left of what's right

gets you through

2010-07-21T00:52:00.003+08:00

How much does it take to trust?

Grace - Kate Havnevik

any day in november

2010-07-10T17:43:00.003+08:00

Acquaintances no longer ask me how I am. They ask instead: So where's your next trip? I'm not that avid a flyer so the question is rather amusing. Yet the truth is that I always seem to have some answer.

But trips of late - and future - have/will cease(d) to be long indulgent journeys that stretch beyond a Sunday on the calendar. The responsibilities of portfolios, accounts and general Work pretty much seal the deal. Couple that with the flimsy moralistic thread that binds and it becomes real easy to be hung up. Many threads make a rope.

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

tchucks

2010-07-07T22:55:00.004+08:00

Possibly the most random work conversation.

A: Eh! If this year's D&D theme is Superheroes, what do you think if we go as the PowerPuff Girls?
Me: ?!
A: Catwomen?
Me: ?!
A: Superwomen?
Me: ?!
A: See! Only left with PowerPuff Girls!

Hi, Buttercup.

coke zero

2010-06-29T20:32:00.007+08:00

Of late, some pertinent thoughts have come to colour my existence:

1. How much edamame is too much? Or more worryingly, does edamame tint the skin tone a la carrots?

A cursory search does not reveal much. But I suppose we'll know in a week's time when somebody has cleared Sakuraya Fish Mart of their frozen edamame supply. Will be particularly senstive to comments that I look kinda green.

2. What other great tasting dinner (or supper judging from the time I get home) recipes require ONLY boiling?

Edamame must be nature's own instant food. Simply dump into a vat of boiling salted water, wait 5-7 minutes and you're done. The other instant food (noodles, duh) works just as marvellously. But seriously. A repertoire of two recipes? That spells only tragedy.

3. Why do people call office lines at 11pm?

Hi Man. Wouldn't it be kinda creepy if somebody actually answers? What is so urgent that you have to place a funereal call?!

----

An email appeared today. Predictably it was to account for the whereabouts during a certain birthday party. (In my defence, that party has a freaking mascot.) Some disgruntlment later, the settlement reached (damn, job hazard) was that I'm the one "in costume". Kid is four. I'm sure they won't know.

they make green

2010-06-21T23:24:00.005+08:00

In negotiation classes conducted of yore, the cases presented were distilled to a two-page, double sided, font size 12, Times New Roman-ed piece of yellow or blue paper. The extant of your allegiance to whoever you were supposed to be was dictated by the colour you picked. Blue? Mechanic. Yellow? Angry customer.

At the end of a session, we fold the paper, stuff it into our bags then leave. Some leave the paper behind. No longer mechanics or angry customers, we slip back to the Real World.

Now?

Now the Real World is that very same mechanic and that very same angry customer. Now I watch as others fold the paper, stuff it into their bags and leave. But they always turn. They always turn and smile. And they always come back with a box of chocolates. And that's the worst part: that box of chocolates.

mysteries of life

2010-06-09T20:30:00.002+08:00

Why are home appliances, unlike other gadgets we use, given such uninspiring names? A microwave is a microwave is a microwave.

After attempts at washing all the laundry, it's time to now christen the washer. The front-loading machine seems to be the washer of choice here. However, for all its litany of virtues, its design seems infinitely stupid. (Or it highlights the stupidity of the user.) (Of course, we shall ignore that first Or.) (Or else.) Anyway. For users of FLMs (boy does the acronym make me break out in a tight grin)ever dumped everything in, figured out the ridiculous dials and successfully start on a cycle only to realise you've left a set of clothes behind? Come, gimme a hi five yo. Such an awesome feeling, isn't it? As the water level rises so does your own body temperature.

So the front loading machine should really be called the No Turning Back Machine. Forgot a bra? No turning back. Forgot a pair of pants? No turning back. Forgot that hundred twenty dollar white shirt as it sits in a pool of non-colour-fast articles? Oh that's right. No Turning Back. Time to unscrew the vodka sitting in the freezer, yo.

cape cod kwassa kwassa

2010-05-29T21:28:00.012+08:00

that is one helluva happy beaty song.

After a fortune on cab fares, groceries and what must be the price of my future child, we're settled. However, there's more to pay for this. The laziness of leaving has reached epic (and maybe troubling) heights. Then again, with nothing to leave from, it's been some fun and absolutely surreal times vegging out. Startled a very sick self awake to an aria at the late hour of 10am? Yes, I think I could get used to this.

Fat Cat, too, has gotten over itself. Or it has realised that we seem to share the same lifestyle. (Nothing like some common ground to establish a relationship.) Either way, it no longer waddles away as fast as its legs can carry it when we chance upon each other in the doorway.

Have also learnt some valuable things about self and other humans through this week. I don't quite understand them all. More so when the exposure of kinks has been quite tough to stomach. But. We learn, we evolve. Then the question becomes: will we stay?

________________________
Add Ed: From kt's giggly web world:

seize the by

2010-05-25T23:03:00.005+08:00

Sacrifices.
Make them in silence.
Make them without want for reward.
Make them for them.

Or don't make them at all.

soulfood

2010-05-22T02:12:00.001+08:00

I can scarcely believe that just a couple of days back we were at the ninth hour of the bus ride up. Where did all that time go?!

So. Trip was a ridiculous blast to the past. How awesome is street food and how awesome is art? Mmm I think these questions are what people deem rhetorical.

People were also not kidding when they claim that P is a foodie haven. Our days were filled with a haze of gorgeously delish dishes. Nights were, well, similarly hazy. How serious was the situation? Let's just say that our conversations travelled along a linear scale of sustenance: what we last ate, what we were currently eating and what we'll be eating next. Occasionally we'd discuss something more intellectual then promptly lapse back to "eh, think we shall try <name of dish> later?".

And I suppose every trip isn't complete without some learning points. I have learnt that whilst a person can indeed walk 8km in farking hot weather, it is kinda insane to do so. So if you plan to do it, make sure you walk with someone you actually genuinely like. Lest it is easy to visualise a gentle shove towards oncoming vehicles.

Next learning point? Some People are a magnet for waitresses. A smile and some short questions later and the lady had reduced one from our accommodation place to a mute smiling soul and another at a cool resto into a fumbly mess complete with coy hair moves, hopeless grins and sharings of intimate details. Suffice to say, I had a jolly good laugh.

And laugh we did. A whole lot of.

a year ago to date

2010-05-21T00:39:00.001+08:00

...we were on a bus to Pune. I was holding our small packs and my breath. The latter not due to the infamous "do they smell?" but because every slight movement threatened the very full bladder.

Little did I know then that relief was coming only in eight hours. Or that that was gonna be the first and final bus ride in air-con. Or that single digit rides would be a distant dream for the coming four weeks.

But would it have made any difference had I known all these? Doubt it. But wait. There's one. Maybe I would have visited a toilet first.

Friend Number 2

2010-05-12T17:52:00.004+08:00

So in the middle of dinner, we got round to talking about, what else, upcoming and past destinations. And somehow, Sri Lanka came up.

I subscribe to the belief that everyone has a real awesome travel buddy. Provided you can find someone who doesn't give a damn about your quirks (admit it, you have a ton of these). So the thing bout dear travel bud is that long strange native names escape him. Completely. Have a word beyond 8 letters? Good luck trying to figure him (and the word) out.

Hence during our jaunt through Sri Lanka's coastline, there were times aplenty when I thought we're talking bout three different places then finally realise, when the guidebook is passed to me, that it was just one place he's describing.

Unawatuna.

God only knows what it was he was trying to say but boy were they hilarious. We recounted this over desserts and I could barely eat. Unawatuna! But miracles exist and somehow, this time, 3 months later when we're back in sunny Singapore and there is no need to figure out accommodation/transport/food options, he pronounces the name perfectly. Like what?! Only Now?! OOH-nah-wah-TOO-na. Ooh lah lah.

