tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80026882011-04-22T06:49:57.630+08:00Mightier than the sword since August 2004.BPnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1153204828507798312006-07-18T14:36:00.000+08:002006-07-18T14:40:28.553+08:00

What can I say? It's been a great 1 year and 11 months with Blogger, but there comes a time when a blog has got to move on.You know the story: a prettier and more sophisticated platform came along and seduced us with its attractive features. (Categorisation of posts?! Wow!)So this is it: our new place.I hope you like it. :)

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1152870249607632592006-07-14T17:39:00.000+08:002006-07-15T00:44:38.336+08:00

The husband and I have often been told that we look very alike -- not in the creepy incestuous sense, but that we have the 'fu qi lian' or 'couple face'. We've heard it said so many times by various people: our relatives, friends, colleagues and ex-colleagues, that it's almost a cliché when his ex-classmates repeated it for the umpteenth time yesterday.I personally don't see it though: this

BPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1152154505145187862006-07-06T10:51:00.000+08:002006-07-06T11:52:35.810+08:00

The view from my kitchen windows at 7:30am,when I was supposed to leave for workThe view from the living room windows:Can clouds look any more threatening than this?!Weather forecast: Storm ahead.Forego your umbrellas at your own risk!

BPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1152086835887563842006-07-05T22:41:00.000+08:002007-08-07T12:04:36.898+08:00

A few weeks ago, my sister revealed that Becky would raise both her hands in the air cheekily (as if in victory) whenever anyone yells "Goal!" during some of the World Cup re-runs on TV -- no doubt a new trick taught to her by her paternal grandmother.Yup, apparently even my one-year-old niece has caught a bit of the World Cup bug.There is much more to football than goals; but goals, when they do

BPnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1151899407013828912006-07-03T11:59:00.000+08:002006-07-03T22:13:18.013+08:00

The husband was the emcee for his friend's wedding last night, so I was left to my own devices for 8 hours. It felt strange being home alone for almost the whole day, but I guess I'll have to get used to it fast since he'd be away on reservist for the next four days.Anyway, for lack of better things to do, I began channel surfing on the goggle box, which was how I ended up watching Legally Blonde

BPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1151572814109209162006-06-29T17:16:00.000+08:002006-06-30T21:48:47.873+08:00

… the place you return to; the only place that pops up in your mind at the end of a long day, when you sigh and say, “ I just wanna go home.”For so long, home to me had been my parents’ house. Now, the only place I call home is our house.It’s funny how quickly we’ve taken to living in our new house (the half an hour I save travelling to and fro every day is a bonus). Except for a few minor crises

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1150964062416788322006-06-29T13:34:00.000+08:002006-06-29T14:56:19.666+08:00

Kudos to my bro :)

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1150962422588430042006-06-22T14:23:00.000+08:002006-06-22T20:17:49.620+08:00

2 months agoThe then-FH and an unknown guy playing the Fifa 2006 gameon the X-Box console at Bugis Junction2 weeks agoJersey buying expedition at QueenwayGiant Adidas billboard outside Queensway -- the printversion of possibly the best football-related TV ad ever1 week ago'Penalty' coupons from grocery shopping The targetsOne of the attemptsYesterdaySpotted: Supermarket window display of giant

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1150621696289144692006-06-18T17:04:00.001+08:002006-06-18T17:08:16.290+08:00

:)

BPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1150377070215039732006-06-15T21:07:00.000+08:002006-06-15T21:24:25.616+08:00

I'm no psychic, but here're the teams that I *think* will make it into the Top 16 of the World Cup.Credible contenders for The CupJudging from the results so far, I don't foresee any major upsets. However, at this point, it could be anybody's game.May the best team (preferably one of the few I support) win.

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1150344433818074142006-06-15T12:03:00.000+08:002006-06-15T12:23:35.226+08:00

Now that the World Cup has descended upon us, all our weekday and weekend nights have been spent glued in front of the TV, watching 22 grown men run after a S$200 ball.I don't really have a favourite team, but as far as favourite players go...Go, Heinze...err... Argentina!However, taking into account that the FH is a staunch England fan (and the proud owner of the latest red England jersey), I

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149878979625196172006-06-10T02:46:00.000+08:002006-06-10T02:58:19.486+08:00

Earlier today, when we were at Great World City's carpark waiting for the lift, there were two pregnant women waiting alongside us. So, I jokingly whispered to the FH, "Eeks! Two pregnant women -- there must be tons of hormones floating around us!"I was just kidding, but what happened later was an eerie coincidence.Barely 15 minutes after I made my flippant remark, I heard my handphone ring (yes,

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149824004784368462006-06-09T11:29:00.000+08:002006-06-09T13:46:50.350+08:00

I don’t know if it’s okay to reproduce it here, but I will because I think it’s worth it. If you haven’t already read it in the papers, please read it here. It’ll only take 5 minutes of your time, and I promise you won’t regret it.Extracts from OCBC Bank Chairman, Dr Cheong Choong Kong’s convocation address on 22nd April 2006 to graduates of his alma mater, the University of Adelaide, as

