A homeless family..with kids

Just because “someone” works according to the “book” on the other line- “Oh..because the regulations say so….” this poor lady has no one to turn to. I wonder if she has the ground to even appeal.

Read her story here..

I do understand that such policies are in place so that some “bad hats” cannot reap the benefits from these cheap housing. But, is there also regulation to protect a victim like that woman?

Read more cases here…

Me to Mr. M: How do you men actually remove your nose hair?

Mr. M: I use the little shaver that can place inside the nose. *followed by his action to demonstrate how the device was used*

Ms L: My husband plucks them, one by one. *at this time, all of us cringed and screamed – OUCH!*

Ms N: XX uses scissors to cut them. *WOW!! NOT BIG SCISSORS RIGHT?!* We exclaimed.

Ms N: Of course not lah!! The small one, can be inserted into the nose one.

Mr M to me: So, how does he do?

Me: He refused to tell me. He said it was like telling me how people clean themselves after doing the “business”.

Followed by a 5 sec silence..

Me: Ya ya.. I know. It doesn’t make sense to me too.
*can’t link that metaphor*

Mr M suggested that we could take a look at the device that he mentioned at Watson. And this is what we got.

“Nose trimmer?” FAIL
Check out the changable “heads”!

Very “handy” huh! Runs on one AA battery.

3 of us ended buying one each. And it just went out of stock instantly.

Me: Mm..How do you think he would react when I give him this? You know, it is like buying a deodorant for your friend..what will your friend think of that??!!

Mr M: Huh? It’s just for hair removal. No big deal!
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I passed it to him after our bible study in the evening. “Hey, I bought you something cool.” I grinned.

When he opened the bag, he gave the most sheepish laughter, ever.
“Haha…thanks.”

“I was actually wondering if you would find it weird…cos..you know..”

“Yeah, it is like…having “double meaning” to it. You know, it’s like I bought you a sanitary pad.”

*stunned for 5 seconds, again, trying to understand the metaphor in my head.* “Sanitary pad?!”

“Yeah, it’s ok. I know you didn’t mean that.” He grinned.

“So, are you going to use it?”

“Of course I will.

“Oh, let me know if it’s good.”

“Ha! You can definitely tell if it is working well…”

Frankly, I took almost 10 seconds to understand what he meant by that.

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A few days later, the peeps came together and updated how the trimmer has done the job.

Ms L: DD still prefers plucking leh. He saw the trimmer and said “don’t need lah! I can just pluck! See..!”He then plucked one hair out of his nose just to prove his point.

OUCH!! The same reaction we had before.

Ms N: XX still prefers to use the scissors. I guess it could be of the weird feeling of inserting a foreign vibrating object into your nose.

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A few days later, I asked him how it was and I just “automatically” squinted and gazed at his nostrils. I. SO. didn’t mean to do that.

“Ya, it works.” He said..embarrassly.

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Mr M mentioned that several of his male colleagues saw his trimmer on his desk and went to Watsons to buy, but it was all out of stock…still.

I remember attending the first wedding a few years back when I first came to Singapore. What struck me the most is the “red packet” system here. I was pretty intrigued by the “price list” that the guest will generally use as a guideline to contribute the red packet money.

The amount of money you put in the red packet depends on the venue of the wedding banquet (more if the dinner is at the 5-star hotel), time of the wedding (lunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and so is weekdays) and etc.

I have to ask the “veteran” how much to give each time.

It didn’t make sense to me before. I mean, the newly-weds invite their friends and families to witness their wedding and so, give a treat to the guest. But also expect the guest to pay for their meals?

What also surprise me the most is the general comment made by the newly-weds,“the red-packet money can usually cover the cost of the dinner…so not to worry if the banquet cost $1000 per table.”

So the couple chooses to throw a $1000 per table banquet to the guest and “kind-of” expects the guest to pay at least $100 per person so to cover the cost?

Then, what is the true meaning and purpose of throwing a banquet then if it is to give your guest a treat?

And of course, there is a supply-and-demand issue. Some guests pay $60 for the dinner, they also expect to consume as much alcohol and shark fin as possible.

I can’t remember how many times I have read about people’s complains about paying for an expensive banquet but did not get to eat shark fin and abalone. Some even complained about vegetarian banquet or banquet without alcohol because “it is not worth the red packet money that they give”.

I am not saying everyone is like that. Only some. If the money is to be given as a blessing, then so be it. Why complain so much?

Just recently, I attended my friend’s wedding and she married an American. They had simple buffet but it was a wedding that I will remember for life! The groom’s father dressed up as Elvis Presley, sang a few song to entertain the guests.

The coolest dad!

The newly-weds did a Bollywood dance performance in suit and gown, they went around taking photos and everybody talked to everybody (because there was no table but only a handful of chairs). Guests did chicken dance and etc. It was one wedding that was not ABOUT THE FOOD, nor how many gowns the bride change during the banquet!

