Raffles Marina

i am mildly amused by the fact that the bruise is in the shape of a yacht.

i will not be amused if there is a scar, shape of a yacht or otherwise.

So loser

I'm having dinner and scalded my hand against the lamp. It's very burnt! This is after icing and 2 rounds of oinment. Sob. Pray it doesnt scar! Else i should consider suing TCC under occupier's liability!

Exercising, kinda.

Yes.

I went crazy on Saturday and bought 8 dresses and 3 shirts under 5 hours. The day was spent with one of them BF, so it was a most good day. I cant wait for the other BF to be home.

I just realized that BF seems to be what it is not.

BF is best friend okay. NOT boyfriend. Cannot have more than one BOYFRIEND, that is zhek-ark.. which i am not. =)

I also bought:

1. A dress last week (one of which you see above);
2. New Specs (which you see below);
3. A huge-ass gym bag;
4. A pair of sandals (both iii and iv i din take pictures of).

I also bought a pair of earrings but the cost of that is negligible so i din put it in the list. And i still have to get shoes for new year / work.

I think I shouldnt be shopping anymore for a long long time.

I am alive!

Yes.

To all that were asking. I am alive.

People (even me) don't always feel like talkin wan okay. Like even now. But just so you know I am alive. Here's a picture of me that doesnt look like me with my new specs and new hair (minus the new hair colour that was done later).. i look super alot like someone horhhh...

So any votes for me specs? This pair is new..

On this day

Some of you may know that when I was much younger (like ten years ago), I used to participate in Toast-master competitions. One of the components entail the speaker weaving a whole story or some entertaining speech based on a word or sentence provided by the organizers.

Some samples of the questions I got before are:

a. What do you on a bad date?

I kid you not. This was actually during my law school days. I was first-runner up. The judge of the competition, some prominent partner of a prominent firm, actually leaned over to whisper in my ear whilst handing over the trophy - "we are giving this to you because we thought you made good of a difficult topic".

I can't remember very much of what I said except that alot of people were laughing, then again, when do people not laugh at what I say (hurhur). Something about remembering why you went on the date in the first place and taking off clothes. Hahaa.


b. "Naked" and "Island"

I kid you not again. This was the topic that I got in Secondary Four. I think I was second runner-up in the Nationals. I cant remember exactly the topic already, apart from the words above. But I do remember thinking I was the only one trying to crack a joke out of what I got. The others were all too serious, but the judges seemed to like that.

Funny what we remember when we intentionally call things to mind.

Anyhows, why am I talking about this?

I have been thinking, thinking, thinking.

And I guess I remember these competitions of old because:

i. in those days, i had to weave random ideas into a story from a word or theme that was given to me. A story that the audience would like. It made me happy that people found my throwing of ideas together entertaining. Being random helped.

ii. these days, i have to weave values and truths and reconcile them into a belief system. I guess we really live (as opposed to waking up and just living today because you didnt die in your sleep and you are just carrying on where you left off when you fell asleep yesterday) when we are forced to articulate and make coherent what makes your belief system - your own. And it is not easy.

But. Real growth comes when we have to grapple with new truths and ideas and face the possibility of changes to our belief system. Or development. Or depth to it, whatever you may want to call non-status quo. That, is not easy. Hahaa. Which is why some people grow and some people dont.

Being a source of entertainment doesnt feature so much now, though I do think I can still amuse.

So what would one say of the word, "Dreams"?

Lao ban niang

Harlowz! I'm back from israel! The trip wuz most good and shall blog abt it in due course! But THIS is a picture we took at Pakk's wedding with the boys. They were only 15 when i first met them. You would agree that i look like lady mafia boss!

My bags are packed i'm ready to go

I'm leaving for israel! Will be back in two weeks! Check out my new specs! Miss me and love me!

Uncle so friendly

Hs and i are havin barhchor mee and i wuz exclaiming that there isnt a picture of me on her phone. I proceeded to take a picture of myself. The barhchor mee uncle who wuz apparently watching us exclaimed that i should take a picture of him and i kindly obliged. Uncle so cute, check out his fingers. Blogging from me phone so fun =)

In the mood for some..

Dinner was with SA last night. Good time of sharing, most precious it is. Especially when you know the other person's love language is time and they are so very busy.

I am really looking forward to Israel, now to piah all the way so I can go in peace. My bosses have been real nice about my trip too. Most grateful I am.

I am trying out this new editing program. Think it rocks big time man.. check out the little stars and what not you can add on your pictures!

