Zhen just came back from her two-week long honeymoon in Japan two moons ago. Caught up with her over the phone, very very briefly and she gave me the shock of my life! She told me that she had spent a whooping 20K for her entire trip.
Sloth & I did a quick calculation, we figured that her air tics and accomodation would have approximately $7K, which means she spent $13K on everything else, meals & shopping! I almost fainted! That amount of money would be my lifetime savings to date!
She explained that she had bought a Tag for $2k and her new husband spent $6K on a camera. You see...he is very into photography...but it is till beyond my comprehension how someone can spent $6K on a camera! The digital camera that Sloth had bought recently did not cost much more than $300.
With the big ticket items factored in, she probably spent about $5K on everything else...for two weeks in Japan, I guess that is quite ok..
when Sloth & I were in Japan last year, we had only spent 1K...forgot whether that was with Air tics, accommodation & rail pass included or without. In any case, it is no where near what the newly-weds spent.
My guess is that they probably made quite a bit from the wedding. sloth & I for one, gave them a $400 ang pow and from what I gathered, their families were quite generous too.
But Sloth & I are quite happy the way we are, we concluded that we both derive more joy out of finding bargains that are value for money than splurging and feeling sorry that we did that.
When I told Piggy how much Zhen had spent for her honeymoon, she was shock but still felt that as long as it was a memorable experience for her, it was well worth the money.
I guess the value that different people affix to the different things in life are different. Sloth thinks that we are the sort that prefers to experience culture so when we were in Japan, we walked a damn lot..seeing things etc...living life the ways the local do. Some may think that we should kick back & relax for our honeymoon but I guess we will save that for our coming holiday in Phuket..
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Of perverts and hooligans...
Last weekend, I met with the worst kind of humans ever to exist..the pervert & the hooligan..
On Saturday, after attending a wedding, a few of us went for drinks at this famous chill out place at Sentosa..everything was fine until a guy friend who went to the loo came back warning the rest of the guys to be careful as there's a gay inside the toilet. he told us that this guy had apparently stared at his 'thing'. stood real close to him and just looked at his 'thing' like he has never seen one before.
Another guy friend who had gone to the toilet before then said the same thing happened to him and they were rather pissed, so both went to complain to the management. Apparently, the management had tried to chase him out of their premises but to no avail as he keep coming back and eventually hid in the toilet.
The police were later called to deal with him and my friends were asked to give their statements. What a night!
Comparatively, the encounter with the thug at Paragon on the Sunday after seem so much worst. Some parent!
Sloth & I were at Paragon having sushi..not far away was this family with kids. One of the kids was crying non-stop and very loudly too. It attracted quite a few stares. The arse hole father of the kid suddenly started yelling at a Caucasian. He was like: what are you staring at? Do you have a problem? You mean my child cannot cry? This is a public area, if you have a problem then get out. He just kept going at it. The Ang Moh was already very tolerant and kept quiet abt it but he kept going.
Instinctively, the first thing we had wanted to do was to get out of the place, so we asked for the check. The last I would expect was for Sloth to confront the arse hole..telling him that the ang moh was also entitled to his right to stare...as much as his kid was entitled to spoil everyone's lunch by crying like a monster..
Well, the arse hole was pissed, boy was he pissed..all sort of vulgarity came out of his bloody mouth and I had to stop Sloth from getting into a fight of any sort so I just took him away. We paid up and left..needless to say, this incident pretty much spoilt my day...and we were not talking very much after that..
But there were a few appalling observations that I made from these incidents...what is worse, the pervert or the thug. If you ask me, the thug, who threaten to punch every face that he sees. His uncouth behaviour was a disgrace to Singaporeans. And I pity his child, whom I suspect, will get a hell of beating when she goes home. I wonder what sort of adult she will grow up to become...a mother with a voilent streak...highly possible, cause she sees her Dad get this 'sorted out' by yelling and threatening to fight...
