How many people actually recite Shakespeare to you for the fun of it when they're not your classmates?
Dear Mag recited the first para of Merchant of Venice (she's got an acronym for it too, MOV) this morning BEFORE WE EVEN HAD BREAKFAST. And she had the same cheeky twinkle-in-eye look that says "so do you approve?" that J had when he read Macbeth out to me randomly in PageOne.
*traumatized*
Shakespeare first thing in the morning when i'm not even half awake... hello little girl... it's just after 8am... jie is not fully awake yet... pls don't pour shakespeare on me... not with the hammers a'crackin and the tiles a'fallin so that the roof can be a'replacin.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
What a fashion-filled day.
First, lil' sis and friend get approached by a modelling agency for name and contact. No photo was taken of her though... so i hope the info isn't used for something unsavoury. anywayz, jas (fashion industry insider) says it could be the gatherer trying to get as many names as possible coz they earn commission per name. Labour laws... plus scouts don't usually approach kids or teens for modelling jobs without their parents ard.
Then, Jas and i were approached by 2 NAFA students doing a project. They wanted to take pics of us for our fashion sense... U gotta admit it, it was different. We were both in casual dresses and pumps today. Unlike the usual top-and-denim ensemble that can be spotted at almost every corner! Jas agreed coz she understands, coming from the industry. I was shaking my head, protesting, so they left me alone. And now i feel bad coz it's not easy to go up to a stranger and ask them to let u take a pic for them...
There's something called being fashionably late. Dear Mr. J lent me his library card (he's got premium membership) so i could borrow music scores. just when the card finally registered in the system, the screen said no borrowing coz Mr. J was fashionably late. So fashionably late the amount payable was fashionably imposing on my ezlink card.
Finally, there's also something called fashionable death. The peace of the morning air was broken with shrieks of disbelief and laughter. Why? Some random lizard had chosen a rather fashionable way of dying: by hiding in the oven. My colleague warms up the oven every working day to bake pastries for our clients. And so, fashionable lizard was fried. Or rather, roasted. Now, if that's not a fashionable way in lizard world of committing suicide, then pray tell, pls enlighten me and all the other lizards on more fashionable ways of dying.
What a day filled with lessons on fashion.
First, lil' sis and friend get approached by a modelling agency for name and contact. No photo was taken of her though... so i hope the info isn't used for something unsavoury. anywayz, jas (fashion industry insider) says it could be the gatherer trying to get as many names as possible coz they earn commission per name. Labour laws... plus scouts don't usually approach kids or teens for modelling jobs without their parents ard.
Then, Jas and i were approached by 2 NAFA students doing a project. They wanted to take pics of us for our fashion sense... U gotta admit it, it was different. We were both in casual dresses and pumps today. Unlike the usual top-and-denim ensemble that can be spotted at almost every corner! Jas agreed coz she understands, coming from the industry. I was shaking my head, protesting, so they left me alone. And now i feel bad coz it's not easy to go up to a stranger and ask them to let u take a pic for them...
There's something called being fashionably late. Dear Mr. J lent me his library card (he's got premium membership) so i could borrow music scores. just when the card finally registered in the system, the screen said no borrowing coz Mr. J was fashionably late. So fashionably late the amount payable was fashionably imposing on my ezlink card.
Finally, there's also something called fashionable death. The peace of the morning air was broken with shrieks of disbelief and laughter. Why? Some random lizard had chosen a rather fashionable way of dying: by hiding in the oven. My colleague warms up the oven every working day to bake pastries for our clients. And so, fashionable lizard was fried. Or rather, roasted. Now, if that's not a fashionable way in lizard world of committing suicide, then pray tell, pls enlighten me and all the other lizards on more fashionable ways of dying.
What a day filled with lessons on fashion.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Went for the foc finale night yesterday, and I was reminded why I love the CFers. We were talking like mad and just having fun and laughing and laughing and laughing! Had a fantastic diaphragm workout yesterday!
