PSD Friends and Family Day 2008

To commemorate PSD's 25th anniversary, PSD had a family day at Sentosa instead of the usual D&D..

Pic = 1000 words =)

the trinity with airbrushed tattoos.. hehe.. Jas got a cat on her arm, I got a flower on my ankle & Shu hui got a butterfly on her arm! =)

we took part in the telematch.. can u see the RED BULL on our flag? yong kuan's magic..

Our RED team won the telematch!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!! :)

prizes were lots & lots of Marks & Spencers Goodies!

M'sia has banned YOGA!!

can u believe that?

will update ltr..

Esplanade shows.. in just a wk..

I went to watch Russell Peters on Mon (3 Nov) & Avenue Q yesterday (5 Nov)..

Both were great!! =)

Russell is HILARIOUS.. was laughin so hard, my cheekbones hurt! lucky I didn't watch his new acts on youtube!! he even had some of Singaporeans doin the DDR! haha.. his jokes are racist, plenty of crude sexual humour.. but they r sooooo funny! We are all a bit racist and sth of a sadist.. hehe.. (a song from Avenue Q..)

When we were leaving the auditorium, I overheard this guy tellin his wife or gf that Russell is biased and terribly racist.. I was like "WAT? Hello..! Dun u know what this guy does as a standup comedian before u paid sooo much to watch him??" How much more ridiculous can u get!!

************************************************************************************

I went to watch Avenue Q with Sakthi.. Sakthi's hilarious.. keke..
(U aren't weird gal.. just different, rem that k.. luv ya neways.. )
We had dinner at TCC & dessert @ Haagen Dazs... yummy.. :)

Avenue Q is a muppet musical.. similar to Sesame Street, except that it's the adult version.. Even though there were pple holding up the muppets & were visibly moving their mouths, we were all concentrating on the muppets.. It wasn't just songs as I thot.. there was a whole story stringin the songs tog... we had a really great time..

All the way home, (to the mrt station at least), we were drunk on the songs.. "it sux to be me, it sux to be me, sucka sucka sucka sucka, it sux to be me.." hahaha.. =)

There was a very nice song called "There's a fine fine line.."
Here's the lyrics for it..

There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend;

There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend;

And you never know 'til you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb.

~

There's a fine, fine line between love

And a waste of time.

~

There's a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie;

And there's a fine, fine line between "You're wonderful" and "Goodbye."

I guess if someone doesn't love you back it isn't such a crime,

But there's a fine, fine line between love

And a waste of your time.

~

And I don't have the time to waste on you anymore.

I don't think that you even know what you're looking for.
For my own sanity, I've got to close the door

And walk away...

Oh...

~

There's a fine, fine line between together and not

And there's a fine, fine line between what you wanted and what you got.

You gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime...

~

There's a fine, fine line between love

And a waste of time.

I would recommend anyone & everyone to go for it.. They will only be here til 16 Nov.

Obama!! O-ba-ma.. O-ba-ma.. O-ba-ma...

I can't really explain the excitement I feel for Obama having won.. but it's there nonetheless..

he has WON.. hahah... damn.. i wish i was there in person... I would be screamin myself hoarse..

here are some pics of THE MAN!...

frens..

Just spoke to my long long time fren.. Maisarah from JC days.. (ok ok.. not so long ago..).. on MSN.. We were tryin to catch up on 2-3 yrs of our lives.. & we realised that there are sooo many things to catch up on.. We really HAVE to meet up gals..
I'll msg u gals k..

End of 2nd last sem classes

:( no more classes with Intake 37!! soooo sadddd...

Will miss everybody.. Shall we all go for lunch after exam on Dec 7th? or is it mahjong at 'Mummy' Elena's place?

Pls do stay in touch everyone! =)
Congratulations in advance for having completed ur MBA!! too bad we can't attend graduation in Ozzieland together.. But all those who are going, share pics k.. oh.. n tips on accomodation & all too.. =)

DeepaRaya in PSD

A couple of our departments celebrated DeepaRaya last Thurs @ The Den with lunch and games..

Was caught up with some work and went to the Den late.. So kena the last one in the 'broken telephone' game.. thats where they whisper a message from person to person and the last one is supposed to tell the final msg that he/she has gotten.. haha..
the message I got was "Murukku is a yummy snack for Diwali. The recipe for making it is 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of water, a pinch of salt and some ghee." Turns out the recipe was a whole lot longer.. hahah... So we got a bag of mini-Toblerone..

Then we had a dress-up competition.. guess who had to get dressed!! ME! haha... so we had 2 walk & parade ard.. music was provided as well.. tat won us another bag of mini Cadbury chocolates.. haha..

