Own standards

Last night I felt quite sad. Over dinner, my 2 friends were stupifed and stunned that at our age, I am still not saving as much as I should. Maybe they thought I am a spendthrift. Maybe they didn't know my difficulties. But since when did I say I don't have money? I am just contented. You can possess all the tens of thousands of money in the world or even millions, but what if you die tonight? What's your regrets? Your pots of money?

Just because they are doing extremely well in their lives, does not mean that others are in the same luxurious ship as they. One can afford not to work, supported by struggling husband, spending huge amounts on children's education and playthings and even travelling. The other is earning loads and loads of money from her business, splurging on typical single women's stuff, like spa, exercise machines, branded clothes, expensive cosmetics and skincare, leather bags, jewellery etc etc...

Yes, they are spending within their means, maybe. They can afford it anyway. But they don't understand that sometimes other people may not be in as lucky positions as they. What about those folks who have to struggle to survive for a living, non-progressive career, huge family burden, debt-ridden and having bad luck in life. Just too unfortunate?

Take for example my mom, I think she's had a hard life taking care of the family all her life. Now she's in her mid 60s. With weak legs, but still want to work. I just want to do my best to get her the simple stuff that she likes and would not be willing to spend the money on. It could be a simple Harrods bag. It could be a pair of semi-precious stone ear rings. Or a handphone. Or a cooking pot she's been eyeing. Or overseas travelling. Or to a restaurant she's been craving for. Or just making the small effort to wake up early to call a cab and fetch her to work because it's raining heavily. Otherwise she would have taken a bus in the rain, and walk a long distance to work, with her weak legs.

The point I am trying to make is, while you are enjoying life, make sure you don't forget others who are more unfortunate, be it your parents or friends, who might not be doing as well as you. They may be just "not doing well" in your standards. They don't need to live according to your standards, you know.

It's their choice

Sometimes I wonder if my close friends are really happy with their lives. Or were there times when it's all a facade.

Jess is still with her "fateful" love of her life, although their situation is status quo, again and again. Perhaps it's love, perhaps it's fate. She is cheery and outspoken, and always the bright spark in our group. She has just regained from her one year bitter ordeal with her business partners, but career-wise, she has "flipped back" in shape, as she put it. So glad for her. So now is love life. She truly believes she has found the man who loves her and whom she loves too, but circumstances are such that they can't be together as yet. All I can say is, it's her choice, it's her life. Somehow things will be straightened out, sooner or later.

Then there's Liyan. Supposedly happily married and gone overseas with hubby who is working there, plus a toddler son, the precious spark of her life. I would never have thought she would become the mother she is. Everything revolves around her son and religion now. She can drop anything everything at her son's beck and call. I always wonder if the hubby is happy. Or if she is happy. She is the only "tai tai" among us who can afford not to work to care for her only baby. However she maintains she is a poor housewife. A housewife so poor but can afford to splurge on her son? Again, it's her choice.

Managing ok

I am enjoying my work. I think I am suited for management. Managing projects big and small, managing my staff, managing sales people's activities. Managing new tasks and responsibilities. Managing operations. As I'm given more opportunities and more autonomy and wider scope to learn, I think I am really beginning to be what I know I would like to do - managing. Need not be a boss. But good enough to be in a position to guide and help all the functions of running a company. I don't like working alone. And I don't like detailed nitty gritty stuff. Which is why I like managing. Especially interacting with and motivating people.

Actually from day one when I did my MBA, I know I am suited to manage. And I always liked the topic "Strategic Management" most. There is no hard and fast rule on anything. I learnt that be it managing a job, managing people, we need to be flexible, be able to move with the flow. To flow with the move. There is no straight jacket answers to everything. It has to be our own road to discovering how best you want to resolve a situation or manage a person, through good or bad "live" experiences.

The child within

Imperishable

Russian medics fascinated by the imperishable body of Buddhist Lama 

Russian medics were floored. "Samples taken 75 years after the burial of a Buddhist lama indicated that the organics of the lama's hair and nails is no different from that of a living person," states Professor Galina Ershova. The body belongs to a famous religious leader by the name of Dasha-Dorjo Itigelov, who used to be the head of Russian Buddhists from 1911 to 1927.