But yes, I really thank God for brothers and sisters like you all, coz' from you, i've learnt how to take things at a more leisurely pace and not be so kan cheong... i've learnt how to share my live with u and accept ur sharing with me... i've learnt how to read the Bible... i've explored so many issues together... i've lent shoulders and had shoulders lent to me...
Really, I thank God for you all. Missing you guys already! Jun! JT! Hanoi next year right? Heh heh...
But yes, I really thank God for brothers and sisters like you all, coz' from you, i've learnt how to take things at a more leisurely pace and not be so kan cheong... i've learnt how to share my live with u and accept ur sharing with me... i've learnt how to read the Bible... i've explored so many issues together... i've lent shoulders and had shoulders lent to me...
Really, I thank God for you all. Missing you guys already! Jun! JT! Hanoi next year right? Heh heh...
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Saw this on the shipping conditions of an online shopping page... This portion pertains specifically to Europe ex UK.
"Please note when placing an order we advise that you select a work address rather than a residential one as our couriers only deliver between 9:00am and 5:00pm."
So quintessentially Europe.
"Please note when placing an order we advise that you select a work address rather than a residential one as our couriers only deliver between 9:00am and 5:00pm."
So quintessentially Europe.
Hmmm... Lioney has tagged me... and he insists that I finish the tag. *bleagh*
So here goes!
"Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs!"
1. i'm such a CSI junkie that if i miss an episode, i'll go read the synopsis for that episode. and the next one. and the next one. and... until the synopsis-es run out or until i'm too tired, whichever happens earlier.
2. i was a chubby kid with big eyes who had a penchant for dressing up in a pink tutu...
3. later kid years saw me sneak out what i call my mum's "kimono robe" to dress up as a princess
4. i've always loved watching tv..
5. to the extent my parents installed RoboMom, a device to lock the tv when i was 9...
6. and at the grand age of 9 i figured out how to beat that tv locking device.
7. when i was 3, i wanted a little baby brother named joey. when i was 10, i prayed hard the baby in my mummy's tummy (kids dunno wat wombs are) would be a girl. at 10, i thought brothers are icky.
8. when i wake up, i tune in to Class 95 fm or Gold 90.5 for the breakfast show.
9. i love drinking hot chocolate on a cold day, but a thick cold chocolate milkshake doesn't do it for me on a hot day.
10. banana milkshakes are good for any time of the day, in any type of weather.
There! Done! Now, to think of who to tag. No tagging back, so Lioney ur safe. *bleagh* Hmmm...
Tag 1: Jasmine
Tag 2: Ben
Tag 3:Janice Mag (coz' Lioney has tagged Jan already)
Tag 4: Jason
Tag 5: Sarah Chua
Tag 6: Faith
Yay! 6 names!
So here goes!
"Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs!"
1. i'm such a CSI junkie that if i miss an episode, i'll go read the synopsis for that episode. and the next one. and the next one. and... until the synopsis-es run out or until i'm too tired, whichever happens earlier.
2. i was a chubby kid with big eyes who had a penchant for dressing up in a pink tutu...
3. later kid years saw me sneak out what i call my mum's "kimono robe" to dress up as a princess
4. i've always loved watching tv..
5. to the extent my parents installed RoboMom, a device to lock the tv when i was 9...
6. and at the grand age of 9 i figured out how to beat that tv locking device.
7. when i was 3, i wanted a little baby brother named joey. when i was 10, i prayed hard the baby in my mummy's tummy (kids dunno wat wombs are) would be a girl. at 10, i thought brothers are icky.
8. when i wake up, i tune in to Class 95 fm or Gold 90.5 for the breakfast show.
9. i love drinking hot chocolate on a cold day, but a thick cold chocolate milkshake doesn't do it for me on a hot day.
10. banana milkshakes are good for any time of the day, in any type of weather.
There! Done! Now, to think of who to tag. No tagging back, so Lioney ur safe. *bleagh* Hmmm...
Tag 1: Jasmine
Tag 2: Ben
Tag 3:
Tag 4: Jason
Tag 5: Sarah Chua
Tag 6: Faith
Yay! 6 names!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Bye Bye Tree... I think it's seriously horrendous that we are doing things like cutting down old mature trees for crazy drivers who get into near accidents, and tearing down old buildings with unique features just so some property developers can make more money. There's so much talk about preserving our heritage... but seriously, at the rate we're removing things that were part of our recent past, no way are we going to have a heritage to talk about in a decade's time.