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149652467016861452006-06-08T21:58:00.000+08:002006-06-14T11:02:31.293+08:00

While travelling to work yesterday morning, I saw a lady standing at the entrance of the MRT station and holding out a donation can. She was so still, so expressionless and so silent that no one would’ve noticed her if she wasn’t standing at such a prominent spot. Predictably, most people just walked past her with no more than a cursory glance. Granted, it was the morning rush crowd after all.If

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149062299499303892006-06-02T09:41:00.000+08:002006-06-02T09:46:44.026+08:00

Last Sunday was Becky's birthday party and the li'l chipmunk was at her mischievous best... "Wee! Presents galore!" (Plus some hefty ang pows too.)Close-up of the present from the FH and I(a toy car and a doodle-and-swipe thing)"Wow, it's almost as tall as me!" "Hey, who stuffed me in this box?" "Ah... That's better!""I can't wait to grow up!"Not yet Becks, but you can try to look it...Becks and

BPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149180322825346212006-06-02T00:41:00.000+08:002006-06-05T12:08:36.660+08:00

A year ago today, she arrived.2nd day on Earth: still sleeping her 'eject'-lag away?1 month and 1 day old: already a daddy's girlAll dressed up (and snoozing her way throughthe hulla bulla of her Christianing ceremony)3 months and 1 day old: chuckling at the funny world(and/or people) around herLooking at Mummy's baby photos4 months and 3 weeks old: "I can't crawl yet,but I can push myself up to

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149063143159806502006-06-01T10:15:00.000+08:002006-06-01T15:39:12.526+08:00

There's an ingenious fountain system outside the Science Centre that somehow manages to 'funnel' the plastic balls to the spurt of water, which then shoots them into the 'net'. When the balls land in the water, the process repeats itself.It shoots...... and it scores!It never fails to attract scores of adults and kids who're fascinated by the 'phenomenon'. Despite the presence of a 'No Entry'

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1149047093644082572006-05-31T11:40:00.000+08:002006-05-31T13:36:45.983+08:00

The Lego Exhibition at Raffles CityWith the World Cup fever raging on, it wasn't a surprise to see this:A Lego Football Stadium: complete with 'real' players, spectators,referee, linesmen, billboard ads and security personnel.See if you can spot the videocamera-man too! Looks like the Whites are trouncing the Blues!Hmmm... a peek into the future?Outside the stadium, no detail is spared:check out

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1148884761326108672006-05-29T14:27:00.000+08:002006-05-30T11:46:38.706+08:00

The full magnitude of the number of things you own only starts to hit you when you attempt to move them somewhere else. Proper storage makes all the difference: the volume of things seems to double (or triple) once you strip them of their neat ‘hiding places’, i.e. cupboards, cabinets, drawers, shelves, etc.And when you have to pare these things down to make moving easier, you discover just how

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1148146551813886552006-05-22T11:41:00.000+08:002006-05-22T11:45:36.413+08:00

Travelling on my favourite bridge: the Benjamin Sheares

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1148231503676394842006-05-22T10:42:00.000+08:002006-05-23T10:09:55.943+08:00

I once designed a birthday card for one of my best friends that began with the line: "Why should Birthdays be HAPPY?" (or something to that effect). Then, I gave her a long list of why-becoming-a-year-older-is-sad reasons.Before you start thinking what a horrible friend I was, I have to clarify that the card had a twist at the end, which explained why birthdays are worth celebrating after all --

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1148111090899653432006-05-19T23:34:00.000+08:002006-05-20T15:44:50.966+08:00

I never thought I'd be so happy to see a washing machine work. Heh.

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1148025803416664662006-05-18T17:03:00.000+08:002006-05-30T10:11:57.633+08:00

To say that the past week has been eventful would be an understatement.Thursday: After a long day at work, the FH and I got down and dirty -- literally (get your mind out of the gutter!) -- to clean our new house in anticipation of the arrival of the bed the next day. We only managed to leave at 1.30am, after the floor had been mopped, and all the shelves and drawers had been wiped clean.Friday:

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1147618031561886302006-05-14T22:44:00.000+08:002006-05-14T22:47:11.683+08:00

Step 1: Sticking easy-slide pallets on the base of the 'body'Step 2: Flipping the 'body' over to the correct sideStep 3: Screwing the 'head' and 'body' togetherStep 4: Stacking the thick marshmallowy mattress on top of the body

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1147225501261775822006-05-10T09:49:00.000+08:002006-05-10T09:52:03.443+08:00

Ad spotted on the back of a bus:"If fishes could talkThey wouldAsk for Tetra"(Or to be spared from corny ads)

BPnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1147191760703578032006-05-10T09:38:00.000+08:002006-05-10T09:41:22.110+08:00

Have you ever wondered how a giant yellow-and-red balloon looks...when it's on the ground and you are standing a distance away;when it's soaring in the sky and you're on the ground,peering at it from a distance;or when it's soaring in the sky and you're in a vehicle,peering at it through the windshield?Well, now you know.

