Diversity

I was driving on the road today behind a mini lorry. The lorry was carrying sacks of stuff and on top of those sacks sat a foreign worker. It started to drizzle and then within seconds, there was a heavy downpour. The foreign worker quickly opened an umbrella but it was broken and one would probably expect that umbrella to be found amongst rubbish in a rubbish bin, probably not usable at all. The umbrella could hardly shield him from the rain. He was also struggling to cover his pants with an empty sack, hoping that his pants would not get wet but I doubt that was of much help...It didn't feel good at all to see what's happening in front of my eyes. At that very moment, I just wished the rain would stop so that he would not be drenched, or at least the driver in front would allow him to sit next to him, sheltered from the heavy downpour... You know, they say that life is never fair, indeed it isn't. All of us, every human being belongs to the same world but we could lead very different lives. Well, someone may be wondering what's the next branded bag that he or she could buy but yet, someone could be wondering if there could be a bit of chicken, maybe one or two pieces, to go with curry gravy and plain rice that evening for dinner. I know and I am sure I am blessed... I hope that the man did not get soaked from the rain and that he's well and fine.

May babies

Name of baby: Mark
Birth date: 9 May
Characteristics: Baby of a few words (verbal, not written), cares a lot for his friends, thoughtful, humble, creative
When we first met: It was about seven years ago at a karaoke. The interesting thing is that the second time we met was in the airport, we went on a holiday trip to Canada together with a common friend. He has been a great travel companion for a few subsequent trips after that.

Name of baby: Laurene aka Snoop
Birth date: 17 May
Characteristics: A sweet baby, a great friend to have, meticulous, sensitive
When we first met: We were in our early twenties when we first met and that was when she was busy sighing away at her work station. Those sighs sparked off a conversation and then it has brought about a great friendship.

Name of baby: Guiyu aka Angela
Birth date: 26 May
Characteristics: Helpful baby (only to close friends, hee!), frank, understanding, comical in her own ways, good memory (still can’t believe how she remembers all the dates and phone numbers)
When we first met: It was probably about eighteen years ago that we met as classmates in college. She is a close friend whom I have shared so much with, ha, probably my little secrets all these years too. I know we will grow old together.

My dear babies, I am really happy to be able to celebrate your special day with you this year. The memories that we have shared over the years will always be kept close to my heart, thank you for playing a part in making my life a beautiful one : )

Sleeping beauty

I was buying lunch at a nearby coffeeshop near my workplace yesterday and my colleague pulled me to a bakery shop. She thought I would be interested to see something that she spotted. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. You should see that smile on my face, I think I said it out loud, “So cute!”, without even caring about how passers-by would respond. They must be wondering why this crazy woman’s so fascinated over a cat. I went very near that ball of fur and it still did not budge. Ha, it was sleeping so comfortably, like a dead log. Well, I could relate to that, hee! Without hesitation, I whipped out my mobile phone and tried to take pictures of that sleeping beauty. At that instant, just felt like rubbing its tummy but on second thought, think it’s better to leave that kitty to enjoy the afternoon nap, I bet it did, what a beauty it is : ) “So cute!!!” Okie, enough crazy gal, don’t lose your composure, cool k :P

Gift #14 from my angel

It’s a packet of Muji potato chips. I TRIED MY BEST to resist my temptation but I was defeated within two days and finally raised my white flag. I finished the whole packet of chips all by myself! Goodness, what a loser and an embarrassment! Yue Niang Angel, I must say that you are real good in your ‘war tactics’ in this ‘battle’. I take my hats off you. I was looking at the strip of paper that came together with the chips, there were a few hand-written words…hmm…I’m thinking…I’m just thinking…I’m still thinking…

JAWS!!

Finally, got a chance to taste the curry fish head from Frankel Ave that Guiyu wanted to recommend me. I was touched when she actually turned down an appointment just to fit in my schedule on a weekday. I went over to her place on the eve of her birthday. It was a good dinner. Ha, should look at the way two of us perspired while eating the fish head. I was attacking the eye and the head, sucking every bone that I could get hold of and Guiyu was just focusing on the meaty flesh. The eye was really wholesome and the flesh on the cheek was tender. The fish head was badly dismembered and finally gone…Hmm, who’s the real JAWS here?

Guiyu dearie, thank u for the wonderful dinner! Hope that you have had a great birthday :)

The journey...