Darwin really needs to add a caveat to his evolution theory...certain species of mankind does not evolve over time..and appearance can be deceiving. Outwardly they are now walking on two feet but the grey matter has not increase over time...what a shame to human kind...
On Saturday, after attending a wedding, a few of us went for drinks at this famous chill out place at Sentosa..everything was fine until a guy friend who went to the loo came back warning the rest of the guys to be careful as there's a gay inside the toilet. he told us that this guy had apparently stared at his 'thing'. stood real close to him and just looked at his 'thing' like he has never seen one before.
Another guy friend who had gone to the toilet before then said the same thing happened to him and they were rather pissed, so both went to complain to the management. Apparently, the management had tried to chase him out of their premises but to no avail as he keep coming back and eventually hid in the toilet.
The police were later called to deal with him and my friends were asked to give their statements. What a night!
Comparatively, the encounter with the thug at Paragon on the Sunday after seem so much worst. Some parent!
Sloth & I were at Paragon having sushi..not far away was this family with kids. One of the kids was crying non-stop and very loudly too. It attracted quite a few stares. The arse hole father of the kid suddenly started yelling at a Caucasian. He was like: what are you staring at? Do you have a problem? You mean my child cannot cry? This is a public area, if you have a problem then get out. He just kept going at it. The Ang Moh was already very tolerant and kept quiet abt it but he kept going.
Instinctively, the first thing we had wanted to do was to get out of the place, so we asked for the check. The last I would expect was for Sloth to confront the arse hole..telling him that the ang moh was also entitled to his right to stare...as much as his kid was entitled to spoil everyone's lunch by crying like a monster..
Well, the arse hole was pissed, boy was he pissed..all sort of vulgarity came out of his bloody mouth and I had to stop Sloth from getting into a fight of any sort so I just took him away. We paid up and left..needless to say, this incident pretty much spoilt my day...and we were not talking very much after that..
But there were a few appalling observations that I made from these incidents...what is worse, the pervert or the thug. If you ask me, the thug, who threaten to punch every face that he sees. His uncouth behaviour was a disgrace to Singaporeans. And I pity his child, whom I suspect, will get a hell of beating when she goes home. I wonder what sort of adult she will grow up to become...a mother with a voilent streak...highly possible, cause she sees her Dad get this 'sorted out' by yelling and threatening to fight...
Darwin really needs to add a caveat to his evolution theory...certain species of mankind does not evolve over time..and appearance can be deceiving. Outwardly they are now walking on two feet but the grey matter has not increase over time...what a shame to human kind...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Dinner at Bosses & Mango madeness
Sloth & I were supposed to have a relaxing evening after he picked me from work yesterday. But that was not to be. We headed for Vivo for dinner after much deliberation..the rationale was that the parking there should be cheaper than the ERP & parking combined if we had headed straight for forever. so Vivo, it was...
We probably changed our minds a thousand times before one of my Ah-ha moments. I recalled Bronson had mentioned this delicious pastry that I must try at this restaurant call 'Bosses'. That the translated name of its name in Chinese which actually means Triad/Secret Society/Gangs but I guess these did not make good names.
The restaurant's deco was quite chic, in my fave colour, Black...that mysterious feel etc. Side track a bit..in my younger days, I enjoyed watching 'Gu Huo Zai' movies...those played by Ekin Cheng. There's something about those bad boys in traids that intrigued me. I thought it was their loyalty to their brothers that attracted me but later realised that its really the fact that they were doing things that seem fun but I can never do in reality. Our societal norm has long defined those actions as deviant behaviour...but the thrill of the forbidden food still beckons..
Anyway, so we ordered our dinner. Sloth & I like Xiao Long Bao & La Mian, that sorta explains our countless visits to Din Tai Fung & Crystal Jade. So when the lady mentioned that they served Xiao Long Bao, we were sold. We ordered the following dishes:
1) La Mian with Crispy fired chicken (sucks, fried until its not juicy anymore..so dry)
2) La Mian with Stewed Beef ( I thought this was quite delicious, flavourful, a little salty but beef was tender. It came in a most interested bowl in the shape of the number '8'.
