A Mind of My Own

I went to pick up the free luggage that I was was entitled to since I booked the package at Safe2Travel. Since DD doesn’t have a luggage of a bigger size, I gave it to him. I have a larger one myself and will be using that as I tend to pack more than what is needed. The “kiasu” syndrome at work again. It’s always better to over-pack, ok?

It was lunch time when I got to DD’s place. We watched 1408 while having lunch. A waste because  I shouldn’t have bought any lunch. I couldn’t finish it when watching any scary movies! Note to self: Never watch any scary movies during mealtimes. The movie was both exciting and interesting to watch. I should latch myself to DD’s arms whenever the scary parts come in.

We had to attend a wedding in Bishan Park II in the evening. The toughest part was getting a taxi to the place. No taxis were available at 4.30pm because the double charge starts at 5pm. I thought the LTA had a ruling? The second part was walking from one end of the park to the other end. The taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong part of the park!

The problem was that both parks stated “BISHAN PARK”. They didn’t differentiate the park! NParks ought to do something about that. The wedding was held at Aramsa Spa. We walked for 20 minutes and my makeup melted. Curses!

When we finally reached the place, the solemnisation was just about to end. There were some jumps in the speech as the groom was very nervous. The bride was more calm though. She was more coherent. When the formalities of the solemnisation ended, the dinner reception started. The cheesecakes were nice but I ate DD’s blueberry flavours. Oops

After the reception, we congratulated the bride and groom. I was rather surprised to know that 2 of my ex-colleagues were there and one of them knew him. It’s a small world alright. I have gained weight again They, on the other hand, seemed to have maintained theirs from the last time I saw them.

We left at around 7.30pm to explore what the spa had to offer. It looked good because since it is in the park, they have outdoor water therapy. Just pray that Google Earth doesn’t capture it. I liked the place. I like to have my ROM in such a soothing place The wedding shall have to be some place cooler.

The taxis love to hide 30 – 45 minutes just before the double charge starts. I thought there was a claim that we have more than enough taxis to go around for 24 x 7?

It rained heavily this morning. I was contemplating staying at home to catch up with my beauty sleep but since I’m taking 5 days leave next week for Bali, I had to leave the house regretfully. The rain was still pouring. So, I tried to wait for the bus to bring me to the MRT station. However, 3 buses arrived but not to the MRT station that I wanted to go to. That was after 15 minutes. I was getting late for work.

The bus finally arrived but it was full. The next bus arrived soon after, it was full too! WTH? Why can’t they get more buses during wet days?!

Frustrated, I left the bus stop and tried to flag for a taxi. It was an expensive trip. I still had to get to work, so I boarded it. While we took an alternative route since PIE is always jammed during peak hours, we saw an educated man in his 20s trying to turn left in the middle lane. The reason was he was rushing for something. Work, most likely. The traffic lights were down for that junction and this Champagne Gold Cefiro wanted to change his route. He ended up blocking the whole junction effectively.

Thankfully, my taxi driver was even more effective. He managed to squeeze through the space while Gold Cefiro was stuck with the divider in front. We were on our way to my workplace. It was after a while, Mr Gold Cefiro caught up with us and I managed to capture his license plate. I’m very evil here. He wasn’t the only one rushing to some place. Others were rushing too!

His license plate number is SFG 9**6 G. For someone who looked so educated, he sure was uneducated in the lessons of driving through a clogged junction.

This morning, while on my way to work, I overheard this lady instructing another lady loudly to move in. The response was “都没有位了，还走什么？你是不是中国人？” It meant “There’s no space, how to move in? Are you from China?”

Somehow, the remark on moving in further the car of the train would come from the mouths of those form China. Not that I’m biased but there was this lady whom I met while waiting for this bus is that is forever slow and crowded who said the same thing, “move further in.” I guess they are not embarrassed to tell people to think and move in so that others who may be rushing for time to board the public transport.

The remark on the nationality earned another remark that Singaporeans have no brains and are fixed on standing on the “best” spot so as to alight easier. It could have stared an international war. The never ending reason why I hate taking trains, especially during peak hours.