Anyway. Our next spot will likely be Papua New Guinea. Yeap, that very country that has been covered to death by linguistic researchers and whose travel advisories are so strongly worded I'm surprised there are even any humans inhabiting the place. A quick check reveals, thankfully, that places in PNG tend to have English or English-based names (Bougainvillea island!). So I suppose the Unawatuna (or for that matter, Nuwara Eliya) incidences will not surface? We sure can hope :D Port Moresby, anyone?

Title with ref to this.

sick person: get better soon.

see this & nothing else

2010-05-09T02:13:00.003+08:00

Tracing - John Mayer

let's roll

2010-05-07T23:25:00.001+08:00

Every visit to Shirley is like an exercise in stitches.

Some background. Shirley is the quintessential oriental lady. The very gentle, very polite, very demure sort. The kind who says shoots and fudge.

So when she went "Maybe we can do more rock" I imploded. More "rock"?! Who says rock anymore?!

Unfortunately, the funky hair lasts for a mere 4 hrs whereupon after the nightly wash, I really don't rock it (what with the various products needed to make it werk).

Rock on, Shirley!

colours

2010-05-03T22:43:00.003+08:00

Dear awful bicycle song girl,

As much as I sit here and tell you to take up the TA-ship, I also half wish you aren't so damn smart so that you wouldn't be offered such prestigious things all the damn time so that I can see you BACK HERE soon. (Yeah, whatever, I get some time to be selfish too.)

But at the same time. The possibilities and learning opportunities of these extra months abroad will add so much more depths, so much more layers.

Still, I miss you. So please make the missing worthwhile. Continue making your mark.

as i stand in line

2010-05-01T13:05:00.001+08:00

I suck at reflections. But for dinner last night I'll make an exception.

Lessons reinforced:

> Decent conversations require two-way effort

> I'm not as patient or as kind as I'd like to be. Room for improvement, right there!

> art & John are awesome!!! Damn glad these two met. Silver linings in an angry cloud.

see the lights fading

2010-04-30T17:43:00.001+08:00

We have burnt the compressors of our air-conditioning unit. The technicians asked, in puzzlement, "Do you work 24 hours"?

We laughed and laughed in the oven-baked heat as we continued staring at our screens and valiantly do battle with the mgmt partners that have come to colour our world.

"So could we get a fan?" We asked hopefully. Smile, the guidebooks say, when dealing with service staff.

"You all just open door lah. Still ok what. We come on Tuesday to fix. No need fan lah. Is it very hot?"

Is.It.Very.Hot.

Can he say that again? Slowly? Perhaps he can wear the sweater I'm wearing as my top since the office is normally Siberia. Perhaps he would like to wipe my table which has gone sticky from my perspiration that unwittingly dripped. Perhaps he can help catch the insects that have flitted in because WE HAVE HAD THE DOOR OPENED SINCE WE WERE ABOUT TO PASS OUT.

I smiled through the filmy veneer. "Possible to check for fans? And how about coming by on Monday?"

"We have fans. But dunch noe whether can lend. Oh, Monday we not working. Holiday! So maybe Tuesday lor"

May.Be.

Maybe I write in a sorry letter to your mgmt? How about That?

slide 19

2010-04-26T17:49:00.001+08:00

Who knew Sri Lanka actually has a hot air balloon festival thing going on each year?

It's rather charming of a country that such an old school affaire is actually the only aviation event that takes place.

comfort rides

2010-04-24T17:01:00.000+08:00

Met the same cabbie who drove me two days back. The surreal coincidence also affected the conversation we had.

Me: So where are you off to next?
Him: I'm gonna meet my soulmate.
Me: Ooh that's nice!
Him: Yeah, I've known him for ten years. Even our wives are jealous.
Me: Well, that's quite rare. Then how do you manage your wives?
Him: We try to keep a low profile, don't tell ppl...then if anybody say that we're gay I'll threaten to box them...but we really have this connection. No one else has it, not even with our wives.
Me: Uhmm hmmm
Him: But we're not gay. I mean, see, we have kids! If we're gay then we won't have kids, right?
Me: OK.
Him: Yeah...but I really cannot imagine life without him.

And he wonders why their wives are not exactly celebrating their friendship hahah.

in their world

2010-04-23T13:13:00.001+08:00

Even we have word of mouth advertising.

- heard you got my sis a settlement amt
- yes
- well...I have this problem now...

& here we go.

At this rate, we'll soon be intimately acquainted with every other relative.

Still, bright spark in an otherwise fml friday.

let's tell

2010-04-22T23:29:00.000+08:00

What's Your Biggest Gamble?

-----

It's almost the end. I can almost taste the sleeping in.

(Which at this point art will mutter grumpily into her blankie "Sleeping In? What Sleeping In?!")

(Talking about that, finally had a sleepO during which the directive has been given that I am to CONTINUE SLEEPING THROUGH 10am when we get our asses to sunny beach retreat.)

(Yah, lor. Where got this kind of people one.)

(But apparently one exists, in SF. The kind of the pink blanket variety.)

-----

"Do you want to prevent it from happening?"

"That's on the presumption that something is happening?"

"It's more on the pretext that it's likely to happen. I think it banks more on whether it's something you'll consider."

Interesting.

Dashboard - Modest Mouse

miss taken

2010-04-21T20:12:00.004+08:00

They are planning a holiday. One that involves a bus of forty people, plenty of small talk and practiced breathing. What sort of holiday is that?!

Shall continue with Planet Earth and pretend not to hear the rather pointed parts of the talk flung my way. What? 8th May? Uhamworkinguhuh.

But because the concept of a holiday is simply so soothing, it's time the playlist switches from the emo mode so favoured in this age to something more...breezy.

Corrida de Jangada - Elis Regina

staring at the bowl of noodles

2010-04-13T21:54:00.005+08:00

At times I think: Is this all a big joke? Do you think it a game? What are we playing at by doing what we do?

I'll do a vimrod and continue w my noodles thankewverymuch.

-------

I, with cjy protesting VERY LOUDLY, have figured out the most strategic option. Comfort zone, much??? In the three words that I hear every day from my U/Ls: Neh Mind, Lah.

-----

Realised something today. My informal aim of going away once a month? Totally on target!

And more (: moments? Being able to tag emails as such:

Shine On - Eric Bibb

talk across the town

2010-04-10T22:44:00.003+08:00

Sisterhood isn't all that peachy. Especially when the young ones have not learnt the value of...shall we say...being private.

Case in point:

Mother surfs facebook via someone's account. One metre away, I type furiously on the bb as I try to recall the privacy settings I'd set for this someone. Unfortunately, bb's fb app is kinda stupid.

Mother: Why can't I see her photos? Why can't I see the wall? Why can only see her schools? Why I cannot see her boyfriend?

(Repeated five times over as her mouse clicks and voice get ever louder and higher)

(Yes, the last question is wtf-ness to the max. I know she can be delusional but this is a bit much. But let's ignore tt. For now, at least I'd set the right settings!)

Nira: Because she don't let you see lor. She set to private. She always like that one.

NOT VERY HELPFUL MAYBE -_-

__________

Follicle update: Either people are kind or hair really looks decent. One lady came up to tell me it looks hip. HIP! Imagine that! Yay for Shirley. Drop her a visit at Our Own Salon, Basement, Park Mall.

hairy issues

2010-04-05T14:07:00.003+08:00

After the disaster of cutting the hair up North, I've an ever deeper appreciation for the lady I shoulda gone back to. Which, am glad to say, I've managed to squeeze in time for (aka no lunch before next meetings =/).

The conversation at the end:

"Do you feel better now?"
"YES! Thanks!"
"Hmm. If you can't control this, we can meet tmr. I think we can do really really short."
"(Not tt the hair is ever under control) hmm?"
"Like this! *points to calendar & giggles* Something different, yes?"

She really wasn't kidding when she says "really really short".

Well, let's see how today goes.

honey, could i tell you

2010-04-04T13:05:00.005+08:00

The delicious anticipation of something you've thought about? Most times these don't turn out so great when you finally have it. From the disappointment of how normal it is to how rancid. It seems that it's not eating the cake that provides the pleasure; it's the thought of having it.

