I am tourist in my own country

How can we claim to be Singaporeans when we haven't tried everything in Singapore? How can we be called locals when we feel so foreign in our country? That's exactly what I felt today. I went to Little India with Candice and felt as if I have stepped into another country. A mix in between Malaysia and India? That's what it felt like to us. Anyway, today is a weekday, so the place wasn't very crowded. Therefore, no "aromatherapy", ok? They do have the real thing though, aromatherapy spa, eyebrow threading, etc... Both of us were quite tempted to go up for a eyebrow threading session, but were worried about the pricing. So we did not risk it. (Imagine halfthreaded eyebrows if we refused to pay) Had authentic indian cuisine. People around us ate with their hands, but we requested for cutlery :p As expected we were the only Chinese eating in the restaurant. Food was really cheap!! Both of us only spent $11.10 on food. The waiter even asked if I wanted more rice, when I finished the mountain of rice served... ...

Mountain of Rice.

We went walking around and finally found Mustafa's Centre at the heart of Little India. Anyway, it makes me feel claustrophobic. The whole building is packed to the brim and they sell everything in bulk! 6 sticks of lipstick, 6 cans of deodorant at unbelievably low prices. Seems catered for the Indians who buy everything back to India. We didn't buy anything anyway. Strangest fact is the supermarket is on the top floor, above 2 levels of expensive jewellery. I mean hello? You look up to see the supermarket, while you are shopping for jewellery in a place that looks like Tiffany? Strange. The whole place is just disorganized.

We just kept getting lost. In Little India, the cars move pretty hapharzardly too. So, yup I did get my taste of India. I was quite sad that the fly fell into the mango lassi we were drinking. Stupid fly. None of us dared to touch the mango lassi after it fell in. Yucks.

Candice n Colonial House

I wanted to take more pics.. But, I was afraid of fierce shopkeepers shouting at me. It happened to before. Believe me. Little India rocks!

Over Indulging..

Haven't been up to much since I last blogged. Went to work on Monday, went out on both Tuesday and Wednesday. All my friends arrived late. As a result, the books I borrowed from Orchard library on Tuesday while waiting for Yl came in handy. 15min, 20min and 30min... I seem to have acquired the bad habit too. I mean why would I want to turn up on time and wait? Like any normal person I really hate waiting. I am not going to turn up on time next time.
The holidays have unknowingly slipped away, only have 1 month left. Really hope to do something before school starts, just feel like quitting my job and bum around. But, I can't do that :( I am currently still broke, inspite of having received my monthly allowance. Planning how to preserve my $$. I have the knack of making money disappear, if you have trouble doing that, please contact me. Or maybe, I have very little to begin with. Therefore, it is very easy for me to do that trick.
About over indulging, I think I really had too much chocolatey stuff. Ate mud-pie. Drank chocolate mocktail. My face is having an eruption of pimples now. Ow. I have to cut down on the sweet stuff. Please do NOT tempt me anymore. I have absolutely no self-control when it comes to the sweet, chocolatey and sugary. I crave for good pasta too.. Just ate that on Tues and I'm craving it again. Especially the one from Coffee Club Express. It has crayfish! Argh.
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Just for fun ppl, just for fun...

Baptism Sunday

I am really happy for Algene that he publicly proclaimed his acceptance of Christ at East Coast today. He has been a very spontaneous brother, easy to talk to and easy-going. It is really encouraging to see Algene grow spritually. Really need to see more people growing. Went in search of flowers all over Yishun Central this morning and all the florists were closed!! In the end, I went to Cold Storage. Thank God that they sold decent looking flowers :) Well, it definitely was worth the effort.
And so we went to the beach...
After everyone left, we went down to Maxwell market to grab a bite. I ate super oily oyster omelette... I think I'll probably die from heart attack if I continue to eat this way. Gotta go jog, swim, anything! Thought could go rollerblading, but didn't come to pass. Sky appeared a little threatening and no one was keen on going blading or cycling today. :(
Walked to City Hall, explored a little of Marina Sq. Somehow, just wasn't in the mood to look around in the shops.
Leb had sharp eyes and he noticed the leaflet for Corrinne May's upcoming concert, if he hadn't spotted it I don't think I would have noticed. Hope to get my hands on the tickets soon!! Quite affordable.

I'm Energizer Bunny!

