See double?

Nope...this is not a mirror image...I have 2 Smoquirs now :) Bought another one at $2 to help raise funds for my company D&D. The client who sold it to me said that tmr i'll start seeing little smoquirs around...haha...if that really happens, then they'll be renamed as Broke-Back Brothers.

Today's lunch

Had lunch at this cafe style eatery called Lai Lai. They serve wanton, dumplings noodles, char siew and roast pork at one counter, and claypot and steamed rice at another counter.

Ordered their 梅菜扣肉饭 which was not that fantistic. It wasn't too bad, but not fantastic either. Just amused that there is this shop tucked away at a little corner of Tiong Bahru Plaza.

Sometimes I wish I had Hun's mobile blogging service...then can blog on the spot. haha!

Eventful weekend

The weekend that just passed has been very eventful.

On Sat, I attended an ex-cell mate's wedding. The dinner was held at Raffles Hotel and the dress code was lounge suits and evening gowns! It was indeed the grandest wedding dinner that I have ever attended. The experience was interesting also because the food was served individually instead of being placed in the centre. And the pace was slow too...on the average, the interval between each dish was 20 - 30 mins. Because of the long waiting time in between dishes, coupled with the small servings each person is given...I ended up feeling hungry the whole evening...haha...

After the first dish, I had already worked up an appetite and all ready for the second dish...but we had to wait 30 mins before that came. By the time, I was so hungry that the small amount could not really satisfy my hunger...left me craving for more food, which also came another 30 minutes later. And this went on for the next few dishes that by the 4th or 5th dish, we were all talking about going for supper after the dinner.

This is the first wedding dinner that I have attended that I was actually looking forward to the noodles dish...usually by then, everyone would be too full to eat the noodles...but for my table, all of us finished our noodles! The dinner ended at about 11:15pm...by then we were all so tired that we called off supper and decided to just go back home instead.

But still, I must say that the service was excellent. They do not top up your sprite or coke...each time you finish your drinks, they give you a new glass. They were also very polite and professional in the way they serve the guests. The food was delicious too...one of the best for wedding dinners I've attended so far. On the whole, I would say it was still a pleasurable experience for me :) Hun took photos of us in our glam wear...u can see it in his blog.

On Sunday, Hun gave me a surprise...He brought me to watch a play staged by The Neccessary Stage titled Fundamentally Happy. It was a play that dealt with pedophilia issues. He was so sweet to plan the surprise...brought me all the way to Marine Parade CC where TNS was and I had no idea we were watching a play until we reached the entrance.

When the show started, we had another "surprise". For the show that we were watching, there was a group of old folks from a home accompanied by their nurses. They were brought here to watch the show for free. One of the old man apparently could not understand english as was quite bored throughout the show that he was making quite abit of noise.

He obviously did not enjoy the show at all and kept making loud comments...like when the actors were quarrelling in the play, he said in hokkien "ke pak, ke pak" which means "go fight! go fight!"; when the actor was packing up because she was moving home in the play, the dear old man said "siu liao, siu liao...balik balik!" meaning "keep already, go back! go back!". He also kept 'reporting' the time at 4pm, 4:05pm, 4:10pm....every 5 minutes...cos apparently it was told to him that the show would end at 4pm.

After the show ended...Hun and I were laughing all the way cos of the old man. We were at a loss about how to feel...while the actors were protraying the mixed emotions of being a child sexual abuse victim and being a child sexual abuser's wife, we the audience were feeling a mixed emotions of whether to laugh or be angry at the old man...after all you can't really blame him...he didn't understand a word they were saying at all.

Still I told Hun that I wouldn't have enjoyed the show any other way...it was quite an interesting and definitely unforgettable experience!! haha...

Guidance from the Lord

God answers prayers in little ways.

I woke up this morning feeling so tired and unwilling to come to work because I had a not so pleasant dream. Prayed to God that He will strengthen me for the work today. Was singing "God is the strength of my heart" in mandarin while I was bathing and declared that "today is the day the G0d as made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!" and "the joy of the Lord will be my strength!".

Positive declarations like that does help in lifting my mood up because I'm making a stand to rejoice in the Lord despite of my weakness and also making a choice to depend on Him to go through the day.

As I was reading the ODB (Our Daily Bread) online, the passages for both yesterday and today spoke to me in a still small way. The first one was about Power that destroys. It talks about God's rule and requirements of a leader...that he has to first be a servant to the people he wants to lead. Jesus came to be our King, but He did so by serving others while He was on earth. So likewise, we should do the same for. Whether we want to be leaders or not, our calling is to be a servant of God that loves His people and serves His creation. This is the way, I feel, to effective be a light to those not yet saved...actions speaks louder than words. This ODB thus encouraged me in the aspect of my profession...that I ought to thank God for giving me a job that gives me so many opportunities to serve those in needs.

