STYLE

It’s my belief that suspense is one thing, but surprise is totally another.


I’ve always hated suspense. Surprises are certainly pleasant, but the same cannot be said for suspense. If anything, suspense is very CRUEL.


It’s like dangling a carrot in the face of a rabbit, without the intention of giving it to the poor animal. Nehninehnipupu!


It’s like, “Tell you something ah, you know, when I was on the way to the toilet just now, I saw.. Ah.. Never mind.” “What is it? What did you see???” “It’s ok…” “Quiickkk~ Tell me, what is it?” “Really.. Noth… Nothi..ing…” ARGHHH!!!


You get my drift?


This preference of mine also shows itself evident in my reading habits. Once I’ve started a book, it’s so hard to stop. There is just this… arrghhh! feeling. I. MUST. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT!




The other day, I was sharing this with Poh Lin on the train. Sometimes, I admitted, I would just simply flip to the last few chapters and read the ending directly.


She was flabbergasted. It’s a spoiler, she said.


I was just as flabbergasted as her. How can you bear not knowing the ending? The suspense is killing! I asked.


And anyway, isn’t knowing the ending better? Let’s say, I’m now at the middle of the book. I know the characters and the gist of the plot pretty well by now. And the suspense is killing me! Won’t it be better off if I just jump straight and read the ending? It kills the annoying suspense.


Moreover, I now know the ending. And I know the beginning. THIS GIVES ME ROOM FOR CREATIVITY! I have the start, and I have the end. I know the destination, but the journey is up to me to guess. So now, it’s up to me to imagine how the heck did the story plot end the way it did.




She concluded I’m weird.

TIME AND BRAIN

When I was young, I would fall asleep on the couch or the floor... And wake up in bed. 
Wow, WOW! WOW!!! I've always thought it's magic!




Now I know there's nothing magical to it.











Funny how age can do funny things to your brain.

SCRAPPED

The old vehicle is getting scrapped TODAY! 


It feels weird, really; considering that it has served us for 18 long years.



Anyway, the new vehicle is arriving this Thursday!

TERM 1, TERM 2... TERM 3 (AND YOU'RE FAT)

In the blinking of an eye, Term 3 is over and finished. 3 more months to go, and I'LL BE WORKING FULL-TIME FOR A FULL YEAR!!! 


Time flies so fast.






On a sidenote, RO (my supervisor) is back! He came back during the last week of Term 3.

For Term 1 and Term 2, I've had repeated, well-meaning "nags" from him to eat more. He'll say it to the face, straight. Something to the likes of: You're skinny (thin would be a more kinder word, in my opinion). Guys won't like it. Really, I'm a guy. A bit more flesh would be better.


To sum it up, it's all about guys liking slim women with curves. Apparently, I'm a beanpole by his standards. Even though he didn't say it per se, but the gist is there. His intention is well-meaning, and I'm not offended. He used to joke, asking me to drop by his gym to "tone up". Anyway, his main point is: BE MEATIER.





This is his advice for the whole of Term 1 and Term 2. And then, he went on No-Pay-Leave to set up said gym.


He came back last week. 






The first opportunity we had to chat (which was last Wednesday), he commented,"You know, I saw you at the parade square on Monday morning. And from far ah, can see that 你肥了一点."

"You've put on a bit of weight, right? I see very accurate one. I own a gym; maybe that's why I've acquired a critical eye when it comes to physique. You've put on a little weight. And I think you look better. Really. See liao more 顺眼."

I'm still feeling so affected by this. Yeah, I mean, I know men like curves and all. But, hey!! 我肥了!!!!!!!! It feels like being handed a death sentence; only it's worse! *cue lightning bolt* I'm feeling so conflicted inside! I'm more curvy now, yeahhh!!! BUT I'M PUTTING ON WEIGHT!!!!!! FLABS!!!  


SAVE MEEEEE!!!





I'm still fighting the temptation to go on a diet.

ENGLISH

FAIL.

LEAD

"The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."
 