Guiyu asked about my blog, she was wondering why I have so much time to blog, thinking that maybe I have nothing much to do at work, ha, no comments on that coz dat's not an issue to me at all, work is work but I still want to have time for myself. I feel that I want to set aside and spend time penning down my thoughts, the little happenings and the beautiful things in my life. I just feel that when I am no longer around in this world or when this story has to come to an end, I know I would have left some parts of my life in this world, especially for those lovely people around me... There were a few times for the past two weeks that I really felt like writing and penning down my thoughts, what’s going through my mind or what’s lingering in my heart. Felt like going away to a quiet place and just write… Probably nobody’s really interested in what I want to write or say but it’s alright, it’s probably a time or a journey for me to feed my soul and get in touch with my heart… Good music should accompany those moments too. Let’s see…do I feel like living in a lake house or a beach house? Hmm, always full of demands, ha! :P

“To be nobody but yourself – in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” ~ E. E. Cummings

I'm sorry...Bobo

Dearest Bobo…I remember when I first saw you at the mall, I knew I gotta bring you home. That was like maybe 18 years ago. I decided to bring you home and I still remember I was hugging you in the public bus that I took home, so full of pride and joy that I got such a chubby and cute teddy bear! You were really huge and I was worried that I might fall in the bus while standing. Well, you had the chance to wear a few of my mini T-shirts, some still a bit too tight for you but you never complained. Frankly speaking, you looked better without any clothing, just your bare self :) That fateful day came when I was doing my spring cleaning in my room and my mummy was nagging about the number of soft toys that I had in my room. I did not know why I had made that silly decision to allow my mummy to bring you to the Salvation Army. Thinking back, I am still laden with guilt…you were always so huggable and would always sit quietly at the end of my bed. You were somebody…You are still in my heart…Hugz

Lazy Saturday

It was such a lazy Saturday, so much so that I simply refused to get out of bed at 12 noon. Looked out of my window, bright and sunny, could hear the rustling of the trees outside…but simply reluctant to let go of my bolster and get out from underneath my blanket. Heh, well, maybe guilty for not being able to spend more time with my bed for the past week. Dun ask what time I finally woke up and dragged myself to the bathroom to wash up :P

Late lunch…craving for the kimchi I bought at Takashimaya while out with Guiyu and Charlotte the day before. Decided to cook instant noodles and have it with lotsa kimchi on top despite the frown on Mummy’s face. It was delicious! Maybe it’s the kimchi that I find the noodles delicious…kimchi was crunchy and spicy with just the right amount of vinegar to make it tasty. Was thinking, it’s coz of the sambal chilli that I eat nasi lemak, it’s coz of the chilli that I eat fried Hokkien prawn noodles, it’s coz of the sauce/gravy that I eat crabs, it’s coz of the chilli padi that I eat fish soup noodles. Heh, life wouldn’t be interesting without these different kinds of flavours. They are never the main characters or probably not the centre of attention but they play important roles and they do matter a lot, well, at least to me. Goodness, my tummy was real hot after all the soup and kimchi!

Little Monster

Ha, this little darling sure knows how to pose, I am impressed!

Once upon a time, there lives a little monster (Well, at least that’s what her mother calls her). She is such a vain little monster. She is always very interested in the accessories that I have when we meet up, from the rings on my fingers (always strips me of all my rings whenever I go over to her place) to the five ear studs that I have on my ears. Makeup, hair accessories, shoes and dresses seem to be what she lives for. She even commented on my skirt when I met up with her just yesterday, ha, thank goodness, my humble skirt was up to her expectation and got her compliments. She can be real loud when she asked for service from the sales assistant and when she requested for her strawberry ice cream to be reduced in quantity. Hmm, did she get her gungho-ness from her mother? Love those eyes she has, they make her unique and special. Whoever says you need to have big round eyes to be beautiful? …Charlotte dearie, be a good little monster and stay bubbly! Lotsa hugz from Auntie Xiaowen …Pretty Charlotte lives happily ever after :)

Gift #13 from my angel...and what's great about 18 May 2009

It's Monday, 18 May 2009...Why does Monday always come so soon? Well, but the wonderful thing about today is...

I have received another gift from Yue Niang Angel, it's a set of metallic clips for papers. Flowery designs all over every clip, feels like spring! That strip of paper reads "Holidays coming, press on". Well, my dear angel, I am pressing on. I feel like a person sprawled on the hot sand in the middle of a desert, trying to crawl towards an oasis and at the same time, running out of energy... Hey lazy gal, it's time to write your angel a card! Never be too late to express appreciation!