Woke up extremely early today.. (To me) At 8.20am. Rushed to work without eating breakfast, thank God that I reached punctually. A little voice told me to alight at Dhoby Gaut instead of Clarke Quay (where I usually alight) and walk to work. As a result, I managed to reach in time. Enjoy my present job more than selling bags at Citylink.. I just kept marking till my fingers felt like they were going to cramp and my back was protesting against my lack of standing and walking. I quite like my new colleagues, but there's some communication problem as I am ashamed to say that my English is not up to the scratch. :( Or rather, she's not local and doesn't have many local friends. So she doesn't understand the local lingo. Otherwise, she's really nice to talk to.
Made it early to Novena Square to meet fellow cellmates for dinner. Bumped into Vanessa first, followed by Gail and Roanna. Started to wonder where were fellow cellmates. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait for too long before Timothy and Algene arrived. Followed by Lichang and Sharon. Really glad they all could make it. Dinner was a good time for catching up :)
Went for service. Today's sermon was a continuation or expository on what we did for CLEAR. During worship, I kept telling God that I really want to mean the things that we sang to him. But, I found it difficult. God definitely loves me more than I love Him. Then during the sermon.. David kept saying that we shouldn't belittle ourselves.. Am I doing that? All I know that most people can't accept me for being myself. Quiet, unassuming, quiet, seemingly boring and quiet. I have many insecurities. Trusting God really requires effort, just like willing yourself to fall during trust fall. Or bungee jumping, trusting that the rope won't snap. It was also strange that I was ministering to others other than being ministered to. Though I didn't do much, just supported those who were being prayed for and provided tissue paper, I felt like crying too. Strangely during worship, I was already like that. Kept asking God to let me learn to love Him and make Him the focus of my life. Which is a mammoth task.
Went out for supper after service. Though we were not supposed to :p As to set an example for the younger ones. But, what they don't know can't hurt them right? Hm.. Maybe I shouldn't mention where we went to. (Rated M18) Food wise.. Ate icecream and rodeo wings! Yummy Teriyaki and Salsa sauce. I think I would have loved to join the others for supper.. But, somehow just didn't. Well, but things weren't bad on our side either. Took NR1 home for the 1st time.. Reached home at 12 plus? Now, I know how to go home after the MRT and the rest of the buses have gone to zzzz. I must STOP whining and complaining. I have to find myself, fast!

iPod Shuffle

My lappie's mobile now! Well, at least at home. Have upgraded to 1500kbps and got a free wireless modem annnd an iPod shuffle!! Haha. I'm quite happy with it though, except it has no FM radio. I don't need games or calender or those extra stuff. But, and FM radio would be so nice. Ah well, it's free so I'm not complaining. I can't afford any mp3 player in the first place. So long to my discman.
Went out with my uni friends to watch Mr&Mrs Smith. We were quite rushed, had to queue for the movie that started at 7.25pm when I reached Lido at 7.20pm... So, we got front seat rows. In the end, we made it in at 7.40pm. Thanks to the long advertisements, we didn't miss anything. Quite unbelievable that they can get married without really knowing their spouses at all. Pretty abrupt ending too. But, overall it was a comedy. Also watched Alot Like Love recently. Somehow think that the storyline has more punch than Mr&Mrs Smith, it makes more sense. Though it is just a chick flick. Went to Far East Plaza after that to grab a bite (late dinner and Subway cookies are yummy!), but my roomie had to leave earlier. Hope we'll be able to meet up more often! Time is such an important commodity.


Shuyan, Corrinne and Candice.

Me and Geo
Charlene Charlene.. Didn't get a chance to take photo with you again! :(

Couldn't resist.. How Sinful are you??

Your Deadly Sins

Sloth: 40%

Envy: 20%

Gluttony: 20%

Pride: 20%

Greed: 0%

Lust: 0%

Wrath: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 14%

You will get bugs, because you're too lazy to shoo them off. And then you'll die.

How Sinful Are You?

Hm.. Quite accurate. I am LAZY. Haha. I remember discussing with Jac last sem to come up with our own wrist bands with the 7 deadly sins on them. Now I finally know all 7. Saw this on Corinne's blog. Funny way to die too, don't you think? I will blog more until someone sends me our narcisstic photos. Haha. Anyway, we the narcissists met at 11.20am. I was late! Which almost never happens when I meet Cheryl. Sorry about that... Hmph. Quite irritated with myself. We met when the sun was up and parted when the sun went down. Which meant that we spent 10hrs together and I didn't feel even feel that tired.Physically yes , but only physically. We better do more of such things before my other half has to go to Melbourne. :(

Try dunking your digital cam in water.

