatting with Ben on his impending shifting to Singapore and apparently, our friend seems to have some wrong impression about me. Either he feels I am being over chatty or attention seeking (He told me he needed to get cigarettes and went offline abruptly). Oh well, I know I am not going after him. *shrugs*

I am actually amazed I made to 2012, with His grace. I could look back at the obituaries page and to a certain extent, He save me from having my picture planted in one of those obituary advertisements. Do I have trials coming my way? Of course! But He is my grace and deliverance. Sometimes it's so easy to proclaim faith and it's one of those lucky times when your mood is so good under the influence of alcohol that not even the joker down there can penetrate with his negativity.

I officially declare that yours truly no longer have the kind of alcohol capacity like a few years back, and proud of it.

PS> I am not drunk as I write "Blessed year of the Dragon! May it bring forth good health and fortune to all!"

Half zombified

2012-01-20T17:54:00.000+08:00

Not me, but an old woman who keeps spirits in her house. Aunty related to me her house was plagued by hauntings recently. Her elder sister, H, went to be a confinement lady in a house at Upper Thomson. The newly-hired caregiver to an infant walked into the house and had odd feelings she couldn't explain. It wasn't her problem as her job is to take care of the newborn.

The domestic helper told H, "Grandma is very strange... She shuts her room door tight and windows are closed all the time. It's always dark in her room and no one is allowed to go in." H suspected something was amiss but again, she told herself so long as the witch (if there is one) doesn't harm her. Three days into the job, things started to happen.

H had trouble sleeping not because of a crying baby, she was often "disturbed". The Buddhist beads she wears round her neck snapped and she began to have bouts of breathlessness and physical lethargy. H eventually held out for one month before telling her employer she is quitting.

Finally, the "witch" extended her hospitality by slipping a bag of oranges into H's luggage bag without telling her. H noticed something extra and the witch sheepishly answered, "Oh! I am afraid you forget to take so I took the liberty to put the bag of oranges into your bag." Never did H realise, there was something else in the bag of fruits.

H got home and she wasn't spared of more disturbances. Taps turned on for hours when nobody was home. Even aunty felt an strange sense of eerie chill she couldn't explain. Aunty finally asked her elder sister if she brought "something extra" back. It was then H spoke about the oranges. Aunty nudged her to look through again. True enough, hidden in the bag of oranges was a bell. That bell served the purpose of attracting spirits controlled by the witch to harm.

H hurried to Johor Bahru to seek an exorcist. Upon meeting him and showing the bell wrapped in excerpts of Buddhist chant, the monk straight-away said, "Yes... there is something in that bell. The master of this spirit is no longer human, but half zombified. He/she has been consumed by the spirit."

When I heard Aunty's account, I wondered what the monk meant. Aunty said, "养这鬼魂的主人已经变成半妖了..." Aunty recalled H relating how the witch looks like. Her face is always powdered till very pale, and when one looks at her, there is a sense of eeriness. It becomes obvious that something is wrong with this person.

Aunty's words to me, "I grew up in a kampong and black magic was a norm then - especially what is commonly known as Maoshan Black Magic. Once a person gets too deep into such occult practice, it becomes an obligation for the practitioner to harm a person every week, just to please the spirit. It can be physical harm, it can also be destroying relationships, marriages etc. The objective is to destroy someone. If the practitioner doesn't, the spirit will torment through physical pains, sicknesses and other forms of suffering."

PS> True story... Do you know someone like this? Rather, do you have someone like this in your house? Beware, you can be her next victim, not because she wants to harm you, but she no longer has a choice.

This is directed at particularly II

2012-01-19T23:29:00.000+08:00

As I was saying, this is directed at particularly one reader who thinks I deserve a lousy life just because I don't trust all who call themselves "Masters". He/she thinks I look down on those who can tell accurate fortunes. I am gracious enough to assume this commentator read it out-of-context at first. However, after making a personal attack at me, I have no choice but to offer an objective illustration to facilitate effective use of those brain cells.

Maybe the heavens is watching my back and it's somewhat sending reinforcements to back me up. Lo and behold! It's a monk's words, from Buddhism teaching. I invite that "Anonymous commentator" in my last entry to zoom in on this article and read it! And yes, I forgive him/her...

PS> Even Buddhism doesn't condone Fortune Telling! Question me? Start with this monk! His name is there.

Even counsellors don't pity

2012-01-16T23:22:00.000+08:00

A man in his 50s wrote to "Aunt Agony" in the Filipino press. He confessed he cheated on his wife and ever since, his wife is not able to come to terms with the betrayal though she has forgiven him. His wife told him pointblank that even just the newspapers remind her of the painful betrayal.

There was once he was sick and his wife took care of him, but he lamented there is no love. He felt his wife is just going through the motions by being a good Christian. He said he is hurt and asked the counsellor for some suggestions how to help his wife move on.

I had a good laugh when the counsellor said, "What was it that Mahatma Gandhi said about guilt-"…that the human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience…?" And you're asking how you can help your wife forget your betrayal of her? You mean-besides you dying?

"You have some gall to expect warmth when she could have stuck a knife in your heart when you cheated on her! She could probably have even gone scot-free citing that legal loophole called "crime of passion!" Shouldn't you instead be thanking the heavens for her valuable "good Christian" virtue?"

Her parting words to him was, "Be man enough to suffer a while! You've been the creep-and that takes a lifetime to forget."

Master of Bullshit

2012-01-15T13:02:00.000+08:00

I see many people crowding around shelves carrying books on horoscope predictions, such as also flooded the Internet where people who call themselves "Master" actually warn individuals on impending catastrophes. Some actually paint a picture too good to be true that you actually wonder is life a spectacular bed of roses.

My point is: many consider horoscopes and fengshui Environmental Science. It's some skill/art of balancing energies of Metal, Wood, Earth, Fire and Water. So apparently there's a certain formula that helps the geomancer reach the destination. But what intrigues me is, why isn't anyone able to answer this burning question of mine, "How come geomancers have different views on the same issue?"

If an individual's elements and zodiac signs are standard (there are only 5! and 12 for chinese!), it should be quite "predictable". But it seems you can have totally opposing views on the same horoscopes. So tell me, who to believe? Rather, who's bullsh**ing?

Female MCP

2012-01-15T01:56:00.000+08:00

I was at Suntec City with Benji since our friend couldn't get over this washed-out series of Polo T-Shirts sold at the DC Super Heroes. He got Green Lantern and now he's after another one - tossed between Robin and Superman. So while he was just looking at the pieces, some 3m away stood a lady whom I mistook for a staff. I uttered, "Excuse me? A little help here?" She glanced at me and looked away, proving herself nothing more than a shopper. I sheepishly turned away and directed my voice at the cashier.

So Benji was asking for a piece his size and the lady shopper inched closer, moving onto another wagon. I couldn't help but notice her 36-36-36 figure in a tight black number. Yes, it's that glaring and I whispered in Benji's ear, "How do you feel about the lady in the tight dress, 2 o'clock." He turned, looked at her and back at me, had a 5-second pause and said, "Nonya, Bak or Khee... nah not Khee... She can't possibly be!"

Then this shopper moved onto the changing room, stuck her head in there and spoke. I heard a man voice coming out and I thought, "Guess some couples share certain traits." To my surprise, a lean, bi-spectacled guy walked out! So I thought to myself, "She's popped a few babies I guess..."

So Benji got his shirt and I was telling him my thoughts. Moments later, our paths crossed again and both of us had to look at them. The couple wasn't holding hands... Our subtlety failed at that instant. I confessed, "Look bro, I hate to be shallow but if I am a man, I would expect my girl to be of a decent standard. I mean, I can't see myself playing Saint and go all noble about 'so long as your heart is gold even if you look horrid'... No can do."

Benji said, "Of course lah! I honestly expect that guy's taste to be better! And yes, I am not turned on by plus-sized girls who think they are Victoria Secret material. If you can pull it off, by all means. But if you can't, do yourself a favour and don't self-humiliate by wearing the wrong clothes!"

Am I a male chauvinist pig? No, because I am not a man. But if I am one, I will be. But I will have the credentials to qualify as one. Yes, I expect my man to be good-looking, to be of a decent standard. I am not apologising for it. So if you are below average looking, check to see if aesthetics is part of your requirements if you wanna judge me. Trust me, if you insist it's not, I am sure you are a liar.

PS> If you are fat or in worse cases, obese, don't penalise your partner for looking at attractive people. It's human instinct. Don't demand the person to accept you the way you are, cos you are not returning the favour. How so? If you accepted him/her, why are you acting up when he/she looks at attractive people?

On the other hand, maybe he/she has already accepted you are going to look how you look permanently. That's why he/she looked elsewhere. Granted?

The Art

2012-01-05T15:27:00.001+08:00

There's only one reason why I end up in Chinatown. No, it's not because I wanted to jostle with the others in the crowded streets in preparation for Chinese New Year. I went to get paint. So the brother walked past a stall selling roasted chestnuts and reminisced his childhood shelling those nuts.

I have told him these nuts are not for the impatient, I happen to be one of them. He bought half a kilo anyway and started.

Frustration kicked in as many broke into halves in his hands. So I took on a few. Upon finding out I could shell slightly faster, he acted up and said, "Oei! Not so fast leh! Stressed leh!!!" We managed to get a few nuts out in one piece.

I read about the chestnut and apparently, each kilogram will give you some 300g of shells. Another trivia that may interest you is, it's the only type of nut that has Vitamin C.

Imagine half a kilogram may bring you some 40 chestnuts? This is only all that came out of the shells in one piece. The art of eating Gau Lak, is gau4 lat4! The brother is complaining of sore fingers....

Grow up

2012-01-04T16:09:00.000+08:00

It seems many fail to estimate the power of the media. Apart from using the media to make statements which some end up eating up later, it reflects people's naivety it seems. How many people have you seen using the media to declare something untrue and only to be humiliated by it later? Countless right? The point is celebrities are also human...

So there's this lady in China, a STUDENT, who actually declared she is available to be someone's mistress, and not apologising for it! She asked rhetorically, "Am I wrong to want to be loved and pampered? Am I wrong in wanting a man to spend money on me? Am I wrong to want someone rich and powerful as lover? To those wives: You just need to watch your men at home if you can!"

I was shaking my head when I read the coverage.

To this student: It's certainly not wrong dear... but it would certainly be wrong if you are the wife whose husband has a mistress with mentality like yours. Trust me, you won't be able to take it.

Looking beyond ourselves

2012-01-01T23:30:00.000+08:00

For once I actually changed my mind about a Priest I didn't have a good impression of some nine months back. I went to church on New Year's eve and the Priest read petition and thanksgiving letters to Our Lady. One wrote two persons dear to her passed away within a short span of time and both were family members. Another prayed very hard for cancer to be subdued. Another man prayed for his wife to return to him since the talk of divorce seven months ago.

This Priest (whose name I won't mention) urged the congregation to pray for others who are not seemingly looking forward to a joyful new year. He added while many of us are out partying and enjoying ourselves, some people are in pain and sorrow. That pretty much made me realise to a certain extent, I am one of the lucky chaps by His Grace.

I flipped through the dailies to read of more bad news. A few days ago, a mother and daughter was found dead at the foot of their block in Jurong. A Singaporean man lost his wife in an accident in United States. A cyclone took some 34 lives in Southern India. The list of tragedies continue. For some, it's a New Year they would do anything to avoid. Still, I feel unjustified that those people who should be dead are still alive. And nice people suffer.

I wasn't quite thrilled about the song-and-dance over 2012. Not longer the ol' me with unlimited energy to stay up and do the countdown. I have also quit sending "first New Year" messages to contacts; attribute proudly to the curse of aging or curse of aging. Hello grey hair...

大炮仙

2011-12-31T01:01:00.000+08:00

Do you know of any? The title refers to anyone who enjoys bragging about himself/herself. To put it in a nice way, it's called Self-Promotion. I chanced upon the blog of one Canadian lady based in Singapore. She wrote about how "proud" she is turning 50, having three weddings in the name of legalising it, extensive travel (to some 15 countries), winning some brand award in Asia, and so blessed to have good family and friends around.

Her blog had pictures of her three weddings and when I saw the picture of her so-called family and friends, I actually identified familiar faces who incidentally are the ones that couldn't deal with her intense Self-Promotion. So I spoke to a client, MR, who is also 大炮仙's colleague. I mentioned her blog seems to paint a picture that she is having everything going on immaculately well for her, I wondered if she is trying too hard. I had to say, "Is it me or she is 'trying to show off'?"

MR's reply was, "She's the biggest you'll ever come across. And if you need guidance on self-promotion, she's your girl!"

Apparently, she calls herself a PR professional and has someone ready with a big budget to borrow her expertise. MR said another colleague, JL, who knows 大炮仙 for a long time was flabbergasted. MR quoted JL's comment: "I wonder if 大炮仙 knows only 30% of her PR 'wisdom' is true and the rest is bullshit! If I have that kind of money, I would rather burn it!"

I was laughing so hard and told Benji about this 大炮仙. The "sister" told me he knows one too, also named 大炮仙... or at least everyone calls him that. This 大炮仙 claimed to be able to clear 2.4km run in five minutes flat. Benji said, "Please lor... even Commando also not that fast!"

Blessed Christmas to all!

2011-12-25T00:13:00.001+08:00

Image source: http://blog.kaufersonline.com

Glory to the newborn King! While the Holy Infant is born today, let us not forget the Blessed Virgin who carried Him for 40 weeks and went through labour. Like it or not, it's Her guts that help bring salvation to mankind. If She didn't say "Yes" to Gabriel, the archangel who delivered the message, there won't be any Christmas. Ave Maria!

Precision

2011-12-20T10:01:00.000+08:00

One thing that disturbs yours truly is people having trouble taking the initiative to say who said what. This happens especially to the men around me. I don't know if it's got anything to do with the fact they feel they are talking to a man when they speak to me. They enjoy using the phrase "They say...", without identifying who are THEY! I lost count how many times I have asked whoever who said "They say..." who are they. I get replies of "my colleagues..." "my friends", "my buddies" and so on.