About the tree, it's dumb. After spending so much ($200K i think) on preserving the tree along Braddell Road, we cut down the tree because some drivers cannot keep to the 40kmph speed limit. Had the debate with some friends in a cab as we passed by Braddell Road. CK said it makes sense to cut down because it's safer, and because it's so fun to drive fast. There we go... Yes it's fun to drive fast... but with such a curvy road, be more careful! CK also feels that once the tree goes, the line of sight improves, so accidents are less likely to happen. Unfortunately, i think not. Cutting down the tree just introduces moral hazard into driving along the road. It's a bit like "since the tree is gone and I can see better, thus I can continue driving above 40 kmph, or even faster because it's safer!" Drivers who previously were more cautious because of the tree may throw caution to the wind now that there's nothing obstructing their view. So you tell me? More safety? Someone please send a book on applying the concept of moral hazard to daily lives to the decision makers who live in ivory towers and eat at country clubs and don't know how to order food from the hawker centre, much less take the MRT on normal days (not when the trains are sealed off for you to try the mode of transport). [Side note: listen to Mr. Brown's podcast... http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2007/07/17/the-mrbrown-show-bye-bye-tree/ apparently the decision to cut the tree came one week after Live Earth. Talk about irony...]
Then, the money grubbing property developers. Seriously, I'd make a terrible property developer. Even as malls are boarding up more spaces for shops, I'm wondering, where's all my space gone? I can get claustrophobic, and I sure HATE shopping in very claustrophobic and crowded conditions. No guesses why you'd seldom see me in town on the weekend. I want my space. But with all the REITs, developers have not choice. It's just the way of life, of business. Can't improve rent yields from current tenants? Then bring in new tenants and increase rental yield that way. Provide shoppers with a shopping experience to die for (yah sure we'll all die of suffocation and be packed like sardines on a Japanese bullet train IN A SHOPPING MALL).
But it's not just shopping malls. The old bungalow with butterfly wings is going to have its butterfly wings (the distinctive feature of the architectural piece) demolished just so the property developer can build more units. I'm a bit like... You know... if you could have kept those wings, who knows, it's such a unique feature that you could just up your going rate, and boast of such unique properties in your portfolio, rather than being a cookie-cutter property developer. But I guess it's a fact of life. Cookie cutter schools churn out cookie cutter graduates who turn businesses into cookie-cutter businesses. There's no difference between one cookie-cut cookie and the next. Not that they're average, but more that they're so similar there's no difference and nothing unique about them. Just a herd of sheep. And yes that's the definition of cookie-cutter. Cookie-cutter doesn't mean average. Cookie-cutter goes further than that. It means similar, almost identical, all from the same mould. I lament the lost of the appreciation of words in our society, amidst many other things.
About the tree, it's dumb. After spending so much ($200K i think) on preserving the tree along Braddell Road, we cut down the tree because some drivers cannot keep to the 40kmph speed limit. Had the debate with some friends in a cab as we passed by Braddell Road. CK said it makes sense to cut down because it's safer, and because it's so fun to drive fast. There we go... Yes it's fun to drive fast... but with such a curvy road, be more careful! CK also feels that once the tree goes, the line of sight improves, so accidents are less likely to happen. Unfortunately, i think not. Cutting down the tree just introduces moral hazard into driving along the road. It's a bit like "since the tree is gone and I can see better, thus I can continue driving above 40 kmph, or even faster because it's safer!" Drivers who previously were more cautious because of the tree may throw caution to the wind now that there's nothing obstructing their view. So you tell me? More safety? Someone please send a book on applying the concept of moral hazard to daily lives to the decision makers who live in ivory towers and eat at country clubs and don't know how to order food from the hawker centre, much less take the MRT on normal days (not when the trains are sealed off for you to try the mode of transport). [Side note: listen to Mr. Brown's podcast... http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2007/07/17/the-mrbrown-show-bye-bye-tree/ apparently the decision to cut the tree came one week after Live Earth. Talk about irony...]
