Simple, unexpected surprises that put a smile on the face.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Jungle in Concrete Jungle....
Considering the fact that we are living in a garden city, it's very frustrating to grow my plants in the concrete corridors. But it doesn't matter much since i also get my reprive from these plants.. so its a fair trade i guess...Anyway been waiting to reconstitute my garden to its rightful place in the corridor ever since i moved back to my house.
The only problem is that the plants didn't survive the constant shifting of houses. So i have to start all over again... from scratch. Here it goes.
So 
far managed to germinate green beans, corriander, chilli , Middle Eastern Dates and tomatoes. Also planted Ginger, Onions, Curry leaves.. and for visual aesthetics, African Violet, Money Plant, Roses and one more flowering plant which i can't remember. Then, there is also Heliconia and Hibiscus...
far managed to germinate green beans, corriander, chilli , Middle Eastern Dates and tomatoes. Also planted Ginger, Onions, Curry leaves.. and for visual aesthetics, African Violet, Money Plant, Roses and one more flowering plant which i can't remember. Then, there is also Heliconia and Hibiscus...The starting phase of the garden looked rather pathetic, all i saw was just pots filled with compost and dirt. It feels even more pathetic to water plantless pots. Trust me, the time taken to see the first leaves protrude from the soil can really drive you nuts and at times will make you doubt yourself and even the seeds.. will they ever grow or are they dead?
A good few weeks into the garden and my once barren pots now have small green hair thrusting itself out of the ground. Several weeks later.. things were nicer to look at.. i hope the pics i put up give a better picture.. Any way not planning to type anymore. Too lazy , just gonna line up some pictures of my garden ...
Have fun, have a good holiday, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Monday, December 17, 2007
When gloss precedes content...
It's an age old issue. Just like expectations it is ubiquitous. Unfortunately it is a mindset that is innate in everyone of us. Only difference is that it varies accordingly to the individuals taste. A condition that has been predominant in every aspect of our lives right from infancy.
The shiniest toys..the nicest looking presents..the sexiest babe... the hunkiest dudes.. the movies with the coolest actor/ress(s)... Everything explores the value of the surface packaging and not of the content inside. Judgements based on looks and nothing else.
The most common aspect that unites everyone is about people and their preset notions of what is beautiful and what is not. From how we want our partners/ spouse to look like to freaking racism. We all fall somewhere in between
The schooling days. From first love to first fight... somehow everything tethered on the packaging. Every guy would have had aspirations as to how he wanted his girlfriend to look like. I wanted mine to be fair ( didn't matter to me that i wasn't), pretty, just nicely tall enough to lean on my shoulders, slender with a lovely smile and smooth straight hair. I know fat hope. Fat it was. As i matured, my ridiculous expectations did as well. I realised that i had been in the foolish conception that fair was beautiful? Who has the right to determine that fair was beautiful? It's just a complexion, just like dark. We are all the same beneath our skin.
Through hard learned lessons, i added depth to my superficial notions of what is pretty and what is not. An angelic smile doesn't necessarily constitue an angel's heart. Neither does a foxy chick constitute to an easy going slut... a very valuable lesson that i paid a fortune to learn. I learnt that content matters more than its gloss.
Been labelled everything from "pariah" to "anjing hitam [black dog in malay]", being a minority was never easy. I am an Indian. I have brown skin, not black you bloody idiots. Even if it was black, i still would be equally proud of it. Nope, my skin does not carry any communicable disease nor does my hands exude black dirt when i touch anything. I have hair on my hands not tentacles that inject AIDS when you accidently rub against me. From being the target during soccer practice to being a moving punching bag.. Why? why this uncivilised notion based on my appearence? How does me being brown threaten their existence? I thought all these stupidity ended as of secondary school. But what happened today in the trains proved to be a gruesome reminder of the filth that still exists in our society.
Give up your seats to the eldery and the needy they say. I gave up mine today to an old woman and i felt like slapping myself for being too helpful. I got up and offered my seat in the crowded train. Reluctantly she proceeded to the seat, took out a tissue paper and started wiping the seat and commented on me to the neighbouring passenger. Then she decided not to take the seat and neither allow her grandson[assumingly] to sit on it and instead puts her bags on the seat.
Another crowded train scene. I was standing by the door.. Cabin was brimming with people, compacted like sardines. A woman and her son jammed in just moments before the door closed. I could already sense that the woman was not comfortable but dimissed it thinking that it could be due to the crowd. What i saw in the reflections on the glass panel literally shocked me. I knew that she was tugging the child towards her but i thought that it was due to her consideration of other people and that she didn't want her son to knock into others. On the reflections, she was signalling her son to be careful not to knock into me and followed it up with commenting by rubbing on the skin and then pinching her nose. Should have seen the shocked look on her face when she realised that i was looking at her. I just saw racism being passed on from one generation to another. I felt a surge of emotions but decided not to do anything especially infront of the child. For whatever i retaliate, it will only be conclusive for the child of the impressions stacked on me by the mother.
In this day and age... where Indian with a Chinese couples are a very common sight, where Malays with Caucasians are an upcoming sight...where cute EurASIAN babies are abound everywhere.... why nurture racism? Like Russel Peters once said... " the world is one day going to be Cream .....". Then why the social demarcations based on the skin?
The shiniest toys..the nicest looking presents..the sexiest babe... the hunkiest dudes.. the movies with the coolest actor/ress(s)... Everything explores the value of the surface packaging and not of the content inside. Judgements based on looks and nothing else.
The most common aspect that unites everyone is about people and their preset notions of what is beautiful and what is not. From how we want our partners/ spouse to look like to freaking racism. We all fall somewhere in between
The schooling days. From first love to first fight... somehow everything tethered on the packaging. Every guy would have had aspirations as to how he wanted his girlfriend to look like. I wanted mine to be fair ( didn't matter to me that i wasn't), pretty, just nicely tall enough to lean on my shoulders, slender with a lovely smile and smooth straight hair. I know fat hope. Fat it was. As i matured, my ridiculous expectations did as well. I realised that i had been in the foolish conception that fair was beautiful? Who has the right to determine that fair was beautiful? It's just a complexion, just like dark. We are all the same beneath our skin.
Through hard learned lessons, i added depth to my superficial notions of what is pretty and what is not. An angelic smile doesn't necessarily constitue an angel's heart. Neither does a foxy chick constitute to an easy going slut... a very valuable lesson that i paid a fortune to learn. I learnt that content matters more than its gloss.
Been labelled everything from "pariah" to "anjing hitam [black dog in malay]", being a minority was never easy. I am an Indian. I have brown skin, not black you bloody idiots. Even if it was black, i still would be equally proud of it. Nope, my skin does not carry any communicable disease nor does my hands exude black dirt when i touch anything. I have hair on my hands not tentacles that inject AIDS when you accidently rub against me. From being the target during soccer practice to being a moving punching bag.. Why? why this uncivilised notion based on my appearence? How does me being brown threaten their existence? I thought all these stupidity ended as of secondary school. But what happened today in the trains proved to be a gruesome reminder of the filth that still exists in our society.
Give up your seats to the eldery and the needy they say. I gave up mine today to an old woman and i felt like slapping myself for being too helpful. I got up and offered my seat in the crowded train. Reluctantly she proceeded to the seat, took out a tissue paper and started wiping the seat and commented on me to the neighbouring passenger. Then she decided not to take the seat and neither allow her grandson[assumingly] to sit on it and instead puts her bags on the seat.
Another crowded train scene. I was standing by the door.. Cabin was brimming with people, compacted like sardines. A woman and her son jammed in just moments before the door closed. I could already sense that the woman was not comfortable but dimissed it thinking that it could be due to the crowd. What i saw in the reflections on the glass panel literally shocked me. I knew that she was tugging the child towards her but i thought that it was due to her consideration of other people and that she didn't want her son to knock into others. On the reflections, she was signalling her son to be careful not to knock into me and followed it up with commenting by rubbing on the skin and then pinching her nose. Should have seen the shocked look on her face when she realised that i was looking at her. I just saw racism being passed on from one generation to another. I felt a surge of emotions but decided not to do anything especially infront of the child. For whatever i retaliate, it will only be conclusive for the child of the impressions stacked on me by the mother.
In this day and age... where Indian with a Chinese couples are a very common sight, where Malays with Caucasians are an upcoming sight...where cute EurASIAN babies are abound everywhere.... why nurture racism? Like Russel Peters once said... " the world is one day going to be Cream .....". Then why the social demarcations based on the skin?
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Of expectations...[ from a socially dependent perspective]
Expectations... it's ubiquitous and exists in myriad forms. It's infused in everyone's lives. Its difficult to acknowledge and impossible to avoid..
I have always encountered a fork in my road to individuality. Often times facing dilemma between being the perfect son /brother/ friend/ colleague and being simply me. I am just exhausted giving so much thought to making decisions from the mundane to the monumental. It is difficult to just be myself when i feel as if every decision i make paves my expressway to perdition.
Just be yourself. Live for yourself. You only have one life. Live happy and die happy[ sounds like a corny Chinese movie] . It's your life. I have had heard enough of these and people's every other twisted rendition of Bon Jovi. To you all out there, cut the crap with me.
I have to a certain extent, managed to live by my own terms and be ignorant of societies expectations. Sadly, you can only paddle so much when you are in choppy waters before simply succumbing to the currents. Funny thing is i tend to rebel again after catching a breather in the name of surrender.
I wanted to play computer games, instead i was expected to build websites. I wanted to pursue College, instead i was expected to pursue Polytechnic. I wanted to parachute off from a plane with my friends, instead i am expected to head on down to the coffeeshop by the rubbishchute with my friends. I wanted to scuba dive, instead i am expected to buy a bath tub and a rubber duckie. The list will go on forever. The irritating thing however is that i will not be denied in my face.. its always a subtle and diplomatic procedure.. Often times the situation is such that i would be the non understanding and selfish party in the negotiations.
" I will not forbid you from jumping off the plane if thats what that matters more to you than us"... How la like this...
Imagine you got an opportunity to do something that you always wanted, and your partner/loved ones is/are like " i dun like it.... if you really want to go then its really up to you". How is one to achieve what he/she sets out to do when he/she does not have the encouragement and blessings of his/her loved ones... Even if i decide to go solo on my mission, the guilt of hurting my loved ones to achieve something that i like, doesn't go easy on me.
I am not saying that my achievements and aspirations are dictated by others around me totally. In fact i can post a longer entry when i view these issues from an individualistic perspective. Neither am i saying that all that i am is what society has made out of me...i am merely saying that expectation is like the wind that acts as the resistance when we are trying to break the land speed record..
I have always encountered a fork in my road to individuality. Often times facing dilemma between being the perfect son /brother/ friend/ colleague and being simply me. I am just exhausted giving so much thought to making decisions from the mundane to the monumental. It is difficult to just be myself when i feel as if every decision i make paves my expressway to perdition.
Just be yourself. Live for yourself. You only have one life. Live happy and die happy[ sounds like a corny Chinese movie] . It's your life. I have had heard enough of these and people's every other twisted rendition of Bon Jovi. To you all out there, cut the crap with me.
I have to a certain extent, managed to live by my own terms and be ignorant of societies expectations. Sadly, you can only paddle so much when you are in choppy waters before simply succumbing to the currents. Funny thing is i tend to rebel again after catching a breather in the name of surrender.
I wanted to play computer games, instead i was expected to build websites. I wanted to pursue College, instead i was expected to pursue Polytechnic. I wanted to parachute off from a plane with my friends, instead i am expected to head on down to the coffeeshop by the rubbishchute with my friends. I wanted to scuba dive, instead i am expected to buy a bath tub and a rubber duckie. The list will go on forever. The irritating thing however is that i will not be denied in my face.. its always a subtle and diplomatic procedure.. Often times the situation is such that i would be the non understanding and selfish party in the negotiations.
" I will not forbid you from jumping off the plane if thats what that matters more to you than us"... How la like this...
Imagine you got an opportunity to do something that you always wanted, and your partner/loved ones is/are like " i dun like it.... if you really want to go then its really up to you". How is one to achieve what he/she sets out to do when he/she does not have the encouragement and blessings of his/her loved ones... Even if i decide to go solo on my mission, the guilt of hurting my loved ones to achieve something that i like, doesn't go easy on me.
I am not saying that my achievements and aspirations are dictated by others around me totally. In fact i can post a longer entry when i view these issues from an individualistic perspective. Neither am i saying that all that i am is what society has made out of me...i am merely saying that expectation is like the wind that acts as the resistance when we are trying to break the land speed record..
Friday, December 14, 2007
Forgive, maybe.. Forget, sorry...
Went to bed with high hopes that i might finally surrender to fatigue and the soporific outcomes of a hearty dinner. Guess i was wrong. Throbbing behind my eyeballs and the relentless tossing and turnings wouldn't let me.. Imprecating my conditions didn't do me any good either. So i did what i always do best...
