today's been really "eat and shop" day
fetch mum from work----> went Hotel Rendevous StraitS Cafe for meal---->shop around town ..

all in the name (or excuse) of the pending GST hike ..
sadly .. did not manage to find anything that was to my liking or else its all out of sizes!! argh .. but oh well
buy less spend less..
most of the time just window shop..

and i am feelin restless again ..
freaking hot weather .. spoils my mood..

tml shall visit grandpa and do some walkin myself around town ..
cant bear the thought of havin to stay at home and face the walls or com or tv..
dont wanna sit on my butt the whole day staring at some screen

the rest of the family are crazed over some drama serials..
and sadly..
it doesnt arouse my interest ..
most of the time.

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

"you shouldnt categorize your friends"

no i wouldnt.

i will just list them in priorities that's all
who are closer to me who are not
its known in my heart
i know the best for myself
what i consider to be "close" might not think otherwise..
some things are better left unsaid

Singapore, India, Indonesia, Russia produced the most new millionaires


"PARIS - The number of millionaires in the world increased by 8.3 percent in 2006, with about 9.5 million individuals now estimated to have more than a million dollars in financial assets, a report said Wednesday.

The survey by financial services group Capgemini and US investment bank Merrill Lynch said strong global economic growth and gains on the stock market explained the expansion of the exclusive club of "High Net Worth Individuals" (HNWIs).

The financial assets owned by the group totalled 37.2 trillion dollars (27.7 trillion euros), an increase of 11.4 percent from 2005, with Singapore, India, Indonesia and Russia producing the greatest number of new millionaires."

yada yada..
and the income gap will be ever growing..
the newspapers always report the rich getting richer or the rich man's club getting bigger
what is done to help the mid - low income families?
what is done to close the gap?

you and i can see for ourselves.

tcc with sharon and jun

Met up with Sharon and Jun and her colleague, a quiet guy.
i bet he find us gals real noisy LOL
we were giggling and laughing and chatting non-stop the whole night.
From Marina square to TCC at citylink.. and taking pics NON-stop, not to mention the guy LOVES taking candid shots.. claiming we look more naturally that way... hmm
We just talked about almost anything, from workplace to how we met and our future plans and also future expectations.
Shall do it again soon!
AND.. despite my cough and sorethroat.. i couldnt resist the DEVIL'S CHOC CAKIE~
so pardon me if you hear any coughing from me -_-"

pics from the night..

dont laugh!
i dont pose cute doesnt mean i wont.. for the gals heh











and the gals prefer my "chinadoll" look hmm..
they keep touching my head saying its so cute -_-"

Eagles-Hotel California

another personal fav of mine...

oldies is love~

bloggin from the office just before i leave
the soothing calmness of the night..
the silence around me ..makes my mind wonder loud
the thoughts are more obvious now.. strugglin to be free..

this song just felt soothin..



The Heart Of The Matter

I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
She said you found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And all the struggles we went through
How I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?

I've been learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning them again
I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age
And the trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms
And the work they put between us,
You know it doesn't keep us warm

I've been trying to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
The more I know, the less I understand
And all the things I thought I figured out, I have to learn again
I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my heart is so shattered
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

All the people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
Better put it all behind you; cause life goes on
You keep carrin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside

I wanna be happily everafter
And my heart is so shattered
But I know it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if you don't love me anymore
Even if you don't love me anymore

i hate being restricted.

After work, i rushed to the pet shop at JP and BPP to find out more about the various breeds and its maintenance.
But the variety on display made me so spoilt for choice! tsk tsk
i saw toy poodle, silky terrier and cockel spaniel.. all toddlers woh..
My maternal instinct kicked in immediately LOL
Wanted so much to cuddle them, to stroke their fur, tickle their ears, rub their tummies..>.<

I must make sure i am not keeping them for a PURPOSE.
I must make sure i am keeping them because i LOVE them and can afford the time and attention.

"repeats in mind"

AND after one day of "MALA hotpot"
i am officially down with sorethroat and cough and flu.
Shouldnt matter i guess LOL
Anyway it doesnt affect anyone yet.
I cant help it, i LOVE SPICY FOOD.

dogs

I got LICKED on my thighs, my calves by.........


