I have a hole where my wisdom tooth once was. Now it's just a trap for all sorts of food. Once, I had a piece of lamb stuck there and it wouldn't come out. I brushed, scratched, gargled, dug, scraped and to no avail. I gave up, thinking it may have been my imagination.
The next morning, a piece of soft lamb was found in my mouth.
Now, I have a piece of rib in my mouth. No matter how valiantly I dig and brush and gargle, nothing is coming out. Maybe tomorrow a significantly softer lump of pork will inch its way out.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
Not just a song
I'm getting the *zing* feeling from this particular song... It's got an electrifying effect, bringing with it a rush of adrenaline, the tingle down my spine. And it evokes such a rush of emotion. Suddenly I'm transported into a more exciting time, when things weren't so monotonous. The blur from the highs that life brings, the desire for time to stop to capture a memory, a moment. It is stored away in snapshots in my mind. I retrieve it every now and then and it brings a smile to my face. This song brings it all back. And it makes me feel so young. Anything is possible. How is it that a mere song can make me feel this way? And so rarely can a PERSON inspire me feel like this?
And yet, this song makes me feel a tinge of sadness. What will be will be. And I've got to accept myself for who I am.
Gavin Degraw rocks.
And yet, this song makes me feel a tinge of sadness. What will be will be. And I've got to accept myself for who I am.
Gavin Degraw rocks.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Shanghai!!!
Ok, Shanghai isn't as hip and happening as I imagined it to be. TIME magazine completely misrepresented! I was swept away by the romanticised image of the city from people's accounts and from articles and guidebooks. I came away with heaps of shopping, but tourism-wise... it was a tad lacklustre.
But I must confess that this is one of the most eventful holidays I've had. I arrived Friday - a windy cloudy day. Already people were warning that a typhoon was approaching. Bummer. It's supposed to be the worst in 8 years. Of course I completely freaked out, especially since it was supposed to last all the way to MONDAY. And I was only staying till tuesday morning!!! Arrggh.
Day 1 Friday:
Friday was a super productive day. And by productive I refer to food and shopping. Every Singaporean girl's dream. Man, I feel so generic. I went to the Tailoring Market to do outfits. It was really a steal. Sometimes it wasn't so much of a need, but because it was just so cheap I could not simply pass it up without regretting. Shirts were S$14, and they were custom made. Skirts were about S$12. This very gorgeous material was turned into a full skirt, only for S$20. I feel kind of bad shopping so much in Shanghai actually. Throughout, I was half ecstatic with my buys and half plagued with a nagging guilt. These people slog like mad to earn these few dollars from me. It's really a sweatshop mentality over there. The tailors are up and about at the market in the afternoons. At night, they don't sleep, but they work all around the clock. And they even deliver outfits to your hotel room. This was one of the many instances where I was fully aware of how blessed I am.
Next stop: Xiangyang Market. Who can visit Shanghai without taking a look at this IP-infringing haven??? Police officers walk around the market very calmly. Apparently no one cares. The moment you step out of the taxi, you are affronted from all corners by people touting fake branded goods. LV is the hot favourite. And they push and poke you to get your attention. Bargained like mad for tons of bags and gitzmos... ... Bargaining drains u, although at first u feel a tad pleased with how much u've whittled it down to. And then, after some time, you realise that you've been swindled in the first few stores because other stores are offering a far better price. Grrrrrr... ...
It was about 4pm when we finished and we went on the prowl for good Peking Duck. The Quan Ju De restaurant was nearby but we had to trek up and down and up and down Huaihai Road before we finally found it. But it was worth it. On hindsight. The skin was crispy and so sweet. And it was to be eaten with cucumber and sugar. And the meat was tender and falls off the duck so easily as the chef cut it. I'm getting hungry thinking about it again.
By nightfall, the rains have started to arrive. And it's not a small rain mind you. It began to POUR.