Then, the money grubbing property developers. Seriously, I'd make a terrible property developer. Even as malls are boarding up more spaces for shops, I'm wondering, where's all my space gone? I can get claustrophobic, and I sure HATE shopping in very claustrophobic and crowded conditions. No guesses why you'd seldom see me in town on the weekend. I want my space. But with all the REITs, developers have not choice. It's just the way of life, of business. Can't improve rent yields from current tenants? Then bring in new tenants and increase rental yield that way. Provide shoppers with a shopping experience to die for (yah sure we'll all die of suffocation and be packed like sardines on a Japanese bullet train IN A SHOPPING MALL).
But it's not just shopping malls. The old bungalow with butterfly wings is going to have its butterfly wings (the distinctive feature of the architectural piece) demolished just so the property developer can build more units. I'm a bit like... You know... if you could have kept those wings, who knows, it's such a unique feature that you could just up your going rate, and boast of such unique properties in your portfolio, rather than being a cookie-cutter property developer. But I guess it's a fact of life. Cookie cutter schools churn out cookie cutter graduates who turn businesses into cookie-cutter businesses. There's no difference between one cookie-cut cookie and the next. Not that they're average, but more that they're so similar there's no difference and nothing unique about them. Just a herd of sheep. And yes that's the definition of cookie-cutter. Cookie-cutter doesn't mean average. Cookie-cutter goes further than that. It means similar, almost identical, all from the same mould. I lament the lost of the appreciation of words in our society, amidst many other things.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Names, names, names. Parents take great pains to name their new-born children. Writers spend hours thinking of names for their pieces. Children mentally run through a whole great list before naming their pets. So when we hear of a new name for a new thing, there is the idea that great thought has gone into it.
Then we come to Ion Orchard. It's pronounced Eye-On Orchard, which is a really clever pun. Except, the words don't roll off fluidly off my Singlish tongue. Seriously, unless pronounced with a stiff-upper-lip-British accent (which would be "Eire-Orn Oor-churd"), or by a descendant of the Celtic or Irish guy whose family name is "Ion", the name could seriously be pretty much mangled. What is more likely to happen though, is the Ion Orchard starts getting called "Ion", much the way Wisma Atrium became Wisma, and Takashimaya became Taka, Plaza Singapura became PS or Plaza Sing, and Tanjong Pagar Plaza became Plaza.
A descendant from the Ion family with Celtic and Irish roots wrote in praising the naming of Ion Orchard, saying that the word "Ion" conjures up images of energy and dynamism (amidst a whole long list of other words). Well, throw the word "ion" at anyone who has gone through some semblance of a Singaporean education, and you would probably have 2 types of answers: (1) Huh? Simi si ion? Iron ah? (2) Ion? Protons? Electrons? Neutrons?
As for myself, I'll probably just visit the Ion at least once to see what it's like. I'm curious. What does an ion look like inside? And how much of my Chemistry can I remember when I'm there?
Then we come to Ion Orchard. It's pronounced Eye-On Orchard, which is a really clever pun. Except, the words don't roll off fluidly off my Singlish tongue. Seriously, unless pronounced with a stiff-upper-lip-British accent (which would be "Eire-Orn Oor-churd"), or by a descendant of the Celtic or Irish guy whose family name is "Ion", the name could seriously be pretty much mangled. What is more likely to happen though, is the Ion Orchard starts getting called "Ion", much the way Wisma Atrium became Wisma, and Takashimaya became Taka, Plaza Singapura became PS or Plaza Sing, and Tanjong Pagar Plaza became Plaza.
A descendant from the Ion family with Celtic and Irish roots wrote in praising the naming of Ion Orchard, saying that the word "Ion" conjures up images of energy and dynamism (amidst a whole long list of other words). Well, throw the word "ion" at anyone who has gone through some semblance of a Singaporean education, and you would probably have 2 types of answers: (1) Huh? Simi si ion? Iron ah? (2) Ion? Protons? Electrons? Neutrons?
