Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Dips.

I don't understand.

I wish I did.

But I guess not.

A Trickle Unbroken Then - Who Knew?


picture by mnoo

sing to me a chorus new.
of splattered mirth and smiles askew.
up the ivory keys - one, two.
a strain of me, a chord of you.

Minors dabbed in rustic hue,
Bind a pause with thoughts to chew.
Opinions, thoughts and points of view,
a trickle unbroken then - who knew?

Stars of awe and sights to rue.
Speech aligned but words are few.
Maybe, Perhaps, False or True?
Time has yet to forge a clue.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Afraid.


Lara Jade

Afraid.

Because.

Of Experience.

And.

(Emptiness.)

Monday, May 28, 2007

Navy Open House 2007

Meeting at Tampines and making our way to Changi Naval Base in a cab thereafter would save us the hassle of jostling with the crowd for a space on the shuttle bus at the Singapore Expo.

Or so, we thought.

Jaws dropped when we were stopped at the SAF Yacht Club and told to make our way in. On foot. "Is the entrance within sight?", I enquired. "Just walk straight", the man replied with a smile. That gave us a rough gauge of the distance forged ahead, with the same answers meted out by varying uniformed men along the way.

And so, as shuttle buses rattled past us periodically, beads of sudor poured down our brows, trickling down our necks and backs. Lugging around the bag of Forever21 purchases I'd ordered online from the USA was not exactly the best thing to do. "At least we're burning off our fats!" I chimed optimistically, albeit at the expense of our feet. To steer us ahead, we sang silly songs along the way, peppered with bursts of laughter.

At the entrance, RSS Persistence welcomed visitors with its grandeur and we wandered past displays along the sidewalk, kiddy rides, booths and a snaking queue for the ducktour. It wasn't long before we were soaked in perspiration. Thereafter, we took time to scan the informative exhibits. It was there that I met Daniel who kindly bought us drinks to beat the scorching heat.





At Daniel's suggestion, we went up on RSS Persistence. (My favourite part of the Open House...) The view was splendid, with a very blue sky and water canvassed. With him at helm as our voluntary photographer and personal tour guide offering bits of information along the way made the venture meaningful. (Thank you, Sir!) You should have seen the horrified looks on Vern's face and mine when we had to make our way down two flights of treacherous, narrow steps in the ship. In our heels. Make that my 4-inched heels. (not a wise choice of footwear but vanity prevailed anyway.) Thankfully, we left the ship in one piece!








As our feet pattered towards the exit, we could not resist snapping more parting shots, thanks to Ting's whimsical suggestion of putting the timer function of my digital camera to good use. Engrossed in conversation with Vern & Ting, I failed to notice that Daniel, his friend and kids were not on the same bus till I spotted a figure in green waving. -.-

We had a 2-hour lunch before proceeding to shop. (It was the beginning of the Great Singapore Sale anyway....) I managed to get a skirt, a pair of jeans and an umbrella at Esprit before chancing upon two M)phosis tops and 2 Forever21 g-strings.

What a hot but interesting day it was! Many thanks to Daniel too! =)

Lil Miss Sleepyhe...zzz...

Lil Miss Sleepyhead had the intention to blog about yesterday's events. Then, McDonald's Delivery arrived with her McWings Meal....and soon after, she dozed off. -sheepish look-
So, here's the lazy prelude to the actual blog entry.



Where was Lil Miss Sleepyhead off to yesterday?

Stay tuned to find out while Lil Miss Sleepyhead crawls back to bed now.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

New Buzzword In SG: Water Spout

I suppose by now, every islander on this dot is aware that a water spout has been spotted this afternoon, so I shall spare you the details, save for the accompanying news article & picture.


Captured by Razor on ClubSnap

Water spout sighted off Singapore's east coast
By Gamar Abdul Aziz, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 25 May 2007 1646 hrs

SINGAPORE: A water spout has been spotted from the eastern parts of Singapore.

Most callers to the MediaCorp News Hotline reported seeing what looked like a tornado or a twister over the sea.

Most said they saw the phenomenon at about 2.30pm and that the phenomenon lasted about 15 minutes.

