Farewell II: Family from Dubai

(This post is supposed to be up yesterday 17 August but it didn't get posted until today. Something happened to me.)

Today, my family from Dubai is leaving for Dubai. Another farewell. :(

Evelyn, Pippa and Ken are leaving for Dubai tonight, or rather 30 minutes after midnight, on 18 August. We had dinner at home. At dinner, we had some champagne to celebrate Evelyn and Ken's engagement. Woo, some kick there is to the champagne, I only had a tiny sip and I felt dizzy. Lol. I wished that they weren't leaving so soon. There is still so much to talk about, like the coming wedding! Better remember to let me know when and where it will be held, Lol. It is always good fun when my family from Dubai is around. Tonight, I had the urge to just pack up and leave with them! Hahaha. Take care!!! See you guys soon.

Today is a day of many farewells for me, well, it is too many for me to take :( I am a very sentimental person and it took me substantial effort not to cry, lol. Yar, I have moments of weakness too, ok. Thought I might go for a show to take my mind off the sadness but ...

remember that tiny sip of alcohol? It did me in. I was knocked out and asleep by 10pm, all the way till this morning, 6am. LOL.

Farewell I

Today was Clara's last day at work. I went into office specifically to have lunch with Clara and a few other good friends.

We decided to go to Subway for lunch as I have never had Subway before. It was kinda complicated ordering the sandwich, too many choices to make - the kind of bread, the kind of filling, the kind of toppings, the kind of sauce. Hahaha. In the end, good friend helped me to order a 6-inch Oven-roasted Chicken breast on Parmesan bread with toppings of lettuce, tomato and cucumber and a diet coke. Owing to my new diet and gradual loss of appetite, I couldn't finish a 6-inch sandwich by myself so I shared it with another friend, E. Yes, friends were surprised at my new small appetite now. LOL.

After lunch, we went back to office. A few farewell photos were taken. With Clara leaving, it means I have one less friend to have lunch with, to grouse about work, to talk about dreams,... Although I am sad to see her go, I am very HAPPY for her that she has found something better and that she is moving on to a new journey in her life. All the Best, Clara. Keep in touch, you hear! You will always have a friend in me. =)

Family from Dubai

Our family from Dubai are finally here! Marieann's Godmama Evelyn, Godsister Pippa and future Godpapa Ken are finally here in Singapore. Yes, with their arrival came a GREAT piece of news, one that we have been waiting for since 2005. Yes, future Godpapa Ken proposed to Godmama Evelyn on 11 July 2007! They are now officially engaged. =)

They arrived at my place this morning at 2am+. It was really wonderful to see them again after so long! Since it was getting late (almost 3am) by the time they were settled, we chatted only for a while. We leave more chatting after everyone has got their sleep. Lol. This morning, I took them to the Botanic Gardens Food Court for some local breakfast - prata, yong tau foo, kopi kosong, teh-c, etc. After breakfast, we parted ways and they proceeded to go shopping. Of course, here in Singapore, have to go shopping. LOL. Besides, they have a list of places to go shopping at - Holland Village, Orchard Road. By the way, Evelyn and Pippa are no strangers to Singapore, they have previously stayed in Singapore for 3 years. I used to work with Evelyn at MOE HQ as educational psychologists. Oh yes, Godmama Evelyn, Godsister Pippa and future Godpapa Ken are Australians.

Here are some photos of our wonderful Family from Dubai.

The ROCK!

Cold Turkey

If you have been reading my blog, you would know that I am prediabetic. Yes, very sad. Lol. I have cut all my sugar intake since Saturday and have been trying my best to maintain a healthy diet. It has been really difficult.

I have a sweet tooth since young. Dessert/ sweets is often the highlight of my meals, of my day. The first thing I look at in a menu is the dessert page and I would plan my meal around the dessert I am going to have. Lol. When I feel happy :), I would have a dessert to reward myself. When I feel sad :(, I would have a dessert to perk myself up. There is not a single day that goes without dessert or sweet stuff for me!

For my health, I have decided to go cold turkey - quit at once, rather than to do it gradually. But I am now suffering from withdrawal symptoms - both psychological and physical ones. I seem more irritable or easily excited and more emotionally volatile. I feel fatigue easily. I also seem more prone to headaches now, the pulsating kind and sometimes accompanied by nausea. Like today, in the late afternoon while at work, I suddenly became very tired and started having a pulsating headache. It just hit me! Being allergic to panadol and aspirin, I couldn't take anything to ease my headache. "booM, boOM, bOOM, BOOM, ..."