Will upload pics later.. once I can get my hands on them.. =)

Lunch was yummy.. I had rice & mee & laksa & dessert as well.. i ate 3 rounds tat day.. was super-sleepy after tat.. haha..

i've done it!!

dear ladies n gentlemen.. dun get shocked!!

pls leave some consoling msgs for this lady goin thru mid life crisis!

finally some excitement in life.. still to come..

i'm goin for a few events at the Esplanade.. my frens convinced me to!

Nov 3 - Russell Peters @ Suntec
Nov 5 - Avenue Q (go check out youtube)
Nov 15 - Pravin's event

I wish I can take shots at these events.. will love to share with all.. =)

facebook..

I've finally done it... caved in.. given up.. Was issued an ultimatum to sign up for facebook or else.. GRRRR.. so i did it.. :P

so.. finally.. i'm here.. n wats so great??!
Just added like a million frens.. surely got more to add when I see them.. so for those who I haven't added, u can add me.. n i'll approve.. so long as I know u of cos..

F1 frenzy..

I’m not sure how many of u know that I’m working as a usher for the F1 event.. Well, I used to usher at NUS UCC during my Uni days.. For the F1, the SG Grand Prix people got in touch with UCC mgmt and asked for ushers.. so even the senior ushers who’d left Uni and had started workin (like me!) were invited..

Yesterday evening was the recce of the area.. the ushers had to meet at the Singapore Flyer at 5.30pm.. A few frens & I met up at City Hall mrt @ 4.45pm.. We met Clarissa @ City Hall!! She & Abel had met for lunch as it was her birthday n the poor dear was goin home to give tuition! We took pics @ the mrt n all.. haha

Now, back to the walk to the SG flyer, it was freakin hot!! We were perspiring by the time we got to the flyer! There we ran to the air-conditioned restaurant.. haha.. then soon ran back out cos Abel had his camera out!! N we all wanted to be on it! Hehe..

So while the attendance takin was goin on.. N since the Grand Prix (GP) guys who were supposed to bring us on the recce were late! We took plenty of shots.. many many shots! :)

Here’s one of them.. It’s a pic of Team A.. taken by a Team C guy and edited to be a wonderful ‘video’ by a Team B guy.. Wat unity! =) I hope the blog can capture the ‘video’ effect of the pics.. Abel is Mr Pro Cameraman! Mr JingKai too… I miss all these guys! Can’t believe it has been ages since we caught up!

After the recce, we decided to go for dinner even though we were soooo tired .. actually we were planning this while waiting for the recce to start.. haha.. Hannah, with her compulsive obsessive laughter, had a craving for Jap pasta @ Shukodu @ City Link.. So we all trudged over.. Cheng Chuan, Hannah & myself walked over and booked the place while the rest got their cars from the various different locations (SG Flyer & Marina Sq) n got to CityLink. Ooh.. wat yummy delicious food..

Digressing: Alicia got me started on Jap food once.. and after that.. it seems like everywhere I go, my frens only wanna eat Jap food! Thus far, I’ve eaten @ Waraku, Sun&Moon, Shokudo, this Jap bakery (can’t rem the name)…
Well.. there are lots & lots & LOTS of pics of the food we ate.. we loved posing with our food..! There was a couple at the next table who were eatin Ice Kacang.. and we didn’t know which flavour it was.. so Yeefie dearest asked the waiter! Haha..
I’ll upload the pics as soon as Abel sends them to us! Else, Abel, rem that I’m gonna break into ur Facebook! =)

Oh yeah, how can I not mention Hanwen & Shufang! Long long ago, when I 1st joined UCC as an usher in 2004, seems like eons ago now.. there were this 2 people in Team A.. a boy called Hanwen and a gal called Shufang. A while after workin there, I realized that these 2 were a pair.. befriend 1, get another free! Well.. I just got to know today, that they got married earlier this yr!! N now they have signed up to work for the F1 tog!
Congrats Hanwen & ShuFang! Amazing people really.. Soooooooo happy for them!

Ok, now coming back to dinner.. So in total, there were 8 of us at dinner: ChengChuan, Abel, Jing Kai, Hanwen, Shufang, Yeefang, Hannah and myself!

Let me see if I can rem the catch phrases for the day:
“Food is like a magnet.. It draws me.. closer..”
“I’m SINGLE. Just don’t tell my boyfriend.”

Was in stitches the whole nite! They really crack me up.. I miiiiizzzzzzz these buddies!
We plan on either having a chalet or bbq at the end of the yr!

Wat an AWESOME weekend yet again!! Looking forward to the next one! =)

SURPRISE!

