What we would do without out huge army of capable helpers, I do not know.
After much reminding by various anxious volunteers, Bridezella finally decreed a time and place and said, everyone please turn up. It was supposed to be at the Hans in Marine Parade. Before V and I arrived, we received calls from our friends. That branch of Hans no longer exists. Oh ok...we need to get our databases updated :P
Never mind, we adjourned to Mac instead, where a larger than expected crowd turned up. We distributed the list of tasks and helpers involved, then friends pointed out all the details we got wrong. I quite think that our helpers are more eager than we are to make sure that everything is fine on the day itself. *sniff sniff* We are very grateful, but as we have only 6 sets of cutlery at home, it looks like we are going to have to do our Helpers' Thanksgiving dinner in several batches :P
I can tell that the Sisters gang will nanny me into having a manicure, pedicure and all other beauty rituals before the event. And they wouldn't even let me eat ice-cream :( I suppose, it is the Bride's fault for being generally lazy and uncooperative about her own wedding :P But I had the last laugh yesterday. On our way home, I made V send me to the provision shop where I had a popsicle. Strictly speaking, it was ice, but not cream :P
While we were at it, we also chose more photos for our slide show. I hadn't realised that we took a staggering 500 pictures at the second photoshoot! wow...I must say that these informal pictures reflect our personalities and relationship much more accurately than the stilted, formal studio ones.
After all the excitement of the meeting, we went to Aussino to buy a marvellous 100% silk quilt for our new home, and immediately forgot to take it with us when we left the shop :P oops...
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Logical Fallacy: False Dilemma
At fast food restaurants,
1. Diners clear their tables themselves, and if not
2. Those who want to use the tables after that have to do it for them.
Hence, if you don't want to make others suffer, clean up your table after you have finished your meal.
In a false dilemma, other alternatives are eliminated or hidden, so that one is manipulated to choose the only viable or acceptable choice. The obvious third choice here is the role of cleaners, who will...now have nothing to do, since we are doing their job for them. You can guess whether the restaurants would keep them on charitable grounds. Then, who are the real beneficieries of our kindness?
Call me cynical, but I'm not convinced at all by this latest campaign to get us to help Fast Food Restaurants to clean up their tables for them. If a restaurant is a place of public ownership, then we all have the civic duty to maintain it. But it isn't.
Is it not the duty of any respectable eating place to provide a clean environment for their patrons? And for us patrons, our duty and obligation in this business transaction is to pay and take the goods given. Where does kindness come in? We might as well ask businesses to show us kindness too and...slash their prices, now that we are dealing on humanitarian, and not mercenary terms anymore.
No, I refuse to be indoctrinated. Don't think that I can be misled by the use of civil society jargon. I'm not a good little girl eating in the school canteen now.
1. Diners clear their tables themselves, and if not
2. Those who want to use the tables after that have to do it for them.
Hence, if you don't want to make others suffer, clean up your table after you have finished your meal.
In a false dilemma, other alternatives are eliminated or hidden, so that one is manipulated to choose the only viable or acceptable choice. The obvious third choice here is the role of cleaners, who will...now have nothing to do, since we are doing their job for them. You can guess whether the restaurants would keep them on charitable grounds. Then, who are the real beneficieries of our kindness?
Call me cynical, but I'm not convinced at all by this latest campaign to get us to help Fast Food Restaurants to clean up their tables for them. If a restaurant is a place of public ownership, then we all have the civic duty to maintain it. But it isn't.
Is it not the duty of any respectable eating place to provide a clean environment for their patrons? And for us patrons, our duty and obligation in this business transaction is to pay and take the goods given. Where does kindness come in? We might as well ask businesses to show us kindness too and...slash their prices, now that we are dealing on humanitarian, and not mercenary terms anymore.
No, I refuse to be indoctrinated. Don't think that I can be misled by the use of civil society jargon. I'm not a good little girl eating in the school canteen now.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
You've been asking
Nope, the photos aren't out yet, but they let us see some first so that we can give our stamp of approval. These are some samples, for those really interested :P
The red dress was the most skimpiest thing I've ever worn. Almost had wardrobe malfunction. We simply had to choose these pictures, since the man turned red with the effort to carry me. I'm not a waif, hahaha
The red dress was the most skimpiest thing I've ever worn. Almost had wardrobe malfunction. We simply had to choose these pictures, since the man turned red with the effort to carry me. I'm not a waif, hahaha
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Crimewatch
A crime committed a decade ago stretched out its long fingers and tapped me on the shoulders recently.
As a careless undergraduate I lost my wallet, it fell out of my pocket while I was exercising in the park, and I never found it. It was a hassle getting all the documents replaced - IC, matriculation card, ATM cards - but I thought that it was the end of the story.