Day 2 Saturday:
The next morning, when we set out, the rain was steady and the winds strong. I destroyed an umbrella when the winds tore through it. I had to succumb to buying a cheesy raincoat. In times like these, one gets desperate. Saturday was truly an "indoors" day. There was no way anyone was getting out in the rain, because it was pouring cats and dogs. And the wind was shaking leaves and branches and traffic lights. You can literally see rain coming down in sleets. Tried the famous NanXiang xiao long bao. The gravy is rich and thick, unlike the clearer broth in other versions I've tried. Heck, it beats Ding Tai Feng hollow. The skin isn't so thin, but the broth makes up for everything else!
The most miserable thing that happened during the storm was the fact that everyone was trying to rush home at the same time and it was close to impossible to get a cab. No one wanted to be outdoors. It was only later that I realised how dangerous it was to be walking in the rain. It wasn't because there was possible thunder and lightning. But electrical wires left exposed on the road could trigger an electric shortage, as was what happened to a couple of people that day. Anyway, we waited in vain in the rain but they were all full and everyone was pushing and shoving and cutting queues. I wanted to kill someone at this point. So we walked down in the direction of our hotel. This was a difficult feat because of all our shopping bags, which were threatening to give way.
One happy thing that happened was that we went for a foot reflexology session. If we had to stay indoors, we might as well do something worthwhile! And it was really cheap and really good. Where else in Singapore can one get such an hour-long session for S$8??? I sound super auntie right now, but I have to spread the good cheer.
I must say, despite my general bad impression of Chinese city folk, some do surprise me. I was walking through a marketplace which was lined with small food stalls and raw food, just soaking in the general Chinese marketplace atmosphere. And it suddenly started to rain more heavily. I rain for shelter for a while. Suddenly the shopfront opened and a nice man asked me if I needed help or if I wanted shelter for a while. A bunch of guys were inside the room playing mahjong.. haha.
As I passed the marketplace, I peered into some houses by the roadside. They were dank, dark, depressing, with mud floors. It had a grey depressed feel to them. And they were narrow. You can vaguely see stacks of belongings piled against the wall, or the occasional sewing machine... and a few old women and men sitting inside the dark squashed corners. It made me feel really sad that I had so much and these people had so little. I also saw little rooms carved into the underbelly of the expressway bridge at Yannan Donglu by the Bund. They were the size of a large toilet cubicle, but it was obviously someone's home. The poor-rich gap was much more striking, set against the background of the skyscrapers at Pudong.
Day 3 Sunday:
This is the part where I have to thank God. He answers prayers!
Or at least, he chose to answer this one. Typhoon Matsa diverted its course and skirted past Shanghai. I was amazed not to see rain, since everyone was predicting that it would last till Monday.
This meant that we could walk through the DongTai Lu antique market, which was highly recommended by TimeOut, but the cabdriver who was sending us there laughed and claimed that it was a mere tourist trap. Saw many small shops selling basically the same things. Antique Mao memorabilia, little Chinese cups, wooden carvings, bric a brac... ...
We also walked to Xintiandi, where huge shopping malls could be found and where cafes and upmarket eateries were sprawling. Apparently Crystal Jade in Shanghai looks exactly like Crystal Jade in Singapore. Except the Shanghainese congregate in very large groups for Sunday brunch together.
Went to Nanjing Road and visited Peace Hotel, where we went to check out the jazz band. Basically, Kris was right. It's a bunch of old men playing instruments, with a very droll expression on their faces. When bands play music, they usually look like they are enjoying what they are doing. But the old men here seem to perceive it as a mere living for their bread and butter. Nothing more. No enjoyment of their music can be fathomed from their faces. And it wasn't as dreamy or interesting as it was made out to be. It's supposed to be a vestige of the Old Shanghai. A reinvigoration of its former glory. But sadly I just saw it for what it was. A bar with a bunch of old men playing jazz music.
Day 4 Monday:
This was my last full day in Shanghai. I went back to Xiangyang Market to buy more... I didn't think I was capable of shopping so much! And we had mala steamboat. This was really oily and rather salty, but the clear soup was so good. The beef was tender and the peanut sauces were rich and flavourful.