For my good ol' brother/sister I-love-to-kill sometimes, it morphed into directions! I was trying to get to a Hang Ten outlet at Suntec City. We began with New Creation Church auditorium since our friend's car ended up there. He said, "Down there that side got one Hang Ten outlet"... I got peeved and hissed, "Down where which side?!"

Our friend demonstrated his tongue-twister skill I never noticed, finishing his direction in 5 seconds:

"In front down there on the left towards the right at the back on top below there...."

I gave him a dirty look, and he gave me a parting shot "Trust me, I'm an Engineer!"

Past ripples

2011-12-19T14:00:00.000+08:00

It seems no matter how good you portray yourself, the past haunts. I was reading about a coverage in the news where the press seem to remember what bad one had done, resulting in nothing one can do to erase that guilt. Look at Elizabeth Taylor, the actress best known for being Cleopatra. Having married some seven times didn't quite make others believe she has astronomically-bad luck in love. For that one husband she stole from another, she earned herself the reputation of a "tramp".

Next up, Oscar winner, Angelina Jolie, aka Brad Pitt's partner, is known for falling for Jennifer Aniston's husband while he was still married. However, she seems to emit this immaculate impression that there's no room for judgmental thoughts about her. I left it as that whenever I read about her - notwithstanding a recent coverage that she is insanely insecure each time her partner contacts his ex-wife.

Then the answer came - Image Consultants! How these professionals try to conceal the bad press effect from those eyes... So those who are in the media business long enough know their dirty linen inside out - maybe thanks to those two-faced friends of theirs called "inside sources". The media said that no matter how good they try to portray themselves, think Jolie's humanitarian works, it cannot erase the fact she stole someone's husband.

Is she returning Pitt to Aniston? Nah... especially how many biological kids that arrived? Maybe Aniston doesn't want Pitt anymore. Who knows yeah? Boy... it's a complicated world.

Are you afraid?

2011-12-18T11:02:00.000+08:00

Retribution comes to those who wait.
Sound the chorus before it's too late.

For the easy seekers, small or great.
There is no easy, so clean your slate.

For the oppressed, small or great.
Wait and listen, for your time and date.

For in the greater scheme of things.
Time has a way of lifting its wings.

Aspire to greatness as much as you can.
It will come least expected, but never when.

You planned.

So relax and let it happen.
Source: http://ronhullauthor.com/poems/retribution.htm

PS> Waiting for good news can be excruciating...

Driven to a corner

2011-12-17T11:32:00.001+08:00

Even taxi drivers are.... apart from the fare hike. I was introduced to a $66 camera with screen. This driver told me he has had it with passengers from Hell. His words were, "I get a headache when I meet those, especially those DISHONEST ones who enjoy blaming you for their faults! This camera is for my safety in both literal and virtual sense."

He related an incident where a passenger directed him to Tampines St 82. He heard it and confirmed with the passenger the destination street number and proceeded to drive. Upon arrival, the passenger twisted his words and said it's Street 22, not 82! He had the audacity to threaten with a police report and the driver challenged him to bring it on. "I am happy to drive you to the police station and see who's got it wrong. I have everything on tape!" he declared. The passenger instantly showed his guilt.

He related another incident where a car reversed and banged his taxi front. The driver in front turned around and said it's his taxi that rolled to the front. "This camera proved that my taxi wasn't moving! How in the world did my taxi knock him?! Evidence!!! I have it!!! There's no way you can run man!" the taxi driver said.

Clearly, it shows even if you get past your conscience and tell the whole world you are innocent, something will prove your crimes!

Smoking and sarcasm

2011-12-15T23:09:00.000+08:00

Tell me, would you burn the sign? Or the petrol station?

Lightbulb

2011-12-13T14:30:00.000+08:00

Adrian walked into the room and lamented his slippers "Opened mouth". I said he could have easily gotten a pair anywhere as long as he travels, or if his dad travels... He asked if I have a stapler, and reached for his own. He clipped the split ends and went "Tadah!!!"

Singaporeans are stingy?

2011-12-09T19:41:00.000+08:00

Yes and no... Starbucks had a Salvation Army Donation Drive at Paragon recently. Some well-dressed people were spotted going for the free coffee but didn't donate a cent.

A netizen observed a couple who had eight cups of coffee and gave only a few coins - obviously they don't feel shameful about it. So yes, Singaporeans can be stingy, or selective. There are people who don't give to all beggars... I personally know a few people who refuse to give to well-limbed beggars. You can say they are educating the beggars to be self-reliant. There are also people who over-give and ended up making beggars reliant on charity.

Acts of charity need not mean money in donation boxes. I can cook food and offer to a neighbour, I can help another run an errand. If a friend needs me for something, I am ready to submit my leave form and rush over. Acts of charity need not be broadcasted, it's a person's choice eventually; whether or not to donate. So yes, Singaporeans can be charitable. It doesn't have to mean money.

Who's the fairest of anyone all?

2011-12-08T13:55:00.000+08:00

Yours truly have always been skeptical about votes in contests. There's endless arguments on it certainly. The news reported about Nokia picking a winner unfairly in the Design Challenge in conjunction with their latest phone - Lumia. One lady won all the public voting rounds and yet lost to a local fashion house because Nokia's votes overwrote the rest.

I am not gloating over her loss but just feel that where votes are concerned, nothing is fair. Look at the contests which requires people to vote. Who are the ones rallying for votes? No prizes for guessing correctly. A photograph can garner the most votes not because it's taken well; but the person who went around soliciting for votes is popular.

I used to notice many people in Facebook rallying for votes to win a contest. The results are astounding, but nowhere did it reflect good virtues of the contest, but more on popularity. So yes, it's not fair.

In my heart forever

2011-12-08T00:24:00.000+08:00

Benji was just telling me the press reported Michael Puhaindran is about to re-marry. His new bridge is an Indonesian Chinese. This news came three years after his wife got killed in Mumbai by terrorists. Benji said, "I anticipate many netizens to hurl bad remarks about him."

Truth be told, in the first instance I blurted out "That's fast!". After a few moments of reflection, the first thing that came to my mind was, "Nobody can and will ever be able to understand his anguish when his wife was taken away forcefully." I admitted to Benji I spoke too soon.

Benji added the report added Puhaindran still said something along the lines of his late wife will always be in his heart, and asked rhetorically, "Can she (the new wife) accept it?" I said, "If she can, it shows the extent of her graciousness." Benji looked puzzled at my reply.

I explained, "Name me a woman you can never forget..."

He took a few pauses before deciding on his first girlfriend.

I asked him again, "Why not your second, third, or fourth - if you had? Why the first?"

Benji couldn't quite get me and said, "Because she's my first girlfriend."

I said, "There's something about her that embeds memories of her in your heart, right? Can you accept it if your wife has her ex in her heart?" He shook his head...

I commented, "See what I mean now? Before anyone judges Michael Puhaindran for his impending marriage, nobody can ever understand his three-year pain. As for the new bride, not everybody can accept the fact he/she can never replace the ex. Not even you... but imagine if you can. What does it say about you?"

Benji nodded... in agreement. He said, "I anticipate many netizens and kaypohs to flame him..."

I replied, "You are right... but there are just too many to correct and within no one's ability."

Maybe the past takes revenge

2011-12-06T14:04:00.000+08:00

I saw the coverage of the murdered Singaporean in JB. I had empathy initially when I just read the headline. After reading the article in detail, it turns out the deceased had a troubled past. He was known to be a gangster, causing trouble. There was always someone going after him at some point.

I don't know if you've read, this guy suffered quite a tragic death. Imagine your head is wrapped with four layers of plastic, your hands bound on your back. Your body is found floating in the water. Either you've drowned or suffocated prior. It's certainly not a nice way to die.

Not that I am being judgmental, but it seems the past won't let someone off. Too clear an equation to overlook. If one chooses to be a jerk now, those victimised either become jerks and retaliate, or life sends worse jerks to get the message across. Guess this guy is not lucky.

Who is to say one would always be lucky to escape the consequences of wicked acts? That's quite one major flaw of humans. Somehow or rather, we have the intellect to try and plot how to rob and get away with it. Yet we seem to be constantly attempting to escape Justice, hoping to blind those people who suspect, lie to those who know and feign ignorance before those who persecute.

PS> How long more do you think you can run? How many more do you think you can fool?

Choose and choice

2011-12-05T17:50:00.000+08:00

Someone I know got divorced and she said she isn't looking. Maybe she is not ready, but it's her affairs. Another kept nudging her to go out there and find opportunities in love. Her take was not to look because she did that with her ex-boyfriend and now she is just being old. Not that I know her age but when one has gone through both sides of the fence, it makes perfect sense to just be on it.

Another bachelor I know is keeping his mind open. I must admit, it takes a whole lot to impress him. Though he is capable of relating to many people, he is not about to be with a lady who doesn't have equivalent intellect. Before you conclude he is just being arrogant, it took me a while to finally see where he is coming from.

Imagine talking to someone who never understood what you meant. Picture yourself having a view something, she just "catches no ball". It's pretty much similar to a man's typical failure to understand the difference between giving flowers as endearment versus better off using the money to buy her a meal.

I guess at the end of the day. If the couple is not suitable, nothing can keep them together. If they are meant for each other, nothing can pry them apart.

Death God visits

2011-12-02T10:37:00.000+08:00

Image source - http://www.tombstonebuilder.com

I was shocked at an article about a man who was fried by lightning even at home watching TV. Yes, he died from the electrocution. I don't know why I kept thinking of Final Destination... I guess it points to the direction that when one's is up, death creeps up even in the most ridiculous manner.

The babe just told me a friend of her dad was found dead in her car one day after her passing. The lady just returned from a trip in Hongkong, and got food poisoning. Mind you, she knew how to save herself! She went to the doctor and after her doctor visit, she got dizzy spells and her car wouldn't start. She did not manage to muster strength to call the mechanic and breathed her last while seated on the driver's seat.

Aunty told me a close friend of hers suffered a heart failure after a tooth got stuck in her throat. Since this friend stays alone, nobody knew the accident. The death was undetected till the body decomposed and emitted an odour. Aunty is still in shock on the learning of the news.

Curses

2011-12-01T11:21:00.000+08:00

Lady Gaga reportedly once had a man said to her, "You will die alone in a house bigger than you know, with all your money and hit records, and you will die alone." That was from a man with whom she has had a destructive relationship. With bitterness, such words were hurled.

Apparently, the eccentric artist is capable of churning out a new song within minutes after a fight and the partner can't deal with it. The best part is Lady Gaga is not sorry for her blessed instant spurts of creativity.

A friend of mine posted in her Facebook status, "Sometimes people try to expose what's wrong with you, because they can't handle what's right about you."

I had someone curse me to get hit by a car and be confined to a wheelchair. She even wished I get choked while eating... if not drown when swimming. She hates me that much that she wishes me dead to that extent. But what she doesn't realise is the root of her death curses - she couldn't deal with the fact she couldn't get past me with her deception.

I am not that sharp... It's just when one has a track record for outrageous dishonesty even towards her own family, even a bystander would be cautious.

WTF

2011-11-29T10:54:00.000+08:00

Even a hawker bullies!

2011-11-28T13:45:00.000+08:00

Is the hawker having a bad day? Is the stall thankful for its long line everyday at lunch? Is she even thankful I patronise her every week at least twice? All I presented was my regular order and request of separating the soup from the noodles lest it turns soggy. She actually shouted at me from some 3m from her stall "YOU ARE VERY TROUBLESOME!!!"

You don't need my $3.20 today it shows. So be it, you won't need my $3.20 ever it will look.

PS> Someone just commended me for being calm after hearing my story... *slaps head* I certainly am beginning to regret this...

Love can't be planned

2011-11-25T13:35:00.000+08:00

I was reading about the latest Pirate movie featuring Johnny Depp and it led to reading about his private life. This guy has certainly come a long way and he was (again) like you and me before his big break. When I came to the part about his love life, I was pretty hesitant about his latest. Having two beautiful kids with a hot french singer, Vanessa Paradis, yet unmarried seem incomplete.

Of course, marriage to many may just be a paper to "officialise" a relationship. For others, it's a permanent contract of prison - being bound to a person who may turn demonic or otherwise. The point is, I noticed Depp has been in relationships that lasted years. Certainly, he is not into marriage because he feels "a deep love that results in children is something that cannot be planned". I agree to a certain extent. If you don't mind, don't get religious here...

He was married once (again for a few years) before parting ways. Now that he's with his girlfriend for a good 11 years and counting, it does made me wonder "If it ain't broken, why fix it?" Honestly, ask me if I have his kind of guts - have a child with someone and yet remain unmarried but live together long-term, I don't have it.

I wish I have his kind of life... which takes guts (lots of it) to execute. I remembered Paradis relating to how she ended up with Depp: "We met in 1994 at a mutual friend's house. He made a big impression on me and, during my years of solitude, he never left my thoughts. Then, in 1998, we met again. Three months later, we decided to spend our lives together."

A decision that's been kept for more than a decade... still in effect. Would she want to be married? Or would you want to be married if you are her? Or him? Or would you be content?

Sum of one's experience...

2011-11-23T14:03:00.002+08:00

I came across a renowned local deportment and etiquette instructor's profile recently. She was a beauty queen and still single. Each time I stumble upon her through the local media, I always wonder why she is single. I mean, she has the looks, the brains (she's a graduate, therefore my assumption), and possibly what it takes to earn her own money like the famous Dr Georgia Lee.

Not once did I have any bit of skepticism towards her - at least the way she looks rule out any in me. I would always think in due time she will find a man who would cherish her. At least to me, she qualifies to have a dashing looking man with just the perfect personality to go with her kind.

To my absolute horror when I chanced upon what she is looking for in a man, and it pretty much explains in a very brutal manner why she is still single. Read:

Likes men who behave like men! Have to be well mannered, polished, generous, funny, cute, intelligent, confident, articulate, humourous, well built,have a bit of belly, good job (that pays more than I can spend), good lifestyle, drinks coffee, loves Japanese food and sake, loves travelling (and paying for everything), loves me, my family, my neighbour, my friends, loves children, loves chilli padi, no temper! Any takers?

