For 3 days in a row, 3 different people told/advised me to 'find someone and settle down'..
Day 1 -
Wil: Haven't you thought about settling down?
ZXL(choking on my barley drink): With??
Wil: Doesn't necessarily mean you have to get married..just someone who can be your companion, or even just a friend..
ZXL: I'll think about it..
Day 2 -
Mom(not mine): ..Told you to get a rich turtle..
ZXL: Waiting..still waiting..
Mom: Dun wait, go out and look!
ZXL: You should go work for SDU..
Mom: I have friends who got married under SDU and even have a plaque to show for it!
ZXL:.......
Day 3 -
'Alan': So when is it your turn to settle down?
ZXL(giving standard reply by now): With??
'Alan': You can plan first..who knows, u may just find someone very soon..
ZXL: Aiyo..these kind of things hard to say lah..
'Alan': Don't worry, i'll keep a lookout for you..come out with us more often ok?
ZXL: Err..ok lor, thanks ah
Maybe this is the stress that singles in their 30s go thru? The famous stress that i've been reading so much about in the papers(oh maybe no more liao..since Ms ST got married to her high school beau in a sort-of fairytale wedding)
Anyway, i'm not so much feeling stressed..but more amused..how 3 very different people..coincidentally over 3 consecutive days spoke to me about the very same topic..
I guess i have arrived..to that age..
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Namecards
Just received a namecard from an ex-colleague the other day..it read 'Dr Wong'..
The last time i met up with Dr Wong was a couple of years ago when she was still 'doctor-to-be'..good for her!
I once said my namecard would one day read 'Consultant'..while i dun even put a designation on my cards these days, i think it's still a possibility(of cos i can always print tat even now but...)
#497 goal in life - To earn the title of 'Consultant'
The last time i met up with Dr Wong was a couple of years ago when she was still 'doctor-to-be'..good for her!
I once said my namecard would one day read 'Consultant'..while i dun even put a designation on my cards these days, i think it's still a possibility(of cos i can always print tat even now but...)
#497 goal in life - To earn the title of 'Consultant'
Monday, 9 August 2010
The Day I Fell In Love Again..
Actually it was just a simple day..in fact, it might be even a boring day or just another day to others..but it's been quite a while since i enjoyed myself so much with you..
The day started with a korean dance performance at the lovely esplanade theatre..well, never ever the dance-guru..i even had to be told 'the 2 guys represent sperms and the girl represents the egg'(dun ask). Overall, it was certainly quite a visual feast of toned taut bodies..And right after that, was feasting time again..this time, more literally..
How best can you spend a saturday afternoon other than devouring a decadent chocolate crepe from 'botak max' and watching the world go by(which i really did - there was a marchpast display going on outside the building)
The very guilty teabreak called for some workout..'climbed up' to the rooftop of esplanade..though not of sky-scraping heights, it still offered a very decent view of the city..it was a city decked for celebration..i could spot 3 happenings going on..YOG rehearsals at the floating platform, NDP rehearsals at the padang and the marina bay festival..
Decided to venture down to the marina bay for a closer look at the actions..the nice balmy weather(relatively) made for quite a pleasant stroll on the esplanade bridge..there were obviously tons of other people who felt the same way, as i counted no less than 30 photographers staking out for a prime viewing spot of the fireworks(scheduled for some 2 hours later)
Descending upon fullerton, one can feel a whole lot of buzz around the area..school bands performing, a zorb ball or two in the waters, great to see 'real' people instead of just tourists with brollies..
The workout continued with a little jaunt down Singapore river..had wanted to check out the food fest going on at Clarke Quay..hmm..found it a bit disappointing, it's no more than a glorified hawker fest(to me), but as someone commented 'but this is local food wat'..
Not impressed with the food at food fest..we went to try our luck at 'barcode' instead and hit jackpot! Managed to get the last 2 RCB(raisin cream buns - one of my latest craze)..fresh from oven too! One bite into the warm fluffy bun..ahhh..this is how all buns should taste like..in my eagerness to wolf down the bun, i scalded my finger with the cream cheese oozing out..yesh..it's really tat piping hot..but oh-so-shiok!
With the unexpected appearance of the RCB, dinner plan was somewhat pushed back and what followed was some aimless shopping with moments like 'wonder-how-long-will-this-shop-survive'..'wow-how-do-they-make-the-candies'..'i-wan-a-drink-but-dun-wanna-q-for-it'..
