Holidays are meant to be relaxing. It's meant for you to detress, to recharge, to enjoy.
No problem with that.
Problem is the before and after holiday.
Before holiday:
- frantically trying to finish all the work that I should have done a few days but kept putting off before because there's a 'tomorrow'.
- requests that came in from left, right and center because *ting! ting!* they suddenly realised I'm not going to be 'around'. Never mind that half of these requests are not important or urgent.
- leaving a page long of instructions for the family to please 'water the plants' and 'buy bread' etc...
I usually end up packing like 3 hours before my trip and am always amazed that I managed to get on the plane/ coach in one piece....
After holiday:
- clearing emails, junk mails and snail mails but no cute males.
- catching up with work. Why do all the exciting/ important things always happen whilst I'm away?
- unpacking, doing the laundry, more laundry and even more laundry
- sorting out photos
Work should be banned. It's bad for health. We should be on holiday all the time.
I'm so tired... and sleepy.
And I feel totally fat. Bleah! Too much eating.
The break was great. No doubt about it. I enjoyed myself with my friends. Defintely.
I just need a holiday.... to recover from my holiday. Sigh....
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Girls just want to have fun
We're all going on a spring holiday
No more working for a day or two
Fun and laughter on a spring holiday
No more worries for a day or two
-Slight edit from the song, Summer Holiday by Clif Richard. Sorry Sir Cliff Richard..*curtseying to Sir Richard*
Well, I'm finally going on my chick trip tomorrow or rather today.
My bag is packed, I've changed my money. I've got my passport in my bag. I'm pretty ready.
Actually, we're only going up to KL. It's not really that an exciting place compared to HK or BBK, in my opinion. But a holiday is always full of anticipation and excitement, even if you're only going to Sentosa.
Of things that could happen and might happen. Knowing that you're doing things that are not routine. Of not caring. There is a sense of liberation.
That's why a holiday is good for the soul and mind.
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls- they just want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun
Credit: Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun
My husband thinks KL is in danger with the four of us up there and reckons someone should warn the authorities.
Silly man, KL is perfectly safe. Now if it was Seoul.......
hehe!
No more working for a day or two
Fun and laughter on a spring holiday
No more worries for a day or two
-Slight edit from the song, Summer Holiday by Clif Richard. Sorry Sir Cliff Richard..*curtseying to Sir Richard*
Well, I'm finally going on my chick trip tomorrow or rather today.
My bag is packed, I've changed my money. I've got my passport in my bag. I'm pretty ready.
Actually, we're only going up to KL. It's not really that an exciting place compared to HK or BBK, in my opinion. But a holiday is always full of anticipation and excitement, even if you're only going to Sentosa.
Of things that could happen and might happen. Knowing that you're doing things that are not routine. Of not caring. There is a sense of liberation.
That's why a holiday is good for the soul and mind.
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls- they just want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun
Credit: Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun
My husband thinks KL is in danger with the four of us up there and reckons someone should warn the authorities.
Silly man, KL is perfectly safe. Now if it was Seoul.......
hehe!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Parliament dissolved! Got holiday or not?
NEWS FLASH!
Just heard on the radio. Parliament is dissolved.
That means election is round the corner, probably int he first week of May.
Not that it affects me as it's a walk-over in my constitiency but it's still exciting.
Called up hubby to tell him the news.
Like any typical Singaporean, he said: "Wonder when is the election. Will there be holiday?"
Knowing the ever productive Singapore government, it will probably be on a Saturday, to minimise work disruption.
Wait a minute... my husband isn't a Singaporean leh....
Oh no! He's been infected!
*EDIT*
I just heard. Election is on 6th May. A Saturday. Our government is so predictable.
Just heard on the radio. Parliament is dissolved.
That means election is round the corner, probably int he first week of May.
Not that it affects me as it's a walk-over in my constitiency but it's still exciting.
Called up hubby to tell him the news.
Like any typical Singaporean, he said: "Wonder when is the election. Will there be holiday?"
Knowing the ever productive Singapore government, it will probably be on a Saturday, to minimise work disruption.
Wait a minute... my husband isn't a Singaporean leh....
Oh no! He's been infected!
*EDIT*
I just heard. Election is on 6th May. A Saturday. Our government is so predictable.
PKL OWO
Yesterday I woke up @ 6am to have a free breakfast. It was one of the many, empowered, networking sessions organised for entrepreneurs.
It was supposed to be for about 20 people only but there were at least about 40 of us there.
Not all of these people are 'full time' entrepreneurs. Many of them hold a day job and moonlight/ freelance in their own business. It is not surprising that so many want to be their own boss. I guess everyone thinks of making it big on their own.
And entrepreneurs mean anyone who is doing their own thing.... from insurance agents, to freelance designers, to consultants to people who may have have a few thousand people under them like Li Ka Shing.
The lure of being answerable to you, yourself only is surely tempting. Just imagine:
- no more reporting to your boss
- no more preparing reports/ proposals that you boss will either not read or will tear them to pieces
- no more long meetings
- no more office politics
- no more trying to reach sales target
- no more jostling with the thousands of people on the way to work
That's what all my friends say to me enviously.
Nearly 7 years after being on my own, I can only say this:
- no more reporting to your boss, but you report to your customers
- no more preparing proposals that will go unread by bosses, instead they will go unread by your customers
- no more long meetings, but you also end up with less ideas and no one to blame for projects gone wrong
- no more office politics but that also means no one to speak to (unless you want to call in to radio stations)
- AND no sales means no income
Many of my friends are now GM, VP or hold some high profile positions. They are earning more than me too. Sigh... My namecard doesn't have any position. If I could, I will probably put this down:
CEO/ Sales Manager/ Receptionist/ Office lady/ Deliveryman
In short, a PKL OWO...
A Pow-ke-liao, One-Woman-Operation
But it would be misleading to say I'm regretting everthing now.
I still enjoy what I do....and I do get to do things that I want to do only. There are aspects of my life that I woundn't give up now. Perhaps one day I will be a billionaire like Bill Gates or Li Ka Shing... though I seriously doubt it. But I can always dream right?
Now excuse me whilst I have my cup of tea in the balcony.
It was supposed to be for about 20 people only but there were at least about 40 of us there.
Not all of these people are 'full time' entrepreneurs. Many of them hold a day job and moonlight/ freelance in their own business. It is not surprising that so many want to be their own boss. I guess everyone thinks of making it big on their own.
And entrepreneurs mean anyone who is doing their own thing.... from insurance agents, to freelance designers, to consultants to people who may have have a few thousand people under them like Li Ka Shing.
The lure of being answerable to you, yourself only is surely tempting. Just imagine:
- no more reporting to your boss
- no more preparing reports/ proposals that you boss will either not read or will tear them to pieces
- no more long meetings
- no more office politics
- no more trying to reach sales target
- no more jostling with the thousands of people on the way to work
That's what all my friends say to me enviously.
Nearly 7 years after being on my own, I can only say this:
- no more reporting to your boss, but you report to your customers
- no more preparing proposals that will go unread by bosses, instead they will go unread by your customers
- no more long meetings, but you also end up with less ideas and no one to blame for projects gone wrong
- no more office politics but that also means no one to speak to (unless you want to call in to radio stations)
- AND no sales means no income
Many of my friends are now GM, VP or hold some high profile positions. They are earning more than me too. Sigh... My namecard doesn't have any position. If I could, I will probably put this down:
CEO/ Sales Manager/ Receptionist/ Office lady/ Deliveryman
In short, a PKL OWO...
A Pow-ke-liao, One-Woman-Operation
But it would be misleading to say I'm regretting everthing now.
I still enjoy what I do....and I do get to do things that I want to do only. There are aspects of my life that I woundn't give up now. Perhaps one day I will be a billionaire like Bill Gates or Li Ka Shing... though I seriously doubt it. But I can always dream right?
Now excuse me whilst I have my cup of tea in the balcony.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
14 Men and an oval ball
It's really hard to ignore the World Cup fever that's just round the corner.
From tvs with BIG screens to recorders, to beer to airline adverts.
But for me, it doesn't have as much thrill and excitement as rugby. Sorry, football fans.
In rugby, you try to bring down the opponent with the ball, you push against each other for possession of the ball. You run with the ball to the other end to score a touch-down. Much more exciting and 'rough' than football. I mean if you are going to run around a field chasing a ball, you might as well fight for it, right? Hmm.... says something about my character. No wonder I ended joining judo instead of gymastics.
Anyway, last weekend, we went to watch the Rugby 7's at the National Stadium, an international series hosted by Sngapore. Not that Singapore is any good, but that's another story.
In the 7's series, there are only 7 players instead of the usual 15 players. The playing time is shorter too, only 7 minutes. This means that not only the men has to be fit, they have to be fast as well.
And if you think big men can't run fast, you should think again. And you should see some of them holding onto the ball with one hand, pushing away an attacker with the other hand, AND running towards the goal line at the same time. Quite something.