Thank goodness for my good friend who suggested that I take cashew nuts to replenish my energy and he said cashew nut is also safe food for diabetics. True enough, half an hour after munching on cashew nuts, my headache started to ease. Now, cashew nut is my new best friend. LOL.

When I came home after work, I did a search on the Internet about cashew nuts. Wow, cashew nuts are really good. For everyone, not just diabetics. I am going to start eating cashew nuts everyday now. Lol. Click here to learn more about cashew nuts. I also found something about diet for prediabetic. Useful information for me definitely.

I want to thank my good friends who have been helping to keep me away from dessert and sweet stuff. Thank you so much. A special thank you to my good friend who told me about the cashew nuts. I would never have known if you didn't tell me. Thanks, I owe you one. :)

Translation

During my UQ days, I once took a year's course in Translation (English-Chinese) and did pretty well for it - got Distinction :) I didn't really needed to do that course but I thought it was interesting. As I also once took a course in Government: Peace & Conflict Analysis for the same reason. LOL. Still couldn't believe I actually took that Government course and scored a Credit for it. Hmm, maybe my activist nature didn't just start now, lol. Sorry, I have digressed, back to translation.

I have been trying to translate an English document into Chinese. It is quite slow going because I have become really rusty in translating. Haven't done it in years. Having technical terms in the document is not making it easier either. Hahaha. Another reason for being slow is I have forgotten how to write many Chinese characters. Shh... don't tell my mother, I will get a scolding from her. She's Taiwanese so very particular about proper usage of Chinese, etc. Lol. However, as I proceeded with my translation, the characters are slowly coming back to me. As I re-read the portions that I have translated, I began to get better and refined the translation I have done. I would probably need another few more hours to finish it. Wish me luck. =)

Sugar Free

I quit my sugar cold turkey. I was sugar free for two and a half days, starting on Saturday. I really didn't have anything sweet, I mean the usual things that I would take - ice cream, sweets, cakes, chocolates, ... My goodness! It was one of the most difficult times of my life. I became really lethargic, drowsy and waspish too. Could be my blood glucose was too low. Sorry to the good friend who unknowingly crossed my path. Sorry. :P

By this afternoon, I couldn't take it anymore. I went to hunt for sweets. I NEED IT! GIVE IT TO ME!!! Still in keeping with my sugar free diet, I bought Ricola (sugar free) Lemon Mint. Finally, I have my "sugar". I was myself again. I was all SMILES! LOL. I took two within half an hour. Hahaha. Probably overdid it. Lol.

Based on Ministry of Health's 2006 Principal Causes of Death Statistics, Diabetes was Number 7 on the list. Obviously, diabetes is not a disease to be overlooked. MOH has also been busy advocating the healthy lifestyle message, promoting healthy living and eating in Singapore. But strangely, there is not a lot of sugar free products in the market for diabetics. I only recall seeing pharmacies selling sugar free sweets and chocolates. I tried searching online for shops selling sugar free products and most are overseas like in UK and US. Sigh. I don't recall seeing sugar free products in our supermarkets such as NTUC, Cold Storage. Fortunately, a Good Friend directed me to ang moh supermarkets such as Market Place (Tanglin Mall), Jason's (Orchard Tower), Tierney (Serene Centre). These supermarkets have got a good range of sugar free products such as biscuits, cocoa, sweets, etc. But of course, these products are a lot more expensive too. But whatever it is, I am really thankful. I can now eat my "sugar" without fear. Hahaha.

Borrowing a thought from Good Friend, it is really strange that these products which are sugar free (and some have less fat and less sodium too) are so much more expensive. If they are good for us, why can't they be easily available and more affordable? Something to think about. Hmm, maybe it is another cause I could lobby for. Lol.

By the way, if you are reading my blog and happen to know of any shops, cafes, and/or restaurants in Singapore that sell sugar free dessert, PLEASE let me know. Leave me a comment. Thank you so much!

Here is a link from MOH on Joy of Life: Easing off the sugar.

Shopping...

Only one word to describe it - FRENZY. Hahaha.