My parents 25th wedding anniversary fell on 11/09/2008. I told them that I would bring them out for dinner on Sun (14/09/2008). They were under the impression that it was only gonna be the 6 of us.. mum, dad, granny, me, bro & maid.. However, my bro & I had planned sth else.. =)

Venue: Banana Leaf Apollo, Little India Arcade

Time: 7-10pm

Guests: 50! (didnt realise how big my family was til I sat down to make the list!)

Silver jubilee.. surprise!
My dad was still talking abt it the following wk.. =)

I’m glad I could do sth 4 them.. we had lotsa fun too.. here are some pics!

Stupid cake lady spelt my mum’s name wrongly! I WAS MAD!! but it was quite funny in the end.. haha.. the cake was delivious.. it’s Etoile Chocolate cake from Sweet Secrets.. it just melts in ur mouth.. it’s a combination of sponge and mousse cake.. yummy..

All liked the food as well.. Bro n I had gone there 2 wks earlier for food tasting.. ended up paying for all tat too!! Silly place... charges for food tasting.. honestly, I wouldn’t recommend tat place to anyone! :P

We hadn’t actually planned any programme for the day.. It was just supposed to be dinner and cake-cutting..
But on that day, the program went like this:
- Everyone arriving before my parents did.. very very surprising! A feat considering that it’s my family..
- Surprising my parents, hugging them, wishing them, giving them gifts..
- Getting everyone seated & Sasi giving his welcome speech.. totally spontaneous!
- Time for buffet dinner.. dessert (ice-cream) was yummy!
- Cake-cutting time..
- My parents requested that we all shd sing!! N so we did.. I was afraid that the restaurant owner was gonna come chase us out for making all that noise!! My family is sooo noisy!


It was also my uncle’s 55th bday 2 days before.. and so we celebrated that as well..

Actually there were so many occasions during those few days; lemme see if I rem all:
11th – my parents’ wedding anniversary
12th – my aunt & uncle’s wedding anniversary
12th – uncle’s 55th bday
12th – cousin’s 17th bday
13th – cousin’s 18th bday
13th – cousin’s wedding anniversary
Haiz.. I’m exhausted just typing out the list!

An absolutely awesome weekend!

Wisdom tooth extraction!

I just got back from the dentist! I went for wisdom tooth extraction..

SO GROSS!

truth be told, the jab to numb the gums was more painful than the actual extraction of my wisdom teeth..

here are some pics..

such gross octopus like roots! eeewwwwwww....










I'm on soft diet now.. Haiz.. eating porridge only..
It hurts!!

Murphy’s Law

I first heard this term from a gd fren of mine.. a long time back.. either when I was in secondary sch or JC.. oh.. those gd old days..

It basically means "if anything can go wrong, it will."

There are different versions to it too..
Here’s some..

- If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
- If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something
- Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse
- Murphy's Law of ThermodynamicsThings get worse under pressure.
- The Murphy PhilosophySmile . . . tomorrow will be worse.
- Murphy's Law of ResearchEnough research will tend to support whatever theory.
- Murphy's Military Laws
If your advance is going well, you are walking into an ambush.
- Murphy's Technology Laws
A computer makes as many mistakes in two seconds as 20 men working 20 years make.
- Murphy's Love Laws
All the good ones are taken.
Availability is a function of time. The minute you get interested is the minute they find someone else.
- Murphy's Laws of sex
Before you find your handsome prince, you've got to kiss a lot of frogs.
- The chance of the bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
- A valuable dropped item will always fall into an inaccessible place (a diamond ring down the drain, for example) - or into the garbage disposal while it is running.
- After you bought a replacement for something you've lost and searched for everywhere, you'll find the original.
- The other line always moves faster.
- The light at the end of the tunnel is a train
- Traffic is inversely proportional to how late you are, or are going to be.
- You will find an easy way to do it, after you've finished doing it.
- The wind will always blow opposite to your hairdo
- When you really need something, its either not available, or can't be found. When you don't need it, its either available, or lays around in plain sight.
- The difference between Stupidity and Genius is that Genius has its limits.
- Murphy's golden rule: whoever has the gold makes the rules.

I have no idea why I borught this up.. just felt like talking abt it.. =)

Six Thinking Hats - Edward de Bono

This is 6 strategies of thinking identified by Edward de Bono..

White Hat - Facts
Red Hat - Emotional thinking
Yellow Hat - Positive thinking
Black Hat - Critical thinking
Green Hat - Creative thinking
Blue Hat - Big Picture, sort of looking at it from all the viewpoints.

This is basically to strategically solve a problem by looking at it from various angles. By focusing on a particular approach at any one time, the group can be more collaborative than if one person is reacting emotionally (Red hat) while another person is trying to be objective (White hat) and yet another person is being critical of the points which emerge from the discussion (Black hat).