At Nanjing Road, we bought lambshanks for S$1. I can't get over how cheap certain things can be.
0
I'll be back. For the shopping=)
But I must confess that this is one of the most eventful holidays I've had. I arrived Friday - a windy cloudy day. Already people were warning that a typhoon was approaching. Bummer. It's supposed to be the worst in 8 years. Of course I completely freaked out, especially since it was supposed to last all the way to MONDAY. And I was only staying till tuesday morning!!! Arrggh.
Day 1 Friday:
Friday was a super productive day. And by productive I refer to food and shopping. Every Singaporean girl's dream. Man, I feel so generic. I went to the Tailoring Market to do outfits. It was really a steal. Sometimes it wasn't so much of a need, but because it was just so cheap I could not simply pass it up without regretting. Shirts were S$14, and they were custom made. Skirts were about S$12. This very gorgeous material was turned into a full skirt, only for S$20. I feel kind of bad shopping so much in Shanghai actually. Throughout, I was half ecstatic with my buys and half plagued with a nagging guilt. These people slog like mad to earn these few dollars from me. It's really a sweatshop mentality over there. The tailors are up and about at the market in the afternoons. At night, they don't sleep, but they work all around the clock. And they even deliver outfits to your hotel room. This was one of the many instances where I was fully aware of how blessed I am.
Next stop: Xiangyang Market. Who can visit Shanghai without taking a look at this IP-infringing haven??? Police officers walk around the market very calmly. Apparently no one cares. The moment you step out of the taxi, you are affronted from all corners by people touting fake branded goods. LV is the hot favourite. And they push and poke you to get your attention. Bargained like mad for tons of bags and gitzmos... ... Bargaining drains u, although at first u feel a tad pleased with how much u've whittled it down to. And then, after some time, you realise that you've been swindled in the first few stores because other stores are offering a far better price. Grrrrrr... ...
It was about 4pm when we finished and we went on the prowl for good Peking Duck. The Quan Ju De restaurant was nearby but we had to trek up and down and up and down Huaihai Road before we finally found it. But it was worth it. On hindsight. The skin was crispy and so sweet. And it was to be eaten with cucumber and sugar. And the meat was tender and falls off the duck so easily as the chef cut it. I'm getting hungry thinking about it again.
By nightfall, the rains have started to arrive. And it's not a small rain mind you. It began to POUR.
Day 2 Saturday:
The next morning, when we set out, the rain was steady and the winds strong. I destroyed an umbrella when the winds tore through it. I had to succumb to buying a cheesy raincoat. In times like these, one gets desperate. Saturday was truly an "indoors" day. There was no way anyone was getting out in the rain, because it was pouring cats and dogs. And the wind was shaking leaves and branches and traffic lights. You can literally see rain coming down in sleets. Tried the famous NanXiang xiao long bao. The gravy is rich and thick, unlike the clearer broth in other versions I've tried. Heck, it beats Ding Tai Feng hollow. The skin isn't so thin, but the broth makes up for everything else!
The most miserable thing that happened during the storm was the fact that everyone was trying to rush home at the same time and it was close to impossible to get a cab. No one wanted to be outdoors. It was only later that I realised how dangerous it was to be walking in the rain. It wasn't because there was possible thunder and lightning. But electrical wires left exposed on the road could trigger an electric shortage, as was what happened to a couple of people that day. Anyway, we waited in vain in the rain but they were all full and everyone was pushing and shoving and cutting queues. I wanted to kill someone at this point. So we walked down in the direction of our hotel. This was a difficult feat because of all our shopping bags, which were threatening to give way.
One happy thing that happened was that we went for a foot reflexology session. If we had to stay indoors, we might as well do something worthwhile! And it was really cheap and really good. Where else in Singapore can one get such an hour-long session for S$8??? I sound super auntie right now, but I have to spread the good cheer.