We decided to go to The Centrepoint for lunch at Pizza Hut because we have some vouchers for regular pan pizzas. At the same time, I wanted to take a look at Esprit as it had sent me an sms about having 20% off storewide and today was the last day. Just have a look, that's all.
Yeah right! Lol. Within 45 minutes, I bought 3 items - 2 tops and a skirt. There was another top that I liked but they don't have my size. Oh well, never mind, at least I have got 3 items already. Lol. Just nice, time for lunch at Pizza Hut.

The girls each ordered a kiddie meal which came with a glass of juice and an ice cream. Marieann had a Mighty Fish meal - fish nuggets with munchies and salad while Juliane had a Kiddy Pizza Meal - a Hawaiian peititza, 2 honey roasted wings and munchies. Hubby ordered a Minestrone soup and a Hawaiian regular pan pizza to share. Observing my new diet, I ordered a Hut's Chef Salad with Calamari Rings that came with lime mayonaise sauce. And half of my calamari rings were eaten by Juliane, lol. But salad is only salad. I was still hungry but I didn't dare to take more than a piece of Hawaiian pizza. When the girls' ice cream came, I could only stare and drool. Hahaha. Sigh, no more sweets.

My salad

Funny faces

After lunch, I met up with good friend, Winnie to do some shopping. We shopped at Kinokuniya and Takashimaya. We also went to Coffee Club as Winnie needed some food. I was very disciplined and only ordered a Morning Dew tea infusion, although the cakes and dessert were calling out to me. I had turned my back on my love. Sigh. Sorry. :P

I told Winnie about the Esprit 20% storewide for members. She was interested and we went to Esprit at Mandarin Hotel. We both ended up with purchases. Lol. I got another 3 tops (including the top that they didn't have my size at Centrepoint Esprit) and a dress. :P No more shopping for another 2-3 months! Hahaha. I realised that it is actually quite fun shopping with a friend. Maybe we will do this again, but not so soon! Need to save money first. LOL.

Told you, it was a shopping frenzy.

Diet Change

Have been noticing a few changes of late - constant hunger, weakness and fatigue, slow healing of cuts. I have been keeping mental notes. Blame it on occupational hazard, no, this is not paranoia lah, hahaha. Since I have not been feeling too well and am worried about the changes, I went to see my doctor this morning. Diagnosis: I have to really watch my diet. Why?

I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes during my pregnancy. No, it is not the same as gestational diabetes. Pre-diabetes meant that my blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Oh, by the way, diabetes runs in my family. Thus, I am at a much higher risk to develop diabetes in the future. Don't worry, I am still only pre-diabetes but have to be very, very careful.

From now on, I must have a healthy lifestyle. I have to really watch my diet: no more desserts (ARGH! :( Sob sob), have food low in fat and calories (more veggies and fruits, lean meat), drink water and calorie-free "diet" drinks only (no more teh-c everyday). I also need to do more physical activities. Sigh. Me so lazy, going to be so hard. Lol.

I can't do this alone. Lol. Ok, Friends, I am counting on all of you to help me. That's what friends are for, right?! Hahaha.

Mood Swings - Enbloc

Aiya, this enbloc thing is giving me mood swings.

Reading about enbloc in the newspapers (be it property reports on ST, BT, LHZB; letters in the forum), reading about enbloc experiences from the various (anti) enbloc blogs (activism is truly alive here! Lol), hearing about individual experience, views about enbloc, ...

It heartens me that there are people out there who are doing their best to highlight the social dangers of enbloc and the social problems that are brought along with enbloc. Or at the very least, these people are doing their best to bring to more people's awareness of what enbloc could do or is already doing to unweave the cohesive fabric of our community, society, and nation. Three cheers for them!

At times, it disheartens me that for the same number of anti enblocs out there, there is an equal number of pro enblocs, if not more(??), judging by the number of enblocs that have gone through. What people would do for greed, for short-term tangible gains. Sigh!

Sorry, just being in a pensive mood. Enbloc does that to me. Don't worry, I am a fighter. I won't be going down so easily without a fight. But for now, I just want to vent.

Thank you for listening, my friends. Thank you for your encouragements. Thank you for fighting along side with me, my good friend.

Notebook

I am thinking of getting myself a new notebook. Notebook as in laptop computer, not a book of blank pages for notes. Lol.

Most of my friends know that I am NOT an IT-savvy person. As long as the notebook can perform the most basic of basic functions (word document, PowerPoint, play music, watch movies, Internet), I am more than happy with it. LOL. Don't try to talk to me or ask me about the kinds of specs I want. Huh, what specs? I don't wear specs. :P Hahaha. Accessories? What about necklace, earrings?? Not those kind. But for the notebook, you say? You mean notebook needs to be accessorised too?! Oh gosh.