Before this, exhumation had been conducted twice: once in 1955 and in 1973. Not a sign of decay was found on the body both times when the grave was unearthed. Nothing changed the third time the lama's body was dug up in 2002. Afterwards, the medics decided to conduct a thorough analysis of the lama's body.

"His joints bend easily, soft tissues can be forced effortlessly, just like with a living human being. What's interesting is also the fact that after the coffin cover has been removed, we could all detect a sweet-smelling scent wafting out from the inside," says G. Ershova.

According to her, "This completely contradicts of what should happen to a dead person after being buried for 75 years," G. Ershova also highlighted that this is the first case of its kind not only in the history of Buddhism but in the entire history of humankind.

The lama's body has been the object of worship for Buryat Buddhists for two years now. It is situated in Ivolginsk Datsan ( spiritual center for Russian Buddhists located in the capital of Buryatia Ulan-Ude ). According to the current head of Buddhist traditional sanghha in Russia, Khamba-lama Damba Ayusheev, this unexplainable phenomenon had encouraged faithful Buddhists and helped those in doubt to leave aside all their uncertainties.

Sensational results of the thorough examination of Lama Dasha-Dorjo Itigelov were released and made public only this year in Moscow, Russia.

Note: Bodies of holy beings as such are actually not unknown or unheard of in the various Buddhist traditions where great Masters who have transcended samsaric entanglements consciously preserve aspects of their holy bodies as meritorious-supports for their disciples to inspire faith in the confused or undecided beings.

Isn't she lovely?

As per Stevie Wonder's song.....isn't she lovely?
The different looks of Lee Young Ae 이영애.

So handsome

This guy is from India and he won "The Best Looking Guy in the World" title. So handsome.... *drool big-time*

Eraser?

Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds. - Buddha

Chiangmai

Chiangmai, Thailand. Fun because almost the whole family 18 of us went together.

The old Paris bug

Part of my Europe trip - Paris. Nah, I didn't like Paris, no matter how people say it's romantic yadah yadah yadah.... because the people I met were simply snobbish.

The bug is here

My travel bug is here again. I miss the "fresh air" of anywhere other than Singapore. This is taken in Mt Sorak, Korea, in the midst of autumn, my favourite season. Those colourful trees, in red, yellow, golden splendour across the endless rows of trees. If I had my way, I'll be in Korea soon! Lee Young Ae, here I come!

Blaming machine

My washing machine broke down. Because the load was too heavy. Mom told maid to put in the huge mattress cover to spin plus a few more cushion covers. It went bonkers and Dad is cursing and swearing, and gave Mom a dressing down. His face has been black since yesterday, banging at the dead machine.

I thought, c'mon, the darn machine (it's a hardy Fisher&Paykel, mind you) is more than 10 years old, it's about time. No point blaming anyone. And no point losing your cool just because of a dead machine. My Dad is childish in that sense, always in the blaming-the-whole-world-except-himself mode. You either get it fixed or buy a new one. Get a life, MAN!

Post note:

In a moment of haste, I went Courts in Suntec and within 20 minutes bought a Samsung 8kg-load washing machine because it's big and it's on sale, very cheap at $299! Original price is $599. At first wanted to buy the LG model, because it's on offer too and there are many pixs of my idol all over the place (she is LG spokeswoman ok). But then nah....the even cheaper one won the deal. If it really breaks down in less than 5 years, I will just buy another one. No big deal.

Blood

Overheard a conversation on tampons:

Person A: I always wonder how a tiny tampon can soak up so much blood

Person B: Well girls actually bleed only about a cup of blood during the whole week of menses. supposedly and we change our tampons every 8 hours. Cannot leave it in for one whole week what.

Person A: What kind of cup?

Person B: Cooking cups lah, about 300ml I think.

Person A: Imagine how many lives that could save if it was donated.