What I really liked about this event, which I've been going for the last 3 years, is the very 'family' and carnival atmosphere. Maybe because the fans are more cosmopolitan. So you see children running around, balllons shaping and face painting for kids, bagpipes players, drums group and the infectious music being played during all the breaks. You'll laugh but songs like YMCA (by Village people), Delina (Tom Jones), Oh Carol gets the crowd on their feet, singing, dancing and tap along, including my 2 left-feet husband. Oldies but goodies, definitely.
But what really got me amused it this:
You get a chance to be in this cool pool when you buy your beer. For half an hour, you're allaowd to soak in the cool water, a respite from the hot and get free beer.......IN PUBLIC.
Can you imagine any women wanting to be in the pool? Me either. I guess that's why there were many more men than women. But the men were really, really enjoying themselves.
Knowing my Korean craze, my husband asked me who I was supporting in one of the finals, which was between Korean and China. Silly man, need he ask?
Hehehehe!
Singapore, unfortunately, is just not quite up there, though they played much better on the 2nd day than the 1st day. Thankfully, they finish the tournament by scoring some points in the last match...
Husband finally convinced himself that he should really, show off his support for his home team, and just before going off to the game on Saturday.
You can tell he's really pleased with it....
From tvs with BIG screens to recorders, to beer to airline adverts.
But for me, it doesn't have as much thrill and excitement as rugby. Sorry, football fans.
In rugby, you try to bring down the opponent with the ball, you push against each other for possession of the ball. You run with the ball to the other end to score a touch-down. Much more exciting and 'rough' than football. I mean if you are going to run around a field chasing a ball, you might as well fight for it, right? Hmm.... says something about my character. No wonder I ended joining judo instead of gymastics.
Anyway, last weekend, we went to watch the Rugby 7's at the National Stadium, an international series hosted by Sngapore. Not that Singapore is any good, but that's another story.
In the 7's series, there are only 7 players instead of the usual 15 players. The playing time is shorter too, only 7 minutes. This means that not only the men has to be fit, they have to be fast as well.
And if you think big men can't run fast, you should think again. And you should see some of them holding onto the ball with one hand, pushing away an attacker with the other hand, AND running towards the goal line at the same time. Quite something.
What I really liked about this event, which I've been going for the last 3 years, is the very 'family' and carnival atmosphere. Maybe because the fans are more cosmopolitan. So you see children running around, balllons shaping and face painting for kids, bagpipes players, drums group and the infectious music being played during all the breaks. You'll laugh but songs like YMCA (by Village people), Delina (Tom Jones), Oh Carol gets the crowd on their feet, singing, dancing and tap along, including my 2 left-feet husband. Oldies but goodies, definitely.
But what really got me amused it this:
You get a chance to be in this cool pool when you buy your beer. For half an hour, you're allaowd to soak in the cool water, a respite from the hot and get free beer.......IN PUBLIC.
Can you imagine any women wanting to be in the pool? Me either. I guess that's why there were many more men than women. But the men were really, really enjoying themselves.
Knowing my Korean craze, my husband asked me who I was supporting in one of the finals, which was between Korean and China. Silly man, need he ask?
Hehehehe! Singapore, unfortunately, is just not quite up there, though they played much better on the 2nd day than the 1st day. Thankfully, they finish the tournament by scoring some points in the last match...
Husband finally convinced himself that he should really, show off his support for his home team, and just before going off to the game on Saturday.
You can tell he's really pleased with it....
Monday, April 10, 2006
I am woman, hear me complain
My girlfriend wants a change.
She wants to change.
To be specific, she wants to change her nose.
She thinks her nose is too weird and would like to have a sharper nose. She's been talking about going to Korea to 'have' a new nose. And while she's at it, she figured she might as well have a double eye-lid job too. I don't think she'll actually have them 'changed' in the end (the cost is an important factor) but I do think it's on her wish list.
I guess women are never truely satisfied with our looks. We all think there's an improved version of ourselves hidden somewhere, we just need to unlock it... via slimming pills, diets and cosmetic surgery and what not.
This morning I looked at myself in the mirror.... :
- non existent eyebrows
- flat and stumpy nose
- small, panda eyes (too much K Dramas and internet into the late night)
- double eyelid in one eye and a half double eye-lid in the other (I kid you not, the line stops halfway!)
- funny mouth
- thin limp hair
- too short, way too short!
- fat arms and thighs
- bulging waistline (sigh....)
I think the only asset I have is my err...*adequate* chestline.
I wouldn't even be amongst the top 100 if there was a beauty contest held wihtin my estate.
Sigh.... and double sigh...
I am not graceful and am no demure Asian woman. In fact, one of my ex-boss used to say that she needn't employ any security guards because the way I walked would have frightened off any potential thieves in the shop. :(
But you know, some of the actresses that I really admire are not exactly what people would say "beautiful". But they all have that certain grace, charm and elegance. And they are all not young either....
Maggie Cheung I remembered when Maggie Cheung first joined the entertainment scene. She had slightly protruding teeth, which she got fixed, like BYJ. Over the years, she's truely blossomed. Just look at her now. Maggie Cheung is 42 this year.
Lee Mi Sook I first saw Lee Mi Sook in An Affair and have since seen her in a few other movies and she has never failed to amaze me with her acting ability. But that game room scene with Lee Jung Jae is still one of the most sexually charged scene without the usual nudity parts, in my opinion. And in many of the press conferences for Untold Scandal, it was her that drew my attention, not Jeong Do Yeun. Lee Mi Sook is 46 this year.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry simply took my breath away when I saw her in this James Bond movie. If that is not sexy, then I don't know what is. Just look at that figure! Halle Berry is 40 this year.
I supposed as these people are actresses, they would have made huge efforts to stay in shape and maintain their complexion which us lesser mortals don't have the luxury of time and money to do so.
But I think one of the main characteristic that I found in all of them is Confidence with a capital C. The self assurance that comes across when you are beyond trying to impress the world. The acceptance that this is who I am and I am happy with me.
Borrowing a tagline from the Mastercard advert: "Priceless"
I can't end off this post without a note on my favourite actress of all time. Even if you haven't watched any of her movies, you would have seen her face in many magazines, even though she is long gone.
A friend sent me this link this morning. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Audrey Hepburn is class itself. Thanks CW/CG.
BBC article
Needless to say, my favourite song is from one of my favourite movie of all time starring my favourite actress. I think the song is a favourite with many as well.
Moon River as sung by Audrey Hepburn in the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany
Moon River by Audrey Hepburn
I asked my husband what did he find attractive about me, and of course, having been well trained, he gave me politically correct answer:
Your personality, dear
However, I don't think he would have married me for my non-existent figure or looks, so I guess the answer must be quite correct.
Still, it would be nice to have bigger eyes and a better figure.
Perhaps in my next life?
She wants to change.
To be specific, she wants to change her nose.
She thinks her nose is too weird and would like to have a sharper nose. She's been talking about going to Korea to 'have' a new nose. And while she's at it, she figured she might as well have a double eye-lid job too. I don't think she'll actually have them 'changed' in the end (the cost is an important factor) but I do think it's on her wish list.
I guess women are never truely satisfied with our looks. We all think there's an improved version of ourselves hidden somewhere, we just need to unlock it... via slimming pills, diets and cosmetic surgery and what not.
This morning I looked at myself in the mirror.... :
- non existent eyebrows
- flat and stumpy nose
- small, panda eyes (too much K Dramas and internet into the late night)
- double eyelid in one eye and a half double eye-lid in the other (I kid you not, the line stops halfway!)
- funny mouth
- thin limp hair
- too short, way too short!
- fat arms and thighs
- bulging waistline (sigh....)
I think the only asset I have is my err...*adequate* chestline.
I wouldn't even be amongst the top 100 if there was a beauty contest held wihtin my estate.
Sigh.... and double sigh...
I am not graceful and am no demure Asian woman. In fact, one of my ex-boss used to say that she needn't employ any security guards because the way I walked would have frightened off any potential thieves in the shop. :(
But you know, some of the actresses that I really admire are not exactly what people would say "beautiful". But they all have that certain grace, charm and elegance. And they are all not young either....
Maggie Cheung I remembered when Maggie Cheung first joined the entertainment scene. She had slightly protruding teeth, which she got fixed, like BYJ. Over the years, she's truely blossomed. Just look at her now. Maggie Cheung is 42 this year.
Lee Mi Sook I first saw Lee Mi Sook in An Affair and have since seen her in a few other movies and she has never failed to amaze me with her acting ability. But that game room scene with Lee Jung Jae is still one of the most sexually charged scene without the usual nudity parts, in my opinion. And in many of the press conferences for Untold Scandal, it was her that drew my attention, not Jeong Do Yeun. Lee Mi Sook is 46 this year. Halle BerryHalle Berry simply took my breath away when I saw her in this James Bond movie. If that is not sexy, then I don't know what is. Just look at that figure! Halle Berry is 40 this year.
I supposed as these people are actresses, they would have made huge efforts to stay in shape and maintain their complexion which us lesser mortals don't have the luxury of time and money to do so.