- Colin Powell, Chairman of the US joint chief staff, 1989 - 1993

TOFU

Born on 20th April 2010.

Brought him home on Tuesday, 10th August 2010.

Day 1, evening. Drove him back from the farmway. From when we first saw him at the farmway all the way until we reached home, we've not heard a beep from him. Even when he sees strangers (namely - Dad, the younger brother, and I). We thought that he is a mute.


Today is Day 4. 



Trust me, he's anything but mute.

DRAW, SWIM, AND TALENT?

Two weeks ago, I was stuck in this meeting, and was bored. So. I doodled on a piece of A4 rough paper. With a black pen.

There was no particular idea or concept or theme in mind. It took a split moment of pondering to decide what to draw. It has always been challenging (to me) to draw a ribbon. An artistically nice, flowing, elegant-looking ribbon bow. So. I tried to draw a simple (elegant, I hope) ribbon bow with long tails.

I thought the single ribbon looked lonely. So. I drew a music symbol directly beneath it. It still looked pretty empty. So. I put in a question mark symbol. And threw in a leaf.




A few days later, I looked at the drawing again. NOW it looked so girly. Ribbon, music, leaf. It seemed off-balanced. It needed angles. ANGLES. Something masculine. So. I added in two lightning bolts. Then, a cube. I thought the cube looked lonely, too. So. I added a smiley face onto the cube and gave it two tiny feet.



Yesterday, after ending some oral duties and while waiting for CCA to end at 6pm, I took a short break in my cubicle. Looked at the drawing again. Decided to create some background by using connecting lines, hearts, stars, and some other weird, random shapes. Rounded the background off with random tenacious strands of ivy. I thought the ivy looked lonely too. So. I drew a simple toothpick-drawing of a man hanging off one of the ivy strands.

Silly, impromptu drawings of random items lumped together - courtesy of boredom. I thought nothing of it, because, hey, it's a senseless drawing. Ribbon. Music. Question mark. Lightning bolts. Leaf. A smiley cube. Hearts. Stars. Ivy. Hanging man. TOTALLY SENSELESS. No theme, no concept, no ideas. Just nonsensical doodling of random items spread over separate days.



Today, WC walked past my desk and chanced upon the drawing. He complimented it, and jokingly asked me to "jump ship"; switch over and teach Art. I thought he was just teasing me, because, you know, how could it be? AND coming from an arty-farty person like himself - who is the man behind all the posters and board decorations during our recent carnival? Someone who graduated from an art institution? Someone who takes brilliant photographs like this one?

(credits: WC)









I thought what I drew would be child's play to him.




"Nah, I mean it. It's nice" He added, "The kids here mostly won't be able to draw something like this, I daresay."


Really? I just drew it on a whim, you know. Quite half-heartedly, truthfully.

"Actually, everyone can draw. It's inside of us. Just that as people grow older, we become more self-conscious. More self-restrained. Afraid of doing things wrongly. 

Either that, or it could be pragmatism over creativity.  The society, the environment, doesn't encourage the use of it.

And thus, we gradually "lose" what we have inside us - by hiding it or by not using it. But, it's in there; it's innate; hidden; covered."

He continued, "Really. I tried an experiment before. I got a kid blindfolded and ask him to draw intuitively. And the picture he drew; it was pretty amazing. Even his friends - and even he himself - was surprised and in awe."


Art. Drawing. So, it's something like swimming? Do you know, all babies are able to swim? If you throw an infant into the water, it can swim by itself.

"Yeah! Same. People grow up, they get educated, and at the same time, they get scared to let themselves 'go' freely. Self-constrained. So, they begin to lose what they have - but it's inside them all the while. Or while they're growing up, the body undergoes physical changes. They feel uncomfortable with it; awkward. So they start losing it, too. Like, swimming."

It makes me think. It's not so much of talent. Success does not hinge so much on talent. Oh well, maybe there is - aptitude. But whatever aptitude there is is easily smothered, too.




Ok, I'm rattling. 




Goodnight.