Aircon

God I finally fixed the darn aircon in my room. It's been intermittent in serving cold air for the past few months but I "lived with it" because "some days it's cool". But it went totally dead after I came back from my Bangkok trip. And I am hot! And I have not been able to sleep well because of "no aircon"! At least now I have cool air! It better work till I move outta this house!

The index lady

My idol has one thing in common with me. That is..... wearing a bulky ring on her index finger, which is the authority finger. Maybe both of us like to have our own way!

That round round thing

I didn't notice this year's National Day logo till my nephew kept pointing and asking me what's the meaning of "that circle, that round round thing". I kept asking him, "what circle?" at first.

Here it is, my dear nephew. This year's logo embraces our theme "Our Global City, Our Home". It depicts a globe with the little red island of Singapore as its focal point. Despite our small size, our island is widely recognized for its thriving economy, its connectivity to the world and its emerging role on the international stage.

The use of multi-coloured brushstrokes demonstrates our vibrancy as a nation. The merging of the different colours into one icon connotes our unity and harmony as a multi-racial and multi-religious society. The treatment of the brushstrokes gives the logo an Asian feel. It denotes that while Singapore is evolving into a global city, we do not forget our roots and Asian values.

The futuristic black font shows our boldness and that we are forward looking in shaping our future as a nation.

Happy Birthday, Singapore.

Slow Dance

This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital.

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask, How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done!
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Vanessa

Last night I dreamt of a childhood friend, Vanessa. She joined my class in Primary 3 and left after Primary 4. In that short 2 years, we used to swim and play together. Vanessa came from a well-to-do family and she is an extremely smart girl, did well in her studies. Yet she is very humble and did not look down on poorer kids like me.

In Primary 4, the form teacher selected Vanessa to be a prefect while I was chosen to be a librarian. Vanessa didn't want to be a prefect, preferring to be a librarian because she loves to read, I think. So in the end, swop of places and fate, I became a prefect. In the years to come, I would have become the Head Prefect, if it was not for Vanessa then, I guess.

Anyway I remembered feeling angry with her for doing so then. And began to ignore her. The good natured her still continued to humour me but I was stubborn. Till even after she left school, she wrote letters to me asking about my well-being. I remembered in some mornings, while I was walking to school, her dad's car would passed by and she would called out to me and waved at me very excitedly! In one of her letters to me, she would write: "Saw you from my car this morning, waved at you but you didn't see me. How are you, my friend?"

Till this day I still feel guilty that I was so oblivion about her. Anyway, last night was a long dream. I dreamt that Vanessa still looked the same, tanned looking with big eyes and bright smile. She was walking alone in front of me, and I kept following her behind. We walked and we walked through endless empty roads and quiet highways, in the dark of the night. We just walked and walked without talking. It was a sad dream to me.

If I were to see my friend Vanessa again, I am sure I will be able to recognise her but what will I say to her? How are you, my friend?

Is vs Not

One fengshui master said: "When a person is able to cry upon hearing sad news or happenings, it shows the person’s compassion. It need not mean that the person is a weak person."

But I asked: "When a person is not able to cry upon hearing sad news or watching tragic movies, does it mean he is not compassionate? It need not mean that this person is a strong person."

연리지

Watched the Korean movie "Now and Forever" (Yeonriji) starring the popular Choi Ji Woo and handsome Jo Han Sun, a moving story of romance and fate. The typical playboy meets girl, finally falling in love, but to discover she is terminally ill. The twist is he too found out he has brain tumour and he thought his girlfriend is not aware of it....

A sad tale, Choi Ji Woo may not be the typical pretty pretty girl but she sure can act.

A nice awww-so-sweet quote:

"Last night I looked up at the stars and matched each one with a reason why I love you. I was doing great, but then I ran out of stars."

Long live the King

Day 5. Last day in Bangkok. Woke up late for a leisurely breakfast. Aunt Joan called to break the news that her daughter my cousin has been offered a place in NUS to study law. This was good news since she is a very intelligent girl who scored all distinctions for her IB.