I have wondered why I refused to go shopping for clothes with my brother. I have now realised why. He is only into blacks and whites for his clothes. He refused to try a few striped shirts that I found weren’t so ‘uncle-ly’. I tried to get him to vary his set of boring white tops to no avail. He wanted to have 2 sets for a 5-day-work week temp job that he got to wear for the next 3 months.

Oh my Lord. What if it rained? How the heck do you recycle the clothes when it rains here at any time and your clothes may not dry in time for the next working day? What if the top gets spilled on with some curry or other coloured stuff? You still need to soak it so that you can wash it.

He only wears plain tops and refuse any other options. Will someone please enlighten him?

DD and I went to Takashimaya to pick up the mooncakes that we ordered. 9 in all. We were supposed to be given one free mini durian mooncakes for every 3 boxes bought even with staff discounts. The lady issuing us said “But you got discount lei.” Seeing our disappointed faces, she gave us one box free. Not satisfied, I couldn’t seem to find the price list. DD decided to ask the lady boss who said, “Yes, have.” Exclamation marks were popping up on our faces.

Moral of the story, ask the boss, whoever that is to verify. We ended up trying to decide where to get a taxi without waiting in the long queue, anyone who had tried to wait for a taxi at Ngee Ann City knows its notorious for long wait, more than 20 minutes. Try waiting in line while carrying 9 metal boxes of mooncakes.

Lucky Plaza has uninterrupted line of taxis waiting for you. Go there if you need one fast. So, we carried all 12 boxes of mooncakes this year. I left out the photography sessio. ARGH!

I have been awarded the “Nice Matters Award” by Xinyun. I have received one from Jian and this time I shall proudly display it here since I’ve been told twice. There ya go.

As this is rather flowery, I don’t know if the guys will mind but I have to award it to the 7 others.

Miss Loi

Stickgal

Modobs

Chillycraps

MOTD

Shanice

SnowBiscuits

Share the love

It’s been a busy week for me. ES is going to meet up with us next month to give out the wedding invitation cards. I have been trying to get NL via SMS and the fastest reply was a day later, that was more than 24 hours after I sent it out. I wonder what she is busy with. NL, do reply ASAP because I’m thinking worst case scenarios right now. If not, I’m going to accuse MC for kidnapping you.

Or I will post your photo and full details so that anyone who has seen you, can let me know you are still on earth and not in space exploring the moon. The rest who read my SMS and didn’t reply, I’ll do the same too.

Maybe I should post your nude baby photos and have more responses. Aunties and uncles of my dear friends, I’m going to ask for them soon if they don’t give me some sort of sign that they are still kicking someone’s butt.

Anyone who is a friend of ES and is attending the wedding, rely to ES or she will help me look for the photos and pass them to me to post up in all of my sites.

A song that I find sweet. Apparently, Fish Leong’s music videos are noisy. From the lyrics, I gather that she will follow him anywhere because he’s good.

专辑:亲亲
梁静茹-暖暖

作曲:人工卫星填
词:李焯雄
编曲:洪敬尧监
制:钟成虎

都可以随便的
你说的我都愿意去
小火车摆动的旋律

都可以是真的
你说的我都会相信
因为我完全信任你

细腻的喜欢
毛毯般的厚重感
晒过太阳熟悉的安全感

分享热汤
我们两支汤匙一个碗
左心房暖暖的好饱满

我想说其实你很好
你自己却不知道
真心的对我好
不要求回报

爱一个人希望他过更好
打从心里暖暖的
你比自己更重要

回忆里满足的旋律
你手掌的厚实感
什么困难都觉得有希望
我哼着歌
你自然的就接下一段
我知道暖暖就在胸膛
从来都很低调
自信心不高
你比自己更重要
我也希望变更好

[via Baidu]

When one’s diet is questioned, one feels the strong need to defend the decision. Such is the issue when it comes to being vegetarian and non-vegetarian. For couples in such a situation, it can be challenging. A marriage can be destroyed if both parties’ relatives and friends flip about your diets. They are concerned but the effects were disastrous.

