Or should I rephrase it to “Do you like GOING to a dentist?”

My friend complained to me how difficult to take her kid to see the dentist. She almost gave up when her kid bit the dentist’s fingers.

So I asked her, “Do you like going to a dentist?” She grinned sheepishly and said, “Well, who does?”

I told her that I still need my mom to be with me when I see the dentist. I need her presence in the room where I can see her.

I still remember that we had a private dental clinic at primary school and it was free. Unfortunately, no one appreciated it. So the school made a point that every student MUST go to the dentist (unless you can prove that you have engaged a dentist outside the school).

We were called to see the dentist at least once a year. It felt horrible when we saw the green cards (our dental records) coming. Usually, the kids who had just gone to the clinic were asked to pass the green cards to the next bunch. Whenever the kid came to the class with a stack of green cards and a cotton wool stuck in his mouth, we knew that we were doomed. Some even started to weep. For me, I dragged my feet and walked as slowly as I could. When I was walking, I used my tongue to clean my teeth and feel my every tooth to make sure I did not have cavity. I went to the washroom to rinse my mouth clean because I hated when she used the sharp dental hook on me.

The dentist (an auntie) was very fierce. She always scolded us for not taking care of our teeth. I always heard stories of how violent she was, such as pinching the kids and how she made them bleed. It horrified us to the max. But I was never treated that way. So I guess kids just like to make up stories.

Well, I still hate dentist.. I mean going to a dentist. (I don’t mind dating a dentist though. *grin) but and again, I think it would be very stressful if I do marry one. Imagine, whenever I smile, I have to make sure that my teeth are clean. Whenever I yawn or laugh, he would look into my mouth and say, “Hey!! You have cavity!” I tell you, if that happens,my life span would be shortened by 10 years. The good side is, I would have the whitest, cleanest and shiniest teeth ever…FOR FREE!

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Thank you all for telling me what the steel plates are about. When I traveled on mrt the other day, I took an extra look at it and indeed, it led to the lift, checkpoints and counter. It starts with strips and when it reaches its end point (lift or checkpoint), the pattern changed to dots.

Though some people think that it is a waste of money but I think it is for a good cause. We did a research paper on universal design and design for disabled back in university, and we learned that it is absolutely much cheaper to design with all these considerations before building. It costs much more to renovate later on.

When we have the freedom to walk and move around, sometimes we forget how inconvenient it is when we lose this freedom. When the new semester started, I met another student who was wheelchair bound. His grandmother is always there for him to help him at school. It was heartbreaking. Simple thing like pressing the lift button, and using the toilet are extremely difficult for him.

When I was in Korea, the basin and bathtub in hotels were built very low. (as you can see from the picture) I had to bow literally 90 degrees to wash my face. I found it weird at first but when I came to realize that it was convenient for the disabled, I was impressed. I stayed in 4 hotels and all of them had low bathtubs and basins.

Of course, this toilet is not for the disabled. But I found it very cute because I don’t get to see this toilet much in Singapore. I took me awhile to figure out where to face when I was peeing. *smile sheepishly)

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what this is??

It can be seen in every MRT station.

Posted under Random ramblings , Travel | [3] Comments 

“Why you buy hanbok??”
“It’s not that you wear it everyday right?”

I get that all the time. Collecting traditional costumes is always my passion. My family is very supportive. The most expensive clothing that my parents ever bought for me is the Japanese Yukata.

I was 17 years old then. I wore it for several occasions, chinese new year (once), multicultural day fashion and playing pachelbel canon in D on violin when I was in year 12. Too bad I don’t have the photos with me. I’m more than happy to show you how we played in the band in different traditional dresses.

I am longing to buy a Hanbok for 2 years. Of course that was my ONLY mission when I went to Korea.

We were dressed up during the kimchi making class. It was fun and we got to choose different hanboks.

You wear this kind in palace.

I don’t think I am allowed to take off the jacket like that. The hat belongs to the male though.

I did my research on prices and locations to get hanbok before I go there. And finally when we got the chance to go to Dongdaemum, we realized that we didn’t bring enough cash and no credit card.

Well done Cherry. Mom and I opened our purse in prayer. Oh great, 160,000 won in total. We were so worried.

There were many stalls selling hanboks at level 7, some are tailors and some were ready-made. I was so “captivated” by the colours.

I used my lousy Korean and sign language to bargain. With 150,000 won (about SGD 245), I can only get a simple design with no embroidery and the colour will also fade in one wash.

Furthermore, NO TRYING. Some colours of the jacket and the skirt just won’t go together. I wasn’t allowed to swap the colours too. And do you know how hard it was to tell the lady what colour I like? Instead of ‘PINK’, I had to say ‘PINK-OO’. Worse, some didn’t even know ‘Pink-oo’.

My last stop was this tiny stall. She was dealing with a group of customers and she looked very enthusiastic. She was very kind and patient. She dressed me up with MANY hanboks until I found the right colour. She can’t speak english at all. Surprisingly, I can understand what she was trying to ask me each time in Korean, and I answered in sign language.

This is the 150,000 won one. Very simple and no embroidery.

So this is what I have. Hanbok like this with embroidery and good fabric costs 200,000 won usually. I managed to convince her to sell me for 150,000 won instead. (after showing her that we did not have cash, credit card at hotel etc..all in sign language)

Hah! She gave me this pouch for FREE…Of course after asking her nicely lar(in sign language too)..

Posted under Hobbies , Travel | [9] Comments 

Number of triangles on the rind = number triangular segments of flesh

Mom thought that I was pulling her leg. She said I was just being lucky in guessing the number. So she ended up peeling all the mangosteens, just to see if I really got it.

See! I didn’t bluff you right?? After all, it is my favourite fruit.

Posted under Thoughts & musings | [3] Comments