THAT two-six Weekend

Uploading pictures is a chore. And I don't know if this is a wise idea. It's so small it's almost meaningless. But I guess you could click on them if you're interested in the first place.

The Queen & Mangosteen:

Rose wine + A little Beer + Good enough food + Interesting Loo + Surprise Cake + Other Birthday Girl & Boy in Da House + Talking about Acceptance and Generally, Life + So glad Ying drove me home.

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Fig & Olive with K+S:

A quiet Fig & Olive on a Friday night + Walking around The Cathay + Random Shopping + Vintage-looking Ribbony Earrings with tinge of Gold (I like ribbons!) from K + Trying on and on and on to Locate a place to sit down and drink + Ended up at Cafe Cartel with Mocha and Waffles + Recycled Gift + A Lift Home from JX + A Goodnight Hug & Kiss

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Wedding Lunch @ Marsiling CC + Tampopo @ Liang Court:

Getting lost in Marsiling + Recognizing the route to JB and turned the other way hastily + Malay food for Lunch + Family Dinner at Liang Court + Turned out Jo wanted to bring us to a place at UE Square instead + Settled for Tampopo + Long Wait + Played with a mannequin's wig + Headmistress-salesgirl with extended hand "Give Me" while Mum was WITH us + Great black pork ramen at Tampopo + Even greater eggs + MJ @ home + Never gamed :(

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Sentosa + Vivocity:

(Blazing) Sun, sand, sea + Lunch at Sakae + No conveyor belt + First touch with a snake (surprisingly the touch is not that freaky, it's just the darting tongue that I cannot stand) + JX's a natural with snakes + A food-robber Monkey on the Go + Staring at uncles oogling at bikini girls + Ice cream sorbet + Maybe Not-so-innocent Kids + Vivocity Shopping + Arcade + Reminiscing the Past on a Sentosa Night + Surprise Presents from JX

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Tampines 1 + Turf City:

Uniqlo is a disaappointment + Rainy + Tired & Sleepy + Headed to Turf City to return the car + Irritating obnoxious Ah Seng + Maze + Crappy Carrot Cake at Turf City + Home + A good Nap that I didn't have the whole weekend.

= A Very Happy M.

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Been meaning to keep up with my blogging. But...

1. Had appointments with different groups of friends to meet up over my birthday through the week.

2. T-Rex went on a gnawing rampage when we let him out one day and whilst we were unaware, he chewed off the telephone line sneakily. And there JX was, a few days later sitting in front of my laptop and my home PC, dumbfounded, at our connected connection but the inability to access the internet or MSN. While in the living room, lay a broken telephone line beneath our sofa.

3. Been down with The Flu. Was on (guilty Monday) MC. And I practically slept through the entire weekend + Monday.

4. Procrastinating in sorting the pictures that were taken over my birthday weekend.

5. Pissed at work.

6. The zits on my face require my immediate attention.

7. The weather is so crappy-hot to do anything at all.

8. Lastly, my flu is coming back.

Save the Sharks.

From this cantonese woman.

Koochi koochi

Randomness

1. Addicted to FML, big time. Is it human nature to feel better at someone else’s misfortune/demise? Or am I just plain... evil and mean, as S always thought so?

2. Just as when everyone started to believe it’s time for women to step up to leader positions in Singapore, we have to take a couple of steps back with the AWARE saga and S-Factor. Not to say that they aren’t entertaining reads in the news though.

[On the side note banter: Always have thought a successful woman is one who knows how to turn her charm on and off as and when she deems fit in any situation and knows her way on how to work with women and men. Knows when and what to say, knows when to just listen. One doesn’t need to fight her femininity to be at the top. If she removes any traces of femininity so that she feels that she can be accepted in a leader role, she will not represent a woman on top – she will be just a man-boss wannabe. How some women try to fit into the boss role, by being masculine, is actually very ironical.]

3. One pet peeve I just uncovered – women twirling their hair into two rolls hanging down by their necks. In public. Again and again. While staring at themselves in reflections doing so.