Decmeber 14.. Memories were flooding back uncontrollably, as vivid as yesterday even a year later..
Forgive and forget they say... when its just easier to hate her..
I will forgive for its only human for him/her to err ... but i will not forget for putting these issues behind me will not protect me from recurrences in the future.
I will forgive to let him/her know that i hold no grudges... but i will not forget for i will make references to this event if the argument calls for it.
Iwill forgive for it is divine .... but i will not forget for i am just a human....
Selfish? Immature? Really? I merely mentioned out what everyone does... even the most noble will practice what i mentioned to a certain degree. I will say that its impossible to forget for we are all experiential learners
How can one forget the day the partner called for a break off... Even if he or she was to come back in all promises and potentials... Whats the guarantee that, that which happened once would not happen again?
How does one forget the day that he or she found out that the spouse was cheating? You may be able to forgive... but will you ever forget?
How does the abused child forget the thrashing he/she got from his/her parents?
How does a rape victim forget the torment she endured? she may be able to forgive but forget? I doubt so.
How does one forget being burned by love for the first time?
Get my drift? So how is it possible to forget? Does simply not mentioning the incident constitute to forgetting? If thats the case, then we are all hypocrites who intend one thing and say something else. Simply put, just think of all the times you got hurt and almost instantaneously you will be able to remember every detail of what happened to you. Now, does the phrase forgive and forget hold any relevance ?
Decmeber 14.. Memories were flooding back uncontrollably, as vivid as yesterday even a year later..
Forgive and forget they say... when its just easier to hate her..
I will forgive for its only human for him/her to err ... but i will not forget for putting these issues behind me will not protect me from recurrences in the future.
I will forgive to let him/her know that i hold no grudges... but i will not forget for i will make references to this event if the argument calls for it.
Iwill forgive for it is divine .... but i will not forget for i am just a human....
Selfish? Immature? Really? I merely mentioned out what everyone does... even the most noble will practice what i mentioned to a certain degree. I will say that its impossible to forget for we are all experiential learners
How can one forget the day the partner called for a break off... Even if he or she was to come back in all promises and potentials... Whats the guarantee that, that which happened once would not happen again?
How does one forget the day that he or she found out that the spouse was cheating? You may be able to forgive... but will you ever forget?
How does the abused child forget the thrashing he/she got from his/her parents?
How does a rape victim forget the torment she endured? she may be able to forgive but forget? I doubt so.
How does one forget being burned by love for the first time?
Get my drift? So how is it possible to forget? Does simply not mentioning the incident constitute to forgetting? If thats the case, then we are all hypocrites who intend one thing and say something else. Simply put, just think of all the times you got hurt and almost instantaneously you will be able to remember every detail of what happened to you. Now, does the phrase forgive and forget hold any relevance ?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Playlist's Top 6
Found myself relating to these songs, not sure why though. Its a strange and humbling feeling when some weird tune unlocks memories stored away in the deep crevices of your brain. Memories that you never wanted to face again. From nostalgia to nightmares. Whats in the note?
Thursday, December 06, 2007
MY Friend(MF) and Me.. [Part 1]
[The following entry comprises of snippets from various conversations with various friends. Conversations that makes me think about the kind of friends i have accumulated over the course of my life.. haha]
[In the bus ]
MF: Din, i just had an enlightenment.
Me: What is it?
MF: (with so much conviction) If pre-marital sex is evil, and evil is sin. Since sin is forgiven , so sex is in....
Me: How did you end up as my friend?
[30 mins after my friend arrived at Earls Swensen]
MF: Shaniz, i have been wanting to tell you something for quite some time now...
Me: What?
MF: Not sure if you noticed it but ever since i met you, i am unable to eat or even drink da......
Me: Why?
MF: I am broke.. so be a darling and foot what i am going to order.
[Near Ngee Ann cafeteria]
MF: ( while taking a puff) It feels so good to drag a puff.. makes me warm inside.
Me: Just get it done quickly , you're not to be smoking here...
MF: Relax will you... I don't even have to run if the warden chases me...
Me: Let's see.
MF: Dei. hold the stick for me while i tie my laces...
(at this point of time, the warden catches me and my friend is no where to be found.)
[while driving my friend to labrador park at 1 am]
Me: Aren't you even a bit scared that i might molest or rape you?
MF: Nah you won't. I trust you.
Me: Are you sure that you know me that well?
MF: It is a feeling..
Me : What feeling?
MF: Gutt feeling...
Me: Can't believe your stomach trusts me more than you do.
Me: Do you find me too pushy...
MF: nope. you are just a washy washy ( or is it wishy wishy? wushy wushy? wishy whushy? swishy sushi? can't remember what she said but apparently it is an accepted term in english.)
[During lunch in Ngee ann poly]
MF: i want to start up a internet porn site.
Me: there are already so much, how are you going to be noticed...
MF: Simple, use an established brand as endoresement.
Me: Which brand.....
MF: Aiyah... StarBucks la....
Me: Huh?
MF: StarBucks already has a seductive female in its logo.. all i have to do i is just change the "B" in starbucks to "F"...
Me:..........
[In the bus ]
MF: Din, i just had an enlightenment.
Me: What is it?
MF: (with so much conviction) If pre-marital sex is evil, and evil is sin. Since sin is forgiven , so sex is in....
Me: How did you end up as my friend?
[30 mins after my friend arrived at Earls Swensen]
MF: Shaniz, i have been wanting to tell you something for quite some time now...
Me: What?
MF: Not sure if you noticed it but ever since i met you, i am unable to eat or even drink da......
Me: Why?
MF: I am broke.. so be a darling and foot what i am going to order.
[Near Ngee Ann cafeteria]
MF: ( while taking a puff) It feels so good to drag a puff.. makes me warm inside.
Me: Just get it done quickly , you're not to be smoking here...
MF: Relax will you... I don't even have to run if the warden chases me...
Me: Let's see.
MF: Dei. hold the stick for me while i tie my laces...
(at this point of time, the warden catches me and my friend is no where to be found.)
[while driving my friend to labrador park at 1 am]
Me: Aren't you even a bit scared that i might molest or rape you?
MF: Nah you won't. I trust you.
Me: Are you sure that you know me that well?
MF: It is a feeling..
Me : What feeling?
MF: Gutt feeling...
Me: Can't believe your stomach trusts me more than you do.
Me: Do you find me too pushy...
MF: nope. you are just a washy washy ( or is it wishy wishy? wushy wushy? wishy whushy? swishy sushi? can't remember what she said but apparently it is an accepted term in english.)
[During lunch in Ngee ann poly]
MF: i want to start up a internet porn site.
Me: there are already so much, how are you going to be noticed...
MF: Simple, use an established brand as endoresement.
Me: Which brand.....
MF: Aiyah... StarBucks la....
Me: Huh?
MF: StarBucks already has a seductive female in its logo.. all i have to do i is just change the "B" in starbucks to "F"...
Me:..........
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Finisher of 42.195Km
What drives thousands of people to wake up at ungodly hours of the night and scramble down to the Esplanande just to subject themselves to hours of gruelling torture just to cover 42.195km?
A distance at this day and age, too ridiculous to even contemplate and furthermore to cover on foot. Then why? What is the need to pay them 55 dollars to for a placing in this torture? I can't answer that question for there were 40,000 reasons behind the 40,000 participants.. Some ran for the love of running, some for friendship, some to accompany their loved ones and some, just to kill boredom.
I had my own. I have covered half marathons... I needed to know my physiological capabilities and limits. I needed to know that my heart and will is much stronger than my body. I needed to know that i won't quit unnecessarily. I needed to know that i won't be supressed that easily. ... I needed to know that who i am is not confined to being flesh and blood.
Valuable lessons were learnt.
Wheather was merciful, I thank HIM for that. Had a good start and a smooth run till the 27th km. I was happy about running non stop till 27... the longest i ever ran nonstop was 20km. That is when my knee started to cave in. Wanted to continue running but pain was getting sharper. I decided to stop and walk. Contemplated throwing the race but i couldnt. I started something and i wanted to finish it. Badly. Never had so many bad cramps on my muscles before.. I never had a cramp on my toes, i do not even know how to stretch my toes.Can it even be stretched?
The run taught me more than what i had expected. I ran with pride, with my head held high.. Exhaustion taught me to be humble when i could no longer keep upright and i walked with my head towards the ground. I wanted to finish the race in the shortest time possible but the daunting distance taught me patience and perseverance. I learnt the value of sharing for hadn't the stranger shared his power gel with me, i would have struggled on with more pain. I learnt the value of helping when another stranger helped me to stretch my calves. I was taught that a kind word can go a long way ( thanks Anthony for spurring me on). I learnt the value of bond when strangers were encouraging one another to keep at it. The run taught me to focus on the task at hand and not be distracted. Preparing for this run taught me the value of dedication .I learnt that pain is temporary but achievement is forever.
Most importantly i learnt that nothing is possible without HIS blessings.... perfect wheather in the month of December, cool breeze , miraculous sustenance of knees , to put it short and sweet, EVERYTHING.....
Now tell me, wasn't all these worth the meagre 55 that i paid?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Exercise in frustration...
The 70 km/h speed limit on KPE , the ridiculous waiting period for a doctors appointment, the ridiculous paperwork in the name of administration. What do they all have in common?
They are all, as the title suggests, an exercise in frustration. More like a heavy work out i would say. Being patient is one thing, but getting transferred around and referred to countless unrelated workstations seems to do just the otherwise.
The recent addition to this growing list would be the automated telephone answering systems in govt. agencies and some major private companies.
Thank you for calling the (e.g) property tax hot line.[ followed by a re-run of it in Chinese] .Press 1 for english, Press 2 for Chinese. [After pressing 1] For inquiries on property tax press 1, for application for tax exemption, press 2, for updates on revision of taxes press 3, this contiues till 9 i guess. By the time i spent 3 to 4 minutes listening to all the options, i would have forgotten what the first option. After choosing the option that i wanted, i had to enter my IC number before having to choose further sub choices presented to me again by the same computer generated voice. After goin through so many sub levels just to find out that there is no choice that best describes my needs, there comes the final option. To talk with operator , press 0.... Why can't they just give this option earlier? The best part, i have to spend another 5 to 10 minutes listening to horrible MIDI renditions of Tchaikovsky before the operator answers... and all my inquiries gets settled in a min.
15 mins of hanging on the phone for a 1 minute long conversation.
They are all, as the title suggests, an exercise in frustration. More like a heavy work out i would say. Being patient is one thing, but getting transferred around and referred to countless unrelated workstations seems to do just the otherwise.
The recent addition to this growing list would be the automated telephone answering systems in govt. agencies and some major private companies.
Thank you for calling the (e.g) property tax hot line.[ followed by a re-run of it in Chinese] .Press 1 for english, Press 2 for Chinese. [After pressing 1] For inquiries on property tax press 1, for application for tax exemption, press 2, for updates on revision of taxes press 3, this contiues till 9 i guess. By the time i spent 3 to 4 minutes listening to all the options, i would have forgotten what the first option. After choosing the option that i wanted, i had to enter my IC number before having to choose further sub choices presented to me again by the same computer generated voice. After goin through so many sub levels just to find out that there is no choice that best describes my needs, there comes the final option. To talk with operator , press 0.... Why can't they just give this option earlier? The best part, i have to spend another 5 to 10 minutes listening to horrible MIDI renditions of Tchaikovsky before the operator answers... and all my inquiries gets settled in a min.
15 mins of hanging on the phone for a 1 minute long conversation.
Monday, November 26, 2007
True Drama Mama(s)
I just realised that we Singaporeans severly lack imagination and creativity ... and a bit of culture too..
Not going to talk about anything serious, just that i was watching Sun TV (channel 29) on cable. I was seriously impressed by the amount of research, scriptwriting, casting, graphics effects and editing that goes into their advertisements. It's so damn creative. The ads are actually more entertaining then Captain Vijayakanth's movies. I am just going to tune in to that channel just for its ads. Our local ads are nowhere near in comparison. I dun understand why our local ads could not be of this calibre.. have we become so boring and unimaginative in the process of saving cost and airtime? Even then the duration of airtime of the indian ads isn't that much longer compared to local ads.hmmmmm... i hope we dun lose it in the name of progress, productivity and efficiency.
have fun watchin the followin clips.
Not going to talk about anything serious, just that i was watching Sun TV (channel 29) on cable. I was seriously impressed by the amount of research, scriptwriting, casting, graphics effects and editing that goes into their advertisements. It's so damn creative. The ads are actually more entertaining then Captain Vijayakanth's movies. I am just going to tune in to that channel just for its ads. Our local ads are nowhere near in comparison. I dun understand why our local ads could not be of this calibre.. have we become so boring and unimaginative in the process of saving cost and airtime? Even then the duration of airtime of the indian ads isn't that much longer compared to local ads.hmmmmm... i hope we dun lose it in the name of progress, productivity and efficiency.
have fun watchin the followin clips.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Why guys like slimmer girls..... a logical explanation..