As for myself, I'll probably just visit the Ion at least once to see what it's like. I'm curious. What does an ion look like inside? And how much of my Chemistry can I remember when I'm there?
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Had this conversation with an intern today on msn…
she: hey, do you know which countries these central banks belong to?
(waiting for her to type in the dastardly names)
she: oesterreichische nationalbank
me: wha??????
me: ostrichland?
she: suomen pankki
me: lock door pancake land?
me: oh shucks...
she: schweizerische nationalbank
me: i think SNB is swiss. sounds like swiss
she: sveriges riksbank?
me: Swedish. Definitely.
Gosh… central bank linguistics… driving me mad they are.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Saw this sight on the way home from e-talk on Tues... and i have to blog about it! More about the e-talk contents tomorrow when i've digested the stuff...
So... here goes!
Cat-Bird Episode 1: Now Who's Chicken?
Setting: By a river, preferably one with historical significance and where people would gather round, such as the Singapore River. Main characters are to be perched on a ledge that overlooks the river.
Characters: Cat, Bird
Cat spots bird standing along the edge. Cat inches over, waiting to pounce. Cat stretches out in a meanacing pose... and gets ready to strike.
Bird moves promptly to the edge of the ledge. Bird looks up. Bird stares at Cat.
A minute passes.
Cat arches back, takes a step towards Bird.
Bird takes a few quick steps away from Cat. And stares at Cat.
Another minute passes.
Cat arches back, takes a step towards Bird.
Bird takes a few quick steps away from Cat. Stares at Cat. And dares Cat with a silent withering you-jump-you-fall-into-water look.
For the third time, another minute passes.
Cat finally leaps. It's a safe leap! It leaps! And lands on the perch, missing Bird. Bird flies!
And so. Now who's the chicken? The bird who is genetically (and physically) closer to a chicken? Or the cat? Hmmmm...
So... here goes!
Cat-Bird Episode 1: Now Who's Chicken?
Setting: By a river, preferably one with historical significance and where people would gather round, such as the Singapore River. Main characters are to be perched on a ledge that overlooks the river.
Characters: Cat, Bird
Cat spots bird standing along the edge. Cat inches over, waiting to pounce. Cat stretches out in a meanacing pose... and gets ready to strike.
Bird moves promptly to the edge of the ledge. Bird looks up. Bird stares at Cat.
A minute passes.
Cat arches back, takes a step towards Bird.
Bird takes a few quick steps away from Cat. And stares at Cat.
Another minute passes.
Cat arches back, takes a step towards Bird.
Bird takes a few quick steps away from Cat. Stares at Cat. And dares Cat with a silent withering you-jump-you-fall-into-water look.
For the third time, another minute passes.
Cat finally leaps. It's a safe leap! It leaps! And lands on the perch, missing Bird. Bird flies!
And so. Now who's the chicken? The bird who is genetically (and physically) closer to a chicken? Or the cat? Hmmmm...
Your Score: SoAn
You scored 22 mental chops, 23 work ethic, 12 bullshitability, and 7 practicality!
You're willing to work hard, but that's about it. You don't want to make things up and you don't care about how practical your major is. A social science that will make you write a decent bit such as sociology, anthropology, women's studies, American studies, Asian studies, African studies or your mother studies is probably a good fit for you. Sure, by the end of college you'll be bleeding relativistic universality and consider yourself a reverse ethnocentrist, but at least you'll know an awful lot about the breasfeeding practices of female gatherers from Amazonian tree-dwelling communities in the pre-rainforest devastation era.
| Link: The What Should You Major In? Test written by chapstiquette on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Monday, July 09, 2007
Random stuff.
Random 1.
I've got a working mp3 player! Ok, it's a hand-me-down... from my sis. Don't ask me why the direction seems wrong. But aaaaaannyway... that super cute girl wrote me a letter. I quote.
"any problems, come find me in my office.
my office address:
(home address)
room next to yours.
"i trustfully place my mp3 in yr hands."
CUTE OR NOT???
Random 2.
When you're an intern, be sure not to rub your colleagues up the wrong way...