3)Xiao Long Bao - Not bad, 7/10...i thought the skin was thick though)
4)Sichuan Spicy & Sour Soup - I liked this best, it was sour enough...and spicy!
After dinner, sloth 7 I was supposed to head for La Senza en route to Giant for grocery shopping..alas..the sight of Mango reminded me that yesterday was the first day of its end-of-season sale. I had been a supporter of Mango (during sale time only) so there was no way I can miss this sale. I made a secret pact with myself many sales ago that I will make it a point to buy a pair of jeans from every sale. hahaha...there is just something about me & jeans..better still jeans on sale.
So i rushed into the crowd..as with most mango sales, the crowd was huge..Sloth was kinda intimidated..so I made a decision that we should maximise our time & get him to do the grocery shopping at Giant while i brave the crowd in Mango.
So i started scanning the racks for best buys...Sales are quite cruel..they sort of remind you that you are not exactly the model like stick figure that will fit into XXS, XS or S sizes...Unfortunately, these are the only sizes that seem to be available..even M & L sizes are damn rare lor...
Anyway, i emerged somewhat victorious with a pair of jeans ($66), a white tank top ($7, I already have the same one in kaki, pink, purpole & green) and a camisole that is a little tight ($9).
I have this feeling that I am not done with Mango for this sale. When I get another chance, and when they slash the price further to 70% off, I am quite sure, I will return for another conquest.
We probably changed our minds a thousand times before one of my Ah-ha moments. I recalled Bronson had mentioned this delicious pastry that I must try at this restaurant call 'Bosses'. That the translated name of its name in Chinese which actually means Triad/Secret Society/Gangs but I guess these did not make good names.
The restaurant's deco was quite chic, in my fave colour, Black...that mysterious feel etc. Side track a bit..in my younger days, I enjoyed watching 'Gu Huo Zai' movies...those played by Ekin Cheng. There's something about those bad boys in traids that intrigued me. I thought it was their loyalty to their brothers that attracted me but later realised that its really the fact that they were doing things that seem fun but I can never do in reality. Our societal norm has long defined those actions as deviant behaviour...but the thrill of the forbidden food still beckons..
Anyway, so we ordered our dinner. Sloth & I like Xiao Long Bao & La Mian, that sorta explains our countless visits to Din Tai Fung & Crystal Jade. So when the lady mentioned that they served Xiao Long Bao, we were sold. We ordered the following dishes:
1) La Mian with Crispy fired chicken (sucks, fried until its not juicy anymore..so dry)
2) La Mian with Stewed Beef ( I thought this was quite delicious, flavourful, a little salty but beef was tender. It came in a most interested bowl in the shape of the number '8'.
3)Xiao Long Bao - Not bad, 7/10...i thought the skin was thick though)
4)Sichuan Spicy & Sour Soup - I liked this best, it was sour enough...and spicy!
After dinner, sloth 7 I was supposed to head for La Senza en route to Giant for grocery shopping..alas..the sight of Mango reminded me that yesterday was the first day of its end-of-season sale. I had been a supporter of Mango (during sale time only) so there was no way I can miss this sale. I made a secret pact with myself many sales ago that I will make it a point to buy a pair of jeans from every sale. hahaha...there is just something about me & jeans..better still jeans on sale.
So i rushed into the crowd..as with most mango sales, the crowd was huge..Sloth was kinda intimidated..so I made a decision that we should maximise our time & get him to do the grocery shopping at Giant while i brave the crowd in Mango.
So i started scanning the racks for best buys...Sales are quite cruel..they sort of remind you that you are not exactly the model like stick figure that will fit into XXS, XS or S sizes...Unfortunately, these are the only sizes that seem to be available..even M & L sizes are damn rare lor...
Anyway, i emerged somewhat victorious with a pair of jeans ($66), a white tank top ($7, I already have the same one in kaki, pink, purpole & green) and a camisole that is a little tight ($9).