Example:
The directors of a property company are looking at whether they should construct a new office building. Economy is doing well, and the amount of vacant office space is reducing sharply.

White Hat
- Trend in vacant office space, which shows a sharp reduction.
- By the time the office block would be completed, that there will be a severe shortage of office space.
- Current government projections show steady economic growth for at least the construction period.

Red Hat
- proposed building looks quite ugly.
- Though it is highly cost-effective, people may not like to work in it.

Black Hat
- government projections may be wrong
- Economy may be about to enter a 'cyclical downturn', in which case the office building may be empty for a long time.
- If the building is not attractive, then companies will choose to work in another better-looking building at the same rent.

Yellow Hat
- if the economy holds up and their projections are correct, the company stands to make a great deal of money
- If they are lucky, maybe they could sell the building before the next downturn, or rent to tenants on long-term leases that will last through any recession.

Green Hat
- consider whether they should change the design to make the building more pleasant
- they could build prestige offices that people would want to rent in any economic climate.
- they could invest the money in the short term to buy up property at a low cost when a recession comes.

Blue Hat
- used by the meeting's Chairperson to move between the different thinking styles.
- keep other members of the team from switching styles, or from criticizing other peoples' points.

This rational decision making process allows relevant emotion, negativity, positive thinking and even creativity. Thus, decisions made are more sound and resilient.

MARRIAGE!!! GREAT NEWS!!

There's no word to describe exactly how I feel rite now!

One of my best fren just told us that she is plannin to get hitched in Jun '09. Hopefully, the 19th since that was the day they met.. how sweet!!! i hope that the date works out auspicious for u both! U shd haf seen the looks of joy on our faces when we heard the news! hey.. send me the pic we took earlier.. grinnin like Cheshire cats.. I wanna post it here..!

She was talkin of venues and guest list and attires! (actually more like we were talkin abt it..) We (my gfs n i) need to get the SAME sari 2 wear.. we haf to start shopping soon!! =) The bride-2-be got the idea after seeing Elizabeth Hurley's indian wedding with the bride's family in pink and groom's in orange.. Well, we can't refuse the bride-2-be, can we?! Unfortunately, I can't seem to find such an image on the net dear.. can u send me the pics if u haf them? I'll post it here.. Many sites only have images taken at the wedding in Wales.. According to many sites, women attending the wedding had been told to wear pink saris. Male guests including David Beckham and Elton John had to wear turbans and kurtas in orange.

My frens are also contemplating on gettin their own apartment.. naturally, we can haf sleepovers there.. haha.. Jokes aside, I think this is a major step and it is also the start of the rest of their lives together.. I couldnt get my jaw to shut close after I heard this! I can understand how overwhelming this must seem.. with all responsibilities kickin in..

As unofficial bridesmaids, we are gonna pitch in to plan the wedding of cos! First and foremost, we are gonna start a grp blog to document steps taken for the weddin as much as we can.. from the preparation to the actual wedding.. We will add to the blog a countdown timer of the date of the wedding once its been set.. then we will sit on the wedding committee chaired by the groom.. hehe..

hey gfs, haf i missed out anythin? I couldnt wait to get home n blog abt this!! Pls let me know.. there's SO MUCH to do.. SO LIL time!! there's less than a yr to plan this whole wedding!!

Deepz darling n Priveen bro.. We wish u all the best! WE LURVE U BOTH!

happy bday Simin...

I thoroughly enjoyed dinner with my maersk gfs at the Sun Moon restaurant at Central.. wat a name! Happy Bday Simin! =)
esp the Tofu cheesecake! never thot i'd say this.. but Jap food is not too bad! (so long as its not raw!) haha..

the alphabet game..

I recently had the chance to read ‘The Dangerous Alphabet’ by Neil Gaiman. It is a tale told in twenty-six alphabetical lines (the alphabet is not in sequence though).

This prompted me to write my own… hehe..
It’s not a story.. it’s not a poem either..
It’s just some things that I wrote as they came to mind..
It may not make much sense,
But then again, those who know me will tell u that that’s just me..

Anu is the gal who writes this tale
Beishu is a figment of a distant memory
Calendar days or working days.. to-may-to, to-mar-to.. (tomato)
Doughnuts are best coated with plain confectionary sugar
Examples are useful, I’ve learnt, to prove a point
Falling in love is sinful
Giving up is the easiest thing to do
Hearts should never be worn on sleeves
Ice-cream should be licked not eaten
Jockeys should learn to grow a few feet
K9s are dogs, wolves, jackals, foxes!
Lunch with my fav bunch I love
Myriad of emotions running thru my mind
‘Nobody is stupid in this world’ is my mum’s fav line
Obsolete is the next word
Please, pretty please with sugar on top
Queen I am.. so treat me as such
Roses are red, violets are blue is the most written poem in autograph bks
Shallow are the thoughts of a suspicious being
Thoughts are what matter, the battle’s already won
U haf to be gorgeous for the world to recognize u
Vanna White is so pretty on the Wheel of Fortune
What in heavens has gotten into me?!
Xmas is not around the corner
Y is the world so cruel to me?
Zilch is the word that comes to mind!