There's this guy who accidently dropped his digital cam in the pond and tried to rescue it as best as he could. His camera was totally submerged in water and not water resistant at all, so H2O totally invaded the camera. He dried his camera out and after that his camera was never the same again.. Here's what I mean by never the same again...


Just normal flowers on the porch looks like a vincent van gogh

These are normal white coffee mugs.

Hm.. Well, if you are skeptical like me, think that he used some photoshop program to edit the pics? Well.. Maybe not. A damaged camera can do the above. But isn't it cool? According to him the pictures always change auras/colours even with the same objects and lighting. Haha.. But I'm not risking my digital camera.

i-am-bored

Your Brain is 73.33% Female, 26.67% Male

Your brain leans female You think with your heart, not your head Sweet and considerate, you are a giver But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Riiight. I'm confirmed female. No doubt about that.

Slow and Steady

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment. They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it.

How Do People See You?

Is that true??? Do I really seem that painstaking and fussy? Eh, actually I'm quite 'shui bian' one. 'Shui bian', but not loose with my morals, so don't take it the wrong way. :) Hm.. I'm quite impulsive. Actually. Haha.

You Are 15 Years Old

15 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Really?! Quite unbelievable, so I'm that childish eh? Well.. Anyway, I think it's a pretty inaccurate gauge. Go check it out yourself.

All in all. I went for an interview today and got the job. I suppose my main worry is being able to teach kids that are so much younger (lower pri). I'm scared. Mainly, I'm afraid of scaring them and what if they climb over my head? I don't want to scold them. :( Well, but they seem quite well-behaved so... *Crosses fingers* I have never tried teaching anyone so young. I'm the only spoiled brat in the family and when was the last time I really played with a 7 year old?? When I was in Pri 6?? I was in the "buddy system" in school then. Come to think of it, it was really cute. We took them for recess, read with them, etc... Really brings back fond memories. I still remember one of my buddies, Fiona. I wonder how she is? I guess I have really lost touch. Feeling ancient. Haha. Think postive, think positive!!!

Trying to prepare for my "sermon" for CLEAR tomorrow. I have the material already.. The problem is presenting it.

Complexities

Youth Service was a blast today! Really thank God that everything went smoothly. It's so easy to forget that God has a big hand in it when things are well. We tend to assume that we are responsible for everything going well. But, when things don't, who do we blame? Anyway, no hiccups today. Hope things will become even better though. Amen to that.
I really don't have enough of God's presence in my life.. I am still haunted by many unspeakable things in my dismal existence. I wish I could stop being such a whiny little idiot, but it's such an insurmountable task. How much do I really trust God to do something?? I really wonder. I suppose I am living a pretty confused existence. I am stuck in my career, finances and a particular relationship that I don't want to talk about. God help!!! Perhaps I just refuse to see things from God's perspective, I just want things to go the way I want things to go.. And that's S-I-N. Let me define sin. It's when we want to go our own way, when we know it's not what God meant for us to do. I told God that my motives for my career are for Him, for His kingdom, but noo.. He chooses to put me somewhere else, which I still cannot understand. In one word, I am uncontented/ discontented?? I must stop being so proud... When it has never been about me at all.

Vatican City & Youth Service

Went out with Cheryl and hung out at her neighbourhood (Orchard) . Not your regular neighbourhood I did say. Haha. Walked around and she did most of the shopping. I bought a DVD -- The Last Emperor. It's a classic and it was only 10 bucks.. So might as well buy, right? Have been looking out many years for the copies of it in the 1st place. Dear girl just came back from HK and is leaving for Monash soon. Congrats! Hope to spend more time with her before she flies away again.
Accompanied mother to Chinatown to buy wire and beads for her hobby again. After that, we walked to Empress Place to look at the Vatican City exhibit. But, there was no exhibition yet! Because blur me mistakened the date of the exhibition and it starts only tomorrow. Looks like I will just go back there next Friday. I really love looking at renaissance art pieces. They are really beautiful.
Tomorrow's the start of the Youth Service. It's been a long time since I ever attended youth services. Can't wait for tomorrow! Surely we will do things with our own unique style. Some changes in my timetable also, as youth services are on Sat evenings. Meaning that Sundays are free... God bless us all, pray for Your hand to be in this and that we will present to You a pleasing sacrifice. A little stressed because I am going to learn the mechanics of handling the offering money and I haven't come up with my sermon for the next CLEAR session... Well, I do roughly have a topic in mind though.

