P. Whimsical Sun

2010-03-12T22:06:00.004+08:00

The sun is shining again.

Playing peek-a-boo?

Is this a clear sky or just a break in the clouds?

Just a perspective

2010-03-04T23:10:00.002+08:00

Second-degree murder

2010-02-19T01:12:00.002+08:00

Why do we allow our expectations to move in tandem with others' - in a genuine attempt to create a reality that goes in tandem with theirs' - only to allow their version of reality (the reality that was supposedly ours' to begin with) murder ours' (the reality we tried to create in tandem to theirs' that was never to begin with)?

The negativity in positives

2010-02-15T01:20:00.005+08:00

Unresolved paradox.

Why

2010-02-04T02:30:00.004+08:00

Sucker.

Is this growing up?

2010-01-19T14:39:00.003+08:00

How do people deal with permanent departures?

I haven't figured out after 5 years.

Sometimes I think I have, and at times.

It tears me apart.

That's logic

2010-01-14T00:41:00.005+08:00

Days when this becomes so purposeful.

One full circle

2010-01-10T21:51:00.001+08:00

What chapter anyway?

2009-09-13T17:36:00.001+08:00

Because opportunities like these don't come knocking twice. Everything has pan out so well, it's amazing. Everything falling in place. Things happening when you least expect. Feels surreal sometimes. All's good. Never better, really.

How do you give up something good for something equally good or better?
It's tough. But, I'm not complaining. Life's always been a constant trade-off, more often than not (just cause I feel strongly not having to settle for second-best).

Relocating to NYC, has always been in my to-do list. It might just happen now.

Tough call, I'd say. Just because ...

You say Pink, I say ...

2009-05-30T16:02:00.014+08:00

The law of nature. The law of Mathematics. The law of the jungle. The law of attraction. The law of power. The law of Mummy Teoh.

Law no 1.: No wasting of food, even if the bee hoon is coming out of your ears, FINISH!
Law no 2.: No shaking of legs (literally) at all times. Spasm is not an excuse.

Random law from random: Do good deeds for strangers, But beware of relatives.

Singapore founders saw to it that we would be a NATION OF LAWS.

Pink I/C.
Pink Dot.
Pink Moolah.

Repeal 377A.

I say Pink, you say:

1. Pink's so ... gay.
2. No, cannot!
3. I'm a homophobe lah, kinda stucked in the Tang Dynasty era!
3. Yea, why not? Pink's just another color.
4. Of course, we are all-inclusive. "shut up and sit down" is so 1995!

I say, You say, We say . . .

Addicted to you

2009-05-25T01:06:00.003+08:00

Rounds and rounds

2009-05-22T15:18:00.006+08:00

Keeping everything I can cross, crossed!

Eating machine

2009-05-19T00:35:00.006+08:00

My incredible eating appetite is back.
Good and bad.
Good, because its a sign that I must be super duper happy.
Bad, because I may have to consider maternity wear, soon.

I am craving for instant noodles, Chu Qian Yi Ding.

But, I just had a bowl of chicken porridge less than an hour ago.

(I say, stupidity is a sign of calculated intelligence.)

HAPPY B'DAY PRINGLES!

2009-05-18T22:03:00.000+08:00

Beware of New Aware NO MORE

2009-05-03T01:03:00.002+08:00

Because, the old guards have managed a landslide victory (1,414 VS 761)!

Dana Lam is now the new president of AWARE.

ABSOLUTELY ELATED.

I was so looking forward to the EGM.
A pity I could not go earlier and I could not stop sighing and rattling away until my sis went, "Omg, stop it already. If you went, you will be troubling me because I would have to rush down to the hospital for you!"

That might be true.

A calculated risk.

Sometimes, I resent how I'm 'handicapped' like that.
And because I never want this to be known to people, it's like a double-edged sword.

Who leads the pack?

2009-04-25T16:14:00.019+08:00

Today’s headlines are frightening. War on terrorism, unemployment rates sky rocket, corporations bleeding - negativity have since reached epic proportions.

And then we have the 'less' pressing issues in Singapore to "Beware of the New Aware", headline-grabbing nonetheless. This whole Aware saga unfolds like a conspiracy theory, inviting loads of media attention. Pushing an agenda under the facade of the 'common good' (utilitarian ideal) that is fiercely backed by the need for power and to uphold their 'Christian' values.

We can rattle on and on till the cows come home and still the issue of homosexuals, will always be a bone of contention in shaping national policies etc. Till studies can confidently isolate the 'gay genes' (sq 28 markers etc) with precision and scientific rigor that claims to predispose one's sexual orientation, "Majulah Singapura", we can take a giant step forward towards gay advocacy. Voices, for now.

By the way, legalizing gay marriage will NOT open the floodgates and create a modern day 'GAYDOM' that is commonly entertained by those myopic (closeted or not) homophobes (i.e., Thio Su Mien: "And this is something which should concern parents in Singapore. Are we going to have an entire generation of lesbians?").