Y don't u try it too? =)

Silver Olympics medal after 48 yrs!

I watched the table tennis match on Sun!
It was exciting at first.. but soon even though I was cheering them aloud, in my heart, I had already settled on the silver..

BUT a silver is still a medal! N I’m proud of these gals..

My dear fren wasn’t intereseted in watching it cos he said it's china vs china imports.. well.. I thot that was hilarious.. but I’m still proud of them..

Pulitzer Prize

Kevin Carter, the photo-journalist who won the Pulitzer prize but died soon after (pple speculate tat he may haf commited suicide).

The picture distinctly illustrated the poverty of the country.. famine in Sudan in 1994.. But the qn on everyone’s mind was how he could walk away from that child.. There were a lot of comments that he was inhumane and cold-blooded to leave the child to die..

But who are we to judge him.. If I had been in his shoes, I may haf been scared to approach the child for fear that the vulture may attack me.. And maybe the child did not die at all.. Maybe he crawled to safety..

Digressing - I remember talking about this to my galfren in Maersk.. in the ladies.. haha.. rem SLI? Haha.. I miss u.. I miss our chats in the loo.. =) I miss callin u all by ur initials.. SLI, LZH, CYP.. we were the four musketeers.. 1 4 all, all 4 1.. rem LZH? Hahah..

Long awaited continuation of NZ trip..

Hey Priyaz.. I just realised I havent actually updated much abt the NZ trip.. hehe..

well here are some pics.. will update more ltr..

I drove! haha.. way past the speed limit!! haha..

N Suresh got a ticket!! a speeding ticket.. it was lotsa fun being pulled over.. haha.. (Rogi, this does not reach ur mum's ears, ok!)

Our first meal which we both had a hand in.. rite from washin the veggies to washing the dirty dishes.. Here are some pics of that..

For those who weren't aware, Suresh n his housemates had a pet.. it was a freakin white mouse! Kudos to those who spot it..

A beautiful restaurant, Aqaba, where we had dinner once.. The two pillars in front of the restaurant were lited up with fire..

Here are some pics taken while travelling to different places in NZ.. Wellington, Taupo, Himatangi beach.. Everyone complained that we had the same pose in every picture.. Sorry guys.. but really.. I wish I had taken more now..

Check out the rainbow!

At the super windy beach.. I felt like I was literally gonna be blown away..

Playing with snow for the first time in my life..

I hope u enjoy the pics.. There's lots more.. =) but I've put up the nicer ones..

with regards to Longing..

With regards to my last posting "Longing", my fren was askin who I was referring to..

I'd like to clarify that I'm talkin abt my beloved... Elmo!

Here's a pic of Elmo who has his own pillow next to mine.. on my bed..

My darlin bro also likes to torture my Elmo.. making him do headstands..

drowning him in the gap between my bed and wall.. and making him sky-dive from my aircon unit...

What torture my poor Elmo goes thru.. but without fail.. he always sleeps next to me..

i love my elmo! =)

Longing..

I lie awake and watch you sleep,
am at ease as you breathe in deep.
Warmth of your body close to me I keep,
and there in your arms I fall asleep.

I hope to have dreams of you, my love.
Dreams of you, and you alone.
I long for it to be like this,
just like this, each and every night.

Friendship..

I miss my frens.. I really really really miss my frens..

Most of us have started working.. & it’s so difficult to meet up.. plus we have other activities after work.. sometimes I wanna make the effort to call them n chat with them.. But either sth crops up or I just tell myself ltr.. after this show on tv or after this assignmt.. Haiz.. it’s a big deal to just chat 5mins on the fone now..

I remember the long conversations… the many conference calls.. =) the numerous pool games at Mambo (where I rarely held the cue stick.. my fault though).. the lunches at various Pizza Huts across this country.. the sleepovers..

A fren told me, earlier today, that to be a fren, you have to close both eyes.. Meaning you have to accept your fren with all his/her flaws.. I know I have plenty.. n I just wanna say “THANK U!” to all my frens for being my fren!! =)
Lets meet up for lunch someday SOON..

Olympics..

It’s quite interesting that this year, Olympics and Singapore’s National Day are just a day apart! When I read the Straits Times before leaving for work today, I saw that our swimmer Tao Li had gotten into the finals for 100m breaststroke. It was being shown live at 10.24am on Channel 5 and Channel 601. I didn’t want to miss it... and luckily, I didn’t have to.. I managed to catch it on TV in my office pantry. Manged to convince a couple of colleagues to join me as well.. It was over before you could say ‘wat?’ And anyway, Tao Li came in 5th.