Its been long time since i laughed like this.. i found myself rooting for the woman..
WHY MEN PREFER SLIM WIFE??????? - The best bloopers are a click away
WHY MEN PREFER SLIM WIFE??????? - The best bloopers are a click away
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The VISA Conundrum
First it was Richard Gere using his VISA to swipe the ass crack of a Rajastani bird seller when trying to impress a girl simply wanting to buy 5 birds for her brothers journey.Now it's the Beijing Olympics.
The VISA ads seem to be sarcasticly ambiguous. Especially when Asian countries are involved. India was portrayed like a third world country desperately in need of the MNC's economic rescue.
In the latest ads by VISA... the one thats being aired with Jackie Chan trying to win a pair of tickets to the Beijing Olympics..there is also some subtle message... i shall point out some key scenes from the ad.. and you try to figure out the meaning.
Jackie purchases a Ping Pong bat.... the bat breaks while a training session and he resorts to using his hand. Next, he purchases a soccer ball... but during training, the ball bursts when he kicks it... Then , he leaps of a spring board during gym training only to be overcast into the window... the list goes on..
Still don't get the moral of the story? Simple! Don't buy things that says.... MADE IN CHINA... Hahaha... In case if VISA, Jackie or any Chinese govt agencies are reading this.. don't sue me... it's just a tongue in cheek humour and i seriously can't afford a legal tussle.
The VISA ads seem to be sarcasticly ambiguous. Especially when Asian countries are involved. India was portrayed like a third world country desperately in need of the MNC's economic rescue.
In the latest ads by VISA... the one thats being aired with Jackie Chan trying to win a pair of tickets to the Beijing Olympics..there is also some subtle message... i shall point out some key scenes from the ad.. and you try to figure out the meaning.
Jackie purchases a Ping Pong bat.... the bat breaks while a training session and he resorts to using his hand. Next, he purchases a soccer ball... but during training, the ball bursts when he kicks it... Then , he leaps of a spring board during gym training only to be overcast into the window... the list goes on..
Still don't get the moral of the story? Simple! Don't buy things that says.... MADE IN CHINA... Hahaha... In case if VISA, Jackie or any Chinese govt agencies are reading this.. don't sue me... it's just a tongue in cheek humour and i seriously can't afford a legal tussle.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Rhetoric's Wish List
1) Complete the long overdue Documentary on Indian Muslims
2) Complete the Documentary on Special Ed.
2) Complete the Documentary on Special Ed.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
doctors on the other side.
Made my occasional visit to my work place last week. As a tour of duty, i started from my class and ended with the OT Rooms. Crapping with the OTs always tends to seize the apprehensions about my job and my seemingly bleak prospects.They give me the "Dun worry, all will be alrite" feel.Anyway, one of them informed me of the contemplations to seek medical treatment in a foreign country ( which by the way is a growing trend now days) and as usual this set me off thinking.
Singapore, a nation with accreditations in medical breakthroughs and R&D. Young, vibrant and on par with first world countries. Yet why do i see more and more people seeking medical attention for their ailments in other countries.... what's lacking here?
A pseudo survey with friends and two coffee(s) later at the coffee shop, i managed to collate their enthusiastic replies.
1) It's too expensive to seek treatment for major illnesses in Singapore. The middle class people seem to be the most affected. Not rich enough to afford the expensive treatments and not poor enough to qualify for any subsidies. This predicament acts as a push factor to fly to developing nations where treatments can be sought for much lower fees thanks to difference in currency.
2) Quite weirdly, some felt that the medical services here are over-rated. Some of my conspiracy theorists buddies felt that for every high-profile medical breakthrough published on national newspapers, there are many screw-ups that are swept under the rugg and kept out of mention.
3) This seems the most logical to me... Red Tape. Our doctors have become intuitive when treating the common colds and knee injuries but they tend to lack confidence and knowledge when they are dealing with potentially fatal illnesses. They want to play safe and follow protocols when diagnosing these illnesses. Though i welcome this move, i just feel that our doctors have become too caught up with procedures and playing safe that they sometimes over look the fact that certain illnesses are time critical.
Classic example would be Cancer. When detected in its earliest stages, can be treated to full recovery. But somehow i just do not understand why the doctors schedule the scans months away... Don't they realize that the waiting period itself is sufficient to mature the cancer? Why does one have to go through so many check ups ( and these are ordinary check ups where the patient is told to wait a few weeks before returning for another check up) before being sent for a scan. Just to be told that he/she has cancer.
But who is really to blame for this ridiculous practice. The doctors? or us, the Singaporeans? Have we become so accustomed to complaining and being picky about even the slightet mistakes that we left the doctors no choice but to follow all these ridiculous procedures.They are human too. They are not born doctors or specialists. If we do not provide the room for them to learn, how are they going to improve?
I feel its a vicious cycle actually but i will elaborate on it in the next entry.. now too tired to continue.
Singapore, a nation with accreditations in medical breakthroughs and R&D. Young, vibrant and on par with first world countries. Yet why do i see more and more people seeking medical attention for their ailments in other countries.... what's lacking here?
A pseudo survey with friends and two coffee(s) later at the coffee shop, i managed to collate their enthusiastic replies.
1) It's too expensive to seek treatment for major illnesses in Singapore. The middle class people seem to be the most affected. Not rich enough to afford the expensive treatments and not poor enough to qualify for any subsidies. This predicament acts as a push factor to fly to developing nations where treatments can be sought for much lower fees thanks to difference in currency.
2) Quite weirdly, some felt that the medical services here are over-rated. Some of my conspiracy theorists buddies felt that for every high-profile medical breakthrough published on national newspapers, there are many screw-ups that are swept under the rugg and kept out of mention.
3) This seems the most logical to me... Red Tape. Our doctors have become intuitive when treating the common colds and knee injuries but they tend to lack confidence and knowledge when they are dealing with potentially fatal illnesses. They want to play safe and follow protocols when diagnosing these illnesses. Though i welcome this move, i just feel that our doctors have become too caught up with procedures and playing safe that they sometimes over look the fact that certain illnesses are time critical.
Classic example would be Cancer. When detected in its earliest stages, can be treated to full recovery. But somehow i just do not understand why the doctors schedule the scans months away... Don't they realize that the waiting period itself is sufficient to mature the cancer? Why does one have to go through so many check ups ( and these are ordinary check ups where the patient is told to wait a few weeks before returning for another check up) before being sent for a scan. Just to be told that he/she has cancer.
But who is really to blame for this ridiculous practice. The doctors? or us, the Singaporeans? Have we become so accustomed to complaining and being picky about even the slightet mistakes that we left the doctors no choice but to follow all these ridiculous procedures.They are human too. They are not born doctors or specialists. If we do not provide the room for them to learn, how are they going to improve?
I feel its a vicious cycle actually but i will elaborate on it in the next entry.. now too tired to continue.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Multimedia Computing... Whats that?
Meetings with Hong Bin always bring unwarrented enlightenment. This time, he chose to shed light on the redundancy of the Diploma that we had slogged to attain in Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Diploma in Multi-Media Computing...a lodestone to tech savvy teenagers of 1999. A cash cow in the eyes of parents who want their children to hitch a ride on the IT wave at the end of the 20th Century. It's a course that promised a good foundation in multimedia skills and computer programming. Basically I should have been a master of anything that starts with e- .
However, thanks to Ah Bin's wisdom of the second, I just realised how far off target i fell thanks to Multimedia Computing (MMC). Instead of becoming Masters of the trade, we became the Jack of NOT too many trades. Simply put its Chapalang Course. They took a bit of everything and cramped it in. We got quantity but where the hell was the quality?
The irony was that i was getting outdated even as i was progressing to my second year in the course. I studied Flash 3, six months later ALI ( my junior of 1 year) was studying Flash 4. I can't believe that i enrolled into this course to keep up with the times.
Anyway coming back to the point, a pseudo reality check in the hallways of SIM, confirmed that neither Ali, Hong Bin nor myself had pursued a job or further studies in relation to our field of study. Further information came from the Guru of the second (Hong Bin), that more of my classmates were dropping this field as they were squeezed dry but paid peanuts...
It just makes me wonder at times, how many of us really pursue what we had studied. From the housewives with PhD to the Post-Grad Prata Man. Have we hit a saturation point that the degree doesn't count anymore? Are the tongue in cheek jokes of the coffee shop ah pek about requiring a PhD to sweep the roads going to become reality?
Where are we really heading? There is an E-Theory. That the ever growing internet would one day grow so big that everything will crash. I know that my analogy does not make much sense but i just needed to justify my diploma in MMC... anyway yeah, have we pusued the degree so much that we even require it do a physically skilled job?
When the courses provided doesn't meet the market expectations, it becomes a disillusionment to the students who fork out ridiculous amounts of cash to study it.
I fear that education has become too commercialised and true knowledge has become buried deep beneath wads of cash and cheques. How ah, like that?
Diploma in Multi-Media Computing...a lodestone to tech savvy teenagers of 1999. A cash cow in the eyes of parents who want their children to hitch a ride on the IT wave at the end of the 20th Century. It's a course that promised a good foundation in multimedia skills and computer programming. Basically I should have been a master of anything that starts with e- .
However, thanks to Ah Bin's wisdom of the second, I just realised how far off target i fell thanks to Multimedia Computing (MMC). Instead of becoming Masters of the trade, we became the Jack of NOT too many trades. Simply put its Chapalang Course. They took a bit of everything and cramped it in. We got quantity but where the hell was the quality?
The irony was that i was getting outdated even as i was progressing to my second year in the course. I studied Flash 3, six months later ALI ( my junior of 1 year) was studying Flash 4. I can't believe that i enrolled into this course to keep up with the times.
Anyway coming back to the point, a pseudo reality check in the hallways of SIM, confirmed that neither Ali, Hong Bin nor myself had pursued a job or further studies in relation to our field of study. Further information came from the Guru of the second (Hong Bin), that more of my classmates were dropping this field as they were squeezed dry but paid peanuts...
It just makes me wonder at times, how many of us really pursue what we had studied. From the housewives with PhD to the Post-Grad Prata Man. Have we hit a saturation point that the degree doesn't count anymore? Are the tongue in cheek jokes of the coffee shop ah pek about requiring a PhD to sweep the roads going to become reality?
Where are we really heading? There is an E-Theory. That the ever growing internet would one day grow so big that everything will crash. I know that my analogy does not make much sense but i just needed to justify my diploma in MMC... anyway yeah, have we pusued the degree so much that we even require it do a physically skilled job?
When the courses provided doesn't meet the market expectations, it becomes a disillusionment to the students who fork out ridiculous amounts of cash to study it.
I fear that education has become too commercialised and true knowledge has become buried deep beneath wads of cash and cheques. How ah, like that?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
when the dot matters.... really!
Fasting for some reason hasn't been easy on me this time round. I feel alot more tired and lethargic compared to the previous years. Maybe its due to my extra active life style of the past few months.
Anyway, recently, just returned home after breaking fast at a fast food restaurant. Realizing that there was no one at home ( all went terawih prayers), i decided to sit back and relax. I quickly freshened up, poured myself a cup of tea and heated up some left over samosas. Thought of watching tv but a cd labelled " AR Rahman" caught my attention. It's been quite a long while since i last listened to AR Rahman music. (AR Rahman is a genius composer who created most of my fav songs). So i loaded the disc into the high fi system then, i set the ambience. I dimmed the lights, set the fan on me and tiredly slouched back into my couch. My player has this tendency to play all songs very softly, so to counter it i would normally crank up the volume really high. Placed my feet on the coffee table with my tea in one hand, a plate of samosa on my tummy ( i am slouching you see) and the hi fi remote in the other hand.
I pressed play. threw the remote onto the other couch adjacent to me and picked up a samosa.
A good few seconds passed and i was beginning to wonder why the song hasn't begun... and then the speakers screamed/blasted out " BISMILLAHIRRAHMANIRRAHEEEEEM!!!".
I was drenched in tea, the sofa was stained with the oil from the samosa, the plate was in pieces. I was clambering over the couch to get the remote and shut my damn hi fi off. Once the hi fi was off, i just had to sit down and catch my thoughts..and my breath. I took out the disc to see what went wrong, and there it was. It wasn't a comiplation of A.R. Rahman but its a compilation of the Surrah AR RAHMAN ( a chapter of the Qur'an). I didn't know a small dot can cause me a heart attack.
I spent a good 45 min cleaning up after that... by then the entire gang had returned. hmmmmm.
Anyway, recently, just returned home after breaking fast at a fast food restaurant. Realizing that there was no one at home ( all went terawih prayers), i decided to sit back and relax. I quickly freshened up, poured myself a cup of tea and heated up some left over samosas. Thought of watching tv but a cd labelled " AR Rahman" caught my attention. It's been quite a long while since i last listened to AR Rahman music. (AR Rahman is a genius composer who created most of my fav songs). So i loaded the disc into the high fi system then, i set the ambience. I dimmed the lights, set the fan on me and tiredly slouched back into my couch. My player has this tendency to play all songs very softly, so to counter it i would normally crank up the volume really high. Placed my feet on the coffee table with my tea in one hand, a plate of samosa on my tummy ( i am slouching you see) and the hi fi remote in the other hand.