PS > My answer? N-O-P-E. Why? Read the bracketed words... Trust me, the best posture, Ps & Qs, dressing WON'T WORK! If not, it's a joke too far...

New way of eating chicken rice

2011-11-21T13:01:00.000+08:00

This brother of mine has brains I WON'T EVER HAVE...

Anyone offering to take over copywriting?

2011-11-20T11:10:00.000+08:00

Lemme guess... the copywriter must have chosen amongst: "longkang", "drain", "sewer", maybe "pipe" and "swamp"? It doesn't help when the location of the source is "Remote Oyster"...

Kings

2011-11-17T10:11:00.000+08:00

Adrian ~ Can you tell me the three kings that brought happiness and peace into people's lives?

Me ~ Kings??? Kings... David, Soloman and Christ, the King?

Adrian ~ Nope... Drinking... Smoking... and F***ing....

Me ~ =.=|||

Chinese lesson

2011-11-16T11:03:00.000+08:00

Bro ~ 龙游浅水遭虾戏, 虎落平阳被犬欺.... 得志猫儿雄过虎，落毛凤凰不如鸡! 哎!

Me ~ 今在小池被虾欺，一朝得志越龙门！

Bro ~ 是龙不是虫，是虫也斗龙！

Me ~ 小人得志拿着鸡毛当领简，终有云开月明时。

PS> The lines by me are not mine, but a cleaner who is Chinese educated! She is not a PRC...

Beyond office hours

2011-11-15T13:42:00.000+08:00

Accountant ~ The food bill is hurled to you to determine who pays how much for their individual shares.

Writer ~ When you are always asked to help craft a letter eg. an appeal to the Traffic Police to waive off a $75 parking fine.

Sales Person ~ You are always asked to help bargain for a bigger discount from the retailer.

IT Pro ~ You get calls in the night to say which sites offer the best collection of FOC material download, that includes porn.

Designer ~ A parent comes to you and begs you to help fix their kid's art project.

Secretary ~ You are always asked to remind someone about something - that excludes paying debts due to you.

In conclusion, when you are not working, you are working...

Like gravity

2011-11-14T11:48:00.000+08:00

The toughest part is waiting...

Die for her or watch her die?

2011-11-13T01:17:00.000+08:00

I came across this quote sometime ago and I wished I could embrace the significance of it. Unfortunately my brain wasn't in the mood. Maybe it's the Big Guy's timing that I grasp certain things later in the end. Most importantly, I have learnt that there are times where there is no wrong or right if one takes a further step in pondering. Let me explain to you why:

There was a man who died in an accident. Unknown to many, this man had a mistress. When the wake was held, the mistress attended the wake. She didn't skip the funeral either. Was she stoned and condemned for breaking a family? I don't think so (at least it wasn't mentioned).

Shortly after, the mistress committed suicide. She left a note behind saying, "I couldn't appear with you when you were alive. Now that you are gone, I will make a final statement in public." Says alot right? You may be condemning the woman for breaking up a family, but there are surprisingly some who commended her for her love.

Never mind if she is a third party, but she has the guts not many people have in the love department. Note I am not talking about status here... she doesn't mind declaring herself as a mistress of a married man. Do you have the guts to die for the person you love? If you have, you know what is true love. At least it appears to me, this mistress knows exactly.

After reading about this suicide, it occurred to me "Some Wrong people turn out to be the Right(s)". I don't know how the surviving wife feels about the mistress ending her own life. But if you are the spouse and you noticed another would die for your other half, does that put you to shame? Or are you capable of doing the same?

If not, the third party whom you possibly hate has found a reason to do anything for the person you call "wife" or "husband". Unfortunately, you didn't... The third party turns out to treasure your wife/husband more than you do. So who's the pathetic one? Would you die for her? Or would you watch her die?

A great way to fly!

2011-11-11T13:43:00.000+08:00

Singapore Airlines, is not called "the best" for nothing... At least for the recent aftermaths of the Thailand floods which created a massive dent in the country's tourism. I just managed to cancel flights for passengers without incurring any costs and I got back a full refund. The best part is, those fares booked are promotional flights! The babe told me "They have a reputation to protect..." which I cannot agree further.

Another airline for whom I booked promotional fares too - with the same terms and conditions I got for SQ refused to give a refund. The most they can do is refund taxes! Imagine, one pays over $600+ for flights for 2 passengers, the refund amount is only $276! Not a very good way to fly (high with such a practise)... If you are curious which airline left me a bad taste in my mouth, its corporate colour is purple...

Whisky

2011-11-10T14:34:00.001+08:00

When I saw this posted by Jack, I couldn't help recalling what Kyan told me just this morning. He read that Whisky actually helps reduce blood sugar. Here's the excerpt of the nonsensical talk with Jack:

Jack ~ More reasons why Chivas/Henny/Martell are my best friends

Me ~ Someone just told me it helps reduce blood sugar... diabetics would love it too.

Jack ~ I am going to pour them into my cereal every morning from now on!

RIP... Ricky Hui...

2011-11-09T13:33:00.000+08:00

I remembered his movies... he made me laugh when I was in my childhood. The ol' guy passed away at age of 65 after suffering a heart attack. Really, another reminder of your aging when actors/actresses/singers you used to watch go off one-by-one.

Harmony

2011-11-08T11:55:00.001+08:00

Mynahs are known to be aggressive... Not once have I seen both species of birds (till today) within close proximity. Most of the time I see the mynahs chasing off pigeons and hijacking foodcrumbs the pigeons first found - aggressiveness very close to that of crows.

For the first time (in my life), I see mynahs and pigeons feeding on common source in harmony. Very rare sight... can buy 4D liao!

Muslims are not evil, it's bad eggs who are

2011-11-07T11:05:00.000+08:00

Life has its way of correcting the imbalance in many aspects. When you meet too many bad eggs to be convinced a particular category of people stink, it sends you an equal number of good ones telling you not to jump the gun and dismiss the rest.

I met radical muslims myself who don't exhibit the slightest tint of religious tolerance. One actually told me pointblank quite some years back, "Your religion is so weird..." and for a moment, I felt she categorised me under Cults. I was offended and said, "That's not the way Religious Tolerance works..." and she continued, "Your religion IS WEIRD..." That led to a cease in contact for a good number of years...

Then I met another who actually failed in soliciting cheap sex and told me, "You must have had too much religion that you forgot the simple pleasures in life." I told another Muslim friend who got so furious and said, "THIS MAN IS A DISGRACE TO OUR RELIGION!!!"

If you meet one person who refuses to give up a seat in the train because he/she couldn't care less, you will certainly meet another who feels good about doing the same because you need it more than he/she does. You can drop the worship part of the deal... minus Cross I wear on my neck, the tudung she has or the Taqiyah on the men... they are just normal people like you and me.

PS> Late by one day, but wishing all Muslims peace and happiness. Happy holiday *whatever is left...*

The Office

2011-11-06T16:10:00.001+08:00

Stupidity can be hilarious. While I laugh at others', I do wonder how come I can be equally retarded sometimes. Laughing at oneself is not something everyone can do, especially egomaniacs. I remember those days I never allowed myself to make mistakes, at least demonic bosses whom I have worked for practised military style management. He used fear to manage the staff, and was very abusive. I will air his dirty linen in this public space some other time if you are interested.

So having joined a company where I first traveled for work, it's quite an experience. It was one morning I was trying to ring a German company to follow up on something. It's 10am Singapore time. I thought to myself, "Perfect.. they should be ready.." I rang and nobody answered... I patiently waited for 20 minutes and rang. Again, no luck.

The boss heard me sigh in frustration... and asked, "What's wrong Christel?" I said, "Been trying to reach this firm and nobody picks up... not even the receptionist!" He said, "Germany is 7 hours behind... That's means it's 3am now over there. If someone picks up, either the office is haunted or someone is having an affair with the secretary!"

That was my stupidity, 6 years ago...

A book about face...

2011-11-05T12:37:00.000+08:00

I found myself unsubscribing to more people's postings on Facebook. Pardon me but it has gotten only more annoying to see posts of hospitals coffeeshops and minute stuffs. Yeah, I know, they are just sharing and nothing's wrong with that. I concur... really. As a result, I just choose not to look at the posts and be bothered about it, explaining the "Unsubscribe" option.

Then there's this thing about photos... Again, let me stress, I have nothing against people who post photos of themselves. It's their preference hands-down. Each photo is accompanied with an impressive string of comments filled with compliments. Again, I am not jealous but when you see too much of it, you tend to wonder if those compliments are genuine.

One of my contacts posted a picture of herself. I guess the person who took it was having shaky hands and the image turned out blur. So there's this string of comments saying how pretty the person is and etc. One commented along this line "What's so nice about this photo when it's badly taken and blurry?" with emphasis it's not directed at the person in the picture. That was the last comment on the image. Says alot, doesn't it?

From a softer side of someone

2011-11-03T00:26:00.000+08:00

一、若愛，請深愛。放棄，請徹底。等待，本身就是一個錯誤......不要輕易放棄本不該放棄的，也不要固執的堅持不該堅持的。

二、看的開一點，傷的就會少一點.....一個人要是捨得讓你傷心，就根本不會在乎你是否流淚。所以趕緊收起你那卑微的淚水。洗洗臉、刷刷牙，該幹嘛就幹嘛去吧...

三、許多事情，總是在經歷以後才會懂得，如感情：錯過了，遺憾了，才知道其實生活並不需要這麽多無謂的執著......

四、秋天，殘忍的季節，成熟不成熟的都要一同收割。一切都會在秋冬交替的剎那間隨風而逝，唯有那一泓鮮亮山溪般的記憶永遠在我心中嘩嘩流動... ...

五、珍惜手邊的幸福，不要等到失去以後才悔不當初，也許。你的一生也就只有那麽一個人會真正用心在你身上......

六、人生就像一列車，車上總有形形色色的人穿梭往來。你也可能會在車上遇到很多有緣分的人，但當車停下來的時候，總會有人從人生這列車上上下下，當你下去的時候揮揮手，一轉身你能記住的只有回家的路......

七、有的人你看了一輩子，卻忽視了一輩子。有的人你看了一眼，卻影響到你的一生。有的人熱情的為你而快樂，卻被你冷落。有的人讓你擁有短暫的開心，卻得到你思緒的連鎖。有的人一廂情願了N年，卻被你拒絕了N年......

八、不要欠朋友太多東西，因為你可能永遠都沒有機會還他......經歷過的永遠不會從來擁有的只有回憶。朋友請珍惜身邊所擁有的一切吧！

This was posted in his wall and it pretty much surprised me. Maybe in my industry, many choose to only portray their professional persona. Looking at a fellow feeling the same kind of emotions, I feel normalised... not a freak, not an outcast like others claim so.

No, I am not emotional... I am just jaded at the fact that people only care about correcting others of the same kind of things they would do. Why oh why? So, if you would do the same, what right do you have to penalise me?

It's complicated

2011-10-30T23:03:00.000+08:00

Image credit: winterlyrics.wordpress.com

Someone posted this on facebook:

A boy was crying after breaking up with his girlfriend. God appeared and asked him, "Why are you so upset?" The boy answered, "She left me!" God asked again, "Do you still love her?" The boy replied, "Yes of course!" God asked again, "Does she love you then?" The boy thought for a second and continued crying.

God chuckled and said, "You shouldn't be crying... In fact, she should be the the one crying! You merely lost a person who doesn't love you... She lost a person who loves her deeply!"

For a moment, I was pretty touched by it and clicked "Like". After two minutes, a little voice within me said, "Why would it matter (to you) that you lost a person who loves you? If you don't love him, you wouldn't even miss anything..." I can't agree further...

Perfection is a tricky definition

2011-10-26T23:59:00.002+08:00

I have baking pies out of interest, and chicken pies seem to be the safest option. I caught the attention of Ming, an associate who comes to the office some three times a week. Ming is a sweet bloke, the shame is I have nothing in common with him to talk to. So at times, it can get quite awkward. Meynard was impressed I could hold a conversation with him for 8 minutes when nobody could talk to him for 3!

He was curious (about my pie) and I didn't offer because I wasn't confident. In case you are wondering why, I guzzled water after eating... Benji said one slice of it settles a day's meals... So you can imagine how "bad" it turned out.

Incidentally, I was reading about the ex-wife of Marilyn Manson, Dita Von Teese. She said she loves to cook but she won't readily bake pies or cookies for any man who comes along. Her words were, "Do not give 100 percent right away to a man who doesn't deserve it yet."

Ask me again: would I offer Ming pie the next time? Not unless I am happy with the way it turned out... Why am I concerned with perfection? Maybe it's my previous employment, training me to seek perfection in things I do. Superiors expect perfection, spouses expect perfection, lovers expect perfection, friends, family etc...

Thing is, everybody has their definition of perfection - a set of demands laden with quality defined by their opinion. The ugly thing is, when it's time for them to give perfection, they won't, because they know that can't and still have the nerve to expect others to understand nobody is perfect!

Why did I offer my pie to the babe, Benji, Y etc? These are the people who don't expect perfection from me... Benji sometimes can be a jerk too... but I love him anyway. He knows I am a perfectionist and hates me for it. I know he is a jerk when it comes to his turn in giving me his best... Sometimes he tries, sometimes I feel like strangling him...

Have we achieved perfection in our relation as brothers? For sure, he is one treasured member in my "family".

Does God favour little kids?

2011-10-24T15:00:00.000+08:00

Last week, little Wang Yue reached the Pearly Gates, with Saint Peter waiting with a smile and welcoming arms for the newcomer. I suppose she is a little apprehensive, being in a beautiful strange place, and a kind bearded looking man at the door receiving her. But she is not worried about speaking English, words are heard from the heart...

