Saturday, February 28, 2009

Sadly beautiful

I like Benjamin Button, as much as I like Forest Gump (though both movies are a replica in some ways).

Can't really explain why Benjamin made me cry like a river from the start till the end, from the time he was born till he died.

The soundtrack played a big part, I must say. The almost perfect and happily-ever-after love story.... And the script... "We're meant to lose the people we love. How else then would we know how important they are to us..."
How can one not be touched by this? How can one's mind not wander ? Mine did for sure. Call me a melancholic or emotional. I had thoughts of how I'm going to grow old with Marcel, our kids to come... thoughts of my parents, my grandma...people who are close to my heart.

The setting of an old-folks-home was also the other big part that perhaps I could relate to because my grandparents spent their last few glorious years in a home. Of course in a real 'home' in this part of the world, elderly don't put on make up, dress nicely nor do they play piano nor sing the opera...

Sadness lingered even after the movie (which explains this post). Maybe I'm homesick, maybe I miss my parents or maybe I just miss my ah poh...

"You can be as mad as a dog at the way things went, you can swear, curse, regret everything you ever did, but when it comes to the end, you have to let go..." -from the movie-

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Bio what?

Anti-aging tip #1: Learn somethinig new everyday.

Biorhythm.

Wikipedia definition:
The theory of biorhythms claims that one's life is affected by rhythmic biological cycles, and seeks to make predictions regarding these cycles and the personal ease of carrying out tasks related to the cycles. These inherent rhythms are said to control or initiate various biological processes and are classically composed of three cyclic rhythms that are said to govern human behavior and demonstrate innate periodicity in natural physiological change: the physical, the emotional, and the intellectual (or mental) cycles.

(SK fell asleep before the first full-stop.)

Out of curiosity, I did a FREE online Biorhythm test.

Amazing. The 1st chart totally mirrors my current state.
Physical – tired
Emotional – spot on from lack of zzzz
Intellectual – I supposed excessive brain work these few days hv made me more
intellectual?
Spiritual – how does it know??

As for the 2nd chart below, just ignore. I attached for dramatic effects.

http://biorhythms.perbang.dk/

Cycle

Deepest confession of a person who is TTC (Trying To Conceive). If you're rolling your eyes for the acronym, too bad! It’s a jargon. Just like all brides-to-be know what is a MUA.

So what goes through her head everyday?

  • Everyday is like a number counting game. Day 10, 11, 12, 13, 14!? Counting forward and backward, just to make sure she’s on the right track.
  • Time passes by very slow and she can't wait for tomorrow or the month to end
  • Keep praying for a missed period especially closer to the ‘expected’ date
  • Physiologically trying to look for signs of pregnancy – nausea? headache? fatigue? constipation?
  • "Is it today? Is it today?" (For those who faithfully monitor their fertility trend)
And finally, the period comes ! Mixed emotions erupt - sadness, disappointment, self-encouragement, frustration, guilt, self-comfort, and finally onto a quick recovery mode of hopeful...

The same thought process resets...Day 1, day 2....

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Found it

Tired. Sleepy. Hungry. Craving for Thai food. My (still) lightning fast mind recalled a Thai eatery at Circular Road that SY and chef J have been raving for months.

Found it! You won’t miss it for its funny name – Tom Yam Kung Fu, just a couple of shops away from the famous Nasi Padang -Sinar Pagi.

It’s a small eatery with about 10 tables. I’m not sure why but the place gave me a “Bangkok” feel. Perhaps it’s the tiny space and the retro cemented floor and tables.

We ordered:-
  • Tang hoon salad - average
  • Isaan fried chicken wings – Marcel liked it a lot
  • Minced pork wrap with lettuce – can't recall the name but it's very refreshing
  • Pad Thai - yummy!
  • Tom Yam Soup- very spicy
  • Lemon grass drink – loved the pungent-ness

With another Pad Thai to go, the total bill came up to S$37!

“No GST, No service charge” said the owner. (The bill was handwritten on a small piece of paper)

1st thought: maybe they forgot to charge the take-away Pad Thai ?? Owner: “it’s included”
2nd thought: how do they survive their rental?