Witnesses said it was moving in a circular motion.

The water spout could be seen in several areas including Chai Chee, East Coast Park, Suntec City and Potong Pasir.

Last August, a water-spout was also spotted off the coast of Sentosa Island.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said intense thunderstorms were the cause of the phenomenon.

The water spout is a narrow column of water that is sucked to the base of a cloud, making it look like a funnel.

An average diameter of a waterspout is 50 metres and it has average wind speeds of up to 150 kilometres per hour.

The NEA added that water spouts will dissipate rapidly near the coast.

It also clarified that water spouts are not rare as there are actually several sightings each year.
- CNA/yy

Friday, May 25, 2007

Thanks, Daniel! =)

A quick shoutout to Daniel for the unexpected gift yesterday.



Thanks for the intricate dainty!
(Now I'd have to get a "sock" for it.....yes, another "sock"...)

Ho, Ho, Holidays!

You'd notice an influx of boisterous beings today as the hours go by.
It's no coincidence......

Happy Holidays, Everybody!

(*Note: Mich will still be engulfed in work, albeit in the training of creative writing to P6 pupils in various schools.)

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

In The Meadows Green.


captured by Robertmekis

I find the greatest irony steeped within.

Imbued, framed, whitewashed.

Come.

Let's take a walk. Let's skip across the meadows and giggle as butterflies flit past. Let's toss the neat pile of raked leaves. Let's chase the rainbow and its said pot of gold. Let's string soapy bubbles and grasp them with our hands. Let's wipe the beads off our brows and lay down to rest.

Then.

Let's close our eyes and count.
4,3,2,1.

Wouldn't that be loads of fun?

A Fallen Berry, Unripe.

Tonight.

I Cried.
And Cried.
And Cried.

A Crinkled Curve.

Hug?

The Falling Of The Leaves - William B.Yeats

Autumn is over the long leaves that love us,
And over the mice in the barley sheaves;
Yellow the leaves of the rowan above us,
And yellow the wet wild-strawberry leaves.

The hour of the waning of love has beset us,
And weary and worn are our sad souls now;
Let us patt, ere the season of passion forget us,
With a kiss and a tear on thy drooping brow.

The Falling Of The Leaves
William Butler Yeats

I cried at Pity -- not at Pain -- Emily Dickinson



I cried at Pity -- not at Pain --
Emily Dickinson


I cried at Pity -- not at Pain --
I heard a Woman say
"Poor Child" -- and something in her voice
Convicted me -- of me --

So long I fainted, to myself
It seemed the common way,
And Health, and Laughter, Curious things --
To look at, like a Toy --

To sometimes hear "Rich people" buy
And see the Parcel rolled --
And carried, I supposed -- to Heaven,
For children, made of Gold --

But not to touch, or wish for,
Or think of, with a sigh --
And so and so -- had been to me,
Had God willed differently.

I wish I knew that Woman's name --
So when she comes this way,
To hold my life, and hold my ears
For fear I hear her say

She's sorry I am dead -- again --
Just when the Grave and I --
Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,
Our only Lullaby --

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Delights To The Eye.

Browsed CG Society and found some gems contrived to charm:




Well, speaking of which, the pygmy seahorse pictured below is adorable. I have to credit this to Daniel and his diving trip. Is the pygmy seahorse incredibly cute (quote)"just like Daniel" ?

You decide.

-whistles-
Heh.


Updated : 23 May 2007

You'd have to play on your imagination to answer the above question. Replaced Daniel's mug with a furball of similar attributes (hopefully)....Heh.

(Note to Daniel: Cute enough? =p )


Monday, May 21, 2007

Inspiration - A Continuous "I Don't Know"



Wislawa Szymborska
The Nobel Prize in Literature 1996

The Poet And The World
Nobel Lecture, December 7, 1996


Extract:
I've mentioned inspiration. Contemporary poets answer evasively when asked what it is, and if it actually exists. It's not that they've never known the blessing of this inner impulse. It's just not easy to explain something to someone else that you don't understand yourself.

