Taiwan
I think I’d drive myself crazy if I were to write a detailed/chronological post about my Taiwan trip. So I’ll sum it up nice and sweet, I hope! (more…)
Pre-Christmas musings
This might be the last post I make before going off to Taiwan with the church people. And because I either cannot or do not want to go online, perhaps this is the last post I make before Christmas. We’re gonna be celebrating Christmas there – and what better way to spend Christmas? I’ve heard Taiwan doesn’t really pay much attention to Christmas (not sure how true) but at least the temperature will be cold enough to create some atmosphere. :)
I’ve said a thousand times to anyone who would have it, that Christmas is the best time of the year for me. I dunno why I feel that way. Maybe because it’s the time of the year when I get the most presents. But, coming from this family of mine, presents are a rarity; and shouldn’t CNY be more sought-after if I’m this materialistic? After pondering for… 5 seconds… I came up with some reasons why Christmas is my favourite day…
- I love gift-wrapping ~ I’ve been helping my mom wrap presents since forever, and instead of being envious of the gifts my cousin/brother/friend/etc was receiving from my mom, I was more than delighted to help! I’m a rather neat wrapper, I might add! And I’ve always wanted to part-time as a present-wrapper in Tangs, Metro, Toys R Us or wherever they hire wrappers for this season. But, I never got the chance to…
- I love making hand-made cards ~ Again, this is my mom’s instructions, but I love handicrafts and once in my life considered opening up a crafts store in my future. :) I love adding gold dust, rolling stamps and pasting sequins on paper and make something wonderful out of it.
- I once had to figure skate in front of 8 thousand people a night (for a few nights in a row, and I think there were matinee shows too) for my church’s Christmas on Ice Musical. I was 13. It was the most wonderful feeling, being an important part of such a big massive production, which sparked off my love for performing. I loved rehearsals (don’t think I can still say the same now, now that I know the importance of time. But young, I was; and time, I had) cos I could watch other peoples’ items before anyone else, and feel like I was on the “inside”. And also, making friends, bonding together for a common purpose, getting my face painted with thick make-up and looking weird but secretly liking that I stood out from the rest. Hahaha, I could go on and on about this.
- It was also on COI that I learned by heart many of the Christmas carols. Till today, whenever I hear a carol played on radio/supermarket/department store/etc that was sung during the musical, I start playing in my head the arrangement I heard (umpteen times) in the musical – it seems to be cemented in my head. Eh, this bullet point’s point is that… I love Christmas carols! Yup, that’s the point I was making, before I started going down memory lane again…
- I loved the sights on Orchard Road. Despite having to sit in a jam for the longest time, and dad getting angry at the time wasted, I loved it that my family always drove down Orchard Road specially to see the decorations put up my the malls. There used to be a competition every year for the most elaborate decorations. I miss those days. I’m so sad that the stupid ‘97 recession took place and that was the end of it. I don’t think the decos on OR street these days are as pretty. Even those put up by the government have sponsor logos conspicuously displayed.
- I love the Christmas tree. We’ve had the same tree since I was born. We’ve had the same ornaments since I was born, and also many additionals we’ve collected as we grew up. Yes, I dislike the tedious task of setting up the tree, putting on the ornaments, climbing on a stool to twirl the lights around. But the end-product makes it all worth it. I prefer my lights constant and not blinking, chasing. I like the soft warm glow it brings to the house. Ever since we’ve moved to this small place, we’ve not set up the tree. It might have been sold during the garage sale also, I’m not so sure. Anyway, we won’t be in Singapore to appreciate the tree on Christmas. And mom says we’ll get a real one next year. :D
- I love Christmas in LA. I’ve celebrated it there twice, I think. My cousin, See, would always make it extra special for us. We’d drive down to Home Depot to pick out a tree (live one of course), and I love how the pine smells – so much better than the smell of plastic and dust-from-the-storeroom. One year, we even bought candles which we put up on the tree INSTEAD OF LIGHTS! It didn’t work very well, but it made Christmas super wonderful! We’d also drive down to this suburb street where the residents were CRAZY about decorating for Christmas. They really do spend a whole lot to out-do one another. There’d be huge santas on the lawn, a million colourful lights, hugh plastic candy canes – you name it, they’ve got it! The government also turns off the street lights so that passerbys can admire the residents’ work.
- How can I not like presents? I admit, I like the wait of opening presents. Wait, wait, wait. My mom’s mean because she only allows us to open our presents on Boxing Day. It’s her idea that “box” means opening of boxes. Seriously, I don’t believe her.
- I had a great childhood with Santa. Till I was 12, I believed in Santa. Yes, my mom made it so elaborate and believable. We’d write letters to Santa with our wishlist and my mom would allow us to post it in the letter box: To Santa, North Pole. I asked my mom how did the post office know where to post to? She said that they know his address. I really believed her! I enjoyed receiving a surprise on Christmas morning and unwrapping our gifts (it was the only gift I could open on Christmas). It was until I started receiving clothings that I thought maybe Santa’s not that real.