3 DOGS yesterday -_-"

went to some pet shops to take a look and the owner's pets kept crowding around me and licking my legs (and i happen to be in shorts)

-2 cavalier king charles spaniel
-1 mini schnauzer

and it made me so ticklish and squirmish .. tsk tsk

the breed that i am looking for, the westie highland terrier is on long waiting list, will take around 6 mths to import and approve but another pet shop owner said it's not really suitable for our climate..

..i think i shall not get one already.. wouldnt want a loved one to suffer

Maltese?

or sis is so keen on toy poodle

Woke up to the honking sounds of NUMEROUS CARS.
I dragged myself out of bed to check it out and i did a count.
10 cars!
But I aint complaining cause the cars were here to FETCH THE BRIDE.

woh impressive aint it?
The last record i counted had 8 cars and 8 men with the bridgegroom.
This morning, rhere were 10 cars with more than 10 men.

Must be a real grand affair. I like~
The more the merrier i feel, adds to the fun and with more men, i bet the sisters on the bride's side will match up and will create lots of fun and chaos during the "sabotage the bridegroom" session.

And for that matter, i was woken up at 730am but its alright.
I wish them all the best in their new life!

my books

i just got awed by MR WANG's posts about "MINDHACKING"
so intriguing and engaging, to me that is.
My interpretation.
"How to hack your mind so that you can change your thinking."

Thinking of it, i always prefer non-friction books, things that i can learn from and apply but alas its also the cause of my "lack of imagination" too.

For most people, "self-improvement" books will be the last thing on their minds.
For me, its the first category i will search.
Why?
i can make do with a "better me".
However, its not a guarantee that the all books and the advice it dish out are ALL beneficial to me.
AND like what "MR WANG" said

"I think that some people feel that self-improvement books are for dysfunctional, inadequate people, who already have difficulty coping with everyday life and therefore need some self-improvement. According to this logic, if you buy a self-improvement book, you’re admitting to yourself that you’re dysfunctional and inadequate."

It certainly isnt.
It meant you are trying to IMPROVE YOURSELF.

In conclusion, its always better to know more so that you can sieve out the irrelevant and apply the advice more suitable for you and your circumstances and not just follow the "limited sources of information" blindly.

go-ahead for pup~!

mum somehow hinted and gave the go-ahead that i can keep a dog~!
a small one that is..
she was saying, "wait till you all wan to buy then choose the type, dont be too big ah" when i brought the book of dogs for her to see last night

YIPEE~!

i have set my set on this toy breed
i promise to channel all my excess energy and loving care to it ..
i guess i had too much overflowing out of me thats why i feel the need to channel to someone or It else
LOL ..
sharon and james just commented i am so "motherly" hmm dunno whether its a positive trait of not -_-"
maybe naggy in a sense




now to research more into this toy breed..
wish me all the best in searching for THE ONE~
unless i have objections from the rest of the family ...i hope not..
and to make sure everyone will help take care of the little one when i am not around
i bet dad and mum will ldefinitely love one more member in the house..

tsk tsk .. my budget's gonna be so busted

camps

This afternoon i heard the faint cheering sounds of people..
The cheering, the laughing and chattering

The all so familiar sounds.. i peeped out of my window to see groups of people having some "go kart" fun at the square beneath my office window..

How i miss those times..

Camps.. u either love it or hate it..
though i reckon camps nowadays are getting too wild and too distasteful .. for me that is ..

UNIVERSITY ORIENTATION CAMPS was in the papers last year, for all the wrong reasons that is.
For being too "touchy" too crazy and disregard for safety ..

i do not know much about that nor can i "verify" though i work in a university

i only know ..
i love my STUDENT UNION camps when i was in poly and i simply detest the camp organised by the COURSE committee.

The first camp was fun, clean and lots of group participation and group work.
Lots of stations that made the whole group work together like the "SPIDERWEB" which require the whole group to transport people through a network of strings etc luckily that time i had 3 HUNKY guys ..