When I'm asked about this on occasion, I hedge the question too. But my answer is this: inspiration is not the exclusive privilege of poets or artists generally. There is, has been, and will always be a certain group of people whom inspiration visits. It's made up of all those who've consciously chosen their calling and do their job with love and imagination. It may include doctors, teachers, gardeners - and I could list a hundred more professions. Their work becomes one continuous adventure as long as they manage to keep discovering new challenges in it. Difficulties and setbacks never quell their curiosity. A swarm of new questions emerges from every problem they solve.

Whatever inspiration is, it's born from a continuous "I don't know."

===========================================================
The moment always came when poets had to close the doors behind them, strip off their mantles, fripperies, and other poetic paraphernalia, and confront - silently, patiently awaiting their own selves - the still white sheet of paper. For this is finally what really counts.
===========================================================

Do You Know?


A song that I'd always plug into when the palette's in drabs of grey.

Mariah Carey - Do You Know?

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you there's no open door
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?

Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you, but my spirit was free
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Now looking back at all we've had
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?

==============================================
"The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught. "
Marquis de Vauvenargues
==============================================

Do you know?

Friday, May 18, 2007

And A Meadow Lark Sang.


And A Meadow Lark Sang
Ravindra Kumar Karnani

The child whispered, "God, speak to me."
And a meadow lark sang.
The child did not hear.

So the child yelled, "God, speak to me!"
And the thunder rolled across the sky
But the child did not listen.

The child looked around and said,
"God, let me see you." and a star shone brightly
But the child did not notice.

And the child shouted,
"God, show me a miracle!"
And a life was born but the child did not know.

So the child cried out in despair,
"Touch me, God and let me know you are here!"
Whereupon God reached down
And touched the child.

But the child brushed the butterfly away
And walked away unknowingly.

iHurt.

"God, speak to me. I hurt." my inner voice choked.
And it could not come any clearer than this, particularly Key #3.

Extracted from Spiritual Survival :

==================================
"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps,
if you are not willing to move your feet."
==================================

What are my gates?

They are the weakest points in our character. These gates open and close through our choices. Our decisions are the keys that give Satan access or block his access to our spirits, so our choices are like the city gates, our weak areas are Satan's main focus in his attacks. How does he know our weaknesses? Satan studies us by simply observing the choices we make throughout every day. Our choices reveal our character strengths and weaknesses. The emotional traumas we’ve experienced create weaknesses Satan hooks into and gains access.

Now, God has given you keys to open spiritual doors. As you use these keys you receive what God has prepared for you:

Key #1: Faith in God
Matthew 21:22, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." God doesn't want us to be a mountain climber, but a mountain mover. We don't have to cooperate with Satan's plan by investing years hiking up one mountain only to see the next mountain range on the horizon. Our trust and faith are gifts God gave to help us. Without these gifts, we would be left to depend on our own resources, which is not the plan of God. He wants us depending on him only. Since, the power to live this way comes only from the Lord, there is no reason for us to have an attitude of superiority or self-righteousness.

Key #2: Forgive Others
Mark 11:25, "When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." This is possibly one of the hardest steps God asks us to make. Unforgiveness is an obstacle in our spiritual growth. Because God can't work in a heart full of hate. When we ask for his help, the Holy Spirit supernaturally gives the ability to forgive others. Luke 6:37-38, "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure... Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

Key #3: Possess Right Motives
James 4:1-3, "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole army of evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can't possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure." Wrong motives cause self-destruction, addictions, or becoming out of control. Wrong motives can push us to a point where we cry out, "Why am I doing this to myself?", "Why can't I stop this?" "What is wrong with me?" The fact is, we've fallen into Satan's trap. We are aching for self-serving attention, validation, and love. We ask for all of the things we think will fulfill us... love, peace, friendship, acceptance from others, and emotional support. If we embrace the one thing that has the power to fill all our needs - Jesus, then we will fall into divine alignment.

Key #4: Confess Sins
James 5:16, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." There will be times when God drops a name or an event into our minds and tells us we need to confess the sin attached to this person or event. A good exercise in cleansing ourselves from sin is to write down the names of people we have unforgiveness towards and every sinful event we can remember. Then go through the list and confess them to the Lord and ask for his forgiveness. This might be a hard thing to do, but afterwards we feel much better and closer to the Lord.

