Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Reminiscence

Not my words, but my student's:

I used to love my father's coffee.

My father has always been making coffee for as long as I remember.
I believe he learned it from my grandma when he got married, in order to satisfy my mother's cravings.
Day after day, year after year, he has made the thick brew using the coffee sock (no lousy coffee machine) every morning, leaving it in a thermoflask for my mother.
It was probably all thanks to him and his coffee that I became a hopeless caffeine addict.
Rich, black and aromatic, it was authentic kopi-o down to the very last drop and was the very first coffee that I ever had.
I used to look forward to Sunday morning, as it was the only time in the week that I could wake up to the scent of freshly brewed coffee when I was young.
My mother and I used to fight over the coffee flask.
And when my father woke up the next day, he would inevitaby find the coffee flask drained to the last drop, ready for a new days brewing.

But lately, I have taken a new liking.
Nowadays, after my exams and studies, I would go down to the kopi-tiam nearby and order some coffee for take away, enjoying it at home when I got back.
As a result, I havent been drinking my father's coffee.
Quite oftenly these days, the coffee flask would be left untouched at the end of the day.

I just chanced upon the coffee flask this afternoon.
It was still full of coffee, luke-warm and slightly sour.
Brewed by my father this morning, before he left for work, just like every other day.
It then dawned on me that even though quite frequently now the coffee was left untouched, he still faithfully made coffee the next day, just as he has done for the past ten years.

I wonder what my father did when he found the stale coffee, untouched in the morning.
What he felt when he poured the day's efforts, unappreciated , down the drain.
Disappointed maybe, even slighly hurt.
But day after day without fail, he would still make fresh coffee in the morning, leaving it in the coffee flask for my mother and me.
What kept him going, I asked myself.
The habit of ten years?
Or something else?

We often picture love as great events, momentous occasions or heart-rending passion.
But the truth is that love in often found in the small details of life.
Little gestures and tibits that we often never noticed and take for granted.
Just like my father's coffee.
Even though sometimes I never drank it, my father still made coffee everyday for me.
Even though as we grow up we distance ourselves from our parents, in their eyes we would always be their children forever.

I poured myself a cup of the luke-warm coffee and drank it.
Delicious, just as the way I always remembered it.

Blog leh Shanyong. Miss your writing.

The 30-sec Rule

Rules: Bold the following that are true about you, italicize things you wish were true, add one true thing about you, and then tag five more people.

I miss somebody right now.
I don't watch much TV these days.
I love olive rice.
I own lots of books.
I wear glasses or contact lenses.
I love to play video games.
I've tried marijuana.
I've watched porn movies. (eugh no)

I have been in a threesome.
I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
I curse sometimes.
I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
I'm TOTALLY smart.
I've broken someone's bones.
I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.
I hate the rain.
I'm paranoid at times.
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
I need money right now.
I love sushi.
I talk really, really fast.
I have fresh breath in the morning.
I have long hair.

I have lost money in Las Vegas.
I have at least one sibling.
I was born in a country outside of the U.S.
I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.
I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
I like the way that I look.
I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.
I know how to cornrow. (er, I know how to cornflake.. it counts? =)
I am usually pessimistic.
I have a lot of mood swings.
I think prostitution should be legalized.
I think Britney Spears is pretty.
I have a hidden talent.
I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
I have a lot of friends.
I am currently single.
I have pecked someone of the same sex.
I enjoy talking on the phone.
I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
I love to shop.
I enjoy window shopping.
I would rather shop than eat.
I would classify myself as ghetto.
I'm bourgie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders.
I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal. (or Blog)
I don't hate anyone.
I'm a pretty good dancer.
I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a cell phone.
I believe in (a) God.
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
I've rejected someone before.
I currently like someone.
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I want to have children in the future.
I have changed a diaper before.
I've called the cops on a friend before.
I am a member of the Tom Green fan club.
I'm not allergic to anything.
I have a lot to learn.
I have been with someone at least 10 years older or younger.

I am shy around the opposite sex.
I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
I have tried alcohol or drugs before.
I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past. (no, but I’ve had it done to me.. heh)
I own the "South Park" movie.
I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.
When I was a kid I played "the birds and the bees" with a neighbour or chum.
I enjoy some country music.
I would die for my best friends.
I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza. (no way!)
I watch soap operas whenever I can.
I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.
I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
I know all the words to Slick Rick's "Children's Story".
Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.
I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.
I have dated a close friend's ex.
I like surveys/memes.
I am happy at this moment.
I'm obsessed with guys.

I am punk rockish.
I am preppy.
I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
I study for tests most of the time.
I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.
I can work on a car.
I love my job.
I am comfortable with who I am right now.
I have more than just my ears pierced.
I walk barefoot wherever I can.
I have jumped off a bridge.
I love sea turtles.
I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.
I believe in prophetic dreams.
Plan on achieving a major goal/dream.
I'm proficient on a musical instrument.
I worked at McDonald's restaurant.
I hate office jobs.
I love sci-fi movies.
I think water rules.
I went to college out of state.
I am adopted.
I like sausage.
I am a pyro.
I love the Red Sox.
I have thrown up from crying too much.
I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
I love kisses.
I fall for the worst people.
I adore bright colors.
I love Dear Abby.
I can't live without black eyeliner.
I think school is awesome.
I think pigtails serve a purpose.
I don't know why the hell I just did this stupid thing.
I usually like covers better than originals.
I don't like multi-textured ice cream.
I think John Cusack is adorable.
I f**king hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.
I watch Food Network way too much.
I love coaching youth sports.
I can pick up things with my toes.
I can't whistle.
I can move my tongue in waves, much like a snakes slither.
I have ridden/owned a horse.
I still have every journal I've ever written in.
I can't stick to a diet.
I talk in my sleep.
I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.
I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.
Climbing trees is a brilliant past-time.
I have jazz in my blood.
I would not be friends if they weren't family.
I wear a toe ring.
I have a tattoo.
I love vaginas.
I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.
I am a caffeine junkie.
I know who Santos L. Halper is.
I read trashy romance novels and I am ashamed.
I love wrestling.
I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all.
If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder.
I cosplay or know what cosplaying is.
I have been to over 15 conventions.
I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.

I'm an artist.
I have a goal to collect every Johnny Depp movie ever made.
I have an unhealthy Taco Bell obsession.
I have had a crush on a cartoon character when I was a kid.
I have spent more on anime and manga than many spend on computers or other high end products.
I only clean my room when neccesary.
Weight is my enemy!I'm a serious chocoholic.
I absolutely adore animals.
I love surprises.
I love to be seen.
I often act without feeling for people.
I like arguing for the sake of arguing.
I think most girls look better with spectacles
My skin is peeling because i had been under the sun.
I want to ORD.

Now to tag 5 pple..

Gary
Jing
Juan
Jann
04S75

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Monday, April 24, 2006

Yew Tee Supperclub

It used to be, in the good old JW days, that our Yew Tee gang would regularly gather for supper on Fridays and Saturdays, due to a combination of various factors:

- no work the next day
- no time for food during services
- its suppertime anyway
- we love each other so much (bleah. heh.)

But now, there's no more Friday night service and we end so early on Saturdays that it's almost sinful to think of suppering. Hmpf. Supperclub meetings dwindled to nothing.

So we tried resurrecting the Supperclub this Friday night past. Me, Daniel and Sam Tan met up at Yew Tee at 11plus, while Zhen and Juan declined for other, better pastimes (sniff). Food was average, atmosphere bland, but the company made it worth the while. It is refreshing to talk about non work-related stuff.

Oh oh oh~ ultimate stylised interaction session - while we were at Yew Tee at close to 12 midnight, guess who we did see but our very own MP, Yeo Cheow Tong, going on his handshaking rounds. And a whole host of PAP attachees who look on and smile benignly as he does. Surreal is not in it. Why bother?! Sheesh, no one would ever dare contest the mega-conglomerate pao-ka-liao GRC of Hong Kah, encompassing among other areas all of Jurong West, CCK and Yew Tee, Lim Chu Kang &c. It probably occupies a fifth of the landspace of Singapore or something.

It is probably collective insomnia. Heh.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

I am officially addicted




























































































all from edoraye/laudene, a link from Jan's blog.

Notice the gorgeousness of cats, versus scruffiness of single dog. =)

I SHOULD trade Scampy in.. *evil grin*

Job VS Service

Saw this on a onetime daily-read blog, nineaugust:

"Sometimes, I guess it is because of the kind of service culture we have and allow to have here. Singaporean sales people are efficient. They can finish folding up the pieces of clothings that you messed up with before you can make three steps out of the door. Singaporean sales people are responsible. They arrive at work punctually, remember to greet customers when they enter the store, and try their best to sell their products. I have to agree that most sales people in Singapore do their job well. But that is also where it ends.


They are only there to do their job well. They are not interested to know what are your needs, or how they can help you. In short, they are actually not serving their customers. "

Isn't this so true of our mentality as ushers sometimes.. We are interested in doing our job, and forget the reason behind why we do this job is for serving the people.

"Maybe an example will be a great way to explain what I mean by serving the customers.

Recently, due to my oversight, I had forgotten to send my credit card bill payment and so I had to do it over the counter. After greeting me, the teller told me that I had to pay a certain amount of service charge for paying my credit card bill over the counter. Before I could sigh on my little punishment for being forgetful, she told me that I could save up on the service charge if I use the cash deposit machine for my credit card bill payment.

Sheepishly, I told her I had never used the cash deposit machine for credit card bill payment and I was not sure how to do it. With a smile, she ensured me that was easy and made a quick explanation on how to do it. Then, seeing that I had all the big notes for the payment, she requested to change them into smaller notes so that I could use the machine.

If this teller had accepted my credit card bill payment over the counter, she was doing her job. But by teaching me how to use the cash deposit machine and changing the notes for me, she was serving me."