I pressed play. threw the remote onto the other couch adjacent to me and picked up a samosa.
A good few seconds passed and i was beginning to wonder why the song hasn't begun... and then the speakers screamed/blasted out " BISMILLAHIRRAHMANIRRAHEEEEEM!!!".
I was drenched in tea, the sofa was stained with the oil from the samosa, the plate was in pieces. I was clambering over the couch to get the remote and shut my damn hi fi off. Once the hi fi was off, i just had to sit down and catch my thoughts..and my breath. I took out the disc to see what went wrong, and there it was. It wasn't a comiplation of A.R. Rahman but its a compilation of the Surrah AR RAHMAN ( a chapter of the Qur'an). I didn't know a small dot can cause me a heart attack.
I spent a good 45 min cleaning up after that... by then the entire gang had returned. hmmmmm.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
just the way i like it....
The pictures from the birthday.. tot of posting another one of my thoughts.. but i realised i have gotten a tad too serious recently.. so am just gonna hang loose and relax on this one. Enjoy the pics....
thanks guys for making it happen... really loved the simplicity of it all...
thanks guys for making it happen... really loved the simplicity of it all...
Friday, August 10, 2007
Mocha Frap... and the Cafeterian Muslim.
Each sip was cooling every inch of my parched throat. The fluffy sofas were very much appreciated after a long day of an uneventful shopping spree. Stretching backwards and hearing the cracks coming off my back was damn shiok man. I just love the lounge setting and the ambience of Starbucks at The Cathay. It has been a very long time since i last came here. Too long.
I always go up to the counter to choose on a drink..and i will be going like "hmm, this...nope... hmmm ...that... nah... its ok...." and finally i would settle upon a choice which happened to be the same one i had made the many times i had visited Starbucks before.
The Mocha Frappucino - A delightfully sweet and creamy combination of coffee, milk and chocolate, blended with ice, topped with whipped cream.
It was while waiting for my coffee to be served that my mind started wondering off... You see, there was this short queue at the collection point. Before me was a an indian muslim guy(i know he is indian muslim from an earlier incident) and his malay girlfriend who was very provocatively dressed.. To be honest, she did look quite hot, and she can easily tugg at one's primal instincts. It didn't help at all when that they were smooching either. I was growing very uncomfortable and all i wanted to do was just take my drink and proceed back to my seat.
My seat, gave me a panoptic view of the coffee house, and i was able to observe everyone seated there. Sipping on my frap, i noticed another muslim (enough of this Indian or Malay segregation) couple. Girl was very tudung and the works, guy was very decent looking. All seemed ok except that they seem to be glued to each other.. The guys hand was over her shoulder and stroking her side. All these kicked off my analytical train of thoughts.
What was wrong with the picture that i just saw? Hmm they were Muslims and they all had broken some code of conduct according to Islamic laws. It's only when i was desperately trying to make sense of what i saw, the cafe's menu board came into perspective. Earlier i walked over to the menu board, of everything that was provided, i selected what i wanted/ preferred and simply gave a blind eye to the rest. To options that i could have alternatively taken, i came up with some "nope and Nah's"...
Likewise , of the doctrine that Islam has illustrated to us. Absorb and practice only those particular laws that seem feasible and doesn't conflict with our interest... the rest, just simply overlook. Or when confronted come up with some theories.."I only kiss only wat.. not having his baby or anythin rite" , " I am going to marry her wat so wat if she is pregnant now??" , " Does it mean i am a bad muslim if i wear fashionable clothes? its the intention that counts wat..." etc etc etc. There is a myriad of explanations for being very cafeterian about Islam ..
As a guy born into a modernistic Singapore, i can truly accept the provocatively dressed gal or the touchy couple...But when comparing and contrasting it with the Syariah, i am really at a loss for words..
1) Simply because the Quranic text still holds its relevance to the current date.. and not even a single word has been changed in all its existence.
2) I myself belong to the cafeterian muslim, simple example.. i am to be covered from the navel to knee at least (aurat) , and yet i only wear a singlet and a running shorts when i go for my routine run... my rationale being... the comfort and etc...there are alot more flaws that i can tell about myself ... but i rather you relfect upon your own...
I realize that there are 3 types of people.
1) there are those who do not know and do nothing about it.
2) there are those who know and did something about it
3) there are those who know and did nothing about it.
Which one are you? guess everyone have their own demons to fight.
I always go up to the counter to choose on a drink..and i will be going like "hmm, this...nope... hmmm ...that... nah... its ok...." and finally i would settle upon a choice which happened to be the same one i had made the many times i had visited Starbucks before.
The Mocha Frappucino - A delightfully sweet and creamy combination of coffee, milk and chocolate, blended with ice, topped with whipped cream.
It was while waiting for my coffee to be served that my mind started wondering off... You see, there was this short queue at the collection point. Before me was a an indian muslim guy(i know he is indian muslim from an earlier incident) and his malay girlfriend who was very provocatively dressed.. To be honest, she did look quite hot, and she can easily tugg at one's primal instincts. It didn't help at all when that they were smooching either. I was growing very uncomfortable and all i wanted to do was just take my drink and proceed back to my seat.
My seat, gave me a panoptic view of the coffee house, and i was able to observe everyone seated there. Sipping on my frap, i noticed another muslim (enough of this Indian or Malay segregation) couple. Girl was very tudung and the works, guy was very decent looking. All seemed ok except that they seem to be glued to each other.. The guys hand was over her shoulder and stroking her side. All these kicked off my analytical train of thoughts.
What was wrong with the picture that i just saw? Hmm they were Muslims and they all had broken some code of conduct according to Islamic laws. It's only when i was desperately trying to make sense of what i saw, the cafe's menu board came into perspective. Earlier i walked over to the menu board, of everything that was provided, i selected what i wanted/ preferred and simply gave a blind eye to the rest. To options that i could have alternatively taken, i came up with some "nope and Nah's"...
Likewise , of the doctrine that Islam has illustrated to us. Absorb and practice only those particular laws that seem feasible and doesn't conflict with our interest... the rest, just simply overlook. Or when confronted come up with some theories.."I only kiss only wat.. not having his baby or anythin rite" , " I am going to marry her wat so wat if she is pregnant now??" , " Does it mean i am a bad muslim if i wear fashionable clothes? its the intention that counts wat..." etc etc etc. There is a myriad of explanations for being very cafeterian about Islam ..
As a guy born into a modernistic Singapore, i can truly accept the provocatively dressed gal or the touchy couple...But when comparing and contrasting it with the Syariah, i am really at a loss for words..
1) Simply because the Quranic text still holds its relevance to the current date.. and not even a single word has been changed in all its existence.
2) I myself belong to the cafeterian muslim, simple example.. i am to be covered from the navel to knee at least (aurat) , and yet i only wear a singlet and a running shorts when i go for my routine run... my rationale being... the comfort and etc...there are alot more flaws that i can tell about myself ... but i rather you relfect upon your own...
I realize that there are 3 types of people.
1) there are those who do not know and do nothing about it.
2) there are those who know and did something about it
3) there are those who know and did nothing about it.
Which one are you? guess everyone have their own demons to fight.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Happy National Day ... and some random thoughts.
*disclaimer : ideas, statements, suggestions and comments made in the following post are purely the personal opinions of the author. no disrespect is intended towards anyone. I love my Singapore!
Happy National Day!!!! Everyone! A toast to everything we have endured so far and for everything else we are going to endure together as fellow Singaporeans.
Its nice be a student once again. Having fun doing tutorials ( yes i know it sounds weird) and discussion forums. Planning to make the most of it since its only going to last me a few months.
Quite weird to note how everyone is so anxious to see me get married off. Am i such a threat to your daughters, girlfriends and sisters? Even the "Qadi" is advocating me.
The "in" words around me lately are 5rm valuation, HDB Grants, Housing loans and CPF deductions.
and last but not least is it me or is it that this years NDP Logo looks like as if "someone" is pointing the middle finger at me.haha .. take a look for yourself.
Happy National Day!!!! Everyone! A toast to everything we have endured so far and for everything else we are going to endure together as fellow Singaporeans.
Its nice be a student once again. Having fun doing tutorials ( yes i know it sounds weird) and discussion forums. Planning to make the most of it since its only going to last me a few months.
Quite weird to note how everyone is so anxious to see me get married off. Am i such a threat to your daughters, girlfriends and sisters? Even the "Qadi" is advocating me.
The "in" words around me lately are 5rm valuation, HDB Grants, Housing loans and CPF deductions.
and last but not least is it me or is it that this years NDP Logo looks like as if "someone" is pointing the middle finger at me.haha .. take a look for yourself.
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Occasional truths in email FWDs
Let's face it, we all get e-mail FWDs with loads of general philosophies, half-truths and whole lies. The advice ranges from personal reflections to public propoganda.
The truth is , i never really paid any attention or gave two hoots about these mails. In fact i deleted mails which arrive in my inbox with subjects starting with a FWD.
Anyway getting to the point. Recently managed to catch up with an old polymate. He is also one who practices the art of deleting FWDs without even reaching the half way mark (sometimes we don't even bother opening the FWDs.). While gorging down our burgers at BK(PS),as a topic opener , i asked him regarding one of his MSN nicknames... which went something like "Don't make someone a priority in your life, when you are just an option in theirs". He simply laughed and said that phrase was from a FWD, i should have known from it's corniness. Then he went on to elaborate about the experiences he had with a particular girl, from the chase to courtship to condemnation. Really felt sad for him for i totally understood his predicament( giving a zen look haha).. We were silent for a few minutes then it kind of hit us, that phrase makes absolute sense.
To ensure trust, i disclosed some recent updates from my life... and the best part was that we were laughing at ourselves for the idiots we have been. It is kind of funny that it doesn't hurt like it used to a few years back. Maybe i have gotten numb or maybe i am just growing out of my foolishness. I mean, what was i thinking? Subjecting my/our lives to a monocracy by the girl for whom we would have laid down almost anything for, when all i am , is just another option in her relentless pursuit for her ideal man .
It seems that a lot of people had advised my friend that he needs to win her heart by showing or treating her differently from what normal friends might do. In other words, show her what he can offer so that she can choose him over the others. Logic seems pretty ok till you take a back seat and see the full picture. I simply told him to forget it... It seems that she said to him "i don't know" when he proposed, so i just asked him to listen to the inner meaning of the last word..."NO".
Just out of curiosity, when did courtship become so commercialised , " invest my money in the bank that gives me the most returns". What happend to the intrinsic value of courting. Hmm..would a girl like to be subjected to this kind of treatment , being asked to prove what she can offer before the guy decides to say a yes or a no? where is the respect for the girl? like wise for the male counterparts.
Again the funny thing was that we were having very serious conversations with plenty of sudden hilaraious outbursts, laughing at ourselves. Guess that was our way of dealing with it.
Time came for us to part ways. We gave each other the "brother brother" handshake topped up with a closed fist bang to our chests and a peace sign before boarding seperate trains.....yeah rite.
A humble request to my friends
Guys
1) Don't think too much, just ask and find out
2) Don't make the girl a priority in your life till you know that you are one in her life( if you do, you might tend to lose the ones who always had been there for you.)
3) Be straight forward about what you expect
Girls
1) Please, respect the fact that the guy worked up the courage to propose, and give him a yes or no answer. (saying "i don't know, puts the guy in a flux, to pursue or not to pursue?)
2) Just say what you feel as it is.. don't worry about hurting the guy.
Ps: i am not trying to be a love doctor here. just wanted to share my opinions on this matter.
The truth is , i never really paid any attention or gave two hoots about these mails. In fact i deleted mails which arrive in my inbox with subjects starting with a FWD.
Anyway getting to the point. Recently managed to catch up with an old polymate. He is also one who practices the art of deleting FWDs without even reaching the half way mark (sometimes we don't even bother opening the FWDs.). While gorging down our burgers at BK(PS),as a topic opener , i asked him regarding one of his MSN nicknames... which went something like "Don't make someone a priority in your life, when you are just an option in theirs". He simply laughed and said that phrase was from a FWD, i should have known from it's corniness. Then he went on to elaborate about the experiences he had with a particular girl, from the chase to courtship to condemnation. Really felt sad for him for i totally understood his predicament( giving a zen look haha).. We were silent for a few minutes then it kind of hit us, that phrase makes absolute sense.
To ensure trust, i disclosed some recent updates from my life... and the best part was that we were laughing at ourselves for the idiots we have been. It is kind of funny that it doesn't hurt like it used to a few years back. Maybe i have gotten numb or maybe i am just growing out of my foolishness. I mean, what was i thinking? Subjecting my/our lives to a monocracy by the girl for whom we would have laid down almost anything for, when all i am , is just another option in her relentless pursuit for her ideal man .