Maybe Saint Peter greeted her with, "Welcome, cute little fighter... You fought well! Let me carry you inside and over here, you will never feel pain or cry anymore... " While the little one wonders why she is alone at the new place, Saint Peter says, "This is your new home, little one. You will see your parents again, I will tell them for you that you are safe now. Let me take you to your Father and Jesus who have been waiting for you." I hope little Wang Yue feels comforted at those words, maybe it'll take some time for her to get used to the new home but at least, there's no pain to suffer anymore.

Yesterday, little Charmaine, known to have been actively fighting cancer made her way to the same place. I guess Charmaine knows a little more... of this kingdom where Jesus stays. Little Charmaine should know very clearly she is another fiesty fighter, who lasted years! A little girl who taught her own mother not to chase for material things but value life. Maybe she'll meet little Wang Yue too... and say to each other, "We have no pain now... we don't need to be afraid anymore..."

Maybe God favours little kids who suffered... especially when they didn't deserve the pain. Maybe He decided they are both happier with Him up there... where the clouds gather, and the rainbow always appears - a sign of His Covenant. It's the only place with the happily ever after....

PS> Rest in peace, little ones... ...

Messy republic

2011-10-22T13:18:00.000+08:00

I didn't have a good week. Travelling on demonic flights and sitting through a five-hour flight and 2hr car ride don't count. Pain standing on 4 inched heels doesn't count either. Instead, I have been fearing the worst for the little girl in China who spent 8 days fighting for her life. Yesterday afternoon, I tried my darnest to control my tears after learning she succumbed to brain injuries.

I didn't know what to think that second upon learning of her death. Yes, she is not my daughter and I have no reason to react so adversely. I wasn't blaming her parents whom some say have been negligent. However, I know if that girl is my daughter, I would have gone mental instantly.

I read later that China is exploring legislation to mandate bystander assistance. I wasn't encouraged at that point in time but thinking, "To think YOU (as a country) need a law to enforce bystander assistance, shows how pathethic you are! So what if you are growing rapidly as an economy?!" Benji was saying, "The people who ignored the little girl should be convicted also, their acts are inhuman!"

Yes, I am angry and judgmental now.

It's human

2011-10-18T12:21:00.000+08:00

I wept after watching the horrifying coverage of the two-year old toddler who got ran over twice, and left to die on the road. Those people who walked past little Wang Yue were indifferent to her injuries. A trash collector picked her up and was judged for being an opportunist!

Not just me furious here, but I am sure many parts of the world are equally appalled by the lack of compassion, especially parents! What if it's your own child being ran over and nobody bothers to help? And I hate to say this, such indifference is not only apparent in China but also other parts of the world.

My point is: it's one's choice to ignore the plight of another. It's also human nature to be bitter that nobody bothers to help when one is in time of need. Which side are you on? The Chinese dailies had a headline, "做好人这么难吗?" on little Wang Yue's plight. It means "Is it that hard to be a Samaritan?"

My personal reply is: 做好人不难，是看你要不要。但如果你是悦悦的妈妈，你也会问这句。It means "It's not hard being a Samaritan, it's a question of if you want to be one. If you are Wang Yue's mother watching your own child go through the same thing, you would ask the same question.

Do you do acts similar to those passer-by(s) who watch Wang Yue bleed helplessly on the road? It need not be an accident, but whatever you do to another person's child, someone else will prey on yours. By then, don't ask if it's hard being a Samaritan because one never helped your child. Ask yourself first: what have you done to a person's child?

The thing about bloggers

2011-10-17T12:12:00.000+08:00

Honestly, I don't consider myself one because I don't blog to earn income. I blog because I don't want to literally hold a pen and write in a notebook; I do this day in and out. Some year or two back, a few entries about a teen suicide had many storm this online diary and condemn me in the name of respecting the dead. Some resorted to personal attacks and yes, I was offended because I noticed I was remotely subjected to others' judgment.

One of those who commented said I was just trying to drive traffic to this diary. The first question I had in my mind was "What for? I don't need people to come in... this diary is for people to read and forget, not read and get bitter... "

Just a couple of days back, there was this coverage about bloggers who admit there are hungry for hits. One is Melissa Faith Yeo who documented her boob job done in Thailand. After posting her experience with plastic surgery, she admitted it's her springboard to other opportunities. She now wants people to focus on talents she has, but of course, the part-time actress deleted the details of her boob job in Thailand.

Another one, Peggy Heng, supposedly posted a provocative video for the sake of attracting hits. She said she is prepared for the flak and not bothered. Of course, there was a "storm" about her behaviour for the sake of attracting traffic.

I mean, I don't follow any of their blogs. The irony is apparent though - those who try to get recognised don't... while those who are not keen on it get them.

Letting go

2011-10-14T17:57:00.000+08:00

This reporter told a local Chinese daily that she heard a woman's voice telling her "I've let go.." at Mandai Crematorium, while she (reporter) watched as the late Tan Sze Sze's folks placed her ashes in the urn.

There were people who claim (as usual) this reporter is trying to get attention. And there were people who said if the dead's surviving relatives are too emotional to receive words, the dead will find outsiders to pass the message.

Honestly, I am happy for Sze Sze, not that I know her personally. I can understand the pain she carried with her when she took the irreversible step. What more along with her she took was a child... To be able to let go is good, so that one can move on.

I believe there are many women out there who are going through the same pain she had. If they survived, they may be thinking "I could have been another Sze Sze..." I read a recent coverage of a woman who cried at Sze Sze's suicide and said she almost jumped with her two kids.

Maybe Sze Sze is grateful for the husband's apology at the wake. It's through a "Sorry" that one can find release from the torment. Through a "Sorry", Sze Sze may have decided to move on. It's not easy but she did, I am happy for her. Nevertheless... it's a decision that not even the law respects... some human don't... By right, there are many rights. By left, your wrong may be my right.

Not my idea of innovative thinking

2011-10-13T11:25:00.000+08:00

Is it pure evolution or stupidity? I don't agree with them but I don't know about the rest... For those women who love their husbands so much as I recalled one actually put me down in this blog, I don't know how she feels about having sex together with the other wives. What more if the husband wants it that way.

Like I mentioned earlier, talk is cheap. Agree to disagree? Sure... Whatever floats your boat...

I wonder how many women in this club stands by this principle. If you dare to declare, stand by it. I am not judging you. Eventually, it's you who judge yourself later... before Big One up there does.

What do you leave with?

2011-10-06T10:09:00.001+08:00

Adrian walked into the office in shock, "Steve Jobs passed away! I wonder if Apple's stocks will plummet!" It pretty much explained whey I feel weird when I saw videos of Jobs in the news on television last night, I couldn't hear the newscaster. So the co-founder of the Apple succumbed to cancer - dying at an age of 56.

Adrian furiously tapped his laptop for some three minutes and said, "oh... the stocks remained!" Sitting opposite him, a thought came to me. Jobs leaves behind a legacy - his intelligence that money cannot buy. But what happens? Jobs cannot take this intelligence with him because I don't suppose "over there" needs any technological gadgets?

Now before you giggle... my point is: what do you bring with you when your time is up? Heard stories about vindictive spirits haunting places and people? I am sure you either have your own tales or you've heard enough angry souls attempting to claim the lives of those who wronged them (something to that effect). If not remain here hovering around people they cannot leave behind for some reason, aka unfinished business.

See? I don't know by now if you see where I am coming from. You cannot take things such as wealth (money, property, and other tangible assets with you) when you die. Even if you earn billions, or own an island, you leave with absolutely none of these.

Yet, you (can) take hatred, jealousy, envy, or selfishness along, if not, love and contentment with you when you go. With joy and contentment, you would probably tell yourself: I have fought a good fight, I have no regrets or unfinished business. What do you want to take with you when you die?

Oh Kiss Me Pls!

2011-10-05T11:02:00.000+08:00

An accidental trip to Brewerkz has gotten me hooked to onions! I ordered a burger and finished the meal, leaving a slice of tomato, onion and a lettuce leaf by the side without even realising. Benji was certain I wasn't myself when he saw greens left behind. This brother of mine knows I am not a full-fledged carnivore like he is - one plate of stir-fried greens with 2 oranges is equivalent to his three-month supply of fruits and vegetables...

I was looking dazed, waiting for him to finish his meat meal, when he gave me a stare while chewing his corn chips with his meaty mixture.

Benji ~ Oei, you okay or not?

Me ~ ???

Benji ~ You're done already?

Me ~ *gives an unsure nod*

Benji ~ You're not eating your vegetables...

Me ~ *looks down at the leftovers* oh...

So I uncovered a slice of red onion and began to "de-ring" it. Popped it into my mouth and let my teeth process it.

Me ~ Mmmmm... it's sweet!

Benji grimaces... After this sweetness, there's this pungency that shoots up my nose, causing me to sob and my eyes to tear. Benji smirks...

Me ~ My breath is so going to smell later...

Benji ~ Doesn't bother me unless you ask me to kiss you.... *chewing his dinner*

Me ~ I must learn to eat onions, full of antioxidants! Can you imagine onions in soups?

Benji ~ You finish all, not me.

You may have cancer, you know...

2011-10-03T23:44:00.000+08:00

I was looking through at how a friend makes his vegetarian burger and trust me, before you even think it's healthy, I suggest you hold your assumptions! Don't assume all that you eat are healthy food. Looking at the ingredients he used for the vegetarian patty, canned chickpeas, canned spinach... says alot doesn't it? The only healthy thing is a block of silken tofu and one egg which all ingredients go through a food processor, before being kneaded into a patty, held together by the beaten egg. Certainly, basic seasonings are used like salt, pepper and maybe a little bit of worchestire sauce?

The point is, just exactly how healthy are we? Health bugs scorn at a bowl of monosaturated fat laden laksa while I have been bitter at the ridiculously-shrunken portions due to inflation. Yours truly have been actively avoiding those who serve $2 portions yet charge $3.50! Yeah, I try to have my greens and fruits everyday, but please, how many times have you heard of the greens have been sprayed with pesticides, or added with chemical fertilisers? You can have fruits and vegetables at every diet, you can still be suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes! I know of one person like this and I dismiss whatever that comes outta her mouth concerning food!

No matter how "healhily" you eat, hectic lifestyle induced / better-off-dead people induced stress can also kill you! Stress causes cancer... for your information. So before anyone preaches about healthy eating to prolong life, you may just be having Stage 1 cancer brewing from all that stress! Moreover, people who are known to be really living an actively lifestyle can just drop head of heart attack. You should have read a few in the press!

I know this post is a little cynical, thanks to the article in the Straits Times. As if nobody knows how murderous the foods we eat have become. Can the gahmen tell the hawkers not to put so much MSG in their foods? Will the hawkers even do it? You and I know the answer.Who caused the people to put career above health?

Don't hate me by the way, it can also cause cancer!

Somebody has to die, but you can't...

2011-10-01T13:08:00.000+08:00

I was reading about the recent capsizing of a boat in Mersing, where two Singaporeans were missing. Everyday I read about how hard the wife cries for her husband's return, dead or alive, I cannot but feel for her. As much as I try not to be judgmental, I cannot help but feel many times, when you think for others, nobody would bother to think for you. All that anyone can do now is wait, and hope the boat that crashed onto theirs be responsible. Is it a futile wish? Honestly, I personally think so.

The younger missing man was said to volunteer to swim to the nearest boat for help. He thought for others' survival, he didn't mind sacrificing for the safety of the others, but his choice to think for others caused him to be swept away by a wave. That very choice to think for others, I am sure once in a while you make the same. That moment where you put others' needs before yours, not because you were after something. But that's just you - and your good nature.

I remembered watching a movie where John Travolta was the villain, in The Taking of Pelham 123. Denzel Washington was just a despatcher, who took on the job of negotiating with the hijackers of the train. All on Washington's mind was the safety of the passengers onboard and he chose to stay put to continue working with the hijackers. Certainly, Washington's wife heard about it and demanded her husband to get home after work, and get milk. Her words to him were, "Well, somebody has to die, but you can't!"

If he (the missing guy) managed to talk to his wife, I am sure the wife will say the same to him. So to speak, every man for himself...

My best friend

2011-09-26T09:46:00.000+08:00

Yeah, many things WILL happen when you are too close. You tell each other everything, from how your classmate killed time by plucking off your frizzy hair while waiting for the bell to ring, to imagining how ugly you looked in school uniform, minus the contact lenses and the pathetic lack of fashion.

Some time back, Benji showed me his secondary school pictures which I could pretty much point him out among the whole class of some 40. He asked to look at mine and I fiercely protected my dignity - whatever is left. I proudly declared that if he knew me back in school, I would be the last on his list if he ever decides to date a girl. Strangely, I don't regret sharing this unglorious part of myself.

"Are you that bad, seriously?!" he asked with an obvious sense of surprise and skepticism. I said, "Trust me Ben, you would rather stay single than to even come close, given how I looked in the past!"

So being brothers, I would always ask why he remained single till today. He said, "Arlo, the difference between you and me is just I didn't go as far as you did." I replied, "Oei, I wish I am in your position! I would rather stay single than to be married to a jackass. Honestly, I wished I never met him... " That gained his instant empathy.

He said, "I met ladies who insisted those carry-handbag duties, I like my partner not to be princessy. Rather, I would like her to take being princessy as a bonus, not a given. Once in a while, being a princess can spice up a relationship, but when she thinks she is a princess by all rights, it's an instant repellant for me." That line made me recall an ex-colleague's mantra about man. She says she decides if a man is capable of taking care of her at dinner dates. If a man pays, it means he can. But that's another story for another day.

So Benji was telling me he doesn't like Singapore, and I shared his sentiments. He asked why am I still here since I don't like this place. I said I would have been gone if I could. He said, "Ryan is doing well in Australia, sometimes I wish I could do the same." I said, "What's in your way?" He said, "Not the time yet lah... but if I am meant to be there, things will naturally conspire to let me get there."

So here we are, the two of us, exchanged plans and fantasies. Honestly, if you ask me, I would like to leave too. Go somewhere, spread my wings, carve something out for myself. He said, "Yeah, it's good to go somewhere where you can really realise your potential." I said, "And open up your lovelife!"