ALICE

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don’t much care where--" said Alice.
"Then it doesn’t matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"--so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you’re sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

DANCE THE RAIN

Of late, the brain feels pretty dead. I don't feel stimulated! This explains the recent lack of posts, I guess.  There's nothing substantial to post. Work makes me feel so dull!


I miss having stimulating chats. Conversations that cause the brain to think.


Xuxu asked a few days ago when am I free to meet these coming weeks. I've yet to reply her sms (oppps!). Honestly, man, I MISS HER! The frustrating thing is, almost all of my weekday evenings are already taken up. It's not easy to find a common, free, timeslot between the two of us. It's either she has something on/is tired, or I have something on/am tired. Ggrrrrrhhh~




A random thought:
It's not only about overcoming the storm. It's also about how you dance in the rain.
It's not just the destination.

It's the JOURNEY. =)




P.S. 6pm's approaching, finally! Going home soon!!!

REOPEN-ED

=(

REOPENING SOON...

I love life.






I'm only feeling slightly moody now.

Last 2 weeks. Back to school. =(

GROWING - DAY 1

Guess what's growing?

Watch this space! (Hopefully...)

THOU SHALT NOT GRUMBLE

The abrupt transition from a full-time student to a full-time working “adult” has been smooth thus far. In the blinking of an eye, it's almost half a year!

Sure, there is the usual nostalgia about how good schooling days were. The free afternoons. The lack of stress (mugging stress not inclusive). The freedom. Freedom. FREEDOM. Freedom to do whatever we want, without the stereotypic expectations to measure up to – which comes along with a full-time job.



Sometimes, I still grapple over the sudden loss of free afternoons. But, really, come to think of it, it’s not THAT bad.  Provided that I chiong and finish a few days’ worth of work ahead of time, I still DO get some early afternoon off - once in a while!

It’s rejuvenating.

Not the chionging, but the afternoons. The chionging is crazy; but worth it.




Starting next year, when I enter into the second year, chances are, things would be more packed.  In fact, it might even be sooner.  Term 3 is already more packed than ever.  Come to think of it, the sporadic early afternoons which I am currently enjoying now ARE luxuries! It’s better to enjoy it while I still can.



JIAYOU!!!

POT

A thought strike me a few days ago, I wonder, why do women like stalked flowers so much?

(I'm a woman, and I do like flowers too.)



It is pretty, sure. But, hey, it's DYING!!!


Boy A spends a bomb purchasing a bouquet of dying roses. Girl A receives it and is happy. Girl A brings it home. Stalked flowers start to wilt. AND it smells bad, really.




BAH!



It makes more sense to buy a small pot of rose, isn't it? And wrap it up in transparent colour paper / wrapping paper. It's pretty, too. Most importantly, it's ALIVE.

SERVES ME RIGHT

Last night, I had a bloody dream. Can’t remember the details per se; the only thing I remember is that it’s - of all things - bloody.


Should be careful of what I read in future.


Not all things that can be read, should be read, I guess.

REVELING

I'M STILL REVELING!!!


Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!



I FINALLY HAD THE CHANCE TO CATCH THEM PERFORM LIVE IN THE FLESH HERE IN SINGAPORE! INSTEAD OF JUST WATCHING FROM YOUTUBE VIDEOS!!!











Pitch perfect!!! KIM JUN SU!!!!!!!!!!!


Find me another guy who can pull off "Greatest Love of All" so perfectly.

P.S. The way he ends the song is just so beautiful!

Credits: bunnyinanotherpocket.tumblr or charistrixie

DAY 1

Simply love the 'indicator'.


And now the appetite is back to "normal" again! Bye, food cravings! =)

OHHH!

It's a woman's thing.

I've always thought that I'm mercifully spared from PMS. You know, the infamous mood swing and irritability that seem to affect most homo sapiens with the XX chromosomes.

After all, I feel normal before and after periods. What irritates me, still irritates me. What don't, just don't. I'm still perfectly myself, before and after.