Besides the specs in a notebook and the accessories for it, there are also so many brands out there!!! Acer, Apple, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Twinhead, ... I am getting a headache already. Lol. How do I know which brand is the best?

I shudder to think that I have to go to places like Sim Lim and Funan to throng through the computers shops, just to get a notebook. I will be so LOST! *SHUDDER*

Maybe I can get friends who are IT-savvy to go with me to Sim Lim and Funan when I need to get my notebook. They can do the sieving through for me. I just pay the money. Hahaha. Oi, not too expensive, okay? Around $2000 - 2500. LOL.

Batman & Ultimate X-Men Vol. 4

It has been quite a while too since I read any comics. Managed to get my hands on a couple on Tuesday, passed to me by a good friend.

***
Batman: Gotham County Line
I really like this Batman. It is so dark. I mean, yar, Batman is always dark but this is DARKER than the usual Batman. There are murders, spells, zombies, mind control,... This Batman probes at the limits of the human mind and its beliefs. Can be quite morbid but I like it. :)

***
Ultimate X-Men Vol. 4
This deluxe volume has got Vol 7: Blockbuster and Vol 8: New Mutants in it.
Vol 7: Blockbuster is really funny. I mean, ok, X-Men has always been a serious comic. It still is but this one has got Spiderman in it, a teenage Spiderman! Pair a teenage Spiderman (who says the funniest things as expected from a teenager, never mind that he is a superhero) and a broody Wolverine, it becomes hilarious at times. I was laughing out loud at these times! Lol. Daredevil and the other X-Men also appeared briefly.
Vol 8: New Mutants is back to the usual X-Men style, concentrating on the X-Men, Charles Xavier, Xavier's School for Gifted Children, the mutant/ human relations. Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. were also featured.

***
There is another comics but I have yet to read it. It is Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter. I think it is going to be good because it is already my kind of book with its theme of mythology, werewolves and vampires.

I will let you know how it is once I have read it. :)

National Day Japanese Lunch

Happy National Day.

Mom was going to cook a simple lunch - Fried Egg Noodles. Told her, "Forget it. Go out for lunch and we can have fried egg noodles for dinner instead so the girls can watch the NDP on tv".

We went to The Central. Yes, we had Japanese food again, at Sun with Moon Japanese Dining & Cafe. Don't know why but I like Japanese food alot but not the raw stuff though. Lol. There is another Japanese restaurant that I am eyeing but always very crowded. They serve their Japanese noodles and such. Hmm, maybe next time.

Mom ordered a Unagi & Asari Kamameshi Lunch set ($23.50++). It is a rice casserole dish with eel and clam in a unique traditional iron kettle. Mom's Kamameshi set comes with udon noodle soup, sashimi, pickles, fruit and coffee/ tea. We shared with the girls a Salmon Kamameshi Lunch set ($18.50++). The salmon and salmon roe rice casserole dish comes with miso soup, side dish, pickles, fruit and coffee/ tea. We also shared a Hassai Bento ($32.50++), a deluxe sashimi and 7 dishes lunch box which has the following - tamago (egg), oyster fritter, fried tofu, crab leg salad, unagi (eel), california roll, terriyaki chicken, sashimi, tempura (2 prawns, green pepper, sweet potato), and udon noodle soup. The bento also included matcha ice cream and coffee/ tea. Despite knowing there is tea that comes with the sets we ordered, I couldn't resist ordering my favourite drink, Yuzu Honey Tea (Hot) ($6.00++).

Unagi & Asari Kamameshi set

Salmon Kamameshi set

Hassai Bento

Yuzu Honey Tea

The kamameshi sets are quite nice, the respective rice dishes are nicely seasoned and steamed. According to Mom and hubby, the sashimi is very fresh. I thought the Hassai Bento was quite ordinary, nothing fantastic. The upside was probably you are able to taste a number of dishes at the same time, that's all.