Now I know where to get my Thai dosage for lunch!!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Sleep deprived

Key signs of sleep deprivation:-
  1. Wobbly, soberly drunk
  2. Vulnerable and cry easily
  3. Extra sensitive, everyone sounds very loud
  4. Hallucination
  5. Zero telepathy
  6. Impatient
  7. Spastic fingers
  8. Mental block
  9. Dyslexia
  10. Loss of ability to count
I’m experiencing all of the above. I really wonder how they do it? Those who work >12 hours/day and still manage to look fresh and composed day after day after day... My hat is off also to new-born mothers/fathers. For money (or self-fulfillment) and for love...

Monday, February 23, 2009

Magical downsize

Within one week:-

Colleague 1: why are u so petit?
Colleague 2: you shrunk in size (weight and height)
Colleague 3: you lost weight, are you stressed?
Colleague 4: you lost weight

*Colleagues 2,3 and 4 looked worried when they commented.

The last I checked, the daily showing of my scale is still within an acceptable variance of +-3%. My pants and skirts are not any looser. My diet remains the same (in fact I “Yellowlighted” 3 times last week). Could it be the yoga sessions? But if my downsize is for the better, how do I explain the worried look from colleagues 2,3 and 4?

Hmmm.. I’m reading too much into things. Perhaps they are just worried about the world, the economy, the future…

Meanwhile I'll just jump in joy.

*image from www.art.com

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Back to school

Desperate measures for upcoming French test:-

  1. Stick notes around the house- toilet, wardrobe, dressing table
  2. Listen to Robby Williams- Supreme in French on repeat mode
  3. Call my MIL everyday and just speak French even if I don't make sense. But I may risk making her worry for her son (marrying a psycho).
  4. Les Amis? Gunthers? French Stall?
  5. Does anyone know of any French chic-flick?
  6. Label all the items in the house with stick-it notes in French ???

Moral of the story: need I say more...

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Flash back

Little things that I remember about our 23 years of friendship...

-you taught me how to take a bus to Komtar when I was 10
- you taught me how to cook Thap Thim Krop when I was 14
- you recorded the sounds of waves with ‘Nothing compares’ for me
- you told a very good story in class, just like Alfred Hitchcock
- you paid for my air ticket home for one of the summer holidays
- you exposed me to my first facial
- you brought me to church when I was 13
- we laughed our head off recording our own voices, verbal diarrhoea, singing, talking about boys (where is that cassette?)
- we had cold wars
- we had big fights
- we cried together
- we did silly things together
- we saw each other’s best and worst
- we grew up together
- we changed together

My wishes to you on this Birthday
health
peace of mind
your heart desires to come true

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Manners

My usual response to cold calls from banks/insurance companies promoting credit cards or any credit lines is "Sorry I'm not interested, thanks for calling" and hang up.

Today, I received one from Prudential. As I had just finished my very spicy lunch with my lips still burning, reflexively I was too slow to utter the usual line/ hang up. So I let her continue...

Caller: Pls don't hang up, I'm not selling you insurance but to share with you some savings plans
SK: Ok
Caller: Which bank do you save with?
SK: DBS
Caller: Do you know the interest rate?
SK: No
Caller: It's 0.25%
SK:Ok
Caller: Are you currently working?
SK: Yes
Caller: Are you earning more than $1200?
SK: Yes
Caller: Are you a Singaporean?
SK: No
Caller: Ok bye (and hung up immediately)
SK: !!!!?????

Is this a revenge?

Fashionably late

I was late for work. Marcel is not around and my slacker self surfaced (again). It was made worse by my I-have-nothing-to-wear routine today. I’m not fashionable, in fact a tad boring…but I go through this motion periodically, usually it lasts less than 10 minutes because Marcel is always ready to snap me out of it.
This morning’s session was a long one as I stared at my small wardrobe for a good half an hour, simply couldn’t find anything that suit my mood.

