At the Beach

Three Key Points to Happiness

They've discovered three key points that make a person happy.

Autonomy: Having independence, control over your home or work environment--the feeling that you are freely choosing things in your life and not being controlled by anyone or anything.

Competence: Feeling you are empowered and capable to do the work in your life and initiate things.

Relatedness: Social connection and intimacy with others.

Is this Asian context? Nothing's mentioned about money.

I am so Bored!

I am so bored I don't know what I'm gonna do for my birthday tomorrow.
I'll have a massage, have my fengshui consultation, then--- no other programme.

I might have lost some excitement as I age and have gotten bored. Only boring people get bored, I'd admit to that. I used to celebrate my birthday for over a month, every weekend, but as I age, I no longer get as excited. It's not a bad thing though, as I feel that I've become more caring for others rather than being self-centered when younger. Furthermore, I no longer need much activities to feel assured of being loved, nor do I need elements of surprises to feel warm. I am very much myself now than ever before.

The stark difference this year is that Adeline is missing and is being sorely missed. She probably was extremely hurt by me, though none of us had anticipated that we would ever become like this. Never in my wildest dreams will I ever think that at this age, I might still loose a friend, a dear one may I add. I guess there is still that much about life that I haven't figured out. How could a decade of sharing vanish? Was it not real? It is no wonder that the Buddha said that life is transient but I would like to think that what we had was real while it lasted. I would never have imagined that I could have hurt her that badly but apparently, I have. I can only wish for her happiness and may time heal any pain.

Sunday, 21st November 2O1O

Sueanne's Big Four Oh

Sueanne and I have a very unique relationship, I don't quite know what to make of it.

I remember when Carol first joined us, she thought Sueanne and I were loggerheads as we argued with each other a lot. Surprisingly, Sueanne & I have never felt offended nor did our friendship had any dent. I guess we were both mature to distinguish the differences in our opinions and none of us had the need to change the other. Also, I think we both resemble each other in some ways or we won't have this chemistry. It is like we are such private personnel and our support for each other is silent but has presence. She is only three years my senior but I had learned a lot from her. She was my senior at my first job when I was 19 and I credit her for my work etiquette. In my career formation years, she was a good role model. Come to think of it, indeed she was a large influence in shaping my work standard.

Sueanne has never celebrated her birthday in this fashion, the big forty must mark the next phase of her life, now that she had the big "D" and is a single mother. Last night was a very warm gathering of her friends and the bunch of us constituted her main group of friends, besides of course her Pastor and her church friends, as well as her secondary school friends and recently-made friends.

Still, she feels so blessed she asked us to kindly make a donation to the New Hope Community http://www.newhopecs.org.sg/ instead of buying presents for her birthday.

I met my ex CEO and Sim KC after haven't seen them since,,, 1996. It is amazing that 14 years had gone by and besides the grey hair, everyone did not change much. Of course they all exclaimed that I'm 37 SINCE THEY STILL REMEMBER ME AS A 19-YEAR-OLD LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY. AND MY EYES WENT SO WIDE WHEN KOK CHWEE SAID HE JUST PASSED 50. Where have all the years gone?

The winning six - Group - Theme - "Mat"

The winning six - Group - Theme - "Mat"

The Recesky Twin Lens Reflex Camera

This is the camera I won. (not an expensive one but a rather interesting one, I must say).
In fact, I had won two of these as my pictures were shortlisted in two out of six groups.
Deservingly, I've given my sis the other piece since she was the one who rekindled my hobby.
I consider myself an ameture picture-taker because technically, I am not too sound with films and manual cameras but I would like to believe that I possess an innate knack for photography simply because I am able to convey feelings with it. Not all the time of course, but when I want to, I am able. Mostly.

This looks like the die-cuts of a secret weapon, you know, like you're traveling under-cover and will need to assemble this in a tight toilet cubicle. I am just kidding.

You know, I've learnt that it tends to be easier if you've read the instruction manual before starting any projects, be it big or small. This is the same with life in general. I've come to realised that dismissing instructions (albeit wordly or lengthy), usually uses twice the effort or more. The smart person would read or at least browse to gain an idea before attempting something new. And since I've become smart since recently, I'll put this manual in my bag and will read it on the bus tomorrow.

Harinezumi2

SGD 270.00

Since I've won two cameras from the 36frames project 2010 competition, I've decided to reciprocate by buying a camera from their retail shop.

I've bought this dainty little camera - the Harinezumi2, as a birthday present for myself =)

I am so glad this is small, has effects like the manual lomo, and, it is digital! Yes! The perfect photos will be grainy and imperfect! Such beauty to be imperfect. I love it.

Gosh, I'm such a geek!

I can't be happier today. Oh, I could be happier today. You know, I didn't get the leather jacket for this camera because it was rather expensive... S$135. Maybe next year I'll get it for my BD again. Haha. (Sher- don't need to get it for me in case you're considering. Unless of course if you close a deal soon, then get it for me! Ha. Hurry!)