Suddenly, it reminded me of the weddings that I used to attend in Australia. Simple food but lots of love and interaction! The guests did not just turn up, consume the first to last dish and then bid goodbye. And I often made some new friends in their weddings.

I am glad that my parents are cool about what I like. To them, wedding is not about “face”, nor how many dresses I change and shark fin! So…Definitely no shark fin in my wedding…

Poor sharks…

p/s: No, I. AM. NOT. planning for a wedding…

Now, I must say, my friend is Gen X and I am Gen Y (caught in between). He shared with me that his Gen Y colleagues were generally more self-centered, self-serving and sheltered. Perhaps he guessed, that it was the upbringing and the “sheltered” environment that has changed how people handling issues. So he shared…

My friend told me about a 22 year-old guy who wrote him an email regarding his stock trading class. In his email, the young chap said:

“You mentioned that it costs SGD1,xxx to join your course. Just wondering if you have any credential or certificate? Could you guarantee that I will make money after taking up your course? Could I also ask if there is a money-back guarantee if your student does not make money after a certain period of time?”

His friend replied…

“I suggest that you find a better teach elsewhere. By the way, may I know why you want to take up this course? Do you want to pursue it as a full-time career?”

The young chap answered…

“I do not like to take the train to work in the morning. So I thought this could be an alternative for me.”

Well, I suggest that you can take the bus then…(mine)

Of course, I am not saying that ALL the young chaps nowadays think like that. This is just an “exceptional” case. But it is interesting to see that there are more young chaps look for an easy job, no risk and think that they also deserve the best.

Money-back guarantee for stock trading?? I also want..

Just like the other day, an O level student (16 years old) asked me if studying in XXX diploma can guarantee him a job after he completed it. (He hasn’t even chosen the course nor started it).

Wow I thought: if you know such a course exists that can guarantee you a job even before you start, let me know…co’s I also want to join that course.

So I gently replied:“Well, I think the only one who can answer you that, is God himself.”

It doesn’t even fit in my handbag.

Sounds funny that I have to bring up a huge giant panel if I want to show my friend a photo.

Emmmm….

The Alvera Court in North Yorkshire

Garden

I could so totally imagine the morning scent when I walk out of that door. The cool breezy air must be exhilarating!

Look at the reception!! It is oh-so-lovely!

Dining room

Ah…I would love to have breakfast there every morning. Imagine the aroma of a warm cup of coffee, a warm greeting from fellow residents, good conversation…fantastic!

Look at the rooms…I love the wallpaper! And the bed looks cosy..(my friend said that the beds are indeed wonderful)

Does it remind you of some romantic movie filming set?? I wish I could stay there and take heaps of picture. *I know..I started to sound very “bimbotic”*

Well, I hope it would be my next travel destination, would love to stay there for at least a week though.

Whenever I hear this comment, it always creates some sort of ripples in my head…

A very typical runaway statement.

It is funny how we react to difficulties and challenges. Is it our default survival instinct that we would look for an exit whenever we face a problem?

Awhile ago, I told a friend that I hoped to move to a country for x period of time. The reason I gave was that I wanted to see the world.

Then, he asked:“Really?”

“Yeah…why not? I love to travel, remember?” I answered.

But later that day when I was on the way home, I quietly reflected on why I “felt” the urge of moving out. The key was the “urge”. I don’t think anyone would feel that “urgency” and “desperation” to travel if one is genuinely just interested to see the world.

Then I realised – I was running away from a problem.

The problem was not obvious to me then, it was just subtly affecting me emotionally. As usual, a quiet time to be still is all I needed to think, talk and reflect. Surprisingly, the “urge to leave the country” subsided after I recognised and rectified the problem.

Sigh…not sure if it is because of those dramas and Hollywood movies that show people “romantically” travel to far far land when they have problems, leaving their loved ones behind, backpacked and starting a new life at some deserted land…bla bla bla…

And every time I heard the similar comment, I would just laugh to myself…because I am also like that. I hope time would change me…to face the problem boldly and not just “leaving the country”. HAH!

I could literally “travelling” along the streets that were once familiar to me. So the first thing that I searched, was the street that I used to live on. Unfortunately, you could only visually see those roads that “Google van” has travelled. The estate that I lived at is not captured by the van. -_-

The place that I used to hang out during lunch break

So I “went around” the city, the route that I used to take from home to work/school. Surprisingly, Perth has not changed much since I left in 2005. I can still remember how to “go around” and the facade still remains recognizable.

I bought my first bed here..

I felt very good….may be because I know that the place that once captured my heart has not abandoned me. I hate the feeling of not able to feel the sense of belonging to a place that was once dear to me.