4. All my shoes suddenly just died on me. Broken soles, holes, tears. And just when I needed shoes, those on racks are unappealing and/or expensive. WHY! And those that I vaguely like, doesn’t have size 40 in stock. What, all big-feeted women have the same taste in shoes, or they don’t even bother bringing in stocks for size 40 at all? Mar from office said “See, my Ferragamo shoes. I wear them everyday and they last for yeaaaaars! Look, they still look fine. That’s why they are so worth it.” Oooooh, I won’t dare say the same for clumsy, unrefined me. Different owners, different fate.

5. Just as when there were speculations that we may be walking out of the gloomy financial downturn sooner than we thought, H1N1 flu came about. What’s next...?

6. Don’t even feel like reading the news with all the doom and gloom.

7. Mom’s Day. Uh oh, what to get Mommy?

8. Marveling at beautiful supple flawless skin. I want I want I want.

9. Why did that 9pm Ping Pong TV drama end so abruptly? Oh, should have known. Director of ‘The Little Nonya’.

10. Was at FordModels.tv watching short video clips on fashion and hairstyling tips (which I never did try due to my overwhelming laziness) and came across a video of a Fit Model. Whose occupation is to be just a size. Any random size. And just stand there be a standing model – “armholes too big, shoulders too small, yada yada” for a, say, size 6. Clothes in the fashion industry is made to their sizes' measurements. I thought, "Wow, THERE’S SUCH AN OCCUPATION?!" Don’t even need to be pretty, don’t need to catwalk, go down to a shop and pick the right size off the rack and off you go because they’re sized according to your measurements! And paid for it!

I think JX meant to say something when he sent this to me.

I'm sure he wants to do that (last frame) to me sometimes. HAHA

A sunset a day, drives your worries away.

I was brisk-walking home on a Friday evening, relieved that it was finally the weekend but etched on my forehead was a slight frown from mounting stress at work. I had nothing on in the next few hours, but I was eager to be home.

I then saw, before me, a wheelchair-bound man stopped wheeling himself in the midst of a carpark, and lifted his head to look afar. Aware that the carpark was a slight uphill slope, I thought he may be experiencing some difficulties, so I went up to him and offered my help gently.

The moment he turned his head to look at me, his cheery disposition had me pleasantly surprised. He grinned at me and exclaimed he was fine and explained that he was just stopping by to look at the sunset. And thanked me profusely for offering help in the first place.

I smiled at him in return, and sensed a slow wakening within myself which calmed me down as I looked up to at the sky and the vibrant sunset amidst the silhoutte of the trees.

I was thankful to him, actually, for reminding me that one should not be that self-absorbed and should be more appreciative of what is given and what is there. I love sunrises and sunsets, but have forgotten to look up to the skies when my pace of life quickens. One can be miserable the whole day, the whole week, or even his whole life and forget about being happy – but the entire world is moving on, with you sulking or not. So why not take it a little easier on yourself, and seek joy in what you have?... Ask not what life is there to offer you, but what you can offer yourself with that mindset of yours.

Joy Rides on a Sunny Weekend

I thought that the lau-pok-pok car was kind of cute actually. You know, a-grampa-without-teeth-smiley-that-sorta-'cute'? Yep.

SMK's Day-Off

Had been wanting to get the pictures of the day that SMK went to the botanical gardens on our day-off. So tough. Cos they are about 120mb in all.

Zzz.

But so sweet of S -

She scrapbooked it!

Yet another MRT pervert

This time, it’s a secondary school boy. Who couldn’t stop pulling my skirt beneath his legs as he sat beside me.

Crazy sicko!

Why are there so many perverts on MRTs, or am I just plain unlucky to meet that many of them?

And no one came forward to lend a helping hand when I tried to pull my skirt back from him while he feigned ignorance as I raised my voice at him to have my skirt back. Why!

Serves me right?

It’s been 2 days since the JPMorgan Run. But my thighs are still hurting like mad. Yeah, so I did jog.