Until a few days ago, someone, an Indian/Bangladeshi foreign worker, turned up at my home, holding my poor long lost IC and matriculation card. They were stained and old by now, and I obviously don't need them anymore. Their sudden, unexpected appearance raises more questions than ever. How had these two cards survived these years? Literally, where on the earth have they been? If the person had stolen my wallet for the money, wouldn't he simply throw the cards away? There is only one dreadful conclusion which disturbs me deeply.
Someone has been posing as masterofboots in our country, someone who obviously has no right to reside here, taking my cards, ran around as an undergraduate. This is just...outrageous. The very idea is utterly repulsive. What had this person been doing in my name?
Anyway, it is too late now. These questions don't have an answer. Just remember, low crime isn't no crime, so be very careful with your things. Who could have guessed that a trivial oversight like this would have grow such long roots?
As a careless undergraduate I lost my wallet, it fell out of my pocket while I was exercising in the park, and I never found it. It was a hassle getting all the documents replaced - IC, matriculation card, ATM cards - but I thought that it was the end of the story.
Until a few days ago, someone, an Indian/Bangladeshi foreign worker, turned up at my home, holding my poor long lost IC and matriculation card. They were stained and old by now, and I obviously don't need them anymore. Their sudden, unexpected appearance raises more questions than ever. How had these two cards survived these years? Literally, where on the earth have they been? If the person had stolen my wallet for the money, wouldn't he simply throw the cards away? There is only one dreadful conclusion which disturbs me deeply.
Someone has been posing as masterofboots in our country, someone who obviously has no right to reside here, taking my cards, ran around as an undergraduate. This is just...outrageous. The very idea is utterly repulsive. What had this person been doing in my name?
Anyway, it is too late now. These questions don't have an answer. Just remember, low crime isn't no crime, so be very careful with your things. Who could have guessed that a trivial oversight like this would have grow such long roots?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Half the sky
I don't think that...
All other factors being equal, a pregnant woman can carry out the duties of a job as well as someone who isn't. Of course, the lady in question could be exceptionally capable and thus even when she is performing below her usual capacity, she still does as good a job as others.
And some are fortunate enough to have easy pregnancies. Even then, it must be admitted that the lady would need time off for checkups, and eventually take the 4months of maternity leave. If others aren't dunces, it is honestly difficult to see how she can do as much work as the rest of the colleagues.
I'm not writing this to defend discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace. On the contrary, I am arguing in favour of discrimination FOR them. Time and again, I read letters in the Forum written by mothers-to-be, who plaintively claim that they are no different from their unencumbered colleagues.
But, I find it sad when a woman has to argue that pregnant or not, she is as worthy of her pay as anyone else. Maybe we have taken this feminist rhetoric a tad too far. A pregnant woman isn't a man, but we expect her to perform as if there is no morning sickness, extra weight and hormonal fluctuations. Her pregnancy is her personal matter and she shouldn't make it a problem for others.
I've heard of superwomen who pack their laptops to the hospital and a few days after delivery, started sending emails to office. Goodness me, please don't do that. There is a season for everything, and the confinement period is time for a woman to recover.
I suppose, this is the price women pay for wanting everything - family and career. Is it any wonder that some choose not to try to achieve the impossible?
All other factors being equal, a pregnant woman can carry out the duties of a job as well as someone who isn't. Of course, the lady in question could be exceptionally capable and thus even when she is performing below her usual capacity, she still does as good a job as others.
And some are fortunate enough to have easy pregnancies. Even then, it must be admitted that the lady would need time off for checkups, and eventually take the 4months of maternity leave. If others aren't dunces, it is honestly difficult to see how she can do as much work as the rest of the colleagues.
I'm not writing this to defend discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace. On the contrary, I am arguing in favour of discrimination FOR them. Time and again, I read letters in the Forum written by mothers-to-be, who plaintively claim that they are no different from their unencumbered colleagues.
But, I find it sad when a woman has to argue that pregnant or not, she is as worthy of her pay as anyone else. Maybe we have taken this feminist rhetoric a tad too far. A pregnant woman isn't a man, but we expect her to perform as if there is no morning sickness, extra weight and hormonal fluctuations. Her pregnancy is her personal matter and she shouldn't make it a problem for others.
I've heard of superwomen who pack their laptops to the hospital and a few days after delivery, started sending emails to office. Goodness me, please don't do that. There is a season for everything, and the confinement period is time for a woman to recover.
I suppose, this is the price women pay for wanting everything - family and career. Is it any wonder that some choose not to try to achieve the impossible?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Aliens meeting
And thus the deal was sealed over roast duck and braised pork.