- I enjoy Christmas movies – Home Alone, anyone?
Phew, that was long. But I’m not done yet. I just want to say three more things.
ONE
I’m upset that stores play Christmas songs that screw up the lyrics of the song. We Wish You a Merry Christmas is one of their victims. The bridge of the song is supposed to be:
Good tidings we bring
To you and your King
Good tidings for Christmas
And a happy new year
I assume that the person who composed this song did it for commercial purposes, what with “happy new year” and “King” strategically put into it so that Christians and non-Christians both would appreciate the song and buy the CD. But, public places have ruined the integrity of the song by changing it to:
Good tidings we bring
To you and your friends
(I heard this in Giant Vivo City)
And another one:
Good tidings we bring
Wherever you are
(I heard this in Amara Hotel)
I understand that they do not want to irritate customers with the religious connotations, but seriously? Jesus is the reason for the season, ain’t it? We certainly should not discriminate. And since everyone’s embracing Christmas so well, the least they could do is appreciate the reason behind the holiday?
TWO
My saliva’s almost dry. My two favourite carols are:
Carols of the Bell
Oh Holy Night
THREE
Have a seat on Santa’s lap. :D
Sewing
Let me begin by saying that I failed horribly in Home Econs during Sec 1 and 2. I consider myself a non-girly girl and much prefer D&T to Home Ec. :| So, it might have come as a surprise to my aunt when I, Sunday, asked her to teach me to use the sewing machine – the ancient sewing machine she acquired in the 1950’s for $200, which I estimate is about $2000 now. I love it! Every week, I’ve go to 婆婆’s house, and the beautiful hard-wood, copper plated sewing machine sits there quietly, sometimes not quietly… I’ve never given it much thought till now. And I thought… If I’d ever want to learn how to sew, it’d be now, before I start work! And, if I’d ever want to sew, it’d be on this mysterious ancient sewing machine!
So I drove down today with Mom (nagging herself silly at the way I drive). I started my lesson with mom telling me to sew a seam and I failed miserably, with the needle going forward and backward, out of my control! See, the problem is that I get so scared when I get near the machine (for fear of pricking myself or bursting the old thing, I’m not sure). The right way is, once you’ve spun the spindle, to gain momentum by rocking the enormous foot peddal. But since I’m so scared, I can never gain the momentum. I ruined my mom’s boho-esque sash thing.
My aunt decided that I should start from the beginning. Apart from learning how to hook up the threads, I also learned how to wind thread around a bobbin (the roll that will be placed inside the machine itself). I think the method to hook the thread from the spool to the needle is tedious enough! :S
So, I was saying, my aunt wanted me to start from the beginning. Yup, so she told me to sew straight lines all over my granny’s cloth diaper napkins. Yes, used napkins (that have been soaked with Dettol of course)! In the end, I graduated to making circles and alphabets. Haha. I think I’m more confident of my sewing (lines) now. :P She allowed me to sew a seam in the end, which she said, is better than my grandma’s sewing… Which is not saying much actually. :P
I sat at the sewing machine for a good part of the day. And a thought crossed my mind, and I think I can make a good quote of it:
Jenny Humphrey single-handedly brought back the “cool” in DIY.
Haha, lame quote, yes.
An evening with Roald Dahl
Paid my library fines (more…)
Magical Wonders concert
… ended yesterday. :(
Feel a bit empty and somewhat lost. Contributing to it is also the fact that dance classes won’t start till Jan 9th. What am I gonna do till then? Get flabby and die? Some pics to brighten my night :)
Rehearsals Day – 9 Dec 08, 8.45am to 3pm
3 jazz girls and a peeking ballerina
What we do while waiting our turn? We knit! Plenty of time to knit, play Polar bear, chit chat, escape to Funan. :P
Emily and Chrys (in that order) doing jetes for fun
Concert Day – 10 Dec 08, 8.45am to 10.50pm
Little NEMOs
Kiddies waiting their turn to go on stage
Waiting… Watching the show on TV
Getting ready for the first show
After our first performance, Chrys and I had to go to level 3 to take care of 2 three-year-olds: Faith on the left and Aini on the right. Their bus broke down and Faith’s parents drove them two down because they were gifts from Snow White to Shrek (important role for the first show) – they’re apples – god I hope they’re not poisoned! Hahaha. We talked to them and read to them a Christian book about Paul and Silas. Was kind of awkward reading these things where God is involved and where I’ve to read with conviction when I’m really a convict myself. Haha. I was cold and so I teased Faith, “can I borrow your shirt?” She replied, “no, you’re too big!” Faith’s a real cutie. She took out her Pocky biscuits to eat and then I was about to zip it up in her bag when she stopped me and took out the box again. She said she wanted to take one for Aini. And I said, “children who share are good children” and she repeated after me! And I told her, “Faith is a good girl because Faith shares.” So cuteeeee… They’re so chatty and have no walls around them. Life’s not dealt them anything and they’re still so precious and pure.