By this time, it was close to 8pm and the skies have darkened considerably..we backtracked to the riverbank and sure enough we saw 2 bursts of fireworks in the sky..followed by..nothing. 'Huh? Tats all? Cannot be right..' A few neck-craning minutes later, the skies lit(not lit-ted) up again..and this time, we were rewarded by some pretty awesome fireworks..got crescent and stars leh!
Satisfied with the pyrotechnics display, it's time to hunt down dinner(i think tat's the modus operandi for the day - feed the senses, followed by feed the tummy)
A 5 mins bus hop brought us to the orchard area..must give myself a pat for being brave enough to set foot in orchard on a sat nite. Went to restaurant animal-with-a-long-neck and managed to secure a table on the upper level..hmm..it's actually not too bad a place to chill out..should come here more often(with my hard-earned vouchers..heh)
With the dining companion not perfoming, i had to shoulder the responsibilty of clearing wats left on the plates..result? a stuffed tummy for the 3rd time in slightly more than 4 hours..And now, ladies & gentlemen..it's time to check-it-out at the night fest..afterall, the night is still young!
Glad tat the night fest was some 400m away..provided another quick workout after dinner...
There was a myriad of things going on..singing..dancing..boxing(really!)..and of cos, the 'arty' performances..they ranged from the 'simple-but-cleverly-funny' sms billboard to 'huh-wat-meaning' spaceship performance to the 'finally-i-can-understand' drag queens' performances'..interesting..very interesting..
Compared with the pls-try-harder-next-year food fest, i thot the night fest was much more successful..
The day started with a korean dance performance at the lovely esplanade theatre..well, never ever the dance-guru..i even had to be told 'the 2 guys represent sperms and the girl represents the egg'(dun ask). Overall, it was certainly quite a visual feast of toned taut bodies..And right after that, was feasting time again..this time, more literally..
How best can you spend a saturday afternoon other than devouring a decadent chocolate crepe from 'botak max' and watching the world go by(which i really did - there was a marchpast display going on outside the building)
The very guilty teabreak called for some workout..'climbed up' to the rooftop of esplanade..though not of sky-scraping heights, it still offered a very decent view of the city..it was a city decked for celebration..i could spot 3 happenings going on..YOG rehearsals at the floating platform, NDP rehearsals at the padang and the marina bay festival..
Decided to venture down to the marina bay for a closer look at the actions..the nice balmy weather(relatively) made for quite a pleasant stroll on the esplanade bridge..there were obviously tons of other people who felt the same way, as i counted no less than 30 photographers staking out for a prime viewing spot of the fireworks(scheduled for some 2 hours later)
Descending upon fullerton, one can feel a whole lot of buzz around the area..school bands performing, a zorb ball or two in the waters, great to see 'real' people instead of just tourists with brollies..
The workout continued with a little jaunt down Singapore river..had wanted to check out the food fest going on at Clarke Quay..hmm..found it a bit disappointing, it's no more than a glorified hawker fest(to me), but as someone commented 'but this is local food wat'..
Not impressed with the food at food fest..we went to try our luck at 'barcode' instead and hit jackpot! Managed to get the last 2 RCB(raisin cream buns - one of my latest craze)..fresh from oven too! One bite into the warm fluffy bun..ahhh..this is how all buns should taste like..in my eagerness to wolf down the bun, i scalded my finger with the cream cheese oozing out..yesh..it's really tat piping hot..but oh-so-shiok!
With the unexpected appearance of the RCB, dinner plan was somewhat pushed back and what followed was some aimless shopping with moments like 'wonder-how-long-will-this-shop-survive'..'wow-how-do-they-make-the-candies'..'i-wan-a-drink-but-dun-wanna-q-for-it'..
By this time, it was close to 8pm and the skies have darkened considerably..we backtracked to the riverbank and sure enough we saw 2 bursts of fireworks in the sky..followed by..nothing. 'Huh? Tats all? Cannot be right..' A few neck-craning minutes later, the skies lit(not lit-ted) up again..and this time, we were rewarded by some pretty awesome fireworks..got crescent and stars leh!
Satisfied with the pyrotechnics display, it's time to hunt down dinner(i think tat's the modus operandi for the day - feed the senses, followed by feed the tummy)
A 5 mins bus hop brought us to the orchard area..must give myself a pat for being brave enough to set foot in orchard on a sat nite. Went to restaurant animal-with-a-long-neck and managed to secure a table on the upper level..hmm..it's actually not too bad a place to chill out..should come here more often(with my hard-earned vouchers..heh)
With the dining companion not perfoming, i had to shoulder the responsibilty of clearing wats left on the plates..result? a stuffed tummy for the 3rd time in slightly more than 4 hours..And now, ladies & gentlemen..it's time to check-it-out at the night fest..afterall, the night is still young!