But I think one of the main characteristic that I found in all of them is Confidence with a capital C. The self assurance that comes across when you are beyond trying to impress the world. The acceptance that this is who I am and I am happy with me.
Borrowing a tagline from the Mastercard advert: "Priceless"
I can't end off this post without a note on my favourite actress of all time. Even if you haven't watched any of her movies, you would have seen her face in many magazines, even though she is long gone.
A friend sent me this link this morning. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Audrey Hepburn is class itself. Thanks CW/CG.
BBC article
Needless to say, my favourite song is from one of my favourite movie of all time starring my favourite actress. I think the song is a favourite with many as well.
Moon River as sung by Audrey Hepburn in the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany
Moon River by Audrey Hepburn
I asked my husband what did he find attractive about me, and of course, having been well trained, he gave me politically correct answer:
Your personality, dear
However, I don't think he would have married me for my non-existent figure or looks, so I guess the answer must be quite correct.
Still, it would be nice to have bigger eyes and a better figure.
Perhaps in my next life?
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Girlfriends
For those who grew up in Singapore, the East Coast chalets would have been familiar with you. Like the Zoo and the Bird Park, the East Coast Chalet was one those places that you go at least once. It's part of your teenage life, part of growing up.
Who could forget those red brick walls? The tiny room with 2 beds? Marinating the chicken wings in the even smaller toilet.. making the salad, starting the fire for the bbq and burning most of the food.
And yet, why was it that the food tasted so good then? Why was it fun to have 5 or 6 people squeezing onto 2 beds?
Staying out with friends by the sea, bbqing, eating, cycling, playing games and talking through the night about love and dreams.
Thinking back now, those days were some of the best days of my life. Some of these girlfriends are still my best friends today, friends that I really treasure.
And so, almost 22 years after the above picture was taken, 3 of us, with another friend are going to take a 'chick trip' (as my husband said) next week. To celebrate our milesstone for reaching the big "40' this year, to celebrate over 20 years of friendship.
What are we going to do?
Shopping, eating, chatting, more shopping, eating and chatting.
Things that you can't do with husbands. Things that you wouldn't want to do with husbands. Because they wouldn't be any fun.
I'm so looking forward to it. ^^
Who could forget those red brick walls? The tiny room with 2 beds? Marinating the chicken wings in the even smaller toilet.. making the salad, starting the fire for the bbq and burning most of the food.
And yet, why was it that the food tasted so good then? Why was it fun to have 5 or 6 people squeezing onto 2 beds?
Staying out with friends by the sea, bbqing, eating, cycling, playing games and talking through the night about love and dreams.
Thinking back now, those days were some of the best days of my life. Some of these girlfriends are still my best friends today, friends that I really treasure.
And so, almost 22 years after the above picture was taken, 3 of us, with another friend are going to take a 'chick trip' (as my husband said) next week. To celebrate our milesstone for reaching the big "40' this year, to celebrate over 20 years of friendship.
What are we going to do?
Shopping, eating, chatting, more shopping, eating and chatting.
Things that you can't do with husbands. Things that you wouldn't want to do with husbands. Because they wouldn't be any fun.
I'm so looking forward to it. ^^
Monday, April 03, 2006
My Kimchiland blog
What can I say?
I've gone mad.
I plead temporary insanity.
I wasn't thinking right when I started it.. on the eve of April's Fool Day.
What did I do?
Sigh...
I actually started another blog....
I know, I know.
I'm speechless too...
Nevertheless, I've gone and done it already.
Here it is....
http://tiffanykimchiland.blogspot.com/
Don't know where I going to find the time.
Think I'm going to sleep on it. It's 3.15am..
I've gone mad.
I plead temporary insanity.
I wasn't thinking right when I started it.. on the eve of April's Fool Day.
What did I do?
Sigh...
I actually started another blog....
I know, I know.
I'm speechless too...
Nevertheless, I've gone and done it already.
Here it is....
http://tiffanykimchiland.blogspot.com/
Don't know where I going to find the time.
Think I'm going to sleep on it. It's 3.15am..
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Of Kilts, Bagpipes and Whiskey (2)
I bet the Scots have been asked to death about this question:
Do you errr... wear anything underneath that skirt?
Brrrr......
This photo was taken in Edinburg, late December last year. Yes, it was cold. Very cold. He was playing wonderful music on the bagpipe but I'm afraid I was distracted by this one thought on my mind..."Oh dear....wouldn't it be frozen cold?" (Oops, is this getting too risque? Will get censored or not hah?)
Edinburg is well known as an Arts Centre. Its yearly Arts Festival is world reknown and most Scots can hold a tune and have a strong interest in Arts generally. But then hor... if I was to live in such condusive environment, I think I would feel very artistically inclined too. Just look at these great architecture! I felt overawed just looking at them... Doesn't it inspire you? I felt as if I had to read some Shakespeare plays or recite some poems there and then. Of course I didn't lah, coz the only lines I remembered was:
"Double double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and caultron bubble."
Not very auspicious right? I think my Literature teacher really did a good job drilling this into my head. hehe! Do you all remembered which play this was from? ^^
Most museums in Edinburg (as in UK too) are free. Donations are welcome, to help maintain the place. Boxes are placed within the museums for this pupose... and guess what, most people do donate, even if it's just a pound! Don't think it will work here in SG though, at least for the moment. The tim when the museums have the highest attendance are when they're free. Maybe one day?
Actually, what truely amazed me was this:
This dog was waiting patiently outside the museum whilst its owners were inside admiring the art pieces. How come got no dognapper huh?
You know the other thing that Scotland is really well known for? Whiskey!
"Wee" means little and this shop was really little but the stocks were impressive enough. But whiskey not my drink so..
Btw, husband actually got a little Scottish blood in him. But since he married a Singaporean girl instead of Scottish lass, he will be the last to be able to use that Scottish family name. Shucks, it would have been so fun if our kids could use Scottish family name.
Do you errr... wear anything underneath that skirt?
Brrrr......This photo was taken in Edinburg, late December last year. Yes, it was cold. Very cold. He was playing wonderful music on the bagpipe but I'm afraid I was distracted by this one thought on my mind..."Oh dear....wouldn't it be frozen cold?" (Oops, is this getting too risque? Will get censored or not hah?)
Edinburg is well known as an Arts Centre. Its yearly Arts Festival is world reknown and most Scots can hold a tune and have a strong interest in Arts generally. But then hor... if I was to live in such condusive environment, I think I would feel very artistically inclined too. Just look at these great architecture! I felt overawed just looking at them... Doesn't it inspire you? I felt as if I had to read some Shakespeare plays or recite some poems there and then. Of course I didn't lah, coz the only lines I remembered was:
"Double double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and caultron bubble."
Not very auspicious right? I think my Literature teacher really did a good job drilling this into my head. hehe! Do you all remembered which play this was from? ^^
Most museums in Edinburg (as in UK too) are free. Donations are welcome, to help maintain the place. Boxes are placed within the museums for this pupose... and guess what, most people do donate, even if it's just a pound! Don't think it will work here in SG though, at least for the moment. The tim when the museums have the highest attendance are when they're free. Maybe one day?
Actually, what truely amazed me was this:
This dog was waiting patiently outside the museum whilst its owners were inside admiring the art pieces. How come got no dognapper huh?
You know the other thing that Scotland is really well known for? Whiskey!
"Wee" means little and this shop was really little but the stocks were impressive enough. But whiskey not my drink so..
Btw, husband actually got a little Scottish blood in him. But since he married a Singaporean girl instead of Scottish lass, he will be the last to be able to use that Scottish family name. Shucks, it would have been so fun if our kids could use Scottish family name.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
"Ooommmm..." "Ouch!"
I read in today's newspaper that yoga has become one of the top 20 sports for women. Well, I'm one of those women who have benn trying out this 'hot' in sport for the last year or so. It's my husband's fault really. He's totally into it and guilts me into going. I would have been quite happy to stay at home to watch my endless supply of Korean dramas/ movies. Ok, ok, I take this back. I know it's for my own good.
Why is it more popular with women then men? I guess the general perception is that it's gentle and mild. I mean, I had images of lotus style 'meditation' and going 'ooommmm'. Boy, was I wrong.
You need flexibility and strength. Which at my age, they are obviously lacking in supply.
There are hand stands, leg stands, shoulder stands and head stands.
One of the 'you-have-got-to-be-kidding' pose...... from: http://members.tripod.com/~constro/yoga5.html
Right hand under left leg, left hand behind back to join right hand. Or was it right hand over right leg, and joining up both legs......?
Now, where are my hands........? from: http://www.asthangafriends.4t.com/twist.html
What made me go on? When the instuctor said encouraging words like "this will help you loose weight" or "this will make your waist smaller". Aiyah, he definitely knows which right buttons to push.
I am totally convinced that the person who wrote karma sutra was a practioner of yoga. And please, those underage guests, don't ask me what is karma sutra hor....