Key #5: Give Generously, Cheerfully, and Secretly
2 Corinthians 9:7-8, "You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

Matthew 6:1-4, "Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you."

Key #6: Serve Others
Philippians 2:3, "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself."

Key #7: Ask God
Luke 11:9-10, "I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks."

=====================================
"Unwavering obedience to the biblical principals
you learn will assure your spiritual survival."
=====================================

Be aware that pain is found off God’s path. Pain that God as a loving Father doesn’t want us to experience. But he allows our free will to take us where we choose, but the Holy Spirit will not give up on trying to persuade us to get back on the right path. Proverbs 4: 25-27, "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil."

What does a lifestyle of pride contain?

· Wanting people to praise us.
· Keeping score on our achievements and comparing them to others.
· Rejoicing in other’s failures and resenting other’s successes.
· Compulsion to defend ourselves against criticism.

God loves us so much that he sends us warnings through the conviction of the Holy Spirit if we are walking in pride. Conviction sometimes feels like an uneasiness in our stomach or feeling uncomfortable in our spirit man. Conviction of the Holy Spirit is never expressed as condemnation. If we choose not to acknowledge these warnings, out of his love for us God steps in and disciplines us in order to stop this destructive lifestyle from continuing.

===================================
"There are two types of pain in this life;
that of discipline, which lasts a short while
and that of regret, which can last a life time."
===================================

How is God's discipline an asset?

It educates, corrects, instructs, nurtures, and conforms us into the image of Jesus through our hardships, sufferings, and persecutions. God's discipline isn't abusive or motivated by hate, but out of his love for us and the goal he has created us to accomplish. Proverbs 3:11-12, "My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." Without God’s discipline and left to ourselves, we will naturally choose the path of least resistance. This path can eventually lead to our spiritual demise.

======================================
"If the road you’re traveling on has no obstacles,
it leads nowhere."
======================================

To persevere by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus. James 1:3-4, "When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

Perseverance involves pushing through any obstacle on our paths. Obstacles can be as big as a mountain or something very small that weighs us down making the race harder than God designed it to be. Be patient for your mountain to move. It may take time, but be persistent as you wait and remain steady in your faith. Eventually, the obstacle blocking your path will vanish.

Proverbs 4:11-15, "I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run. Carry out my instructions; don't forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life. Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else."

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Need A Lift?


Momentary claustrophobia got the better of me as the elevator jolted with a start and darkness enveloped at, of all levels, the 13th.

"Uh. Oh."

Alone in the constricted square, brainwaves bombarded haphazardly, demanding equal attention.

Well, the knee-jerk reaction was to sound the alarm.

Next, I prayed and gave the door a kick. (yes, much to the alarm of my Common Sense, which had fled the scene.)

Hey, presto!

The cables stirred lazily and lulled a slow descent to the next level.

Hello, Sunshine! =)

Macy Gray - I Try

A random sift presented a pleasant recollection of 2001's Nominated Song Of The Year. Taken to extremities, you'd either like or hate Macy Gray's unique warbling.

You'd have probably found yourself chanting the infectious strains.

"I try to say goodbye and I choke.
Try to walk away and I stumble."


[ Note:Jason Wade's You Belong To Me has been temporarily disabled. ]


Macy Gray - I Try

Games, changes and fears
When will they go from here?
When will they stop?
I believe that fate has brought us here
And we should be together, babe.
But we're not .
I play it off, but I'm dreaming of you.
I'll keep my cool, but I'm feigning.

I try to say goodbye and I choke.
Try to walk away and I stumble.
Though I try to hide it, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.
Goodbye and I choke.
I try to walk away and I stumble.
Though I try to hide it, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.

I may appear to be free.
But I'm just a prisoner of your love.
And I may seem all right and smile when you leave.
But my smiles are just a front,
Just a front.
I play it off, but I'm dreaming of you.
I'll keep my cool, but I'm feigning.