Glad tat the night fest was some 400m away..provided another quick workout after dinner...
There was a myriad of things going on..singing..dancing..boxing(really!)..and of cos, the 'arty' performances..they ranged from the 'simple-but-cleverly-funny' sms billboard to 'huh-wat-meaning' spaceship performance to the 'finally-i-can-understand' drag queens' performances'..interesting..very interesting..
Compared with the pls-try-harder-next-year food fest, i thot the night fest was much more successful..
All along you'd always given me the impression that you're very serious..not capable of having some fun..but after spending a day of arts, quirky entertainment with just the right dash of romance..i think i've seen a different side of you..and i must admit, the thought of spending the rest of my life with you did come into my mind..
And to you..my one and only..Singapore..have a happy 45th birthday..
Cheers!
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Life's Simple Pleasures
#128 - A good run with the sunrise as the backdrop(actual running or eye-power also can), followed by a good cup of teh on a Sunday morning..
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
I Caught The Fever..
More literally than figuratively..
Yes, the World Cup fever is on..and i'm sure many people out there have caught the fever..me, not exactly siao-on football fan..but the sports junkie in me brought me out to catch a few matches here & there(drinks & prata are 'bonuses'..)
While i'm still not able to differentiate between 4-4-1-1 and 5-4-1 formations, i like to see the 'emotions' of the players..from the pained anguish in missing a penalty to the sheer ecstasy of scoring(not withstanding some overacting from the players sometimes), every form of emotion is on splendid display during this season..
And the other fever i've caught is..well, fever..
Again, i fell victim to the erratic weather..what to do? i'm at the mercy of the weather more than most people(people who work in air-con comfort from 9-6 do not bear the full grunt of the weather..in my opinion). Just when i was wondering what should i do on a relatively-free weekend, i woke up on sat morning with a splitting headache(i swear it wasn't from the 2 drinks while watching Germany lose)..by evening, the headache had developed into a full-blown fever of 38.5..and my temp yoyo-ed up and down over the entire weekend and it took me half a box of panadol before it came down to a level which i can function decently..@_@
Hope one fever will clear up soon enough so i can concentrate on the other fever..
p.s. Wei, you can jio me to watch WC one ya..
Yes, the World Cup fever is on..and i'm sure many people out there have caught the fever..me, not exactly siao-on football fan..but the sports junkie in me brought me out to catch a few matches here & there(drinks & prata are 'bonuses'..)
While i'm still not able to differentiate between 4-4-1-1 and 5-4-1 formations, i like to see the 'emotions' of the players..from the pained anguish in missing a penalty to the sheer ecstasy of scoring(not withstanding some overacting from the players sometimes), every form of emotion is on splendid display during this season..
And the other fever i've caught is..well, fever..
Again, i fell victim to the erratic weather..what to do? i'm at the mercy of the weather more than most people(people who work in air-con comfort from 9-6 do not bear the full grunt of the weather..in my opinion). Just when i was wondering what should i do on a relatively-free weekend, i woke up on sat morning with a splitting headache(i swear it wasn't from the 2 drinks while watching Germany lose)..by evening, the headache had developed into a full-blown fever of 38.5..and my temp yoyo-ed up and down over the entire weekend and it took me half a box of panadol before it came down to a level which i can function decently..@_@
Hope one fever will clear up soon enough so i can concentrate on the other fever..
p.s. Wei, you can jio me to watch WC one ya..
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Random Ramblings
so 9/6 has come and gone..& i still dun have durian abs..
yet..
ok maybe i didnt exactly had them before but i definitely was a bit 'leaner and meaner' at some point in my life..yea yea..it could be age is catching up and metabolism is slowing down..and i need to work out just tat bit more, to see tat bit more results..but of cos it could also be i'm also lacking in tat bit of discipline..watever working out i'm doing is simply no match for all the pigging out i'm having..
*******************
Still on working out..i must say i was quite impressed with someone's stamina..someone who did no/limited training could clock 10km in under 1 hour..and me, despite trying my darn best to build up my stamina..but still could not catch up with someone who had ran 7km..can u just see my ego being deflated..