I must say, despite my general bad impression of Chinese city folk, some do surprise me. I was walking through a marketplace which was lined with small food stalls and raw food, just soaking in the general Chinese marketplace atmosphere. And it suddenly started to rain more heavily. I rain for shelter for a while. Suddenly the shopfront opened and a nice man asked me if I needed help or if I wanted shelter for a while. A bunch of guys were inside the room playing mahjong.. haha.
As I passed the marketplace, I peered into some houses by the roadside. They were dank, dark, depressing, with mud floors. It had a grey depressed feel to them. And they were narrow. You can vaguely see stacks of belongings piled against the wall, or the occasional sewing machine... and a few old women and men sitting inside the dark squashed corners. It made me feel really sad that I had so much and these people had so little. I also saw little rooms carved into the underbelly of the expressway bridge at Yannan Donglu by the Bund. They were the size of a large toilet cubicle, but it was obviously someone's home. The poor-rich gap was much more striking, set against the background of the skyscrapers at Pudong.
Day 3 Sunday:
This is the part where I have to thank God. He answers prayers!
Or at least, he chose to answer this one. Typhoon Matsa diverted its course and skirted past Shanghai. I was amazed not to see rain, since everyone was predicting that it would last till Monday.
This meant that we could walk through the DongTai Lu antique market, which was highly recommended by TimeOut, but the cabdriver who was sending us there laughed and claimed that it was a mere tourist trap. Saw many small shops selling basically the same things. Antique Mao memorabilia, little Chinese cups, wooden carvings, bric a brac... ...
We also walked to Xintiandi, where huge shopping malls could be found and where cafes and upmarket eateries were sprawling. Apparently Crystal Jade in Shanghai looks exactly like Crystal Jade in Singapore. Except the Shanghainese congregate in very large groups for Sunday brunch together.
Went to Nanjing Road and visited Peace Hotel, where we went to check out the jazz band. Basically, Kris was right. It's a bunch of old men playing instruments, with a very droll expression on their faces. When bands play music, they usually look like they are enjoying what they are doing. But the old men here seem to perceive it as a mere living for their bread and butter. Nothing more. No enjoyment of their music can be fathomed from their faces. And it wasn't as dreamy or interesting as it was made out to be. It's supposed to be a vestige of the Old Shanghai. A reinvigoration of its former glory. But sadly I just saw it for what it was. A bar with a bunch of old men playing jazz music.
Day 4 Monday:
This was my last full day in Shanghai. I went back to Xiangyang Market to buy more... I didn't think I was capable of shopping so much! And we had mala steamboat. This was really oily and rather salty, but the clear soup was so good. The beef was tender and the peanut sauces were rich and flavourful.
At Nanjing Road, we bought lambshanks for S$1. I can't get over how cheap certain things can be.
0
I'll be back. For the shopping=)
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Airport, Popeye and more
Partook in good old Popeye Chicken at the airport today=)
Many thanks to Zach for helping fulfil this really really bad craving!!!
Coffee at Caffe Ritazza was good too
I love the airport.
It gives me these nice happy vibes. And this little tingle at the back of my spine. Because it's always been associated with happy memories.
Never mind that we stupidly forgot to look out for our stop and ended up boarding the wrong train all the way to Pasir Ris=)
I had a great time.
Many thanks to Zach for helping fulfil this really really bad craving!!!
Coffee at Caffe Ritazza was good too
I love the airport.
It gives me these nice happy vibes. And this little tingle at the back of my spine. Because it's always been associated with happy memories.
Never mind that we stupidly forgot to look out for our stop and ended up boarding the wrong train all the way to Pasir Ris=)
I had a great time.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Advocacy
My final advocacy lesson today... I was assigned the task of defending the Order 14 application for summary judgment and making a mitigation plea. All in all, it went quite well. I have nothing to complain about. But whenever I go up to the lectern to present, I get a little jittery, and my throat will start to crackle and I start to speak very fast. Then I start to fumble over the big words.
The second time I presented, I tried to make a note of those errors and I spoke SLOWLY... but then I kept using the irritating word "and" to join up my sentences in place of "uh". That was painful too.