Anyway, as I was sweating away in class just now, I was just thinking, how do those artistes do it? Exercising for hours daily, just to achieve that perfect body. Going on strict diet perpetually all the time? I mean BYJ was eating chicken breast meat and exercising almost the whole day for about 6 months just to have that great body for his photobook. It's not all glamour in the entertainment world, is it? I really admire him and artistes like for their determination.
Well I know I'm not going to be able to loose that extra 2 inches with my 'barely there' excerces and I sure won't be able to do it through dieting (see my post below). Wonder if I should try one of those slimming pills? Liposuction anyone?
Btw, my yoga instructor is a strapping young man who can easily put any fitness instructor to shame with his body.
Why is it more popular with women then men? I guess the general perception is that it's gentle and mild. I mean, I had images of lotus style 'meditation' and going 'ooommmm'. Boy, was I wrong.
You need flexibility and strength. Which at my age, they are obviously lacking in supply.
There are hand stands, leg stands, shoulder stands and head stands.
One of the 'you-have-got-to-be-kidding' pose...... from: http://members.tripod.com/~constro/yoga5.htmlRight hand under left leg, left hand behind back to join right hand. Or was it right hand over right leg, and joining up both legs......?
Now, where are my hands........? from: http://www.asthangafriends.4t.com/twist.htmlWhat made me go on? When the instuctor said encouraging words like "this will help you loose weight" or "this will make your waist smaller". Aiyah, he definitely knows which right buttons to push.
I am totally convinced that the person who wrote karma sutra was a practioner of yoga. And please, those underage guests, don't ask me what is karma sutra hor....
Anyway, as I was sweating away in class just now, I was just thinking, how do those artistes do it? Exercising for hours daily, just to achieve that perfect body. Going on strict diet perpetually all the time? I mean BYJ was eating chicken breast meat and exercising almost the whole day for about 6 months just to have that great body for his photobook. It's not all glamour in the entertainment world, is it? I really admire him and artistes like for their determination.
Well I know I'm not going to be able to loose that extra 2 inches with my 'barely there' excerces and I sure won't be able to do it through dieting (see my post below). Wonder if I should try one of those slimming pills? Liposuction anyone?
Btw, my yoga instructor is a strapping young man who can easily put any fitness instructor to shame with his body.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Life is uncertain. Eat desserts first.
Can't remember where I got this quote from but I think it's a very wise and practical quote. I love it and reckon it may be from a woman... I try to adopt it as my life motto, literally and philosophically. Well, so far, it's more like physically.
I know I complain about my weight all the time. I would love to loose some of the uninvited 'guests'. Which normal woman doesn't? But what can I say? The mind is willing but the stomach is weak... when it comes to food.
Food... is one of life's great pleasure. Life is difficult enough as it is. Why make it harder? We can always diet tomorrow. Right?
One of best part about travelling (besides shopping) is trying out 'the speciality' in that country.
Take for example UK and the famous English breakfast. No, not the tea. I'm talking about the sinful, calorie laden and cholestrol filled but oh-so yummilicious breakfast.
Supplied by FreeFoto.com
Those succulent fat sauseges, the greasy, crispy bacon, baked beans, fresh toast. Down it with a strong cup of tea and fresh milk. But this is not a breakafast that you can finish in 15 minutes. No, no, this sinful breakfast is meant to be slowly savoured, enjoyed over the morning's newspaper. What a wonderful start to a new day!
In Hong Kong, I love all the dim sum and desserts but my favourite is the creamy, smooth, 'plain' porridge from 粥皇. Dip the crispy fried dough or 'yao zar gui' into the porridge. Accompany it with a cup fragrant soya bean drink. If the English breakfast was heavy and sinful then the porridge breakfast is simplicity in itself. But it is oh-so heavenly. Sometimes, if I'm feeling peckish, I'll order some side dishes of dim sum like rice roll, dumpling and carrot cake. And then I'm totally happy until..... lunch.
Because of my interest in things Korean, I love most of the food when I'm there in Korea, especially the snacks. But during a casual conversation with some friends over the weekend, we found ourselves reminiscing and drooling when we talked about this particualar dish- Dakgalbi. It's spicy chicken, stir fried with vegetables in a big pan. I'm not so sure why it tasted so good, it sure isn't the most healthy. Perhaps half the pleasure comes from the communal aspect of eating it together with friends. But one thing for sure, the only place to try this dish is in Chun Cheon.
As for Singapore, I can rattle off half a dozen dishes... Char Kway Teow, Chicken Rice, Prata, curry, hokkien mee etc. But of my favourite, which is also a dessert is the humble 'Singapore' ice-cream.
This local ice cream is less sweet and not very milky. The nicest flavours are the local ones like durian, attap-chee and sweet corn. And it comes in little scoops. Eat it with the yellow bread ... on a hot day. You can't buy it from the supermarkets or any stores though. You've got to get it from one of the ice-cream men. Most often found along Orchard Road or Chinatown. It costs a total of just S$1.
Forget about the Hargaan Daz and Ben & Jerry's. As far as I'm concerned, this wins hands down over all the other types of ice-cream. Sluurrp!
Can't believe I'm I blogging about food in the middle of the night. That stupid ^#@5$*&G& postcard of a picture of the English Breakfast pinned on my fridge. Now I'm really hungry.
I know I complain about my weight all the time. I would love to loose some of the uninvited 'guests'. Which normal woman doesn't? But what can I say? The mind is willing but the stomach is weak... when it comes to food.
Food... is one of life's great pleasure. Life is difficult enough as it is. Why make it harder? We can always diet tomorrow. Right?
One of best part about travelling (besides shopping) is trying out 'the speciality' in that country.
Take for example UK and the famous English breakfast. No, not the tea. I'm talking about the sinful, calorie laden and cholestrol filled but oh-so yummilicious breakfast.
Supplied by FreeFoto.comThose succulent fat sauseges, the greasy, crispy bacon, baked beans, fresh toast. Down it with a strong cup of tea and fresh milk. But this is not a breakafast that you can finish in 15 minutes. No, no, this sinful breakfast is meant to be slowly savoured, enjoyed over the morning's newspaper. What a wonderful start to a new day!
In Hong Kong, I love all the dim sum and desserts but my favourite is the creamy, smooth, 'plain' porridge from 粥皇. Dip the crispy fried dough or 'yao zar gui' into the porridge. Accompany it with a cup fragrant soya bean drink. If the English breakfast was heavy and sinful then the porridge breakfast is simplicity in itself. But it is oh-so heavenly. Sometimes, if I'm feeling peckish, I'll order some side dishes of dim sum like rice roll, dumpling and carrot cake. And then I'm totally happy until..... lunch.
Because of my interest in things Korean, I love most of the food when I'm there in Korea, especially the snacks. But during a casual conversation with some friends over the weekend, we found ourselves reminiscing and drooling when we talked about this particualar dish- Dakgalbi. It's spicy chicken, stir fried with vegetables in a big pan. I'm not so sure why it tasted so good, it sure isn't the most healthy. Perhaps half the pleasure comes from the communal aspect of eating it together with friends. But one thing for sure, the only place to try this dish is in Chun Cheon.
As for Singapore, I can rattle off half a dozen dishes... Char Kway Teow, Chicken Rice, Prata, curry, hokkien mee etc. But of my favourite, which is also a dessert is the humble 'Singapore' ice-cream.
This local ice cream is less sweet and not very milky. The nicest flavours are the local ones like durian, attap-chee and sweet corn. And it comes in little scoops. Eat it with the yellow bread ... on a hot day. You can't buy it from the supermarkets or any stores though. You've got to get it from one of the ice-cream men. Most often found along Orchard Road or Chinatown. It costs a total of just S$1.
Forget about the Hargaan Daz and Ben & Jerry's. As far as I'm concerned, this wins hands down over all the other types of ice-cream. Sluurrp!
Can't believe I'm I blogging about food in the middle of the night. That stupid ^#@5$*&G& postcard of a picture of the English Breakfast pinned on my fridge. Now I'm really hungry.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Peace & Quiet
I've been driven up the wall for the last 2 days.....
I can't hold a decent conversation on the phone. I've had to turn up the volume on my radio. I can't even hear myself think. I'm seriously thinking of digging out my mufflers to use tomorrow.
My place is having a major upgrading. Part of the major upgrading exercise announced by the government last year.... which was of course a prelude to the election soon. Yeah, every Singaporean knows that such bonuses normally mean that election is round the corner. Of course not that I'm complaining... I mean upgrading is good right? It will increase the value of my place.
But what I don't understand are some of the things that they upgrade/ maintain.
What's been driving me up the wall the last few days is the Rat-a-tat-a-tat that's going directly below my place. They're demolishing the footpath...to make it 'nicer' with new cement.
Huh? I know my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be....but I looked left and I looked right and I looked all around but I still failed to see what is the difference between the 'new' footpath and the 'old' footpath. Better cement perhaps? Now what would have been really good and useful would have been a ramp to link the carpark to our block. It would have been useful for the handicapped, the elderly and generally when we need to use a trolley. Of course that's not in the upgrading plan.