I cannot begin to express how much disgust I have for these 'educated' women (Thio and her cronies). Thio claims as a "feminist mentor" is so preposterous and undignified. Her arrogance and denigrating comments only serves to highlight her ignorance with such unsubstantiated and illogical claims that are so misguided by her Christian fundamentalist beliefs.

Diversity; openness; tolerance (not even talking about acceptance yet); secular; all missing in the new Aware exco. They should just build and sail their own ship (& sink eventually, of course) and not hijack others'.

Ok, I've digressed. My point is, the financial crisis today has called into question Nation's competitiveness and ability to innovate. Crash course on "How to think out of the box 101" will always remind you that we need conducive environment to encourage innovation. By conducive I mean not to shoot down ideas prematurely, even if it sounds awfully stupid.

So, who leads the pack?

U.S. lah. According to BusinessWeek, U.S. is still the one to beat when it comes to ingenuity and inventiveness on the world stage.

Remember you need to create a 'conducive' environment for ideas to flourish and fly? This is exactly what U.S. is practicing. And as a result, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been drowning in a deluge of applications that according to Acting Director John Doll, it would take almost 2 years to clear the backlog even if the office closed its doors.

Here's my favorite pick amongst the many absurd patents that was awarded in the past decade.

Motorized Ice-Cream Cone (patent awarded in 1999)

Genius Patent-er said: " The repetitive task of moving one's tongue up and down to manipulate a hollow ring can become monotonous and tiring, especially for a child."

Not-so-genius me says: You've gotta get that kid start young with the "moving one's tongue up and down" motion. When they become big boys and big girls, they will thank licking Ice-Cream the good ol' fashion way (without motor) when theyyy, cream and scream.

(Remember: the most brilliant idea is the result of many stupid ideas built upon each other.)

Inexplicable happiness

2009-04-24T05:32:00.001+08:00

beyond words, really.

I count my blessings, everyday.

Blackout

2009-04-14T02:17:00.001+08:00

I hate hate hate being plunged into a sea of darkness. maybe not hate, but fear.

And lucky for my sis (the brave soul), grabbed the ladder and off she went to investigate, in complete darkness. After many failed attempts, finally, lights up.

But the parallel row of socket points that gave life to my modem, aircon, tv, the oxygen tank to sustain the "King's buddy" and sis's toys were dead.

The Queen was very helpful. But the King, oblivious - obviously pretending to be sound asleep. I gently woke the King up because his buddy or rather buddies would die in a matter of hours if the faulty point wasn't fixed. I was convinced that it was his point that was faulty, not mine and sis. Quite smug about blaming his socket, really.

So, after much investigation (of me climbing up and down the ladder countless times and managing a few drops of perspiration), in attempts to isolate the faulty point ... eureka!

It
was
my
air-
con's
fault!

So much for being so smug.
This is the second time (@1.05am) my abused air-con decides to be the ultimate bitch.

I think I will have to invite myself to sleep with my sis tonight.

The funny bunny

2009-04-08T23:06:00.000+08:00

Has to be mummy.
I've not heard her nonsensical superstitious nagging for a long time. Maybe that's why I'm tickled, and it made my day.

If there is anything contrasting about the Lee sisters my mom would point out, "Prisca always let me scold her, not get angry and I can finish my sentences. But her sister, like a fighter cock (can't help it what, she's born in the year of rooster right). That's why I like to scold her (me)."

But I say the darnest things to her ("Mom, you PMS-ing or Menopausing now?") that cracks her up in the heat of a, mostly one-way argument.
Rude eh, but that is how cool our dynamics are.

The most common 'retaliation', quite effortless I must say, is to give her a blank stare while she yaks away and slowly, break into a smile. This, almost never fails to shut her up. Followed shortly with a burst of laughter, in disbelief of my lack of response or rather inappropriate response.

Oh well, whatever works right.

I can't stop smiling to myself these days. 8 days to go!

I told her earlier, my days are numbered (not in that way lah).
And that got her started ... oh, music to my ears (disclaimer: sometimes only)!

18

2009-03-30T01:40:00.003+08:00

phenomenal in 18 days.

bursting in anticipation. for that day. to come.
conclude the last paragraph.
as if those hateful 44 chapters were not enough.
the end is near. to a lemon start.
pump up the volume.
groove to the beats.
start the tango.
open that crisp book.
an awesome story. is just about to scream out loud.

Phone Interview

2009-03-17T21:35:00.003+08:00

Just concluded a 45 mins phone interview from the London office.

Not easy doing it over the phone.

The anticipation.
The English accent.
The spastic HP that switched to speaker mode on its own.
The thought of every word uttered, is recorded for analysis.
Lesser response time.
No non-verbal cues.

An experience.

Exercise, Endorphins, Euphoria

2009-02-24T00:38:00.013+08:00

I walked like I've never walked in my entire life before and I cycled like I've never cycled in my entire life before.

I exercised, released some endorphins but where's the euphoria?
Maybe the thoughts of an awesome 7 weeks ahead at full throttle is suppressing the expression of the third E.