Even more painful was watching myself on videotape. They tape everyone and they bring us into a private room to view it. The lawyers then pinpoint our stylistic errors and advice on what to do. Boy, do I look gross. And Dao. And "kiam pa". URRGH. It's usual for people to get turned off when they see themselves on video. But they usually get used to it. I don't think I see myself in the mirror much, cos I was massively shocked when I saw that video. That couldn't have been me!!!
I remember that I retrieved an overpowering sense of awe from the NKF trial where Davinder Singh parried with Durei and won hands down. There was no fight there. I felt so inspired. Alas, the feeling did not last very long. I kept replaying the technical to dos and not to dos, completely forgetting that half of it required engaging the court, engaging in intellectual persuasion with the judge...
I need to get inspired again.
The second time I presented, I tried to make a note of those errors and I spoke SLOWLY... but then I kept using the irritating word "and" to join up my sentences in place of "uh". That was painful too.
Even more painful was watching myself on videotape. They tape everyone and they bring us into a private room to view it. The lawyers then pinpoint our stylistic errors and advice on what to do. Boy, do I look gross. And Dao. And "kiam pa". URRGH. It's usual for people to get turned off when they see themselves on video. But they usually get used to it. I don't think I see myself in the mirror much, cos I was massively shocked when I saw that video. That couldn't have been me!!!
I remember that I retrieved an overpowering sense of awe from the NKF trial where Davinder Singh parried with Durei and won hands down. There was no fight there. I felt so inspired. Alas, the feeling did not last very long. I kept replaying the technical to dos and not to dos, completely forgetting that half of it required engaging the court, engaging in intellectual persuasion with the judge...
I need to get inspired again.
Friday, July 29, 2005
dao
Warning: This is pure rambling and is an entire waste of time.
Some of my dear friends are getting really sick of me complaining about this, but I have to say something. It's so difficult to break the first hurdle when it comes to making friends sometimes!!! People just naturally assume I'm dao or that I'm angry. Even the people close to me can't tell, and that SUCKS.
I can't help this face I'm born with. I hate it sometimes. But I can't go around perpetually with a smile on my face because it would make me look absolutely psychotic. At this point I start to wonder whether it is really worth all the effort to try to be friendly in order that people don't get turned off or offended. I mean, my friends wouldn't care right, whether I looked like that. But then, you ask yourself, "You could have so many more friends if you just looked more approachable and friendly".
It does hit me. It takes time to build a foundation or community of friends because I just don't warm up to crowds that quickly and easily. People sometimes takes years to take the step to smile and say hi before a friendship is started. But after the first hurdle, I warm up pretty fast to them. It's just that freaking first step that is so hard to cross. And many either cannot be bothered or just don't dare to.
And it doesn't help that I'm shy and daren't take the first step. Well this sucks.
When things suck, suck it up.
Some of my dear friends are getting really sick of me complaining about this, but I have to say something. It's so difficult to break the first hurdle when it comes to making friends sometimes!!! People just naturally assume I'm dao or that I'm angry. Even the people close to me can't tell, and that SUCKS.
I can't help this face I'm born with. I hate it sometimes. But I can't go around perpetually with a smile on my face because it would make me look absolutely psychotic. At this point I start to wonder whether it is really worth all the effort to try to be friendly in order that people don't get turned off or offended. I mean, my friends wouldn't care right, whether I looked like that. But then, you ask yourself, "You could have so many more friends if you just looked more approachable and friendly".
It does hit me. It takes time to build a foundation or community of friends because I just don't warm up to crowds that quickly and easily. People sometimes takes years to take the step to smile and say hi before a friendship is started. But after the first hurdle, I warm up pretty fast to them. It's just that freaking first step that is so hard to cross. And many either cannot be bothered or just don't dare to.
And it doesn't help that I'm shy and daren't take the first step. Well this sucks.
When things suck, suck it up.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Wisdom Tooth out!!!