This reminds me of a time in Crescent Girls School when we had to be reporters for Special Olympics (or was it Paralympics?? Can’t remember now..)..

As a colleage put it to me, “There are a billion people in China; there are only 4 mil in Singapore. How will we produce as many talents as they can?” I saw a programme on TV which showed how children in China are trained from young. They were crying & being bent at all different angles and I even saw the trainer kick a boy.. It looked like torture to me.. How could they allow this? How can they allow such cruel things to happen just to earn medals?? There was an article in the newspaper about underage kids sent in for Olympics.. I wonder if that issue was resolved.. or was it a misunderstanding..
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Olympics/idUSSP25419620080804

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-080727-olympics-chinese-team-gymnastics,0,1246777.story?track=rss

Oh.. and u shd check out this blog: http://womensbioethics.blogspot.com/

Tradition; Good or Bad??

Yesterday was granny’s bday!! Happy Birthday Granny! =)
Everyone came over to celebrate the nation’s birthday and granny’s bday!

There was a programme on TV tat sparked off some hot topics in my home.. It was a debate on Indian traditions. These were some interesting topics that came up:

- Excluding widows from certain functions
- Arranged marriages
- Ceremonies before, during and after the wedding
- Ladies wearing the ‘thaali’ (nuptial string/mangalsutra) as a symbol of marriage
- Dowry

If one were to notice carefully, they all revolve around male domination… I feel that there are some that are close to the heart and affect us directly.. By ‘us’ I mean Indians in Singapore. I just wanna mention how I feel about these customs.

- Excluding widows from certain functions
This is a very real issue even in Singapore, where there are certain functions where widows are not allowed to attend or participate in. I think this is utter BS and that we should not even consider such a thing. For the benefit of my non-Indian frens, let me share an example with u. During a marriage, there are a few customary rituals which are carried out and widows can be present that they cannot participate. They cannot wear their ‘thaali’ or flowers in their hair or wear the ‘kumkum’. Let me post a question to all here.. What if it was your own mother? Would you exclude her from all these? The oldies always gossip and speak of how such misfortune may befall the to-be-bride.. But would not a bride want her mother’s blessings?? Hence, I think this is a ridiculous custom and I will not follow it. I’m extremely proud of my aunt who lost her husband of 22 years and refused to abide by all these ‘rules’. I want her to participate in my marriage and I will not take anything being said against her..

- Arranged marriages
Some lady for this topic mentioned that the honeymoon is the time to get to know your spouse. The unanimous reaction in my house was “WAT RUBBISH??!!” What happens if during that period, they realize that they can’t stand each other? They are already married for heaven’s sake! I’m so glad my parents agreed.. hehe.. ;)

- Ceremonies before, during and after the wedding
Some of these are pretty funny.. and have absolutely no logic, at least none that I or my mum or her mum know of.. Who breaks papaddums on each other’s heads? What a waste of food?! Think of all the poor people going hungry in Somalia! But there are some that I like too.. like playing with my spouse during the wedding, where we have to pick 2 objects from a pot of water.. so we have to dive our hands into it to fight for the items =) I’m fine with falling at my parents feet for blessings..

- Ladies wearing the ‘thaali’ (chain/malgalsutra) as a symbol of marriage
I’m not sure my parents agree with my viewpoint on this particular subject.. it’s quite sticky at home I have to say.. I dun think I wanna wear it.. I mean I’ll agree to wear it during the wedding.. but after tat I’ll probably not wear it.. Suresh, I know u have lotsa comments and I’m willing to compromise.. Some say it means subjugating women as they bow their heads down to let the guys tie the ‘thaali’. But to me, its not that cos the guys also fall at the ladies feet to wear the toe-rings for them wat.. For me, its more like an accessory. If our hearts are in unison, then why must we wear a symbol to identify that we are married? If they are worried that other men will propose to their wives; how abt vice-versa? Why not just be done with a wedding ring? How do u think the Chinese n Malay ladies survive? [Believe I may have spoken to some of my galfrens abt this b4..]

- Ceremonies before, during and after the wedding
This isn’t really practiced in Singapore; Hence I’m not gonna talk about it.. Can’t help but add that it is a ridiculous custom though!

Well, to sum it all up, there are some traditions that I love being an Indian.. but we should realize which are being carried out cos there is a reason behind it and which are being blindly followed.. N forget all that have no logic to it..

National Day!!

I just celebrated National Day at the Treasury (my office)..