The only difference is that I have those weird, unexplainable food cravings - even when I'm NOT hungry - 1 or 2 weeks leading up to a period. It started 1 or 2 years ago, I think, and has grown to become so reliable that somehow - in my subconscious - I've learned to associate it as an "indicator".

During this phase, I practically get TORMENTED by food, literally. I see food, talk food, dream food, think food, smell food, and eat food. Regardless of whether I'm hungry or not.



Whenever the notion of wanting to put some food into the mouth ALL THE TIME strikes, I'll know it's about time to "equip" myself. Bring those things out. Avoid iced drinks.

And just right before Day 1 of the period, the craving just vanishes instantly and miraculously.


I LOVE it! It is such a reliable indicator. What more, unlike PMS-ers who experience moodiness, irritability, or weepiness, and snap at everybody, I get to eat instead! On normal days, I eat little - due to bad dietary habits. During this phase though, I eat like a normal person. In addition, I eat with JOY (because the crazy craving is being satisfied)! I eat, and eat, and eat, and eat. It is such bliss!






Recently, though, the curiosity is killing me. Do I get those food craving because of the impending period? Or is it just a matter of coincidence?

Thus, I did the intellectual thing that smart people do. I googled.




After much researching (read: googling), to my utmost horror and disgust, I discovered that I AM - after all - not spared from the claws of PMS.

Apparently, PMS has as many as FIVE types - Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, and Type H. 
Type A is the most common; characterized by nervous tension, weepiness, moodiness, irritability, anxiety, mood swings etc.


And apparently, I'm experiencing Type C: Reactive Hypoglycaemia. Due to some hormone-thingy (man, don't I just sound soooo intellectual?), my blood sugar level drops to below normal concentrations; which, in turn, explains the urge to eat and the increased appetite. It is just the body's natural reaction to attempt to bring up the blood sugar level to normal again.

Anyway, one website which I came across advises to eat smaller meals frequently, and to include complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, pasta, vegetables, and quality proteins (e.g. fish, lean meat etc) to lessen the craving tendency. I have no idea how true is it, though.


So, in conclusion, I'm not as free from PMS as I'd thought myself to be.






Go away. Don't agitate me. I'm PMS-ing.

P.S. Complex carbohydrates. Should have ordered the cheese-baked spaghetti instead last night...

P.S.S. I'm sneezing away again today. 

=(

Last night, I had a late dinner-cum-supper at this restaurant.

I was caught between cheese-baked spaghetti and pork curry noodles. In the end, I chose the latter. Because it's spicy. Because it's my first time eating PORK curry.

The food arrived, and lo and behold, it was such a sad disappointment.




1) The noodles were limp. It was way beyond overcooked; it felt like eating pathetic pieces of tasteless dough. Noodles are supposed to be Q and bouncy, NOT limpy and soft. Not bragging, but I think even I can serve up better Maggi Mee than what was offered by the restaurant.

2) The pork chops were way overcooked too. They were so tough; I literally had to SAW my knife through the piece of meat. In the end, I resorted to poking the meat with the tip of the knife in a desperate attempt to cut it. To make it worse, the meat was distastefully dry and tasteless. Man, it's just not worth the efforts.


In the end, I hardly touched the bowl of pork curry noodles. The pork chops and noodles are such a disgraceful disappointment. The only saving grace was the curry. The gravy was thick, not too sweet and not too spicy. 




I went home hungry. Took a quick shower, and went to sleep immediately because I was hungry.




Not going to patronize the restaurant again, if given the choice.






Man, the word "pork curry" is going to bring back bad memories in future.

CRAVING AWAY 2...

McD Fish Burger!!!!!!!!!


Food, drop into my mouth, please!

CRAVING AWAY...

BUFFALO WINGS!!!!

THE TIME

I'm ravenous! Again! 12 times per year I get super ravenous! And the Hungry Monster manifests and rears its head!

I eat food. Think food. Talk food. Smell food. Dream food. Although I'm not hungry per se.

Food. Foodfoodfoodfoodfood. GIMME FOOD!!! 

I want to eat something. Anything! 