So what is our mentality today? Do we want to be people who just DO OUR JOBS, or do we want to be people who SERVE OTHERS? =)

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Monday, April 17, 2006

Thursday, April 13, 2006

GOD is Faithful!

Excerpt of a letter written to one of my ushers:

"long time ago, when I was just an usher in Hollywood, I had a vision of myself standing in front of Harbour Pavillion (where we used to go to for our seminars.. remember?) and taking charge of the whole hall. I thought that my dream and vision was useless already when Harbour was pulled down a few years ago. But just recently I realisd that God did make my dream come to pass, only that the “hall” I saw in my vision long long ago is nt Harbour pavilion hall, but the EXPO hall! So God is so faithful.. even when I myself no longer believed in my dreams and forgot them, God remembers and resurrects and makes it come to pass in His time!"

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Extracted from NJC's Biology Notes

Hard Core Spawn
"All of a sudden, millions of tiny cells began spewing out of living corals. They poured into the water column like champagne bubbles, floating to the surface and forming a thick, pink slick. The researchers had witnessed coral spawning, an annual event, which occurs in all coral reefs around the world.."

Is it just me or is there something vaguely pornographic about this description? heh..

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

One million blessings in one hundred days

May You be Blessed movie

Nice thing to brighten the dreary day. =)

May you be blessed with all things good.
May your joys, like the stars at night, be too numerous to count.
May your victories be more abundant than all the grains of sand on all the beaches on all the oceans in all the world.
May lack and struggle be always absent from your life and may beauty order and abundance be your constant companions.
May every pathway you choose lead to that which is pure and good and lovely.
May every doubt and fear be replaced by a deep abiding trust as you behold evidence of a Higher Power
all around you.
And when there is only darkness and the storms of life are closing in
May the light at the core of your being illuminate the world.
May you always be aware you are loved beyond measure and may you be willing to love unconditionally in return.
May you always feel protected and cradled in the arms of God, like the cherished child you are.
And when you are tempted to judge may you be reminded that we are all ONE and that every thought you think
reverberates across the universe, touching everyone and everything.
And when you are tempted to hold back, may you remember that love flows best when it flows freely
and it is in giving that we receive the greatest gift.
May you always have music and laughter and may a rainbow follow every storm
May gladness wash away every disappointment may joy dissolve every sorrow and my love ease every pain.
May every wound bring wisdom and every trial bring triumph and with each passing day may you live more abundantly than the day before.
May you be blessed
And may others be blessed by you.
This is my heartfelt wish for you.
May you be blessed.

©2006 by Kate Nowak. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Turkey burger

Sheesh, what irritating buggers some people can be.

Found a friend's tagboard had been vandalized and digitally-graffitified by some bozo using her name to make ridiculous comments. Double cowardice, not daring to say such stuff to peoples' faces AND hiding behind a fake identity somemore. Bah.

Jing says not to let turkeys get you down.

Me, I say make turkey burgers out of the fella.

Wahaha.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

siao eh

too many things to do.

i found myself marking the blanks i'd filled in during lecture today.

sigh.

Monday, April 03, 2006

inspiring story of a real-lived life.

once again, moved by the writings of timmortal whose blog i recently rediscovered by a random scroll through the links of my left sidebar.

he has been through so much, tries so hard and is so brutally honest about it that it hurts.

i wish there was some way i could leave comments so that i could encourage him in his journey.

sunset taken from foyer 3

Saturday, April 01, 2006

random in nature.

Last night I got scolded by my mother twice in the span of two minutes. For not greeting everyone around the table before starting to eat, and having the temerity to begin eating first.
*roll eyes*

Funny, I never thought my family was rigid or a stickler for protocol when growing up. So it kind of shocked me that none of my friends ever seemed to have to greet everyone around the table, in chronological order, and with respect to closeness of relationship. Eg.

Grandfather, eat. (Correct, cos grandfather is the oldest son on his side of the family)
Second granduncle and second sum-por, eat.
Big grandaunt and big koo-zhang-kong, eat. (the difference due to the idea that the second granduncle and the big grandaunt were my grandfather's siblings, and the other in the pair merely their spouses.)

All the above have to be said in Cantonese or Mandarin, and that's already a concession to the fact that my command of Hakka and Hainanese are both nonexistent.

It made for cold dinners. Especially when all 13 of my grandfather's siblings and all 7 of my father's siblings were present. =P


I also realised that my uncle's now-2-year son is an utter horror. *shudder*.
He yowls his head off whenever he wants something; he will not be pacified with a 'later' and demands his needs be attended to on the spot.
What needs? The need for a new toy every time he goes into a shopping mall. And not just any toy - he has a fetish for cars; not your itsy bitsy little matchstick brand cars either but big-ass ones with whopping i-feel-so-important remote controls. The lifespan of his interest in his new car depends on how long his parents take to get to the next mall, where he will demand a new and instantly throw the old aside.

*grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr* what a spendthrift kid.