For dessert, Juliane went off with my Mom for her Hokkaido ice cream, Strawberry & Blueberry mix. Besides my own Matcha (green tea) ice cream that came with the bento set, I shared with Marieann, a Mini Matcha Parfait. Hubby ordered a Yuzu Cocoa Youkan, a red bean jelly flavoured with cocoa and yuzu. I liked Matcha ice cream for its bitter sweet taste. The matcha parfait is interesting and has the following - matcha ice cream, mochi (rice cakes), green tea sponge cake, green tea jelly cubes, and corn flakes. Yum yum. :) The Yuzu Cocoa Youkan is not too bad, can taste the cocoa and yuzu but I am not a big fan of red bean and youkan. :P

Mini Matcha Parfait & Yuzu Cocoa Youkan

Home now. Going to laze around. I will continue reading my Cussler book, Treasure. Maybe will watch NDP with the girls later. Oh gosh, better get ready for their singing of all those Singapore songs. Hahaha.

The Relic by Preston & Child

Have read The Relic sometime back but have been too distraught with my estate's enbloc problem to review it. My apologies. So here it is, a belated book review of The Relic.

The Relic is the first book collaboration by the authors, Preston and Child. The Relic has just the right amount of tension, suspense and horror! You won't want to put the book down until you have finished reading it in one sitting. Just the right book to keep you company if you are suffering from insomia. Lol. The Relic started with a mystery happening right in the heart of the Amazon Basin and in Brazil before zeroing in back to present time, New York, namely the New York Museum of Natural History. Just before a major exhibition on Supersition was dued to open, visitors were being savagely murdered in dark corners and secret rooms in the museum. The main character, Margo Green who worked at the museum as a researcher and working on her PhD, had to solve the mystery of whodunit or is it, whatdunit. In The Relic, we also have the other characters (who would be in some of Preston and Child's later books): Dectective D'Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast!

The Relic was also made into a movie. But if you have not seen the movie version of The Relic, forget about seeing it. READ the book. It is a much better choice. But if you have seen the movie (like I did), I would suggest you forget about what you have seen in the movie if you are going to read this book. The movie just didn't do the book justice. It departed in some ways from the book. Frankly, the movie was really bad and just lacked the omph factor. The Relic, the book is much BETTER and did a much better job of developing the characters and the story.

The Relic is definitely a good read. It keeps you on your edge. :)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

OK, enough time has passed for me to safely put up this book review without being stoned to death by people who have yet to read it. Lol. BUT just in case, Caution: contains SPOILERS.
(ok, is it big enough now?? Good friend complained that my spoilers warning not big enough. LOL.)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is slightly different from the past Harry Potter books. For one, it is really fast-paced, action-packed right from the start. For two, there are further developments for some characters, I don't mean the main characters, some are characters you least expected.

Right from the start, you have anticipation for action, knowing that Voldermort and his Death Eaters knew of The Order of the Phoenix's secret plans to escort Harry to safety. Before you know it, there are two character deaths - Hedwig and Mad-Eye Moody during the escort of Harry. Then came a happy event - Bill and Fleur's wedding. However, news arrived that the Ministry of Magic had fallen. Harry Ron and Hermione, together with the bequests from Deumbledore's will, escaped and started the search for the Horcruxes. The trio later learnt that the Deathly Hallows were three legendary objects that conquer death: the Elder Wand, Resurrection Stone and Invisibility Cloak (of which one Harry already has and one Harry has yet to discover that he has it with him). The trio were soon captured by the Death Eaters but managed to escape at the expense of Dobby's life. Pettigrew also died when he was reminded that he was in Harry's debt. The trio eventually ended back at Hogwarts for a horcrux with help from Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth. At Hogwarts, a battle ensured between The Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's Army, former students and the Death Eaters. There were more deaths - Fred, Lupin, Tonks, Colin Creevey, Crabbe and Snape. Before Snape died, he passed Harry his memories and Harry realised that Snape was loyal to Dumbledore, motivated by love for Harry's mother, Lily Potter and that Harry himself was a horcrux. A show-down occurred between Voldermort and Harry. Harry willingly let Voldermort killed him. But in doing so, Harry managed to destroy Voldermort's fragment of soul within him. Harry finally managed to kill Voldermort. Eventually, 19 years down the road, Harry had married Ginny and Ron, Hermione. Their children were now attending Hogwarts. It was a happy ending.

That is the summary of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in a nutshell. Well, I can't say I didn't expect the happy ending. After all, it is supposed to be a children's book, it can't be too dark and gloomy. Deaths were expected, if not, it would be too much of a fairy tale. Lol. Overall, it is good because the questions from the previous books were answered, and the characters were fully developed in this final book. I really enjoyed reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Definitely won't mind reading it again. :)

Don't Touch My Things!