Chocolate. Potato chips. Hainanese chicky rice. Hokkien mee. McD Fish Burger. Subway Cold Cut Trio. Siew mai. Tiong Bahru chwee kueh. Sushi. Sotong. Shrimp. Crab. Mee pok. Oyster Omelet. Maggi Mee. Hotdog. Satay. KFC. Chicken patty. Rice dumpling. Kueh tutu. Old Chang Kee. Yong Tau Hu. Beef Bolognese pasta. Baked riced. Cheese fries. Ban Mian. ARRGGGH!!!



Feed me! Stuff my mouth before I makan you up...

BOY AND GIRL

During dinner some time last week, a friend brought up this interesting point of view.

Isn't it strange, that it's always 'mummy's boy' or 'daddy's girl', and never the other way round?

BTT

Just realized : BTT this coming Friday!

I didn't realize it's actually SO NEAR!

Time to study...

SO CUTE

This is my cousin's son.

Now, what is a cousin's son known as? Nephew?

I met Wen Jun for the first time during CNY earlier this year.

SO CHUBBY AND CUTE LARH!



It's true when it's said that cuteness runs in the blood.

It's all in the genes, I tell you.

COUNT

I think someone needs to go for Math remedial.

 

HAHA! 

=)

EFFORTS

I was on the bus. The pavements were all lined with fallen flowers which, apparently, couldn't withstand the winds and rain earlier on.

Biology at NIE teaches that plants are amazing. They know how to direct their resources. In a rainforest, there are vast diversities of types of plants / trees. Some tall with canopy; others, short and stubby.

For plants, the most common dilemma is having to choose between water and sunlight. And they can choose only one. So says the tutor.


Some type of trees choose sunlight. It's in their nature. As a result, they blossom. Tall and straight; with countless branches webbing out magnificently like spider webs. Others choose to invest in water. As a result, they end up short and stubby; because all their glucose (energy resource) are used to grow deeper roots that can better reach the waters.

The principle is: you only choose one. Only one.


Choose only one; and forget about the other.

I feel so sad for those that chose to invest in sunlight; in their leaves and branches.


I looked at the pavements lined with all the pretty flowers. Each species with its own unique colour. Whites on one pavement. Lilacs on the other. And countless more.

The flowers are their buds; the precious gems of the collective efforts invested over the months, or years. And here they are, trodden on the ground. And no one cares or feel sad for the loss.

EPIC!

Shen Aili is dying from a terminal cancer.

Jianyou and Xiaoxi are divorcing.

Ju Encai and Shen Aili's friendship is on the mend after so much turmoil.

Jianyou and Encai are getting together again.

Encai's parents forgive Aili and cares for her last days.

Zheng Qiaobin takes the rap of a charge for assault to protect Aili.

Ninuo keeps crying for his dying mum.



So touching, larh!

CHEY!

My hopes went up yesterday when news came that a couple of friends received the performance bonus; when we thought we definitely won't be getting a share of.



I was so happy; there was this delightful glimmer of hope!


A system overhaul? A change in payroll system? A new, enhanced policy?

Whatever. If someone is happy to bless; I'm always happy to receive!













Until I logged on to FB earlier. And saw this status update.

My bubble burst.



Duh!


So much for planning to log on to iBanking later to check if there's any unexpected crop of financial blessing. 鸡蛋!  

Bleah!

NEVER REGRET A DAY

Stumbled upon this blog when I was randomly blog-hopping and link-clicking. It seems to have been inactive for about 3 years. Regardless, there's this gem among the posts which caught my eyes.




************************************

One day I decided to quit. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God," I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around," He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes." I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo," He said.

"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive."

"I would not give any of My creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me. "Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots."

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others," He said, "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. 

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

---

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you. Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

Keep going. Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble, success keeps you glowing, but only God keeps you going!

CHOCOLATY 3

Today is already Thursday (!!!). Having spent Monday to Wednesday preparing a paper, I feel really dead by the end of it. I feel brainless; the brain literally feels like a mashed potato. I feel so fruitless. Time is passing so fast, today's ALREADY Thursday! WHAT?!