Had homecooked dinner with the guys. Derrick cooked and as usual, Mark would prepare fruits and tea. We had lotsa vegetables, it felt like having dinner in a vegetable farm but I would say it was a lovely evening! Like what I always say...there's authenticity in simplicity. Well, as usual, I would spend some time with Sunny baby :P Really like holding him in my arms and cuddle him like a teddy bear, smell his fur and look into his eyes :)

Nothing feels better than a good long shower after a long day at work and with a body scrub, it's simply heaven! Decided to have one tonight, used the aromatherapy scrub salt that Jiaqi gave me. It's mint with plants essential oil in it. It feels so great after that and it still feels great now, it really refreshes and it seems to calm and soothe at the same time. With the body milk after the shower, I think I am feeling sleepy now already...Time for bed, sleepy head!

Fishy weekend

Dinner with parents last Sunday at a zi char place in Toa Payoh... My father decided to order fish head with black bean sauce. Wow, love it, huge and fresh! Without fail, my father scooped the whole big eye of the fish for me, it's so tender and tasty.

Dinner at Waraku...Gals' nite out and to celebrate Rene's birthday in advance. Sashimi is a must!

Had late lunch with Jiaqi at Fish & Co last Saturday. Goodness, I am always quite surprised by the quantity both of us can eat at times. The seafood platter for two was delicious but we were real stuffed after that meal. We know we are not gonna have that for the next couple of months, maybe next half year :P

Pooh slipper

Adeline seemed to be in the mood for gifts. Met up with her last Friday and she really shopped, saying that it's only with me that she shopped. Huh? How could I be an inspiration when it comes to shopping? Oh well, but I guess if I am in the mood to shop, I really shop, ha! She gave me a giant Pooh slipper. It's certainly not for my foot but probably for me to hug, pretty huggable and cuddly!Pooh never fails to disappoint when it comes to hugs :P It's real sweet of Adeline too! But oops, Mummy nagged that I have no more space for my soft toys in my room and she threatened to take away a few to Salvation Army while I am not home. Mummy, no! Already feel bad that Bobo gotta go...

Letting go...

For the past week, seemed to be thinking about this...letting go. I remembered I have a copy of a poem somewhere and was determined to find it...found it, read it... it's from an unknown author, can't really remember where I got it from but nevertheless, glad I get read it once again...

Letting go

To let go doesn't mean to stop caring;It means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off...It's the realization that I can't control another...
To let go is not to enable,but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try and change or blame another, I can only change myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own outcomes.
To let go is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish the moment.
To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone, but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.

A good breakfast

Today, I just realised that my school canteen sells Ramly (correct spelling?) burger. I ordered one for my breakfast and I saw Uncle prepare the burger. An egg was pan fried in a frying pan, a big dash of pepper on the egg and then the meat pattie was placed on the egg. The pattie was kinda ‘wrapped’ by the egg and then placed in a big bun, added lettuce, mayo and some chilli sauce. Wow, it was still piping hot when I took my first bite. It was good! The pattie was soft and together with the egg, it was juicy and tasty. With the crunchiness of the lettuce, the sweetness of the mayo and the softness of the bread, my goodness, I think it was a good breakfast. Uncle has really made my day! I am someone who does not like to gobble down my food or eat while I work. I always enjoy and treasure those moments just savouring the food. Unfortunately, sometimes at work, food has to be gobbled down in probably fifteen minutes. In my previous workplace, early in the morning, my one hand would be on the steering wheel and the other would be holding my two slices of bread. At times, I just don’t like to rush…I really would like to slow down but does my environment allow me to? Sometimes, I just feel I do not belong to this part of the world...Hmm, well, but I think I can be a little stubborn and rebellious at times :P

Got an egg tart from Mark in the morning, but it was until in the late afternoon that I really got to sit down and savour it. Heated it up in the oven, woo..oo, filling melted in my mouth and crust has got the right crisp and texture. I am not really a tarty person but thought that was kinda delicious. Thank you Mark for always sharing nice food with me :) Goodness, I feel like I am a glutton at times :P

Gift #12 from my angel

Muji Muji…I am always interested in stuff sold at Muji, love the food section! Will always grab a bottle of jasmine tea whenever I am there. I should say I am also nuts about the nuts over there :P Like the sleek and simplicity of things sold there too. A packet of “Candy Yuzu” from Muji was placed in my pigeon hole yesterday. Yummy, it’s good, kinda lemony and not too sweet too. I remember there’s this drink that I like from a Japanese restaurant at Vivo. Was it “Shinbaya”? They have a Yuzu drink too, pretty refreshing! …Hmm, seem to be craving for some Japanese food, sashimi! Anyway, “Candy Yuzu” (sounds like a person’s name :P) is from Yue Niang Angel. So, does Yue Niang fancy more of Peranakan food or Japanese food? Seems interesting! Another question for my angel, where on earth did you hide your robe and angelic wings? I think you have been heavenly sweet…