It was kind of sad actually, I used to peek at those fit ones running beside me on the treadmills and pace myself with them, if not, try to outrun them, with that “see-who-stops-first” mentality. But for that run that happened a couple days back, I was pacing myself with err, bigger sized participants.

The route was like crap – even though it is going to be the F1 Grand Prix race track. It was narrow and bumpy. Not a good route for a run with 10,000 participants. I grimaced each time a sweaty body slid past me. Which is countless. Gross.

I was congratulating myself while into my 2KM, “Hey, not bad. I’m still holding up although I’m like a tortoise.” But of course... I didn't get to jog all the way. (._.)

And when I did finally finish the race, I was relieved. I didn’t activate a string of wailing sirens, at least.

And then I had one & a half Western main course meals topped with a dessert after the run. Jalepeno at The Flyer. Not surprised if I turned out to be unhealthier at the end of the day.

I didn’t think I would run so I didn’t even warm up. Bad move. My thighs felt like lead the next morning I woke up. And now, they hurt so bad that I couldn't exactly put my legs together and I need to prop myself up with my hands when I use the toilet bowl. But I couldn’t help then but jog when I saw everyone in front of me do so. It had been so long since I sweat buckets like that.

And needless to say, JX nagged at me.

S+M+K

Had a mini-celebration with K+S to commemorate our 13-year-old friendship over the Easter weekend. By staying over at my place. Not very happening.

Probably the most happening thing was us trotting down to the convenience stall to get supper – without our bras (except for S, who claims she needs every support that she can get).

There was a lot of marveling of old stuffs we had done for each other though (with S shrieking sporadically each time T-Rex goes near her). And my unfaded neo-prints. And our old pictures. K demanding me to burn our secondary school prom picture. Debated why I looked like a mama-san with cockroach feelers for my JC prom, while I wailed that I won’t want to look like that for my wedding when K+S believed that I would.

After the “adventure” of trying to get our supper hunched-back, we had instant noodles and sparkling wine. And exchanged songs on our mobiles via Bluetooth, with our legs propped up. Again, reminiscing songs from “our era”. Gee, weird auntaaaaaaays...

And then there was a debate over who was a better host while we got ready to sleep. Sharing more secrets before dozing off... and trying hard not to fall off the bed throughout the night. And then, S woke up with a sty. Not that my house is a sty, but I meant a sty on the eye.

I wonder how many more stayovers we can have in this lifetime. Would we be like those housewives on that silly show “煮妇的假期”? Hahaha.

Tears and Smiles

Was there anyone who viewed it and wasn't touched to tears?

Grown up to be cynics, haven't we...?

P.S.: Loved the portion where Simon Cowell covered up a air-barf in the introductionary interview.

The Easter Bunny, in his puberty.

My Easter Bunny in the house got a little horny.

And there I was, thinking, “How cute. What is he trying to do, circling my feet so enthusiastically like that?”

Next thing I knew, he was humping my legs. I shrieked in repulsion and into the cage he went. I felt... raped.

Happy Easter in advance ah.

Randomness

They're from Puma. I think they're pretty. And would make me feel like I just stepped out from a comic strip.

Hm...

I hope he is/was a banker.

Randomness

1. I think as you grow older, the faster time seems to pass. Nary a wink, and it’s into 2nd quarter of 2009. And, I'm getting lazier. As you can see from my (relatively) inactive blog.

2. Everyone has gone and is going to Taiwan. Damn.

3. Read an article today regarding the protest in London and it got me stifling my laughter in office. The neverending bleak financial news now peppered with dry humor. An Easter Bunny hopped through the police barricade and an armed man waved a light saber at a policeman, while a banner “Eat the Bankers” waved somewhere in the crowd and the helicopters hovered above. I’m (some sort of) glad that these people still manage to inject some sort of dry, if not lame, humor in this otherwise “what’s-new”, somber protest. But I shouldn’t be laughing – someone died. I had a sneaking suspicion that the writer was in fact writing in glee. Read article here.