On the prowl for another job...

It's quite sad that my fellow peers are all going holidaying, while I am little too financially embarassed to do so. Let's just say I'm close to bankruptcy now, but I suppose with a new job I should be able to live a little more comfortably. Had some disagreements with my parents yesterday. Dad acts as if it's none of his business. I shall not comment about my parents. Let's just say I am fed up of being broke all the time. Did some job hunting on-line just now.. Let's just wait for the results to come out.
Went out yesterday, (yes I know I spend money) watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, went to J8, etc... Ate dinner alone outdoors for the fun of it. Chicken sandwich and green tea. Well, Hitchhiker's is quite plotless. After watching it you'll probably go, "Huh? So what is the show actually about?" Otherwise, it had quite alot wisecracks interspersed in the movie. I figured that it was just about Mr Average Joe finding the love of his life and the meaning of life. Yada Yada. I really liked the stolen spaceship in the movie though, it changes it's passengers into "things" to fit into it's theme.. Say if spaceship turns into a flower, it's passengers turns into plants too. Hm... There was this kitchen device that cooks up whatever delicacy you desire and a gun that causes the other person to see things from your perspective when you shoot them with it. Talk about brainwashing. I wish I had this gun. ARgh. I would just shoot my parents.

Rollerblading has never been this easy!

Remembered that my 1st attempt at rollerblading was many years ago. I was with Dad at East Coast and also recalled him grumbling that I'll never make it. I guess I couldn't let myself go and make those gliding motions. It also took me an hour to finally get up on my feet to balance on the blades. Felt quite frustrated at the end of it all, maybe slightly happy that I managed to balance on the blades.
2nd attempt did not take place too long ago, but... It was still a fluke. I still couldn't let go and "glide", tortured my feet by dragging them and doing the treadmill. Think my friend got quite fed up too... Despite all the tips and support, I still couldn't do it! Still have a scar on my leg to remind me of what happened. Though it seems to grow smaller gradually. :)
3rd attempt (today!) went with Na and Tengz. At first, I couldn't glide too. But, being at the beginner's rink really helped alot. Plus, tips from Na and kind people around us. Slowly practiced getting the correct motions by blading a few metres at a time. Or holding on to the railings. Really proud to say that after 2hrs, we could "glide" on wheels and start feeling the wind. Teng was good! She got it and it's her 1st time! As for me, I'm slowly learning how to break. Can manage, but can't do immediate breaking.
Really thank God that we didn't injure ourselves and for having a great time! Never felt that rollerblading could be so effortless, being able to move smoothly and all. Looks like I'll try to go more often. Heh Heh. Who's up for more? *Grinz* I have finally let loose!! Woo hoo! It's a little breakthrough.
Makes me wonder if I could have even bigger breakthroughs in life? There are just some problems that exist and haunt you, but you are just too tired to confront them. Somethings you just can't handle alone. These are times when only God can do something.
Especially when we compare with others, we tend to compare with people who are better than us. I'm guilty of it too. We forget to be contented with the things we have. Often I have thought that people are too blind to see the good things they have and seem to dismiss these good things easily. Many times I feel like screaming, " Try living my life if you think yours is so bad!", to these people who think that they are so unfortunate. Maybe to others I seem to live a pretty charmed life. It's all in the perspective... But, to me other people seem to be having a much better time. Honestly, my life isn't that bad. Have to be contented. We can't have it all. Maybe you may have something that I don't, but I may have something that you desire. Vice versa. Nothing's perfect.

Got out of the slump.

Been eating alot lately.. Feel like a pig. That's why I just settled on Sushi for lunch today and WILL go swimming later. Won't be working today or for the whole of next week either because they want to train new staff for another kiosk that's opening. Finally stopped doing $0 sales. Was really impressed by this 'tai tai' who bought 2 Japanese handphone pouches from me, each worth 28.50. A tiny bag that costs that much... (and it's not even branded) Maybe I'll spend that sort of money if I have it.
Most Singaporeans have terrible handphone manners . I suppose it's true. We talk loudly on our phones, adjust our ring tones to the maximum level and sms when in the company of others. I suppose sometimes I'm guilty of talking loudly and smsing. 1. The background's too noisy! 2. Some smses just require immediate attention. But, I do get slightly irritated when my friends start sms marathons when I am with them. It just feels as if the sms is much more entertaining than a real live person's company. Feels quite insulting.