When kids enter the equation, the balance that once worked before changed. While one may be tolerant about letting the kids choose what to eat, the other parent may not. It can be hurtful if the in-laws keep saying that “If you ate meat…“. A relationship will have a strain if one likens being vegetarian to a religion and saying it’s better. This is when one is less tolerant.

The Chinese saying “嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗” often means the wife has to follow the husband in whatever ways after marriage. Even my grandmother advocates it. My parents? They have told me about it. To this day, I wonder if I would be very selfish to insist on my ways. I don’t wish to force anyone to conform to my diet. I just wish to be able to live together harmoniously.

I have a lot to think.

DD bought 2 tickets from U Movies. The movie was Surf’s Up that I wanted to watch the other time. This outdoor screening event was organised by NTUC because U Movies is celebrating its 2nd anniversary. We were late in entering but the space was not fully filled up yet. I thought kiasu people would have choped the best spots by then. Since there were still good spots for placing the mat, we got one good position. Once settled down, I started taking note of the game stalls and food and beverages. The sun was out which I thought was a good sign. Boy, was I wrong.

DD went to get the drinks. I noticed the balloons. It was about 40 minutes later that another group arrived to place their mats in front of us. It was a big group. With a girl of about 8 years old. As with custom, kids are often given free balloons, she was no exception. The screen was on the left while the stage for lucky draw and launch of the U Wellness was on the right. A bright yellow balloon was tied up blocking one part of the stage. Great. Just. Great.

When it was around 6pm, a grandmother arrived and they placed a chair right in front of DD. His spot was a great spot for watching to movie, so they let her sit there in the chair. Thankfully, they didn’t stay for the movie. They left when the movie was in for 15 minutes. Basically, I was thinking that the people were there for the lucky draw and not for the movie. At around 8.45pm, some drops of rain fell upon us. Everyone started packing except for a handful who simply opened their umbrellas and continued watching. Our main concern was the lightning.

So, we hid under the shelter of the games stalls. After a while, DD went to check on the weather, the rain had stopped and we placed our mat in another spot that was nearer the screen. The one thing that stood out was the technical glitches. The salsa band was good but when the keyboard player played a certain key, the speakers had this loud tone that sounded like bass that was played awfully wrong. They had to stop mid-way and the salsa dancers were stunned. After a while, they tried again, the awful sound was still heard but less loudly.

There was the performances by the acrobats, aerobics, yoga, salsa dance and magic show by Kiki Tay. There were discounts and free massages from Spa @ Aranda, Cover Looks and Plush. It felt like family day. Maybe next time, I should get my family to attend such events.

All these time, the emcee and the music were blasting loudly. The whole event started at 4pm and ended at 9.30pm. Most of the people left after the lucky draw. Perhaps, the dragging part was the performances? I’m not saying they were lousy just that the time to wait for the show was too long. Ultimately, we didn’t win anything from the lucky draw. There was this number that was just 10 numbers before us and the person won something.

When the movie was playing into the last 15 minutes, the technical glitch monster struck again, this time, no sound. The uncle stopped it immediately to fix it. I was starting to wonder if it was a mistake to stay for the movie. However, we still stayed and watched till the end. While the female penguin was cute, so do the baby penguins, the lead, Cody, wasn’t cute. Except when he was standing next to his bigger sized brother.

The movie felt odd because it was done interview style which disrupted the flow, I felt. In addition, there were some scenes where it was dark and we could see nothing despite the night sky. Maybe they could have dimmed the stalls’ lights. Overall, the movie was not that great. Thankful that we didn’t watch at the cinema for more than $3.

At the end of this event, I wish that such events banned balloons because they block other people’s view of the stage and screen. Organisers, please, please, please, DON’T ever give out balloons. On the other hand, I might just bring something sharp and poke all those balloons. No wait, I can use scotch tape and attempt to detach from the balloon and the balloon will fly away. Or I can just cut off the string and it’ll fly away. Evil, sia.

Lazy to upload the photos. Will upload them once I get round to editing them to smaller bite sizes.

Update: More of the photos can be found at Flickr.