I try to say goodbye and I choke.
Try to walk away and I stumble.
Though I try to hide it, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.
Goodbye and I choke.
I try to walk away and I stumble.
Though I try to hide it, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.


Here is my confession,
May I be your possession.
Boy, I need your touch,
Your love kisses and such.
With all my might I try,
But this I can't deny,
Deny

I play it off, but I'm dreaming of you.
(but I'm dreaming of you, babe)
I'll keep my cool, but I'm feigning.

I try to say goodbye and I choke.

Try to walk away and I stumble.
Though I try to hide, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.
Goodbye and I choke.
I try to walk away and I stumble.

Though I try to hide it, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.

Goodbye and I choke.
I try to walk away and I stumble.
Though I try to hide it, it's clear.
My world crumbles when you are not near.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Going By.

The Waking
Theodore Roethke

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

Hello.




Hello.

You wanted a toy.

And I turned into a doll.

But, You didn't want to play with me.

Monday, May 14, 2007

3 Cheers For Botakoo

Within the span of a week, my dear Botakoo Alex (aka 24 hr lifeline)
  • is being interviewed by The Graduate magazine
  • received an invitation to speak at a conference in Japan.
  • had an invitation extended by Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NUS) to strategize with them.

-clap clap for Botakoo-

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day!

13 May 2007 (Sunday)
Mother's Day
  • Lunch - Oscar's, Conrad Centennial Hotel : A veritable smorgasborg of edibles. Need I mention that scallops rank numero uno anyday? =)
  • Dinner - House of Lobsters : The mandatory sit-down 10-course dinner. The bill would have justified a meal at Hai Tien Lou, Pan Pacific Hotel instead. Imagine, a fish for $100+? But since everyone was happy, oh well. It was Mother's Day after all!

  • “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” -- Washington Irving

I love my Mummy. ^_^
[ and yes, the resemblance......what resemblance? ]

P/S: Have you told your mother that you love her lately? Given her a hug? Appreciate her painstaking efforts in bringing you up? Mum's my world and I am fiercely protective of her....though in reality, when the Dragon Lady flames, I'm no match for that! Heh.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

So, I think.

"A shadow is formed when an object blocks the path of light."

With this vocal inflection, a haphazard blitz tore through my mind, separating truth from fiction, and my utterances thereafter were barely audible against that which was prevalent within.

It's been quite a while since the strains of คนเดียวไม่เหงาเท่า 3 คน have permeated. Ostensibly guised, straggly bolts evoked certain unwarranted thoughts.

มองเธอสบตากับเขา อย่างคนรู้ใจ
mong ter sop dtaa gap kao yaang kon roo jai

คงทนไหวถ้าฉันไม่เคยมีใจให้เธอ
kong ton wai taa chan mai koie mee jai hai ter

Likewise, it strung along an imminent companion, a past blog entry on a personal favourite classic villanelle - If I Could Tell You by WH Auden.

If I Could Tell You
= W.H. Auden =
( 1907 - 1973 )

Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,I
f I could tell you I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away?
Will time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.


[Mich]
"Got to go, it's getting late.
Time past its use-by date.
Sunshine beckons - she bades.
Distant is his shadow in the shade."

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Acrid, In Every Hue

fancy a dip, perhaps two.
occasional blip as if on cue.
pile the pickets, make them strong.
infinite, they stretch along.

bound in time, scattered frames
a logbook of scribbled names
random drawing sheath and shield,
The Forgotten bough begs to yield.

natter, their chatter low.
gaunt against the sunrise's glow.
intention, purpose, what do we know?
Time's insignia will tell us so.

Jason Wade - You Belong To Me

A click away from the nondescript Shrek soundtrack, I found myself fighting watery eyes, with gritted teeth to halt resulting dabs. And deftly, I forced myself to avert wandering thoughts to a dead end, where all should lay still. Because, it should matter not.

Embedded here for your listening pleasure.

Jason Wade - You Belong To Me

See the pyramids along the Nile
Watch the sunrise from the tropic isle
Just remember, darling, all the while
You belong to me

See the market place in old Algiers
Send me photographs and souvenirs
Just remember when a dream appears
You belong to me

And I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too

Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me

And I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too

Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me

Monday, May 07, 2007

Happy Birthday, Ting!