It was like a scene straight out of those Korean dramas, with the representatives from the two families meeting and chatting politely over a meal.
'You have a fine son, we are very pleased'
'Ah that is true, I am proud of my sons, but your daughter is bright'
'Have more roast duck...'
'After you please'
'Don't stand on ceremony, we are one family now'
'True, true, I am so glad'
If I weren't right at the heart of the matter, it would have seemed comical to me. Thankfully, there were no controversies, and the aliens found a common language in Teochew. There was a long queue outside the restaurant, and so we didn't get/have to linger over the meal. The young ones were only meant to be seen and not heard, so I didn't have to join in the conversation, and could enjoy the food.
The roast duck was great but the pork a trifle too oily. Hmmm...I probably would like to go back to the restaurant (Dian Xiao Er) in different circumstances.
It was like a scene straight out of those Korean dramas, with the representatives from the two families meeting and chatting politely over a meal.
'You have a fine son, we are very pleased'
'Ah that is true, I am proud of my sons, but your daughter is bright'
'Have more roast duck...'
'After you please'
'Don't stand on ceremony, we are one family now'
'True, true, I am so glad'
If I weren't right at the heart of the matter, it would have seemed comical to me. Thankfully, there were no controversies, and the aliens found a common language in Teochew. There was a long queue outside the restaurant, and so we didn't get/have to linger over the meal. The young ones were only meant to be seen and not heard, so I didn't have to join in the conversation, and could enjoy the food.
The roast duck was great but the pork a trifle too oily. Hmmm...I probably would like to go back to the restaurant (Dian Xiao Er) in different circumstances.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Adults
The worst thing about traditional Chinese wedding customs is no one knows anything about them anymore.
Venusian parents have been anxious to meet the Martian representatives officially. Since they have in fact met previously, I’m not sure what the difference between the official and unofficial meetings is. However, we duly fixed a date for the parents as instructed.
Then the strange thing happened. Martian mother privately asked me what the Venusian side is going to ask of them. And, Venusian parents asked me what everyone should be discussing during the meeting. It finally dawned upon me that nobody knows what should be done, only that canned food and dried seafood should be featured somewhere (I think).
So I suggested that we should just ditch the customs that we have ceased to understand, and instead practise only what we know. But no, no, no. This is sacrilegious. Weddings involve a dreadful number of customary practices that we should respect. Venusian parents are worried that somebody should be doing something at sometime or else there is dereliction of duty somewhere. Only, they don’t know how to fill in the blanks.
Dear me, if even our parents are at a loss, what are we to do? Don’t ask me. A woman is a child until she gets married. So I’ll leave the adults to figure out what they should be doing.
Venusian parents have been anxious to meet the Martian representatives officially. Since they have in fact met previously, I’m not sure what the difference between the official and unofficial meetings is. However, we duly fixed a date for the parents as instructed.
Then the strange thing happened. Martian mother privately asked me what the Venusian side is going to ask of them. And, Venusian parents asked me what everyone should be discussing during the meeting. It finally dawned upon me that nobody knows what should be done, only that canned food and dried seafood should be featured somewhere (I think).
So I suggested that we should just ditch the customs that we have ceased to understand, and instead practise only what we know. But no, no, no. This is sacrilegious. Weddings involve a dreadful number of customary practices that we should respect. Venusian parents are worried that somebody should be doing something at sometime or else there is dereliction of duty somewhere. Only, they don’t know how to fill in the blanks.
Dear me, if even our parents are at a loss, what are we to do? Don’t ask me. A woman is a child until she gets married. So I’ll leave the adults to figure out what they should be doing.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
$36
We've heard many complaints about poor service in Singapore, but occasionally, customers from h*ell rear their ugly heads and makes you think, "So, that's why sales staff behave the way they do."
A young lady bumped into the shop display and broke something. She was asked to pay for the item, worth $36. I'm not sure what ensued in the confrontation, but apparently, the sales lady threatened to call the security. By the time I entered the shop, a shrill quarrel was in full swing, with the mother and daughter duo taking turns to point fingers and scream at the sales staff. "It is your fault that you placed the stuff here and caused me to knock into it!"
Actually, I doubt very much that the shop would take legal action against these two ladies if they had refused to pay. Most of the time, in such situations, people pay up because they feel responsible for the damage. However, the two ladies were sufficiently intimidated by the spectre of the security guards and paid up. Then, feeling deeply sore at their loss, they decided to strike at the weaker links. They shouted at the sales staff at great length for their alleged rudeness, demanding respect as customers, and then asked for their full names and titles so that they could lodge a cooooooomplaaaaaaaint. Long after we walked off, when we passed by the shop again, they were still raging implacably.