By noon, I checked out of the hotel, the 9394 cab driver was here again to fetch me to the Airport. His bright sunny smile was sincere, so I gave him extra tip at the end of it. The entire Bangkok skyline was filled with huge posters, banners, photos of their King Bhumibol along the roads, buildings, streets and expressways. Such is the adulation of his loyal subjects.

I was real early after checking in my luggage. I think this trip I did most of my shopping at the Duty-Free shops. Bought Elizabeth Arden perfume because it was on sale. Bought a compact lipstick case with an assortment of lipsticks from Lancome. I always like assortment of lipsticks in a single case, different colours to suit different dress theme everyday. And I can't find the design of the casing like this in Singapore. Also bought a United Colours of Benetton leather wallet because it was simply cheap at 1250baht (after discount).

Shopped too much that I missed lunch and had to board the plane. On the plane felt my stomach gastrics churning. Had to order the gourmet sandwich. Lousy food for S$7! This is budget airline for you. And my other handle on my luggage almost got ripped off. Gotta claim insurance!

Kup Khun Kha!

Day 4. Nothing happening at the booth. Except meeting a bunch of loonies. This Sikh from New Delhi, in a huge turban and in a nice coat and tie approached me, at first trying to ask intelligent questions of what we do, trying to sound very interested. As I explained, he took out his mobile phone, and kept fumbling with it and tried to hold it vertical, and at the same time asking more questions. Looking at the angle, it was obvious he was trying to snap photos all the way from my head to waist. I tried to cut the conversation short by saying "thank you" and tried to send him off. He finally bowed down and kept muttering "thank you" with an immense satisfied grin and then proceeded to his next "victim" next door. Asshole.

In the evening, I finally could relax since it was the last night already. Met up with my Uncle Richard and Aunt Joan who have been staying in Bangkok for the past 30 years. Went for a nice dinner at Somboon Restaurant across my hotel, had real sour steamed cuttlefish in a hot pot, fried oyster, stir-fried kailan, and fried juicy catfish. This trip I didn't have tomyam khun. Afraid it may affect my sensitive tummy. I stuck to safe kway-teow or bee hoon soup for all my lunches. Afterwards we went to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which was a night version of Chatuchak Weekend Market, with rows and rows of hundreds of small shops selling knick knacks from accessories to huge furniture to nice chill-out places for drinks and supper. I didn't have much time to shop so didn't buy anything except for a long purplish beaded necklace which costs 180baht and a wooden bangle for sis. If I have ample time there, I think I would have bought the whole place!

Real hospitable Thai experience. Kup Khun kha!

Massage!

Day 3. The real show begins. Or so we thought. Yeah many visitors but not towards our ASEAN pavillion. More of consumers looking for freebies. Not many serious corporate people looking for our kind of offering. We ain't selling toys for goodness sake, so I guess we can't complain too much. Not the right audience. Anyway we are looking for more of business partners rather than end users. So, a lesson learnt. But it was a good experience.

Dinner time, Somjit brought all of us to a nice restaurant along the Chao Phraya river for dinner. Very romantic place because it was so dark that we didn't quite saw what our food looked like. But nice nevertheless.

After that we went for the traditional Thai massage near our hotel. Really shiok, after a day of walking and idling at the booth. The massage was not as painful as I thought. I heard the massage lady's bones cracked instead of mine! I will do it again definitely.

Her Royal Highness

Day 2. Met my Thai partner, Somjit. She's a nice lady. And we headed to the gigantic convention center in IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. No jam at the expressway..

Today is the opening ceremony of the convention. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be here to preside the opening ceremony and visiting the exhibitors and the booths. Time came to a standstill today, because we really waited and waited and waited for Her Royal Highness. And we had nothing much to do except eat sit and watch. She finally appeared at 5pm. She is a real humble and unassuming lady. Not an air of arrogance coming from her. No wonder the Thai people love their princess.

The ceremony ended barely 15 minutes later and HRH proceeded to tour the whole place. Well at least I was this close to meeting a royalty. One metre away, to be exact.