Me: “I should wear my new black dress..”
Me: "Neh, I’ll wear it when we have places to go…”
Me: “Ah, the new Raoul blouse”
Me: “Wear next week lah, you have so many briefings to attend”
Me: “The yellow top?”
Me: “You just wore that last week..”
Me: “White top with black skirt”
Me: “I want something comfortable….”
Me: “You’re late already…”
Me: …………………..

Do I hear echoes of agreement from fellow girls?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Speak now or forever hold my peace

Thank you my dear friend. Although it’s a simple gesture, your SMS to check if I’m doing fine with my recent pay cut truly touched me - classic case to add into my little-things-in-life compilation...

Yes I am fine and still believing for my restoration :)

It also reminded me that you’re the only one who checked if I had sufficient for my wedding preparation and house downpayment. I may not have expressed it because of our tacit appreciation for one another but I was very touched by your thoughts. Cliché? Neh, I would rather be sentimental than forever hold my peace…


*image from http://mylife-myloves.blogspot.com/

Monday, February 16, 2009

Wonder oven, where art thou

My brother has been asking me to think of something that I want for my new house since 2007 but I just couldn't figure out any item that I would lug from Penang...
If I must really give an answer I would probably want an oven. (Koh or Tai Sou, this is not a hint, pleeeeze don't get me an oven, I'll think of something eventually). The thing is I don't really need one and my cooking experience has been satisfying even without it ... Plus I haven't found one that meets all of my criterias:-
  • One that is SOLID which can withstand being under the sun 24/7
  • Affordable
  • Cool-looking
  • Doesn't require much cleaning (self cleaning function?)
  • Doesn't take up much space
So for now, I'm happy with our microwave- the old faithful Sanyo (pressie fr WL 5-6 years ago) which is still doing its job perfectly - nothing but REHEAT...

PS: SY, yes there are microwaves out there that don't have a grill function :)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Celebrate love


I love M and I am still in love. Just so I make myself clear.

I am not BIG on Valentine's day. Does that make me less romantic or cynical? I hope not. I'm also hoping that it's not a sign of aging or complacency... I still love flowers, little surprises, happy-ending chic flicks and weddings though.

Love is always worth celebrating. And it should be celebrated EVERYDAY. BUT some of us wait for V. day to springboard our love and ooze the tiny ounce of romance in our blood. Oh well, no harm I reckon, better than nothing at all...

For this V. day, if you're celebrating in style, have a good one! If you're single, don't let it rain on you, it's just another Saturday. If you're none of the above, just spare some thoughts for your partner - a simple wish, a small note, prepare a simple meal AT HOME, take a walk by the park, catch a romance movie. Just do something TOGETHER. (But don't get ripped off)


** image from Samantha Hahn

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Tossing luck

If I am superstitious and believe in lao yu sheng, I am going to be five times more prosperous this year.

I don't like to eat yu sheng but I like the bright colours and enjoy watching the motion. I enjoy the mere few seconds where everyone is smiling, chanting their wishes while tossing up in the air. I like the expectant look on everyone’s face that the higher they toss, the better fortune will ensue- health, prosperity, success, all dreams to come true...

Happy list

Happiness is...
A good chat with friend over a meal
Planning holidays
Good news from friends – wedding, pregnancy
Airport reunions
Playing with kids
Beautiful cup cakes
Coincidental meeting @ Toa Payoh bak chor mee
Short get-away with friends
Perfect nails
8 hour of uninterrupted sleep
Japanese strawberries
Hair spa
Flowers
Being home
Cantonese series
Snow
Fresh bed sheets

Sunday, February 8, 2009

25 random things phenomenon

I was "verbally" tagged by SL to write 25 random things about me. Apparently it's a new craze in FB where you’re supposed to write 25 random things about you that people don't already know.