The bane of my existence for the past few months is finally gone!!! The blasted horizontal wisdom tooth at the back of my right jaw is finished, kaput, exterminated!!! It involved one big fat needle, and tons of ponstan, and good old cotton wool.... and 500 bucks. But boy am I glad I did it! The dentist was very disturbed and he told me that the tooth was infected when he tugged it out. I have never had a cavity in my life but I couldn't take care of a tooth that was only in there for a few months??!! Although I must say that the horizontal position of the tooth caused food to be lodged very easily at the back of my mouth. I even began a post-consumption ritual that involved my tongue in dangerous places...
And I thought that I would feel sick or lose my appetite and that I could only survive on liquids. I was so wrong. I tried to tackle solids and I think I did a pretty good job.
One down, three to go...
And I thought that I would feel sick or lose my appetite and that I could only survive on liquids. I was so wrong. I tried to tackle solids and I think I did a pretty good job.
One down, three to go...
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Talk with a friend
Went to Purvis Street with David for some gd "tse char"(or is that how you spell it)... When I think tse char now, I will think ACJC people, because I remember that Angela, another from the ACJC alumni, introduced that fantastic stall at Dover Road to me. She claimed it was an ACJC hangout. And ever since, I've associated ACJC with tse char, oddly enough. The one at Purvis Street was quite good. It's called Chin Chin Kopitiam and it was quite empty at the time cos we simply had to eat at the oddest hour. I haven't done things the traditional way for a while now, but I'm frankly sick of Sakae Sushi and Kenny Rogers and the usual fare. This is good.
David tried to answer my questions. I don't think I have all the answers in the palm of my hand, but I think the talk helped. It made me see into why he had so much faith, and why I had so little. And it made me sad. But I didn't want to keep thinking about it because it would have made my Monday miserable. Mondays are bad enough as it is.
David tried to answer my questions. I don't think I have all the answers in the palm of my hand, but I think the talk helped. It made me see into why he had so much faith, and why I had so little. And it made me sad. But I didn't want to keep thinking about it because it would have made my Monday miserable. Mondays are bad enough as it is.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Adam Road Presbytarian Church
I have always heard so much about ARPC, especially from friends who have been away for so long and who realise that their own churches seem foreign now. Many retreat into nice peaceful ARPC, where the teachings are sound and the people roughly of the same age. It really is a young church and the young adults are pretty active. So many of them are from NUS. It was only a matter of time before I went to check it out.
Sarah Chew jio-ed me to pop in for the 2pm young adults bible study session called PUNJ, which is an acronym for.... hmmm I'll find out later. I'm really not used to not clapping and raising up my hands during worship. Now I understand why everyone at VCF seems so reserved during worship and why the praise and worship songs seem so subdued. It just so happens that my church is particularly enthusiastic. Over here, the songs are toned down, muted. But not in a negative sense. It was great to have Sarah there.
To my surprise, ARPC was like a congregation of friends and acquaintances from all chapters of my life. I met 3 JC friends there, 1 primary school schoolbus mate cum ex-neighbour, various other familiar JC faces, 1 secondary school friend.... it bordered on creepy. But it was comforting, sweet, to see so many people come to know Christ in university, whether overseas or at home. After years of not seeing these old friends, to know that in the years we have been apart they have been searching and that they have come to the same conclusion about God as I did, brought me a sense of togetherness and comradeship. Lee Shujun was there, so was Kevin Pang and Jonathan, and I know that ChaiChin's church, and I met Cheryl Siew there. Kris loves the church, and now I understand why. I was glad that David went with me too, at least I had company!!!
Things to think about.
Sarah Chew jio-ed me to pop in for the 2pm young adults bible study session called PUNJ, which is an acronym for.... hmmm I'll find out later. I'm really not used to not clapping and raising up my hands during worship. Now I understand why everyone at VCF seems so reserved during worship and why the praise and worship songs seem so subdued. It just so happens that my church is particularly enthusiastic. Over here, the songs are toned down, muted. But not in a negative sense. It was great to have Sarah there.