We sang the national anthem, took our pledge.. and of cos sang a couple of classics ("There was a time...", "Stand up for Singapore") I felt like crying!! I miss celebrating national day.. I miss waving the flag.. I miss swaying to the songs! be it tat it's just one day of the year, its a time when I truly feel united with the rest of the Singaporeans.. I feel sooooo SINGAPOREAN!!

But now that I'm in the Civil Service, I won't miss it anymore!! =)
too bad it's not half day though.. haha..

To all my Singaporean friends, Happy National Day!

Exciting details..

Hey all, you should check out this website http://www.successwallpapers.com/ for free wallpapers with inspirational quotes.. Thanks Suresh for pointing it out to me..



A couple of days ago, after lunch with my colleagues.. we went shopping... I bought a earrings holder!! it's simply the best! sooo pretty and girlie... I immediately came home to hang all my earrings on it.. they were all previously stuffed in a box.. Here's a pic..




Only after hanging all my earrings do I realise that I've got sooo little.. ahha.. time to buy more! =) the kinda things that make me happy..

How abt a Book Club?

Oh gosh!! Everyone should read “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett.. It’s amazing.. I couldn’t put it down at all..

Background about how I got to know about the book first.. I’d first heard about it on Oprah’s Book Club (Yes! I’m a member! :P ) So when I saw the book at the bookstore in the Airport on my way to NZ.. (N yes, incidentally, that is always my 1st stop at the airport) I immediately bought it.. But I did not read it till I was on my way back home 10 days later.. In Auckland, I decided to check in both my luggage and simply carry the book in hand. How silly of me rite! I went to the ladies and misplaced the book!!! So upsetting!! I returned to the ladies after I realized that I no longer held the book.. just 5 mins later! But the book was gone! I asked airport helpdesk and she helped me enquire with the lost n found section.. but there was no such book reported.. they said it’s as good as gone forever! I was so upset.. :( So what did I do?? I was at the airport! What else do u think I would have done?! I went to the bookstore there and bought the same book! I bought another book as well.. but I’ll talk about that ltr..

This book is set in the 12th century.. It centers on building the biggest cathedral in the world. Initially, I thought it might be boring... how can any story that centers around architecture be interesting rite?? Boy was I wrong! The story is woven spectacularly about a prior trying to build a cathedral amidst war, feuding kingdoms, selfish earls and lords and countesses, abandoned children, monks, heaven and hell… To me, it was an excellent read as it provided enough flavour to spice up the novel. There was some crying, some laughing.. I even got angry at some of the characters.. stupid Waleran Bigod for being so evil even though he is a bishop!, Hamleigh for taking over Shiring by deception and causing an innocent man to die and leave 2 children all alone in the world, even Prior Philip for being silly enough to fall for Waleran’s trick! But one thing I have to say is that I’ve learnt soooo very much. I really admire Aliena and Ellen.. Women who managed to overcome all odds to build a life for themselves.. Not to forget Jack, an odd boy who I can empathise with, who managed to overcome all obstacles to be the master builder (mason) he had always wanted to be after learning the trade from his stepfather Tom. It was absolutely astounding that even after he knew who his father’s murderers were, he did not even once consider revenge.. Just saw a quote that I thot I could mention here.. "You cannot get ahead while you are getting even." - Dick Armey

There is a lot more than what I’ve just mentioned here.. You really have to read the book to find out.

The sequel to this is “World Without End”. However, I haven’t read that yet.. I wanna savour “The Pillars of The Earth” first.. Perhaps even read it another time.. =)

Other recent books I’ve read (twice) are “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy and “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth. It wouldn’t do them justice to casually mention them like this.. I have to dedicate entire entries for those! When am I ever going to have the time??!!

Another book I have on hand but yet to read is “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts, a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from prison and fled to India where he lived for 10 years.. This was also bought at Auckland airport.. I just happened to read somewhere that this is now being directed as a movie by Mira Nair starring Johnny Depp and Amitabh Bachchan. However, I feel that watching a movie is never equivalent to reading the book.. Movies restrict your visualization of how the novel/story goes.. When reading, you form your own image of characters, the surroundings.. It's just not the same watching a movie..

Oh.. by the way, I’m also interested in Anita Shreve’s “A Pilot’s Wife”. Maybe I shall buy that.. Times bookstore is just next door to my office.. Temptation at my doorstep!!

I just love reading thick thick books.. It’s sth I love to cuddle with in bed everynite b4 falling asleep. It gives me a deep sense of satisfaction when I finish a book that thick.. But almost immediately, I wanna read it all over again! :)

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"The beginning and end of all literary activity is the reproduction of the world that surrounds me by means of the world that is in me, all things being grasped, related, moulded and constructed in a personal form and an original manner." - Goerte

Commencement

Graduation or commencement or convocation... Whatever u call it, its a time of joy and happiness.. Definitely moments to be proud of.. It is a moment from which they start a new journey.. some are VIPs and some aren't.. ;P

N i'm glad to say that 2 pple close to my heart have just undertaken tat journey..