I know, I know. I sound like another 'whining', 'complain queen' Singaporean. But seriously, the town council people make some strange things. I've often wondered if they stay in HDB flats like the majority of the Singaporeans and know what we need.
You know, I was stumped momentarily the other day when I was asked who my MPs are... Truth is, I've never had a chance to vote ever since I've been able to. It's always a walk-over in my estate. And because there's no fight, the MPs don't need to do the usual stuff like visit the wet market and shake the vegetable seller's hand, or go to the coffee shop and have a cup of kopi with the uncles. They also don't go round the blocks and visit the residents and hug the babies. You get my drift? Sigh.... And people wonder why Singaporeans are so 'bo chap' about politics.
Now please don't get me wrong, I think the government has done alot of rights. At least we do have a stable country and my estate is clean.
I guess the Rat-a-tat-a-tat noise for the last few days is making a monster out of me. Hey, don't blame me. I work from home and when I have to tell my client to "please speak louder because I can't hear you", it gets really frustrating. At one point I almost wanted to take a big hammer and knock out the machine. Arggghhhh!
Enough of this ranting. I guess I better savour my peace and quiet for now as it will start again in 14 hours' time. Think I'll go have an ice-cream to cool down.
Oh yes, I found out and remembered who my MPs are. Information courtesy of this very nice, free calendar that was given out beginning of the year.
PEACE
I can't hold a decent conversation on the phone. I've had to turn up the volume on my radio. I can't even hear myself think. I'm seriously thinking of digging out my mufflers to use tomorrow.
My place is having a major upgrading. Part of the major upgrading exercise announced by the government last year.... which was of course a prelude to the election soon. Yeah, every Singaporean knows that such bonuses normally mean that election is round the corner. Of course not that I'm complaining... I mean upgrading is good right? It will increase the value of my place.
But what I don't understand are some of the things that they upgrade/ maintain.
What's been driving me up the wall the last few days is the Rat-a-tat-a-tat that's going directly below my place. They're demolishing the footpath...to make it 'nicer' with new cement.
Huh? I know my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be....but I looked left and I looked right and I looked all around but I still failed to see what is the difference between the 'new' footpath and the 'old' footpath. Better cement perhaps? Now what would have been really good and useful would have been a ramp to link the carpark to our block. It would have been useful for the handicapped, the elderly and generally when we need to use a trolley. Of course that's not in the upgrading plan.
I know, I know. I sound like another 'whining', 'complain queen' Singaporean. But seriously, the town council people make some strange things. I've often wondered if they stay in HDB flats like the majority of the Singaporeans and know what we need.
You know, I was stumped momentarily the other day when I was asked who my MPs are... Truth is, I've never had a chance to vote ever since I've been able to. It's always a walk-over in my estate. And because there's no fight, the MPs don't need to do the usual stuff like visit the wet market and shake the vegetable seller's hand, or go to the coffee shop and have a cup of kopi with the uncles. They also don't go round the blocks and visit the residents and hug the babies. You get my drift? Sigh.... And people wonder why Singaporeans are so 'bo chap' about politics.
Now please don't get me wrong, I think the government has done alot of rights. At least we do have a stable country and my estate is clean.
I guess the Rat-a-tat-a-tat noise for the last few days is making a monster out of me. Hey, don't blame me. I work from home and when I have to tell my client to "please speak louder because I can't hear you", it gets really frustrating. At one point I almost wanted to take a big hammer and knock out the machine. Arggghhhh!
Enough of this ranting. I guess I better savour my peace and quiet for now as it will start again in 14 hours' time. Think I'll go have an ice-cream to cool down.
Oh yes, I found out and remembered who my MPs are. Information courtesy of this very nice, free calendar that was given out beginning of the year.
PEACE
Friday, March 03, 2006
Romantic gestures
This was posted in Hotelier2002.com
ROMANCE AT A CERTAIN AGE
By RINA JIMENEZ-DAVID
Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Februrary 15, 2006
“FOR WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, ROMANCE doesn’t come like rain showers – frequent and unexpected – but rather like a stream in the desert: you have to look for it and when you find it, you have to make the most of it.”
“Just the other night, my husband and I were getting ready for bed and he started complaining about a bruise on his knee, wondering when and how he got it. I took a look at it and said: ‘It’s just like the one I have,’ showing him a similar dark spot on my knee. “It comes from pressing our knees against our dining table,’ I explained. Our new table, if you must know, comes with benches instead of chairs, and we’ve both taken to putting our feet up whenever we eat, our knees pressed against the table for balance.”
“My husband took a look at my bruise and marveled: ‘Wouldn’t you know, we have the same spot in the same part of the body. I like that!’”
“It was the most romantic line I’d heard in ages.”
“As you can guess by now, one’s definition of romance evolves as one ages. I never thought so when I was younger, but you do arrive at the stage in life when the conventional expressions of romance – roses, chocolates, jewelry and serenades – actually seem sappy and cheesy, love expressed as clichés, uncreative and predictable. Nowadays, I much prefer simple, practical expressions of love, gestures and actions that don’t necessarily come with Hallmark cars sentiments, but are far more eloquent.”
“I MAY have thrown a surprise party for the hubby on his 50th birthday, but he topped that some years ago when I arrived from a month-long fellowship in the United States and found that he had secretly enlarged and renovated the master bath. We had talked about redoing our narrow and cramped bathroom for years, but I never thought that while I was away, he would spend his bonus money on a home improvement project.”
“He swore the kids to secrecy, and when I called a few days before my trip home, asking him what he wanted for pasalubong, he told me to bring home red bath towels. They turned out to be the finishing touches for our new bathroom, which he had furnished with a gleaming new read bathroom. I walked into the house and was led directly to the master bath, and in the next few days, I would make every excuse to enter the bathroom, basking in my new, surprise gift.”
“My sisters and cousins in the States, hearing about the surprise that awaited me upon arrival, nearly swooned at the news. (Again, women our age swoon over bathroom renovations, not roses and champagne.) ‘Mabuti pa si Pie,’ they would sigh.”
“But my brother-in-law had a message for him: ‘Please tell Pie not to do something like that again, we’re beginning to look bad to our wives!’”
“BUT our husbands can’t renovate bathrooms everyday or even every year, and as the years roll on, even just holding hands in public seems beneath your dignity. For women of a certain age, and a certain inclination, romance must then be sought for, grasped wherever and whenever they can find it.”
“For me and a widening circle of friends and family, romance comes by way of “Koreanovelas”, the same serials that air over local channels but which we watch by way of DVD sets with English subtitles, to be followed at our own pace and at leisure.”
“Whenever my family starts ragging me about my current obsession over ‘Koreanovelas,’ I retort that each of us has our own obsessions but I never say anything about their fishing and saxophone playing, their Ipod downloading and fan fiction writing. ‘I don’t get on your case, so get off mine,’ I warn. ‘You should be thankful I don’t go ballroom dancing and employ a dance instructor,’ I throw in, though I must say that I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with hiring men to dance with you.”
“ But I recently came upon a story that puts even my fascination with ‘Koreanovelas’ and their ‘spoony stars’ (as a badly translated blurb puts it) to shame.”
“A READER who likewise follows Korean romantic serials says she exchanges email with three US-based Filipinas, all of them members of a Singapore-based forum on Korean dramas and related topics.”
“ ‘Recently’, she writes, ‘I was roused from my sleep by one of my friends’ who wanted to know if she could help the friend find a taped copy of the soundtrack of the Koreanovela ‘Hotelier’ (which just ended on Channel 11, by the way), starring Bae Yong Jun, a superstar of the Hallyu or Korean wave. The friend’s mother, it turns out, has just passed away at the age of 92. Before her death, the old woman loved to watch Yonsama (as Bae is known by Japanese fans) in “Hotelier”, and before she passed away had requested her family to play the drama’s musical theme during her wake and burial.”
“ ‘She had also told her daughter that she wanted to meet the character in that drama in her next life!’ the reader writes. ‘My friend later told me that in the homily during her funeral, the priest also mentioned how the deceased loved the drama and the actor so much!’ ”
“And while she protests that she hasn’t yet reached this level of fanaticism, the reader says she was able to find the soundtrack and send it to her frantic friend.”
“Which gives me an idea. I had initially toyed with asking my family to use the theme from the musical “Rent” for my funeral, but the old lady’s request is tempting. Imagine going to meet your Maker with the romantic themes from your favorite serials floating in the air, images of the “spoony” Yonsama escorting you to the Afterlife.”
“If our husbands had any good sense in them, they would take this as a broad hint. We may protest that romance no longer holds any practical attraction for us, but like finding a stream in the desert, when you find the waters, you want to jump in and refresh yourself. Even if only on the small screen.”
That Singapore forum is actually Hotelier2002.com and I 'know' the people involved. It was really quite incredible when I first read about the request then. But BYJ's powers are demonstrated not only in death but also at joyous occassion. Last year, Esther's son got married to the music from Winter Sonata. Looking at the video, we found out that he had proposed to his wife at Yongpyong Resort, Korea, following the necklace in the snowball scene. Only that instead of a necklace, there was a wedding ring in the snowball. haha!