When I read the second ODB, it seems to be like a continuation from the first. The second one talks about giving to those in needs. Open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land. —Deuteronomy 15:11 Once again, this was a confirmation and affirmation that I know God is giving me regarding my work as a social worker. God is good...He knows just what I need and He comforts me in my times of need.

Perhaps I have never seen my being a social worker in this light before: that this is one of the ministry that God has planned for me. And He will not leave me alone to do this but will strengthen me. Ironically, I have been the one who did not see His outstretched hands and chose to struggle on my own. I pray that I will continue to rely on His strength to do the work that is laid before me. After all, He did say that His yoke is easy and His burden is light...

New shoes...yay...

Bought a pair of new shoes during lunch break today. The pair I wore to work has soles that are so thin that every step I took was painful. Shopped around all the shoe shops in Tiong Bahru Plaza and couldn't find the one that I wanted.

Strange how when you are looking for something, its so difficult to find..but when you do not intentionally look for it, there it is. Like tha pink shoes that I bought on Tuesday...it looks nice and matches my pink engagement gown which I'm gonna wear for a friend's wedding. That cost me only $11.95 after a 50% discount so I got quite a steal!

Anyway, this pair of wedges are not bad too...$16.50 after a 25% discount. And it looks like what most shoe shops would charge at $39.90 or at least $29.90. Another good buy :)


Top view and side view of my new shoes :)

Thinking about thinking

I think I think too much. Latetly I've been thinking about why I tend to think so much. Maybe I' m just half-asleep...let go down and buy some snacks to keep awake.

Reaping what you sow

It's scary that things like this is becoming more common in Singapore.

A case of under-aged pregnancy which led to tensions between the families of the couple. Quarrels over who should be responsible and who should take care of the baby are happening more frequently. The young couple is also under stressed from their family members...tho I do not know, I believe this is very trying for their relationship.

Sets me thinking...if they have not had sex, they wouldn't be in this situation now. Thinking further, if they had stopped themselves from having sex the first time, then perhaps it would not have led to subsequent ones which ultimately resulted in getting pregnant.

What the Word says is so true...that we reap what we sow...

I have compassion for this young couple...I can only imagine the kind of stress they are going through...whether they ultimately are the ones who bring up the baby or not, this has forced them to grow up sooner than they should. I'm sure they have regretted it...but somethings cannot be reversed.

I'm a believer that humans are capable of certain responsibilities at certain age. For example, in this modern time and age, a young couple below 18 and still studying is definitely NOT ready for parenthood. But yet parental instinct is also natural...so the result is them carrying a responsibility that's way too big for their young shoulders to carry. It's not impossible, but near impossible.

It's already difficult enough to bring up a baby, but to give the baby sufficient love and care, parents have to be physically, emotionally, financially equipped to be prepared for the lifelong responsibility of parenthood. But for this young couple, its really an uphill task. And things are not made easier by their own parents.

But stand on the parent's side and you may get a glimpse of what they are going through. Blaming the guy for impregnating their daughter, but at the same time angry and disappointed with their daughter, yet not daring to be too harsh on her cos she's pregnant and already in distress herself. The guy's parents blame the guy (guys always gets blamed for this first, cos when he's turned on, the organ that is thinking is not his brain), but they know that it take 2 hands to clap. They can't really blame the gal's parents for being upset, but yet they can't help feeling frustrated themselves. The gal, already feeling vulnerable, becomes demanding and possessive, but that's just because she is afraid that the guy would leave her to care for the baby on her own. The guy cracks under pressure and have thoughts of just leaving everything and move on with life. The baby? Before he/she's born, is already feeling the blame and rejection from his family. These are all very real and possible things that the families goes through. And it so difficult.

Only love can help them overcome all these....but no ordinary love...it has got to be a love that's strengthened by God himself. For the parents, it takes an unconditional love to overcome their own frustrations and disappointments to still give love to their children and grandchild; the couple needs to learn how to love beyond infatuation, to love even in bad times, to love enough to care and support even though they are hurting, to love unselfishly. And they need to love each other enough to draw strength to love their little one.

As I'm reflecting, I thank God for my life and the perils He has protected me from. I had a happy childhood in an intact family, I was free from BGR troubles through my teenage years, I have wonderful friends in my late teens/young adult years (of course I fell in love a few times with the wrong ppl ie it was one sided on my part, but it's over now and we're still good friends!). I had often prayed to have a boyfriend and have gotten impatient to be in a relationship cos everyone around me have been in one before!

But I'm glad I waited, or rather God preserved me for the best. Today I'm happily engaged to my Hun, who is also my first and only boyfriend. Though I have waited 23 years to meet him, it was worth the while cos I'm convinced that he is the best that God had prepared for me :)

No, I'm not gloating at other's sufferings, but I do feel thankful for all the things that I have and it becomes even more obvious how blessed when I compare myself with others who are not so fortunate as me.