So kelian

It's been awhile since i left office at 2 am. The security uncle was exclaiming when he saw me. I told him upstairs still got people. He asked in astonishment if my boss was still around. I said no lar, my junior. I am actually fond of some of the security uncles, even though i dont feel very safe - how are they going to out run the bad guys with their jiggly bellies? Be that as it may, it's tough to be a security uncle. Maybe i should bless them tmw. =) Ya. Incase you're wondering, i'm bloggin from me phone. =)

==================

This is an addition to the post of last night. Met DCK and FMR in the lift back from Court just now and the conversation turned to how late one can stay in the office.

Me: I left at like 2 am yesterday can.

DCK: Single still can larh.

FMR: Yarh Yarh.

Me: No not single. If I staying alone I dont dare to stay so late wan. Scary.

DCK: I meant like not married with kids single.

Me: O.

Hahaa. Anyhows, we agreed that we should have a measurement of lateness for our ease of reference. Check out the email that DCK sent out after the conversation in the lift.

[QUOTE]

Dear all

Re: Graduation of lateness (for discussion)

This is a list of the suggested answers to be given when someone asks you the following question:-

"Are you staying late tonight? How late?"

6pm I'm married and expecting kids kinda late
7pm I've got a charity dinner for needy children kinda late
8pm -
8.45pm I've just come back from dinner and will be taking cab back home now kinda late
10pm -
11pm Damn late
12pm Super damn late
2am Scary late
6am Casio discovery kinda late
10am Law Soc final submissions kinda late

Please feel free to include more suggested answers.

Best regards

[UNQUOTE]

Hahaaa.

Btw, the 10 am above means work overnight. God forbid that happen to me man. Gross. =)

Saturday Night

Think my body is physically feeling the long hours, though thank God you cant see it from my face (yet). That's grace I tell you. Wasn't particularly efficient on Saturday and decided to call it a day earl(ier).

So Saturday was dinner with the best friend - you can actually be too tired to shop! (if you look carefully you can see the fatigue in my eyes below. hahaa. )

Actually, you cant larh (be too tired to shop that is).

It was then drinks with Peh, who refused to allow his picture to be taken.

Not a bad idea since he hasn't cut his hair in awhile. OOPS! heh.

Groovy Baby!

thanks bes! (check him out here)

"Do not compare sufferings"

Some definitions of "grace" in the dictionary:

a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.

you can always tell when someone is just doing it out of pure GULAK (read: bull strength and tenacity) or out of the grace of God - in the latter the humility, gentleness and moral courage is like emanating inside out - in every word and act.

Indeed.

This video is nothing short of breath-taking.




I dont think I can utter any of my alleged grievances before this man. If I ever see him, I'll probably be like completely speechless for super long and then walk away convinced that "with God, impossible is nothing" (thats like Matthew 19:26 and Adidas, but whatever larh ah..).

In fact, right now, I think with God, impossible is nothing. Pretty sure I am :)

Amazing grace.

September / October Update - it's difficult to come up with catchy phrases all

My dear ardent ones,

Harlows. Come to think of it, I never started writing as if this was a letter before - and I am not going to begin doing so! Hahaa!

It has been rather challenging time for me (at work) - suffice it is to say that I don't quite recall a time as intense as this. What can i say? God has an interesting way of answering our prayers! But for those who are worried - dont be! I have been surprisingly good - my spirit most high, I am laughing half the time (the other half I am panicking) - I have to thank my crazy colleagues and God - talk about the joy of the Lord man..

But it's boring for you all to read this, when I can't give any particulars of what I am busy with at work rite?

yes yes, I know my audience - shall move on to my interesting stuff - like photos.



1. Hong Kong Cafe


It's been some time, but my lovely HS and I discovered the HK cafe - it rocks man! I mean, they serve all the HK style food - as for me, I am very pleased to have maggi mee served with my luncheon meat... Talk about being crazy..

I mean check out the soup all! It must be crazy to pay 6 bucks for maggi mee - but heck larh.. 开心就好 - allow me to indulge myself.

And here is my lovely HS - as WH puts it, with the most characterful face.. i oso say.. chioh too.. :)

She went to China for a work trip, and brought back peaches! the real kind! super sweet it was - I am more captivated by the colour and look of it. And check out the happening cheena plates - at first I was most excited to see it - old school plates! But I realized it was a faux - is plastic lorh.. =_=

2. No more WWH

Sob!

My bestest WWH has left for London - possibly for good! (crys mad tears) I is most sad! And he hasnt replied to my emails =_=

As many would know, WWH is most dear to me and now he is going to be out-stationed ! Who is going to whine and dine with me now?! So this is us before he left - I wanted to buy him dinner, but ended up he got the bill first.. drinks was on me tho..