It seems that a lot of people had advised my friend that he needs to win her heart by showing or treating her differently from what normal friends might do. In other words, show her what he can offer so that she can choose him over the others. Logic seems pretty ok till you take a back seat and see the full picture. I simply told him to forget it... It seems that she said to him "i don't know" when he proposed, so i just asked him to listen to the inner meaning of the last word..."NO".
Just out of curiosity, when did courtship become so commercialised , " invest my money in the bank that gives me the most returns". What happend to the intrinsic value of courting. Hmm..would a girl like to be subjected to this kind of treatment , being asked to prove what she can offer before the guy decides to say a yes or a no? where is the respect for the girl? like wise for the male counterparts.
Again the funny thing was that we were having very serious conversations with plenty of sudden hilaraious outbursts, laughing at ourselves. Guess that was our way of dealing with it.
Time came for us to part ways. We gave each other the "brother brother" handshake topped up with a closed fist bang to our chests and a peace sign before boarding seperate trains.....yeah rite.
A humble request to my friends
Guys
1) Don't think too much, just ask and find out
2) Don't make the girl a priority in your life till you know that you are one in her life( if you do, you might tend to lose the ones who always had been there for you.)
3) Be straight forward about what you expect
Girls
1) Please, respect the fact that the guy worked up the courage to propose, and give him a yes or no answer. (saying "i don't know, puts the guy in a flux, to pursue or not to pursue?)
2) Just say what you feel as it is.. don't worry about hurting the guy.
Ps: i am not trying to be a love doctor here. just wanted to share my opinions on this matter.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The vanishing Saturdays...
All week, after eagerly waiting for saturday, it feels rather disappointing that saturdays couldn't stay longer. I feel cheated.. All i did was to go for hike at 9 am, complete it at 3 pm. then i went for the national day preview from which i came back only a while ago and thats it. My day is over. Saturday has just gone by.
On the other hand , the hike was very good. Covered quite a substanstial distance. From Bt.Timah to Macritchie, though the sign board states the distance apart as 10.9 Km , we know for sure that we covered a whole lot more with all that detours and "bashes" through the vegetation and yes of course the golf course visits, the Long Kang explorations and a myriad of monkey businesses. Good company and lots of goofing around made it all the more worthwhile sacrificing my sleep on a sat mornin.
As for the NDP Preview, to be honest, the only segments that captured my attention and admiration was the display of the latest additions to the uniformed groups arsenal and of course the fireworks. It always had my admiration coz i simply had to admire the fact that people who are particular about donating a few cents to a charity organisation, seem to clap and cheer out aloud when they tax money is being blown into oblivion from the tops buildings and barages...hmmmm...
Anyway getting tired.. shall continue tomorrow.
On the other hand , the hike was very good. Covered quite a substanstial distance. From Bt.Timah to Macritchie, though the sign board states the distance apart as 10.9 Km , we know for sure that we covered a whole lot more with all that detours and "bashes" through the vegetation and yes of course the golf course visits, the Long Kang explorations and a myriad of monkey businesses. Good company and lots of goofing around made it all the more worthwhile sacrificing my sleep on a sat mornin.
As for the NDP Preview, to be honest, the only segments that captured my attention and admiration was the display of the latest additions to the uniformed groups arsenal and of course the fireworks. It always had my admiration coz i simply had to admire the fact that people who are particular about donating a few cents to a charity organisation, seem to clap and cheer out aloud when they tax money is being blown into oblivion from the tops buildings and barages...hmmmm...
Anyway getting tired.. shall continue tomorrow.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
It's been some time...
I can give a myriad of reasons justifying my absence in the past few weeks...but i'll give it a pass.
Alot of things seem different now.. Profession, family, friends, myself. There is some element in all of these factors that seem rather peculiar in the recent times. Not really sure where or to what the changes are gonna lead to.. but i shall let time reveal it to me. i realize that i have begun to stop expecting anything out of (almost) anyone... and a wise friend told me that its not a good sign and i said [ in an indianised Al-Pacino accent] " Good or bad depends on the perspective of the subject in question" hopefully he understood what i said.. Heck, i dun't.
Anyway, on the other hand , my then favourite past times seemed to have gotten a revival.. am just glad that i could maintain the consistency and ya thanks to Arshad of course... always picking me up at every Sat,8am for our 10 - 12 Km run.
I couldn't believe the shape i was in when i first started.. 10KM in 1 hr 20 mins with alot of walkin in between. Then it progressed to 1hr non-stop and today it was 47 mins.. Kayaking completed the over all body work out.. feels really shiok to sweat like niagra falls.
Only regret i have is not attaining proper training when i was younger.. i could have avoided alot of knee problems i am facing now... guess its better late then never... SC Marathon... here i come. INSHA ALLAH.
Alot of things seem different now.. Profession, family, friends, myself. There is some element in all of these factors that seem rather peculiar in the recent times. Not really sure where or to what the changes are gonna lead to.. but i shall let time reveal it to me. i realize that i have begun to stop expecting anything out of (almost) anyone... and a wise friend told me that its not a good sign and i said [ in an indianised Al-Pacino accent] " Good or bad depends on the perspective of the subject in question" hopefully he understood what i said.. Heck, i dun't.
Anyway, on the other hand , my then favourite past times seemed to have gotten a revival.. am just glad that i could maintain the consistency and ya thanks to Arshad of course... always picking me up at every Sat,8am for our 10 - 12 Km run.
I couldn't believe the shape i was in when i first started.. 10KM in 1 hr 20 mins with alot of walkin in between. Then it progressed to 1hr non-stop and today it was 47 mins.. Kayaking completed the over all body work out.. feels really shiok to sweat like niagra falls.
Only regret i have is not attaining proper training when i was younger.. i could have avoided alot of knee problems i am facing now... guess its better late then never... SC Marathon... here i come. INSHA ALLAH.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
just for fun.....
Not into believing that my birthday determines my character... but when a friend of mine forwarded me a page about my star sign... i couldn't help but to sit back and laugh in cynicism as well as continue reading in disbelief at the accuracy of *some points mentioned.. i wonder who writes about all these stuff...
Virgo
Your element: Earth [ i figured ]
Your ruling planets: Mercury [ i rule mercury?]
Symbol: The Virgin [ No!!!! i don't want to be one all my life]
Your stone: Sapphire [ So i can just walk into a jewellery shop demand all the saphires?]
Life Pursuit: To do the right thing [ If i had any clue about it]
Vibration: Compassionate and caring [ my vibration is compassionate and caring? what am i vibrating?]
Virgo's Secret Desire: To love and be loved in return [ YES!!! and finally my symbol can finally change!]
Description:
Virgos are often put down badly by many astrologers and written up as being fussy and narrow-minded. But when a Virgo shines, there is practically no sign to match their inner light. An in-tune Virgo is a treat to meet. When a Virgo is confident within themselves they are the most successful, structured and creative of all the signs.
Many Virgos can be found working in the "service to others" industries, ranging from welfare work, doctors, school-teachers through to practising natural forms of healing like massage, herbal remedies etc. One of the most magical characteristics of the Virgo is no matter how many times life or romance turns sour on them, they still manage to maintain faith in others, refusing to become cynical. There is ingenuity around this sign, a kind-heartedness, which unfortunately is sometimes played upon by others for their advantage. Virgos can often become victims of relationship power-games, where they are mistreated.
Creative and sensitive, Virgos are delicate people who, like rare and special orchids, require individual treatment to fully blossom into their true unique beauty. Shy, they are happy to allow others to take centre-stage and often generate their time and energy into making those they love happy or successful.
Virgos are givers and when the chips are down and you need a friend, the one available during those testing times when you need advice or companionship the most, is likely to be a Virgo. Virgos understand human frailties better than most, because they are so deep and reflective themselves. With a Virgo in your life you have someone who understands and cares and any romance or friendship based upon these qualities is certain to be mutually rewarding.
taken from : http://www.psychicguild.com/horoscopes_zodiac.php
Virgo
Your element: Earth [ i figured ]
Your ruling planets: Mercury [ i rule mercury?]
Symbol: The Virgin [ No!!!! i don't want to be one all my life]
Your stone: Sapphire [ So i can just walk into a jewellery shop demand all the saphires?]
Life Pursuit: To do the right thing [ If i had any clue about it]
Vibration: Compassionate and caring [ my vibration is compassionate and caring? what am i vibrating?]
Virgo's Secret Desire: To love and be loved in return [ YES!!! and finally my symbol can finally change!]
Description:
Virgos are often put down badly by many astrologers and written up as being fussy and narrow-minded. But when a Virgo shines, there is practically no sign to match their inner light. An in-tune Virgo is a treat to meet. When a Virgo is confident within themselves they are the most successful, structured and creative of all the signs.
Many Virgos can be found working in the "service to others" industries, ranging from welfare work, doctors, school-teachers through to practising natural forms of healing like massage, herbal remedies etc. One of the most magical characteristics of the Virgo is no matter how many times life or romance turns sour on them, they still manage to maintain faith in others, refusing to become cynical. There is ingenuity around this sign, a kind-heartedness, which unfortunately is sometimes played upon by others for their advantage. Virgos can often become victims of relationship power-games, where they are mistreated.
Creative and sensitive, Virgos are delicate people who, like rare and special orchids, require individual treatment to fully blossom into their true unique beauty. Shy, they are happy to allow others to take centre-stage and often generate their time and energy into making those they love happy or successful.
Virgos are givers and when the chips are down and you need a friend, the one available during those testing times when you need advice or companionship the most, is likely to be a Virgo. Virgos understand human frailties better than most, because they are so deep and reflective themselves. With a Virgo in your life you have someone who understands and cares and any romance or friendship based upon these qualities is certain to be mutually rewarding.
taken from : http://www.psychicguild.com/horoscopes_zodiac.php
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The world pushed me to my knees....and i realize that i am in the perfect position to... pray
Never had i been stretched to my limits like this before..
So much turmoils, so much problems, legal issues and so much reflections.
the mountain told me that i can conquer if i just focus.
the heartless relatives of the deceased man told me what kind of a muslim i should live as.
the last minute doubts of the bride told me what i should look for in a partner
the legal tussles told me to be clear and concise of what i expect
the house shiftings told me to brace up for changes..
and just when i thought i can't take anymore and fell to my knees...
i realized all i had left to do is just lean further and submit..
So much turmoils, so much problems, legal issues and so much reflections.
the mountain told me that i can conquer if i just focus.
the heartless relatives of the deceased man told me what kind of a muslim i should live as.
the last minute doubts of the bride told me what i should look for in a partner
the legal tussles told me to be clear and concise of what i expect
the house shiftings told me to brace up for changes..
and just when i thought i can't take anymore and fell to my knees...
i realized all i had left to do is just lean further and submit..
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
highest point in my life...13, 500 feet
It's funny.. I wanted to document every little emotion i experienced when i ascended the mountain but i simply can't. I wrote a few drafts of this posts and as i read it , i realised that no matter how descriptively i wrote or how simply i put my thoughts across...it just doesn't cut it. Neither can i describe the view up there, not even pictures can depict the tear jerking sights that i saw up at 13,500 feet. Everything is out of this dimension, the geography, climate, flora and fauna.. everything.
I fully stand by the saying that the journey is just as important as the destination.
It exposed me to a very long overdue metamorphosis. It was a test of everything. Strength, stamina, will power, spirit, mental fortitude and of course team bonding. I am going to keep this entry short for no amount of words could express fully what i saw and experienced by God's creation.
I learnt who i am and what i am capable of , how far i can go even when my physical being has given up on me. My capabilities and capacity had been stretched to non-existence. But the most valuable lessons i learnt were of Allah S.W.T's mysterious ways of working.. It was just like fasting but on a more short and intensive scale. Just like fasting , the ascend purged me of my bodily capabilities.. Never been this exhausted in my life and my limbs never this rebellious. Its only at the point where my body "died", my mind took over. i had never been this focused in my entire life before. Never this iron willed. I never knew where i got the pockets of strength and energy to take the next step. It simply baffled me.. and then it hit me.... Not everything conforms to logic and reasoning. There are things beyond what we can comprehend.
I urge who so ever be reading this. Go climb a mountain.. know more about yourself.
I also would like to take this opportunity to say a few words to my team..
Julie - never knew a person can have as much energy as you. You were the teams jukebox running on energizer.Glad to have met you on this trip
Izat - we never really had the opportunity to get that closely considering that were seperated during our ascend. thanks for the chocolates and raisins which kept me going. Loved going overboard with you on the raft.
Rauff- Bro, thanks for the water you shared with me at the timely moment near low's peak. if not for that, i dun think i would have reached the summit.
Faizul - Bro, think your ass is still imprinted on my shoulder haha.. nice bonding with you over the ascend and i am seriously impressed by your will power despite your screwed up knee.