At 330pm, I finally got myself out of the house. It feels so good; I like the rain and the wind. The sprays of water; the pitter-patters of the falling droplets; and there I was, dressed comfortably in a pair of lazy shorts and slippers. Not having to bother about the hair or the clothing or jeans being caught in the rain. What an added bonus!


Dropped by a D.I.Y. store to check out something. Followed by a trip to Pharmacy. Finally, I went to Cold Storage. Reached back home at 5pm, and got down to work.











TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE CAKE!

Dad says my batter always looks like shit. Well, literally.

This is really easy to make! This is the 3rd time I'm making this!

The first time I tried, it was fabulous; and the younger brother likes it!

The second round though, I tweaked the recipe out of curiosity's sake. Water was replaced with Nescafe coffee; and Light sour cream (a feeble attempt at healthier alternatives) was used instead of premium sour cream. The end result? It botched up! It was a little too dry and thick. Even I myself found it hard to sallow, and tried to wash it down with water. Brought half a portion for the cg; and stuffed it down their throats. They had to wash it down with water, too.


This third time round? I'm sticking to the original recipe! Once bitten, twice shy.

Anyway, as I was saying, this is really so easy to make. Within an hour, the batter was already in the oven! This is so relaxing; I even had time to clean up, eat dinner, and enjoy a luxurious cup of tea in between!

 
Packed with goodness untold!!!

And...

The cake! =) 

Note to oneself: Thou shalt not lick the spatula when baking. Fingers, too. 

NUA

I'm feeling so nua!

The brain seriously feels like it's growing algae now.


But I really like holidays, though. =)

NUMBER

Yesterday evening at around 530pm, I was in my bedroom doing some stuff, when there was this HUGE commotion.

It was so LOUD; I thought there was a major car accident involving a big truck or a heavy-duty lorry.


Curious Concerned, I peeped out of the window.

The boom of a tower crane had FALLEN OFF!



There was this morose cloud of dust following the powerful impact. It felt - and seemed - totally devastating! It was reminiscent of 911, in a way.

Help came pretty quickly. I counted 2 ambulances, 2 civil defence trucks, and a police car.

The civil defence people were all crowding around this particular spot. Trying to extricate some casualties, I guess.



By 8pm, it was in the news. Dad was watching the TeleText and Channel NewsAsia. 1 man dead. 3 others injured.





It was so... unbelievable. A man just died; and all these while, I've been watching from the window.








As I lie awake last night, thoughts about the deceased entered my mind.
Who is he?
How old is he?
Did he get squashed under the crane boom?
Does he has his own wife and children back home?
Did it hurt?
Did he suffer long?
Was it quick?
Did he know what was coming?
Did he have a happy day today?
What were his last seconds like?
Did he have the slightest inkling that the dawn this morning would be his last?












It made me feel so small; knowing that I know not what will happen even one minute from now. God is so big, and I am so insignificant; there's absolutely nothing about the past that I can change, and neither is there anything about the future which I have power over, and all that we are able to do is to live the present the best we could.




Wise is the man who numbers his days.

SNAKES!

This evening, after doing some work for prolonged hours, I was surfing about the TV channels.

And happened to come across this fascinating show on Animal Planet.

GIANT ANACONDAS!!!



I was so awestruck!





The anacondas are awesome! The heavy mass and massive length aside (there was one which is more than 13 feet long. Man, my eyes nearly popped out of the socket!), I was bowled over by their speed of attack. They're swift! Aggressively swift!

It was so captivating; watching Nigel Marven wrestling about in the mud with the gargantuan reptile. My heart nearly stopped. And despite being held down by its head and jaws by Marven, the anaconda STILL attempted to coil its body around his arm and neck. "Look at this, it's coiling itself around me... Gotta uncoil it from time to time... It'll squeeze tight enough, until the 'predator' releases it... And then, the next thing you know... It'll swipe around... And attack you again." Commented Marven. It was exhilarating! Of course, I won't want to be Nigel Marven; I'm contended enough with watching from the TV box.