I do feel alot for the couple and their families...and I pray that God's peace will be with them. Receiving a baby into the world should be a joyful thing...and I pray that they will overcome all their differences and receive that joy! And I pray that the baby will get the love and concern of his family too...Amen!

Frustrations of a Social Worker

Read an article a friend forward to me from the STI...it was talking about upgrading the image and prospects of the social service professionals. Had so much after-thoughts after reading it...Disclaimer: this post may be offensive to some of you who read it. I apologize before hand if it upsets you, but I'm not making any personal attacks. These are purely my thoughts which may be very skewed of course...

Singapore should learn to appreciate social service professionals more man...Singaporeans should learn that profit making businesses are not the only ones that are worth respect...Singaporeans should stop treating social service professionals like second class citizens or volunteers...We are citizens too, we need a good pay to survive oso...stop telling us "it's not about the pay"....stop thinking that if we earn as much as you means that our organization is mis-handling public donations.

If a person is paid as high as $5000 a month for doing things that increase the company's profits ie just about money, what is wrong with paying a social worker $5000 for doing things that adds joy, opportunities, help in times of needs in people's lives??

No...that would be a sin...cos that would mean that the VWO is "mishandling public donations"....in other words, the poor ought to be poor...it's jus their bad luck...people who help the poor should not think about how much they are paid..."be thankful you are even getting a pay"...People in the helping profession is somehow immuned to hunger and financial stress...people who are helping the less priviledged dun need to eat one! They must stay in humble homes, eat humble food, have humble clothes....otherwise, it means that they are mis-using public donations.

So quit telling us how much you admire and respect us working in the social service sector...quit your crap...if you don't truly mean it , don't say it. If you mean what you say, then don't just say it...actions speak louder than words. Stop seeing us a "paid volunteer", our work is our profession just as much as yours is to you. Please learn to see us as your fellow professionals too!

Lucky Draw Prize

Hehe...bought a $3 lucky draw ticket yesterday to raise funds for my company...got a soft toy, a smoking squirrel which I shall name.....hmm....well, Smoquir...haha

It's not just any toy squirrel ok! The tail and hands is adjustable one leh...dun play play....

Tree Top Walk on 2 Sept 2006

Hun knew I was feeling stressed lately...so he agreed to go with me on a relaxing tree top walk last saturday!


Here we are at the start!


0 km...long way to go! so many things cannot bring in!


Only 0.5km!!


Can u spot the critters along the way?


2.5 km! After 30mins of walking. Funny posters along the way...Hun and I interprete it as "Do not feed smiling monkey with half-peeled banana". Haha...lame...I know....but it's funny for me anyway :)


Approaching...................Finally arrived!!


"I'm finally here!"


All ready to cross the bridge...no turning back!!


Happy me and Hun


Touching the tree tops. How often do you get to do that?!"


Look at the beautiful view!

Posing for the camera...oops too bright!

This is much better. Cheeze!

After more than 2 hours of walking...we're both tired. But we're only halfway through! So we faithfully march on...

Under the mercilessly hot sun...

When the jungle folks are seeking refuge under the shade...

And even Sadako's not interested to climb out of the well...

We thought the journey would never end...But suddenly...

We met an angel! In the form of a father with 2 young kids.....and a pick up!

Happy Hun and me got a free ride out....

to civilisation again!

What an adventure it has been....and truly enjoyable too!

Relax King!

Through the years...some things just don't change...enjoy!

“Ａｕｎｔｙ，不要蛋，换菜。可以吗？”

Had my lunch at Tiong Bahru Plaza today...cos wanna use my Kopitiam card to get a 10% discount on my food...haha...

Wanted to order barbaque chicken rice and ｓｏ　I asked the ｓｔａｌｌ　aunty “Ａｕｎｔｙ，不要蛋，换菜。可以吗？”　She said OK so I placed my order.

Ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ended up getting this:


The other aunty heard ｉｔ　ａｓ　“不要饭，换菜！”　Ｈaha...it was so funny!

Well, decided that since i wasn't that hungry, I will take it as it is: Chicken, Veg and Egg.　Ｎｏ　ｃａｒｂｏ．．．ｖｅｒｙ　ｈｅａｌｔｈｙ, good meal for dieters　:) hmm...ok, maybe not so healthy cos it's BBQ chicken :l

But an enjoyable meal nonetheless!

Sleepy Day...

Today is a sleepy day. Couldn't get out of bed till 7:15am!! Was quite amazing that I could still get to work in time....ok, was 5mins late lah...

it's 2:55pm now...and I'm still feeling sleepy....have set out goals for myself to achieve today but didn't complete any of those...I'm so good at procratinating...which is bad...

Maybe I'm just not cut out for work..haha! I should set up my own business or something. Or is it that I'm getting lazy nowadays...

Maybe it's just a monday thing.....

Rabbit Farm??!!

Went to a do a home-visit this morning before going to office...and this is what I saw as I was making my way to a client's home...














They open a rabbit farm or what??!!

The interesting sights you can find in Singapore HDB flats....