Nisa - the babe with the smile that warms me up even at 13,500 ft. Glad to have had you by my side along the route, and really babe, thanks for making this trip happen. You opened me up to wider horizons.
I fully stand by the saying that the journey is just as important as the destination.
It exposed me to a very long overdue metamorphosis. It was a test of everything. Strength, stamina, will power, spirit, mental fortitude and of course team bonding. I am going to keep this entry short for no amount of words could express fully what i saw and experienced by God's creation.
I learnt who i am and what i am capable of , how far i can go even when my physical being has given up on me. My capabilities and capacity had been stretched to non-existence. But the most valuable lessons i learnt were of Allah S.W.T's mysterious ways of working.. It was just like fasting but on a more short and intensive scale. Just like fasting , the ascend purged me of my bodily capabilities.. Never been this exhausted in my life and my limbs never this rebellious. Its only at the point where my body "died", my mind took over. i had never been this focused in my entire life before. Never this iron willed. I never knew where i got the pockets of strength and energy to take the next step. It simply baffled me.. and then it hit me.... Not everything conforms to logic and reasoning. There are things beyond what we can comprehend.
I urge who so ever be reading this. Go climb a mountain.. know more about yourself.
I also would like to take this opportunity to say a few words to my team..
Julie - never knew a person can have as much energy as you. You were the teams jukebox running on energizer.Glad to have met you on this trip
Izat - we never really had the opportunity to get that closely considering that were seperated during our ascend. thanks for the chocolates and raisins which kept me going. Loved going overboard with you on the raft.
Rauff- Bro, thanks for the water you shared with me at the timely moment near low's peak. if not for that, i dun think i would have reached the summit.
Faizul - Bro, think your ass is still imprinted on my shoulder haha.. nice bonding with you over the ascend and i am seriously impressed by your will power despite your screwed up knee.
Nisa - the babe with the smile that warms me up even at 13,500 ft. Glad to have had you by my side along the route, and really babe, thanks for making this trip happen. You opened me up to wider horizons.
Friday, June 01, 2007
points to ponder on....
It's said that it is impossible to fathom all in the universe. These are just 10 of the many questions in my universe.
1) If i wrote a book about failures and it doesn't sell in the local book stores.... is it a success?
2) Why do i get darker when i am in the sun, but my hair seems to be getting lighter?
3) If con is the opposite of pro, is congress the opposite of progress?( overheard a bunch of guys trying to impress a girl in the bus)
4) Who the first first person was to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"
5) Why people say they "slept like a baby", when babies normally wake up every two hours? (readers digest)
6) Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but has to check when you say the paint is wet?
7) Why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor, while dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons? (gotta give it to Brian for his astute observations)
8) If there is such a thing as love at first sight.... why do they say that love is blind?
9) Why do we keep pushing the elevator/traffic light button faster? Does pushing the buttons make it arrive faster?
[My all time favourite]
10) Why do the girlfriends bite their boyfriends? for no rhyme or reason... i am serious... just ask yourself this question if you are the girlfriend.. have you bitten your boyfriend?... and if you are the guy.. ask yourself.. were you ever bitten by your girlfriend who claimed that she bit you coz she had nothing to do?
1) If i wrote a book about failures and it doesn't sell in the local book stores.... is it a success?
2) Why do i get darker when i am in the sun, but my hair seems to be getting lighter?
3) If con is the opposite of pro, is congress the opposite of progress?( overheard a bunch of guys trying to impress a girl in the bus)
4) Who the first first person was to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"
5) Why people say they "slept like a baby", when babies normally wake up every two hours? (readers digest)
6) Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but has to check when you say the paint is wet?
7) Why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor, while dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons? (gotta give it to Brian for his astute observations)
8) If there is such a thing as love at first sight.... why do they say that love is blind?
9) Why do we keep pushing the elevator/traffic light button faster? Does pushing the buttons make it arrive faster?
[My all time favourite]
10) Why do the girlfriends bite their boyfriends? for no rhyme or reason... i am serious... just ask yourself this question if you are the girlfriend.. have you bitten your boyfriend?... and if you are the guy.. ask yourself.. were you ever bitten by your girlfriend who claimed that she bit you coz she had nothing to do?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Race by SIM ICC
Vettaiyadu Velaiyadu
Date: 18/June /2007
Targeted Participants: Local Polytechnics and Universities
What 2 expect: Exciting & challenging activities & lots of fun
Prizes: $1000 worth of cash prizes to be given away
Contact: Ali @ 93831699
Further Information: http://www.simicc.blogspot.com
Registration deadline: 8/June /2007
Date: 18/June /2007
Targeted Participants: Local Polytechnics and Universities
What 2 expect: Exciting & challenging activities & lots of fun
Prizes: $1000 worth of cash prizes to be given away
Contact: Ali @ 93831699
Further Information: http://www.simicc.blogspot.com
Registration deadline: 8/June /2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The "Ooru kaarae"(Indian nationalle) in all of us...
Disclaimer: Portions of this entry may or may not seem racially insensitive. If it does, kindly forgive me for the inappropriate use of the English vocabulary to express the intended light hearted humour behind the jokes. If it doesn't seem offensive... laugh along with me.
Phew.... didn't know writing a disclaimer can be this tiring..It's been a very long time since i last wrote disclaimers...Writing disclaimers kind of boosts my ego; makes me feel as if i am writing something sensational and controversial.
Anyway, coming back to the topic. Often times, i avoided Little India and all in its vicinity during the weekends ( friday evening to sunday evening), simply because of the crowd (majority of whom are Indian nationalle). It is one place where traffic laws and their enforcers lose their authority. Loud and occasionally drunk men are the kings of the roads.Its a place where they find the bush near the void deck so interesting that they want to snap a picture with it and send it back to India. Its a place that would show you the literal meaning of standing shoulder to shoulder(its that crowded). It's basically a place where a typical Singapore bred Indian will get a concentrated culture overdose, or is it the lack of.. and if you happen to pass by race course lane ... take off your sunglasses. Trust me. You won't need it when the huge expanse of the green pitch opposite apollos is covered with.... er... hmmm.. Indians having a picnic.Good luck to you if you have to cross over to KK hospital..
[the part where the title of the blog was derived from]
You see i always thought, how the hell could they just sit like that and have a picnic on a pitch that reads.. "state land, enter at your own risk". why can't they be a bit more civilized.. BUT today, it all changed.. i just came back from my re-education. i just came back from... Vivo City. Dudes... kindly go to the top floor gallery of Vivo City.. i was just plain surprised to see "our people" (local Singaporeans)sitting along the water ponds(mere metres apart), doing everything imaginable under the sky. There were even Malay families having the typical family picnic.Radios, kids, soccer ball, the food... i won't be surprised if i even found the fishing rod set up somewhere along the roof. There were Chinese couples snapping pictures of themselves with their "tweece" poses or "act cute" poses.. Some of the them were having a pot luck by the stagnant water front.[*slapping my forehead] Then there were the couples desperately trying to perfect their french kisses...You should have heard the moans they let out when they were exchanging enzymes passionately... i thought there were frogs in the pond suddenly. It was like info overload.
Here i thought that the Indian Nationalles were bad enough..guess we are a few steps ahead of them..We do it Singapore style.. Multi-racial.. all races are encouraged to join in the fun.. and thats exactly what i did.. Dun worry,i wasn't practicing my french kissing in a Cina threesome.. i just sat beside one. haha..
Phew.... didn't know writing a disclaimer can be this tiring..It's been a very long time since i last wrote disclaimers...Writing disclaimers kind of boosts my ego; makes me feel as if i am writing something sensational and controversial.
Anyway, coming back to the topic. Often times, i avoided Little India and all in its vicinity during the weekends ( friday evening to sunday evening), simply because of the crowd (majority of whom are Indian nationalle). It is one place where traffic laws and their enforcers lose their authority. Loud and occasionally drunk men are the kings of the roads.Its a place where they find the bush near the void deck so interesting that they want to snap a picture with it and send it back to India. Its a place that would show you the literal meaning of standing shoulder to shoulder(its that crowded). It's basically a place where a typical Singapore bred Indian will get a concentrated culture overdose, or is it the lack of.. and if you happen to pass by race course lane ... take off your sunglasses. Trust me. You won't need it when the huge expanse of the green pitch opposite apollos is covered with.... er... hmmm.. Indians having a picnic.Good luck to you if you have to cross over to KK hospital..
[the part where the title of the blog was derived from]
You see i always thought, how the hell could they just sit like that and have a picnic on a pitch that reads.. "state land, enter at your own risk". why can't they be a bit more civilized.. BUT today, it all changed.. i just came back from my re-education. i just came back from... Vivo City. Dudes... kindly go to the top floor gallery of Vivo City.. i was just plain surprised to see "our people" (local Singaporeans)sitting along the water ponds(mere metres apart), doing everything imaginable under the sky. There were even Malay families having the typical family picnic.Radios, kids, soccer ball, the food... i won't be surprised if i even found the fishing rod set up somewhere along the roof. There were Chinese couples snapping pictures of themselves with their "tweece" poses or "act cute" poses.. Some of the them were having a pot luck by the stagnant water front.[*slapping my forehead] Then there were the couples desperately trying to perfect their french kisses...You should have heard the moans they let out when they were exchanging enzymes passionately... i thought there were frogs in the pond suddenly. It was like info overload.
Here i thought that the Indian Nationalles were bad enough..guess we are a few steps ahead of them..We do it Singapore style.. Multi-racial.. all races are encouraged to join in the fun.. and thats exactly what i did.. Dun worry,i wasn't practicing my french kissing in a Cina threesome.. i just sat beside one. haha..
Friday, May 25, 2007
...Off the road and into the... postcard
Simply put.. went for the Ducktours.. which has been around for quite some time.. yet i have never gone for it. It's kinda funny to know that a tourist, someone who resides elsewhere would have gone for such rides compared to us.. but i wont blame us.. the ride is like crap.. Only thing i would be thankful for going to this ride is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the water spout.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
...of leapords in tudung and the world wide web..
there is a saying in tamil, which (when loosely translated ) means, the persistence of the ant can even wear out the rock on which it is crawling upon. I thought i might try my hand at it and introduce the leapord in tudung to the unfathomable world of blogging. I only realised much later that i was not crawling on a rock but on a granite fortress. tried.failed.unsatisfied.... but i am going to keep on trying. Just curious to know how this leapord thinks beneath its tightly tied tudung.
I always believe that people have multiple faces (i am not insinuating that people are two-faced)and the face we all see on each other is the one meant for public scrutiny, perceptions and judgments. Then, there are the faces that come out when you want express something. There is a face for every moment you feel.Yet beneath all these layers of different faces.. there is this particular one that is the "real" you. The one which has no guards or false representations or any regard for another.. The one that thinks solely with the heart and not with the mind at all..The one that puts you in the front in all decisions made. hmmmm.. lets give this "real" face a name.. lets call it the "jingaaro".....
It's always fun to see the Jingaaro of someone..anyone. Lately i got very fascinated in my attempts to see the jingaaro of the leapord in tudung ( quite a mouthful).. The leapord in tudung always came across to me as an upright, no nonsense, succinct and firm.... yet it was kind and compassionate and at times (just at some times only) kinda guided me.. this contradictingly cool persona just fueled my curiosity on how its jingaaro would look like.. One day i will succeed. i think. shall see..
try it.. stand infront of the mirror and see the jingaaro..
I always believe that people have multiple faces (i am not insinuating that people are two-faced)and the face we all see on each other is the one meant for public scrutiny, perceptions and judgments. Then, there are the faces that come out when you want express something. There is a face for every moment you feel.Yet beneath all these layers of different faces.. there is this particular one that is the "real" you. The one which has no guards or false representations or any regard for another.. The one that thinks solely with the heart and not with the mind at all..The one that puts you in the front in all decisions made. hmmmm.. lets give this "real" face a name.. lets call it the "jingaaro".....
It's always fun to see the Jingaaro of someone..anyone. Lately i got very fascinated in my attempts to see the jingaaro of the leapord in tudung ( quite a mouthful).. The leapord in tudung always came across to me as an upright, no nonsense, succinct and firm.... yet it was kind and compassionate and at times (just at some times only) kinda guided me.. this contradictingly cool persona just fueled my curiosity on how its jingaaro would look like.. One day i will succeed. i think. shall see..
try it.. stand infront of the mirror and see the jingaaro..
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Signs... that our society is getting old...
You know that the population is getting old ......
1.When you realize that majority of the Mcdonald service crew are senior citizens.
2.When you see employment propaganda by the Govt. shifting sides from the young and dynamic to the wise and experienced.
3.When physiotherapy equipments replace the plastic playgrounds where children once played.
4.When parents are actually old enough to be your grand or even great grandparents.
On the other hand , you have to give it to our younger generation for responding to this aging problem promptly.