Yet there's still that minuscule chance that when you finally have it, when you just stop deliberating, that the cake explodes with tastes so exquisite, you've pretty much made a hefty return on that risky investment.

So it doesn't come with much surprise when one is standing by the edge and looking cautiously over. Every morning I pick up from where it's left, and every damn morning wondering why I do so. If I think about it, there is no sense in the maneuver. That is, if I think about it. Most times the morning mayhem sweeps us up into the midday madness and on into evenings' exhaustion whereupon it's then left off again. Add in another quick wonder why before you head for the showers and you see the end of the Cycle N that's set to repeat the next day. And the next.

So why don't I pause for reflection?
Because cruising past is easier.

Crazy ever after - The Rescues

camp oh mile

2010-04-01T23:30:00.001+08:00

Think the recent attempts at regulating the sleep cycle and attaining deeper slumber have been a tad too effective.

thought

2010-03-29T20:00:00.001+08:00

What defines you?

comfort, calm & chivalry

2010-03-27T15:38:00.003+08:00

Work trips have their perks. But being young and female in such a field? Not too sure about that. One sure thing though? Older men are chivalrous to a fault. Which leaves one who has grown up in a gentlemen-less environment feeling quite awkward.

"Why is no one touching their foods?"
"Ladies first, my dear"

And this for every single meal, every single dish. Not to mention every entry/exit and activity.

As though this doesn't take enough getting used to, realised after a while that no one could remember/pronounce the name. Instead, self was amusingly referenced as "the small cute girl", "the student" and "the new teacher". A buzzer goes off in my head every time.

Some charmingly tried their best. My number is now listed in their phone book. They labeled it "Yaya". It's cuter, they say.

the internet search

2010-03-23T20:50:00.004+08:00

Some thing I'll miss:

Being able to top-up the travel card, get a luggage, shop for attractive forex rates, pay bills, (remember to) buy dinner and toiletries and withdraw sufficient cash....all within fifty minutes over three different locations. Nothing seems to beat the Homeland in terms of efficiency and Getting Things Done.

you're all that's in my head

2010-03-22T09:10:00.006+08:00

An already great Sunday made better by four words guaranteed to get me outta the house in a thunderstorm: Borders Sale. Book shopping? Hemming and hawing over choices, finally whittled down a half dozen to just three.

Travel bud, meanwhile, must be the most finicky book chooser. He whose main considerations when purchasing a title are: size, weight, typefont, mustbeabove20dollars, nonfictionthenicanlearnsomething. Uhm, okay man.

Dinner prior at a resto I never had the guts to check out. Juciy updates from his and the usual from my end.

Topping it all off, came home to emails full of awesome songs (who knew!?) from the boyband-lover and a lovely eom from the (thoughtful) gf.

hearts.

Into the Dust - Mazzy Star

saddest word ever

2010-03-20T23:58:00.002+08:00

"Can I book this today for travel today?"
"Cannot."

"Possible for the bus to reach KL earlier?"
"Cannot."

setchafree

2010-03-19T21:24:00.004+08:00

Great. Something a netbook is absolutely useless at: playing my favourite game in the world. (aka the ONLY computer game where I am not The Suck.) Impossible to scroll vertically with one hand and change configurations with the same.

----

Today reminded me why. The satisfaction, the high, the relief that things aren't screwing up too badly. But, boy, nothing beats having to hold it all together. Because showing any emotion at all other than pure distilled calm and encouragement? It really was the only way to make it through. We may be just two storeys up but my four hysterical ladies seemed all ready to jump.

I need some male in my life. Too many females and their emotional swings. Or I could make do with a heart-less female.

weakly weekly think

2010-03-19T01:35:00.001+08:00

Question.

How do you relish the ordinary?

to see them as they are

2010-03-17T21:51:00.007+08:00

"If you can't spare one hour of your day doing something you love, there really is something wrong with your life."

----

Like a marketing campaign to galvanize support and sustain enthusiasm, we're gonna need one for the next couple. With time whizzing faster the older one gets, it's gonna be soon when the night before, the thoughts can either be fuck, you failed or great, now where's that plastic bag again?

The difference for this? It has a target audience of one. Sometimes we laugh at the ridiculousness. In the metrics of Effort v Impact, it sure is awesomely pathetic.

Awesomely (:

played out over and over in the quietest chambers

the game is over

2010-03-14T20:53:00.005+08:00

What happens when a life you've strived towards no longer holds any appeal?

limbo of the masses

2010-03-09T20:32:00.000+08:00

Do you, too, feel displaced? The country here is lovely; no doubt about that. The green leafy boulevards, the comfortable public transport which gets you any place any where --- God forbid that you have to walk --- the well-stocked supermarts that carry everything from Menthols to Maple Syrup. If you try (little effort!), you could spend an entire day, barring about twenty minutes, doing everything in air-conditioned comfort . 16 degree weather all year round at one degree north of the equator. Who says our weather isn't temperate?

Things run like clockwork here. There's a time and a place for everything. Going to school, to work, to lunch, to get hitched, f--- and get babies.

During dinner one of the Cs asked about the upcoming travel plans. His follow-up question amidst the din: Do you hate S--- that much?

Honey, hate's out of fashion. Hate brings to mind an irrational intense dislike borne out of the inability to take a step back. Honestly, who do you know hates?

Instead it's more a yearning for something else other than this. This. I struggle to explain this. This encapsulates so much yet explains nothing. So I try to string together a coherent sentence anyway. What's this thing that's going on? What is this that you are trying to say?

Can you lust after a this without knowing exactly what this is?

-----

In new office developments, self may have to switch places into a corner. But I like my spot! Smack though it may be right in front of the main glass door. When the monitor gets woozy, one can just look up and watch the tennis players smacking some balls or the other wannabe athletes dying before they can reach the water cooler.

My dear sup has just left. Her parting, if rather ominous, words: "Do you need me to lock the main door?"

Maybe tomorrow I'll bring a change of clothes. John, I'm reminded of your (very different) reasons behind the extra set that you carry around. Hahahahaa.

sons of mothers

2010-03-08T16:04:00.004+08:00

ah, now that contest is done, time to re-set the carefully calibrated privacy settings. tinker tinker.

-----

Cabbies with really cute names:

- Kee Cheng

- Mun Kee

they knew we were lying

2010-03-07T21:03:00.007+08:00

Think the one thing that travel bud and I cannot do is planned dates. Instead, quick spontaneous get-ups seem the way to go.

Nice cap to a weekend.

Ah, found something funny as I trawled the web. "Rare" the video says. "John Mayer" it continues. Hmm? A quick click later, the strains of the opening chords come through. With talent like his, great covers are usually a given. But this. Why?! My heart breaks a little.

----

Disgruntlement over derailed getaways will usually lead to this.

waiting for the trains to change

a thing for prayer flags

at the arc to Sri Pada

streaming through Horton's

-----

And so the million dollar question.

who holds your key?

walk on the ocean - Toad the wet sprocket

so broken in

2010-03-06T03:14:00.007+08:00

Lately there's been a great sense of relief once Friday rolls around. The mind finally allows itself to relax; even if it were just for the 12 hours from 7pm. Doesn't matter that there's work on Saturday, Sunday and the days after, Friday hours are always your own.

And because these hours are so few, so precious, we guard them jealously.

-----

I looked through the gallery yesterday. In these bite-sized memories, we're in different outfits, different settings, dining on different foods, sipping different drinks. Yet, much to my amusement, we (or is it just me) always seem to be in the same positions. art on the right, me on the left, head tilted about the same degree, leaning away from the lens cos they seem so close.

Away from Leica, though, I looked a little closer.

There's another sameness in all these shots. A constancy that I could not quite place. Eventually it became obvious. The smiles. They have this open honesty and contentment going about them. We could both be tired and drained or buzzing like energizer bunnies but. The warmth just envelopes.

-----

So funny, so pensive, so full of life, so fluid...so...much more.

How can anyone possibly match up.

Heart So Heavy - John Mayer Trio

need i say?