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.” ~ Robert Brault

Chef Boon

Final product

Before it's placed in the steamer

Fried bee hoon

Today, I prepared dinner for the greatest woman of my life – my mummy :) My father’s out playing golf so decided to cook something simple for the both of us. I prepared fried bee hoon, with lotsa vegetables, slices of carrot and shitake mushroom. Bought a few pieces of tau kua and steamed them with stir fried onions, garlic, chilli slices and spring onion. Mixed XO sauce with stir fried onions and garlic before spreading them on the tau kua. Can’t help but feel that cooking could be a form of art, it’s really all up to you or the person who’s preparing the dish. There is always ample room for creativity and imagination. But of course, the skills, knowledge and techniques are pretty important too. Hmm, just like an art piece, not all would like the taste of what you cook but I am pretty sure there will be someone who will appreciate it. Those that I have prepared and cooked were not the best but both Mummy and I finished everything :)

Bro, thanks for your text about my blog entry…for sharing what I feel about Mummy. XF, Mummy said that brand of bee hoon we used just now is good and she thought you could bring some back to Switzerland when you are back in June. Ha, I told her you probably have not cooked that tub of noodles you brought over. I bet that bottle of XO sauce is not opened yet too if it’s not lost in the shipment :P…Mummy misses both of you, miss ya both too…

The crack

I decided to take a break yesterday after spending some time working on piles of work brought home, so I looked out into my garden, thought of taking an eye break by looking at the greenery outside my house. Cracks are pretty common on the walls that are surrounding my house after having lived here for like twenty odd years. Something on the wall caught my attention. I spotted a crack on the wall but the beauty of it all is that there’s this little plant growing from that crack. I went nearer…that was a nice view, a beautiful one I would say, simply love what I was seeing. Hmm, I thought it was a good break from work or should I say it was a good crack : )

Essence of my life

I was thinking about a question that I was asked some time back… “What is the essence of your life?” I thought that’s quite an interesting and good question to think about but somehow, has not been able to have an answer to that question. Well, before I went to sleep that Saturday night, started thinking about this question again…guess what, a phrase just came to my mind instantaneously… “To love and be loved”

She is the greatest...

She stopped working when she gave birth to her first child, the eldest daughter. She devoted I would say her whole life taking care of her family and her children. Life was not easy for the whole family at the beginning when all her kids were very young but she has always been that supportive wife to her husband, working very hard at home, with hardly any complaints even when times were bad then. Till now, she has always saved the best for her children. She will always splurge on her children, buying the best stuff for them, all kinds of tonics, food etc but as for herself, she just cannot bear to splurge or indulge in any kind of luxury. Fame, prestige or wealth has never been any of her aims in life, she has never asked for more than what she needs. Frugality has always been something she wants her children to understand and learn. When her children are sick, even till now when all of them are working adults, she still cares and worries for them as if they were still little children, reminding them to take medication, preparing nutritious homecooked meals for them. The feel of her hands on their foreheads or on their bodies whenever they are sick brings great comfort…Simple ways of caring and showing her love but it has meant so much in the hearts of her children…Indeed, they are very blessed to have her in their lives…the success that she has attained as a mother is greater than any one of those successful career women in this modern society. She doesn’t have any successful projects under her name, she doesn’t earn big bucks, she does not probably know much about stuff in this modern society but you know what, she has raised three wonderful kids, she is the greatest…she is my mummy…

As I am typing this, tears were streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks, gosh, I can such a crybaby :P Well, but all these words really came from the bottom of my heart. No gifts in this world can ever repay the love and care my mummy has given us all her life. She has really shown us what unconditional love really is…Thank you, Mummy. I know these two words “thank you” will never ever be enough to thank you for what you have done…Love you always…

Gift #11 from my angel

One of the things which made me smile :) this week was hearing from Yue Niang Angel again. There was a tin of healthy nuts left in my pigeon hole with that usual strip of paper but no message. Err…I was wondering, isn’t that the same tin of nuts I have given Yue Niang Angel about two weeks ago to show my appreciation? Huh? Anyway, I hope all’s well with this dear angel of mine…feel like writing Yue Niang a card.