Goodness me, the poor girl facing the viragos was almost in tears. These people are just employees trying to uphold store policies, and manage customers' quirks. They have to please everyone, and end up pleasing no one. For $36, the two ladies would have a pound of their flesh.
If I were just a little younger and brasher, I would have given the ferocious mother and daughter gang a good scolding, but since I'm only a blogger with a soft voice, all I can do is vent my indignation here. And this is what I think of them:
Got money, no class.
A young lady bumped into the shop display and broke something. She was asked to pay for the item, worth $36. I'm not sure what ensued in the confrontation, but apparently, the sales lady threatened to call the security. By the time I entered the shop, a shrill quarrel was in full swing, with the mother and daughter duo taking turns to point fingers and scream at the sales staff. "It is your fault that you placed the stuff here and caused me to knock into it!"
Actually, I doubt very much that the shop would take legal action against these two ladies if they had refused to pay. Most of the time, in such situations, people pay up because they feel responsible for the damage. However, the two ladies were sufficiently intimidated by the spectre of the security guards and paid up. Then, feeling deeply sore at their loss, they decided to strike at the weaker links. They shouted at the sales staff at great length for their alleged rudeness, demanding respect as customers, and then asked for their full names and titles so that they could lodge a cooooooomplaaaaaaaint. Long after we walked off, when we passed by the shop again, they were still raging implacably.
Goodness me, the poor girl facing the viragos was almost in tears. These people are just employees trying to uphold store policies, and manage customers' quirks. They have to please everyone, and end up pleasing no one. For $36, the two ladies would have a pound of their flesh.
If I were just a little younger and brasher, I would have given the ferocious mother and daughter gang a good scolding, but since I'm only a blogger with a soft voice, all I can do is vent my indignation here. And this is what I think of them:
Got money, no class.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Home
My ideal home is
***On a high floor
***Well-ventilated and enjoys natural light
***In a quiet neighbourhood
***next to the Mrt
***Not too far away from downtown
***Big enough to let me dance around
But since I’m not a millionaire, not all of these requirements can be met. So dear friends, when you visit my home, be prepared to take a nice long walk from the Mrt if you don’t drive.
It irks me to read about the litany of complaints of my fellow citizens about their housing problems, making remarks like, ‘how can you expect me to live on the 2nd floor?' Some groused that they want to live near their parents, but the flats there are too expensive. And hence, despite spending a long time house-hunting, they still cannot find a suitable place. That is because, what they are looking for doesn’t exist!
My point is simple: no matter what the budget is, there is no such thing as a perfect home. I often wondered why those million-dollar condominiums beside the highways get sold. Obviously some people have decided that there is enough merit in these condos and they can live with the other shortcomings. Surely it should be understood therefore that within a budget, there are limited options.
One inevitably has to decide which qualities are more important than others, and choose accordingly. Why is it so easy to blame others (and society) when one cannot get what he wants? Frankly, if a person cannot recognize basic facts in life, he isn’t mature enough to set up his own family.
***On a high floor
***Well-ventilated and enjoys natural light
***In a quiet neighbourhood
***next to the Mrt
***Not too far away from downtown
***Big enough to let me dance around
But since I’m not a millionaire, not all of these requirements can be met. So dear friends, when you visit my home, be prepared to take a nice long walk from the Mrt if you don’t drive.
It irks me to read about the litany of complaints of my fellow citizens about their housing problems, making remarks like, ‘how can you expect me to live on the 2nd floor?' Some groused that they want to live near their parents, but the flats there are too expensive. And hence, despite spending a long time house-hunting, they still cannot find a suitable place. That is because, what they are looking for doesn’t exist!
My point is simple: no matter what the budget is, there is no such thing as a perfect home. I often wondered why those million-dollar condominiums beside the highways get sold. Obviously some people have decided that there is enough merit in these condos and they can live with the other shortcomings. Surely it should be understood therefore that within a budget, there are limited options.
One inevitably has to decide which qualities are more important than others, and choose accordingly. Why is it so easy to blame others (and society) when one cannot get what he wants? Frankly, if a person cannot recognize basic facts in life, he isn’t mature enough to set up his own family.
Friday, October 02, 2009
A new beginning
Dear Lord,
In the new place you have put me, I pray that I can
move the mountain
walk on water and
feed the five thousand.
Teach me to be wise as a serpent yet innocent as a dove. Go before me and make my path straight, broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles will not turn.
Let my arms bend a bow of bronze!
In the new place you have put me, I pray that I can
move the mountain
walk on water and
feed the five thousand.
Teach me to be wise as a serpent yet innocent as a dove. Go before me and make my path straight, broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles will not turn.
Let my arms bend a bow of bronze!
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