2010-02-27T16:37:00.009+08:00

Desert village

Kids at the village well

Dancing with them moments later

Super gorgeous shot. My desert posessions against a setting sun

Chasing sheep the morning after (;

[Photo credits to John]

two seventh into a mad week

2010-02-24T22:33:00.009+08:00

No matter what I did, the stuff here still don't look appetising.

Not sure what made it so good though. Anywayyy.

People say, one of the benefits of soy is heart health.

Mmmm.

Peacekeeper - Fleetwood Mac

travel lore

2010-02-20T15:29:00.003+08:00

Sleep

It’s 4:44:51 at the Bandaranaike International Airport. We’ve been here since 22:05:32 for an 8:15:00 departure. Again, it has been another long session at a transport terminal. Different countries, same modus operandi.

My body has ceased to complain when plonked on makeshift surfaces. This time, it’s three pink cafeteria chairs lined up to make a bed—well, at least they were cushy. Can’t say the same about the time we were on the eight-hour bus ride (Hey! Single digit!) from Nuwara Eliya to Mirissa via Ella. Resting my head against the window bars on a bumpy mountain road, I think there’s an indentation there somewhere. But! On another stroke of positivity (yeap, this theme occurs frequently because you can either smile & suck it up or be miserable as hell), the journey was cut short to 6.75hours as our driver was rather manic. I’ll say it again. Six point seven five!

So?

This, ladies and gentlemen, this “cutting short” thingie has never happened on any South Asian transport ride I’ve taken. Miracles exist.

Shower

Then there’s the washing up. Having sweated it out in the humid salty climate of the West Coast upwards of twelve hours, the thought of going another twenty-four without some suds time is, shall we say, not too delightful. My poor flight mates.

Unfortunately, information given out by airport personnel tend to differ depending on the time of day, gender of person, ability to understand sign language (*wave invisible shower head*, add in the appropriate sounds *woosh woosh*, and you’re set) and general whim of Lady Luck.

Turns out, there is no shower facility in the terminal save for the “day room” which we don’t have access to till check-in which we could not do for another seven hours. But where’s the fun in taking that seating (a very grimy self) down? A quick check of an abandoned loo revealed: (1) a tap in every cubicle (2) a drainage hole not far from the cubicle. Twelve minutes later, my real skin colour had emerged, and the loo had enjoyed a complimentary clean up – all shiny and lux-ed.

R&R

A desecration to the backpackers’ code of conduct, we decided to spend some money on not hash, not weed, not beer but…to get pummeled and kneaded. Little did we know that Sri Lanka is so unique, even the massages are in a class of their own. And so are their masseuses. The concept of personal space here, like most other South Asia nations, does not really exist and that point really drives home when you undress and redress (with two eyes boring into you) or lie in a small room with the windows smack open overlooking a walking path. Uhm. Soon I gave up.

Then during one session, when my masseuse followed me into the bathroom and looked expectantly at me, I honestly thought part of the service charge we were paying went into being washed up – manually. “Do I drop my towel now?” Don’t tell me I gotta bend over.” Thankfully, I figured out fast enough that the expectant look was just her body language meaning: does this idiotic foreigner know what a shower head, towel and soap look like???

I have never been so enthusiastic at nodding.

the prim rose

2010-02-17T21:03:00.003+08:00

That's the name of the guest house we're staying at. For the first time, the room is not in hideous pink.

-----

I find it rather funny that FB has a setting called "Edit Friends". How about if I like them all a little shorter? Or maybe less inclined to play annoyingly strange songs for me to listen? Or perhaps we can have some of them understand my mother tongue so when there's a real funny joke I could share it with them?

---

We've made it past Mirissa to Unawatuna. Beach hopping much? Uh huh. Maybe we'll hit Galle tomorrow. Or maybe not. *Shrugs* There are miles and miles of coast line here in Sri Lanka begging to be explored. So idyllic. Consequently will feel like sleeping when eating lunch. Imagine if you will that the restos are built on the wavebreakers. So as you tuck into some fish or other, the waves hit at your feet about, oh, 50cm away. Zzzzz.

stay still

2010-02-16T23:36:00.002+08:00

I must have the most amusing travel buddy. Ever. Amongst the many strange things he does (using a v effective dog attracting shower gel -_-), this one takes the cake.

Ten minutes into watching How I Met Your Mother

John: Actually, I prefer How I Met Your Mother.
Me: ?! It is HIMYM.
John: No it isn't...
TV Announcer: And we're back to HIMYM!
John: Oh. No wonder...I was thinking: "how come this show used all the same actors".

Win.
----

Sri Lanka has been rather cool so far. But as always, we tend to do really brainless things sometimes. Like climb Sri Pada on a weekend (aka visiting the desert in summer). wtf were we thinking? (maybe the sad truth is that we weren't.) The book had said it would be slightly crowded. Yups. 75,000 people on a 1.5m wide path is what LP deems as "slightly crowded". Strangely, I had made What If plans for everything but being killed in a stampede (which v nearly happened). Was it scary? Mmm...let's just say it was probably the first time I actually had "maybe I should call people to tell them they are important to me" moments. Thankfully nothing happened (cos I turned back at one quarter more to go hahaha) and (yay!) calls didn't need to be made.

Moving swiftly outta Delhousie, we made our way to Nuwara Eliya. Hitchhiked for a bit (super awesome people) before boarding the public busses. We got there, paid through the nose to visit Horton's Plains and maaaan, it was allllll worth it. Horton's Plains is amazing. (If I were more religious you'd read a tribute to God here.) It was nothing short of unbelievable. Lush verdant hills, miles of bushland and forests, and the insaneness that is World's End. All in a climate that makes me weep.

And that's something I find super cool about South Asia. You can go from the frenetic, smoggy chaos of colombo (a cross between Delhi and Bangalore for those who've been to India) to the peace and calm of something straight outta heaven. Makes traveling so damn exciting.

That said, Sri Lanka is rather expensive with its neighbour as the yardstick. But that may also be because we haven't been slogging it out in grotty places. Well, we deserve a break hah.

got an idea?

2010-02-10T18:29:00.003+08:00

The Mother's very passive aggressive text upon realising I was going away in six hours' time:

It's OK if you don't remember me...but must remember God.

The last time I conveniently forgot to inform TM, it was anything but OK. Guess God wasn't fondly recalled then. My apologies, God. BTW, can I use this in case I decide to get married overseas? "Oops, sorry, forgot about ya. But what the hey! I remembered God!"

Halfway gone - Lifehouse

stand to the right

2010-02-09T23:53:00.006+08:00

Not relishing these 24 hours prior to jetting off. There's the awful task of packing. Do you or do you not pack a nice set of clothes just in case? Just in case what I wonder. Do I want to be in a nice outfit in the event I step on a landmine? Or when they find my corpse in an oddly timed tsunami? Or in case I get caught in a provocative act of violence thanks to the arrest of some military dude? Think I should pack something white? Think I should pack the Singapore flag? Think I should get John to get ready his military uniform? For two?

Shrugs. In the miniscule chance that something does happen, look out for the Singaporean(s) in the nice outfit(s) :D

& yes, you are much much loved.

Right. The excel cells aren't gonna miraculously sort themselves out.

Mony Mony - Billy Idol

giving thanks

2010-02-07T00:26:00.002+08:00

1. That I've the ability to function in English.

Chatted with a Singaporean pre-school teacher. Discovered that she came from a madrasah (Islamic school) background. She spoke good English so I was surprised to learn that up till she was nineteen, she could hardly speak or write in English. "My social circle did not speak English," she explains - almost apologetically. The madrasah system then lacked proper academic steering and the poor pay meant that teachers come and go. She failed her GCE "O" Level. Twice. Only through sheer tenacity did her command of the language improve to her current level.

She is twenty-three.

Here is someone who grew up in the same neighbourhood as we, rode on the same trains, same buses, same roads. She and I share the same ethnicity, same religion, same age. Yet the extant of our life experiences could not be more different. It was admittedly startling.