Happy Birthday, Ting!
5 May 2007
Lunch was a 3-hour affair at Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel where a veritable smorgasbord of edibles were consumed rather voraciously. Thereafter, we went shopping for Ting's beret & clothes. Vern & I grabbed a Tinkerbel chain & pendant each at the Heeren. Thereafter, I chanced upon an Esprit skirt on sale in my favourite shade of navy blue and bagged it while Vern scoured numerous shops for her white belt to no avail. As usual, with Ting's wacky ideas, mental derangement's clearly exhibited in our pics.

Summary of a zany day.

Johnny Depp! -drool-


Guess where this was? -chuckle-

"Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."
[ Macbeth - Act IV, Scene I ]

Pop! Pop, pop! Pop, pop, pop! Bunnies 3!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

A Walk In My Head

“There are people we wonder about but don't make attempts to contact. Perhaps we're afraid of empty conversations with someone or perhaps we're curious about someone whose life we watched for awhile from afar. Sometimes it's just been too long and sometimes we can't even articulate the need to know whatever happened to them. Where are they? Did they make it? Are they happy? Are they passionate about something in their lives? Are they anything like the people we once knew?” [ Audrey Beth Stein ]

Is there a friend you're worried about?
Is there a family member you're thinking of in a different land?
Is there a former colleague whom you've lost touch with?
Is there someone whom you've established & maintained regular contact with?

Are there people from whom you've maintained a deliberate distance?
Are there some whom you've cracked your head for a myriad of reasons to meet up?
Are there those who always receive a perpetual "Sorry, I'm busy. Some other time..." from you and the next time "some other time" arrives, "another day..." punctuates your reply ?

Do you bemoan that somebody never changes and yet appear to be taken by surprise when adjustments are made?

Why do we meet the people we meet?
Why do we avoid those we avoid?

"Take care" is a carelessly oft-used phrase.
How many of us genuinely care about the other party before we bid goodbye?

Take a walk in my head.
Who has the leash?
Do you?

Friday, May 04, 2007

You Never Knew Me.

You never took the time to know me
You never took the time to understand
You never took the time to know me
[ Akon ]
Fighting, against nobody but myself.
A subject I had buried for good.

You don't know how much I'd suffered in silence because of you. You'll never know how many hours were drenched in tears, burying myself under the covers, with a pillow clenched between my teeth lest my bolstered sanctuary was discovered. You'll never see my aimless stares at the wall, with images running through my head. You'll never realize how desperate I was to get a grip that I found my feet stepping into the empty church hall and there I sat in stony silence, praying with tears down my cheeks. Nobody knew I entered. Nobody saw me leaving. God gave me privacy in my own right.

Nobody knew of my struggles. I hid it well, I would say. The stronger the facade, the worse the reality. In truth, I could chortle and guffaw with a twinkle in my eye while languishing internally. It was a skill I'd mastered to perfection, a Teflon shield in full view.

You don't know how I'd waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
In vain.

It took a lot for me to pull myself together (and Alex's 24/7 hotline, that's kept me alive, literally.) .

Recently, I am finally happy. I'd let the past go.

Entrenchment in the cycle is the last thing on my mind. Fear. Yes, I fear too. I'm afraid to experience the emptiness again. Yet, you know that I'm not one who'd say no. Is that a positive trait or my perpetual weakness?

Many a time, words were at the tip of my tongue, but knowing jolly well that it'd do us no good, I plastered a silent smile instead. You think you know me. You think I am who you think I am.

You never knew me.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

I Am Ashamed.

We, the citizens of Singapore,
Pledge ourselves as one united people.
Regardless of race, language or religion.
To build a democratic society, based on justice and equality.
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

As kids, how many of us have recited the national incantation daily with pride?
I know I have.

As a working adult, embedded within the very cogwheels of the dotty isle, those words mean little now, if not downright ironic.

Naysayers, hold your horses.

"Ungrateful", I hear you scoff. "Where would this dot be without the Father?"