1. I accepted Christ in 1988
2. I don't like cats
3. I'm scared of hamsters or animals in the furry family
4. I was a pescatarian for 2 years
5. My first exposure to English public speaking was in Primary 3 with “Princess and the pea”
6. I earned A$70 a week as part-time waitress in a Japanese restaurant for living expenses in Australia during my uni-days
7. I believe in healing and holy communion
8. I knew how to ride a bicycle instantaneously by watching others when I was 7 (I think it’s a miracle)
9. I lived with my grandma and saw my parents twice a year as they worked in Brunei for about 15 years
10. I'm still scared of jabs
11. I pray in tongues
12. I wanted to do law for my tertiary study but it was too expensive
13. I read my first Sydney Sheldon- “If tomorrow comes” at 16
14. I finished grade 6 in piano and liked sight reading
15. I can't live without friends
16. I don't like chocolate
17. I take my coffee black, no sugar please
18. I attended 2 lessons of hip-hop years ago
19. I like British accent
20. I was a marching commander in girl guides
21. I was a c-section baby
22. I still cry over a bad hair cut
23. Seating alone at Battery Park and looking across the waters toward Statue of Liberty was one of my happiest moments in life
24. I don't eat liver
25. I still miss my maternal grandma

You're welcome to share with me your 25-things but I'm merciful –I'll settle with 10.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The magic soy

An essential ingredient in my cooking- special soy sauce that can only be found in Penang. I was introduced to this years ago and I've been its no. 1 fan ever since. I usually stock up a few bottles from my trips back to Penang, sometimes lugging extras for friends who appreciate it (or friend's mom who got hooked as well).

Ignore the "X.O Sauce" on the label, it's actually soy sauce in disguise. This sauce is different from the usual soy sauces that are simply salty. It has a subtle sweetness and distinct delicious flavour amidst the saltiness. It's best when used to cook 'Tau You Bak' (soy-sauce pork) or in marinate. Caveat: may taste a bit funny with cut chilli (not everyone likes it)... If only I could import and sell them in Sg!

So, SL & NLS - your order is ready for collection :)

PS: Chef Shih is the unofficial spokesperson for the soy sauce.

Patience

I admire friends who smile and patiently handle all requests under stress (or with elevated “polite” voice).

I salute friends who endure in the name of love, especially over a long period.

I am fascinated by Marcel’s patience for the hours of Maths tuition given to Siao Fei.

I am amazed by my siblings’ patience towards their children.

I appreciate my dad’s patience towards my mom (or vice versa) despite the obvious difference in characters.

Patience - a spirit of not giving up, delaying provocation, not giving in to anger and not letting go of hope.

-One of my monologues-

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Steamed fish + beehoon

Had this in Song River Penang. Thanks to tips from my walking recipe (Shih), I managed to recreate and out-do Song River :) Quickie and yums!

Ingredients:
-White pomfret
- Enoki mushroom
- Sliced ginger
- Bee hoon
- Coriander leaves
- Spring onion
- Fried garlic oil

Seasoning:
- Soy sauce
- Black soy sauce
- Fish sacue
- Rock sugar
- Sesame oil
- Chinese Hua Tiao cooking wine
- Coriander root
  1. Steam fish with sliced ginger and Enoki mushrooms for about 10min
  2. Cook beehoon in boiling water until soft
  3. Bring seasoning to boil
  4. Place beehoon on steamed fish and pour seasoning over fish
  5. Garnish with coriander leaves and fried garlic oil

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Overjoyed

M asked me how can he make me change my speed dial "Home" to our home in Singapore and not my parents' in Penang. Well to start, we don't have a land- line in Jalan Tari Piring. Maybe when we have MSKJs but for now, Penang will always be a place I would call home in my heart.

I'm one of a few in their 30s (and married) who still gets excited over CNY. The joy of being home with my family is beyond words. If I could sum it up - Estatic (as shown in pix).

Endless steamboat, helping my mom in the kitchen, seeing my dad's blissful face, catching up with the same group of relatives, playing with kids, smiling in my sleep (despite the lack of it), continuous snacking, falling sick a day or two, surviving with only three t-shirts for a week from vegetating at home, breaking my promise (year after year) to bring M out for great Penang hawker food as I blame the bad traffic and hot weather. Nothing extraordinary but I enjoyed every second of it.

PS: Thanks M for being understanding that I'm such a lousy tour-guide over these years...