2. That I get to see (a small part of) the world (w good people)

True, the road to this "independence" did not come simply. But it's here and here to stay.

3. That there are awesome folks in the world.

(sorry awesome folks, realise that we rarely take photos together)
(so the ones here are those that have very, uh, charming stories)

(i should rmbr to check phone galleries more frequently)

List of acceptable foods.

Think this one was trying to hide the food trails.

4. That sometimes I've damn good hair days

Some supremely misleading photos are testament to that :D

The tide is high - Blondie

take what you need & disappear

2010-02-04T00:23:00.002+08:00

Funny the way it is - Dave Matthews Band

this is love.

2010-01-31T23:23:00.004+08:00

I have seven point five days left.

And staring at New Delhi for RM299 is making me look expectantly at the wallet.

(Do you think we can do a Matilda???)

(Then wallet will flip open and one magic card will fly out.)

Think we can safely say that Singapore will have one less person come the final week of June.

But I think Some People* could go for classes on Encouragement. And Support. And Enthusiasm. Ahem.

*cjy & chw.

the great affair is to move

2010-01-28T02:20:00.011+08:00

Was hanging at the drinks stall half dead and waiting for my two cups of drugs when an ang moh bounces up to the auntie.

Dude: Hi! I would like a Coffee C.
Auntie: Harh?
Dude: Uhm...Coffee See...
Auntie: ...
Dude: Urh...Coffee....but See??...Uhm...Copy?? Copy See???..Uh...
Auntie: HAIYAH. You want Kopi-si izzit????

The dude was all lobster red after that. Guess ordering coffee's rather strenuous stuff. Also guess that it is not very polite to snort when people are conversing.

------

Since the conclusion of Phuket, the email has been receiving rather not-so-subtle hints on plans for another. During those moments, I close my eyes, smile at the happy memories, and then type two letters. I'm not sure who said too much of a good thing is bad for you but I owe that chap a drink. Also maybe owe Dave Barry a cuppa...

And that's the wonderful thing about family travel: it provides you with experiences that will remain locked forever in the scar tissue of your mind.

*snorts*

------

Less than 2 weeks to next travel point. The latest travel advisories issued by various countries paint this former war-torn nation to be...still at war --- all guns a-blazing, uncleared landmines and "probable attacks" in crowded areas --- no thanks to the very screwed up elections.

But as travel buddy sez "so exciting, right". Spot on there, man.

Anyway, advisories usually don't reflect the true on-the-ground situation.

------

& so, to the art, you, I actually wanna see. Chats don't cut it.

Heartbreak Warfare - John Mayer

Where will you be going in 2010?

2010-01-25T21:19:00.005+08:00

God damn. Gotta get married. Only way to get a transit visa and travel through Saudi Arabia by road (to get to countries bordering it) without the extremely high risk of getting charged with prostitution or zina`.

A (male) Muslim scholar writes that the recommended 100 strokes flagellation is "painful enough to be effective". Effective of what? Effective for what? Effective for Whom?

As much as people preach it a religion of tolerance, forgiveness and justness for women (and I believe so), no one's gonna believe that if the premier country tasked with the golden keys to the holiest land continues to intepret the laws of the book in a way that defies reason. Or that the same chastity laws that are to apply to men seem resolutely ignored.

And some people ask why I'm doubtful over religious practices that seem to stem to be largely symbolic. Or worse, grounded in some cultural basis.

wiser

2010-01-24T04:39:00.002+08:00

Mmm a good month is coming. Poor cjy --- my muse on miles logging.

You know, if pending plane tickets were bond bills, I'd be rich.

i know why the caged bird sings

2010-01-23T00:57:00.004+08:00

I know they're watching
They're watching all the commotion

No surprises for track of the moment

soul in the air

2010-01-20T22:46:00.009+08:00

When weirded out:
1. Look at bygone trips
2. Lust.
3. Countdown to next (non-work) trip

Some places photograph so well you just, nvm.
So a peaceful parting shot.

so, truth came out

2010-01-17T15:32:00.003+08:00

With only one thing that makes sense right now, one might as well indulge.

It used to be bus routes. Now they're plane routes. And what say we combine the two? Let's present the conundrum. Self & Travel Buddy are going way on up to Sri Lanka (recently we found out that it clinched top spot on The NYT's 31 places to go in 2010. Yay us!) via KL. When tickets were booked yonks ago, neither were very bothered about the Sin-KL element. I mean, KL? Who could have?

Periodic checks revealed astronomical prices (uhm, astronomical to me anyway). Couple of weeks back, Sin-KL-Sin dropped to S$65. That's cheap, I thought. And promptly forgot.

Now prices hover at S$175. Where the hell do they think we're going!? Bali?? Hence the resulting need to save my money. Sin-KL via bus then express train to airport? Or AirAsia on one route and Tiger on another? Or Railway option all the way? Or maybe I could just walk the way. Yups that would be a guaranteed money saver option.

Ah, like I said, only this seems to make sense right now. An occasion that began as something I was fooling around in doesn't quite seem so foolish right now.

Biggest part of me - Ambrosia

love in moderation

2010-01-13T21:50:00.004+08:00

at the stunning maya bay

Hehe the dumb things I make them do. There's nothing like a stress-free holiday (them) for Some People to lose their inhibitions. Faster jump!!!

Calling All Angels - Train

drenched in whine

2010-01-11T00:00:00.006+08:00

Old habits die hard. After three days constantly surrounded by other humans it was time to call it quits. Ditched the final (extended) family dinner for some quality alone time. Two hours of awesomeness later, she who shall not be named floated outta heaven and into the resto - all set for a seabass dish she'd set her sights on - only to bump into...yeap you guessed it...the whole extended family.

Like !?!?

"HEY! HELLO! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?"
"Uhm.."
"WE WAIT FOR YOU!"
"No need..you guys are already done..."
"HOW COME YOU GO ALONE!? WHY NEVER ASK US!?"
"Uh...Oh hey! Empty table! You guys going already right?"
"NO NO. WE WILL WAIT FOR YOU. WHO LIKES TO EAT ALONE?!"
"Me."
"HAHAH Don't bluff!!"
"I'm not."

Great. I think everyone is secretly Korean.

Norah Jones & John Mayer - Don't know why your body is a wonderland

when in B

2010-01-05T01:07:00.013+08:00

Tuak Man

Having taken a couple of wrong turns whilst wandering about the vast gardens surrounding Borobudur, I found myself lost but gorgeously so --- smack next to a paddy field in the middle of which stood a seemingly forgotten offshoot from the original Borobudur compound. Then there was this charming ol' dude who was fiddling with what seemed like angklung containers.

A short chat revealed that he was collecting Tuak. Boy, was I stoked. It's always incredibly exciting to see in real life something that you've only read about. (Like Enid Blytonesque trees.) Unfortunately, what I'd read about Tuak was only of the fermented alcohol variety. So whilst it was superbly cool, I turned down the offer to take a sip. "Very sweet!", he says.

The real deal

Fast forward to the plane ride home and there was an article on Lontar trees in Silkair's inflight magazine. And then I learned that there is another definition of Tuak: the fresh juice tapped from the Lontar trees. Whazzat?! A quick zoom into a scenery shot confirmed my gnawing suspicion.

The containers tapped to the branches

Ergh!! Guess it's time to plan a ttip to Dili to hop to Rote island...

lima minit lagi, pak.

2010-01-03T16:14:00.004+08:00

Let's preserve this for all posterity: Hotel Abadi at Tugu Station, Yogyakarta, has FREE INTERNET. FREE. INTERNET. GRATIS. PERCUMA. FREE. For non-paying guests!!! Is that service or what. (Yes, it is very appalling that in Singapore I pay six bucks for coffee but balk at paying sixty cents for internet.)

(Well, actually, it has been amazingly difficult to get to an internet kiosk here.) (Or maybe because I've been in the mountains...it has been amazingly difficult to get anything up there.)