My summer job at this hotel – Seasons of Perth. I was hired just to talk to people everyday.:D

It’s funny that even after 4 years of living in Singapore, I could hardly know how to get around. I guess that’s the difference of NOT HAVING A CAR!

The first thing that I shared with my friends and family about my trip to West Kalimantan was:

“WOW! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I DID NOT USE TOILET PAPER FOR 1 WEEK! BROKE MY RECORD TOTALLY!”

The immediate responses were the same. “You mean you didn’t do your big business for ONE WEEK????!!!”

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Let me explain.

You see, it’s not a NORM to have a “proper” toilet in a small town like Pontianak. The “proper” here means, “a bathroom fixture consisting of a bowl (squat/sit), usually with a device for flushing with water, used for defecation and urination.”

Using toilet in Singapore is such a wonderful experience. So wonderful that we often take it for granted.

Like this:

And it comes with TOILET PAPER.

Sinks with liquid soap!

In this little village that we stayed in Pontianak, it is considered a luxury to have a “proper” toilet. But we were very blessed that the orphanage built 3 toilets for us last year.

Otherwise, we will have to do it in the wild, river or drain, like every other person does.

It comes with a squat pan, a tiny and narrow one. So you have to place your feet real close together.

About 60% of this size

There is no “flushing device” but we were given a tub filled with water. Just scoop and “flush” your waste down. Easy breezy right?

The challenge is, you CANNOT THROW TOILET PAPER INTO THE PAN. We were told that it will “flood” the toilet.

Small business is OK, but we’re talking about “poo-poo” here.

Option 1: They prepared those huge black rubbish plastic bag and hung on the clothes hook behind the door (at your eye level). Throw your toilet paper with your waste inside the bag after your business.

Option 2: Use water to clean instead of toilet paper. *OH DEAR*

And you know what option I have taken. But, it was NOT EASY.

The first day when I arrived, I cringed at the options given to me. I didn’t even want to imagine the waste INSIDE the black plastic bag of 20 people. Furthermore, I had to hang my towel and clothes BESIDE that plastic bag (because that was the only place I can hang my stuff).

Then, my experience in India gave me the confidence: IF I CAN PEE IN THE WILD with the goats munching grass behind me and wind blowing, standing in the river that we were told later that it was the public toilet… I can do ANYTHING!

The “public toilet”. We didn’t know that yet…still enjoying standing in the water

And finally, after much brainwashing done to myself, I made it!

When I reached Singapore, the first thing I did was to “embrace” the toilet paper. The touch of it gave me the exhilarating feeling. *Ohh..I miss using TOILET PAPER* That one week without toilet paper….

This must be the “grossest” entry I ever had.

After a year, he is back in my class again.:)

In class today…

SS: Er..have you done anything to your face? Sculpting or…something? (Ya, I think I heard the “sculpting”)

Me: Aiya…It’s OK. I’ve accepted that aging doesn’t necessary carry a negative connotation. I’m happy if I’ve become mature compared to last year. Don’t worry, no offense taken!
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And there I was, feeling liberated after responding like that. In fact, strangely, it actually came from the bottom of my heart!

I used to dislike the fact that I always look more mature than my peers. I even look more mature than some who are older than me. Many guessed my age = “my actual age + 3“. Frankly, I so totally hated it.

When I first join as an academic staff, people used to misunderstand me as one of the students. Though I am still the youngest staff here, I don’t get that “Eh? You’re a staff?” anymore.

Don’t get me wrong though. I am glad that I am not seen as a “young girl” anymore. I am glad that I have “stepped up”. Imagine, it is quite worrying if I am still perceived as the “young and sweet” one (as what my ex-boss used to comment that) after 4 years of teaching here. *shudder*

Why did I feel liberated though I am officially aging? Recently, I have come to learn that it is the society and culture that put aging in such a bad and shameful light.

Aging gracefully…

from Maryland Department of Aging

I am not as ignorant as I am 22. “Aging is not just decay, it’s growth.” One said before.

I am glad that I am who I am today, and what I have been through in the past. I understand and know more about life now. I understand myself better, and have dealt with my insecurities.

You know, most people would say “I wish I am 23 again.” But seldom or never you hear “I wish I’m 55″.

Surely, we have more energy to do more things when we are younger. But I think as we grow older and wiser, we are able to enjoy the world in different perspectives and light, something that we could not see when we were younger.

Once, I told my students in class. “I think I do not have regrets if I die today..” It shocked my students a bit. But I said:“Because I think I’ve done what I could and MORE for my age. Surely I look forward to what will be revealed to me for years to come. But I’m not looking backwards and think that I had an unfulfilled lives.”

I like what Morrie said in Tuesdays with Morrie:“How can I be envious of where you are – when I’ve been there myself?”

I think I am starting to embrace aging. I hope I will revisit this entry if I am shaken again in the future.