Dawn, Chrys, Zhixin :)
En pointe with Sandra and Crystal!
Chrys and Claudia – she’s a sweetheart!!
Me and Joanne – she’s also such a sweetheart!!!
The lovely Grade 7s… I will miss em…
We weren’t told to go out for curtain call, so we didn’t do it for the Matinee. But Mag wanted to show the costumes on stage and the 4 miserable souls (Xinni, Hexin, Chrys and myself) had to wait the entire second show just to come out for curtain call. Super impromptu! But I’m glad I got on the stage. Cos… I witnessed a marriage proposal! First time ever!!! Jacky the hiphop teacher, who plays Shrek in the musical, proposed to his girlfriend who also plays Fiona. Awww.. Imagine all the pressure from the audience, dancers and students!!! She cried. Aww… Of cos she said yes. But who knows what happens after the show. Anyway, in my opinion, a proposal is a personal thing, and however elaborate and happy the occasion, Jacky should have proposed privately. Oh well, to each his own. If my boyfriend ever proposes to me in a crowd of people watching, I’ll tell him to buzz off!
Lastly, I really enjoy performing! I don’t think I’ve much of a stage fright when I dance… :) But… I’m quite sick of Colours of the Wind now. Imagine dreaming of the music and the choreo at night!!
I’m a Blair sort of girlfriend.
Watched 2.5 episodes of Gossip Girl (and would have watched more, had my internet not screwed up so marvelously). And I think that Blair, the villain, is somewhat misunderstood. I’m not trying to say that Serena is a saint (she’s been such a disloyal bitch with no self control; but she’s trying to change for the better). I’m saying that had I been in Blair’s position, I’d just be as crazy and mean as she is. In fact, she’s already quite toned down in the revenge department by telling Serena to stay out of her way, but Serena continued to cross paths with Blair when she could have chosen not to. This is why Blair’s picking on her. So yea, I’d have been as psycho as Blair, if not psychoer if I was her, and she’s too kind to Nate. Huh, Blair, you want to have sex with him after years of saying no, all just in hope that he’d stop loving Serena? Please don’t be such a little woman, Blair. You’re better than that!
But, having said all that, I still think Serena’s the prettier girl. :) Personal preference.
Pretty Blair.
Prettier Serena.
And to be certain, I took a quiz and answered honestly!
| Which Gossip Girl Character Are You? |
Blair Waldorf
 You're an Upper East-Side queen and you like your status. Usually, your main flaw is that you trust people way too much; so it hurts even more when they stab you in the back… But as we said before, you're a queen so stand up and strike back! |
Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by  |
Vietnam sendoff
Here are some pics taken at the airport…
Polaroids we took at the airport.
Pre-trip briefing – Zw’s second from the left (partially hidden)
Zw’s luggage: backpack with sleeping bag, vacuumed pillow, hand carry of small toys and knicknacks for the group cos he’s in the logs team and mochila of personal belongings.
Guess who I bumped into? Jason ~ the temp staff from EY Tax A! He was also sending off his friend who was going on the same trip as Zw. Small world…
Can you tell we’re both sleepy? Afterall we’re both extreme westsiders, the farthest you can live from the airport.
Happy faces.
The team’s fund raising t-shirt.
IMHO, it’s damn lame but we shall not tell them that!
Group shot. Find Zw.
Background: had no Spanish! Unbelievable considering Span is the 3rd most widely spoken language in the world!! Hasta pronto, Zw! :)
Tales of mere existence
In order to not miss the Zee Boy so much (he’s gone to Viet and I won’t see him for 3 weeks), I’ve resorted to watching youtube among other things…
This is funny:
Family board games
I totally forgot to blog about the fact that Zw bought me a Cluedo set for Christmas! And I didn’t get him anything! I’m such a lousy loser bitch… But anyway, he resolved the discrepancy by winning the Cluedo match we had. :( Oh well. I thought I had the game but Zw is a sneaky feller. Not the first time he’s won me in a multi-party game (Citadel, Cleudo…) and he always beats me at Connect-Four. URGH. He’s no fun!
Toy soldiers
Went to Tanglin Mall today and got ourselves a pair of tin toy soldiers collectibles from The Better Toy Store. :D They’re real pretty and vintage and cost just $14.90 for two (Christmas promotion). If I had anybody to get Christmas presents for, I’d definitely purchase more of these toys.
My cymbals-clashing soldier.
Zw’s drum-rolling soldier.
Rat-a-tat-tat.
Suddenly remembered an old book I had when I was about 3 (and I still have it actually). The book’s made up of thick cardboard, so you can imagine how vintage it is (nowadays it’s plastic books with pop-ups and fancy buttons). The first sentences of my book were:
“In the night, there is a noise.
[Forgot what] wakes up all the toys.
Time for play and time for fun.
So they wake up one by one.”
Haha, my childhood memories are pretty vivid; they started to fade out when I was around 13 – when life started to suck. I think I’m a lot happier now as I depart further away from my teenhood. :)
P.S. Zw and I went to THREE toy stores this week!!!