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1147062782895655992006-05-08T17:25:00.000+08:002006-05-08T20:38:44.956+08:00

Well, almost.Since my last update, most of our renovation works have been completed. In fact, save for a few loose ends, our interior designers (IDs) will be 'handing over'* our house on Wednesday.*By 'handing-over', I mean that the IDs will be formally wrapping up the project and returning our house keys, which they'd kept during the renovation process. Basically, the idea was to make it more

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1146030531301983352006-04-26T15:03:00.000+08:002006-04-28T09:54:30.133+08:00

Our magazine has a popular section where the kids stand a chance to get their own stuff published, e.g. jokes, riddles, drawings, amazing facts, photos and poems. Naturally, kids being kids, they literally send in everything under the sun. Hilarious jokes, morbid jokes, offensive jokes, unfunny jokes, adorable cartoons, plagiarised artwork (some are even copied from the stuff we'd recently

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145936867249446352006-04-25T12:01:00.000+08:002006-04-29T17:36:05.746+08:00

Like all babies, Becky is a paradox. On one hand, she has an insatiable curiosity about everything; on the other hand, she's also easily jaded. Few things* are able to hold her interest for a prolonged period of time -- even herself.*As of now, these include button holes, belly buttons and all things 'holey', window grills, our main gate, a toy Elmo that plays two alternating tunes every time you

BPnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145497976305366502006-04-24T13:37:00.000+08:002006-04-25T16:27:40.203+08:00

In an industry like ours, every project is like a movie production with some people working in the limelight, while others work backstage. It's an ensemble effort: writers, editors, designers, illustrators, photo libraries, production people, printers and other miscellaneous authorities. Editors also double up as project managers (amongst other things) -- the point of convergence for this motley

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145803198429848532006-04-23T22:04:00.000+08:002006-04-23T22:39:58.536+08:00

Planet Dog --> Planet of the ApesIce Air --> Ice AgeStar Ward --> Star WarsHarry Porter --> Harry PotterWell you've got to give them some credit for not copying the designs wholesale, but improvising on them in a creative manner -- something not to be sneezed at! (Pun intended)

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145796869124328742006-04-23T20:26:00.000+08:002006-04-24T09:11:33.063+08:00

Fatman Satay at Lau Pa SatThis hawker stall supposedly has a long history dating back to when the old Satay Club was at the Esplanade. It has also been featured on numerous food shows and newspaper articles.Unfortunately, the satay we tried on Saturday was served cold and tasted like meat balls. At $0.50 per tiny stick, the standard of food was appalling. Plus, we couldn't even differentiate

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145291528724704662006-04-18T22:18:00.000+08:002006-04-20T08:50:25.986+08:00

The two-day editorial writing workshop, which I just attended with Sayesha, was relatively humdrum if not for some unexpected gems that somehow managed to translate into something more profound than Editorial 101 -- especially when they are taken out of context."Love cannot be hyphenated!"In context: According to the course instructor, one-syllable words such as 'love' should not be separated by

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145271642125976502006-04-17T18:29:00.000+08:002006-04-22T17:36:50.150+08:00

What would you expect to see at the library? Books? Uhuh... Magazines? Uhuh... Newspapers? Uhuh... Librarians? Uhuh... Other people? Duh! Movies? *Yawns* Science Centre exhibits? Err maybe... (We saw some there today.) How about an enchanted forest? What?!?Yep, we saw an enchanted forest (miniaturised) at the Central Library! 'Mushrooms' in bloom Cute tortoise couple strolling down

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145178251525278362006-04-16T17:00:00.000+08:002006-04-16T17:04:11.526+08:00

Drumming his heart out outside Paragon

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1145177817648165542006-04-16T16:48:00.000+08:002006-04-22T17:34:29.313+08:00

Becky picking up some new wordsShe doesn't know it yet, but this particular word is gonna cause her (and her parents) loads of headaches in the future...

BPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1144222735842462532006-04-05T14:15:00.000+08:002006-04-05T19:50:31.943+08:00

It isn't cool to admit that you care if people read your blog. After all, you should be writing for yourself. But the truth is, if anyone bothers to write, particularly on the World Wide Web, they probably also wish to be read -- maybe not by everybody, but by somebody(s).To those of you who're reading this (another random post), thank you. It does mean a lot to me that you have deemed this blog

BPnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1143539120174938372006-03-31T15:22:00.000+08:002006-03-31T15:36:21.633+08:00

A soundless and motionless instant of time, frozen to immortalise a scene: the apparent smiles, the goofy expressions, the dramatic actions or stunts, the presence or absence, appearance and positions of everything and everyone, the colours, the scenery, the litter on the floor, the graffiti on the wall, and other minute, visible details.In short: a photograph.With tools like blogs, Flickr and

BPnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1143607089952854262006-03-29T12:45:00.000+08:002006-03-29T12:46:00.576+08:00