I can't begin to tell you how much I've missed finger triggering the shadowy way. You know, the over-exposed, under-exposed, off-angled, grainy pixelated pictures. I am so gonna flood you with my idiocracy of odd perceptives. Don't run, stay tuned!

Harinezumi- First

This is the maiden picture I took with my new toy.
I was, yes, poo-ing. Sorry that I just could not put the new toy down for a minute and had to go.
While waiting, I decided to chronicle the loo as it is unique in such a way, it has three taps. The old fashioned rose-showerhead above, the sprinkler pressure hose for the bum and another regular showerhead which is being recycled here since it couldn't fit its original holder in the bathroom. I don't think you can picture what I'm saying but you should just know that in a tiny space like this, there's a throne with three water points and the toilet-roll is hung so high up, you've got to get up from your bum to reach it.

Let's begin!

Mell Doll

My sis insists I buy this doll for Kiki, simply because Kiki looks like the doll (or the doll looks like Kiki). Whatever.

I didn't want to buy it earlier because I know that children would enjoy pretend play most at age 3 or 4, at this moment, Kiki might not be ready.

True enough, she was afraid of the doll. (Just like she was afraid of the mechanical cat). It was fear. She moved away from the doll with caution. She refused to get into the bathtub with the doll. Even after the doll was being removed, she still refused to get into the bathtub (bathing, by the way, one of her favourite activities. Oh! like me & Bren. Bren showers like half a dozen times in a day. I normally shower only two times.)

Nevertheless, after two days of having the doll lying around, Kiki is now accustomed to having the doll around. She even brushes its hair. I'll just leave her to explore with the doll for now.

Sunday 14th November 2O1O

Ah-rrow! (she said Hello)

Here is Kiki going to the school on Sunday.
Finally, I relented and brought a box of biscuits to let her munch on some during the flashcards segment. Most of the parents do that to keep their child in their seat. I didn't want to practise it but recently, I have a challenge keeping her seated for that particular segment during class.

Her bag consisted- water bottle, sweater, box of biscuits, booklet.

She mimicks me all the time -_-"

I was squatting to take a picture of her and she mirrors me. (oh man!)

FARM

http://www.farm.sg/store/
http://www.farm.sg/magazine/
http://www.farm.sg/

I will always try to support the local art scene (a little), be it go watch a drama (which I did two months back - Fried Rice Paradise; a Dick Lee & the People's Association production), or get some products from the online shop at FARM, which recently collaborated with SAM (the Singapore Art Museum) for SAM's maiden store.


SGD 50.00 - A reversible tote bag, crossword puzzle design.

SGD 10.00

These are erasers shaped as Kueh Tu Tu, or some call it Tu Tu Kueh.

A nostalgia snack. Reminds me of all those times when my dad and I snacked on them at People's Park. My favourite is the ones with coconut filling, sweetened with brown sugar.

Some people prefer the peanut filling.

I think, if I were to design these erasers, I will make it such a way that as you use them and as it gets smaller, it will reveal the "fillings" in the centre.

Kiki speaks Tagalog!

Kiki was in the bath when she suddenly said "Tar Bor".

Maricar was shocked and delighted at the same time.
She explained that she had only said "Tabo" once to Kiki last week when she referred to the dipper. Kiki always hogs the dipper and refuses to let Maricar have it. (Maricar uses it to rinse Kiki's hair from the shampoo)

So, Kiki is multi-lingual!
Besides English, her other vocab includes "Pu Tao" 葡萄 (Mandarin for Grapes) and "Dui Le" 对了！ (That's correct!)

*****
tabo
t´abo' n. a dipper, scoop, usually a coconut shell or an empty can · (mag:-um-:-in) verb. to scoop water with a coconut shell or an empty can, to use a dipper or a coconut shell or an empty can. Tumabo siya ng tubig sa tapayan. He scooped out water from the earthen jar.

Saturday, 6th November 2O1O

We went ION at Orchard Road to shop at Daiso as Maricar was getting some presents for her kids. Also, we celebrated my sis' BD, so we went to a nice restaurant - Sho Teppan for Japanese Sukiyaki (similar to our Chinese steamboat soup dish). All was well, except the fact that Kiki was not to be controlled. Her new found independence and desire to experiment resulted in banging spoons and bowls, insisting on feeding herself and making a mess, screaming and wailing when we were leaving the place. These days, her wailing couples with screams and tears regardless location. I hope she will learn to listen and comprehen soon, so that we can bring her out more often minus these outburts.