He retorted, "Aiyah, love is fated wan lah! If you meet someone and this person is meant to be yours, it will happen! Who knows? We may end up being married to each other!" I looked at him and said, "Ben, you won't like me. Not because of my looks, but do I look like someone who dares to marry again after what happened?"

He said, "Bro, whatever happened is the past already. My point is, don't rule yourself out now." I asked, "Does that mean you or me will turn gay?" He blurted, "Not so extreme lah... Give yourself a chance to start over, that's all I am telling you. As for turning gay, I guarantee: you and me? Not a chance! I may have failed relationships but I still like ladies. Likewise, I have never seen you telling me about you liking a woman! Please lah, you won't like women wan lah!"

"There's always a first time... " I smirked. He said, "I will volunteer to change you."

Rest in peace

2011-09-25T20:04:00.001+08:00

Today is the funeral of mother and son whose bodies were found in Bedok Reservoir. I don't know what happened which led Tan Sze Sze to end it all, certainly I can understand how it feels when all hope is gone. I certainly don't believe the tabloids, simply because they don't verify things before reporting. Just enough to arouse interest of curious public, yet only they (people who are in the situation) know what happened.

I saw the surviving husband's claim of innocence. Honestly, if you ask me, it's hard to say whom I believe. However, this guy cannot deny he contributed to the deaths in one way or another. It's up to him if he wants to be a man about this. What drives a person to suicide? When there is no hope, or when people kill any ray of hope available. Did her husband wipe out the slightest sense of hope she had? Only he knows... Anyhow, whatever he says now is also useless. Two lives gone, just like this.

It's also very easy to say "It's not my fault... " or "Whatever she does later is her own decision..." Benji and mother were saying, "Who would be so stupid to own up their mistakes? Of course people will do anything to protect themselves what!" Yeah... how true. Nevertheless, I hope mother and son rest in peace.

When words fail

2011-09-21T15:53:00.000+08:00

Indeed

2011-09-20T17:28:00.000+08:00

Guts!

2011-09-16T12:23:00.000+08:00

Eileen got interested in Final Destination 5. She caught the fourth instalment and could handle. Eileen told me she went to watch Final Destination 5 with her guyfriend and his girl. Before that she was pretty much anticipating to die of cardiac arrest! She said, "At most I chant NaMoOrMiTuoFoo if I am frightened!" I was pleasantly surprised.

I was expecting her to tell me stories about how she crushed the hand of her friend in the theatre or covered her eyes with her handbag. Instead, it's the other way round!

Eileen's guyfriend was horrified and kept grabbing her hand instead of his girlfriend's! They positioned themselves wrongly and just so happened. Eileen told her friend off, "Oei! Don't touch me lah!" Some few seats away, Eileen saw a bunch of students who covered their eyes half of the movie! She admitted that it's really gory.

However she made this comment after the story, "Though it's just a movie... When Death comes knocking at your door, you can't run away..."

Words - live or eat

2011-09-15T13:15:00.000+08:00

I always subscribe to the notion "Talk is cheap". Even my own mother told me, "be careful what you say or do to someone because there will be a time you are tested for your words. Be it lies... your own mantra... The heavens will test you on your words, sometimes it makes you eat them all up!"

So I had some objections from a friend when I told him I wanted to donate some foodstuffs. He asked me why am I still helping since I am always lamenting that people take me for granted. I said, "Do I stand by to watch him fend for himself when he is helpless?" He said, "Look it's up to you, but I don't want to be in a position where I say 'I told you so' when you get conned again."

I asked him, what if one day he is one of the few who takes me for granted, adding that what he said earlier makes sense. Do I leave him to fend for himself? He replied, "Think for yourself first before others." I asked him again, "Will you resent me one day if you happened to be the person who needs help? Will you be bitter at mine protecting my own interests before helping you?"

I added, "I don't mean to argue with you but I can guarantee: one day you'll be tested on your words. By then, your response to whether I put my interests before your need for help or otherwise will be a reflection of your character." He was silent.

So if you are one who subscribes to putting your needs before others, what if one day when you need desperate help, the person whom you are counting on for help (your spouse, your sibling, your best friend) says, "Sorry, you are on your own. I don't want to be implicated." Will you be bitter? Or will you first recall you were the one who started it?

Happy Hatching Day!

2011-09-13T20:58:00.002+08:00

The one on the right...

The mistress becomes the wife

2011-09-13T11:02:00.000+08:00

I read the story of one lady who wrote in to the "Aunt Agony"-like column to pour out her pain. She was a mistress to her boss for 15 whole years. In the course of their relationship, he gave her a lifestyle she wanted - no prize for guessing correctly. The boss' wife passed away two years back and the widower married the mistress. Finally, the concubine becomes the empress.

However, three years into the marriage, the empress finds out the emperor has another concubine outside. She is depressed over the affair and helpless. To my indifferent surprise (again), the Aunt Agony first pointed out "What goes around comes around". She added by marrying the serial lover, she unknowingly created a vacancy for a mistress to enter. 15 years of being a kept woman, to get a bitter exchange of a 3-year marriage with adultery.

I remember someone telling me, "If a person can do this to you, he/she can do this to another person." This is exactly the same story I blogged about weeks back. The only difference is I know the relative of the serial-lover who had a mistress for 9 years, became unofficial his wife for 3 months and another mistress made a grand entrance.

The second ex-wife knows it's her karma for her part of destroying a family. *sigh* When I keep coming across all these stories, I cannot be convinced further of the law of karma. 不由得你不信，善有善报，恶有恶报。做了坏事，换来的不光是短暂的莘福，也是自己遭受不了的后果。你的时晨到了吗？你会怕吗？

家好月圆

2011-09-12T09:58:00.001+08:00

Benji came over to help bake some mooncakes for the babe.

Her birthday is today, right smacked on Mooncake Festival.

Believe me, this is the nicest batch to be photographed.

祝大家中秋节快乐，家好月圆!

Happy birthday babe!

My DIY Dinner

2011-09-11T19:33:00.000+08:00

Rather someone DIYed it for me... I am blessed!

For better or worse

2011-09-10T23:31:00.000+08:00

You know people around me always rabbit about how one should live their life to the fullest. Eat while you can, enjoy while you can. I would always be the one to reply, "I wish I can.. but now I can't!" I have things to attend to and I just don't have the luxury of "enjoying myself" in terms of time and energy. Then another would blurt, "Come on! You only live once!" And I think "yeah, maybe I should go for breast implants, and straighten my teeth!", and I return to reality after five seconds of senseless fantasising.

I don't know if it's my upbringing, or my former jobs that put me on mental overdrive. I can lie down and think of work, or anything. I could be onboard the bus and "not waste time" by reading something to update myself. I seem to have lost the ability to "be still". It gets on a vicious cycle that finally when it's out of the way, something new comes in to intercept my plans to relax or take a break. In conclusion, there's never any R&R in my life. Yeah, I pretty much don't have a life! Because I am pursuing so many things.. rat race eh?

It's a fair comment to make of me if one says I've made the choice. Things made me choose to be on my toes 24/7. Today I am half-hearted about it, neither grateful or detesting it. On a bad day, I would recall how much I put up abusive bosses - both mentally and emotionally.

I get really bitter at how badly exploited I was beyond any humane treatment... in case you are wondering, it's days when I was an administrative person some 10 years ago; easiest person to make scapegoat for minute things like the cleaner losing her broom. I couldn't wait to get my education and leave the abusive job hazards, at least get a better job and "enjoy life" being freed from being lorded around by scumbag bosses.

10 years later, little did I expect that the scumbags I meet are those who claim to be family. Yeah... I still got exploited like some third-world country bumpkins and today, I am still suffering the aftermaths. Those who know me know who are the scumbags and believe me, it's a blessing to mankind if those people remain single or alone. Anyone who are related to them or intend to have a relationship with them have no idea what they are in for... It's never a case of one man's meat is another man's poison. They are pure poison!

Anyhow, I was just asking myself, "When do you plan to really take care of yourself? I am sick and tired of hearing your 'no time and energy' or 'not now, too many things on my mind', I was utterly humbled by two people I read about in the news. One is of a lady's impossible, beautiful life, started since she's eight months old. Her skin flakes and exposes her bare flesh, one can imagine how much pain she suffers.

Doctors then gave her only a few months after her diagnosis... Her story was reported back in October 1991, I was only 13? 20 years later, the baby became a fiesty girl! In spite of the pain she remains positive. She is no stranger to humiliating and insulting treatments and have learnt to filter out words she didn't need. Do I have her kind of determination? Honestly? Nope... So what's my problem?

Another one, a cancer patient wrote his last note to his children before passing away eight months after his diagnosis. I teared reading his story and note. Inspite of being given an early death sentence, he pressed on and settled his affairs before departing, making full use of every moment he had, and left without regrets.

A person's life cut short by cancer, could live a fulfilled life to the best he can. While here I am healthy, have people who care about me, what's my problem? If these guys can press on for better or worse, why can't Christel? I do want to leave this world with no regrets, give myself a pat on the back and say "Christel, you fought a good fight..." I know I have a headstart - a clear conscience for now.

If those people who are plagued with severe health problems can do it, why a healthy person like me can't? Christel, what exactly is your problem?

Becoming dog food

2011-09-09T16:51:00.001+08:00

I was horrified to read a man got eaten by his 7 dogs after returning from a two-week holiday in his hometown. The horror was not the fact the man got eaten, but he starved his dogs unknowingly or knowingly for 14 days! No food and water, the dogs actually ate other dogs. You got me right, it was not 7 dogs at first.

Many who read the news felt pity for the dogs that starved, not the man! One whom I told the news to said, "Dogs got starved for two weeks, eat him correct mah!" Another said it's karma paying back. The owner's body ala remains was at the front door with his luggage, and his head else where. Did he forget? By assuming he forgot, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

You wanna call this a horrible mistake of forgetting? Or just totally.... I got no words for this.

Image from www.cartoonstock.com
Modified by author of this blog

PS> If I am at the Pearly Gates, I don't know what to tell St Paul, whom I foresee would be looking at me with a straight face.

Some people...

2011-09-07T11:37:00.000+08:00

The researchers expecially, just enjoy creating senseless stuffs. Apparently, the English researchers did another study on the birth month of babies will translate to different careers. It implies that parents can try to "time" the births in order to have the baby get certain careers.

Before we jump into any stupid conclusions on babies, let's start with current adults. I am supposed to have a schizophrenic or a serial-killer sister-in-law, I don't. I am supposed to a dentist or a SAVIOUR, but I ain't!

I should have a politician parent, but no? I don't have a scholar or an academic spouse where I should based on this "study". Enough said... ...

Sad love tales

2011-09-06T09:46:00.001+08:00

Believe it or not, I was tearing when I read about Hans Christian Andersen, the writer famous for fairy tales like "The Little Mermaid" and "The Snow Queen", to name a couple. At first I thought it's some kids' story with happy ending. It didn't occur to me Andersen to a certain extent used his un-reciprocated love encounters as inspiration!

The Little Mermaid, a story you and I know, about a girl who doesn't belong to the human world. Being half-human and half-fish, she had to fall in love with a prince. She saved him, and made a deal with the witch to be human so she can be near her Prince. In return, she gave up her most precious thing - her most intoxicating voice. She dances well, but the witch told her she will suffer excruciating pain while dancing. Her "feet" will feel like they are stepping on swords. She can permanently remain a human if the Prince kisses her in true love.

In spite of the pain, she danced for her Prince. All she wanted was to make him happy, and love her. Unfortunately, the Prince married another lady, mistaking the bride for his Saviour. He never realised the mermaid saved him. There was nothing the mermaid could do, since she can no longer return to sea. She will disintegrate at dawn and turn into foam... Her sisters went to get a knife from the witch, and told the mermaid to kill the bride to save herself. By killing the bride, she can return to sea as a mermaid. But the mermaid couldn't bring herself to hurt her Prince by killing his new bride. She rather wait to be disintegrated... in heartache.

A tale of doing all you can for the person you love, and to realise in the end the person was never meant to be yours.

The Snow Queen - famous for the mirror which causes people to only see the bad side of things, and be negative. The Queen kidnapped a boy, Kay, who used to love his neighbour, Gerda, to keep him for herself. She blinded the Kay's eyes to love and joy, caused him to be a negative person. Gerda went on a search for her boy, and would do anything to get him back.

Gerda managed to get to the Queen's palace, heavily guarded by the glass shards of negativity. She used the Lord's Prayer to force the live glass shards to retreat. Upon seeing her imprisoned boy attempting to form the word "eternity" with glass shards (ordered by the Queen), Gerda hugged the boy in tears. Her tears of love melted the magic which distorted the boy's senses. His love and joy returned.

A tale of a person's insecurity and constantly seeing the bad side of another. The Snow Queen always believed the world is cold, heartless, because that's where she came from. She is insecure, yet she wants company! She forced a person to remain with her with her magic. She caused a boy to be like her, cold and heartless towards the people who loved him, so she never had to compete with another. What's striking is, the Queen knew Kay never wanted to be with her. So she resorted to magic to blind Kay's senses.

Do you know of a person like this? Did Andersen meet a lot of people like the Mermaid and the Snow Queen? Maybe he was the Mermaid on many occasions...

PS> If you are interested, read The Red Shoes. It's about retribution.

Love Payback

2011-09-05T17:39:00.000+08:00

I have heard enough about retribution and karma, and that includes the love department. Whatever you do to a person, someone will prey on you the same manner. I had a first-hand experience some years back.

I was madly in love with a guy many years back and I could tell the feeling was mutual. However, he wasn't ready to make a decision about us just yet. He still wanted to shop around to see if he could find someone better. It was painful for me, but what could I do? I accepted it with countless tears.

I often battled with myself on wanting to close the chapter and move on. It was nothing less than tough. You try so hard to win a person, and you are told you didn't make the cut - not because he didn't feel the same, he just wanted to choose the best. Was I not good enough then? Maybe I was indeed not good enough... Ya know why I said he felt the same? People around me kept telling me he has been stealing glances at me whenever I am near.