To my surprise, ARPC was like a congregation of friends and acquaintances from all chapters of my life. I met 3 JC friends there, 1 primary school schoolbus mate cum ex-neighbour, various other familiar JC faces, 1 secondary school friend.... it bordered on creepy. But it was comforting, sweet, to see so many people come to know Christ in university, whether overseas or at home. After years of not seeing these old friends, to know that in the years we have been apart they have been searching and that they have come to the same conclusion about God as I did, brought me a sense of togetherness and comradeship. Lee Shujun was there, so was Kevin Pang and Jonathan, and I know that ChaiChin's church, and I met Cheryl Siew there. Kris loves the church, and now I understand why. I was glad that David went with me too, at least I had company!!!
Things to think about.
I really don't like it when people start to treat you different after you tell them you are reading law. After that, the questions just bombard you one after the other. And then you realise they look at you different. And after that, every so often, they'd say things like "Jess is a lawyer, ask her" or "Next time I'll come find you for help" or "Wah, lawyer sure earn a lot in future".
I don't mean to be mean, but it suddenly struck me how I'm going to be branded with this label in future, because of what I do for a living. It won't happen to me if I were a "Systems Administrator" or Logistics Personnel.... you'd just tune out after the first 2 syllables. But just because people assume they know what being a lawyer means, they attach a certain stereotype to you. I think lawyers, doctors and probably bankers have the same problem. Their jobs are thrust into the public glare too much.
Which begs the question: what happens if I leave the profession? It scares me a bit to think that leaving the profession doesn't just mean losing quite a bit of salary every month. It entails losing your identity, an identity that has been imposed on you by society and which you have grown accustomed to too.
On a brighter note, I met up with Yingjie, Audrina and Lee Si at Brewerks again!!! I know I'm really greedy, but even I am astonished at how much I can eat and have been eating. It's time for cold turkey now...
I don't mean to be mean, but it suddenly struck me how I'm going to be branded with this label in future, because of what I do for a living. It won't happen to me if I were a "Systems Administrator" or Logistics Personnel.... you'd just tune out after the first 2 syllables. But just because people assume they know what being a lawyer means, they attach a certain stereotype to you. I think lawyers, doctors and probably bankers have the same problem. Their jobs are thrust into the public glare too much.
Which begs the question: what happens if I leave the profession? It scares me a bit to think that leaving the profession doesn't just mean losing quite a bit of salary every month. It entails losing your identity, an identity that has been imposed on you by society and which you have grown accustomed to too.
On a brighter note, I met up with Yingjie, Audrina and Lee Si at Brewerks again!!! I know I'm really greedy, but even I am astonished at how much I can eat and have been eating. It's time for cold turkey now...
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Brewerks
*sniff* caught a cold from yesterday, or is it the result of a very insistent emerging wisdom tooth? i can't tell. The dentist (who happens to be Shuyan's uncle??!! what are the odds???!!) x-rayed my tooth and delivered the worst news ever... I'll have to extract it out pronto or else it'll push out the rest of my teeth and result in accumulation of food particles which would lead to tooth decay. Yucks. My teeth are my pride and joy. No fillings yet, and I don't plan to have any for the next 10 years! Looks like my food appointments will have to be shifted next week...
Blah having a cold sucks. But it didn't stop me from shoving a whole Brewerks burger in my face... and I finished all of my fries. and half of my Golden Ale beer. Beer is only 3 bucks from 12-3 every day!!!! I was seized with sudden terror when I realised how much I had eaten. but the damage was done. So I tried to walk and walk and walk. I realise that that's the best way to lay off the guilt-trip. I walked from Clarke Quay to Suntec, then walked all over Suntec, then I walked from Dhoby Ghaut back home... I felt slightly better when I went home, until I realised my sister baked cheesecake.... Someone help me.....
We learn new things everyday.