Why has Korean dramas taken the world by storm amongst the women? Because we all dream of a prince charming who will sweep us off our feet, pledge everlasting love and look incredibly good looking whilst shedding those tears.
It is a good escape from the mundane world. And why should we not dream a little?
Anyway, coming back to romatic gestures. I've concluded that what looks really romatic in reel life doesn't really mean it is so in real life.
Take the church scene in Hotelier, where Ji Yung (SYA) fell asleep at Dong Hyuk's (BYJ) shoulders. I went like.."Orrr..., isn't that lovely?" when I saw the scene. It reality, errr...it is actually not that comfortable... for both parties. Even worse if that shoulder isn't quite 'broad' enough with the necessary..'meat' and you end up being 'poked' by that protruding bone.
Or that snowman scene in Winter Sonata. They both looked so lovey-dovey and sweet. But gosh it was so cold in the snow, I didn't last 5 minutes. All I could think of was getting back into the warmth and out of the freezing cold. Never mind building any snowman.
No, I'm afraid some romantic gestures are really confined to the small screen only. That doesn't mean there aren't any romantic gestures in my real life though. They're just different and like the writer said, they change as I grow *ahem* mature. Why just yesterday morning, my husband said one of the most romantic sentence to me:
"What would you like for breakfast?"
^^
ROMANCE AT A CERTAIN AGE
By RINA JIMENEZ-DAVID
Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Februrary 15, 2006
“FOR WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, ROMANCE doesn’t come like rain showers – frequent and unexpected – but rather like a stream in the desert: you have to look for it and when you find it, you have to make the most of it.”
“Just the other night, my husband and I were getting ready for bed and he started complaining about a bruise on his knee, wondering when and how he got it. I took a look at it and said: ‘It’s just like the one I have,’ showing him a similar dark spot on my knee. “It comes from pressing our knees against our dining table,’ I explained. Our new table, if you must know, comes with benches instead of chairs, and we’ve both taken to putting our feet up whenever we eat, our knees pressed against the table for balance.”
“My husband took a look at my bruise and marveled: ‘Wouldn’t you know, we have the same spot in the same part of the body. I like that!’”
“It was the most romantic line I’d heard in ages.”
“As you can guess by now, one’s definition of romance evolves as one ages. I never thought so when I was younger, but you do arrive at the stage in life when the conventional expressions of romance – roses, chocolates, jewelry and serenades – actually seem sappy and cheesy, love expressed as clichés, uncreative and predictable. Nowadays, I much prefer simple, practical expressions of love, gestures and actions that don’t necessarily come with Hallmark cars sentiments, but are far more eloquent.”
“I MAY have thrown a surprise party for the hubby on his 50th birthday, but he topped that some years ago when I arrived from a month-long fellowship in the United States and found that he had secretly enlarged and renovated the master bath. We had talked about redoing our narrow and cramped bathroom for years, but I never thought that while I was away, he would spend his bonus money on a home improvement project.”
“He swore the kids to secrecy, and when I called a few days before my trip home, asking him what he wanted for pasalubong, he told me to bring home red bath towels. They turned out to be the finishing touches for our new bathroom, which he had furnished with a gleaming new read bathroom. I walked into the house and was led directly to the master bath, and in the next few days, I would make every excuse to enter the bathroom, basking in my new, surprise gift.”
“My sisters and cousins in the States, hearing about the surprise that awaited me upon arrival, nearly swooned at the news. (Again, women our age swoon over bathroom renovations, not roses and champagne.) ‘Mabuti pa si Pie,’ they would sigh.”
“But my brother-in-law had a message for him: ‘Please tell Pie not to do something like that again, we’re beginning to look bad to our wives!’”
“BUT our husbands can’t renovate bathrooms everyday or even every year, and as the years roll on, even just holding hands in public seems beneath your dignity. For women of a certain age, and a certain inclination, romance must then be sought for, grasped wherever and whenever they can find it.”
“For me and a widening circle of friends and family, romance comes by way of “Koreanovelas”, the same serials that air over local channels but which we watch by way of DVD sets with English subtitles, to be followed at our own pace and at leisure.”
“Whenever my family starts ragging me about my current obsession over ‘Koreanovelas,’ I retort that each of us has our own obsessions but I never say anything about their fishing and saxophone playing, their Ipod downloading and fan fiction writing. ‘I don’t get on your case, so get off mine,’ I warn. ‘You should be thankful I don’t go ballroom dancing and employ a dance instructor,’ I throw in, though I must say that I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with hiring men to dance with you.”
“ But I recently came upon a story that puts even my fascination with ‘Koreanovelas’ and their ‘spoony stars’ (as a badly translated blurb puts it) to shame.”
“A READER who likewise follows Korean romantic serials says she exchanges email with three US-based Filipinas, all of them members of a Singapore-based forum on Korean dramas and related topics.”
“ ‘Recently’, she writes, ‘I was roused from my sleep by one of my friends’ who wanted to know if she could help the friend find a taped copy of the soundtrack of the Koreanovela ‘Hotelier’ (which just ended on Channel 11, by the way), starring Bae Yong Jun, a superstar of the Hallyu or Korean wave. The friend’s mother, it turns out, has just passed away at the age of 92. Before her death, the old woman loved to watch Yonsama (as Bae is known by Japanese fans) in “Hotelier”, and before she passed away had requested her family to play the drama’s musical theme during her wake and burial.”
“ ‘She had also told her daughter that she wanted to meet the character in that drama in her next life!’ the reader writes. ‘My friend later told me that in the homily during her funeral, the priest also mentioned how the deceased loved the drama and the actor so much!’ ”
“And while she protests that she hasn’t yet reached this level of fanaticism, the reader says she was able to find the soundtrack and send it to her frantic friend.”
“Which gives me an idea. I had initially toyed with asking my family to use the theme from the musical “Rent” for my funeral, but the old lady’s request is tempting. Imagine going to meet your Maker with the romantic themes from your favorite serials floating in the air, images of the “spoony” Yonsama escorting you to the Afterlife.”
“If our husbands had any good sense in them, they would take this as a broad hint. We may protest that romance no longer holds any practical attraction for us, but like finding a stream in the desert, when you find the waters, you want to jump in and refresh yourself. Even if only on the small screen.”
That Singapore forum is actually Hotelier2002.com and I 'know' the people involved. It was really quite incredible when I first read about the request then. But BYJ's powers are demonstrated not only in death but also at joyous occassion. Last year, Esther's son got married to the music from Winter Sonata. Looking at the video, we found out that he had proposed to his wife at Yongpyong Resort, Korea, following the necklace in the snowball scene. Only that instead of a necklace, there was a wedding ring in the snowball. haha!
Why has Korean dramas taken the world by storm amongst the women? Because we all dream of a prince charming who will sweep us off our feet, pledge everlasting love and look incredibly good looking whilst shedding those tears.
It is a good escape from the mundane world. And why should we not dream a little?
Anyway, coming back to romatic gestures. I've concluded that what looks really romatic in reel life doesn't really mean it is so in real life.
Take the church scene in Hotelier, where Ji Yung (SYA) fell asleep at Dong Hyuk's (BYJ) shoulders. I went like.."Orrr..., isn't that lovely?" when I saw the scene. It reality, errr...it is actually not that comfortable... for both parties. Even worse if that shoulder isn't quite 'broad' enough with the necessary..'meat' and you end up being 'poked' by that protruding bone.
Or that snowman scene in Winter Sonata. They both looked so lovey-dovey and sweet. But gosh it was so cold in the snow, I didn't last 5 minutes. All I could think of was getting back into the warmth and out of the freezing cold. Never mind building any snowman.
No, I'm afraid some romantic gestures are really confined to the small screen only. That doesn't mean there aren't any romantic gestures in my real life though. They're just different and like the writer said, they change as I grow *ahem* mature. Why just yesterday morning, my husband said one of the most romantic sentence to me:
"What would you like for breakfast?"
^^
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Of Kilts, Bagpipes and Whiskey
Gosh... it's been so hot the last few days, I actually find myself missing Scotland with its minus 3 degrees temperature.
Last year, during our trip back to UK, we paid a visit to our friend in Scotland.
"Come over and stay with us. It would be good to catch up after so many years." Scotland would be wonderful.
My friend stays in this village called Garvald, about 90 minutes from Edinburgh. Garvald has less than 100 residents. There is no clinic. The post office is opened twice every week in the morning. The pub is the restaurant and there are only 2 main roads. Everyone knows everyone... really.
We didn't know this before arriving but as we were driving up to her place at 10pm in the winter night, we got worried. Well, I got worried. Outside the car, it was almost pitch dark, save for some lights along the road (in some places, it didn't seemed like a road to me). It was 荒山野林 to me. If we got lost...... *Shudders* But of course we didn't, all thanks to a modern gadget call handphone.