You see, a part of me wanted so much to forget him. Another part of me refused to give it up without a fight. I said to myself, "Want me to forget? Only if he realises how hurt I am by him - to be denied. To be told 'I don't feel for you' when you know the feeling is there! To meet someone whom I really liked only to be told that I am not the best. Or just 'don't make the cut'. Let him taste how it feels to be treated like that, then I will forget it."

Fast-forward to a good eight years later, our paths crossed again. By then, both of us have already moved on. That angst-filled "promise" was long forgotten. It was pretty much a case of I-don't-care-what-happens-to-him-now. I met up with him for dinner and drinks.

He said he married the lady (the one he picked over me). The marriage was annulled within a few months. "She started to change after getting a sales job. She started to miss family gatherings and rather club with her friends. It became to frequent and I asked her if she was serious about our marriage. It's then I learnt she wanted out, she said there are many things she wants to do but can't because of her marital status. So we went to seek a lawyer and got our union dissolved," he shared.

He was reluctantly honest about the painful phase, including going to court alone for the official hearing. His ex-wife was only 24 when the marriage was annulled. To which I had to say something painful yet honest: "You can't blame her... she is very young. Her age is prime for exploring and finding herself. Moreover, it's her first job you met her... very unfortunate." Deep inside, I knew nobody's fault.

I don't know if you believe this, but incidentally, the period where he mentioned about going through the annulment was the period I had hunches something is wrong with him. However, I didn't have any of his contact to reach him. I even dreamt of him in distress.

He could tell I felt his pain and he asked, "Did you dream about me?" I said, "No, strangely..." (Yup, I lied because I didn't want to give him false hopes in any case). We parted ways with a promise to keep in touch.

On my way back, the anger and heartbreak I suffered because of him came back. He didn't make the cut not because he wasn't a good spouse, but he wasn't her preference in comparison to friends and partying. Trust me, he is good-looking!

In the cab, one part of me knows deeply he realised how it feels to love someone deeply and to be disappointed. The feeling of loving someone with all your heart and you realise later, you are less important than her clubbing, her friends, and others. His was more painful because he got married, and the change of heart is an act of nature.

Was it a love retribution? At least to me, I think it was...

Recently, I met a lady whom I highly think is his ex-wife. She was pushing a stroller with a pan-asian looking toddler boy. Sitting opposite me in a train car, I could tell she can recognise me. But her line of vision was downwards throughout. Then I learnt later, she hooked up with a white man. Married or not, I don't know....

To Hell and back

2011-09-03T16:33:00.000+08:00

We've been having so many kinds of tours. And the thing about such is, the more exotic the better. The most expensive tours available now is to the Moon and back. Now, there's this tour to Hell.... In Penang, Malaysia, apparently there is a medium who claims to be able to take people to Hell for a tour and come back. Yeah, a medium... I don't doubt his powers, but I think sometimes, it's not a nice thing to fool around with.

Hell is a place for the condemned, and clearly, many faiths preach about Hell - a place for Judgment. Some preach about eternal damnation and torture, a place of no hope. Others preach that Hell is a place where people pay for their sins and their souls are only freed after their dues are made good.

Do you really wanna tour these places, to see people's tongues being sliced or yanked out for their lies? Do you want to see people being "cooked" in boiling oil cauldrons? Can you stand the sight of people being cut into half? I honestly can't... and if you've known people who have been evil in their lifetimes, imagine seeing them being tortured there.

A reporter was disappointed at being "rejected" at his visit to Hell. Another was exhausted after the session and the medium said there were two persons trying to "pull" that reporter somewhere and the latter resisted. There was another "person" hovering around the sight.

Imagine you have been the one "being pulled" by two persons: one on your left and right. And another person was hovering around you, not belonging to our world. What if you've been pulled there permanently? It means nothing more than early death... Yeah, I know some people call it "fated" if you die early. I say, you paid the price for your foolish curiosity.

As for that medium, my advice to him is "Don't think you can always bring people there AND BACK anytime. There will always be a possibility your powers are overruled... I don't necessarily call it 'technical glitch' but it's people's lives you are risking with."

It's time

2011-09-02T20:42:00.000+08:00

I always applaud the babe for her healthy eating. I mean, she has her vegetables raw ala salads, she doesn't consume red meat. She plays rugby every week, she goes to the gym, and I tell you, she doesn't even eat the skin of chicken (roast or steamed)!!! And she is like super lean, fit and when I stand beside her, I feel very old and aged! But she is not the focus in this entry.

I was reading a blog by a retiree and he just lost an old friend at an age of 50+. He was known to be a health freak - religiously exercising to keep himself in tip-top shape. He jogs, lifts weights and eats healthily. To my surprise, the blogger wrote his friend passed away of stroke - due to three blocked arteries!!!

I was surprised that even people who exercise regularly accompanied with healthy eating can also get stroke! I wonder where did the blocked arteries come from! I thought exercising can reduce cholesterol.. burn fats that block the arteries, and therefore, good health! Then someone made a comment, "When it's time, it's useless no matter how healthy one can get!"

PS> Quite true... RIP Sir...

Down under-ean going Singaporean

2011-08-26T17:42:00.001+08:00

Sean from Melbourne was in town for a week. He asked if I could catch up with him because our friend is about to lose his sanity being cooped up in MBS. Yes, he didn't like it any bit! He wasn't impressed with the out-of-any-average man's reach boutiques, the room and its price per night, the food served, the whole surroundings!!!!

I must say, he travelled alot, much more than I did. His words for Singapore is "Corporate Town", which I can so relate to. Globalisation is a pretty much a bitch. Skyscrapers in Singapore seems to be the main things we are proud of, thanks to the port. Without the super-duper efficient port, we wouldn't have our nice skyscrapers right?

Anyhow, I dared to eat our local food and he was on! He just needed to get out of the corporate town. We took the train (his language is subway) and walked out of the station, got our noses greeted by smell of trash.

I said, "You smell that?"
He said, "Yeah, what's that?"
I said, "Trash... you get that pretty easily when you are out of the 'Corporate Town'.
"I can handle that..." he replied.

Took him to Redhill market and he gladly ate Nasi Lemak, Oyster Omelette, Carrot Cake, Laksa, drank sugarcane and grass jelly. I wanted to get him those Kway Chap dishes but no stalls opened.

On the way to Geylang for some thorny-fruit fix, Sean told me he took on crabs and lots of it. He asked me what's Guilin Jelly in an attempt to verify if he contributed to animal torture. "I was told it's something herbal... not turtle.." he commented. I said, "Turtle shells are used to brew the broth. Thereafter, herbs and other stuffs are added to make it into jelly."

Sean's stomach gurgled, seemingly ready to expel whatever he ingested some 20 minutes before. He said, "I ate a turtle!!! I am GONNA MAKE HER PAY!!!" Then I realised, he can't bring himself to eat any animal subjected to torture.

See how sporting this guy is? He is the first Caucasian I know to take on durian!

His words were, "It's good!!! Am I supposed to eat the whole thing?" And it was too late for me to tell him to spit out a seed...

China's rail firm boss dies of heart attack

2011-08-26T09:23:00.000+08:00

It came too much as a coincidence, for a person who never had any history of heart problems. I remember reading about the crash in tears, especially the recovery of a father and son corpse. Daddy hugged his little boy in a bid to protect him but both perished in the crash. They couldn't be separated till the embalmers stepped in. I recalled even the embalmers teared at the sight.

Apparently, the Republic has too many flaws to be trusted. The latest news reported that the Chinese media quoted a Senior Investigator saying the crash exposed management failing whch could have been avoided. That says alot about how money makes top people go round.

It's just like some years when Taiwan had a bad earthquake which toppled many buildings, including housing estates. It took an earthquake to unearth a dark secret that sub-standard materials were used to build housing blocks.

So the late boss never had history of heart problems but known to be under tremendous stress after the crash. Is it due to fear of being exposed of more dark secrets? I guess only he knows.

Talk is cheap

2011-08-24T13:04:00.000+08:00

A tutor reportedly humiliated her student via Facebook, calling him/her "goner" and "useless". Another tutor actually mocked a primary 5 pupil for having special needs. I don't know if one should call it a "weakness" or just not cut out to be a teacher. On the other hand, nobody said being a teacher is easy. Today's educators must face taunts from students, pressure from parents and superiors. They too have nowhere to vent their frustrations.

I remember my nephew had teachers forcing him to join their respective CCAs cos of "no business". Whatever CCAs under their charge, if there are no members, the teachers would look bad. Gone are the days where CCAs carried the pure mission of nurturing and enrichment. Everything has become so competitive. But that's not the point of my entry.

I don't know why the first paragraph keeps reminding me of a civil servant whom I know (not personally) though, actually used the local newspapers to rebuke Mr Brown's letter some years ago. Mr Brown is known to have a daughter with autism. She certainly didn't like Mr Brown's comments, claiming him to be distorting the truth, and blaming the gahmen for the things he is not happy about.

I hate to say this but for anyone to hurl uncalled-for comments at a person with long-term effort-needing family member is really offensive. As for that teacher who called her student "goner" and "useless", I hope her child won't be like this. Imagine people call your son or daughter "useless" and "goner".

And for the other jackass who mocked a special needs child, I hope you won't have one next time because you certainly won't have the strength of those parents who have kids with special needs. You have no idea how much more it costs to school them, energy and effort to tend to them. If you can do a better job, prove it!

You will be tested for the things you say... so hold your tongue.

Administrative woes

2011-08-23T11:13:00.000+08:00

I read about the jobs that lead to depression, one of them being my previous jobs - administrative support staff. Whether in private or public sector, taking orders from all directions and everyone's request is urgent is a norm. Administrative staffs are the easiest people to push the blame to when things go wrong - even if they are not physically present at scene of "magnified mistake".

It seems many feel an administrative person is the easiest to victimise ala 好欺负, cos they are the lowest white-collar rank. In some cases, even cleaners are given more respect than administrative staffs!

I recalled in my days in an advertising firm which since folded years ago. When I was on leave, someone delivered an envelope and I was held responsible for the loss cos nobody knew where the envelope went. The boss came to me and said, "Whatever it is, you have to answer for it!" I retorted, "Answer for what when I am not physically there? I didn't receive the envelope, what is the logic behind holding me responsible?" He said, "I am the boss!!!"

Shortly after, someone pointed the envelope on his already messy table, but nobody knew who left it there. I went straight to him, "Is this what you are looking for, which happens to be on your table?!" He shoved me away in embarrassment, and his wife who is in the same office just said (in a manner of not his fault) "Someone left it on his table..." Like "of course", but I didn't deserve the accusation for things I didn't have knowledge of.

In the public sector, the same things happen and your immediate superior would be the first to defend himself/herself by saying, "I already emailed to inform her/ask her to do it... " with full knowledge there's up to 50 new mails a day flooding the box, on top of endless adhoc duties.

If not, fingers directed at you saying, "Why didn't you this? Why didn't you that? How can you forget?"I lost my cool once and asked, "Why always me and not you? Why are you always blaming people for the things you didn't do?"

How-ever hard being an administrative person can get, there is a fact. Nobody regrets how bad they treated you, but they strangely start missing you when they have a replacement who cannot do things like you could.

Now that this news is out, I seriously wonder if anyone even bothers to realise they have contributed to the stress levels of the administrative and some leading to mental illnesses for their unreasonable management mannerism.

On the other hand, it's also holds true for one fact I couldn't stop emphasising enough - you won't know how it feels till you go through the same shite. It's no skin off your nose to treat an administrative officer like a slave, but when you are treated like one yourself, you'll be complaining.

12 Laws of Karma

2011-08-22T10:01:00.001+08:00

Interesting, straight after my last entry, I stumbled upon this. It confirms at least the saying, "Heavens watches what one does..." aka in Chinese "人在做，天在看!" It's by Rev. Raven E. Aurlineus.

The Great Law
"As you sow, so shall you reap". This is also known as the "Law of Cause and Effect".
Whatever we put out in the Universe is what comes back to us. If what we want is Happiness, Peace, Love, Friendship... Then we SHOULD BE Happy, Peaceful, Loving and a True Friend.
The Law of Creation
Life doesn't JUST HAPPEN, it requires our participation. We are one with the Universe, both inside and outside. Whatever surrounds us gives us clues to our inner state. Be yourself and surround yourself with what you want present in your life.
The Law of Humility
What you refuse to accept, will continue for you. If what we see is an enemy, or someone with a character trait that we find to be negative, then we ourselves are not focused on a higher level of existence.
The Law of Growth
"Wherever you go, there you are."
For us to GROW in Spirit, it is us who must change - not the people, places or things around us. The only given we have in our lives is OURSELVES. It is also the only thing we have control over. When we change who and what we are within our heart, our life follows suit and changes too.
The Law of Responsibility
Whenever there is something wrong in my life, there is something wrong in me. We mirror what surrounds us - and what surrounds us mirrors us; this is a Universal Truth.
The Law of Connection
Even if something we do seems inconsequential (doesn't lead to consequences), it is very important that it gets done as everything in the Universe is connected. Each step leads to the next, so on and so forth. Someone must do the initial work to get a job done. Neither the first nor the last steps are of greater significance, as both are needed to accomplish the task. Past, present and future are all connected.
The Law of Focus
You cannot think of two things at one time. When our focus is on Spiritual Values, it is impossible for us to have lower thoughts such as greed or anger.
The Law of Giving and Hospitality
If you believe something to be true, then something in your life, you will be called upon to demonstrate that particular truth. Here is where we put what WE CLAIM that we have learned and into ACTUAL PRACTISE.
The Law of Here and Now
Looking back to examine what was, prevents us from being totally in the Here and Now. Old thoughts, old patterns of behaviour and dreams, prevents us from having new ones.
The Law of Change
History repeats itself until we learn the lessons that we need to change our paths.
The Law of Patience and Reward
All rewards require initial toil. Rewards of lasting value require patience and persistent toil. True joy follows doing what we are supposed to do, and waiting for the reward to come in on its own time.
The Law of Significance and Inspiration
You get back from something whatever YOU have put into it. The true value of something is the direct result of the envery and intent that is put into it. Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the Whole. Lack luster contribution have no impact on the Whole, nor do they work to diminish it. Loving contributions bring life to inspire the Whole.