1.They waste not even a single precious moment researching on various lead ups and methods of procreation regardless of where they are.
2.They contribute to the increase of the national birth rate as soon as possible.. presumably in their teens.
3.They also enter the workforce early in their teens to contribute to the GDP, and also to keep our senior citizens companied and also to buy milk powder for the child they had in the process of contributing to the increase in national birth rate.
1.When you realize that majority of the Mcdonald service crew are senior citizens.
2.When you see employment propaganda by the Govt. shifting sides from the young and dynamic to the wise and experienced.
3.When physiotherapy equipments replace the plastic playgrounds where children once played.
4.When parents are actually old enough to be your grand or even great grandparents.
On the other hand , you have to give it to our younger generation for responding to this aging problem promptly.
1.They waste not even a single precious moment researching on various lead ups and methods of procreation regardless of where they are.
2.They contribute to the increase of the national birth rate as soon as possible.. presumably in their teens.
3.They also enter the workforce early in their teens to contribute to the GDP, and also to keep our senior citizens companied and also to buy milk powder for the child they had in the process of contributing to the increase in national birth rate.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Epitome of the Singaporean culture...... THE MRT.
It sums up pretty much every or almost, every aspect and characteristics of a Singaporean living in.... well, Singapore.
You have to love the way, the MRT always rushes us to where we need to go. So much so , that we too always rush to .... pretty much everywhere. The MRT door opens , and we rush in to get seated. The Cinema door opens and we rush in also ( despite having allocated seats this time). We rush to the food stalls during our lunch breaks, rush through our meals and then rush back to our work. We also rush when the shopping centres open during a sale. We also rush to buy "Hello Kitties". We rush for the primary one registration and we rush for the free copy of TODAY to read in the MRT. We rush for the mundane to the monumental. Just like how the MRT does not stop mid way to catch a breather, so do we. We have forgotten that the journey also matters as equally as the destination that we are rushing to reach.
Is it the system? like how the train rushes to reach its designated stations within the stipulated time, we only rush to attain the preset goals within the stipulated milestoned age ? find a job by 25 , find a spouse by 30, buy a house by 33.25, have a kid by 35...etc. How one views my point is subjective so i shall not elaborate further.
The MRT has often served as a reflection point in my life. Questions were often asked and answered whilst standing inside the over crowded and claustrophobic cabin.. Where have i been? where am i going? Countless rhetorical questions just churning in my mind.
At times when its not my life in reflection, i see the rebarbative nature of my fellow Singaporeans in the mirror. We almost seem incapable of caring for none other than ourselves. Despite so much visual cues ( which i find embarrassing) to be polite and considerate, there are people who are adamant not to give up their seat for the eldery/disabled/pregnant. Some pretend to be asleep, some pretend to be stressed and angry and there are the classic ones who will clutch their knee or their thighs and occasionally let out a grunt as if they were in pain. Thanks to these dimwits, those who are geniunely injured or asleep get the brunt of the cranky and pissed off eldery/pregnant and disabled.
Just as i thought that all hopes are lost with my fellow Singaporeans, i came across a ray of hope in the form of a pregnant lady whom i met enroute to Dhoby Gaut on the NEL. She was the anti-thesis of my usual fellow Singaporeans. I was seated and fast asleep ( really). When i reached clarke quay, i just happened to open my eyes, i saw this pregnant lady( in her most irritated expression) with her friend. i was still groggy you see and the moment i saw her tummy, i just got up i tugged at her hand and told her to have my seat at the same time i also apologized for not offering her earlier. I proceeded to the edge of the door and leaned on it. Just then the pregnant lady came up to me and apologized..I was abit puzzled.. She said that she thought i was just pretending to be asleep and she was cursing the shits out of me to her friend... i didn't know how to react and i simply smiled and said its ok.
What she did really took me by surprise. She had no need to do what she did.. but she did.. Guess there are still some people with calibre and character around.
You have to love the way, the MRT always rushes us to where we need to go. So much so , that we too always rush to .... pretty much everywhere. The MRT door opens , and we rush in to get seated. The Cinema door opens and we rush in also ( despite having allocated seats this time). We rush to the food stalls during our lunch breaks, rush through our meals and then rush back to our work. We also rush when the shopping centres open during a sale. We also rush to buy "Hello Kitties". We rush for the primary one registration and we rush for the free copy of TODAY to read in the MRT. We rush for the mundane to the monumental. Just like how the MRT does not stop mid way to catch a breather, so do we. We have forgotten that the journey also matters as equally as the destination that we are rushing to reach.
Is it the system? like how the train rushes to reach its designated stations within the stipulated time, we only rush to attain the preset goals within the stipulated milestoned age ? find a job by 25 , find a spouse by 30, buy a house by 33.25, have a kid by 35...etc. How one views my point is subjective so i shall not elaborate further.
The MRT has often served as a reflection point in my life. Questions were often asked and answered whilst standing inside the over crowded and claustrophobic cabin.. Where have i been? where am i going? Countless rhetorical questions just churning in my mind.
At times when its not my life in reflection, i see the rebarbative nature of my fellow Singaporeans in the mirror. We almost seem incapable of caring for none other than ourselves. Despite so much visual cues ( which i find embarrassing) to be polite and considerate, there are people who are adamant not to give up their seat for the eldery/disabled/pregnant. Some pretend to be asleep, some pretend to be stressed and angry and there are the classic ones who will clutch their knee or their thighs and occasionally let out a grunt as if they were in pain. Thanks to these dimwits, those who are geniunely injured or asleep get the brunt of the cranky and pissed off eldery/pregnant and disabled.
Just as i thought that all hopes are lost with my fellow Singaporeans, i came across a ray of hope in the form of a pregnant lady whom i met enroute to Dhoby Gaut on the NEL. She was the anti-thesis of my usual fellow Singaporeans. I was seated and fast asleep ( really). When i reached clarke quay, i just happened to open my eyes, i saw this pregnant lady( in her most irritated expression) with her friend. i was still groggy you see and the moment i saw her tummy, i just got up i tugged at her hand and told her to have my seat at the same time i also apologized for not offering her earlier. I proceeded to the edge of the door and leaned on it. Just then the pregnant lady came up to me and apologized..I was abit puzzled.. She said that she thought i was just pretending to be asleep and she was cursing the shits out of me to her friend... i didn't know how to react and i simply smiled and said its ok.
What she did really took me by surprise. She had no need to do what she did.. but she did.. Guess there are still some people with calibre and character around.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Sunday, May 06, 2007
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[taken from GV ]
Saturday, May 05, 2007
F.Y.I
i have been asked too many ridiculous questions too many times by the same too many people... so heres to answer some [ which i deem, not sensitive] of them
People: Din, you indian muslim ah?
Din: yes.. i am
People Oh, i have been thinking you are an Indian.
Din: Yes i am Indian.
People: Then how come you muslim?
Din: Coz i am a muslim.... Indian is my race and islam is my faith/religion... Its ok to be a mix , the world wouldn't end.
People: Eh, you pure indian ah?
Din: err... i pure indian
People: oh i tot you had Mongolian blood..
Din: What?!
People: Do you know Shah Rukh Khan... ( apparently, my last name has a khan)
Din: No i do not.
People: How many kids do u have ah?
Din: i will tell you after i have them...
People: Oh, still planning ah...(.... last time when my husband and me.........)
Din: [my goodness] ya i still planning, must get a girlfriend, marry her and impregnate her... etc.. a lot of work la...
People: Din, how old are you ah?
Din: 24
People: I tot you married already , haha
Din: err.. no la i am not... still young la.
People: Eh, got girlfriend or not?
Din: Why do you ask
People: Just ask only la..
Din: No i don't have..
People: Dun bluff bluff...
Din: Why should i ? you think i am still 16 to lie about all these ah.
People: then who da gal i saw with u in [a variety of places]
Din: Frend la... aiyo... friends. whats wrong with you people?
People: Din, you must be very rich rite?(monetarily)
Din: No i am not...
People: Indians must be very good in maths ah?
Din: i am not.
People: Eh, you know the ministers ah?
Din: No i do not..
People: you must know people with strong influences...
Din: where ever u got that idea from... i only know my frens and family.
Din: Give me a break la...
People: Din, you indian muslim ah?
Din: yes.. i am
People Oh, i have been thinking you are an Indian.
Din: Yes i am Indian.
People: Then how come you muslim?
Din: Coz i am a muslim.... Indian is my race and islam is my faith/religion... Its ok to be a mix , the world wouldn't end.
People: Eh, you pure indian ah?
Din: err... i pure indian
People: oh i tot you had Mongolian blood..
Din: What?!
People: Do you know Shah Rukh Khan... ( apparently, my last name has a khan)
Din: No i do not.
People: How many kids do u have ah?
Din: i will tell you after i have them...
People: Oh, still planning ah...(.... last time when my husband and me.........)
Din: [my goodness] ya i still planning, must get a girlfriend, marry her and impregnate her... etc.. a lot of work la...
People: Din, how old are you ah?
Din: 24
People: I tot you married already , haha
Din: err.. no la i am not... still young la.
People: Eh, got girlfriend or not?
Din: Why do you ask
People: Just ask only la..
Din: No i don't have..
People: Dun bluff bluff...
Din: Why should i ? you think i am still 16 to lie about all these ah.
People: then who da gal i saw with u in [a variety of places]
Din: Frend la... aiyo... friends. whats wrong with you people?
People: Din, you must be very rich rite?(monetarily)
Din: No i am not...
People: Indians must be very good in maths ah?
Din: i am not.
People: Eh, you know the ministers ah?
Din: No i do not..
People: you must know people with strong influences...
Din: where ever u got that idea from... i only know my frens and family.
Din: Give me a break la...
Saturday, April 28, 2007
training woes and my dinner date.
Sometimes i wonder, what have i gotten myself into...
Paying so much money to go and climb out of all things, a mountain. Sacrificing quite a number of weekends on training. Spending quite a bit on the return journey home( which is often by cab).
Tormenting my already strained knee. Is it all worth it in the end? Well if it feels like today's training session, then it really is worth it... It has been such a long time since i perspired like this... I was drenched a quarter way through the trail. I got re- affiliated with my army boots.. Brought back so much memories as well. I must admit, i have toned my butt to an extent where i do not see one where it used to be at all...All my pants are flat at the back, think i need to invest in a buttsimizer pants... But on a serious note, it feels so good to feel so tired and worn out...
Paying so much money to go and climb out of all things, a mountain. Sacrificing quite a number of weekends on training. Spending quite a bit on the return journey home( which is often by cab).
Tormenting my already strained knee. Is it all worth it in the end? Well if it feels like today's training session, then it really is worth it... It has been such a long time since i perspired like this... I was drenched a quarter way through the trail. I got re- affiliated with my army boots.. Brought back so much memories as well. I must admit, i have toned my butt to an extent where i do not see one where it used to be at all...All my pants are flat at the back, think i need to invest in a buttsimizer pants... But on a serious note, it feels so good to feel so tired and worn out...
~~~~~~~~~
On a lighter note, i had a very wonderful date on friday even though i was dead beat after work... I went shopping with her at Vivo City, then had a wonderful (cheap and well under budget) dinner at harbourfront. Caught up alot, then we proceeded to the quiet and dimly lit harbour side... we took a short walk before we sat down along the habour side.. we talked for hours.. i didn't realize the time flying when i was with her, totally amused by her antics and her cute gestures and her totally tortured articulation in Tamil... must admit she does look much better now thanks to her ....errr.. mass enhancements ( she doesn't like it if i say that she has extra flesh now) ...well.. if i could only get close enough to her to.... squash her ........ nose like i always do.... wouldn't you scream at me Shalini V? like you always did back then? haha.. anyway sha, we gotta do this catching up more often.
~~~~~~~~~
too tired to type already gonna knock off...
too tired to type already gonna knock off...
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
I just do not get it.....
"TODAY"- 25/04/2007
I just really do not get it.. seriously..holistically i have to pay more for my basic provisions and amenities while i get to pay lesser for a car that i do not own and for petrol that i am not going to purchase.
It's like, you know, a poor man goes into a clothing store, begging for clothes to safe guard his modesty but gets slammed in the face... But when a celebrity who can afford all the clothes in the world walks in, he/she gets the entire purchase F.O.C....
PS: i am not anti government( i love my country :) ), simply put i just do not understand how this works.. thalae... care to explain this to me..
It's like, you know, a poor man goes into a clothing store, begging for clothes to safe guard his modesty but gets slammed in the face... But when a celebrity who can afford all the clothes in the world walks in, he/she gets the entire purchase F.O.C....
PS: i am not anti government( i love my country :) ), simply put i just do not understand how this works.. thalae... care to explain this to me..
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Race
Mount Faber Run 2007
Pre-Run State of Mind:
18/4/2007 : - " looking forward to the weekends.... need my well deserved rest... i need to laze around"
19/4/2007 : - " need to do my i.e.ps.... need to submit my projected goals... damn... 5 more weeks din... hang in there...."