By nature, I am not a very neat person. I always have stacks of articles and books everywhere on the tables in my room and in the study room.

During my younger days, my parent always used to roll their eyes when they see my room or the study. They used to say, "So many paper and books around, as if you doing Phd or something". Lol. Little did they know, what they said would really come true. Now they can't used that line against me anymore because I am really doing my PhD. Hahaha.

Although to them or any outsiders - it is really messy and chaotic with all these stacks of articles and books everywhere, it is not to me. There is an order in the chaos, an organised mess! I know where my things are. I have a visual memory of where I left them exactly. I could usually find my things, be it a certain article or book very easily from among the different stacks, by following the visual map in my mind.

However, the problem occurs when someone moves my things. They think they are doing me a favour by tidying up my "mess". In actual fact, they are creating more mess for me because I would lose my things. I would NOT be in the best of moods too. I would go on a rampage looking for the "lost" things. And good luck to the person who moved it - a blasting from me.

Once in a while, I would tidy up my organised mess. Now, that is different from someone else tidying up my mess because I will still know where my things are after the tidying up. So if you can't stand the mess, then don't look and ....

DON'T touch my things!

Dreadful Sunday

Today is one of the most dreadful Sunday I have ever experienced. My experience is not unique. It is also happening to some other people across and all over our island country. Yes, I am talking about the nasty enbloc experience, especially for people like me who value our home.

Before I go into that, I have to be fair to my girls. We did spend a rather nice time at Tanglin Mall Mckkies' for breakfast. I ordered a Big Breakfast set which I shared with my girls. I couldn't eat much as I was very much affected by the then impending Owners' Meeting in the afternoon. Hubby later ordered a Pancake set to share with the girls. Marieann enjoyed her breakfast throughout but Juliane was sulking at first because she wanted an ice cream for breakfast. Of course, CANNOT lah! Lol. You can see her sulking in the photo while her sister was beaming away.


I was really stressed about the Owners' Meeting that I skipped lunch. I am becoming psychosomatic again and this time it is really bad. Never had it so bad before and lasting quite so many days. I have been throwing up due to the stress :( No, definitely not coming down with anything and please, I am not expecting either!

Anyway, I attended the meeting. It was basically telling owners to "sell, Sell, SELL" and trying to get people to sign today even though the protem sales people were saying "You don't have to sign today" but yet, the next moment was "I hope all of you sign today". There were errors and ambiguities in the CSA. I did speak out too. I can't sit there passively, just hoping and praying that the enbloc will not go through. I owed it to myself to make a stand for what I believe in. No one can do that for me. When I left the meeting, there were a few people who went up to sign the CSA. So there begins the start date of the CSA. So there begins the start of enbloc hell, enbloc nightmare, enbloc pandemonium for me! I HATE ENBLOC!!

Time Out

The usual time out for Juliane and I. Couldn't decide where to go. Orchard Wheelock? Well, I could go to Borders but we have been there so often. Better try a new place... Hmm, where to go?? In the end, I let the bus decide for us. We boarded the first bus that came to the bus stop and we ended up at Great World City. Lol.

We walked around a bit at Great World. I took a wrong turn and ended up at the kiddie rides. Juliane went "crazy". Ok, since she has been quite a good girl, decided to let her have a ride. Hahaha. For lunch, we went to Ichiban Boshi because she wanted her tamago (egg). We shared a McDonald's ice cream cone for dessert. Before we left for home, I bought a tuna sandwich for my mother from Spinelli.



Didn't do very much back at home. Started reading a book, Treasure by Clive Cussler. But concentration wasn't very good. I am edgy. I am worried about the owners' meeting (enbloc) tomorrow. I feel sick just thinking about it. A very good friend sent me some documents in the afternoon which might help me with tomorrow's meeting. Must really thank him for his help but I think I am too stressed/ edgy/ tense now to read it carefully. Maybe later tonight...

My 1st Meet-the-People Session

Today, I went to my first Meet-the-People session at my constituency. It is such an eye-opener for me! This is the first time I have ever been to a session like this in my life (just as I have been to a community centre/ club only once before). Never had the opportunity to attend a session until now. :P

As you all know, I have been very vexed about the enbloc and its process at my estate. There have been no transparency, no equity and no accountability. Although I know the enbloc legislation is still pending and not much can be done at the moment, I just wanted to highlight some of these unfair practices that is happening in my estate's enbloc process to my MP. Better than not doing anything, right? Who knows? One can always hope for a miracle...