This is JF who joined us - he insisted on me taking this picture of him attempting to look effeminate - i think cannot make it larh - he look so man how to be ahem..

But seriously, this is a great loss to me, WWH going away that is... and I meant to see him off at the airport but I overslept. =_= but okay larh.. WWH called me before he went in..

Huang! If you are readin this, you better reply to me emails! Soon!!

3. KL Trip

I went up with the Trybe! ppl to KL, to explore the possibility of setting up Trybe! there. It was a road trip - Rach drove.

I lurve Malaysian road signs - it's like super vintage. Anyhows, the ppl in the car were calling out to me when they saw this one.. so famous I am.. haha

It was a short trip, but good.. so much food! We went to this nice Penang-style Kopitiam. I mean, the decor was very old school, the marble top table and wooden chairs and tiled floors (i like!).. but it was like clean and aircon..

Most importantly, the food is sooooooooooooooooo good!

This is a picture of the coconut I had there - which is one of a kind. It came with this white thingy - they managed to prepare the coconut by shaving its head off and just covering it with the sticky food film - so all you had to do was just peel it off and WAHLA! COCONUT FLESH!

i think Malaysian food just tastes better.. like even any old road side stall also can make it. this was like penang coffee, Curry chicken noodle (the ppl in malaysia have real JELAT tastebuds man.. the uncle was askin me if i wanted my curry noodle served with roast pork (shao rou).. SO JELAT... of cuz i violently refused him) ..

Okay. the truth of the matter is that I really took time to go up to Malaysia (take leave all) because I wanted to spend time with two very special people... Pastor Victor and Pastor Kelly!!! This very lovely couple were SUCH a blessing to me in their time in Singapore - i managed to spend one night at their place, Ps Kelly and I chatted till 5 am (so siao.. hahah)..

pastor Vic insisted on sticking a finger into each of the pictures I took =_=

watever.. u see him here, or rather, his finger..

(okay this is an interruption. whilst waiting for pastor victor to finish his meeting, pastor kelly and i went shopping - CHECK OUT THE SHOES!!! ay.. i din buy any okays.. such a good girl i am :) )

So i wanted to eat durians but in the end no time, so the pastors brought me to this place .. the local food was soooooooooooooooooooo good! (check out pastor vic's finger)

But i think the best of the food in Malaysia is the CLAYPOT PEI TAI MAK.. initially when it came i was like.. whats this man.... until you taste it.. SO YUMMY!!

4. the Parents

Um. I dont have much to say about the parents actually. Except that I think this picture I took of them whilst i brought them out for dinner is MOST endearing - they are possibly the most loving couple I know.. i think it comes with the age gap.. hahaa..

5. New Place

I recently chanced upon this ultra ulu place in the East. i think it rocks, especially for the time when i own my own yatches! You recall how I like to spend time in nature, hence the Bintan fishing village trips all (which you can read about here).. this place just faces the open sea! Shiok man (minus the Cheena music)

Next time I need a break, I dont have to go so far liao.. but having said that I prob still would.. i lurve that Indon fishing village.

6. Lovely Anna

So at church last Sunday, little anna was struggling to open a bag of chips. After observing her attempts for awhile, as well as her contemporaneous shouts to nobody in particular of "open for me!!", i offered my services...

Anna: Open for me! Open for me!

Me: Come, I open for you. (takes bag from her). What must you say?

Anna: Can you please open for me?

Me: Can who please open for you?

Anna: Can you please open for me, Auntie Jasmine? (she stares at me for awhile) Auntie Pretty?

Me: LOL!!!

So cute!!! I didnt even teach her to say that! What to do - kids dont lie.. lol.. Needless to say, I definitely opened the bag of chips for her larh - most promptly too.. hahha..

HHC and his coconut tree

Lunch was with the colleagues yesterday but the stars were really HHC and FMR. So funny they are - a must-have on weekends and late nights in office. It is very good that the food auntie really likes HHC who sits with the 小姐s. (okay never mind, inside joke).

I have been instructed with the honourable task as follows. You see the real famous green can above (yuarh just pretend you didnt notice our 'handsome' FMR laughin all).

Now, we the young lawyers of the Singapore bar would be grateful if you would confirm whether "Kickapoo - Joy Juice" should be pronounced:

i. "KEE-KAH-POH" (read with the Singapore slang); or

ii. "KICK-A-POO" (read with the clipped angmorh accent).

Just go with the flow and post your vote under the comments!

I promise we are not betting on this one! But prizes will be given to those who guess correctly which one is my choice! =)