Ended work an hr earlier.

I think I'll start off with a sour note today. Business was so bad that my boss asked me to close an hr earlier today. I'm really having many self-doubts. I know it isn't really my fault that people just don't like that particular bag enough or something. I really tried!! Argh. Never mind.
Was supposed to meet Huimin at Clementi, but didn't go in the end because I left my handphone at home. Only realised that when the train was at Sembawang... Hai. Stupid. So, I went home and called her to apologize..Thank God she was still at home. Whew.
Went for porridge buffet, porridge was gd, but the "liao" was too salty. What to do? I think we took too much. (Someone disagrees. Haha) Quite worth it, but don't try the steamed fish. Urgh. I couldn't take the fishy taste. Walked around somemore till it was time to go separate ways.
Work.was.ok.Except for the sales part and people telling me, "I'll think about it." Meaning I don't think I like it enough to buy it. Happy that I had a gd lunch, but cancelled out by things that upsetted little ole' me today. Feeling neutral.

Day 1

Very happy that Teng worked today! Finally got someone that I'm familiar with who's around today :) But, I left at 5pm. While Teng had to work till 9pm :( There was also $0 sales during my shift today :( That's the 2nd time already...It was quiet today, but by the time I was willing to give discounts there were no genuine buyers left. Feel like an idiot. I want to look for another job... ... One that will allow me to continue to work even when school starts. Too bad Esplanade didn't want me.
Met Leng at J8 to help her with her project. Thought it was going to be an easy task... But, I've never felt so tired walking around J8 before! We walked around non-stop for almost 2 hrs, snapping away on the Ixus 5.0, dodging salespeople who tell us not to take pictures only after we have taken it (Lame) and figuring out the complex layout of J8. Believe me, the layout of J8 IS complex. Try drawing it out. I guess we got a little crazy after that.. We actually got a minor laughing fit. I can't remember what strange things I said, Leng does I think. I think I'll be avoiding J8 for the rest of this week.

Rest.

Isn't she cute. Looks like the statue.

Just finished watching Sprited Away on DVD. I regret not watching it in the movies when it came out. It's even better than Howl's Moving Castle! I'm not exactly fanatic over anime, but the use of colours in was beautiful. The story's mainly about Chihiro's parents being turned into pigs because they ate food not meant for them, Chihiro trying to rescue them and finding her forgotten friend Haku, who helps her on her mission, and a strong friendship between the both of them. It's a pretty long movie.. Think it was close to 2hrs...
Besides that, I played Theme hospital for most of the day. Better slack when I can, since I'll working till Friday. Sheesh. It has been a fairly relaxing day :) Nothing eventful though. Wished I had something to look forward to.

Everything In Its time

Been busy for the past few days. Occupied by work and other activities leaving me to tired to blog. To sum things up, I went to Kbox again with Cheryl. Unfortunately, she lost her voice. Hmph.. Sad. She seriously sings like Stephanie Sun. :p ( Won't she be happy to see this.) Worked from Wed to Sat (today), only rememembered I was totally zonked out after work on Thurs. Fri evening after work, I went to U Sq to look Wy, since it was too late to go to Lishan's place to visit her and baby Jodie. Baby Jodie is so cute!!! Saw pics from Gail's camera :) Went to CLEAR after that..
Sat- Met Mum and went shopping with her after work!Can't really remember when was the last time we really took time out to just go shopping. Usually, it's just a 1/2 hr walk after dinner. It's really great going out with Mum, because she pays for everything. Hehe. Bought her a pair of adidas shoes for her Bday. Aren't I a nice daughter? Haha.

Mummy's new shoes

I suppose my interest for Medicine will remain even though I can't go to Med Sch. Who knows? Maybe I will one day, maybe I won't. But, I trust God that he didn't give me this 'liking' for nothing. Maybe I'll have some breakthrough in research that will save many lives? However, I tend to forget His purpose for putting me in this particular place. Oh well, God knows best. There are just some things we will never understand and have to trust Him completely. He's God He knows what's His doing.