19/4/2007 : - "what movie shall i catch on sunday.. who shall i call??"
20/4/2007: - " i am so tired... i need a massage... "
20/4/2007: - " din.. put away the paperwork.. get a life da.. go out... "
20/4/2007: - " blank........"
21/04/2007: - [early in the morning] " twiggies... i want twiggies..."
21/04/2007: - [phone rings] " din u up for the run tomorrow? i haven't yet train leh.. can make it or not ?"
- [reply] "can can no problem.... [hung up] "
21/04/2007: - " twiggies... i want more twiggies.."
21/04/2007: - "SHIT!!!! I GOT A RACE TOMORROW."
21/04/2007: - " hmmmm... twiggies"
Post-Run State of mind :
Yours insincerely, Raascal.
18/4/2007 : - " looking forward to the weekends.... need my well deserved rest... i need to laze around"
19/4/2007 : - " need to do my i.e.ps.... need to submit my projected goals... damn... 5 more weeks din... hang in there...."
19/4/2007 : - "what movie shall i catch on sunday.. who shall i call??"
20/4/2007: - " i am so tired... i need a massage... "
20/4/2007: - " din.. put away the paperwork.. get a life da.. go out... "
20/4/2007: - " blank........"
21/04/2007: - [early in the morning] " twiggies... i want twiggies..."
21/04/2007: - [phone rings] " din u up for the run tomorrow? i haven't yet train leh.. can make it or not ?"
- [reply] "can can no problem.... [hung up] "
21/04/2007: - " twiggies... i want more twiggies.."
21/04/2007: - "SHIT!!!! I GOT A RACE TOMORROW."
21/04/2007: - " hmmmm... twiggies"
Post-Run State of mind :
Yours insincerely, Raascal.
New Design ... again...
Yup it is a new design for raascal ... again.
dunno why.. changing the designs acts as a form of stress relief for me.. so anticipate more changes on this site..
current d-sign is pulling in extreme and mixed reviews. some say that it looks great... some, just feel it is too boring and repulsive... well guess what this is my blog.. you will only see what i want to see.
anyway, so many things coming up.. case conferences, mizuno run (this sunday) and the much awaited Mt K.
Have not trained a bit for the run.. partially my knees are giving problems and as well i was never taking it competitively. just in it for the t-shirt... as the same for ali, safi, rafi, val and etc.
lets see the outcome on that day.. till then.. sha, dunt expect a post from me.
dunno why.. changing the designs acts as a form of stress relief for me.. so anticipate more changes on this site..
current d-sign is pulling in extreme and mixed reviews. some say that it looks great... some, just feel it is too boring and repulsive... well guess what this is my blog.. you will only see what i want to see.
anyway, so many things coming up.. case conferences, mizuno run (this sunday) and the much awaited Mt K.
Have not trained a bit for the run.. partially my knees are giving problems and as well i was never taking it competitively. just in it for the t-shirt... as the same for ali, safi, rafi, val and etc.
lets see the outcome on that day.. till then.. sha, dunt expect a post from me.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
into the indebted world ...... loans....
It is disheartening and often times, painful and burdening.. But no one can escape it.. with the exception of the filthy rich.
Loans.. loans and more loans..
Every single thing seems to have loans appending it. My entire life seems suffocated with loans. Not that i am bankrupt or anything (place your hands on your head and say "touch wood"). Lets just reflect a bit here.. It is a enormous vicious cycle. These examples are just the tip of the ice berg as to why you are going to need a financial loan.
It is very disheartening to know that a graduate is going to start his life with a huge debt.
It is painful to know that you do not really "own" the car that you drive.
It is burdening to start a family with housing loans burning your income ..
Loans have removed the joy from living.. instead we are plagued by constant insecurities and paranoia as to whether we can sustain our incomes to settle the loans. What do we really own then... when even the 6 feet deep grave seems to be loaned to us .... sigh.
Loans.. loans and more loans..
Every single thing seems to have loans appending it. My entire life seems suffocated with loans. Not that i am bankrupt or anything (place your hands on your head and say "touch wood"). Lets just reflect a bit here.. It is a enormous vicious cycle. These examples are just the tip of the ice berg as to why you are going to need a financial loan.
- If you want to study (dip or deg) - study loans.
- When you want to settle down and buy a house - housing loans
- When you want to buy a car - Car loans
- When you want to start being your own boss - Business loans, Bank loans
- When you are in need of urgent cash - James loans, POSB loans (any bank loans) or our favourite loan sharks.
- Even when you want to read something - Library book loans...
It is very disheartening to know that a graduate is going to start his life with a huge debt.
It is painful to know that you do not really "own" the car that you drive.
It is burdening to start a family with housing loans burning your income ..
Loans have removed the joy from living.. instead we are plagued by constant insecurities and paranoia as to whether we can sustain our incomes to settle the loans. What do we really own then... when even the 6 feet deep grave seems to be loaned to us .... sigh.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Common Healthcare woes.... the bloody knees.
i got to face it.. i am getting old.. enough of living in my glory days.. "when i was 18 i was like this, like that... yadda yadda yadda...." .. now i do not even dare to charge for the ball without thinking about the possible outcomes of my agile stunts... often times i get off with a few crack sounds from my knee.. I just hope the day when my knee gives a "pop" sound never comes. If i had only been a little bit more mindful of my body when i was in NS... i wouldn't be suffering so much right now.
what is done.. is done.. anyway just some posting for all my other friends with knee problems..
and also for those without any knee problems too...
Knee Problems
- Brief intro on what else??? KNEE PROBLEMS..
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00555.html
- some readings on knee problems.
what is done.. is done.. anyway just some posting for all my other friends with knee problems..
and also for those without any knee problems too...
Knee Problems
- Brief intro on what else??? KNEE PROBLEMS..
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00555.html
- some readings on knee problems.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Indian to the core... haha
Guys we gotta do this ....come on...
I Want A Curry And Rice Girl - Amazing videos are here
One of my favourite ads.
Peugeut 206-Sculpteur - Click here for more free videos
I Want A Curry And Rice Girl - Amazing videos are here
One of my favourite ads.
Peugeut 206-Sculpteur - Click here for more free videos
Monday, April 09, 2007
the balance i guess..
Why is it that the majority of highly talented kids never go on to become eminent adults in their field of giftedness?
Came across an interesting article on the Northwestern University website that discusses some of the personality characteristics of those who do actually go on to become eminent adults; here is a summary:
- Preference for solitude which typically begins in childhood
- Lack of concern with conventionality, especially social conventions
- Extraordinary ability to cope with tension. History of stressful
childhoods with tense and even traumatizing family situations - High drive and energy. Workaholics. Many forego marriage, children and other normal joys of life because they fear it will detract from their dedication to their work
Article is from http://www.smart-kit.com/s466/why-gifted-children-dont-become-eminent-adults/
Child's Brain Teaser
i got this wrong the first time round.... try doing this and post it in the comments pls...
u can try googling for the answer as well.
One day a truck delivered a box of new animals to the pet store. Hannah needed to count the number of animals. When she peeked in, she saw many snakes and tarantulas all mixed up! She counted 18 heads and 64 legs.
How many snakes were in the box and how many tarantulas?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
All I asked...
All i asked.. was to be strong, and HE gave me obstacles.
All i asked.. was to be wise, and HE gave me challenges.
All i asked.. was to be patient, and HE denied me my rightful opportunity.
All i asked.. was to be understanding, and HE gave me complexities.
All i asked.. was to be at peace with myself, and HE gave me insecurities.
All i asked.. was to be fair, and HE threw me in the middle of conflicts.
All i asked..
I almost gave up.. but just in the nick of time.. i realised that HE had given me all i had asked. just not in the manner that i was expecting.
Through overcoming obstacles(emotional, physical and mental), i became stronger. Plying through the challenges, i had become wiser than i was the day before. By waiting for my seemingly missed opportunities, i had learnt to be patient for my day to come. Tackling one complexed issue at a time, i gained understanding. By overcoming my insecurities one by one, i learnt more about myself thus becoming at peace with myself. Trust me, to subdue situations that involve conflict of interests.. you have to be fair minded.
Through all of these problems i realised one thing.
Life is made of obstacles, challenges, opportunities, complexities, insecurities, and conflicts. It is up to us how we are gonna handle it i guess. see the cup as half full or empty? Learnt so many lessons through my prayers...
Know what to ask and how to ask....
Ask not to be strong... instead, Ask for a donkey to carry your burden.
Ask not to be rich... instead.. Ask for others to be poorer than you.
Ask not to be wise... instead.. Ask for other to be dummer than you.
Ask not to be understanding.. instead.. Ask for the answers straight away..
get my drift? haha.. good nite all.
All i asked.. was to be wise, and HE gave me challenges.
All i asked.. was to be patient, and HE denied me my rightful opportunity.
All i asked.. was to be understanding, and HE gave me complexities.
All i asked.. was to be at peace with myself, and HE gave me insecurities.
All i asked.. was to be fair, and HE threw me in the middle of conflicts.
All i asked..
I almost gave up.. but just in the nick of time.. i realised that HE had given me all i had asked. just not in the manner that i was expecting.
Through overcoming obstacles(emotional, physical and mental), i became stronger. Plying through the challenges, i had become wiser than i was the day before. By waiting for my seemingly missed opportunities, i had learnt to be patient for my day to come. Tackling one complexed issue at a time, i gained understanding. By overcoming my insecurities one by one, i learnt more about myself thus becoming at peace with myself. Trust me, to subdue situations that involve conflict of interests.. you have to be fair minded.
Through all of these problems i realised one thing.
Life is made of obstacles, challenges, opportunities, complexities, insecurities, and conflicts. It is up to us how we are gonna handle it i guess. see the cup as half full or empty? Learnt so many lessons through my prayers...
Know what to ask and how to ask....
Ask not to be strong... instead, Ask for a donkey to carry your burden.
Ask not to be rich... instead.. Ask for others to be poorer than you.
Ask not to be wise... instead.. Ask for other to be dummer than you.
Ask not to be understanding.. instead.. Ask for the answers straight away..
get my drift? haha.. good nite all.
Kiasu..
'Kiasu' Added to Oxford English Dictionary!
Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Topic: Community Announcements
Quietly, and just like a Singaporean citizen, the humble Singlish word 'kiasu' migrated from its original home in the Coxford Singlish Dictionary to the pages of the Oxford English Dictionary - alongside other words like 'wiki' and 'ta-da'.
Check it out here at the OED's quarterly update site.
Hidden within the list of new entries somewhere 3/4 down the page (use the search function in your browser) is the word "kiasu" - n and adj. You can also do a 'search' on the OED's main page.
Which means that the word is now officially English too and we should be able to use it everywhere in our media with impunity.
Take that, you colonized, potato-eating monkeys of the Speak Good English Movement! Hopefully this isn't a belated April Fool's joke... if so, we'll be damn lau kwee. But then, it'd also be a cool prank! Either way, it puts a smile on our face.
For those of you hiding under a rock for the past 40-plus years, here's what 'kiasu' means (according to our very own Coxford):
KIASU (kee-ah-soo)
Hokkien adjective literally meaning, "afraid of losing". A highly pejorative description beloved of Singaporeans. Possibly our defining national characteristic. The nearest English equivalent is "dog in a manger", though even that is pretty mild in comparison.
"You went to get a handicapped sticker just to chope a parking space? How kiasu can you get?"
Thanks to Xuan You for pointing this out to us। Well done!
© http://www.TalkingCock.com 2001-2003। All rights reserved.
What's Next?
Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Topic: Community Announcements
Quietly, and just like a Singaporean citizen, the humble Singlish word 'kiasu' migrated from its original home in the Coxford Singlish Dictionary to the pages of the Oxford English Dictionary - alongside other words like 'wiki' and 'ta-da'.
Check it out here at the OED's quarterly update site.
Hidden within the list of new entries somewhere 3/4 down the page (use the search function in your browser) is the word "kiasu" - n and adj. You can also do a 'search' on the OED's main page.
Which means that the word is now officially English too and we should be able to use it everywhere in our media with impunity.
Take that, you colonized, potato-eating monkeys of the Speak Good English Movement! Hopefully this isn't a belated April Fool's joke... if so, we'll be damn lau kwee. But then, it'd also be a cool prank! Either way, it puts a smile on our face.
For those of you hiding under a rock for the past 40-plus years, here's what 'kiasu' means (according to our very own Coxford):
KIASU (kee-ah-soo)
Hokkien adjective literally meaning, "afraid of losing". A highly pejorative description beloved of Singaporeans. Possibly our defining national characteristic. The nearest English equivalent is "dog in a manger", though even that is pretty mild in comparison.
"You went to get a handicapped sticker just to chope a parking space? How kiasu can you get?"
Thanks to Xuan You for pointing this out to us। Well done!
© http://www.TalkingCock.com 2001-2003। All rights reserved.
What's Next?
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