Anyway, there was this segment which left me amused. Marven and his partner "caught" this pregnant giant avocado anaconda which was basking under the sun, and proceeded to give it an ultrasound. Kekeke! It's done exactly the same way as with human; with the gel and sensor probe and all. Anyway, they estimated that there are about 30 snake-lings in the mother anaconda. WOW!



And do you know koalas normally need not drink water? They get their daily water requirements from the leaves they eat. How convenient!

FLATTENED

The weather yesterday was lovely. 

The sun was in temporary hiding. The sky, a hue-ish grey-blue. The breezes were gentle. 

Lovely. The perfect weather that I adore.



Because I was (and still am) having a bad bout of flu, my face looked pretty dull.

The good weather aside. Since it has been 3 weeks since I last heat-treated the hair, I thought this would be a good time to do it again. The window period of 3 weeks would have been good enough for the hair to recover and "re-nourish" itself from the previous electrifying heat shock. 

Thus, I decided to make some loose waves to lift up the flu-stricken look. But not too much though, just in case the 'sick look' can't carry it off. Thus, I curled them again, but only a small portion of the side tresses this time.




After it was done, the end product looked pretty fine. I looked perkier, definitely. And more alive, as oppose to the flu-stricken, swollen eyes, and red nose and cheeks. The curls are just fine! Enough to make me look more upbeat and bouncy; and not too much that it overwhelms everything. Just nice!



With that, I went out.


At 4pm, at Hougang, the rain came.



And flattened the curls.


ARGGGHHHH!!!

THAT'S FAST!

BTT in one month's time!

ANUS

Last night, upon reaching home after dinner, I was in the shower taking a bath. Was doing the dump when, all of a sudden, I thought of the... Erm... Anus.



Have you ever wondered, how would it be like if our anus is not where it is at, but at the sole of our feet instead?

Some of the advantages possible are:
1. You can do your big business STANDING UP.
2. For once, you can see clearly where you're wiping.
3. You have 2 openings, instead of only one. Can eliminate out your waste in half the amount of time.
4. No need to pull down pants and underpants, only to pull them up again.
5. Save water. (don't need toilet bowls. Just do it openly in the public on a piece of paper and throw it away)



Obviously, one of the more obvious cons is:

1. When you fart, the insides of your shoes will stink incredibly. Pity the socks and insoles.

THE GREENS

Just realized: I'm as much a herbivore as I am a carnivore. Alright, I guess the word here is "omnivore".


I eat almost all veggies. Including kimchi (ohmygoodness!), broccoli, asparagus, okra, spring onion, parsley, coriander, onions, garlic, ginger, leek. Even celery.

You name it; I'll eat it.


All except watercress, strangely.

Don't ask why.

REGISTERED...

... Finally.

NICE

Really like the soothing music. And the strong, angelic voice.

SPIDEY

This is what I found near the window sill this evening.






It is not really big, but neither is it by any means considered small. It's even bigger than my nail bed!


I like the intricate but yet symmetric lines of black and white strips. The chelicerae are strong and well-defined. I'm particularly drawn to the sharp, long abdomen; as opposed to the usual round, fat ones. And I like, especially, how the black strips on the back conjoin to form a "Y" alphabet.



P.S. Did I just dedicate a whole entire blog post to a stupid spider?

CRANKY

My mobile phone has always been cranky. Even more so of late.



To be fair, the HTC I'm using currently is quite an old model, and is second-hand. The older bro ditched "donated" it to me after getting his BB.

I really like the HTC. It's easy to get a hang of, not-very-complicated, and user-friendly.



Of late, though, it has been getting a little temperamental. Not only does it lag (and terribly, at times; so much so that sms-ing is becoming a chore), it also has a tendency to switch off by itself - unprovoked.

It has occurred quite a number of times. And when it happens, without the handphone alarm, I nearly missed my morning appointments.