PS> The writer happens to be a witch. Yes, it's witchcraft we are talking about - which includes Bomohs, Dukuns, Sihir (Black Magic). The point I am trying to make is, EVEN these people believe in Karma and Retribution for all deeds (good and wicked). They still need to be mindful of "You get what you give".

For those who still think they can get away after committing wicked acts, SURPRISE!

Life balances

2011-08-21T11:32:00.000+08:00

I think someone I know is having early stages of cancer, at least something tells me the symptom is an indication. I don't know why I feel strongly so, maybe it's my gut feeling telling me. It's not the first time my hunches came true. However, things can sometimes be extremely coincidential. There have been people who claimed her condition is her retribution. I don't know her well enough to pass judgment.

Another one, is known to be sickly lately. She gets breathless after a few steps. I heard her own husband and son are pretty much indifferent towards her. Her son was telling someone he is now a believer of karma and retribution. There were speculations that he is referring to his own mother. I guess he knows what his mother did, and is watching her pay the price for her wicked acts.

Sometimes you keep hearing people say, "人在做，天在看!" In case you are not familiar with this saying, it means whatever one does, heaven watches. Even Jack Neo believes so, after his extra-marital affairs got exposed. These things taught me, no matter how much injustice you face, someday the person who wronged you would have to crawl on his/knees beginning for forgiveness being such an asshole. And it holds true..

Gullibicious

2011-08-18T15:12:00.000+08:00

I was reading quirky news in the dailies and boy, I had no idea just how guillible I can get. Yes, I had to be told by my best friend how toopid I am, and easily fooled.

In Australia, there was a study by Queensland University of Technology on couch potatoes. The study revealed that every hour spent on watching television shortens an individual's life by 22 minutes. Benji blurted, "So those movie reviewers 不是找死?! 还有，Singapore's average mortality rate will be at 50! Siao!!! Did they get the right scientists to do the study or not?!"

I read on outloud: "The study added that on the other hand, if individuals spend just 15-minutes a day exercising, they can prolong their lives by three years, and lower risks of cancer by 10%." Our Einstein said, "With so many marathon fanatics in Singapore, and held throughout the year, shouldn't Singapore's mortality rate would be hundred?

"Manchester City just had one player, Marc Vivien Foe, drop dead of heart attack at 24! So do the maths! 15 minutes a day to prolong life by three years? Multiply by that and we got a fella drop-dead, you believe (what you just read) arh?"

Moving on, there's this "Regret" capsule sold in China, online of course, claiming to be able to alleviate one's regret and hatred. And it apparently attracted many buyers, both male and female. I read, "There are some 300 sellers carrying the same product. Prices range between S$0.02 and S$55." Benji rose one eyebrow.

Adding, "Packaging differs, some sellers actually explain how to consume it." Benji's eyes got bigger.

"Before eating, grit your teeth.. " *Benji stared at me... *
"While you are consuming, bang your chest in anguish." *Benji slaps his forehead*

After 2 seconds, he said, literally begging, "please don't tell me you believe this!"

Be careful what you say

2011-08-17T13:30:00.001+08:00

I can't be convinced further, sometimes the things one says, be it a joke that meant no harm, a casual remark, or a curse... things can come to pass, in anyway possible. I have heard stories of such so many times. One such tale was during the seventh month many years back, told to me by a friend's mother. She used to hang around Redhill market to catch up with friends. There was a notorious guy known for his obnoxiousness. He seemed to never believe in the act of paying respects to the dead.

It was one usual day where he walked past offerings and possibly saw some people in prayer mode. He allegedly said, "What's with these people praying to the dead?! Pray to the dead for what?! Might as well pray to me!" The last statement actually became reality. He had a fall shortly after nearby the market. He never recovered from the fall and died. People actually paid respects to him...

In Malaysia recently, a husband told his wife he would die in a fire before Hari Raya. His wife thought his comment was a joke. One week ago, the husband had a car crash and died in it. The vehicle carried him and three other friends, overturned before catching fire. His three other friends managed to escape with minor injuries. Joke or actual prophesy, the wife fainted upon seeing her dead husband's body in the wreckage.

A lesson learnt at another's expense, whether it's during the Ghost Month, I always feel: be careful what you say/wish/curse. It might just come true with you as the victim.

Month of the deceased

2011-08-16T14:09:00.000+08:00

As I write this, I am trying my darnest to remain a big cool cat, with lots of chamomile tea of course! Look everywhere and you see burnt marks on the concrete floors at 5m interval distances. Half-burnt candles and joss sticks with offerings planted evenly on any clear ground you can find.

I still recall those days where people burnt their offerings on the concrete pavements, forcing pedestrians like us having to walk on the roads in the name of being respectful. We were taught since childhood NEVER to step on any burnt offerings or the burnt spots. In the 80s and 90s, the scattered burnt spots were so bad that nice grass patches had black circular charred spots...

Today, even when the gahmen encourages people to burnt their offerings in bins provided, I still see people burning offerings on concrete floors. Seriously, what's with us?! Can we be more zidong (automatic)? Or do we need to impose more fines against people who enjoy bulldozing their selfish ways through?

Crap talk

2011-08-15T10:57:00.000+08:00

That's what happens after listening to 1.5hrs of rubbish by big shots.

Homemade 黑白呸!

2011-08-14T13:23:00.000+08:00

If you can tell it's Chai Tow Kuay, means it's OK. If you can't tell, means I have to try harder...

Reference check

2011-08-12T13:25:00.000+08:00

Some years ago, my company hired an extremely territorial lady as sales person. For some reason she felt very threatened by our presence and would barricade us (editorial team) from the clients. Reasoning with her diplomatically would only result in shouting matches and her telling us what to do when we didn't even report to her. I almost lost my sanity for six months putting up with her daily electronic poison-pen. She got fired one late evening after boss returned and asked her to pack.

Lately, the babe told me a company rang up to do a reference check. Coincidentally, bosses were not around and the babe wasn't able to give a lot of information. I offered myself and the babe told me, "It's not ethical..." I replied, "It's not ethics in question, I am just telling the truth." She paused for a moment and said, "Anyhow, it's not for us to comment..." I replied, "Then you should be telling the bosses they rang..." She answered, "It's not important..."

I wonder... ...

Motion picture

2011-08-11T10:11:00.000+08:00

Edison (who again) slept with so many women and took graphic pictures of them, stored in his computer, only to have them circulated all over the internet by a repairman... That circulation destroyed careers and artistes' credibility in the entertainment industries. I believe some of the artistes who were affected are still trying to cope with the stigma they face today, only not reported. Anyhow, it's enough depression which started how many years ago... and "tints of it still there" would be an understatement.

The recent Cathay Pacific airline saga, where a picture of a stewardess giving a man oral sex is facing the same kind of attention. The man receiving is rumoured to be a pilot. He said he has made a police report as the pictures were stored in his computer. There were more pictures of the stewardess in suggestive poses with the uniform circulated.

Honestly, I have nothing against them. They are only human, with sexual desires like any others. Guess the only mistake is to document their trysts and "immortalise" them through images. Of course, there are certain jobs which place companies' reputations on the line. Stewards/stewardesses are one of them.

Being at the forefront, they face intense pressure from millions of people worldwide. SIA girls posing in a picture with their boyfriends with their uniform kebayas (but no suggestive poses), they get shot. Now I wonder how the pilot and the stewardess involved in Cathay are going to be fried for their "motion pictures".

I sent my Macintosh for repair last month. Benji asked me if I remembered to backup my data... which I did... Then I was in a frantic backing up frenzy as there were things I couldn't afford to lose. One of them is work stuffs, and another is... yup (you guessed it), pictures!

Just for the record, they are clean... of churches I have visited.

Can't buy me love

2011-08-09T23:28:00.000+08:00

I took an interest to Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's news lately. Incidentally, Aniston has a new boyfriend. Former husband, Brad Pitt has reportedly been keeping in touch with his ex-wife and his current partner, Angelina Jolie, with whom some 3 biological kids were born is not very happy about this.

Image credit: www.gather.com

Linda Evangelista, former world-famous supermodel has a son with current husband of Salma Hayek, busty spanish model-actress, reportedly asked for some US$45000 a month for child support. Francois-Henri Pinault is a billionaire mogul who heads the PPR luxury goods conglomerate whose brands include Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

Image credit: www.okmagazine.com

What do these stories tell me? No matter how much money you have, you can't buy love. Brad, Angelina, Jennifer, Linda are obviously crazily-rich. Being human, they are not exempted for love troubles as well. Francois-Henri Pinault actually made Salma Hayek pregnant and broke up with her, they got back together only much later after the baby girl was born.

Sometimes, reading these stories make me pity the celebrities... *sigh*

Tribute to a REAL man

2011-08-08T09:41:00.000+08:00

This is a tribute to a real man, a best friend; the first I have come across in the history of my existence. He knows the meaning of "A friend walks in when the world walks out."

When you are depressed and lost, he says "I am right behind you!"

When you need help, he asks "When do you need me over?"

When you have weight on your shoulders, he says "Gimme some of the load."

When you think you cannot walk anymore, he says "Yes you can, I'll walk with you - right to the end!"

He is one who showed me the meaning of friendship, and selfless love. Whoever who has him as a friend, a lover, a brother, is indeed a blessed person. I am one of them.

In other news: Happy birthday Hye Jeong! Love you!

Animal instinct

2011-08-06T23:48:00.000+08:00

I often hear many people condemning the PRCs, for their barbaric behaviour. I have met my fair share of the ugly ones in their territory of course. Each time I travel to China, I never fail to feel like a minority unworthy of any respect from them. Some six years ago when I first went to Shanghai, I couldn't deal with the way they bump into people to get ahead. Cutting queue was a norm for them. Six years later, I still give dirty looks to people who don't know the meaning of "queuing". That's mannerism alone.

However, it seems there are more ugly things about China. "Inhumane" is the word used to describe them. In North-west of China, bear bile is often harvested from gallbladders for TCM. The painful part is a hole is punctured on the abdominal area of the bear and NEVER CLOSED. As a result, the poor animals are often subject to infections, and diseases! These bears are also kept in crush cages - meaning the cage is so small that they can't even move or manuvere!

It's reported the bears often try to kill themselves as they are not able to bear the pain of having an open hole in their stomachs, so they try to bang their stomachs to curb the pain. It's all over the internet now, that one mother bear actually strangled her own cub to death after failing to free it from restraints prior to the inhumane procedure.

The cub howled in fear before a worker tried to puncture its stomach to milk the bile, the frantic mother broke out of her cage and tried to save her baby. She tried in vain and eventually, killed it. After confirming the baby's death, she dropped the carcass and ran straight for the wall head first, in suicide. She was successful.

Even animals have the same emotions like ours. We know the feeling of pain and torment - both physical and mental. A mother couldn't bear to watch her baby suffer and rather kill to save. One can call it maternal instinct, or compassion for her own baby.

As for those workers, who are not the least bit bothered at their inhumane actions, it's for life to deal with them, if not karma. If you believe in reincarnation, it's said that maybe you would reincarnate as an animal, to be used inhumanely for another's benefits. However, animal or not, what was done was to another's baby...

If you are a parent, would you let your baby be subjected to inhumane acts? On the other hand, would you have the heart to hurt and destroy another's baby? Never mind the PRCs have no conscience, if you are reading this, do you have one?

Devil relations

2011-07-29T13:32:00.003+08:00

A few minutes before the church services started, the congregation was sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.

Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate.

Soon the church was empty except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence

So Satan walked up to the man and said, 'Do you know who I am?'

The man replied, 'Yep, sure do.'

'Aren't you afraid of me?' Satan asked.

'Nope, sure ain't.' said the man.

'Don't you realize I can kill you with one word?' asked Satan.

'Don't doubt it for a minute,' returned the old man, in an even tone.

'Did you know that I can cause you profound, horrifying AGONY for all eternity?' persisted Satan.

'Yep,' was the calm reply.

'And you are still not afraid?' asked Satan.

'Nope,' said the old man.

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, 'Why aren't you afraid of me?'

The man calmly replied,

'Been married to your sister for 48 years.’

PS> I know some of them... and am still here.

Deathbed Confessions

2011-07-22T12:01:00.000+08:00

As he lay on his deathbed, the man confided to his wife, "I cannot die without telling you the truth. I cheated on you throughout our whole marriage. All those nights when I told you I was working late, I was with other women. And not just one woman either, but I've slept with dozens of them."

His wife looked at him calmly and said, "That's why I poisoned you..."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It may be a joke but deathbed confessions are real. Nurses who have been tending to cancer patients here in Singapore have reportedly heard numerous confessions. Some common ones would be regrets of working too hard and giving up health... another may be "should have spent more time with loved ones..." One medical social worker who works at Tan Tock Seng Hospital heard confessions of shoplifting, cheating on spouses and mistreating family members.

I don't know about you but I recall aunty telling me humans are generally good-natured. When near death, they will say such things to close their final chapter. Honestly, I don't know if it's the last guilt trip they are taking. If not they are scared of judgment and would like to make a final redemption of themselves before they burn in the box. I don't expect someone who wronged me apologising at her/his deathbed.

It's no longer the apology that matters. Call me stubborn (if you will) but to me, if you've have made your choice to hurt me, apologising on your deathbed doesn't mean anything. It could have if you done so right after your act, if not stop your act in time to avoid dire consequences. What's the point? I won't be appreciating your honesty.

And really, don't expect me to buy the nonsense about "Cannot go in peace if I don't confess..." As far as I am concerned, if you cannot go in peace, you dragged yourself into this.

Mad house

2011-07-19T16:50:00.000+08:00

I read the headline "Miserable man can't divorce wife..." I ran through the article and went "WHAT?!" I mean, I can empathise with the man's pain. Excerpt of the article:

"His wife is a businesswoman in her mid-30s. He said that his father-in-law forced the customary wedding date on him and his mother, although they felt uneasy about the choice. He also took the father-in-law's offer of a director's post in the family's company as coercive.