Self-induced stress. Life's good.

Anyway, I spotted the COOLEST toilet in Singapore!

When we have happy toilets and award them 5 stars,

this toilet deserves 5 popcorns for being such endangered baby!

U have recvd an MMS from +65________

2009-02-10T22:37:00.007+08:00

funny how i'm being remembered that way.

you made me laugh.out.loud.

Why think straight?

2009-01-30T15:27:00.004+08:00

My head hurts 84 hours/week.

I am very balanced.

A HIGHLIGHTER AFFAIR

2009-01-21T22:30:00.012+08:00

greatest gifts ...

THEY HIGHLIGHT MY WORLD COLORFUL.

Singapore Opposition leader appeals to President Obama

2009-01-21T22:12:00.002+08:00

President Obama, do you concur with Dr Chee Soon Juan?

(p/s: I don't think I'll be prosecuted for embedding this youtube clip.)

Victoria's Secret 2009

2009-01-07T23:30:00.007+08:00

I'd say ...

WAYYYYY H O T

Piao zun hua yu

2009-01-01T15:37:00.009+08:00

Never been a fan of new year resolutions.
But if there's any on my mind now, that would be to brush up my Mandarin.

I am bilingual you know.

Most people would find it easier to speak VS read and read VS write.

For me, at least that's what I think after some introspection, that I read better than I speak. But the funny thing is, when I attempt to read some amazingly challenging characters successfully, I have no idea what it means.

When I attempt to hold conversations (speaking in my most piao zun hua yu), some rocks would find its way into my mouth.

The bah chor mee auntie would probably switch to English before I can complete what I'm trying to say (making me feel like a complete goondu), friends would go "hahaha, you should never speak in chinese" OR "hahaha, can you speak Chinese more often, so funny!"

You can't improve if no one speaks to you in Mandarin.

It's tragic because most people around me are about equals - equally constipated-weird-funny-cmi (cannot make it) way of speaking in Mandarin.

2008 Pits & Peaks

2008-12-31T03:27:00.006+08:00

through it all, I've been blessed with some awesome friends,

awesome family,
.
.
.
& most importantly, my late grandma. always my strength and a silent voice of support.

2008 would have been trying if not for all these wonderful people in my life.

Thank you!

Hello 2009, I know you'll be an exciting and life-changing year!

Stunningly salah Predictions about 2008

2008-12-29T15:24:00.006+08:00

my favorite picks from BusinessWeek:

1. AIG (AIG) "could have huge gains in the second quarter." —Bijan Moazami, analyst, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, May 9, 2008

AIG wound up losing $5 billion in that quarter and $25 billion in the next. It was taken over in September by the U.S. government, which will spend or lend $150 billion to keep it afloat.

2. "The market is in the process of correcting itself." —President George W. Bush, in a Mar. 14, 2008 speech

For the rest of the year, the market kept correcting…and correcting…and correcting.

3. "I think you'll see [oil prices at] $150 a barrel by the end of the year" —T. Boone Pickens, June 20, 2008

Oil was then around $135 a barrel. By late December it was below $40.

4. A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win, the title of a book by conservative commentator Shelby Steele, published on Dec. 4, 2007.

Mr. Steele, meet President-elect Barack Obama.

20 dec 08 - Cow Family

2008-12-20T13:30:00.009+08:00

jo, you're finally Mrs Cow!

C o n g r a t s !

Yet another crossroad

2008-12-16T01:53:00.001+08:00

should i get New York-ed or not?

Remembering you

2008-10-29T21:16:00.007+08:00

Holy crab & crap

2008-05-25T21:20:00.011+08:00

We self-invited ourselves to Chelle's place for a weekend of crap & crabs!

I had 4 "ssspincers" out of 8 that we shared among 6!

I feel so loved! heeee

& we had our crabby session peppered with crappy talk as usual.

Played the board game Hotel & had so much fun working my way through ... ermm bankruptcy.

hahaha.

All the little special concessions were damn funny.

Next to-do-list in Chelle's place would be:

1) Taste her mom's sukiyaki noodles.

2) Steamboat.

3) 3 days 2 nights Pajamas Party!

Of Boundaries

2008-04-27T22:48:00.007+08:00

Doesn't this happen all too often?

Call it the modern love.

Screaming in silence

2008-04-07T22:49:00.006+08:00

Walking salted fish

2008-03-18T09:36:00.007+08:00

Imagine having to sit beside a person for 3 hours at 0830 emitting:

salted fish "scent" orginating from her Hong Kong feet
mutated cheap cigaratoo
bag that smells of an ah pek's torn t-shirt that hasn't been washed for 10 years

What a great way to start the day!

When in Rome do as the Romans do

2008-03-17T20:39:00.002+08:00

Anyone sees what I'm seeing? It should be obvious with the title.

I've shown the above to some but what they saw was a "ghost" or some weird thing under that stylish cream costume.

Apparently, U.S. President Bush practices the above title's caption. Isn't it a classic pic of him?