Yes, the Man's a genius with foresight. Yes, from nothing, we've evolved to be a world-class nation (and they never fail to remind us of that). Yes, our successful free-market economy has cushioned the linings of our pockets. Our streets are safe and you can club the night away peacefully. Yes, we get bread on our table with spare change for dessert. Infrastructure is in place and well-organized. For that, I am thankful to be living in this part of the world. I am incredibly proud that the country has become a brand name abroad that is commonly accredited with wealth in abundance and being a renowned global city. Stability imprints its insignia.

As pretty as our country is, when she sits at the dressing table and peels off the beautified cement, the stark truth is for all to see:

If that's not depressing enough, consider these figures by the Migration Policy Institute:
  • The latest mid-year estimates for 2005 reveal a nonresident population of 797,900 (out of a total population of 4,351,400). Among the resident population (3,263,209), about 8.9 percent are PRs, over three-quarters of them Chinese.
  • The increasing share of the nonresident/noncitizen population is a direct consequence of Singapore's policies to attract and rely on "foreign manpower" — at both the high and low ends of the spectrum — to overcome the limits of local resources. Indeed, foreigners constituted approximately 29 percent of Singapore's total labor force in 2000 , the highest proportion of foreign workers in Asia.
  • Singapore's nonresident workforce increased 170 percent, from 248,000 in 1990 to 670,000 in 2006.
  • In 2005, 66,000 foreign students (amounting to about 10 percent of all students in the country) came to Singapore.
  • 12,900 people became citizens in 2005.
  • In 2006, skilled workers and professionals accounted for 13.4 percent (about 90,000) of Singapore's total nonresident population.
  • To reach this goal, Singapore has liberalized immigration policies, including making it easier for skilled immigrants to gain permanent residency, and has launched various programs aimed at attracting talent.
  • The demand for international higher education alone is predicted to quadruple from around 1.8 million students in 2002 to 7.2 million by 2025. As such, a government economic review panel recommended a target of 150,000 foreign students by 2012 — more than double the 2005 figure of 66,000.
  • Citizenship rates have already doubled: In 2005, there were 12,900 new citizens compared to the annual figure of 6,000 to 7,000 in the previous four years. These are significant figures considering that about 800 Singaporeans give up their citizenship each year.
Today, the media has had a field day with reports of May Leong. Just how urban labour has spun out of control can be surmised in this singular individual's life.

Nonchalant to the shaping of our soil, Singaporeans face the dilemma of putting the bread on the table and standing up against the Lion. For practical reasons, enslaved by housing and vehicle ownership loans, we are distracted and spurred by increased wants to keep up with the Joneses.

Knowledge is power, so they say. In truth, increased knowledge, without an influence to bring about change, creates jarring noise, that of frustration and helplessness and They Who Laugh, continue to chortle their way to the bank. Stifle The Laugh and face stiff penalties, if not extermination. For this reason, minnows have chosen deliberate ignorance, a by-product of apathy and fear, no doubt.

At the end of the day, the statistics and figures one spews bears little weight on the scales. Activists, we are excruciatingly short of. Maintaining the equilibrium is key in ensuring stability. The pressing financial strains on the average Singaporean pocket values undisputed economic supremacy. Nothing, if any, should rock the Boat.

I am ashamed to note that the daily grind for bread forbids the shedding of my passive shroud.

What about you?

Everybody now,
Mari kita rakyat Singapura. (Come, fellow Singaporeans)
Sama-sama menuju bahagia. (Let us progress towards happiness together.)

[ And just for the fun of it, CNN carried a report of 2 polar bears in the Singapore Zoo turning green. ]

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Labour & Its Ilk

It's exam week.

Forget environmentalism - Notes, Practice Papers, Model Answers and the like are being churned at nauseum in line with the bi-annual national fever.

Pulp juggernauts aside, plummeting ink levels are the other contributing factor to the void within this literary perimeter.

Da-dum-da-dum-da-dum.
Life's iambic pentameter braces itself for full steam ahead.

Lull & its ilk?
Bah!

On a happier note, Happy Labour Day!
-SmiLe-