Executive tickets (i.e. AC) for the train to Surabaya are sold out. Which means I'll be stuck in the sauna carriages of business class. Don't let the terminology fool ya. Indonesia seems to have the weirdest train designs. The only air getting into a Non-AC carriage is through a rectangular flap at the top of the train window. This means it's very windy at the top of your head (read bad hair times) whilst the rest of you from forehead down swelters in the oppressive humidity.

It is mind-boggling that even taking the train in India in high summer isn't as hot. Add in very very very chatty companions and you get a rather exhausted me. But I think something good has come out of this: am now about a thousand times better at speaking the mother tongue. Hell, yeah! If I had known this, I would have scheduled an Indon trip before every oral examination.

banding

2009-12-29T01:04:00.004+08:00

There is something so damn relaxing about researching laptop options.

Mockingbird - Rob Thomas

developing country of choice

2009-12-26T01:19:00.004+08:00

The best part about having a bunch of friends who are equally in love with travelling? Reading their blogs and finding yourself transported back to that very time period. John's has been updated with this huge ass picture of Manali and, damnnnnn, wish I could be back there right now.

Still remember the time we decided to go. We were camped out at our meeting place of choice - i.e. SMU hah - at the tail-end of an incredibly draining AB311 case cracking session. Think it was something to do with...Vodafone. But anyway. When brains are tired, we tend to let slip. Yours truly mentions she'd like to go Developing Country of Choice and got a pleasant surprise to hear John and KY's responses (and laughs at the memory of JY's constrained face) and...it was a done deal. Went home, booked tickets a couple of days later and voila! Clearly, things like strategic management thought process do not stick.

And have not regretted it one bit. Stand by my belief that this Developing Country of Choice gives the best bang for your buck. Deserts, mountains and everything in between for $1k (including air tickets)...and was there for a month. Which is far too damn short.

& as will everything nostalgic, you tend to re-read what you've written. So here goes...entries in June & May. And Photos here!

Pretty pscyhed abt upcoming Bromo trip. Hope I can even get on the plane hahahah. Won't want the Kerala debacle to repeat itself =D

Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys

face to face

2009-12-23T01:48:00.004+08:00

Just read that the place I'll be travelling to is "outright cold at night", rarely going above 5°C in winter. Uhm. On a positive note, at least I know abt this now rather than at the location itself.

Into the Ocean - Blue October

car-nival

2009-12-20T00:23:00.002+08:00

Smiles come in small packages, too

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

got the music in you?

2009-12-15T22:46:00.008+08:00

Found poppycock! =D On sale! Makes the week all shiny.

NTUC auntie: Ger, you ok, not?
Me: Yes, auntie!
NTUC auntie: You try this before?
Me: YES!
NTUC auntie: Orh...now on offer.
Me: Is it? That's fantastic! You must try! Very nice!
NTUC auntie: Heh, OK I try *toothy grin*

Also had to will myself not to start asking after her job conditions and welfare. Bad enough that she nearly got a heart attack after I shouted "Can you pls pause!!!"

Well =D Damn sweet though.

You get what you give - New Radicals

it was electric

2009-12-14T18:06:00.003+08:00

One of the best getaways, that much I know. The adrenaline rush of being on water, cruising coolly on a wakeboard, to lazing about on the sheets, to sitting by the "beach" with our mugs. My turn to go thank you to my very sound sleeper.

Think the best times are those filled with understanding silences and laughter. I remember laughing a lot but now can't fathom why. Ah well. Good to have some mysteries.

(But you're not off the hook for the fb comments...)

(Or the falling asleep.)

The Killers - I can't stay

kommunikation is key

2009-12-11T22:59:00.007+08:00

Four teambuildings in six months feel like an overkill. I go for more "vacations" with these people than I have been with more important people in my life. But as I inwardly cringe at the crazy inbox I'll be greeted with upon return, it does feel nice to get away for a bit.

The recent one, by far, wins for the most ridiculous accommodation possible. Think dying and waking up to a slice of heaven. One of the colleagues is off tmr for a trip to...Malacca. We solemnly agreed that that'll be ~~hell~~ purgatory compared to this.

This is, of course, my friends, Club Med. Now I know why people willingly splurge to be there. Free flow of drinks (incl alcohol), food and usage of facilities more than make up for the heart attack that awaits you upon "Click Here to Book".

Anyway, enough.

honesty (:

2009-12-10T01:59:00.006+08:00

What is uttered from the heart alone,
Will win the hearts of others to your own

-von Goethe

I think you know who you are. See you tues (:

but it can be won

2009-12-07T22:24:00.005+08:00

If the reason for significance is nothing more than appearing to be more significant than it really is, then why bother? Then there is that bothersome recognition of something that, when one recollects, brings a loathing one thought one had buried. Soil isn't very stable, is it? Yet soiling a Onceness pretty much seals it all in. Scrub hard, they say. So. Exactly how hard?

As the months pass, something you have constantly done for exactly 16 years fade into a faceless oblivion. It took just six months. Six months to erase sixteen years of work. Amnesia on cmd? Click Next to proceed. Select Run to complete.

forever yours, faithfully

2009-12-05T16:52:00.004+08:00

As all nights together go—the lows, the laughs, and everything in between.

chaos, disquiet

2009-11-29T12:09:00.005+08:00

It's a sign of the times that you get wedding invites (and bridesmaid requests) via text. So damn fuss free. I lust after that. Coming from a certain ethnic group (and crazy conservative mothers) where everything follows a meandering protocol of Dos and Don'ts and Don't You Dares, being able to text an invite to anything is a luxury I can't engage in.

Did you know that even snail mailing a wedding card is a no no? You only do that for people you aren't 'close' --- where closeness = degree of blood relation. For all other 287634 relatives, your parents and you are to visit every person/family then reverently hand over the card detailing the contract signing details. You, meanwhile, are expected to sit and smile and look every bit the blushing (and hopefully still virginal) bride-to-be. No talking. You're also to help out in the kitchen --- where help out = clean dishes, wipe dishes, sweep blah blah blah.

Yeap, it amuses me that The Mother expects us to serve, uh, ourselves when we go visit someone else. Takes the maid on wheels concept to a whole new level, eh? (;

theory of a deadman

2009-11-27T21:15:00.011+08:00

[in all its glory]

The frst time we were in India, Kerala was to be one of our first stops. Practical considerations, however, meant we skipped the stop for 'later' but...as with all India travel itieraries, we never made it.

And, in the end, four months later, I still have not made it.

A two plus hour delay for the Senai-KL flight meant that I was five minutes too late for the KL-Kochi flight. Have you tried running through a very packed airport with bad directional signs, a backpack and front pack? It feels like an Amazing race leg sans the cute host to tell youthat you've made it as...the final person.

Well, worst things could have happened.

Thorough checks revealed that the only available flight out of KL leaves for Jakarta. Uh. So that's how it came to be that I'd rolled myself along to KL Sentral to figure out rail options. Koh Lipe could have been but Hat Yai takes too long to get back from. With dead ends either way, only one way to go now: Home.

Good thing I'd always wanted to try out the KTMB (:

jackson's fallacy

2009-11-22T14:01:00.007+08:00

[the other side]

9:37pm
What time do you close?
10pm. No, we close at 11.
??
Yes, 11pm.
Right.

11:25pm
Kau tengok pompuan tu. Baca buku tengah malam pat bangku. Giler ke pe.
Budak melayu, eh?
Aku pun tak tau siak.
Eh kiter nak gi mane skarang?

12:17am
Startled by a shutter click.
-surprised-
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm just taking...
-long hard look-
I'm sorry. I'm...

12:37am
Song for the birthday girl coming right up. Round of applause please, guys.

12:42am
For my friend Daniel, who gave me back my voice and my pen.
And for Beatriz, who gave us both back our lives.

02:05am & a blur
I'll see you there.
Ok.

Do you even recognise the man in the mirror?

security did not see him

2009-11-19T23:02:00.003+08:00

As we keep the crazies at bay, one chances upon pockets of sunshine. In this case, it's...a (rare) potential travel buddy!

"I wanna travel with you."
"What? You wanna take the train too?"
"No. Travel with YOU."

Gut feel tells that it may work out alright. Yet on the practical side, with both having crazy schedules, we likely won't jet off anywhere soon. But it does feel nice to know that there are people out there who are similarly slightly off the beaten track.

best part of me was you

2009-11-18T23:13:00.004+08:00

I've got my grubby paws on some seriously grubby looking book. But but but. Who gives a flying f. Ridiculously tempted to flip through the thin papers once more. But, again, after a wrong bus ride and unbuttoning before I reach the washroom, one knows that one cannot possibly survive a third cycle of twenty-four non-sleeping hours. For such, only perfect illusions come out of practice.

Demystifying India is a perpetual work-in-progress and for many travellers that’s precisely what makes her so deeply addictive. Ultimately, it’s all about surrendering yourself to the unknown: this is the India that nothing can quite prepare you for because its very essence - its elusive soul - lies in its mystery. Love it or loathe it - and most visitors seesaw between the two - India will jostle your entire being and no matter where you go or what you do, it’s a place you’ll never forget.

Exactly.

0845

2009-11-16T21:18:00.003+08:00

I cannot do this group travel thing. Annoys the crap out of me. And what is with the presumption that every living female loves shopping? Have pretty much been able to escape the malls except Yesterday. Ohmygod. Yesterday. Yesterday began pretty fine. Dinner was bloody good and as I sat at the dining table, blown away by this aweeesome crumbed fish thing, news filtered down that we were going to mbk. STRAIGHT AFTER DINNER. NO TURNING BACK. NO PASS GO. NO COLLECT TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS.

Shudders.

---

So why can't everyday be like Friday? Met art for dinner who, when it comes to desserts, becomes, quite suddenly, shy.

"Do you want another?"
"No lah...no need...no need...but wah...it's so good."

-_-

She's also shy for a first song! But had gotten her into her thing by the second. Hot stuff that one.

(and btw ah, for the record, I wasn't tipsy.)

----

Back tomorrow. I, for one, can't wait.

honk

2009-11-08T18:52:00.004+08:00

As usual, the cjy and I, we bounce things off one another. But man the things she says -_-

cjy: You have to be nice ok. Be nice.
me: Why can't I be normal.
cjy: Normal = nice. But I know your normal = cold. So cannot. Please be abnormal.

Silly goose!

nightly arts

2009-11-08T00:17:00.012+08:00

(gotta leech the photo off you.)

A real late start to our date meant a real, uhm, early end. Rough beginnings without the requisite bitter endings.

That was Weds.

Then, as this was being written, that familiar orange flash.

I did. And my useless listening skills aside, I think it's amazing. & since superlatives aren't gonna be ending anytime soon, let's just get on with it: crazy immediate pasts and present be damned; me must be holding on to the awesomest person alive.

ain't no mountain

2009-11-01T19:58:00.007+08:00

As usual, when left to our own devices, there's no knowing what we would do. Many firsts from last night/this morning. Suffice to say, at the ripe old age of twenty-two, I've finally checked out the real Singapore night scene. At twenty-two, it is also not too late to taste some real organic curry. Chicken egg chicken egg chicken egg...

Then, putting aside her allegiance to table wipers, art also makes for a ridiculous spy. Case in point:

At 545am, with the whole world tipsy 'cept for our selves, she points and goes "YASH. LOOK AT THOSE PUNKS". It is good that I am dark; can hide in shadows. Also good that likely those punks' hearing were too impaired from the throbbing house music. In any case, Yvonne claims she does not know what instigated the attack.

---

& you know what ppl say about handling impulse purchase desires? Doesn't work here. Thought over it for a good two days and still went back and still dutifully filled up the passenger details. (Albeit muttering some choice words to see the fare rise by thirty bucks. In cheapo speak, that's 1.5 days' budget!)

My cards and travel sites? Not good. They are akin to the "bad men" your mother made you swear you won't EVER befriend. But you do anyway. And get burnt.

I need to breakup with wego.

the bottom of a well

2009-10-26T23:46:00.003+08:00

I wonder whether some people realise just how freaking awesome their countries are. Venezuela, Cuba, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia. Surely there is a way.

And surely there is a way not to feel so lighted up every time. Seriously. Every time?! Aren't you sick of this? I am.

blue october

2009-10-25T18:55:00.005+08:00

During one of the nights in camp, we played True Colours where we attempted to best anticipate how people perceive us. Also allows others to know what you think of yourself. A physical version of Johari Window if you may.

As always, what you know of yourself may be far off the mark from how others perceive you - knowingly or otherwise. One thing I discovered: I remind my workmates of their best teacher in primary school (only God knows why. Possibly their best teacher made them cry a lot). A stupid person also thought I change boyfriends every six months. As you can see, stupidity knows no limitations. Made me lose three points...

-----

Plans for Cochin now hang in the balance due to an incredibly last minute work event that we're suddenly organising. Fucked over feeling aside, good time to think about where I draw the line, eh? Am I even allowed to chalk one?

Glad that I'd gone off for a break when I could. Besides other outcomes, got a good pic of the (deceptively long) hair thanks to John and his Grace ambitions. If you see carefully you can make out the outlines of a chicken.

amazing race

2009-10-18T22:22:00.003+08:00

By the final run (immigration clearance to bus bay), we were so zonked out I finally realised why people pay S$38 to take a private bus direct to Mersing. Definitely an experience though. Heh.

Budget breakdown

Queen St - Larkin = S$2.40
Larkin - Mersing = S$4.80
2D1N stay, full-board = S$87
Mersing - Queen St = S$6
Misc = S$20

Total = S$120

Not too shabby for a getaway.

---

"What is your good name?" obsession returns. As much as I feel all fizzy about it, it can be rather daunting when one reads forum threads on airport scams and such. Going solo is gonna be one helluva interesting ride.

something you have to do

2009-10-17T03:33:00.005+08:00

About two months ago, I wrote:

In four hours I've to be at work. In five hours I've to get into a car to Malaysia. In nine hours, I've to somehow make it onto a ferry. All around our puny island there must be hundreds of others like me: putting off the awful task of packing at three in the morning, realising that they have not changed their Sing Dollar for the relevant currency, remembering work stuff to complete by the minute then switching laptops to get it done. Hello there, I feel your pain.

A public holiday later, the same scene is playing out. Except instead of work to go to, there're busses to catch. And there's some measured improvement! Have actually changed my money.

So here's to spontaneity & friends who are good to go, always. Remember your standing invitation to Kochi (:

happiness in a submit button

2009-10-16T01:30:00.004+08:00

a race of mortals living upon the Earth, but
not adhering to it;
inhabiting cities, but
not being fixed to them;
possessing everything, but
possessed by nothing.

- m twain

the essence of pleasure

2009-10-14T23:54:00.004+08:00

There's something about spontaneity that colours all you do with a superb rainbow. Paradoxically, this amidst a routine we always seem to take: buy ice-cream, sit on steps, switch places due to inconsiderate wind directions, then stare at the reverse bungee folks scream their shorts off.

"Next time we should leh, yash."
"Yeah...that's what we said the previous time and the time before that and ---"
"You wanna take now?"
"Wah, like, now now?"
"Yeah!"

So that's how it came to be. Laughing from the first take off, into the spins and the final descent. Release never felt so damn good.

---

And on a lighter note, if my career doesn't work out, therapist friend extends a wifely offer.

"let's go to NY. I'll support you"

Then immediately retracts when I wanted to modify the clause: must love in sickness in health and in engadget addiction. How can like this one.

---

Waffles at udders was surprisingly nice! Longer meet-up next time is in order.

---

art thereafter. What can I say that hasn't already been said. You/I found me/you (:

if you are chilly, here take my sweater

2009-10-14T03:36:00.004+08:00

Who would you call at 4am?

hello

2009-10-07T22:12:00.004+08:00

Meet the little man in my life.

how important is the toilet seat?