I saw a cat at the coffeeshop near my workplace. Some must be wondering what’s so great about seeing a stray cat at a coffeeshop. Well, I rarely see a cat at that coffeeshop and I don’t know, it just spontaneously brought a smile on my face! Me being me, I stopped and tried to go near it. It was dirty but beneath those dirt, I know there’s a beautiful coat of fur. It has a pretty nice nose and when I looked into those eyes, they were lovely…Glad I stopped…But when I went back the next day, there was no cat…

Fumes

Today, as I was driving home, I stepped hard on the accelerator and increased the volume of the music that's playing in the background. For that moment, just for that moment, it felt good. Hopefully, the exhaust pipe at the back did not let out much fumes, real bad fumes...

The same route...
The same kinda fumes...
The same kinda scenes...
The same kinda people...
The same kinda attitude...
The same kinda moods...
The same kinda feelings...

What would then really make a difference? None that I can think of at this point of time I guess...

Labouring sickness

I do not like getting sick or even seeing a doctor, let alone taking medication. They just irk me at times. I was feeling unwell on Thursday but just thought I did not have enough sleep and rest. But it was kinda bad in the afternoon, I was feeling burning hot inside, a throbbing pain in my head and was having a bad throat, could even barely stand for five minutes. Have been plagued by my old gastric problem for the past few days too. Decided to leave workplace early to see Dr Chiew. To my disappointment, Dr Chiew was not in that afternoon and there was a relief doctor. No choice, still gotta see a doctor. He was an old uncle :P Sigh, no one can ever be compared to Dr Chiew. He has been my doctor ever since my school days, one can imagine the amount of trust I have in him. He is always so assuring, understanding, caring and meticulous. He is a good and patient listener despite having a long queue of patients waiting to see him. He will take time to explain my condition and how certain conditions are affecting parts of my body or organs. Then, he will explain how the medication he is going to prescribe will help me get better. He genuinely cares for my health and a few times, insisted that I take medical leave. He will even ask how many days I would need to rest. He feels that it is important to rest and of course be socially responsible. Ha, sometimes, he is just so capable of talking some sense in me. He’s a doctor with a good heart and maybe that explains why he has a big group of loyal patients. People do not mind waiting for an hour or more just to see him. Well, even though he’s a great doctor, I still wish that I need not visit him often. As for that old uncle doctor that I saw that afternoon, hmm, no comments, coz in my eyes, Dr Chiew has always been the best.

I had high fever, 39.1 degree celsius, I was feeling really terrible when I got home from the doctor. I knew I had to lie down. I took my medication, had a shower and went straight to bed. It was not a restful sleep. My head felt terrible, there seemed to be a huge fire burning all over inside my body but yet I was feeling cold, had my blanket over my body. The smell of my blanket did not bring much comfort at all. The music that I was playing did not help much too. Frankly speaking, I really wanted to cry…My mummy woke me up in the evening to have a bit of porridge but I could not remember what I was uttering to her, was also too weak to get out of bed, could not feel my limbs at all. They were like wobbling jelly. My mummy somewhat coaxed me out of bed coz she said that I needed food so that I could take my medication. Sat at the dining table and took a few spoonfuls of porridge and felt that I needed to lie down again. Frankly speaking, I have not slept so much in my life. I spent the whole of today sleeping too. My life today centres round my bed and the dining table for a little bit of food. It was great to have green bean soup this afternoon cooked by my mummy. She said that it would help to remove that great amount of heatiness in my body. Ha, despite my sickness, she would still continue sharing with me about her tour mates, the places she had visited, things she bought while she was on her trip. Thank goodness, my fever has gone down. But still feeling kinda groggy, I think I better quarantine myself this long weekend :( need to go sleep again soon lest being nagged by Mummy for sleeping late again…What a ‘labourious’ Labour Day!

My parents and their Shanghai rendezvous

My parents are finally back from their trip to Shanghai. They were on a package tour at the beginning and for the last couple of days, they were with my brother. Went to the airport to fetch them late Wednesday night and we had supper together at Ya Kun at T3, my mummy was craving for a cup of teh from there. They were tired after the trip but I guess satisfied, mummy has been telling me much about her trip for the past two days. The package tour was pretty rush and packed for them and they found it real tiring but when they met up with my brother, life was much better, more relaxing. Guess lotsa good food too! Realised that my father isn’t too bad at photography, a few not to bad shots. When my brother took over, needless to say, it’s about his watches again, always takes photographs of them! My parents bought for me a jacket but I am just glad that my parents are back home, tonight I had homecooked food by my mummy :) Kat said that I am a terribly pampered and spoilt girl…Hee, who cares?!