4. I think Joanne is covering up her boob job. Couldn’t be more of a wrong timing to replay one of her first few shows in the late night slots while there was a controversy on her boobs and her denial. Stark difference. Not as if you started out as a budding teenager in the first place. I mean, just admit la – if you think you would look more proportionate and doing a boob job will make you feel better, people will leave you alone when you come clean. Look at Kelly Rowland.

5. Using Ba Wang shampoo now – recommended by Ass, using her parents’ testimonials. I want I want I want a headful of luxurious soft hair. Can there ever be enough hair? (not Hagrid’s scraggly kind though)

6. (Hagrid->Harry Potter) ...brings me to – books. Finished the Twilight-New Moon-Eclipse-Breaking Dawn series not too long ago. Late, I know. Didn’t get why everyone went gaga, picked up the book (thanks to Ah Qi and Ass) and then become gaga myself. Watched the movie online after reading the book, and wow, it actually sucks (pun unintended). Suddenly comments sprouting all over those celebrity blogs on Robert Pattinson the 'Vampire' were begging him to bite them. And then read an article on Reuters that a female vampire was uncovered. (0_0)

7. Filed income tax. Major grumble. No rebates at all. Told JX that we seriously need to get married soon. And have a kid. Or twins. Or triplets. Only to get JX’s grumble. Said didn’t want twins – with my absent-mindedness that I would probably feed the same one twice. After some thought, I won’t rule that out.

8. Was enrolled into the JPMorgan Run...*chirping crickets* Contemplating whether to try my virgin run after 1.5 years at that event, and JX forewarned me. Reminded me that I probably won't want to get the ambulance on standby to wail its siren. But 5.6KM... used to be manageable? Gah. Subsequently led me to consider what sort of sport I should be taking up, considering my back problem. Tai Chi? Belly dancing? Dancing (what dance?)? Back to Yoga? Random thoughts again.

9. Watched Dragonball Evolution, and wow, it sucks. JX and I were smacking our foreheads through the movie. It was like - (snigger, snigger), *piak*, (roll eyes) and repeat. I like Detroit Metal City though – lame, yeah, but, ok la, it’s lame.

10. I want to play the piano again. Got some beautiful pieces. BUT only to find out that my piano gave up on me a long time ago.

Here we go... again.

Introducing, "Newbit", "Rocker", "Bruce/Bruise", "Orbit", "Cotton", "小白", "Wayang", "Bitty", "T-REX". Jo decided.

Cat-Woman, you must have really beautiful legs in order to wear this day-in day-out.

Almost wanted to buy this rubbery spandex tights, which for a moment, I thought it was cool.

Well, it turns out not.

While waiting for JX at Vivocity, I hung around Forever21 and tried to put some clothes together. Not really my kind of style, but probably, I wanted to engage that 15-year-old side of me, which never got the chance to be fashion-conscious back then (as compared to the teens now).

So, tights - a must-have in the teen-getup-look.

BOY, was it tough to get into that, which was so rubbery and squeaky. It’s probably the material and I was laughing myself silly in the fitting room - because... I looked like a miserable Cat-Woman with short legs and a long crotch at one point.

After realizing that I had to wear it like a pair of stockings and some huffing and puffing, I looked at the final outcome. Damn, it was really unflattering. Made my legs look short and fat, and my knees shiningly-ugly. And I somehow looked pregnant. Gee, how harsh.

When I returned the clothes, I thought the girl looked at me weird. I wondered if it was because she heard me giggling alone in the fitting room. Or the choice of clothes that I chose.

A Belated Boogey V-Day Post

No, I don't have a Samsung phone but I love them.

I had a nose booger stuck in my nose and JX saw. After he exclaimed his sighting, I went - "Yeah, it was stuck there for a while and it's irritating the hell out of me. Should I dig it out?"

JX looked at me, and I couldn’t quite understand his expression. But I proceeded to remove that offensive muck obstructing my nasal tract. At that point, JX yelped somewhat hysterically while I laughed away sinisterly with my index finger standing tall and proud, propping a biological weapon.