2009-10-05T23:05:00.003+08:00

It is incredibly telling if the most critical thing in your life is...a toilet seat. Is your day-to-day ongoings that -- pardon the pun -- shitty? Will the world collapse all around if the toilet seat isn't in its proper position? Did God decree "thy shall lift the toilet seat"? "For if thy wilt not, the day of judgment shall come to pass and thy toilet seat shall be the root of all evil undoings"? Or maybe it's a prophetic habit. Oh wait, no toilet seats during those times.

My God. How do men with anal-retentive wives stand living with them.

wanna be ok

2009-10-03T00:36:00.005+08:00

Just read something that made me immediately perk up and grin a big fat one.

Tech shopping!!!!!!!!!! Nothing else comes close!!!!! All those reviews!!! The sexy screens!!!! Dayum. art, have I told you that I love you? A lot. Like a whole excel file of comparison variables a lot. And that's sayin' something. <3>Hwaaa so cold today. Remember to cover your, ahem, neck.

good timing

2009-09-25T23:34:00.006+08:00

Conversations with the elder sis

She: *pokes pokes* Is my hair nice.
Me: Ya,very nice.
She: You're not even looking!!! *pokes pokes*
Me: Stop poking. And it's nice.
She: *pokes pokes* See my hair!! Look at me! *pokes pokes*
Me: -_- OKAY. Wah, damn ugly.
She: Nooooooo. It's nice. I just curled it. SAY it's nice. *shakes chair*
Me: Okay, now I'm looking, so nice. Now go disturb someone else.
She: Hee hee. *pokes pokes*

And some people tell me they wish for an older sister.

could you be my yellow

2009-09-24T22:57:00.004+08:00

The week has panned out pretty great so far. Funny moments always brighten up the day no matter how peeved you are at that point in time.

Met some travellers over the hols. Thought I was the only one who was flabbergasted at the extent Some People take to save twenty cents. Then again, anyone you've travelled with for a month should know when you're struggling to contain the hysterics.

---

As we sat at the dining table talking over uncertainty (mine, wrt to hot&cold drink) and intensity (hers, wrt to giddy buddies), I realise that it's the comfort level that seals it for us. Good foods, good songs, good person. Slot in a great escape (What if they're here!? They won't be! But if they are, then think of something!), you've one awesome date night.

twenty-five first liners

2009-09-23T01:09:00.003+08:00

1. Even though I'll never need her
2. Tell me a story
3. When it rains it pours
4. Whaddaya want from me
5. Though I tried before to tell her
6. Lips are turning blue
7. What's a boy to do
8. And I'd give up forever to touch you
9. Everyone's changing I stay the same
10. Dance with me
11. His after moan though cries oh no
12. A Salvation Army band played
13. Give me one reason to stay here
14. I'm wishing on a star
15. Bésame, bésame mucho
16. I've been roaming around
17. I can't believe the news today
18. Five weeks in a prison
19. Guarda fuori e'gia'mattina
20. Sitting in your father's basement
21. This is the most unusual story
22. I don't have to say a word to you
23. If I could take you away
24. She got the call today
25. Everything that you know is as wrong as the next

They never sounded this stupid, did they?

eternity

2009-09-23T00:21:00.010+08:00

[Photo credits to John]

where's your place in the world?

menjelang sudah aidilfitri

2009-09-20T00:06:00.007+08:00

During this time of the year, Muslims around the world gather with their loved ones to celebrate this very special occasion. Amidst all the festivities, however, the month is also one where we seek forgiveness for past transgressions that we have possibly made against another.

Personally I find this to be the most difficult part. There is something about the human ego which makes it admittedly tough to take a person's hand in your own and sincerely request to be pardoned. But, it is part of moving on and no one said the going's easy.

So, to you dear reader, Muslim or not, friend or not, should I have slighted your feelings in any way whatsoever, I sincerely apologise. May I have the strength to be a better person to you in the coming days.

Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf zahir & batin.

here we go again

2009-09-19T01:16:00.003+08:00

It's like I have ringside tickets to the best comedy routine. And it's so refreshingly un-pc; honesty's so rare these days.

On a know-it-all classmate:

I thought I'll never ever see this kinda pple ever again after I graduate from smu but what do you know Azerbaijan also got pple like that.

I thought it will be so nice to have a fren from azerbaijan...so exotic like a pet... but no... this kinda pple i dun want as my exotic fren pet.

(;

sleeping in the desert 101

2009-09-16T00:34:00.004+08:00

Taken when I was awake a million light years before any other human being.

back to school, on central

2009-09-14T01:52:00.004+08:00

Love & life. Perennial conversation favourites. Night out with ky saw us at the river, as usual, taking in the sights and laughing at the funnies of the world. Slung in the ultra-comfy armchairs at overpriced coffee shop, drinks in hand, legs dangling off the sides, the going is easy like that. How far we've come; I chuckle at the memory of our first meeting.

---

Waffle date was wholly unsatisfying. Never shall we return to Haagen Dazs. Now on a quest for great waffles. The tai tai deserves something good (;

As guessed, Comex was The highlight of the weekend. Thanks to a very persuasive text from John ("It's going for S$499!"), the books were promptly abandoned and wallet wildly abused at the cashiers.

---

Apparently, distance must be maintained in order to be close. wtf does that mean.

you're connected

2009-09-13T10:55:00.004+08:00

The world is clear again!!! Can the inventor of spectacles please stand up!

The Mini is performing amazingly. So amazingly that even though the battery is 3-cell instead of the promised 4-cell, I'm much too wtv to trudge all the way back and battle with ten thousand other human beings just.to.get.to.that.counter.

I've forgotten how convenient it is to be connected 24/7. Well, welcome back voda =D

do you see the light

2009-09-07T23:26:00.006+08:00

It was January of the year past. Funny how it takes revisiting archives to recollect something that should hold some significance. Had bumped around a couple of times before but nothing ever registered. Level of connection wasn't really bothered about. Just the normal thoughts during the ennui of education.

Fast track a year, and some. And look. Some things have happened. But, more so, some things have not. Art asked whether I would let it slide. Yes, I would, I say. Yes, I am.

Funny that I write only at the tail end. Wrap-ups and closings are somehow easier.

loosen my soul

2009-09-06T09:52:00.007+08:00

Finally got to fulfil popcorn craving. But it isn't very satisfied. Hunting for those awfully caramelly (Yes, John, I know you only like salty ones...which are beyond gross!) sort that have just the right level of crunch and air. Guess it's time to conduct a taste test. Somebody's gotta do all that hard work. See how much I love my fellow human beings?

Caught up w the India & future-Sri Lanka partner over Macs thereafter. His workplace sounds like a warzone!!! I felt almost compelled to hand him some helmet then remembered that they obviously already have the full battle gear.

In other news, bet the next big thing will be 3D viewing experience for the home. Probably within the next 3-5 years. Then I better not watch the Olympics with it; won't be able to differentiate between the athlete's discus and The Mother's plates.

Talking abt TV shows...

CJY: GO AND SLEEP
Me: I'm watching a show. Waiting for Dexter but it's taking some time to be up!
CJY: You still watch Dexter. Hahahaha!! Omg.
Me: (-_-) Yes! Why not!
CJY: I always wanted to be the sister
Me: (That's odd...I didn't know she's so...adventurous) The sleep around one?
CJY: Wait...are we talking about the cartoon show?

It was so bad I could barely breathe.

friends for keeps

2009-09-05T15:59:00.006+08:00

It is insane that we have so damn much to talk about in just a span of two weeks. So much for catching a movie after dinner. And all the other plans made. When do we ever learn! Movie starts at 9pm. We're still at the dinner table at 9.15pm. Decided that another timing would be more probable. Found a slot at 12.15am. At 11.45pm we've just strolled in to a very crowded TCC and placed "having here" orders. We needa learn time management.

But it's sad that I won't ever be able to bring her to India. Not when, after telling her about having to bathe at the New Delhi train station's toilet, she has a look of such pure horror that I pitied her more than I pitied myself then. It's okay dear *pats* let's just take the cruise (;

---
cjy, the colonial pawn, you must rid yourself of this affliction. Be independent!!!!