I was at my constituency's meet-the-people session at 7:45pm. I had Queue No. 32. No, not yet, not meeting the MP yet. 32, that is just the number to be called for registration only. Ok, waited 50 minutes to be registered. Then I waited for another 60 minutes for one of the volunteers to write my petition.

"Er... but I have already written it. Here are the documents. I saved them on my thumbdrive too. You want? Easier for you", said I.

The volunteer gave me a grin and said, "First one I met so high-tech". Lol :P

Anyway, he still had to write a very brief note cos it is their protocol. He explained that my "problem" is really my MP's area - law. She is the best to give me the legal advice and help me to write the petition. Ok, that will do too. Then it is waiting again, to see the MP this time. Another 75 minutes of waiting. At least I was kept busy watching "The Ghost Whisperer" so time passed quite fast. Hahaha.

I finally got to meet my MP at 11:05 pm. I gave her my documents and explained the enbloc situation at my estate. I told her that I hoped as an MP, she could pull her weight and at least highlight the current unfair enbloc situations and processes to the correct ministry, namely MinLaw. She understood and explained at the moment there is no legislation governing the enbloc process until the changes come into effect later in the year. She has also written in twice to MinLaw about the need to tighten the enbloc process. But she would write in to MinLaw again on my behalf. We left her office 10 minutes later.

It was a long, long wait just for 10 minutes. But, at least, I have tried the MP avenue. Hopefully it will do some good... OK, people, cross your fingers and toes and pray for the Best! =)

It has been an eye-opener to me. People at the session were mostly from the lower income group cos I "overheard" (well, some of them were quite angry so very the loud) many of their complaints were about HDB matters such as appeals for lower rental charges, "unfair" allotment of HDB flats, appeal to apply for a flat, ... Some of the aunties and uncles could only speak their dialects or mother tongue, no English. Kinda made me feel a little awkward that I am there for enbloc matter! But hey, I am there for a good cause too, fighting for minority owners' rights and highlighting the plight of minority owners who are being forced out of their homes. So there! Lol.

Sexy and Nice

Last week was 24, this week is sexy! I tell you, kids really do say the darniest things. LOL.

I was at counselling this morning. This P5 girl, whom I have been seeing for the past 2 years, out of the blue commented that I looked sexy today. HUH?! Where did that come from? I took a quick look at myself, fearing that I might have wore something inappropriate in my haste to get to the school (as I was replying an email just before I had to leave for the school and was running a bit late). Hmm... looked quite okay: skirt just slightly above knee but nothing ridiculously short, wore a three-quarter sleeved blouse with modest neckline. What is she talking about? I laughed it off but thanked her for her compliment. It is only manners, right? Hahaha. To me, it was an once off comment.

However, I received the same comment again from a few other girls. Now this is getting really funny. LOL. Maybe they ganged up to pull my leg. But hang on, they weren't from the same class, not even from the same level! Ok, fine. I graciously accept the compliment. :P Thank you, girls. Hahaha. I thought I was dressed prim and proper for school. Apparently not. Lol. It seems the girls have a very different idea/ point of view/ impression of what sexy is from the adults. I can't win, can I? Lol.

***
Another comment was made today by the girls: that they are very glad and lucky to be counselled by me. They think that I am very nice and I listen to them. Although I sometimes nag (hey, I don't nag that much lah!), I never tried to force them to my way of thinking. Thanks, girls. It really means a lot to me. That is really nice of them and it really warms my heart. I am glad that they know I am trying to help them. This is the reward of counselling - to see personal growth in the girls and to be appreciated. =)

IT Savvy (NOT)

When I returned home after counselling, I discovered that I couldn't log on to my various Internet accounts even though there was Internet connection. The only thing I could log on was my work place email. Maybe something is telling me I should work, huh? Hahaha.

I couldn't log onto my hotmail, gmail and my blogger accounts as well as msn. It was very, very frustrating for me. There seemed to be something wrong with my Internet security, or firewall or proxy setting or whatever it is. Being not very IT savvy, it took me the whole afternoon and a better half of tonight, trying to figure out what was wrong. Only managed to get access into my accounts again about 10 minutes ago. I can now put up my blog post, check my hotmail and gmail accounts and reply my emails. Happy. But I had no idea what I had done to solve the problem. So if the same problem occurs, I will have no idea how to remedy it again. Better pray HARD it doesn't happen again. Lol.