In our struggle (me trying to get close to him, while he getting away from me), that sticky booger got a portion of itself onto JX’s black shirt. He shrieked and went on nagging some gibberish while I laughed away, with my finger sticking in mid-air.

He commanded that I flick it away. But I placed it (somewhere) and told him whenever he past by that place, he would then think of me (in disgust or lovingly, up to him). I think he shrieked again, because I couldn’t quite hear properly while I was going on with my insane laughter.

We walked along, and in a while, I revealed to him matter-of-factly, “I think I’ve got some more stuck in my nose. What do I do now?” He thought the booger episode was over. He forewarned me not to dig it again. What would he do, if I did, I don't know.

And then I lit up like a bulb, “Oh, I could do it the grampa-style. You know, hold down the other nostril and snort it out!” And I proceeded to do that, aiming at a grass patch before he could stop me.

I failed miserably. I turned to look at JX in a dead-panned expression and he couldn’t stop laughing. I had slimy/sticky snot all over my nose. It somehow slapped itself upwards instead of rocketing out and away. While he was laughing away, he still managed to warn me not to touch him till I get home and clean up. Along the journey home I did not manage to flick the booger away because it was too clingy to its owner.

He told me, wisely, that I didn’t block the other nostril tightly hence the pathetic failure.

“How romantic ya, our Valentine’s Day celebration!” I grinned, sticky booger in hand.

“Yeah, 4 years into our relationship. And on Valentine’s Day. And you are already the way you are... I wonder what’s next in time to come.”

Oooooh, you will know. :D

P.S.: Yes, it was in public but it was dark and almost no one was around as we walked home. I do have some social etiquette ok.

Ah Qi, this one's for you.

You love Korean guys, right, Qi? I give you one. Who sings sexy.

I think he hates Mariah Carey. It must be the case right?

They shouldn't have to go through this.

These poor animals which once lived in the forests of Australia. Imagine how they panicked in their last moments. Imagine their frantic terror as they tried to escape but got caught in fiery deadends.

This is one survivor from the Australian bushfires.

"You can how she stops and moves forward and looks at me. It was like a look saying "I can't run, I'm weak and sore, put me out of my misery,"" Tree told Reuters.

"I yelled out for some water and I sat down with her and tipped the water up. It was in my hand and she reached for the bottle then put her right claw into my left hand which was cold so it must have given her some pain relief and she just left it there. It was just amazing."

(Source: Reuters)

'Amazing' wouldn't be a word I would choose to use in that juncture, but well...

No one person or animal should have to go through this.

"...words escape us all when it comes to describing that deliberate arson,"said Victoria state Premier John Brumby.

How apt.

A Filthy Dirt makes its debut on a Can-Opener's Manual

Click to enlarge. On that one filthy dirt that wipes dry cloth.

A Hairy 牛 Year

Acceptance

It had been a devastating time for all when Norbit left us suddenly. It took us all a while to get used to the fact that Norbit is gone forever. We all missed him terribly. And truthfully, my heart still wrenches as the nasty memories attack me from time to time - him fighting for his life on the operation table, eventually struggling to get close to the oblivious me when he was near his death, his limp body as the vet tried to resuscitate him, the words that finalized his life...

Jo said she was sorry that I had to be the one to witness the entire ordeal and for selfish reasons, she was in a way blessed to be spared from the agony. But a large part of me was glad that I was there with him when he needed me most. I just wish for Norbit to know that we all loved him.

It is still painful now, but it gets better and it will pass. In time, I know, I will think about Norbit and smile instead of crying.

JX said, "That's it. We'll not have any pets," after rushing to my side and witnessing my crumbled state when he heard the news.

My heartbroken parents were also a little apprehensive in getting another pet now. My dad went, "See, I told you. You have to expect this when you get a pet. You will be heartbroken when its time is up." My mom then added, "That's why I didn't want us to have a pet."

But... would you rather protect yourself from potential agony, from sad memories - and hence no happy memories, to not love and be loved in return; OR to create happy moments despite knowing one day, it probably will all end, short-lived or not? I choose the latter. So what if you are living, but not a life?