*******************
A few days ago, i received a compliment on how 'bilingual' i seem to be..and i happily accepted it, secretly 'arm-chio'..until someone suddenly, randomly, threw me a challenge of reading a chinese paragraph(in science centre no less, cant get anymore random than this)..while i don't think i 'failed' the test, i certainly wasn't as fluent as i was back in my school days..in fact, it was bad enough for tat someone to comment that my reading was 'one piece one piece'..(once again, there goes my ego..piew..)
It's not like i can't speak mandarin..in fact, i'm pretty confident i'm in the above-average half of the population in terms of conversational mandarin..just didn't expect my reading to be so 'off the mark'..my excuse? i speak minimal mandarin now..which is quite true..
If i'm out of office for work, i mostly speak english(or dun speak at all, given the non-verbal nature of some of my students)..and if i'm in my office, well..i dun exactly have colleagues to 'chit chat' with..(which, in my opinion, is when most people speak mandarin)..so when i do 'chit chat', it's mostly via msn..and of cos that'd mainly be in english(long gone are the days when i type faster in chinese than english)
So i guess it leaves me with my social interactions..I've said this before, and i wanna say this again..i'm not a kantang..never was, never gonna be one(in fact, i was one of those who was rather outraged by the recent 'miscommunication' about lowered weightage for MTL) I dun make a conscious attempt to 'purposely' speak english or mandarin, though i'm aware that i tend to speak more english with certain people and more mandarin to others..
Well, i guess..by my own warped definition of being bilingual, i AM indeed bilingual..
yet..
ok maybe i didnt exactly had them before but i definitely was a bit 'leaner and meaner' at some point in my life..yea yea..it could be age is catching up and metabolism is slowing down..and i need to work out just tat bit more, to see tat bit more results..but of cos it could also be i'm also lacking in tat bit of discipline..watever working out i'm doing is simply no match for all the pigging out i'm having..
*******************
Still on working out..i must say i was quite impressed with someone's stamina..someone who did no/limited training could clock 10km in under 1 hour..and me, despite trying my darn best to build up my stamina..but still could not catch up with someone who had ran 7km..can u just see my ego being deflated..
*******************
A few days ago, i received a compliment on how 'bilingual' i seem to be..and i happily accepted it, secretly 'arm-chio'..until someone suddenly, randomly, threw me a challenge of reading a chinese paragraph(in science centre no less, cant get anymore random than this)..while i don't think i 'failed' the test, i certainly wasn't as fluent as i was back in my school days..in fact, it was bad enough for tat someone to comment that my reading was 'one piece one piece'..(once again, there goes my ego..piew..)
It's not like i can't speak mandarin..in fact, i'm pretty confident i'm in the above-average half of the population in terms of conversational mandarin..just didn't expect my reading to be so 'off the mark'..my excuse? i speak minimal mandarin now..which is quite true..
If i'm out of office for work, i mostly speak english(or dun speak at all, given the non-verbal nature of some of my students)..and if i'm in my office, well..i dun exactly have colleagues to 'chit chat' with..(which, in my opinion, is when most people speak mandarin)..so when i do 'chit chat', it's mostly via msn..and of cos that'd mainly be in english(long gone are the days when i type faster in chinese than english)
So i guess it leaves me with my social interactions..I've said this before, and i wanna say this again..i'm not a kantang..never was, never gonna be one(in fact, i was one of those who was rather outraged by the recent 'miscommunication' about lowered weightage for MTL) I dun make a conscious attempt to 'purposely' speak english or mandarin, though i'm aware that i tend to speak more english with certain people and more mandarin to others..
Well, i guess..by my own warped definition of being bilingual, i AM indeed bilingual..
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
@.@
tat's how cartoon characters look when they get woozy right..yea, that's how i'm feeling in my head these days..
maybe its the weather(my fave excuse for feeling less-than-perfect)..its really going quite crazy..hot to wet to hotter to wet to wetter..not good for my head..not good for my pocket$..
another reason tat is floating around my head is that..there's this 'stuff' in my head..stuff that i cannot say..dunno how to say..who to say to..and it seems to be increasing in intensity..expanding exponentially..sometimes i feel like my head's gonna explode soon..
@.@
maybe its the weather(my fave excuse for feeling less-than-perfect)..its really going quite crazy..hot to wet to hotter to wet to wetter..not good for my head..not good for my pocket$..
another reason tat is floating around my head is that..there's this 'stuff' in my head..stuff that i cannot say..dunno how to say..who to say to..and it seems to be increasing in intensity..expanding exponentially..sometimes i feel like my head's gonna explode soon..
@.@
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