Yesterday, we received envelopes containing the details of the 'Progress Package' that each of us will receive, come May this year. The Progress Package is also considered by many to be one of the 'sweeteners' that the government is generously doling out because of the impending General Elections.Anyway, this isn't going to be one of those boring discussions about politics.The point is that we

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1143555841805330672006-03-28T22:18:00.000+08:002006-03-28T22:26:06.380+08:00

The Cranberry (Toblerone dark) Chocolate Chip Muffin --also known as the Cunningly Conned Colleague (into making) muffinFull story here :)

BPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1143435955915254362006-03-27T13:04:00.000+08:002006-03-27T13:05:55.946+08:00

You know how, when you da-bao (takeaway) a few cups of soft drinks and they pack them for you in a plastic bag, you got to be really careful how you handle the bag so they don't spill? Well, worry no more!Behold the plastic 'pants' bag from KFC:Each cup sits comfortably into each 'pant-leg'so neither will topple or spill!Now if only other fast food chains would invest in this ingenious little bag

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1143388283664907042006-03-27T07:10:00.000+08:002006-03-28T16:50:24.533+08:00

Last month, 8Days held an exhibition of their past covers at Raffles City to commemorate their 800th issue. Being avid fans, we went down to take a look. We also signed up for a year-long subscription there. It made sense to do so since we'd been steadfastly buying a copy of 8Days every single week for the past year. Besides, it was a pretty good deal as they also gave us an $80 food voucher for

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1143186151902180012006-03-24T14:03:00.000+08:002006-03-24T16:52:16.296+08:00

My grandfather's clockWas too large for the shelf,So it stood ninety years on the floor;It was taller by halfThan the old man himself,Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.It was bought on the mornOf the day that he was born,And was always his treasure and pride;But it stopped shortNever to go again,When the old man died.Ninety years without slumbering,Tick, tock, tick, tock,His life seconds

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142904404856721682006-03-21T07:13:00.000+08:002006-03-21T14:21:57.406+08:00

Lately we're running out of time, aren't we?Smoking, often, and calling out our guilty pleasures,Let's keep, talking, anything to stop clockwatching.Lately we're running out of time, aren't we?Crazy for running all the time, m-m-m-m-maybe.Let's forget we're running out of time....No jumping conclusionsI don’t think there’s no solutionLet’s get backwards and forget our restless destinationLet's

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142829078815162312006-03-20T22:10:00.000+08:002006-03-21T20:49:28.590+08:00

It all began three months ago with a clock (but of course).Not just any clock, but a really cool retro-modern one that we both considered getting for our house.Cool clock from GDP @ CitylinkThere was a catch of course: it costs about S$250 (!). Strangely, just as with any object of desire, the price alone wasn't enough to put us off it. It was a chance discovery in one of the home decor magazines

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142828781076669762006-03-20T21:51:00.000+08:002006-03-21T08:52:38.526+08:00

My family isn't one of those that does many things together. But one of our few traditions is the birthday lunch. So, last Saturday, we went to Long Beach Seafood Restaurant in celebration of my mum's birthday.Classic example of bad packaging on their wet tissues:Girl with crabs... what were they thinking??The food was pretty good even though we didn't order crabs.We also had 'longevity buns'

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142650399253631312006-03-18T10:21:00.000+08:002006-03-22T11:24:51.216+08:00

Now on at the Esplanade: The Mosaic Music Festival"Lightsabers" (lamp posts) outside the Esplanadethat made the FH feel like a Jedi... at least for a whilePretty pools outside the EsplanadeTickets to the long-awaited concert -- bought* seven weeks ago!*A special shout-out to my bro who booked the great seats for us -- literally two rows away from the stage (and Jason Mraz)!This was probably a

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142615067410204432006-03-18T00:40:00.000+08:002006-03-18T01:18:13.963+08:00

About a year ago, almost every night, two UFO-like kites could be spotted zipping around in the sky above the open space beside Odeon Towers. It was such a pretty sight to behold; not to mention, fascinating.Then, one day, one of the local papers published an article on these kites and their owners/sellers. I guess they became 'famous' because of that, or more so at least. Perhaps due to their

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142346276042004812006-03-14T22:09:00.000+08:002006-03-14T22:24:36.116+08:00

Spotted while fridge hunting:Apparently, fake food is now used in fridge displays to decorate the interior of some models of fridges like Hitachi. Perhaps it's an attempt to help people visualise how their real food would look in them, or something...Fruit and vegetablesMore fruitEven cakes and eggs

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142330132702550722006-03-14T17:45:00.000+08:002006-03-14T17:59:55.416+08:00

Lesson learnt: 2nd day of the Ikea sale + a Saturday= Big, scary crowds = Bad day for shoppingNonetheless, we braved the crowds and came awaywith a great buy: a footstool for less than $15! Random discovery: Did you know thatIkea comes with matching shuttle buses? ;P

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142255871408399962006-03-14T14:06:00.000+08:002006-03-14T16:08:36.243+08:00

Three months ago, we were just two greenhorns who were thrown unsuspectingly into Renoland. But I'm happy to report that, so far (touch wood), everything is going as smoothly as we could have possibly hoped.We decided to go with the relatively expensive but more reliable ID firm because, in the end, saving a few thousand dollars just doesn't justify the risks involved: lackluster design, shoddy

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142268702977614642006-03-14T00:53:00.000+08:002006-03-14T09:04:24.186+08:00

Spotted: Brilliant window display outside Novo @ Great World CityIf you think about it, it all makes sense: why waste space featuring the heads and bodies, when they mainly sell shoes?