Saturday, 6th November 2O1O

Free Willy had a field day.
We kept smelling a foul smell but couldn't find any stains on her clothing and thought nothing of it. Little did I know.... she had POOPED in her diapers! Gosh! We didn't know until we got home! She already pooped in the morning so we didn't think she would poop again...... oh man, silly me!
(You know, the whole time after dinner, every other ten minutes, I would query Maricar and my sis: "do you smell vomit? where is it coming from?" Then we'll break into a little frenzy to frisk her all over, smell her all over and decided it might be the highchair at the restaurant that had vomit stain, and then we'll let it go cos we couldn't find anything. after another ten minutes or so, we'll do it all over again. The whole time all three of us didn't check the diapers. Two mothers and one aunty, didn't think of checking the diapers!)

Saturday, 6th November 2O1O

We are helping Maricar put together a box of gifts & items to send home for Christmas.
Last year, we used the Singapore Post but the parcel, consisting mainly children's toys and some new clothings for the family, got delayed and the receipient had to pay tax in order to collect the parcel. I didn't think there would be a problem since it was under the "Speedpost" service and was indicated as Christmas gifts. This year however, we will use a door-to-door service that cost S$90 for a box delivered to the family's door, regardless the weight. (not Singpost service, it is by one of those freightforwarding shops at Lucky Plaza).

Maricar was very glad when I asked if she would want to go to Daiso (the two-dollar shop) to get some gifts for her daughters. She was glad because it is meaningful for her that she uses the money she earned to obtain the school stationeries for her kids. Even I was excited. haha.
She bought stuff like "magic ink" colouring pens, pencils, sharperners, rulers, hair accessories, tote bags and other girly stuff.

I'll do my shopping for her family probably this weekend, so that we can get the parcel going in advance. It will take 3 weeks to reach the family at Philippines.


Meantime, since we were at Daiso, I also made a spree.


Removable stickers. A bunch of animals.

She was tired after the afternoon's shopping and didn't wanna stand up for a pose after sticking all the stickers onto the door.

Saturday, 6th November 2O1O

Sometimes, I wonder why I'm easily thrilled by these inexpensive items. It's like, "do I really use them?" Some of the times, these little trinkets just get kept or stored away, until such time I think; "oh I don't really use this, I'd might as well give it to someone who would use it..." But still, I am caught in this nuisance, cheap-thrill habit of mine.

You know, the Japanese are one neat freak, they have to have bags, in bags. They've got a bag for everything, and then either lug many bags around or put all types of bags into their carry-bag. I don't practise like the Japanese purely because I find it too heavy to be carrying any bag more than 2kg but secretly, I am a neat freak. So, I couldn't resist getting this "Clothes bag for schoolboys" eventhough-- yes, it's for boys, but hey, Kiki's starting school soon you know.

Planning to put some iron-on embroidery stickers onto these plain, cotton bags. Also, to sew on some beads ornaments, etc.

Re-use is also a way to be eco-conscious.

This one needs no introduction. Hope it's useful.

Portrait

If I tell you that it was easy for me to paint this portrait, I would be bullshitting you.

The funny thing is that I had completed 95% of the portrait in two sittings of art practice but it took me an astonishing eight months to just do the nose bit. (I don't mean I've painted it over eight months, what happened was that I procrastinated for eight months before I finally continued with it tonight.) The nose is darn tough to paint. I mean, I had been paying attention to all the noses on prints and I study the shades in my head. But when I had to paint it, it took my almost two hours to just do the nose, and I almost threw the canvas away. Persevered, persevered and I pressed on until I've finally got it right. (or so I hope).

I am satisfied with this at last. (by the way, Kiki recognises this portrait, she said "Puppy" when I showed her the picture. *puppy is her term for mommy)

I hope to go on painting portraits because this is what I like.

In the meantime, I've already got a few non-poetrait ideas that I am gonna paint. Stay tuned!

Movies

I am contented that I get to watch many movies over the cable that we subscribe to. (SCV)
Better still, a cinema is opening soon at a refurbished mall near my place, so I'll get to watch even more movies soon.


Quote from the movie <<2012>>
"The moment we stop fighting for each other, that's the moment we lose our humanity."

Eat Well * Be Well

I am having lots of birthday celebrations this month as many of my friends' BDs fall on November (Steph, JO, Jin, Sueanne, cousin BL) including my sis', mine, and my mother-in-law's. (that makes eight of us!)

Last night, I met JO for her BD dinner. I make a point to meet my old friends for their BD so as to keep-in-touch at least once in a year.

We found a quieter eatery at Raffles City and I became a fan of it!
Celede

As I am shedding some kilos, I am currently semi-vegetarian.
I had a hearty fill on the salad Portobello & Fungi ~ Pan fried Plum Portobello, Shitake, Button & Oyster Mushrooms with recommended salad dressing of Balsamic & Olive Oil
and tomato soup. Very delicious indeed. Yes, I know that technically, salad dressing and some soups are "fattening" but I'm not obsessed with a strict diet. I am a lover for purposeful-convenience, if there's ever such a word. You know, you set out to do something, to be disciplined about it and all but you do not make it such a fuss that causes inconvenience to others. Oh, well. That's me.