1. I am massively greedy
2. I like my beers dark, especially the dark Erdinger and the dark Paulaner
3. The Mexican burger is damn good!!!
4. I am so greedy...........
Blah having a cold sucks. But it didn't stop me from shoving a whole Brewerks burger in my face... and I finished all of my fries. and half of my Golden Ale beer. Beer is only 3 bucks from 12-3 every day!!!! I was seized with sudden terror when I realised how much I had eaten. but the damage was done. So I tried to walk and walk and walk. I realise that that's the best way to lay off the guilt-trip. I walked from Clarke Quay to Suntec, then walked all over Suntec, then I walked from Dhoby Ghaut back home... I felt slightly better when I went home, until I realised my sister baked cheesecake.... Someone help me.....
We learn new things everyday.
1. I am massively greedy
2. I like my beers dark, especially the dark Erdinger and the dark Paulaner
3. The Mexican burger is damn good!!!
4. I am so greedy...........
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
I decided to go to East Coast Park to chill instead of going for class. Lectures are super dry right now and it saps whatever inspiration or interest I had in the profession in the first place. So I chose to go to the McCafe to go finish my Jasper Fforde novel. Just me, my book and my mocacchino! Spent 1.5 hours absorbed in my book and watching the world go by... That's a luxury I don't think I'll get very much of anymore!
But the purpose of heading all the way to East Coast Park was to do a spot of quiet time at the beach. Unfortunately, when I put aside my book and went out to the beach, there was a stupid rain cloud hovering ominously... Within 15 min, the winds swept up stray litter and leaves and everyone hurried out towards the shelter...Grrrrrrrrrrrr I like to think I had 15 min of productive quiet time but I think I'd be fooling myself.
Headed out to Orchard where it was pouring like mad. I thought I'd be a nice person and I started ferrying people from point A to point B whenever I could. It's actually a pretty good way to talk to strangers. I met an Indonesian woman who had flown in by chartered plane to seek treatment for her ill father at Mount Alvernia. She told me he was in ICU, at which point my PR skills failed me and I was momentarily lost for words. U really can't tell what people are going through, or what they are doing in a certain place, just by looking at them. How often do we look behind the facade to realise that these people have life issues, problems, interesting stories behind them, experiences. Food for thought.
Picked up my Harry Potter Book. Can't wait to start reading.
But the purpose of heading all the way to East Coast Park was to do a spot of quiet time at the beach. Unfortunately, when I put aside my book and went out to the beach, there was a stupid rain cloud hovering ominously... Within 15 min, the winds swept up stray litter and leaves and everyone hurried out towards the shelter...Grrrrrrrrrrrr I like to think I had 15 min of productive quiet time but I think I'd be fooling myself.
Headed out to Orchard where it was pouring like mad. I thought I'd be a nice person and I started ferrying people from point A to point B whenever I could. It's actually a pretty good way to talk to strangers. I met an Indonesian woman who had flown in by chartered plane to seek treatment for her ill father at Mount Alvernia. She told me he was in ICU, at which point my PR skills failed me and I was momentarily lost for words. U really can't tell what people are going through, or what they are doing in a certain place, just by looking at them. How often do we look behind the facade to realise that these people have life issues, problems, interesting stories behind them, experiences. Food for thought.
Picked up my Harry Potter Book. Can't wait to start reading.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Salzburg
Another major reason why travelling gives me a kick is the chance to view God's creation! I always feel closest to Him when I look at what He has done to the lakes, the seas, the valleys and the gorgeous snow-capped peaks. God is right in your face when you are witness to His natural greatness. I always feel small... and there is this sense of awe, that nothing really matters, all things are insignificant. People come and go in nanoseconds, but mounds of rock can surpass us transient fools in terms of time, size, impact.
Check it out!!! We sat by the edge of the jetty admiring the green-blue water and the mountains. Salzburg water is cleaner than its Swiss counterparts. A gorgeous day I will always remember... It's moments like these that are priceless. And it's for you to reserve a compartment worth of such memories. No one can take them away.
Great lakes region in Salzburg
Check it out!!! We sat by the edge of the jetty admiring the green-blue water and the mountains. Salzburg water is cleaner than its Swiss counterparts. A gorgeous day I will always remember... It's moments like these that are priceless. And it's for you to reserve a compartment worth of such memories. No one can take them away.
Great lakes region in Salzburg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