If you want to expand the scope of the research paper your supervisor gave you, go back to that sup and clear it first. It's only polite to do so. Rather than have your sup get an utter shock that the scope and direction of the research he/she thought of has been changed. Make a suggestion before acting on it. Btw, this works in real life too.
And if you want to argue your point that this market is a good place to invest in, do so tactfully. Saying things like "anyone who does not think [country] will do well is too pessimist". Well, say hello to the pessimist writing this post. And say hello to the rest of her colleagues in the investment team that you have just paintbrushed as pessimists. Rule, read body language. Since it's very obvious that we are not too crazy about [country], make your case nicely and tactfully.
Random 3.
People can be friends for ages, and still not understand what the other party is saying. It's good to define terms. And everyone speaks with an agenda.
Random 1.
I've got a working mp3 player! Ok, it's a hand-me-down... from my sis. Don't ask me why the direction seems wrong. But aaaaaannyway... that super cute girl wrote me a letter. I quote.
"any problems, come find me in my office.
my office address:
(home address)
room next to yours.
"i trustfully place my mp3 in yr hands."
CUTE OR NOT???
Random 2.
When you're an intern, be sure not to rub your colleagues up the wrong way...
If you want to expand the scope of the research paper your supervisor gave you, go back to that sup and clear it first. It's only polite to do so. Rather than have your sup get an utter shock that the scope and direction of the research he/she thought of has been changed. Make a suggestion before acting on it. Btw, this works in real life too.
And if you want to argue your point that this market is a good place to invest in, do so tactfully. Saying things like "anyone who does not think [country] will do well is too pessimist". Well, say hello to the pessimist writing this post. And say hello to the rest of her colleagues in the investment team that you have just paintbrushed as pessimists. Rule, read body language. Since it's very obvious that we are not too crazy about [country], make your case nicely and tactfully.
Random 3.
People can be friends for ages, and still not understand what the other party is saying. It's good to define terms. And everyone speaks with an agenda.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Got these videos from my colleague… Amazing! This is BETTER than American Idols. There, they are quite the cookie-cutter singer. Here, in “Britain’s Got Talent”, it’s “wow” to the huge variety of talents! Oh, and the show features all sorts of stuff from dance to ventriquolism to singing.
Paul Potts the opera singer. He’s got this amazing opera voice. As Simon Cowell said, “you sell car phones, and you sing like this. I never would have expected it!” The guy got a standing ovation in his auditions. And… Opera won the day. He won the competition at the end!
Paul Potts' Audition
Paul Potts' Finale
Connie Talbot the super sweet toothy grin 6 year old. She’s got an amazingly sweet voice too! I almost cried when I heard the crystal clear quality of her voice. It’s so sweet and vulnerable, and she was yeah, pitch perfect! The hall was totally silent when she sang, because everyone was hanging on to every word she sang! She also made judge Amanda Holden cry everytime she sang. In fact, at backstage on the finals, she went up to Amanda and told her “I’m gonna make you cry [again] today.” So naughty and cute!!! She didn’t win, but she can really hold an audience. If she has a concert and I’m in town where she is, I wanna watch it!!!
Connie's Audition
Connie's Finale
Paul Potts the opera singer. He’s got this amazing opera voice. As Simon Cowell said, “you sell car phones, and you sing like this. I never would have expected it!” The guy got a standing ovation in his auditions. And… Opera won the day. He won the competition at the end!
Paul Potts' Audition
Paul Potts' Finale
Connie Talbot the super sweet toothy grin 6 year old. She’s got an amazingly sweet voice too! I almost cried when I heard the crystal clear quality of her voice. It’s so sweet and vulnerable, and she was yeah, pitch perfect! The hall was totally silent when she sang, because everyone was hanging on to every word she sang! She also made judge Amanda Holden cry everytime she sang. In fact, at backstage on the finals, she went up to Amanda and told her “I’m gonna make you cry [again] today.” So naughty and cute!!! She didn’t win, but she can really hold an audience. If she has a concert and I’m in town where she is, I wanna watch it!!!
Connie's Audition
Connie's Finale
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