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1142330308456254602006-03-12T17:55:00.000+08:002006-03-14T17:58:49.060+08:00

Worst place and time for escalators to break down:The escalators leading to Suntec City, on the last day of the IT Show

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1141983639917550862006-03-10T17:06:00.000+08:002006-03-10T22:48:10.120+08:00

Being a sucker for 'good' reality TV, at 10pm yesterday, I was already sitting on the couch in front of the TV -- waiting for the second episode of the Amazing Race (season 9) to start.To my great disappointment, the parliamentary news footage was still on. My initial excitement waned somewhat as I occupied myself with random magazines, waiting for the droning debates to end.Suddenly, I heard

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1141922011006341042006-03-09T23:14:00.000+08:002006-03-10T00:34:49.303+08:00

Atonement: one of those books that I've heard so many good things about. I was happy when I spotted it; the library shelf was so full that it was almost camouflaged by the other books.That was before I went home and opened up the book, hoping to dive into the first page -- only to discover that there was no first page.Actually, the second, third and fourth pages were missing as well.However, I

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1141655482440378842006-03-06T22:33:00.000+08:002006-03-06T22:31:23.233+08:00

Foamy skies (120206)Chubby-cheekers unite! (190206)Get 'em started young... like reeaally young (270206)Innovative... (270206)or just plain creepy? (010306)

BPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1141261768409237942006-03-02T15:30:00.000+08:002006-03-03T12:24:13.063+08:00

Yesterday, the lunch conversation with a colleague drifted to the subject of love, or rather the lack of it.Like why some people can't seem to find love, despite being so pro-active about seeking it: by going clubbing, going for blind dates, etc.I guess the idea of trying all means and ways to expand one's social circle in order to increase the probability of meeting 'the one' does seem to make

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1140577304855881292006-02-22T10:55:00.000+08:002006-02-27T09:15:52.023+08:00

My blog has apparently been causing the computers of Internet Explorer users to hang. I'm terribly sorry about that. I have no idea what's causing it, but I've emailed the Blogger people for help. Hopefully it'll be resolved asap.In the meantime, how about giving Mozilla Firefox a chance? ;) Banana Pen works great there.Update 27/02/06:I don't know if the Blogger gods have come to my rescue, but

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1140532584380614242006-02-21T22:13:00.000+08:002006-02-21T22:36:24.450+08:00

I've always been sceptical about superstitions.Supposedly, the rolling of the pineapple around our house would bring fortune. As usual, this means that after rolling it, you ought to try your luck at the lottery using the house numbers.So, being optimistic, the FH and my dad both bought 4-D for the next three consecutive draws -- to no avail.Last Sunday, we'd gone to our new house to dispose of

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1140530673722063432006-02-21T22:05:00.000+08:002006-02-21T22:07:30.843+08:00

The people around you can make or break your spirit, be it at work or play.What happens when the people around you -- who once made working at the Office fun, who once made working at the Office bearable -- start leaving one by one?What do you do?What do I do?

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1139760519396956252006-02-12T23:21:00.000+08:002006-02-21T21:59:35.773+08:00

No. of times we each had to sign on various HDB documents = ~30 Time taken for the entire 'key collection' process = 1.5 hrs No. of keys provided for the entire house = 24 (or 3 sets of 8) All 24 keys of our new house! No. of people present for the 'door opening ceremony' = 10 No. of mandarin oranges we took turns to fling into the house for good luck before entry = 8 No. of ang

BPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1139488401794464622006-02-09T21:31:00.000+08:002006-02-21T21:08:43.883+08:00

Tomorrow is D-Day for us: the day we pen our life-long commitment to each other in black and white.No. We're not getting married -- yet. But the HDB mortgage loan document is probably the closest thing there is to a marriage certificate in Singapore.It is, of course, scary to think about the huge six-figure debt that we'll have to pay off over the next thirty years. But at the same time, it's

BPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1139042957061861482006-02-04T16:58:00.000+08:002006-02-04T22:41:31.910+08:00

A feeling of deja vu came over me as I walked under these lights.Chinese New Year 2006 in Bugis, SingaporeAnd then, I remembered.Chistmas 2004 in Venice, Italy Funny how the decoration concepts are similar, yet so very different. More photos of the former: Where those lights originatedFull view of the famous Guan Yin temple along Waterloo Street

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138974524093989022006-02-03T21:24:00.000+08:002006-02-04T22:34:03.486+08:00

The retro clone-invader-like "aeroplane" video gameFor 50 cents, the fh got to blast away at giant spaceships that kept bombing him with fireballs. Pretty cool, huh?In better times: Big ships? Bah!Kaboom!Fh: Aaarrrgh! I lost a life!Me: Huh?Fh: Just now didn't you see me exploding??!?Me: Wha-? WAhahaahaa!Fh: Huh?Too funny :)

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138806637917593872006-02-01T23:07:00.000+08:002006-02-01T23:10:37.916+08:00

Seen from the back seat of a van: festive lights of Chinatown

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138806428040367092006-02-01T23:05:00.000+08:002006-02-02T13:48:15.206+08:00

Compared to chu yi, chu er (or the second day of Chinese new year) was pretty uneventful. In fact, we hibernated at home till sometime after lunch when we drove down to the East to visit my sister's in-laws. (Alright, I confess -- we were there mainly to see Becky.)Anyway, unlike the last time, Becky didn't cry when she saw all of us at 'her' house. On the contrary, she seemed quite happy to be

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138805763388170412006-02-01T22:10:00.000+08:002006-02-03T08:58:50.320+08:00

Chu yi (or the first day of Chinese new year) is the day when most people go around to other people's house to bai nian or visit.As with most families, we more or less follow the same standard schedule every year:9.00 am -- Wake up (reluctantly), bathe, change10.30 am -- Leave the house; my father drives all of us in the rented MPVOn the road with my father -- the aspiring race car driver11.00 am

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138473058794602322006-01-29T01:19:00.000+08:002006-02-02T13:48:37.426+08:00

My father is a traditional sort of guy. So, every Chinese new year usually plays out the same way. In the past, on the eve of CNY or chu xi, i.e. yesterday, we'd normally have our reunion dinner. However, this year, there was a slight change of plans because there was an additional factor to consider: Becky.Princess Becky: Not even a year oldand already wielding considerable power Since my sister

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138345371578843962006-01-27T14:59:00.000+08:002006-02-01T15:29:25.423+08:00

I think a person's workstation says a lot about him/her -- if it is neat, organised or messy, and if it has been personalised.Today, an average office worker or student is more likely to be typing furiously on a computer keyboard than writing with a pen and paper. So, it's no wonder that many people have also tried to customise their electronic workstations.This, in turn, has led to the

BPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138258642405809682006-01-26T14:29:00.000+08:002006-01-26T15:00:02.186+08:00

A colleague forwarded an interesting email today about the significance of the positions of moles on your face, according to the Chinese Almanac or the Tung Shu.Since I'm rather moley -- although my moles aren't of the obvious variety -- it was of interest to me.According to the diagram above, my moles are at positions 18, 22 and 24:Position 18 You are a person always on the move. There is a

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138205601022008182006-01-25T23:58:00.000+08:002006-01-26T00:31:07.453+08:00

One of the last old-school cinemas in Singapore that have yet to be converted into those ubiquitous multiplexes:The cavernous and grand-looking Prince 2

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1138072250818284802006-01-24T11:12:00.000+08:002006-01-24T20:39:19.546+08:00

One of the perils of commuting via the MRT is the peak hour crush. However, trains can also make for rather interesting journeys.For instance, due to the proximity of people, you're likely to overhear (unwittingly or otherwise) some dialogues between friends (usually gossip), young couples (sweet nothings), spouses (usually mundane household matters), colleagues (usually gossip or polite talk)

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1137745401804452462006-01-20T16:14:00.000+08:002006-01-23T14:16:23.126+08:00

1. Wake up at an unearthly hour on the day of the wedding.2. Get dressed in your spiffy suit.3. Round up your 'brothers-in-arms'.4. Make your way down to the bride's house in the bridal car.5. Give a decent ang pow to her brother/cousin/whomever that opens your car door.6. Willingly make your way (with your 'brothers') to the 'gateway of doom' aka the door.7. Be taunted by

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1137475795659570842006-01-20T14:40:00.000+08:002006-01-21T01:16:30.326+08:00

If life is a journey on a really, really long road, I think the first wedding invite you receive is like a giant road sign (like those found on expressways) that welcomes you into your mid-twenties (or cruelly exclaims that you're no longer a 'spring chicken').Of course if you'd started the ball rolling, i.e. gave out wedding invites before you received any, then I think it's pretty clear which

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1136427021357090222006-01-05T12:02:00.000+08:002006-01-09T17:27:51.733+08:00

House renovations are a pain in the neck. People who think otherwise have obviously not gone through this rite of passage (piggybacking on your parents' experience doesn't count).Although we knew that the impending renovations wouldn't be a walk in the park, we never expected the experience to be akin to that of stepping into another world: a complicated world with its own language (e.g. TV lack,

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1136044337888838732006-01-01T13:28:00.000+08:002006-01-01T18:00:04.496+08:00

If there's anything that the past year has taught me, it is that a lot can change in a year. Colleagues who've contributed to the lively, crazy atmosphere at work became ex-colleagues. (I was wrong about their shoes being refillable. It's just not the same without certain people.)The elaborately planned birthday celebrations or schemes have since become far more muted. Car-pooling, which

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1136048402487537152006-01-01T01:00:00.000+08:002006-01-01T10:10:33.616+08:00

... and hello 2006!As usual, hordes of people packed the Esplanade waterfront, waiting for the 15-min-long display of spectacular pyrotechnics.Thanks to a very strategically-located kitchen window, we managed to skip the crowds, watch soccer and yet not miss any of this:Small and graceful sparklersPurple rain!The frenetic finaleHappy New Year folks!May this year be a better one for everyone.

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1135937173893918772005-12-30T18:06:00.000+08:002005-12-31T00:57:25.316+08:00

"These boots were made for walkin'..."The fh is a strong believer in the old superstition that if you buy someone a pair of shoes, he/she will walk away from your life. That was what happened with his first two gfs anyway. So, you can't really fault him. Consequently, he's adamant about not buying any form of footwear for me. Shucks...But at the same time, it's kinda sweet in a way.Perhaps the

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1135670225068457272005-12-28T15:17:00.000+08:002006-01-03T14:09:15.600+08:00

When I was in Primary One, I did well enough in my exams to come in third in class. The prize I received for that tiny achievement was a $50 voucher from Times the Bookshop (ha!). The following weekend, my parents brought me to the bookshop so that I could pick out the book(s) that I wanted.I remember feeling like a kid in a candy store: spoilt for choice and being unable to make up my mind.

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1135480011625041142005-12-25T10:55:00.000+08:002005-12-25T11:09:51.666+08:00

The Christmas tree as seen at night-- I think they've changed the star thoughClose up of the tree's filaments (the 'Floss')

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1135324778487218272005-12-24T04:02:00.000+08:002005-12-24T15:26:05.990+08:00

It's been about four months since my last PBD post. Already, Becky has begun to show signs of the Weekend Niece (WN) syndrome. Not that we ever got to see her on weekdays before since my sister lives with her in-laws, but it's only now that we're starting to experience the consequences of such an arrangement.As it is now, my sister brings Becky over every weekend (Saturday or Sunday, depending on

BPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1134531817622379212005-12-14T10:47:00.000+08:002005-12-16T15:44:48.286+08:00

Yesterday, during a random pre-lunch conversation, a colleague said, "Irregardless ... (blah blah) ..." To which another colleague immediately retorted, "... Anyway, there's no such word as 'irregardless'!" "There isn't?" I asked, quite taken aback by her pronouncement since I remember having used and seen/heard others using the word.Anyway, that conversation thread died soon after with a vague

BPnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1133970704165709662005-12-07T23:31:00.000+08:002005-12-08T02:34:37.176+08:00

Ever wondered what tourists bring back as mementos of their trip to Singapore?If you're thinking magnets, keychains and "Fine Singapore" t-shirts, you must not have ventured into a souvenir shop in recent times.I haven't anyway, and that was why I was quite tickled by some of the more unusual souvenirs we saw on sale at Mt. Faber:Multi-cultural greeting cardsMerlion soap dispensersMerlion

BPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1133800964220010452005-12-05T23:40:00.000+08:002005-12-26T11:43:03.290+08:00

Since the completion of the new (and frankly over-hyped) National Library at Bras Basah, my favourite library hasn't been the same. With the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library now ready for use, the reference books that had been stored temporarily in the JE Regional Library were all moved there; thus, the upper floors of my library were suddenly freed up.This sudden emptiness must've resulted in

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1133686798216298372005-12-04T16:24:00.000+08:002005-12-04T20:46:45.443+08:00

It all began with a case of food poisoning on Thursday; then, a few hours later, an almost black-out at the Office. I barely managed to take a cab home and was so dizzy that I slept for hours without even removing my contacts.Tried to eat fish porridge after I woke up, but failed miserably. Every sip of water also made me feel like throwing up. Fainted for a second in the kitchen. Thankfully, the

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132973758874165682005-11-26T10:41:00.000+08:002006-02-04T15:08:45.060+08:00

Well, it takes one to know one.Hmm... that silhouette is looking desperately familiar ;)

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132972393371360032005-11-26T10:32:00.000+08:002005-11-26T10:34:53.793+08:00

The facade of Centrepoint transformed into a giant M&Ms billboard(This photo only shows half of it. ) Well, at least this wasn't as distastefully done as some of the others lining Orchard Road: tacky standalone advertising props ('sponsored' by VISA and other brands) masquerading as Christmas decorations.

BPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132641567400484892005-11-25T11:42:00.000+08:002005-11-26T09:39:42.106+08:00

What makes a good present? Should it be something ridiculously pricey, or something inexpensive that took a lot of time and effort to prepare?Does it even matter? Perhaps the mere attempt to buy a present is sufficient since, as the refrain goes, it’s the thought that counts.To me, a good present can be practical, opulent, meaningful or simplistic -- just as long as it makes the recipient happy

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132714676060386272005-11-23T10:57:00.000+08:002005-11-24T10:44:26.070+08:00

For being my first best friend For all the cards, five-stones (sometimes six, with the shiny 50¢-rubber balls) and zero-points we played For sending your infamous Christmas cards, where the only thing that was in-your-own-words was your signature For later sending Christmas/birthday cards that, thankfully, had more personalised text For being my ‘sitting partner’ in Sec 1 For your

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132307989113560632005-11-19T23:36:00.000+08:002005-12-16T15:46:55.150+08:00

It has been two months since my encounter with the pint-size author whose age belied his sizeable talent. Last Thursday, 'our' printed book was finally launched to some fanfare. (Obviously I also took the opportunity to get my copy autographed too, heh.)Anyway, during the book launch cum prize-giving ceremony, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there were others just like him, who were

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132127767147916272005-11-18T12:18:00.000+08:002006-02-02T15:50:03.026+08:00

They say you never forget your first time.I think 'they' -- whoever they are -- are right: every detail of his face remains freshly imprinted in my mind, even though it has been twenty long years since the start of the sordid love affair.It was a dark and stormy night. The little girl cut a lonely figure where she sat at the bottom of a dimly-lit flight of stairs. She held him in her hands,

BPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1132048152740340752005-11-16T00:52:00.000+08:002005-11-16T01:12:03.066+08:00

There was a time when songs were immediately identifiable with a certain era: like the disco music of the '70s (think the Bee Gees), the cheesy retro songs from the '80s (think early Kylie Minogue), and the pop songs and ballads from the '90s (think Boyzone and Rick Price).It was so clear-cut that our local radio stations even branded themselves by the music they played: Perfect 10 (FM 98.7) --

BPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1131698731041556802005-11-11T15:38:00.000+08:002005-11-18T15:07:34.113+08:00

(Letter attached to a shrunken copy of a contest entry form)Dear Editors,The contest form inside this envelope is very small because the copy machine I used is very funny. So I had to reduce the size of the form.From,K. Q.(9)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Contest entries to describe the results of an experiment in which a balloon was made to inflate by immersing it in water)

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1131289417998984732005-11-07T00:13:00.000+08:002005-11-07T00:12:00.236+08:00

The bf and I are both avid 8Days readers who never fail to get a copy of the latest issue every week. So, today we made it a point to hunt down the "best ramen in Singapore" -- or so claimed by a food reviewer in one of the recent issues of the magazine.Finding the Gallery Hotel -- where the restaurant was located -- took some time because it wasn't directly accessible by public transport.

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1131283807454335922005-11-06T20:26:00.000+08:002005-11-06T21:30:07.506+08:00

Every year, department stores along Orchard Road and Cityhall will start putting up Christmas decorations way before, well, Christmas Day. This year was no exception.As early as last week, a small area at the junction outside Raffles City and opposite Chijmes was already cordoned off for workers to put up the Christmas decorations.Despite knowing this we were still taken aback when, a few days

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1131177903581980492005-11-05T19:13:00.000+08:002005-11-06T15:54:48.503+08:00

It's pointless sometimes to explain something to some people whom, you know, are just too stubborn or thick-headed to get it anyway.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene 1"Hi, I'm ______.""Oh, how do you spell your name?""Exxxxx.""Oh... so shouldn't it be E_____.""No, actually it's _____. The 'E' in front is silent." "But my friend's name is also spelled Exxxxx and it's pronounced

BPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1131022436125465382005-11-03T20:34:00.000+08:002005-11-03T21:30:56.540+08:00

The best thing about a public holiday is that you get an extra day to do whatever you want. This week was incredible because, through some twist of fate and the lucky coincidence of two public holidays falling within this week, I didn't have to go to work for the past four days. That meant six consecutive days of true freedom. It almost felt like I was reliving the one-week-long school holidays

BPnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1130491089696229032005-10-28T17:15:00.000+08:002005-11-01T16:01:22.553+08:00

When I was born, I think my dad was slightly disappointed because he -- like most traditional Asian parents -- wanted a boy who would be able to ‘carry on the family name’. Girls are thought to be ‘lost’ as soon as they are married off.If I were a boy, I suppose we would also match the ‘ideal’ family portrait plastered everywhere during the early-1980s campaign to promote the two-child policy.

BPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1130139231890210792005-10-24T15:33:00.000+08:002005-10-25T13:45:49.636+08:00

There’ve been many movie plots that explored the notion of ‘signs’. I don’t mean the kind that involves long grassy fields of corn, i.e. the kind that some poor chap(s) painstakingly mowed into weird shapes just so that M. Night Shyamalan can make his farce of an alien movie, although that could’ve been done by CGI. I hope so anyway, or the poor stalks of corn would’ve died in vain. But I

BPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002688.post-1129614608365272422005-10-18T13:49:00.000+08:002005-10-19T09:24:52.930+08:00

Of the five senses that people are lucky to be born with, the one I most treasure is sight. Of course my friends would probably interject with their usual ribbing about my eyesight being less than perfect, etc. But there are worse things in life than being shortsighted: like not being able to see at all.People with perfect vision will no doubt shudder to imagine the possibility that the world

BPnoreply@blogger.com2