We were told to just go to the town hall as there was a new year's party going on. "You can't miss it. It's got a huge Christmas tree outside. You can come in and join us for a dance or two." Right. I'd like to see the villagers' residents looks on seeing a small Chinese woman (all wrapped up like a pau) doing a Scottish dance. It would have been the talk of the village for the next 10 years.
Almost everyone was at this party, from babies to grandfathers, all dancing up a storm. Luckily her children were tired by the time we got there and I was spared the agony of being obliged to join in the festivities. Whew!
The wee stream My friend's place isn't big but what a view they have just outside their house. You can see and hear this little stream gurgling away. The only downside... it does get a "wee" cold.
This would be gorgeous in spring. With houses like that, is it any wonder that so of us are thinking of migrating? I want one too!!!
Their backyard.....
The next day, we had a look around the village, which really takes all about 30 minutes and went for a lovely walk in the woods...
Moss on a crumbling wall.. 
Horses in the open field
The village church
They share a pastor with a nearby village, so service is on every fortnight. (Much to the relief of my friend's husband, who really isn't much of a church-goer. Hehe!)
Strangely, next to the church, the graves didn't look at all scary, in fact, they look peaceful and serene.... The outside world of MacDonald's, shops centres, planes and faxes seemed so far away.... almost anyway.
As we were walking in the woods, suddenly amongst the peace and quiet.. suddenly...
*peep-peep. peep-peep. peep.*
That all too familiar sound.
In this wilderness, in a tiny Scotland village, half way round the world, I had just received a sms from Singaore.
Ahh.... the wonders of modern technology. Sometimes though, perhaps, it is better to leave them behind and observe the wonders of nature instead. Right?
A walk amongst the wonders of Scottish nature
Last year, during our trip back to UK, we paid a visit to our friend in Scotland.
"Come over and stay with us. It would be good to catch up after so many years." Scotland would be wonderful.
My friend stays in this village called Garvald, about 90 minutes from Edinburgh. Garvald has less than 100 residents. There is no clinic. The post office is opened twice every week in the morning. The pub is the restaurant and there are only 2 main roads. Everyone knows everyone... really.
We didn't know this before arriving but as we were driving up to her place at 10pm in the winter night, we got worried. Well, I got worried. Outside the car, it was almost pitch dark, save for some lights along the road (in some places, it didn't seemed like a road to me). It was 荒山野林 to me. If we got lost...... *Shudders* But of course we didn't, all thanks to a modern gadget call handphone.
We were told to just go to the town hall as there was a new year's party going on. "You can't miss it. It's got a huge Christmas tree outside. You can come in and join us for a dance or two." Right. I'd like to see the villagers' residents looks on seeing a small Chinese woman (all wrapped up like a pau) doing a Scottish dance. It would have been the talk of the village for the next 10 years.
Almost everyone was at this party, from babies to grandfathers, all dancing up a storm. Luckily her children were tired by the time we got there and I was spared the agony of being obliged to join in the festivities. Whew!
The wee stream My friend's place isn't big but what a view they have just outside their house. You can see and hear this little stream gurgling away. The only downside... it does get a "wee" cold.
This would be gorgeous in spring. With houses like that, is it any wonder that so of us are thinking of migrating? I want one too!!!Their backyard.....
The next day, we had a look around the village, which really takes all about 30 minutes and went for a lovely walk in the woods...
Moss on a crumbling wall.. 
Horses in the open field
The village church They share a pastor with a nearby village, so service is on every fortnight. (Much to the relief of my friend's husband, who really isn't much of a church-goer. Hehe!)
Strangely, next to the church, the graves didn't look at all scary, in fact, they look peaceful and serene.... The outside world of MacDonald's, shops centres, planes and faxes seemed so far away.... almost anyway.As we were walking in the woods, suddenly amongst the peace and quiet.. suddenly...
*peep-peep. peep-peep. peep.*
That all too familiar sound.
In this wilderness, in a tiny Scotland village, half way round the world, I had just received a sms from Singaore.
Ahh.... the wonders of modern technology. Sometimes though, perhaps, it is better to leave them behind and observe the wonders of nature instead. Right?
A walk amongst the wonders of Scottish nature
Friday, February 24, 2006
Most Loved - 最愛
Watched My Girl and I tonight. A Korean movie starring Cha Tae Hyun and Song Hae Kyo. About lost of first love.. the genre is very similar to many Korean movies, only that this time round, this is actually the remake of the very popular Japanese movie, "Crying Out from the Centre of World". The movie was ok but not great.
http://www.festivefilms.com/coming/coming.htm
Very simply:
Su Ho, a simple, ordinary teenager, and Su En, the prettiest girl in the local village fell in love with each other. The first hlaf was fairly funny as it was the about them dating. Then one day, Su Ho discovered that Su En had leukemia. The rest of the movie is when you're supposed to bring out your hankies. Which I didn't.
But it did bring about much thoughts. Perhaps because at this age, as my ex-boss/ mentor once told me, is when you start hearing about deaths and regrets from friends.
What brought about this thought? The grandfather scene.
When Su Ho's grandfather, as an undertaker, had to prepare for the funeral of his first love.
In that cold room, as he embalmed her, and then slowly caressed her, he said: "We finally meet again. Why is it so so difficult for us to meet? In my next life, I want to be with you again. Please wait for me. It will not be long before I join you."
In those few lines are a thousand regrets. Many would say it's sad to loose after loving. But it is even sadder when you could never be with the one that you love and live with regrets of "what if.."
I've always loved this song by George Lam in the movie Passion (http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/archives/ja98chff.html)
Most Loved - 最愛
在世間尋覓愛侶 尋獲了但求共聚
Seeking our love in this world, hoping to be together when we find it
然而共處半生都過去
But after spending half a life span together
我偏偏又後悔
I am now regretting
別了她原為了你 留住愛亦留住罪
I left her for you, retaining love but also guilt
誰料伴你的心今已碎
The heart that stayed with you is now broken
卻有她在夢裡
Yet she is in my dreams
為何離別了 卻願再相隨
Why do we hope to meet again after parting
為何能共對 又平淡似水
Why is it tatseless like water when we could be each other
問如何下去 為何猜不對
How do we go on,, can't I get it right?
何謂愛 其實最愛只有誰
What is love, who do I really love?
任每天如夢過去 沉默裡任寒風吹
May each day pass like dream, silence amongst the wind
誰人是我一生中最愛
Who is my greatest love
答案可是絕對
Is there a right answer
When I was 20, the world stretched before me, now it is no longer so. No, I don't have regrets. I have been lucky. But in the often bustling world that we live each day, I sometimes do wish the world could slow down just a little. Sometimes I forget. What a miracle it is to meet the one I love, to have my family and to have known the many friends and people along the way.
Chinese calls this 缘分.
I think I must have done well in my previous life.
사랑해요.. 사랑하는사람
http://www.festivefilms.com/coming/coming.htm
Very simply:
Su Ho, a simple, ordinary teenager, and Su En, the prettiest girl in the local village fell in love with each other. The first hlaf was fairly funny as it was the about them dating. Then one day, Su Ho discovered that Su En had leukemia. The rest of the movie is when you're supposed to bring out your hankies. Which I didn't.
But it did bring about much thoughts. Perhaps because at this age, as my ex-boss/ mentor once told me, is when you start hearing about deaths and regrets from friends.
What brought about this thought? The grandfather scene.
When Su Ho's grandfather, as an undertaker, had to prepare for the funeral of his first love.
In that cold room, as he embalmed her, and then slowly caressed her, he said: "We finally meet again. Why is it so so difficult for us to meet? In my next life, I want to be with you again. Please wait for me. It will not be long before I join you."
In those few lines are a thousand regrets. Many would say it's sad to loose after loving. But it is even sadder when you could never be with the one that you love and live with regrets of "what if.."
I've always loved this song by George Lam in the movie Passion (http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/archives/ja98chff.html)
Most Loved - 最愛
在世間尋覓愛侶 尋獲了但求共聚
Seeking our love in this world, hoping to be together when we find it
然而共處半生都過去
But after spending half a life span together
我偏偏又後悔
I am now regretting
別了她原為了你 留住愛亦留住罪
I left her for you, retaining love but also guilt
誰料伴你的心今已碎
The heart that stayed with you is now broken
卻有她在夢裡
Yet she is in my dreams
為何離別了 卻願再相隨
Why do we hope to meet again after parting
為何能共對 又平淡似水
Why is it tatseless like water when we could be each other
問如何下去 為何猜不對
How do we go on,, can't I get it right?
何謂愛 其實最愛只有誰
What is love, who do I really love?
任每天如夢過去 沉默裡任寒風吹
May each day pass like dream, silence amongst the wind
誰人是我一生中最愛
Who is my greatest love
答案可是絕對
Is there a right answer
When I was 20, the world stretched before me, now it is no longer so. No, I don't have regrets. I have been lucky. But in the often bustling world that we live each day, I sometimes do wish the world could slow down just a little. Sometimes I forget. What a miracle it is to meet the one I love, to have my family and to have known the many friends and people along the way.