I do not mind touchy games such as passing the card or item with just your lips to another person of the opposite gender, just dont PURPOSELY make me kiss the guy
gosh

Maybe again i am in a different era with different set of values..
camps are for GET TOGETHER not MATCH MAKING..
hahahha dont mind me

i just cant stand how some gals/guys were openly flirting with one another tsk tsk .. and i was the ever "quiet and subtle" one.

my primary intention was to look for fun and friends.
and it seems love found me in camps...
TWICE
it was such a complicated first love in poly LOL
if you're interested i'll reveal more to you

LOL

THAT's way camps will always have a place in my heart..

maybe i'm too quiet now
that's all part of my colourful past history ..
i think i lost my touch.
need to regain .... SOON.
i wouldnt want my life to fade into BLACK AND WHITE only

some pics from the past ..

my group~

Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Mindfulness (Pali: Sati; Sanskrit:smṛti स्मृति ) is a technique in which a person becomes intentionally aware of his or her thoughts and actions in the present moment, non-judgmentally.
It plays a central role in Buddhism, with Right Mindfulness (Pali:sammā-sati; Sanskritsamyak-smṛti) being the seventh element of Noble Eightfold Path, the practice of which is considered a prerequisite for developing insight and wisdom.

In a secular context, mindfulness is attracting increasing interest among western psychiatrists as a non-pharmacological means of dealing with anxiety and depressive mood states.

Examples from meditation (contemplative practice) and daily life
Right mindfulness (often also termed Right meditation) involves bringing one's awareness back to the present moment.

By residing more frequently in the present moment, practitioners begin to see both inner and outer aspects of reality. Inner reality may unfold as one sees that the mind is continually chattering with commentary or judgment. By noticing that the mind is continually making commentary, one has the ability to carefully notice those thoughts, and then decide if those thoughts have value. Those practicing mindfulness realize that "thoughts are just thoughts"; the thoughts themselves have little or no weight.

One is free to release a thought ("let it go") when one realizes that the thought may not be concrete reality or absolute truth. Thus, one is free to observe life without getting caught in the commentary. Many "voices" or messages may speak to one within the "vocal" mind. It is important to be aware that the messages one hears during "thinking" may not be accurate or helpful, but rather may be translations of, or departures from truth.

As one more closely observes inner reality, one finds that happiness is not exclusively a quality brought about by a change in outer circumstances, but rather by realizing happiness often starts with loosening and releasing attachment to thoughts, pre-dispositions, and "scripts"; thereby releasing "automatic" reactions toward pleasant and unpleasant situations or feelings.

However, mindfulness does not have to be constrained to a formal meditation session.

Mindfulness is an activity that can be done at any time; it does not require sitting, or even focusing on the breath, but rather is done by bringing the mind to focus on what is happening in the present moment, while simply noticing the mind's usual "commentary".

One can be mindful of the sensations in one's feet while walking, of the sound of the wind in the trees, or the feeling of soapy water while doing dishes. One can also be mindful of the mind's commentary: "I wish I didn't have to walk any further, I like the sound of the leaves rustling, I wish washing dishes wasn't so boring and the soap wasn't drying out my skin", etc. Once we have noticed the mind's running commentary, we have the freedom to release those judgments: "washing dishes: boring" may become "washing dishes: washing dishes". In this example, one may see that washing does not have to be judged "boring"; washing dishes is only a process of coordinating dishes with soap and water.

Any activity done mindfully is a form of meditation, and mindfulness is possible practically all the time.

********
For me it happens when i am plugged into my mp3, isolated from the outside world.. mindful only of myself and my emotions or when i am in bed, reflecting.

I need to find out the source of my internal turmoils and why i had allow to let it happen, to rein it in lest it spill to the surface and affect how i handle situations and people around me.

It aint fair to let my emotions control me and my perspectives.. i am still learning.. i am

Current reads
-Mediation
-Mindfulness
-Borderline personality disorder

willpower

"It is not because things are different that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult."

"What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that's another matter."

and so i shall test the limits of my willpower.. in keeping my emotions in check ie not to be overly pessimistic, my spending in check, my "irritability" in check,

i guess by now some will know what i say

eg
last week was out with friends for Spider Lilies when we encountered this group of rowdy "kids" whom i reckon to be around 14 years of age.
i would shake my head disapproving and before i could even open my mouth to utter something
my friend commented for me..
"kids nowadays"
hahahahhaha

they were teasing each other so loudly and they were ROWDY and cursing like its the norm to do so ..
Is it the norm now?
Maybe i am in the wrong era
i do not believe cursing is "cool" nor do getting too intimate with guy friends like piggybacking or grabbing them and hugging their arms is cool too
it kinda bust your image..