I have this feeling that I am not done with Mango for this sale. When I get another chance, and when they slash the price further to 70% off, I am quite sure, I will return for another conquest.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Its not always a bed of roses...
Sloth & I have been going though a rough patch recently...I think ths issue can be sum up in a few words..."mis-matched expectations"...
Its now fast becoming a pattern that repeats itself every month..and it tires us out both physically and mentally..everytime we quarrel about this, we end up staying all night going in circles and never coming to a solution..
I am always hoping to find a solution but there is no one simple way to solve this issue...
This morning, we had the same discussion in the car...I asked him "what can i do to help us solve this problem"..In the past I had always been asking him to work on it...asking him to take accountability for this issue. Now its time for me to stop playing victim and start taking accountability. And he told me "You can stop pressurising me". The three words are still ringing in my head now...
Its almost like I have been in a world of my world and someone just shone a light in my face..so glaring and yet you can run away from it. yes, I am guilty..I had been mean about it so far and I probably made things worse by reducing his ego to the size of a sesame seed.
Its a character flaw...I have nowhere to run, I need to stop imagining myself to perfection cause I am not. I can be really mean, and am capable of saying mean things which I must say, I do not mean them half the time. all these years, saying mean things has became my defense mechanism. I say mean things, to protect myself, to make myself seem like the aggressor..to take revenge..
I have to stop hurting sloth, I love him heaps and I must not hurt him this way anymore...STOP SAYING MEAN THINGS!!
Lord, give me the strength and will to change things and be a better person. One that does not say mean thing to those that I love most...
Its now fast becoming a pattern that repeats itself every month..and it tires us out both physically and mentally..everytime we quarrel about this, we end up staying all night going in circles and never coming to a solution..
I am always hoping to find a solution but there is no one simple way to solve this issue...
This morning, we had the same discussion in the car...I asked him "what can i do to help us solve this problem"..In the past I had always been asking him to work on it...asking him to take accountability for this issue. Now its time for me to stop playing victim and start taking accountability. And he told me "You can stop pressurising me". The three words are still ringing in my head now...
Its almost like I have been in a world of my world and someone just shone a light in my face..so glaring and yet you can run away from it. yes, I am guilty..I had been mean about it so far and I probably made things worse by reducing his ego to the size of a sesame seed.
Its a character flaw...I have nowhere to run, I need to stop imagining myself to perfection cause I am not. I can be really mean, and am capable of saying mean things which I must say, I do not mean them half the time. all these years, saying mean things has became my defense mechanism. I say mean things, to protect myself, to make myself seem like the aggressor..to take revenge..
I have to stop hurting sloth, I love him heaps and I must not hurt him this way anymore...STOP SAYING MEAN THINGS!!
Lord, give me the strength and will to change things and be a better person. One that does not say mean thing to those that I love most...
Monday, June 09, 2008
of Marital Bliss...
Last Saturday had been a busy day for me, I had 3 weddings to attend! One was Zhen's which started since late morning and did not end till later afternoon. Then I had to rush to Kai's wedding to pass him an Ang Pow before Jeff & I zip off to Melvyn's wedding. We concluded that it has got to be a damn good date. But I guess traditionally, the month of June was popular with couples getting hitched. That's probably why I have another one to attend this coming Saturday and yet another one on the Saturday after.
The string of weddings on the Saturday that has just passed stirred some feelings in me. I can't quite explain what I felt..it was complex...a mixture of joy, happiness and a little bit of sadness...
All 3 who had gotten married last Saturday had one thing in common, well at least in relation to me...they were peps whom I have gotten to know in my teens...
Zhen & I have known each other since forever..we were in the same high school and junior college..we were also in the same ECA (the use of this term risk revealing my age)...we shared all those girlie conversations, went cheonging together, played MJ (still playing), went to chalets and had BBQs...
Kai, well, as he had rightly pointed out when I popped by his wedding dinner at Hyatt on saturday, is a very special person...we dated for abt 9 mths in my last year in RV. He was my Junior in band...man, even as I am blogging abt this, I feel so emotional. Jeff is not going to be very happy to read this but its not like I can help it. I can still remember when Kai first joined the trombone section, I thought this boy was special, he was very good with the trombone, he's very musically inclined...there was something about him that drew me to him. It wasn't easy back then cause I was two years his senior and he was only 14. But Kai was a very sweet boy, i guess that is also why I find it so hard to forget those times I have spent with him.
We sorta went our separate ways after I left RV...we lost touch and then got back in touch..Kai once asked me what things would have been liked if we were not seeing others. Then I thought we would have worked out. I always apprecaited someone who was smart & intelligent but on hindsight, I guess we would never have worked out.
Kai had always wanted to marry young, he liked that sorta feeling, he has always been the homey sort..i guess he has found someone to live that sort of life with him...I think we will drift even further apart going forward..but I will always cherish that time in life, and the memories that we share. It just that part of growing up...
The string of weddings on the Saturday that has just passed stirred some feelings in me. I can't quite explain what I felt..it was complex...a mixture of joy, happiness and a little bit of sadness...
All 3 who had gotten married last Saturday had one thing in common, well at least in relation to me...they were peps whom I have gotten to know in my teens...
Zhen & I have known each other since forever..we were in the same high school and junior college..we were also in the same ECA (the use of this term risk revealing my age)...we shared all those girlie conversations, went cheonging together, played MJ (still playing), went to chalets and had BBQs...
Kai, well, as he had rightly pointed out when I popped by his wedding dinner at Hyatt on saturday, is a very special person...we dated for abt 9 mths in my last year in RV. He was my Junior in band...man, even as I am blogging abt this, I feel so emotional. Jeff is not going to be very happy to read this but its not like I can help it. I can still remember when Kai first joined the trombone section, I thought this boy was special, he was very good with the trombone, he's very musically inclined...there was something about him that drew me to him. It wasn't easy back then cause I was two years his senior and he was only 14. But Kai was a very sweet boy, i guess that is also why I find it so hard to forget those times I have spent with him.
We sorta went our separate ways after I left RV...we lost touch and then got back in touch..Kai once asked me what things would have been liked if we were not seeing others. Then I thought we would have worked out. I always apprecaited someone who was smart & intelligent but on hindsight, I guess we would never have worked out.
Kai had always wanted to marry young, he liked that sorta feeling, he has always been the homey sort..i guess he has found someone to live that sort of life with him...I think we will drift even further apart going forward..but I will always cherish that time in life, and the memories that we share. It just that part of growing up...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Accomodate...
I have heard so much about the need to accomodate your partner's quirky antics but everyone has their baseline and I am no exception. Sometimes I wonder how much i can tolerate and how much more I can give in. Why is it that he never gives in tome or rather not understand that I would like him to give in to me as well. Its just so frustrating that after voicing out my thoughts so many times and quarreling over the same issues so many times, nothing goes in! It just pisses me off so much and I must admit that I am so tempted to give up, really..I am not a very patient person..and there's only so much that I can give in.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Family Time...
Sometimes, i really appreciate the fact that my workplace does indeed create opportunities for me to bond with my family. There was a recent sale of Night Safari tickets at half price and i took this chance to organise an outing for my family. So just hours ago, I took my husband, mum, sisters and bros-in-laws to the Night Safari.
My mum and second sis have not been to the Night Safari and this was a good opportunity for everyone to get together especially during the Chinese New Year period where families bond and reunite.
Well, being a typical Chinese family, we don't really express our love & concern for each other but I guess actions speak louder than words. The sheer effort to make this trip to the Night Safari happen really says a lot.
I really hope everyone had fun and hopefully we can have such outings more often.
My mum and second sis have not been to the Night Safari and this was a good opportunity for everyone to get together especially during the Chinese New Year period where families bond and reunite.
Well, being a typical Chinese family, we don't really express our love & concern for each other but I guess actions speak louder than words. The sheer effort to make this trip to the Night Safari happen really says a lot.
I really hope everyone had fun and hopefully we can have such outings more often.
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