My dearest Bhaiya, Kiran Na.

A total of 21 family members attended his graduation ceremony.. =)
And if I count his frens who turned up, there were 16 in the photo..

Jayaraj's grad too... How exciting..

And my closest buddy, Dr Naga.
She attended everyone of our closest frens' graduation.. mine too..
We wanted to surprise her.. N we got her a pretty pretty bouquet..!

(Thx Vanz for that bouquet.. all the way from the Airport somemore.. haha)

Here are some of the pics I've taken with them..

These are with Naga n me.. and the other is the Crescentian bunch.. its been quite some time since I called us that.. :) Anyway, babes.. we have to meet up again soon ok!

Next few pics are of Kiran's graduation.. and Jayaraj's too.. I miss this bunch! You wont believe the no. of pple who attended Na's graduation ceremony.. and that was just family.. Frens were another whole ging-gang!

Na, when are u gonna chop off ur ponytail?? Are we having a 'hair cutting' ceremony as Gay3 suggested??

NEW JOB!

hey everyone.. i'm happy at my new job.. new frens.. though i'm still getting to know them..

i went for bellydancing lessons today.. haha.. During lunch, some gals here attend this 6 wk course that they invited me for.. initially i was just gonna sit in and observe but pretty much got dragged into it... n i must say.. i enjoyed it tremendously.. not just the dancing but getting along with the gals.. tht was fun.. lunchin with them, i learnt alot abt them..

here are a few pics of my nameplate and desk.. initial stages..

i'll update more pics with a more organised desk ltr..

Remorseful.. and repentant...

Wow.. i know that this blog is long outdated.. haha
It has been slightly more than a week since i returned n there haf been no updates yet..
Sorry abt that folks.. but i haf been super busy!

I keep tellin myself that i have to update all of u abt my NZ trip and my new job.. but i just havent had the time.

I landed in Singapore at 12 midnite Mon mornin and had to wake up at 6.30 to go to office on Tues mornin.. Thurs my MBA course started.. so there went my weekend.. literally down the drain.. Haiz.. i really havent had a break..
Anyway, i'll stop complainin here.. n start updating the blog..
(Oh! y in heavens did i start this nonsense... )

NZ!!!

WOW!! it's simply amazing!! i cant believe i'm actually here!

okie.. lemme start at the beginning..
i was sooooo silly tat when i weighed my luggage, i was lookin at the Pound scale instead of the KG!! thus i thot i had exceeded and ended up takin out stuff... i always had a doubt y my bag seemed so empty but the weighin scale showed 24kG!! haiz.. when we reached Changi airport n i weighed the luggage as it was being checked in, it was a FREAKIN MEASLY 10KG!!! haiz.. i'm such a DIMWIT..


There were so many pple who came to the airport to send me off.. haha.. as though i was going away to study instead of goin on a holiday...


Then the plane rides~ MAS and AirNZ.. it was crazy.. 3 different flights!! i hated it.. i was so exhausted when i got here.. but just as i reached Palmerston North Airport, i saw a beautiful RAINBOW!! could literally tell the colours apart...

Then Suresh met me there with a pretty little placard!! hehe.. (pic - on left)


He let me drive to his place which is only 5 mins away.. I cant believe he let me do that! after sleepin only 3 hrs on the planes... somehow, i managed to get here without any incidents.. haha..
i went at 60km/h and i thot i was road hogging when Suresh told me that 50km/h is the speed limit here.. haha.. ME!! breakin the speed limit.. would never haf thot that possible.. ever.. hehe..


Met a couple of his frens here.. David, Shirley, Sophie.. We cooked dinner & ate together.. so much food for just 4 of us.. David had left for basketball... then went over to Shirley's place to settle down finally...

Now, it is Sun afternoon (1.15pm) and i'm back at Suresh's place.. hehe.. we plan to go ard Palmerston.. shopping n sightseein.. n also meet more of his frens..

Oh by the way, it is freezing here.. i DUN WANNA SHOWER!!! its too cold!!
yesterday, when i got here, it was so bad that i kept sneezing.. n i felt so breathless.. Haiz.. ended up takin a Panadol before going to bed.. Now i'm much better.. but its still freezin.. n to top it all off, it's lightly drizzling..

* will upload pics when i get home.. forgot to bring the cable connectin the digicam to the comp.. hehe..

Thats all for NOW!! signing out.. or shd i say "OVER n OUT!" hehe...
will keep u posted...

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