I'm torn between an Iphone and a BB. The odds for a BB is higher, though. Just a matter of personal preferences.


Anyway, there's so much checking out to do. I'm a total idiot airhead when it comes to gadget stuff. Which model? What are the applications? How thick and heavy is the BB set? Data plans? Blahblahblah...

Not forgetting, I've also got to ask around the family members whether is anyone's contract up for renewal.


Arggh!

TO BE BELIEVED IN

Was "spring-cleaning" the FB account when I stumbled upon this. From a lecturer back in Poly days. Taught us Molecular Biology, and Molecular Genetics.






He was referring to varsity.



I even forgot to reply!!! *gasp*



It just feels humbling to be believed in.

Especially when you yourself is - or was - the one carrying the doubts. And people still believed in you regardless. Believe on your behalf.

It makes you feel... Thankful. A sense of gratification.

IF ONLY TIME STANDS STILL

There are some things and events which always bring along with them a sense of nostalgia. No one - dead or alive - has ever been spared from its claws.

I miss the days of a student - where the primary duties were homework, grades, and exams. I miss the days in school. Those were the days when - the heavy readings, mugging, and permanent head damage aside - lectures and tutorials occasionally end early in the early afternoons.

I miss the days of having early time off. Hanging around the mall for the occasional quick window-shopping. Dropping by and lingering in bookstores. Scooting off to Giant or Carrefour in the early afternoons and heading home eagerly with bags full of groceries, in anticipation of the food that's to be prepared. I miss cooking, baking cookies, cakes, making sushi, bulgogi, and trying out new recipes. I miss experimenting new things and doing new stuffs.

There are some things and events which always bring along with them a sense of nostalgia.

These are things that make me feel belonged. Things that I would love to do. And without it, it feels like something is glaringly lacking.






I still want to sew that bean bag chair. Do my first knitting. Try out some recipes. Cook new stuffs. Experiment with new things.

I want to maintain a cozy home; a haven. Of course, not forgetting that yellow study room.

Out of the 3 square meals per day, I would want to personally prepare at least 1 for my loved ones. I would like The Hubby to look forward eagerly to coming home to a good meal and a fruitful rest; after having battled it out gallantly a whole day at work.

I would want to be there when my kids open their eyes and catch their first glimpse of the world. Hear their first giggle. Take their first step. Hum the first song. Babble their first 'word'. Sprout their first tooth.

I want to be there. Beside them; with them.



In the early afternoons, we would take little strolls, or go to the supermarket, or play by the beaches, or just simply lie idyllically under the bask of the sun. The little ones would lumber about in zealous exploration. Build clumsy sandcastles. Taste some alien-looking algae and seaweed. Roll about in the grass. Chase birds. Catch butterflies. Feed some strays. Pat some dogs. Tease some cats. Poke some caterpillars. Collect leaves. Squeeze beetles. Squash chameleons. Flick spiders. Stack up snails.

They'll actively zoom around like busy worker bees - gushing and yakking excitedly about some weird bugs or creepy-crawlies which they've just discovered. Or asking frustrating questions like "why is the sky blue?", "where does Santa Claus live?", "how can a fat guy like Santa squeeze through the chimney?", "why don't we have a chimney?", "why can't chicken fly?", "why can't I have ice-cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?", or "what time is Daddy coming home?".

On other afternoons - if we are in the mood for indoor activities - we'll roll some dough together, bake some cookies, and make little messes in the kitchen. Or pop some M&Ms. Listen to some old English oldies or English country music. Play with bubbles. Grow our own mini-ecosystem in a 1 litre plastic bottle. Do some art and craft. Pot some plants. Play around with colours. Eat popcorn and watch silly programmes like Twitty Bird or Bob the builder.

In the evening, the little ones would be all exhausted that they'll sleep so deeply while I prepare dinner. The Hubby comes home. He showers, while I warm up the food. The kids wake up. We would eat, talk, play, bond, and then, retire for the night. The next morning, another new, exciting adventure unravels yet again.



I want this kind of life. This is what I see; and vision for.