Chinese calls this 缘分.
I think I must have done well in my previous life.
사랑해요.. 사랑하는사람
Monday, February 20, 2006
Sorrieeee.....
Haha! I just realised that I've not written for more than a week.... Sorrieeee..... *red face*.
My brother took a trip to London and is back. My friend, bb took a trip to Japan and is back. Me? I took a trip to Korea and Japan and am still not back. Spritually, that is. Unfortunately, physically, I am here, in Singapore.
Guess most people know that I'm really into Korean dramas since 4 years ago. I mean, it's not big a secret. Actually, I end talking about Korean dramas inevitably to most of my clients and friends, often failing to see their glazed look, if they're not a Korean drama fan. I know more about the Korean entertainment scene than I do about my own country's. But it's not my fault. Really. They have too many good looking cute guys over there! *Wails* This is a serious case of too many kimchi men and too little time.
This past week, I have been distracted by what I call, my side dishes. 3 side dishes to be precise.
Lee Wan from Heaven's Tree
Ju Ji Hoon from Goong
Kim Jung Hoon from Goong
I'm alternating between crying (Heaven's Tree is a melodrama filmed mostly in Japan) and laughing (Goong is a romantic comedy). Staying up till 4am to watch a video on my tiny laptop that I only half understand. Mad isn't it? And yet it's.. so much fun and stimulating, especially when you're downloading an episode that has just been screened in Korea a few hours ago.
Some people will laugh and think it's another crazy auntie swooning over men half her age. I disagree. I don't swoon. I just drool. Haha!
But I want to know- what's the difference between my kind of fun and those who enjoy watching 22 men chasing after a small ball? Or hitting a little ball with a iron stick? Nobody laughs if you say you're Man U fan. But say you're a BYJ fan, and they raise their eyebrows. *Hmphf*
I've learnt alot ever since this "Korean wave craze". I've learnt to download, upload, image editing, webhosting and a whole host of terms that I didn't even know exist. Isn't something good if it makes you learn?
And it has even spilled over to work.
Recently I've starting to import Korean books and Korean magazine. Who says you can't earn money from your interest?
A taugeh plucking auntie I am not!
Now excuse me whilst I upload a raw, LQ file onto YSI for a fellow K drama fan. Then I'm going to have supper with my kimchis.
My only main Korean dish- Bae Yong Joon
And oh, before I log off..
*Ahem*
Korean magazines and books now on sale in Kinokuniya. Will be available in other places soon. Hurry, hurry whilst stocks last.
End of advertisement. Hehe!
My brother took a trip to London and is back. My friend, bb took a trip to Japan and is back. Me? I took a trip to Korea and Japan and am still not back. Spritually, that is. Unfortunately, physically, I am here, in Singapore.
Guess most people know that I'm really into Korean dramas since 4 years ago. I mean, it's not big a secret. Actually, I end talking about Korean dramas inevitably to most of my clients and friends, often failing to see their glazed look, if they're not a Korean drama fan. I know more about the Korean entertainment scene than I do about my own country's. But it's not my fault. Really. They have too many good looking cute guys over there! *Wails* This is a serious case of too many kimchi men and too little time.
This past week, I have been distracted by what I call, my side dishes. 3 side dishes to be precise.
Lee Wan from Heaven's Tree
Ju Ji Hoon from Goong
Kim Jung Hoon from Goong
I'm alternating between crying (Heaven's Tree is a melodrama filmed mostly in Japan) and laughing (Goong is a romantic comedy). Staying up till 4am to watch a video on my tiny laptop that I only half understand. Mad isn't it? And yet it's.. so much fun and stimulating, especially when you're downloading an episode that has just been screened in Korea a few hours ago.
Some people will laugh and think it's another crazy auntie swooning over men half her age. I disagree. I don't swoon. I just drool. Haha!
But I want to know- what's the difference between my kind of fun and those who enjoy watching 22 men chasing after a small ball? Or hitting a little ball with a iron stick? Nobody laughs if you say you're Man U fan. But say you're a BYJ fan, and they raise their eyebrows. *Hmphf*
I've learnt alot ever since this "Korean wave craze". I've learnt to download, upload, image editing, webhosting and a whole host of terms that I didn't even know exist. Isn't something good if it makes you learn?
And it has even spilled over to work.
Recently I've starting to import Korean books and Korean magazine. Who says you can't earn money from your interest?
A taugeh plucking auntie I am not!
Now excuse me whilst I upload a raw, LQ file onto YSI for a fellow K drama fan. Then I'm going to have supper with my kimchis.
My only main Korean dish- Bae Yong Joon
And oh, before I log off..
*Ahem*
Korean magazines and books now on sale in Kinokuniya. Will be available in other places soon. Hurry, hurry whilst stocks last.
End of advertisement. Hehe!
Friday, February 10, 2006
Thank you
Thank you, thank you for all your encouragement and support. But it's also very stressful leh....*bites finger*. Ok, this auntie here promises to try ok? But this will be a general blog and not just on BYJ (for the uninitiated, BYJ = Bae Yong Joon)
From a very young age, I've always wanted to see a white Christmas.
Blame it on the Christmas songs, the movies, Christmas cards and most of all, the many Enid Blyton books that were a staple diet when I was growing up.
Growing up in a tropical country, just a few degrees away from the equator, snow seemed so very romantic and wonderful... warm chocolate, fireplace, snowman, etc... all made even more appealing during the scorching hot months of July, August. A bathtub full of snow... hmm...
Of course watching Winter Sonata made this desire even greater. hahaha!
Last year, back in UK for a family visit, I finally got my wish. It was one of the coldest winter for a long time.
One early morning, shortly after Christmas, I woke up, drew apart the curtains and was greeted by this sight.
I was so thrilled, I shouted to my still sleeping hubby:"Hubby, hubby, snow, snow!!!!"
I felt like a little child that had just been given a toy that she had wanted for a long time.
Isn't this a beautiful, lonely picture? Blue, blue sky, white snow, bare trees, empty, winding road. I kept thinking of April Snow. And wish I had brought the cd with me. But I've subjected that poot hubby of mine to enough Korean pop back home alreday and shouldn't subject him to further torture when we're on holiday.
But I do wish I was able to listen to that song then.
From a very young age, I've always wanted to see a white Christmas.
Blame it on the Christmas songs, the movies, Christmas cards and most of all, the many Enid Blyton books that were a staple diet when I was growing up.
Growing up in a tropical country, just a few degrees away from the equator, snow seemed so very romantic and wonderful... warm chocolate, fireplace, snowman, etc... all made even more appealing during the scorching hot months of July, August. A bathtub full of snow... hmm...
Of course watching Winter Sonata made this desire even greater. hahaha!
Last year, back in UK for a family visit, I finally got my wish. It was one of the coldest winter for a long time.
One early morning, shortly after Christmas, I woke up, drew apart the curtains and was greeted by this sight.
I was so thrilled, I shouted to my still sleeping hubby:"Hubby, hubby, snow, snow!!!!"
I felt like a little child that had just been given a toy that she had wanted for a long time.
Isn't this a beautiful, lonely picture? Blue, blue sky, white snow, bare trees, empty, winding road. I kept thinking of April Snow. And wish I had brought the cd with me. But I've subjected that poot hubby of mine to enough Korean pop back home alreday and shouldn't subject him to further torture when we're on holiday.
But I do wish I was able to listen to that song then.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
The BIG 4Zero
And so I finally subcumbed and started a blog. Adding to the zillions out there. Does the world need another blog? I guess not. Not even sure if I will have the energy to continue with this long term. But I figured, maybe, just maybe, I might be able to use this and publish a memoir one day. Hahaha!
So what finally made me decide to start one?
I guess when I realised that I'll hit the big 40 this year.
At 40, I am middle-age. An auntie. (But not a taugeh-plucking one though and I'll hit anyone with my wok if they call me that). But 40 is a pretty big milestone. If I live to a grand old 80, then I've already spent half of my life.
No, no, I'm not complaining or bitter or pining for the good old younger days. Goodness me, I don't think I ever want to go back to being a gawky 18. Wasting my time pining away for a pimple looking guy. No, they were sweet memories but I'm contented with the now, the present.
Which I think says alot.
Plus, the memory of an auntie isn't going to get any better.. so I guess I'd better start writing things down.
Memoirs of an auntie? Maybe?
So what finally made me decide to start one?
I guess when I realised that I'll hit the big 40 this year.
At 40, I am middle-age. An auntie. (But not a taugeh-plucking one though and I'll hit anyone with my wok if they call me that). But 40 is a pretty big milestone. If I live to a grand old 80, then I've already spent half of my life.
No, no, I'm not complaining or bitter or pining for the good old younger days. Goodness me, I don't think I ever want to go back to being a gawky 18. Wasting my time pining away for a pimple looking guy. No, they were sweet memories but I'm contented with the now, the present.
Which I think says alot.
Plus, the memory of an auntie isn't going to get any better.. so I guess I'd better start writing things down.
Memoirs of an auntie? Maybe?
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