"Although he and his wife do not stay with her parents, they stay over sometimes and meddle in their affairs. The man claimed that he was made to shuttle his wife to her parents' home before going to work, and had to drop her off at the gym and wait "for hours" while she was there.

"His wife apparently also lacked respect for his religious beliefs, preventing him from making travel for prayers by keeping his passport from him."

Wah... being made to drop the wife off at the gym and wait for hours till she's done? Abit too much right? Then what did the judge say? The plaintiff's issues are trivial... as it doesn't constitute as exceptional hardship. Imagine now the husband has been diagnosed with depressive disorder due to this subjectively toxic marriage. The judge threw it out.

Allo! People go mad already still cannot divorce? Yeah, blame the system... our system which in my opinion, needs a major overhaul. Emotional abuse is not even valid in the our justice system. Long-term suffering of emotional abuse can result in the ruin of an individual's mental state.

Take maids for example... pls ah. I meant the cases of maids being abused and then retaliated by hurting their employer. I ever saw employers scolding their maids everyday at the top of their voices, and it doesn't look like the maid is hopeless. Sometimes it's obvious the employer is just taking it out on the poor servant. Imagine yourself being yelled at everyday, would you go mad?

So what happens later? The maid loses it and retaliates by plotting something against the employer. Eventually, all the law sees is the criminal act of the maid inflicting physical harm to the employer, and gives minimal weight to the mental torture prior before. Remember one maid who killed her elderly employer years ago? The maid said she was verbally abused everyday, and she couldn't take it anymore. I forgot what sentence she got but at the end of the thing, all people saw was a murder committed. The only person "on her side" was her defence lawyer, who said, "They are just here to work..."

Singapore has yet to acknowledge the importance of mental wellbeing in their legislation. Parents keep pressuring their kids to do well in school in the name of planning... they fail to see the profane amount of stress the kids are put through - with their talk of intense competition to get into the best schools. Yet when kids kill themselves because they cannot take it anymore, schools start to crank up their counselling facilities or even start a service.

There is no authority or body who can stand up and say "Stop mental/emotional abuse!" Is it because it's harder to get caught in the act? Maybe I should shift to the US... one can get sued for giving mental distress! Unfortunately, our law is only capable of saying "You suay lor... suck it in!"

How mood affects everyone...

2011-07-11T10:54:00.000+08:00

1 ~ Today is F*** UP Day, everybody go to hell!!!!

2 ~ Yeah yeah... let's go mati together ^.^

1 ~ Ok ok... let go together but I go HEAVEN k.

2 ~ But I dun think "they" will approve u to go heaven , coz u got bad guy face...

1 ~ You too heavy to go heaven also, hell is easier for u. You can visit 18 different levels.

2 ~ Siao !!! That means all the fat want must go to hell lah !!!

1~ I didn't say u fat huh, u said it yourself.

For the lack of a good title

2011-07-08T15:55:00.002+08:00

But my point is: sometimes we gotta live and let live. I was in Shanghai for a meeting and got herded to this banquet in the evening. Hosted in a five-star hotel of an international brand, the only thing that kept me sane was online messaging with the free wifi.

I was chatting even in the toilet... but something happened. I went into a cubicle whose door wouldn't close and lock. And when I have finally managed to, it wouldn't unlock and open. So yours truly was stuck in there for 15 mins. Grinning... I MSNed Benji who didn't have a smooth day at home, "Would you believe me if I tell you I am stuck in the toilet?"

Benji "shouted" all the way from Singapore, "What kind of a five-star hotel is that?! You better shout for help..." I tried to pry the door open for 10 minutes without success. I started knocking to get help and a janitor just told me after letting me out: "Yeah... the door is stuck." and she went off to do her thing.

Then I had an Indian national lady beside me. Being vegetarian, she got served Chinese vegetarian food at meals. I was there with another Indian Singaporean guy, R. Our friend from India just couldn't trust the fact that she was vegetarian and kept getting us to try the food and tell her what it is. The only "dish" she made past half the portion is fried rice.

I requested for a glass of 开水, which means plain water in chinese. I got hot water in an all-purpose wine glass. The others got served softdrinks in room temperatures and people started asking for ice cubes....

So the banquet was on with the MCs rattling their scripts for the awards. Some one hour into the event, R went, "I don't drink hot coke! And I see a market for English speaking MCs..."

I replied, "Come on... I don't think you speak their language.. Be nice.." He started to grin sheepishly.

Throughout that two hours, I have heard words like "pixel" pronounced as "Pie-zerl", some VIPs' name get another pronounciation and nobody recognised. At the end of the awards, the MC tried to make an attempt to overall congratulate the winners but it came out wrong.

"Congratulations on your achievements! YOU WIN!!!"

I was chewing my freshly shelled prawns and went black for five seconds staring into space, and chewing halted. I turned to the two and asked, "Did I hear 'Congratulations on your achievements! You win!'?" Both of them nodded reluctantly... R broke out into hysterical laughter.... While I told myself silently, "I tried to save their dignities..."

I was at the airport waiting to board and was talking to Benji about the eventful banquet online at approaching midnight. He said, "What the hoot?! Streetfighter arh?!"

Spam

2011-07-08T11:50:00.003+08:00

Speechless.... ....

Nothing much, just selfishness...

2011-07-05T09:44:00.000+08:00

Hallelujah!!! When I read even the Muslim ladies in Malaysia are voicing out, I couldn't help feeling a sense of adrenaline rush.

Excerpt from the article dated 3 July 2011 "....NAM Institute For the Empowerment Of Women Malaysia (NIEW) chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Rafiah Salim says that the new policy will allow for a change of paradigm by all, especially husbands.

'People always forget that family is not the responsibility of a woman, it's a joint responsibility in law, religion and whatever angle you look at. Stop the nonsense about families suffering because women are taking on bigger responsibilities at work.

'For a change, it's about time men realise that they are equally responsible, they should share the burden for the sake of the country. Why should the man come home in the evening, sit happily in the living room and read the papers while the woman, who has been slogging in the office, rush home to care for the baby and cook all the meals for her family?"

Our fellow Muslim counterparts are known to be really the hardcore traditionalists, in a good way. However, we cannot dismiss the fact that times have changed. Men today (regardless of religion and nationalities) still prefer ladies who can do everything, including earning money. The argument about only one paying the bills and feeding the whole family is always a can of worms. What's worse is those bad eggs who enjoy using that to bulldoze their way into wrong rights.

I fail to fathom the logic some people have towards responsibility. When it's to their advantage, they preach sense of responsibility against their other halves. Some husbands will use this to cajole their wives to be submissive to them, yet when they have nothing to show for their performance as a husband / breadwinner / parent, they penalise their wives for not being a support.

Wives are penalised for not cooking meals, coming home late from work... not doing the dishes - yeah conveniently taken for granted ala slavery. The whole family enjoys a meal and chuck a pile of dirty dishes in the sink, waiting for the wife to return and do them. For choosing not to do it, the wife becomes an overnight criminal. The wives who earn money must contribute to household, and give in-laws monthly allowance cos she is working. It's an obligation... but some husbands will conveniently skip giving the wives pocket money because the ladies are capable of earning their own keep. And ya know what, talk about gender equality!

It seems not many are prepared to give, but only care about taking and how much they can take. Only one word: SELFISH. It's comforting to see even traditionalists are voicing out... some things just simply don't apply anymore. Honestly, I rather be single than to be married to a selfish brute. But that's just within the boundaries of marriage.

I am not a feminist... I just can't accept the degree of selfishness some people have within or outside of marriage. Just for the record, we (for starters... yes, Singaporeans!), are indeed a selfish bunch, reported in the news. The survey showed a horrifying figure of how many only cared about receiving kindness... Read carefully and you'll know what I mean... So yes, quit expecting people to do things FOR YOU...

One more chance?

2011-07-03T10:48:00.000+08:00

I applaud Jean Danker's comments that she doesn't mind his two failed marriages - as long as he has tried his best. Nobody wants a divorce but if things have come to a point where two people can no longer remain together, parting is the best thing to do. What's the point in remaining in a union where there is no happiness?

I came across this headline that read "Singaporean women are choosy", half of me was agreeing and another half was begging to differ. I was reading about Glenn Ong's engagement to Jean Danker and the next thing I knew, were reports about subsequent marriages. It's certainly on the rise, and says alot. It may mean people change over the years and decide they are not suitable for each other, it may also mean people make wrong decisions that proved painful. Glenn's impending third walk down the aisle may have sent people speculating how long his union will last but at the end of the day, sometimes we don't know what happened along the way.

Don't get me wrong here. Having married before doesn't necessarily mean something bad. Sometimes it means the person tried very hard and just had bad luck with partners - kept having wrong partners. Kudos to couples who try to make their marriages work. However, marriage is between two persons and others have to be left out of the equation. Not parents, not career, not hobbies etc. Otherwise, it goes on to show the position of the spouse; of lesser importance that whatever the other is concerned about.

On the other hand, acceptance has to be a two-way thing. You can't be expecting all the benefits and choose to offer nothing. Too many people I know just enjoy pointing out what they want, but when asked what they have to offer, they remain silent. I know men who want their women smart, pretty, hardworking, can cook etc, but they don't even have a basic education credential.

Putting this in perspective: you want a manager-level wife (can do everything type), but you are nothing more than an odd job labourer. And you have the nerve to complain singaporean women are choosy... choosing to ignore the fact you don't even give yourself security! I even know of a man like this and still say, "Too bad if she doesn't want to suffer with me..." I can see how many middle fingers floating in the air as I type this.

I would then sadly have to say, this person who values his/her stuffs more than spouse is not suitable for marriage. More often than not, it's always the guilty party who either refuses to acknowledge it, or knows it and still does it. If you are this person, do you still have any rights to penalise your spouse for divorcing you? If you still feel your spouse is obliged to accept it without question, then it's you who is the selfish one. Don't blame anyone if you are still single... You deserve to be single!

Because after all that has been said and done, you still thinking it's your entitlement. With that, I can conclude, no man or woman will accept it.

As the saying goes "No one is worth crying for... but the one who is won't make you cry." I would like to introduce an alternative way of saying:

"No one is worth sacrificing for.. but the one who is won't make you sacrifice..."

Yes, just when you think you would die for this person, this person will never make you die for him/her.

Nina Bay

2011-07-02T13:37:00.000+08:00

Image credit: The Married Men's Facebook Page

I tell you, late nights at a continual stretch is no fun. You just get up with your eyes closed, work with your eyes closed, eat and drink with your eyes closed - so much that even your own colleague tells you "You look dead..." What do you mean I look? I actually feel so... maybe half-way down in my grave.

Benji was just showing me the above picture online where I had absolutely no idea the pun was intended, at least not directed at me. I saw the picture and thought "Right... a bottle of wine... " and the comments put were along the lines of the DJs drinking on the job.

Benji said, "Interesting wine..." I replied, "What does that mean?" He said, "Nina Bay..." I hissed, "I know it's NINA BAY! But what does that mean?" Benji went into hysterical laughter online and said, "lol!!!! Ni na beh!!!" And I could feel my light bulb making a lame attempt to flicker, just enough to catch the whole significance.

"Oh... That I don't know..." I said. The rest of the comments read: "Got BOE LAMP-PAR?" and "Good name, will buy as birthday present for ppl I don't like....."

SPGs

2011-07-01T09:59:00.000+08:00

You have two ways to look at this acronym: Sarong Party Girl or Simply Perfect Girl... Lately, there's talk about Karen Mok's impending marriage to a German. I don't know if anyone bothered to call the starlet "Sarong Party Girl..." just because she chose a white man to be her spouse. I have seen the first, who more often than not, takes pride in hooking a white man... It's often assumed that white men symbolise class and wealth (EURO weakened by the way).

Then everybody (including myself) get disgusted at ladies who are all over their white men. I know of one who actually gets territorial when it concerns hers. Ya lah, he has properties and he is famous. She would jump on opportunities to say "HE IS TAKEN!" Do you see insecurity? Maybe... but honestly? I met his girl before and she carries herself in a mannerism that could only be described by one word - "fake".

She can be bombastically happy when she says "Hi"... Somehow nobody can see her sense of courtesy or manners... but another lady (who married a white man) said, "Is it me or she took some 'happy pill'?" She (the first one) speaks as if she is the lady boss... cos her man is a boss. Naturally, people keep a distance from her.

Then there is this lady, who married an Englishman. You would be so drawn to her. She exhibits a sense of warmth and humility. She greets with a sweet smile and you would NEVER feel for her the same way you feel for the first one. If you are a lady, you would extend your hospitality to her by offering her a drink! You would offer to help her if she needs anything. She is one hell of a SPG!!!! Just for the record, I apply the 2nd definition.

Numbered

2011-06-29T10:41:00.001+08:00

Honestly, I don't know much about numerology. I have a friend who does and I am neutral about it - I may not share the same sentiments about certain readings but I have nothing against it. But I am against a local numerology group who claims to be able to plot the life path of a person through birth numbers. They have the nerve to say things at their free seminar "don't ask already... the other information is chargeable!"

They claim to be able to tell the person's fate through numbers... even projected that the Duchess of Cambridge is heading for splitsville with Prince William... and that there would be a cover-up. Like SERIOUSLY! I am a sucker for such things out of pure curiosity but to project my fate through your doctrine of numbers... *speechless for five seconds*

To make matters worse, there is a one-day course which costs a whopping close to $500 for one day. This $500 covers a day of I-think-it's-baloney talk, 2 meals and 2 books. The "benefit" of it is you may not understand the first time round, you are free to come again and learn till you get the hang of it.

Someone I know went for the free seminar and got approached by some participants, suspected to be planted by the trainers to induce curiosity and lure people to pay for the course. A few actually said they are returning participants because they didn't understand, and "invited" ala jio-ed the rest to pay and join, then all "study this thing together".... I see the only thing numbered is the bank account of gullible people!

Please, I think I am better off getting a book on Numerology out of pure curiosity. Better yet, I have someone who can tell your fate as a scam artist. She doesn't need numbers... and does a bloody better job than you!