and yes
they DO NOT bother me
but i still got irritated

melody awards

Jolin...
the famous "wu nian"
and her boobs can go from B to G
i dont believe in hers being G
maybe taiwan Bra sizin gives people a "false sense of confidence and achievement"
the singapore reporters remarked before that hers was a B-C range
she "admitted" that its with the help of good Bra that she can "enhance" her bust size
i bet its with ALOT more other help too

dun flame me

father's day 2007

Father's day celebration
dad wanted to eat thai so we went BALI THAI
We had the BBQ platter, spicy soup and the all popular mango salad to start off the meal.. feeling so .. meaty heh


this is real good, kinda small portion but packs a punch


green mango salad.. wets your appetite


***********
some things i have tried but lazy to post for the last few weeks
a healthy wrap yet full of chunky chicken meat




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

From Fisherman's WHarf



one's a helibut one's a snow fish
i forgot which is which LOL

But the helibut's real tender and milky while the snow fish has its unique flavour yet not overpowering and they're real budget and fuss free


**************
and i have never been a fan of PASTA MANIA cause the two outlets that i had eaten from is a REAL DISSAPPOINTMENT


SUNTEC AND CINELEISURE
i seriously condemn these two outlets.
Its so diluted and the ingredients were miserable but the outlet at Parkway Parade proved me wrong.
However i am not totally endorsing PASTA MANIA yet.

Meatballs~

Its not because i am fussy.. you are still paying the same amount why let yourself be deprive?

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

and AIJISEN

the one favourite of mine

with LOTS of chilli of course

Volcano ramen

***********

and hope u enjoy your camp

have fun~

pronounced sick offically with a sore throat + running nose and horrible dark eye circles
shall minimise outdoor movement
anyway mum is trying out making dumplings LOL
shall dig out my old hobbies to occupy myself

charms jewellery anyone? :)

TIRAMISU

J & G & S

watched spider lilies..

kinda disappointing ..

not the show but maybe i have different set of expectations for it ..

kinda abrupt

not enough character development

no focus and no climax and no ending

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

a phrase from the song

" why do u wan to forget?"

"why do u wan to remember?"

Chage & Aska - Something There

I'm so alone in a crowd and cry
Too many tears
Just like a child who's lost
I became a prisioner of my fears.

People come, people go
They are hiding in shadows
Hiding in dreams.

Moving in, moving out
They are nothing but strangers,
Strange as it seems.

My paper heart is so easily torn
Again and again
I never know what the reason may be
It just doesn't end.

There's a sound in the air
While the time goes on slipping
Slipping away.

In the air, it is everywhere,
Nowhere, somewhere
So I'm gonna have to say.

Why (It is there)
Tell me why (It is there)
I don't ever wanna say good-bye
(Do you ever wonder why?)
As I look into an empty sky
Somebody tell me why
(Somebody tell me why)
I fell there maybe something there
I fell there someone there.

Sometimes a ship's gotta break
Every chain
To go to sea
I'm getting on, I'm getting on,
Getting on
I want a love to set me free.

Take a chance, Take a atand
There's a destiny waiting,
Waiting on a train
And your kiss, it is everywhere,
Nowhere, somewhere
It is warmer than rain.

Why (It is there)
Tell me why (It is there)
I don't ever wanna say good-bye
(Do you ever wonder why?)
As I look into an empty sky
Somebody tell me why
(Somebody tell me why)
And when I'm wounded in the heart
That's when I play my greatest part

Come on, come on, come on -
Cover me tonight
Come on, come on, come on -
I'm gonna make it right.

You know that I try,
And I try and I try.

Why (Tell me now)
Tell me why (Tell me now)
I don't ever wanna say good-bye
(Do you ever wonder why?)
As I look into a empty sky
Somebody tell me why
(Somebody tell me why).

Maybe somewhere (Tell me why)
Maybe someway (Tell me why)
Gonna find something to set me free
(Do you ever wonder why?)
I don't know what it's gonna be
Somebody tell me why
(Somebody tell me why).

I fell there maybe something there
I fell there maybe someone there.


Something there (It is there) 2x
Do you ever wonder why 2x
Somebody, somebody, somebody tell me why
Somebody tell me why (Somebody tell me why)
Somebody tell me why (tell me why)
Tell me why (tell me why)
I ain't go wanna say goodbye
'Cause I don't wanna say goodbye
(As I look into an empty sky)
Somebody tell me why (Somebody tell me why)

DONT WORRY BE HAPPY :)

Spider Lilies

so anyone keen on this?
how can u resist it

Cupcakies from central

This afternoon went to fetch mum from work and brought her to bukit timah market for lunch.
Then we were off to ISETAN-----> TANGS---->PARAGON----->LIANG Court---->CENTRAL
Intially we wanted to try CANELE at paragon but sadly its was fully packed.
Nonetheless we bought tibits from LIANG court instead and it was our first time there too!hahahaha
MUM was so excited by the varieties that i need to rein her in ... due to the costs -_-"


Just reached home ... can see my dark circles already -_-"
I was practically on my feet from 12-9 LOL
Thinking of it, mum was joking about us doing often or ME doing often due to my lack of movement after work..
She calls it retail workout, especially beneficial to my legs

me and mum
mini eyes
Her friend commented that we look similar yet different at the same time .
i have her cheeks but definitely not her chin LOL
But for sure MUM said i look better now, rounder and rosier cheeks, she DISCOURAGEd me to lose anymore weight ...tsk tsk maybe toning instead? i was so bent on shedding weight still
anyone who can drag me to tone? i really need a push -_-"

Marutama Ra-men
Where: 03-90/91 The Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Tel: 6534-8090

recommended by HS
waited in queue for half hr for this .. the soup's kinda TOO oily for my taste but it claimed to be Chicken stock..
i'll give 3/5 .. slightly better than Aijisen, pity there's not much varieties though and the seating in the restaurant is real limited

PAISLEY AND CREAM CUPCAKIES from CENTRAL

Mango, Lemon, Strawberry

Carrot, reminds me of Oolong(the rabbit)

CLose up shot, click to enlarge
the flakes are heart shaped, sweet gift for the sweet galfren or your guy

the cupcakies finally reached home intact..
sadly the choco one was fully sold out

the weather was freaking hot the whole day
give me minis anytime.. i rather "air" my legs

so did anyone miss me when i'm gone ?

and NO i am not escaping from anyone
and NO i am not suicidal whatever
and NO i am not depressed ..
and NO i am not LOST

i just needed a break

a SHORT break LOL
i am just reviewing what happened ..
right or wrong
reviewing the comments i had
good or bad

i cant seem to contain my en·thu·si·asm in blogging

i blog to chronicle my life like a dairy
i blog to chronicle my food adventures
i blog to review the news i read
i blog to review the society at large that i have seen
i blog to share my views
i blog to share my loots

AND IF anyone think otherwise ..
i cant stop u from thinking..
its up to your own discreetion..

maybe i should do a review once every few months LOL like an audit to sieve out the misjudgement and miscalculations

MIKA - love today
"DARKNESS style" heh
i wrote a whole lot of crap before this again ARGH
i hate myself being so weak
wun let my emotional side over rule my logical side
i wont need any compass
i wont need any chest

"run run to me.."
its a simple and nice song
i rather be the person whom others can run to me then i run to others
and so i shall prevail.. persist and preserve onwards

***********


on another note
i simple adore this paragraph from QT

"If you want to just be "who you are"
refusing to embrace new teachings
open to new ideas,
be stubborn
believe in tradition
you WILL NEVER IMPROVE.

Improving does not mean learning new skills.
Improving is to also accept the fact we are ever changing (physically and mentally)
and embrace new ways of life into our flow."

i think i am ... stubborn...
i will IMPROVE.. give me time :)
anyway ..
your words do perk me up .. intentionally or not

rainbow hue~i love my new babydoll top
decided to give bangs another shot again .. till i get sick of it
here are some pics from last sat's outing with the guys
some sculptures found at esplanade and car pics from millenia walk exhibition







pagani zonda.. check out the exhaust pipes..

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

did not do anything much .. basically was home the whole sat and half of sun ..
feeling so .. uneventful..
i dun wanna "put a stop"
i wanna keep moving on..

i am capable of pulling OUT all the stops..
BUT its good to stop. to catch a breather
i am capable of getting OUT of the stop
yet